His shy eyes swept across the masses of people pooling in and out of the campus buildings, there was some sort of seminar happening that was open to the public. He should be quite used to the whole scene now, especially since he has been here for some time. However, having grown up reserved, he never had a chance to appreciate the niceties of being in a crowded place.

There were a couple hard shoves every now and again from those who are either truly trying to be a nuisance or those that are just negligent. Troye didn't pay much thought as his mind focused on the music pouring in from his headphones. Fingers picking at the seams of his jeans.

The current song ended with a silent strum of guitar strings, and the noise of the world outside infiltrated for a moment. That was enough though, as he caught the very distinct rumble in his friend's voice and thanked the lord that he did not have to navigate to the carpark on the opposite side of campus in order to meet Logan.

A familiar tune came on and washed away the background noises and the sound of Logan's slightly muffled voice. Troye side stepped and hung his head low, trying to get himself to the edge of the curb.

Troye almost audibly groaned into his hands as the tune reminded him of how he almost kissed Romero. It was the same song, and 2 lines into the verse, Troye had to skip the track in order to prevent the heat from suffocating him under his shirt.

"Hey bud!" Logan greeted, upon seeing Troye's shuffling feet approaching. He thought it was insanely cute the way Troye fidgeted. After the obligatory hair ruffle, Logan slung his arm around Troye's neck, while Troye plucked the headphones out from his ears and let them hang at the front of his shirt.

Logan turned to the person he was speaking to, a big man, far too tall, too broad. "Troye this is Scotty. He's one of my gym friends." There was too much of Scotty in front of Troye, and he felt the need to cower away.

However, the man wore a gentle expression that contradicted his confident stance. "Hey there." Scotty greeted calmly, it wasn't enough to offset Troye's worry though. Logan even felt Troye recoil at the deep, bass-like voice that rumbled from the wide man.

"Hi." Troye managed, trying to adjust his posture so he wasn't hunched over.

Scotty's hand came to squeeze Troye's shoulder, and the former gave a nod of approval. "He's got good bones, doesn't he? We should get him in the gym, eh? Might help rake in the ladies for you." Scotty winked, which made Troye smile awkwardly while Logan concurs with his own suggestion.

"He swings the other way." Logan offered a wink of his own and Troye was reduced to a pile of goo. Before Troye had the time to deny, Logan had already spoken for him. "He's the lost cause I told you about. I'll take him with me if I can manage to get him out of the house."

"Oh, my apologies." Scotty laughed, knowing all too well what it felt like to be mistaken for being straight. "Maybe I should give you my number as compensation for my rudeness. It's the best gift I can give, I guarantee." Yet another wink and Troye couldn't handle it, so he shuffled from under Logan's arm.

Fearing that he may make even more of a fool out of himself, Troye just kept his mouth shut while Logan gave a few parting words to Scotty. He had only gone on three dates in his life, granted three of the three dates were with a man – a man that Troye was quite fond of, in all honesty – it still didn't mean he was gay, right?

Logan quickly rounded off the conversation and Scotty sent the pair off with a pinch to Logan's right butt cheek. He didn't really mind, public displays of affection turned him on, just a little. Logan's right arm went around Troye's shoulder again as they broke through the crowd.

"How was your day?" Logan asked, smiling at passing people who, somehow, recognised him.

"It was okay." Troye answered, not mentioning the date he had gone on with Romero the day prior. That could come when they were in the car or at the restaurant. Troye was still determined to open up a little more though, so he continued, "That guy was nice."

"Scotty?" Logan questioned, stealing a sideway glace at Troye. "Yeah, he's alright. Maybe you should've grabbed his number though. He's decent company." Troye didn't want to know what 'company' could entail.

The sexual habits of Logan had never been on the forefront of Troye's mind. One, it just didn't come up in his periphery even when he got curious about Logan's personal life. Two, Troye would rather not to see Logan differently, since he had mentioned a few times that he didn't have many genuine friends. It made Troye's heart clench a little, if people gave Logan a little more time, he could be great company. Actual company.

