marsabi1

Title: Sticks and Stones
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Halloween fic
Warnings: Kink, Sexual, Hurt and Comfort
Rating: Nc-17

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Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.



Chapter 11

Less than two hours later, Reid was back at the Lakeview. Ameera was lucid and all of her tests were excellent. Reid had updated a tired-looking Bob at record speed, left strict orders with the nurses, and hurried back to Luke.

He felt a little ridiculous, he'd never rushed out of work before to get back to somebody, and part of him felt a stab of anxiety forming in his belly, but a bigger part of him was just missing Luke. He tried to call him on the drive back, but Luke didn’t answer his phone. Reid had to remind himself not to speed as he pulled up to the valet and dashed into the Lakeview. When he opened his suite, the room appeared empty and for a second, Reid felt a sense of dread, until he saw Luke’s laptop open on the bed and his stuff scattered around the room. Reid tossed his keys down and called Luke’s name.

“In here,” Luke called.

Following his voice, Reid headed for the bathroom, and pushed open the door. Steam greeted his eyes.

“Good to see you no longer hate these,” Reid drawled, looking at him hungrily.

“Hate what?” Luke said, sounding a bit drowsy, his eyes closed.

“Baths,” Reid replied. “You weren’t a big fan as a kid.”

Seeing Luke in the tub, bubbles up to his chest, his arm thrown back behind his head, desire and a strong wave of affection overwhelmed Reid. He swallowed hard and crossed his arms at his chest.

Luke opened his eyes and grinned, “In classic romance novel form, my dislike has turned to love now. I love baths. If I ever buy a place of my own, I’ll have a Roman tub.”

“I approve, of both your Roman tub and improved hygiene.” Reid sat on the tub’s edge. “Turn around. I’ll wash your back.”

Luke did so happily. Reid picked up the washcloth and began to move it along Luke’s spine.

“Ahh,” Luke said. “S’nice.”

Reid rubbed in lazy circles, moving the washcloth over Luke’s shoulders and then back down to his hip. Reid could just see the curve of his ass through the bubbles.

“Ameera’s good?”

“Thanks to my brilliance, yes.”

“So modest,” Luke laughed and splashed some water at him.

“Hey,” Reid protested. “Watch the shirt.”

Luke’s eyes danced with mirth. “Then take your clothes off and they won’t get wet,” he suggested, grinning.

Reid stripped and got into the tub, sloshing the water over the edge. Reid sank farther down into the tubful of warm, suds and maneuvered his body to fit alongside Luke’s.

Luke turned and took the soap; he ran the bar in a line from Reid’s nipples to his abdomen, before scooping up some water in his hand and letting it drip down Reid’s chest.

Luke smiled suddenly. “By the way, I got some work done. While you were gone, I got the ball rolling on the family wing for Memorial.”

Reid nodded. “I knew you would, but this fast? That’s great. “

Luke’s face beamed at his words. “Thanks,” Luke said.

“Welcome.” Reid wrapped his arms at Luke’s hips and pulled him in for a kiss.

Luke came alive in his arms, squirming and rolling his wet body at Reid’s. Luke’s fingers grabbed Reid’s back, and his desire triggered a response inside of Reid and soon he was pushing Luke down into the water, climbing on him, still kissing his full lips. Lust tightened around him, both curled and waiting for more and pushing him along, as Reid forced his tongue deeper into Luke’s mouth, craving him. Luke groaned, almost under the soapy water completely, except for his face, his hands on the sides of Reid’s cheeks, his legs restlessly tangling up with Reid’s own.

“Let’s get to the bed,” Reid panted out, the kiss ending. He let Luke up a little. “I might drown you in here.”

As he said it, Reid absently let his fingers caress Luke’s wet skin, his palms gliding over Luke’s torso and then circling his back. Reid’s hand slid around, stopping at the slightly raised tissue of Luke’s scar, and Reid pressed at it curiously, but gently. He probed it with his finger, more doctor-like than lover-like, examining it and thinking that Luke’s surgeon could have done a better job.

Luke looked at him, and covered Reid’s hand with his own, both of their hands now over the scar.

Long moments ticked away.

“You didn’t get this from milking a cow,” Reid said finally.

Luke sucked his lips in, and then bit at the lower one. He yanked his hand off of Reid’s, who still held his fingers on the scar. Luke rubbed his palms up and down his thighs, and Reid imagined he’d like to jam those hands into some pockets right now. Luke sucked at his lips another moment, his body tense.

“I made a lot of mistakes over the years.” Luke pushed Reid’s hand away from his scar.

Luke didn’t continue. He fell stubbornly silent, his eyes down toward the tub’s drain. “I can’t,” Luke finally said. “You’ll hate what I’ve done.”

“Okay.” Reid let his hands drop into the warm water; he massaged Luke’s thighs. “I don’t think anything you say will shock me, but it’s up to you. “ Reid caressed him back and forth. “You know what I do hate though?”


Luke exhaled with a nervous laugh and wrinkled up his nose. “I’m sure there’s a list.”

“True,” Reid smiled slightly at that. “Weepy nurses, empty refrigerators, and towns in Illinois are at the top. “ Reid cocked his head to one side. “You haven’t raided my stash of snacks while I’ve been gone? “ Luke shook his head at him. “You didn’t invite the nurses over for a surprise intervention?”

Luke let out a sound like a half-laugh and half-sigh. “Stop being cute,” Luke gave him a push with the heel of his hand. “I’m really upset. “ Luke gave a small smile. “And I was about to bare my soul. “

“You just named the top of my hate list.” Reid made a sour face. “Soul baring.”

Another bubble of laughter came out of Luke’s mouth and Reid smiled at him.

“Can’t you just bare something else for me? “ Reid said. He looked at Luke suggestively, eyeing the glimpses of his skin just below the soapy water. “I can think of lots of other parts of you I’d like to see bare.”

“Enough,” Luke said. “Stop being funny.” He swished some water at him.

“I’ll stop,” Reid said straight-faced. “Because I know that this is Oakdale, and if I refuse to let you bare your soul, then a swarm of angry townspeople with picks and axes might burst through my hotel door. “

“A lot of them have reasons to be mad at me,” Luke said suddenly, his smile fading slightly. He ducked his head away.

This was the thing about Luke, Reid thought, he never stopped being truly concerned about other people. Normally, it was a quality that Reid secretly admired about him, but sometimes it got in the way of Luke’s common sense.

Reid glided his hand from Luke’s legs up to his chest. He grabbed at some hairs and tugged.

“Ouch,” Luke said.

“Toughen up.” Reid replied.

“Trying,” Luke answered. He nibbled at his lower lip. His eyes turned serious. “I just wish I could go back, and change all the times I hurt people, you know?“ A flicker of remorse touched his face.

“You can’t.“ Reid shrugged, bluntly.

Luke snorted at that. “I know that, Reid.” Luke moved his hands back and forth in the bathwater, a slight touch of heat at his cheeks. “But I still regret it. “ He tilted his head and looked at him. “I guess you have nothing in your personal life you regret?”

“I choose not to regret it. There’s the difference. And who says I have a personal life?”

Reid soothed the chest hairs that he’d just pulled. “Whatever is in your past, use it. Let it make you stronger. And as for telling me, it doesn’t matter, okay? Share it or don’t.“ Reid rubbed his hand in a circle at Luke’s chest, warming the wet skin there.

They gazed at each other. Reid felt that strong sense of recognition that he always felt with Luke.

Luke caught his breathe a moment. He stiffened his entire body, like he was bracing himself for a sudden blow.

“I cheated in a college election,“ Luke said in a low voice, his words rushing out. ”So, I got kicked out of school. The other guy was this homophobic jerk and I just - I wanted him to lose so much.”

“Okay.”

“And I also drank. I’m an alcoholic. It started out because I wanted to feel normal, you know? So I drank. But things only got harder and then I drank more to feel nothing. I kept trying to give it up, but by then I…couldn’t. The more I tried to stop it, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted it. I hurt everybody around me and still I didn’t stop; that’s how much I wanted to drink. Then I had to get a new kidney and -” Luke seemed incapable of going on. Luke flushed. “I know. It’s bad, right? I’m sorry-“

Reid cut him off. “Stop it. It’s a mistake to cheat, but it seems to me you’ve paid for it plenty. And everything you’re doing now? The foundation? Doesn’t that count?”

Luke made a frustrated motion, like he was about to argue, and the water swirled around. “Don’t be so nice to me.“

“Alcoholism is a disease.” Reid kept his voice matter of fact. “I’m never nice, you know that. I’m just telling you the truth. “

Luke hung his head down. “I screwed up a lot and –“

Reid rolled his eyes. “Just stop that. Self loathing is not an attractive quality on you.” He put his hand under Luke’s chin and forced their eyes to meet. “How long have you been sober?”

“Two years and five months.”

“So you’re managing your problem, taking care of it. “

Luke gulped, his throat moving convulsively, but no words came out. He could only nod.

“So then? That’s a long time.” Reid released his chin.

Luke kept his head lifted, his eyes on Reid’s. “It has been a long time. You’re right.” Luke gave him a smile and lifted his chin up even higher. Reid thought he looked heartbreakingly determined. “And I go day by day. I make no promises. “

Reid listened and nodded. He waited for Luke to get out whatever he needed to say.

“I only know that right now, today, I don’t want a drink. I want to focus on what’s good.”

Luke exhaled. Lightly, he touched Reid’s arm. “I’m glad that I told you. “ Luke smiled wobbled a little. “But I don’t think I want to say more.”

“You don’t have to.“ Reid lifted a hand to Luke’s cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

A startled sound escaped Luke’s lips, and he buried his head on Reid’s shoulder and grabbed the nape of Reid’s neck; he folded Reid into his arms and squeezed.

“Hey I said I was proud of you, “ Reid protested. “ I didn’t say to hug me.” Reid gave a pretend shudder. “You know I’m not a hugger.”

“Then toughen up,” Luke joked, throwing Reid’s words back in his face. Luke’s voice was thick, and he just hugged him harder. “Not only do I plan to hug you a lot, I might even force you to admit that you’re human once in awhile. “

“Don’t get carried away. “ Reid made a face at him.

In answer, Luke grabbed Reid’s head with his hands and planted a hard kiss on him, mashing their lips together. Luke thrust his tongue inside Reid’s mouth, desperately. He wriggled closer to Reid in the water, wrapping his legs around Reid’s waist and he deepened the kiss. Reid kissed him back, touching Luke’s back lightly and then threading his fingers into Luke’s hair. They rocked together, the water lapping at them, their mouths grasping hungrily for more contact. Reid felt like he was starving for Luke; his body demanding more.

Reid pulled back and climbed out of the tub, holding out a towel for Luke. They fumbled out of the bathroom, kissing again, and fell onto the edge of the bed. Luke knotted his legs at Reid’s hips and lifted his ass up toward Reid’s arousal. He grinded his body against Reid’s.

“Wait,” Reid rasped out, pulling back.

“What?” Luke asked.

“If memory serves, you were going to try something new.”

“Oh,” Luke’s eyes widened. He seemed suddenly paralyzed.

Reid touched him on the arm.

“You’ve asked for it and I’ve agreed. You’ve got me here.” Reid flashed him a smile. “What are you going to do to me now?”

In answer, Luke tore off Reid’s towel and threw it across the bed. With the towel gone, the cold air sent a shiver up Reid’s backside. He climbed farther up onto the bed, and Luke did too, gesturing for Reid to lean against the bed’s headboard, his arms spread, his head resting at the wall. Luke wriggled his body underneath Reid, so that his face was just under him, and Reid was straddling Luke’s chest, his erection at Luke’s eager lips. Luke clamped his mouth down on Reid’s dick, and Reid’s fingers dug into the headboard, which banged at the wall. From this angle, Luke deep-throated him, his mouth hot and wet, taking Reid almost down to the base of his cock, and giving him fierce, noisy sucks. Reid made a startled noise, a shudder ripping through his body.

“My God, Luke,“ he rasped.

Luke sucked harder, his hands kneading the flesh of Reid’s ass, one finger giving little touches at Reid’s hole. The finger pressed and teased, and Luke’s lips slid up and down on Reid’s wet dick. Reid groaned and pushed himself down, sinking into Luke’s mouth. His hands held the headboard and his body began to spasm, until Reid cried out, coming strongly into Luke’s mouth, and Luke was gulping and almost mewling with pleasure. Small quakes rocked Reid’s frame; he felt helpless to stop them. Reid folded in against the headboard, and he felt Luke moving underneath him.

Luke pulled him down and turned him around, kissing Reid’s mouth, tasting like Reid’s cum.

Reid wrapped his arms at Luke’s waist, getting closer to him, feeling Luke’s own erection at his stomach. Reid captured Luke’s tongue, suckling it deeply into his own mouth, as he let his fingers wander down to Luke’s hardness and close over it, jerking at him roughly. Luke moaned and bucked at the invasion, and Reid could feel his cock had twitched back to life in response. Luke buried his hands in Reid’s hair, sliding to the nape of his neck. He kissed Reid again, and they sank down into the mattress, rolling this way and that, kissing more.

Luke pushed him to his stomach, and Reid quickly spread his legs, raising his ass up. Luke paused and Reid glanced back to look at him. Luke rested a trembling hand on Reid’s ass and he gazed at Reid hungrily. Reid half-growled in answer, raising himself up more, opening his legs up, holding the bed for support, encouraging Luke to go on.

Luke trembled against him, hugging him from behind. Then he grabbed Reid’s butt tightly. He nibbled at Reid’s firm cheeks, and then finally parted his mounds and licked directly at his hole. Luke made greedy noises of pleasure as he sucked it, his mouth hot and clinging.

Reid wondered how he was still breathing, his fingers clutching the bed, a loud moan coming out from deep inside of him. Reid looked back, seeing Luke’s nose and mouth buried at his crack, and Luke’s hands firmly pulling his ass cheeks apart. Luke was making deep, approving grunts, appearing to find Reid’s taste rich and decadent on his tongue. Reid could feel Luke shaking with desire as he licked and kissed him there. Reid turned away, facing the bed again; the sight of Luke at his ass enough to make his dick leak.

Luke sucked harder, pushing his tongue all the way in to Reid’s tight hole, causing Reid to fall down onto the bed, shaking. Luke climbed after him, making his way up, hugging Reid’s back, his body sweat-soaked. Luke kissed his way back down to Reid’s ass, and Reid felt Luke’s breathe at his puckered flesh, and then Luke gave another, agonizing lick. Luke’s tongue made a ring-shaped movement, circling the very outside of Reid’s hole. Luke licked again, gliding up and down this time, teasingly.

“It’s so sweet and dirty,” Luke whispered, wonder coloring his voice. Reid’s body jolted at his words, and he opened his mouth to answer, but only panting sounds came out. Luke tongued him again, pushing in more, his teeth nipping a little, and then he began to rim Reid in earnest. Luke’s entire mouth was at his asshole, Luke’s nose in his crack, he licked, bite, and thrust. Both of them were moaning. Luke was holding Reid’s hips, his mouth kissing his hole now, those amazing lips of Luke’s clamped down on him. Reid’s moans were more desperate, he jerked and pulled right and left; the pressure of Luke’s mouth on him almost too much, too intense.

“Fuck me already!” Reid shouted out. He grabbed his own dick in his hands and yanked it desperately.

Luke drew in a quick breath, and Reid heard him fumble for the condom; it took his too damn long to roll it on, and Reid growled with impatience, jerking his own cock again, making some pre-cum start. Luke, meanwhile, had found the lube and was smearing it along Reid’s hole. Reid buried his face in a pillow and tried to have patience. He almost snapped at Luke that he was wet enough from his mouth, but he swallowed it back, trying to let Luke lead.

Luke mounted him slowly, his fingers still moving in and out of Reid’s lubed hole. They were both breathing heavily, and Reid felt Luke’s cock hard and ready, waiting for entrance. Reid willed himself to relax. He could feel Luke hesitating, and Reid reached around to reassure him with a gentle touch on Luke’s hip. He reached back more and stroked Luke’s arousal. Luke gasped, allowing Reid to play with him, flicking Luke’s cock back and forth at Reid’s opening, making them both shudder. Reid let go of him and bent his body lower in invitation. Luke wrapped an arm around his waist. He was positioning himself and then plunging in. Reid inhaled quickly, because Luke has come inside a little too fast and there was a slow burning now.

“Sorry.” Reid could feel that Luke was about to withdraw, and he squeezed his muscles together, holding Luke to him.

“Go,” Reid said, his voice hoarse. ”Please,” he added. He needed Luke inside of him.

Luke pushed in another inch, then another, until he was all the way. Luke made a noise at his success, and trembled slightly.

Reid knew he would be tight and Luke’s cock was completely overwhelming to him, filling him. Reid squeezed hard with his ass muscles again. He turned back to Luke and smiled at him. Luke looked dazed, but a ready smile formed quickly enough. Excitement shone in Luke’s eyes, turning Reid on even more. Reid nodded at him, and Luke started to really move.

Luke thrust hard into him, his chest smacking at Reid’s back. Reid’s knees and wrists were throbbing now, Reid pushed back at Luke with his body, causing Luke to go in deeper. Luke grunted, putting his hand at Reid’s lower back, and rutting into Reid’s hole. Reid inhaled sharply, like he’d been stuck with a pin, and he bit down on his lips. Luke pumped excitedly, thrilled with the response, his slick cock moving in and out.

Reid could feel his body giving more, opening for Luke. Luke gave a high sounding moan, and rode him wildly, changing the leverage and finding the exact right spot. Now it was Reid who cried out. He fell forward a little, and Luke pulled him back, grabbing his hair and yanking his head, fucking him deeper, and it was better than Reid ever had known. He twisted under Luke’s assault, his ass slammed back and forth with the force of Luke’s thrusts, and his cock twitching helplessly, his body a sweaty mess of need. Pumping crazily now, Luke rutted his whole body, grinding his hips and pushing in a way that built pressure. Reid couldn’t help the small noises escaping his lips, as he took it. A wave of heat flooded Reid’s entire body. He wanted to hold off, Luke wasn’t done ramming in and out of him, but then Reid felt Luke reach around and grasp his cock, milking it with his fist.

Reid fell over the edge of the most intense orgasm of his life, and he came in several breathtaking shots, coating his own stomach and chest with his sticky seed.

Luke rocked into him, murmuring words in a sweet voice, over and over in a chant, and then he convulsed too, releasing into Reid in a mix of passion and heat.

Luke collapsed on top of him, breathing heavily. He was sweaty and heavy and felt wonderful.
They lay there a long time, just lingering together.

Luke kissed the side of Reid's face again, and caressed the nape of his neck. Then he pulled out and rolled off of him and they smiled at each other.

“See?” Luke said sweetly, tracing a lone finger down the side of Reid’s face. “It is okay to be human.”

Reid’s smile faded. He stared into Luke’s soft eyes. Being with Luke, Reid felt more than human. He felt exposed.

Luke snuggled into him, eyes closed, completely at peace. Reid’s own heart started to speed up. He cared about Luke. He couldn’t keep denying it. Reid’s hand trembled slightly as he pinched the bridge of his nose, and a trickle of sweat ran down his face. Things were getting way out of control. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to care. He shouldn’t be here, doing this. He’d thought he could keep a lid on his own feelings, keep in control of it all, but his desire for Luke was spinning away from him, and Reid never had feelings like this. Reid gazed at Luke, looking at his sweet smile and shuddered.

Reid crossed his arms over his chest. Luke was snoring those cute snores. He still had the condom on his now flaccid dick. The smell of sex permeated the air. A muscle jumped in Reid’s cheek. He’d always been in control of his life, the greater the control the less likely the pain. He was a fool; he was kidding himself. He’d been an idiot to imagine he could keep this simple and clear and that they could just be fuck- buddies or whatever. Reid didn’t know much about human relationships, but he did know that whatever he felt for Luke, it was starting to feel anything but temporary.

