My other Masterlist stopped letting me post for some reason! I´m assuming it has to do with the SHEER AMOUNT of links I have there (which is a good thing!). So here is the new one, with a link to the old one, so you can reread as you please! And, as always, my asks are always open for prompt requests. I get SO EXCITED when I get a notification that you all have sent me things!
Masterlist Pt. I
Leo´s Birthday!!
Romantic Roommates
Tremblay Sibling Spa Nights
Finn and PDA
Genderbent!Cubs and Leo w/ STRAIGHT HAIR (feat. FinnLo in MOURNING) (plz go show some love to WLW tags, it's super important and means a lot to those of us who are sapphic! <3)
Cubs on some ROAD TRIPS!!!!
The Vaincre Files: LeLo and Apologies
O'Knutzy Week 2025: Pt. I, Pt. II, Pt. III, Pt. IV, Part V, Part VI
Insecure Lo Hurt/Comfort feat. Bestie Luke
Leo is an Amateur Baker feat. Competitive FinnLo
FinnLo Protecting Their Sunshine and Their Peace in the Hamptons
Hey, you're such an amazing writer and I check for more of your fics daily! I just wanted to come on here and say we miss you loads!
But more importantly I hope you're taking care of yourself and prioritizing the things you need to do! It's such a busy time of year.
Hope to see you back soon, and also hope you’re well!
Hiiiii!!!! I appreciate the kind messages!! I have been so incredibly busy with college and theater, but I am on a break now and excited to get back to writing. So expect some more consistent content for a few weeks. I am grateful you all have been so patient with me. :)
Do you think Leo would like Princess and the Frog because it's all about NOLA? Thoughts on Finn/Lo's favorite Disney movies?
Oh, I DEFINITELY think Leo loved Princess and the Frog because it's about NOLA, food, and jazz music. I think that he really embraces the culture of where he's from and all of its history and diversity, and seeing even a small representation of it on the screen probably made him so happy. So Princess and the Frog really holds a special place in his heart. I think he also really likes Ratatouille because it's all about cooking.
I think Finn LOVES Mulan, mostly for the music (it's one of the best Disney movie soundtracks by far), and Brave. I think that Logan pretends he didn't really like Disney movies, but always loved The Little Mermaid. And Cars. He loves Cars so much. Cars 2 more specifically.
Does Adelaida like to be called Addie? or is she a full name always kinda girl. also have you ever mentioned Rochelle before? Cause I I don't think I remember reading anything about her
Hmmm, I never really thought about that before! I imagine Adelaida as Colombian, so in Spanish her nickname would probably be Ade (pronounced Ah-deh). But I guess in English it could be Addie. Her and Rochelle are both my characters that I've invented!
Sydney Tremblay for me is DEFINITELY a lesbian, and absolutely obsessed with Adelaida, she ADORES her. I imagine Aubrey as bisexual, but someone who came out later in life, so she didn't meet Rochelle until she was in her late thirties. I envision Rochelle being kind of the first girl Aubrey ever properly dated, even if there were flings with or feelings for others, and it being a very liberating experience for her.
hey! love your writing so so much, your stories always cheer me up when i’m having a rough time. I’ve just seen the clip of the USA men’s hockey team laughing at the women’s team despite the fact they both won gold at the olympics and honestly found it quite soul crushing considering how much those ladies have achieved. Sometimes it’s hard being a hockey fan when the culture is so backwards which is why it can be refreshing to read these stories about players who are genuinely good people, would you be able to write something about the cubs and the team showing support for the women’s game? no worries if not!!
I was also crushed when I saw that video. It was so backwards and mean, and definitely very disappointing. Women's sports are amazing, and all of those athletes are so talented- they deserve to be in the spotlight!
Have some badass Noelle Tremblay absolutely slaying on the Olympic ice!
Character credits to @lumosinlove !
“Allez, Noelle!”
Aubrey whistled around her fingers from beside Logan as they watched Noelle get crushed into the boards by her teammates. Beside her, her wife, Rochelle, was hollering in French as well.
“Allez, maman, allez!” Samantha, Thomas and Noelle’s daughter, turned around from where she was sitting in between her cousins Bernadette and Aurelie, to grin at Aubrey. “Auntie Aubrey, maman scored again!”
“She did!” Aubrey leaned down to gently hold onto Samantha’s shoulders. “Look, she might wave to you when she goes back to the bench.”
Sure enough, as Noelle skated back to the Canadian bench, she blew a kiss to Thomas, who was bouncing their son Dorian in his lap, then one to Samantha, which made her giggle.
“See?” Aubrey said. “Told you.”
Samantha nodded eagerly, then started chatting with her cousins again. From beside her, Aubrey heard Logan huff.
“She never waves to us anymore.”
From Logan’s other side, Leo hissed in a breath through his teeth as Aubrey looked at him with raised eyebrows. It was funny how he still looked sheepish when she did that, like he was a young boy again. “She’s waving to her husband and children.”
“Je sais. Still.”
“She’s an Olympian in her late thirties with two kids, Lo,” Leo pointed out. “She can wave to whoever she wants.”
“Yeah,” Sydney said from behind them. She leaned forward to ruffle Logan’s hair. “She outlasted you, you retiree.”
Logan’s face scrunched grumpily and he swore under his breath in French.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing,” Logan grumbled, but his cheeks were flushed and he was side-eyeing Aubrey.
“That’s what I thought.”
Logan grumbled some more, and Leo just laughed and kissed the side of his head. From behind them, Sydney was talking to Philippe, who was on his grandma Iva’s lap with a Canadian jersey on and a tiny foam finger.
“Can you say ‘allez, tante Noelle’?” she cooed. “Say ‘allez’!”
“Allez!” Philippe repeated, giggling when his grandpa Marius tickled his tummy. “Allez, allez, tante Noelle!”
“Shit, I can’t believe we missed that. Noelle’s second goal of the game.” Finn appeared with Sydney’s wife, Adelaida, and sat behind them. Finn leaned forward and handed Leo two Cokes. “Here, baby.”
“Thanks, honey.” Leo turned around to kiss Finn’s cheek, then looked at his son and mother-in-law. “Iva, do you want me to take him?”
“No, no, no, absolutely not!” Iva just waved her hand at him and pulled Philippe closer to her. His cheeks were flushed red and he was grinning into her jersey. “I’ll keep my grandson right here.”
“She said she’d take all of them with her to the house they’re renting for a sleepover,” Thomas said. He took a sip of his drink and let out a satisfied breath. “I think we should let her. Damn, this beer is good.”
“Daddy, that was a bad word!”
Everyone laughed as Thomas winced, then patted Dorian low on his back. “Yeah, sorry, bud, you’re right.”
Dorian nodded, satisfied, then wiggled down from his dad’s lap to go see Marius, Iva, and Philippe. Finn moved to next to Thomas and immediately struck up a conversation about the game, gesturing towards the ice. Leo and Logan leaned forward to join in, and Finn must have disagreed with something Logan said, because he pulled a face and they started bickering in the gentle, almost boyish way they did. Aubrey rolled her eyes and sat back in her seat, turning back to watch the game.
Rochelle patted her thigh, then nodded to the boys, dark eyes amused. “Are they always this serious about hockey?”
“Always have been.” Aubrey leaned into her and laced their fingers together.
Rochelle just shook her head, her tight curls bouncing. “Damn.”
“Hey, you can’t say anything, you’re just as obsessed with basketball.”
“True.” Rochelle looked at her, then smiled. “Love you.”
“I love you.”
Rochelle kissed her briefly. “Can you do braids for me before playoffs?”
Aubrey grinned. “Before your very serious community basketball playoffs?”
“Hey! It’s a very big deal, and I need a cool hairstyle.”
“You do.” Aubrey kissed her cheek. “I could do a zig-zag pattern if you want? Noelle showed me a cool one she did on Samantha a few weeks ago, and I was thinking of trying it.”
“I’d love that.” Rochelle leaned in like she was going to kiss Aubrey again, but then she gasped. “Oh shit!”
Aubrey whipped her head to the ice. Canada had gained possession, and Noelle was now locked in a two-on-one with her teammate, Sophie Lavelle. Sophie deked around the USA’s defense and passed it to Noelle, who was right in the pocket and easily made the wrist shot into the net just above the USA goalie’s left shoulder.
Their whole family erupted in the stands. Finn and Thomas were hollering, and the kids were jumping up and down excitedly, Bernadette and Aurelie each with a hand on Samantha’s arms as they screamed. Leo whistled shrilly, and Logan had taken Philippe from Iva and was holding him up as he waved his foam finger around and laughed. The rest of their family behind Aubrey were hugging, Iva with tears running down her face and Sydney’s and Marius’ arms tight around her waist. Adelaida shook Aubrey’s shoulders excitedly from behind her and Rochelle cupped her hands around her mouth to yell. Aubrey just laughed and clapped her hands.
“Tremblay hat trick!” Thomas yelled, then whooped repeatedly. “Let’s go, baby! That's my wife!”
“Allez, Noelle!” Logan yelled. He’d handed Philippe, who was still waving around his foam finger, to Leo now, and also had his hands cupped around his mouth to amplify the sound of his voice. “Allez, Noelle, let’s fucking go!”
Aubrey didn’t even have it in her to chastise him for his language. He was obviously happy, jumping up and down with Leo when Philippe yelled out to Noelle. Finn and Thomas were still making noises that would normally be too loud in a public setting, but they didn’t seem to care, and Samantha had also started to cry.
“Maman!” Samantha yelled. “Allez, maman!”
Noelle was laughing as she skated back to the bench, and once again waved and blew kisses at them, sending a special wink to her daughter, who was so happy.
“She’s gonna want to go see her maman right after the game,” Rochelle whispered, jerking her chin down to Samantha, who was clutching Aurelie tightly now.
“Of course she is.” Aubrey looked around at her family, who were finally settling down, but still chatting excitedly to one another. Beside her, she could tell Logan was about to vibrate out of his skin. Aubrey grinned and turned to Rochelle, pride for her sister swelling up inside her. “Of course she’ll want to go see her maman. Noelle is a badass.”
Rochelle just laughed and took Aubrey under her arm again.
hiii hope you’re doing well!! i just wanted to say that i’ve been listening to the great divide by Noah Kahan on repeat lately and everytime i think about your nootmas story and alex and kasey… my boys :(( but at least they get their happy ending eventually!!
Awwww, I loved writing that! Noah Kahan holds a very special place in my heart, actually, because we are from the same area- like, literally a couple of towns away. I remember the days when my friends and I would go see him play at local cafe's and farmer's markets. Northern New England is a beautiful place, and he writes about it so wonderfully, so I knew that I had to write a story based there. Orange Juice is one of my favorite songs of his, and that's what sparked the idea for the story. The vision was really visioning when I wrote it!
If you want to find the story this anon is talking about, click here and here!
would you be up to writing the cubs at the olympics? i would love to leo and finn teasing logan about having to send him off to war (the evil canadian team)
Yikes, it's been a while! I've been so busy with school and life that I haven't had the time nor the energy to sit down and write. BUT, I figured, in the spirit of the Olympics, I would try and answer this prompt!
Side note, I do know that in the actual Olympics, men's hockey happens after women's, but let's pretend I can bend the rules. I hope you enjoy!
Character credits to @lumosinlove !!
“Uh oh, Le.” Leo felt an elbow nudge his ribs. “Look who it is, our sneaky little rival.”
Leo smiled and looked up from his book. Logan was standing there with his hands on his hips and playfully raised eyebrows. “Va te faire.”
“Ah-ah, watch your mouth.” Finn tucked Leo closer under his arm on the couch they were sitting in in the lounge of their hotel. “You’re talking to future gold medalists here.”
“Non, you are.”
Logan looked around briefly, scanning for other people before coming to nudge Leo’s book out of the way and straddle his lap. They had all contemplated joining some of the other hockey guys to watch the figure skating competition after their respective practices, but had instead opted to spend an afternoon and an evening together before they were pitted on opposite sides of the rink the following day. The hotel lounge wasn’t luxurious, but nobody was around, and Leo was just happy they were all together. He ran his hands up Logan’s trim waist underneath his sweatshirt to feel the warmth of his skin.
“Ah.” Logan flinched. “Your hands are cold, chéri.”
“Désolé.”
“Non, non, ici.” Logan reached around for Leo’s hands and cupped them to his lips to kiss them. “Br.”
“Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing,” Finn said, pressing his lips to Leo’s hair and resting their temple together. “We just got out of practicing on an ice rink baby, of course your hands are cold.”
“Outside is cold, too.” Leo pouted to Finn. “Everywhere is cold.”
“Oh, our poor baby.” Finn wrapped him up more firmly, squishing Leo so his face was pressed to his bicep. Leo felt Finn’s muscles flex against his cheek and smiled. “Poor, chilly baby.”
“Mm.” Leo gave into temptation and pressed his teeth into Finn’s strong arm.
“Ow.”
Leo rolled his eyes and pulled back. “That doesn’t hurt.”
Finn tsked. “The two of you are always so bitey.”
Logan snorted softly against Leo’s thumbs, then brought their hands down in between them. He leaned over to bite Finn’s shoulder. “Stop being so biteable, then, d’accord?”
Finn let Logan have his fun for a moment, then turned his head quickly to chomp on his neck.
“Rouge.”
Finn and Leo were both laughing when Logan pulled back and clucked his tongue scoldingly.
“Stop that.”
“You started it!” Finn replied incredulously.
They bickered for a few more moments. Leo just sat there, eyes flicking amusedly between them, before he noticed the flash of the TV mounted on the ceiling in front of them. “Boys, hey. Skating’s on in a sec.”
Logan looked behind him at the TV. “Ah, ouais.” He shifted, swinging a leg over Leo’s hips and nudging his knee between Leo and Finn’s thighs. “Allez, move.”
“Excuse you,” Finn scolded. “We were comfortable.”
“Move, allez, Fish.”
“Oh my God,” Finn groaned, but he and Leo dutifully shifted apart slightly to allow Logan to squish between them. “You are so fucking demanding, do you know that?”
“Mm, ouais, and you always give me what I want.” Logan sighed happily, crossing a leg laterally over Finn’s and nuzzling into Leo’s shoulder. “A Quebecois sandwich.”
Finn caught Leo’s eye over Logan’s head and rolled his eyes fondly before leaning over to tuck a nose into Logan’s hair. He kissed his forehead. “Happy, baby? Ready for battle tomorrow?”
“Mm, ouais.” Logan closed his eyes. He made a content noise when Finn wrapped an arm around the both of them and reached to lace his and Leo’s fingers together. “You’re going down.”
“Uh-uh,” Leo murmured, giving Logan’s hand a squeeze. “You are.”
Logan just opened his eyes to look at Leo with a sly smile. “We’ll see about that, soleil.”
***
“Allez, Noelle!” Logan clapped his hands together loudly. “Allez!”
“Jesus,” Finn said from beside Leo. “That was a hell of a top shelf goal.”
“I know.” Leo took a bit of a fry. “Her and Syd with a goal in the final, holy smokes.”
“Iva’s gonna cry if they win.”
“Oh, for sure.”
Logan’s parents were sitting on his other side, and Aubrey, Thomas, and Sydney’s girlfriend, Adelaida, were sitting in front of them. Thomas had stood up to holler, and Leo saw Noelle look up briefly from where she was now on the bench, obviously smiling, and give him a wave.
“Let’s go Christmas!” Thomas sat back down and turned to Finn and Leo. “Damn, the Tremblays are sure making it hard on the US this Olympics, huh?”
“Ouais, we are,” Logan interrupted, flashing his gold medal at them with a cheeky smile. It stood out starkly against his red and white Team Canada Adidas gear. “And we are having fun.”
“I’m sure you are.” Thomas rolled his eyes and turned away. “Whatever. Silver’s more my color anyways.”
Leo barked out a laugh. “No it is not.”
Thomas just shushed him playfully before turning to talk to Aubrey and Adelaida. Leo rested a hand on Finn’s thigh and rubbed soothingly. Finn was busy trying to pick up a fry from the box he was holding with his tongue.
“Honey, why don’t you just pick one up with your fingers?”
Finn looked at Leo like the answer was obvious. “Because then I have to remove a hand from either your leg or Logan’s leg, and I don’t want to.”
Logan furrowed his eyebrows at him. “Quoi? You’re so weird.”
“Okay, then, let me just-”
“Non.” Logan grabbed Finn’s hand that he had taken from his thigh and placed it back. “Non, it stays there.”
“Then that means I have to take my hand off of Le’s thigh!”
“Non, you don’t,” Logan grumbled. He jerked his head to Leo. “Look at him, rouge, he’s so cute, you can’t do that to him.”
“Well, then, you see my dilemma?”
“Fine.” Leo reached into the box with his free hand, dipped a fry in some ketchup, and held it up to Finn’s lips. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, butter baby.” Finn snatched the fry from Leo’s fingers, nipping slightly at the tips of them. “Love you.”
“Love you.” He kissed Finn’s jaw. Leo then grinned at Logan, who was looking at him expectantly. “I love you, too, you sneaky little rival.”
Logan grinned and stood up just enough to lean over and kiss Leo’s forehead and each of his cheeks. “Je t’aime.”
“Uh, what about me?” Finn dipped his head towards Logan. “C’mon, I deserve smooches, too.”
“You do.” Logan kissed over Finn’s cheeks and up to his forehead. “Je t’aime.”
“Love you both.” He narrowed his eyes at Logan. “Even if you and your sisters steal gold medals from us Americans.”
Logan just shrugged, but he was blushing as he sat back down. “Better luck next time, then, rouge. See you in four years.”
your stories are so sweet, I’m so glad I found your page! would love to see another baker-professor-trainer AU where the boys visit Logan at work and he’s being a little demanding with a client, who warns them he can be tough. But then looks over and his sorta grumpy, diligent trainer is coaxing these dudes through a set with kisses
Oh, I do love a BakerProfessorTrainerAU! Have some gym fluff!
Character credits to @lumosinlove !!
“What time did Lo say his last client is?” Leo asked.
“They finish at 3,” Finn said, holding the gym entrance door open for Leo. “Then he’s all ours.”
“Cool.” Leo scanned his membership card. “Hi, Jo.”
“Hey, honeys!” Jo, the desk attendant, replied in her thick Tallahassee accent. “How are y’all? Going to see your boy?”
“You know it,” Finn replied. “How are the kids?”
“Annoying as hell, but you know how it is. Have a good workout!”
“Thank you!” Finn waved at her and followed Leo to the men’s locker room. “She’s always so cheery.”
“Honestly, I’d be, too, if I worked at a gym, I feel like that would be fun.” Leo set his stuff on a bench to open his bag with a sigh. “Jesus, I’m tired.”
“What time did you leave this morning?” Finn asked as he opened his own bag to get his gym clothes. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Around four-thirty. Had a shipment come in.”
Finn nodded. “Is Layla opening for you tomorrow?”
“Yeah. She forced me into it because I’ve had extra early mornings all week, you know?”
“Good. Extra morning snuggle time.” Finn pulled his T-shirt over his head just in time to catch Leo without his own. He glanced around the locker room once before leaning in and biting Leo’s upper back playfully.
“Ah!” Leo turned around with flushed cheeks, his shirt in his hand. “Finn.”
“What? There’s nobody here!” Finn wrapped his arms low around Leo’s back and leaned in with a grin. “Plus your back’s all sexy.”
Leo’s flushed deepened. “Shut up.”
“It’s true! Lo and I are of the opinion that it’s the sexiest back.”
Leo just considered him for a moment before leaning in for a quick kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you.” Finn gave him a tap on the ass before going to put both of their bags in a locker. “Got your water bottle, baby?”
“Yup, I got both of ours.”
“Sweet.” Finn turned on his heel and smiled. Leo’s legs looked so long in his shorts, which didn’t really come that far down his thighs and made his muscles bulge. Finn wanted to eat him. “Oh, yeah, I’m ready.”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Calm down. C’mon, let’s go see Lo.”
They found Logan in the large, open functional training area of the second floor. He was working with Adele Dumais, a senior at Gryffindor high and bound to alpine ski Division I at UVM. Her father, Pascal, had played ice hockey for the Gryffindor Lions hockey team for over a decade, and her mother, Celeste, was a retired Olympic nordic skier for Canada. She and her brothers had all inherited their parent’s athleticism, and that combined with their French Canadian heritage drew Logan to them when Pascal and Celeste had come looking for trainers for their kids. It looked like Adele and Logan were finishing up their session with some plyometrics. Adele started by sitting on a bench then doing a broad jump into a single leg hop onto a tall box.
“Jesus, she’s springy,” Leo said. “I don’t know if I could do that.”
