Stories Served With A Smile

But Rocky will stay with Grace during his bad, bad human decisions as he continues to do the same thing tonight. Rocky lies halfway over his lap, careful to balance his large weight, as Grace sits on the floor of his Eridian-made bedroom with his legs crossed with one over the other. The human has compared Rocky to a ‘lap cat’ or a weighted blanket while he is in this position; he says Rocky’s warmth keeps him cozy.

In front of Grace’s chest, there is a small table that is being held up by an adjustable arm, allowing Grace to work on his computer from his sitting position. Much safer than Grace using Rocky as a platform to hold his electronic device, which he has jokingly done before. Behind Grace, a short distance away, is the bed that he’s currently avoiding sleeping in.

Rocky continues hearing the tap, tap, tapping of Grace’s computer keys for what he feels like has been all night. Rocky keeps himself occupied by creating xenonite puppets that Grace can give out to his students, if he wants. The clock on the other side of the room suddenly chimes a specific, quiet melody they rigged that allows Rocky to know what time it is without him having to look at the Earth version of the clock.

Twelve chimes.

It’s midnight by human standards. Rocky shifts in his comfortable spot to look up at the human. It appears that the chimes of the clock have not wavered Grace’s focus on his computer in the slightest.

“Grace, clock currently says midnight. Is late,” Rocky mentions as his chirps are translated into a computer voice for Grace to understand. “Grace ready to sleep, question?”

Grace types away at his keyboard, tap, tap, tapping, not even looking at Rocky. “I’m almost done, buddy.”

“Grace said almost done human hour ago.” Rocky grows worried that the scientist is so tired that he is forgetting what he previously said.

“I needed a little more time,” Grace replies. “Give me five more minutes.”

Oh, Rocky has heard this one before, especially when he is trying to get the human out of bed. Five minutes is never five minutes.

Rocky stares up at Grace, clacking his claws together out of annoyance. “Rocky does not believe Grace.”

Grace’s gaze remains unmoving from the computer screen. “It’s going to take me even longer if you keep distracting me, buddy.”

Rocky rattles his shoulder joints and gurgles out a quiet grumble. He concedes, however, and plops himself back into Grace’s lap to wait the five so-called minutes that Grace has declared. 

Rocky does not get bored easily, but he does not want to start another xenonite puppet, and he finds the need to preoccupy his claws with something while he waits these excruciating three hundred seconds. 

The Eridian chirps out a quiet sigh. Seeing the first item in his vicinity, Rocky mindlessly starts playing with Grace’s shirt through his claws, just fiddling with the material as if he is kitting it. Human cloth is a fascinating thing. Grace has explained it to Rocky before. Fabric made of plants or animal fibers, crafted into a wearable object is intriguing. Even through Rocky’s xenonite mesh suit, he can feel a bit of the texture, soft and fluffy. Maybe one day Rocky can craft a line of xenonite apparel for Grace to wear–

Suddenly, the human flinches under Rocky’s claws. The tap, tap, tapping of the computer keys stop for a moment. Rocky pulls his claw away to see that the human’s stomach beneath his shirt has retracted out of reflex, most likely because Rocky mistakenly grazed his fleshy skin while he was examining his shirt.

“Rocky, please don’t do that. It’s distracting,” Grace says as a gentle reminder. However, Rocky’s immaculate hearing can tell Grace’s words were trying to mask what the Eridian has come to learn is an airy laugh humans do. A chuckle, it is called. 

Now why would Grace be chuckling? No joke was told. Hmm, maybe he just wrote something funny in his lesson plan to the pebbles? No, no. He wouldn’t try to hide his laugh if that was the case. Rocky ponders for a moment… All he was doing was playing with Grace’s shirt when he accidentally touched his stomach and–

Oh.

Oh yes.

Humans have this reflex when they laugh when they’re touched in their fleshy spots. It is very silly. Very adorable. Eridians have something similar, but Grace has taught Rocky that humans call it tickling. Rocky has used it on Grace on multiple occasions, such as using it to get the squishy human out of bed.

So, theoretically… there is a possibility that it can also get him in to bed.

Grace’s fingers have already resumed typing on his computer. While the human is occupied, Rocky looks at the end of his arm and flexes his claw. Rocky happily wiggles in place and stifles a squeaky laugh so the human’s less-than immaculate ears can’t hear him. 

With his plan in mind, Rocky starts playing with Grace’s shirt again, but he purposely scratches gently at the squishy stomach underneath. 

The human’s belly retracts again, the tapping of the keys stop, and Grace stiffens. His mouth begins to wobble into a smile.

Grace pulls his shoulders close to his ears, resisting the urge to laugh, Rocky can tell.

“Rocky-” his smile quivers even more and his fingers twitch above his computer keys.

“Yes, Grace? Is there a problem, question?” Rocky’s computer voice correctly translates that he is fully enjoying this. “Rocky is keeping occupied by examining clothes covering squishy flesh.”

Grace shakes his head. “I know what you’re trying to do, Rock- and it’s not going to work.” Grace clearly sounds like he’s trying to swallow the build up of pressure in his chest from wanting to laugh, but the pressure keeps building. 

“Rocky disagrees. Grace is very ticklish. Clearly holding in laughter,” Rocky makes sure to state. “Grace will not be able to last long,” the Eridian chirps out a giggle of his own.

Grace struggles to speak without a laugh, but he surprisingly manages. “Oh yeah? You think I can’t handle some tickling while I’m trying to focus? Watch me,” the human challenges. 

He clears his throat like a cough, rolls his shoulders back, and straightens out his spine. Grace takes a deep breath like he’s about to go swimming underwater, then refocuses. His fingers, miraculously, start tapping on the keys again.

Could Rocky absolutely tackle Grace to the floor and have him laughing in seconds? Yes, absolutely. Humans are far too squishy to resist for long. However, Rocky welcomes the challenge, as it is much more entertaining. The Eridian quickens the pace of his claw that is pressing into the human’s belly.

Grace muffles a laugh behind his lips, only letting out a huff of air from his nose. He lets out a little squirm, then loudly, and very obviously, clears his throat again. He talks to himself about what he’s typing to get his mind off the sensations Rocky is producing at his tummy.  

“Okay…” Grace says to his computer screen, “So the noble gasses on the periodic table of elements are…” his smile wobbles. There’s a squeak in his throat. He bites his bottom lip. “Are…” The human lets out a sound in-between a snort and a squeak. He squeezes his eyes shut and throws a hand up to cover his mouth.

Rocky shakes, quite pleased with the current results. “Grace looks ready to explode, figuratively speaking, statement.”

Grace places his hands on the table for support and shakes his head. “Nope!” he barely gets out the words. “Nope! I’m good!” 

Stubborn, stubborn human. Okay, that’s it. Time to bring in the second claw.

With no hesitation, Rocky takes his other arm and scratches it at the bottom of Grace’s ribs. Grace squeaks and curls his fingers into a fist, wobbling forward over his desk. A few of his giggles slip. The scientist leans back and slaps both of his hands across his mouth, but his giggles continue to leak through his fingers like a hole in an oxygen tank. His shoulders bounce and soon, Grace pulls his hands from his mouth, successfully giggling out into the room. 

Grace snorts and looks down at Rocky. “Ohohokay, okay,” the human reaches down to grab the Eridian’s claws away—his first mistake. 

