fic: Prince Luciano (9/10)
Title: Prince Luciano (LuRe Big Bang 2011)
Author: alissablue & slayerkitty
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid, Noah, Damian, Casey, Bob,
Category: AU, fluff/schmoop, angst,
Chapters: 10, including the epilogue.
Word count: 27,368
Summary: Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi is the future king of Malta. In defiance of Damian's wishes, he remains close to his family and Oakdale, going as far as to create the Neurology wing for the hospital, and even blackmailing one Dr. Reid Oliver into running it. Reid is prepared to hate everything about Oakdale in his anger about being blackmailed, including Luciano...except as it turns out, they already know each other..
Warnings: Angst
Disclaimer: We don’t own the characters, we just enjoy playing with them.
Authors’ note: Special thanks to Carol for being our beta and csigeekfan for the very pretty artwork! Assume that Malta is a monarchy, and that everything that happens to Reid in early 2011 is still canon, minus the blind!Noah part and the Judd lawsuit. And, being the talented young heir that he is, Luke speaks both Italian and Maltese and is a master at code switching between the two.
Previous chapters: I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII / VIII /
IX
He probably shouldn’t have been cornering Luke in the elevator. In hindsight, it was a very, very bad idea. But Luke smelled amazing, and looked amazing, and even though Reid hated how lovesick and stupid he appeared, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
And that was how they were discovered by one Noah Mayer.
“Well, this looks cozy,” Noah said as they got off the elevator in the hallway of the Neurowing. Luke looked horrified. Reid wanted to appear smug and triumphant, but Luke wouldn’t thank him for that.
“Noah, it’s not what you think,” Luke told him, and Reid wanted to shout that ‘yes, it was exactly what Noah was thinking, and yes, he and Luke had had sex multiple times, in multiple different ways’, but he didn’t because that would probably upset Luke too much.
Of course, it might also solve their current dilemma, which was how to get Luke out of his marriage to Noah.
“Your father suspected this,” Noah murmured. “I had hoped to prove him wrong.”
“What?” Luke was taken aback. Reid wondered just how Noah had known where they were anyway, and a chill shot down his spine. Damian Grimaldi’s tentacles could be felt from Malta.
“When you didn’t want to come home right away, he called your mother,” Noah continued. Well that figured, as Reid knew that Lily Snyder did not like him. “She was concerned about you.”
“I’ll bet,” Reid snorted.
“Reid, please,” Luke said. “Noah-“
“It’s alright, Luke,” Noah was still smiling, and to be honest, it was kind of freaking Reid out a little bit. “I understand that you got scared, and turned to someone else,”
“Noah-“ Luke tried to interrupt again, but Noah refused to let him speak a second time.
“It’s time to go home, Luke,” Noah ignored Reid, taking Luke by the hand. “Your father has insisted we be on a flight out today.”
“Why hasn’t he called me?” Luke sounded angry.
“He tried,” Noah explained. “When you didn’t answer, he called me, assuming we’d be together. I had to tell him you didn’t come back last night.”
Luke swallowed hard, and went pale. Reid was tempted to take his pulse just to make sure he wasn’t going to faint. “No,” he whispered. And there it was, the bottom falling out of their carefully crafted world.
“It’s safe to say your father is upset,” Noah expression was earnest now. “It’s time to go home.”
Reid wanted to move, to say something, to get down on his fucking knees and beg Luke to stay with him. To give it all up - the throne, the kingdom, the fucking Grimaldi name - and just be his.
He knew that Luke would do it, too.
That was precisely why he didn’t ask. He couldn’t force Luke to make that choice, he wouldn’t.
*
Luke’s world had fallen apart in less than a minute. All of his hopes and dreams, naive as they may have been, shattered. Reid was being torn away from him.
“I understand,” Luke whispered to Noah. “I just need a moment.”
“I’ll meet you back at the hotel,” Noah agreed. “We should leave as soon as the jet is ready.” Luke nodded, his head pounding, and his chest aching, and if he didn’t know any better he might have thought he was dying.
Luke turned to face Reid, and he just…looked so shut down.
“I’m staying with you.” He hadn’t meant to say those words, but now that they had escaped his mouth, they had never felt more right. “I’m abdicating my throne.”
“No.” It was one word, one word from Reid’s mouth, as loud as a gunshot.
“Yes, Reid,” Luke said, tears filling his eyes. “I can’t be without you, so I’m walking away.”
“In the time I’ve known you, Mr. Snyder, I thought you were a lot of things. Stupid isn’t one of them.” Reid’s voice was cold and hard. “It’s time to stop pretending this is anything more than what it is.”
“And what is that?” Luke couldn’t understand what Reid was saying.
“A fling,” Reid answered. “Hot as fuck,” he continued with a smirk. “, but a fling nonetheless.” Reid turned and started to walk away. “And now it’s over.”
“Reid!” Luke called. He wanted to chase after Reid, demand an explanation, but his feet were rooted to the spot, and he didn’t know what to do.