“I know I definitely couldn’t, I think my knees would buckle.”
“Mm,” Leo hummed. He smiled. “Logan’s so demanding.”
“Allez!” Logan’s voice sounded. “Again.”
“But you said it was the last-”
“You have more in you.” Logan clapped his hands at her encouragingly. “Allez, again.”
Adele said something in rapid French before complying, easily clearing the box and landing gracefully on top. Logan nodded approvingly after she did a few on each leg, then handed her a water bottle. “Bien.”
Adele accepted the water, panting slightly. “Merci.” She nodded in Finn and Leo’s direction. “Allez.”
Logan’s surprise faded as soon as he saw them, his shoulders relaxing and a soft smile breaking out over his face. “Salut.”
“Hey.” Finn turned to Adele. “Good session?”
She nodded around a sip of water. “Yeah. He’s demanding as shit, though.”
Leo snorted. “Oh, we know. Alright if we steal him?”
“Please, I’m so done.”
Logan said something to her in French, which just made Adele grin, then jerked his head towards a bunch of yoga mats. “Lá, go stretch. Well done.”
Adele bumped the fist he held out and went to grab a foam roller. With Logan now unoccupied, Finn went to cup his hips and kiss his cheek. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s going to go pro,” Logan said, nodding to himself. “She’s so talented.”
“She’s got a good trainer, too,” Leo said. He stepped into Logan’s space and gently gripped his chin to look at him with a smile. “Hi, honey.”
Logan’s own grin was a bit dopey. “Salut,” he murmured into a sweet kiss. “Good day?”
“Mhm. Snagged some of those toffee brownies you like for dessert tonight.”
“Merci,” Logan groaned, resting his forehead against Leo’s collarbone. “Those are my favorite.”
Leo grinned at Finn as he cupped the back of Logan’s head. “I know.” He dropped a kiss into his hair, then reached down to pat his ass playfully. “Say hi to your other husband, again, please, he’s bouncing on his toes over there.”
Indeed Finn had been. He loved watching Leo and Logan love each other more than anything in the world, but he also particularly loved loving them. And he hadn’t seen Logan all day and he just wanted-
“Bisou?” Logan prompted. He had spun to face Finn now and tangled their hands together. “Pour moi?”
Finn didn’t understand a lot of French, but he did understand that. He grinned and planted a hard kiss on Logan’s mouth. “As many as you want.”
“Mm.” Finn felt Logan’s smile against his mouth and accepted one last brush of their lips. “Later. It’s time to work out.”
“I’ll show you a workout.”
“Finn,” Leo chastised gently. “Not here, we are in public.”
Finn blinked slowly, taking in his surroundings. “Oh. Right.”
Logan laughed and ran a hand up and down Finn’s ribs. “Tu es si précieux, mon amour. You ready? Let’s go warm up.”
Logan led them through some dynamic work with bands to warm up their muscles. Finn only got a little distracted by the sight of his and Leo’s shoulders and biceps flexing whenever they moved. Leo caught him once and Finn winked, causing a flush to spread over his cheeks. Finn really did have to stop himself from going over and squishing them.
Forty minutes later, they had done their first few strength exercises and had moved onto what Logan called the “functional” part of their sessions. Leo was in the middle of his set of push-ups, a twenty-five pound weight on his back, with Logan standing above him to egg him on. Finn, still sore from his own set, stood and watched Leo grit his teeth through the strain.
“Allez, two more,” Logan was saying. His hands were poised to grab the weight if necessary. “Viens ici, soleil, up to me, allez- bien.” Logan snatched the weight off of Leo’s back and set it down. “Bien, soleil.”
“Merde,” Leo panted. He’d let his knees down and pushed himself up to sit back on his heels. He looked up at Logan. “You’re trying to kill me.”
“Non.” Logan ran a gentle hand through Leo’s sweaty hair, smile soft. “I am just trying to make you strong.”
“Well, it’s working,” Finn said, gesturing to Leo’s… everything.
“Yeah, well, my chest doesn’t get stronger as easily as my back or my legs or whatever. Someone else’s on the other hand…” And in a split second, Leo reached up, giving Logan’s pecs a playful squeeze.
Logan gasped, partially scandalized, partially flustered. He batted at Leo’s hands. “Soleil.”
Finn and Leo, on the other hand, were laughing at his expense. Leo had let go of Logan’s chest, but only to hold his hips and use them as leverage to stand. He looked down at Logan with twinkly eyes. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”
Logan narrowed his eyes at him and then flicked them towards the weight on the floor. “You both each have a set left, you know.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” Finn said with a mocking salute.
Logan clucked his tongue. “Rouge,” he scolded. His cheeks were bright red. “Your turn.”
“Yes, sir,” Finn said again, just to make Logan flush even more. “You gonna spot me?”
“Ouais,” Logan grumbled. He picked up the weight from the floor and let Finn get into position. Despite his grumpiness, he placed the weight on Finn’s back carefully, hands lingering until Finn was stable. “Bien?”
“Good.” Finn gritted his teeth and lowered himself towards the floor. “Fuck.”
“Allez, rouge.”
Logan and Leo guided him through encouragingly until failure. When he felt his arms begin to drop, strong hands removed the plate from his back. Finn let his knees down and crossed his arms underneath himself to rest his forehead on them. “Fuck. Ow.”
“Honey, well done, but that floor is so dirty.”
Finn groaned. “Gimme a minute.” He picked himself up to sit back on his heels and narrow his eyes at Logan. “Ouch, Tremblay.”
Logan just bit back one of his secret smiles. “You deserve it.”
“Oh, that’s how we’re gonna play this?” Finn bounced up and relished in Logan’s laugh as he went to pinch his waist playfully. “You little fucker.”
“Rouge,” Logan gasped. There were definitely people staring, but Finn didn’t really care, not when Logan was happy and playful like this. “Rouge, allez, it’s Leo’s turn.”
Finn gave Logan one last tickling jab to his ribs before stepping back and miming tipping his hat to Leo. “Sorry, sunshine, after you.”
Leo raised his eyebrows. “You think you’re so charming.”
“I know I am.” Finn clapped his hands. “Let’s go, Le, I wanna see your back muscles flex, c’mon.”
“Oh my God,” Leo said dryly, but he got in position on the floor. “You’re ridiculous.”
“They are nice back muscles, soleil,” Logan pointed out, sharing a grin with Finn, before placing the weight on Leo’s back. “Allez, mon coeur, bring it back up to me.”
Finn did appreciate the view of Leo’s back muscles through his T-shirt, but even more he loved the smiles he and Logan gave each other when at last Logan picked the weight off of his back and held out a hand to help him up. Logan pulled him right up into a kiss, so quick nobody would have seen it unless they were watching- which Finn always was. He bit his bottom lip, willing himself to calm down, and reached for his water bottle.
“Allez,” Logan said. His cheeks were flushed as he looked at Leo. “Let’s go, pull-ups next.”
“Uh-uh.” Leo’s eyes were teasing. “We gave you a show, now it’s your turn.” He glanced down to the weight and the ground at their feet. “Your turn.”
Oh, no, Finn thought. Now he would really need to pull himself together. He took another sip of water.
Logan considered Leo for a moment, narrowing his eyes. He looked ready to insist on moving on, but it was very difficult to say no to Leo’s baby blues. Finn didn’t envy him.
Well, maybe he did. Just a little.
“Ouais,” Logan finally said. He jerked his chin to a weight rack. “But I can do them with thirty-fives.”
“Oo, trying to one-up us, I see,” Finn teased. He took the weight he and Leo had been using and switched it out, then carried the new one back over. Logan was already set up on the ground, smiling at something Leo was saying. “Ready?”
“Allez.” Logan got into position. “Fish.”
“‘Kay.” Finn placed the weight on Logan’s back. “Good?”
“Bien.”
Logan grunted softly as he dropped towards the floor in a controlled movement. Finn bit his lip at the flex of Logan’s back and shoulders, and from the intake of breath beside him, he knew Leo was doing the same.
“We are in so much trouble,” Leo whispered to him.
Finn leaned against him so their shoulders were touching and smiled. “You know it, baby.” He moved to stand by Logan again. “C’mon, Lo, baby, up to me.”
Logan grunted on his last rep and let out a harsh breath when Finn took the weight off his back. He took a few moments to pant, then looked at them with raised eyebrows and parted lips. “Lá, I put on a show. Happy?”
“Mm, very.” Leo held out his hands to pull Logan up. “It was a good show.”
Logan narrowed his eyes, but accepted a quick kiss. He smacked Leo’s hip playfully. “Allez, next exercise.”
They were about to move on, but motion from beside them caught their eyes. Adele was standing there with her hands on her hips and raised eyebrows. She said something in French that made Leo snort and Logan roll his eyes before responding in kind. He asked her something, and she gestured to the cardio section, then waved her hands. Leo was laughing now and Logan was blushing when he retorted. Adele gave Leo a look, then smiled and waved. “See ya,” she said in English, nodding to Finn, then went towards the women’s locker room.
Finn blinked and turned. “What just happened?”
Logan was frowning with red cheeks, and Leo wrapped an arm around his waist with a teasing grin. “Adele was just remarking on how much more- amicable Lo is with us versus some of his other clients. Said he goes too easy on us.”
Finn snorted and stepped into their space. “Oh, baby. You’re ruining your own reputation.”
“Non,” Logan bit back. He flashed green eyes up at Finn. “I do not.”
“A little, you do.”
Logan huffed and pulled out of their arms, but not before pressing a hand to each of their waists. “Allez, next exercise.”
Finn and Leo just shared an amused, smitten smile, before following Logan across the weight room.
I’m not sure how much you keep up with hockey but recently there’s been an increase of like fans saying inappropriate things to players, or expectations of them to come meet fans after a game, posting strange things about them, etc. Was just thinking about the cubs each being in a situation like this and the other two being like overly protective (got inspo from a video of like a 30-something-year old asking matt rempe to flex for them because he’s a “good fighter”. Can’t help but think of our logan)
Oh, I DEFINITELY keep up with hockey. I am a die-hard Boston fan! So yes, I have seen fans crossing boundaries on social media and in real life when they meet players, and yes, it's really strange. Players are people first, and they deserve the same respect of their boundaries that anybody else does. It's not a nice topic to write about, but rest assured that our Cubs are there for each other!
Character credits to @lumosinlove !! <3
“C’mon, c’mon, c’mon- yes!” Finn slapped the couch beside him and drummed on Leo’s stomach excitedly. “Baby scored, baby scored, baby scored!”
Leo smiled from his place on the couch, his back to Finn’s chest, as Logan pumped his fists on their TV screen and Alex crushed him into the boards excitedly. It made Leo ache slightly as he watched Logan skate by the Rangers bench to receive fist bumps, a huge grin on his face. Behind him, Finn sighed, and he knew he was thinking the same.
“Miss him,” Finn murmured. He pressed his nose into Leo’s hair.
“Me, too.” Leo laced their fingers together over his stomach. “Two more days. Then we play him.”
“That’s not as fun as playing with him.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Leo tilted his head for a quick kiss then raised his eyebrows. “But don’t lie and tell me you don’t like the competition.”
Finn’s grin was bright and mischievous. “It does make me all toasty pressing him against the boards.”
Leo snorted. “You’re so weird.”
“No I’m not. Getting hot because I’m wrestling on the ice with Logan Tremblay is a completely natural reaction.”
“Mm.” Leo furrowed his eyebrows in thought.
“What?” Finn asked. He jostled Leo slightly, his face concerned. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Nothing, just.” Leo shrugged. His mind flashed to a few days ago, when he’d been scrolling on the Rangers Instagram. “You remember a couple of days ago, when Lo had the game winner in the final minute against the Flames?”
“Do I ever.” Finn whistled lowly. “That spin move was sexy.”
“It was.”
Finn kissed the back of his neck. “What about it baby?”
“The Rangers made a post on Instagram of the goal. And the celebration, like when his teammates were hugging him against the boards.”
Finn didn’t look any less confused. That was normal for them. “Okay. And…?”
“I don’t know, there were some comments.”
“Comments.”
Leo bit his lip nervously. “Yeah. About, like… other people wanting to press Logan into the boards.”
Finn’s eyebrows shot up. Any teasing curiosity that was lingering had vanished, replaced by a sort of possessiveness that he so rarely expressed. “Really.”
“Mhm.” Leo chewed on the inside of his cheek. He realized he was holding on tightly to Finn’s forearms. “I don’t know, maybe it’s stupid, but- it made me feel weird. That other people think of him like that.”
“Mm.”
“Sorry,” Leo said, turning back to the TV and slouching further back into Finn. It was the second intermission. “I didn’t mean to bring down the mood.”
“No, baby,” Finn insisted. He squeezed Leo around the waist and kissed his cheek softly. “Sunshine, you shouldn’t feel sorry. It is odd.”
“Right?” Leo breathed out heavily. “It’s just- like, I know we make jokes about that, but it’s… it’s different, you know? Because we, like…”
“We love him. And he loves us.”
“Yes.” Leo felt himself getting more passionate the more he spoke, like his irritation was becoming more and more uncontrollable. “And he’s our Logan. Before being, like-” Leo waved his hand around. “-like a hot professional athlete or whatever, he’s our Logan. A whole person, who’s sweet, and kind, and devoted, and…”
“Ours.”
Leo was so grateful that Finn always knew exactly how to finish his sentences. “Exactly.” He let out a pained sound and felt his eyes begin to sting. When he spoke, his voice was tight. “I just don’t like people objectifying him.”
“No, it’s not okay.” Leo felt gentle fingers touch underneath his chin. “Look at me.”
Leo looked. Warm brown eyes, freckles that were soft in the lamplight. Finn’s hair was longer now, too, brushed back in thick, red waves that Leo took every opportunity to run his fingers through. He always held Leo and Logan so gently; Finn was so careful with them, and Leo let his eyes close briefly before meeting Finn’s gaze.
“I love you,” Finn whispered. He smiled. “I love you so much, sweetheart. And I love Logan so much. So fuck what any of these people could possibly say, because I’m yours. And Logan’s ours.”
“And I’m yours,” Leo finished for him.
“Yeah, baby.” Finn pressed their foreheads together. “We’re each other’s before anything else, okay?”
Leo nodded. “Okay.” He pressed their lips together gently. “I love you.”
“Sunshine, baby, you don’t even know.”
***
“We’ll get you next time, Tremblay.”
Leo felt Logan laugh into his chest at Thomas’ comment. He unwrapped his arms from Leo’s neck and went to hug Thomas. “You wish.”
“Thanks for kicking our asses at home, man, really appreciate it. And with your sister watching, too.”
As if on cue, there was a shrill whistle from down the hallway. “Hey, T, baby!”
Thomas’ face lit up and he opened his arms for Noelle to jump into. “Hey, Christmas.”
Noelle planted a wet kiss on his cheek, then jumped down to wrap Logan up in a hug. “Nice win, baby brother,” she said in French.
Logan turned sheepish, batting her hand away when Noelle went to ruffle his hair. He gently shoved her back to Thomas before coming to lean into Leo once more. He was warm against Leo’s chest. “Missed you, soleil.”
“Missed you.” Leo bent to kiss him. “You ready to go home? Where’s Finn?”
“With Alex.” Logan squeezed Leo around the waist once more. “Should we meet him at the car?”
“I can text-” Leo caught sight of two flashes of red hair. He smiled and jerked his chin. “Here he is.”
“Hey, lovers.” Leo’s heart fluttered with the way Finn tugged Logan in by the waist to kiss him hard. “You sneaky thing, beating us like that,” Finn murmured into Logan’s jaw, biting gently.
“Oi.” Alex came up and smacked the back of Finn’s head as he walked by, Kasey and Natalie close behind. “Take that shit somewhere else.”
Finn simply stuck his tongue out behind Alex’s back before turning to Leo. “Ready to go, sunshine?”
“Mhm.” Leo shouldered his bag and held out his hand for Logan to take. He smiled at Finn, who was carrying both his and Logan’s bags. “Harz, you need help?”
“Nope.” Finn grunted as he boosted the bags up. “Nope, you lead the way, gorgeous, okay?”
“Okay,” Leo said skeptically, him and Logan sharing a look. “You let us know if you need Lo to carry his own bag.”
“I won’t!”
Logan hid his smile into Leo’s bicep as they made their way towards the tunnels that led to the parking lot. Finn chattered non-stop behind them, stopping only when he had to readjust the bags on his shoulders.
“I’m just saying, we only lost to you by one. It could have gone either way, especially because your second goal was on a power play that should not have happened, Kuny didn’t slash-”
“Ouais, he did!” Logan argued. “I was on the ice, I saw it.”
“No way, his stick didn’t come high enough for it to be-”
“Boys,” Leo interrupted gently. “Let’s not get too heated before we get home. I’m making a nice, relaxing dinner for us.”
“D’accord,” Logan said softly, pausing to press a kiss to Leo’s cheek when Leo held the door to the parking garage open for him. “But it is fun to watch Finn be wrong.”
“I am not!”
Leo sighed and wrapped his arm around Logan’s waist when they got to their car. He bent his neck to meet Logan’s mischievous grin with his own. “You are such a trouble maker.”
“Mm, you like it,” Logan murmured, meeting Leo for a kiss. He relaxed into Leo’s strong hold, leaning in to kiss him again.
They were interrupted by a gasp from a few spaces down. Leo whipped his head up to find two girls, one with red curls and another with straight black hair, and a guy, their phones out and ready, staring at them with wide eyes. They looked like they were still in high school. The black-haired girl was looking between himself and Logan, and Leo tightened his grip on Logan’s hips.
“Can we help you?” Finn asked. His face was light and normal, but his voice was wary.
“We’re uh,” the red-haired girl started.
“Big fans,” the guy finished. “Huge.”
“Oh.” Finn’s shoulders eased. “Well, it was nice to meet you. Hope you all enjoyed the game.”
“Yeah, totally, just- can we take a photo?” the red-haired girl asked.
In Leo’s arms, Logan’s shoulder raised with a deep, irritated inhale. Nobody else would notice the clench of his jaw, but Leo did- and so did Finn.
“Um.” Finn scratched the back of his head. “We were just leaving, I’m really-”
“No! Not with us.” The guy motioned to them. “Like, of you three, together.”
Leo blanched. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah, like- you’re good representation!” the black-haired girl exclaimed, smiling at them encouragingly. “We’d love a photo of you guys with, like, your arms around each other, or kis-”
“Absolutely not,” Finn interrupted. The kids looked surprised by his tone, and so he took a deep breath, but didn’t speak any less assuredly. “Look, we really appreciate you three coming to support the team and everything, but we’re tired. So we’re going home.”
The three kids didn’t say anything, just watched with flushed cheeks as Finn coaxed Logan, then Leo into the car. Leo let Finn’s firm but gentle hands guide him into the passenger seat. He didn’t realize he was shaking until Logan leaned forward from the backseat to cup his hands in his own and kiss them.
“Soleil?” he murmured.
Leo opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out. Thankfully, he was saved by Finn slamming the driver door shut with a frustrated huff. “Who the hell do they think they are?”
Leo and Logan looked at each other. Finn didn’t get angry that often. Logan rested a hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Rouge-”
“You think they’re gone?” Finn turned around to look out the rear window where, sure enough, the kids were nowhere to be seen. He bonked his head back against his headrest with a sigh. “Fuck. Fuck, I know they’re just teenagers, but seriously? That totally crosses a line, we have boundaries as people.”
“Sh, mon amour,” Logan hushed. He cupped Finn’s jaw in his large palm. “C’est bien, they’re gone.”
Leo could feel the relief coming off of Finn in droves, even across the center console. Finn kissed Logan’s palm. “I know. I just- when we touch or kiss it’s because we want to.” He looked at them each carefully. “Okay? We’re not objects.”
Of all things, that made Leo tear up a bit. Finn saw it coming and immediately pressed his thumbs to Leo’s cheeks, swiping gently.
Logan, however, looked a little spooked. “Soleil?” He leaned forward even more and rested his palm on Leo’s neck, eyes searching over his body. “Mon coeur, what- Leo?”
“Sorry.” Leo sniffed, blinked, and another tear fell. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Finn reached across to wrap his arms around Leo’s shoulders and pressed a kiss to his head. “Sh, baby, I got you.”
Leo looked out at Logan, who wasn’t saying anything, but his green eyes were curious; he was so patient, and Leo loved him for it. So Leo reached out a hand, squeezing Logan’s fingers, before pulling away from Finn and relaxing into the seat back. “Sorry.”
“Hey.” Finn leaned over and kissed Leo’s forehead. “Don’t be sorry, sweetheart.”
