Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Glee.

Beta Credit goes to jlbassmaster, without whom this chapter would have totally sucked.

Note: This chapter is very definitely rated M.

The Plan That Actually Worked

Chapter Three: Safe

Crash

Rory was sent flying off his feet and into a row of lockers that lined the hallway of McKinley High. He sighed. It was nothing unusual. It happened at least twice a day. The hockey team had gotten so used to Rory giving in to their torment that they'd actually stay to gloat and tease. There was no point fighting back; he was outnumbered.

"Hey, Irish," the taunting started. Rory kept his eyes glued to his lap, determined to make the attempt to ignore them as they towered over where he was sprawled ungracefully on the floor. "Go sprinkle your pixie dust somewhere else." Rory rolled his eyes and hoped they'd move on soon. He knew it was best not to react, not to let them see that their insults hurt. The imposing figures stepped in closer and one of them made a move to reach down and grab Rory's arm. He was going to pull away, but the arm was abruptly halted by a hand wrapped around it.

"Excuse me, but what in the hell do you think you're doing?" Sam's voice was angry. His fingers were so tight around the hockey player's arm that his knuckles were white. The other three players stepped back instinctively, leaving their comrade to fend for himself against a very pissed off Sam Evans. The blonde shot Rory a quick, appraising look to make sure that he was unharmed before turning back to his captive. The Irish boy took the opportunity to scramble to his feet and step behind Sam.

"Here's what's going to happen now," Sam began slowly, his voice low and dark. "You're going to leave Rory alone, because you and I both know that I could kick your ass with one hand tied behind my back, and from the looks of it," Sam's eyes scanned the other jocks who had skittered away at the first sign of trouble. "You'd be fighting me alone. So, unless you want to lose all the yellow teeth in your mouth, you'll leave him alone." Sam reached back and laced his fingers together with Rory's.

The hockey player's eyes widened at the sight, but he didn't dare say anything. Sam released his grip on the jock causing him to stumble back a few steps before looking around to notice that his friends had abandoned him. Sam gave him a menacing smile as the intimidated boy faltered back a step and tried to walk away with what was left of his dignity. Sam laughed and turned to face Rory.

"You really need to stand up for yourself, Ror."

"I don't like trouble." Rory shrugged. "Plus, I was outnumbered."

"Yeah, you were, weren't you?" Sam muttered. "Anyway, I don't think they'll be bothering you again anytime soon."

A nervous smile lifted the corner of Rory's mouth without touching his eyes.

"What's the matter?" Sam's voice was concerned. He brought his free hand to stroke the pale skin of Rory's cheek.

The Irish boy pointedly dropped his eyes to their intertwined fingers. Sam got the hint.

"Are you worried they're going to pick on you because we're together?"

"No, I'm worried that they're going to pick on you because you're with me." Rory's voice was sad. "I'm not exactly Mr. Popularity."

Sam gave a carefree laugh. "I don't care what people think. I'm proud to be with you." As if to prove his point, Sam leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to Rory's lips, delighting in the way he felt them turn up into a smile against his own.

"So," Sam steered the conversation to a lighter topic. "Are you ready to go try out for glee club?"

"No," Rory laughed. "But, I guess I have to."

"You'll be amazing, because you are amazing." Sam's voice was colored with fondness and confidence. Rory's cheeks flushed at the compliment.

"Thank you, Sam." His smile was apparent in his voice.

Rory's heart fluttered nervously as Sam dragged him into the choir room, announcing boisterously that Rory was about to audition. All eyes in the room flickered to their intertwined hands. Sam either didn't notice or didn't care. He was too excited to see Rory's big moment. He kissed the back of Rory's hand before pulling away to retrieve his guitar from its case.

Mr. Schuester stepped forward and told Rory to introduce himself.

"Umm..." Rory wasn't sure what to say about himself. He'd never found himself particularly interesting, so he decided to stick to the basics. "My name is Rory Flanagan. I'm an exchange student from Ireland, and I've been staying at the home of Brittany S. Pierce. Sam helped me put together a song to audition with, so..." he trailed off. Curious eyes darted between the Irish boy and Sam, clearly trying to make sense of what they had seen earlier. "Here I am." He finished lamely, gesturing to where he stood. He wondered if he looked and sounded as awkward as he felt.

