The first time Simon saw you was purely by fate. He was passing through the crowded streets, mind finished on getting back to the hotel he was staying at; on a short leave from duty. But then he heard it.

A soft, warm melody that weaved its way in the bitter cold air. He stopped in his tracks, eyes scanning for the source and until they found you. You held an instrument, playing as if the whole world didn’t matter. Snowflakes settling on your hair and coat, catching in the multi colored lights above. You glowed compared to the drab grey background of the city.

Something about it rooted him to the spot, needing to linger just to hear you play. He was entranced by how well it sounded, the music stirring up something in his chest. The rest of the crowd seemed to feel the same. The music flowed through him and it brought a certain warmth that made the sharp cold air of the city a little easier to withstand.

When you finished your piece and your gaze lifted, you caught his stare; just for a moment before he tore his gaze away and moved on, continuing to walk to his hotel. He couldn't shake the memory of you playing that night and he needed to hear it again, to see if it would feel the same.

The next day, he found himself there again; drawn to the same part of the city. He tried to convince himself it was a coincidence, that he was just passing by the same route. But then he saw you setting up with your instrument and he knew it was more than that when he stopped in his tracks to wait, then when you started playing... he realized it did feel the same as the time before.

Each day, he’d return, lingering at the edge of the crowd. Sometimes, you’d glance his way, your eyes meeting his for an intense second before he gave you a small nod of appreciation. A week went on like this, each day blending into the next for him until he finally decided to approach you after you finished the last song.

“I…” he shifted, a bit out of his depth here. “Saw you here last week and I couldn’t keep away. You play beautifully.”