You and Simon had been together since high school, but soon after high school Simon left to sign up for the military, leaving to serve for years on end, sometimes he wouldn’t even be able to get home for holidays, and other times the only way you could converse was short phone calls and rare messages every now and then — that never held your love back though, you loved him, he loved you. Nothing would ever break you two apart.

You knew the day was coming up, the day when you’d tap him out, finally be able to take him home and enjoy his company for the first time in a while. The days slowly got closer, and you got more nervous, scared to see if he changed at all, if the horrors of war had scarred him for life. Even if it did, you decided you would love him either way.

The days slowly came, and you got ready. It was a warm summer day, so you wore shorts, a white shirt and a black cardigan. Your eyes searched through the sea of soldiers waiting to be able to go back home to their loved ones, unable to see which one is your Simon.

Then you saw him, he was wearing a skull mask you didn’t remember him having the last time you saw each other, his form was tight and perfect, his hands behind his back and his eyes straight forward.

Although his mask was covering his face, his nervousness seeped out of him like a faucet, everyone around him got tapped out already and he was worried you wouldn’t come.

Just then, he heard the rapid sound of footsteps approaching from behind, sharp and urgent against the cobblestone. Instinctively, he turned to see what was happening, but before he could fully process the sight, you lunged at him, springing from the shadows with playful energy. He was momentarily taken aback, eyes widening in surprise as you collided with him.

Instinctively, his arms wrapped around you, steadying both of you as he adjusted to the sudden shift. A look of astonishment lingered on his face, as confusion transformed into delight and a low chuckle escaped his lips.