Chapter Text
So it seems Simon's guard never truly went down.
His broad shoulders were always tensed, his one good hand curled in a fist. Always watching the Eridians with a cautious and angry look, even when the man was asleep, he would bolt awake at the slightest movement.
Grace was desperate to know Simon without all this roughness and anger. Two human beings found in the vacuum of space was a miracle, especially since they found Simon half dead floating in a sea of blood. He wanted to have someone to embrace and truly talk to after years of loneliness, only to be considered an annoyance.This couldn't be the extent of their relationship. Grace wanted so badly to break down Simon's walls just to have a fraction of human connection. To rip whatever resentment Simon had for Grace out for a moment of genuine understanding.
But that's a selfish thought, isn't it?
Grace would have to accept Simon, flaws and all, if he wanted this relationship to work. All the months he spent caring for Simon had to be worth it. There had to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Not for lack of trying though, the man was completely closed off.
Simon's house was always dark and blocked from the inside, the building was nearly identical to his own across the artificial beach. He'd only really been inside once, the Eridians had consulted him on what changes should be made to accommodate the new human. The building team only knew one style of interior design, all the furniture was identical to Grace's down to the color.
"Does color improve standard of living, question?"
"For some people yeah, some humans like being able to customize their houses with unique stuff, color being one of them."
"Eridians can't see color, statement. Functionality is top top priority."
"I get that, Rocky. But can we at least try to make the place unique?" Grace rubbed the back of his neck as he watched the aliens clobber around the building. "I want this guy to be comfortable."
All those efforts didn't seem to matter now.
Simon rarely left his house, his shutters were always closed, whatever comfort Grace wanted for him was left unappreciated. When Simon was out, he always kept to "his side" of the Biodome. It was hard to tell what he did all day, aside from his constant praying,Grace wondered if Simon was planning on some sort of One-Man revolution against the Eridians based on how hostile he was towards them.
Other Eridians complained of the violent threats or things being thrown at them. Not that any of them were hit, Simon's strength still waned from his time recovering, which only made him angrier.
"Grace distracted."
Rocky's translator beeped.
Grace snapped back to the present, Rocky came over to his place to play chess and discuss what changes could be made to the dome. Rocky had been the most constant friendship he'd had in a long time, it was rude to invite him over just to ignore him. Rocky wore his Xenonite suit with his claws over the glass coffee table. Grace was sitting on his couch, eyes glazed over in thought while his best friend waited for him.
"Sorry bud, is it my move?"
"Checkmate long time ago. Grace bad at this game."
Grace laughed as he reset the board. "My bad, my bad."
"Ever since new human, Grace distracted. New human is avoidant. Makes Grace upset."
"You could say that again."
The few times Simon actually did speak to Grace were angry disputes over staying on "his side"
"We're the only two on this beach, there's not many places to go!"
Simon's dark eyes were almost blocked out by the dark strands of hair that framed his square face, brooding like a territorial animal. He even looked feral. Simon's hair was always tied up sloppily, his muscular chest covered in battle scars and welts from the radiation exposure.
"I don't care what it takes," Simon spat venomously. "You and any of those Things are not allowed near my area. I don't need anymore of this science-y bullshit in my life."
"Please, I've got nothing against you! We're easygoing people, we're friendly, I'M FRIENDLY!"
Grace couldn't have come off more pathetic if he'd tried. He was at his wits end for weeks over the fact another human was right there but wanted nothing to do with him. The other man looked at him with what could only be described as disgust as he closed his door further.
"Then you can be 'friendly' on your side." He hissed before locking himself back inside his dark house.
Grace had tried multiple times to extend the olive branch, often with gifts to sweeten the deal, only to be turned away or ignored completely. Truth be told, he was losing sleep over it. It felt like Highschool school all over again, wondering what could possibly be the reason that Simon hated him that much. Grace knew it probably wasn't anything personal, but what his brain knew and what he felt were disconnected data. Different variables in a complex equation.
"Bad at game! Bad at game!" Rocky's translation replayed the message over and over until Grace noticed.
"Shoot, I'm sorry bud!" Grace pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Lost three games in succession. Grace should be ashamed, statement."
Rocky was gonna hold this victory over his head forever, Grace chuckled at the thought.
"Are you gonna brag to Adrian about how easily you beat me? Is that gonna be my legacy from now on, Savior of the Stars and terrible chess player?"
"Grace played same opening three times, not difficult!"
Rocky let out a few musical chirps in triumph before resetting the board himself with his claws.
"Grace compatible to mate with New Human, question?"
Grace choked on his own spit at the bluntness of the question, his brain completely shut down for a few seconds.
"Jeez, Rocky. That's a forward question," he let out a scoff. "I barely know the guy! You said it yourself, he doesn't talk!"
"Rocky asked if Grace is compatible mate. Not if New Human and Grace get along. Different."
