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When Grace got the call from his twin brother, Colt, that he was getting married to Jody, he was so happy for him. Grace made a mental note to get time off for his wedding- well, if he's invited, that is. He doesn't want to assume he'd be invited. Him and Colt had only just started talking again as the last time they talked, they had this massive blow up argument because Grace was stressed and was being an ass- butthole to everyone around him. He took it out on his loved ones and he had spent years apologising even after they've gotten over it.
His research was stressing him out and Colt knew that Grace wanted to originally be a teacher and kept telling him to not do the project anymore. Grace knew he was right but he had so much pressure on him that he burst like a pressure cooker.
Grace hated himself for the longest time after that argument they both had. It wasn't until years later when Grace had done his project and became a teacher that he had reached out to Colt. They both apologised for the things they both said that day and they're slowly getting back to how close they were when they were kids. Colt mostly being busy with filming movies.
"I want you to be a groomsman." Colt asked him one night when Grace and Colt went out to dinner together. They were both catching up on life when Colt asked him that question.
The place the two of them went to this diner that Grace and Colt used to go to all the time before the argument.
"I- you really want me to?" Grace says in shock as he puts his fork down. He only thought he'd be invited as a guest! He wasn't expecting to be asked to be a groomsman.
"Of course I do! I know our relationship over the years has been rocky but I want you there as my brother beside me as I get married to Jody." Colt tells him and Grace wants to tease him for the lovesick look on his face when he mentions Jody. "So? You in? You can say no if you want but-"
"No I want to! Are you kidding me?!" Grace agreed so eagerly that he thought his own head would fall off from the amount of nodding he did. The two of them hugged for the first time in years and it felt great.
The problem that was slowly approaching was the bachelor party.
Grace was really hesitant to go to Colt’s bachelor party. He wasn’t the type to go out partying, especially in Las Vegas but Colt had begged him to go and he reluctantly agreed. Grace even managed to get a week off of teaching. He's gonna need it to travel and to recover from what he knows will be a few nights of drinking and partying. Grace is going to try his hardest to not drink himself to a blackout. He hasn't done that since college when Colt dragged him to a frat party and told him and he quotes "let loose! Don't be a stick in the mud for once!"
“Please? I want you to come! You’re gonna get on great with my friends!” Colt begs him.
Grace just sighed and agreed and that’s how he ended up knocking on the door of a massive hotel room where Colt, him and Colt’s friends are gonna be staying. He just hopes he has the right room. He waits after knocking and the door opens and Grace comes face to face with a long haired man with only one arm. He looks really intimidating but so handsome. He's a bit shorter than Grace but he's still intimidating. Probably ex military? Maybe? Grace doesn't want to assume.
Grace suddenly panics and checks the room number to make sure he has the right room.
"Uh, hi?” Grace gets out. “I’m looking for my brother, Colt?” The man is still staring at him and Grace wants the ground to swallow him whole.
“Ry! You made it! I see you’ve met Simon already!” Colt appears as if he was a magician doing a trick, wrapping his arm around who he now knows as Simon's neck. “I hope you weren’t scaring my baby brother, Si!” Colt playfully punches Ryland's arm with a wide smile on his face.
Grace swears he can hear Simon mumble jokingly "great, there's two of you."
“We’re the same age, Colt!” Grace rolls his eyes.
"Oh my nerdy brother is the complete opposite of me Simon. He's into science and shit." Colt tells him as they walk inside. Grace brushes against Simon's side as they walk inside.
Simon nods and can't help but look Grace up and down. Grace supposes his outfit pretty much screams middle school science teacher, even if he's only in jeans and a t-shirt that says 'I wear this shirt periodically.'
“Sorry for making you nervous.” Simon apologises as he sniffles, shrugging off Colt's arm off his shoulders.
"You don't have to be sorry. You couldn't of known I was here for the party." Grace smiles softly at Simon. He'd honestly make the same assumption to which as one of his students would say "don't assume! That makes an assumption out of you and me!" Which Grace has had to tell that student off multiple times for swearing.
Simon shrugs. "Could've guessed as you look exactly like Colt just with glasses and like he said, very nerdy. That shirt just screams science teacher." Simon looks at Grace and that makes him squirm a little under his gaze. Simon then adds "but you have more of a handsome look." Simon says before looking away and walking further into the room, leaving Grace standing there in shock.
Grace can't help his cheeks blush pink, embarrassed.
They walk further into the massive hotel room. Grace is shocked at how many rooms there are as he wheels in his suitcase. It looks like a luxury apartment, his whole apartment back home could fit in one of the bedrooms.
Grace catches up to Simon and rambles out an introduction which he really doesn't need to do as Colt has already introduced them. Come on Grace! Get it together! “It’s ok. It’s nice to meet you Simon. I’m Grace but Colt has probably told you that." He holds out his hand for Simon to take. Simon ends up taking it in his and Jesus his hands! Simon's hand is gripping Grace's but it's firm, feels nice pressure around Grace's.
“Nice to meet you too. Again." Simon answers and Grace swears he sees a small smile appear on Simon’s face and his only thought is what Simon's full smile looks like. Grace is willing to bet that it's beautiful. Grace makes the rounds of meeting Colt's other friends.
"We've heard a lot about you from Colt. Can't believe he has a twin." Dan chuckles and Grace huffs a laugh.
"All good things I hope?" Grace jokingly asks but he is a little serious because he hopes Colt didn't mention their argument that stopped them from talking. He has changed ever since then.
“You worry too much, Ry. I mostly tell them about your work.” Colt tells him and the others in the group who Grace has noticed, has gathered around them nods. Grace relaxes a little, still a bit on edge as he doesn’t know these people as well. Once they’ve gotten settled they decide to leave to go bar hopping and see some stunt shows. It’s not really Grace’s cup of tea but he’s willing to go along with it to make his brother happy.
They're at a club and the music is loud. It has some rooms you could rent for karaoke or private parties. Grace knows he's going to end up with a headache by the end of the night. He is nursing his first drink of the evening and he makes a mental note to not get roped into doing shots.
Simon comes back into the room with drinks and sits down beside him on this couch that's in the room. Grace can feel the heat radiating off of Simon and he tries his hardest not to lean into it. The club is already too hot for Grace's liking but the heat from Simon is nice, warm and welcoming unlike from everyone around them pressing their bodies unknowingly against other people.
The others are up singing karaoke really badly and it makes Grace chuckle.
"I'm surprised that you're not up there too." Simon says before taking a sip of his drink.
"Me? Oh no. I'm not much for singing anyway. I'd sound as bad as them." Grace jokes as he hears Colt badly try and hit a note that Grace is sure doesn't exist.
Although Grace should be used to Colt's bad singing, as he had to deal with waiting to use the shower as a kid and hearing his brother singing awfully in the shower, only for him to come out afterwards smugly saying "I crushed that performance."
"What about you?" Grace asks Simon, leaning in slightly to his space with the excuse that Simon might not be able to hear him properly. Definitely not because he wants to be closer to the man he met all of an hour or so ago? Wait, what time is it? Grace really must've been having a good time talking and getting to know Simon and Colt's other friends.
"Me? Nah, the only singing I do is in the shower, although I used to be in the choir of the church my family took us to." Simon shrugs softly.
"Were you any good?" Grace asks, intrigued. Simon chuckles and swallows his mouthful of his drink.
"I was ok. Not rockstar level good, which was what I wanted to be. That or someone who blew up stuff on movie sets." Simon says whilst tilting his head slightly. "At least one of my dreams came true." He huffs a laugh. "I do get told I do have a deep singing voice."
What Grace wouldn't give to hear Simon sing, although if Grace heard Simon sing in his deep voice, they would have to mop him up as he'd become a puddle. The thought of Simon singing a love song to Grace makes him grateful that he is sitting down and not standing. He would've fallen to his knees as he wouldn't be able to stand upright.
"I'm glad you get to do what you love. However, I think you'd make an awesome rockstar, honestly." Grace admits. He isn't one to listen to rock music, but from the things he's learned from talking to Simon, he'd listen to his music. "I mean, you already have the look of a rockstar." Grace's eyes subtly looks him on up and down, the tone of him saying that, Grace realises, makes it sound like he's flirting with Simon. Cheese and crackers, when did he get so bold? Maybe it's the help of the alcohol? Maybe he should cut himself off now so he doesn't do something he's gonna regret the next morning.
Not that he'd ever regret doing anything if it was with Simon.
Simon chuckles a bit tipsy and smiles. Simon tends to do that more the more he drinks. Drinking relaxes him as he's always so tense. "I would if I could play guitar." There was a pause before Simon asks "What about you? Did you always know you wanted to be a science teacher with really cheesy science pun t-shirts?" Simon jokes and Grace laughs offendedly.
"Rude!" Grace playfully nudges Simon's arm and Simon snorts a laugh at that.
"But yes, I did always want to be a teacher but my parents didn't really think being a teacher in the long run was worth it. That's why I was a researcher for the longest time." Grace continues before sighing. "But I quit as it was so much pressure. Being a teacher is so much calmer, even if I sometimes have to deal with the kids being loud when they're excited." Grace chuckles softly and Simon chuckles too.
"What did you research? Or was it confidential?" Simon jokes at the last part but Grace takes a note of the intrigued expression on Simon's face. "Although I wouldn't of took you as the type to break that confidentiality." Simon teases Grace with such ease, you wouldn't know that they were strangers before this. It feels natural. Like they're in their own little world.
Grace chuckles at that and shakes his head. "Oh god no! I can't keep a secret for the life of me! Like for example, when we were kids, Colt decided he wanted to climb a tree onto the roof but he couldn't get down and my parents came home to him on stuck on the roof."
Simon laughs and asks "Where were you?"
Grace looks embarrassed as he rubs the back of his neck after taking a drink to admit where he was. "I was at home….. I got too into my studying." Grace admits with his cheeks turning pink.
"Oh so you were a nerd then? Like a proper nerd?" Simon jokes with a snort of a laugh and Grace laughs softly as he adjusts his glasses.
"Yes, I was! But I came out to my parents yelling and seeing Colt on the roof crying and he made me promise not to tell anyone that he was scared when they finally managed to get him down. My dad had to get the ladder."
"The same guy who does stunts is afraid of heights?" Simon huffs a laugh as he shakes his head.
"In his defence, we were like 11 and my parents had only popped to get some groceries for dinner. Only took him five minutes to get stuck up there." Grace shrugs his shoulders before saying "Promise me you won't tell him I told you! He'd probably kill me."
"I promise I won't tell." Simon replies and jokes "If he did that, I'd turn him in anyway."
Grace can't help but feel warmth spreading through his chest. Simon has known Colt longer than he's known Grace but yet he said that? Grace can't believe it. He will definitely have to get Simon's number after this or maybe during so he doesn't forget. "Hey this might sound weird but could I-"
Grace is interrupted as Colt heard what Simon said as they walk back up from bringing back shots from the bar. "Hey! what did I do?!"
"Nothing yet. It's insurance in case you accidentally murder your own brother for no reason." Simon jokes as he takes one of the shots and downs it in one go. Grace can't help but stare as he watches Simon swallow it.
"Unless he spilled an embarrassing secret then he's safe….for now." Colt tells him whilst looking at the two of them. He senses a little that he's interrupted something."I dread to think what your speech at the wedding is going to be."
At that moment, the room goes silent, as if someone pressed pause on the groups singing and pounding music that's vibrating the room around them from the outside. "You- you want me to make a speech?" Grace asks shocked.
"Of course! Just no embarrassing stories." Colt jokes. "Got to keep my cool guy persona up."
"Oh? I didn't know you were cool." Grace gets a laugh out of Simon at that before he takes another drink. Grace then gets an evil smile on his face as he says "Can't make any promises." And he soon ends up in a headlock and getting noggied.
"Colt!" Grace groans as Colt laughs and so does the rest of the group. Colt finally lets go of him and they do more shots.
Colt is hyped and drunk as he is yelling "I'm getting married soon!" Like he is a drunk woman at a bachelor party that makes the group laugh.
They go to another club and Simon is walking beside Grace and he can once again feel the heat radiating off of Simon. Simon asks Grace some questions he didn't get to ask before the others showed up with shots after singing karaoke very badly which Grace happily answers and rambling about anything and everything. He doesn't notice the soft look Simon is giving him as he watches Grace talk animatedly and moving his hands a lot.
The next club was just as loud and Grace has had quite a few drinks in him and the others are dancing- well, more like jumping up and down.
Grace rambles some more to Simon as they're sat watching Colt and the others act like fools before realising he’s done all the talking. “Fudge, I’ve been talking a lot. You probably want to say something.” Grace says with wide eyes but Simon shakes his head softly.
“No. I don’t mind listening to you talk. I quite enjoy it.” Simon’s face is red and Grace doesn’t know if that’s the alcohol that’s making him flustered or because it’s really hot in this club they’re in. Grace has had to yell over the loud music to talk to Simon about molecular biology, sometimes leaning in close so Simon can hear him. Simon smiles at him and Grace feels his cheeks heat up.
Oh, Simon looks handsome when he smiles like that.
What is he thinking right now?! He’s at Colt’s bachelor party! He isn’t here to hook up with one of his friends! That would make it awkward for his brother and for Simon since they work together. “Really? I’m not boring you to death?” Grace has to lean in close to say it right next to Simon's ear. Grace can smell Simon's cologne and the slight scent of cigarettes.
“No! I find you fascinating actually!” Simon leans in close to Grace like Grace did for him. Grace definitely thinks they’re both a bit drunk right now to think straight. “I’m gonna get us another drink. Want the same as last time?” Simon asks after noticing his empty cup and Grace nods. He hadn’t realised that he had drank the fruity cocktail he was drinking as he fiddled with the straw nervously. It’s been a while since Grace has gotten drunk so it's hitting him harder than it would've when he was used to it.
Simon leaves to grab them drinks. That is a good point. Where are Colt and the others? He looks around and spots them, a very drunk Colt and his friends trying to get on stage where the DJ booth is, and Grace can’t help but roll his eyes as he starts to film them, as he knows Jody will get a kick out of this in the morning. He feels Simon's presence beside him and Grace feels himself relax.
"What the fuck are they doing, the idiots." Simon questions. "Are you filming this?"
Grace chuckles drunkenly and says "yes because Jody will get a kick out of this." He finishes recording and sends it to her with a message.
Grace:
Colt is drunk and doing stupid things. I thought you'd enjoy it.
Jody reacts to the video with a laughing emoji and Grace slips his phone in his pocket and turns back to Simon as they continue to drink and get to know each other.
Grace doesn't know where the hell he gets the courage to be straightforward with Simon where he's only just met the guy this afternoon but he asks him nonetheless whilst Colt and the others are leading them to the show they got tickets for.
"So, are you seeing anyone?" Grace asks as they bump into each other while walking.
"Oh god no. I've not dated anyone in a long time." Simon huffs softly. Colt overhears this and in his drunken state smirks.
"Ry Ry has been single for a while. His girlfriend broke up with him because she said he had his head in the clouds." Colt frowns. "She's so wrong about that!"
Simon frowns too "why? Ry Ry is just a very passionate man!" Grace feels super embarrassed at Colt and Simon calling him that as it's childish.
"Not that nickname!" He groans. "It's so childish!"
Colt laughs. "You used to call me Coco!"
Simon snorts. "Coco?"
Grace answers bitchily "because he's nuts!"
"You got that right!" Simon laughs a loud belly laugh at that and Grace feels his heart warm at that. "First time we met, he was so nuts for a boat stunt. I did the pyrotechnics for that one. He had so much adrenaline after he was running around like a cat who had just gone crazy before he threw up everywhere. Colt playfully punches Simon's arm.
"It's not that funny!" Colt whines and Grace can't help but join in laughing.
"You fucking dick!" Simon punches Colt's arm back as he keeps laughing. It might become Grace's favourite sound in the world. He feels his face flush pink but he'll blame that from the alcohol. Soon enough, Colt and Simon are playfully wrestling whilst the others cheer them on.
Grace turns to Dave and asks "are they always like this?"
"Hm? Oh yeah, especially when they're sober." Dave sighs as they watch Simon easily get Colt into a headlock. "But that's new. Normally it's Colt who has Simon in a headlock."
"Huh." Grace looks back over and sees Colt tapping out and Simon letting go and laughing. They're both laughing and Grace joins in.
"You're really lucky I went easy on you, Si." Colt playfully slaps the back of his hand against Simon's chest as they're both laughing and lying on the floor whilst panting.
"Oh really? I doubt that. I've been practicing." Simon huffs and soon they're helped up by the others. Grace holds out his hand for Simon which he happily takes and Grace uses his whole strength to pull Simon up and they end up chest to chest. They're both pull away and Simon rubs the back of his neck. "Thanks Ry Ry." He teases looking up at Grace through his eyelashes and smiling.
Grace blushes at that. "No problem but if you insist on calling me that, what should I call you?" Grace jokes and Simon chuckles and shakes his head.
"Only if you insist on calling me a nickname, I will be fine with whatever you want to call me." Simon shrugs his shoulder a bit as if he's trying to act cool about the idea of someone giving him a nickname.
"Well I'm not that creative with nicknames but I might try and come up with one for you." Grace tells him as they get back to walking to the stunt show.
The stunt show was amazing from what Grace can remember of it. It's all a little fuzzy as they all kept drinking and he felt himself leaning more onto Simon as the night goes on. Grace remembers all of them getting food at some place that Grace ate like he was a starving man. After all that drinking they've done all night. Grace and Colt ended up teasing each other and sharing stories of their childhood whilst Colt's friends tell Grace stories of their time on different movie sets.
Grace and Simon end up sharing an ice cream sundae and they chat quietly amongst themselves. They've done that a lot tonight but for Grace, Simon feels so easy to talk to. He knows he has friends but he has never clicked with someone this quickly.
"You know, I'm kind of jealous that Colt is getting married. It seems everyone our age is doing it." Grace whispers to Simon as the others had gone to the bathroom quick. "I know I shouldn't really but it just feels weird? I've been single for a long time and no one's really piqued my interest in the way everyone else does and I know people tell you to go with your own timeline but it feels like I'm missing out on something, you know?" Grace shrugs but then adds "I mean, I've always been a sucker for weddings. I'm the type to cry at them but I feel like if I ever got married, it wouldn't be this big grand event. I'd want it simple."
Grace will admit that even though he's not really interested in relationships, he has thought of what his dream wedding would be like if he had the chance to get married. In his mind it would be simple. No big party, just him, his partner surrounded by a small group of their friends and family in someone's backyard under a weeping willow tree with fairy lights dangling down. Magical.
"I get that. I think before tonight I wasn't really interested in anyone, you know? Got too much mentally going on and I wouldn't want to put that on anyone. That plus with my work schedule, we'd rarely see each other. It would be selfish of me to say 'hey, want to be in a relationship with me? You probably wont see me for weeks or maybe a few months at a time but we can call and FaceTime each other?' " Simon tilts his head slightly as he talks. Grace hums softly at that.
"Honestly, doesn't sound too bad. As long as you have good communication and an understanding, it sounds nice. You could go on dinner dates like this but just over the phone. Sure you'd always be limited to the apartment or house you're staying in. Just make sure when you're actually together that you spend some actual time together." Grace thinks about it. He wouldn't mind having that situation personally. Most relationships he's been in have been the type where his partner's want to spend every waking moment together after work which Grace doesn't like doing too much.
Grace says "I enjoy teaching kids. Working with kids is great and I wouldn't change that for the world! But sometimes after work I can be overwhelmed and I just wants to come home and plug in headphones and listen to an audiobook or a podcast whilst he disassociates for a while." He shrugs. "Most of my past partners didn't get that."
It's nothing personal against any of his past partners but when he gets in a way where he is stressed, he tends to to be bitchy and he'd rather not be bitchy to his loved ones. He's done that before and it's not ended well.
Another thing Grace isn't a fan of in relationships is the intimacy. He wouldn't mind just cuddling and having a few shared kisses with some soft touches. Maybe some sex but not all the time. When he realised he was aroace, he made a mental list of things he liked and didn't like for his future partners but he knows most people don't understand what its like being aroace. He's also sick of the questions he always gets.
'Are you sure?' Or 'maybe I could help you with your touch adverseness,' which Grace isn't like that. He loves touch but sometimes there are days where it overwhelms him.
"That's understandable. I get the same way after being on set all day. And I suppose you're right, but I don't really know anyone who'd be interested in me enough to have that type of relationship." Simon's spoon hits part of the brownie at the bottom of the sundae glass, and Grace can hear him mumble "jackpot!" Which makes Grace smile at how Simon's tongue is slightly sticking out. Cute.
Once Simon digs part of the brownie out with some of the ice cream and cream on his spoon and offers it to Grace. Grace smiles and moves towards the spoon so Simon can feed it to him. Grace realises he's about to eat off of the same spoon that Simon has been using but he feels this wave of excitement and fluster washing over him at the idea of getting a slight taste of Simon's mouth.
Grace can't help but think about how romantic feeding someone is in this context but he also can't help but think of how fucking good this brownie is. Grace can't help but let out a little moan at how good the brownie is.
"Jesus Christ that's a good brownie." Grace says as he melts slightly into his seat. The others finally come back, which Grace has to be honest, he completely forgot they were with a group. He thought he was just here with Simon, alone.
Grace gives Simon some of the brownie, ice cream and cream and he offers it to Simon like he did for him. The others don't seem to notice, or if they did, they're not going to say anything. Eventually, they finish their dessert and pay for their food before walking around the city for a while aimlessly. Simon is talking to someone else so Grace is with Colt.
"So. You and Simon seem to be getting along." Colt nudges him and Grace blushes pink.
"I think so. He's really nice to talk to." Grace shrugs as he watches Simon friendly argue with someone about something that Grace can't really hear.
"He's a good guy, Ry. Intense, but good." Colt tells Grace. "But honestly, this is the first time I've seen him open up so easily to someone before."
Before Grace can say anything to him, they find themselves at another bar and they keep drinking.
The water Grace had at dinner is definitely not gonna help, as he is back to drinking even after he told himself that he wouldn't get blackout drunk. Way to go, Ryland. At least he will film some videos so he can remember some of the night.
Simon is beside him once again and Grace is frowning in his drunken state. They're alone again just the two of them.
"What's got you so frowny, Dr frownster?" Simon pokes his cheek. "And they call me frowny." Simon mumbles before downing the rest of his beer, holding the bottle in a way Grace can't keep his eyes off of.
"Thinking about what you said earlier." Grace grumbles. "And I'm not frowny."
"You totally were." Simon teases. "So frowny. That should be your new nickname, not Ry. Dr frowny." Simon snorts softly. "But what about earlier?"
"Hm?" Grace turns to him questioningly. The others are doing shots at the bar and Colt is currently talking to someone and showing photos of Jody on his phone saying how he's going to get married to the love of his life. Grace can't help but playfully roll his eyes at his brother's antics.
"You said you were thinking about our conversation earlier." Simon says leaning into Grace's space. "What were you thinking about in that pretty head of yours?" Simon hums softly. It makes Grace feel flustered at that and he can't help but lean in close.
"You think I'm pretty?" He whispers and looks at him through his eyelashes. He feels this nervousness flowing out of his chest to all over his body. It's been a while since he was flirted with, especially as someone as handsome as Simon. Fudge he doesn't stand a chance with him.
Simon pulls away from his space and Grace can't help feeling the loss of having Simon so close to him. God he forgot how clingy he could be when he was drunk. The last time he got drunk he didn't have anyone to cuddle with and he ended up waking up, cuddling his newly bought mop. At least it wasn't a dirty one, he can applaud his drunk self for that.
Simon chuckles softly and says "Yes, but don't get distracted. You need to answer the question." He pokes Grace's arm this time and Grace can't help but laugh.
"I was thinking about-" Grace goes to say, but then he hears a slow love song that would be perfect to dance to with someone if he had a partner. He probably has a longing look on his face because suddenly, Simon is standing up and offering his hand for Grace to take.
"Want to dance?" Simon asks as he stares down at Grace.
"You- how did you-" Grace stutters out as he goes to take Simon's hand and stand up.
"You had this look." He shrugs softly. "And because I wouldn't mind dancing with you." Simon says the last part as if he is anxious that Grace will say no.
Grace takes his hand happily and says "I will warn you, I might step on your feet. I'm a terrible dancer."
Simon laughs a bit at that whilst shaking his head a bit as if Grace said a funny joke that you roll your eyes at because it was stupid. "You know, I don't doubt that for a second."
Simon leads them somewhere that has some room for them and Grace can't help but feel like his hand belongs in Simon's. He can't stop staring at where they're holding hands, so he ends up walking into Simon when Simon stops.
"Sorry!" Grace apologises. "Wasn't watching and I didn't know you had stopped-"
"It's ok. I don't mind." Simon says before pausing to ask "how do you want to do this?"
"Ah! Right- uh-" Grace thinks for a moment before he feels Simon's prosthetic arm gently guiding Grace's arm that isn't linked with Simon's to Simon's shoulder, letting it rest there before placing his own hand at Grace's hip, still holding Grace's hand with his other.
"This ok?" Simon asks softly as he looks up slightly.
Grace nods at him and smiles shyly like all the drunk confidence he had before just disappeared. All because Simon is touching him.
He notices Simon's smirk as they start to sway to the music. "I think this is the quietest you've been all evening." He teases and Grace blushes more at that. Simon spins him and Grace chuckles softly at that. It feels silly but he really feels like he's in one of those cheesy romcom movies right now.
"No it's not-" Grace argues back weakly.
"No, you're right. You were quiet when you had that frowny face of yours, Dr Frowny." Simon chuckles.
"That's just my thinking face! You want to know how many people come up to me when I'm thinking to ask me if I'm ok?! Too many! Then I lose my train of thought-" Grace rambles and cuts himself off when he hears Simon snort a laugh. Grace feels that strange feeling in his chest that he can't quite place. He should be able to place it! He's a man of science god damn it! But that's the thing, isn't? Grace doesn't need a scientific explanation as to why he feels this way about Simon. He should let this feeling wash over him and enjoy Simon's company. Grace is too drunk to think rationally.
"I feel you. My resting face makes me look like I'm pissed all the time." Simon shrugs.
"I bet it isn't that bad." Grace says softly as they continue to sway together, looking each other in the eyes.
"It is. Trust me, whenever we get new interns on set and they come to ask me a question, they always look terrified of me like I'm gonna snap at them for asking a stupid question! I'd never do that as I know what it's like being in their shoes." Simon tells him whilst sighing.
Grace nods softly as he listens. He knows from Colt what interns have to deal with and it makes Grace kind of glad he didn't follow his brother into the industry. As a kid, he loved playing make-believe sometimes but he would rather read or make science experiments which he remembers Colt and him making bottle rockets one summer and they would have so much fun. It's Grace's favourite memory of them. Wait shoot, he should add that to his wedding speech- god damn it Ryland you're getting distracted!
"So I've heard. Colt used to tell me horror stories. Although it's similar to being in a lab as an intern with other scientists. I will admit I was one of those people who would argue and yell about my research." Grace admits as he looks down. "I've changed since then. Becoming a middle school teacher has mellowed me out a lot."
