Ryland Grace dies of old age on Erid. Rocky, devastated, invents time travel (because of course he does) and ends up traveling back in time to when Ryland was just six years old. Ryland shows Colt his cool new friend, and then they show 13 year old Court. Rocky had heard about Ryland's brothers from Ryland himself, but he never outwardly expressed a desire to see them again. Rocky never accepted this and started inventing time travel anyway, but Grace dies before he could complete it. So Rocky was here.
He eventually notices Court sounded drained, a little like when Grace would stay up for extended periods of time and his brain stops functioning properly. He asks Court why he sounds so tired, and Ryland and Colt speak for him.
"He stays up to make sure dad doesn't hurt us in our sleep. He hasn't slept in two days!" Declares Ryland.
"Dad's an old asshole! Beats on us something awful!" Colt frowns.
Rocky hates Papa Gentry now, but for now, these kids needed him. He tells Court to go to sleep. "Rocky watch Court and clutchmates sleep. Is a culture thing with Rocky's race, so you be safe."
Court is reluctant to trust him, but he sees how quickly his little brothers warmed up to Rocky. He watches them curl up next to Rocky in his xenonite encasement, and decides to do so as well. It's warm. It's the first time either of the boys have felt this kind of safety. Like a parent Eridian does to soothe their pebbles, Rocky quietly sings them an Eridian lullaby. Court, finally feeling safe (and warm), conks out immediately. Rocky listens, hearing Papa Gentry stumble drunkenly around the house. He swears nothing bad will ever happen to these kids again. He dares Papa Gentry to barge through the children's bedroom door. So help him God, Rocky would body Papa Gentry in a heartbeat.
They're Rocky's pebbles now.
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