Chapter Text
There was a new object at their work bench. Something that they were sure they hadn’t placed there themself.
They tapped the table gently, getting a good feel of the object. It was a small rock, with IV (8) identical, clean-cut sides. When tapped, it produced a long, pleasant, metallic sound. This offering could only mean I (1) thing.
Someone was courting Rocky.
It was a long-standing Eridian tradition to offer beautiful rocks, trinkets and jewelry as courting offers. The object of the rock-giver’s affection could either accept the rock - encouraging further advances - or reject it.
The problem was, Rocky did not know who the rock was from.
An idea passed through their mind for a moment, but they rejected it instantly. Some other Eridian was either making fun of them or taking advantage of their lovestruck state, that had to be it! There was no way…
A sound came from behind the door, and Rocky stomped the floor to read the environment. Right on the edge of their hearing there stood a very, very familiar Eridian, whose carapace was near-shaking with anticipation. Rocky did not even have to stomp again to recognise them.
Very slowly, with the caution of someone diffusing an explosive, they picked up the rock and placed it in their toolbelt.
A quiet song of celebration came from behind the corner, as their rock-giver scuttled away.
The next time something of the sort happened, they were even less prepared.
Rocky was sitting in the common area, a welding tool in hand, with masterful precision forming a figurine. They were on a break from their actual work - this was just a personal side project.
Suddenly, the shape of the room cleared out more as hushed conversations sparked out around them. The few Eridians that occupied the common area were talking among each other, and due to their perfect hearing, Rocky could tell exactly what they were talking about.
They moved their attention to the entrance, through which Adrian was slowly entering. They placed each step carefully, somehow more graceful than usual. And they were definitely heading in the direction of Rocky.
They puffed their vents out to clean their voice, and slowly sat down next to Rocky.
‘Hello,’ they said, tapping a claw anxiously. ‘My name is Adrian, you may have seen me around… or maybe not, I wouldn’t know. Though you did accept my gift… did you know it was mine, question? Oh, gosh, did I spoil it, question? I’m sorry if I did, uh.’ They went quiet after that, trace amounts of smoke leaving their vents. They were flustered beyond belief.
Rocky found themself at a loss for words, right then. What do you mean the most beautiful Eridian that could have been a supermodel if they weren’t into science was trying to make awkward conversation with Rocky of all Eridians? What do you mean they were trying to court him? What do you mean they were the one flustered???
‘I’m Rocky,’ they introduced themself. ‘And yes, I’ve seen you around a lot.’ Shit, that sounded so rude! Think of something better, think! ‘You’re very pretty.’
Fuck.
‘O-oh!’ The steam protruding from Adrian’s vents suddenly intensified. ‘Thank you! You- you are too. You’re very pretty.’
‘No, no, no.’ Rocky shook their carapace. ‘I don’t understand why you think that. You’re the one with the beautiful voice and sharp angles, and…’ They stopped themself before they went on a tangent about how cool Adrian was to Adrian.
‘You’re wrong, wrong, wrong,’ Adrian blurted out, and immediately began steaming even more, curling their legs close to their carapace. ‘I think you’re very beautiful, and I would much rather look as different and special as you than how I do right now.’
‘That’s stupid,’ Rocky said, and instantly followed it up with: ‘Not like that! I didn’t mean you were stupid! I just… disagree.’
Adrian let out a melodic laugh, and their jewelry clinked with the tilt of their carapace. Then, they went quiet for a moment.
‘Would… would you object to being courted, question?’ Adrian pulled their legs even closer to their carapace, as if in self-defense - which simply meant they were nervous.
‘I accepted the rock, yes? Then I don’t object. Would be an honour to be courted by you.’ Rocky tapped their claw, and then very slowly dragged it along the ground, until it reached Adrian’s leg. They started tapping the medium-rough texture of their shell, much to Adrian’s flusteredness. Then, they put away their welding tool and presented the finished figurine they had been working on this whole time. V (2) small models, first being of them, the other of Adrian, with movable limbs and all.
‘I’m not good at finding pretty rocks. So I made another gift.’
They held out their hand with the figurines on top of it, anxiously awaiting the response. Perhaps this was too forward of a gift? Maybe Adrian preferred something more traditional?
‘It’s perfect perfect perfect! You have talent, statement.’ Adrian took the models excitedly and stored them securely in their bag. ‘Amaze! I’m so glad I met you, Rocky.’
Rocky felt their own vents fill up with steam at the notion.
‘You fluster me,’ they muttered, their song high-pitched and uneven. Adrian laughed again, though there was no mockery in their tone. ‘You have a way with words that I’ve never had.’
‘And you have the skills of a master sculptor and the trill of windchimes,’ Adrian said, and Rocky curled their legs closer to them, feeling the air around them heat up.
‘Well, I must go back to my work now. May we meet again, Rocky!’ Adrian ran their claws along I (1) of their hands, where a row of ridges was etched.
‘Yes. May we meet again.’ Rocky repeated the gesture as they listened to their rock-giver’s footsteps dissipate in the distance.
Grace is leaking again, statement.
Grace looked up to see his friend observe him attentively. Rocky wasn’t actually looking, sure, but Grace could tell at this point when he was being focused on.
Rocky’s much larger mate, whom they were both leaning against, moved one of their hands and placed it on top of Grace, giving him a comfortable, grounding weight.
‘Sorry, Rock. It’s just… such a meet-cute story,’ Grace said, wiping the tears from his eyes. ‘You guys really were meant for each other, huh?’
Humans are strange. You leak when happy, you leak when sad. It never ceases to amaze me.
‘Yeah, Rock, you and me both.’
Okay, it is time for you to sleep now, Adrian hummed, pulling Grace a bit closer.
‘Okay, mama bird,’ Grace laughed, although Adrian still couldn't quite grasp what a bird was.
Yes yes yes, Grace go sleep and I will go work…
I meant you too, my melody, Adrian retorted, wrapping another arm around Rocky. You both sleep. I will watch.
Rocky grumbled a few notes of disapproval, but eventually curled themself up comfortably and slotted themself into Adrian's embrace like they belonged there.
Grace smiled, and lay his head on top of Rocky's xenonite suit, scootching his back towards Adrian.
Meant for each other, indeed.