Tallysquealedindelight.His eyes huge. It was just a temporary outdoor roller rink in the park, but he was acting as if Sam had taken him to see the Great Pyramids.
Sam grinned, but felt guilty. Tally had been trapped in hell for thousands of years, had never experienced the modern world, and all Sam had shown him was his bar and the local hospital. The local park and the warehouse he had been tied up in, were sorry additions to that pathetic list. He needed to remedy that. As cheesy as it was, he needed to show him the world. He could at least start with some fancy restaurants, the cinema, swimming pools. There was plenty to explore locally.
Sam shoved aside the fear that time was running out and Tally was going to be taken from him before he had a chance to do any of the things on his list. They were going to enjoy today. Sam was determined. They were going to pretend everything was fine and there was no threat looming over their happiness. Today Sam was going to act like they had all the time in the world and he was right to make plans to show Tally the world.
At least he was making a start. Roller skating wasn’t the most exotic activity, but Tally seemed completely thrilled and that was all that mattered. Making Tally happy was the most important thing in Sam’s life.
It was late afternoon on a weekday so there wasn’t a queue. Sam paid for their tickets and Tally excitedly grabbed the roller skates he was given. Sam thought he might have to help with the laces, but Tally figured them out quickly.
They were soon on the rink. Tally wobbled dramatically and grabbed hold of Sam’s shoulders. Sam chuckled and slowly skated backwards whilst Tally clung onto him and precariously stumbled forward.
Tally laughed, his cheeks flushed pink. “Why are you always so manly and I’m always clumsy and awkward?” he huffed.
Sam grinned, he didn’t think there was anything manly about being able to roller skate and Tally’s chaotic attempt was endearingly cute.
“Next life we should swap!” declared Tally.
That announcement surprised Sam. “You’ll be reincarnated now?” he asked. Other questions, such as if choosing traits were a choice, he pushed back in his mind for later. This was the important question. Would Tally be with him always?
Blue eyes stared deep into his for a moment. “No, I will have to find you again.” Tally said calmly, as if it was no big deal.
Sam liked the easy assumption that Tally would. It made his heart do delighted little flip-flops. “Find me on my eighteenth birthday,” he requested. He didn’t want to waste any time. Didn’t want to mess around with other pointless relationships first.
Then an even better idea struck, “No! Find me before. Let’s grow up together as best friends before we become lovers.” The thought filled Sam with warmth. An entire lifetime with Tally sounded like heaven. No loneliness, never being apart. Sharing the closeness that childhood best friends had.
Tally tilted his head, “You want me to steal a child’s body?”
Sam frowned, the words like ice water on his dream. “Not when you put it like that,” he grumbled. It had been a good fantasy, and he didn’t want to let it go. “How about one that’s been hit by a car?” he reasoned.
“A mangled child’s body?” asked Tally incredulously, raising an eyebrow.
“Nevermind,” sighed Sam in defeat.
Tally grinned, “It’s nice that you don’t want to wait for me.”
Sam smiled back, of course he didn’t want to wait, but it sounded like he was going to have to. Tally would need to find him and then an appropriate body. It would take time. It would all be worth it though. Sam had no doubt that Tally would achieve it. All Sam had to do was wait, he had the easy part. Sam prayed he wouldn’t be so stubborn next time and that he would remember more. He didn’t want to forget this, any of this.
Sam watched Tally fondly for a moment before prizing Tally’s hands off of his shoulders, to see if the young man had got the hang of skating yet. But Tally just looked panicked and nearly did the splits. Sam laughed and let Tally hold on to him again. He was sure if Tally just relaxed, he would be great at it. His grace and coordination when pole dancing was stunning, he obviously had the skills. But Sam didn’t exactly object to Tally clinging onto him. It was definitely something he could get used to.
The afternoon sunshine was golden and the sky a beautiful blue. Spring had surrendered to early summer and the soft warm breeze ruffled Tally’s pink hair. Sam stared at Tally, quite certain he had never seen anyone so beautiful.
They skated a lap in silence, Tally concentrating intently, biting his bottom lip and looking utterly adorable. “This is hard,” he complained good naturedly.
“I’m not good at anything here,” he added, sounding forlorn. A wistful look in his blue eyes.
“Hey, you are brilliant at pole dancing.” reassured Sam, needing to cheer Tally up. Sam couldn’t bear to see him sad. “But definitely not good at cooking,” he added. Thinking gentle riling might work better at lightening the mood.
Tally smiled at his teasing but then a sad look crossed his face, “Next time I’m going to find a body that can wield magic. I hate not having it.”
Sam didn’t know what to say to that. He didn’t like to see Tally sad, but it was lovely that Tally was being so open and honest. It felt disingenuous to not listen to his lover’s feelings by trying to make light of them. And Sam was touched at how Tally didn’t normally complain about being powerless. Tally had made an enormous sacrifice and borne it with grace. He had made a decision and accepted the consequences. Sam loved that about him. He loved everything about Tally.
“I hated needing Jinx to help with Zeph, and finding you. I felt so weak,” said Tally.
Sam pulled Tally into a hug, holding Tally up as he flailed, unable to keep his balance. Tally was many things, but weak was not one of them. Sam didn’t have the words to convey that. So he hoped his hug would explain his feelings.
Tally snuggled closer with a happy sigh. “About Zeph, I have a plan,” he said, muffled against Sam’s chest.
Hope filled Sam’s heart, and it was bittersweet, because the pain of it being dashed would be unbearable. But he needed something to cling onto, anything at all.
