Chapter 12 #2
“You’ve said the same thing about you and making art. It doesn’t change my question.”
“Then, yeah.” Luka still couldn’t wrap his mind around the man who played for him over the phone for hours, never touching music again. “I would still like him.”
“Then his real value doesn’t come from the things he makes. I don’t think you’re dumb enough to like someone who isn’t kind.”
“Look at my exes.” Luka hopped off the counter and turned to check his hair in the mirror. “They weren’t kind in the end.”
“You’ve grown a lot in a year,” August argued. “Also, it’s not your fault for being fooled by those assholes.”
Luka disagreed but chose not to fight August about it.
“I finished my draft today.” He changed the subject to something safer. “Looks like the final will be around sixty pages.”
“That's so much work, again, you are crazy,” August said. “I don’t understand you comic artists, you’re all sick in the head drawing the same characters one million times in slightly different poses.”
“Sure am,” Luka agreed. “I’ll be sending out my roughs to a new agent, an online friend recommended to me. Said she might like my style. I don’t expect anything, but if I could finally get rep, maybe I could land a publishing house gig.”
“Sounds promising, you doing digital or?”
“Watercolor, ink. I remembered to pack it all too, so I can try to finish some pages while I’m out there.”
August grunted. “You shouldn’t work on your vacation.”
Luka shrugged.“It doesn’t feel like work, really. I’m gonna rinse my hair out. Book the Stonehenge thing for me? Doesn’t matter what day.”
August looked like they had more to say, but in the end agreed. “Two tickets? Okay, two tickets. Don’t stay up too late, we head to the airport at four am.”
“Gotcha. Goodnight, love you.” Luka pulled the hair tie out of his hair and turned the shower on as August left to go to bed.
He realized as he washed the dye from his hair that he was shaking.
After working a deep conditioner into his hair, he sank to the tub’s floor and let the water hit his back as he curled in on himself.
It was like Reno said; it would take time.
Only time and experience would truly tell Luka if Reno was being truthful about his intentions.
Luka had promised Reno he would give him the chance to prove that he meant it all, and as weird as it was to Luka, Reno certainly acted like he was into him.
Sometimes the thought that he was just some kind of plaything for a celebrity floated through his mind and terrified Luka.
He wanted to tell Reno all of these fears, but the last time he’d told an ex about his insecurities, he’d had them thrown right back in his face.
It would be so easy for someone like Reno to take advantage of someone like Luka, to trap him in a bad situation so far away from home, to rip away financial stability with promises of caretaking, then treat him like a sex doll. It was haunting to think about.
Still, Luka couldn’t stop saying ‘yes’.
Because, at every turn, every day, Reno met him with understanding and kindness.
And Luka couldn’t help but think that no matter how slim, there was always that chance that Reno meant it all, that he would be the person he was promising to be.
Luka let out a shaky breath and pushed himself off the floor to rinse his hair out.
It might be real.
And, if it wasn’t, at least he got to sleep with Reno. Luka laughed to himself in disbelief every time he thought about it. He figured—if he was that kind of person—it gave him bragging rights for the rest of his life.
Maria
You still up?
Yeah, whats up? its only ten here.
right sorry, I always forget the time diff. I think i'm having a crisis.
bout?
Im flying to London tomorrow to see Reno and idk if im making the right choices. What if I end up trapped far away from home again with someone who hurts me
oh sweetheart, what if you go to London and fall in love? He's not like before, you're not 17 this time. You have better judgement now.
it doesnt feel like it sometimes.
I know all that was a long time ago, but I havent exactly had the best track record after him either. Sure, my other exes werent as abusive, but they still weren’t kind. And I thought for so long that they were. So here I am again, letting a man put me in a situation where Im powerless
first of all, ur not powerless. You have an amazing support group, myself included, who would get you out of there if he ended up like The Asshole.
Second, again, what if you go to London and fall in love? What if he's the one? What if this tie, you actually are cared for how you want and deserve?
wouldnt that be something.
You won't know unless you go. When is your flight?
tomorrow, gotta head to the airport at 4am
go to bed!! stop fucking worrying. You know not to trust your thoughts after midnight.
alright, alright. I'll let you know when I get there safely.
You better. Love you
I love you too
By the time Luka landed in London, he was exhausted.
