#henrybrozek

[wildroseofarran]

Do you keep in contact with Kelly?

"As much as anyone can be. He's a quiet dude. I see him when he comes for physical therapy and when I go into Pete's."

[wildroseofarran]

Looking for Kelly || Leslie, Cameron, Pete, Henry, & Kelly || February, 2020

Cameron: Cam stared at his phone for a moment, debating if he should send the text he'd typed out. He'd sent Kelly a few texts since their last meeting, some pretty nature pictures and a selfie where he grinned from ear to ear while some geese clearly chased him in the background, but there was no response. He'd thought their last encounter had gone well, but Kelly was such a hard man to read that there was a chance he didn't enjoy himself as much as Cam did that day. He wasn't sure if this was a hint he should be taking, but he decided to send the text anyway.

{Text to Witchy Bitch} Hey Leslie, any chance you've heard from Kelly at all? I haven't heard from him in a while and just wanted to make sure he was okay.

Leslie: Leslie felt his phone go off, but chose to ignore for the next ten minutes. Customers were in a positive flux, and Myrtle's niece was stumbling. Ten minutes became fifteen, became thirty. When he finally had a moment to himself, his first response was an apologetic explanation. Then finally, to actually read the message.

{Text to Incredible Hulk} I haven't, but I've been meaning to look in

{Text} Wanna come with me to the pub tonight?

Cameron: Cam had to resist the urge to pace as he waited for a reply, and after about 20 minutes he tossed his phone to the side and decided to take Zeus on a run to burn some energy. 40 minutes later he returned, panting and a little less high strung as he picked up his phone. He was relieved to see Leslie's text and quickly responded.

{Text} Yeah sure, I'll feel less weird going with you than I would going by myself  we haven't spoken since we last hung out so I didn't want to bother him if he wanted to be left alone.

Leslie: Leslie didn't want to tell Cameron about his feeling. It could have been due to a number of things, but his stomach only churned with thoughts of Kelly. He trusted his intuition above all else.

{Text} I'll be off work in an hour. Meet you there?

Cameron: {Text} Okay! I'll meet you there

Cam waited about an hour before he hoped on his bike and drove to the pub. Once there, he removed his helmet and leaned against his bike as he waited for Leslie to arrive.

Leslie: Leslie was waiting outside. The weather did not permit his usual jacket, which he had brought to work. Now tied around his waist in a bulky mess.

The witch looked up from his phone with a diluted smile.

Cameron: Cam pushed away from his bike when he saw Leslie arrive, and approached him with a smile.

"Hey stranger, you alright?"

Leslie: "I'm alright." Which was not a lie. He was alright, but still...

"Have you ate?"

Cameron: Cam tilted his head, taking note that Leslie's response lacked the usual enthusiasm, but he decided not to question it at the moment.

"Nah, wanna grab food after we're done checking up on him?"

Leslie: Leslie remained oblivious of Cameron's notice.

"Have you tried the food here? Almost never fried food." Which was something around here.

Cameron: "I haven't, I'd be down to try it! I just had a couple drinks the last time I was here."

Leslie: "There's some people I need to introduce you to." The owner, for one. Quite a fetching man to anyone with eyes. A voice to make the blind swoon. Not his sailor, but perhaps someone Cameron would spare a wink.

Leslie headed for the bar, pausing only for a moment to cast a quick glance. No Kelly in sight.

Pete: Kelly Rose was indeed noticeably absent from the pub tonight. In his place was Pete himself, serving drinks alongside June while a heavily pregnant Stella sat drying off glasses.

"Oh hey," Pete called when he spotted Leslie. "Fancy seeing you here. Whatcha having?"

Cameron: "Alright," Leslie had a habit of introducing him to the most interesting people, so suddenly he was a little more excited than he should be.

Once inside, his initial glance around did not spot Kelly, and he tried not to look as disappointed as he felt.

Leslie: "Um." Quick introductions. He waved a light hand over the eager-looking Cameron.

"We'd like Kelly. The other half of this ‘we’ is Cameron. Cameron, this is Peter." One of those names which highlighted his unusual accent.

Pete: Pete smiled warmly at Cameron, though some of the brightness had gone. "Nice to meet you, Cameron. Welcome to my pub. As for Kelly, things seem to be about the same, I haven't heard anything different from Bridget. Can't tell if the whole no news is good news thing applies to a situation like this."

Leslie: Leslie blinked. "What - What do you mean? Bridget? Kelly's in hospital?"

Cameron: "Leslie, you gotta start telling me when the friends you're introducing me to are so attractive," Cam offered Pete a playful wink, thought his smile was more warm than flirtatious as he nodded in greeting. The smile quickly faltered and he looked between the two, suddenly worried. Kelly was in the hospital? He yearned to ask questions, a lot of them all at once, but knew the answers would come on their own.

Pete: Pete's brow furrowed. "You didn't--? Oh. Ah..." He looked around for a moment before feeling his sister's hand on his shoulder.

"Go on up," she said, casting an apologetic smile at Leslie and Cameron. "June and I got it."

"Are you--?"

"Yeah, go. I'm fine."

"Okay. Why don't ya'll come on up?" Pete said to them, nodding toward the open side of the bar. "We'll talk in my office."

Leslie: Leslie looked between them. Offered a subtle greeting smile to Stella.

"Hey, Stell. Thanks."

Pete: It was returned. "Hi, Leslie. You and your friend go ahead and follow Pete. There's no privacy down here."

The office was on the second floor of the pub, accessible only through the door behind the bar. It was warm and comfortable and distinctly masculine, decorated with dark wood and rich earth tones.

Save, of course, for the light grey cat tree in front of one of the windows, which currently held two sleeping cats.

"Have a seat wherever," Pete would say once he closed the door.

Cameron: "Thanks," Cam nodded to Stella as his smile sombered, and he followed Pete to his office. When he saw the cat tree he drifted towards it and its occupants, and he made a soft clicking sound with his tongue to get their attention. Whichever cat roused he let sniff his hand before giving it a gentle scratch, if they seemed amenable to it. Then he turned to look at Pete, happy to stand for now. If he sat the anxiety would set in, because he could sense something was off.

Leslie: Leslie followed behind Peter and took the offer of a chair, leaning forward to rest his forearms on his knees, giving his full attention. A lesson in various coping mechanisms before Peter's very eyes.

"What happened?"

Pete: It was the orange and white cat who roused from his nap to greet the visitor. He sniffed the hand, rubbing his squashy face against it once he deemed it safe and worthy.

Pete smiled briefly. "He likes you," he said to Cameron as he sat on the edge of his desk.

He had no idea how to approach this. How much should he say? How much could he say? Kelly was such a private person, the last thing Pete wanted to do was overstep or betray his trust.

Then again, these were people who cared about him enough to come look for him and check on him; Pete couldn't leave them with nothing.

"I got a text from a friend one night after closing time telling me that they'd heard something weird coming from this direction. Sure enough, when I came to check on the place, I found Kelly collapsed in the alley. He was in a very bad way."

Leslie: "He was assaulted?" Someone as strong as he imagined Kelly to be, beaten to the point of collapse put a cold brick in his stomach. Was his wound so great, he wondered, and felt a tinge of guilt.

And then he wondered something else.

"What night was this?" Because, without any doubt in Leslie's mind, there was only one type of creature capable of rudely handling a Fera.

Cameron: "He's got good taste," Cam smiled as his fingers moved to scratch at his new friend's chin. His fingers stilled for a moment as Leslie said what they were both wondering out loud, and then they resumed their pets as he listened quietly from where he stood.

