Title: Mirror, Mirror
Pairing: Luke/Noah
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1,265
Summary: Luke tries to find answers by looking in the mirror.
Spoilers: None
Notes:![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
sweetiejelly gets a big fat *smooch* for putting up with me. Heh. I had written 2/3 of this before I took a break and decided to catch up on fic over at the comm and then came across this stunning piece by vita_bita which deals with somewhat the same theme. So I almost wasn't gonna post but Ronnie said it was okay to.
Also?bluejeanbaby01 gets credit for suggesting the song in this. Thanks again!
***
"I want you to want me/ I need you to need me/ I’d love you to love me,” Luke sings too loudly and horribly off-key trying to reach over the hiss of the water as he turns the knob on the shower immediately cutting off the steam that has filled the small room. He steps over the tile covered lip onto the soft, plush bath mat below; his toes curling around the strands of dark green tufted cotton while his fingers grab at the matching hanging towel to his left. Still humming the tune of the old Cheap Trick song under his breath he wraps it loosely around his waist, water droplets hitting the floor, as he makes his way lazily over to the sink and glances up at the mirror so thick with fog it’s sweating at the corners.
He takes a warm palm to the slick glass and rubs out a spot large enough till his eyes fill with his own reflection staring back.
Then he stops.
He’s not sure how long he stands there, gaze fixed on the translucent surface that is bouncing his image back to him. Long enough that the sheen has melted into his skin and the dark brown hair matted to his forehead has started to lighten to the honey color he walked in with.
He brings his fingers to jaw and gently runs along the stubble brushing them pink. Tracing the line with tips he tries to find a common shape with the man that has reentered his life. Again.
Damian.
The resemblance is obvious and Luke sees it clearly as he maps out his face; sepia focused eyes taking in the way it curves into soft lines then dips into sharper ones in the same spots. The thumbprint that God left in the middle of each of their chins prominently on display for the world to greet first. He reaches up and ruffles his half damp hair, shaking it till the color shines through, shining colors that remind Luke of him. Is this where it ends?
He knows they share blood, DNA. The half of him that comes from a far away land painted on his face in broad enough strokes to remind him at times. But that’s always just what it’s been. Nothing more than a familial history and an ancestral name tied to a glorified stranger. He was born a Snyder. I’ve always been a Snyder. Holden is his father. He brought him in to this world. He is the one that checked under his bed at night for monsters and was there with chocolate crunch ice cream when he fell off his bike. He is the one that put him on the back of a horse at the age of four and taught him to ride in the pastures behind the farm and he is the one that was there for Luke when he came out in high school, quenching long held fears of disappointing the only man that he had ever looked up to. Ever wanted, ever needed in his life.
Luke lightly tucks a strand behind his ear as he keeps his eyes squarely forward still searching for something. Something … more. Wonders if the ties to Damian run deeper than just a strong jaw and similar coloring. Wonders more why this suddenly matters so much.
“You,” the voice drifts in to Luke’s ear from over his shoulder, “are definitely the fairest of them all. He turns and sees Noah propped up against the doorframe looking, god, more gorgeous than one should.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, with how long you’ve been standing there I figured you were waiting for the mirror to answer back,” the smirk fighting against his cheeks to break out.
Luke turns back to the fairy tale object in discussion and bends forward ever so slightly hoping the closeness might actually spark the answer he is looking for. Maybe the mirror does know? “Noah,” his voice small and a little hesitant, “who do you think I am?”
“I think you are my very attractive, very punctually challenged boyfriend who sometime spends too much time on his hair.” Luke can feel that the smirk won round one and is now a full-blown grin behind him. “But we’re suppose to meet Casey and Ali in a half hour at that new Thai place across town and if we’re late Case will never let us hear the end of it so come on you don’t…”
“No, no that’s not-” Luke sighs interrupting. Turns silently on bare soles to face him. “I mean, with Damian back and everything, I’ve just been thinking … but Holden is still my … I just don’t know what to feel anymore …” his voice struggles with tangled truths on tongue and he can see Noah’s face soften when it clicks in. Feels the warmth as his boyfriend folds their arms into puzzle pieces in front as he collapses into him from behind turning them back to face the mirror.
