The small florist shop was warm and quiet, with the late afternoon sun casting a soft golden light through the windows. Elias stood behind the counter, arranging a bouquet of daisies, his movements careful but distracted. Leo entered with his usual energy, though today there was something different in the air that caught his attention.

“Leo, you’re here,” Elias said, looking up with a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He set the bouquet down, his fingers brushing against the petals. “I was starting to wonder if you’d forgotten about me.”

“No way,” Leo replied, his eyes sparkling with his usual mischief. “I promised Mrs. Williams I’d finish her garden tomorrow.” His gaze softened, noticing the change in Elias’s expression. “What’s wrong?”

Elias hesitated for a moment, his heart heavy. He knew Leo had grown up in this village, navigating these paths since he was little. But still, sending him into the valley, even if he had done it before, didn’t sit well with him.

“I need you to go down into the valley for me,” Elias said quietly, choosing his words carefully. “There’s a flower... the Blue Moon Orchid. It grows near the old oak tree. I need you to bring it back.”

Leo paused, already familiar with the path Elias spoke of. “I’ve been there a bunch of times. It’s just the forest, right? The trees get creepy, but it’s not so bad,” he said, his voice confident.

Elias looked at Leo for a moment, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Leo’s bravado always made him feel a bit lighter, but that didn’t change the weight in his chest.

“I know you’re familiar with it,” Elias said, his tone softening. He stepped closer to Leo, crouching down so they were eye-level. “But the last thing I want is for you to get hurt. If anything feels off, you turn around and come straight back, okay?”

Leo gave a determined nod. “I promise, Elias. I’ll be careful. You don’t need to worry.”

Elias placed a hand on Leo’s shoulder, holding him for a moment longer than usual. “You mean everything to me, Leo. I just... don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Leo’s heart fluttered in his chest, both from the warmth of Elias’s words and the weight of the task. “I’ll be back before the sun sets, I promise. And I’ll bring the flower.”

Elias’s gaze softened, a fleeting smile crossing his face. “Thank you, Leo. I’ll be waiting here.”

The path down the mountain was one Leo had traveled many times. He knew every turn, every stone, every twist of the winding trail. The forest around him was familiar—sometimes dark and quiet, but never truly frightening. He could see the shadows stretch longer as the sun began to dip, but they didn’t make him uneasy.

“Just a flower,” Leo muttered to himself as he adjusted the strap of his satchel. “No problem. I’ve done this before.”

As he walked, the forest seemed to breathe around him—the rustling leaves, the soft creaking of the trees, the occasional birdcall. It was peaceful, almost soothing, despite the silence that hung in the air.

He remembered his first trip down the path. Back then, every rustle of wind in the trees had made him jump, and every distant snap of a twig had set his heart racing. But now, the forest felt like an old friend, one he had come to understand and trust. Sure, it could feel a little eerie sometimes, but it was just the way the trees whispered, the way the light filtered through the leaves, casting strange shadows. Nothing he couldn’t handle.

The path stretched ahead, familiar and reassuring. Leo’s pace quickened as the oak tree came into view, its gnarled branches reaching out like welcoming arms. Beneath it, the Blue Moon Orchid bloomed, its pale blue petals catching the last light of the day.

Leo smiled to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. “There it is,” he whispered. Kneeling carefully, he reached out, his fingers brushing the delicate petals. It was as beautiful as he remembered—fragile, glowing faintly in the dusk.

The soft wind blew again, rustling the leaves above, but it didn’t startle Leo this time. He plucked the flower gently, making sure not to damage its stem, and tucked it carefully into his satchel. The path back would be the same as before—simple, easy, nothing to worry about.

The sun hung low in the sky as Leo made his way down the mountain, his heart light with the satisfaction of completing his task. The Blue Moon Orchid was tucked carefully in his satchel, its delicate petals still fresh despite the journey. He couldn’t wait to hand it over to Elias. It would bring a smile to his face, the kind that Leo had come to cherish.

The path ahead was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. But as Leo rounded a corner in the trail, his steps faltered. A group of boys from the village stood blocking his way. They were from wealthier families—privileged, spoiled—and they always had a way of making Leo feel small, reminding him that he didn’t belong.

Garrett, the leader of the group, noticed him first. “Well, well. Look who it is,” he sneered, his eyes scanning Leo with a disdainful look. “The little orphan boy. Out for a walk, are we?”

