FIC - Days Like These (3/6)
Title: Days Like These (3/6)
Author: Wheelie47
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Luke and Noah
Word count: 3,266
Disclaimer: Don’t own characters, am not associated in any way with ATWT, Van and Jake. No offence intended.
Summary: What if, after being shot by Colonel Mayer, Luke is left permanently paralysed?
Author's notes: This story is set after Luke is shot by Colonel Mayer. It is set in a different timescale. It follows the show's timescale up till Luke got shot; so Luke and Noah were just starting out as a couple. Luke spent 6 months in hospital. They decided to start a new life together in LA several months after Luke leaves hospital, when Noah won a Scholarship at a film academy. In my mind they have been together just over a year in total and this story is about them both trying to deal with Luke's disability.
‘Just say you’ll think about?’ Noah asked, while he moved Luke’s left leg from the wheelchair footplate to the base of the standing frame.
‘Noah…I’m not so sure it’s a good idea’ Luke replied uncertainly as he placed his hand on Noah’s strong and broad shoulders for extra balance as Noah knelt down by Luke’s right side to move his boyfriends right foot onto the standing frame and secure the heel strap.
They had got the transfer onto the standing frame down to a fine art now. At first, when Luke had started this daily exercise regime in the hospital’s Physiotherapy Department, he had only managed to stand for a minute or two before his blood pressure got the better of him and he had to sit back down. After the first few attempts, Luke had started to refer to the frame as a torture chamber because it made him feel so light headed and sick. The therapist had said to give it time and it would get easier each time he tried it.
‘Ok …ready…1…2…3’ Luke grunted with exertion, his shoulders and arms straining to pull himself up and forward to lean over the waist high tray in front of him as Noah supported his hips. After Noah had secured the straps behind Luke’s knees and around his lower back Luke gave one more grunt as he pushed down on the support struts and eased himself into a standing position.
‘Ok?’ Noah asked with concern as he gently rubbed his palm across Luke’s shoulder to bring his hand to rest curled around the back of his boyfriend’s neck.
‘Yep…I’m good’ Luke turned his head to give Noah an encouraging smile and felt a surge of tenderness and love as the concern Noah showed touched his heart. He wondered, not for the first time, how he had got so lucky to have this wonderful, kind and giving man in his life.
‘Great’ Noah placed a soft kiss to Luke’s cheek before moving round the back of the standing frame to release the brakes off the chair and move it out of the way.
Luke watched Noah in the full length mirror in front of him, that was there for him to check if he was standing correctly, and thought about the first time they had tried this. It hadn’t been long after they had converted this bedroom into a gym for them both to use; most of the equipment had a swivel seat that could be moved to allow room for Luke’s wheelchair, that Noah had suggested it. Luke had been nervous about not having the safety of his wheelchair behind him but any concerns had immediately vanished when he had felt Noah’s arms circle around him as Noah had stepped into the space right behind him.
‘So … why don’t you think it’s a good idea?’ Noah asked quietly as he rested his head in the crook of Luke’s shoulder, making sure that as reached his arms around Luke’s body, they stayed above his waist so that Luke could feel as much of Noah as possible.
Luke didn’t answer for a minute or two as he concentrated on the parts of Noah he could feel; Noah’s hand as it worked its way under his grey t-shirt, fingers tangling with soft chest hair, Noah’s moist and tender lips as they planted a row of kisses up his neck and Noah’s chest pressed up warm and solid against his back. His Counsellor had said that some paralysed people could develop other areas of heighten sexual awareness to compensate and Luke did his best to try and ignore the lack of reaction in his groin and concentrate on what he could feel.
Finally, as he felt the frustration start to well up inside him, he opened his eyes only to be greeted with Noah’s deep blue eyes staring back at him in the mirror, full of compassion and understanding.
‘It’s not that I don’t want to go, Noah’ Luke sighed as he answered Noah’s question.
‘It’s just that…well…what with exercising…then my hospital appointment …then my counselling session…I’ll be really tired when I get back.’ He knew Noah really wanted him there tonight at the awards night held by the academy after the week long student film festival so he didn’t want to hurt his feelings by telling him the real reason he was so unsure about going.