Pete: "It's looking that way, yeah. Sheriff's looking into it." Which made him feel twenty kinds of terrible. He hated having to lie but what other choice was there? He couldn't very well tell Peabody or Parker that Kelly was a werewolf.

"It was this past weekend. Saturday night." Not quite the truth, not quite a lie.

Leslie: Peter didn't have to lie. Leslie's eyes were planted on the ceiling, putting forth a calendar in his distressed hasty thoughts.

"...I see."

Cameron: Cam felt something in his chest tighten.

"Is he hospitalized?" Cam finally asked, unaware of what either of the other men might be thinking.

He didn't know Kelly was a werewolf, so to him, his friend had simply been attacked. He always had a feeling that Kelly was more than he said, and regardless he was huge, so it made Cam wonder what had happened to overpower such a man.

Pete: Pete nodded. "I took him and they admitted him right away, rushed him into surgery. He was in the ICU for a couple days. As far as I know he isn't anymore."

Leslie: Leslie forced himself back to the room and those within it. While he was quite fond of Kelly, he well aware of Cameron's budding relationship, whatever it was shaping into. Cameron was in this room, not Kelly.

"I'll see to visiting hours." Henry Brozek would be his first call walking out of Peter's office.

Cameron: "I want to go with you," Cam said quickly, and he paused in his pets of the friendly cat. He turned to look at the other two, his expression almost forcibly blank.

Pete: He offered Cam a reassuring smile. From what he'd been told Kelly wasn't quite out of the woods yet, but having some visitors that weren't him would do him good. Even if he wasn't awake.

"Ya'll go on."

Leslie: "At this hour?" Leslie hadn't stepped foot in a hospital in years. Ignorant to what was and wasn't allowed. He'd assumed visiting hours would have been midday.

Still, he got to his feet. "Thanks for this. I'll see you real soon."

Cameron: Cam could easily sneak them into the hospital, but perhaps he'd save that for a time when he was alone.

"Thanks," Cam nodded to Pete. He gave a slight smile in return and then held the door open for Leslie to step through.

Pete: “Bridget isn’t working today. Whoever’s on duty will let you see him for a second if you say I sent you.”

Pete nodded. “No problem. Sorry I couldn’t give you better news.”

Leslie: "I've got someone in mind. Thanks again, Peter."

Leslie took the stairs at a gallop pace, screen between him and a clear view as he searched for Henry's number. Had he kept it? He never threw away a number, not even those he should.

The phone was pressed to his ear, looking over his shoulder for Cameron as he exited the front door.

Cameron: Cam kept his eyes forward as he followed Leslie, very obviously deep in thought. It was hard not to let the twist of anxiety grow to something more, but he knew seeing Kelly would help him figure out how he felt about... Whatever this situation was. He had so many questions, and knew he'd probably get no answers as quickly as he wanted them. He followed Leslie out the front door and took a slow breath, letting the burn of the chilled air settle in his lungs.

Henry: It would take a good number of rings, but eventually Henry Brozek would answer his phone.

"Leslie?"

Leslie: "Hey, Chippy. Are you at work right now?"

Henry: "Uh, yeah, why?"

Leslie: "My friend and I want to look in on Kelly Rose."

Henry: "Okay, um, visiting hours ended about twenty minutes ago but I'll tell you what. If ya'll can get down here quickly I can let you see him for a little bit. Just ask for me when you get here."

Leslie: "Is he - nevermind. Thanks, Chippy. We'll see you soon."

Cameron: "Could I ride with you?" Cam asked quietly once Leslie hung up the phone. He glanced over at it bike to avoid looking at Leslie. "If you don't mind dropping me off here later to pick my bike back up? I just.... Don't want to drive at this exact second." He clenched his fists to hide the slight shake in his hands. He hated hospitals, but he wasn't about to let that stop him from going to see Kelly.

Leslie: Leslie looked back at Cameron as he pocketed his phone. "Yeah. Yeah, of course." Keys were absently-mindedly tossed between hands.

"He's alright," he said, climbing into the driver's seat. "He's going to be alright." It would appear he was speaking more to himself than to his passenger.

Cameron: Cam followed Leslie quietly, and when they reached the car he took his seat on the passenger side. Cam's hands curled tightly back into fists and he nodded as he stared out the front window.

"Yeah..." But there was no confidence in his voice.

Leslie: As much as Leslie wanted to, he would not reassure beyond the hopeful sentence. Whether Kelly was in recovery or not mattered less than what could potentially be done in his aid.

At least, that was the repetition of Leslie's thoughts as he threw the Jeep into park. As expected of a tourist fishing town, the hospital was all but vacant.

"As it should be," he muttered under his breath, stepping out into the unwelcoming February night.

"You alright, Cam?"

Cameron: Cam listened to his own repetitive thoughts on the way to the hospital, and it wasn't until the car came to a stop that he returned to himself. With a blink he jumped from his seat and tried to use the bite of the cold air to stop himself from trying to will his mind to be somewhere else.

"Sorry- I'm... I'll be alright. hospitals- or parts of them- I hate hospitals, let’s just go with that," it was all too much to address right now, and he didn't want to make this about him. They were here for Kelly. He'd figure out how to process this when he saw Kelly.

"I'm good, I'm good," he tried to give Leslie a half smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He nodded towards the doors. "Lead the way."

Henry: With visiting hours over, the hospital was even quieter than it normally would be this time of year. The waiting area was empty. Only the rare page broke through the quiet.

But even so, the receptionist was sitting at her desk, chatting with a nurse and ready to help anyone that might come in.

When the two men entered, they would be given a friendly smile and asked, "Good evening, can I help ya'll?"

Leslie: Cameron was given a soft pat to his elbow. "We won't be long." He could have said more. 'I'm with you. It's for a good cause.' It seemed enough of a given.

Leslie approached the desk with the best smile he could muster. Honest in its intent at the very least. A glance of regard to her name plaque. His smile widened enough to crease the corners of his mouth.

"Hi, Tiffany. I'd like to know if Henry Brozek is available."

Cameron: Cam took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. I'll be fine," he gave Leslie a smile, this time with a little more confidence. "I just want to see Kelly. I can definitely endure a hospital for anyone I care about." His smile warmed as they approached the receptionist and he stopped beside Leslie, and looked between the two as they talked.

Henry: Tiffany smiled and nodded. "I think so, yes. Have a seat and I'll page him for you."

It being a slow night, Leslie and Cameron wouldn't have to wait long for Henry to appear. Even so, he looked a bit more somber than he usually did.

"Hey," he greeted.

Leslie: Leslie took to leaning against the nearest wall. Silence filled what normally would have been pleasantries until Henry's arrival. Climbing his thirties and still he looked just like a boy scout.

"Chippy," he greeted. "Hey, thanks for this. This is Cameron, by the way. Cam, this is my buddy Henry."

Cameron: Cam took a seat and stared at the ceiling until Henry arrived, and then he rose quicky from the chair when he heard footsteps approaching.

"Nice to meet you. Thank you for letting us do this." He offered a hand in greeting.

Henry: Henry smiled and shook Cameron's hand. "Nice to meet you too, man. Sorry it's not under better circumstances."

Speaking of which....

"Before I take you to see Mr. Rose, I've gotta ask. Has someone warned you?"

Leslie: "We just came from Peter's. We have the bare minimum of information. How bad is he?"

Cameron: Cam felt his heart sink at Henry's words and his expression returned to the blank one from earlier. He shook his head slightly.

Henry: Henry blew out a long breath. "I can't give you specifics, it's against hospital policy. All I can say is he's stable for now but he's, well. He sustained significant injuries."

