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i can't stop thinking about natasha and sampo: a hyperfixation-induced oneshot
I hear an overly complicated knock at the door and I know instantly who it is. The children seem to catch on, as well, as squeals of delight erupt among the masses swarming to the door. "He's here! he's here!"
The door opens just a crack.
"Can I come in?" Without waiting for an answer, the door swings open to reveal Sampo, eho is currently precariously balancing several crates chock full of his latest delivery. "It's me~!"
A sigh breaks its way through my smiling lips. Most of those things are medical supplies that I desperately need to start organizing and distributing, but that'll be impossible with the sea of kids between Sampo and I. And that's if I can even get to him before he drops it all. "Alright, everyone, settle down," I say, trying to get ahead of the frenzy. Sampo begins shifting to narrowly avoid dropping a crate as he sees the masses move toward him. "Uh... Hi, hey how you doing... Oh- pardon me..."
With some more encouragement the sea finally parts and allows me to reach him. My next words come out softly-- a stark contrast from my previous tone. "Hello, you."
"Hello to you too," says Sampo, flashing me his signature grin. He turns to the crowd, always eager to please even when uncomfortable, "Here we have everything you asked for on your list, and more, Miss Natasha and company, because that's just how you do it when you're Sampo Koski!"
I smile back. "Well, on behalf of myself and the children, we thank you. Now, could I start taking those off your hands before disaster strikes?" He tries to brush me off, convince me he's fine, but I start taking them anyway. I can hear the quiet sigh of relief he lets out when his hands are free. Relief quickly turns back to discomfort as one child pulls on his pantleg. "Did you bring us any toys, mister Sampo?"
"Oh, actually, as a matter of fact-" before he can even end the sentence, small hands shoot up all around him. I can't help but giggle as the grabbing motions start and kids are pushing each other's hands out of the way.
"Can I have it? Can I have it?"
"No, you got one three times ago, let someone else have a turn!"
I clap my hands as loud as I can in a simple pattern. The first time about half of the horde repeats the pattern back to me and sits down cross-legged. The second time, almost everyone, and by the third clap the room is quiet and attentive once more. "I will be giving out the toys for kids who are on their best behaviour this week, so you'd all better be well behaved!" A few children visibly sit up straighter at this announcement.
A hand shoots up, wiggling its fingers.
"Yes, dear?"
"Um, can we at least see what the toys are," squeaks a little girl. "so we know if we want them?" I shake my head. "Seele, are you asking to PEEK at the surprise? Wouldn't that be... cheating?" Upset covers her tiny face in a flash. "NO! I would never cheat at anything."
"Aw, c'mon," Sampo suddenly interrupts. "Maybe I can give them a hint? Just a small one!" This, of course, causes the room once again erupts various voices saying something to the effect of "please, miss Natasha?" I make a mental note to once again ask Sampo not to rile the crowd against me for social gain within the orphanage. "Fine," I concede, "just one."
"The thing is..." he shout-whispers, crouching down to be closer to the children, "its a special toy. A really special one. So special, I can only think of one person to give it to." Suddenly I hear whispers break out, often so quickly hushed by other kids that I don't have time to discern what they're saying. I look around the room but nothing gives me any clue as to what's going on. I turn back to Sampo, who seems to be very uncomfortable being so close to the kids but making no effort to move. What is he scheming?
All at once, the children back run outside. Some yell "bye, mister Sampo!" as they run past him. I'm... honestly impressed. "How'd you manage that?"
"Oh, I told them we'd be kissing." Immediately upon seeing my expression, his face flushes and he backpedals. "I didn't- I didn't mean it like that, Nat..." He stops. "Oh, hey, That. Nat! Ha, I didn't even do that on- anyway, I just figured kids hate kissing, right? Grosses them out! Not that kissing you would be gross, of course, but that's besides the point,"
Ignoring him, I stare at the small object in his hand. It glitters in the evening light marvelously. "Is that the toy?"
