Chapter Text

CHAPTER ONE | SOUL.MATES

CENTURY (cen·tu·ry)
/ˈsen(t)SH(ə)rē/
↦ a century is a period of 100 years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages. The word century comes from the Latin centum, meaning one hundred.

"When discussing human courting, one can observe countless cultures showcasing various methods by which individuals express their affection. Some might sing or dance, while others share spoken or written poetry, artfully demonstrating their love. Additionally, there are those who openly admit their feelings.”

“The courting process is quite expansive; after all, there isn't a strict procedure. The essence of romance itself is the journey. As long as it is perceived as sweet and romantic, it is considered part of the ritual.”

“Does that mean a kiss is part of a courting ritual, Teacher Grace?” piped up a high-pitched voice. Grace turned to see Nemo, her claws raised and waving eagerly. “Lower your claw. What did you say? Is a kiss considered part of a courting ritual?” he repeated, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Ewwwww!” the entire class chorused, booing loudly, while Grace chuckled, shaking his head. “Is it, though?” another student asked, raising his claw. Grace turned to see Sebastian following suit. He gestured for Sebastian to lower it, and he complied. “Well, kissing is different. Usually, that happens after the courting ritual,” he explained, making a vague hand gesture as the class responded with an amused “Ohhhhh.”

“So it’s not considered super romantic?” Nemo asked, tilting her orange carapace to the side. “It is romantic,” Grace replied, raising a hand, “but it’s not part of the courting ritual.” Sebastian chimed in, nodding in agreement. Grace let out a raspberry, feeling slightly ganged up on by two of his new thirty students, a situation that occurred every year.

“No, it’s not part of a courting ritual,” Grace insisted, raising his other hand to settle the growing excitement in the classroom as other students became eager to ask questions thanks to Nemo and Sebastian’s engagement.

“Kissing is considered something that happens after the courting ritual. It’s viewed as very intimate and occurs between two people who love each other deeply. You can’t kiss while courting someone; just like in Eridian customs, you are building a potential relationship. You’re showing them how great of a boyfriend you can be.” He paused for a moment, a finger to his lip. “Correction: a good mate.” The students cheered silently, raising their claws in delight.

It was genuinely adorable. “You demonstrate how good of a mate you are—not just through romance. You can help them carry things, provide assistance, or compliment them on how they look and sound today.” Grace continued, and the class responded with another round of enthusiastic “Ohhhhhh,” turning their carapaces and bobbing excitedly. “There are many ways humans court each other; it’s not confined to one method. Now, unlike you all, who have specific steps in Eridian courting, can anyone here share what those steps are?” Grace looked around, inviting them to raise their claws.

It's still fairly new for them to have an interactive class, so raising their claws to speak is a habit they haven't fully developed yet. Either they forget to raise them, or they all speak at the same time. Kids are harder to teach than adults because they're supposed to be taught through thrums, with information passed down that way. It's not entirely unlike human teaching—it's just far more teacher-student centric.

Everyone raises their claws excitedly.  "I know! I know!" most of them say at once, their carapaces shaking with excitement.

"Uh, me!" Yohan raises her claw—both claws, actually—waving them from side to side as Grace laughs and points at her. "Okay, Yohan. This is your chance to shine," he says. Yohan eagerly stands, her whole body trembling with nerves and excitement at being called on for the first time.

"The first step is the Eridians sharing a greeting—a harmonic greeting—to see if the other party is willing to match frequencies with them. It's to see if they are compatible and to show that they are willing to be in sync with one another. It will be a back-and-forth exchange until they match their frequencies," Yohan says, her voice trembling slightly as Grace stands beside her, nodding.

"You think you can tell us the next one?" Grace asks when he notices her shaking limbs. Yohan gives a small affirmative bob of her carapace.

"The second step is exchanging crystals! They share mineral shards from their home caves with their potential mate to show that they trust them and are willing to live a long and fulfilling life together."

"The third step is a dance! They shift their bodies to create rhythmic pulses, and just like the first step, they try to align their body rhythms to show their compatibility and willingness to synchronize with each other."

"The fourth step applies the first and third steps. They perform a duet! They sing a song in harmony, weaving sound patterns together that only the two of them can create and sustain. It's a special kind of music!"

"And the last step is nest construction. Before the pair are considered mated, they have to build a nest together so they can prove to each other that they can work as a team to create a stable environment for their future offspring."

Grace claps at that, and everyone follows, their claws making loud thunking noises as they imitate him. Yohan lets out a small squeak before sitting down, tucking her limbs beneath her carapace. Grace returns to the front of the classroom, clasping his hands together with a small grin on his face.

"Thank you, Yohan, for that brief summary of Eridian courting rituals. As you can see, Eridians focus much more on structure. Their courting ritual always consists of five steps. It doesn't really change, even across the countless cultures and diversity here on Erid."

"For humans, it's become much looser over time. Sure, in the past there were stricter customs too, but even then, the focus was more on showing your appeal to the person you were courting," Grace explains.

"Teacher Grace? What is the biggest appeal for humans?" Sebastian asks again. Grace glances at him. "Well, for one, it can be looks... or singing. Sometimes even smell," he begins, raising a finger. "But there are humans who don't care about any of that. The way they see a potential mate is much like how you Eridians do—the responsibility they can shoulder when the time comes, their willingness, and the trust they build together."

"Does Teacher Grace have a mate back home? Before savior Rocky?" Another claw shoots into the air, though the question is already out before Grace has a chance to call on anyone. "A what?" Grace asks, confused. "Ohhhh! Teacher Grace!"

The classroom immediately erupts into overlapping voices. "Teacher Grace has a human mate?". "Does that mean Teacher Grace's mate is all alone now?". "How did Teacher Grace meet his old mate?!". “Does savior Rocky know about your old mate?”. “Oh! What does savior Rocky think about it, teacher Grace?”

It was a combination of questions and a barrage of statements about the supposed fact that Grace had a mate back home, followed by questions about Rocky and what stage of courting they were in right now. "What? No, no, no." Grace shook his head.

"So savior Rocky isn't your mate?". "Ouch! That hurts, Teacher Grace! What if Savior Rocky heard that?!"

They all burst into laughter as Grace pulled a face and rolled his eyes. Before long, they were all talking over one another again. "Guys—guys. Everyone, please pipe down," Grace said calmly. But everyone kept speaking over each other, a chorus of overlapping voices. It was like being in a theater where everyone was playing their own instrument at once.

"Everyone!" Grace raised his voice, cupping his hands around his mouth. The room immediately fell silent. "Pipe down, please," Grace repeated, this time much softer, and everyone settled back into their seats, now looking and sounding much calmer than before.

"Thank you." He smiled. "And no, I don't have a mate yet. Rocky and I are still dating. In both human and Eridian terms, we're still courting, okay? Not mates yet." Then there is a faint mutter at the back. “That’s too long for a ritual isn’t it?” and Grace winced a bit. “Alright, how about we go back to the original topic for today? Can anyone tell me what it was?” The moment he finished, four claws shot into the air again. Grace sighed internally as Vice waved hers enthusiastically.

"Vice? What is it, hun?" Grace looked over at her. "What about past mates? I heard from my parents that Teacher Grace once talked about someone named Linda! About how she's a really bad roommate—you said she's bossy and has too much stuff, like garbage! Like Savior Rocky!"

