“Hello, everyone. My name’s Sam, and welcome to another episode of Let’s Play Dire Straits. Today might be a bit of a boring video I’m afraid, as I have an awful lot of harvesting to do. I’ve fallen quite a bit behind in keeping up with my resource collection, and I really do need to build up my supplies before winter rolls around again. My third winter in-game too! Can you believe I’ve managed to play this long without dying a grisly death? I feel like some congratulations might be in order, for the third-year anniversary.” Sam tilted his head, considering. “Actually, I do know a way to celebrate! We could make a brookie. For those of you who don’t know, a brookie is a dessert in-game food item that we are able to mix together and cook up in our oven. I just have never made one before myself, as the ingredients are all tricky to get. That being said, it seems like a good quest to set out on. So yes, I’ve decided. After I’m done with harvesting, it will be brookie ingredient collection time.”
Sam continued to gather his resources; first huge bundles of grass, then twigs, moving on to the dried fruit and meat, as he continued to chat with his viewers. He did narrate gameplay as well, but since he was primarily doing repetitive work, he had to fill a lot of in-game activity with other talking.
“If you don’t mind,” he said, after glancing over at the notes he had started writing up to prepare talking topics for his videos, “I might get a bit more serious here, for a moment.
“My in-game anniversary isn’t the only accomplishment I have to share. As some of you might know, today is also the first month anniversary of me leaving my job and moving to YouTube full time. It was an incredibly scary, exciting endeavor, and it’s because of all of you that I was even able to do this in the first place. I wanted to say thank you for that, from the bottom of my heart. I’m so much happier in general nowadays, and making gaming and YouTube my job—my career is a large part of that. Of course, as many of you are aware, my channel first started getting popular when Dovid, from Don’t Look Now, plugged it, unbeknownst to me.
“It was incredibly overwhelming at first, but, well, this is how it turned out so I can’t complain! Dovid and I struck up a friendship soon after; another fairly well-known fact, I should think. I remember quite a few of you who were pleased by the first collaboration we did, back when Dovid visited Ireland last July for his Europe Tour. Sorry about only doing a couple more since then, by the way. It’s a little more difficult to sync up, what with the time difference, and if we’re talking to one another, we prefer to focus on each other and less so on recording. And, well, this has been a bit of a ramble so far, I suppose, but I assure you I’m getting to the next point.”
He looked back down at his notes. “The long and short of it is that Dovid so enjoys sharing himself with his viewers. It’s a part of him, being able to let you all into his life. But he’s mentioned to me, just in passing, how things had ended rather poorly the last few times he tried to be open about his more personal relationships. People will speculate all the same, about someone who is in the public eye the way he is, and, well, lately he’s been more self-conscious of it, I think. Not wanting to cause trouble for, ah, the one he cares about. So I thought, you know, maybe doing this might relieve the pressure somewhat. And he has utterly no idea about what I’m saying now. Though he will once I upload this video. So he’ll find out around the same time as all of you do. Though I might send him the release link early, just so he has an idea of what to expect once the video goes live.”
Sam shook his head, smiling ruefully. “Goodness but I’ve been going on, haven’t I? I’ll just come out with it then. Dovid and I have been dating for quite a while now. It’s, ah, it’s quite serious, and it’s certainly been long enough that I feel comfortable speaking about it, especially as I know it’s something he’s been keeping from you strictly for my benefit. I’m utterly, completely mad about him, and I know there’s an even split between people who are scared to use the word, and people who use it every chance they get, but I’m firmly in the latter camp. I love him so very, very much. And, well, I just wanted to share. And also give him the option to do so as well, if he wished to.
“And look at that, I’ve prattled on long enough to get everything all tidied away and reach the end of this video. I’ll have to keep that in mind for the future; if I ever feel stalled on something to say, I’ll just talk about Dovid.” Sam chuckled. “Though you might get sick of that. Anyway, another huge thank-you to all who have watched me play, and next time we’ll start farming for those brookie ingredients. As always, I’m Sam, and this was Dire Straits.”
Rachel Rosenstein: What did you DO?
