The morning of the 10th, Tony is standing in the morning sun outside Quality Quidditch Supplies and absentmindedly staring thru the window - mostly lost in his own thoughts.

Sam strolls down the main thoroughfare of Diagon Alley, having just left Gringotts. He's a bit miffed at a patronising goblin, but looks much less stressed when he spots Tony.

One of the younger kids standing at the window is called away by his mother, and almost knocks Tony over as he turns to go to her. Tony steps back, flustered and knocked out of his reverie, and as he turns to watch the boy run off his eyes catch on you. He's still for a moment, then smiles his small shy smile and gives a little wave.

Sam lifts a hand to wave back, his long legs eating up the sidewalk as he approaches you.  "Tony! How are you?" he greets you, obviously pleased to run into you again.

"Sam! Um... Hi. I'm good. How're you?" Reddening a bit almost on instinct at being spoken to, and absently smoothing a hand over his tee shirt against his stomach before he reaches to brush his hair away from his eyes.

"I'm much better now," Sam answers honestly, cheered considerably by just seeing you.  He notes your hand movement and swallows quickly.  "Shopping or just killing time?"

Tony's smile widens and he looks down to his feet for a moment. He couldn't mean doing better because of... seeing me.... "Just killing time. I'm...um... supposed to pick a friend up at King's Cross this afternoon." Then he looks up at you again. "More research today?"

"Just errands," he shrugs.  "Though I thought I'd stop by the library simply because I enjoy it.  Terribly boring isn't it?" he grins.  "Want to join me? I'll buy at Fortescue's?"

Tony smiles that same small smile at that and nods, brushing his hair away again. "Never turn down a...um. Chance to go to the library. Besides... the one here is nicer than Muggle ones." He doesn't go on about what he means by that, just shrugs slightly and steps toward you, waiting to fall into step beside you.

Sam grins at that.  "Why don't you like Muggle libraries?" he asks conversationally, starting to move down the street.  Sam's whole demeanor is more relaxed, his stress at the bank easily replaced with the enjoyment of your company.

Tony walks beside you, his hands sliding into the back pockets of his jeans out of habit, and shrugs. "I like them fine. Just. I can never find the types of books I need... and... Well, it really is nice to be able to talk in them with a silencing spell, or something. If. Um. You have someone to talk to."

"Muggles have fascinating books," Sam muses aloud.  "And their explanations for whats really magic are just...astounding."  By now, you've reached the library, so he holds the door open for you.

Tony just smiles and nods as you talk. "They really do..." And then blushes deep as you hold the door open. Wow. "Um. Thanks..." Walking in and turning to smile over his shoulder at you shyly as he goes.

"You're very welcome," Sam smiles, eyes quickly moving to your face when you look back at him. He worries for a moment that you caught him looking over your body, but your smile seems to indicate you did not after all.  "Any particular section you'd like to peruse?" he asks softly near your ear, coming up beside you.

Tony can't help but shiver slightly, blushing even further at the breath against his ear. He shrugs just slightly and lets his eyes catch yours. "Whatever you want... I'm happy, anywhere."

Sam cocks his head.  "Hystory, religion, philosophy, Muggle sports?"  He idly wonders if you realise just how handsome you are, but pushes the thought aside.  He's sixteen and not interested in a relic like you, he reminds himself.

Tony shrugs, his smile widening as he looks down at his feet and then back up at your thru the curtain of his hair - his eyes quickly sliding up your body in a look he hopes you don't notice.  "Really... whatever you want to look at. I. Um. Can honestly just pick a random book from any shelf and get into it."

Sam clenches his hand to keep from reaching out to touch your hair.  He's old enough to know exactly what you did, and he feels far more pleased than he should that you looked him over. In fact, he's far too worried that you won't like what you see.  "Hystory then," he grins. "Let's go," he gestures with a toss of his head.

Tony straightens and brushes his hair out of his eyes again with the back of his hand and nods before turning and heading toward the Hystory section in front of you, his cheeks hot because he's somehow sure you caught him looking.

Sam can only grin at the view, and he boldly looks you over as you walk in front of him.  When you finally stop, he's right behind you.  "I'm so glad we ran into each other again."

