#ipttb

"I-I didn't know he was working there," the teen stammered. David could tell it messed him up, badly, because he was totally complacent as David stripped him of his wet clothes. Not a single protest about 'wanting to have a normal family relationship' was made. "Tommy. That—that kid who bullied me in t-third grade. He—he's friends with the boss. He can do whatever the f-fuck he wants."

Part of his stuttering was from shivering. Which made sense, since he had to walk home, in forty degree weather, in drenched clothes. Once the boy was down to his underwear, David put a hand on his back and steered him over to the sofa, where he could grab Logan's blanket and wrap it around him. It was only there because he refused to sleep in his childhood bed, or with David.

Logan sniffles as David kneels down in front of him and asks, "What did he do?"

"He…he didn't touch me. He just—just pinned me on the table and jerked off on my uniform. Said it would show everyone how much of a s-slut I was. The hose was all I could t-think of to get it off," he says. David figured as much once he implied there was cum on it.

"Well," David says, dryly, "that's not very creative."

Logan snorts at that. "No, they never are." He looks down as he pulls the blanket tighter around him, eyes clouded with shame. "It's…it's not even a big deal. Like, I know you have done way worse to me. But…but that's—"

"Different," David says, knowing what he means. "This wasn't someone you love."

"…No," Logan agrees, after a noticeable hesitation. But it still warms David's heart just enough when his daughter adds, "And not someone who loves me back."

Logan has been pretty firm about the new 'boundaries' he wants to have with his father. At first, David was going to ignore them, because this is his house and he decides what is and isn't allowed. But after a few nasty arguments, he realized Logan was still fragile after losing his previous job; pushing him too far would push him out on the streets, where David couldn't protect him.

Still, he risks stroking his daughter's hair, the same color as Lilian's. And when Logan doesn't flinch away, he leans up to kiss him on the forehead. Just paternal enough to not be crossing any 'boundaries'.

"It will be alright, baby."

Daddy will take care of it.

---

It's after his sixth day of work that Logan comes home crying, again. And fuck, he feels so pathetic for it. After everything he's gone through, he has no idea why this is breaking him down so much. Shouldn't this be normal for him by now? Dealing with assholes who can't see that he's more than just a hole to fuck? Didn't any of his experiences with David prepare him for that?

But maybe that's why this is hitting so hard. The idea — the reality that there are plenty of people like David in the world. And like his father, they all sneak their way into Logan's life somehow. Fuck, sometimes he feels like — like an abuser magnet or something.

And speaking of…

David is ready to comfort him when he walks through the door. Logan hates how much he's come to depend on that, coming from someone he fought so hard to not depend on. But when he can just come home after a rough day at work and let someone else take care of him, it's so hard not to. It's hard to be mad at his father when he knows exactly what his son needs.

And tonight, that's someone to hold him.

He can't deny how good it feels to be in his father's arms, snuggled up to him on the couch. Most people might curl up with a tub of icecream or turn on their favorite show, but all Logan needs is right here, rubbing his back in slow, soothing circles. Nuzzling the top of his head with that scruffy, scratchy beard Logan used to complain about as a kid. He's definitely not complaining now.

"I'm just so tired," he confesses, trying not to cry again. "I know…I need this job. But every day, I have to fight myself just to step in the door, knowing that he's there. And — And I know he wasn't there today, but even then, I can't stop thinking it."

"You don't have to keep fighting, baby," David says, soft and reassuring. "It's over."

Logan looks up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I called in a favor," David says, way too casually. Logan doesn't have the mental fortitude to ask what that means. "Tommy won't be working there anymore. His boss found out that he was stealing from the register, and no amount of friendship kept him from firing the kid."

"What?!" Logan sits up, eyes wide. "Was he actually stealing?"

His father smiles. "People like that are always up to no good."

Holy shit. That's…that's awesome.

Logan breathes a sigh of relief, laying his head back on David's chest. "Oh my god. I can't…I can't believe it was that easy. I didn't even know you could call in a favor."

"I can do anything for you, Logan. You know that."

Maybe he should question it more. But it's so much easier to just accept the win when his father kisses the top of his head, just paternal enough for Logan to keep his mouth shut. Even though, at this point, he wouldn't really mind if it…wasn't.

"Yeah," he says, lips curving against his will. "I guess you can."

With that weight off his chest, it's so much easier to fall asleep. He dozes off within minutes, head tucked in the crook of his father's shoulder. David smiles when he feels a bit of drool on his skin, where his button-up had been left unbuttoned.

He waits until he's sure Logan is fast asleep before his free hand reaches for the remote and turns on the TV.

As luck would have it, the news is on.