( daniel henney, cis man, he/him ) Did you hear? [ FEYNHEL DUINDAER ] is in town. A [ ELF ], I hear that they’re the [ LORD OF HOUSE DUINDAER OF AERTYS ], rather impressive considering they’re [ TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX ] years old. Their friends say that they’re pretty [ LOYAL ], but I’ve heard rumors that they’re also [ STOIC ]. It might just be me, but they remind me of [ eyes that hold centuries, affectionate kisses placed on a lover’s freckled shoulder, tailored robes that still do not feel right ]. I wonder what side they’ll choose in the upcoming conflict.
feynhel had never been good at accepting pressure. his eldest brother died before he could take their father’s place, and feynhel had been born to simply provide a child to send to the army. or the templars. or hell, anywhere other than their family seat.
his brother died in a riding accident, sudden and unexpected. thus, feynhel was quickly trained to be the lord of the duindaer family. however, his mother never made it past her grief from her son’s death, and despite her very much alive son, feynhel, she died from her grief.
thelron, feynhel’s father, remarried, and he married valynni, a merchant’s daughter. this was most definitely a love match, and while this hurt feynhel, he understood. unexpectedly, valynni gave birth to shianni, feynhel’s half sister and closest confidante. as the future lord, feynhel needed someone he could trust by his side, and as shianni grew older, the siblings’ bond grew stronger.
forty years prior to the present day, feynhel married. he was not so excited to give away his freedom. he was still a young elf with his whole life ahead of him, but when he met her, he believes he found true love. he was very bad at showing it though, often too quiet and stoic to get a full sentence out to his wife.
but he loves astraea, and he dotes on her when he can. her presence in his life is invaluable, and when he was old enough to rule, his father stepped down to live out his life with valynni. now that he’s lord, he’s even more stoic and silent, but astraea always manages to bring out the best of him. she’s a miracle worker in that way.
Cameron: If someone had told Cam a few years ago that he would find himself here, Cam would have laughed in their face. Yet here he was, nestled under the covers in the arms of his best friend, relaxed and satisfied from the previous night’s activities. Cam took a moment to nuzzle into Lucien and take a long, slow breath, enjoying his signature smell, now mixed his own. He sighed as he slowly rose to consciousness.
Lucien: The soft stirring of Cameron was enough to pull a rumble from Lucien's chest. Purrs automatic, it seemed, before the cat had truly awakened. His best friend pulled closer to his chest, nuzzled as he stretched. Slowly. This was the weekend, which meant no alarm. The one true torture of being in the military. The damn hours.
Cameron: 'Just like a cat.' Cam smiled as Lucien stretched. It an obvious comment, but it always entertained Cam when he saw the cat parts of him show. Cam sighed and nestled just a little further under the covers. He didn't want the lazy warmth of the morning to end just yet, and in truth, he was a little nervous about the conversation that waited for them. Unwilling to think about that yet, Cam nuzzled his way under Lucien's chin and let his hand slide slowly up the other's back.
"Mornin'," he hummed finally, and he gave Lucien a small squeeze. He didn't want to be alone with his thoughts any longer, and he knew that he no longer needed to.
Lucien: Lucien was as reluctant to move as the man in his arms. He sighed his lament for waking, but smiled when remembering he was in fact holding his best friend. His left hand didn't feel terribly light anymore. He didn't even notice.
"Mm, mornin'." That smile only grew as reality sank deeper and deeper beneath his skin, warming his entire body, it seemed. He leaned in, pressed a kiss without fear to Cameron's lips.
"Je t'aime."
Cameron: "What's that mean again?" Cam asked, and he blinked at just how easily Lucien kissed him. He returned it of course, but Cam was still reeling either the fact that they can do this- they can kiss and hold and... be with each other without guilt or remorse. This was real, all of this was so undeniably real, and yet Cam could barely believe it. Cam immediately leaned forward after their first kiss to steal another, just to be sure. For a moment he felt sheepish, almost shy- which was ridiculous. This was Lucien, and while yes, they had sex last night, this was the one person who knew him best. It was okay to feel vulnerable with him.
