#Livs1.2KWritingChallenge

[firefly-in-darkness]

GOTG: Christmas Vol.1

Characters: Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot (Platonic).

Prompt: Secret Santa

Word Count: 1.6k

Warnings: Nothing really, a bit of fluffiness..

A/N: This is for @holy-captain‘s challenge for reaching a follower milestone - congratulations! It’s the first time I have written for the Guardians of the Galaxy, hope you enjoy it!

Firefly’s Library & Masterlist

The Milano had started to look festive; tinsel was draped around the spaceship’s panels, baubles were tentatively hooked over bolts and a sprig of mistletoe hung above one of the doors. 

Y/N hummed along to Step into Christmas as she decorated stockings with glitter glue until she was distracted by the scene unfolding beside her. She watched Peter approach Gamora, his cockiness oozed into the atmosphere from the way he stretched and leant against the wall, his arm braced above the assassin’s head.

Thwack! Peter held his cheek with one hand and pointed above them with the other, “It’s mistletoe, you big turd blossom!”

 After the catastrophe of mistletoe, the Guardians were given a rundown on different traditions including the nativity, advent calendars and gift giving. Rocket’s ears pricked up at the idea of gifts and Y/N suggested they all participate in Secret Santa.

“But what if I like the gift I get for someone else more than they will?” Rocket questioned.

“Well, you’re supposed to give it to your recipient. Not keep it for yourself.” Y/N smiled as his thoughts flickered across his face.

“But what if I want it more?” Rocket held out his hand as an ultimatum. 

“Then I would keep it and get them something different.” Y/N patted Rocket on the head and returned her focus back to the decorations.

Peter was not impressed about ugly christmas jumpers, the offence was evident on his face as Y/N handed him a jumper, not too dissimilar from the one he wore as a kid. 

“Ha!” Rocket barked and shook his head.

“You must be so embarrassed!” Drax pointed at Quill, his body rocked with his laughter.

Groot huffed, rolled his eyes and continued to play the gameboy without any further response.

Y/N couldn’t help the happy tears that dropped as her hand held out the hat with each of the Guardians’ names on folded paper. “Enough guys, you need to pick someone!” 

  They all separated to various parts of the spaceship, thinking about what the recipient would like from their Secret Santa. Over the course of several days, the Guardians visited various planets to make sure they were prepared for Christmas day.

Y/N had picked Gamora and immediately knew a leather cuff would be a perfect addition to her outfit. At different times, the presents were left under the decorated arm that Groot had donated. 

 *

 Today was the day that the Guardian’s of the Galaxy would receive their gifts from their Secret Santa. Y/N and Rocket ate breakfast together in their matching reindeer antler headbands and were soon joined by Gamora wearing an elf hat. Y/N flicked on the music and the Jackson 5’s I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus filled the room.

“Drax, why aren’t you ready for Secret Santa?” Y/N was puzzled, she had left a christmas themed outfit for everyone and had picked Drax to be Santa. 

Drax’s unblinkingly responded, “You said I am Santa, so if I wear it, it won’t be a secret anymore.”

Rocket put his head in his hand, “Urgh, this is like the time you thought you were invisible because you were standing still.”

“Drax, just put the hat on.” Gamora sighed and handed over the red hat with the white fluffy trim and bobble.

With one look at Y/N’s face and her crossed arms, he had learnt it was best to try and make her smile so Drax pulled it onto his head, “Ho ho ho! Is that right?”

She giggled and relaxed her arms before she called out to Groot, “Time to put the game down.”

With a huff, Groot put it away and adjusted the handmade star on his head. The unenthusiastic action did not go unmissed but Y/N chose to ignore it.

“Cmon, it's supposed to be fun and a family thing.” Y/N tried to jeer him into the festive spirit before she turned to place the presents on the table.

“I am Groot.” Mumbled the teenager.

“At least you don't have to wear these stupid antlers.” Rocket whispered to Groot.

“This hat is itchy.” Complained Drax as he pulled it around his head.

