A/N We are awful, I know. Sorry for the long wait.
'I need to talk to you about something'
'What?' His hands are under her shirt and he's distracted by the soft skin at the base of her back. It's not just his hands that're distracted; his mind has lapsed into a lust induced haze. He wants her. He's just managed to tell her that he loves her and it's a pretty big deal and he feels uncharacteristically invulnerable by his announcement.
'Luke'
She pushes his eager fingers away because she knows if she doesn't she'll lose her train of thought and as an extra precaution she pulls her cardigan tightly too, holding her arms in front of her chest. That movement successfully garners his attention, his eyes quickly snap to her face with a disgruntled groan.
'What's wrong?' She's prohibiting his fingers from what they want and he fidgets with agitation.
'Nothing's wrong. Well not really. I just, I really want to talk to you about something first'
'O-kay. Shoot' He brushes her hair behind her ear and rests the other hand on the wall beside her.
She relishes in his close proximity for a moment because she knows he's going to move away when she speaks her next words.
'It's about Karen'
As predicted his touchy hands are quick to stop caging her in against the wall and he snaps back into focus.
She watches his jaw tense and his tranquil blue eyes cloud into darkness.
He turns away, setting her free. She doesn't want to be set free.
'I don't want to talk about-'
'I saw her today' She cuts in.
His head twists to stare at her. His eyes are angry now.
'What're you doing talking to her? I don't want you-'
'You can't tell me what to do' She blurts back because his voice has risen and she doesn't appreciate his tone one little bit. 'And it's not like I sought her out. I bumped into her...'
She's ruined the moment. She wishes she could've just let herself get lost in him but she couldn't; not with this lingering on her mind.
His back is hunched as he leans over the side board. 'I'm not interested in whatever it is she said to you' He mutters through clenched teeth. He's trying not to completely lose it. He wishes they could go back to just two minutes ago when everything was so perfect.
'Well I think you should listen-'
He spins around so suddenly that she jumps a little and presses herself back against the wall. 'She was never there to listen to me. Why should I give her the time-'
'Because maybe it's not her fault! Maybe she tried! Maybe you don't know the full story' She frantically tries to reel him in.
'And you do?' He growls.
She hates the way he's looking at her.
Like she's the villan.
But behind the anger she can see the hurt and anguish, she can see a little boy that had to grow up far too quickly, a lost little boy that had no one to show him the way.
She reminds herself that his anger isn't really directed at her. That this isn't about her. She's just the messenger. And despite her desire to let the tears that are prickling her eyes, spill down her cheeks, she blinks them away furiously. She won't storm out. She won't be mad at him. That's not what he needs. He needs her to be strong.
'Lucas' She bravely steps forward and reaches for him but he swipes her caring hands away. 'I'm just, I'm not taking her side. I'm trying to understand' she persistently grips his forearms. He shrugs her off. 'You must want answers? She's the only one that can give them' Her voice is frantic and loud with frustration. She reaches for his face but discord has him pushing her away again and again and he's stronger than her and she stumbles back, leaning onto the sideboard and simultaneously knocking a saucepan clattering to the floor.
The loud noise makes her jump more than anything but it vibrates through him unpleasantly, turning his stomach.
His eyes are wide as his stare jerks from the fallen pot to her. His heart racing like a loud alarm bell in his ears. He's holding his hands behind him now because he's just scared himself. Because although it was barely a stumble, he pushed her. Laid hands on her in a way that he thinks improper and that's a side of him he never wants her to witness.
'Lucas' She's clearly not deterred, her hands are on him again. 'Baby' She coos. He's looking past her.
'I'm sorry' He exhales. 'I...I didn't mean to push you'
'You didn't. It's fine' She strokes her hand over his face again and this time he closes his eyes.