Tony shivers just a bit and turns to face you, still smiling - his blush receded for the most part. "Um... good. I'm. Glad too." Suddenly feeling like he's standing too close he takes a small step back and casts a glance at the shelves. "So...um... what did you want to look at?"

You, comes to mind, but Sam merely smiles. "Books," he teases, stepping toward you again, but then moving off to a side row.

"Right." Tony  chuckles quietly at shakes his head at himself, biting his lip and dropping his eyes to the group for a moment before smiling and moving to stand beside you, looking over the shelves. After a moment he falls into his pattern - reaching a hand to trail fingertips down the spines of the books as he reads them.

Sam eyes are continually drawn to your fingers, instead of the titles.  He notes your long fingers, neatly trimmed nails and the smoothness of your skin.   He stays near you, making it appear the books have his attention, but his focus is actually you.  I'm like a stalker, he chides himself.

Tony is, for the most part, just focusing on trying to ignore how close you're standing. But he can't. Can smell you you're so close next to him, and if he dwells on it he knows it will make him dizzy. He closes his eyes for a second and breathes, clearing his head and then taking the next book he comes too from the shelf and looking at the cover before turning to sit at the small round table closest by - stealing another small look at you as he goes.

Sam suppresses a sigh when you move away.  Stalker, he accuses himself, pulling a book out, not even seeing it.  He puts it back and kneels down on one knee, looking at the bottom shelf, and trying to distract himself from the sixteen year old, sexy bloke at the nearby table.

Tony runs a hand thru his hair and opens the book to a random page, but he stills when you kneel down - eyes fixed on you - and stares, rather openly since he can't seem to turn his eyes away, his hand still caught in his hair.

Sam feels your gaze, and his head swivels to look at you.  His eyes widen, but almost imperceptivity. "Well, well," he thinks.  He stands, moving toward your table and sitting next to you, eyes intent on yours. 

Tony's breath catches as you move to sit next to him, and he blushes and drops his eyes back to the book in front of him - his hand rubbing at his neck lightly before he drops it to the page. "Find anything. Um. Interesting?" His words quick and nervous at being caught staring at you.

"Very," he responds, eyes still on you.  "And I found some nice books too," he adds, raising a brow.  "How about yourself?"

And he's not thick enough for that innuendo to not make sense, so he blushes further. "Um. Yeah.. I..." Then he laughs at himself and flips thru to look at the front cover of the book. "I. Um. Didn't really notice what it was... but I'm sure it's fascinating."

Sam gives you a soft smile.  "I'm not too sure what I have here either," Sam grins, looking at the spine. He begins chuckling - a deep, throaty laugh.  "<i>Muggle Female Maladies and Their Magic Counterparts.</i>  I think this one was not only mis-shelved, but not something I really want to read."

"Can't be as bad as <i>Metaphysical Ruminations on Kneazles and Crups..</i>." Tony rolls his eyes slightly then shrugs, blushing again and keeping his eyes trained on the book's cover anyway. "I guess I... um... should have paid more attention picking it out."

Sam laughs again at that.  "They'd run a close race," he agrees.  "I was too busy paying attention to other things," Sam admits.

Tony nods, still looking down, and sighs softly to himself. "Yeah...me too." Almost wistful.

"Think you'd be willing to count a relic like me as a friend?" he asks quietly.  He readily admits he'd be interested in more, but decides one step at a time.

"Of course." His voice quiet, but he answers almost as soon as you've finished asking - finally turning his head away from the book to look at you. "You're...not a relic. But... why would you want to... I'm so... young."

Sam's nose wrinkles.  "You're 16, right?  Too young for friends?"  He cocks his head to one side. "I've just moved back here, and I know very few folks.  You and I have a lot in common, books and ice cream for instance, and I like your company. Why is that so surprising?" He gives you a frank look, a small smile on his lips.

Tony offers his shy smile, shrugging almost in self defense, but can't argue with that, and then his smile widens just slightly. "I'd... really like that. I..." he pauses for a moment longer, trying to think of the most innocuous way to say it - not wanting to remind himself again about Freudian slips - "I like you." And leaving it at that.

