Patchwork heart

12

AN: Sorry for the long wait - I was camping with my family and then at a dog event (lure coursing) which consumed up all of my spare time besides sleeping this past week. I know, I know - I don't need to apologize. But I always feel a little guilty for the sake of myself too, as it's harder to get back to writing after a long time in between. But I'll try my best and finish this chapter that I've had on my computer for a week, staring back at me. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 12

Logan stood waiting behind a closed door, hands tucked into his pockets, casually leaning his head and ear against the door in question, hoping to catch a word or two of what Honor and Rory were talking about in the dressing room. He hoped Honor wasn't giving her the third degree, despite her initial friendliness. Logan was also curious about what Rory might say about them. It was better if his sister didn't have too many details, or she was known to mock him mercilessly, even now that they were no longer 10 and 13. But all he heard through that door was some generic mumble, mostly from the mouth of his sister, and he wasn't really able to make out concrete words beyond her chatter.

Truth be told - he was kind of envious of his sister right now. Back in the old days - he would've been right there with Rory, helping her get dressed, or getting ready himself. Rory would fix his tie for him, or he'd zip her up. Sometimes it involved simply watching, and more often than not getting mischievous thoughts. He'd slide his arms around her hips from behind her and kiss her neck. She'd warn him to not mess up her hair or makeup. Sometimes they'd still get carried away, and Rory would end up doing her finishing touches in the car. Dressing rooms had always been their thing, after all.

Suddenly the door handle moved and the bubbly chatter of his sister carried outward, going on about something or other about her daughter.

"You know it's considered rude to eavesdrop," Honor noted.

Logan was caught by surprise, his thoughts having traveled to the fantasy land that had involved their bedroom. For this reason he'd indeed looked a little dreamy, leaning against the door like he'd been listening.

"Just wondering when you two would be ready," Logan commented, and straightened himself.

"Ready as we'll ever be," Honor inhaled, taking a deep tactical breath, and squeezed Logan's arm, not needing to spell it out for her brother how this was a difficult day to get through, even if not in the most traditional sense.

"Are you sure you want me to do this?" Rory hesitated, stepping over the threshold.

She looked radiant. It was not exactly a day when one was supposed to, but it was like even her hesitance and insecurity couldn't hide it. The dress wasn't quite 'her', but Logan couldn't deny that this Dolce & Gabbana dress wasn't a fine example of how Honor had great taste. The Queen Anne neckline accentuated Rory's collarbones and her porcelain skin. If this had been a situation anywhere else, any other time, Logan might've not been able to keep himself this composed.

"You don't have to. I know he wasn't your favorite person...," Logan began, beginning to feel a little guilty for having asked her to.

"You're my favorite person," Rory stopped his words in their tracks, explaining why she was doing this.

Those words made Logan's heart skip a beat. There was just something about the way that he'd said it that provided him both utmost comfort and turned him on. Logan found himself imagining what it would be like to grab the chance and stopped fighting his urges, not caring if this wasn't the moment considered appropriate by most. He could almost remember what it was like to press his lips against hers, slip his tongue against the inside of her lips ever so gently.