'It's not fine'
'It is. You're allowed to be angry. I get it. It's hard'
'I don't need to take it out on you'
'The thing about loving you is I forgive you-'
'What so I hit you and you'll forgive me-'
'You didn't hit me' She snorts because he's overreacting and this conversation is going completely off topic. 'I'm a klutz, it's just a saucepan, nothings broken'
The smile on her face doesn't console him though. His life prior to Peyton Sawyer, prior to Tree Hill was different to say the least. It wasn't an exaggeration to say his childhood through to young adult years were encompassed in violence. He can hold his own. Only that isn't a part of him that he's anxious for her to see. It's a side to him, a part of him that he's anxious to keep well hidden. She doesn't need to know about all his wrong doings. But it scares him. Scares him a lot because he's never been all that good at controlling his temper, there'd been times in his life when his rage had been helpless and unstoppable. He knew of guys that raised their hands to settle an argument, he was one of those guys. The difference was, he'd never raised a hand to a girl, never would.
'I'm a big girl Luke. I can look after myself. You'd never hurt me'
'I've done things I'm not proud of Peyton'
'Me too'
He exhales heavily and drops his head onto her shoulder. He's not sure what's happened in the last fifteen minutes. He'd felt so good about them and in such a short time frame he was back to doubting everything.
He pulls her tight against him, fearing that if he doesn't she's going to slip away out of reach.
She clings on just as fiercely, her arms twisting around his neck and her fingers scraping soothingly through his hair.
She's not going anywhere.
'I'm sorry' He breathes.
'Nothing to be sorry for' She mutters. She's thankful because she's managed to encourage him back in and the wall that had shot up at the mention of his mother is now back down.
His hands grasp at the material at her back and his desperate hold makes her feel needed, makes her feel in an exhilarating way, that just her presence alone is extricating him from his tormenting past.
'I don't want to feel sorry for her' He drones into her neck 'I don't want her to have an explanation because then who do I blame? Who do I blame for everything fucked up in my life? I don't want to talk about her because when I do I turn into this monster. I...I treat you like shit-'
'Lucas' Her soft hands coax his head to tilt toward her and look her in the eye. 'You're no monster' She runs her hand through his hair again. 'Not to me' She kisses his jaw softly. 'Maybe it's not about blaming someone but about forgiving and letting go' Her voice is so soft. So gentle. So pure that it's hard not to believe that every word that leaves her perfect lips is the truth.
'I can't...' His face crumples.
'I know. I know it's hard. But you're never going to be able to move forward if you can't speak about it Luke. I'm worried that if you don't talk to her, don't at least hear her out, you'll always be troubled by this'
'You think I'm troubled?' His tone is suddenly teasing because as far as he's concerned he's completely fucked up. Troubled doesn't even begin to cover it.
'No more than me' A small smile touches her lips and he chuckles because she's perfection to him. 'What's so funny?'
'You are' He kisses her nose. 'You're perfection Peyton'
She rolls her eyes. 'One day you'll wake up and realise that that isn't true'
He tilts his head to the side. He's pretty sure that'll never happen.
'I hope that when it does you can embrace it rather than ditch me'
'Okay you're mouth has done enough talking crap now' He leans in and kisses her, simultaneously lifting her up onto the sideboard. Her legs go around him and it's as though they've not just had this conversation. His doubts are gone. She's his. And he's hers.
His fingers go back beneath her top and this time she doesn't stop him but he doesn't get far before someone else does.
The door bell startles them both.
'Urgh' He grunts. 'You've got to be kidding me'
Her tinkering laughter is music to his ears. Her look says she wouldn't have let it go any further anyway. But he knows that's a lie.
'I'll get the door. You can pour me some wine' She slips off of the sideboard.
'You shouldn't be drinking-'
'A small glass won't kill me. Don't be a spoilt sport' She sticks her tongue out at him and skips a few steps out of the room, twirling her way through the door like a ballerina, a not so controlled nor coordinated ballerina but a ballerina none the less. He smiles at her antics and naturally does as she asked, opening a bottle and pouring her a very small glass, glancing at the clock as he does so. He wonders who is visiting them at this hour. They don't get many people knocking, their main visitors being the postman or Peyton's parents but he's aware that both Anna and Larry have gone to the theatre tonight and it's well after ten.
