Vince

Knowing this, and seeing the poorly concealed giddiness in his eyes brings a smile to your face. Ryland knows you've made your choice, and holds his hand out in front of him.

"C'mon, wait, wait wait-"

You laugh, longer than you usually would. It's all so silly. “Nah.”

In a split second, you leap over, and barrel head-first into your target. You attack without mercy: your hands aim ticklish jabs at his sides, his stomach, his ribs. He curls up instantly, careless giggles and useless bargaining immediately filling the room.

"Yes yes yes, get him!" Rocky exclaims.

"Rohock! Have some sympathy!"

"No!" Normally, when there is a dispute, Rocky is quick to point out who started it - but in times like these, it is unclear to all of you. Grace may have started the shoving, but only because you tried to block his view of the screen.

You glance up at Grace, who has backed even further against the wall in his struggling, his shirt dishevelled. He sees the look in your eyes, and starts giggling.

“Hah- okay, okahay, what…whatever it is you’re thinking of doING-” His voice pitches up as you lean closer, grabbing his midriff. He attempts to block you with his hands, but not much effort goes into the gesture.

“Listen, listen, we can talk ABOUT- OH NO-” The rest of his sentence is swallowed by a shriek, because you’ve ignored him, and instead shoved your head under his shirt to plant a raspberry against his stomach. Ryland bats ineffectually at your head, his torso twisting and shaking with high pitched laughter - and then, adorably, he snorts. You withdraw after a moment - partly to catch your breath, and partly so you can watch him giggle himself silly as he recovers.

“Ha- oh fudge-” He mutters, an unabashed grin still lingering on his face.

Rocky chimes up from behind, tapping his foot. “…What was that, question?”

You both pause, glancing down at him. “Huh?”

“The noise.”

“What, this?” You immediately lean in and give your companion another raspberry. The shrieking returns, and he keeps trying to suck his stomach in to get away. It doesn’t work.

“Yes.” Rocky shuffles.

“Care to explain, Dr. Grace?” You grin, poking unpredictably at his sides with one hand and holding him for stability with the other. Ilyukhina's vodka was dangerous.

Grace whines at the suggestion, pushing lightly at your hands.

“Oh, why mehehe?”

“It’s, uhhh- s'your turn to field a Rocky question. I did the last one.”

 “Ha- oh jeez, do I have to?” He looks at Rocky pleadingly.

“Yes.” 

“Great. So it’s called a raspberry-EEE-” 

His sentence devolves into a shrill squeal. Maybe it’s a little mean you interrupted him to give Rocky another demonstration. Oddly, though, it's hard to find a trace of guilt in your heart.

“…Like earth fruit, question?”

You draw back, nodding in Rocky's direction. “Yep.”

Ryland rakes a hand through his hair, and glares. His betrayal is completely staged.

“You’re not -gonna make this easy for me, are you?”

You shrug, intoxicated laughter threatening to drown your words.

“You're the one taking ages to explain.”

“Why called raspberry, question?”

“I dohon't know, bud, you'll have to check the database!” His breath hitches when you start spidering slowly over his ribs. He pouts, and if anything it just motivates you to continue.

“Grace laugh a lot when raspberry.”

“Yea, bud, because it really TICKLES-”

You do it again, because he's not exactly pushing you away. Grace curls inwards, holding onto your shoulders for dear life as he laughs.

"Raspberries work anywhere else, question?"

Ryland just giggles helplessly, his grip on you tightening, making absolutely no moves to stop you. Regardless, you take pity, and ease off a bit.

“Go on.” You nod for him to continue, lightly squeezing his sides. He's barely stopped laughing, clearly just as giggly as you after a couple drinks.

“Yea, thehey do.” He mutters, a note of resignation in his voice.

"Like where, question?"

He pauses.

...There is no universe where you manage to stop Grace from immediately burying his face against your neck. No universe where you push him away before he takes a deep breath. And no universe where he doesn't then declare, with all the smugness in the world:

"Here."

And then you feel it.

Grace's beard really tickles.

You manage to shout a single expletive before you're lost to unfiltered cackling. Your body seizes in its hysterics, trying to writhe out of the way - but every movement only seems to trap him further against your shoulder. There's nowhere to go. Besides, in your half-drunk state, where every touch feels like dozy sunlight on a nice afternoon, you don't particularly want to go anywhere.

You still protest, though.

"GRACE! Plehehease!"

"Sorry," He pauses, chuckles. "Is your neck too ticklish?"

"Shut UP-" Your voice slides higher when his stubble brushes your collarbone, and squeaky giggles wreak havoc on your little remaining coherency.

"You want me to stop talking?"

"YES!"

"Good. Raspberries make it kinda hard to talk, so that works out for both of us." He blows another one to illustrate his point.

"GRACE-" You shout between giggles, infuriated. He ignores you - just nuzzles slightly closer, the buzzing of his beard on your skin sending you into utter hysterics.

"So..." He leans back to look down at your audience. "Any more questions, Rock?"

"Not sure."

"Ok. Well, I'm aiming to repay my four raspberries here, so I've only got two more left. Better think of one fast."

"...You are both very drunk."

"S'not a question, bud."

"...Why do raspberries work on stomach but not sides, question?"

"I meannn," He shrugs. "I never said they didn't."

"Great," You huff, trying to extricate yourself from the odd half-hug Grace has trapped you in.

"It is great, actually." He pulls you closer like it's nothing, and nudges at your shirt.

"You know what's not great? Cheating at Mariokart."

He doesn't say anything - just takes another deep breath. You brace yourself, hoping to contain your reactions a little better.

It doesn't work.

"ahaHA-" Your legs kick out wildly. "RockEE- HELP!"

"What would I do? Am in ball." He's got a point, unfortunately.

Grace finally pauses for breath, and you think he might be about to show mercy.

But then he looks at Rocky, and looks at you, and frowns.

"Hm, I wonder..."

He grabs your leg, pulling it straight. His hand rests on the cuff of your shorts, above your exposed knee, stabilising it.

Your eyes go wide.

"No."

"What, you think it'll work?"

You hesitate. He doesn't bother letting you contemplate further - just leans in, and brings his mouth to the skin behind your knee.

It's awful. It's wonderful. It's so stupid and ridiculous. You smile so wide. You laugh so hard.

This chaos is comfortable to you both, and you know neither of you would change it.

It takes a while for you to notice that Ryland has stopped - you're still laughing when he turns you around to face him.

"Uh oh. Someone's got a case of the giggles."

There's a special kind of withering glare you reserve only for when Ryland really annoys you - but you use it here, just for fun. Just to see him tut and roll his eyes.

"Happy?" You fold your arms.

"Very." He smirks. You shove at him gently.

"Still do not understand why called raspberry." Rocky crawls closer. "On Erid we call it-"

He stops. The quiet that follows tells you all you need to know.

"...Rocky..." You start.

"Nevermind." He chimes, moving to scuttle away.

Grace grins wildly.

"No, no. Continue. What do you call it on Erid?"

The conversation devolves rapidly, and you lean back to watch. The night is still young, it seems. Plenty of time for Rocky to witness some more of the incredible stupidity you are all accustomed to.

The teacher put on his red suit and prepared for take off by foot. He stationed himself on the edge of the launch bay and with one switch push that took almost no strength but all his courage, Grace floated through space towards the Eridian spacecraft. As the wire securing him stretched behind, Grace felt anxiety building up in his chest.

Something felt off. Just not quite right. As the ship was nearing closer and closer, its reflection in Grace’s helmet was dim. Not that Rocky’s ship has ever been shiny and bright, but it was dimmer than he remembered.

When he finally touched down and was able to crawl to an entrance tunnel, it was sealed off with durable xenonite panel through which his small headlight shined, revealing black and brown pipeline structure that used to habitat Rocky. But he wasn’t there.

Grace called out, but made no sound. There was no sound in space. All he could hear was his own heartbeat beating in his ears, raising by every passing second. Where is Rocky? Shouldn’t he be out by now? With his incredible hearing, he would’ve already known there’s someone trying to get in. But the ship remained lifeless. He shouted again, banged on the panel, adjusted his headlight and squinted his eyes to see as far ahead of the darkness as he could.

And suddenly… he saw something at the very end of the tunnel. It was so far it looked tiny. Pointy, uneven, as if it was upside down. It looked like… a dead spider laying on its back.

Wait… the double jointed legs… no…

“Rocky?! ROCKY, Is that you?!” Grace called, now panicking as realization washed over him.

Rocky was dead.

Ryland was too late. The Edirian ship run out of fuel and the radiation got to him.

Grace’s breathing and heart rate began to spike at uncomfortable speed as if his lungs and heart were in a dangerous race with each other. His vision has gotten blurry and his body gave up on him, muscles turned to mush, air was heavy and his head momentarily overflowed with fear so strong he could comprehend nothing. He felt like drowning in the sound of his own weeping, heart pounding in his ears. As distress signal was roaring in his head, he cried desperately out for Rocky to come back-

“GHA-!”

A sharp, choked up gasp filled the room as Grace sat straight up, panting so fast his chest could barely keep up. He looked around frantically as everything around him changed. A cold sweat run down his face, hands stiff from an iron grip on the blanket that covered him. He was not on a rescue mission for Rocky, not in his astronaut suit in space. He was on Hail Mary. In bed. Safe.

But again, he was alone.

“Oh crap…” a tired half-sigh-half-whisper escaped his mouth as his face landed in his hands and he slowly rubbed it. “It was a dream. Just a terrifying stupid nightmare! Right…?” Grace looked up at all the xenonite constructions Rocky has made above his head to watch him sleep. They lacked one crucial thing however. Rocky was nowhere to be found. Normally He’d have heard him whispering in his sleep and probably come running at that point, but it was quiet.

“No… no no no no, I-I-I saved Rocky, we… we returned to… or… did we? Oh my god…” Grace wasn’t sure if he was gaslighting himself or not. Did he actually save Rocky or not and his mind kept rejecting that reality? Why does it haunt him in his dreams? It felt like someone pulled out his brain, messed up the organized puzzle that once were his memories and put it back in.

Rocky and Grace would watch each other sleep. Because Eridians are completely paralyzed and helpless while asleep, it’s a deeply ingrained cultural necessity that friends take turns guarding, so… why wasn’t he there?

“Rocky?! Rocky, where are you?!”

Within split second, Grace’s body went into panic mode again. Breathing was obstructed once more, his muscles felt like disorganized pack of jellies and his vision wouldn’t focus. He jolted out of bed, from laying down to standing at attention, frantically calling and looking out for Rocky, not knowing how to handle the wave of uncontrollable panic that was clearly overwhelming him.

“ROOOOCKY!” wow dramatic much

“Grace! Why grace so loud?!”

Grace snapped his head towards the familiar voice and through his blurred vision he finally saw movement as a xenonite ball rolled into his line of sight.

“Rock! You’re…” he wanted to ask his friend why did he leave. He opened his mouth, but no more words came out. Instead the adrenaline wore off, no longer supporting his jelly legs and standing position. Multiplied by the rapid getup from the bed, like an iron deficiency diva that he is, Grace almost fainted. He very much needed this dose of relief, but when it finally hit and his mind would stop for a second, he didn’t expect it to be the only thing keeping him upright.

He fell to the floor, just barely managing to push his arms out and stop his face from plummeting to the ground with the rest of his body. Rocky chirped anxiously, straightening up in his ball and came running to his friend.

“GRACE, GRACE! Grace okay?! Grace died!? Grace sick?” As Rocky started bombarding him with questions, the teacher was still trying to ground himself from the panic attack. He was supporting himself on the elbows, regulating his breathing, his lower half lying on his side, legs curled. He no longer doubted Rocky was here, so why wouldn’t he stop pacing? Why don’t the boxing glove in his chest stop pounding on it from inside out?

