New LuRe Fic: The Great American Fake-Off, 2/4
The Great American Fake-Off, Part 2
by Suz
Feedback would be fab! Also posted on AO3 here.
*
It all came back to bite Reid in the ass when he got home from work the next day - namely in the form of one Katie Peretti who seemed to literally spring out of the woodwork as he hung up his jacket.
Well, tried to.
"Jesus," he muttered, flinching away, instinctively holding the jacket in front of him protectively.
"Hi, Reid," she said intensely, and not a little creepily. She really had that scary eye thing going on.
"Blondie," he greeted, finally hanging the jacket up. He had a pretty good idea what this was about already. "Good day at work? How's Jacob's ear infection?"
"Oh no you don't, mister," she warned. "You are not getting out of this by being all...nice." True, that wasn't his strongest trait.
Brushing passed her, he made a break for the sofa so at least he didn't feel so cornered. "Okay," he gave in, gesturing towards himself as he sat down, "throw it at me."
Rather than get right to the point, though, she drew it out as she slowly stepped over towards him. "Is there anything you...I don't know...want to tell me?"
Reid looked her over. "Your roots need doing."
"Reid," she huffed out, "I'm being serious."
"So am I." They really did need a touch-up.
"You and Luke?" she exclaimed, throwing her hands to the side, finally just getting to it. "How could you not tell me this?"
So she had heard, then. "Because it's none of your business?"
"Of course it is," she argued, throwing herself down next to him. "We're friends, Reid, and we live together. I've told you so much about Brad - how could you not tell me about this?"
Great, now he felt like an ass. It wasn't an unusual feeling for him, admittedly, but he didn't like that it was Katie he was upsetting. "Look, the thing between me and Luke is nothing like it was for you and Brad, okay? You and Brad were...serious," he acknowledged, long knowing this was the one area he had to tread carefully about with her. "Luke and I are just having fun." That wasn't a lie, at least. Luke wasn't the only one who found the experience of fooling everyone enjoyable - Reid had thoroughly enjoyed himself the evening before.
It probably said a lot about him - about them - that they both wanted to keep living this lie than facing the crap that was going on in their lives, but everyone deserved to have a little fun, right? Even him.
"It was just...such a surprise when I heard," Katie told him. "You used to complain about him so much. Mind you," she said contemplatively, "now that I think about it, you did use the phrase 'annoyingly attractive' a lot of times."
"He still is," he nodded. "How does one guy look that good, every single day?"
"And 'spoiled rich kid'?"
"Still is, in his own way," Reid acknowledged, "though he does largely use his powers for good instead of evil, I'll give him that much. Do you know all the different things that foundation of his actually does?" Reid still found it remarkable, honestly, that someone as young as Luke had accomplished so much already. True, it was only because he had access to so much money, but at least he was using it for something that actually benefited others. Reid started going on, at length, about everything Luke had told him about the foundation the night before, when he noticed the way Katie was grinning at him.
"And then he...what are you smiling at? It's creepy."
It only got wider - and creepier. "You really do have a thing for Luke."
Feeling absurdly uncomfortable, Reid was about to shake the idea off when he realised he didn't have to. He was supposed to like Luke. "Well, clearly. Otherwise we wouldn't be dating."
"No, I mean," Katie began, shifting next to him, "you said you were just having fun. I thought maybe you were just being Luke's rebound after Noah-"
"Thanks."
"-or that you were just having hate sex or something-"
"Sadly, none of that going on just yet."
"But you actually like him," she concluded. "A lot."
Reid felt stupidly caught out and defensive for some reason. "Yeah, and?"
"It's just nice, that's all," she confided. "I know you haven't talked about your own ex's much but I pieced together enough to know that someone hurt you, badly." She didn't look sad for him, exactly - more understanding. Reid had to look away anyway. "I'm just glad that hasn't stopped you from trying."
"Right," he cleared his throat, still looking away. "Yeah."
"So, come on," she said cheerily, moving on as she slapped his arm, "give me the details! How did it start?"
This was still better than thinking about Steve, so he made himself respond. "He was always around, you know, because of Noah. And at first I just - hated him. He was always underfoot and his hair always looked so stupid. But then as I got to know him I realised he did what he did for a good reason - because he cares so much."
"Aww," Katie observed, tipping her head to one side.
Realising he'd probably been going on a bit too much, Reid quickly moved on. "Anyway, even after he and Noah split I kept seeing him around everywhere and..." he shrugged. "You know how these things are. It just...happened."
"So nothing happened before he and Noah-?"
"God, no," he interrupted. "Even I'm not that much of a dick." Reid had honestly never had any interest in starting something with someone who was already in a relationship.
"How long have you been seeing each other?"
"Just a couple of weeks, really. We'd been keeping it...subtle, while we worked things out."
"Until last night."
"Until last night," he agreed.
"When, as I understand it, things got hot and heavy between the two of you at Metro." Katie leered at him knowingly.
Oh, for goodness sake. "The gossip in this town is really quite remarkable."
"How fast it works?"
"And how wrong they get it," he added. "It was one kiss - it was hardly 'hot and heavy'." He thought about it. "Not that my kissing skills aren't awesome."
"No doubt," she retorted. "And I'm sure Luke is very glad about that fact."
"Obviously," he agreed, because he hadn't been exaggerating about his skill when it came to kissing. He more than knew what he was doing.
So did Luke, as he vividly remembered.
"So were you actually slow dancing?" Katie asked next. "Or was that something the gossip mill got wrong, too?"
"No," he admitted, not enjoying the way she seemed to be literally vibrating next to him. "That happened." Reid stared at Katie and her disturbing grin. "Okay," he conceded, "what is it?"
"Oh, you know," she said deceptively casually, "still really doesn't sound like two guys who are just 'having fun'."
Really? "Full offense, Katie, but you're not a guy - and certainly not a gay guy. I think it's down to me and Luke to decide what we're doing."
"Absolutely," she agreed, far too easily. "Except that you already admitted that you have a thing for him. And that he cares about people a lot. And-"
"Well he's also a dick," Reid pointed out, "which is probably the real reason we get on so well." He honestly thought that was the truth. While Luke's goody two-shoes side definitely had it's own appeal, it was his dark side that was far more entertaining. He'd thoroughly enjoyed how they'd metaphorically butted heads last night, trying to outdo each other in the boyfriend stakes. He'd even forgotten, for a while, just why they were doing it at all.
"Well that makes much more sense," Katie said sarcastically, because she'd seen through him almost from the beginning.
"I know, right?" he replied instead, standing up and deciding it was time to put an end to this interrogation. "Anyway, I'm starving-" His phone went off. "Probably Luke," he said absently, because no one else ever really texted him. Pausing, he pulled it out of the pockets of his pants and confirmed that it was, indeed, from Luke.
Having fully committed to the role, Luke had been texting him on and off all day. It was always something a little too cheesy, a little too over-emotional - no doubt on purpose - about how much fun he'd had last night, how much he was missing Reid today. Reid knew it was all bullshit because, well, Luke could be just as much of a dick as he was, and every single text ended with that kissy-face emoji.
Luke was clearly having a grand old time pretending to fall for Reid, so it only seemed right for Reid to get in on the action - he didn't want to miss out on any of the fun himself. As a doctor Reid couldn't check his messages whenever he wanted, but when he did get the time he always sent some kind of response to Luke's message. He even sent an emoji, which he honestly thought he'd never sent before in his life, but that 'stars in my eyes' emoji was just too good to pass up.
Of course, he also wanted to be better than Luke even at this and found the time to quickly compose a haiku about the shade of Luke's eyes - that was the message Luke was finally responding to now. Either something had kept him busy for the past couple of hours, or he'd been trying - and failing - to think up a stunning retort.
It was the latter.
You win, Luke's message read. You're far more romantic than I'll ever be.
A second message underneath simply read, ...or are you?
Nothing else seemed to be coming after that, so Reid simply shrugged and replied, You were right the first time. Putting his phone away, Reid clapped his hands together. "Dinner."
"I'll cook," Katie volunteered, getting to her feet.
Not that he was about to complain, but... "It's my turn." They usually ate together, most nights.
"Yes, it is," she agreed as she moved across to the kitchen, "but your idea of cooking is slinging one of those TV dinners into the microwave."
"It is not food?" he asked, honestly a little offended as he followed behind her. "Is it not edible?"
"That's a matter of opinion," she said dryly, turning the oven on. "Honestly," Katie said as she faced him, "I'm amazed that a doctor eats the way you do." This wasn't the first time she'd commented on his diet. "You'd think you of all people would know better."
"Well, when you've been blessed with a metabolism as amazing as mine, you'd eat whatever you wanted, too." Reid wasn't really joking - even half-way into his thirties, he'd barely had to adjust what he ate. Not that he was a complete slob - he did yoga and did eat some fruit and vegetables, it was just usually part of some pre-prepared meal he could cook easily and quickly. He was a busy man - he'd never really had the time, or interest, in learning how to cook.
"That won't last forever, you know," Katie pointed out. "At some point it's all going to catch up with you." She seemed particularly delighted at the prospect. "And then how will you keep Luke interested?"
He knew what she was going for, but it wasn't going to work. Reid just rolled his eyes. "Luke doesn't care about that stuff."
She stared at him knowingly. "Not even when he's surrounded by hot, young guys his own age? And all he has to compare them to is his much older boyfriend?"
Wow. "You are evil."
"I can be," she agreed, opening the fridge. "Now, I'm going to make you a huge portion of fresh vegetables and you're going to eat all of it."
Reid thought about it for a moment. "I'll help you chop." He was just reaching for a knife when there was a knock on the door. Surprised, he abandoned the quest for a knife and went to see who it was instead. "I'll get it."
He regretted that choice the moment he swung open the door because there, standing in the doorway to their apartment, was a beleagured-looking delivery guy, struggling under the weight of an enormous display of flowers.
"Help," he pleaded and Reid moved forward instinctively, helping the guy lean the flowers up against the door frame.
"Katie," he called out, because that was a ridiculous amount of flowers, "are these from that fan again? I'll repeat what I said the first time - you need to get a post office box. That said," he shrugged, inspecting the flowers as Katie came over, "he has to be loaded because these must've cost a-"
Oh, no. Of course.
He was an idiot.
"Actually," the delivery guy said, pulling a piece of paper out, "these are for Reid Oliver." He stared at Reid hopefully. "Please tell me that's you."
"Yep," he drawled, "that's me."
"Thank God," the guy said, no doubt relieved at not having to lug the flowers anywhere else.
As Katie made it over to them, her hand went up to her mouth. "Oh my God."
"I also have to read this to you," Delivery Guy said. "It's a...little unusual, but he paid me a huge tip for the fast delivery and this, so..." Shrugging, he unfolded the piece of paper and started reading aloud. "Dearest Reid..."
"Oh my God," Katie repeated.
