welcome to my blog!! thank you for stopping by! :) i'm toast, i'm 21, an aroace lesbian, and i like to write cute and fluffy tickle fics and headcanons! <3
i'm into a lot of different random things but here are my current top obsessions:
Deltarune
Animal Crossing
FNaF Movie
Smiling Friends
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Peacemaker
Project Hail Mary
feel free to send any asks or requests but please know that i am very inconsistent with my schedule and i cannot promise anything :( i don't post often and i mostly only currently write whenever i get the idea for a fic, which is very rare :(
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.
Author's note: Aliens and creatures learning about new human concepts, MY BELOVED. I wrote this fic in the span of a week, which is quick for me 😭, because I was too excited to write some silliness between these two! Shoutout to my friend who impulsively went to go see the movie with me last Sunday an hour before it started ✌️. Now we both are in love with this movie. This fic is also inspired by all the wonderful fics and headcanons I’ve seen so far! Enjoy!
(Also available to read on AO3!)
Series: Project Hail Mary
Characters: Ryland Grace and Rocky
Word count: 2,579
Summary: Rocky learns about the concept of “tickling” when he accidentally gets a giggly reaction from Grace. Rocky wants a demonstration of the new concept and, being the only human around, Grace is that demonstration.
---
Living with an alien in the middle of outer space was not on Ryland Grace’s bucket list, but Rocky hasn’t been a terrible roommate. Sure, he can’t talk to himself without Rocky’s immaculate hearing picking up on Grace’s one-sided conversation, but he doesn’t mind being joined at the hip with his boulder-looking pal. They’ve been able to learn more about each other and their worlds this way.
They even take turns to watch over each other while they sleep (since it’s part of Eridian culture) like they’re a police duo on a stakeout, though when Grace mentioned that reference to Rocky one time, the human had to clarify that we was not, in fact, talking about steak as in the slab of meat.
Grace doesn’t mind teaching Rocky about human phrases or culture though. Honestly, it makes him feel like he’s back home and in a classroom teaching his students.
Like a usual day on the ship, Grace was supposed to be on ‘watch’ duty while Rocky slept, but Grace, in the quietness of the ship and his thoughts keeping him company, must have dozed off next to Rocky.
When Rocky wakes up, he rolls out in his xenonite ball to see Grace sitting on the floor, his head lying to the side on the wall of the alien’s see-through enclosure, snoring softly.
“Grace. Time to awake,” the computer voice translates Rocky’s foreign chirps. Rocky bumps into the scientist’s shoulder, but it has no effect on him. He tries again, then again, only managing to get an exhausted groan from Grace as the human nuzzles his head closer to the enclosure that he’s using as a pillow.
“Grace. Awake. Awake, statement,” Rocky persists. He taps on his ball to try and get Grace's attention with the glass-like cling of the taps. Nothing.
If the sound of tapping doesn’t work, then perhaps the physical touch of a tap will work. Rocky rolls right up next to Grace. Reaching through the mesh material built-in to his ball, Rocky taps on Grace’s side like he is tapping on a fish tank.
“Grace. Awake,” Rocky repeats, tapping Grace’s side even faster like he’s pushing a button.
Finally, Grace huffs out a breath of air through his nose, like a chuckle. It’s followed by a few more huffs, which is then accompanied by a soft giggle as he begins to shift from his sleeping position. “Rocky,” he says with another chuckle, “That tickles. Okay, okay, I’m up,” Grace slides an elbow to his side.
Rocky pulls back his arm into his ball, observing the human curiously. As Grace stretches himself awake, Rocky tilts his stone body to the side like a cat tilting its head. “Glad Grace is awake. But what does new word mean, question?”
“Hm? What word?” Grace fixes his glasses and blinks at the creature.
“New word when Rocky tapped Grace’s side, statement.”
“Huh? What did I-” Grace ponders for a moment, recalling what he may have said that is unfamiliar to the alien. “Oh, you mean when I said ‘That tickles?’” Grace asks.
Rocky stands up straight on his legs, thrilled. “Yes! That is word! Grace laughed when word was spoken. What does new word mean, question?”
“Oh, um…” Out of all things today when Grace woke up, this is not what he expected. It’s understandable that Rocky would be curious though. To the creature, it must have looked like a strange reaction to laugh out of nowhere.
He struggles to find an explanation. Ironic, he thinks, considering he’s a scientist who can solve complex mathematical problems, but he’s having trouble coming up with a definition for something as simple as tickling.
