MAZES | cake ✓ | warning:shitty!

s e v e n t e e n

mention of harsh topics for some people (abuse/self harm??? kinda) as someone who self-harms themselves, please don't read this chapter of that stuff is triggering. im not triggered by it, and in no way am I promoting it, but it's just for the sake of the storyline.
now let's get this show on the road -
p.s, this isn't relevant to the chapter but don't forget about harry, who was luke's 'best friend' in the maze and ren too haha ok enjoy the chapter.. if you can...

... don't hate me:)
~gia

-----

"What's this stupid shack going to be for anyway?" Calum was complaining, his tone whiny and high-pitched like a toddler's voice was when they asked their parents for ice cream.

His hands gripped a large, rectangular sheet of hay, grasses and bits of leaves, tied and strung together by rope. His palms were callused, sore, and scraped up with rope burns, but he knew he shouldn't be complaining. There was much worse than this, he thought to himself.

It was cloudy but hot and humid, the air sticky and damp and it felt as if he was inhaling moist clouds of fog or vapor, raining heavy on his lungs. He hated it, especially with how flat-out gross it made him feel physically.

He wished he could be with Luke. Maybe not cuddling and just laying in their abode together but at least having the blond boy beside him as he worked, as he navigated The Maze - That would've been nice. But no, Michael had to talk to Luke, and that made Calum huff in exasperation.

Beside him was one of the Builders, named Renzo [idk haha i like the way it sounds.] The boy was unusually tall, pale skinned with blue eyes, both arms covered in sleeves of tattoos, and curly black hair. He had a harsh and cold countenance but once Calum got to know him, he was actually really quirky and easygoing.

"Hand me that bundle, will you?" Renzo tapped Calum's head with his hand (he stood up high on a stone after all,) and Calum suddenly nodded and lifted up the hay-grass-leaf thing that would be used as a roof of sorts.

Walls of bamboo had been put up and secured in the ground with wooden stakes, now Renzo and another Builder along with Ravi were working to top it off with a flimsy cover that Calum held.

"You need to like, wake up, dude," Renzo chuckled as he aligned one corner of the roof piece to the top of the bamboo walls. Ravi grabbed the other side, aligning the other corners. Together the two boys secured the makeshift 'roof' with long strands of palms (y'know, the tree leaves lmao) and tightened it before hopping off the rock.

Renzo dusted off his palms and Calum sighed heavily.

"I'm worried about Luke, that's all. He seemed really insecure before he went off with Michael." Calum answered, scratching behind his neck and looking up slightly at the other blue-eyed boy.

"You don't need to worry. Man, I'm surprised you faced that Goldenhood. You worry about things about as much as I like to eat," Renzo laughed. "That's a lot, by the way." // ok same

When Calum didn't laugh and only wore an overcast expression, Renzo patted Calum on the back.

"Look, bud. You don't need to worry about Luke, he's strong. He's been here for three years, he knows this place like the back of his hand. You should just feel lucky that he loves you, I've never seen him treat anyone as special as he treats you," Renzo smiled, a bright white and flawless smile. "You're lucky, CalPal, don't worry 'bout it. Luke's got it under control."