Brycen smiles, adjusting the basket in his grip. The weight of it doesn’t bother him, but it feels different from the usual gear he carries- more personal, softer. He glances at Kaylin again, taking in the way their eyes had softened, the slight relaxation in their posture.

"Alright then, a walk it is," Brycen says, stepping aside and gesturing for Kaylin to lead the way out of the estate grounds.

The early morning light filters through the trees lining the path, casting long, golden shadows across the cobblestone streets. As they walk, the distant sounds of the waking city buzz softly in the background, but the streets they traverse are still mostly quiet. Occasionally, a few vendors can be seen setting up their stalls, but the usual bustle of the city hasn’t quite begun.

The silence between them is comfortable, almost peaceful. Brycen learned early on that Kaylin isn’t one to fill the air with unnecessary chatter, and he appreciates the quiet moments. Still, he finds himself sneaking a glance at them now and again, curious about the thoughts behind those ever-watchful amethyst eyes.

"How often do you get out of the cottage?" Brycen asks, his voice low, so as not to disturb the serenity of the moment.

Kaylin looks ahead, their fingers lightly grazing the fabric of their long sleeves as they walked. "Not as much as I’d like," they admit. "The cottage is... a place where I can be myself. But it’s also a bit of a cage, in some ways."

Brycen nods, understanding more than he expected. The constant pressure of expectations weigh heavily on him as a Paladin and a Lord, and though his duties allow him to travel, he often finds himself yearning for the simple freedom to be without the title attached to his name.

"Seems unfair, though," Brycen said after a moment. "A place that should be home can feel like a cage."

Kaylin glances at him, surprised at his insight. "It’s... safer that way," they say carefully, as if the words themselves carry weight. "But you’re right. Sometimes I miss the luxuries of a city. The feeling of blending in, rather than standing apart."

Brycen frowns slightly, thinking about the constant disguises Kaylin has to wear, the way they are forced to hide themself to navigate a world that doesn’t fully accept who they are. It stirs something protective in him.

"Well, there’s no rush," Brycen says gently, meeting their gaze. "If it ever feels like too much, we can turn back."

Kaylin's eyes soften in a way that Brycen has come to know means that they're smiling behind their mask. "Thank you, Brycen," they said quietly.  "I'm determined to see the city today, though."

Brycen's smile widens. "Then let’s make the most of it."

As they continue their walk, the streets slowly come to life. The sounds of horses' hooves clopping on stone, the hum of voices rising as more people emerge from their homes and shops, create a gentle backdrop to their quiet conversation. Vendors call out to early shoppers, the air fills with the scent of freshly baked bread and roasting meats.

They pass through a small market square where a few early morning vendors have already set up colorful displays of fruit, vegetables, and handmade goods. Brycen notices Kaylin’s gaze lingering on a stall selling vibrant scarves of various colors and patterns.

"Would you like to stop?" Brycen asks, pausing in his stride.

Kaylin hesitates for a moment before nodding. "Just for a moment."

They approach the stall, and Kaylin reaches out to touch one of the scarves- a deep, rich purple that almost matches the shade of their eyes, with an intricate blue pattern. The vendor, a cheerful older woman with a bright smile, greets them warmly.

"Ah, you’ve got a good eye!" she says, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "That one’s made from the finest silk. Perfect for someone with such a striking look."

Kaylin blinks in surprise, their hand hovering over the fabric. They glance at Brycen, as if unsure how to respond to the compliment.

Brycen chuckled softly. "She’s right, you know," he says, his tone gentle. "It would suit you."

Kaylin’s cheeks flush slightly, though it is barely noticeable beneath their mask. "I... don’t usually wear bright colors," they say quietly, their fingers trailing over the scarf's smooth surface.

The vendor smiles knowingly. "It’s not about standing out," she says kindly. "It’s about feeling comfortable in what you choose to wear. If it feels right, it’ll show."

Kaylin seems to consider this for a moment, their fingers still lightly tracing the edge of the scarf. Then, with determination, they look at the vendor. "I’ll take it," they say softly.

Brycen’s smile grows as he watches them. It is a small step, but it feels important. He hands the vendor a few coins, and Kaylin carefully folds the scarf, tucking it into the basket.

