When Peter pushes Ego towards the missile, he flew off to the side to avoid the explosion to come. From the smoke, Peter is able to spot me flying at full speed towards them, and his eyes widened in panic. Ego reemerges just in time as I tackled him from behind and threw punch after punch until we both crashed onto the surface near his brain.
"Stellar, honey. What do you think you're doing?" The Celestial cracked a smile.
"That's for what you did to me on Berhert, dick." I growled. "So don't act like you give a scut about me."
Using all of my strength including my newly found god-like powers, I throw another punch to Ego's face and smirk as part of his face cracks like a porcelain doll. Peter lands right behind me, and got ready to back me up in my fight if necessary.
"You and your brother." Ego chuckled darkly. "You kids are somethin' else. I really had high hopes for you, Stellar."
Despite my heart fluttering anxiously from his sudden dark tone, I maintain a passive expression and stood tall as I got ready to fight again. After cracking my knuckles, I start running towards the Celestial for another attack, before he simply waves his hand. Intense pain courses through my head and forces me down to my knees just before I could lay a hand on Ego. In a panic, my brother ran to my side while Ego slowly backs away.
"I've tried so hard for you both. I wanted to cleanse the universe together...but if you're not with me, then you're against me."
I barely hold back my surprise when I cough up my own blood, and felt my body grow weaker progressively with each passing second. Peter almost looks haunted as he held me in his arms, and I could tell that my weakened state likely brought back bad memories he longed to bury deep in his mind.
"Stellar- -" My brother tried calling out to me.
"She's probably in too much pain to focus, kiddo. You know how my DNA's integrated itself into her body? Well, if I die, I might as well take her with me. Call it a fail-safe, but long story short, my DNA is cancerous to her now...sound familiar?"
Peter's eyes widened at the implication the Celestial made, and in this very moment, it definitely got me thinking more.
Peter's mother...she died from a tumor in her brain, right? What's he implying though?...did...did Ego have something to do with her death?
"You bastard." Peter growled.
I glance up at the Terran and give him a small smile as I reached for one of his hands. I really wanted to reach up and wipe away the lone tear trailing down his cheek, but didn't feel strong enough to do so.
"...Peter...d- -don't...don't worry 'bout me, 'kay?" I spoke softly. "If I die...you made my life mean something, and...I...I'm so grateful t- -to have met you."
Peter shushes me gently and brushed my hair out of my face.
"D...don't talk like that, Stells." Peter's voice shook. "You'll b- -be okay, this is nothing- -"
I shook my head as my vision began to blur and weakly squeezed his hand.
"I love you and the others...so much." I rasped. "You stay strong for me...keep fighting...d- -don't let Ego...win."
My eyes slip shut as I fall limp in the Terran's arms.
"I can still help save her, Peter...all you have to do, is stop all of this." Ego told his son.
"No. I'm not helping you destroy the universe, and I never will consider it." Peter lowered his voice dangerously before standing up, his eyes glowing brightly with power. "Now I'm gonna kill you. For my mom, for Stellar...and for everyone else you've hurt along the way."
Without hesitation, Peter used his Celestial abilities and went back to fighting his father as the thought to kill him grew much stronger.
In the midst of all the action, Rocket spotted Stellar on a random rock pillar and flew over to the Titanian in a panic.
"Flarkflarkflark! C'mon Stells, wake up!" Rocket pat her cheeks before going to search for a pulse, but feels nothing.
Laying his head over her chest, he doesn't hear a heartbeat either. Although, since her body still felt warm, the raccoon knew he'd have to work quick with that limited time window. Grabbing one of Stellar's elemental blasters, he changes the setting before placing the end of the gun right over her chest and pulling the trigger. A volt of electricity courses through the Titanian's body and causes her to jolt. The raccoon nervously bit down on his bottom lip and leaned over her chest once more, his ear twitching as he focused on listening for a heartbeat, and is extremely relieved at finally hearing it after a few seconds, albeit it was weak.
"Alright sweetheart, let's get the flark off this rock..." Before he mutters quietly. "An' don't you ever die on me again."
The cybernetically enhanced raccoon picked up the unconscious woman before activating his aero-rig and flying over to the center of the cavern where Ego's brain lied.
"Groot? If you can hear me, hurry up! I'm not sure how long Quill can keep him distracted! Groot, hurry!" Rocket called out to the Flora Colussus, before spotting the Centaurian. "Yondu, we're about to blow!"
