[Hrm... he isn't wholly convinced, but he doesn't turn away from the first kiss, and he meets him for the second, even though he sighs into it.]
I'll take you on a drive someday. It's nicer outside the city. [But in the meantime, he reaches out, tugging on Eunhyuk's shirt.] Sit down, at least let me get the dishes.
[Eunhyuk sits, obedient, even though a part of him is more interested in continuing to kiss Luke while getting his dishes,]
That would be fun. We haven’t had a date in a while.
[mostly because Eunhyuk’s just so content to spend time with Luke while he’s at home and in the shop… it hasn’t really occurred to him to ask for more,]
[STOP THERE'S TIME FOR THAT LATER... present first. But dishes before that; fortunately, the kitchen is small enough that the sink is also right by the table, so he doesn't even have to turn his back as he washes the dishes. Did you know he has an apron he wears for this. Now you do.]
Ah, you're right! There's so much of the city you haven't seen yet, too. [Now he has to make a date spot bucket list to go with his couple bucket list... he makes a mental note to write that down] What kinds of places do you like?
[Outdoor, indoor, loud and exciting, quiet and secluded... so many options...]
[A SPECIAL DISHWASHING APRON? Eunhyuk’s heart thumps a little when he sees Luke in his APRON because he’s that far gone, just like how his first instinct is to say ‘anywhere with you’ because a binch continues not to have any preferences beyond Luke being involved in some way,
That and it’s hard to think of normal places that aren’t full of monsters or on a space ship]
I don’t know. I don’t have places I really dislike.
Also begging Eunhyuk to have TASTES AND PREFERENCES OUTSIDE OF ABBA AND SALT N PEPA. Luke also wants this for him, mainly because he thinks that it's lingering trauma from the zombie apocalypse,,, but it's not like that's something Eunhyuk could talk about in therapy, so Luke's decided to try and encourage his choices wherever he can. Reminding him that he's safe, that he can want and have things just as freely as he once did--maybe even moreso, without the stress of money.
Not that he minds the way Eunhyuk's preferences tend to involve him, since his revolved around Rosa for the majority of his life... case in point: He frowns a little as he rinses the soap off.]
We can, but... [So many places are his favorites because they're rich with memories of Rosa, and as much as he wants Eunhyuk to know her too, he doesn't want to spend their dates raving about his long, shared history with her. It means so much to him already to know that Eunhyuk accepts his love for her without question or complaint. There's no need to shove it in his face at every turn.
Not to mention, truthfully:] ...I want to make new memories with you.
[Things that belong only to them, beyond the confines of the Eudora. He wants undeniable proof that Eunhyuk is here with him for good, that he's happily become a fixture in Luke's life, and that he'll be here until the time they worked so hard for runs out--many, many years in the future, he hopes.
He tilts his head thoughtfully as he rinses his hands.]
How about I pick out a few places, and you can decide when we go?
[plot twist would be if Eunhyuk really is that boring of a guy that he has NO PREFERENCES EVER besides ABBA and SALT N PEPA... it'd be less sad than the actual reason, that he's spent most of his life studying and working and caring for Eunyoo with very little left over to enjoy whatever it is he thinks he could have enjoyed, if he had the time. (the convenience store down the corner, the late night food stalls, the elderly grandma selling chestnuts outside the subway station.) he's lucky in that way. losing all those places could have really hurt, if he had more time to care about them.
Eunhyuk gets up from the table and heads over to the fridge to get the roll cake out and assorted cutlery, though he pauses in his journey to press a kiss against Luke's cheek, as if to erase the frown there previously,]
Sounds good.
[what he doesn't say is that he's prepared to care this time, that he's willing to make space in his heart for these memories, even if it means losing so much more in the future,]
We could make it a trip. [which reminds him,] I've always wanted to go camping.
[more of a vague idea than anything, like one of those things you think of when you watch someone else do it on TV. but Eunhyuk feels like it counts, and more importantly, he thinks Luke might enjoy it too]
[It's a strange disparity between them--though Luke still feels his parents' absence so acutely, he'd been blessed with a loving family before he had the chance to know what it was like without one. He'd made sacrifices for Rosa even before he left for the capital, but those were choices he made of his own volition, not anything born from a vital necessity. More than once, he's felt guilty of failing to appreciate what he had; knowing how much Eunhyuk's sacrificed for Eunyoo worsens those feelings a little, even when he's only just begun to understand what they went through.
But he doesn't think of that now. Instead, incredibly predictably, he brightens up!! Outdoorsy things!!!!]
Oh yeah, we can go out the mountains! One of my seniors has a B&B out there. We can stop by, and he can tell us the best spots to set up. [And they can go see flowers and pick mushrooms and Luke will NOT tell him that he once considered doing shrooms to dream about Rosa because that would defeat the purpose of the trip
But he hooks an arm around Eunhyuk's waist, catching him before he can go grab the cake.]
Before that, I want to show you what I got. [Pulling him over to sit on the bed... imagine if the bag just had like special lube or something]
[it's special lube..... it's shroom lube...... lube that reminds luke of rosa.....
Eunhyuk sits obediently on the bed for non-horny reasons, waiting patiently for Luke to reveal the shroom lube. He doesn't actually know what to expect, besides joking earlier about this being a tail... maybe it's a collar? maybe this is Luke's way of saying he wants to do something kinky because they always veer into horny after having a sweet moment together,]
[STOP IT'S NOT ROSA SHROOM LUBE OR A TAIL OR A COLLAR I hate that he'd love a collar actually "for Eunhyuk or for himself" well look we don't need to get specific
Anyway, Luke sits down next to him and grabs the bag!!]
