FIC: RUNNING THE BREAK (5/10)
Title: Running the Break (5/10)
Authors: Surfer Hips Productions (aka dazzling_icer, carolinablu85, and noelleleithe)
Artists: la_fours and noelleleithe
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Other Notes and Art Links: In Master Post
PART 5
Noah ran.
It had gotten to be a morning habit for him, waking up just before dawn and creeping out of the apartment without waking Aaron. He wouldn't even put shoes on. Just shove his keys into the pocket of his shorts and take off for the beach.
Running on sand was a better workout than pavement anyway, he'd always heard. And running on the beach, with the waves on one side of him and the sun just rising on the other? There was no better sight, so different from what running in Oakdale had been. He told himself that this was why he woke up so early. It wasn't because sleeping more than five or six hours was kind of a chore sometimes. It wasn't because this was the quietest, most solitary part of his day.
No. It was so Noah could spend even more time by the ocean. In the months since he and Aaron had moved here, Noah had become hopelessly addicted. It was amazing. And it wasn't like he'd never spent time near the water before, but that had been while growing up on a base, where he was constantly walled in by curfews and rules and… everything.
Now, the ocean was like freedom. It was endless. Noah could look at it and look at it, and never see the end. Like as long as he was by the ocean, there was no way anyone or anything could box him in. He was never trapped, because the water provided an escape. It was comforting sometimes. And every morning he could get out, before the shops opened and before the beachgoers claimed their spots, and he could run alongside it like he was the only person in the world. Sometimes that was comforting too.
The sun was still peeking up halfway from the horizon when Noah made the last turn towards his and Aaron's apartment. He had to cut the run a little short today- only three miles- so he could get to the opening shift at the shop.
He slowed to a jog, waving and nodding to a couple familiar faces as they made their way to the beach, smiling at the people who called out greetings to him. Living in Oakdale may have taught him the meaning of 'family,' but living at Torrance Beach had taught him the meaning of 'community.' He liked it.
Turning into the tiny front yard of their apartment, he stopped to say hi to Don and Kathy, the elderly couple next door, and then grabbed the paper on his way in. He went through the rest of his morning routine- made a pot of coffee, left the paper on the table for Aaron (sports page on top), then took a quick shower and changed for work. One of the best things about the shop was the lack of dark green t-shirts required to work there. Noah could just throw on some board shorts and any old t-shirt and be ready to go. Sometimes he didn't even need the shirt.
It was close to eight in the morning by the time he left the apartment (banging three times on Aaron's door to make sure he woke up in time for his own job), and he made it to the shop fifteen minutes later. "Morning," he called out as he slipped in through the side door.
As always, the first one to greet him was Kona, springing up from her little doggy bed to sniff at his hands and beg for a treat. He tossed her a biscuit from the nearby jar and then stood, brushing slobber and crumbs off his fingers as he did.
"I gotta tell you, Omilu, I'm concerned," a voice commented from his left.
"About what?" Noah didn't bother turning to look at his friend, instead grabbing an apron and heading into the coffee bar.
It didn't matter, because Rob followed him in. "This is like Day 253 that you've been working here. And you have yet to come in late. You know, they have a word for people like that."
"Punctual?" Noah supplied absentmindedly, washing his hands quickly before turning on the heaters for the coffee pots and counting in the register.
"Nah, man. Weird. You live your life by the clock too damn much. It's fucking weird." He shook his head sadly at Noah.
Noah snorted. "You're just jealous that you never learned how to tell time. It's okay, Rob. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Rob punched him affectionately on the shoulder. "Asshole." Then he turned his nose up airily. "I don't need a clock. I only know two times- low tide and high tide. That's all I need- hey!"
He jumped when someone smacked him on the back of the head. "How about opening and closing time, huh?" Malia shoved him back towards the shop. "You have fifteen minutes to have that register upfront counted, kolohe. Get to it." Malia referred to everyone as 'rascal' at some point, but Rob seemed to get it the most.
Rob saluted lazily. "Yes ma'am, boss lady." He ducked just in time to avoid another smack from her, and headed over to the merchandise counter with a wave to Noah.
Malia rolled her eyes. "The only reason he's on time is because Pop let him sleep here last night."
Noah shrugged with a smile. "Better here than that park bench like last time."
"True," she sighed. Then she smiled, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "How's my favorite employee this morning?"
He smiled. "How's my favorite boss?"
Malia pinched his arm. "Nice deflection of an answer there." She put on her own apron and started heating up the ovens for the pastries- her specialty. "Speaking of Pop, have you seen him yet this morning?"
"No, why?" He went to the door, flipped around the 'Closed' sign to 'Open,' and turned on the radio on his way back to the counter.
She ducked her head out of the kitchen. "He made a new board last night. Wants you to try it sometime today," she winked at him, echoing the giddy grin he couldn't hide.
"Really?" It was Noah's favorite perk of working here. Instead of Java with its state-law-required fifteen minute break, just enough time to grab his own coffee and sit at a corner table, at SoK he had an hour to grab his board and hit the waves.
"I think he made it especially for you, hon. And those freakishly long legs of yours," Malia teased.
He blushed a little, rolling his eyes. "You're just jealous," he mumbled, an attempt at a comeback. He blushed even more when she laughed at him and went back to her baking. The first group of regulars started coming in then, so he was spared more teasing.
This was his other favorite perk- Malia, Kan, and the rest of the crazy people he called friends- Rob, Taj, Shane and his sister Sadie, Julian. He and Aaron had been welcomed into the group almost from Day 1, and Noah didn't know how he would have survived without them. They were there for everything and anything he and Aaron needed.
Hell, he had even spent the holidays with them. Aaron had gone to Seattle to visit his mom for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and somehow Noah had ended up sleeping on the couch in Taj's apartment, having holiday feasts with the gang, learning how to make pineapple cakes and banana-leaf roasts from Malia, learning (after a lot of hesitancy, a lot of teasing, and a lot of convincing) how to roll a perfect joint from Kan.
Kan was like the Godfather, Tommy Chong, and Andy Griffith wrapped up in one old Hawaiian man. He looked after their little group, somehow keeping them all in line. And Malia may be his daughter, but she was a caretaker too. And she relished the role. She loved telling them all what to do.
"Hey, nohea! Wake up, Noah, we got customers," Malia snapped a finger in his face, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry," he smiled, went back to the coffee pots and started pouring. "And quit calling me that. Your boyfriend will get jealous."
"Why? You are handsome. Even Aaron can admit that." She shook her head. "I swear, you need to get more sleep. You wouldn't be all daydreamy if you were getting proper rest. If that roommate of yours is keeping you up late-"
Case in point, Noah thought to himself, fighting back a wider grin. "No, Malia. Aaron's a great roommate. And you would know this if you would just move in with him like the both of you want."
