[callumtaylor-dhr]

Shoes?

Yeah. Yeah, shoes. [Callum nodding, looking around]

[callumtaylor-dhr]

What’s that?

Oh, uh.. [Callum scratched his head, trying to think of the word] Sneakers?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

Maybe he should talk to someone who’s been through what he has? I’m not sure.. but when you tell stuff like that to people close to you, they look at you different

I’m just happy that he’s alive... [Callum sighed quietly, pursing his lips a little] I just.. don’t want him to feel like he could never talk to me, y’know? I don’t want him to feel like he has to sugarcoat everything he’s been through just for my benefit..

[callumtaylor-dhr]

“It’s fine. I can handle it. It’s not as bad as some places I’ve been. When I’m not rented I can mostly do the things I want too.”

Callum nodded slightly. He still didn’t know the things his brother had been through, he wouldn’t tell him, and Callum could only imagine why. He swallowed thickly. “Still.. you shouldn’t have to be ‘rented’ to do anything.” He said, his skin crawling a little at the word.

[callumtaylor-dhr]

Well if you sure. [Ezra extended his hand for the other to shake.] I’m Ezra.

[Callum shook the others hand and smiled.] Nice to meet you. I’m Callum.

[callumtaylor-dhr]

((Backdated three weeks or so)) [Text:] I'm back home. Do you still want me to live with you? Xx

[Text:] Of course I do, but only if you want to.. I know I can be weird and over-protective. Anyway, please don’t move anything yourself… if you decide you want to I can move everything for you. x

[callumtaylor-dhr]

Not our fault you had no sense of humour. [He rolled his eyes, tucking his feet under himself and smiling, fishing some cream from the top of his mug and licking it off his finger]

[Callum smiled as he watched Louis. Just like when they’d been kids.] Just watch the film, Freckles. [He chuckled softly, gently nudging him again]

[callumtaylor-dhr]

[Deeply shaken from his meeting with Henry, and reeling with the newfound realisation that no matter what, he couldn't get away from Henry, Lou walked back into Callum's at something around one in the morning, much later than he's told Callum he'd be back. He was in pain, and despite being incredibly skilled in hiding his emotions, after years of practice, he was deathly white. Slowly, he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a large glass of water, shutting his eyes as he sipped from it]

[Callum couldn’t sleep, not when Louis was still out. He felt like an over bearing parent, but he couldn’t make it go away. He was in the lounge watching an old film when he heard the door close. He got up and padded into the kitchen, watching his brother by the sink] Lou? [Callum said gently, as to not scare him] You okay?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

 [Louis shrunk backwards, his eyes darting around. He couldn’t bear to look at Callum, to see the hurt in his eyes. His face turned red, and he shook his head quickly in denial]

I can help you. [Callum pleaded desperately. He’d do anything to make sure his brother was safe and happy. To bring him home.] Please, please tell me.. I... I’m trying to help but I just don’t know how.. [His voice was so painfully honest and almost broken]

[callumtaylor-dhr]

[he giggles and nods.]

[Callum smiled] Can you see a pair of trainers anywhere?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

He smiled at first when he saw his older brother, but it soon left his face. “Why do you think? I’m here to see you and find out what the hell’s going on.” Ben raised a brow, shaking his head. “You’re not in charge of me, anymore, Callum. I can go to whatever overpriced island resort I want to.”

“But.. But you don’t need to... I’m sorting things.” Callum said, a desperate edge to his voice. It wasn’t that he wasn’t glad to see his brother, he just didn’t want anymore of his family members on this island than was necessary. “What, so now you want to spend the rest of your days on a sex island? Really, Ben?”

[callumtaylor-dhr]

That’s true [he shrugs] I don’t know what he’s been through, but I mean the best thing to do would to just be there for him.

I will be. [Callum said, because he’d never planned on being anything but that.] He just.. doesn’t want to talk about it. I know I could never understand, I just.. won’t it make him feel worse if he never talks to anyone about it?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

“It’s fine. I’m use to being imprisoned against my will because assholes want pretty things to fuck.”