Troye struggled a little to get his backpack in the car before his body. It helped that the car had fairly ordinary suspension and did not require him to kneel or scale a mountain. He also secretly loved the scent of Logan's car.

It was early evening, and Troye had just gotten out of his final lecture of the week, so he was quite thankful that Logan had offered to take him home. "Hey, can I crash at yours?" Logan asked as he waited for people to pass behind his car before he backed out of the space.

"Sure." Troye had his head against the headrest, eyes closed. He was being transported into a land of tropical fruit by the air freshener of the car and didn't really know what he was saying. However, even if he did know what he was saying, he wouldn't have minded Logan sleeping over. The couch wasn't occupied otherwise.

Logan kept his smile hung on his face, as usual. There was nothing to be worried about today, it was fairly smooth sailing, apart from the fact that he would rather not return to his own bed, but that was a different story.

It would also be in Troye's interest that Logan stayed the night since he knew that Troye was not going to feed himself properly and, while Logan couldn't cook very well, a little takeaway never hurt anyone.

Shortly thereafter, they arrived at Troye's apartment building. It looked rundown but everything was functioning just fine. Logan certainly wouldn't mind if Troye had been his roommate, however, that was asking too much of his friend considering the 'dates' he would take home from time to time. It took a different sort of tolerance to not go crazy over the invasion of privacy from random people in their dwelling.

Logan peered over to his right, seeing Troye's slumped head against the headrest and the glistening accumulation of drool that threatened to spill over those lips of Troye's. Had this been anyone else inside Troye's body, Logan's clothes would have disintegrated and his hips would be moving in a sort of way that only promised pleasure.

However, a tenderness rose to Logan's mind. He could see it all when Troye was not bowing his head and looking timidly at the ground. He truly felt bad for his friend, he didn't have to worry financially since he had his own job that he was sure paid far better than Troye's.

If Troye were his boyfriend, Logan would have done everything in his power to pull him out of those two jobs, then find him a better position at the radio station or even pay for his expenses if they decide to live together. The thought was fleeting though, he knew himself well. He would be too absentminded and abrasive to be a lover outside of the bed.

His arm stretched over the centre console and ghosted over the back of Troye's neck, but Logan decided against it and landed it right on his friend's shoulder.

If he had touched Troye in a more-than-friendly fashion, it would only raise more confusion. Troye didn't need that in his life.

Logan could be confused for the both of them as of right now.

The itch in his hand to brush against Troye's bare skin almost caught him off guard, and he felt frustrated with himself. Did he truly lack that much self-control that he couldn't keep his dick in his pants for just a moment? It was embarrassing, perhaps he really was addicted.

Troye scrunched up his eyebrows, he disliked when people disrupted his peace. Logan waited patiently, rubbing at Troye's bony shoulder with little force. He really wanted to touch Troye all over, and in his head was a war.

Tilting his head, Troye looked at Logan with a frown. "You're evil." Troye muttered, taking in a deep breath and savouring the smell one last time before he opened the door and stepped out. Logan's hand slipped and landed on the seat with a dull thud.

A small smile graced Troye's lips and Logan was floored at the gesture. It felt like they were building an actual friendship now, not just a superficial connection that barely led to much.

Logan wanted to hang onto the friendship a little longer.

It was more than what he ever had.

~

They sat casually side by side, Logan taking up more space than he really needed with arms around the back of the couch and legs spread eagle. While Troye had his feet tucked under his thighs to minimise his existence, like he does every day. They were watching some show on Logan's laptop.

Idly, Troye took a sip of coffee from his plastic mug, now retrieved and safe in his own two hands. It was an item worth no more than a ten-dollar bill, yet, after the incident of losing it – both literally and figuratively – he had grown a strong affinity to the vessel.

Out the corner of his eye, Logan spotted the item and his jaw tightened. He was reminded of Romero, the person that he was sure had ulterior motives for courting his innocent friend.

