Dinner?

Marcus sat in quiet stillness, giving Sarah the space she needed to process. He didn't rush her, didn't press for answers. Instead, he watched her with a calm patience, his presence steady and grounding. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and measured, carrying the weight of his understanding.

"Truthspeakers are beings of incredible power," he began, his tone gentle but firm. "Even more so when that power manifests in humans. That power, however, presents a whole new realm of difficult challenges that are hard to explain or avoid. What you've experienced tonight…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Harnessing the truth requires vulnerability, Sarah. It demands that you open yourself enough to truly grasp its essence. And that isn't easy."

Sarah lifted her head slightly, her tear-streaked face catching the warm light of the café. She listened intently, her silence inviting him to continue.

Marcus leaned forward, his dark eyes meeting hers with an intensity that felt almost otherworldly, as though he could see straight into the depths of her soul. "I won't pretend to know exactly what you experienced," he said, his voice steady and sincere. "But if there's anyone who might understand, who could come close to knowing what you've felt… it's me."

His words wrapped around her like a protective shield, grounding her in the midst of her swirling emotions. Sarah nodded slowly, her throat tight as the weight of his understanding settled over her. The unspent tears that had been lingering finally spilled over, cascading down her cheeks in quiet release. She didn't try to stop them, letting them flow as if they carried the remnants of the Dreamer's grief away with them.

"Thank you, Marcus," she mumbled, her voice trembling but resolute. "I really appreciate it."

Marcus's expression softened into something rare, something raw and unguarded. Reaching out, he brushed away one of her tears with the back of his hand, the gesture so tender it nearly broke her all over again. His hand lingered for a moment before he pulled it back, his lips curving into a faint, reassuring smile.

"Of course, Sarah," he said warmly. "We're friends, aren't we?"

She blinked at him, a flicker of gratitude lighting her tear-streaked face. The word friends echoed in her mind, carrying a weight she hadn't realized it held. Marcus wasn't just a guide, a mentor, or even a god in her life. He was someone who had chosen to stand by her, despite the complexities of who and what they both were.

"Yes," she said at last, her voice soft but certain. "We are."

Smiling softly at their mutual confirmation, Marcus leaned back in his chair, letting the quiet comfort of the café settle over them. The warm hum of the space filled the silence between them, wrapping them in a kind of peace neither of them had fully expected to find after such an emotional night. The light overhead was dim but steady, casting a golden glow that seemed to soften the edges of everything it touched.

They sat like that for a while, not speaking, simply existing in the shared stillness. There was no need for words, no rush to fill the quiet. It was enough to be there, to know that they weren't alone.

After some time, Marcus finally broke the silence, his voice low and gentle. "I think it's best for both of us to head home and get some rest," he said, glancing at her with a faint smile. "It's been a long day. But…" He hesitated for a moment, his eyes softening as he continued. "If you're still feeling up to it tomorrow, I could swing by your place around two o'clock. We could grab lunch together."

Sarah's lips curved into a smile, her earlier tears forgotten as a small spark of excitement lit her expression. "Yes," she said warmly, her voice carrying a note of genuine enthusiasm. "I'd love to, Marcus."

Marcus nodded, his smile widening slightly as he stood, stretching his arms briefly before grabbing the empty coffee cups from the table. "Good," he said, his tone lighter now. "Then it's a plan."

Sarah rose as well, smoothing her shirt as she moved toward the door. She paused briefly, glancing back at Marcus as he tidied up the last of their things. "Thank you again," she breathed, her voice sincere. "For everything."

Marcus looked up, meeting her gaze with that same steady warmth that had carried her through the night. "Always, Sarah," he replied simply. "Get some rest, alright?"