Bucky & Logan Fanfics

Chapter 5

When you awoke the next morning you found yourself alone, alone but not abandoned. Your head was on Logan’s pillow and he’d tucked the covers around you. His scent was everywhere and the bed was still warm from his body. Early morning light streamed in from the thin curtains. The sun had barely risen and the dapples of yellows and reds of the new day sparkled in the glittering slivers of light over the horizon. You yawned and stretched, then settled back down in your comforting cocoon of Logan’s bed. It was early yet and you both had work, but you could manage a few more minutes. You listened and heard the shower running, then turn off. You heard the footfalls of Logan coming closer to the bedroom. As he entered you cracked one eye open to observe him. The white towel around his waist was barely hanging on. It was held up by two things – a very verypert ass, and… then towel was gone, tossed over a chair in the corner you hadn’t noticed the night before. Logan stood near the dresser with his back to you. His ass was magnificent. He opened the drawers and got out clothing for the day, a dark grey Henly, a pair of jeans, socks and underwear. As he bent over to pull on his boxer briefs the dawn light hit the dangle of his cock between his legs. That was not something you’d have been able to see unless it was… very long and very thick. You buried your face in his pillow trying very hard not to make any noise.

A few moments later you felt the bed dip, then his proximity as he brushed his lips across your cheek. You smiled and you could sense him smiling back at you. “Good morning, darlin’,” he spoke softly, kissing your cheek again. “It’s just gone 5:30am. Figured I could drive you home. Let you start your day as usual. It’s on my way to the mill.”

“I much rather stay in your bed,” you murmured, “Be waiting in it for when you came home.”

“Christ, darlin’,” he swore under his breath. You opened your eyes and grinned at him. She shook his head at you, adoring but exasperated. “One day, kitten.”

“One day,” you agreed.

“When was the last time you had more than one day off a week?”

“Six months ago?” You stretched out, kicking off the covers, and giving Logan a nice look at your bare stomach where his t-shirt had ridden up. He resisted the urge to reach out and touch your skin.

“Listen, next Sunday. Can we spend it together? The whole day? Night too, if you like.”

“There’s nothing I’ve love more. Second date?”

“Actually, was hoping you could take time for dinner at the diner? With Laura and I? Count that as our second date. Sunday will be our third.”

“I’ll ask Mel. I’m sure he’d say yes to a half hour.”

“Just a half hour?” Logan frowned. It was adorable.

“It’s only a four hour shift, I don’t want to press my luck.” You lay your hand to his forearm.

“Mind if I press mine?” He covered your hand on his arm with his.

“No.” You smiled up at him, eyes bright and entranced. His face was so handsome.

“Pack a bag, spend Saturday night here too, so we can wake up together?”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth.”

“Beg pardon?” The look of confusion on his face was equally as handsome.

“I want to kiss you, but I haven’t brushed my teeth.”

Logan grinned and leaned down, pressing his lips to yours, soft and slow.

“I don’t care. Y/N, last night, just holding you, it was one of the best nights I can ever remember spending.” He was earnest, you could see it in his eyes.

“Mine too,” you whispered back. You shared another kiss before you sat up and swung your legs around, placing them down on the floor. With a sigh you reluctantly stood up and walked away from him. You found your bra on the couch and took it with you to the bathroom. After you made use of it and brushed your teeth, you realized you’d left your dress in the bedroom. You decided then to be a little mischievous. You put on your bra, ran your fingers through your hair and walked back to the bedroom in nothing but your fairly sexy underwear. Logan was where you’d left him, sitting quietly, contemplating quite a few things, you were sure. Upon noticing your return the look in his eyes at the sight of you in a skimpy bra and panty set excited you. You sauntered over to him, his eyes raking hungrily over your body as you came closer. You stopped when your knees touched his, his lips aligned with your breasts. You tossed aside the t-shirt and jogging pants you’d borrowed.

“Excuse me,” you spoke as you leaned forwards the reached past him for your dress off the foot of the bed, causing your breasts to press against his face. His hands shot up to your hips to hold you in place as he mouthed your cleavage. His beard against your skin was even more arousing than it had been last night. But, you knew that nothing could happen in this moment. You both had jobs to get to. You fisted your hands in his hair and tugged his head back. You kissed him, deep, and pulled away.

“You’re a goddamn tease,” he growled.

“Just for you, Logan. I swear.”

“I know, kitten. I want you.”

“I want you too. I’m sorry about last night, not being able to go through with it.”

“Hey, we’re building something here. I’m a patient man. Gotta earn it.”

“You have. Last night…” You were no longer pulling on his hair but massaging his scalp. His hair was still wet from his shower, as was his beard. The droplets of water on the swell of your breasts cooled as he breathed over them. “Logan, no man’s ever treated me like that. Like I’m a person. Like I deserve something good.”

“You are. You do. Baby, I’m gonna treat you so well.” You kissed him again before resigning yourself that you had a very long week ahead of you what wouldn’t be spent sleeping in his bed or his strong arms. He had the same realization and let you go. You pulled your dress over your head, then hugged your arms around his neck while his circled your waist. You held each other.

The drive to your house was silent, aside from you asking Logan how he knew where it was, his only response being, “Small town.” When you arrived, he walked you to your door and before you parted, he took you in his arms and kissed you breathless. “Have a good day, sweetheart. Don’t work too hard.”

“You either. Be careful.”

“Always am. Do me a favour, lock up behind yourself. Would make me feel better.”

“Ok? I always do.”

“Good girl.”

“Is something the matter?”

He shook his head, “Just want my girl safe is all.”

“Am I? Your girl?”

“If you want to be.”

“I want to. I really want to.”

He smiled and kissed you again before letting you go. You locked the door behind you and headed for the shower to start your day. Logan meanwhile surveyed your property, listening and sniffing for any hint of Kyle. There was a remnant of him. He’s been here last night, but there was no sign of him now. Logan hated to leave you, not completely certain you’d be safe. He’d keep up his routine of following you home and watching over the house until he knew there was no one around. Having you in his bed had given him the best night’s sleep he could remember in a long time. With a sigh he turned and went back to his truck to continue on to work.

You were certain you weren’t going to see Logan all week long until he came to the diner with Laura for dinner as planned, but when Laura showed up at the Library after school with permission to come see you, you were delighted. The quality time the two of you spent together was treasured by you. Come 6:00pm, Logan was walking into the Library to collect his daughter and walk you to the diner. He kissed you goodbye each time and for those few seconds each day you felt as if you were in a different world, one where only the two of you and Laura existed. They were all you needed. You came to believe that more and more each day.

Friday night you were saying goodnight to Mel as you left out the back door of the diner as usual, tossing the trash in the bin in the alley before circling around back to the main road to begin your walk home. One more sleep and then you’d be spending two nights at Logan’s. You’d already packed and unpacked, then re-packed your backpack more than once. He’d told you to also pack something to wear on a hike. The weather was going to be clear on Sunday and he and Laura liked to go into the woods whenever they could. Laura loves the forests and loved to run wild, pretending she was a werewolf, as Logan had told the story. You adored her imagination. She read every book your recommended her, preferring adventures over anything too saccharine or typical for girls. You helped her with her homework and sometimes, if the library was quiet, you’d sit on one of the bean bag chairs in the children’s section, cuddled up together as you read to her. You loved that girl as if she were your own.

You were so distracted by your thoughts that you all but collided with the man blocking your way on the sidewalk. You staggered back and steadied yourself before looking at who it was.

You closed your hands into fists to keep them from shaking. Kyle stood before you in his uniform, looking every bit smug and lecherous as he always did.

“You shouldn’t be out alone at this hour, little princess,” he leered.

“Don’t call me that. It’s stupid fucking nickname, I never liked it,” you seethed, hoping a show of aggression would get him to back off. “And I can take care of myself. You going to let me pass, or what?”

“Calm down, Y/N, I was just going to offer to drive you home.”

“Literally rather walk a hundred miles over rusty nails and shards of glass in bare feet.”

“Fiesty. Where was this little spitfire when we were dating. I might’ve stuck around.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

Kyle gestured wide at the empty streets, “Patrolling the neighbourhood, keeping it safe.”

You rolled your eyes and wondered where the hell Josh was. “Great, I’ll leave you to it.” You went to move past him but he grabbed your arm, gripping it firmly.

“C’mon, sugar tits, let me drive you home.” Logan called you things like sweetheart, darling, angel and kitten. Kyle only called you names guaranteed to make you uncomfortable, “Maybe for old times sake, we could…”

“Never,” you spat, wrenching your arm from his grasp. “I am never letting you touch me ever again. Leave me the hell alone, Kyle. You were the biggest mistake of my life and remember, you dumped me. For Hannah. For heaven’s sake, she’s still a teenager. I’d ask what was wrong with you, but I’d be here till dawn to answer that.” You moved passed him and he chuckled.

