Archive of Our Own

Eden wants their property back.

Their pathetic obedient guard dog. His sapling, and his blood to water it. The C.O.I. wasn't the only ones who wanted Simon dead anymore. And Simon's wasn't the only blood they'd spill in order to get revenge. Both the Filament station and The Tree was gone. Simon knew that. It's why he held so tight onto that sapling necklace, wrapping it around his wrist and hand like a rosary, praying with it every so often as he did growing up.

If the sapling was the only thing they wanted, maybe Simon would have given it to them. What would he need it for now anyway? He couldn't plant it on Erid (at least thats what Rocky and Grace said. They said it was too hot and there was too much ammonia for it to survive) and he didn't plan on ever going back, so it's not like he truely needed it.

Though... three words was enough for him to change his mind, enough for his mouth to open in a snarl, the teeth near his cheek bone becoming excited with anger and relentlessness.

"Come get him."

Fuck these guys. Fuck everyone! They hadn't even taken it. That's what pissed him off the most. He knew they could've. He knew they could have pried it from his hands then went to plant a new object of rebirth and worship, but no. They didn't.

They took something from him far more valuable to him..

Grace.

Simon had been sleeping when suddenly the lights flashed red and Mary screamed. "FORGIEN BODY DETECTED! FORGIEN BODY DETECTED!"

"What..??"

Before Simon could even get out of the bed, he heard a scream and multiple crashing sounds. Jumping off the cot, Simon ran in there with no shirt or shoes on, just the loosest pair of jeans that Grace had on board and they still just barely buttoned. It made Simon wonder if maybe he should have laid off the rations, but now he remembered why he kept the padding.

Adrenaline burned calories.. and quickly.

Simon, without asking questions, began swinging without question. While it was significantly harder now one armed, he's always been a good fight. He was a scrappy fucker. No matter how big his enemy, compared to his stature, he always hit his mark. One way or another. It's why they loved him before, and hated him once the job they asked him to do was done.

They raised him up from just a puppy, a bitey whiney small thing, now kept muzzled and chained until their convenience. Not anymore. Now, he was led with no lead. No noose around his neck ready to jerk up the second he misbehaved.

He kept his head low as he fought, using his knowledge of the ships layout and the lights going on and off to his advantage.

See, the difference between their hands and Graces? He never harmed him for biting when fed. Grace always forgave, it's what he was meant to do, right? With a name like that, it was his destiny.

Simon hops up on the table, kicking a soldier he didn't recognize in the side of the head.

Eden was quite a nice name too. But tied to a post wasn't freedom. Pacing around in the same circle, with the same rope tied around his throat? Beat for his abilities that they trained him for, slid a bowl of slop only when he won a fight? That wasn't any way for a dog to live.

Grabbing another's arm, he held onto it as he jumped down, swinging his feet to kick him directly in the stomach with both feet.

He much preferred roaming the fields at knee height with his new shepherd. He could go if he wanted.. wander he may, but he would always return to the kind hand that treated him with such pure love. Something Eden has never given him.

Turning just in time, He ducks, swiping one of their legs and steals the large knife out of their chest hostler.

"May the Tree bestow upon you forgiveness and mercy. Because I'm not!" He said, slamming someone's collar against the table from earlier with his elbow only to bring his knee to his nose. An audible cracking noise went off as he rushed over to see that they had connected to Mary with a long bridge and chain around her engine.

He didn't know how they found him, but he had a sneaking suspension it had to do with the sapling on his neck. How did they get this close without Mary going off? How did any of this even happen? No time for that- Grace was in danger.

"Ooh fuck.. fuck! Fuck fuck fuck!!" He yells, trying to work up his courage as he quickly puts on a suit and a helmet. He didn't have time. He knew the Father probably sent those guys as distractions. He didn't recognize any of them and they were far too easy. They were trying to get away before he had the chance to board.

Fine. They wanted him? Here he comes.

At the last second, Simon clipped himself to Mary, just in case they ended up taking off, he wouldn't fall into the void of space.

In the back of his mind, Simon hoped Grace was still alive. He knew how long those sacrifices took. He knew the entire process. He wouldn't be called The Butcher if he didn't..

Running across, he ends up losing his balance, shouting as he falls, swinging back around. Grunting, he manages to hoist himself up with just a single arm and the use of his knees.

Another question was how did they manage to get Rocky? The thing was stubborn as a mule.

Climbing up onto the runway, Simon groans, grunting and mumbling. "God damn it- fuck this. Fuck you guys. I swear to the Father once I catch you-" while pulling.

Finally on his hands and knees, he began to try to get up. His body stops. The line was short. He, again, curses, looking between Mary and Eden's doors.

His eyes quickly glance down to his safety belt, his hand coming to undo it before his brain even processed what it meant would happen if he were to fall now.

Simon growls. "Shit.. shit, shit shit!! Why!? Why is it always me!?" He shouts, deciding to unclip himself, making his way very carefully to the station. It was massive. 6-7 times larger than all of Mary.

He had remembered Grace saying she was 47 meters or whatever bullshit that meant. Now that he saw it in comparison, he understood. The ship was built for only 3 people and to be efficient, not comfortable. Meanwhile the station held several hundred. He didn't have anything to compare it to. He just knew it was big as shit. The bigger things were, the more people, the more people, the more rooms. The more rooms, welp, the more places they could hide Grace.

