The next morning was extremely uneventful for Eric and Kayden as they started their day. 

Eric's entire body was stiff and sore and he was still trying to process the new trauma that he had undergone in such a sort time. He didn't quite know how to wrap his mind around everything. 

He had gotten permission to go to the movies with his friends but he honestly wasn't up for it. He would much rather stay home and rest. He also didn't think it'd be a good idea to hangout with his friends in his current state of mind. 

Eric didn't think he was a scrawny, weak, seventeen year old. He had quite a bit of lean muscle and was considered tall for his age. He was fast and quick and could run for miles if he felt like it. 

Then why couldn't he... 

A light knock on the bedroom door startled Eric out of his dark train of thought. 

"What are you thinking about?" Kayden asked as he leaned against the door frame. 

Eric's eyes blazed with a sudden fierceness. "Am I weak?" 

Kayden's first instinct was to laugh it off but the look in Eric's eyes made him realize the young man was truly tormented over the question. And he had a fairly good guess as to what brought it up. 

He pushed off the door and went to sit on his bed, across from Eric. "You are very strong, Eric. What happened to you at school and in your past are traumatic experiences. We all deal with trauma differently. 

"Not being able to defend yourself in that situation doesn't mean you're weak. Your body most likely went in shock because of your past. It takes time to work through any trauma. It doesn't make you weak." Kayden wasn't sure if what he was saying was making any sense. He wasn't a psychologist. 

Eric felt his eyes sting and did his best to force the tears away. He didn't want to cry again. "It's just...I couldn't do anything, Kayden. My body froze and I just laid there and took it." His voice shook and cracked on the last word. 

Kayden reached across the short space between them and ruffled Eric's hair. "It isn't your fault what happened. Not now and certainly not in your past."

Eric looked up and met Kayden's piercing gaze. "You're the first person to tell me that." 

Shock coursed through Kayden but he ignored it and pulled Eric into a tight hug which was quickly returned. 

Kayden closed his eyes and forced his tears at bay. While he had no idea what it was like to experience what Eric did, he knew perfectly well the feeling of taking all the blame for things he knew he shouldn't. 

It was part of why it took him so long to leave the orphanage. In a way, he viewed it as a way to atone for his sins... 

Shaking his head, Kayden squeezed Eric one last time before pulling away. 

Eric was reluctant to leave the comfort of Kayden's arms but he couldn't expect to rely on him in that way. 

He tried to discreetly wipe his eyes on his t-shirt and silently thanked Kayden for ignoring it. 

"Soooo," Kayden suddenly let out in a loud voice. "The movies sound exciting." 

Eric gave Kayden a look before letting out a snort. "Sometimes I wonder if you're actually sixteen and not twenty-six." 

He got a wide grin in return. 

"I'm not going to the movies," Eric continued, ignoring Kayden's (unexpectedly cute) antics. 

Kayden raised an eyebrow. "Did they pick a scary movie?" 

Eric held back a smile. "No, I would just rather stay home and rest for the weekend."

He ignored the sudden gentleness that filled Kayden's eyes. He normally felt patronized if people looked at him like that because he knew they were looking at him with pity. 

Kayden, on the other hand, clearly did not pity him and seemed to have a better understanding of what he felt than any adult had when he was younger. Not even Mrs. Laje offered the same kind of understanding. 

Kayden's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. "Do you want to watch a movie here instead? You can stay in bed. It's no problem for me to move the TV."

Amused by his sudden excitement, Eric quickly agreed and hid a smile as he watched Kayden leave. 

A weight that was beginning to weigh on his shoulders was suddenly lifted by the short conversation he had. 

He knew the reason why he lost control over his body but having someone else explain in a way that didn't undermine his intelligence really made all the difference. 

Maybe, way in the future, he might be able to open up to Kayden and tell him everything he experienced from when he was a child up till now. He didn't think Kayden would ever judge him for anything. It was such a strange thing to suddenly have someone in his life that wouldn't judge him. 

About ten minutes later, Kayden had set up the TV and connected it to his laptop, opening up a streaming site. He quickly jumped back into bed, smiling smugly to himself for having stayed in his pjays. 

"What are you in the mood for?" Kayden asked as he set his laptop on his lap. 

"Something really funny."

"Your wish is my command." Kayden replied dramatically as he quickly typed in a movie title. 

Eric knew it was ridiculous, but he felt lucky getting to see this side of Kayden. So far, he had only really seen Kayden dressed in fancy suits and acting more professional than one could think possible. 

He sometimes saw the mask fall, revealing the playfulness that he was growing to appreciate the more he lived with everyone. 

Eric had been very rebellious up until recently and wondered if he would have grown to be bitter if it wasn't for Roth giving him a second chance or Kayden showing him that it was okay to laugh and be carefree. 

He was by no means okay. But now it felt like he was treading water instead of drowning in it. 

The two fell into a comfortable silence as the movie played and they both laughed together at all the funny parts and made fun of the characters' bad decision making. 

One movie turned to two and two turned to three and it continued like that until the sun had made its way across the sky and sunk below the ground again. 

All the while, the two cracked jokes, ate junk food, and enjoyed goofing off as they spent a lazy day in bed watching movies.

What touched Eric the most was that Kayden hadn't looked at his phone the entire time. 

***

Eric had been a little apprehensive about taking another shower before bed but he managed fine this time around. 

He felt quite lazy after spending all day watching movies but knew it's what his body needed. 

Letting out a sigh, Eric quickly changed into fresh pajamas. He would gladly do this again tomorrow if it weren't for the fact that his body felt a little too stiff. 

When he came out of the bathroom he gave his body a small stretch. 

"Me too." Kayden grunted as he opened the office door, also freshly showered. 

"I need to go on a walk tomorrow." Eric sighed as he entered their bedroom. 

"I would join you but I have some slightly neglected business to take care of tomorrow." Kayden spoke in a lighthearted way that made Eric a little suspicious. 

"Sorry if I wasted your time." Eric felt the need to apologize despite knowing full well that Kayden made the decision to hangout with him all day. 

Kaden fixed him with steady eyes. "You will never waste my time, Eric. I meant it. I will always be here for you. The work I have to do is minor and I'll finish a little after lunch."

Eric could only nod as he crawled into bed, his heart suddenly lighter. A moment later he said, "Thank you." 

He felt a hand ruffle the top of his head and smiled. 

Things would somehow be okay.