Context: Being a decent person is quite a rare thing in NRC and many of the students there wanted to have some time with you, but your inner circle of friends won't let that slide at all. Here are some of their reaction to someone bothering their time with you.
Other dorms: Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia
Jack 🌵
Ruggie 🍩
Leona 🍖
Hehehehehe I hope you all like this one too! Please keep leaving funny comments! Rosie, even if she didn't answer, it's a VERY fun time to read comments or re-blog comments
summary: zimm's nerves about his first doctor's appointment
tags: fluff, so much fluff, read part one!, rocky and adrian do not appreciate leaky space blobs, family fluff, kid fic, first words
a/n: love you all!!! this was request by @sporkupine12 under the last part and a few other people in the reblogs so enjoy!
divider cred: me!
The false sunlight of the biopdome begins to filter through the window, and you watch with an affectionate smile as Zimm slowly wakes, stretching out clumsily. Ryland shifts as the weight on his chest moves, eyes fluttering open as he glances between the two of you with a smile. “G’morning.” His voice comes out raspy with sleep, making you grin and curl closer.
“Hi…” Your lips meet his, and Zimm lets out a displeased noise at the sight, making the two of you pull away with a laugh. The moment is interrupted by a pounding on the door, making your smile grow. “It’s open!”
Two xenonite suits echo through the house before Rocky and Adrian step into the space, watching your family. “How is Zimmer?” Rocky asks, making you grin and gently lift Zimm from Ryland’s chest, settling the small alien on your shoulder.
“He’s doing wonderful.” You feel Ryland’s arms move to wrap around your middle, face smushed against your back.
“Eridians would like to take Zimmer for a doctor checkup. Promise no extreme tests, just want to make sure Zimmer is ok.” You look over your shoulder as Grace perks up, grabbing his glasses off the beside table.
“That sounds fine.” You feel Grace nod against your shoulder. The aliens communicate, and you feel Zimmer shirk in fear against the side of your neck, a whine-like noise leaving his carapace. Matching frowns paint your and Grace’s faces, and you reach up to softly stroke one of the small legs.
“Zimmer is scared, statement.” Rocky lets out, making you nod.
“Doctors can be scary. Especially because Grace and I can’t come.” You murmur, Grace’s warm hand against your side.
“Zimmer will be taken care of very well. Adrian promise and be there whole time. Will bring back to home.” You nod slowly, taking Zimm from your shoulder and bringing the alien face-to-face. Unpleasant tones leave the small creature, making you frown.
“I know it’s scary, my love… it’ll be ok. It’ll be fast, and Grace and I will be right here waiting.” You gently pet Zimm’s back carapace, the one you found most soothing when touched.
“Mommy and daddy will be right here.” Grace murmurs, reaching up to gently grasp one of Zimm’s claws. A long silence follows before Zimm lets out a defeated sound mixed with what you had come to recognize as a cry. “M’sorry…”
“Will take now. Will be safe. Promise.” Adrian purrs, making you raise a brow.
“I thought Eridians never promised.”
“Promise important to safety and human family.”
“Thank you, Adrian.” You gently hand Zimmer off to the Eridian couple, gently waving them off. You can’t help but tuck yourself into Grace’s chest, covering your ears to drown out Zimm’s retreating cries.
“It’s the same as if we took a human baby to the doctor. The shots are the worst for us to watch, but the most necessary for the baby. Just remember you’re keeping him safe, alright? You love him enough to keep him safe and healthy.” You nod slowly, feeling a few tears fall down your cheeks.
“I hate when he cries.” Grace pulls back at the weakness in your voice, frowning and moving to wipe your cheeks.
“Me too. Me too.” He huffs, pulling you back into his chest and laying both of you down.
◈
The second the door opens, you swiftly stand from the bed, finding the three Eridians in the doorway. “♩♫♪𝅘𝅥𝅰!” Gasps leave you and Ryland, equally surprised noises leaving the Eridians.
“Did he just–”
“Zimm!” You grin. “Say it again, say it again!”
“♩♫♪𝅘𝅥𝅰!” A sob leaves Grace’s lips as you lift the baby alien into your arms.’
“Is Eridan word for mother!” Rocky squeals happily, making you nod as tears fall down your cheeks, Zimmer pressing happily into your chest.
“It sure is, pal.” Ryland sniffles, bringing both of you into his arms, forehead falling to your shoulder. Another word leaves Zimmer, making you give a sympathetic smile.
“It was scary, hm? Didn’t like the doctor?” You pacify gently. His carapace shakes in your hand.
“With mommy and daddy!” Another heavy sob is ripped from Grace’s lips, and you can’t help but smile at the disgust radiating off Adrian and Rocky before they shuffle out of the house. “Want lunch!” Laughs echo out from the three of you.
Rocky gets worried about you when he’s watching you sleep and gets Ryland ;)
(i've also written this as a possible continuation to this fic)
contents: FLUFF, a little hurt/comfort
warnings: maybe one curse word, vomit, discussions of the menstrual cycle
note: I know that the French memory wipe thing is only given to Ryland in the book and that’s why he can’t remember, but it’s more fun to write that they both can’t remember so that’s how it’s gonna be in here!
It was quiet on the ship - obviously, it was space - but quieter than usual. The banter of a long lab session or the teasing that came from you and Rocky anytime Ryland tried to pilot Mary was gone.
You were asleep, and of course Rocky had to watch you. It was a normal thing at this point. One person went to sleep, one person semi-watched and semi-worked (unless it was Rocky, he normally just watched), and one person did whatever they wanted in the rest of the ship. Sometimes the two of you slept together with Rocky watching you to save time, but the Taumoeba needed almost around the clock “care” at this point, so here you were.
The two of you were… something. Definitely emotionally entangled, but he wasn’t quite sure yet. The two of you woke up like that, knowing that you should be close, so he wasn’t going to question it. Maybe you would remember something at some point and know how to classify it.
He hoped so.
Rocky was very quiet when you slept, quieter than he was when he was watching Ryland. He thought it might be because you’re a woman; maybe the Eridian equivalent of the female sex was more fragile when they slept, but it never failed to make his heart squeeze a bit when he would walk in on you sleeping and see Rocky ever so still in the corner.
Ryland was in the control room learning what more of the buttons did when he heard the skittering of Rocky’s xenonite ball across the floor. Maybe you were awake earlier than normal.
“Rocky need help,” the little voice of the computer chimed. “(Name) not good. Temperature elevated, unusual muscle movements. Still sleep.”
Ryland’s brow furrowed as he climbed out of the seat. Rocky looked jittery, something that wasn’t common unless he was excited or nervous… but something told him this wasn’t excitement. “What do you mean, bud? Is she hurting?” Ryland followed Rocky’s rolling through the lab, stopping at the entrance to the sleep chamber.
“Seem in pain, 🎶 present. Rocky not notice this during most sleep, not normal for humans.”
“I don’t understand that one, Rock. What’s present?”
“Word for liquid on human skin. Come out of human skin when hot.”
Ryland nodded, typing in “sweat” on the computer as he passed by. That probably wasn’t good, you could have a fever.
Rocky’s ball continued its journey into the “bedroom,” stopping by your sleeping body on the mattress. You were sprawled out across the bed, hair a mess around your head as your chest moved up and down in weird, shallow breaths.
Gosh darn it, Ryland thought, stepping closer and crouching down next to your head. He put the back of his hand up to your forehead, a little hot. He needed to wake you up.
Hands found your shoulders, gently shaking you to make sure you weren’t scared awake. Rocky sat patiently in his ball a couple feet away, intently staring.
Your eyes fluttered open, a small groan leaving your lips. “Hm,” you said, eyes still halfway shut. “What is it.”
Ryland’s hand went back up to your forehead, quickly stopping on your cheeks as well, and he spoke. “You’ve got a fever, we gotta figure out what’s wrong.” You stayed still as he held you steady, having zero reaction. “Do you feel okay?”
You stared at him, deadpanning, “No, I feel like shit.”
Funny, Armando didn’t catch this before Rocky did. Surely if it was an infection or illness he would have done something. You didn’t seem very worried, though. Maybe you were still asleep.
“Okay, well let’s go through the list so we can figure this out-“
You put your hand on top of his where he was holding your shoulder. “Ryland, it’s okay. I’m pretty sure I just started my period.”
Ryland stared at you. “Oh.” A couple of seconds passed of the two of you just staring at each other. “Wait, that can give you a fever?”
You nodded, raising your eyebrows in a yea I know, it’s bullshit, and Rocky skittered next to you. “What is wrong, question. Rocky worried.”
You opened your mouth to speak but winced before you could say anything. “Ryland, get me a bag please,” you said, eyes wide with urgency.
“Rocky no understand. (Name) is okay, question. Why elevated temperature, question.”
“I’ll explain it in a minute, Rock, just lemme do this real quick!” Ryland yelled from the corner of the room, quickly coming back with a clear bag that you snatched from his hand and immediately vomited into. A warm hand found your back, rubbing circles as you breathed. A few seconds passed, head still aimed for the bag. You were waiting to see if there was more.
“You okay?” Ryland asked, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, and you nodded.
