Chapter Text
A Season of Change
Chapter One
Five Years Later from the main story, six months, after the previous section
Contraxia
Yondu and Kraglin were given respect, by the other Ravager Clan, including those they didn’t know. The moment they had arrived at the brothel planet.
In truth, they had done nothing, and they both found it disconcerting, but the threat of mutiny, because for some reason an independent clan celebrating holidays was enough to make the Xandarian Ravagers' blue blood boil in their veins, and they wanted some of that too.
It had taken a while, and a threat of mutiny, but eventually and slowly Day of Thankfulness as well as any other holiday the Ravagers wanted to celebrate, came onto the calendars.
For that week, it was almost sacred where even jobs were delayed and all their contacts understood, the weeks off to celebrate. However, Contraxia wanted a bit of that action, and since the Ravages were good loyal customers, decided to celebrate it too.
Looking around him, Yondu saw some of the Ravager clans with their families who had taken the trip, and the planet was transformed, for a short while into a family-friendly place.
All the robowhores were dressed in nicer clothes and were allowed to ply their trade in the evening. Until then the ones who were synthetic were acting like guides and if you paid enough a babysitter, for a few hours.
They were dressed in festive gear, which covering up their bodies in a more modest fashion and certain brothels, had been turned into glorified hotels, with nicer facilities for the week.
There was even an air of children’s laughter, as loved ones caught up, and Yondu turned to see a Ravager who looked hardened and battle-scarred and looked like he was hugging his mum with delight.
This should have felt unnatural, and it did, it felt surreal, since lots of activities had been laid on for the children, and the ones who were older, including rides, a skating rink, and competitions to boot.
The snow crunched under Yondu’s feet as he re-joined his Ravagers. Who gave him a greeting, even though he had been away for a few minutes since he decided to give Kraglin a night in one of the hotels.
This was the Contraxia Yondu’s didn’t know, since it was different. This was actually nice and family-friendly and he had a feeling that it would be discussed for years, and if this year, the first year was successful they would make it a permanent thing.
But for now, everyone was just enjoying the spectacle as chefs had been brought in, and were preparing food for everyone, and beer was flowing, but no one was getting drunk with so many children in the vicinity.
Yondu took his place with his Ravagers who had decided to intermix with the Staker crew, which was accidentally. All it took was Charlie-27, who was celebrating being made a Captain of his own Clan.
Though it was small, a lot of the Ogord Ravagers were coming to his side, and a new Galleon was currently searching for more members and that included a new cook, since Actveia was about to depart for new pastures,
Actveia went to catch up with Iztel and the rest of the crew he liked, and Yondu was determined that the cold war the pair still had with the Ogords was not to ruin the occasion.
So much had happened between them all, and at the moment Stakar and Aleta were more focused on keeping their two children calm, who were just entranced by the lights and wanted to run around.
When Stakar and Aleta had contacted them shortly after Peter had left them to say they were pregnant and needed some advice, Yondu, since Kraglin just rolled his eyes with derision, but accepted the suggestion of passing over Peter’s grown-out clothes, and toys but not the favourite things mind.
They also needed advice on where to go to get the best supplies, and things, where to go for vaccinations and all of the rest. The Udonta’s kept the hell out of it all, though surprised that the first one was a fluke, but they decided to do it again, and now Aleta was pregnant for a third time.
Kraglin hoped all three of them would raise a merry hell on the Star Hawk. Even if it was clear that parenthood had mellowed them both, as well as the crew, who were devoted to the two children as much as the Elector's crew were to Peter.
Yondu also knew that Iztel had been giving Actveia tips on feeding babies, and wondered if he was now leaving because he was sick of having another child to care about.
It was at this moment that Actveia turned to Yondu and Kraglin and asked if he could talk with them privately.
The couple just shrugged wondering what the hell this would be about, since everyone was trying to get their attention whilst their pair trying to enjoy the moment.
However, as the trio quickly found a space, which was quiet, the snowdrift was reflected in the lights which they were near a brothel. Whilst Actveia has double-checked that Vexran was fine, and she was too distracted being in charge of everyone.
In the area, it was Actveia who cleared his throat first “So you know the details of what happened?” he told the couple who just shrugged in the affirmative, “Well there is more to it than just this”.
Actveia reached into his back pocket and from his wallet, pulled the old crumpled-up picture he had been carrying for years.
