Age regressor Grace who secretly loved the idea of Rocky watching him sleep because he's been alone for so long and if he presents hard enough he can imagine Rocky reading him a story, or narrating whatever little project keeps his slaws busy. He's always tinkering with something.
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.
"It's breakfast time." He chirps.
