FIC: EVERYTHING YOU EVER 2/4 (Nuke BigBang 2010!)
Chapter 1 /
“So, um, we’re just going to stay for like an hour, right?” Noah murmured as they entered Metro, senses already on overload from the loud music and large crowd.
Luke squeezed his hand, grinning. “An hour. Tops.” They both knew he was lying. They both knew they’d be here for a few hours, and Noah would eventually loosen up and have fun. Same routine as always. “Come on, we have to at least make an appearance; it’s not every day Metro throws a GLBT-friendly party.”
Noah just grumbled a little under his breath, more for show than anything else. He knew Luke liked winning this argument, liked making sure Noah had a good time. Noah liked letting him, so it was a win-win. He just wished sometimes they didn’t have to win-win in a place filled with so many people. It wasn’t that Noah was agoraphobic or anything, he just got overwhelmed sometimes.
“Dudes!” a (shockingly) familiar voice broke through the music playing. Casey appeared almost magically between them, throwing an arm around each of them. “You made it!”
Luke laughed, while Noah shook his head. “Case, what are you doing here?”
Casey grinned. “Duh, it’s Gay Night. Which means there are lots of single straight girls here, too.” He pushed Luke’s shoulder when he kept laughing. “It’s true. And for the first time ever, I’m encouraging you two to make out in front of me. Let the girls see I’m the gay-friendly straight guy.”
Noah didn’t know whether to roll his eyes or be impressed with his friend’s strategy. So he just followed Luke’s example and laughed, then thought oh, what the hell? and kissed Luke fiercely right then and there. Luke’s eyes widened for just a second before he grinned into the kiss.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Casey crowed happily. He shoved them lightly towards the far end of the room. “Come on, I got a table saved over in the corner. Let’s party!”
Noah shook his head. “Let’s party? What is this, Wayne’s World?”
“Oh man, I wish,” Casey replied, enthusiastic and completely missing Noah’s sarcasm.
Luke was still laughing, even as he pulled Noah close with an arm around his hips. “Stop being such a Debbie Downer,” he leaned up to whisper into Noah’s ear. “Come on, let me get you all liquored up so I can seduce you and take you home.”
Noah let himself be pulled along. “You don’t need the liquor for that. We could skip on to the seducing part if you want.” He sat down at the booth Casey waved them over to, pulling a chuckling Luke down next to him. Very close.
Casey gave them both a stern look. “Guys. You are my gay wingmen tonight. You are not allowed to leave until I have at least one girl’s phone number. Got it?”
“Got it,” Luke saluted. “You bring the girls over here, we’ll make out in front of them.” He slung one leg over one of Noah’s, almost sitting in his lap. Noah blushed, but made no move to push Luke off.
Casey clapped his hands, rubbing them together excitedly. “Well, then let’s start commencing on that ‘liquored up’ plan of yours.”
Noah couldn’t be sure, but it seemed like shots just magically appeared in Casey’s hands. Like he was the Alcohol Fairy. He was so amused by the image- there were wings and a tutu involved- that he didn’t even think to protest when Casey shoved the shot glass into his hand, motioning for him to drink. Luke’s daring, raised eyebrow had him downing the shot, trying not to grimace at the burn. “Atta boy,” Luke nudged him.
Noah slid the shot glass away. “You sure this is-”
Luke rolled his eyes. “Noah. For the seven hundred billion and fourth time, you are allowed to drink in front of me. I am perfectly content to be the designated driver tonight.”
Casey took away the shot glass and replaced it with a bottle of beer. “Exactly. Stop being Sober McGood-Boy, and drink up.”
Noah smiled, put an arm loose around Luke’s shoulders, and drank up. The three of them hung out in the booth for awhile, passing Noah’s required one hour without realizing it. When it was Noah’s turn to buy the drinks, he reluctantly let go of Luke and moved to the bar, ordering two more beers and a club soda.
“That’s a lot for one guy,” a voice commented next to him. He turned to see a fairly attractive- and fairly inebriated- guy sitting at the bar, studying him.
