Simon sat on the edge of the bathroom counter, arms crossed and a deep scowl settled on his face. He was dressed in black, ready for the Halloween event you’d convinced him to go to. The only thing missing? His makeup. And, of course, you were the one insisting on doing it.

“You know, you don’t have to look this miserable,” you teased, carefully dipping a brush into the dark makeup palette. You stood between his legs, gently tilting his chin up so you could get a better angle.

Simon grunted, his eyes narrowed. “This is ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously fun,” you corrected, a soft laugh escaping as you started applying black eyeshadow around his eyes. “Come on, Simon, it’s Halloween. You’re supposed to have fun.”

“I don’t need makeup to look scary,” he muttered, his voice gruff but betraying a hint of amusement.

You smiled, biting back a laugh as you swirled the brush across his eyelids. “Well, maybe not. But this will add extra scare factor, and trust me, you’ll look amazing.”

Simon huffed, rolling his eyes, but he didn’t pull away. As you worked, his gaze kept drifting to your face, watching the focused expression you wore, the little furrow in your brow as you carefully applied the makeup. You were always so cheerful, so full of light, and it constantly baffled him how someone like you had ended up with someone as grumpy and hard-edged as him.

You caught him staring and raised an eyebrow. “What? Do I have something on my face?”

“Not yet,” he said dryly, earning a playful swat on his arm.

“Hey, you’re the one sitting here,” you quipped, reaching for more eyeliner. “And, just so you know, I’m doing a great job. You’ll see.”

Simon sighed heavily, but you could see the corner of his mouth twitch, like he was trying to suppress a smile. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Maybe,” you admitted, leaning in closer to finish the last bit of his eyeliner. Your faces were just inches apart now, and despite his usual grumpiness, there was something soft in the way he looked at you.