ꜱᴀʙʀɪɴᴇ

Simon as a parent? He never even considered it...

Simon knows that him being near a child would be a disaster for both of them. He doesn't know how to treat those mini humans at all.

And considering his line of work, he thought that having a family and kids was just a faraway possibility that would never happen.

But this is life, right? Not always what you want happens.

So he retired...

Why? Well...

Some of his task force members were... let's just say a bit psychopathic.

Instead of saving people or simply capturing them, they committed horrific crimes against them behind his back.

And when he discovered it, he was feral...

He confronted them a million times, but they never listened. Instead, they asked him to join them.

So yeah, these were the type of people he was working with. Not all of them, of course, just the majority.

So he decided to end it for good and start a new life.

And with that, he went back to his family, the one he had disappeared from without a trace.

His mother, brother, and sister-in-law were all shocked when he came back. They had never expected to see that day come.

But there was one person who was, well, let's say kind of confused.

Jane, his niece, the one who was born while he was already away.

And that was the first time they had ever met each other.

Simon, being himself, didn't treat her either gently or harshly, but they somehow got along.

Witty remarks from her, wittier replies from him.

Maybe, after all, kids weren't that annoying...

But the other party, the one he left behind after speaking up about the terrorism his task force members were secretly practicing...

Well, when he spoke the truth in court, they weren't happy...

And they couldn't let him go without getting the revenge they wanted.

So what happened?

His mother, brother, and sister-in-law.

All murdered.

They hunted him, and they started with them...

And the only one he managed to save was Jane.

The poor girl was traumatized after they broke in and came so close to killing her...

Well, seeing a man get killed and his forearm chopped off at that age isn't an easy thing.

So he decided to move away, somewhere they couldn't easily trace either of them.

So now he found himself taking full custody of a seven-year-old girl who had just lost her whole family.

And now they only had each other.

It was hard. Like, very hard for him...

He didn't know anything about kids—what they liked, what they ate, how to put them to sleep, or how to take care of them.

Simon felt like he was losing his mind trying to keep the girl in good shape. He bought practical things instead of comforting ones.

And he checked if she was sleeping at least three times every night, just in case.

He felt like he was failing her. The weight of his family's tragedy and the responsibility he carried were too heavy for him.

He tried everything, but his new job—also his secret online marketplace for weapons and equipment—was too time-consuming to allow him to properly take care of Jane.

So he had no other choice but to hire a babysitter.

And after spending a long time searching for someone with no suspicious background,

he found you.

You, on the other hand, picked up on Jane's situation quickly...

An orphan girl who had just lost her parents and was still traumatized by what she had witnessed.

It was hard for you at first to make her feel comfortable around you or trust you.

You weren't impatient, not at all. Your empathetic nature knew exactly what to do and how to behave in such a situation.

So you started doing little things to make her feel closer to you.

Doing her favorite hairstyle before school, buying her coloring books and crayons, watching cartoons with her and making silly comments...

Helping her with homework and praising her intelligence, taking her to the park to play, and even trying to teach her how to ride a bicycle.

Slowly, she started considering you someone trustworthy.

But what made her trust you completely and feel safe around you?

It was how you never left her side at night until she was deeply asleep, how you held her after traumatizing nightmares, how you never pushed her to talk, and how you never scolded her harshly when she made a mistake...

Jane started seeing you as an older sister, and slowly, she started finding herself again.

And all of this didn't go unnoticed by Simon.

He saw all of it.

How you truly knew how to handle Jane.

Your gentleness, your patience, your understanding, your calmness.

And he respected that more than he showed.

He was grateful that you made it easier for both him and Jane to get used to this new life.

And now?

You were a part of it. A fixed one.

But it wasn't just about the way you treated Jane.

Somewhere between the lines, he appreciated you as a person.

How polite, well-behaved, reserved, and caring you were. How you never pried into things that didn't concern you, nor demanded much from him.

But one thing he noticed a lot was how you always apologized for the smallest things ever.

Dropped a fork? You apologized.

Being late by five minutes? You apologized.

Entering the wrong room on your first day while looking for the bathroom? You apologized.

He got used to it, but it made him feel kind of... well, he didn't know that feeling yet.

Life was slowly moving on, until one day.

It was your duty to pick Jane up from school, like you always did.

But that day, there was no sign of her.

You waited and waited.

She didn't come out.

And when you asked the security guard, he said he hadn't seen her since you walked her into school that morning.

Your blood ran cold.

You panicked, hands shaking as you called Simon and told him about the situation.

And Simon, on the other hand, immediately jumped to the worst possible scenarios.

What if they found her?

What if they came back?

So the two of you spent the entire evening searching for her until nightfall, but there was no trace of her at all...

Simon called her teacher, and she told him the last time she had seen Jane was during break while she was playing with some of her classmates.

So there had been no stranger around her when she disappeared.

What if she was still somewhere at the school?

Simon drove you back there, and the security guard let you both in, helping you search around.

Everything was dark, and the school felt as empty as an abandoned building.

Still, there was no sign of her.

Until a loud banging came from behind the school's garden.

It was coming from the metallic door of the school's storage basement.

All three of you ran toward the noise.

As soon as you arrived, Simon dropped to one knee and quickly pulled the door open.

And there she was.

Her face was red from crying, her hair messy.

She immediately reached for Simon and threw herself into his arms, sobbing in fear.

Simon felt a relief he hadn't experienced in a very long time.

She was here.

Alive.

They hadn't taken her.

But the relief was quickly overshadowed by confusion and rage.

What happened? Who locked her in here? Why?

So he held her in his trembling arms, adrenaline still coursing through him, as she wailed and clung to him like she was drowning.

Poor girl.

And you? Well, you were a wreck.

The moment you saw her when he opened the door, you collapsed to your knees in relief—and self-loathing.

You hated yourself...You felt like this was all your fault.

Her cries pierced through your heart like a thousand swords.

The sympathy you felt for her, being trapped in that dark room all alone for hours while she was only just beginning to heal...

You felt it as if it had happened to you instead.

So back home, you didn't leave her side as she continued crying.

She told both of you it was one of the boys she had been playing with who had done it.

So now you stayed by her side, cuddling her against your chest as you comforted her and told her everything would be okay.

Almost like you were trying to convince yourself instead.

Trying to hold back the tears that had threatened to spill all evening.

Honestly, it felt like a miracle that you hadn't broken down already.

Simon was outside, leaning against a tree as he smoked away the aftereffects of nervousness and rage.

He had already decided that whoever that brat was, he wasn't getting away with it.

Not after what he had done to Jane.

Simon threw the cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath his boot before making his way back into the house.

His footsteps were silent, a habit he had learned from years in the military.

He opened Jane's door and peeked inside.

There she was...Safe and sound,hugging her teddy bear, her panic finally having exhausted her into sleep.

But...Where were you?

He looked down the hallway,there was no sign of you.

Did you go to your room?

Why hadn't he noticed you walking away?

He checked the kitchen, you weren't there.

Then he looked toward your room, and he door was open,room empty.

So where did you go?

Then he heard the faint crack of wood coming from the back porch.

His muscles tensed immediately, slowly, he walked toward the sound.

And there you were...Sitting on the porch floor, hugging your knees to your chest as you cried silently.

Looking more guilty than ever.

Simon's lips pressed into a thin line as he watched you quietly.

Months ago, he would have found this irritating.

Now? He simply didn't like seeing you like this.

Not you...It didn't suit you.

After standing there for a few moments, he walked closer.

"You don't have to cry."

You lifted your head to look at him,your eyes were puffy and red, wet with tears, you sniffled,hiccuping as you tried to speak.

"No... I deserve the worst in life. It was all my fault." A sob escaped you.

"If I had kept my eyes on her... if I had stayed with her... if—it's all my fault. I'm the most irresponsib—"

Your words were cut off by another heavy sob,you wiped at your tears with the back of your hand.

"I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry, Mr. Riley. I-I don't think I can ever forgive myself for this. And I... I won't blame you if you won't either... I'm so sorry."

You lowered your head and cried, your body shook from the force of your emotions.

Simon simply listened, and there you were again.

Apologizing for something you had no control over,so he lowered himself to your eye level.

"Hey. Look at me." his voice was firm, yet gentle.

You didn't,you felt too ashamed to even exist near him and Jane.

"Y/N. Look at me." This time, his tone carried something almost parental.

And that made you look "This wasn't your fault. Not at all."

You immediately shook your head.

Simon's gaze briefly dropped to your trembling pout before returning to your eyes.

"You're apologizin' for something you didn't do. You didn't lock her in that basement."

His voice was firm, as if he was trying to force the truth directly into your head.

You simply stared at him with guilty, tear-filled eyes.

Your lips trembled.

"You searched for her. You called me. You did exactly what you were supposed to do."

He let those words settle before continuing.

He knew that if he threw comfort at you too quickly, it would sound more like a lecture than reassurance.

"Stop blamin' yourself."

"I can't..." you whispered, your voice breaking.

Simon sighed,then tried another approach.

"Jane trusts you." That made you pause,and Simon noticed it immediately.

Perfect.

"That girl trusts almost nobody. Think about that, Y/N..."

You hiccuped softly , "But... I failed her today..."

Simon shook his head. "You're good with her. Better than I am some days."

You pressed your lips together, trying to stop another pout from forming.

"I've seen bad people. I've seen failures. You're not one of 'em."

He said it with such certainty,like he truly believed it, deep down.

And somehow, that helped, even if only a little.

"Tomorrow I'll go to her school and handle everything. I'll make sure that boy gets what he deserves. For now, Jane needs you by her side, hm?"

You stared at him for a moment "P-promise?"

He nodded.

A moment of silence settled between you,the trust lingering in the air felt almost unbearable.

And without realizing it, the two of you became lost in each other's eyes.

Neither of you understanding what was happening.

You couldn't look away,neither could he.

It felt as though he was offering you comfort and security through nothing more than his gaze.

And you found yourself drowning in it.

Then, without thinking, he raised a hand toward your face,his palm cupped your cheek.

His thumb gently wiped away your tears.

And unconsciously, you leaned into his touch.

And that finally snapped him out of it.

What the hell is happening? The thought hit him immediately.

Like he'd touched fire, he pulled his hand away and stood up.

You looked at him in confusion.

Then you, too, realized that whatever had just happened was far from an uncle reassuring his niece's babysitter.

Heat rushed to your face.

Simon cleared his throat as if nothing had happened.

"Get inside and get some rest. And don't worry about tomorrow."

With that, he turned and walked back into the house.

Leaving you sitting alone on the wooden porch floor.

And with an entirely new, confusing feeling.

"ᴡᴏʟꜰᴘɪɴᴇ"

Being the village leader's daughter in Wolfpine was kind of hard—not because of the duties, but because of the expectations.

Nestled deep within the snow-covered mountains, Wolfpine was a secluded village of sturdy wooden cabins with smoke rising from their chimneys, surrounded by towering pine forests, frozen rivers, and rugged cliffs.

Its people were resilient and deeply connected to one another, living by tradition, surviving through hunting and craftsmanship, and respecting the harsh yet beautiful wilderness they called home.

And your father was a great leader. He was smart, strong, caring, and generous. He didn't see the villagers as just villagers, but as family—his family.

So everyone respected him, and they loved him too.

That's why his death was such a tragedy for the village. The day he died became a black day for its people.

And so everyone questioned how they could ever have another leader like him when your father had no children but you.

And your younger self wasn't capable of taking such a position at only eighteen.

That's when John Price stepped in—your father's right-hand man.

The village's shield. The warrior and hunter everyone looked up to.

The one whom your father had chosen to continue his legacy while lying on his deathbed.

And that said a lot about the trust he had in John. He saw him as more of a son than simply his right-hand man.

And John, on the other hand, had learned everything he knew from your father before adding his own skills to them, making him more than capable of leading an entire army, let alone a village.

But leadership wasn't the only thing your father gave him.

He gave him you.

Because while on his deathbed, your father's final wish was for John to keep you safe, to protect you, and to teach you everything he hadn't had the chance to.

And for John to become your husband.

You, on the other hand, weren't a stranger to John. He had always been around for as long as you could remember.

And you had always admired him, just like the rest of the villagers. Seeing the relationship he shared with your father, you had already seen it coming.

So it wasn't a shock when you married him. If anything, it was a relief that your father had chosen him, because John had always made you feel safe simply by being there.

The marriage took place just a week after your father's funeral, and the whole village gave you both their blessings and best wishes.

Three years passed after the marriage—three years filled with gentle love, new experiences, and genuine care.

His leadership was flawless. The rhythm the village followed never changed. If anything, it almost felt as though your father had never left.

And you two? Well...

He taught you how to chop wood, how to read the weather, how to track every kind of animal, how to hunt, and all the things your father had never gotten the chance to teach you.

He always had faith in you. He saw things in you that no one else had ever seen before.

And because of that, you began to see yourself differently.

So did the villagers.

You felt more confident than ever, more capable, more... human.

And he always said that one day, you'd become a great leader.

And those three years were the best years of your life.

And that was all thanks to your husband.

Until the raiders were everywhere...

The raiders were a ruthless band of outlaws who roamed the northern mountains, surviving by plundering isolated settlements that could not defend themselves.

They raided villages for food, livestock, furs, weapons, and supplies, burning homes and taking captives to strengthen their own ranks or force them into labor.

Their attacks were swift and merciless, leaving behind little more than ashes, silence, and fear.

As nearby villages began to fall one after another, Wolfpine knew it would only be a matter of time before the raiders came for them as well...

And John... well, he wasn't going to let them even think about crossing into the area.

So he decided to face them.

To stop them before they could ever reach the village.

John picked Wolfpine's most skilled hunters and fighters, and together they prepared for the ugly confrontation ahead.

But you, on the other hand, were anxious about all of this.

You tried to talk him out of it, begging him not to walk into the unknown and instead wait until the raiders came to them.

But he didn't listen.

He was far too stubborn to even consider your idea.

Why?

Because he honored the oath he had made to your father—to keep both the village and you safe, far away from any threat or harm.

To him, waiting for the raiders to arrive would have meant betraying your father's trust.

And so, before he left, he kissed your forehead warmly and cupped your face between his rough palms.

"I'll be back before you miss me," he smiled at you—that smile he always gave whenever he wanted to comfort you...

Whenever he wanted to make sure you knew that everything would be okay.

You didn't say much,you simply gave him a small nod,and he knew that nod.

You weren't happy.

He sighed before slowly lowering his hands from your face.

"Keep the fire burning, Y/N."

And he walked out of the cabin. You watched him through the window as his figure—along with the other warriors—disappeared into the snowy storm.

Those were the last words you ever heard from him.

No one came back.

Not the warriors.

Not him.

No one knew why. No one knew what truly happened. For two weeks, there was nothing but silence from the other side.

And what was even stranger...

No attack ever came to Wolfpine.

Did that mean they had defeated the raiders?

Did John fulfill his oath?

Then where were they?

Where were the warriors?

Where was John?

The village was in complete chaos, with all questions and eyes turning to you.

That's when some of the villagers decided to go searching for them, hoping to find anything they had left behind—any trace, any evidence of what had truly happened.

So you stayed in Wolfpine, trying to keep everything together, while in truth, you were dying on the inside.

A small group of villagers set off to search.

Two days later, as you sat alone in the kitchen, staring down at John's mug—the one he always used—you held it carefully between your hands.

You were so lost in thought, so consumed by endless possibilities, that you didn't even hear the front door open.

It was Joseph, one of the villagers who had gone with the search party.

When he made his presence known, you didn't look up. You simply kept staring at the mug, gently tracing its rim with your thumb.

Then Joseph placed a dagger on the table.

You looked at it.

You recognized it immediately.

It was John's...

"We're so sorry..." he said, his voice heavy with sympathy and grief.

You knew exactly what he meant.

