forum Turns out Trauma is a Good Thing to Bond Over // OxO with Iris

Started October 19, 2019 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

(lol i went to bed, sorry)

Cameron hummed softly as he served food to the men in the inn. He had dyed his skin and hair this morning, covering the spear tattoo with extra dye and a cloth patch. It wouldn't hold up to scrutiny, but in the dim lighting of the inn, it would hold. His white blonde hair had been dyed brown with the dyes, and his skin looked tanned, rather than pale. The only thing that remained was his bright green eyes.

(I don't blame you lol)

Calixto looked down at his drink, not bothering to take a sip from it. Part of him worried that it would be drugged, but it likely wasn't. It was a simple cup of warm tea. Pursing his lips, he turned his head as he watched someone who seemed human pass out entrés to customers. He couldn't confirm that the man was human though. Some people just appeared that way, much like himself. Staring at the man a second longer, he found it creepy with how similar they appeared. All that differentiated them was a slightly different build and the other had shining emerald eyes. Looking away, Cal leaned his head back into the cushioned booth, unsure as to how he felt. The chatter echoing through the room was a bit louder than he liked, but it could be worse. The people themselves were what made him uneasy. The man touched his neck lightly, rubbing it softly. The collar used to sit there and force him to do whatever he was asked. It was what made him someone else's.

Cameron turned to the darker man sitting alone, noticing the way the other was studying him, and the way he rubbed at his neck. "Is there anything else I can get you?" He asked with a pleasant smile, flashing white teeth. The patch over the tattoo felt itchy. He couldn't scratch now, though. That would tear off the patch and expose his secret. And that…he couldn't risk that. The inn keeper knew that Cameron was from the North, from Kavra, but not that he was a Berserker. Nobody knew that particular secret.

As soon as he came close, he dropped his hands to his lap. He didn't need to be thinking about the past. Calixto looked up at the boy and shook his head. It was still a bit odd to see someone smile so widely at him. He was used to glares or being overlooked he supposed. "No, I'm alright," Calixto stated, staring at the employee only a few seconds longer.

Cameron nodded. "Alright. Let me know if you need anything else. Are you staying the night?" He asked curiously, turning to grab a mug from a shelf, and filled it with beer. He set it in front of another patron, and took a coin the man handed him, tucking it in a pocket. He was wearing a half apron, which was where he had tucked the coin. He looked a little incongruous in this inn. With his broad shoulders and muscled body, he didn't look like any normal barkeep. He looked like a soldier.

"Yes," he said simply, not really wanting to say anything more. The waiter did seem to stand out a bit, but it really wasn't Cal's business. Everyone was the way they were. That was just how it was. By how similar the two of them looked, the man became a bit curious of the other. Was he of his kind as well…? Likely not. Someone wouldn't dive right back into service after a lifetime of it previously. Calixto looked at his tea once more before looking back to the stranger. It confused him as to why the barkeep would be interested if he stayed or not.

"Right. Sorry if I'm bothering you, it's my job to bother everyone." Cameron chuckled softly "But since you're staying the night…you get a complimentary service. Bath, uhm…meal, beer, or a, ah…someone to spend the night with in your bed." He pulled a slight face at that, though it wasn't really noticeable. For a while, it had been his job to sleep with any patrons who wanted a boy to warm their bed. That had ended after too many complaints that he was too tall or had too many scars, though sometimes he was still asked to do it.

Calixto had finally decided to take a sip of his tea with incredibly horrible timing. He coughed on the warm liquid, cheeks reddening at the final option. Which in turn gave the clean table a bit of a "tea shower."
Did… did people really do that sort of thing for money? Or was he…? The man took a few deep breaths as soon as he could breathe. A few people were staring now, making the situation all the more embarrassing. Cal swallowed before taking a napkin from the table and trying to wipe up the tea. "Sorry, that uh… I didn't…" he started, before looking the other in the eyes. Those green crystal eyes. "No offense, but I'd prefer one of the first options," he finished awkwardly, returning to trying to wipe up the tea with an already damp napkin.