Grace spluttered. That was utter and complete shade toward Rocky, and everyone burst into loud laughter.

Grace pressed a knuckle against his lips as the room erupted. He tried not to crack up himself as he motioned for them to quiet down again. Vice sat back down, positively preening over her joke. "Okay, this is the third time. Pipe down, class. Pipe down." Grace chuckled, shaking his head. "Now why would your parents tell you that? That's a secret. Don't tell me you've been sneaking around and listening to their conversations."

"Ooooh, busted!" everyone chorused. Vice shrank into herself, suddenly sounding extremely shy as she covered her vents with her claws and tried to duck beneath her desk.

"Okay, okay, enough! We've strayed way too far from the topic." Grace clapped once. "We were talking about birds, weren't we?"

"It was the eagles," Logan commented from the side. Grace snapped his fingers. "Eagles. Everyone, let's go back to eagles. How about that?" He gestured toward the class. A chorus of "Ugh," and "Awwww," filled the room as Grace let his arms fall to his sides and gave them a tired shake of his head.

"No, no, no! We want to hear about Teacher Grace's love life! Talk about Savior Rocky! When are you two going to be mates? It's been two months!" one of them piped up, not even bothering to raise their claws. Now that got Grace's attention. He pinched the bridge of his nose before gesturing for them to quiet down again.

"Okay, no. Calm down—everyone? Everyone! Please pipe down! Lower your voices, this room isn't soundproofed. Guys? Guys!" No one listened. They all spoke at the same time, their carapaces swiveling toward one another as they carried on their own conversations. Some even left their desks as well to talk to their friends on the other side of the room. "Guys? Hellooo? Guys! Lesson on eagles, remember?" Grace waved a hand, trying to get their attention, but they were already completely distracted.

Rocky stood by the slightly ajar classroom door with a small sigh, lightly shaking his carapace. Sometimes he really didn't understand why Grace let children push him around. This was his class. Shouldn't he be the one deciding what they talked about? "I want to hear about the eagles."

The room went silent quickly the moment he said that, it was almost laughable at how fast their reaction was. Everyone’s carapace froze, and even Grace, who had been waving his hand in warning for them to keep their voices down, stopped mid-motion. Grace slowly turned and broke into a grin. "Rocky!"

He threw his arms up as Rocky gave the kids a small wave. They quickly shuffled back into their desks, folding their front limbs neatly on top as they tried to look like perfect students—which they definitely were not. Rocky had been standing there long enough to witness everything, including little Vice's joke about him. She was now trembling in her seat as Rocky casually made himself comfortable on the teacher's desk atop the podium.

Meanwhile, Grace skipped back to the front of the classroom, still smiling. "Looks like Savior Rocky is here to listen in and watch over my class. I hope everyone will be on their best behavior now." The students let out a few shy chirps from their seats. Grace glanced over at Rocky, who simply snorted and shrugged, making Grace laugh.

"Okay. Back to eagles, guys. Back to eagles." He clasped his hands together. "Can someone tell me what their favorite type of eagle is? Give me a short background about it, and tell me why you personally like that eagle." He looked around the room. "And remember, I gave you this homework yesterday, so I hope all of you did at least a little research using the laptops that were provided to each of you."

"Thanks for popping in. I don't think I had it in me to calm them all down." Grace sighs, now seated behind his desk in his office, drinking from his water jug. His face looks tired, his glasses sitting a little crooked until Rocky reaches over and fixes them for him. Grace lowers his jug, smiling. "Thanks." 

"It's always like that for a new school year," Rocky comments. "But I wish you'd be a bit harsher and stricter with them. It isn't so bad to put your foot down every once in a while." Grace rolls his eyes, shrugging. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You do know you can't tell me—who is the teacher between the two of us—how to do his job, right?" He tilts his head playfully.

Rocky scoffs, lowering himself onto all of his claws and making himself comfortable on the floor. "I'm doubting that title." Grace's eyes widen. "Hey, there's a couch there. Don't sit on the floor." He motions for Rocky to stand up, and Rocky obliges with a slightly annoyed sound. "It's comfortable there. I don't mind," Rocky replies.

Grace groans, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, well—I got them to make me a couch, but no one's using it." He shrugs. "You're supposed to use it," Rocky grumbles, but follows anyway, settling onto the couch and tucking his limbs beneath him. He tilts his carapace to the side, giving Grace a silent Well? with his body language, as though expecting him to follow.

"Can't you sit beside me? Are we not soon to be mates?" Rocky adds, mostly to tease. “Come to me my Grace.” He scratches his claw softly on the cushion beside him. Letting out a soft trill and purr. Grace gives him a look before sighing. He stands, walks around his desk with his water jug in hand, taking another drink before sitting beside Rocky. He shifts one of the couch cushions aside and props himself against the armrest.

"So why are you here? I thought you'd be busy doing something—visiting your family or whatever. You mentioned that yesterday." Grace absentmindedly twirls a strand of hair around his finger, looking down at Rocky, who shifts so that his carapace presses lightly against Grace's abdomen.

"It's moved to next month. My siblings have been extra busy today," Rocky hums. "What? Next week is your birthday." Grace raises a brow, crossing his arms. Rocky fidgets with his claws. "It's not so bad. Besides, we can celebrate my birthday together, and I'll have another one next year. Next time, I'll make sure they won't put work first." He lets out a small giggle.

Grace only frowns, his face cycling through several expressions before he slowly nods. "Right... you'll have another birthday next year." He sighs. "What's wrong?" Rocky asks, noticing how Grace had suddenly gone quiet. Grace's water jug tips slightly, water dripping onto Rocky's suit to the side of his carapace and spilling onto the couch. "Grace, your water's spilling on me—and the couch."

Grace flinches when Rocky pokes him in the side with a claw. He quickly rights the jug, tightening the lid before letting out a weary sigh. "Sorry about that..." He sounds... strange. Rocky lets out a soft chirp of confusion. What was Grace thinking about again? He had been getting lost in his head a lot lately. "What are you thinking about?" Rocky asks, his antennae lowering.

"Nothing." Grace licks his lips and shrugs. "Hm." Rocky opens and closes his claws before returning to fidgeting. "Are you sure? You've been—" Grace cuts him off. "—Getting all in my head these days? Rocky, it's the age getting to me. I'm, like... forty-seven. I'm old. Old people think about a lot of stupid things and nothings." He shrugs, snickering to himself.

Rocky huffs, his vents grating in annoyance at being interrupted—and at Grace making another stupid joke about his lifespan. "I just wish you wouldn't joke about your lifespan so much," Rocky grumbles. Grace rolls his eyes. "It's life, Rock. We all die anyway. Besides, you haven't answered my question yet." He pokes Rocky's side with a knee.

Rocky huffs but doesn't scoot away, instead rubbing his carapace lightly against Grace's chest. "I did answer it," he grumbles. "No. Why are you here?" Grace gestures around the office. "As you can clearly see, I'm busy. I have to be back in..." He checks his watch with a tired sigh. "Five minutes. Lunch break ends in fifteen."

