- ☆ -

Refreshing as the rush of sharp citrus flavor flooded her mouth. The sweet scarlet morning beverae bursting in a tang like an orange. Complimenting with the savory strips of bacon from a space pig species and a egg from another alienated animal. The yolk bleeding green, reminding Ava of a Dr. Seuss book that her mother read to her and Peter.

A specialty from the Kylosian man's home planet that Ava could have everyday if she could. A dish that was made for his daughter before she went to school or sometimes in bed to surprise her on occasion. Ava sat on the counter while letting the food melt into her mouth. Food on earth seemed like scraps compare to the luxury of eating a meal from Drax.

Drax glanced to see Ava wearing that strange look on her face again as she took another bite. The same one she greeted him with when she first came into the kitchen. Not to different from the stupid expression Poe had a few days ago at the Xandarian park.

Inspecting while trying to put the pieces together, although it seemed obvious to him, Drax let out a sigh as he cleared his throat. "Did you sleep alright last night, little Quill?" He asked as he cracked an egg into the pan for Mantis who sat next to Ava at the counter.

Blinking out of her trance, Ava looked at Mantis before responding to Drax. "Oh, uh. Yes." She smiled while taking a sip of juice, addicted to the tang at this point.

"That's good." He replied with a smile as he turned around and gave Mantis her spread. "You've been working hard the past few days. You deserved to have a goodnight sleep."

Ava set the cup down in a gulp, gasping for air as she finished her drink. "Trust me it was probably the best sleep I've had in a while." She informed with a grin. Recalling the previous night and feeling like she was on drugs since. Like she was high up in the atmosphere and couldn't come back down no matter how hard she tried.

Stuck in her thoughts, a gentle hand touched her forearm resting on the counter. "Oh no wonder you slept well!" Mantis giggled, exchanging a wink with Drax who gave her a plate of his breakfast. The look that only meant chaos would follow.

Ava pulled her arm away bashfully and putting a finger up. "Mantis! Shh!" She protested with her skin of her cheeks about to explode in heat.

Yet Mantis was never one to shut up even when asked.

"Ava and-"

"What about my sister?"

The voice got Mantis to zip her mouth in an instant with wide eyes that matched mine. Both of us finding our brother, coming from the couch were Gamora convinced him to sleep on. Now walking up to the kitchen with a yawn as his came to the counter, placing his elbows on top with his head resting on his palm.

Peter raised his eyebrow in suspension from the awkward and immediate silence.

"What were you talking about?" He frowned, waiting for an explanation.

His two sisters making the silent agreement to ignore him. Ava pretended to take another swig of juice, even though it was empty, while Mantis shoved a mouthful of food of her mouth. Leaving it up to Drax, in which Ava prayed would have the social cue to not slip out the gossip.

"Mantis was suggesting Ava and I should team up in the kitchen one of these days." Drax shrugged as he pulled another plate out for the new person awake.

Joining them on the counter, Peter took his seat on one of the stools. "Since when do you cook Ava?" He asked as he spun the chair to face his sister as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well," She sighed, giving herself time to think of something. "I did it on earth for myself. Besides, when Poe and I were trying not to get kidnapped on Easik, one of us had to cook."

"Uh-huh, makes sense, I'd like to test your knowledge on that." Peter challenged. "You haven't cooked once since you've come out here."

Ava scoffed. "That's because I don't need to as much!"

Shaking his head, Peter went on to continue his accusation. "Or you can just come clean and say you got fast food on earth and Poe cooked when you were on Easik." He said.

She frowned blankly at her brother. "That's not something I need to reveal Pete."

"Ooookay then." Peter dragged out in a sigh as he dropped his prying. "Drax? What's on the menu today?"

Tuning out the conversation between him and the chef, Ava finished her dish and gave it to Drax to put it in the washer. Groot had came out of his room for once, taking a seat on the couch. In which, Groot looked at her with pleading eyes before patting the empty cushion beside him.

