WORDS (aka: Logan forgets to crosspost)

VOID

Grace has had an…interesting day.

School went well. The kids are progressing very nicely with their projects, but as he wrapped up for the day, he's not greeted by Rocky or Simon…hm. That was-

Rocky went into heat early. Simon helped him, and Adrian got home a few hours ago. He's still asleep so Adrian would like you there.

The Bloodshed was always startling, even if this wasn't his first time being contacted by it. At least Grace didn't throw things this time. Worry spiked his heart rate quickly. "Wait, is he okay?"

Simon was able to assist…Adrian is- oh what's the phrase? Doesn't matter. They're not as comfortable with him. Perhaps they want you?

"Oh…" Grace paused. It's funny, generally speaking Adrian really liked Simon. A rarity, as the Eridian was very selective in who they approved to be in their inner circle. But the two often sought each other out when they wanted company. Both quiet and steady, but with Simon needing a solid foundation in his life to moor his vessel.

But there were some functions only a mate could serve.

Grace wasn't very interested in sex when it came to humans. He's done it a few times and all of them resulted in him being sweaty and getting headaches. More trouble than it was worth.

But this was Adrian. And Eridian reproduction was different than his own species. Maybe this would be easier? The man nodded…to the air mostly, he has no idea where the eel was. "Thank you, Bloodshed."

Of course, Grace.

He makes his way into the suit storage, noting that Simon's was indeed missing. Getting into the gear was much simpler than it had once been, and it only takes him about ten minutes to be fully prepared.

Grace heads into the airlock, listening to the rush of ammonia flooding out the oxygen. A small green pane of xenonite flipped up near the handle, indicating the pressure had equalized. (He'd painted it himself, salvaging the pigment from the Hail Mary.)

He plucked a specific series of notes. While it's impossible to tell who was at the strings, the reply he received must have been from Adrian, judging by how coherent it was. Simon wasn't great at the communication network yet.

'In the bedroom.'

The door rolled open, and Grace doesn't waste the time of his fellow scientist. He finds Simon near the general living room, and he- oh. Thin streaks of mercury were dotting his legs. Okay, they'd have to talk about that at some point.

"Hey, Grace. Did the Shed call you?"

"Yeah. Is Adrian okay?" He glanced towards the furthest chamber.

"As far as I can tell. I told them I'd help but-"

"They take a long time to warm up to strangers." Grace nodded. "Don't worry, they barely spoke to me for at least a year. They like you but this is...personal. They'll come around."

Simon hummed softly. "Sure. Do you want me to stay?"

Wonderful that he asked that, because the answer was a firm- "No. I'll keep an eye on them both. You've been a huge help. Thank you, Simon."

After the Bloodshed informed him of the man's feelings, he can see the faint blush dust along the man's face. He feels awful, but…he just doesn't feel the same way. Hopefully friendship was enough for the long suffering fellow. It was the only thing he could offer-

"She's calling me." Simon broke Grace out of his spiraling train of thought. "I'll see you later."

"Oh- yeah!" The teacher nodded quickly. He plastered a half-hearted smile on his face to reassure his friend. "See you soon. Thank you again."

Grace can hear the door clicking back into place. Now there was nothing separating him from his task. He takes a deep breath, announcing himself before heading into the bedroom. "Hey. Adrian…"

"Hello, Ryland." Their song is slightly strained. "I apologize for this."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't. You're never a bother."

Adrian was standing near the slumbering Rocky. Their usual composure was undercut by a thin tremble running through their frame. They try to close the gap between them, but their legs are unsteady.

"Hey, you stay put." Grace warned them "There's no need to risk hurting yourself."

"I'm an adult, Ryland. I can handle myself quite well." Adrian huffed. But they remained in place. "…Has this 'Bloodshed' been speaking to you as well?" They can hardly punctuate their question, double tapping their claw.

"Yeah. It's why I'm here now." He confirmed. "Is that how you knew to come home?"

"Yes. It took some convincing, but it said that Rocky had gone into season early and was hiding it from you."

Grace sighed, glancing over at the slumbering Eridian. "His stubbornness is gonna get him killed."

Adrian shuddered slightly, drawing his attention. "He's so afraid of doing something to push you away. I'm glad Simon talked sense into him."

"Oh c'mon, you two should know I'm not going anywhere by now." He fidgets. "I'd do anything to help out. Speaking of, how does this work? You need to push against a partner, right?"

"It isn't fully required, but it does trigger laying instincts." The taller alien motioned for Grace to sit in the corner that Rocky wasn't resting in. "Rocky is more…passive than I am. I will require a bit more involvement from you."

He paused as he slid down the wall. He tries not to make a face, but knows he is. "Like…stimulating?"

"Not in the way you're thinking." Adrian refuted. From the low angle, they loomed over him by a few inches. "You will have to attempt to match my pressure…I will try to be gentle."

Well the suit could take the brunt of it. But if they had to have a little sumo wrestling, he'd try and manage that. Better than him trying to recall the very limited knowledge he had surrounding the subject of birth. "Do you want me to start so you can match me?"

"That's a wonderful idea, Ryland." They sighed, softly shifting into his space.

Because let's be honest. Rocky was just over three hundred pounds. Adrian was pushing seven. He wasn't going to be able to knock them over. The man's a teacher, not a strong man competitor. "Okay…I'm gonna just-"

Unable to properly segue into the thought of 'hey, I'm gonna sexy wrestle you into laying your egg', Grace put his shoulder against Adrian's glimmering carapace. He braced against the wall, using it to help him exert the force his mate was seeking.

But also not blow out his knees, so ideally- whoa!

Adrian had lurched into motion. They were unquestionably holding back, as Grace had seen them helping Rocky carrying huge pieces of the wave generator into his dome with no trouble. However, for him…well, here's hoping they're quick to lay.

His headlamp filters through the crystalline spires that comprise Adrian's upper 'body'. They were from a more northern part of Erid. Many from that region would develop deposits resembling Terran gemstones. Unaware of the stunning colours that they sported. At least that gave him something nice to look at.