“Rocky–AH!” Grace yelps when Rocky launches his claw upwards, right in the middle of the top rib and the squishy part humans call the armpit. Grace’s loud giggles burst out of him and he flails his arms against Rocky’s full-scale attack with three of his claws squeezing at his torso, including his belly. 

“Rocky win! Rocky win!” the Eridian cheers over the human’s laughter. “Rocky choose prize. Rocky wants Grace to sleep now, statement.” 

“Nohoho! Grahahace wants to finish his lehehehesson!” the human mimics the speech pattern of Rocky’s computer voice as the scientist attempts to shove at him. Grace leans back and topples to the floor. Rocky crawls above him, poking and wiggling his claws into his squirmy form. Even when losing control of themselves from producing this joyful sound, humans still have the audacity to talk back.

“Stubborn. Stubborn human.” Rocky claws at his ribs to persuade him. Grace tosses his head back with a wheeze and bats at the Eridian’s claws that are clearly not going anywhere. It is foolish that he thinks he can push them away. “Stubborn human needs to lie down!”

“I a-ahahaham lying dohohohown!” Grace sasses.

Rocky growls and stomps his back foot on the ground. “Not on the floor! On bed! Grace can not do lessons if low on sleep!”

The human kicks his feet and leans forward to take another shove at the Eridian. “I’ll be fihihine! I’ve done it behehehefore!” Grace says.

Rocky squawks, like a hard surface screeching on metal, “WHAT?! Grace has done this before, question??? Grace, bad! BAD! This is why Rocky needs to be here to watch over Grace more often! Can not leave Grace alone for even a small amount of time!” Rocky adds more pressure to his wiggling claws into the human’s soft flesh to show that he means business. 

Grace squeals. He hugs his torso and squirms from side to side to side. “Ahahaha! I’m nohohot a child!” Grace cackles.

“Grace certainly looks like one,” Rocky snickers at the giggle-filled human.

Grace covers his face, slipping his hands under his glasses that are already askew. He giggles under his hands for a moment before squeezing his arms to his sides.

“Trust mehehehe! I cahahahan teach under ahahahany conditions!” Grace declares with full confidence. How is this human not tired yet?

Rocky rumbles with a growl again. Rocky will make him, what is the human phrase again, ‘eat words’? Yes, Rocky will serve him a meal of his own words.

“Then teach Rocky now, statement,” the Eridian says.

“WHAHAHAT?” Grace exclaims in the middle of his laughter.

“Grace needs to prove his statement of teaching under any condition. Teach Rocky while Rocky tickle.”

“Nohohoho way!” Grace squawks when Rocky plunges two claws into his armpits.

“Grace, teach Rocky,” the Eridian repeats. Rocky sees that Grace’s shirt has shifted upwards, so Rocky changes spots and slips a claw under the fabric of his shirt to get at his squishy tummy, earning a flail and an overflow of giggles from the human. “Tell Rocky what lesson is about.” Rocky knows the human can not resist a good challenge. 

“Fihihihine!” Grace giggles, trying to get his thoughts in order while Rocky keeps his claws creating tickly sensations across his torso. “It’s about Earth’s periodic tahahable of ehehe-elements!” he says the mouthful of words through his laughter.

“And?” Rocky continues to skitter his claws over his friend’s stomach, awaiting the lesson he is owed.

Grace kicks his legs behind Rocky and flails his arms in front of the Eridan’s face. “Ihihihit’s ahahahabout the atomic numbers, prohohotons, electrons, atomic mahahahass!” Grace starts frantically spewing scientific knowledge, “Aahahahand- and the groups! And families! Like alkali metals, halogens, noble gahahahases!” Grace cackles loud, wheezy giggles as his form of an answer.

Hearing all of this, Rocky pulls his claws away. Grace hugs his torso, taking a breather and exhaling any remaining laughter. 

Rocky tilts his body. “Pause. All of what Grace said is for Pebbles’ next lesson, question?” 

“Yeheheah…” the human’s words are still laced in giggles. As the oxygen returns to Grace’s brain, he appears to realize the reason as to why Rocky is asking him this. Grace lifts his head up. Rocky keeps himself from snickering at how his friend’s glasses are pushed up in his hair from the result of their game.  

“Do you think it’s too much?” Grace asks. 

Rocky nods his body. “Rocky likes the subject matter, but does think it is too much for pebbles for one day. Would be better if Grace separated lessons into multiple sections, statement.”

Grace lifts himself on his arms. “You think?” Grace fixes his glasses back to the bridge of his nose. He narrows his eyes at Rocky through the lenses. “You’re not just saying that because you want me to sleep, right?” Not helping his own case, Grace lets out a yawn.

“Rocky being honest. Pebbles may not retain all of new Earth knowledge in one sitting.”

Grace takes a moment to soak in Rocky's words. The human moves to sit up and Rocky moves out of the way so the scientist can scoot closer to his computer. He scrolls his fingers on the laptop to glance at the pages he already has. After scrolling a few times, Grace exhales a breath out of his nose.

“Yeah, you’re right,” Grace concedes, smiling. “I got too ambitious to teach them about a new topic again, huh?”

“Yes. Grace got overly excited, statement,” Rocky agrees. “But makes Rocky happy that Grace gets excited to fill the pebbles with Earth knowledge,” the Eridian stands on his legs like a proud parent. “Does this mean Grace sleep now, question?” 

Grace lets out a soft chuckle. Rocky is surprised his friend has any more giggles to give after tickling him. “Yeah, bud. I’ll go to bed now,” Grace says.

“Amaze! Finally got through to stubborn human. Now up up up,” Rocky nudges and gestures for the human to get onto his feet.

“Okay, okay, I’m getting up. No need to be pushy,” Grace jokes and stands.

“Rocky must push. Human will not get sleep otherwise.”

Grace huffs out another laugh. He leaves to prepare himself for bed and Rocky waits patiently. After a few minutes, Grace shuffles into the room towards his bed, then pulls down the covers and gets into the blankets. He folds his glasses, placing them on the nightstand beside the bed, and turns off the lamp next to it. Grace pats the mattress beside him, welcoming Rocky into his bed. Rocky hops up to join the human. Fortunately, the bed frame is built strong to hold the full weight of an Eridian. Grace pats the top of Rocky’s shell.

“Grace sleep now. Get rest to teach pebbles in the morning,” Rocky says.

A chuckle softly rumbles in the human’s chest. “Yes Rocky. Goodnight.”

“It is technically morning-” Rocky corrects on impulse.

“Rocky,” Grace giggles. 

“Apologies. Rocky stay quiet now. Grace sleep. Rocky watch. Night good to Grace too.” 

“You guys are babysitting? I didn’t know Eridians did that.” I look over at the two cuddling on the floor. Rocky has perched himself on top of Adrian, soaking in their heat.

“Obvious. Other Eridians get busy. Need help watching over pebbles.” Rocky clicks out. Two of his legs hang off the side of Adrian’s carapace and I notice they swing back and forth a bit.

“Well my bad.” I roll my eyes with a smile. “I would love to. I haven’t been given the chance to see baby Eridians yet.” I’ve only taught more adolescent Eridians in my class, not toddler and below age. I’m actually a little nervous at the thought.