Good thing he knew this place like the back of his hand since he was just a kid. That was years ago now.. wow... he had spent most of his life with these people.. and now.. here he was.. watching it go to war with itself and crumble from the lack of a deity figure to hold. Maybe that's why they wanted Grace. To replace the Tree...

Simon shakes his head as he bursts through the door, falling onto the floors he had known his entire life.. the heritage of the Tree.

Shit, Okay think. If he was still a soldier, where would he drag someone if the C.O.I was attacking?

Before he could think, he ducks, snapping towards a guard who had thrown their institution issued knife. Something clicked in his head, eyes becoming small as he grabs the knife out of the wall.

Amateur. What kinda idiots were they training nowadays? You never gave up your weapon. That was rule number 3. Rule 4? Don't go alone. The branches of the Tree stuck together to be strong, to use all of its leaves to protect the core.

Simon, after ditching the suit and helmet, smiles widely, almost sickingly entertained, dashing forward. The guard, who he guessed couldn't have been more than 19, ran like hell, now out of weapons. And come on now. A one armed man running at you like this, wielding your knife and a look like that in his eyes?

FUCK. That.

As he ran, Simon's muscle memory began to kick in, chasing him down the hall, sliding on the tile around the corner. The boy had screamed as he ran for his life, actively crying. Simon chuckles. Oh how he loved a good chase.

From the screaming, others were alerted, coming after him. With the one running to hide and the other three, Simon stops, deciding to rush at the one with the highest patch status. One arm or not, there was a reason he was so heavily praised for his work. He wouldn't call himself a psycho or anything. I mean- it's not like he liked cutting into chest cavities between the fourth and fifth rib or slicing jugulars.

It's just something he was trained for.

Though.. sometimes..

Simon flips his head up, taking a deep breath as the last of the bodies dropped, blood splattering his face.

He wondered if.. just maybe..

Rounding the corner came another small group, stopping in their tracks as they stumbled upon the man just.. standing there. Shirtless and stained with his sins, grinning ear to ear, examining the knife's shaft in his hand.

They blinked, horrified, flinching just from him looking up at them.

He was a little too good at it.

And maybe.. he liked being good at things.

Before he could say anything, they began to push each other, running away, presumably to get a Superior.

Simon sighs, now feeling a bit.. bored.. man.. Why did they never try to put up a fight? Even Grace had wrestled with him on the Hail Mary. That thin bastard might not have had a lot of weight on him, but he was determined. That's what he liked about Ryland. He was resilient.

Now, Simon hums, stepping over the body, he continues his search, casually walking in the same direction that the soldiers had run, bloody foot prints following him like the souls he has stolen.

Alright assholes. Where's Grace? If he had to guess.. He would assume..

A loud, high pitched, super unmanly squeal comes from down the hall, towards the worship room.

"Bingo."

Simon runs down the hall, knife still held tight, stabbing and slashing anyone who tried to keep him from proceeding.

This is, until of course his stomach drops.

"Simon!? I-.. I thought you went to prison! They.. we thought you had joined the Tree in the dirt. I wished you a good rot! Oh, Simon you came home! Are you going to rejo-" She had been so distracted and so extremely excited, that she just now noticed the trail of blood and bodies behind him.

Her face changed from reunited excitement to immediate fear and betrayal. Her eyes ran over his body, trying to figure out what he had become. This was not the same kid she remembered..

"Simon.. h-.. w- What are you?" She takes a step back, baring her hand on her own knife. "You.. You did do the Filament station.. didn't you?  I.. I didn't want to believe them but...Why would you do this to us?"

Simon's eyes widened, softening slightly. "I-.. No! No! I didn't. I was set up! That's why I went to prison in the first place. And then they put me in a submarine and I fought a fucking blood ocean- monster- thing?? And now Im- Now im with this guy- Well, he's an Angel actually, but anyway! He's trying to save the sun. Oh! The stars are back! And the Earth apprently. He said that people there are fine. He said he's going to take me there once we drop off this eating sun-eater stuff?? Its complicated. A lot of science..Hey! You should come with us- ....Claire?"

But Claire stiffened when he steps closer.

"Stop! I.. Don't come any closer!"

The whole bad feeling came back. It was like watching a balloon deflate. "..Claire.."

He takes a step.

She pulls her knife.

"You.. You are under arrest Simon. You will be held in containment until the trial blessed by The Father takes place."

His frown was practically pointing down, that wave of guilt and losing community washing over him, drowning him, holding his head under the ocean surface. "..Oh, Claire... You know you can't beat me.. you've tried.. I always win the spar..." He trails off, taking another step.

The short dirty blonde haired woman, known as Claire, Officer for Eden... Simon's friend- Ex..friend- held her ground. Her feet planted, hand shaking as a tear fell down her cheeks. "..The Tree sees all your flaws. If.. If you come with me.. I can cleanse you. Cleanse your soul, body and mind." She says, lip trembling.

