"Off topic but I'm genuinely considering quitting football to take up cooking." Liam mumbled and admired his own food, feeling proud of it. Zayn giggled and looked over, "Genuinely?"

"Genuinely, yeah. Do you think that's a smart move?" He asked, watching it cook. He was thankful stir fry didn't take too long to make as he was starving, his day felt extremely long and he couldn't wait to tuck in to a warm meal and discuss more with Zayn - however, he was anxious that he'd overwhelm the poor boy once more so he'll have to be careful, he was sure that he had done enough of that over the past few weeks, months and days.

"Ummm. Could be." Zayn replied and chewed at his nail, chewing at his nails was a bad habit that Zayn had picked up during his younger years. He hasn't been able to quit the habit just yet, though chewing on anything has became a bad habit for him really as he always has to have something in his mouth. It's comforting for him.

"My parents wouldn't enjoy it if I did though, I see you've switched movies... How do you like this one?"

"s' good but there is a lot of bad guys in it.. Well I guess there's only one, The Evil Queen." Zayn pouted.

Liam chuckled, "Do you not like the bad ones? They're my favourite."

"Makes sense," Zayn mumbled and giggled to himself, eyes still on the iPad. Liam raised an eyebrow, teasingly, and dished up the food, putting both his and Zayn's into a bowl along with a spoon. "Alright, stir fry is all done for you."

"Thank you." The older boy smiled and made his way over to Liam, still holding his teddy in his hand. He was grateful that he no longer has to hide the stuffed toy and he was thankful Liam didn't judge him for it, even if at first he was shocked to see it. Zayn collected his food and licked his lips, "It looks good, you are quite a good cook."

"Thanks. This is easy to make and we can leave it in the fridge for another day if there are leftovers: it's a personal favourite because I'm a lazy arse." He replied, mixing and wrapping the stir fry around his own fork before putting it to his lips and tasting it. "10/10 I smashed it again."

"Lazy arse, that's true." Zayn hummed, eating his own, enjoying how it tasted. He bit his lip, looking at Liam, "Yummy." He wasn't used to people making him meals as he has had to do everything on his own since attending University so he was quite enjoying Liam making and getting all of this food for him. It was nice to see a different, caring side to the boy and it made his day run by more smoothly and relaxed. It also meant that he didn't miss out on meals as Zayn often forgot to eat due to the fact he was too busy being distracted by something else (usually painting or watching a movie) so it truly meant a lot.

"So I have another question...," Liam started and Zayn looked up at him, "Hm?"

"Lemme get to it... Sooo..."

Zayn nodded, watching and waiting. "Yes?"

"You told me not to tell anyone about the age regression so am I the only one that knows?" Liam looked at him, watching to see his reaction and hear his response, "I guess.. Well my friend Louis knows, and his partner too. Like I said though, they've never seen me in it or even know much about my own personal headspace. Everyone's space is different. I'm quite quiet and relaxed in mine... I know some littles that are loud and cheeky but maybe I just haven't unlocked that side of my space yet?" He chuckled.

"Ah. I see, and so like... It's just you then? No one looks after you at all? Even if you're in a young headspace?" He raised an eyebrow, confused. It felt wrong to him that he was able to feel like a toddler yet was left all on his own, you wouldn't leave a toddler on their own so why would Zayn be on his own?

Zayn looked towards him, eating a mouthful of the stir fry. He blushed and looked down, "Well, it's just me. Me and my teddy. Sometimes people have like caregivers but obviously I don't. A caregiver is someone who takes care of littles."

"Ah, makes sense. Do littles have to have one?"

Zayn shook his head, "No. Not really, it can make things easier though... I've heard, and safer," he giggled, "Like you said, a toddler left on their own..."

Liam smiled, having another forkful of his meal. He played around with it, thinking, "So can anyone be a caregiver or little?"

"Well with my little space, I didn't ever really know I was a little until I stumbled across an article about it, then I thought about how good it sounded and how safe regressing and participating in kid based activities would feel, and that's how I realised I liked being a little. Plus it suits my personality too, when you think about it... But I assume that If you have the traits, the want and the need: then yes, anyone can be a caregiver or little."

He listened, nodding. "Sounds interesting, I can't believe I never heard of any of this before."

"The community is quite small... There isn't many of us so it's not widely discussed." Zayn smiled shyly, finishing his food. He looked at Liam's bowl which was also finished and then picked it up, taking it to the sink and washing it up along with some bowls and cutlery which were left in the sink. "Aww. I'll definitely do my own research, I don't want to overwhelm you or anything but I think that so far I've learnt a lot. Thanks once more for trusting me with something like this..."

Zayn shrugged and yawned, stretching. "Right. I might head to bed because I've got university tomorrow and I'm certainly not looking forward to it."

Liam groaned, "Fuck. Don't remind me. I've got an exam tomorrow on muscles and how we use them when we kick a ball and shit like that. Might skip it."

"You hafta' pay for uni, you know. It's not free, you should probably go to that exam and get your moneys worth." Zayn said, changing into some comfier clothes to sleep in, once finished he got in bed, to which Liam just stripped to nothing but his underwear and climbed into his own bed. He looked over at Zayn, making eye contact, "Don't tell anyone but I kind of really, really hate football now. University completely ruined it for me.. It was fun before I came here, now it feels like a chore and something that I have to do. It's too much hard effort and work now, I miss when playing football was fun and entertaining for me, when it wasn't as much hard work."

"I... I get that as art is becoming like that for me, it's still stress relieving and fun when I make it my own but having to do all the tasks and stuff like that for my course is boring and sometimes even too tricky for me. Instead of being stress reliving it causes stress and as you've learnt, I become overwhelmed easily so it's not very good... But there isn't much we can do."

"We could drop out?" Liam suggested with a laugh and Zayn giggled and shook his head, "Not a good option, Liam. What would we do instead?"

"Become strippers. Own an OnlyFans. Sex workers are loaded, did you know that?"

"No.. I haven't- I mean- it makes sense that you do." He muttered, chewing on his nails once more. "What haven't- Oh my god, are you a virgin?"

Zayn threw a pillow at him and he caught it, laughing, "Are you for real?"

"Stop laughing. I haven't met the right person."

"Come on, I'll help you find a girl. Tomorrow, once we're both finished with uni. I'll take you out." Liam suggested, now staring up at the roof with a goofy smile across his face. "Liam... You know I don't like girls, right? I'm gay."

"Oh. Should have guessed. We can find you a lad then. What's your type?"

Zayn rolled his eyes, "'m off to bed, Li."

"Fine. But we're continuing this conversation in the morning, mate." Liam grinned to himself and turned over to face his nearest wall. He rested his eyes shut, thinking of all the things that he and Zayn had discussed throughout the day. The boy was interesting for sure and he's certainly never met anyone like him but strangely, he was grateful that they were made to share a dorm together and he can't wait to discuss further with him; the whole concept of age regression was so fascinating.

"Nope. No we are not. G'night. I've set an alarm." Zayn whispered, arm wrapped around his teddy with his eyes shut tight. It didn't take long for him to fall of to sleep after the chaotic day, Liam shortly after too with a chuckle.

Soon the room was filled with gentle snores.