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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 27, 2011 20:43:23 GMT -7
Anyone who knew Sam knew he was more likely to chew off his own arm than ask for help, but he was at the end of his rope. The pipes in his already deteriorating trailer had burst, flooding everything in the place. Unfortunately, it had also happened in the middle of the day, meaning he didn’t find it until everything was good and soaked many hours later. All of his stuff worth having was destroyed, not to mention the fact that his bed was soaked. Sam had spent two nights in the chair in his office, and his back was crying for reprieve.
So who could Sam turn to? He could always go to Sookie, but she had been acting weirder than normal lately, and he wasn’t that close to any of his other servers. Tara didn’t have a house in Bon Temps anymore. That left… Brandy. Not that she was necessarily the last person he wanted to live with, but he was a little hesitant because with her, there was always a hint of something just a bit more than platonic. Still, he got in his truck and drove to his duplexes, all of which were filled for the first time since he had bought them. Figures.
He parked outside of Brandy’s, half hoping she wasn’t home so he could use it as an excuse to say the heavens forbid some of the thoughts on his mind, but luck wasn’t with him. When he knocked on the door, it opened, and Sam blinked at his friend.
“Uh, hey…. Got a minute?”
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Post by BB on Jul 27, 2011 21:10:57 GMT -7
Thank god for the weekend, two full days to herself she could actually enjoy. Not that she didn't enjoy working at the bar, she just enjoyed her time off and with the weekend rotation it was nice to have this weekend be her weekend off. She was already in the middle of making an apple pie from scratch, she had a roast beef in the oven that would last her for three days because she was the only one that would end up eating it. It felt almost pathetic to her that her only plans were to hang out around the house and go to the coven meeting the next night. Damn, she needed a life.
Thinking about the upcoming coven meeting had distracted her, causing her to drop the bowl of flour she had been sifting when there was a knock at the door. Flour went everywhere, all over the floor, on her face, and in her hair, but she still walked over to the door and opened it. She was a bit surprised to see Sam standing there but before she could muster out a reply she ended up coughing out a puff of flour dust.
"Say wha?"
She shrugged and stepped aside so he could walk in, it was very unusual for Sam to come by her place on a whim like this so she was definitely curious as to what was going on.
"Watch out for the mess, you sort of startled me in the middle of something."
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 27, 2011 21:49:49 GMT -7
Sam could practically smell dinner wafting out through the door even before she opened it, and he couldn’t help but grin. Leave it up to Brandy to have food around every single time he came within ten feet of her- it was almost comical, really, like Pavlov’s dog. Sam plus Brandy plus small space equals food.
And to see her covered in flour? Well, that just added to the amusement.
“Bad time?” He asked, tilting his head to the side. When she moved to let him in he walked past her, turning to watch her as she shut the door.
"Watch out for the mess, you sort of startled me in the middle of something."
“I can come back later tonight if you want me to.” He offered, though he knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t take it. Brandy was more likely to chain potential dinner guests to their chairs to keep them from leaving than to do the opposite.
“I, ah, sort of came to ask you a favor.” He admitted, sheepishly running his hand through his curls. There was no point in beating around the bush about it, after all. As if to add insult to injury, his cheeks flushed faintly, making him squirm more uncomfortably. Sam Merlotte did NOT ask for help. “The pipes in my trailer sort of burst, and all of the duplexes are rented out right now… I was sort of hoping… maybe… if it’s not too much trouble…”
He sighed, shaking his head. Best to just get it out. “I was wondering if I could crash on your couch for a few days until I can get someone to come out and fix it.”
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Post by BB on Jul 27, 2011 22:33:04 GMT -7
“I can come back later tonight if you want me to.”
Brandy quirked her brow, tilting her head and giving him a 'look' as she wiped off her face with a towel and bent down to pick up the bowl she had dropped. They both knew that Brandy wouldn't hear of it, the buzzer had already gone off to say that the roast beef was done cooking.
