So Much Stardust ❘ Rocket Raccoon

[22]

Chapter Twenty-Two

Baby, could you play along with me
Baby, would that be alright with you
And when we find out what's wrong with me
Could you tell me how I'm right for you
Baby, could you play along with me
Baby, would that be alright with you
And when we find out what's wrong with me
Could you tell me how could you tell me how
And if I'm still pretty
Will Wood; ...well, better than the alternative

"Lynx Major"

When she awoke Beth felt a moment of panic. She wasn't in her bed or temporary bunk. The last thing she remembered was sitting in the window with-

She looked over to her right, Rocket was breathing softly asleep in bed next to her.

Beth looked down at herself, she was still wearing her nightshirt.

The badger surveyed the room, his room.

It was tidy. A large workbench took up the entire wall across from the bed. The only part of the wall not covered with a metal drawer or tool hung upon it was the small window to the galaxy beyond.

Pieces of unfinished projects sat atop the workbench.

Unlike Beth, Rocket was not a sound sleeper.

He stirred and watched Beth quietly uncover herself. Before she could fully get out of his bed he gently grabbed the back of her arm.

Beth turned and softly pressed her mouth to his.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I know we were up late," she apologized as she broke the kiss.

She smiled her tone was still soft and added, "You should try going back to sleep."

Rocket yawned, "It's alright Sweetheart. I shouldn't sleep the day away anyway."

He eyed her. Beth's fur was sticking out on the right side of her head. Sleep still lingered on her cute little face.

"-How'd I end up here?" She stretched her arms overhead and groaned.

The raccoon sat up, "Big surprise, you fell asleep,"

He half smiled at her still amazed at her ability to sleep almost anywhere.

"I couldn't very well leave you to get caught redhanded, you dirty little peanut butter thief." He continued.

She grinned.

"-And you're not exactly the easiest badger to carry so getting you back up in that bunk was out of the question," Rocket smirked.

Her grin quickly changed to a frown.

Beth grabbed one of the pillows and hit him with it.

"-Hey!"

Minus the pillow to the face Rocket didn't mind waking up next to her.

"Oh it's mission day, you know what that means!" Beth was excited.

Before Rocket could answer Beth cheered, "Gamora is making pancakes!"

~*~

The Guardians of the Galaxy exited their ship and stepped onto the rickety old dock.

It was midday and the two suns of the system showed bright overhead. Dock workers of all colors and alien types loaded and unloaded cargo. Some worked on ship repairs.

A sentimental smile formed on the badger's face.

"How are we going find our target?" Mantis asked curiously.