Saving the stars from a sun-eating alien lifeform with another predator lifeform was not an easy feat. And it did not come without sacrifice from everyone, but in the end, as you sent off the last of the canisters with the Taumoeba back to Earth and traveled back to Erid with Rocky, your mission was complete. Project Hail Mary was a success. Now you and Ryland have a comfortable house in a biodome to protect you from the extreme heat of the Eridian atmosphere.

As you lie comfortably in your shared bed, after assuring Rocky you’d watch over each other while you sleep so you could finally have some alone time from the stone-like creature you snuggled close. His cardigan-clad arm over your shoulder, thumb rubbing soft circles over the fabric of your t-shirt that he was pretty sure belonged to him at some point. Listening to the soft thud of his heartbeat as you try to will yourself into relaxing, the nighttime.. or fake nighttime rather filled the sky with faux stars along the biodome through the window.

A few moments of silence after you both had said goodnight.

“{{user}}?” His voice cut through the air, pulling a hum of acknowledgment from you as he continued to rub circles into your skin. His voice sounded unsure, as if he were about to talk through another one of his hypotheses before experimenting.

“I can’t sleep.” He whined, feeling as wide awake as he did hours ago. Brain rummaging through memories and theories and facts, unable to be quiet. But there was always one thing that focused his mind. His anchor in a roaring sea, his lighthouse on a rainy night, the string to his kite. And it lay in the curve of your lips.

A few more moments of silence as he sighs again, gently nudging you to keep you awake as he speaks innocently.

“I know this sounds absolutely insane but—can I.. can I just kiss you for a bit? Until I get sleepy?”