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[iolasks]

It's Only Logical - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Confrontations and Justice

First Chapter Previous Chapter

Pairings: Logicality/Prinxiety

Warnings: TW for Jason Bryce, Violence, and swearing!

His flowers, he thought. Plants that he’d raised from seeds, bulbs, babied along their whole lives, now lying ruined on the ground. Twisted, trampled and ripped. Innocent, and he took a silent moment to grieve before racing around the corner of the building.

He skidded to a stop as he saw Jason Bryce swing a baseball bat, shattering a window. “You son of a bitch!”

He saw the surprise on Jason’s face as he whirled around, followed by rage. “Heard you were busy today. Figured I’d be done and gone before you showed up.”

“Well, you figured wrong.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He swung the bat again, shattering another window in a hail of jagged glass. “You think you can get away from me? Humiliate me, sick the police on me?” Another crash, another window gone. “Someone needs to put you in your place.”

“You humiliated yourself, and if you don’t put that down and get the hell off my property, I’m going to do a lot more than sick the cops on you.” Logan raised his chin, clenching his fists at his sides.

“Is that so? Just you and me now, isn’t it?” Jason slapped the bat against his palm, glaring at him. “Do you have any idea what you cost me?”

“I have a general idea, and it’s going to be a lot more soon. Trespassing, destruction of property.”

Jason didn’t use the bat on him, but he could see the look in his eyes when he considered it before tossing it away. He lashed out, slapping Logan across the cheek with that familiar, brutal force that snapped his head to the side.

Logan felt like his heart was about to beat out of his chest as he faced Jason down, ignoring the throbbing of his face. “That the best you’ve got? Seems like your dick isn’t the only thing that’s soft anymore.”

“You mouthy little bitch!” Jason snarled, throwing himself at Logan. “That fucking nobody ruined you, that stupid clod with his little brat! You’re mine, you’ll always be mine!”

Logan caught Jason and used his own momentum to throw him against the wall, lashing out with his fists, which clearly caught Jason by surprise. “I don’t belong to anybody but myself, you arrogant piece of shit!”

Jason grunted as he took the lighter blows before pinning Logan’s arms down and tossing him to the ground. He was bigger, and stronger, and he used his own body to force Logan down in the dirt. “Maybe you just need to be reminded. Isn’t that right, pet?” He gripped the back of Logan’s neck in a familiar hold that had his stomach churning with fear and disgust.

“Get your goddamn hands off of me!” Logan snapped, kicking up and out until he connected hard enough to make Jason wheeze and loosen his grip.

He heard shouts and running feet, and Logan scrambled away to slowly stand on rubbery legs as Virgil tore around the corner two steps ahead of Patton.

“I’m fine. I’m okay.” Logan said calmly, although his head was spinning like a carousel. “This bastard might need medical attention, though.”

“Fuck him!” Virgil snarled, reaching out to Logan. His hands feathered over Logan’s face as he checked for injury, scowling. “He HIT you? Jesus fucking Christ, he hit you?!”

“I got him worse, believe me. And we’re going to press all sorts of charges.” Logan gave a wan smile and patted Virgil’s shoulder as he slowly took stock of himself. He scowled as he spotted the tear on the knee of his pants. “Goddammit! I got this suit especially for today. All sorts of charges.”

“The police are on their way. Barbara called on her cell on her way back to Roman’s to get us.” Patton’s voice shook, and Logan could tell from the look on his face it was a combination of fear and rage.

“Good. That’s good.” Logan sagged a bit, the adrenaline draining out of him. “Virgil, can you do me a favor? Bring this piece of shit around front. I don’t want to see him any longer or I might grab that bat and do something that’ll land me in jail.”

“Let me stand him up first.” Patton reached down and hauled Jason up on his feet with one hand. He turned and looked at Logan, all steely blue eyes. “Sorry.” And plowed his fist into Jason’s face, sending him sprawling to the ground again.

“I don’t mind a bit.” Logan could feel a wide grin spreading across his face as his knees wobbled dangerously. “Not one damn bit.”

Virgil hauled Jason up by the back of his collar and started marching him away, grinning meanly as he kicked the bastard’s feet out from under him as they walked. “Oops, you’ve got to watch where you’re going, Brycey.” He looked back at Logan with a grin. “You sure kicked ass today, Lo.”

“Thanks. And if he so much as twitches wrong, you go ahead and hit him as hard as you want. No complaints from me.” Logan gave a tremulous smile as he leaned against the wall of the shop building. “But I think all this ass kicking has left me out of sorts, so if you don’t mind, I’ll sit right here and catch my breath?”

