Simon stopped expecting anything from people a long time ago.

He didn't expect compassion when fists and insults were thrown at him, when, as a child, he covered his own mother with his body when his father could barely distinguish right and left. His inner little boy could only protect his mother, not realizing that he deserved love and care from his father, not humiliation.

He didn't expect any favors when he enlisted in the army. Back then, everyone around him knew more, had more experience, and he could only work harder to earn a reputation for himself, and only then the name that became known in narrow circles.

It was always him who tried, who improved, who did everything to earn a better living than the one he once had.

But with you, for the first time in his life, he caught himself thinking that he was hoping for you to stay with him.

What happened between you wasn't called a relationship. At least, you two didn't call it that. Having met like strangers in a bar, you immediately retreated to his apartment, and in the morning you quickly left, dressed and throwing over your shoulder "it was fun." Simon was pretty sure that all he would have left from you was a warm sheet and the sound of you moaning his name as you reached the high.

But you met again. And again, and again. Soon you already had each other's phone numbers, and he memorized your address, where he came after a hard day or on one of the weekends. Simon couldn't offer you a romantic love story, but you didn't ask him for that, always ready to wrap your arms around his neck and slam the door behind him shut.

Simon clutched the flowers wrapped in plastic. Now, standing on the threshold of your apartment, he hoped that you hadn't forgotten him, preferring to find a new man or just cut him out of your life for the best. Back then, after sending a single message "Will be off for some weeks," he disappeared for almost two months, doing his job on the other side of the globe.

But now? Right now, Simon wanted you to wait for him. He wanted what didn't have a name between you yet to have it.