“Yeah, it happens sometimes. It’s fine, I just haven’t gotten one this bad in space before,” you said, wiping your face and closing the bag to contain the remnants of your last meal.
“Rocky no understand. Grace explain.”
Ryland took the bag from you and let you lay back down, giving your back another rub. “Sure, bud. Female humans uh,” how do I word this, “they grow our children inside of them instead of laying eggs like you do.” He looked up at Rocky just sitting there. It felt like he was getting a stare, a very intense stare.
Ryland was uncomfortable.
“Because they don’t lay eggs, the eggs stay inside of them, but if they don’t get fertilized then they have to leave the body - hey do you want meds?” Ryland was looking down at you still curled up next to where he was sitting on the bed. You nodded and he squeezed your arm. “Painkillers!” he yelled at the sky, Armando quickly showing up with a little plastic cup that had two pills.
He grabbed it and some water, turning back to Rocky as he handed them to you. “When the eggs leave the body, they take some tissue and blood from the reproductive organs with them and the body has to force it out. It can be painful.”
Rocky shifted in his orb, “Egg leave (Name), question? Hurt.”
“Yea,” Ryland responded, “It hurts, but she’ll be okay.” He turned to you, eyes playful. “You’ll be okay, right? This is just a bad one?”
You nodded, setting the bag of water down. “Yea, I don’t know why it’s like this. Sorry I almost vomited on you.”
He laughed, “It’s okay, I already vomited on myself when I first woke up.” He got up, throwing the vomit bag in your makeshift trash bin for the room and shutting the lock to the room. You heard footsteps walking back towards you. “Hey Rock, you can get some work done if you want. I’ll stay with her.” You felt the bed dip behind you.
“Rocky stay here, watch Grace sleep. Human mates sleep together, Rocky stay to protect.”
You could feel the hesitation in Ryland’s body behind you, the way he tensed at the statement, but you closed your eyes. You wanted to know what he’d say, how he’d categorize what you had. It was unique, and you didn’t have a name for it, or at least the two of you hadn’t talked about it yet.
His voice was soft. “Yea- yea, okay Rock, you stay. I’ll take a nap.” A hand found your hair, pulling it back from your face, and he lowered his voice for you. “You okay over there? Need anything?”
You shook your head, feeling the warmth of him against your back. “I’m okay.” You turned around to face him, still curled up to stop some of the pain. “Thanks for takin’ care of me.”
His eyes met yours as you took off his glasses to set them on the floor. “Of course. Just- wake me up if you need to vomit again. I’ll get you a bag.”
You laughed, letting your head lay back down. “Will do, partner.”
Mate. Rocky was probably more perceptive than the two of you may have thought. He didn’t know about human customs, but he’s been married(ish) for- who knows how long. Of course he could tell. The two of you could talk about it later, maybe when some random memory eventually pops up in your brains.
You let your eyes flutter shut again, feeling more at ease with the warmth of Ryland’s body resting across from you. His hand was smoothing over your hair, and that lulled you closer to sleep as the soft pitter patter of Rocky’s building materials echoed from behind you.
Maybe being stuck in space wasn’t so bad.
=================================
you guys I just read the book and went to see the movie in less than a week and am obsessed so of course I had to write for my favorite molecular biologist turned astronaut <3
summary: during your period, eridians, Rocky, and his mate, Adrian, fuss over you! eridians purr. and rocky getting mad ragebaited at the idea of human 'engineering' (part of da 'saturday cuddles' universe!)
yaps!: thank you so much @saturnhas274moons for recommending this idea to me!! mhwamhwa, hope u like this..hehe..ook enough of angst (for now), for my next fic, what would u guys want?? more fluff or ANGST..lmk! listened to "Saturn" by Sleeping At Last, and "And The Winner is" while making this!
You are curled into a tight ball on the "bed"—that massive, reinforced platform layered with every soft textile and scrap of insulating foam salvaged from the Hail Mary. Every few minutes, a sharp, white-hot wave of pain rolls through your abdomen, a familiar monthly visitor that feels particularly cruel when you’re light-years away from a pharmacy.
Under your shirt, the jagged line of your "Rocky Scar"—the mark left behind when your Eridian friend saved your life—pulses in sympathy-like with the cramps. It’s a reminder of survival, but right now, you just feel like a mess of malfunctioning nerves and a waste of carbon.
A heavy, metallic thump-clack echoes across the floor. You don't have to look up to know it’s Rocky. His five-legged structure is as familiar to you as your own mind. Beside him, the lighter, more melodic tapping of Adrian’s claws follows.
"Question?" Rocky’s synthesizer voice rings out from the nightstand, clear and inquisitive. "Why is Human Y/N still in the insulation pile? The 'sun' has cycled twice. Teaching time is soon. Grace confused. I also confused."
You groan into your pillow, a sound that translates to the Eridians as a low-frequency distress signal. Adrian moves closer, her form rotating with concern. She reaches out a warm, stone-like limb, hovering it just inches from your back.
“Temperature is high,” Adrian’s whistles and clicks are translated by the small device clipped to her harness. “You are leaking heat. Is there a hull breach in your biology? Is human dying!? Please do not die! It would be very inconvenient and sad.”
"I'm not dying, Adrian," you wheeze out, squeezing your eyes shut as another cramp ripples through you. "It’s just... a human thing. My body is resetting. It hurts. A lot."
Ryland wanders in then, looking disheveled, holding a mug of chamomile tea the Eridians replicated. He sees the three of you huddled together and immediately softens. He knows the look in your eyes; he’s seen you power through lab accidents and alien microbes, but he knows this particular brand of misery is one that requires total surrender.
"They're worried about you," Ryland says softly, sitting on the edge of the platform and placing a hand on your shoulder. "Rocky thinks you’re melting because your core temp jumped a degree. I tried to explain human reproductive cycles to him, but he just got offended that your body 'destroys its own systems' once a month. He thinks it’s bad engineering."
“It IS bad engineering!” Rocky interjects, his claws clicking rapidly against the floor. “Why break the internal walls? Just keep the walls! If I built a ship that melted its floor every thirty days, Grace yell at me!”
"He's not wrong," you mutter, pressing your face into Ryland's thigh. "Ryland, tell them I'm okay. I just need to be a potato for about four days."
Adrian tilts her head, her 'eye' focusing on where you are clutching your stomach. “You are in pain. Pain is for when predators bite. There are no predators in the dome. Except maybe the vacuum, but the dome is strong. If you are in pain, we must fix.”
"You can't fix it, Adrian," Ryland says, stroking your hair. "It just has to happen. Heat helps, though."
The word heat seems to trigger something in the Eridian pair. On a planet where the surface temperature could melt lead, "heat" is their specialty. They are technically biological furnaces, their carapaces radiating a steady, dry warmth that far exceeds any electric heating pad.
Rocky steps up onto the platform. The bed groans under his weight, but it’s sturdy. “I am heat, statement.” he declares with a flourish of his limbs. “I very good at being hot. I am the best heater on Erid. Adrian is also a good heater. We will insulate the problem.”
Before you can protest, Rocky moves with surprising gentleness. He doesn't crowd you; instead, he maneuvers his heavy, five-sided body so that he is braced against your back, his warm carapace pressing firmly against your spine. The heat is immediate and intense, sinking through your shirt and into your aching muscles. It’s a dry, deep warmth that seems to vibrate.
Adrian doesn't want to be left out. She climbs onto the other side, tucking her limbs in and resting her front-side near your abdomen, being careful not to put her full weight on you. She feels like a living stone warmed by a desert sun.
Ryland watches them with a look of pure, unadulterated affection, full of care. "I think you've been secured by the Eridian Heating Company," he jokes. He crawls into the middle of the pile, slotting himself behind Rocky so he can still reach over and hold your hand.
"This is... actually amazing," you whisper. The crushing weight of the Eridians combined with their radiating heat acts like a full-body pressure therapy. The sharp stabs in your stomach begin to dull into a heavy, manageable ache.
Then, the sound starts.
It begins as a low-frequency hum, so deep you feel it in your teeth before you hear it. It’s a rhythmic, pulsing vibration coming from both Rocky and Adrian. It isn't the musical whistling of their speech; it’s more primal, a steady thrum-thrum-thrum that echoes the beat of your own heart.
"Are they... purring?" you ask, your eyes fluttering shut as the tension finally drains from your shoulders.
"Yeah," Ryland whispers, his voice thick with sleepiness. "Rocky told me about this once. When they have 'pebbles'—their young—they communal-sleep. They produce a resonance in their carapaces. It’s meant to stabilize the heart rates of the young and keep them calm while they grow. It’s a biological lullaby."
“You are small,” Rocky’s translator chirps, though his voice is lower now, hushed. “You are un-harmonic. You are pebble today. We vibrate buzz pain away. Sleep now, statement. Grace, sleep. You are noisy when worry.”
Ryland chuckles, his fingers interlacing with yours. "Copy that, Rock'. Sleeping now."
The dome is silent save for that incredible, ancient purring. It’s a sound that has existed on Erid for millions of years, a song of protection and kinship. Nestled between the two aliens and the man who traveled across the stars with you, the pain in your body feels insignificant.
