necroslacker | room 216 ; monday morning

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room 216 ; monday morning

Sam hadn't slept much this weekend. After Saturday's near debacle, he'd been tense and unfocused and saddled with an unfamiliar body that made sleeping even harder than it was for him normally. So, he just hadn't slept. He'd spent time holed up in his room before taking off to the mainland, skateboard in hand. He'd stayed there for awhile, skateboarding until his legs ached.

He'd actually changed back at some point during his journey back to the island. He was himself again, familiar and with clothes that once again fit. Exhaling, he'd continued on back to the island and back to his room

And that's where he was now, fresh from a shower, with clean clothes on. He'd changed the bandages on his hand earlier even though they probably didn't really need them. It was more of a way to keep the wound hidden from certain people.

With all that done, he'd put on a record (something classic rock) and started eating the breakfast he'd picked up on his way back (tofu omelettes). He had class in awhile but he could relax now and try to let all the tension seep from his shoulders.

Slowly.

[Door's closed, post is really for one person and posted early because our schedules are hilariously incompatible lately.]

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Natalie gave him a sideways glance.

"When you put it like that, it makes me sound stupid."

She was aware there was something ridiculous about her when it came to this.

"I'm not trying to make you sound stupid," Sam said apologetically. "I just, I dunno, I'm your boyfriend. You can want me to comfort you and I'll do it. It's not gonna change my feelings for you."

"I know that. Intellectually."

Which was to say that remembering something like that while panicking? Easier said than done.

"Intellectually," Sam repeated quietly. "Answer me this, do you want me to comfort you when you need it?"

There was a long pause.

And then, as... factually as she possibly could: "Yes."

"So, say it. Tell me you want me to comfort you."

Because, after that long pause and the clinical answer, he didn't think she could.

Natalie gave a quiet sigh. "It's not that simple, Sam."

Though she acknowledged that it should have been.

"Yeah," he replied because he'd called that. "I figured it wouldn't be."

He slid his fingers through his hair and admitted quietly, "I don't know how I'm supposed to act around you most of the time, Natalie, because I don't know what you want. You rarely tell me and you're not overly demonstrative which either means I guess or I'm left wondering if you even like me sometimes."

Natalie's head turned fully towards him for the first time during this conversation. It wasn't quite a whip, but it wasn't exactly a slow movement, either.

"I do like you," she said, almost, almost looking surprised. She hadn't realized she could come off like that sometimes.

"Intellectually, I know that," he said and it wasn't a swipe at her but more an illustration of how it was hard for him too.

"You don't always act like it though," Sam added. "And I'm not saying you have to be some over the top girl who hangs on her boyfriend. I know what kind of person you are, I get that, but, you know, this is the first time you've looked at me fully since you got here. You're almost always hesitant to come into my room or sit down and you don't like talking to me all that much. So, sometimes it feels like you don't like me."

"I do like talking to you," Natalie replied, softly, because it was about the only thing she had even remotely room to argue about. The rest sounded unfortunately true, and even this wasn't that much of an argument. "Just not that into talking in general. Sorry."

Which sounded pretty sincere for how stupid she felt saying it, when he hadn't asked her to apologize for her personality.

"I didn't tell you all this to make you feel bad," Sam assured her, shrugging and dropping his fork on his plate since he was pretty much done now.

"I just thought you had a right to know how I'm feeling," he added, sighing and looking at her. "I don't know what to do."

Natalie gave him a little shrug. She didn't really know what to do, either. "Guess I could try harder."

Sam sighed, wondering if he'd just hurt her feelings or something that he wasn't aiming to do. He thought he had.

"Look, I really like you, Natalie," Sam said bluntly. "I haven't had a lot of good things come to me lately but you're here and you're good and I'm not giving up. My life sucks most of the time and it's scary but you're a good thing for me."

Natalie watched him quietly for a moment. Her feelings weren't hurt – she was the type who probably would've walked out immediately if they had been – but this was making her thoughtful. Just that.

"I could use some of that comfort now."

Or maybe she thought they both could.

"Okay," Sam said quietly. He pushed his plate further out of the way then reached for her. The spot on the floor maybe wasn't ideal but he could draw her against his chest and hold from behind like he tended to do when they slept together. He knew she'd get herself comfortable once she was tucked against his chest and his arms were around her.

That was how it tended to work, and that was how it worked now too. She shifted until she was comfortable, then sighed quietly and tried to relax.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," Sam murmured quietly. He pressed his cheek against her hair and closed his eyes. "You okay?"

"Yes." But okay was kind of a fuzzy word. She was okay enough. "You didn't hurt my feelings or anything."

In case he thought that.

"Okay," Sam murmured quietly, sighing. He thought he had, yes, and he honestly hadn't meant to do anything of the sort. He tightened his arms around her and fell quiet for awhile. His thoughts had wandered off to other places while he held her.

All that honesty earlier meant he'd run out of words to say for the moment.

Natalie really wasn't rushing to say anything, either. She was resting her head against his, eyes closed. Still and silent.

Then she remembered something. "Since we're all about being a functional couple today, I should probably mention my birthday is in a couple of weeks."

"Is it?" Sam repeated, half smiling even if she couldn't see it. "I'll remember that and make sure I wear a fancy party hat."

Or he'd just get her a gift and give her some cuddles. "You got plans to throw a big party?"

"Not really." She was sure he was shocked, she really was. "The day before is Valentine's Day. That's probably enough of a party."

Yes, Sam, your girlfriend's birthday is the day after Valentine's. You have fun with that.

"Aaaah," Sam said, laughing quietly at that revelation. He dropped a kiss against her hair. "Guess that means I've got my work cut out for me, doesn't it?"

And with those dates in mind, he'd start making plans soon. It wouldn't be anything huge but she'd know she was appreciated. "There might not be a party but I'm gonna be around and helping you celebrate."

Natalie snorted, quietly. "You think I need help celebrating?" She was only questioning his wording because it amused her to do so, honest. Her tone vouched for that.

The hint of a smile he couldn't see did the same. "Thanks for that vote of confidence."

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