Y/N could hear the conversation behind her and tears pricked in her eyes. Before they could fall, she rushed past Peter and down into the sleeping quarters.

  “What did you do?” Peter glared and questioned the other guardians.

Rocket raised his arms in defense, “Why are you looking at me?” 

“Because upsetting Y/N is something a trash panda would do!”

Groot shrugged and continued to play his game whilst Drax ate his Zarg-nuts.

“You're all a bunch of idiots.” Gamora sighed, “Y/N wanted a special day and you've ruined it.”

Rocket scratched at the back of his neck, Drax hung his head in shame and Groot kicked at the ground. The three of them uncertain what to say or do.

  **

“Alright, Guardians, don’t forget this is for Y/N. Let’s put on our happy faces!”

Y/N could hear Quill’s pep talk and stifled a giggle behind the closed panel to the sleeping quarters, what were they up to?! She pulled the panel to see her friends dressed up in their christmas outfits holding various shaped presents.

Quill rubbed the back of his neck, “We realised you deserved better so you don’t have a Secret Santa, you have us crazy bunch of jerks.”

Y/N’s chest swelled with pride at the thought they had put into this, her smile didn’t falter as they walked to the table and chairs. “Thank you. Now let’s open these gifts!”

The Guardians took to their assigned seats with their stockings draped over the chairs and crackers set down on the table. Peter flicked on the sound system, Bruce Springsteen echoed through the speakers; You better watch out, you better not cry…

They all revealed their presents at once. Rocket was given a box of scrap metal and Groot had a new watering can. Gamora placed the cuff on her wrist with a twinkle in her eye, Drax had nearly munched his way through the pack of different flavoured Zarg-nuts as Peter placed his new troll doll at the front of the spaceship.

  Y/N looked at her gifts, Groot hadn’t wrapped his present but that did not make it any less perfect. Y/N placed the woven twigs and flowers on her head and kissed his cheek. She was uncertain which one to open next when Rocket nudged his closer and she snorted as he winked at her. The paper was ripped away to a metal box with a clasp at the front as she opened it, music filtered into the room. A soft melody played and tears welled in her eyes. She grabbed Rocket into a big hug and refused to let go as he squirmed.

“Thank you Rocket,” Y/N eventually let him go and placed a kiss to the top of his head. 

He blushed and turned to the side, “You’re welcome.”

  Gamora stood beside Y/N and handed her gift over. It was neatly wrapped and a bow had been placed at the top. She pulled at the string and unravelled the paper to reveal a jewelled dagger. Similar to Gamora’s one, yet, the red stones were dotted with Y/N’s favourite colour gems. Y/N clutched it to her chest in happiness and silently thanked Gamora with a huge smile then leant against the assassin’s hip.

Gamora stroked her hair, “You needed something more, you when we fight for the galaxy.”

  Drax walked around from the other side of his table and leant on the back of Y/N’s chair and held out the present he had wrapped with his other hand. She took it from him, it was oddly shaped and squishy. It made her hesitate to open it and she peeled away the paper slowly at first but as soon as she saw the purple of the fruit from a village they had visited recently visited, she tore the paper apart. Even though the present was the equivalent of an orange on Earth, it was the best fruit in the galaxy she had ever tried. 

Y/N squeezed Drax’s hand, “This is really thoughtful. Thank you.”

Drax grinned then patted her head as he left to go back to his seat. Quill shuffled in his seat to face Y/N and placed a surprisingly neatly wrapped present on the table in front of her.

She raised her eyebrow, “Did you wrap this?!”

He scoffed and shrugged his shoulders but did not give her an answer.

With pursed lips, Y/N loosened the taped corners to reveal a worn copy of Mary Poppins. The pages were dog-eared and stained in places, yet, the smell of the pages filled Y/N’s senses and it felt like home.

  Y/N thought of how different her life could have been if she had been brought up on Earth, not in space. Or if she didn’t spend all of her time with a bunch of criminals. Yet, here she was, with the best family she could have wished for.

  The Guardians noticed the way Y/N’s smile returned and she began to glow once more. 

She was the star of their Christmas family tree.