Simon getting chin scratches and leaning into it like a ticklish, touch starved puppy. OouuuuUUUUGHHHH.
this can be a request if you truly in your soul feel like drawing it, but no pressure at all. I just felt the need to share.
Also your art deserves to be in the louvre. Thank you for the food you provide 🗣️
I SUBSCRIBE TO THIS IDEA SO HARD. OUGH.YOU ARE SO CORRECT this was a really quick doodle so idont feel like ive encapsulated this idea but. perhaps i will return to it in the future
op is a minor, please keep in mind when interacting
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?”
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
Project hail mary (tickle fic: Ler!Ryland Grace, Lee!Reader)
🌌 summary: Affection is really important to you. Over time, you've learned to initiate hugs, and pats on the shoulder. You never thought you'd be able to ask Ryland to tickle you - but desperate times call for desperate measures.
🪐 tags: ryland grace & reader, tickling, fluff, 2.4k words
💫 prompt: "i have this thought but i’m too scared to consider it further on my own - imagine actually working up the courage to go up to ryland and ask him to tickle you. he’d be insufferable and would never let you live it down" -@/Kitkatfingers
🛰️ author's note: Heyyy I have no idea whether this is shit or not but it took me 1.5 weeks and a lot of sitting with my head on the desk so I hope yall enjoy <33
🌌credits: (thank you to @//harringtonsslvt for the post layout inspo! Space dividers by @//strangergraphics)
It was back again.
The wanting.
You had been keeping it controlled so far - after all, there were more important matters at hand. But things had been slow lately on the hail mary, and Ryland had not been helping.
You'd been close, in the way two people condemned to spend the rest of their lives in a metal box would be. You hugged. You bumped shoulders. You slept side by side. And you had stupid playfights.
Your thoughts float back to your most recent scuffle; how Grace had grabbed you by the shoulders, messed up your hair - how you'd tossed half-hearted punches at his shoulder, and he'd acted all offended. How he'd adjusted his grip where you'd slid down. How his hand had accidentally landed under your arm, and it had...well, tickled. You'd yelped, flailed, practically jumping out of Grace's headlock. The reaction had only prompted him to scramble after you, and the wrestling match, as it occasionally did, devolved into a tickle fight.
There seemed to be a mutual understanding that neither of you minded these too much, given how often they happened - humans needed touch, and...it was nice to make each other smile. Even it was incredibly silly.
If Grace had a problem with it, he'd never said - and besides, he never pushed your hands away, despite being more than capable.
...He probably had an inkling you had no issues with it either.
There was a look you shared, sometimes, whenever you successfully provoked him into tickling you - although you didn't always need to provoke him. Sometimes, you'd just look at him pleadingly, and he'd know. And after, you'd wipe tears of laughter from your eyes, and he'd adjust his glasses, and it would be there on his face. A knowing.
It was why you felt comfortable asking without asking, when the wanting arrived - you’d hide Ryland’s things, act extra snarky, squeeze his knee under the table - and if he didn’t tickle you, he still usually gave you some similar form of playful affection. It nearly always worked.
Nearly.
This time, though, was different. Despite your best efforts to drop hints all week, it appeared Grace was too engrossed in his work to pick up on any. You’d prodded his ribs, thrown in plenty of sarcastic jibes - and, though you were loathe to admit it, deliberately stretched for high shelves a few times within tickling distance. All that, and Dr. PhD still hadn’t gotten the message.
So…no, he wasn’t helping at all.
You'd looked into the science of it, once. Hugs released plenty of endorphins. It stood to reason touch-starved individuals might feel drawn to affection that caused laughter, which would release an extra kick of dopamine. It wasn't unfathomable that some people enjoyed being tickled.
So you knew you wanted it. And you could take a reasonable guess at why.
Didn’t make it any less humiliating to think about, though.
And now, after hours trying and failing to shut it out, there's a stubborn, giddy flutter settled between your heart and stomach. Your brain runs circles around the recent lack of touch, helpfully providing you with visions of hugs, playfights, cuddles, tickles, tickles, tickles-
This is bad.
You tap your pen furiously against your notepad, berating yourself for getting distracted again. A simple dilution calculation sits unfinished, abandoned in favour of your oddly specific yearnings.
C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
The formula stares at you. It's simple: just plug in the values, make the needed solution. You’ve done it a million times by now.
Across the room, Ryland drums his fingers on the bench, his glasses habitually crooked as he contemplates his own data. It's only in your peripheral, but it's enough to scatter any possibility of concentrating. Your eyes linger a nanosecond too long on his hand, and you absolutely, totally do not contemplate his fingers tapping one-by-one like that against your ribs, so it's fine. You're fine.
Fuck.
Perhaps something more visual will help. You nudge the chair back, and grab a sample for the confocal microscope.
It's a more complex setup than the little desktop ones. Takes an eternity to switch the thing on - a million buttons, and loading screens, and safety checks.
You pass the time gazing intently at the desk.
Finally, it's ready. Taking a seat, you slot the sample in, and your hand drifts to the coarse focus dial, the sample shifting up and down with each movement. You will your eyes to stay locked on the viewport.
Your elbows bump against the desk as you hunch over the eyepiece. It's not comfortable, but you're used to it at this point, and it leaves your torso rather open to - nope. stop it.
Too late. The thought of hands, squeezing suddenly at your sides, flashes through your mind. Kneading. Poking. Teasing. A person, no one in particular, crowding closer to trap you against the bench, laughing low near your ear, his glasses bumping your neck-
God.
The fine focus does not make things any clearer.
"I can hear you thinking." A voice nearby. You nearly fall out your chair. Grace is stood over his laptop, hands propped against the table, glasses slid down his nose. Just…watching, apparently.
You steady your breathing. “Uh- what?”
“You’re distracted.” He steps closer.
“No, I’m not.”
“So…you meant to do that?” He points to the sample, which you have elegantly smushed against the microscope lens during your adjustments. Great. You rest your brow against the eyepiece in defeat.
“How many cover slips are we gonna lose to you, hm?” Ryland mutters, guiding you off the chair with a hand on your shoulder.
You nudge him. “Shut up.”
He nudges you back. “Hey, I’m looking out for our equipment, here.”
You reach over, adjusting his glasses for him. “You’re dragging me away from my work.”
He grins. “Work? What work?”
“Rude.” It’s too easy, really, to swipe your fingers over his neck – your hands are already there, and your brain has been screaming affection affection affection for hours now.
Grace, of course, leaps back with a squeak, half a giggle escaping before he regains his composure, hand held to his neck.
Mischief flashes through his features, for a moment. But he doesn’t take the bait.
“Alright, alright, sorry.” He folds his arms. “What’s going on?”
You huff. “Nothing, just…”
“Bored? Tired?” Ryland supplies. Your gaze drifts inexorably to his hands, which trace idle patterns over his own arms.
You are not going to get any work done like this.
“Kinda.”
You stride over, placing your hands on his shoulders, expression dour.
He tilts his head, frowning slightly.
“What, you need a hug?” His arms open wide, and you take the offer, even if it’s not quite what you’re after. It helps.
You spend a moment gathering your thoughts, Ryland giving you a brief but tight squeeze. It gives you the confidence to draw back and face him again.
“All good now?”
Heat crawls up your neck. For the fifth time in as many days, you give him The Look - the one that usually says everything you need it to.
He raises his eyebrows, uncertain.
“Okay, so…not all good, then?”
“Grace.” Your voice nearly cracks. Delirious, you wonder if he’s doing it on purpose - but…no, there’s not a glint of malice in his eyes.
“What, what do you need?” He’s completely oblivious.
“I want-” The rest of the words won’t come out. You give him one last pleading stare, hoping he’ll know the look in your eyes this time.
“What, what is it?”
Shit. You’re going to have to spell it out for him.
“Um- it’s been a while since- uh.” The next few seconds are filled with your various stutters. Grace sits through it all patiently.
Okay, deep breath. You place your hands together, and brute-force the words out.
“I, um. I want you to tickle me.”
Silence.
He leans back against the counter, eyes narrowing in the way they do when he finds something interesting.
And then, slowly…he smiles.
“...So you can ask for it.” His voice carries that familiar teasing lilt.
“You-You knew?”
“You are not subtle.” Grace doesn’t give you time to process the betrayal - just lunges forwards, scooping you into a hug from behind like it's nothing. His hands latch onto your hips, squeezing rapidly, and he laughs at the way you instantly start sinking downwards.
“That was so hard for you, wasn’t it?” He muses, spidering his fingers over your stomach, following you towards the floor. “You were thinking about it for days!”
That fluttering, hopeful thing from earlier does somersaults inside your chest, revelling at the familiar electricity running through your veins. The giddiness and joy at being held this way, despite Grace’s teasing, puts a silly grin on your face. You put your head in your hands, legs flailing wildly as you reach the ground. But Ryland’s not having it - he grabs your wrists, and slots out from behind you, choosing instead to sit over your legs. He pins your hands over your head, leaning closer.
You refuse to meet his gaze - and in your defence, it would be hard to - Grace’s free hand walks two fingers along the inside of your bicep, moving steadily towards your underarm. It’s rather distracting.
“Grahace-”
You risk a glance at him.
Bad idea. That grin is evil.
“You really missed this, didn’t you?” His hand swirls a tiny circle over your tricep, and your giggling stops being anticipatory. You frantically shake your head.
“Yea, you did.” He laughs, a sing-song tone to his voice. His fingers creep lower, slowly tracing around your navel. Your breath hitches in your chest, delicate laughter stuttering out.
“You missed being tickled.”
The heat rising to your cheeks is mortifying - you let out a noise somewhere between a giggle and a whine.
“Aw. Sorry, am I embarrassing you?”
“Yes-!” His hand abruptly claws at your side, and you tip your head back, lost in laughter. “No! Nonono-”
“Yes? No? Which is it?” Grace laughs. It’s a wicked noise. Horrible, even. You vow to yourself that you’ll tickle that laugh out of him once you’re free.
“FUCK you-”
“Tsk. That’s rude.” He stills his fingers, leaning in to look you in the eye. “I won’t tickle you then.”
…If the ship’s hull somehow breached, right now, and you fell through the laboratory floor into the frigid vacuum of space, you would spend your last moments grateful for the feeling of the cold against your raging blush.
Grace is attentively watching your reaction - which consists mostly of hiding your face against your pinned arms, and giggling through residual laughter. There may have been a very embarrassing flustered groan, but you don’t dwell on it.
“...Well?” He hovers a clawed hand over your tummy. “You owe me an apology.”
“Sorry, sorry-” You manage to squeak out, eyes closed tight once you see what he’s doing.
“...And?”
“And what?”
“And, what would you like me to do?” Grace looks at you expectantly.
Oh no.
He’s waiting for you to ask him again.
“Absolutely not.” You open your eyes. His hand is closer.
“...I just think it would help to practice asking, is all.”
“Ryland.”
“Ryland, now, huh? Must be bad.” He wriggles his fingers in the air, just a bit. Just an inch away. You can’t help it - you laugh a little.
“Plehease!”
He considers this - observes the shade of red your ears have turned - and snorts.
“...Alright, fine, be dramatic.”
His hand makes contact with your torso, sliding your shirt out the way as he spiders a pattern across your skin. Then, hand still poking along your side, he leans down, and blows a raspberry.
You forget most of the English language for a moment, back arching in a useless attempt to throw him off, your focus completely consumed by the playful, buzzy feeling under your skin. At one point, you make either a snort or a hiccup, you’re not sure, and Ryland laughs against your belly, which tickles even more. Once he runs out of air, he pulls back, and pays attention to your ribs, his fingers climbing up each one with horrible, ticklish accuracy.
“...Two…” he mutters. You furrow your eyebrows between giggles, confused by the lack of context.
“GRACE-!” You manage to shout, unable to form a sentence through the combination of laughter and utter mortification. Pulling at your arms does nothing.
“Shush, now, you’ll make me lose count.”
His hand shifts to the next rib, one finger positioned above and the other below as he digs lightly into the space between the bones, and keeps counting.
“Three-”
Ok, now you actively wish there was a hull breach.
“Four-” He continues, picking up his pace slightly to observe how your legs kick out more in response. “Only twenty ribs to go, you’re doing great.”
“Screhew you-!” You’re careful to leave the profanities out this time.
Grace smiles. “On second thought, this is going too slow. Fivesixseven-”
His hand crawls rapidly upwards, slightly trailing towards your spine as it does so. At long last, he lets your hands go, so he can have both of his back. The freedom doesn’t do you much good - you feel like a puddle. Your limbs can barely move from the laughter. You hold onto Grace’s wrists loosely - but don’t push them away.
“You gonna let me go?” By now, he’s got both hands jammed under your arms, barely moving. He doesn’t need to move them, really - you keep squirming and laughing yourself into an infinite feedback loop with them stuck there like that.
“Plehease-” You can’t think through the giggles.
“I’m not doing anything! I’m not moving!” Grace is laughing along with you at this point, apparently highly entertained by your predicament. “Oho, you’re adorable.”
By some miracle, you finally manage to lift your arms enough for him to draw back. He doesn’t touch you again - just sits back, watching as you flop your arms over your face and ride out the tsunami of residual giggles he’s caused.
After ten seconds of this, he leans forwards again, poking at your wrist.
