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Grace was never a heavy sleeper. He always tossed and turned in his sleep, or sometimes, could never drift off in the first place. Back on earth, it wasn't as bad. Sure, he had some trauma that left him awake sometimes, but after he arrived and settled down on Erid, his nightmares got worse. It was rare if he didn't have a nightmare on some nights, because they were so frequent. It always went back to that time during their "fishing" incident, the way his lungs burned, his eyes barely able to open, his entire body aching in pain as he was pressed against the control panel, unable to move, and realizing soon after that Rocky risked his life for him. It pained him. He always thought, "what if he didn't wake up?" Or "it was all my fault the incident happened."it made his eyes well with tears. On this particular night, it was just the same as any, but this time Rocky was still awake. Rocky always watched Grace while he slept, it was nothing new, but coincidentally, he was already up and moving, clearly concerned.
"Grace leak, Grace okay, question? What happened? Sick?" He continued to babble
"Rock.. I'm fine. Just, another nightmare." Rocky's Carapace wiggled slightly. "What word mean, question?" Ryland pinched the bridge of his nose softly before speaking. "It's.. it's like a dream. But, bad. About things from the past. Things you can't forget, that make you upset." Rocky's vents make a quiet, sad note at that, "oh. Understand. Grace can't sleep then?" Grace paused for a moment before continuing "I mean yeah, I can't really get a good night's rest without waking up from these things. I'm sort of getting used to them, but I'm sorry if they have ever startled you before—"
"Grace ramble again. Grace calm, Grace safe with Rocky."
Grace felt his chest feel warm, he was clearly flustered at that, but he believed his words.
"Rocky watch Grace sleep, statement. So no bad things happen. Protect. Adrian sometimes watch too, You know that." Ryland feels a spark, but frowns "I know, I know... It's just, even when I might know I'm safe, I might not feel safe. That something might still hurt me. It's just my brain being stupid."
"Grace not stupid, statement. Grace smart and beautiful. It okay that Grace does not feel safe, lot lot lot of stuff to forget. But takes time, statement. No rush, bad, bad, bad. Rocky and Adrian love Grace, want to make Grace feel safe, not just think." Grace smiles at this, pulling the covers to the side to invite rocky in "do you want to do that thing I taught you about a few days ago? Y'know, cuddling or snuggling?" Ryland says, softly and barely above a whisper.
"Yes! Yes yes yes! Rocky want cuddle with Graaace! Make Grace warm, and safe! All predators gone, statement!" Rocky says, full of excitement while jumping onto the bed. He's quite heavy, but thankfully the Eridian builders built a more bigger and steadier bed. Grace pushed softly against Rocky, wearing the Xenonite suit. Rocky pet his head ever so slightly, as Grace drifted to sleep. Grace had one final thought in his head, before falling under slumber. "Maybe.. maybe I am safe here. With him, all of them. Maybe one day I'll get how I feel, instead of being this confused." "I love you, Rock..." Grace says, finally drifting off.
"Rocky loves Grace, statement. Rocky protect you for everything." Rocky says, quietly as he pets Grace's hair, snuggling closer. They fall asleep fast, but it was one of the rare nights where Ryland Grace had a full night's rest, not awoken from nightmares. He was safe.