Luke was nervous. It was the first time, since he had chosen the "love of his life", that Noah had an appointment with Rei—Dr Oliver.

Luke tried to tell himself that he had made the right decision, but the butterflies he failed to suppress when Re—Dr Oliver entered the room betrayed this belief. He looked, well, how he always did... too gorgeous for words. And the way he strolled into the room, clutching Noah's chart to his chest, completely unaware [and unbothered] of the nervous look he received from the nurse beside Noah as she hurried out of the exam room.

That was the one thing about Reid that Luke always noticed the most- his confidence. Reid didn't feel the need to impress people, nor make them think he was something he simply wasn't. He was comfortable and proud of whom he was.

And it was this quality that impressed Luke the most, because he himself was always doing his best to please other people. And truth be told, Luke Snyder was bloody sick of it.

And the more he thought about all the things he loved about Reid, the more he came to think about he own life, and his own decisions, and then, almost instantly... Luke Snyder had what one would call an epiphany.

He didn't want to be with Noah.

Sure, he loved him, but he wasn't in love with him... if that made any sense.

When he was with Noah, he didn't feel loved, or appreciated. He felt unequal and undeserving- every decision he made was treated with contempt and admonished by his "partner". That's a laugh, Luke thought- partner implies an equal footing.

Of course, his mother, champion of the "Noah Mayer is a Saint and Reid Oliver is Oakdale's answer to the antichrist" club always told Luke that being with Noah was what he wanted, what he needed, what was right. She promised he'd never regret going back to him... "Baby, you know its best, for both of you. You need each other..."

But Luke did regret it. Every day, he regretted it.

In the morning, he'd wake up to find Noah sleeping peacefully on his other side, blissfully unaware of Luke's inner torment. And Luke couldn't help but wish that it was Reid lying there, positioned unceremoniously with a pillow beneath his stomach, breathing a steady and comforting rhythm. Luke would lie back on his own pillow, and let his dreams take him away. He'd imagine Reid snaking his slim arm around his waist, and pulling him closer, kissing the back of his neck, and whispering 'good morning gorgeous' into his ear.

Then a sharp intake of breath pulled Luke out of his dream land.

"Perhaps it was you that needed brain surgery, Mr Snyder. It appears your attention span can last no longer than five seconds."

The abrupt and so typically Reid-like response forced Luke to look up and register his presence. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Luke just looked at him. Luke's eyes followed the gentle curve of Reid jaw, until they found the beginnings of curly auburn hair, before finally settling on Reid's perfect clarion eyes.

"I'm sorry; my head is all over the place this week"

Instead of breaking the contact, Reid's eyes fixated on Luke's. The air between them seemed to swell with the unbridled passion seeping from each man's every pore. The tension was broken only by one Noah Mayer, who took it upon himself to cough rather loudly.

"Well, I think that is everything we need. Thank you, once again, Dr Oliver. I owe you so much"

"You're welcome, Mr Mayer. Just doing my job"

"It's so much more than that, Dr Oliver. This is my entire life!"

"Well, I did tell you I was a genius. Treat it well, Mr Mayer"

Luke knew, as he studied Reid's crystal eyes that he meant so much more than just Noah's eyesight.

And suddenly Luke couldn't stand it anymore; being in the same room as one Reid Oliver, but not being able to touch him, to kiss him, to tell him that... well, that wasn't important anymore. Because Luke was with Noah. Now and forever.

Luke jumped up to leave, but froze almost instantly as Reid placed a hand on his chest- "You can wait a few more minutes, can't you, Mr Snyder, whilst I fill out the appropriate forms. I want the end of this procedure be legal and above-board, even if the beginning wasn't."

Luke cringed inwardly at the finality of the phrase "the end".

Reid removed his hand, and motioned for Luke to move out of the way. Torn between wanting Reid to touch him again, and wanting to not piss Reid off, Luke stood still for a few seconds before reluctantly stepping aside, never once taking his eyes off of the beautiful man before him, the beautiful man he had so foolishly let go.

"Well, it's good to see you can follow simple instructions. Funny, Mr Snyder, I always thought you were just a pretty face"

Luke smiled slightly as Reid left the exam room, oblivious to the strange looks he was receiving from Noah. Ignoring these, he sat down beside his boyfriend and waited for Reid to come back.

