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Sam was tired. He was more than happy to help out Vincent and his partner but he did not miss having to wrangle newborns. And as much as he loved Sparky; they were very much in the more… aggressive stage of the vampiric transition.
He checks his grandma’s watch, and sighs at the time. 4am - far later than he'd hoped, Darlin would probably be asleep by this point. It felt selfish to constantly have them up at all hours of the night, especially since they’d moved in with him. He's not blind to the way they've shifted most of their schedule to match his. It was no coincidence that most of the security shifts they’d taken were for late night events.
He knew it would take a while for them to settle into living with him, and Sam was nothing if not patient. He just wanted to see his home become theirs.
Carefully unlocking the door, he slips in, closing it quietly as possible behind him. He shrugs off his padded coat, smiling fondly at the faded leather jacket he hangs it beside in the entryway. Noticing the dim light from the kitchen, he kicks off his boots and makes his way over.
“Darlin?” He calls out softly, pushing the door open.
Darlin is stood in front of the fridge in the dark, the cool light from inside lighting up their sleepy surprise. They’re wrapped in one of Sam's plaid shirts. In their mouth they have a half eaten slice of pizza with one hand clutching a bag of cheese.
They looked so comfortable he wanted to cry.
“Smuhm!” Their words are garbled by cold pizza and the unholy level of cheese stuffed in their mouth, but all the cheese and dough in the world couldn't smother the joy radiating from them at the sight of their mate.
He chuckles affectionately, warmth blooming in his chest. “Mornin Darlin. What are you doing up so late?”
They shake their head, finally swallowing their mouthful. “Just woke up starving. I slept all afternoon.”
He holds out his arms as an offer and they throw themselves into him. Burying their face in his neck and settling into his hold.
“I missed you Darlin.” He murmurs into their hair, pressing a kiss to the top of their head.
“Missed you too Sam.” They kiss his cheek in return, as they pull back, still in his hold they notice the very open bag of shredded cheese in their hand. And the very obvious trail of cheese that followed them.
“Oh shit I'm so sorry, I got cheese all over our floor. I'll get it, don't worry.”
Sam freezes. “What?”
“I-” they pause half reaching for the broom, tilting their head. “I spilt the cheese I was holding? Are you okay Sam? Do I need to call a vamp doctor?”
“You said our floor.” He says thickly.
“Oh. OH.” Their eyes widen. “Well… it is right?” They say tentatively, forcing a nonchalance with no truth to it.
“Yes it is. It's just nice to see you so at home is all.” Sam is determined not to cry, failing miserably as he feels the tell-tale sting of tears.
“Well I mean-” Darlin, also determined not to cry, and also failing, “- you're home. To me. I guess. And stuff.”
Sam bursts out laughing as tears spill down his cheeks. “And stuff?” He chuckles, gently wiping a tear from their cheek.
“Yeah and stuff, asshole. Now let me kiss you.” They grin, pulling his face in and kissing him passionately.
Instinctively Sam’s hands move to their waist, pulling them in closer as he chases their lips with his.
Finally pulling back, breathless Darlin mumbles, “I really need to clean up that cheese though, we'll get rats.”
“Just a few more seconds Darlin.” He requests, tenderly bumping his forehead against theirs. “It's been a long day.”
They concede, nuzzling back into him; dropping the cheese bag on the counter and wrapping their arms around his neck. “Wanna talk about it?”
Sam takes a deep breath, steeling his nerves. “Just, seeing those two together makes me think of how much I care for you. I want life with you Darlin. I want to age and grow and rot and live every moment by your side. Death was taken from me, my living is all I'm left with. And I'd be honoured more than anything if you'd let me share that with you.”
They're rendered speechless for a moment. “I don't think I could bear anything else.” They eventually say with a small sniffle. “You sentimental bastard.” They tack on to try and distract from how much it affected them.
“Don't get bashful on me now, hun.” He tilts up their chin, pressing a chaste kiss to their lips.
“Not my fault you keep being so bloody sincere.” They grumble, pulling him in close.
He flusters as they begin covering his face with kisses, pushing him against the counter. “You taste like cheese.” He snorts.
They lightly slap his arm, and he pretends to cry out in pain. “Ow! I was only telling the truth.”
“Oh that didn't hurt.” They huff, but press a gentle kiss to the spot regardless. “Besides you love me, cheese and all.”
“That I do.” He grins, eyes twinkling. “More than anything.”
“I love you too.” They grin and pull him towards the backdoor. “Come on, let’s go for a run.”
“Oh you're on Darlin.” And he darts out the house into the woods.
With a bark of laughter they shift, and chase after their love into the night.