before we get started, I would just like to note that for some reason or another, Simon also named Rocky's mate Adrian. Maybe he had a friend he had a crush on In Eden with that name. Maybe it was the name of a saint. Who knows. But how funny would it be if he picked something else and then when Grace came to earth it was all Grace: "It's so crazy you met Adrian and I met rocky" :D Simon: "Who's Adrian?" Grace: "The teal alien- Rocky's mate?" Simon: "What? You mean Alcyone? Why are you calling him Adrian?" Grace: "Oh- sorry, I guess Adrian is the name I came up with for him- wait Alcyone? Like Alcyone and Ceyx? You named Rocky Ceyx? He's not a king. You know Greek mythology?"

And just them fighting each other over what name actually should stick

Anyway, in this version he also names Adrian that name, but he refers to Rocky as Deran. Since he can't really perceive Deran's real name.

I'm about to confuse the fuck out of you guys 😈

I’m loving Simon x Adrian more and more with every thought.

And when Adrian finally does develop the technology for them to touch, all the fucking yearning comes to a head. Because Simon has never been praised in his life. Never imagined to be thought of as anything more than a soldier. But Adrian sees him as more. Sees him learning concepts on his own from pure curiosity. Figuring out solutions to things the Eridian’s can’t see. He’s so smart and Adrian is a sapiosexual so that rock is hot and bothered for it.

I also loved a fanart I saw where Simon had pants but wore a green shawl tied sideways over his bad shoulder instead of a shirt. I don’t know if it’s the boho feel but I adored it and can think of his no other way, especially in this au where it doesn't matter that he’s wearing clothes when all the Eridian’s can hear past them. Found the art by @crowrelli, I don't think his hair is as long an my au but I love this design so much 😭😭😭

Anyway, I can so easily imagine the night Adrian ducts into the Biodome, approaching Simon's hut that resides on stilts over the water. A terrifying concept to a man who survived a blood ocean, but it was what he wanted. 

Adrian was too big to fit inside and didn’t want to ruin the dock. 

So he simply calls out for Simon. And when he comes outside, he obviously notices that there’s no xenonite suit or glare from the panels of a suit. So he immediately runs over barefoot, as he usually is on a tropical sandy beach replicated from an old post card from decades ago that Simon’s mom had given him.

And he collides, definitely a little too hard, into Adrian, hugging around his large body as best he can with his cheek pressed to surprisingly warm rocky exterior.

Simon is beyond happy. Eden laced everything in familiarity and brotherhood, so contact was ingrained in him, casual and not. So finally being able to touch the being that saved him, gave him a happy existence? It was heaven.

Pressing his forehead to the turquoise surface and dragging his hand to rest his palm on the bumpy exterior while laughing slightly. He could feel two of Adrian’s appendages right against his back, keeping him close like the corners of intersecting walls.

“Simon warmer than Adrian anticipated,” His carapace vibrating pleasantly with the reverberations.

Adrian was warm too. Cool to the touch, but when leaned into you could feel the heat beneath whatever treatment he had put on himself to make this possible. It was pleasant, and made Simon want to cry. In fact, not want to cry, he was crying. “What are you crying about this time?” Adrian hummed with soft concern, pressing into Simon more. “Nothing- It’s nothing,” Simon assured with a sniffly intake of air through his nose, eyes closed. “I’m just- I‘m happy. That I can feel you finally.”

“Mmm. I am happy too,” Adrian agrees. “But do not have to be leaky over it.”

Which makes Simon laugh, wiping his face into his shawl. “You don’t have to be mean to me- I’m crying-” “Adrian not being mean. You are just sensitive-”

Simon shakes his head a little, smiling to himself, before leaving a gentle kiss on Adrian’s carapace. The exterior was rough against his lips but nothing he didn't enjoy with the knowledge of who it was beneath his lips.

“Simon.”

“Sorry– I’m sorry,” He says softly. “I’m just- Happy to touch you.”

“Do not be sorry,” Adrian soothes, one of his appendages shifting up and down in a soothing motion. Which Simon would’ve never guessed would feel like so. Since it just felt like a moving wall being pulled up and down against his back. But it was.

“I would… I would choose to egg you if barrier treatment would work. But worried what it would do.”

“Egg me?” Simon half laughs, eyes closed and resting his cheek against Adrian. “What does that mean?”

“Would give Simon pebbles. Want to mate first, but want to breed badly.” 

Oh god. Simon's face had never gone so hot so fast. “Um,” He staggered, blank minded. “I don’t- think that would- I mean- we’re not really compatible species for that. I think.”

“Adrian understands. Does not make want go away.”

Simon tucks some hair behind his ear, pulling back a little to look up at Adrian. Again, he had no face, but Simon has always just picked a spot he deemed his face as.

“I’m not… I care about you, Adrian,” He says low and soft, hand brushing over the textured body of the being he loves. “ But I’m.. Human’s don’t look like me-” “Simon keeps saying that. I do not care. I want Simon as is. Want as mate as is.”

Simon bites his lip, wiping his arm over his eyes. He’s never felt safer than when he’s with Adrian. Never felt more steady or in control. 

“I love you.”

“Adrian Love Simon more. Much much much.”