Pairing: BL
Disclaimer: I don't own OTH or the lyrics by Less Than Jake.
Summary: Learning sometimes means soul searching. There are no words to calm that kind of hurting.
AN: Okay so this chapter is sort of M-ish so I decided to change the ratings, just in case. Also I'm sort of nervous about this chapter because the things are slowly unwrapping and I hope I did it right.
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But I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
To be the man who walked that thousand miles
To fall down at your door...
----BL----
Chapter 15: Talk me down
There were many things she could say about Lucas Scott (not all that pleasant) but there was one thing she couldn't deny. Everything else aside, he was a gentleman, the old school type of guy. When they used to sat, wrapped in a blanket by a worm fire or just laid on his bed talking, she'd glance at him, tracing a line of his jaw with her eyes only, watching his lips move and those light blue eyes focusing at some unknown spot in the distance. They seemed so much older than he was, like they knew something she didn't, that mysterious glint at the edge of his irises confusing her, reminding her on those actors in old movies she used to watch with her dad when she was little.
In those moments he looked much older than seventeen and sometimes he acted that way too, opening the door for her or pulling out a chair in a restaurant for her to sit. He was just that kind of guy, the one that made you Coldplay or Travis mixtape with a few Billy Joel or Frank Sinatra songs thrown in the mix. Even when she moved away after High school to NYC, whenever she heard 'New York state of mind' it made her flinch and take a shaky breath to erase those blue eyes from her mind.
Knowing all that, it didn't surprise her at all that as soon as they literary ran into his house, completely breathless, he said "I should probably go get you something dry to wear and than you can leave those to dry off." he explained, pointing at her drenched jeans.
"It's not that…" she tried to object taking a step forward only to be interrupted by a squeaky sound of her shoes as she finished lamely "…bad."
"So you're saying your feet aren't currently swimming in there?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Well I wouldn't call it swimming, it's more like soaking nicely."
"That's not funny. You could get sick and there is a closet full of my mom's old stuff she surely wouldn't mind borrowing to you." he retorted.
Well she couldn't say no to that so she just nodded instead.
Before she had a time to blink he disappeared down the small hallway leaving her standing there alone, slightly shivering from the cold, or so she preferred to think. It would be ridiculous to be nervous now, but she still regretted not drinking that glass of champagne at the restaurant. It would make this much less awkward and her feet a lot less shaky. Moving her wet hair from the face she shifted miserably on her feet with a loud sigh. She probably looked awful but it was too late to worry about that now so she remained standing there, unable to sit down or move around much at all because she would leave water stains all over the place and ruin some perfectly good furniture.
And then she heard her phone ringing and vibrating inside her jeans pocket and she pulled it out, annoyed and a little shocked it survived the storm. Glancing quickly at the Caller ID she answered it with a curt "Hello?"
"Okay that sounds like your Tree Hill voice. Are you in North Carolina?" came the question from the other side.
"Well hello to you too Rach." she said with a sigh "You're timing is impeccable as always. And my voice does not change depending on my location, that's just ridiculous."
"It does tend to get that annoyed edge and gets sort of raspy." Rachel explained patiently to a her rather annoyed friend.
"You're being…"
"Kinda like that yeah." she said interrupting Brooke.
Brooke sighed "Why are you calling me at this hour?"
"You haven't answered my question B."
"And you haven't answered mine." she countered.
"Your mom called me, having a mental breakdown, again over you buying a plane ticket for Tree Hill." she explained and Brooke sighed again. That woman was just impossible. "So are you here?"
"Yep." she retorted.
"With whom?" Rachel asked.
"No one. Just me." she lied.
"OMG, is Lucas there? Are you two having a hot make up sex?"
"Rachel!"
"You are, aren't you? It's about God damn time." she said before adding "Oh, I'm sooo sorry for interrupting…"
"We are not having…" she stopped to lower her voice "…sex. I'm just gonna stay here until tomorrow because it's late to go check into a hotel now."
"Tell that to someone that will believe it because I certainly don't."
"Whatever you say."
"Just you know, use protection and call me in the morning with the details."
"Rachel! I'm hanging up now."
"Have fun you two crazy kids and say hi to pretty boy for m…"
"I'm hanging up. Bye bye." she said, shutting her phone off. Note to self, kill Rachel in the morning.
With nothing else to do she took of her shoes throwing them in the corner by the door. Just as she was about to throw the other one she heard footsteps approaching and she stood up with feigned nonchalance, moving her head to the left to remove a few strands of her wet hair from the face. Okay, maybe she was a little nervous. But as soon as she looked up, all that nervousness disappeared into thin air, replaced by something else that was much stronger and more unsettling.
