When Luke woke up the next morning he immediately sensed the knots in his stomach, but for once, they were welcomed. They weren't painful knots, in fact, Luke wondered if maybe this was butterflies. He hadn't felt such a sensation in so long he barely recognized it, but as he moved through the hotel room, hastily repacking his things and getting dressed, he began to remember the feeling more and more.
Just before ten his car pulled up to Reid's place. He left his luggage in the trunk, taking only his cell phone before anxiously approaching the door. He could hear the car drive off but that didn't deter his focus from waiting on Reid. A moment later a tired but happy Reid answered the door. He was wearing sweat pants and a white shirt that hugged his slender frame. Luke smiled widely, stepping inside.
"You're early," Reid teased, walking toward the kitchen.
"Only by five minutes," Luke clarified, following him. He offered to help Reid, who had already started on breakfast, but the older man insisted that he wanted to do it himself. Luke wondered if he was just picky or if he was trying to be impressive. The idea made him smile as he leaned back on the counter, staying out of Reid's way but still wanting to be close.
Luke watched and Reid moved through the kitchen, seeming completely at ease, as though making this meal was second nature. Something told Luke that it was, which made sense seeing as he claimed to make it every Sunday. Luke dipped his finger in the egg batter only to have Reid hit his hand. Luke laughed, licking the batter off his finger like a five year old. Reid rolled his eyes and went back to cooking.
By the time Reid was done the house smelled amazing and Luke could feel his stomach flip with desire. He decided to make himself useful, searching for the glasses and pouring them both orange juice and sitting them on the table. Then he pulled out some plates for Reid, who simply smiled in appreciation. When Reid came over with the plate of French toast in hand, the table was completely set and Luke was waiting with a smile.
"Bon appetit," grinned Reid.
Luke had to admit, Reid wasn't kidding when he said he made the best French toast. He couldn't remember eating real French toast since he was a kid. Reid was mostly silent as he ate, watching Luke with amusement.
"This is amazing, Reid," Luke said exasperatedly. Reid simply smiled, but Luke knew he was flattered.
They took their time eating and it was almost noon when they started cleaning up. Reid had just finished rinsing off their plates when he turned around, startled to find Luke standing so close behind him.
Luke said nothing, just reaching for Reid's hand the way Reid had done in his room two days ago. Reid gulped, feeling his face tighten and burn. He had been caught off guard and wasn't able to prepare himself to play along, so this time Luke could see the real emotions on his face. The nervousness, the anxiety, the desire.
"What are you doing, Luke?" Reid barely managed to whisper. Luke smiled, though it was a far more seductive smile than Reid had ever seen on the boy. Stepping close, Luke pressed him back against counter and kissed him hard on the mouth. Reid responded immediately, lips moving against Luke's and his hands finding Luke's hip and neck, holding him close. Things barely had a chance to heat up, though, before Reid was breaking away.
"Hold on, Luke," he said. Luke stared in disbelief. Reid sighed. "Look," he began softly, taking Luke's hands. "It's not that I don't want this, but don't you think it's a bit soon to try this again?"
Luke frowned and moved away, but Reid reached for him and held him close.
"You're right," Luke admitted, closing his eyes and shaking his head, his face turning red. Reid brushed a hand over his burning cheek and laughed.
"You don't have to be embarrassed," he said in a mocking tone, which only made Luke turn even more red. He did laugh, though, and the awkwardness quickly faded.
"I'm sorry, I know that was stupid of me," began Luke. Reid shut him before he could say more with a brief kiss.
"I'll make you a deal," started Reid in a husky, low voice, wrapping his arms possessively around Luke's waist. "Next time you're down here, I'll invite you over for breakfast or lunch or dinner or whatever, and if you try to seduce me again, I promise I won't try to stop you," he winked. Luke laughed.
"Sounds like a pretty good deal to me," he replied in a similar tone to Reid's. They kissed again, allowing it to linger before breaking apart and returning to cleaning up breakfast.
As the clock signaled that it was one o'clock they knew it was time for Luke to get going. His car was supposed to arrive just after one, giving them only a few more minutes together. They'd taken to the back porch, a simple cemented area out back with a small table, a few chairs and a grill, and were drinking coffee again as the afternoon sun scattered light on the ground through the trees.
Luke was tempted to mention the time but he knew that there was no point. They both knew what time it was and what that time meant, and he preferred to acknowledge it in silence, fearing that saying it out loud would somehow give it even more unwanted finality.
"So you're all wrapped up with business down here, huh?" asked Reid, staring out over his small lawn and brining his mug to his lips.
Luke nodded sadly. "Yeah. We finished everything yesterday, so there's really nothing more I can do down here," he explained. Reid nodded. Luke understood his silence, frowning down at his mug. No more business trips meant that he didn't have an excuse to spend the weekend in Dallas, to spend the weekend with Reid. Silence loomed overhead and Luke could feel the minutes ticking away ominously, tensely waiting for the sound of a car horn.
Reid was still staying nothing, staring at nothing. The quiet was only broken when that fateful sound finally pierced the air. Luke jumped a little and they both looked over their shoulders into the house. Slowly Reid stood and Luke followed suit. He knew he could make his flight wait for him, it was his plane after all, but he had dinner plans tonight with the family for one, and he also wasn't sure how Reid would feel about him trying to stay longer than planned. Awkwardly the two men carried their mugs into the house. Reid took Luke's mug and rinsed them both out in the sink, setting them aside. Luke wandered toward the door. He almost wished he had brought his bags inside with him; collecting them up would have given him something to do.
He was joined momentarily by Reid, who seemed peaceful, almost nonchalant. Luke hated to think he was the only one worried about this goodbye. A part of him knew that Reid was just as unhappy as he was, but Luke wished that for once Reid would allow himself to let that show. Then again, that wouldn't fit the Reid Luke knew and… adored.
They walked to the door, Reid opening it for him and standing to the side. Luke turned to him and they both naturally leaned in for a quick kiss as though they'd done this a hundred times. Luke smiled sadly, and amazingly so did Reid. Finally Luke could see the dissatisfaction in the other man's face, but it only made things harder.
"I'll call you this week, if that's okay. Maybe we can work something out," Luke shrugged, trying to be hopeful but lacking obvious optimism.
Reid nodded. "Sounds good," he said simply. Luke went to turn away, but Reid grabbed his hand. He didn't pull Luke back, just holding it and staring at him for a moment. Luke squeezed his hand and smiled knowingly. Reid also smiled, giving Luke more faith, before they finally let go and Luke walked to the car.
The plane ride home was not nearly as enjoyable and relaxing as it had been the first time. Just as on the way down, Luke found himself trapped in endless circles of thought, trying to sort things out in his head. He forced himself to finally sleep, though it was hardly peaceful and he awoke feeling tense and even more frustrated than before. As soon as he arrived he drove to the farm house for dinner, hoping that his father and Grandma Emma would be kind enough to listen this time when he asked them not to pry.