You feel the scar on your side—the one that matches the one on Ryland's arm. It feels warm, almost glowing against the heat of Rocky's shell. You aren't just a human in a dome anymore; you are part of their kin, a family that doesn't care about biology or species, only about the fact that one of their own is hurting.
The lavender and apricot light of the artificial sunset fades into a deep, restful indigo. As the Eridian purring synchronizes, your breathing slows. Ryland’s head drops onto your shoulder, his breath hitching in a soft, rhythmic snore. Adrian shifts her weight, her claws making a tiny, comforting tink against the bed frame.
The last thing you feel before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep is the overwhelming sensation of being loved—not just by a man, but by a planet. You are tucked into the safest place in the universe: a cuddle pile at the edge of the galaxy, guarded by two biological furnaces who think you’re a very poorly engineered, but very dear, friend.
Outside, the Eridian winds howl and bash against the glass, but inside, there is only the warmth, the purring, and the steady, unbreakable bond of home.
yippee, WHAT DO WE THINK GAIS.....once again, many thanks to @/saturnhas274moons and friends for proof-reading/inspiration! much love, Aντίο, atsisveikink, paalam, and adiós! thanks 4 reading!1! 💚🤞 next fic might be ry n u meeting rocky and adrians pebbles EHEHEHEHE....👀
Summery: Small Ficlit about you and Grace thinking about what couldve been.
Authors note: Kinda angst but not really just a little sad.
"I wish I knew you on earth," Grace spoke unprompted, breaking the calm silence that filled the room.
"Yeah?" You ask. Your eyes stayed on the tablet in front of you but your focus shifted to your boyfriend.
"Yeah, and we could've been together back on earth." There was a longing sadness in Grace's voice that you didnt hear often.
This was a topic that you and your boyrfirend liked to dance around. There was no point in talking about how you'd never get to go home and be back on earth since there was nothing to either of you could do about it.
The two of you would talk about what your lives used to be but there wasnt much to be said about them, there was a reason you both were chosen for this mission. The topic made the two of you sad anyway.
It was nice to hear Grace talk about it anyway, he didn't like to open up about how lonely of a life he had back home. So you'd take anything you could get.
"That sounds like it'd be nice honey." You say carefully. Grace was set up on a make shift couch Rocky had made and you sat on the floor leaning against it. You and your boyfriend were just hanging out while your alien friend slept near by.
Graces finger lazily played with your hair as he thought. "I just wonder how things would be different if I met you sooner."
The astronaut paused to think for a moment. Think and collect himself enough to not cry. "Maybe we wouldn't be stuck in space heading to an alien planet." Grace thought allowed, he choked back tears and continued. "Maybe we'd have a real life together."
The sadness in Grace's voice made your heart sink. Completely abandoning the tablet in your hands you sit up and turn to see your boyfriend who was desperatly holding back tears welling up in his eyes.
You reach out a gentle hand to his face which he happily rubs his cheek against softly. "I know what you mean honey but we have a life up here too. A good life. And I'm happy to be stuck in space with you more than anyone else in the world."
Grace looks at you with a soft hope that says 'i want to believe what you're saying is true.' You continue.
"This mission is better than the life I led on earth because I have you with me." You voice is sincere and you look at Grace with such love in your eyes he cant do anything but listen to you.
"Im happy to be stuck with you y/n." You boyfriend says with an exhausted sigh.
"Im happy to be stuck with you too Ryland." You lean up to give yoh boyfriend a tired kiss that he practically melts into.
"Are Grace and y/l/n happy to be stuck with Rocky too question?"
✮ pairing: Ryland Grace x engineer!reader x Rocky
✮ genre.trope: angst, canon divergence, romance, fluff, freindship, found fanmily, project hail mary,
✮ w/c: 3.6k
✮ a/n: Time go fishing scene but with you in it? hmmm
✧ MASTERLIST / ✧AO3
"Grace," y/n says sternly. "I will go, and that is final."
The scientist stands up and towers over her. Who will be the one to retrieve the life on Tau Ceti? This argument has been going on for days now.
"Absolutely not." Grace crosses his arms, staring at y/n.
"Ryland, you realize I can hear the hypocrisy, right?"She sighs and sets down her tools.
"How?"
Their Eridian friend is in a corner, watching his human friends argue over who will risk their lives to save humanity. Y/n raises her eyebrow at him, knowing that he knows what she meant by what she said.
"Well... You know that I can't lo—" He stops himself. "You know what I mean, y/n."
"I know what?! What do I know, Ryland?!" Y/n raises her voice.
She rarely raised her voice at him. But after years aboard the Hail Mary, after being trapped millions of kilometers away from home with only him and Rocky, the thought of losing him was something she couldn't simply accept.
And judging by the look in Grace's eyes, he felt the exact same way.
Rocky senses the tension and rise of blood pressure between them. "Y/n comes."
He and y/n look at Rocky. "Rocky—" Grace looked offended.
"Grace makes bad decisions alone. His carapace rises, trying to give them a reason to stop fighting. It doesn't really help.
"Thank you, Rocky." Y/n is relieved that she has a friend on her side. "Y/n engineer. Y/n friend has more knowledge on ship." Rocky chirps.
"Okay. Fine. Let's look at the situation objectively." Grace puts on his glasses. Properly.
Y/n crosses her arms. "Oh no."
"What?"
"You're doing the scientist voice." Grace ignores it.
"I have the most experience with astrophage. I understand the tau-moeba better than anyone else on this ship. Rocky and I have already mapped the process." He tries to reason logically.
"That doesn't mean you have to go alone."
"Yes, it does."
Y/n goes quiet. Because he isn't saying it arrogantly, he's saying it because he genuinely believes it.
"You really think you're the only one capable of doing this?" She finally speaks up.
"No." A pause. "I think I'm the most likely to come back."
"Grace should go." Rocky's voice cuts through their argument.
They both looked at him, surprised by his sudden change of sides. "Rocky?"
"Grace has knowledge. Y/n has no knowledge. But mission requires Grace."
Y/n stares at him, offended. "You're agreeing with him?"
"No." He pauses. "Rocky agrees with math."
And for the first time in a few hours, the ship was filled with silence. The two are thinking of possible ways to convince the other to let them go.
Y/n shifts in her seat. "You want me to stay behind because you think I can't do it."
"No." She freezes, Grace, looking at her, frustrated.
"That's the problem. I know you can do it." His voice lowers. "I know you're capable. I know you're brilliant. I know you can handle yourself."
He pauses.
"That's why I'm scared."
Y/n's expression softens, hearing what the scientist she has been arguing with for days said.
"Because... Because I know exactly how much I have to lose." Grace tears up.
Y/n had expected him to argue. She expected calculations, statistics, and reasons. She did not expect fear.
Another wave of silence follows. But not the uncomfortable type—A type where they finally understand each other.
"Fine." Y/n sniffles through her tears. "You convinced me."
Grace's face lit up, and before he could stop himself, he crossed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug.
Y/N froze because Grace wasn't usually like this. He was affectionate, yes. But he was calculated. Careful. He always thought before he acted. This time, he didn't.
"Thank you."
"Oh— um.. You're welcome?" Y/n was surprised by the sudden hug from her crewmate.
He realizes what he did and immediately lets go of her. "Sorry I—"
"You hugged me." Y/n smirks.
"Yes. I noticed."
"You don't have to apologize."
"Both humans are emotional," Rocky chirps.
"Rocky—"
"But Grace is correct," Rocky continues working on his xenonite projects. "But y/n should prepare emergency plan because Grace is also stupid."
"Thank you, Rocky." Y/n wipes her tears.
"I don't like that everyone keeps agreeing I'm stupid.
~
It was time. Rocky was getting ready in the cockpit, while y/n was helping Grace get into the EVA suit.
"Don't die." Y/n puts on Grace's helmet. Grace chuckles, "I promise," locking the helmet in place. Y/n stood there, staring at Grace. And without thinking about it, she hugs him. "Please..?"
Grace freezes, then smiles. The normally composed engineer was hugging him in his EVA suit, "Mhmm."
"You're surprisingly comfortable to hug in your EVA suit." She lets go. "Well.. It's go time?"
"It's go time." Grace nods.
"See you, Dr. Captain Ryland Grace." Y/n talks through the intercom, whilst saluting at the entrance of the EVA suit room.
"See you too, Engineer Captain Y/n Y/l/n." Grace salutes back.
Y/n takes a last look at Ryland and walks towards the cockpit. She sits in the captain's chair, turning on the intercom. "Grace? Can you hear me?"
"Yes. Clearly." Grace replies through the intercom.
Rocky nods at Y/n to signal that the mission was ready. Y/n flicks on the engine and starts to drive towards Adrian.
"Time go fishing, question?" Rocky's voice echoes through the intercom. "It's now or never." Grace replies to Rocky.
Rocky presses a button, and the thousands of meters of chain made by the Eridian start falling down from the ship. "Three thousand meters. Probe signal, good." Rocky reads the readings on his device. The collector was then opened by a button to start collecting Tau-moeba.
"Now comes the fun part." Grace breathes out to ready himself to go out into the hull.