“You ok under there? Did I break you?”
If you hadn’t just been tickled to pieces, you probably wouldn’t have grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into a hug. But you have, so that’s what you do.
“Hey,” He laughs, stroking your hair. “Happy now?”
And despite the mischief in his tone - despite the stomach-flipping embarrassment you feel - despite the fact he’d known what you wanted the whole time - you nod.
Ryland grins wider. “Good.”
Then, he leans over to catch your eye, his voice a tad smug.
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
Author’s note: I told myself this was going to be a quick fic, and then I started experimenting with Rocky’s POV lol. But omg I had a lot of fun writing in the mindset of our favorite sassy rock alien! At first I wrote a whole draft in first person, buuut I liked the flow of it better in third person limited with Rocky still as the narrator! I hope you enjoy!
(Also posted on AO3!)
Series: Project Hail Mary
Characters: Ryland Grace and Rocky
Word Count: 2,781
Summary: It is midnight and this stubborn human will not go to bed! Thankfully, Rocky remembers that humans have a strange reaction that causes them to laugh, which could be used to his advantage.
---
Rocky knows for a fact that humans are not nocturnal, a human word Grace taught him for creatures that sleep during the day and stay up at night, but Grace sometimes appears to be an exception to this rule. This fleshy being has a tendency of staying up late and sleeping in during the morning until Rocky has to practically drag him out of bed. He is like an infant. It is ridiculous. Grace says he is a grown human man. It is hard to believe him sometimes.
Grace usually has an excuse when he stays up late at night. He says he’s working on lesson plans and activities for class the next day for the young Eridians, or pebbles as Grace has named them. Rocky tells Grace to complete this task earlier so he doesn’t have to lose sleep, but the scientist says that something called procrastination gets the better of him until he realizes what time it is. Rocky does not like procrastination.
But Rocky will stay with Grace during his bad, bad human decisions as he continues to do the same thing tonight. Rocky lies halfway over his lap, careful to balance his large weight, as Grace sits on the floor of his Eridian-made bedroom with his legs crossed with one over the other. The human has compared Rocky to a ‘lap cat’ or a weighted blanket while he is in this position; he says Rocky’s warmth keeps him cozy.
In front of Grace’s chest, there is a small table that is being held up by an adjustable arm, allowing Grace to work on his computer from his sitting position. Much safer than Grace using Rocky as a platform to hold his electronic device, which he has jokingly done before. Behind Grace, a short distance away, is the bed that he’s currently avoiding sleeping in.
Rocky continues hearing the tap, tap, tapping of Grace’s computer keys for what he feels like has been all night. Rocky keeps himself occupied by creating xenonite puppets that Grace can give out to his students, if he wants. The clock on the other side of the room suddenly chimes a specific, quiet melody they rigged that allows Rocky to know what time it is without him having to look at the Earth version of the clock.
Twelve chimes.
It’s midnight by human standards. Rocky shifts in his comfortable spot to look up at the human. It appears that the chimes of the clock have not wavered Grace’s focus on his computer in the slightest.
“Grace, clock currently says midnight. Is late,” Rocky mentions as his chirps are translated into a computer voice for Grace to understand. “Grace ready to sleep, question?”
Grace types away at his keyboard, tap, tap, tapping, not even looking at Rocky. “I’m almost done, buddy.”
“Grace said almost done human hour ago.” Rocky grows worried that the scientist is so tired that he is forgetting what he previously said.
“I needed a little more time,” Grace replies. “Give me five more minutes.”
Oh, Rocky has heard this one before, especially when he is trying to get the human out of bed. Five minutes is never five minutes.
Rocky stares up at Grace, clacking his claws together out of annoyance. “Rocky does not believe Grace.”
Grace’s gaze remains unmoving from the computer screen. “It’s going to take me even longer if you keep distracting me, buddy.”
Rocky rattles his shoulder joints and gurgles out a quiet grumble. He concedes, however, and plops himself back into Grace’s lap to wait the five so-called minutes that Grace has declared.
Rocky does not get bored easily, but he does not want to start another xenonite puppet, and he finds the need to preoccupy his claws with something while he waits these excruciating three hundred seconds.
The Eridian chirps out a quiet sigh. Seeing the first item in his vicinity, Rocky mindlessly starts playing with Grace’s shirt through his claws, just fiddling with the material as if he is kitting it. Human cloth is a fascinating thing. Grace has explained it to Rocky before. Fabric made of plants or animal fibers, crafted into a wearable object is intriguing. Even through Rocky’s xenonite mesh suit, he can feel a bit of the texture, soft and fluffy. Maybe one day Rocky can craft a line of xenonite apparel for Grace to wear–
Suddenly, the human flinches under Rocky’s claws. The tap, tap, tapping of the computer keys stop for a moment. Rocky pulls his claw away to see that the human’s stomach beneath his shirt has retracted out of reflex, most likely because Rocky mistakenly grazed his fleshy skin while he was examining his shirt.
“Rocky, please don’t do that. It’s distracting,” Grace says as a gentle reminder. However, Rocky’s immaculate hearing can tell Grace’s words were trying to mask what the Eridian has come to learn is an airy laugh humans do. A chuckle, it is called.
Now why would Grace be chuckling? No joke was told. Hmm, maybe he just wrote something funny in his lesson plan to the pebbles? No, no. He wouldn’t try to hide his laugh if that was the case. Rocky ponders for a moment… All he was doing was playing with Grace’s shirt when he accidentally touched his stomach and–
Oh.
Oh yes.
Humans have this reflex when they laugh when they’re touched in their fleshy spots. It is very silly. Very adorable. Eridians have something similar, but Grace has taught Rocky that humans call it tickling. Rocky has used it on Grace on multiple occasions, such as using it to get the squishy human out of bed.
So, theoretically… there is a possibility that it can also get him in to bed.
Grace’s fingers have already resumed typing on his computer. While the human is occupied, Rocky looks at the end of his arm and flexes his claw. Rocky happily wiggles in place and stifles a squeaky laugh so the human’s less-than immaculate ears can’t hear him.
With his plan in mind, Rocky starts playing with Grace’s shirt again, but he purposely scratches gently at the squishy stomach underneath.
The human’s belly retracts again, the tapping of the keys stop, and Grace stiffens. His mouth begins to wobble into a smile.
Grace pulls his shoulders close to his ears, resisting the urge to laugh, Rocky can tell.
“Rocky-” his smile quivers even more and his fingers twitch above his computer keys.
“Yes, Grace? Is there a problem, question?” Rocky’s computer voice correctly translates that he is fully enjoying this. “Rocky is keeping occupied by examining clothes covering squishy flesh.”
Grace shakes his head. “I know what you’re trying to do, Rock- and it’s not going to work.” Grace clearly sounds like he’s trying to swallow the build up of pressure in his chest from wanting to laugh, but the pressure keeps building.
“Rocky disagrees. Grace is very ticklish. Clearly holding in laughter,” Rocky makes sure to state. “Grace will not be able to last long,” the Eridian chirps out a giggle of his own.
Grace struggles to speak without a laugh, but he surprisingly manages. “Oh yeah? You think I can’t handle some tickling while I’m trying to focus? Watch me,” the human challenges.
He clears his throat like a cough, rolls his shoulders back, and straightens out his spine. Grace takes a deep breath like he’s about to go swimming underwater, then refocuses. His fingers, miraculously, start tapping on the keys again.
Could Rocky absolutely tackle Grace to the floor and have him laughing in seconds? Yes, absolutely. Humans are far too squishy to resist for long. However, Rocky welcomes the challenge, as it is much more entertaining. The Eridian quickens the pace of his claw that is pressing into the human’s belly.
Grace muffles a laugh behind his lips, only letting out a huff of air from his nose. He lets out a little squirm, then loudly, and very obviously, clears his throat again. He talks to himself about what he’s typing to get his mind off the sensations Rocky is producing at his tummy.
“Okay…” Grace says to his computer screen, “So the noble gasses on the periodic table of elements are…” his smile wobbles. There’s a squeak in his throat. He bites his bottom lip. “Are…” The human lets out a sound in-between a snort and a squeak. He squeezes his eyes shut and throws a hand up to cover his mouth.
Rocky shakes, quite pleased with the current results. “Grace looks ready to explode, figuratively speaking, statement.”
Grace places his hands on the table for support and shakes his head. “Nope!” he barely gets out the words. “Nope! I’m good!”
Stubborn, stubborn human. Okay, that’s it. Time to bring in the second claw.
With no hesitation, Rocky takes his other arm and scratches it at the bottom of Grace’s ribs. Grace squeaks and curls his fingers into a fist, wobbling forward over his desk. A few of his giggles slip. The scientist leans back and slaps both of his hands across his mouth, but his giggles continue to leak through his fingers like a hole in an oxygen tank. His shoulders bounce and soon, Grace pulls his hands from his mouth, successfully giggling out into the room.
Grace snorts and looks down at Rocky. “Ohohokay, okay,” the human reaches down to grab the Eridian’s claws away—his first mistake.
“Rocky–AH!” Grace yelps when Rocky launches his claw upwards, right in the middle of the top rib and the squishy part humans call the armpit. Grace’s loud giggles burst out of him and he flails his arms against Rocky’s full-scale attack with three of his claws squeezing at his torso, including his belly.
“Rocky win! Rocky win!” the Eridian cheers over the human’s laughter. “Rocky choose prize. Rocky wants Grace to sleep now, statement.”
“Nohoho! Grahahace wants to finish his lehehehesson!” the human mimics the speech pattern of Rocky’s computer voice as the scientist attempts to shove at him. Grace leans back and topples to the floor. Rocky crawls above him, poking and wiggling his claws into his squirmy form. Even when losing control of themselves from producing this joyful sound, humans still have the audacity to talk back.
“Stubborn. Stubborn human.” Rocky claws at his ribs to persuade him. Grace tosses his head back with a wheeze and bats at the Eridian’s claws that are clearly not going anywhere. It is foolish that he thinks he can push them away. “Stubborn human needs to lie down!”
“I a-ahahaham lying dohohohown!” Grace sasses.
Rocky growls and stomps his back foot on the ground. “Not on the floor! On bed! Grace can not do lessons if low on sleep!”
The human kicks his feet and leans forward to take another shove at the Eridian. “I’ll be fihihine! I’ve done it behehehefore!” Grace says.
Rocky squawks, like a hard surface screeching on metal, “WHAT?! Grace has done this before, question??? Grace, bad! BAD! This is why Rocky needs to be here to watch over Grace more often! Can not leave Grace alone for even a small amount of time!” Rocky adds more pressure to his wiggling claws into the human’s soft flesh to show that he means business.
Grace squeals. He hugs his torso and squirms from side to side to side. “Ahahaha! I’m nohohot a child!” Grace cackles.
“Grace certainly looks like one,” Rocky snickers at the giggle-filled human.
Grace covers his face, slipping his hands under his glasses that are already askew. He giggles under his hands for a moment before squeezing his arms to his sides.
“Trust mehehehe! I cahahahan teach under ahahahany conditions!” Grace declares with full confidence. How is this human not tired yet?
Rocky rumbles with a growl again. Rocky will make him, what is the human phrase again, ‘eat words’? Yes, Rocky will serve him a meal of his own words.
“Then teach Rocky now, statement,” the Eridian says.
“WHAHAHAT?” Grace exclaims in the middle of his laughter.
“Grace needs to prove his statement of teaching under any condition. Teach Rocky while Rocky tickle.”
“Nohohoho way!” Grace squawks when Rocky plunges two claws into his armpits.
“Grace, teach Rocky,” the Eridian repeats. Rocky sees that Grace’s shirt has shifted upwards, so Rocky changes spots and slips a claw under the fabric of his shirt to get at his squishy tummy, earning a flail and an overflow of giggles from the human. “Tell Rocky what lesson is about.” Rocky knows the human can not resist a good challenge.
“Fihihihine!” Grace giggles, trying to get his thoughts in order while Rocky keeps his claws creating tickly sensations across his torso. “It’s about Earth’s periodic tahahable of ehehe-elements!” he says the mouthful of words through his laughter.
“And?” Rocky continues to skitter his claws over his friend’s stomach, awaiting the lesson he is owed.
Grace kicks his legs behind Rocky and flails his arms in front of the Eridan’s face. “Ihihihit’s ahahahabout the atomic numbers, prohohotons, electrons, atomic mahahahass!” Grace starts frantically spewing scientific knowledge, “Aahahahand- and the groups! And families! Like alkali metals, halogens, noble gahahahases!” Grace cackles loud, wheezy giggles as his form of an answer.
Hearing all of this, Rocky pulls his claws away. Grace hugs his torso, taking a breather and exhaling any remaining laughter.
Rocky tilts his body. “Pause. All of what Grace said is for Pebbles’ next lesson, question?”
“Yeheheah…” the human’s words are still laced in giggles. As the oxygen returns to Grace’s brain, he appears to realize the reason as to why Rocky is asking him this. Grace lifts his head up. Rocky keeps himself from snickering at how his friend’s glasses are pushed up in his hair from the result of their game.
“Do you think it’s too much?” Grace asks.
Rocky nods his body. “Rocky likes the subject matter, but does think it is too much for pebbles for one day. Would be better if Grace separated lessons into multiple sections, statement.”
