Archive of Our Own

1

There was this one instance that happened some time ago as we were on our way back to my home planet. I had just finished my sleep cycle, and I my body had the urge to stretch, making my limbs feel lighter and all. As I did, Grace was there of course. The thing was, I could sense some sort of awe coming out of him.

Apparently, when I stretch, it was similar, if not— exactly like how a cat or a dog would. Quickly after that statement, Grace showed me videos and pictures of them stretching. I admit, I found it fascinating that a simple act like this was shared light years away. However, Grace called me cute after that.

Me, cute? Cute!? The last time I've been called that was when I was a pebble! Actually, no— I'm a liar. Adrian called me cute, a couple of times— but! That was Adrian, my beloved— so of course they'd find me cute no matter what I do. So, how dare Grace call me cute like I'm some pebble when I am centuries earth years old? He's the pebble in this situation!

Plus, I obviously don't find him cute like one. Humans, or just Grace, were disgustingly leaky. They can make weird sounds at times, and were incredibly squishy all over. Squishy like a pebble— an actual… pebble before they develop their hard and protective carapace.

… Uh.

I was currently sitting in the same room as Grace in one of the tunnels. Over time, we find comfort in merely just being each other's company as we did our own thing. Grace had once referred to this as parallel play, which after some explanation— I realize that we do the same as well. I am very very very excited to see the reactions of my fellow peers in the ethologist group when they discover this. Anyhow, I was mindlessly crafting figures with my spare xenonite to pass the time, and Grace was doing his science stuff at the table— light sensors peering into the microscope.

In my thoughts, I recall that conversation about me being cute. Could I find Grace cute?

I focus on Grace for a split moment.

…

Then I went back towards my xenonite. Nah, full grown adult over there— despite being around 30 Earth years old, and if that were converted to Eridian math— that was very young. Pebbles could barely speak yet at that age. But this was an alien— a human we're talking about. Grown ass man.

Then I hear something new all of the sudden. It was quick, repetitive in rhythm, and it was slightly flooding my hearing. I stopped my crafting and placed my full attention towards the sound. It was Grace, and I could almost let out huffs of relief through my vents when the repetitive knocking came from his foot on the ground. This sounded familiar to his heartbeats, and if they were this quick— either something bad bad bad was happening to Grace.

But still— with Grace's leg bouncing and the back of hit foot hitting the ground rapidly, I was still reminded of something. Most, if not all pebbles (Especially when I was one), would sometimes repeatedly tap the bottom of one of their limbs on the ground. This was either just instinct from when they were newly hatched; their tiny legs weakly tapping on the ground trying to hear. Or, it was due to pure boredom and maybe anxiety.

This may seem harmless, but it was common advice for everyone to stop the pebbles from doing this. Them rapidly tapping nonstop could actually cause long-term effects, since it floods their hearing, messing up their senses— or stunt their delicate limbs.

And obviously, just by pure coincidence— humans seem to do this, and perhaps and most likely— this was perfectly harmless for Grace.

So, can anybody tell me why my mind is screaming at me to get out of the tube, put on my new xenonite suit, and quickly stop Grace from this tapping? Okay— nevermind that, why am I actually making my way to one of the many exits?

Grace doesn't seem to notice my presence as I casually walk up next to him, standing beside his chair. Then, without a word, I place one of my front limbs on his knees, and apply only a bit of pressure. Non-parents would do this to pebbles; gently giving them a push on top of their carapace to remind them to stop the tapping. Parents would just pick them up and place them back down again— and for some reason, I have the urge to pick Grace up and to place him down again.

Grace's tapping immediately stops, and his foot rests flat onto the ground once more. He quickly removes his head from the microscope and turned it towards me.

"Oh. Hey, Rocky." He softly greeted. "Sorry, didn't hear ya coming."

… I still had my claw gently placed on his thigh.

"Uhm," I see his light sensors glance down, then back towards my carapace. "You need something?"

I snap out from whatever I was doing and quickly removed my claw from Grace's thigh.

"Sorry," I say, rather awkwardly. I was still trying to let myself go back to speaking normally when Grace was confident enough to turn of the translator. As what Grace had told me— habits hardly die, or whatever. "What were you doing?"

