Been playing Tomb Raider (2013) non-stop since I got it. I am completely in love S.S. Endurance (Sam x Lara).
Takes place during the events of the game, after Lara returns to camp from retrieving Reyes' tools from the S.S. Endurance.
Haven't quite decided if I want to make this more than a one-shot.
Enjoy!
The cold black water rushed up to meet the pale sand before retreating and repeating.
Standing on the beaches of a god-forsaken island, Lara couldn't help but find the dark skies and cold blackness of the ocean fitting scenery for all that's happened in the last few days. The countless lives she's taken, Grim, Roth, and now Alex. Tears well in her eyes at the mere thought of her friends, whom had all sacrificed themselves to protect her. And Roth…oh god, Roth…
This is all my fault.
Here comes the self-loathing. She knows she should have left in search of the ancient tomb already. Questions needed to be answered. But she just needed to breathe. Her body and heart ached straight down to her core.
"Lara?"
The voice behind her startles her and makes her immediately want to grab for her bow, but the familiarity of the voice halts her.
Sam.
Turning, Lara fakes a small smile towards the other girl. Sam…I'm so thankful you're safe. I think I would've just given up and let them take me if something had happened to you.
"Sweetie…" Sam begins, concern evident across her features.
Lara's smile becomes more genuine at Sam's term of endearment for her. It has always made her heart flutter, and right then was no different, albeit the sorrow of the night weighed it down a tad.
You keep me going, Sam. I would be lost without you. You are my light.
"Yeah?" Lara flicks her tongue carefully over her bruised and split lower lip. Memories of how that particular wound came into existence flashed before her mind's eye. The arrow, the Solarii rushing her, attacking her, Mathias, and then Sam, her Sam, they tried to take her Sam from her…
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Just look at me … look at me, okay?"
Wincing, Lara dropped her gaze, her eyes filling with hot tears once more.
I'm pathetic…so weak. You deserve much better than me, Sam.
"Sweetie… Hey…" Sam cupped Lara's cheek in her hand, urging her to return her gaze back to her. "We're going to get through this, remember?"
All Lara could do was nod and fight the tears, those bloody awful tears, threatening to spill down her face and undo her. They stood like that for several minutes until Sam spoke.
"Uhm…Sweetie…Will you-…will you come and lay with me for a bit?"
Lara was taken off-guard, and flushed slightly at the thought of lying beside Sam. It wasn't like they hadn't done it before, but as of recently everything had been different. Her feelings towards her best friend had somewhere along the way shifted. She had always known she was attracted to Sam. But something in her had changed. She wanted now to be more than Sam's best friend. She wanted to be her everything.
Realizing she was in love with Sam had been like finding the missing piece of a long ago started puzzle. It all fit together perfectly. The sudden heat that arose in her when she stole glances at Sam changing in their dorm room and at their shared flat in London, the feeling she got when they'd cuddle together in her bed after rough nights, the intense jealousy (she could finally admit to herself that that was in fact what it was) she felt whenever Sam would run off with guys, it all made sense.
Despite all of this, Lara could never admit to anyone just how head-over-heels she was for her 'best friend'. The risk of losing Sam was too great. Losing Sam would mean losing everything, now more than ever.
"Sam…I really should go…The sooner I get answers, the sooner we can all- ," Lara swallowed the lump that appeared in her throat. "I-I mean we can go home."
Sam furrowed her brow, hand still lingering on Lara's cheek, before glancing anxiously over her shoulder as if she was afraid someone was listening.
"Lara…I'm really scared. I feel if I close my eyes, I'll open them and those men…they'll be there, and they'll take me away from…" Sam's voice cracked, a haunted look filled her eyes. Turning her gaze from Lara, she continued. "And Whitman…" she then sighs. "Whitman's freaking me out. I feel like he's always staring at me, like I'm the prize of some sick game. I know you have to go, but maybe…could you just stay a few hours? Just enough so we can both get some rest. Don't you dare lie to me and tell me you're not tired and…and hurting."
