Chapter Text
Adrian hates him.
There’s just no way Adrian doesn’t.
Ryland Grace, the savior of two planets that will possibly never meet each other, was having the worst time of his life.
He had survived the trip to Erid after saving Rocky and using the Hail Mary for the long journey, but he practically went through hell just to endure and survive off of nothing but rationed food and Taumoeba.
Which, by the way, was difficult to keep down the first few times and he vomited it out more often than he liked to admit, already wasting the limited amount of food that was able to keep him alive.
But he’s here in Erid, in recovery, and being looked after by a large group of Eridian doctors and Rocky’s mate who definitely hates Grace.
Grace couldn’t really tell in the beginning. He was too busy blacking in and out of consciousness and trying not to die from how severely malnourished he was. Getting scurvy and beriberi was not something he'd rather go through again. Thankfully, he wasn’t in those critical stages of dying anymore and was able to relax in his makeshift “hospital bed” that Erid had provided for him while Rocky cheerfully exclaimed how happy they were that they finally made it back home safe and sound and that Rocky and their people would take good care of Grace.
It was what Rocky had promised after all when Grace sacrificed the opportunity of ever returning home.
Grace gave Rocky and his team of Eridian doctors a weak smile. He believed it, sure.
But well… Adrian was an entirely different problem.
The Eridian was larger than Rocky. Massive actually, with pretty green and blue coloring that had swirling patterns. Adrian was eye-catching. Practically the first one that Grace’s eyes had landed on and couldn’t stop looking at. It had reminded Grace of the ocean back home.
So, with him still dealing with the aftereffects of being half-dead and being too weak to think properly, he had blurted out a random comment during their first meeting when he was being ushered to a random place for critical care. That was when Adrian had anxiously come to see Rocky, bumping into Grace first instead.
“You’re very pretty,” Grace slurred out, brain all mushed together and acting stupid. “You remind me of my home.”
He couldn’t quite remember what else happened. He had unfortunately passed out and wouldn’t wake up for days.
So, when he managed to wake up and slowly recovered enough to where he could hold a conversation with Rocky, the Eridian had recalled the embarrassing moment of his first meeting with Adrian. Grace was so ashamed of himself for the comment and thought it would’ve been better have just died right then and there, or starve to death back in space.
“Grace still embarrassed about first meeting, question?”
Rocky was beside him on the bed, helping Grace sit up after two weeks of recovery. Grace sighs, simply shaking his head and telling Rocky not to worry about it.
“Rocky is not worried at all. Grace is the one that is worried,” Rocky points out bluntly. “First meeting went great!”
“Rocky, buddy, I passed out in front of everyone.”
“First meeting with everyone might be bad, but Rocky thinks it still went great for Grace and Adrian!”
“I-I don’t know about that. It doesn’t seem like it.”
“But Grace and Adrian still meet up a few times afterwards. Adrian likes listening to you, statement. Grace and Adrian are getting along very well!”
How can Grace explain that Rocky’s words of comfort about Adrian liking him didn’t do much to help settle the unease in his stomach? They were stuck in space for a very long time together after all, and Adrian must have been missing Rocky so much and thought they’d be able to spend time with their mate once reunited.
Instead, Rocky is here with Grace.
Not with Adrian.
Grace.
Despite how thankful Grace was for the company, knowing full well it’s due to separation anxiety, he felt absolutely terrible being the reason why Rocky is barely with Adrian. After all, all Rocky ever talked about back in Hail Mary was Adrian and how much they loved their mate, so it’d make more sense for them to be together back in their home nest instead.
But Grace doesn’t want to say anything and make Rocky worry. He knows how much his friend wanted them to get along.
So, he shuts his mouth and nods here and there to Rocky comforting him.
“Adrian likes, likes Grace! Very much so! Rocky tell stories of what happened in space and Hail Mary!” Rocky exclaims, his appendages waving around in excitement. “Adrian will come soon and say hello again!”
“Oh, uh… will you also be here with us?”
“Cannot. Must speak with the leaders first about Taumoeba.”
“Is everything alright?”
“Yes! Nothing to worry about. Rocky will come back later! Grace have more fun with Adrian and talk.”
Grace gives him a weak wave of goodbye, finding it already hard to separate from his friend.
