Rocket x Reader- Guardians of the Galaxy

A Medical Experience

Once we were all settled with the Ravagers on their ship, the crew began to investigate the damage I sustained from the run-in with Ronan. Not to mention the previous injuries from the Kyln. Since there was more equipment on the larger ship, a more detailed report was available.

"Well, it looks like she's got three broken ribs, and a minor concussion along with what looks like two bullet wounds, which is the worst of it. Some stitches are needed but the rest are just bruises and scrapes." One of the Ravagers, who apparently had some medical background, went over the reports with the crew while I was lying on a cot. "Well, doc, can I just forego the stitches and just wrap them up? I'll be fine, I promise." I gave him my sweetest smile but my efforts were all for naught. "No. You need it so you're getting it." Rocket said while crossing his arms. He gave me a look that dared me to challenge him. So I did. "Look, I really don't like needles and things. I'll honestly be fine with some bandages-"

"I don't like doctors either, but I also don't like my friends being hurt. So deal with it."

"I'll kick. And scream."

"I've got handcuffs."

My mouth formed into a tight line then a frown. "Fine..."

I should have been comforted by having my friends around but that didn't seem to help much. I tried to slug the poor sap which resulted in Drax and Quill holing me down while I had my stitches put in. Afterwards, Groot handed me a bouquet of different flowers and I gave him a warm smile in return.

"You're almost as bad as me." Rocket commented after everyone else went about their business.

"Yeah, well, anything medical freaks me out. I know enough about anatomy to take care of myself but when it comes to..." I trailed off as my mind wandered back to ghosts of the past.

"Hey, it's okay. I just worry about you. We all do. You're a part of our family and we do whatever it takes to make sure everyone's okay."

For once, Rocket didn't use a swear word in his sentence and the sincerity in his voice spoke volumes. Then he opened his mouth again and ruined the moment. "Just don't do anything stupid and rip those stitches open."

"Gee, just when I thought we were having a special moment here." I muttered to myself, but he heard it and I saw a small grin on his face. 

"Yeah whatever, asshole." He turned to go but stopped halfway. "You know I was just kidding, right? We all know who the asshole is here."

"Yeah, I know you were. And you're not an asshole." I tried to sound convincing. He gave me a shocked expression. "I wasn't talking about me! I was talking about Quill!" He paused for a moment. "You think I'm an asshole?!"

I laughed a bit, ignoring the pain in my ribs. "We're all assholes because that's just what we do." I gave him a wide grin. He nodded. "Good point. Anyway, you should rest. I'll come get you when we're having our meeting."

Rocket padded away, leaving me in a somewhat awkward silence...with myself. I ran my fingers over one of the stitches on my arm and then another on my leg. My past came rushing back like a tidal wave and images flooded my mind. Memories from when I was on Earth. I hadn't forgotten about what happened but I didn't let it haunt me all the time like I used to.

Back on Earth I would get myself into trouble constantly. From bar fights to gambling among other hobbies, I made a lot of enemies and more often than not, wound up in a cell behind bars. One day some guys in fancy suits, who were escorted by prison guards, appeared in front of my cell. Apparently, I was sold to these people to be used for various experiments that would "help make advances in medicine."

I was angry that the prison arranged such a ridiculous setup. I guess they were tired of dealing with me so they just decided to go through with this. I was taken out of the building and shoved into a black SUV. I had no idea where we were headed and I couldn't get any information from anybody. There were four guys total and someone had superglued their mouths shut. The car ride had felt like an eternity while sitting in silence and I could feel my anxiety begin to rise.

When we had finally arrived at our destination, I was about to come unglued. I lost it when I was violently yanked from the vehicle and decided to try and punch the enormous dude. That was my first mistake. He easily grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. "Try anything again," He hissed in my ear, "And it'll be the last thing you do." With that, I was marched straight into what would become my new home for four years.

Those four years were a living hell. Their "health related experiments" were a bunch of bullshit, a nice cover-up for what was really going down in that damned government facility. The experiments that were conducted ranged from creating human-animal hybrids to cloning, to various serums. I was one of the lucky ones to get injected with the serums and also had my brain tinkered with.

When I say I trained in martial arts, I did. Except I didn't learn them like most people do with years of training. These fools decided it was a great idea to somehow hardwire them into my brain so I would become an instant weapon. It was extremely painful. Then the doctors injected me with serum that would greatly enhance my reflexes and healing. However, the healing factor serum didn't have long term effects. Within a year of my escape, injuries took longer to heal and eventually the serum was no longer in my system. I still have great reflexes so at least they got something right. I also bounced around a lot and I participated in underground fighting. So I wasn't completely lying when I said that's how I made a living.

After that whole medical experience, I came to dislike doctors, hospitals, needles, etc. I prefer to take care of my own injuries since I know basic things about anatomy and medicine.

I was startled out of my reverie when I felt Rocket's hand rest on my shoulder. "You okay? I called your name and you didn't even look up."

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking." I assured him.

"Okay. Just letting ya know we're starting that meeting now. Come on."

I slowly eased myself off the bed and followed behind Rocket.