"Kevin!" Rowen called for the umpteenth time already. There came nothing but silence to return his call, and he sighed in frustration. Kevin had said he'd stay near the house, but clearly he hadn't.

Irritated, Rowen ran inside and grabbed his jacket before walking the perimeter of the cabin. After still finding nothing but leaves, he headed for the car. Maybe Kevin had started walking towards town and hadn't realized how far he'd gone.

Rowen drove down the path slowly, looking for any sign that Kevin had been in the area. He saw nothing. He went about halfway down to town before Rowen turned around and went back. Kevin wouldn't have made it any farther than that if he'd been walking. His frown deepened as he scanned the road for the second time, this time on his way back up to the cabin. When he reached the cabin, he grabbed a spare flashlight out of the car and started walking. It wasn't late, but he didn't know how long it would take to find Kevin and he didn't want to get caught in the dark.

He started towards the lake, taking his time to look around and listen. He reached the corner of trees leading into the lake's clearing with baited breath. If he didn't find Kevin here he wasn't sure where else he would be able to look before nightfall.

Stepping into the clearing and walking to the bank of the lake, Rowen scanned the area with another frown. He noticed a small form lying a little ways to his right. He felt relief flood his body instantly. Kevin was laying in the grass, a hand behind his head, eyes closed peacefully.

Rowen sighed and closed his eyes momentarily. He hadn't wanted to deal with explaining to Zane, Cliff, or anyone else who came snooping that he had inexplicably lost his ward. At least, that was the excuse Rowen told himself to sate the genuine worry that had been pooling in his stomach.

After composing himself, Rowen walked over slowly and sat down in the grass next to the sleeping boy. His face was totally calm, his features delicate and at ease. Like this, he was quite beautiful...

Rowen had joked about him being pretty in the past, but really he had meant every word. He was so perfect in a way that Rowen couldn't really explain even to himself. His initial reaction to Zane's close friend had been instant fascination, a drawing of interest. As the time had passed, as he had grown more accustomed to Kevin's presence in his life, Rowen had found there was a certain domesticity in their interactions. He was... a threat really; a threat to Rowen's wildness, his freedom, but one Rowen felt a curiosity towards. He had always been one to play with fire, but this flame was different. This flame was bound to burn, of that Rowen knew. Even still, old habits die hard.

It almost made him sad knowing what he really wanted and needed would probably never be his. He had spent enough time with Kevin to know that Kevin felt nothing but contempt towards him. He had shown a disinterest in Rowen since the start, and the man knew there was little that could change that now.

Even knowing that, Rowen smiled down at his sleeping face. He could at least look, couldn't he? There was no shame in a desire so long as that desire was never acted upon. Besides, it wouldn't make Kevin hate him any more.

It was then, gazing down at Kevin, that Rowen had the urge to do something. Bad, good, he wasn't really sure he had the right to say which was which, but the longer he looked at Kevin, the more that urge grew. 

Maybe...

They were completely alone, no one to see, no one to bother. Last time Rowen got too close, Kevin had woken up, but it was... quieter here.

Maybe...

Rowen leaned down, eyes on Kevin's soft, pink lips, parted just so to make breathing easy. They looked so perfect, and Rowen felt so hypnotized. Maybe he wouldn't wake up...

Maybe...

*******

I opened my eyes slowly and stared up at the sky. The sun wasn't as high as it had been a minute ago, in fact, I couldn't even see it behind the tip tops of the trees.

I sat up quickly, panic ensuing. I fell asleep! Rowen was probably looking for me by now, and if I didn't get back, I could only imagine what he would do.

I scrambled to my feet and trotted quickly back to the cabin. I saw the truck was still there as I ran up to the house. Opening the door, I called, "Rowen? Are you here?"

As I walked in, I saw him laying on the couch with a book, one hand leisurely behind his head, the other propping the pages in front of his face. He looked up when I entered. "Oh, there you are. I was wondering when you'd come back."

"Sorry..." I mumbled. "I kinda fell asleep."

His eyes brightened with something akin to knowing, and he stood up. "Aw! That must've been cute. I should've had a camera," he taunted. He made a fake camera with his fingers and looked at my through the open space with one eye.

I pushed his hands down, embarrassed. "Whatever," I said, walking off with an irritated glare to the floor.

I heard him snicker and I rolled my eyes. He was so immature. As I walked into the kitchen for a glass of water I asked, "So, are we going to the store or what?"

"Yeah. I was just waiting for you to get back," Rowen said. "I think they have a little clothing store, so if you want to drop by there as well, we can get you some clothes."

I nodded. "Sure."

After getting a glass from the cabinet, I took a sip of my water and set my cup on the counter. When I looked up, I noticed Rowen was staring at me over the bar-top with an odd expression. Unnerved, I aimed to change the subject. "We gonna leave then?" I asked.

Rowen didn't answer right away and my eyebrows drew together. He was looking my direction, but as I looked into his eyes, I realized he wasn't really looking at me. More... through me. I shivered. "Rowen?"

At the sound of his own name, he finally seemed to snap out of whatever trance had been holding his attention. Then his gaze truly met mine and for a moment or two I saw his eyes reflect something warm.

However, before I actually got a chance to study his expression, he was himself again and the warmth was replaced by blanketed confidence. "Sorry," he said, leaning on the bar-top. "I guess I was just lost in your gaze."

I wanted to point out that Rowen never blanked, and that he had been staring at me like I was some form of ghost, but Rowen's drastic shift in moods told me I had better not. At least for now, I would let it slide. He might just be tired from the move.

"You're a real piece of work," I finally replied. It came out more awkward than scolding, but Rowen didn't seem to mind. In fact, I would say he was almost enjoying the attention.

"Artwork, I hope," he countered, winking at me. When I merely rolled my eyes, he got back to the matter at hand. "Well, why don't we get going? If we make it back in time, we might be able to play a board game or something before your curfew."

"I don't need a curfew," I said, glowering at him. 

"Come now," Rowen said, inching closer than was comfortable. Though I knew his intention was to pin my against the counter, I held my ground; I wasn't about to be intimidated by him. Placing a hand on the counter on either side of my hips, Rowen grinned. "With your parents not around, I'm responsible for your well-being," he said. "So, you really shouldn't talk to your daddy like that, or I might just have to punish you."

Before I knew it, my resolve to stand my ground burst like a bubble and my face lit up red hot. As soon as he knew he'd won, he dropped the act, throwing his head back to laugh. As I sank into the counter away from him, he stepped back and ruffled my hair. "Come on, let's get going before it get's dark."

*******

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