Freedom
Title: Freedom
Author: Amber
Note: Sequel to Stay Strong, Freakout, and Breakfast.
Rating: PG-13 for language
He tries to smack my ass playfully as we leave the diner, but I grab his hand before he can.
"I'm onto you," I hiss. His hand burns my fingers, and my palms are sweating.
Our staid hand holding lasts approximately five seconds, before he pushes me against the wall with purpose.
His hands cup my cheeks, and he slowly strokes them with his thumbs.
My breathing comes in shorter and shorter gasps.
I lick my lips slowly, as his eyes burn into mine, naked with need.
But his mouth doesn't move. He even doesn't touch me at first. He just continues to stroke my face, before moving his hands to feel my hair.
"Beautiful," he murmurs.
I grab his shirt, and pull him closer.
"Reid," I whisper, before claiming his mouth.
The heat goes straight to my still tender groin, and I feel my cock spring to life. I grind against his thigh, and I'm seconds from shoving off the wall, and having my way with him. I don't give a fuck that we're in a public place.
Until.
A polite cough reaches my hearing.
He releases me with a reluctant groan, and glares at the diner employee. Thankfully, it's not our waitress.
"I'm sorry," I say quickly, before he unleashes some classic snark. "We were just leaving."
I sidle out from beneath his body. He's like a coiled spring. My hand goes to the small of his back, and we walk quickly in the opposite direction.
We don't speak for a minute.
Then I hear a quiet chuckle beside me.
I spare a glance at him, and notice with amusement that his face is beet red. He gives me a small smile, and I burst out laughing.
"The look on your face," he stutters. "You looked like the teacher had just given you detention. Poor puppy - dog - Luke -" Each word is punctuated with laughter.
"It's your fault!" I exclaim. "You started it in the diner."
"What's your idea of a suitable punishment? What are you going to do with me, hmm?" he says, the giggles subsiding. He walks slowly toward me.
"You'll just have to wait and see," I scold. "I mean, really -"
"Luke?"
I turn around immediately. My blood runs cold.
"No-Noah?" I stutter.
Behind me, I feel Reid put his hands on my shoulders. He rubs them reassuringly, and I take a deep, calming breath.
"What are you doing here?" I say, trying for casual.
He's alone, wearing jeans and a tight tee. He looks good, but he has no effect on me, except fear.
"Umm, rehab," he says bashfully. "Dr. Oliver told me I have to have daily exercise, so I don't get depressed. I'm actually getting pretty good with this thing, and I'm starting to see shapes and colors, so -" He gestures to the cane. "People are helpful in giving me directions. But I heard your voice, so I followed it."
"Uh -" I squeak.
"Are you all right? I must have you called like seventeen times. You ran out last night so fast." He steps closer to Reid and I, squinting in my general direction.
"Are you with someone, Luke?" he says, confused.
"Noah," I finally say. "Now's not a good time. Dr. Oliver and I were just getting breakfast."
His eyebrows rise, in a comical fashion.
"You and Dr. Oliver? I thought you hated each other?"
"Actually, Noah, Luke and I have been spending a lot of time together." Reid says briskly. "We've grown close."
"Close?" he sputters. "How close?"
"What Reid's trying to say, Noah, is that I'm not in love with you anymore." I say firmly. A part of me hates how harsh I sound, but it's past time for this charade to be over.
"I'm very sorry, but I haven't been invested in our relationship for a long time. We just don't fit together anymore."
"I could tell you weren't happy," Noah says sadly. "But I had no idea you'd fallen for someone else. Well, I hope you two are very happy together," he concludes sadly.
"Noah, this doesn't change anything with your surgery," Reid jumps in, because Noah has turned away. "I'll do everything in my power to restore your vision."
"You should at least give me something just as precious, if you've taken someone I love away," he says ruefully. His throat works for a moment, and part of me wants to comfort him, but I just stand still, letting Reid comfort me. His arm is snugly wrapped around my waist, while his other hand rubs my neck.
"Goodbye, Luke." Noah says softly, and then he slowly walks away.