"Hey," she somehow managed to give him a stern look even as she focused on setting her pastries out for sale. "That's not what we both want. And where would that leave you if Aaron and I moved in together?"
He shrugged. "I'll manage. I can move in with Jules, or," and here he smiled. "Or with your dad."
Malia laughed loudly, attracting the attention of a couple customers. She waved them away, then pinched Noah on the arm again. "Sad thing is, he'd probably love that. Now get back to work."
"Yes ma'am, boss lady," he echoed Rob's words from earlier.
A few hours later, and Noah could hardly wait for his break. At 12:30 on the dot, he pulled his apron off, said a quick hi to the girl starting the mid shift, and headed into the back of the building where Kan's workshop was.
The sound of a sandbelter greeted him when he stepped in, along with the smells of sandalwood, sawdust, and surfwax. A one-of-a-kind bouquet. Kan was busy sanding a board and didn't notice him at first, until he waved away a cloud of dust and got Kan's attention.
"Omilu, there you are!" Kan turned off the tool and pulled the safety goggles away from his face, beckoning Noah closer. "I got something for you to try out."
"Yeah?" he couldn't stop his voice from turning eager, that Christmas morning Can-I-open-my-presents-now?-tone creeping in.
Kan just smiled, proud and victorious. "I finished it last night, an eight and a half footer." He pulled a fresh old-school wooden board from the rack on the wall. "It's a little short for a long board, so it has more flexibility in the water, but still stable and easygoing. I think it might be a match for you."
"Awesome," Noah took the board from him gently, examining it, running a finger along the tribal logo that represented Surf of Kan. Kan had a tendency to treat his handmade boards like they were spirit animals or something, wanting them to match the soul of the rider. Noah didn't really get any of it, but he loved testing them out whenever he got a chance. "Thanks, Kan."
Kan exhaled loudly, something he did whenever anyone thanked him. "Don't thank me yet, let's see it in the water first!" He shooed Noah out of the workshop.
Noah took a minute to change into a spring suit (the water was supposed to be warmer today, no need for a full long wetsuit), and then charged out of the shop, heading right for the shoreline. Rob was already out there, enjoying his own break, and he gestured for Noah to join him.
They stayed out on the water, catching a few waves until Rob had to be back on shift, and then they paddled in. Once he reached the shore, Noah unzipped and pulled down the top half of his spring suit, already feeling the sun's rays hitting him hard. Another nice perk of living here- he no longer held the title of Palest Person on the Planet.
He hefted the board under his arm, a little excited. This was one of Kan's best boards yet, and he couldn't wait to tell him the good news. He looked around, shaking the water out of his hair and eyes, expecting to see Kan standing out by the shop waiting for him. But there was no one, just some guy crouched down petting Kona.
He smiled when Kona came running up to him a few seconds later, sniffing and wiggling excitedly. "Hey darlin'," he said softly, trying to pat her with his free hand. She latched onto the part of his wetsuit that was hanging down, chewing and pulling on it, until he laughed and freed himself from her teeth.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the guy who had been petting Kona stand up, so he turned towards him, smile still in place. "Kona, who's your fr--?" And then he stopped. Because it wasn't just 'some guy' standing here. In front of his shop. At his beach. In California.
It was Luke.
************
He swallowed hard, willing himself not to throw up. Oh God. Luke was here. Standing right in front of him. Looking way more beautiful than he had any right to be. Sure, when Noah thought about him, he always looked this amazing. But that was in Noah's thoughts, where Luke was supposed to stay.
He wasn't supposed to be in California. He wasn't supposed to look so happy, so confident, so Luke. It was like being struck by lightning and doused with cold water at the same time. It was like that rush of terror the first time he tried to catch a wave, when you're supposed to be in control but you know you're a centimeter away from complete chaos.
He just stared, unable to speak, unable to move closer or farther away. He took in Luke's clothes, the khaki shorts, the polo shirt. They were new clothes, ones Noah had never seen before, and for some reason that bothered him. Maybe he thought Luke's life would be frozen in time if he wasn't around.
But that obviously wasn't the case. Luke looked… incredible. Older. He looked professional, and he damn sure didn't look like he might still be thinking about an ex-boyfriend. He seemed like he was doing just fine with the one he had now. Hell, he looked like a hot successful doctor's hot successful boyfriend. While Noah probably looked like a bum who couldn't even…
Interrupting his own train of thought, Noah had to look away. Anywhere. Luckily Kona was still there begging for attention, now trying to chew on his ankle leash. He tugged it free of her grip, and yet when he looked back up at Luke, Luke was still staring at him and looking just as shocked as he felt.
Time stretched endlessly between them, but Noah couldn't get himself to speak. Luckily, of course, Luke could. "Hello Noah."
And it made him want to fall to his knees under the weight of that, under the weight of hearing that voice again and hearing his name spoken from those lips again. But he locked his knees, stood a little straighter, and tried to smile. "Hello Luke."
************
It was the half-smile that nearly ripped Luke to pieces. Suddenly this rock-hard, surfer-god, holy-hell hot guy was Noah again. A part of Luke thought it would be easier if he'd stayed a stranger, because seeing that same tiny smile on the mouth he used to kiss took Luke back through a clip reel of memories, a montage of him and Noah.
He needed a distraction, quick. Nodding to the mutt still clamoring for Noah's attention, he unknowingly echoed Noah's earlier words. "Who's your friend?"
Noah's face softened briefly as he looked down at the dog, petting her again. Luke couldn't help but smile when she nuzzled into his hand. (He knew the feeling.) "Oh, Kona's kind of the shop mascot, I guess."
"Kona?" he asked, wrinkling his nose in confusion.
"It means 'lady' in Hawaiian. Kan, the guy who owns the shop? He's Hawaiian," Noah was stumbling on his words a little. Hesitant and almost awkward. Seeing these 18-year-old-Noah mannerisms in this 23-year-old-Noah body was almost painful. He couldn't ignore it--Noah had grown up. Noah was still in part the same guy he had always loved, but not completely. And that was almost terrifying. What if he...?
"What are you doing here?" were the next words that stupidly burst out of him. He mentally rolled his eyes at himself. As though Noah was the one who didn't belong here, instead of J. Crew Luke.
Noah looked momentarily thrown by the question too, but he answered straightforwardly. "I'm on break," he gestured awkwardly to the coffee bar attached to the surf shop.
Luke's eyes widened. "You work here?"
