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lowaltitude · 2 years ago

Note

how about an office au? not the show The Office but a business office

HI!

you didn’t give me any characters, so i’m going to go wild and do what i wish i could have done in 2015 like so many others and finally take this chance to write a lovely Michael Clifford fanfic! an office au, not like The Office so no Jim and Pam vibes, and no Dwight style Calum Hood. enemies to lovers perhaps?

Ambivalence | Michael Clifford

- 5 Seconds Of Summer

- Office AU

- Part one. Part two coming soon?

- x Reader (Y/N)

❪ FEM! ❫

───── ❝ description + disclaimer ❞ ─────

𖥻 in which Michael’s temp job as a assistant has him spending his days sitting across from someone he is convinced he hates. OR in which Michael isn’t as dull as you thought.

𖥻 established relationships. au. 5sos timeline altered. ambivalence pronounced am·bi·vuh·luhns 4,230 words

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Michael was clicking his pen. Click. Click. Click. He hadn’t stopped for almost three minutes and it was starting to really annoy me.

I bit the inside of my cheek and continued typing, responding to emails as I fantasised about ringing the neck of the boy across from me. Why our boss decided she needed two 19 year old assistants was never explained, she just chose to hire both me and Michael.

Click.

Click click.

Click.

Cliiiiiick.

“Michael” I huffed, he looked up suddenly and I furrowed my eyebrows at him. “Stop clicking your pen”

“A please would be appreciated” His face was expressionless, slowly moving his thumb he clicked his pen one more time and I exhaled sharply out my nose,

“Please stop clicking the damn pen”

“Better” He shrugged “But not perfect” He clicked it again.

“Oh great Michael Clifford, please will you stop clicking that pen” before I puncture your skin with it.

Michael nodded and put the pen down, going back to his computer and I was finally able to finish writing my email and press send. I shot him a glare before standing up, walking to our bosses office and knocking on her open door.

“Amanda? I’ve sent over the monthly sales reports and your schedule for next week”

“Thank you, Y/N. I’d be lost without you” She smiled, making me feel beyond happy “And Michael” She added quickly, making my smile dissipate.

I spun around on the heels of my shoes and begrudgingly walked back to my desk, raising an eyebrow as Michael scribbled something down in his day planner.

Pulling out my seat, he looked up at me. Putting his elbows on his desk he sighed deeply before speaking.

“I set the bar too high, don’t i?”

Scoffing, I picked up my stack of papers and aligned them before stapling them together and carelessly tossing it into my desk draw. As I began typing on my computer again I glanced up watching as Michael stapled his papers together, the same action I had done less than 10 seconds ago.

He began typing, and I clenched my jaw. He had decided to mirror me. I grabbed my water bottle and sure enough, he reached for his glass of water a split second later.

I stared at him, pursing my lips and blinding reaching around my desk. Finding my lipgloss, I put it on and mic dropped the container in front of me.

Michael looked back at his computer and I smiled at my triumph, going back to my own computer. From the corner of my eye I saw him grab a pen and scribble in his planner again.

What is he always writing in there? Did he get emails from Amanda that I didn’t, is that why she always liked him more then me?

Click.

“Michael!” I growled, looking at the smug smirk on his face.

He put the pen away and picked up his bag, shutting down his computer. I looked at the clock, 5:30, and happily packed up my own things. The weekend had finally arrived, two whole days without getting anyone coffee or answering emails.

Practically skipping towards the elevator, stopping to stand next to Michael as we waited for the doors.

“Big plans this evening?” He asked

“Not that it’s any or your business, but yes.” I smacked my lips before looking at him “And you?”

“Big plans, also”

“Great”

“Great” The doors open and we both stepped in. Standing on opposite sides, I crossed my arms across my chest and he pressed the button for the ground floor.

“Hold the elevator!” We heard, Michael putting his arm up to stop the doors closing. One of our coworkers came to a skidding halt in front of us. “Actually, I’ll wait”

“What?” I questioned

“I’m not going to be the one stuck in here while Mummy and Daddy fight” She took a few steps back and Michael moved his hand, allowing the doors to close.

Even our coworkers hate us.

“Is it a date?” Michael asked after a minute of silence. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused by his question. “Tonight. Your plans.”

“Oh, No. I’m seeing a friend. What about you, hot date?”

“No” Was all he offered in response. Adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder, I looked at his foot as he tapped it on the ground.

Michael suddenly groaned and I looked up to his face again.

“You’re wearing too much perfume, what is that, Strawberries?” He pinched his nose and fake gagged for a second before leaning back against the wall and continuing to smirk.

“Blueberry, actually” I muttered, looking to the side of me at nothing in particular. The elevator begins to move. We're alone. Suddenly, for some inexplicable reason, possibly our proximity in such an enclosed space, the atmosphere between us shifted.

My breathing alters slightly as I try to make sense of the shift in atmosphere. Usually it would be tense, or we’d be bickering. His head turns toward me, his eyes darkest slate. I bite my lip.

"I like blueberry" I mumble

“So do I” He muses. I furrow my eyebrows and tilt my head slightly to the side as I look at him, Michael inhales sharply and I smile.

Michael moves forward, stepping across the elevator and almost lunging at me, pushing me against the wall. Looking up at his face, I couldn’t think a single coherent thought. My heart beat faster and faster as his white face came up to my own.

I never realised that Michael’s eyes were green before, not just green but the kind of green that could shame the very soul of nature. Fresh blades of grass, new budding flowers, and his eyes were that bright colour. Bold and beautiful.

Before I know it, I got a hold of his collar and tugged him closer to me, closing the gap between us. He kissed me, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made me cling to him as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world.

I am helpless, my hands pinned, my face held, and his hips restraining me.

The bell in the elevator sounded, alerting us that the doors would soon open. At this, I put my palms flat against Michael’s chest and pulled away from him. Michael took two large strides back, leaning against the opposite wall just as the doors began to open.

Many of our higher ups entering the elevator, greeting us politely with no knowledge that I had briefly been fantasising about my office enemy putting his hands all over me.

We waited in silence, the tense air almost suffocating me. As the doors opened on the ground floor, the business men in suits all filed out, chatting about their day. I glanced quickly at Michael before rushing out of the elevator, I even didn’t turn as he called my name.

Fuck.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Walking into the pub my friend had decided we meet at, I looked around until I spotted Katelyn. Her hair was a lot longer than the last time we had seen each other, and her outfit was a lot nicer than my short black dress. She sipped her drink, typing on her phone and twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

“Kate!” I smiled, slipping off my coat as I got close to her by the bar. She spun on the stool and gave me a toothy grin.

“Y/N” She greeted “You look great”

“Thanks. It’s good to see you, you look amazing.” I took a seat beside her and ordered myself a drink, running my hand through my hair quickly before looking back to her.

Katelyn had been my friend for almost 10 years, we went to different high schools but we would always manage to see each other at least once a month. It meant we never ran out of things to talk about, high school drama would pile up and we’d spend hours just updating one another on our lives.

“I have something to ask you” She was practically bouncing in her seat, it somewhat alarmed me. Katelyn was a rather relaxed individual, it wasn’t normal to see her so excited. Apart from, of course, that time she thought she saw Joe Jonas at a party. She didn’t. Why would he be at a high school party in the western suburbs of Sydney?

Cautiously, I asked her “What is it?”

She held her left hand up, revealing the ring on her finger with pride. “Jared proposed!”

I gawked. Jared had been her boyfriend for many years. First getting together when we were 13. They were on and off throughout high school, and I spent many nights shit talking him despite actually somewhat liking him. You can’t dump my best friend and expect me not to act like I hate you. But we’re 19, isn’t that a little young to be marrying someone that once called you a ‘horrendous slut’ while publicly dumping you in a hallway?

“Y/N?” Katelyn asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“That’s great!” I smiled “What was the question?”

“I was kind of wondering, if you’d be interested in being one of my bridesmaids?” Katelyn continued to ramble but I had tuned it out at this point, I thought saw Michael but I’m convinced I was just imagining him here. He had really gotten into my head since the elevator.

“Yes.” I said, causing Katelyn to stop talking and throw her arms around me, rejoicing in my acceptance to be in the bridal party.

“This is perfect, we have so much to do in so little time.” She sighed almost as if she had expected me to decline.

“Do you want to go somewhere we can properly talk?” I offered, this pub was crowded and already loud without the live band playing. The boy setting up the drum kit was testing his snare and it assured me that Katelyn and i would not be able to hear our own thoughts in a few minutes.

“No, sorry, Jared likes the band that are about to go on. I want to see if they’re any good, perhaps book then for the wedding”

I nodded, looking around the pub as I sipped my drink. Katelyn and I held a polite conversation as we waited, just talking about everything happening in our lives. I contemplated telling her that I had a ‘consensual work relationship’ moment earlier this afternoon, but as I opened my mouth to speak a tall boy tapped the microphone.

His blonde hair was quaffed up high, and he was biting down on his bottom lip. Playing with his black lip ring. Katelyn slapped my arm to make sure I was watching the stage, I nodded to assure her as fully turned my body towards the three boys on stage.

“Hi” The boy in the centre smiled, raising the microphone up. “We’re 5 Seconds Of Summer, my name is Luke. This is Calum he plays bass, Ashton on the drums and…” He stopped, looking around for someone with his eyebrows furrowed.

He cupped his hand over the mic and whispered something to the other boys, a fourth man scrambled to the stage, frantically plugging his electric guitar into the amp with his back to the crowd. I chuckled at his foolishness, and Katelyn did the same.

“And lead guitar” The boy- Luke- continued “Is Michael”

No it couldn’t be. Michael was the most boring man on the planet, he spent eight hours a day, five days a week, sat across from me. He wore the same shirts in the same order every week; window pane blue, light fawn beige, ivory white, charcoal grey and military green. He was unexciting and predictable, the only time he ever surprised me was today.

I felt frozen, watching Michael spin around to face the small audience with a grin plastered on his face. I had never seen him smile so wide before, maybe because he was was always frowning or smirking when at work.

Michael had changed from his military green button up shirt, to a sleeveless Metallica shirt. I hadn’t realised Michael was such a pale person, his skin almost as white as milk, I watched him adjust his hands around the neck of the guitar and swallow hard. He had Tattoos. Multiple of them.

Bands and a symbol near his elbow, where is shirt sleeves usually covered, and something written on inner bicep.

I wouldn’t exactly say he was ‘muscular’ I think the word i’d use would be ‘toned’. He looked strong enough that he could lift me off the ground but his arms very not bulky and didn’t make him look top heavy alongside his otherwise slender figure

Michael’s eyes began to scan the crowd and I wished I could have run away, but alas, my feet did not pick me up. I sat still in my seat and stared at him, his eyes landing on me and having seemingly the same reaction I had to seeing him a moment ago. Shock.

“This first song is an original 5SOS song, called VooDoo Doll.” Luke took a deep breath, and nodded to his band mates. Michael tearing his eyes away from me to look at his tall friend before starting to play his guitar.

Katelyn turned over her shoulder to look at me and I forced a smile, not wanting her to suspect that my mood has majorly shifted. “They’re pretty good”

I gave her a halfhearted nod and when she turned back around, I chugged the rest of my drink and signalled the bartender for another. Luke was singing and I hate to admit that he sounded good, how could someone like that be friends with someone as annoying as Michael Clifford?

The three other boys in the band were practically gorgeous. Luke was tall, his lip pierced and even from this far away I could see that he was handsome. Blue eyes that I felt like I could dive right into and go swimming.

Calum, the bassist, was tan and mysterious. His hair was dark with a blonde streak at the front, small smile playing on his lips as he watched his band mates having the time of their life up on that stage,

The drummer, I believe his name was Ashton, was quite cute. His curls pushed out of his face with a red bandanna acting as a headband, and he drummed with so much passion.

And then of course there was the satan spawn himself, Michael. Although my mind was trying to convince me this was a different man than the one I ‘knew’.

Michael’s lips parted as he got closer to the microphone in front of him. And suddenly, it felt like all I could hear was his voice.

“I can feel you watching, even when you're nowhere to be seen” His voice was… Beautiful. Quite literally music to my ears. “I can feel you touching, even when you're far away from me”

His voice carries a sense of simplicity and confidence and has a very natural quality. It carries through music easily, while not sounding forced or pushed, but rather well-balanced in its production. His voice was golden, haunting, and hypnotic.

Calum started singing but I continued to stare at Michael, he was switching between looking at his friends and looking at me. Only moving back to the mic every so often to sing a backing vocal or the pre-chorus.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

“Wow! They were incredible” Katelyn gasped

“Meh” I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant “I think you could find a way better band actually, it’s probably not that difficult, i’ll even help you look!”

Katelyn shook her head “No, I think they’re perfect for the occasion. We only have a few months to prepare and there’s no used hunting down another hand when the perfect one is already in front of me”

She smiled and stood, linking my arm to pull me with her. I threw my head back, finishing the remaining few drops of my drink before begrudgingly going with her as she made her way to the side of the stage where the four boys were stood.

I watched as Calum discreetly hit Michael’s arm, Michael raising an eyebrow before spotting me and Katelyn approaching. He ran the back of his hand across his sweat covered forehead before crossing his arms over his chest.

“Hello” My friend greeted “Luke, right?” She asked. I stood a step behind Katelyn and kept my head down, but I could still feel Michael’s eyes burning a hole in my skull.

“That’s me” Luke smiled politely, combing a hand through his gelled hair.

“I was wondering about booking the band for an event” All the boys attention snapped towards Katelyn. “For a wedding?” She added cautiously, taking a small step back.

“Yes!” Ashton almost shouted

“What he means” Calum slapped his friend on the back of the head “Is that we’d love to talk more about playing for you.”

“Wonderful” Katelyn grinned, turning to me and I forced a smile back to her. She moved towards the bar with Luke and Ashton following after her. I let out a tired sigh and turned slowly to look at Michael.

“Michael” I said bluntly.

He gave me a once over slowly “You look nice”

“Don’t be snide” I sighed, looking at the boy beside him with a smile before spinning around and going to where Katelyn was leaned against the bar.

