the boardwalk ; monday afternoon

[necroslacker]

Despite the problems Sam had been having with his ghosts disrupting people (or person) lately, he wasn't in too bad a mood today. That might have been because he'd gone out skateboarding for a long, long time and was just now sitting down to take a breather. He was hot and sweaty but it had felt good to channel some of his discontent and guilt into exercise. He swiped his sweaty hair out of his eyes and stretched his legs out, using his skateboard as a foot stool for the moment.

He was spending as much time away from the tents as he could and therefore, spending as much time not sleeping as possible. It might be unhealthy but there was no way he was gonna risk scaring people he didn't know with random ghost visits. It was hard enough that he was bothering Natalie with it.

So, he wasn't sleeping and he was barely around the campsite which meant he was either off skateboarding, walking, or just...doing something that kept him away and didn't put his tentmates at risk.

It was stupid, he knew, because most people here were used to weird things but Sam was stupid at the best of times.

[Open place in town, open post!]

Comments

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie gave his hand a squeeze. "It's okay. You attract ghosts, and you're a little gross and sweaty right now. I still like you."

[necroslacker]

"I've been skateboarding and it's warm," Sam said, looking over at her. "You want me to hug you now?"

[whenshewasnice]

She shrugged. "I wouldn't say no to that."

[necroslacker]

"Even though I'm a little gross and sweaty?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.

[whenshewasnice]

"The campgrounds have showers and I have clean clothes at my tent." She had these things covered. "Think you're missing the crucial thing in what I just said."

[necroslacker]

"And what was the crucial thing, Natalie?" Sam asked, half smiling.

[whenshewasnice]

"That I like you," she said. "Despite the ghosts, and the sweat, and the grossness."

Though she suspected he already knew that.

[necroslacker]

"No, I actually got that," Sam told her with a little smile. "I just didn't know if you really wanted a hug and the possibility of me getting you gross too."

[whenshewasnice]

"I do want a hug."

And look at her actually saying the words like it wasn't hard to get that out of her mouth, for once.

[necroslacker]

Sam stood up and, using the grip he had on her hand, pulled her up with him. "Then, come here, nerd." He was already pulling her closer to his body.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie really didn't need to be urged to do that too hard. She moved closer willingly. "Stop calling me a nerd, slacker."

[necroslacker]

Sam wrapped his arms around her and embraced her tightly. His shirt was a little damp and he was still warm and sweaty but he didn't care if she didn't.

"Make me, nerd," Sam retorted with a laugh.

[whenshewasnice]

It wasn't Natalie's favourite but she had decided not to care for now. She wrapped her own thin arms around him too.

"You really don't want me to do that. I'm sure I could."

[necroslacker]

"You being stronger than me does not guarantee me just bending to your whims, you know," Sam pointed out. "You couldn't make me stop."

[whenshewasnice]

"You say that as someone I've never physically hurt before." Yes, adding that qualifier separating it from emotional hurt seemed like a thing to do. "You don't want to test that theory."

[necroslacker]

"Maybe I do wanna test that theory," Sam challenged. "You can't shut me up even if you're stronger."

[whenshewasnice]

"I could shut you up so well you'd never talk to me again," Natalie replied. "You don't want that."

[necroslacker]

"You're assuming an awful lot of things about me when it comes to this," Sam told her, shaking his head. "You couldn't shut me up and I'm not gonna stop calling you that, nerd."

[whenshewasnice]

"Not just assuming. I happen to know what I'm capable of." She'd just rather not prove it. She liked dating him. "But think whatever you want."

[necroslacker]

"And I know what I can resist."

Hey, he'd been tortured and he'd still kept up his sarcastic retorts throughout that.

"So, I think I will. Glad we settled that."

[whenshewasnice]

But he'd never been kneed in the groin by someone with cartoon strength. He should pray it stayed that way and she saved that for Todd.

She rolled her eyes. "Mmhmm."

[necroslacker]

"I can tell you're doubting me but I'll let that go too," Sam told her easily. "Because I love you and all."

[whenshewasnice]

"You are really too kind," Natalie drawled, as she leaned forward to give him a little kiss. "Far too gentlemanly."

[necroslacker]

"I know, people tell me that all the time," Sam joked, smiling against her lips. "I guess that's what makes me just so gosh darn attractive to everyone."

[whenshewasnice]

"Everyone, hmm?" she murmured. "Should I feel threatened or worried?"