The day of the wedding arrived with excitement and the usual banter of chaos that the Guardians were known for. Rocket had gone over the plan so many times that even Peter had started to believe that nothing could go wrong. The headquarters of the Nova Corps gleamed in the Xandarian sunlight, a beacon of hope and protection. The ceremony was to be held in the central garden, a place where the beauty of the planet could be fully appreciated.
The garden was adorned with a mix of Earth and Xandarian flora, courtesy of Groot's green thumb. The archway they would stand under was draped in white fabric that fluttered in the gentle breeze, and at its center, a beautiful bouquet of roses and lilies, Gamora's favorites. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a stark contrast to the usual odor of the spaceship.
As Peter and Gamora made their way to the altar, the gravity of the moment began to sink in. They had faced intergalactic threats, but this was something new, something personal. The guardians of the galaxy, in their less than traditional attire, watched with proud smiles. Rocket, in a slightly less grumpy than usual demeanor, had somehow managed to organize the most beautiful wedding Peter had ever seen. Drax, in his usual fashion, was grinning ear to ear, while Mantis had a knowing smile, her antennae fluttering with joy.
Peter then looked at Gamora, who looked as stunning as ever. Mantis had helped her pick out a dress that was a perfect relfection of her warrior nature and gentle tone. It was a simple yet elegant gown that flowed like a waterfall of stars, reflecting the light of Xandar in every direction. Her hair was pulled back in a loose bun with a few tendrils escaping, framing her face and showcasing her beautiful green skin.
Peter wore a tailored suit that somehow managed to blend the ceremonial finery of Xandarian garb with a touch of Star-Lord for good measure. A typical black tuxedo jacket was paired with a silver shirt that shimmered under the light, and a crimson tie that brought out the vibrancy of Gamora's dress. His boots were polished to a mirror shine, and his hair, usually a wild mess, was styled to perfection.
The Xandarian official, a stately figure with a stern face that was unaccustomed to showing emotion, began to speak the vows but suddenly the doors from the back of the garden flung open.
Peter looked to see who it was and was taken aback by who had entered- Ray.
The man gave a slight smile a reflection of his embarrassment at interrupting their special moment.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, slightly out of breath.
Peter's eyes widened, "Ray? What are you doing here?"
Ray looked at Peter and Gamora standing under the archway, holding hands, and his smile grew, "I came for the special day."
Gamora smiled back but was slightly confused, "We didn't know you were coming."
"No, but Mantis did," Ray replied, nodding towards the empath who was trying to hold in a giggle. Peter looked at her questioningly, but she only winked back.
"I tried to come sooner but space isn't exactly reliable with its travel times," he added.
The tension eased, and Peter felt a warmth spread through him, seeing his spiritual mentor among them on this momentous occasion. "It's great you're here," Peter said genuinely.
The Xandarian official cleared his throat, indicating it was time to proceed with the ceremony.
The vows were exchanged, each word spoken with conviction and love. Peter's voice was strong and clear as he promised to love and cherish Gamora through all the adventures that the cosmos had in store for them. Gamora's voice was equally as sure, her eyes never leaving Peter's as she made her own vows. The moment was beautiful, sacred, and filled with a love that seemed to transcend the boundaries of the galaxy itself.
As the official pronounced them husband and wife, the crowd erupted in cheers, applause, and a few explosions courtesy of Rocket. Peter leaned in to kiss Gamora, feeling the warmth of her lips and the promise of forever in her embrace. The moment was perfect, a culmination of their love and the faith that had brought them together.
The reception was as vibrant as one would expect it to be with music and laughter resonating through the grand hall of the Nova Corps headquarters. Mantis had helped Groot string lights around the room, creating a warm, twinkling ambiance while Drax and Rocket worked on the
songs that were now playing. Granted, the ceremony was a bit unusual, with the slightest argument being heard every now and then (mostly Rocket and Drax bickering over the playlist), but Peter couldn't care less. He had Gamora, and she had him, and that was all that mattered.
As the newlyweds mingled with their guests, a quiet moment found Peter and Gamora stealing away to speak with Ray in a corner of the bustling room. "Thank you for coming," Peter said, his voice sincere. "This means a lot to us."
Ray's eyes sparkled with happiness, "It's an honor to be here." he said, his New Zealand charm not lost on the interstellar crowd. "And to see how your faith has grown, Peter, it truly warms my heart. And you too, Gamora." He took their hands in his own, his grip firm but gentle. "Remember, marriage is a journey, and while the path may be filled with stars and adventure, it's also lined with challenges. Keep your faith in each other, and in the One who brought you together."
