Old Songs- Sammy x Jack

The Projectionist

Jack's POV

Jack walked up to the studio doors and tipped his hat to the smiling character he now knew as Bendy. Brand new day, he thought as he entered the front office. He had gone home early the previous day in order to scrub the ink out of his clothes and hair. This ended up being a failed venture, and he had to resort to throwing his shirt and pants in the trash. He'd gotten most of ink off his face, but a small smudge remained on his left cheek.

Where Sammy had whipped it away. Jack could still feel the chill that had run through him when Sammy's thumb had connected with his cheek. Is this... normal? Jack was so distracted (an occurrence that was far to common) that he didn't realize he'd already made his way to the Music Department. He was just about to turn into the Infirmary to pick up his notes from yesterday when he glanced down the hall into Sammy's office. A large window revealed the inside of the spacious room. Sammy was bent over his desk, blond hair falling down over his face. His mouth was curled into a concentrated grimace. His clothes were still covered in dry ink.

Oh hell no. Jack stormed straight up to the office and swung open the door with a loud bang.

"What in God's- Jack!?" Sammy yelped, nearly falling out of his chair.

"C'mon. We're going for walk." Jack snatched Sammy by the forearm and dragged him out the door.

"Wha- Jack, I'm busy. I've got to finish the composition for the latest episode by-"

"Shut up and listen." Jack turned and stared Sammy straight in his eyes. "You need a break. Look at yourself! You didn't even go home last night! The last time you got this burnt out you fell asleep in your car. Now turn off your brain and let's take a walk." Sammy huffed, but he didn't argue. They made their way to the rickety elevator and took it straight to the Art Department. Jack wanted to talk to Henry, the co-founder of Joey Drew Studios. Henry was easy-going and Jack was able to get a lot of inspiration from him for his lyrics. As the two turned towards Henry's desk, they almost collided head on with Wally, the janitor.

"Oh cripes Mr. Lawrence I'm sorry- oh hi Jack!" Wally gave him a crooked grin. Sammy had always told Jack he had a magnetic personality, but Jack never really understood why. He didn't have a booming voice like Joey's. He wasn't charming and he certainly wasn't handsome. Whenever he had voiced this to Sammy, he would always say, " You're good looking enough." Every time he said that, it gave Jack a warm feeling in his stomach.

"Nice to see you, Wally!" Jack smiled. "You ever find your keys?" Wally gave him a warning look, but Sammy had already heard.

"You lost your keys again?" Sammy's voice was low and threatening.

"Wow would you look at the time! I'll see you later gotta get going!" Wally stuttered out before dashing down the hall in the opposite direction. Jack looked at Sammy, looked back after Wally, then busted out laughing. Sammy smiled.

"I swear, that man would lose his head if it weren't attached to his head," he groaned.

Henry wasn't at his desk, though. Apparently, he'd taken a sick day after so many long nights. So instead, Jack and Sammy decided to take a walk down to the storage units on level 14. People hardly ever went down there, so they would be able to walk in peace. They took the elevator down into the depths of the studio.

"Hey Jack, thanks for helping me with the switch yesterday," Sammy said, breaking the silence. His voice was quiet, almost embarrassed.

"Of course! Anytime!" Jack smiled wide at Sammy, who gave him a sheepish grin in return.

The elevator clattered to a stop, and the two friends took off into the shadows. They wove around the twisted hallways surrounded by alcoves packed with supplies and merchandise ready to be shipped out. They lost track of how many turns they had taken, but they didn't care. They talked and laughed and Jack felt just like he used to when they would hop bars at night for extra cash: just happy to be with his friend. But why did the word "friend" hurt so much?

There was a brief silence. Jack looked over at Sammy and was surprised to see that he looked nervous. "Jack, I wanted to ask-"

"What are you doing down here!?" A voice from behind them shot through the silence, startling them both. Jack whipped around and was immediately blinded by a piercing white light. He hissed, moving his hands in front of his eyes. The source of the voice, a suspicious looking man with dirty blond hair, moved the flash light out of their faces. His eyes were intense and accusatory. "Don't just stand there gawkin', answer me!"

"W-we were just walking. S-so sorry we disturbed you M-Mr...?" Jack couldn't help feeling intimidated by this man, but Sammy was staring him dead in eyes, standing slightly in front of Jack.

"Norman," the man said with a grunt. "Sorry to scare you two. Thought you were someone else."

"Who?" Sammy's hostile voice cut through the air like a knife.

"You ask to many questions," Norman stated matter-of-factly. Sammy drew back, surprised. Then he chuckled.

"Nice to meat you, Norman. The name's Sammy," he said, sticking out a hand. Jack watch in astonishment as the two shook.

"And you are?" Norman asked, turning his piercing gaze to Jack.

"Jack Fain! Pleased to meet ya!" He shook Norman's hand briskly. "What do you do here at the studio?"

"I'm the protectionist. I've been trying to find that new reel of film that got shipped in, but whoever organized this room has bees for brains. I can't find shit."

"Well, I'm sure we could give you a hand! C'mon!" Jack headed off down the dark corridor, Sammy and Norman in tow. They began digging through crate after crate trying to find the shipment. Jack chatted on and on, but Norman didn't seem to mind. Sammy just silently shifted through the contents of the boxes, occasionally glancing up and smiling at Jack. After about ten minutes of searching, they finally found what Norman was looking for. Jack snatched up the box with a triumphant flourish. "Here you go! Signed, sealed, and delivered!" Norman took the box from Jack and they finally made their way out of the maze.

"So how'd you two meet?" Jack glanced at Norman. They were standing in the elevator, making their way back to the Music Department.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"Y'know, when did you start dating?" Jack stared bewildered at him and Sammy start choking. Jack's face was bright red.

"N-no where not- we're just- we're n-not like-" Jack was having a hard time getting his words out. The elevator screeched to a stop and the doors opened.

"What ever you say," Norman shrugged. His eyes were suspicious again as he exited the elevator. He left Sammy and Jack in an uncomfortable silence. Jack glanced at Sammy, who's face was beet red. He avoided Jack's gaze.

"W-well I guess I'll, um, see you later," Sammy mumbled. He started to leave the elevator.

"Wait!" Jack called. Sammy turned. "What did you want to ask me? B-before Norman showed up."

Sammy's face got even redder, if that was even possible. "I-it's nothing important." He hurried off down the hall towards his office. Jack stood just outside the elevator, wishing Sammy would turn around and tell him what he hadn't said. Silently, in his head, he answered the question he'd asked at the start of the day. No. Nothing about this is normal. But is that really a bad thing?