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marsabi1Title: The Secret of Being a Grimaldi
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Luke has powers and has gone to Malta to confront Damian.
Disclaimer: Based on ATWT
Rating: PG
Warning: Last Chapters
Chapter 15
Luke remained curled up on the floor. His body racked with sobs. He hadn't known, not really, how deeply he loved Reid until then. He had never felt such complete pain. He waited for Reid to come back through the door, and the waiting became inconsolable. There was nothing to hold onto but all the memories forming like webs in his mind. The sensation of Reid touching him. The way Reid smiled, his fierce eyes, and his capable hands. Every minute Reid did not walk through that door, Luke felt his heart twisting. He knew that he was to blame, and that was the hardest part of it all. The pain of that was sharp and bitter. He had not protected his love. Luke closed his eyes. That was when a vision came to him, forcefully invading his mind.
He could see Reid. Somewhere dark. Reid was trembling, his whole body was trembling. Reid was frightened and alone. It was dark, a basement- no, a cave. Reid could not breathe. His lungs were burning-
Luke bolted up. Sweat poured off his skin. Luke tried to think. Then he just knew- Reid was in the caves under the Grimaldi castle. Reid needed him. Luke had no doubts that this particular vision was right.
He ran out of his room and raced down the hall. In his hurry, he smacked into one of Damian's guards. He was an extremely fat man, followed by a taller man. The fat one put his hands on Luke. Luke grabbed him back.
"Don't even try and stop me," Luke snarled.
To his surprise, the fat guard just froze. Luke realized that he had some of Damian's power now. The man stopped because Luke had touched him and told him to stop. The taller guard met Luke's eyes in fright. He fled. Luke did not have time to think over this new found ability; he had to get to Reid.
Luke went down to the lowest level of the Grimaldi castle. From there, he climbed down into the caves. It was incredibly dark in the cave and wet on the ground. It stank of salt and earth. Luke already knew that Reid was afraid of dark, small places. He called out Reid's name, frantically searching. It was no use. Then Luke took a deep breath. He had to calm down and focus. He used his mind. He followed it, through one cave and into another, until he found him.
Reid was a mess. He was hunched over and shaking. Luke thought the shaking was just from the fear of the cave, until he turned Reid around to face him. Reid's eyes were glazed. His body damp with sweat. His whole body was shivering uncontrollably. His fingers were bent and experiencing huge spasms. Luke could tell this went beyond Reid's normal fear. Rage at Damian filled Luke.
Luke touched Reid's neck and shoulders. He tried to hug Reid, but the shaking was too bad. Luke attempted to read his mind. All he could hear was, No, no, no! Not my hands!
Luke grabbed Reid's beautiful fingers and stroked them. He put one hand there and then held his other hand up to Reid's head. Luke summoned all his new strength.
"You are fine," he whispered to Reid, "your hands are fine. You are calm. You are steady. You are fine," He stroked Reid lovingly up and down his face as he said the words. Reid's eyes had started to lose their glazed appearance. They met Luke's. They still were fearful. Luke continued to hold Reid. He squeezed Reid's shaking hands. "You are fine. You are back in control. No fear." He just kept repeating these words to Reid, and slowly Reid began to respond. His shaking stopped. His body calmed. Luke took both of Reid's cheeks in his hands and gave Reid's lips a soft kiss.
"Luke?'
"I'm here. You're okay."
"You saved me, " Reid voice was hoarse, but strong. "Nobody has ever- " He looked up at Luke. "I mean -"
Luke cupped Reid's cheek again. "I'll always save you."
Reid closed his eyes for a moment. He licked his dry lips. "Your mother, Lucinda- " He told Luke.
"What?"
"They are here. I think in another cave. "
Luke wanted to just hold Reid some more. To connect with him again. To discuss their terrible fight. But now wasn't the time.
Luke pulled Reid to his feet. "Can you walk?"
"Yes."
Luke held one arm around Reid; he was a little unsteady. Together they wandered into the next cave and found Lily and Lucinda. They were no longer under Damian's mind influence, but both women were tied up. Luke set Reid down and then ran over to his family. He quickly untied them .
They all stood up.
"Let's get out of here!" said Reid, still hating the caves. But he was back to his normal self.
