Author's Note: I know, I know… I'm sorry. This chapter is the last one that's been written. The rest of the story is still in my head, but finding the time and motivation to write is few and far between at the moment. So I hope this will tide you over and that you will come back to see how Carlos proposes.
Logan spent the last hour staring at the ceiling, getting lost in his thoughts and crying his eyes out. Emotionally spent, he decides to get ready for sleep, not caring that it is only eight o'clock.
He slowly pushes himself up to a seated position on the edge of the bed. He sits there staring out the window wishing he was back to a time when Carlos couldn't keep a secret. He wipes a tear that escapes down his cheek. The grumble of his stomach breaks the silence that encompasses the room.
Logan sighs. His mom has been trying to get him out of the room for dinner, but each time she poked her head in, he would pretend to be asleep. He knows he should get some food in him, but he did not want to go out to the kitchen and face his parents. He is still pretty angry with them.
His stomach growls again when it dawns on him that he bought a sandwich at the airport just in case they were delayed at their stopover. Sure, it would probably be somewhat soggy, but right now it's food and in his room.
Logan stands and walks over to his closet. He grabs his carry-on, tossing it on his bed, and drags the luggage out. It takes him a minute to rummage through the carry-on and find the sandwich, but there it is, flat as a pancake, but otherwise unharmed. He un-wraps it, takes a bite and sits on the floor next to his luggage.
With the sandwich in his left hand, his right unzips the bag. He flings open the lid and stiffens at the sight peering up at him. He completely forgot that he packed that. He places his sandwich on the bed, wipes his hand on his pants, and reaches into the bag. His hands touch cool plastic.
Logan pulls Carlos' helmet out of the bag and places it on his lap. He leans up against the bed. He packed the helmet as a joke because of what Carlos said the day Kendall tried to maim him. He had completely forgotten about it, but now all the joy he's felt in the past six months come flooding back and he can't help but cry and smile. His tears are a mix of happy and sad; happy because of the memories, but sad because of the fight that just happened.
He continues to sit there curled around Carlos' helmet, crying and thinking. When his tears subside, his mind is a little clearer and he thinks back to the conversation he had with his mom. The look on her face when she talked about the surprise on Friday wasn't one of sadness, but one of elation. While he's still unhappy that Carlos is keeping a secret from him, Logan deduces that maybe; just maybe, this is one secret that needs to be kept because the payout will be worth it.
Logan looks at his reflection in the helmet, but instead of seeing his face he sees Carlos smiling up at him. He shakes his head in surprise and looks back down onto the shiny black plastic. He no longer sees Carlos' face, but his own. He needs Carlos; he needs to see that smiling face. If his mom isn't worried, he probably shouldn't be either.
That is it. That is the thought that convinces him to talk to Carlos. He rises, still clutching the helmet, and makes his way to the door. The figure in front of him is the last person he expected to see. Standing in front of him is the boy who has stolen his heart, the one he can never be without.
Carlos and Logan are frozen in the doorway. Carlos with one arm up prepared to knock and Logan hugging the familiar helmet. Their red, puffy eyes lock. Seconds pass until Logan shifts his gaze to his fingers, tracing the object in his hands.
Carlos snaps out of his stupor when Logan looks away and his eyes wander down to what Logan's holding.
"You brought my helmet," Carlos cautiously whispers.
Logan looks up. "Huh… what?" he asks momentarily forgetting what it is he's holding.
Carlos smiles a smile that causes Logan's knees to weaken.
"Logan," Carlos begins when silence falls over them again, "I'm sorry. I didn't understand why you were so upset, but now I do."
Logan's eyes flicker with a little bit of hope. "So you're going to tell me?"
"I really can't," Carlos responds in an apologetic tone, causing Logan to sigh heavily and focus his attention to the floor.
Carlos' eyes begin to water. He can't stand to see Logan hurt.
"… but I can tell you that it is a surprise I put together for you and I hope that you will like it."
Logan's heart swells, but he keeps his eyes on a stain on the floor.
Carlos frowns at Logan's non-response. "I love you, Logie, and I hate that I've hurt you. Please say something."
Logan looks up and a smile forms on his face. He takes the helmet and places it on Carlos' head.
"There… that's better." Logan chuckles.
Carlos is surprised by the gesture, but joins with a laugh. Logan takes his hand and leads them to sit on the bed.
Logan turns to face Carlos. "I'm sorry, too. I should have known that you wouldn't keep anything from me unless it was really important… and happy," he adds. "It's just with what happened in high school… I'm afraid you'll spring something like that on me again."
Carlos places a hand on Logan's knee. "I know and I realize that now, but I promise I will never, ever let that happen again."
Logan looks into Carlos' eyes and can see that he's telling the truth.
"I know you won't, but it will still take a while for my brain to catch up with my heart."
Carlos chuckles. He takes Logan's face in his hands, "You think too much…" he kisses Logan's right cheek, "… you know that?" then his left cheek, "And I still love you." Carlos presses their lips together.
All of Logan's doubt fades the moment their lips meet. He pulls Carlos closer. The week apart was way too long to go without each other's touch.
Carlos moves his hands from Logan's face, tracing Logan's arms, and wraps them around Logan's waist. Carlos gently squeezes Logan and starts to lean back. Logan follows his lead and soon they are lying on the bed, his legs wrapped around Carlos' waist.
They move in perfect unison. Logan runs his tongue over Carlos' lips. Carlos moans, separates his lips, letting Logan in. Each savors the taste of the other, taking his time to re-acquaint himself to the contour of his partner's mouth.
Logan reluctantly pulls apart allowing air to enter their lungs. He is hovering just inches above Carlos, eyes locked, feeling the even wanting breath emanating from the Latino's mouth. Logan smiles and leans in for a soft gentle peck.
Logan rolls off of Carlos and lies down, resting his head on Carlos' chest. He closes his eyes, enjoying the ebb and flow of Carlos' chest rising and falling.
Carlos looks down at the peaceful face of the brunette. Smiling, he runs his hand through Logan's hair. He shifts his focus to the ceiling, wondering how he got so lucky, to gain the love of this beautiful creature. They remain like this for minutes, basking in the other's company.
Logan turns his head toward Carlos, "I love you, Carlos..." he says, "and I trust you."