Leo nodded, wiping his cheeks again. He turned to Logan, who was still looking at him carefully. “The other day, I saw a post on Instagram from the Rangers, and people were, like… being weird about you.”
“Quoi?” Logan’s eyebrows were furrowed. “What post?”
“Here,” Finn said, tapping on his phone. He tilted the screen towards Logan. “Le’s talking about the comments.”
Leo watched as Logan’s eyes scanned over Finn’s phone. He became increasingly confused and slightly agitated, but softened when Finn kissed his cheek. Finn looked at Leo with reassuring eyes, nose dipped into Logan’s hair. “So, yeah. That’s what Le’s talking about.”
“I just don’t like them objectifying you,” Leo said simply. He jerked his chin towards the back window of their car. “And just now, I felt- I don’t know. I just didn’t like it. I felt like a… you know.”
Logan looked up at that, examining Leo closely. He paused for a moment before leaning forward. “Non,” he said firmly. They were all squished, too big for the space, but Leo didn’t care, not when Logan rose as much as he could to cup Leo’s face in his hands and kiss him. “Non, Le, you’re not an object, d’accord?” His eyes were imploring, and Leo was lost. “And I’m not, and Finn’s not, ouais?”
Finn rested a hand on Logan’s back and rubbed soothingly. “Yeah, baby.”
“I’m yours,” Logan whispered, still holding Leo gently. “D’accord? I’m yours before anything. Before hockey, before being someone the fans talk to, before anything.” He kissed Leo’s forehead, then sat back in the middle seat of the second row. He had a small smile on his face. “And I don’t know if this is helpful, but I want to kiss you all of the time. Even if I can’t.”
Finn’s laugh was barking, and he twisted to press a burst of kisses to Logan’s mouth. “I would spend the rest of my life kissing the both of you if I could.”
Leo smiled. “That wouldn’t be very productive.”
“Uh, I beg to differ, peanut butter.” Finn turned to Leo now, and kissed him deeply. “I think that’s actually the most productive use of our time, what do you think, Lo?”
“Ouais, I agree.”
Leo laughed into Logan’s kiss. “You’re both trouble.”
“And you’re sweet.”
“Ouais, si mignon.” Logan settled back once more and crossed his arms. He grinned at the way Finn and Leo’s eyes lingered on the bulge of his biceps pushing against the fabric of his shirt sleeves and raised his eyebrows teasingly. “D’accord, home?”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Finn adjusted to sit properly in the driver’s seat and turned the car on. “Kissing on the couch is way more comfortable than in the car.”
Leo just laughed, leaning into the thumb Logan pressed to his dimple, and they both watched as Finn deftly handled the steering wheel to back out of the parking space and take them home.
Out of all the AUs you've written, do you have one thats your fav? Or like one in particular that you're more particularly fond of writing? Woudl love to hear more about your writing/thought process!
Honestly, I would definitely say the Bridgerton one I did for O'Knutzy Week 2025! I mostly write one shots, obviously, so it was cool to write a story that spanned over multiple years and have it be more complete thematically. It also just wrote itself, to be honest, I didn't really struggle to write any of it. Sometimes I find I struggle with one shots or prompts because I don't really find inspiration for them (just personally! I know that there are other people who do, which is why the request them!). So those I find more difficult to write.
I also really liked the Soulmate AU one (part one, specifically)! That was also a story that spanned a longer time period and could carry themes. I think that's also why I like writing about Harvard era FinnLo, or pre-O'Knutzy angst or falling in love, because I always accompany it with a scene or two of them in the future after they get together. I love how those one shots, even though they are still one shots, feel more complete. I feel like they have a beginning, middle, and end; I can play with continuity; I can play with literary devices; and I find that they have more emotional substance and can convey a message. I really try and portray queer love as being gentle, because I feel like mainstream media doesn't do it justice the way it does with heteronormative romance stories. But I am always learning and always researching, so I'm not perfect, but I am getting better each and every day!
I think one thing I would like to try in the new year is to try and answer prompts when I feel like I have inspiration to write them. I used to write them in the order I received them, even if I wasn't feeling particularly inspired, and I find I don't like those stories as much. So I know some of you might wait longer than others to have your prompts answered, but I think this way I will be able to produce more consistent content for you all, and I will get more enjoyment out of it as a writer!
Part II of Nootmas! The prompt is the O'Hara's famous hot chocolate!
Thanks to @noots-fic-fests for the prompts and @lumosinlove for the characters. <3
Christmas Eve 2007
“Finn, honey, you’re going to burn the milk and cream.”
“You can’t burn milk.”
“I assure you, you can. Are you positive you’ve made this before?”
“Yes. Al, tell him!”
Alex looked up from where he was chopping up chocolate at his parent’s kitchen counter. Finn was at the stove heating up the milk and cream for their hot chocolate, Leo watching warily over his shoulder. He was trying to learn the O’Hara family hot cocoa recipe without backseat cooking, but was failing miserably.
Logan was watching fondly from the other side of the counter, stealing bits of chocolate. He grimaced. “Bleh. It’s so… Le, comment dit-on cela? Amer?”
“Bitter, sweetheart.”
“Ouais.” Logan nodded and turned to Alex. “It’s bitter.”
“It gets better once it’s mixed with everything, promise,” Alex said, chopping the chocolate a few more times. “Finn, how're the liquids?”
“They are fine, and not burnt,” Finn replied pointedly. Alex wasn’t facing him, but he knew he was raising his eyebrows at Leo.
“I never said that you had burnt it, but that you would if you kept the heat that high.”
Alex turned around just in time to see Finn stick his tongue out at Leo playfully, who responded by flicking his hip and kissing his cheek. Alex made a gagging sound. “Gross.”
Finn made a face at him. “Shut up. You got the chocolate?”
“Yes, I do, lemme in.”
Alex dumped the chocolate into the pot on the stove along with a sprinkle of sugar, some vanilla, and a cinnamon stick, stirring slowly. Finn had disappeared, but Leo was still there, watching carefully.
“I’ve never seen cream added to a hot cocoa recipe.”
“It’s what makes it so good,” Alex said. “Most people use half-and-half, but our grandma always used cream.”
“Hm,” Leo hummed. “Interesting.”
“‘Kay,” Alex said, tapping the wooden spoon on the edge of the pot and turning the heat down. “Now we just let it thicken for a couple of minutes.” He turned to set the spoon down and ran into a strong chest. Alex looked up and smiled. “Hi, gorgeous.”
“Hi,” Kasey said. He wrapped his arms sideways around Alex’s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder to look at the pot. “Almost done?”
“Just a few more minutes.” Alex kissed his cheek. “Nat?”
“Wine, with Thomas and Hayley. And Leo, now, I think.”
Alex furrowed his eyebrows and turned his neck to look. Sure enough, Leo had disappeared. “Huh. I didn’t even notice he’d left.” He laced his fingers in Kasey’s hair with a mischievous grin. “I was distracted.”
“Mm.” Kasey’s smile was fond and warm. “Poor thing.”
“I am.”
“Can you not?” Finn said dryly from the other side of the counter. “That’s gross.”
Alex raised his eyebrows. Logan was sitting on the counter now, Finn between his legs with his hands on his thighs. “What, and Logan just magically lifted himself onto the island now?”
Finn narrowed his eyes and stuck out his tongue, but when Logan gently tugged on his hair with a soft rouge, his attention was immediately diverted and a smile broke out over his face, enraptured with what Logan was saying.
“Ew,” Alex whispered to Kasey, rubbing his hands up and down his biceps. “Gross.”
“Very.”
Alex thought for a moment. “I could pick you up onto the counter.”
“What?” Kasey barely had a second to look confused before Alex was spinning and hoisting him underneath his thighs. “Oh, shit, babe, you’re gonna drop-”
“Nuh-uh, I’m not,” Alex insisted, smiling at Kasey’s laugh. It was so free and so frequent nowadays. He grunted and boosted Kasey slightly to get him on the island. “There.”
Kasey just smiled down from his perch and looped his arms around Alex’s shoulders. “Aren’t we the gross ones now?”
“No, Finn’s gross because he’s Finn, not because he’s dating Logan and Leo.”
“Hey!”
Kasey rolled his eyes at Alex’s snicker and planted a firm kiss on his lips. “Love you.”
Those words filled Alex right up. He and Natalie had only asked Kasey to go out with them two months ago, but it had followed months and months of them seeing one another, of Alex and Kasey healing, of Natalie being there to pick up the pieces of both of them. She was gentle with them in a way that was special to her, and Kasey fit right in like a missing puzzle piece. Alex was so happy he was vibrating with it.
“I love you so much,” he said softly back, leaning up to kiss Kasey slowly. “So, so much.”
There was some laughter from the living room and the sound of footsteps, then Natalie and Leo appeared in the kitchen. Natalie looked gorgeous like she always did, but particularly this year. She’d borrowed one of Kasey’s flannels that was definitely too big on her, but looked perfect, because she was Natalie and looked perfect in everything. She rounded the counter, leaving Leo to where Finn had drawn him to himself and Logan, and slotted herself next to Alex. She reached up to scratch a hand through Kasey’s hair. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Kasey kissed her wrist. “How’s the wine?”
“Your mom’s liking it, and you’d like it. Alex wouldn’t.”
Alex made a face. “I am a whiskey boy.”
“Yeah, and so is your brother, which makes your mother really grateful she has kids-in-law that actually share her passion.” She kissed Alex’s shoulder and went to one of the cabinets. “Hayley asked us to get more glasses.”
“Need help?” Kasey asked, eyeing where Natalie was struggling to reach the top shelf.
“Yes, please, baby.”
Kasey tapped Alex’s hip and hopped off with a kiss to his cheek, then went to reach over Natalie and get a few glasses from the shelf. Alex admired the way his tall frame covered her, and the way he stumbled over his own feet and how she laughed, turning to press gentle hands to his stomach when he went all embarrassed. His expression was amused when he leaned down to kiss her briefly, whispering something- probably an I love you- in her ear. She said it back and took the glasses, giving Alex a wink before making her way back to the living room. Leo grabbed the last few.
“Non, soleil,” Logan whined.
“Peanut, come back,” Finn pleaded, eyes round as saucers.
Alex opened his arms for Kasey to walk into and snorted at Leo’s raised eyebrows.
“I’m bonding with your mother.”
Finn groaned and rolled his eyes. “Fine.”
“I’ll tell her you said that.”
“No, don’t, please,” Finn whined, back to his begging-puppy personality.
“You’re welcome to join us, honey,” Leo said, throwing a cheeky smile over his shoulder. “You don’t have to drink wine, I promise.”
Finn and Logan sent one of those looks to one another that only they understood, then were scurrying after Leo to where the rest of their families were.
Alex sighed. “They are so predictable.”
“I don’t know,” Kasey mused. “I think they’re just in love.”
“Oh yeah?” Alex raised his eyebrows at him. “Think you’d know a thing or two about that?”
Kasey looked down at Alex with one of his special little smiles. “I might.”
Alex hummed. He winded his arms around Kasey’s neck and played with the ends of his hair. “I’m happy you’re here.”
Kasey’s grin was one that he reserved only for Alex and Natalie. “Me, too.” His eyes turned down. “And a little sad.”
It tugged Alex’s heart to hear him talk like that, but he understood. “I know.”
Kasey’s shoulders raised with his sigh. “I just wish… I don’t know, that I’d been around for more O’Hara Christmases.”
“Hey,” Alex whispered, moving a hand down to rest over Kasey’s heart. “You just missed a few. You’re going to be at all the rest of them.”
That made Kasey laugh. “Oh, am I?” He took another deep breath and met Alex’s gaze. “I’m sorry that I missed the ones I did, then.”
“Uh uh,” Alex scolded gently, cupping Kasey’s jaw and pressing his thumb over his mouth. “What did Nat and I tell you? No more apologizing, for any of it.”
“I know, I just-”
“Sh.” Alex replaced his thumb with his lips. “What matters is you’re here. And I love you. We love you.”
Kasey nodded and rested their foreheads together. “I love you.”
“Hey.” They both turned to find Finn standing in the doorway of the kitchen, ears slightly red. “I, uh… sorry, but Mom sent me for mugs for the cocoa.”
“I’ll help,” Alex said. He patted Kasey’s ribs. “Go, baby, I’ll meet you in there.”
Kasey nodded and smiled at them both, then quietly slipped out and towards the living room. Alex watched him go until there was a hand on his shoulder.
“Al,” Finn started. “I, um.”
When Finn didn’t continue, Alex looked at him questioningly. “What?”
“Nothing, I just…” Finn smiled softly. “I’m just happy you’re happy. And about, you know. Everything. With Kasey and Nat.”
“And I’m happy for you,” Alex said, patting Finn on the back. “For you and the boys.”
Finn narrowed his eyes. “Stop deflecting.”
“I’m not!”
“You so are!”
“Look.” Alex turned to place both of his hands on Finn’s shoulders. “We both had it rough in love for a while, you know? Me and Kase, yeah, obviously, but you and Lo, too. You pined for, like, forever. Until Leo came in and saved your asses.”
“Shut up,” Finn said, but there was no heat behind it, and the freckles on his cheeks crinkled with his smile. “We’re in love, man.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah. Now, c’mon, let’s get the mugs down. And maybe some whiskey to put in our hot chocolate.”
“Now we’re talking.”
Christmas Day, 2007
“Rouge.”
“Mm.”
“Rouge.”
Finn blinked his eyes open tiredly. Logan was staring at him from his own pillow. With the sun just rising outside, it couldn’t have been later than seven thirty in the morning. “What?”
“Leo’s up.”
“What?”
“Leo’s awake. The bed’s cold.”
Finn groaned. “I swear, if he is already up making an elaborate breakfast…”
“We told him to sleep in today.”
“Like he ever listens to us about that stuff.” Finn paused for a moment, taking Logan, shirtless and sleep rumpled as he was, in. “Hey, Merry Christmas, gorgeous.”
Logan paused, too, and smiled back. “Joyeux Noël.”
Finn propped himself up on one elbow to lean down and kiss Logan slowly. His skin was warm under Finn’s palm where it arched up into his touch, and Finn smiled at Logan’s little needy, early-morning sighs. Logan always was snuggly in the morning, and Finn wanted nothing more than to have both him and Leo tucked against him, safe from the cold and snowy woods outside and in his childhood bedroom. He pressed one last lingering kiss to Logan’s mouth, and one to each of his cheeks, before pulling back and running a hand through Logan’s hair. “We should go find him.”
It took less than half a second for Logan to start nodding. “Ouais.”
After putting on sweatpants and sweaters, they descended the stairs to find Leo puttering quietly around the kitchen. He was in one of Finn’s sweaters, a dark green one that coincidentally matched Logan’s eyes, pouring some hot water into a mug with a tea bag. He looked up when he heard them and smiled. “Hi,” he whispered. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, my love,” Finn said back quietly. “What are you doing awake?”
Leo just shrugged sweetly. “It’s Christmas.”
Oh, Finn just wanted to squeeze those cheeks of his. “Oh.”
Logan let out a noise and walked around the island to take Leo’s face in his hands. He did squish Leo’s cheeks gently and pressed himself close. “Tu es tellement mignon, chéri. Mon soleil.”
Leo blushed. “I just love Christmas.”
“Oh, sunshine, and we just love you.” Finn rounded the other side of the island and wrapped Leo up from behind, placing a kiss on the back of his neck. “You making tea, baby?”
“You want some?” Leo asked, pulling away gently to reach for a couple more mugs. “The water is hot.”
Finn shared a look with Logan and grinned. “We’d love some tea, sunshine.”
The L-shaped couch in the living room had a perfect view of the large window that overlooked his parent’s lawn and the woods. Finn tucked his socked feet underneath him and watched as two chickadees, stark against the white snowy backdrop, came to the bird feeder and started picking at the seeds. Leo was beside him, equally as enthralled, one hand holding his mug and the other resting on Logan’s thighs, which were thrown sideways across his legs. Logan himself was just close enough to the armrest that he could lean his back against it comfortably and drink his tea upright while still practically being in Leo’s lap. Finn blew on his own mug and took a sip.
“Thank you for the tea, baby,” he said.
“You’re welcome.” Leo was cupping his mug close to his chest, probably to warm up his fingers. “It sure is pretty out there.”
“Beats New Orleans Christmas?”
Leo narrowed his eyes playfully at Finn. “I don’t know about that.”
“Your parents are having fun here, I think.”
“They are.” Leo smiled. “Dad likes sleeping in the den. Says it feels like a man-cave.”
“And what does your mama think?” Logan asked, eyes blinking slowly up at Leo from underneath his sweatshirt hood.
“She likes Hayley and Ramsey’s movie collection down there.” Leo took Logan’s mug, despite a brief protest, and put it and his own down on the coffee table in front of them. He opened his arms up. “Hey, c’mere.”
Logan grinned and excitedly moved to boost himself up fully into Leo’s lap, their arms wrapped tightly around one another as they leaned in for a kiss. They were all so close that Logan’s thighs now draped over Finn’s, and Finn leaned into the warmth of them with a head on Leo’s shoulder.
“Good?” Leo asked, brushing Logan’s hood off to get at his dark waves.
“Ouais.” Logan sighed and rested his and Leo’s foreheads together, looking down at Finn. “Rouge?”
“So good.” Finn kissed Leo’s shoulder. “You know, you both have spent so many holidays here now, but I still never get any less excited.”
Leo furrowed his eyebrows. “Where else would we go?”
“I don’t know,” Finn said. “Just… if you wanted to spend a Christmas down in New Orleans, Le, I’d understand. Or Lo, if you wanted to go up to Rimsouki one year.” He pressed his face into Leo’s neck. “I just count myself lucky that I have been able to have you here.”
“Honey,” Leo said, leaning down to talk in Finn’s ear. “If I was in Louisiana, I’d want you there with me.”
“Moi aussi,” Logan agreed. “I want to be with you both on Christmas.”
Finn peeked out at them and felt his heart pick up. “Yeah?”
“Of course.” Leo’s eyebrows were furrowed. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“Mon amour,” Logan murmured, carding gentle fingers through Finn’s hair. “Something is bothering you.”
Oh God, they knew him so well. Finn reached for Leo’s hand to play with his fingers. “It’s Alex.”
“What about him?” Leo asked.
Logan held out a hand to cup Finn’s jaw, and Finn kissed his palm. “He’s… well, Kasey’s back, and now he and Al and Nat are all dating, which is great, but it just got me thinking. About… you know, when Kasey was gone. For a while.”
“Okay.” Leo looked confused, like he was trying to understand.
But Logan was looking at Finn knowingly. “I told you, mon rouge,” Logan whispered. “I told you nothing would make me leave you like that.”
It took Leo a second, but he put the puzzle pieces together. He knew all of their stories, even the most painful ones. It was as if he himself had also been sitting down beside them on the Winter’s doorstep all those years ago. “Oh, baby.”
“I just really love you,” Finn said, voice tight. “And I just feel really lucky that I have you now. Even if it hurt for a while before.”
“Honey. Honey, look at me,” Leo insisted. He took Finn’s face in both of his hands, blue eyes striking and beautiful. “You’ve got us, okay? And Alex has Kasey and Nat. And we’re all here, sweetheart. Your parents are here, and my parents, and Logan’s parents and sisters will all be here today, too. Even Kasey’s mom.” Leo pressed their foreheads together. “We’re all here, baby.”
“Ouais. Rouge,” Logan whispered. He’d bent to make eye contact with Finn. “We’re never going anywhere, d’accord? We will always be here.”
“I know.” Finn sniffed and pulled back to look at them. He leaned in and kissed each of them softly. “I’m just really, really lucky.”
“So are we,” Leo said. “And we’ve got a big family now. I always wanted a big family.”
Logan snorted. “Be careful what you wish for, soleil.”
Despite himself, Finn laughed. “Yeah. Siblings suck.”
“I don’t know, they’re not so bad. Kasey and I had an interesting conversation yesterday about the house he’s renovating now.”
Logan groaned. “Non, non, not more carpenter talk.”
“I can’t help it, both my parents are carpenters! It’s in my blood.”
“And we are very lucky that when we have a house, we won’t have to pay anyone to work on it.” Finn nudged his and Leo’s noses together. “Our ray of sunshine can do it all.”
“Hey, I want to help.”
Leo raised his eyebrows at Logan. “I thought no more carpenter talk?”
Logan pouted and huffed, pulling Leo closer. “But I’m big and strong and can use a drill.”
“So big and strong,” Finn agreed, biting playfully down on Logan’s bicep. “The biggest and strongest baby.”