"Grace go out on hull to retrieve collector? No fun at all." Rocky's carapace faces y/n. "It's a joke, Rocky." Y/n tells the Eridian.
"Oh, Humor. Confusing." Rocky tilts.
"Ready, Grace?" Y/n asks. "I thi— Yes."
Grace finally heads out onto the hull, tying himself to the handrails Y/n had prepared for him. "Oh, You gotta be kidding me." He breathes out.
Ryland's statement makes y/n scared. But before she could say anything, Rocky spoke up. "What problem, question?"
"It's fine. The sky is just..." He trails off. "...slightly on fire."
Y/N stared at the monitor displaying his vitals. His heart rate was climbing, but somehow that wasn't the number that scared her. It was the fact that she could hear how calm he sounded.
"You can do this, Ry." Y/n encourages him. "Words of encouragement." Rocky follows.
Grace smiles. "You can't just say words of encouragement." Making y/n giggle.
"Words of great encouragement."Made y/n giggle harder before locking in to making sure the ship was stable.
"Nope."
The next few minutes were filled with Grace slowly walking along the hull while the ship was maneuvering backwards so it wouldn't decelerate to the point of crashing into the planet due to extreme drag.
"I'm not worried. Are you worried?" Grace pants through the intercoms.
"Yes." Rocky and Y/n reply in unison.
The hull creaks with the immense pressure it is withholding. "Collector is closed. Move into position." Rocky orders.
Y/n and Rocky can hear Grace smashing the device Rocky had made on the hull to retrieve the collector. The chain began retracting at high speeds, making Ryland step back. "Woahh."
"You okay?" Y/n checks up on him. "Never been better."
They then hear multiple hits on the ship. "How long is this supposed to take?" Grace asks. "Collector should be here soon."
Y/n keeps on monitoring Grace's vitals, making sure that he is stable. His heart rate is climbing higher, something to be expected while doing a mission like this.
"Yeah, it's here." Grace watches the collector snap back to the hull. "Amaze amaze amaze!" Rocky chirps and y/n sighs in relief.
Grace gets the collector as it almost falls off, but he catches it quickly. "Careful. Collector important."
"Yep."
Y/n reads an altitude warning on one of the monitors. "Grace, quickly. There's an altitude warning." He hears Y/n's worried voice through the intercom and quickly makes his way back.
He watches the Hail Mary descend lower into the atmosphere of Adrian. "Hurry. Hurry."
And before Grace knew it, he was hit by a loose part of the ship, knocking him out. Y/n immediately heard the thud and looked at Grace's vitals. "GRACE?!"
No answer.
With his Eridian 'vision', Rocky looks through the walls and sees Grace passed out on the hull. "Grace!"
"Ryland. Status update. Status update!" Y/n shouts out into the intercom, distressed.
"Grace is safe, question?" You could also hear the worry in Rocky's chirps.
Grace's eyes flutter open, "I'm okay."
Y/n sighs in relief because she was about to get up and get out into the hull without an EVA suit. "Good good good. Come inside with predator collector now."
He looks over the hull and sees the collector dangling. "Uhh..."
"Warning: exterior temperature elevated." Mary's voice echoes throughout the ship. "Come on, Grace." Y/n encourages him.
Grace watches as the ship is starting to fall apart, while Rocky watches the situation through his Eridian 'vision'. He sees the collector dangling over the edge while Grace is staring at it. "No Grace. Bad idea. Come inside."
"What is happening?!" Y/n looks at Rocky.
"Need to have a minute." Grace mumbles loud enough so that the intercom can come through.
Rocky moves in distress, and the chords coming out of him were pitches higher. "No no no no. Grace will die. Can repeat mission. Can try again later."
"Grace, whatever you're doing, stop it." Y/n flicks levers and presses buttons to try and stabilize the ship. "Grace, please!"
"I don't think there's going to be a later." He mumbles.
For a moment, Y/N forgot about the mission. Forgot about humanity. Forgot about the millions of lives depending on them. All she heard was Ryland Grace, the man who promised her he would come back.
And he sounded like he was saying goodbye.
"Abort abort abort! Grace wil die!" Rocky was moving frantically. "No no no no no no no no!"
Rocky and Y/n hear multiple slides and thuds on the hull. "Grace!" Y/n shouts. He groans and grunts through the intercom.
Then another thud on the air lock, followed by footsteps. "I'm here!"
"Amaze amaze amaze!" Rocky chirps.
He makes his way to the cockpit to be strapped in place for takeoff. "Are you okay, Grace?!" Y/n was on the verge of tears.
"Well, I'm not dead, so yes." He hurriedly gets strapped into another chair in the cockpit. And Y/n straps the collector in another.
"Where is that noise coming from?" He acknowledges the loud noises coming from a direction in the ship. "Noise is coming from all around. It's routed to the port side of bedroom." Rocky answers.
"The gravity is tearing the ship apart!" The final buckle in his straps finally clicks.
"We leave now, question?" Rocky asks.
"We leave now, statement." Grace looks at y/n, nodding.
Y/n pushes a button and turns on the engine, pulling the lever to push the ship away from Adrian's atmosphere. The Hail Mary starts accelerating, and the alarms grow louder.
Too loud.
Mary's warnings overlapped with the sounds of metal tearing apart, making it almost impossible to think.
"Hull pressure warning," Mary announced calmly.
Y/n gripped the controls tighter. "That is a very calm way to say the ship is falling apart."
"Mary is designed to maintain composure during emergency situations." Grace tried to help y/n maintain composure.
"Well, I am not." Grace looks over at her. Even through the panic, even through the loud alarms blaring in their ears, he noticed her hands were shaking. "Y/n."
She didn't look away from the controls. "I'm fine."
"You're lying."
"You're the one to talk."
A shaky laugh escaped both of them. For a moment, they looked at each other. And despite everything happening around them, Grace smiled slightly.
"Hull benind in big room below bedroom!" Rocky warns.
"That's the fuel tanks." Grace replies.
"Holes! Bad bad bad." Rocky repeats the words while Mary is talking over him.
"Calm down." Grace shouts. "CALM DOWN!"
"Try to keep yourself together, Mary." Y/n grits through her teeth, pulling the lever harder than ever.
"Stop engine now?" Rocky asks y/n. "Not yet."
"We need to get into orbit, or we'll crash," Grace explains.
The alarms grew even louder and lights started flashing. "I have an idea. First no crash..." Rocky says and Grace leans back in his chair in disbelief. "...then not explode. Deal?"
"Deal!" Both of the humans turn towards Rocky and give a thumbs down.
"Hold on." Y/n looks around the monitors, waiting for the ship to get into orbit. The lever shakes with her hands.
"Now?!" You could absolutely hear the panic in Rocky's chirps.
"Wait."
"Now?!"Now?!"
Y/n waits a few more seconds. "NOW!"
Grace and Rocky press buttons to stop the engines. Everything went silent for a moment. No alarms, no metal, no hull creaking, no voice of Mary screaming in your ears.
Rocky stars floating, along with his devices, inside his tube. "Did we do it?" Grace screams out.
Grace and Y/n's buckles come off from the zero gravity. Then a thud sounds from Rocky. One of his devices falls to the glass.
Weird.
Suddenly, the ship moves on its own, and the seats on the tracks of the cockpit move towards the viewport. Grace luckily stops himself from crashing, but Y/n was a different story.
Ryland hears a thud and looks over to see Y/n passed out on the chair. She hit her head on the glass. "Y/N!" The fear in his voice was immediate. He pushes himself toward her, grabbing onto the rails to pull himself across the cockpit.
"Y/N. Hey. Hey, wake up."
Nothing.
His heart drops.
"Hull breach. Portside fuel compartment, eleven and twelve." Mary cuts off the emotional scene playing in front of Rocky.
Grace buckles Y/n back down in her seat, and with the last of his strength, he pulls himself across the cockpit to stabilize the ship. "Grace! What happened, question?" Rocky cries out.
"Y/n hit her head, and the fuel is migrating to Adrian." He says through his tears.
"Y/N!" Rocky calls out. "Eject that fuel bay, question?!"
The ship getting thrown around made it really hard for Grace to maneuver through the cockpit. "Yeah."
With one hand on the handrails, he tries his best to reach the button on the other side to eject the fuel bays.
He successfully ejects one.
The ship was not spinning at a speed it was not built to handle. Rocky was thrown against a glass, and he cried out. "Rocky!" Grace calls out to his hurt Eridian friend.
"Eject other fuel bay." Rocky orders in the midst of his injuries.
He successfully ejects the other.
But in return, he hit his head into the controls, knocking Grace and Rocky out.
The ship continued to spin, but everything was silent.
Rocky wakes up shortly after, calling out to Grace. His translator no longer worked, so only his chirps were audible. But for Grace, he couldn't hear anything. He fluttered his eyes open one thing was on his mind.
Turn on the centrifugal gravity system.
He manages to flick one of the levers, but the other one is simply too far. He falls out of consciousness again.
Rocky cries out to him as an attempt to wake them up. It doesn't work. The next thing he knew, Rocky was smashing the glass he made to reach Grace and Y/n.