"Um, yeah?" somehow it came out as a question. Noah pulled himself away from Kona again and headed over towards a side entrance to the building. His shoulders were angled open just enough for Luke to know he could follow alongside. "Have been since we got the apartment."
A cold wave washed over him, starting in the pit of Luke's stomach. Apartment... "We?" He told himself he had no reason or right to freak out if Noah was a part of a 'we'--a real 'we'--that didn't involve Luke.
"Aaron and I." Noah leaned his board against the wall of the building, unhooking the leash thing from around his ankle. When he turned back around, Luke tried to concentrate on the confused look on his face and not the way those tattoos seemed to fucking glimmer in saltwater and sunlight. The way his arms--God, those arms Luke still fantasized about--so effortlessly moved and flexed. Strong and graceful.
If it had been anyone but Noah, Luke would've thought he did it on purpose. But that wasn't Noah, not even this possibly new version, Luke was sure of that. Noah didn't put himself on display. The thought would never even cross his mind.
And then Luke registered what he had said. "So you and Aaron--"
At the same time, Noah was frowning. "Aaron didn't tell you we--?"
They stared at each other for a moment before Luke offered up a pained smile of his own. "And I'm guessing he didn't tell you I was coming to visit, did he?"
Noah visibly fought back whatever reaction he wanted to give, obviously noticing Luke's bags for the first time. "No. H-he didn't."
Luke opened his mouth to… apologize? He wasn't sure, but before he could, that side door swung open, and two people spilled out of the shop. One he recognized right away as his brother. The other was an incredibly gorgeous girl with the friendliest smile he'd ever seen. Judging by his brother's descriptions, this had to be Malia.
Neither of them noticed Luke at first, immediately pouncing on Noah. Literally, in Malia's case. "Well?" she wrapped her arms around Noah's neck, momentarily blocking Luke's view of his face. And for just a second, Luke really irrationally wanted to hate her for it. "How was it?"
Noah was still staring in Luke's direction, and had to shake himself. He smiled at Malia, a real smile, a Noah smile, and relaxed a little. "Oh, um, good. His best yet, I think. Still not sure if it's right for me, or if I should try again, but--"
"Holy shit!" Aaron cut in, finally noticing who was standing there with him. "Dude, you made it!" He grabbed Luke and pulled him into a fierce hug. Over his shoulder, Luke saw Malia turn, one arm still around Noah. Luke hugged his brother back, though part of his brain was still twisting around Noah's words. Still not sure if it's right for me, or if I should try again...
"Yeah, I made it," he answered softly, still halfway looking at the guy who wasn't his anymore.
Aaron followed his gaze, and either pretended he didn't know who Luke was looking at or thought he was looking at someone else. "Malia," he beckoned her over. "This is Luke."
Malia smiled right away, but there was a tiny hint of something on her face. "Luke, your brother?" she clarified. The arm around Noah tightened just a little, causing Luke to wonder what and how much she knew about him. Them. Everything.
Still, he put on his best smile, stepping closer to her. "Luke, his brother," he confirmed. "Hi."
Her little reaction, whatever it had been, was gone. "Hi Luke!" she grinned warmly, grasping his hand for just a second before pulling him into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"You too," he replied, genuinely smiling now. He couldn't help it, this girl's warmth was infectious.
Aaron clapped him on the back, picking up one of his bags. "Hey, come on. I'll take you back to the apartment to drop this stuff off, then we can hit the town. I only had a half-day at work, so we can grab some food, I'll show you the sights, what do you say?" He shooed Kona away from the other bag, which she was experimentally sniffing and trying to dig through.
"Um, sure," Luke glanced at Noah, wondering if this meant he'd be joining them.
And either Malia was psychic, or she could read the slight panic on both their faces. "Wish we could come too," her arm went around Noah again, "but we've still got a couple hours to finish in the shop. But hey, the twins are throwing a bonfire party tonight. We'll have to hang out then!" She sent a pointed look Aaron's way, one Luke couldn't decipher, and one he was pretty sure Aaron couldn't either.
Both Snyders were saved from having to answer by the arrival of several more bodies crashing through the door Aaron and Malia had exited. Talking loud and fast, the three guys almost ran right through them before stopping.
One of them, looking about his and Noah's age with dark hair and olive-bronze skin, punched Noah's arm. "How was the board?"
"Oh man, dude rode it like a pro!" the blond skater-type next to him piped up, throwing his own arm around Noah's shoulder. He looked a little older, maybe the same age as Aaron? The three guys grinned widely at Noah, talking and teasing and crowding around him.
Luke involuntarily took a step back, which was a little strange. Normally he was fine in any social situation, could talk his way into or out of anything, but now? Now, he was out of his element. (Not including the fact that he looked like a Gap Khaki commercial waiting to happen while everyone else was SoCal cool.)
The problem was that this was obviously Noah's element, and Luke wasn't in it. It hurt more than he thought it would. He still couldn't half believe that he was actually seeing Noah. He hadn't planned this. He hadn't prepared for this.
"Hey!" the blond one finally noticed him. "Who's the haole?"
Luke wasn't sure whether or not to be insulted by that, and was leaning towards the latter as Aaron shook his head and the third guy, who looked possibly Hawaiian, smacked him on the back of the head. "I don't think you can call anyone haole, White Boy," the guy said, his voice soft, calm. Then he turned to Luke, smiling. "Hey. I'm Taj."
Luke shook his head, relaxing a little. "Luke."
Taj's smile widened. "The younger Snyder brother? Awesome!" he jerked his head over his shoulder. "Don't mind Rob. He forgets to think before he speaks half the time."
"Hey!" the blond--obviously Rob--protested.
The other guy, the one who had punched Noah, spoke up. "And he forgets he's white the other half the time." He stepped forward with a grin that was big and goofy and reminded Luke so much of Noah's that it was almost a shock. "I'm Julian. Nice to meet you, Luke."
Malia cut in just as Luke was wondering how he was going to keep all these names straight. "Alright, how about we all stop overwhelming the poor guy. Besides, don't some of you have work to get to?" She eyed Rob and Taj critically.
Rob held up his hands. "That's where we're headed, Luna. There's a group of loud, whiny-ass eight year olds out here dying for their surf lessons. We promise we won't let any drown this time." Taj smiled next to him, grabbing his arm and hauling him away before Malia could yell at him. Rob waved as they headed to the shoreline. "See ya later Abercrombie!" he called out to Luke.
Luke tried not to flush with embarrassment and tried not to stare as Julian put a hand on Noah's shoulder, squeezing it. "You alright, Omilu? You're looking a little…"
Noah smiled shakily, shook his head. "No, I'm fine."
Julian eyed him, a little concerned. "You sure?"
