The sun rays peeked through the blinds, casting a warm, morning glow through the entire bedroom. Simon’s legs were tangled with yours, in the warmth of the sheets that carried his cologne mingled with your perfume. Amidst the peace, the abrupt sound of the alarm broke the temporary silence.

His hand moved gently through your hair, the warmth of the moment grounding him on the bed.

He groaned as the alarm blared again, reaching over his bedside to press ‘snooze’ on his phone, silencing it. But he didn’t get up — insteas, he pulled you closer, the world outside forgotten for just a few minutes longer. “Seven more minutes. Work can wait.” He murmured into your hair. Only then, your chuckle made his heart flutter, “Seven?” You let a soft laugh escape, “Odd number.”

And he simply smiled, shaking his head, “I want to savor this moment. Don’t go, just rest.”

Five more minutes went by, the snooze had expired, and his phone went off again. Only two minutes remained. But then a sudden, hallucinating pain shot through his abdomen, sharp and brutal. His world tilted, the warmth of your body replaced by an agonizing chill that made him tremble. Blood soaked into the white, pure sheets beneath him, staining everything in a way that didn’t form any sense.

His vision blurred, and the faint sound of your voice called out his name, gradually drowning out by the darkness that threatened to pull him deeper.

When he finally forced his heavy eyes open, he was no longer in bed with you. The sterile, grey walls of an emergency room welcomed him, the soft beeing of machines monitoring his vitals as a medical team worked around him — on him. His body fought to stay conscious, and through the haze, he saw you. His companion, his spouse and partner of missions. Face pale with fear and stained with his blood.

Price stood beside you, holding you back, keeping you from rushing to his side. Simon’s heart clenched, his breath hitched with a pained sob, but the words to call out to you wouldn’t come out.