“This was given to me the day Peter left the Star Hawk, after those few days”. The Udonta’s looked at the image, of the two people, noting the snow falling, the strange lights in the sky, and the small house with smoke coming out of the chimney.
Of course, Yondu was biased, as he was, he could have been impressed by the image, but there was more to this.
“Peter drew this before Vexran came on board, and he gave it to me before he left after I agreed to take care of her…for a few months and look here we are. Peter drew my child before I met her. When I went to the interview and saw this, this is identical to where we will be going. The snow, the aurora”. Actveia stopped and found his words.
“I don’t know why but this is where Vexran and I are meant to be, a place where to be happy, and my daughter's happiness is all that matters to me”. There was an edge to Actveia's voice which both appreciated since both Yondu and Kraglin also had fatherhood thrust upon them.
Yondu studied the picture once more and gave it back to the chef, who folded it and put it away. “And this is where you’re from isn’t it?” Yondu asked, Actveia.
From the planet, from the other side, so a bit of a homecoming, but enough to get some distance”. Actveia brushed a lock of hair that was glued to his forehead from the snow.
“I’m going to get some distance between us and the Ravagers. But one thing I do need to ask you is that if something happens to Vexran, I need you to promise me, that your Ravagers will be there.
I know you keep your distance, but you saved Vexran and I need to know if you will do it again”. Actveia in a tone only a parent could have, was relieved visibly with Kraglin just said, “In a heartbeat” and that was it, and everything was concluded.
“Ok, we better get back because if my daughter thinks something suspicious is going on”. However, as the pair turned to go back, the trio were stopped by Staker and Aleta came towards the group.
But their main focus was on the Udonta’s as Actveia said a quick goodbye and Kraglin, just wanting to get back to his child left them, whilst everyone noted the guilty look on their faces.
Back at the main table, Actveia joined Iztel, and the pair conferred in the only way they knew how whilst the other Ravagers were keeping an eye on the younger ones. When Jamsean and Gunnsen, approached the table, to the cheers of the rest of the Ravagers since it had only been a few days.
Yondu wasn’t that surprised when they approached him wanting some time off since it was their anniversary that week and the plan was for them to go to Yarovesky’s cabin for a few days.
Even after all this time, the pair were still working on their own patch of land, and it was taking time, since Jamsean, according to him “Wanted every room to maximise the light”. But for working on it, and giving it winter protection, they could stay there for a few days, when they then announced they would be meeting them in Contraxia.
That surprised Yondu, but instead, he kept his face impassive and gave them permission to enjoy their break. Apparently, they had, looking all happy even if Jamsean looked slightly exhausted as he filled everyone in, and no one was surprised.
When Contraxia had announced that they were holding an ice sculpture competition, Jamsean jumped at the chance, and in between his anniversary, that was where he had been whilst Gunnsen had been off hiking on the mountains.
Which was rare, for Ravagers to be less social, but that has become his thing, in the end. It was noted they worked better when they spent some time apart, which seemed healthier for their marriage, and who was Yondu to criticise that?
Jamsean seemed slightly bashful when asked about his creation and informed everyone that it would be a surprise.
Everyone was full of talking and merriment, and Peter and Vexran were arguing between each other, about who was in charge, with Peter stating that he was a Ravager and Vexran wasn’t whilst the flame-haired girl was because she was the oldest.
However, the pair made themselves scarce when they realised that whoever held that title would have babysitting duties forced upon them and Vexran was determined to avoid that for as long as possible.
One of many reasons they were leaving, and she knew that was that she was tired of the ones in charge of the Star Hawk taking the piss out of her. Because she was the only child on board when they began punching out their own kids.
However, Vexran didn’t mention that her stomach was hurting again, even though the recent scar was healing nicely.
Whilst the older ones disappeared together to look at the events, aware that everyone was keeping an eye on them, as Tara and John. Though everyone thought were unusual names for Xandarians, everyone was smart enough not to mention it to their parent's faces, were playing in the snow.
They were cute kids and a perfect combination of both their parents, and reminded Yondu of what Peter was at five and three respectively they showed off their mushy creations to everyone in the area for praise.
But as soon as everyone took their seats, Staker and Aleta quietly asked Yondu and Kraglin for a moment of their time, after asking Martinex to keep an eye on the children, to which he obliged.
To be continued
Please review