Friday morning in the central park was as beautiful as a painting. Soft, golden sunlight streamed through the maple leaves that were beginning to change color, creating a sparkling pattern on the dew-damp grass. The fresh scent of the earth and the colorful, beautifully planted flowers drifted on the cool, comfortable breeze. Owen arrived at the meeting spot, a bench under a large maple tree, and saw the person he was meeting already waiting.
Finley was as cute and shy as ever. His small frame was dressed in a clean, oversized white shirt with a beige, diamond-patterned sweater vest over it. He sat nervously, clutching a backpack on his lap. His large, light brown eyes scanned the surroundings cautiously. When he saw Owen approach, he jumped slightly like a startled rabbit before quickly standing up and bowing politely.
"H-Hello~ Mr. Owen!"
"Hello, Finley. You don't have to be so formal," Owen smiled in a friendly manner, seeing how nervous the other was. "I'm probably older than you. You can just call me Owen, or 'big bro' if it's easier. That'll make it easier to talk."
Those words seemed to make Finley relax a little. He sat back down neatly but kept his head down, not daring to meet Owen's eyes. Seeing this, Owen decided to break down the wall first.
"There's a great coffee cart around here. Want to get something to drink first? My treat, as a thank you for taking the time to meet me," Owen said, pointing to a small cart with a colorful umbrella not far away.
Finley looked up, a little surprised, before giving a slight nod. "O-Okay…"
The two of them walked over to order drinks together. Owen chose his usual black coffee, while Finley hesitantly ordered an iced chocolate. They returned to the same bench, the atmosphere starting to relax with the cool drinks in their hands.
"I like the atmosphere here," Owen began. "It's so shady and peaceful. It's hard to believe a place like this exists in the middle of a bustling city."
"Mm…" Finley replied softly, taking a sip of his iced chocolate. "I-I like to come here to sketch a lot. It… helps me concentrate."
Owen sipped his coffee and smiled. "Speaking of which... I'm really impressed. It's not easy for Sahara to acknowledge anyone, but she recommended you with such confidence... Your skills must be extraordinary."
The unexpected compliment made Finley's clear cheeks blush a visible red. He turned his face away slightly to hide his shyness before murmuring a reply. "Th-Thank you… When Ms. Sahara first contacted me, I-I thought I was hearing things… I never thought someone so amazing would be interested in my work."
It seemed that praise for his "skills" was the switch that flipped on another side of his personality. As he began to talk about what he loved, his earlier nervousness slowly faded, replaced by a spark of determination and passion in his eyes. He put his iced chocolate down on the table and turned to face Owen, his demeanor changed.
"In that case… would you like to see the 'work' I've prepared, Brother Owen?" His voice no longer trembled. It was filled with the confidence of an artist about to present his masterpiece.
Owen's smile widened. He leaned forward with interest. "Of course. I've been waiting for it~"
Those words were the perfect fuel. Finley smiled with pride. His slender fingers glided skillfully across his tablet screen before he opened the latest file and showed it to Owen. "Here it is!"
The image that appeared on the screen made Owen's eyebrows raise in amazement. The design draft for the "Demon Lord Girl" cosplay was so beautiful and incredibly detailed it was almost unbelievable. The complex patterns on the collar, the design of the layered skirt that looked as if it were alive and flowing, and the realistic and formidable demon horns everything was perfectly designed.
"This is amazing, Finley," Owen praised sincerely, zooming in to see the details of the outfit. "This is far beyond my expectations. These lines... you truly have a gift."
The specific and sincere praise made Finley's clear cheeks flush. He reverted to his shy mode. "Th-Thank you… I just… just tried to do my best~"
After looking at the draft, Owen was so impressed he didn't want the moment to end. He didn't want their meeting to be just about work. He wanted to get to know this talented artist a little more.
"Want to get some ice cream?" Owen asked with his warmest smile. "As a thank you for this excellent draft... my treat."
Finley, who had just slipped back into his nervous mode after the work discussion, jumped slightly at the unexpected invitation. He glanced up at Owen for a second before quickly looking down and giving a slight nod. "...O-Okay."
The two then walked to a small, homemade-style ice cream shop nearby. The sweet scent of freshly baked waffle cones filled the air. Owen chose mint chocolate chip, while Finley stood hesitating in front of the glass case filled with colorful ice creams for a long moment before finally deciding on rich chocolate.
As they were walking back to the same bench, ice cream cones in hand, the atmosphere between them had become surprisingly relaxed. Finley seemed to be greatly enjoying his ice cream. He cutely licked the edge of the cone where it was starting to melt, making Owen smile without realizing it.