He regained just enough strength to pull himself up and hug Rocky through the xenonite. Rocky was startled a bit, but quickly caught on and hugged back in his own way. Grace’s body could finally let down guard and suddenly a wave of sadness hit him, contorting his face unwillingly and tears poured.

He did save Rocky. After a million times that Rocky saved him, deep down he knew - he always knew he did. That freaking dream tricked him, made him doubt himself…

“Grace leaking from face. Why Grace upset?”

“Why did you leave?” He sobbed, face still glued to Rocky’s orb.

“Grace say things while asleep. Rocky try to wake up Grace, but Grace won’t. Rocky was worried, so Rocky go get Armando to check on Grace.” Rocky’s arm pushed through one of the walls of his container and placed it on Grace’s back in a comforting gesture. “Why humans talk why asleep, question?”

“We dream.” Grace kept sobbing, though slowly quieting down. “I’ve had a dream, where I… you…” damn, words are hard. His closed throat wasn’t helping either as it felt like the words were barely squeezing through it.

“What’s dream, question?” Rocky asked very directly like he wasn’t just holding falling-apart-Grace. However, at the request of explanation, his eyes sparked again. He was still shaking uncontrollably, yet wanted to share his knowledge with his friend. Every time Rocky asked a question, Grace would be more than happy to tell him. It reminded him of teaching students back on Earth.

“It’s our brains way of sorting out memories and integrating them with cortex when we sleep.” he started explaining while wiping his eyes with a sleeve. Sniffs and sobs were interrupting every second so much so his diaphragm was hurting, but he tried to push through, feeling Rocky’s embrace through the xenonite container.

“There’s a part called hippocampus that orchestrates it, but sometimes we regain consciousness partly during this process and witness hippocampus’s memory-sorting as a mare. Sometimes it feels like you’re really there even if it’s just in your head. This… is why I was talking in my sleep.” Grace tried to sit up and leaned his back against the wall. As his whole trunk finally relaxed in a more natural position, breathing started to be manageable again.

“So… why Grace scared? What Grace dream?“

“Rocky, can we not… do this right now? I’m still… not quite all there yet.”

“What Grace need? Rocky help.” Grace did not reply. He tilted his head back, so it could rest against the wall too, closed his eyes and kept breathing short, shallow huffs and puffs. Rocky stopped asking questions as he remembered from one of many Ryland’s rambles that humans tend to get overwhelmed with too much information or questions at once. In silence, he carefully approached Grace, emerging halfway through his ball and lying his center in his lap, careful to not pull his whole weight on it.

After a couple of minutes, Grace finally started to come back from the panic room. Rocky noticed early when his heartbeat slowed down and chirped happily upon hearing it.

“Thank you, buddy.” Grace put his hand on Rocky’s body, sticking out of the container, patting him gently with gratitude.

“Rocky happy Grace better. Now Grace tell Rocky about bad dreams, question?” Grace smiled in his heart and shook his head at how smoothly Rocky rerouted the conversation back to it. At least now he could speak without choking on his own breath.

“Not all dreams are scary. Hippocampus filters both good and bad memories and sometimes mixes them. It’s really a coin flip which moment you’ll get. When it’s a scary one, it’s called a nightmare.”

“Grace had nightmare, question?”

“Yes… I… I thought you died, Rocky.” Grace winced at the haunting image of Rocky as an upside down spider crossed his mind.

“I had a nightmare from when your ship was failing. I was so worried I was too late and that I messed up…” before Ryland managed to break down into tears again, Rocky cut in, which he almost never does.

“Rocky not died, statement. Grace did not mess up. Grace save Rocky.” He said with such calmness and cuteness that Grace’s heart overflowed with warmth in an instant. He teared up at those words. Rocky was too pure for this conversation.

“I know, bud. I’m sorry, it felt… too real.” Grace held back a whimper. A short pause on both sides occurred.

…

“Dream stupid, statement.”

“No, Rock, it’s fine, I- it’s my fault-I’m just a bit shaken-“

“Dream makes Grace sad. Dream make Grace think Rocky dead! I don’t like.” Rocky exclaimed as if it was the biggest insult he has ever heard. He might have also been frustrated that no matter what they did, Grace’s face kept leaking, but at least he wasn’t panicking anymore.

“It’s nightmares that are bad. And of course I know you’re not dead, I- I- just- hehehey now!” Grace tried to explain, but fumbled as he felt Rocky climbing on top of him with his full weight now and malicious intent. He slid off the wall and tried to crawl backwards to his bedroom, but he was already immobilized. It was like someone parked a car on top of him. He was not going anywhere.

“Rocky not believe. Grace stressing over stupid dreams!”

“Buddy, I’m- I'm fihihine.” Grace giggled in anticipation as Rocky’s hands extended from the xenonite container and his claws opened, wiggling slightly in the air. Grace knew where this was going and a dumbfounded smile slit his face.

“Rocky hear Grace heart and breathing. Grace still scared and sad. Rocky help!”

“Nohoho- Rocky, DOHOHON’T-“ before Grace could protest, he felt Rocky’s hands land on each side of his ribcage and vibrate violently. He immediately fell on his back, bringing his arms closer to his chest and started laughing loudly. Not giggling - straight up laughing from the belly. Rocky awed melodiously as Grace's warm laughter filled the room.

"Nightmares bad - tickles good!" Rocky teased and Grace cursed in his mind that he had ever taught his alien friend about the concept of tickling. Honestly he could've predicted that it would backfire at some point.

"Wahait- WAHAHAHAIT! Rohohocky, nohoho! I'm betteheheher- I swehehehear!" he squealed, frantically pushing at Rocky's ball pressing him into the floor as his claws moved to the sides of his abdomen. Grace’s body jolted, but xenonite held him in place. The inability to curl up or even shift sideways made the tickles ten times better worse.

"Great, Grace recovering! Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!"

"Rohohock, you're nohohot helpihihihing!"

"Rocky IS helping! Grace happy again! Why Grace so stubborn?" Rocky squished all around his belly sides and lower ribs. It was very sensitive area for Grace, but also like a melt spot. He loved when Rocky did that even though he couldn’t take it.

"Thahat's NOT hohohow you treat ahaha person afteheheHEHER they hahad a p-pahahanic attack!- *squeal* NO, NOHOHO GET AHAHAHAWAY FROHOHOM THEHEHHEHERE!” Grace practically screamed, when Rocky’s third arm snaked up and started squeezing the pudge of his lower belly, landing one claw in the navel and wiggling there stubbornly. Rocky completely ignored Grace’s plea and just kept making high frequency happy noises, very pleased with reactions he was causing.

“ROHOCKY PLEHEHEHEHEASE! I CAHAHAHAN’T MOHOHOHOVE!” Grace begged through his loud laughter. He trashed his head from side to side, his body wiggled helplessly under Rocky as he couldn’t get an inch away from this unbearable feeling. His legs kicked aimlessly and he was slamming his hands on Rocky’s ball, which caused the alien to flinch at how loud it echoed inside. But it didn’t stop him from tickling.

“Ouch! My hearing perception! Grace no slap Rocky’s container. It’s very loud.”

“I’M SAHAHAHAHARRY! STOHOHOP TIHIHIHICKLING MEHEHEHE!” Grace burst out shaking his head, a frantic mix of squeals and laughter pouring out of him, much to Rocky’s amusement. That man was the cutest (and only) human Rocky has ever seen. But he noticed his friend getting tired and decided to resolve the situation with an ultimatum.

“Will Grace stop having nightmares?”

“I CAHAHAHAN’T CONTROHOHOL IT!”

“Then Grace will find Rocky and not panic stupidly?”

“YEHEHEHEHES IHIHI WIHIHILL, ROHOHOCK, STAHAHAHAP PLEHEHEHEASE!” Grace begged through his now slightly hoarse voice, not entirely sure what he just agreed to.

Rocky finally let up. The second he let go of his waist and rolled off to the floor, Grace flopped on his side and curled up into a ball, leftover giggles still escaping his lips. The reassurance and encouragement before the tickling were enough to make him calm down, but with how touched starved Grace was (we’re social creatures after all), in the end he didn’t mind at all.

“Youhuhu are the little tihihickle monster, you know that?” said Grace, still panting and smiling like an idiot.

“Apology.” Rocky moved closer and hugged Grace still curled up on the floor, who flinched at the contact of Rocky’s claws with his side again.

“No mohohore! Rocky-“

“Grace no afraid, Rocky will tickle no more (today). Grace recover from nightmare?”

“Yes, never been better, pal.” He said, rolling his eyes as Rocky just gave him a reality check disguised as tickling the life out of him that he, in fact, is not dead.

“Grace remember this and don’t be stupid.” Rocky moved his center (where his face would be if he had one) in front of teacher’s face and placed his stretched claw on top of his head, which made Grace feel a bit like an immobilized cat grabbed by the nape.

“Grace saved Rocky, now Grace safe, Rocky make sure of that.” Grace just shook his head and embraced Rocky. He finally let his guard down completely and let his body relax here on the ground.

“I know, pal. I know.”

Whatever was left of panic still inside of him, has evaporated with all the laughter Rocky caused. Was it that it was actually quite enjoyable to laugh freely in the arms of a friend?

He patted Rocky through the container and smiled at his very much needed words of great encouragement. He knew he saved him deep down - they saved each other. It was possible he could have failed, but he didn’t.

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Grace was a very touched starved person. Spending all this time in space with no other humans around, it could take its tole on you. Especially when you're only friend was a alien. Grace would always push past his feelings about it. It felt silly to him. A grown ass man getting upset about not getting a hug every now and then. Its not like he got many hugs back on earth, the occasional hug from his students, but nothing much. So why was it bothering him now?

Rocky didn't understand that feeling of being touch starved. It was something he never experienced, even when floating in space alone for 46 years. But he always did try to make Grace feel better, He was his best friend after all. When he was only confined to his xenonite ball, he would try his best to show as much affection as possible when Grace hugged him. And as much as Grace appreciated Rocky's efforts, it was never enough for Grace unfortunately, it didn't feel the same when you were hugging a massive ball.

Grace was sitting on the steps of his biodome home, ig had only been months since he forst got here. He was thankful for everything the Eridians gave him. Making him food he could eat, building this home for him, accepting him with open arms. He was looking out at the beach not to far from the biodome. Grace didn't notice it at first, but he heard something, not the usual bulky rolling from rockys xenonite ball, but a soft patter along the sand. Grace looked up, and he Froze. Here was Rocky, running along the beach, not in his ball, but in what looked like a new suit. "Grace! Grace! Rocky make new suit!"

Grace stood frozen, even when Rocky landed at his feet. "Grace like new suit, question?" The suit was tighter, no longer a ball, but hugged Rocky's frame perfectly so be could move around better. But moat of all, he could touch things. The words stuck in Grace's throat as he slowly lowered himself to his knees. Rocky crawled forward. "Grace upset he couldn't touch Rocky. Rocky fix." Grace sucked in air quickly before it got stuck in his throat again. He lifted his arms shakily. Rocky knew almost immediately what Grace wanted and crawled closer, wrapping his two front limbs around Grace tightly. The moment Grace felt that connection, he sniffled, burying his face into Rockys carapace. "Why Grace leaking question? Does Grace not like new suit?" "No, no I do..." Grace let out a watery chuckle. "I'm just happy..." He wiped his eyes. "Humans strange. Leak when sad and happy..." Grace chuckled again. "Yeah... we are..." They stayed like that for a long while. Grace didn't want to let go, neither did Rocky but the looks of it. Seemed like they were both clingy. Grace wanted to take in as much affection as possible. Not wanting to miss out on it again.

