Sometimes Long Distance Is About The Little Things. And Sometimes It's About The Big Things. But It's

YAY YAY YAY!!!!

New year, old stories to be completed—and three pictures that perfectly sum up this new chapter of Starboys 🏎️ 

Characters belong to @lumosinlove

cw: I'm introducing Vaincre characters from here on, so please read only if you're comfortable with potential spoilers!

Happy New Year 💕

The golden boy, the youngest glory

"Ready, Fish?"

With the back of his hand, Finn wiped the cold bead of water tickling the corner of his mouth. The half-empty bottle slipped from his grip and landed upright on the floor, narrowly missing the plastic box where Finn kept his beat-up tennis balls. 

He blinked hard, trying to shake off the fatigue, and stretched out his back. He dabbed at his dripping forehead with the hem of his sweat-stained Puma tank top and rolled his tense neck with a satisfying pop. 

It was a rare occasion when Finn and Alex were in the same place long enough to spend more than a few hours together, let alone an entire morning just for the two of them. 

Back in New York, before Alex went off to college and Finn was selected to race in Formula 2 for the Scuderia Junior Academy, they had settled into a strict routine that Finn used to complain about all the time and now missed immensely. Weekdays began with a 5 a.m. alarm and a run under the early lights of an awakening city—a specific path around the neighborhood that set the tone for their frenetic lives of school, friends, and responsibilities. A path that always included long talks about anything and everything, and quick stops for coffee on the way home—hot when it was cold outside, to warm their frozen fingers; iced when summer mornings brought the sticky heat. 

After two weeks of work at the factory—rushing between testing the latest upgrades, hard training, and repeating race simulations for the three upcoming Grand Prix—it had been a joy to come back to his brother in a place Finn had slowly come to call home. 

That was until Alex had dragged him out of bed at six on a Saturday morning. They had run to the gym, following Finn's usual itinerary along the breezy promenade. Two hours of torturous exercise later—definitely not payback for the early wake-up call—Finn had asked Alex to help him with his reaction drills.

"Your turn," Finn now said, stealing the two lime-colored balls from his brother's hands. 

Alex was about to protest but Finn cut him off. He positioned himself in front of him, legs spread, a tennis ball in each fist, raised to shoulder height. His dark red eyebrows were arched teasingly. "Come on, you always liked it." 

"Fine," Alex grumbled, mirroring Finn's position and slightly bending his knees. His smile hid a hint of nostalgia. "But after this, you owe me breakfast."

"Bagels?" Finn offered.

"Duh," Alex scoffed and made a whole scene of getting into position for the drill, hands outstretched and ready, hovering over Finn's. "Okay, let's do this. How bad could—"

Finn dropped the first ball from his right hand. It fell fast past Alex's grasping hands and hit the floor with a loud bounce. 

"Hey—"

Finn let go of the other. Alex reached out tentatively, but Finn caught it easily with a deft move, quicker than a blink. 

"All right, Flash," Alex exhaled, rolling his annoyed eyes. "You've made your point. Can we go now?" 

"Nope," Finn laughed. "One more." 

He knew he was foolishly lingering, as impatient and excited as he was probably more than a little worried. But he could wait a little longer, just in case—at least until Alex finally caught the small ball and aimed it threateningly at Finn’s head. 

In moments like this, though, Finn was sure there was nothing to worry about.

They headed back to Finn's apartment, pretending to get in one last jog, but quietly settling for a brisk walk, discussing serious business under the faint October sun. 

What do you mean, Al? Of course the Rangers have the best goalie tandem in the league. 

It was half past ten by the time Alex sat on a stool at the kitchen counter, his hair a damp mess from the shower, and eyed Finn skeptically. "Are you making breakfast?"

Finn didn't look up from where he was carefully halving a sesame bagel. "If I told you where these came from, you wouldn't believe me." 

"Hmm, let me guess," Alex laughed. "Was it Mom's or Dad's idea?"

"Both?" Finn guessed. He went to the fridge for smoked salmon and cream cheese. "I said once that I was craving those bagels from that place down the street…" 

"Oh, no..."

"Uh-huh," Finn chuckled, turning back to the kitchen island. "I mean, it's not like I can cook anything else, but—it was a whole mom’s I’m-just-sending-you-a-few-things sized box, and now the refrigerator is completely stuffed."

Alex hummed quietly in response—too quietly. He leaned over the counter, letting his head collapse into his hand. He picked up a fork and stole an uneven slice of tomato from the cutting board, giving Finn a funny look all the while.

"What is it?" Finn asked cautiously. 

Alex shrugged and took a bite of the tomato. "Just waiting," he mumbled between chews. 

"For?" 

"Breakfast," Alex shot back when he caught Finn's suspicious look. "Oh, and for you to tell me why you're so jumpy today," he said around another bite. 

Finn couldn't hide how desperately he'd hoped Alex would understand. 

"Or, let's say..." At that, Finn was already laughing. "Whose second toothbrush might be in your bathroom, for example."

Busted. Finn smiled brightly. "She told you, didn't she?" 

"Not exactly." Alex's voice wavered between guarded and uncontainable. "She texted me, 'You owe me fifty bucks,' and when I asked her why, she said I should ask you." 

"You're both crazy," Finn snorted, then zeroed in on what Alex had just said. "Wait, you two bet on us? On your own siblings?"

"No—no. I mean," Alex rubbed a hand over the rising blush on his face. "It started as a joke and... you know Noelle. She was dying for me to know, but..." Finn saw Alex, always the journalist, choosing his words carefully. "Is it true though? Has it finally happened?" 

"Finally—" 

"Come on, Fish," Alex grunted.

Finn set the knife aside and sank onto a stool. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a carefree laugh, somehow in disbelief. 

"It's true," he said quietly, watching with a lump in his throat as a sparkle of excitement lit up Alex's eyes. "We finally admitted that we—uh…"

"Are insanely in love with each other? This is shocking news to me—Finn!” Alex cackled as Finn threw a handful of capers at him. He stood up and stretched out his arms. "Come here, you idiot."

Finn stumbled towards him. How was he supposed to tell him how grateful he was? Alex’s hug was comfort, security in uncertainty. To Finn, having his brother by his side, supporting him every step of the way—it meant everything, far more than he could ever begin to say. 

There were sudden, burning tears in his eyes—happy tears. And when Alex pulled back to ruffle his hair, Finn let them fall.

"Al..." his voice dropped to a whisper. "You think..." this is okay? Tell me it's okay. Am I allowed?

"You're okay, bud," Alex looked at him so proudly that Finn suddenly felt ten times lighter. "I'm so happy for you, you have no idea," Alex laughed giddily, voice cracking with emotion. "And I'm here for you, you know? We are, for both of you." He grabbed Finn's shoulders and squeezed them tightly. 

"I'm..." Finn paused hesitantly. His thoughts raced back to Alex and Kasey—the injury, their sudden reunion after a long, odd silence. He had wanted to ask for a while, but hadn't known how. "I'm here for you, too. Okay?" He wiped at his own wet cheeks. "Anytime." 

The frowny smile he got back, the quick nod... Maybe Alex wasn't quite ready. 

"Thanks," was all he managed to say. So Finn padded silently back to his cooking station with what he hoped was a reassuring smile. 

"Capers?" Finn asked then, busying himself again. He had his eyes on the food, but couldn't have missed the relieved look on his brother's face when he shot back a cheerful, "You know it.

The rest of the morning flew by. Around lunchtime, they found themselves sprawled out on the couch, scrolling through social media and the latest motorsports news. A classic. It was an old habit of Alex’s—diving into the gossipy side of sports journalism was actually part of his job. Years ago, they would spend hours like this in one of their bedrooms. Slow weekends, hot chocolate, just sniffing around this much-dreamed-of world that had felt far away at the time—fantasies of one day, maybe. 

Now their names made front pages, and Finn's face graced magazine covers more often than not—cars, watches, fashion advertisements. Alex's signature was quiet beneath his pieces, yet striking, powerful, respected. Sometimes Finn wished he could stay as silent and just be. No more trending hashtags, no more crazy made-up theories about his love life every time he was spotted walking less than two feet from a woman. No more crowds waiting for him outside restaurants—places he knew would be perfect nooks for unforgettable date nights. 

That one small, family-run restaurant in Cap D'Ail, a spot of white, light browns and strings of warm, soft lights floating in the air, gently swaying with the sea breeze that swirled around the terrace. Built on a cliff, intimate, framed by crystal clear water and the infinite hues of the night. The perfect setting for Logan's green eyes to shine and...

"Does Leo know?" Alex piped up. 

Leo. Leo's stunning blue eyes.

Finn's head snapped to Alex. "What?"

"About you and Tremz," he said, slowly pushing himself up against the cushion. He flipped the phone in his hands a few times before adding, "You're always together these days...the three of you," and glancing past Finn, through the picture window. 

The question fell out of the blue, so close to Finn's wandering thoughts that it startled him.

"He doesn't," Finn shook his head—an imperceptible nod, more to himself than anything. Something heavy sank deep into his core. Was it guilt? 

"We—me and Lo, we... haven't talked about it yet. We were just thinking about telling you," he admitted. "You, Noelle, Aubrey, Syd. Our parents..." 

Alex looked at him with curious eyes, a warm mirror reflection. 

"But?" He prompted. Maybe he'd heard the unspoken words Finn was struggling to put together. And when he didn't answer, Alex pushed their elbows together. 

"You can tell me, Fish," he blinked, offering him the safest of smiles. 

Finn's phone buzzed where it lay unlocked on his thigh, giving him an unfairly convenient excuse to catch his breath before what felt like an imminent free fall. 

He got a picture from Logan, a blurry shot of a bookshop window, the one Logan always took him to whenever they set foot in London together. But when a second picture popped up in the chat, Finn's heart did a complicated thing. At the sight of Logan's carefree smile, it fluttered in his chest. At Leo's matching grin, it began to race wildly. Where their cheeks were pressed together under layers of hats, hoods and dark sunglasses, Finn's heart settled peacefully. And then a bitter note of jealousy struck when he realized—did you two just go to Hatchards without me?? he typed frantically. 

Logan's reply was immediate: 

Got lots of books and stuff for you

Wait Leo says not to tell you

It's a surprise

<3

"Oh my God, look at you," Alex laughed loudly next to him—at him. "You're hopeless." 

"Shut up," Finn muttered under his breath, suddenly embarrassed. His nervous fingers went to scratching the heavy stubble on his white-hot cheeks. 

He looked at Alex again, willing himself to say something, anything. But his brother beat him to the word, once again.  

"My next trip is in a month," Alex said. He was worrying the inside of his lips, his eyes unfocused. He was nervous too, Finn realized. "I'll stay here in Monaco for a while. At least while you guys are overseas..." 

Finn stayed still and just listened. 

"I can't let Nat go back and forth for three weeks in a row, and Kasey has rehab and doctor's appointments every other day, so... yeah," he looked back at Finn and gave a sharp nod. "It's been three weeks, but... they've been really, really good." Alex smiled, genuinely and sincerely. "And I tried to get out of the way, you know? I didn't want to... overstay my welcome or, like, intrude or anything..." 

Again, the one thought that kept running through Finn's mind came up. "Have you ever... felt like that?" 

"Never," Alex shook his head. "Not even once, and... I understand if you're worried that Leo might say something—"

It was Finn's time to nod in disagreement. "I trust him," he said. "I know we both do." 

How could they not? 

"Then let him in. Let him choose. Maybe he doesn't want to lose you as much as you don't want to lose him." 

—

Finn's flight was scheduled for the next day at five and, quite surprisingly, his suitcases were already packed and waiting by the front door. He wasn't really looking forward to the long trip, especially now that Kasey, Logan and Leo couldn't be with him. At Silver's request, Logan had to stay in Silverstone and travel with his team, while Finn's new teammate, Kasey's temporary replacement, had flown to Austin early to meet his family.  

After Alex had left, Finn had taken some time to let the day sink in. He'd FaceTimed his parents while he cleaned up the mess he and Alex had left in the kitchen, and then got ready for an early night. But as the sky grew darker and only a faint golden light filled the living room, Finn found himself still on hold, unconsciously waiting for that one call that had kept distance less far, less lonely, for so long. Nights of rambling and rants about busy days, sharing thoughts, opinions and advice about everything that was going on in two so similar, so far apart lives. 

Logan's voice, his carefree laughs at Finn's silly jokes, even in those weeks that always felt like a race against time—those moments had always been a calming anchor. And somehow they had gotten even better lately, when blue eyes and dimpled smiles showed up more often than not on the same blurry screen, between cooking dinner for two, sharing books reviews, and seriously, Harzy, where do you even find the patience with this one? He's so annoying, just to hear Logan's offended gasps next to him.  

Finn waited, socked feet on the coffee table and book in hand, under the warm, yellowish light of the reading lamp by the couch. He sank into chapter after chapter of a fantastical word—a novel Leo had lent him—until the insistent growling of his stomach became too distracting to ignore, calling for a quick take-out.

He scrolled through EatIn for a good five minutes. The notification of a message flashed across the top of the dim phone screen—a text from Kuny in the drivers' group chat, on top of five new emails and a pending software update. No call, no reply to his last text to Logan, left on read a few hours earlier. 

Finally, Finn placed his usual sushi order and went back to reading, tossing the phone and his troublesome thoughts aside, just as the doorbell rang—once, twice, three times. 

"Coming," he called, wondering who the front desk had let through when he wasn't expecting visitors. But any concern was quickly silenced as he swung the door open. 

"Sushi delivery," said a beaming Leo, whose blond curls poked out of a black Silver Racing cap. He held up a handful of bags from Finn's favorite downtown Japanese restaurant. 

"That was quick," Finn blurted out without thinking, gaping at the bags. 

And then a soft snort brought his eyes up to two hilariously perplexed faces. "What?" 

What? "Oh," Finn realized he was still staring, dumbfounded. "Hi—I mean, hi," he laughed at his high-pitched, surprised squeak, and almost leapt at Leo, looping his arms around his neck in a tight hug. 

"Our dinner—" Leo tried to warn him between sweet chuckles, holding the bags out to Logan, who, Finn noticed, was delightfully looking at them with his head tilted to the side. 

"How... what are you doing here?" Finn asked, pulling away from Leo's warm embrace. 

"We brought you dinner, obviously," Leo said with a scoff, as if Finn had just asked something stupid. 

"And presents," Logan lifted an off-white tote bag that seemed quite heavy even in his strong hands. The green embroidered logo on the front read Hatchards Books. 

"As if you hadn't told him already," Leo drawled as he shot Logan a knowing look. 

A devilish, very bite-able grin painted Logan's full lips, a little chapped from the English bitter cold, begging to be kissed better. 

"You're so predictable, Lo," Finn snorted, reluctantly looking away and finally letting them in.

Logan blatantly ignored them, swatting Finn's ass with his bags on the way in. He waited for him as he locked the door and handed Finn the food with a sharp look and a soft whisper. 

"Dinner upstairs?" 

