#background prinxiety

It really had been a beautiful ceremony. The weather was perfect, a soft breeze ruffled both grooms’ hair in just the right way, every little detail was clearly chosen oh so carefully, and there were no unforeseen events that would have tarnished the lovely atmosphere. None of that had been any kind of problem. No, the problem was mostly the fact that one of the grooms had told him that he was going to be sitting with someone at the reception that would be just perfect for him. And when more information was requested, all that was provided was “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out.” 

Once the ceremony ended, all the guests made their way to the grand ballroom where the reception was being held. A beautiful venue - grand vaulted ceilings, gothic architecture. Just inside before the dance floor and the area where the tables were all set up was a sign with the seating arrangements. The seating chart was both helpful and not. Walking up to the board to see what table he’d been assigned to had been easy, as was finding the table itself. But once that was done, there weren’t specific places set for each seat. At least not at their table. Just the names of the four men who’d be sitting together written elegantly on a little card next to the floral centerpiece. So the main clue as to who at the table was the aforementioned perfect match was clearly not going to come from there.

The four of them were all at least a bit familiar with each other, but not that much beyond a basic understanding of who they were and how they were connected to the newlyweds. There were two who were closer to Roman - Remus, his twin brother, and Logan, his best friend since childhood. And two who were closer to Virgil - Janus, a close friend since high school, and Patton, who was essentially a cousin. 

Logan was the first to the table - even after stopping for a glass of wine on the way, sitting himself down in the first seat he came upon and letting out a long exhale. He’d been divorced for a few years now and his best friend had been encouraging him to get “back into the game” for a while. He’d pretty much written off the concept as a whole, he’d done the relationship thing and apparently it wasn’t for him. Lesson learned. Janus next, sitting down across from Logan and sharing a greeting nod in vague recognition as well as silent approval of the glass of Merlot they were each holding. Janus was also not one who loved the concept of dating, he had some noticeable facial scarring that he was really tired of being stared at about - or worse, pitied for - and just kept his distance from people he didn’t know more often than not. It made things easier. 

Third was Patton, happily walking up and waving to the other two before sitting in one of the two open seats, right between them. His and Virgil’s mothers had been close friends since they were kids, so they grew up as close friends and considered the other’s mom to be an aunt. Rather than explain all of that, saying they were basically cousins was much simpler. Virgil had been there for Patton more than once over the years when a relationship didn’t quite work out for him. He was sweet to his core and his love languages were basically all of them, so things ending between him and a partner with comments made about his “clinginess” or how he was “overly affectionate” had happened more than once. He never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable, of course, he didn’t blame anyone for not being the same way he was - but he knew what made him happy and he shouldn’t have to go without either. 

And last to arrive was Remus, he was easily the most unmistakable. For one, he was an identical twin to Roman, anyone who saw them knew that. But he also just had something of a reputation. He wasn’t one who cared too much for strict social conventions and he was definitely considered to be a pretty wild card. A wild card amongst wild cards, honestly. 

Once they were all seated, they looked around at the ones seated around them. Since the seats weren’t specifically assigned, none of them really knew who it was they’d been sitting here to be set up with. They also had no idea that any of the others had been told the same thing. At least their table was the smallest, the only table of only four, so there weren’t seven others they had to navigate between, thankfully. Three was still something, though.

They sat there quietly for what felt like a very long moment, eyeing each other. This was the designated Cocktail Hour portion of the wedding, so the grooms were off taking pictures now that they were officially married and all the guests got to enjoy the open bar and make small talk for a bit. Half of their table would have happily sat there silently until it was time to go home, but the other half simply didn’t have the capacity. 

“Hello! I’m Patton, um, I’m Virgil’s sorta cousin, family friend. I think I’ve met a couple of you guys before, but introductions just seemed easier.” Patton piped up, looking across the three around him. 

“Remus.” He piped up, pointing at his face. “I’m pretty sure it’s clear where I fit in this whole clusterfuck.” 

Patton blinked. He knew there was no way he could have guessed what the moustached man was going to say, but still hadn’t expected that.

“I’m Logan, Roman’s friend. I’ve definitely met you a number of times over the years, Remus.” Logan added, apparently completely unphased by the comment. 

Janus held his glass up and out toward them a bit. “And I’m Janus, I've known Virgil since we were teenagers.” 

“Oh, I remember him saying that! Wait, does that mean you went to our high school? Virgil was a year ahead of me.” 

Janus dipped his chin in a single nod, humming in a vaguely affirmative way. 

“Didn’t you too, Specs? You’ve been around since forever.” Remus added, looking over to Logan. 

One of Logan’s eyebrows quirked up above the frames of his glasses, he really wasn’t sure why he had been dubbed Specs, Patton wore what appeared to be the exact same glasses. But, no matter. “Yes, we lived in the same neighborhood. But I was a grade ahead of you both.” “Yeaaaah, that’s it. And you were, uh, the violent dick tournament.” Remus replied, making Patton nearly choke on his water and Janus cough like he forgot how to breathe.

Logan only blinked. “Yes. Valedictorian.”

“That’s the bitch! But you weren’t hot like this then though.” Somehow, that was the comment that got Logan to actually react, a red tinge taking over the edges of his ears as it sunk in. Remus’s head tilted to the side as he watched it happen, then he quickly let his eyes dart between the other two. “What? You both see it, right? The sexy nerd thing isn’t easy to pull off.” He only seemed surprised that no one responded, but then he quickly came to a conclusion as to why. An incorrect conclusion. “Oh, hey. Don’t think you two aren’t super lickable. Just cuz Lo’s all sharp lines doesn’t mean the young dad bod thing doesn’t totally do it for me too. And,” He said to Patton before turning to Janus and letting out a low whistle, thankfully not loud enough for any other tables to really take notice. “You are hot as fuck, and the scars only make you look even more badass.” 

Remus just sat back in his chair, looking across the three of them. They couldn’t really tell if he was proud that he’d silenced them all or if he was just waiting for a compliment in return. Eventually Janus managed to find words. “...So, are you drunk already? Or are you actually just like this?” 

“Oh, he’s just like this.” Logan managed to get the comment in before Remus could answer, followed by a fairly long drink from his glass. 

“What? I’m just being honest! I..” Remus started before groaning and letting himself fall fully back into his chair from where he’d been perched at the very edge. “I just remembered I promised I’d be on my best behavior and the thing I was gonna say next would be toeing the line.” He explained with a pout.

The fact that everything up to this point had apparently not been toeing the line really had to sink in to the other three before conversation could continue. 

