return_to_nola

Being away from Oliver was difficult; at some point, maybe, a 24, 36 hour separation wouldn't ache. But right now, it did, and maybe that was because it was new love, or co-dependency, or any number of reasons, but it was one thing Sam didn't really wish to rationalize. Sam (and Scott, especially Scott) were prone to rationalization above all us.

With Oliver, he tried just to feel.

Sure, they had already seen each other again after Sam's overnight -- Sam had stopped by Oliver's studio as promised, for a quick hello and a kiss and a cup of coffee -- but a quick, public moment like that couldn't replace the moment they were both at home together, alone, with nothing to do but be with each other. It was the only company Sam wanted.

Somewhere, in the back of his mind, was a pang of guilt for not devoting his spare time to solving their 'situation' -- but they really didn't appear to be in danger, and the situation could wait.

Right now, Sam was coming home to the man he loved, who promised to wait by the door for him. To test that theory, he knocked on the door rather than opening it himself.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

nola_quicksilver

Oliver made a face. "I meant I'd be terrible at the sexy roleplaying-as-Pietro part. I'd be a disaster as roleplaying you." And why would he have to anyway, with the expert right here?

From:

nola_cyclops

"I have a hard time imagining you being terrible at anything you might describe as sexy," Sam replied, and kissed Oliver again. Because how could he not! Anyway, Oliver, Pietro: it was all the same, and all sexy.

From:

nola_quicksilver

Sam kept distracting him with kisses! Oliver let him before remembering to explain, "I think the sexy part would be fine, but the part where I need to pretend to be aloof and disdainful of you wouldn't work anymore."

From:

nola_cyclops

"I won't miss that," Sam murmured. He was so lucky that Oliver had given Pietro a new perspective on Sam's -- Scott's -- character. "I don't think I can be aloof with you anymore, either." Which would be a disaster if they were ever supposed to assume their old lives again, separately, but then they wouldn't agree to that, would they? Together or nothing.

From:

nola_quicksilver

"You weren't aloof with me, you were simmering with barely contained annoyance and dislike." Provoking that had been Pietro's goal, after all. Wow, what a shithead.

From:

nola_cyclops

"To be fair, I was like that with a lot of people." But it was true, Pietro had driven Scott nuts.

From:

nola_quicksilver

"Yeah, you were that type. It was like sensing blood in the water." Oliver said it with fondness, though, and took Sam's hand to lead him to the couch.

From:

nola_cyclops

Sam rolled his eyes. "In retrospect, I don't blame you at all for having no time for me." Scott was... an interesting man. Sam, though, could be led to a couch by his boyfriend and comfortably follow to sit beside him. His arm, of course, slid around Oliver's shoulders like it was seeking its home after too long away.

From:

nola_quicksilver

"I mean, I was also busying doing Magneto's bidding and wondering how my life had come to this, so it wasn't just you." Oliver leaned against him, loving how he felt tucked under Sam's arm. It made him feel so safe and secure, and wanted.

From:

nola_cyclops

"You deserved better," Sam said quietly. "So much better." Pietro had only been a kid in a hostile world like the rest of them. There but for the grace of God, and so on. Sam lovingly kissed his cheek. :

From:

nola_quicksilver

"I have better now," Oliver assured him. "This life has been my second chance at being young and happy."

From:

nola_cyclops

“You are pretty happy,” Sam agreed, planting a kiss on Oliver’s temple. “And young and handsome.”

From:

nola_quicksilver

"What was that last one again?" Oliver feigned confusion, but couldn't help grinning. "I must have missed it."

From:

nola_cyclops

Sam bit back a laugh. "Handsome, I called you handsome."

From:

nola_quicksilver

"Three handsomes summons me like Beetlejuice." Oliver crawled onto Sam, straddling his lap, and put his hands on his shoulders. "Sorry not sorry."

From:

nola_cyclops

Now Sam did laugh, but out of happy affection. "Hi Oliver," he replied, because there he was! and he wrapped an arm around Oliver's waist. "I'm not sorry at all."

From:

nola_quicksilver

"You better not be." Not everyone got this close Oliver attention, after all. "Did I mention how hot you were when you stopped by the shop and how everyone was jealous?"

From:

nola_cyclops

"I don't remember hearing about the jealousy," Sam replied with a grin, because yes, Oliver had told Sam he was hot maybe a dozen times during that short visit.

From:

nola_quicksilver

Well, Oliver wanted to make sure Sam never doubted himself in the looks department. This was all about self-esteem, really. "There was definitely some jealous vibes going on. Lingering on the cut of you jacket and everything. I decided to allow it because it'd be impossible to resist staring at you."

From:

nola_cyclops

"I'd rather stare at you," Sam said, both because it was true and because he didn't know what to do with the idea of people staring at himself.

From:

nola_quicksilver

"I'll allow that too. But I don't think I'd fill out your pilot uniform like you do."

From:

nola_cyclops

"But you look perfect in this shirt." Sam petted at it, and Oliver through it.

From:

nola_quicksilver

"It's my new favorite." It really was something he'd want to wear even if he didn't know Cyclops himself—he liked fun, eye-catching designs. "I might never take it off. Ever."