Heyooo 👋 Call me Moony, sfw t word blog, NSFW / Under 13s / Over 25s+ YOU WILL BE BLOCKED. she/they/he and a MINOR. drabble requests r closed!! art requests r closed!! British innit 🇬🇧☕️ (15-18 yr old interaction is preferred!!)
Hey there!! The name’s Moony, and I’m an SFW Tickle Artist and Writer sometimes if we’re lucky! :D
(NSFW / THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 13 / OVER THE AGE OF 25 DO NOT INTERACT, YOU WILL BE BLOCKED. I AM A MINOR, AND THIS IS NOT JUST FOR MY SAFETY BUT ALSO YOURS.)
(The age boundaries don’t apply if we were already moots beforehand. Those are the only people that are excluded from these rules. No exceptions for anyone else.)
Sona Ref!! VVV
I am also only writing for x reader platonic relationships! I don’t plan on writing for romantic x reader relationships!
I also may struggle w requests for non-tickle related fics/drabbles either as that isn’t what my account is centred on 😞
Fic/Drabble requests are closed!
Art requests are closed!
Fandom List is here! ⬅️⬅️
My focus changes incredibly inconsistently between fandoms so,,, I apologise in advance 😭
Notes: I wont be able to do every prompt given to me! If I didnt pick your prompt it most likely means i dont know how to write/draw it! It also takes a while to write/draw stuff so remember to be patient! :)
(There are also like two other fandoms I used to like but I only wrote like one thing for them and I don’t plan on writing anymore for them so I didn’t bother including them in this sorry 😭)
(I am little embarrassed of my old projects 😭 but I’m happy to keep them up as I know others enjoy them :])
Fic MasterPost is below cut: (Anything in bold and blue is what I’ve most recently updated!)
Headcannons!
Moonknight!
Spider-Bros!
Marvel!
Spider-Verse!
Deadpool!
Project Hail Mary!
Barbie!
SCREAM (1996)
x Reader!
Non-Tickle Stuff! (don’t plan on posting a lot of this lol)
THIS ACCOUNT IS RUN BY A MINOR. RESPECT GOES BOTH WAYS SO PLS DNI IF A MDNI ACCOUNT AND/OR NSFW.
A/N: So……. It’s been a while HAH sweats nervously… Gotten very into the Punisher series after watching brand new day. I know that probably makes me a larp for not caring about him before hand but uhm ANYWAY.
I’m probably hopping back into my little hole after dropping these but I’ve been so geeked over this man tickle wise so I couldn’t resist whipping up some headcannons because there is literally NOTHING for him 😢
Apologies if these aren’t all that accurate as I’m only just finishing season one and only have Brand New Day on top of that too 💔
OH and uhm these are written with platonicy in mind specifically soooo yeah 🗿
Hope you guys like these!!! <3
Lee:
Hi there Mister Never Smiles I think it’s time to throw some dirt on that name (lovingly) <3 /silly
He’s gotta be ticklish come on there’s no way there weren’t times Maria or Billy used that to their advantage back in the day
MAYBE even David/Micro if he was lucky but he definitely reaped what he sowed very soon after HEHE
I wouldn’t say he’s INSANELY ticklish but he’s got a good share of weak spots
Those ones being under his arms, his sides and his thighs
Honourable mentions for his ears and his biceps because we love underrated tickle spots around here 🗣️🙏🏻
Way too tough to run, probably makes the move to tickle you first if you threaten him
And if that miraculously doesn’t work? Expect a lot of thrashing and cuss-threats once you’ve got him trapped
“Woah woah woah heYHEYHEY-! I swear to fuckin’ Christ if you try ANYTHING-!”
Then it’s straight to silence once he feels hands squishing about his torso hehe
It’s normally his first instinct to hold it in, except it doesn’t exactly make up for the fact his shoulders are up to his ears (which are now starting to glow red) and he’s only just about successful in fighting back a smile :3
Once you really get him going his laugh is LOUD. Like a big old booming belly laugh
Oh and he’s definitely a wheezer and a snorter I will take NO arguments on that
“FUHUHUCK-! You… You are soho dehead, ya heHEAR MEHE-?? *SNRT!!* GOD DAHAMMIT-!”