Leslie: "Is he conscious?" At this point, that's all Leslie needed to know; the rest he could sort himself.

Cameron: Cam simply stared at Henry, and let Leslie ask the questions for them both.

Henry: "Right now he's sedated to keep him comfortable."

Leslie: "Is it alright if we look in on him? We won't disturb him."

Cameron: Henry's words rang hollow in Cam's ears. For a moment it was as if someone were shouting them down a long, darkened tunnel in Cam's direction.

Sedated. To keep him comfortable.

Cam swallowed, and, with a snap, he was back in the waiting room with Henry and Leslie.

"Please?"

Henry/Kelly: Henry glanced over at Tiffany. She was focusing very intently on her screen and pretending she didn't hear a single word that was being said. Sweet girl.

He looked back to Leslie and Cameron and nodded. "Just for a minute, or we'll all get in trouble. Follow me."

They would be led toward the elevators and taken up to the third floor.

It was even quieter and emptier than downstairs, due both to the hour and the time of year. Without the tourists in town getting themselves into trouble, they had more empty beds. Less strenuous shifts. Less staff on call. It was as close as a hospital could ever get to peace.

Kelly's room was halfway down the hall to the right, door open. Inside, a bedside lamp served as the only source of light apart from the glow given off by the various monitors surrounding the bed. Their beeping was the only sound apart from Kelly's soft labored breathing. As for Kelly himself...

A week's growth of beard covered a face that was noticeably more gaunt than the last time either would have seen him. Scars that he made an effort to conceal in his everyday life were thrown into stark relief by the low light. The same light also helped mask, however marginally, the myriad of bruises in various stages of healing all over his body. Some were all but black, some starting to inch toward healed yellow.

An IV kept him fed. An oxygen mask helped him breathe.

Leslie: Leslie reserved his feelings for the time being. The last thing Kelly needed was thrown emotion. Still, turning into the room, the sight caught him off guard like a forgotten stair. Someone or something had managed to inflict such damage to a credible creature. It was humbling, infuriating even.

"Thanks, Chippy. We uh, we won't be long."

Cameron: Cam was completely silent as they entered the room. The last time he'd seen someone in a bed like this, he didn't want to think about what had happened, or send that energy to Kelly.

Instead, he focused his energy on the present, and wordlessly moved to the side of the bed after a grateful nod to Henry.

"Who did this to you...?" Cam whispered softly, and his fingers curled into fists at his side to resist the urge to reach out and touch Kelly's hand. They'd promised not to disturb Kelly, and he meant to keep that promise as well.

Henry/Kelly: Henry nodded and clapped a hand on Leslie's shoulder. "Don't mention it. Seriously. I can give ya'll about five minutes then ya'll are gonna have to say goodnight for now." He left them to it.

There would, of course, be no answer from Kelly. He was lost to peaceful unconsciousness, aided by the medications being used to manage his pain. There was nothing Leslie and Cam could do to disturb him unless it was magical.

Leslie: Leslie circled the bed to the opposite side. His first thought was consciousness. Wondered if Kelly was aware at all of his situation; wondered if he could feel their presence. Some function of his species.

"I'm gonna put my hand on him." For some opaque reason, it seemed necessary to state his intention. A slow hand came to rest on Kelly's forehead. Eyes closed with a wince.

Cameron: Seeing Leslie reach out made Cam's resolve not to touch Kelly waver, and he reached out to gently touch Kelly's hand with the tips of his fingers. He noticed the wince and bit his lip as he looked at Leslie with concern.

"What?"

Leslie: "Just...feelings." He didn't want to elaborate. The utter mangle of Kelly's body, the invasiveness of surgical tools, knives, threading. So far away from everything familiar and harmonious. He wanted to hear Kelly's disapproving voice again. To see him as far away from this place as possible.

He pushed his intent into his hands. What meager little wounds could he discreetly heal he would tend to. It was not enough, but he had to do something.

"I'm helping with - where I can. Not much, but..."

Cameron: Cam crouched down next to the bed and slipped his fingers into Kelly's hand to gently hold it. It made his heart ache with the lack of reaction to his touch. Not that he expected any, but it still hurt.

"If I find out who did this..." he murmured quietly, more to himself than the other two, "...I promise to make sure they can never do this to anyone again."

His thumb traced a small circle on the back of Kelly's hand.

"At least...  at least you can do something. No matter how small..." He said to Leslie, and looked up to give him a half-hearted smile.

Leslie: "Don't let that be what you walk out of this room with," murmured Leslie. "That's not the kind of energy he needs. Remember how we met. What you said to me."

He could feel every little tear. Horrid scar tissue. There was no belief in this hospital. His magic was dim. If only he could bring Kelly home.

Cameron: Cam opened his mouth as if to argue, but slowly closed it as he thought better of it. While he thought this was different, this wasn't an accident but an intentional and malicious act of violence- this wasn't the place. Leslie was right, Kelly didn't need that. He needed positivity. He needed support.

He stared down at Kelly's hand in his own and gave it a smallest of squeezes.

"Alright Kelly," Cam tried to imagine Kelly upright in the bed, giving him that subdued half smile Cam had grown used to. "You'd better get better..." He swallowed, "... I know you will. I'm going to visit you every day until you do." Even if the future didn't hold what he wanted, Cam wasn't psychic after all, he had to believe there was going to be a Kelly there- free of this hospital bed and this place. He focused all of that hope into his touch, squeezing again as softly as he dared. If Kelly couldn't hear him or respond, Cam hoped he could feel it, somehow.

Leslie: Leslie opened his eyes and waited. He understood how defensive someone could be under such strained circumstances. Felt similar disappointment and anger with reckless people. Cameron had been there for him. Charles and Tristan gentle anchors. Support which needed to be paid forward.

"How much do you believe in what I do?" A pause, checking the door for Henry. "These places are suffocating, sterile. I need your assistance, love."

Cameron: "I believe in your magic as much as I believe in my own powers. I've seen you at work," Cam reminded, and he looked to Leslie as he stood up.

"Of course, what do you need?"

Leslie: "Just talk to me. Tell me the first time you witnessed magick."

Cameron: Cam paused and tried to think back to the first time he witnessed magick, something not based in a mutation or specific power.

"Before I could heal myself, my friend- who is basically my mom- I stopped by her place since she invited Lucien and I over for family dinner. I got into a tussle on my way there, and showed up beat to all hell. I had a black eye and a fierce road rash from getting tossed down a street- I wasn't wearing my usual gear, and had bandages up my arm. She used this ointment and worked her magick on my wounds when I showed up, she didn't even hesitate to help me. She basically healed me to almost good as new. I was sore, but that was it... It was amazing."

Leslie: Ointments? Interesting. Leslie gently smiled, squeezed Kelly's hand and slowed his breathing. Cameron's belief was strong. Even Kelly, despite unconsciousness, was a node against the consensual reality. Just a little more...

The prickling at the back of his neck warned him. He could offer nothing further. Not here.

"Is she a witch? This woman?"

Cameron: Cam shook his head. "She's a Druid."

Leslie: His brow furrowed. "Are you... Was that Bronwyn?"

Cameron: Cam gave Leslie a confused frown. "What?"

Leslie: "The druid. It was Bronwyn? From the Charles' Christmas party?"

Cameron: Cam nodded. "Yeah, that's her."

Leslie: "I could really use her help in this matter. My mother... perhaps both. He just shouldn't be here."

Cameron: Cam nodded. "Do you want me to call her? I can try to reach her now...?" He wanted Kelly to be free of his place as quickly as possible.

Leslie: "Tomorrow. Henry will be back any moment. We'll come back tomorrow. We'll think of something."

