Fic: Koinonia - Part Twelve
Title: Koinonia
Author: PABWECG (aka Patricia)
Beta: msLUREdin
Artist: sripley
Rating: Up to NC-17
Word Count: 58,071
Summary: Luke is in Oakdale (ATWT canon, fall 2008) and Reid is in Dallas. Both of them are living their lives day to day, but each feels there's is something missing from their life. After a time they meet in Haiti doing different types of volunteer work post-earthquake. Their lives are irrevocably changed by the situation in Haiti and by their connection to each other. Meanwhile, Luke is engaged to Noah when he meets Reid...but will this change both their plans for the future?
A/N: I can’t say thank enough to msLUREdin for her wonderful and supportive beta work. She kept me going with all her encouraging comments and lavish praise, and her patience in reading this monster. THANK YOU, my dear!! Also, BIG thanks to sripley for her gorgeous artwork and her help with my posting questions! And finally, thank you to traciamc for pulling all this together and for being SO patient with me!
Koinonia - community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.
Chapter 42 (The middle of the Night)
He came back from the bathroom and stood at the end of the bed, looking down at Luke - he was face down, his head turned to the side on the pillow, the lower half of his body covered by the sheet; the light from the night sky barely illuminated the muscles of his shoulders and back, the curve of hips, ass, and thighs under the sheet.
His eyes drifted back up to his face and he walked around to the side of the bed and sat on its edge. He looked at Luke’s face, at his closed eyes, his relaxed mouth, his nose. He recalled the brief opportunity he’d had to watch him sleep, on that small cot in Port-au-Prince, again in the middle of the night, after he’d checked on Anne Marie’s wound. They say most people look less guarded when they’re asleep. Reid hadn’t ever observed anyone else - other than patients - in their sleep, so he didn’t know.
But Luke often didn’t look guarded…even when he was awake. He was very trusting. But still Luke did look different. Reid ran a finger lightly over his forehead and gently through his hair. What was it? Perhaps it was his relaxed mouth. Asleep, he wasn’t trying to please anyone. He wasn’t trying to make sure he was doing enough, or well enough. He was at ease, not wondering if he was making a difference in the world.
He liked seeing Luke this way. Like he was seeing a glimpse of Luke as a young child, before he learned to believe that it was his job to hold everyone around him together; to support them, to be their mediator or shoulder to cry on. Before he came to believe that he had to share his heart with everyone…all the time. He was seeing Luke. Just Luke. Asleep…off-duty…not taking care of anyone but himself.
He stood and walked to the other side of the bed and slipped in beside him, laying a hand gently across his back - protectively - and Luke scooted closer to him in his sleep and sighed. And Reid closed his eyes.
* * * * * * * *
He stretched his arms over his head, feeling well rested this morning; twisting the lower half of his body, he felt Luke beside him, awake it seemed.
He opened his eyes and Luke was indeed beside him, and indeed awake. He lay on his side looking down at him, one hand propped under his head, and the other slowly stroking his cock. He was softly panting, biting his lower lip. It was quite a sight. Reid’s semi-hard morning erection began to grow.
“Well, well.” He said.
Luke exhaled, and removed his hand. “Sorry, I just…”
“Don’t be sorry.” Reid said. “And please…don’t stop.”
Luke appeared hesitant. “Really?”
Reid nodded.
Luke began stroking himself again, and they both inhaled. Reid’s eyes fell to take in the movement of Luke’s hand, his hips. Then he returned his gaze to Luke’s face - his eyes were hungry as they traveled over Reid; he licked his full lips, pursing them together, before they parted once more.
Reid was hard now, but he didn’t touch himself, nor did Luke. But Luke’s eyes were repeatedly drawn to his cock. He stopped stroking himself, scooted down the bed, and without warning opened his mouth and enveloped Reid’s cock, and began sucking.
“Fuck,” Reid whispered.
