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Adam couldn't understand Peter's excitement as he followed him to the Milano parked in its lot on Knowhere. They weren't going anywhere, yet the captain couldn't seem to get there soon enough. All Peter would say about the matter was that he'll “see”.
The golden man watched as Peter excitedly pulled out a couple boxes from the ship's storage labelled ‘XMAS’.
“It's time to decorate! Help me bring these up.”
Adam lifted a box, once again following Peter as per instructions. “What are we decorating for?”
“Christmas, obviously. It's already December- at least on Earth, it is.”
“Christmas?” Adam echoed curiously. All he could assume was that it was an Earth celebration, since Peter was syncing this ‘Christmas’ with Earth's calendar. “I don't believe I've spent enough time on Earth nor Counter Earth to recall what Christmas is…”
“Really? You’re missing out, it’s one of the most important holidays, like, ever! Y’know, next to birthdays and Halloween.”
Adam set the box down on a nearby table and opened it hoping to find more context clues, but only found strings of lights that further spurred confusion. “What exactly is Christmas about, Peter? Halloween is for the confection and merriment in unimpressive horror, as you have taught us. What about Christmas?”
Peter smiled softly. “Glad you asked! Christmas is more cozy than Halloween, like basically the opposite in vibes. There's a lot to it, but it's mostly about being together with the ones you love and appreciating them.”
“Togetherness… That sounds nice.”
“Yeah! There's stuff like gift giving, singing, dinners, parties, but it's mostly about spending time with people you love.” Peter helped with the lights, working in tandem with Adam's hands to carefully separate the string from itself and the other string of lights. “There's a lot of traditions, like uh… Man, you're not gonna believe this, but a big character in Christmas is a dude named Santa Claus, he's a jolly, fat guy from the North Pole that delivers presents to everybody's houses on Christmas night.”
Adam paused to look Peter in the eyes, silently asking for clarification.
“It’s just a myth the parents tell their kids to convince them to behave. I learned that when I woke up one night to pee and saw grandpa putting presents under the tree,” Peter explained with a laugh. “It’s just a fun thing for the kids.”
“What a strange lie to tell children.” Not that Adam had any experience in parenting whatsoever.
“Hey, explaining Santa to you was a lot easier than explaining him to the rest of the Guardians, I almost had to give up on that one.”
With the lights finally separated, Peter measured them up to a wall to begin trying to hang them up.
“I assume these lights are for atmosphere?” Adam asked as he watched.
“Yeah, gives the room a cozy vibe.” Peter stood on his toes, and even then barely reached where he wanted. “Can you hand me Rocket's stool?”
“How about this instead?” Adam stood behind Peter, grabbed by the waist, and hoisted him as he flew upwards. He felt Peter gasp and flinch, but he hardly fought in Adam’s arms, showing he was more surprised to be suddenly lifted than anything. After all, it wasn't often Adam gave him rides like this.
“Even better! But give me some warning next time, okay?”
Held up by Adam, it was now definitely much easier to hang up the lights along the bolts from past Christmas light hanging.
“You said there is a lot to Christmas. I would like to know more,” Adam requested. “I see it means a lot to you.”
“You've got no idea. Used to be one of my most favourite times of the year. I mean, obviously it is again, but…”
“What?”
Peter sighed. Context was to be provided. “Back on Earth, it meant mom and grandpa were off work, school was out, and we got to just play in the snow, watch cheesy specials, and chug egg nog… But, obviously none of that is really a thing in space, so Yondu never bothered to celebrate it. He wasn’t against it, he just didn’t really get the point of it. The Ravagers already did a lot of partying and raiding, and nobody was interested in giving gifts, if they wanted something they'd just take it themselves. Not even any baking or a nice dinner. Birthdays was all he was willing to do for me, since it meant the little boy he took was another year closer to being a man.”
“I'm so sorry.”
“It's fine, really. It could’ve been worse, I just forgot about it, until one day I mentioned Christmas and the Guardians were so confused- it took days to explain it all! But when they finally got it, they surprised me one day by somehow getting the rest of Knowhere to join in on Christmas and did a big celebration for me- I think that was the moment I knew I for sure found my family with them.”
