Content Warning: Mentions of Childhood abuse, non graphic homophobia

Emerald eyes caught ice blue, brow furrowing in thought. “I should have made you drink some water before bed.” He admitted. “It probably would have curbed a bit of the pain and discomfort you’re in now. I think I have some bacon and eggs left in the fridge, I can fry them up for you if you want. Greasy food will help with the hangover. Besides, I’d be a pretty piss poor host if I didn’t feed you. Especially when I’m the cause.”

“Oh shush.” Cameron shot back playfully as he stood, settling his now empty mug in the sink. He moved to drop a gentle kiss to Aleksi’s head, unable to resist at least that (that could be written off as being older, being protective and fond of his new friend, couldn’t it?), ruffling his hair once more. “You sit and relax. Tell me where things are, and I can cook breakfast for us, alright? You were nice enough to let my drunk ass crash here last night.”

“You can cook too?”

The awe in Aleksi’s voice had Cameron chuckling, winking playfully at the younger man. “Well, don’t tell anyone, but I can make a mean omelette, and I don’t even burn bacon.” He teased, opening the fridge and tugging out the eggs and milk. He was pleased to see that Aleksi even had fresh peppers and onions. Perfect. “Omelette, bacon, and toast sound good, brat?”

“I’m not a brat.” The young man pouted, sticking his tongue out at the other. “But that sounds amazing. A brilliant photographer and a good cook? Where have you been all my life?” He purred, finishing his own coffee before leaning back in the chair with a yawn. “I can’t cook for shit. I can fry an egg without burning it, but other than that? Lets just say takeout is a frequent fixture. Marcus’s wife used to send me leftovers with him whenever he’d come for shoots, but that was before she decided I wanted to steal her husband or something.” He paused, head cocking. “Laurie and Ellie bring me stuff though. Which thank fuck, because I think I’d wither up and die if I ever lost Laurie’s cooking. It was the worst part of leaving home.”

“Are those your sisters?” Cameron questioned as he pulled out a pan, flicking the stove onto high and starting work on chopping vegetables. A soft hum left him as he worked, utterly relaxed now. This was easy, routine to him. Emily couldn’t cook either, and so quite often, the kitchen was his domain.

“Not exactly.” Aleksi paused a moment, worrying his lip between his teeth. How to explain their relationship… “They’re… it’s complicated. When I was a kid, just after my parents kicked me out for being gay, I ended up in this program for homeless lgbt kids. I didn’t wanna go at first, I didn’t really.. Trust many adults at that point. But the shelter counsellor thought it might be good for me. It was sort of like a big brother and big sisters mentorship program? So it was queer adults who would basically take us kids under their wings. Laurie and Ellie were about as old as I am now, and I took to them pretty quick. Ellie had been kicked out for being queer too.” He explained, stabbing a hand through his hair, tugging lightly.

They had been his lifeline, his salvation. They had loved him through all of his faults, and had never once waivered. They had understood his distrust, and worked to gain it, to earn it.

“They ended up taking me in, becoming my legal guardians. I was already about fourteen, so- they weren’t exactly my moms. More like a mix of moms and annoying older sisters? But I love them. They’ve always had my back, always been in my corner.” A soft, fond smile settled on his lips. As much as they drove him insane, picked and teased, his love and appreciation for them was eternal.

“I’m sorry you went through that. But you’re so lucky to have people like that, who love and accept you regardless.” Cam laughed weakly as he flipped the first omelette, turning to lean back against the counter. “My family is… not nearly as accepting, I don’t think. My Dad is a minister of a pretty traditional church.I don’t even know what he and my mom would have done if me or any of my siblings had ever come out to them. It’s not that they don’t love us! I’m not saying that, they do. We never once grew up feeling like they don’t. But… it’s more that we all know what’s expected of us. My brothers and I are expected to find nice girls and get married, settle down and have families. They don’t even know what I do for work.”

