Chapter Text
Simon didn’t want it to come to this, honestly thought it wouldn’t come to this. Grace was a smart man...allegedly. He was a school teacher and a doctor for goodness ' sake! And yet, here they were.
It started a couple of days ago. Or, at the very least, became apparent a couple of days ago. Grace had been working on a project with the Eridian’s biology department as they attempted to expand the food options available to the now two humans cohabitating within the biodome that had been constructed upon Rocky and Grace’s arrival back on Erid. Simon had done his best to follow the jumbled train of thoughts the blonde had muttered the other night, but he silently admitted defeat when Grace started verbalizing the chemical compounds that apparently make up gardening soil. The former convict simply nodded his head in silent commiseration before returning back to the tablet he’d been reading from.
Simon knew his partner would eventually find a solution; he always did one way or another. Grace just had to work through his problem in his own, unique, if frustrating, way. Unfortunately, that unique and frustrating way apparently included the scientist ignoring all of his own physical and mental needs. Ya know, things like food, water, and sleep.
Any attempts at getting the other's attention were dismissed by a distracted wave of his hand, or Grace muttering about being close to a breakthrough and just had to figure out how to replicate the Carbon cycle within the biodome. Simon didn’t follow the broken train of thought, but he did take in all of the telling signs that Grace was pushing himself past any conceivable point of being even remotely healthy; his normally wheat colored locks were dark with oils, sticking out at sharp angles from where his fingers hand wracked through in frustration, his beard had grown beyond its normal soft scruffiness, and Simon was relatively confident he hadn’t changed his clothes in days given the intense wrinkles and stains that covered both his top and bottoms.
The dark-haired man knew that trying to get Grace to pause and take a break was basically a pointless endeavor given how often it’s led to arguments in the past. He cherished the knowledge that the other had gifted to him when trying to explain how busy and loud his brain sometimes got. How a problem seemed to latch its claws directly into his mind and refused to let go even if the rest of his body begged for a reprieve. Grace knew that any attempts at sleep would only lead to restless hours of him lying awake as calculations swam behind his clenched eyes, so if he was going to be stuck awake, why not attempt to be productive and continue with his work?
Regardless of Simon's understanding of the other’s mental plight, he couldn’t just sit by and watch as the other completely disregarded his own physical well-being. And if trying to talk to Grace wasn’t going to pan out, then he had other resources to rely on. Which is exactly how he ended up meeting with a group of Eridian chemists, thanks to Adrian and their wanting to ensure that the other Human remains healthy and safe. Luckily, Grace’s attention was completely devoted to Rocky as they discussed future expansions to the dome back at their shared house.
Initially, the chemists didn’t seem to fully understand the issue at hand, but with Adrian’s assistance in translating some of the more foreign Human behaviors, Simon was eventually able to explain that he needed something that would help Grace relax and be able to rest. Did he feel great with the knowledge that he was basically plotting behind his mate’s back to create a drug that would force him to slow down and recharge? No, absolutely not at all. In fact, Simon’s insides twisted with guilt and regret as he half-listened to the scientists discuss the best ratios of ingredients and how best to administer the drug. Grace had opened up about what Stratt and her team did in order to get the man on the Hail Mary, so he wasn’t certain how open the other would be to the idea of taking glorified sleeping pills.
He was broken from his thoughts as a heavy weight settled on his shoulder in what he was certain was meant to be a comforting gesture. Turning his head, Simon was greeted by Adrian, who turned toward him as if in deep study, but it was difficult to be certain given the Eridian’s general lack of facial features.
“Mate Rocky also struggle to sleep. Even more since returning to Adrian and Erid,” they said in a soft, almost sad tone. It took Simon a moment to understand that they were trying to relate to and empathize with him. “Eridians make medication for mate Grace. Rest well. Well well well. Simon see. No worries. Statement” He should have probably felt some level of irritation at the gentle pats that the tall, teal colored Eridian places gently on the crown of his head, but he only felt reassured and seen. He wasn’t attempting to be deceitful or go behind Grace’s back because he felt he needed to lie and hide things from him, but because he cared so deeply for the other man and was driven by a need to ensure that he was safe by any means necessary.