Reid sat up gingerly, and slipped out of the covers. He headed into the bathroom to clean himself up; his cum was dried on his chest and stomach. He inhaled deeply, gazing at his own shocked face in the mirror. This was a mess - a complicated, painful mess. But for once in his life, Reid didn’t want to return to neat and orderly. Neat and orderly suddenly sounded lonely as hell. Reid exhaled slowly. He could hide that small piece of his heart being affected by Luke. Luke would never have to know, and when Luke was ready to move on, then he could, and Reid would walk away without protest. Reid gave his reflection a determined nod. It might hurt, but he was an adult; he could handle it.

He climbed back into the bed with Luke. Resting his head on his elbow, Reid watched him sleep. Luke deserved somebody who would put it all out there, risk it all for him, and know how to love him. Reid let his thumb graze Luke’s lower lip a moment. He wasn’t that person, but he could have just a little longer with him, and Reid would enjoy it until he had to go. He’d give Luke a beautiful time to remember. He gently bent down and kissed Luke’s cheek.

Reid lay back on his own pillow and tried to sleep, trying to ignore that he still felt uneasy.

***
Two weeks passed in a haze of Reid’s favorite non-medical things: Luke and food. They fell into a pattern. Reid worked at Memorial during the day, finishing up the Mayer case and handling a few other neuro-incidents that arose, and spent every other moment with Luke.

Ameera would be discharged soon and Reid was merely checking on her now. He only saw Noah by her bedside once, and the look of longing in the poor girls’ eyes made Reid want to throttle him. It seemed like Noah needed people to adore him, and didn’t think much beyond that. Other than that, Reid didn’t bother dwelling on him. Noah had been the biggest fool on the planet not to appreciate Luke’s sweetness, so it didn’t surprise him that Noah didn’t appreciate his wife either.

Reid was concerned for Ameera, though, and her plans once she was released. He made a note to check into really good rehabilitation facilities for her - one far away from Oakdale.

As she recovered, Reid contacted his boss at The Mayo Clinic, who had fumed at him over the phone, threatening to replace him, but he really had no choice but to accept Reid’s request for some personal time, and his official vacation started the following week. When he told Luke about it, Reid tried to downplay it all. “Rome, Paris, or Oakdale,” he’d joked, pretending to juggle his vacation options in the air. Luke’s eyes had widened and he’d just leaped on Reid, peppering him with kisses. Reid was still getting use to the idea of being at leisure soon.

Luke, meanwhile, began to focus on organizing his plans for a family wing. In the evenings, they’d meet, and Reid always felt a bubble of delirious pleasure when Luke came over. He usually brought Reid food, take out from various places around town, or little treats he’d cooked for him. They’d eat and talk, sometimes for hours. Reid talked more to Luke than he’d ever talked to anybody in his life, and Luke listened to every word. Reid told him about medical school and his residency and the different places he’d lived. He shared his ideas for the perfect neurological facility.

Luke, in turn, talked about his family, all his siblings, and his love for them. He told Reid about the magazine he dreamed of starting and editing, something like The Advocate, and his hopes for doing good work with the foundation.

After eating, sometimes feeding each other, they’d begin to have sex. The positions varied every night; Luke was willing to go wherever Reid would lead him. Reid might be on top, standing over Luke as he lay on the bed, his legs encircled at Reid’s waist, or Reid might mount him from behind, and pound into him on and on, until they were both spent.

Other nights, Luke topped, entering Reid slowly, making sure to give Reid foreplay like sucking Reid’s neck, or massaging his balls, and Luke’s earnest attention to his body always sent Reid into a paroxysm of pleasure. They would roll around, changing it, switching it up. Some nights, they jerked each other off, or sucked fervently on each other, tasting the salty cum in their mouths.

They spent every moment outside of work in each other’s company. A few times, they drove out to the farm and ate with Emma. She didn’t seem to bat an eye at their new relationship. She just fed them, and let them go. They walked around the farm, hand in hand, the leaves crunching under their feet, the air crisp and pungent, completely comfortable with each other.

On the days Emma was out, Reid made good on a few of his fantasies, taking Luke roughly in the hayloft, mouth-fucking him first, impaling Luke’s eager face at his dick, and then wrestling Luke backwards, entering him with the smell of earth and sweat and hay all around them, as Reid pounded into Luke furiously.

They did it near the pond too. Luke just played along the water at first, rolling up his pants and wading up to his knees. Reid waded in too, surprising himself, and their feet groped along the rocks and mud. They held onto each other, the water enveloping their legs, grasping each other’s arms for support, until Reid threatened that the chilly water might make his balls shrivel up, and Luke gasped in mock alarm.

“Good golly, we can’t have that!” He pressed his hand to his heart, making Reid grin.

They stumbled back to the grass, laughing, and Luke leaned against Reid for warmth, nuzzling his neck and resting his head on him. Luke had brought a blanket and some music, and they kissed for hours, before and after, just aching for the taste of each other’s lips. Reid sucked Luke to hardness slowly, savoring Luke’s dick in his mouth, forcing Luke to just lie back and take it. Reid wanted nothing more than to pleasure Luke, doing everything he liked. Reid made his way from Luke’s arousal to his ass, taking his time rimming him, while Luke helplessly twisted, his fingers pulling out clumps of grass. Reid’s hand found Luke’s erection, sliding a thumb over the slit, and his mouth ate at Luke’s musk, licking him endlessly. Crying out, Luke exploded, and Reid let his tongue taste that too, sucking up the sticky cum from his hand and Luke’s stomach, and then kissing Luke some more. They did it slowly, a cold breeze on their skin, their bodies so engaged in their primal dance, their drumming rhythm, matching each other perfectly, that the heat between them blocked the chill.

If other people knew about them, Reid wasn’t confronted about it at the hospital. He did feel nurses looking at him sometimes, twittering to each other likes birds, but they’d scatter the moment he looked their way. And other than his immediate family, Reid didn’t think Luke saw anybody as he worked steadily on the foundation all day long. Their bubble of togetherness remained untouched, and Reid wasn't eager for it to be broken, dreading the end of his vacation, and his return to a lonely, Luke-less life in Minnesota.

Luke was affectionate too, making good on his promise to hug Reid frequently, but every hug still surprised Reid and made his heart buck wildly. He learned to accept it, even return them, but it still surprised him. He’d been hugged more in the past two weeks than in his entire life. When Luke wasn’t hugging him, he was letting his eyes just linger on Reid, a secretive smile on his face. Reid found himself touching Luke’s cheek or grazing his arm, or holding Luke’s hand, making excuses to himself for all these casual touches. Reid allowed their bodies to be pressed close without any space between them. At those moments, Reid would stare at Luke intently, and there were no words to describe how connected he felt, and Luke would stare right back, almost imploringly, never taking his eyes away from Reid’s, and it made Reid want to plummet deep inside of Luke’s body so much that Reid would have to turn away.

Luke also loved to cuddle, which was expected. He liked to kiss Reid all over, small kisses, and then simply rest his head at Reid’s collarbone or nuzzle his neck. Reid was becoming used to that too. It began to feel natural to hold Luke all night, pressing their bodies close, sharing warmth. Cuddling him, Reid began to notice tiny parts of Luke, like the curve of his earlobe, the shape of his chin, and sometimes he would stay up late and just watch Luke sleep, appreciating every piece of him.

Other nights, he’d watch him just to hear him breathing steadily, and Reid would have to curl his hands into fists to stop himself from touching him, because on those nights he felt like waking Luke and asking him questions about their relationship – what they were to each other, and where this was going -- and Reid never did that sort of thing; he'd never even wanted to. Besides, it wasn’t going anywhere. They both knew that. It was a few weeks of pleasure and companionship, nothing more. But Luke seemed to feel Reid's longing, even in sleep, and he would inevitably nestle his body closer, and Reid would feel reassured in some unspoken way.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.



Chapter Four

When Reid came back to Ameera’s room, Noah was by her bed. Luke was there too, his back to Reid, hands jammed in his pockets.

Neither of them seemed to notice Reid standing at the door.

“I just think you should consider the risk first, “Luke was saying, “before you sign it. Read the risks- “

“This isn’t your decision to make, Luke,” Noah said in a nasty voice. “It’s mine. This is my wife.”

“I know that.” Luke’s voice sounded hoarse and desperate, “I just want to be sure before-“

“And I just want to do this thing. Now. Or don’t you want Ameera to get better?”

Luke visibly flinched.

Reid cleared his throat. “Actually, he’s right. You should read all the information I left you.”

Luke jumped in surprise and turned to Reid. Reid saw a quick flash of gratitude in Luke’s eyes. He hitched his mouth up a moment and let his eyes just rest on Luke.

“Come in,” Noah said “Don’t just stand in the door way. Luke, make room for Dr. Oliver. “

As Reid approached, Noah’s expression changed. He was all smiles . Luke moved into the corner and rocked back and forth on his heels.

Noah focused on Reid intently. “I’m so ready to have you start, Doctor Oliver. I want Ameera to get well!”

“We all want that,” Luke said. His eyes looked pleadingly at Noah, who ignored him.

Reid glanced from one to the other. “We need to discuss the possibility of your wife having suffered permanent tissue damage,” Reid said to Noah. “It could be minor or be substantial. I won’t know until I get in there. Do you understand?”

Luke made a guilty noise and started near Noah, his face full of sadness and sympathy.

“She could have brain damage?” Noah said slowly, his eyes stunned.

It always shocked Reid how much a family member often live in denial. Of course, his wife might be damaged; her brain could be smashed like rotted fruit. She might wake up fine, or she might wake up a quadriplegic, or with the thought-process of a child.

“I’m sure she’ll be okay,” Luke said. “She’s young and strong and –“

“Stop,” Noah said. “This is my problem, my wife.” He made a face like a lemon was in his mouth, his thick eyebrows knitted together angrily. “Dr. Oliver, I’d like to talk with you. In private, okay Luke?”

Luke’s expression reminded Reid of the day Luke was hurt at the pond. He’d held his hand up to his head with a look of confusion, the blood staining his fingers before Reid had carried him away. The walk back to the house, holding Luke, had felt like forever. Reid nearly tripped several times. Reid remembered that Luke hadn’t cried; he’d been dazed, and shocked that something in this world would hurt him, but he hadn’t cried.

That was how he looked right now. Like Noah had just given him an unexpected blow.

Reid sawed his finger back and forth under his jaw. He was being idiotic, remembering all this old stuff. Luke was not a child and Reid wasn’t here to fix Luke. Reid’s lips clamped together. He busied himself with the chart, fiddling with his pen.

“You understand, right?” Noah asked Luke now, his voice slightly dismissive, so different from the obsequious tones that he’d addressed Reid with earlier.

“Fine,” Luke said abruptly and turned. He briefly looked Reid’s way. Reid hadn’t planned to look up at him, but he lifted his head and met Luke’s eyes. When Reid saw embarrassment and misery reflected there, Reid’s hands curled into fists.

Luke stared dumbly at him for one more second and then he left.

“Dr. Oliver-“ Noah started to say.

Reid held up a commanding hand. He gave Noah a measuring look.

He took out his stethoscope and bent over Ameera. Whatever Noah wanted to say to him could damn well wait a moment. It was difficult to put Luke’s agonized face out of his mind as Reid checked Ameera’s vitals. He listened to her heart. He deliberately took his time with the exam.

“She sounds strong,” he informed Noah at last, “but that could change instantly.”

“I can’t believe this is happening to me,” Noah said.

“Actually,“ Reid replied, “it’s not. “ He gestured toward Ameera.

But Noah wasn’t listening; his face was buried in his hands.

“She was fine the morning I left her to go to Java. She was singing an Iraqi song.“ He looked up at Reid, “Singing! And then I come home to find Luke there dialing 911, and Ameera on the floor-“

“Luke called 911?” Reid repeated. It seemed odd to him how involved Luke seemed in this case.

“Yeah, Luke was with her and I know he’s upset about Ameera.” Noah said. “But I just can’t deal with his needs right now. This isn’t about him.” Noah looked at Reid, “Can you keep Luke out of the room?”

“He isn’t family or anything, right? “ Reid said slowly. “I don’t see a problem.”

“He’s not family, and she’s my wife.” Noah’s tone turned indignant again, as if his wife were a toy he owned and he was five. “I don’t want Luke trying to control it all. Even if he’s paying for her room and everything, I should be the one to decide for my wife what to do.”

“He’s picking up your medical costs?” Reid said. “But you don’t want him here?” This whole thing got stranger and stranger.

Noah nodded, clearly not bothered that Luke was paying for it all, even as he treated Luke like dirt.

“Yeah, Luke’s great to help out,” Noah said automatically, without any warmth. “But I need to concentrate on Ameera right now and nothing else.”

Reid felt puzzled . Somewhere there was a hidden piece here and he just wasn’t seeing it. He usually excelled at puzzles of any kind. Reid must have consumed too much of Bob’s lousy coffee; his head throbbed. He held his fingers up to his temples a moment and rubbed.

“She’s my wife,” Noah repeated possessively, giving Reid his answer.

Both men must be in love with her. Luke must be in love with Noah’s wife. That was the missing piece of the puzzle. Reid recoiled from the thought, but it was the only explanation that made sense. It explained why Luke was picking up the cost and why he looked so devastated, and why Noah looked so resentful. Reid looked at Ameera. She was a nice-looking girl. She had dark hair and a delicate face. Reid touched the girl’s cheek a moment. He thought about Luke. Right or wrong, if she was the person that Luke loved, then Reid wanted her well. He would never do less than his best for a patient, but now Reid felt a strange urgency about it.

“It’s your wife,” Reid agreed, his voice tight. “So what is it you want to do?” Reid asked carefully. “Are you going ahead with the surgery?”

“Dr. Oliver,” Noah said, “what do you think I should do?”

Reid said nothing. His freaking headache was becoming worse, and Noah’s voice was like a hammer at the back of his skull.

“Do you think we should operate?” Noah persisted.

Reid shrugged. “Yes, but –“

“Then that’s good enough for me.”

So much for this guy wanting to make his own decisions. What an ass. If he and Luke were in some sort of love triangle with Ameera, it seemed astonishing to Reid that Luke had any competition. Why would anybody want Noah over Luke? Reid blew out a breath. He needed to let this go. It wasn’t his job to care about any of this. It didn’t matter. Noah’s agreement gave Reid what he wanted-a magnificent operation, and then he’d take the fastest exit out of this insane asylum.

“Fine” he looked abruptly at Noah. “We’ll proceed with the operation.”

Noah nodded. He picked up the consent forms and dutifully signed them.

***

The Snyder farm practically glowed in the setting sun. It seemed smaller than Reid recalled, but still beautiful. The leaves hadn’t started to turn yet, but soon they would be glowing with color. The fields stretched out as far as you could see. Reid knew that just beyond the ridge, the pond was waiting.

Reid smiled slightly. He almost missed that pit of black water. He remembered how the bottom of it would coat his toes in soft mud and the water was always crisp, even on the hottest day. It always smelled like wet grass and flowers there. Now he swam in chlorinated water of YMCAs, where the only smell was of chemicals.

He loosened his tie a little and looked around. He should have stopped first at Yo’s and had a few beers. Reid yanked at his tie some more; it still felt too damn tight. He estimated how long he could just stand on the Snyder porch before somebody found him. He walked up another step. Finally, he reached the front door and knocked.

Emma answered the door. Her round face broke into a smile of welcome. She dusted some flour from her hands and greeted Reid warmly.

“It’s so good to see you, “she said.

“You too.” Reid had always felt comfortable with Emma. They’d had a simple relationship of food.

He was about to comment on how nice the farm looked, when Lily appeared.

“Reid, it’s been a long time.” Lily said in a more formal tone than Emma’s. “How are you?”
Lily looked around at him and Reid suddenly realized he’d forgotten to bring anything like flowers or wine to the dinner.

“You look good,” Lily added, going in for a hug.

Reid grimaced at the little squeeze she gave him. But he managed a smile.

Just then, a couple of kids barreled into Reid as they dashed for the door.

“You’re it!”

“You are!”

They ran down the porch and out to the yard like crazed puppies.

“Children!” Emma called them, “We have a guest.”

“What can you do?” Lily said with a tiny shrug. She went back into the house.

“I got you both!” Luke bellowed out at the kids, appearing quite suddenly from behind the house. He chased them around in circles.

“Goodness! Stop it,” Emma scolded. They stopped and Reid saw that all three had the same wide smile.

“Ethan and Natalie - go upstairs and wash up. Natalie it’s your night to set the table.” Emma shook her head at them . “And say hello to Dr. Oliver.”

“Hello,” the kids dutifully chorused. Reid offered a hand to them and they just giggled. They ran inside.

“You came,” Luke said, still in the yard. He smiled at Reid.

“I did.”

“I’m glad,” Luke said simply, but his eyes shined.

“Luke,” Emma instructed. “Dinner won’t be for a little bit. Why not show Reid around the farm again? He might enjoy that.”

“Okay.”

Luke gestured for Reid to come down and join him.

“Want to go to the barn first?”

“Sure. Might as well start with the appetizing smell of manure.”

Luke laughed and then led the way. As he unlocked the barn door, he said, “Don’t let my dad hear you say that. He’d bottle this smell if he could.”

“Ahh, now I know his secret with the ladies.”

Luke sighed. “That would be funny, Reid. If my mom wasn’t hoping he’ll show up tonight.”

“Oh. So Holden and Lily….“

“Split up,” Luke smiled painfully. “Again.”

“Sorry,” Reid said, his eyes softening on Luke.

“Oh well,” Luke tried to shrug it off. “Hope springs eternal.”

So did dysfunction, Reid thought, but he said nothing.

“We don’t even live at the farm right now. Mom has a place in town. We come to see Emma and Dad, but if Mom comes then he usually isn’t around.” Luke went over and gently patted a cow.

Reid listened, but he didn’t know what to say.

“So,” Luke said in an overly bright tone, still patting the stupid cow. “How’ve you been?”

Reid nodded. “No complaints.”

“Are you happy at the Mayo Clinic?”

“For the most part.”

Luke studied him with his expressive eyes. “Are you happy outside of work? “

“There’s a life outside of work?”

Luke half-smiled at that. He gave the cow one last pat. Reid made a face at the animal. Milking bovines was one job he never wanted again. It had taken him years to forget the rubbery teat in his hand.

“Is being a doctor really everything? “ Luke said.

Before Reid could respond, Luke walked closer to him.

“There’s nothing else you want in life?”

He was close enough that Reid felt the heat from his body and smelled the sweetness of his breath.

“What about your life?” Reid asked quickly. He tactfully moved away from Luke. “You’re in what? Your last year of college?” Reid was genuinely curious about Luke’s life, which he marked as an oddity. Usually, anything outside of medicine, Reid just tuned out.

Luke took a moment to answer. “I’m not in school right now, actually.” Luke studied his feet.

“Oh? “ Reid frowned slightly. “You decided to drop out?”

Luke hesitated. “Not exactly.” Luke glanced away. “I made a pretty big mistake and was asked to leave.“ He had a red spot of humiliation on his cheeks now. Reluctantly, he looked back at Reid. “Can we just change the subject?”

Reid nodded. “Sure.” Then he paused a second. “But how bad could it be? Did you hurt somebody?”

“No, of course not. It wasn’t anything like that.”

“Okay. But Holden and Lily didn’t defend you? Stick up for you?”

Luke walked back over to the cow’s pen. He rubbed his hands over the wood.

“Why should they?” Luke gave a slight shake of his head. ”I told you that I made a mistake. I deserved it.”

Reid tapped his hand against his thigh impatiently. “And nobody else in Oakdale has ever made one of those?” Reid scoffed. He hitched his body forward a little and took a small step toward Luke. “No matter what, they should have stuck up for you.” Then, as his eyes met Luke’s, Reid tried to lighten the mood. “Besides, couldn’t they just buy you a new university or something?”

Luke stared at him. “You know, nobody else is like you, Reid.”

Reid wasn’t sure if it was a compliment or a criticism.

“I’m unique,” Reid agreed, a little awkwardly.

Luke nodded. He skimmed his hands over the wood again.

“You’ll get a splinter doing that,” Reid warned.

Luke grinned then. “Unique,” he repeated suddenly.