It's uncomfortably silent for the first few moments. "Do…do you want me to talk to you?"

"I don't need it, but if it helps you..." Their song was slightly strained. When he glanced down, Grace saw mercury beginning to dribble from their carapace. It makes his skin crawl, so he quickly adverted his gaze.

"Well…Balboa's clutch are being menaces. They're so much bigger than the others." He began, trying to not stumble as Adrian vented labored breaths. "Since they had a full set of five, they've kinda become this little gang during break time."

His mate rattled out something that could be something like a laugh...he thinks?

"Do you think you and Rocky are going for that many?" He wondered curiously.

"No." Adrian responded rather quickly. "He may act tough, but I will not risk his life for something as asinine as filling out our nest. One will be enough. Assuming they've kept his half properly hydrated."

Of course. Grace let a hand stray down their side, seeking to calm their shaking.

Adrian immediately shuddered and leaned harder, causing his knees to scream out in protest. Just a little longer and-

With a heavy, dull splat, the Eridian's egg slipped from their vent. Oh thank god. It was unassuming. Close to the natural colouration of Eridian soil. Roughly the size of an American football. "Holy cow…"

The alien went slack for a moment before composing themself.

Through rattling wheezes, Adrian scooped up their hard earned prize. They silently lumbered over to where Rocky and Simon had stored the other egg. For one so large, they were remarkably careful as they settled their own beside their mate's.

Grace busied himself by finding a cleaning cloth to mop up the pool of quicksilver. As much as this was preferable to his experiences with human sexuality, it was still a little too…messy for him.

Eventually, Adrian shadowed him. Their song is far stronger than it had been. "Thank you, Ryland. You did very well. You should check in with your medical robot when you get home. I heard you whimpering."

Well of course they did. "I will…so do you think it'll make it?"

"Possibly." Adrian hummed. "I need to sleep now. Will you-"

Grace chuckled. "You never have to ask, Adrian. Of course I'll keep an eye on both of you."

They chittered out a warm note of affection, gently brushing against his side. "You are a good mate, Ryland."

His instinctual protest is interrupted before it can even leave his mouth.

"No more arguing." They huffed. One hand pulling the man into a heap alongside the pair. Adrian elected to huddle near the bundle of eggs. Once they had confirmed if they were viable, they'd find a place to properly bury them for incubation.

"Okay. Good night, Adrian."

"Good night, Ryland."

DEPTHS

Grace had returned to the water many nights after the whole…egg thing. Rocky was watching the nest site while Adrian kept an eye on the slumbering Simon.

This time, he knows why he felt the need to wander. He glanced out at the lapping waves, unable to make out much. Eventually he speaks up. "Uh…Bloodshed?"

Hello, Grace. It peeked out of the water, a vision of teeth and flesh. Sorry for calling you so late.

"I mean, Rocky does it all the time." He shrugged. "And it's not like I was asleep or anything."

This is…hm. It paused, hazy eyes flickering in thought. This will be more involved. Typically I would call on Simon, but he's asleep…and your arms are longer.

Oh? Grace felt his brow knit in confusion. "Uh…sure, what's up?"

Something has lodged itself in my front most right gill plate. The eel began to haul itself out far enough that the man can approach. Will you please remove it for me?

So…look. Grace isn't stupid. But there are times where his helpful nature won out over his logic. Also scientific curiosity. That is to say, yes. He should have been suspicious of its motivations. But…shush.

"Sure…can you uh, give me a lift?" The man tried to ignore the way his skin crawled as the tendrils met him. Coiling around his waist and below his rump. Cradling him like he was a glass ornament.

You're nervous. It observed as he stared down the fluttering plate. Let me hold your light.

It didn't wait, snaring the little mag-light with no trouble. It aimed it into the wet, red void. There, at the furthest point, was some sort of debris. The filaments around it were a bruised, angry colour. "Yeah, I just don't want to hurt you."

Do you really think you can? The Bloodshed seemed genuinely curious.

"Well, if this is bothering you…" He shrugged. "And gills are very easy to damage, even ones this big."

I am getting tired of waiting. It sighed, tone short. You will do fine.

"Okay, okay…" Grace grumbled. "I'm sorry, I'll be as quick as I can."

You don't have to rush. I can breathe out of water for a very long time.

The man tried to pull the plate open further, hoping it will allow him to get an easier angle. But there's only so far he can push it before it started to resist him. "I'm not really worried about your oxygen. But supporting your weight on land can't be fun."

That seemed to give it pause. But it recovered quickly with a soft chuckle…he thinks. You are very kind, Grace.

Why does everyone keep telling him that? He shakes his head. "If you say so. I'm going to get started, okay?"

It hummed to acknowledge him.

Grace began his exploration. Even though he was able to see the offending item before, the flesh occasionally pulsed, closing around his goal. He's forced to push into the seam of the gills, ignoring how the veins curled around his wrist, hugging his joints firmly.

It's slick, and all too hot for his tastes. He's not sure what he's done, but the plate suddenly tightens on his arm, and a thin breath flowed past him. (It stank, to be honest.) "Are you okay?"

After a moment, it replied. For a split second, he could swear he heard multiple voices. Yes, I'm alright.

"You're sure I'm not hurting you? You're shaking…"

There's this odd warmth that blooms in the back of his mind. Like the sun was shining directly into his brain. I. Am. Fine. Don't stop.

"If you're certain. You promise you'll tell me if I'm being too-"

The voice that met him was far louder than he'd heard from it before. It rattled the teeth in his skull. YES. I will tell you if you are hurting me. Stop stalling!

"Okay!" He almost yelped. Grace pushed against the wide plate that was keeping him pinned. It does nothing. "Bloodshed, I can't move if you don't relax. I know it's uncomfortable, but I need you to work with me."

There's this willowy quality that bleed into its voice. Wavering. I'm trying. You are very…different from Simon.

"Sorry." He's finally granted some room to work with when it finally eased up. He's not sure how he missed that red flag. But alas. "Thank you, that's much better."