"Yeah? I wouldn't be able to work with kids. I look too scary." Simon says almost sadly. Grace won't have that.
"I think my kids would think you look cool as hell. They'd probably think you're a superhero." Grace says, moving his hand to stroke the burn scars on the right side of Simon's face. He imagines they cover half of Simon's body. Grace won't be rude and ask him about them right now. Besides, he keeps forgetting he's only just met Simon today. "Plus, I think you look cool. Even if that doesn't really mean anything from someone who wears nerdy science shirts with the phrase 'technically I'm full of stardust'."
Simon laughs at that softly before asking "What does that shirt even mean?"
"I'm glad you asked! Stardust is primarily made of solid microscopic mineral grains inside of dying stars! They consist of carbon, silicates, like in quartz! Graphite and metals like iron and nickel, as well as frozen ices like water and ammonia! And because we are made of Oxygen, carbon, calcium, and iron, we are made up of stardust. So you are stardust." Grace rambles on happily as they stop swaying and are just standing in the middle of the dance floor, the slow song stopping and changing to a high-energy song. Everyone around them is dancing happily and bumping into them, but they couldn't care. Simon is looking at Grace with a look he hasn't seen in a while, let alone aimed at him.
"That has to be the weirdest yet romantic thing anyone has ever said to me." Simon mumbles quietly that Grace would've missed it if he wasn't so close to him. Grace doesn't know what to say to that, but he doesn't have time to think of anything because the next thing out of Simon's mouth is "Marry me." Simon then dips Grace and Grace trusts Simon but he still clings to his shoulders. Their faces are close together and Grace could just lean in and kiss him but he won't in case that's a step too far.
Simon says as if he means it and that he's not joking around. Grace is shocked that he doesn't answer for a while and Simon gets a scared look on his face like he said something wrong. Simon pulls Grace back up so he's standing upright and goes to pull his hands off of Grace but Grace stops him by gently holding his wrists back to where they were resting against his hips.
"You- you mean that?" Grace asks like he is giving Simon an out in case he turns around and goes "ha ha! You really think I would marry you?!" And honestly, Grace wouldn't be able to take that because even if Simon does that, he'd be heartbroken at the idea of not having Simon to talk to. Grace knows he has the voice in the back of his head saying that they've only just met today but it feels like he's known Simon in multiple lifetimes.
He's really enjoyed their conversations over the course of the night, even if they've both been drunk for most of it. Grace notices the look Simon is giving him and then it clicks. Simon isn't playing a mean prank "You're not joking." Grace says breathlessly, eyes widening a little bit.
"I'm not." Simon tells him in a tone that's soft yet determined to convince Grace that he isn't joking around. They get bumped by some people and they forget where they were for a moment and Grace leads Simon back to their table. Grace realises he doesn't know where Colt and the others have disappeared to. Did they leave already? They make it back to the table and go to sit down but Grace feels like he needs fresh air. It's as if Simon can sense this because he shoots off a text that he is guessing is to the group chat that they made before they left the hotel room in case any of them went missing from the group.
They end up managing to pay and leave the bar they're at and the warmish air hits Grace and he sighs softly. They both lean against the wall outside the club, not letting go of each other's hands.
"I wasn't joking, just so you know." Simon mumbles. "That was the most romantic thing anyone has said to me."
"Really?" Grace turns his head, back still against the wall, as he looks at Simon. He sees that Simon is already looking at him.
"Really. And I also meant it when I asked you to marry me." Simon says to him whilst nervously squeezing his hand. "I know I told you that if I was to be in a relationship, the person would rarely see me because of my work schedule and I know it's not to everyone's tastes but-"
"Yes." Grace says before his drunk brain can catch up. Simon's eyes widen at that.
"I- really?" Simon asks him in shock. Simon then mumbles "I can be a lot. I have a temper and can be clingy."
"I'm ok with that. I know that it won't be ideal that we won't have much time to spend with each other but I've really enjoyed talking to you tonight and I know it's a cliché to get married to someone who was a stranger to me not only hours ago but I've never felt this way before towards someone. Talking to you is easy." Grace shrugs as he squeezes Simon's hand twice.
"Talking to you is easy too. I've never talked to someone this much before." Simon mumbles softly, quiet enough that Grace can hear him. It looks as if Simon is too afraid to take up space in a room or with anyone for that matter. Grace wants to help with that.
"So." Grace gets closer, pushing off the wall so he's fully facing Simon now.
"So?" Simon asks almost nervously.
"Shall we?" Grace can't help but reach out to touch Simon more, resting his hand on Simon's shoulder gently.
"Yes- let's do it." Simon nods and smiles up at him.
Grace doesn't remember anything after that. Actually, scratch that. He can't remember most things from last night. He doesn't even know how he managed to get back to the hotel room safely. Grace is laying on his front and he turns to lie on his back and groaning softly and rubbing his face with his hands and feeling a little bit of metal against his face.
Huh. That's strange. He pulls his hands away to see what that is and he finds a wedding band on his finger.
Oh. Oh!
He has a wedding band on his finger! Grace sits up panicking. How? Why? When? Who?! Wait he can answer the when because it was probably last night. He didn't arrive here in Vegas with a ring on his finger, he would've known because he would've told Colt. Colt would've been invited! Unless he somehow got engaged to a stranger but that doesn't make any sense? Fudge his head is pounding like crazy. He hears groaning coming from beside him and he looks beside him and doesn't see anyone.
Oh thank god he didn't hook up with anyone whilst he was blackout drunk. No, he had to go get engaged or married. He doesn't know which is worse. He remembers there's another bed in the room and he looks beside him and sees a blur in the bed. Wait, where are his glasses? He looks around before finding them on the bedside table and grabs them and puts them on his face.
Ah it's just Simon. Well, Simon's bare back. Grace notices his prosthetic is gently placed on the couch that's in the room which Grace is thinking that it's probably for the best as it's expensive as fuck- fudge!
Grace still keeps his eyes on Simon's back. He can see some burn scars on his right side where his arm would've been but it's been amputated halfway up his bicep. His hair has been put up in a loose and messy bun by the looks of it. Grace wonders if he did it himself or he had help. Did Grace help him with it? Is that why it looks so messy?
He hears Simon groan again, probably from sleep but also the massive hangover that he knows Simon has because he has the same hangover. He needs pills and some water right now. Maybe a coffee. He does have a flight to catch at some point and he doesn't want to be hungover. Grace should probably stop staring at Simon's back but he can't help it. His shoulders look relaxed like they were last night when they were drinking. To Grace, Simon looks like a very stressed man but he guesses that's a given as the man is a pyrotechnician for a living.
"Simon?" Grace whispers because as much as he wouldn't mind being killed by a hungover Simon, he very much would like to be alive to watch his brother getting married. "Simon? You awake?" All Grace hears is a groan from Simon again. Grace takes that as that he is awake. "Simon, do you remember anything about-"
Grace ends up jumping out of his skin at Colt bursting in and it makes Simon jump awake. Ah so he was asleep. Grace instinctively hides his hand with his ring on as he doesn't have time to fully take it off his hand. Fudge why did Colt have to burst in like that?!
"Colt what the fuck!" He hears Simon yell before hissing in pain, Grace doing the same. "Sorry, Ryland." He hears Simon mumble softly. Simon's voice sounds deeper than it sounded before and it makes Grace feel warm all over.
"It's ok." Grace tells him as he massages his temples, as the pain is starting there and flowing more into his brain like a whirlpool that he's trying to swim away from but he's going to get pulled under the waves.
"I'm getting married tomorrow!" Colt yells excitedly and he jumps onto the bed that Grace is lying in like he was trying to belly flop into a pool like he used to do when they were kids. Simon and Grace hiss in pain at how loud Colt was being. He had way too much energy for whatever time it is in the morning. Grace can't even think about looking at his phone right now. Did he put it on charge before he passed out?
"Colt, we're both hungover right now so if you could please turn down the volume and get us some water and pills-" Grace asks in a tone that is tense as he is internally panicking about waking up with no memories of last night but with a ring that looks so god damn expensive on his finger. He makes a mental note to take a closer look at it later when he's alone. He can't tell Colt or anyone about this until he remembers.
Colt chuckles "Ry, I haven't seen you this hungover since college! You look like shit."
"Gee, thanks. Love you too." Grace rolls his eyes. "But please if you could please get me and Simon some water and pills before Simon murders you and then there won't be a wedding"
"I second that." Simon grumbles. "I will make you taste pillow."
Colt raises his hands in surrender before getting up from the bed. "Ok ok! I'm going!" Colt leaves before turning around and saying "I'm glad you guys got back safe." Before he leaves to go grab them everything they need to cure this hangover.
"Morning." Grace offers awkwardly after watching Colt leave before turning towards Simon. He's trying not to stare at Simon's bare torso. God, Simon looks amazing, even with the burn scars.
"Morning." Simon looks over at him and huffs a ghost of a laugh. "Nice shirt."
Grace looks down to see what he's wearing and it appears he's wearing his boxers and a shirt that has some vomit on it. Gross. He hopes that is just his vomit and no one else's. Grace feels embarrassed and feels himself turn red. He looks down to actually look at which one of his silly science shirts he's wearing instead of just looking at it quickly. He sees it's his shirt that reads "call me Roy G biv cause I'm visibly on the spectrum." Oh god Colt brought this for him when he got his autism diagnosis years ago. He swore he didn't pack this in his suitcase. "Thank you although I got vomit on it. I really hope it's just mine and not anyone else's."
Grace doesn't know why he said that. He can't think straight with the sight of Simon shirtless and the pounding in his head from his hangover. Simon huffs a laugh before falling back down onto the bed as he had sat up. "I shouldn't have drunk that much fucking alcohol"
Grace chuckles softly as he quickly slips the ring off of his finger so he can bury his face in his hands, glasses over them. "You're telling me. I haven't drank that much since college."
"You? A party animal? I wouldn't of guessed." Simon says it in a tone that lets Grace know he's joking. Grace sneaks a peek from behind his hands to glance at the blur that is Simon on the other side of the room. Grace puts his glasses on properly to see Simon has his arm thrown over his eyes, covers bunched around his hips and Grace can clearly see the V leading to whatever is under the covers.
He looks like a marble statue that came to life. Grace would worship the ground Simon walked on if, for whatever reason, Simon turns around to him and says "Hey, so I'm secretly a god that was trapped in a marble statue for hundreds of years but was free of the curse." Would Grace believe that? No. He's a man of science. But if he had the chance? He absolutely would worship Simon. The sun leaking out from behind the curtains, shining onto Simon's body, making him look ethereal.
Sweet Kelly Clarkson, Grace needs to look away right now before he blurts out something he's gonna regret. In that moment, Colt comes in with two glasses of water and some pills for them and Grace thanks him and Simon grunts as he sits up again. Grace takes the pills as he wants this pounding in his head to go away.
"We're gonna find a place for breakfast, want to join us? If not we could stay here and order room service-" Colt asks in the way he did when this happened in college. It felt nice having his brother worry about him after all this time.
"I don't think I could try and eat anything without throwing up." Grace chuckles but it's the truth. Even if he is really craving a bagel with scrambled eggs and bacon. "I might go shower first though. I probably smell like vomit."
"You do." Colt jokes and Grace hits him with a pillow. Colt laughs and then leaves but not before saying "you two let me know what you want to do."
Grace nods and Simon just grunts towards Colt as he leaves.
When Grace goes to shower he locks the bathroom door to study the ring. It's a beautiful ring, Grace will admit. Whoever chose it has really good taste. It's gold with some stars, moons and suns embedded around the ring. Grace is lost for words. He is glad he is alone because he wouldn't be able to speak. This ring must've been expensive for whoever brought it for him. Oh god did he buy an expensive ring for the person he got married to?! He can't afford that on his teacher salary! He has some savings but not enough for a ring this nice.
Sweet strawberries! He knows he always puts some money aside to save it for the next school year so he can buy school supplies for the kids that need it. Did he use the money he saved for the kids for this stranger? Sweet mother of cheesesticks. If that was the case, he's very disappointed in himself. He doesn't want his kids to go without.
He shouldn't be thinking about this right now. He needs to shower and get this stench of vomit off of him. Whilst he was in the shower, he couldn't stop the thoughts whirling around his mind at who the mystery person is. Maybe they're freaking out in the room next to him and he wouldn't even know it. Grace's memories of last night was a big blur and he feels his memories mashing and mixing together. He stops thinking for the time being. His head is hurting more and more as he keeps thinking and trying to fix this puzzle into a clear image.
Grace eventually gets out of the shower and that's when he realises he didn't bring any clothes with him into the bathroom with him. He wonders if Simon is more awake. He wraps a towel around his waist and leaves to sneak back into the room. Simon is sitting on the edge of his bed, still in just his boxers.
"Hi." Grace softly says.
"Hey." Simon looks up at him.
"I uh, forgot to bring clothes in with me." Grace awkwardly says. He doesn't know why he's explaining this to Simon but Simon just nods at him.
"I was waiting for the shower." Simon mumbles. "Might need one."
Grace nods and he can't help but feel this awkward air around the two of them. Did something happen between them? "Well, the bathroom is all yours." Grace jokes with a smile and Simon huffs a laugh before standing up and grabbing some clothes from his bag.
Once Simon leaves, Grace gets dressed as quickly as possible and once he puts on his shirt and leaving to go find something he could maybe keep down before getting on a plane.
Grace doesn't see Simon until the wedding. Grace still doesn't know who he is married to and he hasn't told anyone about this secret he's been holding in his chest. He found a plain chain that he slips the ring onto so it's still with him but it's not seen. Colt would know and ask a bunch of questions. Although he's kind of shocked that their twin intuition hasn't let it slip but Grace doesn't really believe in those things.
Grace knows he usually wears suits when he's teaching but never a suit this fancy. It's this dark green suit he wouldn't usually wear but he likes it. He thinks it looks pretty good on him.
When he sees Simon in the suit however, Grace gets this wave of familiarity wash over him that he can't quite place. He looks so handsome like a secret agent. Simon's hair is up in a proper bun this time and Grace notices some little subtle flower hairpins that are the same flowers that Jody picked out for the wedding in his hair and it makes Simon look beautiful. They're subtle but it just adds to the sight in front of Grace. He thinks about Simon placing them into his hair and imagining the soft smile on his face as he got ready.
Grace wishes he could photograph Simon like this with the soft smile in his face. Jiminey crickets, he needs to stop this. He needs to focus on Colt and Jody and them getting married and hoping and praying he doesn't stumble over his words when he makes a speech… But that doesn't mean that he can't go over and talk to Simon and maybe have the courage to ask Simon to dance.
That thought feels familiar. He shrugs it off as a thought for later. The ceremony was beautiful and Grace will admit he cried. He is one to get emotional at weddings. When his friend Rocky and Adrian got married, he was Rocky's best man and he was an emotional mess that Rocky kept calling him a leaky blob. Which Grace can agree on.
But now Grace is thinking about if when he got married to the mysterious stranger he has yet to find out who it was, did he cry? Was he an emotional mess whilst getting married? No. He can't think about this now. He spots Simon across the room and decides to say "fluff it!" He's been psyching himself to go speak to Simon again all night.
He makes his way over to Simon whilst his mind wanders. Grace can feel the ring under his shirt and it feels like it's burning into his skin. It feels sappy but the chain was longer so the ring is sitting above his heart. A small voice in the back of his head wonders if his husband can feel his heart beating wherever he is.
Grace made it almost all the way over to Simon before he feels himself trip over air. He almost manages to save himself but ends up hitting a solid wall of muscle and feels himself and the person fall over, landing on top of whoever he fell into. He takes a second to regain his bearings and to apologize to the person. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what I tripped on. I was try-" Grace says as he looks up at the person, stopping mid-sentence as he realizes the person he fell into was Simon.
"It's ok. I was actually coming to talk to you." Simon is staring up at him with wide eyes and Grace just feels himself turning as red as a tomato.
"You were?" Grace asks as he gets up easily and offers his hand for Simon to take.
"Yeah uh, they're gonna start speeches soon and I know you're going to do one. I wanted to wish you luck." Simon takes his hand and Grace helps him up. "Or well no, it wouldn't be good luck it would be break a leg."
"You want me to break my leg? That's mean." Grace teases but Simon looks panicked at that. Oh, Devil Wears Prada, he messed up. Simon thinks he's being serious god he's such an idiot.
"No- I would never-" Simon goes to apologise. "I'm sorry."
"What? No! Simon, I was teasing you. Sorry if that came out wrong. That was- that was idiotic of me. I kind of put my foot in my mouth with that one." Grace shakes his head slightly.
That's when he hears Simon say "oh? Didn't know you and your gangly limbs were that flexible?" In a teasing tone and Grace feels as if he's on fire right now. He needs to douse himself with water. Maybe a firefighter will help called and put him out using a firehouse.
Grace doesn't even get to answer that when speeches are announced. Sweet mother of moustaches he needs a drink before he was in front of everyone. He used to be really good at speaking in front of a room with people looking at him like he was important but after that conference- yeah he doesn't want to remember that. He can do this. He feels Simon's hand on his arm and saying softly "Good luck. I know whatever you have talking about your weirdo brother will be great."
That somehow relaxes Grace as he laughs. "Yeah he is a weirdo, isn't he? But. Guess that's a family thing as I'm weird too."
Grace shakes out his hands, trying to dispel some of the anxiety he was feeling, making his way over to the front of the room. He grabs one of the flutes of champagne and a fork from one of the nearby tables, clinking it against the glass. A sharp ding-ding-ding rang throughout the room, gaining the attention of the other guests.
"Hi everyone. I'm Ryland, Colt's twin brother." Grace can't help but feel his hands shaking a little as the anxiety he thought he got rid of moved into his chest. He looks around the room at everyone staring at him and looking at Colt and Jody who are sat beside each other, leaning against each other and holding hands above the table. Grace takes a deep breath and he ends up catching eyes with Simon.
In that moment, he remembers what he tells his students when they have to do a presentation in front of the class. Pretend you're only talking to me. He's going to pretend he's talking just to Simon. It feels like the natural thing to do.
"Since the moment we were born, Colt has always been there for me and now he gets to be there for Jody. I hope that today has been everything you two have ever dreamed of and more. You two deserve all the happiness in the world." He looks over to see Colt already tearing up and Jody smiling at Grace.
"Now, I know what you're all thinking. Do you have any embarrassing stories about Colt? We want to laugh at the groom's expense." Grace chuckles and the room chuckles too. Grace sees Colt mouth at him 'don't you dare' and he can see Jody nodding at Grace as if she wants to hear this too.
Grace turns back to Simon who raises his eyebrows slightly at Grace as if he is egging him on to do it. Grace feels himself smirk at that and he continues. "I know you all know that Colt is a stuntman but he wasn't always the coolest person ever. No, he used to be scared of heights. Colt made me promise not to tell this story but I'm going to." Grace's shoulders rise and fall a little as he tries to stop himself from giggling. "When we were kids, he decided he was going to climb onto the roof whilst our parents were out at the store grabbing ingredients for dinner. He managed to get stuck up there and he was calling for help. I was too sucked into my studies to notice him calling me for help."
The room chuckles softly and Grace continues "He was mad at me for a while after that. I remember telling him that night that I was sorry. I remember him leaning his head off of the top bunk of the bunk beds we had and he forgave me. He did call me a nerd and throw a pillow at me." The room chuckles softly and Grace feels the tears threatening to fall.
"I know that no matter what he calls me, he will always be my brother and I will always be there for him. It just means I get to be there for two people now. I love you two so much." He turns away from Simon to say the last part to Colt and Jody. "To the bride and groom." Grace ends the speech with a tearful smile.
Everyone starts clapping and Grace makes his way over to Colt and Jody to hug them.
"I made you cry." Grace teases Colt when they hug and Colt laughs tearfully.
"Yeah you did, you asshole!" Colt jokes as he squeezes Grace as they hug and he is half expecting Colt to lift him up off the ground like he used to do when they were kids. "I love you too, Ry."
Colt finally lets go of Grace and lets Jody get a turn at hugging Grace.
"Thank you Ryland that was beautiful." She pecks his cheek leaving a light lipstick mark there and Grace chuckles softly.
"Of course. Any opportunity to brag about my amazing sister-in-law and my weird brother- ow!" Grace says and he ends up getting punched in the arm by Colt. "Hey!"
The three of them laugh as Grace rubs his arm where Colt hit him. It's definitely gonna be bruised. Grace leaves back to his table and he bumps into Simon again. This time they don't fall to the floor again.
"Hey." Grace says with a smile.
"Hi." Simon looks up at him and they both kind of stare at each other for a bit in silence. There's that awkward air around them again, Grace has no idea why but he guesses Simon feels it too. "It was a good speech. You still looked nervous though."
Grace rubs the back of his neck at that. "Yeah, last time I had to make a speech it didn't go too well." Grace looks down at his shoes. "It's funny, I tell my kids that if they're ever nervous about doing a speech in class, to look at one person and pretend you're just in a room with them. Most of the time they look at their friends or me."
"So is that why during it, you were looking at me?" Simon asks softly. "Can I ask why?" Grace looks back up at him. That is a good question. Why did he choose Simon to look at? He could've looked at Colt and Jody to pretend they were the ones they were talking to but he chose Simon. He tries to come up with an explanation as to why he chose to look at him.
"I just felt this feeling that I should? Like I could easily give the speech to you easily if it was just the two of us. I know I should've looked at Colt and Jody during it and I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable-" Grace apologises but is cut off by Simon.
"It's ok. It- it felt nice that you chose me to look at." Simon mumbles as he looks down before looking back at him and Grace swears he sees Simon's cheeks turning a dusty pink and it makes Simon look even more beautiful than he already does.
"Yeah? You really didn't mind? Must've felt strange not knowing why I kept looking over at you." Grace wishes he could fiddle with the ring on the chain he's wearing under his shirt right now but he guesses his own fingers will have to do.
"Yeah. Normally people avoid looking at me because of my facial scars so you wanting to look at me willingly felt…" Simon paused for a moment as if trying to not say nice again. Grace can't help but stare at the benign look Simon had. "You had this kind look on your face." Simon changed what he was going to say but Grace won't bring it up to him.
They stand side by side each other as they listen to the other speeches before its time for the first dance between Jody and Colt. Grace can't help but tear up as he watches the first dance.
"You ok?" Simon whispers to him. Oh god Simon noticed him crying.
"Yeah. I uh just get emotional at weddings. I got really emotional at my best friend's wedding that he joked I was a 'leaky space blob' because I was crying that much." Grace whispers back as he uses the tissues he packed in his trouser pocket because he knows what he's like. He doesn't see Simon looking at him with a soft smile. They watch as the song ends and Colt dips Jody and she squeaks out a "Colt!" And she ends up laughing as he leans down to kiss her. Everyone claps and cheers at them.
After that, everyone else is free to join them on the dance floor. Jody ends up taking Grace's hand to bring him on the dance floor. "Oh no Jody- I'm not the best dancer-"
"Oh come on! Just one dance?" Jody asks softly.
"Come on, Ry! Dance with my wife!" Colt encourages him and he sort of pushes Grace to join her.
"Ok ok!" Grace chuckles before him and Jody slow dance together. "Sorry if I step on your feet."
"It's ok, Ryland." Jody says before stage whispering "who knows! You might be better than Colt." He teases and Grace can't help but laugh.
"I heard that!" Colt says from where he's stood next to Simon who is snorting a laugh as he tries to hide his smile behind a hand. Grace smiles at that before turning to face Jody. They're quiet as they slow dance together.
"I saw you staring at Simon, you know. During your speech." Jody says as she smiles as if she knows something he doesn't.
"Oh. You uh, you saw that?" Grace says awkwardly. "I was nervous and I remember telling my kids- students- that if they feel nervous to give a speech, they should look at someone or pick someone at random to look at and pretend you're talking to them."
"Yeah? I mean, you two seem to be getting to know each other more?" Jody can't help but ask curiously.
"Yeah. He seems nice. Misunderstood?" Grace admits. Jody seems satisfied with that and they look to see Colt and Simon slow dancing but it looks like they're arguing playfully.
"Are they always like that?" Grace asks feeling some sense of déjà vu when he asks that.
"On set? Absolutely. It's like watching two young kids who all they want to do is wrestle constantly. Colt tends to always bother Simon and you can tell the interns get that scared look the first time they see them teasing each other." Jody chuckles. "They're like they're both cats and the paw at each other and then play fight but you think they're fighting for real."
Grace chuckles as he nods. Simon and Colt are arguing over who's leading and Grace swears he can hear one of them say "you're such a fucking dick, you know that right?"
Jody joins in with his laughing as they keep dancing. Soon enough, Colt comes over and says "I'm stealing my wife back."
Grace laughs. "Of course." He lets go of Jody and lets her go to dance with Colt and he's now standing alone on the dance floor. He should probably go get a drink of something. Non-alcoholic of course. He doesn't want a repeat of the bachelor party.
"Ryland?"
Grace turns around and sees Simon standing there. "Simon?"
"Need a new dance partner?" Simon offers his hand and Grace feels that sense of déjà vu again.
"I'd love to, Simon." He takes Simon's hand and they start dancing to the now upbeat music. Grace feels stiff as he's an awkward dancer.
"Come on, Ryland! Relax!" He hears Simon telling him. "Pretend you're in your bedroom as a teenager or something listening to some music! Like you're dancing in your underwear or something, I don't know."
"I never did that!"
"That's a lie! I caught you doing the risky business dance once in our college apartment!" Colt yells and Grace turns bright red.
"You promised me you would take that to your grave!" Grace yells at a laughing Colt.
"Yeah well, you told the roof story! It's only fair!" Colt argues playfully. Simon is laughing at the brothers' antics alongside Jody.
"I would pay to watch you do that dance." Simon says laughing. Grace has to admit, he'd do it if it would make Simon laugh and smile like he is now.
Grace huffs and says "never gonna happen." He playfully crosses his arms and Colt snorts as he laughs.
"Oh don't worry. I still have the video of it-"
"I told you to burn that!" Grace whines. He swears he sees Simon mouth to him 'send that to me at some point.' Great. Grace is never going to live that moment down.
They get back to dancing and soon enough Grace is sweaty and has somehow took off his suit jacket and has rolled his sleeves up and undone his tie.
At some point during the night, Simon is nowhere to be found and he asks around and he's been told that he's left.
"He had to catch a flight back. Got an important meeting about the pyrotechnics on this other film." Colt tells him and Grace can't help but feel disappointed. Simon didn't even say goodbye to him.
It's weeks later when something in the mail comes for Grace that changes his life. He wasn't expecting mail today but he shrugs it off. He sees it's addressed to "Mr and Mr Grace." Huh. Must've been a typo error or something.
Oh how wrong he was. He pulls out whatever was in the envelope and his eyes widen as he finally reads the name of the mystery spouse he got married to in Vegas.
Simon Butcher.
He married Simon in Vegas. All the memories come flooding back to him like he's had cold water dumped on him. His hands are shaking as he looks down at the ring that he has kept on his finger whenever he's alone in his apartment. That explains why the ring looks so expensive. Grace feels his breathing pick up. He has to find a way to contact Simon. How would Simon even react to all of this? He was sure at the wedding it was awkward for some reason but now he knows why.
