Moonlight - Logicality AU

Ch. 12

Logan's p.o.v. 

"What happened to you...?" 

The question took me by surprise. First of all, I've known this man for two days at the most. Secondly, well...I just didn't expect him to care. I didn't expect anyone to care. It was such a normal occurrence that even I didn't seem to care anymore. 

"It doesn't matter. It's in the past now." 

Patton sighed, and smiled sadly. "I'll never push you to talk about it if you don't want, but know that I'll always be here if you ever change your mind. I know I may seem childish and naive, but I know a thing or two." 

I can't help but smile a bit at his kindness. "Thank you, Patton. That is very considerate of you." 

He smiles. "Happy to help! Now, about what ya just said.." 

"What did I just say?" I asked. Whether it was from the lack of sleep or the drastic change of subject, I seemed to have forgotten what exactly I "said." 

"You said you felt sick again." Patton said. 

Oh, right. 

"Yes, I feel hot in my face and my heart is racing. My stomach also feels..for lack of a better word, funny." 

"I see. Well, I don't have a thermometer, so do you mind if I check your temperature?" He asks, implying he wants to put his hand to my forehead. I nod as he scoots closer to me. He moves his hand slowly. I watch as he raises it and softly presses it to my head. I resist the urge to wince; I can feel myself begin to breath faster.

I'm sure in any other circumstance, his touch would've felt comforting. However, my instincts are metaphorically shouting at me. Twelve years of having nothing but injuries brought upon by someone who's meant to help heal your wounds and help you grow will do that to you. 

He can clearly sense my distress and after a second or two he removes his hand. I can tell he is still curious as to why I'm like this, but I'm sure he can just use his imagination. It's not so hard to figure out why a young adult and his six year old brother are living on their own, have financial issues, and dislike any physical contact. 

"You know, it's getting pretty late. You should really head back to bed." Patton said, looking at me with a kind expression. 

I just shrug my shoulders. "I've been working the night shift for the past few months; I'll be just fine. If anyone should go rest it's you." 

Patton shook his head. "I'm not going to sleep until you do. I want to make sure you're ok." 

It was still weird having him tell me these things. People are nothing but cruel. They stomp on you and your willpower and take whatever they want from you. Once they've gotten what they need, they leave you to rot on the side of the road. Figuratively, that is. 

So why is Patton so different? My brain is telling me that he's nothing but trouble; that all he's doing is playing a sick trick on me that will wind up with Roman and I going back to our father. And while I am starting to trust Patton, I still can't put the notion out of my head. I need to keep my guard up. So why is that so hard? 

As I try to sift through my thoughts and decide what to believe, Patton gets up and walks back to the door, the moonlight reflecting against his glasses. He opens the door and holds it open and looks at me, smiling. He waited patiently as I got up off the comfy couch and walk back up the stairs myself. I thank him as I walk back inside the pitch black house. 

We both make our way across the first floor and up the stairs to the second. Just as I make it to the last step, I trip and fall, hitting my head on the ground. I don't pass out, but I'm thrown into a memory of running away from my father.