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May 2018
The weeks crept by slower than usual, a strange limbo between relief and unease. Things with Noah were steady again. Not perfect. Not the effortless warmth they once had. But better than Luke dared hope for after all the shit that went down in Boston. They laughed together again. Kissed again. Acted like boyfriends again. But always when it was just the two of them. The moment someone else was around, Noah went a little stiff and guarded. It was weird. Different. Luke couldn’t put his finger on it. But still, they were trying, and Luke clung to that.
The day before senior prom, Luke found himself in the school hall standing on a ladder and stringing up fairy lights while Eli worked below, taping glittery stars to the walls. He didn’t know how he got roped into it, but he was trying not to complain. The GSA was always a super big help when it came to getting things done for the school and Luke decided that he would be a good student for his remaining days here at this school. But right now, the place was chaos. There were boxes of decorations everywhere, speakers being tested too loudly by the student council, and random committees arguing over balloon colours and sizes.
Normally, Eli would be thriving in the chaos. He loved prom. But today… he barely spoke.
Luke didn’t notice at first, too focused on making the lights symmetrical, but when he glanced down and saw Eli staring off into space, tape dangling uselessly from his fingers, he frowned.
“You okay down there?” Luke asked, nudging a disco ball slightly to the left.
Eli shrugged without looking up. “Yeah.”
It wasn’t convincing. Not even close.
Luke climbed down the ladder, dusting glitter from his palms. “Hey,” he said, softer now. “What’s going on? You’re usually like a kid on crack right now. Where’s all the enthusiasm gone?”
Eli froze, shoulders sagging before he exhaled slowly. He finally lifted his head and his eyes were sad in a way Luke rarely saw. “Nate said he isn’t coming to prom,” Eli muttered, voice thick. “He said that his exams are insane right now and that he needs to focus on them. I get it, but the last time something like this happened, we nearly broke up. And, like, it’s my senior prom. I always thought we’d go together. Like… in a movie, you know?”
Luke’s chest tightened. He stepped closer. “Eli, that sucks. I’m so sorry—”
“And,” Eli cut in, rubbing at his eyes, “you and Noah are always together now. I barely see you anymore and I just feel like I’ve been doing this whole prom thing by myself.”
Luke’s stomach dropped. He opened his mouth… but no excuse felt fair.
“I just…” Eli swallowed hard. “I know you guys are in love and stuff. And I’m happy for you. Really. But it’s like everyone has someone. Except me. And it sucks.”
Luke felt guilt hit him like a wave. Because Eli was right. They had pulled away. Not intentionally, but still. Luke had been spending all his extra time with Noah, either at his own house or his boyfriends. They would watch movies, cuddle, make out and to be honest… sometimes even study. It wasn’t malicious. They never intended to leave Eli out, but Luke could tell that Noah always wanted it to be just them so he never really asked to invite Eli. Now Luke just felt downright guilty.
He knew what Eli was feeling, of course. There was a time where Luke felt the same way. When Eli and Nate were constantly together. Or when Gabe and Maddy were constantly giggling in Gabe’s room. Love used to be all around him, and now it was Luke’s turn. But maybe he was going a little overboard and needed to take a step back to make room for other people?
Luke stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him. Eli leaned into it immediately, burying his face in Luke’s shoulder like he’d been holding everything in for way too long. “I’m still here,” Luke murmured, squeezing him tighter. “I’m sorry if it hasn’t felt like I’ve been around recently. I… I should’ve been better.”
Eli sniffed. “I don’t wanna be clingy.”
“You’re not,” Luke said firmly. “You’re my best friend. Nothing is gonna change that.”
Eli nodded, but his voice came out small. “I just don’t want to be forgotten.”
Luke pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. “You could never be forgotten,” he promised.
But the guilt in Luke’s stomach twisted deeper, because lately? He had been drifting, and seeing the hurt in Eli’s eyes made him realise he might be losing more than just stability with his boyfriend. He might be losing one of the most important people in his life, too. And for what? A few extra make out sessions?
After another hour of taping, climbing ladders, and muttering about glitter being a weapon of mass destruction, the prom prep was finally done. The hall looked magical with star-themed banners, fairy lights glimmering like constellations, and everything coming together just in time.