Ammonia leaks out into Grace and Y/n's atmosphere, immediately poisoning Rocky with oxygen. He cries out in pain but pushes through to flick the last lever to turn on the centrifugal gravity system.
Grace and y/n's chair return to its normal position with the help of gravity. Rocky was struggling but persevered and unlocked the two from their chairs.
The eridian's body started to produce smoke as he dragged the scientist and engineer by the arm. He screams out in pain as he arrives in the dormitories.
Armando grabs Grace and Y/n and places them into their respective pods to heal.
Grace wakes up for a moment and sees a glimpse of Rocky producing amounts of black smoke from his body. He tried to get up but couldn't due to the condition of his body.
He looks over to Y/n and sees her reaching out to him. Grace extended an arm, and their fingers touched. And just like that, they fall out of consciousness again.
~
"Eye movement detected." Mary's calm voice echoes throughout the ship. "Good morning, Dr. Grace."
Grace slowly gets up from the bed, removing the device that helped him breathe.
He was in a daze. He looks behind him and sees y/n still asleep.
For a moment, Grace didn't remember where he was. The last thing he remembered was the Hail Mary spinning, alarms blaring, and y/n's voice calling his name.
Ryland gathers his strength to stand up and slowly walk over to her. He holds her hand and rubs it with his thumb.
Her head was wrapped with bandages, clearly sustaining more injuries than him. Ryland smiles, glad that she was okay and recovering beside him.
He looks around and sees a trail of black goo and powder. Following it while stumbling, using the handrails on this ship to keep him up. He didn't want to follow the trail.
Some part of him already knew.
But another part—the scientist part—needed evidence.
His eyes start watering as the trail leads him towards the lab. There, he sees Rocky in his enclosure, lying down.
Ryland leans down, and Rocky weakly turns to him. His chords were low and quiet. Grace nods, understanding by what Rocky had said. "I'll watch you sleep, pal."
He looks around, trying not to show the Eridian that he was crying. "But uh— You gotta wake up." He taps against the glass.
Shortly after, Y/n wakes up to the quiet sniffles of Ryland. She stumbles over to where the sound was coming from. Every step reminded her that her body was still recovering, but she didn't care.
She knew that sound. She knew the difference between Ryland thinking and Ryland hurting.
Then, she was greeted by the sight of Rocky lying down, and Grace sitting and crying next to him.
Y/n sat down with Grace, crying together with him. "Watching him sleep?" She mumbles.
Grace just nods.
Y/N rested her head against his shoulder. "He's going to hate that you saw him this emotional."
Grace lets out a broken laugh. "He already thinks I'm stupid."
"You are stupid."
"Y/N."
"But you're his human."
~
Days had passed since Grace and Y/n woke up. They have done everything they can to make Rocky comfortable. Made him a heat lamp and fixed his enclosure.
Then Grace found the translator he had made, flipped over. He called Y/n to show what Rocky said in his final moments.
<Save Earth, Save Erid.>
It was rough, but they pushed through. Y/n worked on repairing the ship's system first, as she isn't strong enough to work in EVA. Grace worked on studying the Tau-moeba they had gathered.
Every time they passed Rocky's body, they silently wished he would wake up. But then Grace called Y/n over to show her his scientific breakthrough.
Tay-moeba destroyed the Astrophage.
They cried for hours. They finally had something to save Earth. To save Erid.
Eventually, Ryland develops nitrogen-resistant Tau-moeba using the breeder tanks Rocky had made.
Of course, they didn't forget to document the process, to show Rocky later on when he wakes up.
~
Y/n found Ryland sleeping next to Rocky's enclosure one night, and from that night on, it became their bedroom. In the lab, right next to Rocky.
Ryland was leaning against Rocky's enclosure, asleep, while Y/n was sleeping on his lap.
Suddenly, a light turns on, followed by a few thuds.
"Shhh..." Grace shushes the completely asleep Y/n.
"Grace? Y/n?" Rocky asks.
Grace slowly wakes up, stretching, also waking up y/n. "Rock, could you just— Give me a little... Chance, please..." He opens his eyes to look inside the enclosure.
Rocky isn't there.
Y/n sits up, her back towards Grace and the enclosure. She hears hurried rustling and looks back to see Ryland hugging Rocky's ball...
...with Rock inside it.
She tears up and hugs Rocky with him too. After a few minutes of quiet sniffling from both of the humans, they finally stand back.
"Did we find predator, question?" Rocky asks.
Grace slowly nods his head side to side, then up and down. "No? Yes?" Rocky's carapace tilts.
Ryland then heads towards the lab, signaling Rocky to follow him. But Rocky stays behind for a bit, facing towards Y/n. "Welcome back, buddy." Y/n smiles at him.
Rocky chirps, and they both follow Ryland to nerd out about nitrogen-resistant Tau-moeba.
~
a/n: SUCH CUTIES. I had to cry while writing this because I had to watch the time go fishing scene (which is honestly the most tense and emotional scene) TYSM FOR THE SUPPORT!! I really really appreate it. A like and reblog, would be GREATLY appreciated <3
super short tiny little baby snippet of a Ryland Grace x reader oneshot I am working on, I just found this too funny to keep to myself!
“Question?” Rocky says suddenly making Grace blink several times.
"What?"
“Grace not listening.”
"I was listening."
“False. Grace was staring at Grace’s mate.”
Your head immediately drops into your hands.
Rocky continues before either of you can recover.
“This is opposite of listening. Is something wrong with friend (y/n), question?”
"Oh my God," he mutters.
"Do not invoke deity. Answer question."
You are laughing so hard you nearly fall out of your chair.
Grace wishes, not for the first time, that alien spiders understood embarrassment. Unfortunately Rocky possesses the social subtlety of a sledgehammer.
“Grace stare often.” Rocky observes.
"I do not!” Grace attempts, rather futilely, to defend himself.
"False."
"You cannot just say false every time—"
"Can. Just did."
And Rocky taps his claws together, clearly pleased with himself.
warnings: lack of sleep is taking its toll on him; angry Rocky; cuddling, some flirting; Reader is in danger; Reader is hurt; Ryland is caring and sweet; Rocky is a menace
note : life on Hail Mary - lack of sleep, danger, but also the need for closeness.
A/N: Nothing special. I had one scene in mind, so I had to write everything around it. I wanted to thank you all because I see you're reading. It means a lot to me. It's hard to get back into writing after a break…
[Ryland Grace masterlist] [main masterlist]
"Grace stupid."
You looked up from your tablet at Rocky, who was shifting restlessly inside his xenonite enclosure. You couldn’t see a face, if he even had one, but his posture made it obvious: he was irritated. Ryland, meanwhile, dragged a hand through his hair, only making it worse. He was clearly sulking.
"Easy, buddy," he muttered, pointing at Rocky before turning to you. "Did you hear what he just called me?"
You pressed your lips together, setting your tablet aside with deliberate care. "Well… Grace, I don’t think he’s entirely wrong."
Ryland threw his hands up. "Wow. Okay. You’re taking his side!"
"You and Rocky alliance. Good. Grace still stupid."
For hours, the lab had been filled with intense work and loud arguments. The experiment they’d been so sure about had failed immediately. Neither of them gave up, of course, just pivoted, recalculated, argued, and tried again.
If not for you, Grace and Rocky would’ve forgotten to eat entirely. And when they ignored you, you had to physically herd them away like stubborn children, promising they could come back once they’d finished their food.
You checked your watch. Nearly sixteen hours. No wonder Grace was getting sloppy. No wonder Rocky was irritated.
"You need to lie down," you said, stepping toward Ryland. "You need sleep."
"I don’t need…"
You took the tools from his hands and pushed his goggles up onto his forehead.
"Don’t argue with me," you said firmly. "Rocky’s right. When you’re tired, you get irritable and act… stupid."
He rolled his eyes but didn’t fight you. "I just want this to work. We’re close. I can feel it. Another hour or two and…"
"And then Armando gets to hook you up to life support? No. You’re done."
Rocky shifted slightly in his enclosure, pretending not to listen, but he failed. "Grace must sleep. You correct. You smarter than Grace."
You bit back a laugh and rested a hand on Ryland’s shoulder before he could respond. The last thing you needed was another argument on the Hail Mary.
"You take Grace to sleep, question? You watch Grace, question?"
That got you thinking. Rocky rarely asked to be replaced while watching Grace, not like this. He must have been in a really bad mood right now.
"I promise," you said gently, tapping the transparent wall. "Everything okay, Rocky?"
"Will be good after Grace sleeps.” But he tapped lightly in return.
You took Ryland’s arm and led him toward the dorm.
"He likes you more than me," Grace muttered, glancing back.
"Don’t be jealous," you said quietly. You knew Rocky could hear every word anyway. And you also knew he’d still be listening.
The dorm lights were dim. Grace kicked off his Converse and set his glasses aside with zero precision. At some point, the two of you had pushed your mattresses together. One was too narrow. Two were better. Safer, and somehow less lonely.
He collapsed onto the bed with a long sigh. You sat against the wall, picking up a jumpsuit and examining the tear in the sleeve. Quiet work felt right while he rested. Maybe you’d put on an audiobook, there were still so many left in the archive.