Leo’s heart sank, but he kept his head down, hoping they would leave him alone. He hadn’t done anything to provoke them. He just wanted to get back to the shop.

He tried to step around Garrett, but the boy stepped into his path, his face twisted into a mocking grin. “Where do you think you’re going, orphan? You don’t belong here.”

Leo swallowed, feeling the familiar sting of their words. “I’m just going home,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. He wanted to keep moving, but Garrett wasn’t having it.

“You think you’re something special?” Garrett continued, his voice sharp. “Just because you’re out picking flowers for your precious little shopkeeper doesn’t mean you matter.”

Leo clenched his fists at his sides, trying to stay calm. He didn’t want to fight. He never did. “I’m not bothering anyone,” Leo said, taking a small step backward.

The boys laughed, and Damon, the tallest of them, stepped forward, shoving Leo back with a force that made him stumble. “You think you’re better than us, huh? Just because Elias lets you work for him? You’re nothing. Just an orphan trying to pretend you’re part of something important.”

Leo tried to steady himself, his heart hammering in his chest. “Please,” he said, his voice shaking. “I just want to go home.”

But they weren’t done. Damon grabbed Leo’s satchel, yanking it from his shoulder and tossing it aside. The rare flower, the Blue Moon Orchid, fell out, its fragile petals scattering across the dirt.

“No!” Leo cried, rushing forward to gather the petals. But Garrett stepped on the flower, grinding it into the earth beneath his boot.

“That’s what you get,” Garrett said, his voice full of venom. “For thinking you’re worth anything. You don’t belong in this world, orphan. You’re just trash.”

Leo’s hands trembled as he reached for the flower, his fingers brushing the crushed petals. He felt the tears rising in his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away. He couldn’t let them see him cry. He couldn’t let them win.

“Why do you have to do this?” Leo whispered, his voice barely audible, but it didn’t matter. Garrett and his friends weren’t interested in answers. They were interested in making him feel small.

Garrett shoved him again, harder this time. Leo fell to the ground, his knees scraping against the dirt. The boys circled around him, their laughter ringing in his ears.

“You don’t matter,” Damon spat, kicking Leo in the side. “Just go back to your little orphanage and stay there. No one cares about you.”

Leo curled into a ball, trying to shield himself from the blows, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t fight back. He knew that. He wasn’t strong enough.

Just as the situation seemed to be spiraling further, a voice cut through the air—loud, commanding, and unwavering.

“Enough!”

The bullies froze.

A figure appeared in the distance, stepping out from the trees with an aura of calm danger. Zane.

He was taller than any of the boys, his broad shoulders and muscular frame making him stand out in the quiet of the forest. His eyes were cold and sharp, his jaw set in a firm line. Zane had a reputation in the village, not for his wealth or his family name, but for his toughness. He was from the slums, and no one dared mess with him.

“What’s going on here?” Zane’s voice was low but filled with authority.

Garrett, trying to salvage some of his bravado, sneered at Zane. “This doesn’t concern you, slum rat. Go back to where you came from.”

Zane didn’t even flinch. He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Garrett’s. “You’ve made it my business. Leave him alone, or you’ll regret it.”

The tension in the air grew thick, and the bullies hesitated. They could sense the strength in Zane’s presence, the unwavering confidence in his stance. Garrett, normally so full of himself, faltered.

“You’re just a poor kid,” Damon said weakly, glancing at Zane with fear. “What’s the difference between you and him?”

“The difference,” Zane said, his voice dangerous, “is that I don’t stand by and watch people get bullied. Now move. You’ve got no reason to be here.”

For a moment, the bullies exchanged uneasy looks. Then, one by one, they turned and backed away, muttering under their breath as they retreated into the woods.

Zane stood tall, watching them go, ensuring they didn’t come back. Once they were out of sight, he turned to Leo, who was still sitting on the ground, trying to catch his breath.

“You good?” Zane asked, his tone softer now, but still firm.

Leo, still reeling from the encounter, nodded, though his voice wavered. “Yeah... I think so. Thanks.”

Zane offered a hand to help Leo up. “Don’t let people like that get to you. They’re nothing. Remember that.”

Leo hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. As he stood up, he glanced down at the ruined flower, feeling a pang in his chest. But Zane didn’t seem to notice.