“...I suppose that does sound like something Roman would do.” Logan eventually managed, really having no idea where this conversation could possibly be headed. Thankfully, Remus had really gotten rid of any awkwardness - if only in such a way that the other three were now sure there was nothing they could say that would come near what had already been said - so there was little to be concerned about at that point. So Janus casually joined in more fully. “Most of today seems like something Roman would do. I mean, Virgil certainly wasn’t the one who insisted on monogrammed wine glasses and marble table numbers.” Janus held up his glass again, turning it to show the R and V etched into the glass in elegant script. 

Patton looked down to the beautiful centerpiece, and sure enough, the flowers that made it up were in a short marble vase with their table number on it. He then giggled a little bit, causing the attention of the other three to go back to him. He picked up one of the folded napkins that had been sitting next to the centerpiece and unrolled it to show them. None of them had really noticed them much, but now that Patton had brought one to their attention, they all realized it was hardly a napkin at all. To start, it was velvet. Monogrammed in the same way the wine glasses were. “He really did go all out, didn’t he? I know these weren’t Virge’s idea either.” Was Patton’s little giggle adorable? Yes. Was anyone going to mention it? No. Instead, Logan picked up one of the velvet napkins as well. Some were red and some were purple, the monogram in the opposite’s color thread. “What are these even for? Surely they aren’t really to be used as napkins.” 

“He’s always loved velvet, the absolute freak.” Remus made a face, scrunching up his nose and sticking out his tongue. “It makes my fucking teeth itch. Like, I want to spit them all out. Preferably at him.” He lifted up his hands from the table and limply shook them out a bit before crossing his arms.

Patton looked back into the basket of napkins, leaning in to look deeper inside. After a second he glanced at Remus, eyes noting his green dress shirt, and then a smile lit up his face. Patton reached in again and pulled something out from underneath the remaining velvet napkins. A black cloth napkin, tied in a green ribbon. “Here, this must be for you.” Remus took it with confusion, immediately pulling the green ribbon off and watching it unroll. A little note fell out, him picking it up and laughing as he read it. Patton had a big smile, watching. “What’s it say?” “Don’t say I never did anything for you, you filthy casual.” Remus responded, turning the little card around to show them. “Aw.. Maybe now I won’t do that thing with his toothbrush.” 

Yet another comment that it just felt right to ignore. “What a loving family.” Janus added, getting another sip from his glass. Logan hummed in agreement and mirrored the action. 

Remus was fiddling with the green ribbon, Patton watching. It seemed like he was trying to tie it around his own wrist and was clearly struggling. “Want me to tie that in a bow for you, Remus?” Patton asked, watching as Remus’s wild green eyes flicked up to meet his gaze.

“Sure, I’m not getting anywhere with it.” He held his hand out with the ribbon, Patton taking it and tying it around his wrist like a bracelet with a perfect little bow. Remus pulled his hand back, looking down at it. “Thanks! You know, it's always good to have a man around who’s good at tying things up.” 

Patton clearly was going to respond, but that comment made whatever he’d been planning to say die in his throat. Logan and Janus just silently wondered if Remus was referring to that in a sexy way or a murdery way, both coming to the conclusion that it was certainly both. 

Seeing as no one piped up, Remus continued. “Actually, hold on. Are there any scissors in that basket?” He pointed to where the napkins were. “Um, no I don’t think so?” Patton responded, glancing in again. “Ugh, Roman never fucking listens to me! I told him if he’s going to have ribbons everywhere he needs to have scissors accessible! At least he didn’t do the stupid little decorative rocks. You know the ones that look like they could be real rocks or chocolate rocks? Choking hazards. Like, even sober people can be idiots. Have you ever been to Lush? People take bites right out of the display soap all the time!” 

It was really occurring to the other three that as much as you can try to expect the unexpected, you could never really be fully ready for it. 

“...Let’s just go back to the scissors. Why scissors?” Janus asked, his expression a mix between fascination, concern, and some indecipherable third thing. 

“Uh, because you never know if someone’s gonna try and strangle somebody with all this ribbon? Especially now that he’s married.” Remus ‘explained.’ 

“What does being married have to do with, um, being s-strangled?” Patton asked, clearly purely concerned. 

“Spouses are the ones most likely to murder you, statistically. He’s just inviting disaster!” Remus added, looking completely sure of what he was saying. 

Patton and Janus were both at a loss. Logan, however, did something none of them were expecting. He laughed. It was a single short little Ha! that clearly escaped without his permission, and he quickly brought his hand up to lightly press his fingertips to his lips, but they didn’t fully hide the small amused smile. Remus’s face lit up, a grin splitting his face from ear to ear. Patton and Janus shared a little glance, but also found themselves smiling. 

Thankfully, for Logan at least, they were interrupted at that point by people at other tables starting to clap. They looked up to see that the grooms were joining them in the reception hall, walking arm in arm into the ballroom. The four of them joined in on the clapping, watching as the new husbands fully crossed the room and made their way up to the center of the dance floor. It was clearly time for the first dance. 

They’d also both changed from their ceremony outfits, which was for the best. Roman’s white suit had had a long jacket that transitioned into a dramatic train behind him, and Virgil’s black suit had a cape that began along the seams where his sleeves met the body of his jacket and ended right at the ground. They were now in much more reasonable outfits for the dancing and celebrating half of the event. Of course they were still a bit dramatic, Roman’s white jacket had golden appliques and Virgil’s black jacket had much more subtle gilded piping, but they no longer had tripping hazards at the very least. 

Everyone watched as the couple had their first dance, it was undeniably sweet. Those who knew Virgil could see how secure Roman made him feel, he didn’t have any of the subtle discomfort he often portrayed when he was the center of attention, and those who didn’t know him as well had no idea anything was out of the ordinary at all. Their song did eventually end and they bowed slightly to more applause from their guests before making their way to their head table. 

The MC hosting the event then announced that food would be coming out in just a few minutes and they were free to come interact with the newlyweds a bit if they weren’t already bombarded with visitors - but also reminding everyone that they needed to let them eat too. It was a playful announcement, but Logan was actually the one who’d stressed to Roman that it was important to remind the guests of that fact. Far too many people he knew talked about how they didn’t get a chance to eat at their own weddings, himself included. 

He tried not to think about his own wedding much, it didn’t really do him any favors. But that particular factoid took him back to the memory very directly. He didn’t know how long he’d been a bit lost in his thoughts, but he felt a hand land on his shoulder seemingly out of nowhere and he was immediately snapped out of it. He turned to look up and find Janus standing beside him. “Hey, finish your glass. I’m going for a refill. And someone needs to be in charge of Remus.” Janus said, his tone flippant as he gestured with his own empty glass. But Logan could see something in his eyes... Something that said Janus knew Logan had needed to be brought back to the present.

