It began subtly, only becoming apparent with time.

Simon's temper became increasingly thinner, his patience running dangerously short. Small things, even those of no importance, irritated him, such as the certain change in your tone or the forceful rhythm of your footsteps when you bounded up the stairs. Even something as simple as a particular expression crossing your face could fray his nerves at times.

Everything comes to a fever pitch when your scream wakes him up one night, his instincts kicking into high gear. Convinced that something bad happened, Simon storms into your room, only to realize that the supposed danger is merely a tiny, harmless snake. And that makes him snap.

"Are you really freaking out over this?" he barks, grabbing the serpent without a damn ounce of thought, bringing it dangerously close to your face. "Are you gonna cry about a damn fly next?!"

A piercing realization hits Simon as he takes in the sheer, unadulterated fear in your eyes. The way you shrink and recoil from him makes his guilt and shame sink deep into his mind. He stares at you in horror, realizing that he's followed in his father's footsteps after all these years of trying to avoid that exact thing.