“Goodbye, Mr. Snyder.”
*
“I’ve got us all packed,” Noah announced when Luke walked into his penthouse at the Lakeview. “The pilot just called and the jet is ready when we are.” He touched Luke’s shoulder affectionately.
Luke should have been upset, or angry or…something. Anything. Instead, he was just…numb. He nodded at Noah’s words.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked, looking concerned.
“Of course I am,” Luke murmured. Noah checked his watch.
“We should get going,” Luke nodded again, letting Noah lead him out of the hotel and into the car waiting downstairs. He was silent the entire drive, lost in every memory of him and Reid, analyzing them, trying to figure out where he went wrong.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Noah asked as the plane revved its engine and then started down the runway. Luke shook his head.
“It’s better that you’re coming home with me, Luciano,” Noah smiled, taking his hand. “You’ll see that Dr. Oliver was just a way to pass the time.” Luke turned his head to stare at Noah.
“I love him,” Luke said plainly.
“Of course you do, il mio amore.” Noah took his hand. “But he did not return the favor, I assume.” Luke shook his head, blinking back tears.
“No,” Luke agreed. “He did not.”
*
Hot tears burned behind Luke’s eyes as he stared at himself in the mirror. He nearly didn’t recognize himself. He adjusted his bow tie, and fastened the button on his tuxedo jacket.
Luke had bags under his eyes, dark shadows giving him a haunted look. He was dreading this night. This would truly mean it was over, that he would never see Reid again.
Reid had been back in America for two days. At least, Luke assumed he was. He hadn’t spoken to Reid since leaving him that morning. Luke didn’t know what would have happened if he and Reid hadn’t been caught - perhaps Reid would have stayed. Perhaps Luke could have fooled Damian into letting him take a trip to the States.
Perhaps. All of his dreams had been built on a house of cards, and one blow from Damian had sent them tumbling to the ground. They were broken, in disarray - much like Luke himself. He wanted to hate his father for forcing this on him, but he couldn’t. Damian put Malta first, above everything else, as a king should - even if it meant denying the wishes of his son.
Since then, Luke had blocked Reid’s phone calls, once he’d realized that Reid was actually going to call him, and would expect an explanation or at least a call back. Luke couldn’t do any of those things. He wouldn’t last through an explanation, and he couldn’t bear to tell Reid the truth. Reid would be angry with him, and not understand why Luke had abruptly cut off all contact, but Luke would do it if it meant keeping Reid safe from Damian.
It was also entirely possible that if Luke heard Reid’s voice again, he’d cave, running off into the night to be with him. He’d leave Damian and Malta behind.
And then Damian would come after him and Reid.
Luke didn’t want that. He knew his father loved him, that Damian wanted what was best for him. It was just that sometimes, what Luke wanted and what Damian wanted for him were two different things. Damian’s wishes, as always, won out. Because Damian was king and Luke was only his son.
But in a year’s time, things would be different.
Luke - Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi - would be king. That was why Damian was pressing him to choose a suitor, to find someone to marry, to settle down.
And that was why, when Luke went downstairs for dinner - an elegant fanfare in his and Noah’s honor, Luke would say yes to Noah’s proposal.
*
Luke couldn’t pinpoint what made him do it, exactly. Perhaps it was to retain his sanity. Maybe to help him realize that his time with Reid had not been a fantasy, that it had been real. That Reid had been real.
He did what everyone does to their exes - Luke Googled Reid. His heart had fluttered in his chest when typing the letters into the search box, and it might have skipped a beat when he hit enter.
He inhaled sharply as he clicked on the first article, from some medical journal publication, with Reid’s picture in the corner. It was a pretty recent article, and as Luke read through it, an idea sprang into his head.
Maybe he and Reid couldn’t be together. Luke could love him from afar though, and give Reid everything he’d ever wanted - even if he never knew who it came from.
With that thought, Luke picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hello, Dr. Hughes,” Luke said. “I’m not sure if you remember me. This is Luciano Grimaldi - you knew me as Luke Snyder.”
“Of course, Luciano,” Bob replied. “How can I help you?”
“I have a proposition for you.”
*
Reid looked down at the chart in front of him and sighed.
Snap out of it, he scolded himself. You’ve gotten over Luke before, you can do it again. He’d lost track of how much time had passed since Luke had left with Noah. Days, maybe a week.
He’d forgotten how empty his life was without Luke in it. Having Luke back, even for just a short time, had made Reid push away thoughts of a life without him, something Reid never should have done. He never should have entertained that they could be more than what they were, more than what Reid had convinced Luke they were - a hot as fuck fling.
Luke’s eyes, pained and filled with tears, haunted him. The only time he was free of them was when he was operating - he pushed everything away then, focusing on his work. It just never lasted.
How one man had made such an indelible mark on him, Reid didn’t know.
“Dr. Oliver,” Bob Hughes said, approaching him.