"I'm just making sure the Taumoeba is doing fine—"

"No. Not that," I lift the same limb and tap on his leg. "Your leg, Grace. Why were you doing that?"

"Oh!" A chuckle, then Grace moved the leg around. "Don't worry— nothing dangerous. I bounce my leg like that without even realizing. Actually, a lot of humans do. For me, I do this when I'm concentrating on something very hard, or a way to calm any stress down."

"Are you stressed?" That question came out naturally, I couldn't stop myself. I'm just constantly being reminded of an anxious or bored pebble aggressively tapping a limb on the ground, and the dire consequences if they continued.

Also, Grace being stressed is definitely a no no no good situation.

But for humans— the tapping was normal, hopefully. "No, just focused." A pause. "Sorry, is it messing with your hearing when I do it? I just realized that I might have been making too much noise from the leg bouncing."

"Oh, no no no. It doesn't bother me." I've grown accustomed to repetitive noises now, like Grace's heart. I find it comforting— a clear indicator that he's still here with me and alive.

However, I still can't stop myself from thinking about the tapping. It reminds me too much of a bored, or anxious pebble, who need help stopping themselves from doing that. I guess it's just my instinct or a habit for stopping pebbles from doing so.

And I'm bringing it onto Grace. A human, who had showed clear signs that he was a grown man for his species. Like, of course— they wouldn't send a baby to space to save their entire species and planet.

I must not let Grace know that I sometimes view him like this— maybe that'd give him a whole new excuse to tell me how I remind him of some other 'cute' animal of his.

"Alright— but I might do it again." He doesn't choose to question why I had stopped him. "Feel free to just, well— stop me? Sorry in advance."

"Perfectly fine." Well, I didn't feel like going back in the tube. "I'll go on my portable Earth thinking machine then."

I come back with the device and sat beside Grace.

"There's actually a lot more reasons for this leg bouncing thing." Grace tells me in that tone of voice when he is ecstatic to share something new with me. "Maybe you can learn more— just search up leg bouncing when sitting, or something along those lines."

I don't plan to tell Grace exactly why I stopped him. Maybe that was for another time.

I make myself relax, and as I quickly recall— he calls this loafing, another— ugh, cute thing most animals back on Earth do. Eventually, his leg bounces again— and quickly, I stop him. I can hear Grace relaxing a bit whenever I do so, like how pebbles would.

This was such a strange coincidence. So big and strange, it literally let my instincts of whatever take over.

Eh, this is just gonna be a one time thing.

2

This is not the first time I've thought of this, but with the time we have now, I was able to come back to it.

Grace sleeps a lot. Very frequently, like a how pebble would.

Again, this is just a coincidence and probably me just finding more ways to lovingly make fun of my best friend. In fact, of course pebbles would need a lot more sleep. They were still young, and their growing bodies needed as much energy as possible to develop strong carapaces. Those who don't get enough or maybe had trouble sleeping for whatever reason, usually end up with unfinished carapaces or more fragile ones.

Their sleeping can be unpredictable, but there is of course some sort of schedule— and with this much constant sleeping, parents of pebbles usually don't have a lot of free time since someone has to be there to watch.

Now, with just the goal to return home, I feel like a parent— because I had to stay put and watch pebbles constantly. Except, it was one pebble, and this pebble was not a pebble, but a whole other species. A whole ass, squishy and leaky alien, who seem to be constantly tripping on their own two bottom limbs, and needed constant reminders to take care of himself.

Just like a pebble. Damn it!

I sat in my ball, beside Grace, who laid in his human sleeping nest that was moved to the floor. It just felt closer, and recently, my human had been plagued by his own nightmares. It took some convincing for me to actually believe Grace, because I had assumed that this was another excuse for Grace to stop sleeping and to work. But of course, when I saw genuine fright, and those same liquid leaking from his eyes, like he did when I offered him enough fuel to go back home ages ago— I knew that Grace was not lying.

As the nightmares became frequent— Grace had suggested to move to the floor, so if ever something like that happens again, I could gently try and wake him up by making my ball touch him.

