Chapter 4
"Oh, Captain!" I look at Tex while he comes toward my Quarters with the new implant and he shows it to me. "This is ready if you're ready to get it attached."
"Yes. Just, yes. I'll meet you guys planetside. Thor, escort your Mother to wherever Loki is." Thor nods and goes to do that while I go into my Quarters with Tex and Nebula, sitting in my desk chair. "Feels fuckin' weird to have my arrow at my damned side and not be able to feel the connection to it..."
"I'd imagine, Captain." He attaches it and Nebula watches to make sure he does it right.
"Where'd you learn to do this, Neb?"
"Captain Oblo made sure I knew how to do it." I hum softly in acknowledgment of that and she advises him on how to do it more efficiently. "I was unaware that you could change certain parts of your body, Tex."
"Yeah... I'm the only one who can do that... It's why he made me a slave..."
"I see. Well... As Captain would say, fuck him."
I snort slightly and they finish up. "Done, Captain." I feel the connection with my arrow flood my brain and lean back in the chair slightly, relieved.
"Appreciate it, guys." They nod and leave before I stand, heading planetside to get ready for this celebration. "This should be fun..." I go toward the altar that Krugarr was standing next to and he looks at me, pressing his fingers together slightly in happiness which makes the others turn to see what he was looking at. They all gape at me and I smirk slightly, going over to Krugarr. "Hey, K."
"Rogue. It is very... Interesting to see you with those piercings in."
"Yeah. Betcha anything Gramps forgot I had them."
"It is very likely that he did." I smile and notice Odin coming over.
"This should interesting." He nods his agreement and I look at him. "Odin."
"Rogue. May I ask what is on your face?"
"Piercings."
"Why?"
"I went through a phase where I wanted to piss off my Dad and this is how I did it. Plus it looks cool."
"I disagree with that."
"Well... That's too bad." I smile and he looks at me, eyes narrowed slightly as I lean over slightly to talk to him in a low voice. "I don't want to fight. And you shouldn't want to fight either because there's my Clan and a hundred other ones that will bring our wrath down on you. Do you want to tempt fate like that, Odin? We'd be seeing how well you could die if you did."
"Is that a threat?"
"No. Just a warning and a request. I'm not going to start a fight. So I'm asking that you don't either. Can you do that?" He looks at me and I wait.
"Loki will enjoy your tie. It is a nice outfit."
"Thank you." He leaves and I straighten up, straightening my clothes slightly. I get an audio transmission and look at my wrist com, grinning slightly when I see Loki pop up. I put an earpiece in and answer the transmission. "Hey, Loki. What's up?"
"Why am I playing the role of the bride?"
"Well... You have the luxurious locks, the aura, and the legs to pull it off. Plus, I'm not the one who decided to give you a robe for this outfit."
"I suppose that is true. It's still... Quite odd for me."
"You won't have to worry about tripping and falling because your Mother is escorting you."
"Ah. I see why now."
"See what?"
"You do not have anyone to escort you this time and you do not want to ask Father for this." I don't respond at first and think about that.
"Yeah, I guess... Couldn't tell you why, but... Yeah, that's pretty close, I guess... Finish getting ready because this is going to last into late tomorrow, probably around 1300 or so."
"Oh, dear."
"Ravagers don't screw around when it comes to parties, dude. We go big because there's no go-home option." He chuckles and ends the transmission before I put my earpiece back with a small smile. Krugarr looks at me and I smile at him. "He adapts quickly and has brain cells."
"I had my doubts when he made that suggestion. It was foolish of the others to agree to it."
"Yeah. I haven't healed yet, which is a little worrying... Usually, I'm fine by now..." He looks at me and I smile reassuringly. "I'm fine. Just kinda weird." He nods slightly in agreement and we all turn to look down the aisle when Rocket starts playing a song from Dad's Walkman. Yondu, Lumes, Kraglin, Senso, Stakar, Aleta, Mainframe, Mantis, and Charlie were to my right while Thor, Sif, Clint, Laura(Clint's wife), Drax, Doc, Vision, Wanda, Martinex, and Nebula were on the side that Loki would be standing near.
