Logan

[more_flexible]

They were almost there. Just a few days out was the planet where Jack would be able to get parts for his ship. He could feel the end looming. He'd worked closely with Logan. Lived with him. Ate with him and relaxed with him and they'd chatted until it seemed like there couldn't be anything else- but there was always more. And with every story of teenage crime to family issues to military tales, Jack fell a bit more and more for Logan.

And for someone so good at reading people, he couldn't tell if Logan had gained even an ounce of trust for him. Jack was used to not being trusted, that was fine. But he'd never been in the position before where he wished he was trusted.

He'd left Security a little early and had arranged food and had it ready when Logan walked in from work.

"Oh, good. It's still fresh," Jack grinned, then teasingly asked, "How was your day, dear?"

Comments

[logan_echolls]

Logan laughed, looking a bit more tired than usual as he loosened the collar of his uniform and sat down.

"Still dealing with the aftermath of the murder case Mycroft was working with me on. So sick of red tape and bullshit," he admitted, digging into his food. He wasn't sure when this had become normal. Hell, something he looked forward to even. Just Jack and himself at the end of another long day.

"What about you?"

[more_flexible]

"Oh, y'know," he shrugged. "I think Anderson is going to be ready to take over pretty soon."

He didn't sound thrilled, but he was torn over if he wanted to be replaced at all.

[logan_echolls]

You don't sound happy about that. You having second thoughts about Anderson?" Logan asked.

[more_flexible]

Jack hesitated, then took a breath.

"No, he's fine. I'm wondering, though. If I'm going. If you're coming. If I'm staying..." he admitted. It wasn't how he'd imagined opening the conversation, but it was now or never.

[logan_echolls]

"I can't leave the ship, Jack," Logan said, wetting his lips. "And I wouldn't ask you to stay, I know- I know whatever you're chasing means something to you."

But part of him really didn't want him to go.

[more_flexible]

"Every day it means less and less," Jack confessed. "Come eat. I think we need to...to talk."

[logan_echolls]

Logan was already sitting, and gestured for Jack to just say what he needed to say.

[more_flexible]

Jack instaly began poking his food with his fork, watching it as he thought. What was the best approach.

If he'd learned anything in the past few weeks it was that direct was best.

"I don't want to leave you," he said. "Give me a sign, Logan. A little hope...and I'll stay. Since you won't leave the ship, let me know I'm not an idiot to keep trying with you."

[logan_echolls]

Logan looked up from his plate, visibly surprised. Was Jack seriously suggesting he might stay for him? He'd assumed from the start that no matter what happend, Jack would be gone in a few weeks. All the more reason to keep his guard up.

"And what is it you're trying for?" he asked bluntly. "What do you want, Jack? Really?"

[more_flexible]

"I want you, Logan. Wherever we are, whatever we do...I want to be with you."

He was uncomfortable with that truth and it made him a bit shy, but though he ducked his chin, he kept looking at Logan from beneath his lashes.

"...But I really can't tell if you want me."

[logan_echolls]

Logan was silent for a long moment, looking down at his plate. Eventually, however, he looked back up at Jack.

"People don't choose me," he said finally. "I'm fun for a while, and then they move on. Before I was too angry, now I'm not as exciting, you know? It's always something, but no matter what it is- People don't hang around long."

[more_flexible]

"I want a partner, Logan. Love. Life. Crime...or Fleet. Whatever."

He paused.

"I picked you the moment we met, I just didn't realize what it meant."

[logan_echolls]

Logan wanted to believe that. At his core he was a romantic- A hopeless one, mostly, but a romantic. He always had been. It was hard though, given the history of heartache and loss. He liked Jack though, liked coming home to him, liked the way he never seemed to judge or question. He took comfort in just sharing an office with the man- A couch, a beer. Liked the way sometimes Jack stood just a bit too close, the weight of his hand on his shoulder, the scent of him that always lingered even hours after he'd left a room.

He was quiet again for a long moment, then put his fork down.

"How do I know you wont just bail on me when we dock?" he asked.

[more_flexible]

"Because I'm not," he replied. He paused, then said, "I already found a buyer for my ship..."

[logan_echolls]

He genuinely didn't know what to say to that, and so he didn't speak again for maybe a beat too long.

"...Anderson's going to be pissed," he said finally, falling back on humour as he so often did.

[more_flexible]

"Anderson already knows," he said. "I've been honest with him. I've been honest with you. I'm finally being honest with myself."

[logan_echolls]

Logan nodded, scratching the back of his neck.

"I seriously just thought you- I dunno. I don't know, I guess it was easier to believe you were just fucking around until you could finally get out of here."

[more_flexible]

Jack got up from his seat and walked around to Logan. He reached out to cradle his face.

"You're a dumbass," he smiled, then bent to kiss him.

[logan_echolls]

Logan was still a beat, but eventually returned the kiss- Uncertain still at first, but eventually leaning into it.

He wanted to believe this was real. Wanted to believe Jack really cared.

Eventually it broke, and he held Jack's gaze.

"Okay," he said. A simple word, but in that moment it held so much weight.

[more_flexible]

Jack smiled, his eyes fond.

"Okay," he repeated. He had never felt so utterly elated. Heart pounding, he was sure Logan could feel the pulse in his fingertips.

[logan_echolls]

"... Guess I'm getting my spare room back, huh?" he said, a roundabout way of inviting Jack deeper into his space. "Thank God, I hate keeping the treadmill in the living room. Don't you?"

[more_flexible]

"It's always a better show than what's on the screen," he grinned. He'd never been sly about admiring Logan while he ran.

"You want to see if we both fit in your bed?"

He backed up and held out his hand.

[logan_echolls]

With a somewhat self-conscious laugh, Logan took the offered hand.

"You worried about a tight fit, Captain?"

[more_flexible]

"I'm counting on it," he grinned with a seductive heat in his eyes.

He held Logan's hand to the bedroom. He'd had so many lovers he'd nearly lost count, and not one of them had ever made his stomach squirm with anticipation like this.

[logan_echolls]

Logan's list wasn't exactly short, but he could count one one hand the amount of times he'd truly let himself get emotionally invested like this. It made him nervous, like a wounded dog certain he'd be kicked again.

"I should be upfront with you. I've only been with a couple other guys."

And they'd all been one night flings.