Chapter Text
There was a time where Ryland genuinely believed he would die alone in space. Sent to his death by someone he trusted, and his closest friend did nothing to stop it. It took him a while to remember who he was, and it was not pleasant living with the memories in silence.
Then Rocky came along. Rocky helped him a lot with the horrible memories that flashed into his mind suddenly, and he was a great help in figuring out how to save their stars. They eventually discovered Taumoeba, no matter how much Rocky hated the name, and parted ways to save their individual planets.. and a leak sprung.
Eventually, they came together again and Ryland sent back the Beatles to Earth. They decide to both go to Erid, as you all know…
But surprisingly, there was already an enclosure of sorts that was perfect for Grace? It was like a mini chunk of Earth. Grass, trees, flowers, air, a cottage of sorts in the center. Who could possibly live there? They certainly didn’t know Grace was coming to stay.
—
Upon landing on Erid, after Rocky acclimated to its gravity and Grace still hiding in the Hail Mary due to it, a large team of Eridians move the ship inside of the biodome.
Grace finally clambers out into the oxygen filled, simulated nature-decorated dome. He looks around, and is met by Rocky and Adrian in their own xenonite suits. Grace is taken aback at the sight.
Adrian is.. beautiful, to say the least.
An iridescent teal hue with dark brown spots on their limbs from Rocky. Tall, taller than Grace.. probably about 6’5. The top of their carapace twists slightly to the left, with rounded but jagged divets along their sides. Several markings Grace can’t quite decipher yet decorate their limbs and sides, appearing to be a sort of familial crest, or.. perhaps their version of human ‘tattoos’? He would need to at least say hi first before finding that out. How long has he been ogling Rocky’s mate? He’s been staring for too long. Oh my god, just be normal for two seconds! Hurry up, say something!
“Grace okay, question? Grace stay still long time.”
Rocky breaks into Grace’s train of thought, trotting forward towards him.
“Oh, uh.. Y-Yeah, sorry bud! Just surprised. I mean, uh… Look at this stuff!”
Grace tries to deflect, unsure how Rocky would feel about him admiring his mate he just met. Grace waves his hands in a wide gesture to the entire biodome, a confused smile on his face.
“I mean, wow.. How did you guys replicate Earth nature so well? And.. I doubt it’s all for me, given the fact that I just got here.”
Grace puts a hand on his hip.
“Adrian found other Earth form! Is human, like Grace! Is.. different human.”
Rocky supplies quickly, clearly excited.
“…Adrian found human, yes. Simon is.. shy.”
Adrian agrees, their voice a soothing combination of coos and chitters. A bit deeper than Rocky’s.
“..Simon? Their name is Simon?”
Grace looks over at the cottage curiously.
“Well, I don’t want to intrude.. I assume he knows we’re here, so he’ll come say hi when he’s ready, right?”
Grace tilts his head thoughtfully.
“Yes, Simon come see new human soon. Simon need time to.. adjust. Simon has not seen another human in long long long time.”
Adrian confirms.
Grace then realizes he STILL has not greeted nor introduced himself to Adrian.
“Oh- where are my manners- Sorry! My name is Doctor Captain Ryland Grace!”
He greets quickly, extending a hand for a handshake with Adrian.. before slowly pulling it away at the lack of acknowledgment of the gesture.
“Adrian knows who new human is. Rocky cannot stop talking about Grace. Rocky likes Grace lot lot lot.”
Adrian lets out a trill of almost condescending amusement.
“Have many stories!!! Miss Adrian so much!! Is happy!”
Rocky chitters, bumping his carapace against Adrian’s. Adrian lets out a surprised coo, but then a lower, much fonder noise of agreement.
“Adrian miss Rocky more than Rocky knows.”
Adrian responds in a much quieter tone, and the two engage in a slow, loving exchange of sound and song.
Grace watches intently, having obviously never witnessed such a thing. It was.. adorable, really. It was clear how much the two Eridians loved each other, even after all of these years apart. Eventually, they came to a stop, and Adrian turns to address Grace again.
“New Grace help Rocky save Erid. Grace deserves a home. .. Adrian will have construction team build home for Savior Grace.”
Adrian informs, tapping a fore claw on the soft dirt below them thoughtfully.
“…Savior Grace would like home like Simon? Or would like different?”
Grace smiled fondly at Adrian, scratching the back of his neck.
“Oh, I don’t need anything fancy.. Whatever works best for you guys! I don’t wanna be a bother.”
“Grace is not bother! Grace help save all of Erid! Grace is big big important!” Rocky insists, stomping his fore arms.
“Oh geez.. Okay, okay, fine. Uhm.. I’m not too picky.. A house like Simon’s is okay.”
Grace sighs in defeat, looking over at the cottage again.
“Do you think he’ll mind if I go exploring?”
Grace asks absent mindedly, looking around now.
Rocky waits for Adrian’s response as they lift a fore arm and wiggles a claw.
“Unlikely. Simon may get more used to Savior Grace presence. Is good.”
Grace nods, biting his lower lip thoughtfully for a very short moment.
“Hmm.. I probably will in a little while. But I wanna learn more about you guys! I wanna see what’s out there!”
He points outside, past the xenonite glass containing them, and moves towards it. He squints his eyes through the thick darkness of the atmosphere of Erid, only being able to see out roughly 30 feet from the light seeping from the dome. The two Eridians follow, letting out a few coos to echolocate what Grace was seeing.
“Huh.. funky stuff. Where exactly is our dome? Are we.. Are we in the middle of nowhere, are we in a city?”
Grace questions, rightfully so due to the fact that he can hardly see out. All he can see is some slabs of.. some sort of concrete? And some sort of building? Or tall rock? Or.. Another Eridian?? Unclear, obviously.
Adrian lets out an amused coo.
“Biodome was built in Erid’s largest science center. Is also in public area of center. Sometimes pebbles will come visit.”
Adrian explains, and Rocky ‘looks’ around curiously.
“None around right now. Is only science team.”
Grace squints harder to try and peer out. He eventually gives up in favor of not hurting his eyes, scratching the side of his head.
“You gotta let me explore sometime.”
Grace chuckles, turning to look at Rocky.
“I should probably get to packing up my stuff to move out the Hail Mary, huh?”
Grace mentions thoughtfully.
“Yes. House will be built very soon. Adrian go notify construction team.”
Adrian agrees, rubbing their carapace on Rocky’s affectionately before hurrying off.
Rocky lets out a long, drawn out coo of adoration as Adrian leaves.
“…Oh man, you really love Adrian, huh?”
Grace teases lightly, crouching to Rocky’s height.
“Oh, yes yes yes! Adrian best mate!”
Rocky prances, lifting his fore legs and wiggling his claws.
“I’m glad you have them, bud!”
Grace grins, patting the top of his suit.
Rocky soon begins to shrink in a bit.
“Hope that Adrian can be good mate for.. Grace also.”
Rocky coos softly.
Grace pauses, surprised. They had discussed courting rituals on their way to Erid, but never really.. said what they were to each other.
“…I hope so too.”
He says simply, exhaling through his nose. He stands up and brushes off non existent dirt from his jumpsuit he has tied around his waist, and begins to walk past Rocky towards the ship on a large mobile docking station within the dome.
“Come on, bud. Help me pack, yeah?”
Grace waves a hand welcomingly, and Rocky bounds after him with a happy chitter.
*I hope Adrian likes me, even if not as a mate.* Grace thinks as they head off, chatting aimlessly with Rocky while they gather their things from the ship.