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Part Twelve

   Leo kept his eyes pried open at the illumination of his phone screen held directly above him, waiting for the new feed of his social media to refresh for the hundredth time. It was hard enough being forced into a night of no sleep, but the Internet being slow was even worse. Now, it just felt like God was laughing at him from above.
   Until Leo got the notification that Sam was typing, and he clicked the bar quicker than humanly possible. He knew it took a while for Sam to type out what he wanted to say (and now it was obvious as to why that was), but he sat with remarkable patience for the boy inside the walls.

MyNameIsSam: hi

   Leo almost leapt up in his bed to think of a proper response, but decided to cool himself down in case of an oncoming heart attack. It was fine. Just a normal conversation, like they were used to, and nothing out of the ordinary.

NucLEOnic: hey

NucLEOnic: can't sleep? It's late. Or early I guess lol

MyNameIsSam: no, can u?

NucLEOnic: not really. Still trying to wrap my head around everything.

MyNameIsSam: I'm really sorry

NucLEOnic: ummm why?

MyNameIsSam: bc u can't sleep? That's kinda my fault

NucLEOnic: bruh

NucLEOnic: not ur fault I can't stop thinking about shit. That's on my brain, not u

MyNameIsSam: but if I never showed up, u wouldn't be overthinking

   Oh, great. As if having a tiny, three inch tall boy living in his walls wasn't enough, now he had an insecure, tiny, three inch tall boy living in his walls. Leo had his hands full with compliments he was ready to release to try and change Sam's mindset, but thought of something better to fix him.

NucLEOnic: r u ok with coming out?

   Sam almost faltered at the text he received, frightened of what it meant for him if he did leave to see Leo at this hour. If he was willing to talk this late, it must've been something too important to wait until the morning. Had Sam done something wrong?

MyNameIsSam: um...why

NucLEOnic: I think it's better to talk face to face. But u don't have to if u don't want to! It's important that ur comfortable ok

   Sam figured even if he did do something wrong, it was clear by now that Leo wouldn't be too upset, and any 'talk' they were going to have would result in more communication than anything. He was happy to leave his home and go speak with Leo, if only his legs would stop shaking at the thought of being in such close proximity of a human being yet again.

MyNameIsSam: I want to come out. My body doesn't tho

   Sam added a quick "lol" to at least attempt to make the chat more lighthearted. Leo appreciated it.

NucLEOnic: like I said, u don't have to. Take your time. Do what u feel okay with

MyNameIsSam: thank u

   Sam took a few more deep breaths, if only to let his moments of peace last a little longer, but he wanted to go out of the walls eventually. It was better to be brave, and to not dwell on what could happen, when it was going to come whether his body liked it or not.
   So, with more anxiety than he would ever admit, Sam grabbed his hook and wire and tied it around his waist in case there was any climbing required. While Leo could always just pick him up and transfer him wherever he wanted, he was still in need of a little stability in his life, and knowing that he had the tools was more of a safety net than anything.
   Sam pressed his hand against the entrance of his home, pushing it open just wide enough to escape, but left it open in case of an emergency. It was better to be safe than be sorry.