Sunstone | She/Her | Adult | Always SFW | I write fics that usually involve tickling to make characters happy and smiley! I also occasionally draw! | Feel free to send an ask anytime! | Pinned Welcome Post
Hello everyone! Welcome to my always SFW blog with fun stories that try to leave a smile on your face! I’m Sunstone (She/Her) and most of my fics involve playful tickling between characters who could always use a laugh! Feel free to send me an ask or ramble about a series with me anytime! I hope you enjoy your time here!
Latest Update Announcement: April 25th, 2026
Original series: Exuberant Ecosystem - Chapter 1
Latest three fics / Headcanons:
Late-night Lessons (Project Hail Mary)
Prototypes Require Testing (Project Hail Mary)
Humor, Confusing (Project Hail Mary)
Requests: CLOSED
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Blog related:
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Exuberant Ecosystem (my original series) related:
#Exuberant Ecosystem: All content that involves the series
#Tate Pallder: All content that involves Tate
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#Gareth Bargmy: All content that involves Gareth
#Snuggles the bat: All content that involves Snuggles
Other characters related:
#Sneasel Twins Fern and Splatter: Hisuian Sneasel pokemon siblings I made up and the fics they appear in.
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: More PHM content COMIN’ AT YA! I knew I wanted to do a fic with Rocky in his upgraded suit from the start, and I remember hearing that Grace uses Rocky like a backpack in the book, and from that one image an idea was sparked! (The backpack thing is like in one description and has nothing else to do with the fic but for some reason I remember that being one of the main inspirations for this 😭 Lol) Thank you for all the kind words on my previous PHM fic by the way! 💕 I hope you enjoy this one too!
(Also available to read on AO3!)
Series: Project Hail Mary
Characters: Ryland Grace and Rocky
Word Count: 4,121
Summary: Rocky and Grace are testing the Eridian’s new xenonite suit to see how well it holds up in different activities. The pair is having trouble coming up with what they should test next with the suit, until Rocky comes up with an idea thanks to a little reminder about Grace’s laughter-inducing reflexes.
---
When Rocky first proposed the idea of a “skin-tight” xenonite suit for himself on the way back to Erid, Grace was thrilled along with Rocky. “With a new suit, Rocky can be closer to Grace!” the Eridian stated, and Grace gladly welcomed the idea of his friend being able to interact with him more outside of a giant sphere. However, once the excitement of the idea was out of the way, now came the question of practicality. Both of them certainly knew it wasn’t impossible, but how they were actually going to execute it was still in the air.
With two scientific minds on the case though, the odds of pulling it off increased significantly.
On the way back to Erid, Rocky created multiple prototypes with help from Grace with some calculations and adjustments. Some of them were too thick and bulky where Rocky could barely walk, some were way too tight like Rocky was encased in cement, and one just straight up exploded. How, they still have no idea.
It took the entire trip back to Erid before they finally found a base model prototype that functioned well enough, but it still needed tweaking. Plus, once Grace’s dome was built so he could live on Erid, Rocky’s new xenonite suit had to be tested under brand new, human conditions instead of a spaceship.
They broke their tests down into three categories: dexterity (how efficient could Rocky move his limbs), speed (how fast Rocky could maneuver), and durability (how well Rocky’s suit could handle the test without sustaining damage like cracks or scratches). They also added a fourth category for comfort. It started off as how comfortable Rocky was in his suit, but it quickly transformed into how comfortable the suit is for Grace when Rocky gives him hugs or snuggles up to him. So far, it’s excelled in that category.
Grace sits on the floor of his Eridian-made house with his legs crossed. In his hands, he has a notepad and a pen.
“Okay, so we’ve already checked the suit against atmospheric pressures; activities like swimming and running; elements like water, sand, grass… doors,” Grace lets out a little chuckle at that last one.
The rock alien across from Grace pipes up, wearing the newest version of his tight, but comfortable xenonite suit.
“Yes, Rocky learned that suit can handle door if Grace hits Rocky with it,” the alien’s computer voice from Grace’s laptop translates. Grace is starting to get a little bit of a grasp on the Eridian language, and Rocky his, but it's always nice to have the translator in the room.
“I didn’t hit you with the door! You ran into it while I was opening it!” Grace points the pen at his friend and smiles.
“How Rocky tested suit against door is irrelevant, statement,” Rocky waves his claw.
Grace huffs out another laugh. “So, what do you want to test next?”
Thinking it over, Rocky taps his rock face like where a chin would be located. “Rocky is not sure. What does Grace want to test next, question?”
“I asked you first.”
“I asked you second,” Rocky responds like it’s a game.
“Hey, are you copying me?” Grace jokes, “What are you, a parrot?”
Grace thought Rocky would continue throwing quips at him, but instead, Rocky tilts his body to the side. If Rocky could blink in confusion, he would. “Do not understand Grace,” Rocky replies, “Grace say new word.”