After thinking about it, he provides an answer, “Well, it’s like a tingling sensation in our nervous system that makes humans laugh when we’re touched in certain places. Kind of like a reflex, but we laugh from it. It’s called being ‘ticklish,’ but not all humans are ticklish.”
“It doesn’t hurt, question?” Rocky asks.
“No, no. It doesn’t,” Grace clarifies. “This might be a weird description—but it’s like the opposite of pain. Instead of feeling hurt, it feels…tingly and funny? And that funny feeling makes us laugh.”
“Why does it make humans laugh, question?”
“Not sure, really. It’s a scientific mystery.”
Rocky tilts his body to the side again, trying to process the new information. “Rocky still confused. Could Grace show demonstration?”
Grace huffs out a laugh at that. “Sorry, buddy. I can’t tickle myself. It’s another one of those scientific mysteries. The only way to see it is if you tickle me. That is unless you see any other humans around.”
“Only human Rocky see is you.”
“That’s the joke, Rocky,” Grace smiles at him.
“Oh, yes. Joke. Humor. Can be confusing,” Rocky replies before getting back to the topic of interest. “But can Rocky try on Grace?” Rocky shakes with excitement like he’s wagging a tail.
Grace pauses at the question; his muscles already stiffen out of reflex. “Well, uh…” he babbles out. Although, now that he thinks about it, he doesn’t know why he’s babbling. After being away from others for so long, he’s forgotten how ticklish he actually is. Clearly, he’s somewhat ticklish due to feeling Rocky’s pokes from before, but the extent of it remains unknown to him.
Oh, heck. What’s the harm in it? Rocky seems curious to learn about it and this opportunity, Grace guesses, will be a good reminder of his own nervous system to answer his own personal curiosity.
“Alright,” Grace smiles and nods. “Go ahead.”
“Amaze! Amaze!” Rocky cheers, and in an instant, the creature rams into Grace with his giant hamster ball, pinning the scientist with an oof against the wall of the clear enclosure behind him. Grace adjusts his glasses that nearly jumped off his face from the impact.
Rocky’s form rattles with joy. “Where should Rocky start? How to make Grace laugh? Question.”
“You’re asking me???” Grace keeps his wobbly smile and the giggles already bubbling up inside of him at bay. He is not in a position to try and explain to Rocky why he’s already giggling before Rocky even starts touching him.
“Is Rocky not supposed to ask, question?”
“No, you can. Just um…” He can’t believe he’s about to tell a rock alien where and how to tickle him. What is his life…
“You just wiggle your fingers—er claws at the spot. Like this.” Grace shows the creature the dexterity in his fingers by wiggling them above his side, almost looking like he’s acting out a monkey. “Start at my sides. We already know they’re ticklish.”
“Rocky understand! Commence at sides!” Rocky chirps. He reaches through his mesh ball with both arms and presses them into Grace’s sides.
To both of their surprise, Grace coughs out a giggly yelp, suppressing it just enough so Rocky doesn’t worry that he hurt him. His instincts activate, telling him to hold in his laughter, but that quickly fails—a crackle of snickers is followed by giggles tumbling out of the scientist like an avalanche.
What Grace realizes is that, yes, he is still ticklish.
Really ticklish.
Rocky hops on his back legs with delight. “Grace is laughing! Means Rocky is doing correctly, question?” the creature asks, still gently scratching at the ticklish spot at Grace’s sides with, shockingly, accurate precision.
Grace could just combust red right now from embarrassment. He tucks his head near his shoulder and folds his arms closer to himself, hovering his elbows over his sides. At the same time, he pulls his knees in towards him, only to be blocked by Rocky’s ball like a toddler sitting on his hips.
“Yehehehep! Yohohohou gohohohot it,” Grace says sarcastically, but he realizes Rocky will just take it as a compliment.
“Amaze! Rocky like seeing Grace happy! Grace said other places make humans laugh. Does Grace laugh anywhere else, question?”
“Nohope! I’m nohohohot telling you that!” Grace replies and wiggles in place—not that he actually remembers where else he’s ticklish, but he can make an educated guess based on the potency of current ticklishness at his torso.
For a moment, Rocky leans his body to the side, wondering why his human friend is refusing to answer his question. Then, it hits him. “Oh! Starting to understand. New word is like game. Grace is stubborn, so Rocky has to discover! Like seek and hide.”
“Ihihihit’s hide and seek!” Grace corrects through his laughter, “Ahahahand I am nohohohohot stubborn!”
Rocky chirps out a chuckle. “Rocky disagrees, statement. Grace just prove why stubborn. Try here now.” Rocky moves his claws closer together to test the reflexes of Grace’s stomach.