Overcoming the shock and appreciating all the effort Luke had gone to, Reid finally started to smile.
"I was trying to think of a way to show you how much you mean to me," Delivery Guy continued reading, "so this seemed like a good start. You bring me so much joy and make me laugh, every single day. My heart literally races when you come near. It amazes me how things have changed since we first met, but I'm so happy they have. I can hardly believe that the man who once told me he hoped I'd choke on the silver spoon in my mouth-"
"You actually said that?" Katie asked quietly.
"He deserved it."
"-is the same man," Delivery Guy went on, after a brief pause, "that I now get to date. Who opens up to me in ways I never expected. I still can't believe you told me about that one night stand who gave you gonorrhoea."
"Okay, wow," Katie remarked.
Absolutely entertained, Reid just started quietly laughing.
"It lets me know that I can tell you anything without judgement, too," Delivery Guy continued, "so here I am, telling you that I think I'm falling in love with you." Delivery Guy tried to look at him like he meant it, but Reid couldn't really blame him for failing. "Also?" he read. "Mom wants you to come over for dinner."
Finally finished, Delivery Guy folded the piece of paper and held it out to him.
"Congrats, dude," Delivery Guy said afterwards, punching Reid on the arm. "There's not a lot of guys who'd be that understanding."
Reid made a face, then realised he should probably give the guy a tip himself. He was already reaching for his wallet when the guy held up his hands.
"No, it's okay - trust me, that's more than been taken care of. He didn't want you paying for anything at all. Well, uh," he said awkwardly, "that's me done. Hope it all works out for you."
Dragging the flowers further into the apartment, Reid shut the door in his face.
Staring at the flowers, now propped up against a bookcase, he just shook his head in amazement.
"That's Luke for you," Katie said encouragingly, rubbing his arm, "he's never done relationships half-way."
Apparently Luke didn't do anything half-way and Reid could honestly only keep standing there, stunned, knowing he'd been completely outplayed.
And he'd loved every single second of it.
*
"You have to call him," Katie urged, when they'd both gotten over the shock.
He did need to call Luke - to congratulate him on a job well done. Even Reid could appreciate other people's brilliance. But he couldn't exactly say that to Katie. "What for?"
"This a huge gesture, Reid," she explained frantically, "Luke's really taken a chance, here. You have to let him know your true feelings, whether you feel the same way or not - he's probably beside himself waiting to hear back from you. You can't keep him waiting, whatever your reply is."
God save him from romantic room mates.
"Call him," she insisted again.
"Wait, right now?"
"Yes, right now," she rolled her eyes, shoving Reid towards his bedroom. "I'll go do...something with the flowers, you go call Luke." When he still hadn't really gone anywhere, she made a shooing motion in his direction. "Go!"
"You need to get out more," he said, but did escape to his room. Closing the door - ostensibly for privacy - Reid pulled out his phone and sat on the edge of the bed. Unlocking his phone, he went to his recent calls and hit Luke's name.
He knew exactly what he was going to say.
"You got them?" was the first thing Luke asked when he answered the call.
"Oh, I got them," he replied, "and I have to admit I'm impressed. There aren't many people who can go toe-to-toe with me."
"Why thank you," Luke said, sounding justifiably smug.
"Katie thinks I'm in here right now either confessing my undying love or breaking up with you."
"That's extreme."
"Yeah, but your little letter didn't leave us much in the way of wiggle room, did it? Falling in love with me? Really?"
"Hey, it's the natural progression of our amazing relationship. If we really want this to look convincing..."
He was right and Reid knew it. "You didn't have to do it in such a...dramatic way."
"Well, of course I didn't," he retorted, sounding amused, "that was just for fun. I wish I could've seen your face..." Luke's voice drifted off as he was probably trying to envision it.
"It was a picture, I'll give you that much."
"I bet," he said happily. "Of course, now I have to contend with whatever romantic horrors you're going to dream up."
"Me?" Reid asked innocently. "Even I couldn't possibly surpass the cheesy romance of what you just pulled off."
"True," Luke agreed, much too easily. "I'm sure that kind of romantic openness is beyond you."
He might as well have just said he was going to try and use reverse psychology. "You really think I'm going to fall for that?"
"Okay," Luke admitted after a few moments, "so that was a little obvious. I just..." Stepping back from their little competition, he spoke seriously. "I meant what I said the other day. This honestly has been so much fun. Oh my God, Reid, when I was typing up that letter for you I was just sitting there laughing to myself the entire time. I haven't been that happy in..." he paused as he thought about it, "...I don't know how long. Pretty pathetic, I guess," he mused, "that I'm happier with a fake boyfriend who used to hate me than I ever was with an actual boyfriend."
Reid honestly thought they said so much more about Noah than anything else. "Yeah, well, I'm the one who wanted a fake boyfriend in the first place so if you're pathetic then so am I."
"Wow, Reid," Luke said, sounding mockingly amazed, "are you actually trying to make me feel better? First you compliment my romancing skills and now this? Careful," he grinned, "or people will start thinking you actually like me or something."
The truth of it was, he already did. Despite everything, he'd actually come to like Luke Snyder. "Isn't that the point?"
"Oh, of course," Luke said easily, "I'm sure you complimenting me when no one else is around is for the benefit of other people."
Okay, so he didn't like him that much. "I will concede," he said, "that you're not as terrible to spend time with as I initially thought."
"Stop, stop," he insisted, "I can't handle all this flattery."
"Well you either want compliments or you don't," Reid shot back, "having it both ways is just greedy."
Luke paused and it wasn't long before Reid discovered why. "That sounds...dirty," he confessed.
How old was Luke again? "Only if you have a dirty mind. That says a lot about you, Mr Snyder."
Apparently, he'd decided to ignore that comment - which was probably wise. It was honestly more flirtatious that Reid had intended.
"What I was going to say," Luke said instead, "is that...you're not so bad, either. I wouldn't even mind if you stuck around after you bring Noah's sight back."
That wasn't something Reid had seen coming. "Praise indeed," he remarked, still thinking about that. "Though you know I'm leaving as soon as he can see again."
There was a brief pause. "I know," Luke said, "which is why I thought I should point it out."
"That's a rapid turnaround."
"Hey, you make a guy laugh and it forgives a lot," he offered. "Besides, this whole thing has made me realise we're not all that different."
This probably didn't bode well. "How so?"
"We both have problematic exes. We both have a lot of insecurities because of it," he confessed and yeah, it really hadn't boded well. "I always thought you didn't give a crap what anyone thought," Luke said, "but seeing how you reacted to Steve made he realise you're human, just like the rest of us. I mean," he went on, "I kind of knew that already? I just didn't want to see it. You'd been such a jerk to me-"
"With good reason."
"Not arguing that," he replied. "But the point was that I didn't want to see the human side of you. Before."
"But you do now?"
"Well it does make you much more interesting," he admitted. "I kind of wanna know what makes you tick, now."
"Oh?" Since when did Reid get so damn fascinating? Other than by existing at all, of course.
"Yeah," Luke confirmed. "Can't help but wonder if the reason you're so...you is because of what Steve did to you."
This conversation had already been pushing Reid's limits for some time, but now Luke had firmly struck against them. "That's giving him more credit than he deserves - you don't even know what he did."
"No, but I know he screwed you over somehow - and you were together at the time. That's enough to mess anyone up."
Reid's voice tightened. "Don't think you know me because of one fake date."
Luke sighed heavily. "And there you go with the overly-defensive stuff. I'm not gonna use this against you, you know. After the things you already know about me, that'd be seriously counterproductive."
Rather than just reacting, Reid forced himself to think about it. They did have a lot of stuff on each other at this point - he was probably safe. "So," he began, wildly changing topics because this one needed to be done with now, "dinner with mom, huh?"
Luke took a few moments playing catch up. "Yeah, if you're up for it."
"I assure you, I'm up for-"
"Now who's the one with the dirty mind?"
"Come on, anyone would've found that dirty."
"I dunno," Luke said, sounding amused as he brought them back around to the subject, "probably not my mom."
Speaking of... "Were you the one who told her about us?"
"The gossip got to her first," Luke said. "Suddenly I had an urgent phone call and interrogation."
"She wasn't happy about it, I take it?" He knew she'd always been a big fan of Noah's.
"Not thrilled," he admitted, "though mostly it seemed to be because you're Noah's doctor. She thought it was...inappropriate."
It probably wasn't the most appropriate thing in the world, but they weren't breaking any rules. "She knows you and Noah aren't together anymore, right?"
"She does," Luke admitted carefully, "but I think she's hoping we'll get back together. I've told her that's really not happening, but..."
That was definitely weird. "Your mom has an unhealthy fixation on your relationship with him."
Silence greeted him for a few seconds. "My instinctive response is to be annoyed at you, but even I've thought the same thing. I think she's tied it all in with her relationship with dad and that's complicated enough," he explained. "They're not together at the moment but Mom wants to be."
Yeah, definitely unhealthy, but he'd probably insulted Luke's mom enough for one day. "Well, after having one fantastic meal with me I'm sure she'll forget all about old Noel."
"Noah."
"Right."
Luke sounded happy, at least. "You sure you're really up for this? Pretending to be on a date is one thing, but you'll have to actually make nice with my family."
"I can be nice."
"Since when?"
Rude. "Do you think I really got to this stage in my career without having learned how to sufficiently brown nose?"
"Just seemed like you'd think it was beneath you, that's all."
"I do," he agreed, "but sometimes even I have to do things I don't like - like coming to Oakdale, for example."
"Ha ha," Luke said dryly, knowing he was the one responsible.
"So, come on. When and where am I putting myself through this ordeal?"
After they'd confirmed details, Reid ended the call, opened his door and wasn't surprised to find Katie suspiciously lurking around nearby. "Were you listening?"
"Unsuccessfully," she said without shame. "So, come on! Tell me how it went."
She really did need to get out more if this was her greatest form of entertainment. Then again, Reid's greatest form of entertainment at the moment was his fake boyfriend so he really wasn't one to talk. "We're still together. That's all you need to know."
"I knew it," she crowed. "There was something about the way you spoke about him...I knew you wouldn't give up on him."
He must've been even more convincing than he'd imagined. "He's worth trying."
"Of course he is," Katie encouraged. "And, just for that, I'm going to make you dessert, too."
Wow. This relationship stuff really was giving him the best of everything.
*
The next day, Reid went through work still in a remarkably good mood. Whenever his mind wasn't occupied with the job he couldn't stop thinking about the evening before and just how much Luke continued to amuse and impress him.
Sadly, he then remembered that he had an appointment with Noah that day. He'd been a little concerned about Noah's reaction but it all seemed to start reasonably enough. Noah arrived - not seeming too happy, admittedly - Reid told him where the chair was and asked him to take a seat. He'd started writing the date on the paperwork when Noah brought the subject up.
"So, you and Luke."
Pausing his note-taking, Reid glanced across at him. "Yes, we exist."
