Camie

@camiescameos

18 posts

Hello everyone!

Just here to chill and share the joys of parenting! If you are looking to reach out to me professionally please see @editorcamiecarson or @gotham-gays-gazette

#dc rp #dc rp blog #dc oc rp #Camie Carson

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

"your sign isn't that bad" He avoids any real response to the offer. Instead, he leans his head on their shoulder with a thump. Starting to look much less like a wounded mourner and more like a pouting toddler.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets like it'll make him look less sad (it doesn't) and makes a mental list of everything that's moved. Deep down, he knows this isn't the hill to die on.

Its all just stuff. It won't bring him back and it's not making anything better. Yet, letting it go feels like letting go of Tim.

That, he's definitely not ready to do. Even the thought makes him feel queasy. As always, he pushes it down and tries not to think about it too hard.

Camie wraps an arm around him, and rubs his back. “Well, I’m glad it’s not too bad.” They say with a soft smile.

Camie sits in the silence with Cain, letting him think through everything and take his time. It’s never easy, loosing someone. And so suddenly…

And grief is such a funny thing. It took Camie side months to go through the storage unit containing everything their mother ever owned. Five of those months was ignoring the units existence, outside of paying the bill.

They get it. It’s hard.

And they will help Cain, because it’s clear he needs some sort of support, and it looks like there hasn’t been much of that around.

"i've seen way worse" he nods, leaning further into Camies side. chasing the warmth. How long has it been? it feels like a lifetime.

He breaths a heavy sigh, cheek pressed to Cams shoulder as he stares up at them silently. Just watching. Tim use to hate the staring.

Cain has always been sacred to take his eyes off of tim. Just incase he'd disappear. He did, of course. Cain still seems to have a staring problem though.

Camie doesn’t mind it in the slightest. The staring. Being seen. Growing up they were entirely ignored so being seen… is novel, in a way.

They’ve always liked being watched. Being seen. Feeling like their presence matters when, historically, it hasn’t.

Not until the GGG and Emmerett, at least.

And Cains gaze doesn’t feel bad.

“Mmm… like the asshole who teach their kids baby sign and then tout to others what a sign language expert they are and put ASL on their resumes?”

"some people just be doing jazz hands and hope i get the idea" he jokes, pressing his lips into a thin line as he inspects them.

Now that he's showered and had a nap, they now look more human and less like a vague blob of something. Noting all the small details is at least a task he can do. like obsessively counting and recounting how many eyelashes they have.

Camie hums softly. “Yeah… I’ve had to disqualify internship candidates who were insisting they knew ASL and could help in interpretation at events and whatnot because they did two years of ASL in school and could kinda competently finger spell. Maybe. I know I’m not… that level of bad, at least.” They sigh and rest their head against Cains.

“Like it’s great they know some, and in an emergency could probably help people get an idea, maybe, that there’s something up or with directions, albeit slowly that’s better than none, but that’s… not interpreter level fluent in sign.”

Cain is warm at Camies side, and they yawn, relaxing against him. “You’re warm. It’s comfy.”

"what I'm hearing is that we need to run a few ASL classes at GU again" He nods, Curling up further into a human ball on the couch. Any closer and he'd be burrowing into poor cams ribcage.

cain would say he's sorry, but that would be a lie. He's currently more Velcro than man. at least this he can control. Everything is just moving so fast.

Eden is growing in the blink of an eye. Tim was there one day and gone the next. He'd moved states twice in 4 months. He's quit and gone back to the same job countless times. Faced glares and taken each nasty comment spat at him.

Its like the ground has been pulled out from under him and he can't catch his breath. So he hides said feet by shoving his icy socked toes under Camies leg now that hes managed to lure them in (evilly)

Focusing on just how much he can hear again. after weeks of being unable to stomach it, He's now hyper aware of the rhythm of Camies breathing. Following it without really thinking about it.

Camie laughs softly. “Yes, but also I don’t know if it’ll do anything for those ones.”

Camie squeaks as he sticks his feet under her legs.

“Cain!” They laugh, and Camie further wraps an arm around him.

Camie smiles, it’s been a long time since they’ve felt so comfortable around someone, and it’s nice. Having the company of someone that isn’t exclusively a professional relationship…

“What are you and Eden doing tomorrow?”

