Chapter 11 ✔️

2 months later...

Chris strolls out of the lecture hall with a bored expression on his face. He flicks his head; his dark blond hair had just gotten long enough to become a nuisance around his eyes. He shrugs his right shoulder, forcing his rucksack higher up. But, before it manages to settle, the weight is lifted entirely.

"Wha-?" He starts, and is shocked to meet Luke's dark brown eyes, "Oh."

"Is that all the greeting I get? Oh?" Luke says with an amused smile, then he swings the bag onto his shoulder, and tucks a hand into his pocket, "No 'hello, Luke, you look incredible today, sun to my moon, light of my life'?"

Chris scowls, looking straight ahead, "You're lucky to even get that, jerk."

"Don't be like that, love. I wanted to ask you if you were free for coffee."

Chris whips his head around to look at Luke, who's looking forward with a smug expression, "Why?"

"Is... Is that not normal? Don't friends do that anymore?" Luke says, looking genuinely perplexed for once.

"I-It is... It's just random is all." Chris frowns, starting to walk, expecting Luke to follow him, "Don't tell me you were waiting out here for me to finish my class?"

Luke shrugs, "Okay. I won't."

That earns a glare from the blue-eyed man, who scoffs and heads towards the small café he frequents with his best friend. When he walks inside, the employee at the counter, a short girl with dark green hair and a nose piercing, smiles familiarly at him, and greets him with a quiet, "Hey, Chris."

Chris just waves back politely and makes a beeline for his favourite spot in the corner of the shop. It's a little nook, home to a small table and a bench pushed flush against the wall with cushions laid on it for comfort. Without any thought, he sits down in the quaint little spot, and drops his bag unceremoniously beside to him.

Across from him, is beautifully upholstered armchair, which Luke is happy to settle down onto, looking just as regal as he always does.

"You seem to know your way around the place," The blond comments with a small smirk, then he leans forward to rest his chin on his slender hand, and looks into Chris's eyes as he says playfully, "How many of your boys do you bring here?"

"Boys?"

"Mhm. How else would you explain your familiarity with the staff?" Luke winks teasingly.

"Um... A coffee addiction?" Chris laughs flatly, swatting at Luke's hand, causing the older man's head to jerk.

"I dunno... I think I like the image I have of you in my head." The brit grins, shrugging off his jacket.

"Oh yeah?" Chris starts, holding up two fingers, signalling to the waitress that he wants two of his usual, "And what's that?"

"I think you're secretly a babe magnet. I reckon you've got suitors lining the doors." Luke stretches, leaning back in the chair, "This innocent schtick is just an act."

"Yeah," The younger scoffs, "All the older guys in my class were just dying to be with the freakishly smart seventeen-year-old."

"When you put it like that, it's creepy."

"It's always creepy."

"I was imagining teenagers handing you flowers and love notes, not leary old men rubbing up on you. Now it just feels dirty." Luke frowns, nodding in thanks to the green haired waitress who sets their drinks down on the table before them.

"That sounds like a you problem." Chris jokes, then takes a sip of his hot drink, "Anyway, your fantasy couldn't be more wrong. I've never been sent a love note of any kind."

"Really? No confessions of undying devotion? No big romantic gestures?"

"Absolutely not!" The younger man laughs, setting the cup down, "What would anyone want with a kid like me?"

"I wouldn't exactly call you a kid." Luke's head tilts, "Well, legally, yes. But you say that like you're a ten-year-old on bring your child to work day. You might be too young for certain ages, romantically, but you're still worthy of respect, Chris. You're mature, and intelligent. Don't let anyone treat you like you're lesser."

Chris stares at Luke. This is the most sincere he's every sounded while speaking to the younger man. There are only a couple of years between them, but, with the jokes and teasing, Chris has always felt like Luke was miles ahead of him, not just in age, but in maturity. But right now, Luke looks at Chris like he's a real adult. Like he really respects and values him. Suddenly his feelings for his elder don't feel like some high school crush, but like a genuine love connection.

"But..." Chris starts, looking down into his coffee cup, "What would that certain age be... If you were putting a number on it?"

Luke's thin lips curve into a knowing smile, but he feigns ignorance, though it's not necessary, "Why d'you wanna know? Planning on getting a sugar daddy?"

The blue-eyed boy huffs and rolls his eyes, "Gross, shut up." He glances away, "Don't worry about it."

The other boy laughs brightly, taking another sip of his drink, but staying obediently silent.

"I wanna throw a party." Chris announces after a few moments of peace and quiet, which is rare considering he's in the company of the world's greatest shit-stirrer.

"Now?" Luke asks with a raised eyebrow, "I know you're a child genius and all that, but throwing a party in the middle of our finals is surely taking the piss?"

"Do I look like a fucking idiot?" Chris responds. His words are vicious, but his tone and face take all of the weight off of them, "Obviously, I mean after."

"For what reason though?" The older man asks, cocking his head, "A celebration?"

"Exactly." Comes the reply, "Everyone seems so on edge this year. Especially Harvey. I want him to take the load off."

Luke stares at Chris intently, analysing the movement of his face.

"You're lying."

"What? What do I have to lie about? How can you tell?" Chris splutters, looking anywhere but Luke's intense brown eyes.

"Harvey is fine. If you gave me that excuse a year ago, I would've have believed it," Luke explains, "But ever since he met Jefferson, he's been calmer than ever."

"Oh... I suppose you're right."

"I'm definitely right." He smirks, "D'you know, the other day, before an exam, I asked him why he wasn't studying and he said, and I quote, 'I've studied all that I can. It's out of my hands now.'"

"What?!" Chris says, dumbfounded, "That's so unlike him. Normally he's got a textbook in his hands as he's walking into an exam."

"Exactly." Luke nods with wide eyes, "Which is why I know you're lying. So, tell me, Christopher, what are you planning?"

"It's Chris." The younger mumbles and avoids the gaze of his companion. It proves too difficult, as he can feel dark eyes peering into his head, "It's just... Jefferson'll be in town again, okay?!"

"Oh..." The taller boy says, that adopts a devious expression, "Oh. Isn't that something..."

"I was thinking of inviting him." Chris says tentatively, then looks up at Luke with mischevious blue eyes.

"You know, little boy blue," Luke says, reaching across the table to sink his fingers into Chris mess of dirty blond hair and ruffles the strands, "Every day you find new ways to remind me of your genius."