Yeah, close them and hold out your hands. [Assuming Eunhyuk LISTENS--Luke will finally pull something out and place it in his hands... it's decently-sized with a bit of weight to it, and Eunhyuk will feel leather against his fingers. Woah]
Okay, you can look.
[When he opens his eyes, Eunhyuk will see... a photo album! It's antique style--tooled leather forming an intricate design on the cover, with wrought gold as the embellishments and, instead of a clasp, a small lock to hold it shut. On top of the album rests a key, engraved with a matching pattern--if Eunhyuk looks closely enough, he'll spot the characters for his name on one side of the key's bow, and Luke's on the other.]
There aren't many in there yet, but I thought... it might be nice, to have lots of room for more.
[And if Eunhyuk opens it, he'll see a restored version of the family photo he'd entrusted to Luke back on the ship, followed by the two selfies they'd taken, and the photo of Eunhyuk in his silly glasses--all photos he'd had on his IRIS, reconstructed and printed as if they were tangible photos to begin with.]
Eunhyuk feels the texture of leather in his hands and has an out of body moment trying to figure out if this leather object is pet play related -- but the weight of it is probably all wrong and he doesn't think Luke would make him sit down and close his eyes for a collar or leash? and then he opens his eyes and all thoughts of said pet play go out the window,
...he traces one of the embellishments with his hand, admiring the design. the other picks up the key, turning it over in his hand to look at it more closely, to read his name and then Luke's. Warmth blooms in his chest at seeing their names side by side, inscribed on an object that might have been chosen simply for the lock on this album -- but Eunhyuk can't deny that he likes the key, maybe because it reminds him of the one that's always hanging around Luke's neck... but this one is just theirs, the names engraved as proof.
he slides the key into the lock, lifts the cover and looks down at the photo on the first page. he knows this photo -- he knows every wrinkle and dip and dent in it, the way his father's face is always obscured under the bloodstain -- but this one doesn't have any of that. it looks perfect. it looks just like how it looked in the frame, before tragedy struck. it looks like how Eunhyuk has always wanted it to look, and how he'd asked Luke to make it look -- all those weeks ago.
...his chest feels hot, hotter, warmer. he lifts the page, looking at the photos after. photos of a time that Eunhyuk had never dreamed he'd ever get to have, even before he died. he rests his hand on Luke's smiling face. of a person he loves who's still alive, who's still with him, who'll never turn away no matter what.
the heat is searing, it's in his rapidly beating pulse, the prickling in the corner of his eyes. he closes them again, because if he says thank you right now then he might just cry, and he doesn't want to cry because he's happy. he gently closes the album, holding it in his hands like it means the world to him, like it's the kind of world that he wants to live in, the forgiving kind filled with warmth, the kind that has Luke in it. he opens his eyes, turns his head to look at him, marvels in the fact that he can have Luke both in a picture and right here next to him,]
Luke.
[he clutches at the key, hoping the imprint it'll leave in his hand will match the one in his heart,]
...I love it. Thank you.
[he loves all of it? the key, album, the photos, the picture, the promise of more, and for once he hopes all his feelings can be properly conveyed this time, if not by his words -- then at least by his smile, warm and bright]
[Through it all, Luke watches him closely, a warm smile on his face as emotions break across Eunhyuk's. He hadn't been nervous, exactly, but it settles something in his chest to see his gift well-received. It's not the first time Eunhyuk's looked at him with such wonder and adoration, and in dark moments, he's still so certain he doesn't deserve it--but right now, he feels nothing but love and contentment.
It's a gift for Eunhyuk, certainly, but in a way, it's a gift for himself, too. Eunhyuk can fill up those empty pages with anything he wants, and Luke won't push him. But the selfish part of him hopes that Eunhyuk has the same vision for it that he did: A rich future, side by side, enough to fill a hundred albums just like this one.
He doesn't need to hear any fancy words. He doesn't even really need Eunhyuk's gratitude. The sight of Eunhyuk's smile, completely unfettered, is more than enough to satisfy him, as much he can be satisfied when it comes to Eunhyuk. He's not sure he ever truly will be. All he can do is hope that Eunhyuk never tires of his greed. (Of him.)
In lieu of a spoken answer, he cups Eunhyuk's face with his hands and draws him into a kiss, answering the emotions he sees in Eunhyuk's eyes this way. He can tell him about the collar in the bag later (THIS IS A JOKE THERE'S NO COLLAR IN THERE)]
Eunhyuk leans into the kiss, even if he can't exactly fall into it the way he wants to with the key in his hand and album in his lap. instead, he closes the book shut, places the key on top of it, and maneuvers it to the side. there. now he has all the space he likes to face Luke properly, hands free to tug the collar of whatever insane shirt he's wearing down so he can kiss the skin there too,
he wants luke on every page in that album, just like how he wants Luke here now, present and with him. but instead of just POUNCING, he draws back a little, sliding his arms around Luke's neck]
Do you still want dessert?
[luke only had one serving of spaghetti..................... he's probably hungry for real..............]
A more fastidious person would pull away to move the album somewhere safe right away, but Luke leaves things on his bed constantly, so it doesn't bother him. If he thought about it hard enough, he'd probably like it, even, since it's a sign Eunhyuk feels comfortable here, and Luke never gets tired of thinking about that. He also never gets tired of Eunhyuk's mouth on his skin, and he shows it by leaning his head to the side, tangling his fingers in Eunhyuk's hair. He can be wearing this without the terrible jacket since he took it off earlier.