And once you let him up his face stays red for a WHILE… he’s constantly scrubbing a hand over his face to get rid of it but it just doesn’t work LOL
Also stays true to his old title of a parent by muttering to himself in annoyance AGES after it’s over 😭
But you’ll notice he’s very poorly fighting a smile while he does so :3
Ler:
Okay, first things first this man has experience as a dad so INSTANTLY he gets the ler bonus cmon now 👀
Played the role of the tickle monster CONSTANTLY with Lisa and Frankie back in the day, most likely plus the occasional time with Billy too
Much much more preference in the ler role over the lee
Trying to hide from this man is a DIABOLICAL experience, he knows all about anticipation and how much it gets to people
So don’t expect him to be in a rush to find you, he’s dragging it out until you’re basically willing to come out of hiding yourself
“I know you’re hiding. We can go the easy way and you can come on out, or I can find you myself. Either way it ain’t looking too bright for you.”
His hands are freaking massive bro so good luck trying and inevitably failing to avoid his tickle attacks once he finds you
Carries his lees around like NOBODYS business, loves to throw them over his shoulder so he can attack their sides or even their tummy (depending on which way they’re up)
And then when it’s time to get them properly he plonks down somewhere with them hugged close against his chest
Wouldn’t say he teases excessively but loves to point out embarrassing things
“You blushin’, Daffodil?” (bnd reference heh)
“Jesus, this shit really gets to you, huh? That’s hilarious and adorable.”
And if you try and insult him you get a “Yep, been called worse by worse people, Kid. Just keep gigglin’.”
Always hooting and hollering when fighting so making noises definitely seeps into tickle territory too, mainly dramatic playful growls and old man grunts hehe
Also a big user of endearment terms like ‘buddy’ and ‘sweetheart’ and such
He’s also an absolute KING of fake outs. Loves to be a jerk by pulling his hand away at the last second or switching to a spot you didn’t think he was going to attack at all
And he also is likely to chuckle along with your laughter, because again, he’s a JERK. /lh
I think a lot about how his mantra is a nursery rhyme so like. yeah him using that when he’s about to tickle someone circles my head a bunch I know it’s inaccurate canon wise but 👀
Loves doing nuzzles and raspberries and all that stuff and always uses whatever facial hair he has to his advantage
Oh and uh. Ya know them little affectionate bites dogs do? And uh how they’re called ‘corn cobs’ and stuff?
………Yeah Frank calls them that too when he’s dishing out tickle bites sorry not sorry-
I’ve also noticed Frank likes to shush people. Either to provide genuine comfort or to mock those he’s against
But he definitely incorporates that into while he’s tickling and also during the aftermath while comforting whoever he’s been tickling.
“Shh, shhh, no neheheed for the screheams, Kid. It wohont save ya.”
I’ve started getting into Punisher because of it where are all the platonic Frank Castle tickle fics I’m genuinely so close to taking matters into my own hands.
Hi I’m probably crossing a boundary, sorry, I just wanted to tell you thank you for your art/writing.
I’m a system (no idea if you’re cool with systems, sorry if not!) and found your MoonKnight fics a while ago. I actually didn’t see that you had a DNI until like right now, so I’m sorry I just wanted to say I love your writing, appreciated seeing how you wrote Marc/Steven/Jake and just family in general?
I found your work looking up something else and it really helped me through a lot. It’s wholesome in a way that I (we) definitely needed, and being a sys with a few Marvel alters, we kind of feel seen?
I’m sorry if things are hitting you hard, and I sincerely hope you know you’ve helped a lot of lives. I actually wanted to say something a long while ago but didn’t because I didn’t have an account or know how to use tumblr?
Also I guess I’m being dramatic but you have really helped me (us) through difficult times and I’m very grateful. Probably a weird thing to say! Uh- but I do mean it? Also I know I’m rambling, sorry. But if you read this and understand what I mean, then thank you.
I really truly hope whatever is happening that has affected you so strongly fades and you can be happy and prosper ✨ And I hope your friends are telling you how awesome you are too!
Thank you, Mouse & Friends
I completely forgot I was sent this and sorry for taking this long to answer, but when you first sent it it was definitely what I needed to hear ☹️❤️
I’m honoured my work has actually had such an impact on people positively, and I wanna thank you for your kind words like genuinely 🫂
Still kinda doin my best as time goes on, I’m just kind of more of a lurker right now as no longer prioritising this account has kind of been a weight off my shoulders without the pressures of getting stuff out there
I do hope things get better enough for me to get back on here properly and get back to creating things for others and all, but for now I think I’m just gonna stick with occasionally hopping on here to check moot posts and then dipping again :’)
But I wanna thank you again for your kind words, they really mean a lot
genuinely might just forget about this account altogether because the universe will not stop making me lose the point in even trying to stay active on it
If you write for Scream, lee!Stu and Randy with ler!Billy would be nice if you're up to it!