I exhale heavily.
"I shouldn't leave him like that," I murmur. "He needs -"
"He needs a shot of whiskey, and a shoulder to cry on," Reid says gently. "None of which you can provide. Right?"
I wince, and rest my chin on his shoulder.
"R-right," I mumble. I'm about to cry again. I'm trembling in his arms.
"No, no, don't do this to me." he mumbles. The words are gentle, but I can practically hear him roll his eyes. I feel his mouth, warm against my forehead.
"You are entirely too selfless for your own good, you know that? What you just did - that was a mercy killing. You set him free. You set yourself free."
"Yeah, I guess." I mumble. I dig into his back. The ground seems to shift beneath my feet.
Reid grabs my chin and tilts my head up to look into his eyes.
"In that spirit," he says gruffly. "If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?"
Make love to you.
"Except that," he continues hastily. "No sex until you've stopped crying for at least an hour. Doctor's orders."
"I'd scream." I reply, without thinking. "I'd run down to Snyder Pond, screaming. Celebrating."
"And then?"
"You'd follow me, and we'd jump in the pond with all our clothes on."
He nods, and untangles himself from my body. He crosses his arms, and stares at me, challenging.
"What are you waiting for, Luke?" he says seriously. "Do it. I'll race you."
I quirk my head at him in amusement, trying to find the joke.
"Are you serious?" I ask.
Now he does roll his eyes.
"You're over thinking this. Meet you at the pond!"
He jogs onto the sidewalk, in the completely wrong direction. Before I can react, he's several feet away from me.
"You're going the wrong way!" I yell, running after him.
I catch up, and grab his elbow.
"It's this way," I say.
I let go of his elbow and turn. I sprint through the town. I'm breathing too hard to say more than a few words at first. Once I get into a steady rhythm, I burn screaming nonsense words.
"Woo hoo! Yes! Yippee!"
I don't care that my ex might be in the vicinity. All of the pressure, the months of suffocation, are lifting off my chest. My limbs are loose, and pliant.
Reid's already caught me.
"You're gonna lose this one," he says smugly. He's not even out of breath.
"Now - I - know - where - all - that - food - goes." I huff. "You never told me you work out!"
He runs in tandem with me for a few minutes, then begins to pull away.
"Catch me, Luke!" he yells over his shoulder.
I admire his firm ass moving in his jeans, and redouble my efforts.
"You bet I will," I say quietly.
We reach the pond at almost the same time, but he clearly has the advantage.
I bend over, huffing and puffing.
"That was crazy," I gasp. "I seriously need to work out more."
Reid smooths my hair back from my forehead, and I stand up straight.
"So what do I win?" he says, and his voice has changed from teasing to lustful. Underneath his t-shirt, I can see his abs undulating slowly. He is out of breath, but better at hiding it.
I link my fingers in the loops on his jeans, hooking my thumbs inside.
"I didn't yell as much as I wanted, but I still have one more wish." I say. I walk us backwards toward the pond.
"Yeah?" he says. He tilts his head to try to kiss me, but I keep my head back.
"Yeah," I answer. "THIS!"
I push him into the pond. The spectacle of Reid Oliver, coughing and sputtering water, is truly glorious.
I wade into the water, and laugh softly. "Ya okay?" I snort.
"I am now." He flicks his hair out of his eyes, and moves towards me.
I think he's going to get revenge, and try to dodge a dunking.
Reid doesn't dunk me, though. He puts his wet hands around my waist, and pulls me close to his him. His cold mouth slides against my mouth, and I open my mouth immediately. His tongue is languid, moving delicately with mine.
I feel his erect nipples against my chest.
I cup his cheek with my hand, and let the warmth sink into his skin.
"You're a free man now." he says confidently. "But I'm not. You've caught me, Luke. You kidnapped me. What are you going to do with me now?"
I feel the cool water bathe our thighs. Reid's warm breath puffs in and out, barely touching my lips.
"This," I murmur simply.
