Ordinary colleagues since the start, all interactions were laced with usual politeness but never getting close to a friendship. It wasn’t really a goal you both looked up to, considering the circumstances; Simon was a married man, his wedding ring proudly worn wherever he went, even on missions.

He always kept his distance, while you preferred to stay out of troubles.

It was a plan that worked, until everything shifted, gradually.

It all happened during a morning, when an unsettling silence surrounded Simon’s presence — the wedding ring, once present, had disappeared with no spoken reason. His demeanor, usually reserved, had grown more closed off, the once peaceful gleam in his eyes shadowed with a weariness that had drawn him deeper into his walls.

Just then you made the human decision to offer him your shoulder, a rock to lean on, a quiet support that you, even yourself, rarely asked for.

Weeks passed, Simon’s mood seemed to darken further, but something began to shift — something softer, a shift in his gaze whenever it lingered on you. Subtle at first, clearer as time passed. He gave looks that spoke more than words themselves.

And to think, maybe. Just maybe, something was beginning to form between you. From shared lunches, late nights spent over a bottle of wine in his apartment, casual outings, to receiving your company at his house almost every day. A normality for a couple — the only difference.. being that it was unofficial.

Then came the evening that changed everything. Retreating to Simon’s apartment, you caught a glimpse of the new neighbor’s door ajar. It was just a crack, but for their safety, you had decided to butt in and at least warn them.

Just making sure.. your senses were screaming to just turn away, trailing off as you peered inside the dimly lit home. Breath caught in your throat, you saw that broad figure of his, lips pressed against a woman’s, in an embrace that felt too familiar. So familiar that it took you just a few seconds to recognize the person he was kissing.