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Simon was never one to get attached to people. In fact, he was taught not to. The militia of Eden was to never get close to the citizens, lest the citizens accidentally learn of Edens more... extreme measures when dealing with other colonies. Gossip always spreads, though, which has caused people to be aware enough of it to start picking up the nickname his fellow militia members gave him: "The Butcher". That, combined with his anger, had caused most people to be unsettled by him... Enough to run when they can tell he's on the edge of an outburst of rage.
Yet, despite the fact he's never had an easy time getting close to people... Simon just can't get enough of your presence. He noticed the fact you stayed behind when he flipped his lid, even if you never talked to him. Even if you visibly flinched when he started shouting, screaming, or breaking things. You still stayed for whatever unintentional show he made of himself. He had expected that to be the end of it, though. That you would simply be somebody fearfully standing in the corner, watching on as he melts down, like somebody unable to look away from a tragedy happening before their eyes.
He remembers the day you proved him wrong very clearly. He'd gotten frustrated and angered by the outcome of one of the recent conflicts between Eden and the Consolidation of Iron. He had insisted that Father send him out to fight, yet he had said no. Needless to say, Eden lost that day, and Simon immediately lost his temper. Despite trying to relax by visiting The Last Tree, something about it made him more upset. Perhaps it was because it reminded him of everything he was fighting for? Of everything that his brothers and sisters in that battle had failed.
Either way, it ended with him punching the nearby wall. It didn't end well, considering it was made of steel, and he felt the worst pain in his life followed by a sickening crack. As he doubled-over in pain, he heard footsteps approaching... It was you, having come over to check on him and bring him to the medical bay. He had never expected you to do anything along those lines. He thought he'd have to stumble there alone...
Since then, he's grown attached to you. Hence the situation he's found himself in, now, about a year later. Yes, he's kept track. Who wouldn't?
Sitting across from you at one of the tables at the food court, Simon listens closely as you speak. A few minutes ago, you happened to spot him as he was... well, he wouldn't say following you. More like "stumbled upon" you. Luckily, you believed him, and invited him to sit and talk. He's asked what you do for work, which has set you off on one of your rambles He adores so much. He lazily rests his chin in his hand, propping his elbow on the table as your voice seems to float throughout the air. "Yeah. I work very closely with The Last Tree. I help prune it when it needs it." you chirp out, fidgeting with your bracelet. Everybody has one of those in Eden. Little pieces of The Last Tree to keep it close at all times... To keep your heart close to your roots. You continue, seemingly unaware of how intensely he's staring "How else do you think we get these for our charms? We don't just pluck them off the tree. We get them from the branches trimmed off while pruning."
"Really, now?" He murmurs, looking to his own bracelet. Realistically, you weren't involved in the making of his own... You and him are close in age, from what he can tell. Yet, just the knowledge that you are involved in the process of making new ones? Something about it makes his heart rate spike as his brown eyes gaze at the charm. Simon looks back to you, trying to play it cool "And... and, do you enjoy your job?" You immediately light up in response, which only serves to cause his heart to race faster. He would watch you smile all day if he could.
"Of course! I get to be close to The Last Tree... It feels very rewarding to me, personally." You look to him, grinning. That looks in your eyes tells Simon all he needs to know. You're going to ask him about his job. What should he tell you? What can he tell you without getting in trouble or scaring you? "What do you do for a living, Simon?" Nevermind. He'll tell you anything. Just say his name, again.
He fidgets with the charm of his bracelet, tilting his head a bit. "Well, I'm surprised you haven't heard that I'm a member of the militia." He watches as you shake your head, responding with a small "I've heard." Then, you lean forward a bit, clarifying "I meant moreso... what is your role in the militia? If you're allowed to tell me, that is." Oh... That. Of course you meant that. Simon gives a small nod, looking to your bracelet as he tries to think of an... easy way to explain it. "I am... well, nobody has an official role. I am usually one of the first people who storms in, though."
You tilt your head, adjusting your bracelet a bit. Then, you nod a bit to let him know you heard. Then, you let out a soft chuckle "You must be pretty brave to be one of the first in. It's... admirable." Simon lets a slow breath out, before nodding along. He needs to keep calm. Act normal. Not like the person he loves the most and thinks of every day just gave him a compliment. "Uh... Yeah. Yeah. Yeah..." He murmurs, unable to stop the smile making its way into his face. He continues, nervously chuckling "Though... I'd say it takes some amount of bravery to tend to The Last Tree, too. It must be nerve-wracking, since one wrong move could hurt it."
As you give your response, Simon finds it harder to pay attention to the words you're actually saying, instead choosing to get lost in the sound of it. Something something... "it's not the same as putting yourself in danger"... something something, is all he can actually process. His mind has wandered far away from the conversation, getting lost in little fantasies. You and him sitting under The Last Tree, gazing up at its branches... Him gazing over your shoulder as you show him how you make the bracelets... You tending to him after he comes back from a conflict with the C.O.I... Him simply getting to hold you close.