"I have a gun," Lucinda started to say, "back on the jet. If he comes -"
"No!" Luke told her. "Just go home. I will have to deal with this mess alone. " He thought of his vision with the gun and Lucinda. "I can't let you do anything else."
"We should all go," Lily said, still sobbing. "And quickly."
But it was too late. Luke could feel them arrive, even before he saw them. Damian and Bettina entered the small cave.
Bettina Grimaldi still was being pushed by her vacuous nurse. Her body remained absolutely still. But suddenly, Luke heard all of Bettina's thoughts. They were sick and evil. The plan now revealed itself to Luke. His grandmother wanted him to never leave this castle. She planned to drain his power and leave him here to waste away. Once Bettina Grimaldi fed off of Luke's youth and new abilities, she would regain her own body and be unstoppable. She would be the most powerful Grimaldi ever. She cared about no one else. Luke could hear vile ideas in her mind. Hatred for Lily and Luke as "not pure," and hatred for even Damian. She had been controlling Damian, although he had been trying to resist her. Bettina wanted Luke now; she wanted to take everything from him.
Luke recoiled. His eyes met his father's eyes. Bettina Grimaldi was wheeled closer to Luke. She reached out, already her body gaining strength from being in Luke's presence, one deformed and twisted hand to touch him.
"No!" Damian suddenly acted. He put himself between Luke and his mother. The old lady sank her claws into her only son. Soon their minds were locked in a fierce battle for dominance.
Damian's body started to shake. His eyes bulged. A trickle of blood came from his right ear. Luke could sense that Bettina was winning. That she was too strong for him. Damian was in serious trouble. Luke jumped into the mix. He put his own hand on Bettina Grimaldi's head. Togther, he and Damian battled her mind.
At Luke's touch , Bettina's body jerked and flailed around like a wild beast. Blood came pouring out of her eyeballs and nose. She coughed and wheezed and more blood poured out. Her body went into some kind of seizure again, thrashing and suffering. The whole time, Damian and Luke hung on to her, thinking thoughts of her destruction. She continued to jerk, like a puppet with broken strings. Her head tipped to one side. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. It was horrible to see. Then she just stopped. Her body a shell.
Luke let go of his grip on Bettina. Damian also dropped his hand. Luke turned to Damian and could see that, like his grandmother, Damian was now bleeding from his extremities.
"Reid!" Luke shrieked, calling instinctively for the one person he still trusted. He bent over Damian and gently touched his father's head.
Reid rushed over, forgetting all the trauma that Damian Grimaldi had put him through the past few hours, and reacting only to the pain in his Luke's voice.
"Leave him," shouted Lucinda, "It is what he deserves."
Lily just sobbed.
Reid checked Damian's vital signs. He looked at the bleeding from his nose and eyes. He frowned. There must be massive internal hemorrhaging.
Reid put one hand on Luke's chest. Luke's heart was pounding.
"We can try and get him to a hospital, " Reid told Luke, "but-"
Luke just shook his head, tears falling. "Please, Reid."
Reid nodded. Luke had just saved him from the horrors of his mind; he would try now to save Luke's father. Reid began to work on Damian.
"Luciano," Damian whispered.
Luke met Damian's eyes.
Damian Grimaldi knew he was close to dying; he had seen this battle with his mother in a vision just a few days before. Even as he tried to talk to his son, the world was becoming hazy. Dr. Oliver was trying desperately to save him. He was efficiently wrapping up Damian's head and putting pressure on his wounds. Maybe this doctor would save him, or maybe not. But perhaps here was a man who could protect his son from a life of emptiness; it was the life Damian had suffered too long.
"It's okay," he told his son. "It doesn't matter."
Damian's eyesight was fading in and out. Damian could no longer speak. His mouth tasted blood. He met Luke's mind in a final burst of strength.
Luke heard, Forgive me.
Luke embraced Damian, even though Luke was not sure he would ever forgive his father. But he still loved Damian and that had to be enough. Reid picked up his medical bag and was stitching up Damian, and Lily had finally found the courage to stop sobbing and was dialing an ambulance. Luke held his father as Reid gave Damian a shot of something.
