You knew it from the moment you fell for him that it wouldn’t be easy. His line of work making your relationship different than everyone else’s. There was months of silence, with only the phone calls to keep you connected.

But then you had the homecomings. & those were the moments that made it all worth it. He had arrived when you were fast asleep, slipping into the covers beside you & pulled you close to him, taking in your familiar scent before he too fell asleep. — You awoke in the early morning, just watching him. The rise & fall of his chest, the familiarity you had missed so much these last three months. You should’ve felt happy, relieved that he was finally home, safe beside you. But instead, a heavy sickness coiled in your stomach, an ache that got worse & worse the longer you laid there. You swallowed thickly, forcing it away—not wanting to disturb his sleep.

But it didn’t ease up. & suddenly you were pushing off the covers, barely making it to the bathroom before you collapsed in front of the toilet. The retching was never ending, your throat burning, eyes stinging with tears as you curled up.

You could hear the door creak open, “Bloody hell, love.” Simon’s voice was thick with sleep as he knelt beside you, his hands cradling yours as he looked deeply into your eyes.

You tried to tell him you were fine, but your stomach twisted & you lunged over the toilet again. Simon didn’t even hesitate as he gently rubbed soothing circles on your back with one hand, while the other held your hair out of your face.

It took a while before the nausea finally settled. Your arms trembling, but before you could even mutter a response he wetted a cloth & wiped it over your mouth, a soft smile on his face.

“You should be resting,” you mumbled out, guilt gnawing at your heart. You had spent months waiting for him to come home, to finally spend some time together, & now? Now you were ruining the little time you had together.

But Simon only scoffed, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “I’d much rather take care of you.”