"Rocky want to get closer!" Rocky suddenly chirped "Huh? What? Rocky! You're knocking me over!" Grace laughed as he was knocked onto his back. "Wha- what are you doing?!" Grace laughed harder as Rocky started to try worm his way under his sweater. "Rocky getting closer!" "Careful- hey! Cohome ohohon! That tickles!" Grace could feel Rocky's hands press and squeeze into his sides, ribs and stomach. "Rohohocky!" "Oh yes, Rocky forget Grace is sensitive." But even as Rocky said it, Grace could swear he could hear a hint of teasing in Rocky’s voice. "Then stohohop ihit!" Grace exclaimed. "Rocky trying to get comfortable." "My ass!" Rocky was totally doing this on purpose. Wiggling around and digging his crawls into Grace's sides. "Grace squishy. New food helping." "Shuhuhut up!" "Grace so mean to Rocky. Rocky only want to hug." "IhIhI swear tohoho god, roHOHOHOCK! NOHOT THEHEHEHERE!

Grace shrieked when Rockys claws slipped down to his lower stomach as he tried to push his way up further into his sweater. Grace tried to arch his back as he practically squealed. But Rocky's weight held him down. "ROHOCK COHOHOME OHON!" Grace cried out. This felt so stupid. "Grace so mean to Rocky!" "IHIM NOHOT BEHEHEING MEHEHEAN!" Grace kicked and yelped out in protest. "Liar! Grace so mean mean mean to Rocky! Told me to be quiet!" One of Rockys back legs stomped down as he spoke, poking Grace's hips. "Grace apologise now, statement!" Grace realised how stuck he really was, Rocky was under his sweater. He couldn't exactly reach to stop those tickling limbs, and somehow, that made it feel so much worse. When the Eridian got no response other than squeales and laughter, he brought two claws down onto Grace's hips in a drilling motion. "ROHOHOCKY!" Grace thrashed hard, or as much as he could with the weight on top of him. "Grace apologise!" Rocky pushed stubbornly. He was not stopping until he got what he wanted.

"IHIHIM SOHOHORRY!" Grace hadn't realised how red his face must've been. He thanked the stars Rocky couldn't see it either. The moment the apology left his lips, Rocky stopped. Grace lay on the steps panting. "Ahand I'm the mehean one..." Grace countered as he sucked in air. Resting his hand were he could feel the Eridian in his sweater. Rocky started to wiggle again and Grace tensed for more tickles. But none came. What did however was Rocky's head. (Or what would be a head.) Poking out from the neck hole in Grace's sweater. Grace laughed again at how silly it was.

"You're so dumb..." Grace shook his head with a forced smile. Rocky let out a delighted noise, finally going still. "Grace wanted hugs. Rocky fix." Grace huffed. This was going to be a common thing. He could tell. He should expect more hugs, but even more stretched sweaters.

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Fic inspired slightly by the art above which belongs to @blitzzeri 💙

I know its short but I'm on vacation and wanted to get SOMETHING out before I start my requests when I go home. 🙏

Also writing on my phone is ass ✌️

He’s been slightly more open about the affection he wants. Asking for head scratches or just to hold his hand. Although when I had tickled him, I was literally in his lap, he seems to prefer to keep his overall distance. The most he does is lean against me and I do find it rather odd. He prefers I not do this in front of Grace, getting immensely embarrassed and refusing the affection all together. 

He's been touchy himself, though. He's continued to pet me, but only on my legs. He never goes higher than my first joint, mainly staying down towards my claw.

We’re lying in the closet. Yes, he’s still insistent that he stays there for now if he’s not staring at us around the ship. He’s supposed to be sleeping right now, but I have a feeling he lied about being tired. He just wanted attention away from Grace.

He's got a leg in his lap again, tugging and pulling at my claw while he looks up off into space. Soft fingers pinch my digits and bend them between his fingers. I hear his head turn, his eyes fixating on me. He stares deep into me, as if he wants me to read his mind. I pretend not to notice. 

He waits, looking, and eventually lets out a little huff. I return the noise with my own soft chord and his brows furrow together. 

“What, question?” I ask as I tinker with a small figurine, one of Simon actually. It's a little fun to have a new muse.

He bites at his lip and fidgets with my claw some more. He shifts to sit up on the blankets and pillows thrown together in a pile in the cramped room, straining with his one arm.

“Um. I wanna ask you something—to do something.” He corrects, looking away. He sounds nervous, not embarrassed like I thought he would. We've made good progress. I didn’t think he would be scared to ask for stuff like these requests anymore; maybe flustered, sure, but not scared. 

I place my equipment down and shift my carapace his way, giving him my attention. “What Simon want, question?” I add some amusement in my chords, hoping to ease his nerves a little.

He sits and thinks for a moment, very still, and then looks back to stare at me. His eyes are trying to read me before he even asks. I hear him swallow hard, trying to build up confidence.

“Can I, um, pet you more?” I make a confused chirp. 

He asks like Im going to say no. I wish he would stop expecting that. Grace asks questions because he's curious, while Simon asks them because he's afraid. I want him to be curious.

I was so sure he was going to ask for a little more affection. Maybe something closer to me. Maybe the claw in his lap to softly scratch under his chin but I’m surprised. 

And confused.

“Simon is petting Rocky now.” I hear his heart rate pick up slightly at my statement.

“Yes.” He looks down at my claw in his lap and squeezes it, then rubs his thumb in a circle against me. “I-I mean, like other parts of you?” He looks away sheepishly and I see the end of his tail flick.

That’s a new request.

“I just—I like to do it and ya know…you like it too—well, I think you do.” He grumbles with a frown while squeezing my claw harder. “I don’t know…it’s nice to do that for you…”

Simon is asking to care for me. Usually it’s the other way around. It's different. Simon wants me to be happy too. I feel warm and giddy about that.

“Of course." I trill happily while letting out some soft snickers. He throws me a glare while his cheeks pool with blood. He is so unknowingly sweet. I pull my arm from his lap and hold it out with another, welcoming him into me if he wants.

He looks hesitant but ultimately scoots closer until he’s just bumping into me. I don’t wrap my limbs around him but rather let them lie on the floor on either side. I don’t want to overwhelm him.

I wait as he sits there looking awkward. He raises his hand to my carapace but stops and lets it fall back to his side. He looks me up and down.

“Simon okay, question?” I ask gently, nudging one of his legs with my own. “Do not have to pet Rocky if Simon does not want—“

“No! No. I do want to. I have wanted to. Like Grace does…” He admits, frowning more, but I hear the blood rush to his ears, too. “I’m just worried.” He reaches beside himself and squeezes the claw I just pushed into his leg, like he's holding himself there so he doesn't run away.

“Why, question?” I let out a perplexed rumble. Humans are so confusing. It is good affection he wants to give; what is there to worry about? 

“If, like, I hurt you. Or make you upset. What if I do something you don’t like and then you hate me or—?” I soften at his words, gently pulling him closer to me. He tenses up, his arm in the air away from my body, but eventually melts into my side, resting his head on top of my carapace. I decide not to tell him that he would probably never be strong enough to actually hurt me. Humans take offense to that; well, Grace did.

“Simon can not do anything to make Rocky hate Simon.” He pulls away, his face full of skepticism, as always. "Rocky tell Simon if it does not like touch. This solution okay, question?” I suggest, hoping to ease his worries. 

I'm so happy he's asked for this. His stupid human brain almost stopped him. Good thing he asked anyway.

He nods his head slightly, pulling back to put a little space between us. I pull the claw with his hand clasped around it up in front of us.

“Simon start here.” I suggest.

“…okay.”

I watch as he lets go and lightly runs his fingers over my family crest engravings, something he’s done consistently for the past two weeks, but he looks focused now. It’s like he’s really thinking about this small action. He's so careful, too careful, even.

He has these claws that came from his mutations. They don’t seem that sharp compared to other tools I’ve used, more blunt than sharp. They're definitely longer than Grace's, but I wouldn't actually describe them as long overall. He runs them over my shell, scratching lightly.

He gives me a quick glance, like he's checking up on me and I respond with a soft trill. He lets go and then softly grabs at the top section of my leg. I feel the light pressure as he squeezes. 

I let out a hum of content and see a smile grow on his face, his pointy teeth sticking out of the corners. It's small, hesitant even. It's like he's not sure he's allowed to be happy right now.

“I-is this okay?” He glides his fingers upwards.

“Yes. Feel very nic—“ I cut myself off with a small squeak. I tense up and he jerks back, ripping his hand from me. 

"Shit—! I didn’t mean to! A-are you okay? I knew I was gonna—“ His heart leaps in his chest.

"Rocky okay!” I frantically trill, trying to calm him. He starts scooting back; he looks scared. His breathing picks up and becomes erratic while he grabs at his chest. I feel myself start to get anxious at the familiar signs of a panic attack.

“I knew—I knew I was gonna hurt you! I should have just stayed quiet!” He starts to shake, digging his heels into the floor to push away further. “Why couldn't I just stay fucking quiet?!"

Although I don’t really want to do this, especially in his frantic state, I grab an ankle and pull him back towards me. He lets out a squeak but stops moving. His chest heaves as he claws at his chest and neck.

“Simon. Rocky okay. Not hurt. Simon do nothing wrong. Very gentle.” I try to hum softly. I resort to pulling him back close to me. I reach a claw up and rub at his cheek. I notice the start of tears welling in his eyes, but his breathing starts to even out. 

I move my claw down to his chest, pressing it into the back of his hand that rests there.

“Breathe. It okay.” His eyes flutter closed as I lift his hand in mine, interlocking our fingers, and gently hold it there against his heart. I rub slow circles into his skin and start humming softly. We sit like that for a while.

He suddenly breaks the silence. “I-I was being selfish… I shouldn’t h-have asked—” 

I whistle softly. “Simon. Is okay. Want Simon to ask.” 

“Are you sure? You—you made a noise—you flinched!” He rips his hand from mine and points like he's interrogating me, glassy eyes full of dread.

“Joint sensitive. Rocky good, good, good.” He sits for a moment. I hear his eyes look down at his hand and then press his thumb into the claws on his fingers, like he's testing to see how sharp they are. To see how much pressure is too much and whether he had just used too much.

“Sorry.”

“No apology.” I hum.

He looks away, clearly upset with himself, whether it be the initial contact or his reaction after. Maybe both. 

“Sensitive like it hurts to touch?” He asks, clearly wanting more reassurance.

“No. Ticklish like Simon. Not hurt.” I say, pointing to myself.

“Oh.” He stays silent in thought for a second. “Wait, you can be ticklish too?” Low chuckles spill from his mouth.

“Yes.” I feel myself warm with embarrassment, but I also relax as I see him calm down. I shift a little closer, but he instinctively pulls away. 

This situation put us back a few steps. He was really doing so well, too. He's even comfortable enough to ask for more, but now he’s worried about touching again. I lightly tap a claw against the floor in slight frustration.

“Hm. Simon want to try, question?” I’ll show him it’s nothing to worry about. That he did nothing wrong. Grace tickles me from time to time, though he prefers to be on the receiving end as much as he won't admit it. I think this would be beneficial for us.

He looks shocked, his eyebrows go up then right back down, looking hard at me. “You want me to…tickle you?” I feel myself fluster more. Not really just to tickle me but to pet me in general and show it’s okay.

“Yes. If make Simon feel better. Show nothing hurt. Show Rocky trust Simon.” A sigh leaves him. 

“You don’t have to do that, Rocky.” He mumbles with a frown. He seems to cower into himself, bringing his shoulders up defensively. It's like he's physically scared at the notion of touching me again.

“Rocky want.” I want to make sure he knows. I want him to know that even if he did hurt me or make me uncomfortable, I'm not going to hate him forever for it.

He looks very unsure, moving away slightly again. I wonder if it’s the ‘atmosphere’ after what just happened. Humans are very sensitive to the social 'atmosphere,' so I try to lighten it up a little. 

And maybe I’m trying to antagonize him a little bit, hoping he’ll retaliate.

I reach forward and grab his thigh, squeezing softly. He lets out a squeak and his leg jerks. I hope this isn't an overstep.