Sam's eyes washed over Lara's battered, lithe frame, pausing for several moments on the gaping, gory tear in the fabric of Lara's shirt. Lara watched as Sam chewed her lip slightly, tears welling up in her eyes, as she gently reached out her other hand to cup Lara's hip.
Lara's heart broke slightly watching Sam fight back tears. It hurt to know Sam was hurting because of the wounds she has sustained since their arrival on Yamatai. Many of which she had received in her effort to rescue Sam. Lara knew they were all well worth it, none-the-less. Sam, her Sam, was here with her. Safe from the Solarii, safe from Mathias, safe from any ancient sun queens. And Lara pitied the man who tried to take Sam from her. She'd burn through the whole island to keep Sam safe.
"I-…" Lara attempted, but upon glancing at the look on Sam's face she knew she couldn't refuse. "Okay…Okay, just for a few hours."
Sam's body visibly relaxed, a small smile lifting her features. "Thank you, Sweetie."
Lara smiled then flushed slightly as Sam intertwined their fingers and led her back to camp.
Upon their return they received a mildly puzzled look from Jonah, but no comment. Reyes was too intent on the engine to pay them any heed.
"Ah! There you are my dear, I was wondering-" Dr. Whitman began but then noticed Lara. "Lara? I thought you had-"
"We're going to get a few hours of rest. Goodnight Dr. Whitman," Sam, rather curtly, cut him off and led Lara to the crumbing structure, scooping up a salvaged blanket along the way. All the while she clung tightly to Lara's hand like a lifeline.
Once safely inside the structure Lara helped Sam lay out the small blanket on a clear space of ground. It was a rather small blanket, and Lara felt herself blush as she realized they would have to cuddle closely if they were both to fit on it.
Avoiding Sam's gaze, Lara painstakingly lowered herself down upon the blanket, before shuffling to leave space for Sam. Glancing up to meet the other girl's eyes, she found Sam staring at her stomach wound.
"W-what is it?" Lara squirmed slightly, feeling herself growing self-conscious under Sam's stare.
Sam stood quietly for a second.
"Take off your shirt."
Lara couldn't believe her ears, a burning blush filling her cheeks.
"P-pardon?"
Sam knelt down, bringing her gaze up to meet Lara's. "Sweetie, I need you take off your shirt."
"W-why?"
Sam hesitated briefly. "Let me take care of you." Her eyes were so soft and caring; Lara couldn't help but melt a little. Briefly, it crossed her mind that she really didn't want Sam to know just how bad her wounds were, but in the end she knew arguing with Sam was pointless. Once Sam had something in her head, it was impossible to get it out.
Lara glanced around slightly to make sure they weren't being watched before giving a shy nod of reluctant approval. Lifting her arms over her head was rather painful due to puncture in her side, so Lara allowed Sam to assist her in removing the tattered tank top.
Once it was removed, Lara couldn't help but blush again as Sam examined the wounds littering her body.
"Oh Sweetie…" Lara's heart sank again as she watched Sam fight tears.
"It looks worse than it is…" Lara tried, only to receive an incredulous look from the other girl.
Sam let out a shaky breath and shook her head, before slipping a small first aid kit from her jacket pocket.
"Where did you-"
"Stole it while I was running out of their town."
Lara chuckled softly but didn't comment further.
Sam seemed to assess each wound carefully, attempting to figure out which wounds needed the immediate attention of the limited supplies of the small first aid kit, and which could wait until they were safely off the island. Mind made up, Sam half stood and shifted carefully so that she straddled Lara, their hips lining up perfectly.
"W-What are you doing?" Lara attempted to sit up, face burning bright red, before Sam's hand gently pressed her back down.
"The hole in your side needs to be cleaned, Sweetie. It already looks really bad." Sam said glancing sideways, seemingly to avoid Lara's gaze.
