This was really it. The end of the Guardians of the Galaxy as they knew it.
Peter was leaving. Going back to Earth. Possibly never coming back to them.
Rocket's heart thumped miserably. Sure, he was the leader now, but what sense was being a leader when there was nobody around to lead?
"Rocket…" Peter said softly, trying to get him to look up, but Rocket couldn't seem to reach his eyes as he walked away.
*****
It was time. The Bowie was loaded and ready to go. Mantis had already said her goodbyes prior, taking off with her new pets into unknown lands. Gamora was gone, back with her Ravager cohort.
"You take care of yourself, Quill," Nebula said, her eyes slightly misty as she hugged Peter. Drax scooped him up in a bear hug, laughing with the newfound joy of a father, wishing him good luck on his new journey. Kraglin and Cosmo saluted him, promising they'd keep watch over the rest of the crazy group.
Peter turned around and furrowed his brow. Rocket was standing on the ship's platform.
"Rocket, what are you do-" he started, but Rocket snapped at him.
"Well someone's gotta drive you to Earth, ya moron. Some of us still need this ship," he said sarcastically, almost bitterly, as he turned and walked into the ship.
"Good luck with that, then," Nebula said, dragging the others off with her as they waved goodbye.
*****
It had been a quiet flight so far. Peter kept trying to gage Rocket's emotions through his expressions, but gained no luck as the raccoon remained steely-faced.
"I guess that Warlock guy wasn't so bad, saving my life and all. Wish he would have done it before my face started to deform, the thawing process was horrible," Peter joked to try and lighten the mood, but Rocket continued to glare ahead.
"You should have seen Kraglin and Cosmo at the party last night, they were so drunk that they made me look like a lightweight," he quipped once more, and Rocket scowled.
"Hey Pete?" Rocket said, lack of tone evident. "Shut up, will ya?"
Peter sighed. "Rocket, will you just look at me? Is this really how our last moment together is going to go?"
At that, Rocket turned and stared Peter in the eyes. Peter could see the anger and hurt in them, and tried to reflect back his own sorrow at his departure.
"What does it matter anyways?" Rocket said out of nowhere, trying to turn away, but Peter grabbed his face and turned it towards him.
"Hey, it DOES matter. You're really upset at me leaving, aren't you? But why? Why didn't you say anything sooner??" Peter questioned, his tone becoming slightly panicked as he questioned his decisions. Had he not thought this plan through enough?
No, he definitely had. Had he not thought about Rocket enough in the process?
"You promised you'd never leave, Pete. Several times. You said you'd always be there, and now you're leaving. Everyone leaves. They always leave Pete!" Rocket began to yell, his voice becoming more and more frantic as the words spilled out without thought.
"Rocket….this….this is only temporary," Peter motioned to the galaxy outside. "You and the Guardians are permanent, buddy. We will see each other again, I promise," he whispered, and Rocket's resolve faded.
"There you go, using that word again. Promise. You promise, huh? Why is it that those I love the most promise me things and-" Rocket's monologue was cut short as the ship stopped in front of it. Earth. The large blue and white orb shone in all it's beauty as Rocket and Peter stared, mouth opened slightly in wonder.
"That's it, isn't it.." Rocket said, his voice holding a slight tone of awe in it.
"Home," Peter could barely get the word out. Rocket looked over to see Peter quietly sobbing, the joy in his eyes and face evident from miles away.
His rigid demeanor completely dissolved as he watched Peter. How could he be so selfish to deny Peter what he needed? Yes, Rocket needed him so much, but Peter needed something else for the moment, and that was resolution.
Rocket sighed heavily, his heart finally convicted. "Go," was all he said, causing Peter to look at him, eyes wet. They stared at each other with a look of sadness but also acceptance, that this was something that needed to happen for everyone to be whole again.
"I'm coming back," Peter sobbed out, smiling at the raccoon, causing him to smile back.
"I'm sure you are, dummy. Now let me get the ship close enough so you can fly in. Can't have the humies all scared now," Rocket joked, causing Peter to chuckle through his tears.
"There you go. Can't have Star Lord make an ass of himself on arrival, can we? Crack a smile," Rocket grinned, and Peter wiped his face, showing off an extremely reddened face and pathetic smile.
"Perfect," Rocket said. Finally, the ship was in place. Rocket looked over, expecting Peter to run giddy with glee out the door, but he sat frozen in his chair, staring out the window.
"I….I don't know if I can do this Rocket," Peter said suddenly, and Rocket could sense not only the fear but the underlying statement.
I don't know if I can do this without you.
Rocket got out of his chair, jumping in one swift motion onto Peter's lap. Rustling in his pocket, he pulled something out and placed it into Peter's palm.
Peter opened it slowly and gasped softly. It was the key card he had used to save all of the living creatures on the ship.
"You're never going to be alone as long as you hold on to that," Rocket said softly. I used it to save my friends when they were hurting. I'll always be there to save you when you need it most," he looked up into Peter's eyes with his own misty ones, and Peter's lip began to tremble.
"Rocket.." was all he could muster before it happened. Suddenly he could feel Rocket's forehead nuzzling his jaw bone and under his chin. Peter buried his face in Rocket's fur and held him close, tears falling, before placing a soft kiss on top of the raccoon's head.
In one quick motion he was up, running to collect his gear before he changed his mind. Turning to Rocket one last time, the two smiled at each other, knowing they'd be okay.
"A promise is a promise," Peter said in goodbye, jumping out of the ship. Rocket watched him zooming around the plane with his jet-boots, when suddenly he noticed something flash beside him. Looking down on Peter's chair sat the Zune. Rocket panicked, grabbing it to give to Peter but a small note fell off. Picking it up, he chuckled softly, tears brimming his eyes.
A promise is a promise. I'm coming back - with more songs to add! Lots of love, Peter.
Sitting back in his pilots chair, he turned the Zune on, finally letting tears fall as he watched Peter fly towards Earth.
Listen baby, ain't no mountain high,
Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough;
Baby if you need me call me no matter where you are,
No matter how far;
Just call my name; I'll be there in a hurry;
You don't have to worry,
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough,
Ain't
no valley low enough,
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe.