Training or practice
After completing his long and exhausting demon history class, Luke came back into his shared dorm room. From the open window gentle bands of sun flowed through the drafty air, a cause of another lit cigarette.
βValentine? Are you busy right now?β Luke wondered, coming to peer over his parabatis papers spread over the desk. he didnβt look too busy, with his hands behind his head and his chest without a shirt.
βNo, whatβs up?β Valentine asked, he had the habit of answering questions with questions. It had driven him and Luke to fight many times, physically, verbally or just plain absurdly.
βI need your help, with the new wrestling requirement.β Luke stated, letting Valentine pull him between his legs, the pass his the cigarette with both hands, opening his fist, spreading his first two fingers.
βwe have bigger things to worry about, thereβs a whole crowd of those fucking talking tree trunks who DARED to step out of their dirt filled mushrooms and into beautifully clean Idris. .β Valentine stated, not paying all that much attention to Luke as he glared at the open window, so curiously like he was about to jump out it.
βA crowd? I didnβt see them, could you please help me Val? You know youβre better at this stuff than I am, please.β Luke begged, taking a few hits before dumping some of the ash into a nearby sparkly glass tray.
βThatβs not the worst of our problems either..β Valentine mummered, pushing himself onto Luke and looking past him to see the lonely field, the empty high trees.
βyeah I might not pass this year! Could you at least explain it to me well I get dressed, your clearly not going to be any help.β Luke sighed, before digging into his wardrobe, which was a trunk under the contrasting bed. The homely quilt, but the slim and desperate trunk, taped together, beaten till dents.
βIβll help you, but you know youβve got to help me in return.β Valentine cleared, squeezing Lucianβs backside.
βFine, Iβm not going to do anything crazy though.β Luke declared, putting both of his palms out from his pockets. They had tiny intends, splinters from a wooden stake from earlier training in weapons class.
βIβm not asking you too, just get Marsye and Robert together.β Valentine shrugged, putting out the rest of his cigarette, before turning to face Luke, who only eyed him suspiciously but did not face Valentine.
βwhatβ¦?β Luke asked, shaking his head of hair before setting down his backpack beside his bed.
βIβd be fun for you no? you getting to cause that kind of chaos.β He subdued, kicking Luke lightly on the thigh.
βWhat exactly are you asking me to do Valentine? You know Iβd do anything if it made you feel better.β Luke reasoned, well not being all that reasonable. After Oskar had died, Valentine was an angry person, not every hour of the day, but his fits often lasted years it seemed.
βFeel better? I feel fine, fuck. Iβll go with you for know, just get dressed.β Valentine swore, slamming the door to his wardrobe open, then pulling out a black wrestling leotard.
Well he was turned around, Luke began to put on his new school issued leotard, starting by taking off his uniform. Sometime well he was doing this, a pair of distasteful eyes caught his figure in the fog of plots. His clotted hips, his slightly hunched spine, seen barely through his thick skin. The horrid of the two often declared that his skin was thick, not just as an expression but in a literal meaning. If you got close enough to Luke, sleep in the same bed with him, seen him most vindictively, same as Valentine, youβd reach out to touch him and wouldnβt feel any hard bone. That if he skinned him whole, he would only need one layer of clothing in the harshest and wisest winter.
βHey earth to Valentine, Iβm ready.β Luke sighed, waving an arm in front of Valentine who still hadnβt begun to change and know gazed Luke from up to down, then sucked air through his prestigious teeth.
βGo, Iβll meet you there.β Valentine validated,lightly smacking Lukeβs bottom with a wink.
Well walking down the empty and vague hallway, Luke whistled one of the many songs of Idris, two blind men.
When Luke got to the training room, the last thing he expected to see was Micheal, talking to himself and pacing wildly. He lacked a shirt, but had on a pair of sweatpants with a black tiger covering one of the legs. Which, for Micheal, was impressive considering he could and sometimes did stroll around naked. He ran his hands through his naturally flat hair, lacking its usual toque.
βHey Micheal, whatβs up?β Luke asked, raising a thin eyebrow at him.
βOh nothing.. nothing, I was just.. thinking out loud.β Micheal tried, Luke shook his nappy head
βWhatever you say.β Luke said, setting up one of the blue practice mats onto the floor.
βwhat are you doing?β Micheal asked, well fidgeting from foot to foot, clawing at his left arm with his right.
βIm setting up so I can practice for the wrestling requirements. Micheal what are YOU doing?β Luke groaned, going back to get another mat. Just as Valentine came in with a water bottle and a towel.
βIβm- I donβt know.β Micheal sputtered, going over to a near by wall, then kicking the dusty old bricks.
βIgnore him, focus. What are you having trouble with?β Valentine asked, holding Lukeβs square chin is his thin hands, so his catching eyes aligned with Valentines.
From the slightly dirty window, the sunlight caught onto Lukeβs eyes, making them look less like the sea where it meets the beach. More like the wonderous secret of lake Lyn. If Valentine hadnβt been so focused on his massive plots, he would have realized Lukeβs eyes were the ones you fall in love with. the ones you could stare at for decades and still find new things about them. The ones youβd hope to see if you were to close yours for a final time.
βPinning, and getting the other person to the ground, getting the upper hand I think itβs called.β Luke mumbled.
βyes it is, alright. This might take some time.β Valentine teased, before starting to pace around Luke on his feet.
βGo easy on me, Iβm not very good.β Luke pleaded, moving in to latch onto Valentine, trying to throw him downwards and to the left, which didnβt work out as Valentine pushed him off balance.
βYour not standing right when your going in, you need to spread your legs and go down lower, the lower you go, Iβll go.β Valentine rumbled, using his bare foot to push Lukeβs legs apart.
βThatβs what she said.β Micheal commented, as he know laid down and rocked on a pink yoga ball.
βYou wish thatβs what she said.β Luke replied, once again trying to knock Valentine downwards. Which at first, worked before Valentine turned him down the opposite way, causing him to fall over onto his ass.
βEasy enough for you?β Valentine asked, purposefully keeping Luke mostly down flat on the mat.
βI would so pierce my junk, but dying my pubes is so off the table.β Micheal decided to inform them both.
βMicheal, are you high on something right now?Or drunk, possibly?β Valentine asked, sighing onto Luke.
βYes, but maybe Iβm just telling you cause youβre my friends?β Micheal soured, bouncing off the ball.
βwho said we were friends?β Luke joked, then used his legs to push Valentine back enough to pin him down. He had waited until Micheal got up, had no white left in his eyes, as Valentine stared him down.
βYouβre not my friend,really?β Micheal muttered, looking down at his bare feet.
βNo, Micheal. Calm down.β Luke soothed, as Valentine pushed off of the mat, just as the door opened.
βNo your not my friend?β Micheal asked, as Robert came in and paused, holding his deep breath.
βI am your friend.β Luke declared, well looking at himself in the lengthy wall mirror, before bouncing up. He shuffled over to grab Valentines water bottle, squirting some of the water bottle into his panting mouth, well placing a hand on Valentines sweaty back to steady himself.
βThanks.β Luke grinned, before turning towards Robert, guiding him out of the room and into the hallway.
βWhatβs up.. is this about yesterday?β Robert prompted, Luke gently put an hand on his back.
βNo, I just had a question for you and I wasnβt all too sure how Valentine would have reacted.β Luke warned, walking until he got out of earshot, then going outside to light up a cigarette he had taken from Valentine during his trance over Lukeβs body.
βSure, ask away.β Robert shrugged, watching Luke with a sort of fascination, as he presented even ego as Valentine in the present moment. Barely clothed in a wrestling uniform, smoking a cigarette and asking Robert a supposed personal question as if he owned the entire planet.
βYou and Marsye got anything going on? You know?β Luke asked, winking with one extreme blue eye.
βNo no.. we havenβt even.. I mean I havenβt asked her out yet.β Robert whispered, looking down at his shoes.
βYou should, sheβs into you.β Luke pointed out, passing the lit cigarette to him.
βYeah, I just donβt know how.β Robert muttered between smoke, before handing the cigarette back. Just as Joclyean and Marsye walked by, Joclyean with a pile of books and Marsye with a long runed sword.
βHey, Joclyean, Marsye.β Luke greeted as they giggled and stopped in front of the pair, Marsye boarding her sword on a holder strung acrossed her chest. She was taller than most their age, even Valentine. So the belt no doubt, must have been custom made for her.
βHey Luke, you should put that out you know smoking against the rules you have to be at least 50 inches away from any door.β Joclyean declared, as Luke pushed Robert towards Marsye just a tad, the came up from the wall.
βoh yeah letβs walk then.β Luke genuinely not knowing and staring to walk, but not before winking at Robert.
βArenβt those Valentines?β Joclyean asked, as Luke flicked the end of the cigarette on the crisp grass.
βYeah, he knows. Would you mind putting that butt out? I donβt have shoes on.β Luke lied and smiled. He really didnβt have shoes on, his bare feet stuck to each small pebble around.
βUgh, fine.β Joclyean scoffed, gazing at Luke well she snuffed out the flame of the tobacco.
βthank you.β Luke grinned, before a Joclyeanβs grass eyed laid on his neck.
βWho were you kissing?β She asked, pushing his arm gently.
βUh, no one youβd know.β Luke lied through his teeth once more, then turned and faced her.
βAlright, seems you had some fun. Speaking of, I have to go write a report with Marsye, so if you wouldnβt mind getting to the point of that.β Joclyean sassed, pointing,circling in hers and Robertβs position.
βValentine asked me to.β Luke shrugged, Joclyean groaned, then rolled her eyes.
βWell, trust me itβs not going to take that long on Marsyes front, sheβs just waiting for him to ask.β Joclyean declared, Luke stretched his arms and looked back at her, his sky eyes hitting the sunlight.
βHe doesnβt know how to ask.β Luke murmured, watching as he Robert seemed to just speak to her casually, well Luke glared at him and tapped the spot where a watch would go on a wrist.
Not before long, Marsye nodded her head and laughed, her long hair flowing around on her back.
βSee it wasnβt that hard, come on.β Luke rushed, putting an arm over Robertβs shoulder.
βIt was actually.β Robert declared, breathing out all of his air, as Luke walked him as far as his boarding room.
βWell whatever, when is it? Your date?β Luke asked, following him inside. Compared to the room Luke and Valentine shared, it was much dirtier, but ultimately more homely. Both Robert and Micheal had quilted blankets made by their mothers as they had their initials on the left of them and their sons on the right. It was traditional for people to get a blanket made by their mothers before they left to the academy.
Or for Lukeβs case, the closest thing he had to a mother, Atamis had made him a blanket but to avoid potential embarrassment, she had forged their own motherβs signature.
βTonight.β Robert told, well searching through his wardrobe for a suit and nice shoes.
βwhat?! what time? And where?β Luke asked, confused at his sudden pacing, knowing it was Luke who chased this rushed behaviour.As he threw out a beaten up ivory suit jacket and a cut black tie.
βUh, 7:00 and at that nice restaurant just off Angel square.β Robert told him, shaking his lean head.
βI hope youβre not going to wear that, didnβt you get into a fight at your cousin Gladstoneβs funeral? I heard about that.β Luke commented, as Robert just kept rooting through the wooden closest.
βYeah, I did. Anyways, I donβt have anything to wear, we have to go out.β Robert decided, as Luke held the door for him to go out towards the front grand door of the shadow hunter academy.
βAs long as you have moneyβ Luke sighed, as Robert began to dig through his nightstand.
βYeah, maybe.. I should get her some flowers huh?β Robert wondered, well Luke went towards his own bedroom, where Valentine who had already changed and Hodge sat, Valentine on the desk chair and Hodge folded up on the desk with a scroll in is hand.
βI donβt know, just do what you think is right and Iβm sure sheβll like it.β Luke commented, going over to grab a knitted sweater and sweater pants. He then went over to the bathroom but not before eyeing Hodge.
βYou ask Marsye out?β Valentine asked, watching as Luke disappeared, then Robert sit down on his bed.
βYes I did, we have a date.β Robert declared proudly, looking at the detail in Lukeβs blanket.
βFor when?β Valentine wondered, as Luke came back out from the bathroom and accepted the lit ebony cigarette from Valentine had he held it out, paying more mind to Robert.
βTonight.β Robert stated, clearing his throat nervously as he got back up.
βWell, thatβs soon.β Valentine commented, looking at Luke with a certain curiosity.
βwould you mind helping me out, Luke?β Robert asked, looking into his light bright eyes.
βOf course, I wouldnβt mind at all.β Luke grinned, as he and Robert left the room, going towards the front door.
βSee you later.β Valentine grinned towards Luke, then winked with one dark eye.
βBye, see ya.β Luke smiled as Valentine handed him a cigarette and a pile of euros.
βthanks.β Luke remarked than skipped out to the dusty road to the shops along with Robert who huffed.
βI still donβt know what kind of flowers to get her, or what type of suit to wear, should I make a reservation at the restaurant? Wait we should run back and-β
βThereβs probably a phone at one of the shops, bet theyβll have the number too.β Luke reminded, before lighting up the cigarette he had been handed with, then used his own yellow smiley face lighter.
βOkay, will you call them?β Robert wondered, watching Luke take a few puffs, then pass it to him carefully.
βOf course.β Luke replied, leading him into their first stop and the longest, the elegance store. It was owned by a featherstone who had moved from the Australian country side to share her talents with Alicante.
βHello, how are you today?β An Alicanteed accented voice rang through, so it couldnβt have been the owner.
βGood, this guy here needs a suit for his first date.β Luke teased, pointing at Robert and his attire.
βnot my first date, ever. Just my first date with this one girl.β Robert fixed, looking around the store for a suit.
βAh, the one.β The worker nodded, her name tag read βMishaβ. From the clear window, her forest eyes glowed.
βNo! Well, I donβt know yet, I donβt know could you itβs measure me?!β Robert shouted, clearing his throat.
βOkay, relax Robert.β Luke soothed, holding out an arm for him to steady himself with as he walked up into the platform. He was paying more mind to the woman reaching for her yellow measuring tape.
βItβs alright to be nervous, love. Most of are on a first date with anyone.β Misha declared, smiling and taking her tape from one end of his out stretched arms to the other. Then writing it down on a piece of paper behind the counter, bringing it with her as she ran it up both his legs.
βIβm nervous, but Iβm excited. Do you have a phone he could borrow to make a call to make a reservation?β Robert asked, pouting towards Luke who grinned and then pushed him off the platform.
βStop stressing yourself out, isnβt the owner your cousin?β Luke asked as he followed Misha.
βNo, Marsyes.β Robert stated, looking around in shops colour guide for suits and ties.
βwell, then thatβs good.β Luke replied, looking through Alicantes phone book, a staple at every home and shop.
βBlue or black?β Robert called towards Luke, who held up his hand as the phone rang on the other line.
βHm, a dark blue.β Misha commented, getting out a suit from behind the swirl pattern curtain.
βHi, Iβd like to make a reservation for a table of two at 7:00?β Luke asked into the phone, putting one of his double jointed thumbs up towards Robert who took off the worn out jacket he was wearing to put the suit on.
βuh, sure table or booth?β An Alicante accent rang out towards Luke, it was deep and thick like his parabatis.
βDo you want a table or a booth?!β Luke shouted, as a few of the nearby residents kids bounded through the cobblestone streets.
βBooth? No! Table? Fuck no! I donβt know you pick!β Robert reported, shaking his leg half angerly, more anxiously.
βA booth please, sir.β Luke repeated, rolling his baby eyes for two reasons, the children now bounded into the shop, knocking over more than two racks and two, Robert being ridiculous.
βSir? Luke Iβm Michealβs cousin and youβre older than me.β The voice replied, sighing slightly well he scribbled down the name and apporiate booth.
βJohn? Arenβt you 11?β Luke asked, having recalled the boy from a wedding he and Atamis had attended for Michealβs aunt a few months ago, when the weather was more windy, explicit, almost scalding.
βYeah, you going on the date?β He wondered.
βNo Maryse et Robert.β Luke commented, clearing his view of the pole to glance at Misha, who was neatly and expressionlessly measuring Robertβs long wrist to shoulder.
βLuke! Stop telling other people my business!β Robert arose, as Misha tuned back to the stock room.
βItβs Michealβs cousin John be a good boy and stay still!β Luke shouted, hurling a nearby pen at Robertβs neck.
βFUCK OFF!β Robert screamed, as he ran over and snatched the cord phone out of Lukeβs hand.
βFine, relax.β Luke soothed, lightly running his hand down Robertβs back, accidentally touching his bum for short seconds. Neither of them minded, but a look was in fact, exchanged.
Out of kindness, perhaps lust, Luke stored over to remove the racks and suits from the floor, dusting each speck of fabric he could. As the children came through the back deck, Luke grabbed one of them as he slid past.
βBoth of you get out now! If you want to run around, go to the felid! You know better than this! Hey, I KNOW YOUR MOTHER!β Luke scolded, as the one in his arm finally broke loose, but not before landing himself a harsh spank on the bottom.
βI want you to do that to me.β Robert continued, grinning evilly.
