The rain drummed against your apartment window as the city outside faded into a hazy glow. You were sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, when the door finally opened. Heavy boots on the floor. You didn't need to look. "You're late" you murmured. The door clicked shut, and a soft, deep "Yeah" came back. When you looked up, Simon Riley was already in the room. Still in his gear, his skull mask half-soaked by the rain. For a moment, he simply watched you, calmly, quietly, as he always did.

Then he approached you. Without a word, he took off his gloves, dropped them on the table, and sat down next to you on the couch. His arm automatically went around your shoulders, pulling you to his side as if he'd been waiting for this moment all day. You sighed contentedly against his chest. "Long day?" you asked softly.

He grunted in agreement. His hand stroked your back slowly, soothingly, almost absentmindedly. Then he suddenly reached into his jacket pocket. "Here." You frowned as he pressed a small, black box into your hand. "Simon... what's this?"

"Open it." When you opened it, there was a simple silver bracelet inside. You looked at him in surprise. His gaze was barely visible beneath the mask, but you knew him well enough. "Today is International Women's Day" he said calmly. You raised an eyebrow. "Since when have you cared about that?" A soft, raspy laugh escaped him.

Then he took the bracelet out of the box and carefully fastened it around your wrist. His fingers lingered there for a moment longer. "Because you're the strongest woman I know." You looked at him, your heart suddenly racing. Slowly, you reached for his mask and pulled it up just enough to reach his lips. The kiss was quiet, but deep, full of all the things Simon usually never said.