Sam walked up behind him, still smiling, and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Ready?" he asked, adjusting his guitar strap. Rory nodded, deciding he'd better start before he lost his nerve. Sam started strumming the opening notes of Hallelujah.

Rory sighed deeply and began.

The words of the song fell from his lips smoothly as though it was tailored for him alone. As he had while he'd practiced with Sam, Rory slipped into his own world as he sang. His eyes had fluttered closed, and his body began to sway gently with the music. The room around him disappeared. Nothing mattered except the way the notes played by Sam's fingers resonated through his body. The sound of music playing reminded him of home, reminded him of watching his mother humming quietly in their kitchen as she cooked or the way his little brother would climb into his bed and curl against his side during a thunderstorm and he'd sing to him softly until he drifted off to sleep.

By the time the song drifted to its somber close, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Rory's eyes scanned the room to see everyone sitting in awed silence, Artie's mouth hanging open in shock.

Rachel was the first to break the silence, lifting herself slowly from the chair to walk over and shake Rory's hand. "That was amazing, Rory."

The Irish boy smiled widely, but Sam was the one who answered. "I've never heard anyone sing like that. He's better than amazing." The blonde seemed more excited by the group's reaction than Rory did. He loved how welcoming the group was toward his boyfriend. It helped Sam breathe easier knowing that Rory found a place where he fit in. Everyone had come down to welcome Rory with hugs and handshakes. The Irish boy's eyes finally met Sam's, and they were alight, sparkling with excitement. Sam just mouthed: "Told you so." Rory beamed in response.

Rory found himself getting closer to his friends in the glee club every day. The bullying had all but stopped since Sam put his foot down, and Rory's life could not possibly have been better. Each night before bed, he said a quiet but fervent prayer of thanks. He'd never expected that his life could be filled with so much happiness and acceptance. He had friends, good grades, and the best boyfriend anyone could ever ask for.

Rory would shake his head incredulously every time he'd watch Sam sing or laugh or smile, unsure of what he ever could have done to deserve someone as amazing as Sam. They'd been all but inseparable since their first kiss. Even after curfew, Sam would sneak back in through Rory's window and lie with him until he fell asleep. He'd kiss Rory softly on his sleeping lips before stealing out the window, and there was never a morning that Rory didn't wake up to a 'Good Morning' text message.

They'd spend their days together in school, exchanging sweet little folded notes when they'd pass in the hallway. Sam had insisted about two weeks after they started officially dating, that he take Rory out for a formal date. They'd gone to dinner and a movie, but spent the entire evening laughing and kissing. They didn't even remember the name of the movie they'd gone to see, because they'd spent so little time actually watching it.

They'd gone on dates since, but they usually just involved taking little walks through the park or watching the sunset and talking about their lives.

Two months had passed before Rory had even realized it.

Sam was cuddled in bed with Rory's head on his chest, fingers idly carding through the Irish boy's hair. A contented hum escaped Rory, and he nuzzled closer still. The moment was so intimate that when Sam spoke, his voice was no higher than a hushed whisper.

"I love you," he said plainly.

Rory's heart skipped a beat as Sam spoke the words for the first time. A smile broke across the Irish boy's face. "I love you, too."

It was a simple declaration, but it couldn't have been more perfect. It was like their love: pure and simple and easy.

Sam dropped his hand from Rory's hair to ghost his fingers along his shoulder blade. Rory had never felt more connected to another human being in his life. When he was in Sam's arms, he felt safe and calm. He was in love with his best friend, and by some act of God, Sam loved him back. Rory tipped his head backward and stretch so he could reach Sam's lips.

It felt as though there was a bubble around the two lovers that the outside world couldn't penetrate. Sam hooked his arm under Rory's and pulled the boy so that he could access his lips more easily, more comfortably. He twisted their legs together as he deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue along Rory's bottom lip in the way that made the Irish boy's knees go weak. A moan slid from Rory's throat, vibrating against Sam's full lips. Rory's lips parted slightly, so Sam took the opportunity to slide his tongue inside. Rory whimpered quietly and pressed himself closer to Sam.