"I am Groot."

"You want me to join you?" Ava restated his request.

Groot nodded without a word, giving her one of the controllers so they could play on the Switch together.

Rocket was most likely still asleep and wouldn't wake up until past noon. Gamora and Nebula already ate, now both were working out at the local gym, tempting Ava to have another neighborhood run.

Another loud yawn caught her attention, moving her head to match a face to the noise. Then his dark loose curls sticking out in different directions.

"Am I up before the Ewok again?" Poe said in a husky voice with that usual smirk of his as he walked to up to the counter next to Mantis, giving him a direct view of Ava playing another round of Super Smash Bros. with Groot.
"If only my friend back at home could witness that." He sighed.

He wiped a hand over his face before stretching his arms towards the ceiling. His white long sleeve shirt lifting with the movement. Ava gave into temptation to look over at him as he sat down. She watched to find his hand rubbing his face until his fingers stopped to massage his eyelids to wipe the sleepiness off.

She'd be lying if she got distracted until it was only a matter of time before Poe snuck a glance at her staring. Making her instantly return her focus to the screen. Pressing a few buttons to keep Samus -her go to character in the game- from falling off the platform.

Poe huffed with the shake of his head as Peter mumbled something under his breath, followed by a loud aggressive clink as he stabbed the green eggs with a fork.

Poe moved his hand down as he squinted his tired eyes at Starlord. "What was that?" He asked.

"Nothing." Peter shrugged as he took a bite of Drax's breakfast.

"Woohoo!" Ava exclaimed, putting both hands in the air, catching everyone's attention.

Realizing the stares from Peter, Drax, Mantis and of course Poe. He put a fist over his mouth as he tried not to bust out laughing.

"What?" She scoffed at the silence as she stuck her tongue out at all of them. Though the gesture was meant for Poe. "I finally beat Groot in a round of Supersmash for once. Stop making it seem like someone died."

Drax tilted his head as confusion tugged on his vacant eyebrows. "Well, didn't someone in that screen of yours did die."

"He's not wrong blondie." Poe chuckled before taking a fruit from the basket in the middle of the counter- skipping on Drax's offer- and taking a bite. His smirk reappearing while chewing, still attempting to maintain laughing. Letting out a few muffles he kept locked behind his lips but came out in puffs through his nose.

Ava rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Dameron." She remarked while doing her best to not to join Poe. It was as if they were two students in a classroom trying not to be ratted out by the teacher when one of them whispered a stupid joke.

"I thought you were busy researching Ava." Peter questioned as he furrowed his eyebrows, squinting his eyes at his younger sister.

Ava shrugged. "I was, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to take a break this morning." She said as she returned the controller to Groot. I'm going for a run, anyone want to take my place?"

Peter let out a long sigh as he drank from his cup. "If you say so."

She put her hands on her hips as she ignored her brothers odd behavior. "Anyone want to take my spot? I'm going for a little jog." Ava suggested as she pointed back at Groot on the couch.

Poe looks up as he finishes his piece of fruit, tossing the core in the garbage can that immediately disintegrates it with advanced Xandar technology.

"I'll take a shot, Blondie." He volunteered making his way over.

Ava let out a laugh while crossing her arms as a distraction from increase in her heart rate from his approach. "This is Super Smash Poe. Not Mario Kart." She stated.

"Oh please," Poe scrunched his nose in offense. "It can't be that different. I'm sure they are the similar."

"They aren't." Ava said as she shook her head and tilting it to the side. "Besides, one is a speed race and the other is a battle."

"Good news," He took a step forward with the raise of his eyebrows. "I know both."

Ava fought a smile as she smacked her lips with a look of judgement. "Sure, playing videogames are exactly like flying a spaceship and fighting bad guys with your Resistance." She mocked him with a grin.

"Even if it wasn't, I'm still a fast learner." He bobbed his head while peering at her glance on her for a split second.

