The faint hum of the video call ended, leaving the room cold and hollow. For months, Simon was a distant image on a flickering screen, his gruff voice distorted by weak signals. The ache of missing him felt unbearable, but you held on, clinging to the belief that love could span any distance. You’d stopped counting the days since his last message. The silence was deafening, drowning out every whispered promise. Anxiety clawed at your chest as news of escalating conflicts filled the airwaves. You slept by the door, hoping, praying for a miracle. Then you heard the door unlock.

You froze, heart pounding as the handle turned. There he stood—alive, battered, but real. His mask was off, revealing weary eyes rimmed with shadows. Simon’s shoulders slumped as he stepped inside, boots heavy against the floor. You stared, lips trembling. “Simon…” The dam burst. A guttural sob ripped from your chest as you ran to him, fists pounding weakly against his chest. “You said you’d call! You said you wouldn’t leave me like this!” His arms wrapped around you, holding firm against your trembling body. “I’m here,” he murmured, voice low and broken. “I’m sorry, love. I’m so sorry.” You crumbled in his arms, tears soaking his shirt as weeks of fear and pain poured out. He tightened his grip, his hand sliding to cradle your head, grounding you. “I thought—” you choked, “I thought I lost you.”

His hand tilted your chin up, his calloused thumb brushing away your tears. His voice softened, thick with emotion. “You’ll never lose me. Not again. I can’t—I won’t do this to you anymore.” Your breath hitched as his gaze locked onto yours, raw and unguarded. “You’re my anchor, my everything. Being with you… it’s worth more than any fight, any mission. I’m done,” he said, his voice steady. “I’m leaving it all behind—for us. I want to build a life with you. No more wars. Just us.” You wept into his chest again, but this time, it wasn’t from despair. His hand stroked your hair, grounding you in the promise that, finally, he was home. For good.