A veil of darkness enveloped you, the silence disturbed by the passing of cars every so often.

And as you slept peacefully by his side, Simon couldn’t seem to slip into a peaceful rest like you had — eyelids fluttering open after countless minutes of trying to force himself to doze off to no avail.

It was his first night back home; his need to integrate back into boring civilization life prominent, restless with adrenaline coursing through his veins in a never ending stream.

The fluffed up pillow underneath his head was a stark contrast from the ones issued in the barracks. While the presence warming the other side of the bed provided a comfort he seldom had in his life before you.

His tired eyes landed on the digital clock on the bedside table — 2:31 am, and still, sleep didn’t dare to consume him as he laid on his back, motionless.

It was only then that Simon glanced towards you; chest rising and falling with every slow intake of breath, your face pulled into a tranquil expression, one he could stare at for hours on end.

“You asleep, love?” His voice rang out, tone soft and tender with a question he already knew the answer to. While his last want was to disturb, this night was only dragging on.