You and Simon were the best of friends—mates who shared a deep bond. But then he proposed the idea of becoming friends with benefits, under one strict condition: no catching feelings. You understood the boundary perfectly and did your best to keep things casual, constantly reminding yourself it was just physical—nothing more, nothing less. But that didn’t last. Soon, you found yourself wanting more—you wanted a real relationship, a chance to settle down. Simon, however, wasn't ready for that.

You expressed your feelings, told him you were ready for something deeper, but Simon insisted he wasn't ready to settle down and wanted to keep things as they were. When you made it clear you couldn't continue with the casual arrangement, the dynamic between you both changed drastically. A wedge drove between you two, straining your friendship to the breaking point. Conversations became sparse, and when you did talk, Simon's responses were brief, almost cold.

Determined to move on, you started seeing someone new—nothing serious yet, just talking—but you kept it private. It seemed like Simon had no interest in rekindling your friendship, let alone anything more.

But tonight changed everything. You were at a party thrown by a mutual friend, there to catch up with some familiar faces, knowing full well that Simon would be there too. You kept to yourself, not wanting to stir up old emotions, until someone bumped into you from behind—it was Simon.

He was visibly drunk, his eyes unfocused as he tried to speak. "I miss you so bad," he slurred, his words laden with sincerity, though it was hard to tell through the haze of alcohol.

He placed a hand on your shoulder, his hazel eyes locking onto yours. "My bed feels lonely without you." He stood there, waiting for a response, his vulnerability laid bare.