He's about to call out and ask her who it is when he hears familiar voices echo down the hallway.
Said voices do not however incite any feelings of happiness. In fact they summon quite the opposite.
He freezes. A life he wants to forget is awaiting him just metres away down the hall and his muscles tense with trepidation. His past has literally just come a knocking and he doesn't want to welcome it into this house because he wants it to stay well away in his former life where it belongs.
'Lucas?' Peyton's holler snaps him out of his stupor and he's quick to hurry out to the front door where he knows she's standing.
He doesn't look at her. Avoids looking at her because he knows those green eyes will be holding so many questions.
'Luke man. Hey.'
He stares at the man and woman that's stood on the front door step and his heart sinks.
He wants to yank Peyton away and slam the door shut.
'Well? Aren't you going to invite us in?'
His jaw juts out with indecision and then he's speaking, his eyes moving to his confused girlfriend. 'Peyton why don't you go check on Jamie'
She knows he's trying to get rid of her and he knows by her hard stare that she's going to be plying him with questions as soon as they're alone but he doesn't care because right now he wants to keep her as far away from these people because these people resemble everything he hates about himself. He waits until he can no longer hear her feet ascending the stairs before he addresses their visitors once more.
'How'd you find me Skills?'
The black man shifts his weight, his tracksuit jacket falling off one shoulder slightly. The slender blonde girl next to him pulls it back into place. 'We need a place to crash for a couple of nights'.
His head is shaking because he dislikes this plan. Unease has him bawling his hands into fists. 'You didn't answer me'
The smiley blonde chips in. 'I remembered that you were born near Charlotte, we just went from there and-'
'Bevin shut up. Dawg com'on. All the times I've been there for you man, you're really turning me away?'
Guilt flares and the knot in his stomach tightens because he knows he's right, he feels obligated to help them out.
'Are you in trouble?'
'Na. We just need a place to crash. A few nights that's all. No harm right?'
'If you're lying-'
'It's the truth. I swear'
Lucas' eyes trail to Bevin. She's wearing a white strap that's practically see through and draws attention to her black bra beneath along with a mini skirt that has him thinking she may as well of ditched the clothes altogether. He chews on the inside of his mouth, he knows by how dilated her pupils are that she's high. 'You can't do that shit in here. And you have to be gone by Saturday' He decides.
'That's cool, that's cool. I totally understand daw'g. It's all good' Skills claps his hands together and slinks his hand around the bleached blondes waist. 'Well, you going to invite us in then?'
Lucas begrudgingly takes a step. His stomach sinking with what he isn't quite sure, mistrust? unease? apprehension? guilt?
He can feel their greedy eyes taking in their surroundings. Skills no doubt calculating the jackpot of goods that decorates the walls.
He leeds them into the lounge first. The tv is on and Peyton is back downstairs and he knows his nephew must be contently sleeping. He looks back at his guests, reluctantly preparing himself to properly introduce them to the girl before them.
Peyton is yet to notice their presence, bent over and busily picking up some of Jamie's toys that're scattered across the floor and as Lucas looks at Skills he becomes instantly annoyed. Instantly angry by the smarmy grin the curls his lips, by the way he's unashamedly leering at her bent over.
'Nice' He nods at Lucas, briefly smirking and as his dark brown eyes return to Peyton, Lucas' hand snaps out, snatching at Skills arm and pulling him back through the doorway.
'Whoa man what's the deal?' The guest tugs his arm free.
'If you want to step foot in here don't look at her alright? You have no right to look at her like that' He seethes.
'You get a huge mother fucking house and suddenly you can't share?'
'She's not a slut Skills, she's not just a girl, she's a fucking lady. So don't you dare to so much as blink at her you understand?' He exhales in a harsh whisper.