Already, Luke's impatience was getting the better of him. He wanted to look at Reid again, or just catch a glimpse of him, his back, or neck, or his beautiful face... so he shifted slightly in his chair so he could peer nervously out of the exam room window.

It was then that Luke saw an extremely attractive man walk purposefully down the hospital corridor. It looked as if he was searching for someone; the man was a brunette, and about six foot two. He had strong shoulders and a pronounced jaw, and pearly grey eyes that shimmered in the dim hospital light.

Reid was leaning suggestively (or it looked that way from where Luke had decided to sit) over the hospital desk, filling out Noah's discharge papers. He glanced up randomly, only for his eyes to land on the tall brunette walking towards him.

"Oscar..."

Luke had never seen this look on Reid's face before. It was a look of complete confusion, and if Luke studied hard enough, it was a look of delight. And then suddenly the pearly-eyed man spoke.

"Well, I'll be damned. I never thought I'd see the day- the great Dr Oliver, speechless!"

Luke was convinced that Reid would wrinkle his nose in disgust, and then return the snark with equal fervour. But to Luke's surprise, Reid just stood there, gazing at the brunette's form. Oscar laughed, a warm and comforting sound, as he moved forward and closed the gap between himself and the Doctor. He placed his right hand over Reid's cheek, and stoked it gently.

"I swear, you get more beautiful every time I see you"

If Luke had been surprised before, he sure as hell was now. Who was this man? What was he doing in Oakdale? And more importantly, why was his right hand stroking Reid's cheek? And why was Reid doing nothing?

Finally, Reid spoke.

"Oscar, what on earth are you doing here?"

Luke noted the lack of snark and sighed inwardly. Reid's voice was rich with intimacy and curiosity, and it was clear he was a close friend, or something more... and Luke's chest burned with uncontrollable jealousy towards "Oscar".

Luke was wrenched out of his own thoughts rather abruptly as Noah raised his voice slightly.

"Luke, are you even listening to me? And what are you looking at?"

"Sorry, Noah, I..."

But Luke didn't have an excuse ready. "Sorry, Noah, it's just that I can't stop thinking about your gorgeous Doctor, and now some other man is outside this exam room, and is stroking his cheek, and making him smile, and I want to know why, because that's supposed to be my job."

Hmm. Maybe not.

Just then, Luke heard Reid laugh. Actually laugh. He glanced once again outside the window, not so subtly this time, to investigate the situation. Oscar had taken his hand off of Reid's cheek, and was now facing away from the exam room. Reid, on the other hand, was facing the exam room window, and Luke watched as Reid and Oscar talked, laughed... and then the older man spoke again.

"I have to go; I have a particularly demanding patient in my room that I'm keen to discharge"

Oscar simply nodded and smiled, stepping forward slightly. He whispered something in Reid's ear, gave him a slip of paper, and turned down the corridor and out of the hospital. Luke watched carefully as Reid's beautiful features slowly formed a small smile.

He re-entered the exam room with the papers and a pen, the remnants of that stunning expression still clinging to his lips.

"Well, Mr Mayer, there you go. All done and dusted"

"I can't thank you enough, Dr Oliver. For everything you've done, for me, for the hospital. I just know that the neurology wing is going to help so many people. I'm honoured that you took the time to come down here and give me my life back"

Reid had lost his smile, and his face now wore an expression of discomfort and of well I am a genius, what did you expect?

"Goodbye, Mr Mayer, and good luck"

Noah turned to leave the exam room, and Reid turned away from the door; he walked towards the desk at the other end, unaware that one Luke Snyder was eyeing him longingly.

"Luke, c'mon, hurry up. I've, I mean we've got to go and meet Maddie"

But Luke didn't move- he stayed still, as if he hadn't heard Noah speak at all. He felt on the brink of tears as the realisation washed over him. Reid had finished treating Noah, and Luke couldn't use that as an excuse to see the Doctor any more... it was over.

"Mr Snyder, I know you enjoy making people wait for you, but your boyfriend seems to be in a bit of a hurry. If I'm unfortunate enough, I'll see you around."

Luke snapped out of his daze and looked, truly looked at Reid one last time.

"Bye, Reid"

Both Dr Oliver and Noah had registered the use of the older man's name; Noah looked uncomfortable and impatient, but Reid glanced up and nodded, smiling slightly and replying tenderly.