“Bob-o,” Reid replied, making another note in the chart he was holding. “What can I do for you?”
“How are you?” Bob asked.
“Excuse me?” Reid glanced up to see a concerned expression on Bob’s face.
“I asked how you’re doing, Reid.”
“I’m fine,” Reid answered, looking down again.
“Tell that to Nurse Taylor - she’s in hysterics in the personnel office right now.”
“It’s not my fault if she’s incompetent, Bob,” Reid told him. “Besides, she’s always leaking tears over something or other.”
“You, usually,” Bob pointed out. Reid looked at him again.
“What are you saying, Bob?”
“I’m saying that you need a few days off, Reid.” Reid’s mouth fell open and he glared at Bob.
“No way,” Reid shook his head in refusal.
“Luciano’s gone,” Bob said gently. Reid felt a flash of anger go through him.
“What right do you have to bring him up?” Reid snapped. “My personal life is my own damn business.”
“You’re not dealing with it,” Bob took the chart out of Reid’s hands. “I’m worried about patient care and the sanity of my nursing staff. As of this moment, Dr. Oliver, you are on vacation.”
“No.” Reid refused again.
“It’s not a choice,” Bob said. “You either take a week off, or you don’t come back.” Bob gave him what Reid was sure was supposed to be a comforting smile. “Maybe you should figure out what makes you happy, Reid. Or who, rather.”
Reid could only stare after Bob as he walked away.
*
“Luciano?” Damian said, surprise in his voice. Luke heard him come into the room, but didn’t look up. Luke’s attention was focused on the glass in his hand instead. “What are you doing, my son?”
“Thinking.”
“About?”
“Everything,” Luke answered. Damian settled next to him on the couch.
“What is this, Luciano?” His father picked up the bottle of vodka from the table in front of them. The glass in Luke’s hand was filled with the clear liquid.
“What does it look like?” Luke had been staring at the glass for several long minutes. Everything had gotten to be too much. The wedding, Noah, his father, the coronation…Luke couldn’t take it.
He longed for freedom, for a way to escape.
If he couldn’t have Reid, then this was a pretty good alternative in his eyes.
“How much have you had?” Damian’s voice was quiet but serious.
“None yet,” Luke answered truthfully. “But I’m going to, and then I’m going to forget everything for awhile.”
“Luci-“
“My name is Luke,” Luke found himself saying. “My name is Luke Snyder. Luciano Grimaldi is not who I am.”
“Isn’t it?” Damian asked carefully. “He’s a part of you, as much as Luke is.”
“I hate it.” Luke cried, his face crumpling. He clutched the glass in his hand tightly, the alcohol sloshing over the rim.
“Why don’t you give me the glass, Luciano,” Damian suggested, reaching his hand out slowly. “And we can talk.”
“You don’t want to hear what I have to say.” Luke moved the glass out of Damian’s reach.
“Do you really want to ruin five and a half years of sobriety?” Damian sounded angry now.
“Do you really care if I do?”
“Of course I do, you’re my son.” Damian answered.
“I feel like your puppet,” Luke admitted, anguished. He wasn’t even sure what he was saying anymore. He was just so tired of being in pain. “I feel like you don’t really see me, because if you did, you’d know that I don’t want this.” Luke choked out the words. “I gave up everything for you: my home, my family, the love of my life.” He gasped for air. “And you don’t even see it, Damian.”
“Give me the glass, Luciano, and I’ll listen,” Damian promised. Luke stared at him for a long moment, not wanting to get his hopes up. With a sigh and shaking hands, he gave Damian the glass. Damian took it and the bottle, moving it out of sight before coming back and sitting with Luke. Luke ran his hands over his face, wiping his eyes.
“I can’t do this anymore, Papa,” Luke murmured. “I just can’t.” He sniffled. “I don’t want to be king. I don’t want to marry Noah.”
“You know there is nothing I can do about your taking over the throne,” Damian replied. “It’s time, Luciano.”
“I know,” Luke whispered.
“Is marrying Noah truly a hardship?” Damian continued. “His father is important to our people, and that will be good for the country.”
“I told you once already, Damian. I don’t love him,” Luke spoke quietly. “I love another.”
“Yes, your American doctor.” Luke looked at him for a long moment.
“Yes,” he admitted. “I love Reid.” He laughed harshly. “I know what you’re going to say - he’s common, he’s American, he’s not good enough to be part of the royal family.
“But when I’m with him, Papa, he makes me feel like none of this exists,” Luke waved his hand at their surroundings. “He makes me feel like I can do anything. He lets me be wild and crazy with him, because I can’t be with anyone else.” Damian opened his mouth to speak, but Luke kept talking. “Here’s the thing, Damian. I’m going to be king, and I’m going to run this country - if I can be trusted to rule, then why can’t I have any say in who I marry?”
“I see.” Damian looked lost in thought, and Luke hoped against hope that maybe he’d gotten through to his father.
