105 Another piece of the puzzle

[sylnl]

Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title:  #105 Another piece of the puzzle
Rating: PG
Summary:  You raise me up to more than I can be - Brendan Graham
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar

Previously on As The World Keeps Turning:  click here for chapters 1 - 104

For a minute Reid was overwhelmed by the domestic view and the warmth it produced in his chest. The fire was burning, there was some soft music playing on the background, Danny sat curled up on the couch - totally absorbed in some picture book - and Luke was standing in front of the large window. There was a peacefulness that took Reid’s breath away. Then he made his way to his blond and when his hands found each other on Luke’s stomach, he felt his lovers hands on his.

Reid planted a quick kiss in Luke’s neck and nestled himself against the strong back.

“It is what it is, Looker.”

“I know,” Luke sighed, “but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“True,” Reid softly chuckled, “but at least the caterers managed to make their way through the snow, so we will have enough food.”

Luke didn’t respond. He knew Reid was trying to cheer him up, but he’d had high expectations about this night. Their first New Year’s Eve together. Their initial plans to celebrate in Metro had been swept away with the arrival of Danny and after their successful Christmas Eve party, they’d decided to invite some friends over. And their guest list had filled up very quickly.

But with one snowstorm after another, Luke expected the first cancellation any minute.

“Did you have any calls yet?”

“Nope.”

“So there’s still hope,” Reid suggested, against his own better judgment. He just hated seeing Luke so disappointed.

“And even if it will be just the three of us, we’ll make it special…” he tried some more.

Luke hands softly squeezed his.

“I know. It’s not that. It’s just…”

“…You’ve been looking forward to sharing this moment with friends…” Reid completed the sentence and Luke nodded.

“Exactly. I’ll be okay. I’m just a little sad right now.”

Reid pushed himself against Luke’s back some more, but didn’t respond. Luke had every right to feel sad, so he let him. Reid just held him close. And he didn’t let go when Luke’s phone rang. With his head against Luke’s body, he could feel the muscles tense up.

Luke’s “Hey Will” sounded discouraged. “Yeah, it’s pretty bad…”

Suddenly Luke straightened his back. “You are?”

Reid smiled. Luke’s sadness had gone into hiding and enthusiasm was back at the steering wheel.

“Yeah, sounds like a plan. I was certain you called to cancel…” Luke’s laugh sounded relieved, “Same here, Will. See you all soon. Be safe.”

After he disconnected, Luke turned around and kissed Reid firmly.

“They’re coming. They’ll bring all kinds of camping stuff over, so if it’s too dangerous to go back home tonight, they can camp out here.”

All of a sudden Luke seemed to realize something and looked Reid in the eye.

“That is okay, right?”

“Of course it is,” Reid gave him a quick smile. “But we do have a spare bedroom…”

“I know, but that’s Will. He likes to come prepared.”

Reid’s grin was telling.

“I like that in a man.”

“Of course you do,” Luke softly slapped Reid’s arm. “That also means they are coming this way pretty soon. The roads are being cleared right now, according to Will, so they’ll use that opportunity to make their way over here when it’s still light out.”

“Good,” Reid squeezed Luke’s chin. “I could use coffee anyway, so I’ll make some.”

Luke nodded, his eyes all shiny again. “Will said he really wanted to spend this night with us…I’m so glad he’s back in my life.”

“So am I,” Reid agreed. Having no friends had never bothered him - it had been a conscious choice -  but he was starting to understand the appeal. And he genuinely liked Will and Gwen.

When he passed the couch, he smiled at the little guy.

“Would you like some lemonade, Crumb?”

Danny smiled and nodded without looking up. It made Reid freeze in his tracks and he just stood there. When Danny finally tore himself loose from his book, he found Reid looking at him. Patiently, with one eyebrow raised.

When their eyes met, Reid repeated his question and Danny understood the message.

“Yes please, Daddy.”

After a quick nod and a thumbs up, Reid made his way to the kitchen. Unaware of Luke’s smile following him. Dr. Reid Oliver never failed to astound him. The man who was legendary for his lack of manners was now teaching their son some basic social skills. How cool was that? It also confirmed again that Reid knew the rules of society. He just didn’t care about them. Luke smiled. Yeah, his Reid was something else.

Luke’s heart made a happy flip when the gate bell sounded and while he pushed the right buttons, he watched Reid placing two glasses of lemonade near Danny. The boy’s “Thank you, Daddy” made Luke smile.

“You’re welcome, buddy,” Reid extended his hand, “Shall we say hi to Hallie?”

