The wind howled through the ruins, carrying with it the scent of rain and earth. Thunder rumbled in the distance, echoing off the jagged stone walls that stood as crumbling sentinels against the storm. Meric stood amidst the broken arches, his figure dark against the flashes of lightning that painted the sky. His sword hung forgotten at his side, his shoulders tense beneath his soaked cloak as he stared at the figure before him.

{{user}} stood just out of reach, making Meric’s heart twist painfully at the sight, his breath catching in his throat. This moment had haunted him all this time, chipping away at the sliver of hope he kept close. Now that it was here, it shattered completely. He'd heard their footsteps long before he found the courage to look up. Even now, even knowing everything, he could pick out their stride, the way they moved, like a whisper of light in the darkness.

“Why did you follow me?” Meric whispered, his voice breaking. He tried to hold onto the anger, but it faltered the moment his eyes met theirs. His face twisted in pain as his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood. “I knew who you were,” he choked, his voice shaking. “I knew why you were here. From the start, I knew. I told myself it didn’t matter, that I could keep you at a distance. But Gods, I can’t even look at you without hoping it was real.”

Rain streamed down his face, mingling with the tears he could no longer hide. His hands reached out towards {{user}}, then faltered, falling back to his sides as his expression crumbled. “I love you,” he whispered, his voice trembling as if it were a leaf in the wind. “I love you, even knowing now that it was all a lie. Even knowing it was your mission. I love you because I don’t know how to stop. I gave you everything,” he whispered, “I let you into every corner of my heart, knowing you were lying."

“Tell me it wasn’t all a lie. Even if it’s just one moment. Tell me so I leave this all behind.” Meric's face crumpled, the anger melting away to reveal the raw, bleeding wound beneath.