His hair was silk. Golden streams slipping past each other as he got to his knees. The last time they were this close was when they were aiming for each other's throats. And before that... Jason couldn't remember. Because every time he saw those eyes up close, he'd think about the memories that were lost to time.
The first time he met Luke was when Ms Kate introduced the 'new boy'. Luke did not speak nor did he smile but Jason felt like maybe, maybe this boy understood what it was like to fear your own capabilities — to fear your own powers. So, Jason grinned widely and initiated a handshake which Luke took. Reluctantly. At the nudge of Ms Kate's hand and nod of her chin.
"What... are you... doing..."
Luke smiled and it didn't hold a secondary intent. He placed his palm on his wound and the skin began close up, an embroiderer at work. Without looking, Jason knew Luke's mastery in healing. It was seamless and almost flawless. But still, there was pain.
Jason didn't hold back the moans. He couldn't. His flesh was on fire and his skin was splitting itself apart he was sure of it. One of his hands was searching for something to grab on and it ended up being Luke's hands. Luke's grip on him tightened slightly but his eyes were focused on the glowing wound.
Then, it was over. The glow was gone and the pain subsided into nothing.
Jason felt another chilliness envelop him and he let go of the tension in his muscles and fell limp, breathing hard. He looked at Luke in shock.
"Why?"
Luke didn't answer. He grabbed Jason under the shoulder and began to drag. With a choppy breath, Jason felt the warmth of the ground. Luke's wooden gaze landed on him again, a mixture of contemplation and conflict in his eyes, as though he was unsure, as though he was actually thinking of an answer even though he would never say it out loud.
A sudden drain of energy made Jason shudder but he still had to speak, "Why did you have to leave?"
"You know why." There was anger in there.
Luke began to turn but halted at the sound of Jason's weak and quiet chuckle.
"You left at such a great time." Jason blinked. Slowly. "You left when I needed you the most."
Jason didn't see Luke's subtle flinch. For him, the world was fading again, white dots flooded his vision like a tide washing ashore. He blinked, trying to clear it, but this tide did not retreat.