Eli forced a smile as they packed up. “Thanks for helping me. I know spending time in the gym after school isn’t exactly your idea of fun.”
“Anytime,” Luke said, ruffling his hair. “And tomorrow? We’re going to have fun. Promise.”
Eli nodded his head a little, but the excitement didn’t quite reach his eyes.
They walked out to the parking lot together, exchanging tired goodbyes before parting ways to their separate cars. Luke watched Eli drive off, something heavy tugging at his chest.
As soon as Luke got home, door barely shut behind him, he was already dialing Nate.
The phone rang twice.
“Luke?” Nate answered, confused. “Everything okay?”
“No,” Luke blurted, dropping onto his bed. “You need to come to prom.”
Nate sighed, long and apologetic. “Luke, I can’t. I’ve got exams starting Monday. And I don’t have a car. It’s literally impossible.”
“But Eli wants you there so bad,” Luke insisted. “He’s miserable. I feel like crap and… just please. We’ll figure the car part out.”
“Are you offering to drive to Rhode Island?” Nate asked dryly.
Luke sat up straighter, brain sparking. “No,” he said. “But Gabe could.”
There was a pause.
“Luke,” Nate said slowly, “that’s… seven hours of driving one way. And Gabe and I aren’t exactly besties.”
“But Gabe likes you!” Luke lied immediately. (Gabe tolerated Nate, at best.) “Please just think about it? Come on, it’s prom. You and Eli deserve that moment.”
Nate sounded tempted. Too tempted. “I’ll… I’ll think about it. But don’t get your hopes up.”
“No,” Luke insisted. “Hope is fully up. It’s sky high.”
Nate snorted, which Luke took as a win.
They hung up, and Luke didn’t hesitate. He immediately hit Gabe’s contact. The call barely rang once. “You better not be arrested,” Gabe said by way of greeting.
“Better,” Luke rushed. “I need a favour.”
“Oh god.”
“It’s about Eli.”
“Double oh God.”
Luke took a deep breath. “Nate can’t come to prom because he doesn’t have a ride. And Eli is heartbroken. Like, really heartbroken.”
Gabe exhaled, already annoyed. “Luke—”
“It’s our last prom,” Luke pleaded. “Eli deserves something good. And Nate deserves to be there with him. You know he does. They’re like, the best couple I know.”
“Excuse me? What about me and Maddy?”
Luke rolled his eyes. “The day she becomes my sister in law, you guys will be my favourite couple. But right now, Nate and Eli are. So please please pleaaaase.”
There was silence, long enough that Luke’s heart thumped nervously.
Finally Gabe sighed, resigned. “If Nate agrees… I’ll go get him.”
Luke’s grin split wide. “Thank you, thank you! Gabe, I owe you my soul—”
“But,” Gabe cut in sharply, “you are buying my gas, and you are dealing with Mom and Dad when they freak out about me disappearing from college for two days. You’re lucky your prom is on a Friday.”
Luke laughed, relieved beyond belief. “Deal. Totally deal.”
Gabe groaned. “I am a saint.”
“You are the Saint of Gay Prom Miracles,” Luke replied.
“Don’t ever call me that again.”
“Too late. It’s canon.”
Gabe hung up, but Luke kept smiling at the screen, excitement bubbling inside his chest. Tomorrow, Eli wouldn’t be alone. Prom wouldn’t be ruined. And for once, Luke had done something right. Now he just had to hope everything didn’t fall apart again before tomorrow night.
•|☆✨🌕✨☆•||☆✨🌕✨☆||•☆✨🌕✨☆|•
By late afternoon, Luke’s room looked like a bomb had exploded. Shirts were tossed everywhere, pants were flung over the desk chair, ties hanging from the bedpost like defeated soldiers. And all for a stupid black suit he’d already decided on last week.
He stared at himself in the mirror, smoothing the lapels for the hundredth time. His stomach twisted with nerves. Not just prom nerves. But from The myth. The one every senior whispered about since freshman year.
If you’re a virgin at prom, you won’t be after prom.
And Luke… well. He swallowed hard. He didn’t know if he was ready. He didn’t know if he would ever feel fully ready. Especially with his body the way it was, a body he didn’t want anyone seeing. Not even Noah. Not yet. Just thinking about it made his throat tighten. Since their night in the hotel, Luke had given Noah a few more blowjobs. He liked it. It was nice to make his boyfriend feel good. But not once had Noah touched Luke. The blue haired boy just couldn’t handle it. He was still too nervous.
