PROMPTS ARE OPEN! I now have a ko-fi if you'd like to support me here: https://ko-fi.com/amazingmsme 26 years old I know my blog's a mess, but you're gonna have to deal with it. If you like cute fluff, angst, or unnecessary crossovers you'll love me. I write fics for a number of fandoms, so just send in a prompt & I'll see what I can do. I'm obsessed with musicals, youtubers, Umbrella Academy, Marvel, Stranger Things. & Critical Role. Also, check out my wattpad account if you want to see all my fics cause I'm too lazy & bad with computers to make a masterpost https://www.wattpad.com/user/amazingmsme
I’ve been getting quite the influx of new followers, so I think a bit of a (re)introduction is in order! I’m so happy & grateful for all of y’all, but sometimes I wonder… if you aren’t just a little bit lost. (No shade at all! I just wonder if like, you know where you are) So I guess it’s about time I have a pinned post to explain things ‘round these parts
Hello, I’m a fic writer who’s been trapped here since 2015, thanks for checking out my blog! I got a wide range of stuff to choose from like headcanons & fics, & a vast selection of fandoms
But before you get ahead of yourself, wait! Come here for a sec, I need to tell you something…
This isn’t an ordinary blog. No, I make fics of a certain variety tickle fics & if that’s not your cup of tea, that’s fine! There’s “normal” stuff here too, but the vast majority of content will be involving that
The problem with having OCs is that sometimes you wanna read about your little guy being in situations but unfortunately he is YOUR little guy and no one is gonna put him in that situation but you. Tragic.
I finally watched Iron Lung so this is a bloodymary tickle fic! Personally I wrote it as platonic, but take it however you like.
I didn’t try to come up with a backstory for how Simon ended up on the Hail Mary - I’m not good enough at fiction for that lol. Feel free to fill in the blank with your own favorite theory.
Discussion of PTSD/trauma and Simon learning to trust Grace :)
Ler!Grace, Lee!Simon
Summary: Simon doesn’t know what tickling is. Grace is, as ever, happy to enlighten curious minds.
———
“Simon?” Grace called out, peering nervously into the dormitory. “I’m here to check on your arm…”
Simon startled, then forced himself to relax. “Uh, okay, yeah.”
Grace nearly beamed at the fact that Simon was letting him help. It had been a rocky road getting Simon to trust him. He still couldn’t wrap his head around what possible science could’ve led Simon to appear in his airlock, mutations and all, covered in blood. From what he’d managed to piece together, it’s clear that the two men came from very different universes.
Grace bumbled over and kneeled next to Simon. He gave the younger man the benefit of the doubt as Simon fidgeted nervously at the proximity. He could tell Simon was not used to care, medical or otherwise. Grace carefully unwrapped the bandages on Simon’s amputated arm and inspected the wound.
Simon had never felt this clean before. He’d ardently refused when Grace offered to help him wash (“Are you out of your fucking mind?!”), but had cooled down when Grace showed him the sponge bath area and given him privacy. His body was clean. He smelled decent. He was even wearing clean clothes—Grace’s.
A lot of laundry had been done on the Hail Mary since Simon appeared—he’d bloodied a lot of sheets. Grace seemed to have endless patience. Simon didn’t understand it.
Grace made quick work of the injury originally. Simon hadn’t trusted Armando, so the robot had given verbal instructions while Grace tended to Simon’s wounds.
Simon watched as Grace hummed something to himself and re-bandaged the wound. It felt strange to Simon that Grace was the one kneeling. He thought it should be him, prostrating himself for his sandy-haired savior. He didn’t really believe he was alive, still. He felt that some part of him had been transported to an alternate reality—Heaven, maybe—while his true self died an infinite death in the blood ocean. He felt grateful that his soul, his consciousness, was here in this bright and quiet place.
Grace patted Simon’s shoulder gently. “All done,” he said, face sunny and open. Grace couldn’t believe there was another human with him. He asked Rocky about a million times if his alien friend was seeing Simon too, worried he had finally lost it.
“Thanks,” Simon said gruffly. Grace’s eyebrows raised before he could school his expression into neutrality. Simon had seemed grateful from his body language, but was wary of him and hadn’t spoken much, not even to say thank you. He’d only asked questions with a fearful undercurrent in his voice.
“It’s no problem,” Grace said. “Really. I’m happy to do all of it. I’m just glad to have company.”
Simon nodded. A moment of silence passed before Simon spoke up again. “Can I show you something?”
Grace perked up. “Of course.”
Simon used his free hand to pull his borrowed t-shirt over his head. It was a bit of a struggle, and Grace almost intervened, but he didn’t want to embarrass or rush Simon, so he waited patiently. He glanced away for a second when Simon’s chest was revealed, not wanting to make him uncomfortable, but looked back when he understood it was a medical question.
Simon lifted his amputated arm and used his good arm to point to something just below his armpit. It seemed to be a growth, but not like the tooth mutation on Simon’s face. It was a brownish mutation with tendrils spreading across Simon’s upper ribs.
“I think it’s the thing that was grabbing at me back in the sub,” Simon said. “I- I wasn’t sure what it was, so I don’t know how to explain it. But I don’t think it’s part of my body.”