“GAH-ha!” Grace jolts forward, bouncing right off of Rocky’s ball and leaning back on the enclosure’s wall. He instinctively goes to wrap his arms around himself but he’s interrupted by the placement of Rocky’s ball. Right… Rocky is still on top of him.
If Grace thought his sides were bad, he had another thing coming when Rocky’s tiny appendages started scratching at his belly.
“Rohohohohocky!” Grace paddles his legs behind Rocky as the alien paws at his stomach like a puppy digging in the dirt. He folds his arms to his sides again and leans his head back, letting out wheezy, gravely cackles.
“Squishy middle makes more laughter!”
“Yehehehes it dohohoes!” Grace, embarrassingly, admits.
“Then Rocky will focus here, statement!” Rocky chirps and quickens the pace of his claws. Grace and his big mouth…
“AH! Nohohoho, wahahahait!” Grace calls out of reflex, but he amends his statement so he doesn’t confuse his friend, “I mean- yohohohou’re not wrong, buhuhuhut my belly ne-hehehehe-needs a break! Mohohohove somewhere else!” Grace waves his hands in front of Rocky’s ball.
The alien listens, “Understand. Rocky will try new place.”
Moving from Grace’s stomach, Rocky reaches up to examine Grace’s ribs.
Grace barks out a loud giggle followed by more overflowing laughter. He leans forward and squishes his arms to his sides, though it does little to stop the curious alien. He bumps the front of his forehead on Rocky’s ball to hold up the weight of his giggling head, as if Rocky’s ball is a pillow Grace is face-planting in.
“Better for Grace, question?” Rocky’s computer voice beams at the closeness of Grace’s smile.
“Nohohohot much better!” Grace compacts his head closer to his chest with his giddy smile, suddenly letting out a snort.
Startled, Rocky immediately pulls his arms back into his ball.
“Grace make snarl! Grace not angry, question? Did Rocky hurt, question?” The creature frantically asks.
Grace snorts again, catching his breath. “Nohoho, no. I’m okay,” he puts up a reassuring hand and takes the opportunity to adjust his glasses. “It’s called a snort, not a snarl. It happens when I-” Grace stops himself. He did not want to make himself out to be the most ticklish human on Earth to Rocky. “-When humans are laughing a lot.”
“Oh! Then Rocky like when Grace makes sound! Means Rocky is doing good!” With confirmation that his friend is okay, Rocky happily pounces back onto Grace, alternating between the human’s sides, belly, and ribs, now knowing where the scientist bursts out laughing.
Grace nearly jumps out of his skin, “AHA! Yehehehes! Too good!” Grace playfully shoves at the giant hamster ball on top of him. “How are yohohohou so good at this?!”
“Had good teacher!” Rocky praises.
“Great, sohoho I only have myself to blahahahame.” The scientist takes another two-handed shove at Rocky's round container, “Gehehehet off me ya tickle monster!”
“Rocky is not monster. Rocky is Eridian”, Rocky says like he’s stating a fact.
“It’s juhuhust a phrase, Rohohocky!” Grace laughs, letting out another snort. “Seheheheriously though! Cuhuhuut it ohohohout! I need to breheheheathe!”
In an instant, Rocky stops his tickling and scrambles off of Grace. He looks up at him, alert. “Did not mean to near suffocate Grace! Grace, okay, question?”
Grace wraps an arm around his torso, still giggling out the remaining tingles. “I’m okay. I was being dramatic, heh. I did need a break though hehe…”
Rocky relaxes knowing Grace isn’t hurt. Now with the worry out of the way, Rocky’s curiosity comes back. “If Rocky not using new word on Grace, why is Grace still laughing?”
Rocky’s question even makes Grace giggle. “It’s just the after effects. I’ll be okay, just give me a sec, hehe.” Grace rubs a hand on the side of his face and through his hair, a giddy smile still lingering on his face. He fixes his glasses to their proper position. “Heh, I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. They probably heard me all the way on Earth with how much I was laughing.”
“But Earth is long way away. And sound does not travel through space,” Rocky replies.
“Joke, Rocky,” Grace clarifies for his friend.
“Oh, yes. Another joke. Still confusing.” Rocky looks up at Grace. “But Rocky like using new word on Grace, statement. Can make Grace laugh without confusion. Makes Rocky happy.”
Grace huffs out a soft chuckle at that.
The alien rolls forward, closer to the human. “Did new word also make Grace happy?”
Grace pauses. He leans his head back, facing away from Rocky, and he blinks at the air ahead of him.
