Later that day, Eric found himself standing in the middle of the kitchen, armed with nothing but a frilly blue apron that just had to say, “Kiss The Cook,” which didn’t go unnoticed by Kayden because he grinned the moment Eric entered the room. 

“What?” Eric snapped. “Roth gave it to me.”

Kayden’s grin turned into laughter. “Of course he did.” 

Eric grumbled a bit, but couldn’t find the words to retort back. To be honest, he was still a little shaken from what happened earlier. He didn’t even talk to Shandra, but that uncomfortable panic from being around strangers kept climbing up and down his spine.

He was doing his best to hide it. Eric wasn’t sure if he was doing a good job because Kayden wasn’t the easiest person to read. He figured he was since Kayden tossed him a large metal bowl and seemed relaxed despite what happened in the morning. 

“What’s this for?” Eric asked, setting it on one of the marble countertops. 

“Cake.”

At Eric’s questioning gaze, amusement lit Kayden’s voice. “We’re baking a cake, Eric. Why else would we need a bowl?”

“How silly of me for not reading your mind,” Eric shot back, fighting hard to keep his blush at bay. He was feeling so many emotions and didn’t know which ones to sort through or where to start. He knew his old childhood friend was trying to lighten the mood with jokes. He was annoyed it was working.

“What kind of cake do you want to bake?” Kayden asked.

“Chocolate and strawberry.”

Within minutes, the kitchen was filled with the sounds of cabinets opening and the soft thud as ingredients were placed on the counter.

It was relaxing to move around the kitchen and bake. It had been his way of coping when he was a kid. Baking was the one privilege given to him during his time in that house. Mainly because he was never allowed to bake for himself. Never for himself. If he was caught eating…

Shaking his head to clear it, Eric thought about all the things he wanted to ask Kayden. None of them were simple segues from their current state of silence. He felt conflicted for having questions because he didn’t want Kayden to think he wanted to be friends like before.

He wanted that less and less the more time they spent together. It was nothing against Kayden. Eric didn’t know how to formulate his feelings into words. The thought of trying to become that happy little boy he used to be when they were friends…he couldn’t do it.

Kayden nudged his arm while cracking open an egg. “Something on your mind?”

Eric opened his mouth, took a deep breath in, then let the air back out. “No.” He cringed inwardly when he heard the dull sound his voice made. 

Kayden’s movements were slow. He wasn’t sure if bringing this up was a good idea. He continued mixing ingredients while he spoke. “I’m very sorry for not recognizing you, Eric. You were just a kid the last time I saw you. Unlike most people, you don’t look close to how you did as a child. The last I heard; you were doing well with your family. I didn’t think you’d find your way into my life in such a unique way.

“My mom’s behavior towards you last night was deplorable. You shouldn’t have to go through an interrogation after being promised a new home. I know me not recognizing you added to your stress. I hope you can find it within yourself to think of this place as home.”

Eric also never imagined they’d reunite in such a strange way. Last night, while not the worst, definitely wasn’t great. He may as well be truthful. “It’s just…when I came back—” He shook his head and began again. “My imagination got the best of me.”

Kayden stopped what he was doing and watched Eric oil a cake pan. He had a lot of emotions running through him. “What did you imagine would happen?” Kayden asked, unenthusiastic for the answer.

Eric fidgeted back and forth as he set the oiled cake pan down. “I thought you would immediately recognize me and we’d go back to how we’d always been.” 

Kayden now understood why Eric had been so upset and rude when they ‘met’ yesterday. Part of it could be that he was just a hormonal teenager who had been through a lot, but Kayden was willing to overlook their first meeting now that he understood the situation. 

“Real life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” Kayden muttered, finished with mixing the cake batter. “You can always talk to me, Eric, whenever and about whatever. I can’t promise we’ll have the same friendship as before, but we can start over. What do you say?” 

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

Kayden grinned.

Tired of being serious, Eric said, “When you say whatever, are you telling me I can start asking why there are dragons in the sky and we need to ready the knights?”

Kayden’s eyes widened. He laughed loudly, remembering back to when they used to play pretend. “If that makes you happy, why not?” he poked Eric away from the pan so he could fill it with batter. 

Another thought popped into Eric’s head. “I get wanting to help children, but why are you so passionate about it?”

Kayden’s laughter faded when he registered what Eric asked. He hid his face for a second as he put the cake in the oven. When he stood, he showed no discomfort about the topic. 

“It’s always hit or miss on how a child will turn out from being in the system. Whether that’s a few months or few years, no one can determine how it will affect a child. I guess when I literally ran into my dad all those years ago, it showed me there were still kind people in the world. Because of that, it made me want to be that kindness for other unwanted children.”

“How are you not bitter?” 

Kayden raised his eyebrows and leaned back against the counter. “I was bitter for a very long time, Eric. It wasn’t until I met my dad that I slowly stopped. I was the definition of moody teenager before I left the orphanage.” 

Eric found that hard to believe. The person in front of him didn’t match his image of moody teenager. If anything, he’d peg himself as the moody one.

Kayden lifted a hand like he was going to ruffle Eric’s hair, but paused halfway before dropping it back to his side. “Don’t look like that. My experience doesn’t diminish yours. You’re allowed to feel angry about what happened.”

Eric glanced up, surprised at how much care Kayden had towards him. He found himself pulled into a warm embrace. Without his permission, his arms reached around Kayden and held on tight as he relished in the warmth and comfort that surrounded him. 

“I don’t know what you went through, but I’ll always be here for you.” Kayden whispered. 

With his throat suddenly tight, Eric could only nod and tighten his grip. He felt his face flush as Kayden held him tighter. He wasn’t used to getting hugs. Not since…

After a few moments, Kayden pulled away and smiled down at Eric. “It’s a good thing we baked a cake.”

Eric’s face stretched into a genuine smile. “Thank you, Kayden. You seem to be the only person willing to listen when I speak.”

“I…you have my dad, too,” Kayden was at a loss. At some point he needed to book an appointment with Mrs. Laje and hear her side of events about when Eric was returned. He made sure she had enough resources for counseling and the like for all the children at her orphanage once he became her sponsor. Why was Eric essentially saying he had no one to talk to? “Don’t forget this is your home now, even if you don’t want to join us as a family.”

“I know. I won’t forget.”

Kayden stared out the kitchen window, thinking. He thought him and his team did an excellent job creating their initial training program for employees working under Wanted. But now? The things Eric said so casually were the kind of things he looked out for when spotting issues during the initial stages of contact with other adoption agencies.

His concern only increased the longer he and Eric talked.

Kayden ran a hand over his face, deciding to let the matter go for now. He was trying to find solutions without having all the answers to his questions. He needed to call Ian to work over a few ideas spinning around in his head.

Eric seemed fine. Better than he looked during all the shouting, anyways.

The two worked in silence once the cake finished baking. They decorated it with vanilla icing. Both were lost in their thoughts and content with each other’s company. 

Eric felt the pressure gripping his heart relax just a little as he watched Kayden eat a piece of cake. The feelings of resentment that had formed from Kayden not recognizing him had evaporated into air. 

For the first time in a long time, he was looking forward to the future.