Just Hold Me (Cam)

[Declyn O'Callahan]

At least one of them was taking this as serious as it was. Declyn really was a little worried that something was up, but he was trying to be positive about this. Cameron wasn’t as bad as everyone though, Dec knew that. The situation didn’t look good, but that didn’t mean it was as bad as he thought. Now, if Odion knew about this then Declyn would never live it down because his brother was determined to make him dislike Cameron as much as he did.

Shortly after Tak started talking, Dec saw the realization hit Cam and he finally started acting like he knew how this looked to the other boy. His words relieved Dec of his previous tension, but then Tak said that he should know something. The two of them exchanged looks and Cameron reached for Declyn’s hands. Allowing for the blond to take them, he sat beside both of them, his expression confused. What could they possibly have to tell him that was so important?

Tak began talking and Declyn’s eyes went from her to Cam several times. Declyn didn’t know Tak very well, of course he had met her before and all, but he still didn’t understand how anything pertaining to her could affect him. Once Cam took over, Declyn looked back at him. His eyes widened and he looked at Tak then her stomach. Cameron went on and it all became increasingly clearer to him. If Cameron was the father, Declyn instantly tensed…and if she wasn’t that far along wouldn’t that mean that it would have happened not very long ago. He had just been about to ask when Cameron told him that it happened before they began dating.

Declyn relaxed and took a few deep breaths before he could finally say something. And when he did, he directed it to Tak. “If you need any help at all with the baby or just anything leading up to the due date, just call me okay? I’ll help as much as I can. And you,” He pointed at Cam with a stern look in his eyes, “If you’re the father, you better be there for him or her. The last thing you want is a situation like mine….” To figure out that your parents didn’t want you in the beginning and for them to come looking for you later, it wasn’t something one took lightly.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak couldn't help but smile faintly as the two boys' hands came together, and she put her own against her stomach again, looking back at Declyn. She tried gauging his reactions to what she said, but it was hard to read. He just looked concerned and confused, which was to be expected.

Then Cam just let it all come out.

Tak's eyes widened slightly as he blurted it out - of course, that's where she had been going too, but she had planned on being a bit more... Subtle about it. Still, the truth was out now, and she felt another wave of anxiety run over her at the thought of all that was going to happen to her between now and the end of the nine month period, and beyond. She let Cam continue, explaining that it had happened before they started dating. "About a month and a half ago," she inserted quietly. They had only been together for a few weeks.

She had expected Dec to show some sign of anger, or disgust, or something, but all she saw when he looked back at her was... Understanding and compassion. When he started talking, her mouth sort of fell open slightly, not expecting the way he reacted. "Th... Thank you," she told him, hesitating a moment before leaning forward and pulling him into a hug. She wasn't used to people showing kindness like that to her. She had too much of a bad reputation around the school. Which, of course, was her own doing, and she really didn't mind that people kept away from her most of the time.

She looked over at Cameron as he started talking to him, letting her hands settle against the bed. "You guys... You're so kind," she told them, feeling her eyes begin to well up. Dammit. She hated getting emotional. Once again, she found herself hoping in a sort of sick way that Cameron was the father, just so she could rely on both of them since Dec had offered. Her stomach was growing worse again and, wincing, she found a spot to lay beside them again, rubbing the pained area gently. "Can I just adopt you both as the fathers, no matter what happens?" she asked quietly, yawning. She was half-serious.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam was truly grateful that Declyn believed this, any of it. But it was too farfetched a story not to be true, even for Cam’s standards. Eventually there would have to be a baby bump and if there wasn’t, then Declyn would know he had been lied to. As it was, Cam was telling the whole truth. Some stories were juicy enough without a little extra.

Being who he was, Cam neared closer still to Declyn and wrapped his whole body around his boyfriend from behind. This wasn’t something he wanted to tell him about until they all knew who the father was for sure. He waited for Declyn to speak, and honestly, Cam felt his jaw drop. Declyn was the sweetest guy to walk the face of the earth. Because really, only an angel would believe this and then offer to help when it wasn’t even his fault or concern to begin with. Declyn was genuine, and he was real. And he was honest.

