i’m getting my septum pierced because it’s something i’ve been wanting for a long time and i’ve now had two co workers groan and complain that im getting it done because i’m “too pretty” and am going to ruin my face 🙂
A/N: well...this was unexpected!!! i've been wanting to write for luke for months now, and who knew all it took was a simple rewatch of the first season 🤣 i've been in such a writing slump so this may not be my best work, but it's something 🫶🏻
summary: with luke staying at the inn, he decides to keep you company amidst a thunderstorm
word count: ~2.3k
“Hi, welcome to the Dragonfly Inn. How can I help you?” You greet the broad-shouldered man who just entered the inn. Taking in his features, you take note of the very casual and laid-back look, a backwards baseball cap on his head, an army green jacket covering his body over a grey shirt. It looks a little…thrown together, but on him, it looks quite attractive.
Instead of him saying anything, he just stops and stares at you in confusion, almost silently asking who the hell you are with his eyes. Awkwardly, you shuffle your feet, feeling a little insecure under his gaze.
“Uh, sorry. Is Lorelai here? I’m supposed to meet up with her for dinner.”
“She stepped out for a moment to take care of some business, but she shouldn’t be too long. I can show you to a table if you’d like to wait for her.”
“No, no, that’s alright. I’ll just, wait in my car.” With that, he dashes out, not even giving you a moment to ask his name or how he knows your boss.
It’s been a difficult time for you, adjusting to your new life in Stars Hollow, and you’ve come to realize everyone knows everyone. You’re the outsider who doesn’t know a single person aside from Lorelai and Sookie, but that’s because you see them everyday. It’s not been easy making new friends, so you’re grateful for them.
Not long after, Lorelai and the mystery man stroll inside, the tall woman giving you a friendly greeting before stepping into the dining area. It’s full of current bed and breakfast guests, so you obviously don’t hear what their conversation is about.
You continue to do your job, placing orders for new sheets and soaps, as well as taking reservations over the phone here and there for future dates. About twenty minutes pass before Lorelai and mystery man appear again, still chatting away as they step towards the door.
“(Y/N), you’re working overnight, right?” Lorelai turns toward you, quirking an eyebrow up.
“Yes, I’ll be here until six in the morning.”
“Great. Luke will be back to check in a couple hours from now, give him room fifteen, I will clean it up now and it should be ready by the time he gets here.”
“Sounds good.” You look down at the computer in front of you and type away in the reservation slot, booking out the room she requested and typing a few details, including his name that you now know.
They part ways and Lorelai walks back over to the desk, grabbing the key to the room on the hooks behind you.
“A friend?” You question in a teasing manner. She rolls her eyes and nudges you with her arm, playing along with the lighthearted nature of the conversation.
“Oh yes. We actually once had a beautiful love story of miscommunication but on account of my mother meddling and me being unable to commit, we never worked out.”
“Sounds like a wonderful idea for a romance book,” you joke.
“You and your books. Ugh. If only they were more realistic. Anyway, he’s staying for a few days since his nephew broke the wall in his place and busted the pipes, so he has no running water or heat. It’s supposed to get cold tonight with the storm rolling in, so I offered him some time here.”
“I forgot about the storms tonight. The power doesn’t usually go out, does it? I don’t feel like dealing with ten angry guests.”
“No, no. We upgraded when we renovated, so everything is new and improved, you should be fine. If it does, you know the drill.”
“Yep. Thanks Lorelai. Have fun on your date tonight.”
A couple hours pass, the sun has long since set and the wind was beginning to pick up outside, blowing around brown and yellow leaves that have changed with the coming of fall all over the place. Just as a thunderous BOOM shakes the inn, the door flies open and in stumbles Luke, a duffle bag at his side.
“Hi, Luke, right?” You greet him warmly this time. He nods and steps closer to you, leaning his large hands on the desk that separates you.
“Yes, and your name was…(Y/N), right?”
“That’s me. Well, like Lorelai said, you’ll be in room fifteen, the second to last room on the left upstairs, a beautiful view of Stars Hollow, though not much of a view tonight with everyone sheltering in place. If we happen to lose power, come down to the dining area or here, we will have refreshments and activities if you are interested. Call down if you need anything, extra towels, more soap, extra pillows, you name it, we have it. Enjoy your stay, Luke.”
He takes the key from where it dangles in your hand, but before he heads up the stairs, he pauses and turns back to you.
“Have you recently moved here? I can’t say that I’ve seen you around?”
“I did. Only two months ago, I’ve been working here for a month. I haven’t had much time to mingle with everyone that lives here yet, but everyone I’ve met so far is super lovely.”
“I’m surprised Lorelai hasn’t turned you into a coffee addict by bringing you coffee from the diner.”
“The diner? Is that the place across from the gazebo?”
“Yeah, uh, Luke’s Diner. I own it, you know, Luke, me,” he awkwardly gestures to himself.
“Right, right, that makes sense now. Well, I’ll have to stop by sometime and try it.” Luke’s entire face lights up with excitement.
“Yeah! Yeah, please do. We serve the entire menu all day, so if you’re ever in the mood for pancakes for dinner, you know where to find me.”
“That’s my favorite kind of dinner! How’d you know?” You laugh softly and Luke is just staring at you, mesmerized, once again. “Well, I’ll let you get settled in. Once again, enjoy your stay.”
With that, Luke heads up the stairs and you get to checking in another guest that arrived just as he disappeared onto the second level. You go through the same spiel, handing them the key and showing them their room down the hall on the first floor.
Not long after, you find yourself alone once again, picking up the book you are currently in the middle of, the breeze flowing through the open window brushing against the thick cream-colored curtains and bringing in the scent of incoming rain. It’s only a matter of time before it’s a downpour and you are hoping that all goes well with the power.
