Insert Clever Song Quote Here

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Project Hail Mary (2026), Iron Lung (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung)/Ryland Grace Characters: Ryland Grace, The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Rocky (Project Hail Mary), Adrian (Project Hail Mary) Additional Tags: Recovery, Touch-Starved Ryland Grace, Touch-Starved The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Inspired by Art, Amputee The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Comfort, Simon gets to be a little silly, The Convict | Simon has a sweet tooth Summary:

He wonders when was the last time that Simon had anyone in his corner, though. When was the last time someone stood with him, just because they could? Had there ever been anyone? Or had everything become so focused on survival that everyone was only focused on themselves?

~*~*~

A series of moment between Grace and Simon as they learn to trust and lean on each other when they need it.

That's it. That's the AU. Grace, in his wilder years, got a bunch of tattoos. Sleeves on both arms, lots on his chest, back, and legs. He's got one that's a liiiiiittle high on his neck that it peaks out.

He isn't ashamed of them or anything, but he knows the image they create and he likes to keep them private. As a teacher, his blazers always covered everything. Then, he likes wearing jackets and long sleeves anyway outside of work. People on the Hail Mary Project don't realize he has tattoos for a long while until one time he takes off a jacket to a t-shirt and bunch are on display.

He always gets flustered when people ask about them, but once he gets going he likes to tell the stories for each one. And each one really does have a story. They're gorgeous works of art and he like them a lot, even though he doesn't plan on getting another tattoo anytime soon.

In space, he doesn't hide them for a while because why would he? He's alone and his alien pal can't see them. But then Rocky uses his light sensing device and finally sees them and starts yelling. [HUMAN HAVE MARKS, QUESTION? HUMAN PLURAL HAVE DESIGNS, QUESTION? AND GRACE NO TELL ROCKY, QUESTION?]

Cue cultural explanation of tattoos and the difference and similarities between them and Eridian carvings. Humans have a whooooole lot more canvas to work on and Rocky is fascinated by what Grace has!

And, because again, bloodymary has taken me over, Simon not immediately seeing the tattoos because Grace happens to usually be wearing a jacket or his cardigan, and when he finally does he ends up running his fingers over Grace's skin for what seems like hours, mesmerized. There's tattoos where he comes from, of course, but not like this. Not this much and not this artistry.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Iron Lung (2026), Project Hail Mary (2026), Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung)/Ryland Grace, Adrian (Project Hail Mary) & The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung) & Ryland Grace & Rocky, Adrian/Rocky (Project Hail Mary) Characters: The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Ryland Grace, Adrian (Project Hail Mary), Rocky (Project Hail Mary) Additional Tags: Ryland Grace's Biodome | Beach House on Erid, The Convict | Simon Has Religious Trauma (Iron Lung), Mutated The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Inspired by Art, unfair beauty standards, The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung) Loves Ryland Grace, Ryland Grace Loves The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Ryland Grace & Rocky are Best Friends, The Convict | Simon is Beautiful, Internalized Toxic Masculinity, Somewhat, Established Relationship, Simon and Grace are in a good place already Summary:

Recovery of the mind is a long, twisting road. Simon has come a long way, but there are still some lessons he has to unlearn. For one, that being soft and beautiful isn't something he should feel ashamed of. Thankfully he has a new, supportive family there to guide him through his journey.