Rain crashed down around them as they ran.
Aria's breath came in uneven gasps, her hand tightly held in Rafael's. His grip was still firm—but she could feel the slight tremor in it now.
He was losing strength.
"Rafael… please," she said, struggling to keep up.
"Almost there," he replied, though his voice was strained.
They turned into a deserted stretch at the edge of the city, where streetlights faded and silence took over. At the far end stood an abandoned building—dark, broken, forgotten.
Rafael pushed the door open. It groaned loudly.
Both of them froze.
No footsteps. No voices.
Safe.
For now.
The moment they stepped inside, Rafael stumbled.
Aria caught him instantly.
"I've got you," she whispered, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
She guided him slowly to a worn-out wooden bench and helped him sit.
This time, he didn't resist.
His head dropped back slightly, eyes closing for a second.
"Stay awake," she said softly.
"I am," he murmured.
Aria quickly searched the place.
Dust. Broken furniture.
Then—
An old metal box in the corner.She rushed to it and opened it.
A basic first-aid kit.
"Lucky," she breathed.
When she returned, Rafael was watching her.
Quiet. Observing.
"Take off your shirt," she said, kneeling in front of him.
He raised a brow faintly.
"You don't hesitate, do you?"
"Not when someone's bleeding."
This time, he didn't argue.
As she helped him remove his shirt—
Her hands slowed.
Just slightly.
His body was… strong.
Defined.
Marked with scars that told stories she couldn't imagine.
And then—
Her eyes stopped.
The tattoo.
Dark ink spread across his chest and shoulder, bold and intricate, almost hypnotic.
Her fingers hovered for a second too long.
"You're staring," Rafael said quietly.
Aria snapped out of it, immediately looking away.
"I'm checking the wound," she said, too quickly.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"Of course."
She cleaned the wound carefully, focusing harder than necessary.
Because she needed to.
Because every time her fingers brushed his skin, something unfamiliar stirred inside her.
And she couldn't allow that.
Not now.
Not ever.
"You're different when you're quiet," Rafael said.
"I'm concentrating."
"No," he said softly. "You're avoiding."
Her hands paused.
Then continued.
"I have a boyfriend," she said suddenly.
The words came out before she could stop them.
Silence filled the space.
Rafael didn't react immediately.
But something in his expression changed—just slightly.
"I didn't ask," he said.
"I know," she replied quietly. "But I'm saying it anyway."
As if reminding herself.
As if drawing a line.
She finished dressing the wound and tied the bandage firmly.
"There," she said, stepping back a little too quickly.
Rafael leaned back, watching her.
"And that changes something?" he asked.
Aria avoided his gaze.
"It should."
A pause.
"Does it?" he asked again, his voice lower this time.
Her heart skipped.
She didn't answer.
Because she didn't trust herself to.
The night grew colder.
Rain softened into a steady rhythm outside.
Aria found an old cloth and sat on the floor, keeping distance between them.
Not too close.
Not anymore.
Rafael noticed.
"You moved away," he said.
"You need rest."
"That's not why."
She stayed silent.
Hours passed slowly.
At some point, Rafael shifted—and winced.
Aria reacted instantly, moving closer again without thinking.
"Does it hurt?" she asked softly.
"A little."
She adjusted the bandage gently, her fingers brushing his skin again.
This time—
Neither of them spoke.The silence felt heavier. More dangerous.
Her gaze lifted—
Met his.
And stayed there a second too long. She quickly pulled her hand back.
"I told you," she said quietly, almost defensively. "I have someone."
Rafael didn't look away.
"And yet you're here," he replied.
Her chest tightened.
"I'm here because you needed help."
"Only that?"
She swallowed.
"…Yes."
But even she didn't sound convinced.
Later, exhaustion took over.
Rafael leaned back against the wall, his eyes closing slowly.
Aria hesitated.
Then sat beside him again.
Closer this time.
Not because she wanted to—
But because she couldn't ignore him.
At some point during the night, his head tilted… resting lightly against her shoulder.
Aria froze.
Her heart raced instantly.
She could move. She should move. Her boyfriend's face flashed in her mind.This is wrong.
But Rafael shifted slightly, closer… trusting her without hesitation.
And she didn't have the strength to push him away.
So she stayed still.
Careful.Quiet.Letting him rest.
Her eyes drifted once more—To his face.
To the tattoo she now refused to look at again.To the man she shouldn't feel anything for.
Outside, the rain finally began to fade.
Inside, the silence deepened.
Aria closed her eyes slowly.
Not sleeping.
Just… thinking.
Because somewhere between the danger, the rain, and the quiet—
A line had blurred.
And she wasn't sure anymore…
if she had already crossed it.