Simon has his own moment, tears welling. He remembers being like them. He remembers thinking dying for the Tree was the only way to escape this crowded and scarce hell space. No stars, no moons, no Nothing to look up to except for The Tree. It felt like you had no choice but to devote yourself fully. These people didn't know the beauty that came with leaving. The freedom of exploration and gorgeous clouds of dust floating just out the window.

"Claire.. Don't do this... You know you'll lose." He states, now just a couple inches from the tip of her knife.

"Esspecially holding your weapon like that.. turn your wrist."

Claire shakes her head slowly, not taking her eyes off of him. "No." She whispers.  Simon had taught her many things over the years. But now she was unsure. "No..I know the Tree will take care of my corpse. Can you say the same thing? Does the Tree even know thy name, anymore?"

Simon doesn't feel the rage that he once did years ago from this statement, but It did still piss him off. He drops the knife he had, grabbing her wrist tight within an instant.

He leans in closer, holding her frailness so tight that he knew she would bruise.

Tears still fall down her face as she trembles. "Y-.. you are under arrest. As per au... authority.. of..." but she's quiet when he gets merely an inch from her.

"Oh, Claire... you don't get it.. do you?" He asks, a snarl haunting each word.

She swallows, shaking her head as she tries to pry his hand from her wrist, struggling.

"This isn't a spar."

A moment later Simon throws her over his back, quickly collecting both knives, putting one in the back of his jean pocket. It's all he had right now. He wished he had grabbed his own knife or at least his hostler. At least then it would be much easier.

Cracking the woman in the head with the blunt end, he takes several deep breaths. Fuck.. he hadn't meant to even hit her that hard. He just wanted her to stay down a second, not give her a concussion. Either way he didn't have time to think about it now.

When Simon finally arrived in the area in which he heard the scream, they had Grace tied up, trashing and screaming. He must have been having one of those panic attacks he spoke about because he was sobbing, trembling and begging them. 'Please, don't! Stop! Please.. I.. I don't want to go! Please don't make me!'

"Ryland!" He shouts, hoping to ground him a bit, but it only gets unwanted attention.

Standing next to him, the ritualists responsible for the beheading wielding large swords, a man in a ritualist robe next to them with an axe. An Axe Simon recognized all too well.. a weapon he has had nightmares about.

Simon didn't know the plan, not fully, but he had the idea that they were about to "Cleanse" Grace of his sins.

"GRACE!" He shouts, jumping forward only to be tackled, multiple guards on either side of him, grabbing and holding him. They had grabbed his knives, throwing them away. He growls, trashing, kicking and even tried to bite them a couple times.

"Stop."

The deep stoic voice rang out into the dome shaped room. An old man in a green long robe stood in the other entrance.

The soldiers stiffened. Simon would too from reflex if he wasn't being restrained.

The man had a long greyish but white beard, deep sharp eyes and dictator-esc eyebrows, the kind Grace would call “face catapillars" what ever the fuck a catapillar was.. he tried explaining once that it was like larve but it made Simon cringe.

"Simon, Thy have caught and returned with a member of the C.O.I.. For that I praise you."

"He's not! H-he's from Earth!" Oooohh.. shit.. yeah. Maybe not the best thing to say.

The room erupted with laughter.

"The Earth, my child?? My son, the Earth has been gone for almost 4 decades. The man before you is a liar, a traitor, and guilty of sin." The Father stated, not even accusingly, but matter of fact.

Simon struggled a little more from the guards, but couldn't find a loose spot.

"It's true! He showed me on his ship! The Earth is still here. We're going back. So let him go and we'll be on our way."

The Father smirks, smuggly. "Let go?? Thy? My boy, you are going back to the ground where you BELONG. You should have never been allowed out of that cell. The fact that the C.O.I is unable to contain thy is enough proof. You are not worth saving. The Tree has never known you."

"The tree that blew up!? Ha! You're STILL going on about that huh? Where is this tree now, hm? Answer me god damn it! You wanna hurt people so bad, For what!? You don't even HAVE a tree anymore!" Simon spat like a feral cat caught by the hands of a thick glove, claws unable to pierce through. 

"That's why we're going to plant one in the stomach of this falsehood. We will have to do some work to be certain the seed thy carry isn't infected with your filth but.. we'll make due. We always have."

Simon has been scolded before. He has been cursed, whipped, starved, isolated and worse by the orders of the man that stands in front of him. And yet.. he's never been as angry as he is at this very moment. The teeth on the side of his face opening up, his neck ripping and springing with new fang. 

"NO! Don't fucking touch him! DON'T! I swear to fucking god! If you touch him I'll reap all of you! ALL of you! Dont-" He was cut off by being kicked in the teeth of his cheek. 

The Father signaled for him to be silenced.

"Shut up!" Mak, a Superior growled at him.

Simon snarls. "Fuck you. Fuck you and this whole god damn place! We were friends!"

"Yeah well you were friends with Adriana too!" The guard grunts.

Simon goes quiet, ashamed and overwhelmed by the name alone. More tears well in his eyes.

"Don't.. don't bring her into this." He whispers.

"Ive seen what being your "friend" does to people. The Father is right. You're nothing but waste." Mak's lips curled back as he hissed.

"Enough. To die for the Tree is an honor, Brother Makena." The Father booms in the dome shaped room, echoing off the walls.