Like he said to his friend, he hasn’t laughed that way in a long time. He was too busy re-learning his own nervous system to think about it at the time, but now that it’s over, it was…nice. He wouldn’t expect himself to admit it, but he liked the feeling of letting himself go. To lose himself completely in his own uncontrollable, goofy smile. To forget about the vast unknowns of the world around him.
For those few minutes, it was just him, Rocky, and the play they were sharing.
It made him feel, well, alive again.
“Yeah,” Grace reveals his answer in a relaxed breath. He turns to his friend and shows him a soft smile, “It did.”
Rocky bounces on his legs, filling the room with energy. “Amaze! Amaze! Rocky overjoyed! Can Grace input new word in translator, question?”
“Sure, pal.”
Grace stands off the floor and makes his way to his laptop on the table. After hearing Rocky’s versions of the word ‘tickling’ and all its variations in his Eridian chirps, Grace makes a showing of pressing the enter key, placing the new words into the system.
“Alright, you’re good to go,” Grace says and leans his back on the table.
“Amaze!” Rocky cheers. “Rocky is pleased. Now Rocky can say Grace is ticklish!”
Grace jokingly cringes at actually hearing Rocky say it for the first time. He lets out an airy chuckle, “Let’s not do that.”
The alien happily shakes. “Grace is flustered. Does saying Grace is ticklish make Grace flustered, question?” The computer voice makes Rocky sound as if he’s putting on the widest smile.
“W-What? Noho, of course not.”
Rocky’s excellent hearing picks up on Grace’s tone. The alien puts his claws near the front of his face like he’s about to cover up a laugh. “Rocky is going to have fun with this.”
“Okay, you’ve been given too much power,” Grace states. Rocky chirps out squeaky giggles into his claws as a response. The scientist rolls his eyes, having trouble holding back a smile of his own.
This is one lesson about human culture that Rocky certainly won't forget, and Grace, like all their other lessons about each other’s worlds, doesn't mind in the slightest.
HELLO! just got into ace attorney and there’s a lot of stuff BUT i would love to see my man phoenix be a lee hehe
now that’s quite literally all i’m asking here, you can do whoever you want with any context, just anything with lee phoenix if you don’t mind :D
Hello Anon! Yay! That’s great that you’re getting into the series! It’s one of my favorites! I’m currently replaying the Trilogy, so I chose Maya and Pearl for this! I hope you enjoy!
A Spirit Medium's Curse
Series: Ace Attorney
Characters: Phoenix Wright, Maya Fey, Pearl Fey
Words: 1,344
Summary: When Phoenix tries to remove a poster Maya hung in the office, Maya uses any tactic she can to stop him, even if she has to make up a playful curse to do so. Enjoy!
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The edge of a poster droops downward like a wilting flower, revealing its plain white backing as the glass panel that was once flattening it is removed from the wall. With the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up, Phoenix lifts the see-through plate from the picture frame and carefully leans it against the side of his desk. The ringing sound of glass vibrating and bumping into other solid material makes a bit of a ruckus in the office, which catches Maya’s attention while she watches TV on the couch. She turns herself around and sits on her knees, leaning over the back of the cushions to see Phoenix.
“Nick? What are you doing?” Maya asks after hearing the small commotion of noise.
Phoenix dusts his hands off and stares at the picture on the wall. “I’m taking down the Steel Samurai poster you hung here.”
“What?!” In a flash, Maya launches herself off the couch and dashes over to the lawyer. “Why?!”
“Because it’s not very professional to have it hanging in the office.”
“What’s so unprofessional about the Steel Samurai: Warrior of Neo Olde Tokyo! Pearly and I like it. Isn’t that right, Pearly?”
Maya’s little cousin peeks her head over the couch. “Yes! Mystic Maya is showing me these things called reruns of the Steel Samurai! He’s a defender, so he kind of reminds me of you, Mr. Nick!”
“See! Pearly gets it!” Maya gestures towards her.
“Thank you Pearls,” Phoenix says sweetly to the little girl, then narrows his eyes at the older spirit medium, “But I’m still taking the poster down.” Soon after, the lawyer turns his back on her to continue what he was doing.
“Wait, Nick don’t! Or you’ll…um…” Maya tries to think of an explanation, “Or…You’ll be cursed!”
Phoenix glares at her again. “Cursed? Really?” he has to keep himself from rolling his eyes at her attempt at an excuse.
