bakerstreet | picture prompt meme.

[ Peter's brow furrows at that words, mouth twisting to one side in distaste. Then, ]

I kind of don't like that reason.

[ Admittedly, it doesn't matter whether he does or doesn't, and he has no doubts that if she really wanted to do it, she could.

At length, he lets out a slow breath, and it's a dangerous move, he knows, but he pointedly pulls his hand away from his gun, raising it in a placating manner. ]

If you don't want to fight, then neither do I. But you have to realize that if you're here, Gamora will wanna know.

[ Nebula's hands still ball into fists at her side, despite the predictability of Peter's words. She probably wouldn't respond well to a threat against her life either. Still. Can't he take the hint and leave her alone?

As if to mirror his movement Nebula relaxes her hands and crosses her arms. It's not exactly the same as Peter's show of good faith, but it gets the point across; I won't hurt you either. ]

I am not here to harm you or her. [ She's trying to control her irritation, really, she is but it's still very obvious she wants to hurt him. Then again, that's sort of her default too. ] Why does she need to know if I am here?

Because you're her sister? [ In that tone of voice that silently appends a "duh" to his sentence. ] And she'd wanna know that you're alright? And, more importantly, not dead?

[ He huffs out a sigh, shoulders sagging a little with it. Maybe Nebula won't budge on the whole keeping her presence secret thing, but he can dry a different tack, at least. ]

What are you even doing here?

[ That's a confusing concept and Nebula doesn't answer just looks at him like he's an idiot. Does he know who they are?? ]

Gamora does not care if I live or die. [ Probably. She's still sorting out what that hug meant and by sorting out, she means ignoring the implications entirely. ] You do not need to pretend for her, Star-Lord. I am not here to kill her. Or you. Or any of your pathetic Guardians.

[ She probably should have came up with a lie a little sooner, but she didn't. Nebula's not great at the whole lying on the spot thing, but this is basically the truth. Almost. ]

A w-- job. For a job. [ The stutter is noticeable and telling and goddamn it she is not telling him the truth so he can run back to Gamora. ] I am here for work.

[ He had planned on arguing that point – that of course Gamora cared, that she and Nebula were family, regardless of whatever murderous intentions one may have for the other. Gamora gave a shit, for as much as she claimed the opposite, and Peter can tell. He knows bluster when he sees it, after all.

He had planned,, but then Nebula just had to go and call him "Star-Lord" – not some botched version of his outlaw name – and Peter has to fight down the pleased smile that tries to curl his lips.

But he stops fighting it after that obvious falter, lets that smirk tug at the corner of his mouth, and he tilts his head slightly to one side. ]

A "w-job." [ And he pronounces it as "wuh-job." Evidently Peter either has a suicide wish or he's comfortable enough with Nebula's claim of not intending to kill him. Maybe a little of both. ]

What kind of w-job are we talking, here?

[ It is taking all of Nebula's control to keep her arms crossed, her entire body is tense and she has to remember that killing Peter will only mean Gamora will probably kill her.

Nebula must remember that Peter Quill is human. He is fragile. And insufferable. And she can't afford to hurt him.

But he had to push it, he just had to didn't he? Nebula's fist is headed directly for his face before she can stop herself. It's not a hard punch, at least she doesn't think so but he was asking for it. You can only push Nebula's patience so far. ]

The kind that is none of your business.

[ It says a lot about his life and his life choices that when Nebula throws that punch, Peter is just quick enough to dodge it. Or at least, he manages to dodge the worst of it, and instead of hitting him square in the nose, it glances off his cheek, still makes him stumble back a pace or two.

Luckily (or possibly unluckily, depending on who you ask), he manages to keep his footing enough to keep from falling entirely off the roof.

He's holding onto his cheek, prodding at the bone – probably a bruise to explain later, he guesses, but nothing worse – and glares daggers at Nebula. ]

What the hell was that for?!

[ Rather than apologize for her lapse in control Nebula simply shrugs, looking as unforgiving as ever. However, her shoulders are a little more rounded and she's looking too pointedly away from him. Like if she can't see it then it's not her problem when she knows it is.

Nebula doesn't look at him right away, but turns her head when she finally replies. Perhaps another indication that she might know what she did probably wasn't right. Not wrong, but definitely not right. ]

I do not appreciate being mocked. Especially by soft, stupid humans that have no idea how to mind their own business.

