Chapter 1: Regrowth
Rocket grimaced as he walked into the little shop. Gardening supplies and packets of seeds lined the walls. He could tell he stuck out like a sore thumb, which he hated. Modified raccoons armed to the teeth were obviously a rare sight here. Everyone in the store looked worried. To have a Guardian of the Galaxy in the store would usually put people at ease, but this particular Guardian wasn't known for his level-headedness and restraint, no matter his motives, at any given time. He gathered a small flowerpot and packages of soil and fertilizer and, in a move that felt alien to him, paid for it all. As he boarded the Milano, now home to all five Guardians, he prayed to a God he had rarely ever considered that no one would notice his purchases. Rocket had certainly done stranger things, but this felt all wrong to him. Caring for Groot when he was so unlikely to grow back made him feel terribly odd.
He had avoided everyone until he reached the workshop. He had just laid out in front of him the pot, the soil, the fertilizer, and what little of Groot hadn't been scorched. He was trying to force his claw through the soil's tough wrapper when there was a sudden, "What'cha doin'?" Rocket screamed, jerked around to hiss at Peter, and finally tore a huge gash in the bag of topsoil. Slapping his knees in frustration he snarled, "What the frick are you doing here, Quill?"
"Cleaning my guns. That alien slime sure is a— wait, what's all this?"
Quill had noticed Rocket's embarrassing project.
Rocket snarled, but it was an empty, sad sound. "Some junk I got legally for Groot…"
Peter smiled non-judgmentally. Then, in a voice that was too sincere for Star Lord, he reassured him, "That's very nice of you. They say Flora Colossi can grow back if you care for 'em properly." Rocket nodded sullenly.
"Yeah… whatever…" Rocket grabbed a fistful of the soil and dropped it into the pot. Bravely, Quill did the same. Rocket looked at him quizzically, and dumped in another scoop. Together, they filled the pot halfway. Then, Peter picked up the fertilizer. "My mom taught me how to do this back on Earth." Rocket nodded almost imperceptibly as Peter stirred in the powder with his finger. "Used to do it all the time. Want to do the most important part?"
Rocket mumbled, "Y-yeah…" and picked up the twig that held the last existing Flora Colossus root. He set the wispier end with the root fibers into the hole that Quill's finger had left. Then, together, Rocket and Peter poured in more soil and patted it down. Then, taking out a canteen, Peter poured in some water. He had expected Rocket to walk away after that, as the raccoon had looked terribly awkward through the entire experience. However, he stayed in the exact same spot, looking at Groot pleadingly.
"These things take time," Peter cautioned. "It could take weeks for him to speak again." He was careful not to mention that with the amount of trauma Groot had sustained, his chances of survival were very low.
Rocket sighed, placing his head in his paws. "Face it, Star-Fizzle," he spat. "How could he have survived that?"
Peter laid a hand on Rocket's shoulder tentatively, and Rocket oddly didn't resist. "Groot would never give up on us. We need to make sure we never give up on him."
Everything had changed after that fateful day fighting Ronan. Everyone realized for the first time how much they missed the amiable rumbles of "I am Groot" echoing through the Milano. Due to their rough lives, none of them were used to caring for others, but Groot had already become family. The ship had been moored in the same place for a week, and life onboard was anything but normal. There was rarely music from Peter; none of his joyful, carefree songs seemed appropriate to him. Rocket and Drax had taken to listening to the Walkman while tinkering and sharpening knives, but it was more for Groot, whose little cup of dirt was now set up in the workshop. Peter had explained how Earth's scientists believed music aided plants' growth, and since then they had kept it spinning day in and day out. The music had annoyed them when they had first heard it before the Battle. Now it seemed as if that fuzzy-sounding tape would never get old.
One Week Later
Exhausted but unable to sleep, Rocket turned over in his bunk perpetually. "Why!" he rasped, sniffling sadly. He hoped the others wouldn't hear him through the walls. "It's been four days!" The lack of his oldest friend's presence in the two-bunk room had never become natural. Suddenly, a knock at the door multiplied his problems. He did not want to explain the tears in his eyes right now to anyone.
"Rocket!" Peter whispered.
"Not interested, Star-Dork."
"It's Groot," Peter whispered. "Come take a look!"
Rocket threw open the door and padded to the workshop as quickly as possible, with Peter sneaking behind.
"Is he… up yet?" Rocket asked frantically.
Peter smiled and whispered, "Have a look."
Rocket peered over the edge of the table to see Groot blinking his little eyes and stretching his tiny arms, having been awakened by Rocket's frantic entrance. "Uhh… Groot? Buddy?" Rocket whispered hopefully.
"He hasn't talked to me, but I caught him dancing to I Want You Back in the mirror when he thought I wasn't looking," Peter snickered. Rocket slapped Peter's face. "Shut it! I heard something."
They both turned their eyes to Groot. A collective sound, part sigh of relief and whoop of joy, escaped both of them when they heard a tiny exclamation of "Grooooo!"
A/N: Again, give me your words, wise ones. First time writing for Marvel! Part 2 of 2 is written and coming soon!