"For his pain," Reid told Luke. Their eyes met. Luke's face was filled with suffering and deep sadness. It was all that Reid could do not to scoop him up like a lost boy and carry him away.
Damian Grimaldi rested in his son's arms. He felt no pain now. He was experiencing another vision of his future. It was a hospital. He knew then that he was about to live, but that his body and mind might not ever fully recover. But his vision of the hospital, a prison hospital he was almost certain, did not cause him any fear. His mother was dead. The Grimaldi legacy would live on in Luciano. It was enough. Damian moaned softly. He could sense his body was weak now, and his powers were fading. Draining out of him, perhaps forever. Damian closed his eyes and slept. When he woke up, his vision would be true.
Luke rode with Damian to the hospital and said his goodbyes to him there. He did not forgive him. Damian had hurt his family once again. On top of that, Damian had hurt the man Luke loved. No, Luke felt no forgiveness. But he hoped his father would find some kind of healing.
When Luke returned to the Grimaldi castle, Lily and Reid were already gone.
"Your father's powers? " Lucinda asked.
Luke shrugged and bit his lip. "Gone. Burned out. At least it seems that way for now."
Lucinda nodded and the pain on Luke's face stopped her from pushing it.
Luke looked around the castle. He never wanted to return.
"Mom and Reid?"
"They were both exhausted, darling. I sent them ahead of us on the jet. My pilot will return for us soon. "
"Okay," Luke said simply.
He did not even want to think about the fact that Reid had left him.
Lucinda patted his back.
"How about some food, darling? I'll go check with what is left of the staff."
Luke nodded again and Lucinda quietly closed the door behind her.
Luke sat in the darkness a long time.
Chapter 16
Oakdale
Back in Oakdale, Luke had cleaned up and slept for hours He had also tried to contact Reid a dozen times. He had left messages and texts. Reid had not responded. Luke had pleaded in those messages, but all he had gotten was silence.
It was starting to make him mad. Luke Snyder had a slow temper, but he could feel it building. Yes, Reid had many reasons to be furious with him, to end it officially even, but he could at least return Luke's calls.
It wasn't hard to find Reid; he was at the hospital. That was where Reid Oliver always was. He had been ignoring Luke's desperate texts and emails for 48 hours now. Luke hesitated outside of the hospital's break room. His fingers shook with nerves and he quickly jammed them into his pockets. He just stood there for a moment. He had to draw on his anger to get the courage to even push open the door.
Slowly, Luke went inside. Reid was there. He was in his scrubs, looking irritated as he flipped through some papers. At the sight of Reid's beautiful stern face all of Luke's anger just drained away, leaving him with just his fears.
"Hey," Luke said and tried his best smile at Reid, but Luke's eyes were worried.
"Luke," Reid answered. Then he frowned. "If you are here about Noah's condition; he is fine. He sees perfectly and has been released."
"Noah?" Luke shrugged, a purposefully blank expression on his face.
Reid rewarded him with a small grunt of amusement.
Then Luke said, "I heard he was out. That is great. You did a great job on him." It was hard to even remember the operation had been less than a week ago; so much had changed.
"I am the best,' Reid agreed.
"You certainly are, ' Luke smiled.
Reid just sighed. "Why are you here, Luke?"
"I'm," Luke stammered, "I'm here for you." He gulped hard. "I'm so sorry, Reid. I can control my powers now and- please believe me - I won't ever use them without your knowledge."
Reid was silent. Luke fought back his temptation to read his thoughts. He endured the silence instead.
"I just -please, " Luke said again. "I'm begging you."
"Well, stop it. Stop begging!" Reid got up and walked over to Luke. "You begged me in Malta and you begged me in all those messages. Just stop."
Tears filled Luke's eyes. He looked away. He refused to cry in front of Reid. He deserved whatever Reid had decided.
Reid tucked a finger under Luke's chin and forced their eyes to meet. "I like you on your knees, Snyder, but for other reasons."
Luke's eyes widened. Reid gave him a grin and let go of his chin.
"Remember something, okay? You don't need to beg me or anybody."
"But you were so mad," Luke said.
Reid shrugged. "And I still am, really pissed. And a bit overwhelmed by it. That's why I haven't called you back yet." Reid paced the room for a moment. Then he stopped in front of Luke. "But," Reid shrugged. "This is the part where we work it out like grown ups do."