Ten short steps led from the living room balcony to what had once been a bare, spacious roof deck. The moment Finn had signed the papers to buy the attic, his father's keen eye and expert touch had redesigned it into a private sky lounge, a little gem overlooking the beating heart of Monte-Carlo and the features of a boundless coastline. 

Finn turned on the patio heater. Its warmth added to the cozy atmosphere, blending with the light beige color of the lounge chairs and sectional sofa, and the wood accents of a large coffee table where Logan had chaotically placed three sets of chopsticks, along with a bottle of white wine, glasses, and various boxes of delicious-looking treats—all Finn's favorites, it seemed. 

The outdoor lights were dim, allowing a few faint stars to twinkle high above their heads despite the city's harsh reflections. Finn caught Leo standing next to the glass railing with his nose tilted skyward and a star-struck smile lighting up his peaceful face. 

"I'd run for the dumplings," Finn said as he joined him, "if you want a chance with that one around." 

They both turned in time to catch Logan red-handed with half a gyoza dangling from his mouth. 

"Quoi?" he munch-mumbled. "I'm hungry!" 

Their laughter blossomed in unison, louder to Finn's ears than the rumble of the plane passing low overhead, and the hum of traffic below.

Logan's green eyes, dark in the faint light of the night, narrowed on them. 

"So very predictable, indeed," Leo said as Finn gently led him to the table. His hand wavered on the small of Leo's back, tentative—until Logan flashed him a mindful look that sent goosebumps up Finn's arms. 

"Whose team are you on, Knut?" Logan teased, making room for Leo on the sofa as Finn took one of the loungers. 

"I'm afraid I'm legally obligated to say yours." Leo stretched one arm out over the back cushion, putting on a thoughtful expression. "Something about a non-compete clause in my contract, I'm not sure. Besides," he turned to Finn, nose wrinkled around a fine sheen, "my mama would probably disown me if I said otherwise..."

"Ha!" Logan pointed a mocking finger at Finn.  

"...but my dad, on the other hand..."

"Excuse you, I'm right here—" 

"Oh, no, no, no," Leo tutted. "We're not going there, nuh-uh. I hear enough bickering from those two. Feel free to discuss the matter with my parents next weekend."

"Are they coming to the race?" Finn asked.

"Yeah," Leo's smile grew so wide it must have hurt. "Haven't seen them in a while... and the U.S. Grand Prix is sort of a family tradition. Only this time..."

"You won't be on the stands," Logan said softly.

"Pretty special, huh?" Finn felt the hook of Logan's telltale gaze as their eyes met—he’s sweet. 

"Three days Paddock pass-special," Leo nodded, and Logan whistled low under his breath, drawing a contagious laugh from both of them. 

"I really don't know how they're gonna react when they meet you." Leo's ocean blue eyes were lost in the night sky, then suddenly hesitant as he spoke again, "Only if you... um, want to... of course." 

Finn peeked back at Logan, who nodded briefly. There was still so much they could do for him. But for now, Finn was having fun. He crossed his arms and tipped his chin up in a very well practiced offended frown.

"I don't see why," he said in a low voice. "It's not like I'm everyone's favorite around here." 

"Are you kidding—" Leo started just as Logan whispered, "He likes all the attention," loud enough for Finn to hear. 

Leo kicked him in the shin with one of his long legs and snorted a laugh, "Wait till you meet Wyatt Knut. Oh, I know he's gonna lose it." 

With burning cheeks, Finn crossed his legs on the soft cushion and grabbed a pillow for his lap. "Well," he picked up a box from the table and his chopsticks. "Let's hope the rookie doesn't steal my scene then." 

"Oh, right," Logan said, casually stealing a salmon nigiri from Leo's plate. "Who's filling in for Kase?" 

"Oh?" Finn frowned in confusion. "I thought the news was out. The team decided to give our junior driver a chance."

It was almost imperceptible, but Finn was sure Leo lost a little color in his face around a hard swallow. He reached for his glass and took a small sip of the bubbling wine Logan had poured for them.

"Really?" Logan sounded surprised. "Isn't Archer running in F2?" 

"He's twenty-something points off the lead," Finn pointed out. "And his next race is Abu Dhabi. He might as well take a shot at this instead." 

"Sorry, guys," Leo got up from the couch. "I need to use the bathroom. Be right back," he murmured before hurrying to the stairs. 

Finn shifted just in time to see Leo disappear into the house. "Is he okay?" 

"You're such a worrier, mon cœur."

Finn's eyes followed the sound of Logan's soothing voice. "I know..." 

"I missed you," Logan whispered, and warmth spread through Finn's veins, chasing away the brisk cold on his skin. 

"I missed you too, baby. This is the best surprise ever." 

"Couldn't wait until Monday," Logan's jaw twitched around a gentle smile. "And... we both kind of needed a breath of fresh air." 

"Huh? What's going on?" 

Logan shook his head, lips pressed into a hard line. "Silver's dropping the bomb about the Blacks and the partnership deal. Tomorrow. Press is going to be all over it..." 

Finn leaned forward, elbows on his knees. One hand moved up to pinch his lips, to rub his jaw. He sucked in a lungful of air. "'What'd Sirius say?"

"He thinks we can divert any unwanted attention with the reveal of the special livery."

"And what about you two?" 

"Leo should be fine, I think... And I promised not to curse at reporters this time." Logan's faint smile turned mischievous. "And to make it to Sunday without getting fined by the FIA." 

Finn dug his thumb and forefinger into his eyes. "It's going to be one of those weekends, huh?" 

"Ugh," Logan groaned just as desperately. "I really don't want to think about it." He took his glass from the table and tipped it to Finn, eyes growing soft, finally seeming to relax, but still tinged with concern. "At least I got you, non?"

Finn followed suit, raising his own glass in a silent toast. "Always, baby." 

—

The Circuit of the Americas lived up to every driver's expectations. Finn was no stranger to the demanding, yet satisfying feeling of piecing together the perfect lap between steep uphills, tight hairpins and sequences of fast, flowing corners. Nor was he unfamiliar with the energy, the wild atmosphere that usually painted the entire weekend in shades of red, blue and white stars. From the grandstands and garages to the decorated run-offs of the track, everything mirrored the Lone Star flag waving proudly near the crest of the Turn 1 hill.  

That's how Finn found himself walking around the paddock on Thursday morning in a bright red t-shirt and blue jeans, struggling to adjust the cowboy hat perched on top of his misbehaving hair. It was a bit of a cliché, a tradition of the United States Grand Prix that everyone had embraced over the years—including a rather amused Remus Lupin, who was busy chatting with Lily Evans by the team hospitality entrance. 

"Look who finally made it to work," Remus sneered when he saw Finn coming.

"Blah blah blah. I missed you too, Loops," Finn said, sidestepping to hug Lily instead. "What's up, Lils?" 

"Looking good, O'Hara," she said, tipping the wide brim of her velvet camel hat. It matched Remus', sitting perfectly on his sandy blond hair.

"What are you two up to?" 

"Gossiping, mostly," Lily said, beaming with faux innocence. "Oh, and technically looking for my husband. I kind of lost him between breakfast and the five minutes I was in the shower." 

"Sirius left early too," Remus began, stumbling over his words as a faint blush crept to the tips of his ears. "I think—he… uh. He texted me pretty early, yeah." 

"Right," Finn said. He watched unconvinced as Lily failed, rather spectacularly, to hide a wicked grin. "Any sign of Logan? Leo?"

Logan had snuck out of Finn's room at dawn with a thousand kisses and the promise of more cuddles later that night, but no further explanation. 

"Haven't seen them around." Remus shrugged, "But the event starts in..." He checked his watch. "About fifteen minutes. Maybe they're already at the Paddock Club or—"

"Holy—shit," Lily's voice dropped to a breathless whisper, her green eyes wide.

Finn and Remus turned in sync to… quite the view.

"Did you... did you know about this?" Finn thought he heard Remus ask. To whom, he couldn't say.

Now Finn would have answered, if words hadn't deserted him. If the deeply unbuttoned shirt that fit Logan's shoulders under a fringed green vest hadn't been too distracting. Or the denim jacket and light blue bandana tied softly around Leo's neck, perfectly framing his sharp lines—a sliver of sunshine in a bright, cloudless sky. Leather boots, belts, and wide-brimmed brown hats completed the look of the four Silver boys as they casually strutted toward them. 

A wave of searing heat spread from Finn's chest to his hips, slowly burning him from the inside out. 

"Howdy," James greeted in first—washed denim jeans and a bad impression of a Southern accent. He swooped in to pull an awe-struck Lily into a hard kiss. 

Behind him, Sirius, Logan, and Leo were quiet, looking somewhat embarrassed, confident, and resigned at the same time. 

"Well, hello, cowboys," Lily laughed, her eyes flitting curiously between them. "Anyone care to explain?" 

Finn had to glance at Remus then, who was also uncharacteristically silent. Their eyes met briefly and they both pretended they didn't look like someone had just slapped them hard in the face. 

Sirius was the first to speak. Finn dared a closer look at Logan and then at Leo, eyebrows arching in interest at their twin smirks. 

"A special livery requires special attire, doesn't it?" Sirius began tentatively, as if trying to convince himself. He pointed his thumbs at his loose black shirt. 

"And, oh-so-casually," James spun around to show off his outfit, "we have a Hugo Boss collab to rock."

"And press to distract, apparently..." Leo added, crossing his arms and ankles in one elegant motion.

Very, very distracting indeed, thank you.

Logan pasted on his fakest smile. "Oh, and I'm retiring by the end of the season—ow!” he grunted a laugh as Leo flicked the back of his head. "Knutty."

It struck him then, unbidden and consuming. A lightning bolt from the bluest of skies. An electric spike swept over Finn's entire body, this time tightening his chest. It was undeniable how Logan and Leo glowed next to each other. Whether it was on track, with Leo's firm voice listing strict instructions in Logan's ears. At night, sitting at a kitchen table, miles away from Finn, telling him bits and pieces of their days. And here, in the middle of a semi-desert paddock, dressed in glamour for no sensible reason at all—those two shone like the brightest stars in the firmament before Finn's eyes. 

Suddenly, Finn longed to feel how Leo so beautifully coaxed that rare bliss out of Logan, carefree laughs and heart-melting smiles that Finn knew were private, exclusive. Breaths he'd kissed from his mouth, yearned for and cherished. And intriguing tastes that Finn now secretly craved. 

The most perfectly complicated knot of feelings.

"Fish?" Logan's touch was warm on his forearm. 

"Yeah?" 

"See you later?" 

Finn could only nod, blinded by forest green and cornflower blue and the pungent scent of two perfectly layered colognes. 

They all left, Lily in tow, snuggled between James' and Sirius' arms, abandoning Finn and Remus in a deafening silence that grew louder with every stray, passing voice.

"We should..." Remus cleared his throat. 

"Yep, yeah." 

"Okay. Harz," he muttered, his words muffled as he dragged a hand across his face. "You're off to... Sky Sports and Viaplay. Flash interviews. Then we're doing the track walk together." 

"Always so romantic, Loops," Finn casually threw an arm around Remus' shoulders. "Hey, you know who's up for the drivers' press conference?" 

"They want the new guy. You're boring old stuff, my friend."

"Damn," Finn sighed. "Not complaining, but... ouch." 

"It's the circle of life." Remus elbowed him playfully before looking up with a small, knowing smile—subtle. "We're screwed, huh?"

"Oh man," Finn huffed out a loud laugh. "Aren't we?" 

—

"Espresso." 

Natalie's voice broke the early morning quiet of the team's hospitality lounge. 

"Macchiato," she groaned, flopping into an armchair in the coffee area where Finn was busy topping his cappuccino with cinnamon. "And make it double, please, and thank you." 

Finn's free hand snapped to his forehead in an over-the-top salute. "Yes, ma'am." 

"Fucking jet lag."

Finn grabbed a cup and started the coffee machine. "Up all night again?"

"I think I slept... like eight hours in three days."

"Yikes," Finn winced. He let a cloud of foamed milk swirl into the dark, fragrant brew, then sprinkled some cocoa powder on top. "This calls for extra sugar." 

"Definitely," she mumbled.

Finn set the steaming cup on a saucer. He placed it on a small tray along with a teaspoon, a tiny basket of sugar packets, and a couple of warm, buttery mini croissants. 

"There you go." He laid the tray on the glass table in front of her and sank into the nearest armchair. 

"Wow, Freckle," Natalie marveled dozily, her words fading into a drawn-out yawn. "Five-star treatment."

"Seems much needed," Finn scrunched his nose as he reached for his own coffee. 

"You and me both." She pointed between their faces, clearly noting the purple circles under his eyes. "What's keeping you up?" 

"No clue," Finn lied, and Natalie shot him a look. 

"You really think," she paused to take a small sip of coffee, unfazed. "You can hide something from me, of all people?" 

Finn couldn't help the small, wry smile that twitched his lips. "You'd be surprised," he murmured around the rim of his cup.

"What was that?" 

"Nothing," he blurted, unable to escape her inquisitive gaze. "I guess I'm just worried, that's all."

"Hm. And does that have anything to do with a certain hot-tempered brunet? Say, someone throwing threatening death glares at anyone with a microphone within a mile radius?"  

"That's overprotective Logan Tremblay to you."

Finn omitted the details, of course. The past couple of nights spent with Logan curled up in his arms—a bundle of nerves. Jaw clenched, teeth gritted, falling asleep as morning light spilled through the window, voiceless and exhausted, with Finn's fingers still tangled in his hair, a familiar touch to hold on to. 

"Is this about the—" Natalie air quoted, "—Black Gate? The cowboy thing didn't work out?" 

Finn nodded briefly, utterly drained. 

"Damage control for Sirius' sake." He shook his clouded head. "But of course everyone is hungry for more. It's a pretty big deal, the Blacks leaving Silver. Who would believe the sudden 'mutual decision' to end a ten-year partnership?" 

"As if it was anyone else's business." 

"And all forgotten by Monday, as usual. But in the meantime we're stuck with a couple of mad drivers in full guard mode." 

Finn's fingers tapped nervously on the cooling ceramic of the cup, restless. "And then... there's Leo."

Out of his sunny, always catching energy. 

"Leo?" 

"He seems a little... stressed. I don't know."

Tired, maybe. Shadowed by a veil of worry that Finn couldn't chalk up to pressing media attention alone. 

"I just wish there was something I could do to help."

Natalie studied him for a long moment, her brown eyes sweeping across his face. Finn saw the ghost of a wistful smile when she clicked her tongue. "There's something special about you O'Haras, huh?" 

It startled a small laugh out of Finn, warm and incredulous. "I'm not sure where that comes from, but I'll take it as a compliment." 

The front door cracked open. It caught their attention, revealing a bright, fresh face in the doorway. 

"Buongiorno!" Jack Archer chanted in thickly accented Italian. He walked in, proudly wearing his brand new team uniform, complete with a red baseball cap flipped backward over his dark hair.

"Look at you go," Finn held out his arm for a quick fist bump. "Already embracing the team culture."

