#thread:lex

The metal barricade on the windows often reminded Cameron of the prison sentence he narrowly avoided. Hunched over the vacant windowsill that sat between two metal poles, an icy chill rushed through his veins as smooth fingertips brushed against them, a sobering reminder of where he belonged. Such introspection forbade him from returning to bed, opting instead to observe the progress of the overall-clad workers in the garden, mildly amused the murmurings of loose-lipped patients were true. Though largely unimpressed with the prospect of a fair inhabiting the backyard of a mental asylum (adding more chaos to Thornewood’s usual brand of pandemonium seemed like a glaring oversight, even for the accident-prone Forresters), an unfamiliar twinge of sympathy struck Cameron as he mulled over the depressing notion that his fellow patients didn’t have much else to look forward to, trapped inside a building with metal bars on the interior of their windows. He shook the thought off immediately, not quite sure how to process the sharp pang of the unsettling emotion. Large machinery lifted the heavy beams that the men couldn’t, instead freeing their hands for more menial tasks. He’d never seen the construction of county fairs, and now that he had, he wondered if that ruined the magic of them.

Unlike most aspects of his childhood, funfairs held pure memories of untainted joy, calling forth images of the merry-go-round’s neon flashing lights as his fellow Mancini cohorts crashed the local fair, terrorizing the Camden natives with their rowdy and unruly presence as they ran from county cops. Dawn fell over the trees, multicolored explosions from the attractions commingling with the pale pink sky as the sleepy sun yawned over whiskey colored clouds.

A quiet cafeteria made for the perfect lunch date setting, no one occupied the grand space, no one watched over as they chatted about this, that, and the rest, while enjoying cold sandwiches. It was their private solitude and instilled a feeling of normality amongst the young couple. Cameron chewed his way through a mouthful of wholewheat bread before swallowing and clearing his throat, eyes lifting from the plate to offer a warm smile across the table, in Lexus’ direction.

“So, I’d been meaning to ask,” His tone soft as words formed slowly, Cameron allowed a moment of pause bringing the glass of water to his lips and taking a generous sip, “Have you heard from your parents recently? You haven’t mentioned them in forever.” A somewhat innocent question came from a place of deep thought, hours of mulling over how to broach the subject lead them to this moment, in an empty cafeteria on a desolate Tuesday morning.

A frown seemed permanently etched on pale features, heavy eyes omitting any onlookers. Therapy sessions left Cameron in a foul mood, seeking to break through the heavy cloud of negativity with a peaceful lunch. Much to his dismay, blue eyes took in a scene so ghastly, his skin began to crawl. His girl hung off of Keegan, lips entwined in a transparent kiss piercing blue eyes could see right through. The lack of passion was palpable, the air around them staggeringly stale. His last conversation with Keegan ran through his mind, spiteful words begging to be released from tightly clenched lips. “You can have her.” An unamused scoff cut bitterly into the air, anger causing his body to grow rigid. Drafted in the war of loving Lexus, every stride covered him with battle scars but made evident to all his unwavering dedication to their relationship. He could take solace in the knowledge that men like Keegan never change, his blatant disregard for her spelling danger for their ill-fated love affair. Stopping in his tracks to narrowly avoid imposing on their lackluster moment, Cameron took a moment to compose himself. 

Disgust gave way to speechlessness, confidence faltering as the gut-wrenching image branded itself behind his eyelids. A momentary transgression with a particular blonde nurse left his lips sealed, though the tugging at his heart was relentlessly, hands yearning to yank her away from this unfortunate rebound. Cameron had been here before, perhaps, he’d argue, his whole life. But this was different. To erase her would be a crime.

The rain had been pouring incessantly, pounding heavily on the windows since Cameron had woken early that morning. Skies were gray and the mood around the hospital was somber, it was a slow sunday afternoon and the building was running on skeleton staff but everyone seemed to move slower today, coffee in hands and extra layers of clothes on their bodies. The building was old and Cameron assumed, expensive to heat. 

With his oversized black sweater hugging his tall frame, Cam rounded the corner into the rec room on the second floor only to find it completely empty. A rarity. He quickly double checked his surroundings before shutting the door behind him and grabbing the nearest arm chair to push it up against the handle, blocking the entrance to anyone who may wish to disturb his private peace. There was only one person he wished to share this quiet moment with. 

The thought popped into his head and without hesitation, Cameron began rummaging around the room for blankets and cushions, fashioning them into a fort of some kind. His attention then diverted to the shelves filled with films, scanning the array of titles for something Lexus would enjoy. After the past few weeks they’d endured, not being able to enjoy any of their time together in solace, Cameron was beginning to feel as if Lexus would need treating, a date to be reminded that she hadn’t made a terrible mistake by returning to Thornewood. Part of Cameron was sickened with himself for coming up with such a romantic gesture. 