‘That’s ok’ Noah soothed, placing his palm flat against Luke’s chest.
‘There’s no classes this afternoon, so I can be here when you get back and if you want I’ll help you get on the bed so you can rest’ Noah’s eyes looked up hopefully to search Luke’s reflection.
Luke closed his eyes again for a moment and remembered his Counsellor’s comment that being honest with each other was the only healthy way to deal with the situation, so he took a breath, opened his eyes and tried to find the right words to explain.
‘Truth is Noah…is that I’m scared.’ He swallowed his mouth suddenly dry as the words stuck in his throat.
‘The thought of all those people there; people I’ve never met before, towering over me…it makes me really nervous’ Luke tried to explain as he felt Noah’s hands still and then tighten their grip around him.
‘And what if I can’t get to the toilet in time and…’
‘Ok…Luke…please… just stop’ Noah interrupted him, feeling a part of himself shatter as he watched the panic building in Luke’s eyes. Luke, his Luke who had more than enough confidence for the two of them when they first met was now sent into a panic at the thought of new situations and Noah hated to have to stand by and watch.
‘Right…here’s what we do’ Noah said gently but with soft determination; feeling that Luke needed an encouraging push, as he locked eyes with Luke’s in the mirror.
‘While you’re at the hospital I’ll go and make sure we can get a table by the windows and close to the toilets and then when you get back we’re gonna get all dressed up; suit and tie, go get some food, meet some of my friends from the academy and have a good time’ Noah leant forward slightly as he said the last word and rested his chin on Luke’s shoulder.
‘Whatdya say?!’
‘You had me at the tie’ Luke smiled back at Noah with relief that Noah had understood…
…
‘So… how’s the week been for you? Trevor asked Luke the same question that they always started their weekly session with, as he turned his wheelchair to face Luke’s.
As he sat listening to Luke, Trevor couldn’t help but think that this young man reminded him of himself when he had been thrust into the new and quite frankly frightening world of being disabled after six months of intensive treatment and therapy in the hospital.
‘I’m glad you decided to go tonight; it’ll be good for the both of you’ Trevor said with a smile once Luke had finished recounting the week’s events.
‘So…Luke. I know who you are, who your boyfriend is, who your family are; although don’t expect me to remember half of them!, and why you’re in that chair. But what I don’t know is what you like doing, what makes you tick?’
‘Um… well I like…’ Luke struggled to think of things he enjoyed doing now.
‘Ok…why don’t you start by telling me what you do with your day. Once you’ve done your exercises with Noah and he’s left for the day to go to the academy, film location or wherever, what do you?’
‘Well…I watch some TV…fix myself some lunch … maybe ride to the beach with Harvey…pick up some things from the supermarket…I don’t know…’ even to Luke it sounded lame, like he was just wasting time till Noah got home.
‘Ok….so let’s try something else. Tell me BC what did you enjoy doing?’
‘BC?’ Luke looked puzzled.
‘Before chair!!’ Trevor chuckled softly at his own joke.
‘Oh … right’ Luke smiled uncertainly. Trevor was a nice guy but he really needed to work on his humour.
‘I was taking writing and English Lit classes, which I really enjoyed…oh and basketball…swimming ….horse riding…’Luke voice trailed off into a sad murmur at the thought of the things he had lost.
‘Luke?’ Trevor’s soft voice cut through his melancholic thoughts.
‘Do you remember when we were talking about sex and you and Noah being together…about finding different ways to enjoy that?’
Luke nodded his head, not trusting his own voice to answer.
‘Well… same goes for everything else. You have to find a way of enjoying life again’ Trevor left it at that. This wasn’t about pushing Luke; Luke needed to find his own way when he was ready.
‘So … no pressure and you don’t have to come if you don’t want to… but we’re holding a workshop next week. It’s about getting all types of disabled people together…sharing experiences. There will be some newly disabled people there and some old hands too. Just think about it? Trevor smiled encouragingly as he handed Luke the flyer …
…
‘You look so hot in that suit’ Luke breathed in Noah’s ear after he had leaned over to place a soft but lingering kiss on Noah‘s cheek.
