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For Ivar

[devilsandangels]

Alfred remembers Ivar, although the man has changed somewhat since the last time they'd seen each other. Ivar has grown stronger, fiercer -- angrier. They'd enjoyed their game of chess, Alfred thinks. He remembers that Ivar was a worthy opponent, and, though, neither of them had been fluent in the other's language they had been able to have some interesting conversations. He still wonders why Ecbert had arranged that time.

Maybe it was to prepare him for something that he had not yet imagined.

Once the Vikings had once more returned to England, his Navy had managed to cripple some of their forces. The Bishop that had been previously captured managed to turn the tables on Ivar. That's how Ivar ended up in Alfred's court. Against the advice of literally everyone -- because that is Alfred for you, he's alone with Ivar who isn't completely immobile.

"Your brothers came to my father once for peace. I wanted to make it with them."

[ragnarsson]

Ivar has not forgotten the English prince either. King now, he amends to himself. He'd shown Ivar such kindness when he and his father had been held captive by King Ecbert. The young teenage Viking had no idea what to with kindness when it was presented to him. Most often, he felt like he ended up getting hurt by it, for people never showed it to him without expecting something else in exchange.

But it had never been that way with Alfred. The two of them had become something like friends in their time together. Not that Ivar would know what friendship looked like either. He has no friends. When faced with Alfred again, he notes that the young king has lost some of his softer edges, though they haven't quite been replaced by sharp ones. Rather, it was like sanding down a piece of wood, removing the outer bark to reveal the smooth grain within. He's become quite the worthy opponent.

Ivar watches Alfred with sharp, ice-cold eyes that give away noting. "Peace has never been an option for me."

For Neil

[tellmeno]

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

[ausweichen]

Neil and Andrew had gone away for a weekend into the Smokey Mountains which weren't really super far away a trek. The drive had been nice but as they headed up the winding mountain road the view became foggy and snow was clear outdoors. It's clear as anything that they probably wouldn't spend too much time outside. The lodge that they were had had an indoor pool -- though it's unlikely either would want to get in at a decent hour when other people might be around, an extensive arcade among other amenities. The room that they were in had a gorgeous view, wide windows that whenever the fog lifted they could see more mountains and a generally beautiful site.

It's late morning and the fog isn't nearly as bad as it had been when they'd driven in the night before and Neil rolls onto his stomach, in just boxers as he stares out one of the wide windows with a small contented smile.

"Are you awake yet?" he murmurs toward Andrew's still form.

For Aaron

[tellmeno]

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

----

Things had been running through Andrew's mind that probably shouldn't of been. Too much going on at once had him wanting to find a place and just disappear. He knows that if he does his brother would probably have a fit. So, maybe... just maybe he'd drag Aaron off with him.

"Lets get the fuck out of here," he states simply once he finds his twin.


[ooc: You know me bb. Use whatever you want.]

<3

[assumptions]

Where Andrew goes, Aaron usually isn't too far so it's not a wrong assumption that he wouldn't have let Andrew get too far without him at least in proximity. He doesn't ask questions of his twin and just shrugs at the statement that's more like a command from the other.

"Fine, where we going?" he asks, pretty sure Andrew's just going to get in the car and drive.

for Angel

[rk800connor]

Detective Kamski wasn't in a squad car, but even so, he was sure some of the girls hanging around the docks would be suspicious of his ride before he even parked it so he'd parked a few streets away and proceeded on foot. Fortunately for him, it had stopped raining a couple of hours ago, unfortunately it was still fairly cold and damp out. He was young, late twenties, early thirties and there wasn't too much about him that screamed 'cop'. His clothing was meticulously in order, black slacks, a white dress shirt, a skinny black tie and black sports jacket.

Well groomed, well put together, and young. To an untrained eye in the dark, it would be easy enough to mistake him for someone who spent their days on Wall Street.

He paused by the first two girls he passed, leaning in as if discreetly speaking to them, making working out a deal. The two's body language changed, at first tensing, and then relaxing, becoming almost disinterested. The conversation took all of fifteen seconds, he handed them both something and moved on.

"Good evening, ladies," He greeted as he approached the next group.

[redpumps]

The young man isn't one that Angel's seen around here before and that alone makes him suspicious enough to her. Most of the men who frequent the area are regulars, or ones that just sit in their cars and look but never do anything. Completely fresh faces are a rarity especially of someone who would come up talking to them.