Could he eat more food, ALWAYS!!! But as Eunhyuk may have noticed already, their time on the ship was not a fluke... there may have been a sense of urgency those last two weeks, when they had to make the most of the time they had in unbroken bodies and then, immediately after, they were up against an unknowable enemy, but returning home has only made Luke more affectionate, not less. He lowers his other hand to slip underneath Eunhyuk's shirt, which is probably a normal T-shirt unless he's decided to just borrow Luke's awful clothes,,,]
We can have it later. It's fine in the fridge. [By affectionate I meant horny]
[eunhyuk as he wears one of luke's outfits in an attempt to boyfriend shirt trap him. BUT NO HE'S WEARING A NORMAL T SHIRT..... maybe one day he will wear the string shirt and see if Luke is still this affectionate when he's wearing a stupid outfit (is eunhyuk still horny when Luke wears his stupid outfits... yes but LISTEN......)
also yeah!!! he's noticed this!! but he doesn't hate it because why would he hate it!! it means Luke will always tilt his head at this exact angle for him every time, it means Eunhyuk will always feel his hands on his skin, now at a comfortable temperature, and it especially means that he can push Luke down and fall with him on top of the bed, kissing up Luke's neck and closer to his ear, nipping at his earlobe]
Tomorrow. You'll be too tired tonight.
[this is very confident for a guy who mostly stays home all day while Luke goes out and gets all his steps in.... Eunhyuk slides his glasses off and places them on the bedside table anyway, moving to straddle Luke like he's thinking of topping even though HE was the one who GOT A CUTE PRESENT TONIGHT]
[HELP INSTEAD OF THEM GETTING BETTER FASHION SENSE EUNHYUK JUST GOT STOCKHOLMED INTO LIKING LUKE'S NOOOO SOMEONE SAVE EUNHYUK FROM THIS RELATIONSHIP
Especially because, even though Luke falls back willingly, he laughs? He scoots onto the bed properly and leans back on his elbows, watching Eunhyuk--but he laughs nonetheless.]
Someone's confident. [Teasing, a little daring--which is funny, because it's not like Eunhyuk doesn't have every right to be? But Eunhyuk should also know by now that Luke could never be satisfied with lying back and doing nothing forever...]
[STOP. LISTEN. EUNYOO AND ROSA TAG TEAM AND BUY THEM BOTH NEW CLOTHES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE
for now he'll take this moment to admire Luke in an outfit that doesn't have a clear pocket protector, even if he can only really see his shirt while sitting on top of him like this. MAYBE HIS PANTS ARE ALSO UNEVEN............. he leans down to kiss his smiling mouth, uncaring of his uneven pants. maybe he has been stock holmed.....]
I want to show you how much I appreciate you.
[usually at this point their clothes are already OFF but Eunhyuk mirrors Luke's move from earlier instead, sliding his hands underneath Luke's shirt and caressing the skin underneath, gently tracing muscle. he wants to feel him with his now normal, human hands --]
[Rosa lets Luke dress like this already so it's really all up to Eunyoo... SAVE THEM, JUDGMENTAL TEENAGER
He's ready for Eunhyuk's kiss, and he meets him without hesitation, drawing his tongue across Eunhyuk's lips to coax them apart. The warmth of him is such a novelty, still. Maybe it was crazy, the way Luke hadn't really minded the lack of it, before--but if he couldn't get enough then, he's downright insatiable now, more than a little obsessed with the proof of Eunhyuk's restored humanity.
Even if his hands are warm, his touch still makes Luke shiver. And for a moment, it's tempting to let his thoughts disperse with each stroke of Eunhyuk's fingertips. It's not like he'd made concrete plans beyond giving Eunhyuk the album, after all? Nothing would be ruined if he decided to lay back and let Eunhyuk do as he pleases.
But... no. Not this time. His grin loses its sharp edges as overwhelming affection overtakes him, and he sits up, wrapping his arms around Eunhyuk to pull him closer. He nudges Eunhyuk's knees a little farther apart as if to settle him on his lap instead.]
You show me that every day. [He sees it in Eunhyuk's sleeping face beside him every morning, in the fridge full of ingredients Luke didn't buy and the clothes that have mixed with his own. Eunhyuk has settled so beautifully into his home, as if his presence perfectly filled in holes that Luke hadn't even known were there.
He shows it like this, too, and it's not like Luke is complaining, but--] This time, it's my turn.
[i want to say that she will but she also lets eunhyuk wear flannel so maybe they are doomed
...Luke holds him so securely in his arms and kisses him just as sweetly, and Eunhyuk clutches at him in return, feeling for once -- out of his depth, but... not in a bad way. just in a way that he's starting to realize -- that Luke does love him, and isn't afraid to show that in a clear, uncomplicated way, and that he can tell that Eunhyuk loves him too, even without words.
it's not that Eunhyuk is bad with words -- or maybe he is, so often does he cut to the chase, blunt and clipped and cold. it made him an effective leader, but a less than effective lover. words are just words when he says them, but they sound like poetry from Luke, who somehow always knows exactly what to say to tug on Eunhyuk's heartstrings, who manages to go above and beyond for him every time with his words and actions and tongue and hands --
their bodies are closer together now, chest to chest, and Eunhyuk's heart thrums beneath his skin in anticipation. ...want is still new for him, and greed even more foreign. but maybe he can learn, maybe he can take his cues from Luke, ever doting.]