But instead of hugging him tightly like he wanted to, Declyn was telling him how it was. Cam raised his hands in surrender. “I swear, I don’t want anyone turning out like your brother.” It was sort of a joke, sort of serious. He scratched his head then, a very worried look overcoming his face. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do if the baby’s mine...” He hadn’t shown his worry around Tak, since he was drowsy and not fully aware. Now, in the light of day, Cam could feel his heart wrench and gut leap.

The light fixture above their heads gave a little squeak, and black smoke trailed out for a few seconds before the bulb popped. “There goes another one,” Cam commented to no one in particular. This wasn’t a laughing matter. He sighed, and wrapped his arms around Dec’s neck from behind, resting his head on the back of Dec’s. “Thanks for being not only understanding, but beyond understanding, like seriously.” Cam closed his eyes and turned to look at Tak. “I’m sorry you had to tell someone else,” he said, because he knew how hard this was for her to begin with.

“I’d be honored to be a part of your kid’s life, either way this thing goes,” he added. Tak needed kindness right now, or else something could go horribly wrong. Cam’s grip around Declyn suddenly became fierce and he tipped the both of them over gently, to land on Tak. “Group hug!” Anything, anything to try and make this right. There was a baby coming, and that wasn’t wrong. Would it kill them to be happy?

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Being pulled into a hug, Declyn’s eyes widened before he hugged her back and smiled. “It’s no problem Tak, really,” He insisted before he had turned to Cameron. Oh if Odion had heard that, there was no doubt in Cam’s mind that the redhead would have blown a gasket. He overreacted a lot it seemed. Dec just shook his head at Cam, “Odion’s not that awful, he just doesn’t like people a whole lot. I can’t really blame him.”

And Dec would forever back up his brother no matter if someone was being serious or just joking around. That’s what brothers did. And despite how Odion treated him, Declyn was his brother and always would be there to stick up for him.

Dec could see the worry on Cameron’s face, but he didn’t understand it. Cam would make a great father whether it be now or years into the future. He was a caring person and protective of those he cared for. Being a father would be second nature to him once he got the hang of it. Dec reached out to place a comforting hand on the other boy’s knee. “Just worry about that once you know for sure, Cam. There’s no use for worrying now or even then. You’ll both figure it out.” He had complete faith in both of them. Even if they did give up the child, he knew it would be to a loving home because they were both good people that wanted someone who would genuinely care for their child.

The light flickered and Dec frowned slightly. Cam’s arms wrapped around him, and he ran his fingers along the boy’s forearm in a soothing gesture. As Cam began thanking him, Declyn laughed, “I’m no saint. I just don’t see the point in adding anymore stress on either of you when it is completely unnecessary.” He glanced at Tak and sighed, “And I promise that your secret is safe with me.”

Her question however did have him smiling again. Dec was always happy-go-lucky, he couldn’t help it. “I’d be totally okay with that. Honestly, I’ll probably spoil him or her rotten.” Cam’s exclamation only made Declyn laugh and he hugged them both a little awkwardly but all the same. Tak needed happiness in her life to balance out all of the negative energy she already had. And Declyn was a great person to help cheer her up. “So do you know the sex yet or is it too early for that?” He didn’t know the whole process, the whole birthing thing was not only strange to him but sorta gross. Dec still liked to believe that it came from a stork.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak felt her heart squeeze at the worry in Cam's voice as he finally spoke his fears. "You're going to be amazing," she told him, nodding as Dec piped in as well. "And you have an incredibly supportive, equally amazing boyfriend to help," she added, giving Declyn an adoring look. "We're going to get through this." Funny, how she had come to Cam for support just a while earlier, and now she was the one saying everything was going to be okay.

She flinched a little as the light popped, frowning curiously. Wow, Cam really was worried. At least he seemed to calm down once Dec started soothing him. "Really, Dec," she added on,"I... I can't tell you how relieved I am that you're not upset about this. Well, not only not upset, but just so... Supportive." She placed a hand on his knee, smiling at both of them. "It's okay, Cam. I can't think of anyone else I would rather know. And thank you," she added in a whisper to Declyn, knowing she could believe him when he said her secret was safe.