(AHAHA IM CRYING)

Cameron laughed softly. "Oh, I'm not taking offense, don't worry. It isn't my job to do anything but serve the food and drink and occasionally help with baths. I haven't slept with anyone in a few months." He pulled a napkin out of his apron to help clean up the tea. Some of the liquid got onto his own skin, and as it dripped off of him, it took some of the dye with it, revealing pale patches of skin on his hands. He didn't seem to notice.

(lol about what?)

Cameron laughed softly. "Oh, I'm not taking offense, don't worry. It isn't my job to do anything but serve the food and drink and occasionally help with baths. I haven't slept with anyone in a few months." He pulled a napkin out of his apron to help clean up the tea. Some of the liquid got onto his own skin, and as it dripped off of him, it took some of the dye with it, revealing pale patches of skin on his hands. He didn't seem to notice.

(lol about what?)

(This fricking offer like: hey my job says you have the option to have me sleep with you-)

Calixto had been about to decide on asking for the bath option, hoping that implied being handed the soap and being allowed to bathe on his own. Until the other man stated he occasionally helped with baths. He wasn't one on alcohol, seeing as he never had a reason to drink, so he supposed a meal was technically his only option. He thought about stating his choice, when he noticed the napkin having a couple of splotches of something darker. And… the waiter's hand…
Cal looked back and forth between his face and the hand that now looked like it had a few vitiligo patches. In a quiet voice, the man spoke. "Your hand…?"

(lol hahahaha yesss XD what's the idea?)

(I meant on a reply lol because we gotta love making these boyos flustered)

(lol hahaha yes)

Cameron blinked, and looked down at his hand. His eyes flickered slightly. "Oh! I uhm…" He gave a slightly nervous laugh. "Don't worry about it." He replied, pulling his hands back and putting them in his pockets. Shit! Let's hope he just dismisses it as nothing important. I really need to get some stronger dye. He cleared his throat. "Anyway. Since I guess you aren't into tall guys, you have the options of a bath, a drink, or a meal." He looked at Calixto.

Calixto raised a brow, but didn't press the other further. It wasn't his place to ask. He looked up at the waiter as he spoke. "I didn't mean it like that," he said. He hoped the other didn't assume anything else, the conversation was a lot as it was. "Height isn't the issue," he added. It would be especially odd if it was, seeing as he was quite tall himself.

Cameron nodded. "Ah, not into guys? That's fine, there are others." He replied with a shrug. He gave a quick smile, and dried off his hands on the apron, leaving smears of dye on the fabric. Hopefully no one would notice.

Calixto blinked a few times. His cheeks were still red. "I just don't want some stranger in my bed, okay?" he replied not giving a straight answer. Truthfully, he didn't know what he liked. Glancing quickly at the now-stained apron, he noticed the light patches of skin a bit more now. Again, Cal bit his tongue. There wasn't any reason to interrogate this stranger, who seemed intent on making him more embarrassed. It might have been unintentional, but the waiter's comments weren't helping.

"I'm not a stranger, I work here." Cameron deadpanned, grinning. He tucked his hands in his pockets again. I need to put on gloves or something. He told himself. To be truthful, he wasn't sure exactly why he was teasing the other man like this. Maybe because he did find him attractive, and…well. Maybe he also wanted to sleep with someone. That was part of it. He raked a hand through his dye darkened hair.

Calixto put his head in his hands. "Is this some attempt at flirting?" he asked, voice a bit muffled by his palms. He had just wanted his tea and then be allowed to rest for the night. How had he allowed things to escalate so far? And why was the back of his mind so curious about this random person with his weird painted hands? Old habits die hard, and he couldn't help but be weary. Was it that he was someone dangerous? Even if this man was of danger to him, Calixto had control of himself. He could protect himself.

… WHY WAS HE CONSIDERING LETTING THIS MAN IN HIS BED ALL OF THE SUDDEN?!

_{(Ice, this is why I absolutely love you)}

Cameron blinked. "Uhm…maybe?" he replied sheepishly. A customer called out to him, and he turned, serving another pint of beer to the already-drunk man. He turned back to Calixto with a grin. "I mean…you do get a complimentary service, which I already listed your options. I don't come cheap except when you've already paid for your room." he winked, laughing softly.

_{(thank you lol)}