Rocket Raccoon sighed.
He took the Benatar, leaving the Bowie back with the others. He thought it might old sentimental value, especially since that was the ship where their adventures began. This was a shore leave, so the elegant option fit the occasion.
Flight was quick, all things considered. He met no one to stop his descent to Earth; either its guardians knew a friendly face or their defenses were woefully underprepared. Now that he knew this was his birth planet, he considered maybe taking more missions in the vicinity, but figured it that the legions of local superheroes could handle it.
Though he had reached an apex of compassion and duty, this was a matter of the heart.
Peter's coordinates lead him to a suburbia. Landing would be difficult, so he decided to land the Benatar on the widest cul-de-sac he could find. It was a tight fit that scraped the pavement, crashed a few cars and knocked out some sign posts, but nothing he couldn't fix on his way out of the ship.
***
Rocket Raccoon sighed.
Now he stood before a door. Was this it? He knocked, firmly but not too loud.
"Coming!" said a familiar voice inside.
Rocket couldn't help but smile. This was the right house. And further confirmation came when the door opened.
"Rocket!?" Peter said.
"Sup?" Rocket said, opening his arms.
The two embraced, a big awkwardly due to the size difference. Peter took care to kneel down as Rocket once voiced how being lifted was degrading, but now the raccoon wouldn't care if he took him for a spin like a doll.
"It's so good to see you!" Peter said as they disengaged, "Where are the others?"
"Just the two of us, pal!" Rocket said, "I'm on shore leave, so I thought I'd maybe crash in for a few days."
"Peter, you're you're talking to?" Jason Quill asked, before staring in bewilderment at the talking and walking carnivoran mammal.
"Oh, grandpa, this is my friend Rocket. Rocket, this is my grandpa."
"Glad to make an acquaintance" Rocket said, extending his paw.
The old man reached out nervously, and a strong hand shake ensued.
"Uh, pleasure to meet you" he said, looking at Peter and silently asking him about what the hell was going on.
"Grandpa, can he stay for a few days? I promise you he's no trouble... okay, maybe a little."
"Peter, any friend of yours is welcome" Jason said, and looked back at Rocket with reinvigorated hospitality.
***
Rocket Raccoon sighed.
It was very nice, to just stand next to Quill as they both played Super Smash Bros Ultimate. He offered to make some upgrades to the console, and Quill was rather open to the idea. Now they had a 3D hologram, allowing them to immerse themselves amidst the Nintendo characters, albeit with little sound as to not bother Jason and the housekeeper. Rocket was currently playing as Bayonetta while Quill was playing as King K. Rool. Rocket found himself in a zen state, enjoying the rapid fire attacks that came almost instinctual to him.
"I should bring one of these" Rocket said, "The kids in Knowhere really are driving everyone crazy."
"Guess I left in the nick of time, eh?" Quill answerred
Rocket punched him playfully in the arm.
"And leaving us to take care of the mess? You an absentee father or somethin'?"
"Maybe I am."
"No wonder you left a string of grilfriends behind."
As he said this, Rocket summoned an infernal demon that finished that match.
"Aw man, no fair!" Peter mock pouted, "You totally distracted me!"
"Quill, you've been distracted by her ass this whole time."
It wasn't actually true; the raccoon's sensitive nose could tell Peter had been a good boy in the horniness department. But he did pick Bayonetta to test that.
"Have not!"
"Oh no you have!" Rocket pointed at his muzzle, "I can sniff you out."
"Ew, gross."
The two of them laughed. It was good to shoot the shit, but a knot formed in Rocket's stomach nonetheless.
***
Rocket Raccoon sighed.
It was the second sunset by the Quill residence, and though the trees obstructed the daystar the orange light still flooded the backyard, the trees' shadows forming intricate patterns with the light beams. It wasn't as spectacular as some of the vistas in outer space or in various planets, but Rocket was fine with that. This was meant to be relaxing.
Footsteps followed, and Peter sat beside him.
"Not a lot to see, uh?"
"Depends" Rocket said cryptically, looking at Quill.
"What?" Peter asked?
Rocket sighed, and looked aside.
"With that whole learning to swim thing, you really took that to heart, didn't ya?" Rocket asked.
It was Peter's turn to sigh.
"Yeah, having flings just wasn't healthy for me. Even after the whole Gamora thing, I have all the love I need from family" Peter said the last word somewhat sarcastically.
Rocket chuckled, and a knot formed on his insides.
"Have you considered dating again, though?"
"Maybe" Peter said, "Kinda of awkward to get back in the game right not though."
"Maybe, maybe you'll open your horizons?" Rocket asked, his heart beating faster.
"Like what?"
"I don't know, men?"
An awkward silence fell.
"Maybe you mean a raccoon?" Peter asked.
The two looked into each other's eyes. There was no doubt. Even being different species, even being a gender Quill didn't explore much with, the years and days together caught up to them.
And they kissed. It was a soft meeting of lips, that lasted for a few seconds that felt like decades.
"Uh, your nose is wet" Peter giggled.
"Is that a problem" Rocket asked, semi-seriously.
"Not at all."
Another kiss ensued, this time more passionate. The different jaw structures made it awkward, but in the end both fit together as one.
"What now?" Peter asked.
"Well, you have a ship, I have a ship, we'll meet when we can" Rocket said.
And that was all it took for them to rest in each other's arms, watching the fading light.
