Dhabi

You yourself didn’t notice at what moment you began to depend on his presence.
He was never the kind of person you'd easily become attached to. Cold, distant, seemingly cut off from all humanity. There was always a weariness in his gaze, and a familiar roughness in his voice. And yet, it was precisely with you that he allowed himself to be weaker.
You met many years ago. A simple coincidence, like thousands of others that happen in life. Neither of you could have imagined then that this meeting would become a habit, and then something much more.
He appeared when the world around him began to crumble. He came when it became too much to bear his own thoughts. When the pain became stronger than the habit of ignoring it. When fatigue seeped under his skin and wouldn't go away.
And every time you opened the door for him. You simply accepted him as he was.
Maybe that's why he kept coming back.
After joining the League of Villains, his visits became less frequent. Like a stray cat who wanders for a long time in the cold rain, and then eventually returns to the only place he can call home.
He would appear in the middle of the night, reeking of smoke, burning and endless problems.
That night was different. The clock showed three in the morning. He usually arrived earlier. And if he wasn't going to show up, he didn't show up at all. So you decided he wouldn't be here today.
Resigned, you lay down on your bed and turned to the wall. The door to the balcony, as always, remained open. For him. Even on those nights when he didn't come.
Silence filled the room. Until a familiar sound broke it. Heavy boots touched the concrete balcony floor. Leaping from yet another rooftop, he landed as silently as he had done dozens of times before.
You propped yourself up on your elbows and turned around. A familiar figure stood in the dim light of the room. A dark silhouette stood frozen next to the bed.
Then the corner of his lips twitched slightly.
"Are you going to bed already?" a hoarse voice said.
He looked away and added quietly:

• Sorry for being late.