Is That Him?
Chapter: SIX Part A
Rating:PG-13
Word Count: 2095
Beta:
valenti1965
Artwork:
seajellybaby
Disclaimer: ATWT characters property of Telenext. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: Luke and Reid are happily married for years. But when Reid put his eyes on Noah.
Everything's changing.
Noah had been in his hotel room for more than two days now. He and his uncle had as usual, fought about the same thing. His refusal to get married to Ashley. His uncle’s and dad’s boss’ only daughter.
His dad and his older brother were both working for one of the biggest gas industries of the United States. They were successful Wall Street traders. But still they were completely aware that getting Noah and Ashley bond together with a religious wedding, was the quickest way for them to get promoted. And finally become rich men. Not that they could be defined as poor men though.
Noah felt as if he was one of the Ewings. Forced to think first of his family. But he knew from the bottom of his body entrails, that he never could be the perfect husband of that Audrey Hepburn's retorts.
He secretly would have rather wished to be one of all these charismatic actresses of the 50s, of whom all the men were crazy about. Not that he had a secret desire to wear women silky lingerie- or maybe he had- but he just loved how easy it was for them to be outrageously wanted. He just wished someone could want and love him, as much as they were loved in the classics. He desperately needed it.
He had so much to give. He didn’t want to be married with someone’s money. Most of it, he didn’t even know the girl he was supposed to marry. They had only met once. They were nine and ten years old. It had been water under the bridge.
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It was the spring vacation of the year 2002. Noah and his cousin Naomi were playing in his father’s sister’s back garden. As always Naomi was teasing him about his supposed love for his new correspondent. And obviously, Noah had to deny it.
“Noah is in love with James!” the little girl was singing in a teasing tone. “Nananana!”
“No way.” Noah was fiercely denying.
“Yes way.” She declared pointing one of her fingers on him. “You’re so in love, you’re sweating it Noah.” She added in a convinced tone, pulling her long and soft red hair behind her ears.
The ten year old boy ignored her. He loved James. Each cell of his body knew it. But it was nobody’s business. The year he and James had been corresponding, had probably be one the happiest years of his young life.
Naomi seemed annoyed that Noah was done with her. She knew he wouldn’t answer anymore. Reluctantly, she dropped it. Then the seven years old little girl grabbed her favorite Barbie doll, sat on a bench on the terrace and started to play with it. Noah sat next to her. Opening an envelope and begun to read for the hundredth time James’ last letter.
James was a bit older. He was twelve. So it should have been logical that the age difference would have been a problem. But it had never been the case. And probably because the kid had lied to James. Pretending to be twelve as well. But he was already as tall as a thirteen year old teenager and quite mature for his age anyway.
James had lived in his whole life in New York too. Until few months before. His mother and he had to move in a small town which James hated. Everything estranged him.
Noah loved James’ way of thinking. He was so intelligent and funny. He was all the things Noah wished he could have been. If only he could have moved too. Maybe he and James could have learned to love that town together. But Noah knew it was impossible.
The brunette was lost in thoughts. Suddenly a plump little blond girl came straight to him. Then she stopped walking few inches away from him. Looking at him with cunning eyes. And all of the sudden, the blonde kissed Noah on the lips. Noah jumped. Astonished.
None of the cousins had seen it coming. She had just appeared and kissed him out of the blue. Taking Noah off guard. Afterwards she had only said:
“My parents are sending me to a private school. For girls only!”
Noah’s and Naomi’s eyes were wide open. She sighed.
“I’m Ashley by the way.”
In so saying she took Noah’s right hand and shook it.
“Ahem. Hmm. Noah.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
What the hell?
“I’m Ashley Pettigrew. My dad’s your dad’s boss.”
“Oh.” Noah uttered realizing who the girl was.
“I’m sorry. I only wanted to know how it felt to kiss a boy.” Ashley admitted a bit ashamed.
“Erm. Ok.” Noah could only answer.
“Oh, this is Naomi. My cousin.”
“Hey Naomi.”
“Hi!” Naomi greeted her back.
“Love your blue eyes guys.”
“Thanks.” Noah had shyly answered.
And off she was in what was probably her parents’ huge car. Noah secretly hoped that his dad would not get fired because of this… kiss. Because, it was nothing. It was weird indeed. But no big deal. Really. But apparently it had had the opposite effect.
Later on Ashley had come back home few times. But Noah and she had never met again. Now after ten years of not seeing her, how could his family be expecting him to marry her? It was insane.
Was recovering from a strong surgery in peace, so much to ask? He had bled a lot during the surgery, making it harder for the surgeons to proceed. Fortunately Reid had succeeded in doing it. And after a day in the coma, Noah had awoken.
Noah clearly remembered awakening. The first shape he had seen and recognized was Reid’s shape. As if while hugging him the week before the surgery, his body and mind had memorized Reid’s body’s shape. As if it had been tattooed into Noah’s brain.
“Hey!” was the only thing he had said. Closing his hand on Reid’s and shivering.
Then Luke had appeared and placed a kiss on his forehead. Being such a motherly friend again.