"Goodbye, Mr Snyder"

Luke knew that Reid had only indulged his sentimentality because Oscar had put him in an irrepressible good mood.

Luke finally turned on his heels, and exited the exam room. Noah turned to him suddenly, and asked him accusingly- "Since when is it Reid, huh?"

Luke studied his boyfriend's face curiously. How to handle this one?

With honesty.

"Since you got into an accident, blamed me, made me feel so guilty I blackmailed him into coming here, and then invested a large amount of money into a project he was heading up. I decided it was time for first names. Do I pass the test, Mr Mayer? Am I following your rules adequately?"

Noah bridled slightly at the anger in Luke's voice. He was never normally this rude or abrupt with him. Must just be in a funny mood, Noah mused to himself. He loves me, and he is normally passiv—willing to let me have what I need"

Luke needed to get out of there. He needed to be away from Noah, and from the possibility of one Reid Oliver.

So he marched out of the hospital corridor, not daring to look back as Noah called his name ardently.

Luke walked faster and faster, until he came to the parking lot. He exhaled sharply, and bit back the tears threatening his eyes. How could he have been so stupid? Luke couldn't imagine a state of mind where he possibly thought it was a good idea to go back to Mr Mayer. Sure, Luke had loved him once. But now? It was all out of duty, and Luke knew just how wrong that was. Noah deserved someone who loved him completely. And Luke also knew that he deserved to be treated as an equal. Even back at the hospital, Noah had no problem with questioning and accusing Luke over so much as a first name. Throughout the entire firework ordeal, and even throughout most of their relationship, there was always something that Luke was doing wrong. It was always Luke's fault.

His eyes searched the lot for his car, but came to rest on the tall brunette instead. Oscar was leaning against a black Mercedes, and was talking on his blackberry. Luke took the opportunity to study him; how did Reid know this man? Was he lucky enough to know a side to Reid that Luke had so idiotically given up the chance to?

Most likely, from the way they were laughing, and smiling, and touchi- Not going there, Luke. You have no right to determine who Reid sees anymore. After all, you did break his heart.

Just then, his phone buzzed with a new text from Noah.

"Are you going to carry on acting like a child or are you coming to Al's later? I'm going with Maddie, but I can see you there"

Oooh, goody, what fun.

"Yeah, see you there"

Fabulous.

Luke walked into Al's at the allocated time, and found Noah and Maddie sitting together and giggling about something.

"Hey guys"

Noah immediately looked up at Luke a resisted the urge to frown.

"Gotten over your spat, have you?"

Luke had calmed down since he left the hospital, filling his hours with work from the foundation. He wanted the donation to go smoothly, so that Dr Reid Oliver could construct his state-of-the-art wing, and stay in Oakdale forever.

But now, the anger was returning, and Luke sighed dramatically before saying- "I'm glad you take my grievances about our relationship so seriously, Noah"

Maddie looked uncomfortable, so announced that she had to leave. She got up cautiously, gave Luke a quick hug, kissed Noah on the cheek, and hurried out of the restaurant.

"So now you're driving my friends away, too. Thanks a lot, Luke. I was enjoying her company"

"I didn't make Maddie leave. She detected the bristles and left, probably to avoid any bloodshed"

"God, Luke, what is it with you this week? What the hell is your problem? We finally got over our problems. I've forgiven you for all you did wrong whilst I was blind, and now we can move ahead"

Luke was just about ready to explode, but he kept his cool. It was crunch time, and Luke knew he had to be gentle, even if Noah had decided that he didn't.

"Noah, I can't do this anymore"

For the first time in what felt like forever, Luke felt free. He realised that over the past few days, he hadn't had to call anyone to confirm where he would be at a certain time, etc. He could do what he pleased.

He'd spent a whole day at the library, catching up on books he'd been recommended but hadn't had the time to read.

He'd sat in Java for what felt like hours, scribbling down notes for potential monologues he could construct.

Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi Snyder finally had time to be himself, on his own, without feeling guilty, or cowardly, or underappreciated. He felt pretty damn good.

And almost as if on cue, Reid Oliver entered Java. He was wearing his scrubs, the pair that he had told Luke was way too small, and that clung to his well-defined features revealingly. He ordered his normal caramel latte with whipped cream, before leaning on the counter and checking his phone.

Luke had the sudden urge to talk to him. So, seemingly without thinking, Luke stood up from his private haven and found himself standing next to the beautiful man who unknowingly held the key to his heart.