Luke felt a tear slide down his cheek and quickly rubbed it away with the back of his hand.
"Without any more drama?" Luke said, trying to tease him. "You really don't belong in Oakdale, do you?"
"Oakdale has its attractions," Reid answered, giving Luke a heated glance.
"I would be happy to get on my knees in that other way," Luke whispered, "I am longing for that." Luke sniffed. "Actually, my powers always disappear at those moments. When we are together they vanish, cause I can only feel."
"Really?" Reid asked. "Huh. So you mean, if I just sex you up 24 hours a day - no powers?"
"Nope."
"Good to know."
"Plus," Luke murmured, stepping closer to Reid, looking into his eyes, "Now you know that I never really did beat you at chess."
Reid snorted, "I knew there was an explanation."
"And," Luke continued with his argument, "now that you know my powers, we never need to have those relationship talks that you despise so much."
"Cause you can just read my mind?" Reid said.
Luke took in a big breath of air. "Right, but only ever if you want me to." Luke raised a hand to Reid's cheek and stroked it slowly. "I love you and I promise you, I will never do anything without it being your choice. "
"So you want me to forgive you and be friends?" Reid said.
Luke shot him a look. "Friends?" Luke asked,stunned.
Reid rolled his eyes, "Luke, I'm kidding. Like I could ever be just friends with you. So... not friends?" Reid added dryly.
"Friends and lovers too?" Luke asked. "If it is what you want." Then Luke stared down at the floor.
"How 'bout this? " Reid said and reached for Luke's lips. They kissed. It was a kiss of passion and forgiveness. Luke opened his mouth and let Reid's tongue find his own tongue. They breathed in each other's scent. Reid wrapped a possessive hand around Luke's waist.
Then the kiss was over. Reid gave Luke a gentle touch on the chest.
"I love you," Luke told him simply. Reid did not answer, but neither did he retreat.
Reid cleared his throat.
"I am curious about the powers. Why they came so late for you. What about all those years with Noah, and no powers?"
"Well, Damian did say it came from a sexual awakening," Luke flushed.
"And being with that dull Mayer threw off all your sexual mojo," Reid replied.
"And being with my true love, " Luke said softly, "turned it all on for me."
"Don't be so mushy, " Reid gave a mock shudder, but he was smiling. "I thought you promised no relationship talks."
Luke laughed, "Okay." He touched Reid's lips with a finger. "Whatever you want."
Then Luke embraced Reid tightly and squeezed him for all he was worth. He just wanted to embrace Reid to show him how happy his forgiveness felt. Reid returned the embrace, slowly at first, and then fully. Luke's heart lifted in joy.
"Luke?" Reid said softly.
"Yes?" Luke asked, still holding onto Reid and hugging him.
"Read my mind."
Luke drew back, startled. "What?"
"You have my permission, just this once," Reid told him.
Luke searched Reid's eyes. "Are you testing me?"
"No , read it."
Luke did. He smiled, "Dirty, dirty thoughts, Doctor Oliver, " Luke blushed.
"At least they are about you, Mr. Snyder." Reid shook his head. "It really is amazing. I wonder what inside of your brain - "
"Hey, I love you, but no cutting into my brain." Luke grinned.
"A few tests?" Reid questioned.
"No!"
Reid snapped his fingers. "How disappointing. "
"I'll make it up to you right now, " Luke offered. " Lets get out of here and I'll fulfill every one of those dirty thoughts."
"I'm looking forward to having you keep that promise, " Reid laughed. Then he pulled Luke back into an embrace.
"I love you so much," Luke told him. Reid smiled.
"Okay, just once more," Reid said suddenly.
"What?" Luke asked.
"Read it again."
"I thought you said that time was it?" Luke said, laughing.
"Once more," Reid said. " Because I just can't say- " Reid shrugged, "I may never be able to say - - Just read me damn it! Once more."
"Okay, okay." Luke was a little bewildered, but he'd do anything for Reid.
Luke stared into Reid's magnetic blue eyes. Reid stared back at Luke and smiled softly.
Then Luke smiled; his whole face beamed.
Luke heard, I love you too.
