-Rocky- Rocky didn't like that tone, that's the tone Grace uses with his students when they do something wrong. And it wasn't fair, Rocky hasn't done anything wrong. At all.
-Yes. Question- It's been years, ha..., since Grace learnt the Eridian language, they don't use the translation anymore, but, Rocky has to admit it was funny using words as intonation, and sometimes it helps Grace, his human ear wasn't made to hear every sound Eridian's make, despite the years, ha..., of living with them.
-Why am I still alive, Rocky? - Fuck, he found out. Rocky was hoping that Grace would be too happy to question it. Maybe he can still play it cool, he was smart yes, but also stupid.
-We take good care of you, of course you are alive. - And they did, they got the sea right. Not too cool not too hot. And when he grows bored of it they change it to other biomas, though he always comes back to the sea. His house has all of the human technology available as well as Eridian's one and he still has students that absolutely love being in his class. They also master human food enough that Grace doesn't even complain anymore about eating his copies.
-That's not what I mean Rocky. It's been more than 6 decades, I shouldn't be alive, and even less looking like this.- Grace still looks like he is in his late 30s or early 40s, almost like he hasn't aged since they landed in Erid, ha...
-Is Grace sure? You are bad at maths...- He could still save this, everything was going great.
-I'm not bad at math and besides, Armando bust you, he just congratulated me on my 114 year old birthday. So, care to explain?-
Fuck. Rocky was fuck. Well, not that much, Grace didn't really look mad per se, but what Rocky did was probably not okay without permission. Better safe than sorry. Rocky already made peace with the fact that Grace would probably be mad at him once he realised, he just hoped he had more time before the reveal.
-Don't get mad. -Rocky started, which wasn't a great start but it was important. Actually very important.- Grace has to promise, you won't get mad. Promise it.
-Ok jeez I promise. But tell me what you did.
-When we landed, you weren't good. Almost dead. -Rocky hated thinking about that day. Yes it was the day he returned home to his mate, but it was also the day he almost lost his other mate. Conflict feelings about that day.- Scientists and Rocky work on how to fix you. Scientists say that your human body would take time to fully heal, and Rocky knew humans didn't live long, maybe your body wouldn't fix completely before you died. Rocky hated that. Rocky... I couldn't lose you. The Meburgers are not only food. They have special cells, they keep you alive, healthy and young. Make your lifespan longer.
Grace was silent for a few minutes, processing the information.
-How much longer?- he finally asked.
-Not sure, hopefully as long as Eridian's life- Rocky really really wanted that- Maybe less, definitely not longer, we didn't invent immortality.
Grace was silent again. It was weird, he was never silent, even when half dead because of Tau Ceti or hunger, Grace talked a lot. Nonsense talk of a dying man, lots of weird confessions, lots of love confessions too. Rocky both hated and cherished those memories, he did prefer the love confessions when Grace was safe though.
-Why? - why what? Why did he do it? Why did he not tell him? Why waste so much time and resources for one human? It didn't matter the question, all of them had only one answer.
-Because I love you.- Rocky expected the tears, Grace was still a very leaky creature, especially when Rocky or Adrian show love language. He was also expecting the hug, Grace loved them and was almost always hugging him. He once joked that if he could pick him up he would never let him go. Rocky wishes Grace could pick him up.
Rocky wrapped 3 of his arms around Grace and squeezed. He was mindful of the squishy human bones but Grace did tell him that he liked tight hugs.
-I love you too. But next time you give me longevity cells you have to tell me dude. Did you know the panic I got when I realised that it's been 60 years and I still look in my 30s?
Rocky was so glad that Grace wasn't mad.
-You have always known me like this.
-Untrue, I've also known you very slim. Didn't like.
-Yeah yeah. I also didn't like that.
-Grace not mad?- He needed to be sure.
-I'm a bit mad that you didn't tell me- fair- but I get why you did it. I'm glad I got to spend more years with you.
-Rocky glad too. Eridian's as well. But Rocky especially.
Grace left a soft chuckle, Rocky loved that sound the most, and then left a kiss in his xenonite suit, where the top of his carapace was. He wished he didn't need that suit. Wish they could actually touch. Rocky left some sounds as well, it was nonsense but Grace told him that he likes them. He compared him to an earth animal expressing content.
After a long time hugging he could feel Grace bones getting stiff because of the posture, so he nudged him to move. They could continue hugging at Grace's home.
Everything was right, they will have many years to talk about it, for today hugs and kisses were enough