He cleared his throat, before saying softly- "Reid..."

Reid looked up, registered Luke's proximity, and stepped backwards.

"Do you need something, Mr Snyder?"

You. I need to tell you that I broke up with Noah. That I love you. That I want you. That I've wanted you since the day you glided into Oakdale memorial and changed my life forever.

"I broke up with Noah"

The admission flew from Luke's lips, and before he knew what he was saying, the damaged was done.

He regarded Luke for a few seconds. His eyes seemed to light up at the admission, perhaps with hope, Luke pondered thoughtfully, or with surprise, came the less optimistic afterthought. The barista brought the older man his coffee, and Reid paid before giving the handsome student a smile.

The Doctor turned back to Luke, and finally addressed the admission.

"Good for you, Mr Snyder. He didn't deserve you"

And with that, he was gone.

Three days later, Luke was sitting cross-legged in his mother's living room. Ethan and Natalie were running around him screaming, but Luke was so lost in his own thoughts that he barely registered them, or the banshee-like scream emitted as Natalie tripped and fell against the wall. Luke finally registered the wailing, and quickly rushed to her side.

"Nat, hey, sshhh, it's okay"

She had started crying. It was only when Luke scooped her into his arms did he notice the chipped paint on the wall, caused by her rather violent fall. He took Natalie upstairs, and let her lie on his bed, only to come downstairs and find Lily eyeing the wall suspiciously.

"Luke, sweetie, I thought you were watching them"

"I was. They were running around, it was inevitably going to happen. I'll go to the store and get some more paint."

Lily watched her son gather his keys and wallet, and just as he opened the door, she said finally-

"You should talk to him, you know"

Luke just nodded, and walked out onto the patio. Talk to whom? Luke didn't even need to ask. He knew who his mother was desperate for him to talk to. Funny, because Luke was desperate to talk to a certain other someone he hadn't seen in three days.

Whilst browsing the various paints on offer, Luke came across the one he needed. He picked up the smallest can and turned on his heels, only to hear one Dr Reid Oliver and another meddlesome blonde having what sounded like a lover's tiff.

"Katie Peretti Snyder, if you think I'd want to live in an apartment with a kitchen painted with the colour 'Morning Sunshine', then you really don't know me as well as you think do"

"Well, Dr Oliver, I'm not buying 'gun metal black', either. It's a kitchen, not a morgue."

Luke couldn't help but smile at the inane and domestic nature of the argument. He longed to have that kind of relationship with the good Doctor; truth be told, he envied Katie and the wonderful relationship she had with Reid.

And then Luke heard the mention of a name he was curious to know about.

"Well, I thought seeing as Oscar came to see you the other day, you'd have cheered up a bit, and we could've reflected your new positive attitude in the room you seem to spend most of your time in"

"Drop it, Katie. It's not like that"

"How is it then, Dr Oliver? C'mon, you can tell me"

"It's none of your business, that's how it is"

"Oh, Reid, you spoil sport. Please, that's what girlfriends are for- we talk about boyfriends and stuff"

Luke bristled slightly at the mention of 'Oscar' and 'boyfriend' in the same context.

Reid, on the other hand, sighed dramatically.

"Katie, please, you're scaring me. I already have to convince myself that I'm not turning into a middle-aged woman when you force me to watch Desperate Housewives; please don't make an innocent trip to the DIY store a coffee shop- style gossip-opportunity."

"There you go again, Dr Oliver, avoiding the question. And I am not middle-aged!"

"Fine, fine, fine. You are not middle-aged"

"REID!"

"Okay! Jeez, don't blow a gasket!"

There was a fairly long and thoughtful pause. Luke waited anxiously to hear what Reid had to say now. This was the information he was itching to know about "Oscar".

"He's not my boyfriend"

Luke suddenly felt very relieved.

"We met in college- he was my roommate, and studying chemistry. I liked him immediately, because he was interesting and witty, just like me."

Katie rolled her eyes.

"I think he was the first person I really fancied. I asked him out in sophomore year, and then we broke up when I graduated. We spoke a lot on the phone, but I hadn't really seen him for about five years, before he turned up at the hospital. I'd told him about being blackmailed into Oakdale, and heading up the new neuro wing. I'm glad he's here, because he's my best friend, and I love him. He's very important to me. There, you happy now?"