Cameron: Cam looked down at Kelly, and as soon as his thoughts dared dip towards the negative, he instantly chased them away. He gave Kelly's hand another squeeze.

"We'll be back tomorrow for you. We're gonna get you out of here," Cam whispered, and tried to focus all of the positive energy he could into his touch. Tomorrow. There was hope for tomorrow. Then he released Kelly's hand and turned to Leslie. "We should get going then, yeah?"

Leslie: "Yeah." But not before whispering a blessing in Kelly's ear. May your dreams be peaceful. May you find the strength within yourself to heal, as is your nature. Luna will not turn away her child. You are not alone.

They needed to leave. Henry didn't deserve trouble on their behalf. Still, the nurse would be given a quick and fierce hug of gratitude.

Cameron: Cam offered an awkward hand to Henry once Leslie was done with his hug. "Thank you, for letting us see him."

Henry: Henry had been about to go get Leslie and Cam when they came out of Mr. Rose's room and saved him the trouble.

He returned the hug and accepted the handshake. "No problem. Sorry I couldn't give you any longer. You should be good to come back tomorrow during visiting hours. You'll be able to have more time."

Leslie: "Thanks, Chippy. I'll give you a ring tomorrow."

The walk out of the hospital was slower than he would have liked, but he couldn't bring himself to quicken the distance between himself and Kelly.

"I miss my coven," Leslie said to the stars. "I don't - I don't like this feeling."

Cameron: Cam was quiet until the automatic doors of the hospital closed quietly behind them.  He inhaled the evening air in slow, even breaths, but despite this, he could not stop the bought of nausea that swelled in his chest and pressed at this throat.

He hated hospitals. Hated how sterile they smelled, how cold and empty they felt, how the bland walls and white tiles and pressed scrubs and- all of it- bolstered memories that clawed at him and crawled just beneath his skin. He was going to have nightmares tonight, and an intense wave of guilt washed over him as he felt relief- relief that he no longer had to walk those halls tonight, yet his friend remained trapped inside.

"Would your coven help with this sorta-"

With a sudden turn, Cam nearly ran into the alley beside the hospital, doubled over, and vomited onto the pavement with a heave that brought tears to his eyes.

He quickly wiped at his eyes, and then his mouth with the back of his hand, and he straightened up to try and collect himself.

"Would they- would they have helped with something like this? Why- why aren't you around 'em?" He asked, keeping his eyes downcast as he hoped to avoid the subject of his current nausea.

Leslie: His mother's coven, without a doubt would have come to his aid. His creation with Belmira, that was a different matter.

But that conversation was pushed to the side as Cameron fled for privacy. The unsavory sound which followed swelled his concern.

How could he ignore that?

"Let's...get us home first. Come home with me, okay? I'll get you some tea."

Cameron: Cam suddenly felt tired, and a part of him wanted to refuse Leslie's request. It'd be easier just to get shit faced, pass out, and hope the nightmares don't take him. Unfortunately, he knew that wasn't the right way to do things, and he was fairly sure Leslie wouldn't let him.

He could taste bile on the back of his tongue.

"Alright..." He said quietly, and he rubbed a hand over his face as he returned to Leslie's side.

Leslie: "Okay?" Just an extra confirmation. An arm wrapped around Cameron's shoulders for comfort or steady. Whichever Cameron needed more would be the excuse.

"To answer your question, yes. A gathering of awakened can resist the strength of consensual reality. I'm not with them anymore because I chose to leave."

Cameron: When Leslie touched him, Cam couldn't control the way his body flinched. His skin crawled at the contact, but another part of him knew he didn't need to recoil, that there was comfort there. So he forced himself to lean in, to gently grip the back of Leslie's shirt so he wouldn't pull away.

"No..." he answered honestly, but he didn't have the heart to elaborate. He could walk though, and started to move in the direction of Leslie's vehicle.

"What's awakened mean? Why did you leave?" Anything to keep Leslie talking so he didn't have to.

Leslie: "People that are aware of... their capabilities. Of magic. That the world is much bigger than what the majority believe." There was no sense in subtlety with Cameron. He had nothing to hide from him.

"I left because I needed to find my way again."

The passenger door was opened, waiting for Cameron to settle before closing.

Cameron: Cam settled into the seat, and as he waited for Leslie to jump in the driver's side, he scrambled for more questions. "Where you lost with your magic or something?" He asked. He had no idea how any of it worked.

Leslie: Here, Leslie would wait until the engine warmed. Some answers required a moment to breathe.

"Or something. Some in my coven were going down a dark path. I was among them."

Cameron: Cam stared out the front window, and quietly debated his next question. "How'd you know it was a path you didn't want?" He asked finally. "Do they just... Let you leave?" He could remember when he left the Brotherhood, it didn't go over well.

Leslie: Leslie started down the parking lot and out onto the small road leading out of town.

"It wasn't a - a greater good path. The ones in stories, where the villain does what he thinks is just for the better of humanity. It was viciousness for the sake of progress. It was wrong and it felt wrong."

A moment of silence stretched, caught up in memories. "Sorry, uh, I didn't give them any choice. I just packed my things and I left." Not a lie, but more a paltry summary of the experience. "I had a run-in with just one."

Cameron: Cam nodded. He could understand that too. When he was told to let children die in a burning building, he knew in that moment that it was wrong. It all felt wrong. He wondered what kind of strength it took Leslie to leave, and it made him admire his friend that much more.

"So... They don't normally just let you leave then?" Was what Cam assumed Leslie meant by that answer. "How'd... How'd that run-in go?"

Leslie: "There's no crime in leaving a coven. A real coven. That is, it's not a cult." Fingers rubbed against his lips. "I'd say poorly, for both of us."

Leslie turned his smile on Cameron. One for the sake of a pleasant atmosphere. "Enjoying the interview?"

Cameron: Cam felt a pang of guilt at that.

It wasn't hard to tell he was steering the conversation away from himself, but he knew that Leslie was also extremely perceptive. Cam wondered if that was a part of his abilities as a witch, like when they'd first touched.

"Sorry..." Cam said softly, and looked down at his upturned hands, laid limply in his lap. "I do actually want to know about you, and witch stuff- your coven..." which was all true, Cam found witches fascinating. In his avoidance he didn't mean for his questions to seem disingenuous, or like he was trying to grill the other for information.

Leslie: "You can ask me anything." Simply stated, but honest. Eyes fixed to the road while feeling for Cameron's knee to squeeze.

"Do you need a distraction? A uh, story?"

Cameron: Cam reluctantly reached out and gave Leslie's arm a squeeze, making sure to avoid direct skin contact. If he was going to tell Leslie what was on his mind, he wanted it to be out loud.

"Sure, a story would be great," Cam nodded.

Leslie: Leslie considered the possibilities. Opened his mouth, closed, tried again.

"When I lived in Charlotte, I met a girl named Belmira. Told ya about her, I think. She became my best friend overnight. Could hardly understand her through her accent. She's Portuguese. I was just a kid, but I was obsessed. I wanted to speak to her in her language. She's Verbena, like me. Dabbles in Matter as well. Makes her far more special than me. Can turn a rock into a tomato, and vice versa. Never has to want for anything. It... It'll go t'your head, that combination. Did go to her head. But when we were kids it was fun! So much fun. But, heh, when spells didn't go our way, I can - I can still remember the sound she'd make when she was frustrated. This little... like a squeal? A sound like what you'd imagine Barbie would make, kicking her foot out."

Cameron: The further into the story Leslie got the more the little smile on Cam's lips grew. It was a good distraction, and with it came more questions.