“Grace must be gentle.” Adrian adds a bit sternly, shifting to stand. Rocky climbs off and stretches a bit, kinda like a cat.

I scoff “Of course I’ll be gentle! Who do you think I am?” I fake a shocked expression, hand over my chest.

“Grace is…clumsy.” Gee thanks. “Grace be more careful than usual.” Rocky adds as they both head towards the door.

“I promise to be more careful than usual.” I hold my right hand up like I’m giving an oath though I don’t think either one of them actually knows what that means.

I lean over the couch to watch them head out. Adrian lets out a low giggle. “Adrian Rocky be back soon with pebbles.”

They shut the door behind them as I slump back into the couch. I feel a bit giddy, my first time seeing little baby Eridians! I hope they’re as cute as I imagine them to be.

——————

Around an hour later I hear a very soft knock at the door.

“Coming!” I scramble over to let them in. As I open the door Rocky pushes himself in and then herds me out of the way.

“Grace move out of Adrian way.” He lightly taps at my shins. I stagger back a bit, trying not to step on Rocky in the process. Adrian walks in holding six little rocks in one arm, little sounds of random notes coming from them. They are all buzzing with life, little legs and claws moving and squirming about.

I let out a little coo as Adrian walked up in front of me, letting me get a good look, “They're so tiny! They look adorable!” They look like they would fit in the palm of my hand! A few are thick and stubby while others are thin. So thin it’s a little scary. I desperately want to reach out and touch them but decide not until I get an okay at the very least.

Adrian hums “Yes. They are.” They stop for a moment, letting me bask in their adorableness. “Pebbles will love you Grace.”

“Why me?” I smile a bit, leaning my face closer to the little babies in their arms. I see their claws reach up at me, their claws making grabbing motions.

“Grace is new. New sounds and new species. Grace is whole new experience.” They shift to move past me to settle on the floor in the house. “Also…Grace is cute and nice.” They add, making me a bit flustered. Me and Rocky quickly follow and Rocky curls up next to Adrian while I stand awkwardly. I’m not sure where I should sit.

Adrian makes a circle on the floor using their arms as a little fence to keep them in. They carefully lower the pebbles into the circle and they all immediately start moving. Adrian lifts a claw in my direction and I take it in my hand. They guide me back to the circle as Rocky shoos the little baby’s away from me so I can sit in the circle too. I lean my back against Adrian as I feel my excitement and anxiety rise.

”Pebbles not communicate well yet but still very curious. Can understand most of language.” Rocky explains but pauses “…Grace heart beat fast. Calm. You will do great.” He reassures as the pebbles make their way over to me. They are careful and cautious but their curiosity seems to be winning.

“O-okay…can I, um, touch them? Like, pet them?” I ask as they move closer and closer. Little legs scuttling in my direction.

“Of course.” Rocky takes my hand and places it out in front of me, low to the ground. It’s like if I were to meet a new dog for the first time. Letting them sniff my hand to make sure I’m not a threat. They seem to stop their advance towards me at the movement, keeping a distance.

“Aw! Hey little guys! My name is Grace—“

I suddenly realize I have absolutely no idea if they can understand me. Heat creeps up my cheeks as Adrian gently repeats what I said beside me. Right. Of course they can’t speak English.

Not my brightest moment.

I keep my hand as still as possible, hoping one comes up to me. I feel my anxiety rise even more as the thought of them hating or being scared of me crosses my mind.

I tense at a feeling on my head and I glance up. Adrian has started petting me softly, I think to calm my nerves but also to show the pebbles I mean no harm.

One brave pebble scuttle up and places a single claw on one of my fingers. It squeezes softly and chirps excitedly. God, there so cute!

That seems to be enough to convince the others and they all rush towards my hand. Little claws grab at my fingers, squishing and pulling. I giggle a bit, clenching my fingers ever so slightly. They seem to like it and they all let out little squeaks and trills.

I hear Rocky and Adrian giggle from somewhere above me.

“I think they like me!” I whisper excitedly grinning with a goofy smile. I carefully tip my hand over letting them explore. Tiny claws rub over my knuckles curiously, feeling the difference between my soft palm and the bonier top of my hand.

One pebble wanders past my wrist and grabs onto my pant leg. I tense instinctively, fighting the urge to pull away and accidentally shake them off.

Apparently, once again, one brave pebble is all the encouragement the others needed. They swarm my leg almost immediately. I let out a startled laugh as claws climb up my jeans and into my lap, forcing me to lean back against Adrian for support.

“See. Grace is natural.” Rocky teases a bit, chittering in my direction.

One pebble climbs up the front of my shirt, surprisingly quickly. It grabs at my collar and hoists itself on my shoulder, two arms grabbing my neck for support. I gasp slightly and the tickly feeling and hold as still as possible, my body going ridged.

“A-ah wahait! That tihickles!” I fight every bone in my body to not scrunch up my shoulders but my hands to fly up to grab at the air around my neck. I realize the other little ones go still. I carefully glance down and they are all sitting, like they are waiting. Then I suddenly feel the claws at my neck slowly trace and squeeze experimentally and I jump.

“Noho dohont doho thahat!” I giggle softly and a symphony of chirps and trills follow my laughter as the pebbles start moving again with vigor. They all start trying to climb up my shirt now.

Fudge.

“Adrain think they like Grace laugh.” Adrain chuckles out, still softly rubbing at my scalp. Little legs claw at my stomach as they try to reach the baby perched on my shoulder that is still clawing at my neck.

“AH—guys wahait!”

I squirm helplessly, unsure of what to even do with my hands. Instinctively I curl forward trying to protect my stomach while I laugh which is a huge mistake.

My shirt rides up in the process and the pebbles immediately notice the new exposed skin. Apparently they decide this is a much better route to my neck than climbing over my arms. Tiny claws hook into the fabric before several scuttle below.

“NANOHO NOhohot underNEHEATH—!”

I slowly slide down Adrian’s carapace, forcing my arms up and out. I don’t want to hurt them but I don’t know what else to do. They go still again for a moment and suddenly they're digging into the pudge on my stomach with purpose now, trying to force out loud laughter from me. I squeal as I feel Adrian let out a laugh against me.

“H-Hehelp meheHEHE ADRIAHAHAN! ROHOCKY!” I yelp, my arms slowly lowering back to my stomach against my will. I can’t help it, it’s their little legs, the way they vibrate with sound and excitement against my skin tickles more than I can handle.

“Adrain help Grace.” I silently thank them but I don’t hear Adrian or Rocky tell them to stop or even any action to grab at the little guys. Then I feel a large claw scoop up my hands and stretch me up and out against my will with my back half on the ground and half leaving against Adrian. The pebbles slow a bit at my sudden movement, balancing themselves.

“Adriahan w-whahat are yohou dohOHOING—NO WAhahAIT!” I hear happy trills from under my shirt as they dig in more. Some pinch, some claw, some vibrate, all experimenting to see what can bring the best noises from me. A few have travelled up towards my ribs, feelings round the bones with their legs while other push into my hip making me arch up with a squeak.

“Adrain make sure Grace not hurt pebbles on accident. Still let pebbles play and experience Grace.” The playful trill in their voice tells me I’m doomed. I tug helplessly against their grip but Adrian doesn’t budge.