"What's that mean again?"
Lucien: Lucien shook his head, nuzzling into Cameron's chin as he did so. There was not a care in the world right now, even when offended with Cameron's forgetful mind. Maybe remembering hurt. Maybe his life was too busy. There was an answer, but still, he had to tease.
"Vous avez tellement oublié. I said I love ya, abruti," he laughed quietly, body gently shaking. "Say it with me, je t'aime."
Cameron: Cam smiled softly, and he reached up to run his fingers through Lucien's hair.
"Je t'aime." Cam replied, mimicking the other's accent perfectly. Silly Lucien, he could never lose something he'd used so much in their childhood. He still couldn't speak it very well, but there were some phrases practiced more than others. "I didn't forget," he grinned, "I just wanted to hear you say it in English, too."
There was a brief pause.
"And I'm not a dummy," he tried to pout, but it was very difficult with the cheeky grin on his lips, "you are."
Lucien: Oh. So, he hadn't forgotten? Before he realized, Lucien was grinning from ear to ear. He felt warmth in his eyes, but that was all. No tears, just the threat of moisture. Why, he couldn't tell you.
"We're both fuckin' stupid."
Cameron was pulled as close as he was able. Brought into a lingering sleepy kiss.
"Ya sleep okay?" Now that some time had passed, the weight of last night had finally sunk; realizing how rough he could be. It had never mattered before, but it mattered now. He was a cat, and that wasn't going to change, but he needed to know the lay of Cameron's thoughts.
Cameron: "Pretty much," Cam agreed, and he laughed as he leaned into the kiss. It was lazy, easy, and felt completely natural. There was no more hesitation.
"Yeah," Cam nodded, and he felt heat rise to his cheeks as he recalled the activities that wore him out. It made him feel warm and content to think about. "Honestly, that's the best I've slept in ages." A sheepish smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "That was also by far the best sex I've had in ages, too." Cam enjoyed all types of sex, including when it was rough. Marks, bruises, pleasure, pain- anything meant to mark one's claim were welcome, when it came to Lucien. Considering the myriad of things Cam had tried, the roughness of last night was somewhat tame.
"And you? How did you sleep?"
Lucien: Lucien didn't know what to say after such a comment. Wit seemed to have flown away with his sharp exhale, laughing at the surprise of it all. It had been an experience he'd never forget, and to know Cameron felt the same...
"Felt like... the kinda sleep ya get on vacation. Know what I mean? Like, real sleep. Ya gave me real sleep."
But he needed to get out of bed. Their day needed to begin, and they had their five minutes.
Lucien leaned in for one final kiss, rolling to the other side of the bed.
"Bathroom," he announced. "You hungry? I want some eggs."
Cameron: "NNngghhh...." Cam whined after Lucien pulled away. He completely agreed with Lucien on the sleep, he felt truly refreshed which is something he hadn't felt in ages, but that didn't mean he wanted to get out of bed yet. "Do we have to get up?" he pouted and tried to latch his arms back around Lucien's waist to prevent his escape.
Lucien: "I gotta go to the bathroom, baby!" He laughed. "I ain't goin' anywhere." Maybe a compromise?
"Take a shower with me."
Cameron: Reluctantly Cam released Lucien and nodded.
"Alright," he agreed, and he gave Lucien a nudge so he could follow.
Lucien: "I uh," he pointed to the toilet, as though a reminder of what was about to happen. One thing had changed in adulthood. They were no longer children free of such embarrassing concerns.
"There's a bathroom down the hall... if ya want."
Cameron: "I know, Lucien," Cam laughed, "I'm just following you off this side of the bed. I'm going to get my clothes, is the shower in that other bathroom? I can start it if it is."