The guy is basically a male cougar! Logan remarked in his head. Troye was ten-years younger, give or take a few months, and that didn't necessarily make Romero a predator as it were, but he felt like Troye's dating experience should not be wasted on someone with so many more years on his tab.

Regardless, one look at Troye's relaxed face, dozing off in front of the laptop on Logan's lap, he didn't have the heart to curse Romero down to the sixth ring of hell. At least not in front of Troye.

"What are you doing?" Troye questioned harmlessly. His mug lifted away from his lips to speak. Logan looked up and felt that his ear was resting against Troye's shoulder. This was Logan's subconscious trying to tell him something, and whatever it was, Logan wanted to comply.

"I hurt my neck this morning." Logan lied, his neck had never been better, relaxed and limp against Troye's arm.

Troye immediately put down his coffee mug and started to turn Logan around so he could inspect it. Medical instinct, Logan chuckled to himself. "Sorry, ticklish there." He covered up as Troye's hand glided over his spine tenderly.

"Hmm, you have a bruise here, and it's a little tight. But nothing too severe." Troye pointed to the trapezius muscle near Logan's neck. I do? Logan thought incredulously, until he remembered that it was probably a hickey from his last encounter.

As much as he wanted Troye to continue touching him like he was, Logan turned around before his cover was blown. "I'm alright, just need to rest it against something." He mentioned, hopeful that Troye would allow him to resume.

"I can get you something to help the pain." Troye was already getting up, the laptop forgotten.

Logan grabbed his hand, perhaps a little too eagerly. "I'm all good. Just sit down." Troye did, without much thought. Logan took the opportunity to properly lean against Troye.

This is a bit... intimate. Troye thought, and it was. Normal friends don't usually lean all over each other and pretend nothing is happening. Though, it was a good chance for Troye to finally open up, he was still determined that Logan could be so much more than just a regular friend.

"You can take the bed if you want. It's better than the couch." Troye offered, genuinely concerned for the phantom pain in Logan's neck. Logan shook his head, then slow tilted his face so he could sniff Troye's T-shirt. It was a pleasant scent, one of his favourites now.

The episode moved along, building up to a cliff hanger that surely would compel them to continue watching. Troye spoke out of the blue, "Is Romero really that famous?" He wanted to know just what he was getting himself into.

Logan lifted his head, slightly offended that their alone time was intruded by yet another mention of Romero. Then, he threw the malice away seeing Troye's expression. Something between interest and timidity.

"He played for one of the bigger teams." Logan explained, sparing Troye the details, "He wasn't super phenomenal or anything, just a player on a good team."

Troye nodded, it probably explained the laid-back nature of Romero, it must be stressful for the better-known celebrity soccer players. Troye avoided searching Romero in fear of discovering something that may sway his judgement of who Romero was, especially now that he was more invested in the relationship developing.

With his bottom lip between his teeth, Troye contemplated whether or not to continue on with his questions. Was it taboo to speak to Logan about his dates with Romero? It usually wasn't, people talk about their crushes all the time.

As endearing as it was to see Troye so worked up about something like this, Logan wasn't all that keen on speaking about Romero in a romantic context. Though, after consideration of Troye's anti-social tendencies and lack of experience, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for his friend.

"Are you two going out now?" Logan questioned, wanting to slap himself for giving in so easily. It seemed that it couldn't be helped nowadays with Troye. Logan often just gave Troye what he needed even without asking.

Troye straightened, sitting straighter now with perfect posture. Once again, he was relieved that Logan was taking the initiative to start the conversation, just as he felt better about admitting his financial issues in the café some time ago. It justified the multitude of questions he had about dating.

"We went out on a date the other day." He paused, unsure of what to mention first, the almost-kiss or the things he learnt about Romero.

Logan sat patiently, willing to give Troye the time to gather his thoughts. He felt like the silence was a prompt for him to say something so Troye can offer information piece by piece again. "What did you do?"

"We walked around a lake. Listened to music." Troye answered quickly, "Before that, I waited for him to finish work."

"Sounds fairly standard, I suppose he is out of the age range of a movie and dinner kind of date." Logan scratched at his neck, wishing he could use the phantom pain as an excuse again to be closer to Troye.

