BATIM Oneshots

I'm (Not) Straight

Another request from HippieMoonWitch
[Romantic]
Sammy x Norman
This will be partially following some of the story aspects in my Henry Stein Studios fic, feel free to check that out ;)
Disclaimer: I do want to clarify that in this fic so everything makes sense, those trapped in the ink were not trapped for NEARLY as long as they are in canon. In canon it's at least 30 years why in this it's really only been like 5.
Trigger Warning:
Abuse

—

Sammy had been struggling a lot since he and the other workers were freed from the ink machine. Joey had been sent away to a mental asylum and Henry had bought and refurbished the studio into Henry Stein Studios so nobody would end up jobless, getting rid of two of Sammy's bigger worries, but not all of them. Sammy, like many others, had lost his home when presumed dead and was now forced to move back in with his parents. His extremely religious, cruel, strict parents that had kicked him out when he'd come out to them as bisexual years before.

Norman, who had grown a crush on Sammy within his years of getting to know him, began to notice odd things about his old friend. Sammy would wear a cross necklace everywhere now, never once taking it off for anything. Every day he would come into work looking more and more covered up. First he had started keeping his sleeves rolled down, next, he began wearing gloves, next, he'd styled his hair to cover up around one of his eyes and the sides of his face. Sammy seemed quieter too, more polite than he used to be, and almost scared to tell people what to do even though he was the boss. The music director even started to flinch at sudden noises or quick motions, causing Norman to only get more suspicious and worried.

One day, Sammy came in wearing a big white scarf that covered the lower half of his face. Norman had had enough. He waited until the end of the work day then made his way to Sammy's office, going inside to talk to him. Sammy flinched when Norman opened the door, keeping his eyes glued to his desk as he looked down at something, whispering to himself.

Norman slowly approached him, speaking softly. "Sammy? You alright there? I just wanted tah come and try tah talk with yah, you've seemed a bit tense..."

Sammy finished whatever phrase he'd been muttering, giving a quiet "Amen..." just loud enough for Norman to hear, then turning towards him. He didn't meet his eye. "I-I'm fine, Norman... I-I promise..." he tries to give a reassuring look, but it's hard to see when he'd only left a quarter of his face visible.

Norman sighs, completely unconvinced. "Sammy, no you're not fine... for the past year you've been changing more and more. Covering yourself and hiding like you were some kind of monster..." he sighs, clearing his throat. "Sammy... look, I... I like you, okay? I've liked you even since before the incident with Joey. I miss your confidence, I miss seeing your smile, I miss seeing your face in general, Sammy..." Norman looks away, "I just want to know that you're okay..."

Sammy pauses, looking to the floor and slowly standing. "N-Norman... I..." He clutches his cross necklace in his gloved fist, trembling in place. Quickly, he turns and scribbles something down on a piece of paper, then heads for the door. "I-I'm straight, Norman... I-I'm going home..." With that, he practically runs out of the room, tears in his one visible eye.

Norman watches him leave, worry settling in even more. He turns to Sammy's desk, looking down at the note he'd scribbled out. It was an address, and a simple drawing of a broken heart. He quickly grabbed the paper and ran for the studio's exit, a million thoughts running through his mind.

-.-

Norman pulled up to the address to find that it was a very nice looking blue house in a rather friendly looking neighborhood. He pulls into the driveway, slowly getting out of the car. He glances over and notices that Sammy's car is in the drive aswell. He hesitantly makes his way to the door and knocks.

A kind looking older woman answers, wearing a similar looking cross to the one Sammy had. She looked a lot like Sammy, she had his sparkling green eyes and pointy nose. She smiled up at Norman sweetly.

"Hello, sir, what brings you to our doorstep?"

Norman cracks a smile, keeping his shaky hands in his pockets. "Uh... hello, ma'am, I was just wondering if Sammy Lawrence happened to live he-"

He was cut off by the sound of shattering glass and a loud, male scream coming from inside, causing him to tense and clench his fists. The woman paused, quickly putting her hands on the door. "I'm sorry, sir, my darling Samuel isn't available at the moment," she starts trying to close the door on him but he quickly catches it with his foot before she can. He quickly forces open the door, making sure not to hurt her, and runs into the house. He turns a corner into the kitchen only to freeze and gawk in horror.

There was Sammy, up against the wall, his eyes wide with terror as he trembled and pressed himself into the corner. Glass from a shattered cup was scattered all around him, his face littered with bleeding cuts. His hair was messy and his scarf was gone, leaving his face in full view. God, his poor face. He was covered in bruises and what looked almost like burns. A man stood over him, wielding a rolling pin. He raises it up into the air, as if getting ready to strike. Norman instinctively runs over, tackling the guy to the ground. Sammy cries out again, curling in on himself and keeping his eyes squinted shut.

Norman turns to him, not giving the man a second glance as he struggled to stand back up. He lifts the musician into his arms out of the glass pile, running out of the house with him and into his car, driving away without another look back.

-.-

Norman drives for just long enough that he thinks that the man can't chase after them then pulls off to the side of the road. They're out in the middle of nowhere, luckily, so the two are completely alone. Norman looks to Sammy, only to see him sobbing quietly into his hands, trembling helplessly. The projectionist gives a sad sigh, stepping out of the car and going around to the musician's side. He pulls him out of the passengers seat and settles into the back of the car with him so they both can sit together. He holds him close and strokes his hair as Sammy starts sobbing into his chest, clinging to him.

After a couple minutes, when he thinks Sammy has calmed down, Norman looks down at him. "Were... were those your parents?"

Sammy sniffles, hesitantly nodding.

"Do... do they hurt you like that all the time? Is that why you hide?"

Sammy nods again, giving a quiet whimper.

Norman holds him a little closer. "Do you not have anywhere else to live?"

Sammy whimpers again, shaking his head.

Norman sighs, rubbing his back. "Hey... how about we go to my place? I can get you patched up, and you can stay with me for a little while... only if you want to, of course..."

Sammy sniffles, finally looking up at him, his voice hoarse. "Y-You... y-you'd really let me?"

Norman gives a soft smile, kissing his forehead. "Yes, of course... I love you, Sammy..."

"I-I l-love y-you t-too..."

Tears fill Sammy's eyes again, and he quickly hugs Norman, bursting into more sobs. Norman comforts him until he falls into a gentle sleep. Sammy never had to see his awful parents again.