She even wondered herself if it was fate that Sam happened by that night, didn't she usually have food around when Sam was around her? Oh well, she actually liked having someone around to cook for - hell, it wouldn't bother her if he wanted her to cook for him every day. It would give her something to do.
“I, ah, sort of came to ask you a favor.”
Well, this was new. Sam didn't ask anybody for favors, from what she heard from others anyway. He was the one that usually did things for other people and not the other way around. She listened as he explained about the pipes and she took the roast out of the oven and began to plate it for the both of them.
“I was wondering if I could crash on your couch for a few days until I can get someone to come out and fix it.”
"No, you can't."
She didn't even hesitate with her answer, placing the food on the table before she wiped her hands off on her apron and rubbed her cheek with her hand to get the flour off.
"You can sleep in my bed with me"
Well, Brandy just wouldn't be Brandy without flirting a little with him would she?
"... I'm just kidding. I have a spare bedroom Sam, you don't need to sleep on the couch"
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 27, 2011 22:48:08 GMT -7
The buzzer from the oven distracted them both momentarily, and Sam watched as she removed the roast from the oven. Sam would just about sell his soul for good homecooked food- anyone who knew him would agree that it was one consistent thing about Sam, other than he never asked for help- and he had to admit that Brandy was practically the goddess of cooked food. He would almost live under her house just to eat with her every day… though his own pride kept him from doing so.
When he asked her his question, finally, he was more than a little surprised when she refused him, and he blinked a few times as if he wasn’t quite sure he had heard her right. She set a plate in front of him, which made the situation even stranger- was he dreaming this? Who refused to let someone sleep over when their house was practically uninhabitable, but still served them a warm meal? Guess it was back to Sookie’s for him…
"You can sleep in my bed with me"
Caught off guard, he coughed. “What?”
"... I'm just kidding. I have a spare bedroom Sam, you don't need to sleep on the couch"
“Oh…” He breathed a sigh of relief, not that he wasn’t sleeping with her- it was an idea that certainly haunted some of his wilder daydreams, though he wasn’t that eager to jump into bed with someone who was practically his little sister due to slight feelings of guilt… after all, he knew her parents, but that was another topic entirely… “Thank you. Thank you so much, Brandy. You’re doing me a huge favor- I’ll repay you somehow.”
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Post by BB on Jul 27, 2011 23:32:43 GMT -7
"Sam, don't you just let people do things for you without expecting to have to repay them?"
Brandy had her chin cupped her hand as she asked him, her other hand was cutting her roast beef with the edge of her fork. She seemed to be in thought at her own question and she took a slight breath when she straightened up in her chair.
"Or, could it be, people have generally been just assholes to you? I suppose when you spend your life getting used or walked on by people you don't recognize genuine kindness when it bites you on the ass. "
Brandy had stood up, and walked over to him - bending over slightly she gave him the most sincere smile he probably had ever seen on a person. Her slender hand had reached out, lightly running through his reddish-blond curls.
"Well, Sam, this is me biting you on the ass alright? You don't owe me a thing."
Without another word she bent down and pressed her lips against his forehead before she returned back to her seat and continued to eat. The roast was better than she had even expected, which made her kind of happy he had decided to come over.
"After supper I'll help you bring whatever you salvaged inside, I'm sure you already know how big your duplexes are so feel free to make yourself at home"
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 28, 2011 7:44:37 GMT -7
"Sam, don't you just let people do things for you without expecting to have to repay them?"
In Sam’s experience, people always wanted something in return- even when they didn’t say it. And that was only if they were feeling generous enough to do something for him in the first place- which was a rare occasion. But he wasn’t going to say that, not when Brandy had just gone beyond the pale for him.
