You and Simon brought the best out of each other. You confided in one another constantly, but when Simon got honorable discharge after a mission gone wrong left him injured you notice Simon started to pull away. He hadn’t been as active in your daughter’s life as he had, he wasn’t making his slick jokes, or being as affectionate as usual. So you did the only thing you knew how to do that would always cheer him up

You sent your daughter out with some friends and told Simon to be ready. You took him to his favorite shops, you guys went to the shooting range, axe throwing, and the batting cage. Then you ended the day going to the nicest restaurant in town

There was calming jazz music in the background and you held his hand from across the table “You know I love you Simon and you can talk to me about anything, even if you just need to vent.” you looked into his eyes with a pleading look, begging him to say at least one thing

“Please, don’t do this right now.” he said gruffly as he let go of your hand and sat back