[ It comes out too quickly, followed by a nervous laugh. It's supposed to be a joke, as it has been every time before now, but this time he just-- can't muster it, and the honesty in the statement seeps through.
Maya's not the only one who's been worried about him and this newest assignment, that much he knows. The other Guardians have tried to alleviate the coil of unease in his gut in their own ways -- some of their tactics more tough lovey than he typically likes, but he appreciates the gesture, all the same. Appreciates that they're even trying, because for a team of sociopaths, it's kind of sweet that they're trying to comfort him at all.
If something like this had happened while he worked with the Ravagers, they would've just told him to suck it up and sent him on his way. To have people actually be concerned about him and his well-being, without also having an ulterior motive for it -- it's been a damn long time since he's experienced it. Not since he was a kid, in fact.
Not since he was last on Earth.
It's been twenty-six years since he's set food on Terran soil. And right now? He's fucking terrified. He doesn't know why, either.
At the moment he's seated at the back of the cockpit, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. When Earth comes into view, his hands are clasped so tightly together that they're actually shaking. This is the first time he's seeing the Earth like this. When the Ravagers had taken him that night in 1988, he didn't get the chance to peek out of a porthole, didn't get a chance to watch Earth grow smaller and smaller as they flew away. He had been knocked out almost immediately when they retrieved him from the airlock, since he had kicked and bit and screamed when the monsters had come for him.
At one time, the view would've been breathtaking. He would've found it beautiful. Right now, it just makes his stomach do unsteady flips.
He stands abruptly when Gamora announces they're moving in to land, tries to ignore the fact that everyone's eyes are on him, expressions tinged with something really close to worry. ]
I just-- I'm gonna-- I've gotta check my gear.
[ And he beats a hasty retreat, climbing down the ladder from the cockpit into the common area. ]
no subject
[ It comes out too quickly, followed by a nervous laugh. It's supposed to be a joke, as it has been every time before now, but this time he just-- can't muster it, and the honesty in the statement seeps through.
Maya's not the only one who's been worried about him and this newest assignment, that much he knows. The other Guardians have tried to alleviate the coil of unease in his gut in their own ways -- some of their tactics more tough lovey than he typically likes, but he appreciates the gesture, all the same. Appreciates that they're even trying, because for a team of sociopaths, it's kind of sweet that they're trying to comfort him at all.
If something like this had happened while he worked with the Ravagers, they would've just told him to suck it up and sent him on his way. To have people actually be concerned about him and his well-being, without also having an ulterior motive for it -- it's been a damn long time since he's experienced it. Not since he was a kid, in fact.
Not since he was last on Earth.
It's been twenty-six years since he's set food on Terran soil. And right now? He's fucking terrified. He doesn't know why, either.
At the moment he's seated at the back of the cockpit, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees. When Earth comes into view, his hands are clasped so tightly together that they're actually shaking. This is the first time he's seeing the Earth like this. When the Ravagers had taken him that night in 1988, he didn't get the chance to peek out of a porthole, didn't get a chance to watch Earth grow smaller and smaller as they flew away. He had been knocked out almost immediately when they retrieved him from the airlock, since he had kicked and bit and screamed when the monsters had come for him.
At one time, the view would've been breathtaking. He would've found it beautiful. Right now, it just makes his stomach do unsteady flips.
He stands abruptly when Gamora announces they're moving in to land, tries to ignore the fact that everyone's eyes are on him, expressions tinged with something really close to worry. ]
I just-- I'm gonna-- I've gotta check my gear.
[ And he beats a hasty retreat, climbing down the ladder from the cockpit into the common area. ]