Oh, yes— forcing waking up. That was another thing. Before the nightmares, I uh, did some experimenting. Forcing waking up just seemed so— convenient? That was another thing I didn't believe— but it became clear that Grace did not like being woken up for no reason after the fifth time I experimented by making a single loud noise.

By that, I finally asked if he was actually getting his sleep interrupted and that he was actually in deep sleep. I don't know what a dingus is but Grace called me that, before laying back down again, facing away from me.

Now, Grace is asleep. Lying on his side, turned towards me. He had what he called his quilt over him, but with his moving (That still fascinates me, sometimes scares me even) the quilt moved slightly down, only covering his waist and everything else after. His heartbeat is slow and steady, something I look forward to hearing whenever it was time for Grace to sleep.

I'm on my portable Earth thinking machine, exploring more Earthly knowledge. I think back to pebbles and their behaviors. I feel a funny, happy feeling.

Well, if Adrian still wants to have pebbles, I get to tell them I got practice. I let out a chuckle, making sure the sound I make wasn't within Grace's sound range.

Researching more things about a whole new world, I click on one of the options for the last question of this very interesting quiz I was taking on my portable machine. I could've sworn we have something similar back on Erid— I'm definitely making sure to try finding it again once we get back.

The results come out— and oh my goodness, the quiz is definitely correct! Grace's spirit animal— whatever that means, is definitely a pathetic cat that is covered in water! Oh look! Another quiz about discovering what kind of Earth animal I would be, on a website where its feed constantly buzzes.

Then Grace moves.

I freeze, placing my full attention of him now. It is way too soon for him to be waking up, he had been sleeping for just 2 Earth hours.

Nervousness flood my body as Grace's face shifted and change. Was this a nightmare? I've seen Grace moving, but I still have yet to identify if he was having a nightmare or not. Sometimes he'd talk— but most of the time he'd talk nonsense that he won't even remember when he wakes. Sometimes he cries in his sleep— and I panic, and it would be too late until he wakes up himself, having endure the entire thing before I could even stop it.

I am about to abandon my device— but Grace makes a noise.

That… Sounded too much like a very tired pebble that refuses to go to bed. Especially when they still haven't learned to talk yet. I freeze— why am I frozen? Is my mind just— confused??

Then, Grace does his own version of stretching— he's still sleeping? Amazing. He curls into himself, it seems like his muscles were tensed— pulling. His arms pressed together, face burying slightly into his hands. Grace's legs curled as well, his knees getting closer to his chest. His whole body was shaking— and at first, I panicked even more— but then, his body stops. He lets out a slow breath, and continued breathing. This time, he felt more relaxed, and was clearly still in deep sleep.

Grace looked like a ball… Curled up in a ball… Like a pebble.

…

I try not to squeal— my whole mind and body thinks that was adorable for whatever reason. No, I clearly know the reason. Grace sounded like a pebble, is curled up like one if they felt too tired to move— and just— ugh. What on Erid, how— how is this even possible?

I let out a grumble, going back to my portable Earth thinking machine.

3

Grace wanted to try speaking some Eridani.

While one of the first few things Grace had noted was the fact that the way I speak is familiar, if not— exactly the same as musical instruments back on his home planet, it was set aside since we had stars to save. Now, with the large amount of free time we had, the lessons can begin.

We sat on the floor. Well, Grace sat on some blankets and pillows because apparently it hurts to see on a hard floor for a while. So sensitive, very inefficient. He really shares a body like a delicate pebble, huh.

"You said that my language sounds like one of your instruments back home, correct? Question." I clarified after some time.

"You actually sound like multiple at once." Grace told me. "You have multiple vocal cords, yes?"

"Yes, correct." I replied. "How many do humans have, question?"

"We only have two— right and left, and they're located inside of our larynx here," Grace places two of his fingers on his throat. "The larynx is also known as our voice box— and to simplify, our vocal cords not only help make sounds, but it helps prevent food from entering our windpipes, and help regulate breathing."

Grace clears his throat, and I speak after. "Okay, maybe our vocal cords function a bit differently— but we have multiple. They help us speak, and occasionally let out extra air for temperature regulation in our carapace."

