#like it would be so easy if we already knew the answer to everything

[maladaptivewritings]

Headlock Pt.2

Summary: Simon just returned from deployment, to realize he has a new neighbor. His paranoia soon leads to obsession as he dives into a cycle of charismatic stalking.

Tw: stalking, smoking, general Simon behaviors.

Y/N: She/They pronouns, has tattoos, library associate, mid-late 20's, y/n height is implied (between 5'3 to 5'6)

The old building ached and groaned as the weeks passed. Simon had learned as much as he could through his searches. Documents littering his personal desk and counters, pictures of you from social media now taking up space within his mind.

"Just for security reasons" a siren song danced in his mind. He the hours you worked, that was easy seeing the wall were thin enough and your alarm was just loud enough. As He would lay amongst the pitch sheets, listening half-heartedly as you fumbled about rushing to get ready. The door slams shut as you sprint out into the hall. The sick routine begins as Simon would roll out of bed, watching you from his window.

The sun just peeks behind the buildings as you would run to your car, hair tossed back into whatever style would listen that morning. Insisting to himself that this was a passing thing, and soon this would be just a thing of the past.

Until you knocked on his door after you got back that night.

His eyes scour your body for a clue on why you had shown up this time. Had you seen him this morning? Did you somehow find out about the encyclopedia of knowledge he had on you.

"Are you hungry?" You ventured, eyes darting aware from Simon's as you continued. "I want to try this place down the road, everyone I know is busy."

Simon was stunned, understanding the concept. Were you asking him out? No, definitely not this was just politeness at it's finest. He nodded unsure if he could speak.

"Of' course, I could eat." He finally answered.

"Um, drive together or walk or separately..." You elaborated further, definitely just ready to leave.

"I'll walk," Simon assured, disappearing back into his home. He grabbed coat, but in his hidden state shoved the folders and files into his desk. If everything went well, he didn't need you seeing that.

You waited in the doorway, already having dropped off most of your work items in the foyer of your own apartment. Simon finally returned to the hall, trying to correct his social faux pas as he nodded and greeted you.

"So' where we heading." He was nearly a foot taller than you as he trailed behind. The sickly yellow lights of the hall helping paint the scene in front of you as you reached the stairwell. You explained some convoluted story about your coworker raving about a restaurant which you knew was down the road. You were of course tired of this woman's incessant ramblings about this damned place. He followed, his figure shadowing yours as you finally halted in front of a small café.

Soft music escaped the windows and doors, the patio lit up in the evening sun. Y/n waltzed inside and Simon, like a stray mutt, followed the dim gold light danced of the delicate cups. The booths worn in as the two sat down.

"I am so sorry about this," You recalled the rushed manner you asked. Before even getting to that point you attempted to come to this small restaurant over five times, chickening out per each attempt. Hands hiding your face as the two of you waited for a server to come by.

"Had nothin' better to do." His voice assured that he was content, his hat hiding him from the light as he leaned in to meet you at the table. He was pushing himself to feel normal, a task never fulfilled in his daily life. For this for you he'd try.

The server came and the two ordered, small treats littering the table as Simon tousled the tablecloth. This was not a place he'd visit, vintage neon signs displayed across the walls. He noted every moment you ranted and raved. He now knew who you hated in the office, or how you'd lay in bed for as long as you could before running off every morning.

The sun fell, and the two of you returned to apartment building. You invited him in for a moment before separating, just desiring more company for the night.

Your apartment was quaint, old textbooks littering any surface. Many just old and outdated, he follows as you slowly breakdown some physical barriers, your coat and scarf than taking down your hair while slipping into slippers. He haunts the halls of the apartments, picking up trinkets ever so often and few falling in to his pockets.

His grunts and groans, an intended way of keeping your eyes off him. He yearned to explore this strange land, where do you hide away at night? When did you lock yourself away and entertain yourself.

He had been drawn to glance into one of those dark doorways that lined the hall. As he drew nearer, he heard you yell for him. Pulling him from his daze.

"Uh, Coffee or Tea?" The question that halted him. He fell back into the kitchen where you stood. An electric kettle boiling as y/n sat a top the counter awaiting a response.

"Tea," He paused seeing you being to pull out a bowl of various tea's a collection he would be jealous of if it weren’t for the fact he only enjoyed maybe three out of the fifty within your grasp.

"Just grab one." You pushed the bowl towards him, as you grasped one at random. Making your own cup in peace, Simon glanced at the clock. 10:28 P.M. While he would love to poke around further, he knew it would be to risky to rummage throughout your home with you here.

"I'll pass, gotta get up early tomorrow mornin'" He apologized, his lie hidden by those puppy-dog-eyes. As he slipped out and back into his home. He had now some trophies from tonight, a few knickknacks that wouldn’t be missed, and maybe some other items that disappeared from your laundry when he claimed he needed to use the restroom.