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Grace felt it the moment he woke up. The itching sensation in the back of his throat, the heavy weight on his chest, and the relentless sweating. He’s experienced this countless on Earth, being the sickly homebody he was. But the last time he had a fever would have almost been a decade ago. He remembers he has a meeting with the Education Council of the Eridian Government this afternoon. Grace turned his neck to the left, trying to catch a glimpse of his Eridian clock, he would have at least two hours maximum before he’d have to get going. He rested his neck back on his pillow and turned to stare at the ceiling. He has to get up but maybe a few minutes of a nap could suffice. Grace closes his eyes and feel the temptation of slumber kicking in.
The next time he opens his eyes, he sits up from the bed. Adrenaline rushes through him as his body tenses. He looks around and squints his eyes, trying to increase his visual acuity through this foggy cold. An hour left before the meeting. Rocky would probably come by soon. With a groan, Grace forces himself to stand up and walk towards the shower. He removes his clothing, wincing upon feeling the air hit his bare skin. Fevers always intensify his sensations to a maximum but he pushes through the discomfort.
He turns the dial to the warmer side, ever so thankful for Rocky and his team for creating what was genuinely a more improved version of an adjustable temperature toggle for a shower. He basks under the warm water for a few minutes and rolls his shoulders backwards, feeling his muscles relax.
As he turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, he heard the familiar pattern of knocks on his front door. Shit, Rocky was already here and he was nowhere near ready,
“Be there in a minute!” Grace yelled even though he knew Rocky would have heard him if he whispered. Human habits die hard on Erid. Grace went into his room and put on a clean shirt and trousers. He heavily rubbed his towel on his head, trying to dry out his wet hair before this cold could get any worse.
Another set of knocks were heard from his door. Grace sighed and forced himself upright. He didn’t want Rocky to worry. If the Eridian learned that he was not in the best state at the moment, his meeting with the council could be moved. And, Grace didn’t want that to happen. Important government representatives would be present at the meeting. Grace believed it’s be disrespectful to reschedule just because he was feeling a little under the weather.
As Grace unlocked the door, it swung open and revealed an eager-looking Rocky, “Grace take long time to answer door. Grace ready?”
Grace cleared his throat, feeling the itchiness rise once again, “I’m almost ready. Just gotta get my cardigan and bag.” He tried to make his voice sound even as he walked back into his home. Rocky followed suit and observed, something he never usually does. Whenever the engineer would visit, he would go on non-stop talking about everything and anything.
Grace was checking the contents of his little satchel as he spoke, “So, uh, can you explain to me again how we get there?” He knew the answer to this question, of course, but he needed for Rocky to be distracted, enough so that his little fever would go unnoticed.
“Rocky lead way through tunnels and airlock systems. Grace wear protective suit. Can’t believe Grace forgot already.” Rocky replied which made Grace chuckle. His plan worked immaculately, “Yeah, buddy. Sorry about that, was busy preparing for my presentation.”
“Rocky understand.” He then went into Grace’s bedroom, to which the other didn’t seem as fazed by. Both of them knew this was Rocky’s second home. Not to mention, he and Adrian lived quite close; as per the former’s request.
“Here, Grace.” Rocky handed his beige cardigan.
“Thanks.” Grace accepted it and wore it before slinging his satchel over his upper body. He ignored the slight clamminess of his palms and the heavy feeling which managed to spread from his upper body to his lower limbs. He had to do this, just an hour or so and he’d be done. He could get Armando to have a look at him when he gets back.
The air in the room was.. Well, Grace could feel that these Eridians were definitely of high power and influence. The way they talked and presented themselves to him. The change in demeanor. Grace tends to forget that Rocky isn’t the only Eridian, they’re a whole species and have variations.
That didn’t help him prepare for the difference in height and size. These Eridians were as tall as Grace, limbs were longer and bodies were bulkier.
