Chapter Text
Sam knew his heat was done when he was heat free for 24 hours. He felt relieved, especially when he could sleep all day and just snuggle with his mate. Gabriel gave a tired “hurrah” when he was not awoken for another round of sex. Sam ended up cooking for the next week because Gabriel was too exhausted to do much but sleep, eat, and maybe have a mild conversation while they were laying in bed. Sam didn't blame him because he spent a lot of time sleeping as well, but alphas seemed to take a lot more time to recover after expending so much semen over a month.
Sam took several medications for his menstruation, which was a pain to clean up more than anything. The 'joys' of not getting pregnant would only last a week, and then he'd be dealing with his body returning to it's normal state right afterwards. Sam took it in stride. Heat was much easier with a partner, he decided; and he liked Gabriel being his mate. Sam smiled as he was making Gabriel and himself some of the macaroni and cheese that his alpha had insisted on in summer. It was just a silly thought that flitted across his mind; he wouldn't mind ending up like Gabriel's parents. Living together with Gabriel in a house, growing old, and maybe encouraging Gabriel to eat healthier foods.
Sam paused at the stove, wooden spoon In hand and not really sure how to feel about how nice he thought that life might be.
Sam stiffened when arms encircled his waist and Gabriel sighed tiredly into his back, saying, “I smell cheesy goodness.” Sam relaxed and smiled. They actually had clothes on, which was an interesting change of pace from the previous month. Sweat pants and t-shirts were the most formal things they'd put on all heat-season.
“Macaroni, cheese, and broccoli.” Sam said and got a groan from Gabriel. “You won't even taste the vegetables, I swear.”
“ Fiiine ,” Gabriel bemoaned. Sam smiled because Gabriel ate as unhealthily as his own father did.
“Are you feeling better?” Sam asked.
Gabriel nodded into his back. “Yeah. Two weeks of rest and I'm back to walking.”
Sam laughed lightly. “And foraging for food?”
“Something like that.” There was a kiss placed on Sam's spine and Sam smiled, turning the heat off on the stove. Gabriel had to release Sam to sit at the table, which wobbled ever since Gabriel had flipped it. Gabriel used a finger to wobble the thing. It wasn't an expensive table, it was just plastic with metal legs. “Time to get a new table.” Sam served up the bowls and sat across from the alpha.
“Well you did break it,” Sam said before he dug into the creamy concoction of pasta, shells, and finely chopped broccoli.
“Yeah.” Gabriel took a few bites and after a while said, “So. You wanna do this again next year?”
Sam smiled and nodded without needing to think about it. “Yeah, I'd like that.”
“Cool well, how about, you know, the year after that?” Gabriel's brows rose curiously. “And the year after that and so on.”
Sam found himself nodding and smiling. “Yeah, I'd like that too, but um... I do want to go to college.” His heart was thudding harder than he wanted it to.
“Of course.” Gabriel nodded. “I'm not stopping you.”
“I want to stay local,” Sam said and Gabriel looked a bit relieved.
“I'd encourage that,” Gabriel said with a small laugh. Sam smiled, still feeling his belly flutter. “I'd miss you if you went to a big fancy college.”
Sam smiled more. “I'd miss you too, or you know, your Peanut-Butter Banana pancakes.” A wry grin spread across Gabriel's face.
“Well, since heat is over, I could make you some for lunch,” Gabriel offered.
“Do we have enough things to make it?” Sam asked.
Gabriel chuckled. “ Do I have enough ? You bought like a mountain of peanut butter before heat-season even began.”
Sam's face flushed warm. “I'll have you know Peanut butter is a very good source of protein, and bananas have a great source of potassium.”
“Oh sure, go all health nut on me,” Gabriel said. “But I happen to have a spare jar of banana jam if you do happen to want pancakes.” Sam's lips pursed in a tight smile. He wouldn't have to wait another week for Gabriel's specialty when Trick n' Treat opened.
“I do happen to want pancakes for lunch,” he conceded and mildly wondered where Gabriel managed to hide the jar of banana jam from him.
“Pancakes it is,” Gabriel said brightly before he dug into his bowl with more gusto.
Sam smiled, looking forward to the pancakes. But even more so, looking forward to a building a long and strong bond with his mate.