Work Text:
You Were Red
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There is only one word to describe Roman King: Red.
He is the colour of fire, anger, passion . He gets what he wants, when he wants, no questions asked. He is, for simplicity's sake, a deviant.
Smoking, drinking, and partying, it’s nothing unusual for Roman, so it’s no different that he’s at a party, the Saturday before his senior year starts. However, there is one thing that is different.
Logan Alexander.
Logan’s not one to frequent parties, so to say Roman’s shocked to see him there is an understatement. He waltzes over to the other teenager and clears his throat.
"I've never seen you at one of these before," he says to Logan, gesturing vaguely in reference to the loud party they’re standing in the middle of.
“Oh, uh, my friend Patton dragged me here, and now he kind of disappeared,” Logan answers. He’s surprised the popular teen is talking to him, considering his existence has barely been acknowledged before now, apart from asking for study notes.
“Well, he sounds like a pretty shitty friend, to be honest,” Roman shrugs, leaning against a nearby wall. Logan only nods, not trusting his voice around Roman.
“You look miserable, specs. Why don’t I show you how to actually have fun at a party?” Roman asks, holding out his hand for him to take. Logan hesitantly grabs his outstretched hand and follows along as he pulls him through the crowded house. They stop at a table that’s covered with an array of different alcoholic beverages. He snatches two beers from the table and hands one of the bottles to Logan.
"Step one to having a good time: drink," Roman informs, clinking their bottles together and tipping the beer into his mouth. Logan follows suit, grimacing from the bitter taste of it.
"It's an acquired taste," Roman laughs, drinking more beer.
Logan nods again, bringing the bottle back up to his lips and chugging the disgusting drink. Roman chuckles, this time at his eagerness. He downs the rest of his beer, and pulls Logan along, bringing him to the backyard.
"Step two to having a good time: smoking," he says, grabbing what looks like a joint from a nearby boy.
"Is that marijuana?" Logan asks with concern. Roman inhales and exhales the blunt and throws his head back in laughter.
"Not just marijuana, but the best marijuana you can get in this fine city!" Roman cheers, earning a few claps and cheers from others outside. He holds out the joint as the other shakes his head.
"No thanks, I don’t smoke," he says, backing up into a wall.
"You also don't drink either, but you did that, didn't you?" Roman smirks, knowing full well that he’s right. Logan sighs, shrugging his shoulders and grabbing the joint. He coughs as he inhales, laughing it off and handing the weed back to Roman.
"Not bad for a newbie," he chuckles. "You’re sure you haven't done that before?"
"Never," he answers, holding back another cough. Roman nods, pulling Logan back into the house and up the stairs.
"Step three to having a good time: Find someone to have a good time with ," he says, dragging Logan into a nearby bedroom and closing the door. He walks toward Logan, planting a soft kiss on his lips. He immediately kisses back, tangling his fingers in Roman’s soft brown hair. Roman’s hands wander from his face, down his back and sides, causing Logan to squeal and leap forward.
"Wait," he says, slightly pushing away from the boy in front of him. "I… I haven’t….”
“Doesn’t matter to me, if it doesn’t matter to you," Roman reassures, leaning in to kiss Logan once more. He shakes his head, pushing past Roman, out of the bedroom and into the very crowded party once again.
“Logan!” Roman calls out to him, but Logan doesn't turn around, electing to keep walking and to continue ignoring the other. Roman sighs and runs his hand down his face before taking off after him. He spots Logan’s small figure and blue sweater walking out the door and begins running even faster.
"Logan!" He shouts, trying to get his attention once more. He turns around this time and locks eyes with Roman, before scoffing and continuing down the dimly lit road. Roman catches up to him and grabs Logan’s shoulder, causing him to stop and turn around.
“What?” Logan snaps, agitated and longing to go home and to forget the night ever happened. In lieu of a reply, Roman kisses Logan again, cupping his cheeks and holding him close.
“Roman,” Logan whispers, breaking the kiss, “I should get home.”
“Let me drive you,” Roman offers. Logan shakes his head and resumes walking.
"I'm already halfway there," he calls back to him, "it would be useless to walk back now.”
"I'll walk with you then," Roman says, in an attempt to stay with him for a little longer. Logan stops, nodding his head and waiting for him to catch up. They walk in silence for a few moments, before Roman takes notice of Logan’s shivering.
"Here," he says, slipping off his leather jacket and handing it to him.
"No, I'm good," he shakes his head in protest but Roman drapes the jacket over his shoulders anyway. He smiles at him as they continue their peaceful walk. Logan stops suddenly, causing the other teen to bump into him, which sends them both into a fit of laughter, Roman trying to hide his blush.
"This is it," he says, almost in a whisper. Roman nods, almost mournfully.
"Will I see you again?" Roman questions, hope lacing his voice.
"Roman, we go to the same school," Logan chuckles, causing Romans blush to deepen.
"Right, uh, goodnight Logan," he sighs. He watches him walk up the stairs into his house, and disappear behind the door. Roman slowly trudges back to the party and gets in his car to drive home.