Natalie simply waved a hand. "Morning, baby rookie."

Archer smiled back at her as he leaned against the counter. "How's Kasey?"

"Oh, he's annoying me, so... way much better." 

"Bet he wanted to come," he quipped. 

"Ha. He tried to talk me into coming once or twice, but..." She took a steadying breath, then looked at Finn with such gentle, guarded fierceness that left him speechless. "I know for sure I left him in very, very good hands."

Jack nodded sympathetically, looking between them. "Glad to hear that."

"How about you?" Finn jumped in. "Ready for today?" 

It was Archer's first ever Formula One qualifying. Finn remembered how emotional that felt—the fervent, uncontainable energy, the anticipation, and the urgency to prove yourself worthy of the privilege of sitting in such a prestigious spot. He could see the same thrill glinting in Jack's blue eyes.

"So ready," he laughed, bouncing a little on his feet. "But hey, I wouldn't mind some good advice."

"Anytime. Actually, we can..." Finn began, pulling the phone out of his pocket. "Okay, I have to be somewhere in... shit, well, ten minutes ago, but," he stood up and patted Archer on the shoulder, already poised to sprint out. "Catch you before FP3?"

"Yeah, totally," Jack's eyes lit up. "Thanks, man."

"O'Hara," Natalie called. Finn had barely taken a step toward the door. "Are you sure you're not forgetting anything?"

"Jesus," Finn did a double take and grabbed the envelope she held out between her manicured fingers. "What would I do without you?"

Natalie rolled her eyes, the outline of a wry smile curling her full lips. "Get out of here."

The paddock was alive, too loud and too hot for mid-fall Saturday morning. Finn had to stop a few times for autographs, pictures and good luck wishes before he finally made it to the Silver Hospitality forecourt. 

Leo spotted him in the distance and waved cheerfully. He looked better than he had all week, his eyes less somber, though still too weary for Finn's liking. But it was a welcome sight that somehow helped Finn calm his nerves. 

Leo was holding a blonde woman close to him, chatting excitedly with a slightly embarrassed Logan. A tall, also blond man stood at their side. The fine features the three of them shared were unmistakable. 

As it turned out, Eloise and Wyatt Knut were exactly as Leo had described them, a force of nature brimming with energy, high spirits and unbelievable kindness—traits Finn had long recognized in their son. 

Leo had his mother's eyes and her same sharp wit. Finn had soon found himself wrapped in a motherly hug, warm and loving, as Eloise thanked him over and over for no particular reason. Though she didn't miss the chance to slip in a cheeky remark about him racing for the wrong team—you should really consider moving to Silver, honey. The three of you would make the best team out there—coloring Leo's light skin several shades of red. 

Wyatt Knut was just as energetic, though a little more reserved. Finn could tell by the way he'd squeezed his hand in his own that he was holding back his excitement, while his well-worn Scuderia cap spoke volumes. 

Finn and Logan had planned to surprise them upon their arrival on Friday, but by the time they had finished debriefing after the free practice, Leo had essentially kidnapped his parents and disappeared. He was glad, though, if Leo's better mood had anything to do with it. 

Now, between conversations, Finn noticed Logan eyeing the envelope in his hands and nodding his head in encouragement. 

"Boys," Eloise said with an angelic smile, "we shouldn't keep you any longer, I'm sure you're quite busy." 

"Actually, Mrs. Knut—"

"Finn, please. It's Eloise for you." 

"Right," Finn chuckled, rubbing a hand over his neck as he sought Logan's eyes for support. "Well, these are for you," he opened the envelope Natalie had secured for him and pulled out two golden VIP passes. 

"Guys..." Leo breathed, his startled gaze bouncing between them. 

"Consider yourselves our guests of honor," Logan said. "For a full race weekend experience. You can do the grid walk on Sunday if you'd like. And watch all the sessions from our garages."

"Both," Finn added playfully, turning to Wyatt. "Whichever you prefer." 

Wyatt clasped Finn's shoulder, then Logan’s—a silent, heartfelt smile tugging at his thin lips. Eloise's grateful embrace carried the same fondness Finn saw in Leo's glazed stare. He shot him a wink just as Logan bumped into his side. 

"You shouldn't have to..." Leo whispered softly.

Finn felt the sudden urge to tell him that he'd do anything to see him this happy, always. He knew from the look on Logan's face, scenically playing the annoyed roll of eyes, that he was tightly holding onto similar thoughts. 

But this was neither the time nor the place. Finn had already spotted a few TV crews creeping around and the last free practice session was about to start. 

Besides, he had no idea what the hell was going on with him. What was he meant to make of any of these thrumming needs?

He accepted the tenth round of thanks, an invitation to dinner at the best steakhouse in town according to Leo, another warm hug from Eloise, and a fierce good luck, son from an ecstatic Wyatt Knut—the silky lanyard of his pass already hanging around his neck.

Before he left, Logan put on one of those wicked smiles that Finn wished he could always bite off his lips. 

"See you on track, O'Hara," he jabbed, making everyone laugh. 

"Yeah," Finn smiled. It was a relief to see that some of the worry had slipped from Logan's scratchy, sleep-deprived voice. 

Finn loved him. God, he loved Logan immensely. But right then he knew he had to focus on himself and his performance, to keep an overload of problems at bay. 

After all, he'd made himself a promise. He had a championship to win, against none other than the man of his dreams—and his race engineer at his side. Two people who somehow managed to make Finn feel so overwhelmingly good. 

And helplessly confused.  

"Good luck, Tremblay." 

The car felt incredible, sharp and consistently balanced even on the hot track. The first two qualifying rounds had flowed as smoothly as water and Finn was confident he could secure a solid pole position, setting himself up for a much needed win tomorrow. 

Now the lights in Finn's box were vivid, as urgent as his need to get back on track and run the car in those milder sunset shades for the last stint of the day. He sat in the cockpit and waited while the mechanics made their final adjustments. 

As he peeled the smudged tear-off from his visor, Remus' voice crackled through the radio. 

"Harz, we're putting on a new set of soft." 

Finn pressed the yellow radio button on the steering wheel. "Sounds good." 

"And—I need you to improve the middle sector." 

"What's the last lap time?" 

"1:37.017," Remus spelled out. "Logan's is tied with James' at .214." 

Good, but not enough, Finn thought. Logan had this innate, annoyingly brilliant ability to set the perfect lap with the clock about to run out. One last flying lap to get those couple of tenths out of nowhere, just when everyone else thought he didn't have the right pace. 

"Archer’s going out first," Remus added. "He's instructed to give you slipstream if you think you'll need it." 

Finn and Kasey had used the tactic countless times, helping each other secure at least one spot on the front rows of the grid.  Jack wasn't new to these tricks, of course, and after a long talk that morning, Finn trusted him to deliver as well. 

Archer hadn't needed advice, exactly—more like reassurance and a nudge to tackle the new challenge with confidence. 

As presumptuous as it might have seemed, though, Finn didn't want Jack's help. He knew he held all the cards to perform at his peak. And maybe—just like the young rookie he'd been a long time ago—Finn desperately needed to prove something to himself once more.   

"Thanks, guys," he simply replied.  

"Let's bring it home, man." 

Amazing speed through the twentieth and final corner for Thomas Walker, but no further improvement. Nadeau, however, crosses the finish line with a fastest third sector and goes sixth to beat his teammate. 

Logan Tremblay takes provisional pole as O'Hara starts his flying lap with the session nearing its end. Here comes Potter across the line to move up to second—and we have a Silver front row for now.  Halla does improve, but remains fourth behind Archer—an amazing Saturday for the rookie, who'll have the chance to start his first Formula One race from second row tomorrow. 

Fastest sector one for Finn O'Hara as he makes his way through some traffic out there. Once again Tremblay vs. O'Hara for pole is our battle. 

Absolutely phenomenal in this car, finding more time down the high speed straight—and it's another purple sector for the American driver. 

More traffic coming in between turns 13 to 15 as most cars in-lap on their way to pit lane, but—whooa, my goodness. That's a close call for O'Hara with his teammate going into Turn 16! 

It was an instinctive reflex. 

Finn hadn't fully registered what had just happened in front of him. He braked, hard enough to tip his car to the left, over the curb and into the run-off, narrowly avoiding contact. His flying lap was completely ruined.

"Remus," he gasped over the radio.

He'd sounded too calm to his own ears, even as blood began to boil in his veins, mixing with a wild rush of adrenaline. Someone had just cost him the pole. Someone had deliberately moved into the middle of his lap and almost caused a massive crash. Not just someone, Finn realized with a flash of clarity, but his own teammate.

Remus' voice was apprehensive. "Yeah, we saw that, Harz..."

"That was fucking—"

"I know, I know," Remus promptly cut him off. He knew better than to let Finn cause a scene that anyone could hear. "Just come back to the box, please. We'll discuss this later."

Not a single word came out of Finn’s mouth as he drove to the Parc Fermé. He jumped out of the car, steering wheel in hand, and quietly followed the other drivers to the pit lane. A cameraman tracked him all the way to his box, probably expecting him to react, or maybe snap like some drivers used to—like Logan sometimes did. Finn just kept his helmet on and the dark visor down. 

He had expected to find Remus there, ready to apologize for a mistake that wasn’t even his fault. Finn knew he would try to explain with his steady, calming manner that there was nothing they could do. Whatever happened between teammates never got penalized by the stewards. It stayed between team walls. 

Instead, standing outside his garage, shoulders hunched and a restless hand tormenting his soft-looking curls, was Leo. 

"Harzy," he almost jumped on his feet when he saw Finn. "Are you okay?" 

"Le?" Despite everything, Finn found himself smiling. He raised the visor to meet Leo's anxious eyes. "What are you doing here?" 

"I..." Leo let out a long sigh of relief. "I'm so sorry, Finn. Are you hurt?" 

"What? No," Finn undid the helmet and slid it off his head, along with the balaclava. "Leo, I'm fine. It was just impeding." 

"I know, I..." he began, and glanced towards the mixed area where Archer was being interviewed. 

So he'd made it to the top three…

When Leo turned his back to Jack, he looked even more freaked out than before. "You... It looked bad—on screen. The bounce on the curb..."

"I'm fine," Finn repeated, reaching out to grab his arm reassuringly. "Are you, though?" 

"Yeah. Yeah, sorry. I just..." Leo swallowed hard. "I wanted to make sure he didn’t—"

"He fucking impeded you?!" Logan's thunderous voice made them both spin around. 

"Lo," Finn shot him a warning look. "Not here." 

"What the fuck?" 

"I know." Finn took a deep breath. "I need to talk to Remus first, but... He's young, guys. Honestly I’ve seen senior drivers doing worse than that."

Logan crossed his arms, an angry frown tightening his lips. "Still."

"Listen," Finn ran a hand over his sweaty hair, his pulse suddenly jumping. The onslaught of feelings he'd experienced in the last forty-eight hours was surreal. He felt defeated, frustration still seething at the edges of his fist, clenched around the chin bar of his helmet. Exhausted for too many reasons at once. 

And yet there stood a glimpse of hope—fierce eyes staring at him… protectively, he realized. 

"You two shouldn't worry about me, okay? I promise, I'm fine. I just need to put an end to this crazy day and get out of my head for a minute." 

Leo nodded understandingly. "We can call off dinner if you'd rather—" 

"Please don't," Finn said. It came out almost like a plea. "Dinner with the Knuts is exactly what I need right now." 

"Ouais," Logan agreed, watchful eyes fixed on Finn's. He was trying to read between the lines, something he'd learned a long time ago—always finding his way to Finn. "Me too." 

A full, bright smile split Leo's lips. "Okay, one more thing. Then I better go before Sirius kills me," he said. He sounded a little giddy. "My parents want to invite you to stay with us next week, just so you know. They were over the moon about the tickets." 

"Really, it was nothing," Logan said, and Finn’s heart melted in his chest. 

"You don't have to say yes," Leo urged. He took a step back towards the pit stall, grinning innocently, "And you definitely didn't hear this from me. But we'd love to have you guys over."

With a soul-crushing wink, Leo walked away. Logan's sharp breath filled the next beat of silence. 

"Rouge."

"Hm?" Finn whispered back. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Logan was staring after Leo, too.

They turned to each other, keeping a short distance between them—just two drivers confronting each other after a tough qualifying session.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Logan asked.

"I love it when you call me Rouge."

"Finn."

"I told you, I'm fine."

"That wasn't fair."

"It wasn't," Finn admitted. 

"Beginner's luck," Logan grumbled. 

Finn's mouth shifted to the side, one corner lifting slightly. A bead of sweat slid from a rebellious lock of Logan’s dark hair onto his temple. Finn watched, mesmerized, as it traced its way around the crinkle of Logan’s eye, down to the corner of his full mouth, along his jaw, and finally dropped from his flushed face.

"Come on, Tremz. I'll overtake the rookie and chase you down as fast as I can. You have my word."

"Ah," Logan lost some of his fight at that. "Bet you won’t catch me, though."

"Oh-ho," Finn bit his lips. Something about that Logan smile drove him crazy. "Try me. I can give you a head start tonight," he murmured.

"Non," Logan laughed. "We have a race tomorrow, in case you forgot."

"Right," Finn inched closer. Logan didn’t so much as blink.

"A race I'm going to win. And then..."

It wasn’t much of a choice for Finn when it came to it. Had he imagined spending every second of their free time glued to Logan's side? Absolutely. Had Finn already pictured a beaming Leo showing them around his childhood home? Walking them through streets, corners, places he'd grown up in? Maybe.

Besides, they had already been thinking about a nice, short escape before flying to Mexico City—just the three of them. 

"A quick detour to New Orleans?" To Finn, it sounded like the perfect golden mean.

Green eyes glinted at him, almost in awe. The last rays of sun framed Logan's tan skin like gold.

"Parfait, mon amour."

I agree with Leo- we have to put some more respect on ratatouille. No more of this rat-patootie stuff.

Enjoy fluffy reunion!!!! All credits to @lumosinlove !!

“Do you find me wise yet, nutter butter baby?”

Leo snorted at Finn, whose arms were wrapped underneath Leo’s from behind and attempting to help cook. He was stirring the pot with his left hand and holding the zucchini with his right as Leo chopped it. 

“I really don’t think this is effective, Harz.”

“But I’m stirring the onions and garlic! So they don’t burn, like you taught us. And, at the same time, you’re chopping the zucchini and we are cuddling. Win-win-win solution.”

“What’s the third win?”

Finn bonked his head against Leo’s back. “The first is the cuddling, obviously.” He bit at Leo’s shoulder when Leo laughed again. “I’m not done. The first is the cuddling, second is the stirring, and the third is the zucchini chopping.”

“I’m pretty sure we could stir and chop standing separately.”

Finn groaned. “Nutty, but then we’d be standing separately. Now we get to be a homogenous blob.”

That got a real laugh out of Leo, one of his tinkling ones that shook his whole body. “I don’t know if it’s wise, sweetheart, but it’s sure ingenious.”

