Kindred Spirits

XIX

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Lukas' room, casting a warm, golden hue across the hardwood floor. The light crept up the bed, slowly coaxing Lukas from sleep. He stirred, blinking groggily as he tried to shake off the remnants of a dream that had left him feeling both restless and content.

For a moment, he lay still, letting the events of the past few days wash over him. The conversation with his father, the first kiss with Liam—everything felt surreal, like a dream he was afraid to wake up from. But the reality of it all was beginning to settle in, and with it, a sense of calm.

Lukas reached for his phone on the nightstand, checking the time. It was still early, and the house was quiet. He knew his mother was probably already up, likely in her office, preparing for another busy day of work. His mother was nothing if not dedicated, a trait Lukas admired but also resented at times. Her career had always come first, and while it had afforded them a life of luxury, it had also meant countless nights of eating dinner alone, of feeling like he was second to her patients.

But things had been different lately. Since the move, since the fallout with his father, Lukas had noticed a change in his mother. She was trying harder, making more of an effort to be present in his life. And Lukas, despite everything, found himself craving that connection.

As he pushed the covers aside and sat up, Lukas resolved to talk to his mom today. They needed to discuss the phone call with his father, but more than that, he wanted to let her in, to share what was happening with Liam. He knew she would understand, or at least try to.

Lukas got dressed quickly, pulling on a simple t-shirt and jeans, and made his way downstairs. The smell of coffee greeted him as he entered the kitchen, and sure enough, there was Eden, sitting at the counter with a mug in hand, her laptop open in front of her.

"Morning, Mom," Lukas greeted her, trying to sound casual as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

Eden looked up, a smile softening her features. "Good morning, sweetheart. You're up early."

"Yeah, couldn't sleep much," Lukas admitted, taking a sip of his coffee before joining her at the counter. "I've been thinking a lot... about stuff."

Eden's smile faded slightly, concern flickering in her eyes. "I figured as much. After everything with your dad... I'm so sorry, Lukas. I know how hard this is for you."

Lukas nodded, appreciating her empathy. "It's been rough, but I think... I think I'm ready to talk about it. With you, I mean."

Eden closed her laptop, giving him her full attention. "I'm here, Lukas. Whatever you want to talk about, I'm listening."

Lukas took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "It's not just about Dad, though that's part of it. It's about... everything. This whole move, starting over, trying to figure out who I am now. And then there's Liam."

"Liam?" Eden repeated, her eyebrows raising slightly in curiosity.

"Yeah, Liam." Lukas hesitated, but then decided to just go for it. "We've gotten really close lately. Like, really close. And I think... no, I know I have feelings for him. Strong feelings."

Eden's expression softened further, a gentle understanding in her gaze. "Lukas, that's nothing to be ashamed of. If you have feelings for Liam, then that's okay. More than okay, really. I've always wanted you to find someone who makes you happy."

Lukas felt a weight lift off his shoulders at her words. "It's just... it's all so new, and there's so much going on. I don't want to mess this up, Mom. And then there's Dad... I don't even know how he'd react if he knew."

Eden reached across the counter, taking his hand in hers. "Your father... well, that's something we'll have to navigate together. But right now, I want you to focus on what makes you happy. If Liam is that person, then hold onto that. Don't let the fear of what might happen with your dad take that away from you."

Lukas nodded, feeling a swell of emotion in his chest. "Thanks, Mom. I'm really glad we talked about this."

Eden smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "Me too, Lukas. And if you ever need to talk about anything—Liam, your dad, anything at all—I'm here. I mean that."

Lukas felt a warmth spread through him, grateful for his mother's support. They had their differences, and there were still things to work through, but in that moment, he felt closer to her than he had in a long time.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Lukas spent most of it in his room, trying to focus on his schoolwork, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Liam. They had texted briefly in the morning, just a few messages to check in on each other, but Lukas found himself itching to see him in person, to talk about everything that had happened the night before.

As evening approached, Lukas decided to head over to Liam's house. He needed to see him, to feel the comfort of his presence. He grabbed his jacket and phone, sending Liam a quick text to let him know he was on his way.

When he arrived, Liam was waiting for him at the door, a soft smile on his face. "Hey, you," Liam greeted, pulling Lukas into a quick hug. "I was just thinking about you."

"Same here," Lukas replied, feeling a little more at ease now that he was with Liam. "Can we talk? There's... a lot on my mind."

Liam nodded, leading him inside. "Of course. Let's go up to my room."

Once they were settled in Liam's room, Lukas took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I talked to my mom today," he began, his voice a little shaky. "About everything. My dad, us... and she was really supportive. It meant a lot."

Liam's eyes softened with understanding. "I'm glad. You needed that, Lukas. It's good that you have her in your corner."

Lukas nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands. "Yeah, it is. But I'm still scared, Liam. About what happens next, about how my dad will react if he finds out about us. It's all so overwhelming."

Liam reached out, taking Lukas' hand in his. "We'll figure it out together, okay? You don't have to go through this alone. Whatever happens, I'm here for you."

Lukas looked up, meeting Liam's gaze. He saw the sincerity in Liam's eyes, the unwavering support, and it made him feel a little braver, a little more confident. "I know. And I want to be here for you too. I just... I want us to be okay, no matter what happens."

Liam smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Lukas' lips. It was a simple gesture, but it held so much meaning—reassurance, affection, and a promise of more to come. "We will be," Liam murmured against his lips. "As long as we're together, we'll be okay."

Lukas smiled into the kiss, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, that there would be challenges and difficult conversations to come, but with Liam by his side, he felt ready to face whatever came their way.

As they sat together, their hands intertwined, Lukas realized that for the first time in a long time, he wasn't just surviving—he was starting to live. And that made all the difference.