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LOCKED TO istheindustry

Summer was coming to Johto, and quite frankly, Logan was glad it was nearly here. He had been spending his time up north with Reaver, travelling to Mahogany Town, a remote little town that housed one of the Gym Badges they were in the process of collecting. Logan hadn't expected it to be so cold, even in spring. Finally it was beginning to feel like that awkward transition phase between spring and summer, and the heat was a welcome change.

They had arrived in Mahogany last night and had spent the better part of the day travelling to the Lake of Rage. Both of them had seen it on the map, but Logan hadn't expressed any desire to visit it until they had stopped in Mahogany. Yes, he understood that the badge challenge was important (he was the one who had been so determined to start collecting the badges anyway), but the badge wasn't going anywhere. Neither was the lake, but that didn't change the fact that he wanted to see it for himself.

Logan had always loved the water. The royal family had a small place in Millfields that they visited during the summers when the Hero Queen simply couldn't stand the heat anymore. Logan had loved exploring Bower Lake as a child, and it was something that never really left him even after all this time. He had only been to Bower Lake a couple of times since he took the throne, and had only brought his sister with him once. They had both been a bit too old to frolic in the ocean like children - at least, that was what they said until night fell and they were certain they wouldn't be spotted by any of the nobles that lived in the area. He remembered that evening fondly; but there were very few things about his sister he didn't remember fondly.

He brushed that thought aside, not interested in dwelling on the past. It never ended well. He was here in Johto now; he had to look out for himself - and only himself - though it was still something he was in the process of learning how to do. He was getting used to not having control over people, but taking care of himself was still something Logan hadn't really adapted to.

That said, he did look quite a lot healthier than he had in Albion. The darkness was still present around his eyes - and likely would always be, he was tainted, after all - but he had put on a bit of weight and the constant travel was doing some good for him physically. Of course, it didn't help that he was travelling with Reaver who would run on ahead if he was allowed. Logan still had difficulties keeping up with the ever-energetic industrialist, but he hadn't reached his breaking point yet.

The travelling today had been relatively light and easy; there were trainers to fight and plenty of grass to wade through, so speeding to their destination was out of the question. He was thankful for that. It did put them a bit behind schedule though; they would have to spend the night up at the Lake of Rage and return to Mahogany in the morning, but Logan really couldn't say he minded that any. If the lake was anything like Bower Lake, then he doubted he'd want to leave so soon anyway.

Speaking of the lake, it finally came into view amid the trees and Logan stopped short, staring. It was huge, possibly even larger than Bower Lake. The water looked clean and clear from where he was standing (though admittedly, it was still a bit hard to judge and it could just be wistful thinking on his part) and the shores were completely clear, no people anywhere in sight. Apparently this wasn't a very popular tourist destination for whatever reason. Logan found himself releasing a breath he didn't realize he was holding, glancing side-long at Reaver for some sort of confirmation that the industrialist was as pleased with this as he was.

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"It's there if you need it." But he was willing to let the subject drop, simply because he wasn't sure what else to say. He wasn't comfortable with this by any means, but there wasn't exactly any other choice, now was there? This was out in the open and he had no choice but to deal with it.

Still, this told him a lot about Reaver. Reaver clearly trusted him with this. He continued to play with Reaver's hair, content to remain silent for the time being.

...Logan, welcome to everything you have ever told him.

Just the same, that hair-playing was rather nice indeed; he allowed it for a while longer before speaking again. "I think that's rather enough unpleasantness for one evening, don't you?"

Hey, he was nowhere near that bad! ...Really!!

"Yes, yes it is." He smirked, though the expression was clearly because he had no idea what to do. "Are you going to try to sleep again?"

"Perhaps." He was returning that smirk, however; he seemed to have settled some from that odd coldness he had been showing earlier. "Why do you ask?"

That was a promising sign. It seemed Reaver was calming down some. "Just curious." It wasn't like he would be getting any sleep after hearing about that.

"Well, I can't say I know what you're planning on doing otherwise."

"You get even less sleep than I do, Reaver." Logan rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine."

"Oh, I've no doubt you will be, yes. Going elsewhere, then, or are you staying in?"

"No, I'll be staying here." It was still a bit too dark out there for his comfort. "Just try to get some sleep." To be quite honest, Reaver sort of looked like he needed it. Then again, he always looked like he needed it, so that was probably an unfortunate side effect of his horrible morality...

That, among other things...but at least Logan had the common sense to keep such thoughts to himself, thank you very much.

However, he didn't see much of a point in arguing, although he doubted he would be sleeping well, if for very long at all; he tipped his head a bit to concede the discussion. "If you insist, then." He rose easily, brushing off whatever Logan was doing with his hair and moving back toward the bed, smirking a bit as he went.

