a toast to toast // sam

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Baking had not worked, even though Key managed to make two dozen chocolate chip cookies. Watching old romantic classics had not worked, even though afterward she kept singing Moon River to herself and gazing longingly out her kitchen window. Even watching Disney had not worked, though Key cried at the end of Beauty and the Beast.

Mason was a work and Key had the day off. As much as she just wanted to remain permanently glued to his side, she didn't really want to doom her new and tentative relationship by being the clingy girlfriend. Besides, apart from knowing that their affection was mutual, there wasn't really much routine to fall back on.

But it was new and exciting, and Key had enough of skipping around her house. She needed a distraction. Maybe even a celebration.

There was one person perfect for that.

She took out her phone and texted Sam. “Guess who snagged the man of her dreams?” Wit and games. That's what she was in the mood for. And shots. He had promised shots.

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam had been getting out of the shower when he got her text, he'd spent most of the day with Chloe but she was kicking him out to do more party planning and he was only a distraction. Once he was re-dressed and out the door, he checked his phone and gave a little cheer for his sister from another mister. Sam sent her a quick text and made his way to the bar.

"I'm walk-of-shaming to the bar to buy us shots, be there in ten slut =P"

Sam laughed, shaking his head and started to fast walk to the bar. He got there and went over to the bar to try and see if little miss lovebird was already there. The joint was already underway, but as it wasn't too late yet... Sam checked the chalkboard above the bar, ah, happy hour.. Perfect!

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

outfit

Walking to the bar seemed like the best option, since the plan was clearly not to be in a state to drive back. Caim lived nowhere Broad Street, but if she cut through the forest with her local-savvy knowledge, she'd be there in relative reasonable time. “Be there in twenty.”

To anyone not a witch, walking alone at night through untraveled forest through a remote small town was an invitation to get mugged, raped, or possibly mauled by wild animals. But Key was a witch, and while most people believed all she did was mix stuff, she actually was able to take care of herself.

Getting dressed super quickly, Key rushed out the door. Stepping out into the crisp autumn air and night sky was exhilarating.

She actually made it into the bar in eighteen minutes instead of twenty. It was dim, and rustic. There was pool table in the back. She looked around for Sam, noticing some hopeful eyes on her. She smiled to herself – poor blokes, don't know I'm taken.

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

OUTFIT

Sam wasnt sure which one them got there first but he saw her and waved her over. "Key!" He called out with a wave. He could see a few guys at the bar frown at the realization that she was meeting him. It was comical to him of course because they were both taken and not by each other. "Its okay boys, I'm gay, and thus still a viable option for you." He said with a grin. In this town, everyone knew him, and that he was dating Chloe, so no one would take him seriously, but it was a joke. He couldn't resist.

When Caim joined him he grinned and patted the bar stool next to him. Then he turned to the bartender and ordered a round of vodka shots for them. "Because all sluts drink vodka," Sam winked at her and chuckled.

Classically, guys just drank and wouldn't need a big romantic story, but Sam couldn't help himself. "Give me the details lady." He teased her, poking her in the shoulder. He was happy for her, she needed this.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key waved when she caught sight of him and practically skipped over. It wasn't just the news that was making her happy, knowing that she had someone to share good news with was elating. She rolled her eyes at his comment though, trying to pointedly ignore the stares and popped into the seat next to his. “Hello.” she said, in an almost singsong voice.

Vodka wasn't exactly her favorite thing, but almost four years in college had given her ample experience with shots. “I am not a slut.” she said, feigning a joking tone. If she was in any less of an amazing mood, she'd actually take offense to being called that. She knew Sam didn't mean it, though.

Details, hm? Key squeezed her hands together, unable to hide her glee. “Um, well. We were at the festival. He kissed me – out of the blue. Um.”

What else was there to say? “Turns out he likes me, too.”

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam chuckled. "Well I just had sex and you got your man, and we are having celebration shots." He clarified. "But calling us sluts is just shorter and easier." Sam gave a shrug and waited for the bartender to return. He needed a hit of something. He had a cigarette on his way over here, but he was just so excited. Not just for Caim, but because things were going really well with Chloe. Life was becoming good, for the both of them, and that was nice.

Her expression was such a girly one, but her story was remarkably bland of details. Sam turned to her with his eyebrows raised and said "Really? That's it?" He laughed. "Usually girls give you like a litney, what you were wearing, the fireworks, etc... I can't decide if this is refreshing or just crazy." He said with a laugh.

