𖦹°‧ Nomi 𖦹°‧

Like yes, canonically, that is her friend and the fandom is happy to make him her boytoy too, so it's sad that she's betraying him, but think about an AU with me. Stratt as Ryland's caregiver. The betrayal would be soul-crushing.

He wouldn't run from her when the shady doctor threatens to sedate him, he'd run TO her. He's been conditioned for months on the vat to come to her for support, for help, when he's overwhelmed, when he's sad, when he's stressed. She's put the work in to make sure he feels safe enough to do so, because that's her top scientist and she needs him working to his best capacity, so he must take care of himself and that includes his headspace.

He associates her with emotional and physical safety and he trusts her and she knows this. But maybe she'd still been hoping that he wouldn't drop, that he'd agree to go or simply remain outside of headspace so it would be easier for everyone, but he doesn't. What's more stressful than fearing for your life? Of course he drops in that office, of course.

She'd put the work in to make SURE Grace comes to her when he's struggling emotionally, and now, with stone-faced russian guards in the room and a terrifying doctor approaching him with a strange needle and his heart hammering in his throat. Yeah, he's struggling.

Maybe he'd run out of the room once he'd panicked enough and it sank in that Stratt wasn't going to help him, maybe he'd drop so fast he'd just sink into her arms and sob into her neck while they prick him. I don't know, but what I do know is that this would absolutely destroy Grace. It would destroy Stratt and it would destroy Carl, somehow even more so than canon. Infinitely more so than canon, it's amazing.

Rocky who notices that Grace, in his sleep, presses his quilt to him mouth, and at first Rocky perceives this as unconscious hunger. And he could be right.

But, when he decides to search more into this human sleeping habit, he is met with human pebbles. 'This isn't right. Grace is not a pebble.' He thinks, feeling frustrated. The human thinking machine is tricky, he realizes.

This, of course, leads him down the rabbit hole of age regression. 'Perhaps it's involuntary, since he is sleeping. Will have to ask difference.' Rocky thinks, noting a lot of things that could probably help his human friend.

"It helps calm and destress people, a safe and effective way to cope with anything, most commonly are from everyday stress to trauma. There's no correct way to regress, as everyone is differently unique."

He reads article after article, fully intended to bring it Graces attention, as he already takes care of his human friend along with Armando, for the handy work. No pun intended.

When Grace wakes up, Rocky is still watching, though working on something new.

"Good morning." Graces voice is groggy, and he's still lying down, watching through the wall as his buddy tinkers. "What are you working on?"

Rocky moves his body contemplatively, as if choosing his words.

"New project for Grace. Did lots of research while sleeping." He explains, quite obviously vague.

"Oh? What is it?" Grace asks, catching on quickly that it's something the other might want to hide.

"Mouth soother, for adults. Look on human thinking machine about oral fixation in sleep. You are using your quilt subconsciously in your sleep, this can lead to protection choking or asphyxiation. Am making item to help prevent, since I cannot come over just yet."

Grace blinked at him, surprised and intrigued.

That was a lot of information at once. A soother? For adults?

"Like a pacifier?"

"Need word."

"Pacifier? It's a soother typically made for babies and children, to soothe and help their teeth grow in." Grace explained with a little shake of his head. "You're making a pacifier?"

"Yes, will be right size for Graces mouth. Measured myself, will help." Rocky says this with confidence, which makes something in Grace shine.

Part of him feels like he ought to argue, defend himself, even fight and deny it, but he when he turns his head towards anger it feels... lackluster. Not the way anger can feel good, this felt icky.

That promise that sweet headspace promised was nipping at his heels. Tempting indeed.

Grace takes a deep breath and sighs.

"Wow... uhm.. thank you. Rocky." He coughs, clearing his throat as his face flushes. It feels embarrassing to suddenly exist, and he wants nothing more than to hide.

"You are welcome. Will be done soon."

He stares and stares at Rocky until Mary quite loudly announces it's time for breakfast.

"Up time." Rocky announces, getting into his ball and leaving the station. It makes Grace a little sad. Rocky must notice this because he makes a reassuring song.

"Will finish before next scheduled meal, I am quick worker. Come," He's rolling his ball into Graces knees.