Sound of Her Voice

By Alaricnomad

Chapter Six: It's Been So Long, So Long

"Get over here, Sawyer!"

Peyton laughed joyously as she was enveloped in a bear hug, lifted off her feet to be twirled around. "Nathan," she squealed with protest, overwhelmed by his enthusiasm as she quickly grew dizzy, "Put me down, you big oaf!"

Nathan chuckled as he set her down, putting his hands on her shoulders and stepping back to take a good look at her. "Well…you're walking, talking and breathing, so what the hell, Sawyer? You don't call, you don't write, you skip out on us for Spring Break, you only stay a week for winter vacation. What's up?"

Peyton gave him a weak smile. "I've sorry, Nate. I've been-"

"Busy, I know. Uh-huh, if that's your story."

"Nathan, stop badgering the poor girl," Haley chided, bumping him with her hip to get him out of the way so she could get to the curly-haired woman. Their hug wasn't as dramatic as Nathan's, but it was no less heartfelt. Haley let the embrace linger as she felt the trusting way the blonde leaned into her. That motherly aura the musician had always radiated seemed to be infectious. Haley rubbed her back soothingly, whispering, "It's good to have you home, Peyton."

Peyton drew back, giving her a warm smile. "It's good to be home."

"Umm…this is touching and all, but I'm here too. Don't I get a hug?"

Haley rolled her eyes at her best friend's whining but she complied, wrapping her arms around his neck in greeting. Lucas responded by slipping his arms around her waist, accepting her peck to his cheek with a soft look of welcome. "Here, you big baby," Haley told him wryly, "I don't know why you're feeling so neglected. We just saw you in April."

Lucas pouted. "That's still two months."

Watching his wife and her best friend reunite, Nathan took the moment they separated as an opportunity to approach, bumping fists with his brother. "Hey, Luke. Long time, no see."

Lucas nodded. "You too, man," he turned back to his sister-in-law with a grin, "See? He agrees with me."

"Can it, Scott."

Peyton grinned, watching the interactions between her friends with fond remembrance. As much as she had fought coming back, it really was good to be home. It was as if nothing had changed. Any of the awkwardness or tension she had expected to return to seemed nonexistent. "Some things never change."

Nathan smiled at her. "I think you're right. Looking hot as ever, Sawyer."

Peyton rolled her eyes, Haley hit him and Lucas glared. Nathan held up his hands. "What? Haven't you ever heard of an icebreaker?"

"You broke the ice, alright," Lucas commented dryly, "You just about killed it."

"Hah hah."

"As amusing as this is," Peyton interrupted, "I thought we were going to dinner."

"Right," Haley linked arms with her husband, tugging him forward, "Let's get going."

Lucas nodded, wrapping his arm around Peyton's shoulders as they followed. Peyton leaned into his side and he smiled down at her, kissing the top of her head. Haley glanced over her shoulder at them and winked at her husband, the two of them sharing a knowing smile.

--

They stopped first by Peyton's house, as Nathan and Haley still had their luggage in the back of their rental, to change for dinner. Nathan and Lucas were finished rather quickly, and they waited patiently down in the foyer for the girls. Lucas fiddled uncomfortably with the sleeve of his dark blue dress shirt, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his khakis. Nathan amusedly watched his brother fidget, knowing full well the source of his discomfort.

"Boys, we're ready," Haley's singsong voice echoed as both women began their descent down the staircase, catching Lucas's attention as he raised his head to take in the sight of her.

And what a sight it was.

The dress she wore was a slinky little black number with an open back, showing up smooth expanses of sun-kissed skin and the neckline plunging just enough to show a hint of cleavage. The swinging skirt settled on her hips and showed off her legs, complete with thin-strapped heels that accented said legs in a dangerously seductive way.

All blood left Lucas's brain and rushed southward. No way in hell this was he going to survive this dinner. He could see vaguely that Haley was looking particularly pretty in a modest red dress, but all he saw was Peyton. He caught her secretive, amused little smile and he looked away, embarrassed, as he realized he had been practically drooling. She rested a hand against his shoulder, leaned up to kiss his cheek, and whispered. "Don't worry, babe. I'll take it as a compliment."

He looked back at her, still looking shy, but with the warm smile he received, he offered her his arm, and away they went.