“Here.” Patton took off his suit jacket and laid it on the ground. “No need to mess up your suit any more than it already is.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Logan sank gratefully down, leaning against Patton to take in the warmth and support he offered. He sat quietly until his heart rate slowed to normal, until the tangle of nerves, rage and disgust in his belly had eased a bit. Broken glass glittered in the sunlight, scattered on the ground around them. Glass could be replaced, he reminded himself. He’d mourn his flowers, but he’d save some of the wounded, and he’d grow more. An abundance of more.

“How’s your hand?” he asked Patton.

“Fine. Good.” Patton all but spat it out. “He’s got a chin like a marshmallow.”

“Big strong man.” Logan turned to wrap his arms around him, and didn’t mention Patton’s raw scraped knuckles. Patton gently helped him to his feet, and he leaned in close, refusing to let him go just yet.

“He must have been crazy to think he could get away with this,” Patton muttered, glaring in the direction Virgil had dragged Jason off to.

“A little, I guess. I imagine he planned to be done wrecking my place before the wedding was over. He’d figure we’d blame it on kids -- or the police would. And all I’d have was a mess on my hands. A man like that has no respect for others. He doesn’t believe anyone can best him.” Logan replied softly, resting his head on Patton’s shoulder.

“One did.” Patton shot him a look, clearly indicating he wasn’t referring to himself. Logan rubbed his arms, then clutched gratefully at the lapels of Patton's jacket as he picked it up and draped it over his shoulders, wrapping an arm around him. Logan burrowed into his warmth, unsure if his bones would ever be warm again.

“I can hardly believe this happened. If you hadn’t come when you had--” Logan cut himself off, refusing to entertain that line of thinking.

“We could hear you shouting.” Patton said quietly. “You cost Virgil and I several years off our lives. So I’m going to say this once.”

He turned, taking the lapels of his jacket into his hands and holding Logan steady so he was facing him. “And you are damn well going to hear it. I respect and admire your steely will, Logan, and appreciate your temper and capability. But the next time you so much as think about taking on some lunatic with a bat all on your own, I’m going to be doing some ass kicking. And it’s going to be your ass with the bullseye painted on it.”

Logan angled his head, studied his face, and saw he meant every word he’d said. Son of a gun. “You know, if I hadn’t already decided on this thing I’m about to ask you, that would have done it. How can I resist a man who lets me fight my own battles, then when the time is right steps in and cleans house? After the dust is clear, he gives me a good piece of his mind for being an idiot. Which I was, no question, no argument.”

“Glad to hear we’re agreed on that.” Patton replied dryly.

Logan took a step closer, and wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling his boyfriend closer. “I really love you.”

“I really love you back.”

“Then you won’t mind marrying me.” Logan felt his body jerk, just a little, just once, then settle in against his own, warm and true.

“I don’t see a problem with that. Are you sure?” Patton murmured, gently sliding his hands around Logan’s waist, holding him close.

“If you had asked me that a few months ago, I’d say no, but I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life. I’m a logical person, a person who thinks things through, and then over-thinks them, and then thinks about them some more, and some more still – and yet I don’t know that I can define love. Yet the cliche about love, of course, is that you’ll know it when you’re in it, right?” Logan asked, looking up at him. Patton lifted a hand to gently cup his face, smiling softly at him. “I used to think it happened explosively. That love was something astronomically powerful that not only swept you off your feet, but knocked you down on your ass and soaked through your skin and became an overarching force that was impossible to ignore. But, what if that’s not it? What if love is quiet and soft? What if love is gradual and delicate? What if love isn’t an explosion, but is instead this calm feeling you get when you wake up one golden Sunday morning and realize that there’s nowhere else you’d rather be than next to this person whose quirks make you laugh until you can’t breathe? Lately, I think I’ve stopped trying to define it and have started to believe that being in love is about more than just explosive emotion. And yet, it’s also about more than just finding someone to coexist with in the same space at the same time. Love is about finding someone who lights even the tiniest parts of your soul on fire. It’s about finding someone who makes you more you, who will even surprise you every now and then by knowing you better than you know yourself.” Logan leaned into Patton’s touch, feeling his heart leap even now.

“Am I that person to you, Lo?” Patton’s voice was thick with emotion, his blue eyes shimmering with tears.

