themapples



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  1. Public Bookmark 22

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    Dr. Grace and Dr. Ortiz are called upon to testify in a tribunal regarding their experiences in an experimental antarctic research outpost after the mysterious deaths of their coworkers, but neither are sure whether or not they are ready to divulge everything that happened there when it was just the two of them weathering the long winter together.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    17,502
    Chapters:
    7/?
    Comments:
    56
    Kudos:
    67
    Bookmarks:
    22
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    15 Sep 2026

  2. Public Bookmark 61

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    A puff of air whistled from his vent. No one asked him what was wrong.

    He took the xenonite-sealed courting gift from its spot on the dashboard and placed it back in its own special pocket on his bandolier. 'It’s the earth,' Grace had said as he'd extended the small token. 'I want you to have it.'
    ____
    Rocky is led to believe that the Earth hacky sack Grace gives him is a courting gift. He responds to his new mates absence just as sanely as Grace does.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    7,232
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    22
    Kudos:
    299
    Bookmarks:
    61
    Hits:
    1,350

    15 Sep 2026

  3. Public Bookmark 26

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    Both of his hands formed an 'L', then he touched opposite forefingers to opposite thumbs. Next, he raised three fingers, then pointed his thumb behind himself.

    'Lab three after this?'

    On the other side of the room, separated by a xenonite barrier and two parties of very professional first contact volunteers, one of the smaller Eridians was subtly shifting back and forth. Grace absolutely wasn't listening to what the rest of their two crews were saying, but the last time he tuned in, they'd been discussing trade negotiations and resource allowances. Important stuff he was sure, but his mind was singularly focused on the 'experiments' he and the Eridians' third engineer were conducting.
    ____
    Grace and Rocky are both nonessential members of their respective species' first contact teams. While under strict orders to not engage with their new interstellar neighbors until negotiations are further underway, the two of them strike up a friendship, and might end up getting along a little too well.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    16,698
    Chapters:
    4/4
    Comments:
    41
    Kudos:
    125
    Bookmarks:
    26
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    919

    15 Sep 2026

  4. Public Bookmark *

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    "Do not," Grace warns weakly, already knowing it’s too late.

    "I married a scientist," Rocky says solemnly. "A brilliant man. A perceptive man."

    "If you keep talking I will throw myself out of this car."

    " — There is no one else I want to be with but Dr.Grace, even when hes being very very obtuse —"

    "Thats not even a good usage of that word! And Ill make you sleep on the couch!"

    " — And hes a man I'd love to have kids with."

    What better way is there to fluster your husband than to pick him up in an expensive car in front of his students? Why, bringing up the idea of having kids in said car of course.

    Or: My contribution to ortiz!rocky

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,731
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    52
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    1,283
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    186
    Hits:
    5,520

    14 Sep 2026

  5. Public Bookmark *

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    I snort. It's plain he's just being facetious, but I call him out on his bull-puckey anyway. "Me?! You're the one who threw the first punch—er, pillow—here, buddy!"

    I try yet again to squirm out from under his grasp, but he holds firm, the hand on my bicep restraining me just that much tighter. My face feels strangely hot—must be from the heat of Rocky's body permeating through the suit. But why the heck is my heart beating so fast?

    "Because Grace become sleep dumb, obvious," Rocky dismisses. His musical trills have pitched down into a low, vibrating thrum that reverberates across every point of contact between us. I shiver at the sensation, at the way I'm pinned there, at the heavy, warm weight of Rocky's body pressed against mine. My pulse quickens further, blood rapidly rushing both to my face and down south to my—

    Oh God.

    …or:
    The one where Grace is acting Strange™️ and Rocky uses the scientific method to deduce why.

    Series
    Language:
    English
    Words:
    24,938
    Chapters:
    5/5
    Comments:
    230
    Kudos:
    693
    Bookmarks:
    125
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    7,577

    13 Sep 2026