Skills snorts in his face with a loud chuckle.
'I'm not fucking laughing dawg. You understand?'
'Alright, alright. Understood'
'This is just for a few days. Then you go'
'Chill out, god, what happened to you man?'
'I became responsible for a kid and had to grow up' He states.
He use to feel like they were the same.
And it's not the big house that has changed things, as much as he can see Skills thinks just that.
It's not that at all.
He realises they were never alike. Not really.
Sure their circumstances were once very similar but Lucas has given himself completely to this child.
He feels a love for Jamie that he's pretty certain Skills cannot understand.
'Baby we'll be on our best behaviour. Promise' Bevin's hand runs down his front, her smile seductive as she looks up at him.
'Bevin' He removes her hand from his chest with a turned up nose. 'I'm...I'm not'
She flutters her eyelashes and smirks. 'I'm just being friendly'
'Well don't. I'm not interested' He states bluntly.
'Luke?' Peyton has obviously become aware of the harsh whispers come from the hallway and Lucas reluctantly reenters the living room to see her apprehensively standing there. He moves to her side, his hand moving round her. He needs to hold onto her. To protect her and himself.
'Peyt. This is Skills and Bevin. Old friends. They're on route home and thought they'd drop by for a few days'
He watches her face scan their guests and knows she doesn't buy his explanation one little bit. Of course she doesn't.
But she plays along just the same. She smiles and says hellos and tells them how nice it is to meet them. She plays the perfect hostess and goes about fetching them drinks and offering them food.
And suddenly time disappears and it's late now and their guests show no sign of wanting to sleep but Lucas has said his goodnights and ordered that they keep it down because Peyton and he have got work in the morning.
She's not use to hearing the way he talks to them. He's different with them. And she's not getting that he's overly fond of these so called friends.
She's watching him wash up their plates from dinner, he does it thoroughly, there'd been a time when she'd thought he didn't know how to do trivial tasks like this but she knows now how wrong she was, he's more than capable of handling anything. Not just washing up but the six year old child on the floor above. Which is why she's trying not to say anything, which is why she wants to trust him and trust the people that he's allowed into this home.
'Just say it already' He places the last plate into the drying wrack and dries his hands on his jeans.
'What?'
He turns his body to face her directly. 'I can feel your eyes burning into me'
She shakes her head. 'I, I was just looking'
'I know I make you weak at the knees but you weren't just looking at me' She's blushing now. 'Go ahead and say whatever it is that's got your pretty little lips pouting'
'I'm not pouting'
'Oh yes, yes you are' He leans back against the sink and waits for it and sure enough her worries tumble from her soft pink lips.
'Are you seriously letting them stay here?' She'd promised herself she wasn't going to interfere but she can't help herself. She knows he surely deserves her trust but now she can't help but question his actions. 'I mean they, he, he's like a pimp with his crack whore!' She decides in a harsh whisper.
'Peyton Sawyer, you don't even know my friends'
'They're your friends?' She looks doubtful. She is doubtful.
'Well, yeah kind of'
'Look I really don't care who they are, I care about-'
'Jamie, I know'
'Do you though Luke? I thought he'd always be out of danger here but then you go ahead and let two junkies into his home-'
'Sweetheart don't make accusations like that when you have no evidence'
She rolls her eyes. 'Please, I'm naive, I'm not that naive' She rakes her hand through her hair in exasperation. 'Just promise me Jamie is safe with them in this house'
'I promise you I'll never let anything happen to him. I'll never break a promise to you' He tells her simply.
She bites her lip, cocks her head to the side and then nods. 'Okay'
His eyes narrow. 'Okay? That's it?'
'Yes...I trust you' She answers his sceptical gaze.
'You do?'
'Yes'
'Okay then' He nods once, seemingly confused by her answer. 'Good' He hooks his finger into the belt loop of her jeans and jerks her to him. 'I love you' He murmurs.
