miracle (miracle) wrote in luke_noah, @ 2008-03-14 22:21:00 |
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Original poster: qafaddiction
Title: The Tie that Binds
Author: Heather
Pairings: Luke/Noah
Rating: PG
Summary: This is a gap-filler for the episode which originally aired March 12, 2008. Luke and Noah share an emotional scene before Noah's wedding to Ameera.
Note: This fic was inspired by VanHansis.net board member SnowWhite, who thought it would be a happy moment if Luke and Noah relived their first kiss, but with Noah helping Luke with his tie this time.
(warning: schmoop alert!)
The kitchen at the Snyder farm was filled with the delicious aroma of Emma's baking, and the family members who would later be enjoying the goodies were all upstairs, getting ready for the impending nuptials. Luke and Noah finally had a moment to themselves, and neither wanted to waste a second of it.
"You look great, Noah." Luke smiled, thinking back to the last time he had seen Noah in a suit. It was New Year's Eve, and their first real "date" in pubilc. He had never felt happier, or more proud than he did that night. He was still proud of Noah today, but in a different way. Luke supported Noah in his decision to marry Ameera, but a tiny part of him wished his boyfriend wasn't quite so noble.
"You look pretty handsome yourself," Noah replied, giving Luke the 'once-over'.
Luke blushed, and for the billionth time that day, silently wished that they were planning a wedding for two grooms. "I was going to wear a white dress, but then it occurred to me that I might be stealing the bride's thunder."
Noah laughed. "I don't know... that might be kind of hot." He was relieved that Luke still had his sense of humour, but he knew it wasn't going to be an easy day for either of them.
"You could have zipped me up." Luke wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, doing his best to keep things playful and light.
Noah tilted his head to the side and gave Luke a lopsided grin. "Come here,” he said, reaching for Luke's hands and pulling him close. He hugged Luke against him tightly and Luke hugged him back, resting his chin on Noah's shoulder. "One time-"
"At band camp?" Luke joked, finishing Noah's sentence with the infamous line from American Pie.
"Very funny, Snyder." Noah put his arms around Luke's waist, and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "One time, at the WOAK studio, this really hot guy knotted my tie for me so I wouldn't strangle myself, and today..." he paused, nibbling ever-so-slightly on Luke's earlobe. "I thought I might return the favor."
Luke grinned as a shiver did the bunny-hop down his spine. He loved it when Noah got frisky. "That would be great, but as you can see, I'm not wearing a tie."
"Precisely." Noah withdrew from the embrace and walked over to the table. He pulled out a long, thin box that had been hiding under his suit jacket, and handed it to Luke with a nervous smile. "This is for you."
Luke loved the way Noah suddenly became shy whenever he gave him something. He knew that Noah didn't think he noticed, but Luke would see him bow his head or turn away slightly, worried that Luke might think it was 'corny.' But it never was. Noah's heart guided him to make simple, loving gestures, sometimes at unexpected moments, that usually brought tears to Luke's eyes.
Luke lifted the lid, and inside was a beautiful silk tie, neatly folded, and nestled in black velvet. The color was perfect; it matched his suit, and had just a hint of metallic thread to make it shimmer in the light. He ran his fingers over the material, enjoying the satiny smoothness. Also in the box was a hand-written note. Luke picked it up, and began to read:
"Luke, today I'm putting a ring on someone else's finger, but you and I have a tie that is stronger than any metal: our love. It binds us together, and it will get us through anything. I think I knew in my heart that you were the one I'd been waiting for, the one I could truly be myself with, the day you offered to help me with that Windsor knot. In that moment, standing so close to you, something just clicked inside of me. Even if I was scared to admit it at first, all I wanted was you. That hasn't changed. You are not the invisible girl, not even on paper. I see you, even when I'm not with you, and I feel you in my heart. I hope you will wear this today, and know that I love you, Luke Snyder, more than I ever thought I could. Let this be a symbol for us, until we can 'tie the knot' for real, ourselves. Love, Noah."