I kiss him again, and wrap my arms around his waist in a tight embrace.
"You don't get it, though, Reid." I whisper in his ear. "I'm not free. I'm -"
"S'okay," he interrupts. "If you still have feelings for him, I get it. It's normal to -"
"For once in your life, shut up." I roll over him. I lock onto his eyes; my voice is firm and unwavering. "I was over Noah the day you kissed me in Dallas. It just took me awhile to see it."
A glimmer of relief passes through his gaze, then his eyes are filled with warmth.
"Luke Snyder, boy genius." he teases. "Obviously, I'm the better catch."
"Obviously." I affirm, chuckling.
We lapse into a comfortable silence, and I bask in his slight smile.
Which is abruptly gone when he sneezes loudly.
"Shit, you should have said something." I say, concerned.
"It would ruin the moment," Reid sniffles.
I tug him out of the pond, and try to work some circulation back into his arms.
"Seriously, I'm okay. I'm just not used to the cold anymore." His hands squeeze my forearms, and I stop rubbing. "I lived in Texas for so long, so I prefer heat."
"We gotta get you warmed up, then." I fret. "I can take you back to the farm. I have towels, a shower -"
"But not clothes," he interrupts gently. "Besides, I want to take you home. Katie would love to meet my boyfriend. Her head would explode."
My heart swells, and I pick at his shirtsleeve to hide my grin.
"Sure." I mumble into his sleeve.
"I didn't catch that. I don't speak mumble." he says playfully.
I glare up at him, and repeat, "Sure. I'd love that."
His grin is part-happiness, part-relief that I didn't freak out.
"Okay." he says softly. "Okay. Let's go."
We walk into the field, arm in arm.
I can't resist. I punch his arm lightly, and tease, "You called me your boyfriend." I give him a quick kiss on the mouth to wipe the vulnerability off his expression.
It works like a charm. He looks at me with all of his confidence restored, and says, "You're damn right I did. What else would I call you?"
"Lover boy." I say.
"Sweetie pie." he shoots back.
We banter back and forth all the way to Katie's.
Author: Amber
Note: Sequel to Stay Strong, Freakout, and Breakfast.
Rating: PG-13 for language
He tries to smack my ass playfully as we leave the diner, but I grab his hand before he can.
"I'm onto you," I hiss. His hand burns my fingers, and my palms are sweating.
Our staid hand holding lasts approximately five seconds, before he pushes me against the wall with purpose.
His hands cup my cheeks, and he slowly strokes them with his thumbs.
My breathing comes in shorter and shorter gasps.
I lick my lips slowly, as his eyes burn into mine, naked with need.
But his mouth doesn't move. He even doesn't touch me at first. He just continues to stroke my face, before moving his hands to feel my hair.
"Beautiful," he murmurs.
I grab his shirt, and pull him closer.
"Reid," I whisper, before claiming his mouth.
The heat goes straight to my still tender groin, and I feel my cock spring to life. I grind against his thigh, and I'm seconds from shoving off the wall, and having my way with him. I don't give a fuck that we're in a public place.
Until.
A polite cough reaches my hearing.
He releases me with a reluctant groan, and glares at the diner employee. Thankfully, it's not our waitress.
"I'm sorry," I say quickly, before he unleashes some classic snark. "We were just leaving."
I sidle out from beneath his body. He's like a coiled spring. My hand goes to the small of his back, and we walk quickly in the opposite direction.
We don't speak for a minute.
Then I hear a quiet chuckle beside me.
I spare a glance at him, and notice with amusement that his face is beet red. He gives me a small smile, and I burst out laughing.
"The look on your face," he stutters. "You looked like the teacher had just given you detention. Poor puppy - dog - Luke -" Each word is punctuated with laughter.
"It's your fault!" I exclaim. "You started it in the diner."
"What's your idea of a suitable punishment? What are you going to do with me, hmm?" he says, the giggles subsiding. He walks slowly toward me.
"You'll just have to wait and see," I scold. "I mean, really -"
"Luke?"
I turn around immediately. My blood runs cold.