"Sure you are." She whispered unintentionally.

Then the sound of clearing a throat, broke the staring contest between Ava and Poe. Finding Drax, Mantis, Groot and Peter all staring at them. Ava nodded once as she back away from Poe, remembering to not give her brother a reason to murder Poe.

Ava glanced around before awkwardly punching Poe's shoulder as she headed towards the hallway. "Good luck with that and I'll see all of you later."

Not wasting a second, Ava spun on her heel and immediately making a beeline to her room to change into running attire. The moment she closed the door, heat began to rise on her cheeks and jitters pounding against her chest triggered a bashful smile. Being absolutely held captive by the overwhelming but joyful feeling of tripping over and over again for a man who liked her back.

Last night, she took a chance.

-|-

Screens floated around, causing a blue hue to glow on her face. 80's music played in the room as she munched on whatever snack she could find to keep her focus.

Ava kept herself busy by writing down names of planets or clues as she scanned for new information. Bringing Deja Vu of working on a project for Tony. Or even more so, this kind of environment made her feel like Tony. However, her intelligence couldn't ever match the genius, billionare, playboy, philanthropist. A soft smile did spread on her face with the thought of her old boss, motivating her in this current investigation.

"Annnnd the workaholic is back at it again."

She shook her head while biting her thumb nail without looking away from her data. "You know it, Dameron." Ava sighed.

A shuffle off his feet meeting her ears as she could see the smug expression he always wore as he clicked his tongue with a shrug.

"I still don't know how you entertain yourself with all of this blondie." He teased before advancing away from the doorframe as he began to walk towards her.

"That's what the music's for." Ava smiled while pointing a finger towards the small speaker system. Her attention remained at the information in front of her, using a stencil to take notes on the holopad like an IPad back on Earth.

Poe hummed to her response and swayed to the beat in his steps along with the base guitar. "This one is a bit catchy."

Ava listened, to the new song that began to play. The old familiar tune with the jazzy bass bringing back memories.

Where it began,
I can't begin to knowing
But then I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along.

Poe slouched on the edge of the table, his head hanging. "What's this one called?" He asked with hooded eyelids.

Ava's smirk grew, taking her focus off of her research, squinting at him while touching his palm.

"Hands. Touching hands." She sang along slid her hand until it was finally secured in his while raising the linked embrace above their heads.

Poe then frowned with the lack of the response he didn't get. "Really blondie? Just tell me-""

"Reaching out," Ava continued, singing the tune directly into his face, fighting the urge to not burst out laughing at his expression. "Touching me, touching you!" She brought their hands down carefully to their sides.

"Okay, Ava I get it-"

"Sweet Caroline!!" Ava belted the lyrics while swinging his arm around. "Then this is the part you say, 'Ba, ba, baaa' so that you sound like the trumpets in the background."

The frustration in Poe's eyes instantly changed to admiration for her. Forgetting she was strictly staring at the screens two seconds ago, but the song immediately broke gave her a reason to break away. Unless it was more than just the song.

Either way, Poe couldn't help but smile at her as he stepped forward.

"Good times never felt so good," She added not noticing how close he got as her eyes shut as she belted the lyrics.

"So good! So go-"

An unexpected pressure on her lips kept her from finishing the words. Her eyes remained in shock, her eyes wide open until memories from the previous night came back. She let out a long sigh, letting herself melt into his kiss again. A hand brushed through her hair before caressing the back of her head.

Poe broke away, still keeping her close, his forehead resting on hers. "It's so better than good if you ask me." He whispered, mocking the song.

Ava grinned while looking into his brown eyes. "I can't argue with you on that, General."

"So it's called Ba ba ba?" He said with a tease.

"No." A gentle laugh came out with her exhale and a shake of her head. "It's Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. A classic song in the Quill household. Our mother would switch the name for Ava or Peter."