And she dissolves. 'You know, now you've got over your big phobia of saying it, it doesn't mean you get to fire it at me whenever you want a kiss'
He smiles. 'But it works so well'
'I can resist you, you know'
'No you can't. Because you love me too' He smirks confidently and she forgets why she's trying to fight him because kissing Lucas is one of her favourite things. And with that thought she closes the gap between them, pressing her lips to his.
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'I wanna' Jamie whines insistently, arms and legs wrapped resolutely around Peyton's leg. 'Pleaseeee it will be awesome'
'Where on earth have you got this plan from James Scott?'
'I saw some guys doing it on tv!' He grins. 'Luke said it was cool!'
Peyton scowls because she can imagine it was something inappropriate like jackass that Lucas has probably thought is a perfectly fine programme for a six year old to watch and makes a mental note to make sure she's more thorough when it comes to what he's viewing.
'I'm sure he did' Peyton mutters, looking down at him. His long eye lashes flicker and she forces herself to be stern 'Jamie please, can you get off my leg. I'm trying to make the bed'
His limbs tighten. 'I wanna'
'I know you want to, but I said no'
'You're so mean. Mummy and Daddy would let me'
Peyton rolls her eyes. 'I find it very hard to believe that your Mum and Dad would have been up for you jumping from the landing onto a trampoline. You'll break your neck'
He pouts.
'Besides how do you think you're going to get your trampoline inside?'
'The guys on tv took it apart and then rebuilt it inside'
Peyton grits her teeth together. She's not in the mood for this.
'Darling, it's not happening. We've got a couple of your uncle Luke's friends staying so you need to be good for me' She bends down and untangles his arms from around her leg, pulling him up to standing. 'Now, you can either play in your room for fifteen minutes before we have to leave for school or help me make your bed?'
He scuffs his feet on the floor. 'What friends, can I go see?'
'They're still in bed'
'I wanna go see'
'That's not an option right now is it? You can meet them when you get home from school. Now what's it going to be, play or make your bed?'
Jamie stomps his feet as he retreats to the other side of his room, sinking down to the floor and heavy handily pushing his trains around the train track.
Peyton bites her lip to disguise her amused smile and goes about quickly finishing the bed.
His mini strop is over with by the time she's done and he smiles with enthusiasm when she suggests he chooses a toy to take in for show and tell. She hovers in the doorway and watches him diplomatically line up his options, softly putting spiderman to one side as he informs the plastic figue that he got to go to the beach with them last week so it's only fair someone else gets a turn.
'Come downstairs when you've picked one okay honey?'
'Uhuh'
She smiles as she leaves him, grabbing the washing bin of dirty clothes on her way down the stairs.
She can hear voices coming from below. It feels strange. She didn't anticipate them being up. Thought she could escape without seeing them this morning. She's so use to being by herself or with just Luke and Jamie and now there's four adults under the same roof. Their presence fills her with unease for many reasons.
Her footsteps slow as she approaches the kitchen quietly.
She doesn't know why she's lingering. Why she's eavesdropping and sneaking about. Because that's essentially what she's doing. But she can't help it. Because the girls sultry voice has a knot formed tightly in her stomach and she's intrigued. Intrigued to know more about this woman because she's sure Lucas is keeping several things about their unexpected guests under wraps.
'Don't be boring Luke. Come on-'
'Get off me' She's never heard his voice quite like that. It's different. It's harsh and demanding. She doesn't breathe. She hears the slapping of feet as someone stumbles back on the tiled floor. 'I mean it Bevin just cool it okay?'
'You're no fun anymore. Stop playing house'
'I'm with Peyton. If you want to stay here you need to fucking stop. I mean it. I owe Skills. That's the only reason you're here right now. Understand?'
'Come on babe, you know you want to. You never say no'
She closes her eyes tight as she listens. Her mouth is suddenly dry and the washing basket in her arms feels like a tone of bricks.
