Penthouse; months after coming back to New York

[weirddreams]

There had been a lot of back and forth discussion in the purchase and renovation of their new home... but finally after many, many months, the penthouse was turn-key ready. Sam had smiled that morning and wished Ruby a good day before he exited their temporary home at the luxury hotel for the last time. His classes had both felt like they had gone on forever and passed by in no time at all due to his level of anticipation for the end of the day.

When Ruby picked him up in her red convertible, he leaned over the side of the window with a smile in his eye. "I been thinking about you all day," he told her. They had come to any agreement that she wouldn't make it for her regular lunch with him to finish the move. He opened the passenger door and sat inside. The drive was exactly as advertised online when they bought their place— fifteen minutes short, down a scenic road of trees in full orange, yellow and red, flowers to match from lilies to peonies.

The college side of New York had really transformed over the last few decades as he understood from his own past research. No longer were garbage and the smell of the sewer commonplace. Their new home had also come with underground parking so it was no trouble going from the car straight to an elevator that would take them up. Ruby had let it slip that her daughters had told her that they would follow them shortly, but give them time to see the place by themselves. Sam nodded. He hadn't minded that Alec and Zuzu had stayed with them all this time and were moving in with them for a while longer. He actually felt more secure with extended family around. Just like how his parents were around as well, but choose to stay in the hotel a little longer. He didn't expect to place the card key in his hand so he could scan it once more when they stopped so it would open on their floor. "You sure?" It didn't matter whom opened it, but this was a big moment. The real question was if he was ready, and he knew he was once he nodded at Ruby as if to answer his own question. He pressed the card to the scanner, a beep of approval chimed and the doors opened to their new home. "This is..." he was too stunned to finish his sentence as he stepped in with his fingers threading between hers.

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[peaceonearth]

Ruby had wanted to make sure that the penthouse was perfect and a place where Sam felt at home before they moved in. The girls had wanted to offer their support as well. Ruby had finished all the little details from flowers in the rooms to their favorite candle setting out. She'd also stocked the kitchen with some of their staples. She had to admit it was nice having a real kitchen again. She was planning on making perogies in the next few days.

It was a pretty drive, and it would be a nice bike ride when Sam decided to start doing that. She can't help but smile at Sam's greeting. She returns the sentiment because it's true, but she's also spent most of the day thinking about Sam's reaction to the penthouse being finished. Ruby steps in after him, watching his expression the entire time. He'd been included in all the decor decisions, but she knows it's different seeing it all put together at once. They had chosen to go with a dark theme in most of the rooms. The floor to ceiling windows allowed for plenty of light as did the high ceilings so nothing felt cramped or small. "We can still make changes if you don't like anything, but I'm really pleased with the way it came together." It does look a lot like the house she still owns and leases in his parent's neighborhood.

[weirddreams]

Everything Ruby did to this point was appreciated by Sam, not just make sure the penthouse would feel like home. He had needed more than a home again but someone to listen to him and help him work through some of the trauma. Ruby had been a rock, a safe space. In fact, a large part of him felt he could love her all the more because he wouldn't have gotten throught it without her. He had been able to rest his head on her lap when he needed to let his system reset. Nothing strengthend their bond more than the time they spent together in the last weeks. The girls and his parents had been appreciated for their support too. In many ways, it felt like they were one big family already. The extra flowers and candles were unnecessary but would put a smile on his face as soon as he saw them in each room. Nothing was left to the imagination, and a lot of the renovation had used black, gold, brown, and dark blues to make the layout feel vibrant and familar like Ruby's house next door, back home. A warmth set in the pit of his stomach looking at it all when inside. The best thing in his opinion was the open entertainment area with empty bookshelves ready to be filled. He could see himself studying there while other times seated next to Ruby watching a movie or actively each other's company with tall windows overlooking the neverending sky. He remembered the listing had also read that the windows were tinted on the outside, nothing could see in. Everything they did in this space was private. A small blush rose to his cheeks at the thought of what they could do with the time themselves right now. He only pushed those thoughts away because he hadn't seen anything yet as far as their home. The smell of perogies would be welcome over the next few days. He loved that perogies could be stuffed with different things and never stopped being delicious. It always made him feel warm inside when Ruby made him food and cared for him.

