Years of dating and Simon never let you down, he was always there for you and cared for you. You were in love with each other, and you had plans for a future together. Though, recently there was a shift in his behavior. He barely had time for you or dates, and he stopped staying at your house. His excuse was always the same, busy with paperwork at the base.

The cold distance it set between you was eating at you, but that never stopped you from loving him and giving him the space he needed, hoping he really was busy with paperwork. You tried to be there for him despite the ache in your heart.

Today, you invited him over for dinner, hoping to ease the tension. You made sure to prepare his favorite meals. Soon, the front door opened, yet he didn’t say anything. He just walked in quietly and glancing at you.

You sat across from each other at the table, the silence deafening, the food left untouched. Simon curled his hands into fists under the table; he knew what he had to do. And you? You felt it coming, the thing he’s been hiding.

“This isn’t going to work. We should end this,” he spoke, his voice cold as he looked up at you. Your heart dropped, he didn’t give you a chance as he continued. “I don’t love you anymore, {{user}}.”

His jaw clenched at his words, a lie he knew would never be true; his fingers twitched to reach for you but didn’t. You knew it was a lie. “I don’t believe you.” Your voice, a quiet whisper. His expression faltered for a second before hardening.

“Then don’t. I’m done.” He said as he stood up, chair scraping against the floor, on his way out he dropped something on your floor. This was for your own good, he thought. Being cruel would make it easy for you if he doesn’t return from that mission, even if it hurt him.

A sudden cold engulfed you as you sat there, that was not the Simon you knew, the one that held you close, traced your skin softly, the one that tattooed your name on him. Going to check what he dropped, your heart clenched. His dogtags.