He glanced down at the small sip left in his glass, hardly anything at all. Janus easily could have just snagged it and walked off, but he didn’t. Logan blinked a few times to clear his vision and then tossed the last of the glass back before holding it out to Janus. “Thank you, I certainly won’t say no to that.” “Figured. You seem to be a man of taste afterall.” Janus plucked the glass from his hand and then turned, striding off toward the bar. 

Logan had to take a moment to process that little comment, but then found himself suddenly alone with Remus, Patton already missing. Remus’s chin was resting in both of his hands with his elbows planted on the table, looking intently at Logan. Logan raised an eyebrow. “...Yes?” 

“Hiii. You went far away for a bit, like something spicy got ahold of you. What was it? Was it hard? Or was it actually close?” Remus asked, his eyes pure wonder. 

He didn’t really know what to say to that, but what he heard himself say was “That sounds like the setup to a riddle.”

Remus’s eyes somehow got even sparklier. “Oh I love riddles! Wanna hear one?” Logan just nodded, surprised. “Hmm.. Okay, okay. I once let over 1000 different people inside me, until I was ripped open by something long and hard . What am I?”

Logan looked directly into his eyes for a moment, tilting his head ever so slightly to the side before he answered. “The Titanic?” 

Remus quickly gave some excited little claps. “Yes! Ooo, you’re good. Okay. Um.. I’m smooth, preferably around eight inches long, and have cum inside me.” He leaned in, licking his lips a little. Logan’s mouth quirked up at the corner, just a bit. “Cucumber.” 

“Yes! Fuck, you’re so good. Okay, I have more. Umm..” 

Up at the head table, Patton had slipped over to the grooms’ side, thankful he’d managed to get a moment in where Roman was distracted with another guest and he could speak with just Virgil. 

“Virge! Congrats! This has all been so beautiful, I'm so happy for you!” Patton said, excitedly. Virgil smiling and standing to give him a quick hug. 

“Thanks, Pat. It’s been.. A lot, but good.” Virgil admitted, but he was still smiling. “I’m glad, I was hoping you’d been having a good time.” “I have, definitely.” Virgil nodded, but then slowly grinned a little more conspiratorially, glancing over to Patton’s table and then back. “How about you? How’s it been for you?” 

Patton blushed a little, reaching up to tuck a curl behind his ear. “Um.. Good? I’ve been having a lot of fun. I, uh.. I did want to ask you though..” He paused, but Virgil just raised his eyebrows a bit, encouraging him to continue. “You had said I’d be sitting with someone who, uh.. You know. And I just wasn’t sure who you.. I mean, they’re all great! I just didn’t know if you meant one of them.. Specifically.” He slowly managed, blushing. 

Virgil let out a little breath of a laugh. “Nope.” 

“Huh?” Patton responded, confused. 

“Not one of them specifically.” He shook his head with that same little smile.

“But.. Didn’t you..” “Yes.” Patton just looked at him, studying his expression for a long moment until a bit of movement behind Virgil drew his eye. Roman was no longer talking to someone else, he was looking back at Patton with a very similar sneaky little grin. Patton blinked a couple times, but Roman just gestured back at his table with his head, then gave him a nod. For some reason that was when it all clicked. These two thought that.. His gaze went back to Virgil, their knowledge of one another silently unfolding between them. 

It took a long moment before Patton nodded softly, a shy smile creeping up over his face. “...Congrats again, you two. Everything has been so lovely.” Patton waved as he turned and then made his way back to his table. His cheeks were still a light shade of pink as he took his seat again, listening to see if he could tell what he’d missed since he’d gotten up. 

“Oh, that one’s easy. Pasta.” Logan remarked, laughing softly. 

“Oh I love pasta!” Patton said, smiling. 

Remus and Logan just shared a quick glance before looking back to Patton again. “Me too, my favorite’s spaghetti.” Remus replied. 

“Why do I feel like even spaghetti must still be some sort of ordeal when it comes to you?” Came Janus’s voice, him finally back from the bar, sitting down and then handing Logan his wine glass. 

“Oh it is! So first I take a straw and-” The food finally arrived, waiters placing down their meals before them and making sure everyone received the option they’d selected back on their RSVPs before moving on to serve other tables. Whatever Remus had been about to explain faded out, them starting to tuck into their meals. Patton’s thoughts were a bit all over the place, thinking about what Virgil must have had in mind for him, and how he and Roman clearly saw an opportunity for the four of them to find what they hadn’t been able to thus far. Patton might not have come up with it on his own exactly, but the more he thought about it, the more it all seemed to make sense to him. The more it all started to seem really great.

After a bit he glanced up, looking at Remus directly across from him. He’d also glanced up from eating and met Patton’s gaze, those green eyes studying his face. Patton had been told he was fairly easy to read for most of his life, and apparently his still lightly pink cheeks were clueing Remus into something. Patton tucked his chin down just a little bit, bashful, but then quickly darted his eyes to both Janus and Logan before looking back to Remus again. Remus’s eyes mirrored what Patton’s had done on just a split second delay, then went back to him. Patton had no idea how, but he swore he saw Remus figure it out in that moment. The slight widening of his eyes - which had already been open fairly wide in all honesty - and the smirk that grew up one side of his face convinced him. He knew and he was on board. They were already half way there, the two of them just had to get the other half.

Conversation stayed light until the food was pretty much done, waiters coming around to collect plates just as the MC went back to the microphone, announcing that before they opened the floor up for dancing, the grooms would be doing their bouquet toss. All unmarried guests were asked to get up and head on over to the dance floor. Remus and Patton both smiled, looking to the sides of them to see that neither of the other two looked like they planned to move. But the two more excitable ones shared a nod and both grabbed a hand. Remus took hold of Logan’s, pulling him to his feet and toward the floor, while Patton did the same with Janus. Those two shared their own glance, but it almost seemed something like fond exasperation in their eyes rather than anything else. 

Roman and Virgil had moved around to stand in front of their table, each holding a bouquet. Patton watched their eyes following their group of four moving on the floor, them clearly seeing that Patton and Remus were bringing along Janus and Logan. Once everyone who was going to participate was in position, the grooms both turned their backs to the dance floor, the MC starting a countdown from three for them to toss the flowers. 

When the count hit one, however, they didn’t toss them over their heads behind them. They both spun back to face the group and then threw. Roman’s bouquet, which moved with surprising speed because he threw it overhand like he was pitching a baseball, hit Logan squarely in the chest, him quickly bringing his hands up to catch the flowers before they bounced off of him and hit the floor. Virgil’s sailed right into Janus’s hands via a softer but still very pointed underhand toss. 

