Moonlight - Logicality AU

Ch. 1

Logan's p.o.v.

I am absolutely exhausted. I worked the nightshift at McDonald's last night just like I do every night. The two co-workers I work with hate me and whisper insults when they think that I can't hear. Which I always can, because they talk too loud. Also because, last time I checked, I have ears. They also leave the real work to me. They both take naps, leaving me to work both the register, the drive through, and the kitchen. 

This particular night, business was higher than usual. Of course, it still wasn't that high considering it was in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, I was wearing myself down quickly, and instead of helping me, both of them played Uno and slept. 

When I clocked out this morning at 6, I immediately headed to my small apartment to check on Roman. I unlocked and quietly opened the door. I walked in and saw Roman still asleep on the pullout couch. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. He's the only thing keeping me going. 

I yawned and took off my shoes, leaving them by the door. I walked over to the couch and slowly crept in bed beside him, trying my best not to wake him. I had two hours to take a quick nap before I had to wake back up to get Roman to school. As soon as my face came in contact with the mattress, I fell right asleep. 

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"Logan! Logan! Logan!" Roman yelled, shaking me awake. I grumbled and rolled over. Roman laughed in response and jumped off the bed, running around to my side. He poked my cheek. I made an effort not to respond. He simply kept poking me until I opened my eyes. He immediately smiled brightly at me. 

"Logan, thank goodness you're awake! A prince needs to be escorted to his school by his butler." 

"Oh? Who is the prince?" I said as I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Roman ran to his backpack and put on cardboard crown I had made for him. He then pulled out a small red cape that I made out of his old pillow case and wrapped it around his neck. He grabbed the old broom that came with the apartment and held it like a sword. 

"I am! The almighty and powerful prince Roman!" He announced. 

I got up and began folding the bed back into the couch, putting our single blanket and pillow away until tonight. I went over and ruffled my brother's hair, and messing up his crown in the process. "Well, my liege, as your brother and..butler..? we need to get to the bus stop in approximately thirty minutes."

Roman fixed his crown and smiled as he sat on the couch, patiently waiting for me to pour him a bowl of cheerios. We don't have much furniture around. Our apartment is one room, we have one bed that's also our couch, a mini-fridge, a sink, and a stove. One might wonder, where is the lavatory? I'd like to ask that same question to the person who built this place. We have to walk to a small convenient store a few buildings down if we need to use it. 

I took one of our two bowls (that I stole from a garage sale) and poured the remaining contents of the cheerios in the bowl. I opened the mini-fridge to see if we had any milk. Unfortunately, we ran out. I took a plastic spoon and put it in the bowl, handing it to Roman.

"My apologies, Roman. It appears that we no longer have any milk." 

Roman looked disappointed, but took the bowl nevertheless and began to eat his breakfast. I took Roman's school outfit out of my bag and handed it to him. It was a bit wrinkled, but I won't have any money to wash our clothes for at least another week. I handed the outfit to Roman to put on. He did so, and threw his pajamas at me to fold. 

He somehow managed to change while keeping his cape and crown on the entire time. He really thinks he's a prince. My brother, like all six year olds, has a very vivid imagination. The only difference between Roman and the rest of the kids is that he gets picked on for it. Though I don't understand why. He's the most kind, brave child I think I've ever met in my entire life. 

As he continued eating, I made sure all his school supplies were in his bag and in order. He often uses his pencils as spears when he's battling the forsaken "dragon witch" I'll never hear the end of. Once his bag is packed and ready to go, I grab our brush and take his crown off temporarily while I work it through his hair. I make an effort to make his hair "prince like" as he calls it. 

Once I completed fixing his hair, I put his crown back on. He gave me the empty bowl, which I took to the sink and rinsed quickly with just water. Though I detest germs, we simply don't have the money to buy soap or use too much water. 

I check my flip phone to see that it's time for Roman and I to walk to the bus stop. I open the door for Roman and bow. "Sir Roman, allow me to escort you to your stop." 

Roman giggled and smiled. "Why thank you, butler." He said and skipped out the door. I stood back up and walked out after him, shutting the door behind me. I ran to catch up to Roman and took his hand. Our apartment is in a..."sketchy" part of town. 

We walk down the sidewalk for a while until we reach the bus stop. Luckily for Roman, his bus stop is right next to a playground. So he gets to play for a few extra minutes while waiting for the bus to arrive. Roman runs off to the monkey bars while I sit on a bench. I can barely keep my eyes open. 

"Rough morning?" Someone asked and sat down beside me. I looked over and a man my age was smiling at me. He had messy blonde hair, sky blue eyes behind thick square glasses, and a very contagious smile. I felt the sides of my lips curve into a small smile. 

"That is one way to put it, I suppose."

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that." He replied. I simply shrugged. 

"I've just had a severe lack of sleep as of late, that's all." 

The man nodded like he understood and smiled. "I totally get that. With college exams coming up, I feel like I never get the chance to sleep anymore." 

I slowly nodded, not wanting to make things awkward by saying that I'm not in college. So instead, I just kept going. "I also have work in less an hour, which will be very tedious." 

He apologized for me and we went into an awkward silence. After a while, the man extended his hand to me. "I'm Patton by the way! It's real nice to meet ya."

I take his hand and shake it, replying back with the same greeting formality. "I'm Logan. It's a pleasure."

He smiled and opened his mouth to say something, but I heard the bus screech to a stop. I called Roman's name and he came running to me. He gave me a quick hug and then ran onto the bus with a few other children. I saw him sit down in the window and wave. I couldn't help but smile and wave back. 

As the bus drove away, Patton spoke again. "Was that your brother?" 

I nodded. "Indeed."

He hummed in response and then changed the subject. "I have a brother who goes to the same school. He hates buses though, so my mom always drives him every morning. He's really anxious for his age, but he's really sweet." 

I nodded as he continued to talk about his brother and family. He seems to be living a happy life. He lives with his mother, step-father, and brother. Apparently they're half brothers, but according to Patton the half part just sounds mean. He's in college to become a teacher, and works part time in a bakery with his mother. 

As he kept talking, I couldn't help but frown as I thought about what I'd do to have a life like that. More importantly, what I'd sacrifice to give Roman a life like that. 

After a while more of talking, I realized that I had ten minutes to get to my job at the grocery store. I mentally cursed at myself for being so careless, and got myself together quickly. I stood and held my hand out again for Patton. 

"It truly was a pleasure meeting you. Unfortunately I'll be late for my shift if I don't leave now." He stood up as well and took my hand, shaking it. His smile was seriously contagious, as I couldn't help but smile back. 

"Aw, shucks. That's too bad! Well, I hope I'll cya around these parts sometime soon." 

"Likewise. Goodbye, Patton." I said as I ran off to the store, hoping I wouldn't be too late. 

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(Poof this exists now. Hope you enjoyed that. Anywhooooo, I'll cya in the next chapter, lads! -Manzana)