Maybe something would change.
If not, there would be other ways to get his hands on another bottle of alcohol.
*
Reid had just finished pouring his heart out to Katie - how that woman got him to talk about things he never intended to discuss with anyone ever was still a mystery to him - when his phone rang.
Katie had stepped into the other room to check on Jacob, whom Reid had been amused to find was actually a cousin by marriage to Luke - for all his royal roots, Luke still couldn’t escape the surplus Snyder population of Oakdale.
He glanced at the caller ID and his eyes widened. The bulk of the number was unfamiliar, but the area code wasn’t - someone from Malta was calling. His heart beat faster, and he hoped against hope for a moment that it was Luke.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Dr. Reid Oliver?” A heavily accented voice met his ear.
“Who’s asking?”
“This is Damian Grimaldi. I trust I need no further introduction,” Damian answered.
“I really don’t think I have anything to say to you,” Reid told him. “Please don’t call me again.” He started to hang up, but Damian laughed.
“You do realize that you’re about to hang up on a king, yes?”
“I don’t care if you’re the King of Malta or the busboy down the street,” Reid replied. “Nothing gives you the right to treat people as you do.”
“Oh, Dr. Oliver, I do believe I like you,” Damian laughed again.
“That’s a terrifying thought,” Reid couldn’t help himself.
“I find myself understanding what my son sees in you a little more clearly,” Damian kept talking. “And that is why I need you to do something for me.”
“What’s that?” Reid couldn’t help but ask. He knew it wasn’t a good idea, Luke had warned him, but curiosity won out.
“I’m so very, very glad you asked.”
*
The days leading up to Luke’s coronation passed in a blur. He didn’t really pay much attention to his surroundings. He ignored Noah, skipped his meals, kept to himself. The only thing that Damian had agreed to do was postpone the wedding. Luke was grateful for that much at least.
He was sure the citizens of Malta were getting whiplash from all the changes, but Luke couldn’t bring himself to care. He could sense that Damian was worried about him, but Luke had ceased to care about that as well.
Luke had actually tried drinking again, only to find that his father had cleared the premises of alcohol. Going out to a bar or club or even a store to buy some was forbidden, and Luke was not allowed out by himself any longer. Damian said it was because the coronation was fast approaching, and they didn’t want to take any security risks, but Luke was pretty sure he didn’t want Luke to end up drunk off his ass in a dive bar somewhere.
After all, he had to protect the Grimaldi name. That meant he was stuck. There would be no escape now.
The day of the ceremony was upon them. Luke had to keep forcing down the urge to flee as he dressed in his ceremonial clothes. He could do this. Malta needed him.
The ceremony flew by - lots of religious figures making speeches, his father speaking to crowd and thanking them for their loyalty over the years, and then finally, it was time. Luke swore his oath with a dry mouth and a heavy heart.
When the priest set the crown on his head, he felt as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He stood stiffly, facing the citizens of Malta as they cheered in celebration. A ball would begin momentarily, starting with the announcement of Noah as Luke’s royal consort. The two of them would dance together, and then Luke intended to swipe a bottle of champagne from the waiters and forget any of it had happened.
Luke strolled into the ballroom of the palace, the crowd gathered in front of him as he was announced. Damian was at his side smiling proudly. The moment that Luke dreaded came, the announcement of his consort proceeding as expected, except -
No.
Luke was hearing things, he was sure of it.
He had to be.
His eyes shot to his father, who was giving him a knowing smile now. For the name called hadn’t been Noah’s.
It had been Reid’s.
As if by magic, the crowd parted, revealing Reid standing among them. Luke couldn’t breathe, his eyes locked on Reid as Reid walked toward him. Reid wore his familiar smirk, his eyes locked on Luke’s. Reid bowed in front of him when he was close enough.
“Your Majesty,” he murmured, and Luke thought his heart might stop right then. With shaking fingers he took the second crown that the priest was holding out. Reid stood back up, standing inches from Luke now and looking a little uncomfortable “I don’t have to kneel for this, do I?”
“No,” Luke answered softly, setting the crown on Reid’s head gently. “You need never kneel before me.” He held out his hand and Luke took it, letting Reid pull him into the opening dance that would start off the ball.
“That’s not what you said the last time your cock was in my mouth” Reid replied, wiggling his eyebrows in a lewd fashion. Luke laughed but looked scandalized as they moved slowly around the dance floor.
“Reid!” Luke exclaimed in his embarrassment. “That is different.” He smiled briefly before frowning. “I thought you did not love me.”
“I lied,” Reid murmured. “You were going to walk away from this, and you…you were born to be king.”
“What about you, your career?” Luke asked.
“Didn’t you know? You can practice medicine pretty much anywhere these days.” Reid smirked again. “Especially when you’re as amazing and talented as I am.”
“You have all the answers, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” Reid agreed.
“Just shut up and kiss me,” Luke ordered playfully.