Lucien: "I mean if ya gotta piss. Shower works just fine, in here."
Cameron: "Alright, then I'll start the shower," Cam leaned in to give Lucien's cheek a kiss, and then he dipped into the bathroom to start the water. When Cam left the bathroom, he headed for the living room and began to gather their clothes. There was a moment, after Cam had his arms full and he was ready to head back to the bedroom, that he stopped an looked at the couch. A flood of memories from last night followed, and his cheeks flushed. With a sigh, he buried his face into their clothes, and warmth blossomed in his chest. He still could barely believe this was real, because it all felt too easy. Could it be this easy? They had plenty to talk about and figure out, but... for once, he wasn't waiting for the other shoe to drop. There was a small bit of fear, buried deep down, but he was determined not to fixate on it this time. He wouldn't let his pessimism ruin whatever this was.
Cam peeked over the clothes to look at the couch once more before returning to the bedroom.
Lucien: Lucien waited for Cameron to leave before finally using the toilet. After so many years leading to this moment, everything felt so raw. Not quite delicate, but he could spare the grimy details of life another day, surely. Cameron didn't need to hear him piss.
Now he was staring at the water, allowing more and more of reality to sink. He was serious about this. Last night wasn't a one-off in desperation or stress. He'd meant it. Every word he'd meant, and for a split-second he wondered if Cameron was going to return. When he did, he couldn't help but smile.
"Day one n'you're already pickin' up after us? Get in the fuckin' shower."
Cameron: Cam was happy to leave the grimy details of life for... well, the rest of their lives- if that's what this was. He knew he wanted something like that, he was fairly confident that's what Lucien also wanted, but he wasn't going to operate on assumptions (or words spoken in the heat of the moment) alone. They'd both wanted to just...be together for so long, how would they even talk about it?
The unknowns made that tiny bit of fear pang in Cam's chest, but as soon as he entered the bathroom and saw Lucien smiling at him, waiting for him, he felt the fear melt away.
"Honestly, I was just doing it so we'd have something to change into once we're out," he shrugged and gave Lucien a sheepish grin. "Then I remembered we're in your home and we can both wear your clothes so," he set their pile of clothes to the side, and with a playful wiggle in front of Lucien he slipped into the shower.
Lucien: Lucien did his best to hold back a laugh, shaking his head just the same. Cameron seemed flustered, and he didn't want to make it worse.
"Ya can wear whatever ya want. Just not my uniform."
Cameron would be followed after brushing his teeth. He couldn't remember if a spare had been left out, so one was pulled from under the sink, left in its packaging just in case.
Once in, Lucien dipped his head under the stream for a brief soak.
"Ya sleep okay?"
Cameron: "Oh yeah, I think that's a given," Cam chuckled. "You look too good in it any way, it'd just be another layer of disrespectful for me to wear it," Cam was never on the proper side of the law, so he didn't care for any government agency, but he knew the symbolism of something like that, and the respect that came with it. Lucien worked hard; Cam never wanted to minimize that.
As Lucien joined him, he made sure to angle himself partially into the spray as he reached for a bottle of shampoo and lathered up his hands. Then he motioned for Lucien to lean forward slightly so Cam could wash his hair.
"Like I said in bed," he hummed, "that's the best night of sleep I've had in... ages. I slept really well. Soundly, which isn't usually the case for me."
Lucien: Had he already asked? He had no control over the first three sentences to come out of his mouth when first opening his eyes.
His arm came to rest on the cold tile, head dipped down for Cameron to wash as he pleased. Shampoo running onto his face. He would just keep his eyes closed.
"Ya been like that since ya left?" The subject of sleep was pretty much nonexistent until now. Questions he wanted answers to, now that they had committed to each other. There would be more to come before Monday.
