[ By all means, the Guardians shouldn't work at all. They all have clashing, strong personalities in one way or another, and argue just as often as they save each other's skin. But, Peter has learned, is what makes a family. A weird, stress-inducing, family but one nonetheless. He wouldn't change them or anything, even if he could deal with fewer of Rocket's bombs lying around.

Sometimes, Peter can't believe either the turn his life had taken. There had been plenty of terrible experiences, losing his mother, Yondu, Ego...he thought himself unlovable for a long time. Why would anyone bother with a mess of a man like him? They had their ups and down but Gamora believes he's worth keeping. Worth loving. It's more than Peter ever dreamed of. ]

I made you a promise. [ Peter mumbles, and it leaves unsaid that fulfilling it would have killed him on the inside too. He sees it often, in his nightmares, Knowhere all over again. Gamora's beautiful face, expression torn between sorrow and resignation, asking him to keep his promise. His weapon doesn't malfunction in the dream, the blaster bolt doesn't turn into bubbles by Thanos' hand, and Peter wakes up screaming.

Those bad dreams are ignored now, his focus on the way Gamora fits against him, like two puzzle pieces broke in ways that match each other. He tilts his head down to rest it on hers and something in his chest eases at the familiarity of it all. ]

I will get better from now on, I promise. I mean, we reached rock bottom, now the only way is up, right? We can do this, together.