Grace nodded. “Do you want me to try to remove it?”
Simon hesitated. “I just… I don’t want to touch it myself,” he said anxiously.
Grace’s brows furrowed. He could tell there was some trauma there. “Okay,” he said. “I can try.”
Grace reached up and skimmed his fingers gently over the substance. It didn’t grab onto him or move in any way, so Grace assumed it was stable. He grabbed a pair of tweezers and started to gently pry it off. Simon winced a few times, but ultimately the substance came off cleanly, leaving only a small patch of irritation on Simon’s ribcage.
“See? All better,” Grace said warmly, relieved himself that it came off without a struggle.
Simon’s torso sagged in relief. “Thanks,” he said again.
Grace grinned. Two thank yous! Take that, trauma therapists. Maybe one molecular biologist is enough to cure PTSD.
Well, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself a little.
Simon’s expression turned slightly puzzled at the big smile, but he dismissed it as another Grace quirk. Grace wasn’t like anyone he ever met. He lowered his amputated arm slowly.
“Hold on, I want to put something on the rash,” Grace said. He grabbed a tube of something or other and propped up Simon’s arm gently.
Grace squeezed a dollop of the cream onto his finger and dabbed it gently onto the rash. Simon twitched.
Grace paused. “Does it hurt?”
Simon shook his head. Grace continued. Simon shifted again.
“Are you sure?” Grace asked.
“Yeah, I- it just feels weird,” Simon stammered.
“Weird how?” Grace murmured, finishing up with the rash cream as quickly as possible to limit discomfort.
Simon lowered his arm. “Like, itchy? But not like usual. It makes me feel kind of…warm.”
Grace frowned. “Hmm. Can I try something?”
Simon shrugged.
Grace ran his fingers gently around the rash. Simon shivered.
Grace chuckled. “Oh, I know what it is,” he said. “You’re ticklish.”
“I’m what?”
“You don’t know what that is?” Grace said in a shocked tone.
“No,” Simon said self-consciously.
“Huh,” Grace said, sitting back on his heels. “Tickling. It’s a nervous system response to protect vital organs. There are places on the human body that are more sensitive. If someone else touches them gently, you feel kind of tingly and often it will make you laugh. Different people are ticklish in different places.”
“Why…why would you do that? It sounds dumb,” Simon grumbled.
Grace smiled. “It’s like play. Kids do it. Sometimes people do it when they’re adults too. I don’t know, it’s just to be silly.”
“Oh,” Simon said, a punched-out sort of noise. Play. Not much time for that in Eden. That explains why he hadn’t heard of it.
Grace waited patiently for any further reaction. He started to pack up the medical supplies he’d used, giving Simon space.
“Can I try?” Simon spoke up.
Grace turned around. ”Hmm?”
“Can I try the tickling thing?”
“Oh,” Grace said, blushing slightly. He shifted to sit next to Simon instead of kneeling in front of him. “Yeah. Sure.”
Simon waited patiently, if a little apprehensively. There was a moment of silence. “Are you going to… do anything?” Simon asked. “Never mind, this is so fucking stupid, I—“
“No, hold on, it’s not stupid,” Grace said gently. “I just didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“Okay,” Simon said. His voice was unusually small.
Grace ran his fingers gently on the same spot he had before, just on the side without the rash. Simon’s good hand instantly batted Grace’s hand away.
Grace paused, withdrawing his hand. “You good?”
“Sorry, instinct,” Simon muttered. Grace swore he could see a hint of red on Simon’s cheeks.
“All good,” Grace said cheerfully. He lowered his hand back to Simon’s side and squeezed gently.
Simon let out a choked sound, twisting away from Grace’s hand. “Wh- why does it feel like that?” Simon said, his voice a bit higher pitched than usual.
Grace chuckled. “It tickles,” he replied. “Weird, huh?”
Simon’s frown deepened, but so did his light blush. Grace took this as a sign to continue, knowing Simon was much stronger than him and could stop him if necessary.
Grace squeezed gently up Simon’s side again before landing a few pokes on Simon’s belly. Simon didn’t laugh, but a few more grunts and choked noises escaped his mouth.
“You’re not gonna laugh?” Grace asked, an endeared smile on his face. “You’re allowed, you know.”
“A-allowed?”
“Yeah,” Grace said gently, sensing that there was more behind this request than Simon was letting on.
It was quiet for a moment. Simon jerked again as Grace’s fingers played around his bellybutton, a blunt “hah” noise forcing its way out of his mouth.
“You say I’m allowed,” Simon grunted, “but don’t you gotta actually make me laugh first?”
Grace squinted, unable to discern if that was humor or a genuine question. He settled for humor, based on the set of Simon’s eyebrows. “Wha- are you saying I’m not doing a good job?” Grace exclaimed.
Simon looked up into Grace’s eyes with an expression of mild mischief.
“Wooow,” Grace said, a smirk spreading across his face. Internally, he was delighted that Simon was opening up and not being afraid to push back at him a little. “I can’t believe this. Mr. Big Scary Blood Ocean is provoking me for tickles.”
“No I am fucking not—“ Simon protested, but he was cut off by honest-to-God giggles as Grace squeezed up his ribs.
