Work Text:
“Simon?” Grace asked, shifting awkwardly in the doorway of Simon’s bedroom, his quilted blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders like a shield. “Are you busy?”
Simon looked across at him from the bed, his eyes lifting from the open book on his lap towards Grace as he shook his head. “Do you need something?”
Simon waited patiently as Grace puffed out his cheeks and tugged at the blanket.
“No. I mean yes—" Grace stuttered; his cheeks red as he bounced on his heels. “It’s nothing. Sorry, I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Grace.”
“It’s really stupid.” Grace admitted. “You can say no, I promise I won’t get mad or offended and you shouldn’t feel guilty if you don’t want to, it’s totally your choice. This is completely optional. You don’t have to feel like you owe me or that you have to put up with it just because—"
“Grace, you’re rambling.”
“I’m sorry, I’m nervous.” Grace laughed softly. “You can say no—"
“We already covered that. What is it you need?”
Grace tensed slightly, his eyes wide behind his glasses and his cheeks the softest shade of pink Simon had ever seen. “It’s not really a need. It’s more of a want.” He cringed, want was too strong a word to use.
“Okay then, what do you want?”
“Can I come in and sit with you?”
“That is stupid.” Simon said, grinning when Grace spluttered. “Of course you can.”
“No— uh, how do I say it?” He started, feeling more and more like an idiot. He was a man of science, he’d survived being shot into space, befriended an alien, saved the stars and made a whole new life for himself on a planet far from his own.
Asking Simon for a little affection was nothing compared to that.
He wasn’t looking for anything extravagant or friendship ruining. It had just been a long day and Grace was tired, physically and mentally. He just wanted to feel close to someone warm and solid and real. He just wanted to curl around Simon and remind himself that he was still alive and not alone anymore.
“Grace?” Simon prompted gently.
“I would really like to cuddle.” Ryland said his cheeks turning darker as he shifted awkwardly and then immediately followed it up with, “I’m sorry, I’ll go—"
“Don’t.” Simon warned, his mouth curved into a smile as he moved his book aside and shifted on the bed to make room. “You don’t have to ask.”
“I do; you have a choice too. You don’t have to do anything just because I ask.”
“I know, I want to.” Simon whispered, feeling his own cheeks heat a little at the look that swept across Ryland’s face. His blue eyes swallowing Simon’s admission in a way that made his chest tighten and breath catch in his throat.
Simon would give him everything, he just had to ask for it.
He reached across to pull back the corner of the duvet and patted the empty space beside him on the bed. Grace hesitated for a second before he smiled shyly, loosening his grip on the blanket as he made his way into Simon’s room.
“It’s okay; I can just sit on top.” He said and then laughed when Simon rolled his eyes.
“Just get in here before I change my mind.” Simon teased, feeling his chest stutter when Grace’s whole face lit up with a smile and he slid easily into the bed beside him. The blanket draped across the floor and his glasses neatly folded on the nightstand as he settled.
Simon smiled as the familiar weight of Grace pressed against his side. All warm and soft and comfortable, Grace’s arm curled around his waist naturally, squeezing his hip as he tucked his legs up against Simon’s, his toes brushing against Simon’s ankle.
Grace had once said that they fit together perfectly, an innocent joke but Simon hadn’t argued. He and Grace were two pieces of the same puzzle.
It had been uncomfortable at first; Grace’s need to touch. Simon felt like every brush of his fingers would turn into a violent blow or a reprimanding burn on his skin. He had forgotten what it felt like to have someone touch him with affection or kindness.
Grace’s touch was always soft and slow and never without Simon’s permission or with a harsh word thrown before his fist. Grace always kept it light, easy to pull away from if he wanted to. Never pressed for more or asked ‘why’ when Simon said no.
It had been casual at first, Grace’s hand on his shoulder to get his attention; their fingers brushing as they handed each other cups and tools, their thighs pressed together as they watched a movie on the sofa or talked.
Slowly Simon stopped flinching away or watching warily as Grace approached.
Slowly they fell into a comfortable give and take.
The first time Ryland had asked for a hug Simon had been tense. His arm hanging by his side and his hand balled into a fist as Grace approached him; his instincts telling him to prepare for a fight. But Grace had gone slow and soft, one arm around his waist and the other over his bandaged shoulder in a loose grip that didn’t feel like a punishment or a trap.
And Simon had crumbled at the contact.
Every muscle going slack and his head falling to the crook of Grace’s neck as his arm came up automatically. He’d held Ryland so tightly that he could feel every curve of his body, every muscle and breath that he took. Simon didn’t let go and neither did Grace, they just stood in the kitchen of their house holding each other until Rocky had knocked impatiently at the front door.
Grace was less careful after that.
He wanted it too, maybe not as desperately as Grace did but he never said no.
Never turned Grace down when he asked, instead he leaned into the touch, always using his real hand instead of the one Adrian had made for him. Wanting to actually feel Grace under his palm and let Grace have the real touch of another person.
They had shared a hug several times since but never as intimate as this, Ryland had never asked to share a bed or curled himself so tightly against Simon. This was different, this felt like more.
“What were you reading?” Grace asked, closing his eyes as Simon curled his arm upwards and stroked his hand through Grace’s hair gently.
“One of those nature books you gave me. I was looking at the pictures more than anything though.” He admitted tilting his head slightly to press his cheek against Grace’s temple. Wanting just a little contact.
Maybe he was just as desperate as Grace.
“Can I stay here tonight?” Grace asked so quietly that Simon almost missed it.
Simon nodded, his chest tight.
Grace’s breathing evened out as Simon shuffled further down the bed. His head hitting the pillow and his book falling to the floor with a heavy thud. The lamp was still on, but his arm was curled around Ryland’s shoulders, fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck.
It could stay on. Nothing on this planet or the next could force him to let go of Ryland Grace right now.
“Ryland?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
The confession came out so soft and quiet that Simon almost didn’t register that he’d said it.
“I love you too, Si.” Grace hum’d happily, hooking his leg over Simon’s to curl impossibly closer. Tilting his head back just enough to press a kiss against Simon’s clothed chest, right above where his heart beat steady and sure.
Simon closed his eyes and buried in his nose in Rylands hair.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──