...Alright.
[he spreads his knees and presses his forehead against his, relaxing into his hold]
[Luke's never wanted anyone to worry about him. It's one of the things he simultaneously loves and hates about Eunhyuk--it's no easier to be seen now than it ever was. Luke hates to burden his loved ones with his guilt, sorrow, or fears, and that's true even with all the lessons he learned on the ship.
Showing his love is another matter entirely. What Eunhyuk hears as poetry is, to Luke, nothing more than his honest thoughts and feelings--not the affection he'd locked away for Rosa, but wholly new creations, free to leave his lips as soon as they form in his heart. To him, they're a barely adequate response to all the comfort and joy Eunhyuk brings into his life. And perhaps it's a good thing that Luke is made of bottled up daydreams and heartfelt sentiments choked back from the tip of his tongue. It means those words come forth easily, now that he's met someone he doesn't have to hide from--and it means that he'll never stop attempting to adequately convey his love, a totally unreachable goal.
That's alright, though. It just means a lifetime of trying, and Luke only thinks in lifetimes anyway.
He rewards Eunhyuk's acquiescence with a deep kiss, and though it's tempting to keep him right where he is, Luke's feeling merciful today. He tightens his hold as he rolls them over, guiding Eunhyuk to lay right where he'd just been. It's not the aggressive judo flip he likes to do when he's riled up--instead, it's a gentle, controlled fall, as if Luke doesn't want to put any more space between them than he has to.
Only when he's settled comfortably on top of him does he pull back, his eyes bright and playful.]
I thought you'd argue more than that. [Since Eunhyuk likes to TEASE even more than he likes getting roughed up, which is really saying something]
[the thing about greed is that Eunhyuk will want more -- more of Luke's love, his guilt, his sorrow, his fears -- everything that makes him so intrinsically Luke, everything that no one else besides Eunhyuk will continue to be privy to, like his mouth -- the precise shape of his lips on Eunhyuk's, a shape that he traces with his tongue before drawing him in further. it's a kiss that he's content to be lost in, little shocks of lightning skating down his spine with every press, but then Luke moves them, more gently than what Eunhyuk's used to (USUALLY HE'S BEING YAHTZEE-D?), but still very effective? He can feel the strength in Luke's arms this way too, the gentle pressure of his body laid on top of his.
he blinks back up at Luke, the look in his eyes hazy where Luke's is playful, and it takes a moment for him to think of something besides how much he wants to kiss Luke again,]
Mm. [well LISTEN ACTUALLY GIVE HIM ANOTHER MOMENT,
...]
You gave me a gift.
[he cups the side of Luke's face with his hand, touching the corner of his mouth with his thumb, gentle and loving. and if his other hand is slowly dragging Luke's shirt up well listen, their clothes have to come off at some point? why not now???]
[Before he realized the true nature of his feelings, Luke responded to Eunhyuk's teasing with aggression. And he still does sometimes, but these days, he's much better at teasing back, or doing it first. At the end of the day, though, Luke likes giving Eunhyuk what he wants too much. Like now, when that look in his eyes makes Luke want to do everything he can to keep it there. He sacrifices getting his hands on Eunhyuk immediately to tug his shirt off like Eunhyuk so clearly wants, and he turns his face into Eunhyuk's hand as if following his lead, kissing his thumb first, then his palm, down to his wrist.
He is, however, as competitive as he's always been, and he's stubborn when he wants to be. So Eunhyuk's words draw him out of his indulgence, and he "hmm"s as he dips his head to mouth his way up Eunhyuk's neck, sliding his hands under his shirt.]
You don't think I can tire you out? [Sounds like a CHALLENGE to him]
[Eunhyuk is not nearly as ticklish as Luke is, who just SUCCUMBS with the smallest of touches, but he's more sensitive in some spots -- like his wrists, which feel tingly when Luke kisses him there -- and his neck, skin warming, anticipating teeth. he tries not to squirm, even though at this point Luke knows all of these spots, but listen -- maybe he's competitive too? and selfish too, more interested in touching Luke back then taking off his OWN shirt,]
I'll never get tired of you.
[Eunhyuk replies, knowing that WASN'T WHAT LUKE WAS ASKING???? still, it's relevant, because he never will, just like how he'll never tire of touching Luke's bare skin -- the hand on his face moving down to his neck, shoulder, bicep -- the other very unashamedly feeling up his stupid fcking EIGHT PACK ABS? WHY DOES HE HAVE EIGHT? WHY NOT SIX -- not that Eunhyuk's complaining,]
You're beautiful.
[he says it like Luke is wondrous, the sincerity in his tone is what saves this line from sounding as cringey as it should (IT PROBABLY DOES SOUND A LITTLE CRINGE), but anyway he says 'beautiful' and he MEANS IT. maybe luke should wear horrible clothes every day actually so that it'll nerf him forever from anyone else figuring out that he's beautiful too.
eunhyuk fortunately doesn't say that because it's too insane]
[It's such a sweet sentiment, but Luke laughs quietly against Eunhyuk's skin, pleased by the way he can feel it heating up. He doesn't respond right away, choosing instead to do exactly what Eunhyuk expects and sink his teeth into the same spot he always does, which will make it incredibly awkward if there are any customers tomorrow--but that's not Luke's problem? If Eunhyuk's embarrassed by the mark Luke's so intent on leaving below the curve of his jaw, just one of many more to come, well, he can just close the shop, as far as Luke's concerned.