“Such a mouth on you, Si,” Grace scolded lightly. He dug a thumb into Simon’s pectoral muscle in retaliation.
“Ahaha- Si?” Simon grunted, squirming away and trying not to smack Grace’s arm with his good hand.
“You don’t like it?”
A few breathless laughs later, Simon replied, “It’s fine, I guehehess…”
Grace tormented Simon’s top ribs until the man was shaking and huffing with silent chuckles. He was impressed Simon hadn’t pushed him away yet.
“You‘ll tell me when you’ve had enough, yeah?” Grace asked.
“Y-yeah,” Simon said through gritted teeth.
“Hmm,” Grace hummed, switching it up to try scribbling down Simon’s neck. He immediately tried to protect it with his shoulder, making a hissing noise followed by a few nervous giggles.
“It’s funny, you’re making noises like you’re in pain but you’re laughing,” Grace observed in a murmured tone.
Simon flushed at being scrutinized. “No, it’s cute,” Grace assured him. This did not help with Simon’s raging blush.
Grace’s fingers migrated around the curve of Simon’s shoulder and snuck under his good arm, scritching gently along the soft hairs there. Simon jerked with a startled laugh, trapping Grace’s hand inside.
“Aww, man,” Grace said playfully. “I’m stuck.” He pouted comically, wiggling his fingers around.
Simon was beyond giggly. “Noho you’re not- gehet the fuck outta there- ahaha…”
“I’m 100 percent stuck and I can’t possibly get out,” Grace insisted with a cheeky grin. “Tickle tickle, Si…”
“What- why would you fuhucking sahay that?!” Simon exclaimed through a few snort-laughs.
“Ohoho, did you just snort?” Grace chuckled in adoration. “Uh- It’s like a thing you say. To tease the person getting tickled.”
“Why does it make it so much worse…” Simon whined.
Grace lifted his extra arm and found Simon’s other armpit, giving it the same treatment. “Because it’s silly, and it tickle tickle tickles!” He said in a goofy voice.
Simon endured about another minute of being tickled under both arms, doubled over as if in pain but giggling towards the floor of the ship. When he finally had enough, he twisted his torso sharply and essentially shoved Grace away.
Grace backed off instantly, his smile fading. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Simon said gruffly.
Grace nodded slowly. “You know, if you say ‘stop’ verbally, I will stop,” he said gently.
Simon looked up. “Really?” He hated how needy his voice sounded.
“Yeah,” Grace said. “Pinky promise.”
Simon looked at the proffered pinky, and then down in his lap. He seemed to think for a second. Then, he made a decision.
He offered Grace his amputated arm to meet the pinky in the middle, making Grace burst into amused giggles. “Sorry,” Grace chuckled. “I offered a one-armed man a pinky promise. Not my finest.”
Simon smiled despite himself at Grace’s laughter. A proud feeling expanded in his chest at having made him laugh.
“Thank you,” Simon said for the third time that day before he could stop himself. Grace just smiled.
He watched Grace collect himself, and he let Grace help him put his shirt back on. He felt warm inside. If this was Heaven, he didn’t want to come back to life.
He shook his head slightly to dismiss the feeling. He cleared his throat, smoothing his face into his usual serious expression. Simon trailed after Grace as he made his way to the lab—a part of the ship he hadn’t explored yet.
Grace looked back, surprised but glad that Simon was following. He continued walking, a new bounce in his step.
“So,” Simon said eventually when he was seated across from Grace, watching him fix a broken piece of lab equipment. “Do you talk to everyone like they’re a child, or just me?”
either squirm/some variation or pout/some variation
I know it shows up in the castlevania fic & a blue eye samurai fic, but I’ll go with a lil sneak peek of my dispatch fic
"I'll take you up on that," Invisigal offered, wrestling his flailing legs into a headlock, but she had trouble grabbing ahold of his knee with all the squirming. "Do me a favor and bring him over to the desk."
Hello! Hope you're doing well! If you could do the ask game for F, G, O, Q, R for Grace and/or Rocky from PHM please? 🙏 Thanks and have a great day!
You’re very welcome! I had a lot of fun with this one!
F: Fight | What is their behavior in a tickle fight like?
G: super playful & spunky! He’s so goofy in general, he just cranks that energy up to 100 during tickle fights
R: bro gets SO competitive! He turns into a mischievous lil shit, & likes to tease a lot
G: Gentle | How do they react to gentle tickles?
G: the gigglerrrr! Literally the giggliest motherfucker you’ll ever meet! He goes full armadillo mode & curls up in a ball to protect himself
R: what we consider gentle tickles don’t really work on Eridians, but there’s different methods that work really well! Like if you tap along his joints or vents, that works pretty good. I also think with their version of tickling, through sounds & pitch, have different frequencies that produce different sensations, so higher pitches produce more of a light/gentle tickling sensation. & Rocky canNOT handle it! Squealing & flailing around as he curses in both Eridian & English
O: Online | Text messaging and social media, do they have some kind of online tickly behavior to tease their lee or ler with?
G: not really? He wasn’t really that close with anyone to do this kinda thing with, & I just don’t think he was into social media in general. But maybe after he joins the phm team, he’s taunt Carl or his Russian buddies over text just to be a lil shit more than anything. & then he’s all confused why they wreck him the next time they see him
R: Rocky literally JUST got a computer & he’s still learning how to use it. But if he did, I think he’d just spam emojis like 😂 & 🪶
Q: Question | Their response to the question ‘are you ticklish’?