“Uh…Yes!” she proceeds with her lie. “A legend from Kurain Village says that if you go against not one, but two medium’s wishes, a spirit will come to haunt you with its ghostly hands!” Maya waves her arms up and down for a spooky effect.
“Uh huh…Right,” Phoenix responds sarcastically. He completely ignores her reasoning and turns around once more with his arms raised to take down the poster.
“Wait Nick!” Maya yells again in a desperate attempt to stop him. She has to think of something quick, or the poster is history! In a last-ditch effort, she goes with the first idea that pops into her head and shoots her hands forward to tickle his exposed sides. Phoenix immediately yelps and clamps his arms down as giggles start to pour from his mouth. Success! He stopped going for the poster!
Mayahahaha!” Phoenix wraps his arms around himself and twists his body to try and escape the corner he’s trapped in. “Cuhuhut that ohohout!”
“But I’m not doing this Nick!” Maya feigns innocence with a smile, “I told you, the spirit would come down to curse you! They’re being channeled through me and are using my hands to tickle you for all eternity!”
“I knohohow thahahat’s nohohot true Mayahaha! Quihihit it!” He attempts to shake her away, but Maya shifts next to him and starts wiggling her fingers into the front of his side, causing Phoenix to completely spin around and stumble backwards towards the couch. He grabs the arm of the sofa with one hand to catch himself while he uses his other to try and push her away, but a quick scribble into his ribs sends him toppling over the arm of the seat. Pearl leaps off the piece of furniture right before Phoenix plops into the cushions, and she watches as her older cousin runs to the front of the couch to continue her playful attack on the lawyer.
Maya quickly scribbles back into Phoenix’s sides before he can escape, not giving him a single moment to rest while he returns into a giggling mess. Phoenix kicks his legs and tries to scoot away as far as he can, but his route is ultimately cut off when his head reaches the other, dead end of the couch.
Pearl giggles at them while she watches them play. “That’s why you should always listen to Mystic Maya, Mr. Nick!”
“Exactly!” Maya responds to her cousin and wiggles her hands up towards Phoenix's ribs, making him jump with increased giggles from this new spot. “Come help me, Pearly! Go for Nick’s ribs, he’s really ticklish here!”
“Nohoho! Pehehearls! Dohohon’t listen to heheher!” Phoenix thrashes about as he tries to push Maya away from his weak point.
Pearl pulls up her little sleeve. “Sorry Mr. Nick, but if it makes Mystic Maya happy, then it has to be done!” She trots over to the couch where the flailing Phoenix is and Maya steps out of the way, moving her hands down to his sides, to make room for Pearl.
“Nohoho! Wahahait—AH! Hahaha! Pehehearls!” Phoenix’s laughter rises even higher when her little hands scribble into his ribs, their small size easily gaining access to the ticklish gaps between each of the curved bones. He gently tries to grab the girl’s wrists away to stop her, but a few quick squeezes to his sides by Maya makes him jolt in place and lose his grip on Pearl.
“So Nick, will you leave the poster up?” Maya gives him a smug grin while she claws into his sides.
Phoenix attempts to roll himself into a protective ball. “Buhuhut I dohohon’t wahahant to!” he responds through his giggles like a schoolchild.
“Are you suuure?” Maya smirks and moves one of her hands to tickle his belly, while her other creeps up his side to the lower half of his ribs, only adding on to the tickles that Pearl is already delivering there. Phoenix lets out a little squeal of laughter and quickly curls up his middle to try and shove Maya’s teasing hand away, but he flops back into the cushions and dissolves into giggles when he can’t hold himself up any longer.
“Fihihihine! Fine! Yohohou twohoho win!” Phoenix leans his head back, “Yohohou cahahan keep the pohohoster! Now plehehease stohohop! Hahaha!”
“Deal!” Maya moves her hands away, with Pearl following close behind. Phoenix sinks back into the couch as his chest rises and falls, placing a hand on his stomach to relax his previously attacked center. The assistant puts her hands behind her back and tips her weight forward to lean over him with a smile. “See? That wasn’t so hard now was it?”
Phoenix slowly turns his head towards her while he catches his breath. “You can…be a real pain sometimes…you know that?”
“I know,” she grins, “But you still care about me.”
“Mr. Nick! Don’t be mean to Mystic Maya! Or we’ll have to punish you again!” Pearl chimes in with a determined look.
Phoenix’s eyes go wide and he immediately sits up. “No! No! I’ve had enough for one day!”
Maya chuckles. “We’ll let him off the hook this time, Pearly. But only if he finishes straightening the poster in its rightful spot.”