Logan looked satisfied. “Mm, ouais.” He made grabby hands at their mugs. “Allez, rouge, may you please hand me my tea?”
“Of course, my liege.” Finn gave Logan his mug with a bow of his head, then reached for Leo’s. “And my sunshine.”
“Thanks, honey.” Leo took a sip and did a happy little wiggle. “It’s cozy here.”
“Ouais, mon amour,” Logan mused, gently playing with Leo’s curls. “It is.”
They all settled down into the couch cushions, snuggling close. Finn turned to look out the window with his head on Leo’s shoulder and his mug still hot in his hand. He could hear puttering from upstairs, likely his parents waking up, and eyed the gifts underneath the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Soon, they would open them. Finn knew that Alex had bought himself, Natalie, and Kasey a trip to Yellowstone, and was so excited. Finn had his own gifts that he bought for Leo and Logan, plus tickets to a Goo Goo Dolls concert in Gilford, New Hampshire. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was over Leo’s spring break from his Master’s program at UNH, and coincided with a long weekend he had at his own teaching job down in Concord. Logan, he knew, would take time away from the farm, and they could all spend a long weekend in the cabin Finn had booked on Lake Winnipesaukee, even if the March air would still be chilly.
He smiled at the thought, pressing his cheek into the soft wool of Leo’s sweater, breathing in the scent of Earl Gray and his lovers, and counted himself lucky for the wonderful hand life had dealt him. He decided that he agreed with Logan and Leo: it was cozy here.
I've enjoyed a nice break, and I hope you all have as well. I am working my way through more prompts and things, but decided to take part in Nootmas, put on by @noots-fic-fests! I'm a little late, but better late than never, I guess.
Part I of this two-part story draws from the "Christmas surprise" and "warm" prompts, and the entire story centers around the sweet and iconic O'Hara brothers! It's loosely inspired by some music I was listening to a while ago whilst I was studying, namely Orange Juice by the one and only Noah Kahan, She Lit a Fire and Meet Me In the Woods by Lord Huron, and flowers-fire by Kingfishr, so take a listen if you have a moment!
Thanks to @noots-fic-fests for the prompt ideas and @lumosinlove for the lovely characters!
October 2002
“Get in, loser!”
Kasey gave Alex the slightest smile through the open passenger door window. His eyes were half lidded and droopy, as they had been since August. Mr. Winter’s funeral had left a shadow over all of them, but over nobody more than Kasey, even though he and his dad had been rocky at the best of times. At least this time his clothes looked clean and fresh, Alex thought, not covered in dirt or leaves from the copious amount of time he spent smoking in the woods behind his house, as much as he claimed not to. But Alex could always smell the weed on him.
There was no scent of marijuana this time when Kasey sat next to him. Alex closed the passenger window and turned the volume down on the radio, then turned to Kasey. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Kasey shuffled with his backpack at his feet before finally making eye contact. Alex tried to control the beating of his heart under his gaze, which was always warm for Alex, no matter how shit Kasey was feeling. And he had been feeling pretty shit lately.
“I have a plan,” Alex said. “Like, not a massive one. Or a complex one, just… let’s go to the Tremblay’s farm, yeah? Finn joins Logan there all the time, there’s a part with a field. I mean, you can see the stars and shit, it’s pretty nice-”
“Alex,” Kasey chastised, but he was smiling gently. “That sounds good.”
“Yeah?” Alex wasted no time putting his pickup into gear. “Great, because I wasn’t sure if you’d want to go and just, like, sit under the night sky with our feelings and shit, but…”
He saw Kasey shrug out of the corner of his eye. “We don’t have to talk about our feelings.”
“I know, I just…” Alex heaved out a sigh. “Okay. Yeah, okay. We can just- chat. Yeah.”
“Well, we know you’re good at that.”
Alex rolled his eyes, but smiled. And when he turned to look at Kasey briefly- whose hair looked unfairly soft in the street lights- he was smiling back.
***
“You were right, the stars are pretty here.”
“I told you so.”
Kasey’s nudge to his knee didn’t have any feeling behind it. Alex nudged him back playfully before settling back against the pillows he’d put in his pickup bed, shivering underneath the blanket they were sharing. The wind whistled through the Vermont woods that surrounded the farmland, but it was almost more comforting than creepy. They’d been passing whiskey that Alex had smuggled from his dad’s stock back and forth, and it was starting to make their skin flush. Still, Alex shuffled closer to seek out Kasey’s warmth beside him. “I think the ghosts are out to get us.”
Kasey snorted. “Ghosts?”
“Yeah. Ghosts of- I don’t know who, but ghosts. They’re in the woods, can’t you hear them?”
“No, I’m too busy listening to you talk my ear off.”
Alex flushed and ducked his chin under the blanket. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Kasey rubbed a hand up Alex’s arm, leaving goosebumps in his wake. “It helps.”
Alex turned his head away from the sky at that. Kasey didn’t like to talk about it. Since Alex had returned to college in September, he’d made the drive from Burlington a couple of times to visit, and called Kasey at least once a week. But still, it was mostly superficial, and Kasey mostly asked Alex questions about his life. Alex didn’t know how many ways he could explain how much he hated his calculus class before they ran out of things to talk about.
Although, Alex didn’t think he’d ever get tired of talking with Kasey- which was yet another thing they never, ever discussed.
Alex didn’t think Kasey regretted kissing him- Alex certainly didn’t. He did regret the circumstances, though. Finding Kasey in that random empty storage closet of the funeral home had taken him far too long. Kasey had always taken to hiding when he was emotionally overwhelmed. At their junior prom, he’d been so nervous to dance with his date, Sydney Tremblay, even though they went just as friends, that he’d hid in the coat closet at the venue until Alex went and got him. Sydney ended up hiding out behind the building and making out with a girl named Amelia, anyways, but that wasn’t the point. The point was Alex would go looking for Kasey anywhere and everywhere, no matter how long it took to find him. Especially at his father’s wake.
What he hadn’t expected though, when he had gone looking for Kasey that fateful day, was for Kasey to grab him by the face and kiss him so hard he almost fell over.
Alex closed his eyes briefly against the memory. When he opened them again, Kasey was looking at him knowingly, his mouth turned down at the corners.
“Kase…”
“No.” Kasey shook his head. His voice was shaky. “Al, no, please.”
“Kasey.” Alex sat up and leaned to hover over him. “Kasey, I just- I just want to make sure you’re alright-”
“I’m fine.”
“Like hell you are.” Alex took a deep breath at the hurt that crossed Kasey’s face and tried to calm himself. “Kasey Winter, you are my best friend, I know when you’re not okay. You dropped out of college, and you love school, and you smoke weed and drink all the fucking time-”
“Alex.”
“-and tonight you’ve been taking big sips of whiskey, like, really big, and I know it’s not because you want to get drunk and have fun-”
“Alex.”
“-it’s because you’re sad, Kase, and I can’t do anything-”
“Alex!”
Kasey had taken Alex’s face in his hands now and Alex almost stopped breathing. For the first time since his father’s funeral, Kasey had tears in his eyes, and his bottom lip was trembling. He looked so tragically beautiful under the stars. Alex felt glued to his spot on the truck bed.
Kasey took a trembling breath and brushed his thumbs under Alex’s eyes. “Al, I…” His gaze dropped briefly to Alex’s mouth. “Alex, I can’t.”
“You can, Kasey, I- I feel so lost if I can’t help you.”
“I know,” Kasey whispered. His eyes were darting over Alex’s face now. “I know, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Alex, I am.” Then suddenly, as though dragged from the depths of his being, Kasey began to cry. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sh, no, Kase.” Alex took Kasey tightly in his arms, tucking his face down into his neck and running gentle fingers through his long hair. “Sh, no, Kasey, don’t be sorry. Don’t be sorry, baby-”
He felt Kasey suck in a breath when he did. Alex noticed that his fingers were trembling where they were resting in Kasey’s hair. He squeezed his eyes shut. Shit.
For a few moments, they were silent and still, just breathing together. Then, slowly, Kasey pulled back. Alex’s hands fell to his shoulders, his thumbs resting just behind Kasey’s jaw, where he could feel his racing pulse. Kasey licked his lips, then took Alex’s face in his hands once again.
“I know it hurts you. That I can’t talk about it.”
Alex shook his head hard. “Kase, it doesn’t matter if it hurts me-”
“Yes it does.” Kasey’s face was pinched. “Yes it does, it does matter that I hurt you, because you’re- you’re my…” He groaned through his teeth frustratedly. “Alex.”
“What?” Alex asked. He covered Kasey’s hands with his own. “What, Kasey, what do you need? Anything, Kasey, please-”
He was interrupted by a kiss. It was quick, almost nervous, so at odds with the kisses they had shared in the store room. Kasey pulled back immediately. He was terrified and so small, his tall body hunched and framed by the rear window of the pickup. He looked at Alex pleadingly. “Al.”
Alex wasted no time in taking Kasey’s face in his own hands, now, and leaning in. He kept his eyes open, gazing into Kasey’s, until the last possible moment. Then he made sure to kiss Kasey slowly and gently like he deserved. Alex’s body vibrated with the sensation. He felt Kasey shaking, too, attempting to turn the kiss hard and rough. But Alex kept him there, cradling the heart he cared most about in the world in a way it had never been held before, with long draws of their lips. The kiss was salty with both of their tears, and the freezing air was hitting harder now, but it was the best kiss Alex had ever had. He’d never been in love with anyone he’d ever kissed before.
Suddenly, Kasey pulled back. His face was pale. “Fuck.”
Oh, Alex did not like the sound of that. “Kase,” he implored.
“Oh my God.” Kasey covered his mouth with his hands as more tears fell. “Oh my God, no, Alex-”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said hurriedly. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have, I-”
“No, Al, I- we can’t.”
Alex believed in many things. In hard work, in the power of a hug. He believed that, the longer you knew someone, the easier it would be to find things to talk about. He believed that laughter was the best medicine, and that having a younger brother was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he definitely believed that he was in love with Kasey Winter.
He decidedly did not believe, then, that they couldn’t.
“No,” Alex said firmly. “No, uh-uh, Kase.”
“We can’t.”
“No, Kasey, we-”
“I can’t.” Kasey was looking at Alex so pleadingly, willing him to understand. “And it’s not- it’s not because I don’t love you-”
“I love you, too,” Alex interrupted simply. It was simple. He loved Kasey.
Kasey took a moment, bottom lip between his teeth. “Al, it’s because I don’t deserve you.”
Perhaps, for the first time in his life, Alex was lost for words. “What?”
“Alex,” Kasey began, reaching to take Alex’s hands in his own. “Alex, I’m a mess. I’m… I’m so fucked up, and you’re so incredible, and you deserve someone who is just as good as you.”
“To hell with you saying you aren’t good,” Alex implored. He leaned in to look Kasey in the eye. “And to hell with what you think I deserve. What I want is you. Kase…”
But Kasey was already shaking his head. “No, Alex.”
“Kase, please-”
“I said no.”
There had only been a handful of times in his life when Alex had ever seen Kasey angry. And maybe he wasn’t even angry now, just irritated, but his face shook Alex to his core. This was not his Kasey. This was a boy, barely twenty-one, who was sad, and lost, and so, so beautiful he took Alex’s breath away. He had to try once more.
“Kasey, I love-”
“Take me home.”
Kasey dropped Alex’s hands and grabbed the whiskey bottle instead, taking two big swigs. It was almost half gone, and Alex had not even had enough to make himself tipsy, which meant Kasey had been drinking more than his fare share. He winced as he watched Kasey finish his drink, wobbling a bit, even sitting down. Kasey locked eyes with him again, stony and firm.
“I need you to take me home, please, Alex.”
Alex simply nodded, eyeing the whiskey bottle still dangling from Kasey’s fingers. “Okay.”
***
They hadn’t talked since Alex had pulled off of the access road to the Tremblay farm. It was at least a twenty minute drive to the other side of town, where Kasey lived, on a good day, but it took longer in the dark because Alex had to slow down around all the blind corners as they wound through the hilly, forest-lined roads. The only sound was the radio, where Alex had put in an old Talking Heads CD. He and Kasey normally absentmindedly tapped along to the beat, Alex on the steering wheel and Kasey on his own thighs, but now they were silent and still. Kasey was slumped against the passenger door with his eyes closed. His face was flushed from drinking.
The blinker clicked as Alex turned onto the main road. He let out a sigh, looked at Kasey briefly, and gripped the steering wheel tightly between his hands.
“Kasey,” he said. “I’m not leaving you like this.”
Kasey didn’t even crack an eye open. “It’s not your choice.”
Alex bit his lip hard. Kasey had never talked to him like that. “Kasey, we should talk-”
“There is nothing to say.”
“Kase-”
“Stop saying my name like that!” Kasey was sitting upright now, eyes angry. His words were slurred. “Stop saying my fucking name like that, why the hell can’t you just leave me the fuck alone?”
“Hey!” Alex hated rising to the bait, but he was irritated now, too. “Hey, don’t talk to me like that.” He clicked his blinker on and slowed the car down. “I am pulling over and we are figuring this out-”
“No you are not.” Hands grabbed Alex’s steering wheel and swerved back onto the road.
“What the hell? Get your hands off-”
“You are taking me home!”
“This is dangerous, let go-”
“Alex!”
Alex looked up from fighting with Kasey’s hands just as they crossed the road. The four deer froze, and so did Alex, a yell caught in his throat. The next thing Alex saw were headlights coming their way and the deer running. He felt the car swerve, Kasey jerking the wheel with another yell. The world went white, then black with a bang, an airbag smacking him across the face. The last thing he heard was Kasey pleading with him to wake up before his eyes drifted closed.
***
Christmas Eve, 2006
“Well, well, well, what have we here? An Alex O’Hara, cooking?”
Alex rolled his eyes at Natalie before turning back to the root vegetables he was cutting for Christmas dinner. “Oh, ha, ha, like you’re any better.”
“I don’t need to be better,” she said, walking up behind him and planting a kiss on his cheek. “I am a guest. I don’t have to do anything.”
Alex hummed, placing his knife down and turning to wrap his arms around Natalie’s waist. He kissed her firmly. “I love you.”
Her smile was everything. “I love you, too.”
“I’m so happy you came home with me for Christmas.”
“I am, too, baby.” Natalie stood on her toes to kiss him again. “Your brother is sweet. And so are his boys.”
Alex rolled his eyes hard. Finn’s partners, Logan and Leo, had also joined them for the holidays. “They are disgusting.”
Natalie flicked the side of his head. “I think they’re cute.”
“You’re cute.”
“Well, I know that.” Natalie carded her fingers through Alex’s hair. She looked contemplative. “How’s Leo?”
“What do you mean, ‘how’s Leo’?”
“I mean… I don’t know, his parent’s flight got seriously delayed because of the snow here. Is he worried or anything?”
“I don’t think so,” Alex said, patting a rhythm on her hips. “They get in the day after Christmas, so they’ll still be here for New Years.” He thought for a minute, then laughed. “I think Leo’s more irritated about the cold.”
“He is a southern boy. Not that Tremblay, though, my goodness. Born and raised a lumberjack in the deep Canadian wilderness.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “No he was not.”
“Yeah huh, he was. Until they bought the farm.”
Alex narrowed his eyes. “Should I be concerned that you’re so obsessed with Finn’s boyfriends?”
“No,” Natalie laughed. “No, it’s just…” She shrugged. “I don’t know, it’s just nice, that we’re all so happy. That we’re all family. Your parents are so wonderful, inviting everyone and keeping their home open.”
Alex had a sudden flashback to Christmases in high school and warm brown eyes looking up at him from where Kasey had been asleep on his floor.
Thank you.
For what?
For letting me crash your family’s Christmas.
You are family, Kase.
“Baby?”
Alex blinked hard. “Hm?”
Natalie was looking at him with furrowed eyebrows. “You okay?”
He couldn’t help but smile and kissed her forehead. “I’m so good, gorgeous.”
But her eyes were knowing. “Kasey?”
Alex nodded and rubbed his thumb over the skin of her hip absentmindedly. “Yeah.”
“He didn’t respond?”
Alex shook his head. “No.”
Natalie knew all about his history with Kasey, and the accident. He’d broken down on her when he told her how in love he’d been, guilt tearing its way through him. But she’d sat there, beautiful and understanding, and suggested he invited Kasey for Christmas Eve, just like he’d done when they were younger. Alex was grateful to her in ways he simply could not put into words.
Now she was standing in front of him, the same understanding written across her face, and gorgeous beyond his wildest dreams. She stood on her toes to cup his face and kiss him slowly. “He’ll come, Alexander.”
Alex pressed their foreheads together and nodded. “I love you.”
He felt her smile into his neck. “I love you, too.”
Alex kissed her forehead and went back to chopping his vegetables. There were footsteps sounding from down the hallway, and then Noelle Tremblay and Thomas Walker appeared in the kitchen, both in matching cable knit sweaters and complimentary earrings.
“Joyeux Noelle!” Thomas said in excited, badly pronounced French, smacking a kiss on Noelle’s cheek. “It’s this girl’s special day!”
Noelle just rolled her eyes, blushing. “Ignore him.” She opened her arms to give each Natalie and Alex a hug. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” Alex said, squeezing her tightly. He clapped Thomas on the back. “How’ve you been?”
“Montreal’s sick, man,” Thomas said. “New job’s good, Noelle’s job is good, and my French is superb,”
Alex saw Noelle wince and bit back a snort. “Well, that’s good.”
“Sure is.” Thomas patted him on the back and began to head towards the living room. “Now, Leo asked me to beat Logan at cards, gotta knock him down a few pegs. So I bid you adieu.”
“C’mon,” Noelle said, tugging on Natalie’s sweater sleeve. “I brought some good wine, we can open it with Hayley.”
“Oh, yes.” Natalie kissed Alex’s cheek. “I’ll be in the living room, baby, okay? Come find me if you need help.”
“Have fun, Natalia.”
“That’s not my name.”
Alex winked at her as she left, then turned back to his vegetables. He was just putting them in a bowl to season and oil them when there was a knock at the door, and an I’ll get it! from Finn. He couldn’t see the front door from where he was, but Alex looked up anyway, brows furrowed. They weren’t expecting anyone else. Logan’s family was all here, and assuming Leo’s parents didn’t magically teleport from Louisiana, there wasn’t anybody else who was meant to be there. Unless…
“Al!” Finn’s voice was urgent. “C’mere!”
Alex blanched. He felt his heart rate pick up and his fingers dropped the knife he was holding. It clattered onto the cutting board, but Alex barely paid it any attention before he was walking quickly down the hallway. Everyone was crowded by the front door, and Finn and Logan were looking at him with wide eyes. Leo had his arm wrapped tightly around Finn’s waist, eyes darting between all of them, putting the puzzle pieces together. Natalie and Sydney, one of Logan’s other sisters, were whispering to one another in hushed voices, and Sydney put her arm around Natalie’s shoulders to give her a hug. Alex swallowed and looked at the center of the crowd, where he could see his mother tearfully embracing someone a head taller than her. Alex’s stomach dropped when she stepped away to reveal warm brown eyes looking at him.
Kasey Winter hadn’t changed much since Alex had last seen him. His hair was a bit shorter, coming down just below his chin. He looked broader, like he’d been working out, and there were less circles under his eyes. But he held himself in the same sheepish way he always had, maybe even more so when he met Alex’s gaze and gave him a small, awkward smile.
“Hey, Al.”
Alex looked at him for a moment, taking Kasey in, before he felt like he’d been shocked back to life. He closed the distance between them quickly and threw his arms around Kasey’s neck, tugging him down into a fierce hug. Kasey responded in kind, gripping Alex around the waist and ducking down to press his face into his shoulder. Alex stumbled back with the weight of him, but held on tightly to regain his footing.
“Hi,” Alex whispered shakily. His eyes stung. “Oh God, hi.” He released Kasey and stepped back to look at him, still gripping onto his biceps. “Look at you.”
Kasey’s cheeks flushed in that way they did when he was particularly sheepish. He looked around the room and they reddened further. He cleared his throat and dropped his hands from where they were holding onto Alex’s forearms, looking around the room cautiously.
Alex shook his head, as though shaking himself awake. “Oh, right, you don’t know everybody. This is Leo-”
Alex was grateful for that sunshine smile. “Hi.”
“-Thomas-”
Thomas extended his hand for Kasey to shake firmly. “Pleasure, man.”
“-and Natalie.” Alex opened his arm to tuck Natalie into his side. “My Natalie.”
