"It's over," Holly said with finality.
"Come on Holly," he said "You're being unreasonable"
"No I'm not!" she protested "I'm tired Nick, I'm tired of you cheating on me, I'm tired of you making me feel like I'm worthless, I'm just tired and I'm moving in with Jess..."
"Its Jess putting all this shit about me in your head!" Nick said angrily "You need to stop listening to her and-"
"And Sam, and Joey, not to mention my family!" Holly retorted "For fuck sakes, you HIT on my sister, did you think she wouldn't tell me?"
"Oh come on!" Nick yelled "You know she was leading me on and you KNOW Ivy likes to rile you up"

Holly gritted her teeth angrily.

"Listen, Holly," Nick said, calming down as he placed his hands on her shoulder. "We've had our ups and downs, but you don't want to go. I know you, this is just Jess putting ideas in your head...what are you going to do? Do you really think you're going to make it as a tattoo artist?"
"I already do!" Holly protested with tears in her eyes.
"But for how long?" Nick countered, "I'm just thinking of what's best for us...for you."

Holly sniffled slightly.

"I'm just tired, Nick" Holly sighed.
"I know, baby.." Nick sympathized
"No," Holly shook her head. "I'm tired of all the bullshit...the lying...the cheating...always making me feel like I'm never good enough..."
"Well, Hollz," Nick smiled slightly "Maybe if you put a little work into yourself, I wouldn't be tempted by other women...you know you're not the same as when we met"

He laughed slightly as he teased her, pinching at her waist.

"Oh fuck you!" Holly said angrily, slapping his hand away. "It's not my fault you can't keep it in your fucking pants, it's over Nick!"

Before Holly knew what was happening, she felt her back slam against a wall.

"You listen to me," Nick said angrily as he held her against the wall "You're being a total bitch right now and I'm not letting you go until you calm down"
"LET ME GO!" she shouted. Then, almost in slow motion, she saw his fist coming toward her before everything went black.

**

Holly sat upright, startled awake by her nightmare. She breathed heavily and tried regaining herself.

"Shh.." a familiar voice soothed "It's alright, it was just a dream.."

Holly looked around as a large hand rested gently at her waist. It was nearly 3 am, and she was in her apartment, in her bed. She calmed down as she saw Quill, smiling at her sleepily.

"Sorry," she sighed as she laid back on his chest "Didn't mean to wake you"
"Don't worry," he yawned, "another snap dream?"

Holly nodded.

"About Nick..." she said quietly "that moment before.."

Peter played with the ends of her hair quietly.

"Is it sick that I was relieved when he turned to ash?" she asked.
"Nah, from what you've said..he should have stayed that way" Peter chuckled.
"What's worse?" Holly sighed "I wished it had been me"
"No, you don't," Peter said, his voice changing into a much more serious tone in an instant.
"Sorry, Pete.." she apologized suddenly realizing what she'd said "I know you experienced that first hand...I just..I feel so guilty..all the time. I got to stay..and my whole family was gone"
"I know babe," he said "But it really isn't your fault. And life has gotten better, hasn't it?"
"I can't argue that," she laughed softly as she looked up at him.
"I know the perfect thing to get your mind off of things" he smirked, pulling her on top of himself.
"Sex?" Holly asked with a slight giggle.
"Sex??" Peter said indignantly as he moved so she was underneath him "I think you mean the most mind-blowingly...incredible.. lovemaking...in the galaxy.."

He kissed down her neck as he spoke.

"I call it 'doinking'," he smirked before kissing her.
"You are incredibly self-assured," Holly laughed "And a total dork"
"Saved earth more than once...not to mention the galaxy...held an infinity stone...was raised by space pirates...oh and I'm half God," Quill retorted "I'm anything but a dork"
"Still a dork," she smirked "But you're my dork"

She ran a hand through his hair. He closed his eyes and smiled at her touch.

