Chapter Text
It has become some sort of habit for the two. Once every few months, Morgen would do everything in her power to make sure she and her best friend went on a meeting. The word "date" was out of the question, although it fit the definition of their activity a lot better. To Morgen, it didn't matter what it was, as long as she could hang out with him - to Rocket however, the difference was almost anxiety inducing; there is no way in hell he'd admit to going on a date with her. But a meeting, just the two of them, away from the rest of the team? He'll allow it. That's why he didn't protest too much when Morgen reminded him of their special day.
With a universe so vast, it's no surprise they found a rather unpopulated, forest-covered planet as their landing spot. Rocket sighed as he saw Morgen put on her bug-watching gear before getting off the ship, with a little jump.
"Be careful. I suppose you're gonna' drag me around in the dirt to look for insects again, right? Is that what we're doin' today?"
"You seem less than enthusiastic... I won't force you." With a rather dejected smile, she glances around their surroundings and mentally takes note of a certain spot. "Don't leave me here, okay? I'll be back in a minute."
Morgen sprints towards a tree covered area, getting lost in the dark blueish vegetation. Losing sight of her, the raccoon finds a rock to sit on, waiting.
"I knew she likes those damn bugs more than me, but this is just rude." He looks around and picks up a tinier rock, with a flat bottom, that he chucks across the lake in front of him. "Let's go on a meeting, Rocket! " he says, in a mocking voice. "I want to hang out with you, Rocket! " he throws another rock at the lake, beheading a cattail plant, collateral victim to his impatience.
Each second without her feels like an insult to his entire existence. She can pilot the ship herself, she doesn't need him to be her driver, only to abandon him in favor of ten-legged microscopic creatures. A sense of spite was rummaging through his mind. As his thoughts cleared, having thrown over a dozen rocks over that lake already, he started to blame himself for acting so uninterested in her hobby.
The sound of a rapidly approaching person startled him. Morgen was back, running excitedly towards him, holding her arms in front of her. As she got closer, Rocket could see the dreaded source of her joyful movements; her palms were gently holding an array of insects. He already knew she was going to show each and everyone to him, describing their characteristics in detail. He promised himself he wouldn't complain anymore, as long as she physically kept them away from him. It was less of a fear and more of a discomfort. Morgen was free to pick up any insect without worrying about getting bitten through her glass-like skin. Others, like Rocket, not so much.
"Aren't they just so adorable, Rocket? Look! I found a ladybug! You know, they went extinct on my planet some time ago... I missed them lots and lots! Look at them! I wish I could keep all of them and put them in my room-"
"Don't even think about it, Morgen."
"I know, I know. Their place is here. It'd be cruel of me to just...take them away." Morgen brought her palms closer to her face, tilting her head. "How could something this tiny be so precious?"
"And gross..." he tried to whisper, but failed miserably. Morgen looked at him defeatedly.
"Don't call them gross, Rocket! You don't like them, sure, but that doesn't make them inherently unlovable."
"Big words Morgs, big words."
"Insects are strong, smart and beautiful! The worst part, they get so much less credit than they deserve in actuality." She lightly pets the back of a beetle. "Even if they are so tiny. They are worth it!" Morgen glances in Rocket's direction. "Some people wouldn't look below eye level even if they had the most wonderful being at their feet. If it's out of their reach, it's a parasite. A pest they can't control." Rocket looks down, avoiding Morgen's eyes.
Morgen sits on the rock beside the raccoon, placing the bugs near them and putting her hand on his shoulder comfortingly.
"Us tiny things gotta stick together."
"I'm not a freaking bug, Morgen! And neither are you!"
"Of course we aren't. But we do get treated like them sometimes, don't we?"
Rocket can't bring himself to say anything else. The girl pats him on the back.
"We'll work on being kinder. To bugs and to ourselves."
"Shouldn't ya' be taking those little guys to where they came from before we step on them or somethin'?"
"Obviously. Give me a minute. In that time, be sure to bring all of those rocks back, will you? I've been gone for just a bit and I see you've already taken revenge on this ecosystem."
"Oh, please. They've found their forever home on the other side of the lake. Even if I cared, I couldn't bring 'em back."
Morgen laughs and walks away, shouting.
"We'll go together! The meeting isn't over yet! Don't leave me here, you dummy!"
Still sitting on the rock, he shouts back, with a tad of playfulness in his voice.
"Can't hear ya'! I'm boarding on the ship already! Hurry up or those damn bugs will keep you in their room."
A few minutes pass and Morgen comes back, running with the last bits of energy in her body.
"I thought you were leaving." She laughs, as she catches her breath. "Please don't tell me you threw more rocks...I'll drown you."
"Nah, I was just messing. Come on, let's waste more time here and go get what I've already thrown. Savin' the ecosystem or whatever. We'll put it on the Guardians' resume."
The girl smiles and grabs Rocket's hand. He doesn't complain and they go on a stroll around the lake, picking up whatever stones were thrown earlier.
"I'm sorry for making you go on stupid trips with me..."
"And I'm sorry for being a jerk about it. Don't tell anyone I said this, but they aren't that bad. I mean, I still get to hang out with ya'. And get some fresh air. It's tolerable."
"Is tolerable the Rocket way of saying that you absolutely love it?" Morgen smirks.
"Don't push it, princess."