FIC - "I will never regret meeting you."
Title: “I will never regret meeting you.”
Author: wheelie47
Rating: PG
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,699
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Noah meets Luke in four different ways and regrets none of them…
AN: Written in the what_did_you_do community.
Prompt: No matter how many lives that I live, I will never regret…
Prompted by: ritalaura2000
Prompting:jeri_1116
With the Prompt: “You promised it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Are you sure that's the one you want, sweetie?” Lily asked her seven-year old son. “Wouldn't you like to go as a Cowboy, or a Red Indian or maybe even Spiderman?”
“No, Mommy. That's the one I want!” Luke pointed with determination to the child size Navy white dress uniform.
“Okay then. If you're sure,” she sighed, already thinking of the dirt the brilliant white costume would attract. But if her son wanted to go to his friend’s fancy dress party as a Navy officer then so be it. She found it hard to say no to her son even if she did hate the thought of him in any kind of military uniform… even in play.
Luke Snyder was glad he'd stuck to his guns and insisted on the Navy uniform because now he found himself sat on his heels opposite his new best friend, their knees touching in the cramped hiding space they'd found amongst the low-lying thick branches of a tree in the Hughes’ backyard.
He let out a loud giggle before he remembered they were supposed to be hiding from Casey. He clamped his hand over his mouth; his eyes sparkled and grew moist with the effort of trying to keep quiet.
Luke moved his hand and leaned closer. “We only need a pilot to get a full set now,” he managed to whisper as he looked the new boy up-and-down, admiring his army fatigues costume.
Noah Mayer nodded, a small slow smile playing across his lips. He was surprised he’d been invited to the party; being the new boy in school and all. He found it hard to make friends what with moving around so much because of his Dad’s job.
But apparently Casey Hughes knew everybody or rather everybody knew him because it felt like the whole of the school year had been invited.
Noah was even more surprised when this little blonde-haired boy dressed in Navy whites had come rushing up to him as he stood on the outside of the circle where the rest of the kids were deciding who was going to hide where.
He’d said his name was Luke, grabbed him by the hand and told him he knew the perfect place to hide.
But as he followed the other boy’s gaze and looked down at his own costume, a glum expression covered his face. “I wanted to be a Cowboy.” He’d seen the perfect outfit in the costume shop, complete with waistcoat, cowboy hat and toy gun. He would’ve looked just like the Cowboys he'd seen on the screen but his dad had insisted the soldier costume would suit him better… so his son could be just like him.
“Wow! A Cowboy?” Luke exclaimed excitedly. He looked around quickly when he realized how loud he'd been before continuing in hushed tones. “That would’ve been awesome! You could have come back home with me and…and my dad could have taught you how to ride a horse and use a lasso and everything!” He wasn't even sure if his dad could use a lasso. But he'd bet that he could… his dad could do anything!
Luke looked at his new-found friend and added in a rush. “You could still come!”
Noah's blue eyes lit up. “Really? Can I?”
Before the blonde-haired boy could answer, a long arm stretched through the branches and grabbed Noah's shoulder. “Time to go home, Noah.”
The young boy was pulled out through the branches.
Luke followed and squinted up into the face of a stern looking man dressed in a dark suit and tie. “But Noah was going to come and ride Blaze.”
The man looked him up and down. “I don’t think so.”
“But Dad, I want to. Can I, please?” Noah blurted out. He’d learnt from an early age not to answer his father back. But he really wanted to spend more time with his new friend… and get to play cowboy.
Winston Mayer leaned threateningly down to his son and gave him a sharp slap across the back of his legs. “Don’t answer me back, boy!”
Luke was horrified and flinched at the sound. He’d never seen anyone smacked for just asking a question before. It was on the tip of his tongue to stand up for Noah but he looked at the dark-haired boy and saw him shake his head.
As Noah's father pulled him away, Luke watched his little friend biting his lip to hold back the tears. But instead of seeing regret, he saw a determination in those blue eyes that, no matter what, Noah would make it to Luke's home… and ride Blaze someday.
****
Noah Mayer glanced up when he heard the coffee shop door open and the bell chime, ready with his perfunctory employee’s smile to greet another customer.
His expression froze, leaving his mouth gaping open, and he almost dropped the mug he was wiping at the sight that greeted him. One of the most gorgeous guys he had ever seen had just walked in. Longish blonde hair framed perfect skin that was slightly pinched from the cold and hazel eyes sparkled out at him.
“Smooth, Mayer. Real smooth,” he muttered to himself as the blonde guy breezed up to the counter.