"Come on, Dr Oliver," Noah began, "you know what I mean."
Putting his pen down, he knew there was no getting out of this. "We're dating, yes, but that's all I have to say on the matter."
"That's all? Really?"
Okay, so maybe he could give a little more. "I understand that makes this situation a little...unorthodox."
"Because he's my ex-boyfriend."
'Ex' being the operative term there," he told Noah. "You're not together anymore - neither of us are doing anything wrong. Plus, aren't you dating somebody else?"
"You mean Richard?" he asked. "I mean, I guess."
"You guess?"
"Well, we are," Noah confirmed, "but it's not...going anywhere, you know? It's casual. It's just easy with Richard because we don't have all that history that Luke and I have."
Reid had honestly had no opinion of Richard at all previously. Now he just felt sorry for him. "Is he aware that it's not going anywhere?"
"Sure!" He paused. "I think."
"Regardless, whether you're dating anyone or not, you and Luke are certainly not together anymore so he's free to do what he wants. And, as I understand it," because apparently he needed reminding, "you were the one who gave him the opportunity in the first place."
"Yeah, I did break up with him - I guess that was my fault. But I always thought we'd get back together, just like we always have before," Noah explained. "It was Luke who said he couldn't do it anymore, that this time it was final."
Reid had heard a lot by now, but hadn't been privy to every single detail of Luke and Noah's split. Pleased, he nodded. "Good for him."
"Really?" Noah asked.
"Yes, really," he said bluntly. "He wasn't getting what he needed, so he moved on - finally put himself first."
Glaring, Noah crossed his arms. "Of course you'd say that."
"Well, obviously. I'm the one who benefited from your mistakes."
"Unbelievable." He shook his head in apparent disgust.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Noah - I always said I'd never lie to you and I never will. Admittedly, I was talking about your medical care at the time, but the point remains the same. You messed up," he announced, "I benefited from it, I'm still going to perform your surgery brilliant."
"Which is the only reason I'm even still talking to you, to be honest," Noah told him. "When Luke first told me, well...I wanted nothing to do with you. But he was right, what he said - you're still the only one who has a chance at giving me my sight back and I need to put myself first."
No change from usual there, then. "Well, this is a time when putting yourself first turned out to be a good thing. We all win in this situation, Noah."
"Even Luke?"
"Especially Luke. He gets to date me. Now," picking up his pen, he went back to the paperwork, "any new symptoms?"
Honestly, after that, Reid felt his day was going swimmingly. Noah clearly wasn't going to make it a major issue and he could just get on with his job - which was the most important thing, after all.
Unfortunately, not ten minutes after Noah had left, Reid bumped into someone far less savoury.
"Oh," he said flatly when he encountered Steve, "you. Goodbye," he announced, turning and walking in the opposite direction.
"I need to talk to you," Steve said, chasing after him.
"You really don't," Reid replied. Technically he needed to use the elevator but the last thing he wanted to do was get trapped in there with him.
Absurdly, all he wanted to do was text Luke.
"Just had a new meeting with the board," Steve said as they kept walking, still following behind, "and while at the first meeting they couldn't have been friendlier, suddenly they had 'concerns'." Reid had to pause as a gurney crossed his path and Steve took the opportunity to lean in close, staring into his eyes. "That wouldn't have anything to do with you, now would it?"
"I'm not the one who makes it a habit of ruining people's lives," he spat back, thankfully able to move on.
"I'm glad to hear it," Steve said behind him. "I'd hate to have to make things difficult for you again."
Difficult. Difficult? Finally realising he needed to stop running from the asshole, Reid turned around to face him. "After what you did? What else could you possibly take from me?"
Steve's face transformed into a slimy, disturbing smile. "That's not a question you should ask, Reid," he said slowly, eyes dark, "because you just might find out."
*
Luke and Reid were having dinner the next day at Al's, pressed up against each other on the same side of a booth. Reid has insisted - Luke had been the one to bring the idea of love into their fake relationship, so as far as Reid was concerned he also had to live with the consequences.
Luke hadn't hesitated, sliding into the booth next to Reid and reaching for the menu.
Reid had to remind himself to stop underestimating him. It wasn't easy - Reid was used to underestimating almost everyone - but Luke had proven, time and time again, just how stubborn he was.
After their drinks had arrived and food had been ordered, he asked after Luke's day.
"You're so thoughtful," Luke said too-nicely, leaning against him for a moment before moving on. "My day was pretty good, actually. Although, then I spoke to Mom." His expression changed into a frown.
Reid found he didn't like seeing that happen. "That meal with her tomorrow should be interesting."
"To put it mildly," Luke replied, "because as it turns out..." he hesitated, shooting a glance at Reid. "Well, see, I thought it was just going to be at the town house with Mom and maybe Natalie and Ethan."
Uh huh. Clearly that had changed. "But now?"
"Dad and Grandma found out about you," Luke admitted. "So now it's going to be at the farm with everyone. And even though Mom and Dad really aren't getting on at the moment they're both insisting on being there, so..." He blew out a breath. "It's going to be way more interesting that we originally imagined."
Great, family drama. Still... "I put myself in this position. Guess I'll have to live with the consequences." The irony wasn't lost on him - he'd only just been thinking the same thing about Luke.
"It won't be too much for you?" Luke genuinely seemed concerned.
"Probably," he shrugged, 'Family' for him had existed as nothing more than a concept for a long time. And even when his parents were still alive, it was never that many people - not like Luke's family. "To new experiences," he toasted, mockingly lifting his glass.
Luke rolled his eyes, but clinked glasses with Reid anyway.
Sipping at his drink, he started really thinking over what Luke had said about his parents. He'd known, from somewhere, that Lily and Holden weren't together at the moment, though he couldn't remember Luke ever expressly telling him anything about it. That had to suck, though, especially when there were kids in the mix. "So, your folks," he observed, finally putting his glass down. "That must suck."
"Yeah, it does," Luke said honestly. "It'd be one thing if they just weren't happy together anymore, or weren't in love anymore - but they can't even be in the same room together these days without arguing about something."
That sounded...extremely unpleasant. "Sounds fun."
"Tons," he said wryly.
Reid knew how close Luke was to the rest of his family - it had to be impacting on him. "How are you coping with that?"
"By focusing on the kids, mostly," he explained. "Faith's going though her bitter, 'I hate the world' phase - the only people she'll even really talk to these days are me and Grandma. Natalie's just...lost," he said sadly, gaze turning introspective. "I worry about her, she's so quiet all the time. And Ethan is...young," he shrugged, "so I think he's taken it the best. He doesn't really understand why Mom's not living at the farm with them anymore, though."
Geez, everything that'd happened with Noah and this, too? "No wonder you're distracting yourself by playing boyfriend."
"I did say I needed some fun," he pointed out, which was true.
When was the last time anyone had put Luke first?
"Luckily for you," he drawled, "I'm tons of fun."
"And so modest as well," Luke pointed out, grinning at him. Honestly, Luke's smile - and face in general - was even nicer close up. Reid was thinking about kissing him - his face was right there - when the smile faded as Luke turned serious. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
Reid blinked at him, lost. "What?"
"Thank you," he repeated, looking amused. "I understand it may not be a phrase you get to hear very often," he teased. "It's just...nobody ever asks me how I'm coping with things. Noah didn't really do it, even before he got blinded - but you have, so, thank you." He smiled again, gently this time. "It means a lot."
"Ah, it's nothing," he brushed off, "just me being an awesome boyfriend to my boyfriend."
Shaking his head, Luke soon became curious. "Have there been many boyfriends?" he asked. "Partners?"
Reid hadn't expected this topic, but he probably should have. "A few. Steve was the first real one though, so..."
Luke's face grew serious. "That must've made things...difficult for you."
"You could say that." He'd had a hard time trusting anyone after that, and he hadn't been the most open of people to begin with.
"You know," Luke began carefully, holding Reid's gaze, "if you ever want to talk about it...him...I'm more than willing to listen - especially after than run-in you had with him yesterday. I mean," he grinned lightly, "you've listened to me rant about my own issues, it only seems fair. And this is the kind of thing boyfriends do, right?"
He was teasing, but he wasn't wrong. "Not really the topic I like to waste time thinking about."
"Understandable," Luke said softly. "But if you want to, one day - even when we're not 'together' anymore - I'd be more than happy to listen."
"You think we'll still speak to each other after this?"
"You think we won't?" Luke shot back. "I can be quite determined."
No kidding. "Tell me something I don't know."
"We can be those exes who stay good friends."
Interesting. "You think you can fake that?"
"I won't have to fake anything," he said openly. "At this point I honestly like spending time with you. Yeah, you can be an ass, but you're a funny ass. And I know you won't suddenly start ignoring me - you've been having just as much fun as I have," he said knowingly. "No one's that good an actor."
"Oh?" Reid would've agreed with that, but then he'd thought he'd known Steve.
"Your smile gives you away," Luke shared, like it was a secret.
Seriously? "My smile?"
"Yeah. It's been nice, actually seeing it lately." Reaching out, he touched the side of Reid's face. "You should let people see it more."
He really was something else. "My God, you are cheesy."
"Hmm," Luke considered, drawing his hand back, "and something tells me you're starting to find that being a little cheesy isn't so bad."
"Don't impugn my reputation that way," Reid insisted, because tragically it may have been the truth. It hadn't been completely horrible, being more obviously romantic - even if it wasn't real. It no doubt helped that he found Luke attractive and they'd turned it into a game more than anything else - but still. Reid was definitely pushing himself out of his limits.
"How you gonna stop me?" he asked, not a little flirtatiously. Their faces were so close to each other...
"If I was really your boyfriend I'd probably kiss you to shut you up."
"Well," Luke's hand moved around to the back of his neck, eyes dropping to Reid's mouth, "we do need to look convincing."
"Right," Reid agreed easily, because he wasn't stupid enough to talk himself out of kissing Luke.
Unfortunately the kiss had only really just started when someone intervened.
"Dude," a male voice interrupted and they - sadly - pulled apart to see a guy in his early twenties staring at them. "I know you told me and everything, Luke, but I honestly didn't believe it until now."
Looking a little caught out - even embarrassed - for the first time since arriving for dinner, Luke shifted in his seat, pulling away from Reid.
Weird.
"Casey," Luke greeted, an obvious flush on his cheeks.
What the hell?
"Luke," Casey replied with a smirk, obviously noticing his discomfort. "And you're Dr Oliver, right?" he asked, focusing on Reid.
Reid was pretty sure he'd seen the guy hanging around with Luke a few times, but they'd never actually met. "Right. No idea who you are." Apart from being called Casey, apparently.
"My man Luke hasn't been bigging me up to his new man?" He seemed to have a permanent smile etched on his face.
"You're really not the topic of conversation when we're alone together," Luke told him.