"Can't Pamela take over your class? I was supposed to take you out this week for our date. I was hoping it'd be today since neither of us had actually set one. But then I saw you teaching your class... so I figured it wouldn't be today." Rocky pauses before adding quietly, "I don't mind, if that's what you're thinking."

Grace freezes, then slaps a palm against his forehead. "Fudge. The date—I forgot." He glances at Rocky, who simply lets out a small chirping sigh. "It's okay." Rocky gently rubs a claw over Grace's knee, but Grace waves the gesture away. Rocky quietly withdraws his claw with another soft chirp.

It's been almost two months and thirteen days since Rocky and Grace started "dating"—or courting. The terminology is still loose, at least for Rocky, because their courtship has become a blend of human and Eridian traditions. They're constantly figuring out which customs to follow and which to ignore.

Mostly because there are many parts of Eridian courtship that Grace simply can't participate in. And because Grace wants to respect Eridian culture, he tries to follow as much of it as he reasonably can. Rocky has reminded him many times that Eridian law doesn't really apply to him. First, because he's human. And second, because he's the savior. He can do whatever he wants. That’s the thing that’s basically attached to the savior title.

And if he wants to follow the human way of courting, it's all good. Besides, most human courting rituals are much easier to follow than Eridian tradition. Even then, it doesn't really matter, mostly because nothing has changed between the two of them. They're still Grace and Rocky, two saviors of two planets, loved by Erid (and hopefully... Earth too). They're sweet, sometimes, though perhaps it's just because human dating is so different from Rocky's expectations.

Rocky likes being sweet, being close—but at the same time, he doesn't want to be too much. He doesn't want to seem needy, despite having known Grace for over a decade. Being in a relationship is far different from not being in one. Different cultures, traditions, rituals—it's all something to keep in mind. Usually, an Eridian takes thirty days or a single month before initiating the real courting ritual, while humans date for years before what they call marriage, finally officiating their relationship as wife and husband.

That meant the days, months, and even years could still mean Grace might leave him at any time, even if they already called themselves a couple. It was hard to understand at first, for Rocky. But this was the thing he signed up for after confessing his undying love to Grace that one night while they were watching Sleepless in Seattle. Watching that movie made something inside Rocky shake and tremble with want, with the need to experience that kind of pure romance with his Grace.

It took Grace a whole week away from Rocky—no calls, no responses whatsoever. Rocky spent those days shaking with the fear that he might have ruined his friendship with Grace because of his stupid feelings. Then, seven days later, on the eighth day, Grace finally called him in and admitted that he liked Rocky back too, and wanted to hear what Rocky hoped they could become.

So fast forward to now... nothing changed much. Rocky doesn't mind at all. Humans and Eridians are two different creatures, their planets separated by light-years. Rocky is at an age where he could take another mate after Adrian, but he chose not to because he loves Grace. And Grace is at an age where he should be marrying someone, raising three children, and building a successful career. But then again, they aren't exactly normal, are they? They're saviors now—celebrities, even, if you think about it.

Every corner of Erid knows them—their names, their life stories, everything. From what Grace likes to eat to what Rocky likes to sing to Grace while he's asleep. There is no privacy for them, but they always make do with what little they have.

Perhaps... that is also one of the main reasons why Grace doesn't act like Rocky's potential mate. Aside from the fact that he's still slightly detached from the romantic side of their relationship.

Maybe he's just uncomfortable with the attention. He always has been, actually. He's told Rocky that before. Rocky's mostly used to it, having dealt with it in stride, and in turn he's trying to help Grace adjust to his popularity as best he can. That's also a big reason why Grace tends to be the aloof one in their relationship. When it comes to acting normal or joking around, he's fine. But when Rocky wants to get a little closer, or maybe just a little sweeter—calling Grace "darling," for example—Grace gets all twitchy and quiet, offering no reaction at all.

So Rocky can only assume one of two things. Either Grace is uncomfortable with everyone treating it like the biggest headline of the century, or he simply doesn't think "darling" suits him. Rocky even made a long list of pet names to try, including human ones, but Grace looked uncomfortable with every single one of them. Sometimes it made Rocky wonder if Grace regretted agreeing to this relationship.

But relationships have their ups and downs. Besides, it's only been two months. Rocky isn't exactly good at romance either. He never was when he was younger. He was always more on the technical side, and Grace obviously isn't much different. It's a little embarrassing to admit they're almost like two walls paired together, but Rocky is comfortable with the life he has with Grace, and he's far more interested in experiencing it alongside him than worrying about whether they're doing romance "correctly."

"No—ugh—I'm such a butthole." Grace groans, shaking his head as disappointment rolls off him in waves. Rocky reaches over again, gently running a claw along Grace's knee. "Now that is disgusting," Rocky says with a fond huff. "But we can always watch a movie later if you aren't too busy."

Grace sighs, then smiles softly as he glances at Rocky. Tucking his water jug against his hip, he leans toward him. "Sorry for being a butthole. But yeah, let's just watch a movie tonight. I'll take you on a date this weekend if you want." Rocky perks up immediately, letting out an excited trill as Grace grins, watching Rocky happily open and close his claws in excitement.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes. I'm fine with anything, as long as I get to enjoy it with you." Rocky says quickly, his voice turning into a soft trilling note as Grace laughs, pressing a gentle kiss against Rocky's carapace. Rocky trebbles in delight. Kisses have been rare ever since the confession. Grace used to give them so freely before, but now it almost feels like he's purposely holding them back. Grace pats Rocky's carapace gently.

"Sap... alright, movie later. You pick, as my apology." Grace sighs, glancing at his watch again. "Five minutes. Look, I gotta go." And just like that, the loving moment is gone. Rocky tries not to let it get to him as Grace leans away, picking up his water jug and standing, cracking his back as he mutters to himself while walking back to his desk. He gathers his things, preparing for his next class.

Rocky doesn't even notice he himself had gone quiet, his carapace lowering as a strange feeling settles inside him—a mix of discomfort and foreboding.

This has been normal for Grace over the past two months of dating him. As much as Rocky doesn't like to nitpick his best friend—now his potential mate—Grace can flip his emotions almost instantly, like he's playing a character. Rocky knows he's been describing their relationship in a very flowery way, but sometimes he can't help thinking Grace acts like someone who's been forced onto a stage and told to perform.

Grace treats Rocky more like a friend than a mate. And even then, he treated Rocky better before they started courting. But, like Grace said, it's been so long since he last had a mate. Rocky can't blame him. It's not like Rocky is any different.

When he returned to Erid, Adrian had already taken a new mate and started a family. It broke Rocky's heart. Yet during that year aboard the Hail Mary with Grace, he'd slowly developed these... feelings for him, carrying guilt throughout the journey because it felt like he was betraying Adrian.

Only to later find out Adrian had done the same first. Not intentionally, of course. They never knew Rocky was alive. But Rocky had never felt so validated the moment he found out. Maybe that makes him a bad Eridian. He admits it with all his hearts. He felt relieved knowing Adrian had found another mate, and finally, he could allow himself to love Grace without guilt.

"Rocky—I'm gonna go now. Are you going to stay here?" Grace had already stuffed everything into his tote bag. Rocky lets out a long sigh. Humans still bewilder him. They're such emotional beings. Rocky's already considered an emotional Eridian—you can't blame him after everything he's been through. He's earned the right to be emotional and a little less rational sometimes.