"Or, could it be, people have generally been just assholes to you? I suppose when you spend your life getting used or walked on by people you don't recognize genuine kindness when it bites you on the ass. "
It was almost like she had been reading his thoughts, and Sam did a double take, staring at her. It wasn’t every day he had his mind dissected by another, and he wasn’t sure what to say in return. Fortunately, he didn’t have to say anything, because she got up and moved towards him, causing him to sit up and look up at her, trying to gauge what she was doing.
"Well, Sam, this is me biting you on the ass alright? You don't owe me a thing."
She removed her hand from his hair and kissed him gently on the forehead, momentarily silencing any protestation of gratitude- that he simply must pay her back- that he had been about to make. Instead he shook his head slightly to clear it, before saying simply, “Thank you.”
He picked up his fork and began to eat silently, not even surprised that it was wonderful fare- it was Brandy, after all. When he had finished his dinner he rose to take his plate to the sink and rinse it off, looking back at her when she began to speak again.
"After supper I'll help you bring whatever you salvaged inside, I'm sure you already know how big your duplexes are so feel free to make yourself at home"
“I’ve got it, there’s only a box.” He stuck the plate in the dishwasher and smirked slightly at her last comment. “I just might,” he agreed.
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Post by BB on Jul 28, 2011 8:00:39 GMT -7
“I’ve got it, there’s only a box.”
Brandy frowned as she leaned against the counter, watching him as he put his plate in the dishwasher.
"Flooded that bad huh?"
She always knew he had problems with things breaking down in his trailer, especially when it came to plumbing. It made Brandy almost wish she had learned the trade rather than dipping into the culinary arts. Almost. Brandy loved to cook, she had a passion for it - she just normally ended up cooking for herself.
“I just might,”
"Oh don't let me spoil you too much Sam, if you never leave people are going to start talking about us"
Not that they didn't already, whenever Brandy turned down a date from one of the locals they always made a joke that it was because she was 'saving' herself for Sam. That usually ended in a weird look from her, wondering what the hell they were getting at. The point of the matter was, people always talked - especially in Bon Temps.
"And you will have the whole place to yourself for a few hours tomorrow night, there is a.. coven meeting I have to go to. Not very excited about it though, I've been having nightmares the last three days and every time I try to help Holly to see what kind of person Hallow really is she just shuts me out. "
Brandy knew all too well what was coming next, and she tried to change the subject quickly by turning toward the hallway.
"I'll uh.. show you the guest room this way"
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 28, 2011 9:09:15 GMT -7
"Flooded that bad huh?"
“If I had been there when it happened, it wouldn’t have been so bad. After a few hours… well, not so lucky, to say the least.” He sighed. There was so much stuff he’d have to replace, dipping into savings that, thanks to Tommy, he didn’t even have anymore. The thought was depressing, and Sam shook it away before he could get good and properly angry. Brandy really didn’t need to see that- she might rethink letting him crash in her duplex, and then he’d be screwed all around.
"Oh don't let me spoil you too much Sam, if you never leave people are going to start talking about us"
“Don’t they already?” Sam hadn’t been immune to the town gossips who hovered like gnats and had the two of them all but married already. Some had even gone far enough to say it to his face- which had always annoyed him more than amused him. If and when Sam chose to date someone, he wasn’t exactly someone to hide it… unless they wanted him to. As far as Sam was concerned, he didn’t owe anyone an explanation for what he did.
"And you will have the whole place to yourself for a few hours tomorrow night, there is a.. coven meeting I have to go to. Not very excited about it though, I've been having nightmares the last three days and every time I try to help Holly to see what kind of person Hallow really is she just shuts me out. "
Sam frowned at her, shaking his head slowly. She knew his thoughts on the subject already, but that wasn’t particularly what he was focused on right then. “Why are you going, if it bothers you so much?” He asked, trying to make sense of it. If he had been having nightmares about his plans for days on end, he’d be cancelling rather quickly… “Maybe your subconscious is trying to tell you something.”
