FIC - Days Like These (6/6)
Title: Days Like These (6/6)
Author: Wheelie47
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Luke and Noah
Word count: 4,530
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:
1 - 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.
2- Thank you so much to everyone who has followed this story and especially to those that have commented. I have written Jansis before but this is my first Nuke story and your wonderful comments have been inspiring and have been very, very much appreciated. This is a story that’s close to my heart and your comments have meant so much. Thanks again!
‘Shit!’ Noah muttered under his breath when he noticed the time; he should be on his way home to meet Luke by now. He’d only stopped by at the Academy’s library to pick up a book but had got so engrossed in a book on cinematography he’d spotted on the new arrivals shelf that he’d lost track of time.
He checked out his book then rushed down the stairwell and out into the brilliant midday sun. As he fumbled in his jeans pocket for the car keys he wondered if he should call Luke and tell him he was on his way. He decided against it, thinking that he’d be quicker just getting in the car.
Noah’s fingers drummed nervously on the steering wheel as he waited for the traffic lights to change. He had been so thrilled that Luke had decided to go back to studying that he’d agreed to Luke recording an interview with him without thinking too much about it. Luke wanted to record Noah’s thoughts about his father for his book but now Noah wasn’t sure that it was such a good idea; he wasn’t sure if he wanted to explore those feelings all over again.
‘Well here goes nothing’ he sighed pensively as he pulled into the car park of their apartment complex…
…
‘Damn it!’ Luke exclaimed in frustration as his phone slipped through his fingers and skittered across the wooden floor. Nothing seemed to be going right today; he didn’t seem to be able to find the right words for the draft outline of his book, for some reason he was feeling really tired, he kept dropping things and to top it all Noah was late!
‘Harvey… fetch!’ Luke commanded pointing at the phone where it had come to rest by the bookcase.
Harvey obediently padded over to the phone and gently picked it up in his teeth to carry it back to Luke, nails clicking rhythmically on the smooth polished surface.
‘Good boy, Harvey…good boy’ Luke gently patted the golden Labrador on the head while he checked his phone for any missed calls or texts from Noah. Nothing! Where was he?!
Luke suddenly felt a panic building in his chest. Oh God, what if he’s been in an accident and lying hurt somewhere; unable to get to his phone.
Before Luke could think about doing anything else, the door flung open and a flushed and out of breath Noah came charging through; startling both Luke and Harvey.
‘Luke… I’m so sorry I…’ Noah panted as he stood, chest heaving, trying to get his breath back after sprinting from the car park.
‘Noah, are you ok?’ Luke interrupted with concern as he wheeled closer, reaching up to place a steadying hand on Noah’s forearm.
‘What happened?’ Luke was relieved to see that Noah was ok but all kinds of thoughts were running through his mind, foremost being; had he had another encounter with Andy?
‘Its…I’m ok, Luke. God! Sorry… didn’t mean to worry you’ Noah said in a rush as he recognised the concerned look on his boyfriend’s face. He knelt down by the side of Luke’s wheelchair and reached out to stroke the side of his face; feeling the dusting of stubble tickle the sensitive palm of his hand.
‘It’s just that…well I lost track of time’ Noah continued sheepishly before leaning in and pressing a soft and gentle kiss to Luke’s lips.
‘Sorry Harvey’ Noah added as he felt Harvey nuzzle against his leg.
‘Just call next time, ok?’ Luke tried to sound exasperated but was only just managing to keep from smiling at Noah’s embarrassment.
‘Sure…sorry. Luke, are you sure you want to do this now? We could just relax a bit before I have to get back’ he rubbed the pad of his thumb along the line of Luke’s cheekbone, concerned at how tired he was looking.
‘Yes…I really want to get started. I feel like I’ve wasted so much time already’ Luke had woke up this morning feeling like he needed to take his life back and not let his disability take control.
‘Are you sure you’re ok to do this?’ Luke searched Noah’s deep blue eyes for any sign of uncertainty or hesitancy. He knew how badly his father’s actions had affected Noah and Luke didn’t want to push him into anything Noah didn’t want to do.
‘Yeah, I’m good’ Noah said after the slightest of pauses; he knew how much this meant to Luke and he didn’t want to let him down. So he swallowed his doubts and followed Luke over to the table.
‘Ok …great. So I’m just gonna ask you some questions and I want you to answer honestly. Thanks so much for doing this, Baby’ Luke smiled encouragingly as he placed the digital voice recorder on the table between them.