Grace lifts himself on his arms. “You think?” Grace fixes his glasses back to the bridge of his nose. He narrows his eyes at Rocky through the lenses. “You’re not just saying that because you want me to sleep, right?” Not helping his own case, Grace lets out a yawn.
“Rocky being honest. Pebbles may not retain all of new Earth knowledge in one sitting.”
Grace takes a moment to soak in Rocky's words. The human moves to sit up and Rocky moves out of the way so the scientist can scoot closer to his computer. He scrolls his fingers on the laptop to glance at the pages he already has. After scrolling a few times, Grace exhales a breath out of his nose.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Grace concedes, smiling. “I got too ambitious to teach them about a new topic again, huh?”
“Yes. Grace got overly excited, statement,” Rocky agrees. “But makes Rocky happy that Grace gets excited to fill the pebbles with Earth knowledge,” the Eridian stands on his legs like a proud parent. “Does this mean Grace sleep now, question?”
Grace lets out a soft chuckle. Rocky is surprised his friend has any more giggles to give after tickling him. “Yeah, bud. I’ll go to bed now,” Grace says.
“Amaze! Finally got through to stubborn human. Now up up up,” Rocky nudges and gestures for the human to get onto his feet.
“Okay, okay, I’m getting up. No need to be pushy,” Grace jokes and stands.
“Rocky must push. Human will not get sleep otherwise.”
Grace huffs out another laugh. He leaves to prepare himself for bed and Rocky waits patiently. After a few minutes, Grace shuffles into the room towards his bed, then pulls down the covers and gets into the blankets. He folds his glasses, placing them on the nightstand beside the bed, and turns off the lamp next to it. Grace pats the mattress beside him, welcoming Rocky into his bed. Rocky hops up to join the human. Fortunately, the bed frame is built strong to hold the full weight of an Eridian. Grace pats the top of Rocky’s shell.
“Grace sleep now. Get rest to teach pebbles in the morning,” Rocky says.
A chuckle softly rumbles in the human’s chest. “Yes Rocky. Goodnight.”
“It is technically morning-” Rocky corrects on impulse.
“Rocky,” Grace giggles.
“Apologies. Rocky stay quiet now. Grace sleep. Rocky watch. Night good to Grace too.”
Rocky moves himself closer to Grace so he can feel the warmth beneath the Eridian’s xenonite suit. The human makes himself comfortable and in a few minutes, his breathing slows to that peaceful pace that gives Rocky confirmation that he is happily, and successfully, asleep.
Hello everyone!!! This is another pebbles fic (shocker I know) and I hope you all enjoy! I really like writing with the pebbles SO much there so adorable!
Slight spoilers for movie and book!
Summary: Grace is pebble-sitting by himself this time! The pebbles get worried they hurt Grace so he shows them what they actually did!
Switch!Grace / Switch!Pebbles
Word count: 2,495
“Ow! Don’t pull.” I yelp a bit as a claw tugs at my beard. I’m currently pebble-sitting, alone this time. I’ve finally proven I can be trusted alone with them, but I’m still nervous about being on my own.
I’m lying on the floor on top of blankets and pillows with three little babies surrounding my head. They're feeling around my facial hair, curiously following it around my face. Tiny claws comb through my beard with surprising care, occasionally snagging on a knot before immediately backing off again. I close my eyes and let myself relax into the attention. At this point, I completely accept that being treated like a very strange pet is just a part of my life now. I feel them graze my lips, moving upwards into my mustache. Excited hums emit from them.
I carefully open my jaw to speak again, “It’s hair, like on my head. It does have a bit of a different texture though.” I feel two climb up onto my chest while one stays against my cheek on the pillow, following up towards my ear. The two follow it back down to my chin, scratching lightly. When Rocky told them I like to be petted, I swear that’s all they do now, not that I’m going to complain.
I feel a few claws travel down under my chin, close to my neck, and I freeze. My heart beat quickens, and I know the pebbles notice too. They quickly stop their movements, trilling out concerningly.
“Ah-it’s okay! Juhust tickled a bit.” A smile creeps onto my face, and I peek my eyes open. “It’s okay.” They don’t make any more movements, actually pulling back a bit, settling on my sternum. I’m sure they can feel my heart better through my chest in that spot.
“Aw, guys, it's okay, really! You didn’t do anything wrong.” The pebble by my cheek pulls back too. I open my eyes completely, moving my head up a bit. I shift to sit up, cupping my hands around the two babies on my chest so they don’t fall. I lower them into my lap and help the other pebble, who’s on the floor frantically trying to join them.
They sit unusually still in my lap. Normally they're constantly moving. Twitching. Clicking. Climbing over each other. Now all three are quiet. Oh no. They probably think they hurt me. I’m sure hearing another alien's heartbeat skyrocket out of nowhere is a little scary for them.
“Here. Look, I’ll show you what you did.” I scoop up a tiny pebble. They’re a deep blue color with specks of gold and have lines and swirls across their body. It settles in my palm as I reach a finger towards it. It grabs on lightly and squeezes.
I push my finger underneath their arms and scratch ever so lightly. Rocky is quite ticklish here, so I’m hoping it’s the same for them. The pebble makes a high-pitched squeak and frantically starts squirming. Adorable chirps and trills erupt from them as the other two in my lap start pulling on my shirt. I lower my hands to their level, letting them get a better look.
“I know you guys have a version of tickling too, though it’s different from what I’m doing right now. You guys use sound waves and vibrations, right?” I flip the pebble in my palm, its little legs scrambling in the air. I press into its underside, making its legs shoot out straight; I can’t help but laugh at the little action.
"Well, humans use touch. It works for you guys because I can still make vibrations with touch that travel to your fleshy insides. Human skin is ticklish, so that’s why when you guys touched me, it tickled. Humans are just ticklish on their necks, where you guys ended up touching. See? No harm done!” I clarify to them.
I tap on its tiny body, showing what I just explained as the little baby erupts into high-pitched trills, pushing at my finger. From what I can tell, tapping and drumming seem to work best with Rocky; they are more intense than the ticklish vibrations produced by normal scratching and touching.
The other two look on curiously while the third one flails and cackles. Its arms slowly seem to stop fighting, and I take that as my cue to slow to a stop. God, they're adorable!
I glance down and ask, “How are you holding up? You okay?” On closer inspection, I see little wisps of steam coming from their vents, making me chuckle a bit. I carefully plop it back into my lap, and the other two scuttle up around it.
I see one brown pebble with red markings poke at the blue one, making it jump with a squeak. I hear a tiny hiss as more steam comes from it.
“Hey, hey, let them be for a moment!” I reprimand the one who is poking the other as I scoop them up. It goes still in my grasp as I begin poking at its brown carapace. It, too, squeaks and squirms, pushing at my finger.
“Yeah, let’s see how you like it when someone pokes at you.” I giggle, pretending to use a stern voice. I poke gently along as it squeals, curling into itself. Well, that won't do.
I use the thumb of the hand I’m holding it with to push an arm out of the way and hold it trapped against its body. I’m going to try something that gets to Rocky all the time. I flex two fingers together and, every so lightly, flick at the open space between its arms. It all but screams, sounding between a flute and an oboe, its arms scrambling to the spot. Seems to work on all Eridians, not just Rocky. That’s good to know.
I stop and let it fold in on itself again. Tiny giggles continue spilling from it as it curls up in my palm.
“There you go,” I murmur. I run a finger along the top of its carapace, nice and gentle. The same way Rocky likes. The frantic squeaks slowly shift into a soft hum. Its little claws unclench one by one until it practically melts against my hand. Cute. I place it with the other two, and I see the third go rigid.
“I won’t tickle you.” I say with a snort as I push my glasses up my nose, and it visibly relaxes. Unfortunately for the little milky white quartz pebble, the other two didn’t seem to find it all that fair that they were the only ones tickled, and I watch the start of a tickle fight in my lap. Squeaky trills erupt from the third as the other two surround them, using what I just showed to tickle the other. I can’t tell if they are also using sound to tickle them on top of the physical touch, so I ask.
“Are you guys also using sound? It’s kinda mean to do both.” I hunch over them a bit to get a better look. They stop their tapping, and the other baby stops moving. Oh, so they're not using both. But I’m assuming, as a demonstration to me, I hear a chord start. I look around and see the quartz pebble and the blue one start to squirm and laugh as the brown baby stands triumphantly between the two. The chord gets louder, pulling squeals from the other pebbles.
I laugh, “Okay, I see. Now give them a break! They look like they're about to combust!” I point out the steam emitting from the other two. I hear the sound slow to a stop, and they cuddle together in my lap. I lean back on my hands, stretching my spine.
A noise catches my attention, and I look back down. The little Eridians are making grabbing motions, so I give them my hand.
“What?” Confusion laces my voice. They all grab at my hand, pulling my fingers out. They start tapping like I did to them, and I snicker.
“No, it won’t really work there. And tapping isn’t all that effective against humans.” They sound disappointed and start letting go of my hand.
“Wait…” I bite my lip. I’m not sure it’s the smartest idea to teach them how to tickle me, but…their sad little chirps get to me. I’m too much of a softy to disappoint them.
“Um. Okay.” I push my legs out straight and scoot back against the nearby couch. I pull them up closer to my hips, and I feel my cheek get warm as I pull my shirt up to my neck.
“Try here.” The words leave my mouth before I can reconsider them, or rather the consequences that will come from them. They shift their carapaces towards my stomach. “Uh.” I gesture towards my stomach anyway. “For humans, scratching, squeezing, and tracing, I would say, works best….” Listing off everything they would need to know.
I squeeze my eyes shut in anticipation, but I don’t feel anything. Peaking out, I see they seem to be hesitating, arms reaching out but not touching. Oh right. My heart beat.
Anticipatory giggles worm their way into my words, “L-look. Humans' hearts beat fahast at all kinds of stimuli. It dohoesn’t always mean bahad. It could be that I’m really hahappy, or really embarrassed. Or, like right now, I’m excited and nervous—b-but nervous in a good way!” I correct, biting back a smile. “It’s just, tickling gets to me particularly hard.” I glance away, a little flustered.
I feel them shift a bit, and I look back down. I watch as the three carefully press little claws into my stomach, making me flinch a bit and giggle. “Hehaha gohohood! Lihihke thahat.” This seems to encourage them, and they push in more, experimentally squeezing at the muscle and skin. I shoot up, trying my best to keep my squirming under control. I tightly grip the collar of my shirt as I hold it up while shifting my other hand, trying to keep it busy and not grab at the pebbles.
I hear excited trills and squeaks come from them as they tickle me to pieces. “Seehehe nohoHOT *SNRK* SCAHahary!” I feel myself start to slide down the couch slowly and try to plant my feet into the floor. The pebbles add more arms and explore other spots. They pinch and tweak at my sides, making me jump and fidget. I force my free hand down to my side but up enough that the pebbles still have access to the sensitive skin. One latches onto my hip, making me squeal.
“EEEAHAHaha—thahahat tihiHICKLES! NohoHO!” I start to twist about, not being able to sit still anymore. Another pair of claws grabs at my other hip, and both my hands shoot to my face, covering my blushing face and smile. My shirt ends up rolling down, but it does little to deter them. They just push it up and keep pressing in. They vibrate with excitement, hearing my loud laugh as a sign of encouragement.
One pebble presses into my belly button, and I all but scream while my hands shoot down to cover myself.
“WAHAHAIT—NOHOT THEHERE!” They shift back out of the way of my hand. I cover the sensitive spot while curling into myself. They all freeze immediately. The excited clicking stops, and their tiny bodies huddle together. I swear they somehow manage to look guilty. Great, I scared them again.
“Uhuhm—I-it’s okahahy! Juhust sehensitihive.” I force my arms up again, deciding to grip at the couch behind me. “I-I wahasnt reheheady for it. You guys can keep gohoing.” I sheepishly say. “...If you guys want and are still curious.”
I didn’t need to tell them twice. They immediately return to my tummy, scratching at the sensitive spot again. I guess because it gave the best reaction, they want to experiment more. I squeeze my eyes shut hard, kicking my feet behind them.
“EEHAHAHA—G-GAHA—GOHOHO TOHO A-ANOTHER SPOHohot PLEHEHEASE! GUHUYS!” I shriek, holding on to the couch for dear life. They suddenly stop tickling again, and I'm thankful, of course, but I thought they would keep going. I open my eyes to see them shift around and angle towards the door.
Still giggling, I ask, “Whahats wrohong?” I glance at the door. I don’t see or hear anything for a brief moment until a sudden knock rings through the house. Before I can even say anything, the door is being opened, and Rocky and Adrian are walking in. Excited trills erupt around me as all three immediately turn their attention towards the Eridians.
“What Grace doing, question?” They both stop in their tracks and "stare." I feel a blush climb up my neck.
“Uh… j-just teaching the pebbles about human anatomy.” Rocky taps one of his limbs in annoyance.
“…Grace lying. What Grace doing question?” He asks again. Before I can argue that, actually, I kinda was technically teaching, the babies take the opportunity to show what they learned.
“GAH—wahahait! Lihihittle o-ones!” They dig in while I start squirming again. My arms fly to my face to shield me from Rocky and Adrian.