G: blushes & maybe let out a few nervous chuckles like “yeeeaaah, I’m pretty ticklish” he’s so cute & sheepish but completely honest about it! Like what are they gonna do, tickle him? There’s more important things to do, & besides, they’re all adults! It’s not like anyone’s actually gonna use that information…
R: literally just repeats the question & asks if YOU are ticklish! “I asked you first!” “I asked you second!” type shit
R: Role | Lee or ler, what is generally their main role?
G: definitely a switch, but like, a heavy lee leaning switch
R: he wants to be ler so bad but it’s more of a 50/50 switch, but it knocks down to like 40/60 once he’s back on Erid. Adrian has years to catch up on & they love hearing their beloved partner laugh
I dont know if youre still doing the ask game thing, but if you are
W, T, I, E
For either rocky or ryland grace. You get to choose ✨️
Anon: oooh also on the project hail mary train. J, E, H or I for grace?
Answering these together since there’s some overlap. I love them so much y’all don’t even know!
J: Joy | Their absolute favorite thing about tickling?
Grace is just so touch starved, I think his favorite part is the closeness of it all. But he also just genuinely loves how it feels cause he’s silly like that
E: Expression | How do they express their wish to tickle/be tickled?
G: Grace will go unusually quiet & just stare the hell outta you. Literally just 👁️👁️ until you notice & ask what’s wrong
R: Rocky will try to goad you into it by being an annoying lil shit until you snap
H: Habits | As a lee/ler or both, do they have specific habits when it comes to tickling?
If he knows it’s coming, he’ll try to put his glasses in a safe place beforehand
I: Interrogation | How well would they handle a tickle interrogation?
G: Grace tries to hold out as long as he can & insists he doesn’t have the information they’re after & that they clearly have the wrong guy, but he will eventually give up
R: Rocky will try to play dumb like he can’t understand what they’re saying & will only speak Eridian (only works if the interrogator isn’t also Eridian) otherwise he’ll just try to mock & get on the interrogator’s nerves until it comes back to bite him
W: Word | What is their reaction to the T-word? Can they say it out loud or do they get embarrassed?
G: surprisingly isn’t really phased by the word tickle or any variation of it. It’s just a normal physical reaction & response. He only starts to get embarrassed if it’s in relation to himself & the person asking is acting like they’re gonna use that information
R: also pretty chill about the word, & is more curious than anything when it’s brought up. But he does get kinda embarrassed hearing the Eridian word for it because Adrian teases him so much
T: Teasing | Their most favorite methods of teasing their lee/ler?
G: Mr. Tickle Monster himself! Bro loves to act like he’s possessed by the tickle monster & can’t control what he’s doing
R: Rocky likes to point out the obvious, like which spots are more ticklish than others, & comments on the different sounds he’s drawing out. With Grace, he likes to say how he’s “the most ticklish human” he’s ever met or ask “are all humans this ticklish? Question”
just a doodle this time, i loved the sketch sm i didnt wanna ruin it HELPEME
I FORGOR TO DRAW THEIR SUITS IDC LETS PRETEND THE ATMOSPHERE DOESNT EXIST AND THEY CAN HUG
i promise i will at some point draw something other than lee grace im sorry i have not had a fixation in a million years and my brain is so starved that its actually tweaking
im sincerely sorry for my hyperfixating shenanegains I PROMISE ILL DRAW SOMETHING ELSE SOON HEFOKFJKRN
𖥔 Hey soooo I've been sitting on this one for a little bit now. It turned out a lot longer than my usual fics (1k-2k words) and i wanted to try my hand at writing something a little sad! I've written nothing but fluff up until this point so idk how i did with the sadder stuff (its genuinely not even that sad) I hope you all still enjoy anyway! 𖥔
𖥔 Slight spoilers for movie and book! 𖥔
Summary: This is set a little bit after Grace and Rocky get to Erid. In this one, Adrian is less then happy about the current situation pertaining to Grace, and its effects on there relationship with Rocky.
Lee!Grace / Ler!Adrian
Word count: 4,435
“I wish you would see Grace." Its tone is low and sounds exhausted. Rocky has gotten home finally. I haven't seen it in a few days. It's not like I see it much when it does finally come home anyway. Disappearing to Grace has become its new normal, even if I thought I finally got my mate back. Grace takes priority.
This isn't the first time it has suggested this. I think it asks at least once every time they see me, and my answer stays the same every time. “No.” It comes out harsher than I intend.
“He means a lot to me and so do you. I want you to get along.” I will say, it doesn't usually push after the first no; I'm a little surprised. It shifts closer to me while I'm working at my desk. “You work on the biodome team. You are in charge of so much of his life. This includes everything from what he eats to the conditions of the ocean in his home. You should be more involved physically..." I huff. Sure, maybe it would make my life easier to see the human in person, but my feelings towards the creature keep me away, and I think that's for the best for everyone involved.
