"I suppose we can be thankful he decided to pull shit like this right at the end of the tour". Tony said as he paced the hotel room, having been at the hospital all evening. Rocket had suffered a near fatal overdose - something that had been in the making for a long time. He needed help - and now with the tour coming to its end, the remaining dates had been cancelled so as the singer could 'get his shit together' in Tony's words.
The fans were devastated, and many had even started waiting outside of the hospital or were trying to give flowers to doctors and nurses heading inside, so as they could give them to him.
"You're all burnt out, you all have addiction struggles. If this carries on then the label are just gonna drop you. You need to be kept in check, and a break is just what you need. If one of you dies through your own actions? I won't have any sympathy for you. Your dealers might though".
"The sun is so fucking bright today". Bucky winced from behind his sunglasses. "Main thing is, is Rocket gonna be ok? You know how he feels about the whole rehab shit. Guy's just gonna go right back onto the drugs - is there even a point".
"There's always a point!" Tony snapped. "I could've managed The Guardians for fuck sake! But I chose you, because you guys had more potential - and you still have! But the drugs and drink, the sex? It's taking over your lives. You're forgetting about the music!"
"Like fuck are we". Thor snorted, "we care about the music, it's just the fact that we need to get our shit together - and we will. I guess we need a break, come back once we're all feeling on top again".
Bucky snorted, "guess we'll just have to see how Rocket fares, either way I'll be glad to get back to my own house, own bed".
Steve couldn't agree more. Except there would be a new resident when he returned. Since Maggie had had said that she would move in just a month or two before, he'd done nothing but think about her. He'd woken up that very morning after one particularly raunchy sex dream, in which he'd had her bent over a table in the middle of The Zion, taking her whilst everyone watched.
He needed to get laid, and badly - he didn't know just how much more he could take just using his hand.
"You alright Pal?" Bucky asked later on as they gathered the last of their stuff together so as they could get the transfer to where the jet was waiting to take them back to LA. Hill would be joining them, but Tony was going to remain behind until Rocket was able to be discharged. Then he would be personally checking him into rehab.
"Fine". Steve said, finishing his drink and turning to him. "Just glad to be having rest". It had been a busy year anyway, with the album release and touring.
"Same. Roll on sleeping in".
Steve chuckled. "More than we already do? I suppose the sleep schedule will finally even itself out".
"Yeah, then just when it does, Stark will make us get back out there". Bucky said and they both got onto the bus. Ready to make for home once more.
**
Work had been kicking Maggie's ass lately, what with big named bands making appearances. The Zion didn't close until the early hours, and by the time she had helped clear up and driven back home, it was almost 4am, sometimes later. Today had been no different, and on seeing how tired her friend was, Nat had told her to sleep in and come in for 5pm.
Maggie woke around lunchtime and got up to put some coffee on, having a well earned cigarette to also wake her up. Throwing open the doors to the balcony, she leant against the railing to take in the afternoon's sunshine - a sense of calm falling over her after quite a chaotic night.
Glancing over the to backyard, it took a moment to even notice the person in the pool. It was only when they emerged and walked up the steps completely naked that she almost dropped her cigarette.
Steve.
And now the pair were making eye contact...
He didn't seem to care, in fact he looked rather smug as he stood there on show. "Like what you see Magpie?"
"One - no, put your dick away, and two? When the hell did you get back?"
"A couple of hours ago, gather you heard about Rocket". Steve said as he grabbed a towel and tied it around his waist, heading towards the guest house so he didn't have to have a conversation shouting at her across the yard.
She nodded. "Nat filled me in - will he be ok?"
"No idea. He needs help".
"Don't we all". She took a drag blew out some smoke. "Oh, and I'm now entitled to kick you in the dick, considering we've crossed paths. Not even been a couple of hours that you've been home and already the wager is broken".
He snorted. "I think you'll find that's your fault for spying on my swim".
"You should put on some trunks".
"My house, my pool, my rules. If I wanna swim with my dick out then I will".
"How the fuck has Wanda not quit yet?" She said, stubbing the cigarette out on the railing. "The amount of shit she must deal with, with you".
He shook his head. "What can I say? She loves me, I pay well - she's used to it".
"Doesn't mean that she wants to see it". Maggie justified. "So...what are you going to do now the tour's over?"
"Sleep, drink, sleep again". He shrugged. "I think we all need the time off".
Maggie shrugged. "I have no idea what that is".
"You should try it sometime, The Zion isn't gonna go to shit if you're not there. Live a little, have some fun".
She glared at him. "I know how to have fun".
"Yeah right. And if you consider a night with Brock Rumlow as that? Then you need to think again".
She laughed loudly at this. "And you think you'd be able to satisfy better?"
"Is that a challenge?"
Maggie shook her head. "I need to get ready for work, go do whatever it is that you rock stars do when you're not throwing yourselves off-stage or taking random girls to bed".
He smirked, "You still didn't answer my question".
"No, because I ignored it". She smiled sweetly at him and then disappeared inside to get ready. No matter what, she would always have the last say over Steve Rogers.