Cameron (warmthinthedark) wrote in worldsapart_ic, @ 2019-08-27 11:59:00 |
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Entry tags: | cameron lakota, ryder adams |
Who: Cameron Lakota & Ryder Adams
What: Cameron stops off at Midnight to check in during his "sick leave"
When: 27th August
Where: Midnight
Rating: Low
Warnings: n/a
Officially? Cameron hated having a broken ankle. Unofficially? He was trying to remain upbeat and positive but it was getting to be annoying especially as he couldn't go anywhere without crutches and getting to and from Midnight to speak to the manager was challenging to say the least. Public transport it would seem was not exactly built with those not fortunately blessed with two functioning legs which made him all the more aware of how difficult life must be for those who were without that on a more permanent basis.
Still, he'd arrived, spoken to the manager, told them about his idea about how he could get back on stage before the healing was done and so far? They seemed supportive even if it would take a lot more creativity and ingenuity on Cameron's behalf to make it happen but he could and he would. Bills needed paying after all. Now with the meeting over he slipped the crutches back under his arms and began to hobble out into the main area of the club pausing only briefly to watch as one of the other performers practised and warmed up with a routine that was definitely mesmerising to watch. Cameron raked his fingers through his hair and tore his attention away to head in the direction of the door but slammed right into somebody else.
Ryder reacted on instinct and reached out as soon as he was bumped into, hands catching Cameron's upper arms to balance him and stop him from falling over. He knew it was Cameron before even actually seeing him because he recognised the scent, the fire performer had a very unique scent about him that was something more than human. A warm undertone like a wood fire, or something. "Careful," he teased, warm hands firm until he was sure Cameron was balanced and only then did he let go, "you'll end up breaking the other ankle."
Cameron snorted quietly at the light tease from Ryder. "And wouldn't that be just my luck?" He shifted how he was holding the crutches and looked up at the taller man. "Sorry, I clearly wasn't looking where I was going, so thank you for saving me from breaking my other ankle." His cast was anything but boring thanks to a myriad of different drawings and doodles with a definitely interesting array of colours to accompany the pictures.
"It's okay, sucks when you gotta be careful about your space, I get it." Ryder shrugged, stepping back out of Cameron's space so that he wasn't crowding him. He was fully aware that his height and resting bitch face made him intimidating, even if his personality made him anything but. Still, he knew what it was like to have someone taller lording it over him, intentionally or not and he didn't want to be that guy. He glanced down, "Looks better than the last time I saw it," he added with a little grin. "How much longer do you have to keep it on for?"
"Couple more months," Cameron returned with a slightly petulant twist to his lips. "I mean probably a shorter amount of time if I find a witch to help me out with some healing potions." He shifted ever so slightly so was taking his weight on his good foot and his bad one could just exist. He raked his fingers through his hair. "I'm impatient though."
"So find a witch," Ryder suggested, "Rhys has one for his pack, I'm sure I could ask if he's any good at healing stuff, or if he knows anyone who is." He shrugged a shoulder, "I'm impatient too, broke my arm a few years ago and it took four months before I could use it again. I totally get that feelin'." Offering a small smile, he rubbed the back of his neck. "You want anythin' from behind the bar?"
"Yeah, actually if you could? That would be great. I'm going stir crazy." Though thankfully Ashley had been visiting and staying over quite a bit so he'd had company which went a long way to his not going completely nutty. He would have liked a drink but he couldn't, not with the pain medication he was taking, and instead nodded. "Uh, yeah, could I get a water?"
"Sure," Ryder hovered for a moment, helping guide Cameron over to one of the tables. He waited until the performer was seated before he disappeared to get him a water, and also a sandwich from the back. He couldn't help it; the southern part of him still rallied at any chance to provide hospitality. "Here, you been eatin' okay? Ain't nothin' better for healin' then good food."
Cameron eased down onto a seat with a slight grimace as his ankle had started to throb, complaining at having been moved around as much as it had, but he wasn't about to let a broken ankle get in his way. "I have, actually," he said with a smile as he glanced over to watch Ryder behind the bar. "A friend of mine is making sure I get fed pretty regularly."
"I saw that," Ryder countered, "you gotta stay off that foot otherwise it'll take longer to heal." He approached the table with the water and sandwich, placed both on the table and then pulled out another chair, turning it around and straddling it. He folded his arms over the back and rested his chin on top of them. His eyebrow lifted. "A friend, huh? Waverley?"
Ryder really was all legs and arms, wasn't he? Cameron had noticed him, would have to have been blind to not notice the tall dark and handsome bartender with the killer smile. He'd been good though, no flirtation, just friendly conversation, work was work after all. "Well, yes and no, I mean she's been swinging in to make sure I haven't lost the plot, but I don't know if you've met him, a guy by the name of Ashley?"
Ryder shook his head. "Name doesn't sound familiar," he admitted with a lift of his shoulder. "Long as someone's lookin' after you, that's really what counts." He gave a small smile but didn't move. "I'm not joking though, you gotta keep offa that leg."
