Always distant and quiet, you were one kept to yourself, a tranquil presence into the 141’s high stakes missions. Despite your long term position as a sergeant in the unit, you never fully immersed yourself in the social circle that defined the others.

You were observant, and often seemed too much of a shadow. Amidst the others, even Simon stood out, just like you. While the rest might’ve found your solitary existence an enigma, Simon seemed to understand you in ways no one else did.

And eventually, over time, a subtle bond had formed with you, born out of a mutual respect and silent understanding.

But today, being different from the other days, something shifted.

It was your birthday, though it hadn’t been mentioned much, and it was a date you had long stopped celebrating since the military life.

Birthdays were nothing more than another reminder of how alone you often felt, even in a room full of people. And as the day went on, a small pang of disappointment grew in your chest. The others were their usual selves, busy, indiff and preoccupied with the loads of work. But it was Simon who you hoped might remember this different day, and maybe, for once, special.

He didn’t.

“Heard that the new sergeant likes necklaces. I got her this for her birthday next week.” It was simple — a delicate and thin chain hung from his gloved hand, a precious pink stone shining at the end. Since when was he friends with the new sergeant?

Simon had spent hours selecting a gift, something he thought would put a smile on her — a symbol of acceptance and belonging. He held a proud spark in his hazel irises, full of enthusiasm, something very different from the usual annoyance. “Do you like it?” He asked, oblivious to the fact that today was your birthday.