The lawyer sighs and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m on it…”
He gets up off the cushions and heads towards his desk while the two girls take over the couch again to continue watching TV. With extra caution, he smooths out the curved edges of the poster so that it’s completely flat, then lifts up the plate of glass to place it into the frame. Once the fragile piece is secured, he takes a step back to look at his finished handiwork.
As the Steel Samurai in its iconic pose stares back at him, Phoenix suddenly understands the significance of why it belongs in the office. He glances over at the girls on the couch, smiling as they cheer on the heroic warrior on the television screen. The Steel Samurai poster may not be completely professional, but it does remind him of the good times he’s able to have with friends like them.
It was 3:00 PM on a Wednesday afternoon. The gang were in Paddy’s Pub debating some illogical topic as always.
“No, no. Giggling is a feminine thing, men don’t do that,” Frank argued.
“Yeah, dudes can laugh and chuckle, but I’ve never heard a grown man giggle,” Mac agreed with him.
Dee crossed her arms, “Bullshit, I’ve heard all of you giggle multiple times before!”
“Uh, when?” Charlie asked, eyeing her doubtfully.
Dee glared at him, “Many times! You especially, Charlie!”
“I don’t know, Dee. I don’t remember giggling anytime at all,” he countered.
The guys devolved into a chorus of agreement with each other as Dee seethed with anger. Wait a second. She suddenly remembered something from her childhood and young adult years. Something that could prove the guys wrong instantly. Hopefully it still worked.
“Well, you know what? I at least know for sure that Dennis giggles.” The gang went silent at her words. They exchanged looks, staring at the woman across the bar from them in shock before turning to the man next to her wiping the counter.
Dennis stopped cleaning and turned to face her. “Dee, what the hell are you talking about? I definitely do not giggle. And don’t involve me in your guys’ bullshit,” he spat.
Dee tilted her head at him and raised her eyebrows. “Oh really? You’ve never giggled? Ever?” She challenged.
“Of course I haven’t! I’m a grown man! You clearly must be losing brain cells or something, because-” Dennis never finished his sentence. Dee had suddenly attacked, shutting him up with hands squeezing and spidering up his sides.
Dennis jerked away from her and made a noise that sounded like a mix between a scream and a squeal. The others watched in awe as Dee grabbed her twin brother from behind and tickled him wildly. She quickly but precisely wiggled her fingers into his sides and the bottom part of his ribs.
“Deehehe- St-Stohop it right nohow,” Dennis tried to threaten her but his tone was already laced with laughter. Dee smirked as he squirmed in her grasp, wriggling around like a fish out of water. He tried his best to keep a straight face but his instincts were betraying him. His sister’s hands then moved from his sides to his stomach. This finally made him crack.
A gradual eruption of squeaky giggles escaped Dennis as he desperately tried to push Dee away from him. He tried, but every time he raised his arm Dee just shot her hand into his armpit making him retreat. The gang continued to watch with amusement. Mac especially was watching and listening attentively, trying to solidify in his mind the image of Dennis’ smile and the sound of his laugh.
Dennis let out a particularly loud squeak as Dee tickled his underarm, making the others laugh. “What was that dude?” Charlie smiled, watching as Dennis tried and failed to push his sister off of him.
“SHUHUT UHUP!” Dennis snapped. A light blush was starting to spread across his cheeks.
Dee surprisingly, decided to show mercy and spare him. She let go of Dennis as her hands returned to her hips. She watched with a proud, smug smile as Dennis recovered and caught his breath.
“Holy shit,” Frank was in disbelief.
Dee stood and waited. “So?”
“Fine. I giggle occasionally, okay? Are you happy?” Dennis admitted. He waved his arms, trying to downplay his statement but he couldn’t wipe away the sudden reddish tint on his face.
“Very,” his sister said with a grin.
Dennis ignored her gaze and placed his hands flat down on the bar counter. “Whatever. Just never fucking do that again, Dee. I swear to God you’re trying to kill me sometimes.”
“I just want to say, Dennis, I still think you’re badass.”
summary: first part of potentially a series 👀 in which rocky and grace argue over which of them is more of an evil deadly monster. they're both space orks.
note: i need all the fics about the differences in their evolution stat. i love the hunting trope (ambush vs persistence) so much, i think it's such a fun idea.
I'm really confused.
The Hail Mary is not a big ship. It took me less than 20 minutes to explore every room after I first woke up - and that's with having forgotten to walk after not moving a muscle in over four years. Just 20 minutes.
I've been looking for Rocky for over two hours now.
"Rocky?" I call out into the dormitory that I've already checked three times.
