The next day Lu woke up a bit later than expected, he didn't realise yesterday had worn him out that much. He didn't have time to pack lunch so he decided to try out the cafeteria at the school.

When the lunch bell rang he got up from his chair, wallet in hand and suddenly realised that he didn't know where the cafeteria was. Lu had gone for a bit of a wander yesterday but still hadn't seen all of the school. Students were still coming out of Balthazar's room, so Lu made a quick decision to ask him how to get there.

"Bonjour." Lu greeted, remembering a little of French from his days as a student.

"Ah, Bonjour Monsieur Pellegrino. What can I do for you?" There was a glint in Mr Roche's eye.

"Um, I was just wondering if you could show me where the cafeteria was? I haven't been there yet, so I'm not sure where it is." Lu didn't know why he was nervous, but he was. He only realised that he had held his breath when Balthazar responded.

"Of course, I did say if you need anything." Balthazar smiled and Lu went weak. "I just need to put these text books away."

"I'll give you a hand." Lu picked up half the stack and followed Balthazar into the little store room that joined to the main classroom by a door in the corner or the room.

Lu missed the glance at his ass as he stretched up to put the books on the top shelf as instructed. But he certainly didn't miss the opportunity to look at Balthazar's when the French teacher did the same.

"I might join you for lunch actually, I forgot to get mine out of the fridge this morning."

Lu blinked, "Sorry, what?" He had been caught up staring at the firm ass in front of him (of course Balthazar wore skinny jeans) and missed what he said.

"I mean, only if you don't mind, I understand if you want to eat alone." Balthazar turned around and Lu fought a blush.

"No, no please join me, it would be great to have company!" Did that sound a bit too earnest?

Apparently not as Balthazar grinned and they walked to the cafeteria together. The line wasn't long and once the food had been chosen, Lu went to pay but Balthazar handed over money for both. "It's fine, don't worry about it." He waved away Lu's money and found a table just outside the doors for them to sit.

"You really didn't have to do that." Lu told him sitting down opposite Balthazar.

"It's nothing." Balthazar had a forkful of pasta salad. "So how are you liking it here?"

"Well, it's only my second day, but the school seems good, and the students aren't horrible, some of them actually want to learn."

"What about teachers?"

Lu felt like that was a trick question somehow, but he couldn't work out what the trick was "The teachers I have met seem like good people, everyone in this town is so friendly and helpful. I got lost a lot in my first week here." Lu admitted sheepishly.

"I'm glad you like it here...um, the staff were thinking of having a little welcoming party for you. Would you be into that?" Jody had suggested it to him yesterday, so Balthazar thought why not ask, it would be a good chance to get to know their new staff member.

"Oh, that's not necessary, but I mean I'm always up for a party, when?" Lu thought it real nice of them to do that for him.

"This Friday night. It that suits you of course."

Lu agreed that it would suit him and Balthazar said he would get back to him with more details. They continued to talk for the rest of the lunch break, trading stories of students and schools. Then Balthazar asked about Lu's name.

"May I inquire as to what 'Lu' is short for?"

Lu sighed "My parents were not good people...God fearing junkies, my name is Lucifer Daemon Pellegrino."

"Sorry love, I didn't mean to bring up bad shit." Balthazar felt bad, the look he had seen in Lu's eyes spoke of a past that no one deserves.

Lu shrugged "It's okay, I'm used to it, someone would have asked eventually, kind of glad it was you." As an after thought he added "I have wonderful foster parents though, they got me through the bad."

The bell to signal the end of lunch rang and everyone around them packed up and went separate ways. Lu and Balthazar walked back to their rooms together.

"Thanks for lunch Balthazar, and the chat, I hope we can do it again soon." Lu smiled hopefully when they reached Mr Roche's door.

"No thanks needed, it was a nice chat, anytime you want, Lu, I had a good time." Lu was the first person that had actually sparked something in him since Raphael left him for a woman two years ago. Balthazar had sworn off relationships after that but Lu was making him rethink things.

Lu grinned and nodded, skipping off to his own room. For the rest of the day Lu thought about their conversation and nothing could bring him down.

Later that night, Lu text Michael about his conversation with Balthazar and the party the staff were throwing for him. Usually Michael text him back almost straight away but tonight he didn't, so Lu turned the television off and went for a shower. When he got back there was a reply and apology for not answering sooner (Adam had gotten a promotion and they were celebrating 'wink face').

Lu smirked, wrote a reply and hit send. Settling in bed, he sighed, thinking about how long it had been since he last got laid. The toys were in a box under his bed, but he wasn't in the mood for a lengthy session with himself tonight.

Deciding just to go to sleep, Lu turned off the lamp and rolled over. A dream began, it involved French text books, skinny jeans and a firm ass.