Luke was writing at his desk when he heard the door being opened

“Home sweet home”

Luke smiled when he heard Noah and turned around to look at him

“You okay?”

Noah smiled back at him

“Yes, I’m just tired”

He walked towards Luke and put his hand on his shoulder

“You?”

“Better now that you are here”

They kissed.

“I have to talk to you”

“What’s wrong?”

“Why do you say that? I haven’t said anything yet”

“You should take a look at your face”

Noah walked into their bedroom and started taking his clothes off

“I need a shower, do you mind if I go ahead?”

“No, of course not”

“So? What is it?”

“My mum called today”

“Is everyone alright back there?”

“Yes… she’s coming to NY for a couple of days with my Dad”

Noah stepped in the shower and under the water. It felt good and it helped him hide from Luke’s inquisitive stare.

“Noah? Did you hear what I just said?”

“Yes, when are they coming over?”

When do I have to hide?

“Next week”

Luke entered the bathroom and sat down on a little stool looking at Noah. Thay had been together for a year, now. Living together for 6 months. And it had been absolutely perfect… well, almost perfect. Noah hadn’t seen his parents yet, and he didn’t seem to want to.

“I thought we could all have supper at that restaurant you like… the one with the red door?”

Noah didn’t answer. He had to think of something… anything. It was easy when it was Luke who went to Oakdale for a visit, but whenever thay had flew over to NY getting an excuse was hard work.

He tried to think of something. Something he hadn’t used before…

“Noah”

“Mh?”

He got out of the shower stall and put a towel around his waist. He moved back into the bedroom thinking. There has to be something… somewhere he could go…

“I want them to see you”

There was no avoiding it anymore.

“You used to like them”

“Of course i did. They are great”

He got some clothes on still trying to avoid Luke.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Who said there was something wrong?”

Luke didn’t answered and Noah had to look at him, just for a brief second, and saw that he knew. He had probably known all along. He couldn’t face Luke’s parents.

“I need you to see them, Noah…”

Noah sighed and sat down on the bed. How can you explain to the love of your life that he wasn’t brave enough to face his dad? That it scared him to death?

“It’s probably not a good idea, Luke”

“Why? We’ve been living together for 6 months, now. You think I like this? That everytime they come here you find an excuse to run as far away as you can?”

“I…”

“What?”

“I can’t, Luke, I just can’t…”

“You are not making it any easier hiding everytime they are here”

“Your dad hates me already, I don’t think it could get any worse than that”

Luke sat down next to him and put his arms on Noah’s shoulders. He made him look his way by caressing the side of his face

“He doesn’t hate you, he just doesn’t understand what you did. But if he met you again now… if he saw how much you love me and how happy you make me…”

“I make you happy?”

Luke smiled

“Looking for compliments now?”

“No, I really wanted to know, if you regret having given me a second chance”

“Regret it? Never, and yes, you do make me very happy. But I’d be happier if you met my parents”

“What if he still hates me after they see me again? What then?”

“Then you won’t have to see them ever again. But I seriously doubt that”

Luke couldn’t help himself anymore and kissed him. Noah had that look in his eyes again, just like when he first met him. It killed Luke to think that his dad was making Noah feel the same way the colonel had made him feel all his life. He was going to make sure Holden knew that Noah was not going anywhere, and that he needed his approval. Noah needed it.

“Okay… I’ll see them”

Luke smiled, first step of the plan was on. Now on to the next step. Having dinner with his parents.

=================

Still 5 minutes to go… Noah rubbed his hands along the side of his trousers… damn, he was sweating, now… And why the hell couldn’t he stop pacing around?… He knew Luke was talking to him, but he couldn’t make out what he was saying… Was the tie alright?… and the shoes… were they polished?… it was bad if he was checking himself mentally the way his father used to do when he was a kid… did he brushed his teeth?… He felt a hand on each side of his face and saw Luke’s eyes before him

“I love you, you hear me?”

He could only nod

“I want to marry you”

“What…? Marry?”

Noah saw Luke’s face lightened up

“Yes, marry you, silly man. Now you are supossed to tell me if you want to marry me or not”

“Marry…?”

Luke laughed, poor Noah had been in a panic state all day, the idea of seeing Holden terrified him and he couldn’t even think. Seeing him pacing around the room and rubbing his sweaty hands on the side of his trousers only made him love him more. He had felt full of love for him, all the love sweeping through him like a wave. He had planned on proposing after dinner, back at their home from the restaurant, but it just slipped past his lips.

“Marry you, as in I want to be with you the rest of my life and I want everybody to know it and I want to make it official and have a family with you soon and… you are not answering, Noah”

“But…”

Luke smiled and kised him sweetly and slowly

“But nothing. Do you want all that with me?”

“Of course… of course I do, Luke…”

“You made me suffer there for a minute”

“Sorry, I just… I can’t believe you asked me to marry you…”

“I love you, I can’t think of anything better than being with you the rest of my life”

“I love you too… so much”

They hugged and kissed. They heard the doorbell and Noah just hid his face in Luke’s neck. Luke smiled and kissed Noah’s head

“It’ll be fine, I promise”

“I’m scared, I know it’s silly, but I am”

“I know, and I appreciate you doing this for me”

He kissed him again when he heard the doorbell for a second time

“Let’s wait to tell them about us getting married, ok? It’ll take some pressure of”

“Ok… I’m sorry”

Again the doorbell

“What are you sorry for”

“If he still hates me after today… I’m sorry”

Luke smiled

“Silly man… I do love you, you know?”

He gave him a quick peck on the lips and opened the door.