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[nostalgiabomb]

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[nostalgiabomb]

We could've fucking tried. We could've held you back as our ace in the hole or something.

[ He makes a frustrated noise -- almost like a grown -- and scrubs his face on reflex. He hisses when he hits the swelling on his cheekbone, though, and contents himself with pulling his hand through his hair. ]

I know you think I'm some kinda idiot or something? But believe it or fucking not, Maxwell, I actually know what the hell I'm doing out here.

[animated]

I don't think you're an idiot, Peter. I don't. I-- sorry, all right? I'm sorry.

[ He doesn't know what to say other than that. He sighs, standing up. ]

Whatever. Out of my depth. Won't happen again. [ And he turns to go. He doesn't want to have this argument right now. He just doesn't. It feels like it's been one fuckup after another, and he's tired of it. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ For a long moment, Peter just sits in moody silence. He-- sort of feels like he won that argument. Which is good, right? It's. It's probably good. Not often he actually wins these things, so. Take that, Maxwell.

Peter's jaw ticks as Charlie moves away. ]

Hey, wait--

[ He stands, making a grab for Charlie's arm-- staggers instead. Jesus fuck, for an old guy, Yondu really packs a punch; his arm wraps around his waist again, and he sits back down heavily. ]

Charlie-- hang on, okay?

[animated]

[ it's probably weird that the first thing he thinks is that Peter doesn't call him "Charlie" often enough.

He stops, and turns to face him ]

What is it, Peter?

[nostalgiabomb]

Look. I-- I just--

[ He heaves out a breath and pinches the bridge of his nose. ]

I just--

Sorry, okay? Sorry. You saved my ass just then, and I shouldn't have made you feel shitty about it, and I'm grateful. I am, honestly. I'm grateful.

I just-- Yondu is a scary fucker, okay? He's smart as hell. He's good at reading people. And I just--

[ --wanted to protect you.

His hands drop to his lap. ]

--didn't want him to figure out a way to use you.

[animated]

Peter... [ He sighs again, though this time any anger drains out of him ]

Come on. You should get some rest.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ -- was that an "apology accepted"? It kind of sort of felt like one, but Peter's not sure.

He just-- nods mutely and slowly stands. Honestly he just wants to take a hot shower and lie down, but he's not particularly picky about the order, right now. ]

[animated]

[ He's right there, offering Peter a shoulder to lean on. ]

I like to think I at least made an impression.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He snorts. ]

Yeah, the upside down thing definitely was the cherry on top of a shitty day.

[animated]

People never really think their clothes can be used against them. It's a nice trick.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ When they make it to his room, Peter shrugs out of his jacket, tosses it onto a nearby chair, and eases himself down into bed. ]

Seriously I wish I had a camera during all that. The looks on their faces, man. [ He smirks a little. ] Priceless.

[animated]

Glad it worked out. After a certain point, I was improvising.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He holds out a hand for him, trying to get Charlie to join him on the bed. ]

Could hardly even tell. Seemed like you'd done it a million times before.

[animated]

[ he kicks off his shoes, slipping off his jacket and draping it over the chair with Peter's. The sight actually gives him pause, the two of their coats just... hanging together. They've done it a dozen times before, it shouldn't be anything special.

He blinks a couple of times, turning to give Peter a wry smile ]

It's not like I have stature on my side. I've got to be able to talk big.

[nostalgiabomb]

I know, Munchkin.

[ And he matches Charlie's smile with one of his own. ]

And damn, was it sexy.

[animated]

You can marvel at my sexiness later. You got the crap beat outa you, and you should probably take it easy.

[ Doesn't stop him from coming over and plopping down on the bed, though ]

[nostalgiabomb]

I always get the crap beat outta me.

[ Granted, the evidence isn't usually so obvious, since he typically has his helmet on. The skin around his eye is pretty swollen at this point, red and green and dark purples showing themselves in an abstract sort of splatter. ]

-- Still kinda pissed at you for not doin' what I told you. Just so you know.

[ He says that, but it comes out flat. ]

[animated]

Sorry.

[ He says that, but he doesn't sound sorry at all. ]

When you just up and tell me to go back to the ship because some unknown bad thing is happening, makes me reluctant to just leave you behind, you know?

[nostalgiabomb]

I don't see why. It seemed like a perfectly normal thing for me to say. Like, "Oh, look at that, it's Tuesday.

[animated]

Maybe because I worry about you?

[nostalgiabomb]

Dunno why you would. [ He settles into the bed, trying to get comfortable. ] I tend to come out on top, right?

[animated]

You worry about me, don't you?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He knows where this is going, so he does his best to deflect. ]

Only because your bones are basically dust.

[animated]

I've got your number Peter. Don't dodge the question.

[nostalgiabomb]

I'm not dodging. I'm just sayin', we gotta keep an eye on you, since you're all brittle.