Luke encased him, moving his tight lips up and down his shaft, his warm wet cavern enveloping him. And it was so good. Luke’s mouth…
“Yes…” he breathed. “Oh God, Luke…”
And Luke kept at it, his hands going under his ass and pulling him closer, deeper - and there was no turning back - he shot down Luke’s throat, one of his hands finding its way to Luke’s hair.
He lay breathing heavily, spent, but Luke wasn’t finished. He cleaned Reid’s dick, bathing it and sucking it some more, sending waves of after-shock through him, and then he moved down to Reid’s balls, licking and sucking them.
Luke turned sideways, laying near the foot of the bed, pushing his knees apart and trailing a finger down the inside of his thigh to his groin and his opening. Reid watched with an open mouth as Luke licked his lips and eyed his pucker with hunger and nervousness.
Reid dropped a hand a wrapped it around Luke’s very hard cock. Luke let out a soft moan, briefly closing his eyes. But then he opened them again, returning his gaze to Reid’s entrance. Reid felt Luke’s breath before he felt his tongue make contact. It was tentative, exploratory…good. It circled his hole - nearby and teasing - the tip and the wide flat surface. Slow, soft, incredible. Luke’s panting breath touched him before his tongue returned once more. He let his knees fall further open.
Luke licked a few more times and paused before dipping the tip of his tongue inside him. Then he paused again and met Reid’s eyes, looking a bit unsure.
“I’ve never…” he began. “Is this…okay?”
He looked back at Luke, feeling hungry for more, and nodded.
Luke bit his lower lip with a shy smile, and Reid quietly growled. He gave his own hardening cock a couple of firm strokes. “Luke,” he breathed out.
Luke pulled both lips into his mouth and then paused, looking back at him fiercely. Then his gaze moved to his hole once more and he began licking it again, and in a moment he felt Luke pierce him again.
He exhaled, rocking his hips, trying to maintain contact with Luke’s mouth. Luke began a steady rhythm of licking, nibbling and thrusting…and it was good.
Luke’s mouth left him and the cool air met his ass. He opened his eyes and met Luke’s gaze. Luke swallowed.
“Reid…can I?” he asked.
Reid nodded, needing no time to think. It had been a long time, many years, but still the answer was yes.
“Are you sure?” Luke asked.
He nodded again. “It’s been…a while.”
Luke nodded.
“A…really long time.” He added.
Luke looked at him with love.
“But yes…I want to…just…” he swallowed a nervous laugh. “Go slow.”
“Okay,” he said, and then lifted himself up, Luke came face to face with him, smiled into his eyes, kissed each one and then his mouth. “I love you.” He said.
Reid smiled back. “I know.”
And Luke showered his face and neck and torso with kisses. And very soon he was back at Reid’s entrance. And then he went slowly. And Reid felt his love through his lips and tongue, his fingers and hands, his strong arms and beautiful sexy voice.
And he had never felt so safe, never been in the arms of someone he trusted so completely. And he let himself go, let himself be taken by love, by the man he loved. The man who loved him.
And slowly, slowly, Luke prepared him - slowly, gently, passionately - his mouth sucked and licked and cherished his hole. His fingers stretched, entered, slowly thrust into him, until eventually Reid couldn’t take it anymore - couldn’t wait anymore.
“Please, Luke.”
And Luke came face to face with him once more and looked deeply into his eyes. And when Luke entered him, he went slowly. And it was tight - there was a burning, a tingling. He bit his lip.
“You sure?” Luke whispered.
Reid nodded, meeting his gaze. “Don’t stop, Luke.”
And their eyes on each other, he nodded as Luke entered further and further, his hands on Luke’s hips, slowly pulling him in until he was buried inside him.
Luke panted quietly down at him through his parted lips, but he stayed still. He felt the stretch, felt his muscles begin to relax around Luke’s cock, so deep inside him.
And when he was ready he moved slightly against Luke, and Luke bent down and kissed him.
“Reid, you feel so good.”
And he knew that was true. And he smiled and actually laughed.
“What?” Luke asked, smiling.
“I do feel good.” He answered.
