You're Coming With Me (Luke)

[Lucas Blacke]

Sometimes he wished he had telepathy, or that the person he wanted to talk to had it. He had this whole act to play out even when with people he liked being around, and it took a lot to make him stop playing out his act, but there were a few who had managed and she was one of them. Still, she had very nearly asked him not to do anything with it again, and he thought he had figured out why just by that playful prod to his ribs.

He had joked on them being a secret before, but he never knew she didn't see it as a joke as she playfully scolded him when he was just keeping her close to him. He came to the conclusion he wasn't going to do it again if she was so set on keeping them a secret in public places. And obviously if this was true he would mind a lot, but in the end it was her choice to make and he would abide by it, though he was scared he'd get himself into a Karalie-esque situation this way sooner or later. ''Bein' smart runs in the family.'' He smiled as he knew that it probably did, everyone had left him. That was a smart thing to do, right?

He burst into laughter though when she gave him that blank stare and eventually just smiled at him. He wasn't laughing at her though, it was just really hard for him to see a facial expression like that without laughter following it.

''In Flames.'' He merely answered her. He told her this. He was looking for In Flames. He flipped from album to album but with every glance he found less, he'd probably end up picking up random albums at this rate. He didn't really mind spending money on the unknown but he always feared he wouldn't like it. So when he found nothing resembling anything In Flames he put both his hands on the edge of the rack and let out a sigh. ''Nothin'.''

He grabbed a few random cds and put up a smile. How was he ever supposed to complete his collection if he didn't have the last few albums? ''I found 'em.'' He lied as he held two random albums up to her. After all, he didn't want her to see him fail yet, not like he had done before in his room and in front of her.

''I'm done.''

[Zoelle Heroux]

Zo huffed softly in frustration as he merely repeated his previous answer. "Because that's not vague or anything," she grumbled. She wasn't really that annoyed though. After a moment's pause she elaborated. "Like, a specific album or anything?" After all, she was trying to help. Still, she couldn't help but think that something seemed to be weighing on him. Instead, she convinced herself that he was just focused on his shopping.

She kept flipping through the CDs though, despite not really finding anything. It seemed that he was having the same luck though as he sighed and proclaimed the store had nothing. That's why when he held up a couple CDs and said he had found what he was looking for, she raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. "Really?" she asked, her tone heavy with doubt. After all, how did someone go from nothing to having found exactly what they were looking for?

"You sure? I mean, I don't mind hanging around here awhile longer if you wanted to look around more or something..." she said, glancing around the shop. She couldn't help but feel like he was rushing for some reason and it was making her feel a little uneasy. "I mean, I really don't mind."

[Lucas Blacke]

''H- oh.'' He hadn't thought about that when he was disappointed in not finding In Flames stuff and he'd just go for random stuff to practice with he would likely get her attention. So when he told her he found what he was looking for he was lees then surprised when she sounded doubtful. He goofed hadn't he? Music did weird things to him, or at least this was the defense he was going with as he simply shook his head at her offer to stay and look around some more. ''Naw. Probably should have said somethin' sooner but I play guitar and, well, most other instruments.'' He didn't feel it was time to tell her yet but he kind of forced himself to now, just to make sure she didn't feel bad. Though her exterior would have you think she couldn't, but LLuke knew different and also knew better than to actually address it in a public place. ''So I pick up random albums from time to time to practice with.''

He looked around and made his way to the counter with the intent of paying when suddenly a thought entered his mind. ''Y'know they have movies here right?'' He asked Zo as he was suddenly going to take the step that was closer to a leap. ''Might be fun to go watch a movie together, if it ain't too much too ask.'' He knew she was having issues with whatever they were, but that didn't mean he would have to go without needs.

He moved over to her as she was still standing at the same rack with the same look on her face as when he, what felt like, dismissed her just because he couldn't find what he was looking for and he didn't want her to see how he wasn't perfect. Not that he was, but this didn't have to be a notch in his flesh.

''Sorry.'' He said as he put on hand on her shoulder and pressed his lips against her forehead.

[Zoelle Heroux]

Zo's expression shifted from skeptical to interested, or perhaps even mildly impressed. "Oh, so you're a musician. That's cool," she said with a small nod. She wasn't sure why he hadn't just said that in the first place, but maybe it was something he wasn't very open about? "Do you play anywhere or just in your room for now?" she asked after a moment's pause. After all, concerts were fun, even if they were just in a far too crowded hole in the wall bar. Maybe she'd stop by a gig or something sometime. Maybe. Not that she said that after all.

"Yeah, a movie could be fun," she agreed, flipping her hair casually over a shoulder before crossing her arms under her chest. After all, going to the movies by yourself was just lame, and she did enjoy them from time to time. "What kind of movies do you like anyway?" she asked as she realized that she really didn't know that much about him. Or at least about his likes and dislikes and that kind of stuff.

Her words drew him back as he offered an apology. But it wasn't the words that made her smile. It was the gesture that accompanied it. She shrugged slightly in reply. "It's fine. I mean, if you wanna go, that's fine, but you don't have to rush or anything either, you know?"

[Lucas Blacke]

Okay, she asked. What he wanted to keep from her was now no longer an option to just keep to himself. If his band would go bottoms up she would have known it was a fluke, and would probably cause her to go for someone who was successful instead of just trying to be. He drew his lips from her skin and smiled as he took his hand from her shoulder. ''I don't actually own my own instruments. Well, I did own one but my parents sold it because they shipped me off to the dump known as Hammel.'' That sentence took a darker turn than he had anticipated and he kept silent for a moment as he looked at the two random albums in his hand. It seemed like that he was now going to tell her everything instead of just the one thing.

''I usually just practice in the auditorium at school.'' He nodded with a small smile ''Actually got into a lil' band project. Me an' some other dude are gonna try an' find other people who play. See if we can't get somethin' together, work our way up to some gigs.'' He leaned in a bit and smirked. ''I already have a groupy though.''

He shook his shoulders a bit and laughed. ''But yeah, anyway, now ya know.'' He grinned as he briefly glanced over the albums yet again as she suddenly asked what kind of movies he liked. He never thought he'd get this far, he honestly figured she'd shoot him down. But when she didn't he couldn't help but smile. ''Almost everythin'. Horror, comedy an even' romance. Though I don't think there'll be much movie watchin if we pop one of those in. Might wanna pop somethin' of my own in when that happens.'' A sly grin adorned him then. ''Might also learn some neat tricks...'

[Zoelle Heroux]

His answer shocked her a little, and judging from the silence that followed, it had shocked him as well. It was obvious in his voice that it was something that bothered him rather than some casual complaint. So though she found herself feeling a little curious about all of it, she decided to do the kind thing. She decided not to acknowledge it at all. She knew that she'd want him to do the same if she slipped up like that.

Besides, if he was going to tell her personal things like that... well, she'd rather it was his choice rather than an obligation because she'd asked.

So though she didn't react to the initial remark, as he elaborated she nodded along with his words. "That's pretty cool. Good luck with getting everything together." After all, she might be willing to show interest in the things he did, but she didn't want to force her way into everything. If he wanted to tell her more or try to include her, he was free to, but it was his call in the end. Still, she grinned as he called her his groupie. "Yeah, I guess you do."

Zo smirked a bit as he started talking about what sort of movies he liked, which was, again, surprisingly in line with her own answer. Her grin grew even more as he hinted that there might not be a lot of watching involved though, laughing softly at the suggestion. "You just never quit, do you?" she teased. Not that she was complaining. After all, she didn't really struggle to keep up with him. "So what kind of movie are you feeling in the mood for now?"

[Lucas Blacke]

''Aye, thanks.'' He grinned widely. It wasn't the kind of reaction he had been expecting, but this had been way better than whatever he was expecting. She didn't pry, nor asked if she could come to a practice session, which at the moment involved more talking than anything else, and likely because she was like him she didn't acknowledge the parts he'd rather not talk about. The only problem was that, now that he knew she didn't blow up and he had someone to share it with he wanted to tell her whatever was going on. Been a while since he had someone to talk to. ''We hung up flyers an' everythin'. Kinda playin' the waitin' game right now. So I could get called or somethin' tellin' me I need to go judge people.'' He was beaming a big smile her way.