“As you wish.”
So he did.
NEXT
Author: alissablue & slayerkitty
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid, Noah, Damian, Casey, Bob,
Category: AU, fluff/schmoop, angst,
Chapters: 10, including the epilogue.
Word count: 27,368
Summary: Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi is the future king of Malta. In defiance of Damian's wishes, he remains close to his family and Oakdale, going as far as to create the Neurology wing for the hospital, and even blackmailing one Dr. Reid Oliver into running it. Reid is prepared to hate everything about Oakdale in his anger about being blackmailed, including Luciano...except as it turns out, they already know each other..
Warnings: Angst
Disclaimer: We don’t own the characters, we just enjoy playing with them.
Authors’ note: Special thanks to Carol for being our beta and csigeekfan for the very pretty artwork! Assume that Malta is a monarchy, and that everything that happens to Reid in early 2011 is still canon, minus the blind!Noah part and the Judd lawsuit. And, being the talented young heir that he is, Luke speaks both Italian and Maltese and is a master at code switching between the two.
Previous chapters: I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII / VIII /
IX
He probably shouldn’t have been cornering Luke in the elevator. In hindsight, it was a very, very bad idea. But Luke smelled amazing, and looked amazing, and even though Reid hated how lovesick and stupid he appeared, he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.
And that was how they were discovered by one Noah Mayer.
“Well, this looks cozy,” Noah said as they got off the elevator in the hallway of the Neurowing. Luke looked horrified. Reid wanted to appear smug and triumphant, but Luke wouldn’t thank him for that.
“Noah, it’s not what you think,” Luke told him, and Reid wanted to shout that ‘yes, it was exactly what Noah was thinking, and yes, he and Luke had had sex multiple times, in multiple different ways’, but he didn’t because that would probably upset Luke too much.
Of course, it might also solve their current dilemma, which was how to get Luke out of his marriage to Noah.
“Your father suspected this,” Noah murmured. “I had hoped to prove him wrong.”
“What?” Luke was taken aback. Reid wondered just how Noah had known where they were anyway, and a chill shot down his spine. Damian Grimaldi’s tentacles could be felt from Malta.
“When you didn’t want to come home right away, he called your mother,” Noah continued. Well that figured, as Reid knew that Lily Snyder did not like him. “She was concerned about you.”
“I’ll bet,” Reid snorted.
“Reid, please,” Luke said. “Noah-“
“It’s alright, Luke,” Noah was still smiling, and to be honest, it was kind of freaking Reid out a little bit. “I understand that you got scared, and turned to someone else,”
“Noah-“ Luke tried to interrupt again, but Noah refused to let him speak a second time.
“It’s time to go home, Luke,” Noah ignored Reid, taking Luke by the hand. “Your father has insisted we be on a flight out today.”
“Why hasn’t he called me?” Luke sounded angry.
“He tried,” Noah explained. “When you didn’t answer, he called me, assuming we’d be together. I had to tell him you didn’t come back last night.”
Luke swallowed hard, and went pale. Reid was tempted to take his pulse just to make sure he wasn’t going to faint. “No,” he whispered. And there it was, the bottom falling out of their carefully crafted world.
“It’s safe to say your father is upset,” Noah expression was earnest now. “It’s time to go home.”
Reid wanted to move, to say something, to get down on his fucking knees and beg Luke to stay with him. To give it all up - the throne, the kingdom, the fucking Grimaldi name - and just be his.
He knew that Luke would do it, too.
That was precisely why he didn’t ask. He couldn’t force Luke to make that choice, he wouldn’t.
*
Luke’s world had fallen apart in less than a minute. All of his hopes and dreams, naive as they may have been, shattered. Reid was being torn away from him.
“I understand,” Luke whispered to Noah. “I just need a moment.”
“I’ll meet you back at the hotel,” Noah agreed. “We should leave as soon as the jet is ready.” Luke nodded, his head pounding, and his chest aching, and if he didn’t know any better he might have thought he was dying.
Luke turned to face Reid, and he just…looked so shut down.
“I’m staying with you.” He hadn’t meant to say those words, but now that they had escaped his mouth, they had never felt more right. “I’m abdicating my throne.”
“No.” It was one word, one word from Reid’s mouth, as loud as a gunshot.
“Yes, Reid,” Luke said, tears filling his eyes. “I can’t be without you, so I’m walking away.”
“In the time I’ve known you, Mr. Snyder, I thought you were a lot of things. Stupid isn’t one of them.” Reid’s voice was cold and hard. “It’s time to stop pretending this is anything more than what it is.”
“And what is that?” Luke couldn’t understand what Reid was saying.
“A fling,” Reid answered. “Hot as fuck,” he continued with a smirk. “, but a fling nonetheless.” Reid turned and started to walk away. “And now it’s over.”
“Reid!” Luke called. He wanted to chase after Reid, demand an explanation, but his feet were rooted to the spot, and he didn’t know what to do.
