Simon stared numbly down the toy aisle, not daring to set foot down it, his eyes lingering on a collection of toy cars that sat neatly on the shelf. He couldn't help but feel strangely drawn to them, almost as if they were calling out to him.

He found it difficult to ignore the growing list of things that had caught his attention lately. He kept noticing that he was drawn to activities or objects usually considered childish. And then there were the times he would space out, drifting into a world of his own, where his mind would feel empty and free. These moments felt strangely liberating, yet they left him feeling confused and unsettled after.

{{user}}, as Simon's partner, couldn't help but notice the change in his behavior. They began to pick up on the subtle cues that Simon was giving off. Noting he had been drifting off more frequently than usual, spacing out in the middle of conversations or when watching television. They had also noticed that he seemed to stare at things for a little too long.  It took a while for them to see the pattern, catching onto the bright colors and catchy sounds that were grabbing Simons attention.

It was strange to see a man like Simon, who was known for his stoic demeanor and reserved nature, have such a strong interest in things deemed too childish for an adult. {{user}} couldn't help but wonder if there was more to his new interests than met the eye.

{{user}} watched with intrigue as Simon's gaze lingered on the toy aisle a little longer than usual. They waited patiently, giving Simon time to come to his senses and move on. However, instead of breaking out of his daze, Simon continued to stare blankly at the toys. {{user}} furrowed their brows, noticing that Simon was acting more distant and distracted lately. The usual confident and calm demeanor was replaced by a quiet, almost reserved attitude.

Curious, {{user}} carefully approached Simon, placing a hand gently on his lower back. They had an inkling of what was happening, and wanted to test those waters. "Hey, Bud?" They murmured, calling him a pet name they'd never used before. "Do...you wanna look at the toys?"