"Sounds cute..." Cam hummed, and from his past he remembered a few little ticks like that from people who made him smile.

"You said it went to her head... did something happen to her? Or just... magic like that is easy to... let change you?"

Leslie: "Power changes people, even good people. It doesn't have to be a negative change, but change is inevitable. Could call it growth." As though alone, he nodded to himself, shook his head. "Maybe it's the application. My father said it would go to my head when I produced my first flame. Said I was toying with one of the most dangerous spheres."

Leslie took a breath, took a left turn. "Some people can alter time. Go back, forward. Set themselves on repeat. Takes a toll in their body and mind, makes them feel godlike and behave the same. Some people have luck in the palm of their hands. Cockiest sonofabitches you'll ever meet. But...combining Life and Matter, living and inanimate, it did something to Belmira. That was her deadly combination. When she realized she could hurt someone without any obvious consequence, that was it. In an instant she was someone else."

Cameron: Cam slowly brought a leg to his chest and perched his foot along the edge of the seat. His arms wrapped around the leg and he leaned forward so he could use his knee as a place to rest his cheek while he listened to Leslie talk.

"Magic sounds so..." he wanted to say 'dangerous' but with the nature of his own life, that seemed a hypocritical statement, "alluring. In some crazy ways...." He frowned a little. "I don't know anything about magic but... it sounds like application. It's like mutants and their powers. You might be able to do something dangerous or hurtful, and your choice not to do that, or to use your abilities to help others, is what determines whether or not you're a hero or a villain. Or just- someone tryin' to live your fucking life. Doesn't have to be as dramatic as all the stuff I do..."

Leslie: "My father, Clive, builds houses for a living. He blesses every home. He brings tonics to work for his employees. Ones for health and good energy. He cares. My mother, Hazel, owns a tea shop. About the oldest form of the craft there is. What ails you? She's got a potion for that. A prayer. She could easily brew a potion to maim, murder, spill secrets. My parents never went down that path."

Cameron: Cam's smile softened.

"They sound lovely..." He squeezed his leg just a little bit and relaxed again. "Like the kinda witches I'd like to meet. Like you." He sighed and let his eyes close for a moment. "I wish I had abilities like that. Stuff that helped people directly. Stuff that was more than just me... I dunno, physically altering my surroundings." Stuff that would let him help Kelly. "Dunno why your dad said fire was a bad path to follow. You helped with that car when we met..."

Leslie: "You can do anything, Cameron. If you believe in the magic, you can use it. It's that simple. I'm a witch. If you believe anyone," he chuckled.

Cameron was given a quick glance. Almost home.

"You're a hero, love. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. What Clive said is true, or can be true. I suppressed the fire, but had that been an enemy? Could I have enraged it?"

Cameron: "Wouldn't that be a sight huh? Seein' me do some magic..." Cam laughed a little, and he quietly wished the weight on his shoulders would ease.

"I try to believe that," he said with a nod as his eyes opened again, and he gave Leslie a small smile. It was hard to believe, when there were plenty of things he'd done what weren't very heroic.

"Probably... coulda tried to hurt the guy responsible, but you didn't," Cam pointed out, and he gave Leslie a curious look. "Any particular reason you call your dad by his name?" Cam did the same thing with his own father, but it was because they were estranged.

Leslie: "Just something we've always done. Father is his title, but it's not a name. He's Clive. She's Hazel. Feels more personal."

Cameron was given a gentle smile in return, one with sympathy and restraint.

Finally, his dirt road. His little A-frame to the left. The crunch of gravel like a welcome home chorus.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like. I dunno about you, but I'm beat."

Cameron: Cam nodded slightly.

"I guess I could see that. If it already has that positive context, I could see how that'd work," He could never see himself using his father's name in a respectful manner.

"I... I dunno how long I should stay. Unless you've got something to knock me out cold into a dead-ass sleep, it's probably not wise for me to stay...." He could just picture himself accidentally destroying one of Leslie's rooms mid-nightmare.... and with a churn in his gut he realized this might not have the smartest of ideas. He was exhausted, but this feeling in his chest usually meant he was in for a bad night. He could pull an all-nighter, they had to get Kelly tomorrow, he had to contact Bronwyn...

Leslie: Keys were gently rolled between his hands. "Can I let you in on something? I have a little... gift, you can call it. People sleep better next to me. I promise you, for what a promise is worth, it's not sexual. I'll stay up if you'd prefer, or outside of the covers, or under them. You look a foot in the unconscious door."

Cameron: Cam stared at Leslie's hands, and for a moment debated turning down his offer.

"I'm not worried about it being sexual," Cam shook his head. He'd sleep with nearly any of his friends if asked, if only for the fact that it'd mean more to him than the experiences with the random men he usually invited into his bed.

Not that this would happen with Leslie, and in a way that was a different kind of comfort.

"I dunno how potent that ability is... but, if I do start to have a nightmare, can you promise to leave the room until it's over? I don't want to accidentally hurt you," he'd never be able to forgive himself if he did. He stared down at his hands. "You don't have to stay up either. It's just- if it starts to happen it'll start slow so you'll probably wake up before it gets crazy. I can fix the room after I wake up."

Leslie: Leslie watched, wishing he could understand what he was feeling, why he was feeling it, what was it about the hospital. He had his own reasons, but no reason was enough to make himself sick.

He pulled himself from his thoughts, shook his head as he asked, "You wouldn't rather I wake you?"

Cameron: Cam rubbed at his arm.

"You could try, but depending on where I'm at in the nightmare- waking me up only means I'll be conscious, but most likely not able to recognize where I am... basically a PTSD flashback." He explained quietly. Now was the time to tell Leslie why he was so uncomfortable. Now would be a good time to explain why he threw up once they left the hospital. He just had to....

"I... spent almost a month in a mutant experimental facility. It's like... a fucked up science lab where they abduct you, and run experiment after experiment on you. You don't exist to the outside world, so they... literally do whatever they want. There were no windows, so I measured time by when I was conscious and was, or wasn't, in pain.

It was perfectly white. Perfectly sterile. The doctors wore lab coats. The attendants wore scrubs. I wore scrubs when I wasn't being ripped open. The machines they hooked me up to beeped in the same ways. It smelled just like a hospital."

He fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

"I haven't been in a hospital since then. Leaving Kelly there..."

Leslie: Leslie turned to press his back against the Jeep door, giving Cameron his full attention as he explained what he'd been wondering. Not a mind reader, just decent at reading the atmosphere. Another of Cameron's talents, perhaps.

What followed sickened him, and it showed in his eyes, the wince of his cheeks, the stillness of his hands.

"Those places diminish faith, belief in anything other than what they can offer. It kills my magic. It's why I needed your help. You're strong, Cameron, despite what's happened to you."

Leslie offered his hand. "He won't be there long. We'll find a way."

Cameron: Leslie had become a trusted friend. He had an energy about him that made him easy to trust, despite the short time they'd known each other, and at this point, with the night that could be ahead, he deserved to know what was on Cam's mind.

Cam nodded in silent agreement, but in moments like this, when something dark and uncomfortable clawed just beneath his skin, it was hard to truly believe it.

He reached out an took Leslie's hand to give it a squeeze.

"Logically I know it's not the same place. I know the intent is different and he's not going through some... fucked up testing- it's just... the similarities..." he shuddered, and his grip tightened on Leslie's hand for a moment. "I just reacted, and it's hard not to go back there, to be right back on that table- to feel like I'm betraying Kelly somehow. I always end up with nightmares when I go back to that place..." He shook his head and took a slow, deep breath.