Cameron: There was small stretch of silence after Lucien's question, and Cam worked his fingers into Lucien's hair. He could feel himself trying to clam up, to succumb to his fear of letting someone who loved him truly see him, but he knew that to commit to this, to them, he couldn't let that happen.
"Since my mother died, actually..." he admitted quietly, and his voice strained for a moment as he forced himself to continue. "Before I met a certain someone," Cam paused and his fingers stopped their slow massage of Lucien's scalp, clearly indicating who he was speaking about before his hands resumed their quest, "they happened multiple times weekly- if not nightly. I don't think it ever was sound." Gently, he pulled Lucien into the water to rinse the shampoo. "Then I met you, I started talking again, and the nightmares happened less and less." He started to search for body wash and a loofa or cloth.
"When I left... when dad told me to leave, they started to happen again. There were periods where they happened all the time, sometimes less, but the only way to guarantee I wouldn't have one, or would sleep more soundly than normal, would be to work myself so hard I'd be too tired to have dreams. Sex, pain, working out for hours at a time- whatever it took to be exhausted by the end of it. The only other time I think I slept soundly was with my first boyfriend, Alex. Unfortunately, he disappeared. I never found out what happened to him."
Lucien: Cameron made it sound as though he had been a reason, if not the main reason the nightmares had slowed. Talking, sure. He knew that much, having overheard the adults growing up. It was as flattering as it was depressing.
Alex. The name was familiar. It stung in his chest as familiarity would. As jealousy would. But he couldn't remember anything about the man besides the name itself. Maybe that was a blessing.
"What came first, ya tellin' me ya wanted t'get out n'be a hero, or your dad kickin' ya out?"
Cameron: Lucien wasn't the only reason Cam had finally forgiven himself enough to come out of his shell, but he was the start, the spark that re-started a little flame. He could have grown up bitter, angry, and sad, but Lucien had helped prevent that.
"Hero-ing came first," Cam smiled, "mom always said that our powers were gifts, and we should use them to help others, to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. My brain as a child translated that into becoming a super hero, and mom never discouraged me. Maybe she thought I'd grow out of it." He shrugged and soaped up the luffa. Then he started to wash Lucien from head to toe.
There was a brief pause.
"What happened, after I left?" Cam asked quietly. "For you, I mean." Not that Cam wanted to dwell on the mistakes of the past, but he wanted to understand the pain he'd caused in his haste to leave.
Lucien: Lucien took to leaning his shoulder against the tile, pliable to Cameron's cleansing whims. His eyes were to the ground but not, caught years in the past.
"Ya know, my daddy was always a tight ass. He just started losin' it after a while. Pissed at everything. Turned someone when he shouldn't. Didn't even know he could. Told my whole life we're only born this way. Mama said s'cause he was closer t'his beast. So, ya know, that happened, n'then the guy he turned up and..." he motioned to his neck.
"I dunno, just sorta lost it then. Ran from home, tried t'kill the guy that... n'I couldn't. He wasn't the bad guy, ya know? I mean, ya know the rest. Ya know about Penka, how I got Leilani."
There was a pause, washing his face with just water cupped in his hands.
"Ya know Mama killed herself? Left me the house in Baton Rouge. I dunno what t'do with it. Want t'sell it. Ain't got 'round to it."
Cameron: Cam felt his chest tighten, but he kept silent until Lucien finished. He focused on his hands instead, the smooth muscle beneath his fingers, the smell of soap and the trail of suds over Lucien's chest. When all of him was properly scrubbed he guided Lucien back into the water to rinse.
“I'm sorry," Cam said after a short pause, with only the sound of the shower between them, "that I wasn't there for you through all of that. I should have been." He knew he had said this before, but now that he understood the depth of it, it needed to be said again. Not out of guilt or remorse, because Cam certainly felt those things, but because Lucien deserved one. Cam reached up and gently pulled Lucien's hands from his face, tugging the other forward for a shared kiss beneath the running water.