"No-Noah?" I stutter.
Behind me, I feel Reid put his hands on my shoulders. He rubs them reassuringly, and I take a deep, calming breath.
"What are you doing here?" I say, trying for casual.
He's alone, wearing jeans and a tight tee. He looks good, but he has no effect on me, except fear.
"Umm, rehab," he says bashfully. "Dr. Oliver told me I have to have daily exercise, so I don't get depressed. I'm actually getting pretty good with this thing, and I'm starting to see shapes and colors, so -" He gestures to the cane. "People are helpful in giving me directions. But I heard your voice, so I followed it."
"Uh -" I squeak.
"Are you all right? I must have you called like seventeen times. You ran out last night so fast." He steps closer to Reid and I, squinting in my general direction.
"Are you with someone, Luke?" he says, confused.
"Noah," I finally say. "Now's not a good time. Dr. Oliver and I were just getting breakfast."
His eyebrows rise, in a comical fashion.
"You and Dr. Oliver? I thought you hated each other?"
"Actually, Noah, Luke and I have been spending a lot of time together." Reid says briskly. "We've grown close."
"Close?" he sputters. "How close?"
"What Reid's trying to say, Noah, is that I'm not in love with you anymore." I say firmly. A part of me hates how harsh I sound, but it's past time for this charade to be over.
"I'm very sorry, but I haven't been invested in our relationship for a long time. We just don't fit together anymore."
"I could tell you weren't happy," Noah says sadly. "But I had no idea you'd fallen for someone else. Well, I hope you two are very happy together," he concludes sadly.
"Noah, this doesn't change anything with your surgery," Reid jumps in, because Noah has turned away. "I'll do everything in my power to restore your vision."
"You should at least give me something just as precious, if you've taken someone I love away," he says ruefully. His throat works for a moment, and part of me wants to comfort him, but I just stand still, letting Reid comfort me. His arm is snugly wrapped around my waist, while his other hand rubs my neck.
"Goodbye, Luke." Noah says softly, and then he slowly walks away.
I exhale heavily.
"I shouldn't leave him like that," I murmur. "He needs -"
"He needs a shot of whiskey, and a shoulder to cry on," Reid says gently. "None of which you can provide. Right?"
I wince, and rest my chin on his shoulder.
"R-right," I mumble. I'm about to cry again. I'm trembling in his arms.
"No, no, don't do this to me." he mumbles. The words are gentle, but I can practically hear him roll his eyes. I feel his mouth, warm against my forehead.
"You are entirely too selfless for your own good, you know that? What you just did - that was a mercy killing. You set him free. You set yourself free."
"Yeah, I guess." I mumble. I dig into his back. The ground seems to shift beneath my feet.
Reid grabs my chin and tilts my head up to look into his eyes.
"In that spirit," he says gruffly. "If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?"
Make love to you.
"Except that," he continues hastily. "No sex until you've stopped crying for at least an hour. Doctor's orders."
"I'd scream." I reply, without thinking. "I'd run down to Snyder Pond, screaming. Celebrating."
"And then?"
"You'd follow me, and we'd jump in the pond with all our clothes on."
He nods, and untangles himself from my body. He crosses his arms, and stares at me, challenging.
"What are you waiting for, Luke?" he says seriously. "Do it. I'll race you."
I quirk my head at him in amusement, trying to find the joke.
"Are you serious?" I ask.
Now he does roll his eyes.
"You're over thinking this. Meet you at the pond!"
He jogs onto the sidewalk, in the completely wrong direction. Before I can react, he's several feet away from me.
"You're going the wrong way!" I yell, running after him.
I catch up, and grab his elbow.
"It's this way," I say.
I let go of his elbow and turn. I sprint through the town. I'm breathing too hard to say more than a few words at first. Once I get into a steady rhythm, I burn screaming nonsense words.
"Woo hoo! Yes! Yippee!"
I don't care that my ex might be in the vicinity. All of the pressure, the months of suffocation, are lifting off my chest. My limbs are loose, and pliant.