“Oh. Grace teach tickling, question?” Adrian trills out with a giggle. They both scuttle up next to us and settle on either side of me. The babies excitedly click and squeak out to the older Eridians.
“What else pebbles learn, question?” Rocky asks with a playful tone.
“D-dohont—“ I plea before they once again scratch at my belly button, making me screech. I feel Rocky grab onto an arm threatening to grab at the pebbles, holding it down and out of the way.
“NAHAHOHO AHAHEHE—STOHohoHOP I-IT! DOHONT ENCOHOURAGE THEHEM!” My free hand lightly pushes and swats at their little claws. Adrian and Rocky let out squeaky laughs, making me blush more.
“Don’t encourage, question? Grace the one who teach pebbles tickle. Not Rocky’s fault.” Well. He does kinda have a point, I guess.
“OKAHAY *SNRK* OKAHAY, NOhohoHO MOHOHOREHE—!” I curl up the best I can as their arms come to a stop. Rocky lets my arm go and grabs the pebbles from my lap. I take the opportunity to slide all the way down to the floor and roll onto my side. Adrian wraps an arm around me and pulls me close so my back is leaning against them, and I close my eyes in content.
“Pebbles have fun, question?” Rocky asks as I peek through half-lidded eyes, smiling when they erupt in joyful trills. I feel Adrian start to rub at my back, and I sigh.
"Grace have fun, question?” Adrian asks quietly as Rocky plays and talks with the pebbles.
“Yes.” I smile and look up at Adrian. “They were good. They're very cute, full of energy.” Adrian takes another claw and pushes my hair up out of my eyes. Their claws carefully comb through the messy strands as I feel myself sink further into them.
“Adrian glad.” they say softly. I hear a squeak, and both Adrian and I shift toward the others.
I see the pebbles tapping at Rocky’s carapace as Rocky folds in on himself with squeaky cackles. Oh yeah… I guess I kinda showed them how to tickle Adrian and Rocky too. Oops...
HI OMG YOUR ART STYLE IS SOOOOO CUTESYYYYYYUHHHHH 🩷🩷🩷 it makes me so so happy omg.
If you’re taking requests, I’ve always personally been a truther of Grace freezing up and goes cuckoo bananas when Simon gets his neck, kinda like how cats freeze up when you get them by the scruff.
Maybe Simon uses that to get Grace’s attention, or get him to focus? IDK IDK TEEHEE HAVE A GOOD DAAAAAAAY Y FEEL FREE TO IGNORE 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
hai haaaaaai!!!! maya you the goat your art is so peakistan could thou pleasings draw WHA tk art…… i’d love love love either ler Qifrey with his daughters (they’re litcherally his kids) or maybe lee Qifrey 👀👀👀👀👀 howevers the choice be yours
MY SMELLYS... thank u!!! YOU are the goat too!!!!!!! stay tuned for more wha content. ..eventually
HIHI I LOVEE YOUR ARTSTYLE its so so cute!!!! have u seen the bloodymary ship stuff ? w simon from markiplier's movie iron lung and ryland grace? i thought it might be pretty cute if grace was a ler for him as he like, learns to trust people and let himself feel joy No worries if u arent interested in drawing that tho!!!!
ask and you shall receive!!!!! i hope this suffices my liege
Hey all! I wrote this based off of this drawing I did with the pebbles! I’m gonna try and draw a bit some more even if I just post some doodles for you guys! I hope you like and enjoy!
Slight spoilers for movie and book!
Summary: Grace gets to see pebbles for the first time while Rocky and Adrian babysit.
Lee!Grace / Ler!Pebbles
Word count: 2,367
“Grace want help Rocky Adrian babysit pebbles today, question?” I perk up from my spot on the couch.
“You guys are babysitting? I didn’t know Eridians did that.” I look over at the two cuddling on the floor. Rocky has perched himself on top of Adrian, soaking in their heat.
“Obvious. Other Eridians get busy. Need help watching over pebbles.” Rocky clicks out. Two of his legs hang off the side of Adrian’s carapace and I notice they swing back and forth a bit.
“Well my bad.” I roll my eyes with a smile. “I would love to. I haven’t been given the chance to see baby Eridians yet.” I’ve only taught more adolescent Eridians in my class, not toddler and below age. I’m actually a little nervous at the thought.
“Grace must be gentle.” Adrian adds a bit sternly, shifting to stand. Rocky climbs off and stretches a bit, kinda like a cat.
I scoff “Of course I’ll be gentle! Who do you think I am?” I fake a shocked expression, hand over my chest.
“Grace is…clumsy.” Gee thanks. “Grace be more careful than usual.” Rocky adds as they both head towards the door.
“I promise to be more careful than usual.” I hold my right hand up like I’m giving an oath though I don’t think either one of them actually knows what that means.
I lean over the couch to watch them head out. Adrian lets out a low giggle. “Adrian Rocky be back soon with pebbles.”
They shut the door behind them as I slump back into the couch. I feel a bit giddy, my first time seeing little baby Eridians! I hope they’re as cute as I imagine them to be.
——————
Around an hour later I hear a very soft knock at the door.
“Coming!” I scramble over to let them in. As I open the door Rocky pushes himself in and then herds me out of the way.
“Grace move out of Adrian way.” He lightly taps at my shins. I stagger back a bit, trying not to step on Rocky in the process. Adrian walks in holding six little rocks in one arm, little sounds of random notes coming from them. They are all buzzing with life, little legs and claws moving and squirming about.
I let out a little coo as Adrian walked up in front of me, letting me get a good look, “They're so tiny! They look adorable!” They look like they would fit in the palm of my hand! A few are thick and stubby while others are thin. So thin it’s a little scary. I desperately want to reach out and touch them but decide not until I get an okay at the very least.
Adrian hums “Yes. They are.” They stop for a moment, letting me bask in their adorableness. “Pebbles will love you Grace.”
“Why me?” I smile a bit, leaning my face closer to the little babies in their arms. I see their claws reach up at me, their claws making grabbing motions.
“Grace is new. New sounds and new species. Grace is whole new experience.” They shift to move past me to settle on the floor in the house. “Also…Grace is cute and nice.” They add, making me a bit flustered. Me and Rocky quickly follow and Rocky curls up next to Adrian while I stand awkwardly. I’m not sure where I should sit.
Adrian makes a circle on the floor using their arms as a little fence to keep them in. They carefully lower the pebbles into the circle and they all immediately start moving. Adrian lifts a claw in my direction and I take it in my hand. They guide me back to the circle as Rocky shoos the little baby’s away from me so I can sit in the circle too. I lean my back against Adrian as I feel my excitement and anxiety rise.
”Pebbles not communicate well yet but still very curious. Can understand most of language.” Rocky explains but pauses “…Grace heart beat fast. Calm. You will do great.” He reassures as the pebbles make their way over to me. They are careful and cautious but their curiosity seems to be winning.
“O-okay…can I, um, touch them? Like, pet them?” I ask as they move closer and closer. Little legs scuttling in my direction.
“Of course.” Rocky takes my hand and places it out in front of me, low to the ground. It’s like if I were to meet a new dog for the first time. Letting them sniff my hand to make sure I’m not a threat. They seem to stop their advance towards me at the movement, keeping a distance.
“Aw! Hey little guys! My name is Grace—“
I suddenly realize I have absolutely no idea if they can understand me. Heat creeps up my cheeks as Adrian gently repeats what I said beside me. Right. Of course they can’t speak English.
Not my brightest moment.
I keep my hand as still as possible, hoping one comes up to me. I feel my anxiety rise even more as the thought of them hating or being scared of me crosses my mind.
I tense at a feeling on my head and I glance up. Adrian has started petting me softly, I think to calm my nerves but also to show the pebbles I mean no harm.
One brave pebble scuttle up and places a single claw on one of my fingers. It squeezes softly and chirps excitedly. God, there so cute!
That seems to be enough to convince the others and they all rush towards my hand. Little claws grab at my fingers, squishing and pulling. I giggle a bit, clenching my fingers ever so slightly. They seem to like it and they all let out little squeaks and trills.
I hear Rocky and Adrian giggle from somewhere above me.
“I think they like me!” I whisper excitedly grinning with a goofy smile. I carefully tip my hand over letting them explore. Tiny claws rub over my knuckles curiously, feeling the difference between my soft palm and the bonier top of my hand.
One pebble wanders past my wrist and grabs onto my pant leg. I tense instinctively, fighting the urge to pull away and accidentally shake them off.
Apparently, once again, one brave pebble is all the encouragement the others needed. They swarm my leg almost immediately. I let out a startled laugh as claws climb up my jeans and into my lap, forcing me to lean back against Adrian for support.
“See. Grace is natural.” Rocky teases a bit, chittering in my direction.
One pebble climbs up the front of my shirt, surprisingly quickly. It grabs at my collar and hoists itself on my shoulder, two arms grabbing my neck for support. I gasp slightly and the tickly feeling and hold as still as possible, my body going ridged.
“A-ah wahait! That tihickles!” I fight every bone in my body to not scrunch up my shoulders but my hands to fly up to grab at the air around my neck. I realize the other little ones go still. I carefully glance down and they are all sitting, like they are waiting. Then I suddenly feel the claws at my neck slowly trace and squeeze experimentally and I jump.
“Noho dohont doho thahat!” I giggle softly and a symphony of chirps and trills follow my laughter as the pebbles start moving again with vigor. They all start trying to climb up my shirt now.
Fudge.
“Adrain think they like Grace laugh.” Adrain chuckles out, still softly rubbing at my scalp. Little legs claw at my stomach as they try to reach the baby perched on my shoulder that is still clawing at my neck.
“AH—guys wahait!”
I squirm helplessly, unsure of what to even do with my hands. Instinctively I curl forward trying to protect my stomach while I laugh which is a huge mistake.
My shirt rides up in the process and the pebbles immediately notice the new exposed skin. Apparently they decide this is a much better route to my neck than climbing over my arms. Tiny claws hook into the fabric before several scuttle below.
“NANOHO NOhohot underNEHEATH—!”
I slowly slide down Adrian’s carapace, forcing my arms up and out. I don’t want to hurt them but I don’t know what else to do. They go still again for a moment and suddenly they're digging into the pudge on my stomach with purpose now, trying to force out loud laughter from me. I squeal as I feel Adrian let out a laugh against me.
“H-Hehelp meheHEHE ADRIAHAHAN! ROHOCKY!” I yelp, my arms slowly lowering back to my stomach against my will. I can’t help it, it’s their little legs, the way they vibrate with sound and excitement against my skin tickles more than I can handle.
“Adrain help Grace.” I silently thank them but I don’t hear Adrian or Rocky tell them to stop or even any action to grab at the little guys. Then I feel a large claw scoop up my hands and stretch me up and out against my will with my back half on the ground and half leaving against Adrian. The pebbles slow a bit at my sudden movement, balancing themselves.
“Adriahan w-whahat are yohou dohOHOING—NO WAhahAIT!” I hear happy trills from under my shirt as they dig in more. Some pinch, some claw, some vibrate, all experimenting to see what can bring the best noises from me. A few have travelled up towards my ribs, feelings round the bones with their legs while other push into my hip making me arch up with a squeak.
“Adrain make sure Grace not hurt pebbles on accident. Still let pebbles play and experience Grace.” The playful trill in their voice tells me I’m doomed. I tug helplessly against their grip but Adrian doesn’t budge.
I turn my head towards Rocky in a last desperate plea for mercy only to find him sitting comfortably beside us, cooing at my distress.
I feel my face burn bright red.
I squeeze my eyes shut trying to block out any tickly feelings. One pebble makes its way up to my collar and carefully starts tracing my clavicle making my chin shoot down to my chest with a squeak. I fidget at the new sensation as the other pebble still stationed on my shoulder traces the shell of my ear.
“This is human version of tickle.” I hear Rocky explain over my cackles. “Hunan touch sensitive. Have common ‘tickle spot’ but Grace very sensitive human. Tickle spot everywhere.” I feel the tips of my ears go red at Rocky’s very helpful commentary.
I’m about to say something dumb probably when a certain curious baby decides to explore my belly button. I shoot up as straight as I can, feeling a small claw reach in and scratch at sensitive skin hiding there.
“AHAHA—NAHOHOHO *SNRK* NAHAHAT THEHEHEHEREAHAH—!” I screech out and flail hard.
I’m actually worried the noise that ripped from my throat would scare the little pebbles but it only seemed to make them more determined. The other three little Eridians on my stomach and ribs immediately went to investigate this new very sensitive spot.
I kick my feet as I feel twenty little arms claw and trace at my bellybutton, making tears quickly well up in my eyes. I buck my hips up, I can’t help it anymore. My erratic movements do nothing to stop them.
“PEHEHEBBLES *SNRK* P-PLEHEHASE!” I beg, kinda forgetting they can’t understand me anyway. They trace around the sensitive spot, reaching in a poking making me laugh hard, my face hurts from the smile.
I squeal, “ROHOHCKYEHE PLEAHAHASE! ADRIAHAHANONO—!” I feel my body get increasingly more exhausted, my arms going slack against Adrian as I slump down, hunching into myself, shaking my head softly.
“Okay. Enough.” I hear Adrian say rather firmly. The pebbles slow their torment to a stop but don’t move off of me. There are little movements to balance and hang on, still making me squirm with giggles.
