Chapter Text
The harsh scent of citrus invaded Rafe’s senses, clearing his mind instantly of whatever he had been thinking, or more likely, worrying about.
Looking to the passenger seat beside him, he saw Samuel’s pocket knife cleanly cutting into an orange. They had been driving through the jungle for a few hours now, Rafe never switching to the passenger seat despite Sam’s pleading. Sam asked if it was because of being in prison for so long or just because he didn’t trust him at all. Rafe had found himself without answer, and put on a blank face and turned away, hoping that Sam would just forget it.
Now, he was glad to have Sam in the passenger seat. It seemed that the snacks Sam had purchased at the gas station hundreds of miles back were now becoming a necessity. All around Samuel were wrappers of various candies and sodas. Rafe frowned for a moment looking at it again, annoyed at the mess he had made but it quickly faded into a look of affection.
He must be so desperate after not having anything but prison mush for all that time.
Though his movements with the blade were precise and calculated, the flow of the sticky juice of the fruit dripped down onto Sam’s clothing. His worn jeans were now covered in the sugary liquid, and he growled for a moment in frustration. His eyes, however, still gleamed with excitement at the prospect of eating the orange for likely the first time in over a decade.
Rafe let his eyes linger for only a moment more before returning them to the road ahead of him.
“Do you need a napkin?” He asked, the hint of frustration in his tone mostly unintentional.
He was used to being curt with people, and it was hard to grow out of even when he grew closer to Sam. He felt Sam’s eyes flicker towards him for a second. The sensation of being watched by him was now familiar and almost comforting.
“I think I can handle it from here, it was just a lot juicier than I was expecting,”.
His response was finished with the sound of him biting into a slice, soon followed by him slurping the fruit’s juice and audibly choking. At first, Rafe just rolled his eyes at Sam’s messiness, but the choking didn’t stop. Wait-
Rafe returned his eyes to his counterpart in a flash of concern. However, instead of seeing Sam in any state of medical danger, he was greeted by the image of Sam’s usual grin with an orange slice placed inside his mouth to mimic a smile. His eyebrows wiggled wildly in amusement, clearly trying to make Rafe laugh.
And he succeeded.
Rafe’s seemingly permanent worried frown quickly turned into a manic grin, and he convulsed with laughter, side-splitting from lack of air. Sam joined in, though it seemed he was giggling more as a result of Rafe’s extreme reaction than the actual humor itself.
While Rafe fought to regain composure, he loosened his grip on the steering wheel. The car began to drift towards the side of the road but neither noticed until a giant fallen tree lay right in the path of their trajectory.
Sam’s laughter slowed and he began to look through the front window again. His eyes widened instantly and Rafe noticed, raising a brow in confusion. In a flash, Sam leaned over the center of the car and quickly grabbed the steering wheel, whirring it away from the tree. Rafe slammed the brakes in response, and they both lurched forward painfully.
They both sat for a moment in shock. After catching their breath, they silently looked up at each other. Instantly, their petrified faces broke into smiles and giggling, Sam taking the lead this time with roaring laughter. “OH MY GOD, WE ALMOST DIED!” He shouted in between chuckles.
Rafe gasped for breath desperately and said “Talk about a killer punchline-”. He couldn’t even finish the joke properly before he began to guffaw again.
Sam stopped suddenly in reaction and turned to face Rafe seriously. “Oh god, you’re starting to sound like me.” He mocked a look of horror and disgust, quickly turning to laughter. Sides stinging, lungs aching, they finally calmed down and slowly were brought back to reality. To Rafe’s surprise, when he opened his eyes Sam was still beside him.
Right where he’s meant to be.
Sam’s eyes were shining with affection for him, making Rafe’s cheeks turn a shade of light crimson.
“Ah-“ he mumbled while adjusting himself in his seat. “We better get back on course.” Rafe finished, shifting the gears in the car to turn back towards the road.
He felt Sam’s hand brush his own, and Rafe felt electricity pulse through him, if only for just a moment. “I like it when you’re like this, ya know?” Sam whispered, his deeper voice carrying the gravel of age. Rafe smiled innocently enough and shrugged.
“It’s your fault this mission is taking so long. Dumbass. Keep distracting me.”
Sam opened his mouth as if to say some odd quip in response, but closed it when he looked down and saw Rafe's shaking hands.
C’mon Adler get it together. Just finish the mission. He’s just a boy.
Looking up again as he returned to the path towards their destination, he saw Sam in the rear-view mirror, gazing out the window with an adorable look of wonderment at the world outside of those cold prison walls. Rafe’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
Just a boy.