"I definitely want to see a picture— you guys have pictures, right?"

"Of course, we have sculptures for learning." I take note and plan to get a good model for Grace to satisfy his curiosity. "And actually, pebbles only have 2 vocal cords when they're born— they grow more when they get older, but they have a full set before they get to school most of the time."

"That's interesting— it's sort of like human teeth!"

I let out a disgusted thrill. "No no no. Disgust— teeth falling out? Disgust disgust disgust."

"Okay, to be fair— from my perspective, actively growing vocal cords sound, ugh." I don't hear Grace's sound but okay.

I decide to go back into topic. "Okay, what word do you want to try saying, question?"

Grace and I think mulled over any potential words. I try to find words that were useful to know and easy to say.

Let's start with something familiar. Since I've been using actual correct grammar and left behind speaking in third person for a while now— I actually haven't said this word for a good long long long moment. "How about my name? Question."

"Your name? Well, Rock— I remember it being very long."

"No no, don't worry. That was just my formal name." I explained quickly. "I have a shorter one. Adrian and family call me this— it feels right for you to at least know how to say it, but you can still call me by my human name. It's special."

It really is— but I don't want to get too honest and sweet, since I know Grace will get leaky again. A bright smile and an awwwww from the human is enough for now.

"Okay, I'm ready."

"♫⋆｡♪ ₊♫⋆₊˚" I say it slowly, making sure every note and detail is heard. My name can be heard in Grace's range, and that was good.

It is simple enough for Grace to at least replicate it.

"Okay…" Grace's head slowly nodded. "One more time, please." I say it once more. "Okay."

Grace huffed, and inhaled a breath.

"♫⋆….｡♪ !…₊♫⋆₊˚"

…

I let out a long note— the Eridian version of an awwwwwwwww!

I couldn't stop myself this time! I just couldn't! Grace sounded exactly like a pebble— he sounded like a pebble learning how to say my name! And it's been a long long long time since I've had to communicate with one! Even on Erid, my job and schedule didn't give me any opportunities to make me meet any pebbles any time soon, and family reunions for me were rare.

Grace chuckled. "Is that a new word? I don't understand—"

It's time to release the cat out of the storage unit. "You sound just like a young pebble! So cute cute cute!"

I hear the heat rush to Grace's face. "What?"

"Say my name again— please! In Eridani!" I repeat my name for Grace before he asked to.

This time, he says it while smiling— more confidently, and I feel the insides of my carapace melt even more.

"Adorable adorable adorable! I can't can't can't keep it to myself for longer!" I give up. My dignity, Grace's dignity— out, lost into space.

My friend seemed to be too delighted by my displayed happiness, I honestly expected Grace to tease me, or be more shocked and confused by my remarks. However, I was too excited to hear more of Grace speaking in Eridani— so I give him more words to say, and even a simple sentence.

And I cry in happiness because I've been attacked by something so adorable.

As I taught Grace more words, this feeling of melancholy came over me. I can easily push it down, because I was more eager to have my turn at teaching— but I already knew where that feeling came from.

I miss Adrian, and I can't wait to let them and Grace meet.

4

I'm watching Grace sleep again. I am on the feed that buzzes again as well— and why are there so many quizzes relating to food? Disgusting. On the other limb, I am also making a list of words for Grace to practice and memorize. Of course, I don't expect him to only speak with his body, he physically can't, and I do plan on building him a device he could speak through so we don't have to rely on bringing a translation machine everywhere. However, just in case— emergencies and things like that, if ever he didn't have his translation device, a list of important words were needed for him to speak naturally.

Such as: Sad, happy, pain, scared, can't hear, hungry, danger, help

And my name and hopefully Adrian's! Though, despite the shortened version of Adrian's name, it can still be a bit tricky for Grace to say it due to the—

A loud, grating, sound was heard coming from Grace.

I nearly screamed, and I placed my entire focus and attention towards my friend.

The sound was gone. I stare.

Grace takes a breath in his sleep— and along came the sound.

I curse in my language, in a tone that can't be heard by the human— and I panic hard. What was happening!? Should I wake Grace up?? He looked so tired, though! And he only told me to wake him up if he was having a nightmare— or if there was an emergency! And there was no emergency— and Grace is not showning any signs of having nightma—

HRKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

The sound disappears— it only comes in when he takes a breath. Was there something wrong with his breathing!?