Noah managed to pull himself together and remember what he was actually there for. “What can I get you?”
“Something warm and sweet,” the honeyed voice answered with a hint of a chuckle as he unwound his scarf.
“Cold out, huh? Caramel macchiato with extra caramel?” Noah asked, holding up the mug.
“Sounds perfect!” Blonde Guy replied as he dumped the flyers he was carrying on to the countertop to fish out his wallet.
“Take a load off and I'll bring it over,” Noah offered as he handed the guy his change, nodding toward the tables and chairs.
Minutes later, Noah strode over to Blonde Guy’s table and placed the drink in front of him.
He watched as the man wrapped his hands gratefully around the mug. “Thanks.” Blonde Guy smiled up at Noah with a smile that made him want to linger.
“Busy?” he asked as he looked at the pile of flyers on the table, trying to read the typeface upside down.
“Yeah,” the guy replied, following Noah’s gaze. An idea appeared to occur to him and he looked back up. “Hey, do you think I could leave a handful here?”
“Depends,” Noah replied. “What are they?”
“Flyers for a LGBT fundraiser. I’ve posters I need to put up too.” He gestured to the messenger bag by his feet as he smiled up at the other man hopefully.
Certain parts of Noah’s anatomy sat up and took notice. “Well, if it was left to me, I’d say yes. Why don’t you leave some with me and I’ll see if I can work my charm on the powers that be?”
Blonde Guy’s smile widened and his eyes sparkled mischievously. “I better leave you a bag full then!”
Noah’s breath caught and he jumped in with both feet before pausing to think. “Listen, my shift finishes soon. How about I give you a hand?”
“Really? You sure? That’s kinda above and beyond, especially seeing as we’ve only just met.”
Noah shrugged. “I’ve got nothing better to do this afternoon.” He actually had a ridiculous amount of studying to do. But right now, that didn’t seem to matter; all he wanted to do was to spend some more time with this guy.
“Well, if we’re gonna be spending some time together, I’d better introduce myself. Luke,” Blonde guy said as he extended his hand.
“Noah,” he reached out and grasped Luke’s hand, feeling the warmth radiating over his palm and up his arm…
…
After nearly two hours of handing out flyers and sticking up posters on the Chicago streets, Luke turned to Noah. “So are you regretting yet that out of all the coffee shops in all the towns in all the world, I walk into yours?”
“Casablanca? Really? I didn’t have you down as a classic film buff.”
Luke shrugged. “I have my Grandma Emma to thank for that. She just loves Humphrey Bogart.”
“She sounds like my kinda woman. Not that I’m hitting on her,” Noah added hastily, palms held straight out.
“Because that would be all kinds of wrong. And because…you know…” he pointed to his own chest. “…totally gay!”
“I figured,” Luke smiled knowingly, before lifting up his handful of flyers. “Same here… just so you know.”
Noah nodded, relieved that his intuition had been right. He’d began to wonder after a series of disastrous and embarrassing encounters if his gaydar was broken.
He gestured toward a nearby Italian restaurant. “Buy a hungry guy some dinner and we’ll call it quits… no regrets.”
“Deal,” Luke chuckled as he grasped the other man’s hand and led him toward the restaurant.
Before they entered, Luke turned to Noah and added hopefully, “I have more to hand out tomorrow.”
And, just like that, Noah found himself agreeing to help Luke tomorrow on condition that he would buy dinner next time.
****
“Penny for them?” The voice startled Noah Mayer as he sat, lost in his bleak thoughts, waiting in LAX for his flight to be called.
“Huh?” he asked as he glanced up to meet hazel eyes gazing back at him, belonging to a blonde-haired guy that he took to be around the same age as him: mid-thirties.
“Penny for them,” the guy repeated as he flopped down into the seat next to him. He tugged at his tie as if the thing irritated him.
“I'm sorry. Do I know you?” Noah couldn't keep the edge of annoyance out of his voice. He wasn't in the mood to speak to random strangers while he was waiting for his flight… even if the guy was kinda hot. He'd got too much on his mind to think about that.
“I don't think so. I would've remembered meeting you before.” The blonde held out his hand. “Luke Snyder.”
Really? Was this guy flirting with him… at a time like this?
All the same Noah found himself shaking the man's hand. “Noah Mayer.”
“I hate flying; it’s so boring,” Luke sighed dramatically as he released Noah’s hand. “I fly in and out of airports like this all the time. Find it eases the boredom to talk to my fellow travelers.” He added with a smile by way of an explanation for disturbing Noah.