"You know I love you, right?" he asked, kissing just inside her wrist.
"Pretty sure," she teased.
"And you know I think you're sexy as hell, right?" he growled as he grabbed her leg, hooking it around his waist.
"I could say the same about you," Holly sighed as he kissed her neck again.
"And what do you think we should do about it?" he smirked against her skin as she pulled herself closer to him.
"I think we should stop talking, and start doinking" she laughed slightly "Starlord"
"You KNOW that turns me on" Quill moaned.

**

"Think you're ready to meet the parents?" Jess teased as Peter finished packing his bag.
"Yeah," He laughed slightly "Holly prepped me a bit, plus her sisters love me"

"Hey Holz!" Jess called up the stairs "You'd better get going if you want to get there before Ivy and Sage!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know...just getting the last few presents packed" Holly called.

"What about you?" Quill asked, "Any big Christmas plans?"
"The usual," Jess shrugged. "My brother and his wife host our family Christmas, I just turn up with the hot dish and try not to antagonize him too much."

"Ok!" Holly said as she reached the base of the stairs "I've got everything ready...Quill? Are you set?"
"Ready when you are, sweets" Peter winked.

"Alright Jess," Holly said giving Jess a quick hug "I'll see you in a few days, have a Merry Christmas"
"You too Holz and Happy Birthday!" Jess grinned.

**

Soon, Peter and Holly were on the road.

"Sorry, we had to rush out," Holly said as she drove.
"Hey, it's your holiday," Peter smirked "I am a little curious about the rush to get there before your sisters"
"Whoever arrives first, gets the loft," Holly laughed. "To be honest, it's usually a race between me and Ivy. Sage and her daughter will probably take the spare downstairs room"
"I take it, that's who the majority of the gifts are for?" Quill asked, glancing at the back seat of Holly's car.
"Hey, there's a couple in there for my parents and sisters," Holly defended "buuuut...I do have to keep my space as the coolest aunt"
"Did she..ya' know," Peter began nervously. "I mean was she part-"
"Was she 'snapped'?" Holly finished, "No, Abby and her dad didn't get snapped. That's why I'm the favorite aunt"

She laughed slightly before continuing.

"It's been a little awkward for Sage...I mean, her ex has somebody else so she had to sort of find a new life, I was pretty pissed off at him but I get it, but Sage sort of has to get to know her own daughter again, Abby was only 3 when the snap happened...It's been pretty hard on them"
"That's a lot," Quill said, placing a reassuring hand on her thigh.
"It is," Holly agreed "But, here's hoping our first Christmas together since the snap will help"

**

"Mom! Dad! We're here" Holly called as she and Peter entered the cabin. The large cabin was welcoming and overlooked a wooded area and lake covered in snow.

"Holly dear!" a short, dark haired woman greeted, pulling her into a hug "Was the drive ok?"
"Yeah, fine mom," Holly said, setting down her bags.

"And you must be Peter," Holly's mother said, peering over her thick rimmed glasses at Peter.
"Happy to meet you Mrs Stuart," he said laying on the charm as he extended a hand "Thanks for having me"
"Call me June," she smiled "And don't think you're getting away without a hug as well"

She pulled Peter into a hug.

"Did I hear Holly bear?" a booming voice said coming in from outside.

"Hi dad," Holly called. Before she could say anything more a large Golden Retriever came bounding in and jumped up licking her face.
"Max!" She laughed "I'm happy to see you too"

Max soon turned his attention to Peter, giving him a similar greeting.

"Hopefully you like dogs," Holly laughed.
"Who doesn't love dogs?" Peter said before giving Max the attention he was demanding.

"David!" Mrs Stuart called "Make sure you take your snow boots off before you come into the living room!"

"Yes dear," he said shaking the snow out of his hair "and what's this 'hi dad' crap, you're not too old to give your old man a hug"

Holly grinned and ran to her father hugging him around his neck.