He crossed the distance between them and gently brushed his hand at Reid’s collar. “I really missed you sometimes.”

Reid was silent. Luke played with his collar. He looked into Reid’s eyes. “Did you ever miss us? Miss Oakdale?”

“I’m too busy to miss things. “

“Are you?” Luke said softly.

Reid forced his gaze away from Luke’s. The barn suddenly felt like a furnace. Reid wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and then glanced up.

“’Remember when we used to go up there? “ he asked Luke, pointing to the hayloft.

Luke, thank goodness, had stopped with his collar. His hand fell away and followed Reid’s gaze.

“I loved it up there. I used to hide out and just think.”

Reid nodded, suddenly he could see Luke as a boy again. He’d come back from his job at Memorial and often find him in the barn. It didn’t matter that the days were hot and the barn stunk, Luke would be in shorts and a T-shirt, barefoot, and drinking a Coke. He’d usually been surrounded by papers and markers too.

“Didn’t you write up there? “ Reid said now. “Filled up that notebook with those superhero cartoons, right?”

“You remember? “ Luke laughed, color flooding his cheeks. “I thought I’d be the next Stan Lee. “ He smiled sweetly at Reid.

“You were pretty good at writing.” Reid gave him a quick smile in return. Then he began to climb up to the hay bales.

Luke followed him. Soon they were sitting side by side, swinging their legs off the ledge, surrounded by hay.

“And you were all about medicine,” Luke smiled. “What’s being a surgeon like?”

Reid shrugged. “Like connecting the dots.”

“I doubt operating is that simple,” Luke laughed.

Reid smiled. “You’d be surprised how it all goes together so easily. If you understand it, it’s like the patterns stars make in the sky, you know? Do you remember how you used to like to look up at them as a kid? We took out Holden’s binoculars a few times and tried to find Orion and the Great Bear, right? “ Reid’s body relaxed as he became lost in the memory. The binoculars were second rate, but the stars out at the farm were always clear.

Reid turned to Luke. “Remember looking with me at them? You didn’t see the connection at first, but then you got it. From then on, we saw all these amazing constellations. The brain is like that. At first, it just looks like this alien spaghetti, but then it begins to reveal its true beauty and it has a shape and a pattern, you know? It’s incredible. No two are alike. ”

Pulling back, Reid suddenly realized that he was doing all the talking. Luke’s head was tilted close to his own, almost touching. Crap. Had he really just geeked out like that? It was Luke’s fault; he was too good a listener. Reid hadn’t babbled like that in years.

Reid cleared his throat several times.

Luke nudged him gently. His eyes were soft, his lips smiling gently. “Hmm, the brain and constellations? Are you a bit romantic about your job, Reid?” Luke teased.

Reid smacked his forehead. “Oh, I forgot to tell you about the fungus, the bad food, and the moronic interns too.”

“Now that sounds like you.“ Luke grinned.

They both laughed.

“It isn’t romantic,” Reid admitted sheepishly. “It’s bleeding and vomiting and pissing and fighting – it’s life and death. But on a good day, it’s saving somebody too.”

Reid picked up a few stray pieces of hay and started to braid them together. He was still curious about Luke and college, but he also wanted the night to go well. He was enjoying it. He liked just sitting next to Luke, high up in the barn, talking. Reid couldn’t recall the last time he just shared his thoughts with anybody, outside of medicine.

“I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject before,” Reid offered. “With college.”

Luke turned to him. “It’s not you. You’re fine.”

There was a silence. It occurred to Reid that he should be asking Luke more about his life.

“So what do you do with your time now? Work here?”

“I run a foundation. We work with charities.”

“Impressive.” Reid was about to ask what exact charities Luke sponsored, when Luke shook his head.

“Not really,” Luke caught his lip with his teeth. “The money came from Damian.”

Reid knew Damian was a tender issue for Luke. In all the months that Reid had spent on the farm, Damian had never called Luke. His questions had again hit upon something bruised inside of Luke. He thought about what to say.

“Does that matter?” Reid asked at last. “It’s not where you got it, right? It’s what you do with it.”

“Yeah?” Luke said. His eyes grew larger. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I’m always right.”

Luke snorted and then laughed.

“You know what, Reid? Things have been kind of rough lately. But seeing you again has been one of the few bright spots.” Luke gently covered Reid’s hand with his own a moment.

Reid was aware of his mouth suddenly being dry. Luke’s touch almost made him feel light-headed. He took his hand away.

Luke looked disconcerted too. He jammed his hand into his pocket.

“Tell me more about your foundation,” Reid suggested.

Luke nodded eagerly. “I’ve actually been thinking about the foundation a lot. And about hospitals. I’m considering working on some funding for Memorial. I hate how the walls are always white. I hate the smells, and the way families have nowhere to relax. Wouldn’t it be great to have a special wing where families can gather and maybe even spend the night? My foundation might actually be able to build that. One day, I hope to do it,” Luke said. Then he bit his lip. “You probably hate that idea.”

“No,” Reid answered slowly, “It’s not completely dumb.” He flashed Luke a fast smile. “And it keeps the families out of my way.”

“Gee , thanks,” Luke said dryly. “That was exactly my goal.”

“Any time.”

Luke shook his head at him. “Seriously though, it’s awful for the people doing the waiting in the hospital. Ever since Ameera got ill, I’ve been thinking about it.”

“Speaking of Ameera,” Reid replied, “what’s up with that? What’s going on with the three of you there?” The moment the words left Reid’s mouth, he could tell he once again said the exact wrong thing.

Luke’s face closed up.

That was why he hated making conversation. Trying to relate to people always just ended in a mess.

Luke started to climb down the ladder.

“What?” Reid asked, following. “You’re leaving?”

“Well, dinner is pretty soon.“ Luke said, walking at rapid speed toward the door. “We should go wash up.”

“Luke-“ Reid called. But he wouldn’t stop or look at Reid.

Reid went after him, knocking down a few empty milk jugs in his pursuit.

“Hey,” Reid caught Luke on the arm and turned him around. “Why are you so upset about her?”

“I-I’m not.” Luke wouldn’t meet his gaze; he seemed to be somewhere deep inside himself.

Reid was tempted to give him a little shake.

“You’re practically running out the door,” Reid said. “I get you care about her, but –“

Luke’s dark eyes turned fearful. “Is she going to be okay?”

“I’ll do my best. “ Reid studied him. “But I can’t make you any promises.”

Nodding, Luke tried to smile. “I know that. And Noah and I will be there for her when she wakes up.”

Reid didn’t say anything for a moment. Then honesty forced him to speak. He shook his head. “I doubt that. Noah asked that you keep out for now. He requested-”

“Noah said that?” Luke interrupted. “He doesn’t want me there now?”

“Only Noah or family.”

“Why would he say that?” Luke asked stiffly. “I -I was just trying to help.” Then Luke gave a shrug, his smile failed again. “Well, if that’s what Noah wants…”

Reid stared at Luke, at the intense hurt on his face, bewildered by it.

“Why do you care?” Reid asked finally. “It makes sense that he might only want his family there. I get you’re close, but he wants to take care of his wife-“ Reid was fishing slightly, waiting for Luke to confess to a love affair with Ameera or a broken heart or something.

“Noah has no family,” Luke said abruptly. “And forgive me if I want to take care of my friends.” Pouting, Luke ran a hand through his hair.

“Yeah,” Reid said, “I heard about how you’re taking care of them. Do you pay all of your other friends’ bills too? If so, sign me up. I got some loans from medical school still hanging over my head.”

“You don’t understand. “ Luke said.

“Enlighten me.”

Luke didn’t answer. He seemed unable to say a word. He had a guilty expression, the same one he’d have as a boy when he took too much candy or stole flowers from the neighbor’s garden to give to his mother. He averted his eyes.

Reid touched him on the shoulder.

“Tell me,” Reid said.

Luke stared into his eyes. Then he drew in a deep breath.

Reid steeled himself, ready to hear some sappy love confession.

“Look, I can’t get into the whole thing, but what happened with Ameera? Noah kind of blames me. And it’s –“ Luke’s eyes filled. “It is kind of my fault.”

“Your fault?” Reid eyes bugged. “Because you were in the room when she collapsed?”

Reid watched as Luke shuddered with emotion. He gave a barely perceptible nod. “Ameera and I – we were arguing that day. Really badly. “

“About what?”

Luke waved his hand away. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is I yelled at her. I said things. I was,” he sniffed, “awful to her And she became upset, and then she just-“His eyes widened. “She just began to seize and fell on the floor…”

“Luke,” Reid said sternly. “That’s not your fault. “

“I was so mean and Noah came in and he –“

“He’s an upset husband looking to blame somebody. I’m telling you that you can’t cause a seizure like that-“

Luke’s head snapped up. Reid was taken aback by the raw emotion on Luke’s face. “Noah thinks I got her so agitated that she just- “

“Sure,“ Reid drawled. “By all means let’s ignore the world class doctor.”

“But I screamed at her, Reid, I -“Luke looked away.

“So what?” Reid made a sour face. “If yelling at somebody and making them be emotional caused brain trauma, then half the staff working for me would have succumbed to a brain hemorrhage by now.”

Reid tucked his hand under Luke’s chin and forced their eyes to meet again. “Bad things happen sometimes. The body fails. Her brain might have had this problem lying dormant for years already. It just happened. That’s all. “

There was a silence as Luke thought this over.

“I know the Luke Snyder Way was always to take the world on your shoulders, “ Reid said. “But listen to me. This wasn’t because of you.” He released Luke’s chin.

Luke still said nothing.

“It’s not your fault,“ Reid repeated once more. “Don’t make me tattoo it on your ass,” he threatened.

Luke looked at him then and gave a small grin.

Reid smiled back. He liked how the light was back in Luke’s eyes again. He’d looked so depressed for a moment.

“Listen, I know you’re trying to make me feel better,” Luke said. “In your strange way.”

“I’m not.” Reid denied. “I just have nothing better to do until dinner.”

Luke nodded, “Right okay, Reid. “ He smiled at him again.

Just then the door to the barn swung open with a crash that startled them both.

“Dinner,” Natalie said, “Come on.”

***

At dinner, Reid immediately saw that Lily had not changed. She was still beautiful and still all about her own needs. She rambled on about some perfume factory she wanted to invest in, all the while looking at the door for Holden to magically appear. Lily moped the entire meal, and Luke sympathetically and patiently patted her back.

Faith, now a sulky teen, barely said a word. She just gave her mother evil glares and pushed her food around on her plate. Luke acted like he didn’t see Faith’s sour expression and he talked with his sister warmly, even kissing the top of her head. Faith’s expression softened just a second for her brother, before she returned to a gloomy, long-suffering pose.

The two younger ones, Natalie and Ethan, were pretty cute for little crumb snatchers. Reid watched as Luke easily gave them both piggy back rides around the kitchen on his shoulders. Then, with his face glowing with real affection, Luke listened to each of his siblings tell him about their day. Watching him, Reid felt lighter too and allowed a tiny smile to touch his own lips.

Reid knew from the start that his Uncle Angus was a bastard. It had made him tough and wary about life. When he’d come to Oakdale as a boy, he’d easily seen the train-wreck of a marriage Holden and Lily had too. So seeing Luke now pushing fire trucks up the stairs with Ethan and then having a tea party with Natalie’s dolls, Reid was amazed that goodness, that gentleness in Luke was still so visible. It was right there for the whole world to see. Given his model for family life, Luke should have grown up to be guarded or selfish.

“Luke, Luke,” Natalie cheered him as Luke laughingly gave in to her request for a hand stand. He planted his hands down and then attempted to straighten his legs up over his head. Luke’s tee-shirt fell, exposing his flat stomach. Reid caught a glimpse of some golden hairs starting just underneath his navel and trailing downward; he looked away.

“Ahh,” Luke yelled out as he fell over. “I almost had it.”

Natalie and Ethan clapped for him anyhow. Lily even smiled for a moment.

“Thank you, thank you,” Luke said to the applause and pretended to brush at his shoulders with mock importance.

“Smooth move,” Reid said to him dryly. “Maybe you could put your foundation’s money into supporting the circus.”

“Only if they hire me for the opening act,” Luke replied him with a beaming smile, not at all insulted.

The best part of the meal was still Emma’s cooking. Luke was right; she hadn’t lost her touch. He gobbled up the roasted chicken and twice-baked potatoes and apple crumb cake.

Emma seemed delighted with Reid’s appetite. She kept scooping him out more with a please expression on her face. “You always were a good eater,” she praised him, and Reid felt foolish at the rush of warmth spreading through his body at Emma’s proud smile.

“I was,” he agreed, his mouth still full of potato.

“But such a serious boy too,” Emma mused, as she topped his potato with more sour cream.

Reid said nothing to that. For serious, his mind heard ‘nerd’ and ‘geek.’

After dinner, Emma and Luke both walked Reid to his car.

“Come again tomorrow,” Emma told him. “I insist.”

“No I-“

“Oh come on Reid,” Luke laughed. “You’re going to turn grandma down?”

“It’s how I show my love,” Emma teased sweetly. “By fattening you up.”

Reid smiled. “Okay. Tomorrow.”

Emma nodded and went into the house.

“Tomorrow,” Luke repeated and clasped Reid gently on the arm. Reid looked at Luke’s fingers holding him, then he backed away.

Reid climbed into his car quickly. Luke still stood there watching him. As he started the car, Luke smiled and gave him a small wave. Reid frowned at him. He never waved. He nodded his head curtly at Luke.

Luke waved again, more enthusiastically.

“Bye!” he shouted. “Come back tomorrow.”

Reid lifted up his hand like a magnetic was pulling it. He waved at Luke. As he drove off into the night, Reid fought a desire to keep on driving, until he was well past the boundaries of Oakdale and all the sloppy emotions churning inside of him.

Title: Without Borders 9
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: Sexually explicit content (some parts)
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc

Chapter Nine


The next morning they headed for another interview. Luke had plenty of chances to talk to Reid about Damian and the wing, but he just didn’t. He wasn’t certain why. Reid was teasing him again about being such a grumpy morning person. Then Reid was leading him into the shower and soon giving him the most amazing shower sex of his life. Luke was still so hungry for Reid. He could have spent all day touching him. He didn’t know how or when it happened, but Luke trusted Reid. He eagerly opened his body. He hooked his legs around Reid’s hips and arched back against the shower wall. He gazed into his luminous eyes. He had no fear about climaxing in a hot, messy rush.

He did try to find the words about the foundation trouble over breakfast, but Reid kept stuffing food in his mouth. And Luke knew that he should find it disgusting, but he found it endearing instead. He just sat back and watched Reid in amusement. It hadn’t felt like the right time to bring up Damian. Besides, Damian had sent him a second message and told him he was delayed for a little while and wouldn’t be there so soon. It was a relief to have just a little more time. Luke was angry at his father for just freezing the funds; Damian was so typically arrogant. It would be better to talk to him face-to-face. Luke was hopeful that he could calm Damian’s concerns.

Meanwhile, Luke and Reid had another job to do, and Luke told himself that he didn’t want to upset Reid before they went in front of the cameras. There would be time to discuss the neuro wing later.

When they arrived at the studio, Jessica met them in the lobby, excited to watch them on ‘South Beach Buzz’.

“Since you guys started this PR campaign, WMB has had several large contributions from patrons in the Miami area.”

“That’s fantastic!” Luke exclaimed. He embraced Jessica. “Just think if the story was picked up by some national news too.”

“Can you help make that happen?”

Luke nodded, “I think so.”

Jessica turned to Reid. “Just remember to answer all the questions politely.”

“Even if you think they’re dumb,” Luke added, nodding.

“And most of all, “ Jessica said, “back Luke up.”

She waved excitedly to her producer friend, and then went to join him in the green room.

Reid leaned into Luke, “I always back you up,” he murmured.

***

The hosts of ‘South Beach Buzz’ were three women. There was Debs Buckman. She was the oldest in the group. She had a voice like she had chain-smoked for many years, and was always interrupting the younger hosts to cackle out her own opinions. Then there was Valerie Van. She was blond and bouncy and from the Mid-West. Actually, she had lived in Florida for 15 years now, but she liked to pretend she was just off the milk truck. The third host, Katie Webb, was a large woman with a booming laugh and grabby hands. She pinched Luke on the cheek and butt all in the five seconds it had taken to greet them.

The hosts began with a small informative talk on Without Medical Borders, but soon went off on a tangent about the awful gowns that hospitals put patients in.

“I mean do they really need to see this behind?” Katie chuckled warmly, turning so the cameras could see her ample ass.

“I hate hospitals- the smells –the sickness,” Valerie gave a delicate shudder. “Why can’t it be cheerful? Illness is just so depressing,” she gave a perky shrug.

“My ex-husband was in and out of the hospital all the time, “ Debs suddenly said, “more than he was ever in and out of me.”

All of the hosts laughed wildly. Luke could just hear the laugh track being added. He tried to laugh, too. He glanced at Reid. Luke could see that Reid was soon bored by all the empty-headed chatter. Reid was probably doing math problems in his head or something.

“Ladies,” Luke said, trying to steer the conversation back, “let me tell you about some of WMB’s projects.”

“Great,” Valerie gave him a huge grin, “and tell us again how you two cuties met.”

“He wants to talk about his projects,” said Katie, “let the man speak.”

“Thanks. I just –“

“I was going to let him speak, “ Valerie protested.

“No,“ Katie shook her head, her bosom heaving, “You weren’t. “

“Yes I was!”

“Last week you interrupted Enrique Iglesias, “ Katie said with sudden anger, “just to tell us again about your Dylan’s potty training.”

“Now there is a gay man,” cackled Debs.

“No, he’s straight, “ said Katie.

“How can you tell anymore, “ Valerie complained.

“I always know, “ bragged Katie.

“No you don’t.”

Katie turned to Luke, ”Tell us honey, how do you know when your man is gay?”

“Um,” Luke shot a glance at Reid.

“Don’t be shy, honey,” Katie boomed out. “We want to know.”

“I remember my college boyfriend,” Valerie said. “He barely wanted to kiss me and then he told me he needed room to grow.”

“What was he a flower? “ Debs quipped. “Now my ex-“

“Which one?” said Katie.

“The second one. The plastic surgeon. He liked shopping and hated sports, but he gave me great- “

“Face lifts?” Valerie said dryly.

“Listen,” Debs shot back, her face getting red, “your girls might be young and perky now, but in a few years when they’re down to your knees, you won’t be so against a little nip and tuck.”

“Luke,” Katie said to him, “how do you know it’s real?”

The question made him squirm. He chewed his lip a moment. Then he offered the hosts a smile.

“I guess it’s like being with anybody ,” Luke said, “straight or otherwise. You just look at that person,” he couldn’t help starting over at Reid a little, “and you know. You’re connected. You fit.”

He and Reid locked eyes. The look was so hot Luke thought the camera might steam up.

The ladies all turned to him like vultures seeing new prey.

“So Reid, where do you see yourself with Luke in ten years?”

“How about we first discuss where I see WMB?” Reid said.

Luke noticed he’d deflected the question like an expert.

“Men hate commitment,” Debs was saying, “straight or gay –doesn’t matter. Men hear words like commitment and think prison sentence.”

“My husband isn’t like that,” huffed Valerie. “He loves being married.”

“Your husband?” Katie laughed, “The one who was with that porn star girl before you?”

“At least I don’t keep warm with some cheap vibrator and some trashy romance novel,” countered Valerie.

The ladies all pounced on each other then, completely forgetting their guests.


***

“That was fun,” Reid said sarcastically. They were standing just outside of the studio, waiting to say goodbye to Jessica.

“It wasn’t all bad,” Luke said.

Reid cocked a brow at him, “It was a nightmare.”

“They bicker like that all the time, I think. But it was kind of frightening,” Luke admitted. He sat down on one of the patio chairs.

“Give me a war zone over a bunch of crazy women any day,” Reid groaned. “How many more of these things are we doing?”

“I don’t know.” Luke suddenly lowered his eyes. His fingers dug into the chair.

“What?” Reid asked, looking at his clenched hands.

“Nothing.”