“Have a nice night, won’t be long and you’ll be begging me to fuck that babygirl pussy of yours again. I know you miss it.” You visibly recoiled. His words were vile and couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Leave me the hell alone! I mean it. If you never speak to me again, it’ll be too soon!” He let you walk away, but you could hear him chuckling behind you as you walked away as fast as you could. Your whole body was having a visceral reaction to the encounters and was soon as you were a safe enough distance away, you turned to the nearest bush and threw up what little you had in your stomach. You wretched until there was nothing left. With hot tears streaming down your face you spat the bile out of your mouth. You began to run and didn’t stop until you reached the end of Logan’s street, where you stopped and looked towards his house. There in the middle of the street you stared at the little house and cried. The house was dark. Logan and Laura were asleep. You couldn’t show up in an hysterical state reeking of vomit. You’d scare Laura for one. You raised your hand, as if reaching out and willing Logan to appear. You snatched your hand back and broke into a run towards the highway and home. You’d done the walk countless times, but this time you were sure someone was following you and you sprinted, tears blurring your vision and sobs wracking your body.

By the time you reached home you were in a terrible state. You dropped your keys several times before you managed to unlock the door. You got inside and slammed it behind you, quickly locking up again. You stumbled towards your bedroom, not bothering with any lights, you buried your face in your quilt and screamed into the mattress, you screamed until your throat was raw.

Outside Logan watched and warred with himself. He’d almost stepped out of the shadows when you’d encountered Kyle and in hindsight he wished to god he had. But he’d learned what he’d needed to about Kyle. Laura was right. He was hunting you. Watching you make yourself sick had broken him, but not as much as it had to watch you at the end of his street, crying and wanting to go to him but ultimately deciding to run away. Now, he felt like a cruel and heartless fool watching you scared and alone. He knew going to your door would only terrify you, though momentarily until you realized it was him. But, he couldn’t leave Laura alone all night. He knew she’d be able to protect herself if anything happened, but he was her father and couldn’t choose even you over her. From what Logan knew of you, you’d want him to choose Laura too, and he was right. Kyle hadn’t followed you home. He’d had the effect on you he’d wanted and was now no doubt basking in his small victory. Logan did come to one decision however. After tonight, he’d never let you be afraid again.

You’d been doing little more than surviving and enduring the day. You’d wakened at your usual time of 6:00am with a terrible headache. You’d fallen asleep in your clothes and in an awkward position. You weren’t going to be above asking Logan for a massage after Laura had gone to bed, and were hoping it lead to more. You were ready for more. The nerves of the previous weak had evaporated after last night. You wanted to be Logan’s. You wanted him to erase the memories of Kyle’s touch from your body. You wanted to be claimed, possessed and taken by Logan. He already had your heart, and you were sure you had his. There was nothing to stop you from being together, certainly not your despicable ex-boyfriend.

Greta knew you weren’t yourself all morning. Saturdays were always busy at the café and you were laser focused on the myriad of tasks at hand, but it was easy to see your heart wasn’t in it. When Greta had asked if you were ok, you replied that you would be. She’d asked if Logan was the reason you were out of sorts and you made certain she understood that seeing Logan tonight was the one thing keeping you going. You told Greta that Kyle was still harassing you and left it at that. You both knew was a creep Kyle was, so no more explanation was needed.

The Library was the same as ever. It was in truth your one little sanctuary. You started reading Jane Eyre again, for what was surely the hundredth time. You wondered if Logan had ever read it? You knew he liked classics and even though Bronte was not usually a man’s fare, he was a very well read man. You made a mental note to ask him. You had talked about books, but you’d been so keen on learning about his tastes, you hadn’t quite gotten to yours. You knew Logan would take a genuine interest once the topic came up. After Jane Eyre, you’d reread Rebecca, and ask Logan to watch the Hitchcock film version with you, hopefully curled up together under a blanket. Several Extra-Strength Tylenol and a few quiet hours later, you felt better. Not one hundred percent by any stretch, but enough to get you to the end of your day at the library. Logan and Laura were going to be at the diner at 7:00pm and both Mel and Angela had ok’d your spending 30 minutes to eat dinner with them. You promised you’d find a way to make up the time, but Mel had waved you off. He liked Logan. In fact, just about everyone in town did. To the best of your knowledge, Logan hadn’t spoken to Kyle outside of that one meeting in the diner.

You started your shift at the diner by hitting the ground running. You kept the table at the back free for Logan and Laura. The diner was busy and you were bustling around, trying to make sure everyone was taken care of. You weren’t sure you’d be able to manage a break. Mel looked harried as he put the meals together as efficiently as possible and he was sweating. Not long after you’d hit your stride, your heart sank when instead of Logan and Laura walking through the door, it was instead Josh and Kyle. Josh looked incredibly tired and he didn’t acknowledge you as he made his way to the counter. Kyle on the other hand leered at you, trying his best to lock eyes with you, but you evaded them. Angela, bless her, took care of them at the counter as they took their seats while you hustled and bustled about as far away from them as you could. You had an armful of plates and cutlery when finally your dear man and his daughter walked through the door. The whole world stopped revolving in that moment and the tension drained from your body. You were so relieved to see him. You locked eyes and you felt yourself tear up you were so happy, jubilant even, to see him. You smiled at each other and held each others’ gazed for a countless span of time before the world started spinning again. With your head you motioned at them to take their seats at the table. You hurried the dishes to the kitchen, before dashing back out again, past a glowering Kyle and straight towards Laura, who jumped up from her seat to throw her arms around your waist. You hugged her back and closed your eyes, savouring the moment before she let you go so Logan could have his turn. You walked the single step needed to be with him.

You weren’t sure if Logan’s action of possession was deliberate and conscious on his part or not, but when he reached his hands up from his seated position and lay one to the small of your back and the over your lower abdomen, you felt as if a clear message was being sent – you were his. You leaned down and kissed him hello, your eyes closed, with one hand in his beard and the other massaging the back of his neck. You leaned into his kiss, savouring it for as long as possible. When you parted, Logan’s big hand stayed splayed over your abdomen, as his other hand casually caressed your rear. Any way this man could touch you thrilled you.

“And hello to you too, sweet angel,” Logan spoke, looking up at you, “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”

“I could say the same thing.”

“He bothering you?” Logan asked under his breath.

You caressed Logan’s beard again, looking into those beautiful hazel of his and smiled.

“Aside from the fact that he’s breathing, no.” You thumb swept across the apple of his cheek and he stared back at you, enraptured. “I’m so happy to see you.”

“Me too, darlin’. Missed you.”

“I missed you too. You have no idea. I don’t think I can have dinner tonight, we’re slammed. I’m sorry, Laura, but Mel needs my help.”

“You’re still coming over though, right? Daddy said I could stay up.”

“Of course I am, I have my bag in the back room. What are we doing?”

“Daddy said we could watch a horror movie. I love horror movies.”

“Oh do you? You’ll have to tell me your favourites. In the meantime, I have to get back to work. I’ll stop by as much as I can. Coffee, Logan?”

Logan sighed, clearly disappointed, but understanding, “Please.”

“Daddy said I could have a root beer float,” Laura added.

“Girl after my own heart. Those are my favourites. One black coffee and one root beer float coming right up.” You started to go and Logan let you, but after two strides, you turned back around, when straight to Logan and kissed him once more. You wanted to whisper how you felt for him against his lips, but you’d save that for later, for when you were alone. You still had to work. You drew back from him slowly and the contented look on his face warmed you through.

“You two should get married,” Laura spoke as matter of fact.

Logan raised his eyebrow at this daughter, “You think so, huh?” Logan asked, smirking at the suddenly flushness of your face. Making a quick escape, you felt Logan give your ass a pat and you smiled inwardly. For the next hour and a half you dashed all over the diner taking care of people and their orders. You tried to make it back around to Laura and Logan as much as possible but it proved a challenge. You hadn’t even time to take much notice of Kyle though you had no doubt he noticed both you and Logan. You hoped he did. You hoped he saw you close and happy with a man who cared for you, who saw sex as something to be earned rather than a right. Even before Logan had come to town, the second Kyle had seen you moving on, he’d started coming back around to harass you. Now with Logan in the picture you were sure he’d only resent you moving on even more. You had no plans on giving him any satisfaction. You were going to give everything you had to your new relationship and his child. You wanted to build a family with them and leave Kyle where he belonged, firmly in the past.

Kyle was still there when Logan and Laura were finishing their dinner. You hadn’t taken a moment’s rest all night so as you were flying by Logan and he reached out and snagged you, tugging to back to him and being forced to sit down on his lap, you let you a shocked exclamation. He tugged your legs around under the table and held you firm. You knew for certain Kyle was watching, but you only had eyes for Logan. Laura meanwhile was smiling and that in turn made you smile.

“What on earth are you doing?” You asked as you put your arm around his shoulders, inadvertently pillowing his head against your breasts.

“You need a break,” he stated.

“I have orders to deliver, and take-aways to package up.”

“Take five minutes and indulge your old man.”

“Five minutes, but that’s it.”

“Daddy thinks you work too hard,” Laura piped up, “Says you need to take care of yourself better.”