“Oh. Did I never explain what a parrot is?” Grace is a little surprised himself. Out of all of their conversations, he’s surprised something humans usually learn in kindergarten never came up. He puts his pen and paper down and pushes to the side. “It’s an animal back on Earth. I mentioned to you what a bird is, right?”
“Yes, yes!” the alien perks up, “Rocky recognizes bird.”
“Well, a parrot is a type of bird. Some humans have them as pets. They’re able to mimic speech or sounds that a human teaches them, or that they pick up from their environment. They usually perch on a human’s shoulder as a companion,” Grace taps at his own shoulder.
Rocky seems intrigued at this, wiggling his body. “Rocky understand! Rocky repeated Grace, so Rocky sounded like parrot.”
“Exactly.”
The alien still has an exciting thought on his mind. “Can Rocky be Grace’s companion?”
“What do you mean? You already are, buddy,” Grace smiles.
“No, no. Like bird!”
“What?” Grace chuckles.
“With new suit, Rocky can be Grace’s bird companion on shoulder!” Rocky skitters over to Grace, sliding behind his back before the human can respond. He drapes his stony arms over Grace’s shoulders like a backpack and tries to hop on top of the human.
Grace playfully tries to elbow him off, “What?! No way! You’ll crush me, you big boulder!”
“Grace will be fine. Rocky want to try! Grace, lower shoulder!” Rocky takes another attempt at climbing on Grace, his scrambling back claws grabbing and swiping across the sides of his torso to gain a foothold like a ladder.
The human continues to ‘fight’ off the curious alien. “Rocky–! AH! Wahahait wait! You’re tickling me!” the squishy human compacts his arms to himself and giggles.
Rocky stops his skittering, but keeps his arms over Grace’s shoulders. The alien learned about what tickling was back on the ship when Rocky had poked Grace’s fleshy side one day. Rocky tickled Grace all the time to pass the boring moments in space, and to mess with the human (Rocky thinks it’s a nice bonding experience too), but Rocky was slightly limited to the pokes and prods he could do through the mesh of his big, clunky ball. But now…
Rocky gets a smug idea. A low purr takes the place of a smirk.
Grace recovers, still on the parrot thing, “I don’t think this is going to work, bud.”
“Rocky knows what he wants to test next with the suit,” the alien pipes up from behind.
Grace glances over his shoulder. “Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Grace asks right before a yelp rockets out of his throat; without a moment to waste, Rocky skitters his claws into Grace’s sides.
“AH! Hehehehey!” bouts of laughter already spill out of the human.
“Rocky want to tickle Grace!” The alien chirps. “For science!”
Grace clamps his arms to his sides and squirms in place. “Yeheheah, I figured thahahat part out! Whoa-!”
Rocky tackles Grace from the back like a big dog, sending the human belly-flopping to the floor as if he is a drawbridge. Grace stretches himself out like a cat flattening itself to the floor as Rocky stands above him experimenting with his claws on Grace’s torso.
“So! First test: dexterity!” Rocky announces. “With new suit, Rocky can flex claws much easier to scratch and squeeze at squishy flesh of Grace. Rocky will demonstrate.”
And the alien does, kneading at Grace’s side like dough and skittering his claws over the back of his ribs. Grace barks out a laugh on top of his other booming laughter and pulls his arms closer to his sides. Grace wiggles around, but Rocky holds one leg on Grace's back to weigh down the scientist so he stays lying on his belly.
The alien lets out a pleased chirp. “Surprised! New suit is working much more effectively for tickling already, statement. That, or Grace has become much more ticklish.”
Oh, now Rocky is just teasing him, huh?
“Reheheheally? I think it’s the sahahame!” Grace uses sarcasm to try and keep a sliver of his pride, but Rocky squashes that immediately with a well-placed squeeze to his side that causes him to snort. Grace face-plants into the floor, his chest bouncing with uncontrollable giggles.
“Grace serious, question? Can Grace hear self? Grace is laughing so much more,” Rocky counters the scientist’s claim. Grace can feel the blush creeping under his glasses.
“New suit can also tickle harder to reach spots, like here,” Rocky slips his claws into Grace’s armpits, to which Grace folds his arms down even tighter to himself and shoots his head up with giggles. He kicks his legs behind him. Rocky sees this and knows he has to take advantage of it, naturally. The alien turns and catches one of the human’s kicking legs. “And back of knees,” Rocky punctuates with a scribble to the pocket of skin.
Grace completely dissolves into a giggly puddle. “I see-hehehehe-ee that–AHA! Rohohohocky!!!” Grace swipes at the air when Rocky sneaks in an extra third claw to test a few tickles at the foot beneath his sock. The human presses his face back into the floor, slamming his fist to the ground next to the side of his head.
Even past his own overflow of giggles, Grace can hear Rocky letting out a squeaky chuckle as he scratches at Grace’s toes. “Still shocked how human's walking appendages can be so ticklish.”