“Let’s get you back to the village. You don’t need to be out here alone after that,” Zane said, turning to walk down the path.

Leo followed him, his heart still racing from the encounter, but a little bit lighter. Zane’s presence had made him feel safe, something Leo wasn’t used to. Maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

As Leo and Zane stepped through the door of the flower shop, Elias looked up from his work, his eyes immediately narrowing at the sight of Leo. The boy’s clothes were torn, his face bruised, and his normally bright eyes were shadowed with a weariness Elias had never seen before. A rush of concern flooded his chest, and before he could say anything, Zane spoke up.

Hey, we’re back,” Zane said, his voice low but steady. His presence was imposing, and his hand was still resting lightly on Leo’s shoulder, as if offering the boy the support he hadn’t been able to find on his own.

Elias's heart skipped a beat. His protective instinct kicked in, and he was across the room in a flash, his gaze shifting between Leo’s battered form and the older boy who accompanied him. “What happened?” Elias demanded, his voice sharp with worry.

Leo winced at the sound of Elias's voice, but he didn’t flinch away. He simply shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. He didn’t want Elias to worry more, but the bruises on his skin were hard to ignore. The flowers, still clutched tightly in Leo’s hands, were now wilted, crushed under the weight of what he’d endured.

“It’s... nothing, Elias,” Leo muttered, trying to pull away from Zane’s support. But Zane didn’t let go, guiding him gently toward a chair. His calm demeanor and quiet confidence stood in stark contrast to the storm of emotions inside Elias.

Zane spoke before Elias could press further. “He got jumped by some of the local kids... but I made sure they left him alone.”

Elias’s eyes flicked to Zane, sizing him up quickly. The boy was only fifteen, but there was something about him—something that made Elias pause. It wasn’t just the physical strength that radiated from him; it was the way he stood by Leo without hesitation, offering the quiet reassurance the boy desperately needed.

Elias took a breath, his worry turning into a mix of anger and relief. He couldn’t believe someone had done this to Leo, but a small part of him was grateful that Zane had been there. Elias couldn’t explain it, but in that moment, he trusted the older boy. Still, his protective instincts flared.

“Leo...” Elias said softly, kneeling down beside him. His voice was full of concern, but there was no anger, only the raw, heartfelt worry of someone who had come to love this boy as his own. “What happened to you?”

Leo looked up at Elias, his eyes reflecting a mixture of vulnerability and shame. But Zane was still there, steady beside him, and that made Leo feel a little braver. A little less like he’d failed.

“I’ll be okay,” Leo whispered, his voice barely audible. “I just... got in the way.”

Elias reached out, gently cupping Leo’s face, his touch tender and warm. He wasn’t angry—not yet, not at Leo. He was angry at the world that had allowed this to happen to him, but right now, all that mattered was that Leo was safe.

He glanced up at Zane. “Thank you,” Elias said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude. “You didn’t have to help him, but... I’m glad you did.”

Zane gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t want to see anyone picking on him. He didn’t deserve it.”

Elias took a deep breath and then helped Leo settle into a chair. Despite everything, he felt a strange sense of gratitude toward Zane. The boy might have been rough around the edges, but today, he had shown something Elias hadn’t expected: care. And in that moment, Elias wasn’t sure how to feel about it—but he knew he owed Zane a debt.

A few days later, The flower shop was quiet as the evening settled in, the soft glow of the setting sun filtering through the windows and casting long shadows across the shop floor. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air—lavender, roses, and jasmine mixed with the earthy smell of soil, a scent Leo had come to associate with comfort and safety.

Leo was at the counter, arranging a bouquet of wildflowers with a focus that was almost meditative. His hands moved with practiced precision, but his mind was elsewhere. He kept glancing out the window, his thoughts distant, lost in something he didn’t want to acknowledge. He hadn’t been himself lately, and Elias had noticed.

Elias, standing at the far end of the shop, watched him with quiet concern. He’d come to care for Leo like a son, and it pained him to see the boy he’d raised with such care become withdrawn and unsettled. The lighthearted, carefree Leo who loved nothing more than spending hours with flowers—his one true passion—had changed. The boy now seemed burdened, as though carrying a weight he couldn’t share.

“You’re different these days,” Elias said quietly, his voice breaking the silence. He leaned against the counter, watching Leo carefully as he adjusted the bouquet. “You’ve been quieter. Is something bothering you?”