As they leave the market stall and continue their walk, the sun has climbed higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the streets.

"You didn’t have to buy that for me," Kaylin says quietly, glancing at Brycen.

"I didn’t," Brycen replies, his smile easy. "You bought it. I just handled the transaction."

Kaylin looks at him, their expression softening. "Still. Thank you."

Brycen shrugs, but his heart warms at their gratitude. "Like I said, it’s no rush. We’ll take the day as it comes."

As they enter the garden district, Brycen immediately feels the subtle shift in the air. The temperature is pleasantly warm, far more comfortable than the cold, crisp weather outside the dome. A delicate, sweet fragrance fills the air, carried on a gentle breeze. Above them, the glass dome stretches high, arching overhead in a seamless curve, with sunlight filtering through the crystal panes in soft, golden rays. It feels like stepping into another world- one of endless spring, where the seasons wouldn't dare intrude.

Brycen marvels at the sight of lush greenery, blooming flowers, and carefully tended paths that wind through towering trees and vibrant plants. The sheer variety of life here is always breathtaking- flowering vines climbing trellises, exotic blooms in shades of red, orange, and violet, and small ponds scattered throughout, their surfaces rippling gently under the beams of light.

As they take their first steps into the district, Brycen hears a soft gasp beside him. He turns immediately to see Kaylin standing still, their eyes wide, filled with awe.

“Kaylin?” he asks softly, concerned for a moment.

But Kaylin doesn’t answer. Their amethyst eyes are shimmering, reflecting the sunlight like the blooms around them. They take a few steps forward, their hand reaching out as if to touch the air itself.

Brycen watches them, the way their shoulders relax, the way they breathe in deeply as though they haven’t been able to for a long time. It is as if the sight of the garden has unlocked something inside them, something that has been held too tightly.

“This place…” Kaylin whispers, their voice barely audible. “It’s beautiful.”

Brycen smiles softly. “It is.”

Kaylin’s gaze sweeps across the greenery, their eyes lingering on the vibrant colors, the delicate shapes of flowers, the way the light dances off the glass dome above them. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” they admit, their voice carrying a mixture of wonder and disbelief.

Brycen steps closer, watching them closely. "I didn't know this would have such an effect on you."

Kaylin blinks. "I... I wasn’t expecting this," they admit quietly. "I’ve read about the garden district, but to actually be here…"

They trail off, as if words couldn't fully capture what they were feeling. Their fingers brush the soft petals of a nearby flower- delicate and purple and they seem to glow in the filtered sunlight.

Brycen watches them, realizing that this is a rare moment of openness. He sees the calm in their usually guarded expression, the quiet joy that creeps into their movements.

“It’s like the world doesn’t exist here,” Kaylin murmurs, still absorbed in the beauty around them. “No expectations, no eyes watching. Just… peace.”

Brycen feels something stir in his chest at their words. He’s always thought of the garden district as just another part of the city, a pretty place for nobles to wander and admire, but Kaylin sees it differently. To them, it is something more- a sanctuary, a place where they don’t have to be anyone but themself.

“I think you’re right,” Brycen says quietly, his eyes still on them. “It’s like a haven. You can just… breathe.”

Kaylin nods, their shoulders easing further as they continue to wander along the path. Brycen stays close but gives them space, sensing that this moment isn’t just about the beauty of the garden- it's about something deeper.

They reach a small clearing where a stone bench rests beneath a canopy of blooming wisteria, its pale flowers hanging in elegant cascades. Kaylin pauses there, their eyes lifting to take in the sight above them.

Brycen sits on the bench first, gesturing for Kaylin to join him. They hesitate for a moment, their fingers brushing the hem of their sleeve before they sit down beside him, a comfortable distance between them.

For a few minutes, neither of them speak. The only sounds are the soft rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, and the trickle of water from a nearby fountain. It is a silence that doesn’t need to be filled, the kind that lets the world breathe alongside them.

Kaylin’s fingers brush against the edge of the bench, tracing the smooth stone.  They break the silence. “It’s not easy… when people look at you and expect something else. Something that doesn’t match who you are inside.”

