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Kraglin was walking much faster than Peter was used to, his 10-year-old legs could barely keep up with Kraglin's 6ft strides, he was trying to jog and keep up with him.
"K-Krag?" He asked quietly, breath wheezing.
Kraglin didn't stop walking, "Yeah?"
"C-Can we s-stop?"
Kraglin slowed to a stop, turning to look at Peter. The poor kid, his face was flushed red and his breath was wheezy, Kraglin wished he had known this planet was in it's winter season so he could've brought heavier jackets for them.
"We can't get caught in the snow, Pete. We'll never make it to the ship, we don't have the right shoes."
Peter nodded, putting his hands on his knees and crouching down, "T-Three minutes." He wheezed.
Kraglin looked quickly at the sky, "We don't have three minutes, here,"
He scooped Peter up and began carrying him in his arms, the kid was much smaller than most Terrans his age (and most aliens his age for that matter), and didn't weigh hardly anything.
"Just breathe, I can do the walking. I don't have frail Terran lungs." He joked.
Peter laughed and tucked his head into the crook of Kraglin's neck, wrapping his arms around his neck. Kraglin decided to pick up the pace, almost jogging now, he could see the snow beginning to fall ever so slowly.
"Of course we had to come here when it's winter season." Kraglin muttered, scanning for the ship and trying not to get concerned when he couldn't find it.
"Just like home..." Peter mumbled.
Kraglin patted Peter's back lightly, "What was that Pete?"
"Just like home," Peter mumbled again, "hard winters."
Kraglin forced a smile, "Yeah kid, just like home."
Kraglin wasn't sure how far he had walked until he saw the snow picking up, beginning to cloud the horizon. He stopped and looked around, knowing they couldn't walk through this anymore and needed to sit somewhere to wait it out. A small grove beneath some fallen trees appeared to be the perfect spot. Tightening his hold on Peter he quickly made his way underneath the fallen trees which served as a shelter.
"Alright, I'm gonna try and call the cap." Kraglin said aloud, not talking to Peter directly.
Peter hugged Kraglin tighter, small shivers racking his body. "y-yeah, call da-ad."
Kraglin smiled and tapped his wristband quickly, unable to hide the relief when Yondu's holographic face appeared.
"Where tha hell ar' you two!?" Yondu hissed.
Kraglin sucked in a breath ignoring how cold it felt in his lungs, "We're under some shelter, it's snowing hard over here and we can't walk through it."
Yondu stared at him for a minute, as if trying to see just how serious he was, after a moment his expression changed. "You two alright?"
Kraglin nodded, "I'm fine, just a little cold. Pete's wheezing something fierce."
"Hey Peter?" Yondu asked softly, smiling as the boy's face came into view.
Kraglin has never seen such softness and kindness out of the captain, he's actually smiling?!
"Da-ad." Peter wheezed, a lopsided smile on his face.
Yondu looked him over and nodded, "You boys sit tight, we're gonna getchu. The snow ain't too heavy here so I can tr-" Yondu's signal was cut out, going to static.
Kraglin sighed and clicked the off button, tightening his arms around Peter.
"I'm s-cared." Peter wheezed, hiding his face against Kraglin's shoulder.
Kraglin wanted to tell him it'd be ok, that the captain would find them soon, they won't be out here much longer, he couldn't lie to him though.
"Me too. We just gotta trust the captain."
Peter tightened himself into a ball against Kraglin's chest, trying to get away from the cold. Kraglin tightened his hug once again, laying his head back, listening to the wind and Peter's wheezing. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine ways he could make this situation better.
"Hey Pete?"
Kraglin could feel his heart pound faster when he didn't get an immediate response, shaking Peter's shoulders gently.
"Hmmm?" Peter grumbled, not lifting his head from Kraglin's chest.
"What's that song you always sing?"
"Wh-ich one?" His head lolled to the side, allowing him to look up at Kraglin confused.
Kraglin thought for a moment, "The one that says 'Don' make a fuss, Don't tell them 'bout the two of us' or something like that."
Peter let out a wheezy laugh, snuggling into Kraglin's chest against. "I'm n-ot in l-ove."
"Sing it for me huh?" Kraglin silently carded a hand through Peter's hair, trying to keep the boy awake.
Peter shifted and yawned, "Ok."
Even with his trouble breathing and sleepyness he remember each lyric and forced them out, "Don' te-ll your frie-nds ab-out "th-e two of u-s", I'-m not i-n love, no n-o, It's because-" Peter yawned, mumbling something.
Kraglin tapped his head, "I-It's bec-cause-" he prompted as his own teeth chattered.
"B-e quiet, bi-g boys don't c-ry, big bo-ys don' cry," Peter mumbled, voice soft,
Kraglin listened to the words, feeling the frown cover his face. This poor child has been through so much and this song was one of his coping songs. This is the first time Kraglin has ever listened to Peter singing the lyrics, it was as if the song had a different meaning entirely.
"I- keep yo-ur picture u-pon the wa-ll," His voice was now barely audible, Kraglin wouldn't have heard it had he not been listening for it.
To say he felt panic as Peter stopped singing entirely is an understatement, his small body went limp in his arms, "H-Hey Pete..."
He sat up, tapping the side of Peter's face, "C-C'mon, Y-You got-ta stay aw-wake. Y-Yondu's c-coming!" He was panicking now, "I promised Yondu, I promised myself, I'd keep you safe."
Kraglin stared out at the snow covered ground, noting how the snow was no longer falling. He didn't waste time, he got up and started walking with Peter in his arms, holding him close.
Kraglin woke up in a state of panic, eyes frantically searching the room until they landed on a familiar blue face. He stared for a moment, "Where's Peter?" He urged.
"Look down." Yondu said with a grin.
Kraglin quickly looked down to see Peter nestled against his side, arms holding onto Kraglin's shirt.
"We couldn't get him away from you, you were too upset."
Kraglin smiled, he laid his head back and closed his eyes, letting himself soak in the comfortable blanket and mattress. "He need a better coat." He offered without opening his eyes.
Yondu chuckled, "Already on it, got you one too."
"He was wheezing pretty bad down there too, might need to look into that."
Yondu nodded, "Already called a Terran specialist to check him out later, once he's back to normal."
Kraglin put his arm around Peter, holding him close, he kept his promise with Yondu and himself. He kept Peter safe and always would.