Almost Everything 14/15 [Lure Big Bang]
Almost Everything Master Post
Chapter Fourteen
Reid and Luke didn’t discuss the visit with Damian. Reid wasn’t the type to delve deeply into his feelings and analyze everything. He had a feeling Luke was though. He attempted to get his husband to open up, but each time, Luke would smile and tell Reid he appreciated the offer but he should let it go. So, they went back into the routine of trying to learn more about each other and learn how to live together.
The next morning, Reid greeted Luke, “How’d you sleep?” He started to get Luke a mug of coffee. He still worried at the amount of sugar Luke put in. Reid honestly didn’t know how Luke had any teeth left.
“I’m okay. Still sore obviously.” Luke observed Reid moving about their kitchen, getting Luke’s bagel and coffee for him. It was part of that domesticity that would most likely induce a panic attack in Reid. Luke wasn’t sure if Reid was trying to get control of the panic or if he genuinely wanted to do this. Most of all, Luke hated that he was questioning Reid.
The redhead placed Luke’s breakfast in front of him. “Yeah, bruised ribs take a long time to heal. You’re not pushing yourself by working too much?” Reid asked, taking a sip of coffee.
Luke chuckled ruefully.
“What?” the doctor questioned.
“I’m married to a workaholic. I’m just curious as to your definition of working too hard,” Luke admitted.
“All right.” Reid looked at Luke for a moment as he came to a decision. “So why don’t we make sure neither one of us works too much?”
Luke had to admit he was intrigued. “What do you have in mind?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“Lunch today. I have an hour free around one.”
A small smile tugged Luke’s lips. “Are you asking me out on a date?”
Reid’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We’re married,” he pointed out. “Although, we did skip the courtship-”
Luke laughed outright at that, and it made Reid smile as well.
“Would it be so bad if this was a date?” the doctor finally asked.
Luke quickly lost his smile. The air seemed to crackle between them. He had no idea how Reid could turn a simple suggestion like lunch into something that Luke was anticipating and nervous about. He was scared, anxious, and very tempted. “No,” Luke finally admitted. “It wouldn’t be bad if this was a date.”
Reid tried to hide his smile by finishing off his coffee. “Well, I have to go.” He put away his dishes and came back. “So I’ll see you at one?” he checked.
The blonde stood up as well. There wasn’t much space between them. “Yeah. Even if you get called away, I’m glad you asked.”
Reid opened his mouth, but with his good hand, Luke reached up and cupped Reid’s cheek in his hand. “Don’t say anything,” Luke instructed. “I just want to savor the idea of having a date with my husband.”
The doctor nodded his head in response and went to leave. He got as far as the door before he turned back and walked up to Luke. Luke had sat back down to finish his breakfast. He turned in his chair, and Reid knelt down in front of him. He took Luke’s face in his hands and kissed him. “I’ll see you at lunch.” He got up and headed for the door again.
“You always have to have the last word, right?” Luke called after him.
“That’s right,” Reid said and left.
*
Reid was in such a good mood through most of the morning that he wasn’t even dreading his visit with Noah Mayer. It was time to discharge the young man.
“So, Noah, how are you going?” Reid greeted him.
Noah was beyond stir-crazy. Ali and Casey came to visit as much as they could. Luke called a few times, but he didn’t visit. Noah tried not to be hurt, and he knew that after Luke’s accident he couldn’t strain himself. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself. “How’s Luke?” Noah asked instead of responding to Reid’s question.
Reid sighed and his good mood quickly deflated. “He’s good. He’s still a little sore. I’m trying to convince him not to push himself too far with his work-”
“He’s back at work?” Noah was hurt and surprised. Not too long ago, he would know all of these things.
“Well, just a few hours every day. Luke is…” A dozen adjectives came to Reid’s mind. “Anyway, let’s talk about getting you out of here.”
“Really?” Noah didn’t want to get his hopes up. Reid had mentioned it briefly when Luke was being discharged, but that had been almost a week ago. Noah hadn’t even seen Reid that much.
