Kade remembered their first meeting clearly.
Rowan had been sitting near the library door, legs folded, eyes bright—too bright. He had talked with hope, with warmth, like the world hadn't taught him caution yet.
Kade hadn't liked that.
"You should stop coming here," Kade had told him coldly.
"This isn't a place to look for a brother."
Rowan had gone quiet—but still smiled.
That night, Kade had thought to himself,
This child will become trouble someday.
He already knew whose son Rowan was.
And that made it worse.
_______________________________
Today, the garden library was quiet again.
Kade was inside, reading, when a sudden noise came from outside—
a soft sob, quickly swallowed.
He closed the book, irritated.
Not again.
When he opened the door—
Rowan was there.
Pressed against the wall beside the library entrance, trying to make himself small. His shoulders were shaking.
Kade frowned. "You?"
Then, annoyed, "Why are you always here?"
Rowan looked up, eyes red. "I— I didn't plan to—"
Before he could finish, voices echoed from the garden path.
"Where did he go?"
"There— check near the library."
Rowan froze.
Kade followed his gaze and sighed sharply. "You're hiding."
Rowan whispered, "They won't stop."
Footsteps came closer.
One boy laughed. "Thought you could disappear?"
Rowan panicked.
Before Kade could step in—
Rowan broke.
He turned suddenly and hugged Kade, face pressing into his stomach , fingers gripping his coat desperately.
"Please," Rowan cried. "Please save me. I don't know where else to go."
Kade stiffened.
For a second, he didn't move at all.
Then he muttered under his breath, irritated and resigned,
"…Unbelievable."
The boys stopped when they saw them.
"What's this?" one mocked. "Found a protector?"
Kade gently but firmly moved Rowan behind him.
His voice was calm. Cold.
"Leave."
One boy scoffed. "Or what?"
Kade looked at him—expression empty, dangerous.
"Or you explain to my father why you're harassing guests on his property."
That did it.
The boys exchanged looks, then backed away.
"Whatever," one muttered. "He's not worth it."
They left.
Silence returned.
Rowan was still holding onto Kade, breathing unevenly.
Kade sighed and carefully removed Rowan's hands.
"You can let go."
"I'm sorry," Rowan whispered. "I didn't mean to—"
"I know," Kade said shortly. "That's the problem."
Rowan looked up at him, eyes full of apology and trust.
"You saved me," Rowan said softly.
Kade looked away. "Don't get used to it."
Rowan nodded. "Still… thank you."
Kade opened the library door. "Go. Before they come back."
Rowan hesitated. "Will you be here?"
Kade paused. "That depends on you."
Rowan gave a small, grateful smile and walked away.
Kade watched him disappear into the garden.
Annoyance sat heavy in his chest.
He muttered to himself, almost bitterly,
"I warned myself."
Because the child he had tried to push away—
had already found a way to hold on.....