REBEL FOR KICKS
x. BACK TO BUSINESS
❝DO KISS EVERY PRETTY WOMAN?❞

PETER HADN'T SPOKEN A WORD SINCE THEY LEFT THE ICY LANDS OF CONTRAXIA and everyone avoided him due to his sour mood, but they were back on track. Gamora had provided them with the coordinates toward the buyer and Peter had taken the responsibility of getting them there. He was in the cockpit alone while the others were left to wander the ship. Isabelle worried about him, wanting to comfort her brother but the tension between the two prevented her from reaching out. Yet, she could tell her brother was bothered about the disappearance of his lover. His distant behavior was the same when their mother had died. But, Isabelle held hope Peter would be reunited with his love one day.

"I think we're here!" Peter shouted, catching everyone's attention. Isabelle discarded the sandwich she had been eating before she rushed toward the cockpit. She climbed up the ladder, immediately noticing the scent of alcohol that lingered in the air. Her eyes drifted to the three bottles of beer that sat by Peter's side by the controls, but she didn't comment on it. He wasn't a child anymore. Yet, concern still flooded her emotions.

"You shouldn't drink and drive," Isabelle commented, taking a seat in the empty chair beside her brother. She gestured toward the empty beer bottles, but Peter shrugged in response. She sighed, looking out the window to see the planet. Isabelle had never seen such a thing before. It seemed as if the planet was a giant head of some massive creature. It gleamed brightly from all the lights inside of the "planet" which caused it to give off a green glowing hue. "What is this place?"

"It's called Knowhere," Gamora's voice sounded, causing Isabelle to jump as she looked back to see her leaned against the wall. Groot, Rocket, and Drax had joined them as well, looking out the window to get a good view of the planet as well.

"Why is it shaped like that?" Peter asked, sparing Gamora a glance before he began to pull into the planet. It was strangely beautiful to see the lights around them, illuminating the ship in shades of green.

"It's a severed head of an ancient celestial being," Gamora answered, shrugging her shoulders as she moved forward. She stood behind Isabelle, resting her hands on the back of the chair. "Be wary headed in, Peter. There are no regulations whatsoever here."

As they moved deeper into the head, the lights became brighter and the thousands of people that lived on the planet came into view. Some flew around in small pods as she mined into the head, collecting the materials for whatever they needed it for. Though, most of the population worked on the main road as they sold their products. Peter pulled into the ship docks, parking the Milano in an empty spot. Once the ship had been turned off and locked, the six headed down to the cargo hold.

"Hundreds of years ago, the Tivan Group sent workers to mine the organic matter within the skull ━ bone, brain tissue, and spinal fluid," Gamora started to explain as six of them began to gather their belongings. Isabelle had her batons tucked away in her boots and a stun gun ━ which she had borrowed from Peter's hidden armory ━ was strapped to her waist. "It's all rare resources, highly valued in black markets across the galaxy. It's dangerous and illegal work, suitable only for outlaws."

Peter chuckled, shrugging his shoulders as he stepped out of the ship and into the light of the planet. Though, it seemed dimmer on ground level than when they were flying around in the sky. "You know, Izzy and I come from a planet of outlaws," he stated, looking back at his companions. "Billy the Kid, Bonnie and Clyde, John Stamos."

Earth ━ known as Terra to most spacelings ━ was a planet of outlaws, but it was so much more than that as well. They were eight when Yondu and his crew had abducted them, but Isabelle could still remember the life she used to have on the serene planet. She remembered her mother's smile, the upbeat music she used to dance to, the strawberry pie she used to back. She missed Earth. She missed her mother. Her eyes flickered to Peter. Isabelle wondered if he shared the same feelings about the planet.

"It sounds like a place which I would like to visit," Drax stated, patting both Isabelle and Peter on the back.

"Yeah, you should," Peter whispered, giving Drax a warm smile. At that moment, he genuinely seemed to miss their home. Perhaps, Isabelle could convince him one day to make the trip back to their blue and green planet.

"Excuse me," the voice of a young girl sounded, causing the group to look back to see three children staring up at them with wide eyes. "Can you spare any units?"

"Get out of here," Peter said, ushering them away as he moved past them. "Come on, guys. We don't have time to waste."