''Might need a third party too.'' He pressed his index finger against her nose. ''Boop.'' A smile followed as he took his hand back only half of the way and kept pointing at her. ''Wanna come when stuff goes down? Yer allowed to judge people if ya do. Ya might like it. An' sleep with a.. whatever I'ma be in the band. Pretty sure the guitar is taken..'' He wondered what other instrument he could play. Or not-instrument.

''Hey, Zo. Would ya rather date a vocalist or a drummer?'' He asked teasingly as he noticed he had used the word date. ''I mean be seen with.'' He corrected, yet he wished he didn't have to correct himself. He wanted there to be dates, yet he wasn't even sure what they were doing right now? Had she really just used him for the ride? But in that case she wouldn't have dragged him with her, would she?

He smirked and shook his head as she pretty much repeated what she said in every conversation they had ever had. ''I do not, milady.'' He answered. ''Ain't hearin' complaints though.'' He added with a chuckle. ''An' right now I'm not in the mood for any movie.'' He leaned in a bit and smiled as he licked his lips. ''However.. do they have porn 'ere?'' He joked as he moved his head over to where he could find the movies.

Then he turned his head back to her. ''Say, Zo.'' He hesitantly said. ''I kinda know ya don't wanna think 'bout it, but what exactly is this?'' He was every bit serious now.

[Zoelle Heroux]

Zo was a little surprised when he kept talking, telling her more about the whole band thing. Not that she was complaining, not in the least. But he had seemed so hesitant to say anything at first that she had honestly expected him to drop the topic, especially when she didn't press him at all. Still, it was kind of nice that he was sharing it with her. Even if it made her feel a little guilty that she was so closed off.

Of course, she didn't exactly have a whole lot to share as far as activities and whatnot.

Still, she couldn't help but smirk as he mentioned judging people. "Ah, judging others. A favorite pasttime," she said with a small theatrically wistful sigh. She really did enjoy it. However as he turned to her, offering to include her, she couldn't help but smile a little. "Really? I mean, I don't want to get in the way or anything..." Wait, since when was she the sort to waffle anyway? Of course, she wasn't usually the sort to do whatever this thing between them either. "But yeah, count me in. That sounds fun. Judging people is what I live for," she added with a wink, her voice sounding much firmer now.

She gave a small shrug as he corrected his use of the word date. She actually felt a bit bad that she was making him so self-conscious in the first place. What she liked most about them was how casual and relaxed they were. Besides, a part of her knew that was pretty much what they were doing anyway. It wasn't the act that was so scary as much as the label that came with it. Because with labels came expectations and she knew she couldn't live up to that. "Hmmm... Good question. Both have a lot of potential, especially since you're such a stud to begin with," she said with a wink. "I dunno, always had a little bit of a thing for drummers though."

"No, no you're not," she replied. After all, she could be just as bad as him sometimes. She rolled her eyes as he commented about the sort of movie he was interested in. "Why does that not surprise me?" she asked with a laugh and a playful nudge. "Really though, it was your idea after all," she shot back. "So you must have had something in mind."

His next question took her by surprise though, and for a moment, she thought she forgot how to breathe. "Do we have to do this now?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper. But she saw how serious he was and she couldn't avoid it any more. She reached out, grabbing his arm and tugging it gently so he was facing her again. "Can't we just be two people who like each other and like spending time together? Who have fun together?" she asked, her voice soft. She couldn't meet his gaze and her fingers hooked around his belt loops, fidgeting anxiously. It wasn't a suggestive gesture though - it was simply as close as she could come to reaching out for him, to admitting she needed some kind of contact.

"I do like you, Luke," she admitted, her voice soft still and her head tilted down, unable to look at him as she said this. "I just... I like what we have right now, whatever that is. I don't want to mess it up, you know?"

