superstar

sam is sitting at a circle table with vinny, goody, will, and toff, when misa appears out of nowhere and drapes himself across sam's back. he tucks his head into the crook of sam's neck, eyes closed, breathing deeply. sam can feel his smile pressing against his neck, teeth against skin, and can't help but smile himself. his arm stretches up behind him to rest on the back of misa's head, gently stroking his thumb through his hair.

"you guys are so gross," will chirps, but he's smiling.

"don't act like you and mack are any better," sam mumbles without so much as glancing over at him. misa says nothing, just wraps his arms tighter around sam's waist, shuffling closer to press his thighs against the back of sam's chair. he wonders if misa would stay like this, tucked up and content in the safe place he's picked for himself, while sam drinks, eats, talks with the boys. but something niggling urges him to check in. he squeezes the nape of mike's neck, leaning back to look at mis.

"hey, baby," he lowers his voice, meaning mike has to crowd in closer to hear him over the din of the bar.

"hi, sam," misa's eyes are glassy and wide, cheeks flushed in that way he only gets when he's tipsy.

"what's up?"

"just wanted to say hi."

"well, hi."

"wanted to be near you."

and fuck, sam is a weak, weak man. he turns fully in his seat to stand and gather mike up in his arms, ignoring the chirps and jeers thrown their way by the other guys.

"hey, it's okay, mis. i'm here, i've got you."

"i know. i'm good now." he exhales through his nose, ruffling sam's hair with the force of it.

"'good now'? what do you mean?" he asks, leaning back to look at him, placing his palm flat on mike's cheek. he searches mike's face for... god knows what. some sign that he's uncomfortable or upset, maybe?

"i dunno. just missed you."

sam's heart soars. "god, you have one drink and you're getting all soft on me."

"you're worse than me!" he protests, the grin breaking out on his face exposing his fang-like canines.

"sure am, babe," he ducks his head to kiss him shortly.

"wanna go home?" misa asks, arms looping around his waist as they sway.

"yeah, let's go home. we've got below deck to watch anyway."