Whatever It Takes

Prologue

a/n: shoutout to brittany broski for holding me at gunpoint and making me write about ghost
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Despite the late hour, you and Simon were both wide awake. The lights were dimmed, the house deadly silent apart from your voices. Simon sat on the leather couch, leaned forward with his forearms in his thighs and hands clasped. You were standing across from him, on the other side of the scratched up and nail polish stained coffee table. 

"Love, it's non-negotiable," he drawled, accent making his otherwise soft voice gruff.

A bitter, breathy laugh left you in a short huff, your eyebrows twitching upwards ever so slightly. "Non-negotiable? Even for me, for us? Our wedding day, our future?"

Your fiance's stern expression didn't waver. Despite the growing frustration from both sides of the conversation, Simon never raised his voice. Never at you. He hated arguing with you.

He doubled down, voice firm but hushed. "It's not just any other mission."

"How long?" You asked in a quiet voice, jaw ticking as you fight the frustrated tears and burning sensation in your chest.

Sighing and running a hand through his hair, Simon shifted in his seat to lean back. "Six months."

A cold wave of disappointment washed over you, your stomach dropping at the words. Breath hitching on an inhale, your eyes fell shut. They stung, a knot swelling in your chest. Not only would Simon be missing your wedding, he'd be gone for half a year. Swallowing, you left the living room without another word, fleeing to the bedroom.

Simon clenched his jaw as you walked away. He watched your form leave without any protest. He knew you'd be upset about this, but there was nothing he could do to change it. Hesitant to follow, he sat there silently for a moment, before finally getting up and heading to the bedroom. He leaned his shoulder against the door frame, arms folded over his chest. His eyes observed your form sitting hunched on the bed, your head in your hands and facing towards the covered window. 

"Why?" You asked, voice cracking.

Your fiance sighed heavily when he heard the way your voice broke. Simon hated seeing you like this, especially if it was because of himself. Stepping into the room and closing the door gently, he made his way over and sat down beside you on the mattress. He took in a breath before he answered, his eyes trained on the side of your face.

"This is a really important mission in the Makarov trail. I need to be there, they're counting on me. I can't let them down, love. It's my duty."

Your breath stuttered at the mention of his duty, deep down knowing he'd always choose it over you. "I...Can't do this, Simon, not again," you whispered, lips pressing into a tight line as you closed your eyes and hung your head.

Hearing your words, Simon's heart sunk. He clenched his first, resisting the urge to reach out and pull you close to his chest. He knew exactly what you were feeling. This wasn't the first time he's had to be away on a mission, but it is the first one in a long while. He hated that he was going to miss his own wedding. It was breaking him just as much as it was breaking you.

"I hate it too, love, believe me..." Simon muttered under his breath, voice raspy and quiet. He didn't know what to say that could ease the pain for either of you.

The dam broke, your lips trembling around a quiet sob. "Simon, please don't go. Choose us."

The man gritted his teeth. He could hear the pain in your voice. It was killing him. He knew how much this meant to you, hell it meant everything to him too. He wanted nothing more than to stay here by your side, stand with you at that altar, and start your future together.