“That is beautiful,” Adam murmured. Even though the Guardians could be messy and chaotic, there truly was no stronger bond he had ever seen than the one between the misfits. “So it's something that connects you back to a happier time in your life.”
“Basically. I guess now it’s kinda like reclaiming it and sharing it with the family I have now!”
With the final string of lights hung up, Adam gently brought Peter back down to the floor.
“Man, there's so much I need to catch you up,” Peter already began musing. “Sweaters, presents, baking, music, Christmas trees… This is gonna be our first Christmas together! And your first ever Christmas!”
Adam couldn't resist smiling at how Peter beamed with an almost child-like excitement over this particular holiday. “I look forward to learning with you.”
Throughout that week, Adam realized he had much more to learn about the holiday than expected. Candy canes were not preferable, and Peter laughed loudly as his face contorted with disgust at how overwhelmingly cold and sweet it tasted. The sweaters were itchy, and did indeed live up to their ‘ugly' reputation, he wasn’t going to be caught dead in one of those. And of course, Peter had a mixtape of Christmas music for Adam to listen to, though the songs quickly became repetitive and cheesy and he could only take so much of it per day.
The confusion started again when one day Peter brought him to the center of their neighborhood to show him a large pine tree being set up by Drax and some of the other strong men of Knowhere, the two watching from an upper deck.
“What is the significance of the tree?” Adam asked. “It seems to be a prominent symbol of the celebration.”
“You decorate it with ornaments and lights. Usually houses have their own where Santa is supposed to put the presents underneath.”
“Why do they have to be under the tree?”
“Honestly, no idea. It's just tradition, really. But usually with a tree out in public like this, it's just to get everyone in the spirit.”
“So the presents are conditional,” Adam noted under his breath, as though Christmas was a scientific research.
“We've got our own tree in storage somewhere, that one's going up in the Milano. Trust me, if you thought the lights were cozy, the tree is even better. You and I are gonna decorate that one when I can find it.”
Adam continued to observe the process of the tree raising. He examined as Groot helped lift up the younger folks of Knowhere to hang their favourite ornaments, how Mantis, on Gamora's shoulders, strung a long string of scratchy tinsel around the tree, and Rocket with his own jetpack wrapping lights between the tinsel. Everybody around played their own role, significant no matter how big or small their contribution was. A community together to create a joyous scene. Even all around the city, many more folks were setting up lights and all sorts of decor.
“It is truly wonderful to see everyone come together like this.”
“Seeing how gold and shiny you are, I think you'd be the perfect star on top,” Peter teased.
Adam looked in confusion again. “A star? On top of the tree?”
“I’m just joking with you, babe. Yeah, usually a plastic star goes on top, that’s just to look nice.”
They watched together as Rocket finished the wiring and activated the lights, lighting up the whole Christmas tree and all within reach with warm glows of reds, blues, greens, and yellows. Everyone cheered and clapped as they celebrated the Christmas tree that marked the beginning of the season of the holiday.
“I can't wait to put up ours in the Milano,” Peter spoke as though already dreaming about it. “Oh man, I'm gonna have to start thinking of a present idea for you.”
“Peter, you don't have to. I'm not one to need nor desire presents.”
“Have you even been given a present? Like, a personalized present because they love you?”
Adam thought back. He was given both parts of his name, though that was mostly out of custom. He was given the soul stone, though that was to help his duty of protection. What was he ever given that wasn't for another use? Love? No, that’s not an answer Peter would be looking for.
Peter took Adam’s silence and overthinking as an answer. “That’s what I thought. Everybody else is getting a present, and I'm not gonna exclude my boyfriend who's celebrating his first ever Christmas.”
“Peter,” He sighed, though he knew nothing could convince Peter not to follow through.
Peter pulled in with a quick peck to Adam's cheek, and then was briskly off to go figure out present ideas for Adam.