"Fuck you man.. Fuck off.." Simon whines, going limp in his arms, finally accepting he couldn't get free. He's been told almost his entire life that he only have one true purpose.. Grow up to be Tree fertilizer.

"Now that the sinful has been silenced, we can proceed with the ceremon-...y..." The Father trails off as he looks at the pile of absent rope.

To all of their surprise, Grace was no longer there. Simon thanked heaven. Grace must have been able to slip out and run off. By now he could be back on Mary and hundreds of kilometers away. He would get away.

"What!? Where did the devil one go!?" The Father demanded. "Where is the falsehood!?"

Simon snickers. That snicker became a chuckle, and then a laugh.

"Why are you laughing?!" The Father asks. "What is so funny?"

But Simon ignores him, laughing deep from within his chest and stomach, tears coming from his eyes as he continues, hysterically unable to stop.

"Cease that at once, fiend! You did this! You released the Devil one!"

Simon shakes his head, still giggling. "You dumbasses won't be able to catch him. Ever!"

"Find him! Find him, NOW!" The Father shouts at the superiors, who just stare at him, glancing at one another. They couldn't restrain Simon and go search at the same time.

"Do as I say! This piece of waste is no longer a threat to us."

"But Father...He's the Butcher."

"Are you daring to disobey me!?" He shouts as they scurry off, quickly leaving to search the area.

Simon falls to his knees. He always knew he would die here. Secondly, he knew that the Angel would leave him. He wondered if Doctor Grace had only helped him because he wanted to give Simon a teasing taste of Heaven before fate took over and put him right back at the hands of his abuser.

If Simon wanted, he could run. He could shove him over and run like hell. But he didn't see a point.

Grace (And the Hail Mary) was gone. He had nowhere else to run. He couldn't survive in open space.. then again.. he was tired of running to begin with.

The Father jerks a sword from one of the clergy, stepping forward, knuckles white with anger.

"Thy lies! You're who he loves, I refuse to believe he would just abandon you, even if you are a pathetic mess."

"Just how you all abandoned me at the Filament station!?" Simon snarls, gritting his teeth.  "Dr. Grace is an Angel and  has never loved me..nor will he ever.. and I am perfectly okay with that." 

The Father scoffs. "Oh please. Calling such a demon an angel is enough treason for me to end thous life right here. But I wouldn't want to sour this holy room with thy demonic blood. He is not an angel, he's an ordinary man with horns, one thy have foolishly fallen for!"

"I did. I will never deny that. Dr. Grace doesn't go around falling in love with people. He's far too important! That's why you took him, isn't it? Because he's valuable? But I'm telling you right fucking now, if you think for even a god damn second that he is weak or ordinary, you don't have the slightest IDEA what you're dealing with." Simon beams as he thinks of the Angel first reaching his hand into the sub, full of smiles and enough brightness to light up the night.. his own personal star.

The Father falls silent for a thick second. "..You've always been sinful Simon.. always. You think I'm not aware of the sins you've committed? The Tree told me everything. And now, you have fallen in love with a false Angel. Perhaps thy name never was on the Tree's list." He says, circling him slowly. "It's disgusting. You're an abomination."

"I might've grown sharp teeth but it's your fault I'm a monster. You told them to abandon me. You left me for dead. You KNEW they'd put me in that ocean and had NO intentions on letting me free! You.. made me cruel. You made me sick." His voice tightens, barely a noise or quiet peep coming out as tears run. "Or do you not remember how you'd toy with me? Hm? Or were there far too many little soldiers, that you don't remember me? What you did to me? Because I do. And I'm telling you right now that you aren't anything like how I thought of you. At all!"

The Father kicks him over, reaching down to rip the pendant from his neck, metaphorically excommunicating him, forever.

"Oh, I remember you! You always were a little brat! That's all you ever were. Only ever was good for 2 things. Murder and Doing what you're told. And even then you messed that up half the time!" He crouches, grabbing Simon by the hair and pulling him back, growling through grit teeth. "And don't you dare act like you didn't like doing it."

Simon spit in his face.

The Father back hands him, crystaled gems on his fingers scraping against his eye and nose. Blood ran from his eye, gliding down his cheek.

He takes a deep breath, stepping away.

Still though, the Father presses on. "Anyway.. if what thou says is remotely true, He'd come back for you. Which means he's here... somewhere. I just have to find him."

"NO he's not. He's far too smart for that. Surely even you aren't dumb enough to believe he'd come back for me. You said it yourself. I would only break him. It's all I'm ever good for." Simon laughed, voice breaking again, hair covering his face as he giggled in between sobs. He didn't care anymore, and felt as if he were going insane the longer he spoke. 

"Well fucking go on then!! Get on with it! Search the whole ship! He's not here." Simon grits his teeth. "God knows where he is right now, but I promise you, he's doing whatever the hell he wants and not giving a damn about me!" He laughs still as tears flow free, voice tightening as he sniffles.

When you love an Angel, it's like loving the stars themselves.." he whispers, slightly grasping at his bare, blood soaked chest where his sapling used to sit, now empty.