Prom doesn’t have to mean sex, he reminded himself. It’s just a dance. Just one night.
A car door slammed outside.
Fuck. Noah was already here.
Luke inhaled, trying to shove every vulnerable thought into a mental closet. He headed downstairs just in time to see Noah step through the front door with a navy suit perfectly fitted to his body and his hair styled in a way that made Luke’s heart leap into his throat. Noah smiled at him, soft and warm and fond. Luke nearly melted.
His parents came bustling in from the kitchen, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Oh my goodness,” his mom said, grabbing her phone already. “You two look incredible. Noah, come stand closer!”
Before Luke could protest, they were shoulder-to-shoulder, then hand-in-hand, and Noah’s fingers curled around his like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Click. Click. Click. Flash after brutal flash.
His dad even made a little speech about “young love” and “memories to last forever,” and Luke was pretty sure he died somewhere inside from embarrassment. But Noah just laughed quietly, squeezing his hand in reassurance.
When the last picture was finally taken and parents were tearfully satisfied, Luke grabbed the house keys so fast it was a miracle he didn’t dislocate something. “Okay! Time to go!” he said, voice an octave too high.
Noah gave his parents a polite wave. “Thank you for letting me come over.”
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re welcome anytime,” Luke’s mom beamed, almost swooning.
Luke practically shoved Noah out the door.
They got into Noah’s car and for a moment, they just sat there, breathing. Noah looked over at him, that same fond smile tugging at his lips.
“You look amazing,” he said softly.
Luke felt his face burn. “Shut up,” he muttered, not hiding the smile that spread anyway.
“I’m serious,” Noah beamed. “You look fucking hot.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Noah chuckled and turned the key in the ignition, and the car rumbled to life.
Prom. A night for magic. A night for chaos. A night that, apparently, everyone lost their virginity. Luke gripped the door handle. Yeah… no pressure.
Luke kept glancing down at his phone, thumb swiping over a screen that stubbornly refused to light up with Nate’s name. Nothing. Not even a “don’t worry I’m on my way” text. It made his stomach twist, partly out of nerves and partly out of guilt. He shoved the phone back into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and forced himself not to check again immediately.
The gym-turned-prom-venue looked… incredible. Like it wasn’t the same place he’d suffered through dodgeball and flu shot lines and fire drill chaos. Fairy lights draped from the rafters; the decorations he and Eli spent hours putting up actually looked magical. The music thrummed through the air, too loud but perfect. Noah reached for Luke’s hand, pulling him toward the dance floor with that excited sparkle in his eyes.
“Come on,” Noah urged. “Let’s have a dance before the crowd gets too crazy.”
But Luke spotted Eli across the hall standing stiffly near the snack table, arms crossed, trying to blend into the shadows like always. Something about the slump in his shoulders told Luke more than any text ever could.
“I’ll catch up,” Luke said, already stepping away.
Noah’s smile faltered. “What?”
“I just… I need to check on Eli, okay?” Luke’s voice had already decided for him. “Give me a sec.”
Noah hesitated, jaw tightening for a second before he nodded and let his hand drop.
Luke headed over, grabbing a pretzel stick from the table like it was a prop for normalcy. Eli didn’t look up right away, just kept staring out at the dancing crowd like watching people have fun helped him pretend he was part of it.
“Hey,” Luke said gently.
Eli sighed through his nose, then finally met his eyes. “Hey.”
“You look fancy,” Luke tried.
“I look like a dumb little kid playing dress-up,” Eli muttered, though the corner of his mouth lifted a little. “Place looks good though.”
“We did that,” Luke grinned.
“Yeah, we did.” Eli’s gaze drifted around the hall, lingering on the lights. “Hard to believe it’s actually ending. Like… all the drama, and homework, and people pretending to be cooler than they are… We complained about this place every day, but—”
“We’re gonna miss it,” Luke finished, a softness settling in his voice.
Eli nodded, swallowing. “Kinda weird, right? One more night and then everyone scatters.”
“Well, we still have graduation.”
“I guess.”
Luke bumped their shoulders together, a quiet reassurance. And even though music blasted and laughter echoed and couples danced and swirled beneath twinkling lights… a part of Luke felt suspended. Stuck between the world he knew—lockers and late assignments and cafeteria tables—and whatever came next. Whatever adulthood was supposed to be.
Eli let out a shaky laugh. “Thanks for staying. I know you’re… wanted elsewhere.”
Luke shrugged like it was nothing. But inside, guilt clawed at him again. About Nate, about how Eli had been feeling left behind, about Noah’s disappointed look from across the hall as he spoke to some of his friends from class.
Luke forced a smile anyway. “I’m exactly where I want to be right now.”
As they stood there together watching their classmates dance like nothing scary waited outside those walls, Luke checked his phone again. Still nothing from Nate. That bad feeling? It crawled up his spine and settled heavy in his chest.
Luke nudged Eli’s arm. “Come dance with me.”
Eli blinked. “What? No. You have an actual boyfriend here who is currently glaring at us and—”
“And you’re my actual best friend who is ditching me to go to a college a million miles away,” Luke countered.
Eli rolled his eyes at Luke’s dramatics. They weren’t even going that far from each other. Eli had been accepted into Brown university. Everyone knew why he had chose that as his number one choice. Nate had been offered a job near the college, so Eli was following him. They were going to live together in a nice small apartment and make their relationship work. Eli would study, and Nate would become a slave to society. If that’s what they wanted to do, then why not? Luke was happy for them.
Luke himself had thankfully been accepted into the Massachusetts Colleges of Art and Design in Boston which he was really looking forward to because, 1: his brother would still be close by for another year until he was offered an actual job of a famous lacrosse player in a big ass famous team (hopefully), and 2: because it was only an hour drive from his best friend in the entire world. Also, maybe 3, his parents were super happy about the fact that both of their sons were less than 15 minutes away from each other. It helped put their minds at ease.
“Come on. One dance. Before we get old and boring,” Luke begged.
Eli huffed a laugh but let Luke drag him by the hand toward the dance floor. The music was upbeat, not really meant for sentimental moments, but it didn’t matter. They moved awkwardly at first. Eli didn’t really dance and Luke didn’t really care, but after a minute they were laughing, bumping shoulders, and spinning in dumb little circles like absolute idiots.
Halfway through the song, Luke leaned closer so Eli could hear him. “I’m really glad you talked to me that day in sophomore year after art class.”
Eli’s face softened. “Can’t believe the circumstances under what we met. I thought, ‘wow, he looks like he needs a friend and I just lost all of mine so why not.'”
Luke snorted. “I was having a meltdown over a dumb fucking drawing.”
“And then I bought you a cookie to make everything better,” Eli reminded him, a tiny smirk forming.
Luke shoved his shoulder, but his chest tightened in that emotional, too-full way. “Seriously, Eli…I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Eli’s eyes glistened. “Yeah, well… I’m glad you let me sit with you that day. Even though you looked like you might bite.”
Luke smiled so wide it hurt. The moment was cheesy and perfect and heartbreaking all at once.
Then a voice came from behind them; “Elijah Coleman… Can I steal you for a dance?”
Eli frowned and turned, and the breath punched right out of him.
Nate stood there. In a suit. Hair actually styled. A nervous, hopeful look on his face. Eli’s hand flew to his mouth and he just…burst into tears immediately. Full-on ugly sobbing right there under the fairy lights. Luke’s own yes immediately got hot and blurry. He didn’t even care. Nate laughed softly (and a little shaky) and stepped forward to hug him, whispering something only Eli could hear. Eli nodded frantically, tears soaking Nate’s suit jacket.
Luke wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to act like this wasn’t the cutest and most romantic thing he’d ever witnessed. But then his gaze caught movement behind them. Two silhouettes, just a few feet away. Gabe in a suit with his sleeves rolled up, leaning against the wall like he owned the place. Protective big-brother stance and all. But beside him… Youngjae.
Youngjae looked absolutely unreal and Luke’s knees almost shook. His jet black suit was fitted to his body perfectly. Luke noticed that he had cut his hair a little on the sides and was now rocking a curtain mullet hairstyle that only his shiny thick Korean gened hair could pull off. Fuck. He looked amazing. Flawless. So fucking sexy. His dark eyes were on Luke. Only on Luke. And something electric passed between them that Luke felt all the way in his ribs. His small smile trembled, the rush of emotions tangling in his chest—joy, fear, longing, guilt.
Because in one moment, everything collided: Eli’s happiness. Gabe’s protective presence. Noah’s stare into his back. Youngjae’s gaze like a gravity Luke couldn’t escape. And he realised with a sharp, dizzy clarity; Prom night had only just begun.
Gabe got to Luke first, unsurprisingly given the determination in his stride. He pulled Luke into a tight, almost-painful hug that squeezed the breath out of him. “Missed you, squirt,” Gabe said into his shoulder.
Luke huffed a watery laugh. “Missed you too.”
“Let’s not get emotional,” Gabe replied, pulling back and looking him up and down. “Damn, you clean up nice. Black suit? Bold choice. Could almost pass for a functioning adult.”
Luke shoved him lightly. “You look like a finance bro on vacation.”
Gabe clutched his chest dramatically. “Insult me again and I’m going back to college.”
Before Luke could retort, Youngjae stepped forward, a little slower and a little hesitant. “Hi, Luke,” he said softly.
And just that, two small words, sent heat rushing up Luke’s neck.
“Happy senior prom,” Young added.
Luke opened his mouth to respond, but—
“Baby,” Noah appeared at his side, voice gentle but tight underneath. “Come dance with me?”
It wasn’t really a question.
Luke felt Young withdraw immediately, like someone dimming a light.
Luke swallowed and nodded. “Yeah. Sure.”
Noah laced their fingers together and led him out onto the floor, spinning him into the music like nothing else existed. Noah smiled and kissed him, his hands warm on Luke’s waist. It should’ve eased the tension curling in Luke’s gut, but he couldn’t ignore the invisible pull behind him.
His eyes flicked up. Youngjae was watching. Not subtle. Not apologetic. Burning.
And next to him, so was Gabe. His brothers arms crossed, expression unreadable but sharp. Guarded. Protective. Suspicious. The last time they had seen each other, Noah had been angry with Luke. Of course Gabe would be protective and hesitant.
Luke tore his gaze away like he’d been caught doing something wrong and forced himself to focus on Noah, on the person he was supposed to be happy with. He kissed him again, deeper this time. Noah smiled against his lips, satisfied. Luke kept his eyes shut longer than he needed to.
“I love you,” Noah murmured.
Luke smiled. “I love you, too.”
When the song faded out, the DJ’s voice boomed: “Alright everyone! The moment we’ve all been waiting for! It’s time to announce this year’s Prom King and Prom Queen!”
Cheers erupted. Spotlights swept over the crowd. Students gathered toward the stage, hyped and chanting random names. Luke stepped back with Noah at his side, heart racing, but not because of the announcement. But because he still felt Youngjae somewhere behind him and the weight of that stare was far louder than the crowd.
Luke was snapped out of his thoughts when Amber’s name sounded through the hall. She was crowned Prom Queen and everyone cheered like they actually liked her this year. She was squealing and waving and trying not to cry while her friends fixed her sash.
Then the DJ announced Prom King.
“Noah Lawthorp!”
The room erupted again. Noah’s eyes widened, then he laughed, squeezing Luke’s hand before jogging up to the stage. Phones flashed. People whistled. The whole golden-boy thing looked good on him. He was so confident, charming, and easy to adore. Luke clapped along, genuinely proud. Seeing Noah happy felt amazing.
Amber and Noah posed for pictures, and then the music shifted into a slow, romantic swell. It was time for the obligatory King and Queen dance. They swayed in the center of the floor like a fairytale ending. Luke looked away toward something sweeter; Eli and Nate tangled together, completely ignoring the world. Nate wiped tears from Eli’s cheeks, pressed a kiss to his forehead, and then they kissed properly, all soft and relieved and overdue. Luke’s heart nearly burst.
This is how it’s supposed to be, he thought. Gentle happiness. Real happiness.
But then… Arms crossed on his left. Jaw clenched on his right. Gabe and Young flanked him like twin storm clouds and he looked between the two of them.
“He actually looks happy tonight,” Gabe muttered, staring daggers at Noah on the dance floor.
Young didn’t speak, but the tension rolling off him said enough.
Luke forced a breath. “Gabe, please don’t start.”
“I’m sorry but he just seems so fucking… cocky,” Gabe said, nose wrinkling. “Like, seriously? He didn’t even say hi to me. His boyfriend’s brother. You would never do that to Maddy. And also, I don’t fucking like the way he looks at you.”
“What?” Luke scoffed. “And how does he look at me?”
“Like he owns you.”
Luke’s shoulders stiffened. “He doesn’t own me.”
Young scoffed quietly. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Luke turned toward him, heat flushing his cheeks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” Young murmured, eyes still locked on Noah, “I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I,” Gabe said sharply, eyes focused on the prom King and Queen. “He gives me bad vibes.”
“Oh my god,” Luke exhaled, staring at the ceiling as if divine patience might drop down. “Can we just not do this here? It’s prom night. I’m happy. He’s happy. We’re fine.”
“Are you though?” Gabe asked sharply. “The last time I met him, he was all moody and angry at you. That fight you had where he accused you of cheating? That was fucked up, Luke.”
“He apologised,” Luke explained. “We made up. We’ve never been better.”
Gabe’s brow softened but only a fraction. “We’re just looking out for you,” he said, voice lower, gentler. “Someone has to.”
Luke tried not to take offense. Tried not to feel like they were saying he didn’t know how to protect himself. He looked back at Noah, dancing under the lights with a crown on his head and confidence in his smile.Luke wondered if maybe they saw something he didn’t, but he shook his head and realised that the only person who well and truly knew Noah, was himself.
“Look,” Luke sighed, “I’m seriously so grateful you drove Nate all the way here. And I’m seriously so happy to see you both,” he risked a quick glance to Young and saw his lips twitch into a smile. “But honestly, this is my senior prom. I’m with my boyfriend. Please don’t ruin it.”
Both Gabe and Young stayed quiet for a moment before Gabe sighed. “Fine,” he grumbled. “Whatever. I’m only looking out for you.”
“You’re right,” Youngjae said, “it’s none of our business. If you’re happy with Noah then we should be happy for you too.”
Luke’s shoulders eased a little. “Thank you,” he said quietly, meaning it. “Both of you. Really.”
Gabe huffed like gratitude physically pained him. “Whatever, nerd.” Then his eyes snagged on a familiar face across the gym. “Oh crap, that’s Coach Ramirez. Haven’t seen him since graduation. I should go say hi.”
Before Luke could protest, Gabe clapped his shoulder once and jogged off, leaving him standing alone with Young. Great. Exactly what he’d been trying to avoid. He kicked at the floor lightly, trying to ignore how his pulse jumped just from being in Young’s orbit.
“So…” Luke tried. “Long drive?”
Young snorted softly. “Not that bad. Worth it.”
Luke risked a glance. Young’s eyes were softer now, warm and almost fond, in a way that made Luke’s stomach twist. The music shifted into another slow song, honey-sweet and familiar. Teen romance bullshit. Luke swallowed hard.
“You know…” Young said, eyes drifting to the dance floor. “This reminds me of something.”
Luke froze. “Please don’t say—”
“My senior prom,” Young finished, lips tugging into a gentle grin. “When you dragged me into that empty classroom and made me dance with you.”
Luke’s face turned crimson. “What!? You were the one who wanted to get me alone!”
Youngjae laughed under his breath. “God, you’re still so easy to wind up.”
“Shut up,” Luke huffed.
“Still got that temper, I see,” Young teased.
“No, actually, my temper has improved. I don’t have annoying lacrosse boys coming to my house every weekend, stinking up my living room with beer. It’s a huge plus. Made all the difference to my mental health,” Luke said dryly.
“Nah, you still have that same fire from all those years ago,” Young said.
“I was sixteen. And dramatic.”
“You were adorable,” Young corrected.
Luke blinked up at him, startled, because Young didn’t tease. He meant it.
Young’s voice dropped lower. “We could… do that again. If you wanted.”
Luke’s heart jumped so hard it almost hurt. “Do what?” he asked stupidly, even though he knew exactly what.
“Dance together,” Young said. “Alone. In a classroom, maybe? Nobody would see us.”
For a moment, a stupid and reckless moment, Luke pictured it: Young’s hands on him, a quiet room, a song meant only for the two of them. But— “I have a boyfriend now,” he reminded, the words scraping his throat on the way out. He risked a glance towards the dancefloor and his stomach tied in knots when he realised his boyfriend had turn and was now stalking over. “And that boyfriend is walking over here right now, so maybe just back off a little.”
Youngjae’s expression shuttered instantly, like Luke had slammed a door between them. “Right,” he said, stepping back. “Of course.”
Luke turned to see Noah striding toward them, crown slightly askew, jealousy written sharp in the tight line of his mouth. Luke’s pulse stuttered. Young stood still beside him, like he was preparing for impact. And the impact was only seconds away.
Noah reached them with a bright, too-wide smile. The kind that showed teeth instead of warmth. “There you are,” he said, sliding an arm around Luke’s waist like he was claiming territory. He pressed a kiss to Luke’s cheek, lingering, eyes locked right over Luke’s shoulder. Locked on Young. Luke felt it immediately; the performance in Noah’s touch. The way he pulled Luke closer than necessary. The way his hand spread over Luke’s hip like a warning.
Young’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He just nodded once, face unreadable.
Luke’s stomach twisted. Nope. Not doing this.
“Hey,” Luke forced a light tone, reaching up to touch Noah’s shoulder. “Dance with me again?”
Noah’s expression flickered from surprise, then to satisfaction. “Yeah. Sure.” He shot one last pointed look at Young before tugging Luke toward the dance floor. And the second they were swallowed into the crowd, Noah’s sweetness vanished like it had never existed. His grip tightened on Luke’s waist. Not painful, but close. Too close. “What were you two doing?” Noah muttered, leaning in.
“Talking,” Luke replied stiffly.
“Talking? About what?”
Luke exhaled slowly, willing his heartbeat to settle. “We were just catching up. He drove Nate down here. That’s all.”
Noah scoffed under his breath. “Funny how he suddenly cares about coming to your prom of all nights.”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“And why is he still here?” Noah’s voice edged sharper. “Why does he keep showing up around you? Why does he look at you like that?”
Luke swallowed back frustration. “Noah,” he said carefully, trying to keep his tone even, calm. “We talked. It’s fine now.”
“Fine?” Noah’s laugh was sharp. “He’s obsessed with you, Luke.”
Luke’s heart stumbled at the word. “He’s not.”
“He is,” Noah insisted, leaning closer, eyes dark with jealousy. “And I’m not gonna stand here and let him think he still stands a chance.”
“You don’t have to threaten him. I’m here with you and I—”
“Then prove it,” Noah cut in, fingertips pressing into Luke’s hip like a challenge. “Stop defending him.”
Luke stared at him, really stared, and something heavy twisted in his chest. Noah wasn’t speaking from love. He was speaking from fear. Possession. The music kept playing as bodies swayed around them, but Luke felt like the whole room had gone tight and airless. He forced a small nod, even though his heart felt like it was cracking right down the middle.
“Noah,” he said quietly, “I’m with you. But you don’t get to control who I talk to. We already talked about this. Can’t you just let it go? Young and I had a past, but that’s all it is. Just a past.”
Noah’s jaw clenched, and Luke braced himself, because this conversation was far from over and the night was just beginning to reach its breaking point. “You seem awfully protective over somebody who is just your past.”
Luke didn’t know what to say to that.
“I’m assuming Gabe bought Nate down here,” Noah said, eyeing Nate and Eli who were still slow dancing, blissfully unaware of anything else going on around them. “And if’s thats the case, then why the hell did Young feel the need to tag along? He’s only here for one thing.”
Luke didn’t say a word.
Noah’s face softened a fraction. “Luke, I just love you so much. When I see another guy stare at you the way I do, it makes me go a little crazy. I just wanna protect you, that’s all.”
“I know,” Luke found himself saying.
“Then let’s get out of here,” Noah breathed, leaning in to kiss Luke. “Let’s just go. Let’s have our own prom night. I have something special planned for you anyway.”
Luke’s pulse hammered so loud he could barely hear the music anymore. His stomach twisted. He knew exactly what Noah meant. He recalled the myth everyone joked about, the one hanging over junior and senior prom like some stupid prophecy.
Virginity, prom night, inevitability.
Luke wasn’t ready. Not tonight. Not like this. “We… we should stay a little longer,” Luke said carefully. “It’s prom. We barely just got here. And Eli finally has Nate and—”
Noah’s smile faltered, irritation bleeding through. “We don’t need to babysit them.”