That irked Noah even more. This guy wanted him to alleviate his boredom… to entertain him! “I don’t think I’d be very good company right now. I’m heading back East to arrange my father’s funeral.”
Luke sat upright, his hands on the seat, about to lever himself up. “Shit, I’m sorry. Um… I mean, I’m sorry for your loss.” He smiled apologetically.
Noah couldn’t help himself… couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out. “Don’t be. The guy didn’t deserve to die peacefully in his sleep… not after what he did to so many people.” To his mother, to his first boyfriend; Gabe, not to mention how Winston Mayer had treated him whilst growing up and all through his adulthood.
He knew he should mourn his father's passing but he couldn't find it in him to. And a part of Noah hated himself for thinking like that. “Shocker, huh?”
Luke let himself ease back into the seat and thought for a moment. He couldn't imagine ever feeling that way about the man he called Dad. But Damian Grimaldi? Well now that guy was a different matter. He really didn't know how he'd feel if Damian died… not after all the shit the man had put him through over the years. And that bothered Luke. “No,” he shook his head. “I can kinda relate.”
Noah’s head turned to face the man, looking at him appraisingly. Perhaps there was more to this guy than just a bored business man. “Really?” The surprise sounded clear in his voice, he didn’t think anybody else would understand what he was feeling.
“Yep.” Luke stood and offered out his hand to the other man. “So, Noah Mayer, can I buy you a drink? You look like you could use one.”
Noah hesitated, looking at the extended hand and then up at the information board.
“Come on. Trust me. We've got plenty of time,” Luke encouraged, still holding his hand out stretched.
Much to his own surprise, Noah reached out and grasped the man's hand, pulling himself to his feet and hoping that this Luke Snyder wasn't some nut job who stalked random guys in airport departure lounges.
But somehow he didn't think he'd regret his decision.
*****
“You okay in there, Bubby,” Luke asked as he reached up and gently rapped his knuckles against his husband’s graying temple. He knew his husband inside out and he could tell from Noah's expression that he was deep in thought… mulling over the day's events.
Noah smiled at Luke. “I know this is supposed to be a happy day. And I am… I really am. Our little girl is all grown up and starting out in a new life with her husband.” He nodded toward the dance floor where Alena was being twirled around by Darren, their new son-in-law. He thought she looked radiant and the both of them looked so happy… just like him and Luke on their wedding day.
He turned back to Luke again, a sad expression on his face. “It's just… I don't know, Baby. Where did all the time go? I remember when we were changing her diapers like it was only yesterday.”
Luke chuckled lightly, trying to lighten his husband's mood. “Well, if that's what you're worried about, I'm sure that when they have a kid of their own they'll let you change the baby’s diapers too. In fact, I'll ask them especially for you.”
Noah punched the other man lightly on the arm. “Don't even joke. Sometimes I still don't feel responsible enough to be a parent let alone a grandparent!”
Luke cupped the taller man’s cheek. “You’re not regretting that you didn’t turn and run for the hills that first day I met you at W.O.A.K, are you?” he teased lightly. But he knew how his husband was feeling because he was feeling exactly the same. They couldn’t have been happier for their daughter but all the same it felt like they too were turning a new page in their life together… and they couldn’t get those days back. Time was moving on regardless.
Noah looked at Luke quizzically. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d do it all again.” He cocked his head, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. “Well, maybe not everything but you get what I mean.”
He slid his hands beneath the jacket of Luke’s dress suit and rested them on the man’s hips, pulling him closer. “No matter how many lives that I live or how many different ways we could’ve met… I. Will. Never. Regret. Meeting. You.” He punctuated each of the last words with a kiss to his husband’s lips, reveling in the fact that after all these years he still got to kiss this wonderful man… and it still sent a thrill through him.
“You big sap!” Luke exclaimed as he reached up and linked his hands behind his husband’s neck but Noah could see from the wetness in the other man’s eyes how much his words had affected him.
Luke stepped closer into Noah’s space, pulling their hips together and resting his head on his husband’s shoulder; a perfect fit.
After standing there for several minutes, just swaying to the beat and drinking in the feel of being in Noah’s arms, Luke dropped his hands to the man’s waist and whispered in his ear. “What do you say? Can we manage a trip around the dance floor without causing grievous bodily harm to ourselves or others?”
“I think I can handle that, Baby,” Noah agreed and he took his husband’s hand, leading him to the dance floor to join Alena and Darren and the rest of the revelers.
