Chapter Text
The scene at the bedroom windows of Julian Larson and Logan Wright is a familiar one. Next door neighbors since they were very young, the two—along with their other best friend, Derek Seigerson, who lives across the street—have grown up together, and Julian and Logan’s bedrooms are right next to each other on the second floor of their homes. They’ve always taken advantage of this, the methods changing as they grew. From giggling little boys playing with cup phones and paper airplanes to preteens playing catch with Julian’s baseballs to now, teenagers talking late into the night.
Julian stretches his legs out on his window seat before curling up and leaning against the window frame, a thick blanket wrapped around him to combat the chilly October air. He hugs his favorite velvety throw pillow and sips on his mug of hot chocolate. Their street is always quiet at night, so they speak in hushed tones and their voices carry over to each other easily in the silence.
“...so I told Ms. Medel that I didn’t mind coming in on Saturday to go over the setlist, but that I could only come in the afternoon because I promised Derek that I’d help Amanda with her piano lessons in the morning, and she actually pinched my cheek and told me how cute it was of me to be teaching Derek’s little sister how to play the piano.” Logan says in what he probably hopes is exasperation, but Julian has always been able to see right through him. He laughs quietly into the pillow he has tucked against his chest.
Logan tries to frown, but it looks more like a pout. “What?”
Julian rolls his eyes. “You and I both know that Ms. Medel is almost as much of a mother to you as Michelle is. Pout all you want, it doesn’t change the fact that you definitely felt all warm inside when she called you cute.”
Logan’s pout deepens. Julian snickers.
“Stop laughing at me.”
”I can’t help it. Ms. Medel is right, you’re adorable.”
Logan splutters in indignation, but his cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink. Julian wishes he could reach across the space between them and pinch his cheeks, too.
Logan clears his throat and reaches for something Julian can’t see from his angle, jostling the electronic piano he has propped up against the window. “Anyway, I’ve been working on that piece I wanted to give Michelle for her birthday…” Logan says, clearly changing the subject. Julian’s teasing smile softens in fondness. If anyone else—apart from Medel and Michelle, that is—tried to call Logan adorable, he’d rip them a new one, but not Julian. Logan lets Julian call him whatever he wants, no matter how embarrassing he thinks it is. Because Logan loves him that much.
Or Logan’s just unbelievably whipped for him to the point where it’s ridiculous, if you’d rather listen to Derek.
“...lacks something I still can’t put my finger on, but I think it’s coming along nicely. Do you want to hear it?” Logan says, shuffling the music sheets in his hands. When he doesn’t get a response, he looks up and raises an eyebrow. “Jules? You still with me?”
Julian beams at him. “Of course I’d love to hear it, Lo.”
He can tell that Logan’s a little taken aback by Julian’s blinding smile and sparkling eyes from the way his eyes widen a fraction—he really shouldn’t be, with how often Julian looks at him like this—but he chooses not to comment on it and positions his fingers on the keys.
The piece is beautiful, just like everything Logan composes. It’s a soft and sweet melody, almost as if Logan had taken the essence of his kindhearted stepmother and infused it into the music. Julian knows she’ll love it instantly.
Julian doesn’t realize his eyes have fallen shut until Logan finishes playing and speaks. “What do you think?” Logan asks, a hint of anxiousness slipping into his voice, “I’m not completely happy with it, but—”
“Logan,” Julian says, opening his eyes to give him a pointed look, “it’s wonderful, it sounds like it could be her theme music.” Julian grins, and adds, “besides, it’s Michelle. You could give her nothing for her birthday and say that you’re the greatest gift she’s ever going to receive, and she’d agree with you. She loves you to bits.”
Logan looks down at his keyboard, a small smile on his face. “I know. That’s why I want to make sure this piece is perfect for her.”
”It is,” Julian assures him again, “don’t stress over it.”
Logan suddenly looks up and tilts his head to the side, as if he’s just remembered something important. “Speaking of not stressing over your art,” he begins, and Julian raises his eyebrows in interest. The corners of Logan’s mouth quirk upwards, but he presses his lips together, fighting a smile.
“Your theater club members begged me to ask you to calm down a little.”
Julian’s lips part in surprise. “They begged you? They actually talked to you?”
Logan laughs. “Well, it was more like I went to the auditorium to see if you were there, and I overheard them fighting over who should try to ask me to talk to you about simmering down. They didn’t notice I was there, though.”
Julian scoffs. “We’re less than a month away from opening night. They can stand to stay an extra hour or two for more rehearsals.”
Logan’s gaze is fond, if a little worried. “I know how much this means to you, honey, so I’m not going to tell you to stop. All I’m saying is that if you practice a little longer, you should rest a little more, too.”
It’s Julian’s turn to pout. “How dare you use honey against me.”
Logan grins. “I love you, honey eyes.”
Julian glares at him, but there’s no real heat behind it. Logan’s smile doesn’t waver. He sighs. “Fine.”
Logan looks smug. Julian doesn’t like it at all.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he can hear Derek exclaiming about how whipped he is for Logan.
Derek can fuck off.
Logan’s phone vibrates, the sound audible in the quiet of the night. He reads the text and snorts.
“Who is it?” Julian asks.
“It’s D.” Speak of the Devil. “He says he can see that our lights are still on and he wants us to go to bed, because staying up later than him is unacceptable.”
“Remind him that he’s not actually our mother.”
Logan huffs a laugh. “Nah, he’s right though, it’s getting late.”
Julian opens his mouth to protest, but he ends up yawning instead.
Logan’s smile is gentle. “Goodnight, Jules.”
Julian smiles into his mug and takes a last drink of hot chocolate. “Goodnight, Lo.”