“Give Grace room.” Rocky adds, getting up to pluck a few pebbles off of me while the other skitter off.
“Heheha thahank yohouhehe.” I wheeze, my eyes closing in relief.
Once they're all off Adrian finally lets go of my arms and I immediately pull them close, sliding all the way to the floor. I rub at the skin of my tummy, trying to get the tingles out of my skin.
As I huff to get my breath back, the baby’s crawl up and watch closely around my head. I feel a small movement and I jump. But then I feel more and more. The pebbles start petting me, mimicking what Adrian was doing earlier. Not sure if they're doing it to be soothing on purpose or if they're just curious about what hair is but I don’t care. They let out purring and cooing noises as the continue. Little claws scratch at my scalp making me melt a bit under the touch, relaxing my tense muscles.
“Told Grace. Pebbles love you.” Adrian shifts closer to me, pulling my shirt back over my stomach and fixing my glasses, pushing them up the bridge of my nose. They take a digit and carefully wipe at the tears on my cheeks making me giggle and scrunch up softly, pushed at their arm.
I sigh, “Well they could at least express it in a different way.” A smirk makes its way to my face as a pebble climbs on my forehead, feeling my eyebrows then reaching under my glasses to graze the tear soaked eyelashes of my one eye.
Anxiously Rocky trills “Careful! Human eyes very important and delicate!” I see him shift to quickly grab at the baby but I hold my arm up.
“It’s okay. I’m okay.” I peek out with my other eye and hear Rocky give an annoyed huff as Adrian lets out a soft laugh. Sometimes I forget I’m just as fragile as a pebble to them, always needing to be looked after and new things to be added to the dome. It makes me feel loved but the thought of them seeing me like a pebble embarrasses me a little bit more.
Hi hiii! I dunno if you'd do it, but since rqs are open.. would you do any bloodymary tkl stuff? (Bloodymary being the ship between phm Grace and Simon iron lung) :3
Preferably lee Simon but idc really ^^
If you don't do bloodymary art and stuff then I'd also take lee Rocky <3 /nf
I'm new here hehe :3
If you wanna age check me or something my tkl blog is @moonlitlaughter ^^ Fully sfw :D Just want you to be as comfortable as possible w my interaction ^^
ok fun fact i only just watched iron lung on the youtube release date and its SO good . big fan .. i also really like bloodymary lol. hope u enjoy!!
pt2
and i cant decide whether i like the colored or uncolored version more so. sketch under the cut :)
GIYS IM ACTUALLY SO SORRY I TRIED TO DO THE COOL THING WITH SIMOINS TEETH BUT I LVITERALLY COULDNT DO IT WITHOUT IT LOOKGN WEIRD I NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT
You guys voted for Grace’s day to be ruined, so here you go. Simon will have his day too at some point, so if you voted Simon, don’t lose hope. Please forgive my proofreading once again, my glasses are still MIA…..
I got big ideas for him fr….
Anyway, this one is pretty rough at the start, but it mellows out pretty quick, dw. PLEASE heed the warnings tho. OKAY LETS. GET IIIITTTT.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Lee!Grace (PHM) Ler!Simon (Iron Lung)
TW: Descriptions of a panic attack, mentions/description of self harm [picking/scratching skin], blood, feelings and talk of low self worth/inadequacy, heavy survivor’s guilt
❦ Grace is struck with the debilitating fear that he hasn’t done enough, and could possibly be responsible for the detriment of Earth, and struggles with the guilt. Simon reassures him, and keeps him company, just to keep an eye on him in the wake of a panic attack.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
There is no way to know if all my work paid off, and that fact has lost me countless nights of sleep.
There is no way for me to know that those Beatles made it back to Earth intact, that the taumoebas survived the journey, let alone reentry, or that Earth wasn’t already empty by the time they got back.
It’s a possibility that I had convinced myself I needed to accept. Something I knew even Stratt considered a likely outcome. Utter failure.
Why else would she name the mission “Hail Mary”?
But I am terrified. I risked my life to make sure my planet had a fighting chance at survival.
What if it was all for nothing…
I gripped my arms tightly, nails digging into the skin, with something slick beneath my curled, clawed fingers I couldn’t see in the dark on my right arm.
Every drumming beat of my heart felt like rhythmic punches to my chest, making me wheeze and gasp.
Breathing was merely a motor function - not purposeful or productive. A machine instinct to keep air in my lungs, though no matter how hard my body pushed, hardly anything made it in.
Dizziness.
My extremities tingled as the blood in my body collected around my vitals, leaving my arms and legs feeling cold, heavy, and numb.
I know I have to breathe, but it hurts. Every breath feels like I’ve just come up from underwater.
I deserve nothing more.
“Everyone’s gone…”
I mutter to myself. My voice, if you could even call it that, was no more than a whining squeak.
“Everyone. Eva’s gone… Dimitri’s gone… Carl, your students- they’re gone. They’re doomed to freeze a-and starve, and die and it’s my fault. It’s my fault! it’s my fault-!”
My voice cracks, the harshest words I’ve ever spoken to myself are nothing but a whimper.
“I’m a coward. A coward. I wouldn’t have done ANY of this if Eva hadn’t forced me. What the hell makes me so special? What makes ME with being the lone survivor of the ice age I didn’t even want to help prevent…”
My grip tightens on my arms, a stinging, staticky pain on my right flared in rapid pulses, but I ignore it still.
“I’m not a hero…” I begin to cry. “I’m not a hero… I’m not a hero… I hope they don’t think I am…”
I hang my head, glasses tumbling off my face. Heavy, heaving sobs lurch from my chest as I sit in the tiny, dark bathroom.
It’s cold, it’s pitch black, and I couldn’t convince myself I deserved anything more at the time. My punishment. Death would be too merciful.
My body shakes, but not from the cold.
Breathing becomes difficult, shallow and erratic.
“Grace!”
There’s a voice… I can’t bring myself to look up.
“Grace!”
“Get away from me.” I wheeze, head still hung, knees to my chest.
“Are you- Grace what’s going on?”
I don’t reply, hoping he’ll leave.
“Ryland Grace, can you hear me?”
“Go AWAY.”
“No, look at me.” The voice is insistent.
I only sob in reply.
“Grace, it’s me, it’s Simon. What’s happening? Can you please look up at me?”
“NoooOOO! LEAVE ME ALONE!” I cry out, pressing my back to the wall as hard as I can.
I hear soft footsteps approach me, slowly, like you would a scared animal.
“Grace, you’re scaring me…”
“Simon… go away…”
“No! Stop telling me to leave, I’m not moving! You think I’m leaving you alone like this? You’re out of your fuckin’ mind! I could hear you crying from the observation deck!” I pick up the irritation in his voice, but he was making an effort not to shout at me.
I shake my head slowly, sniffling and breathing heavy.
There’s a quiet click as Simon turns on the bathroom light, casting the room in a dim, whiteish orange glow.
“Oh Jesus- fuck, Ryland!” Simon hisses, taking a shaky breath, before dropping down in front of me.
“You’re bleeding. Shit- damnit, Gracie, you’re bleeding, where is that coming from?!”
It sounds like there’s a lump in Simon’s throat. Oh- he’s afraid of blood…
I shoot up, staring at him with wide, puffy eyes.
“I-I’m sorry-! I didn’t know! I- I can’t feel…” my words are breathy and quiet, but urgent. “I— I’ll take care of it, go- go back upstairs!”
“NO. Give me your hands.” Simon demands.
He sits on the floor in front of me, extending both hands out to me.
“Now, Ryland, I’m serious.”
I hesitate for a long time, and Simon waits patiently.
Finally, I weakly put both my hands in Simon’s, and he pulls my arms out straight.
“There it is- Gracie, you’ve picked straight through Rocky’s paw print scar on your arm.”
The source was hard to see through blurred vision, but my forearm was painted red, along with the opposite hand’s fingers, and some of my, thankfully, red shirt.
“I- I didn’t… I didn’t realize…”
“I know, you do this when you’re anxious, you pick, and you pick, and you pick. Never like this though.” Simon sighs.
He looks around for a moment, I say nothing.
Quickly, he yanks a wad of toilet paper from the wall, and slips the headband he’s wearing off his head, fashioning a crude gauze and bandage around my arm, trying his best not to focus on the blood.
I wince as he pulls the knot tight.
“I know. I’m sorry. It’s not severe, but I have to make sure the bandage stays secure.”
“Y-your headband…”
“It can be washed. We have peroxide.”
Simon finishes his work, sighing as he releases my arm.
“I’m so sorry…”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I’m sorry…”
“Grace, stop.”
My voice begins to shake, and I can feel another wave of guilt, sending me to tears. Now I’ve involved Simon. I’ve worried him, scared him…
I shake my head, trying to will the words out that are stuck in the back of my throat, but all that comes out is a dry heave, and a sputtered sob.
Simon sighs, bringing himself closer to me. He waits a moment, before gently taking me by the shoulders, and pulling me into him.
I don’t protest, falling into Simon’s chest, arms wrapped tight around him, clutching his sweatshirt as though it were the only thing between me and oblivion, which for all I know could be true.
“It’s alright, you’re alright. You’re alive, you’re safe, and I’m here. You’re not alone.” Simon begins to rock from side to side, gently tracing a hand up and down my back as he tries to put me at ease.
I shake my head against Simon’s chest. “No… no… nonono…”
“No what, Gracie? Use your words.”
“Nonono, no! What if I messed it all up?!”
“Messed what up?”
“You haven’t messed anything up… and if you have, I’m sure we can fix it.”
“You don’t… know that. How do you k ow I’ve done everything right?”
Simon pulls back, looking down at me, brows furrowed in confusion. “What’re you talking about?”
“I- I went through the motions- I did what I had to…”
“Okay… for what?”
“But how could you possibly know it was all correct? W-what if something happened?! What if I did something wrong?!” I sob, almost pleading with Simon.
“What if I did something wrong with the probes- o-or the breeder tanks, and because of me, everyone is gonna die?!”
“Hey, hey-“
“What if it’s my fault humanity is gone?! Wh- what if I’m a murderer…? They said I’d be remembered as a hero, but that’s not- that’s not true!”
“Grace-!”
“I’M A MURDERER, SIMON. EVERYONE COULD BE GONE AND IT’S MY FAULT.” I shout, my entire body tensing as I use every ounce of strength to scream.”
“No., that isn’t true”
“I’m a murdererrRRR. Why should I get to survive when everyone else is on the green mile?!WHY AM I STILL HERE?!”
“HEY. Do not say that. That’s a horrible thing to say. You deserve to be here, and you’re not gonna say otherwise. I don’t fuckin like hearing you talk like that.”
“People have been condemned for far less…” I mutter.
“Enough. That’s enough, Gracie. You’re getting in your own head.” Simon gives me a sharp squeeze, bringing me back to focus.
“Listen to me. You have gone places, done things, experiences and survived things that no human ever has.” His voice is soft and quiet.
“Impossible odds, even more impossible decisions, and here you are, still alive, and still well. That counts for something. That means something.”
Simon brings a hand to my hair, brushing through it lazily.
“And neither of us are naive, or idiots. We know there’s always a nonzero chance of something happening, but what matters is that you have done everything and more in your power to make sure your planet survives. And that’s all anyone can reasonably ask of you. No one is gonna blame you personally on the off chance something goes wrong. You’ve done your part.”
I say nothing in reply.
“And don’t give me the bullshit of “I’m not a hero”, either. You realize you’re the lone savior of Earth, Erid, and me, right?”
Simon pushes me back just far enough to get a look at my face.
“Why else would I call you my angel, if not for the fact that you saved my life? You nearly crashed your ship taking a chance on a distress signal from a moon you didn’t even have charted on your system, all to potentially help something in need. and you brought me aboard, showed me patience through my distrust and anger, care for my injuries, and compassion towards my past, my mutations, and every bit of baggage I dragged in with me. You saved my life. If nothing else, then selfishly, you’re my hero.”
I let out a whining sob, collapsing back into Simon. He tightens his hold on me, resting his chin on the top of my head.
“I owe you my life, and I’ll spend every minute of the rest of it making sure you know just how much you’ve done and sacrificed for me, and the two planets you and Rocky saved.” I can feel the vibration of his words through my skull, and I nod slowly.
“Can you sit up and look at me, Angel?” Simon asks, coaxing me up again.
Reluctantly, I sit up, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, and looking up at Simon.
“You are humanity’s, Erid’s and my hero, Ryland Grace.”
I take a breath, still a little shaky, but nothing like before. I shift to sit on my knees in front of Simon, and pull him into a hug, arms wrapped tight around his neck. He doesn’t miss a beat, returning the hug with equal strength, the both of us holding each other as if we’d never see one another again.
“Thank you, Simon- I- I’m… I’m so happy I found you.”
He chuckles softly, nodding against my shoulder.
“I’m glad you found me too, I would t be here if-“
“I love you.”
The words are put before I even know it. Silence follows.
“I- I’m sorry, I don’t mean-“
Simon shakes his head.
“No, no. It’s alright… I love you too.” He chuckles, squeezing me tighter. He pulls back slightly, tipping my head down, and planting a quick kiss on the top of it. “I love you more than you know.”
The words aren’t as heavy and burdening as they’ve felt for me in the past. There was something different about how Simon said it.
