Ok here we all new Chapter, it's world building and angsty

Planting the Seeds of Family

Chapter Three

The Udonta Family left Yarovesky and the slave, well ex-slave to rest while they made their way to the mess hall, at that time of the morning it held only two crew members who turned when they walked in.

Instantly Iztel demanded "Give him to me", Yondu didn't have the heart to refuse this, as Iztel got himself seated and Peter was in his arms.

All of them noticed the boy stirring as if picking up on Itzel's scent which was the smell of breakfast which lingered on his skin. "There you go, boy, I was worried about you". He whispered in the toddler's ear, while Proctom got the Captain and First Mate their breakfast and coffee.

No one really discussed anything, it was a bit too soon for the parents, and all Iztel cared about was the toddler was okay. Hell, he had been feeding him since the first day and was only up to recently the only reason the Ravager got up in the morning.

While they ate, both of them took a long look at Proctom, he had been a Ravager since he was fifteen, which was considered too young but Yondu had picked him up with several others. Even though he had been in the past a dick and had just returned from being deliberately exiled by the crew due to scarring Peter and was still recovering from his brain injury.

Proctom looked younger than twenty, and paler than most Ravagers, having come from the same place where Omevic was born, the only difference was that Proctom had remained with the others until he was hired by Yondu. Omevic didn't, but then again slave ships were unholy places for children and all of them knew it.

"Today Peter's staying with us, so you have a day off at least", Yondu said to try to lighten the mood, to which Iztel just brushed the boy through his spiky hair with his good hand, "that's ok, we have lots of fun things planned when wakes up. So, what's going on with the new arrival anyway".

"Still under discussion", Yondu said smoothly since he had no idea, but Kraglin who was standing at the counter noticed a dark look cross over Proctom's face. But didn't mention it.

With breakfast concluded the Udonta family made their way to the bridge, with Peter safe and snoozing in Yondu' arms. Yondu liked having his son safe and sound and several times during the day felt his body twisting and glanced down to see Peter blearily blinking at him, and his hands searching Yondu's chest.

"Daddy pouch", Peter moaned to himself, trying to find the sacred safe space before settling back to sleep. "You can't Peter, you're a big boy now," Yondu said to his son who didn't look convinced and made his dad aware of that.

There was an undercurrent running through the Elector, but Yondu and Kraglin were pleased to receive a discreet summons on their communicators that the Xandarian boy was waking up and was confused and disoriented.

With Peter still sleeping now casually swung over Kraglin's shoulder they made their way down to the Med-bay, they were gifted with the sight of the small boy coming to, with Yarovesky standing next to him, not even bothering to hide how concerned he was.

The young boy, blinked and looked to the ceiling before glancing around and froze instantly at the sight of the three Ravagers, and there was an uncomfortable silence before Yondu spoke, trying to be gentle but that wasn't his thing as everyone knew.

Yondu was clueless, but Kraglin once again in his infinite wisdom and the fact that he was Xandarian like the boy, knew what to say.

"I am Kraglin, and this is Captain Yondu Udonta, and this is our son Peter", he said gesturing to the sleeping toddler. "You saved his life yesterday, and because of this, you're under the protection of the Ravagers. Where no one will hurt you."

The boy didn't look too convinced. But Kraglin persisted, "You old Master is dead, so your going to remain with us, but you'll be treated right. Yarovesky" he gestured to the Xandarian standing near the biobed, "He'll be keeping an eye on you, and we're setting up a new room. So, you can have a bit of privacy. When it comes to work…we'll figure it out".

The eight-year-old just tried to take everything in. His Master was dead, really dead and he was with the Ravagers, this was all too much to take in, so the unconsciousness was almost blissful, but everyone heard the words emitting from the child's mouth which made them very uncomfortable. "Thank you, Master".

With that done, and Yarovesky due to be discharged soon so he would sort everything out for the child, the Udonta family left, but Omevic was playing on their minds even with Peter now almost himself.

With their days completed it was still a difficult night, since Peter was now medication free, which made him restless and tearful. His parents were up all night with their son crying every hour seeking and receiving reassurance, that there were no monsters or evil men and no one would hurt him.