His brow furrowed, rubbing the back of his neck idly. “They definitely wouldn’t approve.”

Aleksi frowned, standing and moving towards Cam. He didn’t hesitate to wrap his arms around him, burying his face in the older mans chest as he hugged on tight. “I’m sorry.” He mumbled. “I know how hard that is. My dad kicked me out on my fourteenth birthday when he caught me kissing my best friend. Kicked the shit out of me first. But his expectations were similar. I had already known for a long time that I was gay and… what he wanted from me? It felt like I was suffocating trying to live up to it, to be the son he wanted. I can’t imagine how tired you must get from it.”

“Hey… hey hey hey.” Cameron whispered, strong arms wrapping around the younger man, cradling that lithe body close to him, burying his face in dark curls. It was… strange. Here was this precious little thing who had gone through hell from his own parents, just to be who he was, and he was trying to comfort Cameron. As though the blonde had it so much worse. “It’s ok… shhhh… it’s ok.” He soothed, fingers running up and down Aleksi’s back gently. “I’m okay. It’s… it can be constricting sometimes, having your whole life planned before anyone even asks you what you want, yes. And it can be frustrating, having your beliefs and morals, what you can and can’t be dictated to you based on something you don’t even believe in. But they love me. They… try. They mean well. We were never unsafe, you know?”

He pressed a kiss to Aleksi’s head, before large, calloused hands were cupping a soft face, drawing it up until pale blue could meet emerald. “But sweetheart… you understand that what you’ve been through is horrific, don’t you? That it was your parents being awful, and not ever something you caused? You are such a sweet little thing, brat or not. I can’t imagine being a parent and doing that to my child, whether I thought they were wrong or not.”

A soft sniffle escaped Aleksi before he could stop it, fingers sliding to settle on the taller mans shoulders, curling and clutch as his cheek pressed firm to pale skin. His heart hammered roughly in his chest, until he feared it might burst. Of all the people he’d fucked around with… no one had ever comforted him like this.He was a body, a commodity and no more. He knew that, had known that for a long time. And yet, here was this handsome, strong man, cradling him close and telling him he was safe, that it wasn’t his fault.

If he hadn’t realized he might feel more than he’d like before, that realization was now glaring. He liked this man. God fucking help him, he liked him, and that was terrifying. He couldn’t be bothered to worry about it right now though, not when he was being held like he was something precious, a treasure to be protected. When the morning ended, Cameron would go home, and he would make himself pretend the feeling had never been there at all. But for right now?

He savored it.

“I… I know that now.” He agreed, voice quiet. “It took… It took a long time, a lot of therapy and constant reassurance from Ellie and Laurie to get there. But I eventually did.” He forced himself to shrug, ignoring the wavering in his voice as he rubbed at his eyes. He refused to allow the tears to fall. “Lots of other kids had it a lot worse. At least I found them. I had a safe home, got out of the shelter. I was loved and protected. I was the best man at their wedding even.”

Cameron frowned, his eyes searching the others face before he was dipping without thought, lips brushing along soft cheeks, across the younger mans forehead. “Just because other kids had it worse, doesn’t mean that it makes what happened to you any less awful. You’re so strong and brave. I don’t…. I don’t think I could be brave enough to do what you did.” He admitted.

I’m not straight. Once more Aleksi was reminded of Cameron’s drunken words from the night before. Maybe… maybe there was something more to it than he had allowed himself to think. If what Cam was saying was true… it would make sense that he wouldn’t tell anyone if he wasn’t.

Oh Cameron…

Aleksi rubbed at his eyes, pulling back and forcing himself to smile weakly. “Sorry I got all mushy. Your eggs are going to burn if you aren’t careful.” He didn’t want to leave the others arms. But… the eggs were going to burn. And when it came down to it, whether Cameron actually wasn’t straight or not… he wasn’t his to keep.

Even if maybe he wanted him to be.