Work Text:
"PETER!"
Nebula wakes with a start, Mantis' pained scream still ringing in her ears. Her heart pounds beneath its metal cage, sweat dripping down her face as she stares up at the unfamiliar ceiling. It takes a moment to recognise her surroundings, despite having been here for a few days. She's lying on the uncomfortable couch in Peter's grandfather's house, sunlight streaming through an open window as several irritating creatures make high pitched shrieking noises outside. Birds, Peter had reminded her, a softness in his voice as he had watched the creatures from the kitchen during yesterday's breakfast.
It's been six Earth months since they had last seen each other, since Peter had almost died and the Guardians had gone their somewhat separate ways. Six busy months of rebuilding Knowhere and the city that had become home. With Cosmo's help the buildings had been rebuilt sooner than expected, and the home that Nebula had long dreamed of was finally becoming a reality. Gamora keeps in contact, sending an update of her location every few weeks, along with tales of her borderline-criminal adventures with the Ravagers. Nebula misses her sister, despite the pain in the ass she has become, but she is glad to see Gamora happy.
Drax has also been a huge help; despite Nebula's initial doubts, he is now an integral part of their foundling society, bringing joy and laughter to children and adults alike. He's still a bonehead, there's no changing that, but Nebula has reluctantly grown fond of his relentless optimism and lack of emotional baggage. Some days he can be subdued, preoccupied with his worry for Mantis and her lack of contact, but Nebula isn't worried. Mantis has shown that she is more than capable of taking care of herself, and she knows that their friend will make contact when she is ready.
The "New Guardians", as they have dubbed themselves, have made Knowhere their home base, despite spending very little time there. Rocket has taken his new title of Captain very seriously, or as seriously as the former bounty hunter could do, with Groot as his second in command. The group answers distress calls, protects planets and collects the occasional bounty, whilst trying to uphold the values that Peter had attempted to instill within them. Their methods can be somewhat dubious at times- nobody is perfect- but they always get the job done. Rocket makes sure to check in with Nebula as often as possible, much as he had done during the Blip, and they have an easy friendship, all things considered.
And then there's Peter. Nebula shifts on the lumpy couch, dragging the blanket over her head in an attempt to block out the persistent sunlight. Peter, who has wormed his way into Nebula's heart and made a home there. Nebula sighs in frustration, wondering why she even came here. She's loathe to admit that she misses the man that changed her, that softened her rough edges and gave her a home. The man who's in love with her sister, she reminds herself. She had seen how Peter and Gamora had parted, how Peter was finally ready to move on and Gamora was free from the shackles of a life she never led. Peter was the only person who could truly understand how it felt to lose Gamora, to have her come back as a different version of herself. The shared loss has bonded them together, but Nebula's feelings have begun to expand further than she could have forseen all those years ago.
"Nebula?"
Peter's voice is soft, breaking through the silence as Nebula lies still. She contemplates pretending to be asleep, but as she hears Peter take a tentative step into the room she pulls the blanket away from her face.
"I'm sleeping." She deadpans, keeping her eyes closed. She hears more soft footsteps, then the squeak of springs as Peter sits in the chair opposite her. For someone of Peter's size, he moves surprisingly quietly. Another thing that softens Nebula's heart.
"I'm sorry if I woke you. I just wanted to check if you're still going back this morning, or if you wanted to stay a bit longer." Nebula risks a peek, seeing the hopeful look on Peter's face, and sighs quietly.
"I suppose Drax and Kraglin can cope without me for a little while longer." Nebula sits up, stretching and shifting in her seat as the last remnants of sleep slip away from her. Peter averts his eyes, a slight blush creeping onto his cheeks, but Nebula doesn't notice. She never notices.
"Awesome." Peter grins now, his eyes catching Nebula's. "Because there's this place nearby that I used to go to with my Mom and I was thinking of heading over there today. Will you come with me?" Peter shifts slightly, his gaze not leaving Nebula's. Its intense, being in his eyeline like this, and Nebula is first to break the moment.
"Sure." Nebula replies, witty retorts lost as she averts her eyes and stands. "But I believe I was promised "Peter Quill's famous frying pan cakes" for breakfast and I want to laugh at you when you fail." She catches his eyes again, smiling softly to lessen the blow. Peter's still grinning, unphased by Nebula's sharp tongue.
"Firstly, they're just called pancakes. Secondly, quit your bitching cos you're gonna love them." Peter holds out a hand, gesturing towards the kitchen. Nebula swats his hand away and stalks towards the kitchen, missing the brief fall of Peter's smile before he catches himself.
"I'm going to hold you to that, Star Lord."
****
The sun is at its highest when they reach the lake. Its only a half hour hike from the parking lot but Nebula is sweating, wiping her face with her shirt. Peter is slightly ahead, a near-constant grin lighting up his face as the lake comes into view. It's large, several miles in diameter, and surrounded by a grassy bank. Theres a few other people here, couples and families all spread out around the lake, far enough away that Nebula doesnt feel crowded. Peter is carrying a large backpack and as he reaches a suitable spot, he slides it off his shoulders.