"I'm glad," Sam grins, his eyes crinkling in the corners.  "And I like you," he nods, reaching across the table.  "Want me to re-shelve your book?" he asks pleasantly.

Tony looks at it again and then nods, shrugging. "Yeah. Want to...look for others...or..." Almost tired now from the stress of his admission - happy that you didn't seem offended by it, or take it the wrong way. Though, that would be the right way... Really...

"Or go for ice cream?" he asks with a smile, his fingers brushing over yours when he slides your book toward him. 

"Um. It's a little...early...isn't it?" He chuckles and looks down at his watch to make sure - almost forgetting that he had to pick up Kevin. He smiles again when he sees that he has a good deal more time. He hadn't really wanted to leave yet. "We..Um... we could go somewhere and just... talk. I guess. If you...wanted to..."

Sam grins, turning back to you after putting the books away. "Sounds great to me. Of course I want to!"  He moves toward you, offering you his hand to stand. "Quieter corner of the library or did you have somewhere else in mind?"

Tony looks at your hand for a few moments, pushing his own absently thru his hair, then he takes it and stands, looking into your eyes almost naturally - if shyly - as he does. "I... It doesn't matter." Not letting go of your hand yet, as he's having issues with his heart pounding as he thinks of quieter places with you.

If Sam notices you hold his hand longer than necessary, he either doesn't notice or actually likes it that way.  "Reading couches on the second floor?" he asks, eyes on your face.  Really, Sam, you'd think you've never been attracted before, he muses, but can't seem to help his responses to you.

Tony nods and does let go then, stepping past you, completely conscious of how he rubs against you slightly as he steps away from his chair. "That sounds...fine." Sounds perfect.

Sam notices too, and his breath hitches silently.  He falls in step beside you, moving to the wide, stone staircase in the middle of the library. He briefly considers reaching for your hand, but realises that is presumptuous and out of place.

Tony smiles, brushing the hair from his eyes and moving to the side of the staircase to walk up, one hand tracing along the banister. At the top he turns, heading for the back corner and the reading couches. Hoping that there isn't anyone there, and then again hoping that there is so he stops making a fool of himself. There isn't. He sits and draws his legs up underneath himself, smiling up at you shyly.

Sam casually plops down beside you, not too close, but near.  "I've thought about you, since yesterday. He not trying to hide his interest, but he's careful to not be pushy either.

Tony looks surprised, his eyes widening slightly. "You have?"

"Well, yes, I had fun at Fortescue's," he shrugs. "Didn't you?"

"Well...yeah. Of course." What have you been thinking?! He blushes and fidgets with the hem of his shirt, his other hand dropping to his thigh. "You know.. ice cream and all."

Sam chuckles lightly.  "Do I make you uncomfortable?" he asks bluntly, worried he's coming on too strong.

"No! It's just..." He sighs and offers another small smile, looking rather sheepish. "I'm not used to talking to... people like you."

"Like me? Am I some kind of foreign object?"  He looks amused.  "I'm just Sam Capper," he points out.

"Well. youre older and..." attractive, and thrilling, and captivating, and you make my stomach clench when you look at me, and... "well, I'm not used to people wanting to talk to me, much, I guess."

Sam frowns. "My age really bothers you doesn't it?"  He's disappointed. He'd by lying if he said that part of his wasn't hoping things might evolve, but it seemed like a huge barrier was between you already.  "People aren't very smart then.  They're just too lazy to get past your shyness." He settles back against the couch.

Tony nods. "Your age doesn't bother me at all... Mine does." He shrugs and settles back into the corner of the couch, turned with a leg curled under himself so that he can face you. "I mean... I'm just dumb sometimes. I... don't like to make a fool of myself." And I do, with you, all the time.

"Your age doesnt' bother me," Sam echoes you, "at all. And I've never thought you've acted dumb! Anything but! Your intelligence is obvious.  And you're hardly foolish."

"I...Thank you..." He blushes and looks down at his lap, not fidgeting anymore, his hands resting on his thighs - but completely lost for anything to say to that. Awed, really, that you're so complimentary.

