“Sounds like your gut’s right, at least.”
Reno’s look was intense when he said, “It’s never failed me.”
Luka looked away then leaned forward to scoop a few petals into his hand to admire, to give himself something to do other than be the subject of Reno’s attention.
“Why did you say yes?” Reno asked.
Luka rolled a petal between his fingers then let it fall. “I thought of you, too.”
“Now there’s something you haven’t admitted before.” Reno made light of it, his intensity dropping in a way that Luka felt was intentional.
“Well, you’reyou.” Luka shrugged then leaned back onto his hands, the blanket soft under his palms. He tilted his chin up to watch the lazy spiral of petals. “It’s pretty hard to forget you. It became like a little secret for me to hold in my chest. The fact that all those years ago you talked to me, you acted likeyou wanted to know me. Even you walking away from me was something I admired.”
Reno huffed a laugh.
“It was smart. I was a kid. Like, you’re not that much older than me but at that age it’s important. And, you respected that.”
“Easy.”
Luka agreed, “Yeah, but some kids aren’t so lucky to have a run in with a popular musician and make it out okay.”
Reno shuddered. “I’ve seen.”
“Me too.” Luka cringed. “It made an impression on me, though. And, sure, you were questioning yourself and who you were but it was nice for me to see another man looking authentic and liking the things I like without feeling ashamed of it.”
Reno made an understanding noise. “It gets hard, doesn’t it.”
“Yeah.” Luka ran a hand through his hair and petals came away with it. “After I met you though I felt okay being misunderstood, because it didn’t make me less of a man no matter how anyone saw me.”
“You give me too much credit,” Reno protested but his expression said otherwise; it was so soft and understanding. “What did you think of me when I made that post?”
“That you were an idiot.” Luka poked Reno’s leg and he made a cute, surprised noise. “That it was fake, probably. Once it became real, I thought you were stupid for keeping it up. And, from what you said, you got in trouble for it too. So, stupid.”
“Is it stupid to take a chance?” Reno protested, jiggling his leg in Luka’s lap.
“Sometimes. I'm glad you’re a bit of an idiot, though.” Luka grabbed Reno’s leg to stop it from moving. “I’m joking, I don’t think you’re an idiot. Just, maybe your manager has a point. You’re kinda reckless.”
“That’s my choice to make.”
“True,” Luka said. “That's why I said yes.”
“The answer, finally. He said yes because I’m stupid and reckless,” Reno teased and pushed himself away from the trunk to crowd into Luka’s space. “I’ll happily be an idiot if it makes you say yes to me over and over.”
Luka felt himself flush. “You are something else.”
“So it’s been said,” Reno flirted, a hand finding the end of Luka’s hair and twisting it around his index finger. “I like how much you blush.”
“Don’t.” Luka rolled his eyes, feeling himself turn even redder. “It’s extremely embarrassing. I feel like I’m red ninety percent of my life.”
Reno pouted. “Now, who else is turning you red?”
“Myself, mostly,” Luka huffed. “I think it’s genetic.”
“I am so lucky.” Reno pressed his nose against Luka’s cheek. “I get to spend time with you.”
Luka bit back his reply, not wanting to comment on how little time they would have together. He turned his head instead, finding Reno’s lips soft against his and pressed against them. He felt Reno sigh, felt him part his lips ever so slightly as they connected, felt the way his body melted against Luka’s with a low hum in his chest.
He smelled like the trees. He tasted like strawberry chapstick. He felt so soft and warm when Luka brought his hand to Reno’s cheek to caress it.
