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Darlin feels their breath hitch as they slowly walk up the steps to his apartment. They had thought about this damn near all day, contemplating whether or not this would be a good idea, but alas - here they are, despite what might be their better judgement.
To be frank, they barely knew the man. Darlin knew he used to be a freelancer that specialized in healing, and that he was turned against his will. Something about that irked them, ground their gears.
In turn, he barely knew them. And yet, he still healed them, he still came over when they asked him to. Darlin didn’t know if they’d ever admitted it to him but, it felt nice knowing someone...cared? At least, cared enough to make sure they were alright.
Before they knew it, they’re outside his house, standing at his doorstep. They raise their hand to knock on the door, but they hesitate.
They had already dragged him into their wild hunt for Quinn, did they need to disturb him at such a late hour? It was stupid...this was stupid, everything about what they are doing felt stupid, reckless, uncertain, yet knowing Sam might be there when they made it out the other end, almost made it worth it. Almost.
Their hand meets the door and they knock gently, already feeling a bit of guilt deep within their gut. When they hear the door being unlocked, their heart is practically thundering in their chest. Sam leans against the doorframe, arms lazily folded. His eyes meet theirs and Darlin swears they feel their cheeks getting warmer.
Sam raises an eyebrow as if an invitation for them to speak. Darlin adheres to it, not wanting to interrupt his night further. “Sorry for coming here so late.” It only felt right to apologise. “I’ve got a new lead on Quinn and I thought you should know.”
Sam’s facial expression changes from that of mild annoyance and irritation to concern. An exhausted sigh escapes his lips. “Darlin, it's almost 2 in the morning. Why aren't you asleep?” He notices the emptiness in their eyes, as well as the dark circles beneath them. His wolf hadn't been taking care of themselves.
Their gaze dropped, and Sam felt the urge to reach out to them and caress their skin. He wanted to bring them closer, into his arms and protect them from anything and everything. God, it had been so long since this feeling lingered in his chest. His heart may have long stopped beating - but seeing them like this tugged at his heartstrings. It hurt. Whether or not he's prepared to admit that is a different story, but for now, his Darlin needed him.
“I’m fine, don't worry about me.” They mumbled. This is classic of them, never putting their needs first. Someday Sam hoped they’d learn to look after themselves more - perhaps he'd be there to help them? “Now about that lead-
“Darlin.” His voice is gentle, caring. “Are you alright?”
His question is met with momentary silence before they slowly shake their head, biting their lip. How is it that he's able to see right through them? The gentleness of his voice made the butterflies in their stomach flutter. Darlin couldn't remember the last time somebody had been gentle and kind with them. Not since...not since their friend.
Sam had always been patient with them, never pushing them to talk, that is something they greatly appreciated.
Without so much as thinking twice, Sam stepped to the side, opening his door wider and motioned for them to come in. A small smile greets their lips as they walk into the warmth from the cold, breezy night. He leads them into his living room and the pair sit on the couch.
"So" He begins. What's keeping his darlin up at night? "How have you been?"
The question made their eyes widen, ever so slightly. They hoped he didn't notice. They'd come here to update him in their search for Quinn -- and instead, he's asking how they are? Why does he have to care? Caring is what gets people attached, it's the beginning of a seemingly endless circle of pain and resentment, feelings Darlin is all too familiar with.
"I've been fine…" Sam could hear the sadness in their voice, the strong façade they put up didn't fool him.
Sam gently took their hand in his, holding it tightly. Darlin felt weightless as if they were floating, they followed suit, intertwining their fingers with his. Hand holding inspired many feel they aren't well acquainted with - but if having their hand in his would mean experiencing an array of emotions, Darlin considered it all the more worth it.
“You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to but..” Sam paused for a moment, wanting to find the right words to use. “Just know that I'm here and I'm not going anywhere.”
A soft smile met their lips. “You’re going soft.”
Sam chuckled. “Only for you, Darlin.”
They squeeze his hand a little tighter and their cheeks feel warm again. What is this vampire doing to them? What is it about him that gets their heart racing like this?
"So, how did you find out about that new lead?" He asked, still firmly holding their hand and deep down, he didn't want to let go.
They hesitate - and in doing so, Sam sighs, "Darlin-
"I know what you're going to say but I'm fine. We had a little scuffle and they got away."
Sam's eyes frantically trail their body, looking for any bruises or marks he could heal. The thought of them hurt isn't something he did particularly well with. "Are you hurt anywhere?" His voice is urgent, desperate -- the complete opposite of his usual calm, low tone.
"No." Darlin watches his eyes fill with relief. "This happened a few days ago, I'm fine now."
They had grown so accustomed to being alone - doing things by themselves, that Darlin barely remembered what it felt like to have somebody concerned for them. Shit. What the hell is this vampire doing to them? Does he have any idea what his compassion does to them?
“You don’t have to tell me if you aren’t comfortable…” Darlin bites their lip, thoughts blazing in their mind. “Have you been sleeping properly?”
