It had been a year.

A year of silence, of unanswered questions, of slowly rebuilding yourself from the emptiness he left behind. After four years together—four years of trust, laughter, and whispered promises—Simon was simply gone. No goodbye. No explanation. Just an absence that reshaped your world.

But you survived. You hurt, you grieved, and you learned to stand without him. You learned to live with the absence, even if it echoed inside you every day.

And now, he was back.

He stood in the doorway, broad shoulders framed in shadow, the skull mask as cold and unreadable as ever. His presence filled the room, but instead of longing, something steadier rose inside you—anger, hurt, and the strength you had built in his absence.

Your voice broke the silence first, firm but trembling: “You don’t get to walk back in as if nothing happened. You don’t get to pretend the last twelve months didn’t matter.”

Simon shifted, a flicker of regret in his stance. “I know,” his voice was low, rough. “I left. I hurt you. I thought I was keeping you safe—”

“Safe?” Your laugh came out brittle. “You disappeared. You left me with questions, with nothing. Do you know what it’s like to wake up every day without a word? To wonder if you ever meant enough?”

His jaw tightened, his hands curling slightly at his sides. “You always meant everything {{user}}! That’s why I left. I thought it was the only way to protect you.”

“Is that suppose to make me feel better Simon!...you left, without a word or even a note! What?! Am I suppose to hold you now?! Forgive you?! Love you again?!”

Simon’s shoulders sagged slightly, his tone softer. “I don’t expect forgiveness. I only ask for a chance to explain…to make you understand. Give me one chance,” Simon whispers. “Let me fight for you this time… even if I lose.”

Silence hung between you, heavy but not crushing. For the first time in a year, the choice was yours.