tragic-comedy-act

"An' and then mister fox told miss froggy that they COULDN'T go to the forest today to play because mister fox had to help at the school!" Grace babbles, his little figures dancing over the papers and binders on Stratt's desk.

"Mhm? And what did miss froggy respond with?" Stratt ask as she continued typing.

Grace thought for a moment, twirling the fox figure on it's nose, "she said mister fox was...a poopy head!"

Stratt raises a brow, "a rather vulgar name for her to call mister fox, he's simply trying to educate the grove's children."

Grace nods solemnly, "mhm, that's why she's gonna go to jail for one gazillion million years," he says as he slides the frog figure beneath Stratt's tablet stand.

--

A couple hours later, or the next day Grace is back in the lab, diligently working. Until Stratt walks in and Grace can see that faint grin.

He groans, leaning his chair back.

"What did I say thiiiiis time?"

Even just a light breeze on the back of his neck can set him off sometimes, and he ends up curling up in a ball putting his hands on his neck trying to protect it… Rocky and Adrian were very confused when one of those episodes happened the first time, because Grace hadn’t really gone into the details of what got him on the hail mary, so it was confusion and stress for everyone involved :(

Oh goodness yes💔😭

Big Grace is able to compartmentalize, tell himself he's okay, no one is gonna to hurt him, it was just the wind, just an accidental brush over the nape of his neck, it's okay!

But tiny Grace? Oooh that poor baby is SCARED. He remembers the last time anything was near his neck!! He remembers the sharp jab, the screaming, the crying and pleading all falling on deaf ears!

So he's instantly thinking that's happening again!! He's gonna get the scary yucky poke, they're going to hold him down and not care about his cries, they're gonna make him go to sleep for a long time!!!💔💔

Poor Rocky and Adrian, they're bewildered! Grace was happily playing just seconds ago but now he's sobbing and both hands wrapped around his neck and he's crying and begging for something to stop😭

The two Eridian's attempt to console Grace but it's kinda tricky to do so when you don't know what's causing such a reaction! Eventually the two do a gentle thrumming/tone saved for inconsolable hatchlings because it physically relaxes a body.

Grace is still sniffling but at least now he's not fiercely holding his neck. He's pressed against Rocky while Adrian is patting his back, just making small noises of a baby who cried himself into exhaustion

When Grace is big, Rocky and Adrian basically demand that Grace tell them why his smaller side reacted like that!

And oooh Rocky is utterly FUMING when Grace explains his whole neck sensitivity (Grace learns some new swear words, he's pretty sure Rocky made some new ones for earth) 😭😭

Adrian leans in to tie a bib around his neck before feeding time? A very frightened Grace asking “gentle?” to which Adrian confirms “yes yes yes. Always gentle.”

Rocky helping change him? “Gentle?” Grace asks before laying down on the mat. “Gentle gentle gentle. Example,” Rocky confirms, touching his leg lightly to show the pressure he is going to use.

It’s just a routine that any time his carers interact with him physically, he asks “gentle?” even when he’s not afraid anymore and has gotten used to being cared for by Adrian and Rocky, then he starts saying “gentle”, as more of a reassurance to himself that yes, they will be gentle with him ❤️

!!!! 😭😭💖

Gentle gentle gentle! It's what baby Grace needs, he needs to be reassured that all touch and actions are from gentle and secure intentions!

Rocky and Adrian don't mind in the slightest to reassure Grace that they will be gentle 💖 They know Grace has fears and trauma's that stem from his last hours on earth and they don't want Erid to have those some feelings for Grace!! They want their little hatchling to feel safe on this planet!!

So whenever Grace ask "gentle?" they always respond and show how gentle they will be♡ Even if he ask hundreds of time, even if it's a task they've do everytime Grace is tiny, they will always reassure him and show him that they will be gentle with him💖

And the first time it happened, she thought he was asking about the status of the research which really confused her… but she told him anyways

…only for him to look up at her innocently and just softly say “Statt” again

And that’s when she realized it… she’s “Statt”~

-Kays 🩷

!!!!!!!!

Her brow rose when she heard the request, her index swiping through a couple of files.

