Chapter Text
Something’s off about Simon.
Well, something’s normal about Simon, and that’s exactly the problem. Let us start from the beginning.
*
Simon has been quiet ever since the events of December last year, as if he was in a whole different world. Perhaps in his own mind, thinking about everything that happened, or maybe he was in this world, but simply chose not to speak, or try to appear invisible.
Though, that changed a few days ago. Athena began to notice drastic changes about Simon. It wasn’t slow, no, it was suddenly one day that Simon began to be more… how should she put this…happy? Energetic?
She thought that Simon had let go and moved on, until she started noticing other strange things about him.
*
-February 14th, 2028-
It was valentines day! The most romantic day of all, Athena would say. Stores are filled with chocolates and adorable stuffed animals and chocolate and scarfs and letters and did she mention chocolate?!
It’s Athena’s favourite day of the of the year, besides Christmas… and all her friends’ birthdays… and Halloween and…
…maybe valentines day wasn’t her absolute favourite day of the year, but it still was one of her favourites!
Everyone is happy and loving one another, and even if you don’t have a partner, you could celebrate with a friend or with family. It is about love after all, whether it’s platonic or romantic.
But there’s always this one person who is always extra gloomy and a total buzzkill on these days.
And that person would be one named Simon Blackquill.
Simon—ever since the two of them were younger—complained about the people being all lovey-dovey in public during valentines day. Athena would usually laugh with him and make fun of those people too. But now that she’s older, she understands those people who want to go all out to express their love for their partner, crush, and or friends.
And Athena does exactly that for her friends.
The day before she spent hours in the kitchen preparing the small bags of chocolates she will give to all of her friends the next day.
One for Mr. Wright, one for Trucy, one for Apollo, a special one for Junie, and of course if she gives one to Junie, she’ll have to give one to Hugh and Robin too!
“Thank you, Athena!” Mr Wright said as he took the bag of chocolates.
“YAY, CHOCOLATES!!” Trucy jumped up and down before accepting the gift. “Thank you Athena!!”
“Ah, thank you.” Apollo smiled as he stared at the bag of chocolates. Poor boy, probably never received a valentines gift.
“O-M-G!” Exclaimed Robin. “Thank you SOOOO much!” she immediately started snacking of the chocolates.
“Thanksh, Athena. Theshe awre greaht,” Hugh said while stuffing his mouth full of the chocolates.
“Aww, ‘Thena! You shouldn’t have.” Junie blushed and gave her a smile that would always and ever make Athena’s heart skip a beat. Fighting the urge to straight up kiss her, Athena gave Junie a hug and departed.
And at last…
She needed to drop off one more until she could finally go home and watch sappy sapphic romance movies and hope that would ever happen in her life.
*
Athena hummed a song on her way to Simon’s apartment; she knew that the gloomy prosecutor secretly had a sweet tooth, and couldn’t wait to hear the even sweeter sound of joy in his voice, even if it was subtle.
She hopped and skipped and twirled, not minding any of the stares she had been given.
“He’s gonna be so happy!” Widget chirped, glowing a bright but pleasant shade of green.
“Who is going to be happy, Athena?” A familiar voice said.
Athena let out a small ‘eep!’ before turning to the source of the voice with a smile.
“Simon!” She smiled, then, her face turned into one slight confusion. “I thought you were in your apartment?”
Simon held up a plastic bag, which Athena assumed was filled with groceries. “I was in need of dinner, so of course I went out of my way to buy and attempt to prepare food myself, instead of ordering dinner from the web, like I usually do.”
Athena’s jaw almost dropped. Simon? Cooking in the kitchen? Simon Blackquill, the man who has been in jail for 7 years and hasn’t cooked since he got convicted? The Simon Blackquill who almost burnt down his kitchen when he tried to prepare scrambled eggs? The Simon whom Athena had to make food for every now and then because the fast-food delivery drivers started to recognize him?
…
Athena doesn’t trust this.