"Get to the ship!" Yondu ordered.
"Not without Quill!" The raccoon argued.
"You need to take care of the twig!" He insisted.
"Not without you!" Rocket's voice wavered.
"...I ain't done nothin' right my whole damn life, rat. You need to give me this." Yondu mumbled softly.
After several seconds, Rocket gives in with a sigh and provided some items to the Centaurian.
"Uh… A spacesuit and an aero-rig. I only have one of each."
The tiny Flora Colussus makes it out of Ego's core just in time and climbed onto the raccoon's shoulder.
"I am Groot." He smiled at the Ravager Captain.
"What's that?" Yondu raised an eyebrow.
"He says, "Welcome to the frickin' Guardians of the Galaxy." Only he didn't use frickin'." Rocket cracked a smile.
Yondu can't help but chuckle at this.
"Bye, twig." He nodded before glancing to the raccoon. "Listen...you take care of the girl, you hear me?"
Rocket seems flustered from this, but agreed as his hold tightened on Stellar. With one final nod of respect to the Centaurian, the raccoon reluctantly flies away to the Quadrant ship.
"We're gonna need to have a real discussion about your language." Rocket mutters to Groot.
FLASH!
"HAHA! She thinks the d'ast thing is a toy!"
"That's priceless! What a moronic whelp this one is. Should've left her to die."
"Strajer. Back away from the kid before I decide to punch yer flarkin' teeth out and feed 'em to ya. If I don't see you doin' your damn job, ya'll can consider yerself being shoved into an airlock within the next ten minutes, you piece of scut."
I fought back tears as Yondu approached me, and couldn't stop shaking at the look of anger on his face. The crew-member immediately stood tall and nodded his head vigorously before rushing back to work with the other crew members.
"Did they hurt ya, kid?" Yondu asked.
I looked at Yondu in confusion, almost certain that he was going to punish me, but slowly nod in response.
"Those crutacken dumbasses don' know up from down, so I wouldn' pay them any mind. But don't you put up with none o'their scut, y'hear me?" The Centaurian practically growled.
Out of fear, I nodded my head immediately. I tensed up as Yondu reached out, and using his sleeve, wiped the tears from my cheeks. I was definitely surprised but grateful for his gentleness.
"Get yerself clean and get back to work 'fore I eat ya, kid." Yondu grumbled.
I yelped and ran off to find Peter, running as fast as my tiny legs would allow me.
FLASH!
When I wake up, while my body feels weak, I'm thankful that I'm no longer on the brink of death.
This looks like...yeah I'm back on the Quadrant. God, what's with all the yelling?
I groaned in pain as I got up from the floor of the cargo bay and after my vision cleared, took in my surroundings. I can hear Drax shouting over the intercom and demanding to know where Peter was, I saw nearby an unconscious Gamora and Mantis as Nebula who watched over them both, and Rocket standing at the entryway to the cargo bay as he stared at Planet Ego dejectedly while everything was literally falling apart before us. The cargo bays begin to close as the ship prepares to move out of orbit from the blast radius of Planet Ego's destruction.
"R...Rocket?" I coughed, my throat hoarse and dry.
The raccoon turned around in surprise.
"Stellar...y- -you're awake." He barely uttered. "Flark...I was...so worried- -uh...I mean, we were worried..."
I limp over before crouching down to hug him.
"I'm glad you're okay too." I mumbled softly into his neck, before pulling back slightly and realizing from his saddened expression, "...Peter...he didn't make it back...did he?"
Hesitantly, Rocket nodded in response before also mentioning Yondu's name. I could tell he was bracing himself for the worst kind of reaction, and was probably more surprised at how...quiet I was being all of a sudden. Aside from my eyes welling up, I didn't make a sound. The cybernetically enhanced raccoon placed his paw on my cheek and gently turned me until I was looking at him.
"It wasn't anyone's fault...and...if I know Quill, he didn't make it easy for Ego and wanted to make sure the job was done." Rocket assured me. "Plus...Yondu wanted to stay behind..."
He's actually trying to be nice and comfort me...heh...if I weren't so fucking sad, the thought would probably have me smiling...
Feeling a lump in my throat, because I don't trust myself to speak, I merely nod in reply.
