warning; dreading, loss of appetite,

days turned into weeks, and onceler's demeanor remained clouded by a heavy darkness. he seemed lost within the confines of his own thoughts. you watched him with growing concern, observing the way he carried himself, the weight of his guilt evident in every step. the vibrant spark that once illuminated his eyes had faded, leaving behind a haunting emptiness.

one evening, as you sat together in the dimly lit room, the weight of his self-condemnation became unbearable. his silence was deafening, echoing through the space like a somber melody. unable to bear it any longer, you mustered the strength to break the silence.

"oh, love, please don't do this to yourself," you pleaded softly, reaching out to touch his hand. your voice carried a mixture of love and concern, a gentle reminder that he didn't have to bear the weight of the world alone.

onceler sighed, his gaze fixed on the floor. "it's all my fault..," he confessed, his voice tinged with self-reproach. "i have to live with the consequences."

you leaned in closer, your eyes brimming with compassion. "but onceler, you were manipulated. your mom's influence was strong, and it took so much strength to break free from it. it's not your fault," you reassured him, your words filled with empathy.

he ran a hand through his disheveled hair, frustration etched on his face. "but it is. i should've known better. i had choices, and i made the wrong one," he lamented, his voice heavy with regret.

your heart ached as you listened to the weight of his words. you longed to lift the burden from his soul, to help him find forgiveness within himself. with a tender touch, you gently lifted his chin, urging him to meet your gaze.

"onceler, i get it.. okay?" you said softly, your voice filled with empathy. "but blaming yourself won't fix what's been done."

he looked at you, his eyes filled with a mix of despair and yearning for absolution. "but i caused so much damage... we can't even fix it..," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "i betrayed everything you believed in, all for the sake of my families love. how can I ever make up for that?"

you squeezed his hand gently, your voice unwavering. "it's true that you made choices that led to destruction. but dwelling in everything won't change the past."

he pulled his hand away, his expression filled with frustration.

you sigh and took a step closer, your eyes filled with determination. "onceler, i understand your guilt, but remember that redemption's a journey. it's not about deserving forgiveness, but about recognizing the pain you've caused and taking steps to make things right. it won't be easy, but I believe in you"

he looked at you, a mix of disbelief and vulnerability in his eyes. "you still believe in me?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of hope.

with unwavering resolve, you nodded. "yes, my love. of course."

his gaze softened, tears welling up in his eyes. "i don't know if i can ever forgive myself," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"it's okay love, i understand." you pull him into a tight hug. "let's go out for dinner, okay? like a nice, fancy, restaurant." you suggest and onceler gives you a weak little smile and nods.

the sun had begun its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the horizon as you and onceler embarked on a leisurely walk toward the restaurant instead of driving. hand in hand, you strolled along the familiar path, the crisp autumn air brushing against your cheeks. 

you made your way through the winding streets. the town's charm and character unfolded before you, with small houses adorned with colorful flower boxes and narrow cobblestone alleys leading to hidden treasures.

finally, you arrived at the restaurant, you and onceler stood outside, hesitating before entering. the warm glow of the lights inside beckoned, but a cloud of uncertainty hung between you. you took a deep breath and turned to face him.

"you sure you're ready for this?" you asked, your voice filled with concern.

onceler glanced down, his hands fidgeting nervously. "I dunno if i can face the world, especially after everything that's happened," he admitted, his voice tinged with self-doubt.

you placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering reassurance. "i get how hard it is, but remember, we're in this together. we'll take it one step at a time."

with a mixture of determination and vulnerability, onceler nodded, his eyes meeting yours. "alright, let's give it a try. maybe a change of scenery will do me good."

you smiled, feeling a glimmer of hope in his words. hand in hand, you stepped through the restaurant doors, the scent of delicious food enveloping you. the ambiance was inviting, with soft jazz music playing in the background and candlelit tables casting a warm glow.

a hostess greeted you with a friendly smile and led you to a cozy corner table, secluded from prying eyes. the flickering candle provided an intimate atmosphere as you settled into your seats.

onceler fidgeted with his gloves, his gaze drifting off into the distance. sensing his inner turmoil, you reached across the table, gently placing your hand on top of his.

"hey," you said softly, catching his attention. "i'm here with you to escape for a little while, to remind ourselves of the simple joys in life. don't burden yourself with guilt and regret. tonight, let's focus on rediscovering happiness."

he looked into your eyes, searching for warmth and finding it in your unwavering support. a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and he nodded gratefully.