“Tch,” Simon snarked. “You don’t believe me.” He stated and crossed his arms, offended by Athena’s lack of trust.
“Pshhh—” Athena waved her hand dismissively. “’course not! It’s just…” She chuckled. “It’s just that you… haven’t been in the kitchen for a long time..?”
“You think I’m going to almost commit accidental arson again.”
“…yeah,” Athena muttered.
Simon huffed, turning his head the other direction.
Athena chuckled awkwardly, gripping the chocolates a bit tighter. She suddenly realized something.
“…hey,” She hummed. “Is there a reason as to why you suddenly want to try cooking today? On valentines day?” Athena asked, then added: “Waaaiit! Do you have a valentine?”
A flicker of fear spread across Simon’s face. He turned his face to Athena, the smallest tint of pink dusted on his cheeks.
“I do not,” He said coldly. “And there is no ‘special occasion.’”
The instant Athena heard those words, the sound of discord made her way through her ears. Was Simon… Hiding something? He was keeping a secret from her, and she didn’t know what.
His voice was filled with surprise, a slight tinge of fear, and… joy? Lots of joy.
…
Joy?
Joy.
Joy!
Happiness, excitement, bliss, euphoria, JOY! Simon was happy! Simon is getting better! Athena could squeal out of her own joy. She is so happy that Simon is healing again!
…
Simon is healing. He is healing and won’t tell her what is making him happy. He is still hiding something, but what? Does he not trust her?
Simon raised his eyebrow, he seemed to have noticed her staring at him with big, shining eyes.
“Is something the matter, Athena?” He asked, tilting his head slightly to the sight. Athena snapped out of her thoughts and brushed it off.
“Oh no, don’t worry!” She held up the bag of chocolates she made. She drifted the conversation by mentioning them. “I made chocolates for everybody to celebrate valentines day. I know you aren’t a valentines day guy—‘cus y’know, lovey-dovey couples ‘n stuff. But I made one for you anyway!” She forced the bag into Simon’s possession.
Simon stared at it for a few seconds. “What kind of chocolates are these?” He asked.
“Pure chocolates!”
“only pure chocolate?” Sadness.
“Do you not like pure chocolate?” Athena asked, attempting to smile.
Simon nodded. “My apologies, Athena.” He placed the bag in his bigger plastic bag which seemed way heavier than it should have been—for a one-person dinner. “Though, I will keep it regardless. I’ll feed it to Taka.”
“Sorry, Simon,” Athena groaned. “I didn’t know you didn’t like pure chocolate.”
“It is completely fine, Athena. It is the thought that counts, correct?”
Athena brightened up. “Yeah!” She pumped her fists. “I’ll make other chocolates for you next year, Simon! I promise!”
“No need for that.”
“Yes need for that!”
Simon sighed, there was no reason to continue squabbling over something foolish such as that. He waved Athena goodbye.
“I shall be on my way back to my flat.” He raised the big plastic bag.
“Right,” Athena mumbled. “Bye, Simon! I hope Taka’ll enjoy the chocolates!” she said as her eyes followed Simon until he was out of sight.
When Athena was one hundred percent sure Simon was out of sight, she sighed out of relief. Thank goodness that went well. Even if Simon won’t eat the chocolates and will feed them to Taka, she is euphoric that she heard joy in his voice.
She skipped, hopped and jumped and hummed on her way home.
*
At home, she grabbed a pack of ice cream, a spoon, and she put on her favourite movie. Halfway through the movie, they mentioned feeding a bird some chocolates. Athena chuckled, as that was almost exactly what happened to her today.
“Well, we could always feed the chocolates to buddy the bird if we don’t like ‘em!”
“dumbass, don’t you know birds can’t eat chocolate? They’ll die if they do—”
Athena paused the tv.
She stared for a while. She stared at nothing in particular. Just stared. Simon must’ve known that birds can’t eat chocolate, hell, Athena’s pretty sure he knew way more than just that birds can’t eat chocolate!
Now then…
…Why did he lie to her, again?!