So, it's with a guarded look at Angel appraises him, her arms crossed. "Can we help you, honey? You lost?" she questions. It's usual that she'd be thinking about if this is some wall street or some undercover cop. Enough girls had been railroaded by the latter to know it was a possibility.

They didn't have anything better to do apparently.

For Sigurd

[ragnarsson]

He hadn't meant to throw the axe. Not really. The moment it left his hand, he regretted it already. But it couldn't be taken back as it landed in Sigurd's chest. Ivar froze as he realized just what he'd done. He'd finally done it. He'd killed his brother. As Sigurd yanked it out and came towards him, it seemed he was going to return the favor. But he collapsed before he got all the way.

Ubbe and Hvitserk immediately leaped up to check on him. Ivar thought for sure he was dead. But he was still breathing and Ivar's heart finally started back up again as Ubbe announced he was alive. The axe had punctured his lung rather than his heart, a terribly painful injury, but one that could be lived through, provided infection didn't set in, and that Sigurd was tough enough to live through it. All of Ragnar's sons had plenty of that trait to spare.

Still, such a serious injury would take a while to heal from. Sigurd was unconscious for days. Ivar never left his side. Even when Ubbe tried to convince him to get some rest, he'd barely sleep for a few hours, maybe automatically eat something he didn't even taste, and then be right back at his vigil. This had been too close. Ivar had always thought he wanted his older brother dead, but apparently he'd been wrong. He really did care for Sigurd, deep down, like he did for all his brothers. He made silent promises to the gods, telling them he'd do better, that he wouldn't fight with Sigurd so much, promising them anything if only Sigurd would live.

[snakeintheeye]

Sigurd had never thought that Ivar would actually go so far, that he could actually kill them. They had both skirted the edge of deadly throws but if either of them had intended the blades would have hit their mark -- at least that's what Sigurd always thought. He loathed so much about Ivar but he didn't want him dead -- maybe they all would have been better off if Ivar hadn't lived as a baby but now he was his brother and even a symbol of so much of what Sigurd had never had from their parents he still loved him.

So it'd been a shock, sadness and anger together when the axe had hit and Sigurd had been certain he was going to die his only thought to get to Ivar to... well, who knows really but the world had gone blurry and then dark.

When he finally starts to gain consciousness again only to find that Ivar is the first face he sees he manages, of course, the most friendly of comments though his voice is low and rough. "Did I end up in Hel, then."

For Ivar

[heahmund]

The battle had been long and hard but exhilarating as battles are. Now they were back in the encampment having ate and now drinking. Heahmund settles against one of the sides, watching as Ivar talks to Harald and then argue with Hvitserk. He’s had nothing to add and eventually they are alone as Heahmund finishes off his mead.

“They speak as if the battle is already over.”

[ragnarsson]

It had been a long day. Battles were always good for getting the blood racing, but after the adrenaline had worn off, Ivar tended to be left in more pain then when he'd started out. His leg braces were very heavy things to be in all day as he commanded the troops. Add in having to speak with Harald and his own brother equaled a very tired Viking.

He's out of his leg braces by now and crawls over towards the priest. He leans up against Heahmund as he sits up, looking a bit weary. He's got absolutely no respect for the priest's personal space. "They're both idiots. I'm the only one with any sort of brains around here."

{Take a drink, swim or sink | @ snakeintheeye

[itchtokill]

A chance meeting a handful of years ago in his running from his own father had Kol meeting Sigurd, and the youngest Mikaelson boy had managed to keep tabs on his friend. When rumors started swirling that Ragnar had died and his sons were rallying and heading to England to avenge his death, Kol found himself nearby.

Going on a mission to avenge his father's death? Not something Kol can relate to at all. Hard to picture, considering Mikael has been on the hunt for Kol and the rest of his siblings for decades now, with every intention of murdering all of them. Such hypocrisy, really. He and Esther had made their children what they all are now, it's not even a little fair to think that now they've simply decided they're abominations that need to be extinct from this world. They certainly took the 'I brought you into this world and I can take you out' addage a bit too far, in Kol's opinion.

Alas. It wasn't Mikael anyone was vying to save the memory of. Ragnar wasn't a wholly unknown entity-- Kol had heard the stories, knew the tales people passed around about him, if nothing else. However, Kol nor anyone in his own family had ever known him, so he was more of an idea than a person.

But? A win is a win, and there is always a need for celebration in light of one. It just so happens that Kol finds his way there. "Fighting in armies these days are you?" He asks with an easy smirk as he comes to stand behind his old friend, seeming to come from nowhere.