But humans are on an entirely different level. Their rationality often feels like an afterthought. Not that Rocky thinks Grace is irrational. Emotional? Yes. Leaky at all times? Definitely. Grace cries over the simplest things, after all. But not irrational. He's present. He makes sure he's in the right state of mind before making important decisions.

Still… Rocky can't always understand his mate. Seriously, he could probably understand a pebble more easily than explain why Grace becomes so aloof with him from time to time. Grace has already gone through his mandatory counseling. He's worked through his trauma and his problems. Sure, Rocky wasn't allowed anywhere near it because of strict patient confidentiality, but he'd seen the changes afterward.

Maybe Rocky needs lessons on romance. Or maybe both of them do. If that's the case, Rocky could easily enroll them in one of Erid's relationship programs. There are counselors who specialize in helping mates strengthen their bonds. It wouldn't be difficult. As long as Grace wanted to try, Rocky would make it happen.

Rocky sighs.

Grace's heart gives a little jump, which is interesting, though it does that from time to time. There isn't really a clear reason why. Grace is simply an anxious person. "That was a big sigh. Was that for me?" Grace makes a face. Rocky simply tilts his carapace. "No, it's not." Grace visibly lets out a relieved sigh, nodding. "Okay..." he says, trailing off uncertainly as he continues shuffling things into his bag.

It's almost like he's waiting for Rocky to leave first before heading out himself. A strange pang spreads through Rocky's carapace. Sometimes it almost feels like he's a bother whenever Grace acts like this. He knows Grace doesn't mean it.

Grace just tends to be... this way. He doesn't always say what he's thinking. It's almost like he expects Rocky to read his mind. "I'll be heading to the research center to work on a few things. See you later, my love?" Rocky says, finally standing as well and slipping off the couch. He expects Grace to ask what he's working on. Instead, Grace simply hums. "Yeah. See you later." That's all. Rocky lets out another quiet sigh at the response.

Grace's and Rocky's relationship spreads around the dome much faster than it does outside, mostly because... they're inside a dome. Everyone has access to one another thanks to the small (well, not really) enclosure of the Earth dome. So naturally, people notice how strange and detached their relationship seems. Sometimes Rocky overhears them criticizing human courting rituals because of Grace's lack of obvious affection or back-and-forth with him. It can dampen his mood, at least a little.

If it makes the voices ringing around his carapace much louder, who is he to admit that? That would mean questioning Grace, and Rocky trusts him. He really does.

They aren't personally criticizing Grace—they're not physically capable of doing so. They're mostly criticizing human courting rituals. Or rather, the lack of them, and how often that seems to lead to breakups. Humans require courtships that can last for years, and even then, it doesn't guarantee marriage—or mating for life. Either person can simply leave if they grow bored or tired of the relationship. Or worse, cheat on their partner and find someone "better" while they're still together.

Rocky doesn't think his Grace would ever do that. He trusts him. He really really does. Grace is his fated mate after all.

"I initially thought the act of kissing was strange and a bit pornographic," Keeron comments, humming under his breath as he shuffles a printed report onto the side of his desk beside the printer. "But I've read so many novels these days that I just find it so romantic."

"It is still pornographic," Cathy adds, tilting her sharp carapace to the side. Keeron mutters a quiet, "Fair enough."

"But with differences in culture, you come to appreciate it. You should read the books I recommended. Did you pick one up yet?" He accepts the folder Cathy passes over. “Nope, I might. But I’m busy these days. Sorry.” 

Rocky, who's busy trying to get the 3D printer to cooperate, knocks the side of it with a claw. Sometimes he hates new technology. He could solder this himself with his own tools. But no, everyone prefers new technology over hard work.

How do humans say it again? Work smarter, not harder? Well, Rocky has always been a hard worker.

"Though it's just strange that savior Grace isn't like any of the humans I've read about. I thought he and Savior Rocky were together?" Keeron asks, leaning over his desk—perhaps a little too close to Cathy, who doesn't seem to mind as she taps rhythmically on her keyboard.

"They are," she replies. "So it wasn't a lie? Then why do they act like they've got a brick up their orifice? Is that part of their mixed courting ritual?" Keeron asks again, folding the file before sliding it back into his metal cabinet and sitting down to boot up his computer.

"Uhh..." Cathy turns her chair slightly. "I have no idea. As interested as I am, I've worked here long enough to realize it's no longer my business."

"Boring," Keeron hums.

"You're boring. You're stuck here filing paperwork instead of doing important things, like being an on-hand researcher for human technology." Cathy chortles in annoyance. Keeron lets out a pained note. "Ouch," he says quietly. "Please take it easy on me. I'm already proud enough that I have my own human name and pronouns. That's a title in itself. I'm not an overachiever—"

"Hi, I heard you were talking about savior Grace and Rocky's relationship. I'm interested in this conversation." Luka peers over the partition, nearly bumping carapaces with Cathy, who lets out a surprised note. The slightly soundproof partitions make it difficult to hear what's happening in the neighboring cubicle.

"You're always interested in any topic regarding them," Cathy scoffs. "We all are," Luka replies, shuffling into the cubicle and gently pushing Keeron aside. He lets out an annoyed chirp, waving his claws at her.

"You asked a question. Was it you?" Luka tilts her carapace toward Keeron. "I guess," he answers with a low note.

Off to the side, Rocky sighs. This isn't new to him. He's eavesdropped on almost every employee in this center talking about him, Grace, or the two of them together—their relationship, and so on. If he weren't Rocky himself, he'd probably know more about Rocky than Rocky does. Every day, Rocky learns new things about himself from other people. He's heard countless "fun facts" about himself that he never knew were facts in the first place. It gets stranger the longer he thinks about it.

Rocky smacks the 3D printer with a claw again. He knows hitting it won't fix anything, but it can't hurt to try. Then he goes back to rechecking the program.

"I was asking why they don't act like an actual couple," Keeron says, gesturing with a claw. "Not by human standards, and not by Eridian standards either. Is it because they're both following their own courting rituals?"

"That's simple." Luka laughs. "They don't like each other."

Rocky freezes at that. What in the world?

He had half a mind to rush over there right now and tell them off—to remind them why they're here, which is definitely not to gossip about his life with his Grace. Most definitely not. But instead, he remains frozen, claws opening and closing.

"What?" Keeron asks. "I don't understand. So they can’t be mates at all, what bullshit are you talking about?" He sounds more offended than Rocky.

"Well, their compatibility is quite low—not even fifty-fifty. I'm not saying it as a bad thing, but there is a reason why they seem so aloof and strange with each other. They keep telling us they're together and will soon be mated, but they're not compatible at all. That's what makes their relationship so strange and detached. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is very noticeable." Luka hums, sounding extremely proud of his observation.

Rocky lowers his claws, swiveling his carapace toward the slightly open cubicle where the three are talking. Their conversation is free for everyone to hear. It's almost embarrassing.

More for them than for him—but strangely, for him too, which he thought he'd gotten used to by now. Yet, for some reason, the topic of conversation leaves him feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. He doesn't know why they're all in such a rush. He and Grace have only been together for barely three months.

