FIC - It's still just love... (10/?)
Title: It's still just love… (10/?)
Author: wheelie47
Rating: NC17 for whole story but not every chapter.
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 3,074
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Warning: Angst!
Summary: Noah Mayer is struggling to make ends meet; trying to keep his garden centre open and desperate to hold onto his research grant from the Institute of Agronomic Research. And he never seems to have time… no time for a life and definitely no time for a boyfriend.
Luciano Grimaldi hates everything about his life and he is so far in the closet where his parents concerned, that he even has a girlfriend, Maddie, to prove it…
AN: This is an AU story based on a French film called “Juste une question d’amour”. ;.
Many thanks to hollyoaks1021 for the wonderful artwork. Thanks Sally <3
Noah couldn't leave the hotel quick enough as he strode through the lobby and out of the door.
Fumbling in his jeans pocket, he pulled out his phone. He needed a drink… desperately needed to get rid of the bitter taste in his mouth. Although Noah didn't mind drinking on his own; he could also use some company… a friendly ear. “Max! Where are you?” He almost had to shout to be heard above the loud background noise when his friend answered his phone.
“Hey, Noah! How you doing, man?” Max’s jovial voice boomed down the phone. “I’m at Yo’s. Why don’t you come over?”
Perfect! Noah thought… Yo’s was the nearest bar and that was just what he needed right now.
“I’ll be right there!”
The brunette, momentarily distracted by shoving his phone back in his pocket and fishing for his keys, didn’t see the two figures approaching as they turned the corner from the parking lot until it was too late.
The force of the collision almost sent Noah sprawling to the ground and he automatically reached out to stop himself.
“Noah?! Are you OK?”
Noah cringed at the sound of a voice he’d hoped he would never have to hear again and he flinched back from the strong arms that surrounded him, keeping him from falling.
“David?!” Noah’s voice was incredulous as he stared into the handsome face and blue-green eyes of his ex-boyfriend, David Martelli. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes to the heavens. Because really... what had he done to deserve this? He’d come straight from seeing Luke play happy families to fall, quite literally, into the arms of the man that had caused him so much pain. Just how much worse could this evening get?
“David… I… what are you doing here?” Noah stuttered as he extricated himself from the other man’s grip.
The man paused before answering, his eyes travelling up Noah’s tall frame to lock eyes with the handsome brunette. “I’m here visiting the family for a few days.”
They continued to stare at each other for long moments before a less than polite cough sounded loud, startling them both.
David turned to face the man next to him. “Oh… sorry, Steve. Noah, you remember Steve?”
Remember Steve?! Was this guy for real? Of course he remembered Steve. How could he forget? And he couldn’t pretend that it didn’t rub salt in the wound to see that, after all this time, David was still with the same man that Noah had caught him cheating with. It made Noah feel worthless… like he was doing something wrong and he didn't deserve to be happy.
Noah nodded abruptly to the man; not feeling in the least bit inclined toward the etiquette of politeness.
“We were just about to head in for a meal,” David began, nodding toward the entrance. “Do you want to join us?”
Noah had to choke down an exasperated grunt. Because really? Did his ex really want them to all sit down for a meal together and pretend like they were some kind of happy threesome?! Maybe they could ask to sit next to Luke’s table so he could face the double agony and humiliation! Not a chance!
“I don’t think so!” Noah spat out his words in derision and he pushed passed the two of them to stalk toward his truck, feeling their eyes on his back as they watched him leave. He definitely needed that drink now…
…
“Finally!” Luke huffed as he gratefully collapsed into the passenger seat of Maddie’s car. “Just drive… let’s get out of here,” he instructed; more than eager to get away from the hotel.
The last few hours had been sheer torture. Not only had he been petrified when Noah turned up at the Lakeview; thinking that the other man meant to out him to his parents right then and there. But then his father had used Luke’s distracted state to try, once again, to convince him to work at Grimaldi Shipping.
Just when the young man thought the evening couldn’t get any worse, Luke had spotted two men entering the restaurant. From the way they looked at each other and all the little intimate touches of their hands while they talked as they sat at the bar waiting for their table, he could tell, without a doubt, they were a couple.
He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from them and he found himself yearning to be able to sit just like they were… so open and proud in the middle of a crowded restaurant.
