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Rocky’s nervous chimes make you groan and turn to bury your head in your pillow as the light cycles to the late morning light. “Female human die! Die! Die? What Wrong?”
“Rocky… please calm down. I’m alright. Grace can explain later.” You grumble.
“What if die before Grace return?!”
“I’m not going to die, Rocky! Get out!” You snap, whimpering as another wave of heat and pain washes over your body. The second you woke up, you’d realized you were sick, Ryland rushing out of each house to avoid being late to his class. Rocky’s sad tones made you frown into the warmth of your pillow, but your body protested too heavily to move.
-
Grace looks over as Rocky’s xenonite suit taps against the small platform, his class chittering in confusion at the interruption. “Hey, buddy… whatcha doing?”
“Female human being mean.” Ryland’s brows furrow before he turns to his class.
“Take a little, break, alright? What do you mean she’s being mean? She’s never mean.”
“Core temperature elevated. Was mean to Rocky.”
“How was she mean?”
“Snap at Rocky. Tell Rocky to go away.”
“She told you to go away?” Grace's brows furrow in confusion. That was nothing like you at all.
“Hurt Rocky’s feelings. Statement.” Ryland frowns, patting one of Rocky’s legs gently.
“Can you go tell Adrian someone either needs to cover my class or they need to be let out early?” The alien nods, scurrying off as Ryland quickly makes his way up the cliff steps to the house. “Hey, sweetheart…” He pushes gently into the house, hearing you groan softly. “You ok? Rocky said you weren’t doing too well.” He kicks his shoes off and slips his cardigan off, stepping into your room and finding you in a pile of blankets.
“Tell Rocky I say sorry.” You rasp out uncomfortably, turning to face your boyfriend, who gives you an affectionate smile. His hand meets your forehead, making him frown.
“Have you eaten? Got water?” You shake your head and snuggle against Grace’s shoulder, his coplgene soothing your senses.
“Rocky woke me up, then wouldn’t stop nudging me and asking if I was going to die. I…yelled at him to get out, and I feel like a bitch.”
“Watch your language.” Grace’s voice rumbles out softly, making your grip tighten. “He’ll understand you didn’t mean it.” Your head lifts just slightly to pout softly, sniffling as you do. “I think you’ve got a fever. Why don’t you go take a shower? I’ll grab you some clothes and get you some food. I hope you’re expecting a Rocky-Adrian cuddle pile.”
“If Rocky forgives me. And Adrian is going to be pissed that I was mean to Rocky.”
“You’re sick as a dog… It’s going to be ok. Go shower.”
“I love you.” You murmur, making him smile and kiss the warmth of your forehead.
“I love you.”
🌡
Knocks echo through the house as Grace finishes plating your food, moving to open the door and face the two eridians. “We come in, question?” Adrian chirps, making him nod and moving out of the way.
“She’s in the shower.”
“What wrong with her?” Rocky chimes.
“She’s got a cold. She’s sick.”
“Sick? Die? Female human die!”
“Die! Die! Die?!” Both of the alien’s concern makes the blonde man chuckle.
“It’s a very common sickness that passes with rest, food, and water in a couple of days. She’ll be alright.”
“Grace, sure, question?”
“Very sure. A warm cuddle pile also helps.” Happy chirps fill the air as you step out of the bathroom, sweatpants and Ryland’s sweatshirt covering your body as you move to melt against the man.
“‘M really sorry, Rocky. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” You frown at the protective noise that Adrian lets out, skittering in front of Rocky.
“Rocky understand now! Human sick and upset, Rocky too much. Rocky's feelings hurt, but Rocky ok now.” You move from Ryland’s arms to kneel in front of the alien and gently hold out a hand. The alien sets his claw in your awaiting palm with a content purr.
“You’re not too much, I promise. I was just tired and not in the mood for so much talking. I never wanted to hurt your feelings, buddy.” The alien nods, moving closer to press against you.
“Grace say cuddle pile help, maybe.” You smile and nod, standing back up.
“I need to eat first, and then we can have a cuddle pile, alright?” Both aliens chitter happily, doing their jazz hands as you move to get the food Ryland made.
“Feeling better after the shower?” His arm comes around your middle, lips meeting your forehead again.
“A little. I do think a cuddle pile is going to do me well.” He grins. “Wish I could kiss you.”
“You can.” He shrugs.
“You’ll get sick.”
“Occupational hazard.”
“That doesn’t even make sense.” You giggle softly, making him grin and press his lips to yours with a hum.
“Love doesn’t make sense.”
“That’s the cheesiest thing you‘ve ever said.” You giggle lightly.
“You like it that way.”
“Humans slow!”
“Hurry, eat!” Adrian grumbles gently.
“Are you joining the cuddle pile?” You sniffle, moving to blow your nose.
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Can you go get them settled?”
“Take the medicine.” Grace motions to the pills on the counter, and you nod. You slowly finish the food, sniffling and coughing every so often, before setting your things in the sink and moving towards the bedroom. The curtains were pulled, and you could make out Adrian and Rocky happily skittering over the top of Grace’s form in the bed as he laughed.
“Cuddle pile?” You corak out, making all three heads snap towards you before Rocky and Adrian move to let you lie against Grace’s side. Rocky settles against Grace’s other side while Adrian presses against your upper back.
“Female human feel better, question?” Adrian chirps, making you smile.
“Family always makes me feel better.” You affirm, making both aliens purr happily before slowly settling into sleep.
“They really do love you.” Grace hums softly, kissing your forehead.
“More than you?”
“Mmm, that’s a hard battle to win.” You snort softly, snuggling closer into his warmth.
“I bet.” You muse, slowly slipping into a restful sleep.