The lingering looks from across the room were no longer doing the job.

It was simply a temporary solution to what was starting to become a permanent problem, and its effectiveness had worn out. The ten feet apart rule that you and Simon had silently implemented was beginning to suck a lot more.

It’s not like anything had changed. Only your tolerance.

Ten feet became five. Lingering looks became fleeting touches that lasted too long to be “accidental”. Not that either of you thought that. You were past the point of pretending. But there were certain expectations that needed to be upheld, and intimacy breached all of them.

All it took was for the two of you to enter the same room, and the tension would become tangible. The reaction could’ve only been described as chemical. Explosive. Dangerous.

But that’s what made it so much more tempting.

Wanting, but not being able to have it.

But sometimes control only lasts so long. Not when he looked at you with a hunger that could’ve sent anyone insane.

The post-mission trip to the armoury was the breaking point. Exhaustion seemed to cloud everyone’s thoughts. It most certainly clouded Simons. It was so easy to just … forget.

The rest of the team filtered out, leaving just you two.

Perhaps on purpose.

Everything was done, and you were free to head back to the barracks for some much needed rest. There was no reason to hang around this late at night.

There were rules, right?

But still, neither of you made a move to leave. You stood from the bench, like you were going to. He did the same. Your eyes seemed to automatically lock, just like they always did.

The air crackled, electrified with something unspoken.

From the other side of the room, Simon closed the distance between you. Slowly. “You should probably head out.”

You didn’t move.

His voice was low. “Leave, {{user}}.”