“I work on the human because you don't trust anyone to care for it other than yourself and me.” We have a team, of course, but when it comes to Grace’s immediate health and comfort, I am the primary Eridian involved. Rocky shifts even closer to me; he's wobbling a bit. He's ready for sleep.
“I-I don't want you to just do it for me. Do you enjoy it a little at least?” I move away slightly as it reaches a claw out for me. “You were excited when we first arrived…not just for me, for Grace too.” Grace was exciting when he first arrived. An alien who saved not one but two planets and saved my mate personally. Of course I would find that exciting. And to have the opportunity to help lead in the invention of its enclosure was amazing. But not so much anymore since I learned what the consequences of its existence on my life would be.
“It keeps me busy" is all I give to it. “Why are you being more pushy than normal?” I sense something's up. The unaccepted claw retracts, and Rocky pushes it together with another, fidgeting. I knew it.
“I must attend a meeting pertaining to Grace. I won't be there with him… I want you there to watch him instead," it trills out sheepishly. “I don't know how long I will be gone for. I…do not want him to be alone.”
“It is alone right now, is it not? It can function and take care of itself just fine.” Annoyance and anger lace my voice a bit. Rocky scitters back a bit but tries to touch me again. Its words are starting to slur as exhaustion takes over his body.
“You know what I mean. Grace is…sensitive. I don't want him to be alone ever again.” I feel anger rise within me. What about me being alone? For decades I waited to not be alone again, and now, even with my mate back, I am alone. I feel the mercury boil under my carapace as I try and be understanding.
“I know you do not like him.” It's not that I hate Grace personally. I can't really. I've only ever interacted with him while he was unconscious the first few weeks of being on Erid. I have complicated feelings toward the human and the situation that has come with it.
“Please do it for me.” I move away from them again while trying to continue working.
"It's always for you, isn't it?"
"I-I…I'm sorr—"
"I'll do it. It's fine," I grumble at its despondent tone and move away from my desk.
Rocky comes over to me again. This time I know it isn't trying to convince me of anything; it just wants to sleep. The sight of it tugging at me hurts more than the argument did. Rocky is exhausted. Its movements are sluggish; it reaches a claw towards me. I flinch away before I can stop myself.
Rocky goes rigid and sits for a moment. “Y-you won't even hold me? You won't let me close to sleep?" It sounds broken, close to a cry but not quite. The sight makes me go rigid in return.
I let out a low hum. “...I need some space right now. I will still watch.” Rocky lets out a strangled whine, close to a sob, but settles on the bed close by anyway. I can tell it's too exhausted to really do anything about it; it's actively fighting off sleep that should have taken it days ago.
“Thank you, Adrian." the words come out slurred. I shift towards it to answer but Rocky is already asleep. Its claws are still loosely curled together where it has been fidgeting moments earlier.
Something inside me aches.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.
I arrive at the dome's airlock, wearing a thin Xenonite suit I've never had to put on before. Rocky stated that Grace knew I was coming to see him today instead of itself and that the human was nervous. To play nice, for Grace’s sake. I've taken the human's chart with me. While I'm here, I might as well take notes while I can and see what I can improve for him.
I step in and wait for it to pressurize, and then I'm on my way. I head out to the beach and start towards the humans' house. The sand shifts below my feet, and I hear the constant crashing of waves next to me. I move my attention to the “classroom” on the other side of the dome. I think making it a bit bigger would be helpful. More students to teach at a time, but to give the human more space to work with for demonstrations and such. Maybe add storage for materials so it's easier on the human.
By the time I come back to reality, I've approached the house. I realize we haven't exactly built the house for an Eridian of my size. I could probably get in, but I'm not sure how cramped the inside would be.
I knock lightly and wait a moment. I hear its footsteps frantically heading towards the door. It finally opens, and the little human looks up at me in awe.
“Hello Grace.” It's still silent, just staring. I shift uncomfortably at the tiny alien.
“Oh, uh, sorry. I didn't know Eridians could get so…tall." It chuckles a little, but I feel its heart skyrocket. It's for sure nervous. “Rocky told me you were bigger but didn't really specify how much bigger."
“Yes.” It fidgets as I speak. “Adrian does not think it is good idea to try and go in Grace house.”
It looks back at the structure and rubs the back of its neck. “Uh–yeah. It's probably better if we hang out outside instead. Um, let me grab my shoes.” It turns back inside and grabs what it's looking for.
I let out a small annoyed hum. The human is so loud. It is much louder now than when it was unconscious. I can hear its heart, its blood, and its breath. I can hear the crackles and pops of its joints, the way its tongue moves as it talks. So loud. How did Rocky get used to this noise? I would have gone crazy on that ship.
The tiny human comes fumbling through the door and walks ahead of me. I noticed the door that it left open and pulled it shut. And so forgetful.
We head down the beach in silence. Every wave crashes against the shore with a different rhythm. Besides me, Grace's heartbeat refuses to settle. Between the ocean and the human, there is hardly any silence at all.
The human comes to a stop and drops to sit, facing the waves. I do the same, crossing two arms in front of me, ready to take any notes on the human I might need.
“Grace nervous, question?" I ask softly. He spins to face me head-on.
He turns his head up at me and chuckles lightly. “You can tell?” What a dumb question.
“Yes. Grace heart loud and fast.” I hear blood pump to its face, and it looks away.
