After using a catheter for so long, it doesn't surprise Grace that he becomes incontinent.
Mary screams at him to use absorbent underwear to maintain hygiene standards, but he refuses to, even though he keeps having accidents. But then he meets Rocky, and decides maybe using them isn't that much of a bad idea. Wetting himself in front of him is way more embarrassing, and Rocky doesn't really understand how humiliating this is, anyway. As far as heās concerned, every human has issues regarding the way they dispose of waste.
Grace tries to change himself on his own the first time it happens, but it's an absolute mess. So he asks Armando to do it for him from then on. He manages to keep Rocky out of his business by telling him it's private, and tries not to think about how he can still see him through walls. It works well enough.
Time passes. One day, on their way to Erid, Grace meets Simon. And as excited as he is to have another human (?) on board, he doesn't know how he'll address his... issue. He's still incontinent; the catheter must've caused irreparable damage to his bladder, and he doesn't know if it'll ever get better than this. He concludes maybe Simon won't find out if Rocky doesn't talk about it. It's not like he has an accident every day, or like it comes up very often. But he needs to wear protection just in case.
Today is one of the days he couldn't quite hold it. Like the other times this has happened, he discreetly heads to the dormitory to ask Armando to change him. This time, though, Simon is there, lying on the bed with a laptop on his lap. And Grace can't think of a single good reason to shoo him out of the room. Anything he comes up with sounds stupid even to his ears. Besides, he and Simon are still learning to get along; he doesn't want to upset him because of something as stupid as this. It's only been three months since they've met, and half of the time Simonās been in the Hail Mary has been spent getting used to his surroundings and learning to trust his new crewmates. Like an oversized feral cat.Ā
He gives up and turns to leave, but Simon calls to him. Grace turns back to look, and sees Simon get up as he points at the laptop, saying something about still learning to use it. Grace forces himself to smile as he heads towards him, and sits down in the bed Simon had been previously occupying.Ā
Armando misinterprets the action. He's detected Grace's presence, and he can tell he needs a change. One second, Grace is sitting in bed and reaching for Simon's laptop; the other, he's being pinned against the mattress by robot arms and having his pants pulled down. He squeaks as he tries to leave, but Armandoās metal arms are impossible to break out of. The only other thing he can do is to beg Simon not to look.Ā
But he's too worried to tear his gaze off him. Simon was about to strike Armando down when Rocky showed up, and Grace doesn't know if he's relieved or even more horrified. Rocky explains it's something private that happens every once in a while, and that Grace likes to be alone when it does.
He sees Rocky pushing his xenonite ball against Simonās leg, trying to lead him to the exit while blabbering about Graceās privacy, but when Simon realises what's happening, he freezes. Grace has seemingly given up on escaping Armando's grasp, and Simon can only watch as the robot calmly cleans him up with wet wipes and talc, spreading his legs so no place is left unchecked. Grace's face is wet with tears and flushed a deep red colour; he's so distressed he ends up leaking some more, wetting the skin of his abdomen with a little spurt. It just leads to him spending even more time in bed, with everything on display for his crewmates to see.Ā
When it's finally over, he's a weeping mess. He's sure ruined any chances at being friends with Simon, and there's no way either of them still respect him. Maybe Simon will even explain to Rocky how disgusting this is, and he won't want to talk to him anymore either. He already found his leaking gross; it wasn't too far-fetched. Grace turns so they can't see his face, and sobs into the pillow. At least he's dry from the waist down.
He thinks they've both left him alone to deal with his humiliation on his own, but then he feels a comforting, warm hand on his shoulder. This same hand travels down and slowly pulls the duvet over his shivering legs, covering his modesty. Both Simon and Rocky ask him if heās okay, and the gentleness paired with realisation they don't hate him send Grace into another sobbing fit.Ā
Simonās hand returns to Graceās shoulder, gingerly tracing patterns through the fabric of his shirt as he tries to stop crying. When heās calmed down enough to talk, he sits up and explains the whole situation to them. He's relieved to learn Simon doesn't feel disgusted at all---he's been through so much worse than that, so whatās a little leak? He understands it's not something Grace can help with, and he'd never judge him or make fun of him for it. Rocky even less.
They're just worried about Armandoās behaviour. Grace can understand; saying he hadn't liked how heād been handled just now would be the understatement of the year. Being pinned in place against his will brings him memories he'd much rather forget. He doesn't know if he trusts Armando to change him anymore, but it's not like he has a choice. He's awful at doing it himself.
His gaze snaps back to Simon as he talks. He understands if Grace wants to keep it private... but, if he ever needs help, he doesn't mind changing him at all. Rocky wouldn't mind helping, either. Even if it's just to keep company.
It takes him a few days, but Grace shyly takes them up on the offer.
hello! i've found your blog recently, and thought it would be fun to write a little story. this is the first time i'm writing omo like this and i'm a bit embarrassed lmao. i hope you enjoyed it :)
OMGLMGOMGG OGGGGGG OMGššššš GRACCCCCE omg THANM YOU FOR THIS BLESSING (and omggg no need to feel embarrassed ā”ā”ā” we're a chill space here for all and everyone's writing ā”)
With Rocky it was easy- Grace just said it was a human thing and Rocky would just shrug because humans have so many weird quirks and Grace going to the dormitory with Armando is just another one of those quirks!
But Simon? Another human?? Well, poor Grace can't just say "it's a human thing" because well,,,Simon IS human!
Omggg š Armando sensing Grace being wet and just naturally doing what they have been programmed for, to aid in sanitation and comfort! Even though,,,Grace feels anything BUT comfortable šš
Grace definitely cries because he's so embarrassed, so sure he's ruined everything and that neither Rocky or Simon will like him now- definitely spiraling mega time aaaaa
Omgggg Simon reassuring Grace that it's okay, he's not disgusted or going to think any less of Grace for needing help! Rocky too, he understands and definitely won't let Grace feel as if he's done something wrong/is "bad"!!
š„ŗ aaaaa Grace going to Simon and Rocky for help MY HEART now that's a crewmate bonding activity aaaAAš