And you knew that now, everyone believed John was dead.

You remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking.

"He's not dead."

You said it with complete certainty, you didn't believe he was dead ,and you never did.

The months passed ,the seasons changed, yet Wolfpine remained its cold, snowy self.

You refused to wear black...Refused to attend a funeral that had no body.

Everyone was grieving...Everyone was mourning.

But you couldn't.

Because deep down...It didn't feel like he was dead.

It didn't feel anything like when your father died.

And that feeling—that tiny drop of hope—was what kept you going, what kept you pushing forward.

Another three years passed now, you had become the leader of Wolfpine.

The girl everyone had underestimated...

The one the village believed would never be capable of leading an entire village...had become a woman no one dared to cross.

You became the female version of John.

You led the way he did, you helped the way he did,you fought the way he did,you hunted the way he did.

Even when no one believed he was alive...even when he wasn't there...

He was always with you in the way you carried yourself.

And you always believed that one day...

Maybe, just maybe...

He would walk back through the cabin door with that same smile—the one that always made you feel like the world, at the end of the day, wasn't ending.

And indeed...

You kept the fire burning for those three whole years.

Then one day, a hunt was planned.

With winter tightening its grip on Wolfpine and the village's food stores beginning to dwindle, you sent a party of hunters into the eastern forest to track a herd of elk.

Before they left, you gave one clear order:

Return before sunset.

Do not cross Black Ridge, a mountain pass notorious for avalanches and wolf packs during heavy snowfall.

As dusk settled over the valley, the hunters returned hours later than expected, empty-handed and exhausted.

Not only had they ignored your orders by crossing Black Ridge in pursuit of a larger herd, but one of the younger hunters had been injured after slipping down an icy slope.

Furious that they had risked their lives—and the future of the village—for a gamble, you marched into the village square and reprimanded them before everyone.

You weren't angry because the hunt had failed.

You were angry because they had forgotten the first rule John had always taught you.

"The only thing that matters is your safety."

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?! WE WENT OVER THIS MORE THAN ELEVEN TIMES JUST SO Y'ALL WOULDN'T MESS UP! AND THEN YOU WENT AND DID THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT I ORDERED YOU!"

The hunters grimaced under your scolding, their faces filled with guilt and exhaustion.

Lucas, one of the lead hunters, finally spoke:"Y/N... that was the only solution we could find! It was dang—"

You cut him off: "And what did I say about when things don't feel right?"

You stepped closer to him, looking him dead in the eyes:"Turn the hell back AROUND!"

Silence settled over the square.

You pointed toward the cabin where Aaron—the hunter who had been injured—was being treated, your face burning with fury.

"That's what we were trying to avoid! That's exactly what we didn't want! We planned the safest, most secure way to do this hunt, and now he's injured because of you..."

"But—" Lucas tried again.

"What did I tell all of you about being stubborn? About saving yourselves by turning back instead of pushing forward? Do you honestly think any of your lives are worth risking just to keep our stomachs full?"

No one answered, they simply listened.

"Why can't any of y'all listen to me? The rule was simple, wasn't it?"

You panted heavily, rage consuming you.

"Even... even the one who made this rule didn't listen to it... I... why..."

You tried to compose yourself, the emotions,the confusion, the pressure, the longing.

Everything crashed into you like a ton of bricks.

You closed your eyes and pinched the bridge of your nose, trying to calm yourself and scold them the way he had taught you.

But sometimes...It was simply too much.

After a long moment, you opened your eyes again.

"I don't think any of y'all understand just how dangerous Black Ridge really is, but now I—"

You stopped.

Because you realized no one...Not the hunters,not the villagers,no one was looking at you anymore.

They were all staring at something behind you.

Their eyes were wide with shock.

Your irritation flared again.

"Eyes on me when I'm talking!"You shouted.

But no one moved.

Some jaws had dropped,some gasped,others simply stared in stunned silence.

You frowned, what could possibly be so important that no one was paying attention during something like this?

Still frowning, you slowly turned around.

A tall figure stood in the falling snow, broad shoulders draped beneath a black fur cloak.

A long beard covered his scarred face, and he was staring directly at you.

You narrowed your eyes, trying to make out his features through the snowfall.

Then...

He lowered his hood.

And you finally recognized him.

That face,that build,that stance,those eyes...

It was John.

You froze where you stood, convinced you had finally begun hallucinating.

But no...It was him,looking right at you.

His gaze overflowing with relief and longing.

Finally...After three years...He was home

"I..."A stunned whisper escaped your lips as tears instantly spilled down your cheeks.

You couldn't move.

John saw the expression on your face,this wasn't easy for him either,seeing you again after all this time...

It felt as though his own heart might burst.

He clenched his scarred hands before managing to give you a smile.

Yes...that one.

The smile that had haunted your dreams every single night,the one you would have traded your entire life just to see one last time.

"Y/N..." he said, slowly walking toward you, his voice much deeper than you remembered.

And that...that was your final thread of restraint.

You didn't even know how,you simply tore through the snow toward him.

John let out a shaky breath, feeling as though his knees were about to give way.

Yet halfway there...You stopped, still unsure if this was real or just another cruel trick of your imagination.

He noticed everything.

The disbelief in your eyes,the trembling of your hands,the endless tears,the way your chest rose and fell with frantic breaths.

So he slowly opened his arms, inviting you home,still wearing that same gentle smile.

"Come to me, angel... please." he whispered, tears filling his own eyes as the smile never left his face.

That was all it took.

You ran.

A broken wail tore from your throat as you crashed into him, clinging so tightly your fingernails nearly dug into him.

And he held you just as fiercely.

He buried his face against your neck, embracing you as though letting go would be the worst thing that had ever happened to him.

And it was.

You sobbed into his chest, your cries utterly heartbreaking.

Three years' worth of grief, hope, denial, and pain finally shattered all at once.

"Oh God... oh, my love..." he whispered, every ounce of longing and sorrow breaking through his voice.

You pulled back only enough to cup his face, just as you always had.

"J-J-John... J..."

The words refused to come,you couldn't even see him clearly through your tears.

He gently wiped them away, looking at you with nothing but love as tears streamed down his own face.

"My beautiful wife... I'm home. I'm so sorry..." he murmured softly.

You only cried harder as you wrapped your arms around him again, your entire body trembling.

The villagers watched in stunned silence,their whispers,their shouts,none of it reached either of you.

The two of you were the only things that mattered anymore.

"Shh... shhh... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, my angel..." he whispered, though comfort felt far too small for a reunion like this.

Then, slowly...

The overwhelming flood of emotion became too much,still clinging to him,you lost consciousness...

John caught you before you could fall and slowly knelt in the snow, staring at your face as though he still couldn't believe he had truly made it home.

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from your face, thinking how beautiful you still were even after all those years.

Then he leaned down and kissed your forehead...warmly,Just like the last time.

Carefully, he lifted you into his arms, bridal style.

Only then did he notice the villagers crowding around him, their faces filled with shock, awe, grief, and disbelief.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"...I came back, didn't I?"

{ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ} "ᴘᴀʀᴛ 3"

ᴘᴀʀᴛ 1 , ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2

You jolt up screaming, face sweaty and hands shaky…

Another nightmare, another time your mind hitting the replay button to that night.

You start panting heavily as your heart feels like it’s going to escape from your chest, nothing makes sense to you, you feel nothing but fear and panic, and you do not even realize you were not breathing well.

“Breathe,” a voice comes out of nowhere, it breaks into the cloud of the intense feeling you’re experiencing now, you don’t even recognize who it is.

“Please don’t- please-,” you choke out, your mind is playing sick tricks with you, making you feel like you’re back to that night again, like the stalker is right in front of you, like the blade is shining in his grip.

“Y/n, breathe with me,” the voice replies urgently and firmly.

“Don’t kill me please- please don’t-,” you say as you put your hands over your ears and shut your eyes with full force, hoping that will even make this stop.

The voice says something but you can’t make it out, it’s blocked by your hands.

“Please please, please I’m begging you,” you cry out, repeating the exact same words you did while trying to save your life.

Then your ears barrier –your hands– gets removed, you don’t understand what’s happening, so you open your eyes panting in fear.

And there he was.

Simon was looking at you, his own eyes wide, reflecting panic and helplessness.

He has been here since you woke up, or… let’s say, since he found you asleep on the couch.

He still never leaves home whenever he leaves the base, no more pubs at night, no more escaping.

And it’s one of those regular nights where he stays like a protective shadow around you, not crowding you, but always watching.

So when he came out of the shower, and saw you asleep on the couch, he felt relief at seeing you relaxed and at peace.

So he gently covered you up with your blanket and sat on the ground.

He watched you as you slept, counting each eyelash, each breath you took.

He didn’t leave, he didn’t fall asleep, he just guarded you, just like how he always should have done.

And when he heard you whining in your sleep, his heartbeat started raising, and he shook you to wake up.

But you didn’t know any of this… you didn’t know he was with you the whole time.

“Y/n look at me, listen to me,” he says, his voice deep, as he tries to stop it from shaking, this wasn’t about his emotions, to him, it was about you and only you.

You reply with a whine as you try to put your hands over your ears, because seeing him now, makes you feel more confused, and it raises more sorrow in you.

Because to you, you know Simon feels guilty, you know he regrets every single second he stayed away from you that night instead of staying and protecting you.

You know that he is trying to show you, that if he could reverse time, if he hadn’t been coward enough to hide from you and from what you made him feel, you wouldn’t have been this hurt.

So he stops you from covering your ears, holding back your wrists firmly.

“No, none of that, focus on me.”

You shake your head, “It hurts,” you whimper out.

He nods, “I know, I swear to God I know, but please just focus on me.”

You continue crying, it’s very hard for you to gain control over your body when your whole nerves are screaming for danger ahead.

“I don’t want to die.”

You cry out, and that sentence pierced right through Simon’s heart.

His heart that is breaking at the sight of you like this, who’s wanting to just make you feel safe again, feel secure in your own mind.

He knows that there’s a long way to go, and considering what happened between you, it seems impossible.

But he can’t lose you, not when he almost did, not when he found you again.

“You’re not dying, I swear I’ll never let anyone harm you, just breathe in.”

He inhales, “and out,” he exhales.

Your body shakes in rejection of any help, but you try, that small aware part of your mind knows what’s happening, so you inhale slowly, shaken, cut off by crying hiccups, but you try.

“Good, very good, just like that, now out,” Simon exhales, demonstrating gently, a flicker of hope raises in his chest as he sees you trying.

You follow, and exhale, still not perfect, but you’re trying, Simon continues.

“Good girl, don’t stop, you’re doing great.”

He praises you gently, trying to convince you that there is no danger surrounding you, that you were protected, right here, right where he exists.

“I- s-,” you try to speak, but Simon cuts you off.

“Shhh… no, just breathe.”

The storm inside your head finally starting to cool down, still hiccuping, you stare at Simon.

And since that night, since everything, you felt a strange feeling as you stared at him, it bloomed in your chest like a cool bucket of water after being thirsty for decades.

It was comfort.

You felt your heart pace slowing down, your hands less shaky now, and you just stare at Simon.

Simon stares back, holding eye contact as he nods slowly.

“Yes, there you are.”

He says gently, he knows you’re calming down, and hell if that didn’t feel like one of his greatest achievements throughout his life.

Then slowly, and so delicately, he lifts his hand and guides yours towards your chest, pressing your palm right above your heart.

“You feel that? That’s you, alive, breathing, your heart beating…”

You just stare at him, even after the storm, even when your mind is still fragile, you’re stunned by the man in front of you.

The one who treated you like less than an afterthought, is now trying his best to make sure you’re okay.

Then he speaks again.

“You’re safe with me, and you always will be.”

You take a shuddering breath at that, it’s very hard for you to trust what he’s saying, but his tone, that look in his eyes, reveal that this man, is willing to put his words into actions and more.

And with the last shred of panic leaving you, your body felt weak, like someone just pressed the ‘turn off’ button, and you shut down.

Your body goes limp in Simon’s arms, but he holds you tight, making sure you won’t fall from the couch.

He stares at your face, now eyes closed, hair sticking to your sweaty forehead, tear trails over your cheeks, which are red too and so is your nose.

He puts an arm beneath your knees, and he lifts you, walking slowly through the dim hall as he makes his way to your room.

He makes his way in and he puts you down into your bed, your head leaning to the side as your hair fans over the pillow.

And he thinks to himself, ‘how can someone look so beautiful even in the hardest moments of their life?’

He covers you up again, just like before, and he sits on the edge of the bed, watching you sleep again.

Simon knows what you just gone through by heart, he carries more baggage that no normal human can endure.

But it doesn’t matter to him anymore, you’re what matters.

Because even when physical scars fade into another story of your life, the mental ones don’t fade in the same way.

The mental scars don’t fade, they come back, and the worst part is, you never know when, or in what form they will…

“Sleep angel…,” he says quietly, knowing for a fact, he doesn’t think he can let you sleep alone ever again.

{ ɪ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ʏᴏᴜ }

"ʀᴇ4 ʀᴇᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʟᴇᴏɴ"

"Miss y/n ?"

A gentle voice woke you up from your lecture nap.

You squint your eyes confused as you slowly realise who you are and where you are.

And the first thing you see is Professor Kennedy, looking at you with rather worried eyes than scolding.

You sit up quickly and look around, the classroom is empty, everyone left meaning the lecture was over.

You feel a mix of shame and guilt for what just happened, instead of focusing on the lecture, you dozed off.

You look up at Leon, who was still staring at you, like he's studying you.

You feel the heat creep up you face, you clear your throat and finally find your voice

"Im sorry Mr.Kennedy...i didnt mean to doze off"

He shakes his head, "dont apologise, we're only humans"

He stays quiet for a moment then he asks, "are you okay? I mean, are you sick or tired?"

Your eyes widen at the question, "No! No im totally okay i just...i didnt sleep well last night i uhmm...i think it caugh up to me"

You give him a sheepish chuckle, feeling more embaressed as the seconds goes by

"You should take care of yourself", he says in the softest tone you ever heard him speak in.

Normally he's stoic, voice firm that makes every student pay attention immediatly.

So this version of him caught you off guard for a bit.

You feel your face turning more red.

"I- yeah, sure..."

Sure? Thats the reply you came up with? Wow, very smooth y/n.

He notices your state, flustered and embaressed, rosy cheeks and hair slightly deformed on the side from where your head was down.

Then he smiles, he actually smiles, then he ruffles your hair and speaks.

"Dont be hard on your self little bunny"

And with that he walks away, leaving you still embaressed, guilty, and slightly confused...

Did he just ruffle my hair? Proffessor Leon Scott Kennedy?

And did he just say "Little bunny?"

You frown a bit, this nickname is very familiar to you...you swear you've heard it somewhere.

You shrug and stand up, starting to pick up your things

You scoff as you see a drool spot on your notebook.

"Tsk...stupid".

You continue to pack your things, your head still roming over what just happened.

You sigh and put your backpack on one side of your shoulder and start making your way out of the empty class.

And then, suddenly you stopped walking... it hit you, it finally did.

"Little bunny"

'Wasnt that what that boy used to call me all the time?' You think to yourself

That boy, in your old neighborhood, the one who always looked after you when you were 5?

That boy who always had your back with the other mean kids didnt want to let you play with them?

That boy who held your backpack from your way home after preschool?

That boy who never let you cross the road by yourself?

That boy who you cried for a week over him after his family moved away?

That blonde 11 years old boy, who was taller than you, who played with you and made sure you were safe always.

The boy who always called you "little bunny" instead of your name.

Leon...

Its him...its Leon.

You gasp and your eyes widen, putting your hand over your mouth at the revolution

"What!!" You say outloud in the empty class.

After all this years, that boy now is your professor...all this period and you never realised it was him all along.

"Oh god...", you whisper and chuckle at the news, you didnt remember him...

But it took you two words to do now.

And leon?

He's driving , making his way back home as his mind replies the sight of you asleep on your desk.

The sight of your flushed face, your shy and embaressed expression.

He smiles to himself and shakes his head

"She's so cute...." he mutters to himself.

Because him? How could he ever forget you?

He recognised you the second you walked in class on the first day.

And you cant imagine how much of self control he had to not jump at you the second he did.

Because to him, you were his first love, and you werent the only one who cried when he moved away.

It did hurt him that you didnt remember him, he thought that you forgot about him.

And everyday he has a class with you...he always stayed the last one to leave...

Just hoping, maybe, one day you'll remember...

So what he did today? Calling you "little bunny", was an attempt to make you remember...

And now? He just still dont know that you never forgot about him either.

{ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ} "ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2"

ᴘᴀʀᴛ 1

It has been two months since that night, and things have changed... a lot.

You survived, but at what cost? Severe blood loss and nightmares that hunt you every night.

The attack left a scar on you, not just on your skin but on your mental health too, but you try to hide it, because that accident made you realize that no one has your back except yourself and yourself only.

You stopped caring about what Simon thinks of you, or how you act. You stopped trying to initiate small talk or any other kind gestures.

Why? Because you feel so stupid for trying to make this more than just a beneficial marriage on paper.

You feel so stupid for trying to make him open up, for trying to make this feel less suffocating than it already is.

And that night changed everything.

And Simon? Well, let's just say the roles have turned.

Simon hasn't been more attentive and caring than ever before.

He helps you around the house, makes sure you take your medicine, helps you take care of the wound, even when you refuse.

He even stopped leaving at night. He never does it again, and he doesn't think he'll ever be able to.

He speaks... not speeches, but he actually speaks. He asks you if you need anything, asks about how you're feeling...

Because he thought losing you was going to solve the heavy, confusing things he feels for you.

But when he actually faced it, he realized he has never wanted to keep something for himself this badly.

He knows it's unfair to you. He knows he has no right to push himself into your life when you had clearly given up, but he can't.

He just can't.

Because the image of you when he found you that night on the edge of dying made something in his heart crack.

Or maybe... it gave something in his heart life.

He doesn't try to annoy you, he keeps it respectful.

He just lurks like a shadow, trying to make you believe that he is trying, that he cares, even in the shittiest ways possible...

So tonight, in his room, unable to sleep, he lays on his bed, one arm behind his head as he stares at the ceiling, smoking a cigarette while his mind drowns in thoughts.

Then he hears some noise coming from the bathroom.

Without hesitation, he stands up and walks toward it, his protective instincts rising instantly, alert for any danger that could ever be near you.

His footsteps are silent as he reaches for the door, which was already slightly cracked open, light leaking out from it.

Then he sees you, standing by the sink, looking at yourself in the mirror as you trace the scar on your belly.

A jagged scar rests across the lower part of your stomach, faded slightly after two months but still pink around the edges, a permanent reminder of that night.

He watches you as you place the bandage over it, clenching his hand at the sight of you changing it without his help.

Then he speaks.

"Why are you changing it alone?" he asks, even though he already knows what the answer will be, and he hates it.

You look at him through the mirror, slightly startled by his presence, then you speak.

"You were asleep."

"I wasn't," he says quickly. "Even if I was, you could've woken me up."

"No thanks," you say quietly as you pull your shirt back down, washing your hands in the sink while avoiding looking at him.

Simon stays quiet, just watching you, his hands aching to reach out for you, but he's scared. So scared.

Then you walk away from the sink, passing him as you leave the bathroom, making your way toward your room.

And that's when something in him snaps.

"Y/n..." he calls out, and you have never heard his voice soften the way it does now.

You stop in your tracks and turn to look at him, your face a silent question.

He freezes for a moment, unsure of how this is going to end, but then he remembers how he found you that night... and if there is one thing he knows—

Life is too short.

Not just with you, but throughout his entire career in the military.

So he starts walking toward you, stepping closer and closer until he's only an inch away.

You tilt your head up to stare at him, and those eyes... those eyes you always saw carrying so much baggage are now filled with something else.

Regret... guilt... and something so, so close to yearning.

You take a shaky breath as you wait for him to speak, but you don't say anything.

Then, without warning, he lowers his head and buries it into your neck, hugging you so affectionately that you can't feel anything but his warmth.

You freeze at his actions. Him? Simon Ghost Riley? This man hugging you?

He squeezes you gently in his arms, careful not to hurt you, and buries his face deeper into your neck.

You can feel his warm breathing, his stubble tickling your skin in the most comforting way possible.

But you don't hug him back, and you try so hard not to soften for him.

Then he speaks again.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry for everything," he whispers, his voice barely audible. You swear if he wasn't this close, you wouldn't have caught what he was saying.

You stay quiet for a moment before speaking.

"Don't apologize."

He shakes his head. "No... it's my fault. It's all my fault."

"I'm not your responsibility."

That makes his breath hitch slightly. He pauses for a moment before loosening his hug just enough to look at your face.

He cups one of your cheeks with his palm, the contrast between your soft skin and his rough one making his heart skip a beat.

"You are... you are my wife."

"Just by title, Simon..."

He stares at you for a moment, knowing that's true. So painfully true.

"I know... but I won't let you down again."

You stare back at him. You know he's being truthful, but the ache left behind after something so horrific and traumatic makes you wary of everything.

You don't want to reject him, but you also don't want to deal with this... whatever this is between the two of you.

So you just give him a slow, polite nod, breaking free from the hug as you step back.

"Go back to sleep."

You say quietly as you walk back to your room, closing the door behind you.

And Simon? Well, he knows sleep will not come tonight. Not after this. Not after everything.

ᴘᴀʀᴛ 3

It had been months since the zombie outbreak took over the world, chaos spreading across every corner of it. The grounds where kids once played in mud and grass had now turned into vast graveyards.

But people had to survive, adapt, live, even in the harshest and most lifeless situations.

And the people all eyes were on now more than ever, the people everyone was counting on, were the military.

Counting on them to protect, provide, and watch over everyone.

So there was a military camp far in the forest, a strategic area where the dead didn’t approach much, but of course, it was still at risk.

It was loaded with basic human needs, tents, food, medics, just what was needed to make it through another day.

And Carlos was one of the soldiers assigned to work at this camp. He was good at his job, known among the survivors for his friendly behavior even while the end of the world was happening.

He was capable and skilled, known as someone anyone could count on.

But one night, the rain wasn’t merciful when the team went out on a scavenging run, and with terrible luck, the team encountered a group of zombies, more than they could face... they were outnumbered.

So in the midst of everything, Carlos didn’t know how or when it happened, but he found himself lost.

The team was nowhere to be seen, and he was now alone out in nowhere, surrounded by long trees, darkness, and nothing but the supplies he found and his rifle.

He didn’t even know the way back... so he kept walking.

It was the next day when he encountered a zombie again, and it was a big one.

A towering mass of rotting flesh and exposed muscle lumbered forward, its distorted limbs dragging across the ground while guttural growls echoed from its split, blood-soaked jaw.

But what was weird was that the zombie’s attention wasn’t on him, it was on something else... or rather, someone else.

So Carlos approached to get a better view, and indeed, he saw someone running away from the zombie, so his instincts won.

Without thinking, he rushed ahead and shot the monster in the head, then boom. Dead on the ground.

He lowered his rifle, then looked at the person, squinting his eyes in the dim light.

And below the moonlight, there was you, panting heavily, wearing a faded hoodie beneath a weathered leather jacket, dark cargo pants smeared with dirt, and worn combat boots, with a half-empty backpack hanging heavily from one shoulder.

And since that moment, you never left each other’s side.

You were all alone in this mess, hunting, scavenging, surviving, moving from one place to another trying to stay alive.

But then after you met Carlos, you got to know each other, survived together, co-surviving while the world around both of y’all died.

You both were unstoppable. It didn’t feel as heavy as it once did when you had each other’s backs.