Another flicker of tension. Thankfully it wasn't long enough to stop him from grabbing the darned thing. "Got it! You ready?"

Yeah…

As Grace began to draw whatever this was from what must have been a painful wound. Thin blood flowing freely, and the tendrils holding him in place going rigid. "Easy. We're almost there."

A weak hum.

After making sure nothing was left, the teacher squirmed out of the eel's gills. He was covered in slime and gore, but he'd done it. Glancing at the offender, Grace was met with a long scrap of xenonite. Around the size of his forearm. Yeah, that would be pretty unpleasant.

"Holy moly, how did you-?!" The man is cut off when he's dropped into the shallows. Thankfully he wasn't hurt, but he hardly looked up in time to see the Bloodshed turning back into the tide. Disappearing below the surface. He frowned. "You're welcome!"

Grace groaned as he got to his feet. He was already going to shower, but this had certainly made it a necessity.

"Hey, let's not trick Grace into feeling you up." Simon was glowering at the eel. The moment it was able, it had spirited him below the water. "That's not fair to him."

If it helps, I do feel bad about it. The Shed grumbled, hundreds of hands roaming along the man's frame. It won't happen again.

"Huh…that's a first."

…He was so sweet, Simon. It replied. I…I couldn't handle it. You've carved me open, but I can't take kindness?? It makes no sense.

He doesn't have answers for it. But that's not what it wants. It just wants to vent, to share the load…and hey, maybe it wants a little more attention that only Simon could provide.

Simon had been awake for a little while at this point. He'd thankfully slept well. No dreams. No unwanted invasions of his mind.

Rude.

"Don't ruin this." He groaned, rolling over in the nest of tentacles.

You're doing that enough for both of us. It huffed. One of the Shed's veins gently yanked on a stray lock of hair…well. Gentle for a giant eel. It smarted a little.

I promise you that I can be very light handed when I want to be.

"Considering you just did reconstructive surgery on my face, I know." Simon snorted. He firmly squeezed the pulsing tendrils, relishing in the little shiver that ran throughout them.

Cruel man, do not tease me.

"Why not? If I have to hang around you as 'payment' for you carving my face open, I think I'm entitled to entertain myself." He retorted, tightening his grip.

The sound that met him was…odd. It wasn't the distant rumbling thunder of the Shed's laughter. No, it was more…delicate. More along the recordings of sperm whales clicking that he'd once heard. Curious, Simon pursued it. He slid his fingers along the veins, while keeping his hold just as firm.

They immediately became louder, almost buzzing at times.

"Shed."

It didn't reply at first. But when it did, it told him all he needed to know. Strained, faltering, and all too clear. There was desire in the whisper. S-Simon.

"You really are a lonely bitch, huh?" Damn his inquisitive side. The man can't help but want to know just how far this goes. He sits up and starts stroking the gore streaked tentacles in earnest.

There's what can only be called a gasp. It's deep. A sudden rush of pressure and sound that makes his ears pop slightly. He can only imagine how much more it would be amplified if he was in his ship.

You're horrible, how dare you torment me? It whined. I've been so kind to you after our agreement!

"Oh yeah right." Simon rolled his eyes. He followed the veins to where they dipped into the ocean. He uses the blood to lubricate his grip and clearly that was very appreciated by the beast. "You keep complaining and I might just leave you like this."

Don't you even think about it! It snarled, a tremble radiating through its extremities. I don't deserve that!

"C'mon, yes you do." He couldn't help but laugh as it fell further and further apart. "You tried to kill me. Pretended to be a god-"

I am a god! The protest is loud and immediate. The tendrils suddenly going tight, not unlike a snare being tripped. It makes the bones in his arm cry out in alarm. You humans called me divine!

"Break my arm and we're gonna have a problem." He cautioned it.

I'll just put it back together.

He flexed his grip slightly. "Not the point. You do that and this stops immediately. Have I made myself clear?"

At that…the eel whined. Whined like a petulant child. Before it replied, the tentacles loosened, lightly brushing over the certainly bruised flesh. Why are you like this? Why can't I be a god in your eyes?

Simon paused, letting thin veins twine around his fingers. "Because I've seen It."

The energy sobered. Still as the grave, and twice as silent.

"You don't want to be a god." He broke the tension. "You want to be worshiped. That's not the same thing."

So what? The Shed rumbled. It started to drag him off the platform. You will-

The man reeled back. "I won't do anything. You want to be my god? Make yourself worth it."

You tempt fate like it's your job… The pull grew firmer, a threat becoming clear. How can I say no to you? Such beautiful pain you carry…I can help you Simon. I can give you everything…just ask.

He paused, watching the barely visible shadow wavering beneath the rusted steel. "No."

A low, irritated snarl.

"You ask me." He knows this is a stupid idea…but he likes ordering it around. "What do you want?"

It shuddered, but not from rage. A tremble radiating into his very bones. You, Simon. I want you. I want your company and all the things that come with it. I want your pain, your hate, your…your dominance. It all belongs to me. The Void wants you terribly…but you are mine.

"Hm…" The man calmly leaned back, dragging the eel by its sensitive tentacles. "I think that's a little backwards…you want to belong to me. Isn't that right?"

The strangled sound that meets him is nothing short of music to the man's ears. The Shed's veins writhed like live wires, flicking and shuddering suddenly. It speaks in a multitude of languages he doesn't know, all layered on top of one another until they finally condensed back into English.

You awful man! Teasing me with no intention of following through! Evil, loathsome, little worm! Delighting in my suffering! It practically sobbed.

He can't exactly help the cold snicker that bubbled up in his throat. "Yeah? You were so keen on being worshiped…but now you're all bent outta shape. C'mon, Shed where's that patience of yours? I know you can do it."

The eel rose out of the sanguine tide, looming over the platform. It rained blood down upon Simon, gills fluttering as he heard it take in air. You test it constantly, you over confidant beast.

"Yeah, but you seem to like it."

Do not tempt me. It growled, rattling the fillings in his teeth…or it felt like it anyways.