[ Well, that's a bit of a change.

Not that Peter and Nebula knew each other very well at any point in time. Their exposure to one another mostly consisted of glaring daggers at one another while Gamora stood between them – or more accurately, Peter was staring at Nebula like the super villain she was, and both Nebula and Gamora probably forgot he was even there in the first place.

And then the shit with— you know who, and a conversation between Gamora and her sister that Peter knows next to nothing about, and now they stand on shaky ground. Not a ceasefire, exactly, but something close.

Peter sighs, still prodding at his bruising cheekbone. ]

That's real nice. "I don't like being made fun of, but let's turn around and call Quill a soft, stupid human."

[ But there's not much ire in his voice, at least; it's more the sort of exasperated tone he'd use with Rocket or Drax. ]

Look. If you're on a job— [ Pronounced correctly this time. Lessons have been learned. ] —and it's not to hurt Gamora or us – present circumstances notwithstanding – then why can't I just tell her you're here?

[ She actually hadn't been trying to insult him. Humans, from her limited experience, are incredibly soft, weak and stupid. If anything she had been kind in leaving out the weak part. Nebula rolls her eyes when he complains, some people just can't handle the truth. ]

I was not making fun of you! [ She says in a hard voice, because she wasn't really. ] You are soft and do things no one should do. [ In this instance, she's not insulting his intelligent but his ability to jump head first into dangerous situations without over thinking it. See? She's being halfway kind if you think about it. ] It was only the truth.

You would not understand. [ Nebula replies after a lengthy silence wherein she weighs her options. ] We are not like your family, Peter Quill. I can not trust my sister. [ Mostly true. She's still a little confused after the whole hug thing. ]

[ It's lucky for both of them that by now, Peter's heard every Terran-related insult in the book. The Ravagers liked bandying them around, calling him weak and squishy, accusing his planet of being backwards and primitive. He's used to it, which is why he only reacts to Nebula's "truths" with a sigh.

And really, it's not as important reacting to the "stupid Terrans" thing as it is to react to that – the confession that Nebula doesn't trust Gamora. Because he doesn't get that. Gamora is his teammate, and he trusts her with his life – which he's done over and over and over. She tells him to jump, and he trusts with his whole heart that she'll be there to catch him.

He shakes his head, taking a careful step forward. ]

Gamora cares about you, dude. Whether you want to believe it or not, it's true. She's not looking to stab you in the back – because the way I figure it, if she really wanted to fuck you over, we would've taken you to Xandar and collected that bounty.

[ When he takes a step forward, Nebula's reflex is to tense. She doesn't move, but she's ready to strike if he tries anything. Not that he seems to want to at the moment, if his words are any indication.

Nebula does her best not to roll her eyes and fails, looking off to the side. Peter's right, Gamora could have betrayed her any time after blowing up Ego but she didn't. Still, he doesn't know anything about them. He doesn't know what it was like growing up under Thanos' thumb. ]

Maybe she is not looking now, but she will one day. [ Nebula's having a hard time believing her sister won't actually betray her. Or kill her. It's a family thing. Nebula returns her hard gaze to Peter. ] Any of you could still return me to Xandar, I have no reason to trust you or her.

[ Much like Nebula, Peter can’t really contain his scoff. He snorts out a dismissive sort of laugh, hands resting on his hips. ]

Okay, well, I’m not a crazy, back-stabbing psycho. I keep my word, especially with folks who could probably flay me alive and wear my skin like a varsity jacket.

Gamora doesn’t want to hurt you. [ And the phrasing is pointed. ] So I neither do I.

[ He pauses, then, regarding her carefully. ]

Is that why you’re here? Like, really here. Trying to take Gamora down before she can take you down?

[ She can't argue there. Nebula doesn't think of herself as crazy, but she has no problems backstabbing. Or she did. Now it seems more difficult, especially with her sister. Gamora believes there is something to salvage, that Nebula won't kill her and this would be the best time to strike. But she can't.

Nebula's having a difficult time meeting Peter's eye again because his tone is too earnest. She hasn't come to terms with the idea that Gamora doesn't want to hurt her or that she doesn't want to hurt Gamora but that has always been the basis of their relationship. What is she supposed to do now? How is she supposed to deal with this?

