Fic: The Video
Title: The Video
Author: random_nic
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1641
Disclaimer: I disclaim anything owned by ATWT. I claim everything else.
Summary: AU. Luke is sent on what he thinks is a thankless errand.
Notes: Posted for nukeminibang and written for the prompt video camera from my promptslove bingo card. Go get yourself a BINGO CARD!
"Are you even listening?" Luke Snyder's patience for this errand had been precarious to start with. Ten minutes in, it had dwindled to non-existent.
"Yeah, sorry," the clerk mumbled as he rifled through DVDs on a shelf. "They're not here. Give me a minute and I'll check in the back." He disappeared through a doorway, leaving Luke to stew alone.
The task should've been simple enough. His mother had asked him to pick up her (newest) wedding video on his way to Sunday dinner at the farm. It was the first since his parents' most recent trip down the aisle, and Lily wanted to share the video with everyone.
The trouble was, she had informed Luke he'd be collecting six copies, but he was presented with only 3 DVDs. Of course, on a Sunday the store wasn't being manned by its owner, but a fellow Oakdale U student probably earning minimum wage for his troubles. Which was still more than Luke was earning for his.
Not that it would normally be such a burden to stop off in Old Town on his way home. But as soon as he walked in and saw who was manning the counter, Luke couldn't wait to get out of there. It was the same kid who'd assisted the wedding photographer at his parents' nuptials.
The very same guy who'd barely said two words to him, yet won a spot on Luke's shit list at their first meeting.
It happened in English composition during the first week of classes at OU. Luke sat with Maddie - sort of. It was their tried and true ploy to win more space for their (considerable) stuff, conceived and perfected in the trenches of high school.
On the first day of any shared class, they'd arrive as early as possible. The twosome would immediately head to the back row, staking their claim on the prime seats in the room. (Everyone knew, the farther away from the teacher, the better.)
But they would always leave a seat between them, and plop one of their backpacks into it. Consequently, as other students filled the classroom, their unmanned seat was left untouched - except in the event of a completely full house. Then, they'd have to move their things and cede the space.
In a school the size of Oakdale High, it almost never happened. And since seating assignments were always crafted based on where students sat the first day, they won themselves extra desk space for the entire school year. This allowed both friends the luxury of spreading out their stuff and freeing up their own desks.
Employing the same tactic on their first day at Oakdale U was a natural progression. And it worked spectacularly. By the time all students were seated, only two empty seats remained in the lecture hall. One in the very front row (classroom purgatory), and the one in between Luke and Maddie.
Five minutes into class, however, the plan changed. They weren't sure who saw him first. But they both spotted him.
A late arrival, attempting to get his bearings as he entered a side door of the lecture hall. He was carrying a large camera bag along with his backpack. He was examining a class schedule to confirm he had the right room number.
He was the most spectacular guy they ever seen.
Luke and Maddie shared a single look of rapid agreement before clearing the desk between them in three seconds flat. Maddie, the bolder of the two in such situations, went a step further by waving to catch Hot New Guy's attention. The new arrival saw her and smiled, clearly relieved at the invitation.
As he began to make his way towards them, however, Hot New Guy spotted Luke. He suddenly stopped. And stared.
And turned on his heel to make his way to the other open seat up front.
That was four weeks ago, and it still burned Luke. Who the fuck did Hot New Asshole (Luke's version of Maddie's nickname for the guy) think he was? Just because he was tall, dark, and okay, mouth-watering didn't mean he was God's gift to the world.
Luke had avoided the new student in class, which wasn't difficult since Hot New Guy seemed pretty intent on avoiding him. Not that Luke was paying attention, but it was hard not to notice when someone went out of his way to take the furthest classroom exit, rather than use a nearer door if it required him to walk past Luke. So, maybe Luke was paying attention a little bit.
When Hot New Guy showed up last week with his photographer boss to serve as the videographer at Lily and Holden's wedding, Luke was initially annoyed, until he realized it was his opportunity to ask the guy what his problem was. Had Luke forgotten him from grade school or summer camp? Had he kicked the kid's sandcastle or something?
