Rocket is aware of very few things come the morning of Christmas Day. One, his head is pounding. Two, he wants to shoot himself. Three, he has no gun to shoot himself. Four, he has no holster for said gun on account of him being naked in a bed he does not recognize by smell… So that makes six things total.
Slowly he opens his eyes, the flask that put him in this position the first thing he sees. From how it's on its side without a cap he can tell right away that it's empty. Looking around some he spots Gamora's spare boots in a corner… and her weapons crate… This is Gamora's room. He's in Gamora's room, asleep in her bed, with a hangover… There can only be one logical explanation.
He had drunken sex with Gamora.
He groans and rubs his head, sitting up. "Fuck…"
This is going to beyond awkward from now on. Was he any good? Does she remember any of it? With the flask empty as it is he can safely assume she drank it too. Where's he supposed to go from here?
A question he needs to figure out on the fly because she's just walked in with a glass of water, and some pills. Sitting on the bed she offers the headache medicine to him. "Here, it should help."
He clears his throat. "So… um… how was I last night?" He takes the medicine and swallows it.
She thinks obliviously to herself, and shrugs. "I have no complaints, though I feel I should make sure you make proper use of the shower… And thoroughly clean the bedsheets." Standing she goes to the side of the room where her small compartment for a shower is hidden behind a door.
He blinks. She's… not mad?
Indeed she isn't, if anything she seems to be treating it all in casual stride. Looking over her shoulder she beckons to him to come over.
He hesitantly follows her. She guides him into the shower, facing away from her as she takes off her top to show a simple black bra. As she turns on the faucet of the cleansing solution she makes note of the cybernetics visible through the skin, and fur of his back. The back of her mind goes to that one night in the bar, where she realized she had more in common with her team than she thought at the time.
"He thinks I'm just some stupid thing he does," Rocket shouts. "Well I didn't ask to get made! I didn't ask to be torn apart, and put back together over and over again! Turned into some… Some little monster!"
"Rocket," Quill tries to soothe. "No one is calling you a monster."
Rocket points to Draxx, "He called me Vermin!" Then he points to Gamora, "She called me Rodent!"
In the present day Gamora feels a pang of guilt over that, it's one of the reasons she's tried her best to be little nicer to her teammates, and play mother hen. Much like she does now as she scrubs the top of Rocket's head, and behind his ears with her fingertips.
He closes his eyes, and starts to purr. Might as well enjoy this, right?
Ever so gently her fingers scratch down his cheeks, and neck to his shoulders. She's careful around the exposed cybernetics, and then reaches around to scrub his chest. "When was the last time you had a proper bath?"
"I don't remember, honestly…"
"Unbelievable," she mutters as she scrubs down his arms. But as she adjusts herself from a crouch to a kneeling position she loses her balance, faceplanting into his back, and sending them both sprawling under the orange fluids in the tight shower space.
He yelps, scrambling to get his head up out of the water. Gamora sputters, and pushes herself upright with an exasperated sigh. The fluids spraying the back of her shoulders are making her bra cling to her bust. "Fantastic…"
"How about you just get naked and join me?" He suggests. "It's not like I haven't seen it all before, right?"
She narrows her eyes at him, and ponders on that statement. There had been that one time the door to her quarters hadn't worked properly, and most the team had almost walked in on her. Luckily Groot had made a wooden door for her for a little while. So she has to admit Rocket's point, and stands, starting to strip down. "Just don't speak of this later please," she says as she tosses her jacket, and pants into her dirty laundry, reaching down to start taking off her underwear.
He perks, watching her strip. "Sure!"
She thinks to herself that he doesn't have to sound so excited, and then steps in, closing the door to the shower. Given their difference in species she's not too concerned with him seeing her like this. So she kneels beside him, washing his stomach, and lower back before getting to work on his tail.
He purrs, eyeing her breasts and vagina unobstructed. "You have a nice body…"
She raises an eyebrow at him, "Thank you." She moves her hands to start working the dirt, and dried oil out of his fur on his thighs… All the while trying to ignore when her fingers brush his junk, which is admittedly a bit larger than she would have thought. No wonder Rocket talks to folks like he's packing a pair of brass ones down here.
He watches her, smiling as she takes glances at his impressive length. "Gonna wash that?"
