A/N: Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the late update! RL just took over but just to let you know, the bachelor party is in the next chapter which I hope to post tomorrow! Feedback would be cherished and loved! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

The way back to Ben's house in the car was filled with nonstop chatter that Ben was engaging in with Luke and Ramona. Reid was grateful that Luke came out to find him when he did, because if he hadn't, he would have gone off for a long walk to clear his head to god knows where.

What Ramona had told him had hit him hard, and although she hadn't been around for the incident, he knew that Ben must have told her about it. Reid would have ripped Ben a new one for telling other people about his private life, but he didn't care because he knew Ramona cared and she wouldn't have brought it up unless she had found it necessary. He knew that coming back to London would bring up these issues all over again and he just couldn't go back and think about it. No matter how long ago it was, there was just no way he could put himself through that again.

"Reid, look, I have to go and talk to him! He's my father, I love him."

"If he supposedly loves you, then why won't he and your family accept you?"

"Look, I'll just go and talk to him. They didn't even give me a chance to explain and-"

"Doesn't that tell you anything, Dean? I don't know why you want to put yourself through this!"

"Reid, they're my family and I just have to do this, don't you understand?"

"No Dean, I don't! It's your life and only you have the right to do with it what you want!"

"Of course you wouldn't get it. Why would you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"Forget it Reid. I'm going."

The car door slammed shut signalling that they had arrived back home, startling Reid from the memories of that night that he would rather forget. He opened his eyes to find Luke sitting next him, eyebrows drawn together and worry etched on his face.

"You okay, Reid?"

Reid rolled his eyes and sighed, "I'm fine blondie. Like I said, the Bublé got to my head and I was trying to come up with a dastardly plan to get back at you for making me dance."

"Ha ha, good luck with that."

"I don't need luck Mr. Snyder. I am that good."

Luke scoffed, slid out of the car and made his way into the house followed by Reid who pushed past him straight into the kitchen. Luke made his way into the kitchen and chuckled as he saw Ben and Reid fighting over what he thought were sandwich condiments, and Ben complaining that Reid had used up his favourite mustard. Luke looked on at the antics taking place, but he still wasn't entirely convinced with Reid's explanation but let it go, he didn't want to press the issue, if there was an issue to begin with that is.

Their late lunch was an interesting event, nearly everyone had something different to eat and after refereeing between Reid and Ben, Ramona gave up and ordered in food for both her and Luke as they watched Reid build his huge sandwich construction. Luke looked on in awe at Reid's skill at layering all the ingredients just right, not one salad leaf out of place. He then carefully placed the second slice of bread on top of his food structure, looking on in pride and then proceeded to consume it in less than 3 minutes.

Ben wrinkled his nose as he watched, "Reid, that is disgusting man. How the hell can you eat that monstrosity?"

"Benny boy, don't say things you don't mean. You should try it before you say such awful things."

Luke laughed and Reid offered him a piece, "You want to try?"

"Ummm, no thanks."

Reid shrugged and finished off his last piece as he got to his feet moving to put his dish in the sink, Ramona following behind. Reid reached out for the washing up liquid when Ramona stopped him.

"What are you doing Reid?" Ramona laughed.

"Washing up..."

"Reid, don't be silly. You're our guest here, why would you even think of doing the dishes?"

"It's just a force of habit, I guess."

Reid made to leave when Ramona called out to him.

"Hey, Reid."

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry about earlier. I feel like I crossed the line and I..."

"Romy, its okay. You don't need to apologise but thank you anyway," Reid smiled softly and kissed Ramona's forehead, "I'm going to go upstairs and do some work, so I'll see you later?"

She nodded with a smile, lightly tapping his cheek lovingly, "Yeah, you go, and I'll see you later."

Reid made his way out of the kitchen waving a wordless goodbye to both Ben and Luke while Luke watched him leave.

Luke turned back with a smile on his face, looking back on his plate at the seconds that Reid had non-verbally communicated he had to eat a second time that day.

"Luke?"

Luke glanced up to look at Ben, who had the widest grin on his face and he felt a little uneasy.

"Yes?"

"Do you like Reid?"

Luke choked a little as he tried to process what Ben meant by that particular question.

"Umm, what?"

