discovery

                      Silas nods, though couldn’t help but raise both brows in shock at his next few words. “—Oh, you know the Harpers?” It was a surprise to Silas that the outside world had known what happened to their family because while he surely wasn’t blood-related, the news had hit him just as hard. Still, perhaps it was some sort of coping mechanism to ignore the grieving stage and remain neutral. After all, telling himself it wasn’t his family anyway, made it somewhat better. “I guess when you think about it, National Treasure and Indiana Jones are more so different than the same… but I always found the discovery of treasures hidden in plain sight and not somewhere… incredibly far, a little bit more interesting. Anyway, I can’t get over how long that is. Seven years?” he chuckles, shaking his head. “Have you always wanted to be an Archeologist?” When he mentioned a rose, Silas nods, a soft grin growing on his features. “We definitely have that. A crowd favorite, really.” He chuckles again, walking back to the supply of flowers they were going to use for the class. “It’s pretty simple really— we have a few already pressed to show other what the end result would be, so you know what you’re gonna get,” he turns back, laying a few roses onto the wooden table. “So we’ve got here…” he inhales, pulling each item into view. “Scissors, parchment paper, heavy books, some mod podge too in case you wanted to frame them.”

“Well, sort of. I’ve..known Indiana…” Seemed like the best way to put it, especially considering the current circumstances, and how strange revealing anything else seemed to him having just become aware on a whim of Silas being incredibly close to the family. “And also fairly recently met Alessia.” Luke added with a nod. “They are, not that I mind either, it’s just good to hear something different for a change. And I guess that all depends on the circumstance of what kind of treasures you’re looking for.” Crossing both arms, his eyes glanced back at the materials on the tabletop momentarily. “But yeah, that many years, to get into the main parts of it.  --- You mean besides the Jones movies for the idea?” He mused before elaborating some more. “My grandfather was a history buff, collected a lot, and it always had been my favorite school subject. So that all played a part in it too.” And hearing his hunch about the roses had been correct, Luke grinned himself as Silas got up again. “I figured that’d likely be the best one to do a practice run. So you’ll still have the most of those. Still, hopefully I won’t ruin too many.” Straightening a bit in his seat once his company returned with the flowers in hand, he proceeded to intently glance over each of the materials one by one as they were run by, eyes catching onto one in particular as he did his best envisioning the final product. “Ok. Can I see one of the books? I mean, I’d definitely like to see the examples too.”

Having seen him from the corner of her eye, she’d tried moving around to avoid a crash. An attempt that obviously failed as there she stood, only glad the cup in hand hadn’t been full. She was about to say something when he spoke her name, filling her eyes with confusion then surprise as she realized who he was. “There’s a face I didn’t expect to see,” Alaska pointed out truthfully, speaking not only of the venue but the city as a whole. To say she’d thought of his whereabouts since last working with him would be a lie. Though if asked, the brunette would have guessed any other part of the world before landing on Louisiana. It was at his question that she perked up, pushing her hair back. “I am. For now, anyway, you know how that goes. What about you?” Trying to figure out what he could be doing there, she briefly remembered him mentioning home once. A memory that had her adding to her question. “Visiting?”

Luke merely blinked for a few moments, as if attempting to register that this was a former colleague standing before him. “I would say the same, but this has weirdly been happening a lot more than I would have thought since I’ve been back believe it or not.” He admitted through a light laugh, still in some form of stunned shock over running into another familiar face. Let alone one he knew that shared a similar, yet unique lifestyle he’d led to make a living for a good amount of years now. Of course an encounter such as this would have been only imminent.. And despite the initial uncertainty over someone unknown joining their team for a bit of time, they reached a place of mutual, bonded ground, working together well. “That’s for sure, but yeah, you could say that. Mainly for work though too, been uh, stationed here actually. Don’t know how long either.” His lips twisted. “That’s always the fun of it isn’t it? How long have you been around so far?” 