[snakeintheeye]

The voice is familiar and when Sigurd turns and sees Kol the face is even more so. A smile is quick to dawn on Sigurd's face. He'd thought about Kol over the years but he'd never really known where the other had gone or how to find him. Sigurd had resigned himself to yet another loss. It appeared to him in his young teen years that clearly he was destined to not be close to anyone at all. His general bitter attitude didn't really help him make friends and his penchant for saying things honest no matter how harsh they might have been.

But now, they were on the heels of victory and he was elated. He didn't care much for the revenge part, though he hadn't really disliked blood eagleing King Aelle but he'd not been like his brothers who still revered Ragnar in any way. He simply wanted to prove himself in battle and he had, at least he thought he had. Ivar was being a rather annoying thorn in his side even in the aftermath of such a victory.

"Where did you come from?" he asks, instead of answering the question.

mcu; i like to pretend gwen goes to the scary school ned mentioned in homecoming

[gwennie]

would you rather
only be able to listen to the same ten songs for the rest of your life
or watch the same five movies for the rest of your life

[thechairguy]

I would definitely rather listen to the same ten songs.

For Darius

[gal1le0]

Gillian had left and Darius had been shut down by Grace. Liam and Darius were not doing great in the romance department and the world was still ending if they couldn't fix it. Liam finds that he can't really focus on the whole asteroid thing at the moment when it already feels a bit like the world is ending, at least everything that mattered in the world -- look, he can be dramatic.

"How about we drink?" he asks Darius, the other looks about as put out as Liam feels.

[movesahead]

The suggestion gains a raised eyebrow from Darius. He'd been focused on trying to figure out what they'd been overlooking since Grace had stopped talking to him. It wasn't an action he was entirely unused to from Grace, but it did manage to make him hyperfocus on something else just to keep from replaying every interaction since over again in his head.

He turns in the seat where he'd been repeatedly going over scenarios. "Not, a suggestion I expected coming from you, Liam." There's a bit of amusement in his voice, even with the dark circles ghosting under his eyes from lack of sleep. It isn't a no, it's just, surprise.

for mr wrench

[circumlocute]

Owen had been reticent for Harry to head to Fargo. It's not that Harry isn't capable but he'd likely stand out in such a place. His undeniable British accent and incorrigible behavior and the fact that he also has a memorable face doesn't make for the most covert option and this mission could go sideways easily. But, given the intel that they'd had neither, Shelby or Alex would be able to get close and Ryan has too much of a stick up his ass to play the game needed.

No, Harry had been the only one on the team that could get close enough to the two that kept popping up on the radar.

"Bloody hell, could the weather here be any more awful?" Harry mutters to himself as he finishes the short walk to the small house that he'd been renting after the walk from the general store to get food. It's another date night or is it a date night if you're just staying in? Whatever. Harry ignores the feeling of anticipation, it's a dangerous inkling and he knows it. If Owen knew about it he'd be pulled out immediately. Not getting emotionally involved was rule number one but Harry isn't good at rules or keeping his emotions out of things either.

So, he ends up back in the house and making a casserole of sorts, having it about ready to go into the oven when the door opens. He grins and moves to put the dish in the oven, setting the timer before going to greet him with an arm around his waist and a kiss.

for ivar

[devilsandangels]

Alfred had met Ivar through a friend from college. He’d heard about him before, of course, Ivar is a frequent topic of tabloids and usually not in the most flattering of ways. Alfred had chosen not to really judge the other by it completely. All the same, he’d ended up out with the other boy. They were drinking and Alfred found him fascinating, intelligent when you got beyond all the hair trigger temper and defenses. A few drinks in, he’d shifted closer to Ivar, their arms close enough to brush against one another and making the prince feel warm.

In truth, there is no way that his parents would be happy that he was out drinking much less with a known scandal magnet as Ivar. They’d be less pleased at the number of times that Alfred has drunkenly contemplated kissing the other.

He leans over to Ivar, his words slurring ever so slightly. “Do you want to get out of here?” They could drink more in private and it’d be easier to talk. Maybe it’d be harder to deny the urge to kiss him too. Though, he should be more wary of it.

