#Kelly Croft-OC | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

cluelessrebel1988 · 7 years

Video

A video I made of all the canon characters and OCs currently in @theconvergenceroleplay. The song is “Marching On” by OneRepublic

The Characters are as follows:

Supernatural

Naomi (Amanda Tapping)

Jenna Winters (Odette Annable)

Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki)

Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles)

Charlie Bradbury (Felicia Day)

Kevin Tran (Osric Chau)

Jo Harvelle (Alona Tal)

Ruby (Katie Cassidy)

Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino)

Eileen Leahy (Shoshannah Stern)

Crowley (Mark Sheppard)

Castiel (Misha Collins)

Max Banes (Kendrick Sampson)

Andrew "Drew" Haraldson (Grant Gustin)

Harry Potter

Taylor Weasley (Melissa Benoist)

Dominique Weasley (Indiana Evans)

DJ Lake (Seán William McLoughlin)

Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)

Fred Weasley (James Phelps)

Alexandra Summers (Idia Eisley)

Lily Potter II (Holland Roden)

Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright)

James Potter II (Dylan O'Brien)

Lucy Weasley (Saxon Sharbino)

Molly Weasley II (Zena Grey)

Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler)

Colin Creevey (Hugh Mitchell)

Victoire Weasley (Amber Heard)

Tom Riddle (Frank Dillane)

Logan Mills (Munro Chambers)

Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)

Seamus Finnigan (Devon Murray)

Shona "Nani" Duncan (Zooey Deschanel)

Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)

Teddy Lupin (Luke Newberry)

Dean Thomas (Alfie Enoch)

Miles Thomas (Ryan Potter)

Lysander Scamander (Colin Ford)

Lee Jordan (Luke Youngblood)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge)

Natasha Romanov (Scarlett Johansson)

Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings)

Angie Martinelli (Lyndsy Fonseca

Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell)

Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie)

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow)

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr)

Booker Harmon (Michael B. Jordan)

Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)

Peter Parker (Tom Holland)

Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce)

Elektra Natchios (Elodie Yung)

Mantis (Pom Klementieff)

Leslie Shade (Kylie Furneaux)

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)

Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)

Nebula (Karen Gillan)

Leo Fitz (Iain de Caestecker)

Daisy "Skye" Johnson (Quake) (Chloe Bennet)

Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen)

Pietro Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson)

Sherlock

Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss)

John Watson (Martin Freeman)

Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey)

Anthea (Lisa McAllister)

Mary Watson (Amanda Abbington)

Irene Adler (Lara Pulver)

Greg Lestrade (Rupert Graves)

Eurus Holmes (Siân Brooke)

Doctor Who

Rose Tyler (Billie Piper)

Jack Harkness (John Barrowman)

Jayda Osmi (Nicole Bonifacio)

Jacob Robens-Osmi (Tristan Wilds)

Sky Smith (Sinead Michael)

Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman)

Percy Jackson

Hylla Ramirez-Arellano (Eiza Gonzalez)

Annabeth Chase (AnnaSophia Robb)

Hazel Levesque (Amandla Stenberg)

Frank Zhang (Booboo Stewart)

Kaiser Jäger (Max Riemalt)

Leo Valdez (Jake T. Austin)

Nico di Angelo (Jakub Gierszal)

Rachel Elizabeth Dare (Luca Hollestelle)

Will Solace (Burkely Duffield)

Zoë Nightshade (Anjli Mohindra)

Jackie Long (Melissa Benoist)

Reyna Ramirez-Arellano (Victoria Justice)

Clarisse La Rue (Leven Rambin)

Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman)

The Vampire Diaries

Elijah Mikaelson (Daniel Gillies)

Katherine Pierce (Nina Dobrev)

Davina Claire (Danielle Campbell)

Damon Salvatore (Ian Somahalder)

Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley)

Lexi Branson (Arielle Kebbel)

Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev)

Caroline Forbes (Candice King)

April Young (Grace Phipps)

Rebekah Mikaelson (Claire Holt)

Indiana 'Indie' Davis (Lily Collins)

Jeremy Gilbert (Steven R McQueen)

Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham)

Vicki Donovan (Kayla Ewell)

Tyler Lockwood (Micheal Trevino)

The Hunger Games

Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields)

Clove (Isabelle Fuhrman)

Madge Undersee (Abigail Breslin)

Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin)

Dexterous LaFevers (Colin Ford)

Glimmer (Leven Rambin)

Christopher 'Kit' Odair (Douglas Booth)

Johanna Mason (Jena Malone)

Shilo Mellark (Alex Pettyfer)

Annie Cresta (Stef Dawson)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Thresh (Dayo Okeniyi)

Willow Mellark (Emily Rudd)

Merlin

Morgana Pendragon (Katie McGrath)

Gwaine (Eoin Macken)

Percival (Tom Hopper)

Lancelot (Santiago Cabrera)

Hunith (Caroline Faber)

Balinor (John Lynch)

Mordred (Alexander Vlahos)

Merlin (Colin Morgan)

Freya (Laura Donnelly)

Rielle (Indiana Evans)

Kara (Alexandra Dowling)

Sir Leon (Rupert Young)

Once Upon a Time

Peter Pan (Robbie Kay)

Graham Humbert (Jamie Dornan)

Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison)

Grace (Alyssa Skovbye)

Helena (Tristan Mays)

Regina Mills (Lana Parrilla)

Felix (Parker Croft)

Elsa (Georgina Haig)

Zelena (Rebecca Mader)

Aurora (Sarah Bolger)

Anna (Elizabeth Lail)

Killian Jones (Colin O'Donoghue)

Anastasia (The Red Queen) (Emma Rigby)

Fiona (The Black Fairy) (Jamie Murray)

Divergent

Christina Kravitz (Zoe Kravitz)

Eric Coulter (Jai Courtney)

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley)

Will (Ben Lloyd-Hughes)

Fox Marvel

Kassandra Dare (Nicola Peltz)

Amily Jacobs (Elle Fanning)

Daisy Oliviera (Tori Kelly)

Jubilation Lee 'Jubilee' (Lana Condor)

Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan)

Charles Xavier (James McAvoy)

Chase Maelstrom (Asa Butterfield)

Sean Cassidy (Caleb Landry Jones)

Ajax (Francis) (Ed Skrein)

Alex Summers (Lucas Till)

Ellie Phimister (Brianna Hildebrand)

Jasper (Lindsey Morgan)

Hope Cooper (Zendaya)

Anise Lovett (Adelaide Kane)

Peter Maximoff (Evan Peters)

Brooklyn Winters (Crystal Reed)

Laura Kinney (Dafne Keen)

Jean Grey (Sophie Turner)

Star Trek

Khan Noonien Singh (Benedict Cumberbatch)

James T Kirk (Chris Pine)

The Maze Runner

Thomas (Dylan O'Brien)

Minho (Ki Hong Lee)

Elizabeth (Maia Mitchell)

Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangsta)

Harriet (Nathalie Emmanuel)

Sonya (Katherine McNamara)

DC Cinematic and Television Universes

Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist)

Cisco Ramon (Carlos Valdes)

Thea Queen (Willa Holland)

Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards)

Hunter Zoloman (Teddy Sears)

Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell)

Melanie Silver (Saoirse Ronan)

Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie)

The Joker (Jared Leto)

Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanaugh)

Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker)

Jesse Quick (Violett Beane)

Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh)

Chato Santana (El Diablo) (Jay Hernandez)

Patty Spivot (Shantel VanSanten)

Floyd Lawton (Deadshot) (Will Smith)

Clark Kent (Superman) (Henry Cavill)

Ray Palmer (A.T.O.M) (Brandon Routh)

Adrian Chase (Simon Morrison) (Josh Segarra)

Sara Lance (Caity Lotz)

Barry Allen (Grant Gustin)

Dinah Drake (Juliana Harkavy)

William Clayton (Jack Moore)

Diana Prince (Wonder Woman) (Gal Gadot)

Mon-El (Mike Matthews) (Chris Wood)

Winslow Schott Jr. (Jeremy Jordan)

Zoe Lawton (Shailyn Pierre-Dixon)

Jae-Yoon Hyunsik (Park Chanyeol)

Iris West (Candice Patton)

Dante Ramon (Nicholas Gonzalez)

Star Wars

Bennal Derek (Bradley Cooper)

Han Solo (Harrison Ford)

Aeli Serit (Shailene Woodley)

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver)

Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn)

Armitage Hux (Domhnall Gleeson)

Alter'Li Fond (Holland Roden)

Callen Derek (Kellen Lutz)

Barriss Offee (Nalini Krishan)

Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman)

Rey (Daisy Ridley)

Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher)

Lord of the Rings

Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly)

Legolas Greenleaf (Orlando Bloom)

Thranduil Greenleaf (Lee Pace)

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman)

Gimli (John Rhys-Davies)

Raviel (Rachel McAdams)

The Mortal Instruments and Shadowhunters

Max Lightwood - TMI (Jack Fulton)

Cecily Herondale - TMI (Alexandra Daddario)

Shane Burciaga (Adam Lambert)

Magnus Bane - SH (Harry Shum Jr.)

Louis Adams (Dylan O'Brien)

Amelia Lockhart (Madison McLaughlin)

Clarissa 'Clary' Fray - TMI (Katherine Mcnamara)

Alec Lightwood - SH (Matthew Daddario)

Kayden Jacques - SH (Victoria Justice)

Jace Lightwood - TMI (Jamie Campbell Bower)

Maia Roberts - TMI (Meagan Tandy)

Disney Live-Action

Belle (Emma Watson)

Evie (Sofia Carson)

Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy)

Little Red Riding Hood (Lila Crawford)

Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale)

Mal (Dove Cameron)

Jay (Booboo Stewart)

Ben (Mitchell Hope)

Giselle (Amy Adams)

Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites)

Carlos De Vil (Cameron Boyce)

Twilight

Jane (Dakota Fanning)

Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli)

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

Text

Objections

It's 2001, Seattle, Washington.

Janus Pater has fought every obstacle - literally and figuratively - to survive as long as he has. Logan Croft is a young father and is married to his old college girlfriend, Kelly. Their law professor's flippant partner assignment has forced these two disparately orbiting men together.

Roman and Remus Prince are sophomores at the associated undergraduate college. To their fellow students, they're identical, however they approach life and solve their problems in very different ways.

Somehow, (most of) their paths cross in one way or another. Buckle up, because it's a bumpy ride.

Objections takes place chronologically before Happily Ever After but should be read after and contains spoilers for that story.