"Astrophage production rate has increased by 0.09 percent, which is up compared to last week," she said, eyes flicking down to Grace, who was seated by her chair, wooden block in one hand while the other was hovering near his lips.

Why did he want a status update? He barely understands that a blanket over the head doesn't mean he's hidden let alone breeding of astrophage.

"Statt," Grace says, this time a low whine in his tone.

"Stat, what status do you want?" Stratt asked, "there are certainly...plenty, but I'm not sure they're the most adequate pre-nap story."

"Statttttt," the whine higher pitch as he dropped his block, letting it clatter on the ground, both arms raised with an insistent noise.

Statt...statt ? Oh. OH

"Oh Grace, are you, are you saying my name? Stratt?" She asked as she leaned over to scoop Grace onto her lap.

"Statt," Grace hummed, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck, "Statt," he mumbled, fingers twisting around her blouse.

Stratt smiled, her heart fluttering in her chest as one hand splayed over Grace's upper back.

"Yes, Statt, that's me."

"So, if we add a trace amount of the...the," Grace's face scrunched up for a moment, "a'tro'age in with the...pink mixies it's going to make a good spark!"

Ilyukhina's head tilted with a grin as Stratt blinked slowly, her lips pressed together to keep herself from smiling.

"A'tro'age? Pink mixies?" Ilyukhina cooed, "and it'll make a good spark huh Gracey?"

Grace huffed, hands balled up at his sides as he looked away from the two women.

"You know what I mean," he said, his tone a bit whiny.

Stratt's arm draped around Grace's side, "yes yes, we do. But, I think it's time for a break, your 'pink mixies' will still be here after your nap."

But, tiny Grace called her a "meanie mama" one time and that CRUSHED her😭

So now she's sitting at her desk, head in her hands as Carl is standing there.

"He called me a meanie, he called me 'meanie mama'."

Carl just shrugs, "and? He called me mister booger head because I didn't let him have skittles before dinner, he doesn't mean it."

Stratt gives the man a look. One that would make most men squirm. But not Carl, he was used to her.

It was a given that Simon would have bad nights, nights where the poor baby is inconsolable💔

Grace has tried everything, a warm bottle (Simon drank half, spit it all up), bounced him on his lap (a huge feat considering Simon is nearly 6'8), heck Grace even recited all of the periodic table (something that typically gets Simon asleep by strontium).

Even Rocky tried to help! He used the soft tones and melodies used for fussy hatchlings but Simon just butted his head against the bed as if it were irritating him😭 (Grace has to reassure Rocky it's okay, Simon still likes Rocky's voice, he's just overwhelmed right now)

But Simon is still weeping and unable to settle 💔

Until Grace goes on the laptop, trying to find any lullabies or nursery rhymes. Grace stumbles upon a file full of lullabies and clicks the first one that loads in. And it's one in Korean.

And Simon just almost instantly stops crying, his head peaking out from over Grace's shoulder as his hand reaches out, making a weak grabby motion towards the singing.

Grace lets out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding in.

"New song help Simon, question?"

Grace nods, feeling Simon's head grow heavy on his chest, "new to us but, I think the lil guy already knows it."

Oh my goodness yes xD

"Alright Grace, time for a nap."

"Why?"

"Because it's 11am you always take a nap at this time."

"Whyyy?"

"Because you get grumpy and fussy without your nap."

"...why?"

" *huge sigh* because Bill Nye said to."

😭😭💖!

"Ryland Grace, please stay away from the pilot room at this current moment," Mary's voice chimes while Armando is plopping Grace down on his bed for the third time.

Grace giggles, a little wiggle as he climbs off the bed, toddling right back to the pilot area.

He squeaks when he feels the rubbery appendages of Armando plucking him up once more, this time carrying him to the screen room.

Grace is about to get up and play the "go be in pilot room" game but, that idea vanishes once a cartoon is put on for Grace.

I like to imagine little Grace does that to baby Simon 😭🤣

And Rocky and Adrian are just thinking like, you guys are practically the same age..😭

"Baby!" Grace happily says, a light bouncing as he pointed towards Simon (who was currently being bottle fed by Adrian)

Rocky tilted his body, "Grace had bottle this morning, is Grace baby too, question?"