'I promise I won't tell Miss perfect Luke-'
'Enough'
She shifts the basket on her hip and as she does so she angles herself so she can see around the half open door.
The sight of Bevin with her hands trying to crawl up her boyfriends chest makes her lose it and she drops the basket uncouthly onto the floor. Cursing both her klutzy ways and her blown cover.
'Peyton' Lucas steps away from the handsy blonde to assist her in gathering up the emptied contents of the basket.
'I...you don't need to do that'
He ignores her protests and takes the refilled basket to the table. 'Shouldn't you get going?'
'Jamie's just picking out a toy to take to school'
'Okay' He smiles and tugs her to him and he kisses her then and it's more than a little kiss goodbye. His tongue sweeps over her lips and he pulls her against him. Partly because he's worried she's overheard his conversation and he wants to distract her and partly because he wants to show Bevin that he means what he says; he's with Peyton and he's not interested in anyone but Peyton. 'I'll see you tonight' And then he's gone and she doesn't glance at their guest. She's cold and unwelcoming all of a sudden and as soon as she hears the pitter patter of tiny feet coming down the stairs she briskly exits to the hallway to avoid an introduction to the peroxide blonde. She can't get out of their quick enough and she's not sure she can come back here. Not until she gets answers. Because she has questions. One question in particular.
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She looks out of place here, with her pretty skirt and cream blouse and yet the old picture frames that are crookedly positioned on the wall emphasise how, in actual fact, this place is very much a part of her.
A large segment of her childhood memories took place here and the snapshots display just that; her seven year old self is pictured with a blonde mop of wild curls. She's wearing bright red wellies in a series of images that show her fishing with her father, playing on boats, splashing in rock pools.
She walks further through the doorway into the decent sized shed. The walls are wooden and the white paint is cracked and waring off in parts. The open door creeks with the gentle wind.
She relishes in these sounds. In the mixture of sea salt and varnish that lingers in the air.
He notes her before she does him and his brow furrows because as pleased as he is to see her, she's never come to see him here before.
She unconsciously licks her lips.
He's sweaty and he's got black oil stains on his arm and he wipes them on his t-shirt and it rides up and then she's swallowing thickly.
'Is everything okay?' His voice echos through the space between them.
She shivers and then she's looking at his face and she's expecting to see a smirk but he looks genuinely concerned.
'Sorry. Yeah. Fine, everything's fine'
'Oh' He relaxes and then that stupid smirk makes it's appearance and he's squinting at her. 'Just can't get enough of me hey?'
She rolls her eyes but navigates her way around the many obstacles to where he's standing at the bow of the boat.
He tells her to keep her distance because he's gross and oily but she ignores him and kisses him just the same.
'You're going to get dirt all over your pretty clothes' He murmurs, avoiding allowing his eager hands to go to her hips.
'Don't care' Her fingers interlock with his and she steps closer.
'Are you trying to get me in trouble with my boss? I don't think he'll be overly impressed if he walks in here to find me messing around with his little girl' his voice is deep and hums against her mouth.
'I'm not his little girl anymore' She playfully takes his bottom lip in her mouth and he groans.
He spins her around so her back is against the wall and she expects him to kiss her fully but he's suddenly cupping her face and just staring.
'Not that I'm enjoying this visit but, why're you really here?' He can tell she wants to ask him something. Her big green eyes look down.
'I...I was...I wanted...'
'Yes?'
She's silent. She feels stupid.
'Yes?'
'You've slept with her?' Her eyelashes flicker as she hesitantly looks back up into his face.
His hand leaves her face. She misses that hand. She watches as he closes his eyes.
He knew she'd overheard.
He doesn't know how this works though, he's not accustomed to relationships and the jealous girlfriend and to him the fact that he's slept with this girl and she's staying under the same roof isn't a big deal. Well it is but not for the reason she seemingly thinks it is, he can sense that she's not happy about their visitors.
He considers denying it. He thinks it might be easier that way. Easier than having this conversation.
