Guardians of the Galaxy One-shots and Preferences

Brush and Touch- Rocket Raccoon

A request from JuJu_the_bear.

The reader is fixated on Rocket's tail, which he lets her pet and brush, and even though he acts like he doesn't like it all that much he does like it deep down.
Some fluff.

Also, I've noticed most of my requests for this book are mostly for Rocket. Didn't realize he was so popular. Of course being voiced by Bradley Cooper, I can see why.

It was there again. Long and bushy, you stared at Rocket's tail as it subconsciously swayed back and forth in a way that you found completely mesmerizing.

Rocket, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to your intense gaze as he was preoccupied in tinkering with some random piece of equipment that he probably tore off the ship when Peter wasn't looking. He was most likely trying to fashion it into some kind of weapon or bomb. Rocket loves to make bombs and/or weapons that are capable of blowing up ships.

You were fixated on the tail, tempted to touch it, but you had a feeling that Rocket wouldn't exactly appreciated it. Actually you're not entirely sure he likes being touched in general. You remembered when Mantis tried to pet him, thinking he was a puppy dog, and he did try to bite her like he was possessed with rabies. Of course there was that time Drax was able to pat him on the head, but was grieving at the time when he thought he lost Groot, so he might of just wanted some comfort.
Speaking of that talking tree, Groot was probably the only one who can get close enough to touch Rocket without him making a fuss or threatening to break skin with his pointy teeth.

It was in this moment of contemplation that Rocket looks up from his tinkering and notices you staring. "Uh, there something you want to talk to me about, (y/n)?" he frowns. You didn't hear him though since you were still distracted. "Uh, hello," he waves in front of you, "(y/n)? Are the lights on up there? Seriously what's with the creepy stares?" You were finally brought out of your trance at the sound of Rocket's voice and quickly shake your head. "Huh? What? Oh, sorry, Rocket." "Hey, you want to talk, let's talk," Rocket cuts to the point.

"Oh well, I wasn't looking to talk specifically for anything," you try to explain, trying your best not make this sound weird or creepy, "I've noticed your tail's been looking a little knotty lately- err, I mean I may have spotted a few knots, or matted spots in it recently." "Huh," Rocket answers, "Actually now that you mention it, I have been noticing too. What can I say, it's a bitch to clean, and even being flexible as I am, there's some spots I still can't reach." "Maybe you could ask someone to help you with brushing out those spots?" you suggest. "Yeah, you're right," Rocket agrees, "I wonder where Groot is right now, I'm sure the big lug could put those branches to good use with that." "Uh, actually Rocket," you confess, "I'd be more than happy to brush the tail for you if you want." "Oh, you?" he realizes. "Is that okay?" you ask. "...Yeah sure whatever," Rocket shrugs. "Really?" you says surprised. "Hey, if it'll save time finding an actual willing volunteer then sure why not?" Rocket casually answers, sitting down so you could get started, "You wanna get to it so we can get this over with?" he asks all hastily

Not going to figure him out any further you break out the hair brush and start brushing away.
And don't get used to it, (y/n), this is not going to become a regular thing," he informs you.

Actually, from here on out this became a regular occurrence, especially after jobs and missions where Rocket comes back with more mats on his tail then he could count. At these times he would remember what a good job you did before so he would "reluctantly" seek you out and ask for a hand in brushing out the mats, to which you happily oblige. When the regular hairbrush didn't cut it, you would resort to more specific tools that were designed for brushing out mats and knots. The whole time though, much to your surprise, Rocket never seemed to complain during the process. Sure, he made the occasional "ouch" or "hey watch it" whenever you caught a snag, but he never proceeded to groan or gripe about it later. It was kinda funny cause before the brushing out, he always acted like it wasn't something to look forward to, even if it did result in a smoother, bushier tail in the process.

It still surprised you that Rocket even gave you permission to brush, let alone, touch his tail in the first place. Again, he never seemed like someone who liked being touched. But you weren't one to complain about that. After all, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

One day you felt a bit bolder and wanted to try something out. You hadn't asked Rocket yet because you weren't sure if he would go for it. You would make it a surprise.

"What the hell is taking so long, come on, (y/n/n) I do have other things to do right now," Rocket gripes as you place in the last bit of your surprise in his tail after getting the mats out. "Hang on, Rocky," you assure, "Just smoothing it out a bit extra this time just for you. And..." you clip in the last bow, "Perfect." "Well it's about time," Rocket exasperates, "Look, (y/n), I don't mind the extra effort and all, but it wouldn't kill ya to rush production every once in awhile." "You're welcome," you answer back, "and if you don't the time it takes, good luck finding someone else on board this ship that'll make your tail extra bushy the way it's supposed to be." "Whatever," Rocket scoffs, taking his leave, still oblivious to the little extra accessories you added.

Rocket wandered around the ship to see if anything needed fixing recently. The other Guardians on board noticed his tail and couldn't help but snicker. Rocket's ears perked up at the hidden snickers and turns to see Peter and Drax trying to contain themselves. "Is there a joke somewhere that I missed?" the genetically modified raccoon demands. "No, not at all," Peter says through fits of laughter, "Unless you would consider yourself the punchline, Rockette." "Oh, I get it," Drax realizes, "You're referring to Rocket as Rockette because the bows on his tail make him look like a female." "What bows?" Rocket frowns. "I am Groot," Groot causally points. Rocket manages to turns himself around enough to spot the different colored bows attached to his tails.

"WHAT THE HELL?!!"

Seeing that the ship was small compared to most, that familiar voice could be heard all throughout so that you heard. It was clear he saw the bows you clipped in his tail and he probably didn't like it. "(Y/N)!" you hear him scream after you. Yep, that was your cue to get a serious lecture.

"Why?" he demands once he finds you. "Uh, why what?" you ask back. "Why would you do this?" he swishes his tail angrily for emphasis, "To me? To me?!" "I though they made you look cute," you answer, trying not to laugh. "Cute? Cute?!" he exclaims, "I got an image to maintain in front of the guys (y/n/n), and cute ain't part of it." "I know, I'm sorry, Rocket," you say, struggling to keep the giggle fits to yourself as you take out the bows, "It won't happen again." "It better not," he warns, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go salvage what little of my image is still intact no thanks to you."
"Does this mean I can't brush your tail out anymore?" you ask him. "What kind of question is that?" he points out, "course you are. I don't like it, but it's gotta get done."

You couldn't help but smile once he leaves. When you go through the bows you took of Rocket, you realized you were missing one.

Rocket, meanwhile sat on his bed, crossing his arms, trying to fool himself into thinking he was mad about the whole bow thing. Really deep down he wasn't. He would never admit it to anyone else on the team, but he always looked forward to you brushing his tail, touching it, and just smoothing it out with your soft, bare hands. He didn't know why, but something about the silk feel of your hands calmed him down and grounded him to a certain extent. If he could, he'd want you to do it all day, it could very well put him to sleep.

Checking to see if the coast was clear, Rocket pulled out one of the bows from his pocket that he managed to take out and hide from your sight. He places it to his nose, maybe hoping it you might have worn it before and some of your perfume was lingering. In doing so he didn't notice Groot standing by the door, staring in shock.

"I am Groot?" Rocket immediately puts the bow down to see his friend standing at the doorway. "It's not what it looks like," Rocket denies. "I am Groot," Groot smirks. "Shut up, it's not," Rocket insists, "And you better not tell anyone else about this, not even (y/n)." "I am Groot," Groot shrugs leaving Rocket to continue what he was doing.