“Hi,” she said. Her arm was firm around Alex’s waist, holding him up. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Kasey just smiled slightly and nodded. He looked Natalie up and down briefly. Alex knew what Kasey Winter looked like when he found someone attractive, and right now he was exposing all his tells: the way he bit the inside of his cheek, the way his eyelashes fluttered just slightly. It was how Alex knew Kasey had feelings for him all those years ago, when those beautiful eyes of his looked at Alex as though he was cradling him. And to see him look at Natalie the same way… Alex should have been jealous. Or annoyed. But Natalie was the most beautiful girl in the world, and Kasey was looking at her like he understood that.
Alex didn’t realize his breathing had picked up until Natalie pressed a hand over his chest and rubbed gently. “Do you two wanna go talk?” she asked Alex softly, looking up at him through her eyelashes.
The most beautiful girl in the world. “Yeah.” Alex cleared his throat and looked at Kasey. “Yeah, Kase, you wanna…?”
Kasey nodded, still obviously uneasy. “Okay.”
“Cool.”
Alex looked at Finn and he nodded, pressing his hands to Leo’s waist to guide him out of the room and to the kitchen, everyone following suit. Alex’s mother gave his bicep a squeeze. Noelle stayed behind briefly, her and Natalie communicating something silently, before nodding and following Thomas. Then it was just the three of them left.
“Um,” Alex started nervously. Natalie was still looking at him, eyebrows furrowed, and Alex was going to fall apart. “Kase, you remember where my room is?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course.” Kasey stumbled through taking his boots off and looked at them with wide eyes. He was jittery. “Should I meet you?”
“Yeah, I’ll just be a minute.” Alex let his eyes follow Kasey out of the room and around the corner to the staircase. When he’d reached the first landing, Alex turned back to Natalie. His voice was choked when he spoke. “Nat…”
“Sh, baby.” Natalie wrapped her arms firmly around his neck and tugged him down to her. “Oh, baby, I got you.”
“I don’t… he’s…”
“I know.” She cupped his face and pressed their foreheads together. He felt her thumbs swipe under his eyes to wipe the wetness away. “It’s okay.”
“I love you,” Alex whispered desperately. He met her eyes; he needed her to understand. “I love you, I love you so much, Natalie, I…”
“Sh, I know. I know.” She kissed him softly. “I love you, too.”
“Will you tell Finn and my mom that I’m okay? Please, they’ll be…”
“Of course, of course.” She pressed her lips softly to his cheek. “You can do this.”
Alex couldn’t help it. He kissed her firmly again. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
Alex took a deep breath and squeezed her hands. She slipped away and through the doorway to the kitchen, where Noelle was immediately waiting to wrap an arm around her shoulders. She asked Natalie something briefly before retreating further into the room, long hair swinging behind them both.
Alex watched until she completely disappeared, then took a deep breath before going to climb up the staircase to the second floor of his parent’s house. His childhood bedroom was at the end of the hall, right across from Finn’s. He smiled at the drawings they’d done of each other one afternoon, taped right at eye level. In his, Finn had drawn the two of them playing hockey at the pond behind their house. Alex studied it for a minute before taking a deep breath and knocking on the door, which was ajar an inch.
“Kase?”
“Yeah.”
Alex opened the door fully and closed it behind him. Kasey was standing by his desk, hands in his pockets, and though he had to resist the urge to touch things. Alex's eyes flashed to the photo of the two of them sitting around a campfire the summer after their senior year of high school. Kasey must have been looking at it.
Sure enough, Kasey jerked his head. “I didn’t know you still had that.”
“Of course,” Alex said. He sat down on the edge of his bed, back straight. “It was a good summer.”
Kasey let out a huff of a laugh. “God, working at the diner was…”
“Yeah.” Alex smiled. “Customers loved us.”
“You maybe. You’re just so…” Kasey waved his hand. “You know. Everybody loves you.”
Alex cocked his head. “They loved you, too.”
“Maybe.” Kasey took a deep breath. “I got your message. Thanks for inviting me.”
“I wasn’t sure.” Alex’s heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. “I didn’t know if you were with your mom, or…”
Kasey shook his head. “I’m not. I mean, I wasn’t. I just moved back from Colorado. She’s… you know. Lonely. And needs her knees replaced, so she’s not very mobile right now.”
“So you’re here to help her.”
Kasey looked him up and down. “There were more reasons to move back.” He sighed. “She gave me your message, and I thought… you know, I hadn’t seen you in a while.”
That was the understatement of the year. Alex tried to control his face from revealing too much. He was probably failing. “Colorado?”
“Yeah. I worked at a ski mountain for a year, then took up a carpentry internship. I left Vermont after… you know.”
The accident. “Oh.” Alex patted the space next to him. “Well, I’m happy to see you.”
“Me, too.” Kasey gingerly sat down. “Finn looks the same.”
That made Alex laugh. “He’s still just as annoying as he was, too.”
Kasey’s smile was wide and real. “You love him.”
“I do.” Alex had to stop himself from playing with his cuticles. If Natalie were here, she would take his hands and kiss them. “He’s got two boyfriends now.”
Kasey looked surprised. “Really?”
“Yeah. Lo and him finally figured their shit out… well, mostly ‘cause of Leo. Who they’re also dating. They met him at UVM.”
“Wow.” Kasey thought for a moment. “I didn’t think they’d ever…”
“Me neither.” Alex smiled fondly. “They were so stupid. But Leo’s so good to them, and helped them so much with it all. His parents are coming in a couple of days.”
“That’s nice.” Kasey trailed off, looking out Alex’s bedroom window. He stood to get a better look at the view. “You can see the Tremblay’s farm from here. Without all the leaves on the trees.”
Alex knew where this was going. His heart picked up again. “Kasey…”
When Kasey turned around, his eyes were rimmed with tears. “Al.”
“Hey.” Alex stood and pulled Kasey to him, wrapping his arms around his shoulders firmly. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not, I’m so sorry-”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“I do.” Kasey pulled back strongly, backed up against the window. “Alex, I crashed your car.”
“There were deer.”
“I kissed you.”
“And I kissed you back.”
“I killed those people.”
“No.”
The word came out harsher than Alex had intended it to. His mind flashed to being in the hospital, a concussion and broken ribs, and the police there asking questions. His mother had been crying, Finn had been talking with an officer, and Kasey was nowhere to be found. Alex had asked for him for days, and all Finn had had to say was that he wasn’t answering the phone, nor the door when he had gone to try and talk. Alex had felt like his heart had broken in two. Learning that the passengers in the car had run right into a buck and had died instantly had only added to the pain. And hearing Kasey say that it was his fault…
“No,” Alex repeated. He gripped Kasey firmly behind the head. “Kasey Winter, you listen to me. You did not kill those people. They were going too fast on a windy road and hit two deer, one with large antlers, and they died. It wasn’t you.”
“But I was swerving all around the road from the passenger seat-”
“And if you hadn’t swerved when you saw that fawn and that doe, I would be dead.” Alex couldn’t help it, he ran a hand through Kasey’s hair. “Kase.”
Kasey had his eyes shut, probably against the memories. “I just… I’m so sorry.”
“I know.”
“No, Al,” Kasey insisted. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was so drunk that day, I’m sorry I took the wheel, I’m sorry I left.”
Alex felt the cracks running through his heart deepen. His grip on Kasey was still strong. “Kasey…”
“I’m sorry I kissed you.”
Kasey’s eyes were pleading as they looked into Alex’s. Alex swallowed.
“I’m not,” he whispered shakily. “I’m sorry I tried to get you to talk when you didn’t want to, I’m sorry I didn’t look harder for you-” When Kasey went to speak, Alex squeezed the back of his neck. “-but I’m not sorry you kissed me.”
Kasey finally relaxed, as though relief had washed over him. He wrapped his arms around Alex again, not as tightly as before, but still just as strong. “I missed you.”
“I missed you so much.” Alex breathed out shakily. “So much.”
Kasey lingered for a moment before pulling back entirely, his arms now crossed in front of him. Leaning against Alex’s bedroom window like that, smiling in that Kasey way of his, with his rugged plaid, jeans, and jacket on, he looked like something out of twenty year old Alex’s dreams. “So,” Kasey said. “Natalie.”
Alex flushed with warmth and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Nat, she’s… she’s great. The best, I just- I really love her.”
“Good.” Kasey nodded a few times. He was smiling, but Alex knew him better than anyone, and the corners of his eyes were strained. “I’d like to get to know her then.”
Alex didn’t really know why, but he suddenly wished Natalie was there, pressed in between them. Kasey would love her, Alex just knew it. Natalie already loved him just from the stories she’d heard about him. That insistent thought pressed on the back of his brain, and his mind suddenly went to Finn. To Finn and Logan and Leo, and he didn’t know what was happening, but Alex knew it was important. He cupped the feeling to his chest and held it closely.
“Yeah,” he said, fighting the urge to reach out and cup Kasey’s jaw. He just looked so soft. “Yeah, I think you’ll really like her.”
October 2002
“Kasey, open up!” Finn pounded on the Winter’s front door again. “Kasey!”
“Kasey!” Logan yelled, peering through a window of the small home. “Open the door!”
Finn grunted and banged his fist on the door once more. “Fuck.”
“He’s not going to answer,” Logan said, walking up the front steps to stand beside Finn on the wooden porch.
“He’s home.”
“Finn…”
“Why won’t he answer?” Finn turned and sat frustratedly down on the top step. “He’s such a-”
“Finn.”
“Sorry.”
“Non, c’est bien.” Logan sat beside him, their shoulders and thighs touching. “It’s okay.”
“It’s just…” Finn sighed, running a hand through his hair. “He’s Alex’s best friend. And Alex is hurt, and he’s just not…”
“Kasey’s hurt, too,” Logan pointed out.
“I know, but- how can he not be there?” Finn turned to Logan, who was looking at him almost sadly, those soft green eyes of his starkly contrasting to the orange leaves on the trees around them. “I’d never leave you like that.”
“Je sais,” Logan whispered. “I know.”
Finn suddenly realized how close they were sitting. Logan’s body radiated heat and Finn leaned ever so slightly into it. He tapped the toes of their boots together. “You’re a good friend, Lo.”
Logan’s answering smile was everything. “You are, too.”
September 2004
Finn flopped down beside Logan on the grass with a groan. “Fuck me.”
Logan laughed and put his notebook down. “What happened?”
“Professor Branston, who I’m TAing for, just gave me twenty essays to help grade by Monday.”
Logan’s eyebrows furrowed. “But it’s the third week of classes?”
“And he’d already given them an assignment!” Finn let out another groan and rested his forearm across his forehead. He looked up at Logan, who was watching him with amused eyes. “How was French club?”
“Good, ouais.” Logan shrugged. “The same people, mostly. There are a few new freshmen. One is also from Rimouski.”
“Oh, sick. Anyone from anywhere else cool?”
Logan had to think for a minute, but then he clucked his tongue. “Ah, ouais, there is someone from New Orleans. Leo.” Logan made a face. “He speaks weird French.”
“He’d probably say the same about you.”
Logan scoffed. “Non, I speak the best French.”
Finn snorted. “Oui, oui, Canada!” he exclaimed in a poor imitation of Logan’s accent. “We are za best! Quebec forever!”
“Va te faire,” Logan grumbled, giving him a shove. “I do not speak like that.”
“Mm, a little bit you do.” Finn rolled over onto his stomach and folded his arms underneath his chin. “Your accent here sounds like it did when you first moved to Vermont junior year of high school, now that you have more Canadian friends.”
“Non, it doesn’t,” Logan insisted, but he was blushing.
“I like it,” Finn said simply. “Hey, there’s a guy in Branston's class named Leo. Cool name, like the constellation. I started grading his essay today, he’s pretty good.”
“Ouais?” Logan asked. If Finn didn’t know any better, he would have said Logan was jealous.
Finn grinned. “Oo-ways.” He nudged Logan’s shoulder. “C’mon, let’s go to the dining hall, I’m starving.”
***
April 2003
“Non, non, non!”
Logan’s voice carried through the hallway from the common room. He was laughing, and someone was saying something back to him in French. Finn’s ears perked up from where he was coming back from changing after club hockey practice. Logan had finished showering before him, for once, and had gone to the common room to work on something for his French club. Maybe he’d run into someone from there. They were both still laughing and Finn's curiosity piqued. He rounded the corner and stopped in his tracks. “Leo?”
Leo, who’d been smiling at Logan from where they were both sitting on the couch, looked up suddenly, eyebrows furrowing slightly. “Finn?”
“I- hi.” Finn gestured between Leo and Logan. “Wait, you’re…”
Leo looked amused. “Logan and I are in French club together.”
A light bulb went off in Finn’s head. “Oh, you’re Leo from French club!”
Leo’s cheeks and button nose flushed. “Leo from French club?”
“Yeah, Lo talks about you all the time!”
A look of mischief washed over Leo’s face and he looked at Logan, who was blushing. “Oh does he now? All good things?”
Logan made a face at him and smacked his shoulder lightly. “Finn is being silly.”
“No I’m not-”
Logan sent him a glare and Finn had to hold back a snort. “How do you two know each other?”
“I took Branston’s class last semester,” Leo said. “And I am in Lamond’s class this semester, which Finn is also TAing, obviously.”
Logan’s eyes lit up. “You’re the Leo? The one with the incredible writing?”
Finn’s eyes widened. It was Logan’s turn to be teasing, apparently.
Leo, on the other hand, looked very sheepish. “I mean, no, I’m not that-”
“Yeah you are,” Finn interrupted. If he and Logan were going to attempt to embarrass each other, Finn might as well be honest. “You are a good writer. And apparently you speak strange French.”
Leo snorted and nudged Logan’s foot. “Don’t worry, this one tells me that all the time.”
Finn grinned and sat down on Leo’s other side on the couch. They were both looking at him, their bodies turned to face him fully, and it did something funny to Finn’s chest. “I’m sure he does.”
November, 2003
“You’re coming to Thanksgiving.”
Leo looked up from where he was doing his philosophy homework, blue eyes blinking slowly. “Excuse me.”
“I said, you’re coming to Thanksgiving. O’Hara Thanksgiving.” Finn splayed his hands out on the library table. “You aren’t going to New Orleans, and campus is quiet because everybody else leaves. So, you’re coming to Thanksgiving. In Vermont. With me. My mother insists.”
Logan snorted from beside Leo, doing what looked like his biology homework. “You can’t say no to Hayley, she won’t allow it.” Logan set his pencil down and looked up at Leo through long eyelashes. “I’ll be there, too. I’m going to my parent’s.”
Leo’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “You’re not going to Rimouski?”
“My grandparents are coming down this year.”
“The Tremblays are also coming to my house,” Finn said. He pointed a finger at Leo. “Al has his Subaru here on campus, so he’s driving. Pack your stuff, Knut, and we’re hitting the road.”
Leo laughed. “Not for two more weeks!”
“Well, it takes me that long to pack.”
Leo just rolled his eyes playfully and turned back to his homework.
August 2004
“Senior year,” Alex said from Finn’s doorway. “Shit, where’d all that go, huh?”
“Says the man with his big fancy job.”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I work in bird of prey conservation.”
“With your girlfriend,” Finn replied playfully. “Natalie’s cool, I like her. She shares mom’s passion for tea.”
Alex shushed him, looking carefully over his shoulder. “Quiet, they might hear you and come running with a steaming mug.”
“They can’t hear us, they’re in the kitchen.” Finn looked at his unzipped, but full, suitcase. “I think that’s everything set for tomorrow.”
“You driving you and Lo tomorrow?”
“Yeah. We’re meeting Le at the bus station here, too, he’s got an early flight from New Orleans into Boston, then taking the bus here, then we are all making the trip up.”
“He’s flying with all his stuff?”
“No, Lo stored some of it over the summer for him.”
“Mm,” Alex hummed. He cocked his head. “You think Leo’s gonna be okay after you and Logan graduate in the spring?”
Finn snorted. “Leo? Yeah, he’ll be fine. We’re not his only friends, by far, just like he’s not ours. He’s just… we’re…” Finn shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Alex looked confused, but he didn’t say anything, just nodded. Finn didn’t quite know how to express what Logan and Leo were to him. He’d loved Logan differently than any of his other friends since high school, and still did. Their college friends couldn’t quite match the two of them; in fact, for a while, Finn didn’t think anybody could. But then Leo Knut, in all of his tall, tanned, golden glory had walked into their lives their sophomore year and blown Finn off course. Not that he had been on course to begin with, but those same feelings he’d had for Logan for years he now also associated with Leo, and he didn’t quite know what to do with that.
Finn realized that he’d spaced out and shook out of his reverie, then laughed awkwardly. “Sorry.”
“All good.” Alex was looking at him curiously still. “Hey, is Logan still dating that girl?”
“Cassie?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, no.” Finn shook his head with a frown. “No, they’re not. Nothing bad, they just- I don’t know, weren’t meant to date.” He let out an amused breath. “Plus, we’re pretty sure her and our friend Percy are, like, meant to be, actually. So, you know- her and Lo, not gonna work.”
“And you don’t have… you know, you don’t have anyone to bring home?”
Finn furrowed his eyebrows. “What’s with the questions?”
Alex shook his head. “Nothing, nothing, I just… I don’t know, bringing Nat home, it’s just… you’ve never…”
Finn swallowed. “There’s never been anyone to bring home,” he said. His voice sounded shaky, even to his own ears. He snorted self-deprecatingly. “Hey, that’s not true, I bring Leo for Thanksgiving.”
Alex simply looked at him. He was silent for a moment before putting a hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Hey.”
Finn felt his heart race. “Hi.”
“Finn.” Alex took a deep breath. “You can talk to me about stuff, you know? Okay? Even though I’m not at college with you anymore.”
“I know.” In his mind’s eye, Leo and Logan’s faces flashed before Finn, the words on the tip of his tongue. But he stifled them and patted Alex’s shoulder back. “I know, I promise.”
“Okay.” Alex nodded towards his suitcase. “You got enough flannel shirts?”
Finn rolled his eyes and shoved him. “Shut up.”
“What? C’mon, English major, you gotta fit in with the crowd up there in Burly.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
November, 2004
“I can’t believe this is our last Thanksgiving all together in college,” Leo said, getting under the blanket next to Logan on one of the couches in the O’Hara’s den. “It’s the end of an era.”
“Non,” Logan insisted. He reached for some popcorn in the bowl Leo was holding. “Non, you’ll still be invited.”
“It’s Finn’s house, I think he gets a say in that.”
“Yeah!” Finn called from the other couch. “It’s my house.” He stuck his tongue out playfully at Leo. “And you’re always trouble, Knut, so count yourself lucky if you’re invited back.”
Leo stuck his tongue out back before turning to the hockey game on the TV. He popped a piece of popcorn into his mouth. “I can’t believe the O’Haras are a Rangers family living in Bruins territory.”
“Hey, my parents are from New York.” Finn pointed a finger at Logan. “And at least we’re not Canadiens fans.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Va te faire. I am proud to be from Quebec.”
“Yeah we noticed,” Leo said drily, then giggled with rosy cheeks when Logan glared at him. He said something to Logan in French, who responded with a mockingly biting tone, and they smiled at each other before shifting their focus back to the game.
Finn took a minute to look at their side profiles. Logan was all sharp lines- which really concealed a rather mushy inside, but he would never let anyone think that- whereas Leo’s features were soft. His blonde curls were longer now, almost as long as Logan’s dark waves, and the contrasting elements between the two of them caused Finn to take a sharp breath and turn back to the game.
***
An hour and forty-five minutes later, and the Rangers were entering the Thanksgiving holiday with a clean 2-0 win against the Montreal Canadiens. Logan had started the game passionately yelling at the television, but his eyes had gone droopy at the start of the third period. Leo had shared an exasperated look with Finn as they witnessed Logan wind down. He’d eventually slouched against the couch, head dozing back on the cushion, but had wiggled so his head was now resting on Leo’s stomach. Leo, to his credit, hadn’t moved a muscle, just smiled fondly when Logan let out a soft snore.
“He awake?” Finn whispered.
Leo shook his head. His hand was splayed across Logan’s upper back- Finn didn’t think he even knew he had placed it there. “No, out like a light.”
“Oh shit.” Finn laughed quietly. He stood, wrapping the blanket he’d been using around his shoulders, and went to kneel on the ground beside the other couch. “He’s such a baby when you wake him up from a nap.”
Leo looked up at Finn and smiled. “You remember that time in Louisiana? When you came to visit for spring break and he fell asleep on my boat?”
Finn remembered it clear as day. Logan and Leo had looked gorgeous in the golden hour, Leo with a rod in his hand, strong arm flexing as he fished over the side of the boat, and Logan spread out on his stomach on the bench at the front of the boat, passed out cold. Finn had wanted in that moment so vividly he’d had to grip the book between his fingers so tightly his nail made a mark in the back cover.