‘Hold that thought!’ Noah smiled widely back at Luke as he squeezed his hand slightly before heading off towards the bathroom.
Luke’s eyes followed Noah as his tall, lean and handsome boyfriend weaved his way through the tables. He felt a sense of overwhelming pride while he watched Noah chatting with a grey haired older man. Noah had changed so much since he had met him; gone was the uncomfortable looking, shy man to be replaced by someone who appeared so at ease and comfortable with himself.
‘You must be Luke?’ a feminine voice cut through his thoughts and he turned to see a pretty and petite brunette stood by the table smiling down at him.
‘Why…because of the chair?’ Luke asked sarcastically, as a wave of frustration hit him. He hated people seeing the chair and not him first.
‘Well…erm…actually it was more the fact that you couldn’t take your eyes of that gorgeous hunk of a man’ her face fell and she looked a little hurt while she nodded in Noah’s direction.
Way to go Luke, he thought to himself. He could be such a shit sometimes.
‘God! I’m sorry. I can be such a jerk!’ he smiled apologetically.
‘Can we start again…Hi, I’m Luke’ Luke held his hand out and smiled what he hoped was his best ‘please forgive me’ smile.
‘Hi Luke…I’m Sarah’ she smiled back as she took his hand.
‘No way! Now I feel even worse…Noah’s told me all about you!’
‘Well, he can’t stop talking about you’ She smiled and pulled up a chair next to Luke. She had a feeling they were going to get on really well!…
…
As Noah finished washing his hands he heard the cubicle door directly behind him open and as he looked up in the mirror he saw Andy, one of the editing lab technicians step out towards the row of sinks.
‘Hey Noah, how’s it going man?!’ Andy said smiling at Noah’s reflection in the mirror.
‘I see you brought Luke with you’
‘Yeah’ Noah replied curtly, a flash of annoyance marred his handsome features at the implication that he took Luke anywhere. There was something about this guy’s attitude he just didn’t like.
‘So …must suck having a boyfriend in a wheelchair’ Andy continued undaunted.
‘Excuse me?!’ Noah straightened up and took a step closer to Andy. He hardly ever used his height to his advantage but he wanted this guy to back the hell off.
‘I said …must suck…’ Andy repeated, not backing down.
‘Oh, I heard what you said. What I’m wondering is why it’s any of your business!?’ Noah scowled.
‘Jeez …sorry man…didn’t mean anything by it’ Andy held his hands out in front of him, palms facing Noah.
‘Just forget it’ Noah almost spat the words out as he strode past Andy towards the door…
…
‘We should have a party to celebrate’ Luke couldn’t stop grinning as he sat up against the headboard already undressed, watching Noah move around the bedroom getting ready for bed.
‘It’s only a prize in a student film festival, Luke’ Noah said as he sat on the edge of the bed next to Luke to remove his shoes. He tried to play it down but he had been thrilled when his short film had won the $500 worth of editing equipment and software donated by one of the Academy’s sponsors.
‘I’m so proud of you…you’re amazing, you know that?’ Luke reached out to rub his palm in slow and sensuous circles on Noah’s back.
Noah shrugged slightly and leaned back further into Luke’s touch, closing his eyes to savour the feeling before placing a gentle kiss to Luke’s lips. Luke silently cursed Noah’s father; he hated the fact that after all this time Noah still sometimes found it hard to accept a compliment from him. Luke’s heart broke a little at the thought of a young and impressionable Noah growing up with a father who took every opportunity to convince Noah that he was worthless and undeserving.
Luke watched while Noah stood to remove his tie and start to unbutton his shirt. At the first glimpse of Noah’s smooth and taut chest, Luke felt his breath catch in his throat. Fuck! Noah was so hot and what made him even hotter was that he had no idea just how much he affected people.
‘What?!’ Noah asked slightly bemused after he had undressed down to his black boxer briefs and caught Luke staring at him.
‘Come here’ Luke commanded, his voice low and seductive, patting the bed next to him.