He got his bags, tried to make himself presentable in the airport bathroom, and stepped out into the cool evening.
He stood on the curb, watching the traffic flow in the opposite direction from what he was used to and marveled at just how far away from home he was.
He’d been to Canada and Mexico with friends before, but this was his first time overseas.
He took in the air, smelling exhaust and oncoming rain, and decided that it was good he was so far from where he came from, that it was exciting and not terrifying, and that he could belong somewhere other than the places he already knew.
“Luka Fischer?” A man came up behind him and Luka jumped, startled, until he saw the sign the man was holding with Luka’s name on it.
“Sorry, I must have missed you inside. It was a long flight.” Luka tugged on his beanie to cover his ears more.
“No need for an apology,” the man said. “The car is this way. Let me get your bags for you.”
Luka watched helplessly as the man took his suitcase and carry-on and smoothly lifted it into the trunk of a slick black car with tinted windows. Luka tossed his backpack into the trunk next to his bags, then thanked the driver when he opened the door for him.
“Luka," A hand with polished nails and a delicate chain around the wrist reached out for him and Luka couldn’t help but practically fall into the car, and into Reno’s arms. “You’re here.”
“I am.” Luka heard the door close behind him and he forgot all about his fear, his anxiety, the worry over how he smelled or looked or sounded as Reno pulled back just enough to kiss Luka’s forehead.
Luka melted into it, feeling how thick Reno’s lips were, how strong his hands felt where they held onto him, how sweet he smelled.
The driver's door opened and closed, and Reno slowly pulled away.
“Gomen1.” Reno fussed over Luka, adjusting his beanie back into place and smoothing his hair. He inspected Luka, tilting his chin this way and that. “Let's get you to bed?”
“Is this you saying I look tired?” Luka scowled, and Reno’s laugh was delighted.
“No, love. I just know how horrible that flight is, and I know you don’t sleep well in public spaces.”
Luka pressed his lips together, trying not to smile as stupidly as he felt. “How do you remember so much?”
“Easy. Important things stick in here.” Reno tapped his temple. “I’ve gotta get to the studio—I left Arnaud there working alone on the new track. Want to come with, or should I tuck you in and leave you to sleep?”
“Leave me to sleep, please. At least for a few hours.”
“Okay." Reno leaned up between the seats to relay the address to the driver before settling back and reaching across Luka to buckle him in safely.
“I’m surprised you came to get me. I expected to see you tomorrow.”
“Really? I’m not going to invite you to my home city and not be there to get you when you arrive.
I’m sorry I couldn’t get out to greet in the airport; Kandi has been all over me lately.
I guess paparazzi were spotted near my flat—we’ve had to up security around the block for a bit to make sure no one is intruding on my neighbors. ”
“Oh.” Luka’s chest clenched. “Is that going to be an issue with me here?”
Reno wrinkled his nose and had to admit, “Maybe. Probably. We might need to lay low for at least the first week you’re here so we can make sure no one’s getting too close. I’ll keep you updated, though.”
“So, you probably can't come out with me to go sightseeing.”
Reno turned the full force of his attention onto Luka. “I will always be honest with you. I do not know right now if I can come with you, but I will do everything in my power to give you what you want.”
Luka felt conflicted until Reno took his hand and brought it to his lips. Luka asked, “What if we got you a wig? Or, a big pair of sunglasses.”
“I may be able to pull that off. What color do you want me to wear?”
Luka’s fingers were so warm where Reno gripped them. “Black, maybe. It would be interesting to see you with more natural-looking hair.”
“Oh, I could wear really long like T-yan. Think I could imitate his moody look, too?”
“That I doubt.” Luka felt himself smiling. Reno had slid his fingers between Luka’s to hold his hand. “I don’t think your face is capable of looking that serious.”
“You doubt?” Reno cracked a wide smile before holding his free hand up to block Luka’s view of his face. When he slowly lowered it, he wore a comically serious expression that he held for all of two seconds before starting to giggle.
“Yes, I doubt.” Luka leaned forward and placed a light kiss on the corner of Reno’s mouth. “You were built to be smiling.”
Reno hummed contently before tilting his head to catch Luka’s lips. Luka could feel Reno smiling against him before his lips softened, parting and pressing back. He was so warm, so comforting, that Luka turned more, fell deeper into Reno’s taste.