The only thing between you and Simon was your parents. There had never been much but disdain in the way they glared at your secret lover, though that lack of approval had never weakened your devotion to him.

Although he was the epitome of a bad partner in your family’s eyes, to you, the young soldier was perfect. A harsh past, or scarred skin, could never change that.

Your heart shattered the day Simon told you that, now that he was old enough, he’d be sent away for at least a year to establish his future career as a successful face in the military. He assured you that the moment he returned, he’d have enough to give you everything you wanted, even your own home together, away from the hellish reality of your strict nuclear family.

Every gruelling day that passed amidst blood or endless piles of paperwork was soothed by the memory of your promises to each other, each reluctant killing reduced in his mind to just another obstacle on his gruesome path back to you.

And finally, the day comes when he stumbles down the suburban streets of your hometown, a day that seems like any other Friday to you. Simon drags his feet over the tarmac, duffel bag flung over his shoulder, a desperation hanging on every heavy breath as he the exhausted soldier draws in the crisp night air surrounding him. But all he can think of is the warmth of your embrace.

A soft light bleeds through your curtains, and the distant echo of your favourite music through the window pane makes his heart beat faster than military training ever could. Bending down to grab a handful of small pebbles from the driveway of your house, the act of flinging the little rocks at your bedroom window makes Simon’s chest ache with familiarity.

When you finally pull back curtains, for the first time in over a year, Simon truly smiles, even if weakly.