riverview: ic contact;

[nostalgiabomb]

You've reached the voicemail of Star-Lord. Hit me with your best shot. Or— crap, wait, I should've quoted "Call Me" instead. Aw, dammit. Is it too late to— [ BEEP ] [ text | video | voice | action ] gif credit

USERNAME star.lord RESIDENCE community housing: floor 13, room 4 OCCUPATION perimeter guard: surveyor / salvage & repair specialist

Comments

[madeupnames]

Yeah... She ended up moving out of the state right after that. So she didn't have to deal with all the court stuff that her dad would be going through.

[He seems a little less flippant about it now — well, he really wasn't flippant about it before either, not really. He's one of those types to combat his feelings by making quips and taking the piss out of things. But...

He tips his chin to lean on his fist.]

Honestly, I still kind of feel like crap about the whole thing. I know the guy was a jerk who needed to be stopped, because what he was doing was dangerous and wrong and all that, but I kinda'... helped ruin her family. She's so awesome, and she didn't deserve any of that.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter's quiet for a second, then, ]

I mean, honestly? That sounds like it's more on her dad than it was on you.

1/2

[madeupnames]

Yeaaaah, I know... I know it wasn't all on me... I wish there was something I could've done for her. I guess dragging her dad outta there was something? I don't know. I still feel bad that I had to run off on her at homecoming to fight him.

[A pause.]

But I'm guessing that's all pretty small fry stuff for the Guardians, though.

[madeupnames]

[Oh!]

How'd you and your girlfriend meet, anyway? Kinda cool that you're doing this hero gig as a couple.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He breathes out a laugh. ]

We—

[ ... uh. ]

—wait.

What?

[madeupnames]

... Hero gig? Couple? She said she's your girlfriend, so I just thought...

... She is your girlfriend, right?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ UH.

No, okay, his confusion is turning into complete and utter delight. Apparently this was all it takes to turn his Thanos-related frown upside down. ]

She said that? Seriously?

Like, the actual words actually came from her actual mouth?

1/2

[madeupnames]

[madeupnames]

Yyyyes?

Why wouldn’t she say you’re her boyfriend?

[what kind of weird relationship is your adult ass in.......]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He coughs a little into his fist, clearing his throat.

(You'd think after all this time of them being an official couple, he'd be over the novelty of it all.

He's not, though. And he probably won't be, for a while yet. Boyish wonder is part of his charm.) ]

She's... a private kind of person. I, uh. I mean, yeah, we're together, but, like, I don't know that I've ever heard her call herself my girlfriend aloud, is all.

[ A pause. Then, ]

She seriously said that to you, though?

1/2

[madeupnames]

[Oh no, that’s cute.

Peter looks a little doe-eyed, like he’s stumbled across some rare creature in the wild.]

Y-yeah! We were talking about bad movie night, and she said you two watch Pals.

[madeupnames]

... She’s gonna boss you around and tell you what snacks to bring!

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Later on, he'll be annoyed by how aptly that summarizes his relationship with Gamora.

But right now, he's still riding that high of knowing that Gamora called herself his girlfriend (seriously, they've been together for months; you'd think something like this would've happened by now), and it doesn't bother nearly him as much as it should. ]

That sounds about right, yeah.

I can bring her, then?

[madeupnames]

[I just call 'em like I see 'em, buddy.]

Of course you can. She's super cool.

[He smiles impishly.]

Way cooler than you.

[nostalgiabomb]

That's patently impossible.

[ And he says it with authority – even if Little Pete's statement is completely true.

Which is why he slowly concedes, ]

But she is cool as hell.

[madeupnames]

[He huffs a laugh, folding his legs under him.

Huh. Speaking of.]

... Are you gonna be hanging out here 'til she gets back, or something?

I could, I dunno. Listen to music or watch something with you, if you want. I got a robot to go work on later downstairs, but the longer I hold off on Pam throwing pancakes at me, the better. And I obviously gotta brush up on my oldies.

[the hits keep comin', keep up with my sick burns, fellow hero]

[nostalgiabomb]

I’m starting to understand why I almost shot you.

[ Flatly and immediately.

he doesn’t have to take this abuse!!!! ]

[madeupnames]

Oh, c’mon, joking! I’m joking.

Besides, tons of people say oldies are better than current stuff.

I could end up a true believer here!

[He also just likes to learn — though the idea of someone schooling him on music reminds him of Uncle Ben a lot.

That’s not always a sad thing; sometimes it’s the nicest thing that can happen.]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter’s eyes narrow, suspicion all too obvious in his gaze. ]

If you keep ragging on my music, I’m definitely gonna chuck you out a window.

[ But the threat is an exaggerated one, showing that Peter’s just joking around.

And besides, even if he was in a state where he could chuck Little Pete out a window, he’s pretty sure the kid would, like, use that weird web shit to save himself. So defenestrating him wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying as it could be.

... Not that this was a factor that crossed Peter’s mind. Obviously. ]

[madeupnames]

Bring it on, man, I've been chucked off all kindsa' stuff.

[So Peter's thoughts are 100% accurate. Stupid spider children.

But he sits with interest still.]

I'm into stuff like Alt-J or, uh, Fitz and the Tantrums right now the most; y'know, alt rock, mostly. Buuut my aunt isn't a big fan of my playlist, so I had to compromise and listen to a lot of her old records with her.

So if I'm ragging on your music, I'm ragging on hers, and that's a no-no, right?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ A pause. Then, predictably, ]

I have no idea who those bands are.

[ He assumes they’re bands, anyway. Groups, maybe? ]

[madeupnames]

Oh, well, here — Here, I can totally just...

[He holds up his poor half-mauled iPhone, tap-tapping away until a song's playing on the speaker.]

I think some of them would work with your aesthetic.

This is Alt-J. They're funky, but mellow? I guess? I don't know how music critiquing works.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ ... this poor phone.

He settles back against the wall as he listens, thoughtful. It's certainly different, maybe a little weird, but he kind of likes it, he's surprised to find. ]

I'll add 'em to the list of stuff to look up.

And you seriously need to replace that thing, man. How has that thing not just crumbled to dust in your hands yet?

[madeupnames]

[He hugs it offendedly to his chest.]

It just has cracks in the screen!

That's no reason to get rid of something, just because it's a little worn out on the surface. [An alternate answer: "Someone I loved a lot gave this to me and I can't possibly replace it."] Everything's got a purpose if it can still hold a battery charge. And even then, I bet I could make it a cool shelf or something.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He gives the kid a quick, thoughtful look, like he’s sizing him up. Like he’s studying him. That was a kind of strong reaction, and a familiar one, if he’s honest.

(How many times around Riverview have folks told him how wildly out of date his Walkman is? And how many times has Peter curled a protective hand around his tape player and said, “So? It still works”?

... A lot.)

So Peter relents, shaking his head. ]

You could at least replace the screen, couldn’t you?