“I believe I have found that person in you, and no one else will suffice.” Logan’s hands fisted in his boyfriend’s hair, his face intense. He didn’t talk about emotions, didn’t do this very often, so he wanted to take the opportunity to pour out all the words he’d probably never say again while he still could. “I want a safe place to rest my lips, and a soft place to land. I want someone who will keep me in his heart because that’s where I’ll be warm and safe. I want someone who will look at me when I’m at my messiest and kiss me on the forehead, someone who thinks I’m lovely in the morning, and at night, and during all the in between times. Someone who knows how much I like to be whispered to and who isn’t scared off when I’m crying, rare though that may be. Someone who can sense when I’m overwhelmed, who just knows when life is too much and who will, in those moments, stand close enough to me to block everything else out. Most importantly, I want someone who will stand beside me and face my battles with me, rather than standing in front of me. I want you, for the rest of our lives. I want Thomas and Parker and messy pizza nights and and everything that goes--”

Patton cut him off with a fierce kiss, swallowing whatever words Logan may have said. Logan made a soft sighing sound and melted into him, happily yielding in that moment. He leaned on him, knew without a doubt that he could lean on him--and trust him to step back when he needed to stand on his own.

Everything inside of Logan calmed, even when they broke the kiss and he snuggled against Patton’s chest, looking out at the destruction of what was his. He would fix it, save what could be saved and accept what couldn’t. He would live his life, plant his gardens, and walking hand-in-hand with the man he loved, he would watch both bloom. It wasn’t how he’d planned to do this, not by a long shot, but it was still the happiest moment of his life. “Do you think Thomas will be okay with it?”

“Are you kidding? He’d been pestering me for weeks now, asking when I was going to marry you and when we’d get to come live with you forever. Pretty sure he’d already decided you’re his stepfather.” Patton grinned, rolling his eyes fondly at the thought of his energetic son. “Now come on, slugger. I think we’ve got a police statement to give.”

“Mmm. But let’s hold off on announcing our engagement for a few days. I want Roman and Virgil to have their moment. Even if Jason put a dark cloud on it.”

“Are you serious? Virgil got to see him get his ass kicked. He’ll probably thank you for the wedding present.”

Logan threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing in the sunlit air around them. No matter what else came next, he knew he had faced his demons and won. And he would never have to face it alone.

A/N: And that's it! We're done! Welcome to the end of It's Only Logical. I cannot believe I started this fic in 2017. Or that I finished it. I'll probably do some one shots or drabbles from this universe, little stories and bits of things that couldn't fit into the main fic, but the bulk of it is here. And all done at last! Apologies again to my former tag list. I lost it, and I feel terrible that for the end I couldn't tag you all. This chapter won't be any different on Ao3 or Wattpad. For those who weren't aware, Ao3 has the Explicit version of this fic, and Wattpad has this non-explicit version, possibly in an easier format. I've linked both, so if you feel like going back and re-reading all over again, you can. I love you all so, SO much and I appreciate all the support and patience you have given me. <3 Also? Roman stayed behind to keep the wedding guests calm, but he's going to be overjoyed when he hears what happened. And I like to think Virgil finally got to punch Jason Bryce right in his stupid, stupid face.

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So Thomas, are you excited to be a part of Uncle Roman's wedding?

Thomas: Yeah!!! I can’t wait! I’m gonna be a ring bear!

Patton: Ring bearer, kiddo. 

Thomas: So I don’t get to be a bear?

Patton: Afraid not.

Thomas: That’s less fun, then.

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Roman, does it upset you that Virgil doesn’t want to partake in planning the wedding

Roman: It’s not that it’s upsetting, because I get that to him a lot of these details just aren’t a priority, but it is a little overwhelming to decide everything myself.

Virgil: It isn’t that I don’t care, it’s that the only thing that matters is cake, booze and having you as my husband at the end of it. All those details, all the fluff? That matters more to you, so I want you to have whatever you want...within reason. You’ve been dreaming of a wedding for years, I literally never thought I’d have one, so like...go nuts. 

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Virgil, you're turning into a sap. Ro's changed you

Virgil: I am only a sap for 1 specific gay loser. In all other areas, I maintain a 0% sap level.

Roman: ....my....the romance....it overwhelms me....

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What are y'all's favorite weapons so I can buy em when the author gives the all clear to beat the fucking shit out of JB? You can't pick barbed wire bats though that's mine ~Michael

Logan: I think, were I to commit harm upon his person, I’d go for something elegant, like a sword.

Patton: Dibs on a bo staff!

Roman: I would prefer something like a mace, I think?

Virgil: *flatly* Brass knuckles so I can feel his bones breaking underneath my fists.