Simon curled a finger around a vein as it strayed close. "Might wanna be careful with your words, Shed." He can hear its breath stutter, so he immediately takes pity, yanking firmly. "You're betting against my patience too."

It let out a sound somewhere between a snarl of frustration and a sob.

God it felt good to do this to something like the eel. "Christ, alright. Show me what you want."

Its surprise is so intense, static dances in his vision. The Shed began to…condense at that. Flesh growing more dense, firm, whatever you want to call it. Eventually, while still over twenty feet long, it reduces its size enough to fully haul out onto the surface. Or at least half of itself.

He must have been staring a second too long, because a vein sharply smacked the backs of his knees. "Careful, Shed."

His warning pulled an irritated hiss from it. But it gently stroked the stinging marks in an silent apology. They'd work on it later. One battle at a time. The man allowed himself to be pulled in. His wrists are snared, guiding him towards its gill plates.

Even with how small it was now, the eel could very easily swallow him whole.

He knows what it's after. At least he thinks he does. Fingertips ghosting along the shuddering structures. "You gotta ask."

It tensed, anger rolling off of it in waves. But eventually, it relented. …Please.

Before he can even ask 'please what?', it growled out a clarification. Please put your hands in my gills.

"And it won't interfere with your breathing?" Simon wondered curiously.

I have many lungs. It tried to lean into him to drive him deeper, but he simply backed off. Even if we were in the blood, no. I can breathe. You're very small, even like this.

Realistically, he probably knew that. But this was already so strange. He was just trying to find things to keep himself distracted from thinking about what he was doing.

Simon moves slowly. Tortuously so if he had to guess from the desperate whines shivering through the voices in his mind. When it got like this, the Shed's collective became more obvious. Unable to focus on simply using the smooth feminine tone it most often fell into. Dozens- potentially hundreds of unique speakers, all with one goal.

M̸̛̞̘̳̿̊̂͋̎̍͐̿͘͜͝͠o̴̳̺̊͑̏̔̽̉͗̈̑́̈́̔̚r̵̡̛͍̈̂̿͘ȩ̷̡̛̖͚̘̟̩̠̯̺̬͈̘̟͂͑̽̔̉̆̐̒̚͝͠.̸̭͒́̉͝͠.̵̧̟͖̞̳̙͖͈͖̝̖͍̹̼͌́̋͗̒̃̀̅̓̈́̎͑̀̋̚͜.̸͇͚͑̎́̈́̌̏̽̚͘

He chuckled. "Can't understand you." He lied. "Get it together…and don't forget your manners."

The man is met by many small hands, gripping his thighs. Careful not to dig into his flesh too firmly, lest they rupture any of his blisters, or worse. It keens as he rasped a finger nail over slick, sensitive veins.

I'm trying.

He knows.

More…please.

That revved his engine more than he cared to admit. Out loud, that is. "Sure."

Calloused palms pressed flat against the rakers before grinding over the filaments. He took a moment to carefully delve between the fibers, like he was rooting out a hidden treasure.

Which he found when the eel couldn't stop itself from gasping. Almost shocked. He knows it just projected words into his head, but he wants to see its mutated vocal cords vibrating out the shape of his name.

"That's it." He rumbled, rewarding it with firmer contact. He begins to rub into its gills like he would with any human partner. In a cosmic sense, it was human once. "…I've got an idea."

It hummed, shivering beneath his hands.

Simon sat back, getting a better angle. He locked eyes with the eel…or at least one eye on its part. With his right arm, he reached towards its maw. "Do not bite me. Even by accident. Draw blood and this all stops. Do you understand?"

Do you trust me?

"No."

The laugh he earned was almost overwhelming at this range. It washed over his organs in the most uncomfortable way. Thankfully fleeting. Good. I will not bite you…unless you get curious, that is.

"You're pushing your luck, Shed." Simon cautioned it. He steeled himself before delving into the dark, dagger lined void it called a mouth.

You like it.

Irrelevant, he'd insist. There they are. The arches that lead into the gills from this side. With a sudden and harsh pull, he dragged it down into his lap fully, the weight of it making his knees howl in pain. Worth it.

He relished in the way it squirmed and whined, but did its absolute best to not make him bleed.

Impressed? It wondered, flinching when he harshly dug his fingers against the other side of is rakers.

"Something like that." As he continued to earn an endless stream of pathetic, needy moans, Simon decided to test his luck a little. "Shed?"

Caution, Simon…

Oh well that changed things.

Not.

"You know you aren't actually a god, right?" He didn't stop firmly circling its delicate internal structures, buying himself some goodwill in exchange for its patience.

…Perhaps not to you. Veins curled around any inch of him they could reach. Kneading his muscles like he was a living stress toy. But what is a human to an ant if not a god?

"Not what I meant." He shook his head, disinterested in proper theological debates. Fingernails digging into the relatively thin membranes. "The Void is a god. Whatever that light is…who knows. But you…you weren't what any of them would call holy."

The Shed rumbled, the vibration singing between them, making the man's vision blur for a moment. …It is often difficult to tell where I end and the Void begins-

The eel cut itself off with a strangled moan as Simon finds the base of one of the veins. There, Simon. Right there.

He closed his fingers around the structure, but didn't move. He rephrased the question. "Do you think you're a god?"

Simon! It hissed angrily, grip tightening. The tips of its teeth grazing the man's skin. This can wait!

He quickly let go. "If you insist-"

Yes! It snapped, everything backing off, desperate to regain his contact. And no. I am all and nothing. The answer and the question. The ally and the enemy. Why can't I be both? Why can't you let me have this?

He mulled it over for a few long moments, slowly returning to the area it wanted him to be. "You can think whatever you want. I spent too much of my life not questioning what called itself divine. Now I'm here."

With me.

He felt it lean into him, a bastardization of affection. "Yeah. With you." A sigh ghosts over the eel's wet skin as Simon laid against it finally. "I'm never going to roll over for you. I'll piss you off, hurt you, potentially kill you. You understand that, right?"

