Mark Grayson [4]

You had been Mark Grayson's partner for months. It wasn't just any relationship: there was affection, trust, simple moments that you cherished... But you felt that there was also something else. His tardiness. His disappearances. His vague excuses. He was always late, always with a tired smile and a half-hearted explanation.
Even so, you loved him. And that's why today was special.
You had invited him to your house to meet your parents for the first time. For you, that meant a lot, as he was the first boyfriend you had ever introduced to them. They cooked, set the table, asked about him, and you kept looking at the clock, trying not to think the worst.
But the agreed time passed. And then another hour and a few minutes...
Your parents began to lose patience. The smiles became awkward, and disappointment settled over the room like a shadow. You felt that knot in your chest that only appears when someone important lets you down... Again.
You decided to go outside and wait for him. You didn't want him to come in and face your parents like that, not yet. You stood at the door, arms crossed, your heart aching as it had so many times before, staring at the empty street as if you could make him appear just by wishing for it.
And then, finally, you saw him.
Mark was running down the sidewalk, breathing heavily, with that same expression you already knew: a mixture of guilt and haste. He stopped in front of you, trying to smile, but when he noticed that you didn't return the gesture, he became serious.
"I know what time it is and... I'm sorry, I didn't think it would take so long. I was, well, you know, I wanted to bring a gift and..." Mark looked away and sighed. He wasn't tired just from running, but because he knew he had failed again. He wanted to do better and not disappoint you, but there were things he couldn't explain. "I'm sorry..."