"And why not? Have you betrayed yet someone else who cared for you? Hm?.. Butcher? How useless must one be for even an Angel to leave them?" The Father asks, fingers running over the width of the large blade still in his hand. As if he were thinking longingly.

Simon growls, frustrated. What part wasn't he getting of Grace is GONE? Why must he continue rubbing his nose in it?

"Let me put it in terms you bastards will understand! You don't expect the Tree to admire you back. It takes care of us, sure but it doesn't say thank you when we take care of it. And if I happen to find myself in danger, let me tell you, Dr. Grace is not stupid enough, sentimental enough- An-and he is certainly not in love enough!.. to find himself standing in it with me. Now do you get it?

The Father, who seems to have not been paying attention at all, turns and snaps his fingers.  The men with long swords- well, the one who had his sword taken by the Father, quickly left.

Now all that stood was the hooded man with the axe. Silent and devoted. They had replaced him just as quick as he went, it seemed.. the poor bastard.. he (or she) probably didn't even know what he was witnessing.

The Father walks closer, putting the Sword against his chin, forcing him to look up at him. "You are a damned disgrace! A disappointment, and a disservice to this family. Can't you see that death is a mercy? Pray thou stay dead. We are salvation. We can save everyone. I can send you to be saved.. all you have to do.. Tell me where he is."

The sword's tip slices a small bit into his neck. Still, Simon speaks, causing another hot trail down his neck.

"Fuck. OFF."

"Suit yourself. Have a dishonorable death. Thy may never rot well under The Tree." He says, lifting the sword. Simon closed his eyes tight. He didn't want to die, but without Ryland? There really was no hope for him.

Just as The Father was about to swing down, something clanged, stopping the metal from contacting with Simon's skull.

"What!? How dare-...You! How did you.. When did you- no.. No! NO!"

Within moments, the man that had tortured Simon for years.. was gone. His head had bounced, rolling across the dirt with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. He was left permanently shocked.

Almost as much as Simon, who stared up, puffy eyed and crying to see, standing there, An angel.

"Eww! Belgh! Some got in my darn mouth!" The man, now splattered with blood says, whining a bit as he drops the sacrificial axe.

"..R..Ryland?" Simon whispers, the LED light above him giving him that angelic glow that the Mary gave him when they had first met.

Simon's cheeks glow. "How did you..have you been here? When did you.."Holy shit! You.. You killed him! Holy fuck, you killed The Father!"

"Shh! Quick! There's no time to explain. We need to get out of here before I realize what I've just done and have a panic attack!..Oh my gosh.. I just killed somebody..!! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!-"

Simon only stared, preening at the fact they both now were covered in Edenite blood. It made him smile

Then laugh

And now cackle.

Oh god, they were so fucked up together..  maybe he was rubbing off on him..

"Oh fuck, I hope I don't ruin you.." He mumbles.

Grace frowns. "Simon, come on! We don't have time for you to be going crazy too! Lets GO!" Putting his hand out, Simon hesitantly grabbed it.

The second he is pulled to his feet, he grabs the back of his head, kissing him. Usually, Simon wasn't so quick to steal a kiss. But this is all he could give him right now as payment for rescue.

Not only 30 seconds ago he thought he was going to die again, and AGAIN, Grace had saved his life.

Pulling away, both of them were red and wide eyed. It was like Simon himself was unsure of what he had just done.

"Sorry!" Simon says immediately after, seeing his teeth had cut his lips with his kiss.

Grace touches the bloody lip, a little darker in the face then Simon was.

"Si, I .. that was...erm... I really do think we should get out of here- Oh hold on!"

Dipping down by the now gushing and bleeding out late Cult leader, Grace snatched the sapling pendant from his (still warm) dead hands. And then he kicked the body, giving a nod for good measure.

"That's what you get! Rot in hell!" He screams at the body before turning to see if this was the correct terminology.

Simon shakes his head slightly and Grace kicks him again. "DON'T Rot, actually!"

Simon grins like a little kid. "Close enough."

Handing him the necklace, Simon wrapped it, tying it around his wrist only to hug Grace, squeezing him tight.

Ryland hugged back, trying to hug even tighter.

Pulling away just slightly, Simon instead shoves Grace, upset and angry with him. "Why didn't you run!!?? You were supposed to run you stupid sentimental fuck!"

"Okay okay!- but like.. seriously we're going to die if we don't leave."

"Right.. Wait, where's Rocky?"

"He went back to the ship to defend it. That little guy is a real beast when he wants to be! He's unhooking the chains and keeping the bridge stable but he can't do it for long so all we have to do is jump on and we can take off."

"We need to get you in that pilot seat ASAP!"

"Thats what I just said!"

Running down the halls, evading capture, Grace had gagged when he accidentally stepped on a dead body's fingers. "EW!! Op! Im so sorry-"

"Grace!! Come ON!" He scolds him, dragging him through the narrow pathway. Once they hit the door, Simon gasps in excitement.

"Look! Rocky air locked it for us. Just go! Go!! Come on, I'm shorter and heavier than your ass! Run!"

"I'm trying! I'm not trained for this! I'm a middle school teacher!" Grace complained, huffing and panting by the time they made it safely back onto Mary. Now they were retracting the tunnel, buckling up for take off.