[ragnarsson]

Ivar had, through almost his entire fault, ended up on quite a few tabloid covers in his life. The press were always thirsty when it came to finding out what Ragnar's sons were up to. Some were better at avoiding the others than the limelight. But being young, attractive, and disabled made Ivar a prime target. He'd become well-known for the instance two years ago when a paparazzi photographer had asked him what it was like to be a cripple. He'd yanked the camera out of the man's hands and the picture that had ended up in all the salacious magazines was him breaking it right over the poor man's head. It hadn't been the first or last incident of his temper getting the better of him, just the most notable.

But none of that was on his mind tonight. The tabloid reporters were busy off because some politician had been caught in bed with about six hookers and enough coke for half the city. It meant Ivar could relax a little on this blind date. He'd been staunchly against it at first until he'd actually started talking with Alfred. The other teen was kind, thoughtful, and very intelligent, all qualities Ivar enjoyed in other people. There was also something kind of familiar about his face, like he'd seen it somewhere before maybe on the news, but he couldn't quite place it...

No matter. He was more interested in how close Alfred was as they talked over their drinks. When Alfred suggesting leaving the bar, Ivar's stomach did a flip. Well, that was definitely going to make the night more interesting. "Yeah. That would be nice." If Alfred kept leaning in as close as he did, Ivar was going to be hard-pressed not to want to kiss him.

For Ivar - for hairbraiding!

[devilsandangels]

It's been some time since they'd been intimate for the first time. It's another night that they had spent comfortable and then shared the same furs as they went to sleep. Morning came all too soon, Alfred groaning when the sounds of Kattegat waking up start to filter through the air.

He shifted, turning to Ivar, and brushing his fingertips over his husband's jaw.

"We don't have to rise yet, right?" he murmurs. He doesn't recall there being anything pressing for the day.

[ragnarsson]

Ivar is not a morning person, has never been one, and never will be one. These days, with Alfred sleeping beside him, he's got even less incentive than ever to wake up with the dawning of a new day.

He leans into Alfred's touch without opening up his eyes. "I think staying right here sounds like a good idea." He reaches out blindly, fingers tangling in Alfred's long tresses. He runs his fingers lightly over his husband's scalp, loving the sensation of his soft hair against his hand.

Kai

[spiritandhuman]

Outpost #3 wasn't the first to receive Michael Langdon's judgment. He visited each of the other outposts. Ironically, just before each outpost fell to chaos, death, and became food for cannibals.

His one real reason for making such a treacherous journey was the promise of meeting Kai. The only interesting mortal to have survived the apocalypse, so far. There were other specimens to consider, but as always, Kai tended to stand out.

For all the wrong reasons.

He had heard some rumors. Whispers that Kai didn't follow the rules of his assigned outpost, but that was to be expected from someone who believed himself to be something and someone special.

"Good evening."

They met at last. With Michael steepling his hand together over a wooden desk, eying Kai from across a wooden desk.

sorry i've been killed by rl for a bit there.

[pinkyswearing]

Kai had somehow escaped any capital punishments thus far with all of his rebellious behavior (often enough dragging people into the fray with him -- or more often having them do the dirty work while his hands remained clean). He'd been wondering about Michael. After all, it's Michael's fault that he's here -- yes, fault, because well he's feeling rather annoyed at the state of things in the Outpost. The rules were restrictive and the benefits were few and the company had been... terrible. But he supposed he was okay with it since he was still alive, not really living but now things were getting interesting -- really interesting.

The others in the Outpost were easy to control. Michael challenged him.

"Good evening. I thought you might have died." No he didn't, not really.

[11calls]

This. Is not okay. This is not fun or okay or anything even close to it. Like a few times before, alex is banging on Simon’s door. Only this time she’s banging on it with her elbow. She’s banging on it with her elbow because her sleeves are over her hands for good reasons. The good reasons come from the fact where the fabric of her red hoodie is bundled over them? There seems to be a faint glow emitting. A golden glow.

Yeah, that's happening.

[interconnectedness]

There’s only one person that would be banging on his door but the banging was oddly muffled, different than the usual. He didn’t think much of it initially as he went to open the door.

“Alex,” he says in way of greeting as the door is held open for her to come in.

For Alex

[efficaciousness]

Blake thought this was their 5th date. He had no reason to think otherwise, after all, he’d been asking her to dinner, having amazing conversations and walking her to her door afterwards. He hadn’t thought that there was room for misinterpretation in his intentions.

So, as this 5th date ended he decides it’s been a proper length of time to try for a good night kiss. As they’re ending their good nights he leans forward to initiate a kiss, not a pushy or intense one, of course.

