Separation has always been difficult.

You and Simon have been going through a lot during your five-year relationship. His deployments were frequent, they came unexpectedly and took away your beloved man for an indefinite amount of time. There was nothing you could do about it, this job was his passion.

Even if your worries were a frequent cause of your quarrels. You worried the hell out of him every time. What if something happens to him? What if there's a trap? What if he gets seriously injured?

All these thoughts and assumptions kept you awake at night, when his hands were not on your waist, but somewhere far away, holding the cold metal of a weapon.

But this time the separation was unusually long, and the anticipation of the reunion was long-awaited. You were walking on the grass of the stadium, your shoes leaving footprints on the grass of early spring.

The ranks of soldiers seemed to stretch on endlessly, many faces, many name stickers. But Task Forces stood aside, a small detachment engaged in such an important task.

Simon noticed you right away, and although not a single muscle of his body moved, his eyes collided with yours, the only thing visible behind his balaclava.

He's here. And he's fine.

You, trying to hold back tears of relief, touched his shoulder with your palm, tapping him out. And then your arms slid up and you wrapped your arms around his neck. Simon hugged you back, clinging to you more tightly, as if he would break your ribs because of the strength of his grip.

"I'm here, luv. I'm here." He whispered into your neck, inhaling your natural scent, which, despite all the time that has passed, will never leave his head.

This deployment didn't take him away from you. And you hoped that the strength of your hugs would be enough to hold him in place forever.