“I’m not babysitting, I just—”
“We’ve done the pictures, we danced, you saw your friends,” Noah said, voice tightening. “Now I just want time with you. Alone.”
Luke searched his eyes, hoping for softness. Instead, he found insistence and tension. His heart thudded painfully. “Noah, come on,” he tried again, voice small. “This is supposed to be fun. We can hang out afterwards.”
“Luke,” Noah sighed, jaw flexing. “I said I had something special planned for us. Don’t you wanna see what it is? I put a lot of time and effort into it.”
Luke took a tiny step back. “We can do it another night. Or later. Just…let’s stay for now. It’s prom. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s our last night altogether.”
Noah blinked slowly, and something in his expression snapped. He grabbed Luke’s hand (not gently) and started pulling him toward the exit. “We’re leaving.”
“No,” Luke said in a startled voice, trying to plant his feet. “Noah, stop. We should stay.”
“You’re coming with me,” Noah insisted, not even looking back. “You’re my boyfriend. He doesn’t get to keep staring at you like he that.”
“Noah, seriously, stop,” Luke tugged, but Noah’s grip only tightened. The hallway blurred past as Noah dragged him outside, Luke stumbling after him, cheeks burning with panic and mild humiliation. They hit the cool air of the parking lot, and Luke tried one last time. “Noah, please,” Luke said, voice cracking. “I don’t want to leave yet.”
“I’m not letting some other guy ruin tonight for us,” Noah snapped.
“Nobody is ruining anything!” Luke exclaimed. “I just wanna stay here, okay? I don’t wanna leave right now. Please, just let go.”
“We’re leaving, Luke!”
“Noah!” Luke tugged harder at his burning wrist. “My brother is in there. He’s going to be wondering where I went. Can you just slow down?”
“I swear to god, Luke, just—” Noah started to say, but he never finished.
Because a split second later, Noah was ripped away from Luke hard, and shoved back so forcefully his head hit the floor. Luke gasped, stumbling backward as Youngjae stepped between them, chest heaving, eyes blazing like wildfire.
“What the hell?!” Noah snapped, shoving forward, fists already balled.
“Back off,” Young growled. “He said no.”
“It’s none of your fucking business,” Noah spat, lunging for him.
Young shoved him again. “It becomes my business when you put your hands on him like that.”
“Don’t pretend you’re some fucking hero!” Noah snarled, grabbing Young by the collar.
In an instant, they were grappling. There were fists flying, curses tearing through the air, grunts and the sounds of punches mingling together awfully. It was messy and furious and real. Luke’s scream caught in his throat before it burst out.
“Stop it!” Luke shoved himself between them both, his palms outstretched, panic burning in his lungs. “Just fucking stop!”
They barely listened. Noah tried to swing around him and Young grabbed at his arm to yank him back. Luke’s heart felt like it was cracking open.
“This isn’t helping!” Luke shouted, voice raw. “Please, just stop or I’ll call the fucking cops!”
Finally they paused, panting, rage still sparking like live wires.
Luke turned toward Noah, the boy he loved, the boy who scared him the moist in this terrible moment. “Noah,” Luke said quietly. “Take me home.”
A flicker of triumph flared in Noah’s eyes as he wiped blood from his lip. He didn’t even look at Young again, just grabbed Luke’s hand and stormed toward the car.
Young didn’t move. He didn’t yell. He just stood there, chest rising and falling, watching with shattered eyes as Luke was pulled away from him again. Luke climbed into the passenger seat, his heart on the verge of breaking out of his ribs. Noah slammed the door, circling to the driver’s side. As the car growled to life, Luke looked out the window.
Youngjae stood alone in the parking lot under the flicker of streetlights, hands shaking, lip split, shoulders tense like he was holding himself together with sheer will. Their eyes met. Luke’s breath caught. His expression, devastated and silent and pleading, said everything he wasn’t allowed to say.
Please don’t go.
But Noah hit the gas and Luke watched Youngjae shrink into the distance like a goodbye he never wanted to speak out loud. His own reflection stared back at him in the glass. His eyes were red, and his chest was aching. Somewhere inside him, something fragile had snapped and the night that was supposed to be magical had just become a heartbreak he’d never forget.
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