can this page of strange gibberish get a final punctuation mark

“Grace says he would like half of dome to be water.”

“Oh, is necessary for humans to have large amounts of water question?”

Small Eridian equivalent of a sigh. “No. Not needed for life. In fact Grace will die if he falls in water and does not get out.”

“Tell him we give him water in containers that won't kill him. Lots lots lots of water on Erid for Grace to drink.”

“No. Grace say he want water on ground. Also want it with excess sodium chloride compound so it will be unhealthy for drink.”

“Grace want this liquid for celebration.”

“Of course.” They scan it. “You have wrong liquid. This contain compounds which are poisonous for humans.”

“Yes yes yes. Grace say humans like feeling of being slightly poisoned.”

it's only been a handful of months since the film came out and the film ao3 tag is already insanely big. as such, i'm definitely missing out on some great fics that by all rights ought to be on this list. if you've read something cool lately, please throw a reply under this list so i and others can check it out!

in the meantime, here's a bunch of authors i'm obsessed with who one day will receive a hugo award. or maybe already have, honestly. in this lineup i'd hardly be surprised.

GEN/TEEN

forever altered by @deervsheadlights (T)

Grace finds an extra bag of vodka. Rocky makes clear to us, the audience, that nobody has ever suffered so nobly for love like an Eridian having to be designated driver.

"I will not describe the next 1,042 seconds in any further detail, because the very reminder of it leaves my insides writhing in ways that make me consider whether there could be kindness in the embrace of the void waiting beyond the Hail Mary's hull."

better than your best by Goldmonger (T)

One of the best explorations of Rocky's trauma relating to sleeping alone for nearly half a century, using some great additions to Eridian biology and culture to get those feelings out in the open.

"You can’t build while you’re sleeping, but you can die. You can die for no reason at all."

The Chain (Keeps Us Together) by @bottommattmurdock (G)

Vignettes of conversations during the long, boring task of making a chain, and two aliens becoming besties4life. As the author says, it's extremely 'delirious at the sleepover' vibes, in the best way possible.

"Grace eats a breakfast burrito. Throwing himself out of the airlock has been postponed. For now."

silence more musical than any song by @hansdevice (G)

Rocky's years alone on the Blip-A, trying to engineer himself out of an impossible problem. Incredible characterisation of someone who's only surviving by pushing their skills and competence to the bitter limits, and still not succeeding despite it.

"After twenty-seven years alone, he builds a nest. It’s humiliating, this primitive effort. It feels like something ♪♫♪♫♫♩ would do, not an Eridian, but what other choice does he have?"

Without a Doubt by @eldritch-elrics (G)

An amazingly detailed and well-researched dig into linguistics that, in the PHM tradition, finds a tender story in the exploration of a really dense subject.

"'Does Grace feel like the dictionary is cucking him?' Rocky says in the placid tones of the TTS."

MATURE/EXPLICIT (UNDER THE CUT)

Rest in peace to the incredible Anthony Stewart Head (20th February 1954 - 1st June 2026)

Me: “With Johnny?”

Spouse: “No, with Zampanó and his stupid endless lists!”