Long Time No See

@ katahdin
Luke had always been stubborn, he didn't like change and didn't want help. He wanted to do things on his own. He wished he could explain to Wren about how her helping him wasn't that. If he didn't do it on his own it didn't feel right. "I'm not fighting you, I'm not pushing you away." He told her stubbornly. He frowned when he saw tears in her eyes, but held himself back. He didn't want to get emotional again. When Wren told him to go his face dropped. He had been holding a stone cold expression, but it just went away at that instant. He was devastated. Luke felt as though he had to pick himself back up again. He wiped the emotion off his face and gave a curt nod. "Okay. Fine." Luke turned on his heels and walked towards the door. He paused for a moment as he reached for the handle, hoping Wren would change her mind. When she didnt he opened the door and went outside. Luke kicked the now cold Thai takeout before walking off back towards his apartment.

~ A couple weeks later ~

Luke sat in a dark interrogation room, drenched in sweat. His hair matted and stuck to his forehead, which lay on the table. He didn't know what was going on, what was happening, or why. He had been in this room for 4 or 5 days now. He didn't have much food or water in this time. The only people he saw were two pissed off detectives. They didn't even let him leave to use the bathroom. He had been arrested while he was out eating one afternoon. They said he killed some homeless man. He didn't do it but they wouldn't listen to him. He tried to tell them it wasn't him, but just ended up on the wrong end of the detective's billy club. He may have been a lowlife gangster, but he did know his rights thanks to Wren's parents. He had told the detectives numerous times he wanted a lawyer, he wanted to remain silent. But they didn't listen. They kept pressuring him to answer their questions. Why did he do it. The temperature in the room right now was freezing, when only ten minutes ago it had been hot enough to make him sweat. He shivered, trying not to cry. His cheek was cut and eye slightly swollen from the physical interrogation he had just been through. "If I tell you I did it can I please make my call?" He croaked out, his throat was dry and his voice was broken. The detectives came in, giddy at the confession and agreed. He told them he killed the man and he just wanted to make his call. The only number Luke knew was Wren's and he prayed to a God he didn't believe in that she would answer. They hadn't spoken since their fight. When Wren answered he immediately began to talk, frantically. But his voice was shaky and broke. "Help. Please. i'm at the police station. They're saying I killed someone. I didn't do it. I haven't left the one room in 5 days, please help me." He let out a choked sob, pleadingly hoping help would come.

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren had been miserable since her fight with Luke, but her parents had come to town to visit so luckily she'd been able to distract herself between that and work. She was sitting at her desk at work when her phone rang, frowning a bit at the unfamiliar number before answering. "Hello?" Her eyes widened as she heard Luke on the other end, quickly beginning to gather her things to leave, fear filling her. "I'll be right there, Luke, I promise. I'll be there soon, ok? Just hang on." She promised, reassuring him that she'd be there as quickly as possible before hanging up. She took ten minutes to look up the arrest file in the system, printing it out as evidence as well as downloading the security camera footage from the station where Luke was being held as further evidence while she was on the phone with her parents, asking them to meet her at the police station and explaining the situation.

Wren and her parents arrived about an hour after he made his call, her father demanding that Luke be released due to his rights having been violated by being interrogated for so long and for being falsely accused, as it was clear based on a simple glance over the case and the arresting file that Luke hadn't done it. While her parents were arguing with the detectives and the prosecutor Wren was allowed in to see Luke, rushing over to him and giving him a tight hug once she saw him. "Everything is going to be ok, Luke. Here, I've brought you a change of clothes and my lunch, you need to change and eat while my parents speak with the detectives and the DA." She soothed, frowning deeply as she looked at him. "What happend to you, Luke?"

@ katahdin
Luke was so relieved when Wren told him she was coming, he wanted to cry with joy. The detectives brought him back into the interrogation room, cuffing his hands to the table. He laid his head on the table as he waited for her, drifting off slightly. The detectives cleaned up the room, adjusted the temperature, and placed a glass of water on the table, trying to make everything seem normal. They wiped some sweat off of his forehead and arms, again just trying to make things look presentable.