The drummer took his bandana off and ran a hand through his messy curls before his eyes met mine, I smiled at him and he smiled back, revealing dimples on his cheeks.

“Hi” He greeted softly, his voice bright.

I tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear “Hi”

Michael and Calum brushed passed me, going to the bar and getting themselves a drink while Katelyn finally noticed my presence and happily handed me a drink she must have ordered for me.

Luke and Katelyn were sorting out the details, and had spotted an empty table. Both of them seemed over the moon excited to be planning the music for the wedding.

After following after them I sat beside Katelyn and watched as Ashton sat across from me. He mindlessly drummed his fingers on the table, seemingly playing along to the song in his head.

Michael and Calum found us, and I had to move my head out of the way as Michael leaned between me and Katelyn. Stretching out his arm to give Ashton a drink.

To the moon.

His bicep tattoo says ‘to the moon’. I wonder what it meant to him.

Clearing my throat, Michael moved to take the seat beside me and I just continued to either watch Ashton using the table as a drum kit, or just zoning out slightly watching the condensation on the side of my glass slowly drip down.

Calum and Michael kept whispering to one another, and occasionally Calum would kick him under the table.

Luke and Katelyn were making arrangements, when Katelyn suddenly pushed her cellphone to my face.

“It’s Jared” Katelyn says happily. It still scared me to see her so excited but I was getting used to it as time passed.

Taking the phone from her I put it to my ear. I think Katelyn overestimated how close Jared and I were sometimes. “Hey” I said giving Katelyn a thumbs up, she turned back to Luke and they continued planning.

“Y/N, so you’re a bridesmaid”

“And you’re a groom, shocking that we’d end up here.” I laughed “Do you remember the disgusting lime green colour Kate wore to formal?”

“Chartreuse. It was chartreuse, and it’s beautiful” Katelyn snarks and I wave a hand at her.

“Of course I do” He groans

“Please don’t let her pick that for anything”

“I won’t. Trust me.”

“The last time you told me to trust you I ended up with a tattoo” I scoffed, Michael looking at me with a raised eyebrow. I turned away from him slightly and ignored his stare.

“No tattoos this time” He laughed.

Katelyn waved at me and tried to snatch the phone from my hand “Kate, one second” I hissed “I guess i’ll see you soon”

Jared said goodbye and I handed the phone back, taking a sip of my drink as Kate said something and passed the phone to Luke.

“Tattoo?” Michael asked quietly.

I sighed, ignoring Michael and catching my friend’s attention again. “I think i’m going to head home”

“What, it’s so early” She pouted

“I know but…” I shrugged, not wanting to explain that I hated the man sitting beside me and definitely wanting to avoid the conversation about how I thought he was insanely attractive right now.

“I’ll drive you” Michael offered

“No, thank you” I forced a smile as I looked at him “I’d rather crawl across broken glass than get in whatever death trap you drive”

Michael opened his mouth to say something and I turned away before giving him the chance, flipping my hair and giving Kate a hug goodbye.

───── ❝ ❞ ─────

Monday, I walked to the elevator and scrolled my phone carelessly. Katelyn had added me to a group text with her, the maid of honour, and another bridesmaid. I knew the other two girls but not very well, none of my other friends were very talkative. They had sent roughly 400 texts in 12 minutes it took me to get from my apartment to work on the bus. Marie and Angelica, who had told me to call them ‘Ri and Angel’ and insisted that I start calling Katelyn ‘Lyn’ rather than Kate. I would be doing none of those things.

The doors began to close and, unfortunately, Michael managed to slip in before they fully shut. He cleared his throat as he stood beside me, facing the doors. All weekend I’d been wrapped up in my thoughts, about the kiss, the fact that Michael was an interesting person, and that now I’d have to see him at my friends wedding while I was probably wearing some awful pink dress that made me look like a chewed piece of gum.

I pulled my skirt down subconsciously and Michael laughed, running a hand through his hair. The doors opened on the floor below our and I walked towards the kitchen, pouring myself a cup of coffee as Michael looked at the donuts.

“Have fun last night?”

“Until I saw you, yes I did” I took one of the donuts for myself, taking a sip of my coffee. Michael hummed in response and went back towards the elevator, pressing the button and we waited in another moment of silence and I sighed. “You’re in a band”

“I am. Impressed?” He smirked, going into the elevator and pressing our floor.

“No, more surprised that you actually have a life” I took a small bite of my donut and licked my lips, waiting the 30 seconds until the doors opened again on our floor.

Going to my desk I put my donut on a book that I forgot I was reading and leaned back in my chair, watching Michael get his planner from his bag and scribble something down.

“The drummer’s cute” I take another sip of my coffee, Michael stops writing. He looks up at me through his eyelashes and I sigh “Ashton, wasn’t it?”

Michael hummed, closing his book and giving me his full attention. “You have a tattoo.”

Changing the subject, interesting. “Yes”

“Or is it, tattoos plural?”

Logging in to my computer, I began to check my emails. “Just the one”

“Can I see it?” I shot him a pointed glare before looking back at my screen. “I showed you mine, it’s only fair you show me yours”

“You are insufferable” I rolled my eyes, sipping my coffee and trying to ignore Michael’s entire existence.

The elevator door dinged and I stopped typing for a few seconds, thinking back to Friday. Why had he suddenly decided to act like he liked me for 15 seconds, maybe he was just trying to mess with my head?

I know we were work nemesis, but that was low. I had actually liked kissing him, whatever game he was playing I wanted no part of.

to be continued…. ?

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loverofthine · 2 years ago

Text

vulnerable l.h. - cologne

At a particularly loud clack, Luke looked over to Calum and Seph, who had been dominating the air hockey table. For a college town on a Friday, the bar wasn’t so busy, although that didn’t mean much, since most of the seats at the bar had been taken by groups of people hanging out. Luckily for them, the majority of their group was well over average height and wore varying levels of threatening expressions, so they’d had their respective games to themselves.

Luke leaned against the bar, keeping Calum and Seph’s drinks company, nursing his own. Michael, Ashton, and Priya had gone to play skee ball across the room with someone from one of Priya’s classes.

Priya hurried over, followed shortly by Ashton and Michael almost as soon as Calum and Seph had finished their fifth game. Calum won, again, as he had the past two rounds. Priya leaned over to whisper something to her roommate, which the latter agreed with, and the two girls were gone quickly.

“Where’re they going?” Calum asked, taking a sip of the soda Luke handed him. The group had considered trying to get actual drinks, but figured a college bar, no matter how old they looked, they were all going to get carded. Michael and Seph definitely would have, either way. They both looked nineteen and no older, and had even gotten ID’d at the entrance to the bar.

Michael shrugged, settling into a seat at the end of the bar, next to Luke. “Priya just said ‘girl stuff’.” He said, adding quotation marks with his fingers. “They’ll probably be a while.”

Suddenly finding themselves with nothing to talk about, the boys fell into an awkward silence, trading glances among themselves, taking sips of their respective drinks. Calum and Michael seemed oblivious to the strange tension that existed between the four of them, but Luke and Ashton weren’t.

“So, Ashton, how do you know Michael and Seph?” Calum asked, taking a long, awkward sip from his soda.

His attempt to break the silence fell flat when Ashton shoved off of the bar, brushing past Calum as he walked past. “I’m gonna go check on Seph.” He muttered right before he was out of earshot. Calum and Luke traded a glance, but the latter shrugged and returned to his drink.

Ashton and Priya returned, sharing a laugh over something Priya had on her phone, nearly tripping over one another as they made their way back to the bar. Seph followed shortly behind, seeming even more tired than she had been before, and Luke was keen to recognize the bags under her eyes. They didn’t seem very out of place, although he figured with how tired she had seemed in class most of the time, that they were.

“So, air hockey?” Calum asked, once Seph had taken a long sip of her drink. He nodded eagerly towards the table, leaning against the bar, almost directly between her and Ashton.

Seph offered the slightest of grins, rubbing her under eyes gently. “I would, but I think I just need to recuperate for a minute. Why don’t you play Ash? He taught me everything I know.” She suggested, seemingly ignoring the frantic glare her friend shot her from over Calum’s shoulder.

Spinning around to Ashton, Calum grinned and took the other boy by the shoulders, steering him towards the table, despite Ashton’s refusal. Michael and Priya agreed upon yet another round of skeeball, both making their way back to the machines. That left Luke and Seph, who hadn’t even acknowledged each other since dinner.

Luke didn’t even realize that Seph hadn’t gone with her brother until something pressed against the back of his shoulder. He turned slightly to find Seph, who had been facing away from him, so their backs were nearly pressing against one another’s, with her head tilted all the way back, leaning against his shoulder, apparently napping. With a chuckle, he readjusted, lifting her head and dropping it once so she rested against his arm, almost exactly the way she had earlier that day. Seph didn’t stir during the interaction until she was situated against Luke’s arm, sighing and nuzzling into it, clearly unaware of her actions.

The girl who leaned against Luke’s arm was gently snoring, one cheek pressed into the boy next to her, lifting her lip just enough to reveal white teeth. Her front teeth jutted out just slightly over her bottom teeth, despite the obvious signs she’d worn braces. Her nose was the same as her brother’s, save for the small white scar just below the bridge of her nose that contrasted with her tanned skin. For such a tired girl, and with the skin tone of her brother, Luke would have expected her to be much paler, but Seph was gorgeously sunkissed.

“Is she sleeping?” Ashton asked, unusually quiet, in the lull between games. He had crept over to sit next to Luke, who jumped at his question. “If you want, I can take her home.”

Luke turned to Ashton, trying not to disturb the slumbering figure on his other side. “It’s all good, not bothering me.” His arm was falling asleep, but no one needed to know that. “You can go back to your game.” He continued, waving his hand toward Calum, who was staring intently at the air hockey table.

With a cautious, nearly poisonous look, Ashton turned away, draining his soda and dropping the glass on the bar with a thud. He cast one more look over his shoulder to Luke, who had already turned away in favor of glancing at the girl who slept against him.

The pair at the bar looked surprisingly good together, although no one doubted that anyone in their group was attractive. Seph and Luke had one of the more dramatic height differences – although not as dramatic as the foot between Luke and Priya – but her head was the perfect height to press into his arm.

It wasn’t long before raised voices came from the air hockey table, but Luke didn’t very much care to listen in. Calum and Ashton had been butting heads all night, over some issue Ashton took up, but Calum seemed oblivious to his dislike. Luke figured the arguing was just them getting it out of their system.

“You knew we had to leave early.” Ashton was practically shouting as the pair walked past Luke and Seph. “I asked for the time.”

Calum was following shortly behind the other boy, sighing. “I told you the time. How is this my fault?”

Ashton snapped around, eyes narrowing both at Calum and the couple at the bar, the latter of whom he hadn’t noticed were still in the same position. “It just,” He waved his hands fervently. “Whatever, let’s go.”

“We’re going.” Ashton said, laying a hand on Seph’s shoulder as Michael handed his card to the bartender. “C’mon, Squish.”

Unlike earlier, Seph was quick to blink awake, blue eyes blinking open suddenly, just as quickly as she sat up and brought her hand to her cheek. Her cheeks were red, but just as she opened her mouth to apologize, Ashton yanked her off of the barstool by her wrist.

“Ash, what’s the matter?” She mumbled through a yawn, stumbling over her own feet as Ashton dragged her behind him, following Priya and Michael, who were rushing towards the bus stop. Bringing up the rear was Calum and Luke, speaking lowly to one another as they practically ran to catch up with the group.

Despite it being midnight, the downtown was alive with people, so much so that they were dodging others in their rush to the bus stop. At a particularly sharp turn around a highly populated beer garden, a large, rather drunk guy slammed straight into Seph, knocking her into Luke, where he quickly caught her by the shoulders. By the time both of them had shaken off the confusion, Ashton and Calum had disappeared around the building, and were nowhere to be found.

“Oh, fuck, I’m so sorry.” Another very drunk guy muttered, spilling himself and his beer over Seph as he followed a group of his friends. He didn’t even seem to notice the lack of beer in his cup as he raised it in a celebratory shout and followed his friends.

Unspeaking, Luke grabbed Seph’s hand, sweeping her under his arm to lead the pair away from the bar, and back towards where they had come from. The bus stop they had been heading for was lined with bars, likely to be surrounded by similar incidents that neither of them really wanted to deal with.

“Are you okay?” Luke asked, once they had safely found sanctuary next to a print shop, ducking down to inspect Seph’s shirt, doused in alcohol. “That guy barely even apologized.” He muttered, scowling at the mess.

Seph stifled a yawn, plucking at the shirt, although she seemed mostly nonplussed about the incident. “It’s f-” Her eyes finally met Luke, widening almost instantly. “Why are you taking your shirt off?”

With another scowl, Luke finished pulling off his jacket and tossed it to the girl, rolling his eyes. “Please, princess, this isn’t a peep show. It’s cold out.”

“It’s, like, seventy degrees.”

“Shut up and put the jacket on.”

She didn’t complain further, only obeyed, slipping the jacket over her shoulders and tightening the fabric around her waist. Seph wasn’t so small, but Luke’s shoulders were broad, so the jacket hung off of her in a way that had her shoving the sleeves up to reveal her hands. “What’re we gonna do? The next bus is in, like, forty minutes.”

Luke didn’t really have a plan when he pulled Seph away, but the bus was almost certainly gone, and there was little chance of their friends waiting for the blondes. “Walking, I guess.”

“Walking?” Seph echoed in a much smaller voice, peering up at Luke like he was crazy. “It’s a twenty minute walk through Greek row at midnight on a friday. I wouldn’t go through there even if I was your height and a hundred pounds heavier.” There had been multiple instances of her walking back through the neighborhood that laid between campus and downtown that ended with a punch and Michael bailing her out of trouble with a frat.

The boy said nothing for a moment, although he started towards the heavily tree-lined streets of the neighborhood just south of the buildings. “No need to worry, princess. No one fucks with me.”

True to his word, Seph’s normal encounters were nowhere in the realm of what they experienced. They were approached by the occasional drunken party-goer who recognized Luke, but he didn’t stray.

The moonlight made Luke’s eyes look grey, flashing as they met the streetlights. Seph could make out the smallest imperfection on the left side of his lower lip. It was a scar she was very familiar with, since she shared the same mark.

