(Sunday - Morning)

Midorikawa nearly felt his heart sink when he was not greeted to the usual happy and curious alien in the morning. There were no questions of eggs (as he seemed to really enjoy those) or what was going to be for breakfast, nor any general questions he may have felt like asking. It truly was a strange sight to see Gran simply sitting at the kitchen table, gazing into...nothing. The vacant look he had was terribly painful to see and he seemed almost like a different person.

"Gran? Are you alright?"

To the question and hearing his name, the alien quickly turns to him. A smile is forced upon his face. "I'm fine. Please do not worry, Ryuuji."

"Sorry, but worrying is kind of my thing," he says, slowly walking to Gran's side. His concerned gaze never leaves from the alien. "You seem sort of...out of it. Like something's on your mind."

"Its nothing," Gran responded rather quickly. It hurt to see how fast he shut him out. "My mind is just elsewhere."

Midorikawa let out a sigh. It was painfully obvious the alien was bothered by something and he had an idea of what it may be. I think...he really is affected by what happened yesterday. I really wish we could have found something, a hint a clue, anything! I just wish there was a way for him to cheer up...I don't even know what he might like.

He wasn't going to give up. He was going to think of something. Midorikawa would do anything to get him back to normal, or at least get his mind off his lost spaceship. But what could he do? Maybe they should go somewhere? Out? But where? A list of places to go crossed his mind and when he thought of one Gran might like, a small smile formed on his lips.

"Gran...get dressed."

"What for?"

"We're going to go and have some fun."

~...~

"There are so many humans here...all to look at the stars..." Gran mumbled as teal eyes looked around the area he had been brought to. Midorikawa had called it an observatory, a place where people- humans would gather to learn and see the stars and planets, anything that required space travel and more.

"Isn't it cool?" Midorikawa asked while looking to him. He was hoping visiting here would cheer him up. He did sort of hesitate on bringing Gran here, worried that it might...backfire. And the sun was still in the sky, so they wouldn't be able to properly see the night sky, but the exhibits this place had to offer could make up for it.

"It is very cool," Gran responded, still pretty amazed that humans had a fondness for the sights within the atmosphere and beyond to. They even had a place dedicated for such findings.

"Well, this is just the outside. Inside, there is so much more." Midorikawa smiled and took Gran's hand. "I want you to see everything here, okay?"

Gran glanced down as their hands intertwined, but smiled and gave him an eager look. He really didn't know why he had been brought here, but his curiosity was taking over so quickly; it would be hard for him to reminisce about his spaceship while here. "Show me everything."

With that response, Midorikawa began to lead Gran inside the observatory. He showed him the first couple of exhibits, ones that dealt with the rotation of the earth, the four seasons, the phases of the moon, gravity, the periodic elements, and the workings of a telescope. The human was asked many questions, doing his best to answer what he could, while also using the information displayed on each exhibit to help. Although there were some things he couldn't answer, the alien asked far too advanced questions and even he was certain that the guides here wouldn't be able to give him an answer either.

As they moved on, they reached the parts of the observatory that began to talk about the planets, the stars, galaxies, and even other life forms- aliens. Unlike with the other exhibits, this time Gran had begun speaking of them, giving his own commentary rather than questions. He spoke mostly of galaxies, but he could inform Midorikawa about the other planets in his solar system, what his people learned from their distant observations. The human listened intently, enjoying the look on the alien's face as he spoke. He mentioned a bit of his travels, how he passed by some of the other planets here and how they looked from his view.

The two had a bit of a laugh to the imagined alien bit. There was 'information' on UFOs, crop circles, unexplained phenomenon. Even Gran had to chuckle to the small display of an alien in a saucer shaped disk.

"Why do you humans think we are all little green men?" Gran asked, more amused than anything.

"I...don't really know. I guess that's the stereotypical one we just use." Midorikawa shrugged. "But trust me, there are so many different depictions of aliens these days." Some more grotesque than others... "I think they should update their display."