It was a shock to most that Roman had not stayed longer or got embarrassingly drunk that night. He didn't have partying or drinking or smoking on his mind, only Logan.
I Was Blue
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There is only one word to describe Logan Alexander: Blue.
He is the colour of water, calmness, sadness. He stays in the library most days, reading everything from sci-fi novels to old textbooks. He's not very bossy and lets people push him around.
That’s how he found himself at a party, abandoned by his supposed best friend, drinking, smoking, and making out with the hottest guy in his grade.
Almost three weeks pass since the aforementioned party and Roman has yet to talk to Logan. He’s disappointed, to say the least, but expects nothing less. Although he seemed infatuated with him at the party, Roman must’ve realized how a goody-two-shoes would affect his image.
It's the beginning of October when he puts up a flyer for after school tutoring, wanting some extra credit in math class. He expects some jocks and cheerleaders to come to his study group, but what he doesn’t expect is Roman to be the only one to show up.
“What’re you doing here?” He quietly snaps, as to not disturb the silent library.
“I need help studying,” Roman shrugs, setting his books down.
“No you don’t, you don’t study!” Logan whisper-yells, glaring at the boy.
“How do you know that?” He questions, raising his eyebrows.
“Because you’re supposed to be this popular meathead jock, and last I heard, jocks don’t tend to study often,” Logan reasons.
"Well, you got me there," Roman sighs, putting his feet up on the table. "I just want to spend time with you, and this'll give you extra credit. It's a win-win situation."
Logan opens his mouth to argue, but closes it upon realizing Roman is, unfortunately, right. “Okay,” he sighs, swatting the other’s feet off the table, “fine.”
And so every Thursday afternoon, Roman and Logan meet in the library and pretend to study. The first week, Roman had pushed his chair closer to Logan. The second week, he yawned, stretching his arm across Logan’ shoulders. The third week, as Logan turned towards him to explain an equation, he kissed him.
“Roman,” he whispers as he pulls away from the slow kiss.
“I won’t abandon you this time, I promise,” Roman whispers back, pressing their foreheads together. Logan nods and leans in to kiss him again. Roman places his hands on his face, a mimic of their position at the party, pulling him impossibly closer while Logan wraps his arms around his neck.
They’re interrupted by a throat clear, and look up to find the librarian shaking her head, disapproval etched on her features. Roman smirks and Logan looks down at his lap, blushing furiously. The librarian grumbles something under her breath and walks away, shaking her head again.
“Well, that is awkward,” Logan sighs, the smile on his face betraying his true emotions.
“It’s only awkward if you make it awkward,” Roman replies, kicking his feet onto the table. Logan chuckles and gathers up his textbooks, but not before pushing Roman’ feet off the table like he does every week.
“Where are you going?” Roman asks, disappointed.
“Home, Ro,” Logan points to the clock on the wall, “It’s already four-thirty.”
“Right,” Roman nods, failing to hide the dismay he feels.
“See you next week,” Logan reassures, and begins walking out of the library.
“Wait!” Roman calls after him, earning a glare and a harsh shush from the librarian. “Do you want to go out with me this weekend?”
“What, no party to go to?” Logan asks, sarcasm dripping from each word.
Roman catches on quickly and he smiles, “I’m sure I could cancel.”
“Well,” he starts, “If you would cancel for little old me, I would love to go out with you.”
“Perfect,” Roman says, and leans in to kiss his cheek. Logan smiles at the feeling of his soft lips on his skin, and walks home with the same smile plastered on his face.
You Touched Me
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“You look great, Lo, I promise. Now stop pacing, you're making me dizzy,” Patton's says, perched on Logan's bed.
Logan does in fact cease his pacing, only to stop in front of his mirror, examining his outfit for the nth time that afternoon. He’s swapped out his usual polo shirt and slacks for a simple white t-shirt, dark wash jeans, and sneakers. He frowns at his reflection, eyes flickering to the corner of his mirror, where Roman’s leather jacket hangs untouched.
“Put it on,” Patton encourages. “I know you want to.”
Logan rolls his eyes, snatching the jacket and shooting Patton a pointed look as punishment for knowing him better than he knows himself. He shrugs the jacket on and stares at himself again. He turns towards Patton, holding his arms out and slowly spinning, giving him a full look of the outfit before he burns it all.
“Well?” Logan asks, anxious of Patton’s stare.
“If you weren’t going on a date, I'd ask you out myself,” Patton says, matter-of-factly.
Logan snorts and shoves Patton’s shoulder. The two laugh, and Logan’s phone buzzes in his pocket.
Roman: I’m outside :) no rush
With a promise of relaying all excruciating details to Patton, and a promise to be back by curfew to his mother, Logan makes his way to Romans car with minimal difficulty. Roman is leaning on the passenger side door, a bouquet of roses in hand, and a wide smile on his face.
“Hey,” Logan says as he approaches. “Are those for me?”
