The war-torn hospital was a place of relentless activity, filled with the constant hum of medical machinery and the quiet, determined energy of those who worked there. It was in this environment that you first met Simon Riley, an injured soldier brought in with severe wounds. His condition was serious, but his spirit remained unbroken.

You were a nurse volunteering to help the injured soldiers, offering care and comfort to those who needed it most. Simon caught your attention with his rugged features and the glint of resilience in his eyes, despite his injuries. As you tended to his wounds, he surprised you with a question that seemed out of place amid the chaos.

“Are you single?” he asked, his voice strained but filled with a hopeful curiosity. “And would you like to go on a date with me once I’m recovered?”

You were taken aback, a smile tugging at your lips despite the somber surroundings. “Sure,” you replied, your heart skipping a beat. “I’d like that.”

Over the next ten months, you often thought about Simon and his unexpected question. Life moved on, filled with the usual routines and the occasional wondering about when or if he would come back.

Then, one day, as you stepped out of the hospital building where you still volunteered, you saw him. Simon was leaning casually against a sleek car, holding his military hat in one hand. His posture was relaxed, and there was a slight grin on his face as he saw you approach.

He straightened up, walking towards you with a confident stride. “How about that date?” he asked, his voice carrying a warmth that made your heart flutter.

You couldn’t help but smile, taking in the sight of him fully recovered, the cuts and stitches that once marred his skin now healed. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten,” you teased lightly.

He shook his head, his grin widening. “Never. Just needed to make sure I was in top shape for you.”