I Need A Hero Vol. 4 {Peter Quill}

twenty four

Gwen didn't even know what to say as Peter stared at her with the most heartbroken look on his face. Thor stood off to the side, looking between them as if he didn't know whether to speak up or just stay out of it. Yondu stood beside him, looking completely innocent about the situation. "Peter, I---" Gwen started but he interrupted her.

"How could you do this to me!?" he screamed. Gwen flinched at the volume of his voice. Thor took that as a sign to pick up Yondu and go inside the ship. Peter waited until they were gone before he started speaking again. "I thought you loved me!"

"I do, Peter, but I---"

"You're my wife, Gwen!" The moment he said that, her eyes flicked down at the ground with guilt. Then she began playing with the ring on her finger. The one Thor placed on her finger when they married. Peter noticed and his heart ached. "You aren't my wife anymore, are you?"

"You have to understand something, Peter"

"What is there to understand, Gwen? You are the mother of my daughter, you were my wife, and you're the love of my life. Like I'm supposed to be yours" There was a moment of painful silence. "Do you even love me anymore?" Gwen opened her mouth to respond but Peter didn't even let a squeak come out of her mouth. "Just forget it. I think we should give each other some space for a while. We'll have a talk when we get to Kosmo"

Peter parted for the ship, and left Gwen standing alone. She just stared at the spot where Peter was standing. She didn't even realize she was crying until she noticed a tear or two hit the ground.

~

Everyone gathered in the flight deck. Damien stood at a screen, staring at a picture of Gamora. This would be the beginning of a long search for her. He would stop at nothing to find her whether he had help from his team or not. He knew at the very least Gwen would be willing to help him look for her. Damien felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to see Peter standing behind him. 

"We'll find her, Damien" Peter assured him.

"I hope so, brother. You seem troubled. Is everything alright?"

Peter didn't even get a chance to answer him as Thor had joined them. "Well, here we are. Tree! Good to see you!" Thor took off his sunglasses and tapped Peter on the shoulder. "The Asguardians of the Galaxy, back together again. Where to first?" He touched the screen map.

"Just so you know, this is my ship still. I'm in charge" Peter warned.

"I know. I know. Of course, you are. Of course"

"See, you say of course, but then you touch the map. It makes you think that maybe you didn't realize I was in charge"

"Quail– you– that– that's your own–"

"Quail?"

"–insecurities in there. Okay? I'm merely trying to be of service and assisting"

"Quill" 

"That's what I said"

"You should fight one another for the honor of leadership" Drax suggested.

"Sounds fair" Nebula commented. Peter turned around to look at his group of friends. 

"It's not necessary" he said.

"It's not" Thor repeated.

"I got some blasters, unless you guys wanna use knives" Rocket added.

"Oh, yes. Please, use knives" Mantis said a bit too enthusiastically, tapping her fingers together like a supervillain.

"Yeah, knives" Drax agreed.

"I am Groot"

Both Peter and Thor tried to laugh, but Peter began laughing harder. "Not necessary"

"There shall be no knifing one another. Everybody knows who's in charge" Thor said. 

Peter glanced towards him. "Me, right?"

"Yes, you. Of course. Of course. Of course" It then went thick with tension between the two of them again. Everyone noticed but they thought it was just because of the whole leadership thing. There was really another reason for the tension, and she had finally joined the rest.

"Hey, guys. I just put Yondu down for a nap. Did I miss anything?" she asked.

"Quill and the godman were about to have a knife fight for leadership" Drax responded.

"No, we weren't" Peter said. He wouldn't even look in Gwen's direction. She got up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He pushed it off. "I'm tired. Someone wake me when we get to Kosmo" He then parted for a spare room to sleep in. Gwen looked up at Thor with said eyes, and he pulled her into a comforting hug. Drax, Mantis, Damien, and Quentin all exchanged confused looks. They were all wondering the same thing. 

What happened while they were gone? 

~

Gwen remained in her bedroom for the majority of the journey to Kosmo. In her lap sat a keepsake box of treasures and gifts that Peter had given her through the years. Most of the items were a couple of trinkets and jewelry that he had stolen. She also kept her engagement ring, which was encased in a smaller velvet box, and she kept her first wedding ring around a chain.

She heard a knock on the door, which was followed by a quiet voice which she knew belonged to Mantis. "Gwen? May I come in?"

"Yes" Gwen permitted. The door opened. Mantis stood in the doorway, one hand in the other, and she stared at Gwen with those big eyes of hers.

"You seem upset, and I've been told when someone seems upset, it's a good idea to talk to the sad person to try and make them feel better" 

"Thanks, Mantis. I'd appreciate that" Gwen scooched over on the bed to make some room for her friend. She patted the spot beside her, inviting Mantis to sit beside her. Mantis did just that. It was quiet between the two of them. Gwen set her hand on her lap, with her palm open, coaxing Mantis into grabbing her hand. It was easy to discuss feelings with Mantis. She could just touch you and she could feel how you're feeling. Mantis took a hold of Gwen's hand. The tips of her antennae glowed, and a swarm of emotions buzzed through her head.

"You're feeling so many things. Sadness, anger" Mantis listed off. But there was one thing that overpowered both of those emotions. "But what you feel most of all is confliction"

"I don't feel conflicted at all" Gwen denied. She pulled her hand away from Mantis, not wanting her to read her feelings anymore. "What do I have to feel conflicted about?"

"You're conflicted between Peter and Thor" 

Gwen scoffed. "Why would I be? I'm in love with Peter. Besides, I only married Thor because I didn't want to raise a young child alone" 

"I may not know much about being in love myself, but I can feel it when I touch people who are. You're in love with two people" 

It was painful for Gwen to hear, but maybe Mantis was right. She still loved Peter with all her heart. He was her soulmate and that was never going to change. She had never meant to fall in love with Thor. He was just meant to be the anchor to keep her from drifting off into complete madness. 

What was she going to do?