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[ He sags a little, sighing with relief, head dropping with it. ]
Okay.
[ Breathed out quietly. He never planned no sharing this with anyone, because—
The Ravagers made fun of him for it. Ridiculed him mercilessly for weeks after it had happened. Peter knows the Guardians are not the Ravagers, but they share a few qualities, Peter has to admit, chief among them that love of (good-natured, usually) mockery.
And maybe the guys backed off of it more easily than the Ravagers ever did, but that initial burst of ruthless teasing until someone inevitably crossed a line, or until someone snapped – that’s what Peter wants to avoid in the first place. And a fear of small spaces? That’s bound to seem hilarious, it’s bound to seem pitiful, and it’s bad enough Peter’s already the weak link in all of this.
And it’s even worse that Gamora knows about this, and,god, this is mortifying. Like those dreams where you’re suddenly naked while giving a speech to a room full of people, or where you come to school only to realize you’re not wearing any pants.
Except this is real, and— Jesus, he can barely look at her, humiliating as this all is. ]
Can we just... [ And his voice cracks a little, but he clears his throat and forges on. ] Can we just forget this ever happened?
Okay.
[ Breathed out quietly. He never planned no sharing this with anyone, because—
The Ravagers made fun of him for it. Ridiculed him mercilessly for weeks after it had happened. Peter knows the Guardians are not the Ravagers, but they share a few qualities, Peter has to admit, chief among them that love of (good-natured, usually) mockery.
And maybe the guys backed off of it more easily than the Ravagers ever did, but that initial burst of ruthless teasing until someone inevitably crossed a line, or until someone snapped – that’s what Peter wants to avoid in the first place. And a fear of small spaces? That’s bound to seem hilarious, it’s bound to seem pitiful, and it’s bad enough Peter’s already the weak link in all of this.
And it’s even worse that Gamora knows about this, and,god, this is mortifying. Like those dreams where you’re suddenly naked while giving a speech to a room full of people, or where you come to school only to realize you’re not wearing any pants.
Except this is real, and— Jesus, he can barely look at her, humiliating as this all is. ]
Can we just... [ And his voice cracks a little, but he clears his throat and forges on. ] Can we just forget this ever happened?
[ He grins in return before drinking down a little more than half of his drink. Apparently he decides he’s done with it, though, feeling that particular buzz that comes with those first introductory steps into getting shitfaced. He hadn’t planned on getting drunk tonight, honestly, and he still doesn’t plan to, which is why he’s stopping for now.
That, and there are more important things to take care of tonight, and emboldened by the drink, by the atmosphere, he rests a hand lightly against Gamora’s elbow. ]
Another dance?
That, and there are more important things to take care of tonight, and emboldened by the drink, by the atmosphere, he rests a hand lightly against Gamora’s elbow. ]
Another dance?
[ She gets it, she really does. Weakness, fear, vulnerability – while she didn’t have to worry about mockery, she understands what it’s like to try and avoid the repercussions of allowing anyone to see the cracks in an otherwise polished surface.
And considering Peter already thinks they believe he’s the weak one?
(—a flash to their fight, a reminder of shouting and—)
She doesn’t want to reinforce that. ]
If that’s what you want.
[ ... Even if part of her wants to know more about this, about why it’s so terrifying to him. ]
I won’t ask, and I won’t mention it.
And considering Peter already thinks they believe he’s the weak one?
(—a flash to their fight, a reminder of shouting and—)
She doesn’t want to reinforce that. ]
If that’s what you want.
[ ... Even if part of her wants to know more about this, about why it’s so terrifying to him. ]
I won’t ask, and I won’t mention it.
[ It’s not an unfamiliar request, though now is obviously a much better time for it. Whether it’s the effects of the glitter or a genuine desire to dance with him, Gamora doesn’t try to shrug him off with a token argument. Instead, she finishes off her own drink, setting the empty glass aside. ]
I think I can humor another.
[ And she says “another,” rather than giving him the stipulation of “one more.”
