[AT THE BEDROOM]
Zayden pushed the bedroom door open and stepped inside. The room was empty.
A soft sound of running water came from the bathroom. _Caspian's in the shower.
He crossed to the bed, sat down, and pulled out his phone. Reports, messages, numbers — the usual. But his mind wasn't on them.
The bathroom door clicked open.
Caspian peeked his head out, towel-damp hair clinging to his forehead. His eyes met Zayden's, and he froze.
Zayden's lips curved into a light smile. "What is it? Did you need something?"
Caspian hesitated in the doorway. He was again in his wedding dress. The fabric hung off his frame, too ornate, too heavy — and too full of memories.
Zayden stared at him. For a second, something cold and sharp flashed in his eyes. Without a word, he stood and walked to the wardrobe. He rifled through it, then pulled out a dress — one from his teenage years, unworn, still new. Beautiful, and soft.
He walked back to Caspian and held it out. His voice was calm, but it left no room for argument.
"Go change into this. It'll fit you better." His gaze dropped to the wedding dress, his jaw tightening. "And don't wear _that_ dress again."
Caspian opened his mouth to argue, but the words died. He didn't want to wear it either. Every fold of it dragged up memories he'd rather bury. So he just nodded, took the dress, and slipped back into the bathroom.
When he stepped out again, Zayden's breath hitched.
Caspian looked… impossibly small. The dress was still a little too big — the sleeves swallowed his hands, the dress was big— but on him, it looked right. Soft. Cute.
_What the hell am I supposed to do with this?_ Zayden thought.
Caspian lowered his gaze, feeling Zayden's eyes on him. Silence stretched between them.
"Come here," Zayden said finally.
Caspian's heart thumped so hard he was sure Zayden could hear it. _I'm going to have a heart attack._ But he obeyed, walking over quietly.
Zayden caught his wrist, gentle but firm, and began rolling up the oversized sleeve so Caspian's small hand could peek out. Then he fixed his collar, fingers brushing Caspian's neck.
"Why did you wake up so early?" Caspian asked hesitantly. "Did I… did I disturb you in my sleep?"
Zayden's eyes lifted to his. A small smile played on his lips. "Well, it would seem so."
Caspian panicked instantly. _Did I kick him? Did I scream? Should I apologize—_
But Zayden's next words wiped every thought from his head.
"How could I sleep with someone so beautiful beside me?" Zayden murmured. "What was I supposed to do?"
Heat flooded Caspian's face. His cheeks turned a deep, unmistakable pink, and he ducked his head to escape Zayden's teasing gaze.
Zayden wasn't having it. He cupped Caspian's chin and tilted his face up. "What is it, beauty? Are you blushing?"
Caspian batted his hand away, whispering, "Stop teasing me."
Zayden laughed — a real, low laugh that made Caspian's stomach flip.
A knock at the door cut through the moment. They both turned.
"Boss, breakfast is ready," Mrs. Gable's voice called from the hallway.
Zayden took Caspian's hand without hesitation. "Let's go."
Mrs. Gable bowed the moment they stepped out. Zayden only gave a slight nod. Caspian, however, beamed at her.
"Hello, Mrs. Gable. Good morning!"
The older woman flustered. "Ah—Good morning, good morning, Young Master."
They walked down the stairs side by side. In the dining room, Zayden took his seat at the head of the table. Caspian sat beside him.
Breakfast was quiet. Caspian picked at his food, stealing glances at Zayden. When he finished, he noticed Zayden hadn't moved. He was just… watching him.
"You're not going to work?" Caspian asked.
Zayden smiled lightly. "Did you forget what I told you?"
Caspian frowned, thinking back to last night. _What did Zayden say?_ Then it hit him.
"Oh! You said we're going shopping."
Zayden nodded. "That's right. So finish your breakfast quickly. We should go."
Caspian's eyes lit up. He suddenly attacked his food with wild enthusiasm, a grin splitting his face. _Shopping. His first time outside … god, it felt like a lifetime. He couldn't help it._
Matteo and Marcus appeared at the edge of the dining room, keeping a respectful distance.
"Everything is ready, Boss," Matteo reported.
"Security is clear, Boss," Marcus added.
Zayden nodded once. Caspian didn't even look up, too focused on shoveling the last of his breakfast down.
---
[AT THE SHOPPING MALL.]