The room erupted into good natured chuckles, Logan and Janus both having to look around while their thoughts caught up. Once everything had registered, them no longer going from staring at the bouquets in their hands to the man next to them also holding flowers to the two who’d thrown the flowers and back down to their bouquets again, they were both turning red. It was then they noticed Remus and Patton, smiling and giggling at them. That was when it finally hit them, like a bundle of flowers to the chest. 

The four of them stood still a moment, barely noticing that the MC announced the dance floor was finally open and that it was time to get the party going. Remus took the flowers from both Logan and Janus, quickly placing them back on their table before returning and grabbing Janus’s hands to start dancing with him, Patton also taking hold of Logan and joining in. 

Roman and Virgil were both smiling, glad to see their little side quest for their wedding day was coming together. They had a thousand other things they had to be aware of, friends and family still coming up for congratulations and requests to dance with them, but every time they managed to sneak a glance at the men from the table of four, they’d traded partners yet again, eventually ensuring that each possible pairing of them got a chance to dance before they just stayed all together in their little group and continued to enjoy themselves. 

It wasn’t for a long while, after several breaks from dancing to rest a bit, or get a drink, or have some cake, or take some pictures - that things were finally winding down and the four of them were back at their table gathering their discarded coats. A beat of quiet overtook them as they found themselves all standing together, in a completely different headspace from where they’d been upon arriving. It was happier, more hopeful, full of excited anticipation - none of them could have guessed this was where they’d have found themselves at the end of the night, but all of them were looking forward to seeing what would come next.

--

Remus gagged, moving to step away, but Janus suddenly grabbed his forearms and kept him from leaving the conversation.

“Truly, it’d be such a shame for yet another year of your friendship to come and go without you finding the balls to inform him of your growing romantic feelings for him,” Janus continued.

Remus hissed and struggled against the hold Janus had on him.

“Ah, yes, a perfectly mature response. I’m shaking in my slippers.”

“And it’s not like he’d get mad about it!” Roman added. “Even if Lo doesn’t feel the same way, he has the right to know how badly you want him!”

“And you have the right to ask for what you want from him.”

“Maybe he’ll say he likes you too!”

“Or maybe he’ll reject you, and you can focus your attention on rebuilding your shattered pride and redirecting your emotions toward self love instead.”

Remus stopped struggling. “Oh, I love myself plenty, thank you very much.”

“Yes, I know, we share a wall,” Janus replied. Roman gagged.

“No sex talk at the table, please?”

Remus quirked his head. “Is masturbation sex?”

“You know who would love to have that fascinating debate with you?” Janus interrupted suddenly. He twisted around to catch Remus’ eye without letting him out of his grasp. “Logan.”

Remus groaned. He dropped his head against Janus’ shoulder, banging it softly. “Why are we even talking about me? Roman’s the one who almost sucked face with Virgil last night.”

“We had a moment,” Roman corrected primly. “And… yes, perhaps said moment would’ve been nicely bookmarked with a proclamation of my long-term romantic interest in him, but a bitch is anxious, okay?”

“And if you hadn’t been so distracted eating all of the cookies I literally just baked yesterday,” Janus said to Remus, “then you would’ve heard that Roman actually does intend to profess his love tonight.”

“Bullshit! That’s what he’s said before every winter break party we’ve been to for the last two years!”

“I have a plan!” Roman insisted. “Virgil always leaves parties early, and I know he walks home because he doesn’t want to ask anyone to leave the party to drive him— I’ll find him before he leaves, ask to accompany him home, we’ll have a wonderfully romantic midnight stroll, I’ll time my confession so that I finish just as we’re arriving to his house—”

“Do not make a joke about finishing,” Janus muttered just as Remus opened his mouth.

“Wherein he will have the immediate escape option of going inside if he needs time to process my declaration!” Roman finished triumphantly.

“Is that honestly your plan?” Remus asked.

“It is exactly my plan, brother dear.”

Janus hummed. “And how many times have you attempted to initiate this plan by offering to walk Virgil home, only to chicken out halfway back to his house?”

Roman stuck his tongue out in lieu of answering. And people say Remus is the immature one.

“Well, you have fun with that!” Remus announced, finally pulling himself away from Janus’ grasp. “While you’re pussy-footing around with Virgil, Jan and I’ll be starting our bi-annual semester-ender bender.”

“Unless…” Janus started, before trailing off. Remus froze and looked at him.

“Unless?”

Janus cocked his head and gave Remus an appraising look. “Unless you… follow Roman’s footsteps…”

Remus’ jaw dropped. “Oh, fuck off.”

Janus scoffed, slapping down his newspaper. “Well, at least Roman is trying to pursue his romantic endeavors. You, on the other hand, you’d rather— what? Dance around the subject until you and Logan both finish grad school and your opportunity will be lost to the sands of time?”

“Tonight’s the perfect opportunity!” Roman added. “He’ll be so relieved the semester’s over, he’ll probably start making out with you on the dance floor right then and there. Isn’t that what you want?”

A spark of something hot and sharp burst in Remus’ chest. “You don’t know what the fuck I want.”

He knew of all people, his brother and his roommate were the least likely to be shocked by his outbursts, but even they stopped the ribbing to look at him cautiously. Which Remus hated, because cautious borders on concern which borders on pity, even though he knew that they were just trying to be respectful of his feelings. Bastards.

Because, in reality… Roman really didn’t know what Remus wanted. Remus really didn’t know what Remus wanted. He didn’t know if he wanted to kiss Logan or to hold hands with him, if his fantasies of them two of them together ending with fucking or cuddling, if he even wanted Logan to do anything other than look at him and listen to him and talk with him. That’s all he could think to ask of Logan: he just wanted to hang around him all the time.

Not like he was actually going to ask Logan anything.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” Roman said softly, pulling Remus out of his stupor. He rolled his eyes, half on instinct and half to diffuse the tension in the room.

“Oh, don’t get soft on me, Pissy. We all know I do what I want, when I want— and what I want is to get fucking smashed at this party tonight. Not dragged down by a bunch of sappy confession shit.”

Roman snorted, raising his hands in surrender. “Message received, Gross-feratu. All I ask is that you consider your options— can you think of any better time to have an emotional conversation with Logan than immediately after his final exams are over, when his endorphins levels are at their peak?”

“And at the risk of sounding… altruistic,” Janus added, nose wrinkling with distaste, “I believe you owe it to him to tell him how you feel.”

Remus stuck his tongue out. “Since when do you prioritize other people’s feelings over your own self interest?”

