Work Text:
The sun was just setting and Aran had cooked a delicious meal for him and his boyfriend Sampling. It was Salmon with Asparagus, something Aran seemed to enjoy cooking quite a bit. He slid the plate towards the purple haired man and sat beside him on the island table.
“Gee, thanks!” Sam cut a generous chunk and took a comically large bite into it.
Aran brings his fork down onto the salmon, cutting into it. “Of course, I'm glad you enjoy it.”
“You wanna go out after this? I’m kinda bored of staying home all the time. Summer sucks!” Sam grumbles as he stuffs another chunk into his mouth.
“Sure what should we do?” Aran finally finishes cutting all the fish into pieces and takes his first bite.
Sam starts jabbing the fork down onto a handful of Asparagus and shoves it in mouth “Well, we could go on a walk outside.. You gonna eat yours?”
“No.”
Sam stabs Aran’s asparagus and eats it whole. “Okay well we could go ..” Sampling's eyes brightens “STARGAZING! It's fun and simple.”
Aran takes another bite of his salmon. “Okay, let me finish my meal. You go get ready.”
“Okay!” Sam hops off the chair and runs off his room.
His room is all put together with colors that match his own appearance. Plushies all in a basket, His laptop still open to the video he was watching, his desk messier than ever with pens and notebooks scattered. His clothes all stacked on his shelves, folded all nice and neat. Since it was the summer Sampling didn't have work so he was left to his own devices which was nice the first two weeks but now it's constant boredom, and Aran still has work so he's always too tired to go out and do anything. It feels nice to finally go out and do things. Sam quickly put some clothing on, he wore a sweater with some baggy jeans.
While Sam was doing his own thing Aran continued eating his salmon, he loved to really take in the flavour of the meal and let it sit. He has a very particular way of eating but it was his. He was actually quite excited to spend time with Sam. He loved looking at him always but in beautiful lighting. And it felt like a good break from work, his job was filled with annoying co-workers and pissy customers, he couldn't wait to finally quit his job. Despite his successful music career it still wasn't paying the best. But in a matter of time he could quit and that couldn't be more than exciting.
Then he was finished, he stacked the plates on top of Sam’s and placed them in the sink, and out came Sam all dressed up.
“Okay, let's go.” Aran nodded at him and began washing his hands.
Sam looked Aran up and down. “You're not gonna change?”
“Unless there’s a reason for me to change then no.” Aran pulled a piece of paper towel and dried his hands.
“But you asked me to change, how is that fair?” Sam’s eyes squinted in confusion
Aran sighed, turning around to face him. “You had been wearing the same damn clothes for two weeks, Sampling. Obviously I need you to change to be out in public.” He placed his hands on his hips.
Sam crossed his arms and turned away whining “OHHH!! so you think I'm stinky!!”
“I think your clothing is.” Aran chuckled.
Sam sighs and makes his way to the front door “well don't just stand there, Arange juice.”
Aran nodded, following the smaller man. A tightness in his chest hit him, was he nervous? For what? It's not incredibly rare for them to go out, so what could he possibly be so anxious for? He messed with his sleeves as they walked down the apartment hallway , his heart racing as they made their way down the stairs.
Sam turned back to look at aran whose face told a million stories.
“Are you good?” Sam stopped in his tracks, his gaze full of confusion and worry.
Aran looked to the side, rubbing the cloth of his dress shirt collar between his fingers. “It's nothing, I'm just nervous..and excited.”
“Nothing to be nervous about. This isn't our first time going out so ease up” Sam pats Aran's shoulder and continues walking and with that Aran follows.
Sam continues to speak “But despite what I said, I'm a little nervous too. It has been a while.”
“I'm glad you understand me.” Aran smiles.
Sam opens the door to the outside and holds it for Aran. “Well, I'm like the most anxious individual there is, so yeah I get it.”
Aran scoffs, walking through. “You? Anxious? Really?”
“Uhhh uhyeah?” Sam now behind Aran, he jogs to catch up.
“You are the most NOT anxious person…ive ever met.” Aran says , cracking his knuckles and straightening his clothes.
Sam groans, “well that's just what you SEE… Asshole”
“Ok, ok. I get it. I get it.” Aran laughs, nudging at Sampling “im right your wrong, im ugly your pretty, im tall your short.”
“That is not what i meant” Sam crosses his arms , until he sees the empty field. “This feels like a good spot, yeah?”
Aran nods, Sam now already ahead of him is running towards the field and throws himself onto the ground taking in the nature-y smell of it all. Above him laid millions of stars just ready to explode. Aran ,with time, joined him. They too would stare at the stars for what felt like forever. The sounds of distant crickets and frogs croaking was almost calming. Aran's hand searched for Sam's , his fingers wrapped around Sam’s. Sam enjoyed Aran’s touch, his warmth would often overtake with a sudden touch and that in itself was a gift for Sam.
Sam finally breaks the silence “this is fun.”
“Yeah, it's been a while since I saw the stars.” Aran closes his eyes. “How long has it been?”
Taking a moment to think Sam replies “I think.. A year? Maybe two? Jeez, it's been a while.”
“Yeah, do you ever miss Canary and Roland, I mean they are family.” Aran asks
“Do you miss your family?”
Aran stays silent for a moment “I always do.”
“We can always visit your folks, if you want to. I think it would be nice to go see them.” Sam stretches and sighs to himself
Aran smiles “I think it would be nice too, how about tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah, let's do that then.” Sam sits up , knees to his chest. “Whats your opinion of family? Do you think that even when they hurt you, should you be obligated to just forgive and forget?”
Aran sits up looking at Sam, trying to figure out the right thing to say. “Well, let's look at it this way, if you are able to forgive someone who did horrible things to you that says more about you being a better person who is able to move on, but that doesn't mean you should just forget.. Forgive and Remember. That's what I'd do.”
Sam looks at Aran, his body weak and shaky. “Forgiving is just so difficult, She.. She hurt me.”
“I know, and that is why this is so important. It's for you to let go and move on.” Aran puts his hand on Sam’s shoulder.
“One day I will.. I promise to you.” Sam nods, this commitment is a little too much for him but he is willing to try, if that would make Aran happy.
Aran sighs with frustration “Promise to yourself. You have to do it for yourself.”
The idea of Sam doing it for himself obviously occurred to him but it something he wasn't interested in completely, but he knew that Aran was right. Just the idea of forgiving someone so easily scared him. It felt like he was just letting her get away with all she’s done but he knows that isn't completely true.
I mean she died for what she did isn't that enough he thought. And he wasn't wrong to think that, she DID die after all. Unfortunately I wasn't on Sam’s terms, but he was okay with that.
“Yeah, I'll do it for myself. You're right.” Sam closes his eyes and leans against Aran and dozes off.