                              Family was a strong word— one that, admittingly, was hard to hear. Silas didn’t really know the definition of one, at least… for himself. Of course, the Harpers would always be the family he idolized since he was a kid, but as he got older, Silas knew no family was perfect. Nonetheless, the blonde couldn’t help but chuckle a little, shrugging. “I guess so. I can’t say no to that.” Especially after everything Adeline did for him? How could he not? “Have you? What did you hear?” he raises a curious brow, smile along with it. “Archaeology? Wow, talk about National Treasure. How much schooling did you have to do for that?” Silas nods with a satisfied grin at Luke’s confirmation, chuckling to himself as he reminds him of the task of hand. “Right— first step.” He clasps his hands together, turning to face him. “Picking the flower. Any you have your heart set on?”

Luke nodded before shrugging, re-situating his stance in the seat a bit. “I have. Definitely all good things, don’t worry.” A slight grin appeared as he reassured now that Luke knew Silas was like another family member, although, his expression fell a bit more serious again. “Well, except for what they’d fairly recently been through.” And he figured he wouldn’t have to elaborate further on that matter. “Finally. Someone who compares it to that film and not Indiana Jones for once.” Luke couldn’t help expressing a form of relief.. “About seven years, but the studies never really bothered me that much actually, I liked it all.” He nonchalantly admitted, attention then shifting towards the task, flower choosing. “Right. I do have the ones I want in mind, but…maybe I should do a trial run, first? With...a rose maybe?” Surely, those were likely the most stocked of all the flowers?

       Indiana’s eyes were shining now, her cheeks tinted a bright crimson as he calls her beautiful, her stomach alight with butterflies. “Thank you,” she managed, swallowing the rising lump in her throat. She felt a little.. insecure about dressing this way, going on a date with someone who was a friend to her first — considering she’d spent years removing herself from the dating pool. She’d been on a few dates since she swore herself off of trusting anyone wholeheartedly again, but none quite like this. Luke had a gentlemanly charm that was attractive to a girl like Indi, considering it was rare to find someone like that in a generation of fuck boys and non committal relationships. He made her feel important and valued and supported. Her fingertips trace the pressed flowers once more, memories of that afternoon coming to light as she remembers walking in on Silas and Luke — a shocking sight for the then Indi. Now, it all made sense, and she suddenly felt a tinge uncomfortable. But, she had to remember that she was on a date with Luke now, and that none of that should matter. He’d gone out of his way to make something lasting for her, and she loved it. Glancing up at him with beaming features, Indi couldn’t help but grin. “This is the best thing anyone’s given to me, Luke. I—Thank you.” She steps towards him then, hand resting gently atop his shoulder as she presses a kiss to his cheek, leaning back with a coy smile. “I’m gonna go put this inside, ‘cause I don’t want to ruin it and then I’ll grab my keys and we’ll go.“

“You don’t have to thank me. It never won’t be the truth.” As if his eyes couldn’t take themselves off the ever stunning brunette at any point before, Luke knew he wouldn’t tire of telling her. Truthfully, it was funny how with Indi, they’d technically broke a lot of first date ‘stigmas,’ leading up to this point. Yet, that certainly didn’t mean he would abruptly throw away his values, stop respecting her and the pace she wanted. He’d set love entirely aside, technically gave up in that aspect, convinced that maybe it just wasn’t going to happen for him, until meeting Indi, a girl who was intrigued by, genuinely understood his mindset, and vice versa, as if two magnets had suddenly found a meaningful pull to something that would maybe finally be worth it in the end. And now, they had this chance to actually explore the potential further, Luke was determined in not messing it up, wanting nothing more than to be a source of some genuine happiness for her. And seeing Indi’s reaction to his gift, Luke couldn’t help but become increasingly more content, that this was in fact working out well. “— Really? Wow I guess I must be better at flower pressing than I thought.” His expression instantly matched her elated one with a smile. “And don’t —“ He stopped as she moved forward, his features practically melting into her lips pressing themselves softly against his cheek. Luke merely nods, letting her go and do what she needed. Turning a bit, he checked his phone within his pocket. Good. Half hour to the docks. Straightening upward again, Luke awaited Indiana, readying to off her his hand.