Spotify Playlist - [ AO3 ] Rated: M - CW: domestic abuse, swearing, homophobia, slow burn roceit, slow burn platonic loceit, referenced self harm, referenced suicidal ideation, consent questions, villain OC

Chapter List

Assumes Facts Not in Evidence Pt. 1

Assumes Facts Not in Evidence Pt. 2

Assumes Facts Not in Evidence Pt. 3

Ambiguous

Best Evidence

Hearsay

Asked and Answered

Speculation

Argumentative

Relevance

More Prejudicial Than Probative

Cumulative Evidence

Compound

Non-responsive

Privileged Communication

#Objections #ts janus #ts logan #ts roman #ts remus #Kelly Croft - OC #Arizona Tate - OC #Janus Pater #Logan Croft #Roman Prince #Remus Prince #ts virgil #ts remy #kid!virgil #kid!remy #dad!logan #law school au #slow burn roceit

17 notes · View notes

edupunkn00b · 11 months

Text

The Uses of Adversity, Ch. 19: The Discovery

Prev - The Discovery - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Janus and Logan in court. Everything comes to light. Everything. A light against the darkened sky Your truth must outshine all the lies, it seems But from the outside looking in I say I'll move mountains! - I’ll Move Mountains by Roo Panes

WC: 4266 - Rating: T - CW: infidelity discussed, homophobia (oh, hello, Karen) -

“I just got back from court,” Logan said, poking his head into Janus’ office. Janus was surrounded by stacks of redwells, bursting with case files and xeroxed sheets of paper. “Beatrice said you needed to see me.”

“Yes,” Janus nodded and waved him in toward the couch. His mouth was set in a tight, thin line. “Shut the door and have a seat,” he said, closing one of the files. “Please.”

Logan sat down, hands folded over the files in his lap. He watched silently as Janus popped a handful of peppermint Altoids in his mouth and crunched. Not a good day for him. Finally, he spoke.

“They sent the discovery.” Janus was quiet for a moment, then got up to make tea.

Janus didn’t need to say who ‘they’ was. “I see it’s good news, then,” Logan remarked dryly, stiffening in his seat and adjusting his glasses.

Janus huffed out a little laugh. “Yeah.” He opened the box of matcha and scooped out two generous teaspoonfuls before glaring at the collection of files on his desk. “Even setting aside how they ran out the clock and only sent all that the day before our first hearing… No, it’s really not good.” The kettle clicked and Janus poured the hot water over the matcha, stirring rapidly with the little bamboo whisk. He set the first cup in front of Logan, then prepared the next. “Does the name Jessica Michaels ring a bell for you? This would’ve been… early 2000s. She was a—”

“She was a marriage counselor we saw shortly after Virgil was born. After…” Logan gestured vaguely with his left hand. Janus nodded, mouth turned down in a scowl. “We met once a week for… four and a half years.”

Janus set down his tea next to Logan’s, then gathered the thickest redwell of documents and sat next to his friend. “I don’t know if you were aware at the time, but… she wasn’t an actual counselor. She was a…. “ Janus fished through the documents and pulled out a C.V. with her credentials. “A ‘women’s fellowship leader’ at Ms. Croft’s church. Layperson, not a member of the clergy.” Janus folded his hands over the worn cover of the file holder. “There was no patient confidentiality in anything discussed during those sessions. Nor any documents… or journals used.”

Logan paled and his breathing grew shallow. Hands shaking, his tea threatened to spill over the edge and the cup clunked heavily as he set it down. He eyed the redwell on Janus’ lap like it might grow fangs and bite him. “Tha—that’s what you have in there?”

“Copies, yes.” Janus gripped the redwell, tapping it while he thought. “I’ve already filed a motion to have the journals and any notes from those sessions suppressed, with the originals returned to you due to the fact that any reasonable person would’ve believed they’d been collected under the rules of patient confidentiality.” He let out a low sigh. “If that fails, I plan to request copies of the full documents. These are… excerpts. We need the full context and—”

“I know the context,” Logan said quietly. “Those are my dream journals. Recording and sharing them in session was meant to foster an environment of ‘trust and open communication.’” Logan drowned the bitterness in his voice with the tea and stared down into the now-empty cup. “Have you read them?”

“I stopped once I saw what they were.”

Logan looked away. “But you saw enough.”

“I did.”

The two men let the silence sit between them for several minutes. Janus took Logan’s empty cup and prepared him more tea, then resumed his seat next to him. “If the motion to suppress is denied,” Logan’s voice was stronger than Janus would’ve expected given his pallor and the lingering tremor in his hands. “We need to ensure the court redacts any details that could be used to identify him.” Logan shook his head, jaw trembling. “I can’t have Roman dragged into this mess.”

Janus sighed again and opened the redwell. He pulled out a thick blueback petition and passed it to Logan. Several of the pages had been flagged with bright sticky notes. “Even if we’re successful with a petition to redact, I’m afraid that won’t make much of a difference.” He looked significantly at the document.

“They’ve filed an amended petition alleging infidelity starting in law school.” Logan’s brow furrowed, mouth opening to protest. Janus held up his hand and continued gently. “Roman is named in the case.”

“But—but, no! That’s—that’s not what happened!” Logan jerked away from the document as though touching it would be an admission of guilt. “I never—we never—”

“Logan, I’m on your side. I believe you. Regardless, though… even if it were true,” Janus gestured around the office. “I’m your lawyer and your friend and I’d still be on your side.”

Logan put down his tea and wrapped his arms over his belly, staring down at his lap. “I just….” He squeezed his eyes shut, and turned his face up to the ceiling. He blew out a sharp breath. “I thought I was done with her… hurting me.” Logan shook his head. “And now she just wants to hurt Roman, too, and—” His voice broke and he looked away. “I never should’ve mentioned his name,” he whispered, almost to himself. “I thought it would be safe. I thought…” He yanked off his glasses and scrubbed at his eyes. “I thought I’d never see him again. Not… not in real life.”

Janus put down the case files and locked the door. He made a show of closing his laptop and then sat on the little sofa sideways and faced him. “I need to ask you something, Logan. Not as your lawyer. Not as your boss. And not as Roman’s brother-in-law.” Logan looked up at him, eyebrows knit together. “I ask this as your friend.”

He took a long sip of his tea, then looked down into the cup, watching the darker green swirl at the bottom. He raised one eyebrow at him. “Are you concerned about Roman learning through a court case that you have feelings for him?”

“What? No. No, I…” Logan shook his head. “No. They’re just dreams. Were. They—they were dreams, nothing—”

Janus met his eyes, a wordless, ‘Who exactly do you think you’re fooling?’ splashed over his face.

If only the couch could swallow him up whole.

His shoulders sagged. “Janus, I can’t pull him into any of this,” he whispered. “Even if I thought there was any chance he might… reciprocate…” Logan shook his head again and massaged his fingers. The ache hadn’t let up since Janus had started the tea. “Roman could have… he deserves so much more than all this.” He gestured around them, unsure how much he was referring to himself or to the legal fiasco unfolding around them. “He deserves so much more than anything I can offer him.”

Janus set down his cup. “Perhaps you should let Roman be the judge of that.”

Logan dragged both hands through his hair and shook his head. “Is—is it a closed proceeding tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Janus sighed, but nodded and pulled up the short list of attendees. “The lawyers, you, Ms. Croft, a court reporter, and the Adjudicate.”

He nodded and adjusted his tie. “Let’s get through tomorrow,” he whispered. “And then I’ll think about it.”

Fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of the hearing, Janus and Logan sat together at the Defendant’s table in the tiny hearing room. The judge’s bench ate up more than half the space, and, notably, one of the walls was papered over in a faux wood finish, pale and hardly matching the genuine wood paneling on the other side. The hastily assembled dividing wall split the ornate crown molding, leaving the left side of the room plain and dreary.

Still, the chairs were reasonably comfortable and the court staff had managed to fit a decently sized table for each party in a given case. While they waited for the rest of the court to appear, they arranged files on the desk, preparing the various exhibits in the order in which they would need them, their numbers clearly marked for easy retrieval.

The sharp clack of high heels against the linoleum in the hall drew Logan’s attention and his head shot up. It was merely someone passing.

“Eyes on me, remember?” Janus murmured. “Eyes on the judge when the judge is speaking,” he nodded slowly, holding Logan’s gaze. “Otherwise, eyes on me.”

The familiar advice, the advice he himself had given countless clients in DV proceedings, took root in his mind and nodded back. “Thank you,” he whispered, jerking again at a loud footsteps outside but he kept his eyes on Janus’

“It’s not easy, but you’ve got this,” he whispered as the court reporter shuffled in, her heavy transcription machine slung over one shoulder, her lunch bag on the other. Janus stood and bowed his head.

“We haven’t really begun yet, April,” he smiled. “May I give you a hand?”

“The answer’s still no, Pater,” she rolled her eyes behind their thick reading glasses but graced him with a smile. She nodded, still smiling, at Logan in his seat. “I have to admit,” she said, hands automatically assembling her machine without looking. “I saw the name on the docket and wondered.”

April looked around the tiny hearing room and lowered her voice. “Good luck, Mr. Sanders.”

“Thank you, April,” he nodded. For all his worry that the judge hearing his case might find it difficult to separate this from his professional work the next time he tried a case before them, he hadn’t considered the likelihood he might come across others who knew him, as well. If it was to be anyone, though, he was relieved April was the court reporter for this case.

Without looking up from his notes, Janus murmured quietly near his ear. “The Clerk of the Court requested April for this case.” He flashed Logan a tiny smile. “I believe you have more friends than you realize.”

A few minutes later, Kelly's attorney appeared. He waited near the door for several more minutes, finally taking his seat at two to eleven. The thin red second hand on the clock had already passed its nadir when Kelly stomped into the room and dropped into the empty seat next to her attorney. He turned to her, “You made it just in—”

“All rise,” April recited when the little light near the judge’s chambers lit up. Closed hearings were run with the barest of staff and Logan felt a rare brush of relief. He wasn’t certain there were many bailiffs he would want in the room for this.

“Take your seats,” Judge Dain said before she’d even reached the bench. “This is a pretrial hearing in the matter of Croft v. Sanders, to decide the Defendant’s motion to suppress.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Janus rose and smoothing down his charcoal grey three-piece suit, the quiet clacking of the court reporter’s machine dropping down to a low, ignorable drone. “As you might imagine, dependent on the outcome of this motion, we may have additional motions to present.”

“Expected and understood,” she nodded. There was little point in presenting a motion to redact evidence already suppressed from the case. She looked down at the case file and flipped through the motion before nodding. “Regarding the defendant's motion to suppress Exhibits 13 through 53 inclusive, with all sub-sections therein—” Kelly huffed from her seat, maybe a cough. Maybe a laugh.

The Judge paused, one eyebrow raised until Kelly’s attorney nudged her and she murmured, “Excuse me, Your Honor. A cold.”

She returned her gaze to the documents in front of her. “The defendant has claimed that under RCW 42.56, these documents were collected, retained, and shared in violation of privileged communications.” The judge lowered her glasses at Janus and nodded.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Janus stood again and bowed his head. “Thank you. Given a reasonable assumption of medical confidentiality—”

“Objection.” Kelly’s lawyer, someone different from who had filed their divorce petition. He looked vaguely familiar and Logan wasn’t certain, but he believed he, too, attended Kelly’s old church. “Mrs. Michaels was known by the defendant to be a lay leader at my client’s church and there should have been no such assumption of confidentiality.”

“Your Honor, it is more than reasonable to accept the word of one’s wife that she has made arrangements for marriage counseling with a certified—and confidential—counselor.”

“Are you asking the Court to believe a lawyer didn’t think to ask for clarity?”

“I am asking the Court to believe that even lawyers trust their spouses.”