He was standing a few feet away dressed in a clean pair of jeans and nothing else and for a moment she couldn't think about anything but the way those jeans hugged his hips just the right way (Has he been working out or what?). Her eyes traveled upwards from his muscular stomach to his shoulders that looked a little wider now that before, complete with his hands that were defined by slight muscles that made her gasp. He was all man now, no traces of that boyish look he used to have, except for his hair that was still wet and sticking messily in all possible directions.
"Brooke…" she heard him call out. Did his voice sound a little deeper than usual or was that just her imagination?
"Um…what?" she asked, frozen in place, her cheeks flushed. Since when did B Davis blush?
He smiled, that soft half smile that barely made a sound but still made his lips quirk upwards in that slightly amused way and she felt her knees buckle. "I hope these will do." he said, looking at her. "It's one of my mom's old sweets and a shirt, I hope it's not too big."
She cleared her throat, looking at the clothes he held out for her before taking it "No, it's fine. You know what they say, beggars can't be choosers." she said lightly "Although I'm sure these will dry up soon but…"
"Better safe than sorry." he interrupted her.
"Lucas Scott, always the responsible one." she said, without really thinking and he stopped midway putting his shirt on, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her in a way that made her toes curl.
She looked away, choosing to focus on the calming sound of rain outside rather than him as she felt her heart slamming faster in her ribs, fueled by nothing but his intense stare.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Nothing… just that you're responsible. Not really a ground breaking news here." she said with a laugh. "Don't tell me you'll deny that?"
"I wouldn't dream of it." he said, grinning. And it was the truth really. He was responsible and sort of nerdy, but he wasn't just that. Brooke Davis was the woman that brought out that other side of him, helped him discover that he was so much more than he thought he was, made him see life was so much more complex and wonderful. Made him grow from a boy to a man.
She could feel his eyes travel up her body before meeting her eyes. Light blue to hazel. Without even knowing it she took a step forward, drawn in by some invisible force and he did the same, reducing the distance between them.
"You know the responsible thing to do would be to take this off." he said gesturing at her wet hoodie and shirt and she's certain that if she had a list of things she was sure Luke would never say this one would take the cake. But they're not teenagers anymore and with the way he's looking at her, putting her insides on fire, she'd not sure she really cares. Maybe she's taught him a thing or two back in the day after all.
But for now, she presses her hand against his chest and meets his eyes "You know what… maybe you're right." she says calmly and watches him stare at her in surprise, matching her raised eyebrow with his own.
His mouth opens as if he's planning on saying something but nothing comes out. Before he gets a chance to close them she moves forward easily closing the gap between them and catching his lower lip with hers. At first he doesn't move and she steps closer, until they're chest to chest, her wet shirt colliding with his bare stomach and he gasps into her mouth, startled back into reality and his lips capture hers easily. For a long time they just stand there enjoying the closeness, kissing, exploring the taste of the other until she starts itching to take of those wet clothes.
He feels her hands reach for her shirt and he stops her, taking her hands into his and moving them upwards slowly, his eyes on hers as he lets go of them and draws a line down all the way to her shoulders making her shiver and pulls her shirt over her head quickly. And then he's pulling her close again as if the short loss of contact lasted much too long and captures her lips with his before tracing a line of hot kisses down her neck, setting it on fire, making her forget that just minutes ago she was cold and freezing on the street. She wants to say something but her words turn into gasps and he kisses her again to quiet her.
"Maybe we shouldn't…do this." she finally manages to say even though she's not sure exactly why (maybe she wants to do it right this time, or maybe she just can't stand looking at him in the morning and hearing him say it was all a mistake) and he stops at once, her words feeling like a cold shower.
"What are you talking about?"
"Well I'm just saying that you are sort of drunk and I'm…easily persuadable."
"I'm sober enough to know what I want. And I want you."
"You say that now but tomorrow morning…"
"I'll be here to tell you the same." he says with more conviction and certainty that every reason not to do this falls short to his stern eyes and the words that resonate in her mind much longer than fear and she kisses him hard.
Her hands find a home in the back of his jeans pockets as he pulls her closer, kissing her so softly but yet so furiously that it's hard to remember to breathe before he turns her earlobe into his playground and she moves them both towards his room because she's not sure she'd be able to stand this much longer. Not without buckling and falling on this hardwood floor, because her limbs are slowly starting to turn into jello and she's certain that if his strong hands weren't wrapped around her body she'd be horizontal by now.
He follows her in a strange dance known only to the two of them and as they stumble into his room on shaky legs, she can almost hear Michael Bolton's 'When a man loves a woman' playing softly in the background.
They stumble over a few books lying on the floor by his bed and he lowers her on the soft surface with the ease that makes her smile and she suppresses a giggle as he traces a line of kisses down her flat stomach all the way up to her collarbone but her face quickly straightens as she feels his tongue on that soft spot on her neck he seems particularly fond of.