“Ah-Rohocky?!” His hand scrambles down to my claw, latching on. I take a second claw and my first and move to his inner thigh on both sides, scratching at his skin. Although he looks frantic, I don't think he's uncomfortable.

“EEHEHAHAhaha w-wahahait—!!” He squirms, trying to pull his legs up while his tail wags behind him, which soothes my mind.

“No.” I dig into the muscles more. I slowly inch upwards, making him squeal.

“OKAY—OKAYHIHEHAhaha *snrk* I-I’ll dohoho ihihIHIHIT—!!!” He squeaks out, trying to pry my claw away. 

I squeeze a few more times before I pull back. He huffs and tries, and fails, to give me a frown. I giggle at his blushing face while reaching out an arm to him. He hesitantly takes it into his lap once more. 

“You’ll tell me to stop if it’s too much, right?” He glances at me.

“Yes. Will tell.” I answer softly. “Joint sensitive. Simon touch there.” I instruct, pointing to where my arm and carapace meet.

He gives me a face I can’t read but ultimately reaches for my leg. I can’t help the little flinch I give in response, making him pause for a second but then he continues.

He runs his fingers along the joint and I freeze up with a chirp. I try to hold in my laughter, squirming around. I hear a smile come to his face as he applies more pressure. My arm starts to retract and I stagger back before I can stop myself, and to my surprise, Simon follows. He moves closer, sitting directly next to me, digging his claws into the sensitive spot.

"Sihihimon—ihiheheha!" My legs become wobbly and I stumble to the floor.

“I didn’t think you would be able to be ticklish, you know, being a rock and all. Why your joints?” He asks, squeezing lightly. I continue to laugh, struggling to gather my thoughts to answer him. He waits a few seconds and lets out a hum. 

“Um. I don't know if you said anything or if you did. what you said.” He grins as his hands still. “Maybe the translator can't pick it up.” He looks over to the laptop on the floor a few feet away from us.

“Ah-apology! Ohonly expohosed insihide of carAHAHPACE—!!!” He starts to scratch again with a giant grin on his face. "SEHENSAHATIVE—!!! HEHEhelp t-to kehehEEP—AHAHE—pahaharasites ahahand smahahall creahaHATURES OHOHOUT!” He pulls high-pitched trills from me as he scratches faster. My legs wiggle out on the floor, trying to push away. 

I weakly push at him, but he just swats my claws away and continues.

"Interesting," he mumbles to himself, slowing his hand. “You make such fascinating sounds. It’s so squeaky.” I feel my body heat up more at what I think is his version of a compliment. I’m not used to being on the receiving end of those. 

“Shuhut mohohouth!!” I squirm as he lets out a laugh. 

I hear a hissing noise, knowing exactly what it is. His hands stop and he pulls away for a moment, watching the steam start to pour from my vents. He smiles more, much to my dismay.

“This means you're embarrassed, right? I’ve seen you do it a few times with Grace. He always makes fun of you.” I try to curl up on myself while he pokes fun at me, folding my arms underneath my body. I decide to not respond.

He lets out a knowing hum and trails his fingers down to my first joint, making me squeak and kick out my leg. He grabs hold, trying to pull it from my body. 

“Give it here, Rock.” He snickers. I fight with myself, trying to relinquish my arm back to him. He’s enjoying himself, and I don’t want that to stop, but my body isn’t cooperating. 

“Rohocky cahan’t.” Light giggles spill from me as I pull against him as lightly as I can. He lets go with a frown as I pull my leg tightly back into myself.

“Fine. Is your carapace ticklish too?” I hear him ask as he rotates around me, dragging his fingers along another joint.

“Ihihi—yehehes!”

“Can I try?” He stops and pulls away; more steam billows from me at his request.

“I-if Simohon wan—“

“Yes. Simon does want.” I hate that he used that word. Sure, he’s asked for things but this is the first times he said he wants something, not that it would be nice or me offering it for him and letting him respond with a yes or no. He said he wants it, and who am I to say no when he finally has the courage to say that?

“O-okay.” I trill and brace myself for the sensation, tensing up but nothing happens. Simon lets out a snort.

“You gotta uncurl. Can’t get to you with your legs covering most of your body.” He pokes at one of my legs, then brushes his hair up and out of his face.

“Ah, right. Apology.” Let's try this again. It takes some mental effort but I do unfurl myself, leaving my carapace vulnerable. My legs tremble, struggling to hold myself up and I hear that he notices, frowning slightly.

He moves himself up against me to my surprise, lifting a leg out and over his shoulder, I’m assuming to make sure I can’t curl it back up. 

“Here. Lean on me.” And I do, shifting some of my weight onto him. He lets out a satisfied hum as my legs seem to steady a little more.

I hear as he brings his hand up to my side and I flinch while frantic anticipatory giggles vibrate through me. He lightly scratches my side, gently, from side to side. He seems to frown at my reaction, tail flicking in response.

“Did you lie? You're barely laughing.” His eyebrows knit together as he presses in more, quickening his pace. 

“Rohocky not lie. Simon no tickle right.” I state, acting offended that he would even consider me a liar. 

"Well, it seemed to be working a minute ago.” He teases with a smile. I feel myself fluster more. It’s nice to see him so playful, but those little comments are getting to me. He lightly pokes at my joint again, proving his point.

“CAHhahe—carapce less sensitive to touch. Scratch or tracing not work well.” He frowns again, shifting against me.

"Well, how do I do it then?” His head cocks to the side.

I stay silent. I contemplate just keeping this information to myself. He can already tickle me elsewhere; he doesn’t really need to know—

"I'm waiting.” I feel myself tense up more at his voice. 

“...”

"You'll tell me eventually," and before I can ask what that means, he's scratching along the underside of the joint of the leg he's got around his shoulder.

“EEAHAhehe nohohoooo!”

"Yes." He stops suddenly. “I really, really want to know.” He’s using this very serious voice. I can't tell if it’s playful or real. I huff, tapping a leg against the floor. It’s like he knows that if he says it like that, I’ll tell him. He and Grace can be so similar sometimes. Maybe I’m just too soft with them.

“Tapping and vibration.” 

“What?” 

“Tapping and vibration work on carapace.”  I admit.

He grins while silently bringing his hand up and taps lightly with a finger, pulling soft giggles from me. Then he does it harder, adding the rest of his digits and I let out an embarrassing squeal, causing me to let out another hissing sound of steam.

“WAHahait—!!!”

“So why does tapping and vibrations only work?” He asks while moving his hand lower. I feel my arms try and curl up again but the two fail with Simon in the way. He sounds like Grace with all these questions. Curious, not frightened.

“H-HAHARD OUTSihide!! Nohot feheheel muhuch!!” He drums his fingers back and forth in an agonizing way. “Vibratiohohons t-trahavel—THROHOUGH caharapaahace t-to squihishy IN-side—! Mahahake tihickle!!” I squeak out the best I can. He stops for a moment, looking out at nothing.

“Vibrations… hm. I have an idea. Can I try?” I feel my anxiety spike at his question as he eagerly looks back down to me. There’s no way I can say no to that face.

“Hm. Yehes.” I warble with uncertainty.

He pulls me close into a hug, something he has not done without me being the first to offer. He doesn't even seem to notice, but I definitely did, though I decide not to point it out. I’m basically in his lap now. I carefully wrap three legs around his middle while the other two hold me up. I unconsciously start to rub his back and he smiles more. Actually it’s more of a smirk.

“What Simon doing, question?” Although I’m not going to complain about a hug, I’m not really sure the gesture is a new idea.

“Hold on. Give me a second.” I wait a moment and then I hear it. The familiar rumble of his purring. I make a confused trill in response. But then it gets louder. It’s never this loud, always so soft. Then it’s stronger still and I feel myself squirm against him.

“Can you feel it?” He questions while holding me close. I do feel it; the strong vibrations coming from his chest flow through me, and it's overwhelming.

“Sihi-MON!! I-IHIHIT THIHICKLE—!!!” I desperately claw at his back, holding onto his shirt. I didn’t know he could purr that loud. I guess he was always suppressing it. He did always seem embarrassed about it.

My legs give out and I collapse fully into his lap and he just curls up around me, purring louder. He almost sounds like some sort of machine, maybe an engine. He’s got this satisfied look on his face, smooshing his cheek into the top of my carapace. I can tell he finds this amusing. 

"Good." I see his tail start to wag.

It’s not good. Bad even.

It’s been so long since a sensation like this ripples through my body. The buzzing is driving me up a wall. Between the vibrations and sound waves, I'm feeling overstimulated.

“You're so warm. No wonder Grace is always attached to you.” He sighs and I swear it gets even stronger the more he relaxes into me. “Ya know, I could probably fall asleep like this.” 

“NAHOHOhohoho!” 

“Yeeesss~ And you’d have to stay here the whole time as a purr in my sleep. All. night.” He hugs tighter as I pull. “So sleepy…” I hear his eyes close, feeling his body slump more.

“NONONO—NOHOHOT AH-allowed tohoho sleheheep!” I all but screech, trembling in his arms.

“I thought that's why you came in here to begin with? I said I was tired, and you came to watch. Are you refusing to watch me sleep, Rocky? I'm offended.” I feel his hand lift slightly and then start to tap against me, up and down the length of my carapace. 

“SHIHImohon—IHIHEHEAHA—!!!”

“Jesus Rocky. So loud. I’m tryin to sleep here.” He gives an evil smirk, rubbing his face against my body like he's getting more comfortable. The buzzing in his chest is so loud, I can hear it vibrate his vocal cords as he talks. 

“IHIHEHAHA—STOHOHOP—SHIHIMOHON—!!!” He suddenly tries to pull away from me, but I've unknowingly latched onto his shirt, pulling him close. I feel his purring slowly go back to its normal quiet vibrations. I can still feel it; I’m too sensitive. I wiggle softly against him, little chirps and pleas rumbling from me, as more steam flows from me.

“Rock. You have to let go or it’s gonna keep tickling you. I-I can't get it stop completely right now.” He bites at his lip, pulling away more. I force my claws open, and he pushes himself away, dropping me gently back onto the floor. He stays close enough to reach out a hand and pet my carapace soothingly.

My laughter slowly fades, and Simon moves closer again. He leans up against me, absentmindedly petting across my carapace. I try to hold as still as possible, worried if I disturb him, he'll stop. Slow scratches, rubbing in small circles. The same way I pet Grace. The same way I pet Simon. 

I notice how he's petting without thinking about it anymore. Without asking for permission first.

You would think that space, being silent, would be a phenomenal place to sleep.

There was no air outside for sound to travel through and the sounds of the Hail Mary were negligible after months of exposure. The only sounds to occasionally catch Grace's attention were that of his roommate, who still insisted on watching him sleep.

"Eridian culture".

The new "because I said so".

Grace huffed, turning to his side and tightly cocooning his blanket around his shoulders.

Despite the seemingly optimal conditions (and going to bed over two hours ago), sleep still hadn't come.

He tried counting sheep, only for his mind to wander as soon as it got bored.

He tried meditating, but the silence was way too loud.

He tried remembering all the elements of the periodic table in numerical order. Then when that was too easy, alphabetical order.

This was silly. He felt silly.

I can identify single-cell star-eating organisms, be kidnapped from my everyday life to help save humanity, get launched into space, survive an induced coma, and only cry a little bit about it, but I can't make myself fall asleep?

After his attempt at deep-pressure soothing via his thin blanket, Grace rolled to his back, flopping his arms to the sides with a dramatic sigh.

Maybe Armando would have warm milk if he asked?

Heavy footfalls and the clinking of a xenonite hamster ball approached.

Great. Grace thought. My nanny is here.

He had kept his eyes closed through all his attempts, but hadn't tried to mask his breathing or sounds of frustration. He knew Rocky would hear him regardless.

"Grace okay, question?" Rocky asked, his musical voice spoken over by the translator.

He opened his eyes, rolling his head to look at him. His carapace was tilted as if looking up at him, the stoney surface showing more emotion than it should.