“Since the two of you brought Patton home like a stray,” Janus replied drily. “Besides, the only thing I like more than deception is blackmail. Tell Logan you want to pursue a romantic relationship with him, or I will.”

“Me too!” Roman chimed in. Remus fixed him with a glare.

“Want me to snitch to Emo Nightmare about your little crush, Princeypie?”

“It’ll be mutually assured destruction, dear brother.”

“Yeah? Then I guess you won’t mind if I tell Virgil about all the poetry you’ve written for him.”

“Well, then I’ll tell Logan about the drawings you’ve done of him.”

Remus flushed. “That’s— that’s different, you piece of shit—”

“Aw, what’s wrong? You thought we didn’t notice all the times you pulled up his Instagram just to stare at his pretty face?”

“Don’t call him pretty, zit head!” Remus snapped, bounding around the table and reaching for Roman. Roman squawked and jumped out of his chair just in time for the two of them to begin racing in circles around the dining room table like a couple of cartoon characters.

Chapter One: The Apple Falls

    Logan followed the directions he’d been given exactly: down the alleyway, up the fire escape, through the window, down the hall, down the stairs, down more stairs. He finally arrived at a heavy wooden door, carved with ornate patterns and sigils. 

Logan reached up to trace one with his finger. He didn’t understand the symbols fully, but based on what distorted runes he could make out he thought it might have been for warding. He knocked thrice on the door and waited. It opened a few seconds later, by some invisible force. He walked in.

The room was everything Logan had expected and more. It was long and dark, with a couple of mossy windows at the top of one of the walls letting in green-tinted light. A big metal cabinet sat next to the door, and tiny drawers and shelves lined the rest of the walls. The ceiling was painted with symbols and images Logan couldn’t even begin to decipher, and the wood floor had splatters of paint and some sort of brown-black stains. A counter ran along the wall opposite the windows, covered in bottles and alchemical tools.  And in the center of it all, in a crusty office chair with five little swivel wheels, sat the Duke of this wretched kingdom.

Remus Rook, the renowned head of Sanders City’s magical underworld. He was in a white wife beater and black cargo pants covered in patches, safety pins, embroidery, and chains. His brown, curly mullet had a white streak through it, and there was a cocky grin under his mustache. He held a black baseball bat between his legs, a baseball bat that was said to be his wand.

Logan couldn’t take his eyes off him. He was captivating. 

“Gonna say something, handsome? Or are you just gonna stand there staring like a decapitated head?” Remus’s grin grew even wider.

Well, that imagery certainly woke Logan up. 

“Were you anticipating my arrival? I only told one person that I was coming…” Logan trailed off.

“One person is enough for it to get back to me. I have eyes in the Skye.” His eyes twinkled at the pun.

Logan cleared his throat. “Well. You already know me, I’m Logan Skye. And you’re Remus Rook.”

“Yes, I am.” Remus raised an eyebrow. “What do you want, Logan?”

Logan straightened his glasses. “I’m actually here with a request.”

“Everyone is, what makes you so special?”

“Well.” Logan tried to remember what he’d rehearsed in the mirror. “I’m a student at Thomas University, and I’m working on my thesis right now. It’s on magical ethics, and I was wondering if–”

Remus began laughing. “Because–because I’m a very unethical witch! I get it, I get it! You want to interview me or some shit!”

“Actually, I want to work with you for a few weeks or so.” Logan was beginning to get irritated by Remus’s nonchalance. 

“Work with me!” Remus’s laughter died down. “Oh, you’re funny, Logan.” He winked. 

“So, are you willing to do it?”

“Am I willing to do it… I’m not sure. Maybe I should test you or something first.”

Logan’s stomach lurched. Test him? What exactly did that entail?

“I’m going to test you.” Remus repeated. “I have to know you won’t just hand me over to the police, don’t I?”

“I suppose so…” Logan was apprehensive about this. He had a feeling Remus’s next words were going to be something illegal.

He was right. “I want you to go with me on a hit. I want you to help with the hit. That way, you can’t turn me in without turning yourself in as well!”

“Remus–I can promise you I don’t want to turn you in. I am here for research purposes alone, that I can promise you.”

“Yes, but how do I know that? When you’re running a magical underworld, you’ve got to be careful, you know.”

“There must be a better way to test my truthfulness than having me help you with a murder.” Logan was getting nervous.

“Hm… let’s see.” Remus tapped his chin. “What if… you run a little errand for me.”

“What kind of errand?” 

“No murder, don’t worry. It is a bit… unsavory, though.” Remus’s eyebrows went up as he saw the expression on Logan’s face. “Can’t handle it?”

“I can–I can handle it. What’s your task?”

“Do you know who Roman Prince is?”

“The musician?” 

“The musician.”

“Yes, I know who he is.”

“I have a message for my twin brother.” A smile uncoiled across Remus’s face.

“You’re twins?”

“Duh.” Remus looked at Logan like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We look identical.”

“Well, I’ve never seen you before today, and you don’t have the same surname. Although it is common for those in the entertainment industry to take on new names, so I suppose I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Besides, I don’t follow Roman Prince.”

“You don’t?” Remus’s eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Nope, I’ve never been a huge…music person.”

“I like you already, Logan! Everyone just fawns over him constantly, it drives me insane.” He put on a mocking voice. “‘What a prodigy you are, Roman.’ ‘You’re so talented, Roman.’ Where’s my appreciation, Logan? Who will love Remus Rook?” He put the back of his hand to his forehead, leaning back in the chair.

Logan quirked an eyebrow. So dramatic.

“Anyway!” Remus sat up. “I need you to tell him this: ‘Fuck you, Roman. Also, I painted you. If you want to see it, come to the studio. Love, Remus.’”

“That’s it? How does that ensure that I won’t turn you in?”

“It’s code, dummy. And if we get caught, we can easily tell them that you were also involved.”

“Okay, okay.” Logan sighed. “I’ll deliver your message.” 

Remus smiled a huge smile. “Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow? But Roman has a huge concert tonight, I don’t know if i can get it to him—“

“If you can’t get it to him tonight, I don’t know if I can trust you to do anything for me, can I?” Remus raised an eyebrow. 

“I don’t—“

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Logan.” Remus turned his swivel chair back towards the counter and began mixing a few ingredients. It was clear Logan’s audience with the Duke was over.

He sighed and walked out of the room.

How was he going to get this message to Roman in time? Luckily, the concert was in Sanders City, but there was no way Logan would be able to get backstage to see the musician, or even one of his assistants. He would just send a letter or an email, but neither of those options would reach him in time, and they probably would be treated as regular fan mail and would never reach Roman at all. The superstar was known for being somewhat vain, but he surely didn’t read every note a fan wrote him. 