Gamora looked at Peter with a soft smile, "We will."
Ray gave a slight sigh, "Well, I can't stay long. But it was great seeing you two again, especially on such a joyous occasion."
The couple nodded and smiled, happy that they could once again talk to an old friend.
The party continued, and soon enough, Peter spotted a figure approaching them, a box in hand. It was Nebula, her usual stern expression replaced with something softer, something that Peter had never seen before. He felt his heart swell with hope as she reached them, extending the box to the couple.
"This is for you," she said gruffly, her voice betraying a hint of emotion she wasn't quite ready to show.
With trembling hands, Peter took the box and opened it to reveal an intricately crafted frame, holding a picture of the three of them, taken during a rare moment of peace on a mission. The image was a reminder of their bond, forged in the fires of adversity and now solidified by love.
"Thank you, Nebula," Peter said, his voice thick with emotion. Gamora's eyes shone with unshed tears as she took the frame from Peter, holding it gently in her hands. The picture was a stark reminder of their shared history, a testament to the love and trust they had built together.
"It's not much," Nebula said, her voice gruff but her eyes gleaming with something that might have been affection. "But I thought it was appropriate."
"It's perfect," Gamora said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"More than perfect," Peter agreed, taking the frame from Gamora and placing it on a nearby table. "We'll cherish it always."
He thought he saw a smile flit across Nebula's face before she turned away, but it was gone so quickly he couldn't be sure.
As the evening drew on, the celebration began to die down. The music played softer, and the guests started to drift away, leaving Peter and Gamora to finally have a moment to themselves. Gamora took Peter by the hand, a mischievous spark in her eyes, and led him away from the party.
"Where are you taking me, Gam?"
Her smile was all the answer Peter needed. She led him through the grand halls of the Nova Corps headquarters, past the stunning artwork and gleaming technology that had become so familiar to him. The echo of their footsteps was the only sound in the otherwise quiet corridors, the occasional laugh or clink of a glass from the reception fading into the background.
She took him to the quiet garden and pulled out Peter's old mixtape. Pushing the button, the song "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" by Elvin Bishop filled the air, and Peter felt a warmth spread through him.
"Remember this one?" she asked, knowing full good and well he did.
"Yeah, you were about to kill me when I played it," Peter said with a chuckle, recalling their early days together.
"Oh, please I wasn't going to kill you...maybe." Gamora teased, her voice filled with affectionate sarcasm.
Peter gave a slight smile, "Yeah, sure, you were going to tickle me to death."
Gamora smirked, "Do you want to dance?"
The question was filled with a hint of challenge, but Peter could see the genuine hope in Gamora's eyes. He nodded, smiling, and took her in his arms as the music grew louder around them. The garden was lit by soft, glowing lights, and the stars above twinkled down like the universe itself was celebrating their union. They danced, their bodies moving in harmony, a silent promise that no matter what the future held, they would face it together.
As the song came to an end, Peter leaned in and whispered, "Gamora, I never thought I'd find someone like you, in the middle of a cosmic battle royale."
Gamora smirked, "And I never thought I'd marry a man who calls himself Star-Lord and thinks dance-offs are a form of diplomacy."
"You have to admit it worked for Ronan," Peter said with a grin, reminding her of their victory over the Kree warrior.
Gamora rolled her eyes, "I think he was more shocked than amazed."
They shared a laugh, the tension of the day melting away with each beat of the music. As they swayed under the stars, Peter felt a sense of peace and belonging he had never experienced before. Gamora had become more than just his partner in crime; she was his confidante, his friend, his soulmate, all wrapped up in one lethal, green package.
"I love you," Peter murmured against her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of the Xandarian flowers that surrounded them.
Gamora leaned into his embrace, her heart swelling with love and a newfound sense of belonging. "And I love you," she whispered back, her voice filled with a softness. They then gave in to the moment, kissing gently as the music played on.
A few moment later, one of the Nova Prime's officers approached Peter and Gamora, his breath slightly ragged from running.
"Guardians, Nova Prime requests your presence."
Peter gave a slight sigh, the realization of duty seeping into their private bubble. Gamora nodded in understanding. The life of a Guardian. Whatever it was, they'd face it together. Them, God, and the freaking Guardians of the Galaxy.
The End.
Special thanks to everyone who's read and followed this story, I honestly thought no one would and it means a lot! I'm planning to do a second part so stay tuned. Hope you guys enjoyed it (yeah, I know I need to work on the characters a little more) thanks again and God bless. 3