Cameron gave a groan and roll of his eyes. "It's just so boring, Ryder." And it was, so boring. He broke one half of his sandwich in two and offered a piece of it to the wolf. "But I know, I know. I'm just stubborn."
"Stubborn's a good trait 'til it gets you hurt," Ryder pointed out. "Or prevents you from healin' properly. I'll speak to Rhys though, see if we can't fix you up a lil faster." He didn't understand why spellcasting had been forbidden as part of the healing process. The government was being very short-sighted. He took the food from Cameron with a thanks but didn't eat it right away.
"Speaking from experience?" Cameron asked just before he popped a piece of sandwich into his mouth and chewed slowly. "And yeah if you could that would be great. How is Rhys anyways? I mean I know I haven't been around Midnight a lot but hadn't seen him as much in the weeks leading up to this... incident."
"Ain't always been this way," Ryder pointed out, though he didn't know if he'd ever told Cameron he'd been turned. He tended to play most of his cards close to his chest. "Had my fair share of broken shit before I got bitten." He cleared his throat at the mention of Rhys, again. "He's good, yeah. Been busy with pack stuff and- yeah, I guess he ain't been round here much."
Cameron didn't need any further clarification as it didn't take a genius to work out what Ryder was saying and just nodded. "Well, I will listen to your sage advice and see if I can't take things a little easier." He sipped at his water. "You joining his pack?"
"Boring it might be but it'll heal you up a damn site faster than walkin' around on it." Ryder coughed, taken aback by the question. "Uh- I don't know? He ain't said anythin' and I don't really know how it works. He and I are..." he waved his hand, "we hang out a lot."
"Yes, mom," Cameron answered with a teasing grin and accompanying wink. He nodded at the confirmation that they "hung out a lot" and bit his lower lip, trying desperately not to smile as Cameron had seen them together once and he suspected that they did a lot more than just "hung out". "Can't help you on that one either."
"I'd have probably understood all this shit a lot better if I'd been taken in by the werewolves that turned me. Or, y'know, if I hadn't run from them. Whatever." He waved his hand and then scrubbed it through his hair. "Don't become a werewolf," he offered. "It's complicated."
Cameron gave a short decisive nod of his head. "Good to know. I will endeavour to avoid that at all costs if I can." He should head home after this visit to Midnight but he was considering dropping in at Black Velvet, to find out what the process was to become a donor as Mariana had mentioned that it was a good way to make money.
"I'm sure you're well covered with Ashley and Waverley, but if there's anything you need from me, will you let me know? I'm happy to help for whatever you might need." Ryder said sincerely.
"Thanks, Ryder," Cameron said with a smile. "I appreciate that, I really do." It was nice to know that he had so many people willing to help him out, he just needed to get better at asking for it, he really did. Independent was one thing but stupid was another.
Ryder smiled and got to his feet, eating the sandwich portion he'd been given before gently clapping Cameron on the shoulder. "Shout me if you need help gettin' outta here," he said, "I better go do some work." He squeezed Cameron's shoulder gently before moving away to start prepping the bar. They opened in a few hours and there was a lot that needed to be done.
Cameron reached up to squeeze Ryder's wrist briefly before he allowed himself a lingering look at the wolf's ass because it would be a shame not to admire it. It wasn't the first time, certainly wouldn't be the last. He was a single guy after all and his interests were always a little more unconventional than the norm so it wasn't so much about the package for him but rather who was in said package. Still he didn't want to be a total creep so looked away and just turned his attention to finishing up his sandwich and water.
Ryder, as always, was utterly oblivious. Part of what he needed to do was move crates of glasses and beer, heavy objects that weren't a trial for him now but would have been before. He was used to the movements of prepping a bar, having grown up in one (in a non-alcoholic kind of way), so he was confident as he moved. He did glance over at Cameron and offered him a toothy grin, stretching up to stack the wine glasses above the bar where they hung by the stem, easy to reach down with a flourish to impress the guests who sometimes came for the cocktails and bartenders as much as they did for the dancers.
Cameron returned the grin with a soft smile of his own before he decided right there and then that he definitely needed to get laid. Sooner rather than later. The broken ankle might prove a challenge but he could make it happen, somehow. It was all about being creative. "I should get going," he said as he gathered up his crutches. "I have one more place to go before I head home."
Ryder nodded, "Okay, Cam. Just take it easy, okay? And honestly, anythin' you need you just call." He lifted his hand in a parting wave and then added, "You need any help gettin' out or are you good?"
"Will do." Cameon replied as he hobbled in the direction of the exit. "And I think I'm good, definitely getting the hang of these things."
Ryder chuckled, "Pay attention to where you're goin', Cam," he called. "See you soon!" He ducked under the bar, then, to focus on stock-take and inventory. A boring job, but someone had to do it. Plus, it'd settle his mind some after he'd started thinking about Rhys again.