Simon shouldn’t have been surprised by how quickly the chemists were able to create the small, tanned pills burning a hole in his borrowed pants pocket, but even for the Eridians, this was fast. He figured they were mostly motivated by their socialist importance of sleep, but he was still silently thankful for their swiftness. Now was the inexplicably more difficult task of actually convincing his partner to take the pills that he’d been assured would be safe for the Humans.
His dark eyes shifted as Simon followed Grace’s shuffling form, watching intently as the man made what was easily his dozenth lap around the room. His lanky form was hunched slightly, almost curling into himself as he rubbed at his chin with one hand while the other busied itself by clenching and flexing repeatedly; a self-soothing behavior he’d been caught doing when growing progressively frustrated. Simon could see the dark circles and heavy bags under his eyes clearly from the other side of the room, a testament to how desperately the teacher needed a good night’s sleep. His resolve solidified in his chest as he pushed himself up from the chair he’d been occupying and placed himself directly in Grace’s path.
Grace, for his part, had been so focused on running mental calculations in his head that he wasn’t even aware he was being observed, let alone Simon moving until he crashed right into the other’s broad chest, nearly knocking himself back, saved only by the strong hand that wrapped around his left bicep, as if he’d been anticipating the collision. Tilting his head down, Grace furrowed his brows as Simon silently watched him back, his thumb stroking back and forth against his arm where his grip still rested.
“What?” Grace questioned, beginning to feel twitchy as the silence grew and the other’s gaze remained firm and steady on him. Anxiety pulsed under his skin as he fought the urge to squirm away. “Can I help you? I’m trying to work,” he snapped back, his tone short and just shy of snippy. He was exhausted, his nerves frayed beyond the point of repair, and just wanted to figure out the balancing problem he was trying to solve so he could share his findings with the Eridians and finally allow his brain some peace. He winced as Simon’s fingers tightened their hold around his arm.
“Here, come sit and talk to me,” Simon responded in a softer but gruff tone. It left little room for argument, but the blonde man still pushed.
“No, Si. Look, I’m really close to getting this figured out, and then I promise. I’ll eat, shower, sleep. Whatever you want. Just, please…”
“Grace,” Simon interrupted, his tone now sharper than before, leaving no room for arguing or pushback. A wavering sigh burst past his lips as he rubbed at his burning eyes, his brain sluggishly scrambling to come up with a more convincing argument that would allow him more time to continue his work. When his hand dropped back down to his side and his gaze locked with Simon’s, he knew his resolve was no match for the other’s. “Sit,” the dark-haired man ordered as he finally released his grip on Grace’s bicep and returned to his spot on the plush chair sat next to a window that overlooked the length of the beach. He patted his thigh, the sharp clap breaking the taller male from his momentary daze before he finally followed Simon’s footsteps and gingerly positioned himself across his mate’s lap, sighing deeper, this time more in defeat than agitation, as he pressed closer to the other, eye fluttering shut as he felt a strong arm wrap protectively around him.
“Grace,” Simon started, the name drawn out as he rubbed his partner’s arm. The tone alone drew a wave of warm tears to Grace’s eyes, the single words equal parts comforting and disappointing. “Talk to me, angel. Why won’t you let yourself rest? It’s not good for you to push yourself like this.” Simon knew that he had to be careful with how he approached Grace with his proposition; otherwise, the man would stubbornly retreat to his and Rocky’s shared labs, and rest would only come once his body gave out entirely, and he desperately wanted to avoid that if at all possible.
“You know I can’t help it,” Grace answered, his voice slightly muffled by how he had his cheek smooshed against the soft curve of the other’s pecs. Oh boy, did Simon know. But he hoped that if he could get the other to open up and verbalize why this time was different and why he was so insistent on finding a solution, perhaps the other would see that he didn’t have to push himself this intensely. “I just...if I can figure out how to balance out the chemical composition for the Eridians to create soil, we can try planting some of the seeds on Mary, and then we’d have more food for both of us.”