Grace shakes his head vehemently, "nuh-uh! Simon baby 'cause he needs help with his baba," he explained, jabbing his index finger against his chest, "m'not a baby 'cause I do it all by myselfs! N' I can do lots more than the baby!" He beamed.

Rocky can't help but laugh a bit because technically it was true, tiny Grace could do more than Simon could while in headspace. But, more of a "Grace can play on the beach but needs constant reminders to not eat the sand while Simon prefers to be held and watch while Grace plays" thing, older than Simon but not by much xD

Big Simon can handle it, sure he's in pain but it's nothing he can't handle. Yeah, he only has one arm but, he's alive.

Tiny Simon though? Oh the poor baby is so upset and confused!! Why does he feel so yucky??

Oh goodness, Grace comes in with some pain pills (even the less strong stuff works good for Simon, lord knows painpills on the station was a shot of whiskey and something to bite down on) and Simon looks to Grace, eyes wet with tears that have been spilling for the last hour.

"Come back?"

Grace thinks Simon is talking about him.

"Of course I came back, gotta make sure my star patient is doing okay," Grace says as he sits on the edge of the bed.

Simon's face scrunched up as he shakes his head.

"Noo, come back?" Simon repeats, this time gesturing slightly to the bandaged nub.

Grace's heart stop for a moment, an ache in his chest as Simon looks to him with hope, as if Grace could magically fix it.

"Oh buddy," Grace begins, his tone soft, hesitant, "you were really really hurt and your arm got the most of the ouchies," he careful explains, "so your arm had to go away and isn't coming back."

Simon blinks slowly, those doe eyes looking to Grace.

"Forever?"

Grace nods, "forever. But, it's okay, the most important thing right now is helping the rest of your body with all it's sicks. That's why we're giving you lots of special pills and medicines," Grace says, holding the small cup of pills up a bit, "can you be my rockstar and take these? They'll help you."

Simon is hesitant, eyes flicking down to his nub and back to Grace. Slowly he nods, opening his mouth.

Grace smiles, "good boy, thank you. Now, quick gulp and then you'll be all done until later."

"Stay?" Simon ask, his voice softer, smaller as he was being pulled by the tiredness once more.

Grace nodded, scooting a bit more into the bed.

So when he has a babysitter who does do it he immediately gets all shy and giggly 🥺

Yess!

Stratt doesn't baby talk, she doesn't coo, she talks to tiny Grace in the same voice she would talk to him while big ("Good rest, Grace? Great. I have a banana ready if you would require it before you play.") ! A bit softer (and or course slipping some endearing nicknames) but still very much the same!

Stratt says it's for "development" and better for Grace to hear the proper words and pronunciations but she's honestly just not good at baby talks (it's SO unnatural for her) xD

But a carer who does baby talk? Ooh Grace is the shyest baby around! He'll hide his face with his blankie or hands as he giggles and wiggles when they coo over him ( "ooh did Gracey have a good nap-nap? Did he get all his sleepies out? Is Gracey ready for some play or does he need some nummies for his tummy?") he just becomes soooo giggly and babbles even more because it has him feel even smaller, in a different way compared with Stratt (dw, Stratt has other ways that have Grace feel uber tiny) ;w;

10ccs of cg stratt, asap!

@mythical-regression

Oooh Grace tantrums are legendary!

The vat is new, it's cramped, Grace's room is basically a broom closet, yucky and dumb!!!!

Big Grace just grumbles and accepts it (it's not like he's in his room much, he's either in meetings with Stratt or in the lab)

But tiny Grace? Ooh that little guy is getting frustrated by the third time he bumps his head on the low doorway. And a frustrated Grace means a Grace more prone to tantrums!

And today was the tipping point for tiny Grace😭 and it was all over the fact that he was told no by Stratt that he couldn't continue to eat skittles in the lab (you drop ONE skittle in a bit of astrophage once and suddenly it's a crime!)

Oooh that was just too much for Grace! It wasn't fair, none of this was fair!! This was so mean and unfair! Grace huffs, his lower lip trembling into a firm pout as he glares.

"No!"

Stratt sighs, "Grace, it's final."

"No no no! No final!" Grace whines, his foot stomping against the floor, shoulder tight.