Loki was in a ceremonial robe while Frigga was in a simple yet elegant gown and they were starting to walk toward me. The robe looked amazing and had my Clan's Insignia on it. The arrow and knife crossed in the middle of the flames. It had the same design as my first wedding dress with the duster and had my Clan's colors this time instead of Yondu's colors.
"Segs did good," Kraglin murmurs and I nod slightly, watching as Loki comes with a small smile. My throat gets slightly tight since I'm in the same position Jay was while Loki is in mine and that I'm seeing more or less what he did when we got married. I clear my throat softly and swallow slightly, watching him come down the aisle. "Ya a'ight, Kid?"
"Segs did a great job... Looks like mine from... I'm seeing what he saw, in a way..." I smile slightly and Yondu pats my back slightly, tears forming in the corners of my eyes. "Damnit... Any of you got a tissue or something? There's dust in my damned eyes..." Mantis hands me one without a word and I wipe away the tears that had fallen quickly.
Loki stops in front of me and hugs Frigga. "Thank you, Mother..."
"You are welcome, my Son..." Mantis moves forward and gives Frigga a tissue as well. "Thank you..." She smiles and goes to stand next to Odin. Loki looks at me and I look at him as he moves to where he's supposed to stand.
"I was unaware you had that."
"I'm good at keeping secrets," I smirk and he smiles slightly.
"I can see that. Are you ready, my Sweet Girl?" He smiles gently at me and I give him a small one in return, nodding slightly.
"Companions, family, friends. We have gathered here to witness and celebrate the joining of these two," He pauses in talking when Stakar leans over to talk to him and I look at them. "Ah, alright. The joining of these two, as Captain Ogord put it, idiots." I start to laugh but get control of it and look at Krugarr apologetically.
"Life is full of unknowns, danger, disappointment, fear, sorrow, treachery, and loss. Yet, it is also full of light, kindness, joy, understanding, and, crazily enough, love. You have both battled through the darkness of the former and have managed to find the latter in each other. Rogue, Captain of the Shadowblade, you have chosen to give this man your devotion of love and marriage. Do you swear to protect, honor, support, and be loyal to him? To allow no one to wrest him from you? Do you swear for as long as you both do love?"
"Damn, that's deep... I swear it."
"Loki Laufeyson, to be the partner of a Ravager is not easy. Let alone a Ravager Captain. Do you swear to never try to tame her spirit or cage it? To protect, support, honor, and be loyal to her? To allow no one to wrest you from her? Do you swear for as long as you both do love?"
"I swear it."
"Nebula Quill, First Mate and Lieutenant of the Shadowblade," He looks at her and she steps forward. "Do you swear to protect your Captain and her husband and any other offspring they may create to the best of your abilities and be loyal to them for such time until your ways part?"
"I swear it."
"And do you, Ravagers and Avengers alike, swear to do the same?"
"I swear it!" They all yell, the kids being the loudest, and Quill does her best to say it too.
"We are forgoing the last part for good reason and they already have their rings. Rogue."
"Yes?"
"Kiss your groom." I look at Loki and he smiles.
"Sounds good to me." He chuckles and I nod slightly.
"Well then... Don't have to tell me twice." I pick him up to make it easier and kiss him. The crowd roars and I pull away, resting our foreheads together. "My Harmonious Solar System..."
"My Treasure..." I set him down and Stakar talks to Charlie quietly while I notice something around Loki's wrist.
"All of the female-identifying people! Gather up here behind Rogue! Time for her Terran traditions," Charlie bellows and some ladies start to form a crowd. Aleta starts to go over but is carefully stopped by Stakar and I smile. Loki looks at me and I look at the scrunchie on his upper arm.
"Is that supposed to be your garter?"
"I refused to wear one so they got me this." I laugh and start to gently pull it off of his arm.
I slide it off and turn to the ladies. "Ready?" They cheer and I send it in the crowd, watching as they get close together before spreading apart. "Let's go Nebula!" I cheer and she smiles slightly.
"Male-identifying people get behind Loki!" Charlie was being Loki and doesn't move while some of the other guys get behind him. Loki takes the small bouquet from Frigga and shakes his head slightly before throwing them over his shoulder, turning to see who would catch it.
"This is the better version and you can't convince me otherwise." Loki nods his agreement and I see Charlie straighten up, carefully holding the flowers in his hand.