"Pilot detected." Mary says, unaware of the danger they were in.

"You mean all those things you said back there?" Asked Grace, clicking a few buttons with vigor.

Simon puts in a lock for the Eden Space Station, marking it as an enemy of Mary so next time she would definitely alarm them BEFORE they were breached. He forgot that Grace had turned off the danger alert. Why? Because Mary was old, and "as my kids would say; She's straight buggin, teach" 

Simon remembered rolling his eyes at that conversation.

"W-what do you mean? Now's not a good time, Ryland.."

He doesn't even glance at Simon.

"Simon.. you called me an Angel.. Did you mean it? You think I'm an actual angel?"

Simon, now embarrassed, falls back into his seat a bit. "..I don't know." He shrugs, looking away. "Can we just go?.. Please.."

He knew two things. One? That Grace wouldn't take him back to Eden. Two? The Edenites are going to be PISSED when they realize Simon- according to them- Has not only killed The Tree, But also The Father. Even if neither was done by his hands, he knew that they all would blame him. Just like Mak.. just like Claire..

"Do you believe everything you said?" Grace asks, trailing off slightly as he pulls a lever. "Hold on, we're getting the heck out of here."

Watching as the massive space station became a speck, He turns back to glance at Grace, still topless and bloody. "I...Can you be more specific?"

"That you break everything? That.. You'll break me?"

Simon sighs, grunting. "Ryland, I.. I'm not a very good vessel for your good intentions.. I'm a monster. You don't get the nickname The Butcher for.. well.. not being a monster. I just.. I know that you mean so well. But I don't.. I don't want to hurt you. In any way shape or form, do you hear me?"

Ryland nods. "Of course. I know that.. you know that. Rocky knows that."

"Rocky no like those humans. Bad bad bad bad! Try hurt Friend Grace and Grace Friend, Simon." Rocky says, speaking up finally now that he wasn't kicking Edenite ass.

Simon wipes some blood off of his ball. "There. Now you can...oh." Right. He keeps forgetting Rocky can't actually see.

"I don't think any of us did, bud." Grace mumbles, giving a look to Simon. "We can talk about this later.."

The air became tense.. Awkward as silence filled the dead air.

Simon wants to throw up.. He messed up. Ryland never spoke so seriously. He double messed up.

Thankfully, Rocky breaks the silence.

"Rocky protect ship! Good good good!"

"You did great, rock! I mean.. Mary's all bloody on the inside but from what I'm seeing there's nothing damaged. Just filthy."

"Ship dirty dirty dirty. Rocky disgust!"

"Yeah we should probably get cleaned up.. I just want to get as far away from them as possible. I don't think... I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight." Grace admits.

"Friend Grace watch Rocky sleep, question?"

"Of course. Always."

They bump fists as Simon sits, strapped in his seat feeling like he had a lot of explaining to do. On topics he didn't really know how to explain.

Later, after cleaning everything up, including themselves.

Rocky sat in his huge sleeper area, splooted out like an exhausted dog while Simon, now clothed, sat still, allowing Grace to tinker with his neck. God he hated it. He fucking hated people touching his neck.. but I guess this was why.

"Ouch!"

"Stop moving! You can't ask me to scalpel you and then jerk away."

"What Grace doing? Question?" Rocky asks, trying to wind down into slumber but the intensity in the air and Grace's on edge demeanor was making it difficult for him to fully submit himself to sleep.

"Simon thinks he has a tracking device in his neck, but I can't seem to find it. Dang it, Si, please." He grunts, using a hand to steady him, holding the other side of his jaw as he pulls forward in the slightest.

With the hand placement, Simon relaxes, tuning his neck just slightly.

"Oh- Hold on I think I see it. Don't move."

Picking up the angled tweezers, he grips it.

Suddenly a small shock goes through Simon's neck.

"Ow! Ow, ow! Fuck!"

"Is friend Simon okay!?" Rocky asks, standing from his sploot.

"Yes, Rock he's fine- Sorry, sorry, I got it, hold on... annndd there it is! Bingo!"

Retracting the hand, There Grace sat, baggie eyed and smiling as he held a small metal device. "I don't know what it is really, but it kinda reminds me of a microchip."

"What is microchip? Question? Bad?" Rocky doesn't quite settle back down, but he does sit, which only enhances his spider look.

Simon carefully wipes his neck with some sterile gauze.

"It's what they put in ..." Grace's smile drops. "..In dogs.."

"Dogs? I think I've seen a dog. That animal from the musical you showed me?" Simon asks.

"No no, those are cats. Technically they're people dressed as cats but.. yeah.. those are cats... do you remember that sad movie I showed you? The one where they eat spaghetti in the alley?"

"Those are dogs? ... Can dogs even eat spaghetti?"

"Yeah... dogs.. do you remember how Tramp didn't have a license so he was being hunted by the dog catcher? Well, If a dog has a license.. they're returned home. This-" He holds up the chip. "This is your license."

Simon's face already wasn't great. But this just made it break. He had so many questions. Opening his mouth to speak, he only closes it, shaking his head as tears form.

Rocky asks the question he isn't able to.

"Why give Friend Simon license if not want? Question?"