The black car pulled up to Verelle Grand — the most exclusive mall in the city. Glass doors slid open before they even reached them.
Caspian stepped out and immediately froze. The noise, the lights, the people moving freely… it hit him all at once. His fingers tightened around the sleeve Zayden had rolled up for him that morning. It was still too big. But right now, it felt like armor.
Zayden noticed. He didn't say anything. He just shifted closer, his hand settling lightly at the small of Caspian's back. "Stay beside me," he murmured. It wasn't a request.
They were ushered past the main floor into a private section. No crowds, no flashing phones. Just quiet music and rows of clothes that probably cost more than Caspian had ever seen in one place.
A manager approached with a bow. "Boss. We've cleared the wing as you asked. The stylists are ready for the Young Master."
Zayden gave a short nod and glanced at Caspian. "Pick whatever you like."
Caspian blinked. "Whatever… I like?"
"Mm." Zayden's eyes were already scanning the racks, but his attention was all on Caspian. "If you don't choose, I will. And you might not like my taste."
That got Caspian moving. He drifted to the nearest rack, hesitant at first. His fingers brushed a soft cream sweater. It wasn't beaded or heavy like his wedding dress. It was… normal. He looked back at Zayden, unsure.
Zayden nodded once. "Try it."
One piece became three. Three became a pile in the stylist's arms. With every soft shirt or pair of slacks Caspian touched, he got excited.Then he disappeared into the fitting room, Zayden took the seat outside like a guard. Matteo and Marcus stood at a distance, but Zayden's gaze never left that door.
Caspian stepped out in dark jeans and the cream sweater. It actually fit. No excess fabric, no memories stitched into it. Just… him.
He tugged at the hem, nervous. "Is… is this okay?"
Zayden stood. He walked over slowly, then reached out and brushed a piece of lint off Caspian's shoulder. His voice was quieter when he spoke. "You look like yourself."
Caspian's breath caught. _Like myself._ When was the last time he'd looked like himself?
The spell broke when a saleswoman approached with a display of jewelry. "Boss, perhaps something to match the Young Master's eyes?"
Zayden's expression cooled instantly. He stepped half in front of Caspian without thinking. "We're done here," he said flatly. "Pack everything he touched."
The woman paled and backed away. Caspian stared at Zayden's back, confused, then a small, secret smile tugged at his lips. He got happy at Zayden possessiveness.
By the time they left, the car's trunk was full of bags. Caspian hadn't stopped touching the cuff of his new sweater. It was soft. It was his.
On the ride back, he kept glancing out the window, then at Zayden, then back at the bags. Zayden watched him the entire time, one arm resting along the back of Caspian's seat. Not touching, but close. Always close.
When they passed a street vendor selling strawberry candied fruit, Caspian's eyes went wide. He didn't say anything. He wouldn't dare ask.
The car stopped a minute later.
"Boss?" Matteo asked from the front.
"Wait," Zayden said. He opened his door, stepped out, and returned moments later with a small stick of bright red tanghulu. He held it out to Caspian.
Caspian's hands flew to his mouth. "For… for me?"
Zayden arched a brow. "Who else?"
Caspian took it like it was made of glass. The first bite cracked loud in the quiet car. Sweet, then tart. His eyes shimmered. _When was the last time someone bought him something just because he looked at it?_
"Thank you," he whispered.
Zayden's reply was a low hum. He didn't look away until Caspian had finished the last bite.
[Back at the Palace]
The sun was dipping low when the car rolled through the palace gates. Matteo opened the door, and Caspian stepped out first, arms full of bags, new sweater soft against his skin, the faint taste of strawberry still on his tongue.
He turned back to wait for Zayden, and the smile that broke across his face was real. Unguarded. The kind of smile that hadn't touched his face in years.
For the first time in a long while, the heavy weight in his chest felt a little lighter.
Zayden stopped beside him,he took bags from him:
Let me? Caspian node slightly.
Then Zayden looked at that smile of Caspian, and something in his own expression eased.
"Let's go inside," Zayden said quietly.
Caspian nodded, and together they walked back in. Side by side.
---
Hey guys, I'm back! Sorry for disappearing for 2 days — life got a little hectic. Thank you for waiting for me. Here's the new chapter, I hope you like Zayden and Caspian's shopping trip
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed it!