“Yes, you’re getting around well. I’ve got some drops that should help.”
“That’s great. I’ll do whatever it takes,” Noah insisted, rubbing his hands together. He couldn’t wait to get out of there and go talk to Luke again.
“Okay. I’ll get them.” Reid made a couple of quick notes to Noah’s chart. He headed for the door and hesitated for a moment. “Luke is planning to come by soon. We, uh, we were going to get lunch. I’m sure he’d be glad to take you home.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say yes, but Noah couldn’t help but remember that Luke hadn’t actually come by to see him and the point of his visit was to see Reid not him. “I, uh, don’t want to intrude,” Noah began tentatively. On the other hand, he really wanted to speak to Luke.
Reid shook his head, hating that as difficult as his relationship with Luke was, he felt like there was three people in his marriage. “Just tell Luke you’re being discharged,” he said before leaving.
The doctor got paged to check on an emergency patient and had the nurse, Beth, give Noah the drops. He also asked that if she saw his husband to tell Luke he would try and make it for lunch.
Beth was more than happy to help. She had been working with Dr. Oliver since he came here, and she had seen the changes in him, changes that directly correlated with his marriage. Getting the drops, she went to check on Noah and gave him the directions for use. The brunette thanked her, and she had to go check on another patient.
Noah put the drops in as he was instructed, and his eyes started to burn for a moment. He quickly blinked trying to make the pain go away. After a few moments, he slowly opened his eyes. A small gasp slipped past Noah’s lips. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and he could see everything. There were no longer any blurry images, everything was sharp and clear. His heart started to pound, and Noah feared he was dreaming. He made his way toward the bathroom and the mirror, hoping that it would somehow make it real. There staring back at him was his own image. It had been so long and it took him a moment to even recognize himself. “My God!” he gasped. He couldn’t wait to tell Luke.
While Noah’s vision was returning, Beth was in the hall and she ran into the man Noah couldn’t wait to talk to. “Oh, Luke,” she greeted him with a smile.
“Hi, Beth,” he returned the greeting. “I was looking for my husband.”
“Yes, he’s-”
“Right here,” Reid said. “Thanks, Beth. Did you get the drops?”
“Yes, Dr. Oliver, and I was just going to check on another patient. It’s good seeing you, Luke.”
“You too.” He smiled and watched her leave for a moment.
“So…” Reid began and started to close the gap between him and Luke. He wanted more than anything to touch him. But he had to keep himself in check, this was his work. He prided himself on his professionalism.
“So?” Luke asked, a grin tugging at his lips. “For such a brilliant man, that’s all you got?”
Reid chuckled and he reached out for Luke, running his hand up and down Luke’s arm. The blonde gave into his desire to smile. He wasn’t sure what was going on with Reid, but he liked it. He liked feeling wanted and the way Reid took care of him. Luke couldn’t remember the last time someone took care of him. He loved Noah and wanted to help him, but it became not enough. More than that, Luke needed to make sure he wanted Reid and it wasn’t just his leftover feelings from Noah. Looking into the redhead’s eyes and seeing the desire, Luke knew it was more. There was something between them; maybe it had always been there. Luke’s attraction to Reid and the reason Luke chose the doctor over anyone else to ask to marry weren’t the result of loneliness or a need to be taken care of. He wanted to be with Reid.
“Can you go to lunch?” Luke checked and tried not to feel disappointed when Reid let go of him.
While the two men were talking, Noah made his way over to his hospital room door. He couldn’t wait to tell Reid that the drops had helped, and he was especially excited to tell Luke and to see Luke again. As he went to the door, he glanced out the window and saw Luke’s familiar face. Noah paused for a moment, wanting to catalog each feature to see if it was the same as he remembered. But during that time, he watched as Luke reached out and tugged on the lab coat of a man with auburn hair. He realized that Luke was with Dr. Oliver. Noah felt frozen in place, watching the two men and taking in the scene with his director’s eye.