The shots arrived and he picked his up and held it to her as a sort of toast. "May we both be granted a lot of great sex with our respective lovers." And with that, he downed his shot and hit the bar with the glass, the liquid burning the back of his throat. It was awfully really, but it would get them drunk.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Caim raised her eyebrows and looked away. If only Sam was aware that he just admitted to having sex with Key's new boyfriend's little sister. … Retrospectively Key wasn't sure where the outrage lay in that relation. Well, the whole coincidence was funny. Key wasn't sure how Chloe would appreciate her sex life being broadcasted though.

Key smiled sarcastically. “Hey, well, I'm not most girls.” she countered, acting all cool. “I was dressed as Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Key's eyes lit up and she pointed at Sam. “And you'll never believe this! He dressed up as Wolverine!”

Finally she could share that amazing funny story with someone who would understand. What other details could she give him? “It was just … really nice.” she said finally with a dreamy sigh. “I'm a bad explainer.” Key confessed.

But luckily shots were there and soon they would both in no state to really care.

“Hear, hear.” Key agreed toasting as well. She took her shot like a college pro – she had some sort of method to it that was hard to explain, but it involved swallowing really quickly and not breathing at all. The vodka was gone in a flash, leaving only a cool sensation and distant burn. Key was getting into hard-core drinking mode.

When the bartender took their shot glasses away, she ordered tequila next. Mixing alcohols would get them drunk even faster, and “Tequilas more my thing.” Key admitted. Gilly had showed her the proper method to tequila shots long ago – the whole thing with the lime and salt – and Key in turn educated everyone she partied with in college, earning her the title Tequila Girl.

“So just had sex huh?” Key smiled ruefully. “Is that happening a lot?” If Sam was freely giving away such info, she might as well ask. Juicy details were always, well, juicy. A thought occurred to Key. “Wait, as your psuedo-sister, am I supposed to be outraged at such information?”

“Just want to make sure I'm playing this whole thing right.” she joked.

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam chuckled."Obviously it was meant to be." He teased lightly. But it was a wonderful coincidence that her crush had been dressed up like Wolverine. "I hope you know that I'm gonna have to meet this guy and stuff, right?" Sam said with his eyebrows raised. Caim was crazy if she thought he was going to let her get away with never telling him about her new boyfriend. He was glad it had all worked out for her though, she deserved that. They took their shots and she ordered tequila.

"Keep it coming chica." He said with a smile. Sam didn't much care about what they were drinking, as long as they were busy getting drunk. It was time to celebrate with his friend.

"Yes ma'am, lots of fantastic sex," Sam teased her with a laugh. "But seriously, things with Chloe are going really well." Not jut sex either, they were connecting and it was really nice. And his grandma liked her, which was nice too.

Then she asked if she was appropriate being his pseudo sibling and he had to laugh again. "You're my bro, its all good." He teased. A sister might be outraged.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key resisted the urge to laugh at the irony is his words. “Oh, yes. You and I both know you have to meet him.” Key said, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Funny thing was that Sam was actually terrified to meet him. Key didn't add that part, though, since it would be an obvious giveaway. “And “stuff”.” Key added, referring to what Sam had exactly. “Whatever that means.”

Lots of fantastic sex. “Well look at you.” Key scoffed, pretending to be jealous. She even clapped in his honor. “Well, if our toast is fulfilled then maybe I'll catch up to you soon.” Key joked with a wink.

Internally she was trying not to fantasize about having sex with Mason. Now that it was not only possible, but likely, it had way more weight. Just the thought hit Key's brain like an anvil and sent hot flashes down her whole body.

“I'm really happy for you.” Key said, being sincere. “Does she know she's the love of your life, yet?” Last time they talked Sam indicated “love” talk may've been a bit of an issue.

Tequila shots came, with salt and a slice of lime. Key rubbed the lime on part of her hand and sprinkled it with salt, preparing for the process of lick-shot-suck, which was how Gilly immortalized the term. “Talks of sex and competing over how much we're getting … I really have become your bro.” A bro in a dress, but nonetheless.

“To fratenity!” Key proposed.

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam chuckled and shook his head. "So secretive." He whined. It was kind of exciting though, the mystery. "Come on, who is he? You know the town will find out and gossip about it, you might as well just tell me now." He pointed out. It was just a matter of time. Why wasn't she telling him? He could hardly be ugly...

Sam gave a mock bow at her clapping. "Why thank you. Yeah, let's hope you catch up. You need a good lay." He teased. She was actually doing well these days but everyone could use some good sex.

At Caim's next question he laughed softly, his lips stretching into a smile as he thought about Chloe. She was really wonderful. "She knows I really love her, yeah." Sam said looking at Key and smiling softly. Chloe was afraid of love and commitment, but she knew that Sam loved her anyway. And Sam knew she loved him back, even if she couldn't say it.