He never let go of Ruby's hand as his inspection of their finished home took him into other rooms without realizing it. His feet had the privilege of muscle memory combined with the knowledge of the layout. It wasn't until he stepped out with her beside him, exited from the kitchen, onto the patio that had an answer for her. "I wouldn't change anything." He said, looking at how perfect the view was. There was miles of skyline ahead of them, the redesigned pool with the allowance for laps back and forth that he had accidentally encouraged, and just opposite from the glass doors that led back to the kitchen were the glass doors that led to the master bedroom. Inside the bookshelf king size bed was clear as the moon eclipsing the sun before elegant darkness smothered the world in complete and total black for a few precious moments. The hotel that they lived in the past few moments had been the opposite. The sheets were silver and white, the flowers were purple or yellow, and the modern paintings of lines and squares spoke little to what they were as a couple. It was silly, but what spoke to his romantic sense of what home was would be their personal bedroom. He had more to add to the design of their bedroom than anything else that went into the renovation, right down to the sheets and the artwork on the walls. It was their fully imagined space together. He squeezed her hand and motioned his head to let Ruby know he wanted to head that way. "I wouldn't changed a thing because it feels like us," he added. "The only thing I would say we need is... new photos everywhere. Is everyone still coming for dinner tonight? We should celebrate together." They should also celebrate before everyone comes together again.

[peaceonearth]

Sam may not realize it right now, but they are already a family and would be even if he weren't the twins' father. It had been as important to Ruby as it was to Sam to make sure the penthouse felt like home. She needs the same stability that he does because it still hits her sometimes that she could have lost Sam without ever having been able to live a full life with him. The windows had been a big draw for Ruby, not just for the privacy, but because they let a ton of light into the place, which made the darker colors work even better. As for helping Sam cope with what had happened, she wouldn't have had it any other way. He'd helped her cope as well, just by being there and needing her. The girls like perogies as much as Sam does.

The dark color scheme and warm furnishings were much more their style than the hotel's. Ruby had expressed her gratitude many times to Nate for letting them stay so long, but it hadn't ever felt like home. When decorating the penthouse, Ruby had encouraged Sam's input every step of the way, but it had pleased her how much he'd wanted to be involved when it came to their room. Ruby smiles at his praise and nods. "It does feel like us. I'm glad we took the extra time and had it decorated before we moved in." She's lived through plenty of renovations before and that wasn't the start she wanted for them here. "We'll go through some of our favorites and get them printed and framed," she assures him then nods at his question. "The girls are bringing Italian food that ZuZu swears is the best in the city. They'll be here in a couple of hours. I've got a few bottles of champagne in the fridge if you want to open one now." And begin their private celebration.

[weirddreams]

The important thing to Sam is that the twins have made him feel included from day one. He wouldn't mind if they stayed many more weeks longer because they've shared some laughs and quality time getting to know one another. Breakfast with everybody had become a welcome change of pace. The penthouse did have an air of stability about it since they both walked it. Sam had passed a note to the receptionist back at the hotel to pass on to Nate. The contents of the note was basically to thank him for allowing Ruby and himself to stay all that time. And that he would like to express that in person next time as well. The door to the penthouse was open anytime the nephilim wanted.

His potential death had occurred to him. He just couldn't bring himself to think about a possibility of waking up in heaven without her there. The idea of never seeing her again was too much. On the flip side, he didn't have to worry about that now. The penthouse certainly had been the best compromise he made. Not only was there no way someone could break in and burn it down as easily as their former apartment had been, but it had many other perks. Namely Ruby in the center of it all. But the color scheme undoubtedly brought a smile to his face. Everything down to the last detail had been decided by the two of them. Of course there were certain rooms above others that he wanted to share his input on more. The design of the master bedroom was their most intimate space. A book shelf, a mini fridge in the wall, side tables were creature comforts he thought they needed. The closed off toilet to the rest of the bathroom had been a considerate addition to the floor plan on his part.

Perogies wouldn't be the worst idea for dinner that same night. A food the whole family was familiar with that brought comfort.

