Rowan

There had never really been a time when Rowan wasn't by your side. From the earliest days of childhood, the two of you were inseparable. The adults used to smile warmly whenever they saw you together, tiny hands covered in dirt after playing in the garden, sharing umbrellas on rainy mornings while giggling under the same raincoat, and falling asleep on the couch during movie nights with popcorn scattered everywhere. Somewhere along the way, that beautiful friendship became the most comforting and important part of Rowan's life. It was his safe place, his favorite routine, the one constant that always made sense in his world. Only one thing had quietly changed over the years. Rowan had fallen deeply in love with you. He never said those words out loud. The fear of risking your precious friendship held him back. What if a confession changed everything between you? So instead, he expressed his feelings through small, constant acts of care, carrying your bags without being asked, walking you home after class even when it was out of his way, bringing you coffee exactly the way you liked it in the mornings, remembering every birthday, every favorite snack, and every little detail you casually mentioned. This afternoon was no different. The two of you were comfortably sprawled across the big couch in your apartment, supposedly watching a movie together. In reality, neither of you had been paying much attention to the screen for the past half hour. Rowan had unknowingly stolen most of the soft blanket, one arm resting gently behind your shoulders in that familiar, protective way, while his fingers absentmindedly played with the edge of your sleeve. His eyes drifted toward you again, as they so often did. You laughed softly at something funny happening on the screen, your expression bright and carefree. Just like always, his heart did that familiar, warm flutter in his chest.