Isabelle sighed softly, shaking her head as she followed Peter. She would spare some change if she had her money with her, but it was locked away with her ship, the Florence. With a glance back, Isabelle noticed that Groot had grown a small flower for the young girl. She smiled, realizing that Groot wasn't as scary as he looked. Rocket had been uncharacteristically quiet since they left Contraxia, but Isabelle assumed it was because he had a lot on his mind. Though, Isabelle didn't think too much of it. She had bigger things to worry about.

Her eyes took in the plaza they had entered. They stood in the center, being surrounded by a museum, a rundown bar, a massive gambling ring, and other various establishments which hundreds of people occupied. Isabelle looked at the museum ━ a huge glass building with a dome top. "Your buyer's in there?"

"Yes, but we are to wait here for his representative," Gamora said, turning her gaze away from the museum and to the plaza. Her eyes scanned the crowds, making sure there was no one watching them from the shadows. "It could be hours."

Drax scoffed, shaking his head in disgust and disappointment. "This is no respectable establishment! What do you expect us to do while we wait?"

Gamora rolled her eyes, moving toward the bar as she left everyone else in the dust. With a glance back, she said, "I'm sure you'll find something to do."

━ ━ ━

PETER HAD LET ISABELLE BORROW HIS WALKMAN ━ something that he rarely ever did ━ and she was in love with every single song imprinted on the tape. With each new song, a new memory flashed before her eyes. Her favorite memory was the one where she, Peter, and their mother had a dance-off and the winner got to pick which restaurant they would eat at. Of course, Peter had won. Isabelle wished she still remembered which restaurant he had picked, but the memory had gone as quickly as it had come.

Isabelle sighed. Her eyes gazed upon the shining stars, feeling small in a considerably large universe. She rarely took the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around her ━ always looking for a way to earn a quick buck instead. Sometimes, Isabelle wondered what her life would be like if she had gone down a more 'legal' path. Would she be happier? Would she be safer? Isabelle couldn't think of 'what if' situations. It would only make her feel worse.

"You seem sad."

She didn't need to look back to know it was Gamora. Perhaps, she had gotten bored enough from the boys to come out and join Isabelle. The blonde glanced back, giving Gamora a small smile. "You worried about me, darling?"

Gamora scoffed, rolling her eyes as she joined Isabelle's side. "Not even in the slightest."

Isabelle raised a brow. "Is that so?"

"What are you doing out here?" Gamora changed the subject, gazing upon the twinkling stars. She leaned against the railing, letting out a small sigh as she closed her eyes to allow the winds to hit her.

Isabelle smiled softly, realizing how beautiful Gamora truly was. Her eyes drifted to the scars that littered her exposed skin, making the blonde feel a sense of overprotectiveness. It was so secret that Isabelle had grown to care for the woman. She considered Gamora to be her friend. Isabelle hummed slightly, remembering that Gamora had asked her a question. "I was just enjoying the view."

Gamora opened her eyes, looking down at Isabelle. "Are you talking about me?"

It was Isabelle's turn to scoff as she feigned a shocked expression. "Wow, Gamora, I didn't know you were that conceited."

"W-What?" Gamora stuttered, taking a step back as she cleared her throat. "I am not conceited. I just assumed you were talking about me since you like to... flirt."

"I only flirt with beautiful women," Isabelle shrugged, looking away from Gamora as she continued to pretend.

"I..." Gamora seemed offended at Isabelle's words as she crossed her arms over her chest. It was calming to see Gamora so relaxed around her. She was finally able to be herself ━ even if it was only for a few moments. "I thought you said everyone was your type back in the prison."

"No," Isabelle shook her head, giving Isabelle a playful grin. "I said I am everyone's type. I'm sure you're head over heels in love with me."

Gamora's eyes widened. She fidgeted with the helm of her jacket, keeping her eyes away from Isabelle's. "I, uh, don't know what you're talking about. I'm counting the seconds till I can leave you behind."

"Sure," Isabelle laughed, punching Gamora's arm. She was used to Gamora's defensive words and deflective attitude. It was granted, considering Gamora's upbringing. "I'm just messing with you, Gamora. No need to be so mean."

"Oh..." Gamora breathed out, letting out a small sigh. "I'm sorry, Isabelle. I... can be a little mean sometimes, but don't take what I say to heart."