Out of instinct, Noah took a small step away. “Well, I’m here with a lot of people,” he answered casually enough, wishing the bartender would hurry up.
“Hmmm,” the guy glanced around before zeroing in on Noah again. Looking him up and down. “Here with friends, huh? Why don’t you stay right here for awhile? I’ll get you something better than a beer.”
Thank God the bartender came back with his drinks. He handed over his cash and hugged them almost protectively to his chest. “Sorry, don’t think my boyfriend would like that. Thanks though.” And then without another glance at the guy, he hurried back to the table.
And found Luke and Casey grinning up at him wildly. “What’s up, Stud?” Casey teased.
Noah ducked his head to hide the blush he was sure he had. “Shut up.” He passed out the drinks and reclaimed his seat next to Luke, fighting the urge to burrow his face into Luke’s neck and hide.
Luke wrapped an arm around him consolingly, though still trying not to laugh. “Aww, I hope you let him down easy. It takes a lot of courage to flirt with a guy as hot as you.”
Noah shook his head, taking a long pull from his beer bottle. “It takes a lot of alcohol,” he corrected. Raising an eyebrow, “And who says I let him down?”
“Oooooh,” Casey sounded like the audience in a TGIF sitcom.
Luke mock-glared right back at him. “Nope, sorry. I don’t share.” And then he pulled Noah in for a soda-flavored kiss. And he was obviously marking his territory, and Noah didn’t mind one bit. He liked being Luke’s territory.
Another hour or two of drinking (and definitely not dancing) later, Casey disappeared at some point into a crowd of straight girls that Luke and Noah may or may not have enticed over by making out. Several times.
Noah and Luke lounged back in their booth, content to watch the party going on and enjoy each other, as well as laugh along with friends who randomly stopped by to talk.
The vibration of Noah’s phone interrupted his slight beer-induced and Luke-induced haze. He reached into his pocket with a groan, until he saw the name on screen. “It’s Jeff,” he told Luke, pushing himself up from the table. “Hopefully calling me back about covering the shift tomorrow.” He nodded his head to the door. “Be right back?”
Luke grinned, holding up his half-empty glass. “Sure. But hurry, I’m on my third club soda. You know how crazy I can get.”
Noah just stuck his tongue out at him, then turned and left the crazy din of Metro. By the time he got out to where it was quiet, the call had gone to voicemail. He listened to it quickly- “Thank you, Jeff!”- and then turned back to the entrance. Which was currently blocked by someone.
“We meet again,” the guy commented, leaning against the doorway. It was the same guy from earlier, at the bar. And if he had been a little drunk then, well… he was definitely drunk now.
“Um,” Noah shifted backwards a little bit, uncomfortable. “Look, I don’t know what you think-”
“Just want to talk, come on,” he took a few steps closer, but still blocked Noah from getting back into Metro. “I don’t even know your name.”
Noah rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry, but no thanks. I have to get back to my boyfriend.” He tried to step around the man, but he counter-stepped right back, keeping himself between Noah and the door.
“That boyfriend keeps you on a short leash, huh?” the words came out pretty slurred, but Noah could hear the intent behind them. And he didn’t like it.
“Really not any of your business,” he snapped, getting tired of being polite. And, he suddenly realized, he wasn’t exactly the most sober person either. “Will you please get out of my way?”
The man somehow smirked and scowled at the same time, and very slowly took a step to the side, out of the doorway. He gestured for Noah to go ahead inside.
Noah eyed him warily for a second before heading back into Metro. At least, he tried to head back in, but just as he reached the door a pair of hands grabbed him by the shoulders, twisted him around, and shoved him back against the wall. “Hey!” Noah shouted.
The guy tightened his grip on Noah’s shirt, grinning sloppily. “I still don’t know your name.” He leaned in close, too close. His breath, heavy and smelling of Vodka, was warm on Noah’s face, aiming for his mouth.
“Get the hell away from me,” Noah growled, managing to push the man away just in time. He was ready to leave it at that and go back inside, but the guy had different ideas. Noah was pulled around again, a hand gripping his arm tightly, not letting go.