‘How about you start by telling me what it was like growing up with your father?’ Luke asked softly.
‘Well…I don’t really remember much about my Mom so my earliest memories are of it being just me and Dad. We moved around a lot … and I mean a lot …it seemed like I’d only just get settled …meet some kids my own age and then we’d moved on to another base again and I’d have to start over.’ Noah said wistfully as he thought back to his lonely childhood.
Luke sighed sadly as he thought about just how different their childhoods had been; he had been surrounded by a loud and loving family and Noah had been so alone with only him and his father. He wished he had known Noah then; they could have gone swimming in Snyder Pond, gone to huge Snyder picnics and spent family Christmases together just doing what kids should do; things might have turned out so differently.
‘Ok …so what about your father? What was he like back then?’
‘I didn’t get to see much of him, Luke. He was out on base most of the day and I was at the base school and I always got back before him so I would start my chores before he got back; starting dinner, cleaning and doing the laundry. We’d eat together when he got home and then I would be sent to my room to do homework then get washed up ready for bed’ Even to Noah it didn’t sound like much of a childhood, he could always hear the sounds of kids playing outside from his bedroom window but only on Saturdays when his father had headed off base into town had he been able to play with the other kids or more often than not sit and watch Saturday morning movies.
‘So what about when you moved to Oakdale?’ Luke decided to move on, not wanting to dwell on Noah’s childhood anymore.
‘Well…that’s when my life changed … anything and everything seemed possible!’ A wide, bright smile played across Noah’s lips and his eyes lit up with delight. Sure when he had first got to know Luke, Noah was in a relationship with Maddie but he had been irresistibly drawn to this confident and outgoing young man who seemed to be able to be everything he couldn’t be.
Luke reached out and squeezed his hand gently before stroking his thumb along the back of Noah’s hand to give him the encouragement to continue. The simple touch reminded Noah of their first kiss and his smile widened even further as he recalled the tentative soft caress of their lips that had quickly deepened until his father telephone call had interrupted them. His father! Suddenly Noah felt a tightening in his chest and he couldn’t breathe; he felt like he was suffocating as he was assaulted by the image of Luke lying bleeding and unconscious on the ground while his father stood above him with a maniacal look of triumph in his eyes.
‘I’m…sorry…I …’ Noah blinked and pulled away from Luke. He stood abruptly, sending the chair flying as he turned and fled from the room…
…
‘Noah?’ Luke called softly as he entered the bedroom to find Noah sat on the edge of the bed facing the window with his back to the door. He felt his heart break as he saw Noah’s broad, strong shoulders hunched over and shaking as quiet sobs racked his body.
‘Luke…I’m so…sorry….’ Noah tried to apologise as he struggled to control his breathing.
‘Don’t…don’t you apologise’ Luke’s own voice was raw and cracked with the emotion he felt bubbling to the surface as he manoeuvred himself next to Noah and reached out to cover Noah’s trembling hands with his own.
‘It’s me who should be apologising. I shouldn’t have pushed you into this. I should have known better…I’m sorry, Noah’ Luke’s last words came out in a heartfelt whisper as he brought Noah’s hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of his hand.
‘I wanted to do it…I just …it was …harder than I thought’ Noah lifted his face up to look at Luke.
‘Its ok…we’ll think of something else…don’t worry’ Luke soothed as he reached up to gently cup Noah’s jaw and brush away a tear with the pad of his thumb.
A weak smile lifted the corners of Noah’s mouth as he leaned into Luke’s comforting touch and breathed easier, losing himself in the depth of love and understanding he saw in Luke’s eyes.
‘Luke’ Noah sighed softly after a minute or two of just relaxing his cheek against Luke’s palm as he traced his fingers along Luke’s forearm.
‘I’ve gotta go…I’m gonna be late for my lecture’ Noah began to reluctantly pull away and stand.
‘Don’t forget I’ve got a shift after the lecture’ Noah reminded him as he bent down and placed a kiss to Luke’s forehead.
Luke was about to open his mouth and object, wanting to tell Noah to call in and cancel his shift at the bookstore but he changed his mind. He knew how much having a part time job at the store meant to Noah. They had argued about it when Noah had first got the job; Luke had said that his family money was more than enough to keep them both while Noah was at the Academy, not wanting Noah to exhaust himself, what with the Academy, helping to look after him and now the job. Noah had bristled and said that he didn’t want to be a kept man and that he could pay his own way and contribute his share to the monthly bills.