“You’ve been yawning all night, darlin’,” Logan sighed.

You shrugged, “Didn’t sleep well last night.” You weren’t aware that Logan knew why. “I’ll catch up tonight. I’m fine.”

“Listen, I need to get Laura home, but I’ll be back at midnight for yah.”

“I can walk, you don’t need to do that. It’s only fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be here.” His tone quieted you. “I’ll be here.” The undercurrent of his voice compelled you to wrap your arms around him and press a kiss to his temple. In truth you were eternally grateful not to have to walk alone at night after encountering Kyle last night. You closed your eyes and wrapped your arms around his head and shoulders, kissing into his graying hair. He brought you such peace. You let him go and rose to your feet, leaning down to kiss and hug Laura.

“Pick a good movie, a super scary one,” you told her with a wink. You had hours to go and soon the truckers would start pulling up for their overnight stint. You were also grateful you wouldn’t have to run the gauntlet of their presence either. Just by the shear size of him, everyone would think twice about picking a fight with Logan.

You caught Logan’s eye across the restaurant as he ushered Laura out. He smiled at you and gave you a nod. You just had to tough it out, then you’d be in his arms, and eventually his bed.

Josh eventually managed to pull Kyle away from the diner to actually attend to their jobs. Once he was gone you felt an immense relief. You were able to concentrate better after. After 9pm most of the patrons were truckers passing through town or someone picking up a late night take away. Things always grew quiet and that was usually when you snuck in something akin to dinner. Tonight, it was an omelette. That would keep you going for the rest of your shift. You’d bet anything that Logan made an incredible omelette. He’d do something that made it extra special. His pancakes were probably amazing too. You blushed when the thought popped into your head that you’d eat anything Logan put in your mouth. By a quarter to midnight were you exhausted, but powered through doing the last of the cleaning. You always mopped the floors after putting the chairs up while Angela counted the cash and put the deposit in the hidden safe.

By midnight you were dead on your feet but in mere moments you’d be with Logan and that brightened your weary spirit. Mel said he’d take out the garbage, leaving you to walk out the front door with Angela, whose husband was always parked across the street in his pick up truck to drive her home. You stopped short when you saw not Logan but Kyle waiting for you. He was leaning against his squad car which was parked to the entrance to the alley. Josh was there in the passenger seat on his phone, trying to ignore his partner’s ambitions to annoy and stalk you. You really wished Josh would grow a pair and get Kyle to steer clear of you. You stopped short at the sight of him and felt an involuntary rush of fear flash through you. At least Josh was there and unlikely to allow things to be taken too far. So far as you’d ever known Josh was a decent person.

“So, you and the old man, huh?” Kyle scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest, “Gotta say, didn’t picture you being into a limp dicked geriatric. But whatever does it for you, I guess.” You stood there in silence, waiting for Kyle to make some sort of point. “Can he even get it up?”

“Just like everything else in my life,” you spoke, praying Logan would arrive soon, “Logan and I are none of your business. What’s your point? Seriously, Kyle? You broke up with me. You moved on to a girl barely out of high school. You’re nothing special Kyle, especially not to me. I have moved on. I’m with a good man with a beautiful child I happen to adore. The last thing on my mind when I’m with him is his age. He could be seventy and I’d still want him!” You huffed out your last breath and stared hard at Kyle. You were shaking, but you’d had enough. You weren’t going to let him talk about Logan like that and not defend him. If Josh hadn’t been there you weren’t sure you’d have been so blatant, but in the moment you had courage. Logan meant the world to you and it was high time someone else heard it.

The look on Kyle’s face however made you quake. He had no right to be furious, but he was. You’d seen that face too many times before. You took an involuntary step back and it showed your fear. Kyle pushed himself off the car and stared hard at you. Even Josh looked up from his phone, now concerned.

Just as the tension was at its highest, the clang of a metal lighter being opened broke it. All eyes turned towards the shadows in the darkened alley. Against the other building, on the passenger side of the squad car, a flame came to life. It burned hot and bright as it lit the end of the cigar before being extinguished, then the red embers glowed at someone took a few good puffs off it. Logan pushed himself off the wall he’d been leaning against and into the light, looking, calm, cool and collected. He didn’t spare a glace at Josh and ignored Kyle entirely as he made his way around the car directly to you.

He exhaled a lung full of smoke in Kyle’s direction as he passed him on his way to you. “Here, darlin’,” he spoke, holding the cigar between his teeth, “Let me take that bag for yah, looks heavy. Come to think of it, it’s cold out too.” With that he shrugged his big oil skin coat off his shoulders, revealing that he was wearing only a white tank top underneath. The street lamp above accentuated every defined muscle of his upper body, especially his arms and chest. Logan was big all over, but the way he moved like an apex predator through the night, even you felt a little intimidated. He was dominant over Kyle in every conceivable way. When Logan reached your side he hooked his fingers under your heavy backpack and took it off your shoulder and swung it over his own before wrapping his coat around you. You pulled the coat around you like armour, looking only at Logan. “Let’s go home, sweetheart.”

He offered you his hand and you took it. He began walking and led you away. Once you were out of earshot, Logan stopped you to snuff his cigar out on the bricks of a building and toss it in a nearby garbage bin. “Sorry,” he spoke with a sigh, “Seemed like the thing to do. Been trying to cut back cause of the kid. I got there before them. I like to be inconspicuous, so I stepped back into the shadows. Wanted to see what that fucker was after.”

“I… I thought… I was scared you weren’t coming,” you confessed, tears prickling your eyes. Logan noticed how upset you were straight away. He let go of your hand and moments later you were in his arms with your forehead nestled between is pectoral muscles. He encompassed you fully and you felt safe again in his embrace. Your arms went around your waist and you squeezed him with all your strength.

“Aw, darlin’, don’t cry, please baby. I’m sorry,” Logan soothed, kissing into your hair, “I promise you were never in danger, and yeah, I’m an asshole for not making myself known right away, but I wanted to spook him, let him know I could be right there and he’d never know it. You were so brave though, kitten, you stood up to him and I’m proud of you.”

“I just want him to go away and leave me alone. He’s been so much worse lately. What the hell is he trying to do? He broke up with me. He told me I was worthless, he abused me, he told me I… he said the worst things.”

“He’s a piece of shit.”

“You got that right. C’mon, Laura’s waiting.”

“Y/N. He won’t hurt you, not while I’m around, and I plan on being around.”

You kissed the middle of his chest, the hairs upon it peaking out from under the tank top tickling your lips. A frisson of arousal went through him and you smiled. “Thank you.”

‘I left Laura making popcorn, we should get back before the house burns down.”

A short while later you were in your pajamas. Logan had exchanged his blue jeans for sweat pants, and Laura too was ready for bed. The three of you sat on the couch with Logan in the middle. Laura was tucked under one of his arms and you under the other. The gray and white blanket from his bedroom was spread over the three of you. Your head rested on Logan’s chest, your hand on his bare stomach under his t-shirt. Laura held the bucket of popcorn and Jaws was playing on the television. It was a moment of perfect domesticity and you revelled in it. You nuzzled your nose against Logan’s chest, breathed him in and exhaled, letting yourself finally relax. Absently your thumb stroked back and forth just below his belly button, your fingers brushing across the top of his jogging pants. He grunted and squeezed your shoulders. You realized suddenly that you were probably arousing him with your touch and that was definitely inappropriate with his daughter present. You pulled your hand away and tucked yourself at his side just as Laura had.

You watched the film, which you’d seen before, more than once, and just enjoyed the warmth of the man holding you. Logan was definitely not one for cologne, so you knew the scent that made you lustful and dizzy was all him. It wasn’t long before you felt yourself drifting off. Your eyes were heavy and your body weary. Before you knew it, you’d fallen asleep. Logan was so loving and comfortable, you felt completely safe and whole in his arms. You wanted to stay with him and Laura forever.

You continued to slumber as Logan gently pulled himself away from you from you and lay you down on the couch while he said good night to Laura and secured the house. Once both his girls had fallen sleep, Logan had turned off the television. He’d stared at you laying on the couch and felt himself unable to restrain the emotion welling up inside him. He’d fallen for you, he knew. It was pointless to lie to himself. The realization weighed heavily upon him, but he didn’t ignore or deny it. He was past that. Their escape to Canada and their time with Wade had changed him fundamentally. He was done running. He had a child to raise and take care of, and he didn’t want to be alone any longer.

Logan had gone to his bedroom and turned down the covers before returning to scoop you up into his arms. You mumbled something incoherentin your sleep, but he was pretty sure he caught his name in there somewhere. He set you to rest on the bed and pulled the covers over you before coming around to his side. He shucked off his tank top and climbed in next to you. Logan laid on his side and watched you in the dark, thinking about how soft he was going to be for when he took you for the first time. He was going to make love to you nice, and slow, and deep, leaving you a quivering mess under him. He’d give you such pleasure you’d shed a few tears. He was going to take his time and worship you like you deserved. He was going to make you forget there’d ever been anyone before him. He was going to cherish and protect you. He was going to give you whatever you asked of him.