Logan sat in his car for a minute, just thinking. He could come up with something. Remus was key to his dissertation, he had to come up with something. 

He snapped his fingers as an idea hit him. Press pass. He wrote for Thomas University’s newspaper. It could work. 

But would it work so close to the concert? He’d have to see.

He dialed the editor’s number and held it up to his ear. “Hello, Patton.”

“Hiya, Logan! What’s up?”

“I—“ Logan cleared his throat. “I need a favor.”

“A favor? What kind of favor?” Patton sounded amused. Logan assumed he wasn’t used to him asking for things, he usually tried to keep to himself. 

“I need to get into Roman Prince’s concert tonight.” 

“What for?”

Logan sighed. “It’s a lengthy tale, Patton, and one I can’t legally disclose.”

“Now I’m even more curious!” Patton laughed. 

“Do you have any way to get me a press pass?”

“A press pass? Do you need to get backstage?”

“Yes. I have to see Roman Prince himself.”

“Really? That would be incredible, I love him! If I’d thought of it, I’d have gotten a pass for myself!” 

Logan’s mouth made a tight grin, even though Patton wasn’t actually there to see it. “Yes, well, I need it as soon as possible. Is there any way you can get ahold of one for me, preferably within the hour? I can lengthen it to two if necessary. I need it soon, is what I’m saying.”

“I think I can do that! I’ve only done a press pass once before, and it was for a much smaller concert, but I’ll call Sanders Arena and see what I can do!” 

“Thank you so much, Patton. If there is any way I can repay this favor, please let me know.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, Logan. I’m always happy to do something for a friend!” 

“You are–” Logan cleared his throat. “You are the best, as they say.”

“Aw, thanks! I’ll give you a call back in a few, alright?”

“Alright. Talk to you soon.”

“Talk soon! Bye!”

“Goodbye.” Logan said, sounding a bit stilted and formal, before he hung up.

Now all there was was to wait.

—

Three hours before the concert, Logan began to get nervous. He would need to get in soon if he wanted to see Roman Prince. He didn’t like feeling nervous, it was something he was relatively unfamiliar with. Twice in one day, no less. 

He picked up his cell phone and began to type Patton’s number in when the phone began to buzz. As luck would have it, it was Patton. 

“Logan! Great news, I managed to get you a pass! I just emailed it to you.”

Logan breathed a sigh. “Thank you Patton, so much.”

“No problem, Logan! Although at some point I want to hear why you needed it so last minute.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to tell you that story, it may implicate you legally.” 

Patton laughed. “Whatever you say, L!”

“‘L’?” Logan repeated. 

“Just a nickname.”

“A nickname? Logan is my name, although I suppose I could also answer to L.”

“You’re funny, L! I’ll talk to ya later, okay?”

“Alright, goodbye, Patton.”

“Bye, L!” And with that, Patton hung up. 

Logan signed into his email and printed off the PDF Patton had sent him, folding it and putting it into his pocket. He hastened (not ran, hastened) to his car. He was more reckless than he usually was. Logan was anxious, and his driving reflected it. 

He parked downtown, paying a frankly ridiculous price for a spot. Walking into the venue, he looked at the printout. It instructed him to proceed to the VIP lounge and from there meet one of the venue employees to be led backstage. 

He made it backstage with two and a half hours left to the concert. The backstage area was full of folding tables, a rack of clothes stood to one side, and there were cables everywhere. Crew members in black t-shirts walked around, stopping to talk to each other along the walls or in the middle of the room.

“Do you have Roman’s costume change for after Color?”

“That’s the third one, right?”

“Did Alex take that mic?”

“I’m not sure, but where’s the on-site alchemist? One of the sound tech’s throats hurts and he wants something for it.”

Logan just stood there for a second, taking it all in. 

“What are you doing?” A voice said to him. Logan turned to see a tall man with sunglasses standing beside him.

Logan didn’t even blink. “I have a press pass.”

The man raised an eyebrow. “A press pass, huh?”

“Yes.” Logan pulled it out of his pocket, showing the credentials to the man. 

“Hm. Well, are you here for anything in particular? I don’t see a camera.”

“I’m supposed to get an interview with Roman Prince.” Of course, this wasn’t true, the press pass wasn’t that specific, but Logan figured a little lie wouldn’t hurt. In fact, he was sure Remus would encourage it. 

“His dressing room is right in here.”

Logan couldn’t believe his luck.

He walked in and the man closed the door behind him. Sitting in a chair, facing away from him, was a figure in an iridescent silver shirt and what looked to be red leather pants.

And next to him sat someone Logan was not too happy to see. 

Logan cleared his throat. “Roman, Remus. I came to deliver a message, but it doesn’t look like that will be necessary any longer.”

Remus turned around, a smile uncoiling across his face. “Logan! You came! We were getting worried you wouldn’t show up!”

“Well, I went to some lengths to get here, but I now see that it was unnecessary.”

“Thank you for coming to see me, I hope you at least got free tickets to the show?” Roman said, smiling dazzlingly at Logan. He looked almost exactly like his brother, very attractive, but sans mustache.

Logan found that he liked the mustache better. 

“I got a press pass, I don’t think that includes tickets.” 

“You can watch the show from backstage! The sound is better back here anyway!”

Logan stared at him. “How would you know?”

Roman’s smile faltered. “Take my word for it. It really does sound much better.” 

Logan turned to Remus. “Are you staying for the show?”

“Not sure! I just wanted to see if you’d actually show up, so I had Roman let me in.”

“Must I still tell Roman your message, or have you already delivered it?”

“You can tell him!” Remus grinned. 

Logan sighed. “‘ Fuck you Roman. Also, I painted you. If you want to see it, come down to the studio. Love, Remus.”

“Hm. I… see.” Roman looked deep in thought, almost exaggeratedly so, his thumb and forefinger rubbing his chin. 

Logan raised an eyebrow. “You are aware that I sped to get here, correct?”

“You’re worried about a little speeding? Oh, I went at least 15 over the whole way here! If the cops don’t catch you it’s not illegal!” Remus said with a huge smile bordering on manic. 

Logan sighed, adjusting his glasses. “Well if we’re done here—“

“Wait!” Remus reached out to grab his arm. “You should stay. We can watch Roman’s show!” 

“You’re welcome to stay! I can even do a little pre-show for you!” Roman opened his mouth to begin singing, but Remus clapped his other hand over his mouth.

“No offense, brother, but I don’t think either of us want to hear you sing.”

Roman looked indignant. “Why do you want to stay at the show, then? Riddle me that, brother?”

