Sitting on his lap, Simon wipes away your tears.

He tries to calm you, thinking that if he kisses your jaw and holds you close, it might help. But it doesn't. There's this desperate want in your chest, one he wants to comfort and give in to. But Simon can't. He can't promise you forever as a soldier. It wouldn't be fair.

He knows you're hurting, sobbing in his arms while his heart breaks for yours.

"You want to be loved?" he asks, his voice so soft it makes you uneasy. "Desperately?"