"This looks good." He murmurs to himself, pulling a large tartan blanket out of the bag. He lays it on the ground and sits facing the lake. He looks up at Nebula with unguarded hope and pats the space next to him. She hesitates for a second before gracefully folding herself into the space next to him, leaving a gap between them as she tucks her legs underneath her. Peter beams and starts pulling more items from the bag. Before long he has assembled quite the picnic with foods Nebula has never seen before, all of which Peter happily names as he arranges them all in front of her. He passes her a paper plate and plastic glass, which he fills with sparkling apple cider.
"Me and my mom used to come here on the weekends sometimes, before she got sick." He explains as he pours himself a drink. He fills his own plate and starts eating, giving Nebula the space to choose at her own pace. She picks up a cheese and deli meat sandwich and slowly picks at it, surprised at the pleasant taste. Peter is beaming beside her, encouraging but not overwhelming.
"Its beautiful." Nebula says honestly. She watches a pair of children playing in the water and gets a pang in her chest. What she would give for a normal childhood like that with her sister.
"Its one of the only memories I have of my mom." Peter is subdued, but still smiling. "We'd have a picnic and then she'd drag me down to the water and we'd try to catch some fish. Never caught a damn thing, but it was fun." The wistful edge in Peter's voice makes Nebula feel sad, and she searches for something to say.
"She sounds like a good mom." Is what Nebula settles on, though she wishes it sounded more sincere. Peter smiles anyway, always knowing when Nebula is trying her best.
"She was. She's the reason for my taste in music." He grins, patting the cassette player on his hip, the one thing he is never without. Nebula smiles, picking at some more food. They sit in comfortable silence, watching the people and soaking up the sunlight. Peter packs away the remnants of the food into the back pack and stands, holding out his hand.
"Lets go and dip our toes in the water."
Nebula raises an eyebrow, unamused, but Peter's infectious joy is hard to deny. She takes his hand and lets him pull her to her feet. He takes of his socks and shoes and she copies, feeling slightly out of place. Peter's smile is encouraging as he takes her hand again and leads her to the water's edge. They step in together and Nebula feels her feet sink slightly into the bank of the river, the water covering her feet and ankles.
"See. Not so bad." Peter grins, keeping hold of Nebula's hand. The water is cool, but not cold, and actually feels nice on her skin. Peter is beaming, joy radiating through him and into Nebula. She laughs, short and sharp, startling herself. Peter laughs with her, gently kicking his foot up to splash water against her legs. She laughs again, feeling more free than she has in her whole life, and they laugh together as they splash each other, hands still entwined. Nebula loses her balance and falls towards Peter, grabbing his shoulder to keep herself steady. They're both panting, cheeks stinging from smiling so wide, their faces only inches apart.
"I don't think I've ever felt this free." Nebula says, painfully honest and vulnerable in a way that usually makes her uncomfortable. But here in the water, with Peter's hand in hers, it doesn't scare her as much.
"I know the feeling." Peter murmurs, reaching up to gently brush some water droplets from Nebula's cheek. She stiffens but doesn't pull away, her hand tightening in his shoulder.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asks tentatively, trying to quell the rising hope that threatens to drown her. Peter pauses, his thumb gently smoothing across the metal implant in Nebula's cheek.
"I didn't want you to leave." He answers honestly, his gaze locking onto hers. "I also love this place, and I wanted to share it with you."
Nebula's traitorous heart stutters at the open affection in Peter's voice, her head swimming with doubts. He leans in and presses a soft, tender kiss to her forehead.
"Is that okay?"
"I think so." Nebula replies. Her hand is tight around Peter's but he doesnt complain. His lips press to her cheek and she instinctively leans into the gentle touch. Her head is buzzing with thoughts and doubts, all of which seem to quieten when Peter's lips touch her skin. She looks into his eyes, searching for any indication this is a trick, or some plot to get back at Gamora. All she sees is that open affection that seeps into her heart and fills all the cracks.
"I need you to be clear." Nebula whispers. Peter nods, unsurprised, like he already knew what she needed. Nebula had learned from a young age never to trust love, to never trust kindness or goodness. To be always waiting for the hidden knife, the slap, the unkind words, even as her heart ached for it to be real.
"I really like you, Nebula. It has nothing to do with Gamora and everything to do with you." His thumb brushes across her artificial cheekbone again and it still sends goosebumps across her skin. "Once I let go of that past, I realised there was something much more real here with you. Just like in the movies." He grins and Nebula's heart skips.
"I... I like you too, Peter. More than a friend." It sounds clumsy and naive, which Nebula absolutely is in this moment. But as with everything else, Peter is right there with her, and his answering grin is enough to quell some of the anxiety that sits in her stomach.
"Good. I'm glad we are on the same page." He doesn't kiss her again, doesnt do anything except hold her hand and wait. Nebula wills her muscles to relax, and when they eventually do, Peter slowly pulls her into an embrace. His arms wrap around her waist and she leans her head on his shoulder, her arms around his neck.
"Will you stay with me for a bit longer?" He asks, and Nebula knows he doesn't just mean here at the lake. Its hard, knowing her life out in space is waiting for her. But maybe, just maybe, theres a life here for her too.