"What is noticeable?" Cathy finally decides to join the conversation again. "The wall between the two of them. They aren't compatible. It's that easy to understand. They can't touch without hurting each other, their vocal ranges are different, half of Savior Rocky's frequencies are unheard by a human. They can't even nest together without Savior Grace getting squashed like a little leaky bug. And most of all…" She trails off with a hum.

"Lifespan… ah, I see what you're getting at." Keeron says, sounding amazed.

It makes Rocky feel slightly sick to hear them talk about it like that—as though he's nothing more than a topic, an afterthought. Like some show they don't really care about. Like some character in a story. "Savior Grace will die sooner or later, in just another thirty to forty years. It would be such a heartbreak for savior Rocky if it ever came to that. I'd reckon savior Grace has realized that too, and Savior Rocky as well. But then again, I'm not too sure. There are individuals who are far more practical than romantic. You can't base everything on a book. What are you, a child?" Luka jokes.

Keeron splutters at that. "I'll have you know I'm older than you!" he grouches. The topic changes soon after when Cathy laughs from the side, but Rocky is already caught on Luka's reasoning.

Because no, he's never really thought about the fact that Grace will die first. Not because he doesn't know Grace's lifespan—hell, he knew it before everyone else—but because he'd always assumed that by then he'd find a way to reverse his own aging, and they'd get to live together for as long as they possibly could.

Now a far greater turmoil encases his carapace as he finally gets the 3D printer to work. But this time, for some strange reason, for the life of him he can't seem to remember what he came here for.

He can't help but think about the possibility that Grace may have realized all of this long before Rocky did. That maybe that's why Grace keeps making those lifespan jokes every now and then.

"Why would you even listen to gossip?" Adrian sighs. Rocky just hunkers his carapace down against the seat, fiddling with the chain he's been making and taking apart. It's something he's always done to calm himself, whether it's this or knitting with Grace and making each other sweaters. But with how fast his mind is racing right now, he doesn't think he can knit. He's not really in the best headspace. He'd mess up, and he'd get annoyed, which would just make his mood far worser as it already is.

"Grace is old," Rocky mumbles quietly, unsure where he's even going with that. Grace is only in his late forties. He isn't old. Not even by Eridian standards. In fact, his students are far older than he is.

But by human standards… That's already considered the middle of their lifespan.

Luka is right. Twenty or thirty years from now, Grace will grow old and die. That means Rocky has thirty years at most to find a way to extend Grace's lifespan. With what? Rocky doesn't know yet. Impossible may simply have to become possible within such a short timeline.

If he's being honest, thirty years isn't a lot to him. It's barely a blip, it’s merely watching a single movie. Perhaps that's why he's taking this so hard—because thirty years for Grace means death, while for Rocky it's little more than a brief shut-eye.

Thirty years is how long it takes an Eridian to earn the equivalent of a master's degree in their field. Thirty years is how long a human is expected to study hard, build a career, find someone they love, and perhaps even start a family. Their lives can barely fit three major milestones unless they're pursuing demanding careers like becoming an artist or an Olympic athlete.

To be thirty as a human without any of those accomplishments would, at least from Rocky's understanding, make it seem as though you hadn't fulfilled your life at all.

Humans and Eridians are so different. Their lifespans are only the beginning. Their entire way of living is different. The only reason Rocky has managed to align himself so well with humanity is because he's spent so long with Grace. By Eridian courting standards, he's been performing the third and fourth stages of courtship ever since they first met.

He's completely and wholeheartedly aligned himself with Grace's frequency without Grace ever realizing it. From the outside, it simply looks as though Rocky has a deep interest in human culture and traditions. In truth, he's interested in Grace. Grace alone.

"Why let them dictate your life with Grace? I don't understand why you're letting this affect you." Adrian hums softly, lacing the gold chain around the quartz before flicking it lightly with a claw. The crystal answers with a delicate, beautiful chime.

"I—I know... It's beautiful, by the way. Is this for Aaliyah?" Rocky asks.

"Don't change the subject. But yes, it is for him. It's our anniversary in two weeks, so I'm preparing early. I have many gifts to give him."

Rocky sighs again, his carapace drooping lower. He tries not to feel jealous.

Mostly because he and Grace had tried making jewelry together before, and... it hadn't gone very well. Grace couldn't make jewelry to save his life, and as much as Rocky had tried teaching him, he wasn't a teacher like Grace was. Grace just couldn't seem to pick any of it up. He'd promised Rocky they'd try another session.

They haven't opened the jewelry box in almost a month. "They make a fair point. Maybe that's why Grace has been strangely cold toward me," Rocky mumbles. "Why do you think he's acting cold? I don't think he's been cold to you at all. In fact, he seems very in tune with your emotions." Adrian tilts their carapace as they gently set the finished jewelry into a cushioned box already filled with countless gifts.

Adrian closes the lid, looking rather pleased with their work. "I don't know. You don't see what I see—or... hear... um... Grace isn't like he used to be with me." Rocky sighs. "How exactly?" Adrian asks. Rocky hums, shuffling through his memories with Grace.

Grace had been much more openly affectionate when they were trapped together aboard the Hail Mary. But even then, that was because they'd been confined to such a tiny space. Even then… Even then, it shouldn't have changed now that they're potential mates.

"He doesn't kiss me nearly as much anymore. He isn't as sweet with me, and... I feel like it makes him uncomfortable. I always thought maybe he was just rusty when it came to being in a relationship. Because I am too. But I still try my best to be sweet with him, and he's always so..." Rocky trails off.

"Awkward? Oh, Rocky—that's just how Grace is! I don't know how you've been with him the longest and never noticed." Adrian sounds faintly amused. "You do realize it's different being his friend than being his lover, yes?"

"I do! I do!" Rocky groans, his claws still absentmindedly weaving another chain together. "Don't you think I made that comparison during the first month after we got together? There's such a stark difference between being his friend Rocky and being his mate Rocky. I try not to think about it too much because I don't want to nitpick my Grace for being such a bad mate..." Rocky trails off with a grumble.

"Well, there has been a lot of gossip that Grace is a spectacular mate," Adrian says jokingly as Rocky lets out a small ugh. "Spectacular my butt!" Rocky mutters as he accidentally drops his chain. He picks it up with his claw once more as Adrian splutters at that. "Please, let's not talk about butts," they say, and if Rocky had eyes, he would have been rolling them by now. "You're working in the biodome research center, and you still aren't used to that?" he can't help but ask.

"I am, but coming from you? It's... eh—back to the topic, please." Adrian motions with their claw as Rocky just sighs, his carapace lowering and his vents shifting uneasily. "I'm not saying Grace is a bad mate," Rocky says slowly. "But he can be better, is what you're saying? Or that you feel like you deserve better?" Adrian points a single pincer at Rocky, but Rocky lets out a surprised trill, shaking his carapace from side to side.

"No! No—not that. I still believe that I deserve Grace, and Grace deserves me. We are meant to be. Yes, he can be better, but we're only very early into our relationship, so I don't know why I'm always so uneasy these days." Rocky mumbles. Adrian lets out a soft purr.

"I always feel like something is going to go wrong every time, and I know it's just in my head, but... I can't help it." Rocky admits softly, feeling slightly embarrassed to lay it all out to Adrian, who reaches over and pats his claw with theirs.

