Chapter Text
Simon loved the school's Christmas trips.
The church they were seated in was bustling with schoolchildren, teachers and parents alike, all trying to find somewhere to sit for the evening. Chatter filled the building. It felt warm and joyous.
The interior of the church was decorated with various colours of tinsel and handmade crafts the littluns had done in class towards the end of the term, complete with a large tree in the centre of the building that was illuminated by the dim candles dotted on the walls and decorated with various ornaments.
Simon let out a content sigh, looking out from the bench where the choir was patiently seated at the other children. In a sea of heads, he managed to catch a glimpse of Ralph amongst the crowd, and frantically waved at his friend with a bright smile.
Jack, who had been busying around the entire day ensuring each choir member was organized and prepared for the service, raised a brow at Simon, but said nothing.
Ralph only took notice after Samneric, who were hyper alert and excited, notified him with a tap on the shoulder. Ralph's eyes met Simon's, and he awkwardly waved back, shy of the attention.
Simon then turned his attention to Roger and glanced up at him. His smile faltered.
The dark boy was breathing heavily, his fists clenched up in his choir robe and his eyes panicked. Simon knew what was going on. He gently reached out, taking hold of one of Roger's hands.
"I'm here," he murmured softly, barely audible above the boom of the crowds in the church.
This seemed to snap Roger out of his anxious trance, for he suddenly glanced down at Simon. The fear was still in his eyes. "I'm nervous-" he spluttered, hushed.
"I know," Simon nodded, his expression calm but sympathetic. He gave Roger's hand a comforting squeeze. "Do you want to go outside?"
Roger barely managed a stiff nod.
Simon flashed him a reassuring smile before pulling Roger to his feet, signalling to Jack they needed time out. There was a code for this; Jack understood immediately.
The pair headed out one of the emergency exits of the church and wandered to the surrounding cemetery.
Roger stopped at a large angel statue and leaned back against it, letting the cool December breeze hit his face. He sighed in relief, closing his eyes briefly. He felt the suffocating grip of anxiety loosen, until it fully let go.
He could breathe again.
Simon watched, perched on a smaller stone tablet on the floor, studying Roger's face with curious eyes.
"This is why people think you're batty, Si." Roger mumbled, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
Simon blinked, and averted his gaze quickly. There was an undeniable blush on the boy's face. "No, I'm not-" he tried to brush his staring off. "I was just looking."
A hand ruffled his dark locks.
"I know. Thank you for what you did for me there." Roger was looking at Simon now, a kindness that was rarely there in his eyes. Simon felt immeasurably lucky.
His eyes met Roger's, and he smiled. "It's alright, I think you'll do great...we've been practicing nearly all year, and even if something does go wrong we can count on Maurice to distract everyone," Simon chuckled at the last part, getting to his feet again.
Roger smiled a bit at that. It was a rare sight - something he usually only showed to Simon. He opened his mouth to say something, but paused for a moment. "We'd better head back in. Sounds like it's quieting up in there."
Simon nodded, and flashed Roger a thumbs up. "Knock 'em dead, Rog!" he cheered and pressed a kiss against the other boy's cheek. Simon retreated back inside as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving Roger to question what had just happened.
Roger touched his cheek tentatively, eyes wide and cheeks tinged pink. Despite the freezing snow he found himself standing in, Roger felt warm inside. Warm, fuzzy butterflies.
This was different to the butterflies he got when he was anxious, though - this was nice. It felt hopeful, it felt promising. He felt wanted.
Roger couldn't let Simon down now.
He re-entered the church with a newfound determination, took his seat beside Simon and held onto the boy's hand, looking directly out at the crowd with confidence. The service began.