THE END
Thanks to all those who read and commented
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Luke has powers and has gone to Malta to confront Damian.
Disclaimer: Based on ATWT
Rating: PG
Warning: Last Chapters
Chapter 15
Luke remained curled up on the floor. His body racked with sobs. He hadn't known, not really, how deeply he loved Reid until then. He had never felt such complete pain. He waited for Reid to come back through the door, and the waiting became inconsolable. There was nothing to hold onto but all the memories forming like webs in his mind. The sensation of Reid touching him. The way Reid smiled, his fierce eyes, and his capable hands. Every minute Reid did not walk through that door, Luke felt his heart twisting. He knew that he was to blame, and that was the hardest part of it all. The pain of that was sharp and bitter. He had not protected his love. Luke closed his eyes. That was when a vision came to him, forcefully invading his mind.
He could see Reid. Somewhere dark. Reid was trembling, his whole body was trembling. Reid was frightened and alone. It was dark, a basement- no, a cave. Reid could not breathe. His lungs were burning-
Luke bolted up. Sweat poured off his skin. Luke tried to think. Then he just knew- Reid was in the caves under the Grimaldi castle. Reid needed him. Luke had no doubts that this particular vision was right.
He ran out of his room and raced down the hall. In his hurry, he smacked into one of Damian's guards. He was an extremely fat man, followed by a taller man. The fat one put his hands on Luke. Luke grabbed him back.
"Don't even try and stop me," Luke snarled.
To his surprise, the fat guard just froze. Luke realized that he had some of Damian's power now. The man stopped because Luke had touched him and told him to stop. The taller guard met Luke's eyes in fright. He fled. Luke did not have time to think over this new found ability; he had to get to Reid.
Luke went down to the lowest level of the Grimaldi castle. From there, he climbed down into the caves. It was incredibly dark in the cave and wet on the ground. It stank of salt and earth. Luke already knew that Reid was afraid of dark, small places. He called out Reid's name, frantically searching. It was no use. Then Luke took a deep breath. He had to calm down and focus. He used his mind. He followed it, through one cave and into another, until he found him.
Reid was a mess. He was hunched over and shaking. Luke thought the shaking was just from the fear of the cave, until he turned Reid around to face him. Reid's eyes were glazed. His body damp with sweat. His whole body was shivering uncontrollably. His fingers were bent and experiencing huge spasms. Luke could tell this went beyond Reid's normal fear. Rage at Damian filled Luke.
Luke touched Reid's neck and shoulders. He tried to hug Reid, but the shaking was too bad. Luke attempted to read his mind. All he could hear was, No, no, no! Not my hands!
Luke grabbed Reid's beautiful fingers and stroked them. He put one hand there and then held his other hand up to Reid's head. Luke summoned all his new strength.
"You are fine," he whispered to Reid, "your hands are fine. You are calm. You are steady. You are fine," He stroked Reid lovingly up and down his face as he said the words. Reid's eyes had started to lose their glazed appearance. They met Luke's. They still were fearful. Luke continued to hold Reid. He squeezed Reid's shaking hands. "You are fine. You are back in control. No fear." He just kept repeating these words to Reid, and slowly Reid began to respond. His shaking stopped. His body calmed. Luke took both of Reid's cheeks in his hands and gave Reid's lips a soft kiss.
"Luke?'
"I'm here. You're okay."
"You saved me, " Reid voice was hoarse, but strong. "Nobody has ever- " He looked up at Luke. "I mean -"
Luke cupped Reid's cheek again. "I'll always save you."
Reid closed his eyes for a moment. He licked his dry lips. "Your mother, Lucinda- " He told Luke.
"What?"
"They are here. I think in another cave. "
Luke wanted to just hold Reid some more. To connect with him again. To discuss their terrible fight. But now wasn't the time.
Luke pulled Reid to his feet. "Can you walk?"
"Yes."
Luke held one arm around Reid; he was a little unsteady. Together they wandered into the next cave and found Lily and Lucinda. They were no longer under Damian's mind influence, but both women were tied up. Luke set Reid down and then ran over to his family. He quickly untied them .
They all stood up.
"Let's get out of here!" said Reid, still hating the caves. But he was back to his normal self.