Luke’s eyes widened with desire and love, and he began to move again, slowly but steadily pulling out a bit and thrusting back in.
Reid nodded.
Luke changed angles and gently found his prostate.
Reid moaned quietly.
Luke smiled a dirty smile back at him and repeated the motion, earning another groan from Reid.
“Fuck, Luke…yeah…”
And it was good and it was new - the first time in so many years that Reid had let himself be taken. His hands gripped Luke’s hips as he began to thrust more strongly, deeply into him.
Luke, above him, was letting go - his eyes closed as he thrust his hips, quietly chanting Reid’s name. Reid’s desire and his happiness multiplied, seeing Luke so free.
He dropped one hand to his own cock and began stroking it. And soon he was approaching the precipice; he could see, and feel, his orgasm on the horizon.
“Luke,” he said quietly, and the young mans eyes opened and met his own.
Luke’s lips were parted, his eyes on Reid’s, and his thrusting increased - panting breaths escaping from between his lips. Reid stroked himself, his hips rocking to meet Luke’s thrusts.
“Yes, yes…” Luke breathed. “Oh God…”
And he brushed strongly across Reid’s prostate once, twice. And Reid came first, his eyes on his beautiful lover, his ears taking in his cries, his ass receiving his strong thrusts. And the spasms of his orgasm rippled over and over, his ass tightening around Luke’s cock; and Luke’s eyes almost closed, and he came with a beautiful high-pitched moan.
“Fuck…oh fuck.” Luke panted out, still holding himself up on his elbows above Reid, breathing heavily. And then he looked down at him, exhaled and smiled, his searching Reid’s face, wondering how he was.
“C’mere,” Reid said, taking Luke in his arms.
Luke wrapped himself around him again. “Was that okay?” he asked.
“No,” Reid answered. “It was…it was amazing, Luke.”
Luke lifted his head and looked into his eyes. “Really?”
Reid nodded.
Luke scrunched up his nose. “It didn’t…hurt?”
Reid opened his mouth and then closed it, smiling slightly. “Let’s just say…I’m gonna feel it for a few days.”
Luke bit his lip.
“But it was amazing, Luke.”
Luke smiled apologetically. “How long had it been?”
Reid tilted his head. “I was probably eighteen…college.”
Luke’s eyes widened. “That…was a while ago. Not that you’re old or anything.” He added.
Reid scowled at him playfully. “That was just four years ago for you, right?”
Luke raised his eyebrows, agreeing.
Then they both laughed and Luke laid a hand on his chest. “It was amazing.” He said.
Reid nodded and pulled him close again. “You hungry?” he asked.
“Starving,” Luke said. “Well, not…starving, but yes I’m hungry…and I have to pee.”
Reid watched him walk away naked to the bathroom. “You wanna take a quick shower, and I’ll get some coffee going?” he suggested.
“Sounds good.” Luke called back.
* * * * * * * * * *
After they’d each showered and Reid had taken a call from Bob, they sat down to scrambled eggs, fresh pears, coffee, and the macaroons, which they’d never gotten around to eating the night before.
“God, we should eat like this every morning.” Luke said.
Reid took his hand. “Yes we should. I’m assuming you mean eating together after a night of sex.”
Luke smiled at him.
“Or after waking up beside each other…” he continued.
Luke’s lips parted and he glowed.
“I definitely think we should do that.” Reid concluded. “Every morning.”
Chapter 43 (Three hours later)
Luke sat in the grass beside Casey, quietly listening to the chatter of his friends. Casey was stretched out on his back, Allison running a hand lightly over his stomach. Noah was on her other side, talking to Maddie about his film, and she was listening avidly.
At one time it had been Casey and Maddie, and then it was Casey and Allison, back and forth. And all along, of course, he and Noah had been together, apart, together again. Now Casey and Allison were together again and seemed genuinely happy. And Maddie had met some guy who lived near Wesleyan, and was looking forward to seeing this dream man in a few weeks when she returned for her senior year, so she was a friend again with both her ex and her ex-rival.