When the waitress had gone over to the couple to show them to their table, the taller of the two had placed his hand gently on his lover’s back as they walked passed Luke’s table. Not wanting to stare, the blonde had managed to tear his eyes back to concentrate on his own food and the conversation at hand only to find his father had stopped talking and was watching the two men intently.
Once the couple had been seated at the far end of the restaurant, Luke’s father had blown out a disgruntled breath:
“Hmph! They can't reproduce but there seems to be more and more of them everywhere you look. And soon they’ll be allowed to get married in even more states all across the country. Can you imagine that?!”
His father’s vitriolic words burned in his mind as stared blankly out of the car window while Maddie drove. He wished he’d had the guts to speak out against his father’s bigotry but he hadn't had the courage to do it for Marc or himself and he hadn't been able to find the courage to stand up for two complete strangers.
He was a coward, Luke thought miserably to himself. The young man let his head slump against the window.
“Maddie… stop!” he cried out abruptly as they drove past Yo’s and he saw Noah’s unmistakable black truck parked up. Luke felt a surge of guilt rip through him; after Noah had seen him and his family at the Lakeview the man had headed to the nearest bar. The blonde hated the thought that he’d driven Noah to a solitary drinking session.
“What?” Maddie was startled at the urgency in Luke’s voice.
“Noah’s at Yo’s. Turn around; we have to go back!”…
…
As the two of them entered the bar, Luke looked around, searching for the familiar dark hair and striking features. It was surprisingly busy for a weekday night and it took the blonde several minutes to locate Noah in a secluded booth toward the rear of the bar.
With Maddie in tow, Luke started to make his way over to the handsome brunette. His step faltered when he saw a muscularly built fair-haired man, who looked to be about Noah's age, emerge out of the bathroom and slide into the booth next to the other man before resting a hand on Noah's broad shoulder.
Luke felt a flash of anger and… was that… jealousy? Noah hadn't wasted much time, had he?! He'd come to make sure Noah was OK only to find this!
Incensed by what he saw and reminded of the fact that Noah had come to the Lakeview to out Luke to his family, the younger man strode angrily up to the booth.
“Just what do you think you are doing?! Do you think that this is some kind of game, Noah?”
Noah looked startled when the angry blonde strode up to them and started his tirade. He'd just got through detailing the evening’s events to Max and the very last person he expected to see again so soon was Luke.
“Me? I’m not the one playing games here, Luke!” Noah retorted through gritted teeth as he placed his bottle down onto the table with studied deliberation and glared at the younger man; piercing blue meeting narrowed hazel.
Luke? Max thought. So this is the intern with the attitude; the one that had been driving his friend crazy?! “Why don’t you go back to your girlfriend?” he nodded to the petite brunette that had followed the man into the bar. “And leave my friend here alone.”
“Max!” Noah’s deep baritone sounded in warning, not breaking his eye lock with Luke. He was grateful for his best friend looking out for him. But he could fight his own battles and speak for himself.
“What?! Somebody’s got to say something. This kid is walking all over you, Noah. And you’re letting him!” Max tried to keep his voice down, not wanting to attract the attention of the rest of the drinkers. But it incensed the man to see his friend hurt like this… to have his kind nature taken advantage of again.
Maddie couldn’t let that slide. She stepped forward past Luke, surprised he had remained silent during Noah’s friend’s outburst. It vaguely crossed her mind to be impressed with how the man had spoken out for his friend. But Luke was her friend and she felt she needed to step up to the plate for him.
“You have no idea what’s going on here, do you? Luke’s hurting in all this too!” Maddie exclaimed, her slim arms folded across her chest.
“Really?! Well… why don’t you explain it to me?” Max retorted, nostrils flaring and leaning forward in his seat. This should be good!
The two of them glared at each other over the table.
Luke tore his eyes away from Noah’s stare, directing his gaze between the three of them. They were all here in this bar… hurting and arguing because of him.
He couldn’t do this to them anymore. It was enough that his own life was such a mess without him hurting others in the process.
The blonde turned on his heel and fled out of the bar.
Noah watched him go for long moments before something in the handsome brunette finally snapped. “Fuck!” Goddammit! He was not going to let this infuriating man walk away from him again.
“Luke!” In one fluid movement he extricated his long body out from the booth and was following the blonde out of the door.
Maddie and Max found themselves suddenly alone and staring at each other in open-mouthed shock.
Several heads momentarily looked up, taking in the scene, before turning back to their drinks and shrugging; probably just one more alcohol fuelled fight over a girl that this bar had seen countless times before…
…
“Luke! Wait, goddammit!” Noah had to break into a run, his long strides not quick enough to catch the younger man.
When he caught up with Luke at the secluded far end of the parking lot, he grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. “I'm not playing games, Luke. I can't live this double life anymore. I told you I needed honesty and when we're at the nursery it's fine… we're together. But when you're with your folks…”
Luke reached up and pried Noah's grip loose, pushing his hand away. “What does that matter? It's not my parents you're fucking!” he hissed through gritted teeth after shooting a glance around to make sure they weren't being overheard.
“No, you're right. But it's more than just sex… at least it was for me. I wanted something else… something more. I was wrong. I'm an idiot for thinking this…” he gestured angrily between the two of them, “… would work. I don’t want to be with a guy who can’t admit who he is.”
“Leave me alone!” Luke pushed against Noah's chest, making the taller man stumble backward.
He paused, waiting for a couple, who’d momentarily stopped to look their way, to carry on into the bar.
“Do you mind that I’m just trying to be happy?! And trying to keep everyone else happy too?! My cousin died because of this kind of bullshit!” There! It was out. He'd said it in a moment of anger and he couldn't take it back now. Neither could he stop. “His parents threw him out when they found out who he was. They watched Marc drink himself to death over the hurt and rejection, turning their backs on him when he needed them most! And my parents?!” Luke’s voice wavered as he struggled not to breakdown completely.
“My parents stood back and did nothing, like it was completely normal. But what does that matter?! You don’t care.” His breath came in short gasping gulps now.
Noah stood in silence, completely stunned, as his stomach lurched in nausea at what the younger man was telling him. Jesus! That was the kind of family Luke was stuck in the middle of?! No wonder he wanted to keep the two separate halves of his life apart.
Noah wanted nothing more than to pull Luke to his chest and envelop him in a comforting hug. But he didn't want the guy to freak out even more. He settled for resting a palm on Luke's forearm. “I'm so sorry, Luke.” he murmured… knowing his words meant little but he needed to say them all the same.
The blonde nodded almost imperceptibly, struggling to calm his breathing, as a tear dropped down onto his cheek.
“Come on,” Noah whispered as he shifted his grip to Luke's elbow and tugged gently. “I'm taking you home.”
Luke pulled himself free, shaking his head in confusion; thinking Noah meant home to Ashwood. He didn't want to… couldn’t… see his parents right now.
Noah smiled reassuringly when he realized Luke’s fears. “No, Luke. I mean home with me.” He wanted the younger man to tell him everything but not out here and certainly not back in the crowded bar room.
The blonde gave a small smile of thanks as he swallowed hard and blinked back further tears. “But what about Maddie and your friend?” he asked, suddenly remembering the two they had left behind in the bar.
Noah smirked as he recalled the sight of Max and Maddie going toe-to-toe. “I’m pretty sure they can take care of themselves.” He pulled out his phone, firing off a quick text to his friend to explain…
…
Luke could barely remember the taxi ride over to the garden centre and he let himself be led by the hand as Noah guided him through his front door.
The silence that enveloped them when they entered Noah's room felt so welcoming and comforting that Luke let himself succumb to his body’s mental and physical exhaustion, a wave of calmness washing over him.
Seeing the other man's eyelids droop with fatigue, Noah stood in front of him and silently undid the buttons of the shirt he'd lent Luke, slipping it off his shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. His hands hovered over the belt buckle as he locked eyes with Luke, a silent communication passing between them that this was not at all a sexual act but one of comfort and the need to be close.
Kneeling, Noah helped the blonde step out of his shoes and clothing down to his underwear before standing to ease back the bedcovers and helping Luke slip into his bed.
The brunette quickly shed his own clothes, bent to retrieve the clothes off the floor, folding them all efficiently onto a chair at the end of the bed before climbing in next to the younger man.
Noah switched off the light, leaving the room to be cast into shadow; lit only by the moonlight filtering through the high window.
