Work Text:
The question was Stupid.
Simon knew that. Of course he did. He knew Stupid.
But he had found the question while looking through the Internet. Out of all the downloaded things Grace had, he had managed to find… this.
"Top Five Ways to tell if your Significant Other likes you!"
Looking back, it was stupid.
They weren't significant others. They were barely friends. He had no way of knowing if Grace would be able to pull up some sort of search history or not. He was fairly certain he was a good judge of if someone liked him or not.
All logic told him he should NOT click on that stupid link.
Too bad The Butcher never really ran on logic.
So, he pulled out a notebook and a pencil. The laptop sat on one knee while the notebook sat on the other.
He was going to figure this out.
He needed answers.
Otherwise… it felt like he might explode.
-
They stare at you lovingly.
Okay that was…
Difficult to figure out.
Ryland loved staring at Simon. Whether that was staring at his mutations, or staring as if to figure out what he was thinking. Or sometimes, he'd just stare, only to blink and turn away with slight embarrassment as though he hadn't meant to do that.
But… lovingly?
Oh God. Simon didn't even know what that looked like.
He'd never been stared at lovingly.
Not by Eden.
Not by the C.O.I.
Certainly not by that… thing.
Maybe by his mother, at one point. But that was too long ago for him to remember.
Ryland stared at him with kindness. With patience. With care.
But… lovingly?
Simon shook his head and crossed that question out on the notepad he had propped open on his lap.
-
They give you gifts.
Grace loved giving Simon things.
First, it was food and water. Things that were supposed to come with a price, didn't. They were given freely.
Medicine, too. That was supposed to be a luxury. And yet Grace gave it to him without even accepting a "Thank You".
After the "necessities"—as Ryland liked to call them—came other luxuries.
Blankets. A little fox figurine. A plant. A garden.
A tree.
Simon looked up at the branches that were hanging over him. The bright, lively leaves shielding him from the artificial sun.
Simon put a check mark next to that question.
-
They spend time with you.
Simon wouldn't necessarily consider "forced proximity" spending time with someone.
But even so.
The bio-dome was small, but it wasn't cramped. If either of them needed space, they could easily avoid the other.
Simon knows.
He had managed to hide from Grace for five whole days.
But even then, Grace tried to find him.
…
Simon put a question mark next to that one.
-
They listen when you speak.
Simon put a check mark next to that one.
No, he put three next to it.
For all the scientist liked to yap, he loved whenever Simon would speak.
Whenever Simon would open his mouth, Grace seemed to hold his breath. Almost as if he were waiting for Simon to say something.
Anything.
Simon could talk about anything. The stars. The garden. The sandy beach. Even Eden, and Ryland would listen as though there were no other sound in the universe.
Simon scribbled one more check mark just to be sure.
-
They like what you like.
Okay that one seemed silly.
Simon didn't know what he liked.
He enjoyed tending to the garden. He enjoyed looking up at the stars (even if they were artificial). He enjoyed food and water without a cost.
But the way this seemed to be wording it…
Did Simon have any interests?
Anything he liked just because it was? And not because he had been deprived of it for so long?
He… liked Grace?
Did that count?
Simon circled that question to come back to.
The very last paragraph of the site held something, though.
Something important.
However, none of this matters unless your significant other would still love you, even if you were a worm.
"The fuck is a worm?" Simon grumbled, setting his pencil and paper to the side. He dragged the laptop onto his lap and typed into the search engine.
"Worm"
Almost immediately, Simon closed the laptop.
That thing was…
It was gross. It was slimy, and it was… eugh.
He opened the laptop again.
"What the fuck is this thing…"
He scrolled down, searching for something.
Grace had mentioned something about a "Wiki" having the most basic knowledge on everything. Typically using terms most people would understand rather than a scholarly site using big words that Simon had always thought there wasn't enough oxygen to use.
"Worms are many different distantly related bilateral animals that typically have a long cylindrical tube-like body, no limbs, and usually no eyes. Worms vary in size from microscopic to over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length for marine polychaete worms (bristle worms); 6.7 metres (22 ft) for the African giant earthworm, Microchaetus rappi; and 58 metres (190 ft) for the marine nemertean worm (bootlace worm), Lineus longissimus. Various types of worm occupy a small variety of parasitic niches, living inside the bodies of other animals. Free-living worm species do not live on land but instead live in marine or freshwater environments or underground by burrowing."
Simon blinked.
Those were not easy to understand words.
But he did understand a few words. Like "Parasitic" and "burrowing".