His hand was still on Noah's shoulder, and Luke had to fight the urge to knock it away territorially. Or snap at Noah to put a shirt on, so this Julian guy couldn't touch his bare skin. And that rocked Luke back almost physically. Was this maybe Noah's boyfriend? This super-cool, super-nice surfer guy, touching his shoulder, calling him nicknames?
He missed whatever Noah's reply was, but Julian must have bought it because he squeezed Noah's shoulder one more time before letting go. "All right. See you guys tonight at the bonfire!" He waved, smiled at Luke one more time, and headed off towards the nearby parking lot.
Luke watched him go, then turned to look at Noah. Who was looking anywhere but at Luke. "Um," Noah cleared his throat, biting his lip. Luke drew a little comfort and a little pain from the familiarity of that gesture. "I have to get back to work, so…" he finally locked eyes with Luke, unsure. "I guess I'll see you later?"
"Yeah," Luke answered quietly. "See you." And then in one of the most awkward moments Luke had experienced in a long time, Aaron dragged him in one direction while Malia pulled Noah in the other. Well. Getting pulled in opposite directions. Luke guessed that wasn't exactly new for them.
************
"So that's pretty much it, bro," Aaron made a large sweeping motion with one hand, his other reaching into the beat-up metal fridge.
"It's nice," Luke answered, lamely. It was true, the place was nice. Not in a particularly aesthetically pleasing way, but hey--it was a garage. It was supposed to look like this. And really, Luke was so fucking proud of his brother, regular words failed him.
Aaron's friend Donny had built this garage from scratch, and in the short period of time since Aaron had joined it was doing really well. It apparently helped that Torrance Beach had so many automotive companies based there, and mechanics were in high demand. Aaron was obviously loving every minute of it, and Luke couldn't be happier for him.
They had just finished up a tour of the place and now, chowing down on the food they had grabbed at a Mexican place around the corner, was the first moment they were really able to sit down and talk since Luke arrived. Since Luke saw Noah. The name had yet to be mentioned between him and Aaron.
Aaron pulled out a bottle of root beer and a bottle of actual beer, handing the root beer to Luke. "Come on, let's go on up to my office." He said it with a grin that told Luke exactly where they were headed. Up on the roof of the garage, where a couple of lounge chairs and patio furniture were strewn about, along with a barbeque set and a stereo. Luke shook his head. Aaron's office. Of course.
Once they were settled down and the food half-gone, Luke decided it was time to try talking about what he was dying to talk about. Though it would be even better if Aaron said it first, so he tried to ease into the conversation. "So, like, does everyone speak Hawaiian here?"
Aaron look confused for a second, but then his face cleared and he laughed. "Malia and her dad are kinda the wranglers of our little group. Everyone's picked up on some of the language from them. And Taj, he's Hawaiian too. But not related to them."
"Is that why they called--" Don't say his name yet, don't say his name."--Malia by some other word? Luna?"
He laughed again. "Well, everyone in the group has their own nickname, you know? Malia's is Luna, it means 'boss.' Because she is, obviously."
"Obviously in more than just work," Luke teased. "You're whipped."
"Oh, I so am," Aaron agreed amiably. "Happily. It's worth it."
Luke almost flinched. He felt that way at one time. "So what's some of the other nicknames in this group? What's yours?" he asked, hoping his voice didn't sound as rough out loud as it did in his own head.
Aaron grinned. "Well, Rob's is Kekipi. Means 'rebel.' Not at all a surprise once you get to know him. And Taj, his is Halai, which is the word for 'calm.' Also not a shock once you know him."
Luke kept quiet, noticing that Aaron didn't tell him his. Or anyone else's in the group. Including...
His brother sighed. "And since I know you're dying to ask but won't, I'll just tell you. Noah's is one of the Hawaiian words for 'blue.' There."
"Omilu," Luke murmured to himself, recalling what Julian had called him. He didn't dare ask what Julian's nickname was. It was probably Hawaiian for 'best boyfriend ever' or 'Noah's lover' or something equally depressing. "So, um, how's Noah doing?"
Aaron fixed him with a hard stare, a Holden-Snyder-stare, and didn't answer for a moment. "He's doing... he's fine. Better each day."
Well, that wasn't vague at all. Come on, Luke. Man up and get this conversation over with. "How come you didn't tell me you and Noah were living together? Don't you think maybe I could've used a warning before I got here?"
"No," Aaron answered bluntly. "Because I shouldn't have to tell you. It's something you two should be talking about, not you and me. You guys never should've dropped contact with each other. It's stupid. It doesn't matter if you have a boyfriend or not, because what you and Noah were together was deeper than 'boyfriends.'"
Luke winced at the honesty in Aaron's tone. "Or not," he confessed.
"What does that mean?"
Luke fiddled with the label on his root beer bottle. "Reid and I broke up. Awhile ago. Um, I actually broke up with him..." He took a deep breath. All or nothing, Snyder. "And I did it before you and Noah moved out here."
Aaron was quiet for a minute, finishing the last of his burrito. He tossed the wrapper into a nearby trash bin, then turned back to Luke. "I know."
Luke nearly choked. "What?"
Aaron regarded him seriously. "I know. I've known for awhile. Dad told me, I don't know, months ago? And no, Noah doesn't know. Because, once again dude, you should tell him. You should've told him awhile ago."
He sat frozen, food forgotten, staring at his brother. Of course. Of course Holden had told him. It was a wonder Holden hadn't told Noah too. (Though he had no idea if his family really kept in touch with Noah, besides Faith mentioning an occasional email.) "I guess," was all he could think of to say.
"Why did you come to visit now, Luke?" Aaron asked, his tone suggesting he already knew the answer.
Luke got a little spiteful, definitely not wanting to give the answer Aaron thought he should. "Because I got tired of doing nothing at home. Lately, I've been... I've been feeling so weird. Antsy to do something, but no idea what. I'll admit, okay, I've been a little--"
"Spoiled?" Aaron supplied helpfully.
"Directionless," Luke corrected with a slight 'don't interrupt me' glare. "And I thought maybe a trip out here--a change of scenery--would, you know, help me see things differently. I needed a break from Oakdale. To think about everything."
"Everything including Noah?" Aaron finally came out and said it.
"Aaron," Luke sighed.
"Don't bullshit me, man," Aaron shook his head. "Look me straight in the eye and tell me a part of you didn't come out to California just to, in some way, be closer to Noah. There's not a part of you that hoped you could, I don't know, John-Cusack-movie your way into accidentally running into him."
Luke chewed on his lower lip, fighting the urge to clack his teeth together. It was a nervous habit he'd never been able to break. "I didn't," he finally said.
But he couldn't look at Aaron.
