A/N *scurries into line of vision and shoves this chapter at you* Have this cute Logicality and plot progression!

Oh yeah, and this: *hands you Logan's POV*

Ya'll can have this too:

(Ok ok, seriously though. Some time has passed since the last chapter and it is now late September. So just be aware of that, friendos.)

((Enjoy!!!!))

9.)

Logan stared at his reflection in the mirror.

He wore a dark blue dress shirt tucked into some black jeans and some leather, black boots. A black tie decorated with stars hung around his neck and there wasn't a single hair on his head that was out of place.

As always, he met his appearance with complete indifference. But it was where he was going that made him scowl at the outfit.

Somehow, he had let Virgil convince him to go to the ridiculously frivolous display that was Homecoming. In return; Virgil would allow Logan to attend a two-week research camp during winter break.

This perked him up a bit. At least there was a satisfactory result to his bothersome exploit.

Virgil had been apprehensive at first. Logan had done research camps before, but never ones that lasted too long. A weekend at most. His brother had been nervous to send him off on his own for so long. And of course; the fact that it took place through the holidays was not a helpful factor.

After a long argument, they'd finally struck up a bargain.

If Logan attended Homecoming, he would receive permission to isolate himself in a lab for two weeks.

So there he was, dressed up and ready. All it took now was at least a few hours of socialization.

The boy sighed, suppressing his dread. His brother was an awful hypocrite for making him suffer this way.

Resigning to the fact that leaving his room was unavoidable, Logan straightened his tie (as best he could, being openly homoromantic) and walked out the door.

~~~~~

Logan shifted uncomfortably under his brother's gaze. Virgil had seen him and stopped in his tracks. Now he watched him with a surprised and slightly wistful expression.

"...what?"

The younger man knew what was coming, and he hated it.

"I can't believe your going to your first high school dance..." Virgil said, a small smirk forming on his face.

The siblings were almost always bickering. Sometimes their arguments caused them to stop speaking to each other for days on end. But Logan had to admit he preferred that over moments like this. Feelings were like gun legalization laws, hard to manage and even more difficult to get rid of.

So Logan scoffed indignantly instead of returning his brother's sentiment. "It's not like I'm going willingly. You have forced me into a situation where I have been denied my rightful autonomy and I would prefer it if you just take me to my school now so that I may get this regrettable experience over with."

The wistfulness melted away to make way for a mischievous grin. The kind of grin that can only be achieved by older siblings before making their younger sibling suffer.

Virgil moved closer and ruffled Logan's hair, "Aw, am I not allowed to have a moment of nostalgia?" Logan smacked his hand away and Virgil laughed as he stormed past. "Seriously though, Lo, you look great."

Logan sighed and turned to face his brother, fixing his hair while he spoke. "Thank you, I suppose. Can we go now?"

Rolling his eyes, Virgil grabbed his keys and opened the door to their apartment. "Okay, lets go then." He zipped up his purple, patched hoodie and bowed sarcastically, gesturing Logan to go through before him.

Logan reluctantly obliged, huffing as he passed by, "You're unbearable."

Virgil didn't reply, smirking and shutting the door behind them.

~~~~~~

"-and of course no underage drinking. If I catch a whiff of alcohol or smoke on you you can kiss that nerd camp of yours goodbye. And speaking of kisses, you're absolutely not going home with anyone under any circumstances-"

"Have you completely forgotten who you're talking to or are you just trying to figuratively stretch this out for me as much as possible?" Logan said flatly, cutting off Virgil's Over-Protective Older Brother Lecture™. It was utterly unnecessary in his opinion judging by his own character.

Virgil stopped ranting and sighed. "Yeah, I know, I know. It's just...I know what these things are like." He glanced nervously at the entrance to the gym. They were outside in Virgil's car, having a debrief in the parking lot before Logan had to enter the dance. Even from the outside, the lights were visible through the windows and the concrete vibrated from the volume of the music. That must be hurtful to the eardrums, Logan thought.

"If I remember correctly, you never once attended a dance after Middle School."

"Just because my anxiety was a bitch and made me miss out on stuff doesn't mean I didn't accidentally eavesdrop on all the gossip. And let me tell you: some serious shit happens at dances." His brother replied, narrowing his eyes as if remembering a particularly drastic story. Logan decided not to ask.

Instead he looked out the window, "That still doesn't explain why I'm here. You're being extremely hypocritical by making me attend this event when you yourself hated them so thoroughly."

"Yeah, well, I've never said you should follow my example," Virgil shot back, "Fai come dico, non come faccio, alright? Now go try to have fun already, kid."

"I am not a child." Logan said sharply but he opened the door of the car and exited. He looked back and to his dismay, his brother had a hint of that wistful expression again. Except this time, it was more of a sad frown.

"Yeah." Virgil said, "I know."