"I think it is...cute." Gran said while lightly touching the glass. He had been told before that he couldn't break it, but touching was still allowed (although frowned upon, but that never stopped him). "You want to understand us in some way, but you don't know how."

"I suppose we do. Although, I think living with one is better than all these supposed meetings."

"Supposed? You mean these are lies?" Gran asked, looking confused. Everything else in here had been true so far, based on facts. So, he had thought this part would be to.

"Sort of. Some people make up stuff and no one really ever believes that...aliens are real." Now he had to wonder just how many of them were real. Midorikawa was certain if he claimed to have met an alien, he would have just made himself look stupid, a headline for the papers to make fun of.

"Your kind is truly weird at times."

"We can be. But, come on. We still have more to see. And I think the show is going to start in a bit, so we should go and get in line."

Gran nodded, this time reaching out to take Midorikawa's hand. He figured that since the human had done so early (and had occasionally been doing this throughout their time here), it would be fine for him to take his hand for once. Although he couldn't lead the way, he was content with just holding his hand.

Midorikawa smiled for a moment before realizing that their hands were held together. He hadn't thought of it to be taken in a romantic way, but considered that those around them might think so. Two grown men, alone and holding hands. All he wanted to do was keep Gran by his side, not let him get lost in this sea of space exhibits. He shook his head, trying not to think of it as more than a friendly gesture. Or even just imitation from the alien's point of view.

The line was short and the two found their seats fairly quickly. Gran was surprised to see how this star projector worked in this dome part of the observatory. Midorikawa smiled at how cute he was acting, like a child brought to see his favorite movie (or in this case favorite space show). And it was like one, there was a quick history of astronomy that lead into constellations and how stars were mapped today, along with the technology used to.

When that was done, Midorikawa's stomach rumbled a bit and Gran had definitely heard that, pointing it out to him. With an embarrassed blush, he led the way to the small cafeteria the observatory had to offer. He had to help Gran pick out some food and paid for them both as well.

"I think I prefer your food better..." Gran commented after taking a second bite into this packaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He was giving the food in his hands an analyzing gaze, trying to figure out why it tasted so...different.

Midorikawa chuckled. He didn't think his cooking was all that great, but at least it was better than the stuff they sold here. "Thank you. I know I should have packed ahead, but I was just in a rush."

"What for? I recall you saying this place does not close until night fall."

"Oh, I know, I just..." Midorikawa looked to his own sandwich, falling quiet for a moment. "You know how you said you wanted to make me smile before?" Gran nods. "Well...I wanted to do the same for you."

"You wanted to make me smile?"

"A little more than that...When we came home yesterday, you really seemed...not like yourself. And today in the morning, you were still acting like that." But worse than before. "I thought a distraction might be nice and I didn't know where to go exactly at first. But, you do come from space so...I thought seeing more space would make you cheer up."

"Oh..."

"But, if it didn't, I am so sorry. I just wanted you to enjoy something. If this made you homesick or feel worse than am-"

"Ryuuji," Gran interrupted, waiting for the human to look up to him. When he did, he saw that smile on his face, one that rested on him with ease, not forced liked in the morning. "I enjoyed my time here. I never thought humans had a place like this. All the exhibits were fascinating and I managed to learn how humans see the space in their eyes. I didn't think this was your intent, but it did make me happy."

Midorikawa returned his smile, grateful to hear that. He had done something right. He didn't have to worry about making him homesick or just miss anything even more. "I was a little worried it was a bad idea at first...but if you liked it, then I guess I made a good choice."

"Yes, I only wished I could have seen my planet through one of your telescopes. I do not think they are that powerful enough yet though."

"One day they might be. And then I'll be able to see Eclissus," Midorikawa replied, silently hoping for that to happen. He'd love to see his home planet one day.