"What are you doing?" His voice pulled you out of your thoughts.
"I’ve got a suit to repair," you said, holding it up.
"Don’t be ridiculous. Come here."
"You need sleep."
"Yeah, and how am I supposed to sleep if you’re sitting over there?" He propped himself up, frowning. "It’s bad enough Rocky’s probably still listening, maybe watching too."
You sighed. You weren’t winning this one. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. It’s science. Probably. I mean, there are studies…l, okay, I don’t remember them exactly, but it sounds like something science would support."
You raised an eyebrow. "That sounds made up."
"It is. But it’s also true."
"...Wow. Okay."
You slipped off your shoes and lay down beside him. For a moment, neither of you spoke. Just the distant hum of the ship, the faint sounds of the lab far away.
Then…
"I’m really glad you’re here. I mean…not glad you’re on a suicide mission. That part is objectively terrible. But… you being here is not terrible." he said. "I mean…this whole situation sucks, obviously. But… yeah. I’m glad it’s you."
You smiled softly. "I’m glad too. Though I would’ve preferred meeting you under better circumstances. Dinner or something like this, maybe."
Ryland swallowed. "Wait…really? You mean, like… a date?"
"Yes. A date. If you wanted."
"Yes…” he said immediately. Too immediately. Then he froze. "I mean…yes. Hypothetically. In a purely theoretical, post-not-dying scenario…yes."
You laughed. "Good. Then when this is over, that’s the first thing we’re doing."
He smiled, softer now. "Deal," he said, and paused. "That sounded too intense. I didn’t mean it like, okay, I’m going to stop talking now."
Your hand found his, your fingers threading together naturally. "You should be asleep," you murmured.
"Working on it." Grace yawned, his eyes already slipping shut. "My brain is currently running three parallel processes," he muttered. "One is exhausted, one is trying to solve the experiment, and one is… this." He gestured vaguely between you. "This one is the least efficient."
You smiled softly. "And which one is winning?"
"None," he mumbled. "Total system failure imminent."
You let out a quiet breath, your thumb brushing lightly against his hand.
"Dr. Grace," you said softly, "I once read a study that said hugging reduces stress. Don’t you think that, combined with your current research, we might…"
"I think that’s an excellent idea," he murmured, cutting in before you could finish. "Groundbreaking. Nobel Prize. Minimum."
His voice faded at the edges, words blurring as sleep caught up with him. You shifted closer, careful, resting lightly against him. For a second, he went still, just for a second,then relaxed. His breathing slowed, evening out, steady and warm beneath your cheek. You stayed like that, listening. It wasn’t ideal. It wasn’t what you would have chosen. But it was good. Somehow.
Rocky was already waiting when you stepped back into the lab. "Grace sleep efficiency improved, question."
You blinked. “Yes?"
"Good. Rocky observations confirm."
Ryland groaned behind you. "Oh no. What did you observe?"
"Heart rate lower. Breathing stable. Grace not stupid during sleep."
You pressed your lips together. "Rocky…"
"Also," he added, "proximity to you increases Grace survival probability."
Ryland froze. "I…what?"
"Conclusion: you stay close to Grace. For science." A pause. "Rocky approve."
Ryland buried his face in his hands. "I’m never going to recover from this."
++++++
"How are you doing?"
Ryland’s voice came through the intercom in your helmet.
"She fine. Question." Rocky said from somewhere in the background.
"It’s fine, Rocky. One more spot and I’m done," you replied.
You clipped yourself to the railing and moved along the Hail Mary’s hull. The damage wasn’t severe, but it needed fixing. The welder Rocky had modified worked perfectly, sealing the hull faster than expected.
Even before you left the airlock, you had to deal with Grace. He didn’t like you going out alone, it made him anxious.
"I’ll be fine," you had told him, pulling on your suit. "Eat something. Get some rest. I know what I’m doing."
"I know," he muttered, adjusting his glasses. "I just… I worry, okay? You’re…I mean, you matter. To the mission. And…just… don’t die, okay?"
"Okay," you smiled, squeezing his shoulder. "Two hours. I’ll be back."
He nodded, but it didn’t really reassure him.
"How are you doing?" he asked again now, over the intercom. "Not trying to be pushy. Rocky’s worried."
"Rocky is not worried. She knows what she is doing. Smarter than Grace."
You smiled. "A few more minutes. What if…"
The ship jolted. The welder slipped from your grip, but you caught it just in time. Another jolt.
"Something’s wrong with the engine…I think it’s a short…I’m fixing it…just…hold on… are you there? Can you hear me?"
"I am, just…"
The next pull yanked you off the railing. The tether snapped tight, then recoiled like a whip, slamming you into the hull. Your head slammed into the helmet. A dull crack echoed in your ears. The air punched out of your lungs, nothing left, just panic and silence.
"Grace! She needs help. Grace! Focus. Fix engine. Now."
You couldn’t answer. Everything spun.
"Are you there? Can you hear me? Say something, please."
"Quick, quick, quick."
Warmth spread across your lips. Metallic. Blood. Your fingers tightened around the welder pressed to your chest as another violent tug shook you. You grabbed the railing again, pain shooting through your arm.
"She there. Time critical. Grace, take her."
The buzzing in your head grew louder. Nausea rolled through you. You clung to the railing, your only anchor. Your vision dimmed.
You were lying on something soft.
"Eye movement detected."
You tried to move, but a hand caught yours. His thumb brushed over your knuckles before he let go, like he wasn’t sure he should. He pulled back a little too quickly.
"Hey. Easy."
Ryland.
You opened your eyes briefly, too bright, then shut them again.
"You had a minor concussion," he said, voice quieter now. "Some bruising. You’re okay. Medical system patched you up. You scared us."
"You came for me?" you whispered.
"Of course I did," he said immediately. "Statistically, you’re my favorite person."
"There are no other people here, Grace," Rocky pointed out.
Your lips twitched. You touched your head and felt the bandage under your fingers.
"You should lie down," Ryland said.
"You’re not that kind of doctor."
"Still counts. You’re concussed. You don’t get opinions."
You let out a weak breath that might have been a laugh. "You look tired."
"I’m not," he said quickly. "I’ll stay."
And he did.
When you woke again, hours had passed. Grace didn’t mean to fall asleep, his hand was still loosely wrapped around yours. Rocky watched over both of you.
Later, you managed to sit up. Then stand.
"I didn’t thank you," you said quietly as Ryland steadied you. "You saved me."
"You’d have done the same," he replied, watching you carefully. You scared us." He paused „You scared me."
"I’m sorry."
"Don’t be. Just… next time, you’re staying inside."
Two days later, you were moving on your own again, though neither of them let you do any real work. After you failed to complete your work outside the ship, someone had to do it. The choice wasn't difficult, or rather, you no longer had a say.
"Grace worried. Very, very, very," Rocky said.
"I know," you replied, watching Ryland on the screen outside. "He’s nice, isn’t he?"
"Grace heart rate changes when you speak."
You smiled faintly. "I like him too. And I like you too, Rocky."
"Grace observes you. Often. When you not looking."
"Rocky, stop." You felt yourself blushing and a strange shiver ran down your neck.
"Why stop? This is data."
You blinked. You looked up from the screen and looked at your friend. "What? No, we’re just friends."
"Grace looks at you differently. You look at him that way also. Grace very worried."
You glanced back at the screen, Grace still working. You knew you would have followed him without hesitation, whether his life was in danger or he suddenly decided to fly to the other side of the universe.
"It’s complicated," you said softly. "Humans are complicated."
A click.
"I’m done," Ryland’s voice came through the radio. "Heading back."
"I’m waiting for you. Be careful."
You saw the thumbs-up and smiled. You didn’t see it, the way he smiled, just for a second.
The airlock hissed open. You were already there waiting for him to help him with the suit. Ryland stepped inside, pulling off his helmet too fast, eyes finding you immediately.
"Hey," he said, a little breathless.
"Hey."
He crossed the distance without thinking. He ignored your hands that were waiting to take the helmet from him and threw it to the ground. "Don't do that again, don't go out there alone." he said quietly. "Please."
"I’ll try."
"That’s not…" he stopped, exhaled. "Okay. Fine."
His hand found yours, like it had before, but this time he didn’t hesitate.
“I thought I lost you,” he whispered. “When I came back for you… I’ll never forget it. And being there now, I kept thinking about it.”
“You didn’t lose me, Grace.”
“Yeah,” he murmured. “I didn’t.”
But he didn’t move away, not even a little. You were standing too close now. His thumb brushed over your knuckles, slower, more deliberate. The look in his eyes was different than usual.
Your lips. Your eyes. Back again. Something shifted.
"Grace. Heart rate elevated."
Neither of you reacted.
"Significant. Cause: you."
You let out a soft breath, but neither of you pulled away. Ryland leaned in, closer. Close enough that you could feel his breath, uneven and warm. He hesitated, just for a fraction of a second, like he was giving himself one last chance to stop.
"Data indicates—"
Ryland closed the distance. The kiss was soft and careful. A little unsure at first, like he wasn’t entirely convinced this was real. Then his hand tightened slightly around yours, and something in him settled, and it was real. You touched his cheek gently, feeling his soft stubble under your fingers.
