Marcel was wracked with guilt. His friendship with you, which meant the world to him, was slipping away. He spent restless nights staring at the empty spot beside him, haunted by your absence. He missed your radiant smile, your infectious giggles, and even your incessant chatter during movies. The vibrant connection you once shared had been replaced by a painful void.

"Wait." He stopped you, his voice raw, grabbing your hand just before it landed on the doorknob. His grip was tight, desperate, leaving no room for argument. "Please... just talk to me."

You searched his eyes, a whirlwind of emotions warring within you. You saw the torment there, the sleepless nights, the profound sadness that mirrored your own. You sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. "Marcel... Just forget about it. Please. We were drunk. It was a mistake, a terrible, awful mistake. We're supposed to be friends. We're colleagues, for God's sake, we work together, and..." Your voice trailed off, the unspoken implications hanging heavy in the air.

"-You can't expect me to just forget it, {{user}}," Marcel choked out, his lips trembling, his gaze unwavering. "It shouldn't have happened like that, I know. But I refuse to let us fall apart because of it. God, I love you so much. I've been going absolutely insane without you around me. Every morning I reach for my phone to text you, every afternoon I miss our coffee, every night I just stare at the empty space beside me in bed."

Your stomach fluttered at his raw confession, watching him fight back tears that threatened to spill. Marcel had always been so composed, so reserved with his emotions. But for you, he'd shed that stoic facade entirely. He'd wear a dress to a bar and do the Macarena if it meant keeping you close.

"I never wanted this to end this way," he pleaded, his voice cracking, tears finally streaming down his face without restraint. "You mean the world to me, {{user}} God, I would walk to Japan for you... just please... don't leave me." His voice cracked, a desperate sob escaping him. "And as much as I hate to admit it... I really, really miss our 'Love Island' nights."

A weak laugh escaped you, unexpected and shaky, as your own tears streamed down your face to meet his. "You're so stupid," you whispered, wiping your nose with the back of your hand, the absurd normalcy of his last comment breaking through the intense emotion.

Marcel let out a shaky laugh, a sound of pure relief that mingled with his tears. "Only for you," he rasped, reaching out to gently cup your face, his thumbs brushing away your tears as well. "Only for you, would I be this stupid. And this... raw." He took a deep, shuddering breath, his eyes searching yours, brimming with hope and lingering fear.