I turn my head towards Rocky in a last desperate plea for mercy only to find him sitting comfortably beside us, cooing at my distress.

I feel my face burn bright red.

I squeeze my eyes shut trying to block out any tickly feelings. One pebble makes its way up to my collar and carefully starts tracing my clavicle making my chin shoot down to my chest with a squeak. I fidget at the new sensation as the other pebble still stationed on my shoulder traces the shell of my ear.

“This is human version of tickle.” I hear Rocky explain over my cackles. “Hunan touch sensitive. Have common ‘tickle spot’ but Grace very sensitive human. Tickle spot everywhere.” I feel the tips of my ears go red at Rocky’s very helpful commentary.

I’m about to say something dumb probably when a certain curious baby decides to explore my belly button. I shoot up as straight as I can, feeling a small claw reach in and scratch at sensitive skin hiding there.

“AHAHA—NAHOHOHO *SNRK* NAHAHAT THEHEHEHEREAHAH—!” I screech out and flail hard.

I’m actually worried the noise that ripped from my throat would scare the little pebbles but it only seemed to make them more determined. The other three little Eridians on my stomach and ribs immediately went to investigate this new very sensitive spot.

I kick my feet as I feel twenty little arms claw and trace at my bellybutton, making tears quickly well up in my eyes. I buck my hips up, I can’t help it anymore. My erratic movements do nothing to stop them.

“PEHEHEBBLES *SNRK* P-PLEHEHASE!” I beg, kinda forgetting they can’t understand me anyway. They trace around the sensitive spot, reaching in a poking making me laugh hard, my face hurts from the smile.

I squeal, “ROHOHCKYEHE PLEAHAHASE! ADRIAHAHANONO—!” I feel my body get increasingly more exhausted, my arms going slack against Adrian as I slump down, hunching into myself, shaking my head softly.

“Okay. Enough.” I hear Adrian say rather firmly. The pebbles slow their torment to a stop but don’t move off of me. There are little movements to balance and hang on, still making me squirm with giggles.

“Give Grace room.” Rocky adds, getting up to pluck a few pebbles off of me while the other skitter off.

“Heheha thahank yohouhehe.” I wheeze, my eyes closing in relief.

Once they're all off Adrian finally lets go of my arms and I immediately pull them close, sliding all the way to the floor. I rub at the skin of my tummy, trying to get the tingles out of my skin.

As I huff to get my breath back, the baby’s crawl up and watch closely around my head. I feel a small movement and I jump. But then I feel more and more. The pebbles start petting me, mimicking what Adrian was doing earlier. Not sure if they're doing it to be soothing on purpose or if they're just curious about what hair is but I don’t care. They let out purring and cooing noises as the continue. Little claws scratch at my scalp making me melt a bit under the touch, relaxing my tense muscles.

“Told Grace. Pebbles love you.” Adrian shifts closer to me, pulling my shirt back over my stomach and fixing my glasses, pushing them up the bridge of my nose. They take a digit and carefully wipe at the tears on my cheeks making me giggle and scrunch up softly, pushed at their arm.

I sigh, “Well they could at least express it in a different way.” A smirk makes its way to my face as a pebble climbs on my forehead, feeling my eyebrows then reaching under my glasses to graze the tear soaked eyelashes of my one eye.

Anxiously Rocky trills “Careful! Human eyes very important and delicate!” I see him shift to quickly grab at the baby but I hold my arm up.

I’m lying on the floor on top of blankets and pillows with three little babies surrounding my head. They're feeling around my facial hair, curiously following it around my face. Tiny claws comb through my beard with surprising care, occasionally snagging on a knot before immediately backing off again. I close my eyes and let myself relax into the attention. At this point, I completely accept that being treated like a very strange pet is just a part of my life now. I feel them graze my lips, moving upwards into my mustache. Excited hums emit from them.

I carefully open my jaw to speak again, “It’s hair, like on my head. It does have a bit of a different texture though.” I feel two climb up onto my chest while one stays against my cheek on the pillow, following up towards my ear. The two follow it back down to my chin, scratching lightly. When Rocky told them I like to be petted, I swear that’s all they do now, not that I’m going to complain.

I feel a few claws travel down under my chin, close to my neck, and I freeze. My heart beat quickens, and I know the pebbles notice too. They quickly stop their movements, trilling out concerningly. 

“Ah-it’s okay! Juhust tickled a bit.” A smile creeps onto my face, and I peek my eyes open. “It’s okay.” They don’t make any more movements, actually pulling back a bit, settling on my sternum. I’m sure they can feel my heart better through my chest in that spot.

“Aw, guys, it's okay, really! You didn’t do anything wrong.” The pebble by my cheek pulls back too. I open my eyes completely, moving my head up a bit. I shift to sit up, cupping my hands around the two babies on my chest so they don’t fall. I lower them into my lap and help the other pebble, who’s on the floor frantically trying to join them.

They sit unusually still in my lap. Normally they're constantly moving. Twitching. Clicking. Climbing over each other. Now all three are quiet. Oh no. They probably think they hurt me. I’m sure hearing another alien's heartbeat skyrocket out of nowhere is a little scary for them.

“Here. Look, I’ll show you what you did.” I scoop up a tiny pebble. They’re a deep blue color with specks of gold and have lines and swirls across their body. It settles in my palm as I reach a finger towards it. It grabs on lightly and squeezes.

I push my finger underneath their arms and scratch ever so lightly. Rocky is quite ticklish here, so I’m hoping it’s the same for them. The pebble makes a high-pitched squeak and frantically starts squirming. Adorable chirps and trills erupt from them as the other two in my lap start pulling on my shirt. I lower my hands to their level, letting them get a better look.

“I know you guys have a version of tickling too, though it’s different from what I’m doing right now. You guys use sound waves and vibrations, right?” I flip the pebble in my palm, its little legs scrambling in the air. I press into its underside, making its legs shoot out straight; I can’t help but laugh at the little action.

"Well, humans use touch. It works for you guys because I can still make vibrations with touch that travel to your fleshy insides. Human skin is ticklish, so that’s why when you guys touched me, it tickled. Humans are just ticklish on their necks, where you guys ended up touching. See? No harm done!” I clarify to them.

I tap on its tiny body, showing what I just explained as the little baby erupts into high-pitched trills, pushing at my finger. From what I can tell, tapping and drumming seem to work best with Rocky; they are more intense than the ticklish vibrations produced by normal scratching and touching.

The other two look on curiously while the third one flails and cackles. Its arms slowly seem to stop fighting, and I take that as my cue to slow to a stop. God, they're adorable!

I glance down and ask, “How are you holding up? You okay?” On closer inspection, I see little wisps of steam coming from their vents, making me chuckle a bit. I carefully plop it back into my lap, and the other two scuttle up around it.

I see one brown pebble with red markings poke at the blue one, making it jump with a squeak. I hear a tiny hiss as more steam comes from it.

“Hey, hey, let them be for a moment!” I reprimand the one who is poking the other as I scoop them up. It goes still in my grasp as I begin poking at its brown carapace. It, too, squeaks and squirms, pushing at my finger.

“Yeah, let’s see how you like it when someone pokes at you.” I giggle, pretending to use a stern voice. I poke gently along as it squeals, curling into itself. Well, that won't do.