Grace lifts his face off the floor. “Rohohocky! Stahahay focused ohohon the experiment!” he shouts at his friend, knowing that Rocky deviated from the task at hand to mess around a little.
Rocky hums out chuckles and lets go of Grace’s leg, giving the scientist a short breather. “Okay, okay. Dexterity has been checked for efficiency. Rocky will test speed now.”
Before Grace can even get out a word, Rocky leaps back to Grace’s top-half, now changing tactics to quickly scribble and scratch at his friend’s torso like he was flipping a bunch of buttons on a control panel.
Grace laughter returns in full force. “Rohohohocky!” Grace shifts so he can turn over on his side, and Rocky steps off of Grace’s back to allow the human to roll off his stomach. The scientist curls up and wiggles around on his side, trying to defend against Rocky’s swift claws attacking him from the front.
“Speed in new suit appears effective for tickling as well, statement. Can keep up with the movement of squirmy human. Squirmy like Earth worm,” Rocky throws in. “Does Grace agree, question?”
“Whahahat do you thihihihink?” Grace sasses, only getting two claws digging into his belly in response. He yelps and flops onto his back with a wheezy cackle. Rocky hops over the human like a hurdle to his other side, positioning himself there to continue the tickles.
“Grace did not answer question,” Rocky hums, knowing fully well that he’s teasing his friend.
“Ohohohokay yes!” Grace covers his face, leans his head back, and kicks out his legs. “I agree! I agree!” he quickly amends his statement before throwing his arms back down to his torso and swatting at Rocky’s claws.
Rocky’s suit certainly makes him faster, but Grace’s reflexes swinging around his middle like a shield is making it difficult.
Rocky almost lets out a little squawk of frustration. “Grace. Hands are in the way of experiment.” As soon as the alien says this, it clicks for Rocky that his new suit has the solution. He beams, “Rocky will move them!”
When Grace takes another swat at Rocky, the alien pauses his tickling to gently grab one of Grace’s wrists and hold his hand up by Grace’s head. The scientist appreciates the breather, but he also hasn’t fully processed his position. It isn’t until he sees Rocky’s claws preparing to come at him that he shoots back into a giggly frenzy.
“Wahahait! Wait, Rocky! Time out!” Grace waves his free hand, already turning his head into his shoulder with a smile and trying to lean away from Rocky’s hovering claw.
The alien seems surprised at this. Rocky tilts his body again. “Why is Grace laughing already if Rocky is not touching yet, question?”
Grace sinks his head into his shoulders, realizing his slip up. He flushes under his glasses. “Because! Because it’s funny!” Grace replies.
“It is funny, but not the reason why Grace is laughing,” Rocky doesn’t buy Grace’s explanation in the slightest.
With one of Grace’s arms held up beside his head and Rocky’s claw dangerously close, the scientist wagers he’s better off explaining the truth. Though, that doesn’t prevent the butterflies fluttering in his belly at the concept of trying to teach Rocky the cause of his outburst while in a precarious position.
He takes a breather to get his frazzled thoughts in order. He adjusts his glasses. “Um… okay… So you know how you’re going to tickle me, r-right? Well, even if you’re not actually tickling me, my brain is expecting it, so the anticipation is already activating my ‘flight or fight’ response, which in this case is causing me to laugh already. It’s kind of like our brain is tricking us that we’re being tickled before it even happens.” After he finished his explanation, Grace thinks he’s about to short circuit from embarrassment, right then and there.
There’s a moment of silence as the alien processes the new human quirk. Then, he responds, “That’s dumb.”
Grace lets out a flustered scoff, “Well excuse you!”
“How can the human brain be so easily tricked, question?”
Grace counters, “Well, I seem to remember YOU being tricked when I pretended to throw you a ball and you went after it when I didn’t actually throw it.” Grace snickers at the memory of fooling around with Rocky while they were on the ship, like his alien friend was a dog playing fetch with his little stress ball of Earth.
Rocky does not seem as amused. “Oh, yes. Rocky remember. Made Rocky feel foolish.” Rocky pauses. He hums and shakes his body; if he could smirk, this would be his way of showing he’s doing just that.
“But now, with new suit, Rocky can now trick Grace,” the alien brings up two of his claws and wiggles them closer to the scientist, whose arm is still snugly in the Eridian’s grip.
Grace squeaks, already letting out giggles against his control. “Rohocky! That’s so mean!”
“Take this! And that!” Rocky pretends to aim for spots across his torso where his claws can hover. The first few times get Grace to flinch and giggle, but Grace stops reacting as Rocky repeats his movements, like a cycle.
Grace blinks at the alien, “Well, it’s not going to work now since I know you’re just tricking me—HEHEY!” Grace is interrupted by one of Rocky’s teasing claws officially plunging itself into Grace’s outstretched armpit. Rocky’s second free claw joins in, scratching at his ribs, earning the happy sound of Grace’s loud laughter he was waiting for.