"So these little buggers create holes and live inside other things, huh? Sounds like something else I know." He grumbled, his extra teeth clacking against each other in irritation.
It wasn't a one to one recreation of that eel monster, but it was similar enough.
It made the question all the more disturbing.
Would Grace love Simon if he were a worm?
If Simon were a parasitic burrowing earth dweller, would Grace love him?
Would the scientist love him less?
More?
Simon didn't know.
But as he had recently learned, there was, unfortunately, only one way to find out.
And based on previous interactions with Grace, it would come up eventually.
One way or another…
So Simon decided to bite the metaphorical bullet.
He set the laptop neatly on the desk, ripped out the page he had been writing on, and made his way out of the house.
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
Everything here seemed to be soft…
It was all too kind.
This is why Simon needed to know the answer to this question.
This would decide if he finally took up that offer for a personal bio-dome or not.
This conversation needed to happen right now.
♦•♦•♦•♦
Grace didn't have work today. So instead, him and Rocky were sitting on the far end of the beach. Grace had his shoes off and the waves gently crashed against his feet. It was a perfect temperature. Simon was able to help the Eridian scientists figure out how to manage the temperature.
Technically, he helped with the entire bio-dome. The plants hadn't been getting the right temperature for the different types of plants, so they set an artificial cycle. Something to help each plant grow without needing other bio-domes or even a greenhouse.
Rocky sat next to him, trilling about the date he and Adrian had gone on. Something about going to the Eridian equivalent of a hot springs. Only, like, a thousand degrees hotter.
Grace wasn't sure if he was over or under exaggerating with that number.
The point was, Rocky had a wonderful time with his loving partner.
"♪Grace, Simon go on date, question?♪" Rocky trilled curiously. He turned so Grace could see the "front" of him.
"Huh? Oh. Uh….. I don't think we have the right stuff for a proper date." The human chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean. We've had movie night? But that doesn't count as a date."
Rocky let out a quiet hum.
"♪Grace ask Simon for date.♪" Rocky trilled, standing up and stretching his limbs.
Grace raised a brow.
"Is that a question or a statement?"
Rocky shrugged, a habit he picked up from the humans. It was a little awkward on the Eridian body. The carapace dipping beneath the tops of all five limbs. But it got the point across.
"♪Both♪" The Eridian chimed before seeming to glance over behind Grace. "♪Rocky go home now. Watch Adrian and pebbles sleep.♪"
Grace chuckled a bit.
"C'mon, man. You just got some free time. I'm sure Adrian can watch them for a little longer. It can't be easy being a stay at home parent."
Rocky huffed, straightening his body and making himself bigger. It was a show of irritation. Though the lack of rippling stones at the top of his carapace told Grace it was playful irritation.
"♪Rocky love pebbles. Pebbles worth all of Rocky time, statement.♪"
Grace chuckled.
"I know, I know. Just don't overwork too much, kay? You've got… what, six hundred years with them?"
Rocky let out a sigh, folding in on himself slightly.
"♪Less time with Grace.♪"
Oh now he felt bad.
"Rock, relax. Okay? I was just teasing…. And also being a concerned friend. Go watch them sleep. Adrian deserves their rest too."
Rocky hesitated for a moment before seemingly glancing over Grace's shoulder. He bobbed into a gentle nod before turning to scuttle away.
"♪Okay Rocky go home now. Grace ask Simon about date, statement!!♪"
Grace huffed at his friends antics, ready to stand up and head back to his own house when he noticed a figure standing over him.
"AAHHH!"
The scientist fell backwards slightly, his glasses falling off his face at the movement. He looked up to see Simon standing over him.
And oh if that wasn't a thought.
Looking up at the man was both exhilarating and terrifying at the exact same time.
Those sharp teeth glinted in the artificial moonlight, and that glowing red eye…
"H-hey Simon!" Grace fumbled for his glasses. He was sure he looked like a complete dork at the moment. "What… uh… what's up. Is something wrong?"
Simon's brows furrowed slightly as he rung his fingers. His real hand flexing and un-flexing as he pursed his lips.
Grace took that as a yes.
He quickly righted himself so he was sitting cross legged, facing the beach. After a few moments of Simon still standing there, he patted the sand next to him.
"Come on. You can talk about it if you want. Or if you don't want, I can talk about my day. Or we could sit in silence." He lifted his gaze to Simon. "It's your choice."
The blond could have sworn he heard the other's breath hitch. But before he could register that, the man slowly sat next to him.