"You're welcome," Sam grins, offering you his hand. "Friends?" he asks formally.  "And will you quit worrying about my thinking ill of you?"

Tony opens his mouth to say something, then stops and lets it turn into another of his shy smiles, nodding as he puts his hand in yours. "Friends. And.. I'll try."

Sam shakes your hand a moment before bringing it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the top of your hand and releasing you.  "Do you date much?" he throws out, curious and suddenly worried you have a boyfriend...or a girlfriend back at school.

Tony blushes bright red as he draws his hand away, his breath hitching for just a second before he realises you're asking him something. He shakes his head. "No. Never, really...Do..Nevermind." Shaking his head at himself again. "I'm sure you do. You must have a girl..er..." His voice getting quieter as he looks at you questioningly.

Sam gives you a soft smile.  "I don't date girls," he says pointedly, lifting a brow.  "And I haven't dated anyone in a long while," he admits.

"Oh." He can't help but smile again at that, still shy. "I don't..either. I mean... I don't date anyone, but I wouldn't.." He shakes his head at himself and stops. "Why not?"

"You wouldn't...date? Or date birds? Or...you don't date blokes?"  He holds his breath a moment, your answer very important, but he slowly releases it.  "And I...don't like casual relationships. I had enough of that when I was younger," he explains.

"No, I mean I wouldn't date... girls. Not that I...date." He blushes again, not able to keep his eyes on you as, yes, that's rather embarrassing, and so he turns his eyes back to his lap. "And... that makes sense. I don't think I would like that either. Not that I... well, not that I know or anything."

Sam feels far more relief than is logical.  "You'll date," he says with certainty.  "When you're ready."  With that cryptic remark, Sam smiles and stretches his legs in front of him.  "I like sitting here with you," he idly remarks.

I'll date when anyone notices me and I don't blend into the walls. Surprising himself with that thought, he shrugs. "Lets hope so." Then smiles. "Yeah. I... It's nice." Running his hand thru his hair again and closing his eyes briefly at it.

"I've no doubts," Sam says confidently, knowing he'd be first in line if you decided you were interested.  "We could make this a weekly thing?" he points out softly.

Tony catches your eyes and his smile widens. "Um. thank you." His fingers fidgeting on his thigh without him knowing. "Can we really? I mean... that's a lot of time away from your shop..."

Sam chuckles. "I'd be coming by at least that often anyway, and if we could meet, it would be that much more enjoyable."  Sam watches your hand on your thigh, mouth a bit dry.

Tony nods, "I'd really like that. I mean... until I can get back to school... " His fingers still fidgeting on his thigh. "Um. My friend Kevin will be here next week, though... so..." Suddenly nervous that you'll get the wrong idea.

Sam tilts his head, wondering if Tony is taken and doesn't even realise it.  "So, week after that then?" he offers, wondering if you'll still be interested after Kevin's visit.  His eyes move from your face to your leg, wishing it was his hand on your thigh.

Tony frowns - it's almost a pout, really - because he would love to see you next week, but he doesn't want to share you, really... "I guess..." His voice duller than it had been, fingers still fidgeting after a stilled moment.

Sam frowns. "Something wrong?" he asks, turning toward you, pulling one of his legs beneath him.  "I'd you don't want to hang out, just tell me."

Tony shrugs and leans back slightly against the arm of the couch, running a hand thru his hair again. "No..it's just... I'd really like to hang out, and I can't. You know?" Lost in a thought now so that he doesn't even think about that statement enough to blush. His eyes drop closed.

Sam looks visibly relieved.  "You want to bring Kevin along?"  He actually doesn't want to go that long without seeing you either.

His eyes open again as he finishes raking the hand thru his hair, and he smiles softly. "Yeah. I mean, I'll have to ask him. I...don't really know how long he's staying, even..."

"Just let me know then," Sam smiles warmly. "I think I'd like to meet your friends."  And size up my competition.  He shakes his head as if to clear it.

"Friend. Yeah... I guess  he is. I. We only really started talking on the train home..." He shrugs. "Dumb, really.. since we've shared a room for so long...I, guess I may be getting better at making friends?"