Rocky squeaks out a snicker. “Rocky likes tricking Grace, statement. Rocky got an even bigger reaction. Did not think that was possible.”
Grace cackles, “NOHOHOT fair!!! Yohohohou hahahave five arms!”
“Seems like a human problem,” Rocky shrugs.
“Ohohohokay! That’s it!” Grace declares. In a burst of instinctive playfulness, not even considering the possibility if this will work or not, Grace launches his free hand towards Rocky and squeezes his leg, wrapping his fingers into the back of his joint. Rocky squeals.
He instantly topples off of the human, hitting the floor backwards with a clunk like he was just shoved by an invisible force. Rocky scrambles to get back on his legs.
Grace quickly sits up, a slight pant leftover to his words. “Rocky! Are you okay! I’m sorry I was just playing! I didn’t mean to hurt you!” Grace says frantically.
Rocky waves his claws to reassure him. “Rocky okay. Rocky was not hurt. It was, however, a strange… funny feeling.”
At first, Grace is still worried, but the second he thinks about Rocky’s word choice, it hits him.
Grace starts to smile. “Wait a minute… a funny feeling you said? Rocky, you wouldn’t happen to be ticklish, now would you?” Grace’s grin grows wider.
Rocky stomps his foot. “N-No! It was just a funny feeling that made Rocky want to laugh!”
“Yeah, that’s called being ticklish, buddy. Ha! I can’t believe this!”
Rocky’s computer voice sputters. “No! No! Human tickling does not work on Rocky! Only Eridian tickling!”
“Wait, hold on-” Oh, this just got even better. “There’s an Eridian version of tickling, and you never told me?” Grace points an accusing finger at his friend.
Rocky freezes, realizing the gravity of the information he just spilt. He turns around to face away from Grace and crosses his arms.
“Rocky thought it was unnecessary to tell. Rocky was also in xenonite ball, so Grace could not touch. Grace’s attempts to try would have been futile.”
As much as Grace wants to ask about Eridian tickling, that’ll have to wait. Right now, he’s interested in testing a theory about Rocky’s new suit.
“But you’re not in that ball anymore, are you?” Grace smirks at him. Rocky whips around to face Grace; his rock face doesn’t show it, but the way he’s standing stiff shows he’s mortified.
Grace revels in Rocky’s reaction. “I think I know how we can perform the durability test of your suit,” Grace wiggles his fingers in the air.
With a squeak, Rocky tries to scatter, but Grace practically pounces towards him like a panther. The human lands on top of him and a well placed scratch to the side of the alien’s rock face makes Rocky squeal and his legs collapse from under him like a ton of bricks. The mesh of the xenonite suit under his fingers feels like the gel of an unfrozen ice pack, but he can also feel the hard surface of Rocky’s shell beneath. Grace quickly theorizes that his scribbling fingers are causing seismic-like waves to course through Rocky’s shell. In other words, it’s like Grace is creating a mini earthquake vibrating through the Eridian, resulting in the tickly feeling for Rocky, but he’ll have to confirm that theory later. First, revenge!
While his fingers skitter across Rocky, already earning sputters of high-pitched trills and gurgles from his friend, Grace swiftly sits back and drags Rocky into his lap like an extra heavy bowling ball, using his criss-crossed legs like a nest to hold the alien.
“Gr-Grahahahahace!” Rocky’s chirps become melodic, as if his laughter is performing a tune. He flails his limbs like he’s trying to regain his footing, but catching nothing but air. Grace knows Rocky is so much stronger than him, but the tickling seems to have the alien malfunctioning like a robot that just got a bucket of water thrown on them. Even his computer voice has trouble translating the increase of giggly garbles and squeaks that spew from the Eridian.
“Wow,” Grace has to giggle at the sight. “It looks like your suit is holding up so far. How about you, Rocky? You look really ticklish,” Grace emphasizes.
“Rohohocky is ticklish a nohohohormal amount!” Rocky tries to squeak with pride. “Human is mohohore ticklish! Abnormally so!”
“Oh no, I don’t think you’re in any position to be talking back to me, mister. I’m not going to take any sass from someone who looks like a jellyfish flopping out of water,” Grace smirks.
“Rohohocky does not know what that is! Buhuhut knows Grace is trying to fluster Rocky!” Rocky shoves at Grace’s legs to put up some kind of a fight, but the human knows that’s not the alien’s full strength. Rocky starts to heats up as if he is an electric blanket splayed out across Grace’s lap. Grace guesses this is the Eridian version of a blush when their surface becomes warmer.
“And it’s working, huh?” Grace observes, “Hey, does this work on you too?” Grace stills his fingers to give Rocky a quick breather. When the alien turns to face the human, he lets out a squeal and presses himself to the pocket of Grace’s criss-crossed leg as he notices Grace wiggling his fingers in his face.