“Well, you’re engaged to this genius, baby. So no take-backs, no return policy.”

Leo finished chopping the zucchini and put it in the pan. “I’m pretty sure that only applies after we sign the wedding certificate.”

“Tomato, tom-ahto, point is you’re stuck with me for eternity.”

Leo paused his movements and turned in Finn’s arm to plant a kiss on his mouth. “What a shame, then.”

“Hm,” Finn hummed, plying Leo’s lips open with his own. He broke apart. “Shoot, sorry, I stopped stirring.”

Leo giggled. “I got this, honey. Go pour us some wine?”

Finn stepped back with a kiss to Leo’s shoulder and a shimmy towards their wine cabinet. “Speaking my language, baby.” He took out a red. “What are we having again? Rat-patootie?”

Finn couldn’t see Leo’s eye roll, but he knew it was there. “That joke gets less funny every time you say it.”

Finn grinned at his back. “It’s a good movie. Endless possible quotes.”

“Whatever you say, O’Hara, just no disrespect on my ratatouille,” Leo retorted, opening the oven to check on the rosemary chicken.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Le,” Finn said, pouring each of them a glass. “When’s Lo supposed to get here?”

“He said eight,” Leo replied, adding tomatoes to his pan. “He’s going to take a cab. I offered to pick him up at the airport, but he said they were going to the hotel first to watch some tape, so he’ll be here after that.”

“That’s right,” Finn said, leaning on the counter and appreciating the view of Leo’s back. “Our little Canadian rival.”

Leo sent him an exasperated smile. “You say that like it’s a dramatic novel or something.”

Finn shrugged. “Maybe it is. Enemies to lovers? Friends to lovers? Strangers to friends to lovers to friends to falling in love with a hot ass rookie goalie to lovers?”

That drew another laugh out of Leo, which made Finn smile. He loved making Leo laugh, loved making his curls shake and his dimples show themselves. He looked so good, in his maroon shirt and jeans, making dinner for themselves and Logan on a cool early-October night. Like a romantic angel.

“You wanna write that novel, Harz?”

Finn bit his lip around his happiness. “Nah, baby, I’d rather live it.” He blew Leo a kiss. “I love you.”

That made Leo blush, which in Finn’s opinion was just as good, if not better than making him laugh. “You’re lucky I love you, you romantic sap.”

“No returns.”

They were still giggling when the sound of keys scraping the lock sounded at the door. Both of their heads jerked up just as Logan entered, all gorgeous in his traveling suit pants and a white button-down, his overnight bag and jacket hanging from his shoulder. He looked up and smiled at them. “Salut.”

Finn let out a whoop and ran over to scoop Logan up in his arms, lifting him excitedly off his feet by the waist. Logan was laughing in his ear delightedly, and was still smiling when Finn set him down to kiss him deeply. Finn broke apart to press his lips all over his face. “Baby’s home, baby’s home. Missed you, baby-baby.” 

“Ouais, rouge, missed you, too,” Logan sighed. His hand was scratching Finn’s scalp and Finn leaned into the touch briefly. “Soleil?”

“Over here, honey.”

Leo was still standing by the stove and watching them as Logan took off his shoes. He slid over softly and stepped gingerly onto Leo’s feet, wrapping his arms around Leo’s neck to pull him into a kiss. Finn followed with an arm around Logan’s back, pressing soft kisses to Logan’s shoulder. Logan sighed contentedly as Leo moved down to kiss his neck. Leo wrapped his arms around Logan’s waist to hug him. “Missed you, Tremz.” He sighed into Logan’s skin. “Love you.” 

“Mm, je t’aime,” Logan said. He rested his lips to Leo’s shoulder. “What’re you making, Le? Smells amazing.”

“Rat-patootie,” Finn said, smirking.

This time, Finn got a full few of Leo’s eye roll. “Ratatouille, Fish. And roasted rosemary chicken.”

“Délicieux,” Logan said, pressing a few soft kisses to Leo’s neck. “Allez, I’m going to shower and change. Ten minutes.” He gave each of them a last kiss before grabbing his bag and heading towards the bathroom. Along the way, he stripped himself of his pants, shirt, and undershirt, leaving a trail of clothes behind him with a smirk. Finn narrowed his eyes.

“You trying to start something there, ten?”

Logan just bit his lip and looked up through his lashes. “Non. Je vais juste prendre une douche.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

Finn breathed out heavily. “That little fucker. Leaving a mess and totally getting away with it.”

Leo just looked at him. “You’d let him do anything as long as he did it naked.”

“Well,” Finn said. “Usually he does fun things when he’s naked.” He grabbed Leo’s hand, spun him, and pulled him to his chest. “You, too, if memory serves.”

Leo kissed him briefly. “Mm, it does.” He pulled away and turned to the stove. “But right now I am making a masterpiece, so clothes will be staying on.”

“Damn.”

While Leo set about finishing dinner, Finn threw Logan’s discarded clothes in the hamper and got out the plates and silverware, lighting a few candles, too. He poured himself another glass of wine, and one for Logan for when he returned. Then he sat by the counter, making gentle conversation with Leo as he tested the chicken with a thermometer and toasted some fresh rolls from the bakery down the street. Finn loved these nights, the domestic and quiet ones, where there was nowhere to go and nothing urgent to be done. He loved it even more when they were all together, Logan’s mere presence in their apartment settling something in his shoulders. He could tell Leo felt the same; he smiled more freely when Logan was around, jaw less tense, and sleep came easier. It was hard sometimes, being separated, especially with Logan’s contract extended. It hadn’t looked like the Lions were going to make a successful offer, so they had decided that it was better that Logan stayed where he was instead of taking a gamble that could send him potentially across the country. It was better than most alternatives, but Finn still cherished these moments when his home was full. Full of love for his boys, for their smiles, the way they smelled, the way they laughed. He himself was so full of love sometimes he didn’t know what to do with it.

Arms wrapped around his shoulders, and he turned to find Logan in Leo’s navy sweater and dark jeans. “Mon rouge.”

Finn leaned his head back onto Logan’s shoulder. “I love you, baby.”

Logan kissed him upside down. “Je t’aime.” He looked at Leo’s back. “Salut, soleil.”

Leo turned to look at them. “Hi, honey.” He tilted his head, a small smile on his face. “Missed seeing you together.”

Finn smiled, too, as Logan pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You look good, peanut.”

“Ouais.”

“Bet I’d look even better without clothes, huh?”

Logan and Finn laughed as Leo turned away, fussing with the pans before turning back. “C’mon, bring the plates over. I’ll serve it from the stove.”

It was delicious, as all things Leo cooked were. Finn could taste the thyme of the ratatouille, the juicy dark meat of the chicken leg, his favorite. Logan kept making appreciative noises. His first bite had had him moaning, eyes closed. “Mon Dieu, soleil. Missed your cooking so much,” he had said, before promptly going in for a second, larger bite. 

Leo looked pleased with their feedback, as he always did when they complimented him. His cheeks flushed red, and his shoulders did a happy little shrug. It was unbearably adorable.

After, when Logan and Finn had cleaned the kitchen, they set about getting ready for bed, anxious to be close to one another again. Logan sought out a pair of Finn’s pajama pants and Leo’s sweatshirt, both of which pooled at the ends of his limbs. He had wrapped his arms around Leo’s waist while waiting for the two of them to finish brushing their teeth, pressing kisses to Leo’s spine and Finn’s shoulder. Finn just smiled at Leo in the bathroom mirror. 

When they finally made it to the bed, Logan squished himself in the middle, pulling Finn’s head to his chest and tucking himself into Leo’s side. He sighed happily, closing his eyes briefly. “Feels like so long since I’ve been in our bed,” he murmured. 

Leo, who was tracing patterns on his abs, pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “Yeah, sweetheart, I know.”

Logan sighed heavily. “Do you ever think…”

At his tone, Finn looked up, pushing himself up on his forearms and steadying himself with one hand on Leo’s torso. “What, Lo, baby?”

Logan pushed his head further back into the pillows. “Do you ever think that it’s- it’s too hard doing this sometimes?” 

Red lights flared in Finn’s head, and Leo took in a sharp breath. “Honey, what are you-”

“Logan,” Finn blurted out. “Logan, uh-uh.”

Logan shook his head hard, eyes widening in realization. He looked up at Leo. “Merde, désolé. Non, non, I wasn’t going to say that.” He took Finn’s head in his hands, pressing a hard kiss between his eyebrows. “Rouge, désolé, I’m sorry. Non, non, not ever.”

“Jesus,” Finn said, flopping down on Logan’s chest. “You almost put me in cardiac arrest.”

Logan laughed a little. “Non, non, we can’t have that.”

“Lo,” Leo interrupted, eyes still serious. “What did you mean, seriously?”

Logan sucked at his teeth briefly, pausing. “I meant- what if I retired?”

Finn couldn’t help the gasp. “What? No, Lo, you don’t need to do that.”

Logan looked at him, brow furrowed. “But I- it’s hard, non? Living apart for so long,” he said. “And us not being together is not an option.” He grumbled the last bit, in that Logan way that was somehow grumpy and loving at the same time.

Leo just looked at him, eyebrows raised. “You don’t need to go zero to a hundred, Tremblay.”

“Ouais, je sais,” Logan said. “I just- I miss being home with you guys. And it is hard. I just- I don’t know how many years I can keep doing this.”

“Well,” Leo said, holding himself up on one elbow. “Let’s set a time limit, then.”

Finn and Logan looked at him. “Quoi?” Logan asked.

Leo cocked his head. “Let’s set a time limit. I’ll be a free agent at the end of three years, and Logan, your contract only has three more years on it as well- both including this year. And Finn…” he paused. “Well, yours is up at the end of the season, so we can see about renegotiating a contract with Gryff, or if not, then with New York.” His eyes focused. “We are together- the league knows that. Whether or not they like it, that is a factor in our contract negotiations. And we’ve been doing the distance thing for just over 3 years now, which hasn’t been easy. We’ve done our time.” He put a hand on Logan’s hip. “But none of us are ready to throw the towel in quite yet, nor should we have to. So, let’s say about three years. Three more years of this, of riding out what’s left for each of us with our respective organizations, and then we renegotiate. Together.” 

Finn considered for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Okay, yeah, we can do that. I can do that. Lo?”

Logan traced a hand down Leo’s cheek. “You’re so smart, soleil.” He looked at Finn’s eyes. “Three more years.”

Leo let out a shaky breath. “I know it’s not ideal, but…”

Finn brought him down for a kiss. “No, but it’s a plan. It’s an ending.” He kissed Logan, too, then smiled. “I love hockey, but I have my limits. We have our limits. And we’re getting married.” He traced patterns on their skin. “You both are more important to me than anything else, and like it or not, I’m always gonna put you before some stupid, made up game.”

Logan gasped, then pinched his side. “Non, Harzy. Ne dis pas ça.”

“Nom nom nom.”

Leo laughed. “You got your point across, Harz, I think.”

Finn laughed at the burst of kisses Leo pressed to his neck. “I’m very wise, Leonardo.”

That made Leo full-body laugh again, and he laid himself down on the other side of Logan’s chest. After a minute, he began kissing along Logan’s ribs, open-mouthed and hot against the skin. Logan flushed. “Soleil.”

Finn was getting warmer just looking at them. Leo looked up from a mark he was making on the outside of Logan’s torso, his signature sly grin on his face. “I think Finn said something about fun, naked acitivites.”

They both moved their gazes over to him, and Finn gave a serious set of nods. “Yes. Yes, yes I absolutely did.” He kissed down Logan’s neck. “Naked, very naked activities. Fucking gorgeous boys.”

And with Logan laughing breathlessly under him and Leo kissing along his spine with a smile, Finn thought that this was the wisest decision of them all. 

oh my goodness OUCH I didn’t expect you to shoot us in the face with that last fic today

Yikes, sorry, babe. 🤘

Soooooo, gender-bent Cubs? As a WLW, I LOVE WLW Cubs AUs, and figured we needed more of them.

Enjoy Finn being VERY obsessed with her girlfriends- but would we really expect anything less from our favorite resident red-head?

GO BOSTON FLEET RAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!

All credits to @lumosinlove !!

“Whoa-ho, there, Tremblay. Hey there, hot stuff.”

Logan jumped at Finn’s smack to her ass from where she was bent over putting on her skates. She turned around to glare daggers. “Finn-”

Finn grabbed her waist and brought her close, smile sharp. “You can’t bend over like that and expect me not to take advantage.”

Logan rolled her eyes but reached her hands up to tug at Finn’s hair. She had cut it for the season and it fell just to her jaw in light waves. Leo had done two French braids that morning to keep the face-framing pieces out of her eyes, but there was still enough loose for Logan to grip. “We’re in the locker room.”

Finn just leaned down and kissed her. “I can’t help that your ass is incredible always. Le’s, too. I’m a very lucky girl.”

“Hm?” Leo asked, walking by in her compression shirt in leggings. She hadn’t put her pads on yet. She leaned against their sides and wrapped an arm around Logan’s waist. “What’d you say, honey?”

“That I love you,” Finn said, but her eyes were twinkling. 

Leo narrowed her eyes. “No you didn’t.”

Finn shrugged. “Believe what you want, baby.” But as she walked to her stall to suit up, she gave Leo’s ass a squeeze with two hands.

“Fish,” Leo gasped. She looked down at Logan, her face bright red. “She was talking about my ass, wasn’t she?”

Logan smiled and leaned up to kiss her. “Ouais.” Logan leaned against Leo’s chest. “It’s a very nice ass, soleil.”

Leo snorted. “Yours, too, sweetheart.”

***

“Shit, Knut, you’re a fucking wall today,” Tabby Walker said, panting. “What the hell.”

Leo just smiled and pushed up her mask. “Sorry, Talky.” She squirted water into her mouth as Tabby came up to tap her stick against Leo’s pads.

“You’re gonna be hot tomorrow against Minnesota, baby, I can feel it.”

Leo laughed. “You think?”

“Yeah,” Tabby replied. “Red hot.”

“Hey!” Finn’s voice came. “You can’t call Leo hot!”

Finn and Logan were finishing up stick handling drills with the other forwards at the other end of the ice. They were helping to pick up the cones that they used sometimes when they interrupted Leo and Tabby. Finn handed hers to Logan, who was laughing, and skated over.

She stopped right beside Leo and looked to Tabby. “What’re you doing calling my Leo hot?”

Leo raised her eyebrows. “She also called me baby.”

Finn just pouted. “Walky Talky.”

Tabby slugged Finn in the shoulder gently. “She can’t help the heat, dude. She went full splits, I didn’t have a chance.” She jerked her chin and gave Leo a fist bump. “I’m off, lovebirds.” She turned to Leo and winked cheekily. “Later, Nutty.”

Leo winked back even as Finn made a desperate little whine. “Leo.”

Giggling, Leo turned back to Finn. “Sweetheart, you’re so easy.”

“I can’t help that I’m dating two goddesses. You can do the splits, for crying out loud.” She crossed her arms. “And ‘baby’ is a privilege reserved for me.” 