The moment I loosen my grip, Simon Dows the same.
I sit up, my cheeks a bit red. I take a deep breath, sitting back against the wall.
“Do you feel better?”
“I think so.”
“You think so? Or you know so.”
“I’m… retry sure so.” I sniffle, shrugging.
“I’ll accept that answer.” Simon nods, sitting crisscross in front of me.
“What brought this on? Bad dream? Did you see something?”
“I dunno. I couldn’t sleep all night, and my mind just…”
“Started wandering.”
“Yeah.”
“So you’ve been up all night, then? That’s why you look so exhausted.”
I nod, thumbing the bandage on my arm with the opposite hand. Yeah…”
“Why didn’t you come up to the observation deck? I could have kept you company.”
“I- I didn’t want to wake you- I know you have trouble sleeping too…”
“Ohhh bullshit, you know you don’t have to worry about that.” He rolls his eyes.
“I know, but-“
“Anything my Saving Grace needs is within reach, if I can help it.” Simon says dramatically.
“Come on- don’t call me that.”
“I am ever at your service.”
“Ugh, stop that!” I scrunch my nose at Simon, cringing at the display, unable to help bit smile.
“Oh! Look at that, we got a smile!” Simon teases, flicking me on the nose.
“Simon!” I shove his hand away
“Fine, Fine, but I mean it, if you feel your mind starting t wander, please come find me. I’ve always got time.”
“I appreciate it. S-same to you, of course.” I try not to make it sound like an afterthought. It isn’t, it’s just hard to articulate at the moment.
Simon gives me a smile, before standing up with a groan. “C’mon. Grab your pillow and quilt.”
He nods towards the door of the tiny bathroom.
“What? Why?”
“You’re sleeping over at mine tonight.” He crosses his arms.
“In the observation deck?”
“Yeah, I cannot in good conscience leave you alone down here tonight, so you’re coming upstairs. Rocky’s sleeping up by the deck tonight too. He finally trusts me enough to sleep by me. I’ll be all of us.” He smiles.
I remain on the floor, staring up at him, trying to hide the smile on my face.
“You’re excited, I cannot see you smiling.”
“Whatever.”
“I’ve got eyes, Gracie- not good ones, but I can still see. Here, I’ll take up your stuff, you clean up, change into something that’s not covered in blood, sweat and tears, and meet me upstairs, ok?”
I look down at my shirt, sighing. It was in pretty rough shape.
“Alright.”
Simon nods.
“I’ll see you in a bit, then.”” Simon says, before rather discreetly taking the clippers from the shelf above the sink, and pocketing them as he leaves the bathroom.
I sigh. I know why he took them, and part of me hates myself for making him distrust me. The rest of me appreciates the concern.
-
I find a pair of shorts, like basketball shorts, but softer, and a sweatshirt that I rarely wore - black, with the NASA ‘worm’ style logo branded on the front in stark white. I roll the sleeves up over my forearms, deciding this was good enough as anything.
-
I ascended the ladder, crawling out of the dormitory. The observation deck was straight down the long hallway, and I could see the light of the stars from where I stood.
Since we converted the observation window to Simon’s “room”, it had taken on a life of its own. Rocky built a suspended platform for his mattress, with room on either side for personal items, like books from around the ship, rolled up charts, and notebooks. The rounded walls held a few shelves with more books, a small box Rocky built to hold Simon’s amulet if he ever took it off for any reason, and a crudely made origami plant that I made for him a few months back. He even kept it under a UV grow light.
I approach the platform, stepping up, and plopping down beside Simon. He had my quilt and pillow laid on the opposite side of the bed from where he typically sleeps.
“Looks a Lot more comfortable.” He gestures to my sweater.
“Yeah, it is.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen that one before.”
“I don’t wear it a whole lot- I’m still getting over the uh- the whole ‘wearing merch for the company that sent me out to die’ thing.” I shrug.
Simon chuckles. “That’s fair, I definitely wouldn’t wear a COI t-shirt.” We both snicker.
“Oh- you changed your bandages too.” Simon points down to my arm.
“Yeah, I had Armando wrap it up really quick. Linda tight, but that’s alright.” I lift my arm, looking down at the cleanly wrapped gauze. “Oh, and I promise, I promise I’ll wash your headband for you- I already hit it with some hydrogen peroxide.”
“Don’t sweat it, I’ll be fine.” Simon shakes his head.
I sigh, lying back on the bed.
…
“Can I ask you something?l Simon looks down at me, his voice sounding heavier than it had a moment ago.
“Sure.”
He takes a moment, arranging his sentence in his brain like scrabble tiles.
“You don’t… uhm… are you- okay?”
“Am I… okay?”
“I mean- I know you were in a tough spot earlier, but you were saying some really concerning things, Ryland…”
“No, no, Simon really, I’m alright. It was the panic talking.”
“That doesn’t just come from nowhere, though. I understand what you mean, but you don’t just say you don’t think you deserve to be here without having that idea cross your mind in the past.”
I’m quiet for a while. He’s absolutely right.
“I promise, it’s not something that I consider as often as it… probably seems… which is probably why it makes me panic- it scares me too- but I swear, I’m alright.”
“Please, utilize me. We’re the only humans around for lightyears - we’ll lose it if we don’t communicate. So please please tallk to me, and bring things like this up to me in the moment so I can help.”
“I will, I promise. I’m sorry.” I sit up on my elbows as I speak.
“I hope you mean it…”
…
“Thank you, by the way.” I say
“Hm?”
“For keeping me company- and making me feel like I’m not Earth’s biggest failure.”
“Anytime. I’m glad I got to you in time.”
I hum in reply. Im glad too.
A moment of silence passes.
“Oh- I have something for you.”
I turn my to face Simon.
“I was gonna wait to give it to you, but this is as good a time as any…”
He turns to the shelf on the wall, grabbing a roughly wrapped object, concealed in notebook paper with “Grace” written in marker on it. It was taped together hastily, like he was fighting with the dispenser in the process.
I chuckle, sitting up and taking the parcel from him, turning it over in my hand. It was about as big as my palm, and relatively light.
“I know, I’m terrible at wrapping things up, but…”
“N-Noho! No, it’s great, Si!” I chuckled, tugging at the twisted tape.
After a bit of struggle I get the thing open, and a thin, dark metal chain slides free onto the quilt beside me. I pick it up, letting it dangle in my hand.
It was a… a pendant… it looked quite similar to Simon’s amulet, a round frame with a clear center. Something was suspended in the clear, glassy center - small, ivory, sharp and curved.
“Wow- this is awesome! What is that? In the center?”
“Don’t freak out.”
“…okay..?”
“It’s a tooth.”
I gasp, staring at Simon for a moment before shouting.
“Simon!! This is your tooth?!”
“No! No, dummy it’s not my tooth, calm down. It’s a tooth that got stuck to my clothes before you rescued me - a fragment of one from the creature in the ocean. I cleaned it, and had Rocky make a pendant to keep it in.”
I sigh. “My god, lead with that.”
“Not as funny that way.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever… this is really cool though, thank you.”
“Now you can wear a reminder of what you saved me from. Now you have no reason to doubt that you’re a hero.”
I’m silent for a long while, clutching the pendant in my hand, staring down at it, before a few tears roll down my face, dropping down into my hand.
“Oh shit, goddamnit, are you alright?!”
Simon puts a hand on my shoulder, concern in his voice all over Gaian.”
“I- I’m okay, I’m okay… sorry, just kinda emotional at the moment. I love it. I’ll never take it off.
“Good, good- I don’t think I can take another scare tonight. Here, give it here.”
Simon extends a hand, and I drop the pendant into it. He moves behind me, lowering the charm over my head and onto my chest, fastening the clasp behind me with a bit of struggle.
I shudder, letting out a stray huff of laughter as his knuckles brush against me.
“Laughing at a man struggling with a prosthetic?”
“Nohoho! No, I’m just- tahahake your time.” I say.
“You’d like that.” Simon mutters, scritching my neck with one finger, making my shoulders shoot up.
“Sihihimon!”
Sorry, sorry. I’ll stop.”
I look down at the necklace. “I don’t- I don’t mind…. You don’t… have to…” I mutter, as Simon moves back over beside me.
“You want me to?”
“W- well I mean…”
I can feel him smiling at me. I continue looking straight ahead.
“Would that make you feel better? If I ticke you? That’s what you’re dancing around asking?” He tilts his head.
“Maybe, I guess…”
“Maybe you guess?”
“C’mon, please don’t make me spell it out, it’s been a long night.” I huff.
“I won’t, I won’t. Just wanna make sure it’s what you want.”
“Yes.”
“Ok, I’ll go easy on you.”
I look over at Simon with an honestly pretty pathetic look.
“You don’t want me to go easy? Angel, I- I don’t want to overwhelm your system- you’ve only just come down from a panic attack, is laughing like a maniac really safe after crying so hard?”
He does raise a valid point, but I can’t find it in myself to care. I needed the pick-me-up.
Simon sighs after I greet him with the same expression..
“Fine, I’ll work up to it. Start slow.” He relents. “Are you gonna come to me, or am o gonna have for grab you myself.”
I smile at him, not moving an inch.
Right… fine, I’ll bite.” He shrugs, lurching at me, grabbing me by the shoulders, and pulling me down onto the quilt.
“Please let me know if you need a break.” Simon says rather sternly as he sidles up to me.
“I will. I’m okay.” I smile.
He nods. Two, uncharacteristically gentle hands find their place against my torso, lightly squeezing and kneading my stomach.
I snort,quietly giggling. “Sihihimon, you don’t have to treat me like I’m made of glahahass!”
“I know that, I’m just being careful.”
“I- I tohoOLD YOu, I’m okay. You’re nohohot gonna hurt me I’m a grown man.”
“Hmoh.”
“What’s thahat supposed to mean?!”
“Nothing.” He pokes me in the navel.
“AaAAH-haha-! If anything, it’ll just tire me out and I’ll finally be able to get some sleep.” I shrug, looking over at Simon.
He sighs. “If it’ll help you sleep…” Simon grumbles. He grabs me, dragging mw up into his lap. His metal arm held me up against his chest at an awkward angle, my arms suspended, and unable to drop. My sweatshirt had ridden up to my stomach in the process, which was precisely the target he struck.
“A-AHAHAHA-HAHAHAA!!” I shriek, feeling a strong hand strumming at my stomach like a guitar.
“Y-YOUR HAND IS SOHOHO COLD-!!”
“Low iron.”
“H-HOHOW IS TBAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!” Simon switches to roughly squeezing the center of my stomach, forcing the muscle to flex.
“It’s not, that was a lie. Wow- have you actually been using the fitness equipment?” Simon chuckles, giving my abdominal muscles a few strong pokes.
“A-AH! AHAHA! WHY IS THANAT SURPRISING, JERK?! OHOHOW!”
Simon stops a ruptly. “Whats wrong? Are you okay?!”
“YEHEhehes! Simon, I’m fihihine!”
“Why the hell did you say ‘ow’ then?!”
“I dunno! I just did!” I shrug as best I can in the suspended position I’m stuck in.
“You’re gonna give me a heart attack. Don’t say that unless you’re actually in pain, dumbass.”
“You’re so jumpy!”
“I’m worried about you! God forbid I’m worried!”
“AwwwwWWAAAAHAHAHA-!”
“Shut up!” Simon hisses, digging his knuckles into my ribs, dragging them up and down like a xylophone.
I throw my head back against Simon’s shoulder, cackling probably a bit too close to his ear.
I find myself sliding upward, pushing with my legs, instinctively to move away from Simon’s hand. He grumbles, clearly annoyed with me worming around.
“My god, hold still if you want me to do this!”
Simon takes me under the arms, lifting, and tossing me down into the bed, with enough push to one shoulder to land me on my back.
I land with a muffled thump, looking up at him with a lopsided smile on my face. Simon’s mild annoyance thaws when he looks down at me.
“You tired yet?”
“No, not really.”
He sighs, looking me over.
“The hell is with those socks?”
“What?! What’s wrong with them?!” I shrug.
The Hailart crew stocked my luggage with apparently, very strictly science themed items… shirts, sleepwear, and socks.
There’s no way this was all my wardrobe was back on earth…
This particular pair of socks, I quite liked. They were black, patterned with the line angle formulas of various chemicals. Dopamine, adrenaline, seraronin, and others of the sort.
“Are these constellations? Whats going on?”
“No- they- no they’re not constellations, are you blind?! What constellations look like that?!”
“How would I know?!”
“Oh- haha- r-right.”
“Jerk.”
“They’re skeletal structures of chemicals. They’re diagrams used in chemistry to show the bonds of molecules.”
“Huh…” Simon lifts my right foot up by the ankle. “What’s this one.” He jabs one of the images stitched into the bottom of the sock, and I yelp, jerking my knee back, unable to pry my ankle free.
“AH-! I- I dunno-! I cahahan’t see it!”
“Okay, does this help?” Simon shrugs, tracing a finger along the hexagons and lines of the chemical structure.
“A-ABAHAHA-! SIHIHIIMON-!”
“Do you know it or not? Pay attention.” He huffs, starting over.
Hexagon… two lines protruding from the left, going up left, and down left… GOD this sucks- then a line going up right from the hexagon… Oh!
