Tmf Oneshots, take two!

Luke had always been enchanted by the crisp air and the golden-hued leaves that swirled around him every autumn. It was by far his favorite season, one that seemed to settle deep in his soul. He often joked that Autumn had "chosen" him, like it had whispered its secrets into his heart, and ever since, he'd fallen in love with the crisp mornings and chilly nights, the crackling leaves underfoot, and the anticipation of the upcoming holidays. The world, to Luke, was simply more beautiful in the fall. But this particular Autumn felt different from all the others.

For one, this was the season he had met the love of his life-the season he started dating Zander, the one person who had swept him off his feet without him even realizing it. They had fallen in love amidst the colors of the trees, and ever since, each passing autumn had held a special place in his heart. But this year, things felt heavier. The weight of expectations, exams, and the looming possibility of college was clouding his joy, making the season feel a little more complicated than before.

"Don't overexert yourself." The last words Hailey had spoken to him still echoed in his mind. He could hear her voice clearly, a note of concern mixed with the usual playful teasing she always carried.

"I'll be fine, Hailey. You guys go have fun without me." Luke had assured her back then, trying to brush off his worries. His friends had been planning a trip to the mall during lunch, a fun break from school. But Luke knew he couldn't afford to join them-not when a huge exam loomed over him, one that could decide whether he got into his dream college.

"You sure you don't want to go to the mall with us?" Hailey had asked again, her voice light but sincere. "Everyone's going-Jake, Milly, even Sean, we haven't hung out with him in forever."

"I'm sure. I really need to nail this exam, Hailey." Luke had looked up from his notes, offering her a half-hearted smile. His textbooks, sprawled out before him on the library table, seemed to taunt him with their never-ending content.

Hailey had sighed, clearly disappointed but understanding. "Alright, but Zander's going to be disappointed too. And we were planning to meet up with Sean afterward. He's been a little distant."

Luke had smiled at her sadness, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was letting everyone down. "It's fine, Hailey. Go have fun, okay?" He tried to keep his voice light, though the guilt nagged at him.

"Okay, fine. But I have to go-Biology calls. Jake's going to have a meltdown over frog dissection, and I have to save him," she had joked, but the worry still lingered in her eyes.

"Bye, Hailey," he had waved at her as she walked off to her next class.

He had returned to his studying, though his mind was still partially focused on his friends and the idea of spending his lunch alone in the library. Just as he was about to dive back into the sea of textbooks, his phone buzzed.

Zander's name flashed on the screen. Luke smiled, his heart lifting a little at the sight of the contact.

"Hi, honey. You need anything?" Luke had answered, his voice soft with affection.

"Yeah, I'm coming over." Zander's voice was playful, though Luke could sense a hint of pout on the other end. "I haven't seen you since first period."

Luke sighed, even as his heart did a little flip. "You know I'm busy, Zan-"

"Nope." Zander's voice was firm, cutting him off. "I'm coming. Deal with it." Before Luke could argue further, the line went dead.

Ten minutes later, Zander was at his doorstep, wearing that mischievous smile Luke knew all too well.

"I told you I have to study," Luke smiled, though his words were tinged with exasperation. He opened the door, letting Zander inside.

Zander just shrugged, completely unbothered. "I told them I was coming to see you," he said, brushing past Luke and making himself comfortable in the living room. "Also, Jake and Milly were getting on my nerves. You know how they are."

Luke couldn't help but laugh. He followed Zander into the living room, closing the door behind him. "I thought you were going to the mall with the others?"

Zander rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I told them I'd see them later. But I can't leave you alone to work yourself into the ground."

Luke chuckled, though he didn't argue. He had a lot of work to do, but his heart always lightened when Zander was around.

>><<

An hour later, they were both in Luke's room. Zander was lounging lazily on the bed, scrolling through his phone, while Luke sat at his desk, buried in his books and notes.

"You should take a break, babe," Zander said, glancing up at Luke with a mischievous grin. "You're going to burn yourself out."

"I can't," Luke replied, his voice muffled by the papers in front of him. "I need to finish this if I want to do well on the exam."

Zander sighed dramatically, rolling over on the bed. "Please? I want cuddles. And I know you want them too."

Luke paused, his pencil hovering above the page as he looked at Zander. His heart skipped a beat, and after a moment of hesitation, he let out a soft breath. "Okay, fine. Five minutes," he agreed, smiling at the way Zander's face lit up.

Zander didn't waste any time. He jumped up from the bed, flopping down next to Luke, and instantly wrapped his arms around him. Luke exhaled deeply, feeling the tension drain from his body as he melted into the warmth of Zander's embrace.

The moments passed quietly, both of them enjoying the simple comfort of being close. Luke rested his head against Zander's chest, his hand resting on his boyfriend's stomach. The steady beat of Zander's heart calmed him in a way nothing else could.

Zander looked down at him, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "You know, you've been working so hard. I'm proud of you."

Luke smiled up at him, warmth flooding through him. He leaned in, capturing Zander's lips in a soft, tender kiss.

The kiss deepened slowly, their lips growing more insistent, as though each of them were seeking comfort, connection, and love in the other. The world outside their little bubble seemed to disappear.

When they pulled away, they both breathed heavily, their chests rising and falling in tandem. Luke's gaze flicked to Zander's neck, and without a word, he asked for permission with his eyes. Zander nodded, his smile soft and inviting.

Luke leaned in, pressing gentle, loving kisses along Zander's neck. He felt Zander's body relax under his touch, his breath hitching slightly as Luke moved with slow, deliberate care.

A soft, almost imperceptible sigh escaped Zander's lips as Luke continued, his hands gently gripping the sides of Zander's shirt. Soon, Luke's kisses turned into light, teasing suckles, leaving faint marks on his skin.

"Too much?" Luke asked softly, pulling back to look at Zander.

"No, it was nice," Zander replied with a soft smile, pulling Luke closer and wrapping his arms around him.

"I love you," Luke whispered in Zander's ear, feeling his heart swell with affection.

"I love you too," Zander chuckled, holding Luke tight.

>><<

Eventually, they had both drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms. The peaceful silence of the room was broken only by the occasional rustle of the leaves outside and the soft hum of the fan.

But the quiet was soon interrupted by the buzzing of Zander's phone. Both of them groaned in unison as they slowly woke up. Zander, still half asleep, answered the FaceTime call.

"Hi, boys!" Hailey's face appeared on the screen, a bright grin on her face. She was sitting at a table at the mall, surrounded by Jake, Milly, and Sean, who all waved at the camera.

"Hi guys, what's up?" Luke yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"We just wanted you two to come out," Hailey shrugged casually. "You know, hang out with us."

"We can go roller skating," Sean added, his voice cheerful.

Luke looked at Zander, who raised an eyebrow in surprise but smiled anyway. "Okay, fine, we'll meet you there."

Zander looked over at Luke, his smile growing wider. It had been a while since they'd spent time with the whole group. This would be nice.

"See you there," Luke said, tired but relaxed, a smile stretching across his face. "Let's go have some fun."