“I do remember,” he said to Leo, fighting the urge to brush some of those curls back from his forehead. “He was a grumpy boy.”
“It’s just a front,” Leo said. He smiled down at Logan. “Inside he’s just a big ol’ softy.”
“Mm.” Finn flickered his eyes over Leo’s face. “I meant what I said earlier, you know. You’ll still be invited here for Thanksgiving next year.”
Leo’s grin was delighted when he directed it at Finn. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. I mean, you’re…” Finn felt his cheeks flush. “Well, my mom loves you, for one. And Logan’s sisters. And Al, and Nat, who loves to bake with you, and my dad likes playing cards with you and Lo, so just… I don’t know, you should come back next year.” Finn took a deep breath and met Leo’s eyes. “I want you to come back next year.”
Logan began to stir, maybe from the sound of their voices. His legs stretched from underneath the blanket and his cheek was squished into Leo’s sweatshirt when he blinked sleepily up at them. “Quoi?”
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Leo whispered with a smile. “Sweet dreams?”
Logan grunted and stretched again, reminding Finn of a dog being awoken from its slumber. “Ouais. Did we win?”
“If by we, you mean the Rangers,” Finn said. “Then yeah, we did.”
Logan groaned into Leo’s stomach. “Non.”
“Ouais,” Leo laughed. He rested a hand on the back of Logan’s head, fingertips carding lightly through the strands. “The Habs lost.”
Logan huffed grumpily once, then looked up at Leo with big eyes. “Désole, Le, I’m sorry for falling asleep on you.”
“It’s alright,” Leo said with a sweet shrug. He was so cute Finn was going to combust. “You’re warm.”
Logan looked pleased. He settled back down and turned his beautiful eyes to Finn. “Leo is coming for Thanksgiving next year?”
“What, were you eavesdropping?” Finn joked, then rested his elbow on the cushion near Leo to prop his head up. “And yeah, he is. Of course he is.”
“I think,” Logan mumbled, closing his eyes sleepily and snuggling into Leo. “I think we should spend Thanksgiving together forever.”
Finn felt his heartbeat stop for a moment. By the catch in Leo’s breath, he was just as surprised. They looked at each other, then at Logan, who was staring up at them nervously.
“What…” Leo asked breathily. “That’s… that’s a long time.”
“Mhm,” Logan hummed. His eyes darted between their faces for a second, then he shifted to straddle Leo’s thighs, pinning them beneath his gaze. “Do you not want to?”
Leo’s breathing was shaky. He raised trembling arms to cup around Logan’s waist, and Logan let him. “I do,” Leo whispered, so softly that Finn would have missed it if he wasn’t listening. He turned to look at Finn. “What do you say?”
Finn looked between the two of them warily. He was standing on a precipice, that he knew, their friendship at stake as much as his heart that was beating wildly in his chest. Fear coursed through him for a moment, but then he looked at Leo’s hands, firm around Logan’s waist, and how Logan had laced his fingers over the backs of Leo’s tenderly. Leo was leaning closer now, his breathing almost in Finn’s ear, and Logan’s eyes were sure, steady, holding Finn together like they always did. Finn settled into the warmth and looked at each of them carefully.
“I think,” he started, then swallowed. He could do this. He was home. “I think I want to kiss you.”
Ohhhhh, cowboy LeLo definitely has a chokehold on Finn O'Hara. Enjoy some boys in the Gallatin National Forest out in the beautiful Montana!
Also, I have closed my asks temporarily. I've been incredibly busy and have a lot on my plate right now, so I need some time to catch up with all of your lovely prompts! I will probably do some of the Nootmas prompts, but otherwise I will be taking a break posting my normal content for a couple of weeks as I finish out my semester here at college. I'm so sorry, because I know quite a lot of you have been waiting A WHILE to have your asks answered. I promise I'm trying my best!
Aaaaand, without further ado, I present to you a Montana AU featuring the biggest sexuality crisis Finn O'Hara has ever had in the form of a 6'3" angel and a rugged ranch boy.
Character credits to @lumosinlove !!
The bar was almost empty when Finn entered. It was only late afternoon, and the middle of the week, so he was looking forward to just sitting down and writing in his journal. The bartender, Thomas, saw him and waved, then turned to presumably pour Finn’s regular drink.
Bozeman was a city, but it felt like a small town the moment Finn moved two months ago; the first weekend in his new apartment, he’d stumbled across The Lion and ordered a Manhattan, and ever since Thomas and Lily, the bartenders, had never failed to mix him a perfect drink after a long day. Montana State University was different from NYU, that was for sure, but Finn liked the classes he was teaching, and he liked the city. And students, he’d discovered, no matter where they were from, had a nasty habit of giving him a headache by midday on a Friday. A cocktail and some journaling was surely to be the perfect remedy.
“My fellow redhead,” said a voice.
Finn looked up from his notebook and smiled. Lily Evans was somehow small but towering, and her smile was always genuine. She set a glass down on the table with a nod.
“Thanks, Lils.”
“You’re nothing if not consistent, O’Hara.” She flitted her eyes to the door and grinned. “Your boys should be walking through any minute now.”
Finn felt himself blush. “They are not my boys.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever,” Finn clarified. He sipped his drink. “They’d make good candidates for a Brokeback Mountain sequel, though.”
Lily threw her hands up. “I give up. You enjoy your drink, you freckle-faced leprechaun.”
“You’re one, too!” Finn called after her. When she just turned and winked, he sighed and settled back into his booth. A few more people had entered the bar. There was a student he recognized from one of his senior seminars with her friends; at the bar, a couple of construction workers had come in to sit and were chatting with Thomas; two tables down, two women were sharing some beers and fries. Finn chewed his lips and tried to pretend that he was not looking for them, and that Lily Evans was definitely not right in saying that they were his boys.
He might have wished they were, but that was besides the point.
The door to the bar opened again and Finn’s heart began to race. Leo stepped through first. He towered over most people anywhere he went, but his disposition was gentle and unassuming until he smiled. His New Orleans mannerisms charmed anyone he met. Finn had met him when he’d been walking around campus interviewing professors and students at the school fair in September with the local news station, KBZK, and had been immediately infatuated. And two days later, when he’d spotted Leo at The Lion, accompanied by his friend, Logan, Finn had had what was quite likely the biggest sexuality crisis he’d had since he was about sixteen.
Logan followed behind Leo, presumably having held the door for him. He had his cowboy hat on and he looked sun-tanned, like he’d been working outside all day. Logan had moved from Quebec to study sustainable agriculture at MSU, then had found work at a small, local ranch just outside the city. He came to the college campus a couple of times a week to deliver lectures or practical seminars. He’d once invited Finn and Leo to the ranch to ride the horses up into the local mountain range, and Finn had almost passed out with how flustered watching Logan saddle up a horse had made him.
Leo spotted him and smiled, nudging Logan in the direction of Finn’s table. Logan’s work boots made the floorboards shake as he got closer, and he took off his cowboy hat to sit down across from Finn with a smile. “Salut.”
“Howdy.” Finn met Leo’s gaze as he sat beside Logan. “Hey, Le.”
“Hey yourself.” Leo ran a hand through his hair, then looked at Logan. “You want a drink?”
The way Logan looked at Leo was so soft sometimes that Finn wanted to melt through the floor. “Ouais. Merci.”
Leo grinned at him and stood to go to the bar, where Thomas greeted him with a slapping handshake. Leo’s laugh was twinkly when he responded to whatever Thomas had said. Logan shook his head fondly and turned back to Finn. “He’s very popular.”
“Well, how could he not be?” Finn said. He sipped his drink. “He’s charming and sweet.”
“Ouais, he is.” Logan’s accent had gone thick and almost nervous. A light blush coated the highs of his cheeks. He jerked his chin at Finn. “Allez, what did you do today?”
Finn groaned. “Taught freshman.”
Logan winced. “Ah. That is not so good.”
“They’re alright, just rowdy. And obligated to take my class.” Finn brushed a thumb over a drop of condensation that was sliding down the side of his glass. “I prefer to teach the upperclassmen that actually want to be there.”
“Mm.” Logan looked him up and down, then blushed, as if he’d caught himself doing it unintentionally. “I like your shirt.”
Finn grinned. “I figured I’d wear it again before I gave it back to you. It’s comfy. Plus, you still have mine, if I recall.”
Logan’s blush deepened. When they’d been out horseback riding, the skies had opened and rained down on them. Back at the ranch, Finn and Leo had ended up borrowing shirts from Logan (Leo’s had been way too tight across his shoulders and had given Finn a glimpse of his lean waist every time he’d even slightly lifted his arms, which hadn’t been all that helpful at the time), and Logan had promised to wash theirs and give them back. So far, none of them had held up their end of the bargain.
“You can keep it,” Logan finally said. He was fidgeting nervously with his fingers.
“Or,” Finn said. “We could come back to your ranch today and return them, and get our own back.” He bit his lip around a grin when Logan’s eyes immediately flashed to his. “I want to say hi to the horses.”
“Order up.” Two glasses were placed down on the table. Logan jerked, surprised, and Leo furrowed his eyebrows around his smile as he sat down. “Ça va?”
Logan shook his head. “Ah, ouais.” He wrapped his fingers around his glass. “Merci, Le.”
But Leo obviously wasn’t convinced. “You’re welcome. What’s going on?”
Finn ran his pointer finger around the rim of his glass and met Leo’s gaze with a grin. “How would you feel about spending a Friday night at the ranch?”
Finn wanted to watch the flush that spread across Leo’s cheeks a thousand times. He looked between Logan, who was staring back at him in the intense way he did, and Finn, who was doing his best to indicate that, yes, he was flirting, and yes, he was tired of none of them doing anything about it. Leo looked him up and down and bit his lip. “You know what, O’Hara? I think that’s a fabulous idea.”
***
Two and a Half Years Later
“Alright, I know all of you are eager for spring break and being able to ski for the entire week, but please remember to turn in your discussion posts before Monday, okay? Then there’s no homework immediately due, just your essays in April.” Finn clapped his hands and looked around the room of eager freshmen, all on the edges of their seats to get out. He took a deep breath in. “And with that, I believe that is class dismissed.”
There was the sound of chairs scraping on the floor and the rustling of computers and notebooks being shoved into backpacks. From his place at his desk at the front of the classroom, Finn was able to give them all a wave as he began to pack his own things away. He rolled out his neck and shoulders. They were stiff from all the work he’d been doing at his desk the past few days. Maybe he could convince Logan to give him a massage- he did have nice strong hands.
“Hey, teach.”
Finn looked up across his desk to find Leo standing there, his arms crossed in front of him and a sweet smile on his face. Finn smiled back and walked quickly around his desk to take Leo’s face in his hands.
“Hi, sunshine,” Finn said, leaning in to kiss Leo gently. He wrapped his arms more fully around him with a sigh. “Hi, hi, hi, beautiful.”
Leo cupped the back of Finn’s head when he tucked his nose into his neck. “You okay?”
“Mhm.” Finn kissed where his neck and shoulder muscles met under his work shirt. “You’re just a sight for sore eyes.”
“Freshmen?”
“Freshmen.”
Leo laughed lowly. “C’mon. Lo should be finishing up soon, then we can go for a ride.”
“Yeah we can.”
Finn could feel Leo’s eyeroll. “Don’t be lewd.”
“Oh, baby.” Finn pulled back to once again cup Leo’s face with a grin. “If you didn’t want a lewd boyfriend, you shouldn’t have started dating me. I can’t help how obsessed I am with you.”
This time, Finn got a nice view of Leo’s eyeroll, but it was accompanied by a kiss that threatened to knock him over. He loved kissing Leo.
“Mm,” Leo hummed. “I love you. Let’s go. You got everything?”
“Yes.” Finn kissed Leo’s cheek and went to grab his backpack, then came back to hold out his hand for Leo to take. He kissed the back of Leo’s. “I love you, too, sunshine. Let’s go see baby.”
Logan only lived about a half an hour outside of the city, but it was like stepping into a completely different world. The Gallatin mountains surrounded them on all sides, and the late afternoon sun made everything glow, including Leo’s hair through the car window. From the passenger seat, Finn gazed at him adoringly and reached out a hand to run it through his curls. Leo looked away from the road briefly to smile at him, then rested one hand on Finn’s thigh and rubbed soothingly. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi.” Finn began to fiddle with Leo’s fingers. “How was work today?”
“Good. Bothered some more students in campus interviews today. Finished my article for Monday. The usual.”
“That’s good.” Finn let his head rest back against the headrest and closed his eyes. “I am so ready for a vacation.”
“Mm.” Leo flicked on his blinker to turn onto Logan’s road. “We can go skiing if you want midweek. Less people.”
“Sounds good. You and Lo look pretty on skis. Well, he’s on a snowboard, but same idea.”
Leo laughed. “You’ll never get over that.”
“Snowboarding is the dark side, peanut butter baby, you know this.” Finn squeezed Leo’s fingers excitedly. “Yay, yay, yay, almost to baby!”
Leo smiled as he pulled into Logan’s driveway. A year ago, when he’d bought the ranch from the previous owner, he’d added a story onto the house. It wasn’t too large by any means, but it looked like a home that Finn wouldn’t mind spending a life in. He grinned softly at the mountainous backdrop that framed the house, many peaks still with snow on them, and at the fields that surrounded it. There were a few horses grazing around, and there were chickens near the door pecking and scratching at the earth. Logan himself was sitting on top of his horse, Xavier, presumably coming in from checking in on the new cows that had been born just a few days earlier. When he saw the car, Xavier began to trot and met them right in front of the porch. Logan slowed him by pulling on the reins.
Leo whistled lowly under his breath. “Damn. The view never gets old. He’s hot on a horse.”
“You said it.” Finn kissed Leo’s cheek once he’d put the car in park. “C’mon, lover, let’s go see our boy.”
Logan was just jumping down from Xavier’s back when they approached. He tied the reins loosely around one of the posts on the railing leading up to their front porch before turning to them. “Salut.”
“Hi, honey.” Leo took Logan’s hat off and put it on his own head, then leaned down for a sweet kiss. “How are you?”
“Bien.” Logan swayed into Leo’s body for another kiss before turning to Finn. “Mon rouge.”
“Howdy, gorgeous.” Finn reeled Logan in by the waist to give him a hard kiss. “You look sexy on top of a horse.”
Logan flushed and leaned up to kiss Finn again. “Ça va?”
“Better now that I’m with both my boys.”
“Mm.” Logan stood on his toes to wrap his arms around Finn’s neck and pull him into a hug. “Do you want to go for a ride?”
“Oh?”
Finn smiled at the tsk Logan clucked in his ear. He tugged on Finn’s hair gently. “Non, not like that, you know what I meant.”
“Well, I think Le and I say yes to both kinds.” Finn pulled back to look in Logan’s eyes. He kissed his forehead. “We’d love to, baby.”
Logan made a pleased sound and peered around Finn’s shoulder. “Soleil?”
“Comin’!” Finn turned just as Leo appeared from getting their bags from the car. “We going for a ride?”
“Ouais, mon amour.” Logan only left Finn’s arms to slide once more into Leo’s space. He patted Leo’s chest. “Let’s go get changed.”
Twenty minutes later, Finn was on top of his horse, Bentley, watching as Logan finished saddling up Leo’s horse, Jolie. Since they’d started dating, Leo had begun to wear the cowboy look well any time they were working or hanging out at the ranch. Finn roved his eyes up and down his muscular thighs and how they filled out his jeans, then up to his plaid shirt and his cowboy hat, a few blond curls peeking out over his forehead. Logan finished adjusting Jolie’s saddle, then stood back so Leo could notch his riding boot heel in the stirrup and swing himself onto her back. He said something in French to Logan, and Logan responded with a smile as he handed Leo the reins with a kiss to his thigh.
Leo looked at Finn. “Ready?”
“Ready as ever, baby.” He guided Bentley over to stand beside Jolie and reached out for Leo’s hand to kiss it. “You look pretty on a horse, sunshine.”
“Says you.” Leo brushed his fingers across Finn’s forearms and it sent shivers up his spine. “I like the cap.”
“I just can’t deal with the cowboy hats like you and Lo. My head gets too hot.” Finn winked at him. “But you two… they do it for me, I’ll tell you that.”
“Rouge,” Logan scolded gently, but he was smiling, back on Xavier now. “Don’t be inappropriate in front of the horses.”
“Oops,” Finn simply said with a shrug.
Logan rolled his eyes playfully, then turned Xavier towards the mountains. “Allez, mes amours, let’s go.”
Finn lingered behind just a moment to watch Leo and Logan ride off towards where the sun was beginning to get lower in the sky. The golden sun glinted off of the horses’ smooth coats and the material of Logan and Leo’s boots. They looked peaceful as they rode out towards the vast space that surrounded them. The world around them might have looked expansive, but Finn’s entire world was a point focused on the two men directly in front of him. He smiled to himself, warm and in love, and clucked his tongue at Bentley to follow his boys out into the vast Montana sky.
It is known that Logan is a hothead on the ice, maybe Finn as well. While it is uncommon for goalies to drop the gloves, could you write about the when and why Leo does it?
Love reading your stuff♥️
Leo Knut is definitely not quick to anger, so when he does it's for all the right reasons- that includes silly hockey players getting in his crease!
Character credits to @lumosinlove !!
Finn grunted as he was slammed into the boards by Dallas’ number seventy-six for the second time in the second period. The puck was stolen from his stick and sent up towards the Stars’ right winger. He and their center barely missed an offsides call, leaving just Thomas and Leo. Finn narrowed his eyes as he hustled, eyeing Leo’s looming form in the net, glove and blocker ready. Dallas’ winger dished out a perfect leading pass to their center, but Leo was on top of it and covered it with his glove. In the half second it took for him to raise his head to look out upon the ice, the Stars center came to an abrupt stop in front of him, spraying snow directly in his face. Thomas was immediately there giving him a shove, followed by Sirius, their harsh words dimmed out only by the other center’s own retorts. The linesman came to part them and sent them to cool off for a minute before coming to grab the puck from Leo.
Finn skated a wide arc around Sirius’ seething form talking to the ref to get to Leo. “Jesus,” he said, tucking his skate and right glove under his arm. “C’mere, peanut, lemme get the snow off your face.”
Leo was panting and red-faced when he lifted his mask to let Finn brush his fingers over his cheeks. “He’s been fucking doing that all game. Him and their wingers, it’s annoying as hell.”
“I know. The refs aren’t calling shit.” Finn finished and shook his hand free of the wetness. “You want me to have a word with them?”
Leo shook his head; he didn’t like confrontation. “Nah,” he said, then smiled at Finn. “You’re sweet, though.”
“Not as sweet as you.” Finn kissed his fingers and touched Leo’s mouth briefly before putting his glove back on. “Love you.”
Leo’s dimples appeared. “Love you.”
Finn winked at him and skated towards where the other players were readying for the faceoff.
“Fucking ass,” Thomas said as they took their positions. “Cap had a word with the ref.”
“Good,” Finn replied, squaring up. He was paired up with their winger, and he gave him a little nudge. “Quit touching my goalie.”
He saw angry eyes flash at him, but there wasn’t enough time for a reply as the ref dropped the puck.
***
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Jackson yelled from beside Finn on the bench. He grunted and shifted in his seat. “Their checks are so fucking dirty this game.”
“Mm,” Remus hummed from Finn’s other side. His eyes were following Sirius, James, Cole and Thomas on the penalty kill. Kuny was in the box, having slashed accidentally on a bad shift change, obviously swearing in Russian at the Stars players. Remus sighed and looked at Leo. “Nutty’s doing well, though. Their offensive line keeps fucking getting up in his face.”
“I know.”
“Loops, Nado, Harz, Jonesy!”
Finn hopped the boards with his teammates, barely missing clocking Sirius in the shoulder, before he was racing to their offensive zone, trying to contain the puck for as long as possible close to the Dallas net. But with only four players, it was difficult to get possession, and their right defense sent the puck right up the boards to their winger. Finn hustled to get back, letting out a huff as Timmy, Remus, and Jackson were sent skating back on their heels, Leo a hovering figure behind them. He tried to catch up to the puck, now on their center’s stick, but it was four on three, and the center sent a nice saucer pass to their left winger at the dot. He raised his stick for a slap and-
Ping! It bounced off of the cross bar. There was a flurry of bodies going for the rebound, but Leo dove for it. The players immediately stopped- all except their center, who, just half a second later, for the umpteenth time that game, dug his skates in and sprayed Leo in a large white cloud.
