Same Love

40: Citizenship

Sam woke before Daryl on the second day, plagued by thoughts all night. He asked himself why he was trying so hard and why he thought a lasting peace was possible. He dressed quietly before making himself toast, leaving some on the counter with a note for Daryl. Daryl had been teasing him mercilessly last night about how domesticated he seemed but he didn't exactly mind, at least he wasn't savage. Sam went out into the street, noticing Rick and Carl talking to the neighbours. Carl looked more than awkward so he decided to step in and help. 

"Morning. Don't you look chipper"

"Could say the same for you" Carl shot back making the blonde woman and her son turn, now alerted as to his presence. Ron, her son, looked more than a bit awestruck.

"Anyway, I'm exploring... Do you want to come keep me company?"

"Sure"

Sam then began to stride away, Carl close behind him. Once they had gone Jessie turned to Rick with a questioning expression and then to her son.

"Sam's good at gauging situations, he's one of the nicest guys so don't get too scared" Rick said, though Ron did not look scared in the least. Carl and Sam went to find Carol and Maggie, reminded of the books Sam picked up to give them a few days ago. As he passed many greeted him with enthusiasm that he ignored yet again, leaving Carl to furrow his brows. Now that he thought about it, Sam was never good around strangers. Carl wondered why he was so set on this place, why he insisted Aaron was such a good person that he wouldn't lead them astray. Upon finding Carol they found another woman, the one who Sam had met briefly while retrieving his bow the previous day. She blushed, watching him as he leant back on the sideboard lazily, handing Carol the cheesy novel.

"Don't know what it's about but I just picked it up on a run, I thought you'd appreciate the distraction"

"thank you Sam"

"Maggie's going to have the other one, you might want to swap when you finish it"

"yeah"

With that, Sam walked away with Carl a few paces behind again. Carl watched Sam's feet as he walked, trying to match the man's long strides but failing, having to break into a jog to keep up with Him. Sam was fully aware of the plot being hatched to steal back their weapons which was part of the reason he was keeping Carl out of the way, occupying the teenager. It seemed that he would not get on with those of his age here and so Sam was going to provide some much-needed friendship. Later on, a welcoming party was held. It was a small affair and yet Sam felt it was still way too crowded and so decided to stay out. He sat on the steps of the porch staring a glass of whiskey, single malt from Scotland. It seemed they had quite the collection here. He sipped it gingerly, the alcohol slowly burning its way into his bloodstream. He had already downed god knows how many shots and a few glasses of whiskey, he was intelligible but felt iffy.. He failed to notice Daryl approaching through the haze of alcohol. He had quite a high tolerance and yet not drinking for a couple of years had left him slightly inexperienced. Was that really how long it had been? Months? Years? He let out a shaky sigh as Daryl stood a few feet away, observing how despondent Sam looked. Despite the safety and the façade Sam was troubled and Daryl knew it, he knew it was only matter of time before the craving to be on the run again took over him. Daryl had learnt many things in his time with Sam, one of those being that he never liked to stay in one place for too long. Aaron stared at the two from across the road. He was going to work up the courage to ask them to join him and Eric for dinner.

" You ok?"

"Yeah. You went out on a scouting run today, right? Anything useful?" Sam asked, visibly perking up. Daryl didn't know whether it was merely an interruption of his thoughts or an actual change in mood, it was always hard to tell. 

"Nah, Nothin' much. How was your day?" 

"Uneventful" Sam said, draining the whiskey from his glass. He stared at the empty glass, eyes raking over its crystal surface, watching as the porch lights danced over it. Daryl hesitantly placed his hand on Sam's knee causing him to look up, catching icy blue eyes.

"Tell me what it is" Daryl whispered causing Sam to almost divulge his fear then and there. The two were interrupted however by Aaron.

"You guys want to come over for dinner with me and Eric? Beats being out here right?"

Sam was hesitant but was coaxed into the idea by Daryl's also hesitant gaze, supportively squeezing the redneck's hand as he placed the glass down on the steps. They followed Aaron to a house across the street, entering via the open garage. Sam smiled a slight smile at seeing the shine in Daryl's eye when he eyed up the motorcycle parts lying about.

"We'll have to get you a bike. The reason Deanna hasn't given you a job is because you'll be helping me with recruitment" Aaron told Daryl. Sam's heart jumped nervously, Daryl was going to go out there without him. Sam knew Daryl could take care of himself, that was not the issue. The issue was that Sam was going to be stuck doing work inside of these walls while Daryl was out there risking his life. Daryl's sixth sense kicked in as he sensed Sam's sudden panic and this time was the one to reassure the archer it was all ok. They didn't stay for very long, only to greet Eric and eat a pleasant meal of vegetable casserole cooked by Eric. Sam forced himself to eat something out of politeness before regretting it instantly.

"Excuse me for a moment," He said abruptly, slurring his words slightly before running out of the house. Daryl followed after him, not excusing himself and leaving Aaron and Eric to wonder.

"Now those two really do have something special"

"They're so in tune with each other" Eric agreed, finishing his meal in silence.He knew they weren't coming back tonight. Sam ran down the road before eventually stopping in the middle of an open space to empty the contents of his stomach onto the grass. He wretched, feeling awful about leaving but grateful for his quick thinking. Coughing, he felt a hand rubbing his back that had not been there before and coughed some more. Daryl knelt beside Sam, worried and utterly confused. Why was Sam sick? Had he eaten something or was it stress or was it something else entirely. Daryl waited for a few moments while Sam coped with it and when he felt Sam was done he grabbed the hunched man's shoulders.

"Let's get ya back to the house" 

"I'm fine" The male mumbled.

"Ya ain't fine Sam" 

Daryl supported Sam as they walked back, hauling the man upstairs. Sam stripped off to his boxers casually before catapulting himself onto the bed, ignoring Daryl's involuntary chuckle.

"Do ya want anythin'? Water, food...Food not such a great idea" Daryl rethought, quite skittish in this situation. The person he loved was sick for unknown reasons and he could do nothing about it. He went to get water, coming up with a glass in his left hand and a bucket in his right. 

"I'm fine now... It was the alcohol, I had way too much" Sam giggled. Daryl would never have guessed that Sam was intoxicated except for the pink tinge to his cheeks and the sloppiness of his words. He didn't seem so stressed out. Daryl climbed into bed beside him, only now realising that in some time between when he went to get water and when he came back Sam had brushed his teeth and washed his face.

"Thank you. You didn't need to do this for me, it was my own fault" 

"Yeah no kiddin'" Daryl muttered, feeling a kiss pressed to his temple before the male turned over.

"I'm going to have some form of hangover so please go easy on me in the morning"

"Sure, I'll just jump on ya to wake ya up" 

"Much appreciated" Sam's sarcasm kicked in and Daryl grinned before taking things into his own hands. For the first time, he instigated the kiss and Sam accepted it willingly, tasting of minty fresh toothpaste.

"I'm goin' out there with Aaron" 

"I know. Please come back"

"I will. What are ya worried about? It's me" Daryl smirked, laying his head down on the pillow. Sam sighed and his eyelids dropped heavily, sleep threatening to overpower him.

"just come back"