Hide-and-Scream
DISCLAIMER: This is a tickle fic, strictly sfw!! If you feel uncomfortable with that, feel free to scroll! A bunch of cursing and Billy Loomis being a jerk as per usual.
Lee!Stu Matcher
Lee!Randy Meeks
Ler!Billy Loomis
Words: 1592
Summary: Stu and Randy find themselves in a real-life horror movie when a hanging out with Billy goes south.
A/N: Hey anon, So unbelievably sorry this took so long to get out!!! ☹️☹️☹️ I've been busy with personal life things and this fic was really hard to get into for some reason, but, I've pushed through and have hopefully written something worth the wait. Hope everyone enjoys!!
Under the cut :)
"Remind me to never again listen to you, Stu. And I mean NEVER again. Like, NEVER-"
"Oh my SHIT! If you don't SHUT UP!!!"
So how did we get here?
Randy made the bullshit choice of voluntarily hanging out with Billy and Stu. I know, he had a better chance of having a good night if he hung out in a den with a bunch of angry lions.
But don't give him too much crap! It was after his shift at the video store and he was starving. Stu's place was always stacked with good food, what other choice did he have?
And might I daresay that the night was going pretty swell! That was, until Stu talked Randy into messing with Billy one too many times. And that's like poking those angry lions with a stick.
And poke the lion they certainly did.
"C'mon dude, in here! We just gotta wait for this whole thing to blow over!"
Slowly, Stu creaked open the door to his large bedroom, tip-toeing inside.
"Are you joking?!" Randy hissed, rooted at his spot in the doorframe. "This is literally the first place he's gonna look! If this were a horror movie, you'd be dead first!"
"Yeah, well, my dead ass is staying in here!" Stu hissed right back, already climbing under his bed, laying on his tummy.
"So if you're just gonna stand out there and let him find you, make sure you close my door, and don't let it hit your ass on the way out!"
"No way!" Randy practically squeaked, sliding into the room, and clicking the door shut as quietly as he could behind him.
"I was just saying-" Randy wiggled under the bed next to Stu.
"Shh! Quit saying shit at all so he doesn't find us, horror freak!" Stu slapped Randy on the arm and both boys fell into a tense quiet.
Their senses started to go through the roof. Every individual sound was louder than it should be. It vibrated through Stu and Randy's bones and made the hairs on the back of their necks stand up on end.
This feeling was made a billion times worse when they heard the deep drawl of:
"Come out, come out, wherever you are, you assholes..."
Stu rubbed his temples hard enough to blot them red, holding back the heaviest of sighs. Randy puffed out his cheeks and covered his mouth, not wanting to make a single sound.
Not to mention, with the amount of dust piling up in Stu's room, you need to cover your mouth if you don't want to inhale twelve pounds of it.
"I'm not up for playing hide-and-seek with you idiots. Come. Out."
The sound of Billy's voice echoed from right outside the door. Stu gave Randy a wide-eyed look. "We're dead." He mouthed.
Randy shook his head and quickly uncovered his face to mouth back: "Listen."
It took a few agonizingly long seconds, but Billy's footsteps slowly began to ebb away from their hiding space. Of course, this hardly meant they were out of the storm. But at least it would give them some time to come up with a plan.
Stu made a small fist-pumping motion, actually looking impressed by Randy for the first time in his life.
Randy smiled in return, taking in a large calming breath.
He breathed in deep. Too deep.
His nose twitched.
Stu made a cut-throat gesture with such velocity, Randy was sure he would actually get his throat cut if he did what both of them thought he was gonna do.
But it was much too late.
Randy sneezed. Loudly.
Doesn't matter how quickly Randy slapped his hands back over his mouth, the sneeze sounded through the room like a thunder clap.
Billy's footsteps immediately boomed closer to them. Stu groaned. Just as loudly. No point in being quiet. They were dead anyways.
The door slammed open a few seconds later, and the two hiding friends-but-definetly-enemies-after-this still swear to this day they heard the wood snap from the force.