Noah would be leaving in a few days.
Luke realized that he was very lucky. He had good friends and a family that loved him. He’d had many good times with Noah, and it looked possibly a future friendship someday. He had a sense of direction for himself and his work in the world.
And he had Reid. He smiled.
As if on cue, there he was, on the other side of the green, looking at him. He must have just finished the consultation. Luke licked his lips and smiled, his eyes taking him in in a way that suggested they hadn’t just spent the night in each other’s arms, just parted only three hours ago. He’d honestly never known a more sexy, beautiful man in all his life.
“Ah, there he is, huh?” Casey said quietly, sitting up beside him.
He felt the eyes of the entire little group fall on him, and he turned to meet their gazes, lastly Noah’s. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other since Luke had stumbled upon the group an hour ago and everyone had insisted he join them. Noah held his gaze, looked over at Reid, and then down at the ground.
“I’m gonna go,” he said.
“No.” Luke said. “You stay.”
“It’s alright Luke.” Noah said, standing up. “I don’t want you to feel like you can’t hang out with your friends. I’ll go.”
Luke got up and went over to him. “They’re your friends too, Noah. Stay. You’re leaving in a few days. Stay. Spend some time with them.”
“You sure?” Noah asked, trying to smile.
Luke nodded. Then he turned to Maddie. "Don’t you go leaving without saying goodbye to me, okay?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” She said, smiling up at him.
He turned back to Noah. “Everything all set? For your move?”
“Yeah.” Noah hesitated. “Mason’s coming with me.”
Luke was surprised. “Coming with you?”
“Yeah…well, not with me, but…”
Luke bit his lip, but stayed silent; it wasn’t his business.
“It’s okay, Luke. He knows I’m not interested. And it’s nice to have someone who knows L.A. a bit.”
“Okay, I know…and it’s none of my business…I just…”
“You care.” Noah stated.
Luke nodded.
“And I’m glad…really, I am.” He looked at Luke. “But really…I trust him.”
Luke didn’t, but he nodded. Again, none of his business. “Okay.”
He turned to leave and then stopped, facing Noah once more.
“Hey,” he exhaled. “Whenever…if ever you’re ready…drop me a line. Just to let me know you’re all right. I hope it all goes well, really well, Noah.”
Noah shared a small smile. “Thanks.”
And Luke pulled him in for a strong hug. “Take care.” He whispered.
And he said good-bye to the group of them and turned around, heading across the green. He looked at Reid, standing on the other side, his hands in his pockets. Reid watched him approach, took one brief look at the group of people Luke had just left, then let his eyes fall again on Luke.
As he came within a few feet, Reid looked down briefly before lifting his gaze to Luke’s.
Luke stepped up close to him. “Hey.” He said.
“Hi,” Reid answered.
“Everything go okay?” Luke asked.
“Mm-hm.”
Luke thread his fingers into Reid’s.
“What about you?” Reid asked.
“Hmmm?”
Reid inclined his head towards where the group of Oakdalians sat. “Noah.”
“Oh…yeah, everything went fine.” He looked at Reid. “He leaves in a few days, so…this was…definitely goodbye.”
Reid looked at him, and after a moment, asked, “You’re okay with that?”
Luke looked at him curiously. “Yeah. I mean I’ll miss him but, yeah I’m okay with that.”
Reid nodded, and they began walking together, their hands clasped.
“You want some ice cream?” Reid asked.
Luke lifted his eyebrows in a flirty way. “Definitely.”
Reid stopped in his tracks and turned towards him. “I love you, Luke Snyder.”
Luke took his face in his hands and kissed him. “And I love you Reid…” He kissed him once more. “Oliver.”
Reid smiled a small sideways grin back at him. “Good.” He said with a nod.
Luke laughed. “Good?”
“Yeah, good.” He squeezed Luke’s hand and started walking again. “I’m glad.”
