(Untitled)

[not_so_smooth]

Running along the beach on the island wasn't like it was back home. Growing up in a city, Sam still wasn't used to the lack of lights on the island. There were always lights and sounds in a city and while the island wasn't as deserted or silent as you might initially expect, it wasn't a city. By the time the sun went down, it could get dark,

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[lastof_five]

Helen ran too, though not the same path as Sam, it seemed, and she was mopping sweat from her own face with the tail of her shirt. He had water, though, and she tipped her head toward it while grinning at him.

"May I? It's a hell of a run, pushing myself so I'm quick enough to keep up with Will."

[not_so_smooth]

"Yeah, sure, no problem," Sam said, handing her the water bottle.

It made sense that she ran, he'd seen first hand what good shape she was in. Not only that, but Dr. Magnus did everything. She had to be the most well rounded person he'd ever met. If he went to visit the dinosaurs and saw Dr. Magnus riding one he'd probably just blink and think, "Of course she rides dinosaurs, she's Dr. Magnus."

"I understand. Cassie is... very intense about physical fitness. I don't run with her less because I hate being outrun by a girl and more because she would decide to put me on some sort of brutal training regimen that would make me cry."

[lastof_five]

Keeping in shape had been important to Helen for many reasons, chief among them being that many dangerous Abnormals tended to run very fast. On the island, running with Will had become habit and since he had three inches on her and much longer legs.

"I doubt Will would be bad as all that but he's a much more graceful runner than I will ever be."

[not_so_smooth]

"Yeah, but you still look way better doing it," Sam said.

He had gotten past the stage of feeling horribly awkward about complimenting Dr. Magnus. After you called someone a MILF, what was that compared to a general compliment about how attractive they were? Besides, she seemed to be amused by it.

[lastof_five]

"Depends upon one's sexual preference though, doesn't it?" Helen said wryly, blushing with the compliment. It didn't bother her that people found her attractive and, in the case of Sam, she knew it was a harmless thing. Quite cute, actually.

"We should run together sometime, then. I could use the company."

[not_so_smooth]

"I still maintain that women are better looking aesthetically no matter what you're into, but I'm not really much of an expert on why guys are attractive," Sam admitted. Curves won out over muscles any day as far as he was concerned.

"And that would be good, it's usually less boring if you go with someone. Although tonight I was mostly just trying to completely exhaust myself."

[lastof_five]

That piqued her curiosity and Helen tilted her head slightly, frowning at the idea that something might be bothering him. It had been a long time since she'd had a chance to be a mother, really, almost two years since Ashley now, but some things never faded away.

"Something wrong? Anything I might be able to do to help?"

[not_so_smooth]

"I just have a lot of, uh, energy to burn off lately," Sam said, wincing just a bit at the explanation. Helen would probably be someone good to talk to about his problem, what with all her years of life experience. He just wasn't sure if he was ready for that conversation.

Knowing how things worked though, he might end up babbling the entire conversation regardless.

[lastof_five]

"You know you can always talk to me, Sam," Helen promised, mopping her forehead off again with the end of her shirt. The island really was damnably hot, especially when she'd just been running.

"About anything. I'm no psychiatrist, but I do sleep next to one at night. I'm certain some of it's rubbed off."

[not_so_smooth]

"I know, I know," he said, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure how to phrase what he wanted to say, and he didn't think just saying it was the way to go. That would be too embarrassing.

"Cassie and I have been dating for five months now. And it's been completely awesome. Amazing. She's just- there are things..."

Alright, maybe just saying it was the way to go.

"We're not having sex. Which, is fine. I'm not- I'm not pressuring her. Really. Waiting is fine. It's just... uh, builds up some excess energy and frustration."

[lastof_five]

Luckily, Helen had experience with these sorts of talks considering Henry and Ashley and she wasn't as taken aback as she might normally be. She tried for calm and rational versus parental and hoped it worked.

"First and foremost, I'm glad you're not pressuring her. That's the last thing a young woman needs. Sex is something that can have dire consequences if it's not thought through and there's an intense emotional component that can either strengthen or shatter a relationship."

She paused and took a sip of water. "Have you talked to Cassie about why she wants or needs to wait?"

[not_so_smooth]

"No," Sam admitted. Deep down he knew that was probably the best thing to do, but deep down he was also scared that somehow she was avoiding sex because she wasn't attracted to him or something equally shitty.

"I can tell it... terrifies her. Like, she is perfectly fine doing, you know, everything else," he said, adding random hand motions to indicate how handsy she could be. "But the. She catches herself and just sort of... freaks. She thinks I can't tell, but I can."

[lastof_five]

"Well, I suggest having a conversation with her, not in bed or while you're kissing, about how she feels about you and what makes her apprehensive about sex," Helen suggested.

"If you like, I could ask Will what he thinks, but I'll never betray your confidence without your permission."

[not_so_smooth]

"No, no, it's okay," Sam said, taking a deep breath before scrubbing his hands across his face. He knew that he was probably overreacting to this, but it was constantly on his mind, and thus hard to not overthink.

"Maybe after I talk to her about it I'll go talk to him. I mean... mostly the advice he'd give me would be to talk to her about it, right?"

[lastof_five]

"Perhaps, yes. Will, being a man, might have a better insight for you than I will. He's always happy to listen, no matter the subject."

Helen beamed a little because first and foremost, Will was her protege and she was always proud of his skills and would tell anyone who asked. The romantic relationship merely deepened that admiration.

[not_so_smooth]

"I'll seriously consider talking to him," Sam said. It was kind of adorable how she brightened at the mention of Will and how talented he was.

"Either before or after I talk to Cassie. I know that's what I need to do it's just... scary. Even though I know it shouldn't be."