Longing
Title: Longing (3/4)
Author:
appassionata1
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 1,244
Pairings: Luke/Brian
Warnings: Graphic Sexual ContentSummary: What began as a routine business trip for Luke Snyder and Brian Wheatley turns into something much more.
Disclaimer: Luke and Brian are characters which are property of CBS and Telenext Media. No copyright infringement is intended.
Dedication: To Louise Cossey on her birthday. She wanted to share it with all of her friends :)
Luke darted from the elevator as soon as it reached the hotel’s lobby. In a rush to get outside to look for Brian he slammed into a bellman loaded down with suitcases. Bags went flying in all directions upon impact and after a few moments of shock and embarrassment Luke realized what a scene he had caused. As he apologized profusely and helped the shaken hotel employee to collect the bags, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Brian, had also witnessed the incident.
Luke turned around to see the concern in Brian’s pale, blue eyes as he questioned, “Are you alright Luke?”
Luke replied with a sheepish grin, “I’m fine. Nothing’s bruised but my ego.”
Putting his numb hands back into his pockets he asked, “Are you on your way out? It’s freezing out there.”
“No, um, I mean yes. I was going out to look for you, but it looks like I’ve found you,” he chuckled.
Brian paused before he spoke. He thought it was extraordinarily kind for this young man to be concerned enough to go out on this bitterly cold evening to look for him. He hardly knew how to respond. Strangely he felt his eyes welling with tears and a lump forming in his throat.
What the hell is wrong with me? I sure as hell am not going to lose it in front of him - in front of all these people!
“I just needed to walk for a bit to clear my head. Sorry I was away so long without checking in with you,” he sighed.
Luke thought it was so typical of Brian to hide his pain. Even now he chose to suffer in silence. As he stood there with his windblown hair and red nose and ears from exposure to the cold, Luke felt the urge to gather him into his arms and hold him close. Instead he replied, “It’s ok, but I was just wondering if something had upset you,” carefully studying Brian’s face for a reaction.
Removing his coat and slinging it over his arm Brian answered, “Nah, just the usual business concerns.”
He still didn’t bite. Luke was disappointed, but thought it was time to change the subject, “Ok then. Oh, I spoke to grandmother and she’s very pleased about the outcome of our meeting. She seems to think the merger is in the bag.”
“Good, good, so barring any unforeseen circumstances we can wrap things up here by tomorrow noon.”
Luke felt deflated by his statement. He wasn’t quite ready to let go. He had not yet reached out to Brian. He hadn’t taken him into his confidence by crossing that bridge which separated trusted mentor from close friend. Luke needed to know where they stood in terms of a relationship and he needed to find out tonight.
He removed his coat, hat, and gloves and blurted out, “Well it’s dinnertime and I’m starving. How about you? I’ve heard this place has an awesome restaurant.”
Brian exhaled and with eyes focused on the floor replied, “I was just going to stay in, order something from room service, and go over the contract once more so …”
“Aww, come on Brian. You’re practically shivering. You need something to warm you up. You can get a bowl of soup or a nice hot drink, along with an excellent meal. Not to mention you’d be spending time with the best dinner companion around… namely moi. So how about it?”
Brian smiled, “Since you’ve put it that way, I wholeheartedly accept.”
Brian did want to spend time with Luke, but he also didn’t want to impose on the kind young man. He decided he would have dinner with him, but in no way would he let on about his grief. He wouldn’t dare burden Luke with the great sadness he was feeling. It just wouldn’t be fair.
They went into the restaurant and each ordered an Irish Coffee before dinner. Brian drank the steaming pungent liquid slowly, warming his hands on the glass mug as he brought it to his lips. With each sip his body, numb and chilled to the bone, was brought back to life.
He was determined not to slide into a melancholy funk and Luke was determined not to let him. Their conversation flowed freely as they enjoyed a succulent meal of Delmonico steak, roasted fingerling potatoes, and haricot verts almondine, accompanied by a bottle of burgundy.
Luke found Brian to be an extremely interesting person. There were many things he found out about him that he would have never guessed. Brian told him how much he enjoyed nature and taking frequent camping trips. He described in detail his many hiking trips he had taken to the mountains out West. He knew how to play the guitar and was a member of a garage band in high school. His lifelong dream was not to head a corporation, but to run an Inn in Galena, Illinois.
Brian learned many interesting facts about Luke as well. Luke revealed to him that his first love was writing and he had written a novel and kept the manuscript locked away in a safe deposit box that nobody except him knew about. Luke loved old music and he and his grandmother Lucinda would sit for hours listening to the songs from the Big Band Era and the old standard Begin the Beguine was his favorite song. Luke felt comfortable enough to tell Brain he was gay. He even discussed his recent volatile relationship with him. Brian had suspected that Luke was gay, but Luke had never mentioned it, or a boyfriend.
Luke told him he was out to the people he cared about, but didn’t think it was necessary to broadcast it to everyone, especially people he worked with. By the time they had finished dinner and were lingering over their last glass of wine they had talked about everything from politics to board games. The two men, so wrapped up in each other, only considered leaving their comfortable booth when the maitre d’ politely informed them that the restaurant was closing.
Then a friendly argument ensued over who would pay the check. Luke won and paid it when Brian acquiesced, only after Luke promised to have dinner with him again. Much to Brian’s satisfaction he hadn’t once felt the need to bring up the loss of his child all those years ago. His body as well as his heart was delightfully warmed by his young dinner companion.
Luke had triumphed. He felt like celebrating because he had completely turned Brian’s dreadful day around and was now closer to him than ever. On their elevator ride up to the ninth floor Luke had even gotten him to laugh a few times. However, when the elevator door opened, Luke noticed a dramatic change in Brian’s demeanor. It was so evident he could practically feel his desperation.
Though trying hard not to reveal his deep sense of loneliness and grief, when they reached the door of Luke’s room, he forced on a smile and whispered goodnight. When he sadly turned to leave, without a moment’s thought, Luke reached out and grasped his hand. The warmth of his touch made Brian’s wounded heart soar and compelled him to turn around and face Luke.
The look in Luke’s beautiful hazel eyes was entrancing and his sweet, crooked smile, beyond irresistible when he softly asked, “Brian… would you like to come in?”
(Chapter 4)