"I'm here for you now," he pulled away just enough so he could touch their foreheads together. "If you want to go back and visit the place, or figure out how to sell it, I want to help." The concept of returning anywhere near home was terrifying to him, but it wasn't a question when it came to Lucien.
Lucien: There was a part of Lucien that wanted to resist that affection. That remaining shard of a teenager unfamiliar with his emotions, pushing and pulling at people's collars with new and unwieldy strength. Despite his instinct, he returned the kisses in kind, closed his eyes as they pressed foreheads.
"Ya had your own shit goin' on, Cammy. They made their choices." That out of the way, he took a breath. His chest felt... lighter.
"Wanna keep it, or sell it? Could rent it. Extra cash, ya know?"
Cameron: Cam smiled, and he felt years’ worth of tension melt from his shoulders.
"Renting it works, and that means you can leave it for Leilani one day." Something fluttered in his chest when the question was posed to him, that Lucien cared about his opinion in that decision.
Lucien: Day one of their relationship didn't feel like day one. This felt like a continuation, rather than a beginning. Maybe they could both breathe a little easier. Cameron was generally easy going, but he knew what lay beneath. At least he'd come to know as much.
"Hadn't thought of that. Yeah. We could bring her by, let her see it. But like, would a kid her age even care?" he laughed.
Cameron: "Probably not," Cam chuckled and shook his head. "That can always be saved for later, when she's old enough to appreciate it. We can also just go for us. If you want to rent it, it'll probably need a good clean."
Lucien: "Yeah, later. Okay! So, rent it out, then. Ya know, it really ain't a bad idea. S'just been collectin' dust. Wastin' money on property tax n'shit."
Cameron's face was suddenly cupped in both hands, given a passionate kiss.
"Thanks."
Cameron: "Exactly," Cam chuckled. It was an odd conversation to have after everything, without really having talked about it, but it helped to ease some Cam's anxiety. There was no pressure, no right way to figure this out. Plus, he didn't have to figure this out alone, and that mattered more than anything else.
Cam's breath caught as he was kissed, and with the way his heart fluttered again he wondered if he would ever get used to the fact that they could kiss.
"You're welcome," he breathed, returning the kiss with a smile. "But- what are you thanking me for exactly?" he asked, and pulled back just enough so he could tilt his head and look up.
Lucien: "Thought you'd say this was a mistake." He breathed deeply between them. Still close enough to feel Cameron's warmth. He smiled, though it was brief. He wanted what he said to be taken seriously.
"It's not. Just gettin' that outta the way now. I meant everything. Still do."
Cameron: "I'll be honest," Cam inhaled slowly to steady himself, "I'm scared." He squeezed Lucien's hands, and tilted his head to kiss the other's palm. "I'm so... fucking terrified of fucking this up." Just thinking about it made something twist painfully in his chest.
"But even with that... I haven't once felt like it was a mistake. I don't want to keep making the same errors of my past- I don't want to run away from something I want, especially not because I'm afraid of messing it up." A kiss was given to Lucien's other palm. "So- I mean everything I said, too. And..." he paused, closed his eyes, took another deep breath, and opened his eyes again to look directly at Lucien. A part of him wanted to contradict everything he'd said up until now, to run just as he'd done so many times before, but he had meant what he said- he wasn't going anywhere but here.
"I want you to be my boyfriend," he looked of to the side bashfully, unable to look Lucien directly in the eyes after that. If he wasn't flushed from the heat of the water, he was sure he would be blushing, "or whatever."
Lucien: Lucien was shaking his head at the very thought of fucking this up. He really couldn't see how that was possible. Cameron had a tendency to run, but he just couldn't see him running from this. The more Cameron spoke, the less he could fathom any fear of moving forward. It all seemed so irrational now. He felt sorry for the man in his arms, how he must have been carrying this, building up this concern since the moment he opened his eyes. Had that kind of thoughtfulness always been a part of Cameron, he couldn't say. Most of their friendship he'd seen this man as fearless. Sorrowful, but fearless.
