SUGAR AND STEEL

Chapter 8

   “I’m gonna take a shower.” Sami noticed that nearly everything the flower boy said was quiet and soft, unless he was killing.

    “Alright baby. I’ll be here,” he replied. Sami also noticed that nearly everything he said was harsh and rough, unless he was with his flower boy. Kai hummed in response and let go of the psycho’s hand, gentle steps growing quieter as he walked away.

    For the first time, the ravenette looked around the apartment (like really looked). There seemed to be a small kitchenette in the corner of the main living area, and a narrow hallway that lead to the bathroom and presumably the bedroom. Overrall, it was small, but it seemed functional. There was no TV, but there was a desk covered in sheets of paper. Empty coffee cups and an ashtray resided alongside the pencils and chracoals, and an easel and canvases were shoved inbetween the wall and the desk itself. Curious, the psycho found himself leafing through the sheets of paper.

    Each contained a sketch of someone that looked suspiciously like himself. The one that drew his eye the most was one of him, cigarette perched between his fingers and smoke escaping his parted lips, curling around his face. It was done in charcoal, the smudging adding to the smokey effect. It was incredibly well done. So well done, in fact,

    “This is really good Sarah. Really good.”

That the psycho didn’t realize he was crying until he tasted the salt on his lips.

    “Do you really think I could win Sami?”

So good, that he didn’t hear the water stop running. Or his pretty flower boy walking up behing him.

    “Absolutely hun, Absolutely.”

At least until gentle hands spun him around to wipe the tears from his cheeks. Then the tears just came harder.

    “WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?”

He killed her, he killed her, he killed her, he killed her, he killed-

    “Hey, hey. It’s okay. You’re here. Here with me right? Right here. Breathe Sami, breathe.” So Sami breathed. And sunk into the arms that held him together, head resting on Kai’s shoulder. “In and out, in and out.” Sami did what he was told. “There you go.”

    Once he calmed down a bit, Sami noticed the paper still clutched tightly in his sweaty hand, now crumpled slightly in his fist. “Your picture, I’m sorry-”

    “It’s fine. I want to know if you’re okay, you scared me Sami.” Sami didn’t want to scare his flower boy, he was supposed to keep him safe.

    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I don’t want to scare you I don’t want to.” He wasn’t supposed to scare people he loved. Never Sarah, or his flower boy. Never.

    “It’s fine, really, just let me know if your okay please.” Sami took a deep breath and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

    “How’d you feel about a trip to Texas?”

----

    Kai was thrown. That was not a direct answer to his question, but he assumed that it might be with time. And a yes from him of course. He’d have to take time off of school, which wasn’t really a problem. He was failing anyways.

    “Sounds like fun.” Kai had questions, but he trusted his pretty psycho to answer them, all in good time.

    “Oh darlin’, it probably won’t be.”

    “When do we leave?” Sami’s heart swelled. His flower boy was coming with him.

    “As soon as you’re packed and ready dolly.”