In which Luke owns an antique store and you have an old guitar to sell and stories he yearns to know.
Word Count: 1.2k
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Luke often finds himself lost in the worlds of treasures that grace the shelves of his store. Every antique has a story and every story fascinates him endlessly. He takes special care to get to know the pieces; each one unique. It’s a mild afternoon, sunlight filtering in past stained glass windows; colors reflected and dancing along light hardwood floors. He holds an antique jewelry box in his hand, clearly remembering the elderly gentleman who’d come in to sell it to him. He recalls it had belonged to his wife, passed down from her mother; handmade in the early 1900s. He knew the story of its past and hoped he’d be able to find it a home for the future.
The front doors to the shop open with a chime of a bell alerting him. He makes his way back to the counter, catching eyes and then letting his gaze wander down to a guitar case in hand. He can tell it’s old; worn and a little battered but kept in as good of shape as it possibly could be. He’s already running numbers through his mind, putting a top dollar on his offer though he’s not sure what is within the case. He may have to call Ashton or Calum over at Music Mayhem; their words of wisdom never failing him as of yet. The guitar case lands gently on the wooden counter and Luke spares it one glance before looking up to fully meet gazes with you.
There’s something soft about you; perhaps it’s the gentle glow of the sun highlighting you in stained glass colors, or the glint of innocent need that captures your eyes. Either way, Luke knows his bargaining will be impaired, he already feels drawn in by you. He just hopes he doesn’t end up drowning in the deal. You’re a bit shy at first, silent a moment as if waiting for Luke to speak up first but he can see you gathering your thoughts and doesn’t want to interrupt you. He’s comfortable with silence; many stories start with quiet moments.
“I don’t know if you’re looking for anything like this right now,” you begin almost in a whisper, voice barely carried to Luke’s ears, reminding him of a soft summer breeze that can barely be felt on the skin but raises goosebumps anyway. “But if you are, I’d like to sell it.”
Luke nods his consideration and brings his hands up from his sides, lets them settle on the smooth wood of the countertop and meets your gaze again. His fingers nervously tap against the counter and he reminds himself to play it cool and keep his head above water.
“Can you tell me about it?” He asks with a pointed gaze at the case, now curious if a guitar lays inside—if anything lays inside. Surely he can’t justify purchasing just a case; not one that’s worn, he’d never find it a home worth the time and money.
You pick up on his cue and with a tiny shake of your head as if to bring yourself back to reality you swiftly open the case and take a breath.
“It was my great grandfather’s, from the 1920s,” you explain.
What’s inside leaves Luke in awe. A guitar that wears its age with pride sits inside a velvet lining. Your small explanation piques his interest and sentimentality. He’s not sure why you want to part with something so extraordinary, something rich with not only history itself but familial history as well. He’s almost not certain he can let you part with it, but when he finds your eyes again he can sense there’s a reason. One that leaves a sheen of longing and a need glimmering with hope that hangs in the uncertain balance of his decision.
“Are you sure you want to sell this?” He asks as a courtesy. He can’t help but wonder aloud, give you a chance to back out if need be.
You nod and bite your lip but Luke can tell the bitten lip is not a motion or reflection of indecision. Your gaze is certain and when you free your lip and speak back up he feels his heart sink and curiosity take a stronghold.
“I don’t get much use of it. But I could really use the money,” you explain, naturally soft voice going even softer for the last sentence. “And you’ll find it a good home, right?”
He can’t deny you of that, he always strives to find the best for any lost treasure that ends up with him. Ever since the previous owner of the store instilled the value of not only money but purpose into him. He fondly remembers her and all of the lessons she taught him; keeping them with him for moments just like these.
“Of course,” Luke agrees and thinks over an offer before putting the ball in your court to decide if it’s enough. He completely expects you to counter and want more but the sigh of relief that escapes you and the eager nod with a hand sprinting out to close the deal surprises him.
“Deal,” you say, needing to verbally confirm the offer.
“Deal,” Luke repeats and let’s his hand close around yours.
He lingers with his hand in yours and you don’t seem to mind it, might even be lingering for the touch too, but all too soon a mutual break away ensues. It takes Luke a good moment to collect cash for the payment, eyes constantly flickering back up to you as he counts out the bills. He sees that the need and urgency that once captured your gaze has melted away, it’s replaced with a calm grace of thankfulness. Luke is happy he could break the panic and afford to give you peace of mind for whatever struggles you may be facing. Though he’s sorry to see you part with such a piece.
An overwhelming need to say something that might bring you back after leaving without the guitar in hand consumes Luke. He knows you might never have a reason to come into the shop again but an inkling of an idea enters his thoughts.