“No, they're here for show,” Roman sasses, handing the bundle to Logan. His grin widens and he says, “You’re wearing my jacket.”
Logan turns red, snatching the flowers and burying his face in them. “I’m sorry, I’ve been meaning to give it back, and–”
“Don’t bother,” Roman smiles. “It looks better on you. Shall we?”
Logan nods, and Roman, ever the gentleman, opens the door for Logan, and closes it once he's settled. He slides into the driver's seat with ease, and as they drive, his hand slowly makes his way towards Logan, and settles on his knee.
Logan makes no effort to move it.
And Suddenly I Was A Lilac Sky
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“Ro, baby, come on, it’s just one night!” Logan exclaims, pulling the textbook out of Roman’s hands. “We’re almost graduated, we deserve a night of fun!”
“Logan, it’s a Wednesday, I have a huge exam tomorrow, and if I fail, I can't play in the championship game. You know how important this is to me,” Roman sighs. He attempts to grab the book back from Logan, but Logan snatches it back.
“Over studying can lead to increased stress, and can cause issues retaining the information you're trying to learn.” Logan marks the pages and gently closes the book, setting it down beside Roman. “You need a break, and I need a smoke.”
“Since when did you start smoking?” Roman asks, bewildered as he watches Logan take a lighter and a pack of cigarettes out of his leather jacket pocket.
“ Your friends and I hung out while you were burying your nose in textbooks.”
“Smoking kills, Lo.”
“And? You do it, and for way longer than I have,” Logan scoffs, absentmindedly tossing the lighter and catching it. He tosses too far, and Roman catches it and pockets it.
“Yeah, and I'm not exactly a great influence, Logan,” Roman snaps. He gestures to Logan. “Clearly. When was the last time you studied? Or even went to class?”
“Why do you care?” Logan shouts back. He's gesturing so wildly, Roman shrinks back into the couch to avoid getting accidentally hit. “I'm still passing! I'll still be on honour roll, I'll still be valedictorian, I'll still get a full ride to Yale! Can you say the same, Mr. Football Scholarship?”
Roman stands now, using his height to his full advantage, towering over his seething boyfriend. He pokes his chest hard . In the calmest voice he can manage, though still laced with venom, he says, “go have your smoke, and get the fuck out of my house.”
Roman fishes the lighter from his pocket and tosses it to Logan. He snatches the textbook from the couch and all but shoves Logan out of his way as he stomps to his bedroom, slamming the door as hard as he can. His only saving grace is hearing the front door close, moments later.
You Decided Purple Wasn’t For You
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“It’s raining,” Roman notes, standing in front of Logan. The brick wall he's sitting against is illuminated by the neon ‘open’ sign hanging in the convenience store door.
“You came,” Logan slurs.
“You’re drunk, aren't you?” Roman scoffs, incredulous. “You said it was an emergency. What do you need?”
Logan looks up, doe eyes filled with tears threatening to spill. “I missed you.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Roman spits, turning away.
Logan makes a sound like a wounded puppy, and Roman stops in his tracks. He slowly spins back around, a fury in his eyes that would scare anyone but Logan in his drunken state.
“You know what your problem is?”
“No, but you’ll probably tell me,” Logan mumbles.
“That! That is your problem, Logan! You don’t care anymore!” Roman scrubs his hand down his face and groans. “I liked you for you , and then you… you became… this ! You’re so desperate to fit in that you fundamentally changed every aspect of yourself!”
“Did you ever think I changed for you ?” Logan hisses. He stands, albeit shakily, and points an accusatory finger. “ You couldn’t stand your reputation being tarnished, so you avoided me for weeks! Poor Roman King couldn’t be seen with me, so he had to use a study group as an excuse!”
“Logan—“
“I’m not done. You took me roller skating in the city over, to the coffee shop on the outskirts of town, to the drive-in where you parked so far back we could barely see the damn movie!” Logan is breathing heavily as the two lock eyes for an uncomfortable amount of time. “It wasn't until I started acting like you and your stupid little friends that you decided to show me off. That fucking stings, Roman.”
“I hid you for your sake!” Roman yells. “You're uncomfortable with any form of attention, do you know how many people would have stared at us the first week? Two weeks? The first month?”
“That should've been for me to decide, Roman! I got used to the attention quickly enough!”
“By becoming the worst version of yourself, Logan.” Roman shakes his head, disappointment etching his features.
“I know…” Logan mutters, sliding back down the wall. “You know Patton won't talk to me anymore? I deserve it. I ditched him so many times to make your friends like me that I made my best friend hate my guts.”
Roman kicks the loose gravel in front of him, and Logan looks up.
“Here,” he says, pushing off the wall to take off the leather jacket Roman gave him ages ago.
“Keep it,” Roman says. He shrugs. “It’s always looked better on you.”
Logan watches Roman walk away, watches him get in his car and drive off, watches as the light rain turns into a storm, and the streetlights start to reflect in the puddles on the asphalt.
And Logan sits.
Purple.