“You’re sure this won’t... kill me?” Grace whispered to Rocky. He knew everyone could still hear him but it was the principle. Rocky assured him and even went so far as to triple check the environment to ease Grace’s worries. With a step inside the airlock, he entered the small chamber Rocky and his team built into the conference room of the town hall. It was an addition made specifically for Grace so that he could present comfortably with his own laptop and well, own self. Although Rocky was a brilliant engineer, he still hasn’t exactly managed to create a protective suit for Grace to walk around Erid without having to lift the heavy materials.
“Hello,” Grace said to the room and all attention turned to him. He felt a spike of anxiety at the sudden attention but soon calmed himself. Come on, this wasn’t his first rodeo in public speeches. But he supposed, maybe the fact that his audience was Eridian might have changed something.
Grace took a glance at Rocky who must have sensed his nervousness as his friend said, “Dr. Ryland Grace, you may proceed with your presentation. We assure you this room is open for your perspective on improvement of the Eridian education system.”
Grace was still using his laptop to translate Eridian language but he definitely hear the formality in Rocky’s voice. Without further ado, he begins his presentation.
“Alright so, I’d like to go over a few things I have noticed and wish to incorporate my own human experiences with yours here in Erid...”
His presentation goes well. He believes it does. His audience seem to be listening intently and marking anything note-worthy on their own alien devices. Grace almost forgot he was sick.
That was until he started feeling a little bit dizzy. His chamber wasn’t hot but Grace could feel his internal temperature rising. He was sweating profusely and he could feel something was going wrong.
“And then, I...” Grace trailed off.
He licked his lips and tried to find the right words to continue his sentence but suddenly, he was seeing auras of light in his vision. Shit, am I about to have a migraine? He was almost done, only a page of script left. Fuck, why couldn’t he do anything right?
Grace took a deep breath and tried to continue his sentence again, “The manner of...”
A sudden jolt in the lateral side of his skull erupted and Grace couldn’t help but wince. It was getting hot, too hot.
“Sorry, just give me one moment.”
Grace hurriedly removed his cardigan. He wasn’t worried about how sweaty he looked, Eridians wouldn’t be able to perceive them anyway. Plus, Grace was starting to really feel lightheaded, as if he were about to-
“Grace?”
He stared at the audience and then to Rocky. Grace placed his cardigan on a bench-like strucutre beside his podium. As he straightened up, he wobbled a little and ended up grasping an edge of the podium.
“Grace!”
Rocky sounded distressed. Did something happen to him? Grace forced a smile as he pushed himself back up. Had a job to do, have to finish it. But why is it so fucking hot in here-
A loud thump was heard as he felt a sharp pain on his skull.
“Get his suit, he needs his suit!”
“Someone bring the transport cart. Need to take Grace back to his home.”
Grace could feel his body being surrounded by a covering. He groaned as he begins to slip in and out of consciousness, “Rocky.. Hmmm..”
“Rocky here Grace. Bring back to house. Armando fix. Grace remain awake, statement.”
Grace really did try to. As much as he could. But darkness overcame him.
Rocky watched a familiar scene he knew all too well. Grace was currently laying in his bed, changed into a clean patient gown as a blanket was placed gently on top of him. He seemed to be in deep sleep after Armando provided medical care.
He felt awful. He was the one who designed the chamber. He checked everything again and again, ensuring Grace wouldn’t be hurt in that chamber. But look where his friend ended up in, unconscious and was almost on a lifeline. Rocky addressed Armando, “What wrong with Grace, question?”
Armando’s voice came in through its speakers, “Health Status Report. Patient Dr. Ryland Grace. Symptoms aligned with fever. Temperature of 40 Degrees Celsius, Heart Rate of 110 bpm. Provided with IV Antibiotics to help with infection.”
Rocky couldn’t understand the last part but he trusted this.. what even was Armando? He regarded it as a helpful tool, much like a machine, but it was so caring with Grace. Rocky placed one of his arm on top of Grace’s upper arm. How he wished he could provide the same care as Armando could. He should study more about human anatomy and physiology. Understand best way to treat Grace.