For a moment, they didn't say anything. Simon staring at the ocean with mild disinterest and Grace waiting patiently.
"Y'know, I was thinking of getting the bio-dome expanded."
The scientist eventually said after it was clear Simon wasn't going to start a conversation.
Simon's head snapped to him, eyes wide.
"Expanded…?" Grace nodded. "Like… an addition? Or… something else?"
Grace tilted his head, contemplating. It was clear there was a hint of worry and distrust in Simon's voice. Which… honestly Grace felt a little hurt about.
"An addition. Or rather, just make it bigger, I guess? I know we have the one tree, and they take YEARS to grow. But I was thinking about getting a forest added." Grace rambled, talking with his hands. "Y'know. Since the beach was my whole idea. And that was before you showed up. And I mean, I know you love the garden. But you really love the tree. And maybe I could get the scientists to make more? Different trees. Cuz you've only seen the maple ones. The last tree and now this one. But, I mean. If you don't want a forest. And you want something else, I'd be more than happy to get whatever you like. Besides, I know you don't care for the beach. We could replace it, too. I don't really mind—"
"Ryland." Grace startled out of his ramble. Simon's voice was low.
Serious.
"Yeah, Si?" He turned slowly, blue eyes meeting black and red. The man's face was filled with determination and… was that a hint of fear?
"I… I appreciate your offer. But…"
"Woah, no buts! I am not asking anything of you! This isn't some big grand thing you have to repay later. I promise."
Grace emphasized his words. His gaze searching Simon's face to make sure the man understood.
Simon, to his credit, seemed to melt a little. His features softening and his breathing slowing down to a content rate.
Good. This was good.
"Ryland…" Simon breathed out gently.
"Yes, Simon?"
Simon closed his eyes.
"Would you love me if I was a worm?"
♦•♦•♦•♦
"What?"
"S-sorry. That was a stupid question. I was just reading on the internet. And… it was stupid. It was stupid! This was stupid!"
Simon threw his hands in the air, moving to stand up. This was a stupid idea. Why did he even think Ryland Grace of all the humans would even love him if he weren't a worm. He just… it was stupid.
He was stopped by Grace grabbing his wrist.
He didn't look back.
"I'm sorry. It was a stupid question. You don't have to answer."
"Simon." Oh that voice was so soft. So kind.
Too kind.
"Yes, Angel?"
He used the term on purpose. Over time, as they grew closer, Simon stopped using it. Grace had said it began to feel more like a pedestal than a term of endearment.
So Simon respected that.
But now…
"Simon."
Simon's breath hitched at the sharp tone.
This one was human. This one meant Simon did something wrong.
Was it wrong of him to prefer this tone?
"Ryland…" Simon breathed out shakily, finally turning to look at the blond.
Grace's face was twisted into one of pity and… something else.
Worry, perhaps?
His eyebrows were scrunched slightly, though his eyes were wide. And his lips were pulled into a gentle frown. One that Simon doesn't think he's ever seen this expression on the man.
He's already ashamed for being the one to put it there.
…
Almost.
"Simon why are you apologizing? I was just taken back by the question."
Oh…
"Well, you should be. It was out of nowhere. And I suppose the real question is 'would you still like me if I were a worm.' And even then. It's a stupid fucking question. Just… ignore I said anything."
Grace's frown deepened.
"Simon—"
"Leave it, Grace. Like I said. Stupid question. Found it on the internet."
Simon tugged his real hand away from Grace and shoved it into his pocket. It closed around the paper, crumpling it up.
He wanted to tear it up and throw it into the ocean for the waves to take it far away.
Grace hummed softly. Contemplating.
"The internet?"
"I told you. It's stupid."
Grace let out a quiet laugh. Not mocking. This was the one he did when he finally understood. As though he were the one being stupid.
"No, no. It's not stupid, don't worry." Simon looked over to see the man actually… smiling? "And you said the phrase wrong both times, by the way. It's 'would you Still love me if I were a worm'."
Simon's brows furrowed.
What?
"It's something stupid I've heard students ask each other. I don't remember where it started, but it became a thing to ask your friends, or even whoever you were with. It's quite amusing the different answers you would hear." Grace leaned back on his hands, staring out into the ocean. He had that gentle smile he always had when reminiscing about Earth. "Some people take the answer seriously, while others would just joke around with it."
Simon just stood there dumbly.
Grace wasn't… he wasn't avoiding the question per se. But he certainly wasn't answering it either.
And…
Despite taking it back. Simon did still want an answer.