‘Ok…I love you’ Luke didn’t argue; he just simply gave a small smile and kissed Noah back.
‘Love you too’ Noah said as he rubbed his palm along Luke’s shoulder before heading out of the bedroom…
…
‘So how’ve you been?’ Trevor asked. It had been two weeks since he had last seen Luke because of his vacation and as he listened to him recounting the events of the fortnight he was surprised at just how tired Luke looked; the dark circles under his eyes and the way his shoulders hunched over in his chair told him that Luke was pushing himself too hard.
‘Wow! One of these days you’re gonna come in here and tell me nothing’s happened since the last time I saw you’ Trevor commented with a wry smile.
‘Ok … lets start at the beginning… the party. How did that make you feel’ Trevor asked.
‘Like shit’ Luke said with a deep sigh.
‘Seeing Andy pressed up against Noah like that just reminded me of what I couldn’t do anymore. Do you know what’s worse though?’ Luke paused; the words stuck in his throat as he could feel the emotion building up inside him.
‘Tell me in your own time, Luke’ Trevor said gently
‘What’s worse…is that deep down I knew that Noah wouldn’t do that but instead of staying to find out what was going on I just fled. It wasn’t till Noah came to find me that I even thought about how terrified he must have been. It’s… its like today… I knew how he felt about his father… how hard it was for Noah to deal with what his father had done…I shouldn’t have made him do the recording…shouldn’t have made him dig up those feelings again…should have know better…’ Luke’s voice trailed off into a murmur and he felt sick to the stomach when he thought about how he hadn’t considered Noah’s feelings.
‘It’s ok Luke….take a breath’ Trevor handed Luke a bottle of water.
‘It’s good that you realise that what’s happened to you doesn’t affect just you … that it affects Noah and other people too. But you need to give yourself a break …don’t be too hard on yourself Luke. You’re still learning how to adjust. That goes for your body as well; the exercises, the hydrotherapy and the studying all work your body in different ways and you need to find a balance and pace yourself. Don’t over do it’ Trevor was thrilled with the progress Luke had made but he didn’t want him to exhaust himself either.
‘I think that’s a good place to leave it today, Luke’ Trevor smiled.
‘Have you seen Laura recently? I invited her to the party but she didn’t come. Perhaps it was too much too soon. I thought it would be good to go for coffee or something.. Perhaps you could ask her to call me if she wants?’ Luke asked before he turned towards the door.
‘Sure …I’ll ask her when I see her next…it might do her good. See you next time Luke. Take it easy’…
…
Noah sighed deeply and rolled his shoulders to ease the ache before reaching in his pocket for the front door key. He was so tired he felt like he could just collapse on the bed right now and sleep for a week.
‘Mmmh! What smells so good?!’ Noah asked as he opened the door to be greeted by wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen.
‘Hey you’re back! Just in time…hope you’re hungry?’ Luke appeared round the kitchen door with his lap tray full of plates and cutlery and treated Noah to a brilliant smile that made Noah’s breath hitch in his throat. He loved Luke’s smile; it always seemed to light up his whole face and make his eyes sparkle.
‘I thought you deserved a break. I did think about cooking but decided it would take a week to clean up after the mess I would’ve made! So I ordered in’ Luke joked over his shoulder as he wheeled back into the kitchen.
‘Chinese…awesome! I’m starving.’ Noah exclaimed when he followed Luke into the kitchen before leaning in to place a soft and sensual kiss to Luke’s supple lips.
‘Hey Harvey’ Noah smiled at the dog as Harvey’s tail thumped its own special greeting against the floor tiles as he straightened up…
…
‘I’m so full I don’t think I could eat for a week’ Noah sighed contentedly as they were both finally settled in bed, lying on their sides facing each other.
‘Hey there’ Luke said softly as he cupped Noah’s jaw and stretched forward to press a lingering kiss to Noah’s mouth, capturing his bottom lip between the two of his and running his tongue along its length.
‘Hey yourself’ Noah panted when they pulled apart to breathe.
‘I’m so sorry about today, Noah’ Luke whispered, running his finger tips lightly down Noah’s arm.