“Your Honor,” Kelly’s attorney interjected and she turned and smirked at him past their respective representation. “Those documents are the heart of my client’s grievance with Mr. Sanders, both for the charges of infidelity—”

“Alleged and unproven,” Janus interrupted.

“Alleged infidelity and our assertion that he is unfit as a parent and role model for a young boy.” Kelly smiled one more time at Logan, then turned to face the judge, eyes wide. “Additionally,” her laugher cleared his throat and looked significantly at the judge. “Refusal to admit these documents into evidence could be perceived as prejudicial against the practices of Ms. Croft’s house of worship.”

The judge pursed her lips, then nodded. “Motion to suppress denied.”

Janus cut off Kelly’s quiet laugher, “Your Honor, motion to strike from the record any and all names, identifying information, descriptions, or any details whatsoever that could be used to trace back to Person A, so named in the plaintiff’s revised petition.” He stood tall, holding a fresh blue-backed document. When the judge signaled him closer, he passed one to Kelly’s attorney and presented the original to the judge.

“Given the salacious nature of the claims and his relative fame, even a spurious”—he cast one cold glance at Kelly’s attorney—”claim such as this could cause Person A a great deal of financial and psychological harm.”

The judge hummed, narrowing her eyes as she scanned the motion. “You’re also alleging the intent of naming Mr. Prince is to encourage a settlement.”

“It would hardly be the first such case to cross this Court, Your Honor,” Janus nodded. “There is precedent in Dunkely v. Roy, Powers v. Powers, Whitman v.—”

“I am well acquainted with my own docket, Mr. Prince, thank you.” She leaned forward. “Any relation?”

Janus straightened his tie. “Yes, as disclosed in our motion to suppress and in this motion, as well. Person A is my brother-in-law.”

The judge stared at him for a long moment, then signaled to the court reporter. “Motion sustained.” The repeated tapping of the court reporter’s redactions accompanied his return to their table.

Logan couldn’t help a tiny relieved sigh and Janus flashed him a smile as he sat down. At least they had that victory and they could keep Roman’s name out of this.

“What?” Kelly hissed, none-too-quietly. Her attorney’s voice rumbled, too low to understand the words. She jerked away from him, chair scraping the floor. “You’re telling me that this—”

“Ms. Croft, please,” he muttered between clenched teeth.

“Counsel, is there a problem?” the Judge asked.

“Your Honor, if I might request a brief recess so I may confer with my client—”

“That’s bullshit!” Kelly said, louder and rising to her feet. She wobbled on her high heels for a moment and Logan’s chest tightened. He scrawled on a bit of paper and passed it to Janus.

She’s drunk.

Janus watched as her attorney spoke close to her ear, tugging her back into her seat.

Are you sure? he wrote back.

Logan nodded.

“No, we don’t need a recess,” she snapped from her seat. “We just need a legal system that isn’t afraid of looking ‘unwoke.’”

“Your Honor,” her attorney tried again. “Motion for—”

“And we need a judge who isn’t going to kowtow before some fruity little lawyer my ex dug up to try to defend his pathetic ass.”

“Counsel, approach the bench,” the judge ordered, jaw set.

Janus scribbled a question mark on their note, a concerned, ‘Are you okay with this?’ in his eyes.

Logan nodded and wrote back, “Give her all the rope she wants.”

“Your Honor,” Janus bowed his head as he approached. “It appears my esteemed counterpart’s client does not wish for a recess. Defense is ready to proceed.”

Her attorney smiled thinly at him. “You are a credit to your craft, Mr. Prince. Your Honor, not providing my client an opportunity to compose herself, given her current… impaired state could be grounds for an appeal if—”

“Do you mean the client alleging mine is an unfit father reported for court at eleven in the morning inebriated?” Janus turned to the judge. “Your Honor, even I couldn’t make a case for that appeal.”

“I can hear you from here,” Kelly snapped, rising again to her feet. “I told you, Brett,” she leaned over the table, staring daggers at her lawyer. “If his cheating with that twink—”

“Objection, You Honor,” Janus interrupted. “Assumes facts not in evidence and is an ad hominem attack.”

“Sust—”

“He doesn’t have any real parental rights anyway. Patton’s not even his!”

“Objection, Your Honor—” Kelly’s attorney began.

“You can’t object to your client’s own statements in court,” the judge sighed. “Ms. Croft,” she addressed Kelly directly. Kelly flipped her hair back, smiling triumphantly at Logan. “Would you care to repeat that?”

“Patton’s not his child,” she spat, pointing at Logan.

“Counsel?”

Kelly’s attorney shook his head, glancing at Janus. “A brief recess would be beneficial for all, I believe.”

“Your Honor,” Janus turned and Logan nodded, stretching to pass him the pale blue folder on their table.

The day before, as they’d strategized for the hearing, Janus had frowned when Logan had told him there was one more important incident he had not yet shared. “It is risky keeping information from your attorney until the last moment.”

“I… I know.” Logan had hung his head, but Janus’ gut told him it was more than shame for keeping secrets from him. “I was… optimistic this wouldn’t come up. But if she’s dredging up all this…” He shook his head, glaring at the redwell of dream journals. “There’s something she doesn’t realize I know.” He swallowed hard, lips curled like he’d tasted something sour. “And I think if we push her, she might reveal it herself.”

Janus moved closer and listened.

“I told you I had a genetic screening after Virgil was born.” He looked up and waited for Janus’ little nod. “I carry the gene that caused his birth defect and…” He looked down at his hands. “Likely Kelly does, too. If we’d had more children, they would each have a twenty-five percent chance of his condition. Virgil’s had been mild, reparable.” Logan shook his head. “But seeing his tiny body cut up and hooked into tubes and monitors—” His voice cracked. “I couldn’t bear to go through that fear again, I couldn’t bear to knowingly put a tiny infant through that… or something worse. But Kelly… she wanted more kids.”

Logan finally met his eyes again. “I had a vasectomy six months after Virgil was born and never told her.”

“But, Patton—” Janus pulled out the notes with the children’s birthdates. Patton’s five and a half years younger than Virgil.

“Around when the marriage counseling… failed,” Logan sighed and set down his cup. “Kelly began working with clients all over the world and she’d…” he shrugged. “She would travel for face time with them. All throughout the year but especially the month and half after Christmas and through January, she’d be gone.” Logan hugged himself, scrunching deeper into the couch. “I… I liked the freedom. The…” he sighed and twisted his fingers in his sleeves. “The peace. It was just me and the boys and… we were happy when she was gone. I think she was, too, because when she’d return, she…” He shook his head again and sucked in a deep breath, a new tremor in his jaw.

Janus refilled his tea and pressed the cup into his hands.

He nodded a small thanks and took a sip before continuing. “The winter before Patton was born, though, she came back a different person.”

“Angrier?” Janus asked, reaching out to cover Logan’s hand.

“Kinder,” he whispered, meeting Janus’s eyes. Tears welled behind his glasses and he shrugged again. “Softer…” His face went pink and he dodged Janus’ gaze. “She was affectionate,” he said with emphasis. “Those first few weeks when she came home, it was…” He pressed his lips together, breathing hard through his nose. After a moment, he cleared his throat, breath still shaky. “It was like when we’d first started dating. Romantic, and… passionate. I thought we’d made a breakthrough, and put the past behind us. I thought she—“

Logan’s voice cracked and this time Janus squeezed his hand, imagining a thousand different ways he could destroy that fucking Karen.

“I thought she’d started to… love me again,” he finished in a thin whisper.

Janus’ stomach sank as he counted the months in his head, but he remained silent and waited while Logan drank more of his tea.

“Four weeks after she returned, she showed me the pregnancy test.” He tapped his cup, eyes fixed on the swirling green tea. “And everything went back to the way it had been. I… I tried to convince myself it had been real. And that, maybe the procedure had reversed itself. I… I even went to a fertility clinic… Was evaluated.” He shook his head and drank the rest of his tea. “It hadn’t. It’s not physically possible for me to have impregnated her that time.”

Janus had more questions than he knew what to do with, but Logan’s jaw worked like he had more to say, so he filled the silence with pouring more tea.

“Patton was born ‘early,’” he cocked his head knowingly at Janus. “And he was small relative to his brothers’ size at birth.” Logan shook his head. “But he had no lanugo, there was meconium in the amniotic sac. Fully developed. He wasn’t a preemie.” He massaged his fingers. “Patton was conceived during her trip.”

“That’s a lot for circumstantial evidence,” Janus finally said. “We’ve tried cases like that before and—“

Logan shook his head. “You saw him at the park.” Janus frowned. Surrounded by his tall, dark-haired brothers and father, Patton had stood out. “It’s his hair, his features…” Logan continued. “The only physical trait we share is—“ he tapped his eyeglasses with a wry grin. “But he’s near-sighted and I have an astigmatism, same as Virgil and Remy.”

“If you knew… All this time you knew… Why?” Janus stared at his confounding friend. “Why didn’t you say anything? You had proof of her infidelity. You… you didn’t have to care for another man’s—”

“Patton is my son in every way that matters.” Logan’s voice was fierce. “I fed him in the night and rocked him when he teethed. I picked him up held him when he cried. I taught him to ride a bike and how to read… how to solve an equation. He is my son. Whose sperm fertilized some egg is inconsequential.”

He nodded. “And I’m his father. His speech was delayed, but his first word, his only word for over a year, was ‘Daddy.’ When he was first born, he cried… so much. But he was happy in my arms. When he got older, he signed with me and with his brothers. Kelly… “ He rubbed his right wrist. “Kelly blamed his speech delays on the rudimentary signing and refused, with all of the boys.” Logan finally looked up again. “But he signed with me, his father.”

Janus had nodded and pulled out a fresh, robin egg blue folder. “Then let’s be ready to fight for your sons, no matter what she tries.”

“If I may direct the Court’s attention to Exhibits 1A and B, 2B through 2F,” Janus continued after nodding to Logan from his position before the judge. “Mr. Sanders’ and Ms. Croft’s dated marriage and divorce certificates, as well as the childrens’ birth certificates, signed by both parents and witnessed by attendants at each birth. Additionally, there is the attestment of parentage from the original divorce decree and child support agreement, notarized as signed by each party.”

He paused, and gave the judge a moment to review the documents. He did not smirk when a single drop of sweat ran down the other attorney’s temple. “Ms. Croft is more than welcome to deny the veracity of her earlier sworn statements. I would imagine there to be some sort of consequence for perjury on these documents if she attested to statements she now claims to have been false. I imagine the Office of Child Support Enforcement may require a remuneration of funds fraudulently obtained, as well.”

The judge looked up and met his eyes. She wasn’t smiling, but Janus was sure as fuck she wanted to. “Furthermore, it would appear that Ms. Croft’s new claims of parentage expose her to proven infidelity during the time of the plaintiff’s and defendant’s marriage.”

Janus turned to her attorney. “Given that, does your client have anything beyond my client’s alleged sexual orientation to preclude his ability to parent his children?” He smiled. “Because if that is your only argument, I assure you, Brett, you will have an army of ‘fruity little lawyers’ at your doorstep before you can staple the tops of your bluebacks.”