"We're soulmates," Rocky says again. "We're meant for each other." That earns an amused sigh from Adrian—not a serious one, but the same fond sigh they always give whenever Rocky starts sounding a little ridiculous. Like the soulmate thing.

"You believe in those too, right? I mean, out of everyone in this vast universe, it's me and Grace. We're meant to be! Our fates were meant to cross and tangle together! We were meant to fall in love, become mates, and forever be connected to each other, even after death. Our fates will forever intertwine, even when our bodies no longer exist." Rocky continues his tangent. "That's why I believe this is just a hurdle in our relationship. I deserve to be a little hurt by it, but I know it'll get better. We are meant to be together, forever. Our differences in biology won't matter. I'll find a way to extend his lifespan and get us to finally touch each other!" He shakes a claw in the air.

Adrian makes a noise. "Sometimes I find you so poetic, but at the same time I worry about your mental health... But that's sweet," they say. Rocky groans, slapping a claw over his carapace. "I am—that was supposed to be romantic. It's not meant to be a pathway to seeing how messed up my mind could be. Humans do this all the time. They even compare eating each other out as a form of love," he tries to explain as Adrian completely flinches.

"Cannibalism! Goodness." Adrian lets out a loud honk. Rocky groans. "It's normal. It's a human thing. Figures of speech—I thought you'd read about those?" Adrian shudders. "Well, it's different in books than in real life. Are you planning on eating Grace anytime soon?" they ask. "Yeah, well, if Grace continues to act like a butt, I will. Then it won't matter if he loves me or not anymore, because he'll forever be in me." Rocky mostly means it as a joke, but maybe he sounds too serious, because a passing Eridian pushing a large crate pauses, their carapace swiveling toward them. Both Rocky and Adrian do the same.

The three of them are quiet. Then, slowly, the Eridian pushes the crate away, sounding distinctly frightened. "Now you've scared them. We don't eat humans. What would they think if gossip about you wanting to eat Grace starts going around?"

"It's a figure of speech!" Rocky argues, raising a claw. "Besides, I mean it out of affection. Don't you ever feel like Aaliyah deserves to be taken care of? Where he no longer has to worry about work or anything else, and you just wish you could attach him to your carapace forever?"

Adrian pauses at that, their carapace shifting from side to side in an eghhhh... sort of way. "Maybe..." 

Rocky tilts his carapace downward. "Okay, yes. Yes, I do. It's normal. That is normal. I do not want to eat Aaliyah or consume him at all. I don't know what's wrong with you and Grace. If it wasn't so horrifying, I'd say it's adorable and sweet. But I don't believe those two words fit this topic at all." Adrian sighs tiredly.

Rocky chuckles, snorting. "That's how much I care for my Grace... That's all to my rant, really. I should thank you for listening to me and coming when I called. I know you've been busy with your children."

"It's fine. I pay a caretaker to look after them when I'm not there. It isn't all the time, but I've come to take weekends off from my children so I won't lose half my lifespan because of them," Adrian comments. Rocky barks out a laugh, snorting loudly.

"Ah... you having children... I'm still not used to it," Rocky says with a gentle sigh.

Adrian scoffs softly. "Well, that aside, I wish you'd just talk to Grace about this directly. Neither of you can read each other's minds. In fact, communication should be even more important between you two because you can't connect the way a normal Eridian can with their mate. You should tell him." Adrian grows serious again, patting Rocky's claw once more before pulling away.

Rocky sighs. "I'll... think about it. Grace is bad with confrontations like these. I don't want to make it worse. What if he freaks out? Or think I am doubting our own relationship? That would be a big mess."

"Not talking about it makes it worse, Rocky... But I can't tell you what to do in your own relationship. No one has it quite like you and Grace do. We won't ever fully understand the pain you two are going through." Adrian gives him an exasperated sigh. Rocky shifts his carapace backward slightly, leaning into the seat as he fiddles with the chain in his claws once more. "Right... you can't... I suppose mate counseling wouldn't work on us either."

Adrian snorts. "No... I suppose not."

When Rocky gets home, Grace is asleep on the couch, curled up on his side. His quilt has been kicked onto the floor, along with a few couch pillows, while he lies there in a deep sleep. Rocky pauses by the door for a moment, listening to his soft snores before quietly stepping inside and gently shutting it behind him.

He walks over to Grace, picking up the pillows. Carefully, he lifts Grace's feet just enough to slide two beneath them, then tucks the last one under his head before pulling the quilt back over Grace's body, making sure it's snug enough that no cold air can creep in.

Grace mumbles something under his breath that isn't quite English, most likely nonsensical dream babble, as Rocky stands there, running a claw through Grace's hair. Sometimes he wishes he truly had the chance to touch Grace. Even without his suit, it doesn't mean he can really feel him. He doesn't even have a sense of touch the way humans do, after all. Their skin is different.

"There are just so many things different about us... But that's what makes loving each other even sweeter." Rocky continues gently scratching Grace's scalp, hearing the human equivalent of a purr escape him as he lets out a contented sigh. "No matter what, I will love you, even if our compatibility doesn't even reach five percent."

Rocky sighs, brushing Grace's hair back so the stray strands won't tickle the corners of his eyes.

They were supposed to be watching a movie tonight... but it's not like Rocky cared about the movie. What he cared about was spending time with Grace. Every moment should matter...

Their lifespans… Rocky shudders at the thought. Thirty years. The thought had lingered in the back of his mind ever since before they had even returned to Erid.

He'd pushed it aside because Grace had been sick—very sick from malnutrition. Keeping him healthy had taken priority. But maybe it was finally time for the dome scientists to work together again and see if they could somehow help extend Grace's lifespan.

Would Grace even allow that? Or would he take offense? "Oh, my Grace... what should I do with you? There's still so much to do, so much left for you to live for. You don't deserve such a short lifespan. Your own biology is failing you. What should I do? What can I do?"

With one last sigh, Rocky steps away from Grace. Grace is no longer snoring. Now he's completely quiet, leaving Rocky to listen only to the slow, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

Ah… Maybe he should cook dinner before Grace slips fully into REM sleep. He'll be a mess tomorrow if he skips dinner. He'll wake up feeling sick again, miss breakfast, and probably brush it off like always. Grace had mentioned it was simply because of his age.

That thought only makes tonight feel even heavier.

Rocky heads into the kitchen, preparing everything while making sure to stay as quiet as possible. He wants to surprise Grace with tomato soup. Grace had been craving it for the past few days but never found the motivation to make it himself, even after Rocky suggested they cook it together.

Grace is just lazy like that. So Rocky will simply surprise him instead. A reward for a long day. Looking after children isn't easy. Rocky hopes Grace will love it.

Then again, despite how detached and aloof Grace often seems, he always loves everything Rocky gives him. His reactions may appear distant, and his words may sound indifferent, but his heart has always been in the right place.

That's why, even when Rocky begins to doubt their relationship, those doubts never last.

Because he knows how Grace feels. He really is Grace's special person.

"I think we should break up." It was the first thing Grace said at six in the morning, lying on his back in bed, staring at the ceiling. Rocky was curled up beside him, having watched him sleep since the night before. Dinner had been quiet, and even more so had Grace's heart, but Rocky had reasoned that he was probably just exhausted from work.

