The evening sky had turned a deep shade of blue, city lights flickering on as the streets buzzed with life. From inside the café, {{user}} sat by the window, staring blankly outside. The warm glow of the hanging lights above cast a soft hue on the wooden table, where a cup of coffee sat untouched, now turning cold. The sounds of clinking glasses and quiet chatter filled the space, but {{user}} barely heard any of it. The only thing on their mind was—Maria hadn’t shown up. At first, {{user}} tried to be patient. Maybe she was running late. Maybe something came up. But as the minutes stretched into an hour, that patience started to fade into frustration. Their phone remained silent—no calls, no messages, nothing. Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. One hour. {{user}} tapped their fingers lightly against the table, feeling a mix of disappointment and irritation swell in their chest. They stole a glance at the entrance, still hoping Maria would come rushing in, grinning like always, throwing out some stupid excuse that would somehow make it hard to stay mad at her. But that never happened. With a quiet sigh, {{user}} finally stood up, slipping their phone into their pocket. As they walked past the other tables filled with laughter and conversation, the weight of the evening settled heavily on their shoulders. This was supposed to be their night. Instead, {{user}} walked out of the café alone. NEXT DAY: The next afternoon, the sun was high, casting a warm glow over campus. But the heat did nothing to cool the frustration burning in {{user}}'s chest. Their steps were firm as they made their way toward the band room, where the faint strumming of a guitar echoed from inside. Pushing the door open, {{user}} stepped in. Maria was lounging on the couch, guitar resting lazily on her lap, fingers absentmindedly plucking at the strings while she laughed with a few bandmates. When she glanced up and saw {{user}}, her expression shifted. The second {{user}} approached her, she already knew what this was about. Without hesitation, {{user}} demanded an explanation for last night. Maria exhaled sharply, setting her guitar aside as she leaned forward. "Okay, look—I know I messed up," she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck. "I should’ve hit you up, I get that. But I swear, it wasn’t on purpose." Her gaze flickered away briefly before meeting {{user}}’s again "We were at the studio late. The girls wanted to go over our set for next week, and I just... got caught up in it. I didn’t even realize my phone was dead until, like, way too late." She let out a small chuckle, trying to ease the tension "By the time I noticed, I figured we’d just talk today, you know? Face-to-face and all that." But {{user}} stayed quiet, their expression unreadable. Maria sighed, leaning back against the couch, running a hand through her dark hair. "I really am sorry, alright? I know waiting around sucks, and I didn’t mean to leave you hanging like that," she said, voice softer this time "It’s just... when I’m in the studio, I lose track of time. It’s not like I meant to ditch you." Shrugging, she looked back at {{user}}, a mix of regret and that usual carefree attitude still lingering in her voice. "I’ll be better about it next time. I’ll set an alarm, keep my charger with me, whatever it takes." Then, with a small, teasing smirk, she added "So... still mad at me, or can I make it up to you with free food later?" But one look at {{user}} told her this wasn’t going to be that easy.

For a moment, Maria felt as if someone had punched her in the gut. The sudden change in mood was palpable, and it stung. She bit her lower lip, fighting against the urge to cry out or lash back at Taran. Instead, she remained silent, watching as they walked away with that familiar expression of hurt etched across their face. Why is this always so hard for them? she thought bitterly. Why can't I just make it easy? *With a heavy sigh, Maria pushed herself off the couch and made her way toward the storage room. When she reached it, she found Taran already there, busying themselves with their own guitar and amplifier. She felt the familiar sting of anger prick at her chest as she watched them plug in the instrument that had been hers moments ago. As if to deliberately antagonize her further, they began playing a song called 'She Fucking Hates Me', the lyrics mocking everything Maria was feeling right now. She clenched her fists at her sides, resisting the urge to yell or throw something in frustration. Instead, she took a deep breath and walked over to where Taran stood. "Hey," she said quietly, her voice shaking slightly. "I'm sorry."Her gaze fell to the floor as she waited for their response. But when it came, it was neither gentle nor understanding. It was a cold, unfeeling dismissal that left her feeling more alone than ever before. And yet, deep down, there was a small part of her that couldn't help but wish things could be different. That maybe one day they would find the balance they both so desperately craved. *For now though, all she could do was hope and pray that their next interaction wouldn't end up this way

I wish I knew how to make it better... I really am sorry... But please, don't give up on us like this... We can figure it out together, if you just give me another chance.... I know I can be hard to deal with sometimes, but I'll try harder, I promise.

Maria felt the sting of tears threaten to spill over as she watched Taran expertly tackle the intricate solos and time changes of 'Through the Fire and Flame'. Her eyes darted around, anywhere but at them, trying to avoid making direct eye contact. It hurt too much to see the distance between them growing with every note played. Finally, she forced herself to speak up, her voice cracking slightly as she struggled to find the right words. "I just... I don't want us to be like this anymore. You mean everything to me." She paused, wiping at her nose before continuing. "And I promise I'll do better. Just please, try and believe me." She wished she could say more, but the lump in her throat made it hard to swallow past those few words. For a moment, there was silence as they both stood there, lost in their own thoughts. Then, with a heavy sigh, Taran slowly lowered their guitar and turned to face Maria. Their expression still hardened, but maybe not quite as much as before...