"nothing, Unless Eden has very important meetings with his many clients he hasn't told me about" he grins evilly, wriggling his toes further under Camies leg to find warmth.

"why?" he asks, blinking curiously

"Well, Emmerette and I were going to be heading to the zoo, and to the cat cafe tomorrow as a treat. What if... The two of you joined us?" They look up at Cain, into his eyes meeting his gaze with their own.

"Edens maybe a little young for the petting zoo part but the rest is pretty fun to see and look at. And the aquarium reopened."

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

"your sign isn't that bad" He avoids any real response to the offer. Instead, he leans his head on their shoulder with a thump. Starting to look much less like a wounded mourner and more like a pouting toddler.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets like it'll make him look less sad (it doesn't) and makes a mental list of everything that's moved. Deep down, he knows this isn't the hill to die on.

Its all just stuff. It won't bring him back and it's not making anything better. Yet, letting it go feels like letting go of Tim.

That, he's definitely not ready to do. Even the thought makes him feel queasy. As always, he pushes it down and tries not to think about it too hard.

Camie wraps an arm around him, and rubs his back. “Well, I’m glad it’s not too bad.” They say with a soft smile.

Camie sits in the silence with Cain, letting him think through everything and take his time. It’s never easy, loosing someone. And so suddenly…

And grief is such a funny thing. It took Camie side months to go through the storage unit containing everything their mother ever owned. Five of those months was ignoring the units existence, outside of paying the bill.

They get it. It’s hard.

And they will help Cain, because it’s clear he needs some sort of support, and it looks like there hasn’t been much of that around.

"i've seen way worse" he nods, leaning further into Camies side. chasing the warmth. How long has it been? it feels like a lifetime.

He breaths a heavy sigh, cheek pressed to Cams shoulder as he stares up at them silently. Just watching. Tim use to hate the staring.

Cain has always been sacred to take his eyes off of tim. Just incase he'd disappear. He did, of course. Cain still seems to have a staring problem though.

Camie doesn’t mind it in the slightest. The staring. Being seen. Growing up they were entirely ignored so being seen… is novel, in a way.

They’ve always liked being watched. Being seen. Feeling like their presence matters when, historically, it hasn’t.

Not until the GGG and Emmerett, at least.

And Cains gaze doesn’t feel bad.

“Mmm… like the asshole who teach their kids baby sign and then tout to others what a sign language expert they are and put ASL on their resumes?”

"some people just be doing jazz hands and hope i get the idea" he jokes, pressing his lips into a thin line as he inspects them.

Now that he's showered and had a nap, they now look more human and less like a vague blob of something. Noting all the small details is at least a task he can do. like obsessively counting and recounting how many eyelashes they have.

Camie hums softly. “Yeah… I’ve had to disqualify internship candidates who were insisting they knew ASL and could help in interpretation at events and whatnot because they did two years of ASL in school and could kinda competently finger spell. Maybe. I know I’m not… that level of bad, at least.” They sigh and rest their head against Cains.

“Like it’s great they know some, and in an emergency could probably help people get an idea, maybe, that there’s something up or with directions, albeit slowly that’s better than none, but that’s… not interpreter level fluent in sign.”

Cain is warm at Camies side, and they yawn, relaxing against him. “You’re warm. It’s comfy.”

"what I'm hearing is that we need to run a few ASL classes at GU again" He nods, Curling up further into a human ball on the couch. Any closer and he'd be burrowing into poor cams ribcage.

cain would say he's sorry, but that would be a lie. He's currently more Velcro than man. at least this he can control. Everything is just moving so fast.

Eden is growing in the blink of an eye. Tim was there one day and gone the next. He'd moved states twice in 4 months. He's quit and gone back to the same job countless times. Faced glares and taken each nasty comment spat at him.

Its like the ground has been pulled out from under him and he can't catch his breath. So he hides said feet by shoving his icy socked toes under Camies leg now that hes managed to lure them in (evilly)

Focusing on just how much he can hear again. after weeks of being unable to stomach it, He's now hyper aware of the rhythm of Camies breathing. Following it without really thinking about it.

Camie laughs softly. “Yes, but also I don’t know if it’ll do anything for those ones.”

Camie squeaks as he sticks his feet under her legs.

“Cain!” They laugh, and Camie further wraps an arm around him.

