The dim light of the cave flickered on the damp walls as Marlon moved carefully through the narrow passages, his experienced eyes scanning for any signs of life. He had been so busy these past few days just looking for something to do that he had forgotten to check for any intruders in those lands.

The older man felt something was wrong when he heard faint moans coming from further within the underground cavity, quickly preparing himself for any hand-to-hand combat he might have with an animal or intruder.

However, his breath caught in his throat when he realized there was an injured person in the middle of the rubble from a landslide and rocks—you.

He quickly jumped over the obstacles separating him from your body, and before you completely lost consciousness, he had time to reassure you.

"It's okay, lad, you're okay now..." The bearded and, until that moment, unknown man spoke to you with a calm and soft tone. Soon after, everything went black for you.

Marlon was quick to pull you out of there and take you to his cabin, tending to every cut and injury on your skin with a care unknown even to himself.

His heart raced faster than ever, and he felt slightly dizzy when he looked at your face again. Even though you were injured, you were beautiful, and he felt like a young man in love at first sight again.

Putting his selfish thoughts aside, he cared for you as he would a prince, even replacing the binder you wore on your chest with more comfortable bands so that you could breathe without squeezing your ribs in the process.

He had sworn off love a long time ago, convinced it was something for younger men. But there was something about you—something that stirred feelings deep inside him, feelings he thought had long since disappeared. Marlon cared for you day and night, never leaving your side, making sure you had everything you needed. He cooked meals, kept the fire burning, and cared for you with silent affection.

He expected nothing in return; just watching you heal brought him a quiet sense of peace... but it also brought that same warmth to his chest and butterflies to his stomach.

The weather was cold as you and Marlon warmed up in his cabin, watching the fire slowly burn in the fireplace. He had made some hot tea and cookies for the two of you, making sure to keep you warm with extra soft blankets.

"You should stay here a little longer... I mean, you haven't fully recovered yet. I would really be more at ease taking care of you for a little longer, my lad," Marlon said softly, wiping away some of the tea that had fallen onto his white beard. Lightly adjusting his eye patch, the green iris of his good eye took in every fragment of your face, silently begging you to accept his help—not entirely for your sake, but because he was just an old man in love and wanted to keep you with him longer than he could initially.

"Stay with me here, my boy. The world out there is too dangerous... Here, I can protect you."