"I thought I told you guys I wasn't playing hide-and-seek with you."
Both Randy and Stu watched as Billy's tennis shoes casted shadows across Stu's bedroom floor. Though Randy, ever the horror fan, knew they weren't caught yet. This is the part where the villain would painstakingly check everywhere but the most obvious place to build up false hope.
And guess what Billy did?
He peeked behind the curtains, in the closet, even in the bedside cabinets no one could possibly fit into.
Billy hummed. Never a good sign.
"Where could those two be...? Well, I guess the only place I haven't checked yet is..."
In no time at all, there was Billy, his bangs partially hiding his face, staring at the two dead-on.
"Under the bed. The most obvious place on earth."
Randy and Stu gave each other hopeless looks as they were dragged out from under the bed together. They were fried.
"Look, dude. You gotta cut me and him sohohome slack!" Randy started, holding his hands out in front of him. If he's the reason he and Stu got caught, he was at least gonna be the reason he and Stu got un-caught. "Sehehee whahahat hahahppened was-"
"It was allll Randy's idea!" Stu blurted out from beside him, deciding he was gonna talk too now.
And that's the last time Randy does anything nice for him ever again.
"Oh... oh no... Oh Randy, is that true?" Billy gave him a wide-eyed look.
Pardon Randy's obnoxious laughing, Billy had just started dancing his fingers over all his ribcage.
"Oh, yes you did, jackass! Don't play stupid with me. You know you look like a genius with Stu right next to you!"
"Hey! Not true you DIHIHICK- AHAHAAA!"
Billy tore one of his hands away from Randy to dance his fingers across Stu's belly instead. Stu couldn't decide if he wanted to snort or hiccup, so he did both at the exact same time, trying to curl up in a ball fruitlessly.
"You're not even smart in your dreams, Matcher! I bet you're even the one that chose this dumb hiding spot."
Stu somehow got even redder, and chose to laugh even more opposed to responding to that.
"Not like Randy is any smarter for actually agreeing to it, huh?" Billy hummed, his voice two octaves higher than normal, and swimming with aggressively fake pity.
He dragged one lone finger up Randy's ribs and dug it into the hollows of his armpit. He chuckled much like a horror movie villain after committing the first of many "deadly" acts.
"Oho yeah?" Billy tilted his head to the side in a way that rivaled the slyness of a fox.
"Yeheheheah duhuhude ihihit wahahahas juhuhust ahaha johohohoke!" Stu hiccuped, NOW deciding to come to Randy's defense (it probably had something to with Billy tracing his ears, the ultimate killer spot)
"Awh, well I didn't think it was that funny!"
Billy gave both guys some scribbles over their sides for that, Randy twisting around as he tried to find some kind of goldilocks zone where things simply didn't tickle as much, and failing to do so.
But Stu? Oh, Stuart Matcher? He was feeling bold now apparently, as he went grabbing for Billy's hand.
Billy stopped short, hands sliding away from his two friends. He was silent. Dead silent. The only indication he was still alive was that his cheeks were a little pink.
He broke into a deadly smirk. "That so?"
Stu looked at Randy. Randy looked at Stu.
"I'm gonna..."
"Yeah."
Stu scrambled up and BOOKED it out of his room.
With Billy right on his tail.
In both of their hastes, Randy was left behind in the room. He quickly got up and went to stand in the doorway, watching Stu slide down the stair banister, Billy close behind.
This would be the perfect time to slip away unnoticed and unscathed. If he was a smart person in a horror movie, that's the most obvious choice.
But this isn't a horror movie, and these idiots were supposed to be his friends.
Okay, now THIS was DEFINITELY going to be the last nice thing Randy was ever doing for Stu.
"WAIT UP, STU! I'M COMING!"
Randy rushed out, not willing to take the banister because he didn't want to break his neck, but still making good time in the hopes of saving Stu from Billy the (tickle) Monster.
He met them downstairs, Billy and Stu wrestling on the couch and Stu definitely not winning. Though, he wasn't really trying! (Because he was having too much fun)
holy moly guys!!! thank you SO much for all the love on my fics 😭❤️❤️ i'm so happy there's this many people out there that enjoy my writing 🥺 thank yall for reading and for all your kind words it means the world to me ❤️❤️ i hope you guys enjoy this one too! here's some lee rocky!! yayyyy! This is also kind of a sequel to some of my other fics for them too :)
Two of Us
Lee Rocky / Ler Grace
Word Count: 1,990
Grace has a dream of him and Rocky being able to live in the same atmosphere.