You awoke at some point in the night. You couldn’t be sure of the time, but it was still dark out. You were no longer on the couch, but in Logan’s bed. The house was silent save for the breathing of the man beside you. You’d been exhausted, so you weren’t surprised you’d fallen asleep when the movie had gone on. You were surprised however that Logan had managed to carry you to bed without you waking. In the back of your mind you’d hoped you two would’ve been able to do more in the bedroom besides just sleep. In reality you’d been dead on your feet. Aside from the stolen moments with Logan, the week had been hellish. You were not just physically worn but soul worn too. You needed a sort of rest that more sleep couldn’t solve. You needed the fierce and attendant comfort that Logan was offering. Once you let it seep into your blood and bones, he would heal you. You knew what true love looked like. You’d seen it all your life with your parents.

“Hurry up,” you beckon before swimming away, as if you needed to tempt him further. As if he weren’t already unbuckling his belt and taking off his jeans. His clothes sit carelessly on the motorcycle saddle, leather jacket on leather seat.

Denim joins the pile. He hears you giggle when he jumps in.

It’s the only sound other than the splash of water and crickets in the bushes. There isn’t even a whistle from the faint fall breeze. No electric buzz of civilization. No oppressive thoughts.

Just you, him, and the deep.

The shallower parts of the deep, that is. He estimates an easy three feet until the sandy bottom, more than safe for adamantium bones to dive into. You don’t tease, don’t prod, happily wading over towards him like you’re thankful he entertained your idea of coming here.

You find a spot, he takes you there—such is the case with most things you do with Logan.

“Cold?” you smile.

God, you look good like that. Here in the clearing, the silver that highlights your outline makes you look almost fae. Midsummer night’s dream manifest.

“‘m fine.”

How he grabs your arm from under the dark waters, you’re not sure. The sensation surprises you a little, but it dissipates, thrumming into butterfly flutters that keep your blood warm. You look up at him, how his hair sticks to his face. A free hand moves to push it back. His hazel eyes, dark in the night, squint at the touch.

“It’s pretty out here.” You say that like you’re not looking straight at him. Like the trees are just shadows.

His response is hazy, the same as your voice.

“Sure is.”

The two of you stay like that, twin flames suspended in lake and in time, enveloped by something bigger.

It occurs to him: how he’s seen you naked more times than one can count, ruined you in ways more carnal than one can dream, but something about this moment strips the both of you to the bone. Exposes messy heartbeats beneath skin. Dissident thoughts caterwaul against common sense, feelings like a barely contained supernova.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he hears you murmur. Feels your chest brush against his as you look up at him. Night cloaks over, but the moon betrays a gleam in your eyes: in them he finds an unspoken language he’s fluent in. You’re curious without guile, kind by design—like you’re making sure he’s staying afloat.

Like you don’t know how deep he’s drowned in you.

The answer comes by way of his hand, lifting your wrist to his mouth like it’s the most delicate thing. He kisses it. Then up, to your knuckles, until lips press against the inside of your palm.

It halts your breath, the way he does it. Slow, steady, with eyes trained on your face. The tremble down the nape of your neck isn’t from cold night air. He lets go, only to move you closer, torso-to-torso under the ripples, fingers around your wrist again just to place it on his chest.

His heart beats loud under your palm.

“Logan?” you breathe.

His whisper brings a kind of silence that sings.

“I love you.”

Eyes meet in the dark. Truth sinks in your veins.

This is it. The months of morning coffee and late night talks on the balcony. Waking up in each others’ sheets. Then arms. The juvenile whispers, the adult deeds, the source of all insatiability sharpened into a single point of clarity.

It’s as still as the lake, but no longer submerged. Might have always been on the surface, come to think of it. Ever-present in silences and the way he holds you when you sleep. Lingers in kisses and looks. Whispers like ghosts.

You see his face melt. Soft, like he’s never been hurt before.

But a second later, you know that’s not true. He just doesn’t mind getting hurt again.

Not if it’s by you.

“Say something, pretty girl,” he says. There’s no humor in the slight curl of his lips.

You choose to answer his way. No words, because you feel more than them.

It’s with the slant of your face against his as you pull him down for a deep kiss. He groans into you at the sudden crash, waves of water cascading out of your bodies in a dance that mirrors your own. Big hands grab your waist to keep you close—anchor in the storm of insistence, how your lips lock: as ceremonious as a sealing ritual, as divine as an enlightening.

When you part, you’re breathless. His face is still in front of yours. Foreheads pressed together, pressure heavy and steady despite the way your feet float in the water.

You smile at him.

“Baby,” he growls at your silence, lips hovering over yours.

You only last for a few more seconds in dragging the moment longer, before caving in with a sweet confession of your own.

“I love you, too, Lo.”

He kisses you again. Doesn’t stop until you’re too incoherent for words. As if he’s preventing you from taking it back.

His eyes locked with her, grinning. “Careful, princess. We don’t want them to know.” He was a wicked man. He thrust his hips hard, making her huff into his palm. “Good girl,” Logan grinned at her. “Such a good fucking girl. Taking me so well while people walk behind the door.” 

This relationship had been going on for months, and no one knew. Y/N ensured neither Jean nor Charles could enter their minds and snoop around. Thank god her ability was all about protection. This was still new and exciting, and they wanted to keep it a secret until they were ready to tell everyone. Both needed to know if this thing would work out.

It started one evening. They sat in the kitchen, talked about shit and laughed while drinking beers. As time passed, they moved chairs and got closer to each other. Shortly, they were kissing, exploring their bodies and admitting their hidden feelings without the L word. 

That was months ago. Logan and Y/N managed to hide it well.

Logan let go of her mouth once he knew no one would hear her. People were gone. He grabbed both of her hands and forced them above her head, holding them firmly as he kept fucking her. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. “Fuck, sweetheart, your pussy is so good,” he grunted. “You gonna come for me?” 

“Yes,” she mewled. 

He kept talking to her, praising her. One of his hands sneaked between their bodies. He found her clit, circling it to bring her closer to her peak. Logan’s mouth was hanging open, breathing hard. They both reached their climaxes, one after the other. 

When her legs let him go, he rolled right next to her, panting. “Fuck,” he cursed. 

Y/N pulled herself closer to his side, resting a hand on his hairy chest. Her fingers brushed through them. Body hair was normal and in Logan’s case, it made him hot. Bus she enjoyed the feeling of his thumping heard under that adamantium skeleton. “The thrill of being caught made it more intense,” she admitted. 

Logan pressed a kiss to her forehead and laughed. “Ah, I knew that was it. Naughty girl. Do you like that shit? Being caught?” he teased. 

“It’s… thrilling,” she admitted, biting her lower lip. “The dirty talk is a bit better, though. When you talk with that mouth of yours, it gets me going.”

He leaned closer, his lips pressing against her in a messy kiss. “My dirty girl.” 

Y/N hummed. A smile remained on her face. “Tomorrow, my room?” she asked. “Will you be waiting there when I come back from Boston?”

His eyes lost the spark. Logan sighed. She had to leave on a mission with her fellow X-men. Charles picked the three people who would fly to Boston to bring two mutant children into the school. Of course, Logan hated that he wasn’t among the chosen ones. He felt the need to be there, to protect his girlfriend. 

So he huffed. “I don’t like it when I’m not on a mission with you,” he said. “I know, I know, you are going with Storm and Scott. Yes, you are only bringing two kids to the school, who are in danger. And, fuck yes, you are a strong mutant. But, baby, I can’t help the feeling like I should go with ya.” 

“You always say that when we are not paired together,” she giggled. 

“No,” he lied. One look from her and he nodded. “Fine, yes. However, my gut is saying something to me this time. Like I should go with you.”

Y/N pushed her body up to have a better look at him. Her index finger brushed over his nose. “Logan, I’m gonna be okay,” she smiled. “If something goes to shit, I’ll protect both Scott and Storm. And, I can heal. I’m practically invincible. So stop worrying,” she giggled again and kissed the top of his nose. 

Her mutation was all about protecting others by creating forefields and protecting herself with immediate healing. So, yes, he shouldn’t worry about her. Y/N could heal just like him. But in her case, it was more magical. Little light would appear every time a wound needed to be closed.

And yet he felt fear crawling up his back. 

Her eyes sparkled as she kept looking at him. Y/N wanted to tell Logan how she felt. She had the L-word on the tip of her tongue. She had it there for days. She feared it would scare him off if she said it now. Maybe it was still too soon. Little did she know Logan felt the same. 

“What if we spend the weekend away?” His brows wiggled. “You’ll say you want to spend the weekend away and I don’t say shit because they know how I act when I’m grumpy.” 

Y/N glared at him, then laughed. “Privileged man.” The irony could be smelt in the air. It made him laugh. “To answer your question, that sounds nice. How about a weekend somewhere in the woods? A nice cabin, fresh air and just the two of us. And, you know we could be as loud as we can?” 