The blonde pushed lightly on Rory's shoulder to lay him flat before rolling over to position himself on top of Rory, kissing his way down the boy's neck. Rory squirmed a little underneath him, quiet sounds pouring from his lips. Sam slid his hands down his boyfriend's body, hooking his fingers at the hem of Rory's shirt.

"Arms up," Sam prompted in a husky whisper. Rory obliged, and Sam lifted his shirt off. Sam trailed his fingers along the smooth skin of Rory's chest before removing his own shirt. Rory leaned forward and peppered kisses against Sam's toned chest before falling back onto his pillow. He loved when Sam kissed him like this, passionate and needy. His lips trailed across Rory's chest and flat stomach, tongue flicking at his prominent hipbones, eliciting a shaky moan from the boy, before kissing his way back up to Rory's lips.

Sam ground his hips into Rory's, and a deep, husky growl came from deep inside the Irish boy. He could feel Rory straining against his pajama bottoms, a firm bulge beginning to tent the fabric. Sam rolled his hips again, but this time a more needy whimpering sound slipped out. Sam groaned with want at the sound. Rory was never this unguarded with his sounds. He usually made it a point to try and be as quiet as possible, so Sam took advantage of the situation. Their hands roamed all over each other's bodies as their lips moved urgently together. Rory broke the kiss, panting.

"Sam," his voice was breathless, and Sam could see the blush coloring his cheeks even with nothing but moonlight illuminating the room.

"Hmm?" Sam answered, busying his lips with the skin of Rory's neck.

"Remember when we talked about..." The words were interrupted by a whimper, but he tried again. "When we talked about sex?"

"Yeah," Sam pulled back to meet Rory's eyes. "You said you weren't ready yet. I'm sorry. I'm not trying to pressure you." Sam's voice was repentant. He made a move to attempt to distance himself from Rory, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"No, you're not pressuring me." He leaned up to kiss Sam reassuringly. "What I meant was, I think I'm ready."

"Baby, you don't have to be ready now," Sam said comfortingly. "I don't want you to regret this. I told you about my first time."

"Yes, you did. But this is different. I love you, and I know I won't regret it. I would regret it if you weren't my first, Sam."

The blonde smiled and leaned down to kiss his boyfriend. "I love you too, Rory. I'm not good at all the romantic stuff like you are, but," Sam's voice was suddenly filled with emotion. "I wish that you would have been my first, because I would rather have given my virginity to you than some girl I barely knew."

"I know, Sam," Rory whispered, running a hand through Sam's messy hair.

"But, more than that," Sam steeled himself. He'd never let his guard down around anyone, but he felt the urge to pour his feelings out to Rory, to be completely vulnerable at his hands. "I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I want to keep you safe, and happy, and warm. You make me want to be a better person so that I can feel as though I deserve you," Sam sighed. Rory stroked his face lovingly as he spoke.

"I know how hard it was for you when you first got here, and it kills me to know that you've been through that. When I saw those hockey kids screwing with you, all I wanted to do was hit them and pull you in my arms and promise that I'd never let you be hurt again." Sam swallowed thickly, and Rory leaned up to press a soft kiss against his lips. Sam's voice broke. "I just love you so much."

"I love you too, Sam. That's why I want this. I want to give myself to you. I want to belongto you." Rory whispered against his boyfriend's lips. His voice dropped lower, huskier. "I want to feel you inside me."

A shudder rippled through Sam's body at the words. "OhGod, Rory." The blonde's lips were suddenly insistent against Rory's. The fire inside them had ebbed, no longer the rampant wildfire. It was now smoldering embers, red-hot just beneath the surface. There was more time now. More time for their hands to explore. More time for their lips to find places they'd never kissed before.

Sam lightly nipped at the sensitive skin near the base of Rory's neck and a low moan slipped from his lips, his hips arching off the bed, creating friction against the strained front of Sam's jeans.

"Sam," The word came out as a breathy moan as his hips lifted again as the blonde began kissing his way down Rory's body, stopping at the waistband of his pajama pants. He lifted his eyes to meet Rory's. The Irish boy nodded in agreement to the unspoken request, and Sam slipped his hand underneath the elastic and slid them off, completely exposing Rory to him for the very first time. He kissing the newly bared skin of Rory's stomach. He tossed the pants aside and pulled himself up to kiss Rory's lips.