The alien already releases chirpy giggles while watching the wiggling appendages he’s trying to get far away from move closer.
“Grahahace!” Rocky squeaks, his computer voice frantic with anticipation.
“Ha! It does work!” The scientist rejoices and plunges his fingers back towards Rocky for real this time, not wasting a second. Rocky shrieks again, and bats gently at Grace’s hands that are exploring around the small pockets of holes at the front of his rock face. “Who’s brain is getting tricked now!” Grace throws in for good measure.
“Shuhuhuhut your human face hole!” Rocky then shrieks when Grace grabs one of his legs and tickles around the center of his joint, very similar to when Rocky tickled the back of his knees.
“Excuse you! And it’s called a ‘mouth,’ Rocky. Did our anatomy lessons teach you nothing?”
“Rohohohocky knows human hahahave five fingers, ahahahand it is SO unfair fohohohor tickling!” Rocky states through his abundance of joyful chirps.
Grace scoffs, “Oh, well now you know how I feel!”
The alien shouts, “Nohohohot the same!”
“Oh yeah?” Grace lets go of Rocky’s leg and utilizes all ten of his fingers to the fullest, one hand at Rocky’s side, scratching like he was giving a big dog belly rubs, while his other hand skitters up and down his carapace like a spider. Rocky practically squeals, nearly falling out of Grace’s legs and onto the floor again.
“What were you saying again, Rocky?” Grace grins.
“EEP! 𝅘𝅥𝅮♬♪♬ !” Rocky chirps out a harmony with how much he’s giggling, “Ohohokay! Okay! Grahahahace has made point! Nohoho more tickle! Plehehease!”
As soon as he hears this, Grace promptly lets go of Rocky. The alien takes a few deep breaths then flops over Grace’s legs to relax.
Grace softly chuckles. He starts to feel Rocky’s heat return to its normal, warm temperature.
“You good, Rocky?” the human gives the alien a gentle pat. Rocky jumps from the touch at first, but he leans into Grace’s hand, knowing his friend has had his fun with him for today.
“Rocky is okay.” After a few breaths, Rocky crawls off of Grace’s legs so he can face his friend.
The alien stomps his foot to the floor. “Grace was evil, statement,” Rocky says, jokingly.
“Me? You started it! And I didn’t see you trying to fight me," Grace points out with a smile.
The Eridian ignores that second half. “Rocky started it for science! Grace for fun.”
“Hey, if you were doing it for ‘science,’ then I was doing it for science too! I was testing my theory to see if human tickling works on Eridians. The answer is yes,” Grace answers smugly, but scientifically speaking, he is curious to explore more about his discovery, another day though. “Plus, your suit stayed in tack, didn’t it?”
Rocky grumbles. “Rocky suppose suit did stay strong while being tickled by Grace…”
“Yep! That means it passed the dexterity, speed, and durability test. So this is one more thing we can add to the list,” Grace grabs his pen and paper that was pushed to the side and writes down ‘tickling’ as another activity they tested.
“Maybe Rocky should make the suit tickle proof…” the alien mumbles.
“If you do, I’ll just find a way to get you through your suit,” Grace banters back at him with a grin. Rocky rattles his body, which Grace knows is like the human equivalent of rolling his eyes.
A moment passes. Rocky speaks, “You know what Rocky just thought of?”
“What?”
Rocky steps forward. “When new suit is finalized, Rocky and Grace can use what was learned to make a suit for Grace.”
Grace’s focus shifts fully to the alien. “Really?” he asks, his heart touched simply by the offer. “A suit… for me?”
“Yes! So Grace can come visit Eridian home sometime!”
The scientist glows. “You would do that for me?”
“Yes, yes! Rocky is able to visit human home, so it’s only fair if Grace can visit Eridian home,” Rocky wiggles his body.
Grace’s big smile lights up all of his features. “Well, then we better start getting ahead on these tests then. We’ve got to make your suit the best it can be first,” Grace declares.
“Agree! Agree!” Rocky cheers. “So…what should be the next test, question?”
“Right…” Grace leans his head in his hand. “That’s what we were trying to discuss,” Grace realizes they’re back to square one. “Hmm…”
Rocky taps one of his claws to the floor as he thinks. Suddenly, he straightens himself on his legs like an idea has been shocked into his system. “Oh! Oh! Maybe Adrian has idea! Rocky and Grace can ask them!”
“Hey, good idea Rocky!” Grace shares in the alien’s enthusiasm.
“Then what are Grace and Rocky waiting for! Go let’s!” Rocky chirps.
“Heh, the phrase is ‘let’s go,’ buddy,” Grace replies. “But yeah, let’s go!” Grace hops up from his spot and Rocky skitters by his feet as the duo prepares to run off in search of their next round of experiments.