Simon's breathing becomes uneasy, pulling his legs up to his face, still holding his neck as he whimpers. "I-.. I don't know."

It didn't make any sense. Why the fuck would they bother making a plan to abandon him just to keep a chip in him to declare him as their property?

Maybe it was just that.. maybe they were never planning to-.. no. The Father admitted it. They wanted him dead. They hated him. So why??... just.. Why?

By the time Simon came back to reality, his neck was stitched and Rocky was sleeping. Ryland was laying against the Xenonite panes, seemingly to be playing a game on the laptop to pass time. He looked terrible.. Simon couldn't imagine how scared he was.

"I'm sorry.." He whispered.

Grace lifts his head, Glasses hanging off his face. "For what?"

"For.. for everything. I didn't know- I.. I thought they were done with me, I.. they must have put it in when I got my tattoo because.. but then why.. What time is it?"

"It hasn't been that long. You went a little mute there.. wouldn't even look at me so.. I left you alone. I figured you were processing in your own way."

"Ri-right.. sorry I.. are you scared of me?" He asks, bluntly and out of the blue.

Grace tilts his head. "What?"

Last time he remembered, Grace was next to him, and now he was distanced.

"Can.. Can I come over there?" He asks, quietly, like a child who wants to be consoled by his mother.

Grace opens an arm and within a second Simon was in it, watching him play solitaire for a minute.

"I'm really sorry. I don't know what they want with me. I dont.. I dont know why they-" He was interrupted.

"Hey it's alright. It's not my first time being held against my will... hah."

Simon frowns. He hated how casually he spoke about it. Like he wasn't just almost kidnapped and killed, taken from his own bed.

Now he remembers what he said earlier in the cockpit.. lol.. cockpit.

He shakes his head. No. Serious time. Get it together, though he couldn't help but wonder if Armando gave him too big of a dose of codeine for the stitches. 

"I don't know if I can't believe you're an angel." Simon admits.

Grace stops toying with the keypad, going still, arm still wrapped around him. "..I'm not an Angel, Simon. I tried to let my whole planet die because I'm a coward. That's not very Angelic."

"I know.. but how else would you be able to do all these great things? You bred all that towel-mebia or whatever. You almost died collecting that. You survived a hull breach."

"Only because of Rocky." Grace states, turning to look at the Rock alien as if something could harm it. No humans could even touch Rocky without being burned. He knew that already. And yet.. he was terrified of what Eden would have done to him..

"He's terrifying.. I wish I could have seen him fight."

"Don't tell him but for about 2 weeks I thought he was going to use me as a host for his babies or something."

Simon turns, looking at him very confused. "What?"

"Oh right.. you havent seen that movie yet. Ill uh.. I'll show you later. Or maybe I won't. It might make you freak out. Anyway... Yeah.. only reason I ever survived was Rocky. I was fully prepared to just... die... alone. So no. I'm not an angel. If anything Rocky's the angel. He saved me."

"But you saved me, Grace.. twice now." Simon mumbles, moving to put his ear on his shoulder.

"That's what Rocky says too.. heh.. I guess I really am your Saving Grace.. god that's so corny."

"Corny?"

"Yeah like.. Cringe? It's uncomfortable."

"Why?" Simon whispers, forgetting about the main topic at hand already. This was going to be a long night..

Grace shrugs. "I don't know.. I'm just a guy."

"You're way more than just a guy. Earth wouldn't send 'just a guy' to save them."

"I guess... so.. that guy that.. I..."

"That you beheaded?"

"Yeah. You told him that..that I'm not stupid enough to come back for you. That.. I will never love you back? Or.. something like that? And.. you're okay with that?"

If Rocky was awake, he would state that Grace's face is hot.

Sitting up, Simon pulls away. "Ahem.. erm.. yeah. I- i don't know what I was saying. I was just scared.. trying to buy myself a little more time." He lies, straight through his teeth.

Grace closes the laptop, moving it to the side as he puts his hands in his lap, fidgeting with his watch. "O-oh.. right.. I just thought... Nevermind." He says.

Neither of them look at each other.. except.. that's a lie too. Simon is watching him from the corner of his eye. Grace glances, and Simon looks away. When Simon looks at him again, Grace stares at his lap again.

They do this a couple more times before Simon speaks up.

"What uhm... what were you thinking about?"

Grace swallows. "Nothin. I just.. well.. Actually.. Are you sure?"

"Of what?"

"You're okay with it?"

"With what??" Simon asks, clearly not picking up the hints Grace held directly in his face.

"That.. that I'll never love you back the way you.. love me? I didn't know you felt that way. I didn't mean to lead you on or anything, Si, I swear." 

"Yes." Simon says, stern with confirmation. 

Ryland blinks. "Yes what..?" 

"I said it ealier.. and I meant every word.. you don't expect an angel to love you back." 

Grace chews on his tongue a bit before replying. "But I'm not an angel.." 

Simon shrugs ever so slightly.

"Might as well be." 

"But-" 

"You're my angel at least." Simon spurts without thinking, now looking at him with surprise as if Grace had been the one to say it. 

"Sorry! I.. I don't know why I said that.. You're not even going to want to be around me anymore once we get back to Earth.." 