“Can I ask you something?” Seph asked, breaking the peaceful quiet the pair had fallen into. Her arms came around herself to quell the shiver that ran down her back. The sigh that followed seemed like permission to continue, so she did. “What’s with Princess? I have a name.”

Luke cracked the slightest of grins, lips curling to one side as he looked down at Seph. “What, you’re not into it?” He paused, catching Seph by the wrist just before she brushed past him, and spinning her to face him. “At least zip up the jacket.” He muttered, mostly to himself, as he zipped up the jacket.

“I didn’t say that.” The blonde girl muttered, cheeks reddening. She couldn’t quite figure Luke out, and was sure that was just the way he preferred it. Still, Seph enjoyed the company, and for the first time, she didn’t have the urge to start running when someone stumbled out of a house.

Seph wasn’t a violent person, but there was just something so punchable about a frat guy. And Luke.

She’d heard the name before. Hemmings was an infamous whisper amongst the dining halls, of whatever he and Hood had been doing the night before. Upperclassmen friends she made would warn her away from anyone with an H last name.

Despite her friend’s warnings, Seph couldn’t help the way her cheeks warmed when Luke glanced down at her with that grin. But she’d always been a proximity person, and she chalked the fluttering in the depths of her stomach up to the fragrant depth of Luke’s cologne that flooded her senses. It was mild, not too heavy, which she appreciated, and she hadn’t even noticed it until she was wearing his jacket.

His demeanor was entirely different to how he had been in class. It wasn’t that he was any less confident, but he kept his head down in class, and didn’t say much. He had friends, quite talkative ones, that he enjoyed the company of in class, people Seph didn’t like to associate with, but he wasn’t much for speaking. However, it was a stark difference to the confident way he greeted people and carried himself while they made their way down the pavement.

He fit right in on Greek row.

“So, what does-”

“Luke!”

Luke scowled at the interruption, spinning around to find the source of the exclamation, brow knitting when his eyes finally fall on the person. Under the streetlight that shadows his features, he can’t see the figure very well, but that problem is quickly solved by their emergence into the light.

This girl is gorgeous.

Long legs that seemed to go on forever in the skirt she wore, beautifully golden, compliment the blonde ends of her dark hair and white smile. “Lu, I didn’t realize you were around. You should’ve said hi.”

“Just passing by. This your party?” He nodded towards the house she had come from, alive with a loud party that would definitely fizzle out in a few hours after a noise complaint.

The girl’s cheeks seem to redden as she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, tittering nervously. “Uh, yeah, not mine. Sneaky link, you know how it is.” The two shared a soft chuckle, apparently recalling their own, before the girl’s dark eyes fall to Seph, who couldn’t look more nervous. “You’re cute. I’m Mya.”

“Seph.”

“Oh, you know, when I was in high school, I had this freshman. Her name was something like Steph, but it wasn’t quite.” Mya exclaimed excitedly, turning her attention to Seph completely. “You know, Steph, you look a lot like her.”

“Seph.” Luke corrected, nudging Mya gently to hammer the point home. “Her name’s Seph.”

There was a beat of silence before Mya squealed and spun back to Seph. “Ohmygod, did you go to Rainer High in Toulouse?” Seph barely had the time to nod before Mya was pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. “Girl! It’s been too long.” She suddenly gasped and pulled back, holding the shorter girl at arm’s length. “Sephie, didn’t we tell you to never go home with the tall ones with pretty eyes? I know they’re cute, but it never goes well.” She leaned in, although she didn’t lower her voice, so Luke heard everything. “Believe me, this one definitely isn’t worth it.”

With an affronted look, Luke cocked his head to the side, scowling at his friend as he pulled her away by the back of the bralette she wore. “Alright, you. This has been nice, but I think Seph’s brother will kill me if we don’t head back soon.”

“Oh, right, you’re Michael Clifford’s sister, right?” Michael was much more known around the town than Seph was. She didn’t have the time to go to nearly as many parties as he did, but she definitely had him beat in the theater department. “And Ashton Irwin! They were always nice.” Mya paused, slinking after Luke as he started to walk away with Seph under his arm. “For boys. You know, Sephie, if you wanted a hookup, I know a lot nicer guys.”

“We’re not-”

“Mya, we’re not hooking up. I’m walking her home.”

Mya’s expression soured as she slipped off her heels to carry them, catching up with the blonde pair. Without heels, she was shorter, although she was still taller than Seph, albeit, not by much. “Like hell you are. Sephie, never let boys know where you live.”

Despite the way Luke glanced down in a silent question if Seph was done with Mya’s presence, Seph giggled at her old friend’s proclamations, filing each of them under the other advice she’d been given. “I’ll keep it in mind. Luke, I can go home from here.” She muttered, just as they approached the greenhouses on the edge of campus, poking Luke gently in the ribs, in case he hadn’t heard her.

“Like hell you are.” Luke said, glancing up at Mya, who giggled at his echo. “Do you realize how much Michael will hurt me if I let you walk home alone?”

“Luke, I’ll be fine, it’s a ten minute walk-”

“Plus she won’t be alone,”

“Yeah, exact- wait, what?”

Mya scoffed, as if the question was dumb in of itself, but she just as easily slung her arm around Seph’s shoulders, to drag her along. “You never let boys know where you live. You also never walk home alone. That’s what sisters are for.” She added with a jostle of Seph’s shoulders.

Rationally, Seph knew that she should call Ashton and have her meet him halfway, which would avoid the worst-case scenario of both options, but something told her to trust Mya. Maybe it was the way that she smelled the exact same as the entire cheer team used to, a group of some of the sweetest and best friends Seph had ever known. It might’ve been her infectious smile that made Seph want to grin instantly.

“Yeah, okay.” She admitted, sweeping a lock of soft blonde hair over her own shoulder. “Luke, I’ll see you in class?”

Apprehension was written across Luke’s face, but he nodded after brief hesitation. His blue eyes searched Seph’s for any second thoughts, but apparently finding none, he took a step away from the girls, running a hand through his loose curls. “Tomorrow. Do you have my phone number?”

“I’ll get it from Mikey.”

Still hesitant, Luke nodded, slowly, taking another step away. “My, text me when you drop her off and when you get home.”

“Goodbye, Lu.”

“Bye, Mya.” He lowered his gaze to Seph, waiting for her gentle nod to take another step away and spin around. “Tomorrow, Princess.”

Both Mya and Seph waited for Luke to lumber around the corner to turn back around and continue towards the dorms, not turning until they saw his tall figure disappear from the road it had been cast on.

“Okay, Seph. You have to fill me in on everything.”

Seph hadn’t realized she still wore Luke’s jacket until she burrowed into it and found a surprisingly pleasant whiff of the cologne she’d become a big fan of.

12 notes · View notes

caelesjjk · 5 years ago

Text

a place where hands can’t reach | l.h. (Greek god!Luke)

A/N: I have worked tirelessly on this, and I am really proud of it to be honest. Its long as hell, over 17k. But i would appreciate more than anything if you guys took time to read it and tell me what you think. Thank you!!

I also wanted to give a shout out and recognition to Amara ( @dammitbands ) and her fic Wasteland, Baby which you can find here. I was super inspired by her fic and decided to give my own go at a Greek god AU.

“Touch me with your words. Penetrate my mind. Hollow me out. Leave me gasping, scratching, wanting more. Touch me with your words in all the places your hands can’t reach.”

Ares will always be known as being the brutal God of War. He was almost uncontrollable and bloodthirsty when it came to battle, something that made him hated among the other Gods as well as the humans on earth.

It took thousands of years and too many battles to count for the pain and terror of war to finally take its toll upon him. Ares wanted more from this life. There had to be something more. He had become fascinated by the humans and the way they lived and wanted to leave behind the memories and all the blood he had on his hands on Mt. Olympus, and go to Earth where he could be more than just the God of War.

His plans to leave Olympus were not received well. The other Gods knew if Ares left that they would have no one to fight their battles for them. No one to blame for all their misfortunes. So Zeus took it upon himself to punish Ares, telling him that if he chose to go to Earth and live with the humans he would be cursed for as long as stayed there.

Ares was told that he would never be able to touch another being with his hands without killing them. His darkness and brutality that lingered deep within him would consume them, and there would be nothing he could do to save them. They would crumble in his fingertips, drift away on the breeze, or burn to ash the very moment his bare hands touched them in any way.

But to Ares, this punishment would be as easy as breathing compared to the weight he carried on his shoulders now in Olympus. And so, he retreated to Earth, taking a human form. He knew that he would spend the rest of eternity alone, and banishing himself to Earth was supposed to make that easier. And at first, it had been. Hundreds of years he walked the planet, lying low and keeping to himself. He took on the name Luke, in hopes it was average enough to let him stay below the radar of wondering humans.

Luke was still the God of War, and it was in the darkness that he found the most comfort. He walked around in all seasons with leather gloves on his hands, in hopes that he would never accidentally touch someone and consume them with all the evil that lingered inside of him. He had never had a desire to touch someone while he was here, and he wanted to keep it that way. He needed to make sure that he proved the other Gods wrong so that one day they would understand that he was more than just their war horse.

Like most nights, Luke found himself in the corner booth of Gordo’s diner down the street from his apartment. He preferred it over the bustling restaurants and casinos that most humans frequented in Las Vegas. The décor was hideous, with all the red knick-knacks lining the dusty shelves on the walls and the faded yellow tables with chips in the tabletops. The food was shit, and the coffee was even shittier, but if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t come here for either of those things. He came for her, the waitress with the raven colored hair and the face full of freckles. She wore chunky boots and mood rings on each of her thumbs that were shaped like crescent moons. Her name was Anna, and she one of the few humans Luke tolerated. She was sweet and soft spoken, but she also had an edge about her that had Luke coming back in every night. He refused service from anyone other than her. It was like she could tell that he wasn’t much for talking, because most nights, she didn’t press him.

“Want any more coffee?” She asked, breaking him from his thoughts of the past. Luke shifted in his seat, clearing his throat.

“Think four cups might be my cut off.” He answered, using his gloved hand to push the white coffee cup towards the edge of the table.

“Are you cold? I could ask them to turn the heat up in here.” Anna motioned towards his gloves, Luke quickly pulled his hands beneath the table into his lap.

“I’m fine.” He picked up the book he had been reading before, trying to get her to walk away from him without any more questions. Anna gave him a small apologetic smile before picking up the empty coffee cup and heading back towards the kitchen.

“Such an idiot.” Anna sighed to herself as she dumped the arm full of dirty dishes into the sink. She had always seen him wearing those gloves, never taking them off, even in the dead of summer. Obviously there was a reason behind them. And Anna knew deep down that it must have been something that he didn’t want her to know.

“What is it about the weirdo in the corner booth that you like so much anyways?” Michael, one of the other servers asked as he plopped a small pile of whipped cream onto a piece of pie as he spoke.

“I don’t like him, really. I’m just sort of fascinated? I know it’s weird.” Anna leans against the sink, looking towards Michael and the complete mess he was making of the pie slices he was about serve.

“Yeah, totally weird.” Michael teases, throwing the small plates onto a tray and lifting it onto his shoulder.

“Are you going to serve it like that?” Anna giggled, pointing to the mess.

“It’s for a bunch of drunk frat boys, I doubt they care how pretty it looks.” Michael sighs, pushing open the door of the kitchen. “At least help me hand these out?” He stuck out his bottom lip, trying to be as cute as possible and persuade Anna to help him.

“Fine. Let’s go Mr. Puppy Eyes.” Anna holds the door open and lets Michael walk through before they both approach the rambunctious table. Of course they’re all smacking each other and throwing shit around the table. Typical drunk asshole behavior. Michael and Anna were used to dealing with these types on their late shift. Las Vegas was always full of surprises.

“You brought a friend with you, Mike.” One of the frat boys brought attention to Anna, making her cheeks heat up and her blood pump a little faster.

“She’s just helping me hand out your order, man. No need to embarrass her.” Michael tossed a few plates onto the table in front of them, some of them snickering and not trying to hide it.

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” One asks, touching Anna’s wrist when she places a plate in front of him.

“I assumed you being a college boy and all that you could at least read.” Anna points to her nametag that’s attached to her black apron. Most of the others laugh at his expense when Anna makes the comment, steam practically billowing from his already red ears.

“Got a mouth on you. I like that.” Frat douche pulls Anna down onto his lap. She pushes at his chest and pulls at his hands.

“Let go of me!!” Anna shouts, looking to Michael for help, but the other guys at the table have him blocked from getting to her.

“Calm down, babe. Just having some fun.” His mouth is against the shell of her ear, Anna feels dirty when he breathes on her neck.

Quicker than she can comprehend, she’s being pulled off of the frat guys lap in a blur when a leather gloved hand wraps around her wrist. Anna finally focuses on what’s in front of her again, the first thing she sees is the broad leather clad shoulders of Luke stepping in front of her, grabbing the frat guy roughly by the back of the neck and slamming his head down against the table, his face flattened against the surface. The sound of glasses and silverware clanging to the floor is quickly followed by yelling from the other guys that had been at the table.

“Get the fuck off of me!” Touchy Frat guy says, struggling against the grip of Luke’s hand. But he isn’t able to move at all.

“Apologize.” Luke leans down towards his ear, saying the words quietly. Blonde curls falling on his forehead in the process.

“Fuck you! Get off!” Frat douche continues to struggle, Luke rolls eyes and uses his gloved hand to lift the assholes head and slam it back against the table once more.

“Luke!” Anna shouts, her pretty green eyes meeting his when he looked up. They were the same color as fresh moss growing against the trunks of trees. Beautiful and alluring.

“Apologize, shit bag.” Luke says between clenched teeth, eyes never leaving Anna. He could tell he was frightening her and that alone made the evil threatening to spill over inside him retreat back to where it came from.

“Sorry…I’m sorry!” The frat guy finally gives in, and Luke stands him up straight, practically kicking him towards the door.

“You’ll hear from my lawyer!” Frat guy tries to get the last word in, but Luke only smiles widely, slowly bringing up his middle finger for the group of frat guys to see. They all continue yelling all the way out the door, the bell above the door jingling over and over until they were all gone.