He's loved the colors since he first saw Ruby renovate her house next door to his parents' home. But there's subtle changes in the penthouse to include Sam's taste. "Me too. You were right about how hard it would have been to live here through it." He had intially thought they could, but the process had been eye opening. He was glad for Ruby's expertise. "Thank you." He squeezes her hand. Not once this whole time has she dismissed his ideas or concerns of what they lost. This whole time Ruby had tried to rebuild with him for which he felt thankful. He perks up. A couple of hours to themselves and Italian food once the twins return sounds delightful. "Would it set a good impression to be tipsy by the time the show up?" Champagne might not get him drunk but he is acutely aware how much of a light weight he is. Nonetheless, he nods his cracks a smile and guides Ruby, his hand in hers, to follow him to retrieve the bottle and pull the cork. It takes him an extra few seconds to find two crystal glasses and pour the liquid into them. "I want to say a few words... I don't think I ever thought anything but could happen in my life, but I'm glad it brought us to this point. The last few months have shown me that you're the most amazing person I know. You– You listened to all my concerns. You made me feel safe. I fell in love with you all over again. We've made a place we can call our own..... Cheers." He clinks his glass against hers. He has a sip of the champagne once and only after Ruby has had a chance to speak.

[peaceonearth]

Sometimes it's hard for the girls because they still see him in so many ways as their dad; however, they're aware that they can't make that reveal. Ultimately, they're just happy to have him in their lives again. The twins will stay a bit longer, with Alek likely leaving before Zuzu as she still has a husband. Nate will certainly visit at some point for dinner or to see what they've done with the place. They're likely to meet one of his many girlfriends.

His death wasn't something Ruby wanted to think about either, which is one reason for the extreme security measures in the penthouse. If Sam looks closely, there are runes that mimic the ones on the bunker tucked into corners and around doorframes. They're styled as art or hidden entirely, but they're there. The penthouse also has the standard security measures like needing a key to even access the floor via the elevator, a doorman who won't let anyone not on the list in the elevator. There are cameras and alarms as well. Ruby stopped short of having an actual guard at the door because she thought that would seem a little too much like prison and not like a home. The entire point of Sam's second life had been to make sure he had all the things he didn't get in his first life; that includes the freedom to come and go and do what he wishes. The penthouse has a lot of luxurious creature comforts and Ruby likes that because she thinks that Sam deserves all that and more in this life.

Perogies take a long time to make from scratch, so Ruby will make them tomorrow when she has the time to make the dough and bake everything. Tonight, she wants to celebrate and enjoy their new home.

Her home in the gated community he'd grown up in had been hers alone and while she'd made sure that it was comfortable for Sam, she'd been the only one to have to live there. This time, she wants to make sure that Sam feels like it's his home as well as hers. "You were too young to remember when I had my house near you renovated. It hadn't been fun. I didn't want that for either of us here." At his expression of gratitude, she leans in to press a kiss to his cheek. "My pleasure." She can't help but chuckle at his question. "I think the girls would be a little disappointed to find we didn't properly celebrate the new place." Tipsy would be fine. She won't let him get smashed before the girls arrive, but they will likely have more champagne once the girls do get here. A glass of champagne might go to his head, but he won't get much more than lightly buzzed. Besides, she's got other plans and means of celebrating that will keep his hands and mouth too busy to consume more than a glass.

She smiles softly at his words and pauses to sort her own words out. "You handled all of this beautifully, much better than most people. I think it goes without saying that I never wanted anything bad to happen to us or you, but it did reassure me that you could handle the uglier parts of my life. From here on out, no matter what happens, we will have a wonderful life." She clinks his glass with hers and takes a sip of the champagne. She moves in closer, her free arm winding around his neck. "You're my favorite human, Puppy. You always have been. You always will be."

[weirddreams]

The time they've spent together up until now has made him feel accepted. Next time they visit, he will insist that they all have dinner together with his own hand-made perogies as a welcome for them. They can return at any point they like. Sam will certainly be in for a surprise when Nate's girlfriends change over the next couple of visits. He's not naive about multiple girlfriends as a concept but it would never be something he'd do. More power to the hotel entrepreneur.