It’s as close to an open invitation as Gamora will probably get. ]
I think I can humor another.
[ And she says “another,” rather than giving him the stipulation of “one more.”
It’s as close to an open invitation as Gamora will probably get. ]
[ He lets out a long breath, and only the barest twitch of his head betrays the fact that he glances up at her behind his mask. ]
... Thank you.
[ And he practically whispers it.
Another deep inhale before Peter forces himself to straighten, rolling his shoulders like that might help him regain his composure (and maybe a little bit of his dignity, though he’s reasonably sure that’s long gone, today). It’s only he’s stretching out his fingers, slightly sore from how tightly he had clenched them into fists, that he realizes—
He’s still holding Gamora’s hand.
Another time, he might have smirked a little knowingly, because Gamora wouldn’t have allowed that unless she wanted to. Or maybe he would’ve jerked away like he’s been burned, babbling to avoid having to apologize. But now, he just— slowly releases her hand, giving her the opportunity to pull back, if she wants. ]
... Thank you.
[ And he practically whispers it.
Another deep inhale before Peter forces himself to straighten, rolling his shoulders like that might help him regain his composure (and maybe a little bit of his dignity, though he’s reasonably sure that’s long gone, today). It’s only he’s stretching out his fingers, slightly sore from how tightly he had clenched them into fists, that he realizes—
He’s still holding Gamora’s hand.
Another time, he might have smirked a little knowingly, because Gamora wouldn’t have allowed that unless she wanted to. Or maybe he would’ve jerked away like he’s been burned, babbling to avoid having to apologize. But now, he just— slowly releases her hand, giving her the opportunity to pull back, if she wants. ]
[ And he grins at that, delighted and excited all at once. If pressed, Peter would admit he probably hasn’t smiled this much in one sitting since they arrived here; he’d agree that this is the most fun he’s had in a long while.
But right now, that hardly comes to mind, and he cordons off all the bullshit that happened with Ego away into a dark corner, forgotten and ignored, at least for the moment. There are more important things to think about, like how many dances with Gamora he can get away with before she tires of it all, how many times he can spin or dip her, or if he can persuade her to dance to one of the faster songs. Maybe he can convince her to learn how to do the moonwalk, passing it off as some weighty Terran tradition.
(Which it kind of is. At least, the King of Pop and his distinctive ways must be treated with respect.)
His hand slips from Gamora’s elbow to her hand, pulling her back to the dance floor. ]
But right now, that hardly comes to mind, and he cordons off all the bullshit that happened with Ego away into a dark corner, forgotten and ignored, at least for the moment. There are more important things to think about, like how many dances with Gamora he can get away with before she tires of it all, how many times he can spin or dip her, or if he can persuade her to dance to one of the faster songs. Maybe he can convince her to learn how to do the moonwalk, passing it off as some weighty Terran tradition.
(Which it kind of is. At least, the King of Pop and his distinctive ways must be treated with respect.)
His hand slips from Gamora’s elbow to her hand, pulling her back to the dance floor. ]
[ Gamora seems to notice again in the same moment, looking down to their joined hands. Oddly, she hadn't balked at the contact, not even now, and just... allowed it – offered it freely, as both a comfort to Peter and a way to ground him in the aftermath of the tunnel.
She's almost worried he'll rub her face in it, at first, but nothing comes. Nothing smug or some insistence about that unspoken thing – that they haven't even mentioned since their fight. She's grateful for that, because she doesn't know what to do with it, and Peter, for reasons all his own, hasn't insisted. That carries through to now.
But, instead of releasing him in turn, she keeps her own fingers gently curled around his, and then pushes herself to her feet. She holds onto Peter's hand, offering it as a way to pull himself up. ]
Let's get back.
She's almost worried he'll rub her face in it, at first, but nothing comes. Nothing smug or some insistence about that unspoken thing – that they haven't even mentioned since their fight. She's grateful for that, because she doesn't know what to do with it, and Peter, for reasons all his own, hasn't insisted. That carries through to now.