Noah presses a small kiss into the curve of his shoulder; parting soft lips connect with still damp skin before resting his chin there as he starts to speak. “Do you know what is the main reason I fell in love with you?” The question is tenderly put out into the moist air that lingers behind.
“My dimples?” Luke smiles flashing white and those devilish things all at once.
Noah turns his mouth up. “Well, yes, that did help,” he presses another quick kiss into the begging feature before connecting eyes again in the reflective circle. “But I fell in love with the fact that you are you, Luke. Just you. I’ve never met anyone that is so true to his core that no matter what is thrown at you never swallows who you are. And that’s your trait, Luke. Not your mother’s or Holden’s or Damian’s. And no matter who raised you or where you come from or any of that no one can take that away.”
Noah takes a brief inhale in before continuing. Luke can feel his arms wrap a little tighter, squeeze a little firmer as if trying to push warmth and love and reassurance in through open pores. “You’re very lucky, Luke. You have so many people that love you,” his words slow and purposeful and Luke can see the deep hurt quickly flash in the mirror before it is gone again, “and not everyone gets that. You know how they always say that you can’t choose you family? I don’t believe that. Your family chose you, Luke. You share blood with some of them, others you share a stubbornness or a loyal heart but no matter how you are all connected its all through love. A love they have for you that is so deep they all want to be a part of it.”
Luke takes Noah’s hand in his, bringing it up to press a kiss into the palm, lips brushing against slightly coffee calloused skin. “When did you get so smart? Hm?”
“You have your dimples and I have my intelligence. I think we’ve even.”
Luke lets out a brief laugh while unwinding limbs like a spool of thread. Straightens out as if ready to pierce a needle. “So the fairest, eh?"
“Yup,” Noah smiles turning to leave.
“You know,” the words catch Noah and he glances back. “I chose you. You’re my family, Noah. And I’m yours.”
Luke feels round two of Noah’s smile as he glances in the mirror once more, perhaps getting his answer after all.
***
Pairing: Luke/Noah
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1,265
Summary: Luke tries to find answers by looking in the mirror.
Spoilers: None
Notes:
sweetiejelly gets a big fat *smooch* for putting up with me. Heh. I had written 2/3 of this before I took a break and decided to catch up on fic over at the comm and then came across this stunning piece by vita_bita which deals with somewhat the same theme. So I almost wasn't gonna post but Ronnie said it was okay to.Also?
bluejeanbaby01 gets credit for suggesting the song in this. Thanks again!***
"I want you to want me/ I need you to need me/ I’d love you to love me,” Luke sings too loudly and horribly off-key trying to reach over the hiss of the water as he turns the knob on the shower immediately cutting off the steam that has filled the small room. He steps over the tile covered lip onto the soft, plush bath mat below; his toes curling around the strands of dark green tufted cotton while his fingers grab at the matching hanging towel to his left. Still humming the tune of the old Cheap Trick song under his breath he wraps it loosely around his waist, water droplets hitting the floor, as he makes his way lazily over to the sink and glances up at the mirror so thick with fog it’s sweating at the corners.
He takes a warm palm to the slick glass and rubs out a spot large enough till his eyes fill with his own reflection staring back.
Then he stops.
He’s not sure how long he stands there, gaze fixed on the translucent surface that is bouncing his image back to him. Long enough that the sheen has melted into his skin and the dark brown hair matted to his forehead has started to lighten to the honey color he walked in with.
He brings his fingers to jaw and gently runs along the stubble brushing them pink. Tracing the line with tips he tries to find a common shape with the man that has reentered his life. Again.
Damian.
The resemblance is obvious and Luke sees it clearly as he maps out his face; sepia focused eyes taking in the way it curves into soft lines then dips into sharper ones in the same spots. The thumbprint that God left in the middle of each of their chins prominently on display for the world to greet first. He reaches up and ruffles his half damp hair, shaking it till the color shines through, shining colors that remind Luke of him. Is this where it ends?