The End
Back to fic master post
Author: wheelie47
Rating: PG
Pairing: Luke and Noah.
Word count: 2,699
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: Noah meets Luke in four different ways and regrets none of them…
AN: Written in the what_did_you_do community.
Prompt: No matter how many lives that I live, I will never regret…
Prompted by: ritalaura2000
Prompting:jeri_1116
With the Prompt: “You promised it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Are you sure that's the one you want, sweetie?” Lily asked her seven-year old son. “Wouldn't you like to go as a Cowboy, or a Red Indian or maybe even Spiderman?”
“No, Mommy. That's the one I want!” Luke pointed with determination to the child size Navy white dress uniform.
“Okay then. If you're sure,” she sighed, already thinking of the dirt the brilliant white costume would attract. But if her son wanted to go to his friend’s fancy dress party as a Navy officer then so be it. She found it hard to say no to her son even if she did hate the thought of him in any kind of military uniform… even in play.
Luke Snyder was glad he'd stuck to his guns and insisted on the Navy uniform because now he found himself sat on his heels opposite his new best friend, their knees touching in the cramped hiding space they'd found amongst the low-lying thick branches of a tree in the Hughes’ backyard.
He let out a loud giggle before he remembered they were supposed to be hiding from Casey. He clamped his hand over his mouth; his eyes sparkled and grew moist with the effort of trying to keep quiet.
Luke moved his hand and leaned closer. “We only need a pilot to get a full set now,” he managed to whisper as he looked the new boy up-and-down, admiring his army fatigues costume.
Noah Mayer nodded, a small slow smile playing across his lips. He was surprised he’d been invited to the party; being the new boy in school and all. He found it hard to make friends what with moving around so much because of his Dad’s job.
But apparently Casey Hughes knew everybody or rather everybody knew him because it felt like the whole of the school year had been invited.
Noah was even more surprised when this little blonde-haired boy dressed in Navy whites had come rushing up to him as he stood on the outside of the circle where the rest of the kids were deciding who was going to hide where.
He’d said his name was Luke, grabbed him by the hand and told him he knew the perfect place to hide.
But as he followed the other boy’s gaze and looked down at his own costume, a glum expression covered his face. “I wanted to be a Cowboy.” He’d seen the perfect outfit in the costume shop, complete with waistcoat, cowboy hat and toy gun. He would’ve looked just like the Cowboys he'd seen on the screen but his dad had insisted the soldier costume would suit him better… so his son could be just like him.
“Wow! A Cowboy?” Luke exclaimed excitedly. He looked around quickly when he realized how loud he'd been before continuing in hushed tones. “That would’ve been awesome! You could have come back home with me and…and my dad could have taught you how to ride a horse and use a lasso and everything!” He wasn't even sure if his dad could use a lasso. But he'd bet that he could… his dad could do anything!
Luke looked at his new-found friend and added in a rush. “You could still come!”
Noah's blue eyes lit up. “Really? Can I?”
Before the blonde-haired boy could answer, a long arm stretched through the branches and grabbed Noah's shoulder. “Time to go home, Noah.”
The young boy was pulled out through the branches.
Luke followed and squinted up into the face of a stern looking man dressed in a dark suit and tie. “But Noah was going to come and ride Blaze.”
The man looked him up and down. “I don’t think so.”
“But Dad, I want to. Can I, please?” Noah blurted out. He’d learnt from an early age not to answer his father back. But he really wanted to spend more time with his new friend… and get to play cowboy.
Winston Mayer leaned threateningly down to his son and gave him a sharp slap across the back of his legs. “Don’t answer me back, boy!”
Luke was horrified and flinched at the sound. He’d never seen anyone smacked for just asking a question before. It was on the tip of his tongue to stand up for Noah but he looked at the dark-haired boy and saw him shake his head.
As Noah's father pulled him away, Luke watched his little friend biting his lip to hold back the tears. But instead of seeing regret, he saw a determination in those blue eyes that, no matter what, Noah would make it to Luke's home… and ride Blaze someday.
****
Noah Mayer glanced up when he heard the coffee shop door open and the bell chime, ready with his perfunctory employee’s smile to greet another customer.
His expression froze, leaving his mouth gaping open, and he almost dropped the mug he was wiping at the sight that greeted him. One of the most gorgeous guys he had ever seen had just walked in. Longish blonde hair framed perfect skin that was slightly pinched from the cold and hazel eyes sparkled out at him.
“Smooth, Mayer. Real smooth,” he muttered to himself as the blonde guy breezed up to the counter.