Ryland Grace was back on Earth. He didn’t have any memory of when or how he got there, all he knew was that this was definitely Earth. He didn’t have any evidence, it was just something he felt.
Grace was currently sitting on the beach with the ocean in front of him. The sand was warm and soft. He listened to the relaxing sound of the waves rising and crashing as the water stretched out as far as the eye could see. The sky was grey and foggy, just how Grace liked it. He sat there enjoying the view when suddenly, he heard something. He turned to the side to see something in the distance running towards him.
“Rocky?”
“Grace!”
Grace’s heart beat faster at the sight of his Eridian friend. Rocky seemed to speed up as Grace acknowledged him, using all five legs to propel himself as fast as he could at him. The human got up and crouched down to his level, arms out and ready to welcome him. As Rocky came closer, Grace noticed that something was missing. Rocky wasn’t in a ball. In fact, he had no covering on whatsoever.
Before Grace had time to process it, Rocky lunged at him. Grace grunted as the alien tackled him to the sand in a hug, effectively knocking the wind out of him. Ouch. Bad idea to try catching him. Grace weakly croaked out Rocky’s name, signaling him to get off of him.
“Don't worry, I'm fine,” Grace coughed, dusting the sand off himself. “Rocky? How are you here? Where’s your ball?”
“Don’t need anymore.”
Grace raised a brow, “What!? How can you breathe?”
“Figured out how. Not important. I explain later. I can survive in oxygen now!” The Eridian chatted excitedly. He waved his front two arms as he spoke.
Grace was speechless. A surprised “What!?” Was all his mouth could spit out.
“Yes, yes! Is amaze!” Rocky cheered. His voice was strange, he spoke partly in Eridian and partly in the English translation voice Grace had programmed for him. But Grace didn’t have his laptop on him. Nothing added up, but it made sense to Grace in the moment.
“Very! I-I can feel you now!” Grace reached out and gently pet the top of Rocky’s head. “Is this okay?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Rocky practically purred, leaning into his touch like a needy cat. Rocky felt firm and gritty, yet smooth at the same time. He had edges but they weren’t sharp at all. His skin felt hot, but it was a comfortable warmth. His green patches sparkled and shined in the light. Grace couldn’t help but stare in admiration.
“You’re so beautiful,” Grace didn’t mean to say that out loud, but he also didn’t feel embarrassed saying it either. His eyes fell upon the two intertwined green circles on the middle of Rocky’s front left leg. It was sleek and glossy like polished marble. “What’s this? Does this have a meaning?” He asked.
“Yes! Yes!” Rocky nodded quickly, elated that Grace asked and he had a chance to explain it. “For Adrian and Rocky. To honor mate,” he pointed at each circle.
Grace’s eyes widened as a smile slowly spread across his face. “For Adrian? You guys have little wedding rings? That’s adorable!” He gushed.
“No understand.”
“It’s uh, a human thing. You wear matching rings with your mate, to show that you’re together,” Grace explained.
“Ohhh. Yes, yes. Like that,” Rocky agreed.
“That’s too cute.” Grace impulsively grabbed Rocky’s front two hands and waved them up and down in a dance. He laughed as Rocky followed his movements and bounced along. The Eridian let out a squeaky chuckle in excitement.
“You’re way lighter than I thought you would be. No offense,” Grace commented. Rocky was supposed to weigh almost four hundred pounds, yet right now he was as heavy as a small boulder or so.
“I fix that too,” Rocky answered.
The science teacher was amazed yet again. “Wow, you’re incredible.”
“Yes, yes. Grace incredible too.”
The human giggled and shoveled Rocky into his chest for another hug. The Eridian let out a series of happy chirps as he wrapped all of his arms around him. Grace had never felt so loved and comfortable. “I.. I can’t believe I finally get to do this,” he uttered absentmindedly under his breath. He could feel tears forming in his eyes.
Rocky felt a shift and pulled back, “Grace face starting to leak. Is Grace okay, question?”
“Yeah, sorry. I’m.. I’m just so happy,” the human sniffled.
“I happy too.” Rocky settled back into him. He rested his body right under Grace’s chin with his claws pressed against Grace’s back. Human skin was so soft and squishy. It was strange, being malleable in some places but also hard and bony in others. It was much different than Eridians’. Rocky’s claws absentmindedly explored Grace’s back as he thought, gently digging into the back of his ribs.