She's blushing. Sam never blushes. Why is she blushing?
Lara's mind raced as she watched Sam open the kit and retrieve a small bottle of disinfectant solution, gauze pads, and a roll of bandages.
Sam shyly lifted her gaze back up to meet Lara's.
"This uh…This is gonna hurt, Sweetie."
"I know."
With that, Sam cautiously went about attempting to clean the hole. As soon as Sam gently touched the wound though, as sharp whimper escaped Lara's lips and her body jerked and bolted straight up so that she was flush with Sam. Sam soothingly stroked a panting and shivering Lara's back, as they both fought tears threatening to spill.
The noise drew in a mildly annoyed Reyes; mildly annoyed, that is, until she saw the two of them sitting there, Sam straddling and holding a half-naked Lara. Reyes then had the most baffled and confused look that Lara had ever seen on her face. A blush once again filled Lara's cheeks as she tried to stutter out an explanation before Sam shushed her. Sam then merely glanced at the first aid kit and back at Reyes, her arms tightening protectively around Lara. Reyes gave a curt nod and then disappeared.
"Sweetie, I need you to try to be still while I do this."
"I know Sam, I'm trying," Lara's voice cracked ever so slightly as she spoke.
Sam furrowed her brow again and then slipped off the slim belt she was wearing and handed it Lara.
"Bite this."
Lara nodded and put the painted leather in her mouth, before lying back down.
Sam then went back to work, being as gentle as possible. It took her the whole bottle of solution, all the gauze pads, and the full bandage roll but she managed to get the wound cleaned and covered. By the time she was done though, Lara had tears streaming freely down her face and was out of breath from strangling screams.
"I'm so sorry, Sweetie," Sam bit her lip in an attempt not to start crying.
"It's okay," Lara felt like she'd been swallowing glass. Sitting up on her elbows, Lara linked her and Sam's fingers. "Thank you…really."
Sam offered a teary smile, and rested her forehead against Lara's. They sat like that for several minutes before Sam broke the silence.
"Listen, Sweetie…I've been meaning to tell you something for quite a while now," Sam drew a shaky breath and dropped her gaze. "I want to make sure I get it out, just in case…just in case something happens to one of us."
"Sam…"
"No, Lara, I-….I-…shit…" Sam let out an exasperated puff of air.
She's blushing again.
Lara sat quietly, watching intently as Sam struggled with herself, trying to get out whatever she was trying to say.
Suddenly, Sam's eyes snapped up to meet Lara's. Lara trembled slightly at the intense look in them, and felt herself blushing just as brightly as Sam was.
"Fuck it."
And with that, Sam pushed her lips against Lara's.
Lara's eyes widened. She couldn't believe this was happening. After all these years of wanting her, suddenly the girl of her dreams, her best friend, her Sam, was kissing her. It was the most wonderful feeling.
But as suddenly as it began, Sam was pulling away and turning to get off her, blushing and apologizing profusely.
Lara panicked, Sam had thought she hadn't wanted it.
"W-wait!" Lara caught Sam by the belt loops, pulling her firmly back down to her lap, causing Sam let out a soft yelp. Shyly locking her gaze with Sam's, Lara felt the blush creep back into her face and down her neck. She went to speak, but instead shook her head, and pushed her lips back into Sam's.
Sam gasped against Lara's mouth, but was quick to respond. Sam deepened the kiss, snaking her arms around Lara's neck, as Lara wound her arms around Sam's waist, pulling her flush against her. Lara couldn't help but let out a tiny whimper as Sam dominated her mouth with her tongue. Kissing Sam was like heaven. She could already feel the pain of the last few days slipping away, her mind filled with nothing but Sam. It was like Sam was healing her with her kiss.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the two pulled away, panting and blushing.
"I'm in love with you," Sam mumbled so softly Lara almost didn't catch it.