“Luke…what…why did you do that?” Anna brushes her hair away from her face, her chest heaving in surprise.

“Find comfort in the fact that I would have done much worse if you had not been watching.” Luke says, heading back towards his table. He picks up his things and starts to walk towards the door.

“Wait…just, thank you.” Anna steps in his path, reaching out a soft hand to touch his forearm. Luke freezes momentarily, then quickly pulls his arm away and rushes out the door of the diner, the bell clattering against the glass once more.

“Did that all actually just happen?” Michael says, still a bit in shock as he takes off his black beanie and ruffles his hair. Anna sighs, turning back towards Michael and the mess they were about to clean up.

“What exactly am I paying you two for?” Gordo, the cook and owner of the diner says from the door of the kitchen.

“Great timing, Gordo!” Michael rolls his eyes, bending down to start picking up the mess on the diner floor.

Anna takes a moment to watch Luke out the window. He has his hood pulled up over his head now, crossing the street in a hurry. She had no idea why he had done what he did. Perhaps he was just being nice and chivalrous. Perhaps it was something else entirely. But with how limited their conversations usually were, she wasn’t sure she would ever get the answer she was looking for. The desire to be closer to him was odd, but strangely welcomed even now.

Luke had been denying the power he possessed for a very long time. Though sometimes, he did give into the voice inside of his head. He kept an array of weapons inside a secret wall compartment in his apartment. And now and then he would take one out, preferably his sword. He would swing it around with more precision than any other God or mortal would ever be capable of. It was only enough to release just the slightest bit of the pressure he felt from not using his power, but it was enough.

He merely wanted to get home before his desire to kill the group of idiots from the diner had him hunting them down. But, deep down Luke knew that they wouldn’t go about their nights quite so easily.

They waited a few streets down in the alleyway, waiting for Luke to come by so they could jump him. And unlucky for them, Luke had a feeling that they would. He had been around long enough, seen enough human weaknesses to know that something like this would happen. He sighed loudly when they rushed him and pulled him into the darkness of the alley.

The one who he had publically humiliated back at the diner, took a swing at his jaw while two others held onto his arms. Luke wasn’t even trying to get away from them. He was only slightly hoping to quench that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that was asking for him to slaughter them. He had been denying himself his own power, rarely using any abilities for a very long time. It wasn’t easy, but he wanted to do it.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” The frat guy yells as he swings at the other side of Luke’s face. Of course Luke feels the pain of the blows, but it doesn’t affect him the same way. Pain is something he has learned to tolerate so well after the thousands of years of enduring it. He can taste the blood in his mouth, letting it drip off his chin as he looks up at his attackers with a devilish grin on his face.

“Perhaps you should keep your hands to yourself next time?” Luke says with a small laugh.

“What the fuck did you just say?” One of the attackers says.

“I said…” Luke spits some blood onto the ground so that it sprays across the original douche’s shoes. “Keep your fucking hands to yourself, asshole.” And with that Luke was taking punch after punch to his torso and face, others choosing to join in now as well. He let it happen for a few moments longer, soaking in the feeling of the attack. It was exhilarating. And he knew as soon as he was finished here, he would need to stop. He would need control himself. He didn’t need the other God’s coming around saying “I told you so” any time soon.

“You needed someone to teach you a lesson, blondie.” One of them says as they back away to admire their handy work. Luke his bent down on one knee, taking a few deep breaths to gather himself. He had to control it because if he didn’t, he would kill them and he already had enough blood on his hands from all the wars he had fought in.

“This will only hurt a little.” Luke spits more blood onto the ground, boots scraping against some loose gravel as he starts to stand up. His eyes begin glowing a bright blue, the light scorching through his veins.

They all begin to scramble away, but Luke raised one of his hands in front of him, shaping as if he had it wrapped around someone’s throat, all of the frat boys halting to a stop. The group of them grasp at their necks when their air flow starts to wither away. Luke pulls his hand higher into the air, and their feet lift up off the ground. Their legs kicking as they yell with the last bit of air they have left in their lungs. Luke breathes in another long breath, then snaps his fingers and sends them all flying in different directions until they slam into the walls of the buildings they had been standing between. They hit with loud thumps, sliding down the walls. Most of them have fallen unconscious, others scrambling to stand up, Luke brushes off the front of his jacket and begins walking back towards the street. His wounds dissipate as the blue light still simmering in his veins heals him completely. He picks up his book from the ground and turns left out of the alley to make his way back to his apartment.

“Miss it, don’t you?” Luke heard a voice say from behind him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder and see a face he hadn’t seen much of in recent years.

“Apollo.” Luke said flatly, his jaw tightening slightly as he turned to face him. He was dressed in all white, and Luke would never understand why the Gods thought white was such a glorious color. Apollo’s black hair was quite a contrast to the rest of him.

“No need for formalities, friend. It’s Ashton when I’m down here in this hell hole.” Ashton sighs with a look of mild disgust on his face and flicks his hand towards nothing in particular, taking a few steps towards Luke.

“We aren’t friends.” Luke scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.

“Still holding that grudge?” Ashton asked, small smirk on his face.

“You mean the one where you did absolutely nothing to help me when Zeus was handing out punishments?” Luke steps cautiously towards Ashton now.

“I’m not the one who desired a human life, Ares.” Ashton said, smile growing wider.

“Well let’s just say I’m still bitter, and you’re still an asshole.” Luke turns to begin walking away, until a wall of burning arrows fall down in front of him, blocking his path. His jaw and all the muscles in his back tighten in frustration.

“We should talk.” Ashton says.

“What could you possibly have to say, that I’d want to hear?” Luke turns back around.

“All those wars all those years ago…we may have underestimated the other gods then. But we know where we went wrong and we can correct it this time.” Ashton closes a bit more of the gap between them.

“This time? You’re insane.” Luke laughs. “I won’t be a part of it.”

“Won’t you hear me out?” Ashton asks.

“Go fuck yourself, Ashton.” Luke whips his hand in the air, the fire on the arrows behind him smothering out in the darkness. He steps over the burnt remains and begins walking again.

“I thought you might say that. I’ll make you see things my way, Luke. I’ll see you soon.” Ashton calls from behind Luke. But when Luke takes one last look over his shoulder, Ashton is already gone. He throws his hood back over his head and crosses the street towards his apartment building.

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Anna Bradley wished more than anything that she didn’t have to work her way through grad school. That somehow she could afford her apartment. But life just didn’t have those things in the cards for her right now. She struggled, and she knew she wasn’t the only one but that didn’t stop her from feeling just the slightest bit sorry for herself now and then.

She hated the way her hair was always frizzy, no matter how many times she used a deep conditioner. There wasn’t a product out there that had tamed it so far. Every morning while she looked in the mirror was a string of frustrated sighs and annoyed groans.

Her one bedroom apartment was filled with things that Anna loved. She painted the brick walls with light yellow paint in an attempt to make it feel warm. Her window sills were filled with plants of all shapes and sizes. Some with flowers, some with vines. Every morning she made sure to say ‘hello’ to them, gently patting the top of the cactus’ before opening the curtains to make sure they got all the sunlight they needed.

Magenta was Anna’s 10 year old dachshund who loved to lay on her fluffy pillow at the end of Anna’s bed and soak in the sunlight as well. Her sweet little face was graying slightly around her eyes and nose, but she was still Anna’s little baby that she adored. Every morning before Anna left for class, she made sure that Magenta was comfortable, kissed her head and told her to watch over the place. It was routine for them all.

It was quiet inside the small apartment, which was something Anna appreciated. There was a constant buzz of sound outside in the busy city, but not in here. She kept an endless supply of tea in the cabinet just to the left of the sink and every time she opened that particular cabinet she was met with the worlds most flavorful aroma.

“Rents late again, Anna.” Mrs. Parks said as she caught Anna trying to sneak through the lobby of the building.

“I know. And I swear, any tips I make tonight are coming straight to you, Mrs. Parks.” Anna tries to smile convincingly. Mrs. Parks sighs and motions with her head for Anna to go. Anna quickly mouths ‘thank you’ before heading outside into the crisp night air.

Nights were surprisingly cold in Las Vegas, it was something that took a bit of getting used to. Working the night shift at the diner was something else that took some getting used to, but there wasn’t another option when classes took up most of the day otherwise. So she drug her tired body into Gordo’s almost every night so she could serve to drunk college kids and late night casino goers.

And then there was Luke. He always sat at the same table, most of the staff knowing not to seat anyone there because he would inevitably be coming in. He had floppy blonde curls on his head and a perfectly sculpted jawline. Not that Anna was paying attention to those types of things. But she may have noticed a time or two that his nose turned up just slightly. She knew that the hottest fires truly burned blue, and that his eyes were no exception to that. Most of his wardrobe consisted of black and leather, which wasn’t unusual for the most part but he wore it always, even this past summer when it was practically radioactive outside. Those gloves he was always wearing had to be ridiculously uncomfortable.

It bothered Anna that after knowing him all these months, she truly didn’t know him at all. Maybe that’s why he was so alluring. Maybe that’s why she had such a desire to be close to him. But any time she tried, he literally and figuratively pulled away. He was untouchable.

“Schedule says 9:00pm, Anna.” Gordo shouted through the order window as Anna walked briskly through the diner door, seeing the clock on the wall read 9:03pm. She rolled her eyes.

“Got it, Gordo.” Anna slipped into the back where Michael was tying his apron on behind his back.

“Everything okay?” Michael asked, noticing Anna’s frustration.

“Yeah…I just really need to make a ton of tips tonight before Mrs. Parks kicks my ass to the curb.” Anna sighed, throwing her apron on over her head and tying it haphazardly.

“I can help you, if you just ask.” Michael leans against the wall watching as Anna rushes around, grabbing her order pad and pen from the basket on the counter.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine. But thank you, Mikey.” She pats his shoulder quickly, throwing her hair up messily and then pushes through the swinging door to get out onto the diner floor.

The night was slower than usual, frustrating Anna to no end. She could feel herself getting more and more upset, but she held back as much as she could so no one would notice it. But Luke noticed everything about Anna, and he knew something was wrong.

“More coffee?” Anna asked him as she approached the table with a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes like it normally did.

“Do you get a break?” Luke asked, closing his book quietly and sitting it down on the table.

“What?” Anna asked, shocked that he had asked.

“A break. Will you have one soon?” Luke said.

“Yeah…I mean I could.” Anna shuffled over the words she spoke, still flustered that he asked her.

“Sit.” He motions towards the seat across from him at the table. Anna stared at him a moment longer, then blinked to clear her thoughts.

“Michael, I’m on break, okay?” Anna looked behind her to where Michael was standing at the register.

“Sure thing.” Michael smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at Anna, her cheeks heating up as she quickly turned away to look back at Luke.

“Right. Um hi.” She said as she slid into the booth across from Luke.

“Why are you upset?” He asked bluntly.

“I’m not upset.” Anna replied, biting at her lip nervously. Luke merely raised one of his perfect eyebrows in disbelief. Anna sighed. “I just have a lot on my plate. Grad School. Trying to pay my rent. Just feeling the effects tonight I suppose.”

“Your struggling upsets you?” Luke asks, watching her face carefully, wishing he could pull her lip from between her teeth as she chewed at it.

“Yes. More than usual.” Anna sighs, her breath blowing her hair away from her face, slouching back into the booth as if she’s deflated.

“The tips you receive here, they go directly to you?” Luke asks, reaching into the back pocket of his black jeans and grabbing out his wallet.

“Most of the time.” Anna laughs a little, knowing Gordo likes to keep extra for himself now and then.

“Then put this in your pocket, and pretend I never gave it to you.” Luke opens his wallet, and pulls out four one hundred dollar bills and sets them on the table in front of her. Anna almost chokes on air as she gasps.

“Luke, I could never accept this.” Anna pushes the money back towards him.

“Why not? It’s your tip.” He closes his wallet and puts it back into his pocket.

“It’s too much. Way, way too much.” Anna’s eyes are wide as she looks down at the money.

“I don’t understand. Your service is always impeccable, I’m merely giving you what I think is deserved.” Luke pushes the money back towards her as he begins to gather up his things.

“Luke…I can’t.” Anna shakes her head in disbelief that he would even consider leaving her this much money.

“Consider it a loan then. You can pay me back when you’re able.” He stands up, pulling a black beanie onto his blonde curls and slipping his backpack on.

“You’ll let me pay you back?” Anna asks, her mouth dry.

“Of course. When you can.” Luke smiles, giving her one last look before he starts going towards the door.

“Luke! Wait!” Anna quickly hops out of the booth and stands in front of him before he gets to the door. “Why would you do this for me?”

“You deserve to have a place to sleep and food to eat. It’s simple.” Luke sighs gently, wishing the freckles on her cheeks and nose weren’t so endearing. Anna bites her lip and closes her eyes for a moment.

“Thank you.” She steps up close to him, lifting up onto her tip toes and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. Luke can feel his skin warming under the feeling of her lips. It was the most affection he had felt in ages. He gave her a tight lipped smiled and proceeded the rest of the way out of the diner.

Anna had no idea why he really did what he did. He hardly knew her and still so willingly handed over more than enough money to help her get ahead on things for the time being. She looked at the money once more and then shoved it into her pocket before anyone else could see it, her smile widening. The troubles she had been feeling just minutes before this slowly lifted off of her shoulders and chest and she could breathe again. Paying Luke back was one thing, but making it up to him would need to be really special.

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The next night, when Anna came in for her shift she was immediately met by the frustrated face of another waitress that she did not recognize. Her blonde hair was swept up into a nest on top of her head and her hands were on her hips as she approached Anna.

“Is that guy your boyfriend or something?” She huffed, her Brooklyn accent very thick as she pointed towards Luke in the corner booth. His usual black leather gloves on his hands as he flipped through pages of yet another novel.

“No, he isn’t. But if you’re new here, you probably didn’t know that he only wants me waiting on him.” Anna explained, her cheeks heating just a little.

