The Towers

“You should ask him out,” Isaac said whole heartedly to Paul. Paul was the older Scott brother and like his brother he was sporting that slightly creepy, semi-high school scene/goth look. He had long stringy black hair, always wore eyeliner and gauged his ears. Dark clothes were his forte but honestly he looked good in them. Isaac appreciate his boss but still mocked him mercilessly for having a crush on the grocery delivery guy Charlie and never talking to him.



“No,” Paul said firmly, trying to concentrate on the paperwork spread out on the counter. He was filling out order sheets. They stocked a lot of stuff but sometimes people came in with a special request and the Scott brothers were always willing to satisfy them.



“Come on Paul,” Isaac said. “He’s totally cute and sweet and everything.”



“You ask him out then,” Paul said tiredly, scribbling words onto the paper. He didn’t like being set up or mocked for not talking to his crush, especially by someone like Isaac who had been doing a hugely unsuccessful courting dance at Dakota for years now. That just wasn’t right.



“Uh… no,” Isaac said shaking his head. “Besides Paul, he looks at you all the time, I swear, just… talk to him.”



The man in question, Charlie sometimes came down to the shop on Tuesdays after seeing Beckett up in the apartments. He and Paul made small talk but never got past that. Paul was too shy and awkward.



“Look,” Isaac continued, sounded exasperated with Paul. “He’s coming to the Thanksgiving thing, okay, up in 3A… go there… make nice, ask him out.”Paul didn’t say anything but he paused in the middle of writing like he was considering it. Isaac considered it a win.



~*~



Thanksgiving dinner was a treat for Morgan. His whole family lived across the country so he was left spending the Holiday alone, maybe with Logan, or so he thought. Logan came over to tell him that most of the building was gathering in the Davidson apartment (‘they’re sweet little old people, Morgan, they’re amazing’) for dinner, dessert and such and of course Morgan was invited.



Most of the building was indeed there. Rain was lurking in the shadows with a small plate of food and paint all over her skin (as per usual). A young, gangly teenage aboy with a pierced lip, eye liner and a scowl was prowling around. Andy the building supervisor was there with the Scott brothers who Morgan only vaguely recognized from when he went into the ‘nerd shop’ Infra-Black next door. Beckett was there looking thoroughly out of place (but at least clean) and inspecting every bit of food before he placed it in his mouth. Charlie was following Beckett around and conversing with people. Tucker’s band came for a while before leaving to go off with their own families as well.



Logan was there too of course, practically attached to Morgan’s side. It was a pleasant affair, plenty of food and drink and tons of conversation. There weren’t enough chairs to go around so people were forced to stand with their food or sit on the ground, but Morgan didn’t mind. It was nice.



Later in the evening, when the desert was being served (and the crowded thinned out a little bit) Morgan felt his phone vibrate. He wasn’t really expecting that and shook off Logan to go into the hall where he could take the call. He didn’t recognize the number.



“Hello?”



“Morgan?” It was Dakota and he sounded pretty desperate. Morgan wondered how Dakota had gotten his number and realized Logan had probably given it to him.



“Dakota? What’s wrong?” Something really sounded wrong. Dakota sounded choked, like he had been crying or hyperventilating or something.



“Morgan, it’s awful! We did the dinner and everything and that was fine, but it’s late and… Morgan Isaac and I are sleeping in the same room! In the same bed! Morgan it’s scary.”



Morgan didn’t know how to handle this situation. Dakota was obviously freaking out. Maybe the man’s subconscious was catching up with him and he was realizing what could happen if he and Isaac shared a bed. Maybe he was owning up to his own feelings and figuring that Isaac had no real feelings of his own, was just goofing with him or something. “Why is it scary,” Morgan said after a pause.



“It just is,” was all the answer he got before there was a knocking sound on the other end, a muffled curse and a hurried goodbye. Then there was just the dial tone. Morgan felt for Dakota, he really did. But there wasn’t much he could do.



~*~



“Dakota,” Isaac said, knocking on the bathroom door again. He sounded concerned. Dakota stowed the phone in a pocket and opened the door.



“What Isaac,” he snapped. Isaac looked taken aback and Dakota instantly regretted his anger. It wasn’t fair to Isaac, it really wasn’t. The other man looked guiltily at the floor.



“I was just worried about you,” he said in a small voice. Dakota sighed and pulled his friend into a hug. They stayed like that for a moment and went back into the bedroom. Dakota stood at the edge of the bed, unsure. “You’ve shared with me before,” Isaac pointed out. He sounded much more nervous than he usually did. Typically he was all confidant and obnoxious. What he said was true, but the last time they had shared a bed they had been kids.



Dakota sighed and undressed quickly, staying in his boxers and moving to the far end of the full sized bed. He turned towards the wall so he wouldn’t have to look at his friend. He didn’t know why this was so awkward, only that it was. They were pretending to be boyfriends and… it was weird. The mattress dipped under Isaac’s weight and the lights went off.