"Are we the first ones here?" Holly asked eagerly.
"Yeah, Ivy got caught in traffic and Sage had to pick up Abby from her dad's," Mr Stuart said.
"Great!" Holly said "Pete, let's stake out the loft before Ivy gets here!"
"Are you going to introduce me to your new man?" he asked, laughing.
"Yeah, sure...Pete, dad, dad, Pete" Holly said as she grabbed her bags.
"Good to finally meet you Pete," Holly's father said shaking his hand "You'll have to excuse my daughter, she forgets herself when she gets to the cabin"
"I'm not forgetting anything!" Holly called from the loft.
"Good to finally meet you sir," Peter said. Holly's father was not what he had expected. When she said he studied plant sciences, Quill had expected a lanky balding man. But Mr. Stuart was a wide man with dark hair and a beard.
"Now, Holly tells me you've traveled this great universe" he said clapping an arm around Quill's shoulders "I would love to hear about the flora you've encountered on your travels, is it-"

"David?" Mrs Stuart interrupted "Why don't you let him get settled in before you talk his ear off about plant life?"

"Sorry," Holly said as she excitedly unpacked "Dad has been dying to ask you about space plants"
"It's alright," Peter laughed, he looked around the lofted area Holly had gone on about. There was a large window looking out over the lake and snowy woods. Nearby was a bed and sofa along with a tv and an original Nintendo system.

"No way!" he said excitedly "I wanted a Nintendo so bad when I was a kid...but mom got sick and.."
"And I'm totally going to kick your ass in Tetris later" Holly teased as her arms went around him.
"We'll just see about that," he smirked.

"Mom, dad..I'm here," a familiar voice called as the front door opened "I didn't see Holly's car, so I'm just going to dump my stuff in the loft-"
"Haha! I parked up at the garage-" Holly called before rushing to the wrought iron barrier of the loft "Just so you would get the false hope you got here first"
"Dammit Holz!" Ivy laughed "Every year, I swear.."

"Hey Pete," Ivy called up to the loft, as he joined Holly at the barrier.
"Hey Ivy," Peter called down to her.

"Had to give our guest the best spot in the house," Holly grinned.

"We're here!" Sage called as she entered the cabin "Ah, Holly wins the yearly loft race again I see...good to see you again Peter!"
"You too," Quill smiled.
"Aunt Holly!" a small brown haired girl called excitedly.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Ivy teased.
"Hi Aunt Ivy," Abby said shyly

"She's still getting used to us being around," Sage said quietly. "By the way, Holly? I need your help with my laptop after dinner"
"Yeah, alright" Holly called back, seeming almost embarrassed.

*

"Thanks Holz," Sage said as Holly sat at her laptop. "I have no idea what I did.."
"Don't thank me yet," Holly said offhandedly.

Dinner had finished, Abby sat playing with a present her father had gotten her, the rest of the adults were having a few drinks. Many laughs had been shared and Holly's dad was still fascinated in learning about the various plant species Quill had encountered through the galaxy.

"So, tell me more about this yaro root...is there a planet it's endemic to?" Mr Stuart asked excitedly.
"Not that I know of" Quill shrugged "It's all over the galaxy, gets a bit tiring when it's the only thing to eat"

They both laughed before Peter turned his attention to Holly, who was determinedly working on her sister's laptop.

"You didn't tell me you were a tech expert," Quill said. Holly smirked offhandedly.
"It's not something I like talking about" she said nervously "Jesus Sage, you've fried something in the actual hard drive...the fan sounds fucked, mind if I get inside it?"
"Do what you want," Sage sighed "Abby downloaded some game and it's been giving me hell since"

"That doesn't explain everything else," Holly muttered before quietly going back to working on the laptop.
"Why don't you like talking about it?" Quill asked "I think it's sexy" he whispered so only she could hear. Holly smirked again as a chill ran down her spine.
"It's a long story," she said, taking a drink of her beer.