Callum stood, staring uncomfortably and looking like he might throw up. After a moment he just nodded a little. “I’m sorry.. if.. if I could get you out of here I would, but.. I.. I can’t. I’m just trying to get my brother back.”

[callumtaylor-dhr]

Uhm… [he looks around, then points at the ground.] There.

Oh... I must not have been looking very hard, huh?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

((Backdated three weeks or so)) [Text:] I'm back home. Do you still want me to live with you? Xx

[Text:] Of course I do, but only if you want to.. I know I can be weird and over-protective. Anyway, please don’t move anything yourself… if you decide you want to I can move everything for you. x

[callumtaylor-dhr]

It was funny. Ben thought so, too. You were just a spoilsport. [He nudged him, grinning at the memory.

Was not. [Callum retaliated with a little smile, lightly nudging him back] You both thought everything was funny.

[callumtaylor-dhr]

[Deeply shaken from his meeting with Henry, and reeling with the newfound realisation that no matter what, he couldn't get away from Henry, Lou walked back into Callum's at something around one in the morning, much later than he's told Callum he'd be back. He was in pain, and despite being incredibly skilled in hiding his emotions, after years of practice, he was deathly white. Slowly, he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a large glass of water, shutting his eyes as he sipped from it]

[Callum couldn’t sleep, not when Louis was still out. He felt like an over bearing parent, but he couldn’t make it go away. He was in the lounge watching an old film when he heard the door close. He got up and padded into the kitchen, watching his brother by the sink] Lou? [Callum said gently, as to not scare him] You okay?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

I do. I mean, I-I did. [His eyes scanned the room, searching for an exit] Aren’t you all doing alright now? I don’t want to drag up horrible memories for you all.

You did? [Callum repeated quietly. His initial reaction was naturally to feel hurt that his brother would rather remain working on a slavery island than return home to their family, but that’s what made him think there was something wrong, something that he wasn’t telling him] You’re lying to me, Lou.

[callumtaylor-dhr]

He smiled at first when he saw his older brother, but it soon left his face. “Why do you think? I’m here to see you and find out what the hell’s going on.” Ben raised a brow, shaking his head. “You’re not in charge of me, anymore, Callum. I can go to whatever overpriced island resort I want to.”

“No, no, no you can’t. You’re supposed to be at home, Ben! Not at awful, inhumane sex island. You just- You can’t-” Callum paused, frowning with tension, before he exhaled a heavy breath. “I’m sorting everything. I just need a little while longer and then I’ll be home.”

[callumtaylor-dhr]

“I guess you would have the luxury to leave. Lucky you.”

Callum shifted awkwardly, knowing that nothing he ever said would make this guys life better. “I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat a little, “That was a stupid thing to bring up.”

[callumtaylor-dhr]

[Deeply shaken from his meeting with Henry, and reeling with the newfound realisation that no matter what, he couldn't get away from Henry, Lou walked back into Callum's at something around one in the morning, much later than he's told Callum he'd be back. He was in pain, and despite being incredibly skilled in hiding his emotions, after years of practice, he was deathly white. Slowly, he walked into the kitchen and poured himself a large glass of water, shutting his eyes as he sipped from it]

[Callum couldn’t sleep, not when Louis was still out. He felt like an over bearing parent, but he couldn’t make it go away. He was in the lounge watching an old film when he heard the door close. He got up and padded into the kitchen, watching his brother by the sink] Lou? [Callum said gently, as to not scare him] You okay?

[callumtaylor-dhr]

Callum, I can’t leave. [Louis nearly burst out the words, trying not to look at Callum, quickly taking deep breath, and shaking his head] I’m sorry. I mean, I can’t leave my friends.

[Callum blinked his eyebrows knitting together a little in confusion and shock] But.. I thought you wanted to? I thought you wanted to come home? [He swallowed thickly]