He rocks his hips against Eunhyuk's as he pushes Eunhyuk's shirt up, slow and lazy, like they have all the time in the world. It's a far cry from the urgency he'd felt on the ship, the ever-present knowledge that they had to make the most of their time together, just in case it was all they'd get. Eunhyuk's hands leave trails of fire across his body, and Luke finds himself drawn to it like he's seeking a lit hearth on a winter night. He shifts to press into Eunhyuk's touch, as sensitive as ever but too hungry for contact to care.
When he's finally satisfied with his handiwork, he pulls back just enough to press a hot, open-mouthed kiss to the bruise he'd created, murmuring low enough that Eunhyuk might feel his words more than he'll hear them.]
You know that's not what I meant. [He splays his hand over Eunhyuk's chest, pressing down to feel his heartbeat.] I think I've let you get away with too much.
[There's not much that embarrasses Eunhyuk, but he's never had to work with visible bruises on his skin before? But maybe they still won't embarrass him -- maybe the thought of them excites him instead, a visible mark that will last this time, beyond four hours, for everyone to see. it's not a collar -- but it's as good as one, and he likes that idea too. maybe talking about tails awoke something in him.............
the air in the room feels cool once his shirt is off -- finally -- though Eunhyuk likes this too, the way Luke is taking his time with him. the air is cool but he feels hot all over, thanks to the heat of Luke's hand pressed against his chest, to his mouth pressing against the bruise on his neck. he swallows a laugh, the adam's apple in his throat bobbing up against Luke's lips,]
You could let me get away with more.
[he reaches for Luke's zipper, tugging it down. he's into taking it slow, being taken care of, but he's also into the motion of Luke's hips rocking against his, and wouldn't that feel better without their pants in the way?]
[More often than not, Luke trends towards being sweet and loving, rather than being an outright menace--but it's a good thing that Eunhyuk's thoughts don't show on his face, because even Luke wouldn't be able to resist teasing him forever if he could read Eunhyuk's mind. EUNHYUK WILL JUST HAVE TO SHARE HIS PETPLAY KINK WITH HIS WORDS...
They're on the same page in some ways nonetheless, and he mouths his way across Eunhyuk's throat, leaving a trail of bites in his wake. He makes an effort not to be too rough, but he can't help how sharp his canines are and Eunhyuk has never given him reason to believe he doesn't like it, so he doesn't try that hard.
He catches Eunhyuk's hands before he can get too far, though, drawing them up and pinning them to the mattress on either side of Eunhyuk's head. He nips at the delicate skin beneath Eunhyuk's ear before he shifts up enough to steal another kiss, hot and demanding.]
Or I could keep you like this. [He feels more breathless than he sounds, when he pulls away to speak--but Luke is nothing if not an expert at keeping his composure when he wants to, and he taps into that skill as he looks into Eunhyuk's dark eyes, as if daring him to decide whether it's a bluff or not.]
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I'll take you on a drive someday. It's nicer outside the city. [But in the meantime, he reaches out, tugging on Eunhyuk's shirt.] Sit down, at least let me get the dishes.
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That would be fun. We haven’t had a date in a while.
[mostly because Eunhyuk’s just so content to spend time with Luke while he’s at home and in the shop… it hasn’t really occurred to him to ask for more,]
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Ah, you're right! There's so much of the city you haven't seen yet, too. [Now he has to make a date spot bucket list to go with his couple bucket list... he makes a mental note to write that down] What kinds of places do you like?
[Outdoor, indoor, loud and exciting, quiet and secluded... so many options...]
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That and it’s hard to think of normal places that aren’t full of monsters or on a space ship]
I don’t know. I don’t have places I really dislike.
Why don’t you show me your favorites instead?
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Also begging Eunhyuk to have TASTES AND PREFERENCES OUTSIDE OF ABBA AND SALT N PEPA. Luke also wants this for him, mainly because he thinks that it's lingering trauma from the zombie apocalypse,,, but it's not like that's something Eunhyuk could talk about in therapy, so Luke's decided to try and encourage his choices wherever he can. Reminding him that he's safe, that he can want and have things just as freely as he once did--maybe even moreso, without the stress of money.
Not that he minds the way Eunhyuk's preferences tend to involve him, since his revolved around Rosa for the majority of his life... case in point: He frowns a little as he rinses the soap off.]
We can, but... [So many places are his favorites because they're rich with memories of Rosa, and as much as he wants Eunhyuk to know her too, he doesn't want to spend their dates raving about his long, shared history with her. It means so much to him already to know that Eunhyuk accepts his love for her without question or complaint. There's no need to shove it in his face at every turn.
Not to mention, truthfully:] ...I want to make new memories with you.
[Things that belong only to them, beyond the confines of the Eudora. He wants undeniable proof that Eunhyuk is here with him for good, that he's happily become a fixture in Luke's life, and that he'll be here until the time they worked so hard for runs out--many, many years in the future, he hopes.
He tilts his head thoughtfully as he rinses his hands.]
How about I pick out a few places, and you can decide when we go?
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Eunhyuk gets up from the table and heads over to the fridge to get the roll cake out and assorted cutlery, though he pauses in his journey to press a kiss against Luke's cheek, as if to erase the frown there previously,]
Sounds good.