"I would say so then," Sam assures you with a smile.  "So he probably won't visit long then?" 

Tony shrugs. "I... don't really know. He'll probably get sick of my house as soon as he gets there."

"Why is that?" Sam asks, curious. "Do you not clean your room?"  His tone is teasing.

Tony chuckles and drops his head, smiling wider. "Not according to my mum... but no. Matthew...my little brother... will probably drive him crazy."

Sam laughs. "And to think, I always wanted siblings.  You and Matthew don't get along? How old is he?"

"He just turned 11. And got his Hogwarts letter." Tony smiles, amused. "He won't be in Ravenclaw, I think."

Sam tilts his head. "Why do you say that? What house do you foresee him sorted into?"  He's genuinely interested in your life.

"Oh, I... was joking." He shrugs. "You can never really know...right? With my luck he'll be a Slytherin. But... he and I get along, most of the time." He looks up at you, eyes happier. "So, you don't have any... siblings, then?"

Sam shakes his head, looking a bit sad. "I was an only child," he says softly.  "And my parents have both passed."

"Oh! I'm..." He awkwardly puts a hand to your arm. "I'm sorry..."

Sam gives you a grateful smile, placing a palm over yours, patting your hand.  "Thanks. Its..I miss them still. It happened not long before I left for Salem."

Tony's eyes go to your hand covering his and he blushes, biting his lip, then looks back up into your eyes. "Is...that why you left?"

"Part of the reason. I had.. a difficult co-worker as well," he admits.  "I just wanted...to get away, but you know, you can't run from things."

Tony nods. Not as if he understands, but he at least agrees with what you're saying. "Well, I'm still... sorry... But. I'm glad. You know, that you came back.." His eyes drawn to your hands again, and realising that he's in no real rush to move his own, fingers closing on your arm just slightly.

Sam nods. "I'm glad too," and its clear that he means you are one of the reasons he feels that way.  "Its nice to be near all my old professors as well.  We've all stayed in touch over the years," he explains, wondering if you'll find it odd that he's at the castle so much.

"So...you'll be around then.... I mean. During term?" And he tries to keep the hopeful tone out of his voice, but it seeps in anyway, his eyes moving from your hand on his and back to your face.

"Oh yes, I'll be around quite a bit. And I'll be right in Hogsmeade, running the Shoppe nearby too."  He wonders if you really care how often you'll see each other.

Tony's smile widens. "Good." He blushes slightly and leaves it at that, finally drawing his hand out from under yours, sliding it gently down your arm just a bit before pulling it back.

Sam smiles back.  "So, can I count on you as a customer too?" he grins.  He watches you remove your hand, but hides his disappointment.

"Of course!" Tony chuckles a bit too loudly at his quick answer and turns to see if he's disturbed anyone. I've never seen the second floor so deserted... And he blushes at that - thoughts of things to do in deserted places coming quicker than he's used to. He turns back, smiling shyly again. "I told you... um... you'll probably get sick of me because I'll be hanging around the bookshops so much..."

Sam shakes his head with a grin. "I dont think I'd ever get sick of you."  He remembers something. "Did your brother like his book? I completely forgot you told me about him that day we met."

Tony laughs almost guiltily at that, leaning forward onto his knees slightly. "I. Um. Sort of... ran out of things to read... so I took it for myself." Blushing again. "It was a little too... mature for him, anyway."

Sam chuckles.  "I don't blame you," he admits.  "And I had wondered if it was a bit too advanced for him when you bought it."

"I bought him some Mad Muggle comics instead. A little more...um.... his speed." Tony shrugs, smiling into your eyes, and then casts his eyes back down, fidgeting at his thigh again.

"I still enjoy reading those from time to time," he whispers conspiratorially.  He watches your hand again, wondering if he'll ever put you at ease.

Tony steals a glance at you from under his hair, then follows your eyes back down to his hand. Odd... he's... Oh! I should... Then, before he can really second guess the impulse, he flattens his hand against his thigh and runs down to his knee and back up. "Right..they're, um, good..for when you're tired of real reading..."