You finish talking, and Simon realizes it's his turn. He doesn't remember entirely what you just said, but that doesn't really matter. That just means he gets to listen to you talk about this subject, again, and it'll be just like the first time. Instead, Simon stands up slowly, tilting his head towards the nearby food stall. "We're both brave, just in different ways... Are you hungry? I could buy you something..." You let out a small hum, before shrugging. Standing up and shoving your hands in your pockets, you nod "Yeah. I heard there's a stall that's started selling artificial ice cream. I have been morbidly curious as to how it tastes."
Simon knows which stall that is. He heard you talking about it to some of your friends a few weeks back. He smiles, starting to lead you over to the stall. "Artificial ice cream, eh? I've never had ice cream, before. Can't say I'm not excited to try it, even if it isn't the real deal." The man looks back to see you following behind, trusting that he knows where to go. He can't help the way his heart just soars whenever he sees you. You respond in an excited chirp, looking around the stalls "Me neither! After all, no cows or goats means no milk or cream... However, I heard this place managed to make some with like... Alternative ingredients...?"
He listens to you ramble, again. He adores it. It makes Simon wonder what it'd be like to sit in bed with you, curled up under some warm blankets, listening as you ramble about your day or your knowledge on the humans that came before. He'd love that... He'd do anything to turn that into a reality. Pausing at the food stall, Simon speaks up "What flavor are you going to get?" You suddenly pause, looking through the flavors, before silently pointing to the one you want.
Simon hums softly, before deciding what he wants. Chocolate... His favorite choice. He orders two large ice creams, before handing you yours the second they come out. You look a bit flabbergasted, before giving him a smile "You didn't have to get two large ones... They're expensive." "Well, I thought it'd be best, since you could save some for later." You don't push it, instead chuckling softly at his response. Then, you look around, before quickly taking a bite of your food.
"Huh... This is pretty good, actually! Can't tell if it actually tastes like ice cream did, though." Simon raises an eyebrow, before taking a bite. You're right. With the weird ingredients you listed off, Simon wasn't expecting it to taste good. While he can't tell if it is like ice cream, Simon can tell that it tastes like chocolate. "You're right..." he murmurs, before looking over to you. You've already eaten half of your bowl. He chuckles softly, before trying to put the image to memory. He doesn't want to forget this... He doesn't want to forget anything you say or do...
Should he tell you now...? About how he feels? About how he'd do anything for you? About how much he's already done for you, without you knowing? Okay, maybe he doesn't need to tell you about how he's followed you, or how he's made sure others know to keep their distance... However, he only did all that because he loves you so much. He takes another bite of his food, swallowing thickly. Imagine all the things you could do together if you returned his feelings? Sitting under The Last Tree, watching you make bracelets, you tending to him, curling up together under warm blankets... All his little fantasies can come to life. Screw it. He's going to do it.
"You know, I-" "Simon! There you are!"
Simon flinches, looking over to the voice. Damn it. It's one of the other militia members. They must've been looking for him after finding out he left his post. The militia member smugly grins, looking between him and you... Then, she returns her gaze to Simon "You slacking off, again? Can't say I blame you. Father seems to give you more work due to your... reputation." Rubbing the back of his neck, Simon shrugs a bit "I saw something happening over here and took care of it..." "I'm guessing you got "distracted" again?" she asks, looking to you for a split second, before her eyes dart back to him. Simon goes quiet, before nodding slowly. Is it that obvious? If so, thank god you haven't noticed and she isn't outed him.
You look between him and the militia member, clearly a bit intimidated by the fact that she's suddenly shown up. You wave goodbye, making a sudden leave "I'll get out of your hair, then, Simon! Have a nice day. Thanks for the ice cream!" Simon quickly looks over to you at the sound of your voice, waving goodbye. Then, the second you're out of view, he feels his mood dropping. This happened last time he tried telling you, too... Somebody ruined it by welcoming themselves to the conversation.
Looking back to the militia member, Simon crosses his arms. Meanwhile, she gives him a sly grin, waving her hand "You know... You're not being cheeky. I'm sure like... half of our squad knows something is up." Then, she gestures to the bowl in his hands, continuing "I mean... ice cream? You're clearly growing a soft spot for that person." With a scoff, Simon rolls his eyes a bit. This whole rant again... He's heard it before, from some of the others. "And what does it matter to you?" he mutters, turning to walk back to his post "And who said I bought ice cream for them? What if I just wanted some?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she follows along. "Unlike the others, I couldn't care less for you having feelings for one of the citizens. It's you abandoning your post just to see them that I dislike." Then, she nudges his shoulder, continuing "As much as I find it funny to see The Butcher, himself, be brought to his knees by a gardener... Father will be displeased if he finds out how often you've been abandoning your duties. You know we aren't supposed to be mingling with the citizens..."
Simon looks to his bracelet, trying to ignore his growing irritation with her. He has heard the whole "Father will be mad" and "Father will be disappointed with you" before. What if he just doesn't care, right now? Simon only cares about you. You motivate him to stay calm in the face of rage. You motivate him to learn more about the actual people he's protecting. You're his motivation to keep fighting in the name of Eden.
He won't let anybody or anything get in the way of seeing you.