[what he doesn't say is that he's prepared to care this time, that he's willing to make space in his heart for these memories, even if it means losing so much more in the future,]
We could make it a trip. [which reminds him,] I've always wanted to go camping.
[more of a vague idea than anything, like one of those things you think of when you watch someone else do it on TV. but Eunhyuk feels like it counts, and more importantly, he thinks Luke might enjoy it too]
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But he doesn't think of that now. Instead, incredibly predictably, he brightens up!! Outdoorsy things!!!!]
Oh yeah, we can go out the mountains! One of my seniors has a B&B out there. We can stop by, and he can tell us the best spots to set up. [And they can go see flowers and pick mushrooms and Luke will NOT tell him that he once considered doing shrooms to dream about Rosa because that would defeat the purpose of the trip
But he hooks an arm around Eunhyuk's waist, catching him before he can go grab the cake.]
Before that, I want to show you what I got. [Pulling him over to sit on the bed... imagine if the bag just had like special lube or something]
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Eunhyuk sits obediently on the bed for non-horny reasons, waiting patiently for Luke to reveal the shroom lube. He doesn't actually know what to expect, besides joking earlier about this being a tail... maybe it's a collar? maybe this is Luke's way of saying he wants to do something kinky because they always veer into horny after having a sweet moment together,]
Should I close my eyes?
[NO HE'S GETTING IT RIGHT NOW]
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Anyway, Luke sits down next to him and grabs the bag!!]
Yeah, close them and hold out your hands. [Assuming Eunhyuk LISTENS--Luke will finally pull something out and place it in his hands... it's decently-sized with a bit of weight to it, and Eunhyuk will feel leather against his fingers. Woah]
Okay, you can look.
[When he opens his eyes, Eunhyuk will see... a photo album! It's antique style--tooled leather forming an intricate design on the cover, with wrought gold as the embellishments and, instead of a clasp, a small lock to hold it shut. On top of the album rests a key, engraved with a matching pattern--if Eunhyuk looks closely enough, he'll spot the characters for his name on one side of the key's bow, and Luke's on the other.]
There aren't many in there yet, but I thought... it might be nice, to have lots of room for more.
[And if Eunhyuk opens it, he'll see a restored version of the family photo he'd entrusted to Luke back on the ship, followed by the two selfies they'd taken, and the photo of Eunhyuk in his silly glasses--all photos he'd had on his IRIS, reconstructed and printed as if they were tangible photos to begin with.]
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Eunhyuk feels the texture of leather in his hands and has an out of body moment trying to figure out if this leather object is pet play related -- but the weight of it is probably all wrong and he doesn't think Luke would make him sit down and close his eyes for a collar or leash? and then he opens his eyes and all thoughts of said pet play go out the window,
...he traces one of the embellishments with his hand, admiring the design. the other picks up the key, turning it over in his hand to look at it more closely, to read his name and then Luke's. Warmth blooms in his chest at seeing their names side by side, inscribed on an object that might have been chosen simply for the lock on this album -- but Eunhyuk can't deny that he likes the key, maybe because it reminds him of the one that's always hanging around Luke's neck... but this one is just theirs, the names engraved as proof.
he slides the key into the lock, lifts the cover and looks down at the photo on the first page. he knows this photo -- he knows every wrinkle and dip and dent in it, the way his father's face is always obscured under the bloodstain -- but this one doesn't have any of that. it looks perfect. it looks just like how it looked in the frame, before tragedy struck. it looks like how Eunhyuk has always wanted it to look, and how he'd asked Luke to make it look -- all those weeks ago.
...his chest feels hot, hotter, warmer. he lifts the page, looking at the photos after. photos of a time that Eunhyuk had never dreamed he'd ever get to have, even before he died. he rests his hand on Luke's smiling face. of a person he loves who's still alive, who's still with him, who'll never turn away no matter what.
the heat is searing, it's in his rapidly beating pulse, the prickling in the corner of his eyes. he closes them again, because if he says thank you right now then he might just cry, and he doesn't want to cry because he's happy. he gently closes the album, holding it in his hands like it means the world to him, like it's the kind of world that he wants to live in, the forgiving kind filled with warmth, the kind that has Luke in it. he opens his eyes, turns his head to look at him, marvels in the fact that he can have Luke both in a picture and right here next to him,]
Luke.
[he clutches at the key, hoping the imprint it'll leave in his hand will match the one in his heart,]
...I love it. Thank you.
[he loves all of it? the key, album, the photos, the picture, the promise of more, and for once he hopes all his feelings can be properly conveyed this time, if not by his words -- then at least by his smile, warm and bright]
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It's a gift for Eunhyuk, certainly, but in a way, it's a gift for himself, too. Eunhyuk can fill up those empty pages with anything he wants, and Luke won't push him. But the selfish part of him hopes that Eunhyuk has the same vision for it that he did: A rich future, side by side, enough to fill a hundred albums just like this one.
He doesn't need to hear any fancy words. He doesn't even really need Eunhyuk's gratitude. The sight of Eunhyuk's smile, completely unfettered, is more than enough to satisfy him, as much he can be satisfied when it comes to Eunhyuk. He's not sure he ever truly will be. All he can do is hope that Eunhyuk never tires of his greed. (Of him.)