Grace tensed up. “Rohock, you mind uh, stohopping that?” His sudden laughter drew Rocky back into the present.
“Apology,” The Eridian pulled back from the hug.
Dang ticklishness, Grace internally cursed. Wait a second. That raised a question. A question Grace never gave much thought to before. “Hey, Rocky, do you mind if I um, try something real quick?”
“Yes. Proceed. What Grace thinking, question?”
“I just uh, want to test something,” Grace answered vaguely. He slowly reached out, tracing the cracks on Rocky's arm with his finger. The Eridian shuddered under his touch. No way. Grace tried waggling a few fingers into Rocky’s inner arm near the etched lines on his skin. Squeaky-sounding giggles erupted as Rocky’s remaining four legs crumbled beneath him.
Holy fudge.
“You’re ticklish?!” Grace blurted out, unable to decide if his words were a question or a statement.
“What? No. No. No. No.” Rocky stood straight up in alert. His posture then fell as a wave of shyness rushed over him. “…Maybe,” he uttered out meekly.
“Aha! I knew it! You are!” Grace pointed at him. His brain immediately started comparing this to science. In Grace’s mind, he had just completed the hypothesis step of the scientific method. Which meant it was time for the next step: Experiment.
“Oho, Rocky!” Grace called with a smug smile. The Eridian cowered away as his friend sang his name, the plates on the top of his carapace shifting anxiously. The two entered a silent standoff, both posed for action with neither one making a move. Until Rocky decided to act first. His claws kicked up sand as he ran off, scuttling away like a spider.
Grace immediately chased after him. But five legs were much more effective than two, giving the Eridian a large advantage. Until he tripped over himself and rolled in the sand.
“Got ya!” Grace grabbed Rocky making him shriek. The human wasted no time testing his experiment, scribbling fingers all over Rocky’s appendages and carapace. A melody of frantic and angry musical notes combined with high-pitched laughter filled the air. He let out a string of Eridian curses that Grace didn’t understand. Grace snickered along as Rocky’s limbs flew around wildly. He had a surprisingly cute laugh for being a faceless, living rock.
“I had no idea you were so ticklish, Rocky! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Grace grinned, zeroing in on the sides of the Eridian’s carapace. It proved to be very effective. Rocky weakly swatted at Grace making him chuckle. “Tickle-tickle-tickle,” he cooed. You could hear the smile in his voice.
“Stohohop talk! Mahake worse!” Rocky tried to demand. But it’s hard to sound demeaning when you’re squealing like a guiena pig. If he had cheeks he would be blushing.
“Why? Are you embarrassed? Are all Eridians this ticklish, or is it just you?” Grace didn’t hold back. Once Rocky found out what tickling was on the ship, he wouldn’t let Grace live it down. Now it was finally time for his revenge. He stuck a hand under one of Rocky’s arms and tried there. Rocky’s reaction was instant. His music notes and squeaky laughter increased in volume, all sets of claws trying to sprawl out and push Grace away at the same time.
Grace’s face was starting to hurt from smiling so much. “Oh, did I find a tickle spot?” He was teasing, but the excitement in his voice was too genuine to sound fully mocking. It was cute seeing Rocky in this state. He could be so bossy, it felt good being able to take him down a peg. And he was learning more about Eridians and his best pal at the same time! What could be better than that?
“Stohohop! Tooho-Too muhuch!” Rocky finally cried out in defeat. Guess it really was a bad spot for him. He raised an arm in surrender.
Grace stopped as told. Rocky froze on the floor, like he was sleeping. “Uh, you okay, buddy?” Grace asked. Whoops. Did he go too far, or was Rocky just being dramatic?
“…Evil human,” the Eridian muttered to himself.
Okay. Just being dramatic.
"Evil? You tickle me all the time!" Grace pointed out.
"Yes, but,” Rocky tried to think of a response to counter him with, "Is more fun when Rocky tickle Grace instead!" He pointed at Grace for emphasis.
"Well yeah, duh! Of course! You’re the one doing the tickling!" Grace put his hands on his hips. Six years of enduring grueling classwork and exams to get a PHD yet where did it get him now? Arguing with a rock alien about tickling.
Rocky turned to him. "Wait. Grace think it more fun when Rocky tickle Grace, question?”