"—contact established," Rocky finished.
Ryland pulled back enough to look at you. His blue eyes were wide, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just done.
"…Okay," he breathed.
A beat of your heart.
"Statistically," he added quietly, "that was a good decision."
You laughed softly, and then he smiled, gently, a little crooked, but completely sincere. And this time, when he leaned in again, he didn't hesitate.
When everything around you was so crazy and dangerous, when you lived with the feeling that the end might soon come, this closeness was what you craved. What you deserved. What you wanted to wrest from fate together.
Hi! Viv! How are you! I wonder if I can do a fluff request! What if Jamil, Silver, Floyd, and Jade (separately) has a mutual crush on a reader who is blind (but is a badass witch because she senses magic instead of relying on her vision) She is confident when it comes to her magical capabilities but a bit insecure when she felt chosen by people. I mean, who would want to date someone who can't even see their significant other's face?
crushing on the badass blind witch !
summary: they have a crush on the reader who is skillful with magic but is also blind, how will they confess?
a/n: i’m sorry this took so long T-T i was having writers block then ideas came to me one day at 4am so ignore typos or mistakes..
masterlist. ☕︎ buy me a matcha?
jamil
jamil liked you because you didn’t take shit from anyone. you weren’t some helpless blind girl no you could take anyone and could do things for yourself.
he liked how confident you were in your skills, and how you knew what you were doing. you would often come over and help out scarabia with homework and magic skills, teach them a few tricks as well.
jamil grew fond of you, he would find himself making meals for you as a token of gratitude for helping him out but would brush it off as he just made too much food and decided to give you some.
he never let you help out in the kitchen but would allow you to taste test (which he never needed but he needs an excuse to be around you)
the two of you were never ones to rely on people but when you’re with each other, you couldn't help but lean on each other for help. it was a strange feeling but not necessarily a bad one, just different.
“so?”
“hm,” you smack your lips; pretending to think deeply, “no poison and it taste delicious,” you smirked as jamil scoffed.
"I would hope so."
“can never be too careful.”
jamil smiled as he looked at you fondly for a moment before speaking up
“wanna help me?”
“huh..?” you can hear and feel jamil shuffling closer towards you, “I don’t think this is a good idea jamil…”
“you’re not going to do anything crazy, just put the ingredients in the bowl then mix. simple.”
jamil stood behind you, you could feel his chest pressed against your back as he guided your hands towards each ingredient.
“don’t be nervous. I won’t let anything happen to you, you’re doing good.”
the only reason you were so nervous was because of how close jamil was. being blind heightened your other senses but with jamil it’s like they increased to the max.
all you could pay attention to how gentle his calloused fingers were against your hands, how you could hear him trying to control his breathing, and smell his cologne mixing with the aroma of fresh seasoned food.
you felt him stop both you and his hands from mixing but jamil didn’t let up.
he stayed behind you, hands still on yours.
“that wasn’t so bad was it?” still not moving.
“jamil…”
he knew he should move but his body wouldn’t listen to him. he surprisingly really liked being close to you.
jamil sighed before turning you to face him, “y/n. I.. I like you. a lot. you’ve always been very independent which is one thing I love about you but will you lean on me a bit?”
“jamil… you don’t want this.. I can’t.. I can’t do that to you.. I can’t see..”
he furrowed his eyebrows, moving his hands up to cup your face.
“that doesn’t matter. that never bothered me. it doesn’t matter if you can see or not. where’s that confident girl I know and love?”
you fidget with the ends of his hoodie
“give it a chance? you can put your trust in me.”
you shook your head, “i’ve always trusted you jamil. I.. I really like you too, I’ll lean on you only if you lean on me as well. i’m pretty dependable too.” you cracked a small smile which made jamil smile as well.
“anything for you.”
silver
silver respected you. he saw how you could handle yourself, you didn’t need anyone’s help and you were incredible with magic.
the two of you ended up training together, making each other stronger. you were a challenge to one another, pushing each other to be stronger. all thanks to lilia honestly.
he caught on silvers little crush before silver himself plus he thought you guys were a perfect pair.
silver always silently admired you which you could feel but sometimes you couldn’t tell. there’s times during lunch while you’re eating, you feel like someone’s watching you. of course you don’t know who it is so you have to ask your friends but they always say they never see anyone looking at you.
mainly because silver catches on and adverts his eyes somewhere else with a small blush.
“okay I think that’s enough training. you sound like you’re about to pass out silver.”
silver huffed as he slacked down against a tree, “i’m fine… just haven’t been sleeping well.”
you looked surprised as you took a couple steps towards where his voice was coming from and sat down.
“that doesn’t sound like you at all, are you feeling okay?” you slowly move your hands, trying to find where his were
silver pulled you closer to him as he placed your hands on his face, he assumed you wanted to check his body temperature which is slowly rising
“yeah just been thinking. sometimes I dream about it too which causes me to wake up.”
“are they nightmares?”
“no.”
silver closed his eyes as you felt around his face and neck, checking to see if he was okay.
“I dream about you.” he muttered as he leaned more into your touch.
“I think about these strange feelings I have when I look at you, when i’m near you,” silver whispered as if he was already asleep, “you appear in my dreams. sometimes we spar like earlier, sometimes we’re just in each others arms. I like those dreams, I like when i’m in your arms.”
you felt warm, he sounds like he’s half asleep. does he know what he’s saying?
“silver? do you actually mean that? do you know what you’re saying right now..?”
silver slowly open his eyes to see how tense you look, “of course I do. I really like being with you y/n.”
“I- I like being around you too silver but i’m not sure you would want to be around me all the time..”
that woke silver up as he straightened up.
“why wouldn’t I?”
“i’m blind silver, nobody wants to be around the blind girl.”
“I do. you being blind doesn’t change anything.”
your hands slip down, pulling away from him but silver moved them around his neck.
“y/n… you’re one of the strongest person I know. you may not be able to see with your eyes but you see the world through everything else and that’s beautiful. I want to see your world and be part of it, if you’ll let me.”
you felt tears welting up but held back, letting out a small chuckle
“you’re quite the charmer aren’t you?”
“i’m just being honest with you.” silver lightly pushed a strand of hair behind your ear.
silver is quite the gentleman that made you forget all the dark thoughts that built up in your head.
“I would love for you to be part of my world silver.” silver gave a gentle smile then brought your hand up to his mouth kissing your knuckles before diving down to lay a kiss on your cheek.
floyd
you were so interesting to him. he can’t help but mess with you.
you were fun. he liked sneaking up on you seeing how long it took for you to notice him. although you could always sense him as soon as he gets in your vicinity which made it fun and a challenge for him.
you didn’t know why floyd would follow you around, you knew floyd would latch onto things he found interesting but would soon get rid of them once he was bored.
sure he was with you now but you knew he would throw you away like everyone else, I mean you couldn’t even see him- he would get bored eventually.
although he didn’t.
he would stick by you all the time, talking and poking fun at you. he likes to see how fast your reflexes are and how well your other senses are.
it was strange but you strangely liked his company. no matter how much he tried to annoy you.
“alright alright guess what i’m holding now~” floyd giggled as he moved your hands towards whatever was in his hands.
you sighed as you felt around then flinched, “floyd are you- UGH? why is it slimy?”
he cackled, “I don’t know, I found it in jades garden thing. It’s a… uhm.. I don’t know it’s a thing!”
you wiped your hands on his jacket which he didn’t care, he was smiling like a mad man.
floyd was terrible at describing things which always made you laugh but you could tell he was trying sometimes.
floyd got rid of whatever was in his hands then went back to holding yours. it caught you off guard- floyd is a very touchy person, always has his arm draped around you or holds your hand to guide you somewhere but you didn’t understand why he was holding them now. the two of you were just sitting on the grass hiding from azul as usual.
“why are you so tense?” he squeezed your hand.
"i'm not.” you didn’t even realized how tensed you became.
you could feel him staring at you. you could always feel his eyes on you, you didn’t get it.
“spit it out shrimpy.”
you sighed, “why are you always around me? it’s not that I mind, it’s just, don’t you have better things to do?”
“nope, I rather be with you than doing the dishes.” floyd shrugged as he slumps against you
“I get that but I mean… you’re always around me all the time. don’t you get tired of the same old routine? I-I can’t even see you floyd! aren’t you tired of hanging out with someone who can’t even see anything, aren’t you tired of trying to describe things to me?” you finally burst.
you didn’t realize how hard you were squeezing floyd’s hand until he put his other hand on top of yours which you immediately let go but floyd wasn’t about to let that happen.
he gripped them tightly enough to ground you.
“so what? just cause you can’t see doesn’t mean anything, you’re still cool. you can still sense me and have pretty neat reflexes,” he chuckles, “you thought I was just gonna have my fun and dump you?”
you turned your head towards his voice, its like he read your mind.
“sorry shrimpy you’re stuck with me~ you can’t get rid of me that easily!” he hugs you.
“I don’t care if you can’t see, you’re fun and I like you. but you better tell me who’s been putting those silly little thoughts in your head ya?” you feel his threatening look when he said that last part.
