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The Hail Mary was cold and familiarly quiet.
The only sound that occasionally rang through the ship was Rocky’s clumsily shaped ball, which almost always snapped you and Ryland Grace out of whatever focus you were in.
You sat across from Ryland in the lab, the sounds of the microscope switching slides became routine and quickly turned into background noise. You scribbled some diagrams onto the whiteboard set down in front of you, trying to find a way to fix the panel that had came loose on the outside of the ship.
“Grace and Y/N look tired, statement.” Rocky stated as he rolled into the lab, the laptop translating his musical notes.
Ryland sighed, running a hand over his face as he laid back in the uncomfortable metal chair. “Thanks, Rock. I hadn’t noticed.” He said sarcastically, causing a small smile to cross your lips.
“You sound tired.” You teased, adding fuel to his exhausted fire. “You know, we won’t mind if you sleep. Me and Rocky can figure it out on our own.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m not tired. Just need a break.” He shook his head, shooting you an amused look against his better judgement. “I’m going to take a few minutes in the mental health room.” Ryland got up from his chair, stretching and yawning as he stood, his nerdy t-shirt of the day riding up his stomach to reveal his surprisingly toned body enough to make you want to see more.
”Rocky and Y/N come with Grace!” Rocky suggested happily, already racing out of the lab and to the mental health room ahead of Ryland.
Ryland glanced back to look at you, waiting to see if you’d actually come. You met his gaze and then shrugged. “Sure, i’ll come.” You decided, getting up and walking over to meet his side.
Ryland sat in the middle of you and Rocky, the trio silent as they watched the artificial water on the screen in front of them.
You were close enough to Grace to hear his slow breathing, his knee bumping off yours every so often.
You tried to keep your eyes firmly ahead of you, but you occasionally caught yourself glancing back to Ryland. In your defence, he was the only human you’d been with for ages, and was the last human you would ever see.
Rocky shifted around in his ball, clicking his fingers as he turned around. Both you and Ryland shifted your attention to him.
“You okay, buddy?” Ryland asked with a hint of concern in his bright eyes.
“Yes. Rocky just think. Rocky think Grace and Y/N should be mates.”
You immediately straightened up in shock and looked to Grace in surprise. “W- What? Rocky, why do you say that?!” You asked in confusion. Ryland was speechless beside you.
“Grace and Y/N close. Close like mates. Like me and Adrian.” Rocky explained, pointing to the both of you with his three fingers.
“We’re not mates, Rocky. It doesn’t work like that for humans.” Ryland cleared his throat, now avoiding eye contact with you.
You nodded along with what Grace said, now nervously fidgeting with your sleeve.
“Rocky don’t understand. But is okay.” Rocky replied before sitting back down in his ball. “Humans are complicated.”
Ryland let out a dry chuckle, sighing as he smoothed down his hair. “That they are.”
The pilots chair creaked underneath you as you shifted, your body now relaxed and limp. Ryland hadn’t even noticed you falling asleep until he started to question why you weren’t answering his mindless rambles.
His shoulders relaxed as he saw you asleep in the chair, one hand in your lap and the other under your head.
“Guess you were more tired than me.” Ryland mused quietly to himself before carefully stepping up to be standing beside you.
His hands were cautious as to not touch anywhere uncomfortable, making sure you stayed peacefully asleep as he picked you up.
Grace held you close to his chest as he headed towards the sleeping quarters, gently slipping your sleeping form onto your rather uncomfortable bed. He paused when you shifted, holding his breath, but sighed out in relief when you didn’t further wake.
“Sleep well. I’ll be here when you wake up.” Ryland mumbled as he draped a blanket over you, hesitating slightly before pressing a soft kiss to your cheek.
“Grace Y/N mates now, question?” Rocky suddenly appeared behind Ryland.
“Jesus, Rocky! No! Still not mates!” He insisted, his face now flushed.