AN:Happy Valentine's Day! Wether you're celebrating it with a loved one or going to see the new Captain America movie (releasing at the time of me writing this), I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy this new chapter!
"As a Watcher of many universes, I have seen few bonds greater than the power of love. And on this day, the love between Rocket and Lylla is about to grow stronger. I'll let their actions speak for themselves- shall we see what happens next…?"
Lylla let out a relaxing sigh as she and the other female Guardians exited a spa on Xandar, the team checking in with Nova Corps while also having the day off from their duties. "Going to the spa was a great idea, Mantis," the otter said.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Lylla. I read that spas help people relax, and I can feel positive emotions radiating from all of you," Mantis replied with a smile.
"Floor feel extra fluffy," Floor giggled.
"I have to admit, it was relaxing, even if I would have preferred to not have others touching my body," Gamora said, rolling her shoulders. "Still, the massage… it was nice."
"I don't think my fur has ever been so shiny," Lylla said, admiring her form. "Oh, but look at the time! The sun is almost setting."
"We were in there for far longer than I thought," Gamora hummed. "The boys said to meet us at a certain place, right?"
"Yes! Friends Rocket Teefs Groot Drax Peter are waiting at restaurant!" Floor nodded.
"That's right, Floor. They said we'd meet at Giffen's," Mantis recalled.
The quartet found the restaurant soon enough, with Giffen's turning out to be one of the most fancy and exclusive restaurants on Xandar. The girls were surprised when they were lead to a table where the boys were already seated, Rocket grinning as he spotted Lylla.
"How did you guys afford a table at Giffen's? This place is booked months in advance," Lylla said.
"Let's just say that Nova Prime was able to pull a few strings as a thanks for all the galaxy guarding we've been doing," Rocket replied.
"Indeed. Now then, let us feast!" Drax declared.
"We've still got to order our food first, big guy," Quill said, shaking his head.
"I am Groot," Groot rolled his eyes, not looking up from his game. The tree was in his teen years now, meaning he was all kinds of moody.
"Groot, no gaming at the dinner table," Lylla chided, the tree-child giving her some sass before she returned the gesture with a motherly glare, making Groot sigh and put his game away.
Soon enough the Guardians were all enjoying the best food Xandar had to offer, from seafoods and poultry to more exotic foods from all across the known galaxy. The team laughed and made small talk, with a few Xandarians even coming over to take pictures with the team or give their thanks for saving them from Ronan all that time ago. Their bellies became full of food and spirits as the sun set, the stars blink in overhead as lights lit up Xandar.
"I can never get enough of just staring out into space at all the stars…" Teefs said in awe.
"Yeah. Floor want to keep flying in the forever sky, to keep guarding the galaxy with friends," Floor nodded.
"Sometimes I just want to get lost out there and find a place no one else has been," Lylla sighed dreamily.
"I feel like that when I look into your eyes sometimes, Lady," Rocket replied.
Lylla laughed. "What kind of line was that, Rocky?"
"Don't blame me, blame Quill. That line was his idea," Rocket defended, Quill just giving a thumb up and a laugh. The raccoon sighed, shaking his head getting up from his seat and tapping his glass of wine. "Okay everyone, I have something to say, so pay attention!"
"Speech! Friend Rocket give speech!" Floor cheered.
"Not exactly, Floor. I have something I need to tell Lylla," Rocket said, turning his attention to the otter. "Lylla… from the day thatHEbrought me into his tortured existence, you were the first one to reach out to me, to give me comfort when I was hurt. When we all escaped together, I wanted nothing more than to live out the rest of my life with you guys, especially you."
"Rocket…" Lylla breathed.
"And it's not just about us being mates. No, I want to do more than just share a bed with you… I want to make our union official." Rocket reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Following the instructions Quill had given him, the raccoon got down on one knee and opened the box, revealing a shining silver ring inside with an intricate design etched into it. "Lylla Otter, will you marry me?"
"YES!" Lylla practically screamed, tackling Rocket and furiously kissing him. "Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes!"
"L-Lylla, slow down!" Rocket laughed as he kissed her back, the other Guardians giving their congratulations at the proposal. Rocket managed to settle Lylla down, taking out the ring and carefully placing it on her robotic finger.
"Congrats, dude! I'm proud of ya," Quill said.
"The freaky little beasts will so be bonded as I was with my wife," Drax declared.
"The happy feelings… It's so beautiful," Mantis said, tears of joy falling down her face at the overwhelming emotions.
Lylla admired the ring on her finger, looking lovingly between it and her soon-to-be husband. "So, if we're engaged now, when's the wedding?"
"Don't most people wait after an engagement before getting married?" Teefs questioned.
"Friends Rocket Lylla been together long time. No need to wait for marriage," Floor shrugged.
"There's plenty of places out there to get married. It could take a while to choose the best spot," Rocket pointed out.
"Actually, there is one planet I've wanted to visit that I think would be perfect for our wedding…" Lylla hummed.