“Kody,” Isaac said softly, reaching an arm to Dakota. He allowed himself to be pulled against his friend’s bare chest. “Love you Kody.” Something in Dakota’s stomach twisted. He just didn’t like hearing that right now. Or maybe knowing that Isaac did love him… because they were best friends. Or something.



“Love you too Isaac,” he said softly, squeezing Isaac’s hand lightly and willing himself to relax. Eventually he succumbed to fitful sleep.



~*~



Charlie followed Paul Scott onto the fire escape, a piece of cake in hand. “Cold out,” he said conversationally, with a bit of a smile on his face. Paul jumped a little but, realizing it was Charlie, smiled in return. Paul was a cool guy, they had talked a bit, shared similar taste in music and movies. But Charlie always felt like he was being stonewalled by Paul’s shyness and insecurities.



“Yeah,” Paul said and nodded. Charlie found his shyness oddly cute actually, even if it was slightly annoying at time. They talked for a few awkward minutes about nothing in particular, Charlie occasionally munching on his cake and drifting closer to Paul.



“Hey Paul,” Charlie said after a moment of silence. He had decided to take a chance, but this guy, he guessed, would be worth it. “You want to get a coffee with me sometime?”



Paul snapped his face to look at Charlie who merely fixed the other man with a soft smile. Paul’s eyes were wide. “Like… like a date?” He asked and Charlie could tell the guy was scared out of his mind. Charlie nodded.



“Absolutely a date,” he said, grinning again. Paul was silent for a long moment and Charlie was afraid he’d turn him down. Eventually the man spoke.



“Okay.” Charlie’s smile widened and he did a little victory dance in his mind.



“Awesome. I’ll pick you up next Tuesday after I check on Beckett?”



“Okay,” Paul said faintly.



“Great… speaking of Beckett, I better go check on the weird dude,” Charlie said, going back into the apartment. Paul was left with an awestruck look on his face, wondering what the hell just happened.



~*~



“He asked you out!?” Isaac sounded way more excited than he had any right to as he heard Paul recount the tale of Charlie asking him for coffee. Paul blushed and Lucas grinned. Paul did nod though. “Dude that’s awesome!” Isaac exclaimed. “You should totally jump his bone!”



Lucas smacked Isaac upside the head on his brother’s behalf.



“So how did Thanksgiving go,” Lucas asked Isaac, a wicked grin on his face. Isaac’s face fell, all traces of mirth gone. His gaze dropped and he looked remarkably uncomfortable.



“Fine,” he muttered. The brothers exchanged skeptical looks.



“Really,” Lucas asked, the skepticism so obvious in his voice. Isaac still refused to meet their eyes and squirmed under their stares. “Did you confess your love, make out and have hot, hot sex in your childhood bed?”



That got Isaac’s gaze to snap up. His eyes were wide and he shook his head adamantly. “Do you wish that had happened,” Paul asked softly, knowing the answer already. Isaac turned to the older brother but he didn’t say anything. “Ever think of just telling him,” Paul asked.



“He’s Dakota… he’s my best friend. He’s supposed to know,” Isaac said, forlorn.



Lucas rolled his eyes.



~*~



Things got colder but not much different as November moved into December and Christmas quickly approached. One night, while the snow was falling thick outside, Logan and Morgan were wrapped up inside on Morgan’s couch. Logan was cuddled in between Morgan’s legs as per usual and Morgan’s arms were wrapped around his torso. They were both covered by a thick blanket and empty mug that used to contain hot chocolate rested on the coffee table.



Morgan lifted a hand to run through Logan’s hair. Logan adored that kind of affection and Morgan liked to indulge his younger friend. Logan was a good kid and they had been talking a lot lately. Morgan told him about Lilly, how he loved her, how she cheated on him, how she kicked him out. Logan hugged him tightly and called her names and it made Morgan feel better.



Logan told Morgan about being a gay teenager too scared to come out of the closet. Logan told him about getting kicked out of his house and living on the streets before Lucas Scott found him and brought him to the apartments. Logan told him how Nick Fletcher paid him and gave him free room and board for looking after the apartment while Nick was gone, watching the fish, cleaning and cooking occasionally.



That cold night, after a few moments of Morgan running his fingers through Logan’s hair, Logan turned around a little. Morgan looked at him curiously. Logan looked unsure of himself he opened his mouth and closed it a few times, like he couldn’t make the words come. Morgan waited patiently.



“Logan, what,” he asked curiously. Than it was quite clear ‘what’. Logan leaned forward and pressed him lips to Morgan’s.



Morgan’s eyes were open in shock because he completely wasn’t expecting this. He had done some thinking about their relationship and their interaction ever since he had that conversation with Dakota, but still he didn’t actually imagine that Logan wanted… this. It was unexpected but not entirely unpleasant. Morgan knew he should pull back and push Logan away, tell his best friend that he was sorry but he wasn’t gay.