As if on instinct, their mouth opens, no doubt to set the record straight and state a complete and utter lie, wrapped in a tired smile and a shrug. Before the words can escape their mouth, Sam raises his eyebrow, reading right through them. He’s quite good at that, reading them. It seems he was right, he is a man of many talents…
“Alright, fine. I haven’t been sleeping…”
Sam caresses their knuckles, all he wants to do is look after his Darlin. They didn’t deserve any of the pain they’ve been through. Protecting people is second nature to him, but deep down, Sam knows it’s more than that…
"Nightmares?”
“Yeah.”
“Wanna talk about it? Only if you’re comfortable, Darlin.”
There it is again. That soft and sweet tone. Darlin takes a slow, steady breath and grips his hands tighter. "It might seem stupid but…" The feeling of him caressing their knuckles sent shivers up their spine. Fuck. This gentleness isn't something they're familiar with. "I keep dreaming about that night."
Sam didn't need to ask, he already knew. The night of the attack.
"It's my fault." Darlin tilts their head, staring him in the eye. "They were there because of me. I might as well have killed them myself."
Darlin bows their head, in shame? Fear? They didn't want to see the judgement in his eyes, the disgust. The rejection. The thought of him feeling that way about them was enough to make Darlin feel sick. So they looked away, desperate to think of anything else. Anything.
It felt like a waiting game. Waiting…except the judgement never came.
Instead, they feel a leathery hand against their cheek - slowly pulling their face upward so their eyes meet his again. His touch is delicate, safe. For once, Darlin didn't feel the need to put their façade up, they leaned into his touch, content when Sam began to stroke their skin with his thumb.
"Hey...you can't think like that. You didn't know what would happen." His voice is reassuring, comforting. Darlin hadn't ever given much thought to Sam's eyes but fuck, they were beautiful. So full of life, despite him not technically being alive. Maybe that's what made it all the more captivating.
"Thank you." Darlin whispers, knowing full well he would hear them. The corners of his lips tug slightly upward, forming a small smile.
"Anytime, Darlin."
-----
Laughter fills the kitchen as Sam thoroughly stirred the two cups of warm liquid. Darlin sat perched upon his counter, their eyes glowing. It felt good, seeing them elated, it's something he intends to bring them, no matter what.
They deserve it. Happiness. Glancing their lips curve into a grin and eyes light up made those 12 years of resentment, regret - worth it. Because he got to meet them. He got to know them.
Sam hands them a mug of hot chocolate, observing as they took a small sip, eyes closing - a small moan escaping their lips, as they swallow the sweet beverage. "My," Darlin says, eyes opening. "You are a man of many talents."
" 'Couse I am - now drink up before it goes cold."
Darlin raises their mug and takes another sip, savouring the flavour as Is there anything this man isn't good at? The cup is empty when Darlin takes their last gulp, placing it on the other side of the counter.
"Is there anything you're not good at?"
Sam thinks for a moment. What is his wolf up to? "I mean...I'm not the best dancer."
Darlin nods, hopping off of the counter and reaching for his hands, pulling him closer. From this close, they could see the flecks of crimson in his angelic coloured eyes. "Dance with me?" Their eyes are hopeful, how could he ever say no to them?
"Lead the way, Darlin."
-----
A short while later, a yawn escapes Darlin's lips. Their eyes wander to the clock; 3:18 am. They rub their eyes, tiredness settling in. Sam could see how exhausted they were, maybe it's his turn to be bold?
Without saying a word, he walks over to the sofa which they are sprawled out on and effortlessly picks them up in his arms, carrying their bridal style.
His thoughts go to shit as they nuzzle into his chest, eyes gradually closing. Sam bought them to his bed, tucking them under the sheets as gently as he could - not wanting to cause his Darlin any discomfort.
Sam waits a few moments, convinced their asleep and moves to turn the bedroom light off, only to hear a faint whisper emerge from their lips. "Don't go." His eyes softened, did his stubborn wolf have any idea what they did to him?
He carefully tucks a loose strand of hair behind their ear. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." The words jump out of his throat before he could even think twice. As if on instinct.
Instinct.
Sam crawls under the sheets and turns to face his Darlin, who's gazing at him intently.
"Something caught your eye?" He asks, lacing his fingers through there's and pulling them closer.
'Hm, maybe." Darlin cups his cheek with their other hand and caresses his skin - eventually tracing their fingers down his jaw and neck. "I might need some convincing."
A mischievous smirk forms on his lips. Fuck. This should be fun. "I'm more than happy to be of service, Darlin."
The moment seemed to last for an eternity. Angelic white meets the cloud and storm that is Darlin's eyes. It felt like time had stopped and millions of foreign feelings building up in his chest. Sam made the first move, bringing his face closer to there's - his gaze falling to their lips. Soft. Sweet.
Darlin could feel his warm breath grazing their skin, making the hairs on their neck stand tall.
Soon their lips are barely touching, so close yet so far. Sam had often wondered how their lips would feel against his.
And then their lips met. The kiss was gentle and slow, perfect. His lips tasted sweet, amazing to bite and when they do, the whimper he released made it feel even better. They'll keep that in mind for next time...