Reid just looked at him again.

Luke shrugged. “The interviews are coming to an end. Really. And I don’t want them to be over.”

He peeked up at Reid. He waited to see if Reid would admit he would be sorry their time was ending too. They hadn’t talked about the future. They hadn’t discussed anything. Luke’s stomach flipped over as he waited.

“Right.” Reid said finally. “ Well, they have to end sometime.”

At the complete indifference in Reid’s voice, Luke jumped out of the chair. Luke felt a muscle in his cheek twitch. He narrowed his eyes at Reid, and then turned abruptly from him. Luke walked a few steps away from him.

“Now what?” Reid asked, perplexed. He followed Luke.

“So you really don’t care that all this is almost over?”

“Why should I?”

“Right,” Luke chin jutted out. He flipped his hair out of his eyes and angrily folded his arms. “ Right, why would you? I guess in a few weeks you’ll just go on with your life. In a few weeks you’ll be like - Luke who?”

“Wait? What?” Reid opened his mouth to say more, but Luke cut him off.

“Don’t worry. No strings. No problems. Just forget it all.” He started to walk off in a huff, but Reid grabbed his arm.

“What’s with the drama?” Reid gave him a searching glance.

Luke refused to meet his gaze. “Just forget me. Forget this conversation.”

“And I’ll forget how to operate on brains too, right?”

Luke sniffed, “I have no idea what that means.”

“Well if I can just forget you, then something must be really wrong with me, maybe early dementia or something. I’ll probably no longer remember anything important in my life - not how to play chess, not how to operate, nothing.”

Luke stared at him.

Reid grabbed him and kissed him hard on the mouth.

“I was only talking about the interviews, Luke.” Reid nudged him. “ You bonehead. I’m not forgetting you. “

“Really?” Luke flushed.

“Really,“ Reid said firmly.

“In that case, “ Luke grinned, ”let me buy you lunch. I know just the right place.”

***

Barton G’s was nestled in a secluded area of South Beach far from the average tourist’s eyes. The restaurant was overflowing with tropical plants and flowers. It was famous for its huge portions that were served in unusual ways. For instance, Reid and Luke ordered the Lobster Pop tarts, which came in a giant pretend toaster. Then they tried the sushi snow cones. Raw tuna was carefully wrapped up in round balls of frozen ice with wasabi dots as “cherries “ and decorated in a pretend waterfall of ponzu sauce. Reid’s eyes were shining with joy. He waved the waiter over to the table.

“I’ll try the Portobello Porsche- that one that’s mushrooms and crabmeat and shaped like a car.” He said.

“Very good,” the waiter said.

“Enjoying yourself?” Luke laughed at Reid’s eager expression.

“I think having a rich young lover has some definite perks,” Reid agreed, his mouth full of sushi.

Reid devoured all the appetizers. He asked soon for a round of entrée food: shrimp kabobs, kettle chips with different mustard sauces, confetti duck bites. He drank some odd cocktail that they served in three beakers like a pretend chemistry set.

“It’s like a circus for food,” Luke laughed. “They had nothing like this back in Oakdale.”

Reid nodded and grunted, stuffing in another lobster tart. The waiter came by and gave Reid an approving grin. A fragrant platter of sliced duck meat was put down before them.

“Now that was a small town.” Luke ate a few modest bites of the duck and then stopped. He became lost in memories of his old town. “ I felt like at the end, I just had to go. Maybe it was in my mind, but I felt like everybody was judging me,” Luke sighed. Then he looked over at Reid downing his drink and then chewing the kettle chips .

“Are you listening at all or just stuffing your face?” Luke demanded.

“Oh don’t act all wounded. I’m listening.”

“Are you?”

“I’m doing both,” Reid said as licked kettle chip crumbs from fingers. “I can multi-task.”
Reid ate some duck and made a low sound of approval. His face was almost flushed with pleasure. He glanced at Luke. “I get it. You town sucked and you left, right?”

“That’s the short version. ”

“I like succinct stories, “ Reid said.

“Well, you don’t know Oakdale if you think it was a quick decision or a short story,” Luke laughed. “Nobody leaves that town easily.”

Reid bit into a piece of giant bread and chewed. “ You know, you did the right thing,” he told Luke between mouthfuls.

“What?”

“You did right by leaving. But you’re good like that. Determined. Like a bull dog.”

Luke’s mouth dropped open. He shook his head. “I think most people would call me a cute puppy or something.”

Reid snorted. “Then most people don’t see you. The way you pursued me doing the PR thing? The way you grilled me today outside the South Beach Buzz studio? You,” he waved a kettle chip at Luke, “are pure bull dog. “ A few drops of mustard fell on the white tablecloth. The waiter rushed over and dabbed it up.

“I doubt anybody in Oakdale would agree, “ Luke mused, thinking over Reid’s words.

Reid smiled at him and then scooped some more kettle chips into his eager hands. He dipped them into the spicy mustard. “Well, maybe Oakdale should have taken a second look at you,” was all he said.

Dessert came. Luke ordered the cotton candy “tree,” and the chocolate fondue fountain. The cotton candy was huge. It had sprinkles as pretend leaves and a trunk of licorice. The chocolate fountain was literally dripping chocolate over strawberries and pound cake.

“Want?” Reid asked, breaking off a big strip of cotton fluff.

“No,” Luke wrinkled his nose up. “I’m full.”

“Then like yesterday’s trash, this is gone, “ Reid said happily. He ate the sticky treat in four bites, and then dipped pound cake into the chocolate stream.

“Everything okay, guys?” The waiter asked, smiling.

“Are you kidding?”, Luke exclaimed. “This is his idea of heaven.”

Reid shot him a look, and then he ate some more dessert.

***

Just a little later, however, Reid looked more like hell. They were driving back to his condo. Luke was at the wheel. When he heard Reid moan slightly, he glanced over at him and was immediately worried.

“Are you okay? You’re a little green?”

Reid made a wild gesture with his hand, “Pull over!” But they didn’t make it. He promptly threw up all over the Lamborghini’s floors.

“Oh boy,” was all Luke said. Then Reid threw up again.

“You can go,” Reid told him later. They had made it up to his condo after several emergency stops. Reid was leaning down by his toilet, a wreck.

“Maybe I should take you to the hospital?” Luke asked.

“No,” Reid said. He emphatically shook his head. “It’s food poisoning, but it will pass. I’d rather get it out this way than have some dumb nurse pump my stomach.”

He heaved a moment and groaned. Then he looked up at Luke.

“Will you quit gawking?”

“I’m not.” Luke shook his head at him. “ Now stop being such a baby.”

Reid just moaned a second.

“This isn’t pretty,” he managed to say before helplessly retching into the toilet. When it was over, he mumbled, “You can go.”

“I’m okay,” Luke insisted stubbornly, bending down and rubbing a consoling hand on the space between Reid’s shoulder blades.

Reid flushed the toilet. He rested his head on his hands.

“Well, this should win me date of the year award. Molly and Mick would be proud.”

Luke laughed softly. But his eyes examined Reid’s pale coloring as he began to heave again.

“Ahh-sorry,” Reid said and then turned back to the toilet.

Luke turned and busied himself with finding a washcloth. He could tell that Reid was embarrassed. He opened the linen closet and took out a tiny towel. He ran the tap water over it and then wrung it out.

“Here,” Luke crouched down by Reid again. “Let me help.”

Luke cradled his neck as he gently washed Reid’s face. He glided it over the stubble on his cheeks. Carefully Luke slid the washcloth down Reid’s neck, his wrist grazing the skin.

“Go figure,” Reid said, “I eat hospital food daily and have been in terrible locations all around the world, but a five star restaurant does me in!”

“I feel so bad about taking you there,” Luke answered. He gently touched the washcloth to Reid’s forehead.

Reid was staring at him. “You don’t mind all this? Pretty gross.” He looked down at the toilet in disgust.

“You‘d help me,” Luke said, suddenly sure of that much.

Reid grimaced. “I’m a doctor. I cut open brains, get splattered with brain matter and blood on a regular basis. This is easy stuff for me”

“Okay, that image is turning my stomach- please stop,” Luke teased.

“Exactly. I‘m used to gross, it’s part of the job. “ Reid paused and held his stomach a moment. He swallowed hard. “ But seeing me like this for you-“

“I’m a drunk, “Luke interrupted, “I’m familiar with vomit.”

“Luke-“

“I mean it. I’m fine.”

Reid half-smiled. “I guess you did probably toss your cookies lots.”

“From what I can remember, ”Luke admitted, “I tossed them all over Oakdale - diners, hotels, friend’s houses, farms, ponds, libraries, malls- “

“I get the picture,” Reid said, then his mouth twitched. “I guess that makes me feel better. I only threw up in your million dollar car.”

Luke shrugged. ”It’s a rental”

They smiled at each other a second.

Then Reid gasped and turned back to throw up once more. His face looked clammy with sweat and his back was shaking. Luke soothingly stroked his spine up and down.

“Maybe you should go,” Reid said again.

“I’m not leaving you.” Luke massaged his shoulder a moment. “I want to be here,” Luke told him. Then he caught his lip. “Unless you don’t want me? Do you want me to go?”

Reid had stopped vomiting and flushed the toilet again. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

Wordlessly, Luke mopped at the corners of Reid’s mouth with the washcloth. He reached out and pushed Reid’s hair back from his face.

“Stay,” Reid said simply, opening his eyes.

***


In the morning, Reid was awake first and showered. His color was back and he looked much better. Sitting up in his bed, Luke ran a distracted hand through his hair and thought about calling Barton G’s to complain. He usually was not one to do that, but Reid had been so sick last night. The restaurant would be hearing from him.

Luke smiled at Reid, relieved he seemed recovered.

“Your turn for a shower,” Reid said. He tossed Luke a clean towel.

“Okay,” Luke got up and headed to the bathroom.

Reid’s arm grabbed him a second. “Hey um,” Reid looked away. “Thanks. I’m not use to…no one has ever taken care-“ Reid shook his head.

“I’m sure when you were a little kid, right? Your uncle took care of you? When you were sick?”

Reid made a face. “Not really. “ He looked off into the distance. “I pretty much took care of myself.”

“Oh.” Luke’s eyes widened. “Well, you’re welcome.”

They nodded at each other. Impulsively, Luke touched Reid’s cheek with the palm of his hand.

Reid stared a moment at Luke. His eyes were full of emotion, his lips tight.

“Okay then,” Reid said awkwardly, stepping back. “I’ll go make us some breakfast. “

“Are you up to eating?”

“Maybe toast.”

Luke headed into the bathroom. He felt a little shocked and sad about Reid’s past. He couldn’t fathom being so alone in the world. It made Luke suddenly grateful for his family. It made him happy to help Reid too, even in some small way.



A/n : Barton G’s is a real restaurant and it is fabulous. The food really is served in crazy ways and it is delicious. To my knowledge, nobody has ever gotten food poisoning there!

Title: Without Borders - 7
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: Sexually explicit content (some parts)
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc

Chapter Seven

In the morning, they woke up tangled in each other’s arms. The sunlight was just creeping in.

“Food, coffee,” Luke said, raising his hand over his eyes to block out the light.

“I see somebody isn’t an early riser,” Reid said. He bent over Luke. “Come on! Where’s that goofy glow you always have? Where’s the chipper morning kiss?”

Luke socked him with a pillow.

Reid got up laughing and tugged on his briefs. Then he went to the kitchen and made some coffee.

“I don’t have much in the fridge,” Reid called out cheerfully.

Luke just grunted.

Reid came back and they drank the coffee and ate the fresh fruit he’d found and sliced up.

“We should discuss our next bit of work,” Luke said finally, starting to wake up at last. He sucked on an orange. Then he licked his fingers.

“Yeah and I should call the hospital too. Check in there. “

Reid’s gaze was on Luke’s mouth and fingers.

“I have interviews I should line up for us,” Luke said reluctantly. “A press release to write.”

“I have files of patients to read.”

They looked at each other.

“Or,” Reid said slowly, “we could enjoy the day. Just for once?”

Luke felt a shot of happiness fill him. He gave Reid a wide smile.

“You’re right, “ Luke grinned, “My father is always telling me to lighten up. Work less. We should enjoy the day instead.”

“I work all the time too,” Reid admitted, “but nobody is there to tell me to stop.”

He climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. Luke felt his heart flip over at Reid’s casual words.

He wanted to be there. He wanted to be the one to tell Reid to stop, take a break, have fun. He wanted to be with him period.

I’m falling in love with him. The thought came instantly into Luke’s mind. He closed his eyes, trying to push it away.

Luke swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. He had no idea what this magical night had meant to Reid. Maybe he’d had lots of lovers. Maybe it meant nothing to him but sex.
Luke bit his lip. He forced a smile as Reid came out of his bathroom. Reid was holding two swim suits.

“I thought we’d enjoy some of the Sunshine State, “ he said. “I have a pool and hot tub on the roof of this building. “ He made a face. “I never go.” He smiled at Luke. “Want to?”

“I guess you know how to separate your professional and personal life usually, “ Luke said lightly, trying to feel Reid out. He got up and took one of the trunks from him.

Reid was finishing his coffee. He shrugged.

“I mean do you normally mix your relationships at work with personal ones like this?” Luke tried to glance at him from the corner of his eyes.

“It’s not much of a problem for me,” Reid said, putting on the swimming suit.

Luke felt deflated. Did that mean that Reid had many romances at work? Did it mean he kept things casual a lot? He probably did. Luke tried to blink back the emotions gathering in his eyes. He couldn’t let Reid see how uncertain and ridiculous he felt.

“I mean, up until now I haven’t had much a personal life,” Reid was saying. He took two beach towels out. “So no conflicts either.”

Luke’s heart began to hammer hopefully.

“Oh,” was all he managed to say in return.

Then he swallowed again. “A swim sounds like so much fun!” He tried to put a lot of enthusiasm into his voice. What he really felt like doing was hugging Reid and never letting him go.

***

They headed to his condo’s pool, and Reid immediately found them two lounge chairs and spread out a towel for Luke. The pool was empty. The sun was hot on Luke’s skin. Luke turned to thank Reid for the great idea, but Reid was sleeping . He had his sunglasses on his head and mouth slightly open. Luke studied him. His gaze took in Reid’s every feature in a way a night of passion didn’t allow. First he looked at the curly hair, the sensual curve of Reid’s neck, the flawless skin, and flat, muscled stomach. Then Luke’s gaze lingered on Reid’s trunks. He had felt that Reid was impressive last night, but now it was clear. Even relaxed, Luke could see the outline of Reid’s large cock. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. He wanted that in his mouth right now. He wanted to make Reid wake up gasping and moaning. A thin film of perspiration started at Luke’s forehead. He forced his eyes to go lower down Reid’s body. His legs were lean and long. Even his feet looked perfectly shaped. Luke felt a tender sensation taking over his emotions. He didn’t just want to sex Reid up, he wanted to own him. How could he feel like that so soon? But he did. He felt possessive of Reid.

Luke got up, semi-erect, and dove into the pool. He swam lap after vigorous lap to cool off.

***
When Luke returned, Reid was still on the lounge chair, but awake and watching him.

Luke smiled widely and toweled off.

“You’re awake! I can’t believe you slept already!”

Reid stretched his arms out in front of him. “Somebody kept me up all night.”

He gave a pretend yawn and Luke laughed. Reid tossed him a towel.

Luke dried off self-consciously, aware of Reid’s eyes darkening as he watched him.

“Come here,” he said. He patted the space on the lounge chair between his legs.

“Why?” Luke gulped. “I’m dry.”

“You’ve heard of melanoma, right? “ Reid said impatiently . “Just get your butt over here.”

Luke sat down with his back to Reid. He could hear Reid rummaging around in his beach bag.

“You’re too fair to be out here without protection,” Reid said.

“I was going to put some on-“ Luke protested. Then he caught his lip. He’d been too busy lusting at Reid to remember any sunscreen.

“Uh-huh.” Reid had squirted out some lotion. He began to rub some on Luke’s shoulders. He massaged it into his skin.

Reid’s hands were warm as they slid up and down his back. He rubbed small circles near Luke’s spine. He eased his fingers into the skin harder, kneading at the muscles there,making Luke’s whole body feel good.

“You should have been a massage therapist and not a neurosurgeon,” Luke sighed.

“Strangely enough,” Reid said smartly, “that was how I put myself through med school.”

Luke laughed and he could feel Reid laughing too.

“Be serious,” Luke told him.

Reid’s fingers trailed over his shoulder blades. Then he moved them down and began to rub more lotion on Luke’s lower back. Luke caught his breath and moved uneasily in the lounge chair. He could feel himself getting hard again.

Luke tried to concentrate on something else. “Did you put yourself through school? “ He asked.

“Hmm,” Reid’s fingers were getting near the waistband of his swim trunks. He felt them press firmly against the skin there. Reid leaned forward, his head near Luke’s .

“I’m not trying to be nosy,” Luke said in a strangled voice.

“Just comes to you naturally, does it?”

Gliding his hand up and down Luke’s spine, Reid’s words were betrayed by his soft touch.

He finally rested his hands on Luke’s shoulders again.

“There is still so much I don’t know about you,” Luke said insistently. “Tell me one thing.”

“I thought you learned the important parts last night.”

“Reid!” Luke reached back and poked him with his elbow.

Reid didn’t reply. He pressed his chest into Luke’s back, and then he kissed the nape of
Luke’s neck.

His tongue skimmed over Luke’s ear and he sucked there gently.

“What is it you want to know again? “ Reid asked.

“Mmm,” Luke could only manage to get out, “Guh.” His whole body was throbbing.

Reid nuzzled him. His fingers circled around and began to massage Luke’s chest now. Reid’s thumbs played with his nipples. His hands slid lower and massaged more.

“I’m getting hungry, “ Reid said.

“Oh? “ Luke asked in a thick voice. “ Can we stay a little longer? It’s really great here.
Then we can eat.”

“What makes you think I was talking about food?”, Reid murmured.

Luke turned and looked at him.

Their eyes met. Luke felt a pull of heat inside his body, instantly responding to the look Reid was giving him. Luke glanced away and then back. Reid’s eyes were still on him. This time Luke did not look away either. They faced each other.

Then Luke’s phone buzzed with a text. “Sorry,” he said.

Reid snapped his fingers. “And here I was just about to tell you all my dark secrets.”

Luke’s lips twisted wryly. “Yeah, I’m sure you were about to spill your guts to me.”

They smiled at each other.

Luke climbed off of Reid’s lounge chair and took out his phone. He flopped down on the other chair, reading the text.

It was from Damian. He wanted to know how things were going. Reid, meanwhile, took out his computer and began to surf the web.

Luke texted his father a quick, revealing message:

Things are great! I’m helping WMB. I sent U those plans for the foundation and the Neuro wing, right? And the doctor in charge of that new wing is also becoming my - Luke paused a moment and then just decided to be honest. Damian always wanted him to have fun. - new love interest. I’m with him right now and he’s amazing, Dad. I can’t say enough about him! Luke added a few more details about Reid, gushing. He couldn’t help it. He said the things to Damian that he wished he had the courage to say to Reid. He’s smart and handsome and funny. Aren’t U happy for me? I’ve really met somebody special!

Luke quickly sent the text and closed his phone. His heart pounded at the thought of Reid seeing it. He knew it was way too soon for telling Reid anything half that sappy. Not yet.

Luke looked over at him. Reid was not paying him any attention just then, which was a relief. Luke grinned at the way Reid was acting like a kid in a candy store as he practically drooled over the latest medical gadgets in neuroscience.

***

At lunch, they strolled along Ocean Avenue hand in hand. There were many outdoor restaurants, and the beach was just across the street. People and cars and bikers and skaters all coexisted together. Luke and Reid paused outside of Versace’s mansion. Versace had lived right in the middle of all the action.

“Where should we eat?” Reid asked him.

“Anywhere,” Luke shrugged, “How about barbeque or burgers?”

Reid’s eyes lit up. “Thanks! I was worried you’d say you wanted French food or something fancy.”

“Not my style,” Luke laughed.