“I really like you floyd, thank you for being there for me.”
he has the biggest grin on his face but you don’t need to see it, you can feel the warmth around you.
he gives you a big sloppy kiss on your cheek.
“haha! now let’s go annoy azul~”
jade
jade felt intrigued by you the first time he saw you.
your skills were incredible there’s no doubt about it but once he took a closer look, he realized you couldn’t see your opponents.
he was even more fascinated by how well you kept up with everyone.
from then on, he would be around you, finding out more about you.
at first it was just for learning more about humans, nothing more.
then he started feeling something. something new and… strange.
he liked your company, he liked listening to you talk, about your experience, about your interests, everything and you would listen to his.
jade suddenly felt more possessive of you. the amount of death glares people get whenever they were around you, you don’t even need to see- you can feel his stares.
you also grew fond of jade for his silly obsessions and how he was always there for you. you were so used to doing things yourself that for once you didn’t mind leaning on him.
it was clearly obvious to everyone around you how much you two liked each other, its very rare for jade to be around someone for this long and not have it be business related.
however no one made a move. not you, not jade.
"try this new drink I've just come up with. I'm sure it will be to your liking."
"it doesn't have anything funny in it does it?"
"I assure you it doesn't. it looks quite nice. a light blue color on the bottom which fades into a clear color at the top of the glass. I even added ice cream on top of it along with whipped cream and a cherry."
you smiled. jade has always described things for you. you never asked him to, he just does it. he'll describe a certain mushroom he found then start naming facts about it.
you took a sip, “it taste delicious, and it sounds like it looks lovely as well.”
jade stares at you for a moment, silently admiring you.
“do you ever wonder what I look like?” the question caught you off guard.
jade has described himself to you before. you never touched him, the most you felt were his hands.
“yes.”
you felt yourself being guided somewhere. somewhere more quiet. his room you believe.
he sat you on something soft, his bed you felt.
“jade..?”
he didn’t say anything but took your hands with his own, no gloves, just his own guiding yours towards his face.
"you know most people would be terrified to be this close to me, nobody would dare to touch me- but you, I don’t mind it at all.”
you froze. hands unsteady as you map out jades face. feeling every bump and scar, everything he had to offer.
“why.. why are you doing this..” you slowly pulled your hands away but jade kept them close, holding one while guiding the other to his hair.
“isn’t it obvious? you’re quite smart i’m sure you can figure it out.” he chuckled.
you still felt unsure, your throat felt dry, nervous to say anything and he noticed.
“but I guess i’ll indulge you. I like you y/n.”
you frown which shocked jade, did he read the situation wrong? no he’s sure you feel the same.
“I- I can’t see jade.”
he blinked. “yes I am aware.”
“i’m blind jade, I can’t see you, I can’t see anything. why would you like me, why would you want to be with me…”
jade understands now.
“do you think that because you’re blind I shouldn’t like you?” every time you tried to pull back jade wouldn't let you go, his grip was firm.
"y/n. I truly do not care if you're blind. that does not change how I feel about you. I like you, I've never been one for feelings so this is new for me but please will you let me be your eyes y/n?"
you were still hesitant but jade was rubbing his thumb across your hands which gave you comfort.
"you sure it doesn't bother you?" jade kissed your hand then leaned in kissing each side of your temples, "absolutely."
"I like you too jade."
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a/n: I've always been bad at describing things... i'm more of a visual person.. so this probably sucks idk how to word things..
blind reader who has felt, known, experienced abuse but even in his worst moments, he's still her safe haven. his four arms embrace her and she's never felt safer. the mouths on his palms kiss her at every chance they get and she simple giggles and swats his hand away.
blind reader who has no idea what he looks like but enjoys tracing at his skin because the curse marks just slightly raised and she can feel the difference of texture
blind reader who has a million questions about his life but somehow, because she doesn't shrink away from fear, because she's not repulsed by him, he answers every question she has
blind reader who doesn't care about the monsterous things sukuna does because he's the only one who's ever touched her kindly and never made her feel less than for her lack of sight
blind reader who lays across his massive chest, curled up like a cat because his deep breathes vibrate through her body and keep her calm
blind reader who adores that sukuna is so big, he's somehow always surrounding her presence with a feeling of safety
blind reader who touches his face so gently to figure out what he looks like that he feels he might break the world if he ever lost her
blind reader who laughs at his angry tone and tells him that shes sure he's a handsome man because he is kind to her and doesn't care what world might say
blind reader who only knew abuse and cruelty because sukuna took her as a toy to play with in his domain but ended up falling in love with a creature so fragile so sweet that sukuna, the king of curses became the one thing she could always rely on
(Leon is servearly injured, but he has to get home to you)
Leon's breathing was ragged, he winced as he rested his right hand against the wound on his torso. He could feel warm blood seeping through his fingers, staining any remaining clean skin a deep shade of red. A million thoughts raced through his head as he slid down to the ground, hissing in pain as he did so. Sitting down on the ground below him, Leon removed his hand from his side and brought it toward his face. He was relived to see that the bleeding had slowed a bit. It was supposed to be a simple mission, however things had taken an unexpected turn.
Now, when he was so close to getting home, Leon found himself injured. He should have been more careful. After all, he had to get home to one of the people he cared about, the person he cared about the most. He could see your smile in his head, the way your eyes shone when you looked at him. He missed you, and he knew you were probably waiting for him, worried. He wasn't going to let himself die here, not when you were waiting for him. Ripping a part of his shirt, he wrapped the fabric around his wound tightly. He made sure his gun was loaded and after a moment, he stood up. He was going to finish this mission and get home to you.
⋆. 𐙚 ˚𝓟eople keeps overlooking Yuu and Grim's relationship— but let's actually make a little drabble about an AU! where Grim and Yuu are platonic soulmates in every universe
Back in your world, you had a grumpy, mischievous, and hungry cat that you found in the trash and decided to foster, and later on you adopted him because no one wanted him. You were broke, and struggling, but you always bought the most expensive cat food in the pet store because that was the only thing that your cat wanted, and you couldn't let him starve— no matter how many meals you had to skip because of that, you would rather starve than ever see your cat go hungry or even upset.
So when you got transported in twisted wonderland, you were really distressed about the condition of your cat back in your world— "please I have to go home! My cat can't sleep without me" you begged the mirror, "how will he eat now?" You mumbled when the mirror revealed that it didn't find such a place here.
You missed your fatass cat.
"Who will take care of Grim? He won't let anyone touch him unless it's me! Please! Just let me go home!"
And ultimately, you gave up.
But a peculiar Tanuki looking creature broke in mid-begging and broke your concentration.
He introduced himself as Grim.
Deja vu hit you like a truck when he introduced himself. And as he continued to wreck havoc on the school, you can't help but think that "this is exactly how my cat will act if he could breath fire" you snorted.
When Grim broke in again in the courtyard. Your heart kept tugging on it's heartstrings when you pinned it to the ground with your broom— you ignored it, thinking that you just found him cute. But, as you two spent more time together, and ultimately ended up as a student in NRC. This tugging kept on happening, and everytime, you can't help but think 'is this some kind of soulmate thing?'— and yeah, you've read about soulmates before, but this little Tanuki can't be your soul mate right?
Grim, before his life with you, was meek, boring, and very miserable. He had to hunt scraps to eat, sometimes he starved, and sometimes people threw stones at him. So when he met you, he had this unexplainable feeling that you two were meant to meet together, fated to be stuck together as you ventured in this unfamiliar world, and as Grim got used to the unfamiliar social constructs and magic stuff.
'That doesn't make sense' he thinks. 'Me and my henchhuman never met before, so why do I have this feeling that we did?'
He asked you about it while you two were studying in the library— well, while you were studying and Grim was on his belly on your lap getting pets and all. Because that's how it always been, you even enabled his spoiled behaviors— much to your friends protests: you would reward him for doing the bare minimum, feed him expensive tuna while you essentially starved, and you would also keep him cleaned when you could barely do that without help.
"Henchhuman" he called out to you while you rubbed circles on his belly, you hummed as you read through your textbooks. "What do ya' call a feeling where: ya' feel like ya've met someone before even though ya' have never met this person in all your life"
You stopped for a second before you effortlessly replied. "I think that's called Deja Vu" he nodded in response.
"Y'know..." You continued "in my world, they say that if you experience Deja Vu with a person, it means that you are soulmates?" "What's that?" He asked gruffly as you continued to pet his fur and occasionally brush it using your fingers.
"Soulmates are two people that are together in every universe— or world"
He went quiet for a moment.
"Do ya' think we're soulmates?" You smiled and glanced down then pinced his chubby cheeks— probably from all the snacking he'd do during class that you would enable.
"wha- HEY!-" "of course I do" you chuckled. He huffed then settled down on your lap before purring. "Of course we are! Ya' would never survive without me"
You laughed and patted his head. "Hmmm... Of course I won't, you little fattie" you mumbled the last part with a snicker.
𝗔/𝗻: Grim and Yuu is my Roman empire 🥹 like I bare so much love for the two of them that you guys probably know because of how frequently I write the two of them 👀 and I know I keep saying that I love Idia BUT no one can top Grim and Yuu 🫶 my babies 🥺
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