Luke’s grasp was still on the doctor’s lab coat. He took a step closer, and then Reid ducked his head slightly. “What’s going on?” Luke asked.
Reid sighed. “It’s good news. Noah’s going to be discharged.” His gaze locked on the blonde’s, wanting to read Luke’s expression.
“Oh,” Luke said, but his hold on Reid didn’t lessen. “Yeah, that is great news.”
“So I figured you’d… Well, it’s okay.” Reid straightened his back as though preparing for the inevitable blow.
“I’ll go check with Noah, and maybe the three of us could get lunch together?” Luke suggested.
Reid let out a dark chuckle. “No.”
“Reid-”
“No. Luke, I get it.” Reid pulled back, and Luke’s grip finally loosened. “I’ll see you later.” He started to walk by, but Luke reached out and grabbed the doctor’s forearm.
“Reid…”
He couldn’t help but be affected by his husband. Every time Luke said his name, he felt like there was so much more behind it, but Reid couldn’t figure out what it was. “What, Luke?”
Without thinking or second-guessing, Luke brushed a kiss against Reid’s mouth. “I’ll see you at home.” He offered a shy smile and headed over to Noah’s door.
The brunette couldn’t look away and had watched the whole scene unfold. Noah wondered why after all this time, the first thing he saw was the man he loved with someone else. When he saw Luke head for his room, Noah turned and went back to the bed. He needed to try and catch his bearings.
Luke took a deep breath and glanced down the hallway, hoping to catch one last glimpse of Reid, but the doctor was already gone. Knocking on the door, Luke walked in Noah’s hospital room. “Noah?”
He turned and smiled at Luke. “Hi.”
The blonde came further into the room. “Reid told me you’re finally getting sprung.”
Noah paused and looked at Luke. He had to catch his breath with finally being able to see Luke, who was close enough to touch. “Yeah.” He hesitated for a moment. “Is that a new shirt?”
Luke looked down at himself. “Oh, yeah, I had a-” When he realized what Noah had said, the rest of his sentence died on his lips. “Noah! Can you-”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “20/20. Dr. Oliver gave me these drops and-”
Luke reached out and pulled Noah close for a hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” the brunette replied, returning the hug.
“Oh!” Luke pulled away suddenly as he realized what had happened. “Reid. I’ve got to go get-”
“No!” Noah insisted and grabbed Luke’s arm. “Not yet, I…I just want to share this with you.”
“Okay.” Luke smiled.
Noah went back to sitting on the bed. “So, how are you feeling?”
Luke got a chair and sat next to Noah’s bed. “I’m okay. Still a little sore. I’m not able to work as much as I’d like. Reid…” his voice trailed off, and he smiled gently to himself. “Well, ironically, he’s trying to keep me from working too hard. I swear there are times when I think Reid would live here.” He chuckled but stopped when he saw the look on Noah’s face. “Sorry.”
“No.” Noah shook his head. “I’m glad you…I know being married to him can’t be easy.”
Luke nervously reached for his wedding band. “We’re figuring it out.” He sighed. “Damian got in touch with me.”
“What?” the brunette reached out for Luke, but Luke held up his hand, trying to keep him away. “What happened?” Noah asked.
“Well, I’m sure this won’t come as a surprise, but Damian wanted to check on me and Reid, make sure our marriage is real.”
“What did you do?” Noah questioned. He hated the idea of Luke getting hurt.
“I went to see him,” Luke replied simply.
“Why?”
Luke shook his head. “I had to. So many people are counting on that money. It’s the whole reason Reid and I got married.” Luke stood up and paced for a moment.
“Are you okay?” Noah tracked Luke’s movements.
“Yeah, it was difficult, but we made it and-”
“We?”
Luke looked at Noah for a moment. “Reid insisted on coming with me. And…it was good. I think Damian might actually relent on this one.”