Leo rolled her eyes with a small smile. “You’re so difficult.” But she kissed Finn’s helmet. “I love you.”

Finn preened under the attention. “Lucky me.”

“Oui, lucky you,” Leo replied. “And if it makes you feel better, Talky calls everybody hot.” She smirked. “Especially Logan’s sister.”

Finn laughed. “Noelle’s a lucky one.”

“Hm,” Leo said, turning to her net. “She is. C’mon, Finnley, help me get my stuff to the locker room so we can go. Vodka chicken’s on the menu tonight.”

“Let’s fucking go,” Finn said, pumping her fists. She grabbed Leo’s water bottle. “Fucking love your vodka chicken.” She looked up to where Logan and Sirius were having what looking like a shooting contest on Kasey at the other end. “Hey Tremblay! Let’s go! Got vodka chicken for dinner tonight.”

Logan looked up at that, and said something to Sirius before skating away. She approached her girlfriends with a smile. “Ouais, let’s go.”

Leo nodded towards the other end of the ice. “Having fun?”

Logan smiled. “Oui, just doing a shooting competition with Cap.” She turned her head slightly and raised her voice. “Which I won!”

“Non!” Sirius yelled back. “Non, tu n'as pas gagné!”

Logan rolled her eyes, turning back. “I so did.”

Finn just threw her arm around her. “Let’s go. Vodka chicken time.”

The locker room was rowdy as it always was after practice, the adrenaline having yet to wear off. Leo shook her curls out of their low ponytail and fluffed it up from her scalp. It was getting long now- she’d have to cut it soon so it wouldn’t overheat the back of her neck, especially as they were getting deeper into the season. They were on a winning streak, and the Boston crowd was expecting big things from the Fleet.

She felt a tug on a lock of hair and arms wrapping around her waist from behind. Logan squeezed her briefly before coming around to face her. “Ca va?”

Leo nodded, placing a kiss between her two Dutch braids. There were pieces that had come loose. Leo thought that Logan always looked so gorgeous after practice, her face warm and her dark hair a little mussed. The messy braid look really suited her. 

“Ouais,” Leo said. She continued in French. “How much longer do you need?”

Logan kissed her collarbone. “Twenty minutes. Gotta shower real quick, then we can go home.”

Leo nodded, stripping off to follow Logan into the showers. Logan led her to the ones on the other side of the wall that divided the shower room, where Finn already was under her own nozzle. There wasn’t anybody else, and she lit up at the sight of them. “Oh boy.” She not-so-subtely peeked around at Leo and Logan’s backsides. “Yup, I don’t regret a thing.”

Leo turned bright red and Logan laughed, leaning up to kiss her cheek before turning on two nozzles for them. “Later, Harz.”

Finn smiled, eyes happy and with that sharp look that she sometimes got. “Hot stuff, Tremblay.”

Logan turned her face up to the spray, careful to not get her braids too wet. “You can’t call me that.” She peeked out mischievously. “Only Talker can.”

Finn spluttered and Leo laughed loudly. When Logan turned to look, Finn’s ears were red and she looked like the was struggling to maintain composure, which just made Logan smirk and close her eyes.

“Nuh-uh,” Finn complained. “Nope, nope, no more.” She flicked water at them both. “Not funny.”

Leo just reached over to grab her hand and kiss it. “Love you, sweetheart.” Finn put on her sad eyes and Leo snorted. “Say it back, you goof.”

Finn’s eyes narrowed. 

Leo bit her lip around a smile and turned towards her own shower. “Fine. No vodka chicken for you.”

Finn gasped. “You don’t mean that.”

Logan hummed. “Ouais. Le and I will eat it all.”

“No, nope,” Finn said. She stepped up behind Leo and pressed a kiss to her shoulder before reaching out to tug Logan over. Surprised, Logan came with a slight yelp, slipping a little on the floor. But before she could chastise, Finn kissed her soundly. “Love you, love you, love you.”

Leo looked over her shoulder to see Logan’s green eyes looking up through dark lashes. She was smiling softly. “Je t’aime.” She looked to Leo and her smile grew. “Je t’aime, soleil.”

“I love you,” Leo said, leaning in for a brief kiss. “But let’s get a move on.” She reached for the soap. “I’m fucking starving and you two are stalling me.”

And with a light smack to each of their asses, Finn went back to her own shower, laughing at her girlfriends’ twin gasps. 

Finn O'Hara really was a very lucky girl

sorry to add another prompt to your probably really long list but I was wondering if you could write something based on a thought I had the other day:

So basically was just thinking about how Finn and Logan are best friends and know everything about each other probably and I just thought it would be cute to see them learning things that maybe they didn’t know about Leo maybe they learn that he is a super fan of something or that he played a different sport besides hockey in highschool (maybe soccer or baseball?) or they learn that he can sing or do something else crazy idk. Just a little something of them learning more about him because I know a lot of people think him being the newest in the relationship is something he should be insecure about but I actually think it’s really beautiful that he has two people who fall in love with him and immediately want to know everything about him:)))

I’m just realizing this is word vomit but I’ll send it anyway lol thank you so much!!!

This was an AMAZING excuse to finally bring to life this headcanon I have about Leo, oh my gooooooooooosh!!!!!!! I have this idea that his entire family is really good at team sports. Like, Finn is good at running, obvs, and Logan is a lifting champ, but for Leo, sports in general just come so naturally, kind of the same as Captain Sirius Black. Basketball, football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball- it doesn't matter, he picks it up super quick. I also think his parents are big sports fans, so he is as well!

So have the Knut family (and Adele Dumais) absolutely tearing it up on the diamond, and Finn and Logan trying with all their might to REAL IN their adoration and surprise (and maybe conceal the fact that they are hot and bothered by Leo's competence, too). ;)

All credits to @lumosinlove !!

“Okay, team,” Finn said. “Bring it in, let’s go.”

He wrapped an arm around Logan and Louis’s shoulders as they all huddled in a circle. It had been Coach’s idea, a family softball game to start the summer, fifteen and older all welcome on the field. It was a mix of parents, siblings, children and players. There were even some veteran players; Hope Lupin, Celeste Dumais, and Thomas’ mom, Chelsea, had dusted off their old softball gloves from college and were on the opposing team. Finn knew it was all for fun, but he was going to keep his eye on them anyways. 

“Okay,” he said, leaning his head in. “This is just for fun, remember that… but we also want to win.” He looked around the circle. “A lot of you have siblings, parents, partners, or children on the other team, but that doesn’t mean you go any easier on them, okay?” He looked at Louis and Pascal first, then at Eloise. “We are not letting Celeste and Adele beat us out, or Leo. Or my brother. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Ouais,” Sirius agreed. He had his focus face on. “Remus is going down.”

“Geez,” Natalie said. “Your love sure is loud, Captain.”

Sirius turned bright red. “If I lose I have to cook dinner for a week.”

“And there it is,” Natalie laughed. She turned to Kasey. “Should’ve made a bet with Alexander.”

Kasey snorted. “Absolutely not, he is way too competitive.” He nodded to Finn. “We’re all ready.”

“Okay, hands in!” They all slapped their hands in the middle of the circle. Finn nodded his head satisfactorily. “Team on three, one, two, three…”

“Team!”

Finn slapped Logan’s back and rested his other arm over Eloise’s shoulder. “How we feeling, team? Ready to kick some nutter butter butt?”

Eloise looked at him in amusement. “I wouldn’t underestimate him, honey.”

Finn raised his eyebrows. “What’s that supposed to mean?” When she just shrugged and walked away, he turned to look at Logan frantically. “Lo, what did she mean?”

Logan ran a hand through Finn’s hair. “I’m sure it’s nothing, mon coeur. She just likes to mess with you.”

Finn nodded. “Right, right. Cool, okay, I’m good.”

Logan smiled and kissed his sweaty cheek. “Relax, rouge. It’s just a game.”

“A game that I am not losing. I’ve got my boyfriend and my brother on the other team. This is bragging rights on the line, Lo.”

“D’accord.” Logan soothed him with another kiss. “D’accord, baby, let’s go play.”

They were batting first, and Finn watched on bouncing toes as Pascal stepped up to the plate, eyes scanning the field. The outfield was composed of only hockey players- Alex, the tallest, at center; Remus in left field; Thomas in right. The infield was mostly people that actually played softball- Celeste at third, Chelsea at shortstop, Hope at second. Adele, who Pascal had said had a wicked vertical jump height was at first, eyes focused and narrowed at her father. Wyatt, almost as tall as his son, was laughing with Pascal at the plate, catcher’s uniform snuggly fitting his frame. Finn knew he’d be tricky. He played in an adult league, but so did Eloise, so Finn figured they were fairly evenly matched. On the mound, scanning the field with his devastatingly gorgeous blue eyes, stood the only non-softball player in the infield, who also happened to be Finn and Logan’s most beautiful muse and biggest competition. It was a curious choice, putting someone who didn’t play the game in as pitcher, but Finn sucked in a nervous breath anyways when Leo caught him staring and winked. 

“He’s just playing with you, Freckle.”

Finn turned to look at Natalie. “He’s up to something.”

She just sighed. “Let’s go, get your bat and warm up. You’re up next.”

Finn stood in the warm up box, idly swinging his bat between his hands. Layla blew her whistle, dressed in a black umpire uniform, and crouched behind Wyatt. Dumo raised his bat. He yelled something in French at Leo, who laughed before turning sideways and readying himself. Finn watched Wyatt make a motion with his hand, and his throat closed up. His eyes flicked to Leo, who just nodded before winding his arm back. Between one moment and the next, the ball had left his fingers in a perfect underhand and before Pascal could even blink it was flying straight over the plate and into the back of Wyatt’s glove. 

“Shit,” Finn said, eyes wide. “Oh fuck.”

“I told you honey,” Eloise said, patting his arm. “Don’t underestimate him.”

“Jesus Christ, Knut!” Thomas called from the outfield. “The fuck was that, you absolute beauty!”

Leo just smiled a little sheepishly and caught the ball his dad tossed him. Pascal was shaking himself out and readying for another pitch. He came close with his swing, but there was still the satisfying slap of the ball in Wyatt’s mitt. 

“Rouge.” Logan placed a hand on his lower back. “Rouge.”

Finn hung his head back with a groan and turned to face Logan. “We’re so screwed. Where the hell did he learn to pitch like that?”

Logan just looked at him. He had that determined expression on his face that he sometimes got when he was faced with genuine competition. He huffed out a breath and took Finn’s shirt in his hands and brought their faces close together. “Don’t let him scare you. You’ve got this, rouge.”

Finn tapped his helmet gently onto Logan’s head. “Got it, ten.”

There was another slapping sound and some whoops, and Pascal dejectedly walked back to the dugout. His face was amused, though. “Mon fil,” he said to Logan, slapping his back as he walked by. “That boy of yours can play.”

Logan just hung his head back with a huff. He smacked Finn’s butt and then gently shoved him toward the plate. “Allez, rouge.”

Finn would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little nervous as he stepped up to the plate. Layla and Wyatt were laughing when he stepped up, and Layla looked at him with teasing eyes. “Looks like your lover boy has quite the arm.”

“Don’t fucking remind me.” He bounced a little and turned to Wyatt. “Where the hell did he learn to play like that?”

Wyatt laughed at him. “He played when he was little, but then he’d play in mine and Eloise’s league during the spring and summer when he could.” He looked fondly at his son. “He’s good, isn’t he?”

Finn narrowed his eyes. “Mhm.” 

He ignored Wyatt’s chuckle and set his feet, eyes on Leo on the pitcher’s mound. Leo was already looking back at him with mischievous blue eyes. Finn shook his head. He couldn’t get distracted. 

Leo’s expression turned serious before he hid his mouth and nose behind his glove. He nodded minutely, presumably at his father, before shifting. Finn took a deep breath and braced his shoulders.

The first pitch went right down the pipe, making a whistling sound as it passed by. Finn had been shocked when he saw the first pitch Pascal had taken, but it was nothing compared to actually being at the plate and experiencing it. Finn let out a surprised sound and stumbled back a bit.

“C’mon Harz!”

“Allez, Finn!”

He rolled out his shoulders and neck before stepping back up to the plate. This time, he timed his swing, and the ball bounced off his bat with a satisfying thwack! He dropped his bat and ran, but he was only halfway down the baseline before he watched the ball land efficiently in Adele’s glove on a throw from Chelsea, her foot sturdy on the plate. He groaned as he ran through. Adele just grinned at him and tossed the ball back to Leo. “Better luck next time, Finn.”

“Ha-ha.” He flicked her hat brim down before jogging back down the baseline. “Hey Knut! The fuck is up with that?”

Leo just played innocent and shrugged with a devious little smile. Finn hated that it made him look gorgeous.

Back at the dugout, Logan was waiting for him with his arms crossed and an intense look on his face. He winced when he saw Finn. “It’s all right, rouge.”

Finn huffed. “They’re all fucking all-stars or some shit. I thought this was supposed to be a fun game.”

Eloise laughed as she passed by, bat swinging in her hands. “Don’t take it so seriously, honey. You’ll be fine.” Then she was stepping up to the plate.

They cheered her on from the dugout, Sirius and Louis leading the charge and shaking the fence. They both had the same intense expression on their faces as Logan. It was clear they were all surprised by the advanced skills on the other team.

Finn and Logan stood close, shoulders touching as they watched Eloise tap her husband’s helmet playfully before sobering up, raising her bat. Leo smiled briefly before once again hiding his face with his mitt, blue eyes intense. The routine was the same: the settling of his feet, his arm winding up, the ball leaving his hands at an impressive speed, flying down the middle-

None of them were expecting the resounding crack of Eloise’s bat against the ball that sent it sailing over Leo’s head and into the outfield.

“Holy shit!” Finn yelled. He bounced up and down, cheering with the rest of their team. “Yeah, Eloise!”

She ran fast, clearing first and heading for second. Thomas had recovered the ball and threw it, landing it in Hope’s waiting glove just after Eloise’s foot touched the base. 

“Allez!” Sirius yelled. He was smiling gleefully now. “Double, Eloise, allez!”

“Holy shit,” Finn whispered to Logan. “Our in-laws are softball wizards or some shit.”

“Ouais,” Logan said back. He sighed and rolled his neck. “Allez, I’m up.”

Finn smacked his butt. “Go get ‘em.”

Logan ended up hitting a single into center field, Alex just mistiming the throw, and Adele caught it a second after Logan’s foot hit the base. He let out a shout and patted her head in celebration, and she just shoved him playfully, spewing what Finn assumed was some vulgar French trash talk, if the way her mother reprimanded her was anything to go by. She huffed, but threw the ball back to Leo. Finn scanned the field; Logan’s hit had advanced Eloise to third. They just needed one more hit and she’d be home.

“Okay,” Finn said. He patted Sirius’ shoulders as he went to step up to the plate. “Okay, Cap, you got this. No losing to Remus, remember?”

Sirius didn’t say anything, just nodded curtly. His gray eyes were focused and icy as he walked out. He raised his bat, expression unreadable.