He knows they share blood, DNA. The half of him that comes from a far away land painted on his face in broad enough strokes to remind him at times. But that’s always just what it’s been. Nothing more than a familial history and an ancestral name tied to a glorified stranger. He was born a Snyder. I’ve always been a Snyder. Holden is his father. He brought him in to this world. He is the one that checked under his bed at night for monsters and was there with chocolate crunch ice cream when he fell off his bike. He is the one that put him on the back of a horse at the age of four and taught him to ride in the pastures behind the farm and he is the one that was there for Luke when he came out in high school, quenching long held fears of disappointing the only man that he had ever looked up to. Ever wanted, ever needed in his life.
Luke lightly tucks a strand behind his ear as he keeps his eyes squarely forward still searching for something. Something … more. Wonders if the ties to Damian run deeper than just a strong jaw and similar coloring. Wonders more why this suddenly matters so much.
“You,” the voice drifts in to Luke’s ear from over his shoulder, “are definitely the fairest of them all. He turns and sees Noah propped up against the doorframe looking, god, more gorgeous than one should.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, with how long you’ve been standing there I figured you were waiting for the mirror to answer back,” the smirk fighting against his cheeks to break out.
Luke turns back to the fairy tale object in discussion and bends forward ever so slightly hoping the closeness might actually spark the answer he is looking for. Maybe the mirror does know? “Noah,” his voice small and a little hesitant, “who do you think I am?”
“I think you are my very attractive, very punctually challenged boyfriend who sometime spends too much time on his hair.” Luke can feel that the smirk won round one and is now a full-blown grin behind him. “But we’re suppose to meet Casey and Ali in a half hour at that new Thai place across town and if we’re late Case will never let us hear the end of it so come on you don’t…”
“No, no that’s not-” Luke sighs interrupting. Turns silently on bare soles to face him. “I mean, with Damian back and everything, I’ve just been thinking … but Holden is still my … I just don’t know what to feel anymore …” his voice struggles with tangled truths on tongue and he can see Noah’s face soften when it clicks in. Feels the warmth as his boyfriend folds their arms into puzzle pieces in front as he collapses into him from behind turning them back to face the mirror.
Noah presses a small kiss into the curve of his shoulder; parting soft lips connect with still damp skin before resting his chin there as he starts to speak. “Do you know what is the main reason I fell in love with you?” The question is tenderly put out into the moist air that lingers behind.
“My dimples?” Luke smiles flashing white and those devilish things all at once.
Noah turns his mouth up. “Well, yes, that did help,” he presses another quick kiss into the begging feature before connecting eyes again in the reflective circle. “But I fell in love with the fact that you are you, Luke. Just you. I’ve never met anyone that is so true to his core that no matter what is thrown at you never swallows who you are. And that’s your trait, Luke. Not your mother’s or Holden’s or Damian’s. And no matter who raised you or where you come from or any of that no one can take that away.”
Noah takes a brief inhale in before continuing. Luke can feel his arms wrap a little tighter, squeeze a little firmer as if trying to push warmth and love and reassurance in through open pores. “You’re very lucky, Luke. You have so many people that love you,” his words slow and purposeful and Luke can see the deep hurt quickly flash in the mirror before it is gone again, “and not everyone gets that. You know how they always say that you can’t choose you family? I don’t believe that. Your family chose you, Luke. You share blood with some of them, others you share a stubbornness or a loyal heart but no matter how you are all connected its all through love. A love they have for you that is so deep they all want to be a part of it.”
Luke takes Noah’s hand in his, bringing it up to press a kiss into the palm, lips brushing against slightly coffee calloused skin. “When did you get so smart? Hm?”
“You have your dimples and I have my intelligence. I think we’ve even.”
Luke lets out a brief laugh while unwinding limbs like a spool of thread. Straightens out as if ready to pierce a needle. “So the fairest, eh?"
“Yup,” Noah smiles turning to leave.
“You know,” the words catch Noah and he glances back. “I chose you. You’re my family, Noah. And I’m yours.”
Luke feels round two of Noah’s smile as he glances in the mirror once more, perhaps getting his answer after all.
***
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