Chapter Text
There's a beeping coming from my left.
My alarm, I realize as I slowly wake up.
I roll over to my side to shut it off before immediately flopping back onto my pillow.
I don't wanna get up, but I know my brain won't let me sleep any longer.
Call it old habits, I guess.
grace awake?
"Yeah, bud. I'm up, just taking a moment."
grace can sleep longer. day cycle has not shifted to light yet.
I smile to myself.
Rocky's been trying to get me to sleep in for ages now.
Still hasn't managed it.
and why call rocky bud? grace rocky mates now.
That's a new thing in my life now.
Besides the obvious living on Erid thing.
"Sorry, sorry, sweetheart. It's a habit."
I roll onto my other side where Rocky has apparently decided to make himself comfortable while watching me sleep.
Can I even say he's making himself comfortable anymore?
He's my mate now.
I lean over and press a quick kiss to the top of his carapace.
He immediately trills.
disgust. disgust. disgust.
He's not really disgusted though.
I know that.
And I'm even more sure when he tilts his carapace just a little closer; a silent little demand for more kisses.
Who am I to say no?
I happily oblige.
grace going to get ready for class?
I hum.
"Nah, I don't really have to go until later. I think I'll just take it easy for a bit. What about you? Heading out to go see Adrian?"
no. mate adrian visited during grace sleep cycle.
Another one of the little joys in my life lately.
I don't think I'll ever get used to it.
A wonderful place to live, my favorite job in the universe, and somehow not one but two wonderful mates.
"Whaaat? Why wouldn't you wake me up? I wanted to hang out with you two."
and sleep even less? mate grace stupid. grace can hang out with rocky and mate adrian later.
I pout.
"...Yeah, alright."
He has a point.
I'm just getting fomo.
I sit up and stretch before turning toward Rocky.
"Alright, alright. I guess I'll hang out with Adrian later. For now I really need some breakfast. You gonna come with or stay here?"
I get out of bed, waiting a second for Rocky to decide.
He follows after me almost immediately.
I laugh.
"You sure, sweetheart? I'm gonna be eating, y'know. And talking while eating.”
He lets out another little trill.
rocky not mate adrian. rocky does not mind.
Living with Rocky for years made me forget how uncomfortable eating is for most Eridians.
Poor Adrian looked like they wanted to crawl out of their carapace the first time I started eating in front of them without warning.
I've made it a habit to warn every Eridian now.
"I think you're just weird. Or maybe you're just a pervert that likes watching me eat, huh?"
He pokes my leg with his claw.
yes. but only because grace corrupt rocky with disgusting human beliefs. therefore all grace fault.
I laugh as we make our way to the kitchen.
Armando has a fresh cup of coffee waiting for me.
"Thanks, Armando."
I grab the mug before making myself some breakfast.
By the time I sit down, Rocky's skittered off to grab the laptop he'd left in the living room.
A minute later he's back beside me, quietly scrolling through whatever caught his interest today.
Another little routine we've somehow settled into.
I eat breakfast while Rocky does his research.
I'm just glad I'm not being woken up by it anymore.
A thought suddenly pops into my head as I watch him.
"Hey, Rock? I just had a thought."
He chirps before turning his carapace toward me.
He doesn't have to technically.
He just does it anyway so I know he's paying attention.
I can't help smiling.
"It's an Orpheus thought."
He straightens immediately.
A cute little thing he does whenever he's excited.
yes yes yes. what orpheus thought did grace have?
"I was just thinking... I think I know why he turns around."
grace know answer! tell rocky now!
I laugh.
"Well... I think we've been asking the wrong question."
He drones curiously.
"Everyone always asks why he turned around."
I shake my head.
"But I don't think there ever was a why."
"I think the second Orpheus decided to go into the Underworld, he'd already made that choice."
Rocky stays completely still.
"He didn't go down there because he thought he could leave without Eurydice."
"He went because leaving without her was never an option."
I shrug.
"So asking him not to turn around... that's asking someone who loves another person more than anything not to make sure they're okay."
"Of course he turned. I mean how could he not?"
Rocky thinks for a long moment.
yes... challenge impossible.
"I think that's the point."
Another quiet pause.
Then…
orpheus already choose mate before entering underworld.
I smile.
"Exactly."
I take another sip of coffee.
"You know... after everything that happened, I kept thinking about that story."
"I always thought Orpheus made the wrong choice, but I don't really think that anymore."
Rocky waits.
"When I realized I had to choose between going back to Earth and coming back for you... I never really had a choice either."
"I loved Earth, and I still do, don’t get me wrong."
"But leaving you behind..."
I shake my head.
"That was never gonna happen."
"So I think that's why I finally get it."
"Orpheus didn't turn around because he loved Eurydice too little."
"He turned around because there wasn't a universe where he wouldn't."
I grin.
"Ours just happened to be one where turning around saved you."
Rocky is quiet for a few seconds.
Then he lets out a soft little trill.
good answer to story.
I smile.
"Yeah."
"I think so too."
Another moment passes before Rocky chirps again.
grace should teach story.
I raise an eyebrow.
"Teach it?"
yes. human culture lesson.
I laugh.
"You know..."
"...I think I just might."
I finish the last bite of my breakfast before standing up and giving the top of his carapace one last affectionate pat.
"C'mon, sweetheart."
"We've got a lesson plan to write."