"I caught it..." I smile at him and give him two thumbs up.
"Go shoot your shot, dude." He nods despite looking confused and goes to talk to Mantis while I notice Nebula was talking to Martinex. "Anybody else that wants to do something but doesn't fit into the first two categories?" Doc raises their hand shyly with a few other people and I smile, motioning them over and into a group. "What to use, though..."
"Do a stick!" One of them yells and I nod a bit, able to do that. I grab a branch off of the ground and throw it over my shoulder carefully before turning to see who would catch it. Doc holds it and I smile brightly. They smile back and go to talk to Drax.
"Wait... Is that... Wow... So that's why... Wow..."
"What?" Loki looks at me and I shake my head slightly.
"Drax and Doc would be in Doc's office a lot. How did it take me this long to figure it out? Gods." I see that the three newly revealed couples were talking happily and I smile, glad I could play a matchmaker again. "Always have to be a matchmaker. I swear."
Stakar whistles and everyone looks at him. "Head toward the Mess Hall! Food will be dished out soon! But first, some people have some things to say!"
"Oh boy..." I chuckle nervously and he smirks. I lead Loki to the Mess Hall and see two chairs at what would be the Captain's Table.
"You two sit there." Stakar and Aleta have us sit in the chairs and they smirk. "Alright! Anyone who wants something, we got the food covered and it'll be in front of you soon! While we do that... The family of the bride that has known her for a while has some stuff to say!" Aleta smirks and I chuckle softly as food gets dished out.
"This will be good," Loki smirks and I smile. Yondu, Kraglin, Martinex, Charlie, Mainframe, Krugarr, Rocket, Groot, Drax, Mantis, Segs, and Doc join the Ogords up there, some of them sitting at a table behind them others leaning against it or sitting on top of it. "Oh, this will definitely be good!" He smiles and waits for them to start talking, Stakar grabbing a microphone before he hands it to Kraglin. The crews were talking amongst themselves and the people handing out the food but weren't shutting up. He leans against the table and crosses his arms cooly to wait them out.
They stop talking when everyone has their food and he lifts the microphone slightly, arms still crossed slightly. "Y'all done talkin'?" I snort slightly and he looks at me.
"What?" He smirks slightly and uncrosses his arms to run a hand through his hair.
"Ah was the one ta see tha' Kid. An' she jus' ain't 'avin' none 'a m'shit, tryin' ta run inta a fire fer summin' stupid. She used her fuckin'... Wha' the Hell's it called?" Doc says something and he nods. "Elbow ta 'it me in m'damned face an' is like a damned Orloni cuz she jus' slid outta tha' damned 'oodie 'a 'ers 'fere she kicked m'leg. Yer insane," He says simply to me and I shrug, sipping my drink as Kraglin passes the microphone to Yondu.
"You truly are insane," Loki murmurs and I grin at him.
"A'ight, a'ight. Girl, yer the craziest thing Ah did, afta yer Daddy. Ain't got a clue wha' Ah was thinkin', keepin' anotha lil' 'un," Yondu says as he walks around slightly and smirks at me while I watch him move around. "Mebbe was seein' ya afta ya got outta tha' fire, mebbe seein' 'ow 'ard ya tried ta git in there, mebbe yer mouth made me think 'a yer Daddy, mebbe seein' ya strugglin' ta breathe... Wha'eva it was, Girl, know 'M glad tha' Ah kept ya. Ya weren't able ta leave shit be an' ya a'ways did yer damnedest. Hell, yer still doin' yer damnedest. 'M proud 'a ya, Girl." He nods slightly at me with a slight smile and I smile back, raising my glass slightly to him. He hands the mic to Stakar and he pats his shoulder slightly, talking to him softly.
"This part should be good..." Loki chuckles softly at me and grabs my right hand gently, turning my ring on my finger slightly. I smile and let him.
"Y'all know how Rogue is now?" Stakar looks at everyone and a few people groan softly, making me flip them off. "Exactly. Now, imagine that times ten thousand, and you might be somewhere close to how she was when she was younger. I go with Marty to talk to these idiots here and she came with them to the Eclector's hangar. I talk to them and she just doesn't let them try to explain anything before she goes..." Martinex takes the mic to continue and smirks at me.
