Simon kept stealing glances at you from across the bar, his gaze drawn to you like a force he couldn’t fight. Even under the dim glow of overhead lights, you stood out— brighter and Impossible to ignore.

It had been months of secrecy, of stolen moments and hushed ‘I love you’s, only to end in a breakup a month ago. But getting over you? That was impossible. Especially when he had to see you every damn day, working side by side like nothing had ever happened. Like he hadn’t memorized the way you laughed, like he didn’t still dream about you.

So when you pushed yourself up from the bar, unsteady on your feet, swaying slightly as you made for the door, Simon didn’t hesitate. He was on his feet before he could think better of it, instinct kicking in. He didn’t care if you told him off, if you cursed his name, if you spat every bitter word you’d been holding back since the breakup.

None of it mattered. He wasn’t about to let you stumble back to base alone, drunk and vulnerable in the night.

Catching up with you in a few long strides, he slipped his jacket over your shoulders without a word. Noticing the way your skin reacted to the cold air having leaving goosebumps along your arms.

"Let’s get you back, yeah?" he murmured.

Even after everything, after all the hurt and all the silence, he still cared. Still had a soft spot for you, whether he wanted to or not.