Brycen’s chest tightens at the quiet pain in their words. He knows they aren’t just talking about the Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamics of their world, though that plays a part. It's more than that. It's about how Kaylin has lived their entire life under the weight of others’ expectations, always having to disguise their true self to navigate a world that refuses to accept it.  Brycen knows well enough what it's like to live his life under the weight of expectations, and he hates that Kaylin has had to do the same.

“You shouldn’t have to hide,” Brycen says softly, echoing the words he’s said before. “Not from the people who care about you.”

Kaylin finally turns to look at him, their eyes searching his face for something- maybe sincerity, maybe understanding. They seem to find both.

“I know,” they say, their voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s not that simple.”

Brycen nods. He understands that better now. But still, he can’t help but wish things are different- for them, for everyone who lives with the same kind of quiet pain.

They sit there for a while longer, the silence between them comfortable again, but tinged with something deeper. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, casting more golden light through the glass dome, Kaylin finally stands, brushing the petals from their sleeves.

“Thank you,” they say softly, meeting his eyes. “For bringing me here.  And for understanding, well, everything.”

Brycen smiles and stands as well, adjusting the basket in his hand. “Anytime.”

Kaylin’s eyes light up as they move from plant to plant, pointing out each one with enthusiasm. "This is a Moonfern, excellent for soothing burns. And over there is the Frostvine- beautiful, but terribly poisonous unless handled correctly."

Brycen smiles as he watches them, their excitement infectious. "Do you have a favorite flower?" he asks, curious.

Kaylin doesn’t hesitate. "Yes, of course," they say with a softvoice. "They're called Velornis Blossoms- known as 'Witches' Blooms' because they’re purple and glow, just like our eyes."

Brycen raises an eyebrow. "Witches' Blooms?"

Kaylin nods, their fingers gently brushing the delicate petals of a nearby flower. "Legend says they were used by ancient spellcasters in their rituals. But honestly? I just think they’re beautiful.  There were actually some when we entered the district, if you saw them."

"Do you grow them in your garden?" Brycen asks, his curiosity piqued as he watches Kaylin’s eyes brighten when they speak of the flowers.

Kaylin’s shakes their head, a hint of sadness creeping into their expression. "No," they say softly. "I live a bit too far north for them to grow, unfortunately. They need warmer weather, more sunlight.  I imagine if it wasn't for the dome they wouldn't be able to grow here, either."

Brycen frowns a little, seeing the subtle change in their demeanor. "That’s a shame. I bet your garden would look amazing with those blooms."

Kaylin nods, though their gaze seems to drift somewhere far away, their fingers idly brushing a nearby leaf. "When I was growing up, my father had them in his garden," they say, their voice softening with nostalgia. "He took such care with them. There was this whole section just for the Velornis Blossoms. In the summer, they’d fill the air with this sweet, almost spicy scent. It was... calming."

Brycen remains quiet, letting them reminisce. He can hear the longing in their voice, the wistfulness that hints at a childhood memory they hold close.

"Every morning, when the sun hadn't quite risen, he'd bring me out there," Kaylin continues, "we’d sit in the garden, just the two of us, and he'd tell me stories about the old magic- the kind that lives in plants, in the earth. He would say that the Velornis could only bloom in a place where the land was at peace."

They pause, as if caught in the memory, their hand resting still on the leaf. "I always thought that was such a beautiful idea. That a flower could somehow know when everything was right with the world."

Brycen watches them, struck by the tenderness in their words. It is a side of Kaylin he rarely sees- the healer who is so often calm, distant, and composed, now looking vulnerable, almost wistful.

"Do you miss it?" Brycen asks gently.

Kaylin’s eyes flicker up to meet his, the amethyst color deepening in the warm light of the garden district. They hesitate, then nod. "Sometimes," they admit. "I don’t often think about it, but when I do... yes, I miss it. It was one of the few places I felt safe."

Brycen feels a pang in his chest at the quiet admission. "I’m sorry you had to leave it behind."

Kaylin’s shakes their head, mask going back up. "It’s alright. Life moves forward. And besides, I still have the memories. That’s enough, most days."

For a moment, neither of them speak, letting the weight of the conversation settle between them. The warm, fragrant air around them fills the silence, but it isn’t uncomfortable. Brycen can sense that this memory was a part of Kaylin that they don’t often share, and he feels honored that they have trusted him with it.