"I have a gun," Lucinda started to say, "back on the jet. If he comes -"
"No!" Luke told her. "Just go home. I will have to deal with this mess alone. " He thought of his vision with the gun and Lucinda. "I can't let you do anything else."
"We should all go," Lily said, still sobbing. "And quickly."
But it was too late. Luke could feel them arrive, even before he saw them. Damian and Bettina entered the small cave.
Bettina Grimaldi still was being pushed by her vacuous nurse. Her body remained absolutely still. But suddenly, Luke heard all of Bettina's thoughts. They were sick and evil. The plan now revealed itself to Luke. His grandmother wanted him to never leave this castle. She planned to drain his power and leave him here to waste away. Once Bettina Grimaldi fed off of Luke's youth and new abilities, she would regain her own body and be unstoppable. She would be the most powerful Grimaldi ever. She cared about no one else. Luke could hear vile ideas in her mind. Hatred for Lily and Luke as "not pure," and hatred for even Damian. She had been controlling Damian, although he had been trying to resist her. Bettina wanted Luke now; she wanted to take everything from him.
Luke recoiled. His eyes met his father's eyes. Bettina Grimaldi was wheeled closer to Luke. She reached out, already her body gaining strength from being in Luke's presence, one deformed and twisted hand to touch him.
"No!" Damian suddenly acted. He put himself between Luke and his mother. The old lady sank her claws into her only son. Soon their minds were locked in a fierce battle for dominance.
Damian's body started to shake. His eyes bulged. A trickle of blood came from his right ear. Luke could sense that Bettina was winning. That she was too strong for him. Damian was in serious trouble. Luke jumped into the mix. He put his own hand on Bettina Grimaldi's head. Togther, he and Damian battled her mind.
At Luke's touch , Bettina's body jerked and flailed around like a wild beast. Blood came pouring out of her eyeballs and nose. She coughed and wheezed and more blood poured out. Her body went into some kind of seizure again, thrashing and suffering. The whole time, Damian and Luke hung on to her, thinking thoughts of her destruction. She continued to jerk, like a puppet with broken strings. Her head tipped to one side. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. It was horrible to see. Then she just stopped. Her body a shell.
Luke let go of his grip on Bettina. Damian also dropped his hand. Luke turned to Damian and could see that, like his grandmother, Damian was now bleeding from his extremities.
"Reid!" Luke shrieked, calling instinctively for the one person he still trusted. He bent over Damian and gently touched his father's head.
Reid rushed over, forgetting all the trauma that Damian Grimaldi had put him through the past few hours, and reacting only to the pain in his Luke's voice.
"Leave him," shouted Lucinda, "It is what he deserves."
Lily just sobbed.
Reid checked Damian's vital signs. He looked at the bleeding from his nose and eyes. He frowned. There must be massive internal hemorrhaging.
Reid put one hand on Luke's chest. Luke's heart was pounding.
"We can try and get him to a hospital, " Reid told Luke, "but-"
Luke just shook his head, tears falling. "Please, Reid."
Reid nodded. Luke had just saved him from the horrors of his mind; he would try now to save Luke's father. Reid began to work on Damian.
"Luciano," Damian whispered.
Luke met Damian's eyes.
Damian Grimaldi knew he was close to dying; he had seen this battle with his mother in a vision just a few days before. Even as he tried to talk to his son, the world was becoming hazy. Dr. Oliver was trying desperately to save him. He was efficiently wrapping up Damian's head and putting pressure on his wounds. Maybe this doctor would save him, or maybe not. But perhaps here was a man who could protect his son from a life of emptiness; it was the life Damian had suffered too long.
"It's okay," he told his son. "It doesn't matter."
Damian's eyesight was fading in and out. Damian could no longer speak. His mouth tasted blood. He met Luke's mind in a final burst of strength.
Luke heard, Forgive me.
Luke embraced Damian, even though Luke was not sure he would ever forgive his father. But he still loved Damian and that had to be enough. Reid picked up his medical bag and was stitching up Damian, and Lily had finally found the courage to stop sobbing and was dialing an ambulance. Luke held his father as Reid gave Damian a shot of something.
"For his pain," Reid told Luke. Their eyes met. Luke's face was filled with suffering and deep sadness. It was all that Reid could do not to scoop him up like a lost boy and carry him away.