Unfortunately, when Luke approached him, Hot New Guy mumbled some excuse about being on the job and unable to talk. As he quickly walked off, Luke decided the guy really was just a jerk. He scolded himself to stop obsessing about it.
After all, it wasn't like he cared whether everyone liked him or not. Luke especially didn't care that an asshole didn't like him. Not even a gorgeous, blue-eyed asshole who turned out to have a warm, masculine voice that made Luke want-
No. He didn't care.
What Luke did care about was that he could expect a lecture for being late to dinner if the asshole didn't hurry the hell up. The guy couldn't even find the contract that clearly stated the number of DVD copies Lily would receive. Luke could hear rustling in the distance, and added "disorganization" to the list of Hot New Guy's flaws. Along with "hating me", that brought the grand total to two. Dammit.
Increasingly bored as well as irritated, Luke surveyed the room to distract himself. He began idly sifting through the DVDs on the front shelf. Hot New Guy had already done as much without success, but maybe eyesight could be a third flaw, and Luke might find Lily's missing DVDs.
What he found was something else. He lifted it from the shelf, examining the DVD as if the outside could reveal its contents if he stared long enough. The only clue was the single word written on the cover.
It probably had nothing to do with anything. It could belong to another customer. Or a friend (if an asshole like Hot New Guy had friends).
Luke certainly wasn't going to put it in the DVD player conveniently sitting behind the counter. Though if he did, didn't he have every right to do something to pass the time while he was kept waiting? What was the harm?
Luke checked to see if the coast was clear. A tiny voice inside his head told him don't do it, but Luke's conscience was soundly bitch-slapped by his curiosity. He muted the sound as he popped in the DVD, hoping to decrease his chances of being caught.
When the video began, Luke instantly recognized his parents' wedding reception. Confused, he couldn't imagine why there'd be random footage of the last hour of the event on a DVD. Luke knew it was recorded late in the evening, as the band could be heard playing one of the final songs of the night.
Plus, he'd lost his jacket and bow tie by then. When the shot zoomed in, Luke could see that Ethan had fallen asleep in his lap. Luke looked tired but happy as he smiled down at his little brother. The already-close shot zoomed in on his face to catch the moment.
"What are you doing?"
The panic in Hot New Guy's voice coincided perfectly with Luke's realization of what was really going on. He didn't reply or even turn from the screen, but continued to watch the scene play, its focus remaining on Luke's face.
"I found the other DVDs," the embarrassed clerk sputtered, trying in vain to divert Luke's attention from the video. "Mike gets a little disorganized sometimes, but they're all here. The pictures will be ready in a couple more days. We'll be happy to deliver them to make up for the inconvenience today-"
"Why?" Luke turned to the other boy, cutting off the stream of inconsequential blabber with the simple question. When it hung in the air unanswered, he elaborated, "you can't stand me!"
Before Luke's eyes, Hot New Guy morphed into Hot Mortified Guy. "Yeah - no. I can. Stand you." As Luke tried to incorporate these new earth-shattering facts, the humiliated clerk continued, "are you gonna... I can't afford to lose this job. You have every right to tell Mike, but I swear I'm not some psycho. I've never done anything like this before."
"Why'd you do it now?" he demanded, holding up the DVD cover to display the one-word title - Luke - as if confronting a hostile witness in court. Luke knew he should just let the poor guy off the hook. But he had to know for sure; he had to hear it out loud.
"Because it's you."
Good answer Luke thought gleefully as he walked over to stand in front of the other boy. "What about me?" he asked teasingly, deliberately bringing his face to within inches of his prey's. "Noah," he added, finally using the moniker he'd spied on the clerk's name tag.
As realization dawned that his interest was returned, Noah's cheeks seemed to go two shades redder. But his relieved smile warmed Luke all over with its brilliance. He was almost sorry to lean in and steal it from Noah's face, touching their lips together in a kiss that sent sparks all the way to Luke's toes.
Almost sorry.
****************************************************************************************************
Apologies to Love Actually for the total plot heist.