I frown with my hands on my hips.
We both have our days when we really need our own space. For the most part, we'll usually respect it and leave the other be as well as we can, but in living quarters this small and with a roommate who can hear through walls, me-time is always more of a we-time. Surprisingly, it hasn't been too bad. We both know what the alternative is like, and I think that's given us enough perspective to not just be tolerant of each other's constant presence, but straight up clingy for it. Even this late in the game. So I'm beginning to feel small-to-medium amounts of disturbed. I might not be able to see through walls, but I've never had trouble finding him before-
"What the-!"
I snap my head around, eyes bouncing from spot to spot. I feel the hairs of my neck stand and the flesh of my arm pimple with goosebumps.
There's nothing there. Nobody there. No Rocky there. Rocky is the only person who could be on the ship. Heh.
"Okay, buddy. If you're trying to mess with me because of what I said, I'm sorry! It's not gonna work!" I call out, trying my best to keep my voice from betraying the unease I feel in my gut. I feel like I'm being watched.
Before his sudden disappearance, Rocky and I had a bit of a discussion over who, in our scenario, would be the horrific monster alien that poses an extinction threat to the other's species, and who would be the chum. We've tallied up the points so far and learned the terrifying histories of each other's evolution and special adaptations. It got more and more heated as we tied in counter with each other over and over. I'd win the balancing on one foot contest, he'd win the 'has five legs and has no need for stupid balance' contest. So on and so forth.
After a few hours of this, my blood was up. I (cockily) suggested performing a live demonstration of a perfect monster for him when we touch down on Erid. I may have said something about getting the entire Eridian race under my squishy and opposable thumb. Starting with Rocky's mother.
So now Rocky's missing. For the first hour, I worried I took it a step too far. Maybe your mom jokes are a line you just don't cross in Eridian culture, and I offended him so badly he took his new EVA suit out through the airlock because of how much space he needed from me. But now, I'm pretty sure he's messing with me. Because I've felt him watching me for a while. I just don't know where from.
It's really quiet on the ship. I've never known Rocky to be light-footed, and it's starting to get unbearable not being able to hear him. I'm about to ask Mary to start singing for me when-
All of the lights suddenly turn off, with Mary's voice piercing through the silent darkness. "Automatic lighting disabled."
Mm no. I hate this. "Uh, no no no. Lights back on, please?"
"Automatic lighting disabled. Manual override required." Her voice is so much louder in the dark.
"Manual-" I huff. "How am I supposed to manually override if I can't see anything?"
"The manual override is located in control-"
"Yes, Mary, I know." My voice wobbles in steadily growing terror. I slowly feel my way across the dormitory before I stop suddenly in the doorway - the long, black corridor in front of me.
Rocky is in the control room. That's how he did all this fudgery with the lights. My heart picks up speed, and my nerves assure me that something (Rocky! Rocky is the only other person on this ship!) will attack if I go up there. Gulp.
I back up a bit from the doorway, turning over my options in my head - which is working in significant overtime. I feel sweaty looking down the corridor, but I refuse to take my eyes off it.
Rocky is currently in the control room, but he switched the lights off like this on purpose. He knows how useless I am in the dark. And he can see through walls, so he knows exactly where I am right now and there would be no purpose in hiding. He's probably on his way to me right now, and I'm defenseless. Unless he's already at the end of the corridor just staring at me.
I squint down the corridor. Do I see his figure at the end of it? Well, whatever I'm seeing, it looks nothing like him. Too big, too still, too wrong.
My thoughts are starting to drift into stupid territory and my mind is playing tricks on me. I try to shake it off, wiping my sweaty palms on my pants and taking deep breaths. I know he's trying to scare me, so it's stupid that it's actually working. Rocky is my best friend. He's not a monster. He'd never really hurt me-
I hear the rapid sound of footsteps charging towards me from the end of the corridor. I scream, scrambling backwards as fast as I can. It's not fast enough. A shrieking invisible thing tackles me and I brace for-
A pillow softens the blow to my head from the ground. Once all my scream putters out, I wheeze from where Rocky is squeezing me tightly.
"Wh-whhhyy.." I gasp pathetically.
"Grace get too cocky. Needed to teach a lesson," Rocky's cheery, friendly voice chirps. It does good for soothing the terror bells still ringing through my head and body. So does the squeezing. "You were sooo scared. Did not know heart can get that fast!" he sings in joy.
"Ugh, whatever! I wasn't that scared," I grunt, trying to wriggle my arms free from the death hug. I can't help the small smile that forms in my relief. "I was more afraid that you were actually mad at me."
