Simon who wakes up on the Hail Mary and is too scared to say no to Grace because what if he says no and throws him out the airlock?
Grace who hasn't had human touch in so long that he takes every chance to touch Simon. Not even sexually. Just a pat on the back, a squeeze to the shoulder, an arm slung over Simon's back when he wants to see whatever Simon's doing.
But he can't deny that he's slowly falling for the only human that's around for light years.
They've just finished watching a nature documentary in the 'Don't go crazy' room. Grace doesn't know what comes across him when he turns to Simon and asks:
Simon can feel his stomach drop. He should have expected this. He was surprised that Grace hadn't immediately jumped his bones the moment Armando let him leave the cot without any fuss.
But he's been nothing but a burden. Using precious medical supplies, water, food, Grace's clothing.
Because the only thing he has left to repay Grace with is his body.
The way Grace lights up and scrambles into Simon's lap makes Simon feel guilty. He doesn't like Grace. At least not like that. A part of him feels like an asshole.
Because that traitorous thought says, 'At least he won't have a reason to kick you out of here. He's too attached for that.'
It escalates from there. Of course it does. What else was supposed to happen when you kiss someone? Still, when Grace's hands reach down for Simon's waistband, Simon can feel his stomach tie itself into knots.
"Can I...?" Grace murmurs, looking up at Simon.
Simon nods, not trusting his voice to not waver.
After that, Grace's touch become hugs from behind, pecks on the forehead, cheek, neck, or wherever he can reach, the squeeze he gives Simon's hand when he's holding it, the soft squeeze to Simon's waist when he's hugging him.
The worst part? Grace keeps muttering, "I love you." As he does all of this.
Simon tries not to flinch each time it happens. Tries to keep the wince and grimace off his face.
Surely if he just lets Grace use him like this, he'll be able to stay on board. Right?
But as the days pass and they're now living in the biodome on Erid, Grace keeps asking for Simon to return the forehead kisses. To cuddle him after they've had sex. To return the hugs that he always gives out.
He's a little clueless especially when it comes to love.
He supposed that he knew this never was a good idea.
But he missed the feeling of having someone to hold, someone to kiss, someone to touch that he let himself believe that maybe Simon likes him back.
A part of Grace already knows.
But the other part still thinks about gifts that Simon might like. The next nature documentary or movie he might enjoy watching.
So that maybe Simon stays.
He's slowly wanting more. Hugs returned without having to ask. Cuddles on the couch and bed without having to cling to Simon first.
It happens like how their first kiss happens.
They've just finished watching a movie. As they're stumbling back to Grace's bedroom because Grace refuses to let go of Simon's back, Grace mumbles a soft, "I love you" into Simon's back.
Simon just gives Grace an noncommittal hum.
Grace, for whatever reason, finds himself emboldened enough to ask:
Simon stops walking. He opens his mouth, but the lump in his throat prevents anything from leaving.
"Just once. I won't ask again, I promise."
Grace's arms tighten their hold around Simon. To Simon it feels like a threat. To Grace it's just him holding onto the last moments of joy he might have gotten from his 'relationship' with Simon.
Simon doesn't sound remorseful.
Grace feels sick to his stomach. What's wrong with him? Clinging onto someone never wanted this.
His arms fall away from Simon but his forehead still rests on Simon's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I'm gonna go turn in for the night," Grace murmurs, peeling himself away from Simon.
And so Simon is left standing there.
Grace closes his door. And immediately jumps into bed, curling around Simon's pillow. Just as quickly as he relaxes, he tenses.
What the hell is wrong with him?
If he can't sleep that night because the warmth of Simon pressed against him and the strong arms wrapped around him are gone, that's between him and God.
And if the next day he asks Rocky for a heated blanket and a weighted blanket, that's between him and Rocky.
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