Logan rolled down the sidewalk on his skateboard calmly, eyes locked on the two figures that just arrived at the steps. They turned as he got close and he couldn't help his smirk at his two best friends. One text from him and they dropped everything to make it. "I was so close to sealing the deal man," Jacob said with a smile giving away that said he spoke the truth as Logan slowed before them.
"I was six episodes into my binge watching," Scotty said as they took their unofficial seats. Logan sat in the middle, unsure when exactly he had become the leader of his group but not complaining.
"I've been disowned," he said without preamble and they whipped their heads around to stare at him in shock.
"I've got a couch," Scotty offered immediately after he recovered.
"Does this mean you're not going back to college?" Jacob asked.
"My parents already paid for my second semester," Logan said as he plucked at a loose string on his long sleeved shirt.
"So what's the plan?" Scotty asked and Logan felt a pang of guilt before the pride set in that his friends would literally do whatever he said in this moment.
"I have an entire dorm to myself on campus for spring," he said carefully, looking to them each in turn.
"When are we leaving?" Jacob asked without hesitation.
"You guys really don't have to-"
"I still live at home," Scotty cut him off and Jacob snorted.
"Same here," he mumbled to explain his snort. "So? When are we leaving?"
"In a week and a half," Logan answered with a smirk and they both nodded.
XxX
"Louise..." Linda's sing song tone made the young girl want to groan as her bedroom door opened. "You have a visitor," her mom explained as she stepped into the small space.
"Who?" she asked warily, her heart speeding up slightly in anticipation.
"Logan." The name had her on her feet in a flash. She followed her mom out into the living room and stared at Logan sitting on the couch, his eyes locked on the carpet in front of his shoes. He looked up after a moment and his lips twitched as he stood up and moved to her slowly. Louise felt a blush crawl up her cheeks as she felt both her parents standing there, watching whatever was unfolding silently.
"Hey Four Ears," he said softly as he stopped before her.
"Hey Logan," she responded, her tone just as quiet.
"I uh... I know that my mom said something to you," he said, obviously trying to keep his voice strong. "I'm hoping that's what caused you to say what you did earlier, because I've been disowned and whatever she said doesn't apply anymore." Louise felt her eyes widen at that, surprised beyond belief. "If that's the case then I'd like to maybe spend some time with you before I go back-"
"Why're you going back?" she asked incredulously.
"I have the next semester paid off and my dorm is all mine until summer starts," he said with a shrug. "Well, technically not all mine since I've got Scotty and Jacob coming to live with me but that's not the point," he shook his head quickly and looked her straight in the eye. "Did you mean what you said earlier?"
"No," she shook her head to accompany her soft word and a smile broke out on his lips.
"Good," he said with a nod, obviously trying to keep from bouncing with joy at the simple word. A beat passed and Louise couldn't take it anymore. She launched herself towards him, a startled laugh left his lips as they collided.
"Can you stay?" she asked hopefully and only then remembered her parents were right there when she heard her dad clear his throat.
"He stays on the couch," Bob spoke up firmly and Logan chuckled, Louise bearing witness to the red that flooded his cheeks as he nodded. "And tonight's my show's finale, no one interrupts me."
"I'VE RECORDED A NEW SONG!" Gene's voice screamed out from his room and Louise laughed at Logan's alarmed look when Gene bolted into the living room in his shirt and underwear, his keyboard raised above his head in triumph. "Oh," Gene halted in front of the very awkward looking Logan and motioned down the length of his body, "drink it all in pretty boy! Looking is free." With that he turned his attention back to the keyboard and started messing with a few buttons.
"Uh-"
"Yeah," she said over Logan's stunned awkward expression and pushed him over to the couch with a smirk, "this is what it's like in the Belcher household."
XxX
After several renditions of Gene's new song, which to Logan just sounded like random keys and fart noises, Bob demanded quiet throughout the apartment for his show. Logan sat on the floor, his head resting against Louise's knee as she played with his hair. He was pretty sure Tina had her hands in it a few times, judging by the awkward 'uhhh' noises he kept hearing when he felt more than Louise's tiny fingers tug lightly. Every time he turned his head to check though, Tina was focused on the television, the only dead give away was Louise's amused smirk at his expense.
Finally the show was over, Logan chuckling at Bob's indignation for the character he liked to be put in such peril. Linda pushed him off to their bedroom, a nonstop flow of 'it's okay Bobby, we'll see what happens soon' following them. Gene theatrically leapt from the couch and walked off without a word, his eyes glued to his keyboard as he pressed various buttons.
"T?" Louise questioned in a fake sweet voice. "Aren't you sleepy my dearest sister?"
"Not really," the oldest shrugged and Logan couldn't help but laugh at Louise's glared daggers. "Oh, yes actually, I am quite sleepy," she said in her monotone as she got to her feet quickly.
"Finally," Louise sounded nervous as the door to Tina's room shut behind her and Logan turned to face her, a smirk curling up his lips. "Sheesh, I thought that show would never end and.." she trailed off and blushed as Logan took her hand.
"You look tired," he commented and she snorted.
"I don't need sleep," she said defiantly, a yawn working its way out of her throat a moment later that completely nullified her statement.
"Come on," he said as he stood up, a few tugs on her arm making her rise slowly. "I can tuck you in before I lay down."
