Santiago arrived at the small riverside park fifteen minutes early. He chose a bench under a large oak tree, the afternoon sun filtering through the leaves in soft golden patches.

In his hands was a paper bag containing the books he had promised Leon, including a new hardcover edition of The Song of Achilles.

His phone buzzed. A message from Leon:

"On my way! Got held up a bit at the restaurant. Sorry!"

Santiago typed back quickly: "No rush. I’m already here. Take your time."

Ten minutes later, Leon appeared on the path, jogging lightly with his backpack bouncing on his shoulder. He spotted Santiago and waved enthusiastically, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Hey! Sorry I’m late," Leon said, slightly breathless as he reached the bench. "One of the regulars wanted extra sauce on his sandwich and wouldn’t stop talking. How long have you been waiting?"

"Not long," Santiago replied, standing up. He handed over the paper bag. "Here. As promised."

Leon peeked inside and his eyes widened. "No way... you actually got them? The Song of Achilles and the Jane Austen collection? Santiago, you didn’t have to do this!"

"I wanted to," Santiago said simply, watching Leon’s genuine excitement. "You spoke about them like they were old friends. I thought you deserved to have them again."

Leon hugged the bag to his chest for a moment, then looked up with shining eyes. "Thank you. Seriously. No one’s done something this nice for me in a really long time. My brother tries, but he’s always so busy..."

"Let go for a walk." Santiago offered his hands and helped him up.

They started walking along the shaded path beside the river. The water sparkled under the sunlight, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above them.

"So," Santiago began, "tell me more about this brother of yours. You mentioned he’s been protecting you, but you didn’t go deep. What was he like when you were younger?"

Leon’s expression softened with nostalgia. "He was the best. When our parents work their ass round their works, not even caring to watch us. I was scared all the time, but Sylvain... he acted like nothing was wrong. He’d make up silly stories at night so I wouldn’t cry. He always woke up late to cook for me, despite we had maids then."

Santiago glanced at him sideways. "He sounds like he carried the whole world on his shoulders."

"He did," Leon said quietly. "Still does, I think. Lately he seems... different. He smiles when we talk, but it doesn’t reach his eyes anymore. I keep asking if something’s wrong, but he always says ’I’m handling it.’ I hate that phrase."

Santiago stopped walking for a moment, pretending to admire the river. "Maybe he doesn’t want to burden you."

"I know," Leon sighed. "But I’m not a kid anymore. I want to help him too. That’s why this job with you means a lot. The money... it could really make a difference for us."

They resumed walking. Leon kicked a small pebble along the path.

"What about you?" Leon asked, turning the conversation. "You said your family has expectations. What kind of expectations? If you don’t mind me asking."

Santiago let out a low breath. "My father wants me to take over the family business. It’s... complicated. Lots of pressure and rules. I came here to breathe, to decide if I even want that life."

Leon nodded understandingly. "That sounds heavy. Do you have siblings? Anyone who gets it?"

"No siblings," Santiago said. "Just me. The only heir. Lucky me."

Leon laughed softly. "Must be nice being the only one. No one to fight with over the TV remote."

"It gets lonely," Santiago admitted, surprising himself with the honesty. "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a brother like yours. Someone who looks up to you."

Leon bumped his shoulder lightly against Santiago’s. "Hey, you’ve got me now. At least for the city tours and book talks. I’m a pretty good brother-substitute."

Santiago smiled despite himself. "You’re better than you think."

They found another bench and sat down. Leon pulled out one of the new books and flipped through the pages happily.

"Have you ever read anything by Madeline Miller before?" Leon asked.

"Not until you recommended her," Santiago replied. "But I’m intrigued now. The way you described the relationship between Achilles and Patroclus... it made me want to see it for myself."

Leon’s face grew animated. "It’s not just about romance. It’s about loyalty. About choosing someone over everything else — fate, gods, glory. My brother always thought it was weird to cry over book characters, though he did the opposite."

Santiago chuckled. "What did he do when you caught you crying?"

"He sat with me until I calmed down, then made hot chocolate even when it was late at night. He’s like that, always putting me first." Leon’s voice cracked slightly. "I just wish I could do the same for him now I’m grow up."

Santiago remained quiet for a moment, then asked gently, "Do you think he’s in some kind of trouble?"

Leon nodded slowly. "I know he is. He won’t admit it, but I can feel it. The way his voice gets tight when I ask too many questions."

Santiago chose his next words carefully. "If you ever need help... with anything... you can tell me. I know people. I might be able to do something."

Leon looked at him with wide, grateful eyes. "You’re really kind, Santiago. Most people would just say ’that sucks’ and move on. Why are you being so nice to me?"

Santiago met his gaze steadily. "Because I see myself in you a little. Trying to hold things together while the world keeps pulling at the threads."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the river flow. Leon eventually pulled out his phone and showed Santiago some photos of his favorite book covers from his old collection.

"See this one?" Leon said, zooming in. "It was my absolute favorite growing up. I read it so many times the pages started falling out."

Santiago leaned closer to see. "We’ll find you another copy. Or better — I’ll help you rebuild your whole collection."

Leon’s smile was radiant. "You’re to selfless, you know that? Keep saying things like that and I might want to elope with you, perhaps tie you down with a wedding."

Santiago felt another sharp twist in his chest. He forced a light laugh. "Careful. I might hold you to that."

As the sun began to set, they walked back toward the main road. Leon kept talking animatedly about books, movies, and random dreams he had for the future — opening a small café with a bookstore attached, traveling with his brother one day, maybe even writing his own story someday.

Santiago listened to every word, storing them away. Part of him hated how easy it was to like Leon. The other part knew exactly what he was supposed to do.

When they reached the point where they would part ways, Leon turned to him.

"Same time next week?" Leon asked hopefully.

"Same time," Santiago confirmed. "And Leon?"

"Yeah?"

"Be careful out there. Not everyone who offers help has good intentions."

Leon blinked, then grinned. "I know. But you seem like one of the good ones. See you soon, Santiago!"

He waved and jogged off toward the safe house.

Santiago watched him disappear around the corner. He pulled out his phone and stared at the photo of Leon again.

"Forgive me," he whispered once more.

Then he sent a message to Viktor:

"We are progressing fine, just help me with what I sent you. I haven’t heard from you though."

But as he walked away, Santiago couldn’t shake the growing feeling that he was no longer sure whose side he was truly on. Leon had made him feel something, he killed after that boy he meet by the river.