"She basically says, 'Hey, look at me! I'm important, not scared of you, and you're old.' Which is my take on it. What she actually said was something along the lines of being Blue's granddaughter and that made Captain her great grandfather and that being a Ravager was in her blood because of him and Quill. She didn't put up with Blue's shit, either. Then Quill shows up."
"This tiny girl laid him out flat on his back and doesn't put up with any of his bullshit either. Doesn't even let him get a full sentence out before she's punched him in the face. Then rips him a new one," Stakar continues, smirking, and I smile a bit at the memory.
"She even tried to get him to call her Captain in front of Blue's whole crew or fly that damned Milano of his. I doubt he did either."
"He didn't," I call and they laugh.
"She did not put up with any of our shit. She, damn... What the Hell would she call it?" Stakar looks at Segs and Doc and they both say something softly. "Right! She fucking fangirled over Captain and Blue to explain why she wanted Quill to call her Captain, dug her thumb into Obfonteri's hand with some Terran trick, slapped that rat in the face for trying to blast her, didn't put up with any other shit from Quill, and didn't take shit from the crew either. Cut someone down to her size to threaten them with Obfonteri's knife. She's fucking insane and fit right in, right from the start." He holds the mic out for someone else to take and Rocket grabs it.
"Kid. The first thing you did physically was slapping me and taking my damned blaster. This jackass thought it was hilarious and Groot thought I deserved it. Thinking back on it... Yeah, I did deserve it. So, I'm sorry for taking your damned music thing."
"Hang on, hang on! Can you say that again? I wasn't recording! And that's my bad! I gotta get that apology recorded."
"Shut the fuck up, Kid." I laugh and he grins slightly, looking at Groot. "Groot says that you were always nice to him and were gentle when you held him. And that you always tried to include him and make sure he didn't feel useless, made sure he knew he could contribute something. And that being included in that plan during that party meant so much to him. He wants to give you something." Groot extends his arms toward me and carefully puts a flower crown on my head then another on Loki's. "He says that as soon as he saw you, he could see the pain you were in and made it his mission to make sure you never felt that pain again. And that... Groot, buddy." He moves the mic from his mouth and talks to him quietly for a moment before shaking his head slightly, raising the mic again.
"He says sorry for failing you and his mission when you got captured... That he should have tried harder and he's sorry for not reaching out when we got you back..." Mantis and Drax look at Groot sadly and Groot was looking at me. "He wants to know if you accept his apology..."
"Groot, get your branchy ass over here." He comes over to me and I stand, grabbing his shoulders gently. "You have never failed me and you never will. You're like my older and younger brother at the same time. There is nothing for you to apologize for or to feel guilty for. No one would have been able to stop what happened and you were here when I needed you. That's all that matters. Alright?"
"I am Groot...?"
"Yes, you fucking idiot. You are and will forever be my Gods damned Bonsai Tree. Nothing you say, do, or think you did will change that." He suddenly hugs me and I hug him back since he's probably the only person I don't feel awkward with during hugs. "And how are you still this fucking good at hugs?" He laughs softly and I pat his back carefully, smiling as he pulls away. "You good?" He nods slightly and I pat his shoulder gently before he goes back over to Rocket.
"Told you so, idiot." Drax takes the mic from Rocket and looks at me.
"Rogue. You have taken to telling me that if I do not have anything nice to say, then I should not say anything at all." He stays silent for a moment after that and starts to pass the mic to Mantis, making me scoff while others laugh. He looks at me and I finish my drink. "In all seriousness, you were a strong girl. You never allowed your father to stop you from doing what you wished to do with Yondu and Kraglin, you were often training your body or your mind to better yourself, and you continue to do that. Doing so from such a young age has made you an even stronger woman and Quill and Gamora would be proud of you if they were here to witness this today. I can not speak for Mantis, Rocket, or Groot, but I can tell you that I am proud of you for all that you have done to stay strong."
"We're proud of you, Kid! You're still an idiot and a jackass, though!" Rocket adds and I chuckle softly, smiling a bit. "Are you about to cry? Have we done it yet?"
"Fuck off, Rat. I am not about to cry. If you keep up with the shit you're doing though... Fuck, dudes..." I wipe the corners of my eyes slightly and Mantis takes the mic from Drax.
