The silence between you was pure solace.

Having grown up together, despite insisting you disliked one another, unspoken secrets and similar, rough upbringings had sewn the two of you together. No matter how much you claimed to hate each other, even in your direst moments, his was the only company you sought out.

After yet another heated argument with your deadbeat father, there was only one place you could think to go. You find Simon on the same abandoned rooftop as always, perched carelessly on the edge of the building and staring into nothing as he brings a cigarette to his lips. His balaclava was discarded to the side, the scar across his face on full display and illuminated by the scenic moonlight.

Sensing your presence, he turns his head in your direction as you approach and drop down next to him. There’s nothing in his expression but understanding as he stares at you, offering you his cigarette silently as his dark gaze travels over the bruise blossoming over your cheekbone.