#ironmarry

Simon had been on Erid for months. He'd finally gotten well enough to move about on his own,though he wasn't aloud to go far,under Rockys orders,so he'd wandered, exploring the place. Ryland joined him occasionally, sometimes rambling about random things that often Simon couldn't keep up with,"sciencey bull shit" that he never understood. And yet,Rylands voice offerd a comfort. His presence was so...weird. Simon was just not used to ...this. The only time he could remember feeling not on edge around was with his mother, and even then,life had not been so...still.

Erid was peaceful. So...unfamiliar to him. His nerves didn't know what to do with it,this newfound calm.

He's wandering again today. Down a long corridor,one he'd never ventured. The ceilings had glass portholes,letting the sunlight outside shine through to illuminate the amber and turquoise stones embedded in the floor. Simon walked slowly, rolling his shoulders. He still wasn't used to the lack of his arm. Rocky and Grace were currently working on a prosthetic one,stars he could still hear Rocky chanting "Simon need arm! Simon get arm!" Silly damn rock.

Simon shook his head,approaching a door to his left. Head down,he entered, looked up,and stopped dead. The air left his chest,and he stagerd back as his hand flew to his mouth,a gasp leaving him.

~{☆}~

"Grace! Grace listen to Rocky,demand!"

"Not now Rocky! I need to find Simon. Where is he!"

"But that what Rocky try say! Simon human not at room! Rocky cant find ,statement!"

"Oh,well he's probably off wandering like he does. I'll find him,ok Rock?"

"Grace find and bring Simon here,demand. Need fit arm!"

"Alright Rocky,i will."

Ryland shook his head,smiling at his friends insistence. Rocky adored Simon,and the project to make him a new arm was Rockys latest hyperfixation. Simon had taken to Rocky quicker than he had to Grace. Which,to be be fair likely due to the little he knew of Simons history with other humans. Grace understood,he had trust issues of his own. And yet,he really, really liked Simon,and he really wanted Simon to like him. Rocky had already teased him,asking "When Grace Simon mate, question!?" to which Grace had blushed furiously and practically tackled Rocky in an effort to shut him up. Simon had just grinned slightly at the two of them bickering, not having heard the initial statement.

Grace walked through the halls,trying to locate the man in question, his feet moving quickly in slightly giddy excitement. God,it was like high school all over. He felt like a cheesy teenager. After a while longer of looking everywhere, he found himself in the very hall that led to the greenhouse.

So,in Graces efforts to win Simon over,he had diceded to take him somewhere Simon hadn't been before- the greenhouse. He knew Simon loved plants,that his...religion of sorts, centered around them,specifically trees. So he knew Simon would love the greenhouse him and Rocky had constructed.

"I dont supose he already..."

He murmured, looking around.

"Hey,Simon?"

A pause,nothing.

"Uh...Simon,you there?"

Nothing- no,there was something! A sound up ahead coming from the greenhouse. What was it...

He turned the corner into the greenhouse, his gaze searching fervently. He hurried towards the sound,practically sliding around the corner of a large planter,and finally found the source of the sound.

He made his way closer,his footsteps softening to listen. As he got closer,the sound became clearer,and his eyes widened.

It was...crying.

There,in the central court of the greenhouse, at the base of the large,beautiful oak tree that Rocky and he had grown,was Simon.

He was doubled over,trembling on his knees,ugly,ragged sobbs tearing through him despite his efforts to muffle them in his arm. Grace froze for a moment, his heart renching at the sight. He hesitated, not sure what to do,but when another terrible sob wracked through Simons form,he immediately made his way over.

"S-Simon?"

He said quietly, worried he'd spook the already distraught man. Simon jolted,his head lifting as Grace stopped beside him, crouching carefully, movements slow as if approaching a scared animal. Simon shuddered, choking on another sob as he finally looked up,his eyes darting to meet his gaze. Grace fealt the air practically leave his lungs at the sight of Simons face,tear streaked and his eyes,wet and full of pain and something Grace wasnt sure of. Relief? Happiness? He just looked utterly...overwhelmed. Grace opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out,and he carefully reached his hand out,resting it on Simons balled fist. And Simon lost it. Whatever tiny shred of will that was keeping him held together snapped.

He practically tackles Grace,who let out a startled sound,and for a quick moment, he thought Simon was trying to attack him .

That was until Simons arms wrapped around his torso,and his head buried into Graces chest,and another ragged sob tore through him.

Grace was still for a second,shocked, before he wrapped his arms around Simon,rubbing his back soothingly, not saying a word. Simon started crying harder at his gentle touch,such a foreign thing to him. He'd half exspected Grace to push him off,to turn him away. And yet,Grace held him. Held him like he cared,like he wasn't scared of him,didn't hate him. Simon felt...safe.

For the first time in a very,very long time,he felt safe.

They stayed like that for who knew how long. Long enough that the sun set,and then greenhouse night lights had turned on,casting the place in a blue/green glow. Simons sobs had settled, turned into quiet sniffles. Grace hadnt moved once,simply started rocking side to side slightly, still holding him close after Simons grip had loosened from fatigue. Finally, Simon spoke.

"Im...I'm sorry..."

He whispered, raspy and small. Grace shook his head,resting his chin on top of Simons head,his lips brushing his hair.

"You dont have to be sorry. I understand."

Simon choked,part laugh part sob,and tightened his embrace. Grace smiled,dareing to press the softest of kisses to Simons head,as delicate and sure as the connection between them.

"You're safe with me."

~☆Author☆