Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If there was ever a voice more irritating than this one man’s, he’d win the award. Callum had his eyes closed tight as the man who called himself Taylor was going on and on about the apartment complex he owned. Callum was not quite sure why he bothered coming in when he couldn’t even afford the rent. A miracle maybe. He blinked his eyes open again, listening and nodding along like he didn’t blank out a moment ago. 

“Now, young man-” He began, which was the only thing Callum hung onto. It was a nice warm feeling of being called that. “The rent monthly would be $750 we require a $750 security deposit, there’s no need for the final month’s rent but this overall would be $1,500-”

Callum choked on air. He did NOT have $1,500. This did catch Taylor’s attention. “I know this might be rather pricey but given the area and size its-”

Callum held up a hand. “No- no it’s not that- I’m sure that’s a reasonable price sir-” Callum’s voice cracked slightly which he internally flinched about. “I just don’t really have that sort of money- I can definitely gather that if I had some time…”

The look on the other man made Callum trail off. The older adjusted his sleeve, likely uncomfortable with what Callum was close to offering. A slight sniff of disapproval to top it off.

“This place will not be for free, so do not even bother requesting to go around the deposit for the first month.” He wasn’t exactly sure how renting an apartment or even buying a house went, and it wasn’t overly complex and Callum certainly didn’t have enough but he was still a stranger to this town. 

“I’m sorry but I can’t-” Callum cut off the other man again with a nod. “No, it’s alright I get it, I’ll see what I can do and if I can I’ll give a call?” Callum offered. The man called Taylor offered a card. 

“I can not make any promises that it will be here by the time you decide you have the money for it.” The comment sounded dramatic– just like everything about this man. “Afterall I simply cannot make exceptions. If I did, everyone would demand one, and where would that leave me?”

Because being a decent human being is such a downfall of man. Callum thought, but bit his tongue in order not to cause more of a stir. Unfortunate, considering he enjoys causing a stir.

Callum didn’t offer much of a parting goodbye, in fact he was sure the man called Taylor was still going on about how important this building was and that he couldn’t make many exceptions. That noise was blocked out as Callum trudged down the stairs, the steps echoing in the corridor, feeling heavier as Taylor’s voice died out behind him. The truck sputtered to life, and the low gas icon blinked at Callum with the passive-aggressiveness of a parent waiting to say ‘I told you so’.

Callum hit his forehead against the steering wheel. His eyes clenched shut again and he inhaled through his nose, trying to die down the bubbling frustration that seemed to flood his mind. A minor ache swarmed behind his eyes as he could to hear his father’s voice, like a nagging fly. “It’s an adventure.” Everything about the tone was close to that of a bad motivational speaker, where advice sounded like a taunt. Which would sum up his father in a sentence. 

Deciding to save on gas, Callum turned the engine off and got back out, instead taking a walk back into the town towards the square. Most of his things were covered in the backseat, and with the area being so well secured, Callum wasn’t worried about anyone taking them.

The sounds of people talking and walking around was a nice change of pace, a contrast of warmth to the cold air. This town was alive and it breathed community, something Callum was never exposed to. He didn’t think it was a bad place at all, the people seemed nice, minus a few pretentious talkers. There was a diner, but the hardware sign on top of the door made Callum pause. Really, what was this town’s deal? He’d probably check the place out later, and see if its a two-for-one deal.

If there was any worthwhile advice his parents ever gave, Callum had to admit the adventure-taunt his dad always repeated wasn’t the worst of it. So he was homeless, what did that matter? This was a fresh town where nobody knew him, his parents or who he used to be. As Callum walked he took in the blur of mundane details of the townsfolk– What clothes they wanted to wear, what’s new at the high school, when would Luke have a new special? He stopped as he took it all in. He was standing amongst these people, the buildings, and yet Callum felt so far away and reminded he was not even a part of it.

He wanted it. He would get it.

So how would he start to get it? The more he wandered the town the more the weight of being so– new stood out to him. The town was new for him but he was also new to the town. It was unlikely they’d just hire someone they would assume to be a tourist. The sounds of pleasant conversations as people walked in and out of stores seemed to overwhelm him. How did such a small town seem so big? 

