Orange Pt 1 - FFF - I wasn't ready, Pt 3 of the Experts-universe
Title: Orange
author: scotianova
warning: sexual content (mild), not revised
here to the beginning: http://scotianova.livejournal.com/61309.html
Three months later, Luke stopped pretending to need his own place and moved in with Reid.
He spent all his spare time at Reid’s anyway and Reid’s apartment had enough rooms to avoid each other - if needed. Actually two rooms were hardly furnished, therefore one of them became Luke’s office.
Having lived alone for many years they both had developed particular routines, such as Reid wasn’t approachable in the morning until he’d imbibed at least three cups of black forbiddingly sweet coffee while Luke started babbling the moment he opened his eyes. Well that had needed getting used to - just as Luke had to learn that Reid didn’t reject him in the morning but only his need to talk - his speechorgans taking on a life of their own at an early hour.
Whatever - so far they’d managed to circuit tense situations or dangerous arguments.
Meeting, getting to know each other, getting closer and closer, wasn’t like grooming a downhill-slope covered with fresh snow, it was more like cross-county skiing trusting tested routes and avoiding failed ones.
So they actually worked astonishingly well. Sometimes Luke couldn’t believe how good it felt for both of them to live together. Well, they had very different professional lives, Reid had a tough schedule, crazy work hours and Luke was a writer and a fundraiser with flexible work hours.
But they spent each and every spare minute together, be it on Reid’s lunch breaks when Luke stopped by and brought him turkey-wraps, or he picked him up when his shift was over.
On Sundays they were not available for anyone, except Reid was on call-duty.
And finally Reid got his walks in the park and dinners for two and Luke was blessed with a lover who surprised him every other day.
Such as on a particular Wednesday in June. Luke was coming home from a meeting to find Reid already at home watching TV. More precisely he sat on the couch and was hypnotizing the screen - looking strained and unapproachable. His head supported by his fists, his elbows resting on his knees, he grumbled:
“I can’t believe it - last time they made the Spanish team look like amateurs and now?” he huffed and Luke noticed his sweetheart was upset. Well, Luke had no clue about Soccer and honestly he didn’t care a fig about it - but Reid did, therefore Luke showed at least mild serenity. Knowing that Reid didn’t take cuddling when he was furious, Luke kept sufficient distance and disappeared in the kitchen to get something to drink. He would sit with Reid - not too close though - and support his lover - silently.
Placing Reid’s favorite beer in front of him he got a husky “thanks” in return and gently tousled the thick disheveled mane - it was then that he looked down and saw them.
“Oh - I see, you’ve gotten new ‘shoes’… they are NICE …!” He actually managed to state without getting the giggles.
Reid ignored his feet which stuck in orange flip-flops just as he ignored Luke’s comment.
It was dangerous territory, Luke knew that Reid had a thing for the Dutch national team, especially for Robin van Persie (“What ca I say? He is hot?”) and Arjen Robben (“He is such a nice guy…”).
“I mean they are special - your brand-new shoes, but it’s okay to show your solidarity with the ‘Oranjes’ …” Luke grinned.
“I’ve told you, that I’m unique!” Reid finally grinned and when Memphis Depay put Reid’s favorite team ahead he reached out and asked Luke silently to come into his arms.
Lazy kisses followed - the kind Luke loved so much, when Reid pouted a little bit first pulled Luke close by his neck, touched his lips with his own - almost impalpably - and covered them with little pecks before he changed his mind and required entrance. Of course he smelled of chocolate and caramel - not a surprise given the pile of empty Mars bar - wraps that decorated the coffee table.
Well that was one thing Luke had to work on, he had to improve Reid’s eating habits. But he would do it cautiously one tiny step by step, because Reid was very easy to irritate when it came to personal matters and the curly took his creature habits very personally.
Reaching down Luke cradled Reid’s light swelling - which Luke called a cute belly and Reid called it ‘tribute to being a neurosurgeon’ - only to travel down and slide his hand gently into Reid’s loose shorts, find his hardness waiting for his caresses he got lost in Reid’s soft noises and appreciative sighs. Learning each other’s preferences was like reading an unknown book using familiar metaphors and topoi. It was all new yet they were experienced men - altogether it created a comfortable naturalness of living together, kiss and caress each other whenever they wanted, have sex whenever they felt like wanting and needing it, treating each other with favor - all this still hit Luke like a miracle and he savored it, every single part of it. He never was insecure approaching Reid intimately; first Reid was always responsive - unless he was deadly tired and then Luke didn’t try anything at all anyway. And they could talk about anything, really anything even if they wouldn’t agree all the time.
Freeing Reid’s feet from his unique orange ‘shoes’ he smiled at his lover’s antiques. Reid rarely followed a dressing code. He wore what he liked, everything had to be comfortable and Luke suspected some shirts being ancient. His man simply didn’t give a damn about fashion. But when he was forced to attend an official event and was supposed to wear a suit, he looked gorgeous and took Luke’s breath away. Right now however Luke was glad that Reid didn’t wear anything while snuggling up to him, kissing his throat and that sensitive spot between his shoulder and collarbone.
here to Pt. 2: http://scotianova.livejournal.com/62018.html