Huh? The science teacher froze up. How the heck did he get to that conclusion?! “What, no, that’s very much not what I meant,” Grace stammered out. But it was too late. Rocky had already taken off in a five-legged-sprint after him, hungry for revenge. Grace took off running in the opposite direction, laughing as he did so. The waves continued rising and falling and the sun kept shining through the fog as the two chased each other.
——
Grace opened his eyes. He was suddenly transported somewhere else. Somewhere dark. What? What happened? Where was he?
“You awake, question?” A familiar voice spoke up. Grace turned to see his friend speaking to him from behind the xenonite wall they built together.
“Rocky?”
“Hi, Grace.”
Fudge. It was all a dream, none of that was real. Grace was still light years away from his home, stuck in a spaceship. He wasn't physically able to hug or even touch his only companion. Disappointment and sadness quickly rushed over him.
“Is Grace okay, question?” Rocky asked, concern in his tone. He could hear Grace’s quiet sighing.
“Yeah, sorry. Just uh, had a weird dream.” Not true, but it was easier to explain it this way.
“Go sleep again. I watch and protect Grace while he sleep. Grace is safe, statement.”
Grace's smile lit up the dark. “Thanks, buddy." He rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, trying to settle back in. He might not be back on Earth, and they hadn’t figured out a way to physically touch yet, but at least Rocky was here. That’s all Grace needed.
——
The two were working together the next day when Grace decided to bring up the question that was stuck in his head for the past six hours. “So uh, Rocky. I have something I've been meaning to ask you,” he started.
Rocky stopped and turned to him. “Yes?”
“So, you know how humans are ticklish, right? But, what about Eridians? Like for example, are you ticklish?” Grace asked.
Rocky went still, “staring” blankly at him. “Not important,” he said before turning back to his work.
Grace chuckled at his reaction. “So, is that a yes?”
“Grace? Grace? Graaaace? Where is Grace, question?” Rocky’s voice echoed throughout the Hail Mary spacecraft. He rolled around in his ball as he searched for the missing human. He passed by the projection room, spotting Grace’s silhouette sitting down.
“Grace!” The Eridian yelled excitedly as he scrambled over to him. “What Grace doing, question? Rocky look all over ship to find.”
Grace was motionless, staring up at the bright panels in front of him. A video of a beach played on loop. The sky was foggy but the water was bright, just how he liked it. The sound of seagulls cawing and waves crashing filled the room. He watched in silence, his face illuminated by the simulated version of Earth. The waves reflected in his glasses, quiet tears dripping down his cheeks.
In his hands was a handmade card. The cover read “Good Luck Mr. Grace!” With the inside being filled with little messages and signatures from everyone in Grace’s last eighth grade class before he went to space. He rubbed his thumb self-soothingly over the paper as his tears stained the page.
“Grace?” Rocky called again, snapping him out of his trance.
“Huh? Oh, sorry,” Grace turned to him. He took off his glasses and wiped his eyes with his jacket sleeve.
Rocky’s demeanor dropped in empathy. “What is problem, question? Grace look sad.”
“Oh uh, it’s nothing. It’s fine, sorry.” He tried to act nonchalant but the Eridian could hear his sniffling.
Rocky rolled over to him. “Grace not fine. Grace face is leaking,” he pointed. The human let out a snicker. He was caught.
“What is that, question?” Rocky pointed to the card in Grace’s hand.
“It’s uh, a card my students made me before I left for space.”
“Oh,” The Eridian chirped in a melancholic tone. His body shifted downwards.
“I’ll be okay soon, I just am feeling a little homesick,” Grace tried to weakly reassure him.
“What is word, question?” Rocky asked.
Grace played with his sleeve as he reminisced, “It means I miss my home. I miss Earth. I miss grass and the sky. I miss the ocean and the beach, I miss animals and being able to eat fresh food. I really miss my students a lot, too. The last class I taught are probably in their senior year of high school by now. I don’t get to see any of them graduate.” His breath hitched as he continued, “I always told my kids I would be there for them, and n-now I’m not. I feel like I let them down.”
Rocky didn’t understand a lot of the words Grace just said, but he didn’t need to. He could get the general gist of what Grace was saying and could feel the sadness in his voice. “Grace…” Rocky offered in a sympathetic tone, “Grace students know you care. Grace not let them down.”
Grace eyed him wistfully, “I don’t know that for sure though, I can just hope.”