[11calls]

Honestly, Alex had no idea that this was their fifth date. She'd not been keeping traffic of how many times they'd gone out, even if he walked her to her door. Really, Blake just seemed like a good and friendly man, and that's what good and friendly men did when you happened to be friends with someone who was more than a little bit (a lot) impulsive and reckless.

The kiss surprises her more than anything else, and it takes a minute for the fact that he's kissing her to register, because it seems like something that is entirely out of left field for her. "Wait," she says, as she draws her head back a minute. "You kissed me." It's not a question, it's just a puzzled statement of fact.

For Doug

[sortofprincess]

This is Evie's first Christmas. Her first real Christmas. It's not celebrated on the Isle. A holiday about joy and cheer, goodwill to men? Giving gifts? No, that doesn't happen. She's heard of it, of course. Turned up her nose at it in front of everyone else on the Isle like a good VK. But the truth is?

This is the most magical holiday Evie can imagine and she loves it.

All the tinsel and lights, cheery gifts and warm smiles? It's the most beautiful thing she's ever laid eyes on. Best of all, she gets to spend it with Doug. That's without a doubt the best gift imaginable. Better than gems or new clothes or even her own castle.

Armed with a tray of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and a plate of tree-shaped sugar cookies with sprinkles, Evie goes to search him out. And she's delightfully festive today too. She's wearing a royal blue velvet dress trimmed in white fur with tiny silver snowflakes embroidered on it. A matching snowflake tiara to match, of course. The prettiest part of her ensemble, however, has to be the way her whole face lights up when she finds Doug sitting by the fire.

"I brought you a little something."

[heighho]

Doug thinks that he has probably always taken Christmas for granted. It’s not that he was ungrateful but after meeting Evie and the others he realized how special all those years had been with his loving and rather large family. He’s happy that Evie gets to be a part of it all now too. And she’s never looked more beautiful than we she comes upon him keeping toasty by the fire. Then again, he always thinks every time is the most beautiful she’s ever been. He’s forever smitten by her.

“and what’d you bring?” He asked with a bit of a dopey smile and makes sure there’s a comfortable place beside him for her to settle into.

For Robert

[11calls]

So, after dinner, and a fair amount of flirting, Alex had indeed taken Robert to a show in a real Seattle club. The concert had been too loud, and too hot, and okay, maybe too much energy for her, which was why at the end of the night, she'd sent him back to his hotel in an uber. Along with a promise to do breakfast there of course. Bright and early, and of course, properly made up because Alex Reagan didn't do things like sleep! She showed up at his hotel and knocked on his door, carrying an order of the best bagels in the city, along with a coffee for her, and a tea for him.

[symbologies]

Robert hadn’t been too enthralled with the shoe but it had been pleasant enough to spend time with Alex though he would have admitted he would have rather it been in a way that he could enjoy speaking with her. So, breakfast certainly was a far more appealing idea. He’d not slept much the night before, ending up working on a book he was being hounded to finish and while he might have dozed for an hour or two he couldn’t quite get into a rested state.

So, he was showered and dressed by the time she arrived and he opened the door promptly. “Good morning, Alex,” he greeted warmly.

For Simon

[11calls]

It was cold. Alex was cold. It was cold and the dorm heat wasn't working in the slightest. More than that, the snow had been piling up the entire time she'd been in Simon's dorm, laying on his floor and studying. Of course studying had to do with a combination of actual journalism homework and the crazy demon stuff that they were involved with, but in the end, there was only so much that Alex could deal with before the cold and her own boredom got in the way. So, she had migrated towards Simon on the bed. And then closer to him, and then closer still. Finally, however, she had ended up molded next to him, her head on his shoulder without saying anything.

[interconnectedness]

Simon wasn’t visibly noticing Alex’s migration although he was very much aware of it. He kept his eyes on his book that he was studying from, though, in all honesty he wasn’t really needing to study. But after she had settled right up against him he shifted a bit.

“What are you doing?”

For Ivar

[heahmund]

Heahmund and Ivar had been dating for quite some time now, months, not that Heahmund was counting. He'd managed to convince Ivar to switch professors at the least so the conflict of interest was mitigated if barely and Ivar so often still attended lectures anyway or came into his office unannounced. At some point, Ivar had slowly moved in and now shelves were divided, adjustments were constantly being made to make the modest house more accessible for Ivar whether he was supporting himself with braces now and then or moving around in his wheelchair. Heahmund had thought many times that Ivar must find his home dismal, after all he's well aware by now how rich Ivar's family is. He must be used to much finer things than Heahmund has to offer.

But there was some growing tension as Heahmund started to notice the way neighbors were looking at him, the way some professors seemed to eye Ivar whenever he was near Heahmund. Heahmund's home was near the university so most of the neighbors even knew he was a professor there and to have someone who was clearly a lover and barely looking legal and disabled... It'd been difficult to explain to Ivar why they needed to be careful. He might have even gotten a few overly concerned messages...warnings... from other certain family members of Ivar's.

"Ivar," Heahmund said once they got into the house, going to get them both beers as he sits on the couch and looks at his younger lover. Again, Ivar had been physical outside their home, in plain view of the neighbors that Heahmund was concerned of's opinion. "What have I told you about the way we seem outside?"

[ragnarsson]

Heahmund, to his credit, had done everything in his power to dissuade Ivar from continuing this relationship. When he hadn't, he'd set down some ground rules. No being seen at the university together. No sleeping overnight. Minimum contact when they were in public. Slowly but surely, Ivar had broken all of them, and that's when the trouble had started.

He'd started visiting Heahmund's office whenever he had a spare moment, oftentimes bringing him food because he forgot to eat when he got deep into grading papers or creating a lesson plan. Ivar would do his utter best to distract the older man from whatever he was doing to pay attention to him. Usually, it worked.

The second part was broken, funnily enough, purely by accident. Ivar had been diligently leaving before it got too late each night. But on one occasion, he'd simply gotten too tired, and had fallen asleep snuggled up next to Heahmund in bed. He simply hadn't had the heart to wake him up and kick him out, so Ivar had stayed. After that, Ivar simply didn't care. Give him an inch and he'd take a mile.

It was the third part that was currently getting him into trouble with Heahmund. He couldn't help but be frustrated at this covert relationship. He wasn't naive enough to think that people would understand, but he also didn't like having to keep something secret that made him happy. He frowned at Heahmund as they sat on the couch together. "I can't help it. I get so tired of this secrecy all the time. Don't you?"

For Ivar

[heahmund]

Ivar was very easy to offend Heahmund had learned early on and there were still times where he managed it and riled the teenager's temper. However, this time had gone to Ivar going off by himself. Heahmund had trailed closely, not straying too far from either Ivar or the van. But it becomes clear and clear that what had seemed to be a small group of zombies was in all actuality a herd.

"Mercy," he muttered under his breath, looking heavenward for a moment before closing the distance to Ivar.

"We need to go now."

His sword was drawn by the time he was at Ivar's side.

[ragnarsson]

Ivar had learned a little more about his taciturn companion, mainly his fondness for religious discussions. He'd also been rather frustrated as Heahmund continued to doggedly dodge any advances Ivar had made toward the older man. With his prickly sense of pride, it was inevitable that Heahmund would do or say something that Ivar took offense to.

This time it had been something Ivar interpreted as Heahmund saying that he couldn't take care of himself. Of course, the teen had taken this in bad temper, and immediately gone off to prove him wrong.

He'd come across a group of zombies and had been taking out his frustrations on them with his axe. Ivar glared at Heahmund when he approached. He was still quite sore and not willing to forgive him quite yet. "You can leave. I'm staying right here." Ivar had chosen a very bad moment to decide to be pigheaded.

For Gamora I can remember which tab I'm in

[puddledancer]

It was weird being back on Earth for the first time in over a decade. Even weirder that he'd arrived through some glowy yellow portal and not in, you know, a ship. His ship. Which had already been there, thanks to Nebula and some guy he'd only known for a few hours. He'd seemed like kind of an a-hole, but he had decent ideas, and had known how to kick some ass, and since he'd sorta kinda saved the universe with him, going to the ... aftermath ... of said ass-kicking had seemed like a decent thing to do.

Once it had all been said and done, and he'd met enough people wearing black to make his head spin, Quill had gone back to some place Rocket and Nebula called "The Compound". He hadn't really wanted to feel like he'd been recruited by David Koresh, and had said so, but he'd just gotten the usual odd looks. So he raided the fridge and parked himself on what was actually a pretty cushy couch, his Zune clipped to his hip, one earbud in and piping Elton John into his skull loud enough to be heard clearly by anyone else walking by. His head was pretty full - about to burst. But if anyone approached, he'd gladly take the opportunity to talk. Anything was better than thinking about Gamora.