Chapter Ten
After the grocery store disaster, Aiden decided that Kael needed proper clothes — for both of their sakes.
They pulled up in front of the only clothing shop in town, a quiet little boutique with a bell above the door and mannequins in the window. Kael stepped out of the car with his usual regal air, still dressed in Aiden's stretched-out shirt and jeans that looked like they were protesting their existence.
Aiden sighed. "Okay, rule two: don't scare the staff. They're just doing their job."
Kael gave a faint, dismissive hum, his golden eyes sweeping over the building. "I have worn robes embroidered with sunlight and silk finer than breath. What can these humans possibly offer me?"
Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. "Clothes that don't rip if you take a deep breath"
Through the glass window they could see some cloths on mannequins " They don't look to be that much, even the combination is weird"
Aiden followed his gaze and snorted. "That's fashion."
Kael frowned. "It offers no protection."
"It offers style. Which, apparently, you already have too much of."
Kael smirked, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve. "It cannot be helped."
Still, he followed Aiden inside when the human muttered something about needing a few more clothes before Kael destroyed his only outfit by trying to "wrestle the washing machine."
The store was bright, polished, and blasting a pop song that made Kael's ears twitch. People turned almost immediately. The air shifted — quiet chatter fading as curious eyes followed them.
Actually, followed him.
Kael didn't walk so much as glide, tall and graceful, the too-tight shirt from earlier stretching just right against his chest and shoulders. His hair caught the light as if it had been kissed by gold.
Aiden was aware of the gawking. The staff behind the counter had gone suspiciously still. Two teenagers by the display rack whispered behind their hands. Even an older lady near the scarves section gasped softly, her hand fluttering to her chest.
And Kael — the menace — noticed.
He straightened his posture just a little more, chin lifting like he was entering a throne room.
"Kael," Aiden hissed under his breath. "Stop basking."
"I am not basking," Kael said calmly. "I am merely existing. It is not my fault if mortals find that overwhelming."
Aiden sighed. "You love this attention."
A saleswoman finally gathered the courage to approach. "Good afternoon, sir," she said, her smile wobbly. "You have… stunning features. I mean—uh—welcome! Are you looking for something specific today?"
Kael gave her a small, charming nod. "Something suitable for one of my stature."
The poor woman blinked. "O-of course. Stature… got it." She scurried off, cheeks pink, calling for backup like she'd just spotted a celebrity.
Aiden wanted to sink into the floor.
Meanwhile, Kael wandered to a rack of shirts, picking one up delicately between two fingers like it was a rare artifact. "You mortals seem to enjoy soft fabrics now," he mused. "When I ruled, silk was reserved for nobility alone."
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "You ruled?"
Kael's lips curved faintly. "You ask too many questions."
Aiden tried not to grin. "You drop royal titles like breadcrumbs and expect me not to follow them?"
"I enjoy your curiosity," Kael said simply, then held up a dark green shirt. "This one pleases me."
"That one's… actually perfect," Aiden admitted before he could stop himself. "It brings out your eyes."
Kael's golden gaze flicked toward him, faint amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Does it?"
Aiden realized what he'd said, coughed, and turned toward the next rack. "Anyway! Uh—try that on. I'll check for your size."
The next ten minutes were chaos.
Every time Kael stepped out of the fitting room, another group of customers conveniently "wandered" past to look. Someone whispered "is he famous?" while a couple giggled near the shoe section.
Kael, of course, looked delighted. He even gave a small wave to a group of teenage girls before returning to the mirror with regal composure.
Aiden leaned against the wall, watching him with a mix of exasperation and reluctant admiration. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Kael adjusted the jacket collar. "Admiration is a currency I've long been accustomed to."
"Yeah, well," Aiden said, trying not to stare at how unfairly good he looked, "try not to bankrupt the city with it."
When they finally left — Kael smugly carrying two bags like a victorious monarch — Aiden had spent half his paycheck and all his dignity.
---
Back home, the two settled into a comfortable rhythm. Aiden began preparing lunch while Kael sat at the table, watching with open curiosity as pots clanged and steam rose.
"You mortals trap fire in metal boxes," Kael murmured, eyes gleaming. "Ingenious. Dangerous, but ingenious."
"That's the stove," Aiden said, stirring the pan. "You'd be surprised how much humans have invented to make life easier."
Kael rested his chin on one hand. "Tell me more."
So Aiden did — between slicing vegetables and boiling pasta, he told Kael about airplanes, trains, and cities filled with light even at night. About art museums, mountain resorts, historical ruins preserved for centuries, and romantic places that drew lovers from all over the world.
Kael listened in rare silence, his expression softening. "Romantic places," he repeated, voice low. "Such a curious concept… Humans seek love even when it brings pain."
"Well, yeah," Aiden said, smiling faintly. "That's what makes it worth it."
Kael hummed thoughtfully but didn't reply.
Lunch passed quietly, until Aiden's phone started buzzing on the table. He groaned when he saw the name flashing across the screen.
"Ugh, it's my editor."
Kael tilted his head. "An adversary?"
Aiden laughed. "Close enough." He answered. "Hey, Claire."
"Aiden!" came the loud, cheerful voice. "Please tell me you're not ignoring my emails again."
"I'm not—okay, maybe a little."
"Your silence is killing the marketing team," she said dramatically. "You're our sunshine author, Aiden. I can't tell them the sun went out."
Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm just… trying to figure out how to finish this draft."
"Same excuse last month," Claire said. "You know I adore you, but adoration doesn't pay rent. The company needs something soon, even a few chapters. I'm your biggest fan and your most persistent nightmare, remember?"
"Trust me, I remember," Aiden said, a tired smile tugging at his lips. "You could win medals for nagging."
"Good. Then get writing. I'll check in tomorrow. Don't make me send interns with coffee and judgment."
"Please don't."
"Too late. Deadline's next Friday, sunshine!"
The call ended with a cheerful click, leaving Aiden staring at his phone like it had personally betrayed him.
Kael raised a brow. "She commands you as though you are a servant."
Aiden snorted. "That's one way to put it. Editors have power. They can kill careers with an email."
Kael tilted his head, thoughtful. "In my time, a ruler's scribe did the same — recording truths that could alter kingdoms. You and she are not so different."
"Yeah, except she has Wi-Fi."
Kael's lips curved faintly. "And what is it you write, Aiden?"
"Stories," Aiden replied, stirring his cold food absently. "About people. About love, sometimes. I used to love it, but lately, I can't seem to find the words."
Kael watched him for a moment, then said softly, "Perhaps you are looking too hard for words and not enough for meaning."
Aiden blinked, caught off guard. "That's… actually deep."
Kael's eyes glinted. "I am ancient, not shallow."
Aiden chuckled. "You might have just given me my next chapter."
Kael looked faintly smug. "Then my wisdom is not wasted."
"Guess not," Aiden said, smiling as he opened his laptop on the table.
As the afternoon light streamed through the curtains, Kael leaned back in his chair — silent now, watching Aiden type with renewed focus. Something in his gaze softened, just slightly.
For a creature born in temples and worship, this — watching a mortal create something from nothing — felt oddly sacred.