Sam & Arthur | Recklessness
Mar. 7th, 2024 12:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsSam and Arthur talk over lunch, and Arthur decides that Sam Guthrie needs a break and to be a little reckless. They head out on an adventure.
"And so," Arthur gestured broadly over the tabletop to really emphasize the point, "Mel's here now?" He squinted as he processed, staring pointedly at the man sharing a table with him. Betty’s was thankfully, possibly luckily, light in traffic today. A good time to connect. "You, my friend, need a break," he declared to anyone who was listening. "Family and siblings are off limits for the rest of the afternoon. Anything else is on the table."
“Mel’s here now.” Sam confirmed. “Which wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the sleepwalkin’…. Sorry sorry, off the table. How’re you Arthur? Feeling’ better?”
This got a so-so hand gesture. "Physically? Working on it. Emotionally, cleansed. I got a little lost for a minute there, but I'm on the road forward." Arthur was purposefully not at his phone, but it sat face up and without any notifications on the table. "How's the glorious and exciting life of a private investigator treating you?"
“Oh y’know- I’m startin to imagine doin’ paperwork instead of countin’ sheep to go to bed but it ain’t bad. I like most of our coworkers so I can’t complain too much. Just wish things up here hadn’t happened at the same time as things back home…. Still think Q’s a bit upset with me for throwing my phone that day…..but at least I ain’t had to clean Warren’s sex pad again so I’ll take it.”
"Going to put a pin in that last bit for later," the other man said with raised eyebrows. "I'm glad you're getting to learn the song and dance of the office. Paperwork, egos, people. So," and Arthur ticked off the following on his fingers, "Work. Family. So what do you do for you, when Kentucky isn't on fire? What's fun look like?"
Sam froze. The physical embodiment of the dreaded blue screen. He blinked rapidly a few times as if trying to locate a thought that didn’t exist. “Uh…..I’m tryin’ to get back into some music I used to enjoy? I’ve been watchin’ and readin’ some sci fi stuff………really uh…. Really gettin’ a kick out of being able to afford grocery stores and have been tryin’ new recipes and the like…….. I guess?”
Arthur tilted his head to one side. "Sam, what do they call those three dots you write to show someone's thinking? Because I don't think I've heard someone say them out loud before." He leaned forward. "That wasn't supposed to be a test. Only a question."
“…….I uh….. am still working on the doin’ things for me part. Although I’ve found that I actually do enjoy cooking. It’s….. a lot nicer when I’m not feeding a family of ten with only groceries from the dollar tree.” Sam said awkwardly, taking a nervous sip of his drink. “What about you? What have you done for Arthur lately?”
"I had a good friend point out that I don't really know who that is," the other man admitted as if that was a challenge. "Turns out lots of free time on admin leave is a great way to try new hobbies. I can for sure tell you that I don't like knitting, country clubs, or stargazing." Arthur held out the arm that previously had been in a sling, and he stared at it in consideration. He turned his hand over as he spoke, examining it from different angles. "That, and all kinds of new and exciting therapy to really fill out the shot list. Self discovery has been on my mind."
Sam paused and suddenly became very interested in his hands. “My therapist…..she says that I’ve spent my entire life trying to fill a role and that the last time I tried to figure out who Sam was…… all I ended up doing was going back to what my mother wanted Sam to be instead of what my ex girlfriend wanted Sam to be…….I-I think I started figuring out who Sam was before Christmas? Maybe? But then….. well…….I went home and came back with siblings to take care of. Nothing ever changes Arthur. I’ve learned that the hard way.”
"Sam," Arthur started. He had been listening attentively, but his smile had begun to thin word by word. "Samuel Cuisinart Allen Guthrie. If you could do anything right now, what would it be? And," he pointed to underscore this part, "don't you dare say take a nap. Anything."
"My middle name is Zachary." Sam mumbled, but then bit his lip, worrying over the question. He closed his eyes tightly, trying not to get overwhelmed by what Arthur was asking of him. "The problem is," he said. "The problem is, Arthur....is that I don't know if it's what I want or if it's just playing the role still. I don't know that I know what Sam wants. Everything I can think of is stuff Sam should do. My mother's son wants to sit down with Elle an' Jeb an' them and make sure they're alright with Mel moved in up here. The Sam that L-my ex made wants to get a tattoo, maybe a piercing, something that's going to piss off my Mama......but I don't.....I don't know that either of those things would make me happy..... I don't know what I want."
