#lukehusher

[anedendarkly]

"Oh... Sure." Luke glanced between the two of them. "Excuse me, then. Good night, Fletcher." A final look before he moved back Aidan and disappeared into the house.

Aidan gave him a confused look. "Why are you walking backwards?" Is he scared or something? "Want a drink? I've got a bottle of whiskey open." The discomfort wasn't felt by him. He's a bystander, after all. He's Switzerland. "Or I'll jus' take two minutes of your time."

His steps had been away from the angel, but Aidan could interpret as he liked. He had no intention of going into that house, though. Obvious enough when he didn't make a move up the driveway.

"Two minutes? Ya can have three of my time, my man." And he gestured out to the sidewalk. By all means, they could have a conversation out in the open.

[anedendarkly]

Aidan received a little chime on his phone - a notification from his front door camera to signal that there was movement outside.

Luke stood smaller than Fletcher in his form, looking up at him with hesitation. He was torn. Should he invite him in? It would be the polite thing. It's always what Luke wanted to do. Lips parted but no decision of what to say had been made. Instead, Fletcher would get... half of what he hoped for.

The door opened and Aidan made himself known. He hadn't seen Fletcher since they'd returned. Arms folded and he leaned against the frame.

"Everythin' alright, Luke?" Ah- Light. Aidan just couldn't get the hang of that.

Luke hadn't noticed him until hearing his name. "Oh, I'm fine, thank you."

"Mind if I have a word with Fletcher alone?" An eyebrow raised at Fletcher, wondering if he minded more than Luke.

If Fletcher was elated, it would probably be lost on the other two - maybe not an angel, but there was no visible delight in Aidan's presence. Certainly hopeful, seeing that man standing in the door frame. Maybe he would get what he wanted after all.

Luke's pending invitation would have been a waste of words, anyway. Their interruption was for the best.

The Samsa said nothing, only raised his hands, palms inward, and took a step back, and then another.

"Long time no see, handsome."

[anedendarkly]

It wasn't intentional. Luke hadn't understood the question, the implication. If he had, he would have practically recoiled. Fletcher would have earned himself quite the astonished look. He had never once thought of Aidan as anything other than an older brother.

On a normal night Aidan was awake until the clock returned the single digits. On a night when Luke was out? He ensured to stay awake downstairs. Angel or not, he felt Luke was essentially in his care, and wouldn't be able to rest until he was sure he was home safely.

So, the downstairs light is on when the house comes into view. It makes Luke exhale, shaking his head. "He should have just gone to sleep..."

The light gave Fletcher pause, but only briefly. If Aidan wanted to kick his ass, that was on him, and certainly wouldn't return home unscathed. In fact, a part of him hoped the front door would bust open, shouts from within and fists ready. Lord knows he deserves a fucking beating.

"He's doin' what he's supposed to," he muttered. "So... ya go on n'have a good night, now."

[anedendarkly]

"Make him happy? What do you mean by that? My powers are limited to calming and trusting, I can't sway anyone to be happy. I wouldn't want to, either."

Luke wouldn't push any further on the topic of Fletcher's living situation. His avoidance of the question was clear enough. Loud silence, as they say.

He refused to believe this was Luke being naïve. This was dancing around what he meant on fucking tapdancing shoes. Quietly infuriating was putting it mildly. Was it his place to say anything? Absolutely not. Was his irritation highlighted by their history? Absolutely.

At least Aidan's house wasn't much further. Maybe the old reaper would be asleep - doubtful. He didn't keep tabs on any of the Archers anymore.

[anedendarkly]

"We both wanted a simple and peaceful life, didn't we?" He had never felt uncertain about that.

Luke shook his head, having to skip a bit to catch up with Fletcher. This feminine body wasn't as tall, strides took more effort. "I think he's just not happy." Oh. "I was asking about her, specifically."

"Sure." Some part of him, arguably most of him, did want peace. Living day after day watching person after person, waiting for that one word, Pentex. Waiting for those black vans and black suits. As founded as his paranoia was, it was suffocating him slowly.

"He probably ain't," Fletcher shrugged. "Ya could, ya know, make him happy, maybe. He's got a literal angel in his life. Should fuckin' help."

He was just going to ignore the last statement.

[anedendarkly]

"I don't think that's true. Didn't we both see our futures in similar ways?" Meaning, didn't we see a future together? "I think we could always laugh together, too. Aidan doesn't really... joke or laugh. Ever." That made him smile a little. No offense meant, of course.

A deflection, but it made Luke softly laugh as he walked. "All women are different, aren't they?"

"Did we?" Wanting to be together wasn't the same as having similar goals, ambitions, and needs. Maybe he had always felt what he felt now, turning his back on his beliefs for naiveté. For that childish dream of everlasting love. Childish for someone like him.

"Sounds like a guy that's got his head on straight." As far as women, he shrugged. "Sure. But ya asked."

[anedendarkly]

It was like finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Whether the question was asked because Fletcher felt awkward or because it was genuine, Luke would still see it was better than nothing.

"Aidan is really accommodating. He tries hard to make me feel at home. He's always been like that - it's almost... too selfless." And no, that doesn't remind Luke of anyone. "I never had siblings, so it's nice to feel like I have a brother, even if we don't really have that much in common. How... about you? Is it the way you thought it would be?"

"We didn't have anything in common," Fletcher muttered. Sounded like Aidan would have made a better romantic companion, if not for that familial comment. That was exactly what he had been looking for.

"What, bein' with a woman? She ain't my first." Call it what it was, a deflection. Perhaps even another lock on that barrier between them for his sanity. Either way, he still glanced back at the angel when crossing the street.

[anedendarkly]

"I see."

Arms fold around their small frame, hugging as much as warming. What could be said? Was it worth trying to ask anything, trying to continue the conversation? Was this a bad idea entirely, only causing them more pain? Perhaps it was better to just be silent.

Silence would follow for several blocks. Just one neighborhood to go, and Fletcher finally glanced back. Stared at the ground where it was safe. Words just on the tip of his tongue. Might as well make another mistake tonight.

"Aidan treat ya right?"