Leo froze for a moment, his hands halting mid-motion as Elias’s words sank in. He didn’t meet Elias’s eyes, his gaze dropping to the flowers in front of him, suddenly feeling too exposed. He didn’t know how to answer. How could he explain what was swirling inside him—the confusion, the strange emotions, the new thoughts he had about someone like Zane? It was all so new, so uncharted.

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words stuck, tangled in his throat. His thoughts immediately darted to Zane—Zane, who was just 15, but already so different from anyone Leo had known. Zane, who had stepped in to protect him from the bullies and made Leo feel something he couldn't quite place—something both thrilling and terrifying. Elias would never understand.

“It’s nothing, Elias,” Leo finally said, his voice softer than usual. He forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Just... thinking.”

Elias didn’t press. He knew Leo well enough to recognize when the boy was holding something back. It wasn’t unusual for him to retreat into himself from time to time, but this was different. There was a distance in Leo now, something unspoken hanging in the air. Still, Elias was careful. He’d seen the way Leo looked when he thought no one was watching—thoughtful, uncertain, lost. He wasn’t a child anymore, though Elias wished sometimes that he still could be.

“Well,” Elias said gently, leaning in slightly, “if you ever need to talk, you know where I am.”

Leo looked up at him, and for a moment, there was something like relief in his eyes. Elias’s words were a comfort, like a soft blanket against the cold. But a part of Leo still felt that tug—a yearning to explore, to understand the new things in his heart and mind.

Zane was 15, and he was from the slums, rough around the edges, everything that Elias warned him to stay away from. But Leo who was 10 couldn't understand nor could ignore the pull he felt. He couldn’t ignore how Zane had been there for him when he needed someone—how his presence had shifted something in Leo that he couldn’t explain. No matter the differences between their worlds, Leo couldn’t stop thinking about him.

“I know,” Leo whispered, his voice barely audible as he rearranged the flowers again. His fingers brushed the petals, but his mind was far away. “Maybe soon.”

Elias studied him for a moment longer, his gaze softening with concern. He didn’t push. Leo was growing, learning to navigate a world that had so often been kind to him, but he was still just a boy—one who needed time, space, and care. Elias was protective of him, as any father figure would be, but he also knew that Leo had to find his own way.

“Take your time, Leo,” Elias said, his voice warm. “Whatever it is... it’ll make sense eventually. And when it does, you’ll know what to do.”

Leo nodded, though his heart still felt heavy. He didn’t know what the future held, or how things would turn out with Zane, but Elias’s words were a comfort.

For now, he would stay in the shop, surrounded by the flowers he loved. They had always been a safe place, a world he understood. But as much as he cherished this moment of peace, a part of him couldn’t help but feel the weight of something more waiting just outside the shop doors.

Zane’s Visits

In the days following the incident with the bullies, Zane’s visits to the flower shop became more frequent, though they were always brief and unannounced. At first, he would simply appear in the doorway, his tall figure filling the frame as he scanned the room with a quiet intensity. He never lingered long, and his presence was more like a shadow than anything else—silent and unobtrusive.

It was clear that Zane wasn’t interested in the flowers. He never commented on the arrangements or asked about the blooms in the shop. Instead, he would stand by the door for a moment, glancing over the various bouquets, his gaze distant, as though lost in thought. He never seemed to have a purpose other than to be there, yet something about Elias’s shop seemed to pull him in—whether it was the calm, the scent of the flowers, or perhaps the memory of his brief, yet important interaction with Leo.

Each time he came, his visits were short. He would offer a simple nod to Elias and sometimes an awkward wave to Leo before disappearing just as quickly as he came. His visits weren’t long enough to leave much of an impression on anyone, but they were enough to make Leo wonder. Why did Zane keep coming back? Was he just passing through? Or was there something else—something Leo couldn’t quite figure out?

Their First Real Conversation

One afternoon, as Leo arranged a bouquet of roses at the counter, he felt a familiar presence in the doorway. He looked up and saw Zane standing there, arms crossed, his face as unreadable as ever. The boy was back, just like before, but this time something was different. The air between them seemed thicker, charged with a tension Leo couldn’t ignore.

Zane wasn’t a regular, that much was clear. But something about his presence, the way he hovered at the door without fully entering, still made Leo’s heart race. The butterflies in his stomach fluttered again as his eyes met Zane’s.