[***]
One month later, on the 99.63% water planet Aladna, the wedding of Rocket Raccoon and Lylla Otter was brought in by precession of colorful dancers and singing throughout the city. The people of Aladna spoke only through song, so while it seemed like stepping into a perpetual opera, for the planet's inhabitants it was simply their way of life. Rocket was currently standing at an altar that had been set up in the city, giving a perfect overlook of the world's ocean.
"I am Groot?" Groot asked.
Rocket patted down his suit, a standard black one with a red undershirt and black bowtie. "What? I'm not nervous. This is going to be Lady and I's best day ever! You're crazy if you think I'm going to get cold feet now."
"Groot, make sure you keep the rings safe!" Mantis called out, the tree-child nodding as he showed her a pillow holding said rings.
"The precession is almost here," Drax said from his seat. "I still think we should have performed the marriage ritual of my people, however."
"Yeah, well, Lylla and I didn't want to have to go out hunting on a backwater deathtrap of a jungle planet, so no thanks," Rocket chuckled.
"This is so exciting," Teefs beamed, adjusting his own bowtie. "I'm so happy for you, Captain Rocket. Lylla as well."
"Glad I can have you as my best man, Teefs," Rocket returned the smile.
He looked out at the small crowd that had joined them for the wedding: the other Guardians, Kraglin and Sale, Howard the Duck, Cosmo, some of the Nova Corps including Dey and his family, and various other people Batch 89 had met across their journey. The only one missing was Quill, and the reason for that became obvious when the wedding precession finally reached the venue, Star-Lord leading the charge as they belted out one of his Earth love songs.
I wanna know what love is!
I want you to show me!
Rocket's jaw dropped when he saw Lylla coming down the aisle, the otter wearing a pearl white dress that flowed like water with every step, her mechanical arms coated in a new silver paint while a gold chain with an inlaid ruby sat upon her forehead.
I wanna feel what love is!
I know you can show me!
Lylla couldn't stop smiling when she finally reached the altar, Floor hopping behind her as the best woman. "L-Lady, I…" Rocket sputtered, only for his love to put a finger to his lips.
"Save your words for our vows, Rocky," Lylla giggled.
"Wedding time! Wedding time!" Floor said in a sing-song tone.
After Quill and the precession took their seats, Prince Yan of Aladna came forward to officiate the marriage. "Today we celebrate the union of Rocket Raccoon and Lylla Otter, Guardians of the Galaxy and friends to the people of Aladna," the prince said. "Before you take your vows, would either of you like to say a few words?"
Lylla went first. "Rocket, from the day we met, I knew you were someone special. You always thought of big dreams, and I wanted to be a part of each and every one of them. I know life hasn't been easy for us, but I just wanted to say… thank you. For everything."
Rocket blushed at her words before saying his piece. "Lylla, you're my everything. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you, or Floor, Teefs, Groot… all of you guys have become my family. You know I'd do anything to protect you guys, and once we're married? I'm making sure nothing ever takes you from me, Lady. That's a promise."
"Rocky…" Lylla said, almost coming to tears.
"Is there anyone here that objects to this marriage?" Prince Yan asked. Sale raised her hand in a teasing manner, but Kraglin made her quickly put it down. "No? Then let us begin the vows ceremony. Lylla Otter, do you take Rocket Raccoon to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Lylla nodded.
"And do you, Rocket Raccoon, take Lylla Otter to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Rocket affirmed.
"Then by my position as Prince of Aladna, I pronounce you as husband and wife!" Prince Yan sang.
Groot came over and handed the rings to Rocket, intricately crafted from space metals to be virtually indestructible. Rocket carefully placed Lylla's ring on her finger, the otter doing the same before taking her husband by the hands and kissing him deeply. Rocket slowly dipped Lylla while their friends and family cheered, Teefs pulling out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears while Floor was bouncing around excitedly.
"Now then, it is time for the traditional Aladnan wedding performance!" Prince Yan declared as the precession dancers stood up to begin.
"You lead on this one, Lady," Rocket whispered as they broke off the kiss.
Lylla smiled, pointing to Quill and shouting, "Hit it, Star-Lord!"
"Let's get this wedding party going!" Quill exclaimed, holding up his Zune and turning on the song Rocket and Lylla and chosen for the ceremony.
An upbeat rock tune started playing as Lylla took Rocket by the hand, racing down the aisle and followed closely by the precession dancers as their wedding song began. Soon the rest of the guests joined them while Lylla started to sing.
"I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure…" the otter sang, placing a hand on Rocket's chest as she shook her tail with happiness. "And I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door…"
"Yeah, sing it, Lylla," Rocket laughed.
Lylla did a small spin before throwing out her hands, cuing a few backup dancers to join her. "Now everytime I go for the mailbox, gotta hold myself down… Cause I just can't wait till you write me you're coming around…"
"You got the moves, Lady," Rocket grinned as the chorus kicked in.
Now I'm walking on sunshine, wooah!
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah!
The otter and raccoon danced as one, emulating what little dancing they'd seen on their travels across the stars to make a style all their own.
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah!
And don't it feel good!?