Taglist: @crossiantgay @emoprincey

Happy to add any and all who'd like to be added to this list!

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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The Uses of Adversity, Ch. 12: We Will All Be Changed

Prev - We Will Be Changed - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

WC: 3073 - Rated: T - CW: arguing, redacted slur, flashback, dissociation

Speak now don't tarry on like it's Always gonna be Hold child this expectation But don't forget to love - We Will All Be Changed, Seryn ---

Still two miles out from his exit home, Logan gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, jaw muscles twitching in his effort to stay silent in the face of Kelly's rant. “And don’t you dare lecture me about responsible parenting, Logan,” Kelly hissed, twisted in her seat and glaring, finger stabbing the air next to him, punctuating each word. “I’m not the one who left a thirteen year old alone with some strange man! I never would’ve agreed to him not coming if I’d known that’s who'd be watching him!” She scoffed, one artfully polished nail scraping against his sleeve. “No wonder you were in such a rush to leave and didn’t invite me in!”

“You arrived almost an hour later than we—”

“There was traffic!”

“Yes, and Virgil was anxious we would hit even more traffic on the way up to Bellingham.” He inhaled slowly and checked his mirrors, then his speedometer, forcing more of his attention back to his driving and ignoring the cold churn in his stomach. It would be fine. The worst she would do in a moving car was yell. “Our son is perfectly well cared for. Roman is my boss' brother-in-law. You’ve even met him before.” Hiding his relief that Kelly did not seem to remember anything about Roman, Logan signaled, checked his mirrors, then his blind spot before changing lanes for the upcoming exit back to his house. “At Seattle Law, he was an assistant teacher at the child care center that Remy and Virgil attended. He's great with kids and is a really good guy.“

Kelly sucked her teeth and turned up the radio. “Can he handle Patton's behavior problems?”

It hadn't taken long for Kelly to return to this old thread. Better this than Roman? He wasn't sure. “We’ve discussed this.” Logan gritted his teeth and breathed past the phantom ache in his fingers. He flexed his hand before saying, very quietly, “Neurodivergency is not a behavioral problem.”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She looked around as Logan signaled again and slowly eased onto the off ramp. “Wait. This is the wrong exit. We always take 18 to get to your place.”

“Yes. My home is equidistant between this exit and the next. Unless there is road work on 124th, when traveling South, I take this exit.”

“Well, you should take the other one.” Her eyes bored into him but kept his attention on the road and his mirrors. “We always do,” she said again, the fresh emphasis telling him who she was talking about.

“So, how is Mark?” he asked weakly. His blatant desperation to change the subject, his desperation to short circuit yet another fight was just blood in the water.

“Smooth, Logan,” she sneered, but then her tone went syrupy sweet. “Mark is great. In fact tomorrow, we’re looking at houses up in Bothell. We’re looking at the schools up there, too…”

Logan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened reflexively and he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She smiled back. “We wouldn’t dream of making any changes to the parenting plan without going through the proper channels, of course,” she murmured softly, like thunder in the distance. “Won’t it be nice for Patton and his new little brother to go to the same school?”

“Patton starts ninth grade in the fall,” his brow furrowed, alarm bells screaming in his head. “And…” It took a moment for the name to surface. “Caleb is a second grader.”

“Heritage is a private school for grades K through 12,” Kelly remarked. “Patton would have good influences there.”

Logan frowned. “Heritage is a religious school,” he remarked before he could stop himself. “And they’ve been taken to court at least four times this year for viola—”

“Last I checked, Logan, there was still freedom of religion in this country,” she said airily. Again, he felt her eyes on him. Stopped at a red light, he glanced over and shuddered at her little smirk. She was baiting him and he knew it. But he couldn’t hold his tongue.

“Patton is happy where he is,” Logan said carefully.

“Patton is coddled where he is,” Kelly snapped, sickly sweet tone evaporating in a snarl. “He’s going to need to get his grades up if he has any hopes of scholarships like his brothers. He needs to start taking his education seriously.”

Logan breathed slowly and again counted to five before speaking. “Kels, that is a mischaracterization of Patton’s school experience and—”

“Don’t call me that.” She fell silent for a while before shrugging. “Besides, it isn’t completely up to you anyway. Mark will be his stepfather soon and he has a say in the matter.”