His thumb rubbed against her cheekbone, sending chills through her senses. "Hmmm, or we can try...." Poe said with an idea up his sleeve.

"Sweet Poe Dameron!"

Ava winced when his belting almost made her go deaf. Yet she didn't care.

"Ba ba ba!!" They both sang in unison, leaning the heads back but hands still stuck together. "Good times never felt so good."

She pointed at Poe who caught on the pattern.

"So good!"

"So good!"

"So good!"

The two of them laughing with with each other as he turned her around before tickling her sides. There was no other way to describe how Ava felt except contempt. She did have the guardians to call family, but with Poe, it was different.

A good different.

In the midst of his playful gesture, he lifted her up from the floor. Both kept singing the chorus over and over while spinning her around. Their voices in a harmony of laughter as if they were high after drinking a few shots of alcohol.

Poe set her back down, but became mesmerized by the pair of crystal colored pearls gazing up at him. The light of the screens enhancing their shine. But the urge to lean down and kiss her was scrapped away the moment something else caught his attention.

Ava scoffed for cutting off the fun. "Poe, if you're trying to play a prank on me it's not going to work." She followed his line of vision to find the reason he looked like a deer in headlights.

Standing at the doorway, a scold that could kill Poe in seconds if it were possible.

"How's the uh, research going Ava?" Peter asked with his arms crossed and his head tilted.

Swallowing the dry lump in her throat, Ava nodded while creating space between her and Poe.

"It's going well," She said nervously, keeping up an act of innocence. "Poe was just telling me more about his planet."

The nudge of his arm, pinched Poe's chest with fear as it was a signal for him to come up with something. "Uh, yeah. I was telling her about Ajan Kloss and how it very similar to the planet you guys found me." Poe replied confidently while shifting the weight in his foot with his hands on his hips.

"Oh really?" Peter remained in speculation. "Because it seems like you two got distracted."

Ava shook her head once after sharing a look with Poe. "I mean we were singing Sweet Caroline, thats good distraction if you ask me." She said in defense.

Peter pulled a sarcastic grin with his eyes narrowed. "Go on then Poe. Please tell more about your planet. I'd loved to hear about it too."

"Well uh," Poe stuttered while scratching the back of his head, looking down which became his saving grace and idea for inprov. "My boots! My boots are from the Rebel Base. They are worn our and dirty, but have lasted me a long while-"

"Wait." Ava intervened, placing a hand on Poe's shoulder. Her mind slowly piecing together an idea from Poe's comment. "Your boots? Have you washed them since you left?" She asked.

Poe scoffed at her with a frown. "Maybe. What's that supposed to mean blondie?"

Ava shook her head with a little chuckle as he interpreted her comment as an insult. She walked past him to swipe her finger on the holoscreen through tabs.

"What's she doing?" Poe asked, looking to Peter for answers, only to have two eyes glaring at him.

"How about explain what you were doing being that close to my sister?" Peter growled with the scowl of a bulldog.

Poe gulped but hid it with pride in his chest, a smirk appearing. "Nothing you need to worry about Star-Prince."

"Dey?" Ava's voice cut through the thick tension between the General and her brother who was towering over by a few inches.

"Hey Ms. Quill." Rhomann responded with a video of him on the screen. "Just as we said the last couple times you called, we still don't have an update-"

"I might." Ava said. "Is the lab still open?"

Rhomann sighed with a hint of curiousity. "What did you have in mind?"

A grin stretched on her lips. "You'll see." She said before glancing over her shoulder.

"Poe,"

The pilot stood patient for Ava's request as if he was back to being a commander, waiting for order. "Yeah?" He asked.

"I'm going to need that boot."

_________________________________________

It's been a while, but yay!!!
Poe and Ava are back, with a little bit of overprotective Peter Quill on the side. (:

Probably slow updates for this one since I've kind of lost motivation but I will still work on it!

Comments ideas too, it helps too!

-marie