Sam frowned at his phone, puzzled. Though they had each other’s numbers, he and Rachel didn’t often text back and forth, instead mostly sticking with emails. It was a better medium for how they discussed things, which were often in-depth explanations of games, or editing, or some such like that.
Sam Doyle: Sorry? What do you mean?
Rachel Rosenstein: He’s actually crying with happiness?? He got a video link from you and is IN ACTUAL TEARS.
Sam couldn’t help his grin, at that.
Sam Doyle: I’m glad he liked it, then.
Rachel Rosenstein: Am I going to be allowed to watch this video??
Sam’s grin only got wider.
Sam Doyle: Oh sure! You along with everyone else.
@dontlooknowdovid: Hey, guys! Figured this would be faster than doing a video. B/c I couldn’t wait. For those who haven’t heard or just want the confirmation: Yes. Yes, I’m dating @playitagainsam & I am SO HAPPY & in love. Still baffled that I get him?? He chose ME??? But eternally grateful <3<3<3
“Hey, you,” Dovid said, when he picked up.
“Hello,” Sam replied, as he went to sit on his couch. He tended to pace while he waited for a phone call to connect, if he was able to move around. Nervous energy, along with the general social anxiety he never quite managed to shake, even when he knew it’d be Dovid on the other end. “Good morning.”
“Back atcha. Happy Monday! Though I was kind of surprised? I thought you were going to your family’s Easter Monday dinner thingie.”
Sam cleared his throat. “Actually, I decided to skip it. Though I did make plans to meet Charlie and Anna for drinks later this evening, since they’re in town.”
“Wha—really?”
“Charlie was a little taken aback when I told him I wasn’t coming, and I think a touch disappointed, but he didn’t kick up a fuss, which was nice.” Sam had been most worried about Charlie’s reaction. Charlie did have a good relationship with their parents, and so sometimes it was difficult to make him understand that Sam...didn’t. And Sam had never out-and-out decided to miss a family event before.
“Oh wow,” Dovid said. “Um, okay. Wow. How, um, how are you feeling?”
“My heart’s in my throat a bit,” Sam said honestly, voice starting to get a little shakier. “I, erm, it—it was a difficult conversation to have. To tell them I wasn’t coming.”
“I’m sure,” Dovid said quietly. “I’m sure it was really hard to do that. God, you’re so brave. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you. I don’t... I don’t regret doing it. Though I suppose I regret having to have done it.”
“I get that. Yeah, of course.”
“It’s only, since I left my father’s company, it’s...you know it’s been so much worse. As though since I’m not there for him to summon at work, they need to make up for the missed time. With, um, with the nastiness. And I suppose I just got fed up to the back teeth with it. So I—I decided it was time to maybe...not give them the chance. To do that to me.”
“I am so fucking proud of you. God, Sam. So proud. You have no idea.”
Sam smiled hesitantly. “I think I might have some idea of how proud.”
“I dunno. Multiply that idea by about a billion and maybe you’ll be getting close.” Sam had to laugh a little at that, feeling lighter. “So okay, um, do you have plans today then? Besides the drinks thing later?”
“No. I wanted to call you, of course. And after we’re done I figured I’d record my Wednesday Patreon video. Read. Maybe go for a walk. It’s a lovely day.”
“Just look both ways before you cross the street,” Dovid said affectionately.
“—Taiwan, USA, New Jersey, Canada, Canada, Boston, Hertfordshire, man, we’re pretty global today.”
Dovid grinned. Global included Ireland. Sam got to catch a lot more livestreams now that he wasn’t employed at a nine to five. He’d already texted Dovid to say he was watching this one, which was great considering the topic of the day. “Perfect.” Dovid waved at his livestream viewers. “Hey, guys! This is Don’t Look Now with Dovid and Rachel. I’m Dovid, Rachel’s behind the camera, and today you’re in for a treat, since I’m starting the stream by opening a care package from the love of my life.” He heard Rachel snort, plenty audible for all the viewers too. “Rachel doesn’t have a romantic bone in her body—”
“Probably because you commandeered them all yourself.”