Simon withheld a sigh and continued his slow petting against Grace’s arm. He knew all of that already, and he was pretty sure his mate knew that; he was still evading the heart of what was contributing to his hecticness. “I know, sweetheart, and you will. But why? Why do you have to figure it out tonight? Why not allow yourself kindness and give your body time to rest?” A moment of silence stretched as Grace struggled to come up with an answer that would make sense while Simon bided his time. When no answer came, and only quietness existed between them, the broader man knew that the blonde needed a little push to finally crack. Shifting underneath the other, Simon brought his hand up to Grace’s greasy locks and combed his fingers through the strands, keeping his touch steady and pressure reassuring. “Please tell me, angel. I just want to be able to help.”
He wasn’t sure if it was the term of endearment, his touch, or just the pressure from working non-stop for multiple days, but something within Grace finally cracked, and he repressed a whimper as he attempted to burrow deeper into Simon’s chest. The larger man quietly cooed as his heart absolutely shattered at his loved one’s distress, but he knew that this was all for the best.
“I just...I just HAVE to get this done, Simon. If I do, then the Eridians have more Human information to study, but you…” Grace’s voice faltered, his words stalling as he spoke them directly into the other’s chest. “You...you’ll get to experience it too. New foods that aren’t just nutrition shakes and meat synthesized from my protein structure. You’ve provided me with so much, and I just want...I just need to return the favor, I guess.” The blonde felt overwhelmed by the love and gratitude he felt for the other and just desperately wanted to return at least a fraction of that to Simon. The larger man clucked his tongue and shifted to wrap his arm around the other, holding him tight in a solid grip against his chest. He made no comment about the slight hitch in Grace’s breathing and just held him close and let him feel his pent-up emotions. After a few sniffling moments, Simon pressed a kiss to the side of Grace’s cheek with a loud ‘mwha’ before shifting away enough to be able to see the blonde’s slightly flushed cheeks and damp eyes.
“If Rocky were here, what would he say?” Grace contemplated before giving a wet chuckle as he lifted a fist to scrub at his eyes.
“Grumpy. Angry. Stupid. How long since last sleep, question?” He quoted his friend’s words, pulling a surprised chuckle from Simon.
“Yeah, sure does sound like Rock. And if he were here, he’d probably force you to bed. Now, I know it’s hard to quiet your brain when you’re stuck on a problem, and that that makes it difficult for you to relax enough to actually fall asleep, which is why I got the Eridians to make something to help you with that.” The man shifted to be able to dig in his pocket, the blonde squirming on his lap to try and take an unsuccessful peek.
Simon felt the moment Grace tensed at the sight of the Eridian pill box, the smooth octagonal shape and veined white stone calling cards of the Eridian medical team that helped to ensure that the Humans remained alive. “I know it may be scary, Grace, but the chemists wanted to help and made these so that you can relax and actually sleep. I promise that once you’re well rested, you’ll be able to solve this issue no problem, but you have got to get some sleep, angel.” If lasers could burst from someone’s eyes as a result of intense eye contact, Simon was certain the container in his hand would have exploded with the way Grace was looking at it, almost as if it would suddenly jump out and bite him.
“Simon…” The shuddering of the other’s breath had him reconsidering his plan, second guessing his ability to convince Grace that his intentions were genuine and that he would be absolutely safe and protected. “I...I uhh, I don’t, don’t think I can do that,” the blonde stuttered out. The breathy tone of his voice and faraway look in his gaze gave Simon the distinct impression that Grace wasn’t fully present in that moment.
“Hey, hey, hey,” the dark-haired man said softly, reaching forward to set the container down on their low coffee table before tugging the other back against his chest, stretching his arm across Grace’s back solidly while scratching his blunt nails against his scalp gently. “I will never, ever make you do anything you don’t want to do, love. I was only trying to find a way to help, and I thought some sleeping pills might help. If you really don’t want to give them a try, then that is perfectly fine. Maybe we could try a warm bath and snuggles?”