Finn growled through his teeth, reaching out to grab the player by his jersey, ready to spin him around and give him a piece of his mind. But, to his surprise, another hand reached for the front of the guy’s jersey, gripping just above the top point of the star, and soon their center game face-to-face with all six-foot-six-in-skates of Leo, eyes as striking as the ice, his jaw clenched in a way that Finn had never seen it do. Leo had never been angry, not once in the years that Finn had known him, and he felt himself blanch at the expression on his normally sweet, kind face.
“What the fuck is your problem!” Leo yelled. “You keep your fucking skates away from my face, you asshole, who the hell do you think you are to be coming into my goal like that-”
Finn could only watch, wide-eyed, as a ref came in to try and separate Leo and the Stars player. Leo had more than a head on him, though, and continued to yell. The other guy tried to retaliate, but he looked flustered, and began to skate back towards the Dallas bench, Sirius not far behind him, eyes narrowed.
Leo said something to the ref passionately, gesturing towards his goal. The ref said something back, his tone clearly not happy, but he went to talk with the Dallas head coach. Leo had his mask raised to squirt some water into his mouth with a shaking hand. Finn could see the tenseness in his shoulder even underneath his padding and began to skate hurriedly to him.
“Hey, hey, hey,” Finn said gently. He rested a hand on Leo’s back, making him jump, and immediately pulled back. “Shit, sorry, sunshine.”
Leo shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, I-” He let out a frustrated grunt, eyes hard and cheeks flushed red. “He just keeps coming into my fucking goal and I am sick of it. And I told the ref that and he just won’t fucking listen.”
“Well, Cap is talking to him.” Finn furrowed his brow. Leo was practically vibrating. “Baby, can you breathe for me?”
“Finn, I’m fine, seriously-”
“I didn’t ask if you were fine or not.” Finn pressed a hand hard to Leo’s chest. “I asked you to breathe for me. In and out, my love, c’mon.”
Leo’s eyes were still hard when they met Finn’s, but they softened with every measured inhale and exhale of his broad chest. Finn knew that the refs would be blowing their whistles any second to call the players back for the faceoff, but he knew that Leo wouldn’t get out of his head without help, and that would surely affect his performance for the rest of the game. So he stood with his back to the rest of the players on the ice with a hand on Leo’s jersey right over his heart, breathing with him. Finally, Leo stopped shaking so much and his shoulders relaxed.
“Thank you,” he whispered, bringing his mask back down and then tapping their helmets together. “I love you.”
“I love you, baby.” Finn gave his helmet another tap, and it felt like a kiss. “You good to go?”
“Yeah.”
“Kay. Love you.” Finn patted his chest, then smiled. “Hey, we get to see baby after. He’s up in the box.”
Leo smiled, too. Logan had a couple days off, so he made the trip to Gryffindor to watch their game and was with Celeste in the family and friends box. “We do. Love you.”
Finn gave his chest a last pat and skated to the dot, where Sirius was just finishing speaking with the ref. Remus saw him coming, and nudged him with his shoulder.
“They just gave him a warning. Nut good?”
Finn nodded. “Yeah, bit shaken. But he’s fine. Angry.”
“Yikes,” Thomas said from Remus’ other side. “Never thought I’d see the day. Are pigs flying?”
“Ha ha,” Finn mocked, but he was smiling. He jerked his head to the Dallas players, who were eyeing them suspiciously. “C’mon, let’s give ‘em hell.”
***
“Twenty, why the hell are you drinking coffee after a game?”
Cole rolled his eyes at Thomas and took another sip from the travel mug in his hands. “Because I’m tired. Layla’s little nephew is staying with us, and we had to change his diaper four times last night. And now we have family dinner.”
Leo snorted. “Yikes.”
“Aw,” Thomas cooed, pinching Cole’s cheek. “Our little baby is taking care of a little baby!”
Cole slapped his hand away. “I am not a baby!”
“You’ll always be my baby,” Thomas said.
“That’s weird.”
Finn smiled at Leo’s laugh. He looked light, despite the game that they’d just played- which probably had to do with their 3-0 shutout win. His blue eyes were clear and bright as he followed Thomas and Cole out of the locker room and into the hallway. Thomas was continuing to tease Cole, who was batting his hands away, Leo watching them with a fond smile. He was broken out of his amusement by heavy footsteps and a hand grabbing his forearm.
“Soleil.”
Leo’s expression quickly turned from surprise to contentment. He turned into Logan’s body, who was now reaching out to take his jaw between his thumb and pointer fingers, obviously checking for injuries. “Hi, honey.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No, baby.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, baby.”
Logan let out a frustrated huff, one hand still holding Leo’s jaw, the other moving emphatically as he spoke. “That fucking Stars player all up in your net, I wanted to go down there myself and-”
Leo interrupted him with a kiss. Logan’s eyes stayed open for a moment before closing, his body swaying into the hand Leo now had supporting his lower back. Finn ignored Thomas’ ‘ew, gross’, and watched them with a soft smile. He bit his lip around a snort when Leo pulled away and raised his eyebrows. “You were saying?”
“I…” Logan looked dazed. “I don’t remember.”
“Mm.” Leo ducked down to kiss him again, gently. “Thanks for being my knight in shining armor. But I’m okay. And I love you.”
“Je t’aime.” Logan stood on his toes for one more kiss, then turned to Finn and held out a hand. “Rouge.”
“Hi.” Finn set his bag down to wrap both arms firmly around Logan’s waist and kiss him hard. “I’m so happy you’re here, wow.”
“What did Sirius say to the ref about the guy who was in Leo’s goal?”
Finn snorted. “‘Hey, I’m happy to be here to watch the loves of my life play hockey.’ Is what you should be saying.”
Logan rolled his eyes and planted a kiss on Finn’s mouth. “Ouais, I am,” he said, then pinched Finn’s side lightly. “Allez, if Le won’t tell me, you need to.”
“I was fine,” Leo insisted. He and Finn caught each other’s eye in amusement before looking back down at Logan. “Honestly, honey. I was a little stressed, but Finn came and made it better.”
“And you had a shutout,” Finn pointed out.
“And I had a shutout.” Leo used the hand low on Logan’s back to draw him in closer against his body, Logan arching up into him. “So, I’m feeling pretty good.”
Finn wanted to tuck the image of Logan blushing so hard at Leo’s flirting and keep it close to his heart forever. Logan ran a hand up and down Leo’s chest. “D’accord. You sure you’re okay?”
Leo rolled his eyes, then in one movement let his own bag drop and wrapped both arms around Logan’s waist to pick him up. Logan’s legs were dangling straight towards the floor and Leo began to swing him around gently as he walked, smiling at Logan’s laugh. “I am fine.”
Logan’s grip around Leo’s shoulders was firm. “D’accord, d’accord.” He laughed harder when Leo bit his clothed shoulder teasingly before setting him down, still close. “I’m just worried.”
“And I’m just fine. C’mon, Harz is gonna take us out to a nice dinner. No more hockey.”
“Affirmative,” Finn said, hoisting his bag up onto his shoulder. He smiled when, despite Leo’s protests, Logan picked up his bag, larger and heavier with all of his goalie padding in it. Finn gave Logan’s ass a loving smack and winked at Leo. “C’mon, lovers, let’s go home and get all dressed fancy so I can take my lovely boys for a night on the town.”
Could you maybe do Finlos first ever time meeting? Like Logan on a campus tour or college freshman move in day? I cant stop thinking about this drawing
Oh, Harvard FinnLo, how I adore you and how tragically yearning you both are!
Have a fun little campus tour, past and present, with our favorite boys!
Character credits to @lumosinlove <3
“And this is the library. I spend a lot of time here. Pretty, huh?”
Logan nodded, eyes roving over the building. “Ouais.”
Finn wanted to sigh. So far, Logan Tremblay was a tough nut to crack. Finn was determined to succeed in getting him out of his shell.
“So,” he continued, spreading his arms. “You wanna go inside? Or do you wanna sit on the grass a bit, it’s nice. You can see a lot of campus. People watch.”
Logan just looked at him, blinking slowly. He seemed surprised that Finn had asked his opinion. Like he was kind of stunned. “Uh, ouais. We can sit a bit.”
“Cool.” Finn jerked his head. “Follow me.”
He led them over to a tall tree kind of out of the way of the main green. It was still hot in Massachusetts in late August, so Finn made sure that they both would have enough shade before sitting down and leaning his back against the bark. Logan sat down carefully across from him. Finn kind of wanted to laugh at the almost wary way he carried himself, as if he was being watched all the time.
Finn nudged Logan’s foot with his own, smiling when it made him jump slightly. “You okay?”
A smile. A small one, a nervous one, close-lipped, but real. “Ouais. Yes, thank you.” Logan sighed. “I am sorry. You’re being very nice, and I am…” He trailed off with a shrug.
Finn shook his head. Logan had nice eyes, he noticed. Green like the tree leaves above them. “It’s all good man. You’re kinda far from home, in a new country, at a world-renowned university to play hockey. I’d think you were crazy if you were already so well-adjusted.”
That got a huff of a laugh. Those pretty eyes crinkled at the corners. “Oui, I would be.” He ducked his chin, as if realizing he was expressing himself too much, then looked up at Finn through his lashes. “Thank you. For showing me around.”
Finn, for some reason, felt his heart stutter in his chest for a beat. “You’re welcome.” He rested his head against the bark behind him. “You wanna people watch for a few minutes? There are usually some weirdos playing ultimate frisbee with no spacial awareness making people really angry.”
That got Logan to laugh, a loud, barking one that Finn still hadn’t heard, and he nodded. “Ouais, Harzy. Let’s people watch.”
***
“And this is the library. We spent a lot of time here. Pretty, huh?”
Leo nodded, smiling fondly at the building. “Very.”
Logan followed Leo’s gaze. He hadn’t been back to the Harvard library since he’d graduated. Last year, when he and Finn had brought the Cup back to OKN, he hadn’t even thought about going inside. The memories had still been too painful, and he still hadn’t been able to hold Finn in public like he’d wanted to. Now, though, he was itching to go in and sit across from him and Leo and lean over to kiss them.
Finn must have been thinking the same thing, because he was leaning into Leo’s space, even though it was the middle of July, and nudging his hot cheek with his nose. “Do you wanna go inside? Please can we go inside?”
Leo turned to look down his nose at him and smiled. “Of course we can.”
“Yay!” Finn kissed him quickly, then pulled back with a gasp. “Wait! Wait, one more thing, c’mere.” Then, he was dashing off to the trees on the side of the yard, waving his arm to indicate for them to follow him.
“What?” Leo asked Logan. “What’s he doing?”
“I don't know, mon amour,” Logan said. Then it dawned on him and he smiled. He laced his fingers with Leo’s. “Ah, wait, yes I do. Ici.”
Leo furrowed his eyebrows at him, but followed. Logan smiled when they reached a tall tree with large branches, casting a wide circle of shade. Finn was already sitting down with his back to the trunk. His hair was longer than it had been his sophomore year, and his shoulders broader, but his smile was exactly the same as he looked up at them and gestured to the ground in front of him. “Sit, please.”
“Okay,” Leo said cautiously. He let Logan tug him down, their hands still laced together. “What’s this, honey?”
“This, my dearest nutter butter baby, is the tree.”
“The tree?”
“Uh huh, the tree.” Finn reached forward for their hands, flipping their palms up to trace lines on their skin distractedly. “The tree Lo and I sat under when I gave him a campus tour. Before we explored the library we just sat here people watching. There were some people playing frisbee that were definitely in the way of everybody.”
Logan smiled at the memory and at Leo’s laugh. “How long had you known each other?” Leo asked.
Finn looked at Logan and shrugged. “I don’t know. A few hours, maybe?”
“Ouais,” Logan nodded. He leaned to rest his head on Leo’s shoulder and peeked out at Finn through his lashes. “I think I already wanted to kiss you.”
Finn’s ears and the highs of his cheeks flushed bright red. His grin was sharp. “No you didn’t.”
“Ouais, I did.”
“We barely knew each other.”
“And you were hot.” Logan raised an eyebrow. “And you thought I was hot, don’t lie.”
“I thought you had pretty eyes.”
That made Logan’s heart skip a beat. He felt himself blush and he hid further into Leo’s shoulder. “Non.”
“Oo-ways.” Finn sat up on his knees and leaned over to cup Logan’s face. “C’mere, ten.”
Finn kissed him deeply. Logan felt warmth work its way up his spine and he shuddered. All those years ago, he’d wondered what it would be like to just lean over, to just see if Finn would pull away or if he’d let Logan hold him like he wanted. Now, Finn’s hands were gentle on his jaw, tender even as his tongue brushed over Logan’s bottom lip in a way that made Logan’s chest burn. Logan heard himself make a soft sound, felt Finn’s answering smile, before pulling away with one last kiss.
Finn’s eyes were bright as they looked into his own. “Good?”
Logan nodded, cheeks hot and hurting with his grin. “Ouais.”
“Good.” Finn brought his hands down only to bring them up and cup Leo’s face instead. “Hey, beautiful.”
Leo pressed his smile into Finn’s palm. “Hi.”
Finn didn’t say anything else, just leaned in to kiss Leo, too. Logan felt heavy leaning against Leo’s body as he watched them, as though he had been plunged under water. Their heads ducked together were so beautiful. Little rays of sunshine poked through the leaves to brighten Leo’s hair. Finn kissed him firmly, as if sealing a promise, but his hands were soft like they had been on Logan’s face. Logan turned to rest his lips against Leo’s shoulder and watched as their lips met for a final time before Finn pulled back. Leo let out a breath and shuddered.
Finn bit his lips around a smile before sitting back against the tree. He looked between them, satisfied. “Been waiting forever to do that.”
“Mm,” Leo hummed. He rested his head on top of Logan’s. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Finn jerked his chin at them. “Hey, you two should kiss now.”
Logan laughed. “Oh, should we?”
“Yeah. I gave you each a show, it’s only fair you give me one.”
They both laughed and turned to look at each other. Leo’s eyes were bright blue as they looked into Logan’s own. Logan reached up to cup his jaw tenderly and felt his pulse racing underneath his fingers. He tilted his head, surprised. “You’re nervous?” he whispered in French.
Leo bit his lip and shrugged. “A little? I don’t know.”
“Sh,” Logan hushed. He tilted his chin up until their lips were just brushing. “Viens ici, mon coeur.”
He felt Leo relax when he kissed him, like a wave of calm had washed over them both. Logan kept the kiss gentle and slow with his thumbs rubbing Leo’s jawline soothingly. When Leo made a low noise against his mouth, Logan pulled away to kiss up his jawline to his ear.
“Ça va?” he whispered.
He felt Leo tuck his nose into Logan’s neck and nod. “Mhm.”
“Bien.” Logan rested their foreheads together to give him a last kiss. He turned to peek out at Finn, who was watching them with his head tilted and a soft smile on his face. “Good show?”
Finn nodded and patted the ground beside him. “Mhm. C’mere.”
“Honey, it’s, like, a billion degrees,” Leo said.
“Just c’mere.”
Leo and Logan looked at each other, but complied. Finn guided Leo to lie down with his head in his lap, hands immediately going to caress the blond curls, and had Logan sit beside him with their hands laced together. He let out a big sigh and closed his eyes.
Leo leaned into Finn’s touch. “You wanna go to the library, sweetheart?”
“In a minute,” Finn replied. He cracked his eyes open and smiled. “Wanna stay here for a bit.”
“D’accord,” Logan murmured. He joined Finn in playing gently with Leo’s curls. He felt a sense of finally wash over him. His freshman self would not have believed him and the life he now had. “D’accord, mon amour.” He kissed Finn’s shoulder and shared a smile with Leo. “We can stay here a bit.”
Could you maybe do one with frustrated rookie Leo having a bad day at practice and on the verge of tears (because of how hard he is on himself) and FinLo force him to go hang out with them and cheer him up? Maybe by telling him stories of their horrible practices/games in college & the NHL and how its okay to have bad days and it doesn't mean you suck.
Or something of the sort? I love your writing🥹 also do you have an Ao3?
Ah, pre-O'Knutzy angsty-flirty-loving little moments, how I adore you! Enjoy Leo having a rough practice and some tight muscles, featuring Logan Tremblay and his strong, capable hands and Finn O'Hara and his superb reheating leftovers skills.
I do not have an AO3! I am staying in the Little League here on Tumblr! I just prefer it. You can find all my fics linked on my Masterlist or on my page, though!
As always, character credits to the incredible @lumosinlove <3
Gryffindor, November, 2019
Leo knew he had dropped too early the second he did it. He grunted in frustration as the puck flew off of James’ stick and sailed above his shoulder into the net. There was an approving comment for James from one of their assistant coaches, Danielle, which James accepted with a nod before skating over and patting Leo's helmet.
“Hey, rookie,” he said, his eyes kind. “It was a good effort.”
“Thanks,” Leo panted.
James nodded with a smile and skated away. Leo rolled out his shoulders and pushed his mask back, reaching to squirt some water in his mouth. Kasey came over, decked in his own goalie gear, and patted him on the back with his glove. “You okay, Nutty?”
Leo swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, I’m alright. Thanks, Bliz.”
“You’re just butterflying too early. But you know that.”
“Yeah.” Leo hung his head back and closed his eyes. He could feel them starting to sting with tears. “I don’t know what’s up with me today. I’m just…”
“Hey.” Kasey nudged Leo’s shoulder to force him to look at him. “Shit days happen. It’s okay. I know because you’re a rookie that you think one bad practice day is the end of the world, but it’s not.” He laughed and thumped Leo on the back. “You don’t need to prove yourself anymore, rookie. Your poke check scares the hell out of everyone.”
Despite himself, Leo smiled and let out a sheepish laugh. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Kasey nudged him. “You’re done for today, my turn. Let Pots and Cap work out their energy with a few more shots on net.”
“Yeah, are they always like that? Because they haven’t stopped, like, since we finished drills.”
Kasey rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “Sirius keeps shooting because he can’t stand Pots getting more shots on net than him. Pots is like a dog and needs to wear himself out, plus I think he just likes working Sirius up.”
Leo laughed with furrowed eyebrows. “They’re kinda weird.”
As if on cue, there was a shrill whistle. “Hey! I need to beat Sirius in points today, can we have a few more minutes!”
“Non, you will not!”
Kasey raised his eyebrows at James and Sirius, who were waiting like eager kids at center ice, then turned back to Leo with a dry expression. “Tell me about it.” He tapped his stick to Leo’s pads. “Go, Leo, go get changed and go home.”
“See you later,” Leo said, then grabbed his water bottle and skated towards the tunnel to go to the locker room.
Most of the other guys were shuffling through. Remus was standing by the entrance with the goalie coach, Trinity, and they both smiled as he approached.
“Hey,” Leo said, raising his stick in greeting.
“Hey, Nutty,” Trinity replied. “I got some notes for you, but they can wait until tomorrow. Mostly dropping too early.”
Leo winced, the sinking feeling back in his gut. “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry, I-”
But Trinity just shook her head. “Don’t you be sorry, we can work on it. Go get some food, okay?”
“How’s your groin feeling?” Remus asked. “Lots of butterflying today.”
“A little tight,” Leo said honestly. “I’ll stretch it out before I go and again at home.”
“Good.” Remus clapped him on the back. “See you tomorrow, Nut. Food, water, stretch, sleep, okay?”
Leo nodded and smiled. “Have a good one,” he said, then continued his trek down the tunnel.
The locker room was rowdy with 80’s pop music when Leo got there- Thomas’ choice, likely. Leo could hear the showers already going as he began to strip off his pads. He hummed under his breath to the music as he sat to pull off his skates, flexing his sore ankles and toes with a wince. Finn had some tennis balls at home that he could use; and sometimes, lately, Finn would take Leo’s ankles into his lap and begin to massage them. Leo blushed at the thought, still unsure what to do about these feelings that had been pooling in his stomach recently.
“Salut,” a voice said from in front of him.
Leo snapped out of his concentration and looked up. Logan was standing above him, freshly showered and with just a pair of Adidas pants on. From his seated position, Leo was level with his toned abs.
Leo sucked in a breath and shifted his gaze to look Logan in the eye. “Salut.”
“Ça va?” Logan asked, sitting down in his stall next to Leo’s. “Fish invited me over for video games.”
Leo nodded, stretching his ankles again. “That’s good. I’m making pot roast for supper, if you want to stay for that, too.”
Logan’s smile was sweet. “D’accord. I will, Nut, merci.” He furrowed his eyebrows at Leo’s wince. “Your ankles?”
“They’re a bit sore,” Leo admitted. “And I have to do some groin stretches right now and later tonight.”