But just then!
"Buddy! Come back here!"
A shout from the other side of the path made them both turn. A large, fluffy, golden-furred golden retriever that was chasing a tennis ball suddenly changed direction. It shot towards them at high speed!
"Aah!~"
Finley, who was enjoying his ice cream, cried out in shock. He tried to step aside, but it was too late. The large dog ran right in front of him, causing him to lose his balance. His small body staggered backward uncontrollably!
But in that split second of chaos…
Owen, who was walking beside him, reacted with superhuman speed. He dropped his own ice cream cone without a second thought and wrapped both his arms around Finley's slender waist, catching him at close range!
Finley's world spun for a moment before stopping in Owen's strong, warm embrace. He looked up into those sharp, dark eyes, so close he could feel the warm breath on his face. The faint scent of men's cologne mixed with sweat filled his nose, awakening a strange feeling he had never experienced before. His heart pounded as if it would burst out of his chest. His face flushed a deep red, spreading to his ears.
Splat…
The chocolate ice cream in his hand, which he was still clutching tightly, fell out and hit Owen's light grey polo shirt. The cold, sticky mess soaked through the fabric, touching Owen's hot abdominal muscles and leaving a large brown stain…
Instead of paying attention to the stain on his shirt, Owen looked deep into Finley's trembling, light brown eyes with genuine concern.
"Are you okay?" he whispered softly.
"...I-I'm okay…" Finley answered, his voice trembling. He tried to struggle out of the embrace, extremely embarrassed. "But… but your shirt…"
"Don't worry about it," Owen smiled faintly, his eyes still gentle. "It's just an ice cream stain. I can wash it out when I get home. The important thing is that you're not hurt, right?"
With that, Owen slowly and reluctantly released his arms, letting Finley stand on his own again. The gentle and forgiving action made a deep impression on Finley, unlike anything he had ever felt before…
His heart… was now pounding uncontrollably for the man named Owen.
After the cute accident had passed, the atmosphere between Owen and Finley had completely changed. The wall of nervousness that had once held Finley back had been torn down by Owen's warmth and gentleness. He sat back down on the bench next to Owen, who was using a damp handkerchief to unhurriedly wipe the ice cream stain from his shirt. The afternoon sun, which was beginning to turn golden, shone through the maple leaves, bathing the two of them in a soft light.
A shy smile appeared at the corner of Finley's lips. He felt a little guilty but couldn't help but feel a warmth in his heart at Owen's casual attitude. "Uh… sorry again about the shirt."
"It's a small thing…" Owen replied without looking up, still focused on wiping the sticky mess. "Compared to you getting hurt, a stained shirt is nothing."
He continued as he folded the handkerchief. "But I'm serious, Finley. With your level of skill... why don't you try opening your own shop? I bet people would pay anything for a costume made by you."
The question, full of admiration, made Finley's smile fade slightly. The once-bright sparkle in his eyes dimmed. He let out a soft sigh and looked down at his dangling feet.
"I… I'm not brave enough for that," he answered, his voice barely a whisper.
"Why not?" Owen frowned slightly, not understanding. "You have the skill... and so much passion…"
Finley was quiet for a moment, as if debating whether to say what had been on his mind for so long, before deciding to speak. "Because… to other people… what I do is just a 'toy'."
He looked up to meet Owen's eyes, his own filled with a sorrow and pain he couldn't hide. "My friends… even my family… they see making cosplay as a silly hobby for a kid who won't grow up. It's not a 'real career' that can support someone… After hearing that so many times… I… I started to lose confidence in myself, too. I don't know if what I love really has any value."
Owen listened to every word intently. He didn't interrupt, but let Finley vent all his feelings. He saw the vulnerability hidden beneath the shy exterior, and it strangely mirrored himself in the past. When Finley finished, Owen nodded slowly with deep understanding.
"I know that feeling all too well," Owen said, his voice gentle yet firm. "When I decided to quit looking for a regular job and become a full-time streamer… everyone looked at me the same way."
He leaned back, looking up at the blue sky, his eyes distant for a moment as he recalled the past. "They said it was an unstable career, just playing games all day. That it was pointless… But they never saw… never understood the joy we get when we see our viewers having fun with us, or the pride when we create good content."
Owen turned back to meet Finley's eyes, his own gaze the most serious and sincere it could be.
"What's important isn't how others see it, Finley… it's the value and happiness we get from creating our work. Your work isn't pointless. It's art. And it brings happiness to others… Don't ever let anyone tell you that what you love is worthless."