I panic— I panic so hard, my front limbs move on their own and type onto my portable Earth thinking machine: HUMAN IS MAKING LARGE SOUND WHEN BREATHING IN SLEEP WHAT MEAN QUESTION.

…

…

…

The fuck is snoring?

Snoring snoring… I read the definition quickly as I hear the sound again. Isn't harmful, quite normal especially for humans as old as Grace, and actually indicates that they're very tired and relaxed.

…

I let out some huffs, relief flooding over. Okay, that's actually the best case scenario. Anger comes next— why didn't Grace warn me about this whole bit!?

I plan a scolding and relax my body again, focusing on my friend more. He continues to do this, this snoring thing. As I observed and listened— I am quickly reminded of something again.

The ‧₊ ♪˚⊹ were what Grace would call an animal on Erid. Very loving creatures, popular with the pebbles and for Eridians that didn't want any but still wanted to care for something. ‧₊ ♪˚⊹ were slightly large creatures— larger than a young Eridian, but no larger than a fully grown one.

The sounds they make were very similar to Grace's snoring.

…

Grace makes that sound again— then it stops. He moves around, turned over away from me and hugged himself in his sleep.

The sound comes back.

…

I have the sudden urge to adopt a ‧₊ ♪˚⊹ now for some reason.

5

The human biodome is probably one of Erid's greatest built achievements yet. Combining all of our knowledge in science, architecture, math, engineering, and art. It is my pride, my joy— a proof of my success.

But of course, before that— two people come first. My Adrian, and my best friend, human Grace.

It's been 2 days since he's been let inside the human biodome, but 2 months after he was deemed fully stable from malnutrition. Grace is still fragile, yes, but even though I know fully well that Grace is capable, and despite all of my taunting— I do truly believe that human are very strong species if placed in their correct environment.. I still worry.

That's only natural— plus, doesn't Grace deserve a life without any more stress and pain? I'm giving him that— no one can stop me!

Anyway, I walk by the beach, nearing Grace's home. Adjustments were still being made in the biodome, of course— but the bare minimum was to have the biodome actually be safe and breathable for the human. And after hundreds of tests and perhaps around the 500th opinion of multiple scientists, the biodome was safe for Grace to wander in.

I find Grace not in his home, but actually outside. He was slightly near the water, which was quiet and still.

I pause— Grace looked, huh.

He was picking at the sand, feeling it within his hand. He looked deep in thought, but he held a natural smile. He was sitting— not fully. Legs bent fully, arms resting on his knees— and his bottom nearly touching the sand.

Young pebbles, when bored— or for some reason, did not want to sit at all, would do this thing called ♪ ༘⋆♪ ༘⋆, I believe the closest human word translation would be squatting, crouching? Most of their limbs would bend, making this carapace nearly touch the ground— and they would leave two limbs or so to fiddle with something. I don't do that, adults like me don't usually do so, since it tired my limbs out after a while doing so, but of course— pebbles and their lively energy.

At this point, if Grace told me that he was lying the entire time and he was actually a young child for his species, I'd believe him.

I go up to Grace. He's still in the same position and playing with the sand. I'm sure, if ever there was a chance, pebbles would love playing with sand. Like what Grace is doing.

"You look like a pebble." I tell him as I was close enough for him to hear.

A chuckle escapes from him, and he turns his head to me. "Yes yes, and I act like one?"

"Yes."

"Told me that hundreds of times."

"That is not true. Only fourteen times, actually." I know, Grace is just joking. "But no— really. You are squatting, yes?"

Grace hummed. "Yeah?"

"Why?"

"Uhm," a blink. "I didn't feel like sitting? I mean, I will sit eventually when my legs get tired."

I let out a chuckle. "Pebbles do something like that, and it looks a bit similar to your human squatting."

"Can you do it?"

"Yes— but won't right now. Too tired." That is true.

We stay silent for a while after another chuckle came out of Grace. He's still squatting, and we relish in a well deserved peaceful moment, no longer stuck inside of cramped metals.