"I can see that," he kept grinning, looking between them. "Anyway, I'm Casey," he introduced, "Luke and I are bros. He used to think you were a dick, he doesn't anymore. I was honestly worried when he said he was dating you so soon after Noah but you're obviously as into him as he is into you, so - it's all good," he shrugged.
Okay, then. "Thanks?" Not that he needed this guy's blessing. Not that Luke did.
"No problem," he winked. "I gotta shoot off, on my way to meet someone," he told Luke, holding up his to-go bag that he'd obviously just picked up. "But you two..." he looked from one to the other, waggling his eyebrows, "...keep having fun."
With one last grin, he was gone.
Reid shook his head. "That was weird."
Luke was finally starting to look a little more comfortable. "That's Casey for you."
"Not that, I mean you," he said, which just made Luke tense up again. "You got all...embarrassed and weird. And you're all tense right now."
"You noticed that?" Luke asked, then answered the question himself. "What am I talking about, of course you noticed that."
Reid could only really reach one conclusion. "Do you have a thing for him or-"
"God, no, nothing like that," he insisted so clearly it had to be true. "I'm sorry, it was just me being an idiot for a minute. It's fine."
Reid doubted that. "If you're really not okay with this pretending to date thing, I'll deal with Steve some other way-"
"No," he said firmly, meaning it. "I don't need to stop - like I said, it's a lot of fun and I really need that right now. If anything, you're the one doing me the favour."
"True, I do have refined tastes," Reid 'agreed', letting Luke off the hook - he obviously didn't want Reid to push it. "Being wanted by someone like me is a compliment."
"Aaaaaaand we're back the modesty again," Luke grinned, looking back to his typical self already.
"Even I can't be perfect," he retorted, just as he saw their food being brought over to them. "Go on, then," he continued as he moved his drink to make way for his meal, "tell me all about what horrors await me tomorrow."
*
Having been given thorough instructions on how to get to the farmhouse, Reid drove himself there the next night. The amount of land they owned was unsurprisingly impressive, and the house itself looked welcoming and homey - something Luke had said was entirely down to his Grandma Emma.
Pulling up in front of the house, Reid saw that Luke's car was already there and found himself smiling at the realisation. Shaking his head at himself - sure, they were having fun together, but he didn't need to be that much of a sap - Reid grabbed a few things from the car before locking up and heading towards the house.
Tapping on the screen door, he soon saw a woman come into view, pulling the door open.
"Come in, come in," she invited effusively, urging him into a kitchen that smelt amazing. "You must be Reid." Lily and Holden were both lurking further away, by what was clearly the dinner table.
"Grandma Emma?" he asked. "You have a lovely home." He was being deliberately charming, of course, but he spoke the truth anyway. Everything looked very...comfortable.
"Oh, why thank you," she tittered, pleased.
"These are for you," he went on just as Luke came into view from another room, a gaggle of kids following behind him.
"Goodness," she declared, bringing the bouquet up to her face and inhaling deeply, "what beautiful flowers. I'll get them in water right away."
Staring across the room at him, Luke just shook his head with a smirk.
"There's also this," he added before she could move, holding out the bottle of non-alcoholic wine. "I thought maybe we could have it with dinner."
"What a wonderful idea," Emma agreed, "and so generous of you, Reid - thank you so much."
"It's nothing," he assured her, as she finally left to put the flowers in some water.
Slowly making his way across the room to him, Luke had his hands shoved into his pockets. Reid was sure they were both vividly aware that Luke's parents were watching and probably knew that they hadn't seen each other all day.
"Reid Oliver," he greeted softly, hands sliding out of his pockets, "making Grandmother's happy everywhere."
"It's hard being this likeable," he said easily as they grinned at each other.
"Missed you," Luke said quietly as he moved in, hands tugging Reid in close.
"You too," he murmured because it was actually true, meeting Luke in a kiss that went on for a few moments and for all that Luke had had that weird blip yesterday, there was absolutely no sign of it now.
"Come on," he grinned as he pulled away, tugging Reid by his left hand, "I'll introduce you to everyone." They only had to go a few feet, really, but Luke kept holding his hand anyway.
Reid decided he didn't mind.
"Mom, Dad," Luke said, looking at both of them, "you've both met Reid already."
"That's right, Dr Oliver - Reid," Lily corrected. "I'll admit I was surprised when I heard about you and Luke, especially given your history of...clashing," she told him. "But Luke's happiness is the only thing that matters, so I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt."
There might have been a compliment there somewhere. Then again, maybe not. "Miss Walsh," he greeted. "Mr Snyder," he continued, shaking Holden's hand.
"Holden, please," he said, releasing Reid's hand. "And I was as surprised as Lily, but then you never know what life's going to throw at you," he stared at Reid, "do you?"
"Truer words," Reid agreed. He'd certainly never seen Luke as his fake boyfriend coming.
"And Reid," Luke continued excitedly, "this is Faith, Natalie and Ethan." He gestured to his siblings each in turn. "Guys, this is Reid. You're going to see him around a lot more from now on."
"Like Noah?" Natalie asked.
Luke's smile didn't even falter. "That's right, Nat."
"As long as this guy makes you happy," Faith said darkly, glaring at Reid like she was just waiting for him to screw up.
"Faith," Luke warned, smile vanishing.
"I'm just saying I hope you have better taste in men this time," she replied and Reid decided then and there that he liked her.
"Can't argue with that," Reid shrugged, earning himself his own small glare from Luke. "Ethan, right?" he asked the youngest one, holding out his hand. "I'm Reid."
"Reid," Ethan repeated shyly, though he did manage a kid-sized handshake. "You're a doctor?"
"That's right," he encouraged. "Maybe one day I can take you into work and show you what a brain really looks like."
"Maybe not, Dr Oliver," Lily said quickly, before correcting herself again. "Reid. We don't want to traumatise Ethan."
"There's nothing inherently traumatising about the brain," he told her. "It's an organ, just like any other."
"Yes, well," she told him, "I'd rather Ethan didn't see any internal organs just yet. Thank you."
"Well," Emma intervened, making them all turn to face her. "dinner's all but done. Please, all of you, take a seat and we can begin."
After what seemed like an elaborate game of musical chairs, everyone was seated and dinner was ready to be served. Reid ended up with Luke to his left and Faith on his right. Every time he turned in her direction, she was staring at him suspiciously.
"Tough crowd," he told her, one time.
"I don't know you," she spat back.
He shrugged. "That'll change."
Calling for everyone's attention, Emma said grace - even thanked Reid for being there, which was something - and then they were all invited to tuck in.
The food was incredible. Nothing fancy, but absolutely delicious. In fact, Reid felt that the meal got off to an excellent start all around as Holden asked about his career and he got to talk about his professional exploits for a while.
It didn't last.
Before long, Lily started taking verbal swipes at her ex-husband. It was subtle, at first, but became much more obvious as the meal went on. Reid had to give Holden some credit, he didn't retaliate right away, asking Lily if they could just focus on having a nice meal. But eventually even he, too, succumbed and the next time she made a dig at him about someone called Molly, he spat something back.
Clearly, no one else knew what to do about the situation. Emma looked lost and embarrassed but was too polite to do anything about it. The most she'd achieved was changing the subject a few times, but it always went right back to their little argument. Luke just looked sad, absently playing with his food. The kids had clearly noticed, too. Having given up the pretext of eating at all, Faith had sat back in her chair with her arms folded across her chest like this was business as usual. Natalie had her head bowed down, shoulders slumped and even Ethan knew something was up, though Luke was trying to distract him by encouraging him to build a mashed potato mountain.
When Lily hissed out something about how selfish Holden was and Luke actually flinched, Reid had finally reached his limit.
He didn't need either of Luke's parents to like him to keep playing Luke's boyfriend.
"Will the two of you get over yourselves already?"
He'd said it loudly and clearly and at least the shock of it made the two of them shut up for a few seconds.
"Dr Oliver," Lily began once she'd gotten over her shock, "Reid-"
"No, you can keep calling me Dr Oliver," he told her, "because nothing you've done tonight has earned you the right to use my first name."
"I beg your pardon-"
"How about you beg your family's pardon," he told her, glancing around at them. "Have you noticed how this stupid little argument of yours has affected them at all, or do you really only care about what you want?"
Seeming ashamed, Holden glanced away.
Lily wasn't about to give in so easily. "Our personal business has nothing to do with you-"
"I beg to differ," he interrupted, "not only am I dating Luke - the guy I'm crazy about, by the way - but you made it my business when you insisted on arguing about it in front of me. What upsets Luke, upsets me. And I know it sure as hell upsets him that his parents don't even seem to notice how distraught his little brothers and sisters are."
"I really don't think-"
Luke had been silent the entire time until then, only staring at Reid with wide eyes. Now, he finally seemed to find his voice. "He's right, Mom. This was...terrible," he admitted. "Embarrassing. You said you wanted to meet my new boyfriend but all you did was humiliate me. In fact," pushing his chair back, he stood up, "we're leaving."
Holden finally found his voice, too. "You sure about that, son? We can...talk this out..."
"You and Mom need to, yes," he agreed, "but you're not dragging the rest of us into it anymore. Come on, guys," he encouraged, planting a smile on his face as he spoke to his siblings, "grab your jackets and we'll all go get milkshakes at Al's, okay?"
Ethan and Natalie both cheered up immediately, running off to get their jackets. Faith still looked miserable but conceded to move out of her chair when Luke gave her a look.
"I can't believe this," Lily complained, standing to face them, "you can't just-"
"Oh, for goodness sake, Lily," Emma said firmly, "will you please just stop? Reid was only saying what the rest of us were thinking." Standing herself, Emma grabbed Luke's arms and smiled at him emotionally. "You go do what you need to do. I'll stay here and make sure they talk this thing out finally - for good."
"Thanks, Grandma," he said, before hugging her fiercely.
After that they were ready to go, just waiting as Natalie helped Ethan into his jacket. Emma, Lily and Holden made an awkward tableau as they all waited near the dinner table, looking at turns embarrassed and ashamed.
As the rest of them starting barrelling out of the house, Luke handed his car keys to Faith. "Faith, here, go on ahead and get Ethan in the child seat, okay?"
Not even muttering in disgust she did as she was told, holding Ethan's hand.
Once they were alone in the porch Reid turned to face him, as he'd obviously wanted to be alone for a reason.
"What's-"
He never got to finish asking his question as, pushing him up against the wall, Luke kissed him fiercely, deeply, and longer than he ever had before.
Not being an idiot, Reid kissed back, but when it was finally over and Luke was just smiling at him a little shyly, Reid had an entirely different question.
"What was that for?"
"I just figured that's how I'd say thank you, if I really was your boyfriend," Luke told him, biting his lip innocently. "You didn't like it?"
"I didn't say that." How could he not like a kiss like that?
"Good," Luke continued, grabbing Reid's hand and tugging him on even though no one was watching. "Now let's go get some milkshakes," he added, "my treat."