After settling on a few film options for Lex to pick, he made his way to the kitchen to pick out snacks for them. Once dropping a variety of food off in the little blanket fort, Cam clambered up the stairs to the third floor, a sense of excitement building with every step he took towards Lexus’ door. Pale knuckles wrapped against the door, impatiently waiting for her to open up. Usually he would just walk in, but the chivalrous part of him wanted to act like this was date out in the real world. 

The door opened and blue eyes met with beautiful brown orbs, a cheeky smirk building along his features. 

An almighty storm was threatening to hit Thornewood and the sleepy hospital seemed to rattle in anticipation of thunderous crashes. In his bed, Cameron laid perfectly still, listening to the heavy downpour cascading down his window and a breeze howling through gaint oaks. Desperate for a distraction, the twenty-eight year old peeled himself out from under the covers, begrudgingly leaving the safety of his 12ft by 14ft box. 

Oceanic hues, wide with anxiety, scanned the hallway. The stillness only amping up the fear coursing through his veins, busy patients and staff would’ve been a relief and maybe then he wouldn’t have felt so alone in his thoughts, a heavy sigh left clattering jaws. Size twelves mindlessly dragged him towards Lex’s door, knuckles wrapping against the wooden frame once.. twice... three times. No answer. Upon opening her door, it confirmed she wasn’t in her room. The bed was perfectly made and all lights were off, this discovery caused a tightening sensation to build in his chest cavity, a painful reminder of how human these moments made him feel. 

Impending anxiety crept along Cameron’s elongated extremities, pent up nerves building in his hands no longer quelled by clenching and unclenching of his fists. Staring down the door before him as he built up the courage to knock, Cameron felt as though it was impossible, words struggling to form as his mind butchered any semblance of a coherent sentence upon being met with those familiar ember hues. Putting Cameron off of his whole idea and wishing to return to the quiet safety of his room, he turned on his heel, leaving Lexus’ door behind him. No longer were they neighbours and as he sulked up the steps to the third floor his heart twinged, blue hues glanced at the room that used to belong to her, housing memories of the last few months. 

Resentment set in the minute his door closed, regret lingering on every thought,  images of a rec room bedecked in holiday cheer solely for her enjoyment chastising him. There was too much riding on the gesture to turn back now, words failing to aid him in his quest for her understanding — he’d love her from a distance until she was willing to welcome him back into her heart. 

Thousands of miles, hours of driving and enough sleep deprivation to send him into a coma was finally over. Daylight had broken a few hours previous and Cameron had successfully navigated his way through Boston until arriving at the Hale residence, a large black door surrounded by a white archway stood proud in front of the twenty-eight year old. Front windows exposed a view into a living room and immediate fear hit Cameron in the stomach like a freight train. 

What if she wasn’t there? What if he’d gotten the wrong address? Would this drive be pointless? That thought was enough to almost cause a secondary breakdown behind the steering wheel of his stolen getaway vehicle. Impatient but fearful all at the same time, now that Cam had fully realised his feelings towards Lexus, the possibility of rejection was striking the fear of god into his soul. 

Uneven footsteps found their way to the front door only to immediately freeze on the spot. Anxiously staring but not yet making his presence known, Cameron ran shaky fingers through his messy tresses. He needed to smoke. With a cigarette now lit between his lips, his foot began nervously tapping against the step, which turned into pacing, relentless pacing back and forth until... a figure, no, two figures stood in the living room, seemingly unaware of Cameron stood outside watching through the window as some sort of transaction was made. It took tired eyes a minute to register but this was Lexus, with a disheveled looking man-- definitely older than her-- exchanging a small packet and Cam took no time in understanding that this was more than likely cocaine. “Are you fucking kidding me?!” Angry words all but hollered as he stormed up to the front door, attempting the handle in blind hope that it might have been unlocked. With a click, he was granted entry. “Lexus!” His deep voice called out into the house. 

Blinding white halls perforated Cameron’s pupils, strong hands animating Lexus Hale’s lifeless body. Azure eyes burned, hot anguish and mourning slipping down his cheeks. Red corruption splattered against white tiles would haunt him forever, the love of his life slipping through his fingertips Animalistic screams tore open his throat in desperate cries for help. A swarm of staff ran to his side, useless offerings of white rags flung towards him as guards tried to pry his grip away from her bloodied and pale limbs. It was only then, in that moment, did he realize he had been bathed in her blood. Through the steamy haze, bewildered hues caught glimpse of Lex’s kryptonite, his frantic state just barely registering it before desperate hands reached to resuscitate her limp body.

Hours passed to the beat of Cameron’s incessant pacing outside the infirmary, watching a frenzied team right Lexus’ reckless mistake. The evidence of her failed attempt stained his skin with permanence, he swore would never be clean again. Eyes stinging and forehead dripping with sweat, the New Jerseyan had lost what little patience he had to begin with.  

It felt like a lifetime before Cameron was finally allowed to enter the infirmary but the wait was all the more worthwhile as eyes fixated on the steady rise and fall of her chest, prompting Cameron to release the breath trapped in his lungs that he hadn’t been aware of holding in. Step by step, heavy combat boots shattered the silence of a now-empty room until halting at her bedside.