I use the thumb of the hand I’m holding it with to push an arm out of the way and hold it trapped against its body. I’m going to try something that gets to Rocky all the time. I flex two fingers together and, every so lightly, flick at the open space between its arms. It all but screams, sounding between a flute and an oboe, its arms scrambling to the spot. Seems to work on all Eridians, not just Rocky. That’s good to know.

I stop and let it fold in on itself again. Tiny giggles continue spilling from it as it curls up in my palm. 

“There you go,” I murmur. I run a finger along the top of its carapace, nice and gentle. The same way Rocky likes. The frantic squeaks slowly shift into a soft hum. Its little claws unclench one by one until it practically melts against my hand. Cute. I place it with the other two, and I see the third go rigid. 

“I won’t tickle you.” I say with a snort as I push my glasses up my nose, and it visibly relaxes. Unfortunately for the little milky white quartz pebble, the other two didn’t seem to find it all that fair that they were the only ones tickled, and I watch the start of a tickle fight in my lap. Squeaky trills erupt from the third as the other two surround them, using what I just showed to tickle the other. I can’t tell if they are also using sound to tickle them on top of the physical touch, so I ask.

“Are you guys also using sound? It’s kinda mean to do both.” I hunch over them a bit to get a better look. They stop their tapping, and the other baby stops moving. Oh, so they're not using both. But I’m assuming, as a demonstration to me, I hear a chord start. I look around and see the quartz pebble and the blue one start to squirm and laugh as the brown baby stands triumphantly between the two. The chord gets louder, pulling squeals from the other pebbles.

I laugh, “Okay, I see. Now give them a break! They look like they're about to combust!” I point out the steam emitting from the other two. I hear the sound slow to a stop, and they cuddle together in my lap. I lean back on my hands, stretching my spine.

A noise catches my attention, and I look back down. The little Eridians are making grabbing motions, so I give them my hand.

“What?” Confusion laces my voice. They all grab at my hand, pulling my fingers out. They start tapping like I did to them, and I snicker.

“No, it won’t really work there. And tapping isn’t all that effective against humans.” They sound disappointed and start letting go of my hand. 

“Wait…” I bite my lip. I’m not sure it’s the smartest idea to teach them how to tickle me, but…their sad little chirps get to me. I’m too much of a softy to disappoint them.

“Um. Okay.” I push my legs out straight and scoot back against the nearby couch. I pull them up closer to my hips, and I feel my cheek get warm as I pull my shirt up to my neck. 

“Try here.” The words leave my mouth before I can reconsider them, or rather the consequences that will come from them. They shift their carapaces towards my stomach. “Uh.” I gesture towards my stomach anyway. “For humans, scratching, squeezing, and tracing, I would say, works best….” Listing off everything they would need to know.

I squeeze my eyes shut in anticipation, but I don’t feel anything. Peaking out, I see they seem to be hesitating, arms reaching out but not touching. Oh right. My heart beat.

Anticipatory giggles worm their way into my words, “L-look. Humans' hearts beat fahast at all kinds of stimuli. It dohoesn’t always mean bahad. It could be that I’m really hahappy, or really embarrassed. Or, like right now, I’m excited and nervous—b-but nervous in a good way!” I correct, biting back a smile. “It’s just, tickling gets to me particularly hard.” I glance away, a little flustered.

I feel them shift a bit, and I look back down. I watch as the three carefully press little claws into my stomach, making me flinch a bit and giggle. “Hehaha gohohood! Lihihke thahat.” This seems to encourage them, and they push in more, experimentally squeezing at the muscle and skin. I shoot up, trying my best to keep my squirming under control. I tightly grip the collar of my shirt as I hold it up while shifting my other hand, trying to keep it busy and not grab at the pebbles. 

I hear excited trills and squeaks come from them as they tickle me to pieces. “Seehehe nohoHOT *SNRK* SCAHahary!” I feel myself start to slide down the couch slowly and try to plant my feet into the floor. The pebbles add more arms and explore other spots. They pinch and tweak at my sides, making me jump and fidget. I force my free hand down to my side but up enough that the pebbles still have access to the sensitive skin. One latches onto my hip, making me squeal.

“EEEAHAHaha—thahahat tihiHICKLES! NohoHO!” I start to twist about, not being able to sit still anymore. Another pair of claws grabs at my other hip, and both my hands shoot to my face, covering my blushing face and smile. My shirt ends up rolling down, but it does little to deter them. They just push it up and keep pressing in. They vibrate with excitement, hearing my loud laugh as a sign of encouragement.

One pebble presses into my belly button, and I all but scream while my hands shoot down to cover myself. 

“WAHAHAIT—NOHOT THEHERE!” They shift back out of the way of my hand. I cover the sensitive spot while curling into myself. They all freeze immediately. The excited clicking stops, and their tiny bodies huddle together. I swear they somehow manage to look guilty. Great, I scared them again.

“Uhuhm—I-it’s okahahy! Juhust sehensitihive.” I force my arms up again, deciding to grip at the couch behind me. “I-I wahasnt reheheady for it. You guys can keep gohoing.” I sheepishly say. “...If you guys want and are still curious.”

I didn’t need to tell them twice. They immediately return to my tummy, scratching at the sensitive spot again. I guess because it gave the best reaction, they want to experiment more. I squeeze my eyes shut hard, kicking my feet behind them.

“EEHAHAHA—G-GAHA—GOHOHO TOHO A-ANOTHER SPOHohot PLEHEHEASE! GUHUYS!” I shriek, holding on to the couch for dear life. They suddenly stop tickling again, and I'm thankful, of course, but I thought they would keep going. I open my eyes to see them shift around and angle towards the door. 

Still giggling, I ask, “Whahats wrohong?” I glance at the door. I don’t see or hear anything for a brief moment until a sudden knock rings through the house. Before I can even say anything, the door is being opened, and Rocky and Adrian are walking in. Excited trills erupt around me as all three immediately turn their attention towards the Eridians.

“What Grace doing, question?” They both stop in their tracks and "stare." I feel a blush climb up my neck.

“Uh… j-just teaching the pebbles about human anatomy.” Rocky taps one of his limbs in annoyance.

“…Grace lying. What Grace doing question?” He asks again. Before I can argue that, actually, I kinda was technically teaching, the babies take the opportunity to show what they learned.

“GAH—wahahait! Lihihittle o-ones!” They dig in while I start squirming again. My arms fly to my face to shield me from Rocky and Adrian.

“Oh. Grace teach tickling, question?” Adrian trills out with a giggle. They both scuttle up next to us and settle on either side of me. The babies excitedly click and squeak out to the older Eridians.

“What else pebbles learn, question?” Rocky asks with a playful tone. 

“D-dohont—“ I plea before they once again scratch at my belly button, making me screech. I feel Rocky grab onto an arm threatening to grab at the pebbles, holding it down and out of the way.

“NAHAHOHO AHAHEHE—STOHohoHOP I-IT! DOHONT ENCOHOURAGE THEHEM!” My free hand lightly pushes and swats at their little claws. Adrian and Rocky let out squeaky laughs, making me blush more.

“Don’t encourage, question? Grace the one who teach pebbles tickle. Not Rocky’s fault.” Well. He does kinda have a point, I guess. 