"Do you see me as a pebble, Rocky?" Grace breaks the silence.

What an interesting question. "No, of course not. Why?"

A hum. "When I was still very ill— I feel like the doctors here, after they got past the disgusting alien bit— saw me as a baby." A pause. "I think they still do."

Oh. "Apology. Is that bothering you? I can tell them to stop."

A smile. "Not really. I mean, I don't know how you guys see me like that, and yes— I am basically glass. But after a while, if I managed to find some aspects of my best friend cute and familiar— maybe they'd view me the same."

The last time Grace had called me cute, he had compared me to tiny Earth animals.

"What did you notice, question?"

"Well," he trailed of, playing with the sand again. "Maybe it's because of how I'm surrounded by scientists— but well, the sense of curiosity, especially coming from you. It reminded me of my kids back on Earth— always asking questions, always so determined to understand." He looked at me. "I think there's more, but I can't seem to recall them at the moment. Oh! I don't know why, but I find it very cute on how sometimes you guys jump when you run. It's like a bunny hopping! Have I showed you a video of bunnies? Oh, Adrian is gonna love them I'm sure— I'll show you guys as soon as the screens are transferred here."

I may have seen a bunny before maybe once in our journey to Erid, but I listen to Grace ramble anyway. It's nice to hear him talk too much again, after not talking and being unconscious for days when he first arrived in Erid. If Grace saw me as cute sometimes, I guess I shouldn't feel too ashamed. I knew that we are going to somehow mention this topic one way or another.

"I see you as, well— a pebble, sometimes." I see Grace smirk, some heat in his face. He's about to tease me, but I stop him. "I actually haven't told you this yet, maybe another time— but there were a clawful of natural human activity you do that reminded me of pebbles and some of the animals here." I find my words. "But when you got sick— of course, I was worried. That was inevitable. It brought back a lot of things before I met you, before you saved me, before everything. When you got worse, I felt so helpless and— I felt like I was failing. Like a useless adult watching a poor pebble suffer— and all I could do was just watch."

My body shakes. I don't realize it. "When we landed, I'm not sure if you were awake to witness it— but I was frantically demanding and yelling at so many people to get scientists and doctors— I was yelling for equipment, throwing out blueprints and calling out other engineers to get building—" I pause. "I was holding the damn taumoeba hostage basically— until there were professionals surrounding you and helping you."

"Oh, Rocky." Grace placed a hand on top of my carapace. I feel the chill from his skin, and the heat from my body dispersed.

"After my uh— dramatic entrance," Adrian had called it that lovingly after they successfully calmed me down that day. "I heard some comments from my peers, new and old— saying things like I've gone insane and adopted an alien creature— or maybe how I might have somehow stole you from your alien parents because I went insane or something."

I laugh, Grace doesn't— I know it's not that funny for Grace whenever I call myself crazy— like how I don't like it when Grace calls himself useless.

"Maybe it's due to my influence, maybe that's why people treat you like a pebble. Apology." My goodness, Grace was a bad influence— I was rambling!

"Rocky, no need to apologize." Grace tells me. "I can sympathize with you, and I'm sorry for scaring you."

"Don't apologize. Stratt's fault." I see him roll his eyes at that random insult for someone I haven't even met.

"It won't be like this forever— and don't worry, I am not annoyed nor am I uncomfortable with the treatment I'm getting." He gives me a clarification I didn't know I needed. "For now, I just want to thank you, and everyone for helping me get back on my two lower limbs."

A few moments of silence. I let out a nice tune, there was no translation. Just a feeling of peace.

"Hug?" I spread my two limbs out.

Grace smiles, copying me. "C'mere— AGH—"

I gently push him down so he lands on his bottom on the sand. I embrace Grace first, for I have already mastered the art of human hugs. My human hugs me back, the relaxing, and nice feeling of the cold become a blanket for me.

My best friend is finally okay.

+1

Adrian had always been bigger than me.

Before I had left for the mission, they were just bit taller and larger than me. They were still so pretty, loving— I still have no idea what they saw in me. In return, I loved them with all my ‧₊˚♪𝄞࿐₊˚⊹.