Luke jumped awake as Wren came into the room, he wanted to hug her back, but couldn't because his hands were cuffed. He smiled weakly at her, before looking over and seeing the water left for him. He quickly grabbed the cup and gulped it down. he looked back at Wren and just shook his head. "They arrested me a few days ago, said I killed some homeless man. But I didn't do it, Wren. I didn't. I'm no killer." he paused. "They brought me back here and started questioning me and I remembered, like your parents always said, tell them you want to remain silent and want your lawyer. That was all I said and they just laughed and hit me. They told me guilty people don't deserve lawyers. It was so fuckin weird, Wren. Everything felt surreal. I just wanted it to stop. I told them I'd confess if they would just let me make a call, so I did and I called you." he stammered out. Luke was tired and laid his head on the table again. " I can't really change if I'm stuck to this table." He mumbled. "Your number was the only one I had memorized." He admitted sheepishly.
The detectives explained to the Morrisson's that Luke had never invoke any of his rights and that they could interrogate him as long as they provided food and water, which they did. The detectives were dirty cops, working with the local gang, so they were pros at lying. The DA said they had witnesses that connected Luke to the scene during the time of the crime and that his fingerprints were found nearby as well. She explained that she did not oversee the interrogation but that she trusted her detectives to abide by the law and the Constitution.

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren frowned as she watched him quickly drink the water that had been left for him, pulling the box with her lunch out of her bag to set on the table for him. "You can eat now, though, and we'll get you changed once you get out of here." She said, giving his hand a squeeze. "I know you didn't do it, Luke. I found records in the mayor's office that prove you didn't, plus security footage that proves the detectives have been mistreating you. There's no way you'll get in trouble, I promise." She assured him, pressing a kiss to his cheek before opening up the box of lunch for him to eat. "Come on, you must be starving."

While Wren was with Luke, the Morissons asked to speak to the DA alone, and once they were in private presented the evidence that Wren had collected that proved Luke's innocence, as well as the evidence that showed that the detectives were dirty, and speculated that this arrest was retaliation on the part of the local gang that both Luke and these cops worked for. After half an hour of discussion Wren's mother Eleanor came in, giving Luke a worried look as she sat down across from him. "Oh, you poor thing. My husband and I have spoken with the DA, and she has agreed to release you and not charge you with anything, on the condition that you tell her everything you can about the local gang and their plans, as well as agree to testify against them and the dirty cops that arrested you once her office is ready to make the arrests. You and your family will be relocated for your safety until you can testify, as will Wren, because of how dangerous of a situation this is. If you refuse, you won't be charged with the murder you were arrested for, but the DA will have to prosecute you on the drug charges that your involvement with the gang comes with. As your legal council, I strongly advise that you take this deal, because in all likelihood if you end up in prison, someone on the inside will finish what the cops started, and we'd hate to see anything bad happen to you or your family, Luke."

@ katahdin
Luke nodded he pulled the lunchbox closer to him and ate as he listened to Wren, nodding again. “I didn’t know who else to call. I mean, I guess you’re a good person to call since both your parents are lawyers.” He said with a chuckle, quickly finishing off the sandwich. “I don’t wanna go to prison, Wren.” He said, very seriously as his eyes locked with hers again.

Luke jumped slightly when Wren’s mother came in, but he smiled slightly at her. Both of Wren’s parents had been like a second set of parents to him, he loved them. Even though they had told him he didn’t need to call them Mr. And Mrs. He still insisted on it. “Hello Mrs. Morrison.” He said quietly, frowning slightly as she spoke. He knew they would find out about his gang activity, but he still felt like a failure in their eyes. Luke quickly shook his head. “They will kill me, Mrs. Morisson. In here, out there. Doesn’t matter if you move me, they will find me and kill me.” He said, his eyes big, clearly afraid of what he knew they were capable of. “They don’t have anything on me for my involvement, I know it. I’m very careful.” He said nervously. Luke tapped his finger on top of the table. “Where is Mr. Morisson? Is he here? Is he disappointed in me?” Luke asked, looking frantically between Wren and Eleanor. Luke swallowed hard and pulled against the cuffs on his hands. “I need to get out of here. These fucking hurt. I just want to go lay down and sleep.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor's eyes softened as she looked at Luke when he asked if her husband was disappointed in him, shaking her head as she reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "No, Luke. He's not disappointed in you. Neither of us are. You had to do what you had to in order to keep your family fed and housed, and that never should have been put on you in the first place, but we'd never be disappointed in you for trying to help your family." She assured him with a little smile, although it faded when he said that he'd still end up dead if they moved him, as well as his claim that the DA didn't have anything on his involvement with the gang. "Actually, dear, they do. The detectives have documents and images that show your involvement with the gang, and they don't look like forgeries or fakes, I'm afraid that they're very real. It's likely that they came from someone inside the gang to throw you under the bus, but the DA is willing to overlook your involvement if you cooperate, and only assign you with minimal charges with a max of a few weeks probation and community service."

