Aleksi woke a groan, sunlight now beaming through the window. He was unsure what time it had been that they had woken up earlier, but the 9:00 now flashing on his alarm in neon lights had him huffing. He eased himself out from under Cameron's arm, dipping to press a kiss to the mans head softly before rubbing at tired eyes. He fucking hated mornings.
Aleksi shambled to the bathroom, unsure of whether he wanted to wince or grin at the sight of his neck. Damn, Cameron had really done a number on him, hadn't he? Little of his throat lay untouched, an undeniable claim that would annoy him if it didn't thrill him so much.
Nimble fingers grabbed two painkillers from the cabinet and filled a cup of water from the tap, returning them to the nightstand for Cameron, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He was absolutely going to need them. Quietly, he moved to the curtains, tugging them shut to let the other sleep longer, pausing at the edge of the bed. His fingers hesitated, before reaching down to brush a platinum lock off of the blonde mans forehead.
Coffee. I need coffee.
God, did he ever. He trudged out of the bedroom, shutting the door quietly behind him. Five minutes later and the heavenly scent of coffee began to waft through the air. Aleksi sighed, leaning back against the counter. A hand stabbed through his hair, tugging lightly on a huff. Dammit. Damn Cameron and his pretty face, and broad shoulders. Damn his strong arms and heady kisses that had left Aleksi's head spinning. That had him craving more.
A groan escaped him as he poured his mug, settling at the table and scowling at nothing. He took a slow, deep sip of the dark liquid, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was too goddamn early for such heavy thoughts, he thought with a huff. And yet, there was that burning desire nagging in the back of his mind to slip back into bed, curl back into Cameron's hold and mouth along his jaw. Run his fingers through platinum locks- fuck! What the hell was wrong with him all of a sudden?
It had never been like this. Not in a long, long time. Aleksi had rules, ones he followed without question. Never bring someone into his bed more than once. Never get attached. No one stayed the night, even if Aleksi ached to simply sleep next to someone the way he once had with Laurie and Ellie. No marks.
He had never craved someones attention before. Why would he? He was pretty, and he knew it. He could walk into the club, and have his pick with just the crook of a finger. He wasn't going to worry about whether someone wanted him or not. If he was turned down, there was always another all too happy to fall into bed with him, or press him into a wall and ravage him.
How many of those rules had he broken last night?
He hadn't even hesitated. That was the worst part, he mused as irritation washed through him. He'd brought Cameron to his bed, curled against him, and all but silently begged him to stay. The marks rule had certainly been broken if the tender bruising running up and down his neck was anything to go by. They hadn't even done more than kissing, that was the real kick in the teeth. A scowl tugged at his lips as he glared at his coffee mug as though it had personally offended him.
"You know, if you keep scowling like that, I think your poor coffee will turn to ice." Tired amusement colored Camerons voice as he spoke, leaning against the kitchen doorway. His arms were crossed over a bare chest, a lazy smile on his lips. A chuckle escaped him as he padded across the kitchen, helping himself to a mug and filling it with coffee, reaching out to ruffle Aleksi's hair as he passed. His head was still pounding, but the painkillers that had been left were proving to be a godsend.
"What did it even do to have you looking so grouchy this early in the morning, brat? Or are you just not a morning person?" He teased, a wry smile on his lips as he settled at the table opposite the other, peering atop the mug. God, even sulking, Aleksi looked absolutely adorable. How on earth was Cameron supposed to resist picking at him? It took all of his self-control to not kiss that pout right off of the others lips. But that… that would be basically the worst thing he could do.
He'd thought hard about it since Aleksi had slipped from the bed (and yes, he'd been awake to feel gentle fingers in his hair, lips pressed to his head so tenderly). Pretending he couldn't remember what had happened last night was the best course of action for everyone involved. His eyes pointedly avoided the dark bruises on golden skin, even as he kept his smile easy, sipping at his coffee. Would Aleksi taste as good with coffee on his tongue as he had with the bittersweet alcohol?
Aleksi shot the older man a withering look, before glaring once more at his cup, lifting it to his lips. "Nine am is too goddamn early for human beings to be awake." He huffed. Even still, some of the tension bled from his shoulders as he sipped, emerald eyes peering owlishly at the other. Dark chocolate curls were a fluffy, untamed mess atop his head, stray curls falling loose in his eyes as he rested his elbows on the table. "Figures you'd be annoyingly chipper in the mornings…" He muttered under his breath, glancing away with a huff. "How's the head anyways? You seem to be doing alright for your first time drinking that much."
"I think it would have been a lot worse if you hadn't left the painkillers. Thanks for that. Somehow I didn't expect pretty drinks to pack that much of a punch." The blonde admitted, a sheepish smile on his lips. "It's not like I haven't gone drinking before. Every time Emily's brothers are in town, they drag me to the Dirty Goose pub for beers. I don't exactly like the taste, but even a pitcher of beer in me, I've never gotten as fucked up as last night."
A snort fell from Aleksi's lips, amusement written onto delicate features. "I've never understood the perception that beer is a "manly" drink, honestly. Those pretty cocktails so many straight guys shit on? They will fuck you up six ways to Sunday. Plus they don't taste like literal piss in a bottle." He made a face. "I can't stomach beer though, if I'm being honest. Makes me sick. But tequila, vodka? I can get six or seven shots in me, go out and dance, have fun, and probably do it for cheaper with a far better end result."
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.