And you both got close, way too close to just call this a partnership for survival, but neither of you admitted anything.

Because in a world like this, having feelings for anyone wasn’t a good idea.

Nothing was certain, anything could happen, and anything could vanish too...

It stayed like this for a very long period, one that neither of you knew the exact length of.

And then, miraculously, his team found you both in the middle of the forest while they were out on another scavenging run.

It was a shock for both sides, Carlos and the team. They all hugged him and said they thought he was dead.

So that was when you both made your way back to the camp.

For you, it wasn’t easy getting used to a place like this after being outside for such a long time.

There were blankets, clean food, clean water, clean clothes, medical help, guards, it was like paradise for you, getting everything this easily.

But for Carlos, that wasn’t what bothered him. What bothered him was that now he couldn’t keep you by his side all day long.

He was a soldier after all, and he had his duties, so coming back to the camp did separate you both in a way.

But not all the time.

He watched over you like a hawk every single second of the day, making sure you got everything you needed, making sure you ate, drank, showered, making sure no one bothered you.

You kept teasing him, saying he could stop being such a mother hen.

He laughed it off, but for him, it wasn’t about being a mother hen.

It was about him not being able to live without you anymore.

Carlos fell for you, hard, more than he ever had for anyone else.

And he got so used to having you with him that he couldn’t just do his job without being near you or keeping you in his eyesight.

So what happened one day was that you were waiting in line for lunch, waiting for your turn while holding an empty tray for food.

Carlos was close, leaning against a wall, watching you with crossed arms, basking in the way your hair moved when a breeze hit, the way the sunlight framed your face perfectly.

But then Matthew, a soldier known for being a flirt and a womanizer, approached you with a smug smirk, and he started a conversation.

Carlos’s jaw clenched as he watched the interaction unfold.

Matthew was flirting with you while you seemed uninterested, smiling politely now and then, keeping it respectful.

Carlos tried to keep himself under control, to not act like a rabid dog towards Matthew. He was jealous, of course, but he also felt so protective over you.

And when Matthew leaned a little too close for your comfort, and when you seemed uncomfortable, Carlos moved.

In one second, he was behind Matthew.

“Need something?” Carlos said to him in a low, threatening tone.

Matthew looked at him, his smug expression still on his face.

“Nah, just checking on the lady here,” Matthew replied.

“Go do your job and stop chit-chatting around,” Carlos said again, still in the same tone.

Matthew just rolled his eyes and walked away. Carlos watched him with piercing eyes before turning to look at you.

“Was he bothering you?” he asked.

You sighed. “He was just flirting and it was becoming uncomfortable, thank you,” you gave him a grateful smile.

He clenched his jaw, then nodded, walking away like nothing happened.

You didn’t think much of it actually, but to Carlos, his blood was boiling.

Not just because he was jealous, but because he knew Matthew’s charm.

And him being the possessive bastard he was, he wasn’t going to let him get to you that easily.

So now it was midnight. The changing room was empty, only Matthew inside checking out whatever he was checking.

Perfect.

So with no hesitation, Carlos approached him.

“What was that about?” Carlos asked.

Matthew turned to him, an eyebrow raised at the sudden confusing question.

“What was what?” Matthew asked.

“Y/n... you think you can talk to her like that?” Carlos asked, his tone betraying both his anger and his self-control.

Matthew scoffed mockingly. “What? Can’t I shoot my shot with a pretty thing like her?”

Carlos snapped at that, stepping closer, his voice a hushed whisper, a hushed threat.

“Speak to her again, breathe next to her, or even look at her, and I’ll make sure you won’t see the end of it.”

Matthew frowned. “Excuse me? And what is she to you, huh? As far as I’m concerned, she’s nobody’s.”

“She’s mine.”

He said it like he didn’t need to say anything else after it. You were his, whether you knew it or not, and he wouldn’t live a day letting anyone think they had even the slightest chance with you.

And so for Matthew? Gone.

And Carlos would keep driving them away for as long as he lived.

{ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴅ ᴍᴀʀʀɪᴀɢᴇ}

ᴛᴡ: ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ, ꜱᴛᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ, ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ

The fluorescent lights were blinding, and the footsteps and yells of urgent nurses and doctors filled the hospital hall.

But Simon didn’t notice any of it. His mind was like a broken record, repeating everything that happened, every opinion, every argument, every calculated benefit that led to this moment.

You, his wife just by paper, now in an operating room after a horrific break-in accident.

You were stabbed, right in the stomach after a stalker broke into your house and tried to force himself on you.

It all started when you both got married just for the benefits of it. You didn’t know each other before, but you both agreed, as long as it benefited you both.

From the start, you knew he wasn’t an easy person to deal with. Stoic, cold, very hard to read, didn’t talk much, and always kept to himself.

He was a ghost, literally. His name suited him in more ways than one.

So you kept your distance, stayed respectful, and tried your best not to bother him more than he already was.

And for Simon… well, let’s just say he didn’t even care at first. He saw you as nothing more than a woman he was married to on paper, nothing more, nothing less.

He kept his distance too, never bothering to talk, to ask, or even to acknowledge your presence in the house.

You kept observing him, his routine, his mannerisms, his habits, and you felt like he was actually approachable, just not in the usual way. You had to carefully choose your words and actions, and to you, he seemed… broken.

He had that aura about him, like he had endured more than what any normal person should.

He carried it with him in his posture, in the way he moved in silence, in the way he avoided small talk or anything that involved getting to know him.

But he carried it even more in his eyes. God, those eyes. They spoke far more than any word or gesture could.

You felt empathy towards him, and being who you were, you didn’t want him to think that you were a threat or a new irregularity in his life, so you decided to approach him.

At first, it was subtle. Small talk about nonsense, which he always responded to with one-word answers.

Small acts of kindness. Cooking for him, taking care of his things, being attentive and patient, just little things.

But it felt like approaching an injured animal.

You knew you didn’t have to do any of it. You guys were just married on paper anyway. Nothing sensual, nothing intimate, just two people co-existing in a house.

But you didn’t want to feel like a burden, and your intention was simply to turn him into a friend, to become comfortable around each other.

But for Simon, as time passed, each day with a new attempt from you started to annoy him.

He hated it. Every kind and attentive gesture from you made him feel more and more threatened.

Why would she act like this? What does she want from me?

So he started acting rude, distant, and cold.

You didn’t understand why he was acting like this. It wasn’t supposed to backfire on you, but you didn’t stop.

You tried everything you could think of, showed nothing but good intentions, patience, kindness…

Still nothing. Every gesture was met with rejection and rudeness.

So you finally accepted it. You kept your distance, stayed respectful, you even apologized for it.

He didn’t give you any proper answer, and that only made you feel more stupid.

Simon felt relieved. When you stopped, so did the threats.

Days passed as you both co-existed in the house, but the peace didn’t last long before strange things started happening.

Footsteps following you at night in dim streets, shadows disappearing as soon as you looked in their direction.

It happened everywhere you went. The pharmacy, the supermarket, the bank, the park, anywhere.

Someone was stalking you.

You thought it was just in your head, that you were imagining things, being paranoid, and you didn’t tell anyone.

Until one night. Simon was out, God knows where, and you were sitting on the couch eating pizza while watching a series when you noticed a shadow by the window.

You squinted your eyes, blinked quickly, but it didn’t disappear. It stayed there. It was a person.

You felt your heartbeat quicken. You muted the TV and stood up, walking slowly towards the window, and as you got closer, he walked away.

You ran towards the door and stepped outside to check, but he was gone.

Your hands shook violently. Suddenly, the idea of stepping outside felt incredibly stupid, so you ran back in and locked the door, breathing heavily as you did.

So the next day, you finally decided to tell Simon, because seemingly, now he was your only family member.

After a long day of him being at base, you let him rest for a bit. You didn’t want to crowd him the moment he came home.

So when you heard him moving around in his room, you finally built up the courage and walked to him, knocking gently on the door.

It only took a few seconds before he opened it. He was in civilian clothes, and you knew he was leaving again, like he did every night.

