Project Hail Mary (2026)+1
when it's over, you're the start
by Spades (bumblingbees)
“Hey! It’s a lot up here, okay? It’s a normal response to stress.” He rubs a hand over his face. “Okay, I cried a lot down there, too. But not in class! Not if I could help it. But having to say goodbye, gosh, I’ve never been good at that.” Grace laughs, but it sounds sad. His mouth is shut firmly, and he leans against my ball. He’s so soft, his body melds to the side of the xenonite with ease. “I can’t imagine what a mess I’ll be when—” he cuts himself off, but I know what was coming next. I’m not sure how I’ll be when we say goodbye either. It didn’t seem like it’d matter so much at first, after all, if we part ways, it means we succeeded. I’d be going back to Erid, to Adrian, to home. But I’d be leaving behind Grace. The thought of that is unpleasant. It sinks deep in me; the emotion is painfully familiar. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone to mourn losing anyone again. I don’t want to think about it, I’m not ready. or 5 times Rocky feels something for Grace. 1 time he does something about it.