---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At first I was protecting you two because…"
description: "\"At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now even if I hadn't promised, I would. You two are like kittens to me. I won't fail you again.\" ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg"
---

#  At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now…

![“At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now even if I hadn't promised, I would. You two are like kittens to me. I won't fail you again.&quot; I'll admit I got a lump in my throat. I'd never been called someone's kitten before. Sadie sniffled. She brushed something from under her eye…” quote by Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg)

> “At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now even if I hadn't promised, I would. You two are like kittens to me. I won't fail you again." I'll admit I got a lump in my throat. I'd never been called someone's kitten before. Sadie sniffled. She brushed something from under her eye. "You're not going to wash us, are you?”

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Protective affection creates deep bonds; caring for others feels like nurturing vulnerable beings.

**In simple terms:** Treat loved ones as cherished, fragile beings.

Key Takeaway

Offer steadfast support.

Themes

care protection emotional intimacy

Mood

tender protective

Type

narrative emotional

When to use this quote

- parenting
- friendship
- mentorship

Key Concepts

psychology family dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance care and autonomy?
- What signals show someone needs protection?

A Different Perspective

Overprotectiveness can hinder independence.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Called Kitten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-kitten-1661332/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Hadn Promised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hadn-promised-1661334/) [Her eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/her-eyes/) [Kitten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kitten/) [Like Kittens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-kittens-1245170/) [Sadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadie/) [Sadie Sniffled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadie-sniffled-1661333/) [Sniffled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sniffled-543461/) [Throat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throat/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [You again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you-again/)

## Related quotes

> [“She hadn't promised obedience—but she would give it to the right person. Scarlet”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/she-hadn-t-promised-obedience-but-she-would-give-it-to-the-right/)

[Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/)

> [“Way to hurt my feelings, Wroth. She sniffled. Now I’ll really have to kill you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/way-to-hurt-my-feelings-wroth-she-sniffled-now-i-ll-really-have-to/)

[Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/)

> [“She sniffled and nodded. In the background, I was vaguely aware of”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-nichols/she-sniffled-and-nodded-in-the-background-i-was-vaguely-aware-of/)

[Emma Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-nichols/)

> [“It’s alright, Kitten,” Bones said. “He won’t shoot.” Tate lowered his gun, even as the sudden dizziness from blood-loss made me sway. Bones took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/it-s-alright-kitten-bones-said-he-won-t-shoot-tate-lowered-his-gun/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“You called her Kitten? And she let you? She put me in a coma for three days when I called her that! My balls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/you-called-her-kitten-and-she-let-you-she-put-me-in-a-coma-for-three-2/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“You called her Kitten? And she let you? She put me in a coma for three days when I called her that? My balls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/you-called-her-kitten-and-she-let-you-she-put-me-in-a-coma-for-three/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“She sniffled. "Does he know?" "Not a clue," Law said. "There are concrete bricks less dense than my beloved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jez-morrow/she-sniffled-does-he-know-not-a-clue-law-said-there-are-concrete/)

[Jez Morrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jez-morrow/)

> [“You’re stuck with me.” She sniffled. “Promise?” He rested his forehead against hers. “Cross my heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylea-cross/you-re-stuck-with-me-she-sniffled-promise-he-rested-his-forehead/)

[Kaylea Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylea-cross/)

> [“Fenestra was silent for a while, and Morrigan thought she’d fallen asleep standing up. Then she felt something warm, wet, and sandpapery lick the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-townsend/fenestra-was-silent-for-a-while-and-morrigan-thought-she-d-fallen/)

[Jessica Townsend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-townsend/)

> [I was writing songs as a kid about leprechauns and Catwoman and teapots - whatever it is that little girls wanna sing about. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-mckee/i-was-writing-songs-as-a-kid-about-leprechauns-and-catwoman-and-2/)

[Bonnie McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-mckee/)

> [I was writing songs as a kid about leprechauns and Catwoman and teapots - whatever it is that little girls wanna sing about. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-mckee/i-was-writing-songs-as-a-kid-about-leprechauns-and-catwoman-and/)

[Bonnie McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-mckee/)