"I want Fang". Peter sobbed until Yondu checked to see what had happened to Peter's precious teddy, last seen saturated in Yarovesky blue blood.

Jamsean had had the foresight to leave him with the launders, who since Fang was more delicate than everything else, and could be ripped to shreds in the cleaning vats was being washed gently, which was taking its time.

Which didn't impress Peter who just sobbed for his missing favourite toy and no one of his other toys was good enough. No other toy was as good as Fang, and that was final.

The next morning all of them were sleep deprived, and it didn't help with Pete begun to stir

"Daddy, daddy" Peter started to poke at his parents, who in truth were not morning people but were pleased that their son was seemingly back to his usual self.

"Come on I want breakfast" Peter declared, hopping on one foot to the next, so at least his broken foot had healed quickly.

Getting themselves dressed and sorted the Udonta family made their way to the Mess hall where Iztel and Proctom were, and the rest of the Ravagers were.

Iztel was happy to see the toddler, who rushed to him and demanded breakfast which Proctom was happy to supply. It was all going well, just a typical morning on the Elector, until Kraglin and Yondu got up to leave do Peter could have his lessons.

"Ok, so we'll be back for lunch, and I'll take Peter on me rounds. Perhaps we should wait before taking him back to the hanger bay". Kraglin informed their Master chef who was happy with that

All was well and good until the Udonta family got up to leave when Peter tensed suddenly and intently begun to cry loudly, big fat tears streaming down his face. "No daddy, no, no no, no. Don't go, don't leave me."

Peter squealed, his red face getting hotter, which caused Kraglin to drop to his knees noticing that Proctom had keeled over suddenly his hand clamped over his face to try and stem the bleeding.

"It's ok, lad. It's ok". Iztel said as calmly as he could while Proctom let Iztel take him to the back to the pantry so the boy could rest. A screaming fit could lead to a seizure, and both of them knew it.

Yondu just exhaled, not impressed once again his son had forgotten the rule for the young Xandarian who only got his injuries from protecting Peter in the first place.

"Peter stop that right now" Yondu instructed, while Kraglin still on his knows just tried to calm the boy.

"No, no daddy, don't leave me. You left, and a bad man came, a bad man came and hurt me. Grabbed me" Peter just bawled while his parents shared a look.

They had had a quiet moment of Peter not even acknowledging it happened then all his memories came back in a rush of the danger he was in.

"Peter, daddy, killed the bad man, all the Ravagers did. You are fine and safe" Kraglin picked up they son, while Peter just sobbed into his shoulder and his body trembled with fear. "Bad man came", Peter kept repeating, whole Iztel came out of the pantry door and addressed the ones in charge of the ship in a low tone.

"Proctom's just had a micro-fit, but he's not bleeding. He'll be fine, but Yondu. If Peter's going to act like that. He can't be with me today".

Yondu just exhaled, while Kraglin tied their best to soothe their troubled toddler. In truth, he hated having his authority questioned. Peter spent time in the mess having lessons and play, it was safer, and Iztel usually loved Peter being there.

But at the same time, their MasterChef had his priorities right. Proctom was still recovering from delicate brain surgery, and it was taking time to heal, which was why he had Iztel looking out for him.

Yondu had begun to suspect that if Proctom would never go on a mission again, then at least he possibly had a new career on the Elector when Iztel was gone.

In the end, the Captain of the Ravagers just exhaled and walked over to Peter's small table grabbing his pad, and some paper and crayons.

"Fine, Peter you're coming to the Bridge with us. Iztel, that kid's being discharged today, Yarovesky in charge of that. He'll probably be coming down here, or whatever. So, keep an eye on him, make sure the boy eats something. You can figure that out".

Since Yondu was fully aware what the boy hadn't eaten for most of his life, but knew Iztel had some ideas about that, to which the older Ravagers just nodded.

Peter's sobs had subsided, but his head was still buried in Kraglin's shoulder, and the second in command could only shrug.

With their son in their possession, the Udonta family finally went to the Bridge, but all of them knew that the events of the last two days went deeper than they could possibly imagine.

To be continued

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