Yes. Blood and slime soaked his lap. And you know I will do the same for you. Rather than forming it like a question, that was a statement of facts.

"Wouldn't you rather someone that blindly submits?" He walked his finger tips down her branching veins, feeling the tension increase with each feather light touch. "I imagine you'll get tired of me fighting you at every angle. Running every chance I get?"

I take no pleasure in an easy hunt. That, I do to survive. Dozens of tongues pressed up against the underside of his right arm. The roughness of their taste buds grinding into his wounds. Rather than distracting him, the sensation is a nice focal point. You are not food. Not anymore.

"Eh." He shrugged, finally finding that sensitive core he was after. "You'll change your mind eventually."

Simon silenced it by getting to work. Gripping and pulling at the tendrils until-

He sees black speckles blotting out his vision. When they clear, Simon sees a laboratory. Small but- no. Not small. Not for what it was. A miniaturized facility housed inside a submarine. Familiar sounds of a hull breach alarm. Proximity sensor screaming to be heard. But no one was listening. Some were fighting one another. But one was at the controls. Holding them in place. Stone-like, unable to be budged even when another broke past the one defending her. Despite her tiny frame, he couldn't gain even a millimeter of progress. Throwing his full weight did nothing.

Then came the rush of blood. Slowly creeping up her face until-

He's back. The Shed was shivering in his lap like it had been swimming at top speed for hours. A pathetic, trembling mess of a pseudo-god…huh. It must have really been out of it because there's not even a hint of anger that rose from that.

Damn, he was either better than he thought, or it was so unused to pleasure that he just broke it. He thinks the latter is far more likely.

When the eel composed itself, it didn't bother to argue over it. Or the previous point he made about what they were to one another. This was rapidly becoming their apparent reality. Always fluxing between predator and prey…

Grace had headed off to work about an hour ago. Normally it was Rocky who walked him there, but he was busy with…something that he didn't feel like sharing with the pair. So Simon had been the one to see him down the stairs before returning to their shared home.

He'd taken a shine to tending their small gardens.

Something he never expected to be able to do. His calloused hands coaxing seedlings from the soil, working with the agricultural hive to see if hybridization was possible, helping them develop new tools and machinery…but it was all for this simple reward.

A verdant sprout peeking from the earth. The promise of food beyond synthetic meat and vitamin supplements. Of life. To succeed where Eden and the COI had failed.

Simon.

He hummed for the Shed to continue. Their relationship, while still unhealthy, had grown far less contentious in their time on Erid. As long as it was left alone and he didn't ignore it, the eel was happy. Whatever it did to keep busy didn't bother the balance of the dome, so it all worked out in the end.

The smaller one, Rocky. He needs you.

"With what?" Normally, the Shed totally ignored the Eridians. It didn't truly care so long as they weren't messing with it.

He's struggling with something he'd normally ask Adrian for. Go help him, his whining is getting on my nerves.

Ah, how sweet.

"Is he home?" Simon wondered as he went to retrieve his personal suit. They'd gotten them so much more refined over the couple of years he'd been here. Going from clunky, unwieldy things, to…well okay. It's still pretty awkward. But it's far closer to the human made ones. Individual fingers, finer joining around the hips, hell it actually had knees.

Yes. He's been squirming around for a few hours.

"Alright. I'll see what's up." Simon finished latching the xenonite before heading into the airlock. The sound always left his ears ringing, probably a side effect of all the explosions he'd been around in his life. Once he's passed into the Erid side, he followed the path Grace had taught him lead to his partner's home.

The headlamp revealed the differently textured walkway, embossed with small circular divots. The shape was something that was directly associated with the humans. Most of Eridian construction was angular, especially at large scale. So smooth curves were often seen as exotic. Human.

Besides, the dwelling was nearly flush with the wall of the biodome, so it wasn't exactly difficult to locate.

Simon slid his palm over the strings that were nestled against the archway leading into the dwelling. An alien doorbell essentially. Not that there was really much of a 'door'. Eridian hives often had something close to a courtyard, an open space that was used to greet guests before heading past the actual barriers. Walls that would roll out of the way at the press of a button.

After a moment, the message is returned. This was a far more difficult form of the language for him to understand. Like trying to grasp what early synthesized voices were saying.

'Get away.'

He just spoke, knowing the alien could hear. "The Shed says you need help."

Another long pause. 'No you business. Get.'

"You know it wouldn't tell me anything if it wasn't my business. Last warning, I know how to get into your door from here." Simon rolled his eyes. He's about to just force his way in when the mechanism triggered.

Once it fully shifted, the man only had to duck slightly to get into the home. Rocky wasn't right there, but the communication network was strung throughout the place. "Where is he?"

Bedroom. All the way back on the right. The eel replied. It was nice to have a mind reader in your head sometimes. You're welcome.

Simon found him huddled in a corner. The light catching the smooth green mineral deposits like a beacon. "…Hey, big guy."

"You should not be here." Rocky immediately chastised him. "Rocky fine."

Oh, so this was the way they were playing this. Okay. "Yeah, well I'm here. And you don't look fine."

"Very private. Not your-𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅝!" He cut himself off with a startled gasp of notes.

"Are you in pain?" Simon very carefully crept closer. Knowing that if Rocky actually lashed out at him it would hurt. Bad.

Really bad. Xenonite can only protect him so much. If Rocky caught him at one of the joints, he could very easily dislocate something. Or break it.

"No." He whined softly. "You won't understand. Is okay, Simon can go."

"I'm not leaving. Just tell me what's going on so I can help." He sunk into a crouch, and that's when the light catches it. A bright glint that dripped from the Eridian's carapace. So he's potentially bleeding.

"Is so private, Simon. You don't want this."

Ah. Or maybe something else.

"I told you before, I'm here for you like Grace is." Simon reminded his friend.

"Grace would not do this. He doesn't like it." Rocky's legs were trembling.

So yeah, that solidified it. This was something in the realm of Eridian sexuality. He's right, Grace isn't interested in sex. He's had it before, but it wasn't something he was particularly enchanted with.

