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1.Photo on the ship
Grace would forget that Rocky could not see, l means this was only twice. First when the lights went out but also the second time when the lights went out again, that was the annoying time. When he had hit into something sending a box flying. He remembered picking it up, then feeling something flood his memory.
“Can’t help. Sorry. Sorry” Rocky had mentioned. It was only then that the lights had come on, Rocky seemed perfectly fine he had managed to move around the room. It was only later on that he saw this moment, the idea that Rocky could probably tell he had stumbled and forgotten.
“Grace. Ok. Question.”
“Yes, Buddy” Grace had reasoned, he wished to pat the guy on the spacesuit. No other reason than his sweet and cute notion of concern. It was only when he realised where he truly was, the fact that he was actually tussled onto the floor, the box falling in front of him. Face inches away from a console that could have killed him. Would Rocky had placed him in the airlock, would he have gotten the cure home to his planet or Earth?
He could not let his mind distract him, instead he placed his hands in front of the other and watched the content of the box as he rose to sit up. Rocky rushed over, rolling till his leg pressed against his knee.
“Grace. Still good question.” was the tuned reply.
Grace in question was staring off at something on the floor, something rectangular.
That photo.
A photo he believed to be on Earth, millions of miles away.
Lamented, shinning, reacting to the light in the room. His surroundings started to fade; he could feel the pull of his memory. Seconds in real time but his lifetime in his mind.
“-ace. Question” it was small the tunes rolling from him, the movement pushing at his ankle. Him on his knees staring at the photo as flashes went by. Like that he was back on Earth.
2.Classroom
In truth, he had looked at it only in certain moments, he kept it on his desk at school. Only the first day, his first day of teaching with it of course. It had been taken a few days ago over the weekend as October began to take root of the world. Then he realised that they were very curious, l mean he expected that but gosh they were nosy when seeing a teacher’s personal time. So, he kept it in his draw, he would not lock it, but the kids respected him.
It was only one time that the projector had slipped, after that it was somehow landing in the draw. The draw he had opened, who could blame him. Simon would be gone a few days after Christmas, going on a mission into the deep pacific, something about studying and months of departure.
His heart felt a little bit less bright, was not glowing fully.
Until his face was growing in embarrassment, glowing a deep red. Right on the projector was supposed to be the photos from his telescope, the one he borrowed from some professor at college, old photos should have been on there.
Instead, it was the loud gush of the classroom, the excited chatter after the collective gasp.
“Mr Grace has a boyfriend”.
“Or Partner! My uncle has one”.
“Ohhh”
“Why didn’t he tell us”.
“Aww there so cute”
“Didn’t expect that, l thought he did not have any friends-”
“Shh, he’s like a tomato”.
It was the laughter, the shushed whispers and how the twinkle of science in their eyes was replaced by something everyone could spot. Burning curiosity.
“Very nice, Mr projector” Grace scoffed as he placed it back. “Yes Yes, now attention”
He raised his hands up onto the ceiling, watching as his students did the same. Becoming little sardines.
He could still see the burn of curiosity.
“That’s enough fun facts about me” a loud anguished complaint echoed from his class “But-”
Grace added extra-enthusiasm to his voice, excitement billowing as he found his deal for studying. Not like his class needed that but just some motivation for an incentive like sweets or a movie was always great to see the joy flood their face. “But- if you all do great on the next test, l can tell you a few more”.
Instead of hushed whispers, he closed the draw. Using the lock, he clicked the conversation and the draw back into place.
“Now this is a photo l took-”
3.Carl
Carl had teased him about it, the photo sat on his desk, as soon as he found out.
It was on the topic of friends, noticing Grace be quiet, he had that look like he would expect that audience to applause him again not for his ego but for company.
So, Carl attempted another approach “Any girlfriend?” he assumed. Clicking the walkie talkie handle in his hand as he watched Grace experiment further with the Astrophage.
“Not a girlfriend no…” echoed back.
Carl was going to ask about something else, perhaps even his favourite food or the experiment even though Grace would get so excited Carl would get lost even if he had read up about some of biology in his spare time, especially in the month they had been working.
