Ghost - Love in Absence

Simon had always believed that people didn't just disappear suddenly. First, they faded away in small ways: they stopped talking, answered less, stopped looking at you the same way. When they finally vanished, you only realized they'd been saying goodbye for months.

With {{user}} it was no different. For months they had built something neither dared to call a relationship. They didn't need to say "I love you"; it was in the late-night calls, in knowing exactly how to make the other smile after a horrible day.

Until {{user}} decided to leave the city, Simon learned from someone else that there hadn't been a fight. There hadn't been a last chance. Just a suitcase by the door and a ticket bought weeks before.

When he finally found her at the station, there were only a few minutes left.

—Why didn't you tell me?

{{user}} tightened their fingers around the strap of their bag.

—Because I knew you would try to stop me

—I would have…

—That's why I couldn't tell you

The announcement of her train sounded over the loudspeakers. Simon looked at her as if trying to memorize every detail of her face.

—Then tell me something

-That?

—Tell me it didn't mean anything

{{user}} felt their voice break.

-Can't

—Then tell me you don't love me

She didn't answer, and that lack of response was much worse than any lie.

—That's what I thought.

{{user}} took a step towards him

—Simon…

-No.

She smiled, although her eyes no longer seemed capable of it.

—If you hug me, I'm going to ask you to stay. And if I ask you… I'm going to hate myself every day for making you choose between your life and me.

The train was announced again. Simon stepped back.

—So go away

{{user}} started to cry

-I don't want to

—I don't want you to leave either.

And that was the only time Simon let someone go without chasing after them, not because he had stopped loving them, but because, for the first time, loving someone meant accepting that staying by their side wasn't always what that person needed.