"If you can't care for it yourself you shouldn't use it," she replies, and then stands so the Orange solution can rinse him down.
He grumps and strokes it to wash it off. She pointedly ignores him by this point though, washing her own hair, and turning away when she has some of her delicates to wash. He watches her with a smile though, his short stature aiding in a great, unobstructed view of her vagina. That being said no matter which way she turns, even facing away from him Rocket can see when she runs her fingers over, and inside to wash. It's only brief though, and perhaps all too soon she turns the faucet off, their bodies absorbing the vitamin rich cleansing liquids.
Stepping out Gamora runs her fingers through her quickly drying hair, "No one is yet in the ship, you should be able to make it to your room for a change of clothes." She opens her crate to put on a fresh set herself.
He nods, watching her dress. After she puts on a fresh bra she pauses as she pulls on her panties, turning her head to him when she doesn't hear him leaving. She lowers her eyebrows, and frowns softly. "Is there something else you needed Rocket? We have a job to do."
"Hm? Oh, right." He turns and hurries out to get dressed.
Part of him can't believe that just happened to him, willing to be that's more of Gamora than any of the team would ever see. Even Starmunch Quill… Which reminds him of the argument Gamora had with him that he had overheard. Namely the part where she said she could get with any guy she wanted, and yet she doesn't want word of what they did getting around. Maybe there's some part to this he's not getting, but either way he oughta find out one way or another.
...
Inside the apartment of a decently kept room, pictures of a man on a football team, in military settings with an Air Force uniform, and as an astronaut in space tells us what we need to know about the slumbering male before us.
His cell phone rings, and he groans and lazily swats at it before picking it up and answering it. "If your name isn't Richard Reeds, hang up now." He rolls over, closing his eyes again.
"...Reed Richards, buddy. You up?" Reed questions through the phone.
"Does it sound like I'm snorin'?" The man slowly sits up, yawning. "What do you want, Reed?"
"You know that promise we made? Where you'll pilot my starship when it was ready to go?"
There's a silence as the man sleepily processes this. "You finished your ship that can take people to another galaxy and back?"
"I did. So it's time to fulfill that promise." Reed says cheerfully. "C'mon Ben, you promised!"
Ben groans and rubs his eyes. "Yeah, I know… I wouldn't break that promise for you… what's the crew that's coming with us? Radiologists? Camera crew?" The silence he receives warns him that something's up. "Reed… what happened?"
"...My funding got cut." Reed sighs. "But I'm confident that the ship is ready. So we're gonna prove it!"
"Reed… there's probably a good reason they told you to shut it down. C'mon man, it can be a side project a bit longer while you create teleportation or whatever."
"That was a phase, and you know it Ben." Reed sounds annoyed. "This is what my life has lead up to, and it's within my grasp! If we pass up this opportunity-"
"Alright, alright… I'm coming. Where are we flying this thing, and where are the space suits?" Ben stands, giving in.
Reed perks immediately. "I made special suits just for us."
"They'd better fit better than those annoying green jumpsuits we've worn for years…" Ben grumps. "Give me the location, and I'll be there as soon as I can. You should probably call Sue and tell her what's going on. You know just in case you're wrong and we get stranded in space."
There's a pause. "Oh God, Sue… See you when you get here Ben, bye!" Reed hangs up quickly.
Ben sighs amusedly and goes to start the day, grabbing his favorite Air Force issued leather jacket, his former rank and his last name, Grimm, emblazoned on it as he gets on his motorcycle, texting Reed to give him the location before going to get some breakfast.
...
Gamora walks into Avengers HQ, and smiles a bit when she sees everyone already happily about their business. Off in a corner Stark is looking the Christmas tree over in thought, glancing at Groot every so often. But her main focus is drawn to someone that wasn't there yesterday.
A woman in tight black clothing, fair skin, and flaming red hair. She sees the new woman walk over to Steve with a smile, tossing him a small, colorfully wrapped parcel. Curiously Gamora walks over to acquaint herself.
Steve notices, and turns to Gamora with a smile. "Nat, this is Gamora. Gamora, this is Natasha Romanoff."
Natasha nods, and looks her over. "...Are you by chance-?"
"Not related to The Hulk," Gamora clarifies.
Steve smiles. "She offered to have her team help us find Bruce."
