Logan was starting to get better at tolerating car rides. Unfortunately, he was so instinctively worried that another accident would occur that his heart rate wouldn't settle. In this particular instance, it was probably for the best that he couldn't see; that way he didn't worry about every intersection.

"You're doing great," James said. They were almost at his parents' house, which had been a grueling 25 minute journey. Logan's grip on the door handle didn't loosen.

"Almost there?"

"Yup! Almost, almost!"

They drove a few more blocks and then turned a corner. James pulled his Toyota pick-up along the sidewalk in front of a modest colonial house. He shut off the engine and popped out to help Logan down from his seat.

"My parents are real nice. They'll like you!" He took Logan's hand as they walked towards the front door. He rang the doorbell and waited. Logan looked nervous.

"James!" a woman called out as the door opened up. Logan heard them hug, and then she put her arms around him, too. "You must be Logan."

"Uh huh. Hi, Mrs. James's mom."

"Awww, haha hi Logan. It's nice to meet you!"

"Good to see you, mom," said James. He took Logan's arm and led him inside. "Where's pops?"

"Oh, you know. Hiding out in the den as usual."

As they walked through the house, Logan was bombarded with a strong, sweet smell. He wasn't sure if it was a scented candle or something baking, but it was fantastic nonetheless. James carefully took him down three little steps.

"Hey dad," James called out.

"James. Logan, right?" A male voice that sounded just like James's, only slightly deeper, addressed Logan in an almost condescending fashion.

"Umm. Yeah. Hi."

"So how are you guys?" James asked in an attempt to cut the awkwardness that Logan was creating.

"We're doing just great," his mom said. "How are things with you?"

"Amazing. Logan is amazing."

"Ohhh," Logan blushed.

"Do you want some pie?" James's mom asked.

"Yay pie!" James called out. "Yeah! Logan, you want pie too huh?"

"I guess so, okay."

The four of them went to the dining room and his mom brought out an apple pie. That's what the smell was. Logan took a seat and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. James."

"It's not a problem," said James's mom. "We're happy to have you over. It's been a while since we've seen our James, too." She sliced up the pie and started to plate it. Logan got the first slice.

"Here you go Logan," James said. He put a fork in his hand while his parents looked on warily. Logan took a small bite and giggled. "Ohh, it's good!" he exclaimed. James's face lit up.

"Thank you Logan," said Mrs. Diamond. She took her slice and sat down. Clearing her throat once, she went on, "So how do you like my boy?"

"He's nice," Logan said quietly. "He's real nice."

"Mmm he's changed a lot," James's dad joined in all of the sudden.

"How so?" James asked, biting his lower lip.

"Something in your life other than yourself," the father continued. His mom shot daggers at him with her eyes. "What?" Mr. Diamond asked his wife, but she just shook her head.

"I'm growing up I guess," James said.

"What do you mean?" Logan asked.

"It's not important," Mrs. Diamond said quickly. "It's just not important."

James's dad shifted in his chair and grunted, but before he could say anything, the mother interrupted. "It's not important," she said sharply.

"Uhh, anyway," James tried to keep it going well. "You should have seen this new customer I was trying to work with yesterday. Oh my gosh, it was horrible."

The conversation and pie went on well for a long time. Logan started to warm up to them all and he even participated fairly. As they finished up with the pie, James's mom gathered the dishes and asked her son if he could come to the kitchen with her.

"What's up?" he asked. Mrs. Diamond closed the door to the kitchen and put the dishes into the sink.

"Is this a good idea?"

"What d'you mean?" James put his hands on his hips.

His mom turned on the tap and squirted some soap over the soiled plates. She slid plastic gloves on and started to scrub away. "He needs a lot of care," she began. "Are you sure this is something you can take on?"

"I love him," James said quickly.

"Yes but James, he's a huge commitment."

"What the FUCK!" James suddenly shouted, throwing his hands into the air. "Why is everybody so quick to judge him because of what's wrong with him?"

"Because he really needs a lot of care," Mrs. Diamond said softly. "You might not realize how much you're biting off."

"It's because of people like you that he had almost given up on life. Do you know that? He spent the last ten years of his life thinking he would never have a friend or a lover, all because everyone judges him so harshly. He didn't think he could do anything with his life. But I'm going to change that. I'm going to show him that he can do everything he wants to. His blindness shouldn't limit him."

James's mom turned off the water and looked at her son. "Well," she said, suppressing a loving smile. "If you really feel that way, then I guess I'm happy for you."

"Thanks."

"You really have grown up a lot," she continued. James tried to smile. "It's nice to see you thinking about someone other than yourself. I guess I haven't realized how much you've changed."

"Well, my job has made a huge difference."