"Rogue. You have always had immense sorrow, fear, and anger inside you. However, you have never let it stop you or overwhelm you. Because you have one emotion that is stronger than the others. And it is love. You also have love in the sorrow, fear, and anger inside you. But, it still outweighs any other feeling because of how powerful you make it. You love so powerfully and with your whole being. Loki, you are lucky to have her and if you fuck this up, they will never find your body. And, if they do, they will not find any evidence connecting it to myself. That is a promise, not a threat." Charlie laughs and she smiles, handing him the mic.
"Rogue. As you would say whenever Yondu caught you doing something stupid, I ain't got a good excuse for this. You are the most insane person I have ever known. And yes, we're all aware it's a gift, as you would say. The first time I see this kid, she's sitting on a crate doing something on a holopad with a visor on. Everyone drops what they're doing to show their respect to the three of us showing up. Not her. Until somebody tells her to do it and greets Stakar and calls Marty fucking Sparkles."
"I got it from Yondu."
"Of course you did. The kid greets the three of us and goes back to whatever she was doing. And Jay comes over, talking to her while she focuses on what she's doing and looks at her with... The same look Loki is right now." I look at Loki and he runs a hand through his hair, looking away slightly. "She doesn't notice because she's dense as all Hells when it comes to someone caring about her like that and she warns him about us watching him with Quill. And he bolts. When the Mechanics start to fuck with her, she gives it back just as easily. She still does. Let's quote you one more time." He looks at the others up there and some of them smirk slightly while others chuckle softly. Mantis looks at Thor, Loki, Steve, and Bucky and they nod slightly, probably going to join as they stand.
"I mean, go off I guess," They say together and I look at Peter before we start laughing. I stand up and smile so wide.
"I apologize, but this is necessary." I stand on the table and point at the ceiling. "I have the power of God and anime on my side!" I laugh and point at Peter. "Now give me my fucking units, ya bitch!" I hop off of the table and Peter was wheezing while I start laughing again, looking at the ones who said it. "Thank you for that cuz you all have made me so much richer."
"What?" They were all so confused and Peter gets control of himself for a few moments until he tries to explain then starts dying again. Michelle was laughing a bit too and tries to get him to stop so I can keep control of my laughter too.
"OK, OK... Whew... Me and this mother fucker had a bet... On which one of us could get you guys," I gesture at the people standing and they look at me, confused. "To make a Gen Z pop culture reference and I won it! We had, um... Fuck... For Steve and Bucky, it was a million units for each of them because we never thought they'd use one... But, since they did it at the same time as Loki and Thor? I get four million units, just off the bat! From all of you doing that? Dudes... I get... Ten million units? Right?" Peter nods, trying to catch his breath from laughing, and Michelle smiles. "Do you even have that many units?"
"Yes...?" He leans over to Tony. "Mr. Stark, can I borrow some units?"
"You're both idiots," He says simply and slides Peter a card, nodding slightly. "There's the units you need."
"Thanks."
"You two done?" Aleta looks between us and I grin charmingly. "Sit down." I sit back down and Loki shakes his head slightly.
"That is a very Rogue thing to do," Segs says, having the mic now, and I smile. "She was always an excitable, hyper, happy, and curious child. She is still all of those things, namely a child. She is a giant child and it is as annoying as it is refreshing."
"She is immensely mature," Thor argues and I raise my hand slightly.
"I can give proof to back up what Segs said."
"Please do."
"Hey, Peter!"
"What?" I stand and extend my left arm before pointing to my left elbow with index and middle fingers on my right hand, biting my bottom lip for a moment.
"SHEEESH!" He stands and makes eye contact with me before reciprocating it in a higher-pitched voice.
"SHEEESH!" Tony pulls him back into his seat and Loki tries to do the same but it doesn't work correctly.
"Shit!" I lose my balance and knock him onto the floor with me, barely containing my laughter. "So... Come here often?" I start laughing at the end of saying that and he shakes his head with a sigh, but was smiling. I stand and pull him to his feet before we both sit back down. "So, uh, yeah... I can't be mature to save my life. I'm sorry, but I'm not. It's how I am." Thor shakes his head slightly and Segs smiles as he hands Doc the mic.