Camie smiles, it’s been a long time since they’ve felt so comfortable around someone, and it’s nice. Having the company of someone that isn’t exclusively a professional relationship…

“What are you and Eden doing tomorrow?”

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

"your sign isn't that bad" He avoids any real response to the offer. Instead, he leans his head on their shoulder with a thump. Starting to look much less like a wounded mourner and more like a pouting toddler.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets like it'll make him look less sad (it doesn't) and makes a mental list of everything that's moved. Deep down, he knows this isn't the hill to die on.

Its all just stuff. It won't bring him back and it's not making anything better. Yet, letting it go feels like letting go of Tim.

That, he's definitely not ready to do. Even the thought makes him feel queasy. As always, he pushes it down and tries not to think about it too hard.

Camie wraps an arm around him, and rubs his back. “Well, I’m glad it’s not too bad.” They say with a soft smile.

Camie sits in the silence with Cain, letting him think through everything and take his time. It’s never easy, loosing someone. And so suddenly…

And grief is such a funny thing. It took Camie side months to go through the storage unit containing everything their mother ever owned. Five of those months was ignoring the units existence, outside of paying the bill.

They get it. It’s hard.

And they will help Cain, because it’s clear he needs some sort of support, and it looks like there hasn’t been much of that around.

"i've seen way worse" he nods, leaning further into Camies side. chasing the warmth. How long has it been? it feels like a lifetime.

He breaths a heavy sigh, cheek pressed to Cams shoulder as he stares up at them silently. Just watching. Tim use to hate the staring.

Cain has always been sacred to take his eyes off of tim. Just incase he'd disappear. He did, of course. Cain still seems to have a staring problem though.

Camie doesn’t mind it in the slightest. The staring. Being seen. Growing up they were entirely ignored so being seen… is novel, in a way.

They’ve always liked being watched. Being seen. Feeling like their presence matters when, historically, it hasn’t.

Not until the GGG and Emmerett, at least.

And Cains gaze doesn’t feel bad.

“Mmm… like the asshole who teach their kids baby sign and then tout to others what a sign language expert they are and put ASL on their resumes?”

"some people just be doing jazz hands and hope i get the idea" he jokes, pressing his lips into a thin line as he inspects them.

Now that he's showered and had a nap, they now look more human and less like a vague blob of something. Noting all the small details is at least a task he can do. like obsessively counting and recounting how many eyelashes they have.

Camie hums softly. “Yeah… I’ve had to disqualify internship candidates who were insisting they knew ASL and could help in interpretation at events and whatnot because they did two years of ASL in school and could kinda competently finger spell. Maybe. I know I’m not… that level of bad, at least.” They sigh and rest their head against Cains.

“Like it’s great they know some, and in an emergency could probably help people get an idea, maybe, that there’s something up or with directions, albeit slowly that’s better than none, but that’s… not interpreter level fluent in sign.”

Cain is warm at Camies side, and they yawn, relaxing against him. “You’re warm. It’s comfy.”

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

"your sign isn't that bad" He avoids any real response to the offer. Instead, he leans his head on their shoulder with a thump. Starting to look much less like a wounded mourner and more like a pouting toddler.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets like it'll make him look less sad (it doesn't) and makes a mental list of everything that's moved. Deep down, he knows this isn't the hill to die on.

Its all just stuff. It won't bring him back and it's not making anything better. Yet, letting it go feels like letting go of Tim.

That, he's definitely not ready to do. Even the thought makes him feel queasy. As always, he pushes it down and tries not to think about it too hard.

Camie wraps an arm around him, and rubs his back. “Well, I’m glad it’s not too bad.” They say with a soft smile.

Camie sits in the silence with Cain, letting him think through everything and take his time. It’s never easy, loosing someone. And so suddenly…

And grief is such a funny thing. It took Camie side months to go through the storage unit containing everything their mother ever owned. Five of those months was ignoring the units existence, outside of paying the bill.

They get it. It’s hard.

And they will help Cain, because it’s clear he needs some sort of support, and it looks like there hasn’t been much of that around.

"i've seen way worse" he nods, leaning further into Camies side. chasing the warmth. How long has it been? it feels like a lifetime.

He breaths a heavy sigh, cheek pressed to Cams shoulder as he stares up at them silently. Just watching. Tim use to hate the staring.