This time, though, Leo wasn’t going to wait. He wasn’t just going to pretend Zane wasn’t there. He was going to speak up, maybe even make some sense of why the older boy kept showing up.

"Hey, Zane," Leo said cautiously, his voice quieter than usual, unsure how to start. He paused for a moment before adding, “Thanks again... for before.”

Zane shifted slightly, his eyes flicking to Leo before quickly looking away, his posture stiff and guarded. For a moment, it seemed like he wasn’t going to respond, but then he spoke, his tone gruff but less distant than before.

“Don’t mention it,” Zane said, his voice softer than usual. He stepped closer to the counter, his gaze drifting across the rows of flowers. His eyes were still distant, but there was a faint change in his expression—a slight softening, something Leo could almost mistake for warmth. “You look better than the last time I saw you.”

Leo smiled faintly, grateful for the comment but still unsure of where they stood. He had never been good at reading people, and Zane was no exception. But it felt... different this time. Like the air between them was less heavy, less uncertain.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” Leo replied. “I guess I’m getting used to things.”

Zane’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Leo, his gaze intense but not unkind. He studied the younger boy for a moment before responding, his voice quieter, almost like a warning.

“Good. Just don’t go looking for trouble.”

Leo blinked, surprised by the sincerity in Zane’s words. It wasn’t the usual dismissal or teasing he was used to hearing from others. Zane wasn’t ordering him to be careful. No, there was something more real, more grounded in his tone—a concern, maybe, or just an understanding that Leo hadn’t fully grasped.

“I’ll be careful,” Leo promised, though a small part of him wondered if he ever would be. The world outside the shop was full of dangers, and he hadn’t even begun to understand how to navigate it all. He didn’t want to disappoint Zane, but he also didn’t know if he could live up to his expectations.

Zane seemed to notice Leo’s hesitation. For a brief moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink, and the older boy gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod.

“Good,” Zane muttered, his voice still rough but with a touch of something softer. He turned to leave, but before stepping through the door, he glanced back at Leo one last time. “Take care of yourself.”

Leo watched him go, a strange feeling tugging at his chest. There was something about the way Zane had spoken to him, something about the way he’d shown up for him without question, that left Leo both confused and... comforted. Maybe Zane wasn’t as rough or distant as he appeared. Maybe there was something more there—a bond Leo couldn’t quite explain.

For now, though, he stood there, holding the bouquet of roses, wondering just what kind of connection was beginning to form between them.

As the door to the flower shop clicked shut behind Zane, Elias stood at the counter, his eyes fixed on the space where the older boy had just been. His brow furrowed with concern. There was something about Zane—his silence, his guarded nature—that made Elias uneasy. He’d seen people like him before, people who didn’t wear their hearts on their sleeves, people whose pasts were as difficult to read as their present. And when it came to someone like Zane, whose life had been shaped by the slums, Elias couldn’t help but be wary.

Zane had shown up for Leo when he needed him, and Elias had to acknowledge that. But there was also something about Zane’s presence that felt like a storm brewing on the horizon. Leo was still so young, still so impressionable. Elias knew that people, even well-intentioned ones, could hurt him if they weren’t careful.

The thought of Leo getting caught up in a world that was too dangerous, too foreign to him, weighed heavily on Elias’s mind. He had created this quiet, safe haven for Leo in the shop, a world of flowers and calm. He couldn’t let that be threatened by someone whose intentions weren’t clear.

Later, as they were cleaning up the shop for the evening, Elias broke the silence that had lingered between them. His voice was casual, but his eyes studied Leo closely, as if trying to gauge the boy’s thoughts.

“You’re quiet today, Leo. Everything okay?” he asked, his tone gentle but laced with concern.

Leo looked up from his task, his hands stilling as he met Elias’s gaze. “Yeah, just... thinking about stuff,” he replied, his voice soft, distracted.

Elias watched him carefully for a moment, noting the way Leo seemed to be avoiding his eyes, a sign that there was more going on inside the boy than he was letting on. Elias didn’t push, but his worry deepened.

“You know,” Elias said, his voice casual yet carrying a weight of sincerity, “the people you let into your life matter. It’s good to be kind to others, but not everyone has your best interests at heart.”

