[Cloud caught the gesture and his heart sunk as he reached out and took Simon's hand. So he was back to being blind again; it made sense, but he'd still hoped...]
[Simon's eyes flared wide for a moment, stunned, before he noticed - and remembered - that it did nothing for him anyway. He gawked at Cloud, trying to wrap his mind around sleeping for three weeks. How could he not be scared?]
Wh... what?! But I-- how?! Was I sick? D... did I die...? Papa...!
[Mmm. This indeed is difficult to explain. Cloud rubs Simon's back as he searches for the proper words to use.]
...During this experiment...some people got younger or older. I was set back at four years old for a little while, but you and Denzel both got...much older. That's why you don't remember what happened.
[Simon frowns, fidgeting in place, brows furrowing. He'd been older? But just for a little while? That didn't make much sense. But Cloud had told him it was true, so it must be...]
I don't know how they did it, Simon. [Cloud sighs and shakes his head, tugging Simon back against his side and returning to rubbing Simon's back soothingly.]
But there isn't anything that we can do about it now, and you're back and all right. That's the important thing, that you're safe.
[He chuckles; it was such a kid question to ask. Enjoying the closeness, Cloud leaned down to place a brief kiss to the crown of Simon's head. He'd missed this.]
You sure? [Cloud playfully poked Simon in the ribs.] I'm kind of dumb and high maintenance, remember? You sure you don't want to trade with someone else?
I do. [And here Cloud scoops Simon up into his arms and hugs him as tightly as he dares -careful to be gentle, of course- and buries his nose in his hair, closing his eyes.]
Oh, thanks a lot. [This is said with much affection; Cloud really can't be brought off his high at the moment, he's too relieved that Simon's all right. Although he feels a stab of pain and guilt because of it.
[Cloud hums in defeat, conceding that point to Simon and holding him for a little while before pulling him back to look at him, brushing his hair from his face.]
You do wanna come back with me, right? To my world?
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Well...you did. It's been a while.
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Huh? How long, Papa? A whole day?
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[Cloud hesitated; he didn't want to scare Simon, but if he found out some other way, he knew Simon would be hurt that he wasn't truthful. So...]
...Simon, don't be scared, but it's been about...about three weeks.
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Wh... what?! But I-- how?! Was I sick? D... did I die...? Papa...!
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[Cloud reached out and tugged Simon to his side, stroking his hair.]
It's...hard to explain. But it was the experiment that just happened.
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[Simon slumped against Cloud's side, lost and confused, lifting a hand to cling a bit to his shirt.]
I don't get it...
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...During this experiment...some people got younger or older. I was set back at four years old for a little while, but you and Denzel both got...much older. That's why you don't remember what happened.
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[Simon frowns, fidgeting in place, brows furrowing. He'd been older? But just for a little while? That didn't make much sense. But Cloud had told him it was true, so it must be...]
How much older, Papa...?
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...you were twenty-eight.
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Whaaaaaat?!
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Simon, calm down. It's in the past, and you're all right now.
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But- but- but- Papa, twenty-eight! That's almost more than I can count! I can't stretch that much! How'd they do it?!
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But there isn't anything that we can do about it now, and you're back and all right. That's the important thing, that you're safe.
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[Simon reluctantly settles down, leaning his head on Cloud's chest.]
... What was I like when I was that big? Were you still my papa?
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Of course I was. I'll always be your papa.
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Good. I don't want anybody else for a papa!
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Nuh-uh, no way! Never ever! Because Papa loves his Simon, right?
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I love my Simon. No matter what age he is.
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Mm, and Simon loves Papa! So even if you're kinda dumb and high m... um... that thing, I still want you for my papa...
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Older Simon was suffering somewhere.]
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I only said it 'cause you said it first.
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You do wanna come back with me, right? To my world?
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Why wouldn't I? I don't wanna go back to Jiha, and nobody wants me there either.
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