#look............

Despite Peter’s calming aura, Groot doesn't cease crying. He merely scrubs his tiny hands across his small, wooden cheeks, sobbing a little harder. It was a pitiful attempt at consoling.

In the doorway, Gamora stands. She had decided to climb out of bed and check on the boys. She watches as the two of them scramble to make silly faces or try to talk of happy things to get him to calm down. They even try to bribe him with candy, a failed attempt. Eventually, she gets tired of hearing the crying, and the boys failing time and time again to get him to stop. She strides across the room, kneeling down to Groot’s level.

The little tree reaches his hands up towards her, and she carefully picks him up, cradling him against her. His crying still hasn't stopped, though -- it's merely muffled against her chest now.

“How do you get babies to stop crying on Terra?” she suggests to Peter, gently patting Groot’s back.

“Hmmm,” Peter yawns, scratching the back of his neck in thought.

He hasn't considered using Earth traditions for something like Groot. Odd, as he uses terran references on any given thing. His mind reels back, trying to remember things his mother would do for his crying baby cousins when they visited. The only real thing his mind can come up with is music. It's also something that's obviously been soothing to him through the years.

Peter stands, going to Gamora’s side. He wraps his arms around her waist, and starts to gently sway her and Groot. He starts singing any nursery rhyme he can recall, his voice soft and low against Gamora’s neck, close to Groot’s ears. The twig inevitably starts to calm down as he listens to Peter’s singing, the slight rocking motion also calming his nerves in Gamora’s grasp.

Gamora looks at Peter, eyes starstruck by how pretty his voice is. Sure, he's sung many times in their time together, but she's never heard his voice so calm, so caring. Drowsy, peaceful, the sleepiness in it providing just the right notes. He's also smiling as he sings, his green eyes crinkled with genuine love sparkling in them. His gaze is just as soft as his voice. Honestly, this is probably one of the most attractive sides to him.

She almost finds herself getting sleepy, too, with the way he sways them in rhythm with the quiet singing.

Groot’s crying finally falls to a quieter whimper and he yawns against his surrogate mother Gamora. His little eyes fall shut, he stretches, and sprawls more comfortably in her arms. The little guy finally falling into a restful night’s sleep.

“Finally, some damn peace and quiet,” Rocket grumbles.

“Uh -- you're welcome?” Peter returns.

Gamora hushes the both of them to keep Groot from waking up again.

She gently places him back on his pillow before returning to Peter’s welcoming arms. His arm wraps around her waist, hand resting on her hip as the three of them watch Groot sleep.

“Maybe he had a nightmare?” Peter speculates.

Rocket shrugs. “No idea, the li’l twirp wouldn't talk. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”

“He's been through so much,” Gamora chimes in. “I wouldn't doubt it.”

“Yeah, well, he has nothing to be afraid of with us by his side,” Rocket says, almost uncharacteristically sincere.

“Definitely.” Quill yawns then, slowly pulling his beautiful girlfriend with him towards the door. “Well, you're welcome for the help. Me and ‘Mora are goin’ back to bed.”

“Ugh, yeah, whatever. It was gross watching you lovebirds anyways.”

She rolls her eyes at that. What a weird way of showing it, but he's definitely grateful.

“Goodnight, Rocket.”

**********

As Peter and Gamora settle back in bed, she stops him momentarily, eying him in a way that makes him swallow thickly. She places a hand on his cheek, pulls him closer. Absently, she bites her lips a little feverishly. Her thoughts full of how great he was with little baby Groot.

“You'd make an excellent father, Peter.”

He blushes, cheeks hot at the compliment and the way she's staring at him.

“I -- um -- it's just I've never had a father, so I don't want Groot feeling that way, either. It's a shitty feeling.”

She nods, understanding the feeling. Thanos wasn't exactly dad of the year. She pulls him down for a kiss, soft and sensual, pouring her love for him in it. While their relationship has had a rough past and bumpy road, she feels real lucky to be with someone as loving and caring as Peter. Taking his top lip into her mouth, she combs through his curly hair, fingers hooking into them as she deepens the kiss.

Peter’s eyes are wide open and starstruck, amazed at having the deadliest woman in the galaxy kiss him like this. He's not sure what exactly brought this all on, but damn, it was good. Eventually, his eyes flutter shut, relishing the kiss while it's happening.

But not soon after, they break apart, quietly gasping for air. Gamora allows herself one last comb through his adorable ginger curls. He has such a goofy look on his face, and it warms her heart. She smiles softly at him, then leans onto his chest, snuggling close.

“Goodnight, Peter.”