Man, he’s got to stop being so anxious without Rocky all the time. His nerves get all jumpy and he feels restless in bed. So much so that he couldn’t help but feel so jittery all the time, always on edge and whatnot.
Eventually, one of the Eridian doctors was kind enough to ask if Grace needed anything. He was hesitant in saying how cooped up in bed he was and lied, though they were quick to notice it and simply said they were more than willing to provide whatever they could to make him feel more comfortable.
It was the least Erid could do for their savior!
“Savior Grace! Let everyone know!” The doctor pitches, their appendages waving around erratically as if they were worried they might have made a mistake. “Erid is not Earth, may not be comfortable, but can continue to accommodate Savior Grace many, many times!”
“Ah, no, no! I’m fine! Really!”
“Savior Grace does not like it here though!”
“I do! I-I’m just a little restless, that’s all.”
“Restless, question?”
Grace pulls at his collar, face flushed with nerves. “Sometimes when a human stays still for too long, they tend to want to do something like get up and walk. I’ve been confined to the bed for a while so I can’t really get up. I’m just being fidgety, that’s all.”
“What can Erid do, question?”
“It’s nothing too serious. I’ll be fine if I just sleep it off.”
Hopefully he can use sleeping as an excuse not to see Adrian. Eridians here are adamant on watching him, especially whenever he closes his eyes to rest, so he might have a doctor or two that he’s familiar with watch over him instead of Adrian.
But the doctor taps on the edge of the bed to catch his attention. “This is serious! Savior Grace does not need to feel so bored here! What would Savior Grace like for entertainment, question?”
There’s not much they can provide for Grace that would be entertainment for him like there was back on Earth. But it was a nice gesture for them to show. Though the Eridian doctor looked so nervous despite having no facial features that Grace felt bad, needing to think of something to appease their worries.
“W-Well, I… Is the Hail Mary still good to walk into?”
~*~
Grace is fiddling with the rainbow loom kit the Eridians miraculously found stuffed in one of the extra bags they provided in the Hail Mary. Must’ve been Carl’s idea to stash in something that would keep the crew occupied during their long travel. Grace never really used it much, too busy trying to recall his lost memories and trying to pilot and trying not to die, etc.
Though he did start crafting a few useless trinkets here and there to stave off the boredom during his long, long trip to Erid. He often showed them off to Rocky and gave some to his friend.
Rocky, on the other hand, was delighted and told him quite frequently how much gift giving meant in Erid for loved ones. Grace would simply smile and tap on the xenonite nice, telling Rocky he would make more them.
Rocky would enthusiastically tap back at the glass, a little out of character for them but it must be because they really liked receiving gifts.
Plus, he really did come to love Rocky! Naturally, surprising Rocky with gifts a few times would be expected.
His thoughts were interrupted though as someone entered the small hospital dome. With the doors opening wider to accommodate the size of the Eridian, Adrian slowly entered, the light reflecting off their carapace with every movement. From up close, Grace had a better view of Rocky’s mate and how pretty their hues of blues and greens were, nearly shimmering like sparkles from every angle the light could reach.
Grace swallowed a little, already scared. “Hello, Adrian! Thanks again for coming to watch over me.”
“… Hello.”
Adrian greets him rather bluntly. Quiet.
Grace wanted to exit out of this situation immediately.
“Oh, um… I-I heard from Rocky you were working pretty hard on a new biome? If you were busy, you didn’t have to come.”
“Rocky says Savior Grace needs Adrian to watch him. Adrian will stay.”
His tone and mannerisms of speech were quite different from Rocky’s so Grace often had a harder time trying to get friendly with them. They’re very curt with him and often sat around saying nothing, leaving Grace having to be the one to make conversation whenever they were left alone.
And he’s the last person in the world, and in this world in particular, to be making conversation. He’s always ranting on and on about some nonsense that Adrian is most likely unable to understand, probably having to be forced to listen to it which makes Grace’s stomach twist into more knots.
“What… Savior Grace doing, question?”
“Making a charm.”
Adrian sits beside him on his makeshift hospital bed, looming over rather intimidatingly.
Though he should’ve been doing this sooner. It’s quite stress relieving. That is, if his clumsy hands wouldn’t stop shaking every five minutes from exhaustion.
