Fic: Repercussions (7/10)
Title: Repercussions (7/10)
Author: random_nic
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Don't own ATWT.
Word Count: 1236
Characters: Luke, Noah, Casey, Ali, Holden, Lily, Reid, Bob, Kim, Chris, Katie, Tom, Margo
Summary: Luke and Noah arrive at the farm, while Reid and Casey's drunken evening at Metro is cut short.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
After another hour of waiting on pins and needles, Holden finally heard the distant sound of the engine, signaling the approach of Noah’s pick-up truck. Thank God, he thought with relief. Luke appeared first; Noah had obviously dropped him off right at the door before parking the truck.
“Dad,” Luke offered in greeting, his embarrassed expression displaying his mortification about what Holden had happened upon earlier.
Without words, the elder Snyder took the few steps to reach his son, wrapping the young man in a paternal embrace. “You had us worried, kiddo. Help me hold back the grays; no more day trips in blizzards, all right?”
“It’s a deal,” Luke agreed, his initial discomfort dissolved through Holden’s ever-supportive actions. He returned the squeeze before stepping back to peel off his coat.
“I’m glad you’re both home safe. And, there’s something you need to know…” The words died on Holden’s lips as Noah walked through the front door, sporting a cut, swollen lip and a purplish bruise along his jaw. “So you talked to Reid,” Holden said drolly, grasping Noah’s shoulder in support.
“You could say that,” Noah replied.
“It was awful. He wouldn’t even listen to me! I never meant to hurt him like that,” Luke explained.
“I know,” Holden responded. “But you can’t expect him to see that - at least, not now. Maybe not for a long time. He was blindsided, Luke.”
Luke nodded, and looked to Noah. Following his son’s gaze, Holden saw that Noah seemed just as shaken by events as Luke. Instinctively, he understood that it wasn’t the physical altercation that had rattled his son’s once-and-again boyfriend.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Lily and Emma, who descended the staircase to smother both boys in grateful embraces. Naturally, Luke was treated to a spirited tag-team maternal lecture on the hazards of winter driving. Noah received only a gentle admonition for sneaking out into the storm to retrieve him.
With amusement, Luke suspected that had their actions been exactly reversed, he still would’ve earned the reprimand for sneaking out, while Noah would’ve gotten off easy for trying to beat a blizzard. Luke knew his family had a special soft spot for Noah, which was perfectly fine with him. Still, Luke wouldn’t have minded being in Noah’s shoes, and receiving the less censuring treatment.
“Well now that you’re here and in one piece, you boys can help me get the nice dinnerware down from the top shelf,” Emma instructed, happy to get back to Thanksgiving dinner preparations knowing both boys were safe and sound.
Noah and Luke rose to comply, reaching to bring the stacks of heavy ceramic plates and dishes down to the counter. At one point, they coordinated badly, with Noah’s elbow clipping Luke on the side of his head. Seeing Luke’s grimace, Noah automatically leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to the spot where his elbow had made contact.
It took a few moments before the two began to notice the total cessation of conversation in the room. They shared a confused look, then turned to the family. Immediately, they realized that Holden - understandably - hadn’t said a word about their reunion. But Noah's simple gesture had brought both women up to speed just as effectively.
For the second time in fifteen minutes, Luke and Noah were crushed into the arms of the Snyder women.
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This wasn’t what he’d had in mind. Reid internally decried the idiotic impulse that had prompted him to invite the human wreckage beside him to Metro. Since the arrival of Chris and Allison, Casey had downed the beer he’d been drinking and moved on to much harder stuff - and plenty of it.
Meanwhile, Reid - who’d been three sips into his first drink when the new couple arrived - had grudgingly switched to club soda. It had been immediately clear Casey would be getting shit-faced, and one of them needed to retain the capacity to at least call a cab. Though unless Reid resumed his original intention, he wouldn’t even be needing one.
Dammit, Reid thought bitterly. Had he come alone, Reid would’ve simply arranged the cab before he proceeded to get blissfully smashed. With Casey there, he’d been distracted by the kid’s admittedly compelling drama.
He could still make taxi arrangements now, and revert to Operation Inebriation himself. But annoyingly, Reid felt some irritating pang of guilt for bringing Casey here at all. Watching Chris and Allison grope each other on the dance floor had to be as much fun for Casey as watching Luke and Noah…
Anyway.
Like it or not, Reid felt a responsibility to make sure Casey got home in one piece. Preferably sans alcohol poisoning, if at all possible. Reid would have to stay sober long enough to achieve that much.
