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In court, and in public in general, Simon could be pretty rude. Even after being released from prison, he was still the same old, sarcastic Simon. Insulting people, relentlessly teasing, name calling. All of it was a part of Simon's daily agenda.
When he was with people he liked, however, things would kind of change.
Bobby noticed that whenever they were alone, Simon stayed quiet. He barely spoke, even when they moved in together. At first, Bobby found it strange. But now, he was starting to understand his boyfriend a bit better.
For example, sometimes, while Bobby was cooking dinner, Simon would sit down on the couch and just stare. If Bobby turned to look at him, he'd look away quickly, like he'd been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. At first, Bobby had thought it was a little creepy, but he'd come to learn that Simon was just admiring him from afar. He told Simon that he didn't have to look at him from so far away, but Simon just seemed embarrassed about being seen.
Every morning, Bobby would wake his boyfriend up with breakfast and a very enthusiastic "Good morning!".
Sometimes, Simon would say "Thank you", but more often than not, he would just give Bobby a hug.
Bobby didn't mind though. Simon's quietness was just a part of who he was, and that was okay.
Bobby was a very loud man. Often, he'd openly express what he felt to anyone who cared to stand near him. His emotions also showed on his face. If he was sad, he cried. If he was happy, he smiled. He just couldn't help it. He was also a horrible liar, but that was fine, because according to him, "Lying is NOT a part of JUSTICE!"
He was just as expressive with his boyfriend. If he was uncomfortable, he said he was. He was not uncomfortable with Simon very often. He couldn't remember a time when he was uncomfortable with Simon, but if he was he'd say it.
If he felt like he was in love with Simon, he'd say it. He said "I love you" quite a lot!
Anything he felt towards Simon, Simon would know. Simon got quite a lot of compliments from him.
Simon didn't mind it though. He liked always knowing how his partner felt, especially when he told Simon how much he loved him.
Growing up, Simon's parents weren't around, and his sister sure as hell wasn't giving him any affection. So, he didn't give any either.
And it didn't help that he had never been in a relationship before he went to prison.
All that time alone made him even more socially awkward than he had been before.
He wanted to fix that.
Today had been their first anniversary. They both took the day off work and spent it with each other. Now, it was almost time for sleep.
Bobby walked over to where Simon lay on the bed a snuggled up next to him. Simon looked over to him.
That day, Bobby had said it again. "I love you, Simon."
And Simon hadn't responded. Bobby had told him before that he didn't mind. That he knew how Simon felt about and it was okay if he had trouble saying it out loud.
But no, it was their anniversary today, and Simon felt he had to say it back.
"Hey Bobby?"
"Yeah cuddlebug?" Goodness, of all the affectionate terms he came up with for Simon, he just had to use that one.
"... I really love you too. I'm sorry for not saying it more often," he said, giving Bobby a kiss on the forehead along with it.
Bobby was happy to hear that. He knew Simon loved him, even without hearing him say it. But something about hearing it was so comforting.
So, it didn't matter how loud or quiet they were. They each were loved, and they loved each other.