"...you almost didn't make it either..." He mumbled quietly. "...I dunno what I would've done..."
I recall what happened back on Planet Ego. Ego had used his own DNA against me and made it cancerous.
I was dying in Peter's arms...
I continue to remain silent, not wanting to talk or even think about it at the moment.
"There's someone alive out there!" Kraglin shouted over the intercom. "Open the airlock!"
Rocket and I exchange a hopeful look before he pulls away to do just that. Moments later, Peter and Yondu are brought inside the cargo bay. Upon seeing me, Peter has that haunted expression, wondering if I was real or just a figment of his imagination. When I approach Peter holding onto Yondu, I could tell from the tear marks along my brother's cheeks that the Centaurian wasn't alive. I knelt down beside the Terran, gently maneuvering Yondu out of his arms before pulling him in for a much needed hug. Peter trembled, his face burrowing into the gap between my neck and shoulder, as he was overcome with so many emotions. Looking down at Yondu's unmoving body, part of me felt...numb.
A while after everything settles down, Peter had confirmed that he was no longer part-Celestial since Ego had died. I didn't know whether that had meant I was safe in regards to not dying from Ego's DNA, or not. I considered asking Rocket to try and perform a scan to determine whether the cancer was gone from my body or not. However, despite that possibility of still having the cancer, I knew I lived a...well not a perfect life, no...but, I didn't have any regrets right now. We helped save the galaxy again, and that's what really mattered to me in the end. And then...there was Yondu. Before he died saving Peter nobly, he and I had actually gotten closer to the point that I could consider him...my dad.
I didn't even know what I had until...until he was gone...
"Peter...she hasn't really spoken since she was brought back to the Quadrant." Gamora snuck a glance over in my direction. "What happened on Planet Ego, exactly?"
The Terran frowned as Gamora placed a hand on his cheek almost lovingly. Peter briefly explains what happened after Rocket had managed to snap me out of Ego's control, and everything that occurred before I passed out in Peter's arms. Gamora's eyes widen slightly, especially knowing the nature in which his mother passed since the Terran had told her about it in confidence.
"Does she still have...?" Gamora asked worriedly.
"I don't know..." Peter mumbled softly, "I just...I don't know if I can go through it again...I thought she died in my arms and I...I nearly lost it."
Gamora stops Peter from talking further, pulling the Terran in for an embrace.
"I think you should go talk to her...not only did she almost lose her brother, but she also lost someone close to her today." She refers to Yondu.
The Terran pulls himself together after a minute or so, and giving the assassin a nod, walked over before taking a seat beside me.
"Um...hey."
I remain silent and kept my gaze down at my feet. My brother sighs softly before reaching out and grabbing my hand.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Peter asked.
I glance up at him in complete confusion, never having quite heard this Terran expression, before he quickly elaborates.
"It uh...it means that I'd pay to know what you're thinking..." He cracked a small smile.
I nod slowly in understanding.
"I feel...stupid." I mumbled.
Peter frowns at this, but doesn't say anything yet, and gives me a look that urges me to continue.
"Before Yondu..." My eyes begin to well up with tears. "I just...I feel stupid that I'd always been afraid of him, because...I didn't understand...and these past few hours gave me so much clarity about the kind of man he actually was. And...he...h- -he wasn't that bad of a guy." My voice cracked. "It's just...I- -I didn't even know what I had until..."
Peter's eyes glisten as well, and closes them shut before pulling me into his side.
"I thought the same thing actually." He chuckled tearfully. "But you're not alone in this, okay?"
"...I love you, Pete." I sniffled.
"I love you too, kid." He mumbled softly.
About a half hour later, we finally gain our bearings and decide to hold a small gathering and service for the former Ravager captain. Before us, we place Yondu on a small plank that leads into the incinerator and prepare a proper Ravager's funeral with what we had. Gathering, Yondu's belongings and his most treasured items from awards to the little knickknacks he liked to collect, we place the items around and over his body along with yaro lilies and red-fired pyres. All of us gather around Yondu and hold hands as Peter stood at the end of the plank where Yondu's head lied. I could tell that Peter was having difficulty with starting the eulogy because of the delicate state of mind he was in, so I offer to speak first (even though I wasn't in much better of a state myself).
"I uh, don't really know what to say, considering I wasn't expecting Yondu to...leave us so soon." I muttered dejectedly, before trying to stand tall.