To his surprise, Reid leaned into him and gave him a thorough kiss. Their lips made a loud smacking noise as they parted, and Reid’s hands were on either side of Luke’s face.

“Not that I’m complaining, “ Luke said with a big grin, “but what was that for?”

“Just an impulse, “ Reid shrugged, “I have them from time to time.”

“I approve,” Luke said with delight.

“What? Why the glow?” Reid asked. Then his eyes narrowed, “Don’t tell me the asshole ex never
kissed you in public.”

Luke bit his lip self-consciously. He really did not want to discuss Noah. He simply shook his head at Reid.

“What did you guys do with each other?” Reid said, taking Luke’s hand again as they began to walk.

“Mostly?” Luke answered, “We went over my many flaws.”

Reid looked at him, his gaze penetrating.

Luke glanced away, “And we broke up. A lot. “

“Sounds like fun times,” Reid said dryly.

“I know,” Luke said, deciding to change the subject, “Why don’t we really do something special today? Anything you want. I mean, neither of us has had too many days off from work, right? We don’t have another interview until tomorrow…What do you think?”

Reid stopped walking and looked at him. He gently touched a lock of Luke’s hair.

“Tell me something we could do down here. Something different, “ Luke urged.

“Okay,” Reid nodded slowly, “but we need to go and get your fancy car.”

“My car? Why?”

“We’re headed to Key Largo,” Reid answered.

***

Key Largo was a short drive, but a romantic one. They had to go over the famous Overseas Highway to reach Dolphins Plus. Luke loved the drive. The ocean sparkled on either side of the road. They had the windows down and the breeze was warm and gentle.
Swimming with the dolphins was something Reid had always wanted to do, and Luke was excited by that. Reid was easy about allowing Luke to treat, although he’d insisted on buying lunch. Luke was glad that Reid didn’t seem hung up on balancing their money and who paid for what equally. Noah had always criticized him for being too generous, too extravagant. Although, Noah had never objected to living with Luke’s parents rent-free for years, he’d always objected to Luke’s treating him to small gifts of affection.

Luke recalled the last gift he tried to give Noah. It was on Noah’s birthday. He wanted to throw Noah a party. He wanted to make him happy for once. Luke spent all his days back then trying and failing to please Noah.

Luke always loved celebrating birthdays, and Noah knew that. But that year, the year of his accident, he quickly told Luke not to have a party, so he’d canceled his big surprise. He kept it simple. Luke just frosted an angel food cake. Bought some balloons.

But Noah’s annoyance was palpable. He complained about the cake being too rich and he couldn’t see the balloons. Luke sat there, determined to celebrate with him, a forced smile on his lips like some frozen, grinning fool.

“I told you not to bother.”

“I know, but I just wanted to do something for you. Something nice.”

“I told you.” Noah said in a wounded voice, as if he were being injured.

“Well,” Luke said, “happy birthday.” Luke tried to peck at his cheek. He wrenched away from
his small kiss and stood up.

Even though he couldn’t see him, Luke lowered his eyes to the floor. He felt like Noah hated everything in him that was human. Luke remembered that it was then that he finally began to sob.

At the sound of Luke’s crying, Noah hesitated from leaving, and Luke had looked at him with just the smallest flicker of hope.

“I’m sorry, Luke, “ Noah said. “I just don’t feel like I have anything in my life worth celebrating right now.”

Noah continued to the bedroom and Luke just sat there, his whole body limp.

***
“Earth to Snyder?” Reid said. Luke jumped. He had been so lost in the memory, he hadn’t
realized that they were at Dolphins Plus.

Luke glanced at the rather large building. As they walked in, he spotted an outside arena and large gate. Beyond the gate was the ocean.

“Everything good?” Reid asked.

Luke swallowed and nodded. He shook off the awful thoughts about Noah and gave Reid a big smile.

“Let’s go, Luke said.

Title: Without Borders 5
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: Sexually explicit content (some parts) and some Nuke here
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
A big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc
Previous chapter: http://marsabi.livejournal.com/26703.html


Chapter 5

The next day, Luke and Reid walked past the pastel hued buildings of the Art Deco district. Luke had always wanted to see this part of South Beach and he wasn’t disappointed. Every hotel and art gallery and restaurant had flair. Coming from Oakdale, where all the houses were white or some other bland color, it was incredible to see so much vibrancy in such a small area.

Reid allowed Luke to drag him into the different places without too much grumbling. Luke suspected he’d never taken a day off and just toured around before.

“Admit it,” Luke said to him as they walked, “you’re enjoying this.”

“No, I’m tolerating this,” Reid answered, but a tiny smile was on his handsome face.

Reid looked amazing. He was dressed casually, not in a suit or scrubs, and it made Luke feel all kinds of crazy urges to touch him. Reid had on a dark pair of jeans, button-down shirt, and sunglasses.

Neither of them had discussed the night before. They had simply met and started the day. Luke almost brought it up, but he couldn’t see Reid’s eyes and he thought he’d want to read their expression for that conversation. Besides, Luke was at a loss what to say. He’d barely slept all night, thinking it all over.

Seeing a small art gallery, Luke took Reid’s hand and pulled him into it.

“Welcome to Long John’s!” A voice called immediately. A small man with a toothy smile, came up to them. “I’m John.” He was short and thin and wearing a yellow shirt with ‘It’s Good To Be Queen!’ on the front.

The gallery was filled with big canvases of street scenes in neon colors. It had small sculptures of bodies, all naked, twisting and turning together - some were men, some women, some both.

“This is wonderful!” Luke enthused. Reid said nothing, just jamming his sunglasses on top of his head.

John smiled and strutted over to them. “Yes, darling, isn’t it?” He said. John ran his finger down one of the sculptures naked torsos, “I just love a good bronze.”

“I’m Luke and this is Reid,” Luke offered, ignoring Reid’s rolling eyes.

John shook Luke’s hand, “Not from here?”

“Just visiting.” Luke eyed a picture of a dolphin and a naked man swimming together. “That’s interesting,” he smiled.

Reid, meanwhile, stood back and scowled.

“I normally don’t like fish,” John twittered, “ but this one’s special.”

“Dolphins aren’t fish,” Reid said rudely.

“Reid, come out from behind me,” Luke scolded.

“Oh darling, let the man be behind you,” John winked, “I would.”

Luke laughed and felt himself blushing.

“You are too cute!” John gushed. “Isn’t he?” He said to Reid.

“Like a stuffed animal,” Reid drawled and Luke turned and glared at him.

“Okay,” John clapped his hands together excitedly, “I must have you in my collection.”

“Collection?” Luke asked.

“Hmm, yes. I take my picture with many of the tourists who come to my gallery – a little hobby of mine. Not all the tourists of course. Not those skeletal woman from Boca, or those lobster-faced, sunburned men from Minnesota…the good tourists. Just a sec!”
John dashed into the back of the gallery.

“Don’t move- “ he called.

Luke looked at Reid.

“I think we should make a run for it,” Reid said dryly.

“Why? What do you think he’s doing back there?”

“I don’t know, “ Reid said, “but if he comes out in nothing but a feather boa or something –
I’m sacrificing you and heading for the door. “

“You’re all heart,” Luke said, clutching at his chest in a pretend swoon.

“That’s me,” Reid agreed, his mouth kicking up.

“I’ve returned!” John said in a sing-song voice, coming up to them holding a photo book and tiny camera.

He thrust the photo album and camera into Reid’s hands. “Now dear, you take our picture first,” he instructed Reid, “and then I want one with you.”

John grabbed Luke and pulled him in for a picture, flinging his arm around Luke’s shoulders.

Glancing at John’s album, Reid looked up with a wicked gleam in his eyes and aimed the camera
at them.

“Smile,” Reid said sweetly.

Just as Reid went to snap the picture, John made a lunge for Luke’s right nipple and squeezed.

The camera flashed and Luke stepped away, shocked.

“Oh dear, have I upset you?” John asked him. “I’m sorry.”

“Um, no it’s fine, “ Luke said awkwardly.

Reid tossed Luke the photo album, “Take a look, “ he said smirking, “then you won’t feel so badly.”

Luke flipped through the album. All of the pictures were of John and other tourists. All of them had John grabbing for nipple. Only male nipples.

“How ‘bout it?” John asked Reid.

“Yes, Reid, do take a picture!” Luke grinned and took the camera. Luke looked at Reid challengingly, sure he would refuse.

“Okay,” Reid said calmly walking over to John, “but stay away from the family jewels. “

“His only,” John nodded to Luke.

John’s remark caused a nervous jolt to go through Luke’s system and he looked anywhere but at Reid’s jeans right then.

“That’s right. His,” Reid said mockingly, and Luke knew that taunting tone was aimed at him.

“ I understand darling. Too bad though,” John’s gaze lingered on Reid’s crotch, “looks like some huge stones.”

Now it was Reid’s turn to flush. He glared at John.

“Smile,” John told him, “nobody likes a sour-puss.” John made kissy noises at Reid, who now looked like he wanted to get away.

Luke was laughing so hard that he had trouble taking the picture.

Sure enough, John grabbed Reid’s nipple at the camera’s flash.

“Thanks, boys, “ he told them happily. “You’ve made my day.” Then he indicated the art all around. “Be even a better day if you’d buy something?” he suggested.

“Just browsing, “ Reid said firmly, seeing Luke start to look around to spend his money.
Reid steered Luke out of the gallery.

“What?” Luke said, “I have money to buy some art.”

“That stuff is in every gallery on this street, “ Reid said impatiently, “at least compare places before you just whip out that big credit card of yours.”

“Are you looking out for me?” Luke asked, amused.

“I’m protecting the money for my wing, “ Reid protested. “I can’t have you buying art from every Mary in South Beach.”

Luke laughed again. Reid started to laugh too.

“ We have a meeting with the Herald later, right? “ Reid asked him.

“Yes, no more South Florida Today. A real newspaper wants to interview us.”

Reid snapped his fingers, “Darn! I’ll miss those M&Ms.”

“M&M’s?” Luke said, puzzled.

“Molly and Mick,” Reid said.

Luke smiled at him, but Reid didn’t smile back. He just gazed at Luke intently.

The air between them sizzled with sudden tension. Reid was openly just looking at him, his gaze moving over very part of his body. It made him feel exposed as if every one of his emotions were visible.

Luke felt the urge to bolt, and it must have been clear on his face because Reid grabbed his arm.

“Relax,” Reid said quietly, “nothing has to happen again.” He studied Luke with his eyes, “unless you want it to?” Reid crossed his arms over his chest.

Staring at the ground, Luke found he couldn’t answer.

Luke chewed on his lower lip and then took a deep breath, “About last night. I –“

Reid waited.

“It’s just been a really long time and I-“ Luke broke off. A muscle quivered in his stomach.

Reid still waited.

“ I-I do want it too,” Luke finally stammered out, keeping his eyes low. He could feel his own pulse speeding up.

When Reid didn’t answer, Luke couldn’t stand the silence and raised his head.

Reid was looking straight at him.

Luke swallowed hard. He was sure Reid was about to kiss him again. He wet his lips in anticipation. Reid’s lips hovered just an inch above his.

Then Reid gave a wordless exclamation and ran a hand through his hair.

Reid shook his head, “Not when we have to be at the newspaper in a little over an hour. “

Luke couldn’t reply. The nearness of the kiss had left him half-dizzy with lust.

“Come on, I want to show you something,“ Reid said, “a really good thing for WMB’s press.”

“Oh,” Luke said, trying not to sound disappointed that Reid wanted to take him somewhere for
business and not pleasure, ”Okay. Will it help the PR campaign?”

They began to walk again.

“I think so,” Reid said. They headed to where the car was parked, crossing a busy street.

Reid reached out and took Luke’s hand. Pleased, Luke glanced at him.

Reid smiled. “And after we go do some PR work,” he said, ”we can discuss all those reasons that you didn’t mind my kiss.”

Luke looked away in embarrassment and tried to take back his hand. Reid refused to let it go.

“What?” He asked Luke. They had crossed the intersection and stopped walking again.

“Nothing just- “ Luke hesitated, ”now I’m the one who’s wondering, “ Luke paused. “Did you like my kiss?”, he asked in a rush of words.

Reid groaned, “You have to ask? I think you felt the proof of that last night.”

Luke felt heat rise to his cheeks, but he was also relieved.

Reid put his thumb under Luke’s chin and lifted his face up. “Why would you even doubt that?”, he said curiously. The thumb under his chin gently stroked Luke’s skin.

Luke just stubbornly shook his head.

“I guess I’ll have to do it again,” Reid said with mock reluctance. He patted Luke on his cheek. “Later.”

Luke felt like a silly schoolgirl then. His cheek felt like it was burning where Reid had touched him. His palms were literally sweating, his heart thudding. He snuck a glance at
Reid. His eyes were bright in the strong sunlight. His mouth curved in a slight smile. The humid, Miami air was blowing through his hair. Luke couldn’t help darting out his tongue again as if to taste Reid. He could practically smell his skin.

“Come on,” Reid said, “let’s go.”

***

“I bet you didn’t know that WMB promotes this Baby Cuddler program, “ Reid said, somewhat proudly, opening the door to a small, cute looking house. It was right next to the hospital grounds.

Luke shook his head, “I had no idea.” He looked around the cheerful lobby. It was full of flowers and stuffed animals.

“Yeah, it will be good to mention today. We aren’t just about other countries. WMB does important work right here. Without people to love them,these sick, often neglected infants, will have lower bonding abilities and social skills down the road.” Reid played with a stuffed bear as he spoke, and then, seeing what he was holding, he quickly dropped it.

“You seem to know a lot about this place?” Luke asked curiously.

Reid shrugged, his face tightened, “A little.” He led Luke into a pretty lobby area. The sound of babies crying and soft music could be heard. The walls were designed in black and white.

“It stimulates them,” Reid said, nodding to the walls, “that’s what the studies show anyhow.”

A short, rounded woman came out.

“Luke- Claudia, “ Reid said, “the head nurse here. She decides if the babies need to be back in the hospitals’ Nic U, or can be part of the cuddler program here. “

She greeted Reid with a huge , warm smile. Reid, of course, scowled back. Luke noticed that
Claudia seemed more amused than offended. She lightly took Reid’s arm as they walked inside and Reid didn’t object.

“Are you enjoying your time here?” Claudia asked Luke.

“I am,” Luke said. He really was, too. He pondered that for a quiet minute. “It’s a beautiful area,” Luke added.

“Ah, I grew up here. I’m spoiled,” Claudia grinned at him. “Beaches, night life, and not too far from Mickey Mouse.” She had a great, full laugh. Luke couldn’t help laughing too.

“Before we go to the other babies, “ Claudia stopped a second to turn to Reid, “I need something, mijo.”

“You always do,” Reid said with a mocking sigh.

Claudia pushed at him, “Oh, stop that. Haven’t I brought you my famous paella ? Didn’t I take you out for caipirinhas on your birthday last year? You owe me.”

To Luke’s amusement, that seemed to shut Reid up and embarrass him.

“Excuse me, Luke?” Claudia smiled. She handed Reid a chart of some kind.

They chatted a moment in Spanish together.

“She wants me to look at one of the drug addicted babies for a second,” Reid told him, “He needs to go back to the Nic U. When I return from examining him, we can both go in, okay?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll keep your friend company,” Claudia told Reid cheerfully.

He eyed her suspiciously a moment.

“And I don’t owe you, by the way.” Reid said suddenly. “Not since you set me up with your cousin Larry from Hallandale. The one with the back hair and limited IQ?.”

Claudia’s smile widened.

“He liked you,” she teased. “He still asks me about a second date. “

Reid made a sour face and went to look at the baby.

Claudia turned her wide smile to Luke.

“Did Reid tell you that this was his idea? He helped me convince WMB to try it. “

“No, really?” Luke said in surprise. “He left that part out.”

Claudia laughed heartily, “Figures.” She smiled at Luke again. “He’s a clam, that one.”

“I don’t know,” Luke laughed, “he’s no trouble making comments to me.”

“Ah, about silly things? Rude remarks? But real feelings?” She shook her head, “A clam.” She patted Luke’s arm, “But no worries. I saw him looking at you on television. The eyes always give it away, yes?”

Luke shifted his feet uncomfortably. It was one thing to deceive the press, but he felt strange pretending to be a couple to Reid’s friend. And she clearly was a friend.

“I’m just so happy that Reid found somebody!” Claudia’s joyful tone continued.

“You seem like a fan of his,” Luke said, interested, fishing slightly. This was the first person who really seemed to know him.

“Oh I sure am! He comes here all the time, in what little spare time he has and helps out.” She grinned at Luke, “But I’m sure you figured out his tough act by now too, right? “

Luke looked at Reid through the glass window as he was listening to the baby with a stethoscope.

“Yeah,” he said to Claudia quietly, “I got that.”

“Well, I’ve never had him bring anybody here with him before,” she beamed. “The two of you together- muy guapo!”

“This is such a great thing you do here,” Luke said smiling as he changed the subject, “I’m really moved. I want to give you a small donation.”

“Really?” Claudia asked.

Luke nodded. He glanced quickly at Reid, then smiled. “Let me just do this fast and then I can see the babies. “ Luke took out his wallet before Reid returned.

A little while later, Reid and Luke sat in the rocking room, as Claudia called it. Each man held a small infant. Luke gazed down at the little boy, swaddled in a striped blanket. The baby had a thick head of black hair. His tiny, wizened face was red, his little fist curled up against Luke’s body.

“It’s hard to believe he’s sick,” Luke said, “he doesn’t look it.”

“Appearances can be deceptive.“ Reid nodded, rocking his baby. “Some of these infants have had intensive treatment for drug withdrawal, some had operations already, “ Reid looked at the girl in his arms, “and all are neglected and lost. Welcome to the world, right?“ He shook his head.

They rocked the babies more. The only sound in the room was the creaking of their chairs.

“Looking at them it puts everything else in perspective,” Luke said quietly, “and how much of my problems have been of my own bad choices.”

“What problems would that be?” Reid sarcastically said, “deciding to play golf or tennis at the country club? Running out of caviar on your private jet?”

Luke laughed silently. Reid was still doing his best to offend him, but it was hard to take seriously now. Not when Reid was cuddling a baby at the same time, holding the infant to his chest. Luke felt his heart flip over at the sight of the small baby, no bigger than a man’s palm, snuggling trustingly into Reid. The baby let out a tiny, mewing sound and Reid gently rubbed at the small cheek.

They stayed for a good hour, rocking different babies in companionable silence.

As they left, Claudia came over and waved. “See you soon, mijo,” she told Reid and then added to Luke, “Thank you so much.”

Luke tried to wave her off, but Claudia was too busy smiling at Reid. “Your friend here is so generous. I mean this amount of money he just donated is going to help so many of our babies,” Claudia became misty-eyed. She leaned over and kissed Luke’s cheek. “You’re an angel. ”

Luke smiled and flushed. He felt tongue-tied. He really wasn’t expecting Claudia to mention the money. Reid said nothing about it as they left.

He and Reid walked out of the small house and back into the Florida sunlight.

“Are you angry at me?” Luke said in a small voice.

“Why should I be?” Reid said startled.

“For writing that check? I mean no sarcastic comment about rich boys writing checks instead of doing real things?”

“You were here. Wasn’t that you? Rocking babies, changing babies? And writing checks. “ Reid smiled a little. “Hey I wish I had a trust fund!” He reached out an arm and patted Luke, “No, I’m grateful. Thanks for coming here with me and for helping.”

“You’re welcome,” Luke replied slowly.

Reid headed to the car, but Luke felt like his feet were in thick concrete.

***

The interview with the Miami Herald went well. Luke made certain to bring up WMB local programs and praise Reid for his work. They answered a few questions about dating, but mostly it was a big boost for WMB. Just what Luke needed to finish the job soon. So why did the thought of the job coming to an end leave him slightly depressed? Instead of being elated that the plan was working, Luke left the Herald feeling restless.

Afterwards, they agreed to meet at a local club for some nightlife experiences. The alternative press would be there and it might be another way to gain attention. For the meantime, they both wanted to shower and relax first. They left it with Reid agreeing to come to the hotel around nine.