Did Simon remember and just not want to tell Grace because he wouldn't dare dream of marrying him in a million years? He has no way of contacting Simon to tell him he remembers everything about that night.
Of how Simon looked in their rented suits and how Simon kissed him softly and gently after the officiant said "you may now kiss your husband." The feeling of Simon's hand cupping his cheek and Grace leaning into the warmth of his touch. The way his chest fluttered at the way Simon looked at him before asking if it was ok and Grace just nodding. Grace has had a few kisses in his life and not felt anything but that time it felt like all the cliches of a romance movie all in one.
Grace brought one of his hands to his lips as if Simon had just kissed him, still feeling this panicked feeling across his chest, ears ringing as his heart is beating so fast you'd think it was a fox running away from being hunted. He buried his face in his hands as he tries to control his breathing. He ends up sliding down off the couch and onto the floor, bringing his knees to his chest. He can hear the buzzing of his phone on the coffee table that's covered in papers he's supposed to be marking before he went to Grace his mail. Calm down Grace. Just use the techniques you tell your kids to use.
"Five things you can see." He pulls his hands away from his face as he looks around and mumbles to himself through heavy breathing. "Coffee table, papers, the paused TV on the David Attenborough documentary I was having on as background noise, the mug I own that says I like big Bunsen I cannot lie-" god that mug is so stupid. "And my marriage certificate with mine and Simon's names on." He takes a deep shakes breath at that.
"Four things I can touch." Grace steadies himself. "The couch on my back, the rug-" he puts one his hands down onto it to feel the fibres under his fingers. He makes a mental note to vacuum it later. "My glasses and- and my wedding ring." He looks down to look at it on his finger as he takes another shaky breath.
"Three things I can hear." Grace closes his eyes and the ringing in his ears is subtle now "ringing in my ears." He can hear his clock ticking and it feels like its getting louder. "My clock ticking and-" the buzzing of his phone on the coffee table. "My phone buzzing." Huh, strange someone is probably eager to get his attention.
"Two things I can smell." Grace takes a deep breath in before the smell of the coffee he was drinking now growing cold. "My coffee and the sandwich that's half eaten." He should really finish that. His breathing is steady now, even a little shaky still. Grace takes the sandwich and takes a bite whilst humming softly.
"One thing I can taste." He knows he shouldn't talk with his mouth full of sandwich but he's hungry and it's not like he's doing it in front of anyone. "Sandwich."
Ok, now Grace feels calm and finishes his sandwich before picking up his phone to see who was trying to get in contact with him. He has 5 missed calls. 3 from Colt, 2 from an unknown number and some messages from that same unknown number. He decides to open the messages and reads them.
Unknown number:
Hey Grace, this is Simon. I asked Colt for your number. I hope that's ok?
Grace fumbles to change the contact to Simon and saves it to his phone before he continues reading the messages Simon sent him.
Simon:
I know it has been a while since we talked and I apologise.
Fuck I can't do this over text. Can I call you?
Shoot Simon must be freaking out like he was! Grace mumbles "cheese and crackers" before pressing the call button on Simon's contact. He can do this. It's just a conversation.
A conversation with Simon who is legally his husband. His phone rings twice before Simon answers.
"Grace?" Simon asks. He sounds nervous and Grace doesn't answer like an idiot because what does he even say?
"I-" Grace manages to get out. "I'm here."
"I didn't know-" Simon tells him in a soft tone that kind of hides his anxiousness.
"It's ok, I didn't know either." Grace huffs a laugh before mumbling "remind me to never get blackout drunk again." He hears Simon laugh softly on the other end of the phone.
"I will. But I'm truly sorry that you're stuck with me as your husband-" Simon mumbles softly. "And I'm sorry I won't be there so we can get through this together."
"Simon. You have nothing to apologise for because if it's your fault then it's also mine too." Grace looks at the ring he is wearing after putting his phone on speaker phone, on the coffee table. "Is it bad of me that I have kept my ring on whenever I'm home alone in my apartment?" He mumbles softly.
"You do?" Simon asks a little shocked as if he wasn't expecting that out of Grace's mouth and honestly Grace wasn't either.
"It looks expensive but it's beautiful. Thought that when I woke up with it on my finger that morning after." Grace tells Simon.
"Wait, you woke up with the ring on your finger and didn't tell anyone? Not even Colt?" Simon asked as if he is still trying to put the pieces together, looking for answers.
"Well, by the number of times he has tried to call me, I'm going to say no." Grace tries to joke. Maybe if he jokes about the situation, it will be alright.
"Yeah when I asked for your number he kept asking me why and I didn't know what to tell him so I told him to not ask questions and to hand over your number." Simon tells him. "I did also threaten to steal his phone or go to Jody."
"Ah yeah, that sounds like him. I'm sorry about that." Grace sighs softly as his mind is swirling with questions. Like how is Simon truly feeling about being married to him? Is Simon regretting spending that much money on a ring for him? If he wanted a relationship with Grace, would he respect Grace's boundaries?
No, Grace knows Simon was nice and even friendly towards him during the bachelor party unless he was just being nice to Grace because he is Colt's brother. Oh god Grace can feel his breathing pick up. No not again! He can hear Simon talking to him. He should try and listen.
"Grace? You went quiet are you ok?" Simon asks worried. Grace sniffles and he feels tears falling- wait when did he start crying?!
"Yeah I'm ok. Just, overwhelmed, you know?" Grace tells him. "And it's not because of you! I just wasn't expecting everything and I have to tell you that I'm Aroace and I don't want you to resent me if you want to be in a proper relationship with me-" Grace starts to ramble.
"Grace-" Simon starts to say.
"And I understand if you want to get a divorce. I totally understand if it would be awkward if you just wanted to be friends with me-" Grace keeps rambling.
"Grace." Simon says again but Grace still can't help but ramble some more.
"I know I'm not really anyone's first choice but I like you Simon. You feel easy to talk to and I wish we could still be friends after we get over this awkwardness and-"
"Ryland!" Simon yells and Grace stops. "Sorry." Simon says immediately after. "just, you didn't let me speak." He mumbles after.
"I'm sorry too. You have the floor, Simon." Grace says as he wipes his tears away.
"Ok. Thank you. Listen, Ryland, I don't care that you're Aroace. It's just a part of you that I want to learn about and I know this is going to sound….insane of me to say but I want to get to know you better. Even if it just ends with us being better off as friends." Simon starts. "But I know I'll be busy with filming this movie I'm working on but I want to, when I'm free, get to know you better."
"You do?" Grace asks him as if he doesn't truly believe Simon.
"Yes I-" Simon goes to argue but then sighs. "Sorry. Yes I do. You're one of the first people in a long ass fucking time who sees through my bitchiness and my scars and everything else that is me as a whole. I had a genuinely fun time during that bachelor party just talking to you and drinking. If you weren't there I would've probably left as that type of thing, isn't me." Simon then adds "Don't get me wrong, I'm not one for quiet but that is too much."
Grace laughs before saying "Well now I know why you're friends with my brother." That makes Simon laugh. Grace then suddenly gets a thought. "Simon! What if I propose an experiment!"
"Of course you'd say that." Simon chuckles to himself. "What do you propose, Dr Grace?" Simon says in a teasing tone and Grace hates that it makes his body feel a light at that. Ok no he doesn't hate it.
"We uh….." Grace stutters out which is strange because he knew what he was going to say. Why can't he act normal when talking to Simon for just once?!
"Did I make you nervous, Dr Grace? Lose your train of thought?" Simon asks and Grace can hear the smirk on his face.
"What- no-" Grace tries to argue. He takes a deep breath before he continues. "We stay married for a year. Get to know each other, take it slow. Become friends and if by the end of the year we don't progress to more than friends, we can divorce and maybe we could eventually laugh at how silly? Stupid we were?" Grace offers.
Simon thinks for a while and Grace has to check to make sure he didn't hang up at his terrible suggestion. "Simon?"
"Still here. Sorry was thinking." Simon mumbles.
"You do that a lot." Grace notices.
"Do what?" Simon asks.
"Apologise when you don't need to." Grace observes. Simon huffs a laugh.
"That's exactly what my therapist says." Simon huffs a laugh. "But we could try it? I'll have to send you my filming schedule and whenever I'm on set but I'll always message you to give you some time to uh, prepare? I do remember you saying how you like to have some time to unwind after you finished teaching for the day."
Oh. Simon remembered that. "You remembered that?" Grace whispers as he gets up and grabs his mug and phone to walk to the kitchen.
"I did." It sounds like Simon shrugs as he says that like it wasn't a big deal for him to remember that but for Grace? That was a big deal. "I remembered because when you said that it sounded reasonable and I told you-"
"That you do the exact same thing." Grace says out loud as he finishes washing up his mug to make himself a new cup of coffee. Grace shuffles around his kitchen as he keeps talking to Simon.
Telling Colt this secret he has hidden since the morning of the bachelor party was nerve wracking. Him and Colt don't keep secrets from one another. They never have really because of that twin link. Grace doesn't really believe in it now but he used to growing up. It made him and his brother special compared to everyone else and their siblings.
What if Colt already knows? He knows Simon told him that he didn't tell Colt why he asked for Grace's number but after listening to the voicemails and reading the messages he can tell that Colt is worried. Grace takes a deep breath before pressing the call button on Colt's contact. It takes Colt al of five seconds to answer which was a record for him. Usually, he doesn't answer until late at night because of filming.
"Ry! Finally! And you say I'm bad at answering the phone." Colt jokes and Grace can hear him shuffling around.
"I'm sorry I was busy talking to Simon." Grace says defensively. "And you are bad but I don't hold it against you because of your schedule. It's just a pain in the butt when there is an emergency." Grace sighs as he rubs his face. He's laying on his bed on top of the covers as he had just fallen backwards on his bed. One of these days he's going to end up breaking his bed because he does it so often.
"Back on topic. Why did Simon ask me for your number?" Colt asked pointedly. "And better yet, why did you two disappear during the bachelor party?"
Grace can hear Jody say "wait they disappeared together?!" Close enough for Grace to hear.
"Hang on Ry I'm putting you on speaker." Colt tells him.
"Hi Ryland." Jody says and Grace can hear the smile on her face.
"Hi Jody." Grace sighs softly.
"So, explain yourself!" Colt demands impatiently. He's always been impatient.
"Ok but you have to promise me you won't freak out." Grace says cautiously.
"Oh god he murdered someone and asked for you to help hide the body-" Colt blurts out.
"What? No! You know what he's like! You work with Simon for god sake!" Grace argues.
"Still!" Colt exclaims and Grace hears Jody hit his arm.
"Go ahead Ryland we won't judge you." Jody tells him.
"So, me and Simon got black out drunk and we-" grace too a deep breath before continuing. "We got married." Grace braces himself for what's going to come next.
"You-" Colt says in disbelief.
"Yes and I know I didn't tell you the next morning you busted in because I woke up with a ring on my finger- a beautiful ring Simon picked out for me, he has great taste- and no memory of the night before!" Grace whines and he feels close to crying out of panic. "And it felt really awkward between me and Simon in the morning-"
"Did you hook up with Simon afterwards?!" Colt all but shrieks out and it causes Grace to turn bright red.
"What?! No! Why would you think that?!" Grace shrieks back. He wouldn't mind the idea of it with Simon but he would have to be in the mood and for there to be some communication beforehand. Grace could never hook up with anyone as a one night stand. Even if it was Simon, he is not that type of person.
"This sounds like a plot of a romance movie." Jody mumbles.
"Because you were slightly limping during the wedding!" Colt argues still in disbelief before he turns to Jody "yeah, one of those bad ones."
"I twisted my ankle! That's why I was limping! And no, I didn't have sex with your co-worker! You know I'm not like that at all. I'm honestly a little hurt that you think I would do that." Grace does feel hurt. He knows it's been a while since him and Colt have talked and things have changed in Grace's life, some that he hasn't told Colt yet but it still hurts.
"I'm sorry, Ry. I just-" Colt has calmed down and he sighs. "I'm not mad at you, ok? I should've known and remembered that you can't hold your booze as well as me and the others. You normally tell me you don't drink that much."
"I don't but it's also not your responsibility to babysit me. I'm a grown adult and it was your evening to enjoy. We're twins, you don't have to act like the older one." Grace points out.
Colt chuckles at that. "Yeah but I'm older than you by 5 minutes. Those minutes are very important!" Grace chuckles at that as he feels the worried tears that welled in his eyes falling in relief and he sniffles softly.
"How did this even happen? And my question is how did you not remember you're married to someone?" Jody asks as if she wants the story as inspiration or something.
"We were talking about relationships and by the time we got to the third bar, the one where not only did Colt mess around on the pole dancing pole but also the mechanical bull-" Grace starts.
"Did you get video?" Jody chuckles. "I need it for science."
"What kind of science? How long it takes Colt to fall off a mechanical bull? Because it's five seconds." Grace jokes.
"Hey! I lasted longer than that!" Colt argues.
"Title of your sex tape, baby. But we're getting off topic. Please continue Ryland." Jody jokes softly whilst chuckling.
"I was telling Simon how we're all made of stardust and he just came out and asked me." Grace smiles as he remembers the memory that was once fuzzy. "Next thing I remembered was both of us waking up in the hotel room in separate beds." Grace then adds. "I know nothing happened between us because I wasn't naked in the morning." He pauses before adding "I think Simon was though…."
"To much information!" Colt yells. "I didn't need to know that!" Both Jody and Grace laugh and colt soon joins in but then it goes quiet and Grace speaks up.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Colt." Grace says quietly. "But you were so excited that you were getting married and I didn't want me panicking to ruin that experience for you so I hid it. I am really sorry-" Grace feels that overwhelmed-ness wash over him and he hides his face in his arms over his eyes so he's in complete darkness.
"Ry you have nothing to apologise for. You know that, right? I kept sensing there was something wrong with you but I didn't want to push in case you pushed me away again." Colt explains. "And I am upset but not for the reasons you think."
"You're not?" Grace asks like him and Colt were little and Grace would say the same thing to Colt whenever Colt got into fights.
"No. I'm upset because I wasn't there." Colt tells him. "I wasn't there like you were for me and I'm upset and angry. I'm angry I didn't notice you and Simon had slipped away for hours after and I should've."
"Colt that's-" Grace starts to say but Colt continues talking.
"I don't know what your relationship to Simon will end up being but I want to be there for you. As your brother. And if you and Simon are in love I promise to be the best brother-in-law to him! But if he breaks your heart-"
"I know, you will hold a grudge because you always do that. No matter what." Grace chuckles. "But thank you. Colt. I still don't know how this will turn out. We're giving it a year to decide."
"Well, whatever happens. I'm here for you." Colt tells him.
Grace has had a bit of a stressful day teaching his class. Almost every single experiment went wrong one way or another and he feels frustrated and wants to cry. Him and Simon have been talking daily and it's been nice. Grace wants to admit to himself that he has been enjoying their chats. So far Grace has learned that Simon's apartment has some very nice plants. A huge monstera that looks so well taken care of. He also learnt that Simon lives in LA for the big Hollywood studios but he tends to travel a lot.
Simon told him "I know this sounds really strange but I always buy a fridge magnet of the place I'm filming as a little keepsake. Unless I have a repeat of that magnet, then I try and find one that's different but if I can't, I end up collecting postcards. Don't know what I'm gonna do with them yet."
Grace suggested he get a big frame and to put them all in. "It would be like your own personalised art piece."
But right now, Grace needs to hear Simon's voice but he's not going to he available until later tonight. Damn it. That's just Grace's luck. No matter. He can just take a bath, relax for a bit before he marks the kid's homework and then start to cook himself dinner. Maybe by the time he has finished cooking, Simon will be available to talk. It will be like they're eating dinner together if they video call.
He goes around doing his mental checklist of things he needs to do and by the time he's in the kitchen cooking dinner, his phone pings and he sees it's Simon and feels himself getting a massive smile on his face and he tries to make it more subtle as he answers the phone.
"Hey, Si. How was your day?" Grace asks softly as he stirs the sauce he's making for this pasta bake he's been meaning to try.
"Hey, Ry. It was good, actually. Managed to time the explosions just right….after the third attempt." Simon grumbles. "Marcus is the one causing trouble again."
Grace can't help but laugh at that softly because it reminds him of whenever he talks about his own students to Simon.
"Although having to deal with Tom Ryder yelling at my interns but him stopping whenever I showed up to tell him off was the highlight of my day. Colt thought it was hilarious." Simon huffs softly.
"Of course he did. He hates Tom." Grace says softly. "I'm not the biggest fan of his. Used to be but then he started flirting with me and wouldn't take no as a complete sentence." Grace sighs. "Even after I told him I don't feel anything romantically for him."
"I'm sorry. If you want, I could tell him you're married?" Simon offers and Grace feels a little heartbroken that Simon doesn't add a 'to me' at the end of that sentence but he tries to push that feeling down. He's been feeling that feeling a lot lately and he has confided in Rocky about this.
Grace remembers the day he told Rocky his situation. Rocky laughed at first and called Grace stupid which Grace deserved. He's never drinking again. But when he said that it's real, Rocky was mad and used his ASL device to say "Rocky mad Grace didn't invite me and Adrian!" Which caused a little argument because how was he supposed to know he was gonna get married?! And to the hottest fudging guy he's ever seen?!
"I'm pretty sure Colt has told him already. Apparently Tom likes to ask him about me." Grace continues to cook before leaning on the counter and looking at where his phone is propped up against a jar where he keeps his coffee.
Grace shouldn't be staring but Simon is shirtless. Looks like he just got out of the shower and if the universe had a cruel yet ironic fate, his glasses steam up like he's a cartoon character. He takes them off to wipe the steam off of his glasses. Grace wonders what it would be like to have windshield wipers on his glasses even though that would be heavy and unpractical.
"Really? Huh, maybe that's why Tom has tried to be more snippy with me?" Simon hums to himself. "I just realised I forgot to ask you how your day was. I'm sorry." Simon is walking to his living room to sit on the couch of the rental place he's is in for filming as he is on location.
"It was an ok day." Grace knows he shouldn't really lie to Simon but he doesn't want to talk about it. Not yet anyway. "I'm not ready to talk about it just yet." Grace admits.
"That's ok. Whenever you're ready to talk about it with me, you can. We promised we'd be open and actually, you know, communicate." Simon tells him which is nice breath of fresh air. His past partners used to push him to know what wrong and he would get frustrated but then by the time he actually wants to talk about it, he's dismissed.
"I appreciate you saying that. It feels nice to have someone to come home and they actually want to talk." Grace admits. "Like I know I have Rocky, Adrian and Colt to talk to but they have their own lives, you know?" Grace gets back to stirring his food, luckily its almost finished because his stomach won't stop growling like some sort of monster. Now Grace is imagining a hungry monster who is demanding sustenance. Like Venom in those old Venom comics that Colt used to collect when they were growing up. Grace makes a mental note to check out that second hand comic shop for Colt's birthday present for his and Grace's next birthday. "Anyway, off topic a little but what are you gonna eat? And have you managed to eat today?" Grace asks because he knows that Colt rarely gets time to eat because of how many times Tom Ryder insists on getting the scene right. He can't imagine what is like being an intern, having to deal with Tom and his agent.
"Couple of granola bars. I always tell my interns and any others that they should always keep granola bars on them just in case they don't get time to eat. I've ordered some Thai food as I've been craving it. It better arrive soon. I don't think I could sit there and watch you eat as I wait for mine to arrive." Simon tells him as he stretches and groans, Grace can't help but stare. He also notices that Simon has taken his prosthetic arm off and is wearing a compression sleeve. Grace adds that to the list of things he should get for Simon to have in his apartment if Simon ever comes here to visit him.
"I can wait. Normally I do that anyway to let it cool down." Grace feels his cheeks turning pink. "Besides, I need to set up the table anyway." Grace has made a habit to set the table he has because he likes to make it nice. He runs the heat on the oven to low so it doesn't burn before he grabs the things he needs to set the table.
He sees that the flowers that he brought almost 12 days ago. He thought they would be nice to spruce up his apartment a little. Even though he tends to kill plants easily.
"Damn. The bouquet I brought has died." He mumbles to himself. "I should really buy myself a new one." He sets his phone down so Simon can watch him set the table as he goes to throw the bouquet of daisies and some pink roses. He thought they were beautiful when he was biking home one day from work that he had to stop and buy them.
"What were the flowers?" Simon asks out of curiosity.
"Oh!" He yells from the kitchen as he puts the flowers into his kitchen bin that is getting full. He really needs to empty it. "They were pink roses and daisies!" He comes back after placing the vase in the sink so he can wash it later and checking his food isn't burning. "I saw them from this flower shop on my route to work. I bike to work. It was really awkward trying to bike and hold the bouquet whilst trying not to squash or damage them."
"You bike to work?" Simon asks whilst tilting his head slightly in question like he is a dog tilting its head when you mention something but they want to make sure they heard you correctly. Simon would make such a cute dog. Why did he think that?!
"Yeah, not really but choice. Driving in the city I live in can be a pain and with gas being so expensive, on my salary it's not optional." Grace sighs as he sets the table for one and he feels a little pain in his chest because Simon isn't actually here with him. He would've loved to cook for him or even with him and eat together in the same room.
"Understandable. I bet you get wet when it's raining though." Simon says as there is a knock on the door. "Sorry that's my food I'll be back." Simon leaves and Grace turns red at Simon saying 'get wet' and he hates that. He needs to be normal and not be affected by Simon in this way. They're becoming friends! Maybe good friends soon but Grace can't help these weird feelings that wash over him.
He goes and plates up his own food and brings it back and sets up his phone so it's still close but far enough away that it feels like Simon is actually sat opposite him. Grace is lighting some candles. He doesn't know why but he just does. Simon comes back with his food after chatting with the delivery driver.
Simon comes back with a shirt on and a plate with some cutlery. The shirt is a tight black shirt that has a very recognisable picture on the front of it. It's his 'I had potential' shirt.
"Huh."
"Huh what?" Simon asks.
"I have that same shirt but I lost it a while back." Grace says as he sits down. "Lost it at the bachelor party." He swore he packed it back in his bag or he thought he did when he got home. Grace just assumed he was too hungover to remember.
"Oh! I found it and thought it was mine. Sorry I can return it somehow?" Simon offers as he puts the food from his takeout containers on his plate.
"No it's ok. It suits you." Grace adds as he lights some more candles and goes to turn out the main light.
"Looks romantic." Simon points out with a slight smile on his lips as Grace comes back. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you're trying to seduce me, Doctor Grace."
Grace turns bright red "oh?!" He manages to squeak out before somehow gaining the confidence to say "well, I have to keep my husband happy and if candles are what do it for him then who am I to judge?"
That draws a laugh from Simon and Grace starts laughing too. It feels natural, making Simon laugh like this. "Oh I'm more into nerdy science flirts. Got any in your wheelhouse?" He teases as he puts some food in his mouth and groaning whilst mumbling "fuck this is so good."
Grace is also eating as he thinks for a moment. He's sure he can come up with something as he chews. "I do but only if you show me yours?"
"Oh?" Simon smirks. "I don't think you could handle that, Doctor Grace." He teases.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you try me?" Grace feels brave enough to say back. It might sound a little bratty but he's gonna shake that thought that it conjures up.
"Ok but only after we've both finished chewing and swallowing our food. I don't think I'd handle it if one of used up choking to death not being able to do anything to help."
"Deal. You think you're going to make me that flustered?" Simon teases. "I know its not going to be a problem for me." Simon jokes with a smirk. Oh Grace is going to rise to this challenge of making Simon flustered. He isn't one to flirt with anyone really but he can try his best to make Simon flustered. Once Grace knows Simon has finished eating his bite of food, that's when he strikes.
"You know, I think science is fake." Grace starts with some confidence but not a lot. Simon looks up at him at that. "They say the sun is the hottest thing but it's obviously you." Grace can't help but smile as Simon turns pink.
Simon snorts a laugh. "That was really nerdy, holy shit."
Grace laughs softly and blushes pink himself. "Well most of my pick up lines are science themed or they're all from six graders."
"I mean, you called me stardust when you were drunk out of your mind." Simon blushes more as he eats, all but stuffing food into his mouth. He must've been really hungry.
"I did. You also told me if I remember correctly you told me that me teaching you about stardust was the most romantic thing you had ever had someone say to you." Grace points out with a smile at the memory. He didn't mean for it to sound romantic, he just likes teaching people and explaining things. Grace kind of wants to start calling Simon Stardust as a nickname.
"I did and I still stand by what I said. I know that sounds weird-" Simon starts to say but Grace cuts him off.
"It's not weird, stardust!" Grace thinks before he speaks, feeling brave enough to call Simon the nickname? Pet name? He doesn't know what to call it but he enjoys the soft look Simon gives him like he wasn't expecting Grace to call him that and honestly, Grace himself wasn't expecting it either. "Sorry I-"
"Stardust?" Simon asks softly as if he thinks Grace made a mistake and didn't mean it.
"Yeah. Is that ok? I can choose a different-" Grace is internally panicking thinking that Simon secretly hates it.
"I love it." Simon mumbles softly. Judging by Simon's face, Grace can tell Simon likes it. "It's….different from the other names I've been called in the past." He mumble softly and hearing that breaks Grace's heart.
"Then I'll make sure to keep calling you that then." Grace smiles softly at Simon to let him know he means it. "Plus, it suits you."
"Now you're being sappy." Simon smiles as he shakes his head playfully a they both continue to eat.
"It's your turn by the way." Grace points out, pointing his fork at the screen.
"My turn for what?" Simon asked confused.
"Your turn to try and make me flustered, stardust. I want to see you try" Grace teases Simon slightly and Simon chuckles at that.
"If nothing lasts forever, will you be my nothing?" Simon asks as he tilts his head to the side slightly with a slight smile on his face and its a smile that makes Grace's chest flutter.
"I can be your nothing, stardust. But only if I can be nothing in your arms?" Grace replies with with his cheeks turning red slightly. This is the most fun he's had in a while. Especially if it includes flirting with Simon, then that's a bonus.
"That- yes but that was really fucking sappy." Simon turns red and Grace thinks he looks beautiful.
"Well, you started it!" Grace jokes as he giggles like a school girl with a crush. Since when does he giggle?!
"I guess that is true. Your turn then, Sunflower." Simon says before taking a drink.
"Sunflower?" Grace feels that feeling in his chest and he doesn't know where or what that feeling is as he's never felt that before.
"Yeah. I may of learned that theory of when sunflowers get no sun, they turn to each other so they can be each other's sunshine but the truth is that young sunflowers follow the sun." Simon rubs the back of his neck nervously before mumbling "you always light up my day whenever I get a text from you. I know that sounds sappy and something you don't say to someone who's just a friend and you're still getting to know-"
"No! I like it." Grace blurts out. "It's one of my favourite facts about sunflowers." He softly says as he nervously fiddles with his ring, spinning it around on his finger. "Plus, there's this astronaut, Don Pettit who took sunflowers seeds into space with him in 2012 on his trip to the international space station and he managed to grow them in space successfully and document it on a blog. So if you're stardust and I'm sunflower, that means it was meant to be." He rambles nervously and he looks up to see Simon's reaction.