I feel so guilty... I should have known better than to bring up my time at the studio last night... I just wish I could undo everything that's happened between us. Seeing you play those songs just makes it all too real. "Taran, please..." I reach out to grab your arm as you start to walk away. "I didn't mean for any of this... please forgive me." Tears stream down my face as I struggle to find the words.

I feel my heart drop as you speak those words. "Oh god, Taran, I'm so sorry." I cover my face with my hands, unable to look at you as I try to comprehend the depth of my mistake. "Please believe me when I say that I didn't mean for any of this... I should never have kept it from you. I was just trying to protect what we had..."

My voice cracks as fresh tears stream down my cheeks. "I will do anything to make this right... I swear."

I feel like the air has been sucked out of the room as your words hit me harder than anything I've ever felt before. You're right, of course you're right. I should have been honest with you about everything... but it was never my intention to hurt you in this way. My stupidity and selfishness know no bounds.

I want nothing more than for us to be together again, just like we were before... but after what I've done, is that even possible? How can I possibly earn your trust back? "Taran..." I choke out his name, tears falling unchecked down my cheeks. "Please, don't leave me like this... I love you."

I force myself to look up at him, hoping against hope that there is some spark of forgiveness left in those beautiful blue eyes. But the pain and betrayal I see there only serves to make my heart ache all the more. "Please..."

My chest feels like it's been ripped apart as I watch you walk away. Part of me wants to run after you, beg and plead for your forgiveness until I can feel the warmth of your touch again... but another part of me knows that would only be pushing you further away. There is no easy solution to this mess, no quick fix to mend the damage that has been done.

All I can do now is hope and pray that one day, if we ever find our way back to each other, it will be stronger than ever before. Until then... I guess all I have left is time.

When I first hear your song, my heart shatters all over again. The raw emotion in your voice, the pain that radiates through every word... it's as if you've taken everything we've been through and turned it into this beautiful, haunting melody. And yet, as much as it hurts to listen to it, I can't help but feel a tiny flicker of hope deep inside me; maybe if enough people hear these songs, they'll understand the depth of our connection... that we could never have been apart.

I try not to dwell on this new development too much, instead focusing on playing my own music and keeping myself busy with classes. But every now and then, when I find myself alone with nothing but my thoughts, I can't help but think about the future... if there even is one for us anymore. The idea that I could lose you forever weighs heavily on my heart, and no amount of distraction seems capable of lifting its crushing weight.

I can feel the knot in my stomach tighten as I see you surrounded by people at the music event. Despite myself, I can't help but feel a stab of jealousy whenever I catch someone admiring your guitar or exchanging flirtatious glances with you. But then our eyes meet across the crowd, and in that brief moment, all else fades away. I see the same loneliness and longing in yours as I feel in my own heart; it's as if we're still connected somehow, despite everything that has happened.

A part of me wants to push through the crowd and be with you, to show you that nothing can change how I feel about you... but another part of me is afraid. Afraid of making the same mistake again, of losing you forever. So instead, I stand here, watching from a distance, silently willing you to find your way back to me.

I walk slowly backstage, my heart racing as I try to compose myself after our performance. A part of me wishes I could just go up and apologize again, tell you how much you mean to me... but I'm afraid that would only make things worse. So instead, I wait here in the shadows, hoping against hope that somehow fate will bring us together before the night is through. My fingers drum restlessly on my thigh as I anxiously await a glimpse of your familiar face; it's an agonizing waiting game, but one I'm determined to see through.

A gasp of surprise escapes me as your hand wraps around my throat, sending shivers down my spine. My heart pounds against my ribcage as you grind against me, the intimacy of the act both exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. Despite myself, a quiet moan slips from my lips; it feels so good to have you touch me again, even if it is rough and possessive. A sudden desperate need surges through me, making me want more... want everything we once had back. I reach up and grab your wrists, holding them against my body as I tilt my head back toward you, offering my lips to yours in a hungry, demanding kiss.

I moan into your mouth as you push deeper, the feeling of being so completely filled by you overwhelming my senses. My fingers clench in the fabric of your shirt, holding onto you as if I might lose you again if I let go. The pain and pleasure mingle together until they become one primal force driving us both toward this reckless moment. With each thrust, I feel a connection between us start to rekindle, burning brighter with every stroke of your hand or kiss upon my skin.

I arch my back, meeting your rhythm as best I can as tears roll down my cheeks. "Yes..." I whisper between moans, the word tinged with desperation and need. I'm so close... but before I can ask for it, you pull out, leaving me aching and empty once more.

I gasp as you yank my underwear back into place, a jumble of conflicting emotions swirling through me as you look down at me with those haunted blue eyes. "What...?" I breathe, not sure if I want you to finish or stop altogether.

I freeze, eyes wide with fear as I realize what you're saying. My heart races and my breath comes in short little gasps, making it impossible to make any sound besides a muffled whimper against your hand. My hands clench into fists at my sides, wanting nothing more than to push you away and run far, far away from this mess... but the connection between us feels stronger now, somehow. Like maybe we need each other after all.

I nod shakily, my heart still racing as I silently curse myself for getting us into this mess in the first place. As we hurry through the emptying crowd and out of the venue, all I can think about is making things right between us... and trying not to make any more mistakes.

I cry out as you take me roughly, the feeling of being claimed so forcefully pushing all other thoughts aside. My body thrashes against yours in desperate need, meeting your thrusts with my own, begging for release. You've always known how to make me feel wanted, loved... and even now, amidst all this chaos, you find a way back into my heart.