Instantly Lucas is smiling as the memory plays out. Max, Jonah, is so happy, untouched by events yet to come. It's easy to get swept up in that joy, wrap himself in it. The sorry attempt at a cake even gets a muted chuckle while Lucas basks in every little moment.
His own birthdays were just as quiet, but his Mom made no less of an effort than Max's family. The connection makes the memory more dear, with a pang of homesickness that's bittersweet, tears stinging at the corners of his eyes.
The present, the torch that would save - condemn? - his life a few days later. What a gift, and one that Jonah's father would never know had changed so much.
It's the toast that does Lucas in. He never had a father figure growing up and to hear the pride in Mr. Lewis's voice cracked what little resolve he has left. Smiling bright while tears finally slip free and roll down his cheeks.
"...Thank you," He manages to croak out, blinking away the reading so he can better look up to Max again.
That smile is worth everything to Max. It's more precious than all the gold in the world. To think... a memory of his put it there? Now Max aches to see it the way Lucas is seeing it. One day. One day they will.
Max strokes the tear away from Lucas' cheek with his thumb, cupping the man's face. "No. Thank you. For sticking by me through all this. And for trusting me, even knowing what you know."
"No way you're getting rid of me now," Lucas chuckles and it catches in his lungs as a hiccup. God, he can't stop crying now even though he wants to, but he's still smiling. The memory is so precious, just like Max. More than anything else, Lucas wants the man to know this somehow. Someday.
I love you.
The words almost spill free, but he holds them back. It'll make things too complicated and Max doesn't need that now. Just time, Lucas hopes, and time together. Instead reaches up to cup Max's hands, squeezing them.
"Like I said, you got me no matter what." And it's a promise he's going to keep.
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Date: 2020-09-26 03:19 pm (UTC)His own birthdays were just as quiet, but his Mom made no less of an effort than Max's family. The connection makes the memory more dear, with a pang of homesickness that's bittersweet, tears stinging at the corners of his eyes.
The present, the torch that would save - condemn? - his life a few days later. What a gift, and one that Jonah's father would never know had changed so much.
It's the toast that does Lucas in. He never had a father figure growing up and to hear the pride in Mr. Lewis's voice cracked what little resolve he has left. Smiling bright while tears finally slip free and roll down his cheeks.
"...Thank you," He manages to croak out, blinking away the reading so he can better look up to Max again.
getting close to wrapping this one too maybe?
Date: 2020-09-27 08:21 pm (UTC)Max strokes the tear away from Lucas' cheek with his thumb, cupping the man's face. "No. Thank you. For sticking by me through all this. And for trusting me, even knowing what you know."
Yeah good to wind down!
Date: 2020-09-27 10:39 pm (UTC)I love you.
The words almost spill free, but he holds them back. It'll make things too complicated and Max doesn't need that now. Just time, Lucas hopes, and time together. Instead reaches up to cup Max's hands, squeezing them.
"Like I said, you got me no matter what." And it's a promise he's going to keep.