"I'm not that little," she growled at him and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he led her to her tiny room.
XxX
Louise dressed in her pajamas quickly, watching Logan's shadow under her door as he shifted side to side. Long pants and baggy shirt in place, she checked her ears once more before opening the door. He whirled with a warm smile and she pulled him into her room, shutting the door behind them silently. "Can you stay with me for a little bit?" she asked softly and he nodded, looking nervous to do so.
"Sure," he finally vocalized and she smiled as she pulled back her worn comforter and flat sheet. She sat down and he surprised her by sitting behind her, leaning against the wall as he pulled her against his chest. Louise practically melted into him as he wrapped his arms around her, entwining their fingers.
"I could get used to this," she said happily as she tilted her head to listen to his heartbeat.
"Me too," he whispered softly and she smiled even though he couldn't see it. A long, comfortable silence stretched out between them, neither one sure how to break it. After a moment she rolled over, buried her face in his flat stomach, and let out a content sigh. Her eyes drooped of their own accord and she soon found sleep holding her tightly.
XxX
Bob had found very bizarre things in his children's rooms over the years. From Tina curled up with a very butt-centric story half written in her notebook to Gene cuddling with a chicken he had put in a bag to marinate the night before... there wasn't much that surprised him anymore. That did NOT mean he completely approved of the sight before him now, but it took away from the heart attack causing shock.
Louise was asleep in her bed, face buried in the fabric of Logan's shirt. He had his arms around her protectively, his nose buried in the pink of her hat. She was laying between his legs which were bent at the knee, holding her in place. For awhile Bob just stood there, flabbergasted by the sight. It was obvious that nothing sexual had happened, it was just... innocent cuddling.
Despite the spike of fatherly protectiveness surging through him to throw out the young man, Bob stood there. His mind flashed to how he had been at Logan's age; awkward as hell but if he was being honest there has always been only one thing on his mind at the time. This... this reminded him of how he felt when he met Linda. It didn't all need to be about sex. They had been content to cuddle and share innocent kisses.
Logan was a full grown man, there was no denying that obvious fact. He was handsome too Bob supposed, in a different way from himself. The simple fact that the boy could have any girl his age he wanted and was still content to cuddle with a sleeping Louise made Bob feel a confusing twist of emotions towards him. On the one hand he wanted to shove the guy away for fear of losing his daughter far before the time came, but on the other hand he wanted to keep this obviously respectful young man in her life.
"Hm?" Logan half murmured something as his eyes fluttered open. Bob watched in amusement as he first looked down fondly at the still asleep Louise, his eyes moving to the imposing figure in the doorway slowly. Once they locked eyes he was proud to see Logan pale, his face completely drained of color instantly.
"I knew something was up when you weren't on the couch," Bob said, doing his best to keep his voice dangerously neutral.
"I-I'm sorry sir," Logan whispered, not moving from his grip on Louise. "I only meant to sit here until she fell asleep and-"
"You ended up cuddling all night?" Bob asked with a barely restrained chuckle. Logan's jaw worked for a moment and Bob let his chuckle out. "It's fine Logan I'm just kidding. Wake her up for breakfast, we have some major restaurant cleaning to do today."
"Need any help?" Logan's offer surprised him.
"I can't pay you," Bob warned and watched as the young man shrugged.
"You aren't killing me for finding me in here," he pointed out, "I think that earns you some free labor."
XxX
Louise held onto Logan tightly as he tried to go down the stairs of her family's apartment. "Louise," Logan said her name gently as he stopped by the front door. She turned a sad smile up at him and he scowled. "I don't really want to but-"
"I know," she said defeatedly and he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.
"I'll email you okay? Every day like last time."
"Me too," she mumbled and he gave her a sad smirk before lowering his lips to hers for a quick peck.
"It'll be spring break before you know it," he assured and she let out a heavy sigh before letting him go.
XxX
'So there's a dance on Friday and I got asked by Rudy to go.' The message made Logan's heart drop, so much he barely had the nerve to read the rest of it. Call him a glutton for punishment but he did, confirming his worst fears. 'I said yes so... I guess I have a Valentine?' Logan's blood boiled at the message and he threw his phone across the room.
"Lo?" Jacob asked carefully, both of his friends staring at their unofficial leader worriedly. Logan stalked over to his phone, picked it up and took a deep breath.
'Have fun.' His response was the best he could manage as he felt the surge of jealousy and anger when his eyes flicked unwillingly to her message again.
"We're going out," he growled out to his friends who sat there worriedly.
"What'd she say?" Scotty was brave enough to ask and Logan let out a sigh.
"Just get ready yeah?" his tone held defeat, his eyes burning with tears he didn't want to shed. He retreated to his room and sat down heavily on his bed, trying to control the waves of emotions he was feeling over his Four Ears. "Not mine," he muttered to himself angrily as he got to his feet and stomped to his closet.
XXX
Louigan cuteness mixed with drama. I know I know... "Leigh! This is a Louigan story! What the hell?" Don't worry! More to come, and it'll be better because we're having a time skip next chapter so she won't be 11-12 anymore. So chillax people, I know what I'm doing. Special thanks to my follows, favorites, and reviews last chapter! The support for this fic has been amazing and I love you all. With that, let me know what you think. Much love, Leigh
