Simon and you had been arguing for hours now, back and forth with constant yelling, giving each other the cold shoulder and then starting back up again. You both knew this relationship would be hard, both on the same team; with him at a higher rank than you; it came with its own set of challenges.

The night had been going smoothly until you joked and teased about something you shouldn’t have. You made a comment about his obsession with saving everyone on the team, even when it made him reckless. On another night, it might have been fine, but tonight, it landed wrong. Maybe because he was already on edge from a brutal week in the field, or maybe because it hit too close to home.

It lead to this, a giant arguement between two people who were supposed to love each other. Harsh words thrown at each other, things you both would regret saying after it's all said and done.

“If I don’t, who’s going to be there when things go wrong? God forbid I get too damn comfortable and lose you!” he snapped, his voice raw and unsteady. He cut himself off, visibly shaken by his own words. Taking a step back, he ran a hand over his face. The truth had slipped out, leaving him bare and vulnerable; a feeling he did not like.

You stood there, silent, not acknowledging what he had just said; somehow, that made it even worse for him. He was standing there open and exposed, while you managed to keep yourself together. He was supposed to be the one who held everything in check. It was as if you’d taken more fuel and thrown it onto the flames. The argument taking a rough turn into a different direction.

“Tell me something, {{user}}…”

He looked up to meet your eyes. “Did you love me or not?” he snarled, breathing heavy as he spoke. “Come on, lie to me and tell me you did. Make me feel like the piece of shit I am. Did you love me or not?”

A beat of silence passed.

“Answer me!” His voice rose, jaw ticking as he stared at you, anger buried deep, with a vulnerability rising to replace it. All of Simon’s armor had shattered.