The restaurant was one of the classiest Tree Hill had to offer. Dinner was phenomenal, conversation flowed easily, and each and every one of them reveled in their renewed camaraderie. They finished their meal languorously, and as music began to play in the background after the band was set up to perform. Lucas thoughtfully watched as Peyton's gaze caught and stayed on the dancers filling the floor. He smiled softly, rising to his feet to stand before her, "You want to dance? I'm not real good at it, but if you want to…"

"I'd love to."

Shyness had no real place there anymore as she took the hand he extended toward her and allowed herself to be drawn into his arms. It was a feeling like coming home as she came into his embrace, their bodies fitting seamlessly, and together they moved fluidly into the dance.

In his arms, it felt strangely familiar, it felt exhilaratingly new, but most of all…it just felt right.

Lucas leaned his head to hers, and his cheek brushed over hers, the light stubble along his jaw scratching against her skin. Her nose crinkled at the sensation and he smiled, whispering into her ear. "Peyton?"

"Hmm?" Her arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers idly skimming along his nape, with the fine hair she found there. A pleasurable shiver ran down his spine at her touch.

"You look beautiful," and he was unable to hide the warm sincerity of his words, pressing a kiss just below her ear.

"You're looking quite handsome yourself."

He chuckled. "No, you definitely outclass me."

"Thank you," she replied, shyly biting her lip, averting her eyes from his.

"Hey…look at me, Peyt," his fingers curled around her chin, gently tilting her head back up to look at him. "Are you having a good time?"

"Yeah…it's been pretty unforgettable so far."

"Unforgettable, huh?" he said with a smile, playfully waggling his eyebrows, "Much be my irresistible charm."

She rolled her eyes, swatting him in the arm for the cockiness coloring his tone, though she could not help a smile. "More like irresistible foolishness."

"Whatever makes the ladies happy."

She laughed. "You are so full of yourself." They leaned back into each other once more, their foreheads meeting as their eyes locked, holding each other's gaze.

He smiled again, and he found himself noticing that he seemed to be doing that so much more that night than he had in the past year. If nothing else…if nothing else…Peyton could always draw a smile from him. No one else brought that same feeling of ecstasy, of exhilaration, of sheer giddiness just by being in her very presence.

"Maybe I am," he lightly teased, "But you love me anyway, faults and all."

She grew serious and some inexplicable emotion passed through her eyes, faster than he could decipher or react as she suddenly leaned even closer, grazing her lips over his, a simple, chaste kiss that only lasted a few moments. His eyes fluttered closed, but before he could respond, she pulled away.

She watched him through a hooded gaze and Luke stood frozen, his eyes still closed and a small, hesitant smile playing over his lips. He tentatively opened his eyes to look at her, his face blanketed with confusion and cautious hope. "Peyt?"

She pressed another kiss to the corner of his mouth, bumping her nose against his. "Tonight's a special night, yeah?"

"Hmm," he looked thoughtful, a bit mischievous, "Special things that happen on special nights…"

"Are just kept special," she finished for him.

That same boyish grin broke out on his face, holding such warmth and joy she felt her heart soar, laughing delightedly as he lifted her up and twirled her around in his excitement.

She braced her hands against his shoulders for some semblance of balance, and he leaned his head against hers, whispering to her, "That's good, cause I've been wanting something special with you for a long time."

--

She had thought that after their initial reunion, especially being back in their presence of their friends, that the physical they were adding to their affection would have toned down. But that night, it only intensified. Without Brooke, it was like nothing had changed, that the past year didn't matter. She knew they wouldn't talk about it, where they were at in terms of their relationship- it was just unspoken, the two of them summing it up to being close friends. Eventually, they would ease off, but the intensity of being together again after so long, so long apart from one another, that craving to be close was almost electric, almost addicting.

She remembered well when it had started, over that summer where they grew so close. They had needed each other like they had never needed any other person. And that old connection had flared back up, soul reconnecting with soul, and that those few months of just having each other; they didn't bother to fight it.

She was scared. She knew she was being a bit irrational, a bit oversensitive, but even with Lucas's comforting presence nearby, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Her wide eyes darted around the room and she asked softly. "Did you hear something?"

Sitting in the chair across the room, Lucas sighed; ready as always to reassure her. "Look, Peyton. I locked all the doors. I didn't hear anything. You're fine, okay?" He gave her that soft smile that never failed to affect her and she took in a deep breath, relaxing back against the bed.