TBC
Original post on Dreamwidth - there are
comments there.
by Suz
Feedback would be fab! Also posted on AO3 here.
*
It all came back to bite Reid in the ass when he got home from work the next day - namely in the form of one Katie Peretti who seemed to literally spring out of the woodwork as he hung up his jacket.
Well, tried to.
"Jesus," he muttered, flinching away, instinctively holding the jacket in front of him protectively.
"Hi, Reid," she said intensely, and not a little creepily. She really had that scary eye thing going on.
"Blondie," he greeted, finally hanging the jacket up. He had a pretty good idea what this was about already. "Good day at work? How's Jacob's ear infection?"
"Oh no you don't, mister," she warned. "You are not getting out of this by being all...nice." True, that wasn't his strongest trait.
Brushing passed her, he made a break for the sofa so at least he didn't feel so cornered. "Okay," he gave in, gesturing towards himself as he sat down, "throw it at me."
Rather than get right to the point, though, she drew it out as she slowly stepped over towards him. "Is there anything you...I don't know...want to tell me?"
Reid looked her over. "Your roots need doing."
"Reid," she huffed out, "I'm being serious."
"So am I." They really did need a touch-up.
"You and Luke?" she exclaimed, throwing her hands to the side, finally just getting to it. "How could you not tell me this?"
So she had heard, then. "Because it's none of your business?"
"Of course it is," she argued, throwing herself down next to him. "We're friends, Reid, and we live together. I've told you so much about Brad - how could you not tell me about this?"
Great, now he felt like an ass. It wasn't an unusual feeling for him, admittedly, but he didn't like that it was Katie he was upsetting. "Look, the thing between me and Luke is nothing like it was for you and Brad, okay? You and Brad were...serious," he acknowledged, long knowing this was the one area he had to tread carefully about with her. "Luke and I are just having fun." That wasn't a lie, at least. Luke wasn't the only one who found the experience of fooling everyone enjoyable - Reid had thoroughly enjoyed himself the evening before.
It probably said a lot about him - about them - that they both wanted to keep living this lie than facing the crap that was going on in their lives, but everyone deserved to have a little fun, right? Even him.
"It was just...such a surprise when I heard," Katie told him. "You used to complain about him so much. Mind you," she said contemplatively, "now that I think about it, you did use the phrase 'annoyingly attractive' a lot of times."
"He still is," he nodded. "How does one guy look that good, every single day?"
"And 'spoiled rich kid'?"
"Still is, in his own way," Reid acknowledged, "though he does largely use his powers for good instead of evil, I'll give him that much. Do you know all the different things that foundation of his actually does?" Reid still found it remarkable, honestly, that someone as young as Luke had accomplished so much already. True, it was only because he had access to so much money, but at least he was using it for something that actually benefited others. Reid started going on, at length, about everything Luke had told him about the foundation the night before, when he noticed the way Katie was grinning at him.
"And then he...what are you smiling at? It's creepy."
It only got wider - and creepier. "You really do have a thing for Luke."
Feeling absurdly uncomfortable, Reid was about to shake the idea off when he realised he didn't have to. He was supposed to like Luke. "Well, clearly. Otherwise we wouldn't be dating."
"No, I mean," Katie began, shifting next to him, "you said you were just having fun. I thought maybe you were just being Luke's rebound after Noah-"
"Thanks."
"-or that you were just having hate sex or something-"
"Sadly, none of that going on just yet."
"But you actually like him," she concluded. "A lot."
Reid felt stupidly caught out and defensive for some reason. "Yeah, and?"
"It's just nice, that's all," she confided. "I know you haven't talked about your own ex's much but I pieced together enough to know that someone hurt you, badly." She didn't look sad for him, exactly - more understanding. Reid had to look away anyway. "I'm just glad that hasn't stopped you from trying."
"Right," he cleared his throat, still looking away. "Yeah."
"So, come on," she said cheerily, moving on as she slapped his arm, "give me the details! How did it start?"
This was still better than thinking about Steve, so he made himself respond. "He was always around, you know, because of Noah. And at first I just - hated him. He was always underfoot and his hair always looked so stupid. But then as I got to know him I realised he did what he did for a good reason - because he cares so much."
"Aww," Katie observed, tipping her head to one side.
Realising he'd probably been going on a bit too much, Reid quickly moved on. "Anyway, even after he and Noah split I kept seeing him around everywhere and..." he shrugged. "You know how these things are. It just...happened."
"So nothing happened before he and Noah-?"
"God, no," he interrupted. "Even I'm not that much of a dick." Reid had honestly never had any interest in starting something with someone who was already in a relationship.
"How long have you been seeing each other?"
"Just a couple of weeks, really. We'd been keeping it...subtle, while we worked things out."
"Until last night."
"Until last night," he agreed.
"When, as I understand it, things got hot and heavy between the two of you at Metro." Katie leered at him knowingly.
Oh, for goodness sake. "The gossip in this town is really quite remarkable."
"How fast it works?"
"And how wrong they get it," he added. "It was one kiss - it was hardly 'hot and heavy'." He thought about it. "Not that my kissing skills aren't awesome."
"No doubt," she retorted. "And I'm sure Luke is very glad about that fact."
"Obviously," he agreed, because he hadn't been exaggerating about his skill when it came to kissing. He more than knew what he was doing.
So did Luke, as he vividly remembered.
"So were you actually slow dancing?" Katie asked next. "Or was that something the gossip mill got wrong, too?"
"No," he admitted, not enjoying the way she seemed to be literally vibrating next to him. "That happened." Reid stared at Katie and her disturbing grin. "Okay," he conceded, "what is it?"
"Oh, you know," she said deceptively casually, "still really doesn't sound like two guys who are just 'having fun'."
Really? "Full offense, Katie, but you're not a guy - and certainly not a gay guy. I think it's down to me and Luke to decide what we're doing."
"Absolutely," she agreed, far too easily. "Except that you already admitted that you have a thing for him. And that he cares about people a lot. And-"
"Well he's also a dick," Reid pointed out, "which is probably the real reason we get on so well." He honestly thought that was the truth. While Luke's goody two-shoes side definitely had it's own appeal, it was his dark side that was far more entertaining. He'd thoroughly enjoyed how they'd metaphorically butted heads last night, trying to outdo each other in the boyfriend stakes. He'd even forgotten, for a while, just why they were doing it at all.
"Well that makes much more sense," Katie said sarcastically, because she'd seen through him almost from the beginning.
"I know, right?" he replied instead, standing up and deciding it was time to put an end to this interrogation. "Anyway, I'm starving-" His phone went off. "Probably Luke," he said absently, because no one else ever really texted him. Pausing, he pulled it out of the pockets of his pants and confirmed that it was, indeed, from Luke.
Having fully committed to the role, Luke had been texting him on and off all day. It was always something a little too cheesy, a little too over-emotional - no doubt on purpose - about how much fun he'd had last night, how much he was missing Reid today. Reid knew it was all bullshit because, well, Luke could be just as much of a dick as he was, and every single text ended with that kissy-face emoji.
Luke was clearly having a grand old time pretending to fall for Reid, so it only seemed right for Reid to get in on the action - he didn't want to miss out on any of the fun himself. As a doctor Reid couldn't check his messages whenever he wanted, but when he did get the time he always sent some kind of response to Luke's message. He even sent an emoji, which he honestly thought he'd never sent before in his life, but that 'stars in my eyes' emoji was just too good to pass up.
Of course, he also wanted to be better than Luke even at this and found the time to quickly compose a haiku about the shade of Luke's eyes - that was the message Luke was finally responding to now. Either something had kept him busy for the past couple of hours, or he'd been trying - and failing - to think up a stunning retort.
It was the latter.
You win, Luke's message read. You're far more romantic than I'll ever be.
A second message underneath simply read, ...or are you?
Nothing else seemed to be coming after that, so Reid simply shrugged and replied, You were right the first time. Putting his phone away, Reid clapped his hands together. "Dinner."
"I'll cook," Katie volunteered, getting to her feet.
Not that he was about to complain, but... "It's my turn." They usually ate together, most nights.
"Yes, it is," she agreed as she moved across to the kitchen, "but your idea of cooking is slinging one of those TV dinners into the microwave."
"It is not food?" he asked, honestly a little offended as he followed behind her. "Is it not edible?"
"That's a matter of opinion," she said dryly, turning the oven on. "Honestly," Katie said as she faced him, "I'm amazed that a doctor eats the way you do." This wasn't the first time she'd commented on his diet. "You'd think you of all people would know better."
"Well, when you've been blessed with a metabolism as amazing as mine, you'd eat whatever you wanted, too." Reid wasn't really joking - even half-way into his thirties, he'd barely had to adjust what he ate. Not that he was a complete slob - he did yoga and did eat some fruit and vegetables, it was just usually part of some pre-prepared meal he could cook easily and quickly. He was a busy man - he'd never really had the time, or interest, in learning how to cook.
"That won't last forever, you know," Katie pointed out. "At some point it's all going to catch up with you." She seemed particularly delighted at the prospect. "And then how will you keep Luke interested?"
He knew what she was going for, but it wasn't going to work. Reid just rolled his eyes. "Luke doesn't care about that stuff."
She stared at him knowingly. "Not even when he's surrounded by hot, young guys his own age? And all he has to compare them to is his much older boyfriend?"
Wow. "You are evil."
"I can be," she agreed, opening the fridge. "Now, I'm going to make you a huge portion of fresh vegetables and you're going to eat all of it."
Reid thought about it for a moment. "I'll help you chop." He was just reaching for a knife when there was a knock on the door. Surprised, he abandoned the quest for a knife and went to see who it was instead. "I'll get it."
He regretted that choice the moment he swung open the door because there, standing in the doorway to their apartment, was a beleagured-looking delivery guy, struggling under the weight of an enormous display of flowers.
"Help," he pleaded and Reid moved forward instinctively, helping the guy lean the flowers up against the door frame.
"Katie," he called out, because that was a ridiculous amount of flowers, "are these from that fan again? I'll repeat what I said the first time - you need to get a post office box. That said," he shrugged, inspecting the flowers as Katie came over, "he has to be loaded because these must've cost a-"
Oh, no. Of course.
He was an idiot.
"Actually," the delivery guy said, pulling a piece of paper out, "these are for Reid Oliver." He stared at Reid hopefully. "Please tell me that's you."
"Yep," he drawled, "that's me."
"Thank God," the guy said, no doubt relieved at not having to lug the flowers anywhere else.
As Katie made it over to them, her hand went up to her mouth. "Oh my God."
"I also have to read this to you," Delivery Guy said. "It's a...little unusual, but he paid me a huge tip for the fast delivery and this, so..." Shrugging, he unfolded the piece of paper and started reading aloud. "Dearest Reid..."
"Oh my God," Katie repeated.
Overcoming the shock and appreciating all the effort Luke had gone to, Reid finally started to smile.
