L O V E ? - A Sanders Sides Story

A D M I R E R

Point of View: Logan, Third Person
Timeline: Flashback (cont.)

"Pleasure meeting you as well," Logan returned hesitantly, shaking this strangers hand.  "Though I don't believe that you've mentioned your name."

"My friends call me Dee - or at least they would if I had any friends," The man frowned, pulling his hand back.  He adjusted the collar, flipping it up to protect himself from the still rather dismal elements.

Logan raised his eyebrows, mildly amused.  "Well, friends or no friends, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, even if it is under... less than ideal circumstances," Logan waved a hand at their stormy surroundings.  "But, if you don't mind me asking, how exactly did you know about me? What did you study at UFL?  Something in Science?"

Dee chuckled a little at that, smirking.  "Psych major, actually.  As for how I knew about you, I like to take note of interesting people.  And you," Dee leaned a couple centimeters closer, carefully Logan's face and Logan felt his breathing suddenly hitch at their sudden closeness.  "And you, Mr. Sanders, are at the top of the list."

Logan took a shaky breath, doing his best to keep himself composed.  He usually kept his emotions to the side, but this man... was admittedly very attractive.

"And why not introduce yourself before now?" Logan questioned, glad that his voice was still level.

Dee just shrugged, leaning back on his heels glancing up at his black umbrella and watching the rain patter down.  "Never the right time.  You were quite studious; you were always bouncing between tutoring and the library while you were on campus - I assumed that you wouldn't be fond of being bothered by an admirer," he waved his free hand dismissively before making eye contact with Logan.

Logan raised his eyebrow.  "Admirer?" he questioned.

Dee's cheeks tinted pink and his eyes widened frantically - immediately losing all of his composure.  "No! No, I -  uh, sorry, I - I didn't mean, I - it's just that you, um, you are - uh..." he stammered, wincing.

Logan's lips twitched upward, more amused than anything else.  In some way (few ways, but still few), this man almost reminded him of Patton.

Dee's cheeks were bright red now.  "I wasn't stalking you, I just, um, admire your intellect," he managed.

"Well thank you, Dee," Logan nodded his head politely, regardless.  "I appreciate the sentiment."

Deceit switched hands holding the umbrella, nodded absently as he regained his previous calm composure.  "Oh, this is my bus," he said, gesturing to the bus heading for them down the street.  "You getting on?"

Logan shook his head.  "No, I'm afraid I shall be waiting for a short while longer."

Dee frowned in disapproval. "Here," he said, holding the umbrella out to Logan.  "Take it."

Now it was Logan's turn to be flustered.  "Um, I'm sorry, what?"

"Seriously - take it," Dee pressed the umbrella handle into Logan's hand, leaving Logan no choice but to hold it.  "You can return it to me next time," he commented casually as the bus rolled to a stop in front of them.

The doors opened and Dee stepped out from under the umbrella, leaving a flustered, stunned Logan holding a large, black umbrella.

"Wait! How do you know for certain that there's going to be a next time?" Logan asked, jogging a couple steps forward and holding the umbrella out to Dee for him to take back.

Dee didn't seem concerned, seemingly amused by Logan's question and merely waved his hand dismissively.

"No worries, there's going to be a next time."

"But how do you know?"

"Just trust me."
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