#luke def already memorized mom's username & is planning to befriend her asap

[kolbietheaggrievedwriter]

luke is losing so hard for someone who was the main protagonist, therefore i'm electing "do you have a picture?" with ian because no one else is playing wingman for him!

Could be canon ;)

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"Do you have a picture?" Luke smiles at him hopefully and nudges him gently with an elbow, like some big dog knocking against his hand for a treat. He hates how endearing it is.

Ian holds out for as long as he can, but he eventually breaks, as he always does. He's never been able to truly say no to Luke. He hasn't suddenly inexplicably gained the strength to do so now.

He sighs and pulls out his phone. He quickly finds his mom's profile on Scrapbook, which is privy only to friends and family by necessity, scrolls until he finds the album dedicated to him alone, and then opens the picture in question. 

Luke had watched the entire process from over his shoulder, and he makes a soft, awed sound as he gets a good look. "You're so cute!" He declares in a hushed, reverent voice, like he's appreciating a timeless work of art in the museum and not an old, kind of blurry photo of six year old Ian in a suit and tie. "You look so serious! It's adorable."

Ian can admit he was a cute kid, but all kids are cute. He doesn't think it's as novel as Luke is making it seem. "That's the only time I've ever worn a suit," he says again instead of addressing the compliments.

"Have you never been to a wedding? Or a funeral? Some kind of fancy party?" Luke asks. "My mom stuffs me in formal clothes any chance she can get, even now that I'm an adult."

Ian snorts. "Mine knows better." Formal clothes are too restrictive. He can't help balking at anything that restrains him more than he already is. Besides, he gets into far too many fights to risk wearing anything expensive. 

And anyway, his mom never forces him to go to her work galas or especially public events because she knows it makes him uncomfortable. Ian draws attention wherever he goes, both good and bad. He went to a wedding once as a teenager and ended up breaking up no less than five couples, including the bride and groom, and that led to a massive brawl during the reception. He hasn't gone to one since.

Luke looks like he wants to ask why, but he knows by now that Ian won't reveal any more than he has already. "Do you think your mom would accept my friend request?" He asks instead.

Ian locks his phone, dimming the screen to prevent Luke from trying to memorize his mom's username. "No."

Luke pouts at him, but he holds firm. He's never introduced his family to any of his friends or little brothers, and he's not about to start now. He draws a hard line between those aspects of his life.

"Let's go," he says, beginning to walk away. Luke falls into step beside him like he knew he would. "You promised me lunch."

Distracted from his sulking, Luke brightens like a little sunflower. "I didn't forget! I found a place I think you're really gonna like! It's not too much farther." He grabs Ian's wrist and walks even faster, tugging him along like a puppy on a leash as he ostensibly leads the way, and doesn't let go.

Ian looks down at his hand and then up at Luke's red ears. He feels a burst of fondness, then, sudden and undeniable, and doesn't pull away.