Leo nodded absently, though he didn’t quite understand the depth of what Elias was trying to say. His mind wasn’t fully on the words; it was somewhere else—on Zane. He trusted Elias, he always had, but there was something about Zane that felt different, something that kept drawing him in despite Elias’s quiet warnings. Zane had stepped up when no one else had, had shown Leo a side of life he hadn’t seen before. Leo didn’t know how to explain it, but Zane made him feel like he mattered in a way that no one else did.

“I know,” Leo murmured, though his tone lacked conviction. “I just... I think Zane’s different, Elias. I don’t think he’d hurt me.”

Elias’s eyes softened, but there was a flicker of something else in his gaze—something that spoke of the quiet fear he’d been holding back. He didn’t want to scare Leo, but he couldn’t ignore his gut feeling that Zane, for all his help, wasn’t a person who could offer Leo the stability he needed.

“I’m sure he doesn’t want to hurt you,” Elias said carefully, his voice almost a whisper, as if testing the waters of a conversation he hadn’t expected to have. “But sometimes people have their own battles, their own baggage. And when you’re too close to them, you can get caught in the fallout.”

Leo nodded again, but his thoughts were elsewhere. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Elias—he always had—but something about Zane was different. His presence, his quiet strength, the way he had come to Leo’s aid without hesitation... it made Leo feel like he wasn’t just some orphan from the mountain. Zane saw him—really saw him—and for reasons Leo couldn’t yet understand, it felt important.

Leo’s POV:

Over the following days, Leo found himself more and more drawn to Zane. The older boy’s visits continued, though they remained brief. Sometimes, Zane would just stand in the doorway, silent and still, as if trying to process something he couldn’t quite name. And Leo, caught in the pull of that quiet intensity, would find himself waiting for the moment when Zane would look his way, when their eyes would meet and the air would shift, even if only for a second.

There was something about Zane that intrigued him—something both intimidating and magnetic. Zane was rough around the edges, hardened by the world, and Leo couldn’t help but be fascinated by that contrast. Leo, with his gentle nature and soft smile, was so different from Zane. And yet, the two of them were starting to form a connection that felt impossible to ignore.

But as the days passed, Leo couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that Elias was watching him more closely than usual. The way Elias would glance at him when Zane came by, the way he’d offer warnings in a tone that was careful and full of unspoken concern—it was clear that Elias didn’t trust Zane. And part of Leo understood why. Elias had built a life of peace and safety for him, a world of flowers and quiet moments. Zane didn’t fit into that world, and Elias was scared of what might happen if Leo got too close to someone like him.

Leo couldn’t ignore that conflict inside him. Part of him wanted to follow Elias’s advice, to protect himself from whatever dangers might lie ahead. But another part of him—the part that longed for something more, something beyond the walls of the shop—was drawn to Zane. Leo didn’t know what to do with those feelings. The loyalty he felt for Elias, who had been nothing but kind and protective of him, waged war against the strange, powerful pull he felt toward Zane.

What if Elias was right? What if Zane was just trouble, a distraction from the safety Leo had always known? But the truth was, Leo didn’t know how to turn away from Zane. The connection between them felt real, even if it didn’t fit into the life Elias had worked so hard to create for him.

In the end, Leo knew that the path ahead wasn’t going to be easy. He didn’t have all the answers, and he wasn’t sure where Zane fit into his life. But one thing was certain: the tug he felt toward the older boy wasn’t going away. And no matter how hard he tried to push it down, it was only growing stronger.

Zane’s POV

Zane wasn’t the type to get close to anyone. He had learned long ago that people could be a source of pain, that caring about someone only led to disappointment. His life in the slums had taught him that love and kindness were luxuries that few could afford. He had always kept his distance, relying on himself and no one else. So when he found himself drawn to Leo, it confused him.

Leo was unlike anyone Zane had ever met. He was soft-hearted, gentle in a way that Zane didn’t fully understand. His kindness didn’t come with the edge of suspicion, didn’t come with the hard, protective layers that Zane had built around himself over the years. It was raw, unguarded, and, at times, almost overwhelming.

The contrast between them was sharp. Zane’s view of the world was shaped by years of hardship, of surviving on the edge, where trust was a rare commodity, and people were often driven by selfish motives. Leo, on the other hand, had always lived in the safety of his little world—a world filled with flowers, warmth, and kindness. It made Zane uneasy, yet there was something in Leo’s innocence that called to him.