Noah opened his mouth. He was about to ask Luke how he and Reid had managed to convince Damian they had married for love, but he remembered seeing his ex with Dr. Oliver. Even with no one around and believing no one was watching, they looked like a couple. Noah knew how Luke looked at someone he was interested in.
“How was it seeing Damian again?” Noah asked instead.
Luke took a moment trying to find the words. “It was difficult. I have my dad and I love him, but knowing what Damian is capable of and thinking that I could be like him-”
“You’re not like Damian.”
Luke let out a bitter laugh. “I blackmailed Reid to get him here. We got married for money.” He sighed because there was something tugging at his heart. Something he hadn’t planned on, and it was what concerned him so much about his visit with Damian. “Noah, I need to focus on work right now and…” He shook his head. “I need to focus on Reid. We got married for the money, and it’s still not mine. I need to make that my priority.”
“So you don’t want to see me anymore?”
“No, Noah, I care about you. That’ll never change. I just think… Can we find a way to be friends?”
Noah honestly didn’t know how to respond to that. He and Luke had never really been friends. More than that, now he had his sight back and would have a full view of Luke and Reid together. Noah knew that despite what Luke and Reid called it, there was a Luke and Reid, so there would no longer be a Luke and Noah. It was time to let go. It was time to move on.
“Noah?”
Pulling himself out of his thoughts, Noah replied, “Uh, yeah. We can try.”
Luke smiled. Before he could say nothing else, the hospital room door opened and Reid entered. The redhead tried to school his features into impassivity. Luke immediately stood up and moved away from the bed as Reid walked further into the room.
“Tell him,” Luke instructed before either man could say anything.
Reid glanced at Luke for a moment, afraid of what Noah was going to say. “All right. I’ll bite,” the doctor said. “What’s going on?”
“The drops worked. I can see everything now,” Noah admitted.
Reid smiled and walked up to his patient. “That’s great.”
Noah stood up and went to shake Reid’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Well, I’m the best,” the doctor replied, returning the shake.
“Reid,” Luke chastised his husband and lightly tapped him with the back of his hand.
“What?” Reid asked. “I’m just stating a fact. You ‘brought’ me here to give Noah his eyesight back. Mission accomplished.”
“Does that mean you’ll be leaving?” Noah asked before he even recognized the words as his own. He glanced at Luke, and there was no mistaken the anxiety in the blonde’s gaze. “I’m sorry,” Noah said. “I shouldn’t have-”
“No.” Reid held up his hand, and the brunette couldn’t help but notice the wedding band. He had felt Luke’s but to actually see it…his gaze immediately went to Luke’s hand and saw the matching band. “I’m not planning on going anywhere,” Reid said and kept his gaze focused on Noah. “But you are.”
“What?” Noah sputtered.
“I’ve got your release papers. Didn’t Luke tell you?”
“Oh, yeah,” Noah replied. “Thank you.”
“Sure,” Reid said and looked at Luke for a moment. “I assume Luke will take you home, so-”
“No,” Luke cut him off, and Reid hesitated for a moment, looking from his husband to Noah for verification.
“Yeah,” Noah confirmed. “I’m gonna have Ali take me home, but I appreciate the offer.”
Luke walked up to Noah, and the brunette tentatively wrapped his arms around Luke, careful of the blonde’s bruised ribs. “I’m so happy for you,” Luke whispered.
“Thank you,” Noah said, “for everything.”
Reid couldn’t help but watch the entire thing, trying to gauge Luke’s feelings for Noah.
When the two men pulled apart, Luke turned to Reid with a smile, but the redhead couldn’t return it. “Well, Noah, set up an appointment in a few days with Beth and I’ll see you then.” He turned and walked out of the room.
Luke quickly followed. “Reid!”
The doctor stopped and let out a breath before turning back to his husband. “Yes?”
The blonde quickly closed the gap between them. He shoved his unhurt hand into the pocket of his pants. “Are you free for lunch?” he asked hopefully.