Adam stood where he was, clutching the rails while he watched the celebration below with a weight in his chest now, not knowing how to react to being given a gift, and one top of that knowing he would have to figure out a gift for Peter. He'd never even given a gift before…
The next couple of days felt dreadful. Adam couldn’t stop thinking about the moment Peter decided he was getting a present. It wasn’t that he didn’t love Peter and didn’t appreciate the thought, but rather it was that he felt it unnecessary. He already had all he needed, what use was any present? It was effort Peter was putting himself through that could be better spent in some other way, but when Peter makes a decision, he sticks with it. So, Adam wasn’t going to let him give a gift without a reply, and that was where the dread started. He knew Peter well, but what could be good enough Peter? What was a present fitting of the celebratory event he barely understood? Perhaps his friends could give advice, and who better than the rodent?
During the evening, when Peter was occupied with other Christmas affairs, Adam entered Starlin's Bar, one of the many bars around Knowhere and one of the top three the Guardians preferred one their home base. He knew there was a chance he would find Rocket there.
The music was loud, the thick and heavy smoke of so many cigars was almost suffocating, and the crowd was awfully rowdy. It wasn't nearly as bad as Contraxia, but bad enough that he almost thought about rescheduling his talk with Rocket until he spotted his large floral friend waving at him from a table. He weaved between guests to get to their table and took a seat across from Rocket.
“I am Groot!”
“Groot,” Adam greeted with a nod.
“Didn't think you were the kind of guy to show up to a bar,” Rocket commented.
“Actually, I used to frequent bars a long time ago, though only with a friend of mine…”
Rocket almost laughed. “I didn't think you had friends before us, either.”
“There is a lot you don't know about me… But I know there is a lot you know about Peter.”
“Quill? What about him?”
“He is insisting on gifting me with a present for this Christmas celebration.”
Groot hummed with an understanding nod. “I am Groot.”
“I cannot talk him out of it, but I am not going to let him gift something to me without returning the favour,” Adam finished explaining.
“So you want present ideas? Look, Quill's obsessed with you. You could give the sap a rock and he'd just be happy you're paying attention to him.”
“A rock? Perhaps from a planet he hasn't visited before,” Adam thought out loud.
“Don't actually get him a rock, you knucklehead! Peter's special to you, right? You gotta get him something thoughtful.”
Groot nodded. “I am Groot, I am Groot.”
“Something to do with music?” Adam murmured as he considered Groot's idea. Peter was really enthusiastic about his music, it was more than just a passion to him.
“Yeah that's vague enough to work,” Rocket agreed. “Maybe a new one of those music tape thingies. Or the music disks. Or anything from Earth, especially from his childhood- if they still even exist, he’s pretty old.”
“I am Groot.”
“Oh yeah, those movie tapes, too. He likes movies.”
“I see. Thank you for your suggestions.” Suddenly Adam got up, and began to leave the bar. Goodbyes seemed to not be his thing.
“Sooner he's gone, the better,” Rocket laughed before resuming his drinking.
On the flip side, that same evening, Peter was out on the market with Gamora and Mantis as they shopped for their secret Santa, overthinking every item at every stall and every nearby stall they went to.
“You seem stressed. What’s up with you?” Gamora asked.
“Looking for a gift for Adam,” he answered. “What do you even give to a space messiah with zero possessions or hobbies?”
Gamora raised a brow. “He's actually letting you get him something?”
“Well… Not exactly…”
“He doesn't actually want you to, but you're doing it anyway because you love him,” Mantis clocked, obviously from reading his psyche.
“Yeah, that's basically, completely it. I want this to be really special for him, you know? He's never celebrated Christmas before. He's never even been given an actual present before!”
Gamora shrugged. “It never was easy to do anything for him. Sometimes he’s so selfless it’s almost annoying.”
“I truly think he would appreciate anything you gave him, once he accepts it” Mantis inserted her perspective.
“I’ve never seen him so attached to anybody before,” Gamora agreed. “Except for maybe some old friends. You could give him a rock and he’d probably treasure it.”
“I'm not giving him a rock,” Peter dejected.
“Of course I can try to read his mind to see what he really wants,” Mantis offered.
Gamora shook her head. “You're not gonna find anything. He almost always means what he says. Besides, doesn't he know when you're looking into his mind?”
“Oh, right. He is far more aware than most people.”
As the two conversed, he continued thinking. Adam seemed to prefer to travel lightly, since he was never permanently in one place. He didn't even have his own private space on the Milano or Knowhere that wasn't his cocoon. So, preferably something small that he could keep on him.