“D’accord.” Logan rummaged through his bag for a T-shirt. “We’ll wait for you.”
Leo felt his cheeks heat up. “You don’t have to do that. I can just give Finn my bags and take the train-”
“Non, non,” Logan insisted with a wave of his hand. “Non, we’ll wait.” He nudged Leo’s knee with a playful smile. “You play better music than he does.”
Leo let out a surprised snort. “What, you don’t like his showtunes?”
“Non, not really.” Logan gave him another nudge. “Allez, go stretch. You don’t want your muscles to get too cold.”
Leo nudged him back with a smile, but stood to put some shorts on over his thermals and a sweatshirt before making his way to the weight room.
***
“Does it hurt?”
“No.” Leo gritted his teeth, letting his head fall back against the apartment floor. “Just tight.”
“D’accord.” A warm hand pressed on the back of his knee. “Relax your knee for me, ouais? I’ll add a bit more pressure.”
Leo couldn’t help the soft grunt that escaped him. He was on his back in his and Finn’s apartment, his right leg bent up and out. Logan’s hands were gentle as they guided Leo into the stretch, providing a bit more pressure to help loosen the tightness in his groin muscles. Leo tried not to look too long at the way Logan’s wavy brown hair fell over his concentrated face.
“Found a tennis ball!” Finn called, coming into the living room from his bedroom. He held the green ball up in his hand. “It’s the last one. I don’t know how I keep losing them.”
“That’s because- shit.” Leo sucked in air between his teeth as his muscles tried to resist the stretch. “It’s because you bring them to the park to throw for random dogs.”
“And their owners love me for it.” Finn was standing beside Logan now, a small frown on his face. “Shit, peanut, is it really that bad?”
“Yeah.” Leo let out a deep breath from his belly. “Ow, fuck, I’m really sore.”
“D’accord,” Logan said. Leo felt the loss of his hands on his skin acutely when Logan dropped his right leg. “Let’s do the other side for a bit.”
“Can I check on my pot roast first?” Leo asked, raising himself up onto his elbows.
Logan breathed out a laugh. “Of course you can. Allez.”
Leo stood and went to open the oven and check the meat with a thermometer. He sang softly under his breath to the music Finn had put through the speakers- not showtunes, per Logan’s request.
“Why do you think your muscles are so sore, Le?” Finn asked from his place on one of their counter stools.
Leo shrugged. “I went into the splits a lot today, I think.” He laughed self-deprecatingly, feeling the heat in his eyes welling up again, which he tried to will away. He shut the oven and turned to face them, crossing his arms over his chest protectively. “Yeah, it was… I don’t know, a bit of a rough practice, honestly.”
“We could tell.” Finn took a sip from the glass of water he had poured himself. His eyes were gentle and warm. “We all have bad practice days, Le.”
“Ouais,” Logan said. He sat down beside Finn and nudged him. “Ask Fish about his first practice back after his second concussion in college.”
That made Leo smile. “Oh?”
Finn groaned and ran his hands over his face. “It was awful. My cardio was so fucking bad, Nut, I just couldn’t handle it.” His cheeks were flushed when he peeked out at Leo through his fingers. “I broke a stick on the boards.”
“You broke a stick?” Leo asked incredulously.
Finn just groaned again, so obviously embarrassed. Logan laughed and elbowed him lightly. “He was tired and stressed. He had a lot of homework to make up, too, he was just frustrated.”
“It was awful. Worst practice ever.” Finn brought his hands down and threw an arm over the back of Logan’s chair casually. “Tell Leo about your debut practice your rookie season.”
“Oh, merde,” Logan huffed. He glared at Finn playfully with red cheeks before turning to Leo. “I tripped on my own skate and knocked Cap, Dumo, and Talker over in a scrimmage, right into Bliz’s goal.”
“Fucking hilarious,” Finn laughed. He ruffled Logan’s hair. “We thought it was the funniest thing, but shorty pants here was embarrassed as hell.”
“It was my first day.” Logan shoved Finn gently with his shoulder before looking at Leo. “What we’re trying to say, Le, is that it's okay. To have bad practice days.”
“Yeah.” Finn was nodding rapidly. “Besides, we already know about your killer poke check, it’s annoying as hell.”
That made Leo smile, cheeks hot. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Finn clapped his hands. “Up, let’s go, Nutty, let’s get your groin stretched out.”
Logan winced. “Ugh, Fish.”
“Well I didn’t mean it like that.”
Leo just shook his head fondly at Finn’s red ears and went to lie down in the living room.
***
Gryffindor, October, 2027
“Bien, mon coeur?”
“Ouais,” Leo grunted. “Ah- merde.”
Logan clucked his tongue. “Sh, relax your knee for me, soleil.”
Leo nodded and took a deep breath in as Logan pressed on his thigh to stretch him again. “Fuck, my muscles don’t recover as easily as they used to.”
There was a scoff from the kitchen. “Says the man who’s not even thirty yet.” Finn’s head appeared from where he had been crouched in front of the oven. He turned to smile. “Pot roast is almost done reheating, lovers.”
“Thank you, honey- ow, fuck.”
Like a spring had been released, Leo finally felt his muscles give into the stretch. Logan massaged his fingers into Leo’s inner thigh. The muscles were twitching, but they felt better, and Leo let out a deep breath as Logan let his thigh down gently.
“Ça va?” Logan asked, resting a hand on Leo’s lower stomach.
Leo smiled and nodded. Logan was kneeling on the carpet, in between Leo’s thighs, and Leo thought back to his rookie season, the first time he’d asked for help to stretch out his groin muscles, sore from going into the splits. Back then, Logan had been almost nervous, and had stood stiffly as he waited for Leo to direct him exactly what to do. Now, he was closer, and his hands were warm on Leo’s bare skin as they touched mindlessly. Without knowing it, Logan had rucked up the bottom of Leo’s gym shorts and was caressing the stretch marks on his inner thigh.
“Hey,” Leo said. He jerked his chin with a grin. “Viens ici.”
Logan looked confused, but he was smiling, too, and shifted to straddle Leo’s waist. He leaned into the hands Leo placed on his hips. “Quoi, mon mari?”
“Nothing,” Leo shook his head. He leaned up for a kiss. “Do you remember the first time you helped me stretch? My rookie season?”
Logan blushed sheepishly. “Ouais. I do. Why?”
“No reason,” Leo whispered. He kissed Logan again. “Just love you.”
Logan’s knowing eyes crinkled at the edges with his smile. “Je t’aime. You played well today.”
“So did you.” Leo pressed their foreheads together. “I love having you back on the team, sweetheart.”
They were leaning in for another kiss when there was a banging sound and a curse. They pulled apart and looked over the back of the sofa and into the kitchen.
“Fish?” Leo called.
“All good!” Finn’s back was to them and he waved his hand. “I’m good!”
“Do you need any help, rouge?” Logan asked, moving to stand.
“No, no, you stay. I’m just getting the serving dishes.”
“Finn,” Leo laughed. “Honey, we can just serve from the stove.”
“Nuh-uh, I’m making you a whole fancy spread. I’ve got a long weekend off from school, and you two just had your last game for four days, so it’s going to be special, I-” Finn had spun around and stopped talking when he saw them. His face softened and his head tilted in that way it only did for them. “Oh, hi. Hi, beautiful boys.”
Leo patted the carpet. “C’mere, teach.”
Finn set the serving dish down and came to sit on the ground beside them. “I just wanna do something nice for you. It’s going to be a few days of just dedicated ‘husband time’.”
Logan’s laugh was pleased. “Ouais?”
“Oo-ways.” Finn leaned in to kiss him. “Just us and snuggling, how’s that sound, ten?”
“Bien.” Logan patted Leo’s ribs. “Allez, mon amour, we need to stretch out the other side.”
Leo groaned. “No, I don’t want to.”
“You gotta, baby,” Finn said. He leaned down to kiss Leo’s forehead and brush his hair back from his face. “We want those legs nice and flexible.”
“Shut up.”
“Nuh-uh.” Finn cupped his jaw gently and watched as Logan knelt back up and away to take Leo’s other leg in his hands. Finn looked contemplative for a moment. “Hey, you remember the first time we helped you stretch?”
Leo smiled and kissed Finn’s palm, only wincing slightly as Logan applied pressure to spread his leg. “We were just talking about it.”
“I remember being so freaked out. Like, watching Logan help you just made me…” Finn let out a huff of a breath. His cheeks were flushed. “Made me something, that’s for sure.”
“You are something, sweetheart.” Leo hissed as his muscles tried to resist the stretch. “Ah, shit.”
“Relax, mon soleil, I’ve got you.” Logan’s thumb rubbed gently on the tender tendons of Leo’s knee. “Almost done.”
“Yikes, Le,” Finn said. His eyebrows were furrowed in concern. “You want to ice it after dinner?”
“Yeah, probably.” He hissed again. “Jesus, it never gets any less awful stretching them out. The only good part is your hands are warm, Lo.”
Logan huffed out a laugh and looked up at Leo through his lashes. “Good, mon amour.”
“We love your hands, baby,” Finn said. “They’re the best hands. So strong.”
Logan squeezed Leo’s inner thigh, as if to prove his point. He wasn’t looking for anything more, touching just to touch. Leo hadn’t known how much he valued that closeness until he started dating two boys that always wanted to have a gentle hand on him. He closed his eyes as Logan applied some last pressure and sighed in relief as his leg was guided gently to the floor.
“D’accord,” Logan murmured. He kissed his way from Leo’s lower stomach all the way up to his mouth. “Hungry?”
“Always.”
“And that’s where I come in.” Finn kissed each of their foreheads and stood. “Leftovers alla Finn.”
Leo snorted. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Not if you don’t use your imagination.” Finn reached his hands down to pull them up. “A game well played deserves a dinner well made.” He sent Leo a look. “Even if it’s just your leftovers. I did get fresh bread from the bakery this morning, though!”
Leo bit his lip, smitten, and drew Finn in by his waist to kiss him gently. “Thank you, honey. I love you.”
“I love you.” Finn kissed him firmly again before turning to Logan and picking him up around the waist. “And I love my grumpy boy. Who I’m very happy is back in Gryff.”
Logan’s hair fell towards the ground as he tilted his head back in a laugh, allowing Finn room to press kisses to his neck. “Allez, rouge, rouge, dinner.”
“Not until you say it back.”
Logan laughed again at Finn’s teasing, then took his face between his hands to look him in the eye. “Je t’aime.” He pressed kisses to Finn’s cheeks. “Je t’aime, je t’aime, je t’aime.”
Finn gave Logan another squeeze before setting him down. He tapped Leo’s hips gently as he made his way into the kitchen, and Leo felt Logan come over to press his smile into his shoulder.
“Alright, sexy hubbies,” Finn said as he opened the oven. “Who’s ready to eat?”
Awwww, we love some clingy Cubs. Especially Logan "my love language is touch" Tremblay, and especially when his boys surprise him in New York. He takes on the role of Koala Bear Supreme.
Character credits to @lumosinlove !!
“Do you think he’ll be surprised?” Finn asked, coming up behind Leo to cup his hips and kiss the back of his neck.
“Yeah, I think so,” Leo replied from his place at the stove. “I’m hoping he’s hungry, too, this is a lot of bolognese, yikes.”
“Well, if it helps you, baby, I’m starving.” Finn squeezed Leo tighter and bit his shoulder.
“What is up with you today?” Leo asked, but he was smiling.
“I missed you yesterday when you were out with Cole.”
“I was gone for a day.”
“An entire day,” Finn said pointedly. “You kissed me goodbye in the morning, then I didn’t see you until the game. And then we had to play, and then go to bed, and then get up early and drive here-”
“Okay, okay, I get your point.” Leo tapped the wooden spoon he was using to stir the sauce on the side of the pan, then turned and held out his arms. “C’mere, lovely.”
Finn let himself be folded into Leo’s embrace. Leo kissed him on the cheek and then rested his chin on Finn’s shoulder, breathing slow and steady. Finn felt like he could fall asleep.
“You smell good,” he murmured. “Like home.”
Leo snorted. “I think that’s the allspice and the wine I put in the sauce.”
“No.” Finn shook his head. “Smell like you.”
“Oh.” Leo pressed a smile into Finn’s shirt shoulder. “That’s good, then.”
“Mhm.” Finn pulled back to cup Leo’s jaw and kiss him gently. “You want some nice wine with dinner, my love?”
“Yes, please. Lo has some good stuff on his wine shelf.”
Finn parted from Leo with a last kiss and walked around into the living room, where Logan had placed the wine cupboard Pascal had gifted him for Christmas. The bottles were on their side, cradled by the wood, and it still smelt slightly fresh, even a few months later. Finn breathed it in as he took each bottle out to examine the label. “What kind of red are you feeling, baby?”
“Anything you want, I’m not picky.”
Finn hummed in acknowledgement and checked his watch. 6:30. If his estimate was correct, Logan would be arriving home from practice right about-
Suddenly, there was a frantic scratching of a key in the front door lock. Leo had just enough time to catch Finn’s eye and wink before Logan was tumbling through the door. He was panting, as if he had been jogging, and his eyes were wide as he looked around the apartment. They settled on Leo, one of his hands still on the door knob.
“Hi, honey,” Leo said with a knowing smile. “Surpri-”
But he didn’t have time to finish. In one motion, Logan had shut the door behind himself and threw down his keys and bag to cross over to the kitchen in two strides and jump right into Leo’s arms. Leo had been waiting and ready, though, because he caught Logan easily and held him just as tightly back.
“Hi,” Leo laughed. He pressed a hard kiss to Logan’s temple. “Hi, sweetheart.”
“I could smell your bolognese from the hallway,” Logan mumbled into Leo’s shoulder, which made Leo smile even wider. “Rouge.”
“Here.” Finn quickly stood and came to stand beside Leo, a hand on each of their backs. He smiled as Logan’s eyes peeked out at him. “Hi, baby.”
Logan just held out an arm and Finn tucked himself against them both. Logan’s breathing had calmed, his face tucked into Leo’s neck and his arm tight around Finn’s shoulders. Finn kissed his cheek and let his lips linger for a moment. “Good surprise?”
Logan nodded. “Ouais.” He lifted his head to smile at Finn and leaned in. “Bisou.”
Finn kissed him slowly, luxuriously. It had been a month since they’d seen each other during the All Star break; their schedules since then had not lined up. And with their practice for today cancelled at the last minute to give the team a rest day, Leo and Finn had barely even looked at each other before they were packing their weekend bags to drive to New York.
Now, Finn reveled in the closeness of Logan and Leo’s bodies, together again after so long apart. Logan made a soft noise against his mouth before pulling away and immediately searching for Leo’s. “Soleil.”
Leo, who had been watching them with a soft smile on his face, ducked his chin to capture Logan’s mouth. His kiss was sweet, as everything about him was, mixing perfectly with the fire Logan always had burning under his skin. Finn felt something inside him settle seeing his two loves back together again.
“Mm,” Leo hummed after a moment. He pulled back with a few more kisses. “I gotta boil the pasta, honey.”
“Non.” Logan wrapped his arms tighter around Leo and once again hid his face in Leo’s neck. “Non, you don’t.”
“I do,” Leo laughed softly. He raised one hand to rub softly up and down Logan’s back, the other still supporting Logan’s thigh. “You’re probably starving.”
“Non.” Logan made a quiet sound and nuzzled Leo's skin. “I missed you.”
Leo caught Finn’s eye with a smitten smile. “I missed you, too.”
“C’mere, baby.” Finn opened his arms. “I’ll hold you, let’s let Le make dinner, okay?”
Logan didn’t say anything, just kissed Leo’s neck and held his arm out to Finn. Leo carefully transferred Logan from his arms to Finn’s before turning to go grab a box of pasta. Logan sighed heavily into Finn’s shoulder. His body was warm, and Finn clutched tightly to his thighs and boosted him up.
“Good?” Finn asked.
“Ouais,” Logan mumbled. He pulled back to run a hand through Finn’s hair and look into his eyes. He smiled. “Missed you.”
“We missed you, baby.” Finn kissed him. “Coach cancelled practice this morning, so we knew exactly what we were doing today.”
“Mm.” Logan turned his head to look at Leo, eyes roving up and down his lean back from where he was dumping pasta into a pot of boiling water. “How long are you here?”
“Until tomorrow evening,” Leo answered, giving the noodles a stir. “We have today and tomorrow off after the roadie before practice on Monday, then our game on Tuesday.”
“We were thinking,” Finn started, “of coming to watch our favorite Ranger play in his matinee tomorrow.”
Logan’s eyes went wide with excitement, then a broad smile grew on his face. “Non. Really?”
“Of course.” Leo put a lid over the pasta and turned to them. He cupped Logan’s face in his hands. “We can hang out in the friends and family lounge.”
“Ouais.” Logan was nodding eagerly. He let out a laugh. “Ouais, please, yes, I want you there.”
“Good.” Leo kissed him firmly, then Finn. “Can you set the table for me, please? I’ll open the wine.”
Logan refused to get down, so Finn was left to hold him and let him carry all the bowls to the table. It was a bit difficult bending to set them down, and Leo rolled his eyes fondly at their bickering, but they managed just as Leo was straining the pasta. Logan gingerly reached to get some wine glasses from the cupboard, tongue between his teeth. Finn kissed the hinge of his jaw and patted his thigh. “That the last thing, baby?”
“Ouais, should be, right, Le?”
“Hot pads, bowls, utensils, wine glasses… yep.” Leo nodded, giving the sauce one last stir. “Let me put the noodles in a serving dish, then dinner time, okay?”
“D’accord.” Logan kicked Finn’s lower back with his heels. “Allez, Fish.”
“I’m going, I’m going.” Finn walked back over to the table. “Can I set you down?”
There was a huff. “Ouais.”
Finn smiled as he set Logan down. “Don’t look so mopey.”
“I missed you.” Logan pouted and pulled out a chair.
“I missed you.” Finn kissed him before sitting down. “Sit, baby.”
Logan shook his head. “Non.” He turned to the kitchen. “Le?”
“Coming!” Leo brought a dish of pasta over, then quickly went back for the large saucepan. “Okay, ready?”
“Ici,” Logan said, tapping the back of the pulled-out chair.
Leo’s eyes looked from the chair to Logan’s face and a blush broke out over his cheeks. “You’re sweet.”
“Mm.” Logan pursed his lips for a kiss before guiding Leo to sit down. Leo tried to scooch his chair in, but Logan stopped him, coming around to sit sideways on his lap with a triumphant smile. “Salut.”
“Oh my God,” Finn said with a laugh. “Logan.”
Leo and Logan were just staring at each other, Leo narrowing his eyes playfully. He pinched Logan’s waist. “How am I supposed to eat, huh?”
“I’ll feed you.” Logan slumped and rested his head on Leo’s shoulder. “I missed you.”
Leo’s hand found Finn’s and squeezed. He kissed Logan’s temple. “We missed you, too.”
Logan was true to his word and didn’t move from his perch on Leo’s lap the entire dinner. He frequently reached out with his foot to tap the back of Finn’s shin when he was making a point, just to touch, and Finn felt sparks travel up his leg every time. Leo was relaxed, more relaxed than Finn had seen him in weeks, and he didn’t seem to mind that Logan was taking up so much space and he had to work around him to eat; he just pulled Logan closer every few minutes until there was no space in between them.
“I made some cookies for dessert,” Leo said when they’d finished their dinner and their conversation had gentled into a lull. “Butterscotch cookies.”
Logan wrapped his arms dramatically around Leo’s neck and let out a groan. “Merci.” He kissed Leo’s cheeks and forehead. “Je t’aime, je t’aime, je t’aime, ma vie.”
“I’ll get them,” Finn said, standing to clear their plates. “Sit tight, lovers, ‘kay?”
Leo and Logan chatted in soft French while Finn put their dishes in the dishwasher and got the cookies from the cookie jar they’d painted for Logan for their anniversary. He set a few on a plate, licking some crumbs off of his thumb before heading back over to the table.
“Cookies for my gorgeous boys.” When he sat down, they were both looking at him. “What?”
“Nothing.” Leo jerked his chin. “C’mere.”
Finn scooted his chair closer and rested a hand on Logan’s thigh, his head on Leo’s shoulder. “Like this?”
“Ouais.” Logan let out a deep sigh, finally settling down. He closed his eyes for a moment. “Hold me?”
“Oh, baby,” Finn whispered. An almost choked feeling worked its way up his throat. “Oh, baby, of course. Always.” He laced his fingers with Leo’s and brought his free hand up to cup the back of Logan’s head and kiss his forehead. His heart beat wildly in his chest, and Leo squeezed his hand three times. “Always, my love. Always.”