"Yeah... Yeah, I'm alright." Grace said. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, sitting up and crossing his legs underneath him.

The spin drive was active, a test in the lab needing to be run "overnight". Sleeping in gravity was nicer anyways, more natural feeling.

Grace had half a mind to give up on sleeping and just get back to work. If he couldn't rest, he might as well be productive.

"Why Grace not sleep, question? Rocky too loud, question?" Rocky asked, concern in his voice. Or, at least, what Grace had begun to interpret as concern.

"No, you're not being too loud." Grace said, shaking his head. "It's my brain that's too loud."

Rocky made a curious noise, his front legs tapping excitedly. "Humans can hear brain? Amaze!"

Grace held up a hand, chuckling. "No, I can't really hear my brain. I can think in words and sounds, but I can't hear the tissue."

Rocky tilted again, seeming to understand.

"I mean, my brain is busy. Too many thoughts."

Rocky thought for a moment, rocking his hamster ball back and forth.

They had talked about their biological differences enough that they both somewhat understood what "sleep" meant for one other. For Rocky, it was more of an involuntary hard shut-down than what humans had, Grace having to explain circadian rhythm a few times before it clicked.

Being unable to sleep was something briefly brought up, but Rocky hadn't seen until now.

The Eridian looked around the room, thinking.

"Rocky help, question?" He asked. "Don't know how, but Grace show."

Grace hummed, trying to think if they shared enough biology for sleep tricks to be shareable. It was hard to say, but not necessarily impossible.

"I'm assuming you wont let me go back to work without sleeping first?" Grace said, leaning his head on his hand. Rocky shook his carapace.

"Must sleep. Sleep important, statement. Human stupid without sleep."

Well, he wasn't wrong.

Grace sighed, nodding slowly.

"We can try. Any ideas?"

Rocky paused before shaking again. "No. Human sleep different from Eridian sleep. What help humans sleep, question?"

"Generally," Grace started, fidgeting with his hands. "There's a few known tricks. Counting things in your head, clearing your mind, moving your pillow to the other end of the bed, warm drinks. Some even recommend pretending to be asleep, funny enough."

Rocky nodded, taking it all in.

He raised his hands, looking between them as his fingers twitched like he did when working something out.

He looked up.

"Thirty-four." Rocky said, nodding definitively.

Grace paused.

"Thirty-four what, buddy?"

"Things in your head. Thirty-four. Twenty-eight teeth, one tongue, two eyes, one nose, two ears. Thirty-four things in your head." Rocky said, trailing off in confusion when Grace laughed. The human flopped to his back on his mattress, sighing.

"Grace sleep now, question?" Rocky said, hopeful. He looked up at him eagerly, front legs straightened to peak over the edge of the bed. Grace shook his head.

"I meant counting objects or animals to tire your brain out." He said, grinning.

Rocky let out an embarrassed hum, sitting with a loud thunk. "Strange... Understand."

Grace stared to the ceiling, thinking.

"Music helps sometimes. What does music sound like on Erid?"

Rocky paused, thinking.

"Need new word."

Grace sat up, leaning for the nearby laptop. Even with their growing shared vocabulary, he kept it nearby just in case.

"Music is..."

Huh.

How do you describe music?

"Its like, sounds and words to a rhythm, meant to sound pretty?" He tried, hoping it was enough to get close.

"Sound that tells stories?" Rocky asked. "Makes emotion, question?"

"Exactly!" Grace said, finding a slot to create the new word.

"Eridian word is 🎶." He said, the musical tone resonating.

Grace entered the word, nodding thoughtfully.

"What does Eridian music sound like?" He said, setting the laptop aside and turning to him.

"It sound beautiful! Like Eridian word, but longer..." Rocky said, his tone sounding unsure. "Need more words but don't know what words."

Grace laughed. "It's okay, I think I understand."

He reached to the laptop, pulling up some audio recording software.

"Can you sing something for me? I want to hear it."

Rocky tilted again. "Need new word."

"Its when you make music with your voice."

Rocky started, suddenly nervous. He stood, rolling his ball to move back from Grace.

"Rocky is bad at music. Bad, bad, bad." He said, scuttling back and forth as if anxious.

"It can't be that bad! Just something short, I'm really curious." Grace insisted, offering a sincere smile.

"Grace sing first!" He said, stomping a foot into the xenonite.

Now, it was Grace's turn to be nervous. "Oh, no. I'm very bad at singing. Totally tone deaf, actually!" He said, flushing slightly.

"Don't know those words. Grace sing first or Rocky not sing." Rocky said, grumbling.

Grace raised his hands in surrender, blush deepening at the insistence. "Fine, no one's singing today!"

Grace crossed his arms, tapping his fingers as he leaned back against the wall. Stage fright, he guessed, was also a strange universal phenomenon.

"Maybe I just need some exercise or something. Run my body to exhaustion so I can conk out." Grace said idly.

Rocky perked up. "Idea!"

He rolled closer, tapping his legs. "Rocky and Grace play game, question?"

"Game?" Grace said, quirking an eyebrow. "What kind of game?"

Rocky gestured wildly, his voice excited. "Exercise game! Need new word, Eridian game. Players try to keep each other on floor?"

Grace immediately understood.

"Wrestling?" He typed it into the translator as Rocky gave his version. "Like, two people fighting, but not to hurt each other?"

Rocky nodded. Grace chuckled.

"Rocky, you would win. You're much heavier than me."

"Yes, yes, yes! Rocky heavy, make Grace tired fast!" He backed up, making space between them and waving Grace over, offering to let him have the first move.

He did have a point.

"You're also in a ball. You could just run me over."

Rocky scuttled his legs rapidly, trilling. "Rocky will play fair. Trust! Come fight Rocky, squishy human!"

Grace chuckled at his enthusiasm, shrugging and throwing his legs over the edge of the bed. "Okay, just be careful. I'm pretty sure you could snap my bones if you wanted to."

Rocky made a sound akin to laughter, moving into an overblown fighting stance. He stretched his legs in a slow pattern around himself, steps wide like a five-legged cowboy in a quickdraw match.

"Rocky will be careful."

Rocky suddenly lurched forward, making Grace yelp as he latched onto his ankles through the "mesh" front section of the xenonite ball. With a tug, he dragged Grace off of his bed with surprising ease.

Grace winced as he crashed to the floor before yelping as Rocky tried to clamber on top of him. He kicked, connecting with the ball and rolling it backwards a few feet as the Eridian scrambled within to regain his footing. Grace rolled to his front, crawling on all fours to gain some distance as his friend charged again, knocking him onto his side.

Grace gasped as he fell, feet flailing to gain purchase to escape. On his side, he couldn't get very fair before Rocky rolled into his chest, making him lie flat on the floor as he climbed up to stand on top of him. The human took a moment to regain his breath before struggling again, cringing as Rocky rapidly shot out his arms to adjust the ball with every movement.

With how Rocky looked when he ran and skittered, Grace was very glad he didn't have too bad of arachnophobia. It was a little unsettling.

"Y'know, you're pretty scary when you're running at me like that." Grace said through gritted teeth, trying to catch the Eridian off guard and throw him off. Rocky just balanced his weight, unbothered, much to the humans dismay.

"Scary, question?" Rocky asked, voice incredulous. Grace nodded.

"Yeah, like some kind of big spider monster."

Rocky quirked his carapace. "New word?"

Grace laughed, the sound further pressed out of him under the weight and the rush of endorphins. "Predator animal that's not real, made up as a scary story."

"Oh!" Rocky said, perking up. "Eridian word is 🎶🎵!" He rocked back and forth in his ball, making Grace wheeze. He still tried to squirm, but it was clear he wouldn't be able to get away.

"Eridians have many of those stories!"

Grace looked up with wide eyes, suddenly curious. "Really? You'll have to tell me some sometime." He grinned, excited by the idea of sharing campfire tales with someone brought up in a completely different culture. He'd have to jot some down for the scientists back home.

"Rocky tell Grace one right now!" Rocky said, backing up a little so the ball sat over his stomach. It wasn't the most comfortable, but he could breathe a little better, so Grace took it.

Grace propped himself up on his elbows to look at Rocky, curious. "Right now? I thought we were wrestling."

"Story is relevant, statement." Rocky said, tapping a leg as punctuation. Grace shrugged.

"Long time ago," Rocky started, his voice carrying a dramatic tone over the sound of the translator. "There was 🎶🎵🎶🎶. She was a large 🎶🎵, like Eridian, but big, big, big."

As he spoke, he gestured animatedly, making many different signs and movements with his arms as if acting out the scene. Grace was captivated, imagining a massive Eridian with powerful legs that shook the ground with each step.

"🎶🎵🎶🎶 was a kind being. Big, but gentle and calm. Old Eridian story say she watch over lonely Eridians when they sleep and keep dumb Eridians out of trouble."

In Grace's mind, he pictured the lumbering beast of a creature standing guardian over an Eridian dwelling, a loyal sentinel in the eternal night of Erid's dense skies. Grace smiled as he listened, allowing his overtired imagination to wander.

"She was known for another thing too. A punishment all Eridians fear." Rocky paused dramatically, his hands freezing in the air as if waiting. Grace raised an eyebrow.

"Punishment? I thought you said she was nice."

Rocky nodded, waggling his carapace. "She is."

Grace made a confused face, his nose scrunching up. "Then what..?"

"She was also known as 🎵🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶." Rocky said, looking down in a way that made it seem like that was supposed to strike a chord.

"Uh... I don't know what that meANS-" Grace shouted as Rocky dropped his arms, pressing his hands through the xenonite mesh to skitter briefly over Grace's stomach. He pulled away, watching as realization bled across his human friends features.

In the early biology explainations, there was a shocking number of shared traits between humans and Eridians. Nerve endings were one that had confused Grace, originally thinking that Rocky's sense of touch would be dulled by his carapace. In reality, that was the furthest from the truth. Rocky had reported that Eridians were actually extremely touch sensitive.

Which meant Eridians could be ticklish. A theory that was confirmed as Grace felt a familiar, overwhelming swirl of anxiety in his gut.

Eridian legends had a tickle monster.

And he had just fallen for it. Hook, line, and sinker.

"Oh... Oh god no..."

A nervous smile began to push it's way across his face, sleep deprivation preventing him from suppressing it. Rocky clicked his hands together, chirping in amusement.

"Actually bud, I think I'm tired out. The wrestling and the story did it for me!" Grace said, arms shaking with the instinct to protect himself. Rocky shook his carapace.

"No, Rocky not done helping. Must make sure you sleep."

Grace tried to scoot backwards, unable to slide himself from under Rocky's weight. Rocky chittered.

"Rocky will be careful to not hurt stupid squishy skin." He reassured, adjusting before digging in.

Ryland Grace, humanities last hope, squealed.

Despite the xenonite and the rock hard fingers, Rocky was surprisingly gentle. Grace knew this, logically, after watching him with his xenonite building device, but who'd have known?

Grace threw his head back, his arms shooting to push against the hamster ball as he let out a stream of high pitched giggling. Rocky only had two hands working him over, pinching and scribbling across his belly and lower ribs, but it was so bad. Grace couldn't tell if it was the months without physical contact or if he was just unbearably sensitive.

"Rocky-! Knock it off!" He begged through his laughter, yelping as the tormenting fingers vibrated into his sides. Behind Rocky, he kicked his legs, banging his heels against the floor. Rocky was unfazed.

The Eridian rolled forwards to reach a little higher on Grace's torso, poking at his ribs. With each prod, the human jumped, trying desperately to grab Rocky's hands. This got a laugh out of the alien.

"How human so squishy, but have hard stuff in some places, question? Why not hard on the outside? Human body make no sense." Rocky teased as he poked, making frustrated laughter burst from his friend.

"I've told you about bones before!"

