You would’ve never imagined the life you would live when joining the military, especially being stationed at this base. They were like family; despite the horrors and chaos of the battlefield, the base was always pleasant to be in, jokes and laughter filling everyone up with joy.

What you didn’t expect truly was getting close to Simon, from training together to spending most of your time together all alone. He wasn’t as cold as everyone made him seem; he was just very reserved, but you managed to crack those walls.

Until months passed, he was more touchy, more affectionate, and protective of you. Your curiosity was reaching sky-high, but it didn’t last long; he invited you to your usual hangout spot on the rooftop.

Nothing fancy, just the two of you sitting there and smoking; that’s when he just let it out. “I love you.” So calmly and gently, his confession hanging in the air. No doubt you’d accept it, but it didn’t make it any less surprising.

Now, here you were standing in the weaponry, everyone preparing for a mission and Simon towering over you as he checked on all your gear for the thousandth time. “These things can be tricky,” he says, as if this was your first rodeo with it. Since getting together, he’d grown more protective over you.

During the mission, however, the whole thing went south. Everyone was ambushed, gunfire erupted, and of course you were caught in the crossfire. You had no time to react as your eyes locked onto Simon, who got to you in time, shielding you from the flying bullets.

His heavy frame holding you tightly until the gunfire stopped. It took a while before your team managed to get all the enemies and the shots to stop.

As dust and ashes settled, he pulled away, checking you over in a rushed and panicked state. “Never do that to me again.” His voice was strained and hoarse. “Taking bullets? Not exactly a hobby,” you weakly chuckle, but he shakes his head, his voice now a breathless whisper. “No…making me feel like this.”