He titters at me. "You're lying. You're scared even now. Your body-nerve-system still think I will eat you," he shimmies his carapace onto my stomach, and I grunt and tense at the nuzzling. "Maybe will. Show who is the better monster."
"Ew!" I start to laugh stupidly - the energy built up from all the terror needing to be released somehow. "No, please! At least kill me first. Or start your process over there. Away from me."
My body-nerve-system has taken over and is wiggling uncontrollably, trying to avoid his consistent nuzzling. "Pf- stop it!" I snort.
"Why, question? Thought Grace not scared." He wiggles more emphatically.
"Ah- I'm not!" My knees knock against Rocky's back as my body tries and fails to curl in, my stomach feeling more sensitive the more he moves. "I'm worried your biology is going to take over and unload on accident, thinking it's dinner time. Okay- Rhhoc- hehehe- quuuit it!" I whine, embarrassed about not being able to hold back my giggling. He's doing this on purpose.
He trills a noise of offense. "You are disgusting. That could never happen. Eridians too dignified. Ripping apart prey must always come first." He moves my arms away from my body just enough to tickle my sides and, despite expecting it, I explode.
"AGH- No! hAhahaha!!" I can never really talk when he does this. What I'm trying to say is, no! hey! get off! but unfortunately all I can manage to get out is convulsive giggling. My arms snap in over and over to protect my sides, but they're blocked by his rock hands. I only succeed in bruising myself a little.
"Don't laugh," he says while laughing himself. "encourages hungry-feeling!"
Ugh. I never win this challenge. I hold my breath, clench everything, and put every ounce of willpower I have to try and contain my giggles. Surprisingly - still squirming and with my eyes squeezed shut - I almost manage it! Until Rocky moves further up into my ribs. I whimper and fall back into hysterics.
I try to flop around to deter his hands (too many hands!!! too many hands!!) but my torso can't move at all under his FAT body. My legs are free to kick in and out as much as they want at least, but it doesn't do anything to stop him either. I can't stop it.
I continue to strain, but my head falls back in resignation as I laugh. I regret it immediately. The position turns a desperate intake of breath into the loudest snort ever. Rocky stops then, but I hardly feel relief from it - he only stopped because he's laughing at me so hard that now he can barely breathe.
"G-gett offff..." I gasp through giggles. His laughter is making him shake over my stomach again, and I'm so hypersensitive that I can't stand it. I squirm to no avail.
"♫♪what♫noise♪♫♪~~!!" He dissolves back into his amusement without finishing his sentence. I burst out into full belly laughter again despite the heat in my cheeks. His giggles are so contagious. And his vibrations are still tickling me down to the bones. I think I might die. Atleast I'm taking Rocky down with me.
Mercifully, Rocky climbs off me after a minute. His legs are weakening from laughter and he doesn't want to crush me for real. I curl up the second I'm able to in a way-too-late reaction to preserve my vital organs from tickle torture.
"I see now," he giggles. "Sensitivity is good defense. You become so funny, nothing can eat you. Predators too busy laughing."
"Please be quiet," I groan. I take a steadying breath. "Alright, I admit it. You're scarier out of the two of us. You ticked all the boxes that scare humans the most. Silence, darkness, surprise attacks. You'd definitely be able to take over humanity before I can take over Erid. Your mom would destroy me."
"No," he sighs through his vents, and I frown in confusion. Rocky's not one to reject a win. "Grace scary too. Stealth is part of Eridian nature. Know how to stay silent. Not detectable," he shudders. "You detect anyway. Almost catch me many times with crazy light detectors. Scary."
I smile incredulously. Fascinating! "So, all that just for us to tie again?"
"Grace winning for now, actually. We move ticklish from weakness to strength," I gape at him, but he cuts me off. "Serious about good defense. Funny, funny, funny."
"What- that's not- it's.." I stutter helplessly. "You're ticklish too! You know what, I'm hunting you next time."
"Grace not stealthy. Cannot ever surprise Rocky."
"Humans don't hunt our prey like that anyway. We just keep following them until they get too tired to keep running," I lean in as Rocky shies away. "We get them in their sleep, you know. When they're the most vulnerable. You might hear me coming, but you won't be able to stop me."
"♫♪!" he shakes his carapace like he's snapping himself out of it, then rushes me to start poking my sides and stomach.
"He-hey!!!" I giggle and push at him.
"Grace not trick me," he trills, but I swear I detect notes of relief when he hears me laugh again. "Can not scare me. Grace is best friend. You are not monster."