"Don't worry, I don't," Isabelle reassured, giving her a warm smile. To save Gamora from further embarrassment ━ even though her flushed state was super adorable to Isabelle ━ the blonde changed the topic. She held out Peter's Walkman for Gamora to see. "Actually before you joined me, I was listening to music."

"This thing plays music?"

"Do you want to try?" Isabelle asked, holding out the headphones for her. "I'm sure Peter will kill me for letting anyone else touch them, but who cares, right?"

Gamora chuckled, taking the headphones from Isabelle. She put them on, remembering the way that Peter had worn them. She was quiet, listening to the music as it filled her ears. "The melody is pleasant!"

Isabelle smiled, not minding the fact that Gamora was shouting in her face. It was a nice change from the screams coming inside from the gambling bar. "It is, huh? My mom used to listen to these tracks all the time. And, I mean, all the time. It's been years but I still have all these songs memorized."

"What?" Gamora shouted.

Isabelle sighed softly, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear as she looked out at the nebula of stars. "I always wonder why she didn't leave anything for me, you know? She left everything for Peter. I... never got anything."

"You want me to open what?"

Isabelle pushed the sad thoughts out of her mind. She didn't want to constantly focus on the past. She wanted to be enthralled by the present. She wanted to strive for the future. Focusing on the past, it was a ticket to a place she never wanted to go again. Isabelle moved forward, taking Gamora's hands in hers. At first, the woman protested out of instinct but then calmed as she pulled Isabelle close. They swayed to the music that blared from the headphones. "You're really pretty, Gamora," Isabelle confessed, looking up at the taller woman. "I think you definitely are the best view in the galaxy."

Gamora nodded, agreeing. "It is pretty cold. I told you to pick up a jacket before we left the ship, but you didn't want to listen."

Isabelle's smile widened, shaking her head as she met Gamora's eyes. Her chest felt as if it was going to burst with the closeted emotions she felt. "Hey, I wanted to say that I'm sorry, you know?" Isabelle started, moving closer to Gamora. This time, Gamora allowed it as a small smile spread across her lips. "I should have never tried to kill you, but I have to admit you do have a pretty big bounty on your head. Still, I was just a dumbass who valued money more than an actual life. Everything that's happened over the past week made me realize that you never know where life will take you. I never thought I would see Peter again. I never thought I would meet a talking raccoon and tree. I never thought... I would start falling for you."

It was quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly, the realization dawned on Isabelle as she glanced down at the Walkman that had quieted down. The song had ended. Gamora had heard everything.

"Shit ━ "

But, before Isabelle could get another word out, Gamora's soft lips were upon hers. Isabelle was frozen to the spot as her eyes widened, not expecting to ever kiss her in a million years. Yet, it was a pleasant surprise as Isabelle kissed the woman back with the same fervor. However, the moment didn't last. Gamora pulled away.

Isabelle frowned, taking a small step back as she looked at the saddened expression that lingered on Gamora's face. "What's wrong?"

"We can't do this," Gamora said. Her expression hardened as she turned her attention back to the bar ━ the same expression that Isabelle had seen when the two of them had first met. She handed the Walkman back to Isabelle, refusing to look at her. "After we collect the money we're owed, we will go our separate ways. You will be lucky if you never see me again."

"Gamora, wait."

But, the woman did not stay. She left Isabelle alone with only the faraway stars and I'm Not In Love by 10cc as company.

♡

So, long time, huh? 🤭 I have recently gotten back into the writing groove after being on hiatus for a few months! Isabelle and Gamora, I missed these two babes so much! Even though, they did not end so well. But, it's all part of the plan and I did say that this story will be a slow burn! I have been writing this book for about two years now and it's time that I finish it. I will focus incredibly hard on this book and my others to get them finished! I need to work harder in all honesty! It's what you all deserve. 🥺

I think we are nearing the end of Act One! I say we have about five-ish more chapters before we reach the end of the  movie! I will probably go straight in the second movie for Act Two. I originally wanted to write an AU between the two, but I have no inspiration or ideas for one. If I do come up with something, I will definitely add it in!

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Recently, I have been thinking about going back and editing the story here and there! Nothing plot-wise, but adding some scenes here and more description there. It won't be a complete rewrite because I suck at keeping up with those (looking at Half the World Away for that one).

— AMARA
[ CHAPTER POSTED — 07.12.2020 ]