"It's not that long," Ivy interrupted, "It's actually really funny, now.."
"Ivy, maybe now isn't the time?" Sage suggested.
"..I mean, it was embarrassing when it happened," Ivy laughed as she took a drink of her wine.

Holly shot her sister a look before going back to fixing the laptop. Ivy either ignored her or wasn't aware.

"Ivy..." Mr Stuart said calmly, it was becoming clear that Ivy had had too much to drink and wasn't hearing her family.

"So, I don't know how much Holly has said about her school years...she HATED school...especially highschool and she was always in trouble.." Ivy rambled "It was a bit embarrassing because I was well known in school, popular, and you know...having the little sister who got in trouble for punching your friend's boyfriend, getting detention for various things..."
"Yeah, well maybe if your friends hadn't been such dickheads.." Holly said through gritted teeth

"Anyway," Ivy continued "It was her senior year, I'd already graduated but one of my best friends was in her year and they didn't get along...and after a fight, Holly, took it on herself to learn from some of the nerds how to hack into the school computers and announcement screens and made a very loud announcement about my friend's boyfriend and her having some involvement with the local sheep farm in a less than...appropriate manner...complete with animations..."

Holly had stopped completely what she was working on.

"Ivy, I really think this isn't the time or pl-" Mrs Stuart chimed in.

"Unfortunately, for Holly...the guy in question; was the principal's son. She wound up getting expelled and those friends never talked to me again...better off in the long run"

"You forgot the fucking part where your friend shoved me from a stairwell after and I broke my collarbone, but thank you for informing my boyfriend I didn't fucking graduate and ended up a loser!" Holly angrily said as she stood from the table.

"Shit, Holly -" Ivy called as the back porch door slammed.
"I...I didn't mean to" Ivy spluttered.

"I know dear," Mrs Stuart said "But you know how Holly feels about that particular situation"

Peter had already stood up, putting his jacket on to follow after Holly.

"Pete," Ivy said flatly "Just..tell her I'm sorry, I think I've had a little too much to drink.."
"I'll let her know," he said.
"She'll be on the lake," Mr Stuart nodded, knowing his daughter well, before Quill was out the door.

*

"People you've been before

That you don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will"

Holly laid in the snow on the lake staring up into the night sky when she heard the snow crunching beneath someone's feet over her earbuds.

"I thought you wouldn't be far behind," she said as Peter sat next to her.
"I'd be an asshole if I didn't come find you," he smirked. "Are you alright?"
"I will be..." Holly said sitting up "I really didn't want you to find out about that.."
"About what?" Quill asked.
"About the fact, I come from this family of fucking geniuses; botanists, lawyers, scientists, marketing execs... and I was expelled, but probably would have flunked out anyway," Holly sighed. "The family idiot.."
"You know your family doesn't think of you like that," Peter said "Ivy feels pretty shit about it"
"And you know I don't think that about you" he added.
"Yeah, I know" Holly said as she doodled in the snow with a finger "They've always looked out for me and I just let them down so much.."

"I didn't tell you," she continued "But, I was supposed to be born in late February, early March...but I guess I was impatient...mom says they were worried I wouldn't make it, I was in the hospital for weeks, so my family has always been really protective over me...I was really bullied throughout school for being weird..and I was small, in and out of doctors when I was young, and then I fought back...mom and dad had a lot of meetings with principals and teachers, my grades sucked too. Evidently, I can't focus on shit when it's boring and that was most of school...except for art and when I learned tech shit from the nerdy kids I paid off. So yeah, I got expelled for the stunt I pulled...my parents actually FOUGHT the school on the decision, I was still going to class when they were fighting the school's decision and fucking asshole kids knew within a day, and when I snapped at the bitch who was causing me hell after she confronted me about it, she shoved me from a school stairwell, and I broke my collar bone...mom and dad were actually in the principal's office fighting for me when it happened and had to rush me to the hospital. Needless to say, I spent the rest of my senior year feeling sorry for myself at home and the computer nerd stuff reminds me of all that"

There was a long silence between them.