"I mean, do you like Reid, like you would you want to, you know...?" Ben's eyes widened and just as he was about to make a crude gesture, Luke clocked onto what Ben was implying.

"For god's sake Ben!"

"What? I just asked an innocent question!"

"That was a far from an innocent question and look, I like Reid as a friend, and he's your family, so no."

"Well, you don't need my permission if you want to...you know."

"Ben, you know I'm not looking for anything right now, he's a nice guy, a friend and that's all."

"Which Reid are you talking about? Our Reid's never nice."

Luke shook his head laughing, finishing the last of his lunch and placing his dish in the sink.

"Ben, honey, leave Luke alone. If he says he likes him as a friend then he likes him as a friend."

"Thank you Romy! I knew I could count on you to understand," Luke walked over to kiss Ramona on her cheek, "Right, I'm off to check my e-mails and I have some work to catch up on."

As Luke left the kitchen he heard Ben's voice shouting, "Your room is on the first floor, not the second, just in case you forgot."

"Fuck you Ben." Luke shouted back.

Ben and Ramona started laughing.

"Luciano is so whipped." Ben sighed.

Luke had managed to get all of his writing for Ben's photo book done that afternoon and sent it off by e-mail. He tried not to focus on the talk he had had downstairs about Reid with Ben, he's a friend and that is all. Yesterday was the most fun time he had had with someone after a long time and although Reid made him laugh, he also irritated him like hell and made him feel things that he didn't want to feel. Luke knew he couldn't let himself fall so easily, he'd made that mistake before with Noah, believing in all the fake promises and the constant back and forth where there was no honesty. He couldn't do that again, plus Reid was Ben's cousin, so just, no.

Luke suddenly remembered that he had needed to call back home to check on Ethan. Their talk had been cut short by Reid's arrival to call him for breakfast and he really was missing his family back home. He couldn't wait to show his siblings the gifts he, strike that, the gifts Reid had chosen for them, Luke laughed to himself with the memory. Luke got to his feet and rooted through the shopping bags from yesterday pulling out the Rubik's cube he had bought, he had no idea what had possessed him to buy it. Finding out that the Rubik's cube was a small part of Reid's childhood that had brought a smile on his face, made him believe that there was more to this man than he thought and at that moment he knew exactly who it was for.

Ben managed to get some of his own work done too, and he glanced at his clock realising that he still hadn't had his chat with Luke. He made his way upstairs to Luke's room, knocking lightly as he reached the door. He heard Luke calling him in and he found Luke lying down on his bed, his back propped up on the headboard, talking on the phone. Ben bounded into the room making himself comfortable next to Luke as he waited for him to finish his conversation.

"I'm glad you're feeling better buddy and yes I remember my promise, okay, I'll talk to you soon. Yep, I love you too, Bye."

Luke snapped his phone shut placing it on the dresser and he turned to face Ben lying next to him who had a pout on his face.

"You left me for Alejandro already? You didn't tell me things were that serious between you two!"

"Yeah well, he was better at phone sex so that sealed the deal."

Ben gasped, "Luciano, you dirty boy!"

"Oh Ben, you don't know the half of it." Luke answered in a deep and sultry voice.

"You kinky bastard!" Ben said as he ruffled Luke's hair while Luke slapped his hands away.

"I was talking to my brother actually, he had a fever last night and when Reid came to get me this morning I had to cut the call short." Luke clarified.

"Oh okay, is your brother feeling better?"

"He's feeling much better now."

Ben nodded, "That's good then."

Luke shuffled further down on the bed so his head was on the pillow and Ben did the same as they both lay there in silence staring at the ceiling for a few minutes.
Luke turned on his side to face Ben, "So, I know you have something important to talk to me about, am I right?"

"How did you know?" Ben mumbled.

"Because you used to do this when we lived together? You used to come into my room and just lie down in silence, which, by the way, is totally against your nature."

"I guess you know me better than I thought."

"I do, so tell me, what's up?"

Ben shuffled back up to rest his back on the headboard and he rubbed his hand over his face trying to find the courage to ask.

"I don't know how to ask you, I feel kinda bad."

Luke became concerned and pushed himself up and put his hand on Ben's shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

Ben glanced down at his hands he was wringing nervously, in his lap.

