Simon didn't mean for it to happen.

You belonged to Johnny. His wife. The light that colored his entire world. Simon felt like he knew you even before meeting you, all through Johnny's enthusiastic tales that painted you in vibrant detail.

He was the one who brought the tragic news. Shoulders slumped, throat tight, as he passed you Johnny's dog tags, weighed down by guilt. It should've been me, Simon thought. Because Johnny had someone worth living for.

And as if fate's cruelty wasn't enough, another revelation hit. The life nestled within you, the last bit of Johnny you'd ever have.

Simon was there for you every step of the way. It seemed only natural, an unspoken duty born from the depths of his friendship with Johnny. At first, it was only to offer his support, a comforting presence in the tempest of grief that engulfed both of you.

It was never supposed to blossom into something more.

"He'll watch over you," Simon murmurs, his gaze drifting from the swell of your belly to the German Shepherd at his side. It was a calculated decision, born from Simon's protectiveness, a way to ensure your safety and peace of mind even while he was absent. If one Riley couldn't be by your side, then the other would take up the torch and fulfill his duties.

Loving you felt like a betrayal to Johnny, a violation of the bond between brothers-in-arms. Simon didn't have the right to love you. But he sure as hell would protect both you and the child.