“What is that, question?” Adrian comments again, the pitch light and very quiet.
Grace nervously hooks one band over the other, still finding it so difficult to speak with Adrian.
“This is a kit that children would often play with back on Earth to make lots of bracelets or other things. I’m using it as a way to relieve stress, but it’s mostly because I can’t sit still and need something to work on.”
“… Understood.”
Grace doesn’t know if it was just him being paranoid again but he’s sure that Adrian was staring intently at his hands and the rainbow loom kit. They weren’t a very talkative creature, nor did they act like Rocky who moves around and gestures a lot. Though that’s probably because Rocky learned to copy Grace’s frantic hand gestures back in space.
After a while of uncomfortable silence and messing up too many times to count, Grace slowly pulled back on the finishing end of his loom creation and held up a wonky formation of a star. It’s definitely pitiful to look at, and it must’ve been nothing more than a ball of clump to Adrian as well.
Grace sighs and tosses it at the edge of his bed, already wanting to start and make a better one.
Adrian turns his body around slightly and stares at Grace’s creation.
“Savior Grace done, question?”
“Hm? Oh, yes. I am.”
“Finished charm for you to enjoy now.”
“Ah… no, it’s erm… not something for me to enjoy right now. It’s all messed up. It’s supposed to be a star, but the sides aren’t shaped how I want it to be. I’m just tossing it away later.”
“What does Savior Grace plan to do with new charm after?”
Grace tilts his head, thinking of an answer. “Might give it to someone.”
With his skills, he’ll be making a lot of failed loom creations. Might as well give some of them out as gifts for the Eridian doctors who’ve been taking good care of him so far.
Adrian was immediately startled though and holds one limb up.
“Give to someone! Savior Grace wants to give away gift to who, question?”
“Uh, I mean, I thought about giving one to Rocky when it’s better.”
Was that a bad thing to say? Wouldn’t Adrian mind someone giving his mate a gift or something? Perhaps Grace should’ve kept his mouth shut or come up with another excuse on gift giving.
Hastily, Grace tries to cover up for his mistake.
“But Rocky isn’t here right now! And, uh… there isn’t anyone else around me either-”
“Savior Grace plans to give to Adrian then, question?”
Grace falters right after the comment.
He didn’t expect Adrian to ask that, and he definitely wasn’t prepared to answer it. But well, Rocky did say they wanted those two to become close. Even went as far as lying to Grace about how much Adrian liked him and all.
So, Grace decided to test his luck and try to become Adrian’s friend, though it seemed like a long shot. If he gets turned down or rejected harshly, he’ll just suck it up and pretend like everything’s fine to Rocky anyways.
“I-I mean… if you want to, then yes? I’ll make a better one and give it to you.”
Grace fiddles with a new band of looms in between his fingers. He nervously glances up to see Adrian’s reaction.
But then was dumbfounded at Adrian trilling softly for the first time, catching the human off-guard. He watches a second limb rise up, waving enthusiastically.
“Adrian accepts gift! Adrian is very happy with it. Please make a lot then, statement.”
They were a lot happier being gifted than he thought.
Maybe having the rainbow loom around wasn’t such a bad idea. Grace could’ve used the time to make friendship charms a lot earlier!
“Really? You want one? I’m a little clumsy with my hands though and you might not like it.”
“Like, like very much already! Adrian will wait for Savior Grace to be done!” Adrian trills again, though a third appendage of his impatiently tapped on the ground. “Must be done now, statement.”
Grace’s lips twitched. He tries not to laugh and finds this side of Adrian a lot more comforting. Cute even.
“I’ll try my best, but don’t be too disappointed with how bad it turns out. I’m not the best at making things or giving gifts.”
“Not true! The best! Savior Grace is wonderful, statement!”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Savior Grace gave Adrian the best gift! Gave a whole planet named after Adrian! Like, like Savior Grace very much so! Adrian accepts planet name gift and more!”
The large Eridian taps on the edge of his best quickly, pitching a little louder in happier tones that were soft and pleasant to hear.
That completely stuns Grace though.
“You… like me?”
“Yes! Very, very much.”
“I thought… I mean, you didn’t seem very…”
“Very what, question?”
