Chapter Text
Simon and Ryland were sitting in the living room. Ryland was sitting in front of the coffee table on the floor, Simon on the couch behind him. Ryland was on his laptop, and he was getting more frustrated by the second.
Ryland wasn’t able to remember something, a normal issue for him at this point due to the drug they used to put him on the Hail Mary, but the more he tried to think about it the more he was driving himself crazy. He had taken to searching the laptop for answers but found none, not that he was even sure what he was looking for exactly.
For the last 20 minutes or so he kept letting his hand drift to his hair, pulling gently when the search became more upsetting, which was increasingly rapidly by the second.
“Ry.” Simon eventually spoke up, getting frustrated with his boyfriend's frustration.
“Hm?” Ryland replied, not bothering to look up from the screen.
“You’re driving yourself nuts.” Simon pointed out and before Ryland could argue his point Simon continued. “And it’s driving me nuts. So for the sake of both of our peace, close the laptop.”
Ryland didn’t close the laptop but he did lean back against the couch. He let his hands fall to his face and he ended up taking his glasses off. He ran a hand over his face and sighed.
“It’s just so frustrating and upsetting when I can’t remember stuff.” Ryland complained and Simon nodded.
“I get that, I do, but the answer isn’t to go crazy trying to figure it out.” Simon told him but Ryland shook his head.
“I’m not going nuts, just frustrated.” Ryland corrected but Simon just rolled his eyes.
“Whatever it is, cut it out okay? You gotta relax.” Simon said and he reached his hand out gently to run it through Ryland’s hair. Ryland leaned into the touch lightly, closing his eyes and sighing again. “You wanna relax and be little for a while?”
Ryland felt his face blush. He still wasn’t used to someone else knowing about his age regression, let alone encourage him to regress. Simon actually liked to care for Ryland, so he encouraged him whenever he thought they could both use a break.
“Come onnnnnn, don’t you wanna cozy up with me, your paci, a blanket and maybe a good movie? Doesn’t that sound like fun?” Simon pressured lightly. Ryland opened his eyes to look at Simon, a small pout on his face. He did wanna do all those things, but he didn’t want to admit it.
“I hate you.” Ryland said softly and Simon laughed. Ryland got pouty when regressed, especially when Simon teased him, so it was a good sign.
“No you don’t starlight, you just wanna be stubborn.” Simon called out which just made Ryland pout more. “I’m gonna go grab your stuff, you get cozy on the couch.” Simon instructed as he stood up.
Ryland did what he was told and scrambled up onto the couch once Simon left the room. By the time Simon returned with a pacifier, blanket, and stuffed animal in his hands Ryland was curling into himself. His thumb had made his way to his mouth but he dropped it once Simon came back.
“Hey you know that’s gross, let’s use this.” Simon redirected as he pulled the dust cover off the pacifier. Ryland opened his mouth as Simon slid over his star themed pacifier. He accepted it and immediately he felt calmer.
Simon was able to recognize the soft shift, and it made him smile. Ryland often put off regressing in favor of many other things, hanging with Rocky, teaching the pebbles, trying to remember things, the list was endless. It was nice to see him accept the comfort.
“There we go.” Simon murmured softly as he sat down on the couch next to Ryland. At once Ryland scooted over so he could tuck himself against Simon, feeling smaller by the second. Simon wrapped his arm around Ryland as he did this. “Oh cuddly baby.” Simon cooed.
Ryland was too small to feel embarrassed at this point. He made grabby hands towards his stuffed animal and blanket. Simon handed him the stuffed animal over before he pulled the blanket over the two of them.
He didn’t really process that Simon was putting a cartoon on the laptop until the SpongeBob movie title screen popped up. Ryland was immediately consumed by the movie, leaning closer into Simon as they watched. At some point Simon began to gently run his hand up and down Ryland’s side, a soothing gesture that made his brain more mushy.
By the time the movie was over Ryland didn’t really realize it. All his brain could comprehend was how he was so comfy, so protected, so loved in this moment. If he had to try and think about it, he was probably feeling close to 1 year old right now, but he didn’t have to think about it. All he had to think about was the sound of Simon’s voice.
“Starrrrrrrr light.” Simon said softly as he raised his hand up from Ryland’s side. He gently caressed the side of Ryland’s face, which in turn made Ryland hum softly at the gentle contact. “Oh you’re so little aren’t you? Just so comfy and relaxed. Not a single thought or worry.”
Simon gently pulled Ryland into his lap, rearranging him slightly in his arms. With almost no effort Simon stood up, Ryland bunched up in his arms. Ryland grabbed onto Simon with one hand at the sensation of them moving, but had no further objections. With his other hand Ryland made sure he held on tight to his stuffed animal. Simon made sure he had both arms tightly around Ryland before they began moving.
Slowly Simon made the way to their bedroom. When he arrived he went to sit Ryland down on the bed, but he whined when Simon tried.
“Oh I know starlight I’m so evil, making sure you’re comfy in bed.” Simon teased lightly. Ryland didn’t quite understand what was being said, all he knew was that he wasn't in Simon’s arms anymore. Ryland’s pout returned and Simon could tell frustration was next. “Okay, okay, let me get you tucked in.”
Simon quickly made sure that he had everything either of them could need at least somewhat close to the bed. By the time he slid into the bed next to Ryland there were little tears in the baby’s eyes.
“Starlight.” Simon said with a sigh, not because he was upset or annoyed, but because he thought he was fast enough to keep him calm. Simon pulled Ryland into his lap again, but it was a tad too late.
Ryland began to cry softly, even if he wasn’t entirely sure why. In his mind Simon had left, but he was back now, so he shouldn’t be crying right? He didn’t know why he couldn’t calm back down, and neither could Simon.
“It’s okay baby, I’m here.” Simon reassured, hoping that it would be enough for Ryland to calm down. It wasn’t, but that was okay too. Ryland dropped his pacifier at some point but thankfully he wasn’t very loud when crying.
Simon just kept holding onto Ryland, letting him tire himself out. By the time Ryland was done crying he felt exhausted, sniffling slightly as he laid against Simon. Simon took a gamble and grabbed the pacifier, sliding it back in Rylands mouth with no issue.
“It might be time for bed time, what you do think starlight?” Simon asked, but he was met with another small whine. Even baby Ryland understood “bed time” and didn’t like it. “Oh but we don’t even have to move. We get to be all cuddly right here.”
“No go no.” Ryland mumbled from behind his pacifier. He latched onto Simon’s arm a bit tighter. It took a moment for Simon to understand.
“No, not going anywhere.” Simon agreed. This eased Ryland just a tad and he loosened his grip.
Simon eventually resumed running his hand up and down Ryland’s side, the small grounding pressure nice and calming. It helped Ryland relax even further until he slowly began to drift off to sleep. Simon gave him a small kiss on the forehead, glad he was finally truly calm.