“Sorry.”
“Is okay. Human can not control.” Before I can stop myself, I reach a digit out and run it over its cheek, pushing its face to look at me again. "This is blush, question? Grace embarrassed, question?” I can't help but be a scientist first, I guess. The portable human thinking machine has made my life a thousand times easier. I can look up any knowledge about the human body and system, but seeing and experiencing it in person is so much different.
It lets out a small yelp at my sudden touch, making its heart beat more. The blood in its face reaches its ears. Although I want to, I refrain from grabbing at the tips of its ears too. One thing I don't stop myself from doing, however, is dragging that claw down to its neck to feel for the carotid pulse. It's one thing to hear but another to feel, and it's strong. I can feel its blood thump against its skin, rappidly, over and over.
“Amaze.” I murmur without thinking.
"Uh—umm, Adrian?” The little human squeaks out. It has squeezed its eyes shut and forced its head up to the sky to accommodate my touching.
I let out an amused hum. “Apology.” I retract my claw, curling it back into my lap. I stay quiet, hoping it will calm down. When no calming down happens, I try to pivot to my questions, hoping to distract the human.
"How Grace feeling, Question. Eating well, question?” I ask.
It clears its throat. “Uh, I'm feeling good. Better than I did! And yes, eating well!” he smiles.
“How are ‘burger’, question?”
“The me-burgers are amazing!” he shouts excitedly, hands moving as he talks. “You literally saved me with those things.” I feel myself get a little flustered at the praise, and I hate it.
“Saved Grace in other ways. More important ways.” I let it click out with some disbelief. I cure and bring this human back from death, but ‘me-burger’ is what saves it. Human priorities are weird and confusing.
“Well, yes," he rolls his eyes a bit. “But humans have a strong connection to the food they eat. Physically and mentally. Mentally I didn't want to eat, even though I was dying of starvation. The food tasted awful and had a horrible texture. Your idea to use my muscle was fantastic!” I feel him shift a little closer to me. “It tastes so much better than the other stuff. You kind of cured my starvation and helped cure my bad mental health at the same time!” It laughs as though what it said was funny and not worrying. Though I did not know how linked the mental state and food were, this information is helpful to know when synthesizing more food for it in the future.
“Adrian will work on making 'me-burger' taste better for optimal mental health and human relationship with food for future.” I mentally add this information as a task to get started on when I get back home.
“You don't have to do that, Adrian. I'm okay with the burger. I promise." It looks away, towards the artificial ocean again.
“Adrian must.” I let out a quiet rumbling for a moment as one of my claws gently plays with the sand beneath me. The human looks back at me.
“Why?” Its head cocks to the side, in a cute way, with wide eyes.
“For Rocky," is all I say, and I can tell it comes out sad. “Adrian will do anything that Rocky asks of it. For Grace.” I know Grace still needs a translator to some extent, but he is good at picking up tone.
He sighs, "Thank you for coming to see me today. Letting me meet you.” He smiles, but his eyes look sad, lids falling low. “I know you hate me, but…I still appreciate it. Appreciate you and everything you have done.” Its eyes well up with liquid. “I know Rocky puts a lot—too much—on you, and I know he's never home with you. I know that," he sniffs, looking down into his lap. “I-I feel like it's all my fault. I'm so…so useless on my own here. I-I'm such a burden to you…” he starts leaking, and I feel myself starting to panic now. I don't know what to do when a human starts leaking from their face.
I suddenly feel guilty, not a little guilty but deeply guilty. Grace looks so small sitting beside me. He is smaller than I ever thought he would be. Somehow I convinced myself that Grace was the source of my frustration. Looking at him now, crying into his hands, I realize how unfair that was.
“I don't hate you, Grace.” I try and speak as softly as I can. He presses his hands to his face harder, shielding himself from me.
"It's okay that you do. I would hate me too. I—I do hate me.” His voice cracks and he breathes in sharply. “I’ve ruined what y-you two could have had…” I can tell he's trying his best to keep his emotions in, sniffling and wiping the tears from his face just to have them replaced immediately with fresh ones.
I let out a low, pained coo. Slowly, carefully, I pull the human towards me. I expect it to resist, but Grace practically folds into my arms. The moment his head touches my carapace, he latches on. His fingers clutch at me desperately. I scoop his legs off the sand, holding him gently.
“Grace. Adrian does not hate you.” My words, which are supposed to be comforting, only seem to make it cry harder. "Adrian frustration is not Grace fault. Grace bring Rocky back to me. Rocky could hate Adrian. Not want to be mates and Adrian would be happy that Rocky alive and well.” Grace pulls his very leaky face from me, looking for a moment but not saying anything while he quietly weeps.
“I-I know your relationship with Rocky is bad…he acts different.” He babbles over his words, “I know w-why you didn't want to see me; I'm not that s-stupid—” I move my arm up in front, making him stop.
The notion of how fragile and small he is worms its way into my thoughts, and it makes me happy that he trusts me as much as he does. That he wants to be okay in my arms, even though he is adamant that I hate him. I let out a sad trill, running a claw through his hair.
“Grace save all of Erid. All of Earth. Grace risk life for Rocky. For me. Adrian will never hate Grace.” I scratch gently at his head, bringing my claw down to the side, near his ear. He breathes in deep and leans into the touch.