“OKAHAY *SNRK* OKAHAY, NOhohoHO MOHOHOREHE—!” I curl up the best I can as their arms come to a stop. Rocky lets my arm go and grabs the pebbles from my lap. I take the opportunity to slide all the way down to the floor and roll onto my side. Adrian wraps an arm around me and pulls me close so my back is leaning against them, and I close my eyes in content. 

“Pebbles have fun, question?” Rocky asks as I peek through half-lidded eyes, smiling when they erupt in joyful trills. I feel Adrian start to rub at my back, and I sigh.

"Grace have fun, question?” Adrian asks quietly as Rocky plays and talks with the pebbles. 

“Yes.” I smile and look up at Adrian. “They were good. They're very cute, full of energy.” Adrian takes another claw and pushes my hair up out of my eyes. Their claws carefully comb through the messy strands as I feel myself sink further into them.

“Adrian glad.” they say softly. I hear a squeak, and both Adrian and I shift toward the others.

This isn't the first time it has suggested this. I think it asks at least once every time they see me, and my answer stays the same every time. “No.” It comes out harsher than I intend.

“He means a lot to me and so do you. I want you to get along.” I will say, it doesn't usually push after the first no; I'm a little surprised. It shifts closer to me while I'm working at my desk. “You work on the biodome team. You are in charge of so much of his life. This includes everything from what he eats to the conditions of the ocean in his home. You should be more involved physically..." I huff. Sure, maybe it would make my life easier to see the human in person, but my feelings towards the creature keep me away, and I think that's for the best for everyone involved.

“I work on the human because you don't trust anyone to care for it other than yourself and me.” We have a team, of course, but when it comes to Grace’s immediate health and comfort, I am the primary Eridian involved. Rocky shifts even closer to me; he's wobbling a bit. He's ready for sleep. 

“I-I don't want you to just do it for me. Do you enjoy it a little at least?” I move away slightly as it reaches a claw out for me. “You were excited when we first arrived…not just for me, for Grace too.” Grace was exciting when he first arrived. An alien who saved not one but two planets and saved my mate personally. Of course I would find that exciting. And to have the opportunity to help lead in the invention of its enclosure was amazing. But not so much anymore since I learned what the consequences of its existence on my life would be.

“It keeps me busy" is all I give to it. “Why are you being more pushy than normal?” I sense something's up. The unaccepted claw retracts, and Rocky pushes it together with another, fidgeting. I knew it.

“I must attend a meeting pertaining to Grace. I won't be there with him… I want you there to watch him instead," it trills out sheepishly. “I don't know how long I will be gone for. I…do not want him to be alone.”

“It is alone right now, is it not? It can function and take care of itself just fine.” Annoyance and anger lace my voice a bit. Rocky scitters back a bit but tries to touch me again. Its words are starting to slur as exhaustion takes over his body.

“You know what I mean. Grace is…sensitive. I don't want him to be alone ever again.” I feel anger rise within me. What about me being alone? For decades I waited to not be alone again, and now, even with my mate back, I am alone. I feel the mercury boil under my carapace as I try and be understanding.

“I know you do not like him.” It's not that I hate Grace personally. I can't really. I've only ever interacted with him while he was unconscious the first few weeks of being on Erid. I have complicated feelings toward the human and the situation that has come with it. 

“Please do it for me.” I move away from them again while trying to continue working.

"It's always for you, isn't it?"

"I-I…I'm sorr—"

"I'll do it. It's fine," I grumble at its despondent tone and move away from my desk.

Rocky comes over to me again. This time I know it isn't trying to convince me of anything; it just wants to sleep. The sight of it tugging at me hurts more than the argument did. Rocky is exhausted. Its movements are sluggish; it reaches a claw towards me. I flinch away before I can stop myself.

Rocky goes rigid and sits for a moment. “Y-you won't even hold me? You won't let me close to sleep?" It sounds broken, close to a cry but not quite. The sight makes me go rigid in return.

I let out a low hum. “...I need some space right now. I will still watch.” Rocky lets out a strangled whine, close to a sob, but settles on the bed close by anyway. I can tell it's too exhausted to really do anything about it; it's actively fighting off sleep that should have taken it days ago.

“Thank you, Adrian." the words come out slurred. I shift towards it to answer but Rocky is already asleep. Its claws are still loosely curled together where it has been fidgeting moments earlier. 

Something inside me aches.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

I arrive at the dome's airlock, wearing a thin Xenonite suit I've never had to put on before. Rocky stated that Grace knew I was coming to see him today instead of itself and that the human was nervous. To play nice, for Grace’s sake. I've taken the human's chart with me. While I'm here, I might as well take notes while I can and see what I can improve for him.

I step in and wait for it to pressurize, and then I'm on my way. I head out to the beach and start towards the humans' house. The sand shifts below my feet, and I hear the constant crashing of waves next to me. I move my attention to the “classroom” on the other side of the dome. I think making it a bit bigger would be helpful. More students to teach at a time, but to give the human more space to work with for demonstrations and such. Maybe add storage for materials so it's easier on the human.

By the time I come back to reality, I've approached the house. I realize we haven't exactly built the house for an Eridian of my size. I could probably get in, but I'm not sure how cramped the inside would be.

I knock lightly and wait a moment. I hear its footsteps frantically heading towards the door. It finally opens, and the little human looks up at me in awe. 

“Hello Grace.” It's still silent, just staring. I shift uncomfortably at the tiny alien.

“Oh, uh, sorry. I didn't know Eridians could get so…tall." It chuckles a little, but I feel its heart skyrocket. It's for sure nervous. “Rocky told me you were bigger but didn't really specify how much bigger."

“Yes.” It fidgets as I speak. “Adrian does not think it is good idea to try and go in Grace house.”

It looks back at the structure and rubs the back of its neck. “Uh–yeah. It's probably better if we hang out outside instead. Um, let me grab my shoes.” It turns back inside and grabs what it's looking for. 

I let out a small annoyed hum. The human is so loud. It is much louder now than when it was unconscious. I can hear its heart, its blood, and its breath. I can hear the crackles and pops of its joints, the way its tongue moves as it talks. So loud. How did Rocky get used to this noise? I would have gone crazy on that ship. 

The tiny human comes fumbling through the door and walks ahead of me. I noticed the door that it left open and pulled it shut. And so forgetful. 

We head down the beach in silence. Every wave crashes against the shore with a different rhythm. Besides me, Grace's heartbeat refuses to settle. Between the ocean and the human, there is hardly any silence at all.

The human comes to a stop and drops to sit, facing the waves. I do the same, crossing two arms in front of me, ready to take any notes on the human I might need.

“Grace nervous, question?" I ask softly. He spins to face me head-on.

He turns his head up at me and chuckles lightly. “You can tell?” What a dumb question. 

“Yes. Grace heart loud and fast.” I hear blood pump to its face, and it looks away.

“Sorry.” 

“Is okay. Human can not control.” Before I can stop myself, I reach a digit out and run it over its cheek, pushing its face to look at me again. "This is blush, question? Grace embarrassed, question?” I can't help but be a scientist first, I guess. The portable human thinking machine has made my life a thousand times easier. I can look up any knowledge about the human body and system, but seeing and experiencing it in person is so much different.

