also, PLS lemme know if i’m spamming you BUTT i have an idea! hear me out on atheist grace meeting simon who so fervently still believes in his god.
like, imagine they’re on the hail mary. grace walking in on simon praying and he apologizes for interrupting before simon asks, “what do you hope for?” and grace just looks confused and says, “i’m afraid i don’t understand the question.” and simon says, “hope. what are your hopes? goals? things you wanna accomplish?”
and grace just huffs a laugh and says, “all of my hopes and goals kind of got left back on earth.” and simon goes silent and says. “oh. i’ll pray for you.” and something about that just makes grace bristle and he says a little more harshly that he should’ve, “i don’t want your prayers, simon.”
and simon pauses, and fully turns to grace and asks, “what do you want, then?” so earnest, curious. and the usual answers come to grace’s head. a good nap without nightmares. to solve this dying stars problem. a milkshake—better yet, a beer. an opportunity to scream at stratt. to see his kids again. for his teammates to be alive. an end to that tiny voice in his head saying he’s delusional if he thinks he can be an actual hero.
but, then, a new reply comes to life. it’s loud, insistent, and unwelcomed and wildly confusing. you, simon. i want you. it says.
grace just clears his throat and says, “i just want to figure out this astrophage problem.” and simon just stares, like he can see right through the barely holding-together armor grace has. before he nods and says, “then i’ll just hope you’ll figure out.”
the affection i have for your asks
Simon's Prayers (934 words) by OfSpideRs_aNdRiddLes Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Project Hail Mary (2026), Iron Lung (2026) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung)/Ryland Grace Characters: The Convict | Simon (Iron Lung), Ryland Grace Additional Tags: Tumblr Ask Box Fic, The Convict | Simon is Religious, Atheist Ryland Grace Summary: Grace walks in on Simon praying, Simon asks what Grace wants