He pulled the covers up over them and reached out to stop Luke turning away from him. “Why didn't you tell me before, Luke? “ he asked, staring into the hazel eyes made several shades darker by the moonlight as he stroked the side of Luke’s face.
The blonde sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “I was ashamed, I guess. They are my family and a part of me still can't believe that they acted like that. What does that say about me, Noah?” Luke's voice was croaky and hoarse.
He didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “And I was terrified too…if they could do that to Marc, why would they be any different with me?”
When he spoke again, it was barely above a whisper and Noah had to lean in closer to hear him. “They’re the only family I have, Noah. I don’t think I could take it if they rejected me for who I am. And what if they stopped me from seeing Isaac? I couldn’t handle that.” He closed his eyes tight as if trying to wish away the very thought.
Luke felt Noah’s lips brush against his in the slightest of kisses and he opened his eyes to see the brunette staring back at him, full of concern and compassion.
He took courage from that look and told the last heartbreaking part of the sorry tale. “I tried to help Marc… tried to make him see that he was strong and that it didn’t matter what they thought. But I guess it wasn’t enough.” He looked down, unable to keep Noah’s gaze as he choked out the last secret. “I found him.”
Noah had to bite down on a gasp; he couldn’t imagine what that must’ve been like. He reached out with trembling fingers to cup Luke’s chin, lifting his head to look at him. “I’m so sorry that your cousin went through that, Luke. He didn’t deserve that… nobody does. And you don’t deserve to feel so much pain and so much fear.” His voice was soft but with an edge of anger that this kind of thing still went on today.
He pulled the blonde toward him, entwining their legs together. “Try and get some sleep,” he commanded gently as he pressed his lips to Luke's forehead.
When Luke closed his eyes, Noah reached between their bodies to rub slow and rhythmic circles on the other man's chest, fingers soothingly combing through the dusting of chest hair as he tried to lull him to sleep.
Noah stayed awake after Luke had drifted off. The brunette tried to process the evening's events as he listened to Luke's deep breaths and felt his heart beating steadily beneath his hand. It wasn't long before his body and mind succumbed to his own tiredness and he followed the younger man into a grateful sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms and legs…
Chapter 11
Back to fic master post
Author: wheelie47
Rating: NC17 for whole story but not every chapter.
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 3,074
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Warning: Angst!
Summary: Noah Mayer is struggling to make ends meet; trying to keep his garden centre open and desperate to hold onto his research grant from the Institute of Agronomic Research. And he never seems to have time… no time for a life and definitely no time for a boyfriend.
Luciano Grimaldi hates everything about his life and he is so far in the closet where his parents concerned, that he even has a girlfriend, Maddie, to prove it…
AN: This is an AU story based on a French film called “Juste une question d’amour”. ;.
Many thanks to hollyoaks1021 for the wonderful artwork. Thanks Sally <3
Noah couldn't leave the hotel quick enough as he strode through the lobby and out of the door.
Fumbling in his jeans pocket, he pulled out his phone. He needed a drink… desperately needed to get rid of the bitter taste in his mouth. Although Noah didn't mind drinking on his own; he could also use some company… a friendly ear. “Max! Where are you?” He almost had to shout to be heard above the loud background noise when his friend answered his phone.
“Hey, Noah! How you doing, man?” Max’s jovial voice boomed down the phone. “I’m at Yo’s. Why don’t you come over?”
Perfect! Noah thought… Yo’s was the nearest bar and that was just what he needed right now.
“I’ll be right there!”
The brunette, momentarily distracted by shoving his phone back in his pocket and fishing for his keys, didn’t see the two figures approaching as they turned the corner from the parking lot until it was too late.
The force of the collision almost sent Noah sprawling to the ground and he automatically reached out to stop himself.
“Noah?! Are you OK?”
Noah cringed at the sound of a voice he’d hoped he would never have to hear again and he flinched back from the strong arms that surrounded him, keeping him from falling.
“David?!” Noah’s voice was incredulous as he stared into the handsome face and blue-green eyes of his ex-boyfriend, David Martelli. He had to stop himself from rolling his eyes to the heavens. Because really... what had he done to deserve this? He’d come straight from seeing Luke play happy families to fall, quite literally, into the arms of the man that had caused him so much pain. Just how much worse could this evening get?