Gamora nods as Natasha raises her eyebrows. "Really? Well, thank you. That's most appreciated Gamora."
Gamora nods, "It is the least we can do in return for the help of the Avengers."
Clint walks over excitedly. "Nat! Where have you been, I got Tony to get the kids their entire Christmas lists last night!"
Nataline raises an eyebrow with a slight grin, "You make it sound like you had to twist his arm Clint."
"I mean, I can't say I didn't…" He shrugs innocently.
"Oh no, how ever will I recover from such abuse," Tony says dryly from the bar he has had set up along a wall. "...Hey Clint, did you see my Nutella? I swear I had it right here…
Quill rolls his eyes, and looks across the room to where Drax is licking one of his fingers clean, an open jar of Nutella in his free hand. Drax pauses when he realizes he's being watched, and smiles with a slow nod. "Truly this is a unique planet. Your people have learned to store joy itself in a container, and make it edible. One would never have guessed from looking at it."
"My kids personally enjoy cookie butter more." Clint comments.
Drax frowns, "Cookie butter? What is this? Does it too resemble extrement?"
"Probably? What you have is called almond butter. Cookie butter is basically a paste made out of cookies," He explains.
Drax smiles wider, "So many delicacies, so little time…" Then he continues to shovel the Nutella into his mouth with two fingers.
Gamora sighs softly, "This is going to be a long mission…"
...
Ben soon arrives at the private airport Reed had given directions to, Reed standing proudly in a blue form-fitting suit as he watches his best friend roll up.
"Reed, that doesn't look much comfier than our old Greens…" Ben turns off his bike and takes off his helmet, studying the suit critically.
"It's made out of something I call unstable molecules, it allows for extremely durable suits that adapts to anyone's personal needs." Reed smiles, walking over.
Ben sighs and flips the kickstand down, getting off his bike and embracing his friend. "How ya doin', bud?"
"I'll be outstanding once we prove my baby can fly through deep space and back." Reed says confidently, hugging Ben back.
"Yeah, about that… I'm still gonna be giving your ship a onceover."
"Right, right, trust but verify." Reed sighs before perking again. "Well then, let's get to it so we can get to space!"
Ben turns and heads for a nearby hangar. "I assume it's in there?"
"Yup!" Reed takes the lead, smiling excitedly. As they enter, his stride lessens, his smile fading. "...Sue?"
The blond woman smiles, and waves as she walks over, "Hey Richard… I heard about what happened with Stark, and came to see how you were holding up."
"I thought you talked to her on the phone?" Ben frowns at Reed.
"I… left a message?" Reed sweatdrops.
"Hey guys!" All eyes turn to the blond man scaling the scaffolding around the crash sight for giggles. "Johnny Storm ready for takeoff!"
Sue rolls her eyes gently with a smile, "Johnny get down from there before you bust your head open."
Her brother runs to a corner of the scaffolding, and slides down to the ground. "Whoop!"
Reed sweats nervously. "Did… you get my message?"
Susan thinks, "...I don't think so, hold on." She pulls out her phone, and sighs, "Great, th battery is dead."
"Oh, okay then…" He sighs with relief. "Um… I'm doing okay. As you know, Stark shut the project down, so… Ben and I are gonna prove that my starship works!"
"Or die trying, is what he's leaving out," Ben deadpans as he starts giving the ship a check.
Johnny raises a hand, "Just gonna ask now, I'm planning to film everything on a GoPro. I might upload it to YouTube…"
Susan gives her brother a glance, and then looks to the ship before addressing Reeds. "And you're sure it's safe to fly?"
"100 percent." Reeds says confidently.
"How sure are you that it'll make it to space?" Ben corrects for Sue.
"100 percent." Reed says, not wavering.
"How sure are you we'll land in one piece?" Ben continues.
"...87 percent." Reed admits.
Johnny smiles, "Sounds good enough for me!"
Reed sighs. "Well… what do you think, Sue? A date in space? ...With a plus one each?"
Susan grins, "Well… It's a first for sure."
Johnny suddenly looks a bit disgusted, "Wait wait wait… A double date? Richard you are the worst wingman in history, the least you could have done is picked me a prettier girlfriend." He shoots a pointed look at Ben.
