miracle (miracle) wrote in luke_noah, @ 2009-02-15 20:03:00 |
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Entry tags: | -[luke/noah]-, fanfic, fanfic: [atwt], fanfic: rating: teen&under, » by: indigo_5, » by: qafaddiction |
Virtue and Vice
Original poster: qafaddiction
Authors: indigo_5 and qafaddiction
Characters | Pairing: Luke/Noah
Rating | Word Count: PG | 1518
Spoilers | Warnings: None (follows ATWT canon up until Jan/09)
Summary: In honor of this sinfully sweet day, indigo_5 and I teamed up to write something a little different. This is a short piece that examines Luke and Noah's relationship, and alternates between points of view. Practising the contrary virtues is said to protect us against temptation toward the seven deadly sins: humility against pride, kindness against envy, abstinence against gluttony, chastity against lust, patience against anger, liberality against greed, and diligence against sloth. How do the boys measure up?
Notes: Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! ♥ ♥ ♥ Feedback is love.
Pride
He's easy on the eyes, and he knows it. Classic features revered by artists for centuries, including cupid's bow-shaped lips and a rounded bottom. He's out, and he's proud, and after everything he's been through to get to this point in his life, he's not going back in the closet for anyone.
Humility
He's tall, with a strong, lean body, and striking features. But no amount of head-turning will ever convince him that he's better than the plainest wallflower at the dance of life. He was humbled by his father, by the way he was raised, by his deep insecurities. This fundamental belief in his lack of worth undermines everything he does, and has destroyed almost every relationship he's had. So far.
Envy
He watches them together, and every shared smile, inside joke, and reference to an old movie is like a knife in his heart. He wishes he had someone special of his own to share life's box of chocolates with; someone who would be there for the fantastic caramel nougats and the unfortunate orange liqueurs.
Kindness
His smile is kind, and it is genuine. He listens well, and she trusts him quickly with her secrets. Before they understand what is happening, he has become her soft place to fall. He comforts her when her true love breaks her heart, and the comfort leads them someplace neither one expected.
Gluttony
He loves to indulge, diving into life with much eagerness. He doesn't put any stock in "too much of a good thing." In the past, it got him into trouble. He tried to mask his pain with alcohol. Ironically, no matter how much he consumed, it never filled the emptiness inside.
Abstinence
His father taught him how to withstand temptation. Schooled him so well in self-denial, in fact, that he doesn't even realize he's denying himself anymore. He has grown so accustomed to saying no that he has forgotten how to recognize what he wants. Or who.
Lust
He tries to fight the feelings, but the tall drink of water with the unbelievably blue eyes turns his thoughts from wiley to wicked. He'd been attracted to guys before, but this... this is different. This desire sneaks into his dreams while he sleeps and sets off a flurry of hummingbirds in his stomach.
Chastity
Before her, he was a virgin. There had been opportunities, but he never really pursued them. He tells himself it's because he's a good son, following the traditional moral values that his father instilled. When they get back to Oakdale and don't have sex again, it doesn't surprise him. Then he begins to wonder why it doesn't.
Anger
He's angry with himself for falling for the wrong guy. For wanting someone he can't have. Again.
Patience
He is patient with the perplexing blonde who suddenly seems to be all he can think about. Sooner or later, he'll stop avoiding him. Sooner or later, he'll figure out why it matters so much that he does.
Greed
He can't get enough of the compliments his writing garners, especially from the dark-haired student director who thinks they make a great team. He works extra hours, burning the midnight oil in order to win more smiles, more positive feedback, more... everything.
Liberality
He doesn't have a lot of money, but he likes to treat his friends. It pleases him to make them happy, to see the light in their eyes and the generous smile that comes from a relaxed meal together or the rare pleasure of spending hours talking. That's why he keeps inviting the other intern to join him and his girlfriend for dinner. That must be it.
Sloth
He doesn't go out as much as he used to. Seeing his family and friends -- even strangers -- with their significant others just makes him want to stay home, curl up with his computer, and remain invisible.