That’s when his eye saw it, just after seeing Grace dance in the lab “Shopping time!” he cheered.
Carl had seen it, the clipped photo as Grace walked closer peeking out from an unzipped jacket pocket, huh not a girlfriend, he thought.
Then they went shopping, then he was putting foil on windows, and they were locking him into the lab with wooden boards and screws. Then they had their “baby” as Grace had called it, after that it was off on a jet, high speed and going miles away from where the photo was on the lab, just as Grace had left it. He always had this odd habit of looking at it, at times. Staring, fondly of course. Sometimes Carl would see him caress it with his thumb, he would often wipe at his eyes trying to be nonchalant before stuffing it into his pocket.
He had run up to place it in his arms after that jet ride, before Grace as grey as ever threw up. That bile rising out of Grace throat and into the cone, once already, he had begged the photo to stay gripping onto his jacket.
“Carl on my jacket, please” he outcried desperately, felt bile rise out his mouth as Carl straightened the photo into the side pocket of his jacket. After the sound of the zip, Grace felt better not because he had just thrown up but because the wind would not become his enemy on the Navy ship.
“Thanks Carl” he presented a fist bump, watching as Carl with some small amount of enthusiasm, due to the military professional setting, reciprocated.
“Anytime” Carl echoed as he began to walk away from Grace and Stratt, not without giving Grace a small wink. Laughing as he walked away, Grace trying to stay focused. All those conversations in the store coming back to him.
“He’s cute, how did you meet?”
“How much tape can we get from the government”.
“Any amount but how did you meet?”
Carl had managed to maintain his professionalism up until that point, but it was the throwing of the tape and the manner of which Grace would joke around that seemed contagious. So just like Grace had done without answering, Carl winked as he left to go to another place on the ship.
4.Fellow Scientists
He kept it, always at his side. Sometimes others would ask about it, but you didn’t really have to it was obvious. The one beside him, just before showing the Astronauts about the melting of metal by the smallest amount of Astrophage.
He was bent over a microscope, studying the Astrophage one more time. Double checking, even triple checking. It had to be done. His eye was just about to gaze into the microscope again when he heard a small voice from behind him.
“Cute” he had mumbled the ones that had passed them, staring at the photo clipped on wire and laminated. He made sure to get it in a protective seal, he demanded that he at least keep it with them as they studied, this was the only way. As he would never dare part with it. This way he was with him, even when he was away.
“Thanks” Grace had quickly muttered, he noticed the scientists. The eyes around him tracking him. Not in small smears or absent remarks but just small smiles, humanity pulsed whenever science was slightly pushed to the background, usually it was only through his jokes to ease the attention. Grace felt his throat close up slightly, feeling an urge to cough, it had been six months since he last saw him.
“Back to lab work” he forced a smile; it was how he shook a little as he examined the Astrophage through the microscope. The other scientists did not mention it again. Grace felt something dim in his chest, only a little. Distance did make his heart ache.
5.Stratt and those in the meeting:
Then the memories jumping to another, this one not as bright as the others, dimmer. Isolated, the walls were closing in on him, it was pouring with rain outside. Grief was heavy in his chest, his heart and his mind. He was so tired, his throat was scratchy as his mind felt scattered as Stratt had said what she said and continued on.
“No immediate family” Stratt has announced. She was saying this too quickly announcing it to the room like it was decided. Like she had not seen the photo, to be fair he did keep it in his jacket in the bar, but it was in eyesight as he worked and they had all visited him while working.
“No” Ryland outcried, “I have him, please”.
He pulled out the photo, unzipping it. Watching Carl tense in the corner of the room. “He’s away on a mission for someone in this government and l need to wait for him, that was my plan!” he yelled into the room.
He pushed to stand, reaching it further and further until it reached the others, further away on the table.
“l am not brave like any of you; l am just me. Please”
He was showing the photo, standing pushing it further to her, almost topping over. Despite his fear curling into him, making his breath quick and raged he was so gentle with it. Holding it on his index and thumb, forcing it into the others faces.