Finally he moves up to face her, focusing his attention on her face and she can feel his breath on her flushed cheeks and feel his fingers as they struggle with the button on her new Rock and Republic jeans. She smiles deviously at him, biting her lover lip and turns them around in a quick motion so she's on top now and unbuttons his jeans, breathing heavily.
"You know…" she says, trying to catch a breath "…that whole change of clothes was such a waste of time." she says and they both smile as she helps him get rid of his jeans. They land on the floor by the door without a sound and are joined by hers not much later.
She's left with nothing but her black Victoria Secret underwear and yet she doesn't feel as naked as she feels when his darkened eyes lock with hers, filled with anticipation and desire, watching her as if he really knows her, knows what she's thinking. She moves to kiss him feeling a little insecure under his scrutiny but he stops her, putting a finger to her sort lips.
They stay like that for a long moment, just looking at each other, savoring it all. It's like they've waited for this for so long it's surreal but now there's no rush in their movements because right now they have all the time in the world on their disposal.
He doesn't say that he loves her or that he needs her but his eyes say it all without the unnecessary words and she's so afraid he can see the same in her own eyes but at the same time she hopes that he can. Because she was never good with words, never but actions, she hopes they'll say it all for her. That was more her area anyways. By the way he's touching her she knows he thinks the same.
Just as she thinks she can't hold still any longer he says "You know I do." because he is Lucas Scott and he was never that scared of putting it out there, laying his cards down like she was. She wishes that one day she'll be able to feel the same.
But for now, it's a long way to that so she says "You know what? You're right. Those clothes are a waste of time and space." before she takes one of her bra straps down playfully.
He smiles but lets her remark slide, correcting her quickly and making that smile fade of her face, leaving her breathless but for a different reason all together "You know I love you."
His expression is serious, and when he says the words he doesn't even blink and she kisses him right then and there instead of an answer. He knows what the answer is anyway she's sure. And as much as he'd like to continue this chat he's still just a man and he responds to her kiss easily, pulling her in, tasting blood on his tongue as she bits his lover lip and traces her tongue over his teeth, savoring the minty taste that mixes with strawberry.
"You talk too much Scott." she finally says and smiles against his mouth, dimples showing and he's certain he's done talking for good. His hands struggle, traveling up her back to unclip her black bra before discarding it on the floor, and they move further on the bed, the weight of their bodies making the mattress sink a little, a rusty old hinges causing a high pitched sound to echo in the dark space.
But they remain undisturbed, as if they're on some secret mission of discovering and exploring some sacred spaces known only to the two of them, filled with hot kisses, soft gasps and two wet, sweaty bodies breathing deeply in the still of the night.
It's not until the first signs of daylight find their way through the curtains in his room that they fall down on his bed in a tangle of limbs seconds after he's brought her over the edge yet again, making her question her own sanity and redefine the meaning of the expression 'Ladies first'.
She falls asleep shortly after, exhausted but content, covered by a thin blanket, his hand wrapped around her tightly, providing a perfect shelter from the nightmare her life has turned to in the last couple of days (or years) with a smile on her lips.
Because apparently Lucas was a gentlemen when it came to a few other things too, the ones much more R rated (but equally satisfying).
----BL----
When I wake up, I know I'm gonna be,
I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you...
The lack of familiar warmth woke him, making him open his eyes in search of the familiar red locks. He blinked a couple of times, rubbing his eyes before turning on the left side slowly, careful not to wake her up. She didn't even stir as he turned, laying his head on the pillow right next to her face. She was always a light sleeper but he couldn't blame her for sleeping in this morning. In fact, he could use a couple of more hours of sleep himself but watching her sleep peacefully was much more appealing.
The sun was already high at the sky and the bright rays struggled to penetrate the dark armor of his curtains to get inside but it was still rather cold in his room for this time of morning (or day). He wasn't really sure what time it was but he suspected it was near noon. Slowly, he got up and picked up his jeans of the floor putting them on and then went to the bathroom, leaving her to sleep.
When he walked back inside the room a couple of minutes later she was still laying in the same position, curled up under the sheets and he leaned on the doorway, watching her. He remembered a saying, one of his favorite when he went to High school. Practice makes perfect. You know, if you do something long enough you'll get better at it and eventually it will turn into a routine almost. He kind of agreed with that, at least when it came to his math assignments. But now, looking at Brooke, he knew that would never stop being new to him and he couldn't even imagine that he'd get to a day he'd call a morning of waking up beside her a routine. Maybe in twenty years or so. The thought made him smile.
She looked so small on that bed. With her eyes closed, the lines of her face looked softer somehow, making her look younger than she was, more innocent. Her hair fell in waves over the pillow, the red contrasting the white, framing her face. He could see her chest rise and fall with every breath she took and he had to remind himself a few times that it was real. She was here, just a few steps away, sleeping peacefully.