“I probably shouldn’t.” Logan shook Remus off. “We won’t be able to see anything from back here, anyway.”

“There’s TVs back here, it would be fine.” Remus snapped his fingers. “Or! Roman, dearest brother, is there any way you could snag us VIP tickets?”

Roman sighed. “I suppose I could.”

“Perfect!” 

Remus picked up the black baseball bat leaning against the wall, and they walked out of the dressing room. The tall man who’d directed Logan to Roman’s dressing room, whom Logan assumed to be some sort of manager, walked them to the VIP lounge. This turned out to be a balcony directly facing the stage, with a few tables of refreshments and a bar to one side. It was already relatively full, and as Logan looked into the rest of the arena, he could see the seats beginning to fill up. 

The people in the lounge mostly avoided them, eyeing Remus’s baseball bat nervously. Remus didn’t seem to mind, putting it over his shoulder and walking to the front row of seats. Logan followed. 

They sat down in two of the seats, Remus leaning back and spreading his legs, holding his bat between them. He looked and acted like he owned the place. 

Logan, meanwhile, perched on the end of the chair, ready to get up at a moment’s notice. He was a little on edge, for some reason. 

Maybe it was the fact that he was at a concert for an artist he didn’t even like, with the leader of an underground group of witches known as The Duke.

But funnily enough, he didn’t mind Remus’s company. 

“Relax a bit!” Remus bumped his shoulder, and Logan shifted back a little in his seat. “It’s a concert, not a funeral.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know a single one of the songs Roman Prince is about to sing.”

“Oh, who cares about that! Concerts are fun.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever been to one.”

Remus turned to look at him, eyes going wide. “Fucking what?”

“I’ve never been to a concert.” Logan repeated. 

“Oh my god.” Remus said. “Well, I’d really prefer if my brother didn’t take your concert virginity.” He winked. “You know, I can sing.”

Logan could feel his face go red. “Well, I–we already have VIP tickets here, and I do want to see Roman–”

“Calm down, you think too much.” Remus rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “You need to be less uptight. More impulsive!”

Logan raised his eyebrows. “More impulsive, huh?”

“Yeah! It makes things far more… fun.” There was a twinkle in Remus’s eye. 

Transcription:

Text message from Failed clon test: Remus Prince answer the damn phone mom is going to have a heart attack

News article: 26-year-old Remus Prince washed up on Saint George's Island, Bermudas, after his submarine's viewport cracked at a depth below two thousand feet.

Yesterday Saint Catherine's beach received an unexpected visitor when the body of a young man washed up on its shores. A local who was...

   “Oh this is perfect!” Patton exclaimed from behind the changing room’s curtain.

   “I’m glad you find it satisfactory. Now may we go home? We’ve been out shopping for four hours now.” Logan said, a fond sort of exasperation in his voice. He loved spending time with his best friend, but this was getting a little ridiculous. 

   “Alright, alright, give me a second.” Patton giggled, starting to change out of the new piece of clothing he had been trying on.

   A few moments later, he pulled back the curtain, several articles of clothing draped over his arm. Logan saw a piece that he didn’t see Patton pick up, something short and tan, but then Patton shifted so it was hidden from sight. The smaller man hooked his other arm through Logan’s elbow and smiled up at him. “Ready to go?” He asked brightly.

   About an hour later, Logan and his other housemates were all sitting on the couch waiting for Patton to change. It had become a tradition a long time ago that every time one of them bought clothes they had to model for the others. Janus had said it was an opportunity to encourage self-love, and Roman just liked the idea of getting to show off his new clothes.

   Now, as they were waiting, Logan took the opportunity to think about… things. Specifically how he was going to act like he wasn’t madly in love with his best friend.

   Logan had fallen for Patton the same week they had all moved in together, after he found Janus bandaging Patton’s bloody knuckles and trying to calm him down as Patton rambled angrily. “I’m not going to let anyone talk bad about my friends! Especially not about things they can’t control!” He had said, waving his free hand in the air for emphasis. Logan had learned later that some stranger at the mall had made a nasty comment about the scars covering the left side of Janus’ face, and Patton had decided that was unacceptable.

   It had been an uphill fight to ignore his feelings from there.

   And, as Patton called out that his first outfit was ready, Logan feared that he may lose that battle.

   Patton showed off many cute outfits, including a light blue cardigan that was slightly too big for him and a hoodie that was patterned like the sky. After they were all finished complimenting his latest piece, a graphic t-shirt with a dog pun on it, Patton announced that he had one more outfit to show off, and this one was the best of all.

   “You’ve said that about the last three.” Virgil commented, smiling a little to show that he was only poking fun.

   “Oh come now, Dr. Doom-and-Gloom! Let the man have some fun!” Roman teased his boyfriend, nudging him in the ribs.

   The moment that Patton came out of the bathroom, Logan’s jaw figuratively hit the floor. He was wearing a peach skirt that came down to his knees and a blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The skirt had suspenders attached that had little cat paw prints at the ends, and the hem of the skirt was embroidered with small white cats.

   Roman was on his feet in an instant, rushing over to inspect the skirt, excitedly squealing. Virgil studied the look for a moment before speaking. “The blue brings out your eyes.”

   Patton was beaming from the compliments, but there was one thing bringing his mood down. Logan hadn’t spoken yet. He was sitting straight up on the couch, staring at Patton’s outfit, mouth slightly agape. That worried Patton a little. What if he hated it? What if he thought he was weird for wanting to wear a skirt? The whole point of this outfit was for Logan to like it, so what would he do if he hated it?

   As soon as he was able to separate himself from Roman, Patton walked over to stand in front of Logan, looking at him through his lashes, almost shy. “What do you think, Lo?” He asked quietly.

   It took a moment for Logan to respond, simply due to the fact that his brain was screaming OH MY GOD HE’S WEARING A SKIRT AND HE HAS HIS SLEEVES ROLLED UP AND NOW HE’S LOOKING AT ME AND OH GOD I’M SO GAY. Eventually he was able to shake himself out of his stupor and stand up from the couch, giving Patton’s outfit a long look. “I think,” he said quietly, taking Patton’s hands in his own. “That we need to go shopping for skirts more often.”

   Patton’s face split into a huge grin. “You like it?” He said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. 

   “No, I don’t like it,” Logan said flatly, but rushed on when he saw Patton’s smile falter. “I love it. You look wonderful, Patton.”

   Patton’s face flushed at the compliment, and his hands tightened in Logan’s. He hesitated for a moment before rising to his tiptoes and placing a feather-light kiss onto his cheek. When he lowered back down, he let go of Logan’s hands and turned to Janus, beginning to walk toward the kitchen while babbling about dinner.