"Yes, but still make no sense." A third arm joined in, all three moving in rapid succession to make Grace collapse into hysterics. "Humans laugh funny."

What the human wanted to say was "Yeah? Well, yours is funnier!".

What actually came out was a garbled, alphabet soup of a sentence, not even registering with the translator. Rocky looked far too amused.

Suddenly, he stopped. Grace wiped tears from his eyes as he looked to his friend quizzically.

"T-that was mean." He said, residual laughter bubbling up.

"Rocky have idea." Rocky said, quickly moving off of his torso. Grace rolled over, planning to stand up, but he felt a weight roll over his lower legs.

Then, the weight started pulling at his shoes.

"Rocky! Rocky, don't you dare!" He turned as much as he could, putting on his angry-teacher voice. Rocky wiggled one shoe off, pushing it to the side.

"Rocky hasn't seen weird human feet. Want to see for science, statement." He pulled at the other shoe, the third arm pulling off the sock of the previous foot. Grace tried to kick out, but he wasn't able to do much more than bend his knees, making his upper body slide back towards Rocky.

"No you don't! You're just messing with me!" He tried to army-crawl away with his arms. They just slid against the floor uselessly.

"No~ sarcasm. Rocky is always genuine, sarcasm."

If he weren't already laughing in anticipation, he probably would have snorted.

"You suck!" Grace said, giving up and bracing himself. He tucked his arms under his chest, pressing his face into his hands.

"Grace suck more."

With that, stoney fingers swiped over his soles.

Grace cackled.

He writhed, struggling renewed as he clawed at the floor, pulling at his legs with all of his strength. Shrill screams laced the mirth, echoing off of the walls and through the ship. He curled in on himself, reaching back and swiping at the xenonite ball. He stretched out, reaching to grab something, anything, to pull himself out of Rocky's grip. The feeling sent electricity up his legs and straight to his spine, making him flop around like a fish.

"Grace is loud! So loud! Hurts Rocky ears!" Grace could make out over his hysteria. He shook his head, gasping as he tried to throw a retort back. He couldn't form the words.

Rocky was agonizingly thorough. He scratched at the soft inside of his sole, dragging the sharper edge of his fingers over the arches, scribbling lightly over the ball, then worming under and between his toes in a repetitive circular pattern. Every touch was exploratory, but precise as if he had some idea of what might work. He made sure no skin was left untouched, only slowing once Grace's laughter began to come in wheezes.

He didn't stop completely, switching to slow dragging up and down each foot. He listened intently as Grace damn near melted under the touch. Gasping breaths made way for breathy giggles, the human relaxing against the floor as his friend watched him, unaware of the attention.

To Rocky's sight, Grace looked more calm than he'd ever been.

Sure, his heart still beat rapidly, but his breathing was leisurely. It didn't carry the same stress it did before. His heartbeat sent soundwaves through his form, revealing unclenched shoulders, heavy limbs, and a dreamy grin. While Eridians didn't laugh the same way humans did, the effect was the same.

Rocky withdrew, backing off of his ankles and rolling to sit beside Grace's head. He watched as the laughter slowed, but the smile remained. The human looked up at him through tousled hair, not moving to stand.

"You're mean." He said, pointing at Rocky with a wavering hand. Rocky hummed.

"But, Grace is tired now, question? Can sleep?"

Grace thought for a moment, feeling the weight in his limbs and eyelids, how his breath was deep and slow. He felt how his mind was a little lighter, buzzing with happy chemicals.

Sighing, he nodded.

Rocky made a victorious sound, throwing his hands in the air.

"Grace go to bed now, get off floor." Rocky said, moving to get out of Grace's way. Grace didn't move, lying still. Rocky could hear his breathing deepen further, his eyes closing.

"No. Grace not sleep here, statement. Go to bed." He rolled closer, nudging the human on his shoulder. Rocky startled as Grace scooted towards him, wrapping around the ball and pressing his forehead into the xenonite mesh.

Rocky stared in confusion as Grace drifted off, spooning around the outside of the hamster ball. He couldn't imagine that was very comfortable for a being without carapace, but there he was. Pressed against the hard floor and the hard shell.

Oh well. At least he would sleep tonight.

Rocky settled in, lowering to lay in his ball next to Grace. He pressed a hand through the mesh to bury in the humans hair, trilling as he sighed in his sleep.

As he watched his friend sleep, feeling Grace deserved a reward after the torment, he began to sing softly.

The notes resonated through the xenonite like crystal bells, ringing in pure tones. It was an old melody from his younger years, something his parents used to sing while he was getting ready to sleep.

He had sung it to Adrian the night before he left, one last song to soothe her before saying goodbye.

He sang it to his crew the day they didn't wake up, a prayer that they knew someone still cared for them. An apology for failing them, it being the only comfort he thought he could give.

He sang it tonight as a promise. To himself, to his human companion, and to Earth and Erid.

///

You blinked hard, trying to clear your vision.

The taumoeba samples remained unmoving in their petri dishes. You could only hope that they were doing what they were supposed to be doing. Growing. Adapting. Whatever.

You didn't actually need to watch the samples. There wasn't much to do with them other than to monitor their environment every few hours. But you didn't want to leave just yet. Too much rested on the success of these little buggers.

You pressed the heels of your hands into your eyes, rubbing the dry, burning feeling away. Your elbows thudded faintly against the desk when you rested your weight on them.

"Hey, can you come here for a sec?" Ryland called from somewehere to your left.

You turned your head, squishing your cheek against your palms. "Whh-?"

"Get over here." He sounded like he was laughing.

When you peeled your eyes open, he was straightening on his stool and tucking a pen behind his ear.

"What is it?" You mumbled, unwilling to move any more than absolutely necessary.

"Come on, lazybones."

You puffed your cheeks out, exhaling sharply in a raspberry. "Yeah, fine."

Ryland extended an arm towards you as you approached, and looped it around your lower back when you were within reach. He pulled you in, placing you to stand between his legs and leaning you back against the desk behind you.

"This is cozy." You raised an eyebrow.

Ryland just smiled, and raised his free hand, wiggling his fingers in the air.

You felt your heart stutter. "Whoa - hey. What's going on?"

"Nothing's going on." Ryland raised his eyebrows in mock confusion, corners of his mouth drooping. "Why would anything be going on?" He shot his hand out towards your abdomen, pulling back at the last second before he made contact.

You flinched hard, your own hands coming up in front of you protectively.

"Wait!" You yelped.

"Wait for what?" Ryland was smiling openly now. "I'm not doing anything."

"You are!"

"What am I doing?" He lunged again, angling to a slightly different spot, grinning wide when you squeaked, and flinched again.

"You know what you're-" Another lunge towards you, another flinch, and you slapped at the top of his hand. "- stop it!"

"'Stop it'!" Ryland mimicked with a chuckle, waving his hand this way and that slowly while wiggling his fingers again.

"That's not what I sound like!" You huffed, and tried swatting at him again. "And don't do that."

"Still don't know what it is that I'm supposedly doing here." Ryland looked at you over his glasses and, mercifully, dropped his hand. It rested on top of his thigh, fingers curled loosely and completely relaxed. The arm around your lower back, however, tightened when he felt you shift.

"Ryland," you used your thumb and forefinger to squeeze at your temples. "I'm tired, and I'm supposed to be watching the samples, because we have no idea what we're doing, and if this goes to shit we've got nothing."

"Tired?" Ryland said, and something in his voice made you lower your hand to look at him.

He released his hold on you, but braced his knees tighter on either side of you instead. Then he brought his palms together and rubbed them rapidly a few times, like he was trying to warm up.

"Clear!" He called out, and before you could voice your confusion, he tasered both hands into your ribs. "Bzzt!"

You yelped, bending hard at the waist and nearly knocking your head into Ryland's.

"What the hell?!" You demanded, laughter bubbling in your chest. You squashed it down. "What are you doing?"

"I'm resusitating you." Ryland said, rubbing his palms together again.

"No, no, no-" You gripped at his wrists, adrenaline spiking.

"Clear!"

"Do not- Ack!" You doubled over - again - choking on air and a yelp.

"Bzzt!" Ryland said, tasering your ribs. Then again. And again. "Bzzt! Bzzt!"

"Noho!" You gave in to giggling, jerking wildly with each squeeze to your ribs.

"'Noho'!" Ryland pitched his voice up into a silly whine, switching to scribbling his fingers up and down over your ribcage. "'Noho'!"

"What did I doho?" You asked, ducking your head towards his shoulder. Shivers crawled up your spine from the ticklish fluttering at your ribs.

"What did you do?" Ryland repeated, as if confused. "Nothing at all."

Your mind spun. "Then why-?"

You felt him shrug. "I thought it would be fun."

"Fun for who?" You demanded, attempting to twist away from his hold. Ryland wrapped his legs around the back of your thighs, hooking his ankles together.

The movement brought you even closr to him, and you braced your hands on his shoulders to keep your balance from being jostled.

"Well, for both of us, I'd hope." His arms slinked around to your back, scritching his nails around your shoulder blades. Your back and torso arched in an attempt to get away. "Gosh, you're such a wiggle worm."

"Mngh." You grunted concisely, grinding your teeth shut. Giggles still escaped you, though, and you tried not to focus on your rapidly heating face.

"What does that mean?" Ryland asked, grinning, then snickered when you hid your face from him by pressing your cheek to the top of his head.

His hands switched to pinch at your uppermost ribs quickly.

"Hm? What's that?" He teased when you broke into full laughter. "Use your words."

"My wohords -!" You said between gasps for air. "- are sahaying you're being mehean!"

"Mean?" Ryland feigned offense, then wiggled his fingers into your underarms. "You're not actually doing anything to stop me, though."

"I am!" Your hands gripped tight at his tshirt.

"Yeah?"

"Yes!"

"Clinging and giggling isn't exactly gonna help you."

At his words, you suddenly became aware of how tightly you were holding onto him. To try and prove him wrong - who were you kidding - you pushed yourself off of his shoulders. You pulled at his arms, still laughing, and a moment of surprise registered in your fuzzy mind when he let you.

It was short lived, though, because in the next moment Ryland wrapped one around around your upper back and locked you in against his shoulder. You felt him shift his legs to get a better grip.

Then his free hand tucked itself under the hem of your tshirt, thumb slipping just under the waistband of your trousers and lodging under your hip bone.

"Ryland." You said, arms scrambling to try and push off of him.

"Yes?"His thumb stayed unmoving, but firmly planted under your hip bone.

"If you do this I will never forgive you."

There was a pause, and Ryland seemed to actually be thinking over your words. Your heart hammered in your chest.

"Nah." He said finally, voice light. "You will."

"Grace-" Too late. The thumb dug in, and kept at it; wiggling, rubbing, circling.

Laughter burst out of you so sharply that you lost breath for a second, body simultaneously pressing closer to Ryland's and trying to twist away from his hand.

When your lungs remembered their function and you were able to gulp in a breath, it was so sudden that you snorted lightly.

Ryland burst into giggles, hand faltering in it's movements.

"Don't." You groaned.

"Oh jeeze." Ryland's voice pitched up from his giggling. "I've never heard you make that noise before."

You pushed up from his hold with more intent this time. Ryland let you, his arm sliding away from you, lingering down your back. No longer poised for attack.

"And you never will again." You said to him firmly, trying to mimic his best teacher-voice.

"Hmm." Ryland calmed down enough to stop giggling. "We'll see about that."

"No." You objected. "There is no 'see'. This never happens again."

"Mm-hmm."

"Sleep with one eye open." You pointed your finger at him, reaching your other hand behind you to unhook Ryland's legs from around you. "My revenge will be swift."

He dropped his legs at your insistent pushing. "I expect no less."

He was still grinning.

Huffing through your nose, you turned away to head back to your samples.

"I swear to god, you need to be taken down a peg." You muttered just loud enough for him to hear. You slid back onto your stool. "Or three."

"I look forward to it."

