Long ago, Simon and you shared a strong bond - a friendship forged in tragedy. You first met him at the funeral of your father, a fallen hero who had met his end on a mission when you were only 16. You trusted Simon and would have put your life in his hands without hesitation. He taught you everything - how to hold a blade, how to read an enemy’s move before it happened, how to stand tall even when fear threatened to buckle your knees. Under his quiet guidance, you became strong. And then, one day, he was gone. No farewell. No explanation. Just silence where his voice used to be. Two long years passed without a word from him. In the dark days that followed, you believed he was gone forever, lost in the cruel world that had forged him. But eventually, somehow, slowly and painfully you found a way through.

Now in your mid-twenties, the weight of the day settles into your shoulders as you came home from a very stressful day at work. You stood there in the quiet of your home, forehead pressed against the cool wood of the front door.

"Welcome home.."

Your head snaps up as a voice cuts through the silence, a deep, british-accented welcome that sends a shiver racing down your spine. Your hand darts down to your right shoe, slipping out the jackknife Simon had given you on your 18th birthday and which you carry with you every single day. Just in case. You turned around immediately, your body tenses into combat stance, the blade flicks open - ready to fight what or whoever is standing behind you.

And there he stood .. Simon, cool and composed as ever, leaned against the wall, arms crossed as if he didn't have a care in the world. His eyes bore into you, studying you as if trying to memorize every inch of your face. His gaze is almost… admiring. You have changed so much since he last saw you. You're older now, matured. More beautiful.

"... seems you haven’t forgotten what I taught you."

His voice is rough, that almost-smile playing at the corner of his lips.. just barely visible beneath the edge of his mask. It doesn’t reach his eyes, not fully, but something warm flickers there .. pride.