“Promising, promising,” he rolled over her, pressing his lips against hers in a passionate kiss. “We’ll plan it once you are back from Boston. Your room.” 

“Deal.”

Early in the morning, Y/N got up before the whole school started to prepare for another day. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, fingers lightly brushing his hair. One more look, a smile and then she was gone.

They didn’t need anyone seeing her sneaking out of his room. This way it was a lot of fun. The truth was, there was this longing inside her. Y/N wanted to tell him how much she loved him, and how she wanted to share this relationship with the world. It was all fun and games, yes. There was this hidden desire to take the next step forward.

Another thought popped into her head. What if he wasn’t ready? What if this was not as serious for him as for her? No, that wasn’t it… Or?

With a sigh, she returned to her room and prepared for Boston. 

. . . 

Logan was on edge the whole day. He checked the time every five minutes, wishing the jet was back. He knew it was a simple rescue mission. Charles sent Y/N there to protect the team and the children if something went wrong. Where was this worry coming from? Or was this the excitement he felt towards spending more time with Y/N? What the hell was wrong with him? 

He knew he had to tell her how he felt. Maybe that’s why he was restless. He needed to confess his feelings. But would she want him? Fuck. He was overthinking their relationship. He wasn’t confident she felt the same way he did.

“You okay?” Jean's voice brought him out of his deep thoughts. 

He looked into her eyes, frowning. Then the muscles in his face loosened. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just hoping the mission is going well.” 

She smiled. “Relax. They are bringing back two children who need a safe place to grow and learn. They should be back soon.” 

Logan tried to be patient. He occupied himself with training in the danger room and planning one history lesson for the senior year. The students knew he was not his usual self. They remain silent and focused rather than get on his nerves. 

In the late afternoon, he walked through the school hallways, looking for something to distract him. Thank fucking god Charles called the rest of the X-men into his office. Even to the Professor’s surprise, Logan was the first one there.

“Ah, what a lovely change. I’m glad to see you here so fast, Logan,” Charles smiled at him. 

“Well, I happened to be close,” he said. He sat by the window where usually Y/N would stand with Rogue or occasionally next to him. 

When the rest of the X-men arrived, Charles started a discussion. “I want to throw a Christmas party for the students,” he said with a smile. “The last few years were intimate on boxing day. This year, I want a full extravaganza for them. I am talking about music, food, drinks and decorations.” 

“That’s amazing,” Rogue clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh my god, Y/N and I will take care of the decorations. I’ll talk to her about it once she arrives.” 

“That’s a great idea,” Jean smiled. “The students will love it, and it will be a change for us,” she smiled at the bald man. “If things go well, we can start a new holiday tradition.” 

“Will there be booze?” was Logan’s question. It sounded like a sigh. 

“Adults can have a beer or champagne,” said Charles. 

“Thank fucking god,” Logan praised. He wished for something stronger, but this was better than nothing. It was a small miracle. At least something that would help him get through the festivity. Beer. Well, beer and Y/N.

Charles opened his mouth to continue. No sound came out of it. His head snapped up as if he was listening and waiting for something to happen. He gasped, eyes wide. Fear appeared in his irises. Jean was immediately on her feet, running out of the office. 

“What’s going on?” Rogue voiced the question. 

That’s when the sound of the Black Bird echoed in the air. Hank now understood his presence was needed elsewhere. Logan and Rogue’s eyes met. 

“Professor,” Logan said his name firmly. He needed to get the man’s attention. “Tell us what the hell is going on. You look as if someone showed you a dead body for the first time.” Instantly, he wanted to choke on those words. Logan could sense the answer. Something terrible happened. Logan’s heartbeat fastened. The unsettling feeling crept over his body. Oh, he knew. His gut was telling him the whole time. 

A second later, Logan ran out of the office. “Logan, wait!” Rogue called after him, running as well.

When they arrived at the underground hangar, the engines of the Black Bird turned off. Jean and Hank were prepared for anything. The redhead knew what was inside the jet. 

“Jean!” Logan called her name. This was his way of wanting answers. “Tell me what the fuck is going on!”

When the rear door opened, Scott was the first to come out. His suit was torn in many places, wounds bleeding and his face bruised. Jean gasped when she saw him. It wasn’t a pretty look. “Oh my god,” she ran to him. 

“It… It was all a trick,” he said through gritted teeth. He was in a lot of pain. 

“What do you mean?” Hank asked. 

“Where’s Y/N?” Logan demanded. 

Rogue ran inside the jet. She needed to see both Storm and Y/N. 

“Scott,” Jean whispered his name, pressing a hand to his bruised cheek. She read his mind. All those horrors were now swirling inside her brain. “Oh, baby. You should have called for help.” 

“Y/N, she…” he couldn’t continue. 

That was Logan’s cue. He ran inside the jet with Hank. And there was Storm, who was on the floor with a bloody nose. Rogue was by her side, talking to the woman. Next to them, on a foldaway was Y/N’s lifeless body. 

Hank got to her first. He pressed his one blue finger on her neck. There were five seconds of silence before he shouted, “She’s alive!” 

Even Storm exhaled the breath she held. “I thought we lost her. I thought we lost her,” she repeated. “She saved us,” she mumbled. “There were so many of them.” 

“Who?” Rogue asked gently. 

“Mutant hunters,” she replied. “They used mutant children to lure us in.” Tears started to fall down her cheeks. A painful sob escaped her lips. She curled to Rogue’s side, crying. 

Logan lurched to Y/N’s body. His big hands pressed against her cheeks, stroking them. He hated this, hated seeing her unconscious. “Come on, darlin’, come back to me,” he pleaded silently. He took her into his arms bridal-style and carried her out of the jet. 

Rogue helped Storm to her feet.  Hank followed and they all exited the get. “Take her to the lab,” Hank shouted at Logan. 

Logan did as told. He brought Y/N’s body to the lab and put her on a bed. Scott was sitting on a chair beside a desk while Jean was already by the bed, hooking Y/N to a heart monitor. 

Rogue brought Storm in. She helped her onto the second bed and fetched a glass of water. The last one who arrived was Charles. He was distressed, horrified by what happened. He could read Scott and Storm’s thoughts. He saw what happened in Boston. Charles blamed himself for what happened. He should have known.

“No,” Jean turned to him. “Professor, you didn’t know,” she glared at the man. “They faked it. No one could see it coming. They had innocent mutant kids work for them.” 

“I could,” he sighed. “I should have known better, look into everyone’s minds. But I didn’t. It’s my fault Y/N is fighting for her life and Storm with Scott got injured.” 

Logan wanted to agree. He wanted to scream at him and blame the man for what happened. He kept his mouth shut and bit his tongue. Y/N wouldn’t want him to say words like that.

Jean opened the top of Y/N’s suit. “Shit,” she sighed. There were two bullet wounds - one on her right shoulder and another where her liver was. “She’s not healing.” 

Logan’s face lost all colour. “What do you mean she’s not healing? She should be!” Without thinking, he stroked her hair, leaning above her unconscious body. “Come on, darlin’. Don’t do this to me,” he pleaded. “We have things planned. You are not getting away from this.”

“Logan,” Rogue grabbed his shoulder, trying to pull him away from her. “Let them work, please.”

“No,” he growled. “I’m not leaving her. I’m staying right here with her, Rogue. I can’t let her go. I should have been with her when this happened.”

She sighed. Her touch on his shoulder tightened. “I get that she’s our friend. But Jean and Hank need to help her now. They know what they are doing. Let them work.”

Beast drew Y/N’s blood into three vials as Jean checked her wounds. Neither of them noticed her eyes open, blinking rapidly. 

She glanced from right to left, barely recognising anyone at this point. It was all mushed together, voices echo-y. The light was bright and painful. “L-Logan?” she whispered at first. When no one responded, she tried again. “Logan?” her voice was weak and raspy. 

This time everyone heard. Logan was the first one to appear above her head. All the tension that was inside him left with one loud exhale. “Darlin’,” he smiled. Logan’s fingers brushed her messy hair. “I’m here. I’m right here, baby. I’m not leavin’.”

Jean, Hank and Rogue looked at each other, noticing the words Logan used. 

Y/N’s hand tried to reach for him. He was so close yet far, and she couldn't touch him however she wished. “I…” she tried to speak. 

“It’s gonna be okay,” Logan said, grabbing her hand into his big ones. “Jean and Hank will help you. You need to be strong, okay darlin’?”

A whine left her lips. She was frustrated. She couldn’t talk without energy. There was something she needed to say to him. “Logan,” Y/N huffed his name. “I… Logan, I…” Her eyes closed and opened a second later. She was losing consciousness. “I love-” she tried one more time before she could finish that important message. 

“Y/N!” he shouted her name. 

Hank grabbed Logan by his shoulders. “Give us space, Logan,” he said strictly. Hank wasn’t messing around. “We need to help her.”

“I,” he panicked. “I need to be here with her,” he defended. “Hank, you have to…” He was panicking.