Author: random_nic
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1641
Disclaimer: I disclaim anything owned by ATWT. I claim everything else.
Summary: AU. Luke is sent on what he thinks is a thankless errand.
Notes: Posted for nukeminibang and written for the prompt video camera from my promptslove bingo card. Go get yourself a BINGO CARD!
"Are you even listening?" Luke Snyder's patience for this errand had been precarious to start with. Ten minutes in, it had dwindled to non-existent.
"Yeah, sorry," the clerk mumbled as he rifled through DVDs on a shelf. "They're not here. Give me a minute and I'll check in the back." He disappeared through a doorway, leaving Luke to stew alone.
The task should've been simple enough. His mother had asked him to pick up her (newest) wedding video on his way to Sunday dinner at the farm. It was the first since his parents' most recent trip down the aisle, and Lily wanted to share the video with everyone.
The trouble was, she had informed Luke he'd be collecting six copies, but he was presented with only 3 DVDs. Of course, on a Sunday the store wasn't being manned by its owner, but a fellow Oakdale U student probably earning minimum wage for his troubles. Which was still more than Luke was earning for his.
Not that it would normally be such a burden to stop off in Old Town on his way home. But as soon as he walked in and saw who was manning the counter, Luke couldn't wait to get out of there. It was the same kid who'd assisted the wedding photographer at his parents' nuptials.
The very same guy who'd barely said two words to him, yet won a spot on Luke's shit list at their first meeting.
It happened in English composition during the first week of classes at OU. Luke sat with Maddie - sort of. It was their tried and true ploy to win more space for their (considerable) stuff, conceived and perfected in the trenches of high school.
On the first day of any shared class, they'd arrive as early as possible. The twosome would immediately head to the back row, staking their claim on the prime seats in the room. (Everyone knew, the farther away from the teacher, the better.)
But they would always leave a seat between them, and plop one of their backpacks into it. Consequently, as other students filled the classroom, their unmanned seat was left untouched - except in the event of a completely full house. Then, they'd have to move their things and cede the space.
In a school the size of Oakdale High, it almost never happened. And since seating assignments were always crafted based on where students sat the first day, they won themselves extra desk space for the entire school year. This allowed both friends the luxury of spreading out their stuff and freeing up their own desks.
Employing the same tactic on their first day at Oakdale U was a natural progression. And it worked spectacularly. By the time all students were seated, only two empty seats remained in the lecture hall. One in the very front row (classroom purgatory), and the one in between Luke and Maddie.
Five minutes into class, however, the plan changed. They weren't sure who saw him first. But they both spotted him.
A late arrival, attempting to get his bearings as he entered a side door of the lecture hall. He was carrying a large camera bag along with his backpack. He was examining a class schedule to confirm he had the right room number.
He was the most spectacular guy they ever seen.
Luke and Maddie shared a single look of rapid agreement before clearing the desk between them in three seconds flat. Maddie, the bolder of the two in such situations, went a step further by waving to catch Hot New Guy's attention. The new arrival saw her and smiled, clearly relieved at the invitation.
As he began to make his way towards them, however, Hot New Guy spotted Luke. He suddenly stopped. And stared.
And turned on his heel to make his way to the other open seat up front.
That was four weeks ago, and it still burned Luke. Who the fuck did Hot New Asshole (Luke's version of Maddie's nickname for the guy) think he was? Just because he was tall, dark, and okay, mouth-watering didn't mean he was God's gift to the world.
Luke had avoided the new student in class, which wasn't difficult since Hot New Guy seemed pretty intent on avoiding him. Not that Luke was paying attention, but it was hard not to notice when someone went out of his way to take the furthest classroom exit, rather than use a nearer door if it required him to walk past Luke. So, maybe Luke was paying attention a little bit.
When Hot New Guy showed up last week with his photographer boss to serve as the videographer at Lily and Holden's wedding, Luke was initially annoyed, until he realized it was his opportunity to ask the guy what his problem was. Had Luke forgotten him from grade school or summer camp? Had he kicked the kid's sandcastle or something?