Wren frowned as she listened to Luke and her mother speak, taking his other hand and giving it a squeeze, hoping to calm him as he tugged at the handcuffs. "I know, Luke. We'll get you out of here, I promise. But you need to cooperate. You have two options at this point, cooperate or go to jail, and we all know what will happen to you if you go to jail." She swallowed nervously at the thought, giving his hand another squeeze. "But the DA is willing to work with you, and move you and your family back to our hometown where you can all stay until you testify and everything is safe again. And my parents have offered to help get you and your mother jobs, and help get your brothers part time jobs to save money for school. Please, Luke. Please, just swallow your pride and let us help you."

@ katahdin
Luke was slightly relieved when Eleanor said they weren’t upset with him, it brought him some solace, which was soon gone when she said they did in fact have evidence against him. Shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe his friend would betray him like this. “Why would Fabio do this? He’s my friends. Why would he do this?” Luke’s voice raises, more from anxiety than anything else. “I was loyal. I was a good worker. I rose up and took on the challenge.” He shook his head and put it back on the table. “How bad is it?” He asked, Luke hated asking for help. He needed to know everything beside making a decision.

Luke looked at Wren and saw the emotion in her eyes, his own eyes saddening. He hated hurting her or upsetting her, he always had. Luke remember in their freshman year when he egged someone’s house, how upset Wren Was with him and he hated the feeling ever since. He didn’t want pity help. He wanted to take care of himself. But here was Wren, being sincere and genuine. Wanting to help, and care for him. His mind kept jumping back and forth between the options. He swallowed hard and looked at her. “Wren...” he murmured.

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren frowned at how distraught he was, squeezing his hand. "Luke, I don't think he was ever your friend.. I'm sorry that he did this to you, really, I am." She soothed, hoping it would help calm him down. Eleanor frowned as she watched her daughter try to comfort him, offering him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry dear, I truly am. It's quite bad, Luke. You really do need to take this deal, it's the only way to keep you safe." She said. "I need your answer soon, so we can speak to the DA and get everything sorted out."

"Please, Luke.." Wren begged softly as he looked at her, squeezing his hand again. "Please let us help you, I'm begging you, Luke." She hoped that he'd give in and accept their help, but she was worried he wouldn't take it because of his stubbornness.

@ katahdin
Luke let out a dry laugh and shook his head. He knew exactly what happened. “No, no I know what happened.” He said as he laughed again. “His sister and I were hooking up before we found each other.” He Laughed again, his laugh was almost maniacal because Luke was just so done. “I cut it off when I found you, Wren. I think she was pissed.” He said and show his head laughing again. “I’m so fucked.” He said and laughed again. He divulged into a sick laughter, tears running down his face as he did. After a few minutes he sat up and looked between them both. Luke didn’t want to go to prison, he knew he had to accept. But he wanted to feel as though it was his choice and under his terms.

Luke looked at Wren as she begged, and nodded slightly. He turned to Eleanor and swallowed before speaking. “I’ll do it, but I have conditions of my own.” He said sternly. Luke knew he didn’t have a lot of bargaining power, but he needed to have some sort of control, some sort of feeling that he was in charge of this and doing it on his own. He didn’t want pity help. After Eleanor left to get the DA, Luke turned to Wren. “Can I stay with you tonight? Please?” He said softly, his eyes pleading.

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren looked at her mother nervously as Luke began to laugh, clearly worried about his wellbeing. He needed to get out of here, get him somewhere safe where he'd be able to rest and relax. It broke her heart to see him so distraught. She also hated knowing that he'd been seeing someone before they'd met again, but she decided to push those feelings aside for now, since now was not the time to focus on those feelings.

