miracle (miracle) wrote in luke_noah, @ 2008-12-09 16:25:00 |
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Current mood: | thoughtful |
Current music: | John Mayer: In Repair |
Fic: In Repair (1/3)
Original poster: footard
Title: In Repair
Author: Footard
Rating: G
Series: 1/3
Summary: Luke finally regains control of his life.
Ugh. Another morning greeted with a hangover. Why does something that started off feeling good end up being the polar opposite? Well, maybe drinking didn’t necessarily make Luke feel “good” per say, but sure as hell numbed him out. Right now, it seemed to Luke that there was nothing worth feeling for. He was expelled from school and worst of all, Noah’s affections.
Noah. Luke felt lucky that Noah was still in his life, if barely at all. However, if Luke hadn’t built so much emotional collateral with Noah during the time they were together, would Noah even care? As it is now, all Luke could look forward to was stealing a minute or two of idle chat at Java while Noah made “the usual.” But a person can only drink so much coffee in a day before Luke turned from regular to stalker. Even during those precious moments, as much as Luke enjoyed the slight euphoria of being near Noah, it would quickly end by the harsh reality of separation—not only by the literal counter, but also by the look on Noah’s face.
Like could always tell how Noah felt by his body language; for a couple who have yet to connect physically, they had such a good read on each other but for different reasons. Luke had to learn to read Noah because closeted Noah was too scared to say what he really felt to Luke and had to do so by glances and gestures. Noah had to read Luke because paralyzed Luke refused to admit physical capacity; Noah knew Luke would push himself over the edge in order to get back on his feet; not for himself, but for Noah. So Noah needed to read his boyfriend in order to be the first to say, “Ok, that’s enough for today,” despite Luke’s protests to continue.
Now Luke was trying to read Noah and was terrified of what he saw, disappointment. Noah used to be so proud of Luke, but that pride no longer shined on his face. But Luke couldn’t be perfect all the time—why couldn’t Noah accept that!?
As Luke took his coffee (the worst part of his day, the second being the hangover) he said his goodbyes and went on his way. As he sat down on their bench he began to wonder what he had to do to get that sparkle of admiration back in his best friend’s eyes. Clearly being perfect was out of the question… then it hit Luke. Noah wasn’t asking for perfection. If anything, Noah was searching for the quality he loved about Luke; the strength to never give up. What he was reading from Noah wasn’t disappointment—it was longing and sadness. Noah was searching within Luke to find that strength he saw so many times before, longing for his boyfriend but sad to see him throw in the towel.
No one likes admitting fault, including Luke. He wanted to make things right, but had he really made any efforts? Other than getting drunk and blaming everyone around him, Luke hadn’t even attempted to try. This realization hit Luke like a truck; he took his cell phone out and dialed a number. “Hi, may I please speak to Dean Brewster?” After being placed on hold for what seemed an eternity, Luke began to consider the futility of his actions, until the line was picked up.
“Mr. Snyder, I’m surprised to be hearing from you,” greeted the dean. “Is this call regarding your expulsion?”
Expulsion. That word still hasn’t lost its sting, but Luke continued anyway. “Hi Dean Brewster—yes, I’m calling about my expulsion. I know what I did was absolutely wrong but I don’t want this to pass without making any attempts to make amends. I owe it to school, but mostly to myself and the education I worked so hard to attain before I carelessly disregarded it over trying to win at any cost.”
At first, the dean had fully intended to stand behind his decision, but hearing the regret and determination softened him up a little. “You know Luke, you should have thought about that before deciding to stuff the ballot box. However, the other day when I was signing your papers to release you from the school, I took a closer look at your records. You have managed to maintain a 3.8 GPA and be active on campus. You were definitely a model student and I would regret to lose you from OU…”
“Luke detected some hesitance in the dean’s voice and jumped at it, “What do you mean by ‘would regret to lose you’—I thought I was already expelled?”
“Well you show a lot of potential and I would hate to be responsible for ending a promising student’s chances for success…” began the dean. “Listen, could you come in tomorrow so we could further discuss this matter in person?”
“Absolutely!” answered Luke excitedly. “What time would you like meet?”
::TWO DAYS LATER::
Today was different. Luke woke up with excitement, sans hangover. He couldn’t wait to go to Java and get a start on his day. Noah was surprised to see Luke approach the counter with a big smile on his face.
“Good morning to you too Luke,” greeted an amused/confused Noah. “The usual?”
“Yup! It’s a great day today!” beamed Luke. As Noah turned to get a cup, Luke slapped a course catalog onto the counter top, startling Noah. Confused, Noah took a closer look.
“Luke, what’s the meaning of this? Did you…” trailed Noah.
“…Get the dean to reconsider? Yes!” answered Luke. “Granted, there are several conditions to my re-entry, but it’s a start. I can sign up for classes in spring, but I’ll have to retake all the classes I started in fall. Also, I’ll have to issue a public statement apologizing to the student body, because you were right Noah. Not only did I cheat Kevin, but I cheated the voters as well.”
As Luke was speaking, he felt that he was beginning to slowly regain Noah’s respect, which he had missed so much. “You know, I’m very proud of you,” Noah said as he handed Luke his coffee. “I knew you had it in you to rise above this and do the right thing—be the honest Luke that I fell in love with.”
“Thanks,” said Luke, taking his coffee and course catalog, “and thank you for never allowing me to anything less. The battle is definitely far from over—I’m in repair. I’m not together, but I’m getting there…”
As Luke walked out of Java, he was happy to feel hopeful and confident about the future—something he hadn’t felt in awhile.
Suddenly Luke felt someone reach for his arm and turned to see Noah had followed him. “Thanks for finding my boyfriend, I really missed him,” Noah said before giving Luke a peck on the cheek. “Um, I get out at 6 tonight, are you free?”
“Oh, I have to watch the girls and Ethan,” answered Luke with a little disappointment, “but, you’re more than welcome to join us just like old times.”
“I’d like that. See you at the house then,” said Noah as he watched his Luke walk away. Granted, spending the evening babysitting wasn’t Noah’s idea of a romantic evening to reconnect with Luke, but as Luke said, would be just like old times. They weren’t repaired as a couple just yet… but they were getting there.