Part 6
Authors: Surfer Hips Productions (aka dazzling_icer, carolinablu85, and noelleleithe)
Artists: la_fours and noelleleithe
Rating: NC-17 (eventually)
Other Notes and Art Links: In Master Post
PART 5
Noah ran.
It had gotten to be a morning habit for him, waking up just before dawn and creeping out of the apartment without waking Aaron. He wouldn't even put shoes on. Just shove his keys into the pocket of his shorts and take off for the beach.
Running on sand was a better workout than pavement anyway, he'd always heard. And running on the beach, with the waves on one side of him and the sun just rising on the other? There was no better sight, so different from what running in Oakdale had been. He told himself that this was why he woke up so early. It wasn't because sleeping more than five or six hours was kind of a chore sometimes. It wasn't because this was the quietest, most solitary part of his day.
No. It was so Noah could spend even more time by the ocean. In the months since he and Aaron had moved here, Noah had become hopelessly addicted. It was amazing. And it wasn't like he'd never spent time near the water before, but that had been while growing up on a base, where he was constantly walled in by curfews and rules and… everything.
Now, the ocean was like freedom. It was endless. Noah could look at it and look at it, and never see the end. Like as long as he was by the ocean, there was no way anyone or anything could box him in. He was never trapped, because the water provided an escape. It was comforting sometimes. And every morning he could get out, before the shops opened and before the beachgoers claimed their spots, and he could run alongside it like he was the only person in the world. Sometimes that was comforting too.
The sun was still peeking up halfway from the horizon when Noah made the last turn towards his and Aaron's apartment. He had to cut the run a little short today- only three miles- so he could get to the opening shift at the shop.
He slowed to a jog, waving and nodding to a couple familiar faces as they made their way to the beach, smiling at the people who called out greetings to him. Living in Oakdale may have taught him the meaning of 'family,' but living at Torrance Beach had taught him the meaning of 'community.' He liked it.
Turning into the tiny front yard of their apartment, he stopped to say hi to Don and Kathy, the elderly couple next door, and then grabbed the paper on his way in. He went through the rest of his morning routine- made a pot of coffee, left the paper on the table for Aaron (sports page on top), then took a quick shower and changed for work. One of the best things about the shop was the lack of dark green t-shirts required to work there. Noah could just throw on some board shorts and any old t-shirt and be ready to go. Sometimes he didn't even need the shirt.
It was close to eight in the morning by the time he left the apartment (banging three times on Aaron's door to make sure he woke up in time for his own job), and he made it to the shop fifteen minutes later. "Morning," he called out as he slipped in through the side door.
As always, the first one to greet him was Kona, springing up from her little doggy bed to sniff at his hands and beg for a treat. He tossed her a biscuit from the nearby jar and then stood, brushing slobber and crumbs off his fingers as he did.
"I gotta tell you, Omilu, I'm concerned," a voice commented from his left.
"About what?" Noah didn't bother turning to look at his friend, instead grabbing an apron and heading into the coffee bar.
It didn't matter, because Rob followed him in. "This is like Day 253 that you've been working here. And you have yet to come in late. You know, they have a word for people like that."
"Punctual?" Noah supplied absentmindedly, washing his hands quickly before turning on the heaters for the coffee pots and counting in the register.
"Nah, man. Weird. You live your life by the clock too damn much. It's fucking weird." He shook his head sadly at Noah.
Noah snorted. "You're just jealous that you never learned how to tell time. It's okay, Rob. It's nothing to be ashamed of."
Rob punched him affectionately on the shoulder. "Asshole." Then he turned his nose up airily. "I don't need a clock. I only know two times- low tide and high tide. That's all I need- hey!"
He jumped when someone smacked him on the back of the head. "How about opening and closing time, huh?" Malia shoved him back towards the shop. "You have fifteen minutes to have that register upfront counted, kolohe. Get to it." Malia referred to everyone as 'rascal' at some point, but Rob seemed to get it the most.
Rob saluted lazily. "Yes ma'am, boss lady." He ducked just in time to avoid another smack from her, and headed over to the merchandise counter with a wave to Noah.
Malia rolled her eyes. "The only reason he's on time is because Pop let him sleep here last night."
Noah shrugged with a smile. "Better here than that park bench like last time."
"True," she sighed. Then she smiled, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "How's my favorite employee this morning?"
He smiled. "How's my favorite boss?"
Malia pinched his arm. "Nice deflection of an answer there." She put on her own apron and started heating up the ovens for the pastries- her specialty. "Speaking of Pop, have you seen him yet this morning?"
"No, why?" He went to the door, flipped around the 'Closed' sign to 'Open,' and turned on the radio on his way back to the counter.
She ducked her head out of the kitchen. "He made a new board last night. Wants you to try it sometime today," she winked at him, echoing the giddy grin he couldn't hide.
"Really?" It was Noah's favorite perk of working here. Instead of Java with its state-law-required fifteen minute break, just enough time to grab his own coffee and sit at a corner table, at SoK he had an hour to grab his board and hit the waves.
"I think he made it especially for you, hon. And those freakishly long legs of yours," Malia teased.
He blushed a little, rolling his eyes. "You're just jealous," he mumbled, an attempt at a comeback. He blushed even more when she laughed at him and went back to her baking. The first group of regulars started coming in then, so he was spared more teasing.
This was his other favorite perk- Malia, Kan, and the rest of the crazy people he called friends- Rob, Taj, Shane and his sister Sadie, Julian. He and Aaron had been welcomed into the group almost from Day 1, and Noah didn't know how he would have survived without them. They were there for everything and anything he and Aaron needed.
Hell, he had even spent the holidays with them. Aaron had gone to Seattle to visit his mom for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and somehow Noah had ended up sleeping on the couch in Taj's apartment, having holiday feasts with the gang, learning how to make pineapple cakes and banana-leaf roasts from Malia, learning (after a lot of hesitancy, a lot of teasing, and a lot of convincing) how to roll a perfect joint from Kan.
Kan was like the Godfather, Tommy Chong, and Andy Griffith wrapped up in one old Hawaiian man. He looked after their little group, somehow keeping them all in line. And Malia may be his daughter, but she was a caretaker too. And she relished the role. She loved telling them all what to do.
"Hey, nohea! Wake up, Noah, we got customers," Malia snapped a finger in his face, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Sorry," he smiled, went back to the coffee pots and started pouring. "And quit calling me that. Your boyfriend will get jealous."
"Why? You are handsome. Even Aaron can admit that." She shook her head. "I swear, you need to get more sleep. You wouldn't be all daydreamy if you were getting proper rest. If that roommate of yours is keeping you up late-"
Case in point, Noah thought to himself, fighting back a wider grin. "No, Malia. Aaron's a great roommate. And you would know this if you would just move in with him like the both of you want."