"Yes..." And then worry struck Midorikawa's face. He saw Gran's smile falter for a moment. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned his home planet. And he was looking so happy to! Dammit why do I have to mess things up? "Gran? Are you alright? I'm sorry if I said anything..."

"I am fine. I was not thinking of my planet. I was just reminded of the person I left behind there."

"Who?" Midorikawa asked, finding himself asking that faster than he thought. "Was it...someone important?"

"A friend and coworker. Her name is Ulvida. I think my long absence might be worrying her." And with no way to contact her, to even tell him that he was fine, that worried him the most.

"Weren't you on vacation or something?" He recalled that Gran was sightseeing, but if he had a job, then he could only be away for so long. "I never did asked what you did back at your home..."

"I don't know if you have a term for it here, the closest I can imagine is being called a doctor," Gran answers. "I would heal the children that Ulvida found. She did most of the caring for them, I helped out occasionally, but my primary assignment was to simply heal their wounds."

"Wait..." Midorikawa furrowed his brows for a moment, trying to understand what he said. "You...cared for orphans?"

"Children that were lost, abandoned, homeless. I believe that is the term you would use for them. Is there something odd about that?"

"No, no, I just...maybe if I was there, you would have cared for me to. Kind of funny, huh?"

Gran pauses for a moment, a sad look on his face. "It is not funny to be without a family..." He said while reaching out to take Midorikawa's hand. "I did not know you were one."

"Sorry. I know its not that big of secret, I just..." Didn't know how to tell you. Didn't know what you'd think of an orphaned human. "Well, you know now. And my friends are to."

"Osamu, Haruya, and Fuusuke?"

"Yeah. But, we don't really talk about it much anymore." I remember when it used to bother us more than anything. How we all wanted a family back then... "We're older now, all have jobs thanks to Kira corp, so we don't really need parents. Plus we're all like a family anyway." Midorikawa smiled a bit. "Wouldn't you say that your, well, orphanage, is like a family to?"

"I think...that is one way to put it," Gran said, having trouble with his words. He could only guess that would be one way to describe how it was back there. "I never thought of it that way. Not all of them stay around for long, but some do."

"I'm sure some might see it that way, maybe those that stay." I know we did...eventually. "Is she the only one waiting for you there?"

"Yes. Besides those that wish for me to heal them to, of course." Gran let out a sigh to that comment. "I think she would be the only one to genuinely worry for my absence..."

"I'd worry for yours," Midorikawa spoke. "I-I mean, if I was there. I'd worry if you left suddenly here to."

"I would worry for you to," Gran said with a gentle smile, his hand lightly squeezing Midorikawa's. And that had reminded him that he was still holding onto him. "I do miss you when you leave for work to."

"Thanks..." Midorikawa said, looking down to his hand. He had to think back if anyone would have missed him when he was younger. He was just another orphan, wasn't he? Before that family had formed, no one would have noticed him if he had gone.

I wonder...would he have missed me if he was there with me? Would he have noticed me? Would he be part of our family to? I think...I really think he could have fit in with us. As his thoughts wandered into the past, he found himself staring at Gran. He didn't know for how long, but figured it might be a little unsettling to have him stare.

"Sorry..." Midorikawa mumbled, looking elsewhere and gently pulling his hand away from Gran's. "We should finish our food. We can look around at the outside statues and stuff before we go."

"Alright." Gran withdrew his hand, having it go back to hold the 'odd tasting' sandwich. Midorikawa smiled as he watched the other eat. His gaze lingered for a moment, knowing that he was probably staring, again, and eventually took his eyes off him. He was hoping that staring at him wouldn't be a bad habit forming.

a/n: sort of used my own experience going to one of the observatories near where I live. Its been a while and I can't remember all the exhibits but its a cool place.

AlieaGakuenAliens, ship whereabouts will be coming up soon and I gotta keep their job a secret for now~

do your best, thanks! I love seeing your reviews on those fics~