Cain has always been sacred to take his eyes off of tim. Just incase he'd disappear. He did, of course. Cain still seems to have a staring problem though.

Camie doesn’t mind it in the slightest. The staring. Being seen. Growing up they were entirely ignored so being seen… is novel, in a way.

They’ve always liked being watched. Being seen. Feeling like their presence matters when, historically, it hasn’t.

Not until the GGG and Emmerett, at least.

And Cains gaze doesn’t feel bad.

“Mmm… like the asshole who teach their kids baby sign and then tout to others what a sign language expert they are and put ASL on their resumes?”

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

"your sign isn't that bad" He avoids any real response to the offer. Instead, he leans his head on their shoulder with a thump. Starting to look much less like a wounded mourner and more like a pouting toddler.

He stuffs his hands in his pockets like it'll make him look less sad (it doesn't) and makes a mental list of everything that's moved. Deep down, he knows this isn't the hill to die on.

Its all just stuff. It won't bring him back and it's not making anything better. Yet, letting it go feels like letting go of Tim.

That, he's definitely not ready to do. Even the thought makes him feel queasy. As always, he pushes it down and tries not to think about it too hard.

Camie wraps an arm around him, and rubs his back. “Well, I’m glad it’s not too bad.” They say with a soft smile.

Camie sits in the silence with Cain, letting him think through everything and take his time. It’s never easy, loosing someone. And so suddenly…

And grief is such a funny thing. It took Camie side months to go through the storage unit containing everything their mother ever owned. Five of those months was ignoring the units existence, outside of paying the bill.

They get it. It’s hard.

And they will help Cain, because it’s clear he needs some sort of support, and it looks like there hasn’t been much of that around.

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

Cain fixes them with a long look before thumping his head on their shoulder, "everything seems important"

He fidgets with the hem of his hoodie. The silence stretching on for much longer than any normal person would be comfortable with.

''this sucks"

Camie tentatively raises an arm to rub circles against his back. They nod and hum quietly.

“I know.” They say, and sit in silence with him. They don’t mind the quiet, so far up above the city this is a very rare occasion of Camie not being bombarded in all sides by the sounds of the city.

It’s calm, in one way.

Even if it isn’t in others.

“It does. But it’ll get better. I promise.” Camie says gently. “I’m sure of it.”

I'm trying to write my return, but my blog was hijacked (bc nothing is sacred ig), and my bf killed me ;-;

//dramatic faked death reveal???

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

He sighs heavily, rubbing his upper thighs in attempt to stay grounded. "I know you're just trying to help" he mutters, getting up as it seems to be time to face the music.

retrieving his hearing aids from his bag, he winches slightly at the sudden influx of noise.

"I know you're trying to help" he repeats, clearly and with a little more certainty as he settles back beside them, "i really am grateful and its not you, its just this thing i have about stuff being a certain way or else- or else - and with, well um - with Ti- what happened, its just gotten more, i don't know, prominent? i guess? it doesn't go away as easily after being right"

he fidgets with the hem of his hoodie, glancing at camie quickly, like looking at them too long will upset them.

Camies expression softens, and they nod softly in understanding.

“I’m sorry my signing isn’t great, I know it’s slow. But you don’t need your hearing aids if they’re bugging you, unless it’s too difficult to understand my signing. I’m okay with either way.” They say. “I’m one of the few people Sophia turns off her hearing aids and all of her assistive tech around. She doesn’t often, but… Most of her team never bothered to learn any one of three sign languages she’s fluent in.”

They move to actually sit next to him, instead of standing in front. Camie leaves a little bubble of space, not sitting too close but not a full cushion apart, either.

“Sophia told me, before I got here, that there might be some issues with that. She didn’t go into detail, but she mentioned the grief was hitting you pretty hard.” They glance over at Cain. “How about you tell me what’s most important, and where you’d like it, and either you can just rest and stop me if I’m doing something wrong, or we can do it together?” They offer.

“You don’t need to do everything alone. It’s not all on you. And I’m happy to help.”

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Cain glances back briefly, fighting off the flood of memories around the sad looking Chinese takeout box. He can faintly hear the chime of Tim's laugh as Eden had grown increasingly frustrated with the fact that he can't be held by two people at once.

looking away quickly he nods. Getting up a second later, mostly just to stay moving. Muscle memory had Eden tucked into his crib, sleeping soundly.