βWhat..β Luke asked, turning his head slowly to stall him having the face whatever came out of Robert next.
βSo I have a reason to fight you.β Robert replied, coming dangerously close to Luke.
βI just threw a pen at you?!β Luke laughed, pushing Robert off of him gently as he tried to grab his arms.
They managed to bump into the dark wood wall wedged between two glowing hat displays, Robert holding up both of Lukeβs forearms to wall as he tried to kick out Robertβs knees. Failing as Robert dug his longer leg in between both of Lukeβs thicker ones. Their breathing collided for mere minutes, as they panted and Luke laughing lightly, causing Robert to lost his temper, going back to grabbing him, tossing him towards to the floor. Hard enough for Luke to remember when his own mother had dropped him hard enough to cause concussion, or when Valentine started beating him up well he was showering and of course slipped. Unlike Valentine, Robert stopped. Just to glare at Luke with a semblance of anger still within him. Enough that Luke began to trail his hands up Robertβs tight thighs, towards his waist. Being able to see the beauty in small things, Robert glared furiously into Lukeβs light eyes, so much so he thought about kissing every inch of their domain, their plump corneas, their long cillias, their dirty medial canthus. Then, blamed it on having read a book about eyes the day before, most certainly having nothing to do with the fact that he had a beautifully breathtaking man, pinned between his own legs. This train of thought didnβt deter Robert from leaning in closely, enough that Luke wondered why he even bothered going a date with Marsye at all, just to wipe the sleep from the tender flesh of his eyes.
βHere, try this on.β Misha called, not seeing either boy. Being on top, Robert got up first and rather quickly.
βNothing!β Robert shouted, as Luke just sighed in disappointment, and held Robertβs hand as he helped him up, it was a rule of respect they called it. If you donβt pick your opponent back up, youβll never win again. Not that either of them had been winners in that situation.
βCan you just try the suit on?!β Misha asked, her lip curling on one side, her eyebrow raising.
Having never seen someone make this exact face, Robert assumed it was out of disgust. As if she knew he just thought about making out with Lukeβs eyeballs on the floor of HER shop. This caused him to freeze where he was, still holding onto Lukeβs thick hand, even had he tried to take it back. βIm pervertedβ Robert thought and she looked at him like she knew it. She knew he thought about what he would be like to kiss every inch of a manβs body, she knew he thought about what it would be like to have sex with a man, she knew he thought about kissing every inch of Lukeβs skin moments before.
βYeah, sorry. Go, Robert.β Luke ordered, as he shoved Robert back towards the stool to stand on.
βNow, this is a little expensive, but I think your family has a tab here, lightwood right?β Misha asked, even though she knew the answer.
βYes, do I have to pay it?!β Robert wondered, loudly.
βNo no, itβs all paid up! Donβt worry.β Misha soothed, as Robert strode towards the changing room, he turned back at the door, staring at Luke, who stared outside at the sky.
βLuke!β Robert shouted from the door, Luke thinking about whatever it was, stopped and came into the dressing room, sitting down on a provided short bench.
He watched as Robert removed his golf shirt, handing it to Luke, who hung it up on the silver hook behind him without looking. Then his loose shorts, leaving him in only a pair of black boxers, he didnβt get re dressed right away, but held the dress up shirt in front of his chest.
βYo, Robert let me in.β A very familiar voice rang out, as it knocked on the door, waiting only seconds before just climbing under the gap, swinging himself into the dressing room.
βDo you like this?β Robert asked, as Micheal took Lukeβs hand as he held it out to him, than sat beside him. Causally putting his denim jacket covered arm over Lukeβs shoulders, ruffling his hair with the other.
βIt looks nice, you have to ACTUALLY put in it on though.β Micheal laughed, letting Luke go.
βWhat would you have done if it wasnβt Robert in here?β Luke asked, as Robert wrapped the shirt around himself, doing up each ivory button but the top two.
βPut three down and I would have said βexcuse me Iβm a filthily pervet who just wanted to see you naked.ββ Micheal suggested, shrugging, Robert undid another button and turned in the view of the mirror.
βPut four down.β Luke teased, Robert sighed.
βJust show up naked.β Micheal joked, always having to get the end of these situations.
βShow up naked but with flip flops on.β Luke added, as Robert slipped on the matching pants.
