( closed ) surprise! you're a dad!

[godslay]

who: Gamora & Peter Quill
what: The portal chucks out baby Groot, and they discover they get to take care of the little menace again.
when: Mid-January
where: Community housing: floor 13, room 4
warnings: A tiny angry tree.



[ Things haven't been tense, per se, but since Peter's powers manifested, they've both been stressed.

Trying to dig up any trace of Ego doesn't yield any results, and for all intents and purposes, it seems that Peter's powers are just a fact now, a reality they're learning to tackle head-on. Gamora is insistent that he practice with the Light, so that his emotional responses don't lead to a wild outburst of energy that could be potentially dangerous. A controlled environment is safer, better, as much as Peter might not want to admit the Light exists in the first place – and Gamora won't budge on their training.

She believes in him – in his capacity to manage his abilities.

But that means they both tend to leave training a little frustrated, and she understands if he's tired, aggravated by how little progress it might seem he's made, but she keeps reminding him that it's a process. Control won't come easily, but it will be worth it – because she does not want to see him wearing one of those suppression collars out of fear.

Tonight, however, is an off night. No work, no training, and they've had a quiet day, much needed as it was. Returning from a walk in the gardens, she leads Peter from the elevator with a bag of food in one hand, his fingers curled in her other. She's ready to settle in for an episode of Pals or some movie, their takeout, then cuddling on the couch, before they both crawl into one of their beds to fall asleep curled up with each other.

(Gamora has suggested they may want to look into a queen bed, rather than the two twins they've had since arrival. She tried to be completely nonchalant about it, too, mentioned over coffee and a bowl of cereal, but it had still been a Big Thing.)

Once inside the apartment, she starts pulling out their food, poking through the boxes. ]

Pick what we're going to watch.

Comments

[godslay]

[ Gamora scoops up the little sapling with little prompting needed, settling him against her shoulder. ]

There's chocolate for you when you wake a little more.

[ He makes an inquisitive little noise (correctly assuming chocolate is candy), and he blinks at Peter from Gamora's shoulder, reaching a tiny hand out for the bar of chocolate. ]

I am Groot?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter huffs out a laugh, snapping a small piece from his bar. ]

Once I give you this, you’ve gotta promise not to go nuts and wreck the place. Got it?

[ It’s worrying how Groot seems to give this serious thought, but at length he nods in agreement, offers an I am Groot, which Peter takes as a solemn oath. Peter offers the little piece, and Groot takes it in hand, popping it into his mouth.

After a second, the little sapling’s eyes light up, and he extends his hand for another piece. Peter shakes his head. ]

Maybe if you’re good.

[ Groot makes an annoyed noise, and Peter glances over at Gamora. ]

He seems alright.

[godslay]

It seems he hasn't changed at all.

[ Still the same fussy toddler.

She rubs his back gently, nudging him to take a look at the apartment. ]

This is where we are staying now.

[ He's momentarily distracted from the chocolate, glancing at their surroundings with wide eyes. ]

They're working on getting us back home.

[ Groot frowns, considering what Gamora is telling him – though she understands why that would be harder for him to swallow.

... But also, Peter still has chocolate, so Groot reaches out to him again in a clear demand for more. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter tuts disapprovingly. Groot may not be close enough to grab the bar – not without extending his arms, anyway, which Peter doubts he has the mind or energy for right no – but Peter still pointedly pulls it back, like a game of keep-away. ]

Hey. No. Pay attention, dude. This is important.

Did you hear what Gamora said? We’re staying here for a while. Like, a long while.

[ Like, “the next four or five years,” but Groot probably doesn’t have a good sense of time just yet. ]

And it’s just us three right now. Rocket and Drax and them are back home, okay? Just you and me and Gamora. Got it?

[ Groot blinks at him owlishly, then nods.

Then extends out his hand for another piece, and Peter’s expression sours. ]

... You’re not listening, are you.

[godslay]

[ More blinking with big eyes, a drawn-out pause...

And then Groot reaches for the chocolate again.

Gamora sighs. ]

He isn’t going to listen until you put it away or give it to him.

[ He’s too easily distracted to focus on two things at once. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Well, considering the chocolate bar was already about as long as Groot is tall, giving the kid the rest would. Probably send him into a coma. And considering they just got him, sending Groot to a city-run hospital probably wouldn’t be a good look for the two of them.

So instead, Peter finishes off the chocolate bar – or most of it, at least – and holds out the last little bit to Groot, who takes it greedily and stuffs it in his mouth. ]

Okay. [ This, around the mouthful of chocolate. ] Pay attention this time.

[ —apparently he’s leaving the explanation to Gamora, since his mouth is full. ]

[godslay]

[ ... Charming.

Gamora gives Peter and his full mouth a flat look, but then draws back from Groot enough to coax the sapling into looking at her. ]

We are far from home here, all right? And it'll be a little while before we can go back.

[ Groot chews with his mouth open, but he's at least watching Gamora and nodding along. ]

And Rocket and Drax aren't here, but we'll see them again soon.

[ "Soon" is hard to explain to Groot, but... hopefully that makes sense.

Unfortunately, he does seem to process that the rest of their family isn't with them, and he looks between Peter and Gamora, his expression falling. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He swallows down his chocolate as Gamora’s finishing off her explanation, and he watches Groot carefully, trying to see if any of this is getting through to him.

