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

Started October 19, 2019 by @ElderGod-Icefire

tune

(I was so close to having a customer yell at them to "just get a room already")

(you totally should XD)

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)}

Calixto had to try not to slam his head down onto the table. "I have already paid for my room, yes," he said, now looking back up at the man standing at his side. He really was tall, the more he looked. Perhaps a bit taller than he was. It wouldn't matter though. This place was crazy with their flirty waiters and strange customs, so he probably wouldn't return. (no, Cal, you're staying for plot lol)
Someone in the background had been glaring at the booth the waiter, Cameron had been caught up with for awhile. With the laughter and antics that seemed to be going on, it was frustrating as to why those boys couldn't just go somewhere more private to flirt.
"Just go and get a room already!"
The shout started Cal, making his cheeks redden. He wasn't used to all of this embarrassment. This guy was only someone he just met for crying out loud! Sighing, he looked into the other man's eyes. "Do what you want, otherwise I'll take a meal in the morning," he said, feeling a bit defeated.

Cameron sighed. "I uhm… I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." he said slowly. "But I guess I'll see you in the morning." Someone called his name, and he rolled his eyes. "If you need anything, just ask for Cameron." he turned away, and went back into the kitchen. He came back out a few minutes later with another laughing, flirty grin printed on his features as he set bowls of food in front of people, refilling pints of beer and flirting right back with anyone who started any. He glanced over at Calixto for a moment, face flickering with something, then turned away again, laughing and leaping lightly away from an older man who had tried to slap his ass.

Cal felt a bit bad as the other seemed to have hurt feelings as he walked away. Once he saw Cameron grinning at someone in the exact same way as earlier, the feeling vanished. It was just an act to him. He should have guessed. That was one thing in the world that was constant. People did as they wished for their own satisfaction. Calixto had looked away, not seeing the look in those green eyes. If it was all fake, why did he feel a bit saddened? Sighing, he took another drink of the tea in front of him before standing. He fished a few coins as payment out of his pocket, setting them beside the cup as payment for the drink. As the man left, he kept a straight face. Perhaps he could just forget about all this. He could leave early, but his stomach would drive him to insanity if he didn't eat. The last twenty minutes had been far too complicated than it needed to be.
Making it to his room, Cal rolled his neck lightly before opening the door.

(well that went from 10 to 1 real fast lol)

"Sing!" Someone shouted at Cameron.
Cameron sighed, and stood up on the fireplace. "What do you want me to?" he replied with a grin. He watched the other male walk away, and felt a flicker of disappointment. He really hadn't meant to make the other so uncomfortable, he had just been…he wasn't even sure what he had been doing. He swallowed. "A Kavran piece? Or what?" he asked.
"Sing that love ballad again!" called another.
He raised an eyebrow. "Why, you still waiting for your lost lady love?"

(Me: hm ok i could- no. Um what about- no… frick it, i'll just edit my last reply because I need Cal to be less hesitant around Cam)

Calixto paused a moment. Cameron was being asked to sing? He could hear the commotion from the hallway as the rooms were just above the bar. He assumed inside the rooms the noise was muffled or the other residents were the ones downstairs. With no one else around, he simply sat in the floor in front of the room he was staying in. Hearing the request, Cal raised a brow. A love song? Really?
His mind told him he could simply get up if he didn't wish to hear the song. But his muscles didn't dare move.

(lol that's a mood)

Cameron sighed. "Fine."
"And sing it in this language, not Kavran!" Added the man.
Cameron rolled his eyes. "That messes up the whole song, you ignorant Savage!" He teased, then sighed. "But fine." He cleared his throat, then began singing. "By on bonny breaks and by on bonny drakes, where the sun shines bright on Loch Lomond. Where me and my true love will never meet again, by the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond." He paused for a moment, humming, then sang again. "Oh you take the high road, and I'll take the low road, and I'll be in Kavra afore ye. And me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond."

(Song is the Scottish Ballad "Loch Lomond". Look it up to listen, if you like. My favorite version is the Peter Hollens version, and I highly recommend it XD)

(also wanted to listen to the song before I reply)

Calixto frowned lightly. Cameron's voice was beautiful and smooth, but the song was kind of sad sounding. Me and my true love will never meet again…
It was also kind of funny to him. The tune reminded him faintly of home. Where he came from. At least what he remembered. Its atmosphere was similar to earth in the sense that it was capable of sustaining life. Everything else was so much different though. The languages, the customs… the people.
Were all people truly as bad as he had assumed…?