"You don't want this. Is okay." Something pulled a tiny shriek from Rocky.

"Fucks sake man." Simon rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Who cares if I want to sleep with you? You need help, I'm the one here. If you need it, I'll give it to you. Just tell me what you need."

After a long pause, Rocky turned to him. "Sit against the wall."

Simon stepped past him, settling into the corner. He observed quietly, waiting for instructions.

Rocky shook like a leaf as he stumbled into the man's lap. "So sorry…"

"For what?" Simon let his voice soften as the alien gets comfortable.

"I not know my cycle would start early." He groaned, his body somehow appearing to be frail. A living contradiction. "Adrian was supposed to be here."

Ah. Okay. Grace had explained Eridian reproduction at some point. Essentially, they lay eggs next to one another, which fuse before forming a hard shell. But this was direct experience.

"Well, I don't mind." Simon offered Rocky his shin to hold onto, which was gladly accepted. Thankfully the xenonite here was more than strong enough to take the brute strength. As long as he didn't grab his ankle, it would be fine. "Tell me what you need."

"You doing it. Letting me push against." Rocky grunted, pushing back against the man. Mercury seeping from something that Simon couldn't…and likely didn't want to see."But…"

His legs instinctively tightened, which seemed to encourage the alien. "But what, big guy? What do you need?"

"Kinda gross but…" With a trembling, nervous claw, Rocky brought Simon's hand beneath him. "H-…hold me open? My egg bigger than normal…Adrian and I was planning…"

Simon doesn't hesitate to pull the Eridian's vent wider, hearing a low buzzing wheeze rev up. "Do they know?"

"No…was so sudden." Rocky's voice wound into meaningless notes again.

"I can help, if you want." The man offered, feeling what must have been the egg sliding past his knuckles. It was so soft… "Grace said they can last a little while if-"

"If keep wet. Simon…thank. You are good friend."

He's not exactly sure if he's the best person for this. If Rocky's satisfied, that's all that matters...but Simon directed his thoughts to the Shed, knowing it was sure to be listening. He needs someone with more experience. He needs- 'Hey, can you see about getting Adrian home sooner?'

What is it worth to you? The eel's voice is significantly frostier. No matter how often it said it didn't mind, it was still possessive over his affections.

'Yes, we can hookup, please just bring them home. I know you can.' He honestly doesn't mind it. They'd been finding comfort in one another for a very long time now.

Hm. Very well. Come home tonight. Meaning, you get down to the beach as soon as possible.

'Deal.' Simon is pulled back to his current situation when something landed with a wet sound between his thighs.

Rocky's limbs went slack like a puppet who's strings were cut. He's gasping, pulling air over his internals. After taking a moment to gather himself, he began to walk Simon through helping him preserve the precious cargo as much as possible.

"Simon, I need sleep…" Rocky asked, his song far softer than it was when they started. "You observe?"

He nodded, patting the freshly cleaned corner they'd had their strange bonding session in. Simon watched as the alien climbed into his strange sprawling 'bed' before going dormant.

Adrian will be home in three hours. The Shed chimed in.

"Good." He was finally able to fully relax. "Y'know…I think you like these two more than you'd admit."

I want to name it.

"Okay, we can suggest a name." Simon tried to temper its expectations. "If it lives."

Acceptable. The eel rattled. Name it Ellie.

"…Ellie?" He wondered, almost incredulous. It's so…normal.

Exactly. There's that smugness. They'll never guess. Do what I tell you, Simon.

"Geeze, fine." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Ellie it is."

Good. Don't forget to hose your suit down before getting out of it. It wouldn't do to get heavy metal poisoning from sleeping with your friend's husband.

Fire. Smoke. Blood. Steel.

It all surrounded Simon like a pack of wolves who'd singled him out as the runt of the litter. Noticed his weakness. He tried to run, but he was mobbed. Ripped apart until a monster rose, wearing his skeleton.

It pivoted, seeing…Grace. No. No, no!

It tore into the kindhearted teacher without hesitation. Simon could taste his warm flesh sliding down his newly reborn throat. He watched in utter horror as the light left his-

"SIMON!!"

He gasped, sitting up suddenly…or trying to. Rocky was hovering directly over the man. Thankfully they'd known each other long enough that he didn't need Grace to translate anymore.

"You were screaming."

"Oh…shit, I'm sorry." Simon shifted his weight so he could clear the hair from his eyes without toppling over. Hard to remember not to try and lean on his long lost left arm. "Has Grace told you what a nightmare is?"

"Yes. Had many before Simon showed up." The Eridian confirmed. "You have had them around Rocky before. Very often."

"Oh…I didn't want to startle you." He tried to shoulder the alien off, but he was having none of it.

"You did." Rocky intentionally hunkered down further. "Doesn't matter. Is Simon okay?"

"You're making me nervous, let me get up." The man warned him.

Thankfully, he wasn't always so difficult. Rocky gave an irritated huff before side stepping, settling directly next to Simon's hip.

"Where's Grace? Normally he'd be here by now."

"He's out for walk." Rocky explained. "Do you want me to get him?"

"No, no it's okay." Simon shook his head, fully propping himself up. "He's allowed to take time for himself."

"If Simon insists." Rocky whistled softly through his vents. A sigh, or at least that's what he'd come to believe. He's clearly unsure of exactly what to do.

The pair were always ever so slightly at odds with one another. After all, he and Grace had known each other for at least a year and some change before the Shed had brokered a deal with the Void to patch them into a new reality. The Eridian was going to naturally be pretty defensive.

Plus, he's pretty sure the alien had recognized that Simon had feelings for his husband, so there's that.

Not that he'd ever mention it to Grace. He doesn't want to sully the man with his long stained hands. He's got too much going for him.

Besides, the Shed was often territorial, and he wasn't sure how calm it would be if he started to actually pursue him. He remembered it making some implication that he could stray as long as he didn't forget where 'home' was. Not like it was easy to forget the big fucking hell eel you'd trauma bonded with.