A hand reached across the table. "Sam, that’s rough," Arthur started with true sympathy, "But you're already seen through my clever ruse to get your name wrong to break the tension. So here I'm forced to point out that you've broken today's rules at least three times. At least. Today is about you, not this other Sam. He can wait." The smile had returned, but it was tinged with mischief. "Nothing changes and you don't know what you want? Sounds like we need to do something reckless."
“Got a lot of experience with reckless do ya Arthur?” Sam said, shaking his head. But even still, a grin was tugging at his lips. “I used to bring only my fists to gun fights just for somethin’ to do…..I can do reckless.”
"The only guns we're going to need are these," Arthur helpfully demonstrated with a pair of finger guns. "I actually used to be reckless for a living, but this is about you. What are we doing? Whatever it is, I'm in."
“Is this where I admit I’ve barely explored the city and don’t know what there is to do up here?” Sam said awkwardly. “I only recently had to stop paying rent yknow, the concept of spending money is still pretty new.”
Arthur smiled broadly and stood. "Excellent! That just means so many more options. No need for any can'ts, don'ts, or loose cash today, Samuel Zachary. Today you've got me." He actually winked, and there was a spark in his eye.
Sam couldn't help but laugh quietly, a genuine smile surprised out of him. "Where did this come from? I ain't ever seen you in a state that could be described as ornery before."
"Ornery," Arthur bit his lip. He leaned forward, hands propped against his bar stool. "That's a great word. I like being ornery." One hand left its perch to help explain. "You asked me if I was feeling better earlier, but the truth is I hadn't felt like myself in a long time before I got hurt. Let's say I know a little bit about being lost in a role, and what I've learned is you shouldn't live with your foot on the brake."
The older man did look at his phone pointedly, as daring the universe, but the lock screen was still empty. Arthur retrieved it from the table and sent a quick text.
"There we go," he said matter of factly. "We're free."
"It's odd." Sam said. "I think I moved to New York City and my life slowed down. What do you recommend? My life is in your hands today."
Arthur's grin was wild. "We forget drinks here, and we start in the East Village. No questions, no phones, and no saying no," and he tapped a temple at this, "Feel alive. There's always something new to find in NYC. The world and what it wants can wait. You need a break."
"Alright, East Village. Let's go." Sam said easily. "Show me the wilder world of New York City, Arthur.”
"And so," Arthur gestured broadly over the tabletop to really emphasize the point, "Mel's here now?" He squinted as he processed, staring pointedly at the man sharing a table with him. Betty’s was thankfully, possibly luckily, light in traffic today. A good time to connect. "You, my friend, need a break," he declared to anyone who was listening. "Family and siblings are off limits for the rest of the afternoon. Anything else is on the table."
“Mel’s here now.” Sam confirmed. “Which wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the sleepwalkin’…. Sorry sorry, off the table. How’re you Arthur? Feeling’ better?”
This got a so-so hand gesture. "Physically? Working on it. Emotionally, cleansed. I got a little lost for a minute there, but I'm on the road forward." Arthur was purposefully not at his phone, but it sat face up and without any notifications on the table. "How's the glorious and exciting life of a private investigator treating you?"
“Oh y’know- I’m startin to imagine doin’ paperwork instead of countin’ sheep to go to bed but it ain’t bad. I like most of our coworkers so I can’t complain too much. Just wish things up here hadn’t happened at the same time as things back home…. Still think Q’s a bit upset with me for throwing my phone that day…..but at least I ain’t had to clean Warren’s sex pad again so I’ll take it.”
"Going to put a pin in that last bit for later," the other man said with raised eyebrows. "I'm glad you're getting to learn the song and dance of the office. Paperwork, egos, people. So," and Arthur ticked off the following on his fingers, "Work. Family. So what do you do for you, when Kentucky isn't on fire? What's fun look like?"
Sam froze. The physical embodiment of the dreaded blue screen. He blinked rapidly a few times as if trying to locate a thought that didn’t exist. “Uh…..I’m tryin’ to get back into some music I used to enjoy? I’ve been watchin’ and readin’ some sci fi stuff………really uh…. Really gettin’ a kick out of being able to afford grocery stores and have been tryin’ new recipes and the like…….. I guess?”
Arthur tilted his head to one side. "Sam, what do they call those three dots you write to show someone's thinking? Because I don't think I've heard someone say them out loud before." He leaned forward. "That wasn't supposed to be a test. Only a question."
“…….I uh….. am still working on the doin’ things for me part. Although I’ve found that I actually do enjoy cooking. It’s….. a lot nicer when I’m not feeding a family of ten with only groceries from the dollar tree.” Sam said awkwardly, taking a nervous sip of his drink. “What about you? What have you done for Arthur lately?”
