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Grace sat cross legged on the floor of his living-room, twisted slightly at an angle in order to lean against Rocky as the credits rolled across his laptop screen. The biodome transitioning into its nightly cycle as the screen turned dark and Rocky made a low hum of disappointment.
“Hey bud, can I ask you a question?” Grace asked idly pulling the blanket closer around his shoulders as he rested his head against the top of Rocky’s suit.
“Of course!” Rocky trilled happily.
“We’ve been here for a while now, what five maybe six years?” Grace said, tilting his head slightly when Rocky nodded. “How come you and Adrian haven’t had a pebble of your own yet?”
“Already have pebble.”
“What?!” Grace Spluttered sitting up to stare at Rocky. “You guys have a pebble? Why haven’t I met them? Are they in my class?”
Rocky laughed softly. “Grace is Rocky and Adrian’s pebble.”
“I’m a 44-year-old man!” Grace protested. “I’m practically middle aged.”
“Yes, baby pebble.” Rocky cooed and Grace rolled his eyes affectionately as Rocky ruffled his hair through the xenonite suit. “Rocky and Adrian responsible for Grace, need to take care of him. Just like a pebble.”
“I mean that’s kind of sweet but again, grown man. Right here.” Grace laughed. “It’s nice that you guys want to take care of me but I’m doing fine. I have everything I need, I’m happy here Rock you don’t have to worry.”
“Grace almost die to get Rocky home; to get Rocky back to Adrian. We will never be able to repay Grace for everything he did. Not just for Rocky, but for Erid too.” Rocky hummed quietly and Grace swallowed. “Rocky and Adrian talk about it for a long time. We make decision together to take good care of Grace; Grace is part of our family.”
Grace smiled, his eyes wet as he leaned back in to rest his cheek against the suit. “Thank you. But you don’t have to miss out on your own pebbles for me.”
“Not missing out.” Rocky stated. “Compared to human Rocky and Adrian still young, plenty of time to have pebbles when Grace leaves.”
Grace smiled sadly, explaining to not just Rocky and Adrian but to the entire planet of Erid that humans did not live as long had been hard. He hadn’t gone into the details, but Grace knew that we would probably die young even with all of Rocky and Adrian’s engineering and care.
His time in space, the coma, the gravity of Erid and lack of real oxygen. His body wasn’t designed to withstand that kind of pressure for long. Eventually it would catch up to him, he would be lucky to make it past 60 which was fine.
It was still longer than Stratt had given him out in space.
“Grace leaking,” Rocky stated, making a disgusted sound when Grace sniffed loudly.
“I’m fine, just a bit emotional.” Grace laughed softly rubbing at the tears when Rocky pressed up against the suit, his and Grace’s make-shift hug. “You and Adrian don’t have to repay me, you saved me too and we saved Earth and Erid together. Without you I would never have made it as far as we did. You saved me, twice in fact.” Grace added.
“But Grace gave up Earth for Rocky.”
Grace smiled. “No. The earth gave up on me. Coming here with you was the best decision I have ever made.”
“Rocky glad,” Rocky whistled, clicking his claws happily. “Adrian and Rocky very lucky to have a pebble like Grace.”
Grace laughed, wiping his eyes as he sat up. “I’m very lucky to have a family like you and Adrian.”
“Rocky knows, Rocky best parent.”
“You’re alright, Adrian is my favourite though.” Grace teased, chuckling when Rocky huffed.
“Grace?”
“Yeah bud?”
“Can we watch another one? Spend more time together.” Rocky asked and Grace felt himself well up again as he nodded.
“Of course.” Grace whispered, reaching out to hit play on whatever was queued up next on the screen. He slid down a little resting more of his weight against Rocky as the screen lit up.
He was finally home.