A/N: I really don't like this much and I should be working on other stories but meh fuckit I hate how I ended this I might continue it I might not I like how it is now/ what do you guys think?
Luke always had a dog near him. It didn't matter if it was his or someone else's, he loved dogs and they loved him. Nick, on the other hand, didn't really like interacting with the dogs. He thought they were pretty and charming but -he was too nervous to actually touch one let alone let one touch him. Naturally, it was hard to spend time with Luke when he was with the canines. But they always somehow managed up in Nick's room, talking about something stupid. About school and jobs and TV shows and anything else that was on their minds that day. To Nick, talking to Luke was possibly the greatest thing. He always listened and responded. He never ignored him. He loved him. Some nights they would end up asleep on top of each other, Nick's mom calling Luke's to say he was spending the night or vise versa. Luke always smelled like dogs. Nick smelt like his room. Like clean laundry sheets.
Nick always wore the same ratty red sweatshirt when it was cold out. Luke loved the feel of it. No matter how dirty it got or how many times it was washed or rained on or snowed on, it was always soft. It was always an icon for autumn and winter for him.
He knew it was cold out when Nick wore that sweatshirt.
He'd complain saying that Luke was getting his dog smell all over it, but really he didn't care. He just wanted to feel the others warmth no matter how much he reaked of puppies and sweat. He just wanted to feel warm and loved - something he didn't get often.
The next morning they would go to school together and Luke would have to stop and pet every dog along the way. Nicks hands would be shoved in his hoodie.
"Come on, he just wants a nice face rub. He won't hurt you," Luke always tries to convince him.
"Maybe next time," is always his response. Luke would just smile, shake his head, and grab his hand.
They were open about their relationship. Most everyone knew. It was awkward, yes, but it made them happy nonetheless.
On the way home to one of their houses (most likely Nick's) Luke would again stop to pet every dog.
"Come on. Lookit this face," he'd say in a baby voice, ", 'please rub my face, Nick! Woof woof.' "
He finally convinces him.
He slowly walks towards the dog and pats it's head. "Uh… good boy." The dog licks his hand all over, leaving trails of drool and slober to drip down it. With a crinkled nose and a disgusted mummble, he wipes his hand on his pants and gives the dog another small rub on the head. Luke hugs him almost instantly,
"You did it, Nick! You really did it this time!" He buries his face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent and rubbing against part of the hoodie.
"Dude its not that big of a deal. I pet the dog. Big whoop." He started to blush and he could feel his face redden.
"It is a big deal," he grabbed Nick's shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "you never once pet a dog when I asked you to. And now - hell, you did it." His smile was wide and full of happiness.
"I just wanted you to shut up about all those goddamn dogs," he lied. Luke hugged him again and laughed,
"Yeah. Yeah, I know."
The two stood like that for a good long while, the dog in the background huffing and panting with the occasional woof. Luke rubbed Nick's back and finally broke them apart.
They walked home, side by side, hand in hand, without much talking. They didn't need to. Luke didn't stop to pet any of the other dogs along the way.