There's a light chuckle at the back of his mind.

"…Hey, Rock'?"

"What?"

"I know I'm not really…good at mentioning it but…" He sighed heavily, letting his hand rest on the xenonite shell that kept the Eridian safe in their bio-dome. "I really do appreciate you. I get that we're not exactly friends, but…thanks."

"You don't think we're friends?" That comes as something as a shock. Well…of course he didn't think they were buddies? Rocky was always on the verge of screaming at him, so…

"…I kinda thought you only tolerated me because of Grace."

"Rocky have life outside of Grace." The Eridian pointed out. "If I didn't like you, I could ask friend to watch Simon sleep."

Always the practical one.

"You did try and chase me off a couple of times." He shrugged. "And you weren't too thrilled when I was sharing a bed with Grace in the first few days. Then you made me my own room."

"I didn't know you then." Is such a simple thought that hadn't even occurred to him. "Simon and Grace sleep at different times. Better with two bedroom. You deserve have things for you. Just you."

Oh…that was…far sweeter than whatever he'd been expecting.

"I know I not…nice like Grace is. Or-" Rocky gave a slightly irked sound, similar to a human blowing a raspberry. "Human's not as able to understand. Culture barrier. Language barrier. Will never fully go away."

Yeah, Simon doesn't think he'll ever be so fluent as to understand a conversation like an Eridian would. Probably not even like Grace could.

"Rocky do like Simon. You're protective. Strong. Kind." He went on, fiddling with the ties on his blanket. "Grace needed someone like you."

"He has you and Adrian, he doesn't need me." Simon glanced away. Even without eyes, he can't tolerate even the implication of meeting the alien's gaze in that moment. "I'm not a very good influence."

One of those brash whistles that Rocky often used to cut off conversations he didn't like the direction of. "You better than you realize. Grace was happy before…but you give him something Rocky can't. Don't have human word for it. 𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅝♪♬𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅝𝅗𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅝♪♬𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅯𝅝𝅗𝅥𝅘𝅥."

Fuck, that was nearly as long as a 'proper' full Eridian name. "Well, tell me what it means, we'll see if we can find something close in English."

Plus it gave him a second to not think about what they were discussing.

"Is like…when Eridian finds something that they didn't know they were missing. Something they need without knowing. Not always companion, sometimes job, hobby, offspring…it's what was missing but not noticed." He hummed. "Rocky found in Grace. Grace find in you. Even if he doesn't know it. Rocky can see…Simon is leaking?"

Rocky had developed a word in Southern-Most Eridian for 'crying', but he often insisted on falling back on ♪♬ or leaking. Something like an in joke between him and Grace.

Simon scrubbed at his eyes. "Sorry."

"You don't have anything to be sorry for." Rocky leaned firmly against the man's right side. "Humans weird about relationship. Too complicated and too simple at same time. There is a place for Simon."

He returned the pressure. "It's okay. I'm happy where I am."

"You aren't."

The accusation landed so strangely. Soft as a sigh and sharp as glass. Sticks to him more painfully somehow. Because he was happy. He couldn't ask for more. And yet…the alien saw something he couldn't. Something the Shed had as well.

"…I'm not sure it's something that others can fix, Rock'." He quietly let himself drape over the Eridian, in something that can be described as a cuddle. "I've been pretty fucked up for a long time now. Some scars don't heal."

"They not have to."

Simon doesn't respond, just curling against Rocky. They just…stay like that. For a very long time. Settling against one another like grains of sand. Finding where he naturally fell. Something he didn't expect to be able to do.

"…There's not really a real word for that, by the way." Simon eventually spoke up. "But the closest is 'complete'. It means a lot of things."

"Simon complete Grace."

"Yeah, well so do you." He traced patterns in the fog his breath left on the suit. "When I was in quarantine, he never stopped talking about you. How clever you are, how much you meant to him…I'm not even a tenth of what you are to him."

"Doesn't mean he doesn't need you."

That's the hard thing about talking with Rocky. He left almost no room to truly argue sometimes. So matter of fact that it became impossible to push against. So Simon just…lets it go. He doesn't truly believe it, but…Rocky did.

More time passed. He could feel sleep pulling at the back of his mind. It was getting really late…or early, technically. "I should go see if Grace is alright."

Rocky followed the man out of the bed, trilling in agreement.

Before the pair got to the door, Simon paused. "Hey, Rocky?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks." He once more doesn't meet his 'eyes'. Staring directly at the entryway. "I do like you, even if you piss me off sometimes."

That light, repetitive chirping was something he'd come to recognize as the alien mimicking a human laugh. "You're welcome."

"If there's ever anything I can do for you, just tell me." Simon rested his lone hand on the suit. "There's stuff I can do better than Grace."

"I keep it in mind."

"I'm just going to go stretch my legs, Rock'." Grace stood. He spoke softly, knowing Simon was asleep in his personal room. Rocky was with him, as the man usually slept earlier than Grace did. So when he laid down a few hours later, the Eridian would switch rooms and monitor them both through the wall.

A light trill tells him he's been heard.

Sometimes it's nice to have a night time stroll. Grace took a flashlight so he didn't break his neck on the stairs, but usually it's fine once he gets to the beach. Especially since there's no one else here.

The sound of the waves was always soothing to him.

Ryland.

He jolted, watching the light sail off into the surf with a comical splash. He adjusted his glasses, looking along the 'moon' lit beach. He knows. Logically, he knows that Simon was the only one who spoke English. There was no feminine voiced human on Erid.

He knows that this has to be the…well, he really doesn't know what the creature Simon calls the Shed is.

You could always ask. And call me Bloodshed.

Right. Right, he had a mind reader living in his simulated ocean. It was huge, though apparently smaller than it had once been. "Sorry…uh…you've just never talked to me before. Not directly."

True. There's a low, strange rumbling. It's almost like a very bass-heavy variation of a seal vocalizing…

It's laughing at him. Cool.

Here- A long tendril rose from the sea, holding…oh! It's got his light. Carefully it handed it back to him.