At the beginning of Reid's tale, Katie had a slight smile etched across her pretty face. It was now a full-blown grin.

"Eternally, my darling roommate"

"I hate you so much"

Katie laughed energetically, and Reid tried his best to hide a small smile. They rounded the corner, and suddenly came into contact with one Mr Snyder, who, unknown to them, had heard the entire conversation.

Reid was holding a can of 'Morning Sunshine' in his hand.

"Luke! How are you, honey? I haven't seen you in so long!"

"I'm good, thanks Katie. Really good."

And he wasn't lying. Luke was really good. He wasn't with Noah; Reid wasn't with Oscar, and for the first time they had the ability to be together.

"That's wonderful to hear"

A pause. Katie had very democratically avoided the rather sensitive subject of Noah Mayer. God, Luke loved her so much; she was the one person in Oakdale who hadn't offered their condolences about his relationship. Jeez, Luke thought after every 'I'm so sorry' he received. He's not dead, for God's sake.

But as much as Luke wanted to pretend he wasn't upset at all about his break-up, he couldn't possibly. He did love Noah, probably like Reid loved Oscar, and he couldn't escape the tears that threatened to take hold every time he thought of how their relationship had gone wrong.

But Luke had told himself he had to be reasonable. They were together for a long time, and they did love each other, but they clearly weren't right for each other.

And so breaking up and moving on was not a sad thing at all.

We can both move on now, Luke mused. And we will both be happier that way.

"So what are you here for, My Snyder? I thought you'd have servants or robots to do the shopping for you"

"Reid, please"

But Katie was surprised to see that Luke wasn't offended by Reid's outburst.

"Good one, Reid"

The older man studied Luke's face carefully, and, to Katie's surprise, broke into a smile. Taking it upon herself not to interrupt two of her best friends, she gently pushed the trolley carrying a resting Jacob, and said to Reid quickly:

"I'll be with the cushions. But by the looks of things, you won't need one anymore"

Reid turned to her, and acknowledged the message she was trying to send. He simply answered "ok", and turned back to Luke, this time with an expression of concerned etched across his face.

"Tell me honestly, Luke, did you mean what you said to Katie? Are you really ok? And I can tell when you're lying, because you do that weird neck-scratch thing. So tell me the truth"

A pause.

"Why do you care?"

This was the question Luke wanted to know the answer to the most. Why did Reid care? Luke had treated him badly; he had constantly switched between the gorgeous Dr and Noah, back and forth, and Luke knew now that he had hurt Reid more than he had perhaps realised at the time. So he was curious, now, as to why Reid would care.

"I truly don't. But if Noah is the love of your life, which is what you told me, I'd imagine you'd be a bit cut up about it"

And even though Reid had a way with hiding his emotions, Luke could read him like an open book. Reid really did care.

"Honestly?"

Reid nodded encouragingly.

"I am upset. I'm upset because the life I'd imagined with Noah, that world of possibility, it's no longer feasible. But I have to accept the facts. We grew apart, like many teenage lovers do. It was time for us to move on, to grow up, and to learn to be independent again"

Reid stood there, shocked into inarticulacy. Everything he had believed about Luke and Noah's relationship, its immaturity and lack of longevity, was finally being realised by both parties. Finally, he screamed inwardly.

But Luke had hurt him for the last time. Never again was he going to expose himself like that.

And who knows if Luke broke it off with Noah for him? Or if he just wanted to be independent again. Either way, Reid preferred the safe haven of his shell, a place where one particularly gorgeous, sweet and loving blonde couldn't hurt him again.

Because Reid just didn't think he was strong enough to take it.

"Like I said before, good for you Mr Snyder. You have a sensible head on those shoulders, and I'm glad you managed to pry it back from its naive dreamland. Have a good day"

Luke winced at the overuse of his surname.

He'd really hurt him, hadn't he? What if the damage he had done was irreversible? What if Luke had had his chance and the Doctor had finally seen sense? Decided that he was too good and too trusting for Luke?

No.

Luke had made a decision. He was going to be selfish for the first time in his life. He had chosen Dr Reid Oliver. He wanted everything and anything with him.

He had proven it to himself. The important thing now was to prove it to Reid.

"Please, call me Luke. Please, Reid"

Luke begged silently with his eyes. He was desperate Reid's forgiveness.

The Doctor rolled his eyes, before replying.

"Have a good day, Luke"