A/N: I'm sorry, I know this chapter has been a long time coming. I didn't forget, I just got really busy and never got around to it. Sorry again! :( Anyway… here it is finally…
~~ Aspen ~~
While Aspen had never been invited to Caspian's place, he was curious to see it. Pictures of his parent's mansion were often splashed over the papers and the internet, but it took a bit more digging to find out where Caspian was actually living. It seemed he had moved out recently, and now lived in the top level of an apartment block where the drive to his work was not too long. It didn't surprise him that Caspian might want some space from his parents.
Unable to help himself, Aspen took a Lyft to a street nearby, before deciding to walk the rest of the way. He wore casual clothes, unsure yet of whether he would actually try to call on him. Most likely, he'd be annoyed by the intrusion. He was pretty sure that Caspian would be home however, as he knew he usually worked until six. Running his fingers through his hair to make himself look more presentable, Aspen scanned the street. It was filled with large modern apartments, nothing really different about it. It was the kind of place that he could never afford.
As he grew closer to the building, he became aware of some people nearby, one of whom grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Are you Aspen Leontale?" the girl asked, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen.
Aspen frowned, pulling away from her. "Yeah… What's it to you?"
Someone nearby snapped a picture, and Aspen took a step back, trying to find who had taken it. "Is it true that you're Caspian Altridge's Match?" the girl questioned, before another person spoke up, a rise of questions being voiced in quick succession.
"Have you been secretly meeting with him?"
"Are you in love? Does the test actually work? It must, right?"
"Do his parents know?"
"Are you moving in with him?"
Aspen swallowed nervous spit, realising that they were paparazzi, and they weren't going to let him pass. He did not want to say anything that would get Caspian in trouble, but it seemed that they already knew too much.
"I don't think it's any of your business," he stammered, feeling unprepared for such questions, his usual confidence eluding him.
"We've been told by a close source that you've been Matched. You don't have to lie," the girl said, watching him closely.
"I don't know what you've heard but-… but we're just friends," he retorted, wondering what he could say that wouldn't get him into trouble.
"Do you find him attractive? Most people do when they first meet their match."
"Attractive? I-…" he mumbled, a little relieved when he was interrupted with another question.
"Are you just in it for the money, or do you really love him?" One of the reporters pressed.
Aspen frowned at that, a little insulted. "I'm not interested in any money. I didn't even know who he was."
"Have you kissed yet?"
Of course they hadn't, but he was not about to spill that. Frustrated, he tried to push past a couple of them, however they continued to block his path. "Let me through," he demanded.
Feeling claustrophobic, he inhaled, trying to ignore the rest of their questions. A hand reached out to grab his arm roughly from behind, and he almost yelled out before he looked back and realised who it was. "… Cas?" he said on instinct before shutting his mouth. It was him, although he was dressed in a dark hoodie with a cap over his hair, obviously trying not to stand out.
Caspian pulled him to the side, managing to push some of the paparazzi out of the way, although they only became more excited when they saw him. As they fired more questions, Aspen saw an angry glint in Caspian's silver eyes. "Get out of my way before I break your cameras," he said, his tone as cold as ice. "If you come after either of us again, you'll regret it," he added, before making it past a couple, continuing to pull Aspen along with him, although he didn't resist. A couple of brave paparazzi snapped a few more photos, but the rest left them alone, and Aspen breathed a sigh of relief.
Caspian released his arm once he reached the apartment block, pulling out a key card and scanning it, before slipping inside. Aspen followed, making sure the door was closed firmly behind them, before continuing on to the lift that Caspian was waiting in. He was met with silence in the lift ride, and he knew Caspian must have been angry. He was stupid to have gone to his place like that.
Once the lift reached the top floor, Caspian led them to his penthouse apartment, unlocking the door with a code, before starting inside. Taking his cap off, he threw it to one side, his blonde hair ruffled as a result. Aspen couldn't help but look around, curious to see where he lived. The colours were dark and muted, and all of his furniture was functional, nothing out of place. He supposed it was different to his parent's fancy house.