Leo threw two perfect strikes, Sirius letting out a frustrated huff every time he swung and missed. The third pitch, however, landed right on his bat and the ball sailed overhead- and right into Remus’ glove.

“Oh, come on!”

Remus just laughed loudly at his husband as he and his team began to clear the field. “Gotcha, baby!”

Sirius gritted his teeth and turned back to the dugout. “Allez, we need to field well, let’s go.”

“Yikes,” Natalie said drily. “Captain Scary has made an appearance.”

Sirius just sucked his teeth and picked up his glove.

“Okay, listen up!” Kasey called. He read from his clipboard. “Nat, you’re pitching, Logan, you’re catch. Louis, you’re at short, Eloise at second. Cap, Dumo, Lyall, you’re all outfield. Cole’s at third, Finn’s at first.” He looked up at them all. “Everyone else, you’ll sit this inning out, and we’ll rotate you in the next one so everyone gets a turn.”

There was a shuffling of people putting their gloves on and light chatter, then they were jogging out onto the field to the cheers of some of their friends and family in the stands. Finn waved to his and Logan’s parents before taking his place on first base. It was close enough to the other dugout that he could hear them cheering, but he tried to focus in on the plate.

They warmed up with some throwing before Layla signaled it was time to get started. Noelle was up first, her long braids swishing against her back as she stepped up to the plate. She knocked her knuckles on Logan’s helmet and he looked up at her. Finn didn’t need to see his face to know he was scowling.

Natalie was a good pitcher. She threw straight, even if not as fast as Leo, and could throw a mean change-up. Noelle landed a pop hit into right field and took off running to cheers.

“Let’s fucking go, Christmas!” Thomas shouted. 

Finn watched as the ball landed just out of Sirius’ reach and he scrambled to pick it up. His throw was a bit wild, so Finn had to leave the base to catch it, allowing Noelle to just get there in time. She was breathing hard as she turned to Finn. “Nice try, Fish.” She tilted her head. “Hey, like our star pitcher?”

Finn narrowed his eyes. “I have no alliance with him in this game.”

“I don’t know, wait until you see him in those baseball pants.” Her eyes flashed to Thomas, who was whistling shrilly at her, and she smiled. “Nothing sexier than an ass in baseball pants.”

“Ugh, stop that. I’m trying to focus.”

She just pretended to zip her mouth shut and readied herself to run.

Natalie struck Remus out, much to Sirius’ delight, but Noelle did end up stealing second. Leo was up next, and he left the dugout to lots of cheering and whistling. He said something to Logan with a fond smile and a tap to his helmet, then steadied his bat above his shoulder. Finn really tried not to look at his ass in those pants, he really did, but it was a failed attempt, and he sucked in a breath as he looked away briefly. Noelle smirked at him, and he stuck his tongue out at her.

Leo took a ball and a strike, and after the second pitch he stepped out of the box to take a couple practice swings. He looked focused and determined when he stepped back in, eyes boring into Natalie’s from her place on the mound. She steadied herself and sent the ball flying in what Finn thought would be a perfect strike, but Leo timed it beautifully, and with a swing so fast it made a swooshing sound he sent the ball in a perfect arc to left field, just beyond Lyall’s reach but still within the outfield.

The next thing Finn knew, Leo was flying past him and rounding to second. Lyall had caught the ball and sent it to Pascal, who’d shifted to receive it, but it was no use. No sooner had Pascal turned to send it to Eloise at second then Leo was flying over that base, too, and hustling to third, Noelle sprinting to home plate. Cole slapped his glove in urgency, but caught the ball just after Leo arrived, jerking as he came to a halt to keep his foot on the base. He was breathing hard, but smiling. Noelle had cleared home easily, much to the obvious chagrin of her little brother, and was being picked up by a shouting Thomas and carried into the dugout, her head thrown back in a laugh. There were lots of cheers and back slaps for her, then Alex picked up his bat and made his way towards the box, but not before he cupped his hands around his mouth to shout at Finn. “How does it feel, little bro?”

Finn heard Logan’s frustrated grunt and narrowed his eyes at Alex’s smirk, but didn’t say anything. He couldn’t let himself go this early in the game- not, at least, if he wanted to win.

Alex ended up getting out on an impressive zinger from Eloise, who threw so hard it actually hurt Finn’s hand to catch the ball, even with his glove on. He laughed loudly in Alex’s face, but Alex just rolled his eyes. “Got blondie across home plate, though, didn’t I?”

Finn’s smile faded abruptly as he looked at the opposing dugout. Wyatt was shaking Leo’s shoulders excitedly as he made his way to sit down. Logan stood up and watched them, mask pulled up and away from his face. Finn saw him stare at Leo’s butt in his pants, then watched as he realized Finn caught him and blushed. Finn sighed. They were so fucked.

Chelsea was up next and walked. Wyatt was after her and bunted impressively, allowing Chelsea to advance, even if he got out. But Adele’s pop fly was caught easily by her father, and then they were changing out again. Finn met Logan at the entrance to the dugout. He was sweating in his catcher’s gear, shaking out his hair as he took off his helmet. Despite himself, Finn smiled and kissed his cheek. “You know, you are a very sexy catcher. Might have to make a career change.”

Logan rolled his eyes, but was grinning as he kissed Finn on the mouth. “Je t’aime.”

“Love you.” Finn took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “Now, c’mon. We gotta focus if we want to beat the love of our lives, let’s go.”

Cole was up first and hit a double off of Leo’s second pitch. Louis then ran on a drop-third strike, but Wyatt sent it perfectly into Adele’s glove. Cole did end up at third, then crossed home on Kuny’s single, but Celeste snatched the ball out of the air with ease. With two outs, Kuny walking a bit dejectedly back to the dugout, Finn started to feel the pressure. Natalie hit a perfect single just out of Noelle’s reach in the outfield, though, which set them up with at least a man on base. Logan was up to hit after her, and Finn drew him close with an arm around his shoulders and touched their foreheads together. “I know he’s distracting, but you can’t let him get to you. He’s just your opponent out there.” He sighed. “A very sexy opponent, but an opponent nonetheless.”

Logan nodded. “Ouais. Ouais, d’accord, I’ve got this.”

“You’ve got this.”

“I’ve got this.”

Logan took a deep breath, then walked up to the plate, cheers following him from the dugout. He tapped his bat against his shoes and rolled out his shoulders, squaring up to face the mound. Leo winked at him.

“Fuck,” Finn muttered. “C’mon, baby, don’t get distracted.”

Leo’s first pitch went a little high, and Logan dutifully let it pass by as Layla called it a ball. 

“Okay.” Finn tapped his foot. “Good, baby, good, c’mon.”

Logan drew two balls, then swung and missed for his first strike. After the second strike and Logan’s frustrated huff, Finn began to chew the inside of his cheek.

“Full count,” Pascal said from beside him. “It’s fine, Logan does well under pressure.”

“This is high stakes, Dumo. Bragging rights.”

A snort. “Mon Dieu, you three are competitive.”

Finn watched as Leo took a steadying breath, centering himself before preparing for his next pitch. He sent it right down the middle, and Finn let out a shout as Logan cracked it off his bat. But the victory was short lived, because in an impossible leap, Leo stretched his long (gorgeous) arm out and dove, snatching the ball just before he fell to the ground. 

Logan let out a loud curse and went to pick up his bat, practically marching back to the dugout with a scowl. Finn met him and held his hands out to settle against his shoulders. “Whoa, hey, baby, it’s just a game.”

Logan walked past him and sat heavily on the bench, whipping his helmet off and thumping his head against the wall. When he looked at Finn, his face was frustrated and- flushed? 

“Fuck,” Logan said, before muttering rapidly in French. “The fuck is he doing, just looking like that? He just- I can’t- I’m trying to focus!”

Finn gaped for a minute, realization dawning over him, before he gasped delightedly. “Oh my God!”

Logan glared at him. “Rouge-”

“Oh my God, you’re turned on.” When Logan shushed him, he lowered his voice and went to stand between his legs and cup Logan’s blushing cheeks. “Oh, baby, you’re so turned on right now.” 

“Shut up.”

“Nuh-uh, no way.” He felt giddy and bent to look into Logan’s eyes. “Really? This is doing it for you?”

“Don’t pretend it’s not doing it for you, too!”

“Oh, I’m not.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Logan’s head and drew him in for a hug. “Okay, we’ll be fine. Just a few more innings, then we can go see him.”

“But then there’s team dinner-”

“Which we can leave early.”

“His parents.”

“They’d stay long after we would leave, anyways, you know how they are. Eloise dances until the sun comes up with my mom and the Walkers, and Wyatt chats with Dumo and Lyall for ages every time. At Christmas we had to drag them home.”

Logan just let out a groan into his chest. “I can’t do this.”

Finn stepped back and pulled Logan onto his feet. “Well, you’re gonna have to. Because sunshine can be sexy all he wants, but he’s not gonna win.”

Finn was, however, proven mistaken. Four and a half innings later and Thomas and James were dumping a cooler of ice water on Leo’s back as he crossed home plate, Natalie standing on the pitcher’s mound gaping at where the ball had flown over the fence. It had been a competitive game, the opposing team going into their final at-bat tied with the other team 6-6, and Finn’s team had been fielding fantastic, but it was apparently no match for six-feet-and-three-inches of pure muscle and skill. Leo’s walk-off homer had pushed Noelle and Adele across the plate, too, and Finn had known at that moment that they had absolutely lost. He sighed, squinting against the late afternoon sun, and watched as Leo laughed and was pulled into a hug by his father.

“I told you honey.” Eloise had come to stand beside him and placed a comforting hand on his back. “Don’t underestimate my Leo. He’s got quite a skill set.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “More like a super power.” He gave her a squeeze and smiled down at her. “Hey, you played great, too. That double play in the third was insane.”

She grinned, pleased. “Aw, thanks, honey. Lots of practice, me and Wyatt. You boys should come play the next time you’re down.”

“I’m sure we will.” He looked back at home plate to see Logan sigh heavily. “Yikes, better go comfort grumpy. I’ll be right back.”

She patted his back and went to go talk to Natalie on the pitcher’s mound, and Finn jogged over to home plate. When he got there, he smiled and wrapped a slightly dejected Logan up in a hug. “You played good, baby.”

“Merci. You, too.”

Finn kissed his cheek. “Just no match for our MLB All-Star, huh?”

“What’s that about me?”

Finn and Logan turned to find Leo grinning at them broadly, soaking hair pushed back to reveal his blue eyes in a way that did not help the flush Finn knew was tinting his ears. He looked Leo up and down. “Just wondering where in the hell you learned to pitch like that.”

Leo winked. “So I might have played a little in New Orleans.” His gaze turned soft and he approached them. “Good game. You guys played great.”

“Soleil,” Logan said, voice slightly hushed. He went to go play with the chain hanging down in between the open top buttons of Leo’s jersey. He then gripped the fabric in his fingers and dragged Leo down into a kiss. “Mon coeur.”

Leo looked confused for a second before his eyes lit up. “Oh my God.” He laughed quietly and cupped Logan’s hips. “Really?” When Logan nodded, the highs of his cheeks red, Leo smiled even wider. “Oh, honey. Look at you.”

“Leo.”

“Sh, sh.” Leo drew Logan in for a hug and placed his mouth by his ear, whispering just loud enough so Finn could hear, too. “Sh, sweetheart, I’ve got you.”

Logan let out a soft sound and settled into Leo’s body, Leo smiling at Finn over his shoulder. Finn bit his lip and came up behind Logan to give Leo a brief kiss. “What can we say? Your skills are irresistible, baby.” 

Leo made a happy sound and kissed Logan’s cheek before standing more upright. “Thank you.” He slung an arm around each of their shoulders, his body pleasantly cool from the ice water, and smiled brightly. “So, how fast are we leaving this team dinner?”

Finn laughed. “Oh, so fast. We’ll see if Lo even makes it there.”

Leo’s dimples deepened. “Well, we’ve got time. I’m sure we could find a shady spot in a parking lot on the way to Dumo’s.”

Finn perked up. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Logan looked up at Leo with raised eyebrows. “But we’re all sweaty.”

Leo just shrugged. “What can I say, you both looked good out there. Finn holds a baseball very gracefully.” He bent to nuzzle Logan’s cheek. “And those baseball pants do wonders for you, baby.”

Logan blinked slowly, lips slightly parted. “Huh.”

Leo kissed his mouth twice in a burst, then patted each of their backs before walking towards his dugout. “Let’s go, clean-up time. I also gotta find my mama, that double play was awesome.”

“Yeah!” Finn called after him. “When were you gonna tell us you’re all a bunch of prodigies?”

Leo just turned, dropped a devastating wink, and went to help organize the dugout.

Finn let out a sigh and turned to Logan. “Damn. He just gets sexier every day, doesn’t he?”

“Ouais,” Logan nodded. He looped his arms around Finn’s neck. “I like still learning stuff about him.” 

Finn smiled and kissed him. “Yeah, me, too. Like still learning stuff about both of you.” He patted Logan’s butt. “Like how you look really good in these pants. Le, too.”

Logan’s eyes were fond as he tugged Finn’s hair. “Allez, let’s clean up and go find our families. I’m sure Noelle and Alex are looking for us.”

Finn rolled his eyes. “Ugh. Losers.”

“Non, rouge, us.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He bent to wrap his arms around the backs of Logan’s thighs to lift him up with a grunt, grinning at Logan’s loud laugh. “Let’s go, ten, then we get sunshine time.”

“And you time.”

“And you time.” Finn bit at the skin of Logan’s waist that was closest to his mouth, his shirt having ridden up a bit against Finn’s body. “Mm, you’re tasty.”

“Rouge.”

Finn just laughed, feeling light and in love, and carried him into the dugout. 

Masterlist!!

I have LOVED creating these fics for you, and I am so happy you have enjoyed them! Please find the master list below to go back and reread if you so choose. Please also keep sending in prompts- I LOVE receiving your ideas. <3

Character credits go to @lumosinlove !

Posting Schedule EXPLAINED (as of 28 Feb, 2025)

Cubs Engagement: This is my first one ever written, and sets the timeline for the rest of my fics (LOOSELY). This is NOT the canon timeline set by @lumosinlove in SW, C2C, or Vaincre, as the Cubs have obviously NOT reached that point in their lives. It's just how I imagine it!

Teacher Finn Pt. I

Teacher Finn Pt. II: Finn and His Fountain Pen

Man Bun Leo Knut TM

Leo's 2-4-1 Weighted Blanket Deal

Leo's Long Distance Surprise

Respecting Ratatouille (with DISCUSSIONS of the FUTURE)

Gender-Bent PWHL Cubs (P.S. please let me know if you'd be interested in more gender-bent/PWHL AUs! It didn't do as well as my other posts (sad face), but as a WLW I LOVE the PWHL fics that @fruitcoops did a while back. And I love the PWHL! So PLEASE let me know!!)