> [“Carter, not to be unkind," I said, "but the last few months you've been seeing messages about Zia everywhere . Two weeks ago, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/carter-not-to-be-unkind-i-said-but-the-last-few-months-you-ve-been/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Sadie," he said forlornly, "when you become a parent, you may understand this. One of my hardest jobs as a father, one of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/sadie-he-said-forlornly-when-you-become-a-parent-you-may-understand/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [After my bad experience as a kite, I simply refused to go about as a glowing Sadie-headed chicken. That’s fine for Carter, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/after-my-bad-experience-as-a-kite-i-simply-refused-to-go-about-as-a/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

## More by Rick Riordan

> [“It made sense, and I felt kind of stupid. I’d been hanging around dryads”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-made-sense-and-i-felt-kind-of-stupid-i-d-been-hanging-around-dryads/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-started-toward-the-entrance-seriously-how-could-he-not-he-stopped/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“When you take someone’s hand and lead them to Valhalla, you get a glimpse into their soul.” “Did that happen when you took me?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/when-you-take-someone-s-hand-and-lead-them-to-valhalla-you-get-a/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“he didn’t look as good as Piper had last night after she’d suddenly been transformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-didn-t-look-as-good-as-piper-had-last-night-after-she-d-suddenly/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“Leo plunked the cheese wheel in front of me. "Cut me a wedge of this, my good ma. Chop-chop!" I scowled at him. "Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-plunked-the-cheese-wheel-in-front-of-me-cut-me-a-wedge-of-this-my/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-" "Hang on," I said. "Shoe?" "S-h-u," she said. "The god of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-disobeyed-ra-s-wishes-and-so-he-ordered-my-onw-father-shu-hang-on-i/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. "If the others found out-" "If the others found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/nico-knelt-and-picked-it-up-he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/wouldn-t-that-put-a-twist-in-your-toga/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

[Explore all 2,993 Rick Riordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

## More Eye quotes

> [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/)

[Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/)

> [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/)

[Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/)

> [“He blinked. His eyes fell as he processed her response. Then he lifted his chin and attempted a grin that was almost painfully dejected.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/he-blinked-his-eyes-fell-as-he-processed-her-response-then-he-lifted/)

[Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/)

> [How could anybody confuse truth with beauty, I thought as I looked at him. Truth came with sunken eyes, bony or scarred, decayed. Its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-fitch/how-could-anybody-confuse-truth-with-beauty-i-thought-as-i-looked-at/)

[Janet Fitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-fitch/)

> [I wrote when I was a young teen, but I didn't put an eye on the available markets until I was seventeen. The next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reed/i-wrote-when-i-was-a-young-teen-but-i-didn-t-put-an-eye-on-the/)

[Robert Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reed/)

> [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/)

[Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/)

> [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/)

[Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/)

> [Quotations can be valuable, like raisins in the rice pudding, for adding iron as well as eye appeal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peg-bracken/quotations-can-be-valuable-like-raisins-in-the-rice-pudding-for/)

[Peg Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peg-bracken/)

> [Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/clearly-when-we-baptize-our-eyes-should-gaze-beyond-the-baptismal/)

[Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/)

> [At the end of night, before you close your eyes, be content with what you've done and be proud of who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-almond/at-the-end-of-night-before-you-close-your-eyes-be-content-with-what/)

[Steve Almond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-almond/)

> [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/)

[Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/)

> [It lies around us like a cloud- A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-lies-around-us-like-a-cloud-a-world-we-do-not-see-yet-the-sweet/)

[Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/)

> [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [She'd read once that if you ran into a bear in the woods you should avoid eye contact and you shouldn't run away, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-ursu/she-d-read-once-that-if-you-ran-into-a-bear-in-the-woods-you-should/)

[Anne Ursu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-ursu/)

> [Liesel observed the strangeness of her foster father's eyes. They were made of kindness, and silver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/liesel-observed-the-strangeness-of-her-foster-father-s-eyes-they-were/)

[Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/)

[Browse all 16,237 Eye quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now even if I hadn't promised, I would. You two are like kittens to me. I won't fail you again.\" I'll admit I got a lump in my throat. I'd never been called someone's kitten before. Sadie sniffled. She brushed something from under her eye. \"You're not going to wash us, are you?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rick Riordan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-because-i-promised-now-even-if-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Eye"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-because-i-promised-now-even-if-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85c/rick-riordan-27_eye_at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-becaus_148830.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“At first I was protecting you two because I promised. Now even if I hadn't promised, I would. You two are…” — Rick Riordan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Rick Riordan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "At first I was protecting you...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-because-i-promised-now-even-if-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/at-first-i-was-protecting-you-two-because-i-promised-now-even-if-i/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