“Uh, well-”
“Come on.” Luke reached out for Reid. “Please?”
“What about Noah?”
Luke shrugged. “He’s getting a ride with Alison and before you came in, we talked. We’re going to try being friends. Right now, my focus is on work and-”
Reid’s gaze locked on Luke’s for a moment. “And?”
Luke slowly leaned forward. He reached for Reid. “And our marriage.” His gaze wandered to the redhead’s mouth for a moment before meeting Reid’s gaze.
The doctor’s eyes had turned sapphire, and all he wanted to do was drag his husband to the nearest supply closet.
The sound of Reid’s beeper made them both jump. He glanced down at it, reading the message. “It’s an emergency. I have to go. Sorry.” He started to walk down the hall but stopped and quickly headed back to Luke. He took the blonde’s face in his hands and kissed him. “I’ll call you later,” he called over his shoulder before heading down to the ER.
Luke stood in shock for a moment before a huge grin broke out on his face. “You better!” Luke called after Reid, grateful to get the last word for once.
*
By the time he got home that evening, all Reid wanted was a cold beer and a hot shower. For such a small town, he couldn’t get over how many brain injuries there were. In a way, he was grateful that the new wing was still progressing. Since so many people in the area were accident-prone, his work would keep him busy especially now. Noah had his eyesight back; the brunette’s reason for pushing away Luke was no longer there. Glancing down at the wedding band on his hand, Reid wondered though how much longer he would be wearing it.
With a sigh, Reid put the key in the lock and opened the door. He paused, seeing his young husband sitting on the couch, papers spread all around him. He looked as tired as Reid felt.
“What are you still doing up?” the redhead asked. “You really should be resting.”
“Yeah, I know,” Luke replied, stifling a yawn. He slowly stood up and headed toward Reid. “But work was just an excuse.” He shrugged and nervously shoved his right hand into his pocket.
Reid’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Excuse for what?” He was tired. Despite what had happened earlier at the hospital, he couldn’t let go of this nagging feeling like he was being set up for a fall.
“I wanted to wait up for you.”
The redhead swallowed nervously. There was something about this guy that made him feel like the young one. “Oh,” he said. “Why?”
Luke smiled softly and ducked his head. When he looked back up, his gaze was caught on the nervousness on Reid’s face. “There’s something I want to tell you. Do you remember the conversation we had when you said, actually you told me, I should come to you when I know what kissing you means.” He reached out and gently patted Reid’s arm. “You said that until I could tell you what I wanted, then I shouldn’t say anything.”
Reid swallowed, trying to prepare himself for this. He gently spread his feet apart, shifting his center of gravity and bracing himself for whatever he was about to be hit with. “Have you come to a decision about Noah, or did Noah make it for you?”
“You know you constantly expecting the worst of me isn’t exactly an attractive quality,” Luke noted.
“Well, its good thing I have my rapier wit to fall back on,” Reid countered.
“I thought it was your magic hands,” the blonde responded, quirking any eyebrow.
Reid chuckled softly and shook his head. He didn’t know how Luke did it, but the exhaustion suddenly left his body and the tension he felt the moment he walked in disappeared. Luke had a way of making him feel better. As nice as it was though, it terrified Reid, not wanting to let the blonde have that power over him. But then again, Reid knew he couldn’t stop it either. “I’ve never wanted someone like you,” Reid admitted. “Actually, there are a lot of things I never wanted before coming to this town.”
“Are you planning to stay?”
“Is there something you know that I don’t?” Reid questioned. “About the hospital wing or has the money fallen through?”
Luke shook his head. “We’re still waiting, but after the visit with Damian, I think we’ll get it. I just…” Luke reached for his husband again, this time his palm coming up to grip Reid’s hip. “Are you okay with us being married for the foreseeable future?”
“When I agreed to marry you, Luke, I knew the conditions; I won’t go back on my word.”
“That’s almost everything I wanted to hear. I know what kissing you means. I know what I want it to mean.”