Unfortunately, when Luke approached him, Hot New Guy mumbled some excuse about being on the job and unable to talk. As he quickly walked off, Luke decided the guy really was just a jerk. He scolded himself to stop obsessing about it.
After all, it wasn't like he cared whether everyone liked him or not. Luke especially didn't care that an asshole didn't like him. Not even a gorgeous, blue-eyed asshole who turned out to have a warm, masculine voice that made Luke want-
No. He didn't care.
What Luke did care about was that he could expect a lecture for being late to dinner if the asshole didn't hurry the hell up. The guy couldn't even find the contract that clearly stated the number of DVD copies Lily would receive. Luke could hear rustling in the distance, and added "disorganization" to the list of Hot New Guy's flaws. Along with "hating me", that brought the grand total to two. Dammit.
Increasingly bored as well as irritated, Luke surveyed the room to distract himself. He began idly sifting through the DVDs on the front shelf. Hot New Guy had already done as much without success, but maybe eyesight could be a third flaw, and Luke might find Lily's missing DVDs.
What he found was something else. He lifted it from the shelf, examining the DVD as if the outside could reveal its contents if he stared long enough. The only clue was the single word written on the cover.
It probably had nothing to do with anything. It could belong to another customer. Or a friend (if an asshole like Hot New Guy had friends).
Luke certainly wasn't going to put it in the DVD player conveniently sitting behind the counter. Though if he did, didn't he have every right to do something to pass the time while he was kept waiting? What was the harm?
Luke checked to see if the coast was clear. A tiny voice inside his head told him don't do it, but Luke's conscience was soundly bitch-slapped by his curiosity. He muted the sound as he popped in the DVD, hoping to decrease his chances of being caught.
When the video began, Luke instantly recognized his parents' wedding reception. Confused, he couldn't imagine why there'd be random footage of the last hour of the event on a DVD. Luke knew it was recorded late in the evening, as the band could be heard playing one of the final songs of the night.
Plus, he'd lost his jacket and bow tie by then. When the shot zoomed in, Luke could see that Ethan had fallen asleep in his lap. Luke looked tired but happy as he smiled down at his little brother. The already-close shot zoomed in on his face to catch the moment.
"What are you doing?"
The panic in Hot New Guy's voice coincided perfectly with Luke's realization of what was really going on. He didn't reply or even turn from the screen, but continued to watch the scene play, its focus remaining on Luke's face.
"I found the other DVDs," the embarrassed clerk sputtered, trying in vain to divert Luke's attention from the video. "Mike gets a little disorganized sometimes, but they're all here. The pictures will be ready in a couple more days. We'll be happy to deliver them to make up for the inconvenience today-"
"Why?" Luke turned to the other boy, cutting off the stream of inconsequential blabber with the simple question. When it hung in the air unanswered, he elaborated, "you can't stand me!"
Before Luke's eyes, Hot New Guy morphed into Hot Mortified Guy. "Yeah - no. I can. Stand you." As Luke tried to incorporate these new earth-shattering facts, the humiliated clerk continued, "are you gonna... I can't afford to lose this job. You have every right to tell Mike, but I swear I'm not some psycho. I've never done anything like this before."
"Why'd you do it now?" he demanded, holding up the DVD cover to display the one-word title - Luke - as if confronting a hostile witness in court. Luke knew he should just let the poor guy off the hook. But he had to know for sure; he had to hear it out loud.
"Because it's you."
Good answer Luke thought gleefully as he walked over to stand in front of the other boy. "What about me?" he asked teasingly, deliberately bringing his face to within inches of his prey's. "Noah," he added, finally using the moniker he'd spied on the clerk's name tag.
As realization dawned that his interest was returned, Noah's cheeks seemed to go two shades redder. But his relieved smile warmed Luke all over with its brilliance. He was almost sorry to lean in and steal it from Noah's face, touching their lips together in a kiss that sent sparks all the way to Luke's toes.
Almost sorry.
****************************************************************************************************
Apologies to Love Actually for the total plot heist.