⚠️Trigger Warnings⚠️: References to past trauma and nightmares, romantic content, physical affection, and F/F content.
Ship: Deena Johnson x Samantha "Sam" Fraser
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The engine of Deena’s beat-up car rumbled softly as they coasted past the flickering neon sign of the old drive-in theater.
“No way we’re paying for this crap,” Deena muttered, killing the headlights and steering onto the overgrown service road behind the screen.
Sam grinned from the passenger seat, moonlight catching in her blonde hair. “You’re such a criminal mastermind, Johnson. Should I be worried?”
“Only if you can’t keep up, Fraser.”
Deena shot her a smirk, but her expression softened the moment Sam laughed. That bright, carefree sound still felt like a miracle after everything they’d survived.
They parked in the back row, half-hidden by a cluster of trees. Sam immediately popped the trunk and began unloading her carefully planned supplies from Sunnyvale: fancy cheese and crackers, chocolate-dipped strawberries that probably cost more than Deena’s entire week’s allowance, and two chilled bottles of sparkling cider.
“I wanted to make it special,” Sam admitted, her cheeks turning pink.
Deena’s heart did that annoying little flip it always did around Sam.
She grabbed a stack of blankets and tossed one at her girlfriend’s head.
“You’re such a rich girl,” Deena teased. “But yeah… it’s perfect. Now quit standing there and help me before someone sees us.”
Sam laughed and caught the blanket before it hit the ground.
Soon they were settled in the back seat with the windows cracked open as the movie flickered to life across the massive screen. It was some cheesy horror film, which felt a little ironic considering their history.
Deena spent most of the movie whispering sarcastic commentary into Sam’s ear.
“Oh yeah, because running into the basement is definitely the smart move. Ten out of ten decision-making.”
Sam dissolved into laughter, leaning against Deena’s shoulder. Every so often she’d steal another strawberry, occasionally feeding one to Deena just to watch her pretend to be annoyed.
Their fingers brushed whenever they reached for the food, lingering a second longer than necessary.
The summer air was warm, but somehow being close to Sam made everything feel warmer.
By the time the credits rolled and the rest of the lot began to empty, neither of them felt like leaving.
Deena pulled the blankets tighter around them, wrapping Sam up beside her.
“Come here,” she murmured.
Sam shifted closer until their foreheads touched.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Eventually they climbed out onto the hood of the car, blankets draped over their shoulders as they stretched out beneath the open sky.
The drive-in screen had gone dark, leaving only the stars above them—bright, endless, and untouched by any Shadyside curse.
Sam found Deena’s hand and squeezed gently.
“I feel safe here,” she said quietly. “With you. No curse. No nightmares. Just us.”
Deena turned her head, taking in the sight of Sam illuminated by starlight.
“You’re my safe place too, you know that?”
She lifted their joined hands and pressed a gentle kiss to Sam’s knuckles.
“I’d sneak into a hundred drive-ins with you. Steal all the overpriced Sunnyvale snacks. Listen to your dumb rich-girl giggles all night.”
Sam’s laugh was soft and warm.
“Keep talking like that and I might actually believe you’re romantic.”
Deena groaned dramatically.
“Don’t spread that rumor. I’ve got a reputation.”
Hours passed without either of them noticing. They talked about everything and nothing, pointing out constellations neither of them actually knew, making up ridiculous stories, and enjoying the rare kind of peace they’d fought so hard to earn.
For one perfect night, the curse felt impossibly far away.
There was only the cool summer breeze, the blanket wrapped around their shoulders, and the comfort of knowing they didn’t have to face the future alone.
Whatever came next, they had this.
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Well, Sameena is done! We hope you liked it! We're almost caught up with what we're behind on! Yay! Tell us what you think so far in the comments! We love yall!
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