“Yeah, well he’s a real dick. Literally wouldn’t even take a glass of water from me.” She pops a piece of gum into her mouth and rolls her eyes dramatically. “All yours, honey.” She slips past Anna and heads towards the kitchen. Anna can’t help but smile as she approaches Luke’s table.

“Giving the other waitress a hard time?” She asked.

“She’s dreadful.” Luke replied, marking his page and setting down the book in his hands.

“You know, everyone that works here is capable of pouring you a cup of coffee.” Anna sat down across from him, knowing her shift didn’t start for 10 minutes.

“I only want you.” Luke said, his hands under the table as he watched Anna’s face. When her eyes widened momentarily he thought about his words and backtracked. “I mean, I prefer your service.” He clears his throat.

“What do you do when you come in on my days off?” Anna asked.

“I don’t come in.” Luke shrugs his broad shoulders and leans back against the back of the booth. Anna decided it was probably best to drop this subject when he seemed uncomfortable.

“I’ll um…I’ll pay you back what I owe you soon, I promise.” Anna says.

“I’m not worried.” Luke slowly brings his gloved hands up onto the table and links his fingers together.

“I wanted to do something more than just give you the money…like maybe I could take you to get a real cup of coffee? One that doesn’t taste awful?” She laughed lightly, looking to Luke for an answer.

Luke wanted to say yes so badly. He wanted to tell her that he would do ungodly things just to know more about her. But getting to know her was dangerous, for both of them. She would never understand the burdens he carried, and Anna did not deserve to carry any of them with her. She was far too smart and far too beautiful for this world.

“I…can’t.” Luke said nervously.

“Oh. I’m sorry, you probably have a girlfriend or something right? That would be totally inappropriate for me to ask that…god I’m just…sorry.” Anna stands up from the booth and Luke does the same.

“No. No girlfriend. It’s me” Luke tries to explain, but knows he sounds ridiculous.

“You’re really going to use the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ gig already?” Anna’s eyebrows scrunch together in confusion as she turns to begin walking to the kitchen.

“Are you angry with me?” Luke asks, following her down the row of tables.

“Why would I be angry?” Anna turns to face him quickly, almost making Luke bump into her.

“You seem angry.” Luke sighs, hands going into his jeans pockets.

“I’ll bring you more coffee soon.” Anna spins around and moves swiftly into the kitchen through the swinging door. Luke stands there a moment, not sure what to do. And as he’s about to go back to his table, Anna is shoving through the door with plates in her hands, not bothering to even look in Luke’s direction.

“You’re visibly upset.” Luke says quietly as he follows her to another table.

“I’m not.” Was all she said as she sat the two plates down on the table in front of the hungry customers. Anna continued to ignore him, moving past Luke and walking towards another table.

“Will you stop for a moment?” Luke asks, stepping in her path.

“I’m not upset with you, I’m upset with myself.” Anna says, looking over Luke’s shoulder as Gordo throws another order up into the window.

“Why?” Luke moves until her green eyes focus on him again. For a moment, Anna considers telling him the truth. That all she wanted was a few hours outside of this diner where she could talk with him.

“It’s nothing, Luke. I have work to do.” Anna brushes past him again and Luke sighs in defeat, going back to his table, running his gloved hands through his messy mop of curls.

Luke watches Anna as she hastily moves around the restaurant, she continues to smile for each customer, never forgetting anything they ask for. She grabs a coffee pot from the counter where his eyes follow and land on Ashton, who sits at one of the stools at the front counter, a smile on his face when their eyes meet. Luke tenses, his jaw tightening when Ashton waves Anna over to him. What the fuck did he think he was doing?

Ashton leaned his elbows on the counter when Anna approached him, making sure to smile kindly for the human girl.

“What’s good to eat here, darling?” Ashton asked, watching as Anna’s cheeks tinged pink when he called her by the endearing name. Pathetic human, he thought.

“Pancakes are always good.” She said, taking the coffee cup off the counter and filling it, sitting it in front of Ashton.

“How’s the coffee?” Ashton smiled at her a little more.

“Pretty awful.” Anna shrugged.

“Should we maybe grab something better then? If you’re free that is.” Ashton asked, long fingers dancing around the coffee cup on the counter.

“I don’t even know your name, and you’re asking me out?.” Anna laughed, her hand going to her hip. Luke was still watching, but his anger was literally beginning to burn.

“Ashton. And yours?” He asks.

“I’m Anna.” She reaches out and shakes his hand and already Luke knows that’s something he would never be able to do.

“So what do you say, Anna?” Ashton asks as he straightens the lapels of his long coat. Luke pushes out of the booth and storms across the diner until he reaches the two of them.

“She can’t.” Luke says, blue eyes meeting Anna’s green ones, pleading with her.

“What?” Anna asks, confused and the slightest bit annoyed.

“She can’t go with you…because she’s going with me.” Luke glares at Ashton, knowing he’s feeding right into what Ashton wanted to happen. Now he has something to hold over Luke’s head.

“How did you even hear what we were…” Anna begins to say but Luke cuts her off.

“Anna, please. I was wrong to turn down your invitation earlier.” Luke stands next to Ashton on the opposite of the counter from Anna.

“He turned down your invitation? What a fool you must be.” Ashton pats Luke’s shoulder much harder than necessary. Anna looks to Luke, who looks desperate for her answer.

“I um…I’m sorry, Ashton. I think Luke and I need to talk.” Anna smiles kindly at Ashton. He is unbothered of course, but slides a business card towards her.

“Call me when you’re ready, Anna.” With a wink, Ashton glides back out the door. But before he does, he makes sure that Luke sees the triumphant smile on his face.

“Fuck.” Luke says under his breath, pinching the bridge of nose in frustration.

“What the hell was that?” Anna crosses her arms over her chest and looks at him expectantly.

“I don’t like him.” Luke sighs.

“Do you even know him?” Anna scoffs.

“We are…old friends.” Luke leaves it at that.

“Do you actually want to have coffee with me or was that just some jackass move to make me feel even worse?” Anna’s voice is a bit sad, her hand rubbing the back of her arm nervously.

“Where shall we go?” He asks. Anna smiles, a real smile. One that reaches her eyes and lights up her face in the most angelic way Luke had ever witnessed.

“I know a really nice place. It’s not too far of a walk from here.” Anna leans over the counter, Luke does the same, feeling like a magnet that can’t escape her pull. “Will you wait for my shift to be over?” She says quietly.

“Of course.” Luke replies, his mouth aching to cover hers, but he really could never let himself. Anna bites into her bottom lip gently.

“Okay. It shouldn’t be long.” She says.

“Why are you just standing there, Anna? Tables!” Gordo shouts from the pick-up window, his gray hair sticking out in a dozen different places. Luke wishes he could make him talk to Anna the way she deserved.

“On it, Gordo.” She smiled anyways, rolling her eyes playfully.

“See you soon.” Luke says, walking back down the row of tables until he reached his booth where his things were still sitting.

The rest of her shift, Anna felt nerves bubbling in her stomach. She had been hoping for this moment for such a long time, that now that it was actually happening she had no idea what she was going to do or what she was going to say. Luke didn’t seem like the type of person who wanted to make small talk, he was more of the deep conversation type. He was constantly reading or writing things down and Anna just knew that any typical type of conversation just wouldn’t do. And all of these thoughts swirling around her mind were making it harder and harder to come up with anything at all.

She slipped into the bathroom at the end of her shift, washing her hands and arms and slipping into some clean clothes in hopes of smelling less like a diner and more like herself. Her hair was a mess, but she pulled it down from the hair tie and tried to run her fingers through it over and over until it looked presentable. She looked at herself in the dirty mirror above the sink wishing she had brought her make along to work so she could cover up the imperfections, but what she saw in the mirror would just have to do, she didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer. For all she knew, Luke could have taken off by now.

But he would never. Anna didn’t know it, but Luke never wanted anything bad to happen to her. Never wanted her to feel a bit of sadness. She radiated so much goodness. And when she nervously came out of the bathroom, carrying her bag on her shoulder and running her hands over her hair once more, Luke knew he was fucked.

“Are you ready to go?” She asked him when she approached the table. Luke stood up quickly, gathering up his things and throwing his bag onto his shoulder.

“Lead the way.” He said with a small smile and motioning for her to walk in front of him. Anna smiled, walking just in front of him as they moved towards the door of the diner. Luke tried not to stare, but Anna’s body was something to admired and praised. She was soft and curvy, and Luke was forever day dreaming of all the ways he’d like to touch her. But that’s all it could ever be, just day dreams.

They walked side by side, Luke staying just the slightest bit behind Anna as they made their way through the always sidewalks of Vegas. It was ingrained in his DNA to always watch his back, and he was feeling particularly protective of the beautiful girl he was with. Their walk was mostly silent, neither of them feeling the need to say much at this point in time. It wasn’t necessary or uncomfortable.

“Here we are.” Anna’s sweet voice broke Luke from his thoughts and he quickly moved to the door to hold it open for her. She smiled saying a quiet thank you as she stepped through the door. The sweet smell of baked goods and the strong smell of good coffee wafted into both of their noses as soon as the door closed behind them.

Anna ordered her drink, opting for Chai tea over coffee. After Luke ordered his drink, he reached for his wallet in his back pocket but Anna’s hand gently touching his forearm had him freezing in place. Her soft mossy colored eyes met his and he softened just the slightest bit.

“It’s on me, okay?” Anna handed some cash to the barista before Luke could argue with her. Luke nodded once, taking his coffee from the counter and following her to a table. He sat his cup down quickly and moved behind her to help her take off her coat.

“There you go.” Luke said next to her ear then placing her coat on the back of her chair. Anna hoped like hell that he couldn’t see the goosebumps covering her skin.

“Chivalry isn’t dead then, is it?” Anna smiled over the rim of her cup as she sat down in her chair.

“Not for me.” Luke replied, removing his own leather coat before sitting down across from her.

“You aren’t from around here, are you?” Anna asked, licking her lips after she sat her cup down, watching Luke carefully.

“No, certainly not.” He smiles, leaning back in his chair, his long legs opening and taking up practically all the room beneath the table. Anna was fascinated that someone could be as breath taking as Luke and still seem like he was loneliest person on the planet.

“You aren’t going to elaborate on that?” Anna knew the answer, but hoped Luke may give away little parts of himself at least. He merely shook his head ‘no’ as one of his fingers slid across the lip of his coffee cup. Anna sighed. “What will you tell me about yourself?” She didn’t want to push, but she needed something.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea that you know much about me, Anna.” Luke didn’t meet her eyes, he knew she was looking at him, but he didn’t want the temptation of telling her everything.

“How will we be friends if you don’t tell me anything about you?” Anna asked.

“Friends?” Luke wasn’t sure why that word gave him such a strange feeling. Friend was such an understatement for what he wanted Anna to be.

“I think we’ve known each other long enough to at least be friends, don’t you think?” She leans her elbows onto the table, her face and every little detailed Luke adored coming closer to his. Luke instinctively leaned closer to her, the magnet effect taking over his will power.

“Perhaps.” Luke gave her a lop-sided smile that had Anna’s stomach flipping it circles.

“How long have you lived in Vegas?” She asked. Fifty years, Luke thought to himself.

“Quite some time.” Was all he was willing to give. Anna sighed again.

“Alright, Mr. Cryptic. Maybe less personal questions? What’s your favorite book you’ve read lately?” Anna tried to keep things light without being intrusive.

“I try not to get attached to the novels I read.” Luke explains, twisting the silver rings on his fingers.

“That sounds a little tragic, actually.” Anna says, surprising Luke with her answer.

“Why is that?” Luke asks.

“All those books I’ve seen you reading at the diner. None of them good enough to be remembered? Just seems a little sad, maybe discouraging even.” Anna sips her tea, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

“Things begin to blur together after you’ve read so much.” Luke says, hoping that it didn’t sound too strange. Anna looks at him for a moment and then nods in understanding.

“Maybe you’re right.” She says. Luke can’t help but laugh at her answer. She was the type of person who truly tried to see things from everyone’s point of view.

“Tell me more about you, Anna.” Luke said.

“What do you want to know?” Her eyes lighting up slightly.

“Everything.” Luke smiled, a small laughing passing through his lips when Anna did the same.

She had no problem telling him anything he wanted. She told him about school. About her family. What she wanted to do with her life. All the things and people the inspired her. Things that she feared. The way she considered her friends her family. How she would eternally be staying away from tequila. Where the best pizza in town could be found. How cheesy movies and kit kats were the best way to cheer her up. Listening to her talk was everything Luke had hoped it would be.

He wasn’t ready to give up much of himself. He didn’t think he ever would be. He mentioned tiny things, enough to make Anna feel as though she was getting to know him as well. Some things that made him seem normal. Human. It was hard to keep things from her when she was so open and accepting. But this was the best thing he could do for her.

“Shit, it’s like 3:00 in the morning.” Anna laughed after looking down at the time on her phone for the first time in hours.

“You need to rest.” Luke said gently, standing up to help her slip her coat back on.

“I actually don’t have class tomorrow.” She said, sliding her arms into her coat and turning to face Luke. “Do you want to maybe, hang out?” Anna asked, her lip pulling between her teeth.

“Hang out?” He smiled, taking in the way she looked with tired eyes and a happy smile.

“Yeah…I mean we could check out some hidden Vegas gems.” Anna said as the two of them made their way out of the 24/7 coffee shop.

“I’d like that.” Luke said, another smile spreading across his face. “Even if I think it’s a bad idea.”

“Do you think it’s worth it to find out?” Anna asked, stopping outside as the door closed to look up at Luke.

“It is.” He replied, his gloved hands going into the pockets of his jacket. “Goodnight, Anna.”

“Night.” Anna was hopeful that if she was patient, the mystery of Luke would unfold for her and he would realize he could trust her. He needed all the patience she could muster.

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There were more and more days and nights spent together after that. Luke had little to no self-control when it came to Anna. He was crazy about her if he was being honest with himself. And even though he was uncharacteristically happy, he was still worried. He knew deep down that Ashton would be planning something. Something to get Luke back on his side and back into Olympus. But Luke didn’t want to be anywhere but here in this dingy diner with Anna watching him from the corner of her eye, thinking that he couldn’t see her.

