Craving Strawberry Surprise

Sam had really wanted to say that differently, like maybe imply that his interest wasn’t just in getting Ichigo somewhere that they could have loud sex, but the sentence reeled out of him before it checked in with his brain. It hung in the air like a flashing neon sign and Sam’s ears burned.

Smooth, Sam. Just velvety-freaking-smooth.

Ichigo flushed, staring at Sam wide-eyed and speechless, all his insolence gone. Sam noted with interest that Ichigo blushed all the way down his chest, not just on his face.

Given recent events, it was ridiculous that either of them were blushing at all.

Sam yawned hugely, unable to stop himself, and that seemed to break the tension. He gave Ichigo a rueful smile, scrubbing a hand through his hair.

“I’m sorry, it’s just been a really long day.”

Ichigo smiled at him, a surprisingly sweet, good-natured smile that was the total opposite of his guarded smirks.

“I know. It’s okay. I’m going to get some water. You want any?”

Sam nodded and Ichigo stood. He put on a robe and went out into the hallway. Sam drowsed until Ichigo came back with two glasses. He kicked his bedroom door shut with his foot and handed one of the glasses to Sam when he sat up.

“Thanks,” Sam said after downing the water in one gulp. Then he lay back down. He wondered if any awkwardness would arise between the two of them, especially given how prudish Ichigo had shown himself to be when it came to romancing anyone his own age. But Sam was too worn out to ponder it all right now. He would deal with it tomorrow if it needed dealing with.

He was a little surprised when Ichigo settled down next to him after shucking his robe. Nonplussed, but in no way unhappy. It was a tight fit with Sam laying on his back taking up most of the futon, so Ichigo lay on his side, against Sam’s ribcage, head on Sam’s shoulder. Sam stroked the strands of hair that fell against the nape of Ichigo’s neck, finding them sweaty and silky and hypnotically soothing. He had thought Ichigo’s hair would be coarse, but it wasn’t. It slid smoothly through his fingers.

He felt Ichigo staring up at him.

“What?” Sam finally said.

“Did you come to see me planning on this?” There was only curiosity in Ichigo’s question, no accusation.

“I came to celebrate your 18th birthday. I hoped something like this would happen, but it would’ve been okay if it didn’t.” Sam stroked his fingertips up and down Ichigo’s spine, and Ichigo stretched against Sam like a cat, his unconscious sensuality all kinds of interesting, given that he was still nude. “I like you, Ichigo. I really look forward to your emails and we have a lot in common. But I respect you, too, and I would’ve done whatever you were comfortable with, even if it was nothing.”

Ichigo looked thoughtful. He absently scratched the back of his head, then draped his arm across Sam’s stomach, which gratified Sam beyond all reason, that Ichigo was comfortable enough with him to do even that much.

“When I saw you, I sort of hoped something like this would happen,” Ichigo said. “I was just surprised you felt the same way. I mean, I was happy, but I didn’t expect it. I thought you liked girls. I thought I liked girls.”

“You probably do like girls. I like girls. But sometimes, I like guys,” Sam affirmed. “I tend to like individual people instead of confining myself to a specific gender. I think it’s okay to be attracted to all kinds of people.”

Despite wanting to talk it over with Ichigo, Sam felt himself drifting off. A long transpacific flight plus a long social day plus an epic makeout session equaled one Sam Winchester in a near-coma. With all the bodily fluids he’d expended, he was surprised he wasn’t a dried out husk.

“I need to sleep,” Sam said. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

As he started to drop off, he heard Ichigo whisper something.

“Hm?”

“Nothing,” Ichigo replied, then murmured, “Best birthday present ever.”

He said it in English, so Sam could only assume he was meant to hear it. He smiled and ran his fingers through Ichigo’s hair again. He rested his hand on Ichigo’s shoulder and fell asleep.