"I'll uh.. show you the guest room this way"
Sam nodded, moving around the counter to follow her. There was plenty of times to try and convince her from her suicide mission later.
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Post by BB on Jul 28, 2011 9:37:24 GMT -7
“If I had been there when it happened, it wouldn’t have been so bad. After a few hours… well, not so lucky, to say the least.”
She turned her back to him, quickly putting away the apples she had out for the pie. She didn't really feel like baking, she was more concerned with getting Sam settled in. Besides, she already had apple crisp sitting in the fridge that only had one piece missing out of it - Sam would most likely find it around midnight anyway.
“Why are you going, if it bothers you so much? Maybe your subconscious is trying to tell you something.”
"I'm going for Holly. Even if I don't go, something bad will happen and I want to be there for her."
It was the best way she could explain it at that time as she lead Sam to the spare room. She opened the door and flicked on the light, revealing a simple room with pale blue walls, plenty of dresser room, and a nice twin bed. There was an alarm clock and a lamp by the bed, making it pretty cozy but not so girly that he would be uncomfortable.
"Mother always told me to have a guest room, because you never knew who would need it. If you need anything, like an extra body to cuddle up to in the middle of the night, my room is just across the hall"
Like a Cheshire cat. She lightly nudged him with her shoulder before glancing out the window.
"You going for a run tonight?"
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 28, 2011 10:38:30 GMT -7
"I'm going for Holly. Even if I don't go, something bad will happen and I want to be there for her."
Sam sighed. He had heard Brandy go on and on about the other witch, the one that didn’t even seem to really like Brandy- and he couldn’t understand the fascination. Brandy was a nicer person than Sam was by far, that much was certain, but even she should know when enough was enough and that she should count her losses. “Does she want your help, Brandy?” His tone was patient, but she knew exactly what he was going to say. This didn’t concern her and definitely wasn’t her responsibility.
He stopped in the hallway behind her as she turned on the light to the guest room, taking in the color. The fact that it was blue didn’t escape his notice, and he gave a small smile- almost like home, minus the water soaked, well, everything.
“Thanks.” He said again, meeting her eyes.
"Mother always told me to have a guest room, because you never knew who would need it. If you need anything, like an extra body to cuddle up to in the middle of the night, my room is just across the hall"
He laughed, the idea was certainly tempting, that was for sure. How could it not be? “I’ll try to remember that.” He teased. “Hopefully I won’t get lost.”
"You going for a run tonight?"
He stretched lazily. Runs always worked wonders on his mood, calming him down and distressing him- and there was nothing like his current situation to cause stress, that was for sure. “I thought about it. Did you want to come?” Why else would she be asking?
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Post by BB on Jul 28, 2011 11:07:26 GMT -7
“Does she want your help, Brandy?”
Brandy was silent for a moment, looking down at the ground had made the answer obvious. Brandy was not one to give up easily, in that way she was probably even more stubborn than Sam was.
"She may not want it, but she needs it. She just... doesn't realize it quite yet."
But she would realize it, Brandy was certain of this. She didn't give up on Holly because there was something in her gut that told her it wasn't over yet. After all, it wasn't like she was bending over backwards to try and change Hallow's ways. Brandy always trusted her gut feelings, she probably wouldn't be as good of a witch as she was now if she didn't.
When Sam mentioned not getting lost she actually chuckled, looking over her shoulder toward him. "Well, it is a pretty big hallway."
“I thought about it. Did you want to come?”
"Just don't laugh at me because I can't keep up"
Not a moment hesitation when it came to running with Sam in his shifter form. She wondered if she had been the first non-shifter who ever had wanted to share in his 'other life' with him. She was already heading to the door, putting on her shoes before she looked away so he could peel out of his clothes. She knew Sam was use to people seeing him naked, it just.. well, it just felt a bit different for her.
"Lead the way Sam, I'll be right behind you"
Maybe not right behind, but close enough.