The freckles on her cheeks had darkened after they’d spent all day yesterday lying in the sun on the roof of Anna’s apartment building. Luke read aloud from the newest novel he had picked up and Anna laid with her shoulder against his and her eyes lazily closed as she listened to every word he spoke, soaking up the sound of his voice as if it was the rays of warm sunshine they were lying under. Now and then she allowed herself a peek at the way his lips moved when he pronounced the words through the dark lenses of her sunglasses. Noticing the way the blonde curls on his head practically matched the sunlight that warmed the tendrils against his forehead and around his ears. She relished in the way his fingers felt when they brushed against hers, whether it was by accident or on purpose, she couldn’t bring herself to care. Anna had determined some time ago that Luke was not someone from this time. The way he spoke and carried himself was nothing of this world even. It was farfetched really, but how could he be real?

“Shouldn’t you be focusing on all of these diner patrons instead of me?” Luke asked when Anna approached his normal booth in the corner.

“None of these diner patrons look as good in a leather jackets as you do.” Anna teased, making Luke laugh quietly.

“Is that so?” He asked, eyes meeting hers, his skin warming when she smiled down at him.

“What can I say? I’ve got a thing for leather.” Anna slid carefully into the booth, sitting next to Luke, his arm moving to hang over the back of the seat behind her. The close proximity was overwhelming. She smelled like the rose scented shampoo that she loved so much, and Luke could not have picked a better scent for Anna if he tried.

“What else?” Luke asked, their faces very close together.

“Hmm.” Anna pretended to think for a moment. “Motorcycles.” She said suddenly.

“Motorcycles?” Luke laughed.

“Why not? It’s extremely attractive!” Anna laughed as well, lightly nudging Luke’s ribs with her elbow.

“Don’t ever let me catch you on motorcycle, Anna.” Luke’s eyes were a darker blue as he spoke.

“What will you do if I decide to take a joy ride around the city one night?” Anna continued to push.

“Let’s not find out.” Luke smirked, sitting back and creating a bit of space between them to try and extinguish some of the tension building.

“I wanted to ask you something.” Anna cleared her throat and shifted slightly in her seat.

“Ask away.” Luke said turning his long body to face her in the booth. He was becoming less and less wary of answering her questions.

“Tomorrow night, some friends are going to the big arcade downtown. Laser tag, ski ball, dumb stuff like that. Will you come with me?” She pulled her lip into her mouth, her teeth chewing it nervously. Luke moves his gloved hand to her mouth and uses his pointer finger to pull her lip from between her teeth, his eyes staying trained on her mouth. Anna feels her heart pound in the confines of her chest.

“Have you known me to say no to you?” Luke says quietly.

“It’s always an option.” Anna breathed.

“I’ll go, if that’s what you want.” Luke moves a stray piece of hair away from her face, wishing he knew what it actually felt like as it passed through his fingers.

“Great. I’ll meet you there at 8:00 then?” Anna says, stumbling a bit as she scoots out of the booth when she hears Gordo yelling from the kitchen.

“8:00 it is.” Luke picks up his coffee cup and takes a sip, watching her walk away as she waves over her shoulder and pushes through the swinging door.

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Anna walked quickly through the streets on her way to the arcade. She couldn’t stop the smile on her face from widening as she got closer. Luke had agreed to come, and it was unexpected. She knew that if she wanted something to happen between them, anything at all, that she would have to be very careful with how she approached it. Luke seemed like he could make a run for the hills at any moment, and that was slightly unnerving for her.

“Anna?” She heard as she slipped past someone on the sidewalk.

“Oh, Ashton. Hi!” Anna smiled, stopping to turn around and speak with him.

“Such a big city, surprised I’ve run into you again.” Ashton moved closer to her, his stare making Anna feel slightly uncomfortable. His long trench coat making him appear even more intimidating.

“Yeah. Really surprising. How are you?” Anna asked.

“I’m quite well, Anna. Thank you for asking. If you don’t mind telling me, how’s Luke?” Ashton tried to pretend he was interested.

“Oh, you guys are old friends right?” Anna remembered Luke saying something of that sort weeks ago.

“Ah, yes. Very old friends.” Ashton laughed a little at the thought.

“I’ll let him know that you were asking about him.” Anna took a few steps back, trying to indicate as politely as possible that she was going to leave.

“Do that.” Ashton said, watching as Anna’s smile dropped when she started walking away.

Anna couldn’t help the uneasy feeling she felt, but she didn’t want it to ruin her night with her friends and Luke, and when she saw Luke standing outside of the arcade, all the worry seemed to melt away. He was dressed in his usual black jeans, but rather than the black t-shirts and leather jackets she was used to seeing him in, he wore a white t-shirt that he had messily tucked in. He had pulled his hair back into a bun on the back of his head, which was one of those things that Anna never thought she would find attractive until that very moment. When she was just a short distance away, he turned around, smiling when she approached him.

“Sorry if I’m late.” Anna said, feeling a bit out of breath.

“Not at all.” Luke opens the door to the arcade and let’s Anna go in. She leads the way over to a table in the food court area where some friends are sitting.

“Guys, this is Luke.” Anna said, Luke gave them a quiet hello and a small wave.

“Diner guy! Glad you could join us!” Michael says loudly, clapping Luke on the shoulder. “You’re on my team.”

“Excellent.” Luke says, eyes meeting Anna’s when she laughs at his reaction. He craved that sound.

The group makes their way to the laser tag area, everyone strapping a kill counter to their chest and grabbing a laser gun from a shelf on the way into the arena. Michael is already planning strategies and bragging about how his team is going to be victorious.

“See you out there.” Anna says to Luke as she moves to join her team on the opposite side of the arena.

“I think the point is that you don’t see me.” Luke answers with a grin.

“We’ll see.” Anna jogs the rest of the way over to her team, all the lights in the arena going black before the black lights and neons pop on to reveal the course they were working with.

“Everyone spread out!” Michael yelled, moving to duck behind a fake boulder. Luke rolled his eyes, knowing that battle strategy was literally all he ever used to think about.

Someone from Anna’s team started yelling, telling everyone to attack and Luke could suddenly hear the sound of the laser guns being shot and the beeping sound of the kill counters going off as people began taking shots. He felt is heartbeat pick up, every ounce of him wanting to absolutely dominate at this, but it was just a game. Luke needed to keep his cool and not let the instincts take over. But no matter how much he tried to bury it, he was still an amazing shot. He kept his distance, taking shot after shot and never missing a single one. But he had not been able to see Anna the entire time the game had been going on.

Luke got down on his hands and knees, carefully carrying his gun in one hand and slinking across the arena towards the other teams side. He could see Michael rolling around like some sort of ninja from the corner of his eye, keeping most of the other players distracted while Luke made his way into enemy territory.

He moved behind one of the fake boulders, the smoke machine in the corner coming to life and creating a fog that was slightly obstructing his sight as he continued looking around for Anna. Perhaps she had already lost all of her lives and was sitting out somewhere. Luke stood up straight, pushing some loose curls away from his face and releasing a long breath he felt like he had been holding in forever. As he turned to head back across to his teams side of the arena, Anna popped out from behind one of the boulders, pushing Luke’s shoulders until he was backed into a dark corner.

“Boo.” Anna said, smiling widely and triumphantly. Luke instinctively moved his gloved hands above his head against the wall in an attempt to keep himself from touching her.

They looked at each other for a few moments, both of their breathing uneven and mingling together. Anna stood on the tips of her toes, gently brushing her nose against Luke’s as he stood frozen. His stomach somersaulted when her hands slipped off his shoulders and rested against his chest, their mouths continuing to gravitate towards each other.

“We shouldn’t.” Luke whispered, eyes falling shut when he felt Anna’s eyelashes brush against his cheek.

“Tell me not to kiss you.” Anna breathed, praying he wanted to kiss her as much as she wanted to kiss him. Because she wanted to kiss him until there was no oxygen left in her lungs. Luke opened his eyes to look at her, eyebrows scrunching together knowing it wouldn’t be true if he did say the words.

“You will be my undoing.” Luke pressed his forehead against hers, but Anna was no longer feeling patient as her lips found his in a sweet kiss.

It was as if time had decided to forget all about them. Luke craned his head to the side, appreciating the way Anna’s lips fit with his. Her hands twisted into the material of shirt, needing something to hold her the earth before she floated away altogether. Kissing Anna was easy. It wasn’t messy or rushed, just lips and occasional meeting of tongues. Luke wanted to breathe her in and keep her in his chest for the rest of eternity. It wasn’t until he felt her smile against his mouth that he remembered to breathe at all.

“What is it?” He asked, opening his eyes and taking in the way the whites of her eyes glowed in the neon lights. Anna slowly lifted the laser gun in her hand and pointed it at at Luke’s kill counter on his chest. Anna quickly pecked his lips once more before pulling the trigger and the loud beeping noise from the counter started going off. She laughed manically as she started running back towards the action happening. Luke was slightly shocked, but mostly impressed as he pushed off the wall and took off after her.

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Things were too good to be true.

Surely Luke was not truly allowed to be this happy after all the awful things he had done in his life.

But he found himself sitting amongst a large crowd of adoring parents, students and their families as he watched the girl he adored walk across her graduation stage with the happiest smile on her face that he had seen since he met her. Anna was deserving of this accomplishment, more so than anyone else he knew. And no matter how exposed he felt being amongst this crowd, he would not have missed this for the world.

At the end of the ceremony Anna made a beeline for Luke as he stood towards the back of the building. She jumped into his waiting arms, wrapping her own tightly around his neck. He pressed kisses to her cheeks and lips, making her laugh and return them all the same.

“Very proud of you, sweet girl.” Luke said only loud enough for her to hear. Anna’s cheeks heated, but she couldn’t help the need to get her lips back to his. She kissed him as if no one else was there, her body pressing into his. The leather of the gloves on his hands was cool as his fingers ghosted down the exposed skin of her arms.

“All I could think about while I was up there was how badly I wanted to be doing this.” She said against his mouth, both of them smiling and gently bumping teeth.

“Not thinking of how all your hard work has paid off?” Luke carefully sat her feet back on the ground.

“I was a little.” Anna sighed. “But it meant a lot to me that you came. I know crowds aren’t your thing.”

“I seem to have lost all sense when it comes to you.” Luke told her, his leather clad hands leaving her arms and clasping behind his back.

“I think that’s a compliment.” Anna laughed, shaking out her hair when she pulled off her graduation cap.

“Are you ready to go to the after party?” Luke asked, offering her his arm to take.

More and more, Luke began to understand how his curse from Zeus was actually a punishment. All these years he spent alone, it never mattered. He never needed or wanted to touch anyone with his hands. But now that this human girl was in his life, it was the purest form of torture that he could possibly imagine. He wanted to know what her skin felt like against his fingertips. How soft her hair was when he ran his fingers through it. Sure, he could feel her with other parts of him. On his lips. But it wasn’t that intimate feeling that you feel when you touch someone with your hands. And sweet Anna never pushed for answers, though he knew she was curious as to why he did things the way that he did them. Never taking off those gloves no matter what. And more so than ever, he was terrified to accidentally hurt her. He would truly never forgive himself.

“Actually…” Anna took his arm, fingers moving over the material of the black button down shirt he was wearing. “I was thinking maybe we could skip the party? Have it just be the two of us tonight?”

“Oh…” Luke swallowed hard. “What did you have in mind?”

“I thought maybe you’d finally show me your place? I’ll make you dinner, we can drink as much wine as possible?” Anna looked up to study his reaction, watching his face go through 20 different emotions in just a few seconds worth of time.

“If that’s what you desire….this is your day, after all.” Luke smiles, a nervous pull in stomach trying to tell him it wasn’t a good idea. But he was incapable of saying no to Anna Bradley. Some almighty god he’s turned out to be. And when she squeaked and clapped her hands together happily, he knew that there was not a god on Olympus that could say no to this earth bound angel.

They quickly made a stop at the grocery store when Anna excitedly explained to Luke that she had the most perfect recipe for a spinach tortellini dish and that she had to make it for him. Luke followed her through the store, adoring every moment he was allowed to spend with her. But there was a feeling deep in his gut that told him something awful was going to happen that would ruin it all, and he hated that it wouldn’t go away.

Anna was nervous, and she tended to seem overly excited when she was nervous. She wanted this night to end a certain way, and hoped that wooing Luke with food and wine would make him feel that way as well. She knew they needed that next step. She wanted him to feel safe with her. To let down some of the walls he kept so high. And when he agreed to let this night happen at his apartment, she felt just the slightest bit of hope that he was going to let her in and show her parts himself that he was so desperately trying to keep hidden.

She watched in awe as Luke pulled into the parking garage of one of the most expensive tower of penthouses you could live in Las Vegas. She hadn’t imagined this type of place for him, but he was continuously surprising her.

Luke carried the grocery bags and led Anna towards the elevators, pressing the button for the top floor just as the doors closed behind them. Her lip was between her teeth up until the moment the doors slid back open. There were only two doors on this entire floor, which meant that Anna had completely underestimated the size of Luke’s apartment once again.

The door opened with a push of Luke’s foot after he had unlocked it with a set of keys from his pocket. He stepped to the side, smiling gently when Anna slid past him into the apartment. It was mostly dark inside, just a bit of light from the sunset coming in through the wall of tall windows at the far side of the room. It was one big open floor plan, the kitchen and the living room area were all connected. Anna stood in the foyer, not sure if she should just walk in. Luke took the bags of groceries into the kitchen area, pressing a few buttons on what Anna assumed was a security system.

“Are you alright?” Luke asked as he approached her again.

“Of course. Your apartment is…big.” She laughed, not sure what else to say. Luke laughed quietly, taking her hands in his gloved ones and pulling her gently towards him and further into the apartment.

“I’ll show you around a bit.” Luke says, flipping on a few light switches. Anna’s eyes can hardly focus on just one thing in the room.