Lara's breath caught in her throat, eyes welling with tears again. Burying her face in Sam's neck, Lara wrapped her arms a bit tighter around the other girl's waist.
"I'm in love with you too."
Sam let out a breath, before giving a small relieved laugh.
The two continued to sit like that until Sam moved to lie next to Lara.
"We should rest. You should rest."
Lara nodded, but pulled Sam half on top of her, so that her head rested on her shoulder. Sam laughed softly, as Lara once again wound her arms around her, pulling her as close as possible.
"I'm not going anywhere, Sweetie."
"I-I know, I just…"
"I know, Sweetie. It's okay."
Lara stared at the sky through a break in the roof of the small structure. It didn't quite seem as dark anymore. Small bits of starlight seemed to have exploded across it, small lights fighting through the darkness. Lara smiled to herself.
"Sam?"
"Yeah, Sweetie?"
"I-I love you."
Lara could feel Sam's lips curve into a smile against her neck. Sam pressed a firm kiss into the pulse point on Lara's neck, causing her to shiver, before replying.
"I love you too."
Lara let a smile fall across her face again, before exhaustion over took her, and peaceful sleep claimed her.
Lara woke several hours later to dull aches and her Sam completely entangled with her. It made her feel better knowing she was safe in her arms. At some point after Lara had fallen asleep, Sam had removed her jacket and had covered them both to the best of her ability.
Probably a good thing too. I didn't replace my shirt after she cleaned my wound. If someone had come in here to check on us and seen us lying cuddled together, me without a shirt, they would have thought that we had been…ugh…
Lara felt herself blushing again, her already fuzzy mind becoming even foggier as she looked down at the gorgeous face of her companion. The thought of them doing that made Lara's breath quicken and her body get hot. She had had far too many dreams about it for images not to flash in front of her mind's eye.
Shaking her head in an attempt to push those thoughts and the burning blush away, Lara reluctantly untangled herself from Sam. Sam let out a small whimper due to the loss of contact but, thankfully, did not wake. Lara stared at her for a few minutes, taking in that she was now hers, her Sam. She no longer needed to hide how much she loved the other girl. It felt wonderful knowing that Sam was in love with her too.
Standing and stretching slightly, Lara smiled, as the freshly bandaged wound felt better than it had all night. She would have to remember to thank Sam when she returned. She had done wonders.
Bending to place a soft kiss on Sam's temple, Lara replaced the tattered remains of her shirt and walked out into the open air of the night. Reyes was waking Jonah for his shift of watch, and Whitman appeared to be sleeping under a makeshift lean-to covered with a shredded blue tarp near the camp fire. Stealing one last glance at her Sam, Lara made her way to a sleepy looking Jonah.
"Little Bird, are you feeling better?"
"Much better. Sam really fixed me up." Lara smiled at him, then couldn't stop the red that filled her cheeks. That might have sounded bad. Maybe just to me…
Jonah just smiled knowingly. "That's good to hear. Are you heading out now?"
"Yes, I know that the answers I'm looking for are in that tomb. They have to be."
"Alright. Be safe Little Bird. Sam won't be too happy if you get hurt any worse out there."
"I know," Lara hesitated slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "Jonah…can you watch over her for me? I'm worried about her. And Whitman…I don't trust him and neither should you."
"Little Bird…"
"Jonah…just please. Take care of her."
"Alright. Just hurry back, Lara."
With that Lara started off in the direction of the ancient tomb that held the answers to getting off this island. As she passed the makeshift shelter her love lay sleeping in, she hesitated, her eyes lingering on the slight frame that rose and fell as she breathed.
I'm going to get us out of this Sam. I promise.
Tearing her eyes from her light, her Sam, Lara pushed forward, back into the darkness.
I have some ideas that I could turn into a second chapter that would take place after the events of the game but I'm still unsure if I should do so. Please let me know what you think! Hope you enjoyed it!