“Come on baby, all we need is five minutes,” he slurred again. “Your boyfriend won’t miss you.”
“You’re wrong about that,” another voice spoke up out of nowhere. There was a flash of blond hair, a cracking sound, and then finally the grip on his arm disappeared. Luke stood protectively in front of Noah, glaring downwards. “His name is Noah. And I’m the boyfriend, so back off,” he snapped. The guy stumbled over his own feet and fell to the ground, nose bleeding. Then Luke spun around and smiled. “I have always wanted to do that!” he enthused happily.
Noah shook his head, idly wondering when this had become an old Western and he had become the Miss Kitty. “What- how- I… how did…?”
Luke’s smile softened, and he rubbed a hand over Noah’s arm where the guy had grabbed him. “I saw him follow you out here. Are you okay?”
Noah nodded, eyes still wide. “More grossed out than anything else. I guess…” he smiled shyly at Luke. “I guess I’m lucky you were here, huh?”
Luke grabbed him by his tie, pulling him closer. “Damn right you are!” he kissed him on the nose.
“Wow,” Casey was suddenly there next to them in the doorway to Metro, a giggly blonde girl attached to his arm. He stared back and forth between them and the drunk guy still on the ground. “Luke’s a good designated driver and a good designated boyfriend.”
************
Remembering how Casey had volunteered to call the cops, run the guy out of town, and take the heat for Luke if the guy tried to press charges (all the while constantly asking for that girl’s phone number), leads Noah to write up another line on his Luke List.
5. Friends
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“Hello Lover, I’m home!” Luke’s voice crowed from the front door.
“Living room!” Noah called back, spreading out drinks and silverware on the coffee table. By the time Luke joined him, he was sitting on the floor, long legs stretched out underneath the table.
“I come bearing gifts!” Luke said in a song-song voice. Noah looked up warily, but relaxed when he saw the Star of India takeout cartons in Luke’s hands. Luke shook his head as he settled down on the floor next to Noah. “I can’t believe this is your requested feast.”
Noah shrugged, reaching for the garlic naan, his favorite. “You asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I don’t want any fuss or whatever. Indian food, a movie, and you. That’s what I want.”
Luke stopped doling out the aloo gobi, dimples blowing wide with his smile. “So easy to please,” he joked, aiming a kiss at his cheek. Noah turned his head at the last second, catching it on his mouth instead. Now they were both smiling.
About halfway through Young Frankenstein, Luke turned to him again. “So why don’t you want to celebrate your birthday?”
Noah tilted his head to the side a little, thrown by the question. “I don’t know. Don’t see the point, I guess. It’s not a big deal, never has been. I wouldn’t know what to do or how to act if there was, like, stuff to do.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “What, have you never had a birthday party before?” he teased.
Noah didn’t answer. He suddenly realized that maybe he shouldn’t. The mattar paneer on his plate was suddenly much more interesting.
Too late. The smile dropped from Luke’s face, his eyes widening. “Nothing?”
Noah swallowed back a sigh. He hated having these ‘when I was young’ talks, because they always ended with Luke getting that sad look on his face. Noah knew enough now to understand it wasn’t pity, that Luke didn’t pity him or look down on him, but still… he preferred Luke never being sad. About anything, especially him.
But he also couldn’t lie. “No, not really. I mean, my dad would give me a check at breakfast every year. Money to go into my savings account. Each time it would be five dollars more than the year before. I got one every year until I left and, um, came to Oakdale.” Another shrug. “So no party.”
Luke looked supremely confused. “But you’ve been here for four years. Have we really never had a party? I can’t believe that.”
Noah offered up a smile. “Luke, my first birthday here you had just gotten home from the hospital. You were in a wheelchair. My dad has just been arrested, your parents were going through a lot, I found out about my mother…”
“Everyone had a lot on their mind,” Luke murmured, unconsciously pulling Noah’s hand into his lap, playing with his fingers.