GIYS IM ACTUALLY SO SORRY I TRIED TO DO THE COOL THING WITH SIMOINS TEETH BUT I LVITERALLY COULDNT DO IT WITHOUT IT LOOKGN WEIRD I NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT
hello!! I love your phm fics they are super cute and I love the way you write/draw Adrien! anyways I was wondering if you ever considered writing something with adrien tkling rocky? of course don't feel pressured to do so !!
hope you're having a good day
Making Up for Lost Time
YES OF COURSE!!! I was a bit intimidated because I don’t really know how to write in anything other than 1st person (idk man my brain weird) so this would have to be in one of there brains but then I was like oh wait, Rocky dumbs down there language for Grace and that’s why he talks like that so THEORETICALLY they would talk normal amongst themselves???? Does that make sense? Idk but that’s how I wrote it and I hope you enjoy!
Slight spoilers for movie and book!
Summary: Rocky is worried about Adrian and his relationship! Adrian is there to help!
Ler!Adrian / Lee!Rocky
Word count: 1385
Adrian and I were curled up next to each other but not touching. Me and Grace have been back for about a month now but I feel like Adrian is still a little weirded out and not entirely sure about our relationship. I know it wouldn’t have gone back to the way it was before, at least not right away of course, but it’s been hard. Wanting to hold them, them to hold me.
I sit lost in thought about it. “What are you thinking about?” Adrian’s voice breaks the silence between us. I shift uncomfortably, debating if I should share.
“Nothing.”
“Rocky. I know you. What is bothering you? You can tell me.” They say in a soothing manner.
“…do you still love me?” I hesitantly ask. They make a surprise trill and shift my way. I know this is a lot to just drop on someone, especially after everything we have gone through.
“Of course I love you! That’s not even a question. Why?” A leg taps against the floor quickly. They seem a bit…frantic is the word I would use. They reach a claw over, like they're testing a boundary we long since crossed. Their warmth spreads through me and I melt into the touch before I can stop myself, leaning into the pressure I've been yearning for.
“I-I just—you seem distant. You don’t want to hold me or sing to me. You stay a distance away when you watch me sleep—“
“I wanted to take it slow for you.” They say softly, now rubbing soft circles with their claw. I shudder a bit but relax into the touch. I itch for more from them.
“Slow?” It doesn’t seem right. Slow. I want to make up for everything so fast, right now. I’ve waited so long to see them again, wondering if they would just become a distant memory. Now there here, warm and in front of me and very part of me aches to close the distance. I don’t want slow.
“I don’t know the extent of what happened in space. You were gone for 42 Earth years (sry I have no idea what the conversion for Eridian years is) and did not want to rush you. I…was scared to lose you again. To push you away or overwhelm you. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you felt that way.” They apologize pulling their arm back, their warmth fading against my skin. Their claws come together to fidget and pull at each other. “I’m sorry.” They reiterate like they're not sure how many times it will take for me to believe them.
“I did not think of it that way. Don’t apologize. You were being very thoughtful to me. I appreciate that.” I shift just a bit closer to them, missing the touch that was once there.
“You were gone for so many years and I waited. Of course I love you.” The notes are low but soft, reassuring. They pull me into their lap and I try my best to hold in my relief and excitement. Their arms, that are much much bigger than mine, hold me close and I feel the vibrations coming from deep inside their body as they continue to talk.
“Is this what you want?” They tease a bit, rubbing the top of my carapace again. Their warmth envelops me as I melt in their arms. I feel so safe, the tension I was holding finally loosens.
“Yes. Very much.” I sheepishly say, trying to hide myself in them. They let out a small snicker that only makes me all the more embarrassed.
“You are just as cute as the day I first saw you.” They murmur, amusement dancing through their voice. “Still tiny. Still loud. Still trying to act tougher than you are.”
Their claws lightly scratch over the top of my carapace as they continue before I can stop them again.
“So talented. So caring. So stubborn.”
“Stop, please.” I feel them staring at me and I know they know I’m embarrassed. They have a smug air about them and their laughter travels straight through me.
They just continue “And determined. So adorable and amazing and good at so many—“
“Adrian please.”
They only laugh harder, claws scraping lightly along my sides and down my legs. Heat floods through me as I shrink into myself more. I whine a bit. I can’t take compliments and they know it.
“What?” They feign ignorance. “I only want to make up for lost time. Think of all the compliments I missed I could have given you!” They beam at me while it only makes me feel all the more flustered. “Such a blushy mate.” That’s it.
“I’m leaving. I have work to do.” As much as I loved it, I try to shift out of their grasp, trying to hold onto any dignity I have left. A claw grabs onto one of my legs pulling me back into them.
“Aw, leaving so soon? I finally give you all the attention you want and now you leave me? So mean.”
“Me? I’m the one whose mean? You're teasing and making fun of me!” I accuse, pointing a claw at them.
“Making fun?” They fake gasp out. “I would never do that to my tiny adorable mate! How dare you accuse me!” They laugh out cheerfully. “You're also so serious. Too serious Rocky. I will help fix your touch problem and your grumpy problem together!” They trill out while pulling my arm up.
