Rocket x Reader PART 2

Fooling Around

I am so behind! Work has been crazy and I fell behind after my trip. Hoping to crank out a few more chapters and post them today. 

After the little episode in the bathroom, I got cleaned up as best as I could and changed (which took a while) before heading to the common room. Quill had Come and Get Your Love blasting over the speakers as he danced his way about the Milano while setting up foods, drinks, and some decorations. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and Quill deemed it was a time for celebration of recent success and our newfound friendship.

Once Quill finished setting up, he set out enough beers for everyone and we all grabbed one, except for Groot who had just sprouted the cutest little arms. Quill held up his glass high to make a toast. "Here's to the biggest group of assholes in the galaxy. I'm so happy to have you as friends!" Our glasses clinked together and we all took a swig. We all went around and said our own toasts to the group and before I knew it, it was my turn. "You guys are like family and I'm so grateful to be a part of the team."

"CHEERS!" We all clinked our glasses together one last time and downed the rest of our drinks. After that we ate some snacks, had a small food fight, drank some more, and had the most epic dance party with Quill being our main source of entertainment.

"Does everybody on Earth dance like Peter?" Gamora turned to me, her long hair swinging over her shoulder.

"No, not really. I certainly can't dance like that." I gestured to Star-Lord bustin' a move to Hooked on a Feeling.

"So he's exceptional?" She asked. I shrugged. "I guess you could say that."

Our celebration and shenanigans lasted for hours. After a lot of beers and two more pain pills later, I was exhausted. I could tell the others were winding down, too. It was our first night after the battle with Ronan and despite our gusto earlier, we were all running out of steam. Quill had started playing slower songs after we somewhat cleaned up our mess. Drax and little Groot had already fallen asleep, Quill and Gamora were chatting quietly, and Rocket was tinkering with some pieces of metal. I got up, stretched, and waved at the crew. "Good night, guys. I'm exhausted."

"Night, (Y/N)! Get some sleep!" Quill all but shouted. I smiled and ventured over to my room, immediately flopping face-first onto my bed. What a day! I thought to myself as my mind processed all the events of the past 24 hours. My thoughts lingered on some more than others. Like when Rocket hugged me before taking off and then our stolen moment in the bathroom. What's going on? I asked.

Ironically, I'm Not in Love by 10cc wafted softly drifted from the ship's speakers. I groaned and pressed my face further into my pillow. "Get a grip, (Y/N)!"

"Who are you talking to?"

Startled, I clutched my favorite ultra-soft blanket to myself as I sat up. "Oh, it's just you."

Rocket seemed offended. "Just me? I thought I was pretty important."

I giggled, and I never giggle. I'm blaming it on the drinks and the meds. "I didn't mean it like that. I was just startled, was all."

He propped himself against the door frame, crossing one foot over the other. Just staring at me.

"You can come in ya know." I said and patted the bed beside me, indicating he could sit. His eyes slightly widened. "After what happened today, you really think that's a good idea?" He questioned.

I mulled this over a bit. "Yeah, I don't see a problem with it. We're still friends, right? I hope that kiss didn't change things between us. I don't want to lose my new best friend."

"You think nothing changed between us after that kiss, sweetheart?" Rocket stepped through the door and closed it before padding over to the bed. "It's all I've been able to think about." He stopped mere inches from me. A moment of silence before, "Aw, crap. Y'know that thing I was gonna tell ya earlier?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah. I was dying to know what it was!" His gaze shifted away from me to the floor as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I was gonna tell ya that I...I like ya more than a friend." His eyes connected with mine again and I could see his sincerity. I also saw other emotions- pain, desperation, hope.

What does this mean? I thought he was just messing around and that things just sort of happened and-

"Hello? Anybody home?" He waved a paw in front of my face and I had to blink several times to refocus. "There ya are. So...what are your thoughts in that pretty little head of yours?"

"My thoughts are scrambled, that's what they are." This earned a laugh from him. "But in all seriousness, I guess I like you as more than a friend, too..?" I cocked my head to the side and looked at him. His shoulders relaxed and he let out a breath I didn't know he was holding before he reached out his arms and wrapped them around me in a hug.

"That is such a relief. I didn't think that you'd...y'know, return the feelings. Especially since I'm a raboon or whatever and you're a humie-"

"Rocket, I don't care what you are. I see you as much of a person as anyone else. And from what I've experienced and stories I've heard, there are much stranger things in the galaxy."

He pulled away from me and I saw the mischievous glint return to his brown eyes. Uh-oh... I thought.

"Sooo, since I won our little bet you have to do whatever I say." He grinned devilishly at me and I clutched the blanket tighter to my chest. "Yeaah, that was the deal." I knew I had to tread carefully. "What is it you want?" I narrowed my eyes.

He rubbed his chin as if in thought and gazed up at the ceiling. "Ohh, I dunno..." His eyes snapped back to mine. "How about letting me help you out of your clothes?"

Great, I felt the blush all the way down to my little painted toes. "You what?!"

"You heard me." He answered with a grin.

"You do realize I'm injured, right?" I pointed out, hoping that he'd take the hint that I can't do much.

"Yeah, I do know that, Captain Obvious. That's why I'm offering to help. It only took you about a freaking hour to get changed earlier." He stated. My mouth gaped open. "Nuh-uh! I was also trying to wash up."

"Yeah, whatever. Come 'ere." Rocket held out a paw and motioned for me to stand up. Reluctantly, I slid one foot out from the covers and then the other until I stood in front of him. I had nothing extravagant on, just a pair of sweatpants and a baggy shirt. But my lingerie was a different story. Rocket helped lift my shirt over my head and his eyes went immediately to the black and red lace that stood out against my skin. His fur tickled as he ran his arms down my shoulders before moving to my sweatpants. Those came off, too, and I stood in front of Rocket feeling slightly embarrassed.

He picked up on my insecurity and took my hands in his own. "Hey, you're beautiful. Stitches and all. You don't have to be embarrassed with me." He said softly. "And if anybody tells you otherwise, I'll shoot 'em." I laughed at his sudden protectiveness. "Come on, let's go to bed. It's late." Rocket tugged on my hand and we crawled onto the bed. I pulled my favorite blanket up around me as Rocket pulled me closer to him. I rested my head on his chest as he drew patterns on my back. It felt good to admit my feelings for him and I sighed contentedly.

Rocket started humming a low tune and I felt the vibrations through his chest. I wrapped an arm around him and buried my face in his fur, enjoying our time together. Turns out fooling around can lead you to falling in love.