Noah nodded. “Exactly. And the second one was right at the beginning of the student election campaign, and we were so focused on that. And then last year all I could think about was my senior project, and that stuff going on with Damian and your dad, so I honestly didn’t even remember my birthday.”
Luke’s eyes were downcast now, staring at their hands. “And where was I during all of that?”
Noah squeezed his hand. “Hey, you were-”
“That was a rhetorical question,” Luke cut him off, starting to sound a little angry. Not at Noah, he knew that. But he hated that Luke was getting all self-recriminating now. It wasn’t his fault! Luke looked back up at him sadly. “Noah, I want you to really listen to me when I say this. I-”
The front door burst open before Luke could really start his heartfelt speech. Noah was a little ashamed of the relief he felt at getting interrupted. “Yo, where’s the Birthday Boy?” Casey’s all-too-familiar jovial shout rang through the apartment. Probably through the whole building.
Before either of them could answer, the gang appeared. Noah’s mouth dropped open at the sight. Casey stood there with Ali, Hunter, Gwen, Will, and Maddie. All of them were wearing party hats and holding balloons, party favors, and presents.
Noah turned to Luke, his expression accusing. “What-?”
Luke held up his free hand, the other still holding Noah’s as they both stood up to face their friends. “I swear, I have no idea what they’re doing here.”
Ali took a few steps forward, face a little apologetic even as she tossed a party hat at Luke. “I remembered your birthday from your hospital records, hon. And we all figured that, with everything that’s happened in the past year-”
“Four years,” Will corrected her.
“Life,” Maddie and Gwen corrected him.
“Whatever,” Ali waved a hand. “We could all use a little party. And you deserve one.” She kissed his cheek, while he stood there still frozen. “So happy birthday, Noah.”
“Happy birthday!” the rest of the group chorused cheerfully. They all entered the room fully, setting up their decorations and favors, talking and laughing. Luke grinned and, after giving Noah a kiss of his own, went to help them.
Noah stayed pretty much where he was, only moving long enough to back up to the couch. Then he sat down heavily there, watching everyone. Part of him wanted to bottle up the feeling in his chest right now, the warmth and security. Another part of him desperately wanted to run out the door. Were they going to expect him to do something, say something? He bit his lip nervously, wishing he could just-
“Hey.” Casey plopped down on the couch next to him, eyeing him knowingly. “Happy birthday, man.” He lowered his voice a little. “Ali was right, you know. You deserve a party.”
“I don’t need one,” he protested. “You guys didn’t have to go to all this tr-”
“I swear to God, Noah. Don’t finish that sentence,” Casey glared good-naturedly. “No one needs a party; that’s the point. They’re for fun! They’re supposed to be fun.” As Hunter sat down on the other side of him, Casey’s voice softened. “This is how birthday parties work. Your friends and the people in your life do nice things for you, just because. They don’t expect anything back.”
“Except for cake,” Hunter chimed in helpfully.
Casey cut him off with a look, which Hunter was now adept at understanding. He nodded apologetically, and they both looked back to Noah. Casey continued, a hand on Noah’s shoulder now. “This is one of those few, rare days where you’re allowed to kick back and do nothing. Nothing is expected of you, except to be happy. Have a good time.”
“And have cake,” Hunter spoke up again.
“Dude!” Casey whirled around. “What is it with you and cake?”
Hunter just smiled and nodded towards the doorway to the kitchen. Casey and Noah both turned, and there was Gwen and Maddie holding a real, honest-to-God birthday cake. Candles lit and everything. “Wow,” Noah couldn’t help but whisper. He couldn’t believe this was real. His name was etched on the cake, next to an Oscar trophy made out of icing. Wow.
Everyone gathered around the coffee table, Luke perching himself on the arm of the couch next to Noah, pulling him close. “See?” he said quietly. “This is why we like to make a fuss.”
Maddie reached over, ruffling his hair. “It’s just a birthday cake, dork. Quick, make your wish and blow the candles out.”
