Meet the Pebbles. ( Ryland Grace x Reader. )
hol' up im cookin'
Title: Meet the Pebbles. Pairing: Ryland Grace x Reader. Rating: K. ( Fluff. ) Words: 639 Summary: Rocky and Adrian come visit you and Ryland along with 5 new additions.
The biodome was stuck in that space between late afternoon and early evening, humid air curling softly against your skin as the crashing of the waves tickled your eardrums, humming almost in time with the support system that kept the environment outside from overbearing what was inside. It was peaceful.
Almost.
If it wasn’t for the absolute chaos happening in front of you.
Five tiny xenonite suits were clinking and scraping across the sand as five Pebbles, the very affectionate name that you and Ryland had decided on for the Eridian young, stumbled around on uneven little claws, each no bigger than a softball. The suits themselves were slightly oversized, purposeful as they were still useful now and would continue to be with the growth they were going to experience. That didn't take away from the frankly adorable wobble it gave them, dramatic and unsure every few steps.
“Children are smart.” Rocky announced proudly, his carapace lifting in a way that indicated such elation.
“One hundred percent inherited that from Adrian.” Ryland quipped teasingly, earning himself a rather offended sounding hum from Rocky.
But, before the new parent could say something snappy in return, because he had already thought of at least five things to reply with, one of the Pebbles, a smoother brown, green and swirly deepish purple one, bumped into Ryland’s shin, the contact of their rockish body hitting the xenonite suit with a small clink. The tall blonde crouched, his knees cracking a bit with the movement as his hands hovered nervously, like a father reluctant to let his child go when learning to ride a bike for the first time. “Ohhh, buddy, careful---”
They tilted backwards so far back that you were certain they were going to fall over onto the top of the carapace, but luck was on their side! The slightly oversized suit compensated at the last moment and kept them upright.
A moment later, the toppling Pebble was joined by one of their siblings, the xenonite suits kissing each other as their little claws began a battle. Ryland melted. You had the pleasure of watching your lover’s entire face soften as the tiny hatchlings chirped excitedly, the sounds not as fluid or recognizable as adult Eridians, but you were able to catch a few flying words in the unfinished language patterns. One thing in particular, really.
“Grace.” “Grace.” “Grace.” Three of them said almost in unison and for a second, you thought Ryland was going to burst out into tears as he looked over at you with glossy eyes. “Did you hear that? They’re saying my name!!”
“They must really like you.”
You smiled softly, your hands helping Adrian out with another Pebble who thought it was a good idea to attempt to get sucked into the riptide of a wave, their smaller body, not as dense as an adult, almost floated away. You carried them back to the scene of chaos, Adrian letting out a few tones of what you had to assume was parental scolding at the young daredevil Pebble. Gently, they were placed back on the beach, lingering a few seconds by Adrian, tangling between their legs, serving as an apology of sorts, before trailing to meet their four other siblings around Ryland’s feet.
“Children enjoy Grace.” Rocky announced certainly. “Grace shaped like climbing structure. Good for Children's coordination.” In other words - Ryland was a jungle gym and he was allowing the little Pebbles free reign to his limbs and body out of the joy of bringing Rocky’s and Adrian’s children the utmost amusement.
“You know what?” Ryland said, grinning like a mad man as he sat down and immediately was overcome by five small Eridian carapaces, two trailing along his ankles, one resting on his knee and the other two fighting for dominance in his lap with rather cutely aggressive claw slaps. “I’ll take it.”