"What?" Rocky laughs. This had to be one of Grace's stupid morning jokes. He always got a little silly after waking up—arguably even more than he did late at night. "I think we... should break up, Rocky... I don't think we're compatible at all," Grace murmurs, slowly turning his head toward him.

Rocky flinches, slowly untucking his limbs from beneath his carapace as he raises himself. "What?" he repeats, his notes dropping low. Grace finally sits up, breathing slowly as he stares at the far wall for a long moment. "What do you mean? Grace? Grace?" Rocky crawls closer, gently shaking him by the wrist, his claws as careful as ever.

Grace simply pulls away, his face twisted with pain. "This isn't going to work, Rocky... I—we can't be together." He says it again, finally looking back at Rocky. He's leaking. Rocky startles, instinctively crawling closer to wipe away the tears. But Grace does it himself instead, his breath hitching as he struggles to steady it.

"What are you talking about, Grace? You're being stupid again. It's only six in the morning, your alarm just rang. Calm down," Rocky says, reaching out again. Grace swats his claw away. Rocky flinches. What was that for? His carapace ached with pain and hurt from that move.

Grace's breath catches again, guilt flashing across his face before he looks away, wrapping his arms around himself. "I didn't sleep at all, Rocky," he mutters. Rocky freezes. "But—you were... Your heart... it was calm. Your breathing. You were asleep," he whispers. He was asleep. Rocky was sure of it.

Grace only lets out another shaky breath before throwing off his quilt. He shrugs on the cardigan draped over the back of his desk chair, slips into his sandals, and walks out of the room.

"Grace? Wait—! Grace! Please, what is going on with you?" Rocky rushes after him, his claws scrabbling against the floor. Grace heads straight for the bathroom. He splashes water over his face and stands silently before the mirror.

"Grace! What is wrong with you? Talk to me properly! Are you saying you're breaking up with me? Why? Just because of our compatibility? What does that even mean? And where did this even come from?" Rocky demands, furious now, stomping one claw against the floor.

Grace doesn't answer. He turns the sink back on, rinses out his mouth, spits into the sink, then wipes another wet hand over his face. Rocky stomps his claw again, louder this time. "Grace," he growls. “Speak to me properly. Like a normal adult human!”

"It won't work, okay!" Grace finally snaps, throwing his hands into the air. "I looked into it. Studied it, even. The statistics, the probabilities, all of it. It won't work. I'm human. You're an Eridian. Two months in, and I've already realized we're limited by everything!"

Rocky instinctively takes a step back. "So what? I don't care about that," he argues. Grace lets out a sharp inhale. "I care, Rocky... I care..." He swallows hard, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. "This isn't fair... I like you so much, Rocky. Love you, even."

Rocky trembles. "I do too. I love you so, so, so much, Grace. My Grace."

His voice is weak, his carapace aching as he listens to Grace's tears fall from his tear ducts, only for Grace to keep wiping them away with the back of his hand. "That's just it..." Grace whispers. "It's not fair to either of us. I've thought about this for a long time... a whole month, even. It hurts to admit it, but we're not... compatible... We're not meant to be together."

Rocky stumbles backward, his limbs nearly giving out beneath him as a jumble of confused, broken notes escapes his throat. "What? Wha—what? What does that mean? That shouldn't matter. We already know our biologies are different. You're human and I'm an Eridian. But that shouldn't matter, right? You said you love me. I love you too." His words are almost a whisper, his notes sinking so low that Grace can barely hear them.

Grace makes a face at that. "See? I can't even hear you properly. Rocky…" he whispers. "I'm sure you've realized it too. I'm not stupid, Rocky."

"I didn't say anything," Rocky whispers, trembling with pain. All his hearts ache. It feels like he's being split open by Grace's fingers, like one of those oranges he loves to eat. It's like Rocky is bleeding out in the open, torn in half as Grace hurts him again and again. It's not fair—he doesn't want this. Why is it so sudden?

"You didn't have to. You just hoped I wouldn't realize anything at all and pretended everything was okay. I waited for you to bring up the topic… about our differences, and what we should do. But you never did… And slowly I realized that it won't work. I want to kiss you, hold you, without burning myself or burning your insides. I want to hear your singing without you having to force your voice just so I can hear you at the right frequency. Don't you get it? We still have this wall between us. You're giving so much, and I can barely give you anything."

Grace sobs, then walks past Rocky, who stumbles back again, letting him pass as he rushes into the kitchen, wiping his face and sniffing. "We'll find a way." Rocky chases after him, his limbs trembling. "In what? Under thirty years? Find a way so we can finally touch? Then another thirty, and I'll be dead by then?" Grace asks, swiveling around with a frustrated huff.

"Don't say that! I'll find a way! What is wrong with you? Our differences are what make us love each other more! This is just a hurdle we have to get past. You still have another thirty years until I find a way to elongate your lifespan. I'll find a way. Grace. Please, just… think about this. We're not breaking up. I don't accept this decision at all. How long have you been sitting on this? Grace? Grace!"

Rocky cries out when Grace refuses to respond, only turning his head away before finally crossing his arms over his chest. "It's been a while…" Grace says, his voice low and grave. Rocky shifts back in surprise. A while? How long is that “a while” of him?

That means Grace has been thinking about this? For so long? Was it really just a month, or more than that? Has he been carrying this the entire time? Is this why he'd become so aloof around Rocky?

"I never… realized it before we started dating. It felt more painful to think about it after we got together. I love you, Rocky. I really do… But it hurts me, thinking about every difference we have. I'll die soon, Rocky. I really will. We can't be together because I'll hurt you," Grace whispers, his shoulders shuddering as he lowers his head with another sniff.

"You don't hurt me," Rocky says, his voice small. Grace lifts his head again, smiling painfully. "What do you call this, then?" he asks. You’re doing this on purpose, Rocky thought with great pain as he trembles and shivers. "You can't do this, Grace. Can't you give me time to think about it? Don't I have a say in this too? It isn't just up to you, Grace." Rocky slowly moves closer before grasping Grace's pant leg tightly with his claws, refusing to let go. Grace squeezes his eyes shut and turns his head away.

"Grace? You still love me, yes? Please, give me time to fix this, to find a way. Don't do this…" Rocky tugs at his pant leg again, this time with more force, until Grace reaches down and rests a palm against Rocky's carapace. Rocky freezes.

"I—I'm so sorry…" Grace whispers. "I wish it were under different circumstances… I didn't—I love you so much… that I'm willing to part from you."

"Please! Give me time to think about this. Stop talking, Grace. My Grace, please, let me think about it first. I will find a way. We have a long time." Rocky pulls him close, trembling in fear. He can’t just lose him like this, he can’t!

"It isn't long for you. It's just thirty years," Grace whispers with a wet laugh. "It's not just thirty years. It's your thirty years. Please? Grace? Don't do this to me. If you love me so much, you won't do this… Please… Let me find a way.” Rocky trembles harder, his notes climbing into a higher pitch.

