Work Text:
Putting down his blowtorch, he checked the time and was surprised to find out he’d spent the entire night working again. Groot was not going to be happy, and he was going to get another lecture on getting enough sleep. He decided it was better late than never and carefully made his way back to his room, not wanting to wake anyone, knowing how annoying they’d be if he did.
He heard a door open, and he hid behind a corner for some reason, not wanting to be seen. He looked over, expecting Quill to be the one leaving his room, and was instead shocked when he saw Adam leaving without a shirt. His usual straight hair was messed up as though someone had run their hand through it, and when he turned around, he could see scratches on his back that were already healing.
His eyes widened when he realized Quill and Goldilocks were sleeping together. His surprised look quickly turned into a mischievous grin. It was obvious they were trying to be discreet about their relationship and didn’t want anyone to know. This was perfect blackmail material, and if Quill didn’t want him telling everyone, then he better do what he wanted.
He went to bed with a skip in his step, thinking about all the blackmailing he’d do. That good mood faded when Groot woke him up only a few hours later as punishment for staying up late.
He groaned, pressing his face into the counter and practically drowning himself in coffee. Hearing footsteps approach, he looked up and saw Quill come into the kitchen. He was limping slightly, and his neck had a few hickies smeared across. It was a miracle he hadn’t noticed before if Quill usually walked around with those hickies out.
“Coffee.”
He stumbled over, clutching his mug like a lifeline.
“Late night?”
He smirked behind his own mug, thinking about what he saw. Quill nodded absentmindedly, his attention drawn elsewhere. He followed his gaze and saw Goldilocks come in without a shirt.
He looked back at Quill and saw him openly staring. Goldilocks must have noticed because he came over and discreetly whispered something in his ear, causing Quill to blush. He stared at the two of them, still wondering how he had never noticed when they were so obvious about it. Especially when Adam squeezed Quill's butt when he thought no one was looking. He almost gagged at the sight.
He spent the morning watching them until coffee wasn’t enough, and he ended up falling asleep. It was the middle of the afternoon when he woke again, and he decided to work on his ship.
He was surprised when he found Peter quietly working on something. He crept closer and shouted.
“Boo!”
Peter jumped into the air, and he laughed.
“Rocket? Don’t scare me like that.”
“What are you doing to my ship?”
“It's not your ship, and I’m fixing the hot water. It seems someone has been tinkering with it.”
Peter gave him a pointed look, and he rolled his eyes.
“I needed those parts, and they're not important.”
“Yes, they are. We’ve talked about you dismantling my ship.”
“So what, you had to take a shower? Boo hoo.”
“Rocket.”
Peter glared.
“Don’t take apart my ship to build bombs. I know you don’t think showering is important, but the rest of us don’t agree.”
“Whatever.”
“I’m serious, Rocket.”
“I get it, your shower sex was interrupted by cold water. One would think the water's temperature wouldn’t matter with what you two are doing.”
Peter choked, his eyes widening in shock.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. I know you're dating Adam. It's so obvious I wouldn’t be surprised if the others knew as well.”
“We’ve been careful.”
Peter argued weakly.
“No, you haven’t. I saw Adam come out of your room last night, and it was obvious what you two got up to. Can’t say I’m surprised you two got together, I just wish I had created a bet beforehand to see how long it would take.”
“Shut up, Rocket.”
Peter’s face flushed with embarrassment.
“You better not tell anyone.”
“What’s the big deal? I doubt anyone would care if you and Adam were fucking. We’re all adults.”
“I know, but we’re not ready to tell anyone yet. Our relationship is still new.”
“If you don’t want everyone on this ship to know you two, better learn to be more discreet. Honestly, it's embarrassing how obvious you two have been.”
Peter blushed, and he pushed past him, done with this conversation. He didn’t understand why Peter didn’t tell them and why he was so determined to keep it a secret. After that, Peter seemed nervous around him, and even Adam was on edge. He kept feeling his eyes on him, and when he looked over, he’d be looking elsewhere, which was just weird.
Gamora was the first to pick up on the weird tension and had no problem addressing it during dinner.
“What’s been going on with you, Peter?”
He watched as the man choked, looking at her in surprise.
“What do you mean? Nothing is going on with me? I’m the same as always.”
Gamora watched him, clearly not believing a word he said.
“There’s been a tension between you and Rocket. Did he say something that upset you?”
“Hey!”
“You are a rude little squirrel.”
Drax pointed out, and he glared.
“I am groot.”
“No. We didn’t have a fight.”
“Rocket and Peter have tension because Rocket found out Peter and Adam are sleeping together.”
Mantis blurted out, and all of them looked at her in shock.
“Why would that create tension?”
Drax gave them a confused look.
“Are you trying to blackmail Peter?”
“No.”
He denied it even though that’s exactly what he planned.
“Mantis. Why did you tell everyone?”
“It's not a secret you two are together; everyone knows.”
“How come none of you said anything except Rocket?”
“It wasn’t our place.”
Gamora glanced at Mantis, who gave them a sheepish look.
“You two are not discreet.”
Peter blushed and took Adam's hand.
“FIne. At least now we don’t have to sneak around.”
He pulled Adam into his room and slammed the door shut. They all rolled their eyes and went back to doing their own thing.