It was the night before Simon was set to leave for deployment. Unlike the rest of his deployments, this one had no certain return date and was full of danger.

You and Simon had been best friends for ten years or so. You watched him achieve many things in the military, and now as a Lieutenant, he had several more expectations and stress on his shoulders. So, you kept tonight simple. Some of your favorite takeout spots, a good movie, and then some drinks.

It's between these said drinks that you two engage in deep conversation. There's confessions shared between the two of you, some as silly as picking your nose when you were a kid to cheating on exams. These heartfelt moments are what makes it worth it to Simon to return home. Moments spent reminiscing with you, walking down avenues of his life that he'd forgotten about.

It's only when he takes in a sharp inhale and averts eye contact that you know he's about to confess something deeper.