But, instead of releasing him in turn, she keeps her own fingers gently curled around his, and then pushes herself to her feet. She holds onto Peter's hand, offering it as a way to pull himself up. ]
Let's get back.
[ His mask hides the stunned look that crosses his face when she doesn’t let go. Things make a little more sense one she gets to her feet, still with his hand in her grasp, and he figures it was a convenience thing. She was going to help him up anyway, so why go to the effort of dropping his hand?
He takes a rallying breath before pulling himself up with Gamora’s help, and thankfully, taking those long moments to compose himself means that his legs don’t buckle beneath him again, as they had when they climbed out of the tunnel. The whole... thing has still left him shaken (and shaking, at least a little), and Peter wishes desperately that he’ll never have to see another cave like this one for the rest of his life.
There’s a dim light that illuminates these chambers, and he could probably retract his mask, but he doesn’t. That layer of obscurity feels almost comforting, given how much he’d already betrayed, and in all likelihood, he’ll keep the helmet on until they find their employer. ]
He takes a rallying breath before pulling himself up with Gamora’s help, and thankfully, taking those long moments to compose himself means that his legs don’t buckle beneath him again, as they had when they climbed out of the tunnel. The whole... thing has still left him shaken (and shaking, at least a little), and Peter wishes desperately that he’ll never have to see another cave like this one for the rest of his life.
There’s a dim light that illuminates these chambers, and he could probably retract his mask, but he doesn’t. That layer of obscurity feels almost comforting, given how much he’d already betrayed, and in all likelihood, he’ll keep the helmet on until they find their employer. ]
[ He snorts out another laugh, casting her a disbelieving look. ]
We already match.
[ And he points to the Wyver pin adorning his lapel. ]
C'mon— [ This, as he's reaching out to dab a napkin against her sleeve. ] —you're gonna drip everywhere.
We already match.
[ And he points to the Wyver pin adorning his lapel. ]
C'mon— [ This, as he's reaching out to dab a napkin against her sleeve. ] —you're gonna drip everywhere.
[Peter Quill. Star Lord.]
Those two names are pretty different. Has anyone told you that?
[Looks, he's just going to point that out there. But he thinks he gets it! One of the names is prettier than the others. After a moment, he nods and smiles.]
Mind if I just call you Star? Lord's pushing it a little for me.
Those two names are pretty different. Has anyone told you that?
[Looks, he's just going to point that out there. But he thinks he gets it! One of the names is prettier than the others. After a moment, he nods and smiles.]
Mind if I just call you Star? Lord's pushing it a little for me.
Peter Quill. Folks call me Star-Lord.
[ What folks? Why would they do that? Can Peter get them to stop?
These questions and more. ]
[ What folks? Why would they do that? Can Peter get them to stop?
These questions and more. ]
I, uh.
[ In his nearly thirty years out in space, no one has ever asked him that. ]
The one's kind of an all or nothing deal. It's either Star-Lord, or Peter. Or Quill, if you want.
[ In his nearly thirty years out in space, no one has ever asked him that. ]
The one's kind of an all or nothing deal. It's either Star-Lord, or Peter. Or Quill, if you want.
That would be him to do that. It might be a little jarring at first but you get use to it. I find it quite endearing really.
[ But, maybe it's because he knew more about Cole now than he Peter does currently. He wasn't about to start sharing though too much. In the end, it would be Cole's choice if he wanted to tell this man that he was a sort of spirit of Compassion. ]
Just treat him like you would anyone else and it'll be all right.
[ But, maybe it's because he knew more about Cole now than he Peter does currently. He wasn't about to start sharing though too much. In the end, it would be Cole's choice if he wanted to tell this man that he was a sort of spirit of Compassion. ]
Just treat him like you would anyone else and it'll be all right.
Furry, enjoys crafting weapons, small in size but makes up for it in...colourful personality.
... Ah.
