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]

"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?"

[necroslacker]

"Threatened, definitely," Sam joked, nodding oh so seriously. "I've just got so many numbers in my cell phone."

Lies.

[whenshewasnice]

"Sad," Natalie said, before kissing him again, lightly. "Other people just waiting to swoop in and steal you away."

[necroslacker]

"Yes, I'm just such a catch with my scars and my ghosts and my insecurities," Sam murmured, nodding again. "Prime boyfriend material, right here."

[whenshewasnice]

"Some people think that," Natalie replied with an idle shrug. "Some people think those are all a part of you. Though it does help you have a pretty face."

[necroslacker]

"And who thinks I have a pretty face?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow. "Would that be you?"

[whenshewasnice]

"Among other people," she said with another shrug. "I'm just the one admiring you most closely."

[necroslacker]

"Among other people?" Sam asked, not sure if he was buying that. "Not sure if that's true."

[whenshewasnice]

"Have you actually ever looked at your face?" Natalie wondered. "It's not disfigured, you know."