"Joining me?" The comment was light, though...slightly less made of innuendo as it might have been some months ago, at least.

Logan didn't mind that, he realized that Reaver didn't get much in the way of sleep, but it had never really occurred to him why Reaver got even less sleep than he did. Reaver had encountered the Crawler in some form, Logan was sure of that, but that wasn't the reason why he didn't sleep, was it? It was this thing with Oakvale.

"Yes, of course." Logan rolled his eyes though; the innuendo wasn't lost on him and as usual, he ignored it. He did join Reaver in bed though, immediately curling up next to him as usual, gripping the front of Reaver's shirt awkwardly. He still wasn't sure what to do with himself when it came to cuddling like this at night.

Reaver pulled Logan against him, holding him tightly and starting up again immediately with that gentle stroking against his back, his other hand burying itself in Logan's hair; this was...comfortable, at least. Familiar.

"I trust that no one else will hear of anything mentioned to you tonight." It wasn't a threat, as it might have been with someone else; after all, he had held his silence for Logan for years, it was only natural to assume that he was owed the same courtesy. If he thought Logan would say anything, he wouldn't have told him; just the same, seeking confirmation was something he could hardly be faulted for doing.

"Of course. I would never betray your trust." Reaver had kept quiet about the Crawler, so it was only natural that Logan would do the same here. Besides, it wasn't his place to say anything, even if he wanted to. This was no one's business but Reaver's.

The cuddling earned a small, pleased noise, and after a moment, Logan moved a bit closer. He attempted to mirror what Reaver was doing, trailing a hand gently up and down the industrialist's back, though his touch was light, almost questioning. Again, he wasn't sure if he was really allowed to mimic Reaver's touch, though that was a ridiculous thought and one he would never voice aloud.

Reaver's breath caught a bit at that - he hadn't been expecting it - but judging from the soft and incredibly pleased noise that got out of him, he certainly wasn't opposed; he arched his back a bit into Logan's touch before settling again, playing with Logan's hair a bit as he did so.

"I thought as much." It was really all he was going to be offering as a reply for the time being; this was...nice, all right.

That was perfectly fine. It was good to know that Reaver did know him well enough to know that he would keep quiet. Of course, Reaver never would have said anything in the first place if he didn't trust Logan. Still, the confirmation was nice in some way.

So was that pleased sound. Logan found that it was oddly soothing in a way, to touch Reaver like this. Repetitive actions had always helped him calm down, and this was hardly any exception. He wasn't exactly tired and he didn't want to sleep (and have nightmares), but this was very comfortable.

"I love you." The words are quiet, so quiet he's not even aware he's spoken aloud.

Reaver's hand paused a bit in Logan's hair at that; he had seen it coming eventually - he had no doubt that Logan still wholeheartedly believed that, after all - but that didn't mean it was anything he was exactly prepared for. He continued toying with Logan's hair soon enough, however; he didn't respond for the time being, simply because he wasn't certain that anything should be said - he wasn't about to encourage such things, but discouraging them wasn't anything he was inclined to do, either. He was aware that the sudden hesitation may have implied enough, in terms of having actually heard it, but for now he was content to just...keep doing as he had been until forced to do otherwise, really.

How awkward, Logan...

...He said that out loud, didn't he? He really needed to get better about keeping things to himself.

Logan tensed under Reaver's touch and for a moment, his own faltered against Reaver's back. Reaver wasn't acknowledging it though, which meant that he could just pretend he hadn't realized he'd said anything out loud and they could just ignore it, right? That was the best course of action, wasn't it?

He tried to calm himself down and relax, but that wasn't happening. Logan's grip tightened on Reaver's shirt immediately - as though Reaver would actually want to stop cuddling? - though he did return to stroking Reaver's back hesitantly.

Everything was perfectly fine. He hadn't said that, and Reaver certainly hadn't heard it.

Reaver could feel the tension flooding through Logan's body; after a while passed and it didn't seem to be letting up any, he tightened his grip momentarily against Logan's body, and his voice was light when he spoke to him again.

"How many times must I tell you to relax before it finally sinks in, hm? Everything's fine, my dear."

You try relaxing after saying something so ridiculous.

Thankfully he didn't voice that thought, instead leaning into Reaver's touch. There wasn't any easy way to get himself to relax - especially not after such a stupid remark - but he was trying at least.

"Easy for you to say," He finally mumbled. It seemed like Reaver was always relaxed.

Not always; a bit more so in Johto perhaps, but it was also decidedly more difficult to sling bullets around when he wasn't.