“Goodbye, Mr. Snyder.”
*
“I’ve got us all packed,” Noah announced when Luke walked into his penthouse at the Lakeview. “The pilot just called and the jet is ready when we are.” He touched Luke’s shoulder affectionately.
Luke should have been upset, or angry or…something. Anything. Instead, he was just…numb. He nodded at Noah’s words.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked, looking concerned.
“Of course I am,” Luke murmured. Noah checked his watch.
“We should get going,” Luke nodded again, letting Noah lead him out of the hotel and into the car waiting downstairs. He was silent the entire drive, lost in every memory of him and Reid, analyzing them, trying to figure out where he went wrong.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Noah asked as the plane revved its engine and then started down the runway. Luke shook his head.
“It’s better that you’re coming home with me, Luciano,” Noah smiled, taking his hand. “You’ll see that Dr. Oliver was just a way to pass the time.” Luke turned his head to stare at Noah.
“I love him,” Luke said plainly.
“Of course you do, il mio amore.” Noah took his hand. “But he did not return the favor, I assume.” Luke shook his head, blinking back tears.
“No,” Luke agreed. “He did not.”
*
Hot tears burned behind Luke’s eyes as he stared at himself in the mirror. He nearly didn’t recognize himself. He adjusted his bow tie, and fastened the button on his tuxedo jacket.
Luke had bags under his eyes, dark shadows giving him a haunted look. He was dreading this night. This would truly mean it was over, that he would never see Reid again.
Reid had been back in America for two days. At least, Luke assumed he was. He hadn’t spoken to Reid since leaving him that morning. Luke didn’t know what would have happened if he and Reid hadn’t been caught - perhaps Reid would have stayed. Perhaps Luke could have fooled Damian into letting him take a trip to the States.
Perhaps. All of his dreams had been built on a house of cards, and one blow from Damian had sent them tumbling to the ground. They were broken, in disarray - much like Luke himself. He wanted to hate his father for forcing this on him, but he couldn’t. Damian put Malta first, above everything else, as a king should - even if it meant denying the wishes of his son.
Since then, Luke had blocked Reid’s phone calls, once he’d realized that Reid was actually going to call him, and would expect an explanation or at least a call back. Luke couldn’t do any of those things. He wouldn’t last through an explanation, and he couldn’t bear to tell Reid the truth. Reid would be angry with him, and not understand why Luke had abruptly cut off all contact, but Luke would do it if it meant keeping Reid safe from Damian.
It was also entirely possible that if Luke heard Reid’s voice again, he’d cave, running off into the night to be with him. He’d leave Damian and Malta behind.
And then Damian would come after him and Reid.
Luke didn’t want that. He knew his father loved him, that Damian wanted what was best for him. It was just that sometimes, what Luke wanted and what Damian wanted for him were two different things. Damian’s wishes, as always, won out. Because Damian was king and Luke was only his son.
But in a year’s time, things would be different.
Luke - Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi - would be king. That was why Damian was pressing him to choose a suitor, to find someone to marry, to settle down.
And that was why, when Luke went downstairs for dinner - an elegant fanfare in his and Noah’s honor, Luke would say yes to Noah’s proposal.
*
Luke couldn’t pinpoint what made him do it, exactly. Perhaps it was to retain his sanity. Maybe to help him realize that his time with Reid had not been a fantasy, that it had been real. That Reid had been real.
He did what everyone does to their exes - Luke Googled Reid. His heart had fluttered in his chest when typing the letters into the search box, and it might have skipped a beat when he hit enter.
He inhaled sharply as he clicked on the first article, from some medical journal publication, with Reid’s picture in the corner. It was a pretty recent article, and as Luke read through it, an idea sprang into his head.
Maybe he and Reid couldn’t be together. Luke could love him from afar though, and give Reid everything he’d ever wanted - even if he never knew who it came from.
With that thought, Luke picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hello, Dr. Hughes,” Luke said. “I’m not sure if you remember me. This is Luciano Grimaldi - you knew me as Luke Snyder.”
“Of course, Luciano,” Bob replied. “How can I help you?”
“I have a proposition for you.”
*
Reid looked down at the chart in front of him and sighed.
Snap out of it, he scolded himself. You’ve gotten over Luke before, you can do it again. He’d lost track of how much time had passed since Luke had left with Noah. Days, maybe a week.
He’d forgotten how empty his life was without Luke in it. Having Luke back, even for just a short time, had made Reid push away thoughts of a life without him, something Reid never should have done. He never should have entertained that they could be more than what they were, more than what Reid had convinced Luke they were - a hot as fuck fling.
Luke’s eyes, pained and filled with tears, haunted him. The only time he was free of them was when he was operating - he pushed everything away then, focusing on his work. It just never lasted.
How one man had made such an indelible mark on him, Reid didn’t know.
“Dr. Oliver,” Bob Hughes said, approaching him.
