Kasplode



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  1. Rec *

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    "There is no point in any of this rumination. You are gone. You are nothing now but a muse, something that I can conjure upon command and listen. You are nothing more now than a lullaby, a prayer, a dissonant, augmented, ugly, beautiful melody."

    Rocky and Grace part ways for their respective planets. It should feel like a victory. It doesn't.

    Language:
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    3/3
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    02 Sep 2026

  2. Rec *

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    The engineer takes my hand. His skin runs hot. Very hot. He doesn't let go at what I would gauge as a socially-acceptable handshake time interval. Are we just holding hands in the middle of the lab-workshop space? Guess we are.

    "I'm Rocky," he finally introduces himself. He has a hint of an accent, something lilting, melodic. I can't really place it.

    "Rocky," I repeat, slowly. "Like the movies?"

    "No," Rocky deadpans, giving me a look like I'm stupid. "Like the rocks."

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    75,137
    Chapters:
    21/21
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    29 Aug 2026

  3. Rec *

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    "Many stages in Eridian reproductive process. Rocky Adrian laying cycles finally sync up recently. So, Rocky Adrian think finally time for eggs. Adrian lay five eggs, very good. Only, strange thing happen. Rocky only lay one egg."

    “Oh,” I say. “That’s unusual, right?”

    "Very," Rocky hums.

    My throat tightens. "Does that mean there's something wrong? Are you sick?"

    Rocky makes a gesture I usually interpret as "not exactly". "Not sick," he says. "But doctors still worry. When Eridian start to make fewer eggs, this usually means laying period of life is over soon. Rocky very young for this. Rocky supposed to be in ideal time of life for laying. Rocky younger than Adrian, even." He shifts on three of his feet. Already, my mind is racing ahead, wondering -- "Doctors told Rocky to ask Grace, is this radiation side effect, question?"

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    3/3
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    27 Aug 2026

  4. Rec *

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    For three hours, he’s at the beach, takes off his socks and hikes Ilyukhina’s dress up, and stands in the water. He left the cane on the shore; it hurts to let his frame bear the brunt of gravity unsupported. The reliable tide, just cool enough to chill him a little, laps at his shins.

    He closes his eyes and tries to forget about himself, the familiar ache in his joints and spine. Allows himself to imagine something else.

    A different truth, a hypothetical, a thought exercise.


    Rocky can't bear to lose Grace. But he can bear to watch Grace wither away from a sickness easily cured by Earth medicine even less.

    Grace has to make another choice.

    Or: After thirteen years on Erid, Grace leaves his true home for Earth. Eva Stratt lives to see him return. Earth takes note of the changes.

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    Chapters:
    6/6
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    25 Aug 2026

    Bookmarker's Notes

    Note to self for re-reads- Ch1 made you cry like a motherfucker. Be prepared

  5. Rec *

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    Grace is put on cleaning duty and gets a mysterious fourth bag of vodka for his troubles.

    Rocky begrudgingly takes on the role of Designated Driver slash Space Blob Supervisor, and receives a different kind of gift in return.


    “Grace. What are you doing?”

    Grace's mouth, still smushed against my xenonite, curves upward: Contentment, happiness, satisfaction. Interesting, that it should be prone to smiling when made stupid by ethanol, but not so much when it gets stupid because of a lack of sleep.

    “‘s called a kiss, buddy. I‘m givin’ you. A kiss. ‘cause you're my best friend annnnd I like you. And y’nno what, you're actually pretty nice. When you’re not goin’ outta your way to be mean to me, that is.”

    Language:
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    2/2
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    23 Aug 2026