Thinking about how Simon got jailed when he was a tween and got into 'community work' (bs) around his mid 20s. So he was in jail during his teenage years.
Thinking about how teen Simon definitely used to fantasize about getting out. It was natural! He never saw himself as strong. Dangerous? Maybe. But never strong or brave enough to save himself. So he fantasized about a savior.
A savior whose optimism is contagious, not like the diseases spread across the grimy cells. A savior who smiled as bright as the Sun. A savior who replaced all the stars with his brightness.
A savior who sweeps in and cradles his head, cooing at how unfair everything and everyone was to him.
"Do not be afraid, Simon."
That was what kept him sane throughout the years.
Simon wakes up with a robotic arm right in his face.
"Eye movement detected. Patient was in comatose state. Answer- what is two plus two?"
He quite literally slaps it out of his face, groaning at the exertion.
But then a man swoops down, cradling him so he wouldn't get up.
His face appears in his fading vision.
Sandy messy hair. Bright blue eyes. Wide concerned gaze.
"Hey- you okay? God- what happened to you? Losing an arm and an eye? So unfair." He joked, smiling awkwardly.
As Simon stared, he fumbled to raise his hands in surrender.
"Do not be afraid- you're abroad Mary- and-"
Simon just groans out a 'not again' and flips on his side to resume his sleep.