Simon has this look that Grace has never seen directed towards him before. Grace has never had anyone actively listen to whatever he rambles about other than his students but that doesn't really count as he's a teacher. They're supposed to be paying attention and listening to him. Adults usually give him a look of 'please shut up.' Or they just have a bored look on their face. "Sorry I rambled again."
Grace is used to being shut down with his rambling, especially as a kid when he was excited to share a new thing he had learned. The adults in his life would tell him that he was talking too loud as he excitedly talked and he would just shut down afterwards. He learned to not ramble excitedly after that.
"Don't ever apologise for rambling about anything to me, Sunflower. I love listening to you. You're so passionate about everything you talk about. No wonder you're a great teacher." Simon says with a smile and that look from before still on his face and it makes Grace feel like his skin is on fire but also like it's TV static, all buzzy and tingly.
"You're very sweet to me, Stardust." Grace feels his face warm. "It feels nice." He chuckles softly. They both finish their food and clean up and Grace remembers to blow out the candles and turn on a lamp and they both keep talking late into the night before they decide to get ready for bed.
"I feel like this is that one scene from Bring It On." Grace says as they both brush their teeth. "Where they're brushing their teeth in the bathroom together but you're over the phone."
"It kind of does. Does that make me Cliff and you Torrance?" Simon chuckles and Grace spits out his toothpaste joining in.
"You'd be correct but I'd make a terrible cheerleader. In high school I would try and cheer at Colt's football games but I would never know what to say cheer wise." Grace shrugs. "That and because I was the one who halfway through the game would go to the snack booth and get snacks but by the time I actually got back to the stands, the game would've ended."
"Was the line that long for snacks or did you get distracted because you were reading the book you brought?" Simon teases as he washes his face.
"How did you-" Grace is shocked because that was him but he's not going to admit that. He would always lie and say that the line for the snacks was long which it was but he would read whilst he was in line.
"Colt was talking about his football days and mentioned you would always disappear halfway through. He also mentioned that you would always bring some sort of research book with you. Which I'm curious as to why you didn't ever bring like a fiction book or something?" Simon shrugs. "I mean I get it, by I'm just curious."
"I am gonna have a chat with Colt about telling you how much of a nerd I was."
"Still are" Simon teases.
"Fudge you." Grace rolls his eyes.
"You know you can say fuck right? I'm not one of your students." Simon lets him know. "But I do find it endearing."
"I know I can say it I just don't like to. I used to swear a lot when I was in labs whenever something went wrong. Had to learn to stop that when I became a teacher and the habit kind of stuck." Grace shrugs as he gets into bed and sighs happily.
"I should let you go and sleep." Simon stretches in his own bed and groans. "I need to wake up early because we have an early shoot tomorrow."
Grace feels his heart drop. Shoot Simon was supposed to be asleep hours ago! He had kept Simon up from sleeping! "Oh! I'm sorry, if you had told me that you had an early shoot I would've told you to go to bed sooner."
"No it's fine. I usually can't fall asleep that fast anyway. Besides, I really love talking to you." Simon admits whilst mumbling. They both moved their FaceTime call to a voice call and Grace makes sure his phone is put on charge before he falls asleep.
"Yeah?" Grace asks softly. "Most people tell me to shut up." Grace can feel the tiredness wash over him as he kind of nuzzles his face into the pillow and he hates how his mind keeps conjuring the image of Simon with him in bed and Grace is instead nuzzling his face into Simon's chest. He wonders if Simon runs hot?
"Well, I'm not like most people." Simon points out and Grace can hear Simon yawning on the other side of the phone. "Could you maybe keep talking to me? I don't like sleeping alone."
"Of course. I can do that." Grace softly says with a smile. "Did you know identical twins don't have the same finger prints so you wouldn't be able to blame your twin on a murder or crime you committed?"
"Oh?" Simon mumbles sleepily. "Does that mean Colt can't make you take the fall?"
"Yes!" Grace chuckles softly. "The reason is because of environmental factors during development in the womb. Like umbilical cord length, position in the womb and finger growth impact your fingerprint." Grace yawns softly.
"Wow. That's fucking fascinating." Simon mumbles softly.
"Hm it is. That and our solar system has a wall. It's called 'The Heliopause' it's where the region of space in which solar wind isn't hot enough to push back the wind particles coming from distant stars." Grace softly mutters as they both soon fall asleep.
Grace doesn't remember sleeping in but he gets woken up by knocking on his front door. He checks the day and time. Oh thank god it's a Saturday but who is knocking at this time?! 10am in the morning. My god.
Grace stumbles out of bed and unlocks the door and opens it to be welcomed by a man he's never seen before holding a beautiful bouquet arrangement of sunflowers and daisies with some ferns.
The man asks him "Are you Ryland Grace?"
Is he? It's too early for him. He knows it's ten in the morning but he likes to sleep in on the weekend. "Yes, that's me."
"Sign here for me please?" The man holds out a clipboard with a pen that's attached to it with a string and Grace takes it and signs it before the man hands him the bouquet and leaves.
When Grace re-enters his own apartment, and closes the door. It's a beautiful arrangement but he doesn't know who it's from. He gets to work setting it up in a vase whilst making himself coffee before he notices the card to see it's addressed to him. He reads it out loud.
Dr Ryland Grace
Grace only knows a few people who this could be from but with the way his cheeks flush pink he can probably guess who it's from. He opens the card and starts to smile at it as he reads.
Sunflower, I wanted to send a replacement bouquet after seeing you upset about your flowers dying. I hope you find them as beautiful as I find you. I'm now realising this sounds sappy as fuck and I apologise.
Simon.
Ps: I didn't stalk you. I asked Jody for your address because if I asked Colt he would've probably called me weird.
Oh. He was right. Simon did buy these for him. He saw how upset he looked last night and must've secretly brought them when Grace was either busy or he was pretending to fall asleep so he could order them then. The thought of Simon picking out these flowers together makes him feel all fuzzy. Feeling that TV static feeling all over his body when he re-reads the note again and his heart starts beating like crazy.
As beautiful as I find you. Simon thinks he is beautiful? Grace feels his knees feeling weak all of a sudden. Does he need to eat something? He doesn't feel dizzy? He brushes it off for now before he makes himself some breakfast. Grace must send Simon a thank you text. But what would he say? Thank you isn't enough. Maybe he could compliment Simon back but what would be the right word? He has a long list of words he could use to describe Simon.
Beautiful, pretty, kind, cute, gorgeous, handsome, ethereal, elegant. Simon's all these things to Grace but none of them seem right. He needs to think of something, as well as a thank you message. He takes a photo of the bouquet and the card in its final place on the dining table and it's perfect. He eventually finds the words he wants to send along with the photo.
Grace:
I got a special delivery today. It's beautiful I can't believe you arranged this somehow! If I didn't know better, I think you're trying to seduce me . I think they're beautiful and they remind me of the flower pins you wore in your hair at Colt and Jody's wedding. You looked absolutely stunning elegant. Sorry if that was sappy too but you started it with the note you added.
Grace edits the message so many times before he sends it. He also adds another message to send to Simon.
Grace:
No one has ever called me as beautiful as Sunflowers and Daisies before.
As soon as Grace sends that message, he sees the text bubble show up like Simon is typing. Oh my god! He didn't think Simon would answer so quickly as he knows he is supposed to be on set early today. Did they take a break and that's why Simon is messaging back? Or are they done for the day completely? They're usually not allowed phones on set so no one accidentally leaks or spoils the film before it's finished. That's why they use radios to communicate on set. Eventually, Simon's message pops up.
Simon:
That's a shame, because you are.
Grace turns bright red at that and then another message pop's up from Simon.
Simon:
What have you got planned for today? I know you're usually still asleep around this time.
Grace does suppose it's strange that he is awake at this time but he did get woken up by the delivery guy. He should blame Simon him being awake at 10am instead of waking up at around 1pm but he does have some things to get done today.
Grace types a message back with a smile.
Grace:
Might go look around the bookstore that's close to my apartment building. Got any suggestions?
Grace knows he will probably look for some new science books for his classroom. The kids really enjoy reading them and asking to try the experiments on them and most of the time, Grace will make one day a month where they try all the experiments they want. It has been quiet fun.
Grace:
I'm going to go looking for some kids science books with experiments inside to try. The kids of my class love them and choose some experiments for all of us to try one day a month and I get to maybe teach them something new and they learn the skills that will hopefully inspire the next generation of scientists.
Grace hopes his kids are inspired. When he was their age he would've loved a teacher who was as passionate as he was when it came to science. The world could always use more people excited and passionate about STEM.
Simon:
You're just a regular Bill Nye the science guy, sunflower. Although you'd make a great male version of Miss Frizzle. Do you have a magic school bus?
Grace laughs at that. That could be his next Halloween costume this year. His phone pings twice and he gets a message from both Simon and Rocky. He reads Simon's first.
Simon:
I like to imagine you dress like her too but just a male version. Although I think you'd rock one of her dresses.
Grace feels his face heat up a little at that. He wish he did have the confidence to wear a dress in front of his students. Or out in public in general. He's worn skirts and some dresses before but only in front of Rocky and Adrian. They don't judge him. He knows Simon won't judge him if he confessed to it. Maybe at some point he will but not right now.
Grace:
You think so?
Grace then clicks to the group chat he has with Rocky and Adrian.
Rocky:
Do you think Grace died?
Grace can't help but laugh at that as he types a message back. He has been friends with Rocky and Adrian for years now and you would think Rocky would remember that Grace likes to sleep in over the weekend.
Grace:
Sorry guys. I woke up to a delivery person at my door. Simon sent me flowers and they're beautiful.
He sends the photo with the card and both Adrian and Rocky are typing. Grace can't help but keep staring at the flowers and at the look on Simon's face as he picked them out on the order form and filling it out with the soft thinking look he realises Simon gets when he is thinking and they're talking over FaceTime. It makes Grace smile because he loves having interesting conversations with Simon. Simon is smart and Grace loves to hear him talk about his passions. Grace knows he rambles a lot and Simon listens but he would love to hear Simon talk more. His voice is soothing and it makes Grace feel like he just sank himself into a warm bath on a cold winters night. He is pulled out of that thought when his phone pings multiple times from the group chat and one message from Simon saying they're going back to filming so he apologises if he doesn't answer.
Then there is another message from Simon but its a selfie of him outside Colt's trailer with a soft smile on his face, hair in a bun out of his face so Grace can see his eyes. God Grace loves his eyes, especially when Simon looks at him with the soft look that he always gives him whenever he is talking. Grace doesn't know why he instantly saves it and makes it his lock screen but he does. Then to make it worse he hearts the photo and just types and sends the message.
Grace:
Cute. Make sure you wear sunscreen.
God Grace is such a fudging mother hen but he can't help it. He is just like that with the people he cares about and Simon is now added to the list of people he cares about. Grace knows he's a big hypocrite because he doesn't take care of himself but that's a different conversation entirely. He opens the chat with Rocky and Adrian again and chuckles softly.
Rocky:
Finally! Grace awake!
Adrian:
He was going to wake up eventually, dear.
And those are beautiful, Grace. Simon picked well.
Rocky:
Still need to meet your husband but he does have good taste.
Grace can imagine the grumble in Rocky would make as he signs or using his ASL tablet before crossing his arms with the grumpy look he gets and it makes Grace chuckle.
Grace:
You will soon I promise! He is busy filming on set at the moment with Colt and Jody. He sent me a selfie this morning and he looks so cute.
Rocky:
You have a crush on him! I thought you two were just friends? Getting to know each other for a year?
Grace:
I don't have a crush on Simon!
We're just friends!
Adrian:
But he just sent you flowers? That's something you don't do as just friends.
Rocky:
I'd buy flowers for Grace as just friends. He likes flowers.
Grace smiles at that because Rocky has done that in the past if Grace was celebrating an achievement or just because Rocky wanted to show appreciation. Adrian joined in with the tradition when they joined their little group and it would overwhelm Grace knowing he is loved even if its platonically. Grace also does the same for them obviously. He wants to show appreciation to his friends too and he will keep doing it. His past partners would always have a slight problem with their little tradition.
Adrian:
I know dear, we do that anyway but I think it's different for Grace and Simon's relationship.
Adrian has always known what to say and all of the times it's right but they're wrong about this one thing.
Grace:
No it's the same for me and Simon.
Grace knows he's lying to his friends face but all these feelings he has been feeling for Simon are totally platonic…..right?
Rocky:
You're lying. The way you've been talking about Simon lately is how I talk about Adrian.
Grace:
I'm not lying ok! Me and Simon are just friends. That's it. We aren't like that.
Grace doesn't know why that leaves a bitter and horrible taste in his mouth as he sends that. Like he doesn't truly mean that.
Adrian:
I'm sorry Grace we don't mean to push. I know Rocky is just teasing.
Rocky:
Yes I was. I'm sorry Grace.
Even if I think differently.
Grace sighs. Once Rocky makes up his mind about something there is no changing his mind and he is stubborn about it. No wonder they would argue in college a lot because Grace was also a stubborn mother fluffer too back then but they've both mellowed out a bit. Even if they do sometimes get into those silly arguments even now.
Grace rubs his face in frustration. He doesn't know how he feels when it comes to Simon and it makes him frustrated. He should know how romantic feelings work! He's been in relationships before!
But he's never felt these feelings towards his last partners even though he should've. He knows he's aromantic but sometimes he wishes he could feel those feelings that are explained in romantic comedies or books. To feel that spark with someone is something he yearns for. Most days he wakes up upset because he feels broken which he shouldn't call himself that as he isn't.
Grace has heard those comments before because having those feelings is the norm. He shakes his head to get those thoughts away like they're smile slowly going to a smoke detector and you're trying to fan it away before the detector starts to beep like crazy.
Before Grace could think about the panic rising in his chest, he heard a notification ping and it's from Jody. Not in the group chat he has with them. Damn Grace is in a lot of group chats. He will answer it later when he's back from the book store.
He forgets about it which is classic him move. Grace got distracted in the book store as he just loves looking around and seeing what's new and hoping they have new science books he hasn't read. Maybe going to look at the romance shelf before backing away from it. Grace also loves the smell of a book store. He might be weird to admit that but he sometimes just goes in to look around and not buy anything because he needs that serotonin hit.
Grace hopes to bring Simon here someday. Maybe they could pick out a book for each other to read and they go have a picnic somewhere to read and eat together. Not that Grace has thought of any date ideas that he and Simon can do together. Not like he's dreamed about that scenario with Simon's head in Grace's lap as Grace reads out loud to him whilst playing with his hair. Simon looking up at him with that soft look and it makes Grace want to kiss his lips softly.
Get a grip Grace! You don't kiss someone who's just a supposed friend.
But god Grace really wants to. He wants to kiss Simon to know how it felt the first time when he was blackout drunk but he's not gonna push Simon. Hell! Simon probably just feels like Grace is a good friend. Why does that thought hurt so much?
When he gets home with a few bags full of books, most for this classroom, he feels exhausted. He also brought himself lunch and a sweet treat from this bakery and coffee shop he goes to when he wants to or can afford to splurge on himself a bit. He never uses the money he has saved for the books he buys for his classroom for personal means.
He puts the books away before he falls onto his couch and sighing. He should probably answer Jody's text or even read it as he needed to get out of his apartment. He sees Colt and Jody in the group chat trying to get his attention and he decides it would be easier to call them.
Colt once again answers after one ring. "Again, finally! Why are you so terrible at answering the phone?!" Colt almost yells.
"Good afternoon to you too, Colt. I'm sorry I had some errands to run and got busy. I didn't mean to." Grace chuckles and defends himself. "I also was talking with Rocky and Adrian too this morning as well as Simon."
"Of course you were talking to Simon. When do you two not ever talk lately?" Colt teases Grace as if he knows something that Grace is yet to figure out.
"I haven't talked to him for most of today as he is shooting." Grace tells him.
"I know. I just saw him. He had this weird smile I have never seen him have before." Colt points out. "What did you do to him? Did you break his brain or something?!"
Grace can feel his face turning red at the thought of Simon being happy because of him. He wonders what he did made Simon so happy. "I didn't do anything to him that he didn't do to me first." Grace tells Colt. He knows he should clarify but he likes to mess with him a little bit.
"What do you mean by that?" Colt asks before Grace can hear Colt turning to Jody to ask "what does he mean by that?" Grace can hear the smile in Jody's voice as he hers a muffled
"I'm not telling you. That is a secret between me and Simon." She teases him.
"You helped him do something for Ry?!" Colt almost shrieks.
"Yes she did and I will thank her for it because it was a beautiful surprise. I'll have to send photos." Grace says with a smile. Rage baiting Colt is his favourite thing to do, especially when Jody joins in because its like two against one.
"Come on! Just tell me!" Colt demands and Grace chuckles softly.
"Ok I will. Simon sent me a bouquet of flowers after yesterday I mentioned to him my ones died. The ones I keep on my dining table to brighten it up a bit." Grace tells him. "The note was very sweet." Sweet is an understatement of the fudging century. It was beautiful. Simon really has a way with words and it makes his heart flutter at the thought of Simon talking to him like that in person. Over the phone and through text where Grace can hide how red his face has gotten is one thing but in person? Grace wouldn't be able to control it and would probably make a fool of himself.
"So that's why he was being extra smiley today?! And acting weird? Like he was in some sort love daze?!" Colt then adds "and that's why last night in bed you giggled after getting a text message and you wouldn't tell me why and hide the phone?" And Jody giggle softly.
"Maybe I did but that is something that had to happen." Jody says. "But that's not the reason we tried to call him, remember?" Jody reminds him.
"Oh? What did you want to call me about?" Grace asks feeling a little nervous at that. Is it a bad thing? A good thing? Grace doesn't think he could handle it either way. "Hang on, let me get a drink."
"Non-alcoholic, right?" Colt teases.
"Yes. Non-alcoholic. Fudge you." Grace yells from the kitchen and he hears Colt joke.
"Hopefully the next time you and Simon get drunk, you two won't end up doing something like adopting a kid or something."
"Actually we've been looking at adopting a dog." Grace says sarcastically. He would love a dog or a cat. Maybe a both? Who knows. It would get him out of the house more if he did have a dog. Would Simon want a pet if they, for whatever reason, moved in together.
"Wait are you being serious right now? Ryland-" Colt asks him as if Grace is being serious and it makes him laugh.
"No Colt, we haven't. Need I remind you that me and Simon are still just friends? We might be married but our relationship is different to anyone else's." Grace points out.
"Are you sure about that, Grace? I won't push obviously but-" Colt sighs softly. "You've been a lot happier since you started to talk to Simon. Sure you were happy before but this feels different. I can tell, I'm your twin brother."
Grace supposes he does have a point. He has been feeling more happier than before. He gets excited to wake up to talk to Simon even if they spent the night before talking over the phone. It feels nice to have someone to talk to again. Even if they feel like they're a life time away from each other.
"I know you care Colt but I'm happier because I like talking to Simon as a friend. It's nice to have him there to talk with when I come home. Even if it's just as friends and he probably only wants to be friends too. We're giving it a year." Grace explains like he has before to Colt. "But we're getting off topic. Why did you two call me anyway?"
"Well, we want you to come to set soon. We've cleared it with the studio. You can stay with us as we have a spare room in our rental but we just need to know when you can get time off to fly you out here." Colt explains. "Plus, you'll get to see Simon again." He teases. Grace's heart flutters at the thought of seeing Simon in person again. He knows it might sound weird but he wants to be able to feel Simon's touch again.
"But we want you not to tell him. We want it to be a surprise for him." Jody tells Grace.
"I can check but you know I'm terrible at keeping secrets." Grace lets them know as if they forgot. Grace thinks that Simon could probably tell if he's lying they have been talking so much lately. "Wouldn't it be suspicious of me to say to him 'hey I can't talk right now because I'm gonna be busy for how many hours it takes for the plane to fly from where I am to you.' Do you know how suspicious he would be?! I can't lie to save my life!"
"It is true, Jodes. One time he stole and extra cookie from our mom's baking tray and he burst out crying because he couldn't lie. Hence why he was a nerd and wouldn't join me in sneaking out to go to a party. He'd end up telling our parents." Colt tells her.
"I did not cry to mom about stealing a cookie……It was a cupcake for the record and they were for our birthday party." Grace pouts. He doesn't know why his brain thinks of what Simon's reaction to this conversation would be but he can imagine the laugh Simon would let out would probably be similar to the laugh he let out to him and Colt arguing at his wedding. Grace hears Colt and Jody laughing at Grace's silliness and pouting.
"Then tell him that you have a conference for nerds or something and won't be able to answer?" Colt shrugs like it's obvious.
"Are we forgetting the fact that I can't lie?!" Grace exclaims.
"Then do it over text?" Colt says like he is stating the obvious. "Hell! I will help you figure out the message!"
"Please no. I don't think you'd be helpful in any scenario. No offence." Grace sighs.
"I could do it if you want?" Jody offers which is sweet of her.
"No I can do it. I need to do this actually." Grace rubs his face, ring on his finger pressing against his face. "What days?"
That's how he ends up across the country to where they're filming a spy movie? Grace doesn't know but it's some sort of action movie. It's the ones Colt is great at as he is a stuntman after all but also it makes sense Simon is working on it to with the big explosions he's told Grace about secretly. Grace just has no idea what the plot of this movie is.
He drove in with Colt and Jody after he showered and took a nap. Grace felt this giddy feeling in his chest and stomach at the thought of seeing Simon again in person. He managed to successfully lie to Simon somehow. When he arrived at Jody and Colt's, he texted Simon saying he had arrived at the hotel which wasn't really a lie.
Simon sounded a bit upset that wouldn't be able to message or call him really and it hurt Grace to not be able to spill the fact that it's a lie and that he's actually here with him. He hopes Simon can forgive him for lying, but he wanted to surprise him! Grace is also lucky that Rocky and Adrian don't have Simon's number because as much as he loves Rocky, Rocky also isn't good at keeping secrets either. How he managed to surprise Adrian when they got engaged is beyond him.
Once they arrive on set, Grace signs some NDAs which is obviously the standard procedure around movie sets he guesses. Colt has to go over and get in costume and makeup to look like whatever character Tom Ryder is playing so he's with Jody who's showing some of the sets and explaining the scenes they're going to be shooting.
Grace secretly loves the shooting process behind movies. Whenever Colt tells him what scenes they shot and what stunts he did that day, Grace is always fascinated. Terrified about what his brother does to risk his life every day but fascinated nonetheless.
"Hey Jody! Glad you're here, we have set everything up ready to go just need you to confirm- Grace?" Simon grumbles at the beginning before he spots Grace.
He thinks this was how Simon was before Grace came into his life. Simon did tell him that. Grace turns to see Simon who's stopped in his tracks with his clipboard in hand.
Grace smiles at him and he doesn't know what to say other than him saying "Surprise?" They just stand there staring for a while before Grace feels Jody lightly push him towards Simon and that gives Simon permission to come almost running up to him and engulfing him in a massive hug that Grace reciprocates.
Grace can't help but bury his face into Simon's shoulder. Grace doesn't know when he started crying happily at being reunited with him but he can feel Simon is tearing up too judging by how wet his shoulder is where Simon has buried his face. Grace can't help but sigh happily whilst being in Simon's arms as it's been months of them just talking but it feels like it's been a year already.
"How are you here, Sunflower? I thought you had a conference thing?" Simon asks him once they pull away, still touching each other's arms like they're going to float away from each other. It reminds Grace of what seahorses do to stop themselves and their mates from drifting away from each other because of the tide.
"Jody and Colt invited me to spend the week here. I wanted to surprise you. I'm sorry." Grace tells him softly.
"Well it's a great surprise! I can show you my work and we can finally hang out in person." Simon says, almost like he's excited and Grace has never heard or seen this side of Simon before and it makes his heart flutter. It goes away though when he hears Simon say 'hang out' instead of 'date' but he pushes that feeling away.
"I'd really like that, Stardust." Grace says with a smile. "But I think you should finish what you were saying to Jody before we do anything." They look back to see where Jody is standing watching them softly.
Simon's cheeks turn red and he nods before picking up the clipboard he dropped before running at Grace. "Hi…..Jody…."
"Hi Simon." She says with a smile.
They both let go of each other and they don't notice some of Simon's co-workers whispering in shock. Jody and Simon chat about logistics when Colt comes and joins them.
"What did I miss?" Colt asks Grace as they both watch Simon and Jody talk. "We got lucky, huh?" Colt elbows him softly.
"Yeah…." Grace softly says as he watches Simon smile at something Jody asked of him.
"He's doing that weird thing with his face again." Colt jokes.
"What? Smiling?" Grace turns to look at Colt weirdly.
"Yeah." Colt says. "He's never been that smiley, even before you guys were just talking on the phone."
Grace thinks about that for a moment before saying "It suits him though. His smile, the way he lights up, the sparkle in his eyes? It's….beautiful." Grace blushes pink as he looks back at where Simon is now looking at him and Colt talking and they wave at each other.
"Are you sure you're not in love with him, Ry?" Colt questions.
Grace doesn't answer because Jody and Simon make their way over to the twins. Simon smiles as he comes over and Grace can't believe that smile is directed at him. It's the most beautiful smile he's seen. Simon looks beautiful no matter what but Grace has a soft spot for his smile. Besides Simon doesn't do it often, especially that big. Most of the time it's a small smile.
"Everything is sorted. Need to go make a few adjustments but I'll meet you back here?" Simon asks. "It won't take all of five minutes?"
"It's ok, I'm sure I can keep Colt and Jody company." Grace smiles. "Besides, I can wait! I'm here all week."
"You are? Where are you staying?" Simon asks. It's a simple question but it makes Grace feel fluttery. Before Grace can answer, Colt wraps his arm around Grace's shoulder and slightly shakes him like he used to do when they were kids.
"He's staying in the spare room of our rental. Need to babysit him after last time." He teases and Grace knows he is teasing him but he can't help but feel embarrassed.
"Oh really? Is that because you think we won't be to control ourselves?" Simon jokes before adding "it just means I will have to come over to your rental for me and Grace to have fun." He winks at Grace as if trying to get him in on the joke and Grace immediately gets it and smirks.
"Oh yeah, Colt. You're going to have to deal with us being so sappy and disgustingly in love. Think you could handle that?" Grace laughs and Jody joins in because she knows the two of them are joking.
"Hm yeah we're going to be like two horny fucking teens" Simon jokes before adding "not going to be able to keep our hands off of each other." The three of them watch as Colt's face turns from the massive smile he had on his face when teasing Grace to the horrified look that is now painting it, arm around Grace's shoulder dropping.
Grace decides to move closer to Simon and place a hand on his bicep and gently squeezing it. Cheese and crackers Simon is strong! "So strong. Do you work out?" Grace says in a flirting tone.
He can hear Colt mumble "oh god no" and it makes Grace and Simon chuckle at that and makes them keep going. Simon flexes his arm and hums.