In lieu of a spoken answer, he cups Eunhyuk's face with his hands and draws him into a kiss, answering the emotions he sees in Eunhyuk's eyes this way. He can tell him about the collar in the bag later (THIS IS A JOKE THERE'S NO COLLAR IN THERE)]
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Eunhyuk leans into the kiss, even if he can't exactly fall into it the way he wants to with the key in his hand and album in his lap. instead, he closes the book shut, places the key on top of it, and maneuvers it to the side. there. now he has all the space he likes to face Luke properly, hands free to tug the collar of whatever insane shirt he's wearing down so he can kiss the skin there too,
he wants luke on every page in that album, just like how he wants Luke here now, present and with him. but instead of just POUNCING, he draws back a little, sliding his arms around Luke's neck]
Do you still want dessert?
[luke only had one serving of spaghetti..................... he's probably hungry for real..............]
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A more fastidious person would pull away to move the album somewhere safe right away, but Luke leaves things on his bed constantly, so it doesn't bother him. If he thought about it hard enough, he'd probably like it, even, since it's a sign Eunhyuk feels comfortable here, and Luke never gets tired of thinking about that. He also never gets tired of Eunhyuk's mouth on his skin, and he shows it by leaning his head to the side, tangling his fingers in Eunhyuk's hair. He can be wearing this without the terrible jacket since he took it off earlier.
Could he eat more food, ALWAYS!!! But as Eunhyuk may have noticed already, their time on the ship was not a fluke... there may have been a sense of urgency those last two weeks, when they had to make the most of the time they had in unbroken bodies and then, immediately after, they were up against an unknowable enemy, but returning home has only made Luke more affectionate, not less. He lowers his other hand to slip underneath Eunhyuk's shirt, which is probably a normal T-shirt unless he's decided to just borrow Luke's awful clothes,,,]
We can have it later. It's fine in the fridge. [By affectionate I meant horny]
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also yeah!!! he's noticed this!! but he doesn't hate it because why would he hate it!! it means Luke will always tilt his head at this exact angle for him every time, it means Eunhyuk will always feel his hands on his skin, now at a comfortable temperature, and it especially means that he can push Luke down and fall with him on top of the bed, kissing up Luke's neck and closer to his ear, nipping at his earlobe]
Tomorrow. You'll be too tired tonight.
[this is very confident for a guy who mostly stays home all day while Luke goes out and gets all his steps in.... Eunhyuk slides his glasses off and places them on the bedside table anyway, moving to straddle Luke like he's thinking of topping even though HE was the one who GOT A CUTE PRESENT TONIGHT]
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Especially because, even though Luke falls back willingly, he laughs? He scoots onto the bed properly and leans back on his elbows, watching Eunhyuk--but he laughs nonetheless.]
Someone's confident. [Teasing, a little daring--which is funny, because it's not like Eunhyuk doesn't have every right to be? But Eunhyuk should also know by now that Luke could never be satisfied with lying back and doing nothing forever...]
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for now he'll take this moment to admire Luke in an outfit that doesn't have a clear pocket protector, even if he can only really see his shirt while sitting on top of him like this. MAYBE HIS PANTS ARE ALSO UNEVEN............. he leans down to kiss his smiling mouth, uncaring of his uneven pants. maybe he has been stock holmed.....]
I want to show you how much I appreciate you.
[usually at this point their clothes are already OFF but Eunhyuk mirrors Luke's move from earlier instead, sliding his hands underneath Luke's shirt and caressing the skin underneath, gently tracing muscle. he wants to feel him with his now normal, human hands --]
...How much I love you.
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He's ready for Eunhyuk's kiss, and he meets him without hesitation, drawing his tongue across Eunhyuk's lips to coax them apart. The warmth of him is such a novelty, still. Maybe it was crazy, the way Luke hadn't really minded the lack of it, before--but if he couldn't get enough then, he's downright insatiable now, more than a little obsessed with the proof of Eunhyuk's restored humanity.
Even if his hands are warm, his touch still makes Luke shiver. And for a moment, it's tempting to let his thoughts disperse with each stroke of Eunhyuk's fingertips. It's not like he'd made concrete plans beyond giving Eunhyuk the album, after all? Nothing would be ruined if he decided to lay back and let Eunhyuk do as he pleases.
But... no. Not this time. His grin loses its sharp edges as overwhelming affection overtakes him, and he sits up, wrapping his arms around Eunhyuk to pull him closer. He nudges Eunhyuk's knees a little farther apart as if to settle him on his lap instead.]
You show me that every day. [He sees it in Eunhyuk's sleeping face beside him every morning, in the fridge full of ingredients Luke didn't buy and the clothes that have mixed with his own. Eunhyuk has settled so beautifully into his home, as if his presence perfectly filled in holes that Luke hadn't even known were there.
He shows it like this, too, and it's not like Luke is complaining, but--] This time, it's my turn.
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...Luke holds him so securely in his arms and kisses him just as sweetly, and Eunhyuk clutches at him in return, feeling for once -- out of his depth, but... not in a bad way. just in a way that he's starting to realize -- that Luke does love him, and isn't afraid to show that in a clear, uncomplicated way, and that he can tell that Eunhyuk loves him too, even without words.
it's not that Eunhyuk is bad with words -- or maybe he is, so often does he cut to the chase, blunt and clipped and cold. it made him an effective leader, but a less than effective lover. words are just words when he says them, but they sound like poetry from Luke, who somehow always knows exactly what to say to tug on Eunhyuk's heartstrings, who manages to go above and beyond for him every time with his words and actions and tongue and hands --
their bodies are closer together now, chest to chest, and Eunhyuk's heart thrums beneath his skin in anticipation. ...want is still new for him, and greed even more foreign. but maybe he can learn, maybe he can take his cues from Luke, ever doting.]