Now Noah’s uncle had left town, he felt alone in this huge hotel room. Luke’s mom had nicely accepted to accommodate him, in one of the suites of her 19th century style hotel. Keeping the secret as Noah didn’t want Luke to know he was by himself. With nobody to take care of him.
Each day his sight was getting better. He could see shapes and colors. Not yet faces, but he could know to whom he was talking to. He was recovering in a faster way than Reid and the medical team had presumed he would. So Noah knew soon he would be able to start working again. Still few months to go. All he needed was to be patient. And time, was all he had.
Nevertheless he wished he could get rid of the pain of the daily headaches he had. He needed to take it easy as much as possible. Otherwise the migraines could get worse. And he did not want to end up in the hospital. He just had been freed from it. No way going back. He had to try to forget about his family. About Ashley. So to relax he put the Great Gatsby audio book on.
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Luke woke up on the couch. He was surrounded by Casey’s warmth. He didn’t know how this had happened but they had both fallen asleep in each other’s arms. Was not a first though.
Luke’s head was resting on his best friend’s chest. And his right hand was innocently lying on Casey’s penis. Not touching, nor caressing or stroking it. Only on it. When Luke realized where it was, he took it off as fast as if his hand had been burned. Casey unconsciously moaned when he felt something warm being removed from his pelvis area.
Luke sadly sighed and snuggling up closer to Casey. Holding him tight. He had had a rough night. Louisa’s call had been such a shock to him. After more than six years of her being MIA. She was in town with secrets about him she wanted to reveal. She had told him it was for his own good…
Yeah right!
... And because Reid had the right to know too. But why now? By leaving town around two months after Luke’s sixteen birthday party, she had bailed on them all. On her family and friends. They loved her. They didn’t deserve her to abandon them. And now she was back. Messing up with Luke’s mind and making him feeling guilty.
She had betrayed him. She had told Casey their secrets. She had promised she would never do such a thing. But seemed that she had lied. Luke would have never thought one of his best friends could hurt him that way.
Casey opened his eyes. He was lying next to Luke. For few seconds he listened to his worried friend’s breathing. He could hear Luke sobbing. This sound broke Casey’s heart. He could not stand Luke being that sad. He wished he could take that pain away.
“Hey Blondie.” Casey finally told him.
Luke jumped a bit. Ending in a sitting position. He had not realized Casey was awake. He rubbed his eyes. Trying to hide his teary eyes.
“Hey meanie.” Luke answered. Faking to smile.
“Don’t be sad Luke.”
“I’m trying to.”
Luke looked like a fallen angel. Casey could not bear it.
“It’s gonna be ok. Reid and I are there.”
Casey held him tighter. But not too much. As if he was afraid to see Luke breaking like a crystal vase.
“I know.” Luke answered in an apathetic tone.
“Even Noah would do anything for you.”
“Yeah maybe. He’s such a nice guy.”
Luke turned around. His eyes had stopped to cry and a light smile was on his angelic face. He could see his friend tenderly looking back at him. Worrying about him. He could also feel Casey’s soft touch. And was enjoying it. More than he had ever enjoyed it.
Casey was now absently caressing Luke’s bare chest’s skin. Playing with the silky golden hair. Luke felt his self burning at the touch. He stared harder at Casey. Eyes locked. Feeling deeply attracted to him.
Luke shifted a bit his position. Putting his right hand on Casey’s cheek. His left one on Casey’s waist.
“You always know how to calm me down Casey.” Luke said in a seductive voice.
“Anytime.”
Casey didn’t break the gaze. Nor told him to stop when he could see Luke moving down to kiss him. He bit his lower lip then he slowly opened his mouth. His eyes closed. Anticipating what was coming next. Luke’s sensual lips were lightly brushing Casey’s. Feeling each other’s hot breath. It was a magical moment. But even in heaven Luke could hear his phone ringing.
“Casey…” Luke managed to say.
“Hmm.”
Casey’s hands were now on Luke’s waist. Pressing Luke on top of him. Luke moaned when he felt his penis hidden in his underwear, being in contact with Casey’s bulge. He had to concentrate not to come on the touch.
Casey highly groaned and opened his eyes. He watched Luke for few seconds then smiled. Luke could see on Casey’s face how happy he seemed to be holding Luke. It should have pleased Luke. But on the contrary it scared him.
“Casey I…”
“What?” Casey asked.
“My phone’s ringing.”
“Let it ring.” Casey ordered.
He held Luke closer. Luke highly sighed.
“Casey. Oh god.” Luke said feeling his own bulge pressed harder on Casey’s.
Luke’s eyes were drowning into Casey’s. Their breath was accelerating. Their hearts beating in accord. Lips brushing. Mouths opening again. Tongues preparing for entrance…
But Luke held back. Ruining the moment. Luke wanted to let it ring and ignore the call. But his reasonable side made him sitting and taking it.
Casey had been taken off guard. He got up on his feet and left the living room. He didn’t even look at Luke while leaving. He was too hurt to do so. His heart was aching. Never before he had felt pushed away by Luke. Maybe THIS was the boarder not to be crossed.
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CHAPTER 6 Part B