Unable to take the silence anymore, he finally spoke up. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean for any of that to happen. I know it's not a good look, or whatever."
Caspian sat down on the lounge, leaning forward to pour himself another drink. It looked alcoholic, and it seemed expensive, although Aspen wasn't sure exactly what it was. Surprisingly, he poured some in a glass for Aspen as well, setting it down on the coffee table.
Tentatively, he walked forward to pick it up, before sitting down nearby – although not too close.
Sighing, Caspian took a sip before he finally replied. "I know. It doesn't matter. They were bound to find out about it sometime. I just wish they'd leave me the hell alone."
Aspen wondered how many drinks he'd already had, guessing it was not his first glass. Taking a sip, he tried not to make a face, finding it bitter.
"It must be annoying having to deal with that," he remarked, trying to sympathise. "It didn't seem like they were going to leave me alone. Anyway… I hope this won't make more trouble with your parents."
Caspian took another long sip of his drink, shrugging. His demeanour was different to usual, perhaps his guard was lowered, seeming as if he didn't care anymore. Aspen wasn't sure whether it was real, or just inspired by the drink. "My parents will likely try and pay you out to get you to leave," he remarked, his voice emotionless. "It won't be some little sum."
Inhaling, he turned to face him more, studying him. "What? Do you really think I'm just here for the money? I don't care what they offer."
"Maybe you should take it," Caspian responded, slowly. "It'll buy you a good place. Set you up for a while, probably. You'll get more out of it than you will from me."
Aspen tilted his head to the side slightly. "Are you saying this because you want me gone? Do you want me to take it? Your parents don't scare me, and I can't be so easily bribed."
Caspian paused for a long moment – so long that Aspen wondered if he would even respond. Then, he suddenly reached towards him, grasping at his shirt and pulling him closer. Taken completely by surprise, Aspen didn't resist, shifting closer and bracing a hand against the couch to keep his balance. Then, Caspian kissed him, his hand still gripped in his shirt. Aspen suspected that it was his first time, finding that it took him a moment to get the right angle, his sharp inhale tangible. He found that he didn't mind that fact, easily returning the kiss. It was over much too quickly, with Caspian pulling back after a moment and releasing his shirt. Aspen could still taste the drink from his lips, staring and wondering if that had influenced him.
"What was that?" he asked, eyeing him. Caspian's cheeks were tinted with a deep blush against his pale skin, which Aspen found enticing. "Was that just the drink, or-…?"
Caspian avoided the question and his gaze, looking away at the opposite wall. "I don't know," he said, before speaking again before Aspen could follow up with a question. "And I don't want to talk about it."
"Oh," he said, tucking some of his own dark hair behind his ear. He wasn't entirely sure of what to do, setting his glass down on the table as he tried to assess the situation. He felt a slight hint of nerves, which was unlike him. He had kissed many people before, after all. "Do you want me to-…"
Caspian interrupted before he could finish. "You should go," he said, the coolness returning to his tone. His blush had finally started to fade, and he still avoided his gaze.
A little unsure, Aspen rose to his feet. "I'm sorry, I-…" he broke off, wondering what he was even going to say. Why was he acting sorry when it wasn't like he was the one who had even initiated anything?
"Just go," Caspian sighed, his fingers gripping his glass a little harder.
Swallowing, he watched him for a moment, before starting back to the apartment door. Was he angry with him? Sometimes it was hard to tell. He was used to being desired, but not to being so quickly turned away. It annoyed him not having answers, and his breath was quicker than usual. Starting outside, he fiddled with his phone, thinking that he should call a Lyft or get someone to pick him up from the apartment. It made sense to be safe when the reporters could still be there.
It was strange losing his usual confidence, and he tried to brush it off and not dwell on it for too long.