Friends before Lovers {NUKE fanfic}_@Mintgal2

11

Nick
I sat around the unlit fire, the afternoon setting in on us. The door to the pen was open on free vacant. I was supposed to be 'relaxing' until the others joined me, but I was far from that. I had complained about having a small amount of work, but it seemed like I took that for granted. Carver out me on hammering an outpost out the back, something for them to look out to when the herd came, which I had heard from Tavia talking to someone on the radio. I knew the herd would affect us in some way, little or large. But I knew we were stuck here. There really was no escaping a second time. Carlos walked in, he too looking exhausted.
"Nick.." He hissed as he got closer. I lifted my head.
"What is it?" I asked, and Carlos sat down beside me.
"Luke pulled me in just now, and he and Clementine have some plan to get a radio, so he can keep an eye on the herd." Carlos said, and I sat up.
"Luke? Luke's here?" I questioned. "Where?"
"The old comic store, near that half built outpost. He snuck in last night." Carlos raised his eyebrows. "Do you think you could tell Rebecca when she came back to her shift?"
"Hell yeah." I said. I was...happy Luke was here. But...not like that. He was my friend, and I was lucky to have him come back. That doesn't happen to a lot of people these days. Well...neither does your best friend kiss you, but that's different. I knew he didn't mean that at all. "Look, do I think I could go down and see him?"
Carlos looked around. "You were working there?"
I nodded,
"Then you can go down to work, and just drop in. But quickly, okay? And be back on time." Carlos said. "Go."
I stood up,and walked to the gate. I leaned in, and saw Troy leaning near the door, rifle in hand.
"What the fuck are you doing?" He snapped, and I stood back.
"I have to get back on my shift." I said, but Troy looked unconvinced. "Kenny and I are building that outpost."
"Okay." Troy raised an eyebrow. "Don't fucking stray, out there. Lurkers will come and rip into ya, and I'll have the audacity to laugh my head off."
I nodded, and walked past him.
"Fucking tard." I muttered underneath my breath, and went along the side. Tavia walked into me.
"What are you doing?" She asked. "I thought I told you to take a break."
"Well, yeah, but my friend is out working here, and we'll...I just gotta work." I lied. Kenny was no friend to me.
"Okay." She said, and scoffed. "Just letting you know, Lao is watching out. Better not fuck up in front of him. Or anyone for that matter."
I nodded, and she turned around and walked away.
I stepped outside, and was now in the thin stretched alleyway on the edge of the perimeter. I walked down, and could definitely feel the afternoon breeze through the walls. I looked up, and saw Lao walk away from the edge. I looked down at the comic store, and opened the door.
I peeked in, and saw no one. I walked in, shutting the door cautiously. I looked around.
"Luke.. ?" I asked, and heard shuffling at one corner. I turned around, and saw Luke, who immersed from the old counter.
"Nick?" He laughed. "Surprised you didn't get yourself killed."
"Surprised your not dead." I said, and smirked. "Carlos told me you were here."
"He did? Okay, so I guess you heard about the plan." Luke said, and I saw a nervous jerk in his facial expression.
"This might sound weird, but...I didn't come here to talk about the plan." I said, and swallowed. Luke lifted his chin.
"Nick, about what happened--"
"I get it. You were trying to make me stay, and not get myself killed." I said. "Right?"
"Right, right. That's-- right." Luke nodded, and turned around. "Now, about the plan--"
"Luke." I said, and he turned around to face me. "I just--"
I stayed silent. Luke took a deep breath.
"I-I'm sorry. If that just confused you." Luke apologised. "I never got a chance to explain myself after it happened. You just..you left."
I walked closer to him, and I saw Luke tense up. I was close enough that his breath was on my face.
"Nick...?" Luke asked, and I stopped him by pressing my lips against his. Luke put his hands on my shoulders, presumably to push me away, but soon, his hand cupped the side of my face. I bit his bottom lip, and Luke pulled away. I swallowed, and stepped back. Luke just gave me a scared, strange expression, before blushing. "Nick." He said again.
I was shaky, even though that felt so wrong. "Sorry." I said, and managed a smile.
Luke just shook his head, gaping. He then scoffed, and smiled back, but it was more tortured, and confused.
"So." I said, and moved away. "I'm gonna leave."
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I was turned around. Luke kissed me back, and I felt an awkward sensation between my legs as he kissed me harder. I was pushed carefully against the door, and Luke grabbed my jawline. I smiled. I knew I was going to regret this, but I moved away. Luke took a deep breath.
"I'll let you- Bye." He said, and grinned. I nodded my head, and my smile faded. I moved outside, the sun going down as I realised that I had to actually work with Kenny.
But that wasn't on my mind.
I just got what I wanted; a quiet, confusing moment with my best friend.