Fear, pt. 2

Summary: Simmons waking up.

The first thing that Simmons became aware of was the pain throughout his body. Everything ached but more worryingly he found he couldn't move. No matter how hard he tried he could get his body to listen to him.

Bordering on panic he felt his breathing accelerate, then he noticed voices around him. He couldn't understand what they were saying but he did recognised them. Calming his breathing he focused on trying to decipher what the people were trying to say.

'You never know they may say where I am and why I hurt so much.' Simmons thought as he focused on the voices.

"You ever gonna tell him how you feel about him?" 'Is that Tucker?' Simmons pondered, confused at the topic of conversation.

"Dude you have the worst fucking timing for questions ever." Simmons heard someone answer. It took him a few seconds to place the voice.

'Wait! Is that Grif?! Why are he and Tucker talking about feelings?' Simmons was extremely uncomfortable overhearing this conversation.

"Yeah its a gift. But don't change the subject. When are you gonna tell him you love him?" He heard Tucker ask Grif.

Simmons was stumped. 'Wait...WHAT?! Does Grif love someone? Who the hell could the arsehole have fallen for? Why didn't he tell me?' He wondered. He hated the doubts that plagued the back of his mind. Why had Grif trusted Tucker and not him with that information? After all Grif was his best friend not Tucker's.

Before Simmons could get too lost in his thoughts he heard movement. He realised Grif and Tucker had moved to the other side of the room and were now speaking much more quietly. So quietly in fact that he could no longer make out what they were saying.

Simmons tried to focus on not letting his emotions overwhelm him. He felt so stupid. Why had it never occurred to him that one of them could genuine fall for someone?

He had fooled himself into thinking that things would never change. Why would they? They hadn't changed since the two had met in basic so why would that change now?

Maybe it was co-dependent of him and if it was he hated it. He spent most of his time agitated or exasperated by Grif and yet he knew that deep down he didn't want to lose Grif. He was one of the few people that Simmons didn't hate being around.

He felt tears run down his temples and he hated himself for it. He didn't even understand why he was reacting that way. Or maybe he did, he just didn't want to think about or even admit to it even to himself.

Instead he focused on trying to wake up.

He began to realise feeling was to his limbs. He also felt someone grip his hand and heard a chuckle.

"Dude don't worry about it. You won't hear a thing from me." Simmons heard Grif say, obviously replying to something Tucker had said. Simmons couldn't help but be curious about the discussion that had occurred between them that he hadn't been able to hear.

The maroon soldier felt his body ache as he tried to regain consciousness. It took several minutes and multiple attempts before he was finally able to open his eyes.

As he opened his eyes he groaned as he was blinded by the bright light in the room.

His body ached and he began to feel nauseous.

"Hey kiss-arse. About time you got up." Grif stated as he stood up and leaned over him.

Simmons blinked up at his orange teammate the earlier conversation he had overheard now at the back of his mind. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Whatever fat-arse."

Grif let go of his hand but stayed stood up, "You know it would be good if you could avoid getting killed, nerd."

The two chuckled and Simmons answered, "Yeah I'll keep that in mind." He fell into a coughing fit. His chest feeling heavier than usual.

Groaning he lifted his hand and held it over his chest as his coughing fit came to an end. He decided to ignore the look of concern that Grif gave him when he noticed his arm.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY ARM?" The maroon soldier yelled, his eyes never leaving his arm as he turned it over to examine it. He never noticed the deep breath and sigh that Grif took in an attempt to calm himself as he remembered the stakes that were in play during Simmons' surgery.

"Apparently the bullet into your stomach did quite a bit of damage. Your robot parts were causing problems but Grey was able to repair that but not before deciding to upgrade everything as well." Grif told Simmons, watching him examine his new arm. Grif again felt a pang of guilt because Simmons once again had to get used to new robotic parts while he was walking around complete human, although with Simmons' organs. A bit like a Frankenstein monster granted but still human.

Simmons turned his gaze to Grif and noticed the guilty look on his face. "Everything upgraded, you said." Simmons questioned, deciding not to point out the look on Grif's face. It disturbed him and he wasn't entirely sure why.

For a moment they simply looked into each other's eyes. A moment passed between them before it was interrupted.

"Hey! I just wanted to check how Simmons was doing with his new upgrades." Grey exclaimed as she entered the room.

The two turned to look at the doctor as Grif took a step away from Simmons.

Emily Grey smiled to herself underneath her helmet. The two men in front of her were so obvious it was almost painful to watch. She couldn't help but smile.

"Well lets see how Simmons new parts work shall we?" She asked, her normal energetic self before she stepped towards Simmons to show him the upgrades she had installed. She couldn't help but feel a little excited.