Till the End|MCU|3

six

   I pull my legs close to my chest as I watch the sunset outside from the large floor to ceiling windows.  It's not as beautiful as the sunset in Wakanda, but it's still nice to watch.

   Everything here is completely different then Wakanda.

   To be honest, this is the longest I've ever been away from Wakanda and I'm starting to get a little homesick.  I miss the palace and the people. I miss my chambers and my collection of items.  I even miss the clothes, the clothes I've been borrowing are nothing like the ones from Wakanda.  They're heavier and uncomfortabler then what I'm used to.

   I also miss the people I know aren't there anymore, and that's what hurts the most.

   I glance over my shoulder at the curled-up form of Steven.  He fell asleep on the sofa just a couple of minutes ago.  Today was an especially fussy day for him.  I'm just happy he's asleep so I can rest.  I lean my head back on the sofa cushion, relaxing as the sun dips behind the horizon.

   "You know, I always thought you humies were ugly from start to finish."  A deep voice growls as its owner steps up beside me.  I glare up at Rocket as he watches Steven sleep.  He points a claw at him, continuing.  "But I have to admit, he's kinda cute.  You know, once you get used to him."

   I roll my eyes at the raccoon, returning my attention to the sunset.  "Rocket, I swear to the gods, if you wake him, I'm going to drop kick you so hard you're going to end up back in space."

   "Don't worry," Rocket says as he waves a hand at me, sitting down.  "I remember the importance of a full night's sleep for those things.  It wasn't long ago I had to deal with it too."

   I squint my eyes down at Rocket, pursing my lips before asking, "Rocket, you have kids?"

   Rocket shakes his head as he watches what's left of the sunset.  "No, I had Groot.  The Guardians and I kinda raised him after the first Groot was killed in the fight we had with Ronan."  His voice cracks slightly at his groups' name.

   He's so worried about his friend, he has had no contact with them since they found Thor.  From what he's told me, they're a bunch of morons but they're also his family and I can understand his worry.

   "You know, if... if you need any help... you know with the tiny humie, I can help.  If you want?"  Rocket offers as he glances up at me.

   I raise an eyebrow at his offer.  "Rocket, you are aware baby humans are completely different from baby trees, right?"

   "Yeah, but I had to deal with Quill and he's like a big baby.  How different can the two be?"

   I chuckle at his joke before nodding my head.  "Thank you, Rocket."

   "No problem, Kid."

   I glance back out the window at the dark sky.  After a while the sun finally sets, leaving the world in complete darkness.  A couple of stars can be seen twinkling in the distance.

   But the peacefulness is interrupted by a light rumble that appears as the coffee table in front of us starts to shake.

   "What the hell?" Rocket growls as we hop-up.  Steven starts to shift and whine, being startled awake by the disturbance.

   "Goddamnit."  I hiss as I lift him into my arms.  I bounce him lightly as I make my way to the window, peaking out to see what's happening outside.  There I can see a bright light fly, grabbing my attention.  "What the..."  I gasp but trail off.  I rush out of the lounge the best I could with Steven in my arms, Rocket trailing behind me.

🐺

   We step out just in time to watch with everyone else as Captain Danvers lands a ginormous spaceship she's carrying over her head down onto the lawn. 

   Any other person would be amazed at being able to watch a woman only a couple of inches taller than myself descend from the stars lifting something so large.  But I was more amazed at being able to see a spaceship.  An actual, genuine spaceship.  And just feet from where I stand.

   Awesome.

   I just wish Shuri was here with me to see it.  She would have thought it was the best thing.

   "Quill."  Rocket murmurs as he watches the ship's ramp lower.  "It's the Guardians!"

   I step up next to Agent Romanoff as we watch two figures shuffle out.  One is a blue female alien with a robot arm while the other is a familiar face.   It's Anthony Stark.  He's practically hanging off the blue cyborg alien as they stumble out.

   "Nebula?"   Rocket murmurs in confusion as we watch the figures shuffle closer.  Captain Rogers rushes forward and takes Stark into his arms.  

   But no one else comes out.

   I glance down at Rocket in realization.  This is the Guardian's ship but none of them came back.  He's all alone.  "Oh Rocket."  I murmur as I place a comforting hand on top of his head.

   But Rocket doesn't feel it.  He stumbles toward Nebula as she sits on the steps of the ramp.  

   Everyone else heads inside, rushing Stark to the infirmary.  

   I shift Steven onto my hip as I watch Rocket and Nebula sit together.  Both their heads are lowered as they slowly take each other's hand, mourning the loss of their friends.

   I turn slowly, heading in to give them a moment alone.

   Even three weeks later, we're still losing loved ones.