“ADREHEHENALINE! IT… ITS ADEENALINE.” I shout, grabbing a corner of the quilt and covering my face with it, letting out a gravelly, muffled scream.
“That’s not what it says here. It’s got a bunch of letters and numbers.” Seriously?! The formula?!
Simon retraces the shape again as I struggle to think
“UHUHUJHH- DANGIT!! I- I DUNNOHOHO.”
“Yes you do, Think.”
“UUUURRBHHAHAHAHA OH-! OHOH ITS C- SUB 9, H SUB 13, N O SUB 3.”
“I need the elements, Gracie.” Simon shakes his head, suddenly raking his fingers up and down the bottom of my foot.
“AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA-! OKAHAHAHAY OKAY ALRIHIHIGHT-! PLEHEHEASE! STOP AND I’LL AMSWER- I CAN’T TAKE IT.” I howl, thrashing around like a fish out of water.
Simon stops immedietly, pulling his hand away. “Alright. Go.” He says.
I take a moment to catch my breath before answering.
“You asked!” I throw my hands up. “NO. Nohoho no more of that, that SUCKED.”
I yanked my leg away from Simon as he searched for another chemical to quiz me on.
“You’re done?”
“Just with that.”
Simon chuckles, patting my bent knee. “Okay, fine.” He says, shuffling up to my side. “One more, the. I think it should be lights out.”
“Deal.” I agree, admittedly feeling a bit groggy already.
Simon smiles with the wickedness of a man with a plan.
“Sit up.”
“Huh?”
“Up, Gracie.” He makes a rising motion with his hand.
I stare at him for a moment, a bit confused, but I do as I’m asked, sitting up with my knees still bent.
Simon opens out his arms, gesturing for a hug.
“What?”
“Would you just come here?” He chuckles. “So inquisitive.”
“I’m a-“
“Scientist, yes, so I’ve been told. Cmon.” He become me close with a rotation of the wrist.
Hesitantly, I move closer, accepting the suspicious hug, wrapping my arms around Simon’s neck as I do before, and he closes his arms around me.
“Perfect.” Simon purrs, before tightening his grip like a boa constrictor, both hands digging into the muscle of my back.
“A-AHAHAHAHA-! WHAHHAT?! WHAT THE HECK?!” I shout with stunned disbelief.
Simon chuckles darkly, the sound reverberating through my head as he began to knead and pinch and scratch, and jab all up and down the expanse of my back.
“AAHAHAHAHA-! AAAAAH-!! PLEHEHEASE THIS IS SO NOT FAIR!!”
“Yes it is, this is all at your request, Angel.”
He drives his knuckles into my low back, at the same time, blowing a sharp raspberry onto my neck. I thrash in his iron- or xenonite grip, until finally, I’ve had enough.
I fall limp, and Simon keeps me steady against him.
“That was cruel, y’know that?”
“Again, you asked me to do this. You said it’d make you feel better.”
“Uuurrerrghhj…”
Simon snorts, patting me on the back.
He peels me away from him, holding me at a short distance.
“Do you feel better?”
I nod, fatigue weighing heavy on my eyes. “Yeah, yes, thank you.”
“Anytime, Angel.” Simon nods, squeezing my shoulder gently.
He reaches up, combing a hand tgrough my hair, pushing it out of my face. He looks at me softly, not saying a word.
…What happens next can only be explained by a sleep deprivation induced lapse in judgment. I honestly to god don’t know what came over me in the moment, but in the stillness of the silence, I took a breath, and leaned forward…
I kissed Simon.
I… kissed Simon. I did.
And he kissed me back.
I figured- heck, I expected him to push me back, but he didn’t. Sure he was stunned for a second, but once the shock wore off, he slid a hand behind my neck, the metal one down to my back, and he kissed me back.
Not rough, not vicious or messy… equal, comfortable reciprocation.
I’d hardly ever done this before, and hadn’t the slightest clue what I was doing, but pulled back, with a sharp pain in my lip that I’m pretty sure was y standard for the experience.
Right, the teeth.
“Oh, sorry-“ Simon mutters, looking down at the red stain on my lip.
“No no, it’s alright. It’s fine.”
“It’s bleeding.”
“Yeah I can taste it. It stings…” My voice is quieter now. @Y- you’re not… venomous, are you?”
“I dunno, guess we’ll see.”
“What?!” I tense up.
“Joking, Joking. I’m not venomous. My teeth aren’t hollow like snake teeth.” Simon taps one of the long, sharp teeth with his finger.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.” He smiles.
I nod, looking to the side.
“Gracie.” Simon tilts his head to catch my eye again. “That didn’t have to mean anything you don’t want it to. You’re drained, and your mind is probably still a little scrambled - don’t worry about it, okay?” He says softly.
Admittedly, a part of me is relieved. I’m really not a relationship guy, let alone a kisser, so I couldn’t begin to imagine the implications a spur of the moment kiss would have on any other person.
I sigh. “Thank you, I- I appreciate it. I don’t know where that came from… W-well it’s not that I didn’t- that I don’t want to… kiss you…”
“Oh? Okay-“ Simon chuckles.
“No! But- I don’t- I just-…” Simon puts a hand up, signaling me to shut up, and I do.
“You don’t need to explain yourself. Don’t hurt yourself, you don’t have to explain.”
“Right… sorry…”
Simon lets out a deep quiet laugh, shaking his head.
I yawn, rolling my eyes.
Simon tips my head down, planting a kiss on the top of my head, like he did earlier.
“Why don’t we stick to that for now? No obligation, Nonthreatening.” He smiles.
“Yeah… yeah okay that sounds good…” I murmur, fading in and out where I sat.
Simon points behind me to my rumpled quilt and pillow. “Lay down. You’re gonna pass out sitting up.”
I mutter something even I can’t remember now, and let myself drop back onto the bed, making the supports rattle with the impact. I had been craving this sleep for dozens of hours, and it was finally within reach.
I hear Simon shuffle over to his side of the mattress, enough room between us maybe for Rocky to fit without his hamster ball. The light on the shelf clicks off, and Simon lays back with a groan only a man thirty years his senior should make.
I short.
“Something funny, Grace?”
I giggle like a kid at a sleepover, whispering - “you sound like an old man.”
“You’re older than I am.”
“But I don’t sound like that when I move around.”
Simon sighs, no longer finding me amusing. I can’t blame him.
“Go to sleep.” He grumbles.
I sigh, rolling over, closing the distance between us.
“Seriously?”
“It’s cold…”
“You chose to wear shorts!” He hisses.
“Okay! And so I’m cold!”
“Will this help you go to sleep?”
“…yes.”
Simon sighs, slinging his arm up and over me, yanking me close, my head between his arm and chest.
“Goodnight.” Simon says, grumbling with exhaustion.
“H’night… love you.” I mutter, my body finally falling limp against Simon’s.
Trying out a new look for my posts, how we like it, huh? Huh? It’s gonna take a lot more planning on the front end bc having to drag images 30,000 miles to the top of the post when they import is bonkers- WHATEVER.
Anyway, this one’s all fluff, super silly and dumb. I needed a pick me up, it’s been a week fr. Not well proofread, I don’t think… I lost my glasses, so…
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Switch!Simon (Iron Lung) Switch!Grace (PHM)
TW: swearing- it’s literally all Simon…
❦ Simon runs into a problem in the greenhouse, and needs Grace’s help to retrieve a plant that’s, annoyingly, just out of reach for the both of them.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
“Grace!”
I hear my name from across the house.
I’m in the middle of lesson planning, which is something I had, admittedly, been putting off for wife a while, and needed to knock out.
Maybe if I just stay quiet… he’ll think I’m not home… or asleep…
“Grace!” I hear footsteps approaching the bedroom- crap. I really don’t want to get up… what do I do?!
Play dead. Well- play sleep.
“Grace, I know you can hear me this house isn’t that big- …” Simon’s voice stops in the doorway.
“Very convincing. Yeah, your notorious sleeping position, laying like a mummy with an open laptop next to you. Would you get up?”
“How would you know how I sleep?” I grumble.
“I’m sorry, how many times do I have to come in here, so you’re not by yourself after a bad dream, for me to have a pretty good idea of how you sleep?”
“…You can get away with that because I do the same for you, loser.”
“Correct. Up.”
“Fine! Fine. Worte a Shot.”
“A shot in the dark with a blindfold on. Can you please help me? I don’t need you for that long.”
I sigh, lifting both my legs straight up, and using momentum of dropping them back down to sit myself upright, hands still folded over my chest.
“Jesus… Are you done, Dracula?”
“You’re the one with fangs.”
“Don’t start.”
“…Yes, what do you need?” I ask, begrudgingly standing up.
Simon shakes his head, turning to walk out of the room, and I follow close behind.
“I need to get this planter down in the greenhouse, but it’s a million feet in the air.”
“Rocky built that as an automated lift and lower system, didn’t he? You should be able to lower it from the control panel by the neighboring wall.”
“Yeah well, it’s not working. I got it most of the way down, but it jammed at about seven feet up.” Simon sighs.
“Ohhh Rocky’s gonna be mad…” I snicker. “That aside, isn’t there a stepladder in the greenhouse? Or at least one in my office.” I catch up, walking beside Simon now.
“Adrian’s borrowing them.”
“What could they possibly need with a stepladder…”
“Beats me. Point is, I don’t have one.”
I push open the front door of my house, hooking a left.
Rocky and Adrian were kind enough to build Simon a greenhouse in the biodome, and it was conveniently right around the back of my house.
It was… massive. There was enough room in the thing to plant, grow, and keep a thirty foot tree in the central, geodomed cathedral room, with shelving, lighting, and irrigation running all around the room like a botanical penopticon. 
The ground was mostly moss and clover, a lush green space that Simon often liked to read, dwell, and nap on while I was busy teaching.
He always looked so peaceful curled up in the foliage, with the yellow-green light dappling down from the skylights. Every once in a while, I’d join him.
Around the circumference of the cathedral was a metal path, starting from the wall and stretching inward about five feet, offering sturdy footing for more utilitarian activities.
There were a few offshoot rooms as well, used for storage, lab space, and a small, personal gallery room with a collection of some of Simon’s favorite plants he’s grown in the months we’ve been here.
The space in the very center sat empty, a tiered pedaatal of soil dedicated for Simon’s seedling, should he ever want to plant it. We were still working up the courage to separate the seedling from his amulet, but the option was always there.
Simon pushes the doors of the greenhouse open, the thick, humid air hitting me like a wave as we enter the small foyer leading into the central dome.
“Ah! You’ve planted some stuff around the center plot! Looks good!” I smile, walking over to the newly planted foliage, crouching down to have a better look.
“Anything special about these guys?” I ask, gently taking one of the tiny, hearty leaves between my fingers.
“No, not really. Just some sturdy ground cover. Sedum Angelina, is what it’s called. Adrian brought me some new substrate to try out in here, so I figured these succulents would be a safe start.
I nod, standing up. “Cool! Looks pretty. I like the bright green.”
“Thanks.”
“So what plant is it that you so urgently needed my help retrieving?” I put my hands on my hips.
Simon is already a few yards away from me, staring up at an obviously, very out of place shelf of plants, suspended awkwardly by articulated xenonite arms.
“This. It’s jammed, and that sucks, but more urgently, I need that philodendron up there so I can repot it. Its roots are going bad.”
“Uh huh… which one is the philoso-hedron, exactly?”
“…philodendron, ‘Professor’ Grace, and it’s the one to the right of the center.”
I hum in thought, looking around for anything I could use to step on to reach the plant.
“I’ve already looked. There’s nothing.”
“And so then what am I here for?”
“You’re taller, I thought you could get to it.”
“What?! How tall do you think I am?! Better yet how short are you?!”
“I thought you had better wingspan!”
“My arms aren’t that long. Strong, but not long.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“Ok, I’m gonna go home then.” I cross my arms.
“No! Just- help me think of something!”
I throw my arms up. “That’s so vague! I thought you already had a working idea!”
“No, scientist, that’s why I need you!”
I laugh incredulously, looking up at the plant.
It looks back at me.
“I’ll lift you.” I say with a sigh.
“What? No.”
“I’ve done it before.”
“When?”
“How’d you think you got out of your sardine can and into my medbay, Brinestein? I had to haul your butt across the whole ship!”
“Brinestein is so lame.”
“Whatever, you’re getting lifted.” I rolled my eyes, taking a few steps over to Simon.
“No! What?!”
“You want your phyllo-dungeon or not?!”
“Okay! God- I’ll step up on your hands.” Simon relents, groaning.
“Absolutely not. With all the mud and dirt and icky nonsense you track in my house on those boots? No.”
“I’ll take them off.”
“Even worse, actually. Just let me lift you normally! Like a cheerleader or something!” I chuckle, making a move to take Simon by the waist and hoist him upwards.
He flinches, taking a step back.
“What?!” I laugh, throwing my arms out, half in amusement, half in frustration.
“Don’t just come at me like that! Warn me!”
“Okahahay! 3 2 1 let’s go.” I count down quickly, taking Simon by the waist, and attempting to lift, only for him to gasp, and shove me off, a stupid, goofy half-smile on his face.
“Ohhhhhh brother, are we serious?” I rest my hands on my bent knees, letting my head hang.
“How am I supposed to turn it off?!” He barks out at me.
