Across The Stars: Rocket's Human Heart - A Rocket Raccoon x Male OC Fanfiction

Chapter Two: Beyond The Stars

As Rocket uttered the word "Xandar," Ethan's expression shifted, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief crossing his features.

"Xandar?" Ethan repeated, his voice tinged with soft wonder. He took a moment, gandering up at the sky and the surroundings of the grotesque looking ally way. It hadn't entirely sunk in, but the surroundings and architecture of some of the buildings, what buildings he could see anyway, were far beyond anything on Earth. Tho similar, it was evident he was somewhere way more dystopian than his home planet, Earth. "Okay, so I'm not on Earth then?" Ethan said, a hint of worry in his voice.

Rocket's face contorted ever so slightly, a hint of his snarky humor surfacing despite the seriousness of their situation. He couldn't help but retain that edge—it was a part of who he was now, even after all he had been through since facing his creator. Maybe that was a bit dark, even for Rocket, but it was part of his charm and humor, something Ethan would either learn to deal with or not. As they took a moment, Rocket couldn't help but observe the human. His slender body, his facial features, and clothes. More street wear-looking, but it was evident to Rocket that Ethan must've been kidnapped after leaving someplace important. Work perhaps?

Ethan cocked a brow, still leaning against the rough brick wall as he struggled to catch his breath. "What?" he asked breathlessly, his confusion evident. "You keep staring at me, what is so funny?"

"You!" Rocket burst out, a chuckle escaping him. "I mean, look, I'm sorry," He waved his paws around expressively. "But your little Wizard of Oz reference back there when we were running? Yeah, this isn't Kansas, Dorothy." The Procyon snorted.

The raccoon's words held a touch of familiarity with Earth culture, something Ethan found both surprising and oddly comforting in this alien world. Rocket's knowledge of films like The Wizard of Oz stemmed from his time with Peter Quill, an as of now 'former member' of The Guardians of the Galaxy.

Ethan's face remained a picture of confusion, his mind still reeling from the whirlwind of events. Xandar, talking raccoons, references to Earth films—it was all too much to process. Yet amidst the chaos, Rocket's irreverent humor offered a strange sense of reassurance, a reminder that even in the farthest reaches of the universe, some things transcended species and planets.

"Right," Ethan managed with a nervous chuckle, trying to wrap his head around the absurdity of it all. "Definitely not Kansas."

Rocket smirked knowingly, a glint of mischief in his amber eyes. "Trust me, kid," he said, his tone turning more serious. "You're in for one hell of a ride."

As the pair stood there in the dimly lit ally way, Rocket walked past Ethan. He watched as Rocket rummaged through a few piles of garbage, lifting one of the bags to find a wooden stool. He lifted it up, placing it down as he took a seat. "So do you know why those assholes kidnapped you, or have you even gotten that far into figuring out why?" Rocket asked, wiping a few beads of sweat off his forehead and muzzle.

Ethan leaned against the alley wall, still processing the surreal turn his life had taken. "No, I... I have no idea," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "I mean, I was just heading home from work, and then suddenly I'm tied up in some bar, being interrogated about some celestial orb I've never even heard of." He paused for a brief moment. "Let alone seen?"

Rocket nodded knowingly, his eyes scanning their surroundings with a practiced vigilance. "Sounds like someone mistook you for someone else," he mused, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "The Ravengers aren't known for their subtlety or accuracy."

Ethan frowned, his mind racing with unanswered questions. "But why me?" he wondered aloud, more to himself than to Rocket.

Rocket shrugged, his expression grim. "Could be a case of mistaken identity, or maybe they thought you knew something you don't," he suggested, his tone serious despite his casual posture on the stool.