If there was one thing Kaden was weak for, it was approval.
Tragos always tried to talk him out of it. Stop giving a shit about what other people think - that kind of thing. Especially when it came to Barak, and yeah, Kaden knew it was messed up that the biggest hit of pride he got was from the moments when Barak'd nod at him like he'd done something good. He knew he shouldn't care, but no one had ever told him how to stop.
Hits on TikTok were another way to get it. High grades at school. Other people's laughter. And, apparently, when gorgeous women complimented his skills. Kaden smirked in a not-at-all-humble way. "I'm a very smooth person."