                                Silas nods, a soft smile remaining on his lips. “Yeah, more or less,” he chuckles. The blonde had no problem calling the Harper’s his ‘other’ family, even though that only included Adeline, and the late John and Lucas. It wasn’t until recently he had been able to cross that barrier with Indiana, as well as being far from it with Alessia. Which was probably why he couldn’t help his chuckle. It felt strange, that the only person left was like his own mother, and the girl he was crazy about wouldn’t talk to him (and vice versa). “Both? The owners were better parents than the ones I had, so…” he shrugs, sighing. “Anyway, there can only be so many reasons why a person wants to buy flowers for someone, you know? And…” he observes Luke for a bit, chuckling again. “You don’t seem like you’re going to a cemetery anytime soon, so. Unless you are, then I apologize.”

“Oh. I’m sure you couldn’t have had better care then. ” Luke knew that merely offering essentially empty words such as, ‘I’m sorry,’ wouldn’t truly do anything in retrospect.  “I’ve heard a lot, that’s how I know --- You must really be like family to them.” At the same time, the apparent revelation seemingly struck a passing thought. Should he maybe have heard Silas’ name before? For a few moments, Luke aimlessly toyed with one of the materials placed before them until hearing the following remarks. “The one where my Grandfather’s buried locally here. But... from a work stance as well, they’re a part of what I do at times. Archaeology.” Luke added in explanation. “Anyway, yes, this is for a date.” He grinned a bit, his eyes shifting towards the table-top, that particular notion reminding him to not steer completely away from the task at hand. “So uh, first step, right?” 

“I was born and raised here. I’ve only ever been out of this city a few times but only for a few days at a time. Never for very long. It’s a big city. Kind of hard to keep your eyes open all the time and discover everything,” She explained. “Yup. You have two years to get your bearings back. After that I just think you’re a lost cause. Of course that is if you stay here another year. If you leave and come back then that two year time limit thing starts over,” She pointed out. “Don’t think being a waitress will ever lea me to be a millionaire but it’s a start. Your day really that bad? I’m sure it’ll get better.”

“Same for me. I just left for a long time after high school. --- Yeah, honestly, I don’t think most realize how vast this city is actually is.” Luke nodded. “That’s another good way to put it, guess I’m just wired to that mind-set now.” He admitted, ‘discovery’ being the crux of  what he’d built a career upon. “Gee, thanks. Going to have to experiment that now. Or figure out a way to get out if time is coming up short.” Luke mused. “Me leaving again is up in the air.” He shrugged. “You never know. And don’t forget you have your tip strategy down.  --- Well, thanks for another vote of confidence. I’ll take that as yes, your day is going better.”

        Indi was conscious of the way he was looking at her now, subconsciously, and shyly, holding her arms out in front of her torso, her cheeks burning crimson. Swallowing the rising lump in her throat once more, she brings her gaze over to meet Luke’s sky blue ones, a soft smile forming on her features as she opens the package. “You remembered..” she beams, that smile of hers widening as the wrapping falls away, revealing a book, to which she opened the first page to find two beautifully pressed flowers, her heart warming at the sight. “Luke.. this is..” Evidently speechless, the brunette shakes her head with parted lips, her fingertips running along the art before looking up at him in shock. “This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever given me, I..” And it was true. It wasn’t your traditional way of giving flowers or jewellery or anything of the sort.. it was thoughtful, and deep, and that’s exactly what attracted her to Luke so long ago. Kindred spirits, who searched for deeper meanings in the simple things, in the ordinary. And like this, it symbolised the beginning of their story, of where it could potentially lead to. “I love it.. I’m just.. wow,” she breathes, shaking her head again, before looking over at him with furrowed, curious brows, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Is this what you were working on the other day at Fleur’s?” 

