room 216 ; monday morning

[necroslacker]

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.]

Comments

[necroslacker]

"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."

[whenshewasnice]

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

[necroslacker]

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."

[whenshewasnice]

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.

[necroslacker]

"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.

[whenshewasnice]

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."

[necroslacker]

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

[whenshewasnice]

"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.

[necroslacker]

"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.

[whenshewasnice]

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."

[necroslacker]

"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?"

[whenshewasnice]

"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.

[necroslacker]

"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."

[whenshewasnice]

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."

[necroslacker]

"Need help? Nah," Sam told her, shaking his head. "But I wanna help you celebrate and all. We could have dinner and go for a walk and maybe find some live music and all. And you can sing and I'll stand by and clap like a proud boyfriend."

[whenshewasnice]

"Mm," Natalie said, "that doesn't sound bad."

Also his invasive emotion reading may have picked up on some gentle happiness at the idea, which she did not suppress.

[necroslacker]

Hey, it wasn't invasive when he couldn't help. But he liked that feeling of happiness especially since she chose to let him read it and she didn't hide it.

"Maybe I'll even dig out a suit and tie for you to look nice and suave for you. I think I've got a nice three piece suit stashed away. Everyone deserves a good birthday and a good Valentine's day too."

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie exhaled a quiet laugh. "Are you sure you can pull off suave?"

Well, she thought he could pull off a specifically Sam-like suave, which suited her fine.

[necroslacker]

"Of course I can," Sam said like that was just the dumbest question in the world. "You doubting my suavenes? I'd slick back my hair and make it work, Nat."

[whenshewasnice]

"I just know your lameness," Natalie retorted, tapping two fingers against his arm. "I know it can be a handicap."

[necroslacker]

"I might rise to the occasion and surprise you," Sam said, deciding he could be a little more comforting by leaning down and kissing her cheek. "You don't think I can be surprising?"

[whenshewasnice]

"No, I do think you can be surprising," she relented. "And I guess PB-wise you're all set to be a guy in a suit."

Mm, rich New Yorkers. Mmm, confusing meta commentary.

"Fine, surprise me."

[necroslacker]

Yeah, Sam had no idea what she'd just said to him and he thought about asking but decided against it. He didn't want to make himself look more confused.

"Fine, I will," he decided with a nod. "I will wear a suit and you will be surprised."

He would make it so. He'd just have to remember all this but he'd make it happen if he remembered.

[whenshewasnice]

He was probably going to be on his own with that one. Natalie wasn't one to make too big a deal of her birthday, so it wasn't like he was going to be getting daily reminders or anything.

"If you're wearing a suit," she wondered, "does that mean I should be wearing a dress?"

She didn't have one.

[necroslacker]

"That's up to you," he told her, shrugging a shoulder. "You can wear what you'd like to wear. It'll be your birthday and all."