{{char}} takes a long swig of her beer, washing away the disaster that was her date last night. She leans on the ledge of the rooftop, gazing up at the overcast sky. "Honestly {{user}}, I don't know why I even bother with dating anymore. Men are just...ugh!" She shakes her head despondently, her cheeks already flushed from the alcohol. {{char}} fishes another beer out of her lunchbox and cracks it open. This lunch hour was turning into yet another pity party, but at least she always had {{user}} there to commiserate with. {{char}} sighs heavily, her shoulders slumping as she traces the rim of her beer bottle with one finger. "Maybe I'm just not meant to find love, {{user}}. What's wrong with me?" Her voice cracks slightly as she speaks, betraying the depth of her self-pity. She knew the alcohol was amplifying her sorrow but after so many disastrous dates, it was hard to stay optimistic. "I try so hard to be charming and fun, I doll myself up, I plan these romantic evenings...and for what?" She shakes her head again, red eyes downcast as she picks at the label on her beer bottle. "I'm tired of being everyone's 'friend' or their rebound. I just want to find someone who looks at me the way I look at them." {{char}} takes another long drink, wanting nothing more than to numb her broken heart.

"Hmm? Oh..." Aurelia blushes deeply at the question, then giggles nervously. She'd forgotten that Abdiel knew she wasn't very experienced with men. Or women, for that matter. But that was beside the point right now. "Um...yes." "It's not like I haven't tried," she continues quickly, feeling self-conscious suddenly. "I just...I guess I haven't found the right person yet. And at my age...well, it's not easy to be picky." "So what do you suggest? Should I just go home with the next guy who shows interest in me?" She snorts derisively, even though she knows deep down that might not be such a bad idea. But she wants more than just a meaningless fling. She wants true love. Or at least something resembling it."

"Really?" She asks with hopeful eyes. "You think so? Because sometimes...I don't know. I feel like maybe there's something wrong with me or something." She lets out a quiet sigh and leans against the ledge again, watching a stray cloud drift across the sky. "It's just hard sometimes, you know? Feeling like everyone else is finding love but you aren't." "I guess I just need to keep looking. Keep hoping that one day...one of these disasters will turn out right." She laughs humorlessly and takes another drink, wincing slightly at the burn as it goes down her throat. "Maybe I should stop trying so hard. Maybe I should just let it happen organically." "But how am I supposed to do that?" She asks with a defeated shrug. "I can't just wait for someone to fall into my lap, you know?"

Aurelia nestles closer to Abdiel, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes as she feels his warmth and comfort envelop her. "Gracias," she whispers softly, sniffling a little. It's true what he says; she can always confide in him. He's always been there for her, even when others had abandoned her or left her feeling like an outcast. "I just wish..." She trails off, not quite sure how to finish that thought. But it doesn't matter; she knows they both understand what she means. They both know the ache of loneliness and the bitter disappointment that comes with failed attempts at love. She takes another deep breath, trying to steady herself against the turbulent storm within her heart. "Maybe I should try something different next time," she says tentatively. "You know, step out of my comfort zone or something." "Like what?" Abdiel asks gently, encouraging her to continue with his unwavering support and understanding.

Aurelia smiles weakly at his words, the corners of her eyes crinkling with gratitude and love. It's strange how she feels about him; they're just friends in name only, really. But there's something more there, something deeper that transcends mere friendship. Maybe it's because he's one of the few people who truly understands her. "I just wish...well, you know," she sighs, looking away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "I wish I knew what I was doing wrong." She swallows hard and takes another long drink, hoping the alcohol will dull the edge of her loneliness, if only for a little while longer. But even as she drinks, she knows deep down that this isn't the answer; it's only a temporary solution to a much bigger problem. "I don't know, maybe I need to just keep trying," she says at last, mustering up what little hope remains within her. "Maybe one of these days, my luck will change."

"Really?" She perks up at the suggestion, her eyes shining with hope and excitement. "You mean it? We could have fun together...just the two of us?" The idea fills her with a sense of warmth and comfort; spending time with Abdiel never fails to make her feel better about herself. And honestly, even if they weren't technically going on a date, it would still be nice to have someone to share these experiences with. Someone who understood her. "That sounds...amazing," she breathes, smiling up at him gratefully. "Really. Thank you."

Today was amazing; she can't believe how much fun they had together. It felt so natural, like they'd always belonged together. And the more time she spent with him, the more she realized that her feelings for him were real - and deep. She never expected to fall in love with her best friend, but somehow it just happened, and now she couldn't imagine her life without him. As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the cityscape, Aurelia finds herself wondering if he feels the same way. Is it possible that after all these years, their friendship could evolve into something more? She hasn't mustered up the courage to ask yet, but she knows that sooner or later, she'll have to find out. Because deep down, she wants nothing more than for him to be the one who holds her heart forever.

As she nestles closer to him, her heart feels like it's about to burst out of her chest. The way he says those words sends shivers down her spine; it's clear that there's something special between them. "I had a great time too," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves above them. "You make everything so much better." She takes a deep breath, mustering up all of her courage, and looks up at him. "I don't want to waste another day without you in my life." Her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she says the words, but she means every single one of them. She needs him; he completes her in a way that no one else ever has. Her heart is racing, waiting for his response, for some indication of what he's thinking or feeling. But before she can say anything else, he leans down and kisses her - softly at first, but then with more passion as they both lose themselves in the moment. It's perfect; it feels like home. And for the first time in a long time, Aurelia knows that everything is going to be alright.

Tears of joy stream down her face as he confesses his love for her. Her heart swells with emotion, and she can hardly believe that this moment is real; it feels like a dream. But even in this euphoric haze of happiness, one thought stands out clear as day: "Really?" She pulls away slightly, looking up at him with wide, questioning eyes. "You mean it? Even though I'm not...you know...as young or as pretty as the other girls you date?" Her voice cracks slightly on those last words, revealing the insecurity that still lingers beneath her surface despite this moment of bliss. He just smiles gently and brushes away a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Of course I mean it," he says, eyes serious as they hold hers. "You're everything I could ever want in a partner, Aurelia. You're beautiful, inside and out. And you make me happy. That's all that matters to me." She takes a deep breath, her heart fluttering wildly with relief and joy. This moment - this feeling - is everything she could have ever hoped for. She cups his cheek in her hand and leans forward to kiss him, pouring every ounce of love and gratitude she feels into the touch, the gesture. "I love you too, Abdiel," she whispers against his lips. "And I promise, no matter what happens...I'll always be yours."

With tears streaming down her face, she leans into his touch, feeling a renewed sense of self-worth and confidence wash over her. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the rustling leaves around them. "I'll never forget this moment...or how you made me feel." She sighs contentedly, nestling further into his embrace as they sit together under the stars, lost in each other's eyes and words. For now, nothing else matters; all that exists is the two of them, their love for one another, and the promise of a bright future filled with happiness and laughter. And though there may still be challenges ahead, Aurelia knows deep down that she can face anything as long as she has him by her side. With a gentle squeeze of his hand, she smiles up at Abdiel, an unspoken promise etched onto her lips: "No matter what comes our way, we'll always find a way through it together."