“And?” Reid asked, and he felt his hand shaking. He’d rarely been this unsure in his life.
“I want you,” Luke said simply. “I wanted to marry you, and I wanted to share my life with you. And, Reid, I don’t want that to end.”
Reid nodded his head, and Luke leaned up, brushing his lips against his husband’s. When he started to pull away, Reid’s hands gently snaked around Luke’s waist, bringing their bodies close again. Reid’s lips sought Luke’s, gently exploring the younger man’s mouth. He wanted to hear the soft sigh that Luke would elicit whenever Reid kissed him. Finally, Luke sighed and Reid’s hands moved from Luke’s waist to work on the buttons on Luke’s shirt. Luke pulled away for a moment, just enough to catch his breath and try to unbutton Reid’s shirt as well. But with the cast, it was difficult to maneuver, and then he felt a shooting pain in his side as he moved his arms up. His arms quickly fell to his sides, and he stepped back shaking his head sadly.
Reid knew something was wrong immediately. He gently cupped Luke’s face in his hands, searching the blonde’s eyes. “Are you okay?” he checked.
“Last time we tried this you said something about figuring it out,” Luke replied. “But… I’m still…”
“It’s okay.” Reid’s grip tightened. “I don’t want to hurt you. We’ll…” He let out a frustrated breath. “Another time.” He slowly let go of Luke and brushed one more gentle kiss against the younger man’s mouth. “We both need to rest anyway.” He started to walk past Luke.
“I want to sleep with you,” Luke said suddenly and turned to face Reid.
The doctor stopped. His heart pounded so loud in his chest; he was certain Luke could hear it. Maybe he was just having another panic attack. “Luke-”
“I know we can’t…” His voice trailed off, and a slight blush stained his cheeks. “But I miss you. As painful and awkward as that night in the hospital was, I don’t think I’ve slept as well since then.” With his good hand, he reached for Reid again. “Please?”
Reid nodded his head. “I don’t think I can deny you anything.”
*
One month later…
The money had finally come through. Another visit from Mr. Moretti had confirmed it. Luke was still weary, especially when he received a letter from Damian along with the funds. Reid insisted on reading it with him, but Luke didn’t write or call Damian in return. He wanted to move past all of that, and Reid was more than happy to comply.
Some of the weight was lifted off of Luke’s shoulders. He still struggled with running the shipping company, but he’d found a manger he trusted. Also, he was learning a lot. Reid was still working constantly, especially as the Snyder Pavilion was two days away from its opening.
Reid had insisted on giving Luke a walk-through after the construction crew had gone. He wanted to bring Luke into this world, his home away from theirs, to prove to Luke why it was so important, why they had gotten married. Luke already knew, but he was grateful to spend time with Reid. The doctor showed his husband every inch of the new space, explaining the equipment: some of it not yet on the market and what it would do. Luke had never seen Reid like this. He was like a kid in the candy store, and Luke loved it.
They finally made it Reid’s new office. “And you’ll be happy to hear this,” Reid informed Luke, as he opened the door and let Luke in. “We already have a few patients, and the families are grateful for all of your suggestions, especially the rooms. One of the patients, Billy, he’s eight, and his parents told me how glad they were to get into the Snyder Pavilion. Imagine my shock when it wasn’t just my brilliant surgical skills.”
Luke chuckled softly and walked further into the room. He liked the office. It was big but not imposing. There were a couple of framed pictures on Reid’s desk. One was a purple drawing that didn’t look much more than scribbles, and Luke suddenly remembered a conversation he had with Reid about Annie Judd. He walked up to that one. “Is this…?” He turned and watched Reid slowly nod his head.
“Yeah,” the doctor answered. “I never could let go of Annie’s drawings; it’s a way for me to keep her close.”
