Sebastian Sallow #3

It was raining when she arrived, soaked, her eyes red from crying. She'd just broken up with her boyfriend and didn't know where else to go. He opened the door without asking, hugged her tightly, and let her in. She'd seen him like that before, but something was different that night.

"Again?" he murmured, offering her a towel.

"I couldn't take it anymore," she replied, her voice breaking.

They sat close together on the couch. She spoke in pauses, letting everything out. He listened silently, his heart burning. He was always there, waiting, loving her in secret.

"I don't know why they always break me," she whispered.

"Maybe because no one knew what he had," he replied, without looking away.

She looked at him. Something changed in her expression. Vulnerability, doubt... desire.

—And you? Would you know?

He didn't respond. He just leaned in slowly, giving her room to move away. But he didn't. They kissed, first gently, then with suppressed need. The tension of years was released in that instant.