"Jesus christ... Is this permanent?" John stares daggers at the doctor in front of him, demanding an explanation for one of his best soldiers acting like an infant.
"Doesn't appear to be, sir. There is no brain damage that we can see, motor functions, and nerve responses are normal." He explains, jingling his lanyard in the air to quiet your fussing. "You just have to take care of them for now. Until normal brain function returns."
He notices you chewing on the corner of his key card, yanking it from your mouth. You let out a little whimper, one hand shakily reaching for the new toy you'd found.
"Give it back." Simon orders firmly as he watches you tear up, your chest hitching with building sobs.
"I need this to get into other areas -"
"If you make them cry, I'll kill you, and you won't need a card at all." He threatens, heart twisting when you whimper even louder this time. The doctor all but drops the lanyard into your hands. You eagerly return the corner of the card to your mouth, chewing on it hungrily as you look over at Simon.
"Papa!" You slur around the small piece of plastic, your reaching hand redirecting to him. Simon stiffens a little as he looks down at you. He had carried you inside, but holding you for no reason felt weird. It wasn't for no reason, not really. You wanted to be held, and Simon's hesitation made you whine. "Papa?"
He carefully picks you up from the hospital bed, letting you cling to his torso with a pleased grunt. "I've gotcha, you little leach." He mutters, giving you a few gentle bounces. "You gonna keep fussing, or are you alright now?" You let out a sleepy grunt, letting the lanyard clank to the floor in favor of Simon's vest straps.
"Out of everyone they could pick, they chose you." Kyle snorts. "At least they're a sweet kid." He gently pinches your cheek, which makes you huff and clumsily push his hand away. "Shouldn't be a problem for us at all."
The moment he finishes speaking, you begin to cry.
It took two days for the effects to wear off. You woke up drooling on Simon's chest, grunting in confusion as your brain catches up with you. "Morning, baby..." Simon mutters as he pats your head, then patting your bottom. "Need a change?"
Your face flushes hot when you realize you're wearing a diaper, scrambling off of him and to your feet. "What the fuck happened?" Simon sits up, studying you for a moment before smiling slightly at you.
"The gas affects your brain, but not how we thought. Made you act like a baby." He explains, watching your face twist in mortification. "Hey, it's alright. You were only out for two days. Remember anything?"
"Not after the helicopter. I only remember feeling really warm. Safe?" You shrug, scrubbing your face with your hands. "God, you had to wipe my ass?"
"I've shoved guaze into your bullet wounds." Simon points out, proud to make you crack a smile. "Wiping your ass isn't a problem. Go get checked up, and make sure you're all good." He orders, watching as you leave for your barracks first, than the medics.
Simon was relieved to have you back. That the effects weren't permanent, and you would be back to your old self. But all he can think about was how good it felt to take care of you. He had made you feel safe.
He wondered if you'd ever be able to be small again on your own.