"'Twas there that we parted, in yon shady glen, On the steep, steep side of Ben Lomond, Where in soft purple hue, the hieland hills we view, And the moon coming out in the gloaming." Cameron sang, closing his eyes against the memories that rose up as he sang this song. It reminded him of too many people he had lost, and would never see again. "The wee birdies sing and the wildflowers spring, And in sunshine the waters are sleeping. But the broken heart it kens, nae second spring again, Though the woeful may cease from their grieving."

His mind really didn't know how to answer its own question.
Everything that had happened could not be forgotten.
It was practically ingrained in his memories.
But… that voice. It almost acknowledged that fact but offered something calming.
The woeful may cease from their grieving.
What about Cameron was continuing to force its way in his mind still? His eyes with that kind of special shine to them? The fact that he was hiding his own secrets? His buttery voice? The blunt flirting?
Calixto gave a soft groan. The feelings of greed were allowing themselves to surface, right alongside with curiosity. Slowly, Cal descended the stairs, only to seat himself on the bottom step. This didn't mean he'd allow this stranger into his bed. Even if he was handsome.
Wait, what-

Cameron began the last chorus of the song. "Oh you take the high road, and I'll take the low road and I'll be in Kevra afore ye. But me and my true love will never meet again, on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond." He drew out the last lyric, and closed his eyes. For a moment there was a pause, then people clapped or whistled or laughed. "Another!" Some called. Cameron pasted on a smile, hiding how hurt he was, the inner wound this song had rubbed against. "Yeah yeah, in a minute. I've got to clear my head first. I'll be back." He slipped outside onto the porch, bracing his forearms on the armrest. Roshan…I miss you, love. He thought, remembering the smiling, happy man he had loved. Also a Berserker, but no longer alive. He had been killed three years ago, after the edict making Berserkers illegal was released. Cam had never even gotten a body to bury.

(well oof)

Calixto knew a forced grin when he saw one. Before he knew it, his legs were carrying him towards the same door Cameron had just gone through. It was terrifying. Almost like the past where his body would do exactly what his mind told him not to. Except this time, it was for a few seconds and less forceful. It wasn't because of a collar. It was some part of him, deep down. Something he really didn't understand. Opening it, he saw the other tall man staring out in a daze. Deciding to wait a moment, he sat at the base of the porch railing.

(lol sorry. My boyo has some emotional baggage)

Cameron let out a breath, and looked up when Calixto came out. "Oh, hey." He greeted calmly, a half smile tugging at his mouth. "Change your mind?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. He absently touched a finger to the cloth patch covering his tattoo, and wished he could be open with it. Wished he didn't have to hide it so much, but knew it was a futile wish. His kind was illegal. They always would be. He would always live like this; afraid for his life and hiding everything, even his own looks.

(bro it's cool, my boyo was legit a slave to mind control in a sense so-)

Cal simply raised a brow. "If I did, it would only be because you keep bringing it up," he replied, a weak smile beginning to form. It took him a moment before speaking again. I came because… because why?
"Your singing was good," he said simply, changing the subject.

(yeahhh they both have some issues lol)

Cameron smirked a little, sitting on the porch wall. "Mhm." He nodded. "Thanks. I'll probably be singing for half the night, now. That's what happens." He chuckled, looking over at Calixto with a smile. I like him more than anyone else here, but he's the most likely to turn me down. So I'll be spending the night alone or with some old man.

(lowkey I can see Cal like: You're welcome to use it as an excuse to deny some drunk dude I guess
Cameron: I knew you'd change your mind, lol
Later on:
Cal: Ok, on the couch with you.
Cameron: waitwhat-)

(There could also be a "sleepwalking" incident too where Cal still says no but Cameron doesn't wanna be with some old guy so he lies and says Cal asked already. Wanting to seem like he was telling the truth, he comes in while the other is sleeping [Cal sleeps hard dw] and gets comfortable lolllll)

(I meant like as in laying down on one side of the bed but having that cliche where they wake up cuddling and confusion happens)
(Mmm, I think I'm gonna do 2 despite the fact I could make 1 happen. My boyo can't be rushed lol)

Calixto gave a soft hum, a bit of sadness there. "You could just say no," he said simply. There was always that option for Cameron. The other wasn't the same as he was. It didn't really matter what he was, honestly. Free will was a thing to be valued. If you focused on every little thing someone else wanted, then it wouldn't be far off from forming your own ball and chain around both ankles. Not allowed to walk without pulling extra weight or until someone else set you free.

(ooh yeah perfect lol)
(Alright!)

Cameron shrugged. "I either sing for half the night, or I go to bed with some gross old man." He replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "And I'd rather my throat hurt than my ass." He chuckled, wiping his hands on his apron again. There were still the strange pale spots from the tea, though it wasn't very noticeable anymore. Cameron had smeared the dye from his upper arms down onto his hands to try and hide those strange pale marks.