"Oh, yeah. Well, it's not a toy, but it is what I was talking about." He extends his hand toward me. "For you." On his palm lies a small green stone. I pick it up, running my thumb across its smooth polished surface, feeling its weight in my hand. I ask Sampo what it is.
"Honestly, I have no idea. But I do know that you'd like it. Or I hoped you would, anyway." I turn to him and come face to face with big, hopeful eyes. "Do... do you like it?"
I nod. "Yes. Thank you, Sampo."
His shoulders untense and that signature grin returns to his face. "Ok. Good. I'm glad."
I turn around and begin sorting the crates. With the kids out playing, I might be able to get it all done before dinnertime if I start now. I start by making three simple piles: painkillers, medicine, and first aid. Hands busy at work, I continue the conversation with Sampo over shoulder. "Oh, and you were very brave to be so close to the children."
"Ugh, I know, right? I could see the snot coming out of so many noses, Nat. So. Many. Noses." He shudders. "I don't know how you do it every day, being around all these little... guys." I can't help but to giggle and reply, "same way I handle being around you: be careful not to indulge you too much lest you get too riled up."
"Aw, hey, that's not very nice! After all I do for you!" He protested, walking around the desk so he could show me that he had his hand over his heart. "How rude, miss Natasha! I have half a mind to walk out that door right now!"
I briefly look up at him to show him the disbelief on my face before returning to organizing. "and you'd come running back when you remember no one else would hire you."
It was Sampo's turn to laugh. "Oh, you know I'd figure something out. I wouldn't be Sampo Koski if I wasn't-"
"Crafty?"
"I was going to say resourceful, but that works too. Regardless," he said, moving closer to me, "you just like having me around." I turn to him, ready to shoot another look of disbelief, but I didn't realize how close he was to me. I move my eyes up to properly meet his expression this time, and it's.... softer than I thought it would be. The moment I feel my cheeks get warm, I turn back to the supplies. I'm almost finished. "Not as much as the kids like having you around. I fear I'm getting replaced as their favourite."
"Pssht. Please, Nat, they love you. And I mean who wouldn't?" He puts his hand down on the table, now leaning on his arm. "You're like... well, I hate to get so morbid, but you're like the mother they've never had."
My eyes widen as I get a thought. A thought I would normally never be so bold as to speak out loud, but I say anyway: "Would that make you the father they've never had?"
Now its Sampo whose cheeks flush pink as he jumps up, scratching his neck as he fumbles for a response. "I hope not. I'm clearly very horrible with children, as you know and have clearly seen. Many times. Even now, today! The noses, Nat! The noses!"
After I place a final roll of bandage into the first aid pile, I raise my head to be face to face with him again. His cheeks flush harder, and before I have time to overthink, I giggle and kiss him on the cheek. "I think you'd be a wonderful dad, Sampo."
"Natasha..." I watch his eyes dart from my eyes to my lips. He starts to slowly lean in. I go to close the gap-
"EWWW! They really ARE kissing!"
Our heads swivel around. Through the window, we can see several children are peeking into the room, many of them with tongues out and pretending to vomit. "GROSS!" Sampo and I slide away from each other, a little embarrassed, but smiling all the same. Making a quick recovery, he stomps outside shouting something about finding the "punks" who spied on him.
Soon the dinnertime bell rings, and its time to say goodbye and goodnight. I watch the children wave to Sampo as they shuffle back inside. Some even get a high-five from the man, who is kind enough to wait until everyone is inside to wipe his hand on his pants. I chuckle at the sight, which causes a sheepish look to spread on his face. I chuckle again. "Goodnight, Sampo."
He smiles, opens his mouth to say something, then shakes his head. Not even ten feet later, Sampo turns back, walking toward me.
"Decided to say it after all?" I ask.
He nods, stopping directly in front of me. "For the record," he says, "Even if you don't like having me around, which I can respect even if I don't believe it-" he says through that classic grin- "I like being around you."
I kiss him on the cheek again, returning the sentiment. "I like being around you, too."