The Beast somehow managed to push him to the main door. “Wait outside, Logan. Jean and I will help her. Just stay here!” With one last push, he made him stand in the hallway and the door closed to Logan’s face. 

That was it. He was there alone, locked outside to wait. And it was painful. His soul was shaking, fearing that the love of his life would die. Fuck, ‘love of his life’. At least now, he was sure his feelings for her were strong and true. Y/N was the love of his life. He only hoped he’d get to tell her those three beautiful words. All she needed to do was survive. 

Logan… I… I love- He heard her voice echo in his mind. Damn, she tried to confess. She wanted to tell him first. He punched the nearest wall, making a dent in it. 

Logan didn’t know how much time had passed. He sat on the cold hard floor, head resting on his arms. He went through a lot in his life - wars, fights, near-death moments, and yet this one was the scariest of them all. 

When the door finally opened, he didn’t register it. It was when Jean placed a hand on his shoulder, crouching next to him. “Hey,” she said softly. His head snapped up, eyes wide. She didn’t let him talk. “Y/N’s doing well. She’s asleep. But…”

He raised a brow. “But what?” 

Jean sighed. “She’s not healing, Logan. We ran some tests and discovered the bullets were tainted with a poison that wouldn’t allow her mutation to heal her. Now, it’s a waiting game. Hank is already working on a serum which will take time to make. In the meantime, we hope her body will flush the poison out of her system.” 

“Fuck, fuck!” he cursed. “I had a feeling. I knew I should have come with them. And I wasn’t there, Jean. I wasn’t there to fucking protect her. And now, we don’t know what’s gonna happen,” he snarled. He got up, fixing his jeans. 

“There’s nothing you can do now, Logan,” she said. That was the truth. “You can see her if you’d like. I know she means a lot to you.” There was a genuine smile on her face. 

Jean knew. With Y/N unconscious, she couldn’t protect her and Logan’s minds from Charles and Jean. But then again, he wasn’t very subtle about his feelings. All those nice nicknames he said also could have been a hint. 

Logan patted Jean’s shoulder as thanks and walked inside the lab. One side was all machines and computers. The other had a few beds. His eyes found Y/N resting closest to the door. His legs hesitantly moved forward, approaching her bed.  

She was like a sleeping beauty, even with her messy, tangled hair. When he saw her chest rise, he knew she was alive. He could hear her heartbeat. The sound made him relax. 

His finger brushed her cheek, feeling its warmness. “Oh, baby,” he sighed. “Wake up for me,” he pleaded. 

His eyes captured every detail of her face. The imperfections she pointed out were perfect. They made her more beautiful. He longed to see her gorgeous eyes, that smile that would brighten his day. “Come on,” he whispered. “I need to tell you something, gorgeous. You need to be up for this.”

Nothing. She remained unconscious for several more hours. 

Logan fell asleep by her side. His hand holding her, not letting go. He wanted to be, no, needed to be there when she came back to him. 

“Wakey-wakey,” he heard a soft murmur of a voice he knew. Fingers lightly brushed through his hair. He growled tiredly, frowning that someone was waking him up. “Logan,” he heard his name. It sounded like a gentle prayer. 

His eyes opened, only to be met with the gorgeous ones he loved. “Darlin’,” he gasped when he realised Y/N was awake, smiling at him. 

Logan didn’t hesitate. He pushed himself up and pressed his lips again her dry ones. He made a mental note to bring her water first thing after greetings. 

“You are up,” he exhaled deeply. “Fuck, I was so worried.” 

Her lower lip quivered. “You won’t get rid of me that easily,” she whispered. The fatigue was still present on her face. 

He kissed the top of her hand. “I’m gonna get you some water. I’ll be right here.” 

Y/N didn’t have much time to argue before he left her side. He retreated with a plastic cup. Logan helped her take a sip. “Good,” he smiled at her. 

“I’m sorry I scared you,” she said. 

“No, no, it’s okay. You are okay, back in the mansion,” he said. “You are back here, with us, with me. But next time, I am coming with you, no ifs, and, or buts.” 

She didn’t argue with him. That would come later. Now, she just nodded, accepting his words. Her eyes locked on his. All she could see was his fear and devotion. Then there was something more. Something she kept hidden inside her. 

“I love you,” they said at the same time. 

Her eyes filled with tears. “Yeah? You love me?” she had to ask. 

“With my whole fucking being, princess. I love you, Y/N,” said Logan. His lips found the top of her hand again. 

She gave him a tired smile. ”I fucking love you, too,” and she chuckled. 

“Okay, lovebirds.” The voice belonged to Scott. 

Logan turned his head, finding Jean and Scott in the lab, watching them. While Scott had a teasing grin, Jean’s smile was more relaxed and honest. He frowned at them. “You are ruining our moment.” 

“Sorry,” Jean said. “Wanted to check on you. As we can see, you are both doing well.” 

Y/N raised a hand into the air, showing her a thumbs up. “Tired as hell but alive.” 

“Hank is finishing the antidote,” Jean added. “He will administer it today and you should become your old self in no time.” 

“Thanks, Jean,” Y/N nodded her head. 

Logan looked back down on his girl, his fingers brushing against her cheek. He waited until they were alone again. “Can’t wait to have you for me as soon as possible.”

She rolled her eyes. “So you can take care of me and pamper me after my near-death experience?” 

“Of course,” he nodded. “I will show you how much I love you.”

“Shut up and kiss me, Logan,” she demanded tiredly. 

That was the first words that Logan Howlett has ever uttered to you. The first words that, in your response, made you scream.

The stranger took a few steps back from you, even though he was already a couple feet away. His expression neutral as he held his hands up- an axe in one which definitely didn't help your nerves. He had a pair of snug jeans - who wears jeans in the summer?- and a wife beater. Wonderfully luscious hair and a trimmed beard.

While you were taking him in, he was doing the same for you. You had on a pair of shorts, hiking boots, t-shirt, and a cap. A backpack with a water bottle attached by a clip.

Your hair was all frizzy, sweat swathed your skin, and you looked like you were in a very bad mood.

You stared at him, wiping your brow, eyes full of judgement as you decide if this random stranger in the middle of the woods was safe or if you needed to give him a dose of the bear spray in your pocket.

He waited patiently for you to make your decision, becoming amused more and more by your silence. His eyes set on you, before finally speaking. "-I'm assuming you are, cause you're on my land."

Your frown dropped, eyes widening slightly as you looked around. "Your land?"

"Yeah."

Your eyes fell on the axe. "Can you drop that?"

"Alright."

He tossed it to the side, then show the palm of his hands to reaffirm that he wasn't armed. Well, that you're aware of. They fell to his side limply as he pressed his lips together. "So, you lost?"

"Maybe." You looked around taking in your surroundings, and potential escape routes. This guy maybe handsome but that doesn't mean he isn't a serial killer. It's always the handsome ones…. "I uh… I'm camping with some friends."

"Where'd you come from?"

You looked around again. Everything had looked the same to you in these woods. Surrounded by trees, thick vines covering some parts of the forest floor and wild flowers covering the rest. The air was humid, and the sun burned through the canopy. The buzzing of cicadas and crickets in your ears did not help in your irritation and added to the confusion and disorientation that you found yourself in.

"I'm not sure to be honest."

There was a hint of amusement in his expression, one that made you immediately defensive. "I'll figure it out." You held your chin high.

"You'll just keep getting more lost darling."

"Well that's my problem. I don't need help from a….Wild man in the woods."

He clicked his tongue, and shrugged. "Alright." as he turned away from you, bending down to grab his axe. "Good luck." He calls over his shoulder, axe swinging at his side as he took long strides down the makeshift trail that you accidentally came upon.

As he walked away, leaves and sticks crunching under his feet, you felt your anxiety boil over as your pride disappeared.

"Wait-" You called out, following him. He stopped, turning his head to glance at you. "I.…guess I could use a little help. As long as you promise you won't kill me and bury me around here."

He simply grinned, a tight lip cocky smile that you wanted to smack away- or kiss, you aren't really sure yet. He waved a hand at you to follow him, "C'mon, I got a cabin nearby."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm not sure why I let you convince me to do this."

"Because you love me and my irresistable good looks?"

You stopped mid-hike, a small sigh escaping you. "Yeah, okay, that's true."

He turned to look back at you, a cheeky grin before his hand reached out for yours. "C'mon darling."

You smiled, taking it and joining his side.

It's been a few years since you met this man in the woods. The same woods that you had inexplicably found yourself lost in at the same time. He brought you back to his cabin despite your wariness and vague threats about knowing self defense from the time you took a self-defense class (you only took one class)

Once Logan had brought you back to his cabin, he found you were much more agreeable- even something resembling someone sweet after you were in some cool air away from humidity and itchy bugs, and given a fresh-cooked meal.

He was the perfect gentleman- aside from occasionally teasing you about getting lost in the woods. Got you back to your friends- and asked for your number. Your fate with him was sealed then, you fell hard and fast.