Logan leaned backwards on the couch, laying on his back and kicking his feet up on Troye's lap. Troye just stared at it like some sort of deadweight. Is he expecting a foot rub? Troye thought with utmost sarcasm. He chose not to verbalise though, for fear that they would lose track of their current topic.

"He almost kissed me." Troye rephrased it in his head, then went on, "We almost kissed. I think." Ending the sentence with some sort of uncertainty usually made him feel better about making a bold statement. It promised no guarantees.

"I would pay for front row seats to see that!" Logan laughed with an arm over his stomach, his eyes squinted from the punctuated chuckles that wracked his body. Troye blushed and shoved Logan's legs away from him.

"You're some sort of sadist to feel happy about someone's misery." Troye rolled his eyes and looked away. He wasn't necessarily offended, per se. It wasn't anything he should be commended for, especially since it was by a momentary shut down to his senses.

"It's just a kiss, buddy." Logan smiled, repositioning his legs to rest behind Troye on the couch. He couldn't bring himself to touch Troye right now. It was a paradox that even he did not know how to navigate. Despite the crushing clench in his heart, he felt happy that Troye was stepping into the realm of romance. "It's like me messing with your hair. Just body contact."

"You make it sound easy."

"It is easy." Logan shrugged, looking up at the hideous popcorn roof. "It's always a standard formula, grabbing their neck, give them the eyes and go straight in." He had done it a million and one times, but Troye's almost-kiss was enough for his friend to feel flustered. It warmed Logan's heart. "Then, it's all history." Logan closed his eyes, breathing in deeply through the emptiness that took up a third of his chest.

Troye stayed silent then. Was he really overreacting to the act of mouth-touching? The action held little meaning without the intention behind it. Troye felt like there was an agenda behind the almost-kiss on that slope.

"You can take the bed." Troye said expressionless, an unspoken goodnight hung between the two friends, he was physically retreating from Logan. The thin thread was pulled taut now, ready to snap.

"Y-" The uncompleted syllable caught Troye's attention as he packed up the greasy plastic boxes and crushed cans of soda. "The bed is big enough for two." Logan spoke, bordering a fearful tone. In that moment, he hated himself for hanging on to Troye.

Logan didn't want to be confused about his feelings, it was alien to him. Yet, his brain had the capacity to function quicker than his logic. His head felt the need to be supported by the bony shoulder of Troye, and his legs wanted to feel the denim of Troye's jeans. His words left him before he heard the sentence himself. He was screwed in the head.

A nod was all Logan received. Now, he was knocking on locked doors, praying that Troye would speak to him again. He didn't care what they spoke about, he would gladly take a question about Romero. However, it was like taking a naked hand to a steel door.

Impermeable. 

(Published 9/3/2019)

A/N: This one is a fair bit more eventful as I mentioned. 

In case it wasn't clear that I've got a few too many kilograms of baggage on my mind at any given time, I've got a whole host of trust issues. One of which has caused me to judge people far too quickly because I've had bad experiences in the past. 

I feel like Logan is one of the characters that I would read as being too abrupt and bombastic. Almost like he has some sort of scheme to mess another up when given the chance. When I sat down and thought about things though, everyone is at least a little lost and people express their failing footfalls differently.

When adulthood comes around one's life and you are suddenly attacked by a deluge of things to know and responsibilities and people, your heart is bound to show some signs of hesitation. Because suddenly the English essay isn't your priority, and the lines in the school play you haven't memorized yet aren't going to earn you a scolding. And the people you've met will come and go and you are left wondering how their pets are doing or which timezone they have escaped to.

Point is, Logan is a young adult (just like I am), and life doesn't discriminate in who it takes prisoner. Confidence can be worn as a shield. And if it takes a broken heart to shatter a shield I think it is a path worth exploring. Especially if you don't trust in scenic routes or detours. 

More to come, I'll try to get the next few chapters out in quicker succession since there are a few cliffs to be hung from. ;)