“David… I… what are you doing here?” Noah stuttered as he extricated himself from the other man’s grip.
The man paused before answering, his eyes travelling up Noah’s tall frame to lock eyes with the handsome brunette. “I’m here visiting the family for a few days.”
They continued to stare at each other for long moments before a less than polite cough sounded loud, startling them both.
David turned to face the man next to him. “Oh… sorry, Steve. Noah, you remember Steve?”
Remember Steve?! Was this guy for real? Of course he remembered Steve. How could he forget? And he couldn’t pretend that it didn’t rub salt in the wound to see that, after all this time, David was still with the same man that Noah had caught him cheating with. It made Noah feel worthless… like he was doing something wrong and he didn't deserve to be happy.
Noah nodded abruptly to the man; not feeling in the least bit inclined toward the etiquette of politeness.
“We were just about to head in for a meal,” David began, nodding toward the entrance. “Do you want to join us?”
Noah had to choke down an exasperated grunt. Because really? Did his ex really want them to all sit down for a meal together and pretend like they were some kind of happy threesome?! Maybe they could ask to sit next to Luke’s table so he could face the double agony and humiliation! Not a chance!
“I don’t think so!” Noah spat out his words in derision and he pushed passed the two of them to stalk toward his truck, feeling their eyes on his back as they watched him leave. He definitely needed that drink now…
…
“Finally!” Luke huffed as he gratefully collapsed into the passenger seat of Maddie’s car. “Just drive… let’s get out of here,” he instructed; more than eager to get away from the hotel.
The last few hours had been sheer torture. Not only had he been petrified when Noah turned up at the Lakeview; thinking that the other man meant to out him to his parents right then and there. But then his father had used Luke’s distracted state to try, once again, to convince him to work at Grimaldi Shipping.
Just when the young man thought the evening couldn’t get any worse, Luke had spotted two men entering the restaurant. From the way they looked at each other and all the little intimate touches of their hands while they talked as they sat at the bar waiting for their table, he could tell, without a doubt, they were a couple.
He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from them and he found himself yearning to be able to sit just like they were… so open and proud in the middle of a crowded restaurant.
When the waitress had gone over to the couple to show them to their table, the taller of the two had placed his hand gently on his lover’s back as they walked passed Luke’s table. Not wanting to stare, the blonde had managed to tear his eyes back to concentrate on his own food and the conversation at hand only to find his father had stopped talking and was watching the two men intently.
Once the couple had been seated at the far end of the restaurant, Luke’s father had blown out a disgruntled breath:
“Hmph! They can't reproduce but there seems to be more and more of them everywhere you look. And soon they’ll be allowed to get married in even more states all across the country. Can you imagine that?!”
His father’s vitriolic words burned in his mind as stared blankly out of the car window while Maddie drove. He wished he’d had the guts to speak out against his father’s bigotry but he hadn't had the courage to do it for Marc or himself and he hadn't been able to find the courage to stand up for two complete strangers.
He was a coward, Luke thought miserably to himself. The young man let his head slump against the window.
“Maddie… stop!” he cried out abruptly as they drove past Yo’s and he saw Noah’s unmistakable black truck parked up. Luke felt a surge of guilt rip through him; after Noah had seen him and his family at the Lakeview the man had headed to the nearest bar. The blonde hated the thought that he’d driven Noah to a solitary drinking session.
“What?” Maddie was startled at the urgency in Luke’s voice.
“Noah’s at Yo’s. Turn around; we have to go back!”…
…
As the two of them entered the bar, Luke looked around, searching for the familiar dark hair and striking features. It was surprisingly busy for a weekday night and it took the blonde several minutes to locate Noah in a secluded booth toward the rear of the bar.
With Maddie in tow, Luke started to make his way over to the handsome brunette. His step faltered when he saw a muscularly built fair-haired man, who looked to be about Noah's age, emerge out of the bathroom and slide into the booth next to the other man before resting a hand on Noah's broad shoulder.
Luke felt a flash of anger and… was that… jealousy? Noah hadn't wasted much time, had he?! He'd come to make sure Noah was OK only to find this!
Incensed by what he saw and reminded of the fact that Noah had come to the Lakeview to out Luke to his family, the younger man strode angrily up to the booth.
“Just what do you think you are doing?! Do you think that this is some kind of game, Noah?”
