Bloodymary AU but instead Simon is found inside the Iron Lung on earth during the astrophage crisis. Ryland Grace is the person Stratt sends to deal with this guy that randomly appeared once she gets enough information, because she doesn’t want to deal with a problem that isn’t Earth’s. Simon eventually adjusts to life on Stratt’s vat with Ryland. He’s a lot happier now that he’s far away from that moon and the blood ocean. He sees beautiful blue water instead of the harsh red he drowned in. Ryland is the most important in his new life. But Grace is sent to space, and Simon is fed the same lie that he went voluntarily. Despite thinking Grace heroically chose to go, he still resents the project and Stratt. Years later, a video addressed to Simon is found in one of the beetles, and Simon sees Ryland, begging Stratt to show him the recording if he’s still alive. He didn’t think he was that important to Ryland at all.
Simon sees Ryland’s face everywhere. He’s the face of humanity’s last hope. Grace is slowly forgetting Simon’s face because Stratt didn’t even pack a photo.