And it seems it has, with the way his face starts to crumple, and Peter steps up beside Gamora, resting a couple of fingers against the back of his head. ]

Hey, it’s cool, man. Don’t worry. We’re gonna have a lot of fun here, okay? They have parties and festivals, like, every month. [ ... The Quarantine celebrated a lot of holidays, didn’t it? ] And the other guys might show up later. [ Even if Peter sort of torn on whether or not he wants that to happen. ]

Chin up, okay?

[godslay]

[ Groot isn't crying, exactly, but his lower lip trembles a little, and he blinks those big eyes up at them. ]

You'll like it here.

[ Gamora's tone is so soft and gentle, soothing in a way she only ever is with Groot. ]

And you won't be alone.

[ Groot is finally giving a slow, sad nod, and he rests his head on Gamora's shoulder for a moment, and then holds his arms out to Peter. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ Peter hesitates when Groot reaches for him.

He’s— still not super sure about his place in all this, if he’s honest. Rocket and Gamora (and Drax, when Groot allowed it) had a much better handle on the whole parenting thing. Had more attention and patience for it than Peter did, who was happy to leave them to it. That wasn’t really fair, he knows, though he offered his help in the more fun stuff, in letting Groot listen to his music and dancing along with him.

He kept his distance, a lot of the time, because he didn’t know the first thing about kids or the first thing about, like, being a proper role model. He didn’t like the pressure of that responsibility.

But at length, he steps forward, resting a hand against Groot’s back, wrapping his arm around Gamora’s waist. ]

It’ll be fun. I promise.

[godslay]

[ That seems to content Groot, and though his face doesn't quite melt into a smile, he settles sleepily against Gamora's shoulder again. ]

You can go back to sleep.

[ Reassuring, encouraging – because he could probably use some more rest – as she leans into Peter.

Groot yawns wide, mumbling and nodding. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ As Groot settles against her again, Peter rubs small circles against the little guy’s back. When Gamora leans against him, his wraps a little more tightly around her waist, cheek pressing against her hair.

He frowns as Groot starts to drift off. Then, softly, ]

We’re gonna have to figure out where to set him up.

[godslay]

[ She hums in quiet agreement as she watches Groot's breathing even out. ]

Should we make a space for him out here?

[ He could admittedly sleep in the spare bed in their room now, if they wanted to... more officially share a bed. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He makes a thoughtful sound in response, thumb rubbing absently on the back of Groot's head. ]

Maybe it'd be better for him in the bedroom. I doubt he'd wanna be alone.

[ Groot would inevitably end up sneaking into their beds anyway, as he used to back home. So really, it's a matter of whether they want to give in to that assumption, or if they want to try and instate some sense of independence.

Like real parents. ]

[godslay]

[ She nods along, considering their options. ]

We could help him sleep someplace else later. At least until he adjusts, it might be wise to keep him nearby.

[ The Quarantine is new, and he doesn't have Rocket or Drax around, either. He'll have to get used to it, and as much as they may prefer to have some modicum of privacy, Groot's needs take priority on varying levels. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ There's a bit of a pause, then Peter clears his throat. ]

We could, uh. Maybe we should think more seriously about upgrading to a bigger bed for the two of us, huh?

[godslay]

[ She glances at him out of the corner of her eye, and then carefully, ]

I wouldn't be opposed.

[ They've been regularly sharing a single bed, which, cozy as it may be, isn't the most ideal way for two people to sleep. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Or we could— find a place, huh?

[ Which was something they had kind of sort of thought about back when Mantis was still here and that fire had broken out in the building. The search never went anywhere, considering it had been a mere suggestion, but maybe now they should put more effort into it? ]

Whatever works.

[godslay]

[ That earns a more thoughtful look from her, because it was an idea she's entertained, but... not since Mantis left. ]

Finding a place of our own might keep Groot from causing too much trouble.

[ Since she's pretty convinced Groot will take any available opportunity to wander around the community housing and wreak havoc where possible. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He hums in mild agreement, thinking over a plan of attack. ]

We can look into it once the guy gets used to the place.

[ Another pause as Peter chews on his lower lip, then, ]

We'll have to figure out what to do when we're at work, too.

[ Which wasn't a problem with the Guardians, considering they usually just. Brought him along. He doubts that'll be an option with their current work with the Perimeter Guard, mostly for liability reasons, but— ]

Maybe I can smuggle him out in my pocket.

[ because he still doesn't want to inflict Groot on a babysitter unless they have to. ]

[godslay]

He would fit in your jacket.

[ Considering how often Groot had come along on dangerous jobs, she's not terribly opposed to the idea of him joining them at work. ]

As long as you don't lose him outside of the wall.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That makes him frown a little, considering they both know of Groot's short attention span and great love of fucking off on his own. ]

... Maybe you should take him, then.

[godslay]

[ Gamora seems to be coming to the same conclusion as she looks down at Groot. ]

Possibly. But I'm not sure what I would do with him when I need to go beyond the wall.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ A pause, and Peter puts on a mischievous grin ]

You could go and find the guy who dropped him off. It seemed like he and Groot were good friends.

[godslay]

[ She scoffs quietly, trying not to jostle Groot. ]

I doubt he'll be welcome if people seem him at the Guard.

[ But they'll just have to deal with it. ]

This is more complicated with fewer people to watch him.