"Peter Quill!" Drax shouted as he was dragged around by some of the dancers. "Is this not like what the greatest hero of your planet did to save his town?"
"Something like that, Drax," Quill chuckled, breaking it down on the dancefloor with Gamora.
"This is the greatest day of Floor's life!" Floor cheered as she hopped around.
Now it was Rocket's turn to sing, taking Lylla by the hand as they started to waltz. "I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true… And I don't want to spend my whole life, just a-waiting for you…"
"Rocky…" Lylla giggled, stealing a kiss from his husband.
Rocket grinned as he struck a pose, cuing his own backup dancers to follow his lead. "Now I don't want you back for the weekend, not back for a day- No, no, no!"The raccoon jumped up on a table and did a fancy Jackson-esque spin. "I said baby I just want you back and I want you to stay- Oh yeah now!"
The chorus came back in as more people joined in the celebration, Teefs doing his best to follow along with the beat while Groot tried his best to not be entertained by all the merriment.
I'm walking on sunshine, wooah!
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah!
Rocket continued dancing without a care on the table while Lylla got a moment to dance alongside Mantis.
"The positive energy is so wonderful!" Mantis beamed with delight.
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah!
And don't it feel good!?
"Hey babe. Didn't expect to see another raccoon at this joint," Howard said, throwing a wink at Sale as the two had decided to raid the refreshment table.
"Back up there, bill-boy. This raccoon isn't looking for whatever it is that's hiding in your pants," Sale shot back. "Not much of a hotdog fan if you know what I mean."
"Had to try my luck," Howard shrugged, sipping his drink. "So, how do you know the happy couple?"
"We were created by the same mad scientist, who then sent me to try and capture them," Sale replied.
"Huh, I know 'em because they caught me as part of a bounty. Small world it seems, being hunted or hunting," Howard mused.
"I'll drink to that," Sale laughed, tapping her glass to his.
Walking on sunshine…
Walking on sunshine…
The song picked up the pace a bit as Rocket and Lylla came back together in the middle of the dancefloor, the two circling each other and grinning like crazy.
"I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real," Rocket sang.
"I feel alive, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real!" Lylla repeated. "I'm on sunshine baby oh, oh yeah!"
"I'm on sunshine baby oh!" Rocket belted out as the chorus returned.
I'm walking on sunshine, wooah!
I'm walking on sunshine, wooah!
Rocket and Lylla waltzed together, spinning around each other in way that showed just how much they knew each other, matching every dip and sway with a step or twist.
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah!
And don't it feel good!?
"Say, Prince Yan. I thought the Aladnans all spoke in song. How come you can speak all regular like?" Kraglin asked.
"I'm bilingual," Prince Yan replied.
"…Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," Kraglin nodded.
"The terran Guardian reminds me of my wife," Prince Yan mused as he watched Quill and Gamora dance. "She is from Terra as well. I must apologize for her not being here on this day; her duties extend outside of Aladna."
"Huh, I'm sure Quill would be mighty interested in meeting another person from Terra," Kraglin said, rubbing his chin.
"She is renowned as a world saver. Perhaps the Guardians of the Galaxy will meet her one day," Prince Yan shrugged.
I'll say it, say it, say it again now-
And don't feel good!
Now don't it, don't it, don't it, don't it, don't it, don't it feel good!
And don't it feel good!
The party went on until the sun was setting, by which time Rocket and Lylla had their fill of food and gifts from all of their family, friends, and allies. "All that's left to do now is to head off on our honeymoon," Lylla said.
"And I have one last surprise for that," Rocket said. He covered Lylla's eyes and brought her to a secret spot in the city.
When she was allowed to look, Lylla gasped at what she saw. "Is that…!?"
"Yeah, Lady. It's our old ship," Rocket nodded, admiring the Rakk 'n' Ruin in all of its refurbished glory. "I finally got around to getting the old girl out of impound from Nova Corps, and had Teefs and Sale fix her up for this special day. Do you like it?"
Lylla simply replied by giving her husband another kiss. "I think I'll show my appreciation once we get to our destination… You know what lovely couples do on their wedding night, right?"
"Heh-heh, what did I do to get with a girl like you?" Rocket blushed as he walked his wife into the Rakk 'n' Ruin.
"Be a kind, caring, a brave raccoon, my beloved," Lylla answered.
"Friends Rocket Lylla be back soon!" Floor called out.
"TheBenataris in good hands, Captain Rocket!" Teefs added.
Rocket and Lylla waved goodbye to their friends before blasting off into space, ready to enjoy their honeymoon however they pleased out in the forever sky.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this very special chapter!
I've always had "Walking on Sunshine" as my personal theme for Lylla, so using it at her and Rocket's wedding just made sense. After seeing The Marvels I also wanted to include Aladna in this story because why wouldn't you want the Guardians of the Galaxy to visit a planet where the language is singing?
Of course, this is just the calm before the storm, as we'll start the Infinity War arc next chapter. Get ready for some feels as Batch 89 finally come face-to-face with a tyrant on the same level as the High Evolutionary.