"You know what I was doing at that age?" Peter said finally. Holly raised an eyebrow.

"I was stealing whatever the Ravagers told me to, hell, I was stealing shit they didn't even know about'' Peter said.
"Yeah, but you were out in space...that sounds way cooler than getting kicked out of school for taking over the school computers to make a rumor about the principal's kid and some sheep," Holly sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I don't think you realize how hot that is" he laughed "I would have totally dated you then."

Holly smiled slightly.

"And I sure as hell won't judge you" he continued "I was abducted when I was 8, so that's where my 'formal education' ends. I learned everything from Yondu which was stealing and fighting mostly...the rest I had to pick up on my own"

Peter laid back as Holly rested her head on his shoulder. They stared up at the sky in silence for a moment.

"Looks like the skies decided to impress you tonight" she laughed slightly as streaks of vibrant greens and blues danced across the night sky "That's why I like it up here, you can see the sky clearer"

Peter smiled and held her closer.

"I'm going to have to go back someday," he sighed.
"I know.." Holly said sadly "I don't want to think about that right now"
"I want to take you with me when I go," Peter admitted. Holly smiled to herself.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah, of course" Peter smiled back at her "But I worry about taking you from your family.."
"They're used to me traveling around" Holly laughed "I spent a year apprenticing in Europe after graduation didn't pan out for me"

He kissed her softly.

"I think for now, we should get back inside" He said as they sat upright.

*

Peter and Holly quietly opened the door to the cabin, the rest of her family seemed to be in bed. As they reached the staircase to the loft, Ivy stepped out of the bathroom.

"Holly!" she said surprised "I..um.."

"Pete, I'll be up in a minute," Holly smiled.
"Take your time," he winked before making his way up the stairs, leaving her and her sister alone in the hallway.

"Seriously, Holz..I am so sorry," Ivy said "I really didn't mean to hurt-"

Holly pulled Ivy into a hug. Ivy snuffled into her shoulder.

"You're a dumbass," Holly laughed "But I love you anyway"

Ivy laughed.

"Yeah, I guess I am...this time" she said pulling away from Holly "I um, I think I'm developing some bad habits with drinking..." she admitted "And you saw that tonight. I've just been so stressed since we returned, I still have my position at my old company but I feel like I have to fight everyone judging me for just rolling back into it...it's worse than when I initially had to fight the bullshit just to get where I am in the company..and-"
"And you're being a dumbass and drinking too much," Holly smirked "For real? Knock off that habit, not just because of tonight, I'll be fine...it took me 5 years before I got you back, don't make me lose you again"

Ivy hugged Holly tight.

"I'm so sorry," she wept
"Alright, alright," Holly laughed. "We both need some sleep, I'll see you in the morning, ok?"
"Yeah alright," Ivy said before a mischievous smirk spread across her face "dirt bag"
"Good night," Holly said quietly as she started up the stairs "dog breath"

As she entered the loft, Holly saw Peter take off his shirt and throw it on a nearby chair before he noticed her.
"Hey baby girl," he smiled "everything alright?"

She put her arms around him and kissed him deeply, he pulled her in close to him.

"I'm never going to complain if you want to greet me like that," he laughed slightly.
"Were you serious?" she asked "When you said you want to take me with you?"
"Will I get laid if I say 'yes'?" Quill teased.
"Shut up!" Holly laughed hitting his chest softly "I mean it"
"I know," he said, taking one of her hands in his "and I was serious, but only if you want to come with me"
"Of course I do -" Holly smiled.
"You say that now," he said, the smile fading from his face "And believe me, I want to take you with me, but you need to be totally sure...you just reunited with your family, and shit can get dangerous..I want us to be together, but not at the expense-"

She stopped him with a kiss.

