I Like His Jacket
TW: Like a the tiniest dash of homophobia, but it’s mainly too boy hanging out
“LJ!”
Logan turned his head around, promptly seeing the neighbor boy jumping up and down at the fence. He still couldn’t believe he was a year younger than the excitable boy, it surprised him to see someone so giddy to talk to a younger party.
“Um..What?”
“LJ! You said your middle name was,” Patton mimicked Logan, but much more exaggerated, “Jean!”
“Oh.. so you changed my name to LJ?”
Patton shrugged, starting to climb the fence.
“I dunno, I always wanted a cool nickname, like Monty or something. I don’t want to be called PV though, that’s weird.”
Logan rudely mumbled an “uh huh”, turning back to his book.
“Whatcha reading?”
“Frog and Toad.” Logan answered, his annoyance fading, “Dad says it's below my reading level, but I like it.”
Patton plopped down next to him, whimpering a soft “ow” as his bottom hit the dirt ground a little harder than intended.
“Can I read with you?”
Logan was confused for a minute, before shifting the book so Patton could see. Strange, no one ever wants to sit with him.
“Wow, I like his jacket,” Patton hummed, his knees up to his chest.
“Me too.”
Logan had never been too sure what it was about Patton. At first, he figured it was because he’d never met another kid while he wasn’t at school before. Logan was homeschooled for the early years of his life, and most kids in the neighborhood were his older brothers’ friends, so where was the time to socialize?
Patton moved here after Logan, he said he was originally from Montgomery county. As far as the introvert knew, he was born in Quebec and grew up in Logansport, Cass county. (Though, his parents shamelessly said “ass” county, like it was even remotely funny.) That’s what his father made him rehearse to say, at least. He never understood why the name, Logan, but perhaps his fathers had some blatant inspiration from the city.
The boy next door was strange, though. He talked with such emotion, and wanted to rustle and tussle without ending Logan’s life like his brother did. He’d never seen someone so scared of hurting another person, Patton even apologized to flowers when he stepped on them.
“I’ve always wanted to read this book,” Patton mumbled, starting to lean onto Logan.
“Really?” Logan said, a little too excitedly for his taste.
“Yeah, my dad said I couldn’t.”
Logan might’ve leaned back onto Patton.
“Why?”
Patton paused.
“Said it was gay, so I wasn’t allowed to. I don’t get why though.”
“I see nothing wrong with that. They’re just neighbors, like how we’re just neighbors.”
“Right!” Patton yelled with victory, “That’s what I thought!”
Patton hugged Logan tightly, most of his grip was settled on Logan’s scrawny shoulders. It was almost bone crushing, way too strong for someone his age. It made Logan glad he wasn’t brawler, Patton might’ve broken someone's spine at this rate.
“Too tight!” Logan yelped.
“Sorry!” Patton giggled sheepishly.
Logan pushed Patton’s arms off of him, but still continued to lay against him.
“You gonna get any taller?” Patton asked, mischief in his voice.
“Nope!” Logan laughed, flicking the taller boy’s shoulder.
“What’s the guess this time?”
“5’6.” Logan affirmed.
“That’s better than 5’4, my mom thinks I’ll be 5’11, shortie.”
“Doubt it, you’ll be the size of Wall-E at this rate.”
Patton giggled, shifting to lay down.
“You’re my favorite short person, LJ.” Patton declared, “I know a lot of short people too.”
“You're my favorite tall person, Pat.” Logan reciprocated, “I know a lot of tall people.”
Patton grinned, a certain shimmer in his eye.
“Does this mean we’re best friends now?”
Logan’s eyes widened, looking down at the older boy.
“Sure, I guess it does.”
“Yes!” Patton pumped his fist in the air, as he chortled.
Logan smiled at the boy next to him, discarding his book to the side.