"A few ground rules, I don't kiss on the first date, I don't fuck until at least the fourth, and if you touch me inappropriately, I'll tell my daddy and he'll kill you." Ben deadpans amusedly as he heads into the ship to inspect the inside. "Bring me back by seven!"
Johnny raises his eyebrows in surprise, and grins to Susan. "I like this guy… Platonically."
Susan rolls her eyes as Johnny runs into the ship, and then offers a hand to Reeds. "Shall we, Captain?"
"Absolutely." He smiles and takes her hand, leading her inside. "Guys, I got you all suits like mine, much more effective than spacesuits."
Susan raises an eyebrow, and has him lead her to them. Soon they have everyone outfitted, and strapped into the spaceship. Susan looks to Ben, and asks, "Are you sure you can fly this?"
"Air Force pilot, and astronaut. Definitely." Ben starts the engines, having the ship glide out of the hangar.
Johnny calls out, "Good afternoon passengers this is your sexy attendant speaking. Sadly we are all out of peanuts, and refreshments so please put your trays in the upright position, and please remain seated until we make our first stop at the moon. In the case of an emergency put your head between your knees, and kiss your butt goodbye."
"Not helping," Susan states calmly, and then a thought hits her. Looking to Reeds she asks, "We do have air clearance for this lift off, right? No danger of crashing into a plane?"
"...Yes." Reed says slowly.
"We don't have clearance." Ben mutters to himself before grabbing the com mic, hailing the tower. "Flight control, this is Flight Space 1, could I get clearance for takeoff?"
"Flight control to Flight Space 1, you're not on the schedule. Do you have a reasonable clue as when you'll be coming back?"
"Not at all. Though if we don't come back in a few hours, probably don't be concerned about a landing." Ben says casually.
"...That's an affirmative, Flight Space 1. You are cleared for takeoff."
"See? Easy enough, no need for tiptoeing on eggshells." Ben replaces the communicator.
Johnny furrows his eyebrows, "...Was it just me though, or did they pretty much clear us to go get ourselves killed?"
"They probably think we're planning to land someplace else," Susan assures her brother.
Ben starts flicking switches. "If you aren't strapped in, this is your final warning before you end up in the cargo bay with a broken neck." That's enough for everyone to double check their harnesses, and then they give Ben the nod to open the throttle.
Ben flicks more switches, and lifts off. He angles towards space before activating the rocket thrusters.
"If the G forces are too strong, don't hesitate to cover your faces with your sleeves." Reed says seriously as they're forced into their chairs. The cabin is filled with the sounds of their strained efforts to just hold it together, at least until Johnny feels compelled to speak yet again.
"I can't feel my face by this is awesome," Johnny grunts out, putting his hand on his chest before giving a thumbs up with it.
Soon though, they're in space.
Ben sighs with relief. "Alright, step one done. Reed, you got what's next?"
"I do." Reed grabs the copilot steering wheel, taking control. "We'll do one jump to test everything out, then go back."
Susan looks out the window to her right at the earth behind them. "...We're really in space… It's so beautiful…"
"Just wait until we're in deep space." Reed smiles and starts calculating. Once finished, he course corrects, aiming at space. "Alright, everyone ready for a jump?"
"Fire away," Johnny declares on behalf of everyone.
He grabs the hyperdrive, and shifts up, blasting into deep space. And for several minutes it all looks like it is all going according to plan… But then…
Warning lights flash over the console in front of Ben, and Reeds, sensors indicating they're closing in on a massive solar flare. Then the ship rocks as Ben tries to change course, and the controls won't respond properly.
Ben accesses one of the cameras hidden outside the ship, and scowls. "We lost half the left wing! Meteor shower! I can't control the ship!"
Reeds looks horrified, looking out the front of the ship at the wave of orange, and white barreling right for them, speckled with black from cast incoming asteroids.
"...Oh shit," Johnny says meekly.
Then it hits, the ship gradually tearing apart on the outside from the heat of the flare, starting at the faulty points Tony had pointed out the day prior. Then a meteorite the size of a VW Bug slams through the front of the ship right into Ben, ripping his seat from the floor as it carries him to the back of the ship.