"I had a good friend point out that I don't really know who that is," the other man admitted as if that was a challenge. "Turns out lots of free time on admin leave is a great way to try new hobbies. I can for sure tell you that I don't like knitting, country clubs, or stargazing." Arthur held out the arm that previously had been in a sling, and he stared at it in consideration. He turned his hand over as he spoke, examining it from different angles. "That, and all kinds of new and exciting therapy to really fill out the shot list. Self discovery has been on my mind."
Sam paused and suddenly became very interested in his hands. “My therapist…..she says that I’ve spent my entire life trying to fill a role and that the last time I tried to figure out who Sam was…… all I ended up doing was going back to what my mother wanted Sam to be instead of what my ex girlfriend wanted Sam to be…….I-I think I started figuring out who Sam was before Christmas? Maybe? But then….. well…….I went home and came back with siblings to take care of. Nothing ever changes Arthur. I’ve learned that the hard way.”
"Sam," Arthur started. He had been listening attentively, but his smile had begun to thin word by word. "Samuel Cuisinart Allen Guthrie. If you could do anything right now, what would it be? And," he pointed to underscore this part, "don't you dare say take a nap. Anything."
"My middle name is Zachary." Sam mumbled, but then bit his lip, worrying over the question. He closed his eyes tightly, trying not to get overwhelmed by what Arthur was asking of him. "The problem is," he said. "The problem is, Arthur....is that I don't know if it's what I want or if it's just playing the role still. I don't know that I know what Sam wants. Everything I can think of is stuff Sam should do. My mother's son wants to sit down with Elle an' Jeb an' them and make sure they're alright with Mel moved in up here. The Sam that L-my ex made wants to get a tattoo, maybe a piercing, something that's going to piss off my Mama......but I don't.....I don't know that either of those things would make me happy..... I don't know what I want."
A hand reached across the table. "Sam, that’s rough," Arthur started with true sympathy, "But you're already seen through my clever ruse to get your name wrong to break the tension. So here I'm forced to point out that you've broken today's rules at least three times. At least. Today is about you, not this other Sam. He can wait." The smile had returned, but it was tinged with mischief. "Nothing changes and you don't know what you want? Sounds like we need to do something reckless."
“Got a lot of experience with reckless do ya Arthur?” Sam said, shaking his head. But even still, a grin was tugging at his lips. “I used to bring only my fists to gun fights just for somethin’ to do…..I can do reckless.”
"The only guns we're going to need are these," Arthur helpfully demonstrated with a pair of finger guns. "I actually used to be reckless for a living, but this is about you. What are we doing? Whatever it is, I'm in."
“Is this where I admit I’ve barely explored the city and don’t know what there is to do up here?” Sam said awkwardly. “I only recently had to stop paying rent yknow, the concept of spending money is still pretty new.”
Arthur smiled broadly and stood. "Excellent! That just means so many more options. No need for any can'ts, don'ts, or loose cash today, Samuel Zachary. Today you've got me." He actually winked, and there was a spark in his eye.
Sam couldn't help but laugh quietly, a genuine smile surprised out of him. "Where did this come from? I ain't ever seen you in a state that could be described as ornery before."
"Ornery," Arthur bit his lip. He leaned forward, hands propped against his bar stool. "That's a great word. I like being ornery." One hand left its perch to help explain. "You asked me if I was feeling better earlier, but the truth is I hadn't felt like myself in a long time before I got hurt. Let's say I know a little bit about being lost in a role, and what I've learned is you shouldn't live with your foot on the brake."
The older man did look at his phone pointedly, as daring the universe, but the lock screen was still empty. Arthur retrieved it from the table and sent a quick text.
"There we go," he said matter of factly. "We're free."
"It's odd." Sam said. "I think I moved to New York City and my life slowed down. What do you recommend? My life is in your hands today."
Arthur's grin was wild. "We forget drinks here, and we start in the East Village. No questions, no phones, and no saying no," and he tapped a temple at this, "Feel alive. There's always something new to find in NYC. The world and what it wants can wait. You need a break."
"Alright, East Village. Let's go." Sam said easily. "Show me the wilder world of New York City, Arthur.”
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Date: 2024-03-07 09:27 pm (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2024-03-08 05:55 am (UTC)The audible groan I gave.
It was nice to see their connection here. I'm sure absolutely nothing bad will come of two guys unsure of their own identities going crazy in NYC.