Thankfully, as the storm whips the surrounding trees everywhere, sending leaves and even small branches flying across the front lawn and garden area, the power is still going strong, not even a single flicker flashing.
Closing your book when you land on a new chapter, you stand and stride over to the open window and take a seat in one of the chairs just next to it, the sound of rain hitting the ground and wooden structure of the inn filling your ears. Lightning flashes across the cloudy sky, followed by loud, wall-shaking thunder.
“Taking in the storm?” A voice sounds from in front of you. Startled, you turn to come face to face with Luke, standing there in a simple blue flannel, completely unbuttoned to expose a comfortable grey shirt beneath, a pair of black sweats adorning his lower half to complete the cozy look.
He lets out a light chuckle and drops into the chair beside you.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Do you need anything? Is the power out in the rooms?”
“No, everything is fine, I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to things like this. But I…I wanted to see you.” You are stunned silent. The soft look in his eyes tells you that he isn’t saying everything he wants to say, but you won’t push him to do that. Just yet.
“See me?” Your question comes out beyond confused.
“I mean, you’re sitting here not doing anything, no duties to take care of as if right now, I figured you could use some company. Especially with the way this storm is getting worse.”
“Aww, were you scared?” You tease him. His cheeks turn pink and he stares down at his hands, a grin tugging at his lips.
“I don’t get scared of storms, but it doesn’t hurt to have some company. You know, pass the time, count the time between claps of thunder, that fun stuff.” You nod along and stare out the window beside you. You didn’t see an issue with chatting with him, it was likely no one was going to stop in this kind of weather, even if they desperately needed a place to stay for the night, so you give in to Luke’s offer.
So, as the storm continues to wreak havoc on Stars Hollow, you and Luke get to know each other better. From telling him your life story and him opening up a little about his, specifically with the diner, to him telling you the history of Stars Hollow and who to look out for and giving you an insight on the town’s gossip over the years.
Before you know it, two hours has passed, the storm has calmed significantly for now and is just raining ever so lightly, and you and Luke have moved to sit on the floor, with your backs against the desk, throwing pieces of balled up paper across to the room to try and sink them into the mug sitting just far enough away for it to be a challenge, but not impossible.
Your giggle and his deep chuckle fill the otherwise quiet room, doing your best to keep it down, seeing as people are most likely sleeping just down the hall. Thankfully, the rain on the roof is doing a great job of muffling that.
“See! I told you you could do it,” you quietly cheer when he finally gets one shot in the empty mug. He shakes his head with a light grin, balling up another piece of paper to attempt another shot.
“Says the one who has sunk like ten balls. Do you practice this in your free time?”
“Late at night there’s not much t-”
The door opening cuts you off, and in steps Lorelai, still dressed in the nice dress she wore on her date, her clutch tucked tightly in her hands, shaking her umbrella outside and setting it in the basket next to the door.
“Oh, hi Lorelai,” you stand up from your spot, dusting your dress pants off and stumbling over to pick up the lone mug and the many pieces of paper surrounding it. She gives you two a strange look, but doesn’t question it anymore. “How was your date?”
“Has the power gone out yet?” She asks, ignoring your question.
“No, not at all. Haven’t had any phone calls from anyone and Luke was keeping me company, welcoming me to the town and everything.” She seems unpased by the fact that you two were chatting, reaching for a stack of papers under the desk and turning towards you.
“Great. I’ll be in the office if you need anything.” She turns and disappears into the hall where the office is, once again leaving you and Luke alone in the slightly colder and noiseless entry room. The rain has died down quite a lot, although according to the meteorologists, there is another cell supposed to be hitting around one in the morning. That gives the ground a couple hours to soak up the water that’s been poured heavily over it.
“Um, I should let you get back to your room, you probably want to get some rest,” you say to him, heading to sit behind the desk once again, an awkward silence hanging around the two of you. He nods and shoves his hands into the pockets of his sweats.
“Yeah. I uh, I really enjoyed talking with you, and I hope that Stars Hollow continues to treat you well. If you ever need help with anything, just stop by the diner,” he offers. You smile over at him and it’s your turn to nod.
Before Luke can travel up the stairs, he stops in his tracks and turns back towards you.
“Would you maybe, I don’t know…what to grab some dinner sometime? Together, obviously?” He asks you, his voice straining just a touch, like he was beyond nervous to ask.
“At the diner?” You joke, though come to find that probably wasn’t the best choice, with the way his shoulders tense up a bit and how quick he is to shoot down that idea.
“No, no, it would be somewhere nicer. A lot nicer than the diner. Uh, if you have any preferences or dietary restrictions, I can factor that in, but there’s lots of places not too far in the city that we could go to. I uh, I would never ask you on a first date to my diner, that’s…”
“Luke, I was teasing. I’d love to go to dinner with you. I don’t have any preference, we can go to someplace nice or just a bar and grill with greasy food. I’m okay with anything. But yes, I’d really like that.” He instantly relaxes and a smile tugs at his tired expression.
“Great. Well, we can exchange numbers and work out the details later.”
“Yeah, absolutely.”
After exchanging numbers and a bit more light conversation, Luke finally decides to turn in, but not before pressing the softest and lightest kiss to your cheek. Slowly, he ascends the stairs and unlocks his room before stepping in. Upon hearing the click of his door shut and the unmistakable lock, you take a moment to sit and take in all of the events that happened in just the last few hours.
Luke and his beefy build, his simple yet super charming style, his cologne that is so deeply embedded in the threads of his flannel, it’s intoxicating even being slightly near him, plus the way he seemed so nervous yet confident around you, it was truly sexy.
Maybe Stars Hollow wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
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