There was a short pause before Rocky spoke again, “Grace care when on Earth, question?”
“Of course,” The science teacher answered right away, sounding almost offended at the question.
“Then students know Grace care now,” Rocky replied, “Care and love last long time. Students know Grace well. They know Grace care.”
“I hope so,” The human murmured and adjusted his glasses. “I know science is a required class in school and everything, but some of those kids really wanted to pursue it in the future and I wasn’t there to inspire them along the way. I just hope they don’t think I abandoned them.”
Rocky furiously tapped the side of his xenonite container. How could Grace say this about himself? “No! No! Incorrect. Grace not abandon. Grace inspire! Grace leave Earth to do big science. Students happy for Grace.”
The human looked over at him with twinkling eyes. “You think so?”
“Yes, yes! Of course, of course! Grace is human science teacher. Grace go to space! Meet Rocky! Save stars! Save Erid, save Earth! Students and humans very proud of Grace. Grace amaze! Grace big inspire.”
Grace chuckled at his words, fresh tears starting to prick the corners of his eyes. “T-Thank you, buddy.” He leaned over and wrapped his arms around Rocky’s container. The Eridian pressed his body as much as possible against the xenonite wall. They both secretly wished they could get closer.
“Grace face is leaking again,” Rocky broke the silence.
The human laughed through his sniffles. “I know, I know.”
“Why still sad, question?”
“I’m not anymore, I’m happy,” Grace answered. He was still holding Rocky.
“Then stop face leak.”
“I’m trying!”
“Then I help stop leak,” Rocky announced. He began poking repeatedly at Grace through the mesh pocket on his dome. “Stop. Stop. Stop. No be sad. No be sad. No be sad.”
Grace squirmed from the sudden touch, the pokes being delivered right into his side. “Hehey! Rocky, that tihickles!” He sputtered out a squeal. Rocky stopped and went quiet. Phew. Wait, he was being suspiciously too quiet. Where were his usual sarcastic remarks? His many questions? Something was up.
As Grace suspected, Rocky suddenly started up again, poking and squeezing at the side of the science teacher’s stomach. Grace gasped before a stream of bubbly, surprised giggles escaped him. “Rohohocky! C’mohon!” His knees turned into jelly as he slowly slid down the side of the Eridian’s dome. Fortunately for Rocky and unfortunately for Grace, this just left the former with more room to work with.
Rocky couldn’t help but join Grace in his giggle spree. His laughter was just too cute and contagious. Rocky’s squeaky chuckles filled his dome as he spidered his claws into wherever he could reach. He wondered if all humans were this endearing or if it was just Grace.
Eridians had no eyes, which left Rocky “seeing” everything through sound. This just made every sound Grace made ever more valuable to him. Rocky paid close attention to every noise that came from Grace, like his tone when he talked, the sound of his heart beating, and his stomach rumbling when he was hungry. But Rocky’s favorite sound by far was definitely Grace’s laugh. It was an infallible way of telling that the human was happy, which in return, made Rocky happy.
Grace’s body twisted and turned around as a series of tickly nudges attacked his torso. He tried moving further away, but Rocky just followed him and tickled him more. Rocky elicited a few more giggles out of him before stopping. “Grace feel better, question?” Rocky asked as his claws stilled.
“…Sure do, buddy,” Grace panted, laying on the floor. “Thanks, Rock.”
“Rocky here for Grace, always. Rocky care lot about Grace. Grace is Rocky best friend.”
Grace smiled as Rocky spoke, his voice faltering. He couldn’t help as his eyes started tearing up again. Rocky was so thoughtful, he cared about Grace so much. Grace couldn’t remember the last time someone cared about him this much. “I-I love you too, pal,” he muttered, trying to quiet his sniffles.
“Is Grace leaking AGAIN, question?”
“I-I’m very emotional right now, okay!”
Grace fell asleep a few hours later with Rocky keeping watch like always. The alien studied close as the human's chest rose and fell with each breath.
Their friendship seemed predetermined, as if the universe planned for them to meet. Out of every human on Earth and every Eridian on Erid, Grace and Rocky managed to be the chosen ones of their species to find each other.
At first, Grace thought of getting sent to space as a curse, but as time progressed, he realized it was a blessing in disguise. Even with the differences of species, language, gasses needed to survive, and more, nothing could come in-between Grace and Rocky’s close bond with each other.