   Logan, however, was rooted in place. Patton had kissed him? Well, not fully, but it counted to him. He was faintly aware of his fingers drifting up to land on the spot that Patton had placed his lips, and felt himself smile.

taglist for this fic: @irritating-lady-knight @patton-cake @literally-logicality-trash @catemons-blog

logicality taglist: @patton-cake

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Logan never could remember things, it was quite an issue that he dealt with. It figures, seeing as he had ADHD but regardless, it was still annoying.

Due to that though, he started writing reminders to himself anywhere he could. Hands, arms, even his legs on the rare occasion. It was honestly just the easiest way to keep track of things. He didn’t have to worry about wasting paper or sticky notes or have his phone die on him. It was reliable.

During the time he was trying to focus on his paper for one of his classes, his roommate Roman made a passing comment about buying some more paper towels when Logan would be going out that afternoon. So as usual, but of course with a sigh, Logan took his pen out from his pocket and wrote down the item on his list.

He probably should wash off the note about calling his parents, he did that yesterday.

With that though, he tried to focus back on his paper.

This system of his had been working for years, he’d always been able to focus much more on all of the tasks when he could actually remember what they were. Figures but hey, he had to work with what he got.

He got to thinking about if he had other writing on his arms though...

Normal people would have conversations with their soulmates on their skin, maybe doodles such as the ones that adorned Roman’s and Virgil’s wrists and the backs of their hands since the latter of the two was quite the artist. Normal people would know their soulmates, have already met them at this point, or at the very least, have had a conversation with them. Logan wasn’t a normal person though in that he didn’t have any conversations with his soulmate. He’d never seen anything appear on his skin other than what he himself wrote.

He didn’t even know if he had one.

He didn’t often think much about it but as he was hanging out with Roman and Virgil one weekend, he watched as Virgil drew on his wrist with a purple pen, the ink blooming over Roman’s in response. Roman watched intently with a dorky grin, his head resting against Virgil’s. They were in their own little world.

“Guys?” Logan finally asked, setting his book down.

“Yeah Lo? What’s up?” Virgil asked, not looking up from his arm as he drew, Roman’s gaze turning up to Logan however.

“What would you do if you didn’t have a soulmate?”

Virgil stopped and put his pen down, looking up in confusion.

“Just hypothetically,” Logan muttered, looking up grimly at his friends.

“Dude, I’d still be in New York for one thing. Wouldn’t have ever met you and Ro in the first place,” Virgil offered.

“And I wouldn’t have started majoring in theater if he hadn’t encouraged me!” Roman said with a hum, kissing Virgil’s cheek.

Logan shook his head. “No, I mean like... How would you react or feel? You know, knowing you have no one ‘destined’ for you.”

Both of them blinked at Logan.

“I’d be a little sad I guess..” Virgil said slowly. “But I know I’d still have the capability to make friends, right? Not having a romantic partner isn’t the end of the world.”

“Right! And you have us!” Roman said with a smile, reaching out to place a hand on Logan’s shoulder, shaking him a bit. “It’s going to be just fine.”

Logan couldn’t stop himself from sighing. He loved his friends but still, a soulmate would be nice...

He would be lying if he said the subject of soulmates didn’t occupy his mind for long. He thought about it often, questioning things for months.

Every time he wrote out an item on his grocery list, he’d wonder if he had a soulmate. Every time he hastily scribbled down instructions for an assignment, he’d ask himself why they wouldn’t have written to him if he did have one. Every time he put down a note to himself to pick up his dry cleaning, he’d think about if he even wanted a soulmate.

It finally came to a point where he was fed up with everything involving soulmates and he rushed to the bathroom, washing off all the ink. Once his arms were dry, he sat in his room, looking down at his arm, a pen in hand.

His day had been awful and honestly, Logan just wished someone was there on the other end, seeing his writing.

He took a breath and started to write.

“Please just tell me, is anyone reading this? Do I have a soulmate?”

Logan was about to get up, only to watch as blue ink appeared under his own words written in black.

“Oh my gosh, hi, yes you do!”

“Hello, my name’s Logan Mandel.”

“It’s nice to finally meet you Logan, this is Patton”

“I like your name.”

“Thank you, I like yours too! It suits you!”

Logan felt his cheeks grow warm. Who was this person??

“You don’t know anything about me, I can’t see how you could tell.”

“Well, I have been seeing everything you’re writing... I know you’re a physics major for one thing. You also forget things a lot I take it. Though that’s ok, I think it’s cute that you write little reminders to yourself! And you keep in touch with your parents or at least want to! You seem like a swell kinda guy, Logan!”

“Thank you I suppose.”

“No problem!”

Just as Logan was about to start writing more, Patton quickly scribbled something below his last message. “I’m sorry, I’m cooking and need to take care of something! I’ll talk to you later!!”

Logan forgot all about his day.

With that interaction, Logan’s right arm became were he’d interact with Patton, his left for notes to himself and all of his lists. He took a quick liking to Patton, he was incredibly sweet to say the least but as they got to know one another, one thing bothered Logan.

“Why didn’t you ever write to me before?” Logan wrote, a bit out of the blue.

Patton was punctual and quick to respond as always.

“Well, I saw the things you kept track of! You needed the space more, I wanted to give it to you <3”

“But you don’t have to do that, I like talking with you Patton.”

“Well we could always meet up so we wouldn’t have to ;D I’m just teasing though, that’s up to you”

“I’d like that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

They lived in the same city, he was one of Virgil’s other friends. Patton was meeting him at one of Logan’s favorite coffee shops today.

“Almost there!” Patton’s writing appeared on Logan’s arm.

“Alright, I’ll be waiting for you.”

Logan kept his eyes glued to the door as various people came and went from the coffee shop, clutching his arms tightly to himself. He saw a guy come in. It had to be Patton. He didn’t know what he’d do if it wasn’t, he wouldn’t want just any random stranger to have just walked in a sky blue skirt and white off-the-shoulder crop top sweater.

Oh goodness, Logan couldn’t do anything but stare at him, he looked so wonderful. He looked so soft and gentle, everything Logan wanted to see from his soulmate.

Before he knew it, that guy got his drink and went directly over to him with a smile, showing his arms as he sat down.

The ink matched.

Logan could only keep staring at Patton.

He wanted to count out all the freckles adorning Patton’s cheeks like stars.

Logan’s cheeks turned red but nowhere as lovely a shade as the natural pink of Patton’s face.

Logan couldn’t think.

“Hi,” Logan breathed out.

“Hi, Logie” Patton said back, a smile on his lips as he leaned forward to gently kiss Logan’s cheek.

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