Noah blushed. “I’ve, uh, never blown out candles before,” he admitted, looking down at the cake and no one else. One hand reached out for Luke, seeking the contact and comfort he always provided.
Casey grinned next to him, but Will smacked the back of his head quickly. “If you make any joke about blowing anything, I will punch you in the mouth,” he warned. Casey sat back again, face properly contrite.
Luke rested his hand on Noah’s lower back, as Noah laid one hand on Luke’s knee, playing with the frayed rip in his jeans. “You guys aren’t going to, um, sing or anything, are you?” he asked with dread. “No offense,” he quickly told Gwen. “But I don’t know if I can handle the-”
“Happy birthday to you!” Casey and Maddie immediately started singing, Luke and Ali just a second behind them. Gwen, Will, and Hunter jumped in too.
Noah rolled his eyes, but it didn’t stop the big giant goofy grin from appearing on his face. He turned back to the candles, leaning forward and trying to think of a wish. Honestly, what else did he need right now? He had everything he wanted.
So as the group finished up their serenade in four-part harmony, he blew out the candles in one breath, and wished for the only thing that seemed really important right now. Please, don’t let any of them have brought a piñata.
************
Noah has been aware for a long time that his dad didn’t always act like a dad (isn’t that what he told Luke the first time he ever went to the farm?) and didn’t give him a lot of the things he needed, but it wasn’t until he met Luke that he realized just what you are supposed to do for the people you love. You’re supposed to not let them give up.
6. Encouragement
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He kept staring at his laptop, a rough cut of one of his first scenes playing out in front of him. Tapping idly on the editing keys, he was barely paying attention. Damn it, he had thought that this would make him feel better, but it didn’t. Maybe even worse. This was his first real film project, but he didn’t feel like a director right now. He felt like a fool.
“Looks good,” Luke commented quietly. He was standing just behind him, in the doorway to the kitchen.
Noah jumped, startled. He quickly shut the laptop, turning to look up at Luke. “Where’ve you been?” he tried to sound casual.
Luke dared to take a step closer. “I had some foundation work to do… and I went to talk to one of my old professors in the journalism department. About Mason. And our options.”
He probably expected Noah to jump to his feet, get upset, yell at Luke. But Noah just sat there, sighing very softly. He wished he could go to sleep and wake up after graduation. “You didn’t have to do that.”
Luke shrugged carefully. “I wanted to. I didn’t mention any names, not even yours. I just wanted to know what the options are, in case you want- or need- to do something about it. So he won’t get away with anything.”
Noah scrubbed the side of his face with one hand. “It’s not going to change what happened. And anyway, can we really do anything? He did get away with it, Luke. And he’s still my teacher. He still controls whether or not I graduate.”
Luke stilled behind him, one hand going almost protectively to Noah’s shoulder. He was pretty sure Luke hadn’t even thought of that. Sure enough, “Damn it, I don’t want Mason to have any control over you,” Luke grumbled. “I don’t want him to be able to hold anything over your head. If we have to do something, we will. He’s not going to stop you from graduating.”
Noah just nodded, still quiet. Trying to tell himself this hadn’t been that big a deal. Mason had said he was attracted to him. So what? He had put his arm around him. It probably meant nothing, wouldn’t go any further than that. He didn’t want Luke to get too worked up, get himself into trouble. “You don’t have to fight my battles for me, Luke.”
“Hey,” Luke took the seat next to him so he could look Noah straight in the eyes. “We’re partners, remember? It’s ‘our’ life? Your battles are my battles. And no one messes with my boyfriend, got it?” Noah offered a little bit of a smile, which he knew Luke had been hoping for. But it was half-hearted, and Luke caught that too. “What’s going on, babe? What are you thinking about right now?”
He shook his head. “It’s stupid.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s not,” Luke reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling it closer to him. “You can tell me anything, you know that.”
“Yeah,” Noah exhaled the word. He was staring hard at his laptop, biting his lower lip.
And then Luke got a clue. “Your movie. You’re still going to work on it, right? You have to, Noah. It’s so good. You can’t give up on it now, even if you can’t work with Mason anymore.”
