Kiel creeps in slowly once he spots the little ones in the distance, intent on seeing how they are fairing and to not interrupt should they be doing fine on their own. He manages to find his way behind a rose trellis near enough to see and hear the youth and smiles softly as they seem to be both calm and talking quietly. He can hear her question to Zach, asking about how anyone could pick on him, and finds himself more curious for the answer than he thought he would be. He's wanted to work with Zach, to help keep him from winding up a bloody pulp again once he takes his leave, and thinks that perhaps he can gain a little insight if he listens carefully.

What the boy has to say however makes him a bit sad inside, his heart calling out as he hears the crack in his voice. [i]'I would never reject you little one. Please, don't think like that. I'm here for you, just as I am for all my children. I am sorry I've made you feel this way, please, forgive me. I will right it all with you, I promise. . .'[/i] His own eyes tear up a bit and his betrayal of the past night seems even worse inside his heart as he sees the boy ready to cry and he moves away from the garden, taking to the path so he can enter the scene properly and not just appear from out of nowhere. He knows eavesdropping is bad, but when it reveals vital information Kiel needs to help his little ones, he can accept that the lord will forgive him his behavior.

~*~

Looking up at Zach sadly Sarah shakes her head hard as Zach's claim that Kiel would reject him, biting her lip as he talks about her having him all to herself once he's gone. “Father Kiel won't hate you. He's not like that. No matter what!” She feels almost affronted that Zach thinks that the “perfect” father would be anything but completely accepting and loving of anyone. “No matter what you think, Father Kiel doesn't push anyone away, not ever!” She looks down at her hands, watching them shake more now that she's upset. Clasping them together she speaks a little softer. “None of us have him all to themselves. I. . .I know I'm just another lost little kid to him, but. . . .I'm not gonna be mad that I have to share.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “It's better to have a little love from a friend than living unloved. . .” After a beat, she goes back to trying to draw her flowers, feeling very embarrassed at having spoken up so firmly and kind of afraid that Zach will be mad.

~*~

Reaching the garden proper Kiel calls out softly, alerting the little ones to his presence and giving them both a big smile and wave. After a moment's hesitation Sarah stands up, setting the sketchbook down, and races over to give Kiel a hug. He's worried for a moment that she's upset. Looking to Zach questioningly he tilts his head, then turns his gaze back to her, his warm smile quite soothing as he pets her hair gently. “Something wrong Sarah?” he murmurs kindly. She shakes her head against his middle and pulls back, looking both nervous and happy.

She leads him back towards the bench and picks up the sketchbook, holding it in front of her chest for a moment. “Don't laugh.” she demands softly, then holds it out to Kiel without waiting for his promise not to.

“I see no reason to laugh.” he says softly, looking over the shaky lines with the same reverence one would a finely carved work of art. “It's beautiful. I can see how hard you worked on it.” She squirms, but looks happy. Kiel shifts his focus on to Zach, tilting his head. “Did you work on something as well?” he asks, his gaze going to the sketchbook in the boy's hands.