For the first time all week Luke wasn't the first one to wake up. He rolled over in the bed, expecting to feel Reid but instead he felt cool sheets. Opening his sleepy eyes he found the room empty. He frowned, rubbing his eyes, but he didn't worry too much, especially as a familiar smell filled his nose for the first time in two months. Rolling out of bed he slipped into some clothes and was still straightening out his shirt when he stumbled into the kitchen.
He was reminded of their first night together; staggering into the kitchen, still a sleepy mess, to find Reid making French toast. Taking in the sight of Reid, cooking in the his kitchen, wearing flannel pants and a t-shirt Luke knew he'd pulled on after getting out of his bed, he realized that while their first night had been amazing, it didn't come close to how wonderful this was.
Reid heard him enter the room, Luke hadn't exactly been sneaky about his entrance, but he didn't look up. Luke wandered over, wrapping his arms around Reid's middle and resting his chin on his shoulder, watching over him at the frying pan with two pieces of toast.
"Mmm, smells delicious," he whispered in Reid's ear. "But you know, it's only Thursday," he grinned, kissing Reid's neck. Reid laughed.
Once breakfast was ready they ended up taking their plates up to Luke's room. They sat on the floor, Luke sitting Indian style in front of Reid, who was leaning back on Luke's bed, legs crossed out in front of him. The door was left open and they could hear people walking in the hallway and downstairs, but they didn't mind. Holden even passed at one point, glancing inside after doing a double take and smiling to himself, unnoticed by the couple as they talked easily and with endless smiles.
After breakfast they decided to go swimming again. It was even warmer today than it had been the day before and since the kids were all still in school they would still be able to have the pond to themselves. Luke insisted on packing food for later and spent a good twenty minutes scavenging through the kitchen, picking mostly healthy foods and dropping them into the bag. Reid threw in a bag of potato chips when Luke wasn't looking.
"At least this time I'm dressed to swim," said Luke with a sideways glance at Reid as they walked down the dock. Reid grinned. They sat the bag of food in the shade and ditched their shoes and shirts. Luke ran down the dock and jumped in, just as he had a thousand times before. Reid wasn't quite as enthusiastic, simply walking to and sitting on the edge before lowering himself in. Luke teased him, but only to have pond water splashed in his face.
A good portion of the morning and afternoon was spent at the pond. Around 1:00pm they decided to eat, bringing the food onto the dock. Luke laid on his stomach while Reid sat in front of him.
"By the way, I saw you put these in," said Luke, tossing Reid his chips.
"And here I thought I was being stealthy," Reid said with a grin. Luke shook his head and laughed, laying out the rest of the food. They continued their conversation from earlier, Luke mentioning that he wasn't sure what to buy Faith for graduation and Reid remembering the conversation he'd had with the nurse after the last time Luke had been down. It was simple and easy. Things were clearly better between them but that didn't mean either of them felt like testing the waters just yet with serious conversation.
After lunch Luke folded his arms and rested his head, his breathing slow as the warm sunlight hugged his back. Reid moved close, leaning back on one arm while the other absently ran over Luke's back. He tilted back his head, closing his eyes and letting the sunlight flood over him. They were both dry by now, and very content. Reid doubted they would be getting back in the water any time soon.
They stayed like that for a while before Reid finally laid down as well, sprawled out on his back. Without saying anything he reached for Luke, who was already moving closer. Luke came to rest his head on Reid's chest and wrapped his arms lazily around him. Reid put an arm behind his head, eyes closed, while his other hand played with Luke's hair. Luke's eyes were closed as well and Reid was fairly certain that if it weren't for the threat of sunburn they both could have easily fallen asleep.
Reid was fairly certain that Luke had in fact fallen asleep when the blond stirred, catching his attention and he instinctively looked down. He smiled, hand still running through Luke's hair and gently at the hair on his neck. Luke let out a sound. Reid laughed quietly.
"I know you're comfortable, but when you wake up tomorrow with sun poisoning you won't be so happy," commented Reid. He saw Luke smile.
"I put on sunscreen?" said Luke.
