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[Simon wakes up in bed - recovered, but blind again. Cue little child curling up to hide under the blankets and cry.

...Yeah that's pretty much it. He'll be there for a while.]

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You did help, Simon. A good number of the shelters are started; I can figure something out. [Cloud rests his hand atop Simon's hair, smoothing it down.]

[Simon reaches for Cloud, blindly trying to follow his touch to cuddle up.]

N-not the same...

Maybe not, but you didn't have any control over this, Simon. ...You can't blame yourself for something you can't change.

I know... but... that doesn't make it easy, either...

I was... really happy, Papa...

I know, kiddo. But I'm serious; if you just think about how it was, you can't make the best of what you have presently. Trust me on this.

..... U... um... so what am I supposed to do now...?

[That was a good question.]

...you know, Simon...in my world, the children are supposed to let the adults fix the problems, and trust the people who take care of them to do just that. You don't have to do anything but look after yourself as best you can, meaning not actively getting into trouble.

[Let the adults fix the problems? That didn't seem fair. Even when he'd had parents in Jiha there were things he'd been able to do. Was blindness too much of a handicap now?]

But... I was always taught that everybody had to do their part. I just don't know mine...

Simon, your part is to be safe and sound. [Cloud pauses before plowing onward, determined to at least get it out.]

You realize that when you run off to do things on your own, you worry me, right? If we weren't here, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but people are having a hard enough time protecting the ones right in front of them. When I don't know where you are or what you're doing, I get scared.

[Cloud has a point. Simon knows it, too - he's experienced firsthand what happens when Cloud gets scared and has to look for him. It scares him, too. He slumps a little, head bowed, and nods reluctantly.]

I'll... stay here, then... I won't run off anymore... I-I'm sorry.

Simon... [Cloud sighs, dragging a hand through his hair.] It's not like I want you confined to the house...I just want you to know that you don't have to try so hard. A child's purpose isn't to work, it's to have as happy a childhood as possible so they can grow up to be a good adult, and maybe someday take care of their own kids. Do you follow me?

I... guess so... it's still weird to imagine. [He scrubs a hand across his eyes to wipe away the tears.] I don't understand this place like I understood Jiha... why do they have to be so different...?

Trust me Simon, you aren't alone in being confused. You're just a lot more honest about it than most people.

[Cloud ruffles Simon's hair.]

[Simon blushes and ducks his head a little, but smiles anyway.]

Not alone... I like the sound of that.

Simon, you're not alone here.

[Cloud asks the next question with a bit of hesitation.]

...Did...you think you were?

[Simon realizes his mistake, reaching out to grab ahold of Cloud's sleeve.]

No! No, no, no! Papa, that's not what I meant...!

All right. [Cloud reassures him with another stroke of his hair.] It's all right, I understand what you meant. Don't worry.

[Simon can't help but keep panicked, clinging a little. It was so much easier before, when he could see Cloud's expression, but now he had no way of knowing if Cloud meant it...]

Papa... Papa, you promise? You're not sad? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that...

Simon. [Cloud takes Simon's face into his hands, kissing his forehead.]

Trust me.

[Simon starts a little at the unexpected contact, then relaxes, immediately soothed.]

O... okay... thanks, Papa...

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