Luke laughed again, and they made their way towards the ice cream booth.
on to the Epilogue/
Author: PABWECG (aka Patricia)
Beta: msLUREdin
Artist: sripley
Rating: Up to NC-17
Word Count: 58,071
Summary: Luke is in Oakdale (ATWT canon, fall 2008) and Reid is in Dallas. Both of them are living their lives day to day, but each feels there's is something missing from their life. After a time they meet in Haiti doing different types of volunteer work post-earthquake. Their lives are irrevocably changed by the situation in Haiti and by their connection to each other. Meanwhile, Luke is engaged to Noah when he meets Reid...but will this change both their plans for the future?
A/N: I can’t say thank enough to msLUREdin for her wonderful and supportive beta work. She kept me going with all her encouraging comments and lavish praise, and her patience in reading this monster. THANK YOU, my dear!! Also, BIG thanks to sripley for her gorgeous artwork and her help with my posting questions! And finally, thank you to traciamc for pulling all this together and for being SO patient with me!
Koinonia - community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy.
Chapter 42 (The middle of the Night)
He came back from the bathroom and stood at the end of the bed, looking down at Luke - he was face down, his head turned to the side on the pillow, the lower half of his body covered by the sheet; the light from the night sky barely illuminated the muscles of his shoulders and back, the curve of hips, ass, and thighs under the sheet.
His eyes drifted back up to his face and he walked around to the side of the bed and sat on its edge. He looked at Luke’s face, at his closed eyes, his relaxed mouth, his nose. He recalled the brief opportunity he’d had to watch him sleep, on that small cot in Port-au-Prince, again in the middle of the night, after he’d checked on Anne Marie’s wound. They say most people look less guarded when they’re asleep. Reid hadn’t ever observed anyone else - other than patients - in their sleep, so he didn’t know.
But Luke often didn’t look guarded…even when he was awake. He was very trusting. But still Luke did look different. Reid ran a finger lightly over his forehead and gently through his hair. What was it? Perhaps it was his relaxed mouth. Asleep, he wasn’t trying to please anyone. He wasn’t trying to make sure he was doing enough, or well enough. He was at ease, not wondering if he was making a difference in the world.
He liked seeing Luke this way. Like he was seeing a glimpse of Luke as a young child, before he learned to believe that it was his job to hold everyone around him together; to support them, to be their mediator or shoulder to cry on. Before he came to believe that he had to share his heart with everyone…all the time. He was seeing Luke. Just Luke. Asleep…off-duty…not taking care of anyone but himself.
He stood and walked to the other side of the bed and slipped in beside him, laying a hand gently across his back - protectively - and Luke scooted closer to him in his sleep and sighed. And Reid closed his eyes.
* * * * * * * *
He stretched his arms over his head, feeling well rested this morning; twisting the lower half of his body, he felt Luke beside him, awake it seemed.
He opened his eyes and Luke was indeed beside him, and indeed awake. He lay on his side looking down at him, one hand propped under his head, and the other slowly stroking his cock. He was softly panting, biting his lower lip. It was quite a sight. Reid’s semi-hard morning erection began to grow.
“Well, well.” He said.
Luke exhaled, and removed his hand. “Sorry, I just…”
“Don’t be sorry.” Reid said. “And please…don’t stop.”
Luke appeared hesitant. “Really?”
Reid nodded.
Luke began stroking himself again, and they both inhaled. Reid’s eyes fell to take in the movement of Luke’s hand, his hips. Then he returned his gaze to Luke’s face - his eyes were hungry as they traveled over Reid; he licked his full lips, pursing them together, before they parted once more.
Reid was hard now, but he didn’t touch himself, nor did Luke. But Luke’s eyes were repeatedly drawn to his cock. He stopped stroking himself, scooted down the bed, and without warning opened his mouth and enveloped Reid’s cock, and began sucking.
“Fuck,” Reid whispered.
