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100k Special!

Thank you guys SO, SO much. I never could've imagined back in July of 2023 that the story I was writing purely for fun would become this big. I love you all so much!

This chapter essentially puts aside all the issues in the main story and disregards the ending so.. enjoy!

Samuel

The morning wasn't unlike any others. Matter of fact, it was unbelievably average in comparison to other days. And yet to Samuel, it was so incredibly special. It always had been.

As the sun shone through the window he felt Matias stirring beneath him, forcing his head slightly off of his chest and more onto his arm.

"Matias" he groaned, trying to scoot back up to his spot.

Matias huffed, throwing his arm over his own eyes. Samuel knew he was never a morning person, but sometimes it still earned a chuckle out of him.

As he gained his bearings and blinked himself awake he sat up, peering down at Matias with a soft look in his eye.

"Matias" He spoke again, his voice gentler now. "We should get up"

Matias didn't answer, but the scowl on his face proved that he'd heard Samuel.

"Come on, don't be like that. We promised Ellie we'd have a day out, remember?" Samuel complained, though there was no bite in his voice.

Matias sighed again, but let his arm drop down off his eyes so he was squinting up at Samuel.

Samuel smiled softly at the sight. He could never get tired of this. Never.

"Good morning" he chuckled, running his hand up Matias's arm so it was resting on his shoulder.

With a huff and a slight stretch Matias finally nodded, waking himself up. "Good morning" he mumbled, his voice raspy from sleep.

"Come on" Samuel chuckled, throwing his legs over the side of the bed and tugging Matias's arm to get him to do the same. "You know as soon as Ellie wakes up she's going to want to head out the door"

Matias nodded and begrudgingly sat up on the bed, sitting on the edge of it.

"We need to start keeping her up later" he grumbled, "I can't keep getting up this early on weekends"

Samuel couldn't resist a laugh, standing up off the bed. "The sun is up, Matias. It's not even that early"

Matias only groaned in response, but grabbed hold of Samuels arm. He tugged him back a bit closer until he could wrap his arms around his waist.

He pulled Samuel so he was stood in front of him. Matias slipped his other hand up and around Samuel's waist so he was holding tightly onto him.

"Five minutes" he grumbled into Samuel's shirt, leaning down onto his chest as he tugged Samuel so close he was practically standing between his legs.

Samuel felt his heart beating softly in his chest, a satisfied smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"You're stalling" he grinned. "You'd feel better if you would just get up sooner rather than later"

Despite his persistence, Samuel didn't mind it all that much. Matter of fact, he found it rather endearing when Matias was like this.

Matias took a deep, slow breath before picking his head up and looking up at Samuel.

"Ellie isn't even up yet" he complained. "We don't have to get out of bed"

Just as he said that hurried footsteps could be heard approaching until they were right at the door.

He handle jiggled for a moment before the door swung open, revealing the girl in question.

"Dad! Papa!" Her high pitched voice rang out in the room. "Can we go now? Can we go?"

She was still dressed in her pajamas and her messy hair made it obvious that she'd just woken up minutes, if not seconds, ago.

"Why'd you have to have a morning child" Matias sighed just loud enough for Samuel to hear, his head tucking back into Samuel's chest as he pulled him back closer.

Samuel couldn't help but chuckle, the feel of Matias's arms around his waist so familiar and yet so sweet.

"We'll leave soon, Ellie. Why don't you go brush your teeth and then I'll get you an outfit, okay?" He smiled, his eyes going back to Ellie.

The moment was so euphoric, his smile feeling printed onto his face like it'd never leave.

"But papa is still asleep!" She complained, gesturing to the way Matias was sat on the edge of the bed, leaning onto Samuel.

"He's not asleep, Ellie" he chuckled, looking back down at Matias.

His hand gravitated practically on its own to Matias's hair, running his fingers through it gently.

"Yes he is!" She objected, stepping closer.

Matias only shifted, groaning quietly.

Ellie hopped up on the bed, leaning her whole body weight onto Matias's back.

Samuel could only laugh as Matias groaned even louder, letting the girl push and fight to "wake him up".