"I was trying to think of a way to show you how much you mean to me," Delivery Guy continued reading, "so this seemed like a good start. You bring me so much joy and make me laugh, every single day. My heart literally races when you come near. It amazes me how things have changed since we first met, but I'm so happy they have. I can hardly believe that the man who once told me he hoped I'd choke on the silver spoon in my mouth-"
"You actually said that?" Katie asked quietly.
"He deserved it."
"-is the same man," Delivery Guy went on, after a brief pause, "that I now get to date. Who opens up to me in ways I never expected. I still can't believe you told me about that one night stand who gave you gonorrhoea."
"Okay, wow," Katie remarked.
Absolutely entertained, Reid just started quietly laughing.
"It lets me know that I can tell you anything without judgement, too," Delivery Guy continued, "so here I am, telling you that I think I'm falling in love with you." Delivery Guy tried to look at him like he meant it, but Reid couldn't really blame him for failing. "Also?" he read. "Mom wants you to come over for dinner."
Finally finished, Delivery Guy folded the piece of paper and held it out to him.
"Congrats, dude," Delivery Guy said afterwards, punching Reid on the arm. "There's not a lot of guys who'd be that understanding."
Reid made a face, then realised he should probably give the guy a tip himself. He was already reaching for his wallet when the guy held up his hands.
"No, it's okay - trust me, that's more than been taken care of. He didn't want you paying for anything at all. Well, uh," he said awkwardly, "that's me done. Hope it all works out for you."
Dragging the flowers further into the apartment, Reid shut the door in his face.
Staring at the flowers, now propped up against a bookcase, he just shook his head in amazement.
"That's Luke for you," Katie said encouragingly, rubbing his arm, "he's never done relationships half-way."
Apparently Luke didn't do anything half-way and Reid could honestly only keep standing there, stunned, knowing he'd been completely outplayed.
And he'd loved every single second of it.
*
"You have to call him," Katie urged, when they'd both gotten over the shock.
He did need to call Luke - to congratulate him on a job well done. Even Reid could appreciate other people's brilliance. But he couldn't exactly say that to Katie. "What for?"
"This a huge gesture, Reid," she explained frantically, "Luke's really taken a chance, here. You have to let him know your true feelings, whether you feel the same way or not - he's probably beside himself waiting to hear back from you. You can't keep him waiting, whatever your reply is."
God save him from romantic room mates.
"Call him," she insisted again.
"Wait, right now?"
"Yes, right now," she rolled her eyes, shoving Reid towards his bedroom. "I'll go do...something with the flowers, you go call Luke." When he still hadn't really gone anywhere, she made a shooing motion in his direction. "Go!"
"You need to get out more," he said, but did escape to his room. Closing the door - ostensibly for privacy - Reid pulled out his phone and sat on the edge of the bed. Unlocking his phone, he went to his recent calls and hit Luke's name.
He knew exactly what he was going to say.
"You got them?" was the first thing Luke asked when he answered the call.
"Oh, I got them," he replied, "and I have to admit I'm impressed. There aren't many people who can go toe-to-toe with me."
"Why thank you," Luke said, sounding justifiably smug.
"Katie thinks I'm in here right now either confessing my undying love or breaking up with you."
"That's extreme."
"Yeah, but your little letter didn't leave us much in the way of wiggle room, did it? Falling in love with me? Really?"
"Hey, it's the natural progression of our amazing relationship. If we really want this to look convincing..."
He was right and Reid knew it. "You didn't have to do it in such a...dramatic way."
"Well, of course I didn't," he retorted, sounding amused, "that was just for fun. I wish I could've seen your face..." Luke's voice drifted off as he was probably trying to envision it.
"It was a picture, I'll give you that much."
"I bet," he said happily. "Of course, now I have to contend with whatever romantic horrors you're going to dream up."
"Me?" Reid asked innocently. "Even I couldn't possibly surpass the cheesy romance of what you just pulled off."
"True," Luke agreed, much too easily. "I'm sure that kind of romantic openness is beyond you."
He might as well have just said he was going to try and use reverse psychology. "You really think I'm going to fall for that?"
"Okay," Luke admitted after a few moments, "so that was a little obvious. I just..." Stepping back from their little competition, he spoke seriously. "I meant what I said the other day. This honestly has been so much fun. Oh my God, Reid, when I was typing up that letter for you I was just sitting there laughing to myself the entire time. I haven't been that happy in..." he paused as he thought about it, "...I don't know how long. Pretty pathetic, I guess," he mused, "that I'm happier with a fake boyfriend who used to hate me than I ever was with an actual boyfriend."
Reid honestly thought they said so much more about Noah than anything else. "Yeah, well, I'm the one who wanted a fake boyfriend in the first place so if you're pathetic then so am I."
"Wow, Reid," Luke said, sounding mockingly amazed, "are you actually trying to make me feel better? First you compliment my romancing skills and now this? Careful," he grinned, "or people will start thinking you actually like me or something."
The truth of it was, he already did. Despite everything, he'd actually come to like Luke Snyder. "Isn't that the point?"
"Oh, of course," Luke said easily, "I'm sure you complimenting me when no one else is around is for the benefit of other people."
Okay, so he didn't like him that much. "I will concede," he said, "that you're not as terrible to spend time with as I initially thought."
"Stop, stop," he insisted, "I can't handle all this flattery."
"Well you either want compliments or you don't," Reid shot back, "having it both ways is just greedy."
Luke paused and it wasn't long before Reid discovered why. "That sounds...dirty," he confessed.
How old was Luke again? "Only if you have a dirty mind. That says a lot about you, Mr Snyder."
Apparently, he'd decided to ignore that comment - which was probably wise. It was honestly more flirtatious that Reid had intended.
"What I was going to say," Luke said instead, "is that...you're not so bad, either. I wouldn't even mind if you stuck around after you bring Noah's sight back."
That wasn't something Reid had seen coming. "Praise indeed," he remarked, still thinking about that. "Though you know I'm leaving as soon as he can see again."
There was a brief pause. "I know," Luke said, "which is why I thought I should point it out."
"That's a rapid turnaround."
"Hey, you make a guy laugh and it forgives a lot," he offered. "Besides, this whole thing has made me realise we're not all that different."
This probably didn't bode well. "How so?"
"We both have problematic exes. We both have a lot of insecurities because of it," he confessed and yeah, it really hadn't boded well. "I always thought you didn't give a crap what anyone thought," Luke said, "but seeing how you reacted to Steve made he realise you're human, just like the rest of us. I mean," he went on, "I kind of knew that already? I just didn't want to see it. You'd been such a jerk to me-"
"With good reason."
"Not arguing that," he replied. "But the point was that I didn't want to see the human side of you. Before."
"But you do now?"
"Well it does make you much more interesting," he admitted. "I kind of wanna know what makes you tick, now."
"Oh?" Since when did Reid get so damn fascinating? Other than by existing at all, of course.
"Yeah," Luke confirmed. "Can't help but wonder if the reason you're so...you is because of what Steve did to you."
This conversation had already been pushing Reid's limits for some time, but now Luke had firmly struck against them. "That's giving him more credit than he deserves - you don't even know what he did."
"No, but I know he screwed you over somehow - and you were together at the time. That's enough to mess anyone up."
Reid's voice tightened. "Don't think you know me because of one fake date."
Luke sighed heavily. "And there you go with the overly-defensive stuff. I'm not gonna use this against you, you know. After the things you already know about me, that'd be seriously counterproductive."
Rather than just reacting, Reid forced himself to think about it. They did have a lot of stuff on each other at this point - he was probably safe. "So," he began, wildly changing topics because this one needed to be done with now, "dinner with mom, huh?"
Luke took a few moments playing catch up. "Yeah, if you're up for it."
"I assure you, I'm up for-"
"Now who's the one with the dirty mind?"
"Come on, anyone would've found that dirty."
"I dunno," Luke said, sounding amused as he brought them back around to the subject, "probably not my mom."
Speaking of... "Were you the one who told her about us?"
"The gossip got to her first," Luke said. "Suddenly I had an urgent phone call and interrogation."
"She wasn't happy about it, I take it?" He knew she'd always been a big fan of Noah's.
"Not thrilled," he admitted, "though mostly it seemed to be because you're Noah's doctor. She thought it was...inappropriate."
It probably wasn't the most appropriate thing in the world, but they weren't breaking any rules. "She knows you and Noah aren't together anymore, right?"
"She does," Luke admitted carefully, "but I think she's hoping we'll get back together. I've told her that's really not happening, but..."
That was definitely weird. "Your mom has an unhealthy fixation on your relationship with him."
Silence greeted him for a few seconds. "My instinctive response is to be annoyed at you, but even I've thought the same thing. I think she's tied it all in with her relationship with dad and that's complicated enough," he explained. "They're not together at the moment but Mom wants to be."
Yeah, definitely unhealthy, but he'd probably insulted Luke's mom enough for one day. "Well, after having one fantastic meal with me I'm sure she'll forget all about old Noel."
"Noah."
"Right."
Luke sounded happy, at least. "You sure you're really up for this? Pretending to be on a date is one thing, but you'll have to actually make nice with my family."
"I can be nice."
"Since when?"
Rude. "Do you think I really got to this stage in my career without having learned how to sufficiently brown nose?"
"Just seemed like you'd think it was beneath you, that's all."
"I do," he agreed, "but sometimes even I have to do things I don't like - like coming to Oakdale, for example."
"Ha ha," Luke said dryly, knowing he was the one responsible.
"So, come on. When and where am I putting myself through this ordeal?"
After they'd confirmed details, Reid ended the call, opened his door and wasn't surprised to find Katie suspiciously lurking around nearby. "Were you listening?"
"Unsuccessfully," she said without shame. "So, come on! Tell me how it went."
She really did need to get out more if this was her greatest form of entertainment. Then again, Reid's greatest form of entertainment at the moment was his fake boyfriend so he really wasn't one to talk. "We're still together. That's all you need to know."
"I knew it," she crowed. "There was something about the way you spoke about him...I knew you wouldn't give up on him."
He must've been even more convincing than he'd imagined. "He's worth trying."
"Of course he is," Katie encouraged. "And, just for that, I'm going to make you dessert, too."
Wow. This relationship stuff really was giving him the best of everything.
*
The next day, Reid went through work still in a remarkably good mood. Whenever his mind wasn't occupied with the job he couldn't stop thinking about the evening before and just how much Luke continued to amuse and impress him.
Sadly, he then remembered that he had an appointment with Noah that day. He'd been a little concerned about Noah's reaction but it all seemed to start reasonably enough. Noah arrived - not seeming too happy, admittedly - Reid told him where the chair was and asked him to take a seat. He'd started writing the date on the paperwork when Noah brought the subject up.
"So, you and Luke."
Pausing his note-taking, Reid glanced across at him. "Yes, we exist."
"Come on, Dr Oliver," Noah began, "you know what I mean."