“—so she’s going to give me a hard time throughout this entire opening, but watch me utterly not care, because I am ridiculously excited. Sam’s been dropping hints for weeks about the contents of this box. I have absolutely no idea what’s in it, so I’m going to be as surprised as you are no matter what it is. Reactions one hundred percent genuine here.” He breathed out. “Okay. Gonna open it.”
He turned a little to the side, to the giant cardboard box sitting next to him on the couch. Rachel had already cut open the tape as was their usual routine, so there was nothing stopping him from pulling back the cardboard flaps and reaching inside for the first item. It was on the heavier side for a package, so he was really curious as to what was going to be in it.
The first thing he pulled out was soft cloth, long sleeves, and a neck hole. “Oh awesome! Another shirt. Thanks, Sam.” Dovid laughed. “You’re not going to have any left, with how you send me yours all the time. Can’t say I mind though. Rachel? What color is it?”
“Green,” she said, sounding as though she was grinning.
“Cool. I’ve been told that green goes with my lack of eyes.” He set the shirt down and reached in again.
“Okay, uh, heavy, first off, but bulky too.” The slick, quilted plastic-y sound of water resistant fabric. “And...this has sleeves, and a hood? A furry hood. Is this a jacket?” He lifted it up. “Oof, more like a winter coat. Um. Okay. It’s a little heavy for June weather, but sure, I’ll take it. Thank you!”
The next item was another long-sleeved shirt, then a couple bulky sweaters, what felt like a scarf, a pair of heavy gloves, a hat, and then, most baffling, a pair of winter boots that would most definitely not fit his feet, wrapped in a plastic bag. Each time Dovid asked Rachel for a color description, or clarification of what he pulled out, her voice got more and more amused.
“Okay,” Dovid said, after it was all spread out and the box was empty. “That was...not exactly what I expected. Still fun though! Although, Sam, I’m going to be calling you like right after this for an explanation, because I know for a fact you didn’t include a letter with—”
Music blared out, cutting Dovid off. A sound he recognized immediately, because it was Rachel’s cell phone ringtone. “Rachel,” he said, mortified, “How the fu—the hell did you forget to turn off your phone?” The only reply he got was a faint beep sound.
“You’re not actually answering it?” he said, aghast.
“Hey there,” Sam’s voice sounded out, on speakerphone.
Dovid’s mouth dropped open, but he recovered quickly. “Hi! I, uh, I guess you’ve been watching the stream, huh?”
“Oh yes,” Sam said, voice colored with laughter. “It was a treat to watch you open the package, really it was.”
“Hey, it was fun to get it. Though I’ve gotta say I’m definitely confused. Are you going to explain things to me?” Dovid made a face. “Especially since, whatever this is, Rachel’s clearly in on it.”
“Oh, you know,” Sam said lightly. “Thought I’d get a head start on packing and moving my things.”
Dovid registered the words and his heart legitimately skipped a beat. “Really?” he breathed. “You—you mean it? You decided that you—you mean it?”
“Yes,” Sam said simply. “Dovid, really, it wasn’t even much of a choice in the end. I can work anywhere now, as long as I have my gaming and recording setup. And, well, we can always fly in together to visit. I do, after all, want you to meet Charlie and Anna in person as opposed to video chat, but there’s...there’s a lot more for me in Seattle than there currently is in Ireland.”
“Right,” Rachel said, while Dovid struggled to speak against the rush of emotion. “For instance, I’m here.”
Sam chuckled. “Yes, exactly. I’m looking forward to gaming with you in person, in the same time zone.”
“Yeah, me too!”
“And Dovid?”
Dovid licked his lips. “Yeah?” he managed.
“I love you.” Said so easily. To Dovid, but also to Rachel, and to all the viewers currently watching, because they were live. Sam had specifically planned this out so that Dovid could share this moment with the world. “And I can’t wait to hold you again.”
“Same here,” Dovid said hoarsely.
He couldn’t wait to hold Sam again, but he’d be able to soon.
Every single night.
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