When he turned to bring the towel to Luka, he looked more like he’d just crawled off stage than out of Luka.
Luka became starkly aware of how naked and sticky he was and reached for the towel. Reno swatted his hand away and got between his legs to do it himself and Luka just watched, feeling amazed and so, so very lucky.
Reno dropped the towel to the side, kissed the inside of Luka’s knee, ran a fingertip from the thigh to the hip, and sighed. He pressed his face against Luka’s leg, closed his eyes, then said, “I wonder what time it is.”
Luka realized then, that at some point the other band had stopped playing and the venue had gone quiet. No one had bothered them, though, which Luka was belatedly thankful for.
Pressing his cheek against Luka’s leg, Reno relaxed for a moment then let out another long sigh and removed himself to gather Luka’s clothing off of the ground. He helped pull Luka up, whose back peeled away from the leather couch uncomfortably, then helped Luka put his shirt on. Reno carefully pulled Lukaback together, zipping him into place and combing his hair smooth again with his fingers.
Luka almost felt embarrassed to be taken care of so delicately. He squirmed with the attention, unused to anyone he’d slept with before doing this for him, and it was especially unexpected from a one-night stand.
Reno slid Luka’s second sock onto his foot then got up from the couch to check his phone on the counter across the room. He brought it back over and sat next to Luka and turned slowly to him to run a finger over his bottom lip, slide the back of his nails over Luka’s cheek, and cup his head. He tugged him closer, lips finding Luka’s easily after a night of memorizing them. Luka’s gut stirred and he couldn't help but deepen the kiss, the clothes between them suddenly feeling so unnecessary again.
Reno pulled back, breathing hard, and asked, “Can I take a photo with you?”
“Can we wait until I’m not so red?” Luka said, feeling like that might be an impossible ask.
Reno said, “No, I like it. I made you look that way.”
“Fuck," Luka swore, “again—how do you just say shit like that?”
Reno shrugged and clicked his phone camera on. He pulled Luka close to him so Luka could tuck his head against Reno’s shoulder. He took a few photos then kissed him on the forehead, which made Luka flush even more.
“You’re so handsome.”
“Hm?” Luka didn’t know how to take a compliment from Reno of all people. He didn’t have to think of a reply, however, as Reno’s phone started buzzing.
“Hello?” Reno answered, sounding slightly put out. “Okay, I’ll be out soon. Mhm, I promise. Love you too.” He hung up and turned to Luka. “Kandi says it’s time.”
“I’ll call a Lyft.” Luka felt his heart sink. He might never see Reno again. He opened the app anyway and requested a nearby driver to take him to the motel.
They got up from the couch and Reno busied himself cleaning the mess they made then packing his duffel bag. He tugged a long, fur-lined jacket over his outfit, wiped a bit of the smudged lipstick away, shouldered his bag, and held his hand out for Luka.
Luka quickly put on his shoes and grabbed his wallet and phone, then took Reno’s hand.
Reno held it all the way through the hall, out the stage hand door, and until they were around the building and out front.
The rideshare driver pulled up too quickly, before Luka had the courage to ask anything stupid like,When will I see you again? What did all of that mean, anyway? And, who am I to you?
The driver rolled down his window and asked, “Luke?”
“Luka,” he said back. “Give me a moment.”
“Alright.” The driver shrugged and rolled the window up.
Luka turned to Reno who was standing a few steps away, looking too beautiful to be real under the venue’s bulb-lit sign. The black fur around his collar blew in the wind, shimmering as it moved. Luka took a step forward and opened his mouth, wanting to ask a million questions but settled on only one.
“Will I see you again?”
Reno cracked a sad smile and pulled his jacket around him tighter to fight off the night wind.
“Of course.”
Luka didn’t know if he believed him, but he took another step forward, and Reno kissed him, long and deep, until the driver honked his horn.
“Okay," Reno said. “I’ll text you tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Luka mirrored, then forced himself to step away, not knowing if he would see Reno again. Not knowing if he would hold him again. Not knowing anything at all.