"Those two things kind of go together, Rocky! You need to know someone before you even THINK about getting in their pants. I'd hate to be in the Eridian dating pool if that's how it works here."
"Eridian dating pool not for leaky space blobs who lose Chess games, statement!"
Grace doubled over in laughter, letting himself fall to the couch before letting out a breathy sigh.
Simon was attractive, but Grace could hardly picture him being any less interested in the 42 year old school teacher.
How old is Simon anyways? Late 20s? Early 30s?
"I haven't really thought about that kind of stuff. It's been...gosh... I don't even know how long since I've slept with somebody. Even before the Hail Mary, I used to joke that my virginity was coming back."
"Poor Grace," Rocky walked around the coffee table to get closer to Grace's face. "So long without mate causes long term problems."
"Excuse you! I'm very well adjusted for someone without a mate."
Rocky didn't even say anything, but Grace could hear the judgement in his silence.
"Don't give me that! I am well adjusted!"
"Isolation causes problems in any species. Grace not immune, statement.".
Cheese and Crackers, Rocky
"You know what, I don't wanna talk about it." Grace half joked. "Let's just play again, yeah?"
"Rocky tired of winning. Will go now."
"Oh come on, one more game! I'll focus this time I promise!"
"Grace is...phrase....Sucker for punishment"
Rocky made towards the door waiting for Grace to let him out. Rocky could absolutely do it himself, but they've made it a habit to let Grace open the door. Grace wanted to maintain some sort of normalcy with his manners.
"How about I stop teaching you sassy phrases to use against me?"
"How about Grace get mate"
Grace opened the door with an exasperated scoff.
"Bye Rocky."
"Bye Bye Grace!"
Grace slammed the door behind Rocky harder than he meant to, hope Rocky doesn't think I'm actually mad at him...
And for the first time in years, Grace actually felt his body. For so long he's been on autopilot, only using the energy he had for basic functions. He knew Rocky was right, but he wasn't completely alone.
Grace took a deep breath and analyzed himself as he sat back on the couch.
His Earth therapist would be proud.
His knees felt weaker, his back was starting to ache from the slouching, his eyes hurt whenever he took his glasses off. He truly was getting older, but the one feeling that engulfed his entire brain at the moment was how restless and untouched Grace had been.
It never really bothered him before. Even on Erid, he would get it over with so to speak to keep himself sane, but THIS. This was an animalistic yearning he'd never dealt with in his life. His lower gut twisted in a way that made heat spread across his entire body that fogged his mind like a windshield.
It can't possibly be that bad.
Grace's hand moved automatically to his waistline without thinking, sending a sensitive shiver shot up his spine.
Shit
His brain was short-circuiting, all the blood in his body was rushing south like a riptide threatening to tear him apart. His hand brushed against his thighs, breath wavering in his throat, a whine barely escaping his lips.
There was a small prickle of embarrassment somewhere in his mind, a grown man in his forties whimpering like a dog over his own hand. God forbid the noises he'd make if Simon touched him. He felt his dick leap up at the thought, his hips jerking against his pants adding friction to his erection. Grace felt his mind spinning, it felt like cabin pressure pushing through his brain and preventing him from thinking clearly. It was disorienting, but it felt so good...He was on all fours on his couch before he knew it, one of the poor pillows held between his thighs as his mind raced with the fantasies of being held.
Simon's rough hand on his neck, trailing down his chest brushing the hair against his nipples and gently moving down his...
"Oh fuck"
Whatever filter Grace had was gone, fully overtaken by the movement against his hips, grinding against the pillow harder and faster than he thought possible. He felt hot pressure building up in his gut, his breath hitched on every gasp. Every atom in his body begging to keep going, his mind raced on.
Would Simon let him get on top if he asked? Would Grace get to look down and shamelessly rut against him, would Simon hold his hips to guide him? Would Simon moan his name with the same praise he called for his God?
Grace's vision went white with a pathetic moan as he collapsed on the couch. His whole body shook as he rode through the orgasm, gripping the armrest of the sofa with dear life. Simon's name was the only thing he could say as his body wrung out what was left of his climax until there was nothing but a dull ache.
His heart was still drumming in his ears when he felt the high fade away, Grace looked down at himself in disappointment. He was disgusting, he had masturbated in the living room with the blinds to his window wide open. He'd moaned his neighbors name, who knows if this place was even soundproof, Grace never had to consider that before. He should have moved to his bedroom, he was supposed to be above stupid things like this.
You don't even know the guy, Ryland. He wants nothing to do with you.
Grace's brain was finally rebooting and catching up to the present, he felt cold and clammy. The worst feeling of all is that he wasn't satisfied. The imitation of Simon had gotten him off, but Grace still, selfishly, wanted more. Even as exhaustion weighed each of his limbs
down, Grace still pictured Simon by his side, running his fingers through his hair while whispering.
I gotta get a mate...