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Rocky has gotten used to hearing all the noises, Grace's body made. They knew what it was supposed to sound like but lately things had changed. They were aware, that Grace was starving. He ate the taumoeba, it gave him calories but it couldn't provide the nutrients Grace needed. The scientists had started to work on food for Grace shortly after they had arrived on Erid, they had figured out some things, but not everything he needed and Grace was getting weaker. Rocky heard his heart, it usually beat at different speeds, got pretty slow at night. But now it sounded weak, like it was struggling to move at all. Rocky sat next to Grace, listening intently to every beat. Every beat showing them, Grace was still alive, but also showing them, that he might not be alive for much longer.
Grace was weak, he barely got up anymore, the doctors tried their best to help him but it wasn't enough. Rocky didn't think they could bear it if Grace died now, not after what he had done for Erid and for Rocky.
"It's all right," Grace said and placed a hand on Rocky's xenonite suit. "I knew I would die, if I'd return, but it was the only way to save Erid, it was worth it," Grace said. Rocky knew, Grace didn't want to die. They simply couldn't accept that Grace would die.
"No," Rocky said simply. They knew, logically that it was the right decision but it didn't change the fact, that Grace would most likely die soon. They buried themselves closer to Grace, not knowing, what they would do. There must be a way. They were terrified everytime they went to sleep that Grace would be gone once they woke up, they wanted to stay awake, but it didn't work like this. Maybe they would figure it out in time.
Grace's hearbeat got stronger. It was still incredibly weak, but it got better. Grace looked so different from when they had met, he was thin, most of his flesh was simply gone, he had lost two teeth, Grace hat told them that this was a symptom of one of the illnesses he most likely had. But now they had managed to get the most important nutrients synthesized. And Rocky barely left Grace's side, they listened to Grace's heart, wanted to hear every beat, every beat proof that Grace was still alive, that Grace was getting better. Grace was moving more, he started to walk again, only a few steps at a time but it got better.
Rocky watched every step of Grace's recovery, every step he took, every beat of his heart, every time the doctors checked up on him and every bite he ate, even though eating still was disgusting. The others were judging them for not letting Grace eat alone but they didn't care. They knew humans preferred eating in company and Rocky had to see the nutrients getting into his body or they would freak out. They were freaking out regardless but they would be freaking out more. So they sat with Grace when he ate, they paid attention to it and they tried to hide how disgusting they found it.
"You know, you don't have to sit with me when I eat, it's fine," Grace said at some point.
"No, I have to make sure, you eat, I have to make sure you don't die," Rocky insisted. Grace smiled and put a hand on the xenonite suit. There was some food sticking on the hand and Rocky instinctively took a step back. Grace laughed. He really laughed, it still sounded weak but Rocky had missed his laugh, they forgot about the smear of food and sung along Grace's laugh.
"I will be fine, I'm not dying anymore and I promise you, I'm eating."
He was right, he was getting much better. His heart was almost sounding normal again. He still looked sick and struggled with movement, but he was getting better.