"Liar," grinned Reid. Luke was still smiling but let out an unhappy moan, tired eyes blinking up at Reid.
"Fine," pouted Luke, sitting up a bit. He put an arm on the other side of Reid, scooting forward and hovering over him. He grins and then leaning close and chastely kisses Reid. "Do you want to head back to the house?"
Reid nodded.
With another dramatic groan, Luke sat up completely and pulled himself to his feet, stretching and yawning a bit in the process. He started to gather up their towels and his own clothes; Reid sat up, just watching. He finally stands when Luke turns around, towel over his shoulder, the bag in one hand and his shirt and shoes in the other. Reid gave Luke a look that made his stomach do back flips and he raised a brow.
"What?" he asked, laughing mildly but also sounding a bit shaky. He couldn't remember Reid ever looking at him like that before. It made him feel like an open book, and while that terrified him, strangely, he also liked it.
Reid stepped close, brushing his hand over Luke's before taking a loose hold on his wrists. His gaze was intense, yet soft at the same time. Luke knew that look, though not because he'd seen it before on Reid. Still, it's familiar, and frankly, he wasn't sure how to handle it.
Kind but determined eyes, a lazy smile, red cheeks and a general glow that screams Luke more than it screams Reid, but it's Reid nonetheless. He chuckled a little, stepping closer to Luke so that their bare chests almost touched. He raised a hand, cupping Luke's face with his fingertips and just taking in the sight of him. He'd never seen anything more beautiful in all his life. He took a deep breath, almost saying something but stopping partway. Finally he sighed, his shoulders falling and his eyes closing for a moment. When they opened again, locked on Luke, they both seemed to forget to breathe. Reid couldn't beat around the bush, not with this. It wasn't his style, anyway.
"I love you, too, Luke," said Reid, barely above a whisper. Luke's eyes widened instantly and without noticing he dropped the items in his hands.
Reid could see the words are still processing and he didn't push for a response, just allowing his fingers to play along Luke's warm skin, eyes gentle and locked in place. Luke was suddenly red in the face and Reid almost laughed, but manages to refrain, which is good for Luke, who wasn't sure of his own name is at that moment. He played the words again, picking at them as only he would, hanging on that 'too'. Too. Too? He was confused, but then it hit him, the realization that Reid had heard him last night and that he was now saying it back sinking in all at once made and making his head spin, but in an oh-so good way.
His face must have changed somehow because Reid finally laughed and Luke blinked, feeling a bit light headed.
"Seriously? Breathe, Luke. Oxygen is good," Reid teased, the hand on Luke's cheek taking a more firmer hold behind his neck. Luke blinked again, shaking his head and taking in a few staggered breaths. Then, he looked at Reid.
"You heard me." It's a simple statement but Reid finds it hysterical. He did his best to contain his laughter and nodded, using the hand behind Luke's neck to pull him close, their foreheads touching. Both of Luke's hands came up to hide his face. "Oh, man," Luke sighed, laughing a little in embarrassment. Reid wrapped an around him and held him close. Luke hung onto his neck and shoulders, burying his face in Reid's shoulder.
"So you weren't just sleep talking," said Reid, pretending to have considered the possibility, but Luke knew he hadn't so he hit him playfully.
"No, I wasn't sleep talking," he laughed, squeezing Reid a little before pulling back. His eyes were doe-like again and Reid knew they are about to share a sappy moment, but for once he didn't care. "And I meant it, Reid. I know it was silly to say it then, but I guess I was just afraid to say it when I knew you were listening. I know, that's stupid," he went on, shaking his head. Reid was still smiling at him, listening quietly. "but anyway, it's true. I love you, Reid Oliver."
"Of course you do," said Reid with a cheeky grin that completely ruins the moment, but Luke just laughed, expecting nothing less. He leaned in and kissed Reid, though Reid didn't let it last long before he pulled away. "I mean it, too, Luke. I know I'm not the world's most… sentimental guy or whatever, and I know I don't always show it right, but I love you."
Luke beamed, and though he'd never admit it, Reid loved to see him glowing like that.
"You show it just fine," whispered Luke happily, pulling Reid into a kiss again.