...Alright.
[he spreads his knees and presses his forehead against his, relaxing into his hold]
Show me.
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Showing his love is another matter entirely. What Eunhyuk hears as poetry is, to Luke, nothing more than his honest thoughts and feelings--not the affection he'd locked away for Rosa, but wholly new creations, free to leave his lips as soon as they form in his heart. To him, they're a barely adequate response to all the comfort and joy Eunhyuk brings into his life. And perhaps it's a good thing that Luke is made of bottled up daydreams and heartfelt sentiments choked back from the tip of his tongue. It means those words come forth easily, now that he's met someone he doesn't have to hide from--and it means that he'll never stop attempting to adequately convey his love, a totally unreachable goal.
That's alright, though. It just means a lifetime of trying, and Luke only thinks in lifetimes anyway.
He rewards Eunhyuk's acquiescence with a deep kiss, and though it's tempting to keep him right where he is, Luke's feeling merciful today. He tightens his hold as he rolls them over, guiding Eunhyuk to lay right where he'd just been. It's not the aggressive judo flip he likes to do when he's riled up--instead, it's a gentle, controlled fall, as if Luke doesn't want to put any more space between them than he has to.
Only when he's settled comfortably on top of him does he pull back, his eyes bright and playful.]
I thought you'd argue more than that. [Since Eunhyuk likes to TEASE even more than he likes getting roughed up, which is really saying something]
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he blinks back up at Luke, the look in his eyes hazy where Luke's is playful, and it takes a moment for him to think of something besides how much he wants to kiss Luke again,]
Mm. [well LISTEN ACTUALLY GIVE HIM ANOTHER MOMENT,
...]
You gave me a gift.
[he cups the side of Luke's face with his hand, touching the corner of his mouth with his thumb, gentle and loving. and if his other hand is slowly dragging Luke's shirt up well listen, their clothes have to come off at some point? why not now???]
So it's only fair that you get to go first.
[he'll take his turn after!]
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He is, however, as competitive as he's always been, and he's stubborn when he wants to be. So Eunhyuk's words draw him out of his indulgence, and he "hmm"s as he dips his head to mouth his way up Eunhyuk's neck, sliding his hands under his shirt.]
You don't think I can tire you out? [Sounds like a CHALLENGE to him]
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I'll never get tired of you.
[Eunhyuk replies, knowing that WASN'T WHAT LUKE WAS ASKING???? still, it's relevant, because he never will, just like how he'll never tire of touching Luke's bare skin -- the hand on his face moving down to his neck, shoulder, bicep -- the other very unashamedly feeling up his stupid fcking EIGHT PACK ABS? WHY DOES HE HAVE EIGHT? WHY NOT SIX -- not that Eunhyuk's complaining,]
You're beautiful.
[he says it like Luke is wondrous, the sincerity in his tone is what saves this line from sounding as cringey as it should (IT PROBABLY DOES SOUND A LITTLE CRINGE), but anyway he says 'beautiful' and he MEANS IT. maybe luke should wear horrible clothes every day actually so that it'll nerf him forever from anyone else figuring out that he's beautiful too.
eunhyuk fortunately doesn't say that because it's too insane]
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He rocks his hips against Eunhyuk's as he pushes Eunhyuk's shirt up, slow and lazy, like they have all the time in the world. It's a far cry from the urgency he'd felt on the ship, the ever-present knowledge that they had to make the most of their time together, just in case it was all they'd get. Eunhyuk's hands leave trails of fire across his body, and Luke finds himself drawn to it like he's seeking a lit hearth on a winter night. He shifts to press into Eunhyuk's touch, as sensitive as ever but too hungry for contact to care.
When he's finally satisfied with his handiwork, he pulls back just enough to press a hot, open-mouthed kiss to the bruise he'd created, murmuring low enough that Eunhyuk might feel his words more than he'll hear them.]
You know that's not what I meant. [He splays his hand over Eunhyuk's chest, pressing down to feel his heartbeat.] I think I've let you get away with too much.
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the air in the room feels cool once his shirt is off -- finally -- though Eunhyuk likes this too, the way Luke is taking his time with him. the air is cool but he feels hot all over, thanks to the heat of Luke's hand pressed against his chest, to his mouth pressing against the bruise on his neck. he swallows a laugh, the adam's apple in his throat bobbing up against Luke's lips,]
You could let me get away with more.
[he reaches for Luke's zipper, tugging it down. he's into taking it slow, being taken care of, but he's also into the motion of Luke's hips rocking against his, and wouldn't that feel better without their pants in the way?]
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They're on the same page in some ways nonetheless, and he mouths his way across Eunhyuk's throat, leaving a trail of bites in his wake. He makes an effort not to be too rough, but he can't help how sharp his canines are and Eunhyuk has never given him reason to believe he doesn't like it, so he doesn't try that hard.
He catches Eunhyuk's hands before he can get too far, though, drawing them up and pinning them to the mattress on either side of Eunhyuk's head. He nips at the delicate skin beneath Eunhyuk's ear before he shifts up enough to steal another kiss, hot and demanding.]
Or I could keep you like this. [He feels more breathless than he sounds, when he pulls away to speak--but Luke is nothing if not an expert at keeping his composure when he wants to, and he taps into that skill as he looks into Eunhyuk's dark eyes, as if daring him to decide whether it's a bluff or not.]
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