[ And Peter huffs out a quick laugh, almost fond – even if he'd absolutely deny it, even on his death bed, if anyone were to point it out to him. ]
Rocket.
[ He pauses, then, a little warily, ]
Is there anything I need to apologize for?
[ Because god knows Rocket would never say sorry on his own behalf. ]
[ And Peter huffs out a quick laugh, almost fond – even if he'd absolutely deny it, even on his death bed, if anyone were to point it out to him. ]
Rocket.
[ He pauses, then, a little warily, ]
Is there anything I need to apologize for?
[ Because god knows Rocket would never say sorry on his own behalf. ]
What?
[ Angel raises her hand, waving away the concern ]
Not at all. I consider Rocket to be a close friend.
[ One of her closest, in fact ]
It is good to finally meet those he considers close. You must be good company if he lets you be.
[ Angel raises her hand, waving away the concern ]
Not at all. I consider Rocket to be a close friend.
[ One of her closest, in fact ]
It is good to finally meet those he considers close. You must be good company if he lets you be.
[ Oh. Well then.
This time, his laugh is a little more dismissive, and he casts her a sidelong look, as if to say, "You sure we're talking about the same guy?"
But that's a weird thing to dump on a stranger, admittedly, so instead, Peter diverts the conversation. ]
You don't have to call me "Mr. Quill," you know. Peter works just fine.
This time, his laugh is a little more dismissive, and he casts her a sidelong look, as if to say, "You sure we're talking about the same guy?"
But that's a weird thing to dump on a stranger, admittedly, so instead, Peter diverts the conversation. ]
You don't have to call me "Mr. Quill," you know. Peter works just fine.
Well, thanks for including me, I guess.
[ And there's his usual sarcastic tilt to his words, but he reins it in a little, if only for Mantis' sake. Sarcasm and half of the members of the team didn't mix well, and he has to imagine the same is probably true for Mantis, sheltered as she probably had been.
He blots up the water on Mantis' sleeve – or at least a good majority of it – and tosses the napkins onto the table. ]
Seriously, though.
[ And this time, Peter will be turning to the table to pour Mantis a cup of water. He holds it out to her, and with a pointed look. ]
Drink this, this time.
[ And there's his usual sarcastic tilt to his words, but he reins it in a little, if only for Mantis' sake. Sarcasm and half of the members of the team didn't mix well, and he has to imagine the same is probably true for Mantis, sheltered as she probably had been.
He blots up the water on Mantis' sleeve – or at least a good majority of it – and tosses the napkins onto the table. ]
Seriously, though.
[ And this time, Peter will be turning to the table to pour Mantis a cup of water. He holds it out to her, and with a pointed look. ]
Drink this, this time.
[She takes the cup with both hands and gives him a genuine, if lopsided, smile. She doesn't catch the touch of sarcasm at all -- and it'd be hard to say if she'd catch it completely sober. Ego was never much for sarcasm.
He had been either bold-faced lying or finessing the truth until it sounded far prettier than it actually is.]
Thank you. [Still double-fisting that cup, she takes a long swallow.] After this, can we play more games?
[For the love of all things good, Peter, you should probably say no.]
He had been either bold-faced lying or finessing the truth until it sounded far prettier than it actually is.]
Thank you. [Still double-fisting that cup, she takes a long swallow.] After this, can we play more games?
[For the love of all things good, Peter, you should probably say no.]
[ He's gratified to see that the water ends up being properly drunk, this time, instead of ending up soaking into their sleeves and shirts, so that's a relief.
At her question, though, his head tilts, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. He should, you know. Probably actively discourage this, but a small part of him is almost curious. ]
Depends on what kinda games you got in mind. 'Cause shouting profanities at some random Olympian in the crowd? Probably not a good game to try again.
At her question, though, his head tilts, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. He should, you know. Probably actively discourage this, but a small part of him is almost curious. ]
Depends on what kinda games you got in mind. 'Cause shouting profanities at some random Olympian in the crowd? Probably not a good game to try again.
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