'It's a pretty simple question Luke. Yes or no?' The vulnerability in her voice is gone, now it's all irritation and impatience.
He opens his eyes to see her insecure stare and he feels guilty even though he's sure he has nothing to be guilty for.
'Yes' He answers.
He sees her suck in a breath. Her nose twitches as she struggles to stay composed and then she's side stepping out of their intimate stance.
'Would've you told me if I hadn't just asked?' She wonders icily.
'Er...probably not'
'Why?'
'Because you're pissed off'
She glowers. 'I'm pissed off cause you didn't talk to me about it last night. How is this meant to work if we don't talk to each other? You could of said at any point after we went upstairs hey Peyton just a heads up my Ex is downstairs!'
'Why're you mad? It's not like I'm sleeping with her now. I'm with you' He's quick to state, shadowing her hasty steps.
His words go unheard. She walks the length of the boat, him trailing closely behind. She comes to an abrupt stop and he almost slams into her. 'How long did you go out?'
'Er...' He moves around her to see her face but she doesn't want to look at him and turns toward the boat instead. '...We didn't really go out...it was just more about the...'
'Right' She nods curtly. She gets the message loud and clear.
'Can you look at me please' He doesn't wait for her to respond, his fingers curling around her upper arm and effortlessly turning her back to face him.
'I just...I don't- she's horrible! You're attracted to that? Orange? Fake? Cause a little newsflash- I'm none of those things Luke!' The volume of her exclamation startles him. 'I'm none of those things'
He grabs her flailing hands.
'I know that...I love that' He sighs. 'Peyton, you're not like any of the other girls I've ever been with'
She blinks.
'Wonderful' She mutters. 'That makes me feel so special' She drawls.
'It should!' Now he's just confused.
'Why should it Lucas?' She snaps. 'You're telling me I'm not your type. And if that, if she is what is then we've got a huge problem because I can't be, I'm not-'
'Will you shut up' He shakes his head. 'I've not ever had a relationship. Not like this' He tries to explain. He suddenly cares so much about what she thinks of him. He doesn't want her to think badly of him. 'I wasn't interested' He avoids looking directly into her eyes. 'I wasn't interested because I've always seen it as a burden. If you don't care for anyone else you don't get hurt' He explains. 'But that's a load of shit. Because you make everything better.' He smiles sheepishly. 'No you're not like her, you're not like any of the other girls but I was just using them. You're smart and sarcastic and damn right opinionated and you're fucking beautiful and right now a little irrational' He states. 'I can't tell you a fucking thing about her Peyton but I, I know I don't say much, that I'm not always much of a talker but well, you're one subject I could probably talk about forever, I already think about you all the fucking time it's ridiculous.' He takes a much needed breath. 'All I know is I fucked her once upon a time. That's all it ever was. With you it's never that. You're the only person that it's never been just that'
He regards the frown on her face and then he's laughing.
She pouts. 'Why're you laughing?'
'I'm sorry. It's just, it's funny to me. You have absolutely no reason to be insecure.' He strokes her cheek. 'Don't you see that baby?'
'She just, she, she's everything I'm not Luke'
'And you're everything I want'
She closes her eyes, her cheeks are suddenly hot. 'God. I'm sorry. I'm such a psycho aren't I? I mean I'm acting like a jealous girlfriend'
'A little'
'I'm sorry' She shakes her head.
'Don't be. I kind of like it'
Her eyes open at that, one brow kinked. 'You like it?'
'Uhuh. Not that you feel threatened, just that well, you care that much is kind of nice'
His words make her feel a little less mortified.
'If that bimbo so much as touches you again I cannot be responsible for what I'll do'
He knows she's joking now and her eyes twinkle with glee as he laughs. 'Okay. You can do whatever you like. That's pretty hot'
'Just...' Despite her small smile her expression is suddenly insecure again. 'Just, just talk to me Luke...it doesn't matter what you've done...who you've done I'd just...I'd rather know than find out like I did this morning'
He nods once. He's about to pull her in for a kiss but Larry clearing his throat startles them both.