"So beautiful," he whispered against the boy's lips. Rory whimpered at the new vulnerability.

Rory busied himself with trying to undo the button of Sam's pants, finally succeeding after awkwardly fumbling for a moment. Sam broke the kiss and slid off his pants and underwear in one fluid motion. Rory watched as the moonlight played on Sam's naked skin, the way the pale light accentuated the shadows between the valleys of the muscles of his stomach. The blonde stretched out on top of his boyfriend again, gasping at the feeling of the friction against the newly exposed skin.

"Can I touch you?" Sam asked quietly. Rory nodded quickly, leaning forward to continue their kiss. Sam slid his fingers lightly down Rory's chest and stomach before running his fingers along Rory's length. A high, needy whine slipped past Rory's lips as he arched into the touch. Sam couldn't bear to tease him, so he wrapped his guitar calloused hand around the entire thickness and began to fist it slowly.

Rory moaned loudly and breathlessly mumbled Sam's name against his lips as another low whine escaped. Sam stretched his hand open in order to accommodate his own need as well and continued to pump slowly. Rory mewled as the electric friction zinged through his body.

"Oh, Sam," he whined. "More...please..." Rory squirmed needily, burying his face into Sam's neck and sucking lightly on the skin. Sam moaned quietly and opened his hand.

The Irish boy whimpered quietly at the loss of contact.

"It's okay," Sam promised. "I want to try something."

Rory's voice came out as a subdued squeak. "'Kay."

Sam rolled off his boyfriend and slid down between Rory's knees, sliding his hands along the boy's thighs, massaging the tense muscles there, before wrapping a hand once more around his needy girth, sliding his thumb over the head to collect the glistening drop of liquid pooled there, before dropping his mouth to kiss up Rory's thighs, stopping just shy of where Rory desperately wanted his mouth to be. Sam took a deep breath through his nose and flicked his tongue along the head. Rory cried out Sam's name brokenly, spurring him to continue. Sam wrapped his lips around him and began sucking, hand pumping the extra length he couldn't take yet. His hand and mouth soon found a rhythm, and Sam had to put a restraining hand on Rory's hips to prevent him from bucking upward and forcing in more than Sam could handle.

Broken moans, pleas, and whimpers poured out of the boy's lithe body. "P-please, Sam..." he stuttered out breathlessly. "So..close..." He squirmed again. Sam pulled away, considering the logistics for the first time.

"Um, Rory," he asked, wiping a hand across his mouth. "Do you have a condom?"

Rory nodded, unable to find his voice and pointed to his nightstand. Sam gathered the supplies, a condom and the bottle of KY hidden way in the back of the drawer, and slid back over to kiss his boyfriend. Rory fisted his hands into Sam's hair, pulling him roughly into the kiss. Sam groaned and dug his hips into Rory's as he reached to pick up the condom. Rory's hand flashed out to stop him.

"What are you...?" Sam questioned.

"Um...can I do it?"

Another shudder wracked Sam's body. He loved how unfiltered Rory was. He nodded and rolled to his back. Rory kissed along his chest and stomach, tongue flicking over the well-defined muscles of his abs. Rory was too far gone to take things slowly, so he quickly grabbed Sam's shaft and swirled his tongue around the slit, gathering the bead of liquid onto his tongue, before wrapping his lips around its thickness and taking as much as he could.

Sam moaned loudly and had to remind himself that Rory was brand new to this. He felt his hips shaking under the desire to thrust upward into the heat of his boyfriend's mouth. What Rory lacked in technique, he made up for in enthusiasm. He dragged his tongue along the underside as he sucked, tongue lathing the head as he reached the tip.

Sam knew that he needed to slow down or else he wouldn't last, but the blonde couldn't bring himself to make Rory stop. Finally, he felt the heat in his stomach threaten to take him under, and had to intervene.

"Baby," he said, his voice low and rough with need. "That feels amazing, but you have to stop. I'm close."

"Oh," Rory said quickly, a look of smug satisfaction crossing his features. He placed a quick kiss on the head before rolling the condom over the length. Sam pulled his boyfriend back upward and crashed their lips together. He moaned into Rory's mouth as he tasted himself on his boyfriend's lips.