Grace began to stir in his sleep before his eyelids fluttered open, “Ugh..”
“Eye movement detected. Hello, Dr. Ryland Grace.” Rocky let Armando continue his provision of care but remained in close proximity to his human friend,
“Grace, how is feeling, question?”
“Rocky..? Why are you..” Grace’s eyes opened wide. He was about to sit up but Rocky gently nudged his chest down on the bed,
“Rest. You are with fever. Armando statement."
“Shit, did I faint? I’m so sorry. What happened with the council? I didn’t mean to, I thought I could push through until the end of the presentation. It was just a fever after all—”
Rocky cut him off abruptly,
“Grace knew you have fever, statement.” Rocky let out an unpleasant sound. He crowded his limbs towards his body and was slightly shaking in a mixture of annoyance and concern.
Grace was surprised with his reaction as he tried to soothe his friend, “Sorry, pal, but I didn’t want to embarrass you or myself in front of the government! I can’t just tell them to reschedule because I have a cold.”
Rocky was quiet. Grace was starting to get restless. Is Rocky mad at him?
“Grace, if you are sick, we more than okay with reschedule! Not a problem at all! Grace stupid, statement.” Despite the computer providing a voice Grace could feel the frustration from Rocky. As Grace laid there, feeling a bit better than before (probably because of Armando’s care), he realized he really was stupid for pushing through with the presentation.
“Rocky thought it was because of chamber why Grace suddenly unconscious.. All worried for Grace... Rocky most worry."
Grace looked at his friend and felt his chest tighten, “Oh, Rocky.. I’m so sorry... I should’ve told you.”
“If Grace really sorry, then Grace full recover first before any work. Rocky will stay here with Grace until better.”
Grace didn’t even argue with that. Maybe it’s the medications seeping in or his fever altogether but he was beginning to feel drowsy and agreeable,
“Okay, I will, Rocky.”
"Grace promise?"
"I promise."
“Good. Now, Grace sleep. Rocky watch.”
Grace smiled at his friend. He slowly moved his hand out of his blanket and held the arm Rocky placed on his chest. He could feel the warmth emanate from Rocky’s exteriors. Grace’s eyes were already drooping as he slowly.. fell.. into... a wonderful slumber. Maybe being sick wasn't so bad after all, having great company always helps.
2 Eridian Days Later
Rocky was currently blocking the door as Grace was visibly annoyed at his friend, "I've already recovered, Rocky!" He exclaimed for the second time that morning. He really was better. Well, not completely, he did choose not to mention his still itchy throat. But his temperature was fine, he made it through the tough part of the fever already.
"Now, if you would be so kind, I'd like to schedule a class and teach again..." Grace made a move towards the doorknob. Rocky suddenly extended his hind legs and made himself look taller than Grace, "No! Grace lie, Armando say Grace still has sore throat."
Grace frowned at the nannybot which was cluelessly fixing the sofa pillows. Damn traitor, we had something special Armando!
"And Grace promised." Rocky added which hit the nail right in the coffin. Grace sighed as his shoulders slumped. Rocky seemed to notice his obvious disappointment, "How about Grace and Rocky do movie marathon, question? Grace can relax and also not be bored."
Grace seemed to perk up at the idea as he immediately took off his outerwear shoes and slipped into comfortable slippers. He plopped himself by the sofa where Armando had just finished properly arranging the pillows. Grace playfully put his tongue out at Armando. What you get for snitching. The nannybot, as programmed, took no offense to the gesture and simply proceeded to other light maintenance chores.
Rocky positioned himself beside Grace and listened as the human babbled on about which movie to begin with and what sequence to watch the others would be. He was glad Grace was feeling better, if not fully recovered. He won't let it happen again and would pay more attention to his dumb leaky alien friend.
"So, I think we should start with 'The Mysteries of the Enchanted Cave' and then work our way up?"
Rocky made a humming melody, expressing his agreement. Whatever made Grace happy and would help him relax, Rocky would prioritize. He was his favorite human after all.