Title: Marry Me
Chapter: 1/1
Rating: PG
Summary: Luke´s sick
Characters: Luke, Noah
Genre: Drama, AU
Warnings: Angst alert – character death
Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

He carried the blonde down the stairs and out the front door. Luke didn´t have much time, the doctors only gave him a couple of days more to live in, the cancer had spread too much for them to do more about it.

Even though it was a warm day and the sun was up high, Luke was wrapped tight in a blanket. Noah sat down in the old rocking chair and felt Luke place his head in the crock of his neck and shoulder. Noah leaned his down to rest on top of Luke´s head.

Instead of the soft, silky strands of hair Luke used to have, Noah felt the short hair stick and prick against his skin. He raised his left hand to play with the hair at the base, which nobody could explain, was still so soft to touch. His right hand gripped a tight grip with Luke´s left underneath the blanket, their fingers intertwined.

"It´s beautiful out here," Luke whispered and drew a ragged breath. Noah squeezed Luke´s hand and felt his heart swell when he felt the return squeeze from Luke.

Luke drew another ragged breath and Noah felt the tears in his eyes, but forced himself to blink them away. He needed to be strong for Luke.

"Noah, I love you." Noah blinked rapidly to keep the tears from running. "I love you too, baby." Noah whispered and kissed Luke on the forehead.

He felt Luke lift his head and Noah turned his own to look at the blonde. Luke slowly moved his head towards Noah´s and pressed their lips together for a brief moment.

Noah watched those brown eyes drown when Luke pulled back. He gently placed his hand on Luke´s cheek and stroked it with his thump.

"I love you," Noah said once again and watched as Luke´s face broke out in a full Luke-Snyder grin complete with dimples. Noah couldn´t resist and pressed another quick kiss to Luke´s lips.

Luke, once again, placed his head in the crock of Noah´s neck. He drew another ragged breath and exhaled while squeezing Noah´s hand again.

Noah held his breath, waiting for Luke´s next intake of air, only to release it when his lungs screamed for air. He felt Luke´s hand go limp and trying to fell towards the ground. He gripped it tighter and felt the tears run down his cheeks.

Luke was gone.

Noah broke down into sobs, struggling to catch his breath. He pressed Luke´s still warm body tight to his and sobbed into Luke´s hair.

****

Noah woke with a gasp, the pain of losing Luke still deep in his heart. He felt an arm and leg against his body and for a moment, he didn´t know who it was.

Then suddenly it all came back. He was in their apartment, Luke´s and his. Luke was not dead; he was alive and laying right next to him, sleeping.

Noah rolled on top of Luke and kissed him all over his face; forehead, nose, cheeks, eyelids and lips. He felt the blonde stir underneath him, and Noah kissed him all over again.

"Noah," Luke said his voice thick with sleep.

"Marry me," Noah said and looked into Luke´s eyes in the dark. He didn´t care that he didn´t have a ring, he knew he wanted the blonde in his life for the rest of his life.

"What? Noah?" Luke asked and tried to sit up, but Noah didn´t move. He gently restrained the blonde from getting anywhere.

"I mean it Luke. Marry me, be mine forever. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you."

Luke was silent for a few moments before he nodded. "Yes, I´ll marry you Noah." Noah quickly pressed their lips together.

******

10 years later: "I´m sorry Luke. The cancer has spread too much. There´s nothing more we can do for you."