“Bob-o,” Reid replied, making another note in the chart he was holding. “What can I do for you?”
“How are you?” Bob asked.
“Excuse me?” Reid glanced up to see a concerned expression on Bob’s face.
“I asked how you’re doing, Reid.”
“I’m fine,” Reid answered, looking down again.
“Tell that to Nurse Taylor - she’s in hysterics in the personnel office right now.”
“It’s not my fault if she’s incompetent, Bob,” Reid told him. “Besides, she’s always leaking tears over something or other.”
“You, usually,” Bob pointed out. Reid looked at him again.
“What are you saying, Bob?”
“I’m saying that you need a few days off, Reid.” Reid’s mouth fell open and he glared at Bob.
“No way,” Reid shook his head in refusal.
“Luciano’s gone,” Bob said gently. Reid felt a flash of anger go through him.
“What right do you have to bring him up?” Reid snapped. “My personal life is my own damn business.”
“You’re not dealing with it,” Bob took the chart out of Reid’s hands. “I’m worried about patient care and the sanity of my nursing staff. As of this moment, Dr. Oliver, you are on vacation.”
“No.” Reid refused again.
“It’s not a choice,” Bob said. “You either take a week off, or you don’t come back.” Bob gave him what Reid was sure was supposed to be a comforting smile. “Maybe you should figure out what makes you happy, Reid. Or who, rather.”
Reid could only stare after Bob as he walked away.
*
“Luciano?” Damian said, surprise in his voice. Luke heard him come into the room, but didn’t look up. Luke’s attention was focused on the glass in his hand instead. “What are you doing, my son?”
“Thinking.”
“About?”
“Everything,” Luke answered. Damian settled next to him on the couch.
“What is this, Luciano?” His father picked up the bottle of vodka from the table in front of them. The glass in Luke’s hand was filled with the clear liquid.
“What does it look like?” Luke had been staring at the glass for several long minutes. Everything had gotten to be too much. The wedding, Noah, his father, the coronation…Luke couldn’t take it.
He longed for freedom, for a way to escape.
If he couldn’t have Reid, then this was a pretty good alternative in his eyes.
“How much have you had?” Damian’s voice was quiet but serious.
“None yet,” Luke answered truthfully. “But I’m going to, and then I’m going to forget everything for awhile.”
“Luci-“
“My name is Luke,” Luke found himself saying. “My name is Luke Snyder. Luciano Grimaldi is not who I am.”
“Isn’t it?” Damian asked carefully. “He’s a part of you, as much as Luke is.”
“I hate it.” Luke cried, his face crumpling. He clutched the glass in his hand tightly, the alcohol sloshing over the rim.
“Why don’t you give me the glass, Luciano,” Damian suggested, reaching his hand out slowly. “And we can talk.”
“You don’t want to hear what I have to say.” Luke moved the glass out of Damian’s reach.
“Do you really want to ruin five and a half years of sobriety?” Damian sounded angry now.
“Do you really care if I do?”
“Of course I do, you’re my son.” Damian answered.
“I feel like your puppet,” Luke admitted, anguished. He wasn’t even sure what he was saying anymore. He was just so tired of being in pain. “I feel like you don’t really see me, because if you did, you’d know that I don’t want this.” Luke choked out the words. “I gave up everything for you: my home, my family, the love of my life.” He gasped for air. “And you don’t even see it, Damian.”
“Give me the glass, Luciano, and I’ll listen,” Damian promised. Luke stared at him for a long moment, not wanting to get his hopes up. With a sigh and shaking hands, he gave Damian the glass. Damian took it and the bottle, moving it out of sight before coming back and sitting with Luke. Luke ran his hands over his face, wiping his eyes.
“I can’t do this anymore, Papa,” Luke murmured. “I just can’t.” He sniffled. “I don’t want to be king. I don’t want to marry Noah.”
“You know there is nothing I can do about your taking over the throne,” Damian replied. “It’s time, Luciano.”
“I know,” Luke whispered.
“Is marrying Noah truly a hardship?” Damian continued. “His father is important to our people, and that will be good for the country.”
“I told you once already, Damian. I don’t love him,” Luke spoke quietly. “I love another.”
“Yes, your American doctor.” Luke looked at him for a long moment.
“Yes,” he admitted. “I love Reid.” He laughed harshly. “I know what you’re going to say - he’s common, he’s American, he’s not good enough to be part of the royal family.
“But when I’m with him, Papa, he makes me feel like none of this exists,” Luke waved his hand at their surroundings. “He makes me feel like I can do anything. He lets me be wild and crazy with him, because I can’t be with anyone else.” Damian opened his mouth to speak, but Luke kept talking. “Here’s the thing, Damian. I’m going to be king, and I’m going to run this country - if I can be trusted to rule, then why can’t I have any say in who I marry?”
“I see.” Damian looked lost in thought, and Luke hoped against hope that maybe he’d gotten through to his father.
Maybe something would change.