“Please, it has to be someone else, someone who isn’t-” he was unable to finish his sentence, with the mantra maintained in his mind. He was not brave enough for this. It could not be him.
It was another voice, tired, a bit croaky, red puffed eyes, almost as red as his. He pushed his hand into his own eye as tears began to fall, prominently and furiously, he listened.
“You have to do it for him” Yao spoke watching as Grace sat down, breathing heavily, hands in his hair, clutching the photo. They knew he always went on his own to cry. Grace felt the sand between his fingers, the clutching of the photo with the other, gentle still but forcing it onto his chest like he wanted to be buried with it.
He felt a soft presence on his arm. It was the touch of a hand, the way Grace rose his head, to see Yao in front of him even more “he can give you hope. I am not brave” he breathed allowing the words to curl round the room, before continuing “my family gives me hope” he omitted, losing the serious notation of his fae and voice to give a small smile.
Then it was the deadline, the hours. The fact he left the room, tail between his legs. Opposing their view of him as a smart scientist. He was a coward.
—
+1.Rocky
Ryland slowly rose from where he was, the photo shook in his hands. This was the part that he felt missing, the hole in his heart. The reason “mate” felt so familiar, the odd feeling the name of “Linda” had on his tongue. Not due to the time or “Mark” but it was the manner of which the name felt old and sour in his mouth.
“Simon” he had gasped holding the photo close, it was like he was under water, his ears filled and stuck in one motion or another. He allowed his hand to be grasping for it, reaching over from where he had fallen to cradle it close, then rising a small smile.
A piece of the puzzle of his heart was found, like the memory of the day flashed so quickly. His synapses must have loved this memory to be reminded of it so quickly, it was like he could smell cotton candy and pumpkins.
“Face leaking. Grace ok question.” it was spoken from the machine, Rocky coming into view from the glass.
“Rocky l-“he gasped, still kneeling on the floor, his chest felt lighter even if the distance was incredibly far. It was funny when he thought about it.
Then it was another voice creeping in small hums, a tumble of motion and then the bubble suit that Rocky was in, placed there. He was in front of him, tumbling slightly over other photos and pieces of the box that was kept there.
A small tune played, the echo of the computer in the background.
“Grace need hug to feel good. Question”
He nodded, feeling the bubble grace his leg, he chuckled at the humour inside his head. Wiping away his tears furiously, sniffling before allowing a small smile to pull at his face. They had work to do, science to explain. A way to fish at the planet had to be thought and planned anyway. Yet here he was with a hug, not feeling arms around him but knowing that Rocky was here from him even though he did not understand.
He did not have the device that allowed him to see what was on the photo, it was somewhere in the corner, but Rocky did not mention either that or the photo. It was like with Adrien; they would only talk about it when Rocky started. If not, he would allow his limbs to lower, his tunes to go quiet and numb. It would take him several moments to compose himself, or to mention perhaps only when Rocky wanted to, so Grace respected that. As did Rocky, he did not mention it but instead allowed Grace to set the boundary.
“It’s a story, l could tell you at bedtime…” Grace had murmured, laughing all the way Rocky was shaking around the room, smiling and chittering round the room. He did enjoy talking of their lives, especially as Grace could return.
“Happy happy happy” he jostered as they turned back to their work.
Laughing and bubbling.
—
The small glass like structure allowed him time to stretch his legs, getting comfortable, it was his new bed, on the lab floor but still incredibly like a cloud. He had even figured out how to dim the lights in this lab.
Grace was on a small mattress, pulling the bed from bed chamber as he relaxed, sinking into the covers, placing his knitted blanket over the top. He held the photo in his hands, smiling at it, caressing the corner with his thumb before passing it over to hold against the glass.
“It’s a photo, you can see it with that device”
Rocky mused watching through his own device and seeing what was on there.
It was of Grace, his own person next to him.
“Who to Grace. Question” Rocky motioned, tapping his claw against the structure, the device in his other claw.
“He’s my…” Grace realised he might not have the proper word for it, so he said the word that Rocky would know, the one Rocky would chatter about and roll along the floor in excitement over.