Grace didn’t respond immediately, seemingly silently mulling over Simon’s words, his fingers twisting within the soft material of his T-shirt. He sat quiet like that for a handful of moments, fingers twisting his little bundle of shirt tight before spinning it in the opposite direction before slowly repeating the process over and over. Simon made sure that he remained relaxed, his touch on the back of Grace’s hair gentle and steady.
“What...what if it’s like before?” He didn’t have to elaborate for Simon to understand the deeper meaning behind his soft and slightly shaky words.
“I can’t promise that you won’t feel the same way, but I swear that I will never leave your side. Not a single second for any reason, angel. Besides, I’m sure that the Eridians would make anything that could possibly hurt one of their favorite saviors of the universe,” he teased, grinning brightly at the muffled chuckle he received in response.
“Yeah, guess we can’t beat the holistic goodness of home-grown Eridian pharmaceuticals,” Grace said as he pulled back enough for Simon to see his face. He seemed more settled, but no less exhausted. The other’s blue gaze shifted off to the side, eyeing the container of pills, suspicion still bright and cautious in their blue depths. He seemed to make a silent choice within himself as he nodded his head once before turning his gaze back to his mate. “I’ll try it,” he said, forcing his tone to sound far more confident than he seemed to feel based on the slight quiver in his hand still wrapped up in Simon’s shirt.
“Really?” The dark-haired man asked, hoping he didn’t sound too eager at the prospect. Grace chuckled nonetheless, so perhaps he was less than successful.
“Yeah. Besides, you have a point. I probably shouldn’t be risking chemical balancing while on the verge of exhaustion, especially when it comes to our potential food.” Grace admitted, reaching up with his free hand to rub at his tired eyes. Simon shook his head fondly before pressing another kiss to the blonde’s temple.
“Makes sense to me, Doctor Grace.” The one-armed man had never been more grateful for the open floor plan of the home that Rocky and Adrian crafted just for Grace (and subsequently himself) than in the moment that he slipped off to the kitchen area to brew his mate and himself a cup of tea to share. The blonde remained in the chair they’d been sharing, gaze still focused down on the stone container wearily, only breaking his one-sided staring contest when the other returned to his side, setting a steaming cup down next to the personally crafted pills and forcing Grace over with a chuckle so that they were wedged together.
“Amy said to just start with one to see how the dosage affects you since they weren’t really able to trial it the way they normally would.” He'd been practically forced to provide any possible notes to the lead Eridian in the chemistry department that worked to provide medication for the Humans inhabiting the planet, and Amethyst could be incredibly persuasive. Grace nodded his head and reached out toward the container before his hand faltered, pausing before detouring to the warm cup of tea. Simon remained silent, allowing the other all the time he needed to build the courage to down the sleeping pill.
The former convict couldn’t blame his partner. He wouldn’t readily be taking any sort of mind-altering drugs or sleeping pills after being chased down, tackled, and knocked out so he could be shut inside a ship and launched off to space. Grace moved slowly and cautiously, treating the stone box more like a wild beast than simple tablets. The lid made a heavy thump as the teacher picked it up and set it off to the side on the table, peering inside at the small, oval pills, their coats a soft lilac hue.
“Welp, bottoms up, I guess,” Grace joked as he fished out a pill with slightly shaking fingers and quickly popped in his mouth as he chased it with a mouthful of steaming tea before he could have second thoughts. Simon reached out and rubbed a warm palm against the blonde’s back when the other scrunched their face up, wincing at the sensation of the pill working down his throat.
“Good job, love.” Simon praised, pulling Grace back into their shared seat, finding his tablet, and beginning to read aloud the book he’d been in the middle of to help distract the other. He was immensely thankful for the wall-mounted arm that kept the tablet up at eye level so he could wrap his arm snugly around the other’s waist.
Grace truly did his best to keep his mind quiet, trying to focus on Simon’s deep voice and not circle back to calculations and over-analyzing any physical sensations he might be feeling, and worrying about whether he was actually feeling the possibly perceived physical sensations. Like how his limbs seemed to slowly grow impossibly heavy, his form easing into his mate’s side until he leaned at a sharp angle. Simon noticed the change in the other when his head began to bob, as if Grace was struggling to contend with its weight, but he just continued to read softly to allow the other to ease off on his own.