She crosses her arms, still not looking at Peter. It takes her a few moments to reply, because it feels weird to admit she doesn't want to destroy her sister or her life. ]

No. [ The word is loaded with intention, meant to convince Peter she's lying when she's not. It comes out, unfortunately for her, believably. Nebula's not here to do anything other than make sure her sister is okay. ]

[ Peter likes to think he’s good at reading people – and sometimes he is. Sometimes, he manages to see straight through the bullshit like he has X-Ray vision. And sometimes, especially when he’s dealing with contacts who try to give him the runaround, he uses it to his advantage, plays the conversation with a sort of natural charm that the Ravagers both hated and cultivated, expressly for situations like those, where money was on the line.

(And sometimes he doesn’t.

Which is how the bullshit with Ego happened.)

With Nebula, at least, there’s not much obfuscation to cut through, even if she tries. So Peter sighs, lets a little more of the tension bleed away from him with the breath. ]

You seriously need to work on that lying.

[ A little flatly, as he leans his weight onto one leg. ]

Have you considered maybe, like, calling her to see how she’s doing? [ Because why else would Nebula be practically stalking them? ] Sending a letter or a postcard?

Like, “Hey, how are you? I’m doing good. Here’s a picture of me with a severed head. Hugs and kisses, Nebula.”

[ What use did Nebula ever have for lying? None. She was a killer not a liar, but maybe it might be good to learn because she hates how easily Peter seems to read her.

She doesn't exactly huff in irritation, but it's close enough he'd be safe to interpret the noise she makes as such. Nebula looks more pointedly away in reply, as if to say 'shut up, I know' because he's probably right. ]

I do not care how she is doing. [ This sounds much more convincing because she's saying it through gritted teeth, trying to embrace the anger Peter incites. Nebula meets his gaze aggressively as if to prove that point. ] My sister has never cared what has happened to me, even now she does not.

Why should I ask if she is okay? [ The fire in her words is less intense and Nebula hears it right away, takes a few telling steps back and realizes she'll either have to kill Peter or run. Or, you know, just deal with the consequences. ]

[ His eyebrows rise a little as Nebula backs away, eyes widening, and it’s enough of a telegraph that she’s likely to bolt that he decides to maybe back off on the insults and the ribbing. (It’s probably a good thing that it doesn’t occur to him that the thought of literally killing him to avoid this awkward conversation might have crossed her mind. But then again, who on his team hasn’t threatened to murder him?) ]

Hey. She cares.

[ His voice softens a little, becomes more earnest – but it doesn’t approach gentle. He doesn’t know much about Nebula, but he figures trying to talk to her like someone might coax out a stray puppy would probably just piss her off.

A pause, then, ]

She’s doing fine, by the way. Not that I think you want to know or anything.

[ Obviously. ]

[ Her desire to turn and run is building steadily but while it would be easier, it would also cause more of a scene than she's willing to deal with. Nebula stays rooted to the spot. For now.

She can hear the way his voice softens and she hates the sound of it. No one has ever spoken so softly to Nebula in her life. But somewhere, deep inside the parts Thanos could not pull from her, it affects her. It changes imperceptibly the way she thinks of her sister. Even the way she regards Peter.

It's a long time before she speaks, her gaze averted. ]

I do not. [ She's reluctant to speak, but since she can't kill Peter or run, Nebula is instead forced to reply. ] But you may relay to her that I am not dead.

[ Nebula seems to struggle to speak again, opening and closing her mouth a couple times before she finally grits her teeth and speaks once more. ] I would... appreciate if you did not tell her more.

[ It’s as much of a concession as he’s likely to get out of Nebula, he knows, but his lips still press into a thin, unhappy line. He wants to press for more, wants to help the two of them forge whatever weird, dysfunctional sisterhood they both seem to want but are too afraid to grasp.

(And maybe he’s projecting a little. Or, well, maybe he’s projecting a whole lot. Because as fucked up as his relationship with Yondu had been? Peter still wishes he had had more time to hash things out with his surrogate dad, wishes they could have reached a better understanding of where they stood with one another.

And he doesn’t want Gamora to lose out on her own opportunity if he can help it.)

But Peter’s out of his depth, here. There are decades and decades of animosity still lying between Gamora and Nebula, and they really need to go at it at their own speed.

So he deflates, shoulders sagging, and he brings up a hand to scrub at his face. ]

Fine. I won’t. [ A deep, deep inhale, and he peeks at her from between his fingers. ] But only ‘cause you asked so nicely.