Eleanor nodded when he agreed, waiting to hear his conditions for cooperating before she left to go speak to the DA and work out a deal. Once her mother was gone Wren took his hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze before brushing his hair away from his face with her other hand. "Of course, Luke. My parents said we'd need to leave tomorrow, but you're welcome to stay with me for the night."

@ katahdin
Luke didn’t have many conditions he wanted met. Mostly just keeping the publicity low because he didn’t want any risk to his family. That and he wanted something done with the cops who had taken him in. He wanted their heads on a platter, but he would settle for a nice settlement from the city. He watched as Mrs. Morisson left the room and sighed softly. He knew he fucked up and he didn’t want their perception of him to change. He hated that idea. He stopped for a moment when he realized he had just told Wren and her mother that he’d been hooking up with someone. He wanted to thump himself on the head for being so stupid and letting that slip in front of her.

Luke smiled when she told him he could stay. “I don’t have much to my name, so I don’t have a lot of packing to do.” He teased. Luke squeezed her hands back, leaning forward and kissing her forehead. “Thank you for coming so quick. I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t answer or didn’t come.” He laughed again and shook his head. “Maybe I’d be better off dead.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Eleanor thought that his conditions were reasonable and that the DA would agree, and she promised to be back soon with an officer to release him. Wren agreed, doing her best to assure Luke that the DA would agree to his conditions and that he'd be out of there in no time, hoping to calm him down a bit. She offered him a faint smile at his teasing, shaking her head a little. "You'll still want to bring stuff with you, I'm sure. The DA is going to make arrangements for a home for your family, as well as an apartment for yourself, so you'll want whatever you have to make it feel a bit more like home, despite the circumstances." She explained, although she frowned deeply when he said that he thought that he might be better off dead.

"Don't you ever say something like that, Luke." She scolded, squeezing his hands tightly as she forced him to look at her. "You absolutely would not. I never want to hear you say that again, do you hear me? I don't even want to imagine losing you like that.."

@ katahdin
Luke was feeling better by the minute with Wren by his side. He still felt like crap from the bruised face, dehydration, hunger, and exhaustion but he was relieved and felt as though he was safe and things would be okay. “Think we could get our old house?” He asked and laughed at the thought. “I think I left some secret notes in the wall.” Luke remembered when they were very little, they used to be allowed sleepovers. They would write notes back and forth so his parents didn’t know they were up past bedtime. Those left as the two got older and their parents wanted to prevent teen pregnancy. But Luke would still write notes, to himself or Wren and hide them about.

Luke jumped slightly at Wren’s scolding, he didn’t expect it, nor did he think that she actually would do it. He just nodded quickly and looked at his feet. “I’m sorry Wren, I wasn’t thinking.” He said and glanced back up. “I don’t want to lose you either.” He paused and swallowed. “Can I tell you something, later tonight. When we’re alone?” He asked, biting his lip. Luke knew she would Probably have questions about his gang life, and he wanted to come clean. But right now he just wanted to get out of here.

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren smiled a little as he asked about his old house, giving a little nod. "I'm sure you could. Last I knew it was up for sale again, I'm sure you and your family could go back there." She said, remembering their sleepovers fondly. She'd hated when they had to stop, but her parents had been worried about the two of them fooling around, not that she would have at that age anyway.

Wren frowned as he looked at his feet, resting her head against his shoulder as she squeezed his hand. "I know you're upset, and I shouldn't have been so harsh, but I can't stand the thought of anything bad happening to you." she murmured softly, nodding as he asked if he could tell her something, giving his hand a squeeze. "Of course, Luke. You can tell me anything, you know that." She assured him.

It wasn't long after that that both her parents returned with the DA and an officer to release him, the DA apologizing profusely for what he'd gone through, as well as promising to do right by him and prosecute the dirty cops who had taken him in. She also said that they'd have a police escort home and that his family would have officers outside of their home for protection as well. Once outside the station Wren's parents wished them a goodnight before they headed back to their hotel to prepare to return home in the morning, and Wren and Luke were escorted back to her apartment by a nice officer who was going to remain outside of her building all night. Once inside of the apartment she showed him to the bathroom, offering him the change of clothes that she'd brought for him earlier. "I'll get the couch set up for you to sleep on while you shower. Take your time. I can also make something to eat, if you'd like."

@ katahdin
Luke was relieved as the whole ordeal was coming to an end. It had probably been the worst few days of his life. Luke nodded as Wren spoke, he knew she was right. He never wanted to hurt her, and he knew his words had. Even if he did think he should be dead he didn’t want to hurt Wren by saying it aloud. When she told him that he could talk to her it felt like another weight off his chest.

Luke wanted to jump for joy when the DA came in to let him go. When his wrists were freed he rubbed them gently, sore red rings around his wrists. He just nodded curtly to the DA. Still not trusting but knowing he had to do this. He hated the idea of it and the fact that he was going to be a snitch. He hated it with every fiber of his being. His street crew, his bad boy image, his power and respect we’re going to be gone. Once outside Luke thanked both of Wren’s parents. Shaking their hands, but not making eye contact. He felt terrible and like he was a disappointment.

When they arrived at Wren’s apartment he paused and took a deep breathe in. “Why does your place always smell so good. I never wanna leave” he said and chuckled. Luke too the clothes and nodded. “Whatever works, thank you, Wren. I don’t know what would happen without you.” He murmured before turning on the shower. He undressed slowly and waited for the water to warm before stepping in. Luke looked around at all the different products in the shower, raising an eyebrow at some. They all had complicated scents and names. He just needed shampoo and body wash. Af the r a few moments he just decided to go with his gut. He used the pomegranate blueberry shampoo with a strawberry melon wash on his body. He scrubbed himself clean, almost scrubbing himself raw because he wanted the stench of the past few days gone. Once out, he dried off quickly and wrapped the towel around his waist. He too the clothes into the living room with him, but stayed in the towel. Luke walked back to the bathroom and begun to look at himself in the mirror. He noticed all the changes in his body, from boyhood to manhood. He filled his body out nicely. Working out, physical work, and fights helped him get fit and toned. He turned his arms, looking at the muscles and occasional scars. He didn’t want to seem cocky, but he thought he looked damn good. His eyes ventured to the scar across his abs that he had shown her last night, it stood out more when he flexed his abs to show off the 4 pac he had. But it looked badass. He looked like those posters of Taylor Lautner that Wren has in her room during her Twilight phase, at least he thought so. Luke ventures out into the kitchen, still in his towel. “So what’s for dinner?” He asked and grinned over at Wren. “I’m sorry you’re losing your awesome job because of me.” He said with a frown.

@ BadStreetBoys

While Luke showered Wren headed to the kitchen to make dinner, settling in making homemade macaroni and cheese since it seemed like he needed some comfort food. She even made a pan of brownies, which she was putting into the oven just as he came out of the bathroom the first time, blushing as she spotted him just in the towel, choosing to ignore it. When he returned she was just finishing the macaroni and cheese, surprised again to see that he hadn't put on his change of clothes, and for a moment she worried if maybe they didn't fit.

"Were the clothes too small? I'm sorry if they are, I can try to find something else that fits, although I doubt there's anything here.." she offered, willing to go out and buy him something if he needed it. When he asked what was for dinner she gestured toward the macaroni and cheese that was cooking on the counter. "Mac and cheese, and I've got some brownies cooking in the oven." She explained with a smile, stepping back so that he could get his meal. "Help yourself. And don't feel like you have to only take a little, take as much as you want." She assured him, knowing there was other food she could eat if he wanted it all. She frowned a bit as he apologized for her losing her job, shaking her head. "It's alright, Luke. It's not your fault. And the DA has explained everything to the mayor's office, and they've said that once it's safe for me to come back to work I'll be welcome. Besides, I'll be able to work at my parents law firm back home as a worst case scenario, but I'm hoping to find some job that I actually like and is interesting. Plus my parents have said they'll help you find a job or a training program to enroll in, so you'll have plenty of.options too."

@ katahdin
Luke frowned when she was asking about the clothes, shaking his head. “No they’re fine, in the living room. I was just looking at my scar in the mirror and thinking. I haven’t changed into them yet.” he said and but his lip before looking back at Wren, grinning ever so slightly. “Are you telling me you never wanted to see me in a towel when we were younger?” He teased. Luke paused for a moment and worried he was making her uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t do this in your house.” He said before hurrying back to the living room, grabbing his clothes, then changing in the bathroom.