Logan's Favorite Combo: Boyfriends, Hot Chocolate, and CUDDLES

Ballet Butter Baby (i.e., Eloise Knut bring out baby photos!!)

BECs for Dinner Courtesy of FinnLo

FinnLo Finding Out About Jack >:|

Leo's Morning Accent

Concussion Angst + Fluff

Sunshine Being Carried Around

Finn and Healthy Discussion About Nefarious Activities

Icicle Leo Braving the Canadian Winter

Two Times Leo was Flustered, and One Time He Was the Flusterer

Black Brothers and Their Mom, Hope Lupin

Finn's Love Language

Leo's Blast from the Past, feat. Competitive BFs

O'Hara Home Videos in the Hamptons

FinnLo at a Harvard Reunion

LT10 is Back On Gryff Ice

Hurt/Comfort: A Commentary on US Marriage Laws and Visas

Leo Learning to Accept Affection

Finn Being the Best HAB

Future Family Skate

Cubs Lazy Morning In

Where Leo Got His Gray

Finn Being a Personal Jungle Gym

Leo Being a Heat-Resistant Master Chef

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Leo's Personal Lolo Guard Dog

Cubs Visit CANADIA

Married Cubs Fluff in Nice

Leo and His Tiger Stripes

Date Night!

Leo's Gaydar

Hogwarts AU

Seeing One Another Cry

Muscle Man Logan Tremblay

PWHL AU PT. II: Super Model Leo Knut and Her Protective GFs

Discussions of Age Differences

Insomniac Sunshine

Teacher Finn in Love with His Hubbies

Home Videos Pt. II: Baby of the Family Lolo and the Sunshine Show

Leo's All Star Panic Attack

Reaction to Injuries

Engagement Announcement!!!!

Soulmate AU (Pt I ;))

Cubs Being Obsessed with Legs, Arms, and Freckles!!!!

Logan Being Jealous of Pets feat. Pet Names

Hogwarts AU Pt. II

Seeing Each Other's Rooms for the First Time (Ever, or In a While)

Leo and His Homies in the Hamptons

Clingy Cubs

Harvard FinnLo Falling Alseep- then Waking Up to Their Sunshine

Protective Leo and Finn

Soulmate AU (Pt. II)

Cubs Go Hiking

Curly Cutie Leo Knut!!!!

Logan Beer Chugging Frat Boy King

Dumo and His Fatherly Advice feat. an Anxious LoganTM

Harvard FinnLo Fight and Reconciliation

Finn + Anxiety Meds

Cubs in the Hamptons feat. Dumais Children and Ultimate Dad Mode Leo

Write Me In AU!!!!

Finn Needing a Little Comfort

Leo is a Softball Legend

Some Supportive Hubbies in NOLA

FinnLo Old Scars + Leo Helping Them to Heal

Married Cubs Moving Lolo to NYC (Kinda f-ed up my own timeline- Finn still has another two seasons in the NHL left after they get married. Pretend he's, like, going in to do a practical or something as part of his Master's the following day, idk. Whoopsiiiiie!

Enemies to Lovers AU

Leo Returning Home Post Playoff Loss

Halloween feat. Leo in EYELINER

Leo and Reg Being Fishing Bros

Cubs Having the First Big "Kids ConvoTM"

Married Cubs and Finn Being OBSESSED with LeLo'a Bodies (Non-Sexual Intimacy)

Cubs Headcanons I, II, III, IV

Finn is UNHAPPY the NHL Makes Him Sleep Without His Husbands

College AU feat. Rockstar Leo

did you maybe get any inspo for a cubs hiking or camping fic while on your trip👀👀

Have some Cubs fun in the evergreen Canadian forest! (And some contemplative Tremzy)

Credits to @lumosinlove !!

“Honey, slow down, we’re almost ready.”

“But I’m excited, peanut!” Finn bounced on his toes. “I’m so fucking ready.”

Logan shook his head and grabbed a small white bottle from his bag. “Non, you’re not, ici.”

Finn dutifully stood still as Logan rubbed sunscreen over his face, finishing with a gentle pass of his fingers on Finn’s cheeks. Logan kissed where his fingers had been and stood back down on his heels. “Bien. Okay, let’s go.”

Finn spun around and began walking quickly toward the trailhead, whistling as he went. Leo and Logan stood and watched him for a second before looking at each other with amused smiles.

“Do you think we should just let him run ahead?” Leo asked as he took Logan’s hand.

Logan shrugged. “Maybe. But then it’s not a date.”

“Honey, we’re basically dating a puppy, we’ve gotta let him run.”

Logan laughed and leaned into Leo’s side for a brief moment. Leo winked and kissed the side of his head before letting go of his hand. “C’mon. I have a feeling this hike isn’t going to be a lovely stroll with him around.”

They met Finn where he was waiting by the trailhead, greeting another group of hikers in broken, enthusiastic French. Logan and Leo said a polite ‘salut’ as well before they turned to Finn. He was grinning at them proudly, hands looped through the straps of his backpack like a little kid going to school. It made Logan’s heart melt just a little to see him there, in the Canadian forests he’d loved as a child, as a teenager, as a yearning and confused college student. It warmed Logan even further when Leo stepped into his sightline as well. He was so comfortable here, with his charming self and his perfect French. Logan could tell it made him happy when people were impressed and asked where he was from. He would answer them with a proud and slightly sheepish smile, and Logan could watch forever as his eyes lit up thinking of New Orleans. 

Leo snapped one of the straps of Finn’s backpack. “Slow down there, speedy. Your boyfriends need to catch up with you.”

Finn just looked up at him gleefully. “I’m just so excited.” He turned Leo around and nudged him forward. “I think you should go first.” 

“What?” Leo said, tripping slightly over a root as he began to walk up the sloped trail. “Why? You’re way faster.”

Finn shrugged. “No reason.” He reached for Logan as well. “You, too, baby.”

Logan shook his head at Finn fondly. “I know what you’re doing.”

Finn’s grin was the lovely and mischievous one Logan adored. “I know you know.” He nudged his chin towards Leo. “But he doesn’t.”

Logan turned to look at Leo, who was now a little further up the trail, and ran his eyes up and down his long, lean body. He smiled. “Si beau.”

“Mhm.” Finn leaned around to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “C’mon, can’t let sunshine get too far ahead.” 

They followed Leo up the trail. Despite his long legs, he didn’t hike particularly fast. He liked to take in the nature around him and stooped to touch moss or examine leaves frequently. Every now and then, too, he’d hum when he found a particularly interesting leaf. He’d even brought the identification book Logan had got him at a local shop in Rimouski, with all of the local flora and fauna. Leo smiled every time he found a match and nodded satisfactorily. Logan found it incredibly adorable. 

After the fifth time they’d stopped to examine a leaf, Leo sighed on a steep section and turned to look at Finn. “Are you sure you don’t want to go ahead, sweetheart? You’ll be able to move a lot faster.”

Finn shook his head fondly. “No, baby, I want to walk with you.” His eyes turned playful. “Plus, walking behind you has its advantages.”

Leo looked confused for a second, eyes narrowed, before he rolled them with a blushing grin. “You’re staring at my ass, aren’t you?”

“Oh, absolutely. And Lo’s.” He emphasized his statement with a loving pat on Logan’s butt. “I gotta say, it’s a nice view.”

Logan laughed. “The view is at the top!”

“That view’s overrated. I prefer this one.”

Logan couldn’t take it anymore. He turned and planted a kiss right on Finn’s lips. They were both sweaty in the humid August heat, but Logan still loved the smell of him, all mixed up with the scents of the woods. He pulled away after a moment and flicked Finn’s cheek gently. “You’re so weird.”

“And yet, you love me.” He gave Logan’s butt one more soft pat, then looked up the trail at Leo, who had bent to look at something on a rock. “You ready sunshine?” he called.

 “Look, I found a newt!” A pause. “Oh, he’s so cute, come see!”

Finn caught Logan’s eye. “We’re looking at a cute newt right now, actually.”

Leo just shook his head, but Logan could see his cheeks were red. “No, I’m serious, come see!”

Logan and Finn looked at each other, smiling widely before answering Leo’s call.

Their hike continued as such. Leo would stop every now and then to look at something interesting he found, and Logan and Finn would listen as he murmured under his breath while he flipped through the tiny book. Eventually, they reached where they could see the top, and Finn bounded ahead, pressing smacking kisses to their cheeks on the way. By the time they got there, Leo and Logan found him sitting on a rock, bag of trail mix already in hand munching while looking at the view. When they turned around, he smiled widely. “Oh, look! The view has arrived!”

Leo laughed and went to sit beside him, snatching some trail mix for himself. While they were talking, Logan took a look at the view. He’d been up here dozens of times: with his sisters, his parents, his high school friends. It was a beautiful view, all rolling evergreen hills and endless sky, even so close to the city. The air was fresh and crisp, and he inhaled against the memories. 

There was one summer weekend in college he came up here with his former high school teammates, all slightly hungover from a reunion party in late May, to watch the sunrise. He remembered some of them had brought their college girlfriends with them. Logan and a boy named Riley, who he hadn’t been close with but was nice enough, had been the only ones without girlfriends. Someone made a joke, saying they should kiss, and Riley had been so nervous red had shone through on his brown cheeks. Logan had told them to knock it off, giving his teammate a nudge, and that was that. But Logan had been hoping they couldn’t hear how fast his breathing was, how his heart had been about to pump out of his chest. In that moment, his gaze had landed on one of his teammate’s girlfriends, who had bright red hair and lots of freckles. He had to excuse himself to go lie down on a rock, alone.

 He felt two arms wrap around him, and two hands appeared to unclasp the buckles on his backpack and ease the straps off his shoulders. “You okay, sweetheart?”

Logan nodded. “Ouais. Just- thinking.”

Leo hummed. He set Logan’s bag down and rested his hands on Logan’s hips. “You wanna talk about it?”

“Non, mon amour, not right now. I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay.” Leo kissed his shoulder. “You hungry, honey? I made us BLTs with that homemade mayo sauce you like.”

Logan smiled. He wrapped Leo’s arms fully around himself. “Ouais, merci. Sounds good.”

Leo squeezed him tightly before letting go to lead him over to where Finn was watching them. He had his phone out and was looking at something. “Look,” he said, showing it to them. “Got my new lockscreen.” 

Logan bent down to peek at it and smiled. Leo really was much taller than him; Logan never noticed that he had to look up that much to smile at him. “Can you send it to me, please, rouge?”

“Already did, babe.” Finn chucked his phone down onto his bag and reclined a bit with a sigh. “This is the life, man.”

“Glad you like it, sweetheart,” Leo said. He was shuffling through his own backpack. “You hungry? Want a sandwich?”

Finn squinted at him in the bright sun. “You’re so cute, always making sure we’re well fed.”

“Well, we just exercised for two hours in the sun! I just don’t want you to get dizzy on the way down or-”

Finn just cupped his face and interrupted him with a kiss. “It’s a good thing, baby. I’d love one of your BLTs.”

Leo nodded, a little grin on his face. “That’s what I thought.”

They ate their sandwiches under a shaded section of rocks at Leo’s insistence, facing the view as the sun began to dip just past noon. Finn sat through Logan rubbing more sunscreen on him before he waggled his eyebrows and pulled a bag of M&Ms out of his backpack. “Peanut M&Ms for you, peanut!”

The colored sugar dyed their tongues different colors. Finn only ate the green ones in an attempt to ‘become a leprechaun’, as he so called it, which left Leo and Logan with a myriad selection. Logan let the sweetness settle over his tongue, followed by the crunchiness of the peanut, for a moment. He watched as Finn insisted Leo throw one into his mouth. Finn caught it, to no one’s surprise, and he leaned over Logan’s head to press a smacking kiss to Leo’s cheek in victory. When his eyes landed on Logan, they were contemplative. “What’s up, Lolo?”

Logan shrugged. “Just thinking.”

“Yikes, you feeling okay?”

Logan tried to look unimpressed. “That is getting old.” He leaned into Leo’s thigh that was touching his own. A sigh escaped him. “I once came up here during summer in college. With my high school teammates.”

“Oh?” Leo’s eyes were questioning, but he was still smiling for Logan. “Did you have fun?”

“Ouais, I guess.” Logan looked out at the view. How could something once so normal to him feel so uncomfortable now? “We all got drunk at a party, then decided to climb up for the sunrise. I don’t know why, it was awful. We were so hungover.”

Leo laughed. “You know, sometimes I forget you both had a wild side.”

“Had?” Finn looked offended. “We’re still perfectly wild.”

“What, with your nine-thirty read-aloud story time?”

“You love story time!” Finn scooched over and threw his right leg over Logan’s, leaning in to pinch Leo’s bicep. “And you’re wild too, peanut.”

Leo snorted. “In the kitchen, maybe.”

“In other places, too,” Finn replied with a sharp grin.

That made Logan take in a sharp breath. The memory of what his teammates said to him throbbed against his skull like it was trying to escape. Everything he felt back then, the yearning, the want, the shame, suddenly felt so close he could taste it. He wondered if this weight on his chest would ever lift, if he would ever stop being surprised and in awe of the beautiful life he got to live with Leo and Finn. He both wanted it gone and wanted it to press down against him harder, until all he could do was sink into the feeling of their bodies around him. 

“Lo?” Leo asked, dipping his head to whisper in Logan’s ear. “You okay sweetheart?”

“Ouais,” Logan said. He cleared his throat. “Ouais, it’s just… mais, the day, when I came up here with my teammates?” He looked for their confirming nods before continuing. “Everyone came with girlfriends. Except me and another guy. Some of the others- well…” 

Finn’s face suddenly appeared in his sightline. Logan was so grateful they were the only ones at the top. “They… implied some not nice things about us. Said we should’ve done some stuff together.” He heard Leo suck in a breath from beside him. Finn’s eyes bored into his own. “And then one of my teammates had a girlfriend with red hair. And freckles.”

Finn, for once, didn’t say anything. He just cupped the back of Logan’s head and brought it to his shoulder, holding him there. He smelled like sweat, and summer air, and Finn, and Logan gripped his hip as he breathed him in. Finn kissed the side of his head, letting his lips rest there, and Logan felt something in himself begin to heal. 

“Lo,” Leo said softly. “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry.” 

Logan ducked his nose into Finn’s neckline one more time before sitting up. “Non, non it’s okay. I mean, it’s not okay, what they said, but I am. I’m okay.” He turned to face Leo and kissed him softly. “I’m so good.”

“Good,” Leo whispered against his mouth. “That makes me happy.”

Logan smiled. “Ouais.” He pulled back to look at Leo. “Are you happy?”

Leo softened. The light reflected off his curls and his white teeth as he smiled. He was beautiful always, but especially when he looked at Logan like that. Like he was his. “Yeah.”

“Bien.” He turned his body slightly to settle with his back to Leo’s chest, grinning as Leo let out an amused laugh. Logan reached his hand out to tangle his fingers with Finn’s. “Are you happy?”

Finn’s brown eyes were golden in the summer sun. He looked like a figment of every one of younger Logan’s dreams. “More and more every day.”