Maybe all hope wasn’t lost. If he could just get Casey out of here now, and drop him off at Chez Hughes, he could still hit a liquor store on his way home. Then he could drink in the peace of his own apartment, free from Hugheses and Snyders and Oakdalians, full stop.
“Let’s go,” Reid announced, rising from his barstool.
“Aww Doc, I’m just gettin’ started,” the younger man slurred, as his gaze returned to the adulterous pair on the dance floor.
“I say you’re finished,” Reid countered. “Time to mope in the comfort of your own home.”
It wasn’t lost on Reid that he was describing himself, too. Seeing Casey make no movement, Reid pushed his shoulder just enough to make him tumble off the stool, barely landing on his feet. Noting the lack of balance in the other man, Reid wove a reluctant arm around his waist to support him.
“You wanna dance?” Casey mumbled with a snicker, as if he’d made the funniest joke ever. “Yeah, let’s dance!”
Reid cringed at Casey’s antics as he tried to maneuver him to the door. Their course crossed the dance floor, which problematically brought them near Chris and Allison, as well as caused Tanked Casey to believe Reid had accepted his proposal. He clunkily threw both arms around Reid’s neck, and attempted a sway which sent them both into an awkward, back-and-forth stagger.
“Mister Hughes,” Reid said sternly, attempting to invoke a boss-employee tone that he hoped would get the younger man’s attention. “We’re leaving. Now.”
At that, Casey seemed to recapture a bit of lucidity. He nodded vigorously, the effect of which pitched his unsteady body forward into Reid’s chest. This provoked a fit of giggles, but Reid was satisfied that Casey appeared to understand, since he turned away to head towards the exit.
Unfortunately, Chris had maneuvered Allison (purposely, Reid suspected) directly into their path. Dr. Bob’s unworthy spawn crassly chose that moment to swoop in for another kiss with the woman, clearly intent on rubbing salt in the wound. Allison at least appeared to feel some scrap of shame, as she quickly pulled away, and offered Casey an apologetic look.
Reid understood, though, as he watched Casey stare back in desolation. Allison’s guilt wouldn’t mean any more to Casey than Luke’s did to him. The betrayal was complete, and nothing would placate it.
His musings were cut off in mid-thought, however, when Casey spun around, bodily grabbed Reid, and pulled him into a hard, sloppy kiss. Reid had no time to object before Casey suddenly released him, momentarily contemplated the ceiling, and promptly passed out cold.
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Next chapter
Author: random_nic
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Don't own ATWT.
Word Count: 1236
Characters: Luke, Noah, Casey, Ali, Holden, Lily, Reid, Bob, Kim, Chris, Katie, Tom, Margo
Summary: Luke and Noah arrive at the farm, while Reid and Casey's drunken evening at Metro is cut short.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
After another hour of waiting on pins and needles, Holden finally heard the distant sound of the engine, signaling the approach of Noah’s pick-up truck. Thank God, he thought with relief. Luke appeared first; Noah had obviously dropped him off right at the door before parking the truck.
“Dad,” Luke offered in greeting, his embarrassed expression displaying his mortification about what Holden had happened upon earlier.
Without words, the elder Snyder took the few steps to reach his son, wrapping the young man in a paternal embrace. “You had us worried, kiddo. Help me hold back the grays; no more day trips in blizzards, all right?”
“It’s a deal,” Luke agreed, his initial discomfort dissolved through Holden’s ever-supportive actions. He returned the squeeze before stepping back to peel off his coat.
“I’m glad you’re both home safe. And, there’s something you need to know…” The words died on Holden’s lips as Noah walked through the front door, sporting a cut, swollen lip and a purplish bruise along his jaw. “So you talked to Reid,” Holden said drolly, grasping Noah’s shoulder in support.
“You could say that,” Noah replied.
“It was awful. He wouldn’t even listen to me! I never meant to hurt him like that,” Luke explained.
“I know,” Holden responded. “But you can’t expect him to see that - at least, not now. Maybe not for a long time. He was blindsided, Luke.”
Luke nodded, and looked to Noah. Following his son’s gaze, Holden saw that Noah seemed just as shaken by events as Luke. Instinctively, he understood that it wasn’t the physical altercation that had rattled his son’s once-and-again boyfriend.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Lily and Emma, who descended the staircase to smother both boys in grateful embraces. Naturally, Luke was treated to a spirited tag-team maternal lecture on the hazards of winter driving. Noah received only a gentle admonition for sneaking out into the storm to retrieve him.
With amusement, Luke suspected that had their actions been exactly reversed, he still would’ve earned the reprimand for sneaking out, while Noah would’ve gotten off easy for trying to beat a blizzard. Luke knew his family had a special soft spot for Noah, which was perfectly fine with him. Still, Luke wouldn’t have minded being in Noah’s shoes, and receiving the less censuring treatment.