It lets out a small yelp at my sudden touch, making its heart beat more. The blood in its face reaches its ears. Although I want to, I refrain from grabbing at the tips of its ears too. One thing I don't stop myself from doing, however, is dragging that claw down to its neck to feel for the carotid pulse. It's one thing to hear but another to feel, and it's strong. I can feel its blood thump against its skin, rappidly, over and over.

“Amaze.” I murmur without thinking. 

"Uh—umm, Adrian?” The little human squeaks out. It has squeezed its eyes shut and forced its head up to the sky to accommodate my touching.

I let out an amused hum. “Apology.” I retract my claw, curling it back into my lap. I stay quiet, hoping it will calm down. When no calming down happens, I try to pivot to my questions, hoping to distract the human.

"How Grace feeling, Question. Eating well, question?” I ask.

It clears its throat. “Uh, I'm feeling good. Better than I did! And yes, eating well!” he smiles. 

“How are ‘burger’, question?”

“The me-burgers are amazing!” he shouts excitedly, hands moving as he talks. “You literally saved me with those things.” I feel myself get a little flustered at the praise, and I hate it.

“Saved Grace in other ways. More important ways.” I let it click out with some disbelief. I cure and bring this human back from death, but ‘me-burger’ is what saves it. Human priorities are weird and confusing.

“Well, yes," he rolls his eyes a bit. “But humans have a strong connection to the food they eat. Physically and mentally. Mentally I didn't want to eat, even though I was dying of starvation. The food tasted awful and had a horrible texture. Your idea to use my muscle was fantastic!” I feel him shift a little closer to me. “It tastes so much better than the other stuff. You kind of cured my starvation and helped cure my bad mental health at the same time!” It laughs as though what it said was funny and not worrying. Though I did not know how linked the mental state and food were, this information is helpful to know when synthesizing more food for it in the future.

“Adrian will work on making 'me-burger' taste better for optimal mental health and human relationship with food for future.” I mentally add this information as a task to get started on when I get back home.

“You don't have to do that, Adrian. I'm okay with the burger. I promise." It looks away, towards the artificial ocean again.

“Adrian must.” I let out a quiet rumbling for a moment as one of my claws gently plays with the sand beneath me. The human looks back at me. 

“Why?” Its head cocks to the side, in a cute way, with wide eyes.

“For Rocky," is all I say, and I can tell it comes out sad. “Adrian will do anything that Rocky asks of it. For Grace.” I know Grace still needs a translator to some extent, but he is good at picking up tone.

He sighs, "Thank you for coming to see me today. Letting me meet you.” He smiles, but his eyes look sad, lids falling low. “I know you hate me, but…I still appreciate it. Appreciate you and everything you have done.” Its eyes well up with liquid. “I know Rocky puts a lot—too much—on you, and I know he's never home with you. I know that," he sniffs, looking down into his lap. “I-I feel like it's all my fault. I'm so…so useless on my own here. I-I'm such a burden to you…” he starts leaking, and I feel myself starting to panic now. I don't know what to do when a human starts leaking from their face. 

I suddenly feel guilty, not a little guilty but deeply guilty. Grace looks so small sitting beside me. He is smaller than I ever thought he would be. Somehow I convinced myself that Grace was the source of my frustration. Looking at him now, crying into his hands, I realize how unfair that was.

“I don't hate you, Grace.” I try and speak as softly as I can. He presses his hands to his face harder, shielding himself from me.

"It's okay that you do. I would hate me too. I—I do hate me.” His voice cracks and he breathes in sharply. “I’ve ruined what y-you two could have had…” I can tell he's trying his best to keep his emotions in, sniffling and wiping the tears from his face just to have them replaced immediately with fresh ones.

I let out a low, pained coo. Slowly, carefully, I pull the human towards me. I expect it to resist, but Grace practically folds into my arms. The moment his head touches my carapace, he latches on. His fingers clutch at me desperately. I scoop his legs off the sand, holding him gently. 

“Grace. Adrian does not hate you.” My words, which are supposed to be comforting, only seem to make it cry harder. "Adrian frustration is not Grace fault. Grace bring Rocky back to me. Rocky could hate Adrian. Not want to be mates and Adrian would be happy that Rocky alive and well.” Grace pulls his very leaky face from me, looking for a moment but not saying anything while he quietly weeps. 

“I-I know your relationship with Rocky is bad…he acts different.” He babbles over his words, “I know w-why you didn't want to see me; I'm not that s-stupid—” I move my arm up in front, making him stop.

The notion of how fragile and small he is worms its way into my thoughts, and it makes me happy that he trusts me as much as he does. That he wants to be okay in my arms, even though he is adamant that I hate him. I let out a sad trill, running a claw through his hair. 

“Grace save all of Erid. All of Earth. Grace risk life for Rocky. For me. Adrian will never hate Grace.” I scratch gently at his head, bringing my claw down to the side, near his ear. He breathes in deep and leans into the touch. 

“Understand, question?” He nods slightly, but the tears and sobs don’t stop. “Grace.”

“Y-yes…I do.” He shoves his face back into me, pulling his arms to his chest. He shakes with sadness.

I feel myself heat up in embarrassment as I contemplate what to say next. “Adrian has…grown to love taking care of Grace…” Rocky was right. I do enjoy it as much as I told myself I didn't. All those times I pushed my limit on how long I could go without sleep and worked so hard for Rocky and Grace, I did, deep down, enjoy it. “Adrian happy hearing Rocky tell how Grace is happy with new thing.” I hum out rather quickly. 

He seems to perk up at this. “Y-you don’t have to do that, Adrian.” His crying is slowing. I pull off his glasses, placing them into the sand next to us. I wipe a claw over his face.

“Adrian not doing anything but tell truth.” He starts giggling and pushing at my claw. He sniffs while I clear the tears from his face.

“Thank you…” he says, breathing in deep. I move my claw back to his ear to comfort him again, scratching it lightly. He shoots up with a high-pitched noise, and I flinch, pulling my claw back.

“Grace okay, question?” I frantically say, grabbing his chin and moving his head to the side. I trace his ear again, and he flails. “Where hurt, question?”

“W-wahait nohoho!” he squirms about in my hold. “Nohot hururt! Tihihicklish!” he squeaks out. 

Rocky has told me about the human version of tickling before, specifically that Grace is quite fond of it, and it's come up in my research on the human body. It has a similar outcome to Eridian tickling. Laughing and wiggling around. I think this method will be a good way to make Grace feel better. 

I pull my claw away with a hum of understanding, and he relaxes. He's lying in my lap, a small smile across his face, but I still see the faintest tears in his eyes. He moves his face to his hands, still sniffling.

“Hm. Adrian will give Grace check up.” He glances through his fingers.

“W-what?” he asks, his voice gravelly.

I gently pull up his shirt, and he tenses up. He's still quite thin, but fat has definitely started to come back. I reach my claw and grab at his ribs, giving slight squeezes. He jumps with a squeal.

“WAHAhait! Adriahahan!” He presses his arms to his side while twisting in my grasp. I feel around the bones, moving my claws up. His ribs definitely don't stick out as much as they did when I first treated him. I squeeze his top ribs while feeling his chest muscle for any growth.

“NAHAHOHO-AH I-I dohont neheheed a CHEHheheCK UHUP—“ he cackles, trying his best to dislodge my claw.