"I'm up, I'm up" he huffed, the girl practically climbing up his back.

Ellie stopped squirming, but leaned onto Matias all the same.

"Get out of bed!" She ordered.

Samuel tried to step back but was held firmly in place by Matias, his grip only growing tighter.

"Go brush your teeth and I'll get out of bed" Matias compromised, grunting as Ellie's knee jabbed his rib.

Ellie hesitated for a moment before hopping out of bed with remarkable kid energy.

Without another word she skipped out of the room, leaving Matias and Samuel alone once again.

"Well now you really have to get up" Samuel chuckled, his fingers continuing their movements in Matias's hair.

"I will" Matias mumbled, but didn't move a muscle.

"Matias" Samuel sighed playfully.

With a long, drawn out groan Matias finally leaned back, letting his arms fall back to his own sides.

"Fine, fine" he huffed, standing off the bed and stretching. "Happy?"

Samuel smiled softly, nodding. He gazed up at Matias admiringly for a second before stepping away towards the closet.

"Ellie's going to have our heads if we aren't ready soon" He mused, tugging a shirt out of the closet. "I don't know where she gets all the energy"

Samuel smiled softly as he heard Matias let out an amused hum, quiet steps moving behind him towards the closet.

The two got dressed—of course not before Ellie came running back and pestering them about moving quicker—before finally getting out the door.

Walking down the street Ellie skipped slightly in front of the two men, giddy before they ever even arrived at the park.

Samuel and Matias had interlocked fingers behind her, walking peacefully side by side.

"This is nice" Samuel whispered randomly.

He watched as Matias titled his head, as if not understanding.

"What? Can't I made an observation" he huffed, "it's a warm day and I'm out walking with my daughter and the love of my life. I'm allowed to say it's nice"

He was lecturing Matias, but there was no real bite in his tone.

"Oh don't be so sappy" Matias rolled his eyes, as he often did. Samuel would never admit it, but he actually rather liked it.

"Maybe you should be more sappy. You're going to deny that this is nice?" He protested.

Matias looked back at Ellie, a small smile just barely pulling at his lips.

"I'm not denying it" he whispered.

Samuels expression softened, squeezing his hand subtly. He began walking slightly closer, his arm pressed against Matias'.

The moment they strolled up on the park Ellie took off, rushing onto the playground.

"So energetic" Matias sighed once again, leading the two to a bench and sitting down.

As they were watching Ellie run and jump around, dwelling on the monkey bars more than anything, Samuel leaned over and rested his head on Matias' shoulder.

"Do you like having a kid?" He asked, his voice barely loud enough for Matias to hear.

He felt Matias shift as he looked down at him, silent for a moment.

"Well that's a dumb question" he huffed. "Of course I do"

Samuel nodded. He didn't exactly expect a different answer.

"I mean.. do you like being a father? Taking care of kids?" He rephrased a bit, his voice seeming anxious.

Matias relaxed, his shoulders slumping.

"I love it" he admitted, lowering his voice to match Samuels volume. "Why?"

Samuel was silent for a long, drawn out moment. His heart was racing and he had to wipe his palms on his pants to get the sweat off.

"I just, uh" he hesitated, "would you want another?"

Matias seemed to freeze. As he fell silent Samuels mind went to the worst, sitting up off of his shoulder to gauge his reaction.

"I just think.. adoption would be nice. And there are a lot of kids who need homes.. plus Ellie would have a sibling" his voice faded. "Only if that's what you want. I mean, I'm not even sure yet I just-"

"I'd like that" Matias interrupted, taking Samuel's hand in his. His eyes grew soft, a comforting gesture to Samuel. "I mean, I've never really thought about it. But I love having a kid. I love being a father"

Samuel could feel every individual muscle in his body relax, his tension fading away.

"Yeah," he whispered, "I love it, too"

-----

I'm back after not writing for 3 months ‼️‼️

I'm definitely rusty and had to re-read a few chapters of Don't Leave me Here to remember details about the character's personalities but I hope this is at least refreshing after the finale (I'm so sorry).

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