Your hands faltered over the taumoeba samples. Glancing out of the corner of your eye, you saw Ryland reaching behind his ear for his pen, eyes trained on the papers in front of him.

There was a flush over his neck and ears.

You quirked an eyebrow.

Rocky’s high-pitched cackling rings out as I chase him down the corridor, through ‘The Don’t Go Crazy Room.' He veers into the lab, his claws clanging against the floor.

I jump forward, tackling him to the ground as we roll across the floor with momentum. I hear Grace yelp at the sudden noise and commotion, turning to look at us. We scramble in a heap, pushing, pulling, and hitting each other. 

I grab an arm and he lets me pin it to the floor as I push at his carapace. Suddenly two claws are hugging my middle and he flips me hard onto my stomach.

“Simon not win! Rocky too strong!” The alien smugly says from above me. He smashes a claw into my face, pushing and squishing my cheek. 

I hear Grace laugh at my expense in the background…but it's different. He laughs differently when he's actually amused. Normally it's loud and bright. Today it's quieter, like he's trying not to interrupt us. I don't know why I noticed that.

“Not fair! You have more arms!” I argue as I push my legs underneath myself, straining against his weight.

“Not Rocky fault human design poor.” He lets up, allowing me to try to turn the tables, as adrenaline-filled giggles spill from me. “Simon should not have ‘missed place’ other arm either.” There’s a teasiness to his chords.

“I did NOT fucking ‘misplace’ my other arm, you-oversized-paperweight!" Excitement comes from him in response. He thinks he soooo funny.

I grab a claw, lacing our digits together, and push against his arm. I try to plant my knees, but he easily slides me across the floor just by walking into me.

My smile grows, baring my sharp canines at Rocky, letting out a playful growl from my chest. He returns the noise, mimicking it with a low rumbling sound, making me feel a little silly. This all makes me feel silly. But in a good way.

"Oh, you're gonna get it for that!” It’s supposed to sound at least a little threatening, but the stupid smile stuck on my face and the way my hair is a mess and sticking out every which way make it seem anything but.

I rip my arm away from his and pull back. He raises three of his, following defensively. I find an opening and strike at his carapace with force. He freezes and dramatically falls to the floor, clawing at the air like he’s clawing at heaven above.

“Ow. Simon got Rocky. Dead.” He flops over, legs going rigid, letting out little fake pained trills. I cover my smile, snickering at his acting skills. He can be so silly sometimes.

I give Grace a brief glance, but he’s stopped laughing and is just staring. I force myself to pull my eyes away.

I dramatically collapse into Rocky. “Ugh, I think you got me too, Rock. Drawl?” I offer but his arms immediately curl around my middle and squeeze. 

“Rocky lie! Rocky win!” He shouts, flipping me over on my stomach again, pinning me down.

“Ah-shit! No fair!” I laugh, reaching back to grab him, but he just settles on my back, sitting on top and sprawling his legs out while carefully avoiding my wagging tail. He settles on his new seat with a satisfying hum.

“Simon very hyper today.” My cheeks go a little red at the comment as I succumb to Rocky’s weight. I lay, catching my breath, enjoying the cold floor of the ship on my face. I feel two claws start to rub at my upper back and shoulders, making me melt further into the cool surface.

"Well, I’m clearly not the only one.” I argue with a grin. We’ve been going at it for a good thirty minutes now and I’m not going to complain.

I flip my head over and look at Grace again. He seems to notice and forces a smile back onto his face.

“I would join but you guys would break me.” He lets out a low chuckle. It's true. After whatever the hell happened with me physically, I seem to have gotten a bit stronger. Unusually stronger, and I seem to have gotten a bit…tougher? Hits that would have normally hurt don't as much. This is what allows me and Rocky to play so rough. 

“Yes. Grace squishy.” Rocky adds and starts rubbing a claw through my hair as well, smoothing it back into place. I smirk at what Rocky said, but Grace’s smile seems to falter.

“I want a rematch," I huff, squirming from underneath Rocky.

“Oh. Simon want to loose again, question?” That cocky little alien! “Rocky give Simon…five human second head start.” He crawls off of me and helps me up. I swerve on my heels, not wasting any of my head start. 

Rocky lets me run. He started doing that awhile ago. At first I thought he was getting slower, maybe from the strain of space. Turns out he was giving me a head start. I never asked him to. I don't think he needed me to. He just knew I loved that part. Makes me feel light and airy, like I’m not stuck on a ship barreling through space.

I sprint to the dormitory, Rocky hot on my heels. I feel the air pushing through my light shirt and into my gills, filling my burning chest. My head feels scrambled but elated and my limbs are loose. It feels so nice. So different than what I used to feel.

“Human so slow! Need more legs!” He calls after me, making giddy anticipation flow through me. 

"I'll let our human manufacturer know!” I remark back. Who knew wrestling with a rock would be so fun. Who knew wrestling in general could be fun, actually?

It seemed so scary. The first time Rocky pinned me, I thought I was going to die. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I was worried Rocky wouldn’t stop. That if it got to be too much, I wouldn’t be able to do anything. But when I frantically called out, he stilled and held me softly. Now I don't even think about it. Funny how that happens.

I make it into the room and spin to stare at Rocky, trapped with only one exit. My eyes frantically looking from him to the door.

“Simon in corner. Make Rocky victory easy!” 

“Oh yeah? Don’t get too ahead of yourself! I’m gonna throw you out the airlock!" He lets out pitchy laughter.

“Yes! Affectionate threat!” He laughs, not the polite trills he gives everyone else. It's a loud squeaky noise. The one that vibrates through him and into me. I didn't think he could sound like that when we first met. Turns out he can, usually because of me. He trills as I frown a bit at the failed threat. He slowly stalks toward me, claws raised. We rotate around each other, stupid giggles coming from both of us. 

I hear the door open and see Grace slip into the room with a laptop. I raise a brow. Rocky seems to have stilled at his sudden appearance as well. He settles in the bed and starts typing something, oddly quiet.

Hm.

I turn back to Rocky, running at him while he’s distracted. He jumps with a squeak and catches me in his arms, claws tightly gripping me.

“Simon! Carful! Simon balance not good!” He pulls me forward into his carapace. “Carless.”

"Well, I knew you would catch me.” He doesn’t deny it. Annoyed grumbles come from him as he, gently this time, throws me back to the floor. 

Gentle coos from Rocky make me look up at him. “Simon very cute when like this.” A claw comes up to trace around my face and squish at my cheek again. He brushes my hair out of my eyes, making a soft sound of amusement. I feel my face get warm at the compliment and grumble, my chest heaving in and out as I try and catch my breath.

I lie for a moment and notice how Grace is no longer typing. He is just looking off at us again. Nothing new seems to have been added to the screen of the laptop since I glanced over last, only to start back up again frantically.

“Simon looking at Grace a lot.” And to prove him right, I quickly look between Grace and Rocky to make sure he didn't hear him.

“Am not." I feel my face warm even more.

“Looking a lot, statement.” 

“Shut up.” I grumble as I scramble back to my feet and try to book it to the now unblocked exit. Rocky quickly and frantically grabs one of my legs, trying to keep me here with him, and I slip.

“OW—!!!” I fall face first, hard, like very hard, into the wall of the Hail Mary, bouncing off right back onto the floor. “Ugh…fuck…” My hand shoots to my face, checking to see if I broke my nose. 

A rather loud, alarmed noise comes from Rocky and he scrambles to my head, grabbing my face again. He turns it to face up at him, another small squeak coming from him; I'm assuming it's at the damage.

“Ah apology apology! Was accident!” He pulls me up and I feel my nose start to bleed. The warm liquid starts flowing down my face, the familiar taste of iron on my lips. I don't think it's broken; the pain isn't all that awful either but I have a feeling I'll have a killer headache in a few hours.

“One day, you guys are going to put a hole in the ship.” Grace retorts with a small smile from the bed, but Rocky seems to entirely ignore him. I see him frown and slouch when no response comes.

He anxiously pets at my head and even pinches off my nose for me as I let out a laugh, squeezing my eyes shut. He really must be sorry; it's not often he willingly touches our leaky human fluids on purpose. 

“Not funny! Simon hurt!” He taps his leg against the floor for emphasis, but I just laugh even more. I peek my eyes open and see that three of his claws are busy holding me, so he has to balance on the other two.

Feeling rather playful still, probably from all the adrenaline from being chased and then almost knocking myself out, I bring my legs up and push him out with my feet as hard as I can. The move manages to make him stumble back and I scramble to my feet, talking off once again.

I hear Rocky anxiously call after me, “Simon! Stop running! Hurt! No play!” But I just continue to giggle, making my way back to the lab. I bring my hand up to my nose, trying to stop bleeding all over the ship as I run, but my god, it’s hard to run with one arm when that arm is occupied with something else.

I feel my balance tilt, almost tripping over my feet and falling again as Rocky lets out a startled whistle in response.

“Simon will hurt himself again! Stop running now!” He might have been right about my balance after all. 

He corners me again, but I can tell he really is trying to block my exit this time. I shift from right to left, but he just moves closer.

“Simon…not playing.” He scolds, his vents hissing.

“I’m fine.” He angrily taps a claw against the floor.

“Not fine. Leaking important fluid.” He slowly advances. “No escape.”

“Very ominous.” I lower myself a little, trying to take back some space but Rocky holds his position. Another grin comes across my face and I hear Rocky let out an annoyed hum in response.

“Simon too hyper.” Mean…but fair.

But once again, Grace comes into the room. He looks awkward as we both freeze to look at him again. He opens some random cabinet, bringing his hand up to his chin as if thinking hard about what he’s looking for. Then he closes it, taking nothing. He lingers with our attention on him. Why is he still here? He clearly didn't find what he was looking for.

“Glad you guys are having fun.” I see his ears flush as he mutters an apology for interrupting. His ears always go red before the rest of his face. He settles at one of the tables in the lab, shuffling through random papers. There’s a small frown on his face and his eyebrows are knitted together. I’m surprised he didn’t go back to the dorm. He never brought the laptop back here with him.

Suddenly I’m tossed on my back to the floor again with a yelp.

“Simon stay.” Rocky says firmly. I smile at him again and a frustrated chirp rings out. “Rocky mean it.” He presses a claw into my chest, pushing hard. I wheeze as he forces the air out of my lungs.

“Okay okay. I’ll stay.” He huffs and skitters off but stops wearily for a moment to see if I’ll take off again before actually leaving.

I find Grace's eyes again, but he looks away once more. A frown fights its way into my happy features at his odd behavior.

My attention turns to Rocky as he returns holding some towels. He helps me sit up and places a towel on my face and starts scrubbing softly. 

“Thank you.” I sigh, and he pulls my head closer to him. He traces around my face with another claw, rubbing my forehead where it slammed against the wall. He’s so gentle. It’s weird to be treated so delicately after everything I’ve gone through.

“Apology.” He pushes into my beard and mustache, cleaning away the thick red liquid that stains the hair there.

“It’s okay, Rock. It was an accident.” I’m a little worried this one-off accident will stop our little fights in the future. I don’t know what I’ll do if he insists on this. It’s the most fun I’ve had in years.

“I guess you won again.” I reach up and glide a hand over his carapace. He pulls away from my face for a moment. I run my hand along his plates, along the cracks of his body. His vents flutter with a whistle.

“Simon can not hurt Rocky.” He purrs into my hand, enjoying the attention. He caught me.

“I know. Just a habit.” Just to make sure.

I look to Grace, who is staring again and he quickly looks away, fumbling with something on the lab table. Every time Rocky touches me, he looks and then immediately finds something incredibly interesting somewhere else. Once again, a frown crosses his features, but he doesn’t look angry. I quirk an eyebrow up at him as he tries to sneak a glance back at me. He stands up quickly and speed-walks out of the room. 

Weird.

“Why Grace unhappy, question?” Rocky asks. “Sound sad.” He pushes my face towards the sky, wiping down my chin and neck.

