The sound of the rain tapping against the windows was soft but constant, like the world had decided to stay silence. You stood near the front door, keys in hand, jacket already on, while Simon sat on the couch, shoulders tense and fingers loosely tangled in the fabric of his joggers. He hadn't said anything, but you saw it in the way his jaw tightened, the way his gaze flicked toward the window with a shadow in his eyes.

You had only been dating for a few weeks. Just enough to know how his voice dropped when he was serious, how he never let his guard down completely, and how the rain did something to him. He never gave you details, only that it reminded him of something he'd rather forget.

You glanced outside again. The streets were soaked, puddles already forming on the sidewalk, and the sky was a moody gray. A part of you wanted him beside you, you always did, but not like this. Not if it meant forcing him through a storm, inside and out.

"You don't have to come with me," you said gently, stepping back toward him.

Simon looked up, brows furrowing slightly. "You sure?"

You nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah. I'll go grab what we need and be back in no time. You can stay here, dry and safe. Maybe put on one of those old movies you pretent not to like."

That earned a small exhale- almost a laugh, almost- but his expression still held that situation, like he hated the idea of letting you go out alone.