Noah managed to pull himself together and remember what he was actually there for. “What can I get you?”
“Something warm and sweet,” the honeyed voice answered with a hint of a chuckle as he unwound his scarf.
“Cold out, huh? Caramel macchiato with extra caramel?” Noah asked, holding up the mug.
“Sounds perfect!” Blonde Guy replied as he dumped the flyers he was carrying on to the countertop to fish out his wallet.
“Take a load off and I'll bring it over,” Noah offered as he handed the guy his change, nodding toward the tables and chairs.
Minutes later, Noah strode over to Blonde Guy’s table and placed the drink in front of him.
He watched as the man wrapped his hands gratefully around the mug. “Thanks.” Blonde Guy smiled up at Noah with a smile that made him want to linger.
“Busy?” he asked as he looked at the pile of flyers on the table, trying to read the typeface upside down.
“Yeah,” the guy replied, following Noah’s gaze. An idea appeared to occur to him and he looked back up. “Hey, do you think I could leave a handful here?”
“Depends,” Noah replied. “What are they?”
“Flyers for a LGBT fundraiser. I’ve posters I need to put up too.” He gestured to the messenger bag by his feet as he smiled up at the other man hopefully.
Certain parts of Noah’s anatomy sat up and took notice. “Well, if it was left to me, I’d say yes. Why don’t you leave some with me and I’ll see if I can work my charm on the powers that be?”
Blonde Guy’s smile widened and his eyes sparkled mischievously. “I better leave you a bag full then!”
Noah’s breath caught and he jumped in with both feet before pausing to think. “Listen, my shift finishes soon. How about I give you a hand?”
“Really? You sure? That’s kinda above and beyond, especially seeing as we’ve only just met.”
Noah shrugged. “I’ve got nothing better to do this afternoon.” He actually had a ridiculous amount of studying to do. But right now, that didn’t seem to matter; all he wanted to do was to spend some more time with this guy.
“Well, if we’re gonna be spending some time together, I’d better introduce myself. Luke,” Blonde guy said as he extended his hand.
“Noah,” he reached out and grasped Luke’s hand, feeling the warmth radiating over his palm and up his arm…
…
After nearly two hours of handing out flyers and sticking up posters on the Chicago streets, Luke turned to Noah. “So are you regretting yet that out of all the coffee shops in all the towns in all the world, I walk into yours?”
“Casablanca? Really? I didn’t have you down as a classic film buff.”
Luke shrugged. “I have my Grandma Emma to thank for that. She just loves Humphrey Bogart.”
“She sounds like my kinda woman. Not that I’m hitting on her,” Noah added hastily, palms held straight out.
“Because that would be all kinds of wrong. And because…you know…” he pointed to his own chest. “…totally gay!”
“I figured,” Luke smiled knowingly, before lifting up his handful of flyers. “Same here… just so you know.”
Noah nodded, relieved that his intuition had been right. He’d began to wonder after a series of disastrous and embarrassing encounters if his gaydar was broken.
He gestured toward a nearby Italian restaurant. “Buy a hungry guy some dinner and we’ll call it quits… no regrets.”
“Deal,” Luke chuckled as he grasped the other man’s hand and led him toward the restaurant.
Before they entered, Luke turned to Noah and added hopefully, “I have more to hand out tomorrow.”
And, just like that, Noah found himself agreeing to help Luke tomorrow on condition that he would buy dinner next time.
****
“Penny for them?” The voice startled Noah Mayer as he sat, lost in his bleak thoughts, waiting in LAX for his flight to be called.
“Huh?” he asked as he glanced up to meet hazel eyes gazing back at him, belonging to a blonde-haired guy that he took to be around the same age as him: mid-thirties.
“Penny for them,” the guy repeated as he flopped down into the seat next to him. He tugged at his tie as if the thing irritated him.
“I'm sorry. Do I know you?” Noah couldn't keep the edge of annoyance out of his voice. He wasn't in the mood to speak to random strangers while he was waiting for his flight… even if the guy was kinda hot. He'd got too much on his mind to think about that.
“I don't think so. I would've remembered meeting you before.” The blonde held out his hand. “Luke Snyder.”
Really? Was this guy flirting with him… at a time like this?
All the same Noah found himself shaking the man's hand. “Noah Mayer.”
“I hate flying; it’s so boring,” Luke sighed dramatically as he released Noah’s hand. “I fly in and out of airports like this all the time. Find it eases the boredom to talk to my fellow travelers.” He added with a smile by way of an explanation for disturbing Noah.