The world seemed to swim before him as the drugs began to course through his system, growing soft and fuzzy at the edges of his periphery. His blinks grew slow as it became harder and harder to keep his eyes open as the seconds ticked by and Simon continued his soft reading. Grace wasn’t aware that his blue eyes had slipped shut and his head had slowly leaned against the other’s warm shoulder until it suddenly jerked forward, his hazy eyes snapping open and a surprised gasp bursting from his lips as he frantically looked around the room, trying to make sense of where he was and what was going on. The blonde’s attention slowly slid to the other, struggling as if it were encased in thick, sticky molasses, when a deep, rumbling laugh sounded from his right. Grace was certain he could hear the sound rippling through his entire body in a pleasantly soothing way that made the teacher just want to sink into it further.
“Think it might be bedtime for someone,” Simon teased softly as he had to unfortunately slip his arm out from around Grace so he could turn off and push the tablet away, the shuffling pulling a pathetic little whine from the taller man. The dark-haired one barely repressed an amused coo as a wave of cuteness aggression, a term Grace had taught him and Rocky, washed through him at the scrunched-up expression and slouched form.
“Not sleepy,” the blonde lied, his tongue feeling thick and clumsy in his mouth as he attempted to form words, missing the way Simon shook his head in fondness. Getting Grace up from the chair and into their bedroom was a near herculean task for the one-armed man, especially with how loose-limbed and uncoordinated his partner was moving, similar to a marionette with its strings severed. After some struggling and shifting around, Simon got his arm wrapped tightly around Grace’s torso and hauled them both up to their feet. Thank goodness for the strong embrace, because the already swimming world seemed to tilt suddenly as Grace rose up on shaky legs, his arms flailing out as if to try to stabilize himself, releasing a sound of distress, not dissimilar to the squeak of a mouse. He was relatively certain that he knew how to walk at one point in time, but now it felt as if the wires connecting his brain to his legs were all crossed, given the difficulty it took to make the short trip down the hall.
In the end, Simon did most of the heavy lifting, literally, as he practically dragged his mate through their home, huffing as he dropped the lanky form down on the mattress, sighing as Grace’s body bounced slightly, an incoherent sleepy mumble leaving his lips. Simon hummed softly as he shuffled around their room, turning the overhead light on before returning to the blonde’s side, lifting his legs up to get him more comfortably settled onto the bed before lifting his hand to push back the other’s messy blonde strands.
His breath hitched when thick lashes slowly fluttered open to reveal hazy blue eyes, his pupils blown wide as they swiveled around, struggling to focus on Simon’s face, even with them as close as they were. Grace whimpered as he squirmed around, eyes struggling to stay open as the siren call of sleep dug its claws deeper into his form, trying to pull him under. The dark-haired male swallowed thickly and forced himself back to the task at hand, pushing and lifting in order to get Grace’s shirt off his body, nodding and giving a ‘Yep, absolutely love,’ as the other mumbled more indecipherable words as his slender form wriggled around against the blankets.
Glancing back up, Simon paused as he noticed how flushed and rosy Grace’s cheeks were, his eyes misty and damp. “Hey, hey, hey. You’re ok, angel,” the dark-haired man quickly reassured, leaning up to cup his warm face. Maybe the drugs are having a weird effect on him, he thought to himself as he brushed his thumb back and forth against his love’s pink cheek. “I’m right here, Ry. You are safe and so so so loved. Everything is ok, love. We’re just gonna get you nice and comfy, and then you can have a nice long rest.” He pressed his lips to Grace’s forehead when the other whimpered out his name; at least Simon was pretty sure those noises were supposed to be.
Grace felt as if he were phasing in and out of reality, most likely consciousness, as he let the other move his limbs as if he were a life-size doll. Not that he could do anything to stop Simon if he truly wanted to. That thought should be concerning, but as soon as it formed at the forefront of his foggy mind, a shiver wracked through his body, enhancing the heat boiling under his skin. His mate’s words sounded muffled to his own ears, being drowned out by the heavy thump of his own heart as it raced in his chest. His eyes fluttered, and his head tilted backwards as he felt rough fingers brush against the waist of his pants, whining high in the back of his throat.