"We'll get him out. We'll find a way," he nodded, as if trying to convince himself of Leslie's words by saying them out loud, and then he let go of Leslie's hand so he could pop open the door beside him.

"Could- do you have any tea- or something? Something I could drink before we sleep?"

Leslie: Leslie remained still, offering a calm energy as Cameron continued. He could squeeze his hand as tightly as he needed; aware the intent was connection, not pain.

"You're reacting to trauma. That's natural. Please don't be ashamed. You understand what's happening."

He took a deep breath for measure, something for Cameron to imitate by will or subconsciously.

The Jeep locked behind them, Leslie headed around to the backyard. Motioned for Cameron to follow.

"Of course. Regular tea, or my kinda thing?"

Cameron: Cam shrugged at that. It was hard not to feel... shame, or embarrassment, over not being able to sleep around others for fear of hurting them in his sleep.

Cam slipped from the Jeep and followed behind Leslie.

"I mean... what do you recommend?" He didn't drink tea often, but it sounded really nice at the moment.

Leslie: His pace slowed, waiting for Cameron to join him.

"On average, how many hours of sleep do you get?"

Cameron: Cam moved to walk with Leslie, and he shrugged.

"Depends. If it's a good night, maybe 6 hours. Bad nights mean I get like 2, if I sleep at all, and there's no nightmares." He shrugged again. "So I guess, 4 or 5- on average."

Leslie: A nod. "And do you have a preference in tea at all? Peppermint, earl grey, chamomile?"

Cameron: "I love mint, and chamomile is good too," Cam took a step towards Leslie as they walked, and he leaned into his friend.

Leslie: Leslie thought nothing of draping his arm around his shoulders. Just smaller, and yet Cameron felt so tall.

"I have just the thing. Valerian root. Smells, so you'll drink that, first. Hazel has just the recipe. Then some...mm... passionflower and lemon balm. I can make you a peppermint and chamomile tea in the morning."

The backdoor was unlocked. Opal yawned and stretched from her bed. Greeted with a soft hello.

"So tired you are. Want my shoulder?"

Leslie knelt, waited patiently as the little white ferret climbed his shoulder and around his neck like a breathing scarf.

"Opal, meet Cameron. We're gonna help him sleep."

Cameron: "You're the expert, I trust your judgement," Cam conceded.

As soon as he spotted Opal, Cam's eyes lit up, and when she finished settling into Leslie's shoulder he slowly approached and offered her his hand to sniff.

"Hello! You are adorable, my god. If you're helping, I'm guaranteed to sleep through the night."

Leslie: "She's a good girl. Wants under the covers and on my chest. Unless Tristie's with me. Then she wants his hair. That man is a sea creature."

Leslie slowly turned back to the small kitchen, taking a few tins from the shelf as he passed. One in particular not so pleasant. A smell one might consider very good cheese or very bad feet.

Even Opal grimaced from her perch.

"A spoonful to put you to sleep. Two spoonfuls for pleasant dreams."

Mixed with a small squeeze of lemon and warm water from the tap.

"Give that a minute and sieve with this." For now, he'd put the kettle on.

Cameron: "I have seen his hair, and that is completely understandable Opal," Cam greed with a nod, and he gave her a tiny scratch between the ears.

He grimaced with her at the smell, and he gave Leslie a look that clearly longed to ask if they could skip that one. "I gotta ingest that?" He asked in a soft whine as he waited.

Leslie: "Here." A slice of lemon was offered, gestured to his nose. "Trust me when I say this'll help. Hazel made that brew concentrate so you don't have to suffer an entire cup."

Cameron: Cam pouted, but he followed Leslie's instructions, and quickly ingested the glass with the lemon poised under his nose.

"Ugh..." Cam grunted once it was over, and he set the glass down. He ate the piece of lemon, and set the rind beside the cup.

Leslie: His host chuckled sympathetically. "I know. But the benefits outweigh the unpleasantness. Now, the reward of tea." A far superior aroma to replace what lingered in Cameron's mouth. Passionflower and lemon balm for two. Given what they'd seen, a night of peaceful rest was little to ask for.

"Want to shower while this steeps?"

Cameron: Cam could smell the tea as it started to steep, and he greatly looked forward to the point they could start to drink it. The tastes battling in his mouth were... unpleasant. At the mention of a shower, he nodded. Maybe the water would help wash away the way his skin felt like it was crawling.

"Yeah, a shower would be great."

Leslie: "I'll get you some clothes. Towels are folded under the sink. Really, make yourself at home, sweetheart. Tonight this is your home."

Cameron: Cam nodded and then pointed at the entry points leading to the kitchen. He tried to ignore the weird little thought buzzing around his head about 'home'.

"Which way to the shower? This is my first time in your home..."

Leslie: "That wall right there. This is the easiest house you'll ever be in," he chuckled.

Cameron: "It is a lovely home," Cam hummed, and he slipped into the bathroom to start up the shower. It took a moment of fiddling with the faucet to find the right temperature, just hot enough to make his skin tingle, before he stripped and slipped into the shower. He didn't spend long in the shower, just long enough to scrub at his skin and use a bit of whatever shampoo he found there, and he slipped back out of the shower to retrieve a towel and dry himself off.

Leslie: A green flannel henley was unearthed from the trunk. Gray sweatpants and socks, not sure their sizes mattered considering it was just the two of them. Still, boxer briefs to accompany. Not long for the scent of sweet sandalwood to fill the small space.

Leslie knocked his knuckles against the door. "Got some clothes here."

Cameron: The smell of sandalwood, combined with the tea and the shower, all helped to soothe some of Cam's nerves. As the hot water washed over him he started to zone out, only to be brought back to the present when he heard the knock at the door.

"One sec," Cam shouted as he turned off the water. A quick tousle of his hair with the towel before Cam wrapped it around his waist.

"Thanks," he opened the door and held out his hand to accept the offered clothes. He kept his torso behind the door in an attempt to hide the rest of his scars. He couldn't hide the ones down his outstretched arm, but he really hoped to avoid any questions about them tonight.

"I'll be just a sec," he closed the door behind him so he could quickly change, and when he was finished he hung his towel on the nearest hook before stepping back into the kitchen.

"That was... needed," Cam sighed as a little bit more of the tension seeped out of his shoulders.

Leslie: Questions would be avoided. Cameron had explained his past, which Leslie would base those scars upon. Their night was already heavy without adding another burden of confession. If Cameron wanted to give, he would take. No more than that.

Leslie smiled upon his return. Hip against the counter, arm hugged to his ribs as he sipped the last of his tea. Ugly yellow jacket and shirt hung and tossed respectively. Standing in bare feet, jeans, and white tank. Shoulders low with fatigue.

"You look better already. Want some more tea, or some sleep?"

Cameron: "I think a little more tea might be nice, if you don't mind? You don't have to though, you do look like you're about ready to pass out." Cam was sure he could too, within a few minutes of resting his head on a pillow. He just didn't want to. It felt silly to delay the inevitable but, more tea couldn't hurt, right?

Leslie: Another tea, then. Water still hot from the kettle. Less sugar this time.

"There's spare brushes under the sink. Feel free to pick one and leave it here." Because he doubted this was going to be the one and only sleep over.

Cameron: Cam nodded and grabbed one from under the sink so he could brush his teeth. He stared at himself as he brushed, and briefly wondered why he felt so... calm. He was still- off, but usually he felt... worse, when these things came up. He ran his hands through the damp hair clinging to his forehead, and sighed.

"I just left it on the counter," Cam explained when he returned again, and leaned against the counter beside Leslie.

Leslie: A fresh cup had been made. Set aside near the sink, just above the tiny fridge.

