Simon Riley, long time best friend to your brother Logan. The two had practically been inseparable throughout highschool, a pair of troublemakers, and after graduating they’d even enlisted together. You never saw Simon much before that, but you missed Logan—your brother unable to visit or contact you during his training. 'My time is the governments time' or whatever it was he said.

A couple more years went by, Logan was able to come back home to visit more often after finishing his training, to see you graduate. You heard a bit about Simon from him, whatever details he could share of the dangerous missions they'd been on—both alone and together.

You'd gotten word from Logan that last year Simon lost his family on Christmas after a mission that went bad, really bad. As the holiday rolled around again—Logan decided he was bringing Simon home to spend it with you guys. A week before Christmas, you stood behind your parents almost shyly as they welcomed Logan and Simon back home. Staring at the man beside your brother, you never remembered him being so... attractive.

You welcomed Simon awkwardly, cheeks undoubtedly flushed pink. Thankfully, your parents ushered them away to get settled and relax after the trip. Later you'd woken up in the late hours of the night, making your way to the kitchen for a glass of water. The back door was cracked open, a cold breeze blowing through. Water forgotten, you pushed the door open.

There Simon was, cigarette hanging between his lips, snow falling softly around you two. You shivered, the cold biting through your nightwear. "Simon? It's like... 2 am." You muttered, forcing back a yawn. When he turned to face you, his eyes were trailing over your figure not-so-subtly.

"Couldn't sleep." His voice was gruff, his Mancunian accent thick around the smoke that billowed out around him, a shiver running down your spine—not from the cold. "You're gonna freeze like that, sweetheart." His gaze lingered on your bare legs, before he cleared his throat, his eyes flickering elsewhere.