After a night of intense partying at the Christmakuh party held by none other than Rachel Berry, Sam had barely made it back to Finn/Kurt's house before passing out. Hard. He had been living in the guest room for a couple weeks now. The Hummel-Hudson household had been more than welcoming to him when Finn brought him back to re-join the New Directions for Sections. He had brought back the sexy edge that McKinley needed to defeat the Trouble Tones. His stripper experience had somewhat of a use in the real life.
He wakes up the morning after the party, head throbbing. Being hungover is the worst. He always regrets waking up after a night of drinking and feeling this way. It undoubtedly mean't he made more than a few mistakes the night before. He remembers early on in the night, hitting on Mercedes and receiving a punch to the jaw from her current boyfriend for his valiant efforts. He touches his face and his jaw stings but he smiles triumphantly, vaguely recalling that he had moved on to someone else and won them over. He remembers their lips but not their face. But, no matter, he had got some action and that's all that matters.
He slips out of bed and dresses himself quickly. He gathers the small bag of clothes he has brought and then his cell phone beeps:
Can't wait for our Christmas adventure! See you at 4?
- RORY
He smiles, instantly remembering that his four hour trip home wouldn't have to be taken alone. He has his leprechaun friend to entertain him. Rory was Sam's favourite new member of New Directions and when he had found out that Rory wouldn't be returning home to Ireland for the holidays and that Brittany's family was him behind because they were going on a vacation, he promptly suggested that Rory spend Christmas with the Evans family. It would be nice to have someone around who was around his age, instead of being the oldest by ten years, as per usual.
Yah, I'm stoked. I'll be there soon!
-Sam
Sam walks into the kitchen after responding to Rory's text and finds that no one else is awake. He doesn't blame them, it was a Sunday after all. He quickly writes an appreciative note to his hosts and grabs his keys. His head is still a bit fuzzy but he's on a schedule. No time to mend a hangover. He hopes that the open road and communication will do the trick.
He walks out into the chilly Lima air and sees his wonderfully crappy car, an old beat up neon he likes to call 'Jess'. It was his first big purchase after he got the stripper job. He slips into the car and crosses his fingers that she will even start. Frost encapsules the car, making him feel likes inside of an ice cube. He slips the keys into the ignition slowly and turns it. The engine jumps to life after a few seconds of audible struggle and he practically jumps for joy. He takes a quick look at his jaw in the rear view mirror as the car begins to de-frost. His jaw now features a purpley- blackish bruise.
"Bad ass." He whispers, to his reflection.
Once the windows have become clear enough, Sam takes off into the streets of Lima. He finally makes it to Brittany's house and sees Rory on the front steps, arguing with his blond hostess. Sam parks the car and rolls down the window to get a better look at the ridiculous scene in front of him.
"You have to stay and watch over the house, Rory! It's your duty as a Christmas elf!" She screams, trying to tug him back into the house.
He squirms and protests, "I'm NOT an elf, Brit. I have free will- I can do what I please!"
This really sets her off. "NO. You are Santa's servant. You do what he says. And he does what I say because I made a Christmas wish. My wish is that you stay and take care of the house. I understand that it's hard to be an elf and to go undercover as a real person to give me this wish, only to have your vacation from the North Pole interrupted by the reality of your duties, but Rory, you're an elf. You have to do what I say." She orders, a seriousness to her voice that makes even Rory consider the truth to her idea for a moment.
Sam rolls his eyes as Rory reaches for the words to put Brittany in her place. Unfortunately he never finds them but lucky for him, Sam comes to the rescue.
"Brittany, I am taking Rory Elf back to the North Pole. Santa needs him back on the toy assembly line because the rest of the elves are incompetent. But, don't worry, he'll be back after Christmas." He says, putting an arm around his Irish friend.
Rory sighs in relief under Sam's supportive touch.
"Fine. But he better bring me back some awesome, hand made unicorns. That was my second wish for Christmas." The ditzy cheerleader barters, narrowing her eyes and putting a hand out to seal the deal.
Sam takes her hand and shakes it, assuring her that her request will be met. They would have to pick some up on the car ride back after Christmas break.
"Alright, you can take him." She agrees, waving the two boys away.
As the door slams in their faces, Sam and Rory burst out laughing. After a moment, Sam leads his friend toward the car. Rory smiles at it and asks, "Did you buy this girl yourself?"
Sam nods, proud of himself.
"Oh by the way, thanks for saving me from that." Rory mutters, a blush rising to his cheeks about the situation he couldn't handle himself. He didn't like hurting people's feelings, especially his friends. Sam didn't seem to have a problem with it.
"It's the least I could do. For both of your sanity." Sam responds before picking up Rory's bag and tossing it into the back of the dingy car.
"Let's ride." Sam instructs, climbing into the front seat as Rory slips into the passenger seat.
"Thanks again for this, Sam." Rory says, with a giant smile on his face.
The four hour drive turns into five with holiday traffic but neither of them really mind, entertaining each other with personal anecdotes and Sam's fun facts about landmarks. By the time they make it to Sam's small house, both of them are exhausted from the drive.
As they enter the house, Rory is warmed by the traditional Christmas decoration now matter how simple they were. Both Sam's parents are off at work and Sam relieves a neighbour from babysitting duty with a polite nod. His younger siblings are already asleep in their prospective rooms and Sam leads Rory into his own room. It's miniscule but Rory likes it instantly. There's a small TV in the corner and an insane amount of movie posters plaster the wall.
"I get them all at garage sales. They're basically my wall paper." Sam explains, running his hand over the all to familiar array of posters.
Sam digs in his closet for a spare sleeping back and unrolls it onto the floor. The bed is big enough for two but he gestures to Rory to take the bed.
"Oh, I couldn't, Sam." He protest, shyly.
"Go ahead, man. I'm used to sleeping on the floor and anyway, you're the guest." He orders and Rory knows that it's probably true and based on Sam's insistence, he doesn't object again.
Both boys unpack their bags and change into their pajamas. For Sam, that simply means stripping down to his boxers. For Rory, that means putting on a onesie covered head to toe with four leafed clovers.
"Don't laugh." Rory warns. "I wear them because it reminds me of home. My mom gave them to me last year for Christmas."
Sam contains himself and nods understandingly. They climb into their own beds and Sam turns off the light.
"Tomorrow is when the real fun begins. We'll go get the tree." Sam explains and Rory falls asleep, a merry smile on his face. He felt at home.