Disclaimer: Luke and Noah do not belong to me. If they did we would see a lot more kissing. This story is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended.
“Okay, where do you want to start?” Noah asks starting the truck.
“I was thinking we could start at the Millers’ store” Luke answers.
“That’s near Henri’s diner, right?” Noah asks.
“Yeah” Luke says. “Speaking of, Maddie looked good today huh?”
Noah swallows hard, feeling the same swell of guilt he feels every time he hears her name. Seeing her today had been incredibly difficult, but she seems to be doing fine. It even seems like she might have finally forgiven him. “Yeah” he answers after a moment, unable to think of anything else to say.
“Hey, Noah” Luke says, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder. “She seems to be doing really well. She says she’s forgiven us. Accept that and stop feeling guilty.”
“It’s not that easy” Noah answers, taking Luke’s hand in his own. “I was horrible to her – and to you too. Everything happened so fast that I never really got a chance to apologize to her.”
Luke squeezes his hand and says “So apologize. She’s in town for another three weeks. We can take her out to lunch or something. You really need to get over this Noah. I know it’s been eating at you for a long time.”
“I’ll think about it” Noah answers after a moment. “Can we just forget about it for today and do some shopping?”
“Okay” Luke answers. “So, what kind of colors were you thinking about for the apartment?” Luke asks, and they spend the rest of the drive debating the merits of various color combinations.
Noah finds a spot near the back of the lot to park the truck and jumps out, intending to walk around and open the door for Luke, but his boyfriend climbs right out and heads toward the store. Noah is still trying to undo the years of manners his father pounded into him. The first time he took Luke out on a real date he had held doors and pulled out chairs until Luke took him to task for treating him like a girl.
He hurries to catch up, wrapping an arm around Luke’s shoulders. For the last several months Noah has been physically incapable of keeping his hands off of Luke anytime he’s near him.
“This is a great place to find living room furniture. We can hit the Bedroom Store for bedroom furniture then finish up at the mall for accessories and electronics if that works for you?” Luke says.
“Sounds good” Noah answers pulling the door open. He’s actually been looking forward to this afternoon for a while now. His mother left him some money when she died and he’s excited to buy some good quality furniture for the first time in his life. Looking around at the vast warehouse of couches, chairs, and entertainment units he feels totally overwhelmed. “We’re gonna have to find some way to narrow this down” he says.
Luke nods and says, “Okay, first let’s figure out what type of pieces we’re looking for, then we can come up with a list of features we want. Did you have anything specific in mind?”
“Well, the living room isn’t that big so I was thinking we might be better off with a couple of chairs rather than a couch” Noah says.
Luke nods. “You’re right about space, but I was thinking maybe a loveseat” he says gesturing to one “along with a chair. It won’t take up as much space as a couch but it can still seat two people.”
“That makes sense” Noah agrees, walking over to test out the loveseat Luke had pointed out.
Luke walks over and sits down next to him. “What features do you want?” he asks, snuggling into Noah’s side.
“I’m not quite sure. What do you want?” Noah asks.
“Well, I would like a loveseat that reclines for sure. Cup holders would be nice, and I’ve always wanted to at least try out one with a built in massager” Luke answers.
“They make those?” Noah asks, awed.
The next hour goes by in a haze for Noah as they test out what has to be hundreds of pieces of furniture. He and Luke finally decide on the pieces they want, but then they have to figure out which colors will work best. After another 30 minutes he and Luke walk out of the store $2500 poorer each, but Noah is just thrilled to be finished. Their new furniture will be delivered to the apartment next week; a reclining loveseat with arms that flip open to reveal cupholders in a, as the man who was helping them informed him, seafoam green microfiber, a reclining chair with built in massager in a tan leather, and a truly enormous entertainment unit that will take up a whole wall of the apartment finished in solid.
“C’mon, it wasn’t that bad” Luke say, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the truck. “We’re a third of the way done.”
