Peter was 12 years old and had gotten used to living with Ravengers. He lost count of how long its been since he was kidnapped by Yondu. It was getting hard to remember normal life as kid on Earth. At least that meant that it made it hard to miss his old life. With his mom.

Peter was currently cleaning out the vents of the ship. He was the only one small enough to fit inside and still be able to move around. Peter figures Yondu is trying to get as much use out of him before he reaches puberty and becomes too big to fit in small spaces.

Groaning when coming across some trash that resembles a limb stuck in the exhaust fan, Peter shoved at the trash to push it through. Once it went through however, the fan spit back a bunch of toxic trash bits back into his face.

Stumbling back away from the fan, Peter coughed his lungs up trying to get rid of the gross dust. His vision started to get spotty as he struggled to catch his breath. He sat in the vents for what felt like hours with a stabbing pain in his chest from coughing.

After feeling like he was breathing somewhat better, Peter grabbed his tools and crawled towards the vent he entered in. He would finish cleaning after dinner. Not like he had a bedtime anymore.

Peter basically flopped out of the vent and onto the hard metal floor of the ship. Groaning in pain he stumbled to his feet and held onto the wall heading towards the mess hall. Peter figured if he left his tools there then no one will cover up the vents while he's gone. One time a crewmate closed the vent on him and it wasn't until Yondu noticed him missing that he was let out hours later.

He shuffled into the mess hall still coughing every so often when his throat began to feel tight. Peter grabbed himself some of the mystery soup and some water before slumping into a seat away from the rest of the crew.

Peter didn't trust most of the crew. Given he didn't know most of them since most Ravengers died on missions and Yondu recruited even more to make up for the high death count. There were only a few certain crew members Peter deemed safe enough to speak to, so he learned different ways of avoiding people on the ship. Too bad it was impossible to avoid people in the mess hall since there was at least one person there any hour of the day.

Just to prove his point Kraglin, the ships first mate, came up to sit next to Peter. The Xandarian man threw an arm around the young Ravenger and shook him gently. This motion was intended to be a friendly one but given the status of Peter's lungs, it made him double over and begin another coughing fit.

"Woah, Peter. You good? Didn't even grab ya that hard" Kraglin removed his arm and turned to look at Peter better. Peter was gasping for air in between coughs and his face had gotten quite pale.

After catching his breath for what felt like the 5th time in 10 minutes he finally answered Kraglin. "I'm fine just some trash dust got blown into my face. I just need some water."

Peter slowly drank from his glass, feeling like he was dying from thirst the second the cool liquid hit his mouth. He set the glass back down, and turned towards the man before changing the conversation.

"So, where is Yondu?"

Peter learned early on that showing any type of weakness, even sickness, could get you killed if your a Ravenger. Hopefully Kraglin will take the hint and change the topic before anyone notices them talking about Peter's cough.

Thankfully he did. "The Captain is arguing with some idiot on the bridge about the payment of some mission we're supposed to do. You really need to show some respect to him and quit calling him by his first name."

"If the blue asshole didn't want me calling him by his name then he should have told me his name was Captain when he kidnapped me" Peter knew his mom would be ashamed of how he cursed so often but he had to do anything to prove to the Ravengers he wasn't a baby.

"Show the Captain some respect, boy!" Kraglin smacked Peter in the back of the head. Peter probably deserved it but that didn't stop him from growling at Kraglin from the corner of his mouth.

"Yeah, whatever" Peter felt his throat tightening, needing to cough again but not wanting to show he was struggling to breathe. He knew a few members of the crew who would gladly take advantage of that. Deciding to try and drink some water to help ease the tension.

This might of helped had the Captain not walked up behind Peter and smacked him on the back. He did this often with Peter but Yondu was unaware of his youngest crew members internal struggle to breathe.

Peter spit out his water and started making choking sounds as his throat simultaneously swallowed the water and coughed it out. Peter was aware that this was a normal thing that happened when you choked on water. He has done it when he was a kid back on Earth.

But Yondu must of thought Peter was seriously dying. Throwing the young boy over his shoulder, the Captain ran straight towards the ships medical wing. The position did nothing to help ease Peter's coughing but at least he didn't have to worry about Yondu hurting him cause he wasn't feeling well.

