(COMPLETE) The Teaching Elective - A Logicality Fanfiction

Chapter 15 - Soulmate Watching

Summary: At the party, Patton watches his best-friend-crush bond with the adorable toddler as he chats to the toddler's parents. He finds out about a new career to look into - something more 'him' than being a teacher.

Even though Patton could watch Logan all day, especially when he examined anything with that focused look, he was soon brought back to reality by his father's shout. "Get the snacks from the car Pat." Larry threw the car keys across the hall while giving his son a joking look, Logan didn't seem to realise the glance as his eyes just moved to Patton when he looked away. Whenever Logan looked at Patton he crossed his arms over his chest, Patton took it as a non-touching return for the distant hug he always gave Logan when he saw him.

"Let's get the drinks and snacks from the car, come on." Without thinking Patton grazed Logan's hand, but he flinched at the contact. Logan would say if he felt uncomfortable, right? Patton gave Logan a smile as he was looking away and started walking forward to his parents' car, Logan followed quietly keeping his eyes on Patton when he was looking away. Hopefully he was comfortable.

Everyone had their roles setting up, including Logan organising the snack table as he had told Patton he tended to enjoy hyper-focusing while sorting by colour – and then was how the snacks needed to be arranged. Just as Patton managed to drag his eyes away from cute, calm Logan he noticed a familiar toddler at the door. "Hello Theo!" Patton spoke quietly as the two-year-old kept his eyes on his shoes. His parents were chatting with Patton's parents, so the teen felt happy to take the boy under his wing. "I like your headphones!"

"Cat!" The boy cheered, acknowledging that his noise-cancelling headphones had cats on them. Patton nodded along and waited until Theo looked at the snack table in front of him.

"Do you want to get a snack kiddo? And then we can do some painting!" Theo nodded and held Patton's hand, slowly walking forward, and keeping his eyes on the snack table. Or maybe he was watching Logan as he was quietly stimming to himself. Theo would love to see big kids just like him. "This is my friend Logan!" Patton started when the two reached the snack table. Logan just looked at Theo and then back at his organising – Theo didn't seem that bothered either. There was something he'd definitely be excited about though. "We got you a special snack today..."

Theo jumped for you and waving his hands as he saw four cat-shaped cupcakes on the table still in their wrapping. "Cat! Cat!" He was screaming, grabbing the packet as soon as it was near him and looking up at Patton with such a happy expression.

Patton mirrored the happy expression and knelt down to Theo's height as he looked back at his parents. "How about you give those cupcakes to mommy so she can open them for you? Then we can paint!" Theo ran away towards his parents, leaving Patton and Logan together. Logan was watching Patton during the interaction but then left his gaze as he watched Theo run around the hall with his parents. "Theo's so cute, isn't he?" Logan coughed at the talking and turned back to his organising. "His special interest is cats, literally mention a cat and he's the happiest kid ever."

Patton tried not to blush as Logan said his next words. "You're good with kids." Logan's voice was rough and raspy from the cough, bringing dopamine all over Patton's body and heating him up. "You can definitely work with kids."

When Logan and Patton met eyes the two couldn't look away from each other. Patton smiled so wide when Logan looked at him. He had to say something to resist himself from kissing Logan then and there. "You're good with kids too, they love seeing new faces!" Logan finally looked away at the compliment to focus again on his organising, and Patton was called to welcome more kids. But the compliment Logan gave stuck with him – he wanted to work with children, he just wasn't sure how.

Unfortunately, Patton could spend the entire evening admiring Logan and looking after Theo. His main caretaker took the role of staying with Theo while Patton manned the snack table, pouring drinks for parents and children. He had a good chance to watch Logan at this angle too. He was unsure what to do, stood in the middle of the hall, watching his feet. He was poking his forearm with his fingers, keeping one hand to his lips though, frozen and making himself small. Wait, that meant one thing. Logan was uncomfortable.

Everyone working at the event was keeping their bags in the storage closet behind the snack table, so Patton could complete the necessary small talk as he found his friend's black and blue backpack. He must have a comfort item in here... "Everything alright Patton?" Patton heard a parent's voice as he ducked under the table with the backpack. He looked up and felt like he could take a deep breath – it was Theo's mom.

"I'm just... Trying to get something for my friend..." Patton was speaking way too quick. He was worried! He saw what Logan was like when he was overwhelmed, how hurt he was. He hated seeing Logan hurt.

"I can take care of the table while you help him." Theo's mom whispered, and Patton could finally take a breath as he found a pair of star themed noise-cancelling headphones in the bag. He thanked Theo's mom as they swapped places, and he ran towards Logan.

Luckily, Logan wasn't that overwhelmed with the event. He was just wondering what task to do. He was thankful for the headphones anyway and wore them. "Thank you for looking out for me." Logan could whisper anything to Patton, and he would become a puddle on the floor. It got even better though – Logan slowly reached out to grab Patton's hand. Nothing else happened, nothing else was said, but Patton didn't want the moment to be over.

"Should I pick up the crayons from the floor?" Logan eventually mumbled. Patton was still lost for words but nodded. That ended the moment of holding hands though as Logan also nodded and knelt to pick up the crayons surrounding them. The moment was over as quick as it began.

So, Patton went back to the snack table, at least he met Theo's mom and dad smiling at him. "Is he a friend from school?" Theo's mom asked. Patton nodded happily and resumed his spot at the snack table. "You two look close."

"We are." Patton tried to avoid blushing as he agreed that he and Logan were close. They were best friends pretty much. "Anyway, how's Theo doing? Any luck on the autism assessment?"

Theo's mom looked overjoyed to chat about her son, such a wide smile that Patton could empathise with when watching Theo. "Well, we've managed to get him some helpers! Theo absolutely loves his play therapist, and she thinks the world of him."

Play therapy? That sounded like Patton's perfect job! He wanted to help children and especially loved playing with them and watching them learn through games. Maybe that was the job he was suited for. "Oh, what's a play therapist?"

"They're a psychologist that teaches and helps children through play – seems like a busy job but worthwhile. You're at the age of thinking about careers, right? Does it sound like an interesting job to you?" Patton nodded excitedly, and without hesitation Theo's mom grabbed a post-it note that was used to decorate the snack table. "I'll write down the phone number of the play therapist... You should get some work experience before college!"

Theo's parents continued teaching Patton about play therapy, but soon Patton was distracted. Theo had run away from his caretaker and was being entertained by none other than Logan. Logan was playful and calming, hypnotising in the cuteness. He was letting Theo draw cat whiskers on his face, not caring how silly he looked. He would be such a good Dad one day.

His crush wasn't that hidden it seemed. "Looks like your crush is playing with Theo." Theo's dad laughed, receiving a blush from Patton as he continued pouring juice. "You better start dating him soon, Theo's given his seal of approval."

Theo seemingly heard his name and came running towards his parents – this time saying a new word. "Meow!" The toddler was screaming happily, coming into his parents' excited arms, congratulating him at saying a new word. Logan was not that far behind, a wide smile on his face as he watched Patton. Patton gave a shocked look at Logan – Logan only smiled.

Patton wanted kids one day, he always knew that. But now he could visualise it. Logan would be a teacher and he'd be a play therapist, and they'd have a child or two together that they both loved dearly. Unfortunately, Patton would have to ask Logan on a date first – that was the hard part.