Thousands of books are stacked on floor to ceiling bookshelves next to the fire place. The black leather couches make a complete circle in the middle of the room, where you have to step down slightly to reach them. There are glass cases lining the walls filled with artifacts. Anna was not exactly a history buff, but she could tell the pieces here were ancient. There were paintings in perfectly intricate silver frames taking up almost all the available space on the walls that were not converted into bookshelves. Marble statues of what she assumed were greek gods, guarded the doorways and some of the corners. It was beyond anything she had imagined and so incredibly beautiful. But it was also unnerving to think that maybe she didn’t know Luke even the slightest bit.

“There’s so much to take in.” Anna finally released a long breath, her fingers running over the spines of the books on the shelf closest to her.

“I’ve had a lot of time to collect things.” Luke moved to the fireplace, turning it on with a remote he picked up from the mantle.

“You always say things that make you sound ancient.” Anna meant to be teasing, but Luke laughed, running his fingers through his hair.

“You’re quite observant, Anna Bradley.” Luke sighed, his blue eyes coming back to her face and watching her carefully.

“You’re cryptic.” Anna tried to relax the muscles in her shoulders.

“I have my reasons.” Luke stopped to stand just in front of her.

“Are your reasons going to make you disappear without a word one day?” Anna’s eyes were pleading as she looked up at him. Luke felt his chest and his jaw tighten at the same time.

“Let’s not do this tonight, Anna.” Luke watched Anna’s eyes close for a moment in frustration.

“You’re right. I should make that dinner I promised.” She moves to step around him, but Luke places his hand against the wall so that his arm blocks her path to the kitchen.

“Trust me, please?” Luke speaks lowly, close to the shell of her ear. Anna wished it was easier to be angry when it came to Luke.

“I do.” Her hands find his curls and pull his face down to hers until their noses brush. “I just want you to trust me too.” Anna whispered, even though she knew she didn’t have to.

“For tonight, just know that it pains me to keep things from you…and perhaps one day, I’ll be able to tell you more.” Luke was hopeful, but how he ever could, he wasn’t sure.

“For tonight.” She sighed, but Luke captured her lips with his and swallowed down the rest of the sound. They let their mouths do the talking for a few moments before Anna pulled back just enough to speak. “What was that about?” She smiled when referring to the sweet kiss.

“Just want to start making up for all the time I should have been kissing you.” He kisses her again, the both of them smiling against the others mouth between pecking lips.

“Let me make this food for you, before I decide to forget it altogether.” Anna playfully bites onto Luke’s bottom lip before pulling away to walk into the kitchen. He watches as she goes, focusing in on the way her hips move and how she devilishly smiles over her shoulder when she notices his eyes on her.

Cooking was one of those things that Luke had never bothered much with in his hundreds of years as a human. He could handle the basics and could get by on simple recipes. But when the smell of the food Anna was making began wafting through his apartment, he suddenly wished he had at least tried taking an interest in it. She was quite masterful as she moved around the kitchen, throwing spices onto the chicken while the noodles boiled in a large pot on the next burner. Every now and then she would look up from what she was doing to smile at him, and Luke couldn’t begin to imagine how he had gotten this lucky.

“You could at least open that bottle of wine if you aren’t going to help, Lu.” Anna said, popping one of her fingers into her mouth to taste the sauce she was making. Luke moved from his spot where he had been leaning against the counter to grab one of the bottles of moscato from the fridge.

Anna could practically feel herself salivating when Luke opened one of the higher up cabinets and reached for the wine glasses he kept there. His shirt slid up his stomach as he stretched and she wanted nothing more than to get her hands on the skin there. He noticed her watching him and couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.

“How’s the food coming?” Luke teased, breaking Anna from her trance.

“Almost finished.” She breathed and half laughed, trying to clear her mind.

“Smells perfect.” Luke sat the wine glasses down on the counter, opening a drawer on the kitchen island to retrieve the cork screw.

“If I’m known for nothing else, hopefully it will be this pasta.” She laughed lightly. Luke’s face got serious for a moment.

“You’ll be known for so much more than a mere pasta dish, Anna.” He said, jaw slightly tightened.

“I hope you’re right.” Anna met his eyes, and it only took a second for Luke to step around the counter and reach her. His gloved hands went to her hips and turned her away from the stove so he could kiss her. It was so incredibly gentle and sweet that it took Anna’s breath away.

“You are incredible, Anna Bradley. Nothing less. And if I need to remind you every day, then that’s I’ll do.” Luke said the words against her lips, still brushing them together between words. Anna wasn’t sure she would ever understand Luke’s unwavering faith in her, but she couldn’t deny that made her heart swell.

“I’ll hold you to that.” She finally said when they unwillingly pulled their lips apart. Luke smiled and pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Now stop distracting me.” She playfully pushed against his chest before turning back to the stove to finish the food. Luke poured wine into the glasses and handed one to Anna.

“Cheers to you, sweet girl.” Luke clinked his glass against hers, watching her freckled cheeks tinge pink as she took a long sip.

Anna plated the food she had been working on so meticulously as carefully as possible. She wanted it to be absolutely perfect, and that there would be no chance that Luke wouldn’t be impressed. She was convinced that this food was going to be that thing they both needed to get to the next step of their relationship. It was a long shot, but one that she knew would be worth it.

There was not a lot of food out there that Luke had not tried at least once. He had been many places and tasted many things. He had probably even eaten this exact dish at some point in his human life, but nothing had ever tasted like this. Something that someone he cared about deeply had put so much love and care into was an untouchable taste. It warmed him from the inside out when he didn’t think it was something that he was capable of.

“What do you think? Anna asked from the stool next to him. They were both sitting at the large kitchen island with their food and wine.

“Perfection.” Luke took another bite, making Anna smile widely as she did the same.

When they were finished, Anna stood up and reached over to take Luke’s plate. He stopped her hand with his, giving her a look of concern.

“I was just going to clean up.” She said.

“You’ll do no such thing.” Luke takes the plates from her hands and heads over to sink to begin washing the dishes. Anna picks up her glass of wine and walks into the living room area where she notices a vintage record player sitting near the entertainment center.

“Can I play one?” She asks. Luke looks up smiles as he continues washing the dishes.

“Of course you can.” He replies. Anna kneels down in front of the crates full of records stacked next to the record player and begins flipping through until she finds one that she loves. She quickly places it on the records player and settles the needle into place.

The record spins and begins filling the space with music. Anna sighs in content as she takes another sip of her wine. It takes her a moment to realize that the water of the sink is no longer running, and that Luke has made his way over where she’s been gently swaying to the music. She turns and finds him walking over to her with his hands behind his back.

“Is this one okay? I could always put a different one on.” Anna says, her nerves trying to trick her.

“Anna, this is fine, I promise you. Just dance with me.” He puts his gloved hand out towards her. She sits down her glass and wraps her fingers around his. Luke twirls her around once, making her giggle before he firmly presses her body against his.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” Anna asked referring to how effortlessly Luke seemed to be able dance. She watched his face drop and brows furrow as if he was thinking of something specific, but wasn’t willing to speak it out loud. “What is it?” She finally asks.

“There are so many things I want to do, that I simply can’t. Things that seem so small until you realize you can’t do them.” Luke leans down and presses a kiss to Anna’s shoulder. She looks at her hand in his, and decides to ask the question that she knows Luke has been avoiding since they met.

“Luke…Why are you always wearing these gloves?” She looks up at him and he sighs.

“Because I don’t want to hurt anyone. Especially you.” He explains.

“That…what does that mean?” Anna searches for more.

“It means just that. And I need you to believe me.” Luke’s face is a bit sad as he watches Anna contemplate his words. If she was anyone else, he knew she would have taken off a long time ago.

“I do.” Anna said softly, bringing his gloved hand to her face and cupping her cheek with it. Luke’s heart pounds when she leans into the touch. “I still feel you.” She presses a kiss to the leather covering his palm.

“I’ve waited a very long time for someone like you, Anna Bradley.” Luke breathes out, his hand moving to the back of her neck and gently pulling her closer to him.

Luke connects their lips in a soft kiss. He wants to relish in the feeling of her pouty mouth against his for as long as possible. Anna’s arms wrap around his waist until she can clasp her hands together at the small of his back, holding him to her tightly. She slid her fingers up and down his spine over the material of his shirt, making Luke shift slightly. He swiftly lifted her onto the counter, Anna’s face becoming even with Luke’s as they continued their kissing. Anna was intoxicated by the smell of his cologne that wafted into her nose as she took deep breaths through her nose while her mouth was occupied.

Nimble fingers made their way from Luke’s back to his front, where Anna began popping open the buttons of his shirt. She needed to get her hands on every inch of his skin as soon as possible. Luke could feel panic begin to blanket him and he gently pulled away from the kiss so he could speak.

“It’s…it’s dangerous for us to do this.” Luke’s voice shook slightly, he wanted her so badly.

“How can I make you see that it’s not?” Anna ran her thumb over Luke’s bottom lip.

“I can’t hurt you. If I accidentally touch you with my hands…” Luke ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

“What will make you feel safe?” Anna kisses him again, hoping that he feels her sincerity through her lips. Luke thinks for a moment, running through options. Finally, he stands straight and lifts her off the counter and sits her on her feet.

“Come with me?” Luke motions towards one of the doors on the other side of the room. Anna knew this was what she wanted, so she moved to follow him towards his room.

Another wall of windows with light from the busy city below is found on the far side of Luke’s bedroom. Long white, flowy curtains hang at the corners. His oversized bed sits against another wall, more white sheets and pillows are placed perfectly. The floors are a dark wood and the rug that’s placed at the end of the bed looks like it’s made of golden fur. What really catches Anna’s attention, is the huge painting that hangs above the bed. Without googling anything, it appears to be some sort of Greek war with soldiers and horse drawn chariots. But before she can observe it any further, Luke is gently touching her shoulder and bringing her attention back to him.

“Is this okay?” Luke says, referring to his bedroom.

“It’s beautiful in here. Your whole space is beautiful honestly.” Anna reassures him, Luke smiles.

“It isn’t too much?” Luke asks, gloved hands going to the rest of the button of his shirt and making quick work of them. He slips the material off his shoulders and lets it drop to the floor. Anna’s mouth drop open slightly at the sight of him. His chest was unbelievably broad with a gorgeous layer of hair spread over it. His torso was long and the muscles beneath his skin moved in a way that had Anna crossing the room towards him in a daze.

“You’re beautiful.” Anna sighed. “Like one of those statutes you have out there.” She bit her lip and watched as Luke froze slightly for a moment, then shook his head almost in disbelief.

“I think you’ll have this figured out much sooner than I had anticipated.” Luke says, confusion covering Anna’s sweet features.

“Figure what out?” She asks.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Luke dodges the questions for now. He moves over to the bed and sits down on the corner before meeting her eyes again. “Come over here so I can touch you, sweet girl.” He pats the spot on the bed next to him. Anna is moving quickly, not meaning to seem so desperate.

She sits down against the soft sheets, scooting until she’s right next to Luke, who gives her a gentle smile. He leans over, connecting their lips again. His tongue immediately brushes the seam of her lips, asking hers to mingle. Anna shifts her weight onto her hip so she can face him more and deepen the kiss at the same time. Luke’s hands ached to touch her, and he was too afraid to lose control.

“You’re holding back.” Anna said against his mouth with one more peck to his lips.

“Do something for me?” He stands up and walks over to his closet. He disappears inside of it for a moment, then reappears with a red neck tie in one of his hands. Anna swallows hard before speaking.

“What are you thinking?” Anna asks, her lip becoming sore where she’s been nibbling it.

“I’m thinking…that I need you to tie my hands behind my back.” Luke approaches her slowly. Anna’s eyes widen for a moment, her heart pounding at the thought of tying Luke up. She had no idea that was something that would turn her on in the slightest. But now that it was right in front of her, she knew that it most certainly did.

“Will that make you feel like we can go farther? Safely?” Anna rubs her thighs together, her body wanting some friction when Luke looks at her with lust filled eyes and slightly swollen lips.

“It will never be a good idea for me let this happen. But I’m a selfish bastard, and I want you so badly, Anna.” Luke stands in front of her where she sits, and Anna stands up slowly.

“Okay.” Anna whispered, reaching out and touching his chest, fingers brushing through the hair. Luke released a shaky breath and closed his eyes at the feeling of her touch.

“Take this.” Luke handed her the red tie, and turned around so that his back was towards her.

Anna admired expanse of his broad back and shoulders. All the light colored freckles sprinkled over his skin. How the muscles tensed when her fingers traced down the length of his spine. Her hand caressed his skin, fingers dancing across small of his back where the hem of his pants sat. Luke shivered when Anna pressed her lips to the middle of his back and kissing down his spine. Luke sighed again, bringing his hands back behind him so he could twist his gloved fingers into the material of Anna’s shirt and pulling her closer to him. She continued pressing kisses to the backs of his arms as she tied the silky tie around his wrists, making sure it wasn’t too tight. Luke knew if he truly wanted to get out of the bindings, he could with ease, but he hoped feeling the tie wrapped around his wrists would remind him that he was with the most important person in his life, and he needed to keep her safe.

“Finished.” Anna said, her thumbs rubbing at Luke’s wrists a few times before he turned around to face her. He leaned down and kissed her once, then moved back to the bed and sat down again.

The humming of Anna’s heart in her chest was making her entire body overly aware of the beautiful man sitting on the bed. His hair was a mess of curls and his eyes were soft and pleading. She crossed the space between them, throwing one of her legs over once side of Luke’s hips and gently settling the other on the other side. Her fingers immediately lace into his hair, angling his face up so she can kiss him deeply. Luke hands are already aching to be touching her. They want to feel her soft hips as he pulls her down against his crotch. But instead, he settles for attaching his lips to her neck. He sucks gently at her skin and revels in the sounds leaving her mouth as he does.

The only other sound is the light hum of the record player in the living room area that has stopped playing but continues to spin. Luke skims his nose across her jaw, kissing the space where the bones meet.

“This really must go.” Luke says, nudging at the neckline of Anna’s shirt she’s still wearing. She doesn’t hesitate, smiling widely before grabbing the hem and yanking it over her head in a swift movement.

There was no possible way that Luke could ever forget the way she looked right now. It was all he ever wanted to see each time he closed his eyes from now until the end of time. She more perfect than any goddess he had ever seen. The way she curved was sinful. He leaned forward pressed a few kisses to the swell of her breasts that popped over the cups of her bra. He used his teeth to bite down on material of the cup and gently pull at it, signaling he needed the bra to be gone as well.