Noah looked startled when the angry blonde strode up to them and started his tirade. He'd just got through detailing the evening’s events to Max and the very last person he expected to see again so soon was Luke.
“Me? I’m not the one playing games here, Luke!” Noah retorted through gritted teeth as he placed his bottle down onto the table with studied deliberation and glared at the younger man; piercing blue meeting narrowed hazel.
Luke? Max thought. So this is the intern with the attitude; the one that had been driving his friend crazy?! “Why don’t you go back to your girlfriend?” he nodded to the petite brunette that had followed the man into the bar. “And leave my friend here alone.”
“Max!” Noah’s deep baritone sounded in warning, not breaking his eye lock with Luke. He was grateful for his best friend looking out for him. But he could fight his own battles and speak for himself.
“What?! Somebody’s got to say something. This kid is walking all over you, Noah. And you’re letting him!” Max tried to keep his voice down, not wanting to attract the attention of the rest of the drinkers. But it incensed the man to see his friend hurt like this… to have his kind nature taken advantage of again.
Maddie couldn’t let that slide. She stepped forward past Luke, surprised he had remained silent during Noah’s friend’s outburst. It vaguely crossed her mind to be impressed with how the man had spoken out for his friend. But Luke was her friend and she felt she needed to step up to the plate for him.
“You have no idea what’s going on here, do you? Luke’s hurting in all this too!” Maddie exclaimed, her slim arms folded across her chest.
“Really?! Well… why don’t you explain it to me?” Max retorted, nostrils flaring and leaning forward in his seat. This should be good!
The two of them glared at each other over the table.
Luke tore his eyes away from Noah’s stare, directing his gaze between the three of them. They were all here in this bar… hurting and arguing because of him.
He couldn’t do this to them anymore. It was enough that his own life was such a mess without him hurting others in the process.
The blonde turned on his heel and fled out of the bar.
Noah watched him go for long moments before something in the handsome brunette finally snapped. “Fuck!” Goddammit! He was not going to let this infuriating man walk away from him again.
“Luke!” In one fluid movement he extricated his long body out from the booth and was following the blonde out of the door.
Maddie and Max found themselves suddenly alone and staring at each other in open-mouthed shock.
Several heads momentarily looked up, taking in the scene, before turning back to their drinks and shrugging; probably just one more alcohol fuelled fight over a girl that this bar had seen countless times before…
…
“Luke! Wait, goddammit!” Noah had to break into a run, his long strides not quick enough to catch the younger man.
When he caught up with Luke at the secluded far end of the parking lot, he grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. “I'm not playing games, Luke. I can't live this double life anymore. I told you I needed honesty and when we're at the nursery it's fine… we're together. But when you're with your folks…”
Luke reached up and pried Noah's grip loose, pushing his hand away. “What does that matter? It's not my parents you're fucking!” he hissed through gritted teeth after shooting a glance around to make sure they weren't being overheard.
“No, you're right. But it's more than just sex… at least it was for me. I wanted something else… something more. I was wrong. I'm an idiot for thinking this…” he gestured angrily between the two of them, “… would work. I don’t want to be with a guy who can’t admit who he is.”
“Leave me alone!” Luke pushed against Noah's chest, making the taller man stumble backward.
He paused, waiting for a couple, who’d momentarily stopped to look their way, to carry on into the bar.
“Do you mind that I’m just trying to be happy?! And trying to keep everyone else happy too?! My cousin died because of this kind of bullshit!” There! It was out. He'd said it in a moment of anger and he couldn't take it back now. Neither could he stop. “His parents threw him out when they found out who he was. They watched Marc drink himself to death over the hurt and rejection, turning their backs on him when he needed them most! And my parents?!” Luke’s voice wavered as he struggled not to breakdown completely.
“My parents stood back and did nothing, like it was completely normal. But what does that matter?! You don’t care.” His breath came in short gasping gulps now.
Noah stood in silence, completely stunned, as his stomach lurched in nausea at what the younger man was telling him. Jesus! That was the kind of family Luke was stuck in the middle of?! No wonder he wanted to keep the two separate halves of his life apart.
Noah wanted nothing more than to pull Luke to his chest and envelop him in a comforting hug. But he didn't want the guy to freak out even more. He settled for resting a palm on Luke's forearm. “I'm so sorry, Luke.” he murmured… knowing his words meant little but he needed to say them all the same.