The ships medical wing was really just an extra storage room with some cots and a few monitors and machines that the Ravengers picked up. Yondu kept the medicine closet locked up to prevent the crew from stealing, only giving the ship medic, Kortyn, a copy of the key. Kortyn was a tall and slender man with one large black eye that took up most of the right side of his face. His left apparently was lost years before Yondu hired him, wearing an eye patch to cover the scar. He had long hair made up of tentacles that would reach his tools and aid him in any medical practice he was needed to do. Apparently he lost his license but Peter didn't know why since he seemed like a helpful man.

"Oh, hello Captain Yondu. Is something the matter with the Terran?" Peter hated that Kortyn refused to learn his name. He at least knew his name and didn't refer to the medic as tentacle alien.

Yondu dropped Peter on the closet cot before turning to Kortyn and giving an out of breath explanation. "Yeah, he suddenly turned all red and started breathing funny when he was drinking earlier."

"You finally let the boy have his first drink? Well would explain his symptoms." Kortyn's tentacle grabbed a handheld monitor and scanned Peter's body.

"No I didn't let him drink any booze! He was drinking water ya' idiot."

Despite yelling at the man, Yondu walked over and stared at the monitor showing Peter's vitals based off the scan. "What the fuck is wrong with him. His breathing is all funny"

Peter decided it was time to give them his opinion. "I'm fine. Some junk bits got blown in my face while cleaning the ducts and I have just been coughing it out. Also I only started choking on the water cause you slapped me on the back while I was drinking it!"

"Watch yer' tone boy. I'll still eat ya."

Peter rolled his eyes at the threat. The thought of being eaten wasn't as scaring as some of the other things Peter had experienced in space. Still he could never be too sure that Yondu wasn't raising him like a cow to slaughter.

Ignoring the Captain's remark, the medic used his tentacle holding the scanner to go over the boys chest. He made a couple clicking sounds before going to look at the monitor.

"There are some blockages that appear in his lung cavity. That would explain the coughing." Kortyn moved some things on the screen and seemed to be studying some symbols Peter didn't understand.

"Is he fine? This won't mean he gets out of work does it?" Yondu couldn't seem like he cares about the kid. That wouldn't look good as Captain to be seen favoring the weakest and youngest member of the crew. But he still needed to know that the kid was okay. He was the one in charge of his safety, esspecially given that he was hiding him from his daddy.

"He should at least rest for the day and probably stay out of the vents til the cough goes away. I've heard of Terrans who died from a cough."

Peter was pretty sure that Kortyn was lying about the last part but he knew nothing about the human body. Except that it can get cancer that can kill people you care about. But if Yondu believed the man then Peter will get the rest of the day off.

Yondu seemed to be thinking about what the medic had said about the youngest member of the Ravengers. He seemed concerned but he could also just be worrying about the lack of vent maintenance.

"Fine, " Youndu turned and faced Peter with a serious look on his face. "Guess that means yer' off the hook for vents for a while. But don't think this'll be permanent! I want cha' to go to yer room and actually rest for today. That means no dancing or fooling around with yer gun."

Peter grumbled cause that was exactly what he was planning on doing with his day off. But nonetheless he agreed and followed Yondu back to the room they designated his after Peter was kidnapped.

It was a small empty storage closet that was barely big enough to hold a bed and the box Peter deemed his table. There was a window next his bed that showed the cosmos and provided limited light in the room. Peter had gotten used to using the lantern Yondu given him when he kept waking him up cause he was scared of the dark the first few nights. It was next to the Captain's room which Peter figured was so that Yondu could make sure he wouldn't try and run in the night.

Peter sat down on the bed and tried to tell Yondu he was fine and that he could leave now but instead all that came out were choked coughs. Peter covered his mouth while he doubled over in his renewed coughing fit.

Yondu didn't seem any less stressed when the loud barking coughs seemed to be racking his lungs. Going over to Peter Yondu tried patting his back to help him cough out the dust. He had no experience with helping the sick. Usually he just put them out of their misery.

After a few minutes of the painful coughing sounds filling the room, Peter finally was able to breathe again. His chest and throat was really starting to hurt. But he would just have to power through it to the end.

"Ya good?" Yondu was standing next to him with a hand on his shoulder. He was looking directly at Peter, scarlet eyes seemingly pierce into his skull.