Diligence
He works hard at everything, always has. At school, at work, at life. He was working hard at denying his feelings without even realizing it. But then there is a tie, and soft hands, and hazel eyes, so close, and he stops working so hard.
*****
Diligence
He is careful not to push too hard. He knows that there are reasons why the kiss was played off as a joke, why his best friend's guy "can't be gay," and so instead of forcing the issue, he monitors the situation, and tries to be there in any capacity he can. His meticulousness pays off, and the second kiss is more than he could have hoped for.
Sloth
He likes to lie around the farm with his boyfriend in his arms, cuddling into worn brown leather or cool fresh grass with stripes under his fingers and blonde silk against his cheek. They curl up together often, reading or watching TV or just doing nothing. He never got to do this in his father's house. He didn't know what he was missing.
Liberality
He spends every cent of his emotional account on his boyfriend, and everything he gives gets returned to him, in spades. He's in love, and life is good.
Greed
If he had his way, this blonde delight would spend every moment of his day with him. He wants him there all the time, when he wakes up in the morning, when he goes to bed at night. He can't get enough. He wonders if there's something wrong with that. He decides he doesn't care if there is.
Patience
He never imagined that the first time his boyfriend promised forever before God and witnesses, that it would be with someone else. With a woman. But he knows their time will come. He just has to wait.
Anger
When his father dies, he lashes out at everyone. It's no one's fault. But it is. He's hurting so much he can't keep from hurting everyone else. Especially the beautiful soul with the hazel eyes whose very face reminds him of what a disappointment he is. He knows it's wrong, but he can't help it. He's angry at himself most of all.
Chastity
They finally have a place to themselves, and even though they love each other and want to be together, there's just too much in the way. He turns down another suitor's offer, not because he wants to keep himself pure, but because he's never given a thought to being with anyone else. He will wait, even if it takes forever.
Lust
Returning to the farm re-ignites the flames. Everything is sensual now. He can't watch his boyfriend ride a horse, or eat his dinner, or even tie his shoe without his mind running off to a thousand dirty places. Emma's rules are becoming increasingly difficult. He begins taking a lot of cold showers.
Abstinence
He knows almost everything he can about the one he loves, has explored almost every corner of his soul, but he has yet to experience unlawful carnal knowledge. He agrees that the timing isn't right, that they should wait for it to be special; and it will be. No one's going anywhere.
Gluttony
Emma's cooking is irresistible. He stuffs his face at the picnic, as much as he can while trying to keep the peace among the family that has taken him in as one of their own. He sees the strain on his boyfriend's face and wants to whisk him away from here, to their own apartment, where they can quit chasing after sisters and yelling at fathers and spend their time feeding each other all manner of delicacies, in various stages of undress. It's not just the food he wants to indulge in.
Kindness
He loves doing little things for his boyfriend, especially when dark memories crop up unexpectedly. He finds ways to show him how much he cares, that he's not alone, and that his family is now their family, no matter what happens.
Envy
He envies the student body president, the one who really won the election, without even realizing he's doing it. Because he is the first love, because he still holds such power, because his boyfriend's feelings still run so deep. A part of him believes that if this man had said yes when he was asked, so many years ago, his beautiful blonde would never have looked twice at the quiet intern whose heart thumped helplessly whenever he walked by. Because how could he possibly compete?
He is an idiot. Eventually, he figures that out.
Humility
He learns to apologize, and to really mean it when he says he's sorry. He knows the hurt he's caused. He wants it to stop. The mistakes he made are grave, but the lessons they've taught him have made him a better person.
Pride
It's taken him a long time to get here. But he sees himself now through his boyfriend's eyes, and he understands that he's worth something after all. He's proud of himself, exactly as he is. He is the one this dark-eyed, petulant, brave, obnoxious, wonderful, bratty, amazing beauty chose to love. And that is more than enough. That is everything.