It was only the small movement of her hands that brought him slightly out of his awed-like trance. “I — It’s..you’re just so beautiful.” He remarked upon her deep, shining eyes meeting his right then, a hand extending outward for one of hers to indicate it was alright, no way should Indi be the one embarassed. And as Luke watched her expression immediately happily ease once his gift came into near full sight, a relaxed smile immediately formed upon his own features. It seemed like it’d been a good choice. He wanted to do something significant, other than what was a date’s customary. After endlessly racking his brain, the ideas seems to flow perfectly when coming down to essentially blending what he knew about Indiana and her interests, the many shared between them, signifying that finally, their own chapters could begin. “I couldn’t forget. I — really?” Luke stopped, eyes widening as she mentioned it being the sweetest thing she’d ever received. “I mean, I’m definitely lucky to be the one to have done so.” He nodded. She deserved everything and more. “I’m really, really glad you like it.” Luke couldn’t help but smirk a bit at her question, shrugging. “Maybe.” He coyly stayed. More like learning how to even do flower pressing in the first place. “Guess I didn’t ruin the surprise after all.” Thankfully.

       And in a crowd of people, she finally spotted a familiar blonde, a huge smile creeping unto her features. “You won’t keep me.. oh, I see how it is,” she smirks, raising her brows amusedly and folding her arms across her chest. “You take a girl out on a first date and that’s it?” She joked, a wide smile forming on her features, gaze falling to the bag he held. “You know, you’ve gotta stop giving me things,” pursing her lips and shaking her head at him. “I feel so bad! By the time your birthday comes round I’ll owe you a tonne.” 

“In regards to how many people have to say happy birthday to you here. ” Luke countered with a smirk of his own, placing the bag on the counter. “At least they all better do so. But a second date is in the cards then?” He prompted upon Indiana’s enthusiastic reaction. “And what are you going to do about it? Throw your own cake’s icing at me?” Luke purposely teased, feeling more content. Although, he shook his head at her remark about his own birthday. “Seriously, don’t worry about that. Besides..” He halted, moving to gently pick her up from standing, placing her on the counter. “It’s yours.”

“Dad is a secret Kardashian lover, I’m telling you. He said ‘Bible’ the other day when I was picking Meeko up from her doggy date with the traitor and I was so confused, I ran out of there so fast thinking he’d been abducted and replaced with an alien. If he could, pretty sure he’d rename us both with names that begin with a ‘K’. He’s fascinated.” Despite her mood, a small smile lifted her lips as she thought about the odd conversation she’d had with her father. A little part of her suspected he watched it to make sure he kept something in common with his daughter, something that she was truly touched by. “Knew it, I bet you two watch it together..”

There was something to be said about following in your older sibling’s footsteps that made Maddie genuinely believe that if she had more than one child in her future, they’d be sent to different schools. She had followed Luke through school and with the teachers they’d both had, she had big shoes to fill once her brother had graduated. “Please, they were so proud you went to Brown. They wanted me to go there as well but I needed my own life. I spent all of high school being Luke York’s little sister that I had to go somewhere where no one knew my family are brainiacs.” She could feel her eyes getting heavy and she blinked quickly, determined to have a conversation where she didn’t cry. “I didn’t want to be a disappointment. I don’t want you to feel bad about this Luke, because this is nothing to do with you, I swear. You are the most brilliant person I know but I always feel like I’m judged against you. It’s not your fault, I swear it’s not, but being the younger sibling? I always felt I had to do better, to prove I was more than just the little York.” She had never properly divulged exactly how she felt to anyone, no boyfriend, not her parents, not even Sawyer, but for some reason, she knew Luke understood everything she was saying. “He’s not, it’s honestly not.. He’s great and he doesn’t even know I like him. It’s just, I think with everything coming down on top of me right now, it just feels like another area of my life I’m failing in. It’s all me, it’s not him, I swear.” Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Maddie shook her head. “You’re here.. That’s helping.”

Luke’s brows only furrowed further. “You’re joking. Seriously, Maddie stop with the deflecting.” Luke tried suppressing a grin at the ridiculous thought. Although knowing how much Maddie was into the sort of thing, their father might have one-upped on him in regards to relating to her in some way. The more Luke thought about it, he seemingly really didn’t. Sure, they had the traveling in common, but that had only been increments of time, in literal different worlds. Would that even be considered something? Did he even try to have anything like that in common with his family in general, besides inherited smarts? It was a striking revelation… Both eyes flickered back to the map on the wall. She did like her present, and in general, they were both trying, that had to account. “Right. Remind to ask about that all next time we see him.”

