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Yondu couldn’t really say what had woken him, other than possibly intuition.
Someone was in his room.
He stayed there for a moment, laying on his side, just listening through the sounds of the storm outside, trying to determine if he was wrong, or if he needed to whistle.
Something shuffled in dark and he frowned. A quick whistle stopped the intruder in their path with a tiny squeak and he sat up calmly to flick on the light on his nightstand.
He raised an eyebrow at the sight of your frightened form standing stiff between his bed and the door with his arrow pointed between your eyes.
He called your name in confusion. “What the hell d'ya think you’re doing?” He tossed back his blanket and stood, eyeing you suspiciously.
You didn’t answer, just stood there shaking and trying to gather your wits, eyes practically crossed staring at the arrow.
Yondu’s tone lowered as he got closer. “Tryin’ to pull a mutiny? Come to steal somethin’ from your captain? That’s mighty bold…” His eyes narrowed and he stood in front of you, arms crossed. “Gotta admit, I never would’ve pegged ya for one to do that, but ya really should’ve known better than to try somethin’ like that. Any idiot knows that’s a one way ticket to a date with my arrow.” A malicious grin cracked his face. “Did one of the boys put ya up to this? Or are ya acting alone?”
You swallow, barely taking your eyes off his arrow. “It- it’s nothing like that- I- I-”
Yondu whistled a little tune and his arrow moved down to your throat. “Spit it out. Wha’d'ya gotta say?”
Tears of fear pricked at your eyes. “Please- I- I-” You sniffed, causing Yondu to let a half chuckle at the state of his believed-to-be possible assassin. “I just- the storm- and- I- I- I don’t like- it’s loud- and I thought-”
Yondu’s stance visibly softened and he raised an eyebrow. “Sorry… what? Are ya tryin’ to tell me ya came here cuz yer scared of a lil’ storm?” He called his arrow back, still eyeing you as you stood trembling before him.
Your face burning, your nod sheepishly.
“Ya came… here… ‘cause the storm scared ya…” Yondu was still trying to wrap his mind around this information. “Why in the stars would ya wanna do that?”
You looked down to the floor. “I don’t wanna be weird, but, uh, it’s a thunderstorm, and it’s loud, and I just wanted to know if I could maybe, uh, sleep with you?”
Yondu blinked. “Repeat that.” Surely he had misheard?
“I… don’t like thunderstorms. Could I sleep in here with you? Maybe?” You couldn’t meet his gaze, sure that you were about to be scolded. The request was ridiculous and you knew it.
Instead of scolding, however, Yondu laughed. “Alright, ya got me! Quill put ya up to this, didn’t he? Little shit…” Yondu’s laughter started to die when he noticed you didn’t let up the ruse. Instead, you sniffed and wrapped your arms around yourself. He raised an eyebrow and was about to ask you to clarify this was just one of Quill’s pranks when a loud clap of thunder sounded, making you jump out of your skin and cover your face.
“Huh… ya weren’t kiddin’… were ya?”
You sniffed again and softly shook your head.
Yondu’s eyebrows raised as he looked at the floor and rubbed the back of his head. “Well- Gotta be honest. This here’s a new one for me.” He half chuckled and shook his head. “Ain’t never had anyone ask to come crawl into bed with me before. Well, I mean… not anyone asking 'cause they was scared, that is.”
[Truth be told, Peter had attempted once as a boy, but he didn’t make it to Yondu’s quarters before Kraglin stopped him and scolded him for roaming the halls. An explanation from Peter that he was scared was only met with Kraglin’s response of, “If ya think this storm is scary, wait til cap'n eats ya for wakin’ him up!” which had the desired effect of Peter scurrying back off to his own quarters.]
Yondu looked at you inquisitively. “Why didn’t ya ask to crawl in with one of the others?”
You glance up briefly before answering, “Didn’t want them to make fun of me…”
Yondu barked a short laugh, looking at you incredulously.
“And ya thought ya’d have better luck coming to me? Your captain?”
Just then another thunderclap sounded, louder than the first, and you actually let out a little shriek before clapping a hand over your mouth.
Yondu sighed. It was clear that you were actually terrified. Well, one night wouldn’t hurt. Just one. With a dramatic roll of his eyes he gestured to the bed. “Fine. Go on then.”
“Really?” You sniffed, looking up at Yondu with a mix of gratitude and surprise.
“Yeah, before I change my mind.” His mouth was half turned down in show of a grumpy frown. He turned to the bed but then looked back at you suddenly and added, “And ya better not be the type that snores. I’ll boot yer ass on the floor.”
You blushed furiously. “I’m not! I swear.”
Yondu narrowed his eyes as if to say he was holding you to that promise and gestured with his head towards the bed again. “Come on. Ain’t gonna stay up all night.” He walks back to the bed and as an afterthought he says, “Ya know if anyone sees ya leave in the mornin’ they’re gonna talk…”
“I swear I won’t say anything. I don’t want them to find out either.” You look down. “I’d never live it down if they knew I came running to you like a scared little kid 'cause of some thunder.” You look back up. “And I can leave early- before the others wake, or when the storm is passed. Whichever comes first.”
Yondu nods. “Probably fer the best…”
He sits down on the bed, setting an early alarm so he can kick you out early. You timidly followed, pulling up the covers to crawl in on the other side.
“Hey, um, thanks.” You say shyly. “For this.”
“Don’t mention it,” he says, not looking at you as he goes to turn off the light. He stops himself halfway and turns to face you to reiterate, “I mean it. We never speak of this again. And this is the only time I’m lettin’ this happen, ya hear?” He wanted to throw in a reason why he was even allowing it this time, but honestly he couldn’t think of one other than he saw how frightened you were and wanted to help, but he sure as hell wasn’t gonna admit that.
You nod. “Yes, sir.”
He nods once, as if satisfied, flicks off the light and lays down on his side facing away from you. “And ya better not be the cuddly type neither. Might wake up with a black eye if ya try it.”
You settle down as well, laying on your back. “No, sir.”
“Good. Now go to sleep. I don’t wanna hear that ya fell asleep on the job or somethin’. ” Now there was good enough reason… He tacks on the end, “Only reason I’m allowin’ it tonight. Can’t have ya messin’ jobs 'cause ya was too scared to sleep.”
Another clap of thunder. You jump, but manage a, “Yes, sir.
"Good.”
He doesn’t say anything more for a few minutes and then you can hear him softly snoring. Eventually, now feeling much safer, you manage to fall asleep yourself.
***
You wake early in the morning to the sound of the low alarm Yondu had set the night before to ensure you left early. The storm had passed, and you make to sit up, but find you can’t. Looking down, you find what’s holding you captive is Yondu himself, one of his strong blue arms wrapped around you while he remains sleeping. Gently, you attempt to pry his arm away so you can leave, but this only results in him pulling you closer.
You’d have laughed if you didn’t think you’d wake him and have to suffer the consequences of laughing at your captain for being a cuddly sleeper.
You wait a minute and try again, this time succeeding, and manage to crawl out of the bed without waking him.
It isn’t until the door clicks open that Yondu stirs.
Luckily there isn’t another appearance of his arrow this time, as he manages to remember in his groggy state why you were there in the first place. He squints at you and in a gruff grogginess, says, “Ya better get back to yer own bed. And I don’t want any repeats of last night, understand? Only gonna happen once. Next time yer on your own,”
“Yes, sir… and… thanks.”
Yondu just waves you off and turns back over, muttering something about needing to 'fix that lock.’
You smile softly as you close the door behind you.
You always knew he was a softie.