Luke encased him, moving his tight lips up and down his shaft, his warm wet cavern enveloping him. And it was so good. Luke’s mouth…
“Yes…” he breathed. “Oh God, Luke…”
And Luke kept at it, his hands going under his ass and pulling him closer, deeper - and there was no turning back - he shot down Luke’s throat, one of his hands finding its way to Luke’s hair.
He lay breathing heavily, spent, but Luke wasn’t finished. He cleaned Reid’s dick, bathing it and sucking it some more, sending waves of after-shock through him, and then he moved down to Reid’s balls, licking and sucking them.
Luke turned sideways, laying near the foot of the bed, pushing his knees apart and trailing a finger down the inside of his thigh to his groin and his opening. Reid watched with an open mouth as Luke licked his lips and eyed his pucker with hunger and nervousness.
Reid dropped a hand a wrapped it around Luke’s very hard cock. Luke let out a soft moan, briefly closing his eyes. But then he opened them again, returning his gaze to Reid’s entrance. Reid felt Luke’s breath before he felt his tongue make contact. It was tentative, exploratory…good. It circled his hole - nearby and teasing - the tip and the wide flat surface. Slow, soft, incredible. Luke’s panting breath touched him before his tongue returned once more. He let his knees fall further open.
Luke licked a few more times and paused before dipping the tip of his tongue inside him. Then he paused again and met Reid’s eyes, looking a bit unsure.
“I’ve never…” he began. “Is this…okay?”
He looked back at Luke, feeling hungry for more, and nodded.
Luke bit his lower lip with a shy smile, and Reid quietly growled. He gave his own hardening cock a couple of firm strokes. “Luke,” he breathed out.
Luke pulled both lips into his mouth and then paused, looking back at him fiercely. Then his gaze moved to his hole once more and he began licking it again, and in a moment he felt Luke pierce him again.
He exhaled, rocking his hips, trying to maintain contact with Luke’s mouth. Luke began a steady rhythm of licking, nibbling and thrusting…and it was good.
Luke’s mouth left him and the cool air met his ass. He opened his eyes and met Luke’s gaze. Luke swallowed.
“Reid…can I?” he asked.
Reid nodded, needing no time to think. It had been a long time, many years, but still the answer was yes.
“Are you sure?” Luke asked.
He nodded again. “It’s been…a while.”
Luke nodded.
“A…really long time.” He added.
Luke looked at him with love.
“But yes…I want to…just…” he swallowed a nervous laugh. “Go slow.”
“Okay,” he said, and then lifted himself up, Luke came face to face with him, smiled into his eyes, kissed each one and then his mouth. “I love you.” He said.
Reid smiled back. “I know.”
And Luke showered his face and neck and torso with kisses. And very soon he was back at Reid’s entrance. And then he went slowly. And Reid felt his love through his lips and tongue, his fingers and hands, his strong arms and beautiful sexy voice.
And he had never felt so safe, never been in the arms of someone he trusted so completely. And he let himself go, let himself be taken by love, by the man he loved. The man who loved him.
And slowly, slowly, Luke prepared him - slowly, gently, passionately - his mouth sucked and licked and cherished his hole. His fingers stretched, entered, slowly thrust into him, until eventually Reid couldn’t take it anymore - couldn’t wait anymore.
“Please, Luke.”
And Luke came face to face with him once more and looked deeply into his eyes. And when Luke entered him, he went slowly. And it was tight - there was a burning, a tingling. He bit his lip.
“You sure?” Luke whispered.
Reid nodded, meeting his gaze. “Don’t stop, Luke.”
And their eyes on each other, he nodded as Luke entered further and further, his hands on Luke’s hips, slowly pulling him in until he was buried inside him.
Luke panted quietly down at him through his parted lips, but he stayed still. He felt the stretch, felt his muscles begin to relax around Luke’s cock, so deep inside him.
And when he was ready he moved slightly against Luke, and Luke bent down and kissed him.
“Reid, you feel so good.”
And he knew that was true. And he smiled and actually laughed.
“What?” Luke asked, smiling.
“I do feel good.” He answered.
Luke’s eyes widened with desire and love, and he began to move again, slowly but steadily pulling out a bit and thrusting back in.