And in all truth, those churning thoughts only delved deeper as she continued, apparently more blinded than he even initially realized. “--- Ok, yeah it was a different school but it was still Ivy League. And you know, they also wanted me to be a teacher, but that didn’t happen. I needed my own life somehow too.” He admitted. “And I don’t know, you have those little things with them, like those shows, I don’t think I have that at all.” It had all been sending links and newspaper clippings, achieving success to make them all proud; exactly why he couldn’t let that all come crashing down on him. That had essentially been his way of relating. “Besides, you make me sound like I was also captain of the high school football team or something.” Luke couldn’t help musing. “--- I never knew why you put me on such a pedestal, honestly. But it made me proud, always wanting to live up to that, to not let you down either. I mean ok, I guess I turned out pretty cool.” He nonchalantly shrugged, smirking. Albeit, noting how Maddie’s eyes were starting to well, his expression wiped. “Thanks, but you’re also not a disappointment, Maddie and you know it. At least, can you listen to me when I say that? It might not be my fault, although, I still probably should’ve been more aware.” And this all was what they were working on in the present. “I believe you..just..if you’re hurt by him Maddie, I swear...” Hearing her answer, Luke smiled some, standing up from the chair, actually opening his arms out. “That won’t change. No matter where I am. And I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere anytime soon anyway.”

“Oh really? I wish my dog was that sassy. She just pretends to run away and then comes back sulking when you pretend to walk away from her. She’s more demanding than a child, I swear.” Shrugging once, Alessia grinned. “We’ll try, I’ll tell her you told her so.” In truth, she didn’t really know Luke all that well. They had met a few times and had started to get to know each other but there was still a lot to be learned. Despite this, Ale felt a unique bond that she didn’t really have with any other men in her life. She wasn’t used to having guys as friends, really, the last had been her brother. Even if Luke could never and would never replace her brother, he was certainly starting to fill the void of a male friend. She continued to work as they spoke, her hands working quickly to wash of the shampoo before she started massaging the conditioner into his head. “It’s really not that bad, it’ll just look a damned sight better once we’re finished. Unable to stop herself from smiling, Ale leaned over to look down at him. “My official sister line is ‘hurt her and feel my wrath’ but I know you won’t, so we don’t need to go there.” She liked Luke, she did and she knew enough about him to trust that he did like her sister and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, something Ale craved for Indiana more than anything else. “Am I allowed to know anything or is it a highly guarded secret?” As she finished the massage, she quickly washed his hair once more before turning off the water. “You’re done, follow me.” Pulling off her gloves and dropping them into a bin, Ale grabbed a towel and led Luke over to her station. “So before you tell me the juicy details, what do you want done? Just a trim?”

“You might be able to occupy her along with the one my sister does have left. I don’t know, I can’t keep track of them.” Luke shrugged with a shake of his head, a grin forming at the corner of his lips. “—Good.” He simply replied that Ale and her own dog would try to stay out of any more danger. It had him certainly content that she knew he meant the caution out of way that they were growing to care, trust one another genuinely within a friendship. Being taken off guard initially could really end up taking off at times. “Ok. You’re the expert here, taking your word for it.” He stated through an eased sigh as she went right on proceeding with the washing process. Although his eyes flew right open again at the impending ‘warning,’ instantly nodding in affirmation. Before Luke knew it, Ale announced his hair was done at this step and once upright, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder in attempt to stop her from moving any more forward for the moment. “I definitely understand, I do the same for my own sister. You have my full word, I would never hurt Indi.” He still reiterated before her. “…And no matter what, I want you to know that you, as my friend, isn’t going to change. --- it’s why I don’t really bring what I have with your sister up a lot. I know you don’t think it, but just.. also know I’m really not trying to gain anything.” Luke defiantly addressed. He hadn’t been actively looking for romance, yet, now this spurred chance re-surfaced with Indiana presented itself, there was no way he wanted to not try. “Let’s get past Friday first, though.” Luke then followed her to her salon station, seating himself in the chair. “About the date you mean? And yes, a trim’s just fine I think.”