"thank you," onceler whispered, finally letting go of his hat and placing it on the side of the table. he leaned back in his chair, the weight on his shoulders visibly lifting. the corner seat provided a sense of privacy, allowing the world outside to fade into the background.

the soft ambiance of the restaurant embraced you both as you perused the menu, discussing various dishes with excitement.

"ya' know," onceler began, his voice gentle yet tinged with nostalgia, "there was a time when i used to dream of success and stuff like that... never imagined it would come at such a cost."

you reached out to touch his hand again, a reassuring gesture. "sometimes, life takes us on unexpected journeys, and we have to navigate through the consequences of our choices. but remember, my love, you're more than your past mistakes."

he stared at you, gratitude shining in his tired eyes. "i'm so glad to have you by my side.."

as the waiter approached the table, a friendly smile gracing his face, onceler paused mid-sentence and looked up, his eyes meeting the waiter's.

"good evening," the waiter greeted, ready to take your orders. "are you ready to order?"

you exchanged a quick glance with onceler before nodding and offering a polite smile. "yes, we're ready," you replied, your voice filled with anticipation.

onceler took a moment to look through the menu once again, his brows furrowing slightly as he contemplated the options. finally, he looked up and addressed the waiter. "i'll just have pancakes, thank you." the waiter looked so confused for just a second, pancakes this late? the waiter jotted down the order, then turned his attention to you. "and for you?"

you considered the choices, your gaze wandering over the mouthwatering descriptions... but then, you felt a tinge in your stomach again. your appetite was gone. you shut your eyes, furrowed your eyebrows, and bit your lip. "i don't know." you didn't want to cause a scene, you didn't matter right now, onceler did. "i'll just take what he's getting."

the waiter smiled, noting down your order. "excellent choices. your meals will be prepared shortly. is there anything else i can assist you with?"

you both shake your head and the waiter smiles.

"enjoy your evening, and let me know if you need anything else."

as the waiter walked away, you turned to onceler, a playful smile tugging at your lips. "see, we're off to a great start."

onceler smiled, his eyes brightening with a renewed sense of hope.

as you waited for your appetizer to arrive, the atmosphere around you seemed to shift. the soft lighting cast a warm glow, creating an intimate setting. conversations continued to hum in the background, but your focus remained on each other.

onceler leaned forward, his eyes fixed on yours, a mix of gratitude and vulnerability shining through. "i never expected to find someone like you," he confessed, his voice sincere. "someone who sees beyond my mistakes and believes in my potential for change."

you smiled, your heart swelling with affection. "sometimes, love finds us when we least expect it."

he nodded, his gaze softening. "you've shown me kindness and forgiveness when i needed it the most."

the arrival of the bruschetta interrupted your conversation, and the fragrant aroma filled the air, tantalizing your senses. the plate was beautifully presented, just a couple, big, fluffy, pancakes.

you couldn't help but notice the upset expression on onceler's face. his eyes were filled with sadness, and it was clear that everything was still bothering him. you gently placed your hands down and looked up at him, concern etched across your face. meeting your gaze, onceler sighed heavily and spoke with a voice laden with heaviness, "I'm sorry, y/n. i'm just not hungry today."

the words hung in the air, and you could sense the weight of his emotions. "it's okay, my love," you reassured him softly. "you don't have to force yourself. take your time."

onceler nodded gratefully, appreciating your understanding. you knew that onceler's journey toward healing was a gradual one, and there would be good days and bad days. your role was to be there for him, to provide solace and understanding during his difficult moments.

with a gentle smile, you suggested, "how about we go on a walk after? the night air might do us good."

onceler's eyes flickered with a glimmer of appreciation, and he nodded in agreement. "that sounds nice," he replied, his voice softer than before. 

as you paid the bill and left the restaurant, hand in hand, the cool evening breeze brushed against your faces. the moonlight illuminated the path ahead, casting a serene glow on your surroundings. side by side, you walked in silence, finding comfort in each other's presence.

occasionally, you would share a few words, speaking of simple joys and cherished memories. you talked about the beauty of nature and the importance of second chances. each step forward felt like a small victory.

in the quietude of the night, as your footsteps echoed softly, onceler's grip tightened around your hand. his voice, filled with sincerity and vulnerability, broke the silence, "i love you, thank you for being here."

you squeezed his hand gently, a tender smile gracing your lips. "i'm here because i believe in you, because i love you," you replied, your voice carrying the warmth of your affection.