Rekindled

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

Title: Rekindled
Author: noelleleithe
Rating: PG-13
Pairing/Characters: Luke/Noah
Warnings: Future!fic (but not too distant), very minor spoilers
Word count: ~715
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything here except my own words. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's notes: Written for schmoop_bingo, prompt: candlelight sex. Unbetaed.

~~~~

Luke stopped just inside the door and snickered. "Seriously?"

Noah wrapped his arms around Luke's waist from behind, resting his chin on Luke's shoulder, his heat seeping into Luke's body. "What, too much?"

"Well," Luke said, turning his head slowly as he surveyed the scene in front of him in wonder. "Not as long as you turned off the smoke detectors."

Every flat surface in the bedroom--their bedroom, as of tonight, their first in the new apartment a scant mile from the beach that they'd found together--was covered with candles. Short, tall, thick, narrow, in holders of all types, they filled the room with flickering light, rich scent, and a thin haze of smoke. Luke's first thought, crazily, was that he had no idea how Noah had managed to light them all without setting himself on fire.

Then Noah's lips were brushing along the side of Luke's neck, sending sparks along his nerve endings, and Luke didn't think any more. "Yeah, I know," Noah said with a low laugh. "I got a little carried away. I wanted candlelight and rose petals, but I thought that might be too much. Then I went overboard with the candles anyway."

Luke turned in Noah's arms, smiling up at him, hands reaching to tangle into his hair. "You're such a romantic," he said, trying for a teasing tone, the emotion in his voice spoiling the effect completely.

Noah tipped his head down until the tips of their noses brushed. "Yeah," he admitted, unrepentant. "And you love it."

Luke didn't need to answer. He kissed Noah instead, pulling him closer, pulling them both toward the bed. He undressed Noah, watching as he bared each inch of Noah's smooth skin, lightly tanned from his months the California sunshine, setting it shimmering in the light from the dozens of tiny flames surrounding them. Noah undressed him, his every touch searing Luke's skin, branding Noah onto his body, into his heart, and Luke began to burn from the inside out.

They made love slowly, gently, so different from the feverish explosions of desire since their reunion but no less satisfying. When Luke took Noah inside, rocking his hips up to meet Noah's deep thrusts, he whispered Noah's name, locking their gazes together, seeing the reflections of candlelight and love blazing in Noah's eyes. Noah's soft moans, his reverent touch, drove Luke to the edge, igniting an orgasm so electrifying he wondered if he'd leave more than ashes behind.

After, body buzzing, mind floating, Luke curled into Noah's side. "I think I'm glowing," he murmured, smiling as Noah's chest shook from gentle laughter.

"You always do," Noah replied, matter of fact, wrapping arms tight, kissing Luke's forehead. "You shine like you create your own light. It's why everyone loves you so much."

Luke had to blink back a sheen of tears. How was it that Noah could always do that to him? How did this man melt Luke's defenses every time? And how had Luke ever resisted him at all?

He tilted his head to kiss Noah's shoulder, tasting sweat and Noah. "I love you," he said, hand settling into the center of Noah's chest, where Noah's hand came to rest over it.

"I know," Noah said. "I love you, too."

Luke wasn't sure which of them needed to hear it more.

They were silent for long moments, long enough for Luke's mind to start sinking toward sleep, when Noah shifted, his voice rumbling in his chest under Luke's ear.

"You know, I don't think I thought this through enough," he said, his tone contemplative.

"Mmmm?" Luke was too comfortable to move, or form words.

"Yeah." Noah sighed. "One of us had to get up and put out all those candles before we fall asleep."

Luke snickered again, just like he'd done when he first saw the candles. "Sorry, Bonfire Boy," he said, settling further into the mattress. "This is your party."

Noah sighed again. "Next time I try to be romantic? Tell me to stick with candlelight at dinner."

Luke grinned as Noah pushed off the bed. "Hurry back, dear," he teased, curling his arms around Noah's pillow. "I'll keep your spot warm."

He heard the grumbling obscenity Noah threw over his shoulder at him, and he laughed again, basking in happiness and love.