“Understand, question?” He nods slightly, but the tears and sobs don’t stop. “Grace.”
“Y-yes…I do.” He shoves his face back into me, pulling his arms to his chest. He shakes with sadness.
I feel myself heat up in embarrassment as I contemplate what to say next. “Adrian has…grown to love taking care of Grace…” Rocky was right. I do enjoy it as much as I told myself I didn't. All those times I pushed my limit on how long I could go without sleep and worked so hard for Rocky and Grace, I did, deep down, enjoy it. “Adrian happy hearing Rocky tell how Grace is happy with new thing.” I hum out rather quickly.
He seems to perk up at this. “Y-you don’t have to do that, Adrian.” His crying is slowing. I pull off his glasses, placing them into the sand next to us. I wipe a claw over his face.
“Adrian not doing anything but tell truth.” He starts giggling and pushing at my claw. He sniffs while I clear the tears from his face.
“Thank you…” he says, breathing in deep. I move my claw back to his ear to comfort him again, scratching it lightly. He shoots up with a high-pitched noise, and I flinch, pulling my claw back.
“Grace okay, question?” I frantically say, grabbing his chin and moving his head to the side. I trace his ear again, and he flails. “Where hurt, question?”
“W-wahait nohoho!” he squirms about in my hold. “Nohot hururt! Tihihicklish!” he squeaks out.
Rocky has told me about the human version of tickling before, specifically that Grace is quite fond of it, and it's come up in my research on the human body. It has a similar outcome to Eridian tickling. Laughing and wiggling around. I think this method will be a good way to make Grace feel better.
I pull my claw away with a hum of understanding, and he relaxes. He's lying in my lap, a small smile across his face, but I still see the faintest tears in his eyes. He moves his face to his hands, still sniffling.
“Hm. Adrian will give Grace check up.” He glances through his fingers.
“W-what?” he asks, his voice gravelly.
I gently pull up his shirt, and he tenses up. He's still quite thin, but fat has definitely started to come back. I reach my claw and grab at his ribs, giving slight squeezes. He jumps with a squeal.
“WAHAhait! Adriahahan!” He presses his arms to his side while twisting in my grasp. I feel around the bones, moving my claws up. His ribs definitely don't stick out as much as they did when I first treated him. I squeeze his top ribs while feeling his chest muscle for any growth.
“NAHAHOHO-AH I-I dohont neheheed a CHEHheheCK UHUP—“ he cackles, trying his best to dislodge my claw.
“Grace need check up from Adrian. Make sure Grace eat well. Check for fat and muscle growth.” I chirp with a playful tone. "Is Adrian job." I moved my claw from under his arm to trail down it, using another claw to pull his arm from his side.
“I-I ahaham! Ihihim eahahating gohohood!” I trace lightly down his arm as he pulls at it. I pinch at his elbow and let out a yelp and some more giggles. There’s some muscle growth here, though definitely not as much as I would like.
“Hm. Not enough.” I trace down to his wrist, then back up to his inner arm.
“Ah-I’m sohorry!” he tugs weakly at his hand, soft laughter leaving him.
“Grace no apology. Adrian work harder to help. Make grace strong.” I murmur it out while thinking of solutions for later.
I release his arm, and he presses it to his side again, his legs trying to come up and curl him into a ball. I stick a claw back down, feeling around his tummy. He screeches, fighting my arm.
“Good. Much fat and muscle here.” I firmly press in, feeling all the muscles twitch under my touch. “Rocky will be happy.”
“EEEAHHAHA—NOHOHO!” I hear blood rush to his head again as embarrassment takes him. “S-stohOHOP—ADRIAHAHAN!” He kicks at my carapace, and I can’t help but let out some giggles. He’s so small and weak; it’s amusing. I have to admit his little human sounds are quite cute.
“Grace too ticklish for exam, question?” I tease a bit, vibrating my claw. He squeezes his eyes shut, shaking his head rapidly.
“A-ADRIAHAHAN– *SNRK* THIHihis ihihisn’t neheceHESSARY!” squeaky noises come from him.
I grab a flailing foot with another claw, stretching his leg out as my other moves down to his thigh. I push into the muscle there and let out a pleased trill.
“Good human Grace! Much muscle here. Good good good.” His other leg kicks out frantically as his arms scramble to pull at my claw. “Such a good human. Adrian can tell Grace been running. Keep up with regiment. Good Grace!” I half tease, half praise, soaking in the new wave of blush creeping up his face.
I squeeze his knee, and his leg jerks hard. “How joints, question?” I know the gravity on our planet has taken its toll on his body. I scratch lightly at the underside, pulling giggles from him.
“T-they ahahache a bihit, not bahahd!” He covers his face, pulling at his appendage.
“Hm. Will work on problem. Brace maybe help.” I go back up and squeeze rapidly at his kneecap.
“ADRIAHAhahan! P-pleheHEHEASE! NOHOHO MOHOHORE-AHAHEHEhehe—“ I let go of his leg, and he immediately folds in on himself, gasping for air.
“Grace very good. Fat and muscle build good. Will add more magnesium and zinc to diet. Help.” I state, scratching at his scalp, pulling lightly at his hair.
