Camren One Shots

Sin Wagon Part 1: A Shot at Sweet Salvation

The OG Author: yeah_alright on ao3

Summary:

When Lauren finally resolves to leave her controlling boyfriend, she can't think of any better person to escape to than Camila. But does she want her best mate to offer her comfort or a brand new life?

Notes:

• Controlling boyfriend

• Specifically a shitty manipulative emotionally abusive one

• References to emotionally abusive relationship

• Past tense but very recent past

• Friends to Lovers

• Queer Lauren Jauregui

• Song: Sin Wagon

Work Text:

Lauren winces with her whole body at the door slamming, her shoulders jerking up and head ducking down as if she needs to protect herself from the sound waves. 

Danny's never been physically violent with her, or even threatened her, but the part of Lauren she very occasionally allows herself to acknowledge knows his acts of aggression against inanimate objects are intended to send a message. He's very adept at indirectly communicating his messages, Danny is. It's his preferred method of communication (manipulation, Camila would correct if she were here), really. A clever means of control, always maintaining plausible deniability. 

As if he even fucking knows what plausible deniability is, Lauren scoffs to herself, straightening her posture, enough seconds having ticked by since Danny stormed off for some of her fear to have been replaced with anger. 

It's an achingly familiar emotional transition, the most common punctuation at the end of these kinds of nights, where a conversation becomes an argument, becomes a furious proclamation, followed by a command and a dramatic exit. 

But there's something different about tonight. Something different about the anger bubbling up in Lauren, forcing the fear out. 

Usually she's angry at herself. At not realizing sooner an argument was coming and doing something to prevent it. At not being clever enough to win the argument even when Danny was so clearly in the wrong. At letting it all get out of hand again. 

And, sometimes, when the smallest, softest voice hidden deep inside of her manages to escape to the surface for long enough to make herself heard, at staying in this situation – in this relationship, with this man – for one more night. 

Usually she stays angry at herself until she's exhausted, drained of all emotion so she can fall asleep. 

Tonight though, her anger feels different. 

Tonight it's firmly directed at Danny. 

Because tonight, despite the pattern playing out as it always does, it had started differently. 

It had started with Camila. 

Lauren sucks in a deep, sharp breath, her lungs filling with fire, as she recalls the way Danny spoke about her closest friend. Her stubborn, loyal, feisty best friend, who'd never quite been able to hide her distaste for Danny but tries so hard to be civil because Lauren long ago asked her to. Her endlessly supportive friend who is always there for Lauren no matter the reason Lauren needs her, even when the reason is something said or done by the boyfriend Camila has told Lauren countless of times, doesn't deserve her. 

The absolute best friend a girl could ever wish for. Always ready with an outstretched arm and an open ear and a sarcastic quip. Warm and hilarious and kind.