It's a impulsive action, one driven by his upset but, Grace grabs the nearest object, which thankfully was just a pen holder and throws it. The pens and other objects scattering onto the floor with a loud clang as the holder rolled next to Stratt's foot.

"Ryland (middle name) Grace."

Uh oh. Full name.

Grace winces, shoulders now wrung up to his ears, eyes swimming with tears as he hears Stratt walk over his him.

"Look at me, please."

Grace hesitantly meets her gaze.

"You can be mad at me, but you can not throw equipment, no matter how inconsequential they seem. It's not safe for anyone," she explains, "now I want you to use your words, not your hands, to tell me *why* it feels unfair."

Grace sniffled, wiping at his face.

"I-it not fair ca-cause I only made the mistake ONCE, I didn't mean for it to fall inside. I don' know why I'm bein' punished for one mistake."

Stratt looks at Grace for a moment before slinking her hand to rest over his shoulder.

"Astrophage is very important but, your safety is even more so," she began, "we don't know what the reaction could be if those sugars and dyes mingle with the Astrophage. Astrophage can be dangerous, what if the candy had caused a volatile reaction and caused a big 'boom'?"

Grace looked to the ground, "it wouldn' be good," he said, voice small.

Stratt nodded, "it wouldn't be good that's right. We'd loose data but more importantly," Stratt pauses, her thumb now rubbing over Grace's cheek, "I'd loose you."

That seemed to resonate with Grace as he starts to cry.

"M'orry, s-sorry Mama," Grace sobbed, instinctively pressing his face into her shoulder.

Stratt sighs softly as she splayed her hand over his back while the other cradled his neck.

"I know, I know you're sorry. I appreciate that," she says, pausing as she waited for Grace cries to subside into little sniffles.

"How about this? Let's clean this up then we can go take a break out on deck?"

Grace thinks for a moment before lifting his head up.

"See fishies?"

Stratt feels her lips twitching into a smiles as she began to guide them over to the fallen stationary.

"Grace, this is ridiculous and you know it."

Grace glanced up from his work with a soft hum, "it isn't and *you* know it."

Simon huffed, his singular hand on his hip and he looked from the cabinet to Grace.

"Even on the station they didn't lock up the fucking rubbing alcohol, I was a damn prisoner."

Grace stood, stretching his limbs as he walked over to Simon, "well that's because they didn't care for your safety there but here?" Grace paused, reaching around Simon to jiggle the safety lock until it clicked, "here we aren't letting a certain *little* someone ingest isopropyl alcohol. Because I don't want to explain to the scientist here why I need activated charcoal for a stomach pump."

Simon rolled his eyes, "uh-huh, well, I'll figure it out and won't even try whatever the hell you think I will."

--

He in fact did not figure it out.

"Eh! Eh!"

Grace set the dishes down when he heard the little noises and smiled when he saw Simon back at the cabinet.

"Whats up buddy?"

Simon turned his head to Grace, a small pout on his lip as he pointed to the cabinet, then to the lock.

"Eh-eh!" He whined.

"Inside buddy, you want inside the cabinet?"

Simon nodded vigorously.

"Now why would a little guy like you need in there? Your toys and blankies are out here," Grace says, gesturing to the little pile by the window.

"D'ink," Simon said, his finger pointing towards the little bottle that was on the top shelf.

Grace couldn't stop his chuckle. He called it.

"Drink? You want to drink that?"

Another nod.

Grace smiled warmly as he joined Simon on the floor, lightly tugging Simon close to him.

"We have lots to drink out here. That," he pointed to the cabinet, "that isn't for drinking. If you drank that your tummy would feel very yucky and we don't want a yucky tummy do we?" Grace asked as he tickled Simon's stomach.

Simon squeaked and giggled, that pout vanishing off his lips as he leaned into Grace's touch.

"No, no we do not want that. So, Grace keeps that cabinet all locked up so only Grace and big boy Simon can open it," Grace says, leaning to the side to pluck up the previously discarded soother and popped it in Simon's mouth, "now, how about we go do something fun instead of sitting infront of this dumb cabinet?"

Simon blinked slowly as he nodded, gripping Grace's cardigan as the two stood up and began for the couch. Grace plopped Simon down before grabbing the nearby picture book.