All the attention made Peter feel weird. He awkwardly smiled at Yondu before answering with a small nod. Not fully trusting his voice again since it backfired last time.

"Good." He let go of Peter's shoulder and headed for the door, turning one last time before walking out. "Imma go do some shit, but don't think I won't be checking on ya. So don't even think of getting outta bed."

"But what about dinner or going to the bathroom? Can I get outta bed for that." Even with a strained voice the kid had to be a smart ass.

"I'll have someone bring ya yer dinner, and the bathroom is just down the hall so ya have no excuse to be on any other part of the ship ya smart ass. Now shut up before I eat'cha."

With that Yondu turned and slammed Peter's door. Yondu spent the rest of the day mad and worried about the little fucker. He might of been an ass but Yondu found it funny when it wasn't aimed towards him. With thoughts on the kid, Yondu kept getting distracted when Kraglin was going over missions and ship repairs.

"Sir are you listening?"

"Wha- yea yea" Yondu waved off his first mate. Thankfully the Xandarian knew what was distracting his Captain.

"Want me to check on 'im?" Kraglin set down his clipboard monitor and turned to face Yondu. No way Captain would get any work done if he is worried about the kid.

"Nah. I've been watching the monitors. He's tossin' around and coughin' an awful lot." No one was around and Kraglin was the only one who was aware that the Captain had a soft spot for the young Ravenger. Besides Yondu had to talk to someone about this. What if cleaning the vents has been slowly killing Peter? Should he take him to a Terran specialist to make sure he is okay?

"Course ya have." Kraglin mumbled under his breath. If they weren't alone then he wouldn't of said anything. He knew that the Captain couldn't have someone publicly disrespect him, especially his First Mate.

"Shudup. I just need to make sure that he ain't dying. Apparently Terrans can die from this sorta thing. Most fuckin' fragile species!" Yondu was close to throwing his glass of brandy at the wall. This was one of many times that Peter could of been killed. Fuck he can't even hold his breathe for 10 minutes like most species.

He finally decided to get the kid some water and check on him. Yondu wasn't being soft he just figured the kid could use some water. Plus Peter wasn't sleeping like he ordered him too. Needed to make sure he understood that his Captain was serious about checking on him.

Yondu grabbed a cup and filled it with water before heading towards the boy's room. He made it there quicker than normal and chalked it up to wanting to chew out his youngest crew member for not listening.

He knocked on the door before pressing the keypad and barging in. It was his ship after all. Peter was curled up on his side pretending to sleep. Yondu rolled his eyes and walked over to the boy before jabbing him in the side causing another coughing fit.

Peter curled in on himself before letting Yondu help him sit up to ease the pain in his chest from coughing. He didn't mind letting the old man help him when no one was there to perceive him as weak. Still he understood that his relationship with Yondu was mostly professional.

"Brought ya some water. Drink it." Yondu forced the cup into Peter's smaller hands. The kid needed something to stop that awful coughing. "Ya shoulda been asleep. Did ya think I wouldn't find out and come shove my boot up yer ass."

After a few sips Peter set the cup on the box before answering. "It's kinda hard when it feels like my lungs and throat are being crushed. In case you didn't know humans need to be able to breathe so we can sleep."

Peter's voice came out mostly as a hoarse croak, making Yondu wince a little. Still kid had enough energy to be a smart ass so maybe he was fine. Either way when Peter started another coughing fit Yondu couldn't stay mad at him right now. He'll kick his ass later and call it training.

Peter was covering his mouth with his elbow, trying not to cough on his Captain. He took of his jacket which made it easier for Yondu to notice the drops of red that was covering the inside of the boy's elbow each time he coughed. If he wasn't worried before now he was down right terrified for Peter.

Not wanting to alarm Peter in case that caused him to freak out and make him turn back into the little fighter that they picked up, Yondu rustled the boy's hair before walking out the door. He couldn't trust his voice not to reveal what he was thinking.

Once he was outside of Peter's line of sight, Yondu cursed in his native tongue before running towards the bridge. He prayed Kraglin was still there and that he was still alone cause he was in no mood to explain why they are ditching their supply run.

Thankfully whatever gods or celestials are out there granted his prayers cause Kraglin was sitting in the Captain's seat doing the work Yondu abandoned. Normally Yondu would yell at him for being in his seat but now he was just thankful to see the other man.