"Hey," she somehow managed to give him a stern look even as she focused on setting her pastries out for sale. "That's not what we both want. And where would that leave you if Aaron and I moved in together?"
He shrugged. "I'll manage. I can move in with Jules, or," and here he smiled. "Or with your dad."
Malia laughed loudly, attracting the attention of a couple customers. She waved them away, then pinched Noah on the arm again. "Sad thing is, he'd probably love that. Now get back to work."
"Yes ma'am, boss lady," he echoed Rob's words from earlier.
A few hours later, and Noah could hardly wait for his break. At 12:30 on the dot, he pulled his apron off, said a quick hi to the girl starting the mid shift, and headed into the back of the building where Kan's workshop was.
The sound of a sandbelter greeted him when he stepped in, along with the smells of sandalwood, sawdust, and surfwax. A one-of-a-kind bouquet. Kan was busy sanding a board and didn't notice him at first, until he waved away a cloud of dust and got Kan's attention.
"Omilu, there you are!" Kan turned off the tool and pulled the safety goggles away from his face, beckoning Noah closer. "I got something for you to try out."
"Yeah?" he couldn't stop his voice from turning eager, that Christmas morning Can-I-open-my-presents-now?-tone creeping in.
Kan just smiled, proud and victorious. "I finished it last night, an eight and a half footer." He pulled a fresh old-school wooden board from the rack on the wall. "It's a little short for a long board, so it has more flexibility in the water, but still stable and easygoing. I think it might be a match for you."
"Awesome," Noah took the board from him gently, examining it, running a finger along the tribal logo that represented Surf of Kan. Kan had a tendency to treat his handmade boards like they were spirit animals or something, wanting them to match the soul of the rider. Noah didn't really get any of it, but he loved testing them out whenever he got a chance. "Thanks, Kan."
Kan exhaled loudly, something he did whenever anyone thanked him. "Don't thank me yet, let's see it in the water first!" He shooed Noah out of the workshop.
Noah took a minute to change into a spring suit (the water was supposed to be warmer today, no need for a full long wetsuit), and then charged out of the shop, heading right for the shoreline. Rob was already out there, enjoying his own break, and he gestured for Noah to join him.
They stayed out on the water, catching a few waves until Rob had to be back on shift, and then they paddled in. Once he reached the shore, Noah unzipped and pulled down the top half of his spring suit, already feeling the sun's rays hitting him hard. Another nice perk of living here- he no longer held the title of Palest Person on the Planet.
He hefted the board under his arm, a little excited. This was one of Kan's best boards yet, and he couldn't wait to tell him the good news. He looked around, shaking the water out of his hair and eyes, expecting to see Kan standing out by the shop waiting for him. But there was no one, just some guy crouched down petting Kona.
He smiled when Kona came running up to him a few seconds later, sniffing and wiggling excitedly. "Hey darlin'," he said softly, trying to pat her with his free hand. She latched onto the part of his wetsuit that was hanging down, chewing and pulling on it, until he laughed and freed himself from her teeth.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the guy who had been petting Kona stand up, so he turned towards him, smile still in place. "Kona, who's your fr--?" And then he stopped. Because it wasn't just 'some guy' standing here. In front of his shop. At his beach. In California.
It was Luke.
************
He swallowed hard, willing himself not to throw up. Oh God. Luke was here. Standing right in front of him. Looking way more beautiful than he had any right to be. Sure, when Noah thought about him, he always looked this amazing. But that was in Noah's thoughts, where Luke was supposed to stay.
He wasn't supposed to be in California. He wasn't supposed to look so happy, so confident, so Luke. It was like being struck by lightning and doused with cold water at the same time. It was like that rush of terror the first time he tried to catch a wave, when you're supposed to be in control but you know you're a centimeter away from complete chaos.
He just stared, unable to speak, unable to move closer or farther away. He took in Luke's clothes, the khaki shorts, the polo shirt. They were new clothes, ones Noah had never seen before, and for some reason that bothered him. Maybe he thought Luke's life would be frozen in time if he wasn't around.
But that obviously wasn't the case. Luke looked… incredible. Older. He looked professional, and he damn sure didn't look like he might still be thinking about an ex-boyfriend. He seemed like he was doing just fine with the one he had now. Hell, he looked like a hot successful doctor's hot successful boyfriend. While Noah probably looked like a bum who couldn't even…
Interrupting his own train of thought, Noah had to look away. Anywhere. Luckily Kona was still there begging for attention, now trying to chew on his ankle leash. He tugged it free of her grip, and yet when he looked back up at Luke, Luke was still staring at him and looking just as shocked as he felt.
Time stretched endlessly between them, but Noah couldn't get himself to speak. Luckily, of course, Luke could. "Hello Noah."
And it made him want to fall to his knees under the weight of that, under the weight of hearing that voice again and hearing his name spoken from those lips again. But he locked his knees, stood a little straighter, and tried to smile. "Hello Luke."
************
It was the half-smile that nearly ripped Luke to pieces. Suddenly this rock-hard, surfer-god, holy-hell hot guy was Noah again. A part of Luke thought it would be easier if he'd stayed a stranger, because seeing that same tiny smile on the mouth he used to kiss took Luke back through a clip reel of memories, a montage of him and Noah.
He needed a distraction, quick. Nodding to the mutt still clamoring for Noah's attention, he unknowingly echoed Noah's earlier words. "Who's your friend?"
Noah's face softened briefly as he looked down at the dog, petting her again. Luke couldn't help but smile when she nuzzled into his hand. (He knew the feeling.) "Oh, Kona's kind of the shop mascot, I guess."
"Kona?" he asked, wrinkling his nose in confusion.
"It means 'lady' in Hawaiian. Kan, the guy who owns the shop? He's Hawaiian," Noah was stumbling on his words a little. Hesitant and almost awkward. Seeing these 18-year-old-Noah mannerisms in this 23-year-old-Noah body was almost painful. He couldn't ignore it--Noah had grown up. Noah was still in part the same guy he had always loved, but not completely. And that was almost terrifying. What if he...?
"What are you doing here?" were the next words that stupidly burst out of him. He mentally rolled his eyes at himself. As though Noah was the one who didn't belong here, instead of J. Crew Luke.
Noah looked momentarily thrown by the question too, but he answered straightforwardly. "I'm on break," he gestured awkwardly to the coffee bar attached to the surf shop.
Luke's eyes widened. "You work here?"