"I said you're mine. You've been mine since last night. So... yeah. You've been mine for hours." Lucien grinned, soaked hair beginning to cover his eyes. "Or whatever."
Cameron: Cam smiled softly at that grin, and he reached up to wipe Lucien's hair away from his face. Then he cupped Lucien's face to pull Lucien in for a playful kiss, and he enjoyed the warm feeling that spread through him as Lucien claimed him yet again. He made it seem so easy to fall into this
"Or whatever," Cam laughed softly, and he wrapped his arms around Lucien's neck to steal another kiss.
"You should..." he grinned and shifted them so Lucien wasn't directly under the stream of water, "call me yours again."
Lucien: Lucien leaned into his hands and chuckled again. 'Whatever' was going to be their new thing. He liked it.
"Course you're mine. That's how it works. You're mine and I'm yours. That okay with ya?"
Another bottle was taken from the tile shelf, lathered and rubbed all over his face. Just days of leave and his scruff was thick, almost a beard.
"Are ya mine?" He opened one eye to watch Cameron's reaction.
Cameron: "I'm all yours," Cam grinned, and he felt a rush of excitement as the words felt real. This was not a dream, and still Cam could barely believe this was real. "And you're mine."
He reached up to scratch his fingers lightly over Lucien's scruff, and then he grabbed the soap for himself to begin lathering it into his hair.
"So...." he started slowly, a little unsure of what he wanted to ask, "what should we do after we're done showering?"
Lucien: "Sounds like you're askin' what we're gonna do for the rest of our lives." He leaned into the water long enough to rinse his face.
"That what you're really askin'?"
Cameron: "Not exactly," Cam started awkwardly, and he glanced off to the side. He was quiet for a moment, focusing on his thoughts and the massage of his fingers against his scalp.
"I meant more like, what do we actually want to do after we're done showering? Should we talk about anything? Are we just gonna eat breakfast and cuddle?" He shrugged, unsure of exactly what he was trying to say.
Lucien: Lucien just smiled and existed under the water a minute. He needed that, and the cold air to follow as he stepped out of the shower.
"Yes to both. And... if there's anything to talk about, it's where you wanna... live. I don't wanna jump the gun or anything, but, like, do you wanna... stay here? More often, I mean. I know ya got your own place, but like, do ya wanna say ya live here?"
Cameron: Cam let the silence settle between them and enjoyed the moment. He was over thinking this, and he knew it. He was so worried about the ways this could go wrong that he had no room for the ways this could go right, and that wasn't fair to Lucien, or himself- and he wondered how many more times he'd have to say that to himself before he'd believe it.
Cam stepped into the water, as Lucien stepped back, to rinse the soap from his hair. His body came next, and as Cam scrubbed himself down the flutter in his heart at Lucien's question gave him pause.
"Yeah," Cam said quietly after a bit, his smile warming. "I'd like that. Plus, if we want it to be permanent," Cam turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He was smiling more easily now, and he reminded himself to embrace whatever this is, whatever they wanted. "I wouldn't mind not having to spend the money on that apartment. Rent is not cheap there."
Lucien: "Where the fuck is the apartment?" Not that he wasn't keeping track of Cameron's life, but Cameron had a tendency to be vague in random spurts. He lived in New Orleans... in a few places. One being Bronwyn's house on occasion. A place in New York, while teaching, and then around, something about the city - it was a lot to keep track of, and he was still in the middle of a divorce.
"Spare key's in the kitchen. S'yours. N'when I moved back t'Louisiana, s'yours there, too."
