Work Text:
"What about you, Rock?" Grace asked as they sat surrounded by the image of Earth's ocean. "What do you miss most about home?"
"Need word," the Eridian said, fingers fiddling in thought. "Not mate, but could be mate."
"Oh, so, like a girlfriend. Or, partner because of the whole no gender thing." Grace didn't know why it was surprising to him that Rocky had someone back home. The guy was incredible: of course he had a partner! "What are they like?"
Rocky straightened up, seeming happy to talk about his partner. "Strong! Beautiful sound, beautiful shape! Smart smart smart! Funny and kind. Good good good! Best best best Eridian!"
Grace smiled at how smitten Rocky clearly was. "I suppose you two will get married once you return home. Leave a seat open for me at the wedding."
That made Rocky droop, not even asking what Grace to clear up the cultural reference.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"Rocky not know if will be mate," he admitted softly. "Is why did not mate before ship left. Share feelings soon before ship launch. Want to mate, but Rocky ask to wait. Not know if Rocky come back. Or, if take long time. Did take long time, and Rocky...changed. Not Rocky they loved."
Wasn't that an emotional kick in the gut? Grace wasn't sure what to say to that. He wanted to reassure Rocky that his partner would still like him. That everything would be okay.
But, Rocky had spent decades in space. Forty-six years all alone with the dead bodies of his crew. There was no way he would ever be the same. Couples on Earth had broken up over lesser changes.
Still, Grace put a hand on Rocky's xenonite ball and said, "Just because you've changed doesn't mean you're not great. You're one of the best people I've ever met. Definitely the best alien."
The Eridian playfully swatted at Grace's hand before leaning into it and saying, "Thank."
"No problem, bud."
"Grace have mate?"
The human sucked in a breath through his teeth. His dating history was not the best. He summed it up though with, "No, not anymore."
****
Arriving at Erid was a blur for Grace thanks to the whole starvation thing. Obviously though, he survived. He woke up to Rocky watching him sleep in an unfamiliar room. The Eridian quickly filled him in on his people working hard to build him his own personal habitat.
The famed Adrian was heading the design themself.
Grace ecstatically—well, as ecstatically as one could while recovering from starvation—asked about what their reunion was like. To which Rocky admitted that it had been rushed due to the whole keeping-the-planet's-alien-savior-alive thing. Though Grace tried to apologize for ruining the romance, Rocky wouldn't allow it.
"Will speak to Adrian later. I can speak to Adrian at any time, but Grace needs me now."
There wasn't much that Grace could say to that: he did need Rocky. He was sick and alone on an alien planet. Rocky was the only friendly face that he could rely on.
So—even though he felt a bit guilty about keeping Rocky away from Adrian—Grace accepted the much-needed company.
****
As Grace got better, he started to urge Rocky to go out a little. See his friends, family, and—most importantly—Adrian. The Eridian did eventually start to detach himself from Grace's side. It made them both kind of anxious, but they had to learn how to not constantly be in each other's bubble. They were no longer living alone together on a spaceship.
Grace had been expecting to hear about all of the people Rocky was seeing. The Eridian did bring back stories of family members and friends and even fans of the world's savior.
The only person who Grace didn't hear about was Adrian.
Grace tried to subtly—and not-so-subtly—ask about his friend's partner. He had honestly expected Adrian to be the first person for Rocky to gush about.
But, the Eridian brushed off any mention of Adrian.
It wasn't until Grace finally met Adrian that he truly understood why. He had suspicions of course. They were confirmed though once the blue-green Eridian came to ask questions about making his biodome.
Their introduction was tense with something that Grace couldn't quite name. Not quite hostility, but not not hostility.
Then, there was Rocky, who Grace could tell was trying so hard to act normal.
If Grace could have shared eye contact with the other Eridians in the room, he was sure that they'd share some kind of look.
Once Adrian and the rest of the biodome team left, Grace didn't ask about what happened. Instead, he said, "Can I have a hug?"
Rocky had quietly crawled into Grace's arms—careful to keep his weight off of the fragile human—singing quietly.
Grace continued not asking about Adrian as phenomenally fast progress was made on his biodome. Rocky would come to him when he was ready to talk about it. He would give his friend space, even if Grace desperately wanted to give the Eridian the comfort he no doubt needed at the moment.