"Kraglin! Find a Terran specialist now. Set a course to the closet one and get us there. Fast!"

Sensing the urgency in the Captain's voice Kraglin did as he was asked without questioning it. At least not until he was done changing their course and engine speed.

"Sumthin' tha matter, boss? Petey alright?" Kraglin saw the little fucker as something kin to a little brother. He tried to look out for him, especially since he was the only other one who actually knows why they kept Peter.

"No he is not alright! The fucker just coughed up blood!" Yondu had begun pacing the deck of the bridge, too anxious to stay still. For the first time since he kept Peter, Yondu was faced with a threat he couldn't kill.

The thought stopped him in his tracks. Pissed off, he began hitting the wall til his knuckles bled. It didn't solve anything but it helped calm him down. He couldn't help Peter if he was panicking.

"Fuck. Okay how close are we to the specialist?" Yondu needed to keep things rational. He could plan out what to do if he knew how long it takes and if he needs to take Peter back to the medical wing until they get there.

"Uhh, bout 2 hours. It's a Terran specialized hospital. Apparently it's becoming more common to see Terrans in space."

Kraglin was trying to be helpful and distract his Captain but it wasn't working. Yondu could only think about Peter and all that blood he coughed up. Yondu wasn't going to feel better until he knew Peter wasn't dying. He was the one who took him from his home and brought him in space with all its dangers. It would be his fault if Peter died out here.

"I think Imma go sit with Peter til we get there. Ya know. In case it gets worse."

Anyone could've seen through that sorry excuse, but Kraglin wasn't gonna call him out on it. Yondu just needed to drink and keep an eye on Peter to make sure he didn't die in his sleep. Maybe he would listen to the music off Peter's Walkman. Once they get to the hospital everything would be okay hopefully. Yondu had no clue how wrong he was...

After they arrived to the planets port, Kraglin went to get Yondu and let him know they were there. He walked into Peter's room and saw Yondu sitting on the floor next to an empty flask. Peter was sleeping on his back, tangled up in his blankets. The Captain was staring at Peter focusing on the movement in his chest.

"We're here Captain. The hospital ain't far." Kragline felt like he was intruding on an intense moment. But if this was as serious as Yondu made it sound it was better to get Peter to a doctor as soon as possible.

"Yeah, ok." Yondu stood up and felt the pain in his back from sitting on the ground for so long. He pocketed his flask and Peter's Walkman that was still playing in the background. He barely remembered turning on the thing, but he knew it helped Peter somehow. Groaning he looked at Peter before picking him up and resting him on his hip. The kid would probably protest if he was actually awake but Yondu doubted that he could walk on his own.

Kraglin raised his eyebrows at the image but stayed silent as they walked towards the exit ramp. Yondu's luck of avoiding everyone seemed to run out when some new fuck face caught them in the halls.

"Woah, Yondu. Ya know there's a brat hanging off you? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a mother hen." This asshole started laughing before Yondu lost all patience and sent his arrow through his throat. Stepping over the body the First Mate and Captain walked away letting him choke on his blood.

"Tell the crew that I'm meeting someone about a deal. They are free to wander until further notice. I'll let you know what happens but I need ya here running damage control. I'll be back." With that, Yondu held Peter tighter and ran towards the hospital.

Yondu felt bad for not explaining more and leaving Kraglin with his mess. But thats why first mates exsist, to clean up after their Captains. Still he owes Kraglin a vacation after this.

Kraglin was right the hospital was barely a mile away from the port they landed in. Yondu was grateful and ran through the doors yelling for doctors. A tall purple lady with her dark purple hair pinned up into a bun and small fairy like wings coming out of her back. She had a thin tail with a purple pom pom at the end of it. Any other time Yondu would've hit on the woman but right now Peter was his priority.

"Hello, are you this Terran's guardian or owner?" Immediately Yondu was repulsed at the idea of Peter being his pet but he never saw him as the boy's parent. Either way Yondu probably wouldn't be hitting on a woman who saw children as pets.

"I'm his guardian, yea whatever. Just help 'im. He ain't breathin' right and he's been coughing up blood."

"Of course. We will get him something to help aid his air flow and place him in a healing pod. We will be able to monitor his vitals and let you know more after." She motioned towards two other nurses who looked similar but with yellow and blue skin. They brought a wheelchair over towards them. "We will take him now. You can wait out here if you wish."

