cobb vanth appreciation club

Look, Eden gave me a tattoo. The COI made me burn it off. I didn't choose either of them. I still get a scar.

The Eridians figure out how to safely dock the Hail Mary to the top of the space elevator structure. A greeting party of Eridians gathers to welcome Rocky back. Introductions to Grace are made (if this is a version of the story where Grace is in a state to introduce himself, health-wise). The Eridians escort Rocky further in and down, leaving Grace safe in the Hail Mary for the time being.

At the exact point where Grace's heartbeat starts to peter out of Rocky's constant spatial awareness, Rocky just. Stops walking. Completely stops dead in the middle of a hallway with no warning. The other Eridians keep going for a step or two before realizing he's stopped and also stopping, confused. They ask him what's wrong. He doesn't answer.

From the instant that the outer hull of the Hail Mary came between Rocky and Grace, Rocky has been fighting the impulse to sprint back into the ship and double-triple-quadruple-quintuple-check that Grace is still okay. That impulse has been growing stronger and stronger with every step he takes, until this moment, when one more step will carry Rocky out of the range where he can keep tabs on Grace without even consciously thinking about it. It feels like Rocky physically can't move his legs. What's happening to him? Is he going to sleep, and that's why he can't move? He can't be -- he just woke from sleep barely 1.5 Earth days ago.

Adrian steps toward Rocky with a croon of concern. Their carapace tilts away, in the direction the group had been headed. Aren't you coming?

Old instincts kick in and Rocky automatically moves toward his mate, one step, two steps, three--

Grace's heartbeat is gone.