Reid's already caught me.
"You're gonna lose this one," he says smugly. He's not even out of breath.
"Now - I - know - where - all - that - food - goes." I huff. "You never told me you work out!"
He runs in tandem with me for a few minutes, then begins to pull away.
"Catch me, Luke!" he yells over his shoulder.
I admire his firm ass moving in his jeans, and redouble my efforts.
"You bet I will," I say quietly.
We reach the pond at almost the same time, but he clearly has the advantage.
I bend over, huffing and puffing.
"That was crazy," I gasp. "I seriously need to work out more."
Reid smooths my hair back from my forehead, and I stand up straight.
"So what do I win?" he says, and his voice has changed from teasing to lustful. Underneath his t-shirt, I can see his abs undulating slowly. He is out of breath, but better at hiding it.
I link my fingers in the loops on his jeans, hooking my thumbs inside.
"I didn't yell as much as I wanted, but I still have one more wish." I say. I walk us backwards toward the pond.
"Yeah?" he says. He tilts his head to try to kiss me, but I keep my head back.
"Yeah," I answer. "THIS!"
I push him into the pond. The spectacle of Reid Oliver, coughing and sputtering water, is truly glorious.
I wade into the water, and laugh softly. "Ya okay?" I snort.
"I am now." He flicks his hair out of his eyes, and moves towards me.
I think he's going to get revenge, and try to dodge a dunking.
Reid doesn't dunk me, though. He puts his wet hands around my waist, and pulls me close to his him. His cold mouth slides against my mouth, and I open my mouth immediately. His tongue is languid, moving delicately with mine.
I feel his erect nipples against my chest.
I cup his cheek with my hand, and let the warmth sink into his skin.
"You're a free man now." he says confidently. "But I'm not. You've caught me, Luke. You kidnapped me. What are you going to do with me now?"
I feel the cool water bathe our thighs. Reid's warm breath puffs in and out, barely touching my lips.
"This," I murmur simply.
I kiss him again, and wrap my arms around his waist in a tight embrace.
"You don't get it, though, Reid." I whisper in his ear. "I'm not free. I'm -"
"S'okay," he interrupts. "If you still have feelings for him, I get it. It's normal to -"
"For once in your life, shut up." I roll over him. I lock onto his eyes; my voice is firm and unwavering. "I was over Noah the day you kissed me in Dallas. It just took me awhile to see it."
A glimmer of relief passes through his gaze, then his eyes are filled with warmth.
"Luke Snyder, boy genius." he teases. "Obviously, I'm the better catch."
"Obviously." I affirm, chuckling.
We lapse into a comfortable silence, and I bask in his slight smile.
Which is abruptly gone when he sneezes loudly.
"Shit, you should have said something." I say, concerned.
"It would ruin the moment," Reid sniffles.
I tug him out of the pond, and try to work some circulation back into his arms.
"Seriously, I'm okay. I'm just not used to the cold anymore." His hands squeeze my forearms, and I stop rubbing. "I lived in Texas for so long, so I prefer heat."
"We gotta get you warmed up, then." I fret. "I can take you back to the farm. I have towels, a shower -"
"But not clothes," he interrupts gently. "Besides, I want to take you home. Katie would love to meet my boyfriend. Her head would explode."
My heart swells, and I pick at his shirtsleeve to hide my grin.
"Sure." I mumble into his sleeve.
"I didn't catch that. I don't speak mumble." he says playfully.
I glare up at him, and repeat, "Sure. I'd love that."
His grin is part-happiness, part-relief that I didn't freak out.
"Okay." he says softly. "Okay. Let's go."
We walk into the field, arm in arm.
I can't resist. I punch his arm lightly, and tease, "You called me your boyfriend." I give him a quick kiss on the mouth to wipe the vulnerability off his expression.
It works like a charm. He looks at me with all of his confidence restored, and says, "You're damn right I did. What else would I call you?"
"Lover boy." I say.
"Sweetie pie." he shoots back.
We banter back and forth all the way to Katie's.