AN: I published the first two chapters on Tumblr, and I'm publishing the next two tonight, so this story will be complete in about ten minutes! If you want to follow me on Tumblr, I'm dontchasesheep(dot)tumblr(dot)com and I write a lot of Sory and post TGP and Glee, occasional HP (if you send me any fic prompts I will try and write them!)
Rory remembered police and doctors running into the room. Sam's barely moving body being carried into the ambulance.
"It's your fault my grandson is dead." That one idea that plagued Rory for the rest of his life, spoken right after Sam's funeral.
Rory could still hear the sirens and see all of the doctors and the nurses.
Rory's heart stopped at those harsh words. "You killed my dear boy, Sam."
The pale white of Sam's skin and the slow, erratic beeping of the monitor. Crimson blood stained the front of Rory's jacket, leaving a stain that would never fully wash out.
Rory turned around slowly, facing Sam's grandmother.
Rory heard nurses sighing and the hurried movements stop at the sustained beep. There was a finality of the long tone that Same from the heart monitor flat lining. The tone that signaled the end of Sam's life.
Sam's grandmother advanced on Rory, scowl on her elderly features.
"If it weren't for you, Sam would be happy and safe." She said, pointing a finger at Rory. "He would have done great things in the world. He was so talented. He could've gotten his name out into the world with his music, but not anymore, because of you. You contaminated him with idea of 'young love' and obligations. You should've stayed in Ireland where you belonged."
Rory's bit his lip as he stared into Sam's grandmother's cold, steely eyes. This was the relative Sam so admired yet so feared. Her words pierced deep in Rory's heart, striking a permanent wound.
"You're right." He admitted, lump forming in his throat. "You're… absolutely right…"
Suddenly, Rory felt his knees go weak and breath weaken. He felt the world spinning around him and the sounds around him seemed to swell. He had to get out of there. So he ran. Away from the accusations, away from the hate, away from reality.
Rory's dress shoes pounded down the wet sidewalk and across the moist grass as the rain began to fall faster. His tuxedo top was soon soaking and his hair flattened to his head. He ran through parking lots and by the shopping centre.
Sam handed Rory a blue bowling ball and with his hand on Rory's back, he carefully guided him to the bowling lane. He gently helped Rory adjust his grip on the ball.
"Alright, now, you're going to start on your left foot, okay? Take three steps, and then swing your arm like this." Sam stood behind Rory, his arm next to Rory's arm and his hand on top of Rory's hand. Sam swung his arm, guiding Rory's arm through the correct technique. Rory's heart beat faster at the contact and at the feeling of Sam's warm breath on his neck. He shook his head slightly, trying to rid himself of those feelings.
"Okay, just go for it then." Sam encouraged, stepping back from the platform as Rory prepared himself. Rory took three steps and swung his arm. The bowling ball flew through the air and landed in the lane with a thud before rolling into the gutter. Rory turned back to a chuckling Sam, blushing.
"Good try, Ror." Sam said, punching him gently in the shoulder. Rory's heart skipped a beat at Sam's teasing voice calling him that special nickname, but Rory just raised his eyebrows at him.
"You joking, Sam? That was horrible!" he laughed.
"Well, it was pretty good for your first time! We'll just keep practicing." Sam reassured Rory.
And they did. For the rest of the afternoon, they bowled. Rory finally got the hang of how to roll the ball properly. Near the middle of their second game, Rory picked up the blue bowling ball and stood up.
"This is going to be the one, Sam." Rory joked. He took a deep breath before stepping forward and rolling the ball down the alley. It went down in a straight line and Rory watched as the pins wobbled, most of them falling down. The one of the far left stayed up for a couple seconds longer before falling over. Rory threw his hands up in the air and cheered triumphantly.
"A strike! Yes!" He ran over to Sam, jumping up and down like a little kid. He jumped into Sam's arms whooping gleefully. Sam swung Rory around, laughing excitedly.
"Rory did it!" Sam cheered. He kissed Rory, eyes shining with joy. They both paused, looking each other in the eye, blue to green, savouring the happy moments.