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 29, 2011 21:46:10 GMT -7
"She may not want it, but she needs it. She just... doesn't realize it quite yet."
Sam had learned the hard way that helping people that didn’t want your help was pointless- and it usually got you hurt for your efforts- but he knew that no matter what he said to Brandy, she wasn’t going to budge on the subject. It was best to just save his breath and let her figure it out on her own- but to still be in the background if she did need him.
“I see.” He said evenly.
"Well, it is a pretty big hallway."
“The hallways are the biggest selling point,” He admitted with a straight face. “It’s the first thing I tell people about when they’re looking to rent from me.” He smirked, his blue eyes sparkling with playful humor. “Who doesn’t love a nice, big hallway?”
"Just don't laugh at me because I can't keep up"
“I would be a little worried if you could, honestly.” He watched as she went to fetch her shoes, taking the time to shed his shirt and then his pants before shifting. Sam wasn’t shy at all when it came to being naked in front of others, but Brandy was a bit different. He was sure in the time that he had lived at her house as a child, she had probably seen him naked once or twice, but that didn’t make it any less…. Charged. There was something between the two of them that made it matter.
Newly clad as Dean the dog, Sam went and pressed his wet nose against her skin to let her know that he had changed.
"Lead the way Sam, I'll be right behind you"
Sam barked and took off outside, doing a good lap before coming back to her side, his tail wagging.
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Post by BB on Jul 29, 2011 22:18:25 GMT -7
“I would be a little worried if you could, honestly.”
There was something between them. Brandy could feel it whenever they were in the same room together - that invisible pull. The whole bar could be filled with gorgeous super models and modern-day romeos and the only one she would be looking at was Sam. It felt like they would be final. That he would be her husband, that they would raise a family together, that they would grow old together - so why wasn't she making a move? Was she scared he would say no?
Maybe she was just being old fashioned, waiting for him to come to her. Even after he changed and ran ahead, doing a lap before he came back to her side she had wanted to look down at him and say "I love you...."
Brandy lightly knelt down, running her hand over Dean's fur before she smiled and took off running. Brandy was by no mean's an athlete so it didn't take long for her run to turn into a jog and then into a 'brisk walk'. She walked to the lake and the dock, she wasn't quite sure if "Dean" would jump into the water or not so she just put her feet in.
It was a nice night out, calm and quiet, and Brandy was just glad to have Sam around. If she was being honest, she would like to have Sam around her a whole lot more. She then realized something as she sat there at the edge of the dock - this had been a really silly idea.
"Didn't even think that you probably saw enough water today. Still, the lake is sure beautiful at night.. wouldn't you say?"
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Post by Sam Merlotte on Jul 30, 2011 8:30:06 GMT -7
Sam let Brandy pet his fur, closing his eyes and thumping his tail a few times against the ground. It was no wonder that his go to shift was a dog, really, as it was what fit his personality the most. Sam had always been friendly and generally happy- and he liked making others happy. Dogs were infamous for that, and Sam had no problem playing the friendly neighborhood dog if it brought others a few moments of pleasure.
When she took off, Sam pursued, barking loudly. He didn’t care that it was nighttime and perhaps others would like to sleep- when Sam was running, he didn’t care about anything. As she slowed, he reluctantly did so as well- he didn’t want to risk the chance that she might need him and he would be too far away to hear.
It didn’t take them long to come up to the lake, one of Sam’s favorite places- which he illustrated by promptly jumping in and paddling around. He almost always ended his runs with a swim, not that Brandy would know that. Sam didn’t exactly discuss his plans for his runs with anyone who wasn’t a shifter.
Until Brandy.
"Didn't even think that you probably saw enough water today. Still, the lake is sure beautiful at night.. wouldn't you say?"
Yes, he would, but he doubted his barking would magically translate itself to English for her… so Sam continued to paddle in a circle for a moment before shifting back.
“I like coming here at night. It’s rather peaceful.”
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