"Oh this? Yeah I do work out. Got to be strong to carry you one of these days." Simon looks at him and Grace can't help but stare at his bicep.
"Stop before I have to carry a spray bottle around with me!" Colt says with complete seriousness before he is called on the radio to get hooked up to a harness. "Jody please-"
Jody is holding her sides as she laughs and soon Simon and Grace join in and it leaves Colt standing there confused as his radio keeps calling for him. "You guys were pranking me, weren't you?" Colt groans at that before pointing at the three of them with his radio and yells "we are talking about this later!" As he runs off whilst answering the radio.
"That was fun." Simon says with a smile before turning to Grace "that was ok, right? I didn't make you uncomfortable or anything?"
"It was! I love messing with him. It's so much fun." Grace agrees before shaking his head. "No you didn't. Did I make you uncomfortable by touching you?" Grace realises he still has a hand on Simon's bicep and pulls it off like he's been burnt. Simon's skin felt soft and nice against his palm and it felt addictive. The warmth and tingly feeling on his palm lingers and it feels addictive and he wants to feel it more.
"You didn't make me uncomfortable, sunflower. It felt-" Simon pauses before he clears his throat a little. "Good." He mumbles whilst turning pink. Grace also blushes at that and smiles shyly.
"I'm- I'm glad." Grace mumbles softly and they stare at each other and Simon has that look on his face he gets when he's trying to get the confidence to ask Grace something.
"Ryland?" Simon asks and Grace notices Simon's hand is shaking a little and Grace can't help but think the worst is about to come.
"Simon? Everything ok?" Grace asks him softly. The way Simon is holding himself, its like he has closed in on himself. He looks like a kid who did a bad thing and is going to go admit it to his parents, not knowing how they will react. Grace doesn't want Simon to feel so anxious that he can't talk to him n fear of how Grace will react.
"I uh, wanted to ask you-" Simon starts before the radio cuts this moment short. Curse you damn radio! Simon groans softly and apologises to Grace and adds "I'll be gone for about an hour or so?"
"Yeah that's ok! Good luck! I hope it goes well." Grace says awkwardly and he really wants to smack his palm against his head. God he is so awkward.
Simon nods and jokes "it always goes wrong one way or another but maybe with you here we might be lucky." Simon gives him a soft smile before he turns to leave in the same direction Colt left in, leaving a stunned Grace and Jody who moves beside him.
"Let's go get some coffee before we start." Jody smiles that knowing smile that Colt gave him earlier as Grace nods with his face turning pink. Jody and him link arms and Grace is still in a little bit of a daze. He keeps hearing Simon inadvertently calling Grace his lucky charm. They manage to find the confection table and Grace finally zones back in to hear Jody say "you and Simon seem closer than I thought."
"What? Oh. Uh, yes." Grace nods as he makes himself some coffee to distract himself a bit.
"It looked as if he wanted to ask you something. I've never seen him that anxious before other than when he came back to work after the accident." Jody says "it took him a lot to come back to work on movies like this."
"Oh? Simon hasn't really opened up to me about that yet. I don't want to push him to tell me. I want him to tell me in his own time." Grace tells Jody and he means it. Sure, he has been curious on how Simon lost his arm and why he has burn scars covering some of his face and what he saw that morning when he woke up before Simon during the bachelor party. Grace remembers wanting to go over and join him and softly press kisses to the scars but then he saw the ring on his finger and that feeling instantly went away.
Jody nods understandingly. "I get that. I think that's why Colt and Simon are close. It may not seem like it but they are. After Colt breaking his back, Simon was one of the only people who pushed back against him shutting everyone out. When Simon did the same after his accident, Colt did the same. They were both as stubborn as each other but I know the two of them were grateful."
"I remember the day Colt actually finally reached out to me." Grace says. "I can't imagine going through what both of them went through." Grace has tried to but he obviously won't know for sure. Especially with Simon.
Him and Jody grab something to eat as they make their way to where they're setting up the cameras and the tent where Jody and him will be watching how it will look on screen, hopefully after editing. Grace has always loved this part of the process because it's like a science. A creative science where you add all these different chemicals to make some sort of chemical reaction that can either go really well or really bad.
They do a few practice runs of the shot and Grace is fascinated. He also knows Colt is about to do this massive stunt and it's making Grace feel so nervous. He's never really seen his brother do stunts in person. He gets told what stunts Colt does by Colt himself when he's retelling his day but seeing it in person is a totally different thing that Grace doesn't think he can handle. He takes a sip of his coffee and watches Jody do her thing of creating like she set a canvas in front of herself and is painting what will come together to be a masterpiece and Grace is just hovering over her shoulder to watch.
Grace hears him before he sees him. The talking of a one Tom Ryder and his agent before they arrive at the tent him, Jody and the other camera operators are working out the camera angles.
"I'm thinking wide shot, for when the explosions happen to get a good shot of it but maybe we could have a camera pointing in towards Colt's face and then we can put Ryder's face onto Colt's in editing?" Jody explains as she taps her pen against her chin after she gestures her hands a bit.
"What a sight for sore eyes. I didn't realise you'd be here Ryland. It must be my lucky day." Well there goes Grace's peace and quiet. He supposes this was going to happen sooner rather than later.
"Hi Tom." Grace says. Grace always feels on edge whenever he's around Tom. Grace watches as his agent goes to talk to Jody whilst holding her massive cup of Diet Coke? Pepsi? Grace can never remember but she's always drinking it.
"So what brings you into my neck of the woods?" Tom has a hand on the back of the director chair Grace is sat on and leaning into his space. Grace moves away slightly as Tom is in his personal space.
"Colt invited me for the week. I wanted to surprise-" Grace gets cut off by Tom.
"Me? Well I'm certainly surprised." Tom smirks and it makes Grace's skin crawl. "It is nice to have you hear to come gawk at me and my amazing acting." Grace won't admit that he used to be a fan of Tom's movies before Colt got into stunts and being Tom's stuntman. Grace had the opportunity to meet him and it went all wrong and Grace kind of snapped out of that rose coloured glasses. Grace only wanted to meet him and maybe become friends but it's like Tom took one look at him and instantly knew he wanted something more.
"No. I'm here to surprise-" Grace realises he can use the 'husband' card against Tom but he doesn't need to as Simon appears beside him somehow.
"He is actually here to surprise me." Simon grumbles a bit towards Tom. "Hey Sunflower." Simon smiles at him and Grace feels more at ease.
"Sunflower? I didn't know you knew Ry, here." Before pointing at Grace kind of staring at Simon. "I've known him for years now." Tom kind of brags about that and Grace wants to argue the fact that they haven't because it's been a while since he has seen Tom and even talked to him.
"I do." Simon nods and before he can add anything to what he was saying, Jody gives the go ahead for them to start filming and Simon nods and says "now if you excuse me, Sunflower, I have to go 'blow up' your brother" he says blow up in quotation marks before leaning down and pressing a quick peck to Grace's cheek.
Grace turns bright red before saying "Do it. He once ate the last piece of chocolate cake that was supposed to be mine." Grace says in a joking tone and Jody laughs from where she is standing in front of the monitors.
Simon laughs too and says "I'll buy you a replacement slice. There's actually a really nice bakery on the way back to the rentals. Maybe we could stop there later after filming? I actually wanted to ask you something earlier but now I don't have time to ask you-"
"I would love to go, but I will warn you that I am a sucker for a sweet treat." Grace chuckles softly. "You can ask me later when you're free, stardust." Grace smiles still feeling flustered and he hasn't noticed that Tom has gone to talk to his agent, Jody and the assistant director. Grace does feel a set of eyes on them but he doesn't care. He's just in this orbit with Simon and it's just the two of them. Grace wishes this moment could last forever between them but the radio crackles to life again calling for Simon.
"I will when I can spare a moment. I really wanted to see you and spend time with you but duty calls, I guess?" Simon sighs as he answers the radio and says "yes, Ava. I'm on my way now." Simon leaves after saying goodbye to Grace. Grace places his fingers against his cheek where Simon had just kissed. Simon's lips felt soft against his cheek and Grace can't help but wonder what it would be like for Simon to actually kiss his lips.
Watching them get the perfect shot over and over again was amazing but it was starting to get a little boring. When Jody yelled cut for them to take a break, Grace decided to wander around, maybe try and find the others who were at the bachelor party or find Simon wherever he is. He says hi to some of the workers and new interns to be nice as they're all working hard to come together to make this. If it weren't for them doing everything behind the scenes, none of this is possible.
He knows it's the teacher in him but he would make an award show to thank everyone behind the scenes.
"You're the guy!" He hears an intern say and he turns around to see someone standing there in shock with someone else.
"Me?" Grace kind of points to himself confused.
"Yes! You're the one who's been making Mr Butcher happier!" The intern and their friend come over.
Grace blushes pink and rubs the back of his neck. "I am?"
"Don't you mean Mr Grace?" The other guy, he sounds Irish? questions. "He said he-" the three of them are interrupted by the sound of yelling coming from nearby. Grace can instantly recognise it as Tom Ryder's voice. He can also hear Colt's voice too and he excuses himself before walking over to where the commotion is coming from. He sees Colt and Ryder together with some scared looking intern who Ryder is currently yelling at for something that Grace guesses is just a normal mistake anyone can make.
Colt seems to be trying to get Ryder away but then his agent joins them and yells more at this intern who's shaking and close to tears. Grace manages to go over and calm them down as Colt, Ryder and his agent yell at each other.
"I'm- I'm ok I promise I'm sorry-" the intern looks up at Grace with tears in their eyes.
"Hey it's ok. You go take a break, ok? I'll help deal with this." Grace can't help but say in his soothing teacher voice that he would always use on his students who need help calming down. "You go sit down and I will make him apologise."
"But he won't- he's Tom-" Cassie stutters out some more and Grace helps her calm her breathing and getting one of the other workers to go help them get something to eat and drink before turning to Ryder who's still yelling. Tom-" the intern- Cassie, Grace reads their name tag stutters out. They look the same age as
Grace knows this probably won't work but he has to at least try. "Tom, my hand is up!" He puts his hand up and everyone including Tom and his agent goes quiet and turns towards him. "Good. Now calmly tell me why you decided to yell at that poor intern?" Grace realistically knows that talking to Tom like he is a 6th grader is a bad idea and he might end up with a broken nose but that is a risk he is willing to take.
"They messed up the fucking thing and now we're going to have to redo the shot!" Tom angrily explains. "I'm going to end up looking ridiculous-"
Grace thinks that he already looks ridiculous throwing this tantrum like a toddler who was told no to some chocolate bar they wanted in the store. It really makes him want to roll his eyes but he shouldn't as he doesn't do that to his students. "Are you the director?"
"What?" He looks taken a back.
"Are you Jody? Are you the director of this movie?" Grace repeats in a tone that is reminiscent of a parent asking you "if your friend jumped off a bridge would you do it?" And Colt would always be a smart donkey and ask "is there water on the bottom and do I have a parachute?"
"I- no. I'm not but-" Tom gets out and it sounds like he's stuttering which is surprising coming from him.
"Then stop acting like you're her and telling everyone what to do. You ask nicely for things instead of screaming in other people's faces. How would you like it if someone did that to you? You wouldn't like it." Grace claps his hands gently in front of himself and even if he meant to do it gently, it's so quiet around him that it makes it louder.
"No." Tom mumbles quietly, looking down like he was caught sticking his hand in the candy jar.
"What was that? I need you to be louder." Grace tells him.
"I said no!" Tom snaps at him and Grace expected that. Grace can see Colt moving forward to have a go at Tom but Grace waves his hand for him to stop.
"Good. Now I want you to find Cassie, the intern you just yelled at, and I want you to give them an apology and mean it." Grace tells him as he puts his hands on his hips, his usual teacher stance when he's telling his class that he isn't mad, just disappointed in how they're behaving.
"I won't and you can't make me." Tom snaps back again. "You're a fucking asshole thinking you're better than me! Talking that way to me!"
Grace can feel his anger rising a bit and says "hey! Listen here, I know your family tree is a cactus because it's full of absolute pricks but you need to go apologise for being a prick to that innocent intern. In fact! You're going to go around to everyone you have been horrible to in any way your brain has thought of and you're going to give them a sincere apology! Now, are you done acting like a child? Or do you wanna embarrass yourself further than you already have?!" Grace glares at Tom and Tom finally relents.
"Fine." He almost growls in anger as he storms off.
Grace calls after him "you better of calmed down before you go apologise!" He watches as his agent chases after him like he's a child storming off. Grace is snapped out of that interaction when he realises everyone is staring, including Simon in wide eyes. Grace awkwardly turns to find a quiet place to go panic and he hears his name being called but he doesn't turn to listen. His feet just keep walking until they eventually stop outside the trailers and he leans against the side of one and slides down to the floor and is breathing heavily.
He hasn't snapped at someone like that in a while. The last time he did that, it was in front of a lot of important people. Oh god he just did the same! These people are important to Colt, Jody and hell! Even Simon! He's screwed. He screwed it up for everyone he cares about because he couldn't stand Tom fudging Ryder talking to someone innocent like that. He puts his head in his hands as his breathing picks up.
Grace has done it again hasn't he? Made a fool of himself in front of everyone? He shouldn't be here but he doesn't have a car-
"Ryland? Grace?" He hears Simon's voice calling for him but it sounds muffled. Simon can't see him like this, panicking over something silly but he feels like he can't move his legs. They feel like jelly.
"Ry- Sunflower! There you are- what's wrong?!" Simon gets closer and Grace shakes his head against his hands. He feels Simon's presence kneeling in front of him.
"I-I messed up yelling at Tom like that didn't I?" Grace stutters out trying to calm his breathing down. "It's the stupid UNESCO conference all over again-"
"Hey no. Sunflower, you stood up for someone who needed help! No one is going to do or say anything. Other than the interns. They will definitely thank you for that." Simon says reassuringly.
Grace tries to take some deep breaths, in and out. Grace still has his face hidden and he feels Simon moving to sit next to him.
"What's your favourite flavour of jello?" Simon asks him and Grace doesn't know why he asked this question when he feels as if he's having a panic attack right now.
"I-I'm a boring one and like Cherry-" Grace tries to get out. "Why?"
"Imagine your feet are turning into Cherry jello. Keep them planted on the ground." Simon instructs him in a soft mumble and Grace does what Simon tells him to. "Good. Now, imagine that jello is travelling up to your hips."
Grace is imagining it as he closes his eyes, pulling his hands away from his face, leaning his head back against the outside of the trailer.
"Good. You're doing great so far, Sunflower. Now imagine it's moving more up your body, up to your shoulders." Simon nods softly and explains. Grace once again does as he's told and his shoulders that were as stiff as a rock slowly relax themselves. "Great! Now keep going until it reaches the top of your head. You can probably try and taste the cherry jello now?"
Grace nods and soon his breathing is steady and he opens his eyes feeling relaxed and he turns to look at Simon. "How did you do that?"
"It was something I had learned in therapy." Simon answers with a shrug. Simon's hand is on the ground next to Grace and they stay like that in the quiet, only hearing each other's breathing. Grace nervously places his hand near Simon's and their pinkies touch and it sends sparks all over Grace's body and he nervously moves his hand closer to Simon's until they're holding hands between them and they stay like that blushing red.
"What uh, what was it you were going to ask me?" Grace asks Simon now they have a few minutes peace to enjoy one another's company.
"I was going to ask you-" Simon spoke.
They both say these at the same time whilst turning around to face one another. They both end up chuckling at that.
"You go." Grace chuckles softly. And Simon smiles softly at him.
"I was going to ask you and you can say no if you want but I-" Simon takes a deep breath. "Would you maybe want to go grab dinner? Together?" Grace feels Simon's hand against his slightly shaking and Grace gently squeezes it to help ground him and Simon looks from their hands up back up to Grace's face.
"I'd love to grab dinner with you, stardust." Grace can't help but call Simon that, even if to help ease the nerves of the man beside him. "Although I don't really have any fancy clothes to wear. Didn't pack any really." Grace jokes.
Simon laughs and teases "what do you mean? Your science pun shirts are more than fancy enough." Grace smiles at how relaxed Simon is now that he made a joke.
"Oh? You don't think I have a fancy enough shirt for our hang out?! I'm offended, Stardust." Grace acts offended but he chuckles softly. Grace swears he hears Simon snort a laugh at that and he can see Simon's shoulders shaking.
"Oh they're really fancy. Especially the one you wore the other day on FaceTime." Simon smiles widely and Grace realises what one he was talking about. It was a shirt that on the back said 'chemists do it on the table…. periodically.' With the periodic table underneath it. Grace remembers Rocky and Adrian brought him that shirt un-ironically when he came out as asexual and then later aromantic. Huh, maybe that's why when he turned around to grab something, Simon turned red when he turned back around.
"Oh god I think I know which one-" Grace covers his face with his free hand and that's when he realises that the hands they both have their rings on are the ones that are touching. Grace can feel his heart beating like crazy like he never has felt when he is just talking to someone before. He has felt this feeling when Colt was chasing him when they were kids but this is different.
"Yeah." Simon tells him with a slight smirk Grace can see through his fingers. "But you don't need to wear anything fancy. I was going to suggest that diner? The Firehouse?" Simon shrugs slightly. "They've got good burgers and milkshakes."
"I do love a good diner. And burgers and milkshakes." Grace admits with a smile. "I'm not one for fancy restaurants anyway."
"Me either. Want me to pick you up later from Colt and Jody's rental? I know where it is because we had dinner together a few nights ago." Simon asks. "It feels weird calling Colt my brother in law." Simon jokes and Grace nods after pulling his hand away from his face, cheeks still red slightly.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind you picking me up. I wouldn't have enough for an Uber. They're expensive here. Probably even more than they are in San Fran." Grace answers him. "Maybe around 6? Gives us time to decompress and get ready?"
"I'd like that. I'll obviously text-" Simon goes to say.
"There you two are- oh!" Colt yells and both of them pull their hands away from each other like they've been burned and Grace misses the contact. "We're needed back on set." Simon nods and gets up and stretches before offering his hand for Grace to take. Grace takes it and smiles.
"Sorry. Had my radio off." Simon tells Colt as he pulls Grace to stand up easily.
"It's ok. Besides, Ryder is uh, gone for the day- actually he is pouting in his trailer because of what you did." Colt smirks. "That was pretty badass of you, Ry."
"Oh god I feel mortified." Grace tells him. "That's how I talk to my students when they act up."
"What? You call them pricks? I think that's the most amount of 'swearing' I've heard you do in a long time." Colt laughs softly.
"So he can swear then?" Simon jokes and Grace sighs.
"I can but working with kids you learn when to not do that." Grace points out.
"I still think 'staggering waste of carbon' is my favourite." Colt shrugs as they walk back to set and Grace stops.
"Staggering waste of carbon?" Simon asks as he realises Grace has stopped.
"Please don't bring up that….incident." Grace pleads with Colt before turning to Simon and saying "I'll tell you eventually but not right now."
"You've got it Ry." Colt salutes at him and both Simon and Grace start walking again and their hands brush against each other.
"You can tell me in your own time." Simon tells him. "I know what it's like to want to talk about hard stuff with people."
Grace nods and says softly "same goes for you too." He smiles gently at Simon. "About telling me things in your own time?"
Simon nods and gives a soft "thank you."
"Of course! Would be hypocritical of me." Grace chuckles softly and huffs.
When they arrive back on set, he sees Cassie and some other workers and interns talking in whispers. Grace feels nervous and takes a few deep breath in and out. Cassie sees Grace and comes almost running at him and hugs him and Grace is taken a back and hugs them back.
"Thank you." They say and Grace smiles shyly.
"You're welcome." Grace replies.
"I heard what you said. You were badass! I can't believe you stood up to him like that. For all of us!" Cassie pulls away from the hug and others come and chat to Grace. Grace feels a little overwhelmed and is embarrassed.
"I would've done the same for my students. I do the same. It's my job to stand up for them and with all the stories Colt and Si have told me, you guys deserve to be treated with respect." Grace tells them as a matter of fact. He ends up talking to the crew and doesn't hear what Simon and Colt are talking about.
By the time everyone has finished filming for the day, Grace and Simon wave goodbye before leaving. Grace sighs from the backseat as Colt and Jody chat quietly. Grace then sees a flower shop on the way back to the rental place and almost yells "stop the car!" And Colt slams on the brakes.
"Jesus fuck, Ryland!" Colt yells.
"I'm sorry! Do you mind stopping at that shop? I need to get something." Grace points at the flower shop as Colt moves to park.
"Why- god damn it." Colt turns to ask Grace but he isn't there. Eventually, Grace comes out holding two bouquet of red roses.
"Ok we can go." Grace says like he didn't just disappear.
"Why do you have roses?" Jody asks gently. "They're beautiful."
Grace looks down like they just spawned in his hands. "Oh! This one is for you, Jody." And he hands one of them to her.
"These are lovely! Thank you so much, Ryland! They're really going to brighten up the place! But what about the other one?" Jody asks curiously.
"Oh!" Grace turns almost as red as the roses he is holding in his arms. "They're for Simon. We're going out for dinner later." Grace says as if the both of them should know this. He mumbles mostly to himself "I really hope he likes them." He can't help but imagine how he thinks Simon would react. He feels like a teenager daydreaming in class about their crush. Simon glowing, having a bright light surrounding him like a halo with the rose petals falling all around him as he blushes softly and saying to Grace how they're beautiful and how he loves them. Grace swears he can hear himself dreamily sighing.
"We are going to discuss this later-" Colt grumbles before he starts driving again. "Also, getting flowers for Jody was nice….. should've told me you were doing that so I could've bought her some too."
"I like buying people flowers."
"Simon asked me out to that diner in the area. I just wanted to get him flowers as a thank you and because he's already got me flowers before." Grace rambles. "And before you ask, it's just as friends." Grace can't help but add because he saw the look the two of them shared.
When they arrive back to the rental place, Grace sends a text to Simon saying that he got back safe and will text again when he is ready. It takes an hour and thirty minutes of being alone in the spare room listening to his audiobook for him to feel recharged and ready.
Grace doesn't know what to wear for this date? Is it a date? He has a blue button up shirt he packed thankfully and he decides to throw on his beloved and worn fox cardigan as well as some jeans. He had just sent Simon the go ahead text of him being ready and Simon was on his way to him. Grace has been feeling this giddy feeling in his chest as he slips his ring back on after he had come back from showering before putting his clothes on.
He looks in the mirror to check to see if anything is wrong because he realises his button up shirt has a massive stain on the front. How did he not realise that before?! Oh god! He better ask Colt if he has a spare button up that Grace can wear. He can't wear what he usually wears, Simon will be expecting something different! Not his usual science pun or musical shirts he owns, he's used to that whenever they FaceTime each other.
Grace doesn't hear the knock at the front door because he's busy taking off his cardigan and shirt to go ask Colt to borrow one. He walks out of his room thinking that he has enough time before Simon gets here to judge his brother's choices.
"Colt can I borrow a shirt, please? The shirt I was gonna wear is- oh sweet cheese and crackers!" Grace jumps when he sees Simon standing in hallway talking to Jody who had just answered the door. "Hi-"
Simon is holding something behind his back and is a little red. "Hi. Sorry I came a little early-" Simon is in some jeans, a dark green shirt and a leather jacket. His hair is in a half up, half down look and Grace won't admit to anyone, least not himself, that he finds Simon sexy.
"No! It's ok! I uh- just need a new shirt-" Grace can see Colt laughing his ass off on the couch.
"I'll come and help you, Ryland." Jody offers. "Simon, could you make sure he doesn't die of laughter, please? I'd really like my husband very much alive." Grace grabs one of the pillows off the other couch to throw at Colt's face hard.
Colt ends up yelping at that and Grace smiles at that. Still embarrassed but he smiles nonetheless. Simon nods and says "I will."
Jody and Grace leave to go to their room and Grace covers his face and mumbles against his hands "that was so embarrassing!"
"Could've been worse. You could've been just in your underwear." Jody offers as a way to help calm him. "Besides, I know you two have probably seen each other shirtless before, right?"
"Yes but that was months and months ago! At the bachelor party when I went back to the room in only a towel around my waist." Grace stands there awkwardly as he watches Jody dig through Colt's drawers as they've unpacked. She holds up two options, one being a plain white t shirt and the other is a tank top that is one of the looser ones that Colt likes to wear. Grace wouldn't really have the courage to wear those types of shirts at all unlike his brother.
He points to the white t shirt and puts it on and it's a little tight on him especially on his chest. He tucks the shirt into his trousers like he usually does before going out to the room he's staying in to grab his cardigan to shrug on before he smiles before leaving and apologising.
"Sorry, thought I had more time but I got you something! Hang on-" Grace smiles as Simon stands, hand still behind his back. Grace rushes to the kitchen to go grab the bouquet of roses he brought.
He hears Simon say after him "I brought you something too." When Grace comes back, he now has his hands behind his back and they both reveal what they brought for each other.
Simon brought him flowers to. Sunflowers and daisies like the first bouquet he had delivered to Grace's apartment. He remembered how much Grace loved them. They both chuckle.
"Guess we both had the same idea then?" Simon smiles.
"Yeah, he almost made me crash the fucking car earlier when he saw the flower shop." Colt grumbled and Grace hears Jody slap his arm. Grace and Simon don't take their eyes off of each other.
"We did." Grace says softly. "We should mix the bouquets together. You have some some sunflowers, daisies and roses and I have the same." Grace suggests and Simon nods.
"Let's do it." Simon answers as they walk to the kitchen to mix them together and Grace can hear Jody and Colt whispering to each other but he brushes it off.
Their shoulders brush as they mix them together and Grace blushes pink at that. Simon brings his bouquet with them.
"I want him home by 10pm!" Colt jokes but with a serious tone.
"I will get home when I want, mom" Grace jokes and rolls his eyes.
"Have fun you two!" Jody tells them as Colt and Grace stick their tongues out at each other like they're children.
The car ride to the diner was calming. The radio playing some love song which makes it a little awkward, but he and Simon are talking about anything that comes to their minds and it's so much nicer in person than it is over the phone.
When they arrive at the firehouse diner, they find a booth and sit opposite each other, and it truly feels like a date now, but that's not what it is. It's just two friends who have spent hours talking on the phone finally being together in person. The being husbands part of this doesn't mean anything. Even if Grace keeps feeling relaxed around Simon like this is natural, that they weren't in this predicament. They both grab one of the menus and there are so many choices that Grace's stomach growls at all of them.
"God everything looks so good. How does anyone decide?!" Grace asks whilst whining a little, feeling overwhelmed.
"Yeah, noticed this place whilst I went for a drive when we first came here to film and once a week I treat myself and come here to try something new from the menu." Simon admits. "Although, whenever I try to eat a brownie sundae, it just reminds me of you." He blushes pink.
Simon thinks about him? Grace thinks of Simon a lot lately, so much so that lately Grace doesn't think is healthy, but he can't seem to care. "You have?" Grace is always shocked whenever Simon tells him these things but he can't comprehend it, like he doesn't allow himself to.