I ignored the look of pity on everyone's faces, but upon thinking about the Centaurian, tears spring into my eyes almost immediately.
"When I was growing up with Peter and the Ravagers...Yondu wasn't always the most even tempered, sure, and that's an understatement in itself. Peter and I literally have so many stories." I grimace. "...but...looking back on it...he was soft on me compared to everyone else." I couldn't help but smile. "In his own weird way, he made sure I was alright, made sure that the crew members didn't try to mess with me or hurt me. Sometimes, he'd act like everyone was goofing off and get all pissed off..." I trailed off with a tearful laugh. "Yondu was different and just had a...bizarre way of expressing himself, and back then, I always mistook it as him being angry at me. But...he's saved my life without hesitation...numerous times over the past few hours and...it made me open my eyes."
I moved forward and after kissing the small object, placed his Ravager's badge on his forehead.
"Even though I know very well who my biological father is...Yondu Udonta was a good man, a good captain, and..." I mentally curse myself when my voice cracks. "I had a very cool dad."
I nearly jump when my fingers are being squeezed and forget about Rocket holding my hand. The gesture is enough to help comfort me, and after squeezing his paw back, I slowly begin to relax after feeling grounded enough. I let my eyes slip shut for a minute and listen to Peter's voice.
"The other day I told Gamora how I used to pretend my dad was David Hasselhoff." The Terran started.
Rocket and Drax exchange a look of confusion, but say nothing as he continued.
"He's a singer and actor from Earth... a really famous guy." Peter clarified.
Drax nods in understanding, and surprisingly says nothing in response.
"And, you know, today it struck me, just like it did with Stellar. Yondu didn't have a talking car, but he did have a flying arrow. And he didn't have the voice of an angel, but he did have the whistle of one. And both David Hasselhoff and Yondu went on kickass adventures, and hooked up with hot women, and fought robots." Peter smiled faintly. "So, the thing is, David Hasselhoff kinda did end up being my Dad after all, only he was Yondu. I had a pretty cool Dad too." Peter's voice faltered.
That's...actually really beautiful, Peter...
Peter squeezed my other hand tightly as he struggled to keep his tears at bay, but kept going anyway.
"And what Stellar helped me realize...is that the thing you're searching for your whole life, sometimes it's right there by your side all along and you don't even know it."
Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Gamora leaving the room and try to resist the urge to follow. Groot looks up at Rocket with a saddened and almost confused expression as Rocket stares down at Yondu's body.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked.
"Yeah. That's the friend I was talking about." Rocket muttered sadly.
"I am Groot." He sighed sadly.
"He did call you 'twig.'" The raccoon nodded.
Finally, we all began to lift Yondu and the plank, and slide him into the bulbous incinerator within the room. As his body slides along the colorful and vibrant cosmic energy and begins to become enveloped by the sparkling colors, I close the door on the incinerator as everyone watches with sadness and respect. After a minute or so, I storm out of the room as everything that happened over the past several days weighed down heavily on me. Peter's words definitely resonated within my mind as I make it over to the flight deck, sitting over in a secluded corner and silently watch Yondu's ashes scatter in space.
It's...almost beautiful to look at...
When I feel someone tap my shoulder, I see that it's Kraglin who knelt down beside me.
"Stellar."
"Yeah?" I barely uttered.
I glance down and see that Kraglin had placed something in my hand. I noticed the purple colored earbuds first, before going to inspect the device more closely.
"Cap'n found these for you and Peter in a junker shop. Said someday you an' Pete would come back to the fold." Kraglin told me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"It's called a Zune - what everyone listens to on Earth nowadays. It's got three hundred songs."
"No shit." I smiled at the object in awe.
"He knew how much ye loved Pete's music." Kraglin muttered.
"...thank you." I kissed his cheek. "It means a lot to me."
Kraglin blushes a deep shade of red at the gesture, and nods before leaving me by myself. I glance down at the object and carefully press the play/pause button as I put in the earbuds. The screen lights up as a live version of 'My Girl' by The Temptations begins to play. The audio is so crisp, maybe even better than Peter's Walkman. When the audio travels through both earbuds, it gives an almost echo type of effect that I'd never experienced before when listening to music that nearly blew me away. When I closed my eyes, I could actually picture myself in a large and spacious arena or theater. It almost sounds...soothing in a way. I lower the device and enjoy the song, bobbing my head along to the beat of their finger-snapping. When I open my eyes, I'm nearly floored as various spacecrafts surround our ship and begin blasting fireworks. I was utterly amazed at the sight and felt goosebumps across my entire body.