At first, Zane didn’t know why he kept coming back to the shop. He told himself it was just out of curiosity, or maybe a fleeting need to make sure the kid was okay after the run-in with the bullies. But deep down, Zane knew it wasn’t just that. There was something more, something he couldn’t put into words. When Leo smiled at him, or when he thanked him quietly for helping him out of a tough spot, something inside Zane would stir, something he couldn’t ignore.

Zane had never been the kind of person to get attached to anyone. But with Leo, it felt different. He didn’t want to admit it to himself, but the thought of Leo getting hurt, of the kid being taken advantage of or falling into danger, made Zane feel a tug in his chest that he couldn’t explain.

He’d never been the type to protect anyone, not really. He had always relied on his own strength to get by, and he certainly didn’t believe in saving people. But with Leo, it was as if the walls Zane had built around himself had started to crack.

Every time he saw Leo, the same thought crossed his mind: I can’t let anything happen to him. It was a feeling that made Zane uncomfortable, a feeling he couldn’t quite shake. He tried to push it away, to focus on other things, but it always crept back in, a quiet pull that was impossible to ignore.

It wasn’t about obligation, Zane realized. It was something deeper. He didn’t have to check in on Leo, but somehow, he found himself doing it more often. It wasn’t a conscious decision, not really. It was just something he felt drawn to, something that felt right, even if it didn’t make sense.

Zane wasn’t used to feeling responsible for anyone. He had lived his whole life looking out for himself, never thinking about anyone else. But with Leo, that instinct to protect—however foreign it was to him—felt natural. It wasn’t about pity. It wasn’t about fixing him. It was just... wanting to make sure he was okay.

Even if Zane didn’t fully understand why, the feeling was undeniable. And it was starting to scare him.

A Growing Friendship

Over the next few months, something unspoken but undeniable began to form between Leo and Zane. It started slowly, imperceptibly—a glance shared across the florist shop, a brief conversation about nothing in particular, a quiet acknowledgment of each other’s presence. One day, as Zane was about to leave, Leo caught his eye and smiled, “You sure you don’t need anything today?”

Zane paused, looking at Leo as if the question itself was a little strange, before grunting, “Nah, just looking around.” Yet, the corner of his mouth twitched, almost like he was trying not to smile. It was moments like this—small exchanges—that made Leo wonder what Zane wasn’t saying.

Zane, ever the stoic figure, would come and go, as though his visits were nothing more than a passing habit. He rarely stayed for long, still maintaining the tough, distant exterior that had become second nature to him. "You should really let yourself relax sometime," Leo had once ventured, after noticing how stiff Zane seemed even when standing still. Zane’s brow furrowed, and he gave a half-shrug.

"I don’t do 'relaxing.'"

At first, Leo wasn’t sure why Zane kept coming back. Zane never gave a clear reason, and yet, Leo began to notice the subtle things: the way Zane’s eyes would flicker with concern when Leo looked a little tired, the way he always seemed to linger just a moment longer when Leo spoke, as if trying to find the right words to say. One afternoon, when Leo mentioned he hadn’t gotten much sleep, Zane quietly offered, “You need to sleep. Won’t help anything if you keep running on empty.”

It wasn’t like Zane to offer advice or show any sign of care, but Leo slowly started to realize that, in his own quiet way, Zane was watching out for him.

Leo knew Zane wasn’t one to talk about feelings, especially not when it came to protecting someone. Zane never said much, but his actions spoke volumes. He’d show up at the shop during times when Leo seemed particularly down, or when things at the orphanage had been especially difficult. He didn’t ask for details, didn’t push for answers. Instead, he’d offer a moment of silence—a rare moment of safety in a world that often felt chaotic to Leo.

One evening, as they sat together, Zane cleared his throat and muttered, "You’re still here late today. Need me to take a look around for you?"

Leo chuckled softly. "You’re not my bodyguard, you know."

Zane just shrugged, his face unreadable. "Maybe I should be."

At first, Leo didn’t fully understand why Zane seemed to be drawn to him. Zane was tough, gruff, and had a way of intimidating people without saying a word. But Leo, in his quiet way, started to piece together the truth: Zane was looking out for him. It was something he did instinctively, not out of obligation, but out of some deeper, unspoken desire to protect.