Sam nods and swallows.  "They make good distractions," he mumbles, tearing his eyes from your hand to look into your face.

Tony watches your throat work for just a moment and then moves his eyes to lock with yours again, smiling and still blushed. "Right."

Watching you, unable to tear his eyes away, Sam clenches his hands in his lap.  He's never felt such burning desire to pull someone to him for a kiss, and he's fighting the frantic need pushing him to do just that.  "Yeah," he murmurs inanely, eyes falling to your lips.

Tony bites his lip and smiles behind in, not sure what to say but... I think...I think he was looking at me like... He shakes his head slightly. "So...." But doesn't know what else to talk about - biting his lip just slightly and watching your eyes.

"What classes are you taking next year?" he asks suddenly - anything to keep your interest and to distract his own self from snogging you senseless in the middle of a library.

"I'm not sure, yet... um. Haven't got my OWLs back...." A note of apprehension creeps into his voice, but he's still smiling, and he licks his lips very quickly, biting his lower lip again after.

Sam nods. "Well, what classes are you interested in? I'm sure you'll have done well in most everything."  He knows you were placed in Ravenclaw for a reason.  He watches you play with your lips, and the sight jolts him into kiss mode again.

Tony nods, licking at his lip again slightly, apprehensively almost, as he shrugs. "Charms and Transfiguration, I know I did okay... and um... maybe Astronomy. Definitely... not...um...potions. Muggle studies...What NEWTs did you take?" But he's still watching your eyes. Trying to figure out why you're looking at him like that.

"NEWTs?" Sam asks, as if he has no idea what you're talking about, but at last he snaps out of it.  "Transfiguration, Muggle Studies...," he sighs.  "You're very handsome," he finally finishes, as if he has to say it, and cant' wait another moment.

"Those are..." He stops, eyes widening and his breath catching before he can answer that. "Um. I'm...I'm not... I mean... Thank you, but...." blushing and stammering again, drawing a hand thru his hair as if it would help him think of a way to respond to that.

"Yes, you are," he replies smoothly.  "And you're welcome, but it was only the truth."  He stretches his arms over his head before dropping them back into his lap.  Sam feels like he's a teenager again, eager for his first kiss - with you.

Tony's hand stills in his hair as he watches you stretch, and then he's biting his lip again and dropping both hand to his lap, watching you. "Well... I mean. Thank you. And. You... you are too. Handsome, I mean. Very..."

Sam grins. "I wasn't fishing, but thanks," he nods.  "Why is it you don't date yet, again?" he asks, moving closer to you, almost absently.

Tony noticed and sits straighter, tensing - though he doesn't know why. He's not nervous he's just... tingling. "No one's interested... I guess...and, I've never really told anyone that I was...well..."

Sam's face falls. "So you're interested in someone?"  He watches you carefully.  He sighs. "Well, I can be content with friends," he concludes, though not happily.  "But don't expect me to always hide my interest well."

"What?" And he's... confused, to say the least. "I'm not interested in anyone else! I mean... " he stops himself, realising what he's said and blushing bright red, leaning back against the arm of the couch. "Um... damn.." Then the second bit of what you said... "You're..." The word an unfinished question, hanging between you.

Sam's eyes flicker a bit before lighting up. He leans toward you, but only slightly.  "Yes, I am," he answers honestly and bluntly.  "The question is, are you?"

"Yes." The word barely a breath, and after he says it Tony wonders what happened to the filter that usually keeps him from being this honest. It doesn't seem to work when you're anywhere near him.

Instead of moving toward you, or even saying anything of import, Sam leans back against the sofa cushions, visibly relaxed.  He didn't realise how tense he had become when he was still unsure.  He flashes you a brilliant smile.

Tony expels a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and the swallows, smiling shyly back at you when you smile at him. "I..." He begins, then stops, leaning back against the couch and not knowing what he was going to say.

"I'm 22," Sam feels the need to tell you. "Not a problem?"  Honestly, he feels young, but he has to make sure.

He shakes his head. "I'm 16? Is that?" Slightly worried... but you already said once that you didn't mind...

