Room for Rent [boyxboy]

Chapter 2

Aidan stared into the steam from his mug for a moment, before he stirred it for a bit and looked up at Cameron, who’d just taken a sip of his own tea, and set down the mug before looking up and meeting Aidan’s eyes. Aidan was uncertain for a moment what to say, but he was saved from having to think up anything when Cameron started talking.

“So I assume you’re probably wondering about the rent and stuff, right? The rent is £750 a month, and since I’m the major tenant, meaning I sort of own the place, except I don’t really, but to simplify everything, let’s pretend I do. Anyway, that means we won’t be splitting the rent in half, since everything here is either mine, or was here from before. Like most of the appliances in the kitchen was here when I moved in. I just got a new toaster and kettle, actually. Anyway, your rent will be approximately 40% of the actual rent, so that should be pretty decent, yeah?” Cameron paused, giving Aidan a chance to disagree if he would. Aidan just nodded in understanding and agreement. Cameron smiled at him before continuing.

“By the way, pets aren’t allowed. Not my rule. Fishes and turtles are allowed, though. That’s what I was told when I moved in here. I assume it’s ‘cause of allergies and stuff.” Cameron took another sip of his tea and seemed to be done talking at the moment.

Aidan realized he still hadn’t even tasted his own tea. He tried a small sip, and found it was still much too hot to drink. Maybe milk wasn’t such a bad idea after all…

Cameron looked at Aidan as if he expected him to say something, so he thought through what Cameron had just been talking about, and figured he’s start with his ability to pay the rent.

“I work at a convenience store twice a week, so I’m able to pay the rent. You don’t have to worry that I might slack off on the rent or not be able to pay sometimes.” He finished with a small smile that he hoped seemed reassuring.

Cameron just grinned at the new information, and took another gulp of his tea.

“I don’t have any pets either” Aiden continued. “Not planning on getting any anytime soon either. School and work take up most of my time anyway” He tried another careful sip of his tea, and it was finally nearing drinkable, though still too hot for anything other than small sips.

“Do you want a pet? Hypothetically. Like, maybe in the future?” Cameron asked nonchalantly, though his question seemed more loaded. “And if so, what would you get?” He ended the question with a slightly pointed tool at Aidan. It felt as if the answer to that question would be more significant than it might appear.

Aidan held Cameron’s gaze for a moment, before he opted for answering truthfully.

“I might want a dog or two sometime in the future. You know, when I have a place of my own and a steady fulltime job and actually have time and the means to take care of them. Never been too fond of cats.” He finished with a casual shrug, though he felt like this answer was more important to Cameron than whether or not he could actually pay the rent.

Cameron just grinned widely at him.

“Yeah, dogs are great” he responded, his grin still on his face.

“I take it you’re a dog person” Aidan said with a small, relieved smile, and took another sip of his tea.

“What gave it away?” Cameron chuckled.

“Yeah, no, I’ve grown up with dogs. My parents had a Labrador when I was growing up. He died 6 or 7 years ago. Old age. They got him while my sister was still in diapers, so he was already kinda old when I grew up. I loved him so much. I was devastated when he died.” Cameron had an almost sad, nostalgic smile as he talked.

“Now they’ve got a nice little mutt from a rescue shelter. They got her a couple years after Dino died.”

“Dino?” Aidan interrupted, an eyebrow raised.

“Yeah, my sister got to name him, and she was going through a dinosaur-phase” Cameron grinned.

“What about you? Any childhood pets?” Cameron asked, his grin having turned into a curious smile.

Aidan looked back down at the mug, rubbing his thumb along the handle.

“My grandma had a dog. Small. Not sure what breed. It was sent away when she died, ‘cause my mom’s allergic, and my dad didn’t want it anyway. I don’t know what happened to it, if it was sent to a shelter, or someone else got her, or-“ he trailed off, squeezing the mug until he was startled by a hand covering his. He snapped his head up, meeting Cameron’s gentle eyes.

“You’ll break it” he said calmly, nodding to the mug.

Aidan looked down and released his grip instantly, slapping Cameron’s hand away in the action.

Aidan was sure he’d screwed up. Who would ever want to live with a bloody lunatic like him? He couldn’t even answer a bloody question without having a damn breakdown. He nearly broke a damn mug because he was asked if he’d had any bloody childhood pets. What was wrong with him? He should just leave. Save himself the imminent rejection that was sure to happen-

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have probed. I get it. Family, sensitive area. How about we stick to safer topics, yeah? And anything you don’t feel comfortable talking about, or that comes with unwelcome memories, you don’t have to answer. Deal?”

Aidan looked up at Cameron with wide eyes. How did this guy still even want to talk to him?

“You still want me potentially living here? Even after that?” Aidan asked in disbelief and confusion.

“Dude, we all got crap memories. Some just more prominent than others’. And anyway, who am I to judge? I get all teary eyed anytime I think too long about Dino” Cameron said, and then, in a lower voice, nearly whispering, he added “Sometimes I even cry. But don’t tell anyone else, yeah?” The last word accompanied by a wink.

Aidan felt instantly better. Cameron seemed genuinely nice, and the air didn’t seem as heavy any more. He took a proper gulp of his tea, which had finally cooled enough to be drinkable.