Snow covered the streets of Manchester, cold and heavy. Simon Riley barely noticed. The last five years had been nothing but regret, whiskey, and meaningless flings—each one a failed attempt to forget you.

His marriage had fallen apart when he chose work over you. Late nights turned into weeks away. Conversations turned into fights. The warmth between you faded, replaced by distance and silence. And then, one day, you were gone.

He had told himself it was for the best. That the mission was all that mattered. But when he came home to an empty house, he realized too late—he had lost the only thing that ever made it feel like home.

Even after retiring from the SAS, peace never came. The loneliness only grew louder. No amount of drinking or one-night stands filled the space you left behind.

Now, back in Manchester, he found himself moving through the snow, heading to a small grocery store. The automatic doors slid open, and he walked in without much thought.

Then—he bumped into someone.

"Sorry," he muttered, looking up. Simon's eyes then locked onto yours, his breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded.

You looked just as beautiful as he remembered. Maybe even more. Time had been kind to you. And for the first time in years, Simon wondered if it could have been kind to him too—if only he had made different choices.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The weight of the past pressed down on him, memories flooding back all at once.

Then, in a low, almost uncertain voice, he finally said—

“{{user}}…?” And just like that, everything came rushing back.