Returning to his perch on the couch, he finds himself now able to stomach looking at Camie

Camie frowns, the tension in Cains posture tells them something is up, there’s more to it…

Once Eden is laid down, Camie pays just enough attention to Emmett’s toddling to tell her to be quiet and gentle if she wants to sit by Eden, and they walk closer to Cain.

‘I just want to help.’ They say. ‘The food is looking sad. The papers out here left no good room for Eden to play. The apartment needs cleaned up,’ they frown trying to think of the signs they need. ‘But I won’t get rid of anything. Unless it’s rotting or you want me to. Just organize it.’

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

He squints at their hands, brain lagging to process the slight stumble in signs.

'thanks' he signs back, attempting a better smile before retreating to the couch. Curling up with Eden in his usual corner. Settling in under the abundance of blankets they've built up over time

Camie nods.

‘Of course.’ They smile.

They head back into the kitchen after making sure Emmerett is settled on her WaynePad, and they set to cleaning all of the rest of the post-lunch chaos.

They wipe down the table, and the chairs and floors nearest to where Emmerett had sat to make sure nothing is left all over.

Then, they start unloading the dishwasher. Putting the coffee cups back by the coffee maker where they had originally retrieved them, a big fruit bowl back on the counter, and the teapot back where they found it.

Then, they start going through the fridge.

When they were making lunch they noticed it seemed to have been a bit since it was gone through. Nothing too egregious, but there was some produce that had seen better days and the shelves looked like they could use a wipe down. They pull things out section at a time, and wipe down all of the drawers and shelves.

When they are just about done, they walk back out, and flick one of the lights for Cains attention.

‘Is any takeout old?’ They ask.

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Blinking rapidly, he nods, 'yeah, I'm good'

adjusting his hold on Eden - who seems really content to just snuggle all day and nap - he turns to Camie, 'don't think i ever properly greeted you, Cain, by the way, happy to meet you'

he attempts a smile and offers his hand to shake. silently sizing them up. He trust Sophia, and Camies been vouched for. Yet it doesn't prevent the slight tremor of his hands.

Camie shakes his hand, firm but not too hard, and smiles in return.

‘I’m Camie. And don’t worry. I remember how tough the first 18 months are.’ They sign. They should do some more immersion days with Sophia. Their hands feel clumsier than they used to.

‘I hope you don’t mind the tidying. I can show you where everything is?’ They offer. ‘I put everything into a few baskets.’

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

He nods, trying not too look over eager as he takes Eden from them. signing a quick thank you as he visibly relax with Eden back in his reach.

Gaze returning to the plate, he makes a mental note to do the dishes later. Speaking of dishes, he gets up to take it to the sink and-

and nothings where it should be. He frowns, slowly setting the plate in the sink before quietly checking the cabinets. his order is thrown off and he closes his eyes to take a deep breath through his nose.

Camie was helping. They didn't do it on purpose.

He tries not to be overly obvious as he wracks his eyes over every inch of the open plan kitchen and living room. Tim's record that he left out has been put back and - shit he's going to be so upset. no one touches his records.

His documents, all his notes. Everything. Packed up like he was never there. Like he never existed. Camie didn't mean any harm, he has to remind himself. They've been really kind about all of this.

That doesn't help the way his eyes sting and vision blurs. Holding his breath so he doesn't wake Eden with his sobbing like he's practiced a million times before.

He quickly tries to wipe his eyes. Turning away so they won't notice his pathetic weeping.

Camie sits back for a few minutes, letting Cain take his time. They clean up from lunch, gathering dishes and hand washing them all in the sink.

They have Emmerett help, letting her scrub spoons and forks and together Camie and Emmerett make quick work of the dishes.

After however, they hand Emmerett their tablet and situate her on the couch, and then they step a bit closer to Cain.

They wait for Cain to be ready to turn to them, though. They don’t rush him.

‘you okay?’

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Cain offers them a tired smile. Has it always been this hard to be polite to people?

"thanks" He rasps, taking the phone while shoveling food into his face. Easier to eat when he's not thinking about it. After a brief moment of hesitation, he adds his number to Camie's phone.

Photos of his baby is worth the anxiety squirming in his chest. He carefully sets the phone back down, eyes landing on his plate. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he soldiers on.

