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He sways closer without meaning to, and Robert grabs him so Logan doesn’t stumble forward.

“You’re okay,” Robert says calmly. He turns the grip on Logan’s shoulder into a friendly pat, then drops his hand to his side.

Shit.

Logan shakes his head and meets Robert’s concerned gaze. It’s horribly warm all of a sudden. Logan doesn’t know what to say. What to do. Embarrassing. He stares helplessly at Robert. Robert’s eyes are hazel, pupils dilating as he studies Logan. They’re just about the same height and even though Logan is bigger, Robert is big enough and strong enough that he could definitely put Logan where he wanted to. And keep him there. Or keep him safe.

They might be the same thing.

“So, I don’t want to make it weird, but do you want a hug?” Robert asks.

“What would that do?” Logan asks softly. Much quieter than he’d intended.

He shrugs. “A lot of people like hugs. Get a hug and a bit of praise and both Dominants and submissives are good to go for a bit.”

“No, I’m okay. That’s not… I don’t need it.”

“Okay,” he says, like it isn’t a big deal. It’s only later that it occurs to Logan that he rejected a Dominant and Robert hadn’t been upset or made it weird. That he didn’t make Logan feel bad.

“Here, I’ll walk you down the hall,” Robert offers when the elevator doors open.

Logan needs to tell Robert goodbye. He can get to medical on his own. The best he can say is, “I’m fine.”

“I know. Believe me, I know you can take care of yourself. I’m being a little… protective. Sorry,” Robert says, meeting his gaze and dropping it quickly. He’s smiling.

I don’t need you to protect me.The words won’t come out. They’re standing in the hallway and Logan realizes he’s missing a few moments because the elevator doors are closed.

Logan sways and their shoulders brush. His shoulder tingles. It spreads down his arm and his side. Prickling warmth. If he went closer, wouldn’t it get stronger? What would it be like to have all that soothing Dominant energy surrounding him?

Robert takes a step sideways and puts a hand on Logan’s shoulder, squeezing firmly, arm outstretched, maintaining distance and then letting him go.

It’s so embarrassing that it cuts through the haze of whatever Logan was feeling. “Shit. I guess I needed the help getting here, after all,” he says, because somehow, they’re standing in front of medical.

“Have a good day, Logan,” Robert says gently, and then he turns and walks away.

Logan goes to give more blood.

5

Five days later, Logan runs into Robert at the gym. Nerves and excitement course through his body at the sight of him. It isn’t anger. The Dominant is lifting weights, sweating and skin glistening. It’s disturbing how much Logan wants to be next to him.

Touch him.

Logan stares hungrily, then goes to the treadmill, not wanting to interrupt. Robert isn’t looking in his direction. Logan runs. Ten minutes later, Robert comes over and gets on the machine next to him.

His cheeks are flushed and he’s breathing a little hard. He wipes his face with a towel and Logan’s brain and body are suddenly a hot and jumbled mess.

“Are you allowed to be running?” Logan asks.

“Yes, Mom. The good news is that I have a rapid healing ability, the bad news is that I have it because of weird experiments the government did on me. You know how it goes,” he says, winking at Logan.

Logan turns his machine off, because he might kill himself, he’s so distracted. His legs are genuinely weak as he holds on to the guardrail and consumes Robert with his gaze. Christ, he’s never wanted anything or anyone like this. He doesn’t even think it’s sex he wants, it’s closeness. As if he should be a part of Robert. He needs Robert to want him. Robert should need Logan to be a part of him.

What does that even fucking mean, he wonders, and has a moment where he can think, take a breath and feel a little more like himself.

Is it noticeable? If Robert thinks Logan is acting weird, he doesn’t say anything.

Logan should turn back to his own machine, but it feels good to see Robert head-on. Maybe this is how it feels to be a moth when there’s a bright shiny light nearby.

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