He slid his hand across Rory's shoulder blade before rolling the boy onto his back and repositioning himself between the boy's legs.

"Okay," Sam began. "I'm sorta new to this too, so you have to tell me if I hurt you or if I do something right, okay?"

"Alright," Rory whispered, shifting his hips slightly as Sam spread his legs further apart. The blonde reached for the bottle of lube and coated his finger quickly before taking a deep breath and pressing it insistently against Rory's hole. "Relax," he instructed.

Rory gasped as he felt the finger slip past the ring of muscle and begin to slide inside of him. Sam worked the digit back and forth and Rory could feel himself being stretched as Sam slid a second finger inside. This time, Rory felt the burn of being stretched. "Breathe, Rory," Sam reminded him, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He willed himself to relax around the fingers twisting around inside of him. Soon, the burn gave way to a pleasurable feeling of fluttering inside his stomach until Sam's fingers twisted just so, and Rory cried out.

"Did I hurt you?" Sam asked nervously. Rory ignored the question.

"Again? Can-Can you do that again?" His voice was shaky and breathless.

"What? This?" Sam repeated the thrust of his hand, and Rory was keening, his body was trembling. Sam dragged himself up so that he could lie his head closer to Rory's. He pulled Rory a bit closer so that he could kiss him, their lips sliding together in a passionate, loving way. Sam flicked his tongue against Rory's bottom lip making a whispered moan slip out of the Irish boy.

Sam continued to work his fingers inside of Rory, kissing the boy's lips as he stretched him. The blonde swallowed the little hisses of discomfort that came from his boyfriend when he had to scissor his fingers in order to get him ready to take more. He took special care to twist his fingers in the way that made Rory melt beneath him.

He leaned down and began kissing Rory's chest, pausing to flick his tongue at his sensitive, pebbled nipples. Rory's body arched off the mattress as Sam sucked at one of the buds lightly as he stroked his fingers along the other. He could feel the boy completely coming undone under his hands.

Sam reached around and started pumping Rory with his free hand as he added a third finger. Rory hissed at the return of the burning, but acclimated quickly and soon found himself rolling his hips against the invading fingers.

The blonde lifted his head to surge their lips together as he stretched him further. The little hisses of pain slowly grew less frequent, and Sam kissed all along the boy's neck, lips, jaw, and chest as he thrust his fingers inside him, quiet pleas of more poured from Rory's mouth.

"Sam," he pleaded, totally wrecked. "Take me. Please, Sam."

Finally, Sam obliged. He slid his fingers out leaned up to kiss Rory's lips, cherry red and bruised from overuse. He positioned himself over Rory and kissed him softly, less urgency more emotion. Sam tried to convey all of his feelings into the kiss: how he felt about seeing Rory so unguarded, how much he loved him, his longing to protect him, the longing to take care of him, the longing to make him feel loved and beautiful.

"You are the most beautiful person I've ever known, Rory. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Sam." Nervousness had crept into Rory's voice, and Sam pressed his lips to Rory's again in hopes of calming him. It worked, he felt Rory relax into the kiss.

Rory tried to focus on the way Sam's lips felt as they moved against his own, warm and soft, as he felt Sam pressing against his opening, but he felt himself tense again.

Sam stroked his hair and whispered softly into his ear that he needed to just relax and breathe. He pressed their lips together and Sam swallowed the moan that escaped Rory as he began to slowly slip inside him.

Rory cried out quietly as he felt himself be stretched further than he thought possible to accommodate Sam's girth. "I'm sorry, baby," Sam promised insistently. He continued the mantra with every sound of discomfort that Rory made until he was fully sheathed inside him.

Rory felt Sam's hips shaking as he held still to let the virgin get used to the feeling of being stretched. Everything in Sam's body screamed at him to move. He wanted to feel Rory's walls squeezing around him as he fell into a rhythm that would quickly push him over the edge, because Rory felt sofuckinggood. His care for the other boy won out over his selfish need, and he held still as a statue to let Rory's body accommodate.