Luke took a long shower, letting the warm water caress his body. Then he dried off with a hotel towel and slipped on one of the fluffy hotel robes. He picked out an outfit to wear. He played a little with his hair, combing it in different ways. It was still too early for Reid. Luke threw off the robe and put on his dress pants. Then he picked up his journal, brooding slightly, remembering.


Even before Noah’s accident, our sex life was sporadic at best. I didn’t mind back then. I truly loved him with my whole heart. I thought maybe I was too demanding and emotional, and he was right to withdraw. Noah didn’t like anything involving his mouth. He liked to jerk me off with only his hands. He seemed slightly repulsed when I sucked on him. I never swallowed, he thought that was disgusting. I always went to the sink afterward and had to brush my teeth before he’d tolerate a kiss. And that was before our fight. Before the fireworks he was fooling with exploded. That was our sex life when things were supposedly loving.

The last time Noah and I tried to be intimate was beyond a nightmare. It took me by surprise. He rarely wanted me. But that night, for whatever reason, he was horny. He woke me from a deep sleep. I was confused at first, then I felt the erection. Pleased, I started to get hard, hopeful that we’d at last connect in some way. I leaned into Noah to offer him a kiss.

“Get the stuff,” he said, holding me off with his hand. “We can do that part later.”
I tried once more to meet his lips. I knew that “later” would never arrive. Kissing always meant so much to me, and Noah knew that it did. My lips pressed at his briefly, but he refused to open his mouth.

I went to the night table and handed him the condom and lube. I looked at Noah’s ruined eyes. I hesitated, examining his face. My hand held the thin sheets a moment. The only sound in the semi-dark room was the hissing wind outside, making the window tremble. I looked down and realized that I’d twisted the sheet into a knot, and I forced my hand to relax. If I didn’t try again, I felt like I’d just disappear into nowhere; fear and need struggled inside of me. Tentatively, barely touching him, I attempted to stroke his cock. Noah just sat there a moment on the edge of the bed, his expression almost sullen. Then he swatted my hands away.

“Can we just do this?,” he’d interrupted. His unfocused eyes held no tenderness as he jerked down my sweat pants. My body stiffened up then. I felt a dull shame in the pit of my stomach. Noah could feel my hesitation.

“Look, if you don’t want me – “ he started to say.

“No, I do!” I answered quickly back. “I just need some time to get going. Can you just -“

“I can’t see, Luke! Remember? I can’t be worrying about all of that.” Noah sounded frustrated, edgy and the gulf between us was widening again. I was desperate to cross it. Soon it would be too late; we’d be lost on the other side of something never spoken.

“Okay, sorry! Sorry!”

I attempted to feel excited by the muscles of his chest, his skin, the evidence of his hard-on.

I told myself that my own pleasure wasn’t important; all that mattered was Noah.
I didn’t try and argue anymore. I got on my knees. I thought maybe if I showed him that I would always be there for him, no matter what, I would matter to him again. I could feel his finger swipe on the lube. It was still cold, jolting me. He grunted once as he put on a condom.

“Do you want help?”

“I can do it. Leave it alone.” His erection bumped along his hands as he struggled.

He clumsily rolled it on. I started to guide my body up and at him, but he just said “Don’t.“

His tone was like a master to his dog. And I knew abruptly, who I’d become. I stopped moving as he fumbled his dick up and down my crack, pushing against and then missing my hole repeatedly. Just as it was beginning to be humiliating for both of us, he turned and found the right leverage and made his way inside. I tried to breathe through it. I could hear his guttural sounds, but they seemed remote, as if they were coming from another place. I could feel his sweat dripping on my lower back. Noah was gripping my hips roughly, seeking his own release. As he pounded away, my own erection shriveled. I held the headboard and just tolerated it.

“I- was it what you wanted?” I asked him afterwards, still hoping for some encouragement.

“You always need reassurance” Noah said wearily. “Let’s just sleep.” Then he’d just rolled over.

I was awake the entire night, curled up in a tight ball of misery, listening to his small snores.

That was the final time. After that, Noah still lived in my house and ate my food and took my help, but he never tried to be with me again. I got used to that. I got used to taking care of myself in the shower or quickly in the dead of the night.

But I never got used to the way he made me feel so lonely.



Luke shrank back at the loud knock at his door. He’d been so caught up in his journal that he’d forgotten about the time. Putting the journal away, Luke grabbed his shirt and opened up the door.

Reid stood there looking fantastic. He glanced down at Luke’s naked chest and then at his wet hair.

“I should have known you’d take forever to get ready.” He stepped around Luke, and sat down by the desk, straddling the chair.

“Go ahead, “ Reid said, waving his hand at Luke, “continue to get gorgeous. But if you could stop primping in about an hour, I’d be ecstatic”

“Sure,” Luke said, distracted. “Just a few minutes.”

He went into the bathroom and closed the door, breathing deeply.
Reid is not Noah. He told himself firmly. Then Luke almost smiled. Now that was ridiculous. Noah and Reid were nothing alike. Reid was rude and egotistical and brilliant. He was funny and irreverent. Noah had been straight-laced and serious.

Reid had hidden depths that Luke was only now discovering. Noah had ultimately been shallow. After seeing Reid with his patient and with the babies, Luke sensed that Reid had a sweet, gentle side that he tried to hide from people.

Luke felt calmer now. He opened up his bathroom door and stepped out.

“Sorry,” Luke said. “I’m almost ready.”

Reid cocked his head to one side and studied him. “Everything okay?”

Luke just smiled. “Let’s go clubbing,” he said.


A/n:
Okay- don’t hate me for that Nuke pain! Luke and I will make it up to you in the next part- we promise!

FYI: Most of the places in South Beach in this fic are real, but I made up Long John’s. The guy’s photo fetish, however, is based on a waiter in South Beach who takes pictures like these of his male customers. As for baby cuddling programs, they do exist. But of course, not one in WMB…

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Damian disinherits Luke and he’s forced to survive in the real world.
Rating: PG
Warning: None
Thanks traciamc

Part 16 VIVA


Okay, Luke felt a second of panic. Reid was late. That never happened.

Why had he agreed to meet him at the airport? They should’ve come together. Why did Reid insist on going to the hospital one more time, a job he no longer even liked, just to help stupid Chris Hughes with some patient?

Luke chewed his lip and glanced down at all of his luggage. Maybe Reid had gotten stuck at security? Luke could just see him there, arguing with some heavy set, bald headed guard. Reid would definitely argue with anybody who dared to take away his snack foods or question his itinerary.

Luke took out his phone – no messages.

Well, that was to be expected. Reid barely liked talking to people in person, much less on the phone. Luke, on the other hand, had no qualms about leaving long, dirty messages. He liked to text all the sexual things he wanted Reid to do. It was easier than saying them out loud to him. Luke texted one to Reid right then. It involved his pinky finger and a whole lot of tongue. If Reid was out there, surely he’d respond to that?

“Where’s your man?” Lucinda demanded suddenly and a guilty blush spread over Luke’s cheeks.

“He’s just late.” Luke closed his phone.

Lucinda made a disapproving noise. “I have my jet all gassed and just sitting here? “ She glanced at her watch. “Time is money , darling . And I plan to win some money.”

“I know.”

“Reid’s coming,” Vienna assured them all. She didn’t look up from her mirror as she applied a new coat of mascara to her eyes. “I saw him just a few hours before. Grabbing our cookies and stuffing them into his pockets. “

“What does he think, “ Lucinda laughed, “that my private plane has no food?” She gave her boyfriend John a squeeze, “ I stocked it with some of your favorites.”

Casey looked up from the wad of twenties, “What kind of food?”

“Casey?” Maddie shook her head at him, “you’ve stopped counting. “

“Relax,” Casey told her, “we’re going to Vegas, baby. It’s all good.”

Vegas. Luke smiled and looked at his family and friends gathered all around him. Lucinda had asked, no demanded , that Luke have big goodbye celebration. But not in Oakdale. She’d rented out the top floor of the Ventian hotel. At first, it was only his father and his grandmother planning to come. Then John Dixon had signed on. Soon Vienna was asking him about the trip, and of course, Henry could never refuse a free ride to Vegas. After that, Luke just had to ask Casey and Maddie to tag along too. Luke had been thrilled that all of them cared so much about him and wanted to celebrate with him.

Convincing Reid to spend 4 days in Vegas with this group, however, hadn’t been easy.

Holden walked up to him and patted Luke’s shoulder. “You look worried.”

Luke shrugged. “No . Reid’s never late that’s all.”

“I’m sure everything’s fine, “ Holden said.

“Right,“ Luke said with forced brightness. “Anyhow, before he gets here- I just want to thank you , Dad, for being here.”

“You already thanked me, Luke.”

“I want to thank you again, “ Luke said firmly.

Holden smiled. “You’re certain this is what you want? To move to Vegas? You don’t want to stay at the farm here in Oakdale?”

“I’m sure.”

“Reid could stay with me too, “ Holden offered.

Luke smothered a laugh at the thought of Reid at the farm. He could just imagine him mucking out stables or milking the cows. He could just imagine Reid’s level of discomfort at making Luke shout out with pleasure in the night, and Reid would make him shout out, even if they tried to be quiet. God, he really knew how to do that one thing with his mouth – he could just see Reid’s face the first time Holden or Emma flung open their door to see why Luke was screaming.

“This is what we want.”

“I have 200 bucks,” Casey declared suddenly. “Ready to party.”

“We can party,” Maddie ordered , “but no gambling.”

Casey frowned at her.

“Remember why you went to jail?” Maddie drawled. She took his money and stuffed it in her pocketbook. Then she kissed him sweetly.

“We’re all ready to go,” Henry complained as he massaged Vienna’s shoulders, “but where is Oliver? “

Luke swallowed hard and tried to dismiss all the irrational fears building up inside of him. This was Oakdale, after all, where his happiness was usually taken away from him.

He tried to focus on the positive. He was really leaving town. He was really free . He really was leaving with the man he loved. He closed his eyes a moment, just holding on to those thoughts.

When Luke opened his eyes, he finally saw him.

“At last!” Henry yelled out.

Reid strolled up to them, not looking concerned, carrying a small bag and a whole bunch of snacks.

Relief flooded Luke as he watched Reid.

“What?” Reid was frowning at Henry. “Some of us actually have important work. I was needed saving lives.“

“You kept us waiting. Are you always so inconsiderate?” Henry said.

Reid flicked a finger at Henry’s striped purple and pink shirt, “I’ll stop being inconsiderate the day you stop being loud.”

“Did you help Chris?” Casey asked.

“Your uncle seriously must have gotten his medical license from a cereal box,” Reid told him. “But of course, I saved his stupid ass. “ Reid flashed a quick grin.

Sheer joy invaded Luke’s body at the sight of Reid smiling. He felt warm all over. His eyes felt moist.

Lucinda waved at her pilot, “We’re ready! “ She called out. “Viva Las Vegas!”

Reid reached Luke then and handed him the food.

Luke took it and launched himself into Reid’s arms.

“Hey?” Reid laughed. “Have you really been waiting that long?”

Yes, my whole life. To have his hand in mine, to have him with me, to find my partner.

Luke’s flashed his dimples at him.”Nope. Not long at all.” He covered Reid’s face with kisses. “ I’m just happy to see you.”

***

The party started on the plane. Lucinda and Henry argued over who poured the best martini. John offered to be their taste tester. They downed green apples ones and pomegranate ones and lemon drops.

Meanwhile, Luke danced enthusiastically with both Maddie and Vienna, stomping and twirling them around and around. They blasted Lady Gaga’s ‘ I was Born this Way’ and ‘Poker Face’, and enjoyed the space of the private jet, dancing until they were sweating. They collapsed together on the couch, hugging and laughing.

Casey used his i-phone to check out the best places to catch Elvis impersonators.
Reid stuffed his mouth full of junk food and then ate everything Lucinda had on the plane.

“If it’s not nailed down, he’ll eat it,” Luke laughed, watching him affectionately.

“I hope he gets a job quickly, “ Henry said, as he joined them on the couch, “Otherwise your food bills alone will put you in the poor house. “

“Reid says he can get hired at Desert Springs hospital with no problems.”

“He can always become a dealer,” Vienna laughed, “if that falls through.”

“And I can always wait tables again, “Luke said. Then, when Henry and Vienna’s mouths dropped open, Luke burst into laughter.

“Just kidding, “ he told them.

John and Lucinda offered a round of shots, and a Virgin Bloody Mary to Luke.

Having finished off the food, Reid came over to them, licking his fingers.

“When’s dessert,” he asked Lucinda.

Luke patted Reid’s flat stomach, “Amazing.”

“If I ate all that,” Maddie agreed groaning, “I’d be a whale.”

“What’s the secret?” Vienna added.

Reid shrugged, “I’m unique.”

Then he leaned into Luke and whispered, “And somebody has me burning lots of calories off. I just read your text. I think the bathroom is available right now. “

Luke’s face turned red as a tomato.

“What’s wrong?” Holden asked.

“Nothing ,” Luke said quickly, “this Virgin Bloody Mary is spicy.”

He gave Reid the evil eye. He whispered back to him, “That was an idea for when we’re alone.”

“When’s that gonna be?” Reid grumbled. He stood up and started to the large bathroom area in the back of the plane.

Luke watched him. Reid peeked inside the restroom door, and then looked back at him. ‘Room for two’ he mouthed.

Luke glanced around at everybody. Casey was asleep, Maddie and Holden were reading, John and Lucinda were still drinking and flirting with each other, and Henry and Vienna were now watching Casino on the big screen TV.

Luke stood up casually and went to the rear of the plane.

“Make it fast,” he said in Reid’s ear.

Reid licked at Luke’s neck, sending shivers down his spine. “Prepare to join the mile high club. “ He led a laughing Luke into the bathroom, “And I am never being quick with you.”

To his surprise, Luke stopped him from going into the restroom.

Luke beamed at Reid. “Are we really doing this?” he said in wonder.

“About to screw in the airplane’s john with your family only a room away?” Reid said dryly. “Yes, we really are.”

Luke smacked him lightly. “Not that. “ He smiled at him. “Are we really staying in Vegas to live? For good?”

Reid took his hand and squeezed, “For as long as you want. I’ll live anywhere you want.”

They disappeared into the bathroom.

***

A little later, Casey came up to Luke and poked him in the ribs.

“I was just googling the best Vegas sex shops, but I see you and Reid need no extra help .”

Luke flushed, “Oh God. You knew what we were doing back there?” He glanced at Holden and Lucinda. “Does everybody know?”

Casey shook his head, “Naw. Just me,I think. Anyhow, if you’re done,” Casey looked over at his girlfriend, “I think it’s me and Maddie’s turn.”

Luke laughed, “All cleaned up and yours,’ he told him.

Casey grinned wickedly and went to pull a confused Maddie to the back of the plane.

***

Luke watched as Reid and Henry bickered over poker. Reid won again.

Reid felt Luke watching him and patted the seat near him. Joining him on the couch, Luke smiled at Reid. “You really are unique.”

“Why’s that?” Reid asked, shuffling the cards. Henry had walked off to down another martini and have a sulk.

Luke batted his eyes at Reid, “Lucky in cards AND lucky in love.”

Reid considered that and then nodded, “You’re right.” He grabbed Luke’s face and gave his boyfriend a firm kiss. Then he looked at Henry, “Ready to lose again?”, he called out.

Luke sighed. “I’m in for a lifetime of that ego, aren’t I?” He rested his head on Reid’s shoulder and then grinned up at him.

Reid didn’t answer because Henry had come over in that moment. Before long, a sweaty Maddie and beaming Casey came over too. John and Lucinda had discreetly made their way back to that bathroom, and Holden was pretending he hadn’t noticed all the couples disappearing from time to time.

“Let’s go,” Henry demanded. “I’m getting my money back.”

“Deal me in,” said Vienna, “I’m getting our money back.”

“Me too.” Holden came over,” I should at least beat this guy once before he steals my son away.”

“Don’t forget about me,” Luke piped up, “I’m in. If anybody wins over Reid, it should be me.”

“You can all dream,” Reid told them with a smug face. “But you’re all about to lose.”

“Shut up,” they all chorused back at him.

Laughing, Reid dealt the cards.

***

As the plane began its descent into Vegas, it gently bounced over some choppy air. Reid put down the Nevada magazine that he’d been reading through. It had listed lots of possible apartments. He smiled at the thought of living with Luke. Then he glanced down.

Luke was nestled against Reid, sleeping.

Reid reached down and ran his fingers through Luke’s hair. He got more haircuts than anybody Reid knew. Today the hair was cut short and seemed darker. Reid played with the little spikes at the top, and then let his hand rest on Luke’s cheek.

He had been so frightened for Luke. After Holden called him, Reid had sank to his knees, sweat dripping down his back, feeling worried beyond reason. Visions of Damian hurting Luke or kidnapping him or something equally horrible had flashed in his mind over and over again. He had survived his parents’ death. He’d survived a lifetime of loneliness. But he knew in that horrible moment that he could never survive the loss of Luke. Not ever.

How had it happened? How had a nosey, “straight”-acting, barely legal blonde gotten control of his heart and never let it go?

Luke’s lips were slightly parted. At Reid’s touch, he made a sighing sound and then began to lightly snore.

“Idiot,” Reid chastised himself softly. Because looking down at Luke, just listening to him snore for God’s sake, Reid felt hopelessly lost in a rush of love .

A small smile flickered over Reid’s mouth. The truth was he found the snoring adorable. He found everything Luke did adorable and he always would.

As if sensing his thoughts, Luke suddenly woke and opened up his eyes. He gazed at Reid.

“Are we here?” Luke asked, sleepily.

“Yeah,” Reid answered and gently kissed his lips. “We’ve arrived.”


The End

A/n Thanks to all who read and commented! I appreciate it! I’m working on something new (hope to get it done soon) with a very different Luke and Reid, a good Damian, and setting outside of Oakdale.

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Damian disinherits Luke, can he survive in the “real world”? Will he drive Reid crazy in the process? Pairings: Reid/Luke, Maddie/Casey, Henry/Vienna, Lily/Damian, Lucinda/John
Warning: None
Rating: PG – NC-17 (depends on chapter)
A/N: Okay, some of you guessed this might happen last week. But you were just a chapter too early- LOL. Hope you enjoy it.

Part 13 When they see me

“One more time!”

“You have to go.”

“Really?” Luke wiggled his ass at Reid’s crotch. “Are you sure?”

“Luke!” Reid protested and then groaned. Luke rotated against him in seductive circles.

“They won’t be back for hours yet,” he whispered. “I want you. Make me sore,” Luke pleaded. “ Make me remember you inside of me. “ Luke kissed Reid’s lips persuasively, his tongue sliding across Reid’s mouth.

Reid cursed. “I’d forgotten how bossy you can be.”

“You taught me,” Luke laughed. He bent down and licked the curve of Reid’s shoulder. Luke ground his hips insistently.

“Why was I such a great teacher?” Reid mockingly-complained. He nipped at the tender skin of Luke’s full lips and then pushed into his mouth. The kiss was rough. Reid sucked Luke’s tongue punishingly.

Luke moaned in response. He ran one hand along the tough stubble of Reid’s jaw. His other hand urgently closed over Reid’s hard cock.

“Dirty boy,” Reid said, making it sound like an endearment. He gave Luke another gut-wrenching kiss.

Reid placed Luke onto his stomach. He would have liked to take it slowly and savor each moment. But he could tell that Luke was in a different mood.

He rimmed Luke fiercely. Luke couldn’t help clenching up a little, and he yelped when Reid spread him open with his hands and jammed his tongue inside. Reid closed his mouth completely over Luke’s hole. Reid’s hands anchored Luke’s body. His tongue was like a hot, piercing arrow.

Luke felt an intense rush of pleasure. “Lick me, lick me,” he chanted. Reid’s fingers stretched his hole wider. He could feel Reid’s tongue swirling in small circles. Reid bit down at the tender flesh, mercilessly sucking now. Luke’s cock was leaking, aching. Reid reached his hand around and caressed him. He worked his tongue and fingers at the same time.

