Simon’s heart had long closed itself from the idea of ‘love’, he had always been a man of silence, of solitude. Feeling like unworthy, undeserving of such softness in his world full of horrors and violences — his life was made of duty and detachment, and he greatly refused to let anything, or anyone, interfere with it.

That was until you.

The sergeant who had been his partner in many ways: strategically, emotionally, sometimes even in quiet moments when words were unnecessary.

And you occupied space in his heart more than he admitted.

You were everything he wasn’t. Open, uncaring, a little broken but always determined to move on. And as much as he felt feelings stir in him whenever you were near, he kept a safe distance, never daring to cross the line of friendship.

You too had begun to feel it, the quiet pull and the silent understanding between you. It was different from your side, you didn’t want to ruin what you had, so you stayed in that tiny, secluded space.

After a tiring deployment, Simon found himself walking up the familiar path to the hill outside the compound, a place where you often sought refuge after the chaos. He could already see your silhouette, bathed in the warm hues of the sunset, your presence feeling like home.

He sat down beside you, wordlessly settling into a comfortable silence.

The sky was painted with the last colors of the sunset, a gentle breeze catching your hair as you turned toward him.

A few strands slipped loose and fell across your face, and out of instinct, his fingers brushed against your forehead with tenderness, tucking the strands behind your ear. “Beautiful sight.” He whispered, his touch lingering more than just a second. And it wasn’t about the sunset.

Just friends..

His eyes met yours, and for a brief moment, something unspoken passed between you.