Sam raised his shot. "I can drink to that." He laughed, downing the shot. "Keep 'em coming buddy." He said toward bartender. He would need more to start feeling the effects. But there was a warm tingle in his ears.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Sam make a fair point. He was definitely going to know soon – likely sooner than most. Key was considering coming clean, but their relationship was such that made it too much fun not to torture one another. “True.” she conceded, but made a face at Sam. “But no.”

It was incredibly adorable the way he smiled when the subject came to Chloe. Key's mind was just was whole bunch of awwwww. Poor bloke – he was in so deep. Chloe better not break his heart. Key thought to herself. There would be so many pieces that Key would have to help pick up. But any relation of Mason had to be awesome, right? Then again all Key knew about Chloe was that she was hot and that lately she'd been making Mason a bit worried. Mason was either just a typical big brother, or Chloe was a bit troublesome.

More shots came, and such worries became whatever. Sam tried to trick her into telling him who it was. Key refused, becoming increasingly mischievous. She was tricky, often sassy drunk.

Finally, after their fourth shot Key relented. “Fine! It's Mason, okay?” her tone wasn't really outraged or that loud – it was a loud whisper, and Key looked excited to have finally divulged such a secret. Despite her alcohol experience, Key was still a very petite girl, and the chocolate chip cookies she ate hours ago weren't blocking the alcohol from hitting her brain. She was feeling buzzed and warm all over. It was a great feeling. And she was past caring – she smiled watching Sam's reaction carefully, dying to see how he'd respond.

“You're boyfriend's sister – I mean your sister's – shit, fuck!” Key flinched and took a second pause before correcting herself. “Your girlfriend's brother.”

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam continued to pester her as they drank, a buzz starting to set in in ernest once they hit the fourth shot. He knew the earlier ones were going to catch up all at once and he didn't much care. As long as he didn't get sick or black out or something, he'd be fine.

And finally, Caim caved. "YES!" Sam cheered at his victory for getting her to spill, but then as she rambled on, he got the pieces in order. Mason Cain, Chloe's brother Mason? Well, Sam approved, considering that Mason had joined in his flour fight with Chloe when they met. He was intense, but he had a fun streak.

"Oh wait, no shit Mason?" He repeated, processing this fact. Key was like half his size. "I guess I should start calling you sister-in-law huh?" He teased her, but it was a fun idea. Al of them getting married and growing old, their kids playing together... Sam was a sap really, and he just wanted to be a dad.

"Better make sure he doesn't crush you in bed huh?" Sam joked. "That man is like a hunk of muscle... I bet he can go for like, forever."

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Sam's expression wasn't as outraged as Key expected, but it was loads of fun to watch none the less. Their buzzed state was making it really easy to see the gears turning any time they processed new info.

“Sister-in-law … brother-in-law ...” Key laughed, way too happy that she was so happy, and that Sam seemed also happy and ready to joke. “Whatever.” she shrugged. It ultimately resulted in the same thing, right? They were family.

Key's jaw dropped at Sam's audacity to make such jokes. She blushed furiously, covered up her laughter with her hand, and punched him in on the upper arm. Her mind sifted through different remarks of outrage before finally settling on one. “Wow Sam – have you fantasized about Mason, too?” Honestly, this was the first time Key came across a guy who was willing to give another guy props on performance.

Key laughed for a little while. Sam was such a character. When the bartender swung by, she composed herself a little – if she looked completely smash (which she was not) the bartender could make the call to stop serving them altogether. She was ready for a cocktail she could drink slowly. “Can I have a Bloody Mary please?”

[SAMUEL JOHN HAYES]

Sam gave her a sideways look. "No, ignoring the fact that I have on a stylish sweater, I am much more interested in his sister." Sam wasn't interested in Mason in the slightest. The guy was built, no one could deny it. Sam was more afraid of them being used against him, but it was hardly his style not to tell it like he saw it. "And I could be wrong, the guy hasn't gotten laid in 5 years after all."

Sam was sure she didn't really wanna talk about that though, and her idea to drink something that would get them drunk slower was a better idea. "I'll just have a beer, thanks." They knew what kinds he liked. Given that his girlfriend worked here, everyone else knew him too. That and he was always the guy who made the keg deliveries.

"Okay, let's play truth or dare like the emotional middle school losers we are." Sam suggested, obviously joking. They both knew Key was deep and such, and they were both in very adult relationships, but drinking knocked anyone down a peg.