The pain was ebbing quickly. He felt the pain giving way to a surreal feeling fullness which should have felt foreign but instead made him feel as though he was finally whole; Sam was inside of him. They fit together in all the right ways. Rory felt vindicated by the thought. He felt his insides gripping Sam as he stayed motionless inside him.

"Kiss me," Rory whispered roughly. Sam quickly obliged, his hips shifted slightly at the movement. Rory cried out as he felt Sam brush against that spot inside of him again.

"Are you alright...?" Sam was concerned.

"M-move." The word came out in a broken breath.

Sam pulled back slowly before rolling his hips forward. Rory's head fell back against the pillow as a curse Sam had never heard him use before fell from his lips. Sam began a slow, rocking rhythm, taking special care to brush against the spot that made Rory fall apart.

Hearing Rory completely come undone was the single sexiest thing Sam had ever witnessed. It was as though Rory was in his own world as he felt Sam thrusting into his body. Whimpers, moans, and pleas fell heavily from his mouth. Even when Sam was kissing him, Rory was begging against his lips. There was no denying that Rory was loud during sex, but Sam couldn't bring himself to remind him to be quiet. He was pretty sure he could get off from just listening to Rory and the way the pleas and wanton begging sounded in his soft voice, his accent still clearly discernible through his moaning.

"Oh god, Sam..." he whimpered brokenly, completely wrecked. "I'm so close..."

Rory's mind was reeling. All he could hear, see, taste, smell, or touch was Sam. He felt Sam sliding against his inner walls. It all felt so perfect, so natural, and ohsoamazing. He was so close to the edge, and Sam's hips rocked against his own in the most delicious way. He felt full, and connected, and warm, and safe. He felt his release building deep inside his bones and knew he wasn't going to last much longer.

Sam stared down at his boyfriend's beautiful face, flushed a deep shade of pink and coated with a light sheen of sweat. He brought a hand to brush the hair from where it had fallen on the boy's forehead before pressing their lips together again. "Please, Sam, right there...don't stop. I'm gonna...oh..." Sam rolled hips quickly, their rhythm relentless. Rory squirmed beneath him, small sounds still slipping out.

Rory let out a moan that sounded almost like a choked sob, and Sam leaned down to press his lips against Rory's. The Irish boy lost it. "Oh my god, Sam. I'm...oh...I love you so much..." The words came out in a desperate, insistent rush before Rory cried out loudly, gasping out a moan as his release crashed over him. Sam looked down to see that Rory hadn't even touched himself, his release was pulsing out across his stomach, his shaft twitching and quivering. Rory's eyes were closed and he was whimpering quietly, obviously still riding the waves of his orgasm.

That was when it became too much for Sam, he cried out quietly and thrust deeper inside Rory, as the boy's body contracted around him, milking him for every last drop. He collapsed on top of Rory, claiming his lips as they both drifted down from their high, panting and whispering little declarations of love until they were capable of actually forming a thought.

Rory spoke first. His voice panting and breathless. "That was amazing!"

Sam just laughed quietly in agreement, kissing Rory again. The passion and urgency had evaporated from their kisses until they were just loving and relaxed.

The sensation began to be too much for Sam, and he had to pull out of Rory. The Irish boy whined at the sudden emptiness that now felt more foreign than feeling full. Sam quickly ran to the adjoining bathroom and got a cloth. He cleaned himself off and returned to the bed to quickly clean Rory up, kissing him as he did so. He tossed the cloth in the general direction of the bathroom and collapsed on the bed next to Rory, pulling him into his arms.

Rory cuddled into Sam's side, resting his head on the blonde's chest and sighing deeply. "I love you, Sam."

"I love you too, baby." Sam pressed a kiss into Rory's hair.

Rory's eyes fluttered closed and his breathing evened out. Before long, he was snoring softly, nuzzling his cheek against Sam's skin as he slept. The blonde couldn't bring himself to leave. He knew he should go back to where he was staying at Finn's house, but there was something about holding a naked and relaxed Rory in his arms that was just too appealing to leave. They were alone in the house now anyway. Being Friday, Brittany was with Santana, and her parents were spending their anniversary in their lake house.

He stretched his arm out to set the alarm on his phone to wake him up at six o'clock before bringing the arm to wrap around Rory's shoulder to pull him closer. He drifted very quickly into a very peaceful sleep, feeling more content than he'd ever felt before.