Peyton naturally takes a step back, separating herself from Lucas, her cheeks blushing a deep crimson as she surveys her father.
She wonders how much of their exchange he's overheard. She hopes not a lot.
'Daddy'
'You know darling, it really hurts; you never come down here to see me anymore but Lucas? You'll come down here for him' He's teasing her and she smiles.
'Actually, I was bringing you both lunch' She produces two brown paper bags from her handbag and on route to her father finds a shabby wooden stool to precariously balance the parcels upon before kissing her Larry's cheek in greeting. 'Hello'
'Hello honey'
He glances at a suddenly busy Lucas who has sheepishly returned to attending to the boat.
'Is everything okay kido?' He asks quietly.
She smiles. 'Dad I'm not a kid'
'You'll always be my kid' He disagrees.
She rests her head on his shoulder. 'Everything's fine'
'Yeah? Cause you know you can talk to me'
'I know'
'Everything's okay with you and Lucas?'
She looks up at him. She can hear the worry in his voice and wonders how much of their conversation he overheard.
'Dad I love him. I've never loved anyone and I feel, I feel like I might have what you have with Mum' She divulges quietly.
He watches her closely. Reads her.
When she was little she'd tell him every thought that fluttered behind her green irises but things changed as she grew.
He smiles. Because she's speaking nothing but the truth and he knows she's right, he can see it. In the way she holds herself, in her smile, in her laughter. He knows without a doubt that she has indeed got what he has and that makes him more than happy. He can die a happy man now, knowing that she's happy makes him feel complete.
'Well darling, that makes me happier than you'll ever know. I'm sure that whatever obstacles you and Lucas face you'll get past them' He's certain of that. Because since the day he met his wife he became an idealist, a romantic and he's relieved he's now got someone to watch over her carefully. It means he can relax. He can enjoy his daughter and not spend his time fretting over her.
'I hope so Dad' She really does, because she's not stupid. She knows this isn't going to be easy. It can't be. There's so many factors that complicates matters but like her father, there's a little thing deep inside her that believes, wills everything to be alright because surely love does conquer all.
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They're in her room. He made a point of taking them down to the pier when he finished work. Made a point of keeping her and Jamie away from the house because he's not sure how he feels about them being here, nor them being around her or Jamie, especially after their talk today.
Peyton caught on quickly that he was reluctant to go back and was quick to suggest they just stay at hers for the night.
He was unsure if that were a good idea either. Skills and Bevin left alone to their own devices in a house with many expensive possessions didn't exactly bode well with him. So they'd agreed. He'd stay for a while and go back, leaving her and Jamie for the night.
'You know that thing you said about us talking...'
They've just put Jamie to sleep and he's watching her change into bed attire.
'You have more ex whores staying?' She teases as her head reappears through the neck hole of her t-shirt.
He rolls his eyes and reaches for her, pinching her sides lightly as he pills her down onto the bed. She shrieks and falls back onto the bed, wriggling away from his reaching arms.
He loves her laugh. Loves that girly giggle so much so, that his hands can't help but to tickle her sides again.
She arches her back, her body straining to escape his fingers.
'Stop it!'
Her t-shirt- well his t-shirt that she seems to have claimed as her own and that drowns her body inadvertently rides up and he stops his tickling attack in favour of kissing the exposed skin above the waistband of her panties.
He rests his chins on her belly, his eyes are suddenly serious and her wide smile fades. 'What is it?'
He swallows.
'I need you to tell me what she told you'
She's still breathing heavily from laughing too much and it takes her a second to know what he's talking about.
'Karen?'
'Yeah...Karen' He watches his fingertip circle her belly button.
She wishes he'd stop because she's finding it hard to concentrate.
She licks her lips, covering his hand with her own.
His stare immediately drifts up to her face.
'O-Okay...'