“I got it!” Peter announced just before running off to get his desired present for his boyfriend.
“Good luck!” Mantis shouted as he was off.
A few nights later, after a mission, Adam and Peter agreed to meet up at the storage unit to search for the tree for the Milano.
Adam paused at the storage unit, inspecting the hanging plant above the doorway. He had seen a few of them strung about Knowhere, always hanging just above head level, and more particularly hanging above doors, almost like some sort of talisman.
“Get any kisses yet?” Peter asked from behind as he grouped with Adam.
Adam looked back at him in utter confusion. “What are you talking about?”
Peter pointed up at the bundle of leaves and berries. “That's a mistletoe, anybody under it has to kiss.”
Adam looked up at it, then back to Peter. This was definitely one of the odder aspects of Christmas. “Why? Is there some associated superstition?”
Peter shrugged. “Probably some flirty thing adults made up to make Christmas fun for them too.” He joined Adam underneath it, but didn't push for a kiss. Instead, he let that be Adam’s choice. “Obviously it's only if you want to. Rocket avoids these things like the plague, thank god.”
Adam hardly had to consider it, since Peter was his boyfriend after all, and it'd just be silly to deny him a kiss just because he didn't understand the point of a mistletoe. He leaned in, placing his lips against Peter's, and they pressed a kiss to each other's lips.
“There is something quite charming about that.”
“See? You're getting it! Now let's find that tree, it should be in a long box. Oh, and it's pre-lit, so lights are already on it, we'll just have to plug it all in.”
They searched among various boxes across the corners of the storage unit, and when Adam began to find what he suspected to be holiday decor, he notified Peter so they could narrow down the search, until finally finding that one tree that Peter had been looking for.
“Awesome! Let's get this to the Milano and you can decorate your first tree. Oh, and bring that box over there.” Peter pointed to a specific box that he knew had ornaments in it. Adam did as instructed, and followed Peter back to the Milano.
On board, they set the boxes down, and Peter parted to turn on the radio, tuning it to a Christmas station to set the mood. “Well, how are you liking Christmas so far?” He asked as he pulled the faux tree out from the box.
Adam helped him to spread the legs of the base and stand it up while Peter began to prepare to anchor it. “It is… a lot. Much of it is quite confusing.”
“Yeah, it can be, especially when it's all new to you. I'm lucky I grew up with it, so it wasn't ever really new to me.”
“It is nice, however. Everyone seems happier, relaxed and more joyous. Even Rocket and Gamora are good spirits. Our friends’ joy is enough to make it worthwhile.”
With the lines attached and the tree now anchored, Peter began to straight out the lights. “Sure, but what about your own joy? How are you feeling about all of it?”
Adam had to think about it. Before the Guardians, he didn't celebrate anything. No holidays or anniversaries of anything, he didn't even celebrate his victories. Even parties he managed to be invited to and bothered to show up for were more out of formality than personal enjoyment. For a moment, he had to think if this was just formality again, or if it was a celebration he did personally enjoy.
“As confusing as much of it is, I do enjoy it. I have never had anything like this. It all has been a nice thing to focus on between our duties.”
“It's that coziness of the holiday, right?”
“It is, yes, and that coziness comes in the form of community. That is what I like.”
Peter pulled up the box of ornaments. “Well, I'm glad you're warming up to it. Honestly, I was kinda expecting you to not really care. Here, it's your first tree, so you pick the first one.”
Adam looked into the box to examine the ornaments. Many of them were identical, being red, gold, and silver baubles. Some were in different shapes like stars, and some were plastic candy canes. He picked a red bauble and stood in front of the tree to calculate its placement.
“Hey, don't worry about where you put it,” Peter reminded him. “You may be perfect, but the tree doesn't have to be. That's kind of the fun in it!”
With the pressure for perfection off, he hooked the ornament onto a random branch.
“That's good!” Peter praised with a proud smile. His boyfriend's first ornament on a tree, gods he wished he had a camera. Instead, he joined in, taking another ornament placing it on the tree. “When we get the rest on, I'll let you do the star on top, since, again, it's your first Christmas.”
“Shouldn't you do it? You are the Star Lord.”
Peter burst out into laughter. Adam Warlock told a joke? Now he really wished he had a camera. “You're in a good mood, huh?”
Adam couldn't help but smile at Peter's contagious excitement. “It would be an honor to put the star on.”
They continued, ornament after ornament, mostly randomly but partly calculated based on Adam's eye for aesthetics. He finally pulled out the last ornament, and stared at it in confusion.
“A pickle?” He asked just above a murmur. Every single thing he learned about the holiday was more confusing than the last thing.
“Oh, haha, yeah that- I never did this as a kid, but I saw it once somewhere else. The Christmas pickle gets hidden in the tree and the first person to find it is supposed to have good luck or something. It's mostly just a fun little game.”
“...But why is it a pickle? There is no relevance of the vegetable to the themes of Christmas. A plum would be more fitting."
Peter shrugged. “I guess someone had a weird sense of humor. I just started doing it because Gamora and Drax are green, why not add another? I'll add that one later.”
Adam shook his head and set the glittery glass pickle back in the box, and this time pulled out the star. It was gold like himself, smooth and shiny, and had a reflective surface where he could see himself. He never was one for vanity, at least physically, but seeing himself in the mirror had him reminiscing on the festive season thus far. This was something special for Peter, not just the star topping, but the holiday and celebration as a whole, and it slowly became special for him for that very reason. He reached to place the star over the branch that stood upright, finishing their tree.
They both stepped back to admire the tree they decorated together, and Adam began wondering about the tree's history. How many Christmases it had seen, how many with the Guardians and the memories they shared with it, how each of the ornaments came to join.
“Look what we did together,” Peter commented. “Isn't it nice?”
“It is. I enjoyed doing this with you.”
Peter turned back to Adam, with the tree reminding him of the presents. “Can’t wait to give you your present. I really hope you like it.”
“I will love anything you gave me, Peter. However, I feel the same sentiment.”
“Aw, you’re getting me a present?”
“I am trying to. I just need time to depart.”
“Depart- Where are you getting my present?” He questioned with amusement.
“On Earth, preferably.”
As if Peter wasn’t already beaming with excitement, knowing Adam was willing to go such lengths for him just about made his heart burst. “Really? Oh my god, babe, that’s-... Wow! Man, I wasn't even expecting you to get me anything.”
“I know this holiday means a lot to you. It would be selfish of me to take something without partaking in the holiday with you.”
Peter reached a hand up to cup Adam's face, and in sync with one another, they both leaned in for a kiss. A mistletoe was cute, but not needed for the lovebirds to express their love for one another.
The time would pass through the season, with cozy celebrations in between missions and galactic threats. On the eve of Christmas, the Guardians joined in for a Christmas party at the bar. Even Adam joined, hoping it would ease his nerves about the holiday as new anxieties reared their way into his head.
Everyone around was in good spirits, Peter and Drax were doing karaoke while Mantis danced with strangers. Rocket was tapping his paws along to the music, gradually getting drunker on the special eggnog he ordered. Adam, however, simply sat and stared at his glass as if it were a bomb with thoughts running through his head faster than he could fly.
“What's going on?” Gamora asked. “You've been quiet all night.”
Adam looked up from his half empty glass, an almost pessimistic frown upon his lips. “I suppose I'm just feeling uncertain about Christmas. A day dedicated to festivities and rest, something has to go wrong. Evil doesn't take a holiday like we are trying to, thus it would be a perfect time for something to strike.”
“We've only been doing Christmas for a few years on Knowhere. I think only once we had to leave to stop someone, so we just celebrated in space in the Milano. Actually, that's why Peter started decorating the Milano,” Gamora explained, opening new lore to Adam.
“I am Groot.”
Rocket translated, “He said the world ain't gonna stop, but we should celebrate while we can.”
“Besides,” Gamora added, “It turns out, a lot of places celebrate a lot of things around this time. Peter said on Earth alone there's at least five different celebrations all over the planet at this time of year. Threats tend to get a little bit lower.”
Rocket set his now-empty cup down with an obnoxious belch. “If you ask me, we shoulda done Hanukkah. Now that one sounds fun!”
