Chapter Text
It happens whilst their orbiting Erid, Rocky says they'll be making contact with Eridian's anytime now but that's not the main focus. Rocky, in his excitement about the prospect of returning home had been putting off sleep.
It seemed to catch up to him now and if he had a face Grace was sure he'd be pouting, if his put out tone is anything to go by. "Rocky sleep now, Grace watch question,?" he says, voice soft. Grace nods before verbally confirming, "Yeah bud, I got you".
Pressing his hand against the xenonite separating him and Rocky and grinning when Rocky does the same. Despite his statement, Grace sees him hesitating, fiddling with his claws. "Don't worry, you taught me Eridian remember! If they make contact with the ship, I'll be able to communicate", he states, confident in Rocky's teaching.
The remaining tension drains from Rocky's form, "Ok", he settles, loafing as Grace likes to call it, "Trust, Grace". After saying that he stills, obviously he was more exhausted that the scientist thought. Shaking his head fondly, he grabs his laptop and quilt then snuggles up to Rocky's warmth, seeping through the xenonite.
He starts watching, something before huffing and changing it, "Boringggg", he says to himself. He starts slipping into his headspace as he puts on Seasame Street, humming along and bobbing his head to the songs. He's so engrossed, in the colourful Muppets, he startles badly when Mary's radio, crackles to life.
He jumps to his feet, laptop crashing to the ground, forgotten in his haste. "Uhmm", he mumbles, worriedly glancing between his sleeping caregiver and the radio.
"Unidentified aircraft. You are orbiting planet Erid, please state your intentions", an Eridian voice comes over the comms. It makes Ryland feel increasingly more antsy, flapping his hands nervously, stamping his feet and whining in distress.
"I repeat, unidentified aircraft, you are orbiting planet Erid. State your intentions", the voice sounds angry now and it scares Ryland. He curls in on himself, shaking slightly before his eyes fall on his sleeping caregiver. Rocky trusts him, he can't let him down!
He takes a deep breath, "I be brave", he says nodding resolutely. Contrasting his statement, he nervously shuffles over to the console. He presses the button and whistles out the greeting Rocky taught him.
"Hello Erid! I Friend Grace, safe, safe, safe, no harm, statement", he whistles, making sure to add the happy trill Rocky taught him at the end. He's meet with silence so he continues, eternally grateful Rocky taught him both their names, "Papa Rocky sleep, sleep, sleep, Grace watch."
He stares at the radio wondering what else to say when the voice from earlier comes back, notably softer now. "Savior Rocky on ship question?" . Ryland nods, some of the nerves in his tummy settling at their gentle tone, before remembering they can't see him.
"Yes, yes, yes. Grace, Rocky big science. Solve sol problem! Save earth, save Erid! Good job, good job!", he whistles excitedly, hands waving in celebration, like Rocky showed him. Another pause, this time Ryland waits patiently, fiddling with his fingers.
Even in his littlespace he can understand the revelation that they solved the astrophage problem and that Erid is saved is a big one. The voice comes back, excitement evident in their tone, "Friend Grace is Eridian question?".
"No", he responds a little sad, "Grace human, Papa Rocky know words better. Explain better", he says, nodding proudly.
"How old is Grace question?", the voice asks after a shorter pause. Ryland is so glad numbers is something Rocky had the foresight to teach him, and most of them he can say.
"I'm 32 years old!", he states proudly, beaming with pride. Although right now he feels closer 2 years, maybe 2 ½ but he didn't think he could explain that well with his vocabulary nor did he feel up to it.
His statement is meet with a shriek of shock, as if the Eridian on the other side has forgotten to release the button used for speaking. It makes Ryland jump and then giggle. He guesses all Eridians are a bit silly like his Papa, who reacted the same way to the information.
"We understand pebble Grace, Eridian crew come up to collect you and Savior Rocky, now. Erid thanks you both", the voice says, tone softening even further and matching Ryland's chirp of excitement. He's to far in his headspace to bristle at being called a pebble, after all his Papa refers to him the same way!
It makes him feel all bubbly, that the Eridian's know he's small and don't seem to mind. He's broken out of his happy thoughts when he remembers something very important, "Wait! Grace air bad bad bad for Eridian, you get uhm," he pauses, frantically trying to remember the word for hurt.
"Need word," he mumbled to himself, clenching his fists. "You get hurt! Ouchie", he whistles back, satisfied he remembered the word.
"How Savior Rocky on ship question?", the voice asks, sounding concerned. Ryland is quick to reassure them.
"Papa Rocky in ball! Safe, safe, safe. Team come on Grace ship in ball too!" He says excitedly, trilling his excitement once more. The sound is one of his favorites to make.
"Understand, thank you pebble Grace. Good job, good job, talk Eridian very good. Crew come up and take sample of atmosphere and see Savior Rocky", the voice states before the line cuts.
Ryland misses the conversation almost immediately but it does little to quell his excitement. He jumps up and down, squealing, 'They did it! They were going home!' He wishes his Papa was awake but understands how important his rest is.
He quickly snuggles back up to the xenonite, the rush of adrenaline and emotions leaving him feeling a little tired. He yawns, pulling his blanket around himself, "We did it Papa", he whispers softly, grin still in place and his eyes drift shut.