"I prefer to enjoy life; you know that well enough by now, I'd think." And with that said, he turned his head a bit to kiss Logan lightly - not on the mouth, as that would involve entirely too much repositioning and he was fully aware that Logan may try to stop him if he attempted that, but rather along the slight sweep of his cheekbone, a few times, his fingers kneading into Logan's back a bit as he did so.

His grip tightened on Reaver's shirt at that; that wasn't fair. Reaver knew how much he cared and Reaver knew that he would attempt this relationship again in a heartbeat, regardless of how impulsive and undoubtedly stupid that would be. It was easy enough for Reaver to say that he simply did what he wanted because that was how he lived, but it wasn't fair when it effected other people like this.

Still, Logan said nothing. For all he knew, Reaver might not mean anything by it. No, that was wrong - Reaver didn't mean anything by it. He wasn't teasing or prompting Logan to ask about their relationship, this was simply something Reaver was doing because he wanted to, for whatever arbitrary reason he'd come up with. He was reading too deeply into this.

After a moment Logan had to release his grip on Reaver's shirt, simply because his hand was aching from how tightly he'd been hanging on. He was frustrated, not just at Reaver for doing this and confusing him horribly, but at his own inability to just let it go. Just because he desired something didn't mean Reaver did too. He knew that. Why couldn't he just move on, like Reaver clearly had?

"...Of course." He finally responded, though the remark was soft, distant. "Go to sleep, Reaver."

Unfortunately, this was one of the circumstances in which Logan knew him entirely too well; in the end, this meant nothing to him outside of being something that he'd decided to do. Because he felt like it, because he could, because Logan was there and he was relaxed and content and physical affection was probably the best way he knew how to actually display that - the reason was inconsequential, and that much was likely obvious in how quickly he settled at Logan's words. He didn't seem bothered by them; to the contrary, he tightened his hold on Logan again briefly, before relaxing again.

"If you insist, Logan."

There were times when he really wished he didn't know Reaver as well as he did. Now was one of them. If there had been even the tiniest bit of doubt in his mind, he could have confidently asked to retry their relationship and--

But who was he kidding? He did know Reaver well enough to know that the man usually didn't put this much thought into simple actions. If he wanted something, Reaver would be blunt about it. Logan wasn't sure if he liked that about Reaver or not. Either way, at least he would always know where he stood with Reaver. There wouldn't be any guessing there.

"And I do. Goodnight."

Eventually the tension left him, but the disappointment didn't. Normally he wasn't aware of just how much of a spoiled brat he was, but when his thoughts started circling to how unfair it was that Reaver didn't care about him as much as he cared about Reaver, Logan decided it was time to attempt to go back to sleep, at least to shut his brain off for awhile. Complaining about this - even if it was just to himself - wouldn't solve anything. There was no guarantee that Reaver would ever want to rekindle their relationship, much less actually care about him.

That was the most painful thought of all. Reaver would never love him, would he? It didn't matter what he said or did, he would never be as important to Reaver as Reaver was to him. His grip tightened on Reaver's shirt momentarily before he forced himself to let go, to try to relax. There wasn't any sense worrying about it now. They weren't even together and there was no guarantee that they would ever get together again.

He fell asleep eventually; nightmares involving shadows woke him before he'd been asleep for an hour.

For once, Logan wouldn't wake up to find Reaver already awake before him. It tended to take him quite some time to fall asleep, but eventually sleep did find him; Logan hadn't been mistaken in assuming that he needed the sleep, as little as any observations to that effect may have pleased him, and he managed to slip into a state of unconsciousness that was both reasonably deep and thankfully dreamless.

Despite that, however, he seemed aware that Logan was having some sort of disturbance over there, whether he realized it on a conscious level or not. The feeling of someone awakening next to him got something of a frustrated noise out of Reaver, and he moved to pull Logan closer to him again; he shifted a bit afterwards, as though unsure of whether he should be taking this as a cause for alarm and a reason to wake up or not.

"Logan...?" The name was slurred as hell, but it was an attempt, at least.

Logan had no idea what Reaver had seen - or hadn't seen - when it came to the destruction of Oakvale. The dream was obviously based on what Reaver had said - shadows coming to receive their "payment", though the dream had been vague as to what the "payment" was for - though it took place in Bowerstone and the people that were killed were the ones Logan knew. He shuddered, only to find himself pulled closer against Reaver.

He calmed down almost immediately. It was remarkable how easily he could relax with someone here beside him when he woke from a horrible nightmare like that. Reaver didn't sound like he was fully awake and Logan did feel a bit bad for waking him.

"Go back to sleep. It's nothing." He reached up to stroke Reaver's back again, a little upset when he realized his hands were still shaking. "I'm fine." You're here.

LOCKED TO istheindustry

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