Luke screamed out as he came all over Reid’s hand.

Reid raised his head up and gave Luke a pleased grin. Luke panted in answer, his body trembling.

For a moment, Reid just listened to Luke’s heavy breath. Then Reid coated his fingers with the cum. “Now put this inside you. Do it,” he ordered Luke.

Eagerly, Luke flipped onto his back and raised his knees up.

He took Reid’s lean finger and guided it into his ass, excited by the thought of his own cum acting as the lube. Reid fumbled with a condom, rolling it on his giant erection. Luke whimpered at the sight.

They kissed, their tongues full of the taste of sex. Then Reid was on top of Luke again, positioned his already slick entrance.

“Don’t be gentle,” Luke reminded him. “I want it rough. I want to feel everything.”

Reid just smiled. He took Luke’s legs, pushing them back towards Luke’s own body and folded them away. Luke had never felt so vulnerable in his life. His knees were at his chest, crossed Indian style and unable to move, his butt exposed to Reid’s watchful eyes.

Startled, Luke gazed up at Reid.

“Trust me, you’ll be sore,” Reid promised with a slightly, rough laugh. He thrust into him in one expert move. The penetration was deep; Reid’s cock was at the very center of his body. Luke’s legs were helplessly trapped. He bucked up, but he was at Reid’s mercy. Reid knew just where to thrust and hammer in to find Luke’s most sensitive spot. Luke was completely aroused again. Luke dug his fingers into the sheets as Reid continued to grind into his body relentlessly.

The friction of Reid’s body against him, the hard thrusting movements, the vulnerable position- it was all too much. Luke could feel his climax building to an unbearable pitch. His entire frame began to shudder with need.

“Yes!” Reid exclaimed, sensing Luke’s release. “Let go for me,” Reid urged him.
Luke exploded just as Reid pounded his body toward the headboard, banging against the wall. Luke let out animal moans of satisfaction. Reid was kissing him then. Moments later, Luke felt Reid’s body convulse.

For a moment, neither one moved. Then Reid slowly let Luke uncross his knees and lower his legs. Reid withdrew and let Luke roll to his stomach.

He gave Luke’s ass a friendly pat, “Worked out enough?”

“Shut up!”

Reid laughed and gave Luke’s butt an affectionate kiss. “You asked me for it , I’m just –“

“Oliver!” A voice called suddenly, knocking on the door. “I know you’re in there!”

“Shit!” Luke squealed and dove under the covers.

The doorknob jiggled a moment, and then the door swung open.

“Hey, that was locked!” Reid growled.

“I have a key for emergencies.” Henry took in Reid and the obvious body in bed with him. “And I could hear you !”

“Listening with a glass pressed up to my wall again?”Reid taunted.

“I hope you’re happy,” Henry fumed. “So this is why poor Luke ran back home. He caught you cheating! I knew it!”

“Get out!” Reid shouted at him, “You’ve no right to be here.”

“I just wanted to confirm with my own eyes what I suspected. You’re a no good cheating jerk.” Henry threw up his hands in disgust. “I want you to move out of here.”

“Fine,” Reid said. “Can’t wait to live in a real apartment and not this dump.”

“Good luck finding one.“

Reid felt Luke trying to come up then, and pushed at his head to stay down. But listening to them, Luke couldn’t let Henry throw Reid out of his own place. He stubbornly peeked his blond head out of the covers.

“Hey Henry, Reid’s not cheating on me. See?” He gave Henry a big smile.

Henry was shocked. Then he smiled back, “Luke, wow! Nice to see you. How are you?”

“Good um…You?”

“Do you two need a private moment?” Reid drawled.

“Very funny,” Henry scowled at him.

“Look Hank, unless you want to check out my amazing cock too, I suggest you get out .” Reid raised an eyebrow at him. “Unless that’s why you came in?” Reid leered at Henry . “ Hoping to see what you’re missing?”

“Reid” Luke scolded and pushed at his chest . ”Be quiet!”

To Henry’s amusement, Reid listened, merely rolling his eyes at Luke.

“A bit whipped, huh Oliver?” Henry taunted him.

Reid opened his mouth to reply, but Luke held his hand up. “ Give us five minutes, please, Henry. Then we can tell you what’s been going on.”

Henry nodded. “Okay, I’ll go make some coffee and come back.”

“Thanks,” Luke smiled with his usual sweetness.

Henry laughed to himself at this turn of events and left.

“I think Henry really was trying to see your ass,” Reid grumbled.

“Oh, please. Stop. You guys are like 2 year olds.” Luke shot him a look . ” You’re less mature than my brother Ethan.”

They got up and headed to the bathroom for a very fast shower. Reid turned on the water, still sulking a little.

He knew Henry would just torture him over this.

“Okay,” Reid said, turning on shower water, “ but I don’t like it. “

“What do you mean?.” Luke asked as he began to soap them both up.

“ Come on” Reid said. “ This is our team? Casey might sell us out for a case of beer and now Henry will know our plan? We’re not exactly confiding in Oakdale’s finest minds.”

Luke gave him a sloppy, reassuring kiss. “That’s why we have you!” he exclaimed.”Aren’t you always telling me how brilliant you are?” Luke wrapped his arms around Reid with affection.

Reid tipped his head back, letting the water wash over him.

“I think my brain cells decrease each time I fuck you” he complained.

Luke laughed, “Well then, your patients are in trouble. You’re going to end up a very stupid, stupid man.”

They quickly finished cleaning up and dried off. They grabbed some clothes and waited for Henry to return.

***

“Here’s the way we see it,” Luke told Henry over the coffee. “The night that Damian’s letter came and he disinherited me, I told Reid all kinds of stories about him. About my kidnappings, being sent to the camp, and about working with Damian.”

“He told me how Damian kept two sets of books- one for IRS and one with the real numbers.”

“Yeah,” Luke shook his head sadly, “ I tried to forget about it for years. But I knew. He liked me to know. He has the real book in his office. It’s locked up in the Grimaldi safe. “ Luke sighed. “Basically, he thinks the law shouldn’t apply to him. He hates taxes and all that. He finds loopholes ,and when he has no loophole…He has the fake accounts. “

“Wow,” Henry said slowly. “So year after year, Damian’s been giving false information to the IRS?”

“Aren’t parents just wonderful?” Reid said sarcastically, but he held Luke’s hand a second.

“Anyhow, all I need to do now is find the right time to get into the safe and copy the information. Instant blackmail. I mean,” Luke glanced at Reid and chewed on his lip, “We aren’t planning to really send my father to prison…” He drew in a painful breath. “We just want him to back off of Casey and Reid- for good.”

Reid glanced at the clock, “Speaking of your folks.” He nodded to the time.

“I know.” Luke smiled weakly. “I should leave.”

Henry stood up. “Sorry you’re going through all this,” he told Luke sincerely.

“Thanks.“

Reid and Luke also got to their feet. They all walked near the door.

“Well, “ Luke said after a long silence, “See ya.”

Luke looked at Reid with his whole heart in his eyes.

“Yeah,” Reid stared at him.

Henry glanced from Luke to Reid, “Uh- I’ll just make sure nobody is out there.”

Neither one even heard. The second Henry was gone, they hungrily kissed.

With a sigh Reid broke away from Luke and sat back down on the bed.

“This time you really do need to go. Be careful okay?”

“Why? “ Luke suddenly said, his voice had an unusual edge to it. “ I won’t get caught. When they look at me, they never see me.”

There was a pause. Luke crossed his arms over his chest.

“I see you,” Reid said quietly.

Luke just nodded. His throat felt tight.

Reid patted the space on the bed next to him. Luke ignored that. He walked over to Reid and climbed right up onto his lap instead. He felt Reid circle his waist as he toyed with the buttons on Reid’s shirt.


Reid tilted Luke’s face up to him and waited.

Luke let out a painful sigh. “I hate that house. I hate knowing that their love comes with conditions.” He shuddered. “ Mostly, I hate myself there –for expecting them to suddenly change. Every single time, I keep hoping… “ he drew in a sharp breath, “Hoping for stupid miracles.”

Luke dropped his head and sank into Reid’s body, seeking shelter in the warmth of his lover’s skin. He buried his face on Reid’s shoulder. “I’m so ridiculous.”

Reid rubbed Luke’s silky hair. “Why? “ Reid said finally. “ Cause you want acceptance ? Love? That’s totally normal. “ He stroked Luke’s hair a moment more. Reid held him tightly now, almost cuddling Luke. “We all want our family to be like that.” They were both silent awhile. Then Reid let out a long breath. “Do you want to stop?” He asked Luke. “ We can end this plan and just find another way?”

Reid lifted up the corners of his mouth in an encouraging smile.

Luke’s troubled expression softened. He shook his head. “I don’t want Damian to keep hurting Casey and you, Besides, their view of me has nothing to do with the plan. It was always like this. I used to just blame myself, force myself to be what they wanted. Remember? When I met you? I was the big ‘ex-gay’.”

“Yeah,” Reid drawled, “your whole - I’m straight thing- while you kissed me was kind of hot.”

Luke gave a shaky laugh. Reid could always make him laugh. “Thanks,” he said dryly.

Luke got off of Reid’s lap and walked to the door. Reid followed him. His blue eyes were bright with concern. He held out his hand and Luke grasped at his fingers. Reid drank in his every feature quietly.

Luke pulled Reid into a warm hug, squeezing him tightly. After a second, Reid squeezed him back.

Henry knocked on the door ,”All clear.”

“Gotta go,” Luke voice was thick.

“I meant what I said before,” Reid said firmly, “don’t take big chances.”

“Okay.”

“If you need to get out of there- just leave.”

“Okay.”

“We can stop at any point.”

“You betcha.” Luke gave him a lopsided smile.

“Luke,” Reid murmured softly.

He cupped the side of Luke’s face.

“Remember, “ Reid instructed him trying to be stern in his tone, but sounding emotional instead, “don’t be an idiot.”

“Aww,” Luke wrinkled up his nose at him.” I love you too. “

They shared a fast embrace, holding each other just one more second.

***

Reid stood at his apartment door, with Henry near him, and watched until Luke was out of sight.

Henry took in the pain etched on Reid’s face. He tapped Reid on the shoulder . “Come on, let’s go downstairs and eat some of Vienna’s apple turnovers .”

Shrugging, Reid followed Henry into Al’s and took a plate from him.

“This isn’t bad,” Reid sighed, not really eating the apple turnover as much as moving his fork around. Then he glanced at Henry, “But I’m getting a locksmith out here today, you noisy bastard.”

“That’s fine,” Henry said, watching the way Reid barely ate. “I’ll add his bill to your rent.”

Reid took a small bite of the dessert. “And the next time you do drag night with Vienna, I’m posting it on you tube. “

“I have you and Luke on my hidden cameras, “ Henry returned. “Your whole night was just filmed.”

“Probably faulty equipment,” Reid shrugged. He looked pointedly at Henry, “You’d know all about that.”

He gave Henry a wicked grin.

“My cameras work fine,” Henry retorted, “you’re about to be seen across the globe.”

“Doing what? Luke and I were just playing tag,” Reid replied innocently.

Henry could no longer disguise his smile. He gave Reid some more dessert and was pleased to see his friend finally start to really eat.

“Well, I’m just happy you’re treating him right. Luke is the best,” Henry said. “He’s the tops.”

“See now, most people guess that Luke’s a bottom, yet -“

“Ahh!” Henry cut Reid off and covered his ears. “I can’t hear you!” He shook his head and
kept his hands at his ears. “No, no, no!”

Reid enthusiastically took a big bite of his pastry. He chewed it with a smile.

“Don’t have a heart attack or anything,” Reid advised Henry. “I don’t do cardio.”

“I don’t trust you,” Henry said, still holding his ears.

“Oh, lower your hands, Hank.” Reid laughed. “ I don’t plan to share the details with you. “

Slowly, Henry dropped his fingers from his ears.

“I don’t really kiss and tell.” Reid’s eyes moved to the front door. He sighed. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Damian disinherits Luke, can he survive in the “real” world? Will he drive Reid crazy in the process?
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends on chapter)
Warning: none
A companion to Camp Queer
Thanks traciamc for the read


PART 10 Up on the roof

A few days later, Reid was having yet another crappy day at Memorial. Bob had accused him of being “distracted” by personal problems, and more small mistakes with his patients’ files had occurred. Reid admitted Luke was a priority but absolutely denied the mistakes. Chris was there and his smirk made Reid wonder if Doogie was behind it all. It was becoming clear to Reid that Bob was not his biggest fan anymore. If push came to shove, Reid believed that Bob would back his son up. Only John had defended Reid, agreeing with him that any nurse or clerk might be responsible for the errors. There were enough incompetent idiots at Memorial, not that it mattered. It was still on Reid to fix it. These were his patients being tampered with and Reid felt his blood simmering. His patients, damn it ! He watched at the morning meeting as Chris and Nurse Gretchen played a game of hand holding under the table, until Reid finally burst out:

“I’m trying to listen to Bob explain this medical procedure to us. Can you play rock, paper, scissor, sex somewhere else?”

Bob had only lifted his eyebrows at Reid and continued his speech. Chris and Gretchen stopped for all of a minute. Reid began to really hate his job here. All that mattered was finding out what was going on and making sure no patient of his suffered from any errors again. Clearly, somebody had his prescription pad, access to his computer and so on. The fact that he had no proof that it was Chris was aggravating.

Reid was in a sour mood when he finally had a break and went to see Luke. Luke’s eye and lip were almost healed, and he was due to be discharged soon. That would be a huge relief. Just the other day, Luke had mentioned having no health care and then had shrugged and said, “Well, I’ve only been here a few days, it can’t cost that much, right?” So now Reid and Lucinda had to handle his biils without hurting his pride. Yet another problem for Reid to figure out.

All Reid wanted was to see his boyfriend and have Luke give him one of his blinding smiles. He opened the door to the room, anticipating that Luke grin, when all he saw was an empty bed and a note. Reid felt a wave of panic. He knew Luke was trying super hard to act tough, to act like he was fine. But he didn't fool Reid. Reid knew Luke was silently suffering. He often had nightmares. He woke up sweaty. Still, he'd thought Luke was improving. The nightmares had been stopping to a degree, and his eyes were smiling too now, not just his lips. Reid had worked hard to be there for Luke all the way, and to not allow Luke to know that Reid was aware of his fears. Luke kept insisting he was fine, and Reid knew he would be fine, in time...just not yet.

Reid picked up the small paper and frowned. What the hell was Luke doing now? He wished Luke would be honest about everything. Reid felt a mix of fear and anger, so he went with anger. It was easier to dea l with anger than the gut-gripping worry he had.

His mood went from sour to completely black as he turned and headed for the stairs.

***

Luke nearly jumped as the door to the roof banged open. Reid stood there looking seriously angry.

“Are you total moron? Why are you out here,” he shouted . Luke swallowed hard and then gestured sweetly to his picnic surprise.

“It’s like old times,” he told Reid. “ Remember all those dates here on the roof?”

Reid stared. Luke was in his hospital gown, robe and slippers. That smile Reid had longed for was on his face. There was a blanket and picnic basket, filled with all kinds of food. Burgers and fries and chicken legs and muffins and corn bread…The food overflowed. Luke followed Reid’s gaze.

“Vienna came by with it all for you and me.” Luke walked to him. “Surprise!” He said happily.

“You still shouldn’t be out here,” Reid repeated, but his voice had lost its anger.

Luke shrugged, “They say I’m being discharged tomorrow. My ribs are healed. I feel fine. “ He motioned Reid to the food, “Come and eat with me.”

“Why are you doing this?” Reid asked him, eyeing the food hungrily now, but still holding onto a small piece of his temper.

Luke looked at him a moment.

“Because I love you, “ He answered softly.

Reid held up a protesting hand, “We agreed to wait until you’re sure –“

“Oh for God’s sake, “ Luke took a deep, steadying breath, “I’m sure. “

“Look, you’ve never had a relationship before me and sometimes –“

“Stop it!” Luke said, a flush of anger coloring his cheeks, “Stop treating me like a kid. I’m all grown up, and I know how to love.”

“Okay, but-“

“I love you,” Luke said, scowling, “and it’s really irritating me that you’re so thick-headed.“

Reid opened his mouth to argue, when all of a sudden Luke jumped up on a higher part of the roof.

“I love you!” Luke shouted defiantly, “Hear me?”

“Luke! Get down!”

Luke ignored him, “I love Dr. Reid Oliver! “ He shouted it again and louder, throwing back his hands like he were shouting it to all the world. “I love you, I love you, I love you- “ Luke screamed at the top of his lungs. Reid rushed over to him.

“Okay, okay! Get down, idiot!” His voice was a deep growl.

“You believe me?” Luke said, ignoring the warning in his tone.

Reid nodded furiously, “Get down here.”

Luke climbed back down . “You better believe me,” he threatened, “Or so help me Reid, I’ll tattoo it on my ass.”

Luke walked slowly, deliberately over to Reid, his eyes never leaving his. When he reached him, he wrapped an arm around Reid, so that their faces were close together. Luke embraced him.

“Normally, I am not against a good tattoo, “ Reid said dryly, giving into Luke’s hug, “but in this case, why ruin perfection?” Reid sighed and breathed in Luke’s scent. A deep, sensual longing filled him.

Reid reached under Luke’s robe and gown and cupped his naked buttocks.

“Gotta love a hospital gown,” Reid murmured and squeezed.

Luke moaned. “You ruined this,” he scolded, “I was going to feed you and tell you very romantically how much I love you,” then Luke smiled . “I do love you. And I’m never going to be quiet again about that. I’m going to tell you every day, maybe five times a day! I love you, love you , love you “

“Luke,” Reid interrupted suddenly. “How’s your lip?”

“My? My lip” Luke touched a finger to it, ”much better but-“

“Good,” Reid grabbed him, ”cause I really need to shut your beautiful mouth up before I choke on your sap,” Reid declared. Then he kissed Luke, deeply, his tongue taking control of Luke’s surprised lips. He sucked at Luke’s tongue. His hands still caressing Luke’s firm ass. Luke groaned and they both sank down to their knees.

They kissed again, fiercely. Reid’s lips hungrily nipped at Luke’s full ones, and Luke teasingly thrust his tongue in and out . Groaning, Reid threaded his fingers desperately in Luke’s hair and pulled Luke’s legs around him. Their erections rubbed at each other, grinding frantically. They rolled near the blanket, still kissing.

“The food,” Luke said weakly, breaking away to gulp in some air.

Reid glanced at it, “Later,” he said shoving the basket aside in one rough motion. He put Luke stomach down on the blanket instead. “You first,” Reid told him. “I seem to remember promising to devour you.”

Dazed, Luke felt Reid move to underneath his robe and lift it out of his way. He felt Reid’s warm palms skimming across his flesh. Then Reid gave him a different kind of kiss, his lips at Luke’s opening, his tongue penetrating him, finding the very center of him.
Luke shouted, incoherent words of love and pleading. He staggered up to his knees and pushed back against Reid to feel more of his moist, hot mouth. Reid’s entire head was under his gown and attacking Luke’s buttocks. Reid nipped the sensitive line skin, blew gently across Luke’s aching hole , and then kissed there once more. Luke could only scream and cry out. He groped around for something to hold onto because he felt like he might collapse from pleasure. His erection was throbbing painfully.

Just when he couldn’t stand a moment longer, Reid stopped and Luke looked back at him. Panting, Luke could only watch as Reid fumbled to undress. His body was truly magnificent, the skin rippling in the sunlight. Luke’s pulse beat frantically just seeing him. He watched as Reid reached for his wallet, and then ripped open the foil package with his teeth.

He paused only a second, “Are you up for this? “ Reid said hoarsely, his voice ragged with desire, “Cause I can –“

In answer, Luke grabbed the condom and rolled it onto Reid’s arousal, making Reid moan.
Then Luke pushed at Reid until he was on his back. Luke straddled him. Their eyes met. Electric currents shot through their bodies. Their hands sought each others. Luke bent down and kissed Reid’s neck from his shoulder to his ear.

