Film 1973

[smallhobbit]

Title: Film 1973
Written for the Armed Bastards Exchange Recipient: moonclaw 
Rating: White Cortina
Word Count: 1130 words.
Notes: Sam and Gene get together for old movies, with extra fluff

 

“Now that was a good film,” DCI Gene Hunt was sitting in his office reading the local paper whilst his DI was looking somewhat unsuccessfully for a file containing the witness statements he wanted to check.

“Oh yeah, which one?  Bambi?”  Sam’s humour was not improved by finding the file covered in coffee stains.

“No, Zulu.  True heroes.”

“Not seen it.”

“Then, Sammy boy, it is time you were educated.  It’s being shown tonight at the fleapit round the corner.”

Sam tried to think of reasons not to go, but since his social activity was limited to going for a drink at The Railway Arms, he reluctantly agreed.

It started to rain just as Sam was leaving his flat that evening and by the time he reached the cinema it was falling heavily.  He stood in the foyer, waiting for Gene to arrive and dripping onto what had once been a red carpet.  Five minutes later Gene turned up, looking only slightly damp, having clearly parked the Cortina just round the corner.  Much to Sam’s surprise Gene paid for the tickets and they went in.  Shortly after the film began Sam started to shiver.

“Take yer jacket off and put this on,” Gene whispered.  He helped Sam into his own coat and returned to watching the film.

A few days later, Sam was again in Gene’s office.  “Thank you for suggesting seeing that film – it was a good evening.  I was wondering, um, whether, well, next week they’re showing North by North-West, and er, would you like to go again?”  The last bit came out in a rush.

“Sounds good to me.  It’s your turn to pay though.”

Sam waited for Gene to say something else, but as he appeared to be engrossed in a plan of a warehouse, he gave up and left.

Sam was disappointed that it wasn’t raining on the Wednesday evening when he walked to the cinema.  Although reluctant to admit it, he had liked wearing Gene’s coat the previous week and imagining the warmth from the coat as being Gene’s warmth.  Still, at least he’d have Gene to himself for the evening.

Gene was waiting for him when he arrived, holding a large bag of popcorn.  “Since you’re buying the tickets I thought I’d get the popcorn for us to share.”

They entered the dingy cinema once again and sat down.  The seating had clearly been designed to fit as many people in as possible, so that although it was only about one quarter full, there wasn’t much room for each individual person.  Consequently when Gene sat down he occupied not only his seat but strayed into the adjoining seats, leaving Sam with the choice of squeezing into half a seat or letting his arm and leg rest against Gene’s .  He tried the latter and when there was no complaint settled down to enjoy the film.  As the film progressed and the tension mounted Sam unconsciously grabbed hold of Gene’s arm.  He didn’t notice until he became aware of a hand on top of his, at which point a slight tremor ran through his body and he willed himself to remain still in case Gene took his hand away.

After the film, Gene gave Sam a lift home.  Sam was about to invite him in for a drink, when Gene muttered, “’ere, you may as well ‘ave the rest of the popcorn,” and drove away.

Nothing more was said and Sam, having acknowledged his disappointment, decided that he had read more into the situation than was sensible. 

Another week passed.  Everyone was full of their Christmas plans.  Sam had treated himself to a couple of bottles of expensive wine and had spent a pleasant afternoon selecting a number of books that he’d always meant to read, but had never had time for back in 2006.  He had decided that spending Christmas in his flat with some good wine and some good books would be the ideal way to pass the festive season.  Or at least, that’s what he told himself.

It was now two days before Christmas and Sam was thinking about finishing for the day when Gene stuck his head out of his office and shouted, “Oy, Tyler, you and I have some unfinished business to deal with.  My office, five minutes!”

Chris and Annie threw Sam sympathetic glances as they left for the pub, whilst Ray merely smirked.

Sam approached Gene’s office nervously.  He wasn’t aware of anything that he’d failed to do and he wasn’t in the mood for being used as a punch bag to alleviate the Guv’s frustrations.

He opened the door and Gene held out an envelope for him.  “Your Christmas present,” he muttered, “you need to open it now though.”

Sam took the envelope slightly dubiously and ripped it open.  Inside was a ticket for Casablanca the following evening.

“Well?” Gene raised an eyebrow.

“Thank you,” Sam could feel a silly smile starting.

“Right, well I’ll pick you up at five thirty then.”

Sam left the office knowing that he was grinning broadly.  Instead of heading straight for The Railway Arms he went in search of an off licence, wanting to buy Gene the best bottle of whisky he could find.  It occurred to him that Gene was sure to give him a lift home after the film and that this would be the perfect opportunity to invite him in.

Gene picked Sam up as promised on Christmas Eve and they drove to the cinema chatting about the cases they had been dealing with.  As before, when they took their seats (which for some reason were right at the back) Gene occupied both his and half of Sam’s, but this time Sam had no hesitation about letting his arm and leg rest against those of his companion.  Casablanca was another film that Sam hadn’t seen (Gene would have said that his education was sorely lacking) and he was soon gripped by the plot.  Part way through, whilst trying to surreptitiously wipe away a tear, he felt Gene put his arm around him and give him a hug. 

As they left the cinema, Sam summoned up his courage and said, “I’ve got you a present too.  Why don’t you come in with me when you drop me off and I could give it to you?”

“I’ve got a better idea,” Gene replied, “when we get back to your place, why don’t you hop out and get my present ...”

Sam’s heart sank.

“...and your wash bag and we’ll go back to my house.  I’ve made the spare bed up ready for you.  That’s if you’d like to, of course.”

The grin on Sam’s face was sufficient to show Gene just how much he did like the idea.