"They came." Rocket muttered.
"What is it?"
"I sent word to Yondu's old Ravager buddies and told them what he did." The raccoon admitted.
Just as Gamora enters, Peter smiles warmly at the scene before him.
"It's a Ravager's funeral." The Terran realized.
"He didn't chase 'em away." Rocket muttered.
"No." Peter replies.
"Even though he yelled at 'em." Peter shakes his head. "And was always mean." Peter shook his head again. "And he stole batteries he didn't need." Rocket finished.
Peter looks at Rocket in surprise, before he coughs awkwardly and speaks up once more.
"Of course not." Peter said.
"I...I need to do somethin' real quick." Rocket barely mumbles.
Peter once again, was surprised by Rocket's sudden politeness and nods as he watched the cybernetic-raccoon walk over to me. I felt a tap to my shoulder and glance down to see Rocket with an unreadable expression on his face. When he noticed the tears rolling down my face, he reaches up and wiped them away with the back of his paw. I'm taken by surprise by the raccoon's gentleness as he carefully took out my earbuds and placed them beside me.
"I need to tell ya something, Quill." Rocket spoke up, before clearing his throat awkwardly.
The flustered raccoon doesn't give me a chance to say anything and continues.
"I meant everything I said on Planet Ego and...I don't wanna waste anymore time now that I know how I...well, how I feel 'bout you."
I was not expecting that, I'll admit it.
"So all cards on the table...how 'bout it...you wanna...see where this goes?" Rocket made eye contact with me.
Holy shit...he's actually serious about this...he wants to court me? Oh wait...no...dating, that's what Peter called it, right?
After almost a minute of silence, the raccoon almost seems dejected, before I placed a hand on his cheek and smile warmly at him.
"You're the only one that's made me feel like...I can really be myself. I was so scared that I was losing you when you started acting so differently..." I chuckled tearfully. "I thought I pushed you away."
Rocket seems concerned about the possibility of rejection before I placed a loving kiss to the top of his head to reassure him.
"I've never dated anyone, so...you'll have to take the reigns on this one." I winked way too obviously, trying to mimic him.
Rocket lets out a small laugh as he felt much more at ease, like a weight had been lifted. The cybernetic raccoon looks up at me, a devious little twinkle in his eyes, and smirks.
"You missed by the way." He folded his arms.
"What?" I grew confused.
"Well...since we're a couple and everything...might as well make it official." He lowered his voice.
"I- -I'm not sure I'm following- -" My face grew red from his tone.
When Rocket presses his lips to mine, my eyes slowly slip shut as I tried following his lead. I move one of my hands until it's cradling the back of his head, and thread my fingers through his fur. I nearly jump at the growl that emanates from the back of his throat, but melt into him right as his teeth begin to nibble on my lower lip. I barely withhold a whimper and pull back just before the kiss can...escalate into anything further. At first, Rocket's concerned that he'd hurt me before he saw how flushed I looked and smirked.
I can't help but smack the raccoon's arm just from the smug look on his face, and glance around. Thankfully, and shockingly, no one had been looking at us since they were too busy observing the fireworks. I drape an arm around Rockets shoulder and pull him against my side while we watch the fireworks together. At the moment, the pain in my heart lessens, but I knew that eventually...I would be alright.
Several days passed after the events that happened on Planet Ego and after Yondu's funeral. We stayed with Kraglin on the Third Quadrant for several days as we decided what to do about our living situation amongst other things. I kept things discreet from the others as I had Rocket conduct some testing with what technology we had in our possession to determine whether or not I still had any cancer left within me, but the device Rocket designed would take a day or so before the results would come back. I was anxious as hell about the results, but took to distracting myself however I could. Whether it meant trying to come up with living arrangements, helping around the ship, getting my strength back with some small training exercises, or...spending time with Rocket. Now that our unspoken feelings had been put out there...Rocket wasn't really afraid of showing more affection. Sometimes, I feel like the raccoon got a kick out of making me blush, but would do all sorts of things to me (examples include kissing, nibbling on certain weak spots he was able to find very quickly, or pinching my ass) while somehow still managing to be discreet around the others.