"Um, yeah?" somehow it came out as a question. Noah pulled himself away from Kona again and headed over towards a side entrance to the building. His shoulders were angled open just enough for Luke to know he could follow alongside. "Have been since we got the apartment."
A cold wave washed over him, starting in the pit of Luke's stomach. Apartment... "We?" He told himself he had no reason or right to freak out if Noah was a part of a 'we'--a real 'we'--that didn't involve Luke.
"Aaron and I." Noah leaned his board against the wall of the building, unhooking the leash thing from around his ankle. When he turned back around, Luke tried to concentrate on the confused look on his face and not the way those tattoos seemed to fucking glimmer in saltwater and sunlight. The way his arms--God, those arms Luke still fantasized about--so effortlessly moved and flexed. Strong and graceful.
If it had been anyone but Noah, Luke would've thought he did it on purpose. But that wasn't Noah, not even this possibly new version, Luke was sure of that. Noah didn't put himself on display. The thought would never even cross his mind.
And then Luke registered what he had said. "So you and Aaron--"
At the same time, Noah was frowning. "Aaron didn't tell you we--?"
They stared at each other for a moment before Luke offered up a pained smile of his own. "And I'm guessing he didn't tell you I was coming to visit, did he?"
Noah visibly fought back whatever reaction he wanted to give, obviously noticing Luke's bags for the first time. "No. H-he didn't."
Luke opened his mouth to… apologize? He wasn't sure, but before he could, that side door swung open, and two people spilled out of the shop. One he recognized right away as his brother. The other was an incredibly gorgeous girl with the friendliest smile he'd ever seen. Judging by his brother's descriptions, this had to be Malia.
Neither of them noticed Luke at first, immediately pouncing on Noah. Literally, in Malia's case. "Well?" she wrapped her arms around Noah's neck, momentarily blocking Luke's view of his face. And for just a second, Luke really irrationally wanted to hate her for it. "How was it?"
Noah was still staring in Luke's direction, and had to shake himself. He smiled at Malia, a real smile, a Noah smile, and relaxed a little. "Oh, um, good. His best yet, I think. Still not sure if it's right for me, or if I should try again, but--"
"Holy shit!" Aaron cut in, finally noticing who was standing there with him. "Dude, you made it!" He grabbed Luke and pulled him into a fierce hug. Over his shoulder, Luke saw Malia turn, one arm still around Noah. Luke hugged his brother back, though part of his brain was still twisting around Noah's words. Still not sure if it's right for me, or if I should try again...
"Yeah, I made it," he answered softly, still halfway looking at the guy who wasn't his anymore.
Aaron followed his gaze, and either pretended he didn't know who Luke was looking at or thought he was looking at someone else. "Malia," he beckoned her over. "This is Luke."
Malia smiled right away, but there was a tiny hint of something on her face. "Luke, your brother?" she clarified. The arm around Noah tightened just a little, causing Luke to wonder what and how much she knew about him. Them. Everything.
Still, he put on his best smile, stepping closer to her. "Luke, his brother," he confirmed. "Hi."
Her little reaction, whatever it had been, was gone. "Hi Luke!" she grinned warmly, grasping his hand for just a second before pulling him into a hug. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"You too," he replied, genuinely smiling now. He couldn't help it, this girl's warmth was infectious.
Aaron clapped him on the back, picking up one of his bags. "Hey, come on. I'll take you back to the apartment to drop this stuff off, then we can hit the town. I only had a half-day at work, so we can grab some food, I'll show you the sights, what do you say?" He shooed Kona away from the other bag, which she was experimentally sniffing and trying to dig through.
"Um, sure," Luke glanced at Noah, wondering if this meant he'd be joining them.
And either Malia was psychic, or she could read the slight panic on both their faces. "Wish we could come too," her arm went around Noah again, "but we've still got a couple hours to finish in the shop. But hey, the twins are throwing a bonfire party tonight. We'll have to hang out then!" She sent a pointed look Aaron's way, one Luke couldn't decipher, and one he was pretty sure Aaron couldn't either.
Both Snyders were saved from having to answer by the arrival of several more bodies crashing through the door Aaron and Malia had exited. Talking loud and fast, the three guys almost ran right through them before stopping.
One of them, looking about his and Noah's age with dark hair and olive-bronze skin, punched Noah's arm. "How was the board?"
"Oh man, dude rode it like a pro!" the blond skater-type next to him piped up, throwing his own arm around Noah's shoulder. He looked a little older, maybe the same age as Aaron? The three guys grinned widely at Noah, talking and teasing and crowding around him.
Luke involuntarily took a step back, which was a little strange. Normally he was fine in any social situation, could talk his way into or out of anything, but now? Now, he was out of his element. (Not including the fact that he looked like a Gap Khaki commercial waiting to happen while everyone else was SoCal cool.)
The problem was that this was obviously Noah's element, and Luke wasn't in it. It hurt more than he thought it would. He still couldn't half believe that he was actually seeing Noah. He hadn't planned this. He hadn't prepared for this.
"Hey!" the blond one finally noticed him. "Who's the haole?"
Luke wasn't sure whether or not to be insulted by that, and was leaning towards the latter as Aaron shook his head and the third guy, who looked possibly Hawaiian, smacked him on the back of the head. "I don't think you can call anyone haole, White Boy," the guy said, his voice soft, calm. Then he turned to Luke, smiling. "Hey. I'm Taj."
Luke shook his head, relaxing a little. "Luke."
Taj's smile widened. "The younger Snyder brother? Awesome!" he jerked his head over his shoulder. "Don't mind Rob. He forgets to think before he speaks half the time."
"Hey!" the blond--obviously Rob--protested.
The other guy, the one who had punched Noah, spoke up. "And he forgets he's white the other half the time." He stepped forward with a grin that was big and goofy and reminded Luke so much of Noah's that it was almost a shock. "I'm Julian. Nice to meet you, Luke."
Malia cut in just as Luke was wondering how he was going to keep all these names straight. "Alright, how about we all stop overwhelming the poor guy. Besides, don't some of you have work to get to?" She eyed Rob and Taj critically.
Rob held up his hands. "That's where we're headed, Luna. There's a group of loud, whiny-ass eight year olds out here dying for their surf lessons. We promise we won't let any drown this time." Taj smiled next to him, grabbing his arm and hauling him away before Malia could yell at him. Rob waved as they headed to the shoreline. "See ya later Abercrombie!" he called out to Luke.
Luke tried not to flush with embarrassment and tried not to stare as Julian put a hand on Noah's shoulder, squeezing it. "You alright, Omilu? You're looking a little…"
Noah smiled shakily, shook his head. "No, I'm fine."
Julian eyed him, a little concerned. "You sure?"