“Bien,” Logan said again. He kissed Finn’s fingers then caught his eye with a challenging look. “Race you down.” Then he grabbed the trash leftover from their lunch, stuffed it in his bag, and stood to begin jogging down the trail.

“Oh no you don’t, ten!”

“Will you two please be careful? I don’t want you to fall!”

Logan smiled as their laughter and footsteps followed him. He spared one look behind him to catch the view and his boys against it before picking up his pace and running down the mountain.

this shows up often but one of my fav dynamics is leo “takes care of everything but forgets to take care of himself” knut and i would always love to read more of it!!

Enjoy some Hamptons Cubs featuring the Dumais kids, with Super Cool Uncle Leo turning into Ultimate Dad Mode Leo, and then finally into (forcefully) Relaxed Sunshine! Because everyone needs to take a load off now and again. :)

Credits to @lumosinlove

“Okay, Marc, Louis, Adele! Can you come help Katie with the beach stuff, please?”

Finn looked up through the bedroom doorway at the sound of Leo’s voice. He tied the string of his shorts and ran his fingers through his hair before walking curiously towards the kitchen. It sounded like Leo needed help.

            It was still a trip to see Leo and Logan in his family’s Hampton’s house, even after three years together. The walls, once filled just with photographs of Finn’s childhood here, held some new memories, too: one of Kasey, Alex, and Natalie on the back deck; one of Leo, Logan, and Haley with cocktails in their hands; one of Finn and Leo building a sand castle, Logan asleep on the towel beside them. Finn smiled at the last one as he made his way down the hall.

“Louis and Marc, may you please take the boogie boards to the back and hose them down? Girls, can you go put the chairs and the umbrellas in the garage?”

Finn shook his head fondly at Leo, who was unloading grocery bags in the kitchen with Logan. He had sunglasses around his neck on a lanyard and his cap was a bit askew. He and Logan both looked tan from their day out. They’d gone to a different beach in the car today so the Dumais kids could catch bigger waves on their boogie boards, and so Leo could go to the farmer’s market and the butcher’s that he loved to pick things up for their dinner. It was a hustle, loading and unloading all of the gear into the Celeste’s minivan that she’d lent them, but Leo was nothing if not a natural delegator, and he had those kids doing their own tasks faster than Logan and Finn could even think. Finn gave Louis and Marc a fist bump each as they passed through to go wash off the boogie boards before he went to stand across the counter from his boyfriends.

“You need any help, lovers?”

“No, thank you,” Leo said. He didn’t even look around, too busy unloading some vegetables. Logan looked back to Finn and rolled his eyes with a fond smile.

Finn grinned back. “You sure?”

“Yes, honey, don’t you worry. I’ve got the kids cleaning up and then I’ll start on dinner.”

“You know, soleil,” Logan said, slipping Leo’s sunglasses over his head and placing them on the counter. He pressed a hand to Leo’s hip and nuzzled his cheek with his nose. “I think you can compete with Celeste for best mom voice.”

Leo scoffed. “Y’all should have heard my mama when I was little. I learned from the best, that’s for sure.”

“Yikes,” Finn teased. “Those Dumais kids don’t know what’s coming for them.”

Leo let out an exasperated sigh. “Honey, I’m not that bad. They made the mess, they can help clean it up.”

Logan kissed Leo’s cheek in bursts. “Ouais, but I seem to remember someone building sand castles and going boogie boarding with the kids. Maybe they should go help clean the mess.” At Leo’s raised eyebrows, Logan drew him in with a laugh, his arms around Leo’s neck and lips pressing more kisses to his face. “Non, désolé, mon soleil, désolé, I’m joking.”

“Mm,” Leo said, accepting Logan’s soft kiss and pulling his lip with his teeth. He was smiling, though, when they broke apart. “You’re lucky you’re handsome.”

Logan’s grin was the pleased kind that Finn associated with him being content. It came out more often now, especially since they were on summer break, but Finn knew he’d never get tired of seeing it, not in a million lifetimes. 

“Hey,” he said. “C’mere, ten.”

Logan complied, coming to stand across the counter from Finn. “Quoi?”

Finn shook his head. “Nothing. Just like seeing you smile.” He took Logan’s hand and kissed his fingers, then tilted his head to look at Leo’s lean back. “Sunshine.”

“Yes, sweetheart, just a moment. Want to get this chicken out and marinating.”

“Just quickly, baby, please?”

“Okay.” When he turned around, the small crease in between his eyebrows faded, replaced with his dimples appearing on his cheeks as he smiled. “Hi, sorry, I’m distracted. You both look handsome.”

“You, too, baby.” Finn reached for his hand, too, and kissed his way up his forearm. He bit at the sun-kissed skin. “Fuck, you’re both so tan. Drives me crazy.”

Logan stroked his nose. “And you are burnt.”

Finn let out a frustrated groan against Leo’s skin. “I don’t know how this always happens. I reapplied sunscreen and everything, I promise!”

Leo leaned his long torso over the counter and kissed Finn’s forehead. “Our own little tomato. Speaking of which…” He turned around to take up a paper bag, a cutting board, and a knife. “Gotta chop these for the fattoush. Oh, and the meat! Meat first, okay…”

Logan sighed and pressed his lips to Leo’s shoulder. “You’ll call us if you need help, please, d’accord?”

“Yes, I promise.” Leo set down his knife to cup Logan’s face and kiss him. “I promise, I swear. I think I’m okay for now, though, just a lot of chopping.”

“D’accord.” Logan kissed him once more and then settled back on his heels. “We’ll make sure everyone gets showered and clothes get washed.”

“Yes, please do. Make sure Katie washes her hair, she was laying in the sand a lot while the others made her into a mermaid.”

“D’accord,” Logan laughed. He walked around and rested a hand on Finn’s lower back. “Help us get stuff put away, then we make drinks and set the table?”

Finn kissed him. “You got it, babe.” He patted Logan’s butt. “Let’s get this party started.”

***

“Dinner and dessert were really good, Leo, thank you,” Adele said as she folded her napkin and set it on her empty plate.

Leo smiled around his last bite of cobbler. “You’re welcome, hun, glad you liked it.”

Finn stretched and rested his arm around Leo’s shoulders, kissing the side of his head. “It was great, sunshine.” 

He looked around the patio table. Across from him, against the backdrop of the beach, sat Katie and Logan, Katie trying to teach him to make an origami swan out of some of the spare napkins they’d set out. Marc was on her other side with his cheek resting on his palm. He had droopy eyes and his head lolled a little on Louis’ shoulder before jerking awake. 

Finn nudged his foot under the table and smiled. “You tired?”

Marc shook his head quickly. “Non, no I’m not, I swear.”

Logan looked at him with a teasing grin. “I think it’s bedtime.”

“No! I swear, I’m awake! I also don’t have a bedtime anymore, Tremzy.”

Louis scoffed beside him. “You go to sleep at nine, don’t lie.”

Marc nudged him back, and there was a brief scuffle before Adele cleared her throat loudly at them. “Boys, come on.”

They rolled their eyes but complied, giving each other one last nudge before settling down. Finn could feel Leo’s light laugh reverberate against his own body. “How about we clean the kitchen, ouais? Then we can go to bed, gotta get up early to go hike to that beach y’all wanted to go to.”

Leo made to get up, but Logan reached across and patted his hand. “Non, soleil, you cooked. The kids and I will clean up, you and Finn stay here.”

Louis narrowed his eyes. “Are we going to have to wash dishes after you again? Because mom used to make me do it when you left them still dirty.”

Finn and Leo laughed loudly at Logan’s flushed face. He narrowed his eyes and said something in French to Louis, which just made him grin wider. He shrugged and began to clear the table with his siblings. 

As Logan passed, he bent down to whisper in Finn’s ear. “Keep him distracted, ouais? He did so much today.”

Finn kissed him lightly. “You got it, ten.”

“You’re not as quiet as you think you are.”

Logan just smiled at Leo and kissed him, too. “Je t’aime.” Then he was walking through the door and talking in loud French with the Dumais children.

 Leo let out a sigh and rested his head on Finn’s shoulder. “Today was a good day.”

Finn kissed his curls, golden from all the time they’d spent at the beach. “You’re good with them.”

“They’re good kids. I like hanging out with them.”

Finn smiled. “I’m glad.” He lowered his mouth to talk lowly in Leo’s ear. “But Le, you’ve gotta let yourself rest.”

A sigh. “Finn…”

“No, Le, I’m not- I’m not criticizing you.” Finn wrapped him up tighter. “You’ve just spent a lot of time organizing and doing things for other people on this trip, and Lo and I don’t want you to burn yourself out, baby. That’s all.”

Leo sighed again. “I know. I know, I’m sorry.”

“Nope, no, none of that.” Finn nudged Leo’s forehead with his nose until he looked him in the eye. They were a tired blue, and Finn brushed his hair out of the way to see them a bit more clearly. “Don’t apologize, Le, baby, it’s okay. Just rest with me for a bit, alright?”

Leo nodded and leaned into Finn’s hands. “I’m-”

“-not sorry.” Finn kissed him softly and grinned. “Lean on me, sweetheart.” When Leo did, the both of them looking out at the beach, Finn let out a content sigh. “I love you.”

Leo kissed his shoulder and closed his eyes. “I love you, too.”

Finn settled back in his chair to admire the dying sun. The evening breeze was cool on the coast, even with a bit of light still lingering. Finn loved the way it brushed gently across his burnt cheeks and cooled the skin. He breathed in deeply. He’d always loved the smell of the beach: the salt, the sand, the lingering scent of seaweed. The waves splashed gently against the shore, reflecting the orange and pink colors of the sky. The sunset had glowed against Logan at dinner, making him look ethereal almost, like a figment out of Finn’s dream. It did the same to Leo now, his blond eyelashes, brushing against the highs of his cheeks, shining with a faint golden tinge. Finn kissed just below them on the slightly purple skin. “You’re beautiful.”

Leo smiled and opened his eyes. At a stronger gust of wind, he shivered and cuddled closer to Finn. “Brr.”

Finn laughed and squeezed him tighter. “Cold baby?”

“A little,” Leo whispered. He pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and peeked out at Finn. “You’re warm.”

“Mm.” Finn kissed his nose. “Not as warm as our space heater.”

That made Leo let out a satisfied noise. He slouched down a bit to rest his head on Finn’s upper chest. “I wonder how he’s doing in there.”

“Hopefully not forcing Louis to wash dishes twice.”

Leo laughed. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

They settled into a comfortable silence for a few minutes to watch the sunset. Finn remembered the first time he took Logan here and they’d done a similar thing, albeit physically farther apart. They’d spent the whole day at the beach and came back from their evening run to Ramsey making steak tips at the grill. Logan had been so happy and calm, calmer than he had been in a long time. Finn had known something was bothering him, even if he hadn’t known exactly what it was. He suspected it had something to do with the want that had been making its way through both of their bodies and hearts, made even worse by the way that, at the Hampton’s house, it had been so easy to imagine a life together: a vacation with Finn’s family, spending the entire day just enjoying one another’s company, having the exact same routine and not getting tired or wanting to separate for even a second. Finn counted himself lucky that he knew what that was like now. That he got it, doubled. Because every run he took with Logan he also took with Leo; every night after brushing his teeth there were two toothbrushes in the cup with his own; and every time he went to bed there were two pairs of arms to hold him, two sets of eyes to fall into. It gave a whole new meaning to this house, even. He got to introduce it to more people that loved it, that loved the time they spent there. For every childhood memory he had, in every room, he now had multiple new ones that were even more lovely. 

Finn held one of those memories in his arms now, all sweet and gorgeous in the golden hour. He ran a palm up and down Leo’s forearm. “Feeling better, baby?”

Leo nodded. “Yeah. Thank you.” He played with the strings of his sweatshirt. “I don’t think I knew how much I needed a break.”

Finn breathed in to reply, but was interrupted by a voice coming from the doorway. “Leo?”

Leo sat himself up to turn and look at the kids, who were standing all together with Logan behind them. He smiled then looked at Katie, who’d spoken. “Hi, hun. What’s up?”

She didn’t reply right away, just walked up to give him a hug. “Thank you for hanging out with us today.”

“And for dinner,” Louis added.

“It was delicious.”

“You should give maman the recipe for the meat.”

Leo barked out a laugh. “I’ll text it to her, Marc.” He gave Katie a last gentle squeeze. “You going to bed?”

She nodded with a yawn as she removed her arms from around Leo’s neck. “Ouais. Gotta be up for the hike tomorrow, like you said.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?” He turned his body fully to smile at the others. Logan was looking at him fondly, an arm flung over Louis’ shoulder. Leo tilted his head in that way he did when he was calm and content. “Night, kids.”

They said their goodnights to Finn and Leo, then each gave Logan a fistbump as they went to ascend the stairs to their rooms. Logan watched them fondly for a second before walking over. He looked a little tired, but happy, as he leaned over to kiss their foreheads. “Ça va?”

“All good, baby,” Finn said softly. “Just keeping Leo relaxed and warm.”

“Mm.” Logan brushed a hand through Leo’s hair. “Cold, soleil?”

“A little chilly, yeah.”

“Allez, ici.” 

When Logan started to pull Leo’s chair out, Leo stabilized himself with a surprised laugh. “What-”

“D’accord.” Logan, with enough space in between Leo’s chair and the table, came to straddle Leo’s lap and wrap him in a hug. Finn placed a hand on his back, as warm as ever, admiring the way Logan pressed kisses all over Leo’s face. With a last one to his nose, Logan cupped his cheeks in his palms and touched their foreheads. “Better?”

Leo’s eyes were fond. “Much.” He wrapped his arms completely around Logan’s waist and settled his face in his neck. He looked like a cute little turtle, all hunched in his sweatshirt and his curls fanning out of his hood. “Mm, you’re toasty.”

 Logan sent Finn a smile. “Good.” He leaned back to squish Leo’s cheeks. “Feeling relaxed, mon coeur?” Leo nodded. “Ouais,” he said with a yawn. “I needed a break.” 

Finn kissed his shoulder. “Let’s go shower and go to bed, baby.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Gotta get up nice and early for the hike tomorrow.”

Leo’s face went red and he rolled his eyes. “God, I sound like my mama.”

“We’ll make sure to tell her,” Finn teased, laughing at Leo’s tisking sound.

Logan placed a smiling kiss on each of their cheeks. “Bed?”

“Oo-ways,” Finn said. He stood and offered a hand to each of them. “C’mon, shower and snug, doctor’s orders.”

Leo snorted. “What doctor?”

“Doctor Heartthrob O’Hara,” Finn answered, giving Leo’s hand a playful tug. He patted Logan’s butt. “Let’s go, time to get naked and wet.”

“Sh,” Logan shushed, but he was smiling. “The kids.”

“Are fine, promise. They probably didn’t hear.”

Logan pinched his side playfully. “Allez, I’m not explaining to Dumo and Celeste that we traumatized their kids. Let’s go.”

Finn brought Leