It Started With: I Don't Love You Anymore

It's a Date Between Friends

Back in the apartment, Luther took a shower and afterwards laid himself flat on his futon. He couldn't get comfortable though. Mel twisted his back and he felt like some kind of muscle had been pulled. Upon exiting the shower himself, Nick noticed Luther absentmindedly scrolling through things on his phone. He sat down next to Luther, "Can't sleep?"

"Nah, I'll take a sleeping pill or pain killer or something. Mel's a menace. I don't know how Paxon deals with him." Luther put his phone down and groaned. "I don't even want to move...can you bring me something to get me to sleep?"

"Of course, your majesty." Nick teased him but stood up to fetch medicine none-the-less.

Luther complained. "Don't mock me, I make you dinner every day—I even pack you lunches, sometimes."

"I know. I'm kidding." Nick handed Luther a glass of water. "Before taking medicine, let me fix your back at least. It's probably an easy fix. Trust me."

"I don't want you touching me." Luther sat up and looked the other way. "What am I supposed to do if I like it—you do realize this is the longest streak I've ever had without a girlfriend? I haven't even LOOKED for a girlfriend. If I start saying I'm at home where you are things'll get out of hand. I don't want to be gay."

Nick held up his hands. "You don't have to be gay to enjoy a massage." He laughed. "It's not like I've got to strip you or something. I'm just going to find the problem spot. You'll be set."

"I kissed you earlier. Accident or not—it's not like I tried not to. I don't want to like you more than I already do. Because I DO like you. Well, I like being with you. I mean I get along with you, you don't make me angry, or I should say, you make me feel at peace. Just—anyways, I'm not about to cross that line to find rejection on the other side."

Nick nodded slowly. "Well...alright then. If you change your mind, just let me know. Here's some pain killers. Mo and Rean are taking us to hang out tomorrow so try to avoid sleeping pills if you want time to get ready in the morning." He smiled and handed Luther a bottle of pain killers. "Just one thing—

"What?" Luther winced as Nick pinched his shoulder. "Hey!" He was more startled by the sudden touch than by what actually happened. The tight knot that had been plaguing his back suddenly felt relieved—as if someone had pressed a button to turn off the pain. "Oh...hey...how, how did you do that? What'd you do?" Luther felt his own back, wondering if there was a press here sticker on his shoulder blade. "No way, are you a wizard or something?"

Nick laughed. "No! Not at all! I told you I could fix it easy." He waved his hand. "Well, goodnight then."

"G-goodnight...?" Luther still couldn't believe Nick managed to heal him in one touch. He whispered to himself, "Fuck me...I already crossed the line." Even without the pain Luther found himself unable to sleep. He finally managed to get about a collective hour's worth of shut-eye before he convinced himself it was pointless and to just get ready for the day as the sun rose in the sky.

Nick woke up a couple hours after Luther had watched the news, drank some coffee, gotten dressed, and ready for the day. "What time is it...?" Nick sat next to Luther on the couch and yawned. "You're so...early today..." his messy hair and disheveled pajamas made him look like he didn't ever leave his room.

"It's six. I didn't think you'd be up for another hour or two. Was I too loud?" Luther felt bad he had decided to get ready so early.

Nick shook his head. "No, I sleep through a lot. Only six though...?" He ran his fingers through his hair. "Maybe I'll go back to bed for another hour..."