Yondu doesn't know why but he hesitated. He came here to get the boy help and to some level he understood why most hospitals prefer keeping people out of the medical area but he didn't want to leave Peter with strangers. Pulling himself out of it, Yondu set Peter down in the wheelchair.

"I will be right here. But if I hear anythin' I don't like then I'll come in shooting."

They looked at Yondu for a second trying to figure out if he is serious. They must of figured he was serious enough because the two nurses nodded before running through the doors to the back with Peter in tow. The doctor gave him a weird smile before following them. Yondu really didn't like her.

Yondu sat down in the empty waiting room, taking a moment to pull out his communicator and send Kraglin a message. He did tell the Xandarian that he would let him know how it went. Plus it wasn't like he had anything better to do while he waited on news about Peter.

Yondu didn't have to wait too long before the yellow skinned nurse ran out of the doors. She scanned the room before landing on him and rushed over.

"Your Terran woken up and started responding violently. We are unable to help unless he is still and calm. You need to come." Her words came out rushed and she reached out and grabbed his arm before he could push her away. She dragged him through the doors and back towards the sounds of screaming and loud crashing. No wonder this woman was frazzled with the sounds of destruction coming from the room.

Walking in Yondu was honestly shocked to see Peter wide awake and thrashing against four nurses who were trying to hold him down. He was coughing blood everywhere and landing blows anytime the nurse's lost their grip. Yondu had never seen Peter act like this, not even when they first picked him up.

"Get off 'im. Just scarin' tha boy more." Yondu non too gently pulled the nurses off his youngest crew member. Once the boy was no longer held down, he sat against the wall holding his breath. Yondu didn't know if that was cause of the coughing or he was waiting for another attack.

"Peter. Ya need to sit still. They're just tryin' to help ya." Yondu tried to approach the kid in what he hoped was a calming manner. He wasn't running away so the man took that as a sign to come closer. "Can ya sit down an' let 'em help?"

Peter started to cry and let out hiccupping coughs. Yondu froze in place, not knowing what to do. The boy hadn't cried since his first night on the ship and Kraglin was the one who helped calm him down.

"I'm sorry! Please don't leave me here! I am so sorry for whatever I did. Please Yondu! I don't wanna die like my mom!" Peter was hyperventilating and yelling his pleas to his Captain. Yondu was taken back by the sudden realization that Peter thought he was being punished and thought Yondu would let him die.

"Kid, this ain't a punishment. You're sick and these doctors are gonna help ya'. I promise I will not let 'em kill ya." Yondu reached out an placed his hand on Peter's shoulder. He turned and looked at the doctor who was just staring at them from the corner. "I'm stayin'."

She didn't even try to argue just motioned for the nurses to prepare the machines once more. She wrote down a couple notes before looking back up at Yondu.

"We need to do something to help clear his lungs. It can be painful but it will stop him from agitating his lungs and throat anymore than it already is. After we will sedate him and place him inside a healing pod so we will understand what is causing his breathing problems. The pod should fix whatever the problem is."

Yondu was only half listening to the explanation, focusing on how Peter reacted. He seemed terrified but he wasn't tearing up the room anymore, so Yondu took that as a good sign. "Is that ok, kid?"

Peter was pale as a ghost but he looked at Yondu with trust in his eyes. "You won't leave?"

"Didn't ya hear me say, I'm stayin'? Nothin' will happen to ya." Yondu wasn't used to having someone trust him, much less want him there as comfort. Still he did promise to make sure nothing bad happened to the kid.

This seemed to calm Peter down some as he nodded and seemed to take a breath. That was all Yondu needed before he nodded at the purple doctor that it was alright to start. She didn't hesitate to walk over with a long tube that was connected to some machine against the wall.

"Okay you need to sit down and hold still. We can strap you down if you prefer."

Peter started to act like a caged animal again, holding his breath and pressing against the wall away from them. The lady didn't seem to understand that Peter was already scared and being strapped down would make it worse.

"He'll sit still. No need for straps. I'll hold 'im down if needed but only me, got it?" Yondu was the one in charge of Peter and he is the only one here that Peter trusts. Also seeing all those people holding down his boy bothered him more than he'd like to admit.

"Of course, sir. He is your Terran."