And with that he drove off.

~~~~~

After only half an hour, Logan already wanted to go home.

The gym was packed with teenagers in outfits that that toed the line of what was and what wasn't permitted by the dress code. Since Nova High was full of kids with loaded wallets, the dance was pretty big.

The DJ was well-known and the lights were like the ones in movies. The tone shifted through different shades of blue, matching the beat of the music and hurting Logan's eyes.

He stood awkwardly in the corner among the fallen streamers and wallflowers. But he stood out with his cold demeanor as opposed to a nervous one that seemed to radiate off of the others around him, huddled in on themselves and scrolling through their phones.

The music was making his stomach roil. It was the type of trendy pop that Roman always listened to. Logan found it loud and obnoxious; just like it's listeners.

He pulled out his phone and opened it, pausing when he saw his Home Screen. It made the weight in his chest lighten just a bit so that he almost smiled.

It had been years since that day but he still remembered it clearly. Patton at his side with an arm wrapped around him in the way he'd previously despised. Logan stared at his first grade self and sighed. That boy didn't know what he had.

Patton was his best friend, not for a long time; but at the right time. And not by choice, of course.

Logan had done everything to push him away but the boy had been more stubborn than he expected. Just like his father and uncle, he supposed. Castillos were bold and Morettis we're broken. That's just the way things were.

No, Logan scolded himself. He was not broken. There was nothing in him to break. And if there ever was, he'd stamp it out himself. No one would ever have the power to shatter him.

His face hardened at the picture of Patton and he ignored the troublesome thought that popped up. There already is.

Logan quickly shut his phone and leaned against the folded-up bleachers. A girl and her friend walked past, giggling loudly and holding on to each other as if they might trip without support. It appeared the underage drinking Virgil had warned him about had begun.

He sighed again and closed his eyes. Why couldn't he stop thinking about Patton? It had been ages since their friendship had broken off. And yet...

That look Patton had given him. The day of the aquarium trip. It was the same look from when Logan had put that ignorant Neanderthal in his place on the first day of school, if a little less intense.

It was an expression of shock and admiration. As if Patton couldn't believe someone would stand up for him.

The idea that something Patton had always done for others was surprising to him when reciprocated made Logan more frustrated than he would ever dare admit. Patton was kind, caring, generous, thoughtful and a million other things that made a perfect friend. Even when Logan's interests were so different from his, Patton would still listen to him. And not in a pitying way either. He would contribute to the conversations and make Logan feel comfortable.

At the time; he'd despised it. He didn't want to feel better. He didn't want to feel.

After his mother died...

No.

Logan shook himself out of his reverie and pushed off the bleachers, opening his phone once more. He opened the text app as quickly as possible so the Home Screen background was nothing but a flash.

He had to text Virgil. Logan had served his time and the thoughts in his head were becoming too loud in this unruly place.

And he absolutely had to stop thinking about Patton.

"Logannnn!!!"

Speak of the devil.

Looking up, Logan spotted Patton coming his way.

He wore a light blue shirt with 80's style print, kahiki pants and bright yellow high tops. But what stood out most was the dazzling smile on his face.

And, of course, that it seemed he'd forgotten how to walk.

"I can't believe you caaaaame!!!" Patton said happily, his words slurring a bit ad he spoke.

Logan raised an eyebrow but offered a small smile in return, putting away his phone. "Hello, Patton. I can't quite believe it either, I hadn't planned on attending until Virgil forced me too."

Patton cocked his head to the side, confused and nearly fell over because of the movement. Logan quickly caught him and the other boy burst into a fit of giggles.

"Are you quite alright, Patton?" Logan asked, becoming quite concerned now. Then he caught a whiff of something strong and sharp. "Ah."

Patton was nearly limp in his arms, holding onto his shirt sleeves and laughing. "Logan!!! You wore a tie with stars, like the ones on the roof!"

Logan pushed aside his amusement and tried to get Patton to stand up straight. "There are no stars on the ceiling, Patton." He said matter-of-factly. "Tell me, has anyone given you something to drink tonight?"

Patton furrowed his eyebrows, "No stars?! There are stars on yourrr ceiling! The, the..." he paused for a second, as if he'd forgotten what he was going to say. Then his eyes suddenly lit up with realization, "Glow-in-the-dark! Those ones!" He yelled, earning some confused looks from other partygoers nearby.

Logan stopped for a moment. He remembered the glow-in-the-dark stars? After they'd stopped being friends, Logan had assumed Patton had forgotten everything.

A soft, warm something seemed to pulse a bit in his heart before he cleared his throat and it was gone. "Uh, Patton, you didn't answer my question."

Patton looked up at him with heavy-lidded eyes, "Whazzit?"

Logan couldn't help a small grin, "Has anyone given you something to drink during the dance? Something...easy to tamper with?"

"Hmmmmmm..." Patton scrunched his nose a bit in concentration and Logan had to stamp out another warm pulse in his chest. "I thingk zo," he slurred, then he brightened, "Oh, yeah! I was dancing and Kayla—my friend—gave me a water bottle!"

He scrunched up his nose again, "It tasted a bit funny... but hydration is important!" Patton exclaimed with so much force he fell onto Logan again.

The boy in question frowned, struggling a bit to keep them both from falling over. "You're right, Patton. But it's better to get your own drinks in public places, you never know what people have put in them."

"But Kayla's my friend!" Patton said, as if this solved everything. His eyes were full of trust, even though they were cloudy with intoxication.

Logan glared at the girl in the yellow dress who was laughing without a care on the other side of the room. "I'm not so sure about that." He mumbled.

Patton hadn't heard him over the loud music, instead staring at a random point on the wall and swaying. Logan sighed through his nose before wrapping his arm around Patton waist and making the other boy throw an arm around his shoulders. He needed to find a quieter place to sober Patton up. Who knows what could happen if he was left all on his own?

And so Logan lugged Patton out if the gym, through an empty hallway, and into the library- which was surprisingly still unlocked.

"All right," Logan grunted, dropping Patton gently onto a soft beanbag and rubbing his shoulders. An intellectual like himself was not meant for such physical labor.

Patton felt the beanbag and started to giggle, bouncing up and down on the squishy surface. Logan smirked before (with confusing difficulty) turning away from the adora- er - odd scene.

He ran through a mental list of ways to reduce the affects of alcohol. Eating and drinking, especially fruit juices with vitamins, were the best way to flush alcoholic toxins from the body. And they also happened to be the most accessible with a fully stocked vending machine just down the hall.

Logan nodded, satisfied to have a reasonable plan. He turned back to Patton and kneeled in front of him so that he would stop bouncing and focus.

The boy was flushed from the movement and beaming. Logan almost forgot what he was going to say.

Almost.

Patton's health came first and this was not time for silly feelings.

Not that Logan had any of those. But if he did, they would take second priority. 

"Patton, I need you to listen," Logan said, putting his hands lightly on the other boy's shoulders. "I have reason to believe that you are drunk. I'm going to go get you some food and drink so you sober up. It will only take me a minute." He explained.

Patton's smile seemed to dim a bit but he nodded, cue-ing Logan to get up and begin to walk towards the Library doors.

But before he even took a step, he felt someone catch his hand. When he looked behind him, Patton was there, holding his hand and looking significantly more serious than before. Logan's neck warmed a bit at feeling Patton's fingers around his.

Patton avoided his eyes, "Promise you won't leave me?"

Logan stared for a moment, his heart skipping a beat. The vulnerable look on Patton's face made him want to—what? Hug him? Comfort him? Logan didn't do things like that. And yet that's exactly what came to mind.

He resisted the unusual urge and instead gave Patton's hand a squeeze. The other boy looked up in surprise and Logan gave him a warm smile. "I promise."

After a beat, Patton let go, curling up on the beanbag and hiding his face. He started giggling again, batting at a piece of string on the ground like a cat.

Logan decided he should hurry up with the food and drink.

