Hate Love (for Nolee)

Lucas nodded and pulled Cody close, keeping his eyes closed tight.

"Love you." Cody mumbled before falling asleep.

Lucas slept soundlessly that night, something he hadn't done in a long while.

Cody woke a few times during the night out of habit, but quickly fell back asleep, staying curled up against Lucas. When it was morning, he made an irritated sound, knowing he had to get up but not really wanting to, happy where he was.

Lucas had been up before the sun, making sure that both he and Cody's bags were packed. He had his plastic, though very real, gun disassembled in his bag and hidden at the bottom of it. Even if they did go through a metal detector, no one would see it. He made sure to not pack the bullets, he could buy those if he needed when in Atlanta. He dressed in his finest suit, wanting to look more like a business man and not a man who killed others for a living. After all, he did have a piece of business to attend to when they got to Atlanta...he just hoped Cody didn't find out before hand.

As Lucas packed their things, Cody was still sleeping, not much of a morning person despite how often he'd had to get up early in the past. He knew he had to get up, but knowing what they were supposed to be going to Atlanta for, he was a little reluctant. Eventually though he opened his eyes, yawning as he lifted his head to check the time. He slowly sat up, stretching, looking a little confused when he saw Lucas in a suit.

Lucas heard Cody move in the bed and turned his head to look at his young lover over his shoulder, "Hey doll. I've done packed for you and everything."

"Oh..." Cody said with a small smile, still slowly waking up. "Thanks." Still not dressed from the night before, Cody slid out of bed, grabbing clothes before disappearing into the bathroom to shower.

Lucas looked at himself in the mirror, gulping down his fear. He had proposed to Cody the night before, sure. But that was an informal thing. A man like Cody deserved much more than just a simple question. He deserved it, ring and all.

Cody sighed quietly as he stood under the warm water, taking a few minutes to realise the night before hadn't just been a dream he'd had. Once he was done showering and dressing, Cody found himself sitting on the floor, head in his hands as he tried to mentally prepare himself for their trip to Atlanta.

Lucas sat next to him, rubbing his back, "Are you going to be alright for this trip?"

"I guess so," Cody said quietly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's not like he's ever been nice to me anyway..."

"Well that's gonna change," smiled Lucas, "he's gonna start bein' nice to you."

"What makes you say that?" Cody asked, looking up at him. ""It's not like it would make a difference anyway, considering what we're supposed to be doing..."

Lucas ran a hand over his head, "Well...I thought that maybe...um...we could find your brother Dustin and he could tell us before I...you know..."

Cody frowned and nodded. "...what exactly were you hoping he'd say?" He asked Lucas curiously, smiling a little at the idea of seeing his brother again.

Lucas smiled and kissed Cody's temple, "Well, you'll just have to wait to find out that one."

Cody smiled and nodded, turning to wrap his arms around Lucas' neck, hugging him. "Alright." He said quietly.

Lucas smiled, "All packed? Wanna say goodbye before we split?"

"Well you'd hope I am considering you said you packed my things." Cody chuckled before nodding. "We probably should."

Lucas nodded and grabbed their bags, slinging them over his shoulders. He nodded at Cody with a grin, "Ready to go when you are."

Cody nodded and slowly got to his feet, fixing one of the sleeves on his shirt. "I'm ready..." He said quietly, giving a small smile as he moved closer to Lucas.

Lucas smiled and wrapped an arm around his waist, heading downstairs. The two passed Carter who had his ribs wrapped up and was feeling rather bad. "Hey boys, headin on out to Atlanta?"

"Yeah we are," Cody nodded, frowning as he looked at Carter. "Are you alright...?"

Carter nodded, "Training this morning went a little out of hand."