"Yeah." Simon says as if it was easy to admit. Grace wishes he had that sometimes. Being able to be that honest with someone, but Grace supposes that Simon used to be different, as he has opened up before about being very closed off from everyone as a lot of people, and he once told Grace late one night over the phone that he has been hurt in the past badly. Grace told Simon that he would never hurt him and if he ever did something to hurt him, he wants Simon to tell him and not hide it. He remembers Simon laughing and agreeing and telling him that Grace would have to do the same too.
"You say that like it's easy to think about me." Grace tells him self deprecatingly and Simon gives him a look.
"It is. I like thinking about you." Simon reaches over to thread his fingers with Grace's. "You should think about yourself more highly, Sunflower. Hell! You yelled at Tom Ryder today like it was nothing!"
Grace laughs at that and shakes his head. "I thought he was going to punch me."
"If he did that, I would've punched him back." Simon tells him. "Or maybe Colt would've beaten me to it. He'd love to have any excuse to punch him." Simon huffs a laugh.
That makes Grace laugh and relaxes his shoulders. "He complains about Ryder a lot."
"Oh yeah, real douchebag." Simon snorts as he leans in closer.
"Can't believe I used to be his fan. I mean, he's a great actor and is great at what he does, but he's a fucking asshole!" Grace blurts the last part out before he can think and they both go silent and wide eyed staring at each other in shock.
"You just swore-" Simon says getting the biggest smile on his face.
"I- I mean he's- he's a flipping idiot." Grace says turning bright red embarrassed.
"No, no! You can't take it back now!" Simon smirks and chuckles and before Grace could argue back, a waiter comes over and smiles to take their order.
Grace ends up ordering this chicken burger that sounds amazing with some fries and a chocolate milkshake, one of those classic thick ones with whipped cream on top. Simon ends up ordering some bacon, fried eggs and hash browns with a strawberry milkshake that's similar to Grace's. Once the waiter leaves, they go back to their conversation.
"I can't believe it. Ryland Grace finally swore in front of me. Maybe I am magic?" Simon snorts a laugh.
"I didn't mean to! But if you ever tell Colt that you got me to swear I will hunt you down." Grace threatens, albeit a weak attempt, because he probably knows Simon thinks of this threat like a kitten trying to paw at an older cat. The older cat is going to easily over power the kitten because they're much stronger.
Simon leans in closer across the table slightly, into Grace's space and smirks. "You need to get better at threatening people, Sunflower. It was a cute attempt." They're still holding hands over the table and Grace feels himself turning more red, if that is even possible.
"O-oh? It was? And how would you think I should threaten you then?" Grace leans into Simon's space and they're so close to each other that if one of them moves closer, their lips would be pressed together.
Grace can't believe they're this close to each other. It's like his body is on fire and he wants someone to dump cold water on him. He feels like he isn't going to survive this evening with Simon.
"I think you should-" Simon whispers in a deep supple voice that makes Grace feel like the wind has been taken out of him. Simon is interrupted by the waiter coming over to bring their milkshakes.
"Here you go- oh! I'm sorry was I interrupting something?" The waiter looks mortified and Grace and Simon probably mirror his expression as they pull away and lean back in the booths, hands still joined together.
"No we're sorry-" Simon apologises as the milkshakes are set in front of them.
"It's fine. Honestly seen a lot worse. Mostly teenagers." The waiter shrugs before saying "food will be coming out in a minute." Before leaving and Grace sinks down into the booth and thanks him as he leaves.
The two of them look at each other before bursting out with laughter because that was crazy! Grace takes a drink of his milkshake and it's the best thing he's ever tasted, sweet cheese and blueberries.
"Right? Trying these for the first time was like, fuck, I don't know how to explain it." Simon laughs softly.
"Like how I felt meeting you for the first time?" Grace gets out whilst mixing it with his straw before looking up at Simon who has turned red. Cute.
"I- really?" Simon asks, pausing his movements as if he is waiting for Grace to take it back.
"Yeah. I know that I was a little terrified but then I got to know you and I realised that you weren't this man I should be intimidated by, but this really sweet and kindhearted man." Grace tells him genuinely. "You're like-" Grace thinks for a moment. "A jawbreaker!"
The waiter comes by with their food and leaves with a "enjoy" and a smile.
"A jawbreaker?" Simon smirks as he starts to eat and it makes Grace realise what he just said. He really needs to think before he speaks when he's around Simon, shouldn't he?
"Sweet Gregory, I should really think before I speak, shouldn't I?" Grace groans softly and rubs his face. He doesn't realise that Simon had pulled his hand away so he can use both of his hands to eat and cut his food which Grace understands but his hand feels the loss.
"I think it's endearing." Simon shrugs before asking "so does you calling me a jawbreaker mean you want to lick me all over?" Simon smirks and Grace chokes on the fry that he was eating and Simon curses. "Fuck, I should've remembered our rule!"
Grace manages to stop choking and takes a drink of his milkshake and sighs softly and gets out a weak "it's fine. You couldn't of known I was eating." He looks up at Simon's worried face and gently grabs his hand and squeezes it softly. "Hey, Simon, Stardust." He says softly. "It's ok. I'm fine, see?" Grace can't help but bring Simon's hand up to his lips so he can press a kiss on the back of his hand. He looks up to see Simon has visibly relaxed at that and Grace smiles at that. "Want some of my fries? As compensation?"
Simon nods at that. "But shouldn't it be me giving you some of mine instead?"
Grace shrugs "or we can make it even and share a brownie sundae?" He smirks and Simon smirks back.
"Deal." Simon accepts and they do share Grace's fries happily whilst laughing about the day they've had, Simon telling Grace about the behind the scenes of the explosions they did that day. Grace only got to see them go off and not how they are carefully set up and timed down to the letter.
"You know, I always loved the science behind it. Blowing things up safely." Simon tells Grace as they both dig into the shared brownie sundae they're now sharing. "I mean, as a kid, I loved chemistry. My teachers would always do those massive fire experiments and they were so cool." Simon continues.
"Yeah? I'm about to do one of those experiments with my kids soon. One of them wants to do that experiment in class for the days I was telling you about before? I know how to do it but I'm terrified I might either burn the school down or you will end up married to a man with no eyebrows." Grace jokes.
"Oh? What is the experiment?" Simon's interest is piqued at that.
"It's fire bubbles! You have soapy water and you use the gas from a Bunsen burner in the water using a tube that's placed in the soapy water and it creates gas filled bubbles and when you set them alight, whoosh!" He yells slightly. "The fun thing about these gas filled bubbles is that if you put them on your soaking wet hand and set it alight, same thing happens but it doesn't burn you. But I wouldn't let my kids set their own hands on fire. I might let them set my hand on fire though but I've got to be brave enough for that."
"I'd like to see that honestly. Although I'm always a little anxious over just big explosions going off at first, but I've been getting better at that with therapy." Simon tells him and after a while he asks "maybe we could go on a walk? I want to tell you about this but I don't want to do this here."
Grace nods softly. "I'd like that. I was going to suggest we find somewhere with no light pollution so we could maybe stargaze together? I know that's cheesy-
"No! Not cheesy at all! I want to do anything if I get to spend more time with you." Simon blurts out. "I don't want to bring you home just yet."
"Oh?" Grace smiles. "If you're going to kidnap me for a few more hours then I think Colt would end up hunting us down." Grace teases and Simon smiles widely.
"Oh don't worry. If he hunts us down, I get to set him on fire tomorrow." Simon laughs and Grace joins in.
They end up paying, Simon paying for all of it before Grace can protest and they find a good place to stargaze with no light pollution. "Sweet celestial showers, isn't it beautiful, stardust?" Grace asks Simon as he looks up at how beautiful the night sky looks without streetlights blocking it out.
If Grace turned his head to his right, he would've seen Simon is looking at him when he says "yeah. It's the most beautiful thing I've seen in the world."
"Oh! Look, Si!" Grace points "that dot there is Saturn! How cool is that?!"
Simon looks at where Grace is pointing. "Oh shit! Wish we had a telescope to see it better."
"Agreed! I bet it looks beautiful up close. I'd never be able to go to space as much as planets and stars fascinate me and life on other planets seem interesting to learn about. There has to be some sort of non-water based life form out there. I might leave that to the astronauts though." Grace ends up saying as they both lay down in the grass side by side. Simon's side touching Grace's.
"Agreed." Simon mumbles softly. They lay there quietly watching the stars before Simon speaks up again. "Ry, the thing I want to tell you." Simon is still looking up when Grace turns his head to look at Simon.
"Yeah?" He softly encourages Simon to continue. Grace links their pinkies together.
"It's-" Simon starts. "It's about my accident." He mumbles. "I want to tell you and be open about it finally."
"Go ahead, Stardust. You know I won't ever judge you." Grace tells him softly and Simon doesn't turn to look at him, keeping his eyes on the stars above them.
"It truly was an accident. I was a stupid newbie and my 'brothers' and I were messing around." Simon mumbles and Grace can hear the lump in his throat. Simon swallows before continuing. "Anyway, one of them, whilst I was setting the others up for this big fucking action movie at the time, thought it would be funny to make one of the explosions I had just finished setting up that was much further away to go off."
Grace feels his heart drop as he thinks he knows where this is going. He holds Simon's hand and gently squeezes it as Simon shakes his head with his eyes closed, like he's shaking away the tears.
"I don't blame them for what happened. Our head of pyro was this drunk fuck who would leave us unsupervised, and it wasn't his job to babysit us, but still. They told me it was an accident; that they blew up the one right next to where I was. I don't know what happened but- I uh, somehow caught on fire." Simon manages to get out. "The whole right side of my body was badly burned. My arm was so badly burned that they had to amputate. They had no other choice."
"Oh Simon." Grace softly says as he gently moves to sit up slightly to wipe Simon's tears away before he says "I am so sorry that happened to you."
Simon makes a noise that makes Grace's heartbreak. Grace can feel himself crying with him and he goes to lay back down and pull Simon close and just hold him whilst Simon cries softly into Grace's shoulder. He can feel Simon gripping the back of his cardigan slightly. Grace strokes his hair and presses a kiss to his temple gently in a soothing way. "Thank you for telling me and trusting me with this."
"You're not- you're not gonna freak out and run away?" Simon says muffled against Grace's shoulder before he looks at Grace with tears still in his eyes.
"Simon, Stardust, no. I'm not going to do that because you trusted me with this and I'm not going to throw it in your face for whatever reason or demand you take me home right now. I'm going to make sure you're calm." Grace cups Simon's face with both of his hands and gently wipes Simon's tears away with his thumbs and Simon leans into his touch. Grace feels Simon's hand come up to gently hold Grace's wrist with his thumb against his pulse, moving his face to slightly nuzzle the palm of Grace's hand and press a soft kiss to the palm. Grace smiles softly at that.
They stay like this for a while before they both stop crying. Simon speaks up first.
"Thank you." Simon mumbles softly.
"You're welcome." Grace softly replies with a soft smile on his lips. "We should slowly make our way back to the car and off home. You look exhausted. Are you going to be ok to drive?" Grace asks whilst gently stroking Simon's cheekbones.
"I'll be ok. I'll drop you off at Colt and Jody's." Simon answers softly.
"If you need to, you could stay the night? Drive back to yours in the morning? I'm sure they won't mind." Grace offers.
"No I'll be ok." Simon tells him honestly and of course Simon would be ok! Why wouldn't he be? You're just being ridiculous Grace. Grace is just worrying like always. Simon keeps leaning into Grace's touch as Simon's hand is still on his wrist like he wants Grace to keep touching him. Like Grace is a grounding presence to him. It's quiet again but it's not an awkward silence. It's a peaceful silence that Grace wishes they could stay like this with Simon in this bubble, stars glowing above them with the sound of crickets around them and the sounds of their breathing. It was calming and Grace has never really felt this connection to anyone before.
"Stardust?" Grace softly says in a whisper that was only meant for Simon's ears. Simon has his eyes closed as he hums softly against Grace's hand and if he didn't know better, he thinks Simon is close to falling asleep.
"Yeah, sunflower?" Simon mumbles deeply and Grace brushes the hair out of Simon's face gently.
"We should head back. You look like you're close to falling asleep on me." Grace chuckles softly with a smile as Simon opens his eyes to look at him. "There he is." Grace mumbles softly without thinking. Simon looked cute like this. Like a cat who had just come to ask for pets and they lean into your hand happily purring away, happy that you love them.
"Shit, we should. Sorry." Simon mumbles softly and groans as he moves away from Grace's hands to sit up, not wanting to risk falling asleep if he keeps laying down against Grace's hands which he doesn't blame him. Grace would've done the same if Simon was the one gently holding his face. Simon rubs his face as Grace sits up with him, shoulders brushing. "My nub is gonna hate me for wearing my prosthetic this long." Simon grumbles to himself. Grace hadn't thought of that.
"Shiitake mushrooms, I'm sorry." Grace apologises.
"No it's ok. I took it off for a bit earlier when I got home. I kept getting phantom pains today as it was one of those days where we had to film a lot of explosions." Simon explains.
"You know if you told me that, I would've suggested we get takeout and I wouldn't of been mad or angry if you told me." Grace tells him as they walk back to Simon's rental car.
"I know but I wanted to bring you to the diner. It's not special if we were at the place I'm staying." Simon shrugs. "Plus, I much prefer this. It feels like…..us." Simon means it and Grace smiles softly before gently taking Simon's hand.
"I know but you also matter. Especially if you're hurting." Grace gently says. "And this did feel like us. Maybe next time we go to the science museum?" Grace suggests. "I know that the one in San Francisco is really good. I know that place like the back of my hand." He jokes softly.
"You want me to visit you?" Simon asks as if Grace didn't mean to ask him that.
"Yeah! You wouldn't have to stay in a hotel since you can stay in my apartment with me." Grace offers, excited at the idea of the possibility of Simon coming to his place and taking him to his favourite places. "It's my duty as your husband to make sure we spend as much time together as possible-" Grace blurts out and he feels Simon stop and Grace turns back to look at him.
"You actually mean it." Simon softly mumbles. "You fascinate me, Ryland Grace."
Grace can't help but blush at that and he chuckles softly and when they get into the car, he can't help but ask "What makes me so fascinating?"
Simon thinks for a moment before smiling to himself. "How passionate you are about anything and everything. Your students, your friends and family, your interests. I also find your ability not to swear fascinating too." Simon laughs at that and Grace blushes at that.
"I can swear! I think I proved I can at the diner." Grace argues embarrassed and sinks into the passenger seat as Simon drives.
"Yeah, but I want to hear you say something much worse on your scale." Simon teases. "Please? Just for me?"
Grace looks over and they're lucky they're at a red stoplight because Simon is using puppy dog eyes against Grace and he feels his heart flutter. "What do you want me to say? I already said…you know at the diner."
"Good point." Simon says before going "oh! I know what you can say! Say that this is fucking bullshit." Simon says with a smirk.
"In what context?" Grace asks and at that his phone goes off and he picks it up to see a email asking him to come in to work as they can't get a replacement substitute teacher as the previous one got sick and they couldn't find anyone else. "Oh this is fucking bullshit!" He says without thinking and Simon bursts out with laughter.
"It feels weird hearing swears coming out of your mouth." Simon says through laughs before he asks "what got you to say that?"
Grace groans. "I'm going to have to catch and early flight back." Grace sighs. "I wanted to stay the week, spend more time with you physically but they can't find any substitutes for my class. They had one before but they got sick apparently and there is literally no one else. I'm sorry. I can make it up to you somehow-"
"It's ok, Sunflower. Work is important. I just- I wish we had more time together." Simon mumbles. "I just wish I could get some time off somehow so I can come with you."
"But your work is important too, Simon. You make people happy by making explosions on movies that millions get to see everyday and enjoy." Grace points out. "I wish you could come with me too." Grace sighs and rubs his face. "This is so unbelievably frustrating. I know Colt will be upset too. I was having such a great evening with you and this one email just had to ruin it."
"We could still have a great evening and over the next couple of days. I can come pick you up tomorrow morning where I'm not needed on set until later and we could go to that bakery I was telling you about to grab some pastries and grab some coffee?" Simon offers as he pulls the car into park outside of the house.
"I would really like that, Simon. It would be nice to spend some more time with my husband whilst I have the chance to." Grace smiles after a few minutes of the smile he had previously on his face all evening had disappeared. They both stare at each other not knowing what to say but Grace can see Colt opening the front door and Grace groans.
"I swear he is like one of those dads." Grace chuckles. "I guess I'll see you in the morning? Message me when you get back safe?"
"I will. Don't worry and you text me when you are in bed so we can call?" Simon nods as he asks. "I kind of can't fall asleep without hearing your voice now." Simon admits with a slight blush of his cheeks and Grace sees him gripping the steering wheel.
"Of course." Grace smiles. "Might have to whisper though, depends on whether it's one of those nights where Colt wakes up at 3am to make himself a snack. He used to do that a lot as kids."
"Really? Thought you weren't supposed to feed gremlins after midnight?" Simon smirks and Grace laughs loudly at that and ends with a giggle.
"You are correct although he would always crash after eating the weird combinations of food he made. He was really weird." Grace smiles widely and Simon relaxes a bit.
"That's really weird." Simon chuckles softly. "Guess you would always wake up whenever he left?"
"Oh no I can sleep through anything." Grace jokes as he smiles. "Although my parents told me I would always sleep in really weird positions and they took a photo of my once where I was hanging upside down with my head off the bed like I was a bat."
"Wait really?! Do you still have that photo?" Simon laughs softly.
"I do somewhere in my apartment. Or maybe Colt has it? I'll ask." Grace tells him and they turn to see Colt tapping his wrist as if he is wearing a watch and they both see Jody shaking her head at Colt's actions in a bathrobe, holding a drink in her hand. "I better go inside." Grace leans over and kisses Simon's cheek softly. "I'll see you tomorrow morning." Before Grace can let Simon answer, he gets out of the car and walks towards the house, turning to wave at Simon who waves back, still in shock before pulling away.
Grace walks past Colt and is walking towards his room as he wants to wait for Simon to call.
"What was that?" Colt said as he shuts the door following him.
"What was what?" Grace sighs before turning around to face him.
"You know what. I saw that kiss on the cheek you gave him." Colt points out.
Grace turns red and feels this weird feeling rise in his chest. He did kiss Simon on the cheek. It felt….amazing. It felt right. All of this, tonight felt right. It felt romantic, like he was going on a date for the first time with someone that he genuinely loves and wants to see again, instead of sending a message saying that they would be better off as friends. Simon feels different and he knows that on paper they're married but that drunken mistake they both made has made Grace's life better.
He wants to have this with Simon. Wants to have all of it. Wants to have what his friends have, what his brother has. The thing that he has spent so long not chasing but figuring out what makes him different from everyone else, the thing he has found in Simon. Like someone has put the final piece of a puzzle in to see the full picture.
He's in love with Simon.
Oh.
It all comes crashing down on top of him like he's finally smashed through the fog that was keeping him from realising what he was indeed feeling towards Simon was love. He had spent so many hours, days, months trying to figure it out like he was in the lab of his brain doing so many experiments with none of them being successful. All he needed was the one ingredient for it to be a success. Grace needed to spend the day with Simon in person for it to click. For them to go on a dinner date where they share a brownie sundae and tease each other before watching the stars in the sky. For them to make plans for the future where they spend more time together in person instead of just talking over the phone.
"I kind of can't fall asleep without hearing your voice now." Simon had said so many things like this that made Grace feel like he was having love poured onto him. Sure, he feels that whenever his friends and family tell him how much they love and appreciate him but this is different and now he knows why.
Grace suddenly feels the panic wash over him. He's in love with Simon. Simon probably doesn't feel the same way. He can feel his ears ringing as his hands twitch in his cardigan pockets. The same cardigan Simon had teared up on and clung to when he told Grace about his accident, this secret he was keeping. He is looking at his feet and he begs them to move so he can go have this crisis in the bed he's sleeping in. So he can have this crisis on his own, before Simon calls him before bed. So he can pretend that he hasn't just had this realisation and can act as normal as possible.
"Ryland? Are you ok?" Grace doesn't know who asked him that but he kind of internally laughs at that.
"I'm uh, I'm going to my room. Maybe the back porch?" Well that doesn't sound convincing, Ryland now does it? Who is he trying to convince here? Definitely not himself.
"Are you sure? You kind of went quiet?" Again, Grace doesn't know who's talking to him out of Jody and Colt but he knows he just needs to be alone to collect his thoughts.
"I'm sure. I'm sorry if I end up being loud. Me and Simon normally call and fall asleep over the phone-" Grace feels himself walking backwards before he spins on his heel and almost rushes to the spare room, tripping over his own two feet as he rushes to close the door behind him. Leaving Jody and Colt to stand there confused and staring at each other.
Grace sits on the edge of the bed, feet planted on the ground with his head in his hands. This is a disaster. He needs to breath. This is the worse possible time to figure this out. He needs to talk to someone, but his throat feels dry and his body feels shaky, like it's jello.
Jello. Grace imagines his body being jello again and he can feel his body relaxing as he sinks onto the bed so his back is laying against the mattress with his feet still on the ground and he closes his eyes for a moment before he remembers the smile Simon gave him earlier that day when he taught him this technique. The smile that made Grace feel that static sensation in his chest and he can't believe it took him this long for him to realise.
Grace is smiling softly to himself as he thinks back to their little evening together. The laughs he caused because of his silly teasing, how there were multiple times that evening where he wanted to kiss Simon to see what it would be like to actually kiss him whilst sober.
Grace thinks back again to that faithful night. Of the two of them looking at rings for each other. "I can't afford any of these on my teaching salary, Stardust. I might have to take out a loan." He whined softly and Simon who was standing behind him looking over his shoulder with both his hands around Grace's waist had just hummed softly.
"I'll buy both of them. You pick one out for me and I'll pick one out for you." Simon said, matter of factly, like he was determined. "I want to get the best ring for you. Something beautiful that you will wear for the end of time."
"You really want that?" Grace remembers he slurred drunkenly with a massive smile that probably looked dorky and lovesick as anything. Like a cartoon character who's just had their cheek kissed by their love interest and they suddenly have hearts coming out of their head. Maybe he had looked similar to Charlie Brown. Good grief.
"I do. I really do." Simon had given him that smile again and Grace feels the warmth he had felt at that time coming back to him again. He is so screwed. Grace hears a light knock on the door, he doesn't know how long it's been since he rushed into the room in a panic but he's sure it's been a while.
"Ryland? Is everything ok? Mind if I come in?" It's Jody. "That is if Simon hasn't called you yet?"
"Come in." Grace says softly and he sits up as she opens the door to come in and she closes the door behind her.
"Your brother passed out. Too many spicy margaritas." Jody chuckles softly and sits beside him. "You ok? You looked panicked when you came in?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm ok." He lies. "I had a great time with Simon. It feels easy to talk to him, you know?" He doesn't lie about that. It does feel easy to talk to Simon, it feels like he is floating in space each time. Sometimes it's scary, but he looks everywhere and sees Simon in a matching astronaut suit and suddenly it's not so scary. Grace would love to be in space if Simon was with him.
"I understand that feeling." Jody tells him. "When you were in the car with Simon you two looked happy and giggly at something. I'm happy you're happy." She gently grabs his hands to hold in hers and he smiles softly and blushes pink.
"I am. Really happy." Grace knows that he should tell Simon that he feels this way about him but he has only just put the pieces of that puzzle together and he can't help but freak out internally. "I almost forgot to tell you that I have to leave early to go back. Got the email whilst I was with Simon. Substitute got sick and no one else can come in on such short notice."
"Shit, I'm sorry you'll be leaving so soon. I'll book you a flight back and tell Colt in the morning." Jody squeezes his hands and Grace smiles softly at her in appreciation.
"Thank you, Jody. I really appreciate it everything." Grace softly says "I'm actually going to grab breakfast with Simon tomorrow morning. I want to spend as much time as I can-" he's cut off by his phone ringing and he sees it's Simon and he smiles to himself.
"And that is my cue to leave. Good night, Ryland." She kisses his cheek and smiles before leaving.
"Good night, Jody. Have fun with my Brother's snoring." Grace chuckles softly and Jody chuckles and smiles.
"It's actually been nice to hear him snoring. I don't know how I fell asleep without it." She shrugs softly as she leaves and it makes Grace think of what Simon said to him just earlier. That is what love is, so why does he feel like Simon means it in a friend way? Or in a way where you have a favourite podcast you like to listen to or Grace's current favourite audiobook.
He answers the phone to Simon. He can do this, sure he had a realisation but he can pretend everything is fine.
Grace woke up that morning in a bit of a panic. How could he not? He just realised he is in love with Simon and he’s going to be seeing him this morning for another date that really isn’t a date. Jody and Colt had already gone to set so he's in the rental alone, pacing the living room waiting for Simon to text him he is outside. He didn't get much sleep last night because he spent a lot of time worrying about what he would say or how he would act in front of Simon to throw him off the scent.
"Come on Grace, you've got this! Just do what you have been doing when you're around Simon." He mumbles to himself. "But that's worse because I've been acting lovey dovey towards him already." He argues with himself. "You held his hand and you kissed his cheek last night!" Grace groans as he falls onto the couch, face first into the cushions, glasses resting on the top of his head so they won't break. He can't call Colt or Jody about this. If he calls Rocky, he will get an "I told you so!" From him and he can't handle hearing that right now. Can't call Adrian because Rocky will find out as he is very nosy.
He can't call Simon because it is about him. Grace groans loudly. He needs to stop being so pathetic and man up! You can be brave- His phone pings and he grabs it, to see if it is who he thinks it is.
Simon:
Hey Sunflower, I'm outside.
Nope. Grace can't be brave, he's going to make a fool of himself. He takes a few deep breaths before slipping on his Converse, almost falling in the process before grabbing the spare key Jody and Colt gave him to lock the front door. When he exited the rental, he saw Simon in the car, looking down at his phone with a neutral look on his face and Grace thinks something has upset him. Did he say something last night when he was half asleep and not remember? Oh he would hate that, especially if it was accidentally, Grace would apologise either way.
He turns with his back to Simon to lock the door and by the time he turns around to start walking towards Simon, Simon's expression has changed to something softer. A smile painting his face and eyes soft whilst he looks at Grace and Grace can't help but turn a shade of pink as he waves to Simon whilst on his way to get into the car, really trying not to trip over himself. He should've tied his shoelaces before he left. Oh well, he can do them in the car. Simon won't mind.
"Good morning, Stardust." Grace gets in and pecks his cheek out of habit. Damn you, Ryland! You don't do that! He feels like he needs a spray bottle for himself. Spray himself with it each time he does something someone who is just friends wouldn't do. Maybe he could train himself not to do it then.
"Morning, Sunflower. You look tired." Simon mumbles softly as he places a hand on the back of Grace's seat to reverse the car. Why is that the hottest thing that's ever happened to him?!
"Yeah, I'm a little tired but that's nothing coffee can't fix!" Grace smiles at him and then he realises that his glasses are nowhere to be seen. Huh. Maybe he left them in the house? He doesn't really need them but he tends to get migraines after a while of not wearing them.