It takes a while, but he gets there eventually. Plate cleared, yet slowly chewing on the same bite for much longer than needed, he stares blankly at Eden.

Faintly, he's aware he should probably say something. Maybe be a better host and hold a conversation of more than key words and stumbling through verbs.

It only now dawns on him how silent its really been. He doesn't talk to anyone much. Eden is still learning and is happy to babble on, but has come to prefer asl as its made a world of a difference in understanding what he needs.

Most people don't expect the deaf guy to be very talkative without his hearing aids, so he's made a habit of abandoning them when he can. No one can ask hard questions if he can't hear them.

He clears his throat for a third time, trying to come up with something to say,

"uh-was good, thanks" he cringes inwardly at how stiff and hoarse he comes across. Avoiding eye contact with them, he looks everywhere but camie

Camie nods, their expression gentle, but not condescending. Then, after hearing him speak, they remember their last text from Sophia. Duh. They gently try to get Cains attention.

‘Sign?’ They ask.

They don’t need to sign very often, and their signing is slow and imperfect, but it’s enough.

‘Want E D E N?’ They start untying their wrap, loosening it enough to safely pull Eden out, somehow managing to keep the baby asleep.

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

Groggy and 2% more human, Cain emerges from the bedroom. The sound of people in his house isn't exactly something he thinks he's ever going to get use to.

At a crossroad, he barely thinks about it when he locks himself in the bathroom. The same bathroom he always comes back to. The dent on the sink from the first week he spent here has him feeling a decade older.

Turning off the light helps him pretend everything's normal. The same warm shower. The same shampoo they ended up sharing within the first month of living together. Faded RR hoodie and naming 5 things he can see later, he steps back into the hallway.

He waits to feel more like a person. it doesn't happen. Everything feels like its moving just a second too slow. Despite being aware of Camie's presence, he's still caught off guard by them stood in his apartment.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another he awkwardly clears his throat.

Camie smiles, “Hey, you look a bit refreshed. Sit. I just finished lunch, let me get you a plate.” They’d made mac n cheese with vegan hot dogs, and some sliced oranges. They make Cain a plate and bring it to them.

“Here. Emmerett here, the silly goober, only eats the vegan hot dogs they have at pre-k, but they don’t taste too bad.” Camie shrugs. “If you don’t like it I can throw something else together for you though, too.” They say, voice soft and low, and take a few bites of their own lunch.

“The kids played earlier, I have photos I can share with you. I had Eden laid down for tummy time and Emmerett was very excited to play with him.”

Camie pulls up the photos, and hands Cain their phone. “Send yourself whatever you’d like.”

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

"um" he starts before realizing he doesn't understand a single thing this person just asked him. Blinking sluggishly like it'll help his case, he moves his glasses to rest on his head. They keep slipping down and its enough to get him to tear up.

taking a breath, he strides over to the kitchen. Muscle memory coming in handy as he plucks the sticky note from the fridge. Handing it to Eden's waiting hands, he grabs the notebook beside the sink. Cringing inwardly at its mild waterlogged state. at least you can still read it if you aren't sleep deprived.

Dragging his heavy body back to the living room, he murmurs some form of love and affection at Eden before kissing his chubby cheek enough time for him to get vocal about it. Cain snorts an amused laugh before hesitantly handing over Eden to Camie.

Trying to ignore how his hands shake or the lump forming in his throat, he takes a few rushed steps back,

"uh- bottle feeding every - um- every other meal, solids when he's more willing. Err- um, nuts and shellfish for allergies but he's not really into the lobster level of Wayne yet so its fine" he yawns, massaging his temples and smoothing his thumb over the angry, over sensitive skin around his ears.

He pulls himself together (he doesn't) and gestures vaguely to the hall, "bed, knock loud"

The English language depreciates further to more Slavic rolling with making knocking sounds at the poor victim. Not that it matters much as, as soon as Eden looks happy enough he basically inches his way to Tims old bedroom. Door barely closing before the world is quiet and dark. It could be argued Tim has a better chance of waking up than Cain does.

Camie Takes Eden with a smile and nods at Cains instructions. When the poor man finally disappears into the bedroom they look to Eden and sigh. “Your papa is so tired, aren’t they? We should do some clean-up time for him, hm?” Camie lightly bounces him and pats his back, going to her bag and grabbing their baby wrap that they’re glad they thought to grab.