"Can drink it now or toss in the fridge." The stove was double checked before excusing himself for the bathroom.

"Bed's just up there. Won't be long." Just a quick rinse and a brush of his teeth, returning minutes later in black and blue checkered pajama bottoms and blue shirt. Wavy ash blond hair clung stubbornly to his ears and forehead. A quick shake of his head like a dog did the trick.

Cameron: Cam sipped a little of the tea and tried to enjoy the quiet moment to himself. Instead, it made him anxious, so he set the tea into the fridge before heading up to the bed. He stopped at the edge and stared down at it for a moment before taking a seat on its edge.

"You feelin' any better after a shower?" Cam asked when he returned.

Leslie: "Showers make everything better. At least by a small margin." Torc bracelet and leather cuff watch were removed and placed on the chair. Braided leather necklace and piercing remained as he climbed into bed.

"Are you still comfortable with this?"

Cameron: "With what? Sleeping in the same bed- snuggling?" Cam asked as he watched Leslie finish his prep for bed. "Yeah. Are you comfortable? If this isn't okay I didn't think you'd offer, but - if it's not - I'll be okay." He shrugged. He craved physical contact, and he trusted Leslie, so he hadn't really questioned the offer up to this point. It sounded nice to be able to share a bed with his friend. And if it meant he had a chance of sleeping through the night? He wanted to try. Getting to cuddle with his friend was just a bonus.

Leslie: "Mhm." The white comforter and tan sheet were pulled out as invitation to his guest. "Just double checking." This was about Cameron, after all, and he wanted this to be a positive experience.

He rolled himself onto his back and stretched. Arm spilled over Cameron's side of the bed. His chest wide and inviting, pale and just warm.

Cameron: Cam paused for a moment at the edge of the bed, before joining his friend beneath the covers. With ease he nestled against Leslie's side, and draped his arm over the other's waist. "This okay?" He asked, his head against Leslie's chest.

Leslie: "Comfortable? Been told the bed's too soft." His eyes were already closed. "If I grind my teeth too loud, just give me a shove." He gestured with two fingers off somewhere. "Mouth guard thing is somewhere."

Cameron: "I's perfect," Cam replied, his eyes already closed as well as he nestled in just a little further. "And if I start to toss and turn and talk in my sleep, if stuff starts to happen- just leave the room till it quiets down, I'll fix anything that gets wrecked when I wake up..." and already he drifted off to sleep, his body relaxing against Leslie's side.

Leslie: Leslie, well aware he was not a light sleeper, had half a mind to fight unconsciousness altogether.  By the sound of it, Cameron would need saving from himself. He wondered what nightmares were like, as he couldn't recall ever having one. He pitied those poor souls wracked by the terrors of their own mind.

But sleep took him. His face against Cameron's hair, held in a non-grasp. At some point in the night he began to grind his teeth. A small moan intended as words. He nuzzled himself in.

Cameron: Cam is a clinger in his sleep, so the further Leslie nestled in Cam naturally followed suit and nuzzled into the comfort his friend's embrace.

Unfortunately, it wasn't long until he started to stir. It might have been the grinding of teeth, or Cam had simply reached the turning point of his dream, but unrest quickly settled into his limbs. A crease formed in Cam's brow and his breathing changed from its even pace to soft, uneven exhales. He shifted against Leslie and his body suddenly went unnaturally rigid before he started to tremble.

Leslie: "Mm-mm." Still not awake, but Cameron was hugged to his chest. Too much movement. Had him assuming his heat source was on the move. Forbidden. He needed those snuggles, and nuzzled himself into that green hair and against his neck.

"Good sleep," he breathed.

Cameron: At first the affection seemed to sooth the disturbance in Cam's dreams - but it wasn't long before Cam began to struggle against the comfort- or the confinement - of Leslie's arms and affection. Cam's fingers curled into blankets and Leslie's shirt, pulling and twisting in short, jerky movements as his breathing quickened. He groaned and a deep crease formed between his brows. Then Cam writhed, arching and gasping as his nightmare took another dark turn.

Leslie: It was the tugging of his shirt which finally stirred the witch. A moment taken to gather his wits. Staring at his guest with blank, tired eyes before the rest of him caught up.

"Mm, sweetheart." He settled on slow circles over Cameron's chest, rather than aggressive shaking or taps to his body. In his tired logic, it seemed the most gentle method.

Cameron: Cam shuddered, but his movements slowed, then stilled, until only labored breathing remained. The gentle touch eased the sense that he was 'confined' - and finally Cam's breathing evened until his eyes fluttered tiredly open. He stared blankly at Leslie as his own mind tried to wake up, and Cam reached up to rub a few stray tears with the heel of his palm.

"M'sorry..." He breathed softly, and he glanced around them. He was startled to find the room intact, and nothing appeared to have moved. "I didn't.... I didn't break anything?" He asked, and then it occurred to him that Leslie was still in the bed with him. He stared at Leslie, confusion obvious in his expression. "I didn't- you- you woke me up?"

Leslie: For a moment, it looked as though Leslie had nothing to say. Watching Cameron carefully, from his teary eyes to his hands wiping away what had slipped from his lashes.

"Remember what you dreamed?" Words slurred with exhaustion. He repositioned himself flat on his back, reinviting his guest to settle where he pleased.

"Everything's fine. We're fine."

Cameron: Cam stared at Leslie for a moment, and quietly looked away as he felt shame creep up his shoulders.

"Normally, during those it's hard to wake me up. I had to start locking Zeus outside of my room on bad nights because I nearly hurt him once while asleep. He's a smart dog, he's tried to wake me up..." Cam hesitated to move. He wanted to nestle back against Leslie's side, but the terror from the dream, residual guilt, and guilt for waking up his friend made him unsure if he should.

He fell silent instead and tried to chase the fading remnants of his nightmare while he stared down at his hands.

"I always do, for the most part," he replied quietly. "But I'm normally more... "in emotional pieces" when I wake up. This is probably the first time in a while I didn't wake up screaming, or having trashed my room with my powers..." he glanced at Leslie. "I'm sorry I woke you up," he could tell his friend was exhausted.

Leslie: "Nope. No mess. No pain. No... nothing." He tried to smile through the sleepy, and it was mildly silly to look at, with eyes half shut and smile just a little too wide. If Cameron needed to talk it out, by all means. He watched and listened and waited until the apology, waving it off with a shake of his head and hand.

"Nah, s'fine." That same exhaustion was gripping mercilessly. "Make it up t'me n'sleep."

Cameron: Cam hesitated another moment before he smiled softly at his friend's goofy, sleepy look. Then he snuggled back up to Leslie's side and nuzzled his head into Leslie's shoulder. "Alright..." and a few minutes later his breathing evened out, and he fell back into a surprisingly sound sleep.

Leslie: Leslie joined in no time, turning to rest his cheek against Cameron's forehead. The occasional grind of his teeth, but nothing more harmful throughout the night. Still an early riser, Leslie replaced himself with a pillow, slowly wriggling from bed and the sheets tangled at his ankle. He needed water and a good long stretch. Time to himself to reflect the goings on last night and not - again - to forget his insulin.

Cameron: Cam was not a morning person, so while he whined when Leslie left the bed, he accepted the pillow replacement and dosed for a while longer. When he finally rolled out of bed and wandered into Leslie's kitchen, he still looked sleepy and a little out of it, with bed-head sending his green hair in multiple different directions.

He yawned and rubbed the back of his neck as he sent Bronwyn a quick text:

{Hey, are you free sometime today?}

Then he set to searching for Leslie.

Leslie: Leslie was outside, on the porch in his underwear and a plain blue shirt. Stretched long with his forehead to his knees, holding center to his feet.