To say Luke was touched by the gesture would be a huge understatement. Any doubts he had about Noah's desire to go back in the closet vanished as he looked up into his boyfriend's eyes. There were no words.
"Turn it over," Noah prompted, as Luke removed the tie from the box.
On the back of the tie, Luke noticed some stiching; looking closely, he realized it was a small "L" and "N" embroidered into the fabric; a silk monogram of their initials, linked together just above the loop, right where they would rest over his heart.
Luke swallowed hard, unable to find his voice for several seconds. "You did this for me?"
Noah nodded, his love and pride shining through a slight sheen of tears. "For us."
"You really are quite the romantic, Noah Mayer," Luke teased, hoping to keep the tears from spilling over by injecting some laughter into the moment.
Noah smiled, then reached up and gently cupped Luke's chin in his hand. "I know this isn't easy for you. And I know I've made some mistakes; I'll probably make a lot more. But believe me when I say that you are the only one for me. Your love changed my whole world, Luke."
With those incredible blue eyes staring back at him, filled with earnestness and a love that made him want to write poetry, Luke couldn't do anything but smile. The corners of his mouth turned up in warmth, smiling the joyous smile that was reserved only for Noah. "I believe you."
They locked eyes, and communicated trust without saying a word. Noah broke the silence first, with a simple declaration. "I love you."
Luke grinned, and pulled Noah closer. "Say it again."
Noah kissed Luke's forehead and whispered, "I..." then kissed his nose, "love..." then brushed his lips, "you."
"Keep saying it." Luke's eyes were closed, and he focused solely on the hypnotic sound of Noah's voice repeating those three little words that filled Luke's heart to overflowing. He remembered sitting outside with Noah, and felt the phantom brush of knuckles over his denim-covered thigh. Luke's fingers found their way to Noah's waist and trailed across hard muscle and smooth skin, tracing paths in quiet exploration. Noah gripped Luke's hip and closed the space between them. They held each other like that for what seemed like hours, never wanting to let go.
Somewhere in the middle of his repeated mantra, Noah had placed the tie around Luke's neck, and tucked it under his collar. He took one end and began looping it around the other.
Luke stared up at Noah, enjoying their closeness, and sensing the building heat between them. The magetism was intoxicating. He wanted to take Noah and run away; just leave the farm and keep going, all the way up to Canada if necessary, and forget about everything -- attempted murders, green card weddings, family disasters -- just disappear.
Noah saw the wildness flashing in Luke's eyes, and finally asked, "What's wrong?"
Luke thought back to that fateful day nearly six months earlier when he had uttered the same question while adjusting Noah's tie. He whispered, "Nothing," then leaned forward, just as Noah had done, and kissed his boyfriend. Their chests pressed together, and Luke felt their heartbeats thumping once, twice, three times, in unison. He imagined the monogram on the tie fusing with energy, slowly tattooing itself to the two of them, by osmosis. Something settled around them -- a calmness of sorts -- and somewhere in the distance, bells began to chime.
"Oh!" Luke pulled back, suddenly aware of the grandfather clock in the hallway signaling the arrival of the fateful hour.
Noah cleared his throat. "Guess we better get ready. Your family will be down here soon." His hand still rested on Luke's shoulder.
A few moments passed, and they separated, reluctantly. The air sat heavy between them, filled with a thousand things they wanted to say to each other, but couldn't.
Luke remembered a quote he once read. "Oscar Wilde said, 'A well tied tie is the first serious step in life.' "
"Hmm," Noah mused. "I think I agree with Oscar."
"Me too." He paused, trying to put his thoughts into words. "Thanks, Noah. For the tie.... for everything."
"I feel like I should be thanking you."
Luke brushed the hair out of his eyes and stood up straight. "We're in this together. We'll find a way to make it work."
Noah smiled, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Sounds good to me. Ready?"
Luke grabbed Noah's hand. "Let's go."
~end~