Like came out dressed, though the towel was still around his neck so his shirt wouldn’t get wet from his hair. “You know how much I love Mac and cheese and brownies.” He licked his lips as he grabbed a bowl and basically filled it to the brim, making sure to leave some for Wren. He put some salt and pepper in the bowl before walking to the living room and beginning to Stuff his face with the food. Luke turned the TV onto a random cooking show, and slowed down his eating so he wouldn’t get sick. “I still feel bad.” He said but smiled at her reassurance. “I’m an adult, Wren. I can do things on my own. I know I needed help today. But I can do it” he said, Unsure if he was trying to convince himself or her. Luke finished off the mac and cheese, placing the bowl in the sink along with the spoon. “Wren, come sit.” He murmured and walked back to the living room. Turning the TV off he glanced over at Wren nervously. “How much do you want to know about my life since I left?”

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren nodded a little in understanding as he explained why he hadn't changed yet. "Oh, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't anything wrong." She assured him, although she blushed brightly as he teased her and asked if she'd ever thought of seeing him in just a towel when she was younger. "No, Luke.. I was fifteen, we were just kids.." she explained, starting to shake her head as he apologized though, frowning as he hurried off to change. She was glad to see him eating as he piled his bowl full before heading to the living room, helping herself to a small portion before following him. "It's alright, Luke. And I know that you're an adult, but that doesn't mean that you can't ask or accept help when you need it, Luke." She said with a frown. Asking for help wouldn't make him week, at least not in her eyes, but she knew he probably thought otherwise.

Once she was finished she returned to the kitchen to wash the dishes, also pulling the brownies out when they were ready to let them cool, looking back at Like as he asked her to come sit with him again, nodding as she followed him and took a seat next to him on the couch. "Whatever you're comfortable with sharing.. I won't ask anything if you don't want to share, Luke.. you don't owe me any explanations." She assured him, giving his hand a squeeze.

@ katahdin
At Wren’s comment about them being kids Luke raised an eyebrow. Sure they had been 15, but he was thinking about her in more nefarious ways than maybe a 15 year old boy should. But he wouldn’t admit that, not after her comment. When he had moved away Like felt as if he would Never love someone or Find them attractive like he did Wren. He was partially right. He had hooked up with a few people, including Fabio’s sister, in those 8 years. But none of it meant anything. They were mostly one night stands that he felt obligated to be part of. When they first met Fabio made fun of Luke for being a virgin and wanting to wait for someone he cared about. Fabio said he wasn’t a man until he was doing chicks weekly. So Luke manned up. He still felt awkward anytime he had sex with someone, but hey at least he was a player, a strong, real, man.

Luke nodded at her words. “I know I can tell you anything. But I want to know what you wanna know. I’ll tell you anything and if it’s something too much for me at that moment I’ll tell you and we can take a rain check.” He told Wren. Luke was looking over at her and his eyes softened. She looked so beautiful to him. He just wanted to wrap his arms around her and never let go. “I never killed anyone, I promise you that.” He said, very sternly because he wanted Wren to know he wasn’t a bad person. “What did your parents say when you told them?” He asked, sighing. “They probably hate me now, I’ve never wanted to disappoint your parents, Wren. I love them so much. I gotta make them love me again.”

@ BadStreetBoys

Wren frowned a bit as she noticed the look he gave her at her comment about them having been children, deciding to distract herself with tidying up the kitchen. Had she thought Luke was attractive at that age? Yes. Had she hoped that maybe one day he'd ask her out, and that maybe they'd also get married? Yes. But that didn't mean she was thinking about him naked every day, especially after he left. And he was even more attractive now, but he also wasn't the same Luke she'd known in high school, and she needed time to figure out what she wanted, especially now that they'd be going back to their childhood town.

She nodded as she listened to him speak, looking at him with a little frown. "I know you didn't kill anyone.." she assured him, although she wasn't sure what else she wanted to know, of anything at all. Her frown only deepened when he asked about her parents, shaking her head quickly as she moved to sit next to him, giving his hands a squeeze. "Of course they love you, Luke. They've never stopped loving you, and certainly don't hate you for all of this. If anything, they're disappointed in themselves for not knowing sooner and not helping you when you needed it." She explained, eyes soft. "Luke.. I know you think that being in a gang makes you strong and manly, but whatever Fabio told you about manhood is a lie.. Asking for help and accepting it makes you strong, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with your emotions and let people in makes you strong.."