Noah crawled up the bed till his hands were either side of Luke’s hips and his face was level with Luke’s. Noah waited for Luke to make the next move. He never wanted Luke to feel like he was pressurizing him, so he always let Luke make the first move and take things only as far as his boyfriend wanted.
‘Kiss me’ Luke’s voice was raw and cracked with emotion as he whispered the demand close to Noah’s ear.
‘Always with the bossiness, Snyder!’ Noah swallowed when he felt Luke breath hot across his cheek and in his ear. The whispered words sent a tingle of anticipation all over his body that ended up pooled in his groin, as he felt the familiar first stirrings of arousal.
‘You have met me, right?!’ Luke’s face broke into grin as a mischievous glint danced around his eyes before he slowly traced the palm of his hand up Noah’s arm, marvelling at the feel of hard muscle under soft and hairy skin, to rest, fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of Noah’s neck and pulled him into a deep kiss, his tongue demanding entrance.
Noah was so lost in the kiss and the feel of Luke’s hands roaming over his neck and shoulders that it took him a moment to register that Luke had moved his hands to his chest and was now teasing his right nipple with alternate twists and pulls.
‘Lie down’ Luke said breathlessly as he pulled away from the kiss and pushed gently with the palms of his hands against Noah’s smooth chest, searching Noah’s eyes for understanding.
Noah wordlessly obeyed and lay there looking up at Luke, his gorgeous Luke, struggling to get his breathing under control; his heaving chest flushed with arousal.
Luke struggled ungainly to move further down the bed so he could lie on his side next to Noah, placing a hand flat on Noah’s taut abdomen to keep him in place as he saw him begin to sit up to help.
After Luke had finally got into a comfortable position he looked at Noah and the look of love, trust , understanding and gentle encouragement he saw deep in Noah’s beautiful eyes made his heart swell and almost brought him to tears. He could do this, he knew he could. He wanted to, needed to, almost had to, not just for Noah but for him too. They both needed this connection.
He leaned up to plant a soft kiss to Noah’s lips, his chin, and his adams apple before kissing and licking his way down Noah’s chest to tease his left nipple into his mouth while his fingers ran sensual circles around the right nipple.
Luke smiled, his lips pressed against Noah’s chest, as he heard the low groans reverberating through Noah’s body. He could do this. He slowly walked his fingers down Noah’s torso, stopping to twirl them around his belly button, before following the trail of curly, dark hair that disappeared beneath the band of Noah’s underwear, to palm Noah’s growing erection through the thin material.
‘Luke…you don’t need …’ Noah gasped and his eyes opened wide at the unexpected feeling.
‘Sshhh’ Luke cut him off as he curled his fingers round the elastic waistband to ease the boxer briefs down past Noah’s hips, his boyfriend lifting up slightly to make the movement easier.
Luke had to pause for a moment, suddenly almost giddy with the sight of Noah laid out before him; his cock resting proud against his taut lower abdomen.
He wanted this. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the bulbous head before licking a strip up the veiny underside from balls to tip.
‘Fuck…Luke’ Noah cried out in ecstasy as he felt Luke’s hot and moist mouth engulf the tip of his cock. He clenched his eyes tight as the overwhelming sensation of Luke’s mouth, lips and tongue working up and down his shaft seemed to reach every nerve in his body.
Luke tried to block out all thoughts of the lack of reaction from below his waist and concentrate on what he could feel; Noah’s hands as they moved over all the parts of Luke that Noah could reach, through his hair, his upper back, down his arms to finally link fingers with Luke’s left hand, where it rested on Noah’s stomach. He needed this. Luke focused on the feel and weight of Noah’s cock as it rested on his tongue and it felt so right, so good.
‘Luke…so good… gonna …’ Noah grunted as he tried to warn Luke when he felt his climax building from deep within but the feeling of Luke cupping and rolling his balls had him completely undone and pushed him over the edge. Noah released stream after stream into Luke’s willing mouth as his fingers tightened their hold on Luke’s.
‘And … you…called …me…amazing!’ Noah managed to pant out as he pulled gently on Luke’s shoulders to help him work his way back up Noah’s long body before he brought their lips together in a kiss that was a heady combination of him and Luke; of them…
Chapter 4
Back to fic master post