Her words bothered Peter but it helped that Yondu was there and trying to help him. He had never seen Yondu act this way towards anyone, not even Kraglin. He decided that Yondu would help him if things went wrong and sat down in the chair the woman was waiting by.

Sure enough, Yondu was there next to him. Doing his best to stay calm and not cough, Peter squeezed his eyes shut. He really wished he had his Walkman but he wasn't awake when he was brought here so it wasn't with him.

As if reading his mind, Yondu's face lit up and reached into his coat pocket. He had forgotten about Peter's Walkman. "Hold up doc'. I needa do sumethin'."

Yondu placed the little wire headphones on the boy's head before pressing play. He heard the hum of Hooked on a Feeling playing softly and Peter's eyes popped open. He looked so surprised and grateful to have his mother's music here comforting him once more when he least expected it and needed it most.

"How?"

"Knew it helped ya somehow. Seems I was right." Yondu was teasing the kid, trying to make him feel better. But he was relieved he thought of the Walkman because he would rather Peter not think Yondu was doing this to hurt him.

"Okay. Have your Terran stay still while we place this tube through his nasal passages and down his throat." Yondu was gonna have to tell her at some point that calling the kid 'his terran' was offensive. But he was more preoccupied with the thought of a tube being shoved through the kid's nose and down his throat. But he couldn't act like it was as awful as it sounded. If Peter saw his Captain freaked out then he will probably freak out.

"Ya heard her Peter. Stay still."

Peter closed his eyes again and tried to focus on the Jackson 5's singing. But once that tube went into his nose his eyes shot open and he flinched away from the purple hand. "Sorry, I can't help it. It feels weird."

"I know that boy. But ya got gunk in yer lungs an' yer breathin' isn't right. Stay still or imma have to hold ya still." He didn't want to do this to Peter but he would if it meant he wouldn't die.

"Would you please just hold him down. We need to get this done so we can monitor his vitals. The healing pod won't clear out the blockages, it will repair the damages. The sooner this is over the better." Yondu was on the verge of screaming at this woman. Despite how attractive she first seemed, Yondu was more disgusted than ever by her. Still she had a good point and it would be better on Peter to get it done with real quick.

"His name is Peter and he ain't a pet." Yondu looked deadly but had enough restraint to not kill a person who could save Peter. "I'll hold 'im but hurry it up!"

Yondu had been trying not to yell so he wouldn't scare Peter, but this bitch had used up all his patience. It had seemed to help get everyone in gear though. He stood in front of Peter and braced an arm across his shoulders and one had gripping the back of his neck holding his head in place.

The purple woman wasted no time shoving the tube up the boy's nose. Peter immediately pulled against Yondu, tears leaking out of the corners of his squeezed eyes. It didn't take long before Peter started coughing as the tube made its way down his throat. He sounded like he was choking and Yondu felt like he was being stabbed when he heard the sound.

Once the tube was secure someone turned on the machine, creating a low humming sound. It sounded like background noise to Peter's music. It wasn't long before Peter seemed to calm down and relax. Whatever was in that tube must've been a sedative because Peter looked like he was slowly drifting off.

"He ok?" Yondu felt stupid for asking but he needed to make sure the kid was actually asleep and not dying. The purple woman rolled her eyes at him which made him angry but he refused to leave Peter's side. Using her tentacle hair to write some notes and adjust the machine attached to Peter, she sighed and crossed her arms.

"He is fine. We are about to move him into the tube now that he is asleep. You seem to care a lot more about your Terran than most people who come through here. You are aware that they come from at backwater planet that hasn't even figured out space travel yet, right?"

Her words were Yondu's last straw. Now that Peter is resting and he knew that the boy was okay, Yondu didn't have to pretend to be nice anymore. "Listen here ya' racist bitch! That Terran's name is Peter Quill. He's a member of the Ravengers and probably the most clever one on my crew. His planet might be backwater but he sure as he'll ain't. Watch what you say about 'im, cause if you weren't saving my boy I'd shoot you where you stand! I just might shoot ya' anyway."

Her whole body seemed frozen, as if Yondu had somehow slapped her from across the room. Celestials knows he would if possible but he wasn't gonna get them kicked out until Peter was okay. Still he wasn't gonna listen to her talk about Peter that way.

