I lied, when I said TPF would be my last one. So here it is, more Dameron! 3
Cameron breathed into his tightly clasped hands, hoping that his warmth breath and his thick gloves would help him keep warm. Though it was to no avail though, nothing could protect him from the cold. Lately, a unshakeable chill had settled over the Texan. It penetrated him on a sunny day: as he had sat slumped over the sheet music, rattling his brain for an idea, or even the beginnings of one.
His phone had rung and Cameron had foolishly answered, the words that had broken through the contraption had shaken him up, chilled him too the bone and taken all warmth from his body.
Despite all his better judgment, he was still standing here and trying not to run away. He sucked in a breath, as footsteps echoed from the other side of the red door. Cameron tried to force a casual, almost nonchalant expression on his face with a twinge of sympathy but he knew he only looked uncomfortable. Which is exactly how he felt.
The door was slowly opened, allowing the dim light into the very dark house. Only enough to allow Cameron to see who had answered the door, but even with the dim light, Cameron would have been able to recognize the eyes. The eyes that reminded him so much, of someone he didn't like remembering.
It had been ten years, ten very long and pain filled years but, memories flooded through him. She smiled up at him, opening the door even wider but there was pain in her smile. She was dressed in black, something that never suited her because, she was so bright. Her dress was black and hung just above her knees. She had donned a black blazer, probably because it was so cold outside and even thicker black stockings.
"Hi Cameron," She greeted him, her voice filled with a slight lightness.
Cameron cleared his throat and tried to get the words out, "Hi Lindsay."
She paused and slipped out of the house, closing the door quietly behind herself. She leaned against it and let her black curls, slap against the red door. She just looked at him, her blue eyes which were causing him much pain at this moment; her gaze studying over him.
"Oh God Cam," She chocked out, words catching, "I've missed you so much."
He saw the tears forming in her eyes and, then he opened his arms to welcome her into a hug. She accepted iand wrapped her arms around him, pulling him towards her. He held her tightly and pressed his cheek against her curls, allowing her silent tears to sink into his black coat.
"I've missed you too," He said earnestly, not realizing until then how true it was.
Ironically, they had parted in the same environment ten years ago. It had been snowing, as Cameron met her on the steps of his apartment. He had smiled at her softly, dropping his bags to the floor and holding her close. Cameron hadn't cried, neither had she and they hadn't spoken in those moments. When she pulled away, he scooped up his bags and gotten into the car. Pulling away from an apartment, which had brought him so much happiness.
Yet, at the same time, it had been filled with so much sadness.
Now, it felt as if nothing had changed. As if they hadn't grown up and grown apart, in a way they didn't. They were still friends deep down, but estranged. She was the first to pull away, dragging the sleeve of his blazer under her eyes. The stray tears were taken away from her pale face, leaving her still breathtakingly beautiful.
Cameron shoved his hands into the warm jacket pockets, waiting for her to speak because, what could he say? I'm here and hating it, why did you make me come?
He was slowly, but surely regretting this choice but something, maybe Lindsay's pleas were keeping him here. She let out a shaky breath, seeming to try and compose herself. She met his eyes once more but it took all he had to return her gaze, his heart breaking.
He wasn't aware that was possible anymore, he thought he was broken. He still felt broken but, a simple look shouldn't hurt him so much. Especially when it wasn't even her that caused him the pain, instead the person sat on the other side of the door.
"Thank you," She said quietly, "It means so much that you're here."
Her gaze conveyed how much that meant, how true her words were. Lindsay was never a liar but sometimes, you wondered if she acted when conveying her emotions. Everything was so raw however, that spread across her face right now. Every emotion rippling, clear for the world to see.
Cameron shrugged and let out a breath, "Well, you asked."
Lindsay nodded, "He would have asked, but, he can't even look at a phone. He figured, that if he asked you would have just slammed the phone back down."
"I wouldn't," Cameron admitted unwillingly, "You know that."
She stared at him with sympathy glowing out of her delicate features, "I do."
He swallowed and thought over his questions, the questions he had been wanting to ask since the phone call. He didn't have the courage back then and, he wasn't even sure if he could ask it right now. He deserved to know though, didn't he?
"Car accident," Lindsay said softly, "Three days ago, I called you as soon as it happened because I didn't have much faith that-"
She swallowed, looking on the verge of tears. Lindsay swallowed again and reached out for Cameron, holding the edge of his jacket. Her eyes bore into him, almost willing for him to understand without words. Maybe, she was begging for his forgiveness for not having faith that they would pull through.
"It's okay," He assured her quietly, "I'm not judging."
"So broken," Lindsay forced out through gritted teeth, "There was just no chance, I knew. I called you and, after I got off the phone. She was gone Cameron and, I couldn't hold him together,"
"Linds," Cameron grabbed her hand, clutching it with all his might, "It hurts, don't you understand?"
"I do Cam," She nodded passionately, "I loved him too remember?"
Cameron looked at her desperately, "It was different and you fucking know it was different."
She pulled back slightly and breathed out heavily, "I know it is, okay? I can't help him like you can though because, I'm barely keeping myself together! We need your help, okay?"
Cameron nodded, trying not to be shocked at her anger. He nodded, knowing that it just was a stage of grief that had to be processed.
"I called everyone," Lindsay sighed, "There all here,"
Cameron couldn't help but smile, "I kind of do want to see them, no matter what circumstances. However selfish that sounds, I'm sorry."
Lindsay blinked and turned to open the door, "It's okay, I was kind of happy to see everyone. No matter the circumstances."
She pushed open the door, allowing some of the heat to spill over them. Cameron sucked in a breath and followed her in, trying to remain calm. It smelled like a home, a proper home. Cameron tried not to think about how homely it was, as his booted foot sunk into the carpet. He blinked around, at just how dark it was and directed his frown towards Lindsay.
"He's not coping," Lindsay muttered, "He's just keeping it together enough to eat and sleep, of course. All he does is sleep."
Cameron nodded and followed Lindsay down to the kitchen, but she stopped just before they stepped in. He could smell the aroma of something cooking and the noise coming from it, was slightly comforting.
"I should tell you," She hissed out, "He doesn't know you'll be here and-"
She cringed then and stared up at him sympathetically. Cameron frowned and bent slightly, trying to read the expression on her face. She looked more uncomfortable then he was feeling right now and that was saying something. Cameron brushed a strand away from her face, only seeing the glimmer of blue in the darkness.
"It's not a big deal or anything," She said lightly, "Just that, you don't know and you might be a bit surprised. I have no idea how you'll deal with it, considering finding out about her was, well a surprise,"
She was right; finding out about her was a surprise and finding out about her death, was a little more surprising. His eyes narrowed at her nervous jabber, which she only did when she was worried about offending someone or hurting them. He took her hand and shook her slightly, trying to alert her to spit it out.
"Oh, just come on," She said irritably and pulled him into the kitchen.
The chatter cut off immediately, as ten pairs of eyes zeroed in on him. He didn't try to smile, just ran his eyes over the people he knew well and had missed terribly. Some blinked at him, some lips twisted into halfhearted smiled.
Then, a crash made everyone jump and turn towards the sink. Cameron's stomach sunk, as his eyes rested on person who had caused him so much pain. Everyone collectively held their breath, waiting for a word to be passed between the two best friends. The last thing Cameron was expecting was for Damian to run towards Cameron and throw his arms around him.
Amber thought of the amazing title, everyone knows how much I love her right?