~~~~~~

"Patton?" Logan called out as he walked back inside the library.

He turned the corner around a shelf of history books (most of which he'd read) and spotted him making a snow angel in the carpet. Which did not work for obvious reasons.

At his voice, the other boy sat up. "You came back!" He exclaimed, beaming happily.

Logan knelt and steadied him with a hand on his shoulder. "Yes, I did. And I brought nourishment."

Patton looked confused before Logan dropped a water bottle, a box of orange juice, a Nature Valley bar and a bag of Sour Cream and Onion chips in his lap. His eyes glittered and he took both of Logan's hands in his, smiling widely, "You remember my favorite snacks!"

The other boy blushed and took back his hands, holding them against his chest and turning his face away so only his red ears were visible, "Well of course I do, we have grown up together. Now eat."

Patton obliged and as soon as Logan was sure he was no longer visibly flustered, he sat down next to him on the beanbag. It was large enough for there to be half a foot of space between them.

Patton munched happily on the chips, offering some to Logan. The boy scrunched up his nose and declined, "No thank you, I don't know how you can eat such a horrendous flavor."

Patton gasped dramatically, looking a lot like his father when doing so. "How dare you! Sour cream and onion is delicious!" He exclaimed. Logan grinned and shook his head, prompting Patton to give up, "Oh well, I can't help that you've got funky taste. You like sea salt and vinegar, right?"

Logan was again surprised that Patton remembered such a small detail. But instead of saying something about it, he decided it was best to avoid such troublesome topics and nodded in return.

After a few moments of silence, Patton spoke again, "How did Virgil force you to come?"