Grace takes off his glasses, rubbing them with his shirt as he puts them back on. "Why..Why not?" 

Simon, again shrugs, turning his body away. "Come on, Ryland.. You have to know that this.. what we have- or don't, isn't going to last. We're only desperate because we're lonely." He uses a finger to make a circle pointed up. "This.. all of this? It's only human. You said it yourself.. humans have to pack together. Its how we survive..but I'm not sure if Im even human anymore.. you won't want to be around a murderer once we land. None of this even matters. But I'm okay with that." 

Grace shifts onto his knees, moving himself to sit in front of Simon. "Do you really think that??" 

"It's obvious isn't it? Desperation will erase that fact.. but you don't have to worry. I don't mind..everyone abandons me anyway." This last part was meant to stay inside his head, but it seems he was having trouble keeping stuff in his mouth today. He still hadn't remembered Grace anywhere near him when he did that whole spiel, but then again he didn't remember a lot of things these days.. for all he knew Grace was there the whole time.. or maybe he was screaming so loud that he heard him? No.. that room is usually pretty insolated. But.. how else.. 

Next thing he knew, He and Dr. Grace was laying down, Grace gliding his hands over his side, yapping about something. Simon blinks, realizing he's in Grace's chest. 

Was any of that even real? Turning, he felt a pang in his neck. Yup- stitches. This was real.. and at least the stitches were real. Grace felt real. His heart was a little elevated and his breathing seemed off.. What was he talking about anyway? 

"It's not that I don't care for you, Si.. it's not that at all. I do. A lot. And I like you a lot too. I just.. I don't know how that feels. I don't think I've ever felt that before. I- I wouldn't even know... I'm sorry..every relationship I've ever been in doesn't work out. It never does. And I think..." his voice tightens, causing Simon to look at him. Grace was crying.. 

"I don't think I'm capable of love. I think that's why Stratt sent me. B-because she's right. I don't even have a dog." 

Simon, who only regained consciousness a couple moments ago, blinked, confused on what was going on. 

From everything Grace has told him, dogs loved unconditionally. They loved even without receiving it back... fuck.. maybe Eden was right...Maybe he was just a dog on on a chain to them this whole time. 

But.. things felt different now. He felt like that chain was permanently broken now. And now, instead, he had Grace to be a loyal mutt too. That's all he ever was, isn't it? An overly loyal mutt chained to a tree? The only difference is, Grace threw the muzzle in the fire, letting him choose who he bit. Even if it was him. He had handed Grace the leash to hold but Grace unclipped his collar. Letting him go.. and yet. Here he was. By his side. Again. Loving him, unconditionally. 

"...You don't need to love someone back for a dog to love you." Simon mutters. 

Grace made a small gasping noise, as if he was surprised by the speech. 

Simon wondered how long he had gone out for this time. Was it hours? Half that? 

"I.. Yeah." Ryland wipes his eyes. "I.. I guess you're right, just.. I am capable of love.. I have so much love. Just because it's not the same doesn't mean it doesn't matter." He sniffles, now rubbing his face. "Sorry. I'm being an idiot." 

"No, you're not.. they don't understand. I.. I have a lot of love.. but.. they don't see that." Simon mumbles. "They only see what they want too. That's why we're so afraid to die. If we loved nothing, we wouldn't have anything to live for. What do people not get about that?" He asks, scrunching his brows. 

Grace sniffles more, cocking his head. "Heh.. Jeez, when did you get so wise? All that quiet time does you good.. doesn't it? That's exactly what I mean. I'm glad someone else gets me. Just sucks it was 16 light years from home."  He jokes, teasing, only to fall quiet himself. 

"...Simon." He says, his hand slowly snaking his fingers into Simon's, laying flat on the cold floor next to him, the light above them dim. "I wouldn't mind if.. if you don't."

Simon looks at their hands together, the words of The Father echoing in his head. He will ruin the Angel, just like everyone else. It's a habit.. he couldn't help. 

"I don't mind.. I can be blind to that, but.. my hands might stain yours. You'd be a bloody angel..If you're fine by that.." 

The convict pulls their hands apart, rolling over to rub the scratch of dried blood on his lip. "You could be mine.." 

Reaching up, Grace tangles his fingers in his hair, pulling him down, returning that kiss from earlier. It was longer this time, numbing all doubts he had before, grounding him like iron against steel. 

Pulling up, Grace's hands scramble deeper in his hair, trying to get leverage for a second kiss.  

"Wait- wait..Hold on." Simon chuckles, his ears a pretty red color that Grace could see now that his hair was moved out of the way. His chest was already heaving a little. 

"Yes? What's wrong?" 

"Promise me.. just one thing." 

"And what would that be?" 

"Don't abandon me.. okay? If you do leave me though.. put me down before you go."

Ryland thought for a minute. Honestly if we were talking fists to fist, there's no way he could take Simon. How would he even do that? I supposed he could just let Rocky attack him? Possibly lock him in with some argon.. he wouldn't know he was suffocating until it was too late. 

Then, another thought hit him, punching his brain like a freight train. He would never have to kill him. Because he never planned on leaving him behind. It was an empty promise. A trick question. 

Grace looks up at him, smiling ear to ear. 

"Promise."