[Lucas Blacke]

''That settles that.'' He replied. Still he wasn't quite sure on why he said it, but perhaps that was the thing that made him share. She didn't ask for it and waited for him to share, perhaps this was what changed it for him. ''When there's people to be judged I'll leave it to ya.'' He nodded with a smirk as she did say it was one of her favorite things, and Luke was obviously going to at least try and deliver to make sure she stayed with him. But what he hadn't thought of when he asked her was that there could have been guys on the stage that seemed more interesting to her. Still, he made a promise and he wasn't about to break another one.

He feigned a smile the moment that thought crossed his mind and instead did his best to ignore it and listened to her as she answered him about the vocalist/drummer idea. ''Drummer it is then.'' He said with a chuckle, and as much as he wanted to be a vocalist it would probably be better if he did something he could fully do on muscle memory. It'd surely make for some neat tricks and would still mean he could do vocals if needed, he'd just be sitting down for them. ''How 'bout vocals an' drums? Wet panties?'' He smirked. ''..or commando..?'' Even Luke rolled his eyes at that one, even when speaking about his band made him think of less savory things, though he also partly blamed Zo for that one.

He so needed to serenade her to see what would happen.

When she replied about the movie thing though, and that it was his idea to begin with he had to take a few seconds to piece together what she exactly meant, but eventually he got it and was able to react to what she meant instead of what he thought she meant. ''Yea, fair point. 'Twas my idea wasn't it?'' He nodded at her and briefly looked back at the rack that held the movies, thinking something over and finally ending up dismissing it mentally. ''I think I got some nice movies back at my place.'' Which he did, a lot of them.

When she didn't respond right away at what he asked he figured he had fucked up already, and if that was what had happened at least it was better that way, no more tension, no more expectancies. So when she tugged at his arm and forced him to look at her he reacted by quickly putting the cds back in the rack and giving her his full attention. This was going to be it, where she would tell him she couldn't do it and how she was leaving before they could ever really be a thing. There was the same avoidance from her as she kept her head dowm putting her fingers through his belt loops as she asked if they couldn't just be two people spending time together and having fun.

He was going to shake his head because just being two people meant that there was room for a third, and he didn't want a third. He stepped even closer when she said she liked him though, and wrapped his arms around her. Usually when walking through a store he would curse people who did things like hug each other in a public place, but when actually being with someone you liked a public place turned into a private place. Besides, there were plenty of people around. It was a booming mall after all.

''Yer not messin' anythin' up.'' He told her as he planted his lips on her forehead again. ''But hey,'' He put his index finger under her chin and tilted her head up slightly. ''hey,'' He was slowly beginning to regret having asked it in the first place. And maybe she was right, maybe they just were two people having fun. ''I like you too.''

[Zoelle Heroux]

She grinned as he declared that she would be included in the judging process. Partially because it just sounded fun, but also because she knew how important music was to him, so she imagined this whole band thing would be even more important since it was his music - and he was choosing to include her in it. That was sort of a big deal. Oddly enough, that inclusion didn't scare her as much as trying to define them did though.

"Only if that's what you want," she said. "After all, you're sexy enough to pull off any role, I think." Obviously she didn't want him to choose anything just because of her. She grinned a bit at his remark about doing both and the effect he was hoping that might have on her. "Hmmm... I guess you'll just have to try it and see for yourself," she teased back.

She was a little surprised when he instead said that he had some good ones already, but she wasn't about to object. She just shrugged and gave him a smile. "Okay, sure, that sounds good." She wasn't exactly sure what to expect truth be told, but she was pretty okay with just finding out later.

But then things turned serious, and she couldn't help but feel like it was all going to fall apart. This was the part where he said that this was a mistake. That she wasn't enough. That he wasn't willing to wait for her to catch up anymore. She was cringing, expecting the worst.