Simon froze, panic immediately slamming into him at the possibility that he’d hurt or scared Grace. It wouldn’t be as comfortable, but if he had to leave the blonde’s jeans in place for him to feel safe, then he’d leave them in place. Dark eyes studied the flushed face, thumb brushing against the heated flesh of his hip as he tried to puzzle out how to proceed with getting Grace ready for bed.
“Siii...mon,” the blonde whimpered, the name drawn out, a struggle to articulate the vowels of the name properly. The low burning panic simmering in his gut was slowly being overpowered by confusion and the even more shocking sensation of arousal as he floated in the foggy space between sleeping and waking. His thoughts were scattered so, trying to pinpoint the exact source of his exhilaration was impossible; even more difficult was trying to articulate those feelings.
“You’re good, love. Almost there,” Simon softly said as he finally lifted his hand and shifted to undo the button and zipper on the jeans, his movements now smooth after plenty of practice. It took longer to get Grace’s pants pulled down with how heavy and useless the blonde’s limbs were, but he eventually got them removed and discarded at the end of the bed. He tensed as he heard the hiccup that heralded tears from the other, dark strands of hair whipping against his cheeks as he twisted to turn his attention back to Grace, ready to do anything to rectify the issue, but froze at the sight before him.
The red flush on his face had deepened to a scarlet shade and begun creeping down his throat, his chest rose at a rapid pace, his breath loud and shuddery, his normally bright blue eyes were hazy and watery with tears clinging to his lash-line. Simon frowned and placed his palm against the now bare skin of his thigh as he studied his partner, worry and confusion warring within his chest as he desperately tried to piece together what he’d done to cause Grace such distress.
“Oh, angel, I’m so sorry.” His heart ached as a shuddering sob burst past the blonde’s lips. Simon’s fingers flexed against the warm, damp flesh and...damp? The dark-haired man tore his gaze away from Grace’s face and forced his attention to the pale thighs pressed tightly together, surprised to find slick arousal coating the hot skin there. He couldn’t decide whether to direct his attention to Grace’s face or his flushed and leaking pussy.
“So...sorry,” Grace hiccuped, whimpering as his legs weakly rubbed together, pulling a soft mewl from his lips. Simon wasn’t sure what the blonde was apologizing for, but he knew that he’d make it his life’s goal to make sure that the other never felt the need to apologize to him again. If anyone was going to be sorry here, it was going to be Simon, because he felt his own pulse of arousal thrum through him as he watched his partner squirm in a weak and compromising manner. Another whimper and flutter of tear-dampened lashes broke the man from his frozen state and urged him into action.
“No need to be sorry, love. I’m right here, you are all good,” Simon reassured as he quickly disrobed himself, pointedly ignoring his slowly engorging member, and stretching along Grace’s side, pulling the taller male against his chest before covering them both with the brightly colored quilt Grace’s students created for him before Stratt forced him off into space. The former convict held his love close to him, steadily stroking his fingers through blonde locks as he kept a steady stream of soft words going, doing his best to ignore how soft and warm the other felt pressed up against his flushed cock. There was a decent chance that Grace wouldn’t even remember much of the evening, but that didn’t mean that Simon was about to take advantage of the situation. He recognized and treasured the trust that the blonde had gifted him, and he wasn’t about to violate that because of his own desires; simply having the other wrapped warm and safe in his arms was enough.
“Time to let go and sleep now,” Simon said, pressing his lips to the crown of the other’s head before tucking it under his chin. “Sweet dreams, angel.” Grace couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment that he slipped slowly from consciousness to unconsciousness, but he was aware of the sharp burn of arousal mellowing down into something more manageable, softer and sweeter. He felt surrounded in the most comforting and loving and safe way Humanly (or Eridianly) possible and could no longer resist the allure of sleep; with the scent of Simon in his nose and the other’s warm touch against his skin and rumbling voice in his ears, Grace finally admitted defeat and slipped off to sleep.