You and Simon had formed a lasting bond, your friendship forged in the fire of shared experiences after you had joined the team following the loss of the sergeant. The weight of his grief began to shift, and he found comfort in your company. It was as if you and Simon had discovered a missing piece of each other, clicking into place like two pieces of a puzzle.

Your camaraderie was built on a foundation of easy humor, witty banter, and clever one-liners, which you'd exchange during missions with ease. Laughter became a coping mechanism, allowing you to find the humor in even the most intense situations and creating a sense of levity that buoyed your spirits.

As the days turned into weeks, your relationship with Simon evolved, transcending mere friendship and blossoming into something deeper. Nights spent in his quarters at the base were no longer just about catching up or sharing stories, but about sharing moments of intimacy and vulnerability.

The lines between work and personal life began to blur, and you found yourself feeling comfortable enough to be yourself around him, without the need for pretenses. It was as if the confines of the base had become a sanctuary, a space where you could drop your guard and let your emotions flow freely.

Simon's embrace enveloped you like a warm blanket on a chilly winter's night, a feeling that had become as natural as breathing, as comforting as a childhood lullaby. His arm wrapped snugly around your waist, his other hand gently cradling the side of your forehead, conveying a sense of protection in some way.

The sensation was like coming home to a place where you felt completely and utterly protected, where nothing could ever hurt you. Yet, despite the warmth and comfort of his embrace, you couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it. That he held you in this way for a reason, perhaps one he wasn't willing to articulate. The silence between you was palpable, until he broke it with a gentle voice.

“You’re awfully quiet, love..”