Instead, he moved closer, pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. She didn't fight the motion - if anything she gave into it, sinking into his embrace. Even if it was to be the last, it was still a comfort. She closed her eyes as she felt his lips press to her forehead again, even as he assured her that she wasn't messing anything up. "Not yet..." she murmured. How long could this really last? Surely she'd mess it up sooner or later. At least now... the stakes didn't seem so high. If she could fool herself into believing that they weren't, then maybe she could make it last a little longer.

His finger tipped her chin up to meet his eyes, though she was still slightly hesitant to meet his gaze, unsure of what he would say next. When he did speak though, a small smile came to her lips, almost unable to believe it. "That's what matters, right?"

[Lucas Blacke]

''Ya won't be able to mess it up even if ya tried.'' He assured her as he gazed into her eyes. Sure, she could go back to just sleeping around some but that would just be seen as karmic payback for what he had done before to a certain someone. But Zo wouldn't do that, would she? He was slightly scared about what she would say, but he could also clearly see that she was scared about what he was going to say. Similar thoughts were going through both their heads, surely. They were just different in what they chose to vocalize a bit, but they couldn't be a hundred percent equal, right? ''I promise ya that whatever ya do I'll be 'ere for ya.''

He lowered his head a bit to look her in the eyes better and put his forehead against hers. ''Promise, Zo.'' He said. ''So even if ya need time to figure things out, I'll be 'ere for ya.'' He kissed her briefly on the lips and smiled as he pulled his head back, pushing her closer to him and almost forcing her to stand up on his feet, bridging the gap in height between them a bit as he held her close to him so she wouldn't fall.

Never before had he felt this. Never before did he have to put up this much of a fight for someone who didn't even avoid the physical aspect of it all. Usually he'd go after someone and get the to confess love before doing more with them and he had always thought that was the way to go. He had also thought that sleeping with someone would end it all and that was why being friends with benefits sounded like it could work. But here he was, holding someone who had put out multiple times and he was trying to tell her how much he liked her. This was new to him and he liked it. And because she was so similar, he knew that she was capable of whatever he was, the good and the bad and, what mattered at that moment, love.

It would just take some time to crack her defenses. But he was going in the right direction, he felt. It wasn't like he was some insensitive guy who enjoyed working out and objectified women, he actually took the time and would describe himself as a sensitive and romantic person. ''It is.'' He nodded. ''Yet it ain't.''

''What matters is that we're both 'ere.'' He whispered. And that I love you.

[Zoelle Heroux]

"How can you be so sure?" she asked. She truly didn't understand it. After all, she knew what she was capable of. She was self-destructive to the core. It wasn't even so much that she was afraid of what would happen if she lost him. It was the hiding of hurting him. Because whatever might happen, she knew that she would. She just knew it.

His promise had her feeling even more conflicted. She wanted to believe it - she truly did. But everything in her life had taught her that even the best intentions went up in flames eventually. Still... Luke understood. At least more than most did. Maybe he could be different. Against all the odds... maybe it wasn't impossible. Did she dare hope for that though?

Of course as he kissed her it was easier to let go of those thoughts, melting into it, allowing herself a moment to just enjoy it, to hope this might not blow up. He pulled back, pulling her closer at the same time, but she trusted him to hold her nonetheless. All thought of the crowded mall around them was lost and she just let herself enjoy it.

When he did pull back, his answer had her confused and yet... she felt better. She wasn't sure how something both was and wasn't enough, but he was right. They were both here. They'd had opportunities time and time again to leave, to just walk away, and yet they were both still here. "Yeah... so we are," she whispered softly.

[Lucas Blacke]

Of course she fired a question his way about him knowing that she couldn't mess it up. He very nearly chuckled at how stupid a question it was when he realized he didn't quite have an answer for it himself. He could just reply by saying he just trusted her that much but he figured all that that would accomplish was drive her away even faster. No, he'd won time with the whole band thing and he wasn't going to nullify that by saying something that could have an averse effect on whatever they were.

But what that question also brought up was that she was likely thinking she was going to mess this up, little did she know that wasn't an option. He couldn't see her messing up, but at the same time he figured it was the same thing vice versa, she couldn't see him messing up while he thought he would eventually drive her away from him. But what good did verbalizing that thought do? They would only succeed in feeding the negativity of the other person, and neither of them had really shown any comforting skills other than just being there for the other and helping to repress certain feelings.