You took a deep breath and spoke.

“Hey Simon, can we talk for a moment? Please?” you asked politely.

“What is it?” he replied coldly.

“I, uh… are you going out again tonight?”

“Yeah.” His tone carried finality.

That made you hesitate for a moment, but you kept pushing.

“Can you… can you stay for the night? I don’t feel safe alone,” you asked quietly.

He raised an eyebrow, staring at you, his eyes piercing into yours like you had crossed a line.

“What are you? Ten?” he mocked.

“No… no, it’s just last night I—”

He cut you off. “I’m leaving. I’m not babysitting you. You’re a grown woman.”

With that, he pushed past you and walked towards the door, slamming it shut behind him, scoffing under his breath as he made his way to his car as quickly as he could.

Because why would he stay? When every added second with you made him feel things he had vowed he would never allow himself to feel?

Why would he stay when those eyes of yours made him feel safer than anything he had ever endured?

Why would he stay when your scent lingering around the house made him close his eyes just so his heart could calm down a little?

Why would he stay when your voice made his heart skip a beat every time you spoke to him with that gentle, patient tone?

He couldn’t.

He wouldn’t let his guard down. He wouldn’t let himself accept something so pure as this, because in his world, being soft got you killed. Betrayed. Broken.

And damn you for making him feel soft at all.

So he ran away. He always stayed away from you, wouldn’t come back home until he knew you were asleep. Not because he hated you.

But because he didn’t. And he didn’t know how to deal with it.

But now… when he came back at midnight and saw you on the ground, soaked in your own blood, your face pale from blood loss, he felt like his heart stopped.

So there he was now, sitting in the hospital hallway while they tried to save you, hands stained with your blood, replaying everything he had done to you, every harsh word and gesture meant to make you hate him.

How he ran away when you tried to ask for his protection, not even giving you the time to explain.

And now… regret was useless, because whether they saved you or not, he didn’t think he would ever forgive himself for this.

ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2

Simon knows. Of course he knows, and he hates that he does...

Because why would he remember his assistant's birthday when he doesn’t even recall his own until weeks later after?

Why would he remember when dates meant nothing but due times in his line of work? But he did. How could he forget?

He had never met anyone like you, nor did he think he ever could, and he couldn’t feel any luckier that you are his assistant.

You, who know exactly what he wants and needs before he can say anything. You, who are as quiet, calm, and collected as him.

You, who are so soft-spoken that he has to lean down just to hear what you’re saying, and when he does, he can’t help but smell that sweet, floral scent of your perfume.

It feels like being born again after spending the whole day training sweaty recruits and breathing in gunpowder.

He does appreciate you, he really does, and at first, he told himself it was because you’re good at your job, which you actually are.

He told himself it’s because you understand him, and he feels understood and assisted when he’s with you.

But as the days pass, he starts realising his feelings go far deeper than simple appreciation.

Not when he hears your name and his heart skips a beat. Not when he catches himself staring at you while you work. Not when he starts noticing your habits and body language.

Not when one day, after going back home, he realises his shirt carries a faint trace of your perfume, and well... let’s just say he didn’t wash it so he could keep your scent with him when he came home.

He was falling for you... hard. More than he is comfortable admitting.

But he hides it very well. No one could ever know about what he feels, so on your behalf, he had never made you uncomfortable.

Always respectful. Always keeping an arm’s-length distance between you. And he is soft-spoken with you too.

He is strict with recruits, but not you. Never with you, which made you a little nervous at first, but now, you do like him as a boss, which is a bit odd around the base.

He never scolds you or blames you. He trusts you with the work, and even when you make mistakes, he just gently corrects and guides you.

But to him, he was surprised that he even had this side of himself.

So yeah, his feelings went way too far the moment he memorised your resume, the one that had your birthday on it.

So when the date came, he was watching you like a hawk, and it was exactly as he predicted. You didn’t tell anyone or make a big deal out of it.

It was just like a random Tuesday to you. You did your job perfectly, you didn’t even excuse yourself early so you could go celebrate, and you left at the same time as always.

And that behaviour hit way too close to home, because he would have done — and always does — the exact same thing.

And that made him realise that day after day, he sees himself in you, and how much you two are alike in so many ways...

Now? It’s 9 PM, and he finds himself parking outside your place...

Not directly outside, but a little farther away so you wouldn’t notice him.

He had been staring at your door for several minutes now.

In his hand? A small velvet box. Inside it, a silver necklace with a small yet elegant butterfly. He doesn’t know why he picked it; he just thought of you when he saw it.

And oh, a small card that says Happy Birthday, with no initials or signature. Completely anonymous.

Because would he face you? Absolutely not...

How could he? He is still your boss, and this... gifting you something like this, remembering your birthday when no one even knows it’s today... feels far more intimate than a boss simply appreciating his assistant.

So he finally gets out of his car, making his way to your door, steps silent, moving like a shadow beneath the moonlight.

When he arrives, he takes a shaky breath, places the gift on the ground, then knocks and quickly jogs away.

Hiding like a kid playing hide-and-seek.

He waits only a second before the door opens, and there you are.

His breath hitches as his eyes take you in. Beautiful. So beautiful that to him, it feels unreal.

You kneel down and pick up the gift.

But he couldn’t see your reaction because you were quick to step back inside before opening the small box.

But the next morning? When he sees you wearing it — his gift — even though you don’t know it was him, he smiles beneath his mask, like actually smiles.

And he never knew gifting someone you care about could feel like this.

But you’re worth it... you’ll always be worth it.

Simon never tries to fight with you, or turn a disagreement into an argument, when you want to do something or have an idea, he complies, not because he doesnt care , but because he likes doing anything with you, as long as he is with you it doesnt matter what you both do, whatever you want, happens, and you of course dont overwhelme him or be controlling, and you dont cross any line.

But today, after such tiring day at base, hours of complecated things trying to get solved, he just wants to go home and rest, like an old sloth.

So when he arrives, he gets welcomed by the sight of you being all bubbly and energy, its a familiar sight normally, but now, he has no mood for anything, so when you walk to him to give him a welcome hug, he does hug you, but not as tight and warm as always.

You dont say anything, you just assume he had a bad day at work, and when you pull away looking up at him "Darling welcome back i missed you" , you say with a happy smile, your husband is home after such a boring day, and you cant wait until you both cook together, thats what you wanted, and you know he wont say no, right?

He gives you a curt smile as he drops off his jacket and keys lazily. "Im going to shower", he says walking away to the bathroom without looking at you, you frown a bit at his tone but you dont blame him, again.

Simon takes his sweet time in the shower, you wait on the couch, scrolling on whatever just to pass time, then there he is, coming out of the shower, his broad torso is full in display, wearing only a towel covering his lower half, leaving the rest to imagination (even though you dont have to imagine, you know his body like the back of your hand)

He walks straight to the bedroom, and as he was going down the hallway, he reaches the kitchen, thats when you stop him with your voice "Cover up quickly, we have some cooking to do", you say excited

He spares you a glance, "im not hungry, cook alone"

That made your heart drop, excuse me? What did he just say? You stand up and walk to him

"What do you mean you're not hungry? Did you eat something at base??", you say, trying to cover your disappointment

He leans on the board of the kitchen door, crossing his arms, a scowl on his face

"I didnt eat, but im not in the mood", he says with a cold tone, and that was your last string

"What the hell? You're standing only on the cup of coffee you drank this morning and you say you dont have the mood to eat?? This isnt about mood Si, you should eat! And i want to cook with you"

You say scolding him, he grimaces at the loud tone, "I said i dont want to eat, cook yourself okay? Dont make me repeat things"

You scoff , "this isnt about 'want' Simon, you should eat, and i missed you all day, i was waiting for you to come so i could spend time with you cooking, and you now say you want to eat? At least-" you want to continue but he cuts you off, with a very angry tone, that you're not used to

"For god sake i said im not in the fucking mood! Which part of that you dont undrestand huh?? You think i was just sitting in the desk and waiting for the day to end so i can come home and cook whatever shit to cook? Im a lieutenant, i have responsibilities, im not jobless like you, having nothing to do all day, and when i say no it means no, i think you got it your way too much you cant accept that word, grow the hell up"

And with that, he stomps to the bedroom, and slamming the door as loud as he can, he removes the towel angrily, mumbling some curses under his breath as he wears the random boxer that his hand caught, then he just lays on his stomach on the bed, too tired to reflect on what he said or on you, he just sleeps the minute he feels the softness of the bed and allure of the sheets.

