Chapter 10- Just Thanks

After he had left Helen nursing a hot chocolate, Luke found Reid furiously walking through Old Town, arms folded and eyes blazing.

"Reid!" he called, but Reid ignored him.

"Reid!" he shouted again. Catching up with him, he stepped right in front of him, blocking his path.

"Luke, would you get out of my way?" he hissed.

"No" said Luke stubbornly.

Reid stepped to the side but Luke stepped with him.

"This is ridiculous. Just move."

Reid tried again to shove past but Luke held tightly onto his arms.

"Yes it is ridiculous." he said, his own anger rising. "Its ridiculous how you run away from anything that makes you upset."

"You heard what she was saying! I have every right to be upset." said Reid who had stopped struggling now and accepted that he was locked in Luke's grip.

"Little sisters are annoying! What else is new? Reid, why cant you just forgive her? She made a mistake ten years ago." His voice softened. Reid closed his eyes and sighed.

"I knew you'd be like this. Why do you always have to be so sickeningly nice?"

Sensing a change in Reid's mood, Luke gave him a playful slap.

"Why do you always have to be so sickeningly nasty?"

Reid smiled properly and put his arms around Luke's waist.

"Hey the world has to balance itself out somehow." He stared at the ground for a moment then faced Luke who had already guessed what he was going to say.

"OK. You're right. I overreacted."

"I love it when you admit you're wrong."

"Oh I wasn't wrong. Just… emotional. Look I have some very good reasons to be angry with Helen. Our parents were always on her side even when…"

"Even when what?" asked Luke, stroking Reid's arm. His expression became blank again.

"Nothing" he muttered.

"No come on, I want to know. You never talk about your parents."

"No."

"OK fine, Reid" said Luke, removing himself from Reid's arms and starting to walk away. "You tell me you love me, but-"

"I do" said Reid with such passion that Luke couldn't help but turn back.

"Well then why cant you tell me?"

"Look, I will tell you. Just not tonight, OK? My family is a little insane, as you might have noticed and I'm kind of exhausted."

He looked pleadingly at Luke.

"Alright" Luke nodded. "Are you too exhausted to walk me home? I think Helen's going to be alright at Al's for a bit."

"No. Come on" said Reid, putting an arm around Luke. They walked in comfortable silence for a while.

"Am I a difficult boyfriend, Luke?" Reid asked him abruptly.

"Yes. Very. But you're handsome so I'll forgive you… I wish I could've stayed, tonight." he added sadly.

"I know, I know." said Reid darkly. "Next time, definitely."

"I'll come and see you tomorrow. All my stuff is still there anyway."

"I don't know if I'll last that long." moaned Reid.

"Don't be so pessimistic. You and Helen will patch things up. Your injuries will heal. You'll get your job back. Just think positively."

Reid crossed his fingers and muttered something under his breath.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking 'we will have sex'" said Reid which earned him a sharp elbow jab from Luke, but privately he was thinking the same thing.

They were both sad to reach Luke's front porch when the walk was finally over.

"Alright" said Luke, trying to sound matter-of-fact. "So, call me if you need anything. I'll be over tomorrow morning and I'll change your bandages. Make sure you don't strangle Helen between now and then, OK?"

Reid nodded and they both stared at the ground for a while, not wanting to move.

"Luke…" said Reid quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks… you know. I mean, just thanks…"

Luke nodded to show that he understood. He stepped forward and silently caressed Reid's smooth cheek, tracing his jawline with his fingers. Reid closed his eyes and Luke leaned forward to kiss him. They kissed hungrily, moving into each other until their bodies were pressed tightly together and Luke breathed in Reid's soapy, aftershave smell. He ran his fingers through Reid's thick hair as Reid held the back of his neck, drawing him even closer.

The sound of approaching footsteps and a loud cough made them draw apart reluctantly. Expecting to see his mother, Luke was astonished when he turned around to face someone he thought was gone for good.

"Noah!"