Sam shrugs.  "Maybe someone else, but not you." His eyes watch yours intently.

Tony smiles softly and looks down at his hands in his lap. "I'm...not very exciting... Just reading, and school...."

"Sounds a lot like me," he points out.  "Are you trying to get out of being my friends?"

"No!" Tony chuckles. "I wouldn't do that... especially...not. Well. Not now."

Sam chuckles at that.  "Sure you dont' think I'm a stalker? I tend to go after things I want," he admits.  "I can have a bit of a one-track mind."

Want. The word sticks in his head like a song and... Wow. There's something very nice about being wanted that he didn't understand before. "I.. don't think I would mind if you stalked me." Smiling softly and blushing again as he says it.

Sam laughs. "Only if you promise to stalk me too," he answers, flirtation obvious.  "And eat lots of ice cream with me."

"Yes, definitely lots of ice cream." And he says it before he even remembers the talk about ice cream and oral sex, but then he does remember - his eyes widening a bit at the innuendo in his own words.

Sam chuckles when he sees recognition of the previous discussion dawn on your features.  "Glad you so readily agree," he teases.

"I... I didn't mean. But.." He stops himself. Realising that either way, he probably wouldn't disagree, per se. And he looks up at you thru his hair before he brushes it away, smiling sheepishly.

Sam beans at you.  "I'm just teasing you," he assures you.  "I'm making no presumptions.  Besides you may decide Kevin is more your type after his visit." He makes it sound lighthearted, but he's more serious than he lets on.

Tony looks up fully at that, and shakes his head. "No. I won't." No trace of hesitation, really, and very serious.

Sam cocks an eyebrow at that.  "Come here," he whispers softly, urging you closer.  Your certainty catches him by surprise, but he's pleased by it.

Tony raises an eyebrow in question but uncurls his leg and moves closer to you anyway, tense again. Tingling, again. Eyes scanning the empty area quickly. "What?" His voice low and tentative.

Sam slowly reaches out and pushes your hair off your face, his fingers threading through it at last.  He continues to stroke it and push it back. "I've been wanting to do this," he says quietly, eyes twinkling.

"It's too long... and...oh..." Tony's eyes drift closed. He can't remember the last person who ran their fingers thru his hair.

"I like it," Sam replies.  "From the moment I saw it."  He brushes it back, almost glad at how quickly it falls forward again, giving him an excuse to touch it more.

"I'm... glad." And his voice is dropping softer because that feels so good, having your hands stroke thru his hair like that. He smiles, and it's shy but completely unguarded. Happy. 

Sam's breath hitches at your smile, the first time he's seen that particular one. He rather thinks he wants to see it more often.  "Thanks for letting me," he says simply.

Tony's eyes open slowly, and he blushes slow this time - looking into your eyes. And it's impossible to tell, but he could be leaning forward slightly, when the clock chimes, and his eyes widen. "Gods... I have to get to the station..."

Sam drops his hand, disappointment evident.   "I didn't realise we'd been talking this long."

Alex frowns slightly. "I know...I..." He looks at you, and then to the clock, and sighs. "I really do have to go, though. Can I... Can I owl you? Or something..."

"Of course!  Anytime," he tells you, standing and offering you his hand.  "I expect to hear from you!"

Tony takes your hand and stands, awkward for a moment and then leaning in and hugging you, gently. "I... promise."

Sam's breath hitches audibly and he hugs you back, smiling.  "Let me know when we can meet again?" he asks, finally forcing himself to let you go.

Tony stays leaning against you for a moment longer, then leans back and nods, dropping his arms to his sides. "I'll owl really soon." His usual shy smile as he meets your eyes.

Sam touches your cheek lightly. "I can be possessive," he warns, stepping back.

Tony feels his cheeks hot with the blush that causes, but his breath hitches before he smiles. "I think... I think I might like that." Then he leans to hug you again quick before he steps away, walking backwards toward the stairs. "I'll write you. Probably later tonight."

Sam smiles broadly at that.  "I'll look forward to it," he grins.  "And I'll pick up an owl today too."

[Fin.]