Chapter Text
Jonah would have accepted as fact the apparent disinterest the Type 6s had in each other if it weren't for Adam's tendency to have one-sided arguments with the air while dropping random names ("Just because Eddie has a motorcycle doesn't mean you know how to drive one Veronica” “Cameron is the drug expert, not me” “Delilah stop bothering me about my cleaning habits”) and the apparent habit he had of leaving the house during the night to return before dawn.
Then his theory went overboard when a Type 6 accosted him one day when he was shopping for groceries -You're Jonah, right?
Jonah could only identify the Type 6 as being of “African American descent” due to his darker grayish skin, strong features, and long dreadlocks interspersed with thin braids decorated with wooden beads. He was a little taller than Adam and seemed to have no problem with showing his face to the public unlike the blonde, and most Type 6s, who preferred to wear a hood whenever he went out.
He was wearing a tank top about 3 sizes too big under a black leather jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots that looked one hundred percent original. A hand-woven bag hung from his right shoulder, and he wore a series of chains and chokers decorating his neck.
His expression seemed stone, as if he were nothing more than an oil painting, one of those Renaissance ones, which to a human who was not used to interacting with a Type 6 would seem that he was angry when the truth is that they simply did not have as much control over their expressions as they liked to appear.
This guy just had an unfortunate resting face.
-Look, I don't want to cause problems or bother you more than necessary - his tone of voice was relaxing and somewhat melodic - but Adam already has me fed up with his deadlines and I'm afraid he will continue to postpone his debt if I don't get tough.
Debt? -Debt? What debt?
-The grass one, you know, the one... – the Type 6 put one of his big hands up to his face to do an imitation of smoking -At first, I gave him an open account in good faith, but it's been a month since the payment date expired, and I still don't see my money.
Jonah had read how Type 6s had developed a disinterest in money when they realized that they technically didn't need it to survive (they didn't need to eat and could easily live indefinitely in any habitat), but, unfortunately, this society had its foundation built on consumerism and they had to follow the world order due to being a population minority.
Jonah also knew that it was Adam who got him the weed because he was the one who found a trustworthy dealer who wouldn't sell them any shit or substitute. When Jonah asked him about it, Adam only said that Cameron took his “job” seriously.
-You're Cameron, right?
Cameron only tilted his head slightly so that then his pupils dilated excessively -And here I thought I would have to explain my existence if we take into account how reserved that bastard is- a mocking smile appeared on Cameron's face, as if he was laughing at a joke that only he understood - I even thought I would have to threaten him with Candice, but the bastard is already on his way.
Those words made many questions appear in Jonah's mind. Since when did Adam “maintain” relationships with “his” people? Jonah thought he wanted to stay out of it as much as possible, and now he finds out that there is a Type 6 named Candice who had enough control over Adam to “scare” him.
This, obviously, put the young man in a state of impressive curiosity, who knew what else Adam had kept secret. Adam probably didn't say anything about his “family relationships” because he was ashamed of them or feared that “his” people would embarrass him since it had been discovered that Type 6s were not naturally aware of when something should be kept secret or were explicitly sincere. There was no censorship with them.
Adam arrived, furious, 5 minutes later. It looked like he had left the house in a hurry considering that he was still in his pajamas, with slippers on his feet and a black hooded sweatshirt.
The blonde headed like a bullet towards Cameron as soon as he had him in his field of vision, grabbing him by the neck and then pushing him against the cereal shelves, from which a couple of boxes fell. Despite the clear subjugated position he found himself in, Cameron did not change his facial expression at all, looking at peace, or his body language, acting even more relaxed when he put his hands in the pockets of his jacket, taking a position that Jonah related with a gang thug.
-What did I tell all of you about getting closer?
-That we didn't do it because we embarrassed you.
Before that, Adam made a surprised face that quickly changed to one of anger - That's not true, and you know it.
-Yes- Cameron made a face like a lost child, as if he had been scolded by his parents and now felt extremely guilty - we know; but you left me no choice. You know I need that money for Eliza.
-And where do you want me to get it from? From a tree?
-Do not play the fool with me. You may not work, and we all know why, but that doesn't mean the government doesn't give us “child support.”
The Government, and the USDTP, had begun sending an “allowance” to the Type 6s when their families had begun to complain about how their “children” could not continue their studies or obtain work because their existence still made nervous and paranoid to the majority of society.
The government had already started to work in legislative and judicial matters; but, due to various factors (such as the fact that they were too relaxed about the subject because Type 6s were only 3,426 individuals or that their psychological profile, which was closely related to their biology, was full of cases of antisocial personality disorder and alexithymia, which made them difficult for be understood and for them to also understand the reasoning behind certain laws), the task had been postponed, especially when the UN interfered in the issue, declaring that Type 6s needed a Constitution separate from the “human” ones.
Obviously, this caused more of a stir because we had to consider the fact that each nation had its laws and morals, so there were countries that approved conditions or rules that others did not.
-And what makes you think that I don't spend it on anything important?
-Like what? Because if you're still thinking about whether you should buy that bracelet for Evie... -
-What did I tell you about calling her that?- Adam interrupted him, but Cameron continued as if nothing had happened.
-Seriously, I don't know whether to classify you as stupid or as a tragic lover with a martyr complex.
Jonah was surprised by the description of a tragic lover and the indecision Adam had taken when wanting to buy something for Evelin since, if he had to compare their relationship before the revelation and after it, the boy would say that they acted more like a couple. now, when they are no longer, than when they were. Adam had calmed down considerably after discovering his true nature, as if all the mysteries of his being had been revealed to him and he no longer weighed anything on his shoulders.
Jonah had a theory that Adam was still somewhat attracted to, or smitten to, Evelin, treating her with a special delicacy and inclination, as if she were on a different level than him and Sarah.
Cameron bringing up that “theoretical” aspect of Adam made him feel saner and not so stupid.
-You know that we are not like that anymore.
-But that doesn't mean you still don't like her like that.
At that, Adam remained silent, staring into Cameron's eyes, and then realizing, as if he had not seen him when he arrived, the presence of Jonah, who was still there and had heard the entire conversation and the things involved; the boy let go of Cameron's neck and then took him by the arm and headed to the exit of the supermarket.
Adam gave a quick “Don't follow us, go home” to Jonah before walking out with Cameron into the light of day.
The blonde did not show any signs of life until he appeared around 7 pm wearing what looked like a hand-woven poncho with colored threads, like a rainbow, and the mark of a kiss with red lipstick printed on his forehead.
Mark that clearly caught the attention of everyone in the house, especially Sarah, who had incriminated him about it origin and the identity of the “slut” responsible of it, to which Adam responded, annoyed, with -Don't make up stories, Sarah. It was only Candice.
Seriously, Adam wouldn't get far with his “secret” if he kept throwing names into the air.