Logan did not answer, and, with more than a little relief, turned into his driveway alongside Kelly’s candy red BMW. She flung open the door and jogged up the porch steps before he could even cut the engine. Counting his breaths, Logan set the parking brake, shifted into Park, then turned the key and followed her.

~~~

She stepped aside only long enough for Logan to unlock the door, then pushed her way through, not even waiting for him to pull the key from the lock. “Patton? Patton, honey?” she called out in her PTA mom voice. Logan’s skin crawled at the saccharine tone, her words still edged with the promise of… anger or retribution or—

“Oh, hi, Mom,” Patton’s voice echoed down the hall. Logan’s hand shook as he struggled with the key and he forced a slow breath, on old, slimy panic inching up his throat. “You’re back. Where’s—“ His voice muffled at the end, probably pulled into a hug. Logan finally retrieved the key and stepped inside. Guilt clashed with relief when he saw Kelly hugging Patton, both smiling. Patton looked up and, impossibly, his smile grew. “Dad!” he said and wiggled out her hold to grab Logan’s hand. “Look at what I did today!” he tugged Logan closer to their chore chart and the long row of happy face stickers next to his name.

“I got all my homework done, hung up all my clothes, and took out the trash,” he pointed at the chart, bouncing on his toes. “All the trash, too, and emptied the dishwasher. And Roman even helped me make dinner!”

“He didn’t need much help,” Roman’s low voice rumbled from the kitchen and he stepped out, drying his hands. He’d tied on Logan’s well-worn ‘Combine for Pie’ apron, the top tight over his broad chest. But it… suited him, the faded navy blue accenting the green in his eyes, bits of cornmeal smudged at the apron's edges only proving its worth. Roman ruffled Patton’s hair and grinned. “Pat’s quite the chef.”

“He really is,” Logan agreed, smiling back at Roman and breathing again. The savory scents of cumin and a dark chocolate mole sauce filled his lungs and his smile broadened. He gave Patton’s hand another squeeze and grinned proudly at his son. “You’ve worked hard today, Patton. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Hello, Kelly." Logan blinked, head jerking up at Roman's sudden greeting. He’d actually forgotten she was standing there. Roman smiled at her, a little stiff, maybe, but polite and warm. "The enchiladas will be done in about an hour,” He inclined his head, an almost bow. “And there’s plenty. Are you staying for dinner?”

She stared at Roman, eyes flicking over his jewelry and his eyeliner, and at Patton’s expression as he grinned up at him. She narrowed her eyes at Roman’s hand where it now rested on Patton’s shoulder. Ice filled Logan’s veins at the steel behind her fake smile.

“Logan,” she said, turning to him as though Roman no longer existed. “I can’t believe you’d let some *** babysit my son.”

“Mom!” Patton cried and moved back, closer to Roman and keeping himself between him and Kelly.

“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Logan hissed at her and she blinked at him, her shock at his outburst quickly replaced with anger. She scowled and opened her mouth but he cut her off. “You may not say such things to my friends, you may not say such things in my home or in front of my son!” He opened the door wider and stepped aside, joining Patton and Roman. Patton held tight to his hand, and reached behind him with the other to hold onto Roman’s arm. Logan stood close enough to feel the warmth pouring off Roman’s side but he couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. “Please leave.”

“Oh, come off it, Logan,” she rolled her eyes and stepped closer. “Take off the SJW cape for five seconds and consider—”

“Please leave, now,” he said again. His voice shook and he had to lock his knees to stop their trembling, but he didn’t stand down and he didn’t look away.

Her hands twitched at her sides as she glared back at him. After a long, breathless moment, her eyes darted over his shoulder at Roman, but he'd remained still and silent. “Fine,” she spat, stepping through the open door. She narrowed her eyes at Logan and her face twisted into a smirk. “You’re going to regret this, Logan.”

“I have a lot of regrets, Kelly,” he said, voice calmer than his shaking grip on the door should have permitted. “I’ll add it to the pile.” He didn’t wait for her response and instead closed and locked the door as soon as she was through.

Once it closed, he fell against the door, forehead pressed to the cold, smooth surface.

“Hey, Pat,” he heard Roman’s voice behind him. It was distorted and wobbly, like the periscope ‘phones’ at the park. Or tin cans connected with a string. “Why don’t you go set up a new Mario Kart tournament? I’ll be right down.”

At some point, Logan must have released Patton’s hand. Fingers and wrist throbbing, his entire body trembled. Each breath caught in his throat, dull hooks dragging and and snagging against his flesh. Patton’s voice was too quiet to make out his words over the roaring in his ears, but he caught Roman’s soft response. “I’ll make sure he’s okay.”

Patton said something else, a sharp edge of worry in his voice. “I’m okay, too, Pat. We’re too strong for the haters, aren't we?”

The hallway darkened and after a moment, Logan couldn’t hear anything over the sound of his own blood pumping in his ears. He panted, both hands pressed hard against the door. A motorcycle raced past outside, and the rumbling engine vibrated under his hands, shifting into a pounding on the door.

“Logan? Logan, don’t you walk away from me when I’m talking to you!” BANG BANG BANG

He pushed hard against it, keeping the door sealed shut, keeping everything out.

“I—I—I need a moment, Kels, p—please. I—” BANG BANG BANG

He tested the lock. The door was bolted shut. They were safe. They were safe.

“The kids will be back with my parents any minute and we’re not done talking!” BANG BANG BANG “Open the damn door!”

He couldn't hide in here forever but if he could just collect himself, he could—

BANG BANG BANG “Logan? Logan!” BANG BANG BANG

The door was locked. No-one could get in. They were safe. They were safe, they were safe, they were safe, they were safe, they were safe…

BANG BANG BANG “Logan!”

Roman watched Patton descend the stairs to the game room. He looked back twice, eyes big with worry for his dad. Roman smiled back, “Everything’s gonna be okay, Pat,” he said again. Finally, Patton nodded and went downstairs. He waited until he heard the door click shut before approaching Logan. "Lo?" he murmured. Logan faced the door, both hands pressed against it like he was pushing her away. He muttered under his breath and Roman stepped closer, trying to understand. “Lo? Tell me, what do you need?” he asked quietly and gripped his shoulder. “Logan?”

“No, please!” Logan cried and slid to the floor, hands covering his head.

Roman dropped his hand and leapt back. “Shit, Lo, I'm sorry. I—I didn't mean to startle you.” Logan was practically curled in a ball, trembling as he covered his head and his face. Not startled.

Terrified.

Roman took a deep breath, forcing calm into his body, then crouched down so he was nearly at eye level. “You're safe, Lo. I shouldn't have touched you without asking, Lo. I’m sorry. I won't do it again.” His trembling slowed. He was listening. "You're safe, Lo," Roman said again.

Still panting, Logan slowly lowered his arms and sat on the floor with his back pressed against the door. He blinked at him through watery eyes, tears dotting his lenses. “Ro—Roman?” After a long moment, his vision seemed to clear. “Roman.” He shook his head and sucked in an unsteady breath. “I… I'm sorry. I’m sorry. I…" Logan looked at the walls around them, almost confused about where he was. "I overreacted.” He shook his head, eyes fixed on the floor between them. “I… I'm sorry.”

“Hey, hey, hey, hey,” he murmured, keeping his voice low and steady. “No…” Roman tilted his head down to meet Logan’s eyes. “No. It's okay to not want someone to touch you without your permission, Lo.”

“You didn't… I'm fine. I'm sorry.” He pulled his knees up to his chest and hugged them tight, fingertips white where they dug into his calves. A shield. His eyes grew more focused and he nodded. “I’m fine, I—" Logan's eyes shot up to Roman's. "Oh, god, Roman, I can't believe she said that. I'm so sorry.”

“You’re not responsible for her,” Roman gave him a lopsided grin. “There's a reason you divorced her, right?”

“Yeah,” Logan whispered and looked away, staring at a knot in the hardwood floor. Roman watched a tic under his eye jump, and how his hands shook against his legs. He still wasn’t breathing normally, either, holding his breath for an inordinately long time, and he seemed just a few steps away from wheezing. At this angle, Logan’s crooked fingers, the scar on his jaw and the other one by his ear were all visible. Roman had seen flashes of the burn that covered his palm, the mark where his wedding ring had seared the back of his finger just the most outward sign.

Realization crashed down on him, a wave of icy cold water that stole his breath as he stared at his… his friend.

“Hey, Lo?” Roman took another deep breath and sat completely, close enough that Logan could reach him if he wanted, but he didn’t invade his personal space again. “You can tell me to fuck off if I'm overstepping…” Logan looked up, eyes wide and guarded, and it took every bit of control Roman had not to just pull him right into his lap and wrap his arms around him. “Does she… does she hurt you?”

“What?” Logan shook his head and slid back, pressed into the corner near the door. He seemed to shrink, shoulders curled and arms wrapped even more tightly around his shins. “No. No, of c—course not. We h—h—hardly see ea—each other. It—it—it's…” Logan’s voice faded and he still wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Did she?” Roman’s voice was quiet and calm. Logan looked up.

“W—we…" His head wobbled, almost a nod. "We had some p—pretty hea—heated arguments.” Logan looked away and Roman's eyes fell on another scar on his chin. Up close, the one on his ear looked like it had been a tear right through his earlobe.

Roman nodded, forcing his hands to remain still in his lap and not just reach for him. He longed to push away the shadows Logan had wrapped around him, memories of old hurts. Kiss his scars and his tears, soothe his aches. But after the way he’d reacted before…

Logan followed his gaze and hid his scarred hand behind his leg. “P—Patton’s waiting for you downstairs.” He nodded up at the chore chart on the wall. “He's done all his chores. I don't know how you did that but…” Logan smiled. It was tight, and his bottom lip trembled, but was genuine. “He's earned some happy time.”

“You wanna come down and play with us? It's easy to add another player.” Roman slid just a bit closer. “Having his dad there would make it an actually happy time for him.”

“Um…” He swallowed, his breathing still erratic. “Yes. Yes…” Logan nodded his head rapidly, more a tremor than a sign of affirmation. “I… ah, j—just need to… maybe g—get some tea.” He swallowed again and breathed heavily through his nose, lip caught between his teeth.

Roman watched Logan’s tremor. He gave him a small smile as he reached out to touch his forearm, but pulled back at the last moment. “I can make it and you can relax—” He gestured toward the kitchen but Logan recoiled, shame filling his face even as he dodged Roman’s touch.

Biting his own lip, Roman tried again. “Would company help while you make it? Or would it be more helpful to have some alone time?”

Logan stared up at him, eyes wide, the question behind them clear. How do you always know?

“A few minutes alone might help, thank you,” he murmured. “T—to collect… collect myself. If you don't mind, I… I don't mean to—“

He met Logan’s eyes and poured his heart into his smile. “Of course I don’t mind.” He stood, then offered both hands. Logan stared at them for a long moment before gripping them, fingers cold and shaking, palms clammy. Roman squeezed gently, thumbs rubbing circles against the backs of his hands. Keeping his movements slow and steady, he helped Logan onto his feet and nodded. It was difficult to let go, and he couldn’t resist one more gentle squeeze before eventually releasing Logan’s hands.

He started back toward the stairs but looked over his shoulder, not really ready to leave him alone but wanted to give him what he asked for. “Is it okay if I come check on you in ten minutes if we don't see you down there by then?”

Logan nodded, still not completely himself, but his eyes had lost some of their haunted look and he met his gaze. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out and fresh tears welled. Finally, he made a little shooing gesture, a stiff smile painted on his face.

“We’ll see you in a bit. Ten minutes,” Roman emphasized with another smile. “And you know Patton, once he hears you’re playing, too, he won’t let you get out of it.”

---

Taglist: @crossiantgay Ask to be added :)

#The Uses of Adversity #ts logan #ts roman #ts patton #Kelly Croft - OC #Logan Sanders #Roman Prince #Patton Croft #logince #eventually #cw: flashback #cw: redacted slur

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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Chapters: 15/15 Fandom: Sanders Sides (Web Series) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Creativity | Roman "Princey" Sanders/Deceit | Janus Sanders Characters: Deceit | Janus Sanders, Logic | Logan Sanders, Creativity | Roman "Princey" Sanders, Dark Creativity | Remus "The Duke" Sanders, Sleep | Remy Sanders, Kelly Croft - OC, Arizona Tate - OC, Anxiety | Virgil Sanders Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Human, Homophobia, Developing Relationship, Developing Friendships, Abusive Relationships, Swearing, Janus likes to swear, Platonic Loceit, Slow Burn, Roceit - Freeform, himbros, Creativitwins, Angst, i swear to logic there is eventual comfort, and occassional fluffy scenes Series: Part 2 of Logan, Janus, Roman, Remus Summary:

It's 2001, Seattle, Washington.

Roman and Remus Prince are sophomores at the associated undergraduate college. To their fellow students, they're identical, however they approach life and solve their problems in very different ways.

Somehow, (most of) their paths cross in one way or another. Buckle up, because it's a bumpy ride.

Playlist for this story is on Spotify.

#Objections #ts logan #ts janus #ts roman #ts remus #Kelly Croft - OC #Logan Croft #Janus Pater #Roman Prince #Remus Prince #Law School AU #human AU #part of the Happily Ever After universe #best read **after** Happily Ever After‚ though it takes place chronologically before #this post is long overdue #slow burn roceit #roceit #eventually

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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The Uses of Adversity, Ch. 11: Second Chances

Prev - Second Chances - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

"If it weren't for second chances, we'd all be alone." - Second Chances, Gregory Alan Isakov

WC: 3152 - Rated: T - CW: divorce, arguing, returning OC, swearing, suggestive (hello, Remus), misuse of a Latin phrase ---

“You’re up early.” Yawning, Janus tightened his robe when he stepped into the kitchen and nearly collided with Roman in front of the refrigerator. Smiling, he took the eggs from his hand and nudged him over to the coffee maker instead.

“I’m helping out a friend today,” Roman said, vaguely, and pulled down the coffee beans and grinder. Janus raised an eyebrow, waiting silently until he elaborated. Roman delayed as long as he could, taking his time grinding the beans and scooping them into the filter. Lawyers didn’t like vagueness and they knew exactly how to fix that. Janus remained quiet and let Roman’s building need to fill the silence hunker down between them.

Not that Logan ever pulled this little trick with him. Not that there was anything Roman didn’t want to tell him. His problem was in wanting to tell him… everything. “Well… he’s your friend, too,” Roman finally admitted, dragging a hand through his hair. “Logan.”

“Queerbait Croft?”

“Oi!” Roman snapped, glaring at his brother-in-law. “Jannie,” Remus purred from the doorway at the same time. “Now, now,” he said, drawing closer and nuzzling against his temple with a little frown. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

“I'm simply… “ Janus huffed and hung his head for a few breaths, his face a cross between annoyed and chagrined. Finally, he looked up and nodded. “You’re both right. I was out of line. I apologize. I simply meant…" He frowned, eyes faraway for a moment before he met Roman's eyes. "Don't put your heart on the line with him, Roman. He’s straight.”

Remus snorted. “Sure, Jan,” he shook his head and impatiently tapped the brewing coffee. “Nobody’s that good of an ally. Maybe ‘Straightbait Sanders’ is a better name for him.”

“Muse, of course he’s straight!” Janus rolled his eyes and continued slicing a bell pepper. “What, you think his children were delivered by the stork?”

“What, you think a bi guy can’t fuck his wife and still appreciate his hot boss’ ass?”

“Muse, my dear…” Blushing, Janus kissed Remus’ cheek. “You’re projecting.”

“Well, yes, I know I love to stare at your ass, too.” He grinned and made a squeezing motion with both hands, making clear his intention to do more than stare. “But his wife—”

“Ex,” Roman interrupted.

Remus tipped an imaginary hat at his brother before returning his attention to Janus. “His ex-wife sure seemed to think there was something going on between you two. Or did you think it was a coincidence she’d interrupt every fucking time you two talked at Q-Law parties?”

“Really?” Roman asked and Remus nodded.

“Really, really.” Coffee brewed, he poured large cups for each of them and moved to the sink to refill the empty carafe with water.

“Rinse it, at least, Muse,” Janus said without looking up.

Laughing, Remus made a show of splashing the pot with an inch of water before taking the task seriously. “You seem to be awfully invested in this, Ro Bro.” He filled the pot before turning around, eyebrows dancing. There was mischief in his eyes. “You wouldn’t happen to be catching some not-straight feelings for our sweet Nerdy Wolverine, would you?”

Eyes wide, Roman stared at Remus, shouting silently, You know very well I have feelings for him! Remus merely held his gaze before looking pointedly at Janus.

Roman opened his mouth to protest, but sat back instead, and sipped his coffee. He could feel Janus and Remus exchanging a look. “I… might be,” he muttered. He knew his brother and his brother knew Janus. Roman would play along with the madness to his method.

The taste of the coffee brought him back to last Saturday, the glimmer in Logan's eyes, that shy little smile that finally broke through his mask. “Logan’s not like anyone I’ve known before," he said quietly, addressing his cup. "And it's not just the way he handled that dickhead Devin. He’s smart but…not a jackass about it.” Roman ignored Janus’ quiet huff. “He laughs at my stupid jokes. And you should see him with his kids. The other day he—” Roman glanced up, bracing himself for a comment about his effusiveness, but he saw nothing but compassion. From both of them. “He’s a good guy. I’ve always thought so.”

Remus stared back at him, head tilted in confusion, but then his jaw fell open. “Oh fuck, Ro…” Tone changed, Remus flipped a chair around and straddled it, facing his brother. “Logan’s the guy.” Roman stopped breathing and just stared back at him. “The guy." When he didn't acknowledge his assertion, Remus continued as though there was some way Roman had forgotten his embarassing dual crushes. "The cute guy you had that crush on back in school. The one you said was out of reach. I always thought…” Remus’ eyes flicked over to the back of Janus’ head before he let the sentence finish itself.

Roman shrugged and looked away.

“I still think you should go for it,” Remus said after a moment, getting up and punching Roman’s shoulder as he returned to the stove. “Carpe dickem. Seize the day. Shoot your shot.”

“I can’t fuck up everything between us on a whim, Re, he’s…”

“Twitchy?” Remus asked.

“Special,” Roman snapped and his brother turned around.

“Fuck, Ro, I’m sorry,” he said, passing the spatula to Janus and crouching next to his brother’s chair. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” Remus stared up at him, head tilted. “This isn’t just… a crush… is it?”

Roman was quiet for a long time, and listened to the spatula scraping the pan. Finally, he met his brother’s eyes. “No,’ he breathed. “No, it’s not.”

“Just…” Janus had been listening as he cooked and Roman’s head jerked up at his low voice. He fell quiet again and plated an omelette before placing it in front of Roman. “Just don’t get your hopes up too much, okay? I don’t want you to lay it all out there and… have him break your heart.” Roman stabbed his eggs with a fork and steam escaped from the tiny holes. “I’ve known this guy for… fuck, twenty years and…” He rolled his eyes fondly at Remus. “And despite your brother's obvious projections, I’ve never seen him show any sort of actual interest in men.”

“Known him for twenty years and yet you still call him by his ex wife's last name?” Roman glared at him, one eyebrow raised before shrugging. “Maybe you don’t actually know him as well as you think you do.”

Janus frowned but nodded. "Perhaps I don't."

~~~

“Hey, Dad?” Virgil’s words came out in a grunt as he slung a giant purple duffel bag over his shoulder, “Next year, do y’think I can stay up in Bellingham for spring break?”

Logan’s feet stuttered and the gig box he carried bumped against his thighs. “What? Well I… I suppose if you would prefer…”

“I’m just thinking it’s less stress, y’know?” Virgil shrugged and looked out at the driveway. Logan’s SUV stood alone, hatch open as they loaded it up with Virgil’s DJ gear and clothes. After the second year in a row of Remy making it clear she was not welcome on his trips between campus and home, Kelly had insisted she help bring Virgil back up.

“I don’t see why you insist on driving,” she’d hissed over the phone. “Is this some sort of masculinity thing?”

Logan had suppressed a sigh and counted to five before responding. “Of course not, Kelly. Your new car is a two-door coupe. Virgil’s equipment simply won’t fit.”

“So I’ll drive your Pilot, what’s the big deal?”

His grip tightened on the handset until, ache radiating through his fingers and wrist, he forced his hand to relax. “It’s a manual transmission, Kelly.”

“I swear to God, Logan, you bought that damn thing just so I couldn’t drive it!”

“I bought the damn thing—” He sucked in a breath, cutting off his too-quick response. “I bought the Pilot because it has 21 centimeters of chassis clearance, four wheel drive, low rollover risk, maximized cargo and passenger space—”

“I meant the fucking stick shift and you know it. Don’t lecture me about safety features, Logan.”

He bit the inside of his cheek and counted to five again. “Automatic transmission added two thousand dollars to the sticker price and another fifteen grand to the total cost of ownership over twenty ye—.”

“You have an answer for everything, don’t you? A fucking Car & Driver expert all of a sudden. Fine. I’ll be there at 10.” She’d hung up without saying goodbye.

It was now past 10:30 and Kelly still hadn’t arrived.

“If you truly would prefer to stay in Bellingham, Virgil, I won’t stop you,” Logan turned and peered at his son over the top of the gig box. “We would miss you. I…” He smiled and, seeing Virgil’s anxious gaze at the car, stepped backwards, closer to the steps to allow him to pass. “I would miss you, but I understand it could be—”

His heel skidded against the top step and he stumbled backwards. “Dad!” Virgil cried and dropped his bag. His fingers grazed the top handle of the gig box. But he missed it.

“Lo!” Roman’s panicked voice suddenly boomed a few feet behind him and he fell hard against something—some one—firm and steady, the weight of the gig box pressing him back. “Got you,” he whispered near Logan's ear, strong arms curled around him. Roman carefully pushed him forward until Logan was standing on the top porch step.

“You okay?” Virgil asked, taking the box from him and setting it down.

“Y-yeah,” Logan nodded breathlessly. The near fall had pushed his heart up in his throat, pounding so hard he was certain they could all hear it. He looked up and smiled into Virgil’s worried eyes. Patton had come running at the commotion and now stood in the doorway, grinning. “I am—I am fine,” he said, nodding again. Roman had moved one hand to his back and now stood next to him, peering closely into his eyes.

“Are you sure you’re not hurt?” he asked, gaze trailing up and down his body.

Logan blushed. “Yes, I—I—I am uninjured…” He looked down and flexed both feet, bouncing twice. “Thanks to you. I—” His mouth went dry when Roman grinned at him.

“Just lucky timing,” he said. Roman’s hand was still at his back, a welcome warmth despite his sweat-dampened shirt.

Logan only blushed harder when he realized Roman could feel how disgustingly sweaty he was just from moving a few crates. He nodded and bent to pick up the gig box. “Thank you, Roman, I—”

“Let me help you,” he said, reaching for the other end of the box. “We can work together.” Virgil and Patton exchanged a look that Logan couldn’t quite decipher but he didn’t have long to think about it. “Please?” Roman asked again, a hopeful smile curling his lips. Had he always had that dimple?

“That… that would be most welcome,” he finally said, cheeks warming again at the way Roman’s eyes lit up like he’d given him a gift. “Thank you,” he murmured, dragging his eyes away from Roman’s as they lifted the gig box together. It was significantly easier to manage with a partner.

“This is heavy,” Roman said. “What do you keep in here, Virge?” he asked once they’d slid the box into the trunk. With the third row down, they’d managed to fit all of Virgil’s equipment, plus his clothes and bedding—he was attached to his favorite comforter and brought it down for even short weekend visits.

“That crate holds my records,” he said, stroking the case. “And this one has the amps,” he patted another box. “The actual turntables and mixing board are in the back.”

“Old school,” Roman nodded, grinning again.

Virgil blushed and ducked his head. “Yeah, I do a mix.”

“Virgil’s fantastic.” Logan closed the hatch and just barely resisted ruffling his son's hair.

“Yeah, and Dad’s not just bragging,” Patton piped up as they returned to the porch. “Virge is really good! He DJ'd Jax's birthday party last year.” He grinned at his older brother like he was a rock star. "He was awesome!"

“Pat,” Virgil mumbled, hands shoved in his pockets. “Don’t oversell me.”

“I’d love to hear your work. Do you have a demo?” Roman asked, still smiling, but eyes serious.

“Uh, yeah,” Virgil’s eyes widened and he ran back to the car. He opened the hatch and fumbled with his backpack, then came back with a CD and a small flash drive. “There’s a QR code for my Soundcloud on the cover. I know, 'old school,'” he said in a rush, pressing it all into Roman’s hands. A soft, shy smile replaced his usual smirk.

“Thank you, Virge,” Roman grinned as he slipped the case and the thumb drive in his pocket. “I look forward to hearing your work.”

Patton danced next to him and linked his arm through Virgil’s. Cheeks still pink, Virgil cleared his throat and tugged him along as Roman and Logan followed. “C’mon, Pat, didn’t you say there was lemonade?”

“I think you made his week,” Logan whispered once they’d stepped inside.

They watched the brothers kick off their shoes and laughingly jostle each other in a race to the kitchen. “It’s nice to see him smile,” he murmured. “His school’s in Bellingham?” Logan nodded and watched some calculation behind Roman’s eyes. He nodded slowly. “There’s an all-ages club up there an old friend of mine owns. Is Virgil looking for a steady gig?"

“A—actually, yes. We have a deal, if he can cover half his rent, I’ll cover the other and he can move out of the dorms…” His voice trailed off, watching Roman’s expression. “You’re serious.”

“Of course I am,” he grinned. “Anyone whose music pleases both ends of that demographic is worth considering.”

Logan stopped just outside the kitchen and looked up at Roman’s face. He was smiling that signature charming smile, but his eyes were sincere. “You’re incredible, you know that, right?”

He winked and Logan felt his face warm. “I was going for ‘outstanding,’” he laughed, “But I’ll take ‘incredible.’”

A loud laugh slipped past the hand Logan slapped over his mouth and the boys turned around, again exchanging a cryptic look before offering them each a sweaty glass. “Lemonade?” Patton grinned, wiggling between them and leading them over to the counter.

Logan took a slow, grateful sip, the cold drink easing a bit of his blush. “Thank you, again, for staying with Patton today,” he said when he felt his control return.

“Yeah, that long of a car ride and I’ll just—” he doubled over and made a gagging sound.

Virgil winced but still laughed. “Nice, Pat.”

“Thank you,” he said proudly, either not catching his brother’s sarcasm or choosing to ignore it.

Ruffling his youngest son’s hair and pulling him close, Logan kissed the top of his head and smiled. Patton hugged back, bouncing on the balls of his feet. “It’s nice to get to avoid the Dramamine, isn’t it?”

“And the drama,” Virgil muttered under his breath from in front of the refrigerator. Logan’s eyes snapped up to Roman’s to see if he’d heard. Fuck. He had.

“Hey, why don’t you two do one more sweep of your room?” Logan suggested. He gave Patton another one-armed hug then gripped Virgil’s arm, hoping to make it clear neither were in trouble despite the not-so-subtle dismissal.

Virgil looked between him and Roman, then nodded. “Sure, Dad. C’mon, Pat, I’ll show you which CDs you can’t touch while I’m gone.”

Logan sipped his lemonade and listened for the sound of Virgil’s door opening upstairs before he faced Roman and the questions bubbling behind his eyes. If he was being honest with himself, he had hoped to have a moment or two alone with Roman today. Those interrupted words had played on a constant loop in his mind since their Saturday at the theatre.

Was Logan delusional to think Roman had still been quoting Shakespeare? By now, his mind had filled in the rest, his imagination embellishing the faulty memory with each loop.

‘I would not wish any companion in the world but you.’

How had Roman actually intended to end that sentence? How had he wanted it to end? How did he want it to end?

But each missed opportunity to ask left Logan increasingly certain it had become too late say anything. His stomach churned and a flash of irrational anger sizzled through his veins at the way she still had such a hold on his life. Even now, in private, instead of quenching the curiosity burning through his brain, instead of enjoying a quiet moment with his friend, he was stuck explaining Kelly.

“My divorce was… less than amicable.” He gripped his drink with both hands, fingers tapping against the cold glass. “I worked hard to keep as much of the animosity from boys as possible, but…”

“But someone else didn’t get the memo?” Roman finished after a moment, gently bumping their shoulders together. Logan could only nod.

“Do you think some of whatever seeps through is part of Patton’s, uh…” He quietly mimicked the boy's earlier demonstration, pulling a small, huffed laugh from Logan. Roman’s tiny pleased smile at his reaction made Logan feel better than he deserved.

“It’s likely.” Logan swallowed back his surprise at how much Roman had picked up with just a few words. “He’d been excited to drive up with Virgil… at least until he heard she was coming.”