‘Sssh Baby…its ok …maybe we could try it a different way…what if I wrote my feelings down instead?’ Noah asked quietly while he tangled his fingers in the dusting of hair on Luke’s chest. He loved the feeling of hard muscle under the soft hair as he traced his fingers up Luke’s chest to the hollow at the base of his neck.
‘When did you get so smart?!’ Luke grinned back at Noah, gasping at the sensation that Noah’s fingers sent coursing through his chest.
Noah leaned in and captured Luke’s mouth with his in a soul searching kiss as his tongue demanded entrance. Noah entwined the fingers of his right hand in the hair at the back of Luke’s neck, pulling him in closer as his tongue danced around Luke’s mouth.
‘Noah’ Luke groaned his approval, combing his fingers through Noah’s thick, dark hair as Noah traced his fingers back down Luke’s chest to tease his left nipple. Luke groaned again as he felt a hot flush creep across his chest; his nipples had never been so sensitive.
Encouraged by Luke’s moans, Noah nipped, licked and kissed his way down Luke’s neck and chest to suck his right nipple into his hot, moist mouth while twisting and pulling on Luke’s left nipple.
Luke felt Noah suddenly freeze as he ran his hand down Noah’s chest and taut stomach to palm the growing bulge in his boxer briefs. Noah reached down between them and stilled Luke’s hand with his own. He didn’t want this to be about him; he wanted Luke to be able to feel their connection as much as possible.
‘Luke…no’ Noah shook his head and smiled sadly as he brought their combined hands up to his mouth and flicked his tongue sensuously in between Luke’s sensitive fingers.
‘Noah…don’t feel like you have to hide the way I make you feel from me. I have to…need to have that connection and so do you’ Luke placed a lingering kiss to the back of Noah’s hand before he walked his fingers back down Noah’s chest to dip underneath the elastic waistband of Noah’s underwear and wrap them around Noah’s half hard cock.
‘Oh God… Luke’ Noah breathed against Luke’s lips before pulling him into a deep kiss as he felt Luke work his fingers up and down his cock, thumb teasing across the tip.
Noah’s arms circled around Luke’s torso as he pulled him as close as possible, careful to keep his hands above Luke’s waist. He could feel the climax building from deep within him as Luke increased the rhythm of his strokes.
‘I fucking love you Luke…so much’ Noah breathed against Luke’s kiss swollen lips as his hips jerked forward and he spilled his release over Luke’s circled fist.
‘I love you too’ Luke nuzzled against Noah’s sweat soaked neck, feeling his heart beat in time to the rise and fall of Noah’s flushed chest…
…
Luke fingers tapped rapidly across the keyboard; he had woken up this morning with his head full of ideas for the start of his book and he wanted to get them written down before he started his assignment for his Creative Writing class.
He smiled indulgently when his phone sprang into life; thinking it was Noah ringing with his first check call of the day. Whatever the reason Noah said he was ringing for, Luke knew that he was really calling to check that Luke was ok. He frowned slightly when he reached for his mobile and saw Trevor’s name on the display and not Noah’s.
‘Hey Trevor…everything ok?’ Luke asked.
‘Luke…can you come down to the hospital…its Laura. She’s asking for you. I’ll explain when you get here’ Luke could hear the strained tension in Trevor’s voice straight away.
‘I’m on my way’ Luke replied instantly, nervous anxiety building. He desperately hoped that Laura was going to be ok; she had been through so much already …
…
After leaving a quick voice mail message for Noah, Luke followed the receptionist’s directions to find Laura. As he turned the corner he saw Trevor sat with a middle aged man and woman that Luke assumed were Laura’s parents.
‘Luke!’ Trevor said with relief as he spotted Luke heading towards them.
‘This is Mary and Keith; Laura’s parents’ Trevor introduced the obviously deeply upset couple.
‘Hi…is…is Laura ok?’ Luke asked with concern, shocked at the red rimmed, tear filled eyes that greeted him.
‘Let me explain’ Trevor said quietly, wheeling away from the couple.
‘She’s taken an overdose of her pain medication, Luke’ Trevor explained gently, his own distress clear in the trembling emotion that Luke could hear in his voice.
‘My God…is she ok?’ the shock hit him like a physical punch to the stomach and he could feel the bile rising up in his throat.
‘They’ve pumped her stomach and medicated her. She’s not saying much but she asked if she could see you. Just take it easy and let her lead the conversation; she might just want you to sit with her a while, Luke’
‘Ok…I can do that’ Luke replied nervously but with quiet determination as he headed towards her door…
…
‘Hey’ Luke said quietly as he wheeled over to Laura’s bed. He tried not to let the shock of seeing her so small and vulnerable, surrounded by crisp, white sheets register in his voice.