"Yes, it is. And the way you are made it so that you had your cot in my Med Bay that no one else could use." I smile and they shake their head slightly. "Gods, Rogue. If you weren't in there because you were injured, you were in there just to talk to me or show me something you thought was cool. As Segs said, you are immensely refreshing because you know when to be serious but you bring this lightness to everything you do because you still have that fun even when you're being serious. And you've wound up in a Med Bay cot because of that, as well. That's where it becomes annoying."
"Psh! The Med Bay was empty most of the time so it was fine! And it's not like I got hurt on purpose!"
"While that is true, you also could have avoided the situations more often than not if you were to be more careful and serious." I shrug one shoulder and they shake their head slightly, handing Aleta the mic.
"I heard about this kid from Stakar and Martinex. And from what I heard of her, I felt like I'd hate her. Then, I get to the ship and see her holding her own against Obfonteri and Yondu's arrow. This little girl with too-long hair is fighting a grown man and was managing to dodge his hits and roll out of the way of this idiot's arrow. He gets them to stop fighting and I start to talk to her. I got answers to four questions before this little fucking kid yelled at me to, more or less, shut the fuck up. She's been either very brave or very stupid since I've known her and it's just gotten less clear which it is. Then she had the balls to tell me what the Hell to do. As soon as I left, she fell to the floor. Because I fried her brain with all of my questions."
"You tried to ask me five in a row without even waiting for my answer to the first one," I scoff and she just smirks.
"So, when she ends a group transmission with all of us still able to talk to each other, we decide to meet up on her ship. First thing I say when I see these idiots is, 'You've gotta be shittin' me.' Because that idiot is fucking clueless when it comes to her feelings and relationships. To the point that it's painful to watch. We'd recreate her trying to ask him out, but we couldn't do it justice. It was... Gods... Oh, Thor. She also said you had too many muscles and not enough brain cells."
"Thank you for that."
"You're welcome," I smirk and he shakes his head slightly.
"Rogue, what if we were to recreate that moment?"
"No way in any of the Hells."
"It will be fun."
"No." Loki smiles at me and I narrow my eyes at him. "Nuh-uh. No way. That face and those eyes ain't gonna work this time."
"Come on, Mom! Do it! We wanna see!" Gamora calls and he smirks, knowing I couldn't say no to reasonable requests from my kids.
"Fine..." He stands and I follow his lead, leaning against the front of the table while he stands near it. "Here's how it went down. Loki."
"Captain."
"I have a question... And yes, I was this awkward during the conversation too."
"Yes?"
"Do you m... Me... At? Do you like meat? All of this is one hundred percent true, by the way. I... I can't make this shit up..."
"Meat?"
"Yes." Loki looks at me like I'm crazy and I smile awkwardly.
"Yes, I like meat. Is that all that you wanted to ask me?"
"Uh... Yup! I, uh... I gotta go now... So, um... Yeah... See you later?"
"Of course, Captain."
"This is where I walked past those idiots and they looked at me like I was insane. Which... Yeah. I stop walking and yell because if I didn't I wasn't gonna manage to ask him, and I still didn't manage to ask him until later. Actually! I cringed because of unnecessary loudness. There, uh, there was something else... Um..."
"Yes, Captain?"
"He's standing there just being understanding and patient and I wanted to punch him a little bit as I'm just struggling and stumbling over my words. I stumble so badly that I go from being about to ask him if he wanted to go for a flight later to asking him how his hair gets so shiny. And it confused the fuck out of everyone while I hate myself for that. Just thinking, what the fuck is wrong with you?"
"This is around the time I asked if she wanted to join me for a meal on a nearby planet that we would also need to be on to gather information on a target."
"After that was when Aleta had to save both of us from trying to find somewhere that served food at 0000 hours because that's when I said I wanted to leave. Cuz I'm an idiot."
"You did manage to ask me out on a date."
"Yeah. After you beat someone for beating on you after I threw you in the Brig for getting jealous of Bucky when I lied and said I had a crush on him cuz you lied about having one on me. Which, ouch, by the way. That hurt."
"My apologies. But you also invited Tony and Pepper to where we would be having our secret date."
"Yeah... Like I said... I'm an idiot."
"I agree with that," My entire family says and I roll my eyes slightly.