"Thank you!" Grace didn't like how his voice cracked, almost startled. "Is there uh…something you need? Simon's asleep."

I'm aware. That's no issue to me, I can talk to him whenever I like. Even in his sleep. The Bloodshed explained. The water began to ripple as it came closer to shore. When it broke the surface, the man had to brace himself.

It can't help how…unsettling it was. Clouded eyes fixing on him whilst also looking totally unfocused. Veins winding from its gill plates that it used to interact with its surroundings. Strange, seal-like flippers that were just a hair too close to human hands for his tastes. Trailing down into what are undeniably arms and legs. Facial structures of a similarly humanoid persuasion, skulls this time. Long teeth that could rival swords. Despite it being, in Simon's description, a fraction of what it once was, the Bloodshed would easily be capable of swallowing him whole. A body made of-

Are you going to keep staring?

Grace blinked. "S-sorry!"

There's that rattling chuckle again. It's alright…I can see why he likes you.

"He?" The teacher tilted his head, looking up at it. "Who, Rocky?"

Okay, he's getting the tiniest bit tired of being laughed at. For someone this smart, you don't pick up on interpersonal things very quickly, do you? You and Rocky are together, true. But I'm referring to Simon.

…What?

"Simon likes me?" He's almost gobsmacked. Sure, they got along well but… "Like…like likes me?"

The Bloodshed let out a low breath through its gills. It also seemed capable of lasting out of the water, not unlike a lungfish. He often imagines what it would be like if he met first you instead of your mate. Yes, he…ugh- 'like' likes you.

There's a part of him that felt terrible for not realizing…but Grace also didn't see Simon like that. Really, it was a wonder he was with Rocky and Adrian. He didn't think he'd wind up with anyone after Linda. He's not exactly into romantic relationships.

I can see why. You're a very handsome man. Clever, kind, gentle, funny…everything he considers himself to not be.

"He's all of those things!" Grace turned to face the eel more directly, accidentally flashing the light in its face. "Sorry."

It used a tentacle to re-wet its eyes. It's fine. But that's beside the point. You are charming, and I wanted to meet you without…distractions.

Wait…had-

Yes, I gave you the urge to wander. Do you really think you'd go on a walk when you had papers to grade? The sand shifted under its weight. The folds of its soft flesh bunching as it turned to meet his confused gaze. I needed Simon to be asleep so Rocky would be less likely to interrupt us.

Because of course, the Eridian would be able to at least somewhat hear that something was going on. He's far enough that he probably couldn't make out the words over the tide. But he would be able to tell Grace was talking to someone. "And Adrian is visiting family."

Yes. It confirmed. I will eventually introduce myself to your mates, but for today…

The Bloodshed reached out and threaded a tendril through the man's hair. It was…studying him. In that moment, he'd remember how Simon mentioned a little…quirk of the entity.

It was very…very touchy.

And very possessive.

Grace doesn't know what to do. Sure, should he be happy he's bonding with it? Probably. It was the whole reason Simon was able to be saved. It had struck some sort of deal with the god that governed its existence that the two refused to share with anyone else. Whatever the terms were, this 'Void' had peeled open the fabric of space time to deliver them to Erid.

But the Bloodshed didn't just do things in half measures. It had nearly killed Grace when he was helping Simon out of the artificial ocean.

Like he said. Possessive.

And now he was in that faded sight.

Do you not like my attentions? The eel wondered curiously. You must admit, you are a very interesting man.

"Right but I'm already with Rocky and Adrian." He shifted his weight, only to find himself being picked up.

I do not need you to reciprocate. I simply wanted to…test the waters.

"…Is that a pun?" He must look like a confused owl with how wide his eyes were and how often he blinked.

You seem to be fond of humor.

Grace is so unsure of what to do. Simon had warned him that the Bloodshed could fly off the handle at any given moment. For all its composure in his experience, his friend told stories of the desperate screaming beast that he knew. Howling and sobbing for him to do what it said. That it was deeply unhinged, willing to do anything to keep the convict in its grip.

But every time Simon had played mouthpiece was like this. Calm. Reasonable. Open minded.

I will not go further than this. It promised. I simply want to…

…Cuddle. It wanted to coil around him and have a moment of comfort. From what his friend had told him, this creature had been human once. Many humans. And in moments like this, it became clear that it still sought out connection. Perhaps that was what drew it to Simon in the first place. What stayed its hand…hands.

"Okay." Grace acknowledged. "But Rocky's not going to be happy with you. He's still mad at you for hurting me."

He will get over it.

Maybe. He quietly reached out to it. "Can I…feel you? It's only fair." And he's been curious about this since they met. He's a scientist, it's in his nature to explore his surroundings. If he didn't bear the scars to remind him, Grace would have repeatedly tried to touch Rocky and Adrian.

Of course. It drew him close to its head without fuss. I don't think you'll find it pleasant. Simon whines about it often.

"Sure, I just…want to know." The man hesitated for a split second before pressing his fingers against it's hide. From this close, he can see that it does actually have scales. They're thin and flexible. If someone was to try eating it, they wouldn't need to remove them.

What is it with you humans and wanting to know what it's like to eat me?

"Well, you were human…you know how we are with food." He digs his hands into the Bloodshed's slime coat, testing the gelatinous nature of its flesh. "Besides, it's not like there's much variety in our cuisine. Even if we could eat Eridian food, they almost fully wiped out their sea life. I kinda miss it."

I'm not letting you get a taste. It warned. Even if you are cute.

He chuckled. "Sure, that's fair…but I'm not interested. In uh…either aspect."

It rumbled, pulling him away and setting him down. If you insist. Though from what your mate often thinks about, it took you some time to warm up to him as well.

As the Bloodshed fully released him, it began to push back into the water.

"You've got Simon, you don't need me as well."

You're very different to him…keep an open mind, Ryland.

Silently, it dipped below the surface, vanishing. The drag marks the only indication it had been there at all…well, and the disgusting mucous that all but covered the teacher.