AoD_Zak

🩸 In the hypothetical event that he survived the Blood Ocean, be it some good ole "ISWM x Iron Lung" AU Shenanigans or some other He Lives AU? Simon would be a bit more inclined than before to accept an offer for any kind of physical affection. Before, he'd be a bit put off by the idea, since he's used to tussles, not cuddles. Yet, after almost dying? Life is too short to deny himself comforts.

🩸 Simon might be a bit overwhelmed, at first. Easily so. He is touch starved, but he's also just not used to being touched. So he needs some time to learn to relax into something as simple as a hug and not tense up. He's not sure exactly why he's so overwhelmed, himself. It's a strange urge to treat every second of physical contact like it's a threat. If he had to make a guess, it is probably due to his years fighting as The Butcher and his time in the Blood Ocean.

🩸 Once he starts to relax and realize not all physical contact is a threat, though? He starts to melt into it. He never knew that touches can be nice and gentle, and that they can end with both parties living to see another day. Now that he does, he needs it to live and breathe. Simon just needs a bit of guidance to reciprocate it.

🩸 Simon is a pretty good hugger, despite not having much practice with it. He might hold on a little too tight the first few times, or when he is anxious, but he learns to be a bit more relaxed as he gets used to things. His grip will go from desperately clutching into you like you'll disappear if he doesn't hold you tight enough, to a loose and gentle hold that gives you enough room to breathe while still holding you close.

🩸 He loves whenever you hug him from behind. Simon could be working on something, only to suddenly melt as you wrap your arms around his waist, peeking over his shoulder to see what he's doing. It feels grounding to him. Whenever he gets too hyperfocused when working on something, he can start to feel like he's back in that submarine, alone... Your presence in these moments is a relief. It also allows his arm to still be free to continue what he's doing in that moment.

🩸 Give him kisses, please? He will adore getting kisses on the cheek. Actually, he'll enjoy getting kisses in general. It doesn't even matter if it's platonic or romantic, either. He nearly died, so he doesn't entirely care about what is a "platonic" and a "romantic" way of showing affection, anymore. He used to, because Eden was strict on a lot of things regarding it. Now? So long as you're comfortable with everything that the two of you are doing, he'll be fine with it. If you're both just friends, then he doesn't even know if he's going to find a romantic partner in his life, anyways. Then he'd just be missing out on things because they are "romantic only". He was given a second chance at life, so he doesn't want to miss out on anything for such a silly reason.

🩸 Something that he genuinely adores is when you fall asleep around him. It sounds strange, but it's just the fact that you trust him enough to be able to fall asleep with him around. After so long of being seen as The Butcher or The Convict, having someone feel so comfortable with his mere presence is enough to make him cry with joy. Especially if you fall asleep right next to him.