From the massive hole in the front of the ship the cosmic radiation of the solar flare floods the interior of the ship, in milliseconds the four of them start to glow, before Ben even hits the cargo bay. Johnny shines brighter than the others, an orange silhouette of himself edged with yellow, yellow light pouring from his eyes, mouth, nose, and ears as he convulses like a man burning alive.
Susan grips her seat tight, head thrown back in an airless scream as her hair whips around, the energy of the radiation swirling around her, at times obscuring her from view.
And Reeds… Reeds is watching it all happen. Three thoughts flash through his head in less than half a second. Firstly they ought to implode soon, second that they didn't do so immediately which is impossible, and three… He's going to watch all his closest known friends and associates die right in front of him. On an instinct he reaches out for Susan, his arm seeming to reach further than his mind could comprehend…
Then there's a flash of white light… And not a trace of them is found in the solar flare.
...
Meanwhile back at Avenger HQ Tony is hard at work with a little help from Rocket. Gamora is watching curiously with Steve teaching her how to play Go Fish. Looking to the two tech geniuses she asks, "So what is this device you are making?"
Tony slides out from under it on a rolling board, a wrench in his teeth. Removing the wrench he says, "A while back our buddy Banner had me build this in case he got mean, and green. We call her Veronica, though the tabloids coined the name Hulkbuster… Anyways, little man here is helping me put extra sensitive sensors in the main rigging. The second Banner turns Hulk it'll pick up the excess radiation, and deploy from orbit to hover over his location. Friday will alert me, and I fly there to… well… bust some Hulk." Sliding back under it his voice echoes out, "No losing teeth this time though, I'm not ashamed to admit I nearly rusted my armor back then."
"Too bad that wasn't posted on Youtube…" Clint tuts.
Gamora nods softly to herself, and asks Steve, "Do you happen to have any… Sixes?"
"Go Fish." Steve smiles.
She draws her card, and Stark slides out from under the machine again, this time getting to his feet. "Okay, how is it looking Rocket?"
"Keep your pants on. This stuff is still delicate, and even though I'm smaller than you it's still a tight squeeze." Rocket grunts as he works. "...Okay, I think I got it." He crawls out.
"Awesome, and you're sure these new specs could scan a whole hemisphere of the planet at the right altitude?"
"That's what I'm thinking. Actual testing will need to prove it though." Rocket starts stretching to get some kinks out of his back.
"Double awesome," Tony says as he tosses his wrench into his toolbox like he's shooting hoops. "Three points. Hey Rocket, if the Guardians gig ever goes under I'm always looking for a competent lab assistant. Friday is more a great secretary, and there's a hefty wage in it for you." He wakes up his laptop, and starts Checking the launch software.
"I don't do assistant, but thanks." Rocket walks for the door. "Where's the fridge? I'm starved."
"In the kitchen," Tony says. "Second door on your right." Then he smiles to himself as the Hulkbuster 2.0 is loaded into a pod Rocket made the designs for, one that with a press of a key will launch the device into orbit. So Stark opens the hangar doors, and he presses the key.
Gamora watches Rocket leave with a curious expression, and furrows her eyebrows. Standing she follows him, "Rocket? A moment please."
"Ugh, what?" He pauses and glances back. "I'm sweaty, oily, and hungry."
Deciding to get right to the point she says, "Lately you seem a bit… off."
"In a good way, or a bad way?" He scratches his ear.
"I'm not sure," she replies. "As simply as I can put it though… It's as though you've lost a good deal of your snark. It has me worried there may be something pressing on your mind."
"It's… not something you should concern yourself with." He says nonchalantly.
She frowns, not totally buying it. Still she chooses not to pry into it too hard. "I see… Well, just be aware that should you need anything that is what a team is for. Alright?"
"Right, I know." He nods and continues heading for the fridge.
She watches him go, now more curious than ever, and yet she knows better than to try forcing some explanation out of him. So turning she goes back to the lab.
Once there she's surprised to see Tony without his composure, gesturing Natasha over like she was taking a snail's pace about it. "Come on, come on!"
Steve watches with mild interest, shuffling cards. Nat looks over his shoulder curiously, and her eyes go wide. "...Is that what I think it is?"
Stark nods, "We've already got a ping. Never underestimate the search and destroy instincts of a violent ex."
"You found Banner already?" Steve sets the deck down, standing.