“Mate. Happy. Happy. Happy” Rocky beamed, jumping out of his place for bed, dancing over the glass like structure.
“Weren’t you supposed to be watching me sleep” Grace laughed, watching his best friend.
“Amaze. Amaze. Must move” Rocky jostled round the glass, before his hand found the device he had dropped. Holding it within his claw, he could see the photo better, look at it again. It was like the small model that Rocky kept for his planet, he had his planet as a model but also made one of Adrien. Like Grace had with this photo it would stay with him most of the time, be something to sing soft tunes to before he went to sleep. Adrien was similar in structure to Rocky but was slightly taller and from what Rocky had described had interact patterns on him, like the one’s that Rocky had.
“His name is Simon” Grace echoed, watching as Rocky rolled in excitement, pushing his face to the glass like the human manner of hugging.
A tune echoed from Rocky, it was not the short snap of Grace name in his language. It was like the song that Rocky would sing before he went to sleep. Long in length with beautiful tunes that would echo around him.
Grace did not bother to place it into the computer to be translated, the melody was lovely. Within seconds he was almost asleep, clutching the photo tightly to his chest.
A photo that had been seen by so many but rarely ever spoken about like this. It was then he began to tell the story.
The photo was taken on an old camera, they had gotten it printed. Two copies each for one of them at their work. It was a photo of them at a funfair of all things: it was close to autumn they were wrapped up in so many layers to stay warm. Held to Ryland chest by his arm was a book documenting the space elements legends and myths, while Simon had his book something about underwater myths, in the deep ocean where seismic activity was incredibly prevalent.
Ryland remembered that day. He was interrupted to remember to tell Rocky about books, seeing his “amaze” dance upon knowing what they were. (”words like on the whiteboard but you see a story here”) he tapped his head, they had something similar in Eridian, the marks on their skin told a story.
The books that the pair had read, near a fireplace in their home, cuddling or as Grace described to Rocky “A very long hug but comfortable to even sleep”. He told him of how they ended up falling asleep the embers of the fire crackling as they held each other close. This photo was just before they went home, autumn trees. Simon’s arm round his shoulders, pressing a forceful kiss to his cheek. Ryland had never looked so happy in his life, it was rare he ever smiled like that. Not having any other friends, and Simon being on missions, it meant he only really smiled that wide in front of the kids but that was mostly it, or with his friends asking about the photo. If he closed his eyes or blinked slower it was like he could feel the black curls coasting on his forehead as he laid against the man he loved.
If he stared at the photo hard enough it would be like those eyes would be watching, the kind soft ones half squinted in the photo as he had raced to give Ryland a kiss on the cheek. The accompanied laughter loud in his ear, they also managed to laugh loudly with one another. Expressing their joy openly, his heart warmed in his chest, his skin bubbling with something he always felt staring at it. The reason he kept it close, why Rocky sang himself to sleep, that model of Adrien he held close too.
To be in love, he thought smiling, if he listened hard enough he could still hear what he said laughing his head off, turning to Simon "You're an idiot, love" before pecking Simons lips anyway. The echo faded as he was interrupted by a sound.
His eyes opened to a small sound, and the computer replaying.
That tune again, the one that sounded just like what Adrien fell asleep to singing. "Last before sleep. Question”
“Huh?” Grace questioned, turning to see Rocky, pressing a claw to where the photo was.
“Oh” Grace nodded, turning over slightly off of his back to turn to Rocky as he explained.
“Yes, last thought, you for Adrien?” Grace stated before adding something to his words “Question” he chuckled.
Rocky chittered happily “Yes Yes Yes, Adrien last” a tune rung out “before sleep”.
Grace smiled wider as Rocky seemed to go quiet, allowing him time to sleep as his own thoughts began to distance themselves. Other than the thought of Simon it was the factor, of the nice tune at “Thought” it was like a dim sound like of a quiet hum. He found the words the Eridian said for Simon’s name and tumbled them into his mind. Hugging the photo, getting a hug from Rocky as he drifted off to sleep finding his heart the fullest it had been since that Autumn before Simon had left for that earthquake research mission.
THE END!