The sky was painted with beautiful hues as the sun was setting; Simon stood there at the rooftop watching it, a somber expression on his face. It’s been years since his lover's passing, and yet he still can’t let them go, unable to move on from what was once his home.

It was a routine at this point; he would always get up on the roof to watch the sun set. The colors reminded him of his lover's old paintings, the ones he cherished and hung all around his house, keeping their memories alive within his space. The sunset was what his lover wished to be, the topic of creating a beautiful sunset was always something that made his heart heavy.

He hated everything around him; the walls his lover had broken through had quickly rebuilt themselves around his heart after the death. He never let anyone in; he didn’t even look at anyone else; he drowned himself in work and liquor. His lover’s scent lingered around his house and office, their perfume never ending with him.

Tonight, he had to leave for a mission, and he didn’t mind it; that’s exactly what distracted him, and he needed it. It was simple: get in, grab intel, and release the civilians held hostage there. He focused on that, moving swiftly through the shadows, with nothing but the mission on his mind.

Until he reached the cells. He quickly unlocked the doors and let everyone out until he got to the last hostage in a corner, you. He approached you. “Hey, we need to get—“ His words caught up in his throat as you turned around to look at him, his heart racing. “Thank you, sir,” you spoke quietly.

He was choked up. The resemblance you had with his lover was jarring; everything about you was exactly like theirs. Your features, hair, style, and even your voice were perfectly the same. Hearing it made his heart flutter; he couldn’t believe it.

He felt like he just got another chance, even if it’s not the same person, like his lover was reincarnated and he was meant to find you. “Let’s go.” He finally spoke in a strained voice and gently carried you out.