FAMILY REUNION

"WE THANK YOU, GUARDIANS, FOR PUTTING YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE. We could not risk the lives of our own Sovereign citizens. Every citizen is born exactly as designed by the community. Impeccable, both physically and mentally." Priestess Ayesha spoke to them, mostly Peter. "We control the DNA of our progeny, germinating them in birthing pods."

"I guess I prefer to make people the old fashioned way." Peter replied with a smirk.

"Well, perhaps someday you could give me a history lesson in the archaic way of our ancestors. For academic purposes."

"I would be honored, yes. In the name of research. I think that could be.." Peter looked over to Blair, who had a disgusted look on her face as she rolled her eyes. "Pretty repulsive, I'm not into that kind of casual-"

"Oh please." Gamora stepped forward. "Your people promised something in exchange for our services  Bring it, and we shall gladly be on our way."

The Priestess lifted a finger, prompting two guards to bring out a person with a bag on their head, forcing them onto their knees. One of them reached for the bag, and removed it, revealing Nebula.

Nebula looked to Gamora, while Peter tried to look at Gamora's reaction. "Family reunion, yay." Peter said sarcastically.

Blair reached her hands up to gently massage her temples, a result from all the chaos happening in front of her.

"I understand she is your sister." Ayesha said.

"She is worth no more to me then the bounty due for her on Xandar." Gamora replied, grabbing Nebula by the arm and pulling her off her knees.

"Our soldiers apprehended her, attempting to steal the batteries. Do with her as you please."

Gamora turned to walk away and pushed Nebula forward.

"Thank you, High Priestess Ayesha." Peter bowed and turned to walk away.

However, he was stopped by the golden woman. "What is your heritage, Mr. Quill?"

Peter looked uncomfortable. "My mother is from Earth."

"And your father?"

"He ain't from Missouri. It's all I know." Peter answered.

Ayesha stared at him for a moment. "I see it within you. An unorthodox genealogy. A hybrid that seems particularly...reckless."

Peter tried to hide his hurt look on his face. Suddenly, Rocket stepped into the conversation. "Y'know, they told me you people were conceited douche bags, but that isn't true at all." Rocket winked at Quill once again, repeating the same mistake he made hours ago.

Blair burst out in laughter, not caring if Ayesha got angry. Peter looked to the Priestess with wide eyes.

If looks could kill, they would all be dead.

"Oh shit. I'm using my wrong eye again, aren't I? Rocket asked as Peter began to leave. After Blair composed herself from her laughing fit, she caught up to Peter, slapping her hand onto his shoulder. Drax pulled Rocket by the collar, leading him out of the room. "I'm sorry. That was meant to be behind your back."

"Count yourself blessed they didn't kill you." Drax muttered to Rocket.

"You're tellin' me...you wanna buy some batteries?" Rocket opened his bag, showing two Anulax batteries that he stole.

Drax broke out into laughter, throwing his head back. This caught Blair's attention, causing her to see what the commotion was about. Once she saw what Rocket stole, she too started laughing. "Nice!"

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BACK ON THEIR SHIP, Peter put in his Awesome Mix Vol. 2, queuing Lake Shore Drive by Aliotta Haynes to start playing. Rocket flew up and began to leave the planet. "Alright, let's get baldy to Xandar, and collect that bounty!"

Gamora left to go put Nebula in the back of their ship securely. Peter left to go change, with Blair following behind. As Peter pulled on a shirt, he looked over to Blair, only to see her typing away on her datapad.

Peter sighed. "That stuff about my father... who does she think she is?"

Blair looked over to him. "A brainless waste of space?"

Peter smirked. "Well, yes, but still. I-I mean, I don't even know who my father is."

After a few moments of silence, Peter spoke up. "Sorry if it seemed like I was flirting with the High Priestess, I wasn't."

Blair sighed and reloaded her pistols. "I don't care who or what you flirt with, Peter."

As she began to walk away, Peter yelled after her. "Well, I feel like you do care! That's why I'm apologizing, so, sorry!"

With Peter still watching her walk away, Drax interrupted, scaring him. "Blair is not the one for you, Quill"

Peter jumped. "Damn Shadow."

authors note:
thank you so much for 11k reads on Darling Dearest! i'm so glad u guys enjoyed it 🥺. here's another chapter of Moonage Daydream :))