Things finally spilled out after Grace's house inside the biodome was complete. They'd already tested the environment, letting it run for a few days to catch any bugs. Rocky himself had designed the house with Grace and moved the most important things from the Hail Mary into it. Grace really couldn't thank Rocky and the biodome team enough. He was going to sleep in a bed that wasn't a medical cot OR a tube!
His excitement cooled off once Rocky started talking about rotations for watching Grace sleep. While Rocky wanted to watch Grace sleep every night, there would be times where he couldn't. And, his family wanted to watch Rocky sleep sometimes. Or be watched by him.
"I'm not sure how comfortable I feel with someone else," Grace admitted. "I'll be fine on my own: I'm human."
"No no," Rocky said firmly. "You will be watched and safe."
"Does that mean that there's a camera or something in my house? Am I being watched right now?"
"No, we give Grace privacy. Dome itself is soundproof. Have computers to monitor important functions. Eridians will watch from in dome but outside Grace's home."
With a hum, Grace thought about it. It was definitely better than constant surveillance. Also, he knew it would give Rocky peace of mind. "Alright. Who's on the roster?"
Rocky chimed happily and then started listing names. At one point, he started to say Adrian's name before cutting himself off. "Apology. Rocky make mistake. Adrian doesn't—they don't—"
Kneeling beside his friend, Grace put a hand on his xenonite suit before saying, "I'm sorry."
All at once, there was a warm, solid form clinging to his legs. Grace bent over to wrap his arms—his whole body—around his friend. Rocky sang mournful tones that vibrated through Grace's body. They were choppy, as if the Eridian was crying.
They stayed like that until Rocky fell asleep.
Grace wondered how long Rocky had been holding all of that in. How long he had been exhausting himself to avoid thinking about Adrian.
Once Rocky was out, Grace migrated a little nest of blankets and pillows to the floor in order to stay close to his friend.
****
After waking, Rocky told Grace all about how Adrian had been avoiding him. How the Eridian would only talk about building the biodome. Nothing personal.
Nothing about them.
It was a pretty clear rejection.
Rocky was torn up about it but trying to put on a brave front for Grace.
The human wouldn't be fooled though. Not after holding Rocky as he fell apart. Not after years of listening to Rocky sing the virtues of his beloved Adrian.
Fudging Adrian.
Look, it wasn't like Grace didn't understand why this happened in theory. 50+ years was plenty of time to meet someone new and fall in love. And, Rocky couldn't be the same person Adrian sent to space.
BUT, FEATHERY FLYING MONKEYS, HOW DARE ADRIAN REJECT HIS BEST FRIEND?!?
What more could Adrian want in a partner? Rocky was smart, heroic, loyal to a fault, and thought the world of Adrian!
Grace did an admirable job of being civil though. He was curt but professional. He didn't go off on the hundreds upon thousands of more useful things Adrian's molecules could have been used for rather than making up a person who broke his friend's heart.
Could he request someone else to work on the biodome? Would that be too petty? Would that be too irresponsible with his health and safety?
Maybe, he could request to not work with Adrian directly? His biweekly meeting with Adrian pretty much ruined his whole day now.
During one of these meetings, Adrian surprised Grace by accidentally dropping the tablet thing they were writing on. Clumsiness was a very uncommon trait amongst Eridians, and Grace had never seen it exhibited in Adrian before.
Sure enough, the blue-green Eridian's posture grew embarrassed. "Apology. I will sleep after our meeting."
The statement surprised Grace. He knew that Eridians could be active much longer than humans without sleep. Effects of sleep deprivation didn't show up unless sleep was long, long overdue.
Despite the personal grudge Grace was nursing, he didn't want anyone to hurt themselves like that.
The human chewed on his lip for a few moments before saying, "Look, Adrian, I'm really grateful for all you've been doing for me. You've got to take care of yourself though."
Musical tones that were more emotion than words came from the Eridian. With that choppiness that Grace had grown to associate with crying.
"Whoa, whoa, Adrian. Are—what's wrong?"
The crying grew louder, and Grace had absolutely no idea what to do. This wasn't Rocky. No other Eridian would appreciate a hug for comfort.
So, Grace awkwardly hummed a comforting tune that Rocky sang to him when he had nightmares.
Adrian made a keening sound.
Oh, sugarsnaps, he was making things worse!