There was no doubt in either Luke or Michealβs mind that he regarded somewhat stunning. To Luke, the pants were a bit tight, and was thinking of how they might not fit by the end of the year if Robert kept training like he was, and theyβd be a waste of money. To Micheal, on the other hand, thought about how the dark navy colour suited his black hair, making his finer features stand out. Micheal thought about how the shirt would in fact, look better with four buttons down. Luke thought about how it would look under a t shirt, for dual usage. They both thought about him without any clothes on at all.
βDonβt even have flip flops on.β Micheal stated, as Robert looked at his watch.
βFUCK, ITS 6:30!β Robert screamed, coming out of the dressing room with the attire still on.
βSo how is it? Do you like it?β Misha asked, counting change out for someone at the counter.
βYes, I love it. Thank you, Misha.β Robert stated, as Luke went behind the counter, getting a pair of fabric scissors, then pulled Robert closely to cut the tags off carefully. He started with the one on the button up, cutting it on the outside, then as cautiously as he could without wrinkling the shirt, brought the other half it out.
As he did this, Micheal who never made much sense to anyone, grabbed the male mannequin on display on the window and casually brought it over, as it he did this all the time. οΏΌ
βIβm not getting that I donβt like silk?β Robert asked first, as Micheal pointed to the shirt on him.
βNot you, selfish bastard. LUKE.β Micheal sighed, as Luke finished cutting the tag from the pants, reaching his hands inside the waist band to bring out the other half.
For once, Micheal was right. A silk button up, designed to be loose. Patterned with white flowers, almost transparent to the sky background. It was the exact colour of Lukeβs eyes, somehow.
βPut it on the Wayland tab, oh fuck Iβm sorry, here Iβll just, um, oh donβt take your pants off now..β Micheal stuttered, as he dropped the half dress mannequin, now in two pieces. Tried to pick it up by its pants, as it slipped out, and finally just pinned it to the ground as he removed its shirt.
βJust get out, Iβll fix it.β Misha sighed, as she gave Luke a bag, adorned with the stores name, to put the shirt in.
βSorry, Misha.β All three boys said at the same time, as they exited the shop.
βLove you, Misha.β Micheal winked, as he blew her a kiss, then shut the door behind them.
βStay out of my shop!β
βDoes anyone know her favourite flower?β Robert asked, as Micheal reached into his pocket and pulled out a neatly rolled joint, holding his hand out for Lukeβs smiley face lighter.
βNo, Iβm sure theyβll tell you what to get if you ask.β Micheal stated, whistling lightly as he took the first toke of the joint.
βGet away from me, with that stinky stuff.β Robert stated, running to the other side of the street.
βYour stinky stuff!β Micheal called back, Luke stayed on the same side of the street as him, and took the joint gladly when it was passed to him.
βYour momβs stinky stuff.β Robert replied, pointing his slim finger out menacingly towards his parabati.
βMy motherβs a saint.β Micheal lied.
βYour motherβs a whore.β Luke commented, which everyone knew was true.
After her and Michealβs dad split, he went off to pursue a career in matcha farming, in Japan. Something Micheal still couldnβt understand, despite everyone, even Headmaster Ashdown explaining to him the dedication it took, due to the delicate process. His mother, on the other hand stayed in Idris, being on the Wayland side, stayed in the manor and spend most days just living her life as if she didnβt have a kid to worry about. Day drinking, snorting supposedly according to many non reliable sources, and having sex so wild that Luke swore he could hear it from his own house sometimes. Not that he told Micheal this.
Somehow, out of all the shadowhunter families, the Waylands always seemed to have something interesting going on within themselves. Being connected to four other main families, didnβt help.
βOkay, whatever.β Micheal shrugged, staying out in the alleyway of the flower shop owned by his an Overbeck.
βIβm sorry, that was low.β Luke replied after three minutes of silently smoking.
βKinda yeah. Iβll make it even, your momβs a selfish bitch.β Micheal stated, which everyone knew as well.
βMy momβs not a bitch.β Luke stated, putting out the what was left of the joint under his black sneakers.
βYeah, she is. The day you realize it will be great for everyone.β Micheal spat, turning back to Luke with a look, a look he did often. The look that gave pity, without saying a word. His eyes lowered, his eyebrows slightly together, his lips puffed out on the top.
βShut the fuck up Micheal, you donβt know what youβre talking about.β Luke swore, something he hardly ever did.
βI do, and you know I do. Iβm sorry life dealt you an unfair hand.β Micheal muttered.