Logan cringed, "He and I made a deal. I had to come to this dance to fulfill my end of it."

Patton peeked up curiously, sipping his orange juice through a straw, "What deal?" He was a lot more blunt and bold when drunk, Logan noted.

"If I came here and attempted to have a social life, my brother would allow me to attend a research camp. It comes with my scholarship and involves camping in the woods near the Connecticut river. During the day we would collect samples and perform experiments." Logan could feel himself rambling a bit. In truth, he'd already attended several programs similar to this one. But the idea of spending the holidays away from the awkwardness of dinner with his brother and family friends (including Patton) was too tempting to pass up.

Still, this moment with Patton struck him with gentle nostalgia. When he would talk and his friend would listen intently.

"That sounds awesome!" Patton chirped, "When is it?"

An unexpected prick of guilt caught Logan by surprise. "Er," he began, feeling Patton's gaze burn into him. "It will take place over winter break, beginning on December 23rd and ending after the new year."

"...oh."

Patton's tone sounded so put out that it moved something inside of Logan. Again he was struck with that strange urge to hug and comfort the boy next to him.

And he nearly did. But he caught himself at the last moment and ended up only leaning his and Patton's shoulders together. Patton glanced up, face dusted with a blush that could very well have been a shadow instead.

But it was nothing compared to the flush that crossed Logan's face when Patton leaned his head on his shoulder. They hadn't been that close in a long time.

Then, so quietly that Logan nearly missed it, Patton mumbled. "I'll miss you."

The soft, warm feeling engulfed his heart entirely. But this time, Logan knew better than to try and put it out.

~~~~~~~

Eventually, Patton had sobered up to the point that he was sheepish when regarding the whole event. It really became clear that he was back to his right mind when he saw the text from Janus and started panicking.

With some sink water from an open bathroom and a few sprays of cologne, the two successfully managed to get rid of the smell of alcohol. Or at least mask it enough to make it unrecognizable.

Eventually, Logan and Patton had done all they could and waited outside the school for Janus and Virgil to arrive and take them home. The dance had been hectic enough without staying for the remaining hour. And neither of them were the type to leave school grounds.

So instead they stood in silence until Janus's black van pulled up next to the curb.

"This is me." Patton said quietly, avoiding Logan's eyes. He'd been a bit off ever since the library.

Logan nodded, "Indeed." There was a pause but Patton still didn't get in the car.

Finally, he said, "Thanks for everything tonight. If it had been any of my other friends...well..."

He trailed off and Logan felt a small pulse of resentment towards Patton's "friends". They didn't know what their actions made Patton feel. Partially because he didn't show it and partially because they didn't care enough to ask.

If that was friendship then what had Patton been to Logan all those years ago? Or Roman to Remy? The two that always listened to whatever was bothering the other. Or Virgil to Emile? An unlikely pair that was compatible all the same, their quirks enriching the friendship even more.

Logan struggled to stop himself from saying this all to Patton. It was not his choice who the other chose to befriend. He did not control him.

So instead, he just smiled and said, "Of course."

Patton continued to watch Logan, as if trying to read his expression. When he seemed to find nothing, he smiled back.

Then, without warning, he stood on his tippy toes and planted a gentle peck on Logan's cheek. When he drew back, they were both blushing bright red. Patton diverted his gaze, "See you, Lo." He said, his smile much wider than before. Then he turned around and quickly got in the car.

Logan stood there, stuck in place, until the car drove away. And well past that.

He finally unfroze when a car honked at him. Virgil motioned at him from the window, looking amused at his brother's blank expression.

Still in a daze, Logan walked over and got inside, shutting the door behind him. "Hey, nerd. Did you have a good time?" Virgil asked lightly.

Logan didn't reply, staring out the window.

Virgil waited for about a minute before starting to drive, not commenting on Logan's strange silence. It wasn't the first time something like that had happened. Where Logan got so wrapped up in his own mind he became a robot. Still; this fact didn't stop Virgil from worrying.

So after a while, he tried again. Clearing his throat, he tried not to let his worry seep into his tone, "Well, at least now it's over with. You have my permission to go to that camp thing."

Surprisingly, Logan answered this time. But it wasn't exactly the answer Virgil was expecting. "No."

Virgil blinked, "Uh, what? You've been bothering me about it for weeks! Why are you backing out now?"

He looked over at his younger brother and saw the smallest trace of a smile on his face. Logan leaned his head against the cold window and thought about three words mumbled in an empty library. I'll miss you.

The smile got a bit wider. "No reason." Logan said, "I would just miss everyone over the holidays."

A/N
Awwwwww~
I gave myself cavities writing that!
And a new achievement for me: almost no angst!!!!!
(Almost)
I hope you guys enjoyed this fluffy chapter, even if it was a bit late lol
See you next week!

DON'T DIE!

~Prongs💙💙💙