By the time Rory slowed down, he had reached a park. It wasn't too far away from Breadstix or Sam's place. It was a pretty small park, made up of a sandbox, a slide, monkey bars, jungle gym and two swings. It was the park Sam had brought Rory to on their first date. Rory walked over to the swing set and sat down on the swing, ignoring the puddle of rainwater that had collected on the seat. He pushed himself back and forth slowly, running his fingers over the cold metal chain.
Rory had been very nervous that afternoon, but the worries had vanished as soon as he walked up Sam's driveway. This was Sam, after all. The one person who made him feel at home in America. The door opened and Sam stepped out, wearing a simple collared shirt and jeans. It wasn't anything special but Rory thought Sam had never looked better. Sam slipped his hand into Rory's and they started walking to Breadstix. It was a beautiful evening and before they knew it, they were settled into a booth and eating their food. Rory marveled at how natural the date felt compared to other dates he had gone on with girls. He caught Sam's eye and he smiled. This was perfect.
After dessert, Sam pulled Rory out of the restaurant and walked him to a park. It was empty except for a young couple with their daughter playing in the sand. Sam led Rory by the hand to the swings, and they sat down, Sam sitting on the left and Rory on the right, swinging gently back and forth, keeping their fingers interlocked. They talked about school, home, soccer, video games, movies. Just talking about regular stuff, because they already knew each other well. Rory hadn't been this happy in a long time.
Exactly a week later, they sat down on the same swing set. This time, Rory sat on the left swing and Sam sat on the right. They sat with the swings were twisted a little so that they could look each other in the eye. Rory trails off when he notices Sam's not really listening.
"Sam-" he manages to say before Sam leans in and presses his lips against Rory's. Rory's eyebrows fly up comically before relaxing into the kiss, the most soft and tender kiss he had ever experienced. They pull apart slowly, noses still touching slightly. Rory blushes and Sam gives a little half smile, running his fingers through Rory's hair. Rory bites his lip, bright blue eyes flickering between Sam's lips and eyes. They both smile again and lean in once more.
They were on the couch, making out. The kiss was getting intense, more intense than it ever had been, when Rory felt Sam's cold hand make its way up his shirt. Rory froze and pulled away from Sam slightly. Sam's mouth twitched and his warm hand retreated slightly. Rory looked at him. He looked into Sam's eyes, searching for something…he didn't know what he was looking for, but as he stared into those green eyes, he felt he found it. Rory closed his eyes and took a deep breath in before nodding ever so slightly. He brought his lips back to Sam's and the hand up his shirt moved up slowly. Their hips bucked up slightly, and Rory was immediately lost in the passion of the moment.
It was the most intimate experience in both their lives, the awkward, loving gentleness of their first time.
Heavy tears racked through Rory's body.
"Why did you take that bullet for me, Sam? Why?" He yelled at the sky. "You've left me alone in this world, and I don't want to be here without you!"
Rory clutched his hair feeling the rainwater run over his pearl-white knuckles. His navy-blue tie was unraveling slightly and his shirt and pants were soaked through, sticking to his body. Rory dropped his voice to a murmur, every word dripping with heavy emotion- guilt, sadness, anger, regret,
"Remember when we first said 'I love you' to each other? People said we were too young, we didn't know what we were doing! But we did! We knew that what we had could be permanent. And it would've been if you hadn't been so damn protective!" Rory's voice grew louder again.
"You're dead because of me, it's all my fault. Your grandmother is right. If it weren't for me, you would be alive and I wouldn't feel so alone. I wouldn't feel so lonely and and I wouldn't be alone. I'm never going to be happy again. Without you, how can I be? You are the one thing that made me happy." Rory raised his voice to a scream.
"We were supposed to grow up together, but we didn't even make it through high school! We were supposed to have kids together, raise them with music and love. We were going to be together forever and ever. But you ruined it! I ruined it!" Rory bellowed at the heavens, cold rain and hot tears pouring down his face. He stumbled backwards and sank down to the wet sand, heavy sobs still coursing through his chest.
"I want one more day. One more day with you, one more perfect, happy day. One day and we could talk again. We could hold hands and I could look into your eyes and tell you I love you too much to let go." Rory whispered, looking up at the sky.
"I love you too much to let you go." He repeated mournfully.