"You're up earlier than I thought."

Bronwyn: {Text to Cam} I'm at the shop today but it's not too busy if you want to come by

Cameron: Cam quickly typed out another text in response.

{Yeah, if you don't mind? Leslie and I need your help to help out a friend in trouble.}

Cam tucked his phone back into his pocket. Then he yawned again as scratched at his shoulder, exposing one of the large scars that started at his collar bone and moved down to the center of his chest.

"Yeah, I don't usually get up this early, but it happens. It probably helped that I slept so soundly after I first woke up.... thanks for that," Cam reached up and arched his back, stretching his arms up to the ceiling with a grunt, and a small line of his hips was exposed above his borrowed sweatpants. Then he sighed and let his arms fall back to his sides. "You got any coffee by chance?"

Leslie: Leslie kept his eyes closed. Stretched with arms over his head, perfectly flat and relaxed.

He would never understand that habit, but, he supposed, that was the way of all habits.

A single eye opened. A quick assessment of his guest.

"We've got tea, chilled tea with lemon, orange juice, and carrot juice. So, no more nightmares?"

Cameron: "Orange juice it is," Cam nodded, and he disappeared back into the kitchen. He returned with a glass filled with the orange liquid in question.  "Nah. If I had any I don't remember them. I don't think I had any more, cause normally when I have a bad night I don't feel like I slept at all, but I don't feel that way today." He took a sip of his drink and leaned against the nearest wall. "Did you sleep okay? After I woke you up?"

Leslie: Leslie sat up, raised his knees to rest his forearms and simply watched Cameron as he spoke. Realizing some things about his new friend.

"Glad you got some quality sleep. Can always stay over when you need it."

He nodded, eyes falling to his toes. "Mm. Told I talk in my sleep. I don't even remember waking up, if I'm honest."

Cameron: "Thanks.... I'll letcha know if I need it, I guess,” he sheepishly rubbed at the back of his neck and then bit his lip. It felt weird to ask for help in that way, but if Leslie was offering, and it seemed to work pretty well this time... he could try it again.

"Well, I'm glad then. I didn't hear ya talking at all, outside of the conversation we had."

Leslie: "Good! Might be surprised - or not? - how many people just go with it and just keep talking," he smiled. "So! Breakfast, and we'll make a plan for today. What are you feeling?"

Cameron: "Whatcha got? If ya don't have coffee I have a fear my suggestion for bacon, eggs and hashbrowns might go unanswered," Cam smiled in return as he teased, and he took another sip of his juice.

Leslie: "Oh ho. There's where you're wrong. What would you say to grits, eggs, and strawberry yogurt on toast?"

Cameron: "Sounds delicious, can I help at all?"

Leslie: "Can you poach or fry eggs?"

Cameron: Cam paused.

"Ummm.... I meant more with prep - I am... admittedly very bad at cooking."

Leslie: "Well, you've spent the night with a chef. We'll have you frying eggs in no time."

Cameron: Cam looked skeptical.

"Well I wish you luck, the last time someone tried to teach me how to cook didn't go the greatest..."

Leslie: "Did you burn a pan?" he asked, getting to his feet.

Cameron: "I burned the entire stove."

Leslie: "How... did you manage that?"

Cameron: "I'd... rather not talk about it." Cam sipped casually at his drink and avoided looking at his friend.

Leslie: Leslie tilted his head, nodded. He thought it would have been a funny story, but it seemed to be a source of embarrassment. He'd let it go.

"So, you're in charge of toast and strawberry slices. Watch me make eggs and grits. Do you want cheese grits or peppery?"

Cameron: Cam was grateful Leslie let it go, but for Leslie's benefit he added, "let's just say I wasn't paying a lot of attention to what I was doing- some things nearby lit on fire, and then part of the stove was on fire."

He shrugged and grinned at Leslie's question.

"Cheese please!"

Leslie: "Cheese grits coming right up." Cameron would be only mildly supervised. His tasks weren't difficult, and the kitchen small. The tiny cabin forced intimacy with every guest. Part of its charm in Leslie's opinion. Reminded him of Kelly's visit some time ago, and had him stirring the grits for a minute longer than necessary, just off in his own world.

"When are we seeing him again?"

Cameron: The tasks given to Cam were easy enough to handle, and he started with the strawberries.

"Well, when can we move him here?" Cam asked and he glanced over at Leslie.

Leslie: "You want him here?"

Cameron: "Isn't that what you said? Or were you thinking of somewhere else?" Cam couldn't remember, that portion of the evening felt like more of a blur than a real memory. "There's plenty of room at my place," he offered, although he wasn't sure how attentive he could be between kids and his night classes. "I just know we wanted to get him out of there."

Leslie: "Maybe he'd feel safer waking at his place, but I don't mind him being here. Don't mind at all. He just needs to be well enough to leave. Did you uh... message Bronwyn? I still need to call Chippy. Oh! Did you still want a peppermint and chamomile tea?"

Cameron: "We could take him to his place too, I just wanna make sure we can watch over him," Cam nodded, "I messaged her, she said she's at the shop but we can stop by. Yeah, I'll take some of that. Is there honey I could put in?"

Leslie: "Shop where?" he asked, adding water to a bright red kettle.

"Honey's on top of the fridge."

Cameron: "New Orleans," Cam explained as he glanced down at his phone. "I have a friend who can take us, unless you wanna use a porter?" He retrieved the honey and set it down on the counter.

Leslie: Leslie smiled to himself. There was something delightful in hearing familiar terms with trustworthy friends.

"How much does your friend cost?"

Cameron: Cam paused and thought to himself.

"One is free but will take longer to get a hold of - the other is very food motivated, so if I offer to get him some sort of sweet treat I'm sure he'd transport us. He knows Bronwyn too so that helps."

Leslie: Leslie smiled. "I love feeding people. Sorta my thing. Let's try him."

Cameron: Cam smiled in return and nodded. Then he sent Vincent a quick text.

{Hey bird-brain, you free by chance? My friend and I need a lift to Bronwyn's, and there's some delicious food in it for you if you don't mind helping us out!}

Bronwyn: {Text} Sorry, I got distracted!

{Text} I don't mind at all, I hope I can help. Do you need Vincent to come get you?

Cameron: Cam glanced over at Leslie and then the strawberries, and he grabbed one so he could take a quick bite.

{No worries <3 and yeah, I sent him a text but I figured he's not looking at his phone lol}

Leslie: Vincent's phone was somewhere in Bronwyn's house - or perhaps Adrik's. He couldn't keep track of that cumbersome device. At the moment, he was perched on Bronwyn's shoulder, oblivious of messages except those reading from his mobile seat.

Bronwyn: {Text} Nope, he’s looking at mine. He’s sitting on my shoulder

{Text} When should I send him for you?

Cameron: "When will we be ready for Vincent to come grab us?" Cam asked Leslie as he glanced up from his phone.

Leslie: "He can have breakfast with us." He vaguely remembered that name.

Cameron: {Now if you want, he can have breakfast with us}

Bronwyn: Bronwyn turned to her familiar. “Do ye want to have breakfast with Cam and Leslie in return for bringin’ them over?”

Leslie: "Food!" The bird chirped, hopping down from his perch to land on human feet.

"What do you think they want?"

Bronwyn: “Apparently a friend o’ theirs needs help. I’m guessin’ the friend must be hurt in some way.”

[wildroseofarran]

Why are you in the healthcare profession?

"To care for people."

[wildroseofarran]

Henryyyyy are you awake?

"Uh...yeah? I guess? I'm tired but..." *shrug*