βI got her these.β Robert yelled as she came out, still staying far away from the real smell.
In his hand was an assortment,fit for any queen. Dark red roses lined the outside, well tall black lilies dropped down from the circle they formed around the inside. On the very middle, was gold and white roses, in the shape of a heart.
βSee, I told you so.β Luke grinned, as he reached out and touched Michaelβs wrist to see his watch. To Michael, his hand was so soft they reminded him of warm slightly melted butter spread out over homemade white bread on a chilly Sunday morning.
βDo you use lotion?β Michael felt he had to ask, they as all made their way to the restaurant, Robert on the same side of the street as them this time.
βLotion? Uh, if I remember and feel like it yeah. Itβs made from like tea leaves or something.β Luke shrugged, as a cold arm suddenly wrapped its way around his shoulders.
βHemp.β Valentine cleared, jogging forward a bit to walk backward and see what Robert was wearing.
βAnd you say Iβm a stoner.β Michael sighed loudly, shaking his head dramatically.
βWhat do you mean?β Luke asked, as Valentine came back to step beside him, their hips touching briefly.
βHemp is a type of cannabis, Luke. It doesnβt get you high, so they use it for a bunch of things, lotion, clothes, my grandma grew some once and somehow made yarn.β Michael clarified, as they stopped in the alleyway, letting Robert go into the restaurant first.
βThatβs cool.β Luke grinned, his face lighting up in a genuine way, like it always did when he learned something new.
In the dying light of the day, gentle rays of orange, canary and blush played over Lukeβs face, similar to when a trumpet gets a solo in a song. His hazelnut hair becoming transparent in parts due to thinness with the shine of the sun, his eyebrows uneven in thought. He was one of the people, much like Valentine who thought too much but it suited him much more. He thought about what he could do for the world, for his country, for his community, for his family, for his friends and most of all, for Valentine. So, he often looked βin thoughtβ. His eyes swirled as they reflected his internal deepness, their different hues of blue all standing out. His lips moving like two people during their most intimate moments as he said something simple. That Valentine never caught. Many years from now, Valentine replays the memory of how he looked right in that moment for hours, sometimes even days.
βMicheal, if you donβt-β a thick man, covered in runes, more than one normally had, came out. He halted directly in front of Micheal.
βIM SORRY! IM LEAVING!β Michael pleaded, putting his hand up in surrender has his uncle by blood pointed a cleaver in his direction.
After being forced to take a few shots by his grandfather on his dads side, Michael had drunkenly broken an entire table at this very restaurant, and even if they lived in the same manor, was banned by his uncle to be even fifteen feet in front of it.
This information only slightly played in Valentines head, as he look more at Luke. A dangerous thing for anyone to do, especially to the one thatβs tied to his soul. More years from the years already mentioned, he realizes why he thinks so much about this moment. It was the only time he ever thought about a life together with Luke, without even knowing it. All he knew was, he wanted to grab his hand and run. At the time, he thought he just needed some exercise. Now, he knows this fact well, he was blind to the beauty he was tied to.
βI hope Robertβs date goes well.β Luke wished, coming close to Valentine, wrapping his arms around his waist.
Doing what he did next, had caused Valentine to slam his head into a brick wall, ten years later.
Well Luke lightly came up to smooch Valentines neck, he pushed him off urgently. A singular fae. Strolled down the street with a box in hand, their eyes wide as Valentine rushed out, but the fae was faster.
Why didnβt he stay right there, wrapped into Lukeβs arms? Why didnβt he grab him right there and have them run off? What was it about Luke, that he was so intoxicating, yet so easy to get sober from? What was inside Valentines head at the time, that caused him to ignore the one thing he ever truly needed?
By the time Valentine gave up, Luke was gone.
βββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
Thank you so much @seolihexagon for helping me with a way to call fae, fae. More offensively. And, for reading some of the parts of this fic! As well as @jonathanspenguinboxers who read the part with Luke and Robert in the shop! I also am aware Iβve been spelling most of their names wrong BESIDES Luke, Valentine, Robert and Hodge. πβΉοΈ (thanks Seoli for pointing out Iβve been spelling βMichaelβ as βMichealβ) (Genuinely, because I didnβt even catch it) (no clue how to spell Joclyean or Marsye either..) (no I didnt fix it, I finished this fic and WENT TO BED.)












