Chapter Text
The next few days passed with startling ease.
Simon took the time to teach the Eridian scientists more about human health and living conditions. He’d made sure to cover all the basics.
Food, water, air, clothes, hygiene, sleep, space to walk around in…
Not that Simon was an expert, but he wasn’t stupid.
He gave the Eridians every bit of information that he had learned from his mentor. He couldn’t help but feel a bit like a mentor himself with the way the Eridians nearly hung off of every word.
Seeing the little rock aliens so fascinated was… so dreadfully cute.
When they got past the basics though, Simon had to explain topics that were a bit more… complicated. Like houses. And day/night cycles. And… plants.
When he was little, Simon eagerly soaked up every single scrap of knowledge he could learn about Earth and its culture, especially after the Quiet Rapture stole Earth from humanity like a wave crashing over a beach. Here, teaching it now, it felt like the bitter sting of the Father’s whip on his flesh and a night without rations for him.
The Father hated talking about Earth.
Simon absently rubbed his left shoulder, lost in his own little world.
“Simon in pain again, question?”
Adrian had once again appeared on the other side of the xenonite barrier after Simon had finished his meal. For being so large, Adrian was really quiet when they wanted to be.
“Sorry, I’m just… trying to remember what Earth stuff was like.”
Adrian was usually very still and silent, but in the past few days they had seemed to be abnormally quiet.
They hummed in passive acknowledgement and waved their claws in a pattern, as if considering something before finally breaking the silence.
“Adrian… have question. If human Simon comfortable answering…”
Simon was a bit taken aback at the hesitation. Adrian always seemed so… composed. Like they knew what they were doing at all times. Comfortable and confident and… kind. Whatever could rattle Adrian surely had to be big.
Simon waited for Adrian to continue. A few awkward beats passed before— oh they really were waiting for Simon’s permission?
“Uh… yeah go ahead?”
Adrian hummed thoughtfully before asking.
Maybe that’s why they were so confident in their words: they took the time to think of them first. Simon had always relied solely on his wit to guide him through conversations. Not that he had many conversations. Kinda hard to connect with people when you’re Eden’s Butcher.
“A few days ago, Simon told team that humans typically ate three meals every day when healthy…”
“Yeah, we do. It’s gonna take this guy a while to get to that point though–”
“Not talking about Grace.” Adrian interrupted. “Simon only eat about one and one half.”
Oh. Him. Yeah.
He… wasn’t used to food being readily available three times every day. He guessed he was hungry, but he was good at tuning it out. Of course the Eridians had provided the rations necessary for him. He just– wasn’t hungry.
“Yeah… I'm just...”
Gluttony is a sin. Sloth is a sin.
He shook his head like it could rattle those thoughts loose. Besides, he wasn’t the one they were building a new habitat for.
“Just…” he flailed mentally, looking for an excuse that didn’t make him sound so pathetic. “Not hungry. I guess.”
Nailed it.
“Simon need to eat.” Adrian replied flatly.
He did not nail it.
“Okay! I will! It’s just– it’s… it’s bigger than me.”
He had to get this right. For someone else. Even a rich asshole who cared more about having his own station than food. He had to get this right for him.
For him…
For…
Himself.
Fuck. He was pathetic. Working for redemption.
He didn’t even really believe any of Eden’s bullshit in the first place, but here he was! Begging for any hint that he was more than a monster– a Butcher– from the hands of a complete stranger (that he hadn’t even met yet!) and a couple of unusually kind and sentient rocks.
On top of it all, he kept having these breakdowns over the most basic things. All Adrian had asked was why Simon wasn’t eating properly!
Because I don’t deserve your kindness! Because I can’t imagine a peaceful life! Because I want to live without owing more than I could possibly pay! Because I’m a Butcher!
A sinner.
He deserved to drown in that ocean. Of course the blood on his hands would come back to strangle him. He thought he could be redeemed at all?
Simon was violently ripped back to reality when he felt a warm pressure on his remaining arm.
His body froze in tension as he looked through blurry eyes to see Adrian’s familiar turquoise carapace. Adiran was… in Simon’s atmosphere. And they were… loosely holding a claw on his arm. And Simon was shaking and taking in gulps of air like a…
Fuck off. No more ocean comparisons.
He did his best to calm himself. It took… a while. He wasn’t sure exactly how long, but it definitely felt like an eternity just shaking on the floor, with his remaining arm curled around himself like he could shrink into a corner and hide forever. All the while, Adrian, covered in what looked to be a form-fitted space suit made of the xenonite, held a loose but firm, grounding grip on him.
Simon murmured out a shaky thanks and apology in one breath. He really had to stop breaking down like this in front of Adrian. It wasn’t very professional of him.
Adrian seemed to shift closer to Simon and the man was wary, but more than happy to let them. Eventually Adrian settled close enough that they were only a few inches away.
“Simon said same thing when… when first brought here. Adrian still does not understand, but it seems to upset Simon.” It felt like Adrian was intently staring at Simon now. “If upsets Simon, then it is not bigger. Is much smaller. Tiny, statement.”
Simon half-sobbed half-chuckled, letting his aching body lean against Adrian’s xenonite shell.
“If only it were so easy.” He rasped. Adrian was warm and all Simon wanted to do was curl up and sleep.
“Can I just… take a quick nap?”
Adrian hummed. An agreement, Simon had learned.
“Take as long as needed.”
Adrian thought for a moment, then amended their statement.
“Take as long as wanted. We talk when Simon healthy.”
Then and there, drifting out of consciousness, Simon decided that he would do anything for this alien. Anything to feel warm and safe and be given all the time and space he needed.
He was the greediest man alive. He was the most slothful man alive.
But he was alive.