She lifted the corner of her mouth in an attempt at a small smile that went nowhere near to reaching her eyes.
‘Can I get you anything?’ Luke asked as he reached over and covered her hand with his, squeezing gently.
She shook her head slightly before closing her eyes. Luke was prepared just to sit there and hold her hand if that’s what she wanted so he made himself as comfortable as possible without breaking the contact and just waited.
‘I woke up this morning and it hit me’ her small, hoarse voice startled Luke a little.
‘It hit me that this is it…that’s all I am’ She opened her eyes and nodded her head in disgust at her wheelchair by the bed.
‘I didn’t want that …not for me…’ Luke could see the tears well in her eyes as her voice trailed off into a sobbed whisper.
‘You are so much more than that’ Luke leaned in and squeezed her hand again.
‘I know it’s not easy…God knows I know that!’ Luke struggled to keep his own voice calm.
‘But you have family and friends around you that love you and you have people that know what you’re going through…who understand. Everyday that support can help you cope... can help fuel the strength inside’
‘It’s so hard, Luke’ she scrunched her eyes firmly shut, trying to block out the world.
‘I know…but you’re not alone.’ Luke comforted.
They sat quietly for a while, Luke’s hand still resting on Laura’s, until they were disturbed by a knock on the door.
‘Laura needs to get some rest now’ a nurse said as she quietly opened the door and entered the room.
‘Ok…I’ve gotta go now, Laura but I’ll come back tomorrow. Ok?’ Luke touched Laura’s shoulder gently as he nodded his thanks to the nurse before wheeling towards the door…
…
Noah charged through the hospital doors frantic with desperation. He had tried to phone Luke only to realise that he had left his phone in the lecture theatre. When he had finally retrieved it he heard the message from Luke which had cut off after Luke had said he was in the hospital and now his phone was going straight through to voicemail.
‘Luke … Luke Snyder’ he tried to ask the receptionist as he struggled to control his breathing; not only from the sprint across the car park but from the panic that tightened his chest when he thought that Luke had been hurt and was in pain or worse.
‘Noah?!’ Luke called out when he rounded the corner and saw his boyfriend stood with his arms braced against the counter, looking like he was about to collapse.
‘Luke! God! Are you ok?!’ Noah exclaimed with relief as knelt in front of Luke, running his hands up Luke’s shoulders to cup his face with both hands, searching his features for any sign of injury.
‘Noah…Noah. I’m ok’ Luke soothed as he covered both of Noah’s hands with his when he realised with a sense of guilt that Noah must of thought that he’d been hurt.
‘Its Laura…she took an overdose’ Luke continued as he saw the unspoken question in Noah’s eyes.
‘No! She is ok?’ Noah asked in disbelief.
‘She will be… I think…. Can we just go home and I’ll tell you all about it’ Luke suddenly really wanted to be at home, safe and secure in the blanket of Noah’s arms…
…
Noah lay spooned up against Luke, with their combined hands resting gently on Luke chest as Luke finished telling Noah about Laura.
‘Do you know what I kept thinking about while I sat there? I kept thinking that it could’ve been me lying there instead. If it wasn’t for you…your love and support…that could be me’ Luke whispered softly, his voice cracking with emotion as he pressed Noah’s hand closer to his chest.
‘Luke…don’t even think that’ Noah shut his eyes against the thought and pressed his lips to Luke’s bare shoulder, not trusting his voice to continue.
‘No it’s true…the exercises, the hydrotherapy, studying, writing …I wouldn’t have been able to do any of them without you. I wouldn’t have wanted to’ Luke insisted, more determined after today’s events than ever to write their story.
‘Don’t you know that it’s you!? You inspire me … make me want to be better than I am. In spite of everything you are still here and you have this inner strength that just amazes me!’ Noah felt a wave of emotion flood over him, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.
‘Let’s just agree that we need each other. How about that?’ Luke chuckled, snuggling further back against Noah’s smooth chest
‘Deal! I love you, Luke Snyder’ Noah said as he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms further around Luke, feeling the first pull of sleep beckoning him.
‘I love you too, Noah Mayer’ Luke whispered as he closed his own eyes, letting sleep take him too.
The End
Epilogue
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