Chapter 5: Don't Fear, My Darling
"Daddy?" Aria called softly, opening her parent's bedroom door. Peter took his headphones out of his ears and looked up at his daughter, noticing her eyes were red and puffy.
"What's the matter, munchkin?"
"I hadda nightmare."
"Aw, sweetheart. Come here."
Aria walked over to the bed, struggling to get all the way on top until Peter gently pulled her up and into his arms.
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I dunno what to make of it. It was so weird…and scary. This big purple guy, he hadda…I think it was a glove? He kept snapping and snapping over and over…"
Peter's face fell as he tightened a protective arm over his daughter, who felt so small and vulnerable. His gaze flickered over to Gamora, who was sleeping peacefully, her dreams far away from the horrors of her upbringing.
But they had promised, before Aria was even born, that they would never keep secrets from their children. He took a deep breath and put on a weak smile.
"He's someone your Mom and I fought a long time ago. But we kicked his butt, and you won't ever have to deal with him again, okay?"
Aria looked up at her father uncertainly, her bright eyes still sparkling with tears.
"Okay."
Gamora stirred next to them, opening her eyes to see her daughter and Peter (who's eyes were both that pretty shade of blue-green) staring back at her.
"Everything okay?" She asked.
"Yeah. Aria just had a nightmare about…about Thanos." Peter said, hesitating.
Gamora's expression hardened as she sat herself up, pressing a gentle hand to Aria's cheek.
"I want you to listen to me very carefully, Aria. I will never, ever, let that monster, that pitiful excuse for a man, hurt you. I swear to you. Do you understand me?"
Aria nodded, her eyes wide. "Because you'll kick his butt?"
Gamora smiled, and tilted her head up to kiss Aria's forehead. "Yes I will."
"We love you so much, munchkin." Said Peter, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"I love you too. But…I think I'm ready to go back to bed. Will you tuck me in?"
"Of course we will, sweetheart." Said Gamora, tossing the covers off herself as Peter helped Aria off the bed.