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Sam shucked off his jacket the moment he stepped into Luke's and headed straight for the bar, tossing it down onto a barstool. He nodded at Luke and the man nodded back, already pushing Sam's usual towards him.
Sam took a slow sip of his whiskey, feeling some of the tension drain from his shoulders as he swallowed it down. His eyes darted towards his watch. It wasn't even nine yet, no way Steve and his date would be asleep anytime soon. Sam sighed and took another sip. He was getting real tired of coming to Luke's every other week. Sam knew he was acting like a kid. He was happy for Steve, really, but the guy spent most of his time at Nat's apartment now, so it was only a matter of time before the two moved in together. And whenever Sam came home to an empty apartment, and sat on the couch eating shitty pizza (because he didn't want to waste money on the good stuff if he was alone), watching even shittier shows, and thinking about how lonely he felt. Not good for his mental -or physical- health. Maybe be should get a dog.
His maudlin thoughts were interrupted by someone sliding onto the barstool next to his. An attractive someone, Sam realised, letting his eyes dart over for a second. The man signalled Luke and ordered a whiskey as well. Nice voice, too. Sam swore he saw a glint of metal when the man reached out to take his glass of whiskey, the sleeve of his leather jacket riding up, but it was gone as soon as he'd noticed it.
"I'd offer to buy you a drink, but I see you're all set", Sam said, turning his upper body towards the new guy. He assumed he was new; he'd never seen him before.
The man turned to Sam, blinking his steel blue eyes. "Sorry, were you talking to me?"
"Yeah." Sam let his eyes rake over the guy, making his intentions clear. "Unless you're not into that, no hard feelings. I'm Sam."
The man raised an eyebrow. "No hard feelings, huh?" He grinned, slow and easy, taking in Sam's face, his arms. "James. You got a place?"
"Yeah. Roommate's out for the night."
James picked up his glass of whiskey, saluting Sam with it before downing the drink in one go. Sam watched his throat work as he swallowed, itching tot race the movement with his fingers. James wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and stood up. "Well, what are we waiting for, then?"
Sam downed his drink, slapped a couple of bills on the table - too much, but he was in a good mood now - grabbed his jacket, and led the way out of the bar.