I loved them so so so much, to the point where I was willing to risk my life to save our star— so they had the chance to live. So we had the chance to live.

The day I returned back to Erid, I had been panicking— throwing blueprints to the nearest engineers, throwing documents regarding human health (translated in Eridani by yours truly) at scientists and doctors. I was a big big big mess, in a weird makeshift xenonite suit, and a weird, unconscious alien protected within a xenonite chamber.

I had my longest sleep yet after whole day of yelling. It took multiple doctors and guards to separate me from Grace— I barely knew what was going on at that point. Erid felt heavy, my body already used to the physics of outer space. When I slept, I was actively being nursed by doctors in my sleep (They were downright astonished and almost exploded in shock when I casually told them I basically walked in a room made out of poisonous gas, and managed to stay in there for more than 5 seconds— more than 20!).

And when I woke up— I was immediately visited by someone, and I didn't need to tap on anything to know who it was.

And my vents closed, the rest of the world disappearing— hearing only one thing.

Adrian had grown, a lot. Way more taller than me— way taller than Grace. They were quiet, I didn't say anything— too stunned by their beauty, but also because of the doubt eating me alive that they were here to take me back. Maybe they were just there for a formal thank you and hello, and to tell me they've moved on.

"Rocky." I could've almost be put to sleep again— faint from how they sing my name. It's been so long, but I keep my desires with me, and do not plead for them to accept me again. I'll be patient for Adrian.

"Adrian..?" I'm still tired, but I stand up from the nest the doctors have quickly made for me.

I feel like a pebble again. Too tired, too weak— and I just wanted someone who knew what they were doing this time to take care of me.

Adrian bends their limbs to get closer to me. "The doctors told me that you don't suffer from any cracks— all have been healed, but still need some medicine to clean them." They hesitate for some reason. Their tone was gentle, so soft. "But I want to hear it from you— are you hurt, question? Is your carapace— is it prone to cracking, question?"

I could feel it within my body. I had these wounds for years now, only being able to use whatever emergency medical supplies on the ship. My body was strong— and I was just good, but I can be better. For now, it was more than enough.

"No no no," I say through a chuckle. "I'm not prone to cracking— it doesn't hurt anymore." I let myself ask the question I've had for decades. "Adrian? Am I still the one you love—?"

Adrian let out a loud, beautifully sung tune— making the walls slightly shake. All I hear is them— the world drowns out around us. My entire carapace shook, vibrating.

It was Adrian's song— our thrum. The last thrum we did before I left. I try to stand, I try to thrum along— but all of my emotions flooded over, and I fall onto myself. Before I could say anything, Adrian picks me up with their large limbs, and cradles me, letting out carapaces touch after years and years of separation.

"Rocky, my beloved— my sweet song, my sound I pray to hear for every new day. My perfect harmony," I hear Adrian cry. I stay silent. "I have always loved you, and I've waited— for I knew you would return, and here you are."

I don't know what exactly would be the Eridian equivalent to human crying, but I was doing that. Very hard. I let out noises akin to a distressed pebble— and I try my best to thrum with Adrian.

I do not care if others can hear, or if Adrian's beautiful song makes them tremble under their limbs— I got to hear my love again.

I can't speak, too overwhelmed by the fact that the mission is done. That other people are here to take over, and that I wasn't alone. That Grace and I aren't alone anymore.

My carapace trembled, and Adrian continues to comfort me. "Did you really think I would have moved on from you, question?"

"Yes…" I sound pathetic, my answer came out warbled.

Like a lullaby, Adrian laughs at my answer. They pull me closer, and I feel like nothing else can hurt me anymore. "You are as silly as before, Rocky. Always daunting over the worst."

I try to keep the conversation going— because I have so so so much to share with Adrian. But, they shush me, and again— I feel like a pebble. "My sweet song— I know you've just woken up, but you need rest." Adrian sighs lovingly. "You and— Grace, yes?"

"Yes.. Friend Grace—" Worry flooded over me. "Where is he? Question? Is he— he needs—"

"I've checked. I've read your instructions, my love." Adrian sat on the nest. "Your handwriting, still the same." I miss miss miss their teasing. They hold me even closer. "Scientists are fast to recreate human vitamins, the doctors are working hard— all of the engineers and mechanics are halfway through your many blueprints. Right now, you and Grace need rest."

