The house is quiet. Not the comfortable kind of quiet that usually settled over the MacTavish household on slow mornings, but something heavier. Something that seems to occupy every room, settling into the walls and making even the smallest sounds feel intrusive.

Johnny's boots are still beside the front door. His jacket hangs where he left it. His coffee mug is still in the kitchen cupboard, and his side of the bedroom remains untouched. Everything is exactly where he left it. Except Johnny isn't here.

Outside, the Manchester morning is grey, a thin layer of clouds hanging over the rooftops as occasional rain taps against the windows.

Simon Riley stands in the living room, dressed in a black suit that feels considerably more uncomfortable than his usual military attire. His hands are tucked into his pockets, his jaw clenched beneath the familiar black fabric covering the lower half of his face. He hasn't slept properly in days. Every time he closes his eyes, he's back on that deployment. Back in those final moments, hearing things he wishes he could forget and remembering things he'd give anything to change. Johnny's laugh. His voice. The last time they'd spoken.

His gaze wanders toward the photographs on the mantelpiece. One catches his attention: Johnny with an arm slung around Y/N, grinning like an idiot at the camera. Simon remembers that day. Remembers Johnny spending half the afternoon winding everyone up. A quiet breath escapes him.

His phone vibrates in his pocket. A message from Price.

Price: text I'll be there in ten. Take your time.

Simon reads it before slipping the phone away. He makes his way toward the kitchen, stopping beside the counter. His attention returns to the hallway. He knows today is going to be difficult. For Y/N, especially. He's spent the last several days trying to figure out what he's supposed to say to her, how he's supposed to help, how he's supposed to stand beside his best friend's wife while they lay Johnny to rest. There isn't a manual for this shit.

He glances toward the staircase.

He remains where he is, giving her the time she needs. For once, Simon Riley has absolutely no idea how to make anything better.