"Yo babe, hand me that screwdriver over there!" Rocket called out to me.
The raccoon didn't even bother to turn around from tinkering with whatever (likely) deadly device he was currently working on. I was in the middle of doing a meditation exercise, something Gamora had referred to as yoga. The assassin often told me how it beneficial it was to one's mental and physical health. The pose I was in had been proven very difficult to hold at first, but Gamora had called this one the "Standing Split", which mainly consisted of lifting my right leg up straight above me and bending forward until my forehead would reach my shin before straightening my leg up even higher. From upside down, I glared at my boyfriend's back.
"Seriously?! You couldn't have asked me five minutes ago when I offered to get you anything?" I nearly rolled my eyes.
"Well, I didn't need anything then!" He argued.
"Rocket, I'm in the middle of- -"
The raccoon turns around appearing annoyed before his eyes widen at the sight of me.
"Oh yeah, hahaha. Look at how ridiculous Stellar looks right now, let's hear it." I sighed.
Rocket gives me a onceover before a devious little grin begins to form.
"Actually, your ass looks really nice. What other poses can you do, doll face?" He nearly purred.
HOMYGODMYHEART- -
"What did you say to her?!"
So much for being discreet about...us...
I quickly get out of the yoga position and put my arms forward and flip over until I'm standing upright again.
"I dunno what yer talkin' about, Quill." The raccoon acted innocent. "I was just askin' her what that yoga pose was."
The Terran seemed flustered, trying to determine whether or not Rocket was lying before he let out a sigh and turned back towards the doorway to leave.
"Yeah well...carry on then..." Peter finished lamely.
After my brother practically rushes out of the room in embarrassment, Rocket immediately started laughing hysterically while slapping his knee. I give him a stern look and playfully shove him to his side. The raccoon's reaction is almost adorable as he stumbles over and begins pouting at me before his expression changes into something mischievous.
"What?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh nothin'." Rocket shrugs nonchalantly.
I shake my head and turn over to pick up the forgotten screwdriver on the floor, before I'm suddenly tackled from behind. I nearly scream in shock, before realizing Rocket is the one pinning me down. Surprising me again with his strength, Rocket flips me over before pressing his lips to mine. I squeak into his mouth before melting into the kiss with a sigh.
It's those rare moments, where we manage to sit down together and act like a semi-functioning "family", that would typically make me the happiest. However, I was still on edge as I awaited for the test results that would basically determine my fate, whether I was still dying or not. I still felt fairly weak and tired over the past several days and tried not to overexert myself while I recovered from what happened. I was usually a quick healer, but this time, my recovery was taking longer than it typically would, which did start to concern the others. As I sat next to Gamora and kept an open spot for Rocket, everyone took their places at the table and got ready to eat the meal that Kraglin had managed to snag for us for a decent price. So far, dinner was quiet, but the silence was even more noticeable without Rocket's presence.
"Stells, you look a little distracted. Your food'll get cold soon...everything okay?" Peter asked in concern.
I nearly jump as I'm spooked out of my thoughts, but give the Terran a small smile.
"I'm fine, just sore."
"Still? You usually bounce back by now." My brother frowned a bit. "We should take you to a doctor or something- -"
"Don't even worry about it." I tried assuring him. "I just need to take it easy."
"Have you met yourself?" Gamora raised an eyebrow.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" I nearly squeaked.
"You're always bringing everyone snacks, and checking in on everyone if you're not with Rocket." She pointed out. "I don't think I've ever seen you sitting in one place for too long."
"I can't help it...I was always used to taking care of Peter and..." I blushed. "It's just a habit, alright?"
"Mhmm." The assassin gave me a knowing look.
"Quill is right though, you seem more quiet and despondent than usual." Drax spoke up. "More...antisocial- -"
"Drop it, Drax." I warned the Katathian.
"Whoa, hey!" Peter interjected. "Don't be mad at him for pointing out the obvious. He's worried- -"
"I'd say it was more of an observation than concern- -" The Destroyer muttered.
"Listen, I get it, the shit that's happened since we landed on Berhert was just...it's a lot to process. And I miss Yondu too, but, you're not alone. You can talk to us...you know that, right?" Peter continued.
"I'm not doing this tonight." I sighed, before getting up from my chair.