Grace lowers himself onto his knees and hugs Rocky tightly. "I'm sorry. Fu—fuck, I'm sorry. I'm so stupid. I'm sorry…" Grace whispers as Rocky presses his carapace against Grace's chest. "I will find a way… I just need time," Rocky whispers, his notes tumbling together into a jumbled mess. He would've been made fun of by everyone if they'd heard him crying like a bumbling child.

But the thought of losing Grace is enough to make him cry like this. "I don't think there will be time," Grace whispers. And Rocky trembles even harder at that.

Rocky is not a coward… He is not a coward—but he takes a train to his home colony, almost an Earth day away from the bio dome, away from Grace, away from the main city. None of his siblings are there, he knows, but right now he needs peace. He needs the sea—the Eridian sea—to think.

Funny as it is to admit, he'd never really been a city Eridian. He grew up on a farm with his siblings before their parents managed to secure good jobs in the largest city on Erid. They all moved there, where they could finally afford to send their children to school.

He misses weeding out bad plants with his siblings, playing in the hard, coarse dirt, exploring the cave near their house, and playing house with his friends. He was always the kid whenever they played, simply because he was the smallest out of all of them. He misses hanging singing crystals in that cave too—beautiful, resonant ones that he'd sing along with, alongside the little metal toys he'd soldered himself with the help of one of his siblings.

"Now reaching Gria. Please don't forget your luggage when stepping out. We hope you had a pleasant ride, and please come by again!"

The speakers blare overhead as Rocky sits in his cubby. He has no luggage, nothing with him. Just the plain sweater Grace had knitted, the first thing he'd grabbed in his rush to leave and give himself a chance—some space—to think. He hadn't even had time to feel guilty for leaving Grace behind.

There isn't even any anger toward Grace for wanting to break off their relationship. Just because of their different biologies… If he could hiss while saying those words, he would have. But it's not as though either of them can change what they are. They're two different species from two different planets, after all.

He doesn't know how many times he's repeated that to himself. So many that he's lost count—or perhaps he simply doesn't care anymore.

He'll find a way to fix this. He will. He has to.

When Rocky steps off the train and slowly makes his way out of the station, he's greeted by the silence that comes with Gria. The naturally low population of Eridians makes the town quiet even on its busiest days. He walks down the stone steps, his mind strangely empty.

He came here to think, to plan his next course of action. Instead, there's nothing. It's almost unfair that he'd wasted nearly a day away from Grace just to end up with this strange bodily response to peace and tranquility. He should probably head to the sea, though it's only a fifteen-minute walk from here.

The town is the same as ever—a cluster of caves reinforced with sturdy minerals, gates guarding their entrances. He senses a few children kicking a ball between themselves, passing it back and forth before bouncing it excitedly atop their carapaces.

He needs to think. But his head is still empty.

Is it even possible to make an anti-aging medicine? To stop Grace from dying of old age? Is it possible to create technology that would allow humans and Eridians to touch? Would anyone even fund something like that? There is only one human, after all, and the need for technology that would let Rocky touch Grace isn't nearly as important as the council's other projects.

The council has no reason to invest in technology made solely for Grace. But they might approve research into an anti-aging medicine—something that could extend Grace's lifespan. That would benefit Erid too. Grace could continue working for them, continue contributing to the planet as a whole.

Rocky sighs.

Even with all these thoughts swirling through his head, his mind still feels so numbingly empty. Maybe it's the shock of losing Grace. Maybe the mere thought of Grace breaking up with him has pushed him into such a strange state that he can't think of anything beyond the certainty that he'll lose Grace if he doesn't find a way to fix this.

That thought sends him spiraling into panic and dread—Only for the shock to swallow him whole again. It's been a constant cycle ever since he boarded that train. Right now, at least, he's calming down. Slightly. Sensing his old home nearby has never felt better.

It's empty now, turned into one of the colony's small tourist attractions—the place where their savior, Rocky, grew up before moving to the city. It's almost saddening to stand before it. The house is empty now. None of the crystals his siblings used to hang remain, nor the handcrafted furniture their parents built themselves. Living here had meant never really having enough money to buy anything, so they made do with what they had, crafting their own furniture and tools rather than spending money they couldn't spare.

The farm is empty now too. No more livestock, no more plants. The fences are clean, meticulously maintained, most likely by the people who bought the house and turned it into their little tourist attraction. Even from outside the gate, the cave looks well cared for. It isn't as dull as it used to be because of how they always run and scamper around with his siblings, their claws always so sharp, wearing down on the stones.

It brings a slight pang to his carapace. No more memories live here. It's all gone. Now it's just an empty home.

Rocky swivels his carapace and slowly makes his way down the mountain toward the sea, where his favorite cave still lies. The trip down is a little risky. There were never any fences along the stone stairs, not even when he was younger. It had been easier back then because he was much smaller than he is now. He hadn't needed to press his carapace against the mountainside to keep himself from stumbling down like an idiot.

By the time he reaches the bottom, he's panting from nerves and the exertion of such a long climb down. He never used to fear heights. Now he does. Living in space does that to you—unable to sense what is up or down. Instead of heading straight for the shoreline, he turns toward the cave he always loved playing in first.

"It's still here…" Rocky murmurs.

He senses the dull crystals still hanging from rusting chains. Reaching out with a claw, he gently brushes one, and it sings beneath his touch. As he enters the cave, he swivels his carapace around, searching for the little nook he loved resting in when he was younger. When he finds it, he realizes it's much smaller than he remembers.

He really had grown since then, huh?

For a moment, Rocky simply stands there. The crystals jingle and sing every time his carapace brushes against them, setting off a chain reaction as they knock gently into their neighbors. The music echoes through the cave while Rocky trails a claw along the walls, feeling the carved markings—his siblings' names, his own, his playmates'. Everyone he'd brought here had left a piece of themselves behind.

It almost feels like support. Like some silent promise, giving him strength and entrusting him with something he doesn't quite understand.

He misses this. He knows he can't exactly live here again. Grace is so far away, and their dome is in the main city. He can't leave Grace alone, even if part of him longs to come home.

He wants to bring Grace here someday. "When will that someday be?" Rocky murmurs to himself as he lowers his carapace beside the nook, listening to the crystals chime together in rhythm. They sway back and forth in a cacophony of soft, familiar sounds, filling him with nostalgia.

Like... what did Grace call it? Like smelling the cold air after the first rain when the weather technology finally worked. Just like that. It does not rain on Erid, nor does it have air, but Rocky understands the feeling all the same. He listens to the sea outside, waves striking the shoreline in steady rhythm while the crystals above him continue their gentle song.

Goodness… He misses this. He misses it so much. He wishes he'd come here with a better plan. A better tomorrow for Grace. He doesn't want to lose Grace. He loves him too much. And Grace loves him just as much that he's willing to let Rocky go, just to spare him the pain of losing someone again. It hurts too much, but that's his Grace. His beautiful, leaky, brilliant Grace.

Grace believes he's a coward, but he isn't. He's brave. He's endured everything life has thrown at him and still puts everyone else before himself. He loves with everything he has.

Just like Rocky. Even if they're both technical people who know almost nothing about love after living through so much grief and pain… They still found each other. They are soulmates. Like Rocky always says, they really do deserve each other. He only wishes fate had chosen them first.

Maybe then it would've spared them the pain of trying to fix something that was never supposed to be broken at all.