“W-what are you—“ I cut myself off as they take a didget and drag it along the joint attaching my arm to my body. “Wahahait nohoHOHO ADRIAHAHAN—“
“Just as ticklish as I remember.” They taunt as another claw holds another arm up. I feel my heat rise even more as I twist desperately in their iron grasp. Why did they have to be so much bigger than me, this is so unfair. They easily keep me trapped, strong enough that all they do is snicker as I fight back.
“ADRIAHahahan t-thihis ISNT-HAha whahahat ihihi mehehent!” I squeal, kicking my free legs out as giddiness takes over me.
“Are you too ticklish Rocky? You know, I think you might have gotten even more ticklish in space!” A claw comes up to claw roughly at my carapace as I flinch away. The feeling buzzes through my body in a way nothing has in a very long time.
“I-I dihiHIDNT! Ahahstohop!” This is stupid and childish. But I can’t lie, it’s fun and I love it. I feel all my worries about Adrian melt away as I cackle in their lap getting the much needed attention I wanted. A sharp hiss escapes my vents before I can stop it, thin streams of stream curling up in the air between us. Well that’s just wonderful.
“You get flustered so easily. So fast.” They state the unfortunate obvious as the claw that was tracing my joint comes up to trace around my vents as I desperately grasp onto their arm.
“NOHOT THEHERE-AHAH ADRIAHAHAN!” I push against their body but nothing helps. They whisp the steam around in the air as they circle and trace the crevices. Their touches are light and soft, making me squirm.
“You sound like a hatchling right now!” Adrian laughs. “Listen to you! So squeaky!” I make an offended but desperate noise and they seem to take pity on me and slow their fingers to a stop. They go back to rubbing and scratching gently as I compose myself but the puffs of steam leaking from me makes it hard.
“Your a t-terrible mate.” I gasp out trying to seem a little tough.
“I wait 42 years for you and now you call me a terrible mate? Very ungrateful!” Laughter laces their voice at my comment making me feel very not tough. “I love you Rocky! Should have told me sooner. I can tickle you all you want!” They flex two claws above me making me let out a squeak. I flinch further into them as they reach down to hold me close. “You want to sleep?” The offer sounds like heaven.
“…yes.” I grumble out but I’m elated to sleep in their arms again. I lean into them, their vibrations as they sing lulling me to sleep.
~ A/N - THIS MOVIE IS THE FUCKING CUTEST OMFG and even better that I got to watch it cuddled up with my best friend 🥺
Just a little something something between my two favourite space buddies. ~
Since the day they met, Rocky had been fascinated by Ryland's body (- or more accurately, the human body). It was weirdly vertical, perhaps due to the lack of gravity compared to Erid, and had so many odd eccentricities that complicated it's shape.
One such oddity, was what Ryland called 'ears'.
Rocky had noticed them after Ryland had begun sitting and sleeping near the wall that separeted their ships, and once Rocky became mobile due to the ball he designed he was able to get an even closer look.
Seemingly random curves and hollows surrounded the epicentre, forming an overall lopsided conical shape with a small dangling circle at the base (that still confused Rocky to this day).
However, as often happens in science, one question quickly led to another discovery.
Ryland had been hunched over on the floor, scribbling in a notepad about their most recent attempt at solving the Astrophage problem, and Rocky had been crouched next to him tittering away about everything from their science mission to "Grace writing messy."
After a few moments of Ryland tuning Rocky out, the little rock creature had decided to turn his attention to the side of Ryland's head. Given they were so close, with Ryland practically lying against Rocky's ball, surely it wouldn't be difficult to Rocky to reach out and investigate his ear.
And reach out he did.
Rocky gently pushed his hand against the mesh of his ball towards Ryland, outstretching his claw and making sure his touch would be gentle as to not hurt Ryland. He got closer, and closer, and right as he made contact-
"HUH?!" Ryland flinched, ducking his head backwards into his shoulders and slapping at the air as if some extra-terrestrial mosquito had tried to take a bite out of him.
"Grace hurt?! Question?!" Rocky chirped, jumping back himself and retracting his claw.
Ryland rubbed his ear, a slight red tinge on his face. "No- no... You just... surprised me."
Rocky, relieved, settled back into his ball and let Ryland continue. Given his pressure wasn't enough to hurt Ryland, surely he could try again.
As Rocky's claw touched the shell of Ryland's ear a second time, Ryland stifled a giggle and slapped Rocky's arm away again.
"Rohock don't."
"Why Grace hit Rocky? Question?" Rocky wriggled, mildly disdained. "Grace said touch not hurt."
Ryland blushed further "I- uh- Well it didn't hurt, it's..."
"Rocky going to touch again. Statement." Rocky announced, reaching out through the mesh again.
"Rocky will not!" Grace yelped, swatting at Rocky's claw and dodging his head from side to side.