“Please,” Luke said,” I need this. More than I ever imagined.”

“Me too,” Reid admitted, his eyes glazed with passion. His muscles rigid with want.

Luke placed Reid’s heavy erection at his wet hole. He grinded his ass all around Reid teasingly, flicking Reid’s dick up and down and in slow circles. Reid grunted and then took Luke’s hand away. Watching each other, Reid entered Luke slowly, filling him.

Reid thrust in deeper with a shout. Luke’s fingers covered his face and he rode Reid blindly. Reid’s hands were at his hips lifting him up and then lowering him back down against him. His body felt heavy and aching. An incredible , sweet pressure made Luke’s whole body quake. Then he convulsed in a gritty cry of satisfaction. His release came hard and quick, sticky goodness coming over Reid’s stomach and thighs as Reid continued to thrust up into him. Luke could only whimper and bury his head in Reid’s neck, hanging on as Reid finished.

Reid stayed inside of him. They both were panting loudly now. Reid’s hand tangled itself in Luke’s hair and he gently rubbed his scalp.

A long time passed. Finally, Luke pulled off and collapsed next to Reid. They both were staring up at the sky. The sun was setting by now, its colors turning pink and orange across the clouds.

Reid eventually sat up, and then dressed. He eyed the picnic basket, and began to eat. Luke propped himself up on one elbow.

“I got all the things you liked,” Luke said smiling. “Of course, you like everything from Al’s so it was easy.”

Reid nodded, still eating with gusto.

Luke looked away a moment. “Can I tell you something?”

“I know,” Reid said with a pretend suffering sigh, “You love me.”

“I do,” Luke laughed, “but not that.”

“What?” Reid handed Luke some chicken and corn bread.

Luke hesitated. “I don’t want to let Vienna and Henry down, but I really get sick thinking about returning to work at Al’s. Especially at night.” Luke peeked up at Reid, ‘So much for my being tough, huh?”

“No, that’s perfectly understandable,” Reid said, chomping down on a handful of fries.“Anyhow, don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t return , not for the day or night shift. “ Reid looked at him and then simply shrugged, “You sucked away.”

“What?” Luke replied, baffled.

“As a waiter, Luke,” Reid rolled his eyes, “you sucked.”

“I- I …really?”

Reid just nodded and bit into more chicken, “Absolutely.”

Luke sat up and tied his robe tightly. “Well, why didn’t you say anything to me before? I mean, I knew I wasn’t great at it, but…Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well hell, I thought you’d improve- learning curve and all that. But you never did. “ Reid had to look away from Luke’s outraged expression or he would have laughed.

“I thought I did okay!” Luke snorted and glared at him. “So you didn’t tell me just to let me be foolish?”

“ Well, it wasn’t just that. I – “ He suddenly stared down at the food. “ I tried to say something, but…You always gave me doughnuts and things and I just…”

Luke smiled, “Love me? “ He said it teasingly, not expecting an answer.

But Reid looked up and met his gaze. “Yeah, “ Reid said quietly, “ I just love you.”


Luke’s mouth fell open .

“What?” Reid asked, confused, “You know that- we covered that days ago.”

“I know,” Luke said in a low voice, his cheeks blushing, his eyes suddenly wet with unshed tears, “I just figured you wouldn’t say it so easily to me. I was hoping to hear it from time to time, but-“ He brushed his hand over his eyes.

“Relax,” Reid said, continuing to eat, but with a smile, “It’s no big deal. It’s not like I’m proposing or asking you to adopt babies with me.”

Luke threw some fries at him.

Reid laughed.

He then put his food down and held his arms open to Luke, who quickly cuddled against him.

“I do love you,” Reid told him, “I have no problem saying it. It’s the simple truth.”

Luke looked up at him then, and Reid sharply inhaled as he saw the glowing love shining out of Luke’s whole face. Luke appeared to be lit from within.

Reid swallowed hard. His boyfriend was just so beautiful.

“Luke,“ Reid said and raised one shaking finger to Luke’s cheek.

“Hmm?” Luke replied dreamily.

“Pass me those muffins,” Reid ordered and then he caught Luke’s face between his hands and kissed his lips possessively once more.

***

At the same time Luke and Reid were declaring their love for each other, Lily was across town alone. When the doorbell rang, she jumped in surprise. She had few guests since returning to town.

Lily opened the door and met Holden’s eyes.

“Well,” she said ,”this is a surprise.”

“Can I come in?”

She opened the door wider. “The kids aren’t here.”

“I know that,” Holden replied, “ It’s you I want to see.”

“Oh?”

Holden walked into the room and leaned against the wall. He looked at Lily for a long moment.

“Sometimes,” he said finally, “it’s hard to believe so many years have passed . I can still see you as that girl I met in the barn.”

Lily stared at him, her mouth softened slightly, “Sometimes it seems like yesterday,” she agreed, picturing Holden young and shirtless.

“But other times, “ Holden continued harshly, “It seems like a million years ago, and that girl is long gone. She’s just gone.” He shook his head. “I can only blame it on Damian for so long for the terrible woman you’ve become.”

Gasping, Lily folded her arms across her chest, “If you came here just to hurl insults at me-“

“No,” Holden said, he pushed his face close to hers, “I came here to tell you that as soon as Luke’s released from Memorial and he looks a little better, I’m taking Natalie and Ethan to see him.”

“No!” Lily argued, “That is a bad idea! It will only confuse them.”

“I’m not asking your permission, Lily,” Holden said tightly, “They’re my kids too and Luke is their brother.”

“Well, “ Lily snapped, “Maybe we need to go back to court and settle this mess.”

“Maybe we do.”

They stared at each other. Neither one was willing to back down.

Finally, Holden turned and slammed the door behind him. Lily sank down to her knees and bitterly wept.

Lily struggled to her feet, feeling like she was the one who had been beaten up. With shaking fingers, she took her phone out of her purse and called Damian.

“Come to Oakdale,” she told him,” I need you right now!”

***

When they finally returned to Luke’s room, Casey was standing there, waiting for him.

“I have something to confess to you,” Casey said gnawing at his fingernail

“Who’s this? Reid asked

Luke introduced them

“Great another Hughes,” Reid muttered

“The worst one of all,” Casey joked, “when you hear me out. I need to tell you something,” he said to Luke, then looked at Reid , ”Both of you.”

After Casey had explained that it was Damian blackmailing him and pushing him to ruin Reid’s career, Luke was so furious he could barely speak.

"So you’ve been changing Reid’s notes? Messing with his patients? All on Damian’s orders?”

Casey nodded, miserably. “He got me out of jail early, and I believe him when he says he has the power to put me back in.” Casey grabbed at Luke. “I’m so sorry!”

Luke shrugged him off, “Maybe you belong in jail,” he said hotly. “How could you do this?”

Meanwhile, Reid sat down on Luke’s bed. “I should have known Doogie was too stupid to be behind it.”

“No,” Luke whirled on him, ”You should’ve told me about all of this. I could have told you it was probably Damian. This is so like him!”

Reid met Luke’s furious gaze head on. “You’re right, I should have told you. “ He said calmly, diffusing Luke’s anger. “But let’s figure it out now.”

“Together? “Luke said firmly, and then smiled at him when Reid came over and nodded.

They gazed at each other. A rush of ease and understanding passed between them. They pressed their bodies next to each other, eyes transfixed, hands touching.

“Should I leave? ‘Casey asked, as the heat between Luke and Reid became evident.

“No,” Reid said, stepping away from Luke a little, “we’re going to need you.”

“Just wait until I call him!” Luke fumed, redirecting his temper now at his parents, “I will give Damian hell once and for all!”

“No,” Reid shook his head. “Not that way. We have the element of surprise now. We need to use it. Play it his way. Like chess. In deliberate moves. “ Reid became lost in thought a moment, and then he smiled slowly. “I know. “ He turned to Luke. “I have a plan. But you won’t like it, not at all.”

He tenderly touched Luke’s cheek. “Can you do something you don’t like? For me? Do you trust me to figure this out?”

Luke looked into Reid’s eyes, “You know I do,” he said.

Reid nodded, and looked at Luke and then Casey, “Okay,” he said, “here’s what we’re going to do.”

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Damian disinherits Luke, can he survive in the “real” world? Will he drive Reid crazy in the process?
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends on chapter)
Warning: ANGST
A companion to Camp Queer
Thanks traciamc for the read
Previous Chapter: http://marsabi.livejournal.com/21409.html

Part 7 Homecomings

“Here’s one of my favorite people in the whole world!” The voice boomed. His grandmother opened up her arms and Luke embraced her.

“Tell me, darling, tell me everything I missed this summer with you.”

Slowly, Luke told his grandmother about his summer. Luke’s eyes searched Lucinda’s as he said the word “gay,” and her hawk-like gaze held his and never wavered as he told her about the money, and about Reid.

Afterwards Lucinda frowned, “You know, whatever you need from me is fine. Money for school, money to live. It’s yours.”

Luke shifted in his seat. “Thanks, grandmother. But I want to do this alone. Stand on my own two feet. Dad’s letting me stay at the farm rent free, and that’s enough. I’m paying him back through chores and helping with the horses. The rest is up to me. “

“But a waiter? Working for that Henry Coleman? I can give you a job here. At Worldwide.”

“No,” Luke stubbornly shook his head. “It’d still be a gift. Besides, I honestly hate marketing and all of that. I am relieved not to be in Grimaldi shipping or any other business.”

“Fair enough,” Lucinda said. “And good for you darling!” She gave him a pat on his knee. “Be independent! I was. Nobody gave me a damn thing. I went out there and I took it!”

They smiled at each other.

“Now, “ Lucinda commanded, “tell me about your fella –Dr. Oliver.”

Luke blushed. “I think you’d like Reid, “ Luke said shyly “you’re a lot alike.”

“Really? “Lucinda cackled. “Poor man.”

“He’s great,” Luke went on, unaware of how dreamy his face was, “He is strong and honest. Maybe to a fault, but …” Then Luke looked at his grandmother, “It- you don’t mind- hearing about him? “

Lucinda shook off his worries with a wave of her hand, “Having a gay grandson is quite fashionable these days. “ She smiled. “Besides, you were a little too good there before, my sweetheart, this gives you just a little bit of edge.” She teased him. “Although, “ she swept her eyes over Luke’s outfit, “I’d have thought coming out of the closet would have improved your wardrobe.”

Glancing down at his striped shirt and jeans, Luke pulled at them self-consciously.

“Maybe I should get some new things?”

“Yes,“ Lucinda beamed, “We’ll go shopping , Impress our doctor boyfriends. “

Luke laughed, “Please don’t suggest we double date, grandmother, I don’t think I’m quite ready for that.”

“You are excused,” she wagged a finger at him, “for now. “ Then she smiled and said, “It’s good to see you happy. See that beautiful face smile!” She reached out and pinched Luke’s cheeks.

Luke shifted, “I am happy. But mom won’t like your taking my side.”

“She and I are always fighting,” Lucinda shrugged, “no matter.”

She gave Luke a measured look, “Lily is on her way home right now,” Lucinda added. “ She is putting Faith at boarding school today and then flying here with Ethan and Natalie. Did you know that?”

Luke shrugged, “Nobody called and told me,” he said. He swallowed back his hurt. He was now an outsider, looking in at his family. He tried to imagine talking with his mother, sharing anything with her. His mind could only go back to the 4th of July party and her face at his confession that day. The way she’d moved past him as if he no longer existed, and had rushed out of the barn.

“And Damian?” Luke asked, gulping hard now. Would his father even want to see him?

“No” Lucinda replied slowly, “He’s staying in Malta a few more weeks.”

Luke couldn’t help being relieved. He rubbed his sweaty palms up and down his pants.

“I know,“ Lucinda said suddenly, “let’s call her.”

“Who?”

“Your mother. Enough is enough! Let me talk some sense into her right now.”

“Grandmother-“ Luke protested, but Lucinda was already dialing.

Luke caught his lip between his teeth and waited. He couldn’t help the hopeful look in his eyes.

“It’s mother, darling,” Lucinda began, “And I’m sitting here with Luke. He’d like to talk to you and –“

Lucinda frowned and said, “Lily- don’t be an idiot.”

Luke turned away, wrapping his arms around himself.

He barely listened as Lucinda tried again and again to talk to Lily, or when she snapped, “Darling –you’re a fool! Aren’t you the one always accusing me of interfering? Of butting into your choices? And now here you are, making the same mistakes! Hello? Hello!”

Lucinda stared at Luke, a bit shocked. Lily had been so cold and inflexible.

“She hung up,” Luke said, and he brushed away a stray tear with the heel of his hand.

“I’m sorry, Darling. Maybe when you see each other at the farm later? She’s taking the kids there and –“

“Maybe,” Luke’s voice was flat.

“Forget it. Forget her ,” Lucinda forced a big smile at him, she hated seeing the pain in her grandson’s eyes, “ Let’s go shop!”

“Thanks Grandmother,” Luke replied softly, “but another time.”

***

After doing some errands around town and trying without success to see Reid, Luke went home to tend to the horses.

At the farm, the limo was parked out front and he knew it right away – his mother’s car.
Lucinda had been right. She was back.

He reluctantly forced himself to walk into the house. The first thing Luke saw were his siblings eating at the kitchen table.

“Look at you guys!” Luke exclaimed, suddenly feeling happy. He was so glad to see them! He went over to Natalie and Ethan to hug them.

“Hi, “ Natalie answered stiffly, not returning his warm hug.

Luke looked into her small face and saw her eyes were cold and unsure.

“Luke! “ Ethan said smiling, he opened his tiny arms. He was so innocent. Luke breathed in his boyish smell. He hugged his brother, wanting to cry.

“Ethan!” A sharp voice said, “Come away.”

“Why?” Ethan asked.

Lily just shook her head. “Go see your father upstairs. Our visit here is almost over.”

Natalie and Ethan went to Holden’s room. Lily and Luke stared at each other across the kitchen table.

“Mom,” Luke finally said softly.

Lily just shook her head. She had Luke’s eyes color. They had the same shaped mouth and chin. But as Luke looked at his mother, he felt like he was looking at a stranger.


“What’d you tell them?” He said hoarsely, “What did you say to Natalie about me?’

Lily shrugged, “We just told her you’re making bad decisions lately, and were not to be trusted right now. “ She glared at him , “We certainly didn’t tell her the disgusting details.”

“Enough , Lily!” Holden entered the room. He walked over and put a protective hand on Luke.

“No , it isn’t enough ,” Lily snapped. Soon they were in a bitter argument over him. Luke’s eyes looked toward the stairs, and he prayed Natalie and Ethan couldn’t hear. It wasn’t fair to them. They were so young and they depended on their parents being kind to each other.His parents fought back and forth.

Luke could not make himself speak. He just sat there and watched the ugliness.

Until finally, he found the strength to get up and walk out to the porch. As he listened to them, Luke thought maybe he should try and fix it. He hugged his arms around his waist. He could hear them yelling some more. They were all pulling at each other, his whole family was being split down the middle. Because of him. Luke covered his hands over his eyes.

“This is because of you.”

Luke whirled around at the sound of his mother’s voice. He had not heard Lily join him on the porch.

“I’m so disappointed in you, Luke,” she was saying.

Just months ago, Luke would have caved into that tone, given in to the let down on her face.
Just months ago, he’d been deeply in the closet, trying so hard to please her and Damian.

“I’m disappointed in you too,” Luke heard himself say. To think he’d been about to try and apologize her. Luke narrowed his eyes. He was done with that. Just months ago, he’d been a scared boy. But now he was growing up. He was a man. And he had Reid.

“It’s that man,” Lily said, the words spit out at Luke, like it caused her pain to say them. “He’s done this to you. I wish you’d never met him.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him that the next time we kiss,” Luke answered.

Lily gasped.

Luke own eyes widened with surprise; he’d never spoken to her quite so bluntly.

Then slowly Luke smiled; it felt damn good. He pressed against the screen door and held it open for Lily.

“Goodbye Mom,” he said.

She brushed past him without another word.

After she left, Luke sank to his knees for a moment. The victorious feeling had faded, and he felt the sting of losing her, losing so many people he loved. Luke inhaled a deep breath. But he wasn’t going to take the blame for it. Not anymore. He just wasn’t.


***


After a long shower, Luke showed up at Al’s to work the dinner rush. Henry and Vienna had called and asked him if he minded coming in on his day off. They had some kind of unexpected, big date night planned. Luke was happy to agree. Reid was supposed to work the late shift, and he really did not want to stay at the farm and look at Holden’s sad eyes. His dad’s pain at the situation was his pain too.

Now Al’s was almost empty. The supper crowd had come and gone. The hour was getting late. Even the cook, who was sick with a bad cold, had taken off, after Luke had urged him to leave and feel better. There were only two tables left anyhow, an older man who was eating a burger at a snail’s pace, and a table of rowdy college boys. Luke had served the boys before, and had endured their spitballs and lousy tip. He wasn’t too happy that they were back. He glanced at the clock. Only another hour and he could lock up for the night.

“Hey there,” Reid said, coming down the stairs, dressed in scrubs.

They had not seen each other all day. Luke had wanted to run over to him, after the scene with Lily, but Reid had been preoccupied on the phone with some kind of problem at work. Then he had needed to go and sleep between his shifts. Luke’s eyes swept over him hungrily. He looked so good. Luke had missed him so much.

For his part, Reid was in a hurry to get to work. He had just argued with Bob over the phone about another complaint against him. Supposedly, Reid had failed to write down the correct post-op procedure for his patient, which Reid insisted was ridiculous. Bob thought he had made a simple mistake. Reid told Bob he didn’t make mistakes, simple or otherwise. He was impatient to get to Memorial and clear the whole mess up.

“Are you going in for the entire night?” Luke was asking him now.

“Looks likely. You can crash at my place if you want though.”

“Really?”

Reid shrugged. “Sure. Why should you drive all the way back to the farm?”

Luke’s face lit up like Reid had just offered him a trip to Disney World.

“Thanks!” He put down the tray he’d been holding and gave Reid an impulsive hug.

Luke just wanted to hold his boyfriend, to touch him. He ran a finger along Reid’s jaw. He longed to tell Reid about Lily and their fight, but he figured it would have to wait. He buried his face a moment in the crook of Reid’s neck. Then, when Luke felt Reid’s arms wrap around him, he lifted up his face to Reid’s and gave him an open-mouthed kiss.

Reid returned his kiss with surprise. Luke was usually still shy about that sort of thing in public.

When they broke apart, Luke was grinning at him.

“What was that for?” Reid asked.

“I don’t know. Just cause.”

Reid smiled at him. “I suddenly wish I didn’t have to go to work.”

“Me too,” Luke said. Then he shrugged, “But we can talk when you get back.”

“Sure,” Reid answered as Luke walked him to the door of Al’s, “Talking was exactly what I was planning to do with you.”

Luke laughed and watched Reid until he disappeared. Then he turned and settled the bill with the old man, who had finished a little more burger and was ready to leave.
Luke looked at the clock again. He walked over to the table of college boys.

“Hey guys,’ He told them, “ We close in 15 minutes . Anything else you need?”

“Not from you,” One of the young men answered, pushing his baseball cap down over his eyes. “Fagot.”

“I- I’m sorry?” Luke said, thinking he misunderstood him.

Another one at the table stood up. “You heard us.”

“That was sick,” said a third, “Watching you and that guy. Made me wanna puke.”

The four of them were all standing by now. Luke swallowed uneasily and took a tentative step back.

“Sorry it offended you,” he said , trying to remain calm, “But you’re free to go and never come here again.”

“You telling us what to do now, fag boy?” The one in the cap shoved at Luke.

The others circled him.

“N-No,” Luke stammered out. “I –“

They did not give him a chance to say any more. The four of them attacked Luke, kicking and punching him over and over. Pain radiated in every part of his body. Luke raised his arms up and tried to protect his face from a kick. They only kicked him harder. Luke could hear them laughing as they punched him. He could taste blood. He could feel his mouth moving and trying to scream.

Then Luke’s world went black.