A low growl from his stomach made him squeeze his eyes shut again. It ached, and he hadn't had a proper meal in a day. He pulled his wallet out and frowned deeply. Only a few dollars left and it wouldn’t get him anything substantial. The diner crossed his mind again but he’d dread the idea of a handout of a cheap pb&j; It would only make him feel smaller than he already felt. 

An odd look from a passing woman pulled Callum from his thoughts and he realized he was speaking aloud. 

“Great, now they think I’m crazy” He mumbled and continued onto the park, sitting at a bench near the Gazebo. The warmth he felt earlier from the town clouded over as he began to feel more isolated. A list of stressful responsibilities began to pile on him, causing his whole body to feel tense and uncomfortable.

The taunting voice of his father was trying to slip in again. Maybe his parents were right. Maybe he should just get gas and try to plead for forgiveness. He’d even grovel to his knees. The thought of that made his chest ache. The agony of embarrassment of proving your parents right, along with the fact he couldn’t be himself? He had been running from their expectations for so long, and now he was on a bench in a strange town with barely enough to buy himself a meal. The increasing weight of being told that he can’t do this, he can’t do anything for himself, he’s too reliant, it began to feel real. The worst of it all– he began to believe it.

“Start with a small piece, sweetheart.” A motherly voice pulled Callum from his spiral. A mother sat nearby, feeding her son small parts of a sandwich she seemed to have made. The boy was scarfing each one like it was his last. The tightness of his chest unwound itself slowly from watching the scene.

Callum could do that. He could start small. He needed money, so besides robbing banks and mugging old ladies, he could get a job. It didn’t matter where it was– he just needed to get started and make some money. A twist of his mouth and scanning the area before him, Callum got up from his spot walking to the newsstand. Paying out a couple of quarters, he took a paper and walked back to the bench. He scanned over the paper, looking for job opportunities, or something that he could do to make some spare cash. 

“Independence Inn hiring, contact Lorelai Gilmore.”

His eyes bore down on the line over and over, ingesting the words like they were there to give him answers to the universe. It all felt too good to be true, this was a very ideal opportunity. Complained enough and it seemed the universe got tired of the nagging and gave in. The only issue is that when he arrived in town late last night he didn’t pay much attention to the buildings. Looking up from the newspaper, he scanned around before his eyes landed on a person.

Callum stood, clutching the newspaper in his hand and strolled up to a man, standing out from the rest of the town in a suit. Everyone else seemed so casual or flashy and yet he seemed stiff and professional. Possibly, he’d be more relaxed about giving Callum directions if he asked. He was moving around the crosswalk, looking like he was observing the space and walkway. Callum slowed his pace as he got closer but before he could even get a word in, the man looked at him, completely blank faced. As the man stared him down, seemingly waiting, Callum wasn’t sure whether to speak or keep walking.

“Do you like hot dogs?” The man finally spoke.

Callum stared back, mouth slightly open as he paused on his words. 

“What?”

“Hot dogs, yes or no?” This man asked, staring down Callum with an intensity that made him feel like he was being interrogated. 

“I guess?”

“Wonderful, I’m going to be opening a prime hot dog cart across the store here,” He gestured grandly, “since there seems to be a lot of foot traffic. They won’t just be any hot dogs– they will instead be supreme hot dogs, you know those really long ones at baseball games? Well they never make the buns fit, but with my hot dogs? I make the buns fit. No short buns here my friend.”

Callum began to scratch the back of his neck, growing impatient. “Can you tell me where the Independence Inn is?”

“What?” 

“The Independence Inn. Where is it?” 

The man scratched his head now, his eyebrows furrowing slightly. “So you’re not from here.”

“No.” 

“Oh. Well there goes that idea” He proceeded to hand Callum a small card. “Down two blocks, then right.” The man finally answered, “Contact me if you have any good ideas, a tourist’s mind can be a goldmine for business.” 

The man walked off, mumbling about hot dogs and then stopping another pedestrian, likely to ask similar questions. Looking at the card it simply read “Kirk Gleason” with a number at the bottom. No business name, no explanation. Just Kirk. Of course. Callum blinked at the card before slowly putting it in his pocket, glancing back at Kirk and the other guy he was talking to– who also looked confused. Was there anyone in this town that wasn’t auditioning for some cartoon sitcom? Or was Callum the unlucky guest star that they tested their jokes on?