Noah just groans pitifully, not sure how he is going to make it through the rest of the day. Luke laughs and pulls him in for gentle kiss. “Poor baby” he whispers against Noah’s lips. “Do you want to go to the mall next to buy your toys? We can get bedroom furniture last.”
“Yes!” Noah nearly shouts. “Thank you” he says more quietly, feeling sheepish. “I just don’t think I can take anymore of that right now” he says, gesturing vaguely back toward the furniture store then pulling Luke in for another kiss.
Luke sighs, opening his mouth to Noah and leaning in to the kiss. After a moment Luke pulls back with a shudder, looking anxiously around the parking lot.
“What’s wrong?” Noah asks looking around trying to figure out what has Luke so freaked out.
“I don’t know. I just felt like someone was watching me all of a sudden” Luke says, continuing to look around. “I’m sure it’s nothing” he says after a few minutes. “Let’s head to the mall.”
They spend the drive to the mall talking about the upcoming semester, which classes and professors are good, and the fraternity Luke is thinking about rushing.
“This is more like it” Noah says, looking around happily as they enter a Best Buy. “You have the dimensions for the entertainment unit right?” he asks.
“Of course” Luke answers. “I have a stereo system and DVD player at home that we can have. What else do you think we need?”
“A TV” Noah answers immediately, guiding Luke toward the wall full of televisions with a hand at the small of his back. “And a DVR and speakers. What size should we be looking at?” he asks.
“The unit will hold up to 42 inches” Luke says, glancing at the paper in his hand, then looking at the numerous options before them. “I think we should go with one that has hi-def. Was there anything specific you wanted?”
“I just want to make sure it has good resolution” Noah answers. “What about this one?” They spend the next 30 minutes looking at various TV’s and speaker systems before settling on a 40 inch HDTV with 1080p resolution and a complete sound system, then they head over and pick out a TIVO.
As they are heading to the front to make their purchases and set up delivery times they pass by the gaming section and both boys stop. “You wanna look?” Luke asks with a grin.
Noah nods eagerly and follows him over to check out the various game systems. “My dad never let me play video games” Noah says as he tries to beat Luke at a racing game.
“Never?” Luke asks. “We’ll have to put an end to that” he says when Noah shakes his head. “Which one do you want?”
Noah tries out the various game systems under Luke’s watchful eyes and they end up adding a Wii to their basket along with a dozen games.
“One more stop” Luke says as they pile their purchases into the back of the truck. “We’ll make it fast” he coaxes when Noah groans.
“Okay” Noah says with a sigh. “Where to?”
Luke directs him to the bedroom furnishing store and Noah is surprised when it really does go quickly. It only takes about half an hour for him and Luke to agree on a cherry wood bedroom set complete with king sized sleigh bed, side tables, and armoire.
They spend the drive back to the farm in exhausted silence. “You want to stay for dinner?” Luke asks as they start unloading the car and carrying things in to Luke’s room.
“I’d better not” Noah answers. “It’s your parents’ wedding night, I’m sure they don’t want me hanging around.” Luke opens him mouth to protest but Noah holds up a hand. “I really wouldn’t feel comfortable” he says, “but thanks. You still coming over tomorrow night after your parents leave for their honeymoon?” he asks, smiling as Luke’s eyes dilate with a rush of desire.
“Absolutely” Luke answers huskily, leaning in to kiss him. Noah sighs and opens his mouth to the gentle pressure of Luke’s tongue. They kiss deeply for several minutes, then Noah wraps an arm around Luke’s waist and pulls him tightly against his own body. They both gasp and pull apart to pant for air at the feel of their erections pressing together. Noah moans as Luke shifts against him and buries his face in Luke’s neck.
“We have to stop” Noah manages to gasp out, pulling himself reluctantly from Luke’s arms. “I’ll see you tomorrow night” he whispers, turning and heading for the door.
“I love you Noah” Luke whispers after him.
Noah turns back toward him with what he’s sure is a sappy smile on his face. “Me too” he whispers, forcing himself to turn and walk downstairs.