“Is it? Is it even that good?” Noah dragged his eyes upwards from the computer to Luke’s face. His expression twisted into an uncertain frown. “All those times he said I was talented, that I was the best student he’s ever had, that I had a future in filmmaking… Was he making all that up? Was he just saying whatever he could to, to-” He shook his head again, shuddering. “God, I’m such an idiot. I believed him when he said that stuff. I thought he was trying to help me, you know? I really started to think I was…” he trailed off, head ducking down again.
Luke had been staring at him pretty much open-mouthed since Noah had started speaking. “Oh God, Noah,” he scooted his chair in ever closer, used his free hand to pull Noah’s face up so they were looking at each other once again. “Please. Please, baby, don’t ever think that. No matter why he said those things- and we really don’t know why he said them- he was right. You are talented. You can’t let what Mason said today stop you from making this movie.”
“What’s the point?” he mumbled harshly. “The first person- besides you- to really take an interest in my future, and he…” He glared irrationally at his laptop. “Turns out he doesn’t want me to succeed. He wants me to- to-” he shuddered. “I don’t know, I don’t even know. This is stupid.”
“No,” Luke shook him lightly. “No. You can’t go down that path, Noah. You can’t let yourself get dragged down by this jackass.” He tightened his grip. “You’re talented, and passionate, and driven, and he obviously saw that in you. Just like I do.” He brushed the hair off of Noah’s forehead. “The worst outcome of all of this would be for you to give up on this film.”
“But how am I supposed to work with him now?” Noah focused on Luke, desperate. “What if the crew or anyone finds out what he said? How are they going to look at me then?”
“Hey, you have done nothing wrong,” Luke replied firmly. “And anyway, who cares about them? Who cares about Mason? You’re going to finish this project, get the A you deserve, graduate with honors, and leave them all behind. I know it.”
“So you think I should just go back and work with him?” Noah scrunched up the side of his face uncertainly. “How do I trust him now? How do I trust me? My ideas, my direction…”
Luke shook his head, moving from his own chair into Noah’s lap, facing him. He held Noah’s face in both hands. “Do you trust me?”
Noah could only nod. He always got a little more speechless when Luke was this close to him. He mentally rolled his eyes a little at the thought- he literally takes my breath away. God, could he get any cheesier?
Luke regarded him seriously. One of his fingers lightly ran back and forth across his jaw, the touch reminding Noah that he needed to shave soon. “I believe in you. I know you’re good at this, that this is what you’re supposed to be doing with your life. There’s no doubt in my mind. And if you trust me, you have to trust that.”
Noah’s face flushed a little. “You’re biased,” he mumbled. He leaned forward in his chair enough to sit chest-to-chest with Luke, resting his chin on Luke’s shoulder.
“Maybe a little,” Luke admitted. His hands slid down to interlock behind Noah’s back. He turned his head enough to press a kiss to the side of Noah’s face, smiling. “But I also know you better than anyone. I know you, okay? And I know that you can do this.” He knocked their heads together lightly. “You’ll go back and finish your film, work with Mason, and everything will be okay. And if, for some reason, he pushes his luck and tries anything with you, I’ll beat him down.”
“Luke,” Noah laughed and admonished at the same time. The tense muscles in his neck and shoulders relaxed a little, and Luke took it as a sign to lean back, catch Noah’s gaze.
“If he tries anything,” Luke repeated seriously, “I’ll be right here to back you up. I won’t let you go through this alone. Okay?”
Noah moved in for a kiss, which Luke happily provided. “Okay,” he answered. “Just, um, be careful, please? Don’t go all Luke-Avenger. We’ll deal together.”
Another kiss. “Sounds good.” Luke twisted around in Noah’s lap, facing the table now. He pulled the computer closer to them, flipping it open. “Now. Show me this scene you’re working on. I want to critique the script.”
Noah grinned and reached around either side of Luke to bring up the editing program he’d been working in. With both arms out like that, it was almost like a hug.
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( Continued in Chapter 3!)