Damian Grimaldi rested in his son's arms. He felt no pain now. He was experiencing another vision of his future. It was a hospital. He knew then that he was about to live, but that his body and mind might not ever fully recover. But his vision of the hospital, a prison hospital he was almost certain, did not cause him any fear. His mother was dead. The Grimaldi legacy would live on in Luciano. It was enough. Damian moaned softly. He could sense his body was weak now, and his powers were fading. Draining out of him, perhaps forever. Damian closed his eyes and slept. When he woke up, his vision would be true.
Luke rode with Damian to the hospital and said his goodbyes to him there. He did not forgive him. Damian had hurt his family once again. On top of that, Damian had hurt the man Luke loved. No, Luke felt no forgiveness. But he hoped his father would find some kind of healing.
When Luke returned to the Grimaldi castle, Lily and Reid were already gone.
"Your father's powers? " Lucinda asked.
Luke shrugged and bit his lip. "Gone. Burned out. At least it seems that way for now."
Lucinda nodded and the pain on Luke's face stopped her from pushing it.
Luke looked around the castle. He never wanted to return.
"Mom and Reid?"
"They were both exhausted, darling. I sent them ahead of us on the jet. My pilot will return for us soon. "
"Okay," Luke said simply.
He did not even want to think about the fact that Reid had left him.
Lucinda patted his back.
"How about some food, darling? I'll go check with what is left of the staff."
Luke nodded again and Lucinda quietly closed the door behind her.
Luke sat in the darkness a long time.
Chapter 16
Oakdale
Back in Oakdale, Luke had cleaned up and slept for hours He had also tried to contact Reid a dozen times. He had left messages and texts. Reid had not responded. Luke had pleaded in those messages, but all he had gotten was silence.
It was starting to make him mad. Luke Snyder had a slow temper, but he could feel it building. Yes, Reid had many reasons to be furious with him, to end it officially even, but he could at least return Luke's calls.
It wasn't hard to find Reid; he was at the hospital. That was where Reid Oliver always was. He had been ignoring Luke's desperate texts and emails for 48 hours now. Luke hesitated outside of the hospital's break room. His fingers shook with nerves and he quickly jammed them into his pockets. He just stood there for a moment. He had to draw on his anger to get the courage to even push open the door.
Slowly, Luke went inside. Reid was there. He was in his scrubs, looking irritated as he flipped through some papers. At the sight of Reid's beautiful stern face all of Luke's anger just drained away, leaving him with just his fears.
"Hey," Luke said and tried his best smile at Reid, but Luke's eyes were worried.
"Luke," Reid answered. Then he frowned. "If you are here about Noah's condition; he is fine. He sees perfectly and has been released."
"Noah?" Luke shrugged, a purposefully blank expression on his face.
Reid rewarded him with a small grunt of amusement.
Then Luke said, "I heard he was out. That is great. You did a great job on him." It was hard to even remember the operation had been less than a week ago; so much had changed.
"I am the best,' Reid agreed.
"You certainly are, ' Luke smiled.
Reid just sighed. "Why are you here, Luke?"
"I'm," Luke stammered, "I'm here for you." He gulped hard. "I'm so sorry, Reid. I can control my powers now and- please believe me - I won't ever use them without your knowledge."
Reid was silent. Luke fought back his temptation to read his thoughts. He endured the silence instead.
"I just -please, " Luke said again. "I'm begging you."
"Well, stop it. Stop begging!" Reid got up and walked over to Luke. "You begged me in Malta and you begged me in all those messages. Just stop."
Tears filled Luke's eyes. He looked away. He refused to cry in front of Reid. He deserved whatever Reid had decided.
Reid tucked a finger under Luke's chin and forced their eyes to meet. "I like you on your knees, Snyder, but for other reasons."
Luke's eyes widened. Reid gave him a grin and let go of his chin.
"Remember something, okay? You don't need to beg me or anybody."
"But you were so mad," Luke said.
Reid shrugged. "And I still am, really pissed. And a bit overwhelmed by it. That's why I haven't called you back yet." Reid paced the room for a moment. Then he stopped in front of Luke. "But," Reid shrugged. "This is the part where we work it out like grown ups do."
