No More Running: Chapter 24
https://archiveofourown.org/works/79689341/chapters/221347696
Despite everything and everyone in his life telling him to let go of Nick. Luke never could. Nick, who was spiraling. Nick, who kept making the worst choices over and over again.
Luke cursed under his breath. He had just spent his last bit of gas money bailing him out.
But the truth was simple, no matter how much he tried to fight it. He would choose Nick. Every single time. So, there Luke was. Waiting in the lobby of the county station, waiting for Nick. His shirt torn, dried blood streaked down from his mouth, a black eye already blooming across his face.
“In my defense,” Nick said, unfazed, “the guy had it coming.”
Luke just sighed, dragging a hand down his face as they climbed into his beat-up truck. “Let me guess, Pete locked the door.”
“You can just drop me off somewhere. I’ll find a place to crash before work.”
“Yeah,” Luke muttered, starting the engine, “absolutely not.”
Nick didn’t argue. Luke glanced over. That’s when he saw plastic wrap around Nick’s left arm.
His stomach dropped. “Man… please don’t tell me you spent your last dollar on another fucking stupid tattoo.” Sometimes Luke didn’t know why he kept trying. It was a horrible thought, but it was there. Life would be easier if he just let Nick go.
“I did,” Nick said, eyes still closed. “But it sure as shit ain’t stupid.”
He rolled up his sleeve. At the red light, Luke barely looked at first. Expected something meaningless, then he actually saw it.
That’s why. It was his painting. A small landscape from his oil painting class, the one he put up for a class art gallery showing. Nick had shown up for, fifteen minutes before closing, reeking of cigarettes and cheap beer.
“Ain’t it bitchin’?” Nick said, a lazy grin tugging at his split lip. “Artist’s not half bad either.”
Luke’s throat tightened. “You…....got my painting tattooed?” His voice cracked on the last word.
“Man, if I had the money, I’d have you design my whole arm.”
Luke let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head, heat rising to his face despite everything.
“I’ll draw you one of those pin-up girls,” he teased, softer now. “What should she look like? Dark hair? Big red lips?”
Nick didn’t hesitate. “Don’t care what she looks like.” Luke glanced at him.
“As long as you draw it.”
No matter how many times Nick screwed up, no matter how much it cost him, Luke could never seem to walk away.
"Guys" Luke pleaded, "I know he is telling the truth" Alvin shook his head slowly. “Nick is outta his goddamn mind.” Pete scoffed. “This is by far one of the stupidest things he’s ever done.”
Luke rubbed both hands over his face. “Come on, Pete,” he muttered. “He never touched that stuff... it was never that”
Carlos snapped immediately. “I don’t care. Do you understand how insane this is? He walked around with drugs and didn’t tell anybody. How stupid can you be?”
Rebecca looked exhausted. “I know he’s struggling after Lin,” she said softly. “But this is just… insane.”
Luke looked down at the dirt. They weren’t wrong. Still— “Come on,” Luke said quietly. “He’s telling the truth. I know it was stupid. I know. But he’s… he’s trying.”
“He’s messed up,” he admitted quietly. “But he’s trying.”
The words felt heavier now. Because lately trying didn’t seem to be enough to save Nick from himself. Carlos snapped again "How can we possibly trust him again after that stunt? We have all endured his never ending emotional outbursts, but is he even stable to be in this group?
That hit hard. And for all the love Pete had for his newphew, he had nothing to say.
Luke however had plenty to lay down..."If you want Nick out then fine, Nick and I, we will leave together."
Alvin retorted "Luke we need you"
Perfect. Luke needed to hear someone say that so he spoke again "Then I need you all to give Nick another chance."
That settled heavy among the group. No one wanted to see Luke leave, not when they all had grown to depend on him. Luke finally exhaled sharply.