It was surreal to be able to smell her perfume that still lingered in the room and see her long lashes flutter as she finally opened her eyes to look at him, rubbing the sleep from them with her small hands. As soon as her eyes met his she smiled and he returned the gesture.
"Hi." she said, her voice thick with sleep, her eyes all innocence, a complete opposite of last night.
"Hey sleepyhead." he greeted in that adorable, boyish way he always smiles even now when he's deep in his twenties. She's glad that hasn't changed though.
She smiled at that, dimples and those impossibly white teeth showing, making her eyes shine when she says "Stalkerish much?"
"I was just on my way from the bathroom and then I saw you..."
"And where else would I be?" she asked sitting up, letting that thin blanked slide down her breasts and puddle on her hips and he's too busy trying to keep his breathing even to focus on her question, as she grabs his shirt that's lying at the edge of the bed and pulls it over her head.
"Luke…"
He finally snaps out of it, and looks up at her eyes. To be quite honest, he doesn't know how to answer her question. Actually he does, but he's too scared to admit it to himself even, let alone to her. Nothing is certain, he's learned that much with a handful of failed relationships and now apparently he's turned into a pessimist, always expecting the worst. Good thing he had cheery there beside him to help him see the lighter side of things.
He smiled at the thought, snapping back to reality.
"What?" he asked, making her roll her eyes with a sympathetic laugh.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing, just…breakfast." he finished lamely.
"Oh, right." she said with a mischievous smile. "Breakfast."
"I was thinking maybe we could go out because I just checked and I have nothing but milk in the fridge."
"And the pie." she chipped in.
"How do you…"
"I saw it in the fridge the other day when I..."
"Hales brought it over together with milk and a few of those frozen lunches in a box that are gone now obviously. Said something about my fridge looking sad or something similarly insulting."
"Yeah well, mine is worse. I'm pretty sure that milk I have in there is like two years past its expiration date."
He laughed "Aren't we a perfect match?"
"Hey, there's always takeout." she suggested.
"I promise I'd get milk by the next time you stop by." he said with all the seriousness he could muster as he sat on the bed beside her. And then the actual suggestion behind his words hit him, and he tried to explain it with little success, sounding more like a sixteen year old he was than he wished to "I mean if you want to…to come by that is."
"No…I do. Sometime, you know when we both agree and…" she smiled at her own clumsiness and looked up at him "Is it me or are we moving a little too fast?"
He nodded "We should take it slow."
"Yeah we should. Although I'd say it's a little late for that, don't you think?" she teased glancing at the bed, referring to the events that took place last night.
"Okay then just slower." he corrected.
"That I can do. I hope." she said with a wink.
She knew there were no perfect moments but this one came damn close to it. There was just some kind of perfect peace to it, that resonated in her heart mixing with a childlike excitement of something new on the horizon, something that would be filled with moments like this, she hoped.
"So…." he started breaking the silence, but keeping his eyes glued to hers as he said "I don't know about you but I feel a little rusty about all this. It's just us… and it's been so long I just…"
"You don't wanna ruin it, I get that. Believe me I do." and she did. There was a lot of history there, a lot of weight that that one word held. It was them, Brooke and Lucas. But at the same time it wasn't. It felt different somehow. Better. Maybe it was the maturity that only came with experience and things they went through separate (and together) but it all felt new to her, in a good way though. "We'll get a hang of this eventually."
"Taking it slow right?" he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah…" she nodded "…and just don't feel like you need to tiptoe around it, I'm a big girl now so if you have something to say just say it."
"I won't. I promise." he said "Alright then, glad we cleared that up. So um, how about that breakfast?"
She laughed "That's it? That's what you end up asking me? And what about pie?"
"It's too early for consuming that much sugar anyways. And I need coffee first."
"Okay so eggs and coffee it is." she agreed before moving the sheets away and turning as her bare feet touched the floor "I'll go get ready."
She was about to stand up when she felt his lips brush gently against the nape of her neck making her close her eyes and smile at the sensation. His hand tangled with hers and he pulled her back, turning her around to face him and her lips parted in anticipation before they even collided with his. It was the best wake-up call she could think off, the one not even coffee could measure with. No amount of caffeine could cause this kind of stirring in her stomach and send such an adrenaline rush through her whole body.
"What happened to taking it slow?" she asked when she opened her eyes.
He kissed her lightly on the lips "Well we are. See?" he said, before leaving a trail of soft kisses down her collarbone. Slowly and deliberately.
She raised an eyebrow and gave him the look "That's not…"
But she didn't get to finish the sentence as his mouth found that spot behind her ear that he knew was her weak spot and she gasped "Oh, I see what you mean."
----BL----
AN: I'm so sorry for a late update but I've been really busy with school lately and RL but I'll try to update when I get the chance, I just don't wanna make any promises because they always end up biting me in the ass. Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter :)