Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and alerts. =] Ok, so before I continue the story, I want to say that the inspiration for the story is Mochi No Yume's story, "The Galaxy Storybook." Sadly, he deleted when he left and it was my favorite. So you might notice similar strings (small details) but concept, plot, etc is of my own. I want to honor his greatest with this =].


Tweedledum and Tweedledee

Why? Why is first word Carlos thinks of waking up this morning. Normally his mind would be clouded with school, work or the typical "what's for lunch?" but today, "why" taunts him, literally. Like why is there a naked boy in his bed? Why is one of his legs clamped between the said naked boy's legs? Why is he curled up in Carlos' arms sleeping fetal position like a helpless baby when he is eighteen? And why is Carlos not freaking out?

He stares down; the placid purged lips tucked out the contours of Logan's boney face are millimeters away from his bare pecs. The ticklish, warm breaths slide down his smooth chest in the most comforting way. Why? Why is Carlos not exploding or even remotely peeved? Why is he blatantly studying the little boy when his job was just to provide food and shelter? He doesn't understand what is going through his head for the last twenty minutes of confusingly observing Logan.

"Mmm." Logan sounds, moving closer to Carlos.

"Eep!" Carlos shrieks, feeling Logan slides his leg farther through Carlos' legs, unknowingly hitting his privates with his thigh and rubbing his exposed privates against Carlos' thigh. He buries his face into the pillow, not noticing that Logan is flicking his eyes to the new morning.

"Carlos?" He yawns, poking the Latino's ribs with his boney index. "Wakey, wakey?"

"Yes, I'm awakey." The mumbled voice vibrates through the feather filled pillow. He turns his red face, seeing a bright smile on the boy who is "innocently" spooning under the sheet, wondering if Logan is "pretending" to be a victim just so he can cuddle nakedly without consequences.

"Why are you red?" Logan leans in, inches from Carlos' face and, more noticeably, his lips.

"Because I am hungry!" He tries to scoot away but Logan's adamant leg grip keeps him in place. Plus, the jerking motions Carlos makes and the full body giggles Logan rolls don't help Carlos' redden facial situation nor the situation under the cover. "Logan, I got to make food."

"But we eat." Logan's squeaks, playfully poking Carlos' nipples. The discomforted boy grabs his finger.

"Logan, we do not touch other guy's body. That is wrong." Carlos sternly addresses but Logan giggles the problem away, coiling his body. Carlos rolls his eyes. "And we didn't eat yet. You ate dinner last night."

"We ate dinner."

"Right. Now it is time for breakfast." Logan furrows his brows. "You don't eat breakfast, do you? How times do you eat a day?"

"Once, after mo… they and me play games." Logan whispers somberly as if it's a secret, the timid voice confirming Carlos' suspicion. Those assholes! "If they win, I get dinner. I never win." He cries, tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

A sharp pain pierces Carlos as he thinks about what horrible people Logan dealt with. Logan was beaten to death and food was the consolation prize of their sick, twisted games. And here Carlos is, getting annoyed that Logan poked his body. "Well, here you get breakfast for waking up from a good night's sleep." He wipes the round dimples of the trails. "You had a good night's sleep, right?" Logan nods, releasing Carlos from his hold. "Good, I'll make us some breakfast."

"Do I have to wear this?" Logan waves the boxer in the air like a flag, catching Carlos' attention.

"Ye… No you don't have to." Carlos wants to say yes but the moment he turns back to face him. He couldn't bring himself to deny anything from the brunette. He sighs. "For today only. You have to practice wearing clothes." Carlos groans and turns.

"Carlos?"

"Yes?" He responds to the soft voice.

"Thank you."

He does it again. With short lines, two words this time, he is able to relief any tension Carlos built up. The annoyance, the anger, the whatever, Logan can clean Carlos of all of them. "No problem."

...

"Breakfast is ready!" Carlos calls half an hour later. He finishes preparing two plates of pancakes well before Logan sits down. Hopefully, this time he can eat too. "Logan!"

The called boy dashes down to the kitchen, wearing nothing, as expected, staring at the foreign smorgasbord of puffy cakes, fruits and juices. He eyes the plate in front of Carlos, wondering how to eat it. Cutting the sweet treat into pieces, Carlos finishes dividing his pancakes into ten bite size pieces.

"Food!" Logan exclaims, figuring out how to approach the meal. He throws himself onto Carlos' lap, making him groan at the shock, and grabs one of the triangular slices. "Like dino nuggets." Logan pops one of them into his salivating mouth. He hums joys at the warm, sweet melting goodness on the roof of his tongue. "Thank you, Carlos." Logan continues throwing piece after piece into his mouth.

"No problem." Carlos says with his strained voice, holding his aching pelvis. He wants to scold the boy but that would require too much energy. It would be easier just to let Logan eat his food and starve; like yesterday's dinner.

Ding! Dong! The door bell rings, surprising the Latino this early in the day. Logan continues chewing, unfazed by the sound. Ding! Dong!

"Shoot!" Carlos yells, quickly picking up his friend in both arms, carrying him to the bedroom. He positions Logan on his messy bed, holding his hand out to tell the boy to stay. "Logan, stay here ok? I have to get the door." Logan nods, smiling his puffy, adorable cheeks, which cause Carlos to ogle a second long than he should be.

Ding! Dong!

"Coming!" Carlos dashes to the front, opening the door to his guest.

"Carlos. I've been ringing for the last five minutes." His friend walks in, eyeing Carlos up and down. "Aren't you cold without a shirt? I mean I know you sleep without one but Minnesota is not the warmest state."

"I'm fine, James." Carlos briskly walks to James' side, the side closer to the bedroom door. "Wh-what are you doing here? Don't you have fun stuff to do today?"

James turns around, raising his thin eyebrows. "No, I am here to start the day with you, my best bud." James jabs Carlos' shoulder playfully before arriving at the kitchen table. "Wait. Why are there two plates on the table?"

"Um. Um. Gotcha!" Carlos rolls his head. "I knew you're coming so I made you breakfast."

"But you finished your breakfast without waiting." James skeptically states.

"I got hungry." And he still has been for the last half day. "I was so hungry that I couldn't wait for you."

"Carlos." James hammers his hands on Carlos' shoulders, wearing a smirk. "I know what is going on and I approve."

"You what?"

"I approve. You don't have to hide anything."

"Hide someone. I'm not hiding. What makes you think I am hiding someone?" Carlos speeds through his lines, his hands getting clammy and sweaty.

"I got the clues. You don't want me here, you ate, there is a full plate of food, you're naked and nervious. You're hiding a girlfriend in your bedroom and she didn't wake up yet. The bow-chick-a-bow-wow-wow must be that good?" James chuckles, walking toward the bedroom door.

"No James. I am not hiding anything. I don't have a girlfriend." Carlos jumps in front of the wooden entrance. With his strong biceps, James easily pushes Carlos to the side, turning the doorknob.

"You are hiding a secret girrr-boy..." James' eyes meet the naked boy jumping up and down on Carlos' spring bed. James' hazel pupils widen, staring at the boy and other things bouncing up and down. "What the-"

"Carlos! This is fun." Logan gleefully shouts. James slowly closes the door, staring at Carlos biting his fist tensely.

"You want to tell my about this gorgeous boy with a huge package jumping on your bed like a five year old?" James points to the closed door, where Logan would be.

Carlos exhales loudly. "Follow me." He leads James into the living room where he explains the situation of how Logan came into his life, emphasizing that they did not have sex.

"So, you did not jump that?" James asks for the tenth time, not grasping Carlos' declination to having sex with someone he just met.

"No, I didn't have-"

"Carlos!" Logan dives into Carlos' lap, folding his arms around Carlos neck, nuzzling his button nose into Carlos' jaw line. "I'm bored, can I come out?" Carlos' hands awkwardly shake, himself not knowing if he should stoke Logan's bare back or not. He blushes, stammering his lips. "Is your mouth ok?" Logan asks, poking it.

"So I'm guessing you didn't do it and he is nott an exhibitionist?" James stands up, fixing his jacket.

"Wait James!" Carlos calls, standing up as well with Logan's wrapped legs around his body.

"No, no. I don't want to intrude on your obvious 'not' doing it." James puts on his shoes and walks to the front.

"No James. I need a favor from you. Please." Carlos begs, laying Logan on his back on the long sofa. He sprints to the front of the house, grabbing James' arm. "I don't have a lot of clothes so can you give Logan some of your. I know they don't fit and mine don't either but Logan needs something until I get money to buy him clothes."

"But he is your boyfriend."

"Please Jamie. You said you need to throw some clothes anyways. And he isn't my boyfriend." Carlos begs with his pouting eyes and pouting lips and pouting-

"Ok fine! I'll help you! Geez!" James rolls his eyes. Carlos jumps with a fist in the air. "Get him dressed. I don't want the four blocks to my house to be filled with stares of 'why is James walking with a naked boy with a big-"

"Don't say it!" Carlos covers his ears, acting like he is a child; like he's Logan. James laughs. "I'll go convince Logan to follow you but be gentle. Logan is really shy and fragile"

"Geez dad! You make it sound like I am going to-"

"James! No bad words in front of him. He might pick it up and I don't want Logie to learn bad words."

"Logie?" James folds his arms, a smirk on his face. "You named him Logie like you would a puppy or a boyfriend?"

"Shut up, James. Please just help me?" Carlos begs again, running down the hallway to grab Logan and a set of clothing.

James chuckles, hearing tantrums being thrown in the bedroom; mostly from Logan yelling I don't want to go or I don't want that. "Carlos owes me."

"This is my room." The tall brunette announces to the trailing boy meters away. He turns around, seeing Logan tucked behind the door frame like a scared boy checking a closet for the Boogey-man. "Logan. I am not going to bite you. Just come inside." The silent boy shakes his head, thumb in his mouth. He's been like this for the four blocks it took to walk from Carlos' house, silent and fearful. He only agreed to go because Carlos promised him something about letting Logan jump on his bed or hugging of some sort. James didn't want to dive into Carlos' detail.

"Logan, Carlos told me you will behave. So come in." Logan tucks farther from the door. "Logan, if you come in and do what Carlos said, I'll tell you stories about Carlos." That perks his interest; the head pops back, eyes gleaming with curiosity. So that is how you get Logan's cooperation. James opens his drawers and the doors to his walk-in closet. "Go in and pick a couple of shirts and pants and jackets and shoes, and underwears." He whispers the last articles, sliding down at the base of the king size bed. Logan skeptically stares at the tired boy on the floor. "Shirt, three. Pants, three. Jacket, three. Do you understand?" James asks harshly, getting annoyed.

Logan steps back, biting harder on his thumb. "Carlos." He cries. James leans closer, pretty sure but wants to make sure of what he just heard. "I want Carlos." Definitely as expected. Logan is such a baby, crying for mommy Carlos.

"I will take you home to Carlos after you finished getting some clothes."

"I-I wa-want Carlos." The cries get louder and to James, more annoying.

"If I tell you a story about Carlos, will you stop crying?" James barters, fisting the strands of white fur his carpet dons. Logan sits down, crossed leg, wiping his cheeks. A smile brims the wet dimples. For a second, James mirrors the smile, unknowingly affected by Logan's charm. "Carlos is a nice friend."

"Best friend!" Logan yells for the first time he stepped into James' house. James sighs.

"Right, best friend. He once jumped into my pool in the backyard from my balcony just to make me laugh." James chuckles, the memory fresh in his head.

"Pool?" Logan creeps closer to James. "Balcony?"

James watches as Logan resumes sitting, his knees touching James' spreaded out legs. "You never seem a pool or been on a balcony?" James points to the sliding door to the side of his room. Logan crooks his head. "Never mind. Just know Carlos is a nice friend. I was dumped by a guy I really like and bad things happened." James curls his knees to his chest. "I guess after Dak, I thought nothing can cheer me up or at least make me smile. But Carlos proved that wrong. I guess I just needed a friend."

"Best friend! Carlos' best friend!" Logan says, bouncing his body. James giggles, smiling at Logan's childish behavior.

"Carlos is my best friend too." Closing the gap, Logan finally does something James thought was impossible. He's hugging him. Confused and shocked but accepting the gesture anyways, James wraps his arms around him. "What are you doing, Logan?"

"Hugging. Hugging makes me happy. James is friend now. I want James happy." James laughes. If it isn't the way his hyperactive voice squeals glee, it is the warmth Logan's body presses on him like something James can only dream of.

"Umm..." James pushes Logan back, a slightly forced grin on his face. "Um I think we should pick out the clothes, ok Logan? You want to go home to Carlos, right?"

Happily, Logan pulls James to his feet, waiting for the tall boy to lead the way. James stares at his hand for a second longer, blushing a tint of tickle-me-pink. Definitely this time, something jolts through the connected hand.

"Oh god." James whispers mindlessly to himself, breaking their hands apart. "Let's go get you some clothes."

Ding Dong! Carlos looks up at the clock from the kitchen table. He made sure this time to eat something incase something, or Logan, will not let him eat.

"Hi Carlos!" Logan bounces into Carlos' arms, wrapping himself around Carlos like a pretzel, as usual. "James is very nice. I like James."

"That's great, Logie." The host ushers his friend and carries Logan into the living room. "Thanks a lot, James. I wish my dad gave me money to buy him some clothes but he said that he has no money after paying for my rent and stuff."

"It's no problem." James throws the two bags of clothes onto the floor, feeling a prick in his chest. Definitely, it's not a stomachache or heart burn that cause that sharp tenth of a second of pain but looking at Logan bouncing on Carlos' lap energetically does something, something strange. "A-hem."

"Oh sorry James!" Carlos blushes, peeling Logan from his body. He places Logan to his side on the couch but Logan springs back. "Logan, we have guest."

"James is best friend. And you promised to let me hug you today." Logan whines, making James feel uncomfortable and confused. It's been like this for the past few hours of picking and trying clothes. James doesn't understand what Logan is doing to him. The way he felt when Logan touched his hand or the way Logan sentimentally hugged him. Or now, how he is feeling when Logan is blatantly hopping on Carlos innocently although it seems other wise. Jealousy? Envy? Something, but James can't put his finger on it.

"Actually Carlos. I got to go." James stands up, a fake plaster of a smile on his face. "I have a ton of stuff to do and Logan can make a mess of my wardrobe without knowing how to clean up." He gives a chuckle that quickly disappears when he notices Logan nuzzling his nose into Carlos' neck, taking a long breath of his friend's natural scent.

"Are you sure? I just made dinner." Carlos doesn't register the affectionate breath taking from Logan or the lip biting from James. He just stands up automatically, pouting at his friend. "Logan would want you to stay."

That might be true if Logan responds or stops rubbing his button nose in circle on Carlos. "Nah. It's ok, Carlos. I have food at home. I'll see you soon. Bye Logan." James quickly walks, not waiting for his friend to show him the door. And just as he jumps the porch and is a block away, James leans against the nearest lamppost, clutching his chest. "Damn it." He kicks the cold air, confused at what effect the tiny brunette has on him.

...

"How was James' house?" Carlos asks Logan who's sitting in his arms again. The brunette gobbles the chicken nuggets as fast as yesterday. "Logan, stop eating so fast. That is bad for your stomach."

"But I'm hungry and Carlos cooks good." Logan turns his head, speaking to Carlos with his crumb covered lips. Carlos sighs and wipes the dirty lips with his thumb.

"Logie, it's 'cooks well' and you have to eat slowly or you'll choke." Logan swallows the heavy load in his mouth, luckily. Carlos thought he was going to have to give him mouth to mouth… and the red blush is back. "Never mind Logan, just eat one nugget at a time, ok? For me?" Carlos pleads.

"Then Carlos eats too." Logan presses the half bitten golden brown piece to Carlos' lips. "Eat it!' Logan commands. The tan boy opens his mouth, feeling Logan shoving it in forcefully. He chokes and coughs a bit. "Carlos is a good boy." The kid giggles, grabbing another dinosaur. For the rest of the meal, Logan continues the same cycle. He eats the head and stuff the rest into Carlos' unwilling mouth. Eventually Carlos smiles, thinking what's the point in resisting Logan feeding him. If Logan is happy, then he is happy. At least this time, Carlos's not starving.

...

"Time for bed, Logan." Carlos announces, finally finished dressing the reluctant boy in James' clothing. The clothes, to Carlos' expectations, are too big, like five inches too big. The hole for the head alone is deeper than any labeled "extra deep" crew neck and it was James' fitted slim shirt, sames with the pants and James' boxers; they are sagging. Everything is too big but what can Carlos do without funding? "Let's go, Logie."

"Sleepy time!" Logan runs ahead, leaving Carlos in the bathroom. The Latino groans at how energetic Logan is.

"It's sleeping time, Logan." Carlos repeats, hearing the springs of his bed creek, which means Logan is jumping again. "Logan, go to sleep."

"No! I have clothes. No sleep." Logan crosses his arms and blows up his cheeks. "No clothes."

"Logan, people have to wear clothes sleeping."

"Carlos doesn't wear shirt!" Logan hammers the blanket. "Carlos is meanie!"

"Fine Logan. You don't have to wear a shirt too."

"No! Logan doesn't not like underwear. Underwear bad!" Logan whines in a high pitch voice. Feeling tired and out of breath like a single father, which he kind of is right now, Carlos gives in and nods his head. Logan smiles, stripping away his bottom articles. "Thanks Carlos. I like you."

Carlos quickly blushes and turns around. He doesn't know why. It's not the sight of his naked friend that does it this time. For some reason, those three words did it; makes his face into a tomato. Still thinking and wiping his face, Carlos feels Logan suddenly jumping on his back.

"What are you doing?" Carlos yells, hopping foreword to catch his balance.

"Hugging Carlos' back this time." Logan innocently says. Why is everything so innocent with him? Why can't Logan see if another man of his age does the exact same thing to another man, without clothes on too, is illegal? "I like Carlos."

Sigh… There is that sentence again. And feeling Logan's squeezing his arms around Carlos' neck, the soft hairs of his head resting on his shoulder and his warm breath traveling down his bare chest alleviate his tensions again. How does Logan do this?

"Time for bed, ok Logan? Please." Carlos leans backwards for Logan to fall on the bouncy bed; a giggle erupts from Logan's lips. Carlos slips into the bed, turning off his lamp light. He scoots into the middle staring at Logan with the little light coming from the window. Stunned, he notices how beautiful Logan is with his eyes closed, on the bed, and under the heavy sheet. His dimples curl a perfect circle on his cheeks, the overbearing shirt crumples and wrinkles on Logan's form in the most adorable way and the sight of Logan not wear pant or underwear is … The terrible blush returns, making Carlos cover his face. He moans until he feels Logan rolling into his frame.

"Logan?" He peeks through his fingers, seeing Logan folding into his arms and legs. The brunette's breathing face buries into his chest.

"Carlos is sad. Logan doesn't want Carlos to be sad." Carlos chuckles, his hands fall from his face and onto Logan's sides. He gently caresses the fluid cotton sleeve before tugging the boy closer into his body.

"Carlos is not sad, not when Logan is here." Carlos babies, kissing the top of Logan's head. "Good night."


Please review =]