His hand was still on Noah's shoulder, and Luke had to fight the urge to knock it away territorially. Or snap at Noah to put a shirt on, so this Julian guy couldn't touch his bare skin. And that rocked Luke back almost physically. Was this maybe Noah's boyfriend? This super-cool, super-nice surfer guy, touching his shoulder, calling him nicknames?
He missed whatever Noah's reply was, but Julian must have bought it because he squeezed Noah's shoulder one more time before letting go. "All right. See you guys tonight at the bonfire!" He waved, smiled at Luke one more time, and headed off towards the nearby parking lot.
Luke watched him go, then turned to look at Noah. Who was looking anywhere but at Luke. "Um," Noah cleared his throat, biting his lip. Luke drew a little comfort and a little pain from the familiarity of that gesture. "I have to get back to work, so…" he finally locked eyes with Luke, unsure. "I guess I'll see you later?"
"Yeah," Luke answered quietly. "See you." And then in one of the most awkward moments Luke had experienced in a long time, Aaron dragged him in one direction while Malia pulled Noah in the other. Well. Getting pulled in opposite directions. Luke guessed that wasn't exactly new for them.
************
"So that's pretty much it, bro," Aaron made a large sweeping motion with one hand, his other reaching into the beat-up metal fridge.
"It's nice," Luke answered, lamely. It was true, the place was nice. Not in a particularly aesthetically pleasing way, but hey--it was a garage. It was supposed to look like this. And really, Luke was so fucking proud of his brother, regular words failed him.
Aaron's friend Donny had built this garage from scratch, and in the short period of time since Aaron had joined it was doing really well. It apparently helped that Torrance Beach had so many automotive companies based there, and mechanics were in high demand. Aaron was obviously loving every minute of it, and Luke couldn't be happier for him.
They had just finished up a tour of the place and now, chowing down on the food they had grabbed at a Mexican place around the corner, was the first moment they were really able to sit down and talk since Luke arrived. Since Luke saw Noah. The name had yet to be mentioned between him and Aaron.
Aaron pulled out a bottle of root beer and a bottle of actual beer, handing the root beer to Luke. "Come on, let's go on up to my office." He said it with a grin that told Luke exactly where they were headed. Up on the roof of the garage, where a couple of lounge chairs and patio furniture were strewn about, along with a barbeque set and a stereo. Luke shook his head. Aaron's office. Of course.
Once they were settled down and the food half-gone, Luke decided it was time to try talking about what he was dying to talk about. Though it would be even better if Aaron said it first, so he tried to ease into the conversation. "So, like, does everyone speak Hawaiian here?"
Aaron look confused for a second, but then his face cleared and he laughed. "Malia and her dad are kinda the wranglers of our little group. Everyone's picked up on some of the language from them. And Taj, he's Hawaiian too. But not related to them."
"Is that why they called--" Don't say his name yet, don't say his name."--Malia by some other word? Luna?"
He laughed again. "Well, everyone in the group has their own nickname, you know? Malia's is Luna, it means 'boss.' Because she is, obviously."
"Obviously in more than just work," Luke teased. "You're whipped."
"Oh, I so am," Aaron agreed amiably. "Happily. It's worth it."
Luke almost flinched. He felt that way at one time. "So what's some of the other nicknames in this group? What's yours?" he asked, hoping his voice didn't sound as rough out loud as it did in his own head.
Aaron grinned. "Well, Rob's is Kekipi. Means 'rebel.' Not at all a surprise once you get to know him. And Taj, his is Halai, which is the word for 'calm.' Also not a shock once you know him."
Luke kept quiet, noticing that Aaron didn't tell him his. Or anyone else's in the group. Including...
His brother sighed. "And since I know you're dying to ask but won't, I'll just tell you. Noah's is one of the Hawaiian words for 'blue.' There."
"Omilu," Luke murmured to himself, recalling what Julian had called him. He didn't dare ask what Julian's nickname was. It was probably Hawaiian for 'best boyfriend ever' or 'Noah's lover' or something equally depressing. "So, um, how's Noah doing?"
Aaron fixed him with a hard stare, a Holden-Snyder-stare, and didn't answer for a moment. "He's doing... he's fine. Better each day."
Well, that wasn't vague at all. Come on, Luke. Man up and get this conversation over with. "How come you didn't tell me you and Noah were living together? Don't you think maybe I could've used a warning before I got here?"
"No," Aaron answered bluntly. "Because I shouldn't have to tell you. It's something you two should be talking about, not you and me. You guys never should've dropped contact with each other. It's stupid. It doesn't matter if you have a boyfriend or not, because what you and Noah were together was deeper than 'boyfriends.'"
Luke winced at the honesty in Aaron's tone. "Or not," he confessed.
"What does that mean?"
Luke fiddled with the label on his root beer bottle. "Reid and I broke up. Awhile ago. Um, I actually broke up with him..." He took a deep breath. All or nothing, Snyder. "And I did it before you and Noah moved out here."
Aaron was quiet for a minute, finishing the last of his burrito. He tossed the wrapper into a nearby trash bin, then turned back to Luke. "I know."
Luke nearly choked. "What?"
Aaron regarded him seriously. "I know. I've known for awhile. Dad told me, I don't know, months ago? And no, Noah doesn't know. Because, once again dude, you should tell him. You should've told him awhile ago."
He sat frozen, food forgotten, staring at his brother. Of course. Of course Holden had told him. It was a wonder Holden hadn't told Noah too. (Though he had no idea if his family really kept in touch with Noah, besides Faith mentioning an occasional email.) "I guess," was all he could think of to say.
"Why did you come to visit now, Luke?" Aaron asked, his tone suggesting he already knew the answer.
Luke got a little spiteful, definitely not wanting to give the answer Aaron thought he should. "Because I got tired of doing nothing at home. Lately, I've been... I've been feeling so weird. Antsy to do something, but no idea what. I'll admit, okay, I've been a little--"
"Spoiled?" Aaron supplied helpfully.
"Directionless," Luke corrected with a slight 'don't interrupt me' glare. "And I thought maybe a trip out here--a change of scenery--would, you know, help me see things differently. I needed a break from Oakdale. To think about everything."
"Everything including Noah?" Aaron finally came out and said it.
"Aaron," Luke sighed.
"Don't bullshit me, man," Aaron shook his head. "Look me straight in the eye and tell me a part of you didn't come out to California just to, in some way, be closer to Noah. There's not a part of you that hoped you could, I don't know, John-Cusack-movie your way into accidentally running into him."
Luke chewed on his lower lip, fighting the urge to clack his teeth together. It was a nervous habit he'd never been able to break. "I didn't," he finally said.
But he couldn't look at Aaron.
Part 6