Rocky persisted. "Why Grace fight?! Question! Rocky want to touch ear! Why Grace not let Rocky touch?! Question! No surprise!"
After a moment of back and forth, Rocky widthdrew his arms and Ryland was able to settle back to his spot and pick up his notebook in peace.
At least, he thought so.
"Rocky touch again. Statement."
Without a moment to lose, Ryland scrambled to his feet. "No! No, Rock you can't!"
"Rocky touch Grace!" Rocky chirped, beginning to chase after Ryland. "Rocky learn about human ears! Rocky do science!"
Ryland giggled as his feet pounded through the Hail Mary. "Rohocky stop it!"
"Grace come back! Come back for science!" Rocky tumbled after him, clanging against the wall of every turn and surprisingly gaining on Ryland. "Rocky learn how to make humans make sounds!"
The hail mary had never been louder, footsteps pounding throughout the ship, metal clanging against metal, Ryland's nervous giggling echoing down the corridors, and Rocky's endless chirps chasing after him.
Ryland felt Rocky hot on his heels, increasing his giggling tenfold.
Rocky chirped in excitement and sped up. "Rocky not even have to touch grace! Rocky make grace make sound anyways!"
"Stohop chasing me then!" Ryland shouted back.
Rocky beeped. "No! Rocky want to find more sound! Rocky want to find why sound!"
With that, Rocky's ball smacked into Ryland from behind, sending the pair of them tumbling to the floor. Ryland, already in a fit of giggles, frantically tried to push Rocky off - but the little rock alien was far too determined in his pursuit of knowledge and rolled himself high onto Ryland's sternum.
"Rohocky Rohocky nonononoNONONO!" Ryland squealed as he watched his friend's claw extend out of the mesh again.
"Grace hurt? Question?" Rocky asked, pausing his attack.
"NOPE!" Ryland answered far too quickly. "Nope I'm fine just let me g-"
"Good! Rocky can continue science."
Ryland panicked, giggles bubbling out of his chest as Rocky reached out for his ear again. His sudden shift in movement made Rocky's ball slip, and Rocky grabbed out for anything to steady himself.
Unfortunately for Ryland, that happened to be his side.
"NONONO ROHOCKY!!!" Ryland squealed, legs curling up and kicking out in the air.
"Oh! New sound! New sound!" Rocky beeped excitedly. "All humans make sounds when squished? Question?"
Ryland shot his hands up to cover his burning face with a giggly groan.
Rocky continued, poking and prodding his claw into the softest parts of Ryland's torso. "Why grace no answer questions? And why Grace face red? Question."
"SHUHUT UHUHUP ROCKY!" Ryland begged, feet drumming on the metal floor.
Rocky decided to investigate further, adjusting his position so he could access Grace's neck. "Why Grace say bad words to Rocky? Rocky doing science! Grace like science! Statement!"
"THIHIHIS ISNT SCIEHEHEHENCE!" Ryland squeaked, shaking his head from side to side.
Rocky jumped up and down in his ball. "Is science! Is science! Rocky experiment with squishing Grace! Rocky find out why!"
Ryland slapped his hands against Rocky's ball in a futile attempt to free himself. "OKOKOK ITS CALLED TICKLING!"
Rocky paused. "New word? Question?"
"Uh..." Ryland stutterred, residual giggles still tmbling out of his mouth. "So, when humans are touched in particular spots, we tend to move away and... laugh."
Rocky seemed to ponder the thought a little. "Oh. Why tickling? Question?"
With another giggle, Ryland continued his explanation. "It's usually considered a social bonding activity, potentially for an evolutionary self defence-"
Seemingly out of nowhere, Rocky vibrated and bounced around excitedly. "TICKLING FOR FRIEND? QUESTION? ROCKY TICKLE GRACE GRACE BE FRIEND !"
Ryland shrieked as the vibrations rumbled through Rocky's ball and into his stomach. "ROHOCKY Rocky we're ahalready friends you don't have to tihihickle me!"
"ROCKY BE MORE FRIEND WITH GRACE GRACE AND ROCKY FRIEND FOREVER ROCKY WANT TO TICKLING GRACE!" Rocky sang, intermitedly interrupted by happy beeps and chirps as he reached his claw out again.
Ryland began sliding his feet on the floor, trying to gain some kind of traction to get away again. "Nonono Rohohcky please!"
But there was no deterring the Eridian, Rocky somehow wormed his claw up under Ryland's arm (evoking a quite embarrasingly high pitched squeal).
"ROHOHOCKY QUIHIHIT IHIHIT!" Ryland begged, clamping his arm over Rocky's claw.
"Grace not want to friend rocky?" Rocky asked as he tickled, moving his claw down Ryland's sides again. "Grace not like rocky anymore? Question?"
Ryland groaned through his laughter, covering his face again. "Nohoho Rocky I do I dohoho I swear, just plehehease let me gohoho!"