The sound of a car slowing just outside the kitchen window was followed by Virgil’s call as he ran downstairs, “Mom’s here!” After shoving his feet into his sneakers, he clasped Roman’s hand and they gave each other a sort of half hug. “See you next time?” he asked, hopeful.

“I’ll text you after I listen to your demo tonight,” he nodded, smiling brighter when Virgil’s tough guy smirk again melted into a true grin.

“Cool,” he said, nodding. “See ya, Pat,” he turned to his brother. “Stay outta my room.”

“I always stay out of your room!” Unable to keep up his feigned offense, Patton ended up laughing. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bye, Dad,” he grinned, quickly hugging Logan before grabbing Roman’s hand, headed toward the game room downstairs. “Hey, wanna play Mario Kart?”

“Homework first, please!” Logan reminded him, pointing to the chore chart on the wall. He decided he did not catch Patton’s partially hidden eye roll.

Roman gave him a little salute. “He’s in good hands, Mr. Sanders,” he assured.

“I know,” Logan smiled. Body moving without his full control, he stepped closer, arms open. The sudden car horn blaring outside froze him.

“Let’s go, Dad,” Virgil muttered, pulling him away.

Waving weakly, Logan nodded, face aflame over what he’d been about to do. “We’ll be back before six.”

---

Taglist: @crossiantgay

reviving the old tag list, ask to be added B-)

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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It Could Always Be Worse, Ch. 6: A Pleasure to Burn

Butterfly universe version of Happily Ever After, Ch. 6: A Pleasure to Burn.

Prev - A Pleasure to Burn - Next - All - [ AO3 ]

WC: 1103 - Rated: T - CW: Suicidal ideation, suicide plan

"It was a pleasure to burn." - Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 (1953) --- This is a difficult chapter. Scroll all the way down for a spoiler-filled plot summary of this chapter.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. Learn more 800-273-8255 Suicide Prevention Lifeline Text HOME to 741741 for the Crisis Text Line Crisis Text Line Website

Logan stepped inside the empty house, turning to lock the door behind him. He stood in the hallway for a long time, listening to the click of the vent timer as it counted down the minutes until the fan by the dryer turned back on. He could only hear the timer clicking when the fan was off.

He listened to the faint buzz that meant the battery charger plugged in next to the stove was done. Go turn it off, Logan. What the fuck are you doing here, moping?

Today had been expected to be a typical drop off day. Logan had grown to loathe every other Sunday. The fight to keep things positive and productive throughout the day despite the impending 'switch' that everyone hated. The barely-contained frenzy of his efforts to get the boys packed and ready. The battle to keep his own emotions in check until he was safely back in his car, alone, able to cry or scream or pound his fists against his thighs to let out everything he felt at having to again, again, again leave his children at her home.

Today had been expected to be a typical drop off day.

As soon as they'd walked in the door with the boys' bags, Logan had noticed Kelly's fluttering hands. She was rubbing her thumb against her opposite palm and smiling brightly. "Boys, why don't you bring your things upstairs and start to unpack. I need to talk to your father about something." Virgil looked closely at Kelly then nodded, "Sure, Mom. C'mon, Pat, I'll help you." "I'll come say goodbye before I leave, okay?" Logan called after them. A small chorus of "Okay"s danced down the staircase and Logan felt a small grin poke at his lips. "So," Kelly began. "I have some news...." Logan turned to face her and she held out her hand, flashing a large diamond engagement ring. Logan blinked for a moment, throat spasming, before pushing a smile onto his face, "Congratulations, Kelly." As Kelly gushed about her new fiancee and his young son, Logan concentrated on keeping perfectly still, keeping his eyes directed at her eyebrows, and keeping the smile on his face. "And we didn't think we'd be able to get a date so soon, but—” "Do the boys know?" Logan interrupted. Kelly's expression tightened in annoyance for a brief second before melting back into her polite smile. "Yes, of course. He actually got their advice on what kind of ring I might like." Logan's lungs seized and he shoved his shaking hands in his pockets. He dug his nails into his right palm until he could breath again, then smiled at Kelly. "Well, that's really wonderful news. Congratulations again, Kelly " He looked up toward the staircase, forcing his feet to move. "I'm just going to say goodnight to the boys and then I'll head out."

Logan sucked in a breath and went to the kitchen. He unplugged the buzzing charger, wrapped a rubber band around the freshly charged batteries and placed them in their compartment in the tool drawer. The dishwasher had finished while he was taking the boys to Kelly's, so he emptied it. His eyes were drawn to the notepad on the refrigerator that he used for grocery lists. He pulled off a sheet, took a pen from the holder next to it and sat down at the kitchen table.

He stared at the blank page for a long time before starting to write.

Robin Williams

Anthony Bourdain

Earnest Hemingway

He kept writing. Name after name after name, every name he could think of. When he got to the bottom of the page, he flipped it over and kept writing. As he neared the end of the back of the page, his hands started to shake as he struggled to remember more names, more fathers. They had to be fathers or they wouldn't count. Logan knew he could easily pull out his phone and look it up, but that wouldn't count, either.

There was one last empty line.

From where he sat on the hard kitchen chair, Logan could see the edge of the door to the utility closet where he stored the family's medicine lockbox. He carried the key on a thin polyester lanyard around his neck, tucked safely under his shirt. Inside the box was Virgil's medication, from which Logan gave him his daily doses each morning when the boys were home. Also in the box were the typical household remedies one would find in a medicine cabinet. Fever reducers, Pepcid for Logan's stomach ulcer, and a tiny bottle of syrup of ipecac. Buried at the bottom, hidden under a tiny first aid kit and a box of Benedryl, was the small amber bottle of the painkillers he'd been hoarding from his dental work last year.

At the time, Logan couldn't really admit to himself why he'd had the prescriptions filled but opted instead to manage the pain in his own way. Four procedures. Four 10-day courses of Vicodin and Oxycontin stowed away like acorns for the winter. He suspected it would be enough.

He fingered the key to the lockbox through his shirt. Logan kept the bottles locked up to keep Virgil safe from them. To slow him down in a moment of impulse and pain.

Logan had no-one to carry the key for him.

He sat in front of the list for a long time, staring down at the last empty line. Finally, he slowly exhaled, remembering one more name.

Freddie Prinze

As Logan wrote the last name, completing the list, his shoulders slumped down and his tears began to fall. There was no more room on the list to fit another name. No room for his name.

He stood, picking up the list and the pen, and carefully straightened his chair, tucking it back under the table. He went to the kitchen, replaced the pen, and pulled out the box of matches from the upper cabinet.

He carried the list and the matches to the empty sink and turned on the water. With shaking hands, he struck a match and lit the edge of the list, watching the names disappear behind the flames, watching the paper blacken and curl where the flames licked it. Finally, when the fire reached his fingers, he dropped the burning page into the sink and watched the burnt remains wash down the drain.

Logan turned off the water and replaced the box of matches, clicking off the kitchen light. He climbed the stairs in the dark, up to his empty bedroom, and crawled into bed.

Logan learns Kelly is getting remarried. After a ritual he completes every time the urge is too strong, Logan decides not to use the bottle of painkillers he's been hoarding.

#It Could Always Be Worse #ts logan #ts virgil #ts patton #Logan Sanders #Virgil Croft #Patton Croft #Kelly Croft - OC #cw suicidal ideation #cw suicide plan #Butterfly Universe version of Happily Ever After #what happened after Janus and Remus met at Jack's party and Janus never walked home alone that night #sanders sides fanfiction #sanders sides

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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It Could Always Be Worse, Ch. 5: Happy Families

Butterfly universe version of Happily Ever After, Ch. 5: Happy Families.

Prev - Happy Families - Next - All - [ AO3 ]

WC: 1038 - Rated: T - CW: past hospitalization, minor injury, angst

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” - Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina (1878)

Logan stood by the kitchen window, watching the snow fall on the road outside. He checked his phone again.

𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙, 𝚠𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚛

That had been four hours ago.

Logan lifted his mug to his lips again, tilting it back, only to find it empty. He shoved his phone back in his pocket and refilled his cup. It was the last of the pot, so he washed the pot and the filter, then, after staring at the clean pot for a moment, took out a fresh filter and started to brew another batch.

Once that was complete, he picked up his mug and resumed his watch over the street. It had been snowing for the past hour and a half and, while it was beautiful, the untreated streets were getting slippery.

The roads were mostly devoid of cars. It was Christmas Eve and it looked like most families were already home. Finally, sometime after Logan finished that cup and had his first from the fresh pot, he spotted headlights. He watched carefully as the car slowly drove through the accumulating snow.

Logan let out a long sigh when he recognized Kelly's car.

Logan had just put the last dish in the dishwasher when Virgil approached him, twisting his hands together in from of him. "Um, Dad?"

Logan felt his shoulders tighten at Virgil's tone, but he took a deep breath and tried to push away the first five worries that bled into his mind at Virgil's obvious hesitance to ask for what he needed. He looked at his son, focusing so he could let some warmth out through his smile. "What can I help you with, Virgil?"

”Um, in the rush to get ready, I forgot to drop off the presents for Matt and his little sister and brothers." Virgil looked down at the floor. "Can you drive me?"

”Virgil, the roads are going to be pretty bad until they plow, I really do not think it would be wise to drive."

”Fine, I'll walk," Virgil turned away from his father, heading toward the shoe rack.

"Wait, please..." Logan dried his hands on a towel, following Virgil to the shoe rack. "It's dark, the roads are bad, and you're wearing dark clothes." Logan sighed, "I'll come with you." Virgil scowled at his father. "I can help carry the bags, at least."

”I can go places without you, you know. The safety plan Dr. Halls emailed you says I can," Virgil stood firm, arms crossed in front of his chest.

"This doesn't have anything to do with the safety plan. You know what drivers are like around here the one time a year it snows." Logan carefully brushed Virgil's shoulder. "I would prefer that you weren't alone out there."

Virgil looked out the window at the slow-moving car driving past. It skidded a bit on the turn around the corner, brakes squealing. "Alright, yeah."

"Let's get Patton. Remy's asleep but I'll leave him a note in case he wakes up."

Virgil nodded, "Okay. Okay, thanks, Dad."

When they finally arrived at Matt's house, Matt's mom answered the door before they even rang the doorbell. "Yeah, we saw you three trudging through the snow." She looked sharply at Logan, eyeing him up and down. "I saw you slip... Are you alright?"

"Yes, yes, of course I'm fine." Logan stood stiffly and tried to smile. "Just a little bruised ego."

"Oh, is that another word for butt?" Patton laughed. Logan turned to Patton with a frown, already opening his mouth to correct the rude remark. Patton cut him off, "What? It was just a joke." He looked down at the ground. "Mom woulda laughed."

Logan took a deep breath and swallowed back his reactive words. Before he could properly respond, Virgil interrupted. "Hey, is it okay if I say hi to Matt real quick? I know it's late. I'll be fast." Matt's mother pursed her lips, staring at Virgil for a moment before finally nodding. He mumbled a quick thanks and sidled past her into the house.

Matt's mother met Logan's eyes. "Can I talk to you for a bit?" She looked significantly at Patton.

"Oh, of course. We can walk and talk."