Walking down the road, Callum could only hope it would get simpler from here.

Chapter Text

It was only when Callum arrived that he realized how he dressed was not appropriate for the interview scene. The place was the embodiment of the word “grand”. The opening lounge was spacious and had beautiful seating. He has seen some nice places, but this one was something else. The paintings lining the walls guided Callum’s eyes to the main desk where a man and dark haired woman were bickering. The newspaper Callum had in his hand crinkled slightly as he tensed his knuckles and approached. Professional, calm, intelligent. Callum never had many interview opportunities before, and that was his own fault. However, he had read a book with some tips to provide to him. 

As Callum approached the man arguing with the woman had an accent that was surprisingly thick but he could understand him otherwise. Neither him nor the woman noticed Callum and he could tell the conversation was getting a bit heated. After a couple minutes of contemplating how to interrupt this situation he finally just placed the newspaper on the counter noisily which made both turned at him. 

Callum gave a smile, though it was trained and forced. “Hello, I’m looking for a Lorelai Gilmore?”

The accented man smiled and turned back to the woman. “Have fun” He said then turned heading through some doors, saying behind him “That’s her.”  and Callum looked back at the woman.

She was really pretty. Lorelai sort of reminded him of a friend from college. Callum had to push the thought back as he stood straight. 

“My name’s Callum Wilder, I had found your advertisement in the paper and I wanted to see about an interview.” He said. Callum had recited it as he got the Inn, and he then realized how foreign it felt to introduce himself. 

Back home, he never really bothered to do so. Usually his mom would try to but he was never paying attention, or mid-bite into some food they were serving. And the clothes, God, the clothes were always itchy and annoying. Callum never liked the feeling of silk. Soft to others but it was like a nightmare if his nails grazed along the cloth, feeling his skin prickle and his stomach shift from the bad touch. The mere thought made him cringe a bit but he steeled himself as he waited for Lorelai’s response.

“Yeah sure! Right now, I have time.”

Callum was not sure what he was expecting— certainly not an on-site interview. A little dumbfounded he stood straighter. His attire was all wrong for this, far from it. In fact, Callum couldn’t be sure he had anything to make himself look presentable. Another fault of his war against the itchy clothes his mom put him in.

Lorelai gestured for Callum to follow her to the lobby’s chairs and waved him to sit down. He did so, albeit hesitantly because he was not sure what was supposed to happen. The chairs themselves felt comfortable, yet he couldn’t help but shift in his seat. He tried to think back on a couple of interview questions his dad had spit-balled at him before when his parents tried to convince him to get a job.

“Can you fold a fitted sheet, or am I going to have to start a support group for the staff?”

Callum didn’t even know. Making your bed is one thing, but when your parent is telling you how wrong you’ve done it for a majority of your young life you began to doubt those bare-simple skills.

“Yes, I can. Was a requirement for my household.” He responded. There was feigned confidence in his tone, and he did try to make it sound as professional as possible.

Lorelai clapped her hands and smiled that came across as something close to being relieved. “Oh thank goodness, great start. Do you have any previous work experience with inns or relative?”

“Oh, no.”

Lorelai pursed her lips but nodded, completely unbothered by that answer. “Did you have any prior work experience that could apply?”

Callum swallowed with some difficulty. “This is actually my first job.”

The pause between them felt like hours as it looked like Lorelai was taking in this information.

“Okay,” She kept her hands together and sort of gestured with them. “Any skills or talents? Our last hire could juggle oranges and that’s a pretty hard act to follow up with.”

Were these sort of questions normal? Asking about skills sounds right but what inn would need a juggler?

“I can paint and draw?” He offered, uncertain if that would count for anything.

“Ooh!” Lorelai said, lighting up. “I like that a lot.”

Lorelai stood up again suddenly, gesturing and telling Callum to follow in which he did obediently. He followed her through the lobby towards some double doors and into what turned out to be the kitchen. The smell of the kitchen was pretty nice though it mixed a feeling of sweet and savory. From what could be seen, there were cookies being pulled out, and then garlic potatoes being roasted. Several people dressed in chefs uniforms scrambled around the kitchen holding pots or pans, food or dishes, all being directed by a short woman who Callum found rather endearing immediately.

“Sookie! Come here for a second.” Lorelai called over the bustle, and Callum stood their wordlessly as he watched the woman come closer. Her apron was splattered with stains of different types and she was holding a mixing bowl in her hand, though Callum couldn’t tell what it could be. It smelled a bit doughy.

“Sookie this is Dallum-”

“Callum”

“Callum! He told me he paints and draws, and so I thought-”

Sookie lit up at this fact and placed the bowl aside and took Callum’s hand much to his dismay. He felt the flour on her hand in his palm and the grainy texture gave him goosebumps.

“Oh thank goodness, I’ve been needing an artist for this whole poster design I had in mind. Now see, I’m an artist too, though I guess more in the baking and cooking sense, but my point is I need an artist to help with designing this picture onto our cakes and the picture is supposed to be of this couple who are staying here for their honeymoon,” Sookie rambled and Callum tried to catch up.

“Oh do you think he can help with the decorations?” Lorelai suddenly pondered aloud, and before Callum could open his mouth, Sookie chimed in soon after, confirming for him. Callum’s shoulders slumped as he began to feel the other ladies conversation weighing him down. Remain polite, because if there is a confirmation to get this job, Callum wouldn’t want to ruin any chances.

“So Callum you think you could do it?”

Shit.

Callum blinked as he tried to see if he could remember what they were discussing. “Yes.” He said anyway, and perhaps that is what locked him in. Sookie chirped a cheer then turned grabbing a container of cookies and placing them in Callum’s hands.

“Thank you so much, this will be such a big help!”

That’s Callum. Typical Callum. The helpful guy. The guy that helps. The man, the myth, the legend. He had absolutely no idea what he agreed to but he was already being shuffled out of the kitchen by Lorelai as something caught fire on one of the stoves, and Sookie scampered over to deal with it.

“Are you hungry?” Lorelai suddenly asked.

Callum went to answer no, but his stomach had seemed to answer for him. It was then he remembered he didn’t get to eat anything today and his cash was near out.

“Mm, let me take you for lunch! My treat, consider it a part two to this little interview.”

It would be absolutely moronic to reject such an offer, and while Callum had considered ditching this job opportunity for someone less loony, the hunger won and he agreed. Once again following this strange woman, they walked out of the Independence Inn, the formal and flowery patterned couches behind them and somehow Callum felt relieved.

Lorelai brought Callum into the diner he had saw earlier. As they entered through the door, he didn’t see any signs of Kirk lingering around asking about hot dogs and overly sized buns. Either he must have moved on or found someone to pitch the idea to. The two saw at a table sort of back though Lorelai began looking around for someone, as she slid the menu to Callum. The diner itself felt as alive as the town outside. Customers coming in and out, a gentle murmur of chatter, and the sounds of the kitchen in the back. It smelt strongly of something warm, a mix of breakfast and coffee but there was something else. There didn’t seem to be a description in mind that Callum could place. The diner simply felt... nice. Good, even. This place was good. No hardware store in sight however, it may have just been left there.

“He is depriving me of my ritual coffee.” Lorelai grumbled, bringing Callum’s attention back.

“Who?”

“Luke.”

“Luke like the diner Luke?”

“Yes, Luke owns the diner, and when you own a diner you serve customers coffee, and when customers don’t have coffee we get cranky.” Lorelai pouted, but from how she squinted at the counter, it was easy to see she wasn’t genuinely upset.

Eventually a man walked out of the kitchen, having the phone to his ear and glanced their way.

“that’s Luke?” Callum asked.

“That’s the menace depriving me of coffee.”

Never would Callum have imagined seeing a diner owner look so casual, but then again this place was small, and he was the owner, he could do whatever he liked. Luke strolled over, only somewhat glancing at Callum before bringing a large cup to Lorelai.

“I want-”

“You want your usual Tuesday order, burger with double cheese, no vegetables add bacon.” Luke said automatically, cutting Lorelai off who only grinned.

“Well actually Luke, I want you to meet Callum.”

Oh great she remembered his name AND she wants to introduce him. Wonderful.

Luke nodded to Callum seeming just as awkward as the new guy felt. “I’m Luke.”

“Hi, nice to meet ya.” Callum smiled weakly and closed the menu. “Can I get a cheeseburger as well, all the vegetables and bacon? Fries.”

Luke nodded, not bothering to write it down. “Drink?”

“Water.”

“No, Luke get him a milkshake!” Lorelai chirped.

“But he said-”

“What flavor?”

Callum blinked uncertain. He couldn’t afford a milkshake. That thought seemed to reach Lorelai’s mind and smiled again. “No no remember my treat? Its on business.”

“Chocolate.”

“Good answer. Two chocolate milkshakes.”

Luke frowned but it was mostly aimed towards Lorelai rather than at Callum. Which was fine by him, the man seemed intimidating and Callum didn’t need enemies so quickly. It was barely enough he could tolerate Taylor from earlier. Within a blink, Luke did not stick around long for much more small talk, seeming to just give towards the back of the kitchen.

“Where are you from Callum?” Lorelai asked, sipping the somewhat large cup of coffee.

“Maine, uh, Oxford area.”

“Oh is it much different from here?”

Callum shook his head slightly before realizing he should probably answer properly. “No, well, this place seems more lively. Where I’m from isn’t very...active community wise. Everybody’s...more reserved I guess.”

Lorelai nodded in what resembled sympathy and understanding. Callum wouldn’t complain, but he did continue, now feeling much more relaxed since he walked into the Inn.

“It’s pretty up there in this time of year, but there isn’t much going on except maybe some ice-fishing but it hasn’t snowed yet.”

“Mm, the snow here in Stars Hollow is very pretty and I always think it makes this town look different.” Lorelai smiled fondly. “So did you move here?”

“Uh- yeah...in a way. I was actually looking at one complex, but the guy there kind of freaked me out.”

“Guy...guy…wears sweater vests? A bit of a dramatic pitch to his voice and acts like he is the kind of the town?”

“Taylor.”

“Yeah that’s him.” Lorelai sighed. “Sorry you had to be met with him first.”

“What did Taylor do now?” Luke’s voice broke between the two and it made Callum almost flinch. Luke placed plates on the table, and the growling in Callum’s stomach was clawing it’s way up. It took everything in the younger man’s power to not tear into it like some caveman.

“Cal here looked at one of his complexes.” Lorelai answered.

“You have my deepest sympathies.” Luke said plainly, with a slight scowl etched in. There was certainly history there.

“I’m going to take it that this is a common occurrence?” Callum said eating a fry and savoring every salt grain on his tongue.

“You have no idea.” Luke answered, “I’ll bring your shakes out.” With another turn the other man was gone. Callum’s eyes trailed after him. Funny enough, it seemed like Luke was the only sane one around here, at least, from whom Callum has met.

Gentle conversation and questions continued between Lorelai and Callum, while Callum had to circle back a few times to the job position, it was nice actually making nice with a local in the process. It was difficult to not relax too much, even if he was permitted to. There was a nagging feeling of this interview being like some big test.

“Well,” Lorelai said. “I will let you know, but I think we will be seeing a lot more of you around her Mister Wilder.”

Lorelai put down money on the table and Callum stood. The diner had cleared up more as evening came closer. Callum left the diner, still awkward but feeling more positive than he had this morning. The positive feeling wrapped him up so much that he never even noticed the eyes on him from behind Luke’s counter. The words Lorelai had said moved around in his mind, and perhaps it was that or the food he actually got to have today that made everything feel so much...lighter.

Even if it wasn’t late, the day had been exhausting. Callum still had no proper home or place to bunk but that didn’t sway his feelings on what he had experienced. He got back to his truck, left alone safely—besides the note Taylor left about just leaving vehicles in private property. A fair warning but Callum crumpled it and started the car up and out to somewhere closer to the square.

Turning the car off he crawled into the back seat and stretched out as best as he could. He stared out the window of the backseat, watching the sun settle and the lights of Stars Hollow blink on. He’d freeze tonight and probably for a couple more nights until he could save enough but it’d be worth it.

Everything about this place was so absurdly different. And the more Callum thought about it the more he began to wonder if it was him instead. Community is a staple here, that much he realized. The way everyone bantered, smiled, and felt known. Oddly he felt assured rather than excluded like he did before.

This town was a good choice.

That was all he could say to himself as his eyes closed. A deep inhale of the cold made him relax more than he had all day.

This town was a perfect choice.