Reid nodded.
Luke changed angles and gently found his prostate.
Reid moaned quietly.
Luke smiled a dirty smile back at him and repeated the motion, earning another groan from Reid.
“Fuck, Luke…yeah…”
And it was good and it was new - the first time in so many years that Reid had let himself be taken. His hands gripped Luke’s hips as he began to thrust more strongly, deeply into him.
Luke, above him, was letting go - his eyes closed as he thrust his hips, quietly chanting Reid’s name. Reid’s desire and his happiness multiplied, seeing Luke so free.
He dropped one hand to his own cock and began stroking it. And soon he was approaching the precipice; he could see, and feel, his orgasm on the horizon.
“Luke,” he said quietly, and the young mans eyes opened and met his own.
Luke’s lips were parted, his eyes on Reid’s, and his thrusting increased - panting breaths escaping from between his lips. Reid stroked himself, his hips rocking to meet Luke’s thrusts.
“Yes, yes…” Luke breathed. “Oh God…”
And he brushed strongly across Reid’s prostate once, twice. And Reid came first, his eyes on his beautiful lover, his ears taking in his cries, his ass receiving his strong thrusts. And the spasms of his orgasm rippled over and over, his ass tightening around Luke’s cock; and Luke’s eyes almost closed, and he came with a beautiful high-pitched moan.
“Fuck…oh fuck.” Luke panted out, still holding himself up on his elbows above Reid, breathing heavily. And then he looked down at him, exhaled and smiled, his searching Reid’s face, wondering how he was.
“C’mere,” Reid said, taking Luke in his arms.
Luke wrapped himself around him again. “Was that okay?” he asked.
“No,” Reid answered. “It was…it was amazing, Luke.”
Luke lifted his head and looked into his eyes. “Really?”
Reid nodded.
Luke scrunched up his nose. “It didn’t…hurt?”
Reid opened his mouth and then closed it, smiling slightly. “Let’s just say…I’m gonna feel it for a few days.”
Luke bit his lip.
“But it was amazing, Luke.”
Luke smiled apologetically. “How long had it been?”
Reid tilted his head. “I was probably eighteen…college.”
Luke’s eyes widened. “That…was a while ago. Not that you’re old or anything.” He added.
Reid scowled at him playfully. “That was just four years ago for you, right?”
Luke raised his eyebrows, agreeing.
Then they both laughed and Luke laid a hand on his chest. “It was amazing.” He said.
Reid nodded and pulled him close again. “You hungry?” he asked.
“Starving,” Luke said. “Well, not…starving, but yes I’m hungry…and I have to pee.”
Reid watched him walk away naked to the bathroom. “You wanna take a quick shower, and I’ll get some coffee going?” he suggested.
“Sounds good.” Luke called back.
* * * * * * * * * *
After they’d each showered and Reid had taken a call from Bob, they sat down to scrambled eggs, fresh pears, coffee, and the macaroons, which they’d never gotten around to eating the night before.
“God, we should eat like this every morning.” Luke said.
Reid took his hand. “Yes we should. I’m assuming you mean eating together after a night of sex.”
Luke smiled at him.
“Or after waking up beside each other…” he continued.
Luke’s lips parted and he glowed.
“I definitely think we should do that.” Reid concluded. “Every morning.”
Chapter 43 (Three hours later)
Luke sat in the grass beside Casey, quietly listening to the chatter of his friends. Casey was stretched out on his back, Allison running a hand lightly over his stomach. Noah was on her other side, talking to Maddie about his film, and she was listening avidly.
At one time it had been Casey and Maddie, and then it was Casey and Allison, back and forth. And all along, of course, he and Noah had been together, apart, together again. Now Casey and Allison were together again and seemed genuinely happy. And Maddie had met some guy who lived near Wesleyan, and was looking forward to seeing this dream man in a few weeks when she returned for her senior year, so she was a friend again with both her ex and her ex-rival.
Noah would be leaving in a few days.
