An hour later, Kayden and Eric were safely tucked in bed, eating the cake Kayden had made. 

Neither had said much after the incident in the bathroom. 

Kayden felt ashamed for not seeing the signs sooner. He regretted being away from home so much and was determined to stay for as long as he possibly could. However, the work he did sometimes required his physical presence. 

Letting out a sigh, Kayden stretched his arms high before setting his plate to the side on the nightstand. 

Eric quickly followed suit and patted his stomach in satisfaction. "That was really good," he praised after a yawn. 

Kayden gave him a smug smile. "It should since I made it." 

Eric rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the small smile from forming on his face. "Let me guess, I'll never taste anything better than the food you make, right?" 

Kayden snorted at Eric's tone. "I'm not THAT good. I just happened to be an only child for a very long time and forced my way into the kitchen." A fondness shone in his eyes. 

Eric felt heat rise to his face but he quickly dismissed that train of thought. He wouldn't ever explore THAT idea. 

Taking a deep breath to steady his annoying heart, Eric asked, "What was it like moving away from the orphanage?" 

Kayden's eyebrows rose at Eric's question but he didn't hesitate to answer. "To be honest, it felt like a fairytale. I was dead set on leaving the night my dad found me. It felt utterly surreal leaving the orphanage and Mrs. Laje behind. 

"My first night here I was so afraid to fall asleep. I thought it would all disappear the moment I woke up." Kayden sounded a little wistful. "If it wasn't for my dad, I don't think I would be alive today. I'm very thankful for the life I was given."

Eric's eyes opened wide like saucers. He wasn't expecting Kayden to be so...open. It made him want to ask more, like why Kayden was put in the orphanage in the first place. But that felt a little too personal. 

"Roth is very kind," Eric settled on saying instead. 

Kayden offered a charming smile. "He is that and so much more. He'd save the entire world if he could."

Eric looked down and smiled to himself. While he didn't view Roth the same way as Kayden, he was very grateful for the second chance even if things at school... 

Tears suddenly filled his eyes as he looked back at Kayden. "Kayden...I don't want to go back to school." 

There was a sudden seriousness in Kayden's eyes that sent shivers down Eric's spine. 

"There's no need to worry, Eric." Kayden said in a gentle voice. "That man had a track record and I had my people complie evidence of his other crimes to form a case. He won't get punished for what he did to you, but justice WILL be served."

Eric could only stare at the man sitting in front of him. He suddenly realized what his friend meant. 

Kayden WAS someone that was just meant to exist. 

"You're--" Eric tried to speak but no words came to him. "You're amazing, Kayden. Thank you." 

Kayden's features softened significantly as he met Eric's shining eyes. "I'll always be here for you."

"You're supposed to say thank you." Eric joked, but he was smiling as he said it. 

Shortly after, the two called it a night. Both exhausted from the day's events.