Eventually, Adrian calmed down. Grace was awkwardly standing to the side, unsure of what to do. If he had ever known how to react to a coworker who broke your friend's heart having a mental break down, Grace had lost that knowledge somewhere in his space coma.
Thankfully, Adrian spoke first. "Apology, Savior Grace. You are...very kind. I can see why Rocky chose you."
"What?"
"I have decided to become an architect in the Northern Capital once the initial biodome is complete. I won't come between you and Rocky."
"No, wait," Grace said. "I feel like we're not on the same page. I mean, we're not understanding each other. At least, I'm not understanding you. How would you come between me and Rocky?"
The Eridian honest-to-goodness flinched. "You are correct. I could never come between such close mates. Leaving is for my own peace of mind."
There was a long moment of stunned silence where Grace stared at Adrian. Then, he all but screamed, "MATES?!? You think we're mates?!?"
"You do not have to hide it," Adrian said sullenly. "I am not prejudiced. Merely...jealous. I believe Rocky has told you about our history."
"Please, stop talking," Grace said, laughing a bit hysterically as the pieces came together. They were all so stupid. There were over 600 years of experience between the three of them, and not one of them had communicated like an adult. "Adrian, me and Rocky aren't mates."
"You are the center of his care and attention. He threatened to withhold the tauomeaba should your treatment be delayed." Okay, Rocky had not told him that. Probably because he knew Grace was going to scold him for keeping the survival of a planet hostage. "He did not see anyone for weeks outside of those who entered your care room."
Scratching the back of his neck, Grace supposed he could see how this misunderstanding came about. Adrian must have had a hard time being around them with what they saw was the truth.
That didn't mean Grace wasn't still miffed that Adrian hadn't talked to Rocky about all of this. But, Grace felt sympathy for the blue-green Eridian.
Softly, Grace said, "Adrian, I swear to god that me and Rocky aren't mates. I'm not going to lie: we're kind of a package deal now. He's like family to me, and I think we both know how passionate Rocky can get about the people he cares about."
Adrian made a soft, agreeing hum.
Wanting to get more at eye-level, Grace sat on the floor. This seemed to startle Adrian a little, and Grace gave a reassuring smile. "You know, when me and Rocky first met, I asked him what he missed most about home. He didn't even hesitate. You were the first thing he thought of."
The Eridian perked up with clear interest.
Grace continued. "I swear, I know more about you than I do some of my friends from back home. I once made a pie chart—that's a way of displaying statistical information back on Earth—and it was about what Rocky talked about in one week during our trip to Erid. You made up 62.3% of the subjects Rocky brought up. He was unapologetic about it too."
"Really?" Adrian asked, tapping claws nervously on the ground.
"Really," Grace confirmed. "Rocky really loves you Adrian. I mean, I know it's been a while. I know that's why you were insecure, but you really hurt him. Even if you guys don't end up together, he deserves a frank conversation. Both of you do."
"You are right, Savior Grace." They paused for a moment before adding a quieter, "Thank you."
"No problem," Grace said. "For what it's worth, as long as you don't pull something like this again, I'm rooting for you."
****
A few days later, Grace woke to loud, insistent knocking. He rolled out of bed, bleary-eyed but knowing that that kind of knocking usually meant an emergency.
When he yanked open the door, he found Rocky. The Eridian's voice was too high, and he was speaking too quickly for Grace to understand.
"What? Rocky, where's the fire?"
His confusion didn't make Rocky slow down at all. The Eridian began dancing around Grace, his chatter incomprehensible but clearly happy.
"Hello, Savior Grace," another voice said, and the human realized that Adrian was climbing up his front steps. "Rocky and I talked."
Rocky squealed, ran over to bump his carapace against Adrian, and then continued his happy circles around Grace.
"We are very grateful for your help,"
Grace knelt so that Rocky could hug him. The Eridian was literally vibrating with happiness. Smiling wide, Grace said, "I'm so happy for you, bud."
Managing to lower his tone and slow down a little, Rocky replied, "YESYESYESHAPPYHAPPYHAPPYTHANKTHANKTHANK"
****
Eridian mating ceremonies didn't have best men. They did have friends and family make the couple's celebrations clothing.
Adrian and Rocky had their ceremony with paper crowns on top of their carapaces.