marvel one-shots

40. starlord ; poker

"Full house," Rocket laid his cards down for them to see. A wide grin latched to his face.

"Four of a kind," Gamora said.

"I too have four of the same suit," Drax displayed his cards nobly on the tabletop.

"Straight flush," Peter opened his hands to pull the collection towards him. It was a hefty load: credit amount were scribbled on paper, pieces of gold and silver, even a knife.

"Hate to break it to you, Peter, but I've got a royal flush," he froze. Laughter subsided. Drinks were set down. Eyes rested on her.

She laid her cards down, and, truth be told, she did score an envied royal flush. Peter backed his arms away, crossing them over his chest.

"You cheated," he insisted as she stuffed her pockets with her winnings.

"Good game," she combatted.

"No one just gets a royal flush."

"Looks like I just did," she finished stuffing her pockets and downed the rest of her drink.

"But-"

"Good game, Quill," she saluted them and made her way towards the bar exit. She nimbly worked her way through the drunken melting pot of dancers and gamblers. She'd gotten all she needed for the night. It was time to go home.

She just made it outside when her new serenity was slandered:

"How'd you do it?" Peter beckoned. She turned briskly.

"I know how to play," she continued down the dark street, searching for her home.

"Please, it'll make the loss sting less," he caught up to her. They turned a corner to see the familiar row of creative housing. It was poor, but well kept. It buzzed with her neighbors; she smiled when they looked her way.

"Peter," she paused at the end of the row. They stood in front of her elaborate recycled home. She ended with, "A great magician never tells her secret."

"But-"

"Goodnight Peter!" she closed her door behind her.

She leaned back against it, smiling at her winnings. A win isn't always defined as the next meal, sometimes it will be who you invite to the meal...