Now it's your anniversary and he suggests a camping trip of all things to do to celebrate. The thing you swore off after the last time.

He just looked so cute when he told you the idea, you couldn't say no. Maybe this time it wouldn't be so bad. Logan was a regularly woodsman, being a lumberjack and all. A few days in nature, fishing, hiking, campfires, watching the stars with just each other.

Okay, maybe it would be worth the bug bites, the aching legs, and the sweat.

"What about here? This looks like a nice spot." You offered, pointing out a nice clear spot in the woods to set up a tent and a campfire, similar spot to you and your friends picked.

"I got an idea where we can go." He says squeezing your hand and urging you to keep following. You hum and let him take the lead.

He led you to a scenic spot that was next to a shallow river. It was gorgeous, in the distance the. snow- mountains painted against the blue skies. The river babbled, the water fresh and clear and you could see little minnows swimming their way downstream. The trees provided shade from the sun, while shaking gently in the wind- sending a feeling of peace through you.

"Good idea." You finally looked at him with a big smile. He smiled back, setting down the camping equipment he carried and his bag, while you set down your own backpack. Logan went to work in immediately putting the tent together- you offered a hand but he said he "got it", despite becoming increasingly frustrated.

Instead you focused on creating a campfire, collecting rocks, and sticks and creating a small space nearby the tent that Logan was currently cursing at. Since it was still fairly early in the day you waited to actually start a fire, instead opting to admire as your boyfriend resisted the urge to claw apart the tent that wouldn't cooperate. You sat in the grass and watched him with amusement, until you finally pushed yourself up from the ground and walked over to him.

"Baby." Your hand went to his arm. "Can I do something here?"

After being with Logan a few years, you learned a few things, and one is that the man is terrible about asking for help. Admittedly, you were the same way. You found that Logan accepted help more easily- if you just suggest for him to tell you what to do.

He paused, staring down at the tent like it insulted his character, before finally directing you and how you can help.

It took an hour- and some light-hearted bickering but the tent was finally up. There was something about it that looked odd to you- like something didn't go in the right spot, however you elected not to mention it.

Once your campsite was set up, you and Logan began to delve into the start of your anniversary trip.

He taught you how to fish- admittedly, you felt bad for the fish you did reel in, but it was a lot funner than you expected. The quiet was relaxing, which was great for you- even better for Logan.

At some point your turned to look at him, examining his thoughtful expression. He looked so at peace- you loved that. Yet a small voice inside you decided that it's been much too peaceful for him, for much too long.

You had taken your shoes and socks off, dipped your feet into the cold stream, water rushing past your ankles and giving you a chill that ran up your back as you shook your arms and shoulders. You waded around quietly, softly splashing water and admiring the clear stream rushing past, even spotting a few crawdads and watching them with fascination until Logans voice perked up.

"You're scaring the fish away."

You looked over. He had a fishing rod in hand, still focused on the red and white float in the distance. Brows creased in that familiar concentrated look he makes whenever he's getting distracted and trying to refocus.

You hummed, glancing down at the water before looking up back at him. An idea came across your head- and you leaned down, swiping your hand across the cool water and splashing it onto Logan.

You wished you had your camera to capture the look of surprise on his face. A few droplets trickled down his cheek before he finally blinked and looked at you. He was still for a moment- until he gently dropped the fishing rod into the sand, and stood up.

That simple action sent fear through you. You were frozen in place, until he took a step towards you.

A shriek echoed through the woods as you began to run through the water, Logan chasing after you. You could hear him approaching, the splash of his feet in the water growing louder as he gets closer. The kicker? He was barely jogging to catch up to you; which became more terrifying.

He reached you, arms wrapping around you and lifting you with ease over his shoulder before turning around and carrying you back while you screamed and playfully kicked to get out of his grasp- even though you actually didn't want that.

"You're gonna regret that darling." His voice full of warning- and a hint of amusement. "Shouldn't have ran off, wouldn't want you to get lost again would we?" He teased.

You made a mock gasp, wiggling on his shoulder until a hand came up to smack your butt.

"Ay!"

Later after Logan most certainly made you pay for your playful splashing, you changed your clothes into something dry, and sat by the campfire that was finally started, ready to settle in and read one of the books you packed- swearing to Logan that you will finally read at least one of them.

It was getting close to the evening, and Logan set off to explore the woods around your campsite for a bit leaving you in the quiet and not get distracted by the handsome lumberjack.

You were just falling deep into the plot of the book, your mind tuning out your surroundings and you were becoming absorbed by the setting until you felt a tap on your shoulder that made you jump- and scream, disturbing several birds that had cozied themselves in the trees around you flutter away.

You turned around, ready to hurl your book at your "attacker" only to be greeted by Logan looking at you which a cheeky grin.

"What is it with you and sneaking up on me?" You stammered, face becoming warm with embarrassment over your reaction.

"I just love to hear you scream." He teases in a low voice, an arm wrapping around your waist to pull you close.

You smirked at the implication, hand gently smacking against his chest. "Well keep that up and you won't be hearing me scream again anytime soon."

He grinned, before pulling out his secret weapon- a bouquet of wild flowers. It was a rainbow of colors, both bright and pastel, a mix of coneflowers, fireweed, yarrow, asters, and vervain.

"This what you doing out in there wild man?" You laughed joyfully, irritation fading as you took the bouquet. "They're beautiful!"

"I picked the ones that reminded me of you." He says softly, plucking a stray piece of grass out of the bouquet. You leaned forward to take a sniff of the bouquet, the natural scent of the flowers filled you with an inner peace- and allergies, as you felt a tickle in your nose, quickly turning away to sneeze.

"Bless you." Logan chuckled taking the bouquet.

"Mm, thank you." You sniffled. "I love them. We need to find something to keep them in- I wanna bring them home- maybe can dry them and use them as decorations?"

"I'll find something." He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to your cheek, "You get back to your book."

He wandered off to find an reliable object that could hold water and flowers for you, while you settled back into your cozy spot with your book. Within a few minutes Logan came back, settling by your side, before playfully dropping a bag of marshmallows in your lap. You lowered your book and then looked at him with surprise.

"I thought you didn't pack them!" You grinned. "You said- "marshmallows don't belong on camping trips" You imitated your boyfriends gruff voice, setting your book to the side to grab the baggie, opening it and popping a marshmallow into your mouth- immediately humming from the taste of the sugary fluffiness of the treat. "So good-"

"I'll grab some sticks." He says pushing himself up from the ground and beginning searching around the campsite for two suitable sticks to use to roast marshmallows. You ate another, before fully sitting up to watch him.

"You know what would make it even better?"

"Chocolate and graham crackers?"

You blinked at his answer- which was what you were going to say, until realization struck you. He looked over from your silence, and winked.

With your belly fully of smores, and your face warm from the campfire, you were content. Logan set out a blanket for you both to lie on and stargaze.

Logan had his arm stretched out for you to use as a pillow. For awhile, there was a content silence between you both until you caught him in the corner of your eye pointing to the sky.

"See that over there? The little clusters at the bottom, and then those three, and the ones kind angled away?"

You attempted to follow where his finger was pointing and you finally made the shape formed by the stars. "Yeah, I think I see what you're talking about."

"That's Orion, one of the constellations."

"You know your constellations?" You ask surprised "I didn't know that."

"Gotta keep you on your toes somehow darling." He grinned up at the night sky, before turning to look at you, his cheeky grin fading into something softer. "After living for so long, you pick up a few things."

"You definitely do…" You hummed, bringing the back of your hand to his cheek, gently stroking it as you became lost in his eyes. "So…What's Orion's story?"

He looked back up at the sky. "He was trying to win the heart of some goddess, fought anything and everything for it. Had to fight a scorpion and had a rough go of it." He looked back at you. "His girl wanted him in the stars, so she could see him every night."

You let out a small laugh. "You're such a storyteller."

"It's the gist."

"What about the other stars?"

You laid by his side, listening to the sound crickets and frogs croak, and Logan tell "abridged" or rather his own silly version of the constellations the different versions of all their stories that he could remember, then moving onto other stars and planets, pointing out the shiniest one to you.

"That ones Venus." He says.

"Closest planet to us, right?" You asked. He hummed in acknowledgement.

"If I remember right, she's the goddess of love."

"Is she?" Your voice perked up. "That's cute. You think she destined us together?"

Logan was silent, so you looked at him. He was looking at you, expression soft. "Maybe…" He says, "Divine intervention or not, I would have always found you."

You moved to curl into his side, tipping your head up to peck his lips, and another kiss to his chin, before moving to rest your head on his chest and closing your eyes as his arm came around you.

"Tell me more stories about the stars."

"I'm afraid I've run out of em."

"Make a new one up then…"

He chuckled, "Ah…" He looked in the sky, mind raking through stories he knew, so many he's heard- but he decided to tell one most familiar to him, his own. He looked at the sky, the stars twinkling as he thought about the day he met you.