Simon chuckles softly and moves his hand onto the top of Grace's head to pulls his glasses down onto his face. "You had them on your head." Simon smiles softly and Grace turns bright red.
"I kind of forgot they were on the top of my head." Grace tells him. "I thought I left them back in the house."
"Nope, you did have this cute expression on your face like you were thinking." Simon chuckles softly and Grace melts a bit into his seat like he is ice cream left to melt in the sun. Oh jinkies he is so screwed!
"Oh? And what expression is that?" Grace asks, Simon's hand resting on the gear shift and Grace really needs to pull himself together. Stop staring down at his hand like you want to hold it and look at the road.
"The same expression you got at the bachelor party before I asked you to marry me." Simon blushes and shrugs slightly.
Oh Grace remembers now. When Simon called him "Dr frowny face?" He says out loud and Simon snorts a laugh.
"Yes! Dr frowny face!" Simon smiles widely. "But this time you had your tongue slightly sticking out. It was adorable."
Simon thinks he's adorable. That little nugget of information makes his heart flutter.
"I- I don't do that." Grace says in defence and he's never noticed himself doing it. Maybe it's a subtle thing but if he keeps flirting with Simon unintentionally, he's going to let it be known that he loves Simon with his whole fibre of his being. That he wants to spend the rest of his life living with Simon by his side until they're old and gray. Platonically or romantically. Grace never wants Simon out of his life now that he knows what it's like to have him in it.
He can't imagine what it was like before anymore. Simon has changed his life for the better. He knows he was happy with Rocky and Adrian, Colt and Jody, as well as teaching; his kids would light up his day, but whenever he was home alone at the end of the day, he missed this aspect of it. The cuddling on the couch whilst watching a movie, talking to someone whilst cooking food or in his case, stress baking. He especially feels that feeling when he goes to bed.
So, when Simon came into his life and fulfilled some parts of that, he felt excited to not be lonely. He knows that he was never big on doing those things with his past partners, but he can see himself doing those things with Simon. Maybe that's why he's allowing himself to touch Simon? Is he that starved for touch this way that he's projecting it onto him?
Grace really needs to stop thinking and just be in the moment. He might be freaking Simon out with how quiet he has been. Say something, Grace! "So, did you sleep well last night?" Grace asks once Simon parked.
"I slept pretty good last night thanks to you telling me about Williamina Fleming." Simon smiles softly as he stretches before they both get out of the car. Grace honestly thought Simon was asleep at that point in the night he kind of went on a rant about all the women who made discoveries but don't get the recognition they deserve.
"I thought you were asleep at that point of my ramble honestly." Grace rubs the back of his neck blushing softly.
"No I was just quiet because your voice was relaxing me." Simon admits whilst they walk towards the bakery. "I wished you were there with me but I knew that would've been me overstepping a bit." He mumbles softly and Grace feels his heart do that familiar flutter that he couldn't figure out before last night. God Grace feels like an idiot.
"Really? I don't think I'd be good company while asleep. I sleep like I'm dead." Grace chuckles softly. "Or so I've been told in the past." Grace hears Simon laugh as Grace opens the bakery door and holds it open for Simon.
"Well, you did tell me last night you can sleep in really weird positions comfortably. I personally would want to see that." Simon jokes. "And thank you. Such a gentleman." Simon smirks and adds "you really know how to treat a guy."
Grace blushes at that as he follows Simon inside. Grace can't help but joke, but also tell the truth "my mother would tell stories to me and Colt before bed about Princes and how they should act, but I always asked her to make me a wizard because I thought being a prince would keep me from my studies." Grace jokes. "Plus, magic seems so much cooler anyway. I wouldn't be brave enough to be a prince honestly but anyway! My mother would always teach us to treat others how we would want to be treated so I always carried that with me." He softly adds the last part, smiling at the memory of his mother.
"Your mother sounds sweet. I didn't see her at the wedding." Simon tells him softly as they stand shoulder to shoulder, waiting in line.
"She passed when we were teens." Grace mumbles a bit softly. "But I've made peace with it."
They're both silent for a moment before looking at the display stand together. Simon speaks up soon enough. "My mom passed when I was a kid. I don't have much to remember her by but I just remember wanting her for the longest time." He mumbles and Grace gently grabs his hand and squeezing it softly in comfort.
"I'm so sorry, Simon." Grace means it. Simon squeezes his hand gently back and it feels such a nice pressure.
"It's ok." Simon mumbles before changing the subject. "So if Colt is a prince and you're a wizard, what does that make me?"
Grace thinks for a moment. Simon would make a really cool knight or something along those lines, maybe someone with fire powers? Grace thinks Simon would love D&D. Maybe Rocky and Adrian would let Simon join their game sometime if he is interested. "I think you'd be a knight with some sort of fire powers or something where you can grow trees at will to help you in battle, but the more your powers grow, the more you become mutated so your arm has become like a tree branch." Grace rambles before he sees this delicious looking strawberry shortcake. "Ooo strawberry shortcake!" Simon laughs at him softly.
"I could see myself as a knight, but I feel like I'd spend my time off with you in your wizard tower to watch you work." Simon adds. "The strawberry shortcake is pretty good but I love the chocolate fudge cake, as well as the pastries."
"I don't think I can even decide with all these choices but I'm like that when I go to the bakery that's near my place. I do buy myself a sourdough loaf if my own sourdough didn't turn out well." Grace announces with a smile. "And you'd really want to hang out with the antisocial wizard? Not any of the cooler knights or some princes?" They slowly start making their way up the line.
"No. I think the knight would find the 'antisocial' wizard, as you put it, would find him fascinating. Plus I think the knight would like that the wizard doesn't want to use him in a way to make them meet more princes and knights. I think they would want the wizard to help him try and find a way to stop the mutations from spreading further but I also think the knight would think the wizard is brave." Simon tilts his head slightly as he thinks and talks.
Grace doesn't think he is brave. He thinks the knight is just being nice to the wizard who he accidentally made them soul bonded and is trying to find a way to give the knight his freedom back so he could soul bonded with someone who isn't as pathetic as the wizard. Grace can't help but look at the ring on his finger that matches Simon's and he feels his heart flutter softly before it breaks at the possibility of him having to let Simon go. He should stay in the moment, they're almost at the counter. "I don't think the wizard thinks he is brave. Stupid maybe but brave isn't the word he would think of if you asked him to describe himself."
Grace knows this is a really weird way around of his feelings and talking about him, but he feels overwhelmed as his mind just keeps spinning with the realisation that he has a crush on the man who legally is his husband. It feels like the universe is mocking him somehow. Like he has been zapped into one of those hallmark style movies, the ones white women and him if he's going to be honest with himself here, really enjoy around Christmas time. Maybe he hit his head being too clumsy at the bachelor party and he's now in a coma and this is all one big coma dream where he is currently dreaming of himself being married to Simon? Will he wake up from the coma and think he is married to Simon still and Simon will have to pretend to be married to him until he remembers? Like that movie with Sandra Bullock. What was the name of that movie?
While You Were Sleeping! That's it! Maybe he will have to re-watch that movie soon.
"Well, like a certain knight said to the wizard last night, he was very brave. He stood up to a stuck up prince like it was nothing." Simon points out before mumbling "this would make a great Dungeons and Dragons campaign, but I feel like I never have the time to actually play it."
"Oh! Me, Rocky and Adrian have a campaign we play one weekend a month as it's when we're all free! I was actually going to see if you were interested in joining us? I will warn you, Rocky is a very strict player but Adrian makes the best dungeon master." Grace tells him excitedly. "Plus! You could always voice call us and do it that way but there's no pressure!"
"I'd actually love that. You might have to teach me how to play and make my character." Simon smiles widely and they finally get to the counter.
"Of course I'll help you." Grace answers happily.
They both almost end up ordering everything they had talked about previously because the two of them can't decide on one thing, plus it will give them more time to talk. Even though Grace has to try and hold everything back from letting out the biggest secret he has ever had to keep when he is the world's worst secret keeper.
Grace just tries to think mentally that if he lets this secret out, there's a possibility that Simon would be outraged and tell him to never contact him ever again. Grace knows Simon would never leave him stranded and probably would at least drive him back to the rental in a heated silence. Grace would then probably tell Colt and Jody he's gonna eat an earlier flight home and then cry on the plane ride home. That's how it's going to be isn't it? Grace feels himself on autopilot as his mind starts swirling like a twister about to make contact with the ground.
"You sure you're ok? You went quiet again." Simon asks him before he starts the car to drive them to a coffee shop. How and when did they get into the car? Maybe he really did put himself on autopilot.
"Hm? Oh yeah, just a little stressed as I have to remember to pack everything before my flight tonight." Grace sighs and rubs his face before he sees that Simon is wearing his 'I had potential' shirt. Wow it really does suit him.
"Wait, you're leaving tonight?" Simon asks in a sad tone that Grace picks up on and it hurts him that Simon is upset.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. They need me in for the next day and I didn't want to cancel this morning so I could get an earlier flight." Grace tells him. "I just want to not think about it right now. Let's go grab coffee and then find a place to maybe have a mini picnic? Maybe back at Colt and Jody's or yours? I don't mind might be nice."
"I need to grab something from mine but we can go back to yours. I can help you pack and make sure you don't forget anything." Simon jokes.
"Let's do that then! Although you do still have my shirt." Grace jokes as he looks down at Simon's chest where the lettering is perfectly stretched against his pecs. "Although, I think you'd look better in my stardust shirt." What is Grace even saying right now?! Grace can't take his eyes off of him. How it looks tight on Simon's biceps and chest and Grace really wishes he could lay against his chest and be held in those arms until the end of their days. He looks up to see Simon blushing red, but also smirking.
"It just means that I will have my husband duties and steal some of yours from your bag when you're not looking." Simon chuckles softly as he starts to drive them.
"Wait, that feels unfair. Why can't I steal anything of yours?" Grace pouts at that. He really does want to try and steal one of Simon's hoodies he wears when it's a cold day. Whenever they FaceTime and Simon is wearing one of his hoodies, he always looks so comfortable and cozy.
"Good point. You need to uphold your husband duties too. I'll let you steal one hoodie." Simon chuckles and Grace feels the static all over his body every time Simon says 'husband', but his mind shuts that down again, thinking he's only calling him 'husband' as they joke around. Simon hasn't introduced him to anyone as "my husband" and Grace knows he shouldn't but he feels heartbroken.
"Is it stealing if you're letting me borrow them? Just close your eyes and let me take it." Grace blurts out without thinking. When Grace realises what he just said he turns bright red and mumbles into his hands "oh my god- Simon I'm so-"
It's silent and Grace doesn't want to think about what Simon is thinking in that moment but Grace really wants the ground to swallow only him whole so he can pass away from embarrassment.
"Grace." He can hear Simon get out in a bit of a strangled tone and Grace assumes it's because he's angry at what Grace just said.
Grace shakes his head and whines, face feeling red hot like a chili pepper. Steam is probably coming off his head from how embarrassed he is like he's a god damn cartoon character. He can feel his fight or flight mode setting off alarms in his head but he's the third option. Freeze.
"Sunflower." Simon whispers and he sounds close to Grace.
"Yes-" Grace says mortified, face still in his hands, not looking at Simon no matter what.
"I know you didn't mean it." Simon tells him gently and Grace really want to argue that he did mean it. That he really wants to be brave and yell from the rooftops that he loves Simon. That Grace would and could be sent to space because he'd do it for Simon. He'd be terrified but if it was the only way, he would do it.
"Still. It was inappropriate for me to word it like that and I- cheese and crackers- I want you to know that you don't have to spend time with me." Grace tells him to give Simon an out.
"I want to keep spending time with you." Simon tells him as if he's trying to get Grace to see that he means it.
Once they got to Simon's after grabbing coffee, the car ride back was awkward. Grace follows Simon into the house and it looks similar to the one Colt and Jody has in terms of layout but it only has one bedroom. The roses and sunflowers they brought each other last night are in a vase that is on the coffee table. Simon leads Grace to his bedroom and Grace feels antsy. Simon ends up pointing to the drawers in the room and jokes "don't take everything. I still need some clothes for the next few months." That makes Grace chuckle softly.
"I'll make sure you do. Don't worry." Grace then doesn't know why his mouth talks before his brain can stop himself from saying "although you can't stop me from stealing all your shirts. Means I will get to see you shirtless more."
Suddenly the room feels heavy and Grace keeps his back to Simon. He really keeps putting his foot in his mouth right now. How do people do this?! He needs to keep his brain and hands busy. Look through the stuff Simon has in his drawers- oh my sugar and spice that's a leather harness. Grace feels his heart drop at that. Simon's probably worn it during hook ups he hasn't told Grace about. Grace guesses that it's natural for Simon to need that kind of company as Grace doesn't really like doing that but it still hurts Simon didn't tell him this fact. He knows realistically that they are not together like that. They told each other that this was for a year and if things change, they would communicate that they want to divorce.
Grace honestly feels like he wants to burn something to the ground in anger but a small part of his mind imagines Simon wearing the harness for him. Grace feels his skin burning at that thought and shoves it into this box he has made for all these feelings he has started to feel that are close to spilling out. He moves the harness to the side and starts looking at the shirts and finds a dark green shirt and he can't help but bring it to his nose to smell it. It smells like Simon's cologne that he has smelled the last times him and Simon hugged or he's been close enough to smell it. Grace wants to be wrapped in that for forever. He finds a dark red hoodie that looks big enough for Grace to wear and adds that as well to the small pile he has.
They leave after Simon takes care of the thing he needed to do, which Grace doesn't know what that was but he isn't going to push. Both of their stomachs are growling from hunger by the time they get to Colt's and they're both quiet again. They set up a blanket in the backyard and they have a little picnic under the clouds. That has become a theme over the past few days with him and Simon, always looking at the sky like there is something more they just can't see. Grace thinks it's because maybe that's true about their relationship. They have had this really weird air around them over the days they've spent in person together and Grace can't quite place his finger on it. He smiles as he turns to see Simon happily digging into the chocolate muffin he had brought himself and Grace thinks he looks a rabid animal who's starving.
Grace chuckles at that and digs into his own strawberry shortcake whilst watching Simon eating happily. Grace takes one bite and his eyes light up. Oh sweet strawberries this tastes like heaven. Grace can't help the noise that comes out of his mouth. He can see Simon from the corner of his eye looking over at him and Grace feels embarrassed again, that static feeling all over his body starting from his chest. "I think this is the most incredible thing I've ever tasted. Dare I say it's better than the bakery I go to back in San Francisco?" Grace jokes. "Although they'll hunt me down though. The older lady, Dorrine, is so sweet and bakes everything with her daughter and grandson."
"Oh? I'll try and protect you but I've heard those old ladies are vicious." Simon jokes and Grace smiles at that.
"My knight coming to save the wizard. I appreciate it." Grace says softly after continuing to eat. "If I don't answer your texts and calls, that means they got me." Grace chuckles as he soon lays down on the blanket they found after he had finished his strawberry shortcake. He hears Simon chuckling softly and he turns to him. "What?"
"You've got some frosting on your face. I think you're as messy as I am." Simon jokes as Grace turns pink and moves his hands to try and wipe it off.
"Did I get it?" Grace asks Simon as he leans up on one of his elbows facing Simon. Simon chuckles some more and shakes his head.
"No you kind of grazed it but you mostly missed it completely. Here let me-" Simon leans over and uses the pad of his thumb to wipe off the frosting that's on Grace's cheek near the corner of his lips and Grace can't help himself as he turns a shade of red that has probably never been seen before. "There. You should be careful next time." Simon whispers and mumbles at the same time and Grace feels his whole body spark like he was struck by lightning.
"Yeah- yeah. I will." Grace whispers softly. "Normally I'm not so messy."
"Oh? You're not?" Simon smirks softly and Grace feels his heart beating like crazy as he nods.
"Yeah but it seems that I enjoy being messy. I should try it sometime." Grace manages to say. They stay quiet after a while and Grace feels like an idiot. They eventually get packing and Grace pretends to not notice that Simon snagged his stardust shirt out of his bag.
"I appreciate the help with packing." Grace tells him softly. "I wish there was a way I could bring the bouquet you gave me back with me." Grace says a bit sadly because it would be like he was bringing a bit of Simon back with him. He technically is with the hoodie and shirt he took that's in his bag like it's precious cargo.
"Anytime. I just wish I could be there at the airport to see you off. And I also wish you could take the bouquet with you too." Simon mumbles softly as they both stand there awkwardly in front of one another. Simon has to leave for set soon and Grace is waiting for his Uber. Colt and Jody couldn't drop him off which Colt was upset at but Grace insisted he'd be fine.
"I know but I can text you once I'm at the airport and when I'm about to board and eventually when I arrive home." Grace offers Simon as peace of mind. "I normally hate plane rides. Turbulence is not my friend."
Simon chuckles softly at that. "I get that. It's the worse."
This is the most awkward conversation the two of them have had ever. Grace whispers "I'm going to miss you, Stardust." Grace watches Simon blush and his eyes look like he's about to cry.
"I'm going to miss you too, Sunflower." Simon whispers and Grace can't help but wrap his arms around Simon and hold him close. Simon instantly clings back to him and Grace now feels himself crying too and they stay like that for a while. "I don't want you to leave." Simon mumbles against him.
"I don't want to leave either, Si but I have to." Grace sighs and kind of whimpers against him. Simon is so warm and Grace wishes he could melt into this moment and the two of them stay like this for a while. Grace can feel Simon's fingers gently tracing shapes into his back and it makes Grace smiles softly and relax. "Simon, I-"
"Yeah?"
His phone buzzes and it's his Uber driver letting him know he is here. Grace sighs. He doesn't even know what he was going to say to Simon before his phone went off but when they both pull away, Grace feels upset. Why couldn't it of waited five more minutes?!
"I guess that's your cue to leave?" Simon asks and Grace nods. "I'll help you with your bags."
They lock up, Grace giving Simon the spare key so he can give it back to Jody and Colt and the pack the trunk of the car and close it before they hug again.
"Wait, I forgot to give you something." Simon says before rushing back into the rental place to grab a sandwich bag of the pastries they brought. "For the plane journey back. I know plane food isn't the best." Simon rubs the back of his neck nervously whilst holding out the bag for Grace to take.
"Thank you. I'm definitely going to enjoy these." Grace says with a smile. "I'm really going to miss you. Even if we talk on the phone everyday." Grace smile turns sad.
"Me too." Simon whispers back with a similar expression painted on his face. They hug again for the third time and Grace doesn't see Simon's expression changing into a little frown like he has realised how much Grace genuinely likes him.
"Goodbye, Stardust." Grace whispers softly.
"Goodbye, Sunflower." Simon whispers as Grace walks to get in and Simon says loudly. "You get out of here!"
Grace turns around slightly to look at him and laughs. "I'm going! If I didn't know better I think you were trying to get rid of me." Grace jokes as he opens the door and slides in and closes the door.
Grace doesn't hear Simon whisper to himself. "I don't want to ever get rid of you." They both wave to each other as the car pulls away and Simon doesn't keep his eyes off the car until it disappears.
As promised, Grace makes sure to message Simon updates until he gets back to his empty apartment and he drops his bags on the floor, shutting the door behind him before sliding down it and crying his eyes out. It hurts. All of this hurts and he doesn't know what to do.
His apartment is dark and it feels cold and he can't bring himself to go in further as it will make it all so much more real. Grace has never felt this feeling before that's spreading in his chest, this ache of loneliness in his chest. It feels like rose vines wrapping around his heart and squeezing it. It's only been how long? A few hours since he has heard or seen or felt Simon and he already misses him. It feels like Simon was the light in his loneliness and it's been blocked. He really is in love with Simon but earlier that morning it was awkward and Grace wonders if Simon had noticed. The phrase that was on the tip of his tongue just threatening to escape and probably ruin his relationship with Simon.
"I love you, Simon and it hurts so badly." Grace mumbles into his hand whilst looking at the ring on his finger, breath stuttering softly. The one Simon had given him like it was a promise. A promise to love and cherish Grace until the end of his day's but they can't have that. Simon doesn't see him that way and probably won't ever. Grace will be left yearning for the longest time for someone who probably only thinks about him once a day or so. He isn't thinking rationally right now. He should pick himself up and go unpack before falling face first into his pillow and try not to break down again. His legs feel shaky as he tries to get up and shakily picks up his bags to go unpack and get changed, maybe into the hoodie he stole of Simon's.
Grace is part way through unpacking when his phone rings. He panics internally as he thinks it is Simon but he kind of relaxes when he sees it is just Colt. Grace wipes his tears and takes a deep breath before he answers putting it on speaker.
"Hey Ry!" Colt enthusiastically says down the phone. "I just finished the most amazing stunt and I think it's going to look badass on camera." Grace usually get calls from Colt like this. It's not because he wants to brag about the stunt, he just gets excited and wants to tell Grace about the cool thing he just did. Grace does the same to Colt when he was working in the lab back in the day. They both just want to share their joy with their brother, is that a crime?
"That sounds so cool, Colt." Grace doesn't mean to sound monotone but he feels his throat is sore from crying and his eyes hurt and he is just hurting emotionally. His feelings feel close to spilling out all over the floor like a beaker filled too much full of water, one wrong move and it spills all over the place. Or maybe he really is one of those volcanoes the kids do for their science fair project. Grace has to admit they are pretty cool. They used to be his and Colt's favourite other than making bottle rockets.
"You sound upset what happened?" Colt instantly clocked it and of course he did. Him and Colt have always had this way of being tuned to the other's emotions. Call it a twin thing or just a brother thing. Grace can hear Colt mumbling something away from the speaker to someone before he hears a door open and close. "Ok I'm in my trailer so its gonna be just us. Tell me."
"It's truly nothing, Colt I swear." Grace finishes up putting his clothes away and has started shuffling around to get changed out of the clothes he was wearing into something comfier for bed. Pajama trousers with beakers and other science-y things all over them that Adrian made for his birthday one year and he puts on the hoodie that he stole from Simon, burying his nose into it and taking a deep breath.
"Don't lie to me. We may of not talked for years but I can definitely still tell when something is bothering you. Would you want me to get Simon-" Colt starts and Grace feels the panic in his chest rising again.
"No! Colt please I- I'll tell you just please. When I tell you this, you're not allowed to tell anyone else, not even Jody." Grace almost yells. He knows the two of the tell each other everything but he can't risk one or both of them letting it slip to Simon that Grace has feelings for him. It will make things awkward for them on set but also between him and Simon and Grace would really appreciate not making it awkward. He wants to keep Simon in his life no matter how or what that relationship would look like. He falls onto his bed and keeps staring at the ring on his finger like its mocking him before he brings an arm to rest across his face, a groan escaping his lips.
"Ok ok! I promise I won't get your husband and I won't tell my beautiful wife anything." Colt jokes but Grace knows he is serious. "But just tell me. Please? You're starting to make me worry that I'm close to getting on a flight to your apartment."
"How uh, how did you know you were in love with Jody?" Grace gets out. "Because I uh-" he keeps stuttering and he makes a frustrated noise.
"Oh uh, I know it's sappy but I knew from the moment I saw her." Colt shrugs. "She turned and looked at me with that smile she does and I felt this warmth spreading through my chest. It got worse when she aimed that smile at me." Colt smiles and Grace can almost see it in the way he's talking. "It just felt right. Like something I didn't know I was missing from my life just appeared like it was the solution to everything." Colt sighs softly. "Why do you want to know?"
"I uh." Grace swallows before he whispers like they're trading secrets in the darkness when they couldn't sleep as kids. "I realised I'm in love with Simon."
There was silence over the phone for a while and Grace wants to turtle himself into the hoodie he's wearing that really smells like the man he has feelings for. "I'm in love with Simon and he doesn't love me back." Grace whispers as if he's scared that if he says it out loud, Simon will appear in front of him. Grace chuckles at himself in disbelief. "I know it's pathetic but Colt, this is the first time I've felt the feelings you've always described when talking about Jody. Hell! He told me that he couldn't fall asleep without hearing my voice and it made me realise it when Jody told me that she can't sleep without hearing you snore-"
"I don't snore!" Colt cuts him off.
"You do but that's not the point, Colt!" Grace whines. "These past few days, being actually with him in person has been…I can't even describe it." Grace thinks for a moment before saying "it's like if we were the only two people on a planet together, I wouldn't mind it."
"What do you mean when you say you think Simon doesn't feel the same way?" Colt asks.
"He doesn't, Colt." Grace tells him like it's a done thing. "He- he just doesn't."
"And have you actually asked him this instead of jumping to conclusions like you always do?" Colt asks. "Or did you do 'research' by studying how he acts around you and did your scientist mind thing where you think you're right?"
"What?" Grace frowns against his arm, eyebrows furrowing.
"You do this thing where you overanalyse things when the solution is really fucking simple, Ryland. You talk to him. Like a grown adult." Colt tells him. "Better yet, you tell me things you and him have done or things he has done for you and I will tell you whether it is platonic or not. Starting with him telling you that he can't fall asleep without listening to your talk. That is not platonic."
"It could be." Grace mumbles. "Although I've gotten into that habit too."
"See! Proved my point!" Colt almost yells exasperatedly. "Just- do what I say!"
"God you're so bossy. You're supposed to be helping me!" Grace argues before he sighs. "He kissed my cheek in front of Tom Ryder when he was flirting with me and asked me if it was ok." Grace continues.
"Ok so I'm gonna fake punch Ryder in my mind." Colt mumbles. "But that isn't the point." He groans. "I don't know about that one, pass."
"You can't pass!" Grace whines.
"Yes I can!" Colt yells. "Give me another moment."
Grace thinks back. "He opened up to me about his accident that night we went out for dinner."
"Wait, he told you about that?" Colt seems shocked at that.
"Why are you shocked about that?" Grace feels like he's about to panic at that as he sits up, phone still on the bed beside him as fiddles with the drawstrings nervously.
"Because he debated a lot about this and came to me asking for advice but he didn't mention you by name. Just said he wanted to tell someone who he was close with about what happened but he didn't want the person to react badly." Colt tells him and Grace believes him.
"I got emotional and we both cried and held each other for a while." Grace tells him. He looks back on that moment and it makes so much more sense as to why Simon looked nervous as a mouse being seen by a cat.
"Yeah? I realised it was you when you told me that you were having dinner with him." Colt admitted to him. "Although seeing you two laughing and sharing a joke between the two of you made me happy."
"Yeah?" Grace asks softly. "We were joking about you by the way." Grace teases and smiles at the memory of him and Simon joking around. It made Grace feel like they were just two kids who had just thought of the funniest thing in the world and whenever they look at each other they can't help but snort and giggle like two hyenas.
"Yeah! I'm happy when you're happy Ry. Even if it's at my expense." Colt grumbles. Grace can't help but laugh at that.
"Well I'm not going to tell you what we were joking about anyway. It's an us thing. Mine and Simon's." Grace chuckles.
"See! Another thing! You two have a thing!" Colt points out. "Like how me and Jody have spicy margaritas, you and Simon have making fun of me."
"Actually we have chocolate brownie sundaes." Grace blushes pink. "Like the one we shared in Vegas when we all had dinner?"