Luke had promised himself he would change though, and maybe it would be easier accomplished in a pair. Whether she was up for it or not, they had to change. He'd come to the point where he knew that thinking like they both did was nothing but selfdestructive, as people had helped him see, and he needed help with it. Perhaps the help didn't have to be from someone without that problem, but someone who lived it.

''I just love how yer able to keep me happy just by lookin' at me.'' He joked as he pulled back his head and pressed his index finger to her lips. ''An' yeah, we're still 'ere.'' He replied with a nod as he moved his index finger from her lips and pressed it against his own softly. ''I mean, it's obvious we like each other, ain't it?''

God how he wanted to say more than that.

He finally turned to the cds he had just put away and picked them up again with a cough. ''Ya just go on ahead like a good lil' girlfriend an' I'll pay for these. I'll catch up with ya.''

When he went to stand in line the words he had just used flashed through his mind. ''Fuck!'' He barely kept his voice from going full volume, yet he did get some quaint looks.

[Zoelle Heroux]

He didn't answer her question. Honestly, that was probably for the best. Much as he could promise he would always be there, he couldn't ensure she wouldn't screw up. Anything he might have said would have just seemed a lie in the end. She liked that things between them were honest. Well, as much as either of them really could be at least.

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as he talked about how looking at her made him happy, and even if it was a little corny and sounded a bit like a line... it was a nice thought. She might hate most everyone, but it was nice to find an exception to the rule. His finger pressed to her lips and then to his own as he reassured her more. "Yeah, you're right," she agreed. "It is pretty obvious."

He pulled away then, picking up the CDs that he had put aside earlier and heading to check out. However, what he said as he went had her shocked beyond belief. At first it hadn't quite set in, she'd nodded as he walked off, but then it hit. He had said girlfriend.

That word had her frozen there for a moment, unable to even process it. She finally managed to walk out of the store in something of a daze as she tried to process just what that meant. She liked him sure, but girlfriend? She was so not girlfriend material. Surely that was just a slip up, right?

She heard the sudden curse and it broke her out of her surprised fog enough to smirk. She knew his voice well enough to know that had been Luke. Still, it made her feel a bit better to know she wasn't the only one in shock.

With a shake of her head she went ahead and walked out into the mall, looking for a store that struck her fancy. He'd catch up.

[Lucas Blacke]

He stood there in the line with nothing going through his mind other than that one word, he didn't mean to say it out loud as much as he wanted to say out loud, though it seemed he had fucked up and said it anyway out of habit. He'd joked about that sort of shit often enough to make it a run of the mill comment for him even though it was obvious, even without seeing here, that Zo would hate that word. Especially from him, he had begun to think he was different to her than all the other people and this was what drew her to him. And now he'd fucked everything up. He was fully prepared to see her having gone back to Hammel without so much as a word. Really, wasn't that what he deserved at this moment?

He glanced over to where she stood before when he said that word and saw nothing but an empty spot and some random people treading through it. He'd obviously told her to go on ahead and that he would catch up, but to actually see her gone without a word did form a void in his gut, which quickly vanished when it was his turn to pay up. He pulled out his big boy smile and paid up, using his most social of conversing skills and bid them farewell, although he would surely go back in the future.

That one word described what he was fearing at the moment though. Who had told him to think about the future more?! In his experience the most that could happen in the future was people leaving, and that was as much a fact as a bear crapping in the woods. So his first thought was not to go look for her at all because he was sure she'd be stuck on that word, though on the offchance she didn't think it as destructive he would have the most awesome day, and that thought alone was enough to make him smile and change his mind.

But what really convinced him to go look for her was the fact he just wanted to be with her. Looking around slightly with the bag of albums in his hand he got out his phone and scrolled over to Zoelle Heroux to shoot her a message. It was the first time he'd ever messaged her.

''So, hey, minxy-poo. Where are you?
I'm beginning to miss you.''