"Well, the thing is, I didn't know Reid was coming to my wedding, and it was a complete surprise and I wasn't sure how to ask you..."

"Stop babbling Ben, just spit it out."

Ben breathed in deeply and looked at Luke, "I was hoping, that you would give me the permission to let Reid be my best man...", when Luke didn't answer his face not giving any clue, Ben hurriedly sought to clarify himself, "..I mean you will still be in the wedding party, like my second best man type thing, you will be standing with me at the altar and everything it's just..."

Luke interrupted Ben putting his hand over his mouth and laughed.

Luke dropped his hand from Ben's mouth, "Ben, I think it's a great idea!"

Ben widened his eyes and let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding in, "Are you sure? Because I don't want you to feel bad, I mean I feel bad enough asking because I asked you about it a long time ago and..."

"Ben!" Luke shouted to stop his babbling, "It's a fantastic idea and now I'm thinking, why the hell I didn't think of it before."

"Really, are you sure?"

"I think Reid will really like it and if he doesn't accept, I can help convince him for you, but I know that he won't deny this opportunity to be your best man." Luke said with a smile.

Ben exhaled loudly and mockingly wiped his brow, "Thank god. I wasn't sure how you would feel about it."

"Ben, like I said, I think it's a great idea. But don't you dare think you're going to get away from not hearing an embarrassing speech all about your days in college. Now you'll get that and one about you as a kid, it's gonna be double trouble."

"Oh bloody hell! I didn't think of that."

Luke chuckled softly as he rested his head back onto the headboard and they sat in silence for a few moments.

"This is the first wedding or family event that Reid has turned up to, you know?" Ben said softly, quietly.

Luke tilted his head to the side to look at Ben, waiting for him to continue.

"He's not a very sociable guy and he didn't even come to my engagement party. I really didn't think he would come to my wedding, either. I mean he calls once every fortnight-ish with the excuse that he wants to find out how my mother is doing, but I always end up talking about myself, you know me and my talking. But now that I think about it, he calls to hear about me in the first place. That sounds silly doesn't it?"

"I call him when I can and I email him a few times a week and get one word answers, or insults in an email," Ben laughed softly, "But whenever I try to talk to him about him and how he's doing, he just shuts down. I can never get through to him and if ever I do get the chance to ask, it's the standard, 'I'm fine'. But nothing more than that and I know, even though he won't admit it, he's alone out there with no family and it's not good for him."

Luke felt as if he wasn't supposed to be privy to Reid's life in this way, and although his personality screamed, 'Leave me alone', Luke believed that Reid was not naturally a lonely soul. The way he had talked about his parents at the toy store contradicted all of that and even though he knew that the snarkiness was a part of who he was, for him to shut down from family in this way meant that something life changing must have occurred in his life.

He could genuinely see how much love and adoration Ben had for Reid through the way he was speaking about him and through the concern he had for him. Luke also believed that beneath all the teasing and snark that he laid upon Ben, he had the same love for him and that's the reason he had come to the wedding in the first place.

"So, that's why you want him to be best man, huh?"

Ben finally turned to Luke and nodded with a small smile on his face.

"He is going to love that you asked him although he won't admit it, mark my words."

Ben chuckled softly, "You're right, he will love it. You seem to know him pretty well too."

"Ben." Luke said as he got up off the bed.

"What? I didn't say anything! It's your mind that jumped to that conclusion."

"I'm not going to say anything, because you're just going to twist it, I know you."

Ben slid off the bed and followed Luke as he made his way to his wardrobe rummaging through his clothes.

Ben looked over Luke's shoulder, "Yeah okay whatever. So, what are you wearing tonight?"

"I dunno yet, but first I'm going to go and have a shower and I'll decide after that." Luke said as he closed the wardrobe door.

"Well, do you want some help in there, Luciano?" Ben asked as he leaned seductively on the wardrobe.

Luke hit his arm, "Ewww Ben, no!"

"Oww!" Ben cried as he rubbed his arm trying to ease the pain as they both fell into a fit of laughter.

As the laughter subsided Ben turned serious.

"Hey, Luke?"

"Yeah?" Luke answered.

"Thank you, for you know, letting Reid be best man."