Logan limped a bit as they walked, taking careful steps. The snow was beautiful, but underneath was a layer of ice from when the temperature had risen just slightly before dropping suddenly. Matt's mom watched his tentative movements. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, yes, of course I'm fine. Just a little kink to work out from the fall. Please don't worry about me." He tried to straighten his posture and take longer, more confident steps. He grit his teeth against the pain radiating up his back. He looked at Matt's mom, bowing his head slightly. "You'd seemed like you had something important to discuss."

"Yes, well. Matt's stepdad and I have been talking and... We both think it would be better for both of the boys to spend less time together." Logan froze for a moment, uncertain he'd heard her properly. He stopped walking, turning to meet her eyes. "They're both in bad places mentally and they seem to be bad influences for each other. Like a loop of negativity." She smiled at Logan, the warmth not quite meeting her eyes. "It would be better for both of them if they kept their distance from each other. Matt's changing schools at the end of January, too, so it will be easier for them. "

Logan fought for words. "I really wish you would reconsider your belief. Matt and Virgil are best friends." Logan could feel his voice rising in pitch and he bit his lip, fighting to keep his tone under control. Reason with her.... "They are each other's support networks. I think it would actually be detrimental to their health to cut that off so suddenly, particularly as they are going through major changes like Matt changing schools."

"Well, our mind is made up. I truly am sorry but you'll need to help Virgil find someone else to depend on. I need to do what's best for Matt.” She started walking back toward her porch. "Please don't bring Virgil around here anymore."

#It Could Always Be Worse #ts logan #ts virgil #ts patton #Logan Sanders #Virgil Croft #Patton Croft #Kelly Croft - OC #mentioned #butterfly universe of Happily Ever After #what happened when Janus and Remus met at Jack's party and Janus never walked home alone #sanders sides fanfiction

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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It Could Always Be Worse, Ch. 4: The Sun Did Not Shine

Butterfly universe version of Happily Ever After, Ch. 4: The Sun Did Not Shine.

Prev - The Sun Did Not Shine - Next - All - [ AO3 ]

WC: 1826 - Rated: T - CW: self-harm, arguing, hospital, suicidal ideation, self-deprecation, verbal abuse (by OC)

"The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house All that cold, cold wet day." - Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat (1957)

Logan hunched over the case file in front of him, re-reading the statement. He made another note on the yellow legal pad to his left, then stuck another little removable tab at the appropriate portion of the plaintiff's statement. He grit his teeth, shaking his head at the memory of the judge refusing to refer to his client as anything but 'The Victim." She's not a victim. She's prosecuting her attacker. She's not a victim.

Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Logan tried to refocus on the materials in front of him. Ruminating on the last pre-trial hearing would not help his client. He picked up his pen, right finger slowly scanning through the dense print.

Na, na na, na, na na na

Virgil's ringtone erupted from Logan's phone. Logan picked it up immediately. He had configured his phone so that the ringer would only sound if someone on his starred contact list called twice, otherwise, it would buzz silently. All the boys knew the best way to reach Logan when he was at work was to call the receptionist's line. He quickly thumbed the phone on, his voice a half-octave higher than usual, "Virgil? Virgil, are you okay?"

"Dad?" Virgil's voice was quiet and it was hard to hear over the background noise of the call. Where is he? Virgil had stayed home from school that day, telling Logan that he had a headache and thought he might be feeling nauseous. His school had a terrible culture of 'presenteeism,' where kids would often show up for school with masks or hospital-grade anti-emitrol patches. Logan had been relieved that Virgil was taking his health seriously enough to stay home when he felt ill.

"Dad, can you come get me?" Logan pressed the phone against his ear. That was definitely the sound of a espresso machine. "Please."

He didn't know why, but alarm bells rang in Logan's head. He closed his laptop, stacking the case file and his notepad on top, shoving all three into his satchel. "Of course, Virge, where are you?"

"I'm at a Starbucks near the marina. You know the one by the pier." What the hell was Virgil doing there?

"Yeah, yeah of course I know it." Logan shook his head, pulling the strap for his bag over his head, letting the strap cross his chest. He switched off the light in his office and headed down to the head attorney's office desk. "Hang on just one sec, okay, Virge?" He knocked lightly on the door, waiting for his boss to look up before speaking. "Hey, um Janus, I have a family emergency and will be out the rest of the day. I'm not due in court until Monday. I—" Logan took a deep breath, "I am sorry to leave so suddenly, but, um, it's my son."

Janus looked up, brow furrowed, "Yes, yes, of course, do what you need to do, Croft." Logan flinched slightly, not feeling like this was the time to correct him again. "We'll still be here when you're back." He looked back down at his computer screen for a moment, then looked up at Logan again, "Good luck with whatever it is. I hope the family is okay."

"Thanks, Janus. If I need more than a day, I will call you." Janus waved him off, going back to his work. Logan rushed out of the office, bringing his phone back up to his ear. He could hear Virgil sniffing over the line, like he was crying. The background noise had changed and Logan could hear fewer voices and more traffic sounds.

"Okay, Virge, I'm on my way." He rushed to the stairs, running down two at a time to the garage, not trusting the elevators to be any faster at this time of day. "Virge, it sounds different now... where are you?"

"I'm... I'm outside." Virgil started crying. "Dad... Dad, I went—" His crying got louder and Logan gripped the phone tightly, pressing it against his ear, struggling to hear him over the background noise in the garage, over the line, over his tears. "I went to go buy blades."

Logan held his breath for a moment then slowly said, voice catching, "Virge, are you still outside that same Starbucks?" Logan could just barely make out Virgil's hummed yes over the sound of his cries. "Virge, just stay right there, do you hear me? Stay right there. I'm on my way."

Logan got to his minivan, fumbling his keys and dropping them as his hands shook. He covered the mouth piece on the phone for just a moment as a strangled cry escaped his own throat. Pressing his lips together he breathed in through his nose then slowly exhaled. He uncovered the mouthpiece "Okay, Virge, I'm getting in the car. I'm going to stay on the phone with you until I get to you, okay?"

Virgil murmured faintly, "Okay."

Taking one more shaky breath, Logan replied, "Okay. Okay, I'm putting you on speaker so I can put down the phone." He tapped at the phone, setting it into the little hands-free holder he'd hooked up last year. "Can you hear me?" Logan asked, increasing the volume on his phone.

"Yeah," Virgil's voice was a little stronger but he was still crying.

"Okay, I'm going to narrate as I drive, just like when you were little, okay?"

"Uh-huh."

"Okay, I'm leaving the parking garage and turning right..."

Forty-five minutes later, just as Logan's phone was flashing an angry red low-battery signal, he parked in front of the Starbucks by the Kirkland marina. Virgil sat on a bench, under a patio umbrella, hood drawn down over his forehead, hands shoved in his hoodie pockets, earphones plugged in his ears.

Logan got out of the minivan and ran through the rain to the bench where he cowered under cover. He sat next to his son. He reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder but Virgil shook him off. Logan bit the inside of his cheek, keeping an iron grip of control over his features. Virgil looked at him, "Can we just go?"

Logan nodded, standing up, pressing his hands against his shaking legs. "Let's get in the car." Then climbed inside and Logan started the engine, adjusting the heater and blowers to point warm air against Virgil's soaking wet sneakers and pant legs. Starbucks' patio umbrella had done a decent job of keeping the top half of his body dry, but the rest of him had gotten soaked in the rain.

"Virge, I think we need to take you to a hospital."

Virgil was quiet for a long while, the only sound in the car was the air rushing through the blowers and the periodic rub-rub-squeak of the windshield wipers. "Yeah." He chewed on his thumbnail, looking out the window at the soggy street. "Yeah, that's what Matt had to do."

”Okay." Logan took a deep breath, slowing letting it out as he backed out of the parking stall and turned onto the road, headed back toward Seattle and Children's Hospital. "We'll call Mom once we get there, okay?" Virgil nodded, continuing to stare out the window as they drove in silence.

"So what caused this?" Kelly leaned over the small table separating Logan and Kelly on one side and Virgil's evaluating clinician on the other. "Could it be," she glanced at Logan, then looked up at the clinician with big eyes, "Could it be because of, well, the family breaking apart?" Kelly said the last part in a little whisper.

Logan shifted in his seat, folding and refolding his hands in his lap, as the clinician flipped through his interview notes from his evaluation with Virgil. He frowned, looking at what he had written. Kelly patted Logan's knee, speaking more to the clinician than to Logan, "Of course, Logan, this isn't all your fault, right, Dr. Nale?

Kelly looked into Dr.Nale's eyes, nodding her head with a little pout on her lips. Dr. Nale cleared his throat and leaned forward in his seat, gesturing to the clipboard in his hand. "Ye—yes, of course not. We're not here to place blame or point fingers, but to find out how best to help Virgil." Dr. Nale looked between the two of them. Kelly smiled sadly at him as Logan bit the inside of his cheek to fight the tremor in his jaw. "Now, as a first step, we need to get Virgil stabilized to a point where he's no longer in imminent risk...."

Kelly stood outside Virgil's room while he slept. Logan approached carrying two cups of water. Extending one toward her, he murmured her name.

”What do you want?" she hissed quietly without looking at him. A nurse passed and she smiled and nodded at the passing staff before turning to face Logan. He remained silent, holding out the cup. The water trembled slightly in the cup. "Jesus, Logan, don't look at me like that. It's not my fault you snuck up on me like that." She took the water, mumbling a quick thanks. Logan turned to face Virgil's room, carefully lifting the cup to his lips, spilling only a tiny drop on his tie. He looked down, grateful the spot didn't show against the dark floral pattern.

Logan cleared his throat, gripping the cup tightly in his hands, trying to keep their shaking unnoticeable. "Thank you for what you said in the consultation room."

Kelly looked at him out of the corner of her eye, scowling lightly. She shook her head. "What are you talking about.?"

Logan bit his lip for a moment, taking another sip of his water. "Wh-what you said about... about—"

Kelly spoke quietly, eyes focused on Virgil's room. "About how this is all because you decided to leave and break up our family? Because you couldn't just man up and be a father and a husband?"

Logan's breath hitched. He tried to cover it by taking another sip, draining the last of the water inside.

"Virgil tried to kill himself while he was home with you." Kelly's voice was calm, and quiet, and cut Logan to the bone. "What part of this is not your fault?"

He remained silent, bringing the empty cup to his lips as though to take another sip, hiding his trembling lips. Fuck, Logan, man up. You swore you'd never let her see you cry again. Cut this shit out now. He took another shaky breath concentrating on the texture of the cup in his hands.

Kelly finally looked at him, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. Logan kept his eyes trained on the cup in his hands. "Oh, so you're playing the 'ignoring me' game. Okay, fine. Look, I've got to call my office. Why don't you take care of his admittance and then we'll see if you're ready to talk like an adult." She turned and walked toward the exit without waiting for a response.

#It Could Always Be Worse #ts logan #ts virgil #Logan Sanders #Virgil Croft #Kelly Croft - OC #fuck kelly #butterfly story of Happily Ever After #what happened when Janus and Remus met at Jack's party and Janus never walked home alone #sanders sides fanfiction #sanders sides

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