He didn’t do that though. His eyes fluttered shut and he wrapped his arms more firmly around Logan, giving into the kiss completely. Morgan could feel Logan’s soft breath on his cheek as they parted their lips slightly. Logan was tentative, licking into Morgan’s mouth cautiously. Morgan was a little more sure, mostly because he wasn’t really thinking about what was going on.



Kissing Logan wasn’t like kissing anyone else Morgan had kissed before, certainly not like kissing a girl. Logan’s frame was flatter, harder under his hands and Morgan could feel the muscles in the lean boy’s back. Morgan could feel Logan’s stubbly cheeks and he tugged gently at Morgan’s hair which was new. It wasn’t bad. There was that slight level of awkward pressing against the back of his mind reminding Morgan that Logan was a man and Morgan wasn’t gay.



But it was nice, it was a wonderful kiss and Morgan let himself just feel it.



After a long moment Logan pulled back. His eyes were wide and scared and his breath was coming in short gasps. He mouthed soundless words for a moment and then let out a soft squeaking sort of sound and scrambled off Morgan and ran for the door. Morgan, bewildered, was after him a second later.



“Logan,” he called but the young man didn’t stop until Morgan placed a hand on his shoulder. Logan jumped and turned toward Morgan but didn’t look him in the eye. “Logan,” Morgan said again in a gentle voice. He moved his hand down to Logan’s arm and squeezed lightly. “Logan what was that?” He kept his voice mild and free of scolding.



“I’m sorry,” Logan said quickly, sounded so guilty. “I’m sorry Morgan I just… I really… K really like you Morgan.”



“Yeah,” Morgan said with a chuckle. “I figured that out.” He moved his hand to Logan’s chin and pushed the boy’s face up a little. “Hey,” he said seeking Logan’s eyes. “It’s okay.” He offered Logan a small smile. Logan was breathing deep now, looking at Morgan like he couldn’t quite believe it.



“I’m sorry,” Logan breathed. Morgan just shook his head.



“No Logan,” Morgan said softly. He felt horribly guilty for the guilty Logan himself was feeling and for letting the kiss go on so long. “I… I’m sorry Logan. I’m…”



“Straight,” Logan supplied for him. It wasn’t a question. Logan had a sad sort of smile on his face.



Morgan, for an unknown reason, wasn’t to object that that. He wanted to object to being called straight, wanted to insist that he wasn’t, but how could he do that? He was straight… right? It was confusing and messed up in his head. He had never been in this position. He loved Logan, adored him, how could he not. And the kiss felt nice but still… he was straight.



So Morgan didn’t say anything in reply to Logan’s statement. He just steppe foreword and wrapped his arms around his best friend. Logan tensed for a moment and then relaxed and hugged back. It was confusing and things would change, but however they changed, it would be okay.



~*~



Morgan was up on the roof the next night, wrapped up in a thick coat. It wasn’t snowing anymore but it was pretty cold. He just needed air and he needed to think. He hadn’t been up to the roof before either.



“I heard an interesting story this morning,” came an eerily blank voice. Morgan turned and sure enough there was Rain wearing a deep purple coat and a furry pink hat pulled over her ears. She had a splotch of blue paint on her right cheek. She wasn’t smiling.



“Yeah,” Morgan asked. He was used to word traveling around the apartment building like wildfire. Logan had probably told her, or told someone else who told her. Morgan wasn’t even mad, it was Logan’s right to tell whoever he wanted.



“Logan kissed you,” Rain said and she sounded like she always sounded. Then she gave him a curious look. “And you kissed him back?” There was a slight rise to her voice at the end, clearly making it a question and that was strange. Rain never had any inflection in her voice.



“Yeah,” Morgan nodded after a moment because he had kissed Logan back. He had been thinking about it all day. Rain stared at him unblinking and curious.



“He’s in love with you,” she told him and even though this was technically new information Morgan nodded, unsurprised. “Why did you kiss him back?”



Morgan was silent for several long moments thinking about that. What had he kissed his friend back? “It was a nice kiss… it felt nice and… I wanted to keep that.”



“Are you going to kiss him again,” Rain asked curiously and Morgan shrugged.



“I don’t think so… I’m…” he paused. He couldn’t say it. That was strange. He never had a problem asserting his own heterosexuality before.



“Straight?” It was a question, not a statement like when Logan said it. Morgan didn’t answer for a moment.



“I don’t know,” he finally said and it was the first time (and he had been thinking it since he had that conversation with Dakota) he admitted this. He was slightly shocked by himself. “I think… I don’t want to be… straight, you know.” He sighed and looked at Rain nervously.



“Why,” she asked but she sounded like she knew the answer already.



“Logan,” Morgan said instantly. “Logan… he’s my best friend. I adore him and I want to just… make him happy I guess. And… I love him. I really love him.” And that was the truth.



“That doesn’t necessarily make you gay,” Rain pointed out and Morgan didn’t have a response for that.