If not, there would be other ways to get his hands on another bottle of alcohol.
*
Reid had just finished pouring his heart out to Katie - how that woman got him to talk about things he never intended to discuss with anyone ever was still a mystery to him - when his phone rang.
Katie had stepped into the other room to check on Jacob, whom Reid had been amused to find was actually a cousin by marriage to Luke - for all his royal roots, Luke still couldn’t escape the surplus Snyder population of Oakdale.
He glanced at the caller ID and his eyes widened. The bulk of the number was unfamiliar, but the area code wasn’t - someone from Malta was calling. His heart beat faster, and he hoped against hope for a moment that it was Luke.
“Hello?” he answered.
“Dr. Reid Oliver?” A heavily accented voice met his ear.
“Who’s asking?”
“This is Damian Grimaldi. I trust I need no further introduction,” Damian answered.
“I really don’t think I have anything to say to you,” Reid told him. “Please don’t call me again.” He started to hang up, but Damian laughed.
“You do realize that you’re about to hang up on a king, yes?”
“I don’t care if you’re the King of Malta or the busboy down the street,” Reid replied. “Nothing gives you the right to treat people as you do.”
“Oh, Dr. Oliver, I do believe I like you,” Damian laughed again.
“That’s a terrifying thought,” Reid couldn’t help himself.
“I find myself understanding what my son sees in you a little more clearly,” Damian kept talking. “And that is why I need you to do something for me.”
“What’s that?” Reid couldn’t help but ask. He knew it wasn’t a good idea, Luke had warned him, but curiosity won out.
“I’m so very, very glad you asked.”
*
The days leading up to Luke’s coronation passed in a blur. He didn’t really pay much attention to his surroundings. He ignored Noah, skipped his meals, kept to himself. The only thing that Damian had agreed to do was postpone the wedding. Luke was grateful for that much at least.
He was sure the citizens of Malta were getting whiplash from all the changes, but Luke couldn’t bring himself to care. He could sense that Damian was worried about him, but Luke had ceased to care about that as well.
Luke had actually tried drinking again, only to find that his father had cleared the premises of alcohol. Going out to a bar or club or even a store to buy some was forbidden, and Luke was not allowed out by himself any longer. Damian said it was because the coronation was fast approaching, and they didn’t want to take any security risks, but Luke was pretty sure he didn’t want Luke to end up drunk off his ass in a dive bar somewhere.
After all, he had to protect the Grimaldi name. That meant he was stuck. There would be no escape now.
The day of the ceremony was upon them. Luke had to keep forcing down the urge to flee as he dressed in his ceremonial clothes. He could do this. Malta needed him.
The ceremony flew by - lots of religious figures making speeches, his father speaking to crowd and thanking them for their loyalty over the years, and then finally, it was time. Luke swore his oath with a dry mouth and a heavy heart.
When the priest set the crown on his head, he felt as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
He stood stiffly, facing the citizens of Malta as they cheered in celebration. A ball would begin momentarily, starting with the announcement of Noah as Luke’s royal consort. The two of them would dance together, and then Luke intended to swipe a bottle of champagne from the waiters and forget any of it had happened.
Luke strolled into the ballroom of the palace, the crowd gathered in front of him as he was announced. Damian was at his side smiling proudly. The moment that Luke dreaded came, the announcement of his consort proceeding as expected, except -
No.
Luke was hearing things, he was sure of it.
He had to be.
His eyes shot to his father, who was giving him a knowing smile now. For the name called hadn’t been Noah’s.
It had been Reid’s.
As if by magic, the crowd parted, revealing Reid standing among them. Luke couldn’t breathe, his eyes locked on Reid as Reid walked toward him. Reid wore his familiar smirk, his eyes locked on Luke’s. Reid bowed in front of him when he was close enough.
“Your Majesty,” he murmured, and Luke thought his heart might stop right then. With shaking fingers he took the second crown that the priest was holding out. Reid stood back up, standing inches from Luke now and looking a little uncomfortable “I don’t have to kneel for this, do I?”
“No,” Luke answered softly, setting the crown on Reid’s head gently. “You need never kneel before me.” He held out his hand and Luke took it, letting Reid pull him into the opening dance that would start off the ball.
“That’s not what you said the last time your cock was in my mouth” Reid replied, wiggling his eyebrows in a lewd fashion. Luke laughed but looked scandalized as they moved slowly around the dance floor.
“Reid!” Luke exclaimed in his embarrassment. “That is different.” He smiled briefly before frowning. “I thought you did not love me.”
“I lied,” Reid murmured. “You were going to walk away from this, and you…you were born to be king.”
“What about you, your career?” Luke asked.
“Didn’t you know? You can practice medicine pretty much anywhere these days.” Reid smirked again. “Especially when you’re as amazing and talented as I am.”
“You have all the answers, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” Reid agreed.
“Just shut up and kiss me,” Luke ordered playfully.
“As you wish.”
So he did.
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