The sunlight streamed in through his bedside window as Rory's eyes fluttered open. He remembered waking up to Sam bustling around his bedroom earlier that morning as he got ready to sneak back home. He had smiled as he watched Sam slide his underwear back on, looking torn between going home so that he wouldn't get in trouble, and just climbing back into bed with Rory. He hadn't seen Rory watching him. The Irish boy just observed in reverent silence as Sam moved quietly around the small bedroom. He'd fallen back asleep before Sam had left, feeling too peaceful and content in the moment to move.

Sam had grabbed pen off Rory's desk and scribbled quickly on a steno pad before placing the note inside the sleeping boy's hand, kissing his fingers as he folded them around the little slip of paper. The blonde kissed Rory lightly on the lips before letting himself out through the window.

Rory relaxed his hand against the pillow, fingers stretching open to reveal a small, crinkled piece of paper. A smile spread across his face as he rubbed his eyes with his free hand and opened the note.

Rory,

I was going to wake you up to kiss you goodbye, but you looked so beautiful as you slept that I couldn't do it. I wanted to be there when you woke up, but I had to get home. I love you so much. Call me when you wake up.

Love, Sam.

He folded the note back up and set it on his nightstand, an adoring smile crossing his face. Rory stretched his limbs out experimentally. He felt a little sore in the best possible way. He threw his legs over the side of the bed and made his way to his bathroom for a shower.

The hot water felt good on Rory's stiff muscles, so he stayed under the spray for a bit longer than usual, finally resigning himself to getting out when the water began to run cold. He wrapped a towel around his waist and walked back into his bedroom only to find Brittany stretched out across his bed.

This was not an unusual occurrence. Rory was well used to Brittany barging in whenever she felt like it. She'd fallen into a habit of entering the room without knocking, and because of this, she had seen him wearing much less than a towel. The fact that reclined on his bed didn't cause him any concern. It was the sly, knowing expression that had him worried.

"So," she teased. "Have fun last night?"

Rory's cheeks flushed crimson. "What do you mean?"

The blonde lifted her right hand to show a piece of paper, Sam's note, held between two fingers.

"Oh, yeah...that," Rory said lamely.

Brittany waited with a knowing expression on her face. Rory knew he was caught. "I don't understand. I thought you were staying with Santana...?"

"I did, but I had to come home because I had to give Lord Tubbington his medicine. I have to do it in the morning, because he's busy for the rest of the day," Brittany said matter-of-factly before continuing. "And then I saw Sam sneaking out of your window," she giggled. "I came in to ask what was going on, but then I found this." She held up the note again, and Rory flushed darker. His pale skin flamed with embarrassment.

Rory excused himself momentarily to slip back into the bathroom to put some clothes on. If Brittany was going to interrogate him, he at least didn't want to be only wearing a towel. He sighed and walked back into his bedroom, dropping cross-legged onto his bed. Brittany raised an eyebrow prompting him to begin.

He told her how it all started with Sam saying that he loved him. He began slowly, but soon all the words were coming out in an animated rush. The blonde's eyes lit up as she delighted in Rory's happiness. She grimaced as he described the initial pain, her features relaxing into a smile as he continued on to explain how Sam had taken extra care just to make sure he was okay. He told her all about how amazing it felt to be connected to another person in that way.

Brittany reached out and took Rory's hand, linking their fingers together, smiling. "I'm so happy for you, Rory Leprechaun."

Rory beamed and squeezed her hand lightly. "Thank you, Brittany. I never thought I could be lucky enough to be this happy. And, I have the best friend anyone could ever have." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Even if she is the nosiest person I've ever met." His tone took all the sting out of the words.

Brittany giggled in response and pulled Rory down beside her. The friends relaxed on the bed laughing and talking about nothing in particular until they were interrupted by the sound of Brittany's parents returning.

"Kids, we're home," Mr. Pierce announced.

The two bounded out of Rory's bedroom, laughing quietly, pinkies linked.

"So," Mrs. Pierce asked after all the bags were inside. "What did you two do while we were gone?"

Rory and Brittany exchanged a conspiratorial smile before answering unison. "Nothing."