Cameron: Cam laughed and reached past Lucien for a nearby towel.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," he grinned and leaned against the counter, "we both know I don't need an excuse to want to live with you. I gotta work on the sarcasm." He grinned playfully from under the edge of the towel as he began to dry his hair off. "Plus, I'm really the one coming out on top here, "he reached behind Lucien, his hand sliding sensually along the line of his hip. "I get to do this-" he smirked as he gave Lucien's cheek a comically firm squeeze, "-whenever I want now." A final, teasing pat to said cheek, and Cam leaned back to finish toweling himself dry.
"I'll take it," he nodded. "I'll make keys for my place in New York. Not that we'd be living there but- In case you ever need them."
Lucien: Lucien just smiled, watching Cameron from the mirror while he loaded his toothbrush. Beautiful man. All his, finally. Having Cameron touch him whenever he felt like, it was liberating. They'd been without for so long, and now, it just felt natural.
"Which one?" he asked between brushing. One rinse later, continuing with, "Why you have an apartment when you got the school?"
Cameron: "The one in the city. I kept the apartment because I always felt strange bringing someone I don't know into the school." He gave Lucien a playful smirk. "Sure, I mighta fantasized about 'sneaking' someone up to my room once or twice- which wouldn't really be sneaking since I'm allowed to do so- but it's probably best to avoid inviting a complete stranger into a school full of children.
"So the apartment was where I took... interested parties. Zeus and I used to live there primarily before I moved him over to the school with me. The kids help me take care of him now."
Cam followed suit, and he started brushing his teeth once he was dry.
"Plus, it gave me a place to be away from the kids and the school and just be alone for a little while."
Lucien: Lucien took to sitting on the counter to listen. Engrossed in what Cameron had to say.
"D'ya wanna keep that place?" Actually, he had a new question as well, to ask after Cameron finished the first inquiry. "Whatever happened to what's her name. Started with an A. Al-meh-kuh? Al-mee-kuh? Allie?" It wasn't that he'd forgotten on purpose; it had been many months since her mention, and then nothing.
Cameron: "I wouldn't mind, but we also don't have to. If you don't think we'd make much use out of it, it'd be pointless to use the money on it," Cam finished toweling himself off and began to tug on his clothes. "Almika," Cam smiled. "I was thinking about it, but there never felt like a right time. I wasn't ready, and she was adopted by someone else," there was a hint of sadness in his voice, but his smile was genuine, "they spend a large portion of their time in water, like she does, so it actually worked out even better for her."
Lucien: "That's... Good." No matter how he felt, that was the correct answer. As a father he knew that to be true. As Cameron's boyfriend, he felt another way.
"You'll be a dad here," he said cautiously. "Ya wantin' more kids?"
Cameron: Cam's smile warmed and he glanced up at Lucien. "I wouldn't mind more, if that's something you wanted." He shrugged again moved so he could lean against the counter next to the werecat.
"Growing up with siblings has its perks, and it's nice having siblings around when you're home alone. Nelson basically raised me after my mom died. Dad shut down and disappeared into his work, it's probably why Nelson's so good with his own kid, Annie. She can grow and talk to plants just like he can. It's cute to watch."
Lucien: "I don't think a kid should be raisin' another kid, but, I'm glad ya had someone good. N'he's okay. I read this is good for kids. A gap in age keeps there from bein' a rivalry or some shit. I dunno how I'd - ya know. They're not about t'be blood related." Penka would never be an option again.
"Somethin' t'think about." Cameron was given a soft smile.
Cameron: "I don't think so either. I meant more the company part. I didn't have to be alone, and there's someone there you can connect with that you wouldn't have or get to experience. My brother had a pretty big impact on my life even outside of taking care of me. The part about him raising me was more of a personal anecdote." He smiled softly in return.
"I'd like to think we'll be better parents than our own, tho. Our kids will get to be kids and enjoy it. I'd like to look into it with you, when we think we're ready for that."
Lucien: Sometimes, after years-long gaps in seeing Cameron, it was difficult to read his tone. He felt he maybe struck a nerve, but kept his mouth shut and moved on.
"If ya stick a weddin' ring in gumbo t'surprise me, just know, I'll probably swallow it."