The blonde nodded almost imperceptibly, struggling to calm his breathing, as a tear dropped down onto his cheek.
“Come on,” Noah whispered as he shifted his grip to Luke's elbow and tugged gently. “I'm taking you home.”
Luke pulled himself free, shaking his head in confusion; thinking Noah meant home to Ashwood. He didn't want to… couldn’t… see his parents right now.
Noah smiled reassuringly when he realized Luke’s fears. “No, Luke. I mean home with me.” He wanted the younger man to tell him everything but not out here and certainly not back in the crowded bar room.
The blonde gave a small smile of thanks as he swallowed hard and blinked back further tears. “But what about Maddie and your friend?” he asked, suddenly remembering the two they had left behind in the bar.
Noah smirked as he recalled the sight of Max and Maddie going toe-to-toe. “I’m pretty sure they can take care of themselves.” He pulled out his phone, firing off a quick text to his friend to explain…
…
Luke could barely remember the taxi ride over to the garden centre and he let himself be led by the hand as Noah guided him through his front door.
The silence that enveloped them when they entered Noah's room felt so welcoming and comforting that Luke let himself succumb to his body’s mental and physical exhaustion, a wave of calmness washing over him.
Seeing the other man's eyelids droop with fatigue, Noah stood in front of him and silently undid the buttons of the shirt he'd lent Luke, slipping it off his shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. His hands hovered over the belt buckle as he locked eyes with Luke, a silent communication passing between them that this was not at all a sexual act but one of comfort and the need to be close.
Kneeling, Noah helped the blonde step out of his shoes and clothing down to his underwear before standing to ease back the bedcovers and helping Luke slip into his bed.
The brunette quickly shed his own clothes, bent to retrieve the clothes off the floor, folding them all efficiently onto a chair at the end of the bed before climbing in next to the younger man.
Noah switched off the light, leaving the room to be cast into shadow; lit only by the moonlight filtering through the high window.
He pulled the covers up over them and reached out to stop Luke turning away from him. “Why didn't you tell me before, Luke? “ he asked, staring into the hazel eyes made several shades darker by the moonlight as he stroked the side of Luke’s face.
The blonde sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “I was ashamed, I guess. They are my family and a part of me still can't believe that they acted like that. What does that say about me, Noah?” Luke's voice was croaky and hoarse.
He didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “And I was terrified too…if they could do that to Marc, why would they be any different with me?”
When he spoke again, it was barely above a whisper and Noah had to lean in closer to hear him. “They’re the only family I have, Noah. I don’t think I could take it if they rejected me for who I am. And what if they stopped me from seeing Isaac? I couldn’t handle that.” He closed his eyes tight as if trying to wish away the very thought.
Luke felt Noah’s lips brush against his in the slightest of kisses and he opened his eyes to see the brunette staring back at him, full of concern and compassion.
He took courage from that look and told the last heartbreaking part of the sorry tale. “I tried to help Marc… tried to make him see that he was strong and that it didn’t matter what they thought. But I guess it wasn’t enough.” He looked down, unable to keep Noah’s gaze as he choked out the last secret. “I found him.”
Noah had to bite down on a gasp; he couldn’t imagine what that must’ve been like. He reached out with trembling fingers to cup Luke’s chin, lifting his head to look at him. “I’m so sorry that your cousin went through that, Luke. He didn’t deserve that… nobody does. And you don’t deserve to feel so much pain and so much fear.” His voice was soft but with an edge of anger that this kind of thing still went on today.
He pulled the blonde toward him, entwining their legs together. “Try and get some sleep,” he commanded gently as he pressed his lips to Luke's forehead.
When Luke closed his eyes, Noah reached between their bodies to rub slow and rhythmic circles on the other man's chest, fingers soothingly combing through the dusting of chest hair as he tried to lull him to sleep.
Noah stayed awake after Luke had drifted off. The brunette tried to process the evening's events as he listened to Luke's deep breaths and felt his heart beating steadily beneath his hand. It wasn't long before his body and mind succumbed to his own tiredness and he followed the younger man into a grateful sleep, wrapped up in each other's arms and legs…
Chapter 11
Back to fic master post