“Grace need check up from Adrian. Make sure Grace eat well. Check for fat and muscle growth.” I chirp with a playful tone. "Is Adrian job." I moved my claw from under his arm to trail down it, using another claw to pull his arm from his side.

“I-I ahaham! Ihihim eahahating gohohood!” I trace lightly down his arm as he pulls at it. I pinch at his elbow and let out a yelp and some more giggles. There’s some muscle growth here, though definitely not as much as I would like.

“Hm. Not enough.” I trace down to his wrist, then back up to his inner arm.

“Ah-I’m sohorry!” he tugs weakly at his hand, soft laughter leaving him.

“Grace no apology. Adrian work harder to help. Make grace strong.” I murmur it out while thinking of solutions for later.

I release his arm, and he presses it to his side again, his legs trying to come up and curl him into a ball. I stick a claw back down, feeling around his tummy. He screeches, fighting my arm. 

“Good. Much fat and muscle here.” I firmly press in, feeling all the muscles twitch under my touch. “Rocky will be happy.” 

“EEEAHHAHA—NOHOHO!” I hear blood rush to his head again as embarrassment takes him. “S-stohOHOP—ADRIAHAHAN!” He kicks at my carapace, and I can’t help but let out some giggles. He’s so small and weak; it’s amusing. I have to admit his little human sounds are quite cute.

“Grace too ticklish for exam, question?” I tease a bit, vibrating my claw. He squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head rapidly.

“A-ADRIAHAHAN– *SNRK* THIHihis ihihisn’t neheceHESSARY!” squeaky noises come from him.

I grab a flailing foot with another claw, stretching his leg out as my other moves down to his thigh. I push into the muscle there and let out a pleased trill.

“Good human Grace! Much muscle here. Good good good.” His other leg kicks out frantically as his arms scramble to pull at my claw. “Such a good human. Adrian can tell Grace been running. Keep up with regiment. Good Grace!” I half tease, half praise, soaking in the new wave of blush creeping up his face.

I squeeze his knee, and his leg jerks hard. “How joints, question?” I know the gravity on our planet has taken its toll on his body. I scratch lightly at the underside, pulling giggles from him.

“T-they ahahache a bihit, not bahahd!” He covers his face, pulling at his appendage.

“Hm. Will work on problem. Brace maybe help.” I go back up and squeeze rapidly at his kneecap.

“ADRIAHAhahan! P-pleheHEHEASE! NOHOHO MOHOHORE-AHAHEHEhehe—“ I let go of his leg, and he immediately folds in on himself, gasping for air.

“Grace very good. Fat and muscle build good. Will add more magnesium and zinc to diet. Help.” I state, scratching at his scalp, pulling lightly at his hair.

“O-okahahay—“

“One spot Adrian check.” I unfold him a bit and pull down his pants a few inches, then push into his lower stomach, making him scream and fight me again.

“ADRIHIHI—NAHAHOHOHOT THEHEHERE!” He squeals, curling around my claw. I squeeze at the little pudge that sits there with content.

“Adrian happy happy happy! Grace get more healthy. Grace doing so good!” His cheeks flush again, ‘hiding’ his face as much as he can while wiggling around.

“NOHOHO—“ I move up a bit and press into his belly button. 

“Yes.” I scratch lightly at the little spot.

“EEEHEHAHA—PLEAHAHASE!” He arches up while making a rather adorable noise.

I stop moving my claw, letting it rest against his tummy. His laughter lingers intertwined with little hiccups and tiny giggles. Different kinds of tears staining his face now. I rub soothing circles into his skin while he catches his breath.

His heartbeat is loud and strong. Alive. Every beat is proof that Rocky made it home. Proof that Grace made it home too. The little pitter patter settles something deep inside me.

He's curled up in my arms, his breathing and heart evening out. He has a smile plastered on his face, and soft giggles still spill from his lips. He wraps his arms around the leg that is still settled on his stomach, and he lets out a sigh. 

“Grace…very endearing. Adrian understand why Rocky love so much.” My admission makes him shove his face in my arm with a flustered noise. I reach a claw up and pet at his head again, sliding to scratch at the base of his neck. He melts into my arms, eyes closing. 

“Thank you. I hope you visit me again.” He shifts a little in my hold.

“Will visit. Promise." his small frame shifting to look at me again. “Adrian apologize for not seeing Grace sooner.” Guilt floods my chords.

"No, it's okay. I understand why.” He laughs slightly. "I would be upset at me too.”

“Not upset at Grace. Or Rocky. Adrian understand situation. Adrian knows feeling not logical. No one fault.” I rumble out gently. "Adrian apologize. Not Grace fault. Grace save Rocky. Adrian forever be in Grace dept. Should not have taken feelings out on Grace Rocky.” I move my claw to under his chin, scratching slightly. He smiles wide, scrunching up his shoulders a bit but tilting his head up, giving me more access.

"It's okay.”

“Is not," frustration lacing my voice. His eyes widen slightly. I can't get over what he said. "Grace really not like Grace, question?” He looks away as I lower my claw from his chin.

“I just–I hate the way I'm so helpless here, I guess? I rely on so many Eridians just to wake up and take a walk. I don't, like, hate myself. I feel like a burden to you and Rock–”

“Grace good burden. Adrian like Grace burden.” I see his heart rate start to rise again. I stroke his forehead as I see tears start to swell in his eyes again. He sniffs and takes a deep inhale. 

“Okay, question?” I say firmly.

He wipes at his eyes. “O-okay.” 

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

“Adrian?” Rocky's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed it sneak up on me.

“Rocky! How was the meeting?” I ask tenderly. The waves crash softly in front of us.

Instead of answering me, its carapace shifts down, its attention on the little human asleep in my lap. It seems to look in shock and awe as I pet Grace. After a moment, it lets out a small excited sound, something I haven't heard in months. 

“D-Did it go well?” Its voice vibrates from joy, already knowing the obvious answer.

I let out a giggle. “Yes. Me and Grace had a good talk.” I bring my claw to scratch at his scalp. He shifts, making adorable little purring noises in his sleep. 

Rocky walks up in front of me and Grace. "I'm very, very, very happy!” it trills, bringing up its claws and shaking them. 

“Me too," I reply fondly. Rocky suddenly stops; the atmosphere around it changes abruptly.

“Are…we okay?” I let out a small, pained sound as Rocky moves a bit closer to me. 

“Yes. I am sorry, my love. I was never mad at you. I apologize for any hurt I have caused.” I reach an arm out, hoping it will come to me.  ' I placed my emotions on you both when shouldn't have."

They come closer, about to take my claw, but hesitates. “I am sorry too. I have not been home with you to spend time or watch you sleep. I had you work nonstop on Grace, not thinking of your thoughts or feelings. I am sorry.” It shifts back and forth, two claws fidgeting together. “Do you still need space?”

“Rocky, I know why you did it. I do not blame you," I whisper out softly. “I would love nothing more than for you to be in my arms.” 

It takes my claw immediately. It was as if I were afraid I might change my mind. I gently pull Rocky closer until it's pressed into me and Grace. The tension leaves its body so quickly it almost makes me laugh. I start caressing it the same way I'm doing with Grace, and exhaustion immediately starts pulling at it again. In my arms, it softens, and I can feel sleep beginning to take hold. A low rumbling starts deep inside Rocky. So sleepy and content with both of us here. I've missed that sound.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.