Grace finds himself laughing a little. Mainly at the whole situation because he did not expect this visit from Adrian to go down this route whatsoever.
“You just seemed so quiet all the time. I thought you didn’t like me at all.”
Adrian immediately lurched back, shocked by what he said. But they scooted back closer to Grace’s bed and hovers over him somewhat worriedly, one of their limbs waving around wildly.
“Not true. Rocky said Savior Grace is very weak, need much rest and more. Cannot be startled at all! Adrian can accommodate… can be very, very quiet and let Savior Grace sleep.”
“Quiet?”
“Yes! Want Savior Grace to be happy, want to be mindful of Erid’s hero! Savior Grace needs to recuperate and needs a lot of quiet in order to do so.” Adrian nervously lowers his limbs, trying not to touch the bed.
Oh.
No wonder why Adrian was always so silent during their meetings. It turns out Rocky was worried about him to the point they would tell Adrian to be careful. That was… very sweet of them.
Though Grace was even more startled to know that Rocky hadn’t lied at all.
Adrian actually really liked him! Grace was so anxious about Rocky’s mate hating him for days that he almost couldn’t believe it, but his heart felt a lot lighter and he grew relaxed.
“T-Thank you, Adrian. I’m happy to hear that, but you don’t have to be so silent. It’s nice having someone to talk to.”
“Savior Grace likes hearing Adrian speak, question?”
“Yeah, your tones are nice to listen to whenever you and Rocky communicate to each other.”
Adrian hums ecstatically. Grace smiles in return and leans back against the soft cushion of his bed, still fiddling around with another pack of rainbow loom bands and continued to make another charm. He’d go for bracelets, but he’s worried of messing those up as well with how much his hands are still trembling.
“Savior Grace is… pleased with my tone, question?”
“Of course!”
“Just as much as my appearance, question?”
“Your appearance?”
One of Adrian’s limbs tapped against the ground again, a little louder as if they were hesitant.
“Savior Grace calls Adrian pretty. Adrian reminds Savior Grace of their home! Rocky says it is a strong compliment.”
Grace widens his eyes. “Oh! Y-Yes, that’s true. I did say that, didn’t I?”
Even if they overcame the misunderstandings, he’s still so embarrassed about their first meeting that he wanted to look away from Adrian and put his hands in his face. But Adrian would not let him and continued pressing on to ask even more questions.
“Describe home. Adrian wants to know, statement.”
“Uh, well, back home Earth has large bodies of water. You reminded me of them, that’s all.”
“Such as… color, question? Rocky mentioned before. But Eridians do not know what “color” is.”
“It is when the light reflects off of surfaces.”
“Do not understand what light is.”
“Electromagnetic radiation.”
“Humans see radiation? How strange.”
Grace laughs a bit. “Not all radiation per say. Light is able to travel in different waves, and those certain waves are able to produce the colors that humans are able see.”
“Many, many colors, question?”
“Human eyes are able to see up to ten million I believe.”
Adrian is startled and thumps their limb against the ground again. Perhaps that gesture is Adrian’s way of showing surprise.
“Ten million is a lot, statement. And these colors are… pretty, question?”
“Yes.”
“Like when Savior Grace called Adrian pretty?”
Grace flushes pink. “Y-Yeah. Many are beautiful.”
“Want to know my color! Describe please!”
How is Grace supposed to explain? Back when he and Rocky were also getting used to one another and exchanged thousands of questions and descriptions of their home worlds, Grace had a hard time describing what color was to them. Even so, he described how Rocky looked like to him, that they reminded Grace especially of Earth and that he didn’t feel as homesick for his world whenever he looked at his friend.
Because Rocky was Earth to him. That brown represented home.
And while Rocky couldn’t understand the concept of colors, they understood what home was instead.
And it made Rocky so happy after Grace explained because they gave Grace a rare hug from the xenonite glass wall, humming out pleasant tones and trills.
“The oceans back home are blue and green and sometimes in between. Green is like… the trees back on Earth. Plants. The grass we step on. The forests that we have. It is everywhere. Just like the color blue. It is everywhere. Even our own skies are blue.”
“It is pleasant, question?”
“Very beautiful. The oceans are lovely to watch back on Earth.”