"How would… how would you answer it, then?" Simon asked hesitantly.
"Hmm?" Grace looked up at Simon. Those blue eyes softened slightly.
Simon really needed to tell him to stop that.
"Would you answer seriously?" Simon clarified.
"Oh! I… I don't know, honestly. There are many different ways that I could answer it. And I mean, there are plenty of different circumstances as to why you're a worm. But…" Grace trailed off, Simon holding his breath as he waited for an answer.
Instead, Grace gently wrapped his fingers around Simon's wrist again, pulling him back onto the sand.
Simon went willingly, falling to his knees next to the man.
Grace cupped Simon's face with his hands, blue eyes staring into his own with such intensity it made him want to squirm.
"Simon I'd love you no matter what you were." Grace spoke slowly. Each word emphasized as if to reach beneath Simon's thick skull. "Be it Eridian, Human, Mutated mess, or even a worm. I would love you. Because it would be you."
Simon's breath hitched.
"Ryland…"
"You are everything to me. If I could go back, I wouldn't have changed anything. Because all the hell I went through… it was to get to you."
Simon let out a weak laugh. A gentle thumb brushed against his cheek, wiping away a tear.
When did he start crying?
"You just swore." He said instead.
Grace smiled a lopsided grin.
How was he so undeniably perfect even with his imperfections?
"Don't get used to it."
Simon chuckled, reaching up and rubbing at his eye with the back of his hand. The tears were making it blurry and he really wanted to see Ryland right now.
"What about you?" Grace asked, tilting his head.
Simon blinked.
"Huh?"
"Would you still love me if I were a worm?"
Simon looked at Grace. He had such an innocent, loving expression.
It just…
"Yes. Always. Forever." He breathed out, pulling the other man forwards so their foreheads were touching. "Mine."
He didn't mean to whisper that last word. Didn't mean for anyone but him to hear it.
Simon wasn't a possessive person. At least he didn't think he was. Growing up after the Rapture meant he rarely got anything for himself. And when he did… he kept that stuff guarded.
But… Grace wasn't an object. He wasn't…
He wasn't Simon's.
"Shit… i-im sorry. I didn't mea—"
"I'm yours?" Ryland cut him off, his eyes wide and sparkling under the dim light.
And oh if that didn't do things to Simon.
"If you want to be." Simon breathed.
Grace grinned, pressing their lips together. It was quick, barely a feather light touch, but it was—
"I would love to be yours."
Simon looked Grace over for less than a second before he pushed the other man against the sand, crashing their lips together again.
"Then you're mine." He decided, pulling back to see Grace with an awe-struck expression on his face.
"All yours."
Simon went in for another kiss.
He wasn't really sure how long they stayed out there, on the beach. All he knew is when they both ran out of breath, Simon rested his head against the blond's chest. Listening to the heartbeat.
It was nice. Grace's fingers threaded his hair gently. Pulling at the knots that always seemed to be there. (Which he learned was a curly hair thing, not just a Quiet Rapture thing)
He felt as though he could fall asleep right there when the rumbling of Grace's voice brought him back to the present.
"But if we're being completely honest… if you suddenly turned into a worm I would probably keep you in a jar on my desk and study you. Probably dissect you if I was sure you weren't… like… conscious."
Simon blinked.
What?
He pushed himself up off of Grace's chest to stare at the man.
"What?"
♦•♦•♦•♦
Bonus:
Rocky finally made his way out of the human bio-dome. He had overheard a small bit of the conversation and was… thoroughly confused. Humans were confusing like that.
But as he made his way back to his own dwelling, he had a thought.
He hadn't even made it past the threshold when Adrian called to him from their nest. His little pebbles were all curled up next to their parent, fast asleep.
Rocky couldn't help but coo at the sight.
"♪Welcome home, my love.♪" Adrian sang gently, stretching one of their limbs to make room for their mate.
"♪My song. Have the pebbles given you much trouble, question?♪"
Adrian hummed softly.
"♪They were perfect as always. And what about Grace, has the human given you much trouble, question?♪"
Rocky shook his body the way the humans shake their head "no".
"♪No more than usual.♪" He moved until he was positioned under his Mate's limb, being pulled in right next to their pebbles. "♪But Rocky have question for Adrian.♪"
Adrian let out a curious hum.
"♪Would Adrian still love Rocky if Rocky were a worm?♪"
There was a pause.
"♪My love.♪"
"♪Yes, my Song?♪"
"♪What the fuck is a worm.♪"
End.