His laugh was soft. "There's an order t'things I used to... to really hate. Shit they stay 'bout gettin' older's true. Can't talk 'bout kids 'til we talk 'bout other things. This is like, day... two," he laughed.
Cameron: "I wouldn't want to risk it," Cam grinned. "I know," he shrugged, "you're the one who brought up adoption, I'm just saying I'm not opposed, if, or whenever, we're ready." He shrugged again and draped his towel over his shoulders. Then he slid from the counter with a small hop, and he made his way to the bathroom door.
"I'm gonna borrow some of your clothes," he declared with a cheeky grin over his shoulder. "Didn't bring any clean ones with me."
Lucien: "Really?" He looked over his shoulder. "Thought ya had some." He'd hate to assume something was his and might be his ex-husband's. The thought almost made him shudder. A faux pas like that you couldn't come back from, so he wouldn't ask if that green vest in the bedroom was his or not - he would almost swear it was. Almost.
"I know what I brought up. Just tryin' to... understand. That's all." He followed behind on the hunt for clothes and pile the chaos for washing.
Cameron: "Well, even if I did, maybe I just wanna wear something of my boyfriend's." He winked. "Got anything you think I could use?"
Then he paused and slowed a little once they were in the bedroom again.
"I missed my opportunity to adopt Almika," Cam explained, and he reached up to rub at the back of his neck. "I wasn't ready, and when a family wanted to adopt her, it felt very selfish of me to make her wait until I might be ready."
Lucien: "I think... I think that puts ya in the right direction. No one's - I guess some, but I mean, most people ain't ready t'be a parent. I sure as shit wasn't. But I mean, makes ya grow up. Wish I could change some shit in my life, but I wouldn't change havin' her."
Cameron: Cam smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, and I knew it wasn't the right time. She deserves a life with a loving family, not waiting for me to figure my shit out."
He smiled and nodded in agreement. "She is pretty great. I'm glad I get to spend more time with her now." As unfortunate as the situation was that brought about her birth, Lucien's response reminded him just how Lucien had matured.
Lucien: Lucien looked more like a dog in that moment, tilting his head. His own smile slowly returned, almost as wide as Cameron's.
"Why ya lookin' at me like that?"
Cameron: "I dunno," Cam shrugged and turned back so he could approach Lucien. He leaned up when he was close enough and stole a playful kiss from his lips. "I just.... like being able to call you my boyfriend. Feels nice. Right." It filled his stomach with butterflies, in fact, which caused him to steal one more kiss, because he could.
Lucien: Lucien returned the kiss. As though they had always been together. In some aspects, it felt that way.
"Then go 'head n'say it again, baby. Call me your boyfriend." His arms came to rest on his lower back.
Cameron: Cam leaned into Lucien, his smile growing as he reached up to cup Lucien's neck. He studied the other for a moment, admiration in his eyes, and he trailed his thumbs along that handsome jaw.
"You're my boyfriend," he grinned, enjoying how much easier it felt to say it.
Lucien: His grin revealed subtle signs of aging, brought on by many lazy days sunbathing. Had Cameron always been pale? To memory, the answer was yes, but he wondered now if that was bias.
"Ya like that? One more time."
Cameron: "I do, I like that a lot," Cam hummed, and he reached up to cup Lucien's cheeks with both hands. He grinned and tugged Lucien down to touch their foreheads together. "Lucien Rhys Pendergast, you are my boyfriend." He chuckled and placed a playful kiss on the end of Lucien's nose.
Lucien: "Oh, man. That's the best thing ya ever said. I think. 'I love you' is a good one. 'Fuck me' is great. I really, really like that one." Cameron was squeezed in both hands, slowly pulled off the ground into his arms.
Cameron: "Don't worry, I promise to say all of those many, many times," he hummed and wrapped his arms around Lucien's shoulders as he was lifted.