Their reaction to her question made her grin unexpectedly, and she let out a half-yelp, half-laugh as they fell over, wrapping her in a hug. She returned it gratefully. "You guys are going to be the best dads," she told them, giving each a quick peck on the cheek. She shook her head at Dec's question, letting out a small chuckle. "Not yet, no. I'm not sure when I can find out. But as soon as I find out, I'll make sure to let you know." She laid back on her back and rested her hands over her abdomen; the pain was easing away again. "Hey, you guys made the nausea go away," she told them, relieved. Whether it was really them or not, she didn't know, but she liked to believe it was.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam blinked a couple times and looked down at the sheets. "Sorry..." he mumbled. It was clear he didn't like Odion, and the comment had just come out, so hopefully Dec would understand.

Happy for Dec's soothing touch, Cameron hoped this situation would work itself out. He smiled slightly, glancing at Tak. "I really hope so." It wasn't just about them anymore, and Cam hadn't given it a lot of thought, but he had always been rather selfish. Something had to give, and it looked like they were going to learn the hard way.

Cam laughed brightly. This was one of the strangest, sweetest moments he had ever had. Something said he wouldn't regret it. They were good people with good intentions and something had to go right. "Good," he said, giving Tak a hug before rolling over to the edge of the bed. "You guys want breakfast?" He asked, looking at them with renewed enthusiasm.

[Declyn O'Callahan]

Declyn nodded in agreement with everything Tak told Cam. He kept nodding until he realized that the whole amazing boyfriend thing shouldn’t have been nodded at because that could come off as cocky. He only smirked at his own thoughts. Cam’s reaction to his own words defending his brother had him frowning, he nudged the boy and offered a smile, “It’s alright. He is fussy and though I wish you guys got along, I understand that you don’t.”

He kissed the blond boy’s cheek and smiled wider. “I’m a pretty laid back guy, and I understand that if I had reacted poorly it might have stressed you out more and I wouldn’t want that.” If someone had been there with his mother while she went through this, maybe things would have turned out differently with all of them. Maybe he and Odion would have grown up as brothers instead of trying to gain that relationship so late in the game. Anything he could do to help make this situation different from his own, he would do it.

Declyn hugged them both and blushed as she kissed his cheek. It was a force of habit, he’d blush whenever anyone kissed his cheek. He cuddled up against Cameron before the other boy slipped over to the edge of the bed. His suggestion made Dec’s stomach grumble and he nodded frantically with an embarrassed laugh.

[Takchawee Ominotago]

Tak wasn't sure what this thing was that they were talking about with Dec's brother, but she didn't want to pry. It was obviously somewhat of a sensitive subject, and it wasn't any of her business.

"Yeah, more stress is the last thing I need," Tak murmured. She was stressing herself out enough as it was, and their support was going to help enormously. "This is turning out better than I had hoped," she added, looking between them both. Sure, it wasn't all going to be fun and games obviously, but at least she had more people to look out for her than she had expected. She still had Kouji, too.

She returned Cameron's hug as he stood up, letting herself loop an arm around Declyn instead as the blonde offered breakfast. "That sounds amazing," she told him, laughing along with Dec as his stomach grumbled. She wondered when she might start craving weird things. "I hope I really don't start wanting to eat weird food," she told them both with a chuckle as she stood slowly, reaching her arms up over her head to stretch.

[Cameron Osiris]

Cam nodded a couple times. "Maybe some day he will," he offered, though the thought of being in the same room as Odion made him cringe. That guy hated him so much, it reverberated off the walls. It wasn't that Cam couldn't hold his own, he just didn't like feeling such dissonance.

"I think we just have to put ourselves aside and do what's right," he said, 'we' meaning he and Tak. Declyn could leave whenever he wanted to, but Cam trusted that after what he said he wouldn't just do that.

"Alright," Cam said, grabbing Dec's hand as well as Tak's to help them up. "Let's go celebrate." They had lots to be thankful for, life in general. "You might as well though, it's a good excuse," Cam said with a grin. They would turn this thing around.

End