She turned and silently fixed the machines until a pod was released from the wall. It was already filled his the purple fluids that Yondu has seen in these types of pods before. Most creatures could breathe fine inside the stuff. Yondu had no idea if Peter would be safe, though they probably wouldn't use it in a Terran specialized hospital if it wasn't safe.

A couple nurses who Yondu had forgotten about walked over to pick up Peter. Yondu hadn't noticed but he was still holding onto him. He jerked back realizing his moment of sincere concern for the boy he had kidnapped from his planet and family. Grabbing the walkman off of Peter before letting them carry him away. Yondu was Peter's captain not his father. He needed to quit acting like a worried parent and start treating Peter like a member of his crew.

Just as his Captain was thinking of ways to treat him more like a crew member, Peter woke up. The first thing he noticed was the tube in his throat, the second was the hospital smell that surrounded him. To Peter the latter was more important causing him to panic and thrash around. The poor nurses not expecting this had gotten hit multiple times before dropping Peter into the fluid.

This made him focus more on the tube in his airway. He started to cough and scratch at his throat. By this time Yondu had already jumped up and shoved the doctor and nurses out of his way. Ripping off his Ravenger coat, Yondu reached into the pod and pulled Peter out and to the rim.

Once Peter was out of the purple fluids he instinctively went to pull at the tube in his nose. Yondu had to reach over hold the boy's wrist to prevent him from yanking the thing out. Yondu was still mostly holding Peter up against his chest, both of them leaning against the edge of the pod. The boy's free arm was wrapped around Yondu in a tight hug.

At some point Yondu had reached up and started playing with Peter's wet hair. He didn't know how to comfort people normally but this seemed to be calming the boy down. "Yer ok, kid. I wouldn't let nothin' happen to ya."

Peter was shaking against his Captain's chest. partially from the cold air but also because he felt terrified and alone. He genuinely thought that he had died in the hospital. But Yondu was there and had a warm familiar scent that made Peter feel safe. It was like a reminder of his new home.

"Sir, we need to sedate him and allow the healing pod to actually heal his lungs." The doctor seemed to be a bit more mindful of how she referred to Peter. Despite his annoyance at her from before she was actually useful and made a good point. Yondu just wanted to take Peter home and finally go to bed. It felt like he hadn't slept in days.

"Peter. They're gonna put ya to sleep so the doc can make sure yer better." Yondu noticed Peter gripping onto him tighter and shaking a little more. He hurried up to add, "Don't ya' worry, I'll be here when you wake up. This time it'll be outside the pod."

Peter looked uneasy but must've felt safe enough to nod and allow one of the nurses to inject him. He didn't even move away when she approached. This whole trip probably exhausted him enough that they probably didn't need a sedative. The boy slumped even more against Yondu's chest almost immediately after receiving the injection.

He gently laid Peter down into the healing pod, submerging his body slowly in the purple fluids. Yondu was not gonna let these nurses handle his boy again after seeing how they treated him earlier. It wasn't long before the pod was sealed and the monitor next to it lit up with Peter's vitals.

"He looks to be quite strong. But all that thrashing did not help his lungs any. The pod will probably have him healed by morning. You're welcome to wait here with him if you want." The doctor was standing next to the door, most likely keeping as much distance as she can with the space Captain. Smart move given how he acted the last time he knew Peter was asleep.

"Alright." Yondu sat down in the chair he held Peter down in just a few minutes ago. He might as well get comfortable since he will be here for the rest of the night. The doctor and nurses left Yondu alone in the room with just the sound of the monitors to keep him company.

Yondu sighed and looked over at Peter's lifeless form floating inside the pod. He knew Peter was a strong kid, that doctor wasn't telling him anything new. The kid has been through a lot since coming to space and he would probably go through even more. But at least Yondu felt confident that Peter would face anything that caused him problems head on. Today was a sure enough sign that Peter would fight anyone that he didn't trust. Yondu must've taught the boy something right. Still he should probably try to help the kid learn how to fight without flailing his limbs and body everywhere.

Yondu slipped on the orange padded headphone and hit play, falling asleep to sounds of Lake Shore Drive. Dreaming of teaching Peter how to fly a ship.

A/N: This is my first family fanfiction. I appreciate any helpful feedback that will improve my writing. Also a special thanks to BunnyStyle29 on wattpad for helping me figure out the ending. I reccomend checking out their work, it is really good.