That irked Noah even more. This guy wanted him to alleviate his boredom… to entertain him! “I don’t think I’d be very good company right now. I’m heading back East to arrange my father’s funeral.”
Luke sat upright, his hands on the seat, about to lever himself up. “Shit, I’m sorry. Um… I mean, I’m sorry for your loss.” He smiled apologetically.
Noah couldn’t help himself… couldn’t stop the words from tumbling out. “Don’t be. The guy didn’t deserve to die peacefully in his sleep… not after what he did to so many people.” To his mother, to his first boyfriend; Gabe, not to mention how Winston Mayer had treated him whilst growing up and all through his adulthood.
He knew he should mourn his father's passing but he couldn't find it in him to. And a part of Noah hated himself for thinking like that. “Shocker, huh?”
Luke let himself ease back into the seat and thought for a moment. He couldn't imagine ever feeling that way about the man he called Dad. But Damian Grimaldi? Well now that guy was a different matter. He really didn't know how he'd feel if Damian died… not after all the shit the man had put him through over the years. And that bothered Luke. “No,” he shook his head. “I can kinda relate.”
Noah’s head turned to face the man, looking at him appraisingly. Perhaps there was more to this guy than just a bored business man. “Really?” The surprise sounded clear in his voice, he didn’t think anybody else would understand what he was feeling.
“Yep.” Luke stood and offered out his hand to the other man. “So, Noah Mayer, can I buy you a drink? You look like you could use one.”
Noah hesitated, looking at the extended hand and then up at the information board.
“Come on. Trust me. We've got plenty of time,” Luke encouraged, still holding his hand out stretched.
Much to his own surprise, Noah reached out and grasped the man's hand, pulling himself to his feet and hoping that this Luke Snyder wasn't some nut job who stalked random guys in airport departure lounges.
But somehow he didn't think he'd regret his decision.
*****
“You okay in there, Bubby,” Luke asked as he reached up and gently rapped his knuckles against his husband’s graying temple. He knew his husband inside out and he could tell from Noah's expression that he was deep in thought… mulling over the day's events.
Noah smiled at Luke. “I know this is supposed to be a happy day. And I am… I really am. Our little girl is all grown up and starting out in a new life with her husband.” He nodded toward the dance floor where Alena was being twirled around by Darren, their new son-in-law. He thought she looked radiant and the both of them looked so happy… just like him and Luke on their wedding day.
He turned back to Luke again, a sad expression on his face. “It's just… I don't know, Baby. Where did all the time go? I remember when we were changing her diapers like it was only yesterday.”
Luke chuckled lightly, trying to lighten his husband's mood. “Well, if that's what you're worried about, I'm sure that when they have a kid of their own they'll let you change the baby’s diapers too. In fact, I'll ask them especially for you.”
Noah punched the other man lightly on the arm. “Don't even joke. Sometimes I still don't feel responsible enough to be a parent let alone a grandparent!”
Luke cupped the taller man’s cheek. “You’re not regretting that you didn’t turn and run for the hills that first day I met you at W.O.A.K, are you?” he teased lightly. But he knew how his husband was feeling because he was feeling exactly the same. They couldn’t have been happier for their daughter but all the same it felt like they too were turning a new page in their life together… and they couldn’t get those days back. Time was moving on regardless.
Noah looked at Luke quizzically. “Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’d do it all again.” He cocked his head, a slow smirk spreading across his lips. “Well, maybe not everything but you get what I mean.”
He slid his hands beneath the jacket of Luke’s dress suit and rested them on the man’s hips, pulling him closer. “No matter how many lives that I live or how many different ways we could’ve met… I. Will. Never. Regret. Meeting. You.” He punctuated each of the last words with a kiss to his husband’s lips, reveling in the fact that after all these years he still got to kiss this wonderful man… and it still sent a thrill through him.
“You big sap!” Luke exclaimed as he reached up and linked his hands behind his husband’s neck but Noah could see from the wetness in the other man’s eyes how much his words had affected him.
Luke stepped closer into Noah’s space, pulling their hips together and resting his head on his husband’s shoulder; a perfect fit.
After standing there for several minutes, just swaying to the beat and drinking in the feel of being in Noah’s arms, Luke dropped his hands to the man’s waist and whispered in his ear. “What do you say? Can we manage a trip around the dance floor without causing grievous bodily harm to ourselves or others?”
“I think I can handle that, Baby,” Noah agreed and he took his husband’s hand, leading him to the dance floor to join Alena and Darren and the rest of the revelers.
The End
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