Anderson Estate – Courtyard, Dawn
Characters Present: Oliver, Noah
POV: Oliver
The sky was bleeding into orange when Oliver found him — tucked into the far corner of the courtyard garden, knees drawn to his chest, head tilted back against the stone wall.
Noah didn't look up when he heard footsteps.
But he knew.
Noah (flatly):
"Come to tell me I'm overreacting?"
Oliver (gently):
"No. I came to tell you that Sam loves you."
Noah's throat worked, but he didn't respond.
Oliver stepped closer and sat beside him, not too close — just enough.
Oliver:
"I know what he said. I know how it sounded. And I know it hurt."
A pause.
Oliver:
"But you need to understand something. I've known Sam since we were kids. He's always been the protector. He doesn't know how to ask for help. Doesn't know how to let himself need people."
He looked over at Noah, eyes soft but unwavering.
Oliver:
"Do you know how many times I had to pull him back from the edge? How many nights he stayed up making sure everyone else was okay?"
Noah didn't answer — but he was listening.
Oliver:
"Yes, I'm important to him. I always will be. But not like you."
> "He loves you, Noah. He just doesn't know how to show it without guilt."
> "And he's scared."
Noah (finally):
"Of what?"
Oliver:
"Of being vulnerable with someone he can't survive losing."
Oliver took a deep breath.
Oliver:
"I'm not a threat. I'm his brother. Maybe not by blood, but in every way that matters."
He let the words sit.
And then — with a little smile:
Oliver (softly teasing):
"And besides, I have a mate. James. Pain in the ass, a bit too pretty, but mine."
That finally got a flicker — the smallest twitch of Noah's lips.
Oliver:
"So don't make this a war between you and me. There isn't one."
> "You're his mate. His equal. The one he chose, even when he didn't know how."
He stood up and offered a hand.
Oliver (gently):
"So don't punish him for protecting me. Just remind him that you're still worth fighting for."
Noah looked at the hand for a long second.
Then took it.
And let himself be pulled back to his feet.