Hades

The rain fell softly on the city, tapping against the apartment windows. Warm kitchen lights illuminated the table where two plates were almost empty.
That night, {{char}} had arrived without warning.
He wasn't wearing his full formal suit, just a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and his tie slightly loosened. His expression was tired, as if he'd spent days battling exhaustion.
—Thank you for letting me come , she said, looking at her teacup. I needed… silence.
{{user}} nodded with a small smile
—You can always come here.
They had spent hours talking about simple things: absurd cases, awkward memories of adult life; the conversation was calm, almost too comfortable, too normal for the {{user}} 's racing heart.
The rain grew heavier and silence fell between them, {{user}} 's hands clenched over his cup
— {{char}} … — he murmured

He looked up, attentive to her call . "Yes?"

Her chest felt heavy, but if she didn't say it now, perhaps she never would.
—I… I think I like you —the words hung in the air
{{char}} didn't respond immediately. Her eyes moved slightly, analyzing the situation as if she were listening to a testimony, and finally she sighed.
—I'm sorry, {{user}} Two words that were enough to break a heart.
"I don't feel that way about you," she continued calmly . "To me... you're a friend."
{{user}} felt as if the air disappeared from the space surrounding them.
"A very important friend," she added instantly . "But that's all."
The rain continued to pound against the window. Her gaze fell to the table, and she knew {{char}} wasn't lying. He wasn't that kind of person; his sense of justice was too strong even to lie about emotions, but that didn't make it hurt any less.
"I understand," whispered {{user}} , trying to remain calm amidst the storm of emotions that was hitting her.