Talking About Family
Callum hummed softly to himself as he glanced down at Dawn who had her head resting on his shoulder, Techno had slipped out of the room a few minutes ago to distract everyone else in the house so that they wouldn’t discover that Dawn was there.
“You know I can kind of understand what you're feeling in regards to Eliza” He suddenly remarked and Dawn glanced up at him curiously.
“You do?” She asked as she sat up a little to look at him better as he hummed in agreement.
“When I first came to live here I felt like such an outsider, that I wasn’t really wanted and that I was just a pity case that Cyrus and Elowen felt sorry for… it was a really long time before I actually felt like a part of the family” He explained softly and Dawn gave him a concerned look but before she could say anything Callum continued to talk.
“The first couple of months were tense, Elowen had just lost her sister so she was grieving and I look a lot like my mom so it was hard for her to talk to me so she just didn’t and Cyrus wasn’t much better, Techno is a very intimidating person and I genuinely thought he hated me because he just flat out refused to talk to me, Sally was nice but she reminds me a lot of my mom so I pushed her away first, the only one I could actually talk to was Ezran and while he can be the most annoying little shit on the planet he’s also the reason I didn’t run away” He explained and Dawn shot up in shock as her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
“You were going to run away?” She asked worriedly and Callum nodded as he slipped his sleeve back and showed Dawn a white and blue woven bracelet that looked frayed from age but also well-loved.
“I got into a big fight with Cyrus, we both said things we didn’t mean and immediately regretted but it was the final straw for me. I stormed up to my room and started packing, I wasn’t even going to leave a note I was just going to leave because I didn’t think anyone would care but Ezran did. He walked in like he owned the place flopped down onto the bed and handed me this bracelet” He explained with a soft smile on his face and Dawn gazed down at the bracelet with a soft smile on her face.
“He stayed up with me all night and let me just vent all of my feelings out, he was the first person to not let me self-destruct and actually help me. I will never be able to repay him for all that he’s done for me” He said warmly and Dawn hummed softly in understanding.
“When did things change? You and the others are so close now, what happened?” She asked curiously to which Callum chuckled fondly.
“That is also thanks to Ezran, the very next morning he demanded we all have a family meeting to talk shit out and it really helped. As funny as it sounds communication was the best solution, I still see a therapist for my issues because that level of inferiority and self-hate doesn't just go away with a chat but I am so much happier now than I was a few years ago” He explained warmly and Dawn nodded in understanding as she gazed down at her hands thoughtfully.
“I know the situations aren’t the same but I think if you sat down and talked with them things might get easier” Callum said softly as he reached out to take Dawn’s hand into his own and the blonde hummed as she squeezed his hand thoughtfully.
“It’s funny, I gave that same advice to Julian but I never thought to use it myself” She remarked simply and Callum chuckled a little bit.
“I guess it’s time you listen to it” He remarked and Dawn chuckled in agreement as she rested her head on Callum’s shoulder.
“Thanks, Callum, you didn’t have to tell me all of that but I really appreciate it” She said gratefully and Callum nodded as he smiled warmly down at her.
“No problem” He said simply before they both fell into a comfortable silence which was broken by Callum clearing his throat.
“So this is probably not the best time to say this but you do look really cute in that outfit” He said awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly to which Dawn blushed as she glanced down at herself.
“I forgot I was wearing this” She said shyly and Callum laughed before clearing his throat once again with a blush on his face.
“I was wondering, and this is probably the wrong time to ask, but would you be willing to go on a date with me?” He asked hopefully and Dawn blushed brightly as she blinked up at him in surprise.
“Really?” She asked shocked and Callum nodded with a shy smile on his face.
“Yeah, I’d love to!” She said happily and Callum practically beamed as his tail wagged happily.
“Oh thank god! I have wanted to ask you out for the last month and a half but I just kept chickening out” He said in relief which earned him a fond chuckle from Dawn.
“Well, I’m glad you finally manned up” She said teasingly and Callum chucked in agreement.
“Me too” He said in amusement and Dawn smiled up at him warmly only for both of them to jump a little bit when someone cleared their throat.
“If you two make out on my bed I’ll have to kill you” Techno said seriously as he stepped into the room earning him two bright blushes from Dawn and Callum.
“We weren't going to make out!” Callum yelped but Techno just waved his hand dismissively as he turned his attention to Dawn.
“Eliza’s downstairs, Cyrus saw you climb through the window and I can’t hold them off any longer” He said seriously and Dawn let out a soft sigh as she stood up.
“I guess it’s time to face the music” She said uncomfortably and Fundy squeezed her hand reassuringly as he to stood up.
“You’ve got this” He said confidently and Dawn smiled softly before taking a deep breath and heading out of the room with Callum and Techno following her lead.