Putting his pen down, he knew there was no getting out of this. "We're dating, yes, but that's all I have to say on the matter."
"That's all? Really?"
Okay, so maybe he could give a little more. "I understand that makes this situation a little...unorthodox."
"Because he's my ex-boyfriend."
'Ex' being the operative term there," he told Noah. "You're not together anymore - neither of us are doing anything wrong. Plus, aren't you dating somebody else?"
"You mean Richard?" he asked. "I mean, I guess."
"You guess?"
"Well, we are," Noah confirmed, "but it's not...going anywhere, you know? It's casual. It's just easy with Richard because we don't have all that history that Luke and I have."
Reid had honestly had no opinion of Richard at all previously. Now he just felt sorry for him. "Is he aware that it's not going anywhere?"
"Sure!" He paused. "I think."
"Regardless, whether you're dating anyone or not, you and Luke are certainly not together anymore so he's free to do what he wants. And, as I understand it," because apparently he needed reminding, "you were the one who gave him the opportunity in the first place."
"Yeah, I did break up with him - I guess that was my fault. But I always thought we'd get back together, just like we always have before," Noah explained. "It was Luke who said he couldn't do it anymore, that this time it was final."
Reid had heard a lot by now, but hadn't been privy to every single detail of Luke and Noah's split. Pleased, he nodded. "Good for him."
"Really?" Noah asked.
"Yes, really," he said bluntly. "He wasn't getting what he needed, so he moved on - finally put himself first."
Glaring, Noah crossed his arms. "Of course you'd say that."
"Well, obviously. I'm the one who benefited from your mistakes."
"Unbelievable." He shook his head in apparent disgust.
"I'm not going to lie to you, Noah - I always said I'd never lie to you and I never will. Admittedly, I was talking about your medical care at the time, but the point remains the same. You messed up," he announced, "I benefited from it, I'm still going to perform your surgery brilliant."
"Which is the only reason I'm even still talking to you, to be honest," Noah told him. "When Luke first told me, well...I wanted nothing to do with you. But he was right, what he said - you're still the only one who has a chance at giving me my sight back and I need to put myself first."
No change from usual there, then. "Well, this is a time when putting yourself first turned out to be a good thing. We all win in this situation, Noah."
"Even Luke?"
"Especially Luke. He gets to date me. Now," picking up his pen, he went back to the paperwork, "any new symptoms?"
Honestly, after that, Reid felt his day was going swimmingly. Noah clearly wasn't going to make it a major issue and he could just get on with his job - which was the most important thing, after all.
Unfortunately, not ten minutes after Noah had left, Reid bumped into someone far less savoury.
"Oh," he said flatly when he encountered Steve, "you. Goodbye," he announced, turning and walking in the opposite direction.
"I need to talk to you," Steve said, chasing after him.
"You really don't," Reid replied. Technically he needed to use the elevator but the last thing he wanted to do was get trapped in there with him.
Absurdly, all he wanted to do was text Luke.
"Just had a new meeting with the board," Steve said as they kept walking, still following behind, "and while at the first meeting they couldn't have been friendlier, suddenly they had 'concerns'." Reid had to pause as a gurney crossed his path and Steve took the opportunity to lean in close, staring into his eyes. "That wouldn't have anything to do with you, now would it?"
"I'm not the one who makes it a habit of ruining people's lives," he spat back, thankfully able to move on.
"I'm glad to hear it," Steve said behind him. "I'd hate to have to make things difficult for you again."
Difficult. Difficult? Finally realising he needed to stop running from the asshole, Reid turned around to face him. "After what you did? What else could you possibly take from me?"
Steve's face transformed into a slimy, disturbing smile. "That's not a question you should ask, Reid," he said slowly, eyes dark, "because you just might find out."
*
Luke and Reid were having dinner the next day at Al's, pressed up against each other on the same side of a booth. Reid has insisted - Luke had been the one to bring the idea of love into their fake relationship, so as far as Reid was concerned he also had to live with the consequences.
Luke hadn't hesitated, sliding into the booth next to Reid and reaching for the menu.
Reid had to remind himself to stop underestimating him. It wasn't easy - Reid was used to underestimating almost everyone - but Luke had proven, time and time again, just how stubborn he was.
After their drinks had arrived and food had been ordered, he asked after Luke's day.
"You're so thoughtful," Luke said too-nicely, leaning against him for a moment before moving on. "My day was pretty good, actually. Although, then I spoke to Mom." His expression changed into a frown.
Reid found he didn't like seeing that happen. "That meal with her tomorrow should be interesting."
"To put it mildly," Luke replied, "because as it turns out..." he hesitated, shooting a glance at Reid. "Well, see, I thought it was just going to be at the town house with Mom and maybe Natalie and Ethan."
Uh huh. Clearly that had changed. "But now?"
"Dad and Grandma found out about you," Luke admitted. "So now it's going to be at the farm with everyone. And even though Mom and Dad really aren't getting on at the moment they're both insisting on being there, so..." He blew out a breath. "It's going to be way more interesting that we originally imagined."
Great, family drama. Still... "I put myself in this position. Guess I'll have to live with the consequences." The irony wasn't lost on him - he'd only just been thinking the same thing about Luke.
"It won't be too much for you?" Luke genuinely seemed concerned.
"Probably," he shrugged, 'Family' for him had existed as nothing more than a concept for a long time. And even when his parents were still alive, it was never that many people - not like Luke's family. "To new experiences," he toasted, mockingly lifting his glass.
Luke rolled his eyes, but clinked glasses with Reid anyway.
Sipping at his drink, he started really thinking over what Luke had said about his parents. He'd known, from somewhere, that Lily and Holden weren't together at the moment, though he couldn't remember Luke ever expressly telling him anything about it. That had to suck, though, especially when there were kids in the mix. "So, your folks," he observed, finally putting his glass down. "That must suck."
"Yeah, it does," Luke said honestly. "It'd be one thing if they just weren't happy together anymore, or weren't in love anymore - but they can't even be in the same room together these days without arguing about something."
That sounded...extremely unpleasant. "Sounds fun."
"Tons," he said wryly.
Reid knew how close Luke was to the rest of his family - it had to be impacting on him. "How are you coping with that?"
"By focusing on the kids, mostly," he explained. "Faith's going though her bitter, 'I hate the world' phase - the only people she'll even really talk to these days are me and Grandma. Natalie's just...lost," he said sadly, gaze turning introspective. "I worry about her, she's so quiet all the time. And Ethan is...young," he shrugged, "so I think he's taken it the best. He doesn't really understand why Mom's not living at the farm with them anymore, though."
Geez, everything that'd happened with Noah and this, too? "No wonder you're distracting yourself by playing boyfriend."
"I did say I needed some fun," he pointed out, which was true.
When was the last time anyone had put Luke first?
"Luckily for you," he drawled, "I'm tons of fun."
"And so modest as well," Luke pointed out, grinning at him. Honestly, Luke's smile - and face in general - was even nicer close up. Reid was thinking about kissing him - his face was right there - when the smile faded as Luke turned serious. "Thank you," he said sincerely.
Reid blinked at him, lost. "What?"
"Thank you," he repeated, looking amused. "I understand it may not be a phrase you get to hear very often," he teased. "It's just...nobody ever asks me how I'm coping with things. Noah didn't really do it, even before he got blinded - but you have, so, thank you." He smiled again, gently this time. "It means a lot."
"Ah, it's nothing," he brushed off, "just me being an awesome boyfriend to my boyfriend."
Shaking his head, Luke soon became curious. "Have there been many boyfriends?" he asked. "Partners?"
Reid hadn't expected this topic, but he probably should have. "A few. Steve was the first real one though, so..."
Luke's face grew serious. "That must've made things...difficult for you."
"You could say that." He'd had a hard time trusting anyone after that, and he hadn't been the most open of people to begin with.
"You know," Luke began carefully, holding Reid's gaze, "if you ever want to talk about it...him...I'm more than willing to listen - especially after than run-in you had with him yesterday. I mean," he grinned lightly, "you've listened to me rant about my own issues, it only seems fair. And this is the kind of thing boyfriends do, right?"
He was teasing, but he wasn't wrong. "Not really the topic I like to waste time thinking about."
"Understandable," Luke said softly. "But if you want to, one day - even when we're not 'together' anymore - I'd be more than happy to listen."
"You think we'll still speak to each other after this?"
"You think we won't?" Luke shot back. "I can be quite determined."
No kidding. "Tell me something I don't know."
"We can be those exes who stay good friends."
Interesting. "You think you can fake that?"
"I won't have to fake anything," he said openly. "At this point I honestly like spending time with you. Yeah, you can be an ass, but you're a funny ass. And I know you won't suddenly start ignoring me - you've been having just as much fun as I have," he said knowingly. "No one's that good an actor."
"Oh?" Reid would've agreed with that, but then he'd thought he'd known Steve.
"Your smile gives you away," Luke shared, like it was a secret.
Seriously? "My smile?"
"Yeah. It's been nice, actually seeing it lately." Reaching out, he touched the side of Reid's face. "You should let people see it more."
He really was something else. "My God, you are cheesy."
"Hmm," Luke considered, drawing his hand back, "and something tells me you're starting to find that being a little cheesy isn't so bad."
"Don't impugn my reputation that way," Reid insisted, because tragically it may have been the truth. It hadn't been completely horrible, being more obviously romantic - even if it wasn't real. It no doubt helped that he found Luke attractive and they'd turned it into a game more than anything else - but still. Reid was definitely pushing himself out of his limits.
"How you gonna stop me?" he asked, not a little flirtatiously. Their faces were so close to each other...
"If I was really your boyfriend I'd probably kiss you to shut you up."
"Well," Luke's hand moved around to the back of his neck, eyes dropping to Reid's mouth, "we do need to look convincing."
"Right," Reid agreed easily, because he wasn't stupid enough to talk himself out of kissing Luke.
Unfortunately the kiss had only really just started when someone intervened.
"Dude," a male voice interrupted and they - sadly - pulled apart to see a guy in his early twenties staring at them. "I know you told me and everything, Luke, but I honestly didn't believe it until now."
Looking a little caught out - even embarrassed - for the first time since arriving for dinner, Luke shifted in his seat, pulling away from Reid.
Weird.
"Casey," Luke greeted, an obvious flush on his cheeks.
What the hell?
"Luke," Casey replied with a smirk, obviously noticing his discomfort. "And you're Dr Oliver, right?" he asked, focusing on Reid.
Reid was pretty sure he'd seen the guy hanging around with Luke a few times, but they'd never actually met. "Right. No idea who you are." Apart from being called Casey, apparently.
"My man Luke hasn't been bigging me up to his new man?" He seemed to have a permanent smile etched on his face.
"You're really not the topic of conversation when we're alone together," Luke told him.