“O-okahahay—“
“One spot Adrian check.” I unfold him a bit and pull down his pants a few inches, then push into his lower stomach, making him scream and fight me again.
“ADRIHIHI—NAHAHOHOHOT THEHEHERE!” He squeals, curling around my claw. I squeeze at the little pudge that sits there with content.
“Adrian happy happy happy! Grace get more healthy. Grace doing so good!” His cheeks flush again, ‘hiding’ his face as much as he can while wiggling around.
“NOHOHO—“ I move up a bit and press into his belly button.
“Yes.” I scratch lightly at the little spot.
“EEEHEHAHA—PLEAHAHASE!” He arches up while making a rather adorable noise.
I stop moving my claw, letting it rest against his tummy. His laughter lingers intertwined with little hiccups and tiny giggles. Different kinds of tears staining his face now. I rub soothing circles into his skin while he catches his breath.
His heartbeat is loud and strong. Alive. Every beat is proof that Rocky made it home. Proof that Grace made it home too. The little pitter patter settles something deep inside me.
He's curled up in my arms, his breathing and heart evening out. He has a smile plastered on his face, and soft giggles still spill from his lips. He wraps his arms around the leg that is still settled on his stomach, and he lets out a sigh.
“Grace…very endearing. Adrian understand why Rocky love so much.” My admission makes him shove his face in my arm with a flustered noise. I reach a claw up and pet at his head again, sliding to scratch at the base of his neck. He melts into my arms, eyes closing.
“Thank you. I hope you visit me again.” He shifts a little in my hold.
“Will visit. Promise." his small frame shifting to look at me again. “Adrian apologize for not seeing Grace sooner.” Guilt floods my chords.
"No, it's okay. I understand why.” He laughs slightly. "I would be upset at me too.”
“Not upset at Grace. Or Rocky. Adrian understand situation. Adrian knows feeling not logical. No one fault.” I rumble out gently. "Adrian apologize. Not Grace fault. Grace save Rocky. Adrian forever be in Grace dept. Should not have taken feelings out on Grace Rocky.” I move my claw to under his chin, scratching slightly. He smiles wide, scrunching up his shoulders a bit but tilting his head up, giving me more access.
"It's okay.”
“Is not," frustration lacing my voice. His eyes widen slightly. I can't get over what he said. "Grace really not like Grace, question?” He looks away as I lower my claw from his chin.
“I just–I hate the way I'm so helpless here, I guess? I rely on so many Eridians just to wake up and take a walk. I don't, like, hate myself. I feel like a burden to you and Rock–”
“Grace good burden. Adrian like Grace burden.” I see his heart rate start to rise again. I stroke his forehead as I see tears start to swell in his eyes again. He sniffs and takes a deep inhale.
“Okay, question?” I say firmly.
He wipes at his eyes. “O-okay.”
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.
“Adrian?” Rocky's voice pulls me from my thoughts. I hadn't even noticed it sneak up on me.
“Rocky! How was the meeting?” I ask tenderly. The waves crash softly in front of us.
Instead of answering me, its carapace shifts down, its attention on the little human asleep in my lap. It seems to look in shock and awe as I pet Grace. After a moment, it lets out a small excited sound, something I haven't heard in months.
“D-Did it go well?” Its voice vibrates from joy, already knowing the obvious answer.
I let out a giggle. “Yes. Me and Grace had a good talk.” I bring my claw to scratch at his scalp. He shifts, making adorable little purring noises in his sleep.
Rocky walks up in front of me and Grace. "I'm very, very, very happy!” it trills, bringing up its claws and shaking them.
“Me too," I reply fondly. Rocky suddenly stops; the atmosphere around it changes abruptly.
“Are…we okay?” I let out a small, pained sound as Rocky moves a bit closer to me.
“Yes. I am sorry, my love. I was never mad at you. I apologize for any hurt I have caused.” I reach an arm out, hoping it will come to me. ' I placed my emotions on you both when shouldn't have."
They come closer, about to take my claw, but hesitates. “I am sorry too. I have not been home with you to spend time or watch you sleep. I had you work nonstop on Grace, not thinking of your thoughts or feelings. I am sorry.” It shifts back and forth, two claws fidgeting together. “Do you still need space?”
“Rocky, I know why you did it. I do not blame you," I whisper out softly. “I would love nothing more than for you to be in my arms.”
It takes my claw immediately. It was as if I were afraid I might change my mind. I gently pull Rocky closer until it's pressed into me and Grace. The tension leaves its body so quickly it almost makes me laugh. I start caressing it the same way I'm doing with Grace, and exhaustion immediately starts pulling at it again. In my arms, it softens, and I can feel sleep beginning to take hold. A low rumbling starts deep inside Rocky. So sleepy and content with both of us here. I've missed that sound.
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ🛸༄˖°.
𖥔 Sorry its on the longer side, hope you liked it! 𖥔
Oh my god you guys I FINALLY watched Project Hail Mary and I’m so overwhelmed with love for it!!! Big feelings, need word, no have word!!!
I’m working on a bigger print but I wanna get it right and I’m a bit overwhelmed with work so. Pouring my love into some lil doodles. I ADORE this movie SO MUCH.
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