"Trust me in making decisions," she said breaking away for a moment "For now, tho...I just want you"
"Mmm..I think I can work with that" Peter said, kissing her again, his hands wandering up her shirt before she removed it quickly. She fumbled slightly with the button on his pants.
"Little excited tonight?" he laughed between kisses.
"Just slightly," she said, "Have you seen yourself?"
"Told you I was irresistible," he answered removing her bra "of course, I could say the same about you"

She kissed along his neck, before he buried his face in her hair and pulled her close, holding her tight.

"I really do love you, Holly," He said softly.
"I love you too, Pete," she said, running her fingers through his hair. "Everything ok?"

He pulled away and smiled at her.

"Couldn't be better," he said, stroking her cheek softly.

***

It was early the next morning, Peter stirred awake. He had a lot on his mind from the previous night.

"Quill?" Holly yawned "you alright?"
"Yeah," he smiled "Just suddenly awake, think I might go downstairs and grab a drink of water or something"
"Alright, well.." she yawned again "I'm sleeping in...it's my birthday.."
"Tomorrow," Peter laughed.
"Dude, Christmas eve still counts as my birthday," she laughed sleepily.
"Whatever you say," he said kissing her forehead "I'll be back up in a bit"

He put on a pair of pajama pants and made his way downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Morning Pete," Mr Stuart said as Peter entered the kitchen, startling him slightly. "You're up early"
"Just needed to get some water," Quill answered.
"Cups are in the cupboard to the right of the sink" Mr Stuart said as he sipped his coffee, barely looking up from his book "Sure I can't offer you a coffee?"
"I don't think so," he answered as he sat at the table. He decided, rather than heading immediately upstairs, it might be wise to sit and get to know Holly's father a bit. "You're up early yourself"
"This isn't early," Mr Stuart chuckled "Been up since 4, usually the girls have a bit of a party on the lake every Christmas eve, had to clear some snow, make sure the bonfire pit is cleared, not to mention get presents ready for Abby...have to play Santa you see, he makes his grand appearance after dinner"

Peter smirked slightly in acknowledgement of the dedication Holly's dad had to his family.

"I did want to talk to you actually," he continued.
"Oh?" Peter said, taking a drink. "Wondering about my intentions with your daughter?"
"Nah," Mr Stuart laughed. "Nothing like that, she's a grown woman. She doesn't need me running her partners through the ringer...although, after her last one, it's tempting."
He admitted before continuing on.

"I just wanted to thank you for being there last night when she left," he began. "She really feels a lot of shame over what happened, thought she let her family down. I hope you know...none of us think that of her. Not me, not her mother, and definitely not her sisters"
"I could gather that," Peter nodded.
"Frankly Pete," Mr Stuart started again "Holly is her own worst critic. Much as she struggled in school, we always saw how quick she caught onto things...I wish she saw herself the same way we do"
"I think she knows," Peter said "I do know how much her family means to her, that was pretty clear when I first met her...the snap really affected her"

"I'm sure it did," Mr Stuart said without much thought "I know she thinks we treat her like the baby of the family, we thought we might lose her, but she's always been a fighter,  I knew she'd be strong enough to make it through that ordeal without any help from us...whether she thinks so or not"

"Grandpa?" a small voice said sleepily from the hallway, Abby stood wiping sleep from her eyes.
"Well now, what are you doing up this early, little bean sprout?" He laughed heartily.
"I'm hungry," she said.
"I suppose we could find a snack," he said picking up his granddaughter "If you don't tell your mom or grandma"

Quill stood up from the table. "I should get back upstairs"
"Nice chatting Pete," Mr Stuart smiled "Tell Holly she doesn't get to sleep in too late...even if it is her birthday"
"I think I can handle that," Peter smirked.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: I am so sorry my updates are so sporadic!  I caught up to myself in writing and got a little stuck on this chapter, I hope people are still reading :)

Chapter song:

https://youtu.be/8aomt1gQ6So