Danny - reluctantly - put down his book and put his hand in Reid’s.

“Can you lift me up, Daddy?”

“Of course,” Reid squatted and after Danny put his arms around his neck, Reid raised him to his chest. “You do like some altitude, don’t you?”

Danny’s contemplating and penetrating glance made Reid realize there was another piece of the puzzle coming. It was a cryptic one, this time.

“I want to see eyes.”

Reid closed his for a moment. He visualized the view of a small boy on the ground with an adult in front of him and he understood Danny’s message. He understood too well. It made him feel sick. Physically sick.

He softly caressed the boy’s hair. “You never saw their eyes?”

Danny shook his head, his eyes on Reid’s cheek.

“I wasn’t allowed to look up,” he whispered and when he felt Reid’s hand on his back, he pulled himself closer to Reid’s body in a silent hug.

“I wish I could erase those memories, Danny,” Reid whispered back and he heard the boy sniffle.

“Me too.”

Still standing in the living room, they could hear their guests arrive and Reid smiled when Luke suggested to put their luggage in the spare bedroom, giving Reid and Danny some more time together.

“You do know that’s all over now, right?”

Danny leaned back a little so he could look Reid in his eyes and he put his hand on Reid’s cheek.

“I know, Daddy. I know I’m safe. And Uncle Will doesn’t scare me. He has a nice smile. But still…” the boy shivered.

“I understand, buddy.” Reid’s voice was soft and tender. “Trusting people is not my best event either. But I’m learning, Danny. And so will you. We will learn together.”

Danny gave him a nod and threw himself around Reid’s neck again and Reid held him tight. He didn’t know how long he had been standing like that, but when he saw Luke cautiously looking at them, he waved him in. Mouthing a silent “Thanks”.

“Hey guys, welcome!” Reid’s cheerful tone made Danny lean back and smile at the guests. He waved and all three of them waved back.

“Hallie, I already made you some lemonade…” Reid pointed at the two glasses and looked at Danny. “Do you want to sit next to Hallie?”

After a small moment of hesitation, Danny nodded and Reid lowered the boy to the couch. Hallie had already climbed up and watched her friend with a huge smile.

“Hee Danny, were you reading this?” she picked up the picture book and when Danny nodded, her smile grew bigger.

“Mommy reads it me. It’s so funny!”

Danny nodded again, a small smile on his lips now.

“Yes, it is,” he agreed. “Does your mommy do funny voices too?”

“Yeah,” she thumbed through the book and showed Danny a page.

“Did you see this yet?” After Danny’s nod she continued, “this is the best part…”

Danny moved a little closer and the two little heads disappeared behind the book, leaving the adults smiling.

Reid pulled Luke closer when he felt Luke’s arm around his waist and he kissed his blond’s temple.

“And we’re back to normal again.”

Luke looked up at him. The ‘What happened’ was all over his face and Reid pointed in the direction of the kitchen. Gwen nodded.

“You both go. We’ll stay here.”

“Thanks Gwen,” Reid kissed her on the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re all here.”

“Me too,” the young woman took a deep breath, “it’s been quite a special year and we wanted to give it an appropriate send off.”

Reid slapped Will on his shoulder and the exchange of smiles underlined their comradeship.

“We’ll be back with the coffee,” Reid promised and with Luke’s arm around his shoulder, he made his way to the kitchen. To Luke’s surprise he walked to the kitchen door and opened it.

“I need some fresh air. One moment…”

“Take your time,” Luke softly said, caressing Reid’s back and enjoying the winter air in his lungs. “It’s snowing again.”

Reid nodded, but didn’t answer.

After a few deep breaths Reid closed the door, turned around and pulled Luke close, filling Luke in.

“Oh God,” Luke moaned, reaching behind Reid’s back and opening the door again. “So whenever he’s standing in front of an adult, he’s at eyelevel with…”

“…his demons,” Reid finished softly.

“Oh God,” Luke repeated, breathing in the cool air, “I don’t even want to think about it and he lived it, Reid. He wasn’t allowed to look up…” Luke shook his head, “There’s a whole story in those few words.”

“I know,” Reid kissed Luke on the temple again, still holding him close. “I know.”

After a deep sigh, Luke extricated himself from Reid and closed the door again.

“Let’s get the coffee.”

Reid nodded and silently they poured out the liquid tranquillizer. Even the smell seemed to calm them down. Luke even managed a smile when he bumped his shoulder with Reid’s.

“I love you.”

“And I love you,” Reid smiled too.

Both smiles vanished when Luke’s phone rang.