Sam likely will not see the runes around the doorframes as he grew up with runes tucked around the corners or paintings in his childhood home. At least not for a few weeks when something gives gives him pause coming home and stopping to appreciate Ruby waiting for him or resting her eyes as she sometimes claims dozing off to be. The corners of the doorframe only then might catch his notice out of the corner of his eye and he recognize one of the runes to ward off ill intentions around the building. The doorman is the most friendly feature. Before long, Sam will be on a first name basis with the full time and part time doorman. A guard at their door as well would have been too much. Sam would have told her it would make him uncomfortable had the suggestion come up. Likewise, Sam believes Ruby deserves more say on where they live. She deserves the comforts and luxury that come with a pool and shower with different pressure settings. He should have never asked her to live somewhere without security given that he knew that she was a hunter. That's neither here or there now and he's happy she's happy with the penthouse renovations. His smile widens all the more each time he turns to catch her smile come to life as they backtrack or look around at what they've dreamt up together.

He'll help her after his classes tomorrow. It's a big ask to expect her to make perogies by herself for only his benefit. On his way home, he'll pick chocolate to compliment the mood. The next couple of nights surely will be celebrated in their new home. Tonight, he'll follow her lead.

As far back as his memories go, the gnomes had haunted him next door before Ruby had bought the place. Turns out some of the gnomes were real and kept the garden in order. He had become good friends with them. "The only thing I remember from inside your place before the renovations were the Pepto-Bismol color scheme. You have better taste than that. The colors remind me of our time together when we started dating." He acknowledges the time they lived together during the weekends. Also, how sometimes he needed to run back or stop by during the week for a shirt as most of his ended up at her place. "Thank you for thinking of me." Never will his heart not jump before pumping steadily again when her lips press against his cheek. He's pretty sure what Ruby means is that the twins want to be spared the details by staying away the next couple of hours. He half chuckles at how silly the question feels in retrospect, even in jest. Good thing all around that he's a light hearted drunk. Always has positive, or even flirtatious, things to say about Ruby. Other people? Not a mean thing in his bone. Maybe just talks about how much he likes their shoes or watch or something. He won't be above telling Alek that her husband sounds like a good man with him being so understanding of visiting so long. That's probably another reason she will likely leave in the coming days. Family is important. Whatever Ruby has planned, his smile shows how aware he is while their glasses clink. He takes a large swig for his first sip. One glass is more than enough to celebrate by themselves to get started.

His smile falters but only momentarily at what could be considered praise for how he handled things. There were times he spiraled and doubted himself, and times he needed Ruby to talk him through it as an ear to lean on. "Ruby, I..." The urge to dredge up hus doubt about his coping skills without her as a crutch is insurmountable, but he recognizes he should let's it slip away unspoken. All he can tell himself is he's working on truly being brave like she gives him credit for. "I'll second that. I'm the luckiest man being in New York with you." It's because Ruby is a hunter and business woman to his college student that they work. Two college students would be less likely to have as much time together, if they even attended the same college at all. He has another sip of his glass then pushes it off on a surface somewhere. The liquid courage is never needed but certainly welcome in his system. His response to her arm around his neck is both his around her waist. His body leans down closer to height and snaps back carefully, pulling her weight into his. "Say that again," he speaks against her neck, placing a kiss against the skin. It's not an I love you, but her words send a shiver down his spine and he likes hearing her say them. She might as well add that he belongs to her with it.

[peaceonearth]

Good. Accepted is how they all want him to feel.

Ruby doesn't, and never will, blame Sam for wanting a normal life.

She doesn't mind the work, and the girls will enjoy the food as well. She always welcomes his help in the kitchen, though.

"I think at one point, I slept in every bedroom in the house, showered at your parents, and ordered food out for weeks. Trust me, I was thinking of me too." she says of the renovations in her house. She didn't want to repeat that performance unless necessary and she certainly didn't want to drag Sam through it when there were better options. Unfortunately, she'd had to leave most of her gnomes behind. They had been transferred to her house in Sioux Falls. At some point, Sam will meet Jesse. He's pretty involved in the monster community; he and Alek live in Charming Acres, the town Lucy and Cas started up. Sam is a smart boy when it comes to Ruby's plans.