"Oh Ben, come on, don't be silly."

"No, seriously, it means a lot to me, so thank you."

Ben pulled Luke into a tight hug which Luke reciprocated willingly wrapping his arms around Ben tightly. Ben pulled away grinning and ruffled Luke's hair and made his way to the door. His hand on the doorknob, he turned around.

"Be ready, by six, and don't do anything in that shower that I would do, because we don't want to be late."

"Fuck you, Ben."

"You wish! See ya!"

Ben ran out the door closing it behind him and Luke was left laughing to himself.

Reid hadn't felt so tired in such a long time. He was sitting in bed with his laptop trying to concentrate on the article he was writing, but his mind kept drifting to places which he would rather avoid. Not only was his past catching up with him, but the present seemed to be just as unwanted and unneeded. What Ramona had said about Luke still reverberated through his mind and although she meant well, Luke was taken, he was in love with someone else. But no matter how annoying and bratty he was, Reid couldn't help what he felt for him, whatever it was that he felt for him. 'Friendship feelings, only, that's all these feelings are'.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head, "Focus bonehead."

Reid tried to write a few more sentences and then gave up, slamming his laptop shut and looking forward to the fact that he would be able to drink as much as he wanted tonight. Maybe he could drink enough alcohol to numb all these unwanted feelings, and it might just help him get through this god-awful bachelor party.

After a quick shower he changed into a thin black sweater and some black jeans and made his way downstairs into the living room thinking that he would be the only one who would be there so early. Surprisingly he found Ben in there watching television.

"Whoa, Benny boy, you're a little bit eager for your own bachelor party aren't you?"

Ben switched off the TV and turned around with a small smile on his face, "Well I guess I am. It's not every day I get to hang out with my favourite genius cousin bro for the night, is it?"

Ben got up, making his way over to Reid who was standing in the middle of the room, "Wow, that's a lovely sweater and those jeans, very nice."

Reid narrowed his eyes, "What do you want from me Ben?"

Ben gasped mockingly, "Who said I wanted anything?"

Reid could clearly see through Ben behaviour, he knew Ben better than Ben knew himself.

"Just tell me what you want Benny, I can say no, and then you can get back to your normal self, insulting me or whatever."

"I insult you? It's more like the other way round."

Reid shrugged, "Well, I guess you're right, but I know that you complimenting me on my clothes is a new experience, and maybe a little creepy..."

Ben exhaled loudly, "Okay, okay, I get your point! Look I need to talk to you about something serious."

"What's the problem, you lose a cufflink?"

Ben sighed as he slumped down on the sofa, exhausted with the word play and patted the seat next to him.

"Reid, just come and sit down."

Reid looked curiously at Ben, who seemed to be a little nervous, running his hands through his hair as if he was trying to keep his hands occupied, while he waited for him to sit down. He cautiously walked over, sitting down and bending his left leg under him and turned to face Ben.

Reid rolled his eyes from side to side and pursed his lips, waiting.

"So, what is this serious predicament you find yourself in?"

Ben mirrored Reid's posture and breathed out.

"I want you to be my best man."

Reid wasn't sure whether he heard correctly and he frowned.

"What?"

"I would like you to be my best man, Reid." Ben watched as Reid's expression turn from curiosity to confusion in a matter of seconds.

"Why would you want me to be your best man?"

"Well, you're family and I want you to be up there with me at the altar, as my support and back up, when I marry the woman of my dreams."

"Ben, I don't know..."

"Reid, I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't sure and I want you to be a part of one of the most important days of my life."

Reid ran his hand through his hair. "What about your step-brothers or one of your friends?"

"I want you to be my best man, Reid."

Reid breathed in deeply trying to make sense of Ben's request. For the first time in a long time, he was speechless and if he had to admit, Ben asking him to be his best man had hit an emotional nerve inside him.

Ben noticed Reid's silence and tried to catch his eyes so that he could get his attention and he placed his hands on Reid's shoulders.