Meanwhile you, standing frozen in your place , not believing what he said, your mind not processing what he just said, your heart breaks as his words ring in your head, you try to compose yourself, but your lips cant help but tremble, your eyes cant help but cry, and you cant help but feel so misundrestood and wronged.

You look at the kitchen, the ingredeants on the counter mocking you, you walk slowly and arrange everything back in its place, crying silently hurt, your appetite is gone, the only thing you feel inside now is your heart beating so fast, and the soffesticating feeling of holding back your sobs, shuffeling into sniffles.

You sit on the couch, crying, because thats only how you'll eventually calm down, but never stop being hurt, after some minutes your sobs reduces, you wipe your tears and glance at the bedroom door, you contemplate for a moment then you walk slowly, as you reach the door you open it slowly, not making any noise, and you peak your head inside, and there he is, fast asleep on the bed, not even bothering to cover himself with a blanket.

You hesitate for a moment, he has hurt you yeah, but god...you couldnt stop your legs as they walk to the bed and cover him up, you look down at him and the sight of him makes you start crying all over again, so you decide to not sleep next to him, because your shoulders wont stop shaking the bed and your suffeled sobs will wake him up, and you dont want to feel like a burden more that you already do feel, so you leave quietly and go to the guest room, its enough for you, and you can sulk how ever you want.

The next day comes, its dawn when Simon wakes up by that annoying ringtone of his phone, and there is no good news in what he hears, his captain ordering him to come as soon as possible.

He doesnt even notice your absence , doesnt bother to wash his face, putting on whatever his hand grabbed from the closet, phone, keys, thats it, and he leaves.

After some hours, You woke up from such restless sleep, you feel an uneasy feeling in your stomach as you remember what happened, and the fact that you'll face him again is unsetteling, you never fight like this, so you dont know how to act, and dont know if you'll even be able to hold back your tears if you even hear his voice.

You walk out of the guest room, inspecting where he is, so you wont be shocked if he just shows up from nowhere, but the house is silent, so silent, and when you look everytwhere, you drown in disappointment, he isnt home.

It hurt more than him being home, he is gone? Just like that? That hurts much more than intended.

Meanwhile him, after the meeting, the problem they indured finally was solved ,the tension in the base softens, everyone's happy with the results, and so he is.

The day goes smoothly for him, and as he was in his office, forgetting that he has been doing paper work for the whole noon, he feels his stomach protest, angry growls like its saying "Dont forget about me you asshole"

He stretches and look at his wrist expecting to see the time on his watch, but eventually he didnt wear it, so he grabs his phone instead to look at the time, and there it is, his lockscreen wallpaper.

A picture of you, back 9 months ago when you both went on a picnic in a forest, next to a beautiful lake, you smiling at the camera as you insisted to capture you while the huge mountain covered in snow is behind you, along with the lake, since then he never changed it.

And then when it was that he recalled what happened last night, and god, his appetite is gone again, did he really just say those words? To you? His wife? The person he loves with his whole heart? His wife? When you were just trying to take care of him like you always do and never fail? Who just want time with him? Away from chaos? He just told you you have no life?

"Fucking hell...", he mutters under his breath, feeling like shit all over again, he opens your contact but then he stops, no, you dont deserve a call, you dont deserve a small sorry, you deserve the world, and he knows how you're feeling right now, he knows exactly that you're feeling like the biggest burden in his life now, when god helps him you're the only good thing in his life.

He continues his day being grumpy, short answers, barking orders here and there, just wanting for the day to end and fix the shit he made, but only to be stuck on an emergency, again, and it made him lose his mind, he knows your bedtime, and he is sure when he comes back, you'll be asleep, so not only you being hurt all day ,but sleeping while you never got the apology you deserved.

Meanwhile you, Mesirable.

You spent the whole day sulking, every car engine voice you hear you jump out of your place, even though you know exactly what his car engine sounds like, and now, he isnt home.

So you go to the guest room again, and you lay down, reflecting on what he said for the millionth time in that day, feeling more insecure than ever.

Sleep didnt come, and so does Simon, worry leaks into your heart, but you dont call, you're a burden to him, remember??

While Simon, already in the garage half an hour ago, just sitting there, trying to rehearse the apology he wanted to say, in the passenger seat, your favorite snacks, and random ones too, he didnt know what to pick, he didnt know what the hell to do.

When he finally gathered the courage, even though he knows you'll probably be asleep, he leaves his car and walks to home.

He opens the door with such silence, his military training of being silent are working now, he sees the lights are off, and he walks slowly to the bedroom, but its empty, he frowns and look around, but you are no where, and then his eyes drift over the guest room door, he walks there and open the door quickly, and it stardled you, who you were sitting on the bed and scrolling on the phone.

You look up shocked, 'when did he comeback?? Fuck fuck fuck what am i supposed to do now', you think to yourself as you look at him, you were supposed to pretend you're asleep when you hear him comeback, but now there is no running away.

Meanwhile him, the sight of you, eyes puffy, tired, hair a bit messy from turning left and right trying to sleep, Just you...

It made the whole apology vanish, the bag of snacks in his hand is forgotten, and his throat feels dry.

You notice the look on his face, and worry highens, he looks like he's in shock, and the worse scenarios comes to your mind.

"Is everything okay?", you ask hesitantly, like even the sound of your voice will bother him.

That tone of yours, just your voice, the insecure look on your face, your slightly trembling hands, after a whole day of feeling like shit, made something snap inside of him.

He drops the bag on the floor, closes the gap between you in three steps, get cups your face, looking at you for a slight second, then he kisses you.

His lips are so warm on yours, the kiss is slow and sensual, and its replacing all the shitty script he was rehearsing before, and doing more.

His hand trembles as he positions your face to make his tongue enter your mouth, speaking its own language to fix the mess he made.

You've been caugh off gaurd, but then you feel like water in his arms, you surrunder compeltly to his kiss, this one is not like the other ones, not the playful ones, not the one filled with lust while making love, not the ones after a long deployement or long day, its diffrent.

He is apologising, with his lips, hands, tongue, warmth, just this intimacy.

He deepens the kiss, kissing you like his life depends on it, and just when he feels like he'll faint from the lack of air, he pulls away, heavy breathings coming out both of you, he keeps his eyes closed but you open them, he looks so vulnurable and so...scared.

He opens his eyes and it locks on your, he stays quiet for a moment, then he finally speaks.

"If you werent in my life, id be dead by now, and if i made you feel like you dont mean anything, then id rather die"

That does it to you, again, those tears, those endless salty fluids, you start crying again.

And with that he hugs you tightly, so tight like he is holding for his dear life "Im so sorry, so so so sorry", he whispers in your hair, feeling more like shit the whole day.

You try to speak but couldnt, you feel so overwhelmed you dont know how to express what you're feeling, and he knows it.

"Shh...i know...i know my love i know", he whispers, his voice couldnt be more gentle than this.

You feel so safe, like a huge rock got lifted off your chest, and you just cling to him, needing the comfort you've been seeking since you heard that loud tone of his, and you start to calm down.

After some moments, when he felt you relax and better, he cups your face and look down at you, your eyes puffy, face wet and red with tears, hair framing just right, its the most beautiful sight he has ever seen.

"You're so beautiful", he whispers, and just before you could react to it, his mouth is on yours, your neck, your shoulders, his hand roming all over your torso as you felt it sneak under your shirt.

So now you know his way of apologising, not just heartaching and warming words, but with intimacy, very sensual intimacy.