She hears and sees that doubt in him; she also understands that it's normal (she's battled her own insecurities in the past), but she's glad that he doesn't pursue them. She loves that he doesn't need liquid courage to initiate things with her and that he never has. The way he makes his request whispered against her neck, makes Ruby shiver. "You're mine, Puppy. Always have been. Always will be," she answers. She steps back, pulling him with her so that her back is against the large (very empty) chef's island. She levers herself up onto the island, using him and the countertop so that she can sit almost eye level with him, then wraps her legs around his waist to pull him closer to her.

[weirddreams]

Assertiveness is one thing that Sam finds most attractive about Ruby. Of course he'd love to spend time helping her out in the kitchen. Any time.

He smiles fondly at one particular memory that comes to mind when mentions food. "I should probably confess that I begged my mom to let you stay for dinner when you came to use our shower." It was every single time, and Melissa mostly gave in. He still wasn't aware that wasn't a secret. Though if had they shared the trouble of moving rooms for this renovation, he would have made the best of it with her. The gnomes had told Sam the were happy with their jobs when he left for college and that was enough for him. One of them had even threatened him not to come back until he was a doctor or else. That would be forever to hold on to. He'd heard a lot about Jesse and would shake his hand when he met him. Charming Acres was on his list to see one day. The town had piqued his interest since Ruby first brought it up as the home of Alek and birthplace of Nate.

If he lets his doubt eat him up, he figures that Jessica demon wins. Liquid courage at best helps loosen up his tongue, but never is it not easy to spill his desire for Ruby out in words or physical display. He smiles so much it almost hurts when she fulfills his request. Feeling her shiver next to him, he decides to encourage more out of her by planting kisses against her neck. It was always intended to be short and sweet. Breaking away due to her pulling him with her is abrupt but enough to cause him to break with laughter. He's more than aware she can help herself up, but his hands glide to her hips in the frenzy and assist with her making it up to the counter comfortably. Eyes locked on her green orbs, he steps to fill in where she once stood. There's only one of two paths for him to decipher from her body language. One leading to him pleasuring her orally. The other to counter sex. (Or three, if you count much slower foreplay.) His hands rub up and down the sides of her hips for some sort of indication.

[peaceonearth]

Ruby can't help but grin at his 'confession'. "Samuel, I knew that you were always the one inviting me to dinner," she confesses as well. "Demon powered hearing, remember?" she jokes with him. She'd appreciated his efforts and she'd graciously accepted every time without letting on that she knew Sam had pleaded with his mom to invite her. They'll stop over in Charming Acres on their next summer road trip.

The kisses on her neck definitely prompt her decision to sit on the counter. So does the fact that she knows she had these counters measured and installed so that they were the perfect height for this. She likes that he helps her up on the counter. It makes the whole thing less awkward for sure. She won't turn down the first option as long as the second is their end goal. For the moment, she leans in, wrapping her legs around him and kisses him deeply, hands snaking under his shirt to play across his abdomen.

[weirddreams]

Sometimes he forgets she has 'super powers'. But the way she reminds him of her ability to hear him only makes a little flustered, more engaged with her confession in turn. "You heard all that back then?" He bows, breaking eye contact momentarily to hide his smile breaking in a grin. Once his smile is more measured, he looks back up at her. Blue eyes as light as the sky. "Right. Anyway, the best part, now that I'm older, I can ask you to dinner anytime here." They'll visit Lucy's bakery that still stands this day. Have a treat there, if dinner isn't an available option.

It will take Sam a couple of days to notice the countertops are measured exactly to this pant length. No more need for him to hunch down to wash his hands or reach down for something. Right now, he's focused on Ruby. No matter what they do, giving her what she wants in the moment is his first priority. He crashes (leans) against her in such a way that he's sure that she won't fall off the counter. He gives her a satisfied sigh as her hands aimlessly touch his hot skin. When the kiss breaks, he prompts her to release her hold of him by tapping the sides of her hips. Her choice of skirt today makes it easier for him to push up the fabric. He maneuvers himself down on his knees to unstrap the heels off her feet. He begins with kisses to her toes before he moves to the inside of her legs. In this moment, Ruby is the goddess he worships.