“He isn’t.” I squint in Rocky's direction, tilting my head down just for Rocky to push it back up again with a hum. I feel the blood in my nose start to run down the back of my throat.

“Grace watch us.”

“He always watches us.” I cringe and swallow at the feeling, tasting the liquid in my throat.

“No. Different watching. Not normal.” He trills. His carapace cocks to the side, vents shifting.

“…”

I sit, thinking back to his weird actions. The little comments he’s made over this hour of playing. I have a theory.

“Yeah. Maybe he is. A little.” 

“Why, question?” His trills are low and full of worry. 

“I think he may be a little jealous, Rock.” I smile while looking back down; it’s a little endearing. And a little childish.

“Of what, question?” 

“I think about how we can roughhouse together. Be close physically in ways he can’t…and he just has to sit there and watch.” I feel a pang of sadness thinking about how we unknowingly were leaving him out. It's something I should have noticed before.

He pushes the towel back to my face as more blood seems to dribble from my nose.

“Rocky Simon should include Grace in play. Need Grace happy.” I immediately picture Rocky throwing Grace down to the floor or through a wall and grimace. Rocky's and my idea of pretend wrestling is similar, but to Grace it was probably different. Gentle and light. I would be scared to hold such a delicate being like Grace the way I do with Rocky. So scared to break him.

“I need him happy too.” I mumble into the towel.

The thought of Grace feeling left out on his own ship worms deeper into my brain. I go quiet, pulling at a few locks of hair and shifting them between my fingers in thought. 

“I have another idea, Rock.” It comes out nasally and I close my eyes again, leaning into Rocky’s touch.

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.

Rocky and I are fooling around again. Nothing like the play fighting a few days ago, just wrestling in one spot. Pushing and pulling against each other while on one of the beds. Rocky works as an outlet for all the cooped-up energy flowing through me and I appreciate every second of it. Although I was in prison, and being stuck in a confined space is not new to me in the slightest, my new situation (or maybe my mutations) seems to have flipped some sort of switch in me. I get in these moods where I just can't sit still and I gotta move. 

A moment later Grace walks into the dormitory. We both turn toward him, and Grace freezes. 

"Oh, sorry, I didn’t realize you guys were in here.” I see his eyes look over us, analyzing how Rocky has his claw in mine, pushing me against the mattress. The smile on my face and disheveled hair and clothes. Once again his face falls.

I frown and Rocky lets me up. I slide off the bed and stand, staring him down. Rocky shifts his carapace in Grace's direction, letting out a low rumble.

“W-what?” an anxious smile makes its way to his face. His glasses slip down his nose. He looks nervous, his hands suddenly fidgeting together. We stand in silence for a moment. I catch his eyes and stare deep into them.

“What Grace fastest running speed, question?” Amusement laces Rocky’s chords and Grace raises a brow, his worried smile falling ever so slightly.

“...why?” He takes a step back as Rocky climbs off the bed as well.

“No reason!~” I growl in response, Rocky and I creeping toward him. My tail flicks lightly as the anticipation builds between the three of us.

Everyone goes still for a moment. Silence settles around us. I see the gears turn in his head while a giddy smile makes its way to his face.

Grace makes the first move, fleeing as fast as he can. He climbs the ladder with shocking speed and sprints down the other way to the ship. I quickly follow, but the ladder slows me down. I’m kinda happy about that; the chase is one of the best parts in my opinion.

“Friend Grace! Come back!” Rocky chirps as we run after him, who is now anxiously giggling. Loud thumps echo through the ship as we make it to the lab. 

Me and Rocky have him cornered. Grace turns as his back presses against the wall, hands held up and open defensively. His face is warped between a worried and playful expression.

“W-wait! Guys—!” I close the distance and he lets out a squeak as I hoist him over my shoulder. He's surprisingly light, which only makes me think back to how breakable he is compared to me and Rocky. He squirms and kicks at me, already pleading frantically. God, he's so dramatic.

"I've captured the captain, Rock.” I smile as his squirming picks up more. I feel as he pulls at my shirt, clawing at my back.

“Good, good, good.” 

I bring him over to Rocky and gently place him on the floor. Rocky immediately grabs his arms and pulls them over his head as I settle on his waist. Grace looks scared, more than I thought he would.

“C-comon guys! Two on one isn't fair! A-and I’m not as strong—your gonna hurt—“

“Grace too fragile for wrestling, statement." Rocky trills out snickers and I watch Grace's face turn a little red. It hurts a little to think he would believe we would actually do something to hurt him.

“Hey!” he squeaks out. “I’m not ‘fragile’!”

“Grace space blob.”

“ROCKY.” The hue of his cheeks seems to deepen. 

"It's true," I agree, nodding my head. “Very blob-like. You barely have a structure…" I punctuate my sentence with a soft squeeze to the pudge on his stomach, making him squeak. “I mean, one hit from me or Rocky and you'd explode."

“I-im not that weak, okay. You're gravely exaggerating my dexterity!” I see as he pulls at his arms. “You have mutant strength; that's not fair! You'd be a blob like me without it!” I huff out a laugh in response.

“Oh yeah?” His eyes flick to mine, and he nods his head nervously. I furrow my brows at him and watch a hint of smugness make its way to his face in the form of a tiny grin.

“One safe combat option remaining.” Rocky says as Grace tries to throw me off. I place my fingers in his outstretched hollow, and he goes still. Anxious eyes find mine as a wobbly smile comes to his face. He starts to desperately squirm and twist before I even start.

“Noho. Simon. Rohocky...” He tries to sound stern but fails miserably. His cheeks are red and his eyes are frantically looking around my face.

I flutter my fingers and a small squeak comes from him. He twists his face into his arm and bites his lip. 

"Oh, playing hard to get, Angel?” I scratch at the fabric harder and hear his laughter sputter from his mouth. He frantically shakes his head, his glasses askew on his face. “Common, laugh for us. This is what you wanted, right?” I smirk, seeing my teasing make his face blush even more. 

NOHOhoho! I-I nehever shahid—AH!!” I pull his sleeve up over his shoulder and run my nails over his bare skin. His body arches up as he pulls desperately. Rocky shifts himself closer, placing one of his claws in the other underarm, clawing softly.

“WAHAHIT! ROHohcky AHA—DOHOHON’T—!!” His hair becomes disheveled as he jerks back and forth.

“Grace wanted to play.” I see him get more flustered at Rocky's comment. I slide down to his highest rib and dig in. He squeals out a plea while his legs frantically kick behind me. I feel around the bone, pushing my fingertips in between the spaces and vibrating before slowly dragging my nails back up to his hallows.

“EEEAHAHAhaha!! Nohoho I-I dihiHIDN’T *SNRK*—!!!" Squeaky laughter comes from him. He kicks out, pushing his feet into the floor, pushing himself into Rocky more.

“Don’t lie, Grace. You're too obvious.” I let my fingers go still, and I see Rocky do the same. “You looked left out.” All those frowns he had on his face flash into my mind.

"N-no, I dihidn't," he breathes, catching his breath while looking away, a wobbly smile on his face. 

“You watched us wrestle for close to an hour.” I take my finger and slowly draw circles into the outstretched skin of his armpit, making his body shiver and jump. “Following us room to room to watch.” I grumble accusingly.

“NO! Nohoho—AH!” I see the blush across his cheeks leak down to his neck at being called out. 

“Rock, take over for me, will you?” I slowly drag my nails down over his ribs, feeling each bump of his bones, until I make it to his side. I give a few squeezes as I watch Rocky place another claw in his other underarm, replacing mine. Goosebumps race across his skin at the light touch and he squeaks.

“ROHOHCKY! DON’TDONOnon’t tahahake o-OVER—STOHOHOP—!!” His head falls back against Rocky's carapace as he cackles, squeezing his eyes shut. His laughter makes me feel warm and I can't look away. 

“Yes. Grace sad. Want to play with Rocky Simon. Cheer Grace up with play!” Rocky happily chirps out, speeding up his tickling. He shakes his head in response, wiggling underneath us.

“Ya know, you could have just asked. We would have involved you.” I make my way to his hip and squeeze into the bone, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. I smile as I see the blush deepen the tips of his ears and his eyes go wide. “You moped around, pouting the whole time when you could have just asked.”

“NAHAHAT THERERE—EEHIHIAHAhaha *snrk* NO—!!” I rub circles into the bone, his hips bucking up. “SIHIMOHOHON—!!!”

I reach behind myself, squeezing down his thigh, each pinch earning me a squeal with more laughter. I finally make my way to his knee and I latch on. I squeeze rapidly at the joint, his legs frantically kicking. Small tears wet his lashes as we continue.

“Grace embarrass about play, question?” I slow my touches and so does Rocky. Grace's chest heaves up and down. I lean forward and grab his glasses that have all but fallen off at this point.

“Nohot embarrassed…and I…I dohon’t pout…” He huffs out and I raise a brow at him. So he's a liar now. 

"That's what you got from this conversation?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. “Also yes, you do.” I smirk, reaching down to run a finger along the edge of his lips. "You're literally pouting right now.” He frowns, his blush deepening. I didn't know ones face could get that shade.

I reach down and grab at his stomach. He jerks hard and squeals. I lighten my touch to lightly trace my nails against the skin there.

"Ahahahehe *snrk* wahait!" He sucks in his stomach, light giggles coming from him. Back and forth I sweep my fingers from side to side, slowly watching the skin twitch and Grace squirm. 

“So why not ask?” I still move my fingers but keep them pressed into his flesh. He bites his lip, giggles coming to a stop. 

He sits in silence for a moment, like he's carefully picking his words.

“I just…didn't want to intrude on your guys' relationship and stuff. It's nice that you guys have something separate from me.” He looks away, a sad look coming to his face. "It's a good thing." He tries to reassure us, but the way he looks away lets me know how he really feels. 

"It's not like I could participate anyway.”

I roll my eyes with an annoyed groan. God, he can be so weird with this stuff. It's not like we've known each other for close to a year now, stuck on the same ship together. He's known Rocky for even longer! I don't know why—I can't understand why he wouldn't just come and ask. He's the one who's always been open with his feelings. 

I look back over to him, frowning. He meets my gaze with a worried look. Worried about me being upset. 

"Rocky, let’m go," I sigh and Rocky does. I pat the floor next to me and he scuttles up, facing Grace beside me. Grace curls up a little but ultimately sits up to face us, though he looks like he'd rather be doing anything else.

I grab his hand in mine and squeeze. “You can't just not tell us stuff like this, especially if it makes you upset. We could have been more gentle. We could've—can check in on you more when we wrestle. Make sure you're okay, not hurt.” His eyes avoid us, and his hand is tense in mine.

“Y-you shouldnt have to do that, it's ok—”

“I get it.” I cut him off and his eyes flick to me. “I feel the need for close intimacy. I'm clingy. You know this, I know this, and Rocky definitely knows this.” Rocky lets out an amused trill and I smile. “But guess what? I had to ask you and Rocky to do that stuff. It made me sad that we didn't, so I asked like you taught me…and that's what we need you to do too.” 

“Understand, question?” Rocky reaches out and grabs his other hand while placing a claw on my leg. 

“Yes. Okay. I understand.” The tone he uses makes me think otherwise.

“Ryland, we're going to be on this ship for a long time together. You're good at this.” I try to give the best reassuring smile.

“At what?”

“Keeping us moving. Keeping me moving.” I mumble, looking away. “I don't know how to explain it." He waits patiently, eyes wide.

“I think…” I take my hand from his and rub the back of my neck, "...things are easier when you're around. Being yourself and happy.”

Silence.

"Grace heartbeat quick—”

“YES. Thank you, Rocky." He squeezes his eyes shut and looks away too, his ears red again. They do that a lot.

“Now,” I start shifting to stand. “I think we're going to give you a…five-second head start.” I smile as his eyes go wide.