"I'm glad. Anyway, you two probably want to head back soon, right?"

"Right."

On the way home, James was actively quieter than usual. Logan picked up on this right away. "James?"

"Yeah."

"What did your mom say to you? In the kitchen?"

"Why."

"I heard you yelling."

"She just…ahh…she, well," James sighed twice. Logan made an inquisitive little peep. "She thinks I might regret being with you."

"Do you?"

"Noooo. No no no. I never will. She doesn't understand."

"Ohh…"

"I was mad because she was being a bitch about it. Sorry if that was awkward."

"It's okay. What did your dad mean earlier? When he said you changed a lot?"

"It's nothing, really."

"Oh, um, okay." Logan put his hands in his lap. He wondered what James's past was like. Had he been a difficult person? No matter. They arrived home and he helped Logan get back to their apartment.

"How're the folks?" Kendall called out from the sofa.

"They're fine," James said shortly. "I think they liked Logan alright."

"Cool cool," Kendall said.

"Been a long day," Logan yawned. He hold onto James and they went off to the bedroom.

"Try to keep it down, hahah!" Kendall teased as they walked away. James just shook his head. He closed the door behind them and gave Logan a hug.

"Again, I'm sorry for things being weird with them. I thought it would work out better."

"It was fine," Logan said. "I thought we had a good time."

"Mmmmm good, good," James turned his head and kissed Logan on the lips. The blind boy whimpered against his lips. "You taste like pie."

"Yeah so do you," Logan whispered.

"Did you like how I licked you last night?" James asked seductively.

"Uh huh."

"You want it again?"

"I dunno."

"Why not?"

"It's a little weird," Logan said apprehensively. "I don't know."

"You loved it."

"Maybe."

"Mmmmm well that's fine," James said. He put another kiss on his lips. "Whenever you're comfortable, okay? Remember, I'll take as much time as you need. Promise."

Logan put his hands on James's shoulders and held onto him. His breathing was steady and calm. "Can we read a little more tonight?"

"Sure. What do you want?"

"That one book. The science fantasy one."

"Science fiction, you mean. And sure! Let's continue."

James let go of Logan and took him to the bed. He brought the little paperback novel to the covers and they both snuggled up together. He went to the earmark and started to read where they left on. Logan put his head onto James's chest and relaxed. This was the best place to be, hands down. Here, he could listen to James's voice echo throughout his chest. It was warm, comfortable, and inviting.

"'I never thought I would actually see you,' Ada said. She reached out from the cell and put her hands onto Zach's arm. He looked at her with a blank expression.

'Well,' he said. 'I figured since you made me come all this way, I could at least set you free.'

'Thank you," said Ada.

Zach fumbled with the lock but to no avail. It was far too high-tech for him, so he called out to Anthony. 'Can you look at this for me?'

'Yeah okay,' said Anthony. He took the gadget in his hand and gave it a once over.

'You are also a man of Earth, aren't you?' Ada asked Anthony, who nodded.

'But I've been out in the stars way longer,' he said."

James stopped reading when he realized that Logan had fallen asleep on his chest. He put the book down and turned off the lamp on his nightstand. He considered everything that his mother had said earlier; was this relationship more than he could chew? Would he regret it?

No.

No, it wasn't. He loved Logan more than anything, and Logan needed him. Maybe he even got off on the fact that he had some control over the boy, but either way, he was like the other half of his soul that he had been missing. It was true that James spent the first twenty one years or so of his life being rather narcissistic. He burned through boyfriends like they were lucky to have him. What changed? The job was certainly pivotal in his development, that was for sure. It gave him some perspective on life. There were others less fortunate; others less capable; others who would be grateful to have half of what James did. He didn't think he was superior to Logan, though. Even with his disability, he saw Logan as a beautiful and talented young man. He had a heart of gold and a soul to match it. Everything about him was amazing, and everything about him was loveable.

James thought back to his breakup with Kendall. Towards the end, their relationship had been steadily growing in uneasiness. Kendall was working a job with real long hours, late into the night, and James had a hard time dealing with it. He insisted on getting his "beauty sleep," which made Kendall extremely angry. He wanted to come home and fuck James, but when all he would do was whine, it was almost impossible.

Just then, it occurred to James that he had been sort of a bitch to Kendall. Sure, they worked it all out and obviously they had no problems getting along now, but it bothered him. Had he really been such a different person? Not really different, just less finely tuned. It wouldn't happen again. No, no. It wouldn't happen again. He touched the back of Logan's head tenderly and planted a series of small, soft kisses in his hair. He would be a better boyfriend now. He would make sure that Logan had everything he wanted, and all of his desires fulfilled. He didn't want him to worry about him leaving him. He wanted Logan to know that he would always, always be there.