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You’re already planning things Ro?

Roman: Absolutely! I’m designing our wedding website and we’re discussing dates, I already know Logan will have to handle the floral arrangements because I want perfection and he’ll deliver...gosh, there’s just so much!

Virgil: And then you wonder why I U-turn out of the room when you hold up samples of crap and demand to know which one I like better?!

Roman: Well, it’s OUR wedding, and I need to know these things! I don’t want to pick something you don’t like.

Virgil: Are we getting married at the end of it all, like...officially exchanging rings and publicly stating that we’re in this for life?

Roman: Well, yes, but--

Virgil: Will there be cake? And alcohol?

Roman: Also yes, but--

Virgil: Then it’s going to be awesome. That’s all I need. 

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You don’t have to write your own vows if you don’t want to Virgil, I doubt Roman will kind. Don’t stress yourself out

Virgil: I know I don’t HAVE to, but I also know that Roman is writing his own and they’re going to be beautiful because he’s talented and that’s just what it’ll be. If I can’t make him teary eyed, then I will have failed my mission for the day, which is to ruin Roman’s flawless makeup.

Roman: *flustered princey noises*

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To everyone, what would you do if Jason showed up at the wedding?

Logan: Throw him out because he isn't invited.

Patton: Same!

Roman: Scratch his eyes from his skull for ruining our big day!

Virgil: MuRdEr HiM

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Happy new year

Roman: Happy New Year!

Virgil: Here’s to another successful rotation around the sun.

Logan: Happy 2020 to you as well.

Patton *still wearing 2020 glasses*: Happy New Year! We’ve all got 2020 vision now!

Logan: *sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose*

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Virgil, I know you take things slow but are going to say “I do” right? You can’t exactly ask for more time on that

Virgil: I KNOW!!!! I am definitely going to say “I do”, I’m just super nervous about the whole vows thing! Roman is going to write something beautiful and perfect that will probably make me and everybody else cry and mine will be all “hey, thanks for wanting to keep this sack of trash in your life, love you and stuff” and it will be THE WORST! So...I’m trying really hard to not do that. Writing is hard, maybe I should ask Val for help.

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Roman, are you worried Virgil might back out of the wedding?

Roman: Never. Virgil may take a while to make a decision sometimes, but once he’s committed to something, he never backs down. And as anxious as he is, I know he really does love me. 

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Virgil, Roman said I love you first, wanted to marry you first, and proposed. You HAVE to say I do first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Virgil: Oh shit, you have a point there...plus I know it’ll be impossible to follow Roman if we’re writing our own vows. Safer to get mine out of the way first. 

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Virgil, would you want your mom to come to the wedding?

Virgil: Abso-fucking-lutely not! She hasn’t been a part of my life since the day I hit the road, she’s sure as hell not welcome in my life now. I found my own mom, and even though Minny passed away on me, she was better than the woman who gave birth to me could ever be. My wedding is going to be a happy day, and I wouldn’t want her to ruin it.

Roman *softly taking Virgil’s hand*: You know I support you, darling. Whatever you want to do.

Virgil *smiling*: Yeah, I know. No offense, there, anonymous. But no, I wouldn’t want her there. 

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So what do you think about Roman wearing a dress?

Virgil: I think Roman is going to look fucking stunning, is what I think.

Roman: It’s true, I am going to slay. 

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Pat, I know that it might be too soon for wedding bells, but what about moving in with Logan? Seems like Thomas and Parker love him, so why not take that next step?

Patton: Oh, well I uhhh....I have no issues with walking down the aisle again, but I have to go at Logan's pace. If it was something he wanted, I'd be all for it, but with everything he's been through, I'd never want to push him.

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To the newly engaged couple, what is your favorite thing about your future spouse?

Roman: Virgil has so many wonderful qualities, but I adore his fierce loyalty! He is the epitome of "ride or die" and once you've earned his trust, he'll do anything for you. It is truly admirable.

Virgil: *flushing* I like how Roman makes me feel safe. I'm always worried about everything, but being with him is like coming home. I can breathe with him, you know?

Roman: *tearing up slightly* Oh my god, that was so beautiful!!!

Virgil: *scowling* Shut up!

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How come you’re so against dressed Virgil?

Virgil: It's not that I'm against dresses, it's that I don't want a WEDDING dress! I don't want to be the center of attention like that. If I had to walk down an aisle with everyone staring at me, I'd have a nervous breakdown! So no wedding gowns for me. Too much pressure.