Zane, on the other hand, didn’t quite know what to make of his growing attachment to Leo. He had always prided himself on being tough, on being someone who didn’t need anyone else. The world had taught him that people came and went, that caring for someone only led to pain. But Leo was different. There was something about him—a softness that Zane couldn’t resist, no matter how hard he tried. Leo’s kindness made Zane feel something unfamiliar, something that pulled at the edges of his well-guarded heart.

One evening, as they exchanged a quiet moment before closing, Zane muttered, "You don’t get it, do you? I don’t—"

"You don’t have to say anything," Leo interrupted, his voice gentle but sure. "I get it more than you think."

Zane faltered, his usual response stuck somewhere deep inside. Instead of pushing it further, he simply nodded, unsure of what to do with the strange warmth spreading inside him.

He couldn’t understand why he felt this way, why he found himself coming back to the shop even when he had no real reason to. Zane had never been one for bonds, but Leo made him feel like there was something worth protecting in the world. Every time Zane saw Leo’s gentle smile or heard him laugh, he felt the tug of something he hadn’t experienced before—something vulnerable, something real.

Zane’s tough exterior never fully cracked, but with Leo, there were small moments of softness, fleeting but significant. The way Zane’s eyes would soften when Leo spoke about the flowers he loved, or how his normally guarded expression would slip into concern when Leo seemed troubled—these moments didn’t escape Leo’s notice. Despite Zane’s roughness, there was an undeniable tenderness in his presence. And Leo couldn’t help but feel comforted by it.

For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, Leo had always been drawn to lavender. It wasn’t tied to any memory or past experience; it was simply something about the flower that comforted him. Its soft purple color and light, calming scent felt grounding, like a quiet anchor in the busy world around him.

One afternoon, as Leo carefully arranged a bouquet of lavender, he found himself speaking more to the flowers than to Zane. “I don’t know why, but I’ve always liked lavender,” Leo said, adjusting the stems.

Zane glanced up from the counter, his expression unreadable. “It’s just a flower,” he said, though there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Leo smiled, a small, knowing smile. “Yeah, but it’s more than that. I can’t explain it. It just feels right.”

Zane said nothing in response, but his gaze lingered on the flowers for a moment longer. Then, in his usual way, he shrugged. “If it feels right, then it’s good enough.”

Despite Zane’s roughness, there was an undeniable tenderness in his presence. And Leo couldn’t help but feel comforted by it. No need for explanations, no pressure to understand everything—there was simply something about the way Zane stood by him, offering a quiet kind of support. In those moments, surrounded by lavender, Leo found peace in their silent connection.

For Leo, Zane’s visits became a welcome part of his routine. He began to look forward to them in a way he hadn’t expected. The boy from the slums had become something of an enigma to him—intimidating, yes, but also intriguing. Leo didn’t completely understand why Zane acted the way he did, why he kept showing up or why he cared, but he was beginning to see through the layers of Zane’s hardened shell.

As time went on, Leo became increasingly curious about Zane’s past. He could sense the weight that Zane carried with him, the things unsaid in every conversation. The walls Zane had built around himself weren’t just for show—they were a reflection of years of hardship and survival. Leo had seen that same quiet struggle in himself. They were both shaped by lives that had tested them, made them stronger in ways that weren’t always visible to the outside world.

One afternoon, Leo took a chance and asked, “What happened to you, Zane?”

Zane stiffened, the walls rising quickly. “Not your business, kid.”

But even in the harshness of his response, Leo could sense the vulnerability there. They were both carrying pieces of a past that refused to let go, but Leo’s kindness made Zane feel like maybe—just maybe—he didn’t have to carry it alone.

What Leo didn’t fully realize yet was that their connection was slowly becoming a lifeline for both of them. While Zane had always kept others at arm’s length, his bond with Leo was quietly changing him. He didn’t know how to protect the kid from everything the world had to offer, but he felt an undeniable responsibility for him, even if he couldn’t articulate it. And as for Leo, he had begun to understand that the tough, distant Zane wasn’t someone to be afraid of—he was someone who, despite all his rough edges, was willing to stand by him when it mattered most.

In the quiet moments of shared solitude between the flowers and the fading sunlight, their friendship continued to grow. It was unspoken, fragile, but it was real. Neither of them could have known it at the time, but it was a bond that would become a cornerstone in both their lives, one that would change them both in ways they could never have anticipated.