Luke realized that he was very lucky. He had good friends and a family that loved him. He’d had many good times with Noah, and it looked possibly a future friendship someday. He had a sense of direction for himself and his work in the world.
And he had Reid. He smiled.
As if on cue, there he was, on the other side of the green, looking at him. He must have just finished the consultation. Luke licked his lips and smiled, his eyes taking him in in a way that suggested they hadn’t just spent the night in each other’s arms, just parted only three hours ago. He’d honestly never known a more sexy, beautiful man in all his life.
“Ah, there he is, huh?” Casey said quietly, sitting up beside him.
He felt the eyes of the entire little group fall on him, and he turned to meet their gazes, lastly Noah’s. They hadn’t spoken a word to each other since Luke had stumbled upon the group an hour ago and everyone had insisted he join them. Noah held his gaze, looked over at Reid, and then down at the ground.
“I’m gonna go,” he said.
“No.” Luke said. “You stay.”
“It’s alright Luke.” Noah said, standing up. “I don’t want you to feel like you can’t hang out with your friends. I’ll go.”
Luke got up and went over to him. “They’re your friends too, Noah. Stay. You’re leaving in a few days. Stay. Spend some time with them.”
“You sure?” Noah asked, trying to smile.
Luke nodded. Then he turned to Maddie. "Don’t you go leaving without saying goodbye to me, okay?”
“I wouldn’t dare.” She said, smiling up at him.
He turned back to Noah. “Everything all set? For your move?”
“Yeah.” Noah hesitated. “Mason’s coming with me.”
Luke was surprised. “Coming with you?”
“Yeah…well, not with me, but…”
Luke bit his lip, but stayed silent; it wasn’t his business.
“It’s okay, Luke. He knows I’m not interested. And it’s nice to have someone who knows L.A. a bit.”
“Okay, I know…and it’s none of my business…I just…”
“You care.” Noah stated.
Luke nodded.
“And I’m glad…really, I am.” He looked at Luke. “But really…I trust him.”
Luke didn’t, but he nodded. Again, none of his business. “Okay.”
He turned to leave and then stopped, facing Noah once more.
“Hey,” he exhaled. “Whenever…if ever you’re ready…drop me a line. Just to let me know you’re all right. I hope it all goes well, really well, Noah.”
Noah shared a small smile. “Thanks.”
And Luke pulled him in for a strong hug. “Take care.” He whispered.
And he said good-bye to the group of them and turned around, heading across the green. He looked at Reid, standing on the other side, his hands in his pockets. Reid watched him approach, took one brief look at the group of people Luke had just left, then let his eyes fall again on Luke.
As he came within a few feet, Reid looked down briefly before lifting his gaze to Luke’s.
Luke stepped up close to him. “Hey.” He said.
“Hi,” Reid answered.
“Everything go okay?” Luke asked.
“Mm-hm.”
Luke thread his fingers into Reid’s.
“What about you?” Reid asked.
“Hmmm?”
Reid inclined his head towards where the group of Oakdalians sat. “Noah.”
“Oh…yeah, everything went fine.” He looked at Reid. “He leaves in a few days, so…this was…definitely goodbye.”
Reid looked at him, and after a moment, asked, “You’re okay with that?”
Luke looked at him curiously. “Yeah. I mean I’ll miss him but, yeah I’m okay with that.”
Reid nodded, and they began walking together, their hands clasped.
“You want some ice cream?” Reid asked.
Luke lifted his eyebrows in a flirty way. “Definitely.”
Reid stopped in his tracks and turned towards him. “I love you, Luke Snyder.”
Luke took his face in his hands and kissed him. “And I love you Reid…” He kissed him once more. “Oliver.”
Reid smiled a small sideways grin back at him. “Good.” He said with a nod.
Luke laughed. “Good?”
“Yeah, good.” He squeezed Luke’s hand and started walking again. “I’m glad.”
Luke laughed again, and they made their way towards the ice cream booth.
on to the Epilogue/