"I can see that," he kept grinning, looking between them. "Anyway, I'm Casey," he introduced, "Luke and I are bros. He used to think you were a dick, he doesn't anymore. I was honestly worried when he said he was dating you so soon after Noah but you're obviously as into him as he is into you, so - it's all good," he shrugged.
Okay, then. "Thanks?" Not that he needed this guy's blessing. Not that Luke did.
"No problem," he winked. "I gotta shoot off, on my way to meet someone," he told Luke, holding up his to-go bag that he'd obviously just picked up. "But you two..." he looked from one to the other, waggling his eyebrows, "...keep having fun."
With one last grin, he was gone.
Reid shook his head. "That was weird."
Luke was finally starting to look a little more comfortable. "That's Casey for you."
"Not that, I mean you," he said, which just made Luke tense up again. "You got all...embarrassed and weird. And you're all tense right now."
"You noticed that?" Luke asked, then answered the question himself. "What am I talking about, of course you noticed that."
Reid could only really reach one conclusion. "Do you have a thing for him or-"
"God, no, nothing like that," he insisted so clearly it had to be true. "I'm sorry, it was just me being an idiot for a minute. It's fine."
Reid doubted that. "If you're really not okay with this pretending to date thing, I'll deal with Steve some other way-"
"No," he said firmly, meaning it. "I don't need to stop - like I said, it's a lot of fun and I really need that right now. If anything, you're the one doing me the favour."
"True, I do have refined tastes," Reid 'agreed', letting Luke off the hook - he obviously didn't want Reid to push it. "Being wanted by someone like me is a compliment."
"Aaaaaaand we're back the modesty again," Luke grinned, looking back to his typical self already.
"Even I can't be perfect," he retorted, just as he saw their food being brought over to them. "Go on, then," he continued as he moved his drink to make way for his meal, "tell me all about what horrors await me tomorrow."
*
Having been given thorough instructions on how to get to the farmhouse, Reid drove himself there the next night. The amount of land they owned was unsurprisingly impressive, and the house itself looked welcoming and homey - something Luke had said was entirely down to his Grandma Emma.
Pulling up in front of the house, Reid saw that Luke's car was already there and found himself smiling at the realisation. Shaking his head at himself - sure, they were having fun together, but he didn't need to be that much of a sap - Reid grabbed a few things from the car before locking up and heading towards the house.
Tapping on the screen door, he soon saw a woman come into view, pulling the door open.
"Come in, come in," she invited effusively, urging him into a kitchen that smelt amazing. "You must be Reid." Lily and Holden were both lurking further away, by what was clearly the dinner table.
"Grandma Emma?" he asked. "You have a lovely home." He was being deliberately charming, of course, but he spoke the truth anyway. Everything looked very...comfortable.
"Oh, why thank you," she tittered, pleased.
"These are for you," he went on just as Luke came into view from another room, a gaggle of kids following behind him.
"Goodness," she declared, bringing the bouquet up to her face and inhaling deeply, "what beautiful flowers. I'll get them in water right away."
Staring across the room at him, Luke just shook his head with a smirk.
"There's also this," he added before she could move, holding out the bottle of non-alcoholic wine. "I thought maybe we could have it with dinner."
"What a wonderful idea," Emma agreed, "and so generous of you, Reid - thank you so much."
"It's nothing," he assured her, as she finally left to put the flowers in some water.
Slowly making his way across the room to him, Luke had his hands shoved into his pockets. Reid was sure they were both vividly aware that Luke's parents were watching and probably knew that they hadn't seen each other all day.
"Reid Oliver," he greeted softly, hands sliding out of his pockets, "making Grandmother's happy everywhere."
"It's hard being this likeable," he said easily as they grinned at each other.
"Missed you," Luke said quietly as he moved in, hands tugging Reid in close.
"You too," he murmured because it was actually true, meeting Luke in a kiss that went on for a few moments and for all that Luke had had that weird blip yesterday, there was absolutely no sign of it now.
"Come on," he grinned as he pulled away, tugging Reid by his left hand, "I'll introduce you to everyone." They only had to go a few feet, really, but Luke kept holding his hand anyway.
Reid decided he didn't mind.
"Mom, Dad," Luke said, looking at both of them, "you've both met Reid already."
"That's right, Dr Oliver - Reid," Lily corrected. "I'll admit I was surprised when I heard about you and Luke, especially given your history of...clashing," she told him. "But Luke's happiness is the only thing that matters, so I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt."
There might have been a compliment there somewhere. Then again, maybe not. "Miss Walsh," he greeted. "Mr Snyder," he continued, shaking Holden's hand.
"Holden, please," he said, releasing Reid's hand. "And I was as surprised as Lily, but then you never know what life's going to throw at you," he stared at Reid, "do you?"
"Truer words," Reid agreed. He'd certainly never seen Luke as his fake boyfriend coming.
"And Reid," Luke continued excitedly, "this is Faith, Natalie and Ethan." He gestured to his siblings each in turn. "Guys, this is Reid. You're going to see him around a lot more from now on."
"Like Noah?" Natalie asked.
Luke's smile didn't even falter. "That's right, Nat."
"As long as this guy makes you happy," Faith said darkly, glaring at Reid like she was just waiting for him to screw up.
"Faith," Luke warned, smile vanishing.
"I'm just saying I hope you have better taste in men this time," she replied and Reid decided then and there that he liked her.
"Can't argue with that," Reid shrugged, earning himself his own small glare from Luke. "Ethan, right?" he asked the youngest one, holding out his hand. "I'm Reid."
"Reid," Ethan repeated shyly, though he did manage a kid-sized handshake. "You're a doctor?"
"That's right," he encouraged. "Maybe one day I can take you into work and show you what a brain really looks like."
"Maybe not, Dr Oliver," Lily said quickly, before correcting herself again. "Reid. We don't want to traumatise Ethan."
"There's nothing inherently traumatising about the brain," he told her. "It's an organ, just like any other."
"Yes, well," she told him, "I'd rather Ethan didn't see any internal organs just yet. Thank you."
"Well," Emma intervened, making them all turn to face her. "dinner's all but done. Please, all of you, take a seat and we can begin."
After what seemed like an elaborate game of musical chairs, everyone was seated and dinner was ready to be served. Reid ended up with Luke to his left and Faith on his right. Every time he turned in her direction, she was staring at him suspiciously.
"Tough crowd," he told her, one time.
"I don't know you," she spat back.
He shrugged. "That'll change."
Calling for everyone's attention, Emma said grace - even thanked Reid for being there, which was something - and then they were all invited to tuck in.
The food was incredible. Nothing fancy, but absolutely delicious. In fact, Reid felt that the meal got off to an excellent start all around as Holden asked about his career and he got to talk about his professional exploits for a while.
It didn't last.
Before long, Lily started taking verbal swipes at her ex-husband. It was subtle, at first, but became much more obvious as the meal went on. Reid had to give Holden some credit, he didn't retaliate right away, asking Lily if they could just focus on having a nice meal. But eventually even he, too, succumbed and the next time she made a dig at him about someone called Molly, he spat something back.
Clearly, no one else knew what to do about the situation. Emma looked lost and embarrassed but was too polite to do anything about it. The most she'd achieved was changing the subject a few times, but it always went right back to their little argument. Luke just looked sad, absently playing with his food. The kids had clearly noticed, too. Having given up the pretext of eating at all, Faith had sat back in her chair with her arms folded across her chest like this was business as usual. Natalie had her head bowed down, shoulders slumped and even Ethan knew something was up, though Luke was trying to distract him by encouraging him to build a mashed potato mountain.
When Lily hissed out something about how selfish Holden was and Luke actually flinched, Reid had finally reached his limit.
He didn't need either of Luke's parents to like him to keep playing Luke's boyfriend.
"Will the two of you get over yourselves already?"
He'd said it loudly and clearly and at least the shock of it made the two of them shut up for a few seconds.
"Dr Oliver," Lily began once she'd gotten over her shock, "Reid-"
"No, you can keep calling me Dr Oliver," he told her, "because nothing you've done tonight has earned you the right to use my first name."
"I beg your pardon-"
"How about you beg your family's pardon," he told her, glancing around at them. "Have you noticed how this stupid little argument of yours has affected them at all, or do you really only care about what you want?"
Seeming ashamed, Holden glanced away.
Lily wasn't about to give in so easily. "Our personal business has nothing to do with you-"
"I beg to differ," he interrupted, "not only am I dating Luke - the guy I'm crazy about, by the way - but you made it my business when you insisted on arguing about it in front of me. What upsets Luke, upsets me. And I know it sure as hell upsets him that his parents don't even seem to notice how distraught his little brothers and sisters are."
"I really don't think-"
Luke had been silent the entire time until then, only staring at Reid with wide eyes. Now, he finally seemed to find his voice. "He's right, Mom. This was...terrible," he admitted. "Embarrassing. You said you wanted to meet my new boyfriend but all you did was humiliate me. In fact," pushing his chair back, he stood up, "we're leaving."
Holden finally found his voice, too. "You sure about that, son? We can...talk this out..."
"You and Mom need to, yes," he agreed, "but you're not dragging the rest of us into it anymore. Come on, guys," he encouraged, planting a smile on his face as he spoke to his siblings, "grab your jackets and we'll all go get milkshakes at Al's, okay?"
Ethan and Natalie both cheered up immediately, running off to get their jackets. Faith still looked miserable but conceded to move out of her chair when Luke gave her a look.
"I can't believe this," Lily complained, standing to face them, "you can't just-"
"Oh, for goodness sake, Lily," Emma said firmly, "will you please just stop? Reid was only saying what the rest of us were thinking." Standing herself, Emma grabbed Luke's arms and smiled at him emotionally. "You go do what you need to do. I'll stay here and make sure they talk this thing out finally - for good."
"Thanks, Grandma," he said, before hugging her fiercely.
After that they were ready to go, just waiting as Natalie helped Ethan into his jacket. Emma, Lily and Holden made an awkward tableau as they all waited near the dinner table, looking at turns embarrassed and ashamed.
As the rest of them starting barrelling out of the house, Luke handed his car keys to Faith. "Faith, here, go on ahead and get Ethan in the child seat, okay?"
Not even muttering in disgust she did as she was told, holding Ethan's hand.
Once they were alone in the porch Reid turned to face him, as he'd obviously wanted to be alone for a reason.
"What's-"
He never got to finish asking his question as, pushing him up against the wall, Luke kissed him fiercely, deeply, and longer than he ever had before.
Not being an idiot, Reid kissed back, but when it was finally over and Luke was just smiling at him a little shyly, Reid had an entirely different question.
"What was that for?"
"I just figured that's how I'd say thank you, if I really was your boyfriend," Luke told him, biting his lip innocently. "You didn't like it?"
"I didn't say that." How could he not like a kiss like that?
"Good," Luke continued, grabbing Reid's hand and tugging him on even though no one was watching. "Now let's go get some milkshakes," he added, "my treat."
TBC
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