[ He lets his hand drop, jaw ticking when he clenches his teeth. ]

She wants to see you. I mean, she hasn’t said it, but I can tell.

[ A pause as he steels himself, then, ]

You should consider talking to her yourself. I mean, maybe not today? Since you look like you’re in a hurry. [ that is: “I’m pretty sure you’d rather throw yourself off this roof.” ] But— soon.

Just think about it.

[ Any further intrusion on Peter's part would only result in more irritation on Nebula's. She's not an idiot, she knows talking to her sister would solve some problems between them but Nebula is still unwilling to face the reality that she still craves her sisters affection. It's not easy to realize you still want a sister that spent her life being better than you and simultaneously rejecting you.

It's not something Nebula wants to face yet and she definitely doesn't want Peter to witness it. Even though at Yondu's funeral Nebula had almost felt something for Peter, she almost felt bad for the ravagers passing. Nebula is not like Peter though, she isn't stupid enough or strong enough to show her vulnerabilities.

Nebula watches Peter closely, the way he seems to struggle with her request until his shoulder release and she knows she's in the clear. If Nebula relaxes it's barely noticeable.

She rolls her eyes, because of course Peter has to make a thing out of her request. How does anyone stand to spend time with him she'll never know.

Nebula's made the mistake of believing the conversation was over when he speaks again, it stops her in her tracks. She's too surprised at his bold choice to continue this interaction to be angry but it doesn't take long. Nebula meets Peter's eye again, she advances slowly like an animal on the hunt and only stops when she's close enough to reach out and grab him. ]

If I wanted to talk to my sister, [ She replies after a few moments, her voice low and calm. ] I would have already done it, [ her voice is getting louder and harder. ] And if I do it will be NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

[ Nebula's patience has run out, she's indulged Peter long enough and although she might regret snapping, at the moment it feels nice. It feels right. The only thing missing is the comforting weight of her dagger pressed against his throat. ]

[ So much for a civil conversation, Peter thinks faintly, backing up a little as she stalks toward him. It brings to mind the sort of shit he'd see in an animal documentary, giant, predatory cats slinking through grass to leap on their prey.

For a couple of seconds, there, Peter had almost forgotten how seriously fucking scary Nebula is.

By the time she stops an arm's length away, Peter's just step or two away from the roof's edge, one hand up in what's probably meant to be a placating manner. The other hand, though, reaches for the blaster holstered at his hip. Instinct, mostly, rather than any real intent to use the thing. Life among outlaws who could snap his neck with a sneeze meant Peter learned to talk first, but be ready to shoot his way out when Plan A failed. ]

Okay. [ Not quite soothing, but quiet and pointedly even in the face of her mounting rage. ] Okay. I get it. It was just a suggestion, alright? No need to rip my head off for it.

[ He nearly adds a sarcastic, "You could've just said 'no,'" but decides against it. ]

Do what you want.

[ Civil went out the window when Peter decided to continue pushing a subject he knew Nebula was clearly uncomfortable with. She'd let it go on for far too long as it was and now that she had his word he wouldn't tell Gamora more than she wanted, Nebula was less inclined to indulge Peter.

Would she kill him? No, that's off the table entirely these days but Nebula's confident enough in her skills to at least hurt Peter a little before escaping. It might be a narrow escape, but she'd be able to manage it before the rest of the Guardian's descended.

It's deeply satisfying to hear the sudden caution in Peter's voice where moments before it was verging on sympathetic.

The awkward tension that had rounded Nebula's shoulders lifted and she stood straighter, leaning back into the confidence she normally carried herself with. There was nothing vulnerable about her anymore, her body more relaxed and somehow dangerous. The corner of Nebula's mouth lifted in smug smile. ]

Good, then we're done here and I do not have to talk to you anymore. [ Nebula steps past Peter, toward the opposite side of the building and her sister, as she speaks. ] And remember Star-Kid, if you break your promise I will find out and I will not stop at a punch. [ She adds, turning to look back at Peter with another dark, threatening smile before finally making her escape. ]

[[ ooc; i didn't mean for this to end!! it just felt right... if you'd like we can start a new one tho, i really enjoy writing with your peter! c: ]]

picture prompt meme.

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u got a death wish, star munch?

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