“This too?” She finally said, kissing his lips quickly as she reached behind her to undo the clasps.

“This body of yours should never be hidden by clothes.” Luke kissed her shoulder and watched as she slipped the straps off of her shoulders and down her arms.

“I think society might feel a little differently about that.” She laughed, her hands moving to rest on his shoulders as he took her in.

“They are absolute fools.” He whispered, his mouth ducking down so his tongue could flatten against one of her nipples. Anna groaned, eyes fluttering shut at the feeling. Luke did the same to the other one, his breath rushing over the sensitive nubs causing her to shiver and lean into him more.

“Lay back.” Anna said, half breathless as she finally opened her eyes to look at Luke again. He obeyed, letting his upper body fall back against the mattress and the down comforter splayed across the bed. He couldn’t focus on the discomfort of his arms being beneath him when she hovered above him, bringing their mouths together again in delicious kisses.

Anna sat back up on her knees and slid her one of her hands from Luke’s chest down to the button on the jeans he was wearing. She kept her eyes locked with his while she undid the button. Luke knew his breathing was uneven and quick, watching her slide the zipper down. The lights from the city coming in through the windows behind them was glowing against her skin and it was possibly the most beautiful sight Luke had ever seen, and he had seen many magnificent sights on Mount Olympus.

He let her pulls his pants off of his hips and crawl back up his body. But as she settled back on his hips, he lifted them slightly, bringing her knees off of the bed. Luke shifted, moving to one side and bringing Anna with him. She squealed slightly when her back hit the mattress and Luke was now hovering above her. His arms still behind his back, he bent at the waist and kissed a line of warm wet kisses down her stomach. She hummed appreciatively, squirming a little as her arms raised above her ahead.

“How will I ever get enough of you?” Luke pressed another kiss above her navel, then nudging the button of her pants with the tip of his nose. “I regret nothing more than all the time I could have had you this way and was too scared to have it.”

Anna sits up on her elbows and looks down at him, resting his forehead against her lower stomach. One of her hands slides down and into his curls, lightly scratching at his scalp and gently pulling until he looks up. Her eyes tell him everything he needs to know. He’s quickly moving back up her bosy and finding her lips, almost falling over when he doesn’t have his arms to balance himself. Anna laughs quietly against his mouth.

“There’s no reason for you to be afraid of me.” Anna tells him, fingers caressing his cheek.

“Just afraid that one day the universe will realize I am not worthy of you, and I’ll lose you altogether.” Luke sits up and Anna follows keeping her hands cupped on his cheeks.

“The universe wouldn’t dare try.” Anna smiles, the most contagious and convincing smile Luke had ever seen. And even if it’s just for tonight, he believes her.

“The heavens have nothing on you, Anna Bradley. You are painfully beautiful.” Luke kisses her hard, her head bobbing back and falling back onto the comforter. “Now get the rest of these clothes off before dispose of them with my teeth.” Luke says, playfully biting her bottom lip and causing her to giggle.

Beautiful hands slip down her body and quickly rid herself of any remaining clothing items. Luke moves until he’s on the floor at the foot of the bed on his knees. Anna hooks her legs over his shoulders and Luke pulls with his upper body until her dripping core is face level with him at the end of the bed. Anna digs her heels into the space between his shoulder blades, her patience growing thin. Luke makes sure she’s comfortable, slowly pressing kisses to the inside of her thighs that seem to tighten around his head each time he gets closer to where she truly wants his mouth to be.

“Luke…” Anna groaned, hips moving towards his face. Luke laughs against her skin.

“Don’t worry, sweet girl. I’m going to take care of you.” He moves his mouth up and presses a kiss to her clit. The feeling as Anna squirming and begging him for more.

His tongue circles it next, then licks through her folds, tasting her all over his wet muscle. The tip of his nose nudges against her as his tongue continues to delve inside her, not letting a bit of her wetness escape him. Anna’s hands grip at the soft comforter but she can’t resist lacing them into his wild blonde curls and gently pulling him until his tongue is buried deeper inside of her. His name falls from her lips over and over as she comes undone, and Luke just knows he will never hear a more beautiful sound. Her back arches off the mattress and Luke licks up everything she gives to him.

Luke licks his lips as he comes up to have a better look at her body as she comes down from the orgasm he had given her. Her breasts move up and down with her heavy breathing and her hands leave his hair to brush through her own. She takes another moment, then sits up on the edge of the bed, Luke still kneeling between her legs. Their eyes meet and breaths mix together as they both try to calm their rapid beating hearts. Anna moves one of her hands to the back of Luke’s neck and pulls him forward until their lips meet. She tastes herself on his lips and immediately wishes he could be between her legs forever. But there was something else she wanted.

“I want to have all of you.” She said between kisses.

“You do.” Luke replied quickly without hesitation. Anna felt her breath leave her lungs at the sweet words. How could her heart possibly not be bursting through the confines of her chest?

“You have all of me too.” She reassured him. Luke smiled, leaning forward to nuzzle his face into her neck when her arms wrapped around his neck.

“Hold on tightly, little angel.” Luke whispered against the shell of her ear. Anna wrapped her legs around his waist and tightened her arms around his neck. Luke stood up with her wrapped around him and carried her up to the head of the bed. “Tie me hands to the head board, okay?” He sat her down on the bed and turned so his back was facing her. Anna touched the gloves on his hands, the leather was warm from Luke’s warming body. He flinched slightly and Anna undid the knot of the red tie.

When his hands were free, Anna pressed a kiss to each of Luke’s wrists where marks were slightly showing. Luke turned and moved to get on the bed, his back pressing to the metal bars of his black bed frame that stood tall against the wall. His gloved hands went above his head and his fingers wrapped around one of the bars tightly. Anna held the tie in her hands and slowly moved to straddle is hips again. She wrapped the tie around his wrists and attached them to the metal bars of the bed frame.

Warm kisses were left against his chest and stomach as she made her way down his body. Anna looked up and found Luke’s ocean colored eyes watching her carefully as she pulled his underwear off of his hips and down his legs. He was so hard and aching to be inside of her at this point he could barely keep himself still. Anna took her lip between her teeth and bit down while wrapping her hand around his cock. Luke groaned her name, her touch overwhelming him even more than he expected. Her gentle hand pumped him a few more times before her mouth was finding his length and letting is disappear down her throat.

Luke knew that this must be what heaven was really like. It wasn’t Mount Olympus and all of its kingdoms amongst the clouds, it was this girl and everything she made him feel. His wrists strained against the tie that he so desperately wanted to snap.

“Anna…baby, you have to stop.” He said, voice raspy and mouth dry. She pulled off of him slowly, smiling sweetly as she moved back up his body and found his lips. They kissed for a moment before Anna began rolling her hips and grinding down against Luke’s crotch.

“I need you.” She whispered against his greedy mouth.

“Take everything you want, sweet girl.” Luke said breathlessly.

Anna continued to kiss him as she situated herself over him, her hands using his broad shoulders to steady herself as she slowly began to sink herself down on Luke’s cock. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as he stretched her so deliciously. Luke was leaning forward his lips finding her chest and pressing kisses to every bit of skin he could get to. She was beautifully warm and incredibly wet around him. She moved her hips upwards and slowly slid back down as she began to find a mind blowing rhythm that had Luke falling apart much quicker than he ever imagined he could. His arms still straining against the tie, fuck he wanted to touch her.

“You feel so good.” Anna moaned, finger nails scratching against Luke’s shoulders as she continued rocking her hips.

No longer being able to bear the torture of being confined, Luke merely pulled at the tie and snapped it as if it was nothing at all. Gloved hands rush forward and grip onto Anna’s hips and quicker than she can even process Luke has her back pressed to the bed while he settles between her legs. He angles her hips up slightly and begins moving his hips in a slow yet hard pattern. Anna moans his name over and over, locking her ankles around his ass to keep him going deeper and making her see stars behind her eyelids. Luke buries his face in her neck, kissing and whispering praises as he chases the high he so desperately needed to reach.

“You are my heaven on earth, Anna Bradley, and I need you to cum for me. Let go for me, baby.” Luke kissed her swollen lips and swallowed down her angelic moans as she came undone beneath him. As she tightened around his length, Luke felt himself releasing inside of her as well. It was like nothing he had ever felt.

His arms gave out from under him and Luke pressed his sweaty face into Anna’ chest so he could listen to her heart pounding in her chest. Her fingers slid into his hair and moved it away from his forehead. They stayed quiet for what seemed like forever before Anna spoke.

“Did you really rip that tie from the headboard?” She smiled looking down at him.

“I think I did, yes.” Luke craned his neck so he could look up and meet her waiting smile.

“Adrenaline is a crazy thing.” She laughed, her thumb gently rubbing against his jaw. Luke merely shook his head.

“You should get some sleep.” He finally said after a moment.

“What about you?” Anna yawned, her dark hair fanning out over the pillows as she adjusted herself on the bed.

“I’ll be right here.” He said, moving from between her legs to her side and wrapping his arms around her body.

“Promise?” Anna said sleepily.

“Nowhere else I’ll ever want to be. Sleep.” Luke pressed a kiss to her shoulder as she began to drift off to sleep.

“I’ll make you breakfast in the morning. Bacon…hmm.” Anna said with a mumble. Luke didn’t reply this time, just held her a little tighter.

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It was 2:00 in the morning when Luke found himself wondering into his bathroom. He stared at himself in the mirror for what seemed like a lifetime. Mostly wondering where the almighty god of war had gone after all this time. Ares was nowhere to be seen in this reflection, and Luke started to think that maybe he liked the way that looked.

He used cold water to rinse his face a few times and made his way back out of the bathroom. As she shut the door behind him, he suddenly felt that something wasn’t right inside of his apartment. Someone was here that shouldn’t be. Luke rushed forward, pressing a panel on the wall on his way to his bedroom where one of his swords was hidden. He grabbed the handle, feeling its power pulse through him as he dashed back into his bedroom.

There, Luke found Ashton sitting on his bed next to Anna’ sleeping body. Luke felt his heart stop beating all together in fear.

“Hello, old friend.” Ashton said, making himself more comfortable on Luke’s bed. “I’ve made sure your little human can’t hear us. We need to talk.”

“If you touch her, I’ll kill you.” Luke threatened through gritted teeth, slowly moving towards the bed with his sword pointed at Ashton.

“No need to be pointing that thing in my direction. Nothing has to happen to the girl.” Ashton puts his arms behind his head and relaxes against the headboard.

“What’s the catch here, Apollo? What do you want?” Luke continues to move around the room slowly.

“I want to finish what we started. You’re the only one who can help me get what I want.” Ashton said, a smile on his face.

“That’s not me anymore. You’ll have to find someone else.” Luke glared at Ashton. He didn’t want that life of constant battles anymore. He found something he loved more.

“Then maybe you need something to persuade you?” Ashton moved his hand towards Anna, gently tapping his fingers against her hand. As soon as he did, she began gasping for breath in her sleep. The strangled sounds of her breathing had Luke in an instant panic.

“What are you doing?! Stop it!” Luke lunged forward, his sword immediately swinging around and pointing directly at Ashton’s throat.

“Give me what I want, or she dies. It’s simple.” Ashton continues to smile as Anna convulses against the bed. “She really is beautiful isn’t she? Might even give Aphrodite a run for her money.” Ashton laughed. Luke’s mind was all over the place, but he knew what he was going to have to do.

“Alright. I’ll do it, just stop it.” Luke practically sobbed. Ashton clapped his hands together in triumph before tapping Anna’s hand again and she fell still in her spot on the bed.

“I knew you’d see things my way.” Ashton stood up, straightening out his suit jacket.

“I want to add my own terms to this deal.” Luke slumped against the wall, shoulders falling in defeat.

“Go on.” Ashton said.

“When this battles over, and you’ve gotten what you wanted, you have Zeus make me human. And I never see any of you ever again.” Luke pushes his hair away from his face as he watched Ashton contemplate his terms.

“Alright, Ares. Deal.” Ashton walks over to Luke where he shakes his hand in a binding contract.

“Let me say goodbye to her, please.” Luke says, letting his sword fall to the ground as he makes his way over to the bed.

“I’ll wait downstairs.” Ashton disappears from the room and Luke goes back to lay next to Anna.

He presses his chest to her back, kissing her shoulder. He moves her hair away from her ear and presses his lips against the shell.

“I didn’t want this for you.” He whispers. “I wanted you to go about your life without me in it. But you sucked me in and I had no chance of escaping. I have been selfish when it comes to you, because I wanted every second I could get with you. You are precisely and entirely what I needed to start living again, and I will be forever in your debt for that Anna Bradley.” He kisses her cheek. “And I love you. That is something that will never change so long as I am alive.” Luke gets up from the bed before he no longer has the energy to do so.

He watches her a moment longer as she sleep peacefully against the white sheets of his bed and then walks out the door.

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Anna was late getting into her office that day. Her coffee practically cold as she sipped it in the elevator on the way up. Her briefcase was especially heavy with reports she had been working on from home to keep herself busy.

She needed all the distractions she could get so that she didn’t have to think about him. How he left her and never came back over six months ago.

Anna had gone back to his apartment time after time to find it empty. Everything was gone, including him. He never answered his phone. He never tried to call. He just disappeared, and Anna’s heart was broken.

“You have a client in your office, Anna.” Her assistant said as Anna entered the office.

“I wasn’t expecting anyone today.” Anna said, fumbling with her briefcase and oversized coffee cup. Her assistant merely shrugged and went back to answering the phones. Anna sighed and walked down the short hallway to her office.

Once inside, she noticed someone sitting in one of the chairs in front of her desk. The blonde curls on back of his head eerily familiar.

“I’m sorry I’m late, I wasn’t expecting anyone today.” Anna made her way into her office as the person in the chair stood and turned to face her. She froze in place, dropping her briefcase and coffee to the floor.

“Could spare a few moments for an old friend?” Luke said, a gentle smile on his face.

“Luke…” Anna choked out, her throat tightening.

“Hello there, sweet girl.”

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