“Well now that you’re here and in one piece, you boys can help me get the nice dinnerware down from the top shelf,” Emma instructed, happy to get back to Thanksgiving dinner preparations knowing both boys were safe and sound.
Noah and Luke rose to comply, reaching to bring the stacks of heavy ceramic plates and dishes down to the counter. At one point, they coordinated badly, with Noah’s elbow clipping Luke on the side of his head. Seeing Luke’s grimace, Noah automatically leaned over, pressing a quick kiss to the spot where his elbow had made contact.
It took a few moments before the two began to notice the total cessation of conversation in the room. They shared a confused look, then turned to the family. Immediately, they realized that Holden - understandably - hadn’t said a word about their reunion. But Noah's simple gesture had brought both women up to speed just as effectively.
For the second time in fifteen minutes, Luke and Noah were crushed into the arms of the Snyder women.
*********************************************************************************************************
This wasn’t what he’d had in mind. Reid internally decried the idiotic impulse that had prompted him to invite the human wreckage beside him to Metro. Since the arrival of Chris and Allison, Casey had downed the beer he’d been drinking and moved on to much harder stuff - and plenty of it.
Meanwhile, Reid - who’d been three sips into his first drink when the new couple arrived - had grudgingly switched to club soda. It had been immediately clear Casey would be getting shit-faced, and one of them needed to retain the capacity to at least call a cab. Though unless Reid resumed his original intention, he wouldn’t even be needing one.
Dammit, Reid thought bitterly. Had he come alone, Reid would’ve simply arranged the cab before he proceeded to get blissfully smashed. With Casey there, he’d been distracted by the kid’s admittedly compelling drama.
He could still make taxi arrangements now, and revert to Operation Inebriation himself. But annoyingly, Reid felt some irritating pang of guilt for bringing Casey here at all. Watching Chris and Allison grope each other on the dance floor had to be as much fun for Casey as watching Luke and Noah…
Anyway.
Like it or not, Reid felt a responsibility to make sure Casey got home in one piece. Preferably sans alcohol poisoning, if at all possible. Reid would have to stay sober long enough to achieve that much.
Maybe all hope wasn’t lost. If he could just get Casey out of here now, and drop him off at Chez Hughes, he could still hit a liquor store on his way home. Then he could drink in the peace of his own apartment, free from Hugheses and Snyders and Oakdalians, full stop.
“Let’s go,” Reid announced, rising from his barstool.
“Aww Doc, I’m just gettin’ started,” the younger man slurred, as his gaze returned to the adulterous pair on the dance floor.
“I say you’re finished,” Reid countered. “Time to mope in the comfort of your own home.”
It wasn’t lost on Reid that he was describing himself, too. Seeing Casey make no movement, Reid pushed his shoulder just enough to make him tumble off the stool, barely landing on his feet. Noting the lack of balance in the other man, Reid wove a reluctant arm around his waist to support him.
“You wanna dance?” Casey mumbled with a snicker, as if he’d made the funniest joke ever. “Yeah, let’s dance!”
Reid cringed at Casey’s antics as he tried to maneuver him to the door. Their course crossed the dance floor, which problematically brought them near Chris and Allison, as well as caused Tanked Casey to believe Reid had accepted his proposal. He clunkily threw both arms around Reid’s neck, and attempted a sway which sent them both into an awkward, back-and-forth stagger.
“Mister Hughes,” Reid said sternly, attempting to invoke a boss-employee tone that he hoped would get the younger man’s attention. “We’re leaving. Now.”
At that, Casey seemed to recapture a bit of lucidity. He nodded vigorously, the effect of which pitched his unsteady body forward into Reid’s chest. This provoked a fit of giggles, but Reid was satisfied that Casey appeared to understand, since he turned away to head towards the exit.
Unfortunately, Chris had maneuvered Allison (purposely, Reid suspected) directly into their path. Dr. Bob’s unworthy spawn crassly chose that moment to swoop in for another kiss with the woman, clearly intent on rubbing salt in the wound. Allison at least appeared to feel some scrap of shame, as she quickly pulled away, and offered Casey an apologetic look.
Reid understood, though, as he watched Casey stare back in desolation. Allison’s guilt wouldn’t mean any more to Casey than Luke’s did to him. The betrayal was complete, and nothing would placate it.
His musings were cut off in mid-thought, however, when Casey spun around, bodily grabbed Reid, and pulled him into a hard, sloppy kiss. Reid had no time to object before Casey suddenly released him, momentarily contemplated the ceiling, and promptly passed out cold.
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