I say nothing. I know what to do now. I just need to rest my mind, rest my body, and to remind myself that Adrian is here.

They sing a song to me. Their song to me. All I could think of was how excited I am to be able to sing my song to them back.

But right now, I rest, and I let myself be vulnerable and delicate for once.

Bonus!

We are at the beach in Grace's home, experiencing the newly added wind. On Erid, yes, wind does exist, but it's quite an interesting process to build a machine to be able to replicate natural wind perfectly. Ahem, Earth wind. But we succeeded.

The first attempt swept Grace's feet off of the ground. I know that is a human term for amazement, but no— I am being literal. Grace was flying. I almost died out of fright, I've never heard Adrian yell like that before, and the entire team behind us were scrambling because they were panicking so hard, they somehow lost the button to shut off the wind. Multiple professionaly trained large body guards had to run into the biodome, carrying soft mattresses to try to catch Grace— but my friend landed in the water.

I've never heard an entire team of professional scientists and engineers scream and panic— only to quickly quiet down when Grace floated to the top of the water, and was happily giggling in joy and fun.

Second attempt, the team somehow made the wind burning hot— and I almost died again, out of fright. Adrian was doing the Eridani version of crying.

Third attempt, we had Grace be with us in the room, wearing the newly improved xenonite suit. It was a good good good thing we made that decision, because Grace told us we somehow recreated Earth's ice age with the wind— and if he was in there— no no no, I don't want to think about it.

Fourth, it was perfect! And it only took— three earth months!

We were staring out into our ocean. I was loafing on top of Adrian's carapace, and Grace was in front of my beloved, leaning his back against them. I'm still happy happy happy that they've gotten along just well. Two science nerds rambling over each other's biology— though, I do have to keep an eye of them, because I'm not sure if they were being serious of picking away pieces of their bodies for them to observe…

Then Grace sneezes.

I can sense Adrian was startled— but I quickly prepared to calm Adrian down in case they—

One of their limbs at the back lifted and smashed onto the ground.

Grace made a yelp noise, I did the same— the ground shook, and I clutched onto Adrian to not fall down. Grace was holding onto himself.

…

"Uh— Adrian?" Grace sheepishly called out, and he turned to face them.

"Beloved?" I call out this time. "Grace is okay—"

"Grace, Rocky— can I be true to you all for a moment?" Adrian calmly said, their limb still buried into the sand.

Grace and I looked at each other— we are so fucking scared.

I speak for us, "yes! Of course! What is it, question—"

Adrian quickly stood up, Grace let out a short scream when he was suddenly lifted up from the ground by one of Adrian's limbs. Me, on the other hand— was also screaming as I felt myself roll off of my love's carapace. Luckily, I was quickly caught.

Adrian beings Grace and I closer together, and they let out a delightful thrill. "You two are so so so cute! My Rocky finally has a new best friend to be with! And it's with such a cute cute cute human!"

Grace let's out an unsure giggle, and I see the heat rushing to his face.

After moments of Adrian's peak in their cuteness aggression, they finally calmed down— and settle Grace and I back onto the ground.

"My apologies, sweet Grace." Adrian gently patted Grace's head. "Of course, I do not see you as an actual pebble— it's just, you can sometimes be so adorable adorable adorable."

"Awww shucks—" Grace chuckled. "It's all fine and dandy— Rocky has told me that a couple of times before, and I don't mind! I find some aspects of Eridians cute as well! So, win-win!"

"Indeed." Adrian gave one final pat, and focused on me next. "We should get going, my love."

"Oh, yes yes yes!" Grace started shooing us away. "Go! Go have your date! You two deserve it!"

I giggle, and I walk with Adrian.

…

…

…

"Rocky, my dear." We were at a nice store, looking at some jewelry.

I hold one in my claw, planning to show to my love. I turn to them. "Yes?"

Adrian let out dazed huff, and an excited thrill.

"I want to have pebbles."

I nearly cracked the jewelry out of pure shock and joy.