Luke smiled softly and pulled Reid to him for a gentle hug. His chin rested on Reid’s shoulder for a moment. He only pulled away when he noticed another picture on Reid’s desk. He let go of his husband and went over to the desk. It was a framed picture of Luke and Reid from their wedding day. Lucinda had insisted they take pictures, but Luke never knew what happened to them. He picked up the frame and turned back to his husband. “Reid?”
The redhead shrugged his shoulders. “It was in my old office. Haven’t you told me since the beginning we need to keep up appearances?”
Luke tried to ignore the burn of disappointment in his stomach. “Is there another reason?” he asked, silently praying there was.
“Well, you know, I like to keep pictures of myself around.”
The blonde chuckled softly. “Is this the only one?”
Reid looked at him for a moment before pulling his phone out of his pocket and handing it to Luke. The background on Reid’s phone was Luke. He wasn’t sure when Reid had taken it. Luke was laughing, and it looked like they were at Katie’s house. Setting the phone and the picture on the desk, Luke reached for the redhead and pulled him close for a kiss.
As was always the case with them, one kiss quickly led to another, and it felt like they couldn’t get enough of each other, be close enough, or touch enough. Luke briefly let go so he could start to unbutton Reid’s shirt. He tugged on the ends, pulling it away from Reid’s pants. Breathlessly, Luke said, “As nice as the tour has been and all, I really want to go home.”
Reid couldn’t help but smile. The blonde’s voice was thick, and his lips were swollen. Reid never wanted anyone more. “Are you sure? We haven’t because of your injuries. I don’t want to hurt you.” There was more to Reid’s questions; Luke had been feeling better for a couple of weeks now. Granted, there were times when they made out like teenagers, but Luke or Reid would put the brakes on when it came to going further. Reid wanted to know that Luke was ready, that he was ready to move past Noah.
Luke knew what Reid was asking, but he had a few questions of his own: mainly if they finally consummated their marriage, would it just be sex or did Reid want more? Because Luke was falling in love with his husband, he had been for a while. After everything with Noah, Luke didn’t want to say it first. He wanted to know that he and Reid were on the same page. But it felt like too much to say. Instead, Luke told Reid, “I’m sure I want you, yes.”
Reid smile sadly. “No.” He slowly shook his head. “I want to make sure you’re ready to move past Noah. I live in this limbo land with you. I mean, every night if I’m not stuck at the hospital, you come to my room and sleep next to me. And every morning, you’ve got the coffee made, and we have breakfast together. You used to give me panic attacks about having a life with you and being domestic. But the whole time, I’ve been waiting for you to come to me and tell me it’s over, that you’re going back to Noah.”
The blonde shuddered softly. He had hoped, but he wouldn’t allow himself to believe that Reid could feel even a little of what Luke felt for him. He’d been so afraid of getting hurt again, of allowing himself to feel again. But it was like trying to stop a rock rolling down a hill. Luke wasn’t alone in his feelings. And he hated the idea of Reid being in pain.
“Did you…” Luke sighed. “Did you mean it when you said that you could love me?”
Cupping the blonde’s cheek in his hand, Reid started to bridge the distance between them. “I already do. I-I’ve never been in this place before, and I’m not talking the marriage of convenience. I’ve never lived with anyone; I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you. I’m not going anywhere, Luke, but I have been waiting to see if you were.”
“No.” Luke shook his head, and Reid’s hand fell away. “No,” Luke insisted, tugging on the ends of Reid’s open shirt, and he brought his husband close. “I love you.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Reid’s mouth. “I love you.” He started to kiss Reid again, but this time the redhead reluctantly ended things.
“What?” Luke asked. His face scrunched in confusion. He thought finally he and Reid were on the same page.
“I love you too, and God, believe me, I have never wanted anyone as much as I want you right now, but…” He pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced around the room for a moment before turning back to Luke. “I have to see patients in here. Can we finish this at home?”
The blonde chuckled softly before instructing Reid, “Drive fast.”
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Thank you so much for reading. They finally figured it out, right? Just one more section to the grand finale...
Onto Epilogue…