Adam sighed, but finally he was relaxed enough to start drinking again. “Then I can only hope all goes well. I would like for one day to be a day of rest together with my friends.”
“Is it that?” Rocket began interrogating. “Or are you nervous about giving your present to Quill?” The raccoon turned to Gamora, huffing a drunken laugh. “This guy came asking for advice on a present for Quill!”
Gamora gave an amused smirk. “That's funny, Peter did the same.”
Adam's eyes widened. He knew Peter was hoping he would like his present. What he didn't know was that Peter struggled at all to think of what to get him, that Peter had doubts and uncertainty. Truly, they were more similar than he had thought. “Interesting,” He murmured with a smile.
Mantis came back to the table to join her friends, setting down a plate of assorted cookies. “Peter insists on us having cookies because it's what Santa would have wanted, if he did exist. Look!” She picked up one that was in the vague shape of a human. “This one is a little man! I think Peter said they're called gingerbread men.”
“Any of those got peppermint?” Rocket asked.
Mantis separated the ones that were sprinkled with the crunchy confection. “That's right, you don't like peppermint.”
“It's too fresh and cold tasting,” Rocket complained as he took a cookie. “Like eatin’ toothpaste. What about you, Goldie? Quill force you to eat a candy cane yet?”
“He did,” Adam groaned. “He also warned me of Gamora's habit of sharpening them.”
“It's a good stealth weapon,” Gamora justified. “Never know when you're gonna need it.”
Adam found himself actually smiling and relaxing as he conversed with his friends. He didn't normally enjoy parties, but it was hitting different with the Christmas spirit in the air and knowing it was all in good fun, to hang out not just as a team, but as genuine friends.
The very next morning, the group met up at the Milano together to start their Christmas. Peter was the first to arrive to prepare everything, lights, music, and even including the Christmas pickle in the tree, and it wasn't long before the rest of the Guardians came in, each in tacky Christmas sweaters, even Adam in one of Peter’s sweaters. Except for Groot, because they didn't make any that big. Instead, he was adorned in tinsel.
They gathered by the tree together with their presents for one another, already happily exchanging their gifts for each other. At least their secret santa still worked out for each other, even with Peter and Adam excluded so they could focus on each other.
“Ready?” Peter asked, present for Adam in hand.
Adam nodded, and they handed each other their presents. He inspected the small box Peter gave him before he began cautiously pulling the colourful paper off, but his attention was quickly paused by Peter’s excitement.
“Adam, this is awesome!” Peter exclaimed as he admired his present, his smile beaming brighter than the tree. “Dazzler’s Christmas album on cassette- I didn’t even know they still made these kinds of tapes on Earth!”
“I was told they were ‘coming back in fashion’. I hope you like it.”
“I love it!”
That gave Adam the confidence to finish opening his present, peeling away the paper to reveal a small box that under the lid contained a bracelet with crimson beads. He curiously examined it before slipping it over his wrist where it fit perfectly, and a smile began to break as he saw it on himself and how well it complimented him as an accessory.
“I know you don't keep a whole lot on you, so I figured something small you could wear, so that no matter where you are, you can always have a reminder of our love,” Peter explained, a soft blush glowing across his cheeks.
“A piece of you with me at all times.” What a fool he felt like now for getting so worked up over being given a present, especially now that he got something so thoughtful. “I adore it. I will wear it until the day I die- if that should even happen.”
Peter, overwhelmed with joy, pulled Adam into a tight hug. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Adam murmured before guiding Peter into a kiss, one they seemingly got lost in until Rocket started gagging with great exaggeration, and they parted with flushed faces. Particularly Adam as he hid behind his hand, embarrassed by the PDA.
“I am Groot!” Groot announced as he held up the shiny pickle.
“We have a victor!” Drax cheered as he clapped for Groot.
Groot hung the pickle off one of his branches to proudly display his win.
Finally, Adam dropped his hand and looked at Peter with a smile again. “This has been a confusing celebration, but it truly has been worth partaking in. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Thank you for joining us, Adam. Merry Christmas.”
Adam returned the wishes, “Merry Christmas, Peter.”