"One time, there was a boy who was wild, lived in the Canadian Rockies, with a family of wolverines."

A small giggle escaped you, and you curled yourself further into his side, an arm wrapping his waist.

"One day he came across a lost swan. Right smack in the middle of the forests where he and his family lived. She was sad cause she couldn't find her way back to her home. This boy thought she was really pretty, but when he tried to approach her she lashed out- I mean, you know how swans are."

You smiled, resisting the urge to comment as he continued.

"And this kid- he's wild right? and stubborn. He managed to convince her to let him help, and she finally gives in because despite his wild nature hes good looking and charming."

He listened to your mirth, the way you shook against him as you tried to hide your laughter and stay quiet and let him tell his story. His hand brushed up and down your arm soothingly, tilting his head so his chin could rest atop your head.

"and this swan- she falls madly in love with this kid, like heads over heels- and it turns out the swan was actually a human girl- I think there's some kind of story about that somewhere- anyway, and she was gorgeous, most beautiful creature this kid ever seen. He wants to give her the world, offers anything and everything she wants. He asks if she wanted money, she said no, he asked if she wanted jewelry, she said no- he offered her everything he could think of- even saying he'd give her moon."

You tilted your head up to meet his eyes. "What did she say?"

"She said no." He grinned. "She said, 'The only thing I want- is you'"

You smiled, glancing down at his lips before meeting his eyes. "Is that what she got?"

"Yeah. He said 'you got me, wholly and fully, every part of me. Good and bad, if you'll have it.'" His voice delved into a whisper, as if he didn't want the world to hear the ending, only you.

You reached your hand to cup his cheek, leaning up to kiss him where he pulled you in close, hands pressed against your hip until he rolled you on your back. After parting from the searing kiss, catching your breath, you smiled.

"I'm a little jealous of this swan chick."

"Don't be, this kid lives in the woods and stinks like hell."

Your laughter echoed through the trees as you pulled him closer, sharing another deep kiss as the night carried on.

When the sun began to peek through the horizon, Logan stirred at your side. You both fell asleep on the blanket instead of the tent. He was always the first to wake up, usually due to his job being an early start.

He admired your sleeping face, brushing some hair behind your ear. He carefully moved out of your embrace, sitting up and going to your tent, rummaging through one of his bags, a quiet curse seemed to have woken you up.

"Lo?"

"Hm" He shoved the bag back into the tent.

You yawned, sitting up with a big stretch and looking around. "You good?"

He let out a small breath. "Just fine darling. You hungry?"

The rest of the day went normal. Tonight will be your last night camping and in the morning will pick up and go back home to civilization. You and Logan continued on spending time together, enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature, walking along the river hand in hand. Logan seemed a bit off- distracted, but shrugged off any of your words of concern.

As evening began to approach, you wanted to settle down with your book again to read and make more progress on your chapters.

Except you couldn't find it.

You were digging all over the site. You were sure you left it on the blanket where you and Logan slept. You checked your bag, the tent, and the surrounding areas but there was no sign of it.

"Looking for this?"

You looked up as you were digging through your bag once more- to spot Logan standing off to the edge of the clearing, a neutral look on his expression. He held your book in the air, giving it a playful wave.

You scoffed, rolled your eyes and smiled. "Real funny Howlett." You began walking towards him, and he took a step back. You stopped- eyeing him suspiciously before taking another step. He stepped further away. "Okay-" Your tone took on some disbelief. "What are you doing?"

His expression remained neutral. "Nothing." He shrugged, but you could see it. The little edge of a smirk on the corner of his lips. The playful glint in his eyes that told you that you were about to become the victim of another one of Logan's games with you. The man just loved to play with your nerves.

"Logan." Your voice called out to him, warning, but a hint of amusement as you wondered where he was going to go with this. He didn't budge as you began to walk towards him again, but once you were a foot away- beginning to reach for the book he began retreating from you into the treeline. "Logan!"

You moved after him, and the faster you moved- the faster he moved. His facade broke, his lips breaking into a goofy grin as the corners of his eyes crinkled.

"Gonna have to catch me first darling." He taunts, before turning and bursting into a sprint. You gasped, but not stopping because the man was fast, and you needed to be quick on your feet.

"Logan Howlett!" You called after him, running through the trees and following the red flannel he had on. You began to giggle at the absurdity of the situation. Thinking how your friends used to wonder if Logan was the right man for you.

'He always acts so serious' one would comment. If only they could see him now.

You began to loose track, losing direction when you had to stop for a moment nearly tripping on a rock and Logan had disappeared quickly. When you recovered you began to chase him again; Only you didn't know where he went.

"Oh no." You looked around. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me." Your hands came up to cover your face. "I'm never going to live this down."

Aside from the slightly terrifying revelation that you are lost in the words, the irony was not lost on you that it happened again, years later, on your anniversary where you first met Logan- while lost in the woods. You could just hear his relentless teasing now. Even though you could certainly pull the "you made me get lost in the woods" card on him.

You paused to take in your surroundings, looking for familiar landmarks to tell you which direction you came from. The ground was dry- there wasn't any footprints you could retrace, and everything looked the same to you.

"Logan!" You called out with caution. He'd probably be able to find you, with his keen sense of smell and hearing. You'd hope he'd read your tone, that you weren't playing now and genuinely needed him to come out of hiding.

You took a step one direction when you heard no reply- only to hear a creak behind you. Turning around with a gasp- expecting Logan to jump in your face with that cocky smile and some lighthearted tease about how you can't go anywhere without him- which was true at this point.

He wasn't there, but an urge told you to go in that direction anyway.

As you walked, you noticed little things- broken sticks, disturbed leaves and plants, and occasionally a footprint dug into the earth.

The direction you were going didn't feel right, but everything you found felt.…deliberate. There was something in your intuition that told you to keep going- especially once you smelled the deep, wooden, familiar scent of a freshly lit cigar.

It became unmistakable that Logan was pulling something purposeful. What exactly you weren't sure. Why was he leading you in a goose chase through the woods on your anniversary.

It was slowly getting darker- you could tell by the way the skys colors were beginning to change, the blue hue was turning darker and the air around the trees were beginning to shift. You started to worry that maybe your intuition was wrong and that you somehow managed to make yourself even more lost by chasing some imaginary trail you think your boyfriend set up.

At least, till you came across the roses.

It was a singular petal initially, bright red, standing out in the muted quiet colors of leaves and dirt. It caught your eye, as you leaned down to pick it up- feeling the soft velvety texture between your thumb and forefinger. Your eyes caught a flash of more color and looked up, seeing the scattered red petals across the forest floor.

You continued , following the trail as the petals grew heavier until it lead you to a small clearing- the clearing. was open, ending on a cliff that oversaw the river and vast forests. You could see the mountains in the distance, and can even spot your camp with Logan down below. "You lost, darling?"

You stopped, turning around to see Logan looking at you, hand in pocket, and a sly smile on his face.

"Lo…." You stared at him dumbfounded, until he stepped closer to you. Your heart began to beat faster as he came face to face. You finally found your words, smiling, "But you found me, didn't you?"

"I did." He says. "and I always will…" his hand went to cup her cheek. "No matter what. How lost you get, I'll always be there."

"Logan." You leaned into his touch. "What…"

" Although…Really I was the lost one. Till I found you." He says. His other hand came out of his pocket, revealing a small velvet box. You gasped at the sight, tears quickly filling your eyes. You hand came over your mouth as you stepped back. He smiled, slowly lowering down to one knee. The sight made you let out a shaky laugh as you tried to keep yourself together.

"Darling…" He looks up at you. "Been around a long time…met a lot of folks, seen a lot of things, been through a lot of things but you…" he reached for your hand, which you dropped to let him hold it. "You're a first."

That made you laugh for real. He grinned, eyes brimming with emotion you rarely see from him, that tough exterior cracking open for you.

"I don't think I'm a man who deserves you darling, but if you let me, for the rest of our lives, I want to take care of you, love you, the way you deserve. I'll give you everything you want"

He opened the box. Revealing the ring- something perfect for you. You recall seeing it ages ago at some shop you and Logan visited. A few tears escaped your eyes. He said your name, slow, like he was savoring the sound of it on his tongue, before he asked the final question.

"Will you marry me?"

He barely finished the question before you were saying yes, and jumping into his arms. Tears streaked down your cheeks, as you leaned your head back to meet his lips, firm , until you pulled away.

"I only want you, wild man." You whispered, before kissing him again. Once you finished pecking his lips, and all over his face, you both found your footing and he slipped the ring on your finger. You admired it, before beaming up at him, reaching for his hand and squeezing it. Then you looked around at the candles, "You planned all of this?" You asked. He nodded, brushing a hand this his hair, he held a bashful expression, cheeks tinted pink.

"Yeah, every bit."

"Even getting me lost?"

"Actually…" He clicked his tongue. "I uh…Didn't mean for that to happen."

You stared at him incredulously, before bursting into laughter. Stepping close to him to nuzzle his nose as small giggles continued to escape you.