“You can come visit it anytime,” he offers with a leap of faith; hoping you might be the sentimental type and appreciate the gesture.
A smile that beams radiance and gratefulness cuts across your face and Luke knows his faith in you shouldn’t have been doubted.
“I’ll definitely take you up on that,” you say, voice finding new confidence and building volume. “You’ll probably get sick of me.”
Luke shakes his head, quite certain that couldn’t be possible.
Once the money is exchanged and the guitar is put behind the counter so Luke can find a home for it you leave his store with one last thank you and an air of mystery following you out the door. Luke knows he’s getting lost in the world that you inhabit, is much too curious about an antique guitar and your reasons for selling it. He may not have drowned in the deal, but you have a pull on him that threatens to bring him under. And he doesn’t mind at all.
***
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ooh here r some antique shop luke concepts!!!!! i feel like he would be so soft n wear glasses n be so interested in all the things that are old in his lil store!!! he would want to know where they come from n what makes them special!! he would find it calming to restore furniture, give it a new seal of paint or fix a damaged leg while keeping the old charm n structure, he would have a small clothes section that he buys from because he loves switching up his style! he would love going to (c)
collect antiques from people and curate products for the store and help customers find the perfect item for them!!!! the store would be so cozy, lots of old furniture and pretty paintings and a record player that he plays a special selection of records he got from ash and cal on to set the vibe!!! he could even have petunia come into work w him and just sleep in the backroom or by the counter, he would have cups of tea with a pastry that he got from mike before coming in and worn books he reads on his break!! i feel like he would wear soft knit jumpers n worn jackets n plaid prints n maybe rings???? sigh i love luke he is a soft boy!!!! hope u dont mind me sharing my thoughts w you!!!!! the business world u have built makes my heart so giddy i love love love it
I LOVE all of that oh my goodness. It works so well with the little back story I thought up for him. So. Luke would’ve studied history in university but coming out of school he wouldn’t have known what he wanted to do. He’d maybe entertain the thought of the history museum but quickly reject it; it would just feel a little too institutional and stuffy for him. He’d think over being a history teacher but wouldn’t want to be confined to a set curriculum or teaching from a book. He’d find the stories of history much more compelling than the memorization of dates. He’s more into the why than the when and what. He’d spend a few months jumping from job to job just trying to find his way; it’d be pure luck that he stumbles into the antique store and even better luck that the elderly woman who runs it takes to him so completely. He’d keep going back to the shop, getting caught up in the stories of all the pieces that decorate the store. He’d find awe in the restoration process, find beauty in the forgotten and hang on every word of every story each piece tells. He’d quickly take up a position at the store, first just working the register for purchases, then being able to do trades (sort of like a pawn shop runs, customers could bring items to the store that the store would either purchase or trade for something of equal value). And then find himself thrust into a full time managerial position when the owner falls ill. She’d leave the store to Luke. He’d cherish her memory and run the store in her honor. Keeping it a place for the forgotten and unique.
Maybe I’ll write blurbs for their beginnings or we can all just talk about them? 🤔 I definitely want to explore how they all get established. I’m so happy y’all like this little world. I hope we can keep adding to it together 🥺🥺
Eve!! Luke as an antique store owner is just amazing. I feel like he’d have a little section of vintage band t-shirts and old leather jackets. When Cal and Ash comes by he always something new to show or they’re trying to take something new claiming it belongs in the record store -🌿 im so so excited for all these concepts eve and also I love the present aesthetic for the blog with all its muted spring colors
His music stock would always be depleted because Calum and Ashton bargain his pieces away almost as soon as they hit the shelves. Luke wouldn’t mind; he’s always glad to show them and tell them their stories. Calum and Ashton often respond in kind with Luke too; perhaps a vintage or antique player comes their way that they don’t have any clue on how to restore or sell but they know Luke will take the best care of it and find it a loving home. They’d have such good camaraderie among the shops on the block. If ever they’re having blow out sales to get a lot of traffic Michael will pitch in a baked goods booth to help keep the crowd’s mood up. The block would become a little family. Always helping each other out.
antique store luke with a florist would be so cute omg e!!!
Right? I’ve been tossing it around in my head the past few weeks or so and I love the thought. Luke is so transfixed on the past lives of all the antiques he gets in his store, he wants to find homes for the rest of their lives. His reader insert would bring life to flowers and greenery and they would know all the meanings of every petal and could tell Luke all about it. I just really love how well it fits. I’m glad you like the thought too! I think I’m definitely going with it 🖤