"You two have so many things. Listen. Simon is usually a closed off person. Doesn't really show his emotions the best but when he does, it means he's comfortable with you. He's like a traumatised dog you adopt from a shelter. You don't pour a shit ton amount of love into the dog in fear of it snapping but you tell them that you're a safe person for them. Then they slowly warm up to you." Colt tries to explain. "I've known Simon for a few years now, Ry and I've never seen him this happy and smiley. Hence why I said I think you've broken down those walls he's built slowly, brick by brick."
Grace keeps playing with his hoodie drawstrings again as he listens.
"I know you've done the same. Built those walls up after the whole conference incident. You even once said and I quote 'I tend to build up walls in my relationships' and that's why I think you didn't mesh well with your past partners." Colt continues. "The two of you have made each other better people and I think that's amazing." Colt smiles and Grace tears up again.
"But what if he does accept my feelings and it then gets awkward between us and we have to break up because it doesn't work?" Grace points out. "Colt I don't think I could handle loosing someone that has become important in my life." Grace can't help but whimper. "I know I have you, Jody, Rocky and Adrian but-"
"But this feels different. Ryland listen to me." Colt answers understandingly and Grace stops to listen to his brother's rare wisdom. "You told me that you and Simon text each other and call each other almost every single day. You two know how to communicate so why would you think it would be different?"
"Because when I realised the whole I'm crushing on the guy I am legally married to and had to spend the whole morning with him and then have a really emotional moment. Not to mention, holding his hand whilst we were in line and I tried my damn hardest to not say or do anything to hint or let him know about my feelings. He probably thinks I hate him because he noticed I was too quiet."
"Yeah that sounds about right. You only go quiet when something is wrong or you ramble about whatever is wrong with you." Colt can't help but chuckle softly at Grace's plight. "But I know you can do it."
"How did you confess your feelings to Jody?" Grace asks him as if looking for advice and ideas because he genuinely is considering telling Simon but on the other hand he is shaking and more nervous than a pregnant nun. Which is not an image Grace needs to think about right now.
"Oh I talked to her like an adult." Colt jokes. "No but I will admit I wasn't calm and cool like I usually am."
"You? Not cool and calm? I'm shocked" Grace gasps like he is faked surprised. "But then again, when were you ever cool?" Grace jokes.
"Oh you're such a fucking asshole." Colt laughs and Grace laughs too. "But seriously, I felt like I was somehow going to mess this up but I just came up with the cheesiest thing I could think of and she laughed at my stupidity but she smiled at me and all I could say in that moment was 'I love you'. And it worked. She ended up kissing me and it just felt perfect."
"God you're so sappy." Grace fake gags but he is smiling to himself.
"Pot calling the kettle black Mr oh my god, Simon! Your biceps are so strong! Do you work out? Oh I so would want to watch you work out with your Bucky Barnes hair." Colt tease and makes his voice sound like Grace's and it makes him turn bright red like a traffic light and hot all over.
"I did not say that!" Grace groans. "And I do not speak like that!"
"Oh you absolutely did say that! You looked like you were so close to jumping his bones when he flexed in front of you." Colt laughs as he hears a choked noise coming from Grace. "I was right!"
"You know we only did those things to mess with you, right?" Grace tells him. "Even if I would…." he mumbles to himself but cuts himself of. He's not having this conversation with his brother right now.
"Nope it's the truth." Colt smiles. "But in all seriousness, Ryland, just talk to the dude. He may look like he bites but he doesn't. You should know this by now. Hell! Pretend I'm him."
"I'm not doing this with you." Grace groans. "I'm hanging up now."
"Oh? Is it because your husband is going to be calling you soon?" Colt smirks and teases Grace again.
"Shut up, Colt." Grace groans. "Or I'll tell Jody the story of how you bruised your junk because you wanted to put a water slide from the roof to the ground and you slide down it only for you to hit a pole."
"If you do that, I'm telling Simon about the time you had a crush on this other nerd and told them that they were wrong in their answers and argued with them causing them to cry and that's how you got your first detention." Colt threatens back. "Who knew he was dating such a bad boy?" Colt jokes.
"I'm hanging up now. Goodnight Colt." Grace sighs.
"Goodnight Ryland and tell him! We only have this one life and it's not long enough for you to be pining away. You will regret it if you never get to tell him how you feel truly. I know from experience. I fucked it up with Jody in the beginning. I don't want you to go through what I went through." Colt replies earnestly. Grace takes his words to heart.
"I will try my best." Grace softly says before they hang up.
It had been weeks since the conversation he had with Colt and whenever Grace feels like he gets courage to tell Simon his true feelings towards him but every time he is about to, especially on FaceTime because Grace wants to look Simon in the eyes to say 'I love you', Simon gives him this look that makes Grace feel like he's close to having a heart attack.
Grace has noticed Simon has been acting a lot weirder than usual too but he just chalks that up to him being stressed about filming.
Grace has tried to write down what he has been feeling so he can better communicate to Simon how he has been feeling but he can never seem to get the words right. He can't help but look at the small pile of crumpled up pieces of paper in the bin by his desk in his classroom. His students are out for lunch so he's alone in his classroom with his notebook in front of him whilst he eat his probably cold noodles when he sees Daniel, one of his students, standing in the doorway looking nervous.
"Mr. Grace?" Daniel nervously asks. "I need some advice."
"Of course, what can I do for you? Come in Daniel." Grace puts his cup of noodles down as Daniel comes over looking down at his feet and twisting his shoe against the floor.
"I have a crush on someone but I don't know how to ask them out." Daniel mumbles before looking up at him. "I was wondering if you had any advice on that?"
Well now this is the universe just mocking him some more now, isn't it? Fudge, what does he even say to a kid when he is struggling himself with what to say to the one he loves. "Oh uh, that is a good question." Grace says before he thinks for moment.
"I wrote them a poem but I want it to be special." Daniel tells him and Grace smiles softly.
"Well, some advice my brother told me a few weeks ago was to be honest. Sometimes it's better to be honest with your feelings than to not share them. You just have to find someone to be brave for." Grace says looking at him. "I honestly am not really great at giving romance advice I'm afraid, Daniel. I would also ask your parents for advice if I'm being completely honest. May I see what you have written for a poem? You don't have to share it with me but I've heard from Mrs. Wilson that you're a really good poet." Grace smiles at Daniel who has gone wide eyed.
"You heard about that?" Daniel asks shocked as Grace nods.
"I do." Grace tells him as he takes a sip of his warm coffee. Daniel nervously holds out the love poem that's folded in half and Grace gently takes it to read. As Grace reads it, he thinks of Simon and how this poem would be something he would love. It's a short and sweet poem with some little doodles of stars and planets around it.
"This is beautiful, Daniel and whoever you wrote this for is going to love it." Grace hands it back carefully. "The doodles are a nice touch."
"Thank you Mr Grace. So do you think it really will work?" Daniel asks.
"I think it will. Maybe you could get them a flower too?" Grace suggests. "Flowers are what you usually give someone you love…." he trails off on that thought. He brought flowers for Simon and Simon's done it twice. He looks up to see Daniel writing something in a notebook and smiling.
"Thank you Mr. Grace. I will let you enjoy your lunch." Daniel says as he turns to leave and suddenly Grace is alone in the room again. Grace does end up getting inspiration on what to say to Simon.
That ends up going out the window, jumping on a rocket into space.
Grace had done his routine. Get home, message Simon saying he is home, decompress for an hour before he makes sure Simon is free before they FaceTime, have dinner and then get into bed and fall asleep to the sound of each other's voice.
They had both just gotten their food and are eating together over FaceTime and talking about their days and Simon is currently telling him about something he went down a rabbit hole about.
"There was an act in the 1900s named 'sober Sue' who's act was that she never smiled and the theatre basically offered people $1000 to anyone who could make her laugh." Simon explains and Grace smiles.
"So she was like a queen with all these jesters and clowns in the medieval times?" Grace jokes.
"Yes! It brought a bunch of acts to the theatre and crowds would come to watch them try to at least get some sort of reaction from her, giving them all basically a free show." Simon continues. "But it eventually came out that Sue suffered from facial paralysis."
"Oh my god!" Grace laughs and Simon laughs too and smiles at him.
"When I first met Colt he tried everything in his power to try and make me break but I wouldn't let up." Simon chuckles. "I wanted to see how long it would take him."
"How long did it get him to make you break? And what did make you break?" Grace asks curiously with a smile. He thinks it's going to end up being some elaborate joke or him doing his impression of Tom Ryder, that always makes Grace laugh.
"He had just did this really badass stunt and was doing that swag walk he does afterwards." Simon answers.
"Oh god not the swag walk. He probably had the biggest smug grin." Grace groans.
"Oh he did. That was instantly wiped off his face after he tripped over the dolly track and fell flat on his face. Everything went quiet but I was the only one to laugh and everyone just stared at me in amazement like they didn't know I could do that. Like I'm some sort of fucking android." Simon grumbles the last part but he smiles and Grace snorts a loud laugh.
"Oh my god I really wished someone got that on video!" Grace laughs.
"Oh there is. Colt yelled that is what broke you?! Seriously?!" Simon laughs. "I think Jody must still have it."
"Oh I must get her to send it to me." Grace wants the video for selfish reasons. Sure he wants to see his own brother fall flat on his face but he always wants to hear Simon's laugh and forever have it on video. If everything goes wrong, he will still have that moment to remind him of the good times. "I also bet Colt was pissed."
"Oh he was. He said 'I wasted all my best material that would usually get laughs out of anyone on you?!' Before he crossed his arms and pouted but I couldn't stop laughing." Simon laughs. "I ended up hurting my ribs from laughing so much."
"I bet." Grace chuckles. They continue to talk and soon enough it's time for them to get to bed. Grace has to get to bed early as even though he's an adult and can stay up, it's a 'school night' and he would rather not be a cranky teacher for his students. Grace puts on the hoodie he still has from Simon. It doesn't smell like him anymore which has made Grace sad but he still is going to wear it. It's comfortable, sue him!
Grace can feel his eyes wanting to close, sleep creeping up on him as he listens to Simon explain the type of shots they need to get done for tomorrow. Grace sighs happily listening to Simon passionately talk to him and his tired brain just decides to open the locked box, spilling every thought he has ever had about Simon romantically fall on the floor that Grace is going to have to put a mental wet floor sign down so he doesn't slip and fall on his butt.
"-and then I'll obviously set Colt on fire again, which how many times can one character be on fire during one movie-" Simon rants softly but he sounds so passionate about it. He's keeping quiet because he knows Grace is probably halfway asleep right now.
"God I love you so much." Grace mumbles thinking it's quiet enough Simon won't hear it. "I love you, Stardust." He mumbles again and he falls asleep before he can hear Simon's answer.
Grace wakes up to his alarm like he usually does and messages Simon a good morning text like he usually does before he goes about his routine and it isn't until he is about to sit down with his coffee and breakfast that it all hits him at once.
He told Simon he loved him.
He confessed his feelings to Simon when he was half asleep. Oh sweet flying pigs! He scrambles to grabs his phone and starts to call Simon, breakfast abandoned on the table as he paces back and forth mumbling "please Simon pick up. Please."
"Hey, this is Simon. If you're hearing this that means I'm currently busy. Shoot me a text." Voicemail. Grace decides to try again.
"Please please Simon pick up!" Grace is biting his thumbnail nervously, a habit he thought he kicked years ago now coming back in full force.
"Hey, this is Simon. If-" voicemail again. He's screwed! He's going to spend the rest of the day worrying about whether Simon is ignoring him on purpose or not. He keeps staring at his phone hoping that if he stares long enough at it, Simon will call him back. He really doesn't want to have to go to the school and tell them that he needs a sick day because he feels sick to his stomach.
Grace keeps pacing and trying to call a third time before he gets voicemail again and he decides to try Colt and Jody but he doesn't get an answer from them. They must be on set with Simon. Oh god Simon must've told them what Grace said to him. He's probably going to laugh at Colt about how pathetic Grace is. Colt would probably defend him, obviously, but he can imagine Colt saying "oh my god dude no way! I'm so sorry my brother is a pathetic piece of shit."
Grace can just hear Simon saying "dude don't worry about it. I'm going to file for divorce though! It was fun being your brother in law whilst it lasted! I hope to never see him again."
Pull yourself together, Grace! You're a smart man! You've got to get a grip, finish getting ready and put it on the back burner because you're got kids to teach! Grace ends up shooting a few messages to Rocky and Adrian telling them that he's going to die of embarrassment and that it was fun being their friends whilst it lasted and he really hopes that they will continue to lay flowers on his grave and come visit him.
He does get a few messages from them worried but once he tells them what happened, Rocky ends up sending a message along the lines of.
Rocky:
Oh so Grace is just being over dramatic. Got it. This is like the last time remember? In college?
Yes Grace can remember what happened in college. Grace got drunk, sent a stupid drunk text and when in the morning, he stressed until he threw up and he retracted his text, he was told it was all good and he was worrying for nothing. That is why Grace doesn't make good decisions when he's drunk. Drunk Grace is trouble but could he really of been that bad of him getting drunk led him to this moment? Of him being married to the most gorgeous, kind caring man he's ever met only for it to go to fertiliser? Yes.
Grace would never regret meeting Simon. He wouldn't change that for the world actually.
Grace takes a few deep breaths before he finishes getting ready for the school day, sending one last text to Simon.
Grace:
I know you're probably mad at me and I get it but please talk to me. I know I have classes to teach today but please.
Grace wants to send another text saying 'please I can't loose you.' But decides against it. Maybe Colt was wrong.
He really tries to put on a fake smile for his kids but Grace just feels himself stressing out, his phone burning a hole into his desk drawer where he keeps it for the majority of the day. Grace knows he should do what he always does, leave his personal life by his front door at home so he can focus on his students and their love of science. Grace has just noticed that he hasn't taken off his ring before work and he feels as if the ring is burning on his finger but he can't take it off. He doesn't want to just yet because if he does, it will make his predicament of Simon not answering him after he spilled his biggest secret real.
The experiments actually managed to turn out well, regardless of the storm brewing in his mind and gut. During the day, he keeps checking his phone for any updates but nothing. Radio silence. Like Simon had just dropped off the face of the earth and he can't help but come up with reasons why Simon isn't answering.
One of them could be that he is busy on set, which is the most logical of reasoning but he would've gotten at least a text from Simon saying that with the added 'we need to talk later'. That would still make Grace's nervous system feel like a prey sensing a predator is about to pounce, but now knowing where from.
The other option could be that Simon got badly hurt but if that did happen, Colt and Jody would've told him and got him the first flight he could to rush there to be by Simon's side. Even if there was a possibility that Simon would see him standing there, shaking and crying, and get angry and yell at him that he doesn't have any right to be there.
Grace feels himself wanting to tear up at that but he shakes his head to stop it. It's lunch, so he's sat alone in his empty classroom trying not to stare at the phone he now has placed on his desk. Should he risk it and catch a flight to Simon? Maybe he would want to talk to him in person? But he knows he wouldn't be able to handle Simon telling him to go away. Grace would end up having to cry into his brother's arms which he loves Colt but he isn't the best at not knowing what to do whenever Grace gets like this.
Which Grace used to be, who is he kidding? He still is a very emotional person. As a kid he was the biggest crybaby behind closed doors but when he was out in public? He would lie and say he was fine.
By the time the school day had finished, there was a massive storm brewing. Luckily he got home just in time for it to start raining. The rain outside was roaring like a freight train. Grace can't help but huff at the irony of that as it feels like he's standing on some train tracks, waiting for the train to come speeding down the track.
He should maybe go and try to relax. It's only been a day. Simon will definitely text or call him tonight, right? Grace is holding out hope, screw him! He has gotten changed into the hoodie again which he should really wash and he made himself some coffee to try and get some marking done but his mind feels like it's elsewhere. Grace groans and he falls back onto the couch but as soon as he does that, there is a knock on his door and it sounds desperate.
Strange. He didn't order anything but he will open the door anyway. Maybe his neighbours ordered something and they weren't home so the delivery driver was going to give it to Grace to give to them.
He opens the front door and is shocked to see a soaked Simon breathing heavily. "Simon?! What are you- you're soaked!" He really can't help it stare at how the shirt is sticking to his chest like he's Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice walking out of the lake. What Grace wouldn't give to watch Simon do that.
The rain is pouring down and Grace is worried Simon is going to catch a cold. "Simon- come inside and take a warm shower. You're going to catch a-"
"did you mean it?" Simon gets out, not moving inside and it makes Grace pause.
"What?" Grace whispers.
"Did you mean it? When you said that you loved me?" Simon repeats himself. "Because I need to know the truth before I say what I want to say- no! Fuck it! I'm going to say it so stand there and listen ok?" he looks up to watch Grace's movements.
"Ok." Grace gets out whilst nodding in disbelief.
"Ok. Ryland Grace, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were going to be someone very special in my life and I wanted to get to know you. But then we got shit faced that faithful night and you told me about stardust and you said the most romantic thing I had ever heard in my life and I couldn't let anyone else get told that so I asked you to marry me. You married a complete stranger who asked and I thought you were the most insane man I had ever met." Simon rambles and Grace is standing there in silence. Simon continues.
"I got to know you better over these past months of calling you every day and night, hell! I told you that I now can't sleep without hearing your voice! When you came to set that day, I wanted to kiss you but then I remembered that we're friends. Friends that are married to each other. We went on a fucking date and you brought me flowers and it was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me-"
"You brought me flowers too-" Grace brings up and Simon chuckles softly, water dripping down his face.
"I did because fuck! You deserve them Ryland. You don't give yourself enough credit for anything. You have changed my life for the better. You- fucking damn it! I opened up to you about my accident and you got so emotional that I thought I did a horrible thing of telling you but you just pulled me close and I just felt everything melt away. Sunflower, you're an amazing, beautiful, empathetic person and I can't imagine my life without you so when you said that you loved me last night I couldn't tell it to you over the phone so I had to arrange with Jody to rush here."
"So that's why you didn't answer the phone? When I woke up in a panic thinking I ruined everything?" Grace asks, it all suddenly now making sense. "I tried to get them both to get in contact me but they didn't answer-"
"Sunflower, I promise you, I didn't mean for them to just straight up ignore you. I just really wanted to tell you in person that I love you. I love you too and I want to spend the rest of my god forsaken life by your side, holding your hand and going on little dates and sharing a brownie sundae with you because-" Simon is cut off as Grace cups his face and kisses him.
This is better than the first ever time they kissed. It's passionate and Grace is pouring every ounce of love he has in his chest into the kiss and he threads his fingers into the back of Simon's wet hair, pulling him closer to him and he can feel Simon's hand on his waist, gripping the hoodie that Grace is wearing. Simon is soaked to the bone and his lips feel cold but they don't care in this moment. They're having their first kiss.
Grace would hate the cliches in media where they would say that there would be fireworks and sparks when they kiss their love interest but he is feeling that with Simon. He wants to stay in this moment forever. They eventually pull away, both panting, resting their foreheads together with their breaths mixing together. Grace can feel Simon shivering so he better make this quick.
"Marry me again?" Grace whispers against Simon's lips. "Please?" Grace looks into Simon's eyes and sees that they soften.
"Sunflower, I will say yes in every life I have if I get to spend every one of them with you as my partner." Simon mumbles softly before moving forward to recapture Grace's lips.
Grace sighs happily and they kiss again, being held so close to each other that they might end up fusing together. They pull away when Grace feels Simon shiver against him. "Come on. Inside. Let's get you dried off- wait. Did you bring any clothes with you?"
"No. I kind of didn't think to pack and just brought the first flight I could here before rushing to the airport with only my phone and passport." Simon admits shyly as if he's been caught.
"Good thing I have a few of your clothes that you can wear. Come on." Grace takes Simon's hand and gently guides him inside before closing the door.
The two of them decided to remarry on their one year anniversary.
This time with their friends and family around them but still pretty small as they both didn't want this huge event as they don't have that many people in their life to invite in the first place. But they both agreed it's going to be a event they want to celebrate with them. Colt jokes that it's great they all get to see their second wedding to Grace as he gets ready in his suit.
"Yeah well, the first time shouldn't really count as we were both drunk out of our minds. That's why we're keeping it a sober event." Grace huffs softly as he adjusts his bow tie.
"Of course you're wearing a bow tie." Colt mumbles softly.
"What's wrong with bow ties?" Grace looks at his bow tie in the mirror and he knows its gaudy with the subtle science print that Adrian made specifically for him and for Simon who is in the next room getting ready. Grace wishes he could see Simon but Simon insisted that it is bad luck for them to see each other. Grace does believe in superstitions so who is he to stray from tradition? Even if that tradition went out the window a year ago. Everything is all upside down but honestly? Grace wouldn't have it any other way. He got to meet Simon so he's now happy to call him his husband for real this time.
"You look nervous." Colt tells him. "Hope it's not cold feet."
"What? No! I'm just eager to see him. We kept everything from our suits a secret. We wanted to do this right." Grace explains as he looks to his empty hand with no ring on. "It feels so weird not having it on." He mumbles.
"Oh trust me. I felt that to when Jody proposed." Colt says nonchalantly.
"Wait you never told me Jody was the one to propose! You just said you were getting married." Grace exclaims.
"I swear I did." Colt shrugs. "Anyway! Let's get you married, again." Colt pulls out a packet of tissues and hands it to him. "I know what you're like so I brought you these." Grace places them in his pocket and smiles softly.
"Thank you." Grace tells him as they hug. They see Rocky waiting for them as they leave the room. Rocky smiles widely at them.
Rocky signs to them "what took you guys so long? Everyone is waiting." Grace laughs and Rocky huffs and crosses his arms and taps his foot slightly.
"Relax, Rocky. We still have some time left before it's time." Grace says as he signs back. He has been slowly teaching Simon sign but it's pretty difficult for him to learn one handed.
Grace spots Simon before Simon spots him. Simon is waiting at the end of the aisle talking to the person who's going to remarry them. They're standing under a willow tree with warm fairy lights glowing and it's magical. Simon is wearing a light blue suit and a white button up shirt underneath his jacket suit with the tie that Adrian made that has constellations all over it. His hair is in a bun with wisps of his hair framing his face making him looks stunning. There's some subtle flower pins in his hair and the closer Grace gets to Simon, he can see that they're small white daisies and one single sunflower and it makes Grace want to cry. Simon's suit's light colours, it makes him looks absolutely beautiful.
Grace knows he has a little pin on his lapel of some stars he found that made him think of his pet name for Simon he just knew it would be perfect. Grace's suit is a dark blue, which isn't what he would usually wear, but he thinks it's perfect. When Simon finally spots him when the music cue starts, Simon smiles at him tearfully and Grace can feel the tears starting to well up too.
When they are finally standing in front of each other, they both hug each other and Simon whispers "you look so beautiful, Sunflower."
"You look gorgeous too, Stardust." Grace whispers and places a kiss on the cheek before they pull away but they thread their fingers together with a smile. They look out at the people who are their friends and family watching them with love and Grace feels warmth spreading through his chest that he gets to share this moment with the ones he loves.
Grace will admit he is too busy staring at Simon that he isn't really listening to what the officiant is saying but he tunes in when they tell everyone that it's time for vows. Simon goes first and Grace watches him get out a folded piece of paper out and he can see Simon's hand shaking slightly as he takes a breath.
"You've got this, Stardust." Grace whispers as he feels tears starting to well in his eyes and Simon hasn't even said one word yet.
"I was once told that humans are made of stardust by a person who I knew was going to end up being a big part of my life. Which is to say that there is a chance that the lovers, those who are our soulmates are just smaller pieces of the same star. When I first laid eyes on you, I was in awe and I thought I had messed it up, but you looked at me with a smile that brightened up the room and I couldn't believe that smile was aimed at me. When the big met the bang and science happened before our eyes that did not exist yet, was your star next to mine? Do you ever wish upon the star that we are made from? I just know if I did, it was to ask the universe to bring me you." Simon looks at him the whole time and Grace can't help the tears falling down his cheeks as Simon continues. "Sunflower, I hope that you will want me until our dying days because I promise you that I will be forever yours and I promise to communicate and bring you flowers anytime your old ones die because I know how sad you get whenever they start to wilt." Grace chuckles tearfully at that and he nods.
"I love you, Ryland Grace, so much that I will never have enough words in the world to tell you how much you mean to me." Simon moves his hand that's holding his piece of paper to wipe his tears away with the back of his hand as he huffs softly. "You're my soulmate."
Grace pulls Simon into a hug and pecks his lips. "That was beautiful, Stardust. Thank you."
The officiant smiles and says "that was beautiful Simon. Ryland, it's your turn."
Grace pulls away from Simon and nods as he wipes his own tears away before he takes out his own piece of paper. "I know everyone here knows my history with speeches but I wanted to write something that comes from my heart." Grace hears some chuckles before he takes a deep breath and looks at Simon. "Simon. When I first met you, I felt nervous. I already was debating on whether I should've come but I'm so glad I did because then I wouldn't of met you. You are the stars to my moon, the sun to my sunflowers, the knight to my wizard." Simon snorts a laugh at the last part but smiles.
"I have always been a very lonely person. I tended to build walls up and not make friends with anyone or have these type of connections with. You're the first person that easily tore down those walls in one evening. In Greek mythology they believe that humans originally were together, they had four arms, four legs and a single head made of two faces, forever connected to their soulmates. That we were complete. So complete that the gods cleaved us in two in fear that we wouldn't need them, leaving us to wander the earth in misery, longing for the other half of our soul. You are that other half of me, Simon. I felt it when we shared laughs, whispered conversations and we were just there for each other. Love isn't patient and kind and humble. Love is messy and horrible and selfish but it's also bold. It's trying and reaching and failing. Love is being willing to ruin your good painting for the chance at a great one." Grace feels his hands shake as he continues. "I love you, Simon. I want to create a life with you where we take risks. I'll easily take those risks if I have you by my side. And I mean it when I say this with my whole heart that I can't wait to get married to you again."
Grace can't help but grab the tissues from the packet that Colt gave him before and uses one before offering the pack to Simon to take one. Simon happily takes one and they both chuckle at how emotional the two of them are.
The officiant smiles and they soon exchange rings and both of their hands are shaking because they're both overwhelmed with emotions like they're both rockets about to be sent into the sky. They're both smiling through tears and once they've exchanged rings, Grace can't help but gently cup Simon's face and Simon can feel the cold ring against his cheek. Grace can't help feel Simon bring up his hand to gently hold his arm and Grace can feel the soft stroking of Simon's thumb against his suit jacket. Grace can't help but lean forward so they're resting their foreheads against each other as the officiant looks around at their friends and family.
"Is there anyone who wishes to object to this union and why these two men shouldn't marry, speak now or forever hold your peace." The officiant keeps looking around and Grace and Simon look at them too. Grace can see Simon glaring at something coming towards them at full speed.
Grace frowns at that. "Who is that?" Grace squeezes Simon's hand nervously.
The man who looks like Tom Ryder in a suit is halfway down the aisle and is panting hard and Colt just curses under his breath "oh for fuck's sake-"
"I object!"