She looked around; avoiding looking at him directly, tentatively broaching a topic she knew they had to talk about at some point. A topic full of things she couldn't help but need to know. "So, Brooke said you kept some of the stuff from when we were…" she trailed off, unable to quite put a label on their past. A fling, an affair, in love? She rolled her eyes, settling on, "Whatever we were. She thinks you're still into me."

Lucas's mind went into a strange overdrive, so many words on the tip of his tongue he knew he shouldn't stay. Dozens upon dozens of possible responses he could make to that, all of which he knew were dangerous territory. He settled for avoiding it all together. "I told Brooke I wanted to be with her today. Right before she left."

Peyton stared at him for a moment, letting what he said sink in. She laughed, sitting him to give a wry look. "Nice timing," she said dryly.

Even if it was at his expense, Lucas found himself oddly glad to see that smile on her face. He shook his head to dispel those thoughts, chuckling in self-deprecation. "I'm a real piece of work, huh? I mean every time I play it over in my head, this idiot light just keeps flashing over me."

She gazed at him sympathetically, giving an agreeing nod. "Yeah. Either you say too much, or like me with Jake, you don't say enough. And then they're gone."

"Yeah. I'm sorry about Jake." Though he was genuinely feeling for her pain- when she hurt, he hurt for her- he couldn't help the spike of jealousy that crept up his throat at the mention of the other man. He immediately squashed those thoughts, feeling ashamed of himself for feeling so petty over her loss.

"Yeah, me too." She looked down, her eyes clouding over, "It broke my heart.

What it wouldn't give to be capable of repairing it for her. He heaved out a heavy sigh, frustrated by the fact he knew it wasn't his place to do so. "It's been a tough year on hearts." He furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

Flooded with thoughts of the past year, just what damage was done to her heart before Jake, before Lucas's sudden reawakened feelings for Brooke; there was the two of them. Lust, secrets, passion, but most of all, that surreal, overwhelming love that had never quite disappeared. She settled for a nod, unable to come up with the right words.

"So, it's too bad we had to be this desperate to hang out again, huh?"

She breathed out a laugh, "We didn't have to, we just are." She didn't like to think about their estrangement over the past few months any more than he did. "But I'm glad you're here. I know we kinda lost each other for a while, but hopefully that's over right." She gave him a heavy look, full of things he could read too well, but didn't like to admit to himself. "Especially considering our history."

He knew exactly why they had lost each other. "It's always going to be there, isn't it? You and me."

Peyton opened her mouth to reply, to refute him, but she knew she couldn't. Instead she nodded, her lips curling into a slight smile almost of their own accord, as she looked up at him shyly.

A silence fell between them and strangely enough, it wasn't discomforting in anyway. Instead, it was more the comfortable, companionable sort of quiet they often felt when together, most often when they sat reading or drawing together. He watched her as she laid her head back against her pillow, tilting her face up toward the window. She stared out into the night, lost in thought and his heart skipped a beat as he realized much of the earlier tension in her expression had relaxed. She sighed softly and turned her face toward him. Their eyes met and she gave him a small smile. "Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," he responded, his gaze gentle in a way that soothed her as his eyes traced over her face, "Been a long day, huh?"

She laughed. "More like a long year."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." She studied him for a moment, cocking her head in contemplation. She shifted to her side, tentatively biting her lip as she patted the mattress beside her. "Stay with me?" she questioned him shyly.

He nodded, moving to join her in the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and Peyton nestled against him. Lucas nuzzled her neck, pressing a kiss to her nape and she sighed, turning her head to kiss his cheek. He cupped the side of her face, his thumb stroking her cheek, smiling down at her with soft affection. "Always," he whispered gently, "Always."

"Peyt?"

Peyton snapped out of her reflections, her head tilting up to take in the sight of the subject of her thoughts standing in the doorway of his bedroom. He was leaning against the frame, just returned from the bathroom, only wearing a pair of boxers as he tilted his head curiously. "Ready for bed?"

She glanced up at him from where she sat at the edge of his bed, feeling suddenly self-conscious in the oversize t-shirt she wore, borrowed from him, hyper-aware she wore nothing but panties underneath. She hesitated for a moment but reassured herself, letting her mind linger on her previous memories. It was Lucas, just Lucas. Finally, she nodded with affirmation, holding out a hand to him. He crossed the room to accept it and she leaned back against the bed, Lucas following after.