"Reid, I know we hadn't been that close before, and after what happened with Dean, you closed up even more. But Reid, you're like the big brother I never had. Yeah sure I had step-brothers, but they haven't stuck around for me like you have. So, if anyone has the right to be my best man at the wedding it's you", Ben paused, his eyes filling with tears and he cleared his throat, "I want to see you happy Reid. I want to see you as happy as Romy and I are. Hand on heart I want you be even happier than me because you deserve it so much. You come across as this arsehole that doesn't care about anyone but I know deep down you care more then you let on and I can't stand to see you living this half-life anymore..."

"Ben..." Reid wasn't good with this emotional stuff and he didn't know how much more he wanted to hear.

"No, Reid, I know this is going to sound so sappy and gay and you can taunt and insult me all you want, but I miss you and I love you, man. Don't say no, please."

Ben was trying to gauge Reid's feelings but he looked away from Ben's eyes, clearing his throat and rubbing his hand under his nose he got to his feet. Ben followed and got up to stand in front of him.

Reid glanced up at Ben with a small smile on his face.

"Okay."

Ben frowned, "Okay, what?"

Reid rolled his eyes, "Okay, I'll be your best man." He mumbled.

Ben grinned widely clapping his hands on Reid's shoulders, shaking him in the process, "You serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious. Now let go of me!"

Ben laughed and did the total opposite and drew Reid in for a hug, Ben's chin resting on Reid's head. Reid reluctantly put his arms around Ben patting his back shaking his head at the sappiness of the situation. Ben pulled back from the hug still holding onto Reid's arms.

"Thank you." Ben said as his eyes glassed over.

"Ben." Reid averted his eyes trying to look anywhere but at Ben, his emotional resolve cracking by the second.

Ben pulled Reid into another hug swaying him from side to side until they both started laughing.

Ben caught someone standing by the doorway from the corner of his eye.

"Hey, Luke! He said yes!"

Reid turned out of Ben's arms to catch Luke's hand fall from his face, wiping his hand on his jeans.

"I can see that Ben! I told you!"

Reid frowned, looking at Ben for an explanation.

"Umm yeah, I had to ask him whether it was okay." Ben said with a wink.

Reid glanced over at Luke who had a big grin on his face and Ben made his way over to Luke.

"Wow, Luciano, you're looking hot. You plan on getting laid tonight?"

Reid had to agree, even if he didn't want to notice how amazing Luke looked, wearing a figure hugging dark blue sweater teamed up with a pair of dark blue tight jeans. He was looking particularly delectable.

"Oh Ben, wouldn't you like to know." Luke winked at Reid who was standing behind Ben, chuckling softly.

"So, when are we meeting these friends of yours Benny boy?" Reid called out from behind him.

"Well, Rhys booked a restaurant for dinner somewhere and he's supposed to come and pick us up."

"Good, I'm feeling hungry right about now."

Ben shook his head in disbelief as did Luke and they both laughed, the sound of the doorbell interrupting them.

"A-ha, right on time." Ben winked and made his way to the door opening it to the sound of raucous laughter and shouts of hellos.

Both Luke and Reid were left in the living room, waiting for the party of men to make their way into the house.

Luke smiled and raised his eyebrows as he made his way over to Reid, "Best man, huh?"

Reid shrugged "Yeah, well, I got emotionally blackmailed into it," Reid paused, "why did he have to ask you first?"

Luke wasn't too sure whether he should tell Reid the truth and hesitated before speaking.

"Well, I was the best man, but I was relegated to a groomsman instead for a much more worthy best man."

Reid met Luke's eyes and he could see the mock annoyance on his face, Reid smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Luke questioned, feeling confused.

"For...you know..." Reid waved his hand gesturing towards Ben outside.

Luke grinned, his eyes sparkling, "I swear, you and Ben are exactly the same."

Before Reid could say anything, Ben made his way back in, "Come on guys, let's go, it's my bachelor party, woo hoo!"

Reid's eyes widened hearing the cat calls and hollering coming from the hallway.

Luke bit his lip stopping himself from laughing and exhaled loudly as if he was trying to rid himself of nerves.

"Come on Luciano," Reid grabbed Luke's arm pulling him along, "Let's show these posh boys what we're made of."

Luke face broke out into the biggest grin Reid had ever seen. He felt a warm glow expanding through his body as he saw Luke's eyes glitter with excitement. Reid couldn't help but smile back and dragged Luke along with him.