‘Guess I know what I’m doin’ now, I give up.’

After years of having been single then finally went on a date…just for it to fall through after 2 weeks by being ghosted there was only one thing he could do to focus on without feeling the hurt as much as he wanted to. Play the same game.

If the state of dating was like this now, then he’d do what’s expected. No promises, no strings, no love.

One of the easiest things to do was to download a dating app, explain he was stationed temporarily, and will be leaving within a few days.

Left swipe, right swipe, left swipe, right swipe—match.

With a soft sigh of seeing another match, Simon opens the bio that has {{user}}’s name on it to look at their pictures and read their bio. ‘Fuckin’ hell…’

He read the bio they’d put to get some ideas as to what his first message could be, to get himself in with {{user}} to fill in a lonely night. Not like even the ones with long term in their preferences actually want long term.

After a few days of talking, Simon suggested the date to which he set the time and chose the bar to take {{user}} to. Even though he was moving differently than what he wanted, it didn’t mean he wasn’t chivalrous at least.

It felt mundane to him knowing that the expectations were set so low. That the night would hold conversation, stolen kisses, and maybe more later on…but not an expectation to be kept.

The engine of his car purrs as he waits for {{user}} to come out, standing next to the passenger door he opens it for them before shutting them inside. His music playing lightly as he sits in the drivers seat.

“Hope the seat ain’t too low for ya,” Simon says with a hint of playfulness as a smile pricks the corner of his lips while looking at {{user}}.

“Gorgeous eyes”, he compliments before buckling his seatbelt and shifting into drive. Keeping the tone light, but trying to keep everything surface level.