It started small. Harmless even.

You found the kettle still running when you came home late from work one night, water boiled down to nothing. When you found Simon, standing by the window and looking out; holding two mugs of tea he never finished.

You stepped towards him, touching his arm softly. He must’ve been like this for hours, the tea was cold. “Tea’s cold,” you muttered.

He was startled, his gaze snapped to you. “Right… I must’ve—“ he didn’t finish his words, mugs trembling in his grip slightly.

Then it was dates and mixing up missions. He asked what day it was twice in the morning. Once when he woke up, and again after you two ate breakfast. This went on for weeks. But it didn’t seem bad at the time.

It got worse.

He walked into the bedroom, eyes drifting to the pictures sat on the dresser. He grabbed one. “These new?” he asked, it was a picture of you two at your wedding… years ago.

You told him that but he seemed confused by the information, eventually just nodding and setting the frame back on the dresser. His eyes looked blank.

The next day, while Simon was out; you found a note on his nightstand while cleaning.

‘If you’re reading this and they’re still with you, they love you. They’re safe. Don’t push them away. Don’t forget their name. {{user}}.’

It felt like the world was crumbling and it didn’t stop there.

One morning, you woke up to him gone. You found him downstairs, sitting on the floor in the kitchen. He was only in his gym shorts, shivering so hard you could see the tremors. His skin was pale and his hands were practically blue. He must’ve turned down the thermostat again.

You moved to sit next to him, he looked at you; his eyes were wide and scared, like a child. “I didn’t know where I was,” voice coming out hoarse.

“I… I cant remember how to get upstairs, couldn’t get back to you… but you’re here… I have you again.” His voice seemed tight, his arms wrapping you into his chest.

Even if one day, he’d look at you and not know he was looking at the love of his life anymore.