"Almost like he's not even trying to hide," Tony muses. "Veronica is already on the way, if you guys take the Quinjet I'll suit up, and meet you there."
Natasha nods, and starts running for the hangar as quick as her legs will carry her. Steve follows, calling, "Avengers, let's get going!"
Gamora looks around for her team, and with a roll of her eyes she follows the Avengers since none of them are to be found. "I'm coming as well, I gave my word that I would help!"
Steve nods. "Suit up." He goes to put on his uniform.
Nataline takes the pilot seat, and boots up the onboard computer. "Where are we going?"
"San Francisco," Tony calls over as he calls his suit to him. "Just follow Veronica!"
Clint and Falcon get into the Quinjet, suited up. As soon as Steve is onboard they seal up the jet, Vision swooping through the back like a ghost moments before liftoff. As they climb up to Mach 3 speeds Gamora can't help but ask.
"There is a good chance of this rage monster called Hulk trying to kill us, yes?"
"A very good chance, yes." Clint confirms.
"Then do you have a tip or two for avoiding that by chance…?" Gamora pulls her extending sword from behind her hips, checking the edge for defects.
"Be very far away, and if you get noticed, hope Tony's occasional battle-foot-in-mouth kicks in to save you." Falcon comments.
"How assuring," she comments dryly, putting the sword away. "Is there a firearm I may borrow, or would it be redundant?"
"Nothing can pierce his skin, so you'd pretty much just be getting his attention. But sure." Falcon opens a locker, a bunch of weapons inside. "Take your pick."
She looks them over, and in the end decides to just pick the biggest one. In this case a RPG missile launcher, and a bag of three extra rockets. "Will this be enough to get his attention?"
"Definitely." Clint nods. "It should make him mad, too."
"I'm beginning to feel there's no way around that," Gamora comments as slings the weapon over her shoulder so it rests across her back.
"You catch on fast." Cap walks up, cracking his knuckles. "We'll mainly be focused on damage control. Only get Banner's attention if he's about to hurt civilians otherwise."
"Might be a bit late for that," Natasha says as she holds one end of a headset to her ear. "I tapped San Francisco police frequencies, sounds like some monster is trashing a hospital. They're saying it's the Hulk."
"I'm going on ahead to have a look then," Tony says, rocketing past the jet in a blur.
"No way you're leaving me behind." War Machine blasts after Tony.
The two armored men arrive on the scene minutes later to find police evacuating the whole block. Tony says, "Well, Nat was right, all the chatter is about some big green monster tearing the place apart on the inside. You go high, I go low Rhodey?"
"Sure, I can do that." Rhodey shoots into the sky.
Stark lands in front of the hospital, and heads in, bio scanners on high alert. "I'm only getting one signature in here, you too Rhodey?" He powers up his palm pulse cannons, and proceeds with caution, checking around corners.
"I've been scanning the area, I'm only getting one too." Rhodey confirms, floating high as he scans around.
Tony mutters, "Alright Banner, where are…? Wait a minute. Rhodey, when has the Hulk ever been this quiet?" Suddenly a green hand shoots from ceiling, grabbing Tony by the helmet before pulling him up. He slams through that ceiling, and the next two as he's tossed upwards, his attacker jumping up after him.
"Shit, dick move Banner…" Tony trails off as a shadow looms over him in the flickering lights…
Suddenly he's ejected from the side of the hospital, thrown across the street to embed in the next building over. With a grunt he pulls himself free, and hovers. "Avengers… That's not Banner."
"It's big and green, and tossed you through the building. Who else could it be?" Steve demands.
His answer comes in the form of Tony's attacker leaping out the building, and tackling Tony through the building he just freed himself from. The two of them erupt from the opposite side into a construction site.
"How about you tell me Cap," Tony comments, being steadily lifted by the neck.
Now out in the open they can get a good look at the attacker… About eight feet tall, green, packed with muscle… and female, with dark green hair almost black going down her to shoulders. She wears a torn hospital gown that is ripped down the front between her breasts, and up one side, both tears revealing deep purple lacy underwear that looks seconds away from snapping off.
The woman frowns, and drops Tony, kicking him through a few supports of steel girder before spitting on the ground with her fists clenched.
Clint looks at the video feed sent to them from War Machine, and slowly says, "...Gamora, I think that's a She Hulk."