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We’re cuddling in our nest (a shitton, and I don’t just causally throw that word around, of pillows and blankets), cuddling with each other and binge-watching Steven Universe on my laptop.
We’re about a few weeks into our journey to Erid, so I haven’t run out of real food yet. I still worry about it a lot, though, sometimes can’t even sleep because of it, so Rocky had to nearly drag me by the hair to sit down with him and just relax. I’m not complaining.
We’re on the episode where Steven meets Connie when I feel it.
For a moment I think I’ve finally started hallucinating from stress but the weird fuzzy sensation I feel on my side doesn’t stop.
“Whuh- Rocky? What’s happening?” I ask, raising my eyebrow.
Rocky perks up. “What happening, question? What Grace mean, question?”
“What’s happening with you, I mean.”
“What Grace mean, question?” Rocky asks a little harshly, clearly starting to get a little frustrated with me.
I motion with my hand to all of my rocky friend. “Your body. It’s… shaking? Vibrating?” I stay quiet for a beat, straining my ears to listen. “And I think you’re making sounds too.”
Rocky freezes. “Am not,” he warbles with unease.
“You are!”
“Is not. Am not!” But the sounds are only getting louder.
“You won’t fool me, Rock” I chuckle.
My friend only grumbled stubbornly, not saying anything. The vibrations only got louder and louder and my amusement was slowly shifting into concern.
“Dude, you’ve seriously got to tell me what’s wrong.” I was getting a little nervous now. “I don’t know if you’re in pain, or upset, or—“
“Nothing bad, Grace stop worry now!” Rocky exclaimed, squirming a little.
“Then tell me!”
I felt a rocky claw boink my forehead.
“Ow! What was that for?” My voice cracked almost embarrassingly as I shrieked. I clutched my hurting forehead with a frown, massaging it slightly. He must’ve hit me through the mesh panel of his ball.
“Grace be quiet! Only making Rocky nervous more,” Rocky let out what might’ve sounded like a growl, yet lacked any sort of heat.
He remained still for a moment, only gently tapping on the glass of his ball - a gesture I’ve come to realize he made while deep in thought. Then,
“Grace remember when show Rocky Earth animal videos, question?”
“Uh, yeah, I do,” I answered, not understanding what it had to do with the situation.
“Grace remember small fluffy animal with pointed ears?”
It took me a second before I answered, “You mean cats?”
Rocky did some jazz hands before continuing, “Grace tell me a lot about animal before, how it function and act, statement.” He was getting more cagey with each second.
“Yeah…” I answered carefully, struggling to understand what point Rocky was trying to make.
Rocky didn’t say anything more and just sat still in his ball. It seemed he was waiting for me to connect the dots. Alright, brain, let’s think. Strange vibrations, noises, cat-like behav—
I turned to Rocky so fast it should’ve hurt and gaped at him.
“You’re purring!” I gasped with shock and amusement.
“Yes yes, whatever Grace saying,” Rocky grumbled, curling on himself. I quickly realize he’s embarrassed.
I had no idea eridians could purr! Well, to be honest it didn’t sound exactly like a cat’s purr, Rocky’s an alien for fudge’s sake, so I guess it’s fair I didn’t notice at first.
“Aw, that’s so cute!” I giggled, tapping on Rocky’s ball.
“Not cute! Is embarrassing. Not suppose to happen.” I almost felt bad for snickering when he made a turning-around motion, knowing dang well that barely did anything. If he had a face I know he’d be blushing so hard right now.
Rocky lowered his carapace so that it was almost touching the floor and hid behind his legs in what I’m suspecting was shame.
“Hey, Rocky, I’m not mad.” I’m not sure why I would be, to be honest, but if it’s gonna reassure him in any way then I should at least try.
“Rocky know know know, just feel embarrassed,” came the reply. “This usually happen near very special person. Not necessarily mate! Just close close friend.” He fidgeted with his claw a little.
I couldn’t help but tear up a little at his little confession. Well, I should’ve known it by now, we’re inseparable and that’s also literally the main reason cats purr too. Still. Love that guy.
“Awh, c’mere Rock,” I sniffled and opened my arms in which he immediately rolled his ball into, pressing himself close to the barrier between us.
“Sorry didn’t tell Grace earlier. Was scared Grace think Rocky want to be mates.”
And thank God that wasn’t the case. “That’s alright, bud.” I patted the ball a few times affectionately.
“Grace want to be mates, question?”
“NO.”