"What did I do?" My brother nearly pouted.
"You don't need to treat me like I'm still a kid- -I just...I went through some scut and that's it, okay?" I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine."
"...whatever Ego did to you- -" He continued.
At this, I slammed my hands on the table and glared at my brother.
"Don't." I barely held back a growl. "What that...that monster did...well, he paid for it with his life and you made sure of that. End of discussion."
"Stellar." Gamora interjected. "He didn't mean anything by it, and you know that. You can't blame him, or any of us, for noticing these recent changes...you've been distancing yourself lately, and you haven't talked to anyone about, well...anything. Not even to say hello...The only one that you've been around lately is Rocket, and he's been pretty quiet about what you two do together. Do you see where I'm going with this? Now sit down and just...talk to us. You're among friends..."
"Okay, I don't need anyone psycho-analyzing me..." I huffed. "I'm tired and grieving. That's it."
"If that were true, you know Peter would've left it alone...but even I'm becoming concerned." The assassin mumbled.
It's at this moment, that Rocket had unluckily stumbled into this shit-show of a dinner. The raccoon doesn't pay any attention as he stops to stretch at the entryway, before making his way over and taking the empty seat next to mine. After several seconds of chowing down on his dinner, does he just now notices all of the stares.
"Uh...hi?"
"What have you been doing with Quill's sister?" Drax blurted out. "The assassin wishes to know."
Gamora smacks her hand to her forehead from the Katathian's bluntness, but doesn't say anything this time.
"Nothin'. She's just uh...been doin' that d'ast yoga and helpin' me with my projects. Nothin' outta the ordinary." He tried playing it cool.
"Uh huh..." Peter folded his arms and looked to the tech genius suspiciously.
"What?" The raccoon raised an eyebrow. "Ya got somethin' to say, Stardust?"
"Oh nothin'...you two have just been spending a lot of time together and she's acting...weird, but won't say anything." The Terran responds.
"When my Ovette was pregnant, she behaved a lot differently due to her increase of hormones. Perhaps this is the same case." Drax thought aloud.
I choke on my drink at what Drax had been implying and feel very flushed in the face.
"Y- -yeah?! Well you...you're weird." I stammered lamely.
"Wow, you really told him, doll face." Rocket snorted, failing to hide his amused grin. "Yeah, it ain't that, bud."
"You've been showing a lot of affection towards the girl as of late... I apologize for the misassumption." Drax nodded.
Rocket's eyes widened at the Katathian's implications.
WHEN WAS HE AROUND TO SEE US- -?!
"Whoa whoa whoa, showing affection how, exactly?" Peter glared at Rocket.
"Hahaha, you're so friggen funny, big guy..." Rocket laughed nervously. "I have no idea what he's referring to whatsoever."
My heart pounds rapidly in my chest as I slowly inch away from Rocket and find my dinner plate to be much more interesting all of a sudden.
I'm gonna kill Drax in his sleep, that freaking snitch- -
"So you have not had sexual relations with Stellar?" Drax curiously asked. "That is most surprising indeed. You always talk about her posterior or her- -"
"ENOUGH." Gamora snapped before the Katathian can finish his sentence.
"Or her what?" Mantis pouted, looking to Drax for answers.
The raccoon almost resembles a child with hand caught in the cookie jar.
Oh Hala, please just kill me now...nah, I'll ask Gamora to do it...
"Uhhh...it's not what it seems?" Rocket smiled nervously.
At Drax's words, something seems to snap within Peter and before anyone can blink, the Terran is running towards Rocket and quickly circles around the table.
"I'M GONNA KILL HIM!" Peter screams.
"FUCK!" Rocket screeches.
Gamora's eyes widened as she tries to intervene, but Rocket has already taken off with my brother following closely behind.
"Peter wait!"
When the room begins to quiet down, there's only Mantis, Drax, Kraglin, and myself left.
"Well...that was...somethin'..." Kraglin mumbled into his drink.
"Yeah, I just about lost my appetite." I rolled my eyes with a sigh.
"You have been very tense lately, did you want me to help you relax?" Mantis offered.
NOPE, I don't want her knowing anything else- -
"I'm good, thank you." I laughed nervously.
Without another word, I quickly walk out of the room.
Revised as of 04/25/22! Let me know what you guys think! I had so much fun rewriting this. :D
WE ARE GROOT!