Chapter Ten

The thing about space, or being a Ravager or their lives, as they had to get used to a sense of normality, no matter how hard it was. Which Yondu and Kraglin tried to do, but Regellen and Hoag were always in their minds as if they were taunting them.

The group of six had decided to share their tools which were one thing that Aleta didn't get rid of, and it was a small thing but it made the man feel their presence in their lives.

Yondu who had had no one in his life found that he was missing them, even the stupidest shit about them, he missed. Just their jovial demeanour and outlook on life, he found that he was missing.

Even though Yondu was an unsentimental bastard, he had never told them in this lifetime that he liked them, though he was confident they knew. They had never cut him out and always went out of their way to confide in him even though he was the only non-Xandarian of the group, but life being what it was, they had to keep going.

Two reminders however were infringing on that, which was beginning to impact Aleta, and everyone picked up on it.

Regellen and Hoag, for her, felt like the unseen presence, as if they were in the shadows, mocking her for the decision, which she was reminded of daily. Every time she saw Kraglin's haunted face and the scar running down the middle of his eye. Everything about him had changed and everyone knew it.

In the end, however, it was Iztel who came to her, enquiring about the location of Regellen and Hoag's ashes. Everyone knew what they wanted, but they had found after the funeral they had been collected and were now in the Ogord's possession.

And all Aleta would say, was "I'm, taking care of them" and that was it, leaving the rest feeling maligned, and Iztel clenched his hands in her presence. Not that he wasn't willing to rip her head off, but he knew she was one of the few who could kick his ass if she desired, so he reluctantly let it go.

However, Kraglin went back to work but was still unusually quiet even with Yondu next to him, and since their relationship began it was a role reversal and the Ravager was trying to engage him in conversation. Words were few and far between, even if Kraglin was still meeting his targets and working as hard as he could as a distraction.

The nights however were another story, as in their shared bunk, Yondu woke up to Kraglin, screaming in his sleep, the bed and his body drenched with sweat, caught in a nightmare, and Yondu shook him gently, whilst Kraglin lashed out.

"Sorry, sorry", Kraglin kept repeating one night, all wide eyes and his hair soaked with sweat, as he finally came too, and realised where he was. Taking a few moments to realise that every had happened, but it was all a dream, "I'm sorry", Kraglin kept repeating whilst Yondu did his best to reassure Kraglin that it was alright.

Yondu who had no time for sentiment, seemed to have it for Kraglin and didn't want to see his bunkmate and even if he was hesitant to admit it, friend, hurting in any way.

So, when Kraglin requested that Yondu not leave his side, Yondu obliged and Kraglin it was noted slept better when he was curled up next to him, his skinny limbs draped over Yondu's own.

During the night, Yondu just looked down at Kraglin, seeing his symmetric face and messy mohawk in the half-light, nothing how serene he looked and younger too. and Yondu's mind began to go to a place he never envisioned before he dismissed that.

Kraglin had gone through hell, and they were friends, nothing else. Yondu wouldn't take advantage of Kraglin after what had been done to him, no matter what.

One night, however, Kraglin turned to Yondu "You get warmer as you sleep, like a radiator. Why is that?" the question came out of nowhere, which stunned Yondu for a moment before he found his words "How my species work…biological or something like that, Tribal worlds, and to keep us safe".

Kraglin digested this information and settled back down "It's nice, that's all".

Yondu resisted brushing Kraglin's hair, for comfort and later on berated himself because he didn't.

However, a few days later, when Yondu had arisen from their bed since Kraglin had another upset night. When Kraglin, who had a later shift, turned to face him and said in a flat voice.

"Yondu, I think I'm going insane; you keep appearing in my dreams, and I can't stop thinking about you. Like you're there…which makes no fucking sense…".

Kraglin's voice sounded so thin, and Yondu who was getting dressed froze for a moment since he was hoping that Kraglin wouldn't remember anything. And now unintentionally he was screwing up Kraglin's subconscious.

Deciding to confess everything, Yondu sat on the edge of the bed, and with his back to Kraglin's unable to see his emotions, told him everything about their bonding. How it was done out of necessity, just to try to get him to walk up, as Kraglin who had been thigh so much digested this information, and to both their credits, understood why and was grateful. But was curious.

"So, it's not permanent?" Kraglin asked whilst Yondu shook his head.

"It will fade in a few months, I wasn't in your head for long…never been in someone's head before, so it was a new thing for me too". Yondu said, trying to downplay it all.

"But…sorry, if it hurts and all. Had no idea what I was doing, but it will fade, not bonded after all". Yondu made it clear as he finished and left the room, feeling relieved since it was playing on his mind, but missed the moment when as the door closed, Kraglin wrapped himself into a ball, and said to no one, "But I don't want it too".

It took a few more weeks, but Kraglin's dreams were getting easier, and life was getting back to normal even with the void left by Regellen and Hoag.

Yondu distracted himself by becoming more proficient with his arrow, which had now gained almost legendary status within the crew. Even if Aleta had mentioned not to kill anyone with it, as she disappeared down a flight of stairs.

Yondu had stared at the Yaka arrow in his hands, truth be told even with a twinge, having the addition of the controller was beginning to feel more of a part of him.

He had noted small looks of respect from the crew, even if they didn't understand just thought it was incredible, and Yondu had noted it had gained him a few inches in height, even if he had accidentally knocked it on door and objects.

However, with his Yaka arrow in the holster maybe things would go back to normal, with Kraglin feeling more settled, and easing back into his role, even with his night terrors.

However, for Aleta, the mere sight of Kraglin was an annoyance that was growing. Every time she saw the Xandarian, she could almost feel his eye boring into her skull, blaming her, which was an inch she couldn't scratch.

It was affecting her at work. Even the crew's demeanour around her hadn't publicly changed. As a new First mate, she wanted to be respected, and they did that, but it felt passive-aggressive.

Obeying her because they had to, not because they wanted, and even though Aleta could kick all their asses if she desired.

The mere presence of Kraglin on her ship caused her to feel undermined, and it was having an impact on her relationship with Starker, who could feel his wife's troubled soul and would do anything to return her to the woman she once was.

But it was one night, after a bout of sex, and the pair were cuddled into each together that Aleta voiced what she wanted, and her husband post-coital, was in the mood for listening.

"I want Kraglin gone".

To be Concluded

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