Adrian stays quiet for a long time and thinks, still unable to understand. They won’t ever learn to understand without eyes either, so it must bother them a lot.
“What is “beautiful”, question?”
“Oh, um… it depends. What might be beautiful to one human may not be so beautiful to another. It’s all about opinions really. But it’s like… when you experience or “see” something that catches you off-guard in a pleasant way that makes you want to relieve that experience again. Because it’s good.”
“But Savior Grace doesn’t need to. Not understand. Experiencing and “seeing” once is enough, statement.”
Grace shakes his head and fumbles with the rainbow loom bands on the board, already putting one band over the other without realizing it.
He sighs a little, “Experiencing something once might be enough for some people, but it is still nice to experience something beautiful again. It’s considered to be a nice feeling.”
“… Is it nice when Savior Grace looks at Adrian and think of home, question?”
Grace’s hands twitched without meaning to. One of the bands accidentally slips away from its peg and he’s sure to have to start over again.
He feels particularly bittersweet about home, he can’t lie. Even after all this time. But he cannot help the way he misses it and that the good feelings were still there. Perhaps Grace will forever miss home. It is inevitable.
“Yes,” Grace says softly. “I look at you and you remind me of Earth. You’re familiar-looking, and it’s a wonderful feeling thinking that I’m back home for a second instead of somewhere else I don’t know. I think…. you and Rocky would have enjoyed the ocean. I wish I could show you.”
Adrian grows silent once more and Grace worries that he might have said something wrong again. Maybe it was a little too complex for Adrian to understand. After all, they’re still two completely different species.
But Grace feels Adrian carefully pat his arm with their appendage, the thin xenonite smooth to the touch against his skin.
“Erid will bring ocean to Savior Grace.”
“… Huh?”
“If Savior Grace misses home, Erid will bring home to Savior Grace,” Adrian pitches pleasantly, trying to comfort the human in front of them. “Do not be sad. Erid will fix this. Adrian glad that Adrian looks like home to Savior Grace.”
For a second, Grace didn’t really know what to say. He thought of nodding and saying thank you, that he appreciated Adrian’s words of comfort and to tell them that there’s really no need to do that much for him. But his cheeks felt a little wet and something slips down to his trembling hands.
Grace sniffles and hurriedly covers his face with a hand, letting out small and shaky exhales that nearly turned to hiccups.
He really does miss home.
He doesn’t know if he hates it or is relieved that he still cherishes the memory of Earth.
“What is happening, question? Adrian hurt Savior Grace, question?” Adrian immediately jerked their appendage back from him, thinking that they must’ve damaged Grace’s arm.
He shakes his head though and wipes his face in a clumsy manner.
“N-No, I’m okay. You didn’t hurt me. This happens sometimes.”
“What does?”
“It’s a human thing. Crying. We tend to cry whenever we’re sad or hurt or happy-”
“Savior Grace is unhappy then! Adrian made a mistake! Sorry, sorry…”
Adrian trills lowly, distressed with two limbs flailing around. Grace was quick to lean over, ignoring the ache in his sides, bringing Adrian back close to his bed and hurriedly pats their limb as a means of comfort.
“No, it’s the opposite. You made me happy—listening to those words, I mean. A-And you being here.”
Adrian pauses.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m glad you’re here. Looking at you and Rocky, it doesn’t make me as homesick for Earth. Your color is very beautiful, Adrian. I’m happy to see it as many times as I’m able.”
It’s enough for Adrian to start trilling a joyful tune again, rocking a little from side to side as Grace chuckles at the sight. Maybe that saying back on Earth was right. Compliments really do get people everywhere. Even Eridians!
Adrian taps the side of Grace’s bed somewhat frantically.
“Adrian pleases Grace! Good, good, good! Rocky and Adrian will make Grace happy together then! Grace accepts this, question?”
“Oh, um… y-yes? You two looking after me is fine with you?”
“More than fine! Better! Must let my mate know immediately!”
Adrian sings louder, somehow very satisfied and ecstatic over Grace’s answer.
Well, if Adrian’s happy then it doesn’t matter.
With that in mind, Grace picks up his rainbow loom board again and continues making his charms as Adrian softly sings to him, their limbs tapping against the edge of the bed, unable to hide their excitement.