“Shh, don’t yell around the plants, Simon, they’ll think you’re yelling at them.”
Simon snorts rolling his eyes.
“I don’t know, just- flex your stomach or something. Just brace for it.” I shrug. “It’s gonna tickle regardless, but it’ll be over in two seconds.”
Simon nods.
…
“Ok but turn around and face the Philly-ding-dong so you can grab it.”
“Philodendron-!” He hisses, swiveling on his heels to face the suspended shelf.
“That’s what I said!” I chuckle, stepping right behind Simon. “Ok, ready?” I ask, hands at the ready.
“Yeah, just do it.”
“Ok, one… two.. theee!”
I take Simon again by the waist, just below the ribs, and get him about eight inches off the ground before I hear I sputtering snort, and he wriggles, slipping in my hold.
He falls back into my chest, my arms wrapped around his torso to anchor us both to the ground, the both of us giggling like drunken fools.
“Simon Fisher if you don’t pull it together and let me do this, I’ll give you something to laugh at, and that’s a promise.” I punctuate my joking threat with a pat on the chest, before pushing him up off of me.
“How about I lift you up instead, then asshole?!” Simon scoffs. 
“It’s not my Phil-the Dodo!” I laugh out with a dramatic shrug.
“Fine!! Then- at least lift me from here instead!”
Simon gestures under his arms, like that was somehow a smarter idea.
“…You must be joking.”
“…yeah, I don’t know why I even said that…”
“I don’t know why you say a lot of things. Alright, c’mon. Third times a charm.” I clap my hands, the sound echoing through the dome.
Simon sighs. “Okay… Go.”
I nod, taking hold of him again, lifting Simon up, and…
“AH-! Oof-!”
Simon thrashes, this time knocking us completely off balance, both of us tumbling down into the mossy ground. I held Simon tight to my chest as I took the brunt of the fall, sandwiched between plush moss, and Simon’s entire weight.
“You prihihick! You squeezed me that time!”
“Uuurregh- no I didn’t! You moved, and I readjusted so you’d stay stable!”
“Liar!”
“I’m not lying! It’s not my fault you’ve got gills with ten billion nerve endings in them, so the only place TO lift you up from is your waist!”
“IT WAS YOUR ISEA TO PICK ME UP!”
“YOU ASKED FOR MY HELP!! AND I CAN’T BREATHE!”
“YOURE HOLDING ME LIKE A VICE, IDIOT.”
I snort. “Oh yeah.”
Instead of letting Simon up, I tighten my grip around Simon’s torso, and dig one hand of curled fingers into his stomach, kneading the flesh like dough. The other hand slid over to his side, pinching and skittering over the area rapidly.
“AahHAHAHA- A-AAH! GRAHAHACE!”
I snicker, resting my chin on his shoulder as he struggled. “I told you I’d give you something to laugh about, Giggles!”
“GEHET- OHIHOFF!”
“Why?! Im enjoying my weighted blanket!” I made sure every breath ghosted over Simon’s gills.
“A-AHAHAHA- AH-! JEHEHERK!”
“Oh hush, you’re loving it.” I reach up and give his ribs a few jabs, with a rather childish “pbbft!” Sounds accompanying each one.
“IM NOHOHOT- AHAHA! STOP BREATHING ON MY NECK-!”
“Oh so you want me to suffocate? So mean to me.” I sigh through pursed lips, directing the air at the same spot. My hand travels up from Simon’s side, landing under his arm.
“You’re doing NOTHING to free yourself right now- ew! My lord you’re sweaty-“
I retract my hand from under Simon’s arm, wiping it off annoyingly on his chest.
Simon seizes my moment of weakness, thrashing to the side, and freeing himself from my grip
He rolls onto the moss beside me, and we sit up at the same time. He stares at me, I stare back.
He’s gonna chase me…
“Start running.”
“Yessir.” I mutter.
In the blink of an eye, we both tear off, running like bats out of hell. I clamber up to a stable, steady position, trying not to lose my balance as I run.
I don’t have to look behind me to know Simon’s hot on my trail. He’s much faster than me, but I know how to pivot.
I run about half the circumference of the greenhouse’s central dome’s paved path, and with a squeak of my shoes on the ground, I make a dangerously sudden 180, narrowly missing Simon.
“Ha!” I bark out as I continue back the other way.
Simon growls, adjusting from the disorientation. And following me once again.
With the little bit of time o managed to buy myself, I made the decision to turn into the propagation lab just up ahead, ducking in and taking a moment to assess my surroundings.
I find a large, alien-ish palm in the corner, tucked away among the maze of fronds, vines, and leaves in the lab. Perfect.
As quietly as I can, I scurry behind the massive, metal pot, hiding between it and the wall.
I had to admit, this was actually fun! I hadn’t played silly games like this in years…
“Ryyyyland…”
I hate this, I’m scared, and I’m not having fun. Why is his voice so deep?! It’s like he’s talking with a lion’s growl…
I know Simon’s in here with me, but the lights remain off. Awesome.
“You can’t hide from me in my own lab, Rocketman- I know the layout like the back of my hand.”
‘The one you’re missing?’ Is what I want to say, but I’m too scared to speak.
I hear heavy bootsteps navigating the room, the sound of things being shuffled and maneuvered. I move to peek over the pot to get a better look at where exactly Simon is.
Two red and brown eyes meet my gaze, looming over the pot as I peek over.
“Boo.”
I yelp, moving back, only to be brutally reminded that I chose a spot that locked me into an inescapable corner.
“NOOOO! NO NO SIMON! PleEHEHEASE!” I shriek, laughing nervously as Simon slowly steps around to the side of the pot, standing above me.
“Please what? What’re you begging for? I haven’t even done anything.” He lowers himself down, crouching in front of me.
“PleHEHEASE. Simonohon- you don’t have to do this.”
“I wasn’t planing to originally, but you made the Chase-and-find so fun…”
“W-what are you some kinda wild ahahnimal?!”
“Well- I mean… kinda.” He chuckles, tapping his external tooth with a metallic finger.
Oh my god he just might eat me…
Without another second thought, he lunges at me, knocking me back into the wall, and dragging me down to the floor, holding me there by my shoulders.
“OHOHOW-! Too rough! Jeez!” I complain, not bothering to struggle.
“Ohhh I’m sorry.” He says it in a patronizing tone, but he does take a little bit of weight off of me, but that’s about where the compassion ends, unfortunately.
“AaaAAAAAaaAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA-!!”
“My gid, I’m barely doing anything- my ears are gonna bleed.” Simon groans, slipping both hands up my sides, around the back. And up to my shoulder blades, scratching agonizing, slow circles into the muscle there.
“YEHEHES YOU ARE! GEHEHET OFF!!” I cry out, reaching my arms up to weakly push and punch at Simon’s chest. He seems utterly unphased.
“Well thank you for getting those out of the way for me…” Simon gathers both my wrists in this prosthetic hand, the grip tight and unwavering. He lifts them over my head, and against the wall above where I lay, and moves his free hand to the front of me, vibrating clawed fingers into my stomach.
“AAAAAAAHAHAA THIS ISNT FAHAHAIR!! I WASN’T NEARLY THIS ROUGH-!!” I whine, thrashing and bucking my hips.
“Cry about it.” Simon smiles. Deliberately dragging his hand so that one finger catches my navel.
“AAAAAHAHAHA-!! CRAHAHAP-!!” My whole body jerks, my arms pulling against Simon’s grip.
“Woah- that’s new.”
“NoHO IT ISN’T YOU KNOW THAT GEHEHETS ME!”
“Everything gets you. Everything.” Simon rolls his eyes, poking me in the belly button again, making me sputter.
“NOHOHOT TRUE.”
“Oh yea?!”
“YOU DON’T HAVE TO TRY.”
“Well if you’re gonna sit here and lie to my face, yes the fuck I do.”
“LAHAHANGUAGE!”
“Whatever GeekSquad.” He chuckles. “Let’s try… here.
Simon drags his nails along the underside of my upper arm, up the length of my tricep. I snort, turning my head to hide my face in my shoulder.
“Like who else would this work on?”
“A-ahAhaHA-! Th-thERE’s a lotta ner-“
“If you give me a breakdown of every nerve in your body right now, we’re gonna have issues.” Simon squeezes the area just above my elbow, cutting me off.
“Snrk- OKAHAY OKAY-!!”
Simon spends the next minute poking and squeezing me all over, just to prove his point. My hip, the part of my upper chest that nearly meets my arm, my thigh, my knee… and darn it he was right. I laughed at every one. I’m chalking it up to adrenaline…
“OKAHAHAY ALRIGHT I GET IT PLEHEHEASE-!”
I shake my head, glasses long since fogged up.
“I’ll stop if you agree to let me lift YOU to get my plant down off the shelf. Is that a deal?”
I groan. “Still with that stuhuhupid pill-addendum.”
“See now you’ve pissed me off.”
“Whahat?!”
“You know how to say it, assholw, you call everything by its Latin name!”
“Whatever!! It’s clohohose enough!”
“Say it correctly.”
“No! Get away!”
“Say it correctly!”
“No!!”
Simon tuts, hooking a hand behind my shoulder, resting near my neck.
“Still no?”
I freeze. “Sihihimon- Simon. C’mon-“
“3”
“WAHAIT! How do you say it?! I forget!!”
“2…”
“I DONT REMMBER HOW TO SAHAHAY IT!”
“1.”
Simon latches onto the nape of my neck, vibrating his fingertips roughly into the flesh.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHAHA-!!! NOOOHOHONONONO SILON! SIMON PLEHEHEASE!!” I feel my body tense up, my laughter becoming frantic, almost manic.
“Say it correctly for me, agree to my deal, and I’ll stop.” He pinches my neck, and slides his fingers upwards, sending an electric current down my spine.
“S-SHI- A-AHAHAA-!! UHM- UH- I CANT THINK!!”
“Yes you can, you’re great at it.” Simon purrs he momentarily switches to the side of my neck, offering me brief respite to think, only to return to the nape just a few seconds later. I can feel my face reddening as I for some reason hold my breath.
I let a breath out with a sputtered exhale through gritted teeth. I probably spat a little, but my eyes were closed. So if I didn’t see it, ir didn’t happen.
“PH-PHILO-DENDRON?!”
“Very good Angel, you’re halfway there.” Simon runs his nails up into my hair, and back down, making me shiver.
“A-AHA-! OKAY, Y-YES OKAHAHAY I’LL GET THE PLANT. ENOHOHOUGH!!”
Simon retracts his hand, and releases my wrists from the wall, and I slump into the ground, gasping for air.
“If you’d stop holding your breath you wouldn’t have to fight for air like this.” Simon chuckles, carding a hand through my hair, pushing it back off my face.
“You’re sweating like a pig…” he groans.
“Yeah, see how it feels?!” I huff out. He chuckles.
“Get offa me.” I hiss.
“What’s the attitude about?”
“You’re Heavy and you’re making me claustrophobic.”
“You’re not claustrophobic.”
“You don’t know my life!”
“You sleep with a weighted blanket. 20 lbs, And you pull it over your head. You aren’t claustrophobic.” I huff dramatically.
“I am when it’s you! Get offa me or I’m not getting your plant down.”
Simon shoots me a look, leaning slightly back down. I put my hands up defensively.
“Hey, what I said back there? I didn’t mean that.” I murmur.
“That’s what I thought.” Simon stands up, bracing himself on the wall as he extends a hand to me. I accept it, and he pulls me up with minimal effort.
“And you’re sure there’s nothing in here at all you can use to get your plant off that shelf.” I sigh, as we leave the lab, and make our way back to the suspended shelf.
“I’ve exhausted all my options, I assure you.”
I look up at the plant.
Stupid plant.
“Fine, let’s go. Let me step up on your hand.”
“Yeah, nice try Space Ranger, you’re going up cheerleader style.”
“Well, actually some cheer routines so use the hand ste-“
“Turn around and shut up.”
“Fine.” I turn around in a few theatrical stomps.
“Ready?”
“Don’t count me down, just go.”
“Alright, aaand- up!”
Simon takes me by my waist, lifting me up easily. I struggle for a moment, fighting the tingling feeling through my torso. I grab Simon’s philodendron, and I’m swiftly lowered back down to the ground.
“God you’re heavy.” Clearly, he’s joking, but I miss the cue
“No I’m not! I’m lighter than you are! You’ve got 7 pounds on me in muscle alone!” I protest.
“It’s a joke, hun.”
My face flares red as I clutch the plant.
“Don’t- you’ve never called- don’t call me that, don’t do that.” I stammer out.
Simon smiles at me. “Is it too warm in here for you?”
“No, shut up. Here. And I did it without flailing around.” I shove the plant into his arms.
It’s dark green, with flecks of pink all over the leaves. Honestly it’s quite pretty.
I’m sorry for calling you stupid, pretty plant.
Simon takes it. Examining it closely. He tips it to look at the roots through the clear planter.
“You’re gonna hate me.”
“…”
“This isn’t the philodendron I needed to repot. Its roots are fine.” He looks up and down the tall wall of greenery, spotting a similar plant a few feet to the right, and significantly lower, with obviously yellowed roots.
“…that’s the one I needed.” He snorts, dropping his face into his hand.
“Are you KIDDING ME?!”
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