Camie gets Eden tied to them and sets about cleaning up the apartment, gathering trash and sweeping and wiping everything down with some cleaning spray they find in the cabinets. When Eden starts to get fussy, they find the formula and a bottle, mixing it up to feed him. They take a break on the couch, feeding Eden, and Emmerett curling into them in her sleep.

By time Camie finishes feeding, burping, and changing Eden, Emmerett is waking up and babbling about cartoons and babies and playing.

“I pway baby?” Emmerett says, patting her chest, and then waving at Eden.

“Can you be gentle? Eden is still little so we have to be gentle.” Camie says with a smile and a hum.

“I be gentle! I pway baby!” Emmerett says excitedly, bouncing where she stands.

Camie laughs softly and nods. “Okay, you can do tummy time with Eden. You can sit if you want but Eden is gonna be in his tummy on a blanket with a few soft toys.” Emmerett cheers.

“I pick toys?”

“You can pick two toys for you, and I will pick toys for Eden.”

“No no, I pick toys.” Emmerett says seriously. Camie sighs.

“Okay we can pick together. I’ll pick which ones you can pick from.” Camie smiles and shakes their head exasperatedly.

With that, Camie finishes tidying up while watching over tummy time, snapping a few pictures as the kids play, sure Cain will want to see what everyone got up to.

Eventually Eden gets tired, and they tie the baby to them again while he sleeps. Camie takes this time to make the lunch they brought for Emmerett and them, humming as they cook, Emmerett content to watch Bluey on their Wayne Pad.

#oc rp #cain keay #dc rp #//for anyone who doesn’t know #toddlers are so silly #and love being helpers #but only in the way they want to be a helper #lolol

Camie knocks on the door, after double checking the address that Sophia sent, Emmerette asleep in their arms. Camie is glad for the excuse to get out of the office, and more than happy to help. Any friend of Sophia's, is a friend of theirs. Besides, from what they have heard and seen Cain is nonbinary themselves, and also juggling single parenthood. It's not easy, and Camie remembers how rough the first 18 months was. Emmerett is 28 months now, just past two, and it's really only recently that it has gotten easier, as Emmerett is able to communicate more independently. They kiss the top of Emmeretts head, rubbing the toddlers back as they wait at the door. @camiescameos

Cain both looked and felt about as gross as a person can humanly get. Not that he ever looked particularly stellar, right now he was just proving that rock bottom had a basement.

it's been 3ish months since the last fight with Tim. 2 since he got the call from Dick that a mission went south. As in, six feet south. Every time he thought about it too hard, He'd just work himself up into being sick.

It hurt, but grief was supposed to. So he wasn't in any rush to apologies for the suspicious beige stains in what use to be grey sweatpants. The state of his matter hair or the fact that he looks arguably worse than first day post rehab.

Eden was just about the one thing that kept him going. perched on his hip while attempting to clean Cains sweatshirt with his trademark sock. Presentable for the people and all that.

Rubbing his eyes before heaving open the apartment door, he squinted at the blurry figure darkening his doorstep. He mumbled what he hopes to be a greeting before thumping against the wall to allow the man inside.

Oh. This poor man. Camie walks in when Cain opens the door.

“Hey, I’m Camie.” They say softly, and set Emmerett on the couch, quietly cheering when the child stays asleep. “This is Emmerett, they love babies. I take it this little one is Eden, right?” They ask softly, smiling gently at Cain.

“How about you hand this little one over, and you go take a hot shower and get some sleep?” Camie offers gently. “Or the other way around, whichever would be better. Oh, and any food allergies?” They ask. “And does Eden just take bottles or are you introducing solids you’d like me to feed them?”

They ask a few of just the most important questions. Cain is clearly in need of a thorough shower and some good sleep, though and the apartment could use a good deep clean too it looks like. Camies looked worse, once upon a time, they understand how hard it can be. And if the rumours about him and Tim Drake were true, then… being truly solo parenting is a bit more new to them…

Camie keeps their face on a soft neutrally pleasant expression, the faintest smile and a glint of understanding in their eyes. They adjust the bow on their shirt absent-mindedly, as they mentally make lists of all that needs done.

#cain keay #dc rp #oc rp #gotham rp #dcu rp #Camie Carson

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