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]

"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."

[whenshewasnice]

"I don't own any dresses," she admitted. Not that it should have been a huge surprise when he knew her wardrobe consisted of hoodies and jeans and flat shoes. "We'll see."

[necroslacker]

"We'll see."

Honestly, Sam wasn't going to mind either way. If she wore a dress, he'd like it. If she didn't, he still like it. The point was that he'd like it.

And he showed her that by giving her a light squeeze and kissing the patch of skin behind her ear. See, he could definitely be touchy if he knew it was wanted.

[whenshewasnice]

And Natalie could let herself enjoy that, and allow him to know she was enjoying it. She even sighed, softly.

"Mind if I stay a while?"

The point was to announce her intention of doing that, not to really ask for his permission.

[necroslacker]

"You can stay for as long as you like, yeah," Sam said, nodding and pressing his cheek against her hair again. It was a comfortable and warm position to be in right now.

"Stay for as long as you want," he said quietly.

[whenshewasnice]

"Okay," Natalie sighed, relaxing further against him. Far more relaxed than she'd been when he'd held her as a girl. "I'll stay."

She was glad he was boy-shaped now. But she didn't want to say that, so she said nothing more. Silence was good when it was comfortable.