✔ DRUNK words, SOBER thoughts ✖ hemmings au

19. Lucas, You Didn't

ARI.

Taking care of Brayson was a piece of cake. He was already a well-behaved kid and easily excitable, especially when Luke said he'd be teaching him how to play the guitar. Even though he wouldn't admit it right away, I could tell by the spark in his eye that Luke fell for the adorable little boy with the sucky lungs. After feeding him an extra cookie for dessert and giving him a warm bubble bath, Brayson was ready for bed. Instead of a story, he wanted a lullaby and Luke was the perfect guy for the job.

Luke sat on a small, plastic chair next to Brayson's Lightning McQueen bed. With the guitar propped on his knee, Luke strummed a soft melodic tune made up of a few simple chords. His voice resonated around the Cars themed bedroom, the small bedside table illuminated a soft, golden glow.

"I want you to want me this way, and I need you to need me to stay. If you say that you don't feel a thing, if you don't know, let me go..."

Luke behind that guitar was a beautiful sight to see. He had a crazy amount of talent and each time he'd open his mouth to sing, it was like a cure for cancer. Brayson tried to keep his eyes open to continue watching Luke play but eventually he succumbed to the fatigue. As Luke finished his song, Brayson was fast asleep.

"He's sleeping now," Luke whispered, gently standing up from the plastic chair.

I leaned against the door pane and watched as Luke tucked in the little tyke. He turned off the bedside table and turned on the small nightlight before joining me out in the hallway. We closed the door slightly and walked back to the living room where we both plopped down on the couch.

"Well done Lucas," I smiled at him. "Brayson really likes you."

"I definitely think he likes me more than you," Luke teased. I shot him a glare, twitching my eye at his stupid fúckery.

"Let's not get carried away now," I scoffed playfully before turning my body to face Luke fully. I smiled, changing my tone to a more serious one, "but seriously, thanks so much for helping me babysit tonight. It means a lot to me that you took the time to teach Brayson the guitar."

"It's not big deal Ari," Luke started, "I had a fun time with him. And his mum really knows how to cook too."

I giggled, "you're always thinking about food."

"I'm a growing boy," he proclaimed, a satisfied smirk etched on his face. "I need all the nutrients I can get."

"You're a dork,"

"You like it,"

"No I don't,"

"Yes you do,"

"Okay, maybe just a little," I admitted defeat and Luke grinned from ear to ear. "So what do you want to do now? Brayson's parents won't be home for another two hours."

"Well what do you usually do when you babysit?" Luke questioned.

"Homework," I shrugged.

"Well since we don't have homework to do, why don't we watch a movie or something?" he suggested.

"Or something," I said. "What are you doing for Halloween?"

"Well normally Jake throws an extravagant party but seeing that I'm not friends with them anymore..." his words trailed off.

"Have they been harassing you more?" I suddenly asked. I wasn't expecting to do so but my mouth was faster than my brain.

"A little yea," Luke disclosed, turning his head away from me.