Those words… words that came from a place of true understanding and shared experience… were like a key that unlocked Finley's closed-off heart.
The wall he had built to protect himself from ridicule and misunderstanding came crashing down in an instant. He felt like he had met someone who truly "understood" him for the first time in his life… someone who saw the real value in what he loved.
Tears welled up at the corners of his eyes, unstoppable. He quickly turned his face away, wiping them hastily with the back of his hand, trying not to let Owen see his weak side.
"...Thank you… Brother Owen," he whispered, his voice trembling through his efforts to hold back a sob. "...Thank you, really."
Finley tried his best not to show his weakness, but his small shoulders still trembled uncontrollably. Owen watched him with a feeling of overwhelming fondness and a desire to protect. He felt like he was looking at his past self… someone who had been confused and unsure of the path they had chosen.
In that moment of delicate emotion, the translucent blue screen of the [Choice System] dutifully lit up before Owen's eyes.
…..
[1. Continue to encourage him with words.]: (Affection +1 | Finley will be grateful for your kindness.)
[2. Pull Finley's body into a warm, comforting hug.]: (Affection +5 | Finley will start to develop feelings for you.)
[3. Do nothing.]: (Relationship unchanged.)
…..
Owen didn't hesitate for a second. He instinctively chose option 2. He knew that in this moment, a warm action was more important than any comforting words.
He moved closer and gently pulled Finley's trembling body into a hug, as softly and respectfully as possible.
Finley flinched slightly in surprise, his body stiffening for a moment. But as his face rested against Owen's strong and warm chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart… a feeling of safety he had never known washed over him.
He subconsciously took a deep breath… The faint scent of cologne mixed with the sweat of a strong man. It wasn't an overpowering scent, but one that made him feel safe and secure. A scent that made his mind go white for a moment.
This embrace awakened the deepest feelings hidden in Finley's heart… a longing for someone to protect him, someone who accepted him for who he was, and someone strong enough to be his refuge… and that person was the man before him.
Finley completely stopped resisting. The body that had been so tense slowly relaxed in Owen's arms. His small arms slowly came up to hug Owen back, hesitantly at first, before gripping Owen's shirt tightly, as if afraid this moment would disappear.
Owen used his other hand to gently stroke Finley's soft, fluffy hair, a wordless comfort. He could feel the dampness seeping through his polo shirt… Finley was crying silently into his chest, and Owen let him release it all until he was done.
After they had held each other for a long moment until Finley had calmed down, Owen slowly released the embrace. He looked deep into Finley's red, tear-filled eyes.
"Feeling better?" Owen asked softly.
Finley gave a slight nod, trying to look away, but Owen used his thumb to gently lift his chin.
"Don't rush…" Owen continued. "Just take it one step at a time. I'll always be here to support you."
He used his thumb to gently wipe the tear stains from Finley's clear cheeks. The gentle, warm touch made Finley's heart pound again, making him hold his breath. He looked deep into those still-moist, light brown eyes with a gaze that was both comforting and firm.
"You've done so well… to have endured this until now," Owen whispered softly. It wasn't an empty compliment, but words that came from a place of true understanding.
After letting the warm silence work for a moment, Owen slowly lowered his hand and took a step back, giving Finley the space to collect himself. He knew that if he let the atmosphere remain so emotionally vulnerable for too long, Finley might feel awkward later.
"Alright," Owen changed the subject smoothly. "To prove I'm not just talking…"
He took out his mobile phone and opened his banking app in front of the confused Finley.
"W-Wait, Brother Owen," Finley quickly protested. "About the deposit… you don't have to rush."
"Of course I have to," Owen replied with a faint smile. "I want you to be sure that I truly value your work."
He immediately transferred the deposit for the costume, intentionally sending a little more than they had agreed upon, before showing the screen to Finley.
"The extra is a tip for an amazing artist," he said with a wink. "Consider it an investment in a future rising star."
Finley could only stare at the numbers on the screen, dumbfounded. He was so moved he couldn't speak. Owen's actions meant more than just "money"; it was the first tangible form of "belief" and "acceptance" he had ever received from someone other than a client.
"Well, I'll be going now. I'll be waiting to see your work," Owen said his goodbyes casually. He patted Finley's shoulder lightly one last time before turning to leave.
Finley watched Owen's broad back as he slowly walked away until he was out of sight. He raised a hand to gently touch his own cheek… The warm touch from Owen's fingertips still lingered there… The feeling of safety from his embrace still surrounded him…
His heart… had it truly been stolen by this kind 'older brother'?
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