Luke felt a tear slide down his cheek and quickly rubbed it away with the back of his hand.
"Without any more drama?" Luke said, trying to tease him. "You really don't belong in Oakdale, do you?"
"Oakdale has its attractions," Reid answered, giving Luke a heated glance.
"I would be happy to get on my knees in that other way," Luke whispered, "I am longing for that." Luke sniffed. "Actually, my powers always disappear at those moments. When we are together they vanish, cause I can only feel."
"Really?" Reid asked. "Huh. So you mean, if I just sex you up 24 hours a day - no powers?"
"Nope."
"Good to know."
"Plus," Luke murmured, stepping closer to Reid, looking into his eyes, "Now you know that I never really did beat you at chess."
Reid snorted, "I knew there was an explanation."
"And," Luke continued with his argument, "now that you know my powers, we never need to have those relationship talks that you despise so much."
"Cause you can just read my mind?" Reid said.
Luke took in a big breath of air. "Right, but only ever if you want me to." Luke raised a hand to Reid's cheek and stroked it slowly. "I love you and I promise you, I will never do anything without it being your choice. "
"So you want me to forgive you and be friends?" Reid said.
Luke shot him a look. "Friends?" Luke asked,stunned.
Reid rolled his eyes, "Luke, I'm kidding. Like I could ever be just friends with you. So... not friends?" Reid added dryly.
"Friends and lovers too?" Luke asked. "If it is what you want." Then Luke stared down at the floor.
"How 'bout this? " Reid said and reached for Luke's lips. They kissed. It was a kiss of passion and forgiveness. Luke opened his mouth and let Reid's tongue find his own tongue. They breathed in each other's scent. Reid wrapped a possessive hand around Luke's waist.
Then the kiss was over. Reid gave Luke a gentle touch on the chest.
"I love you," Luke told him simply. Reid did not answer, but neither did he retreat.
Reid cleared his throat.
"I am curious about the powers. Why they came so late for you. What about all those years with Noah, and no powers?"
"Well, Damian did say it came from a sexual awakening," Luke flushed.
"And being with that dull Mayer threw off all your sexual mojo," Reid replied.
"And being with my true love, " Luke said softly, "turned it all on for me."
"Don't be so mushy, " Reid gave a mock shudder, but he was smiling. "I thought you promised no relationship talks."
Luke laughed, "Okay." He touched Reid's lips with a finger. "Whatever you want."
Then Luke embraced Reid tightly and squeezed him for all he was worth. He just wanted to embrace Reid to show him how happy his forgiveness felt. Reid returned the embrace, slowly at first, and then fully. Luke's heart lifted in joy.
"Luke?" Reid said softly.
"Yes?" Luke asked, still holding onto Reid and hugging him.
"Read my mind."
Luke drew back, startled. "What?"
"You have my permission, just this once," Reid told him.
Luke searched Reid's eyes. "Are you testing me?"
"No , read it."
Luke did. He smiled, "Dirty, dirty thoughts, Doctor Oliver, " Luke blushed.
"At least they are about you, Mr. Snyder." Reid shook his head. "It really is amazing. I wonder what inside of your brain - "
"Hey, I love you, but no cutting into my brain." Luke grinned.
"A few tests?" Reid questioned.
"No!"
Reid snapped his fingers. "How disappointing. "
"I'll make it up to you right now, " Luke offered. " Lets get out of here and I'll fulfill every one of those dirty thoughts."
"I'm looking forward to having you keep that promise, " Reid laughed. Then he pulled Luke back into an embrace.
"I love you so much," Luke told him. Reid smiled.
"Okay, just once more," Reid said suddenly.
"What?" Luke asked.
"Read it again."
"I thought you said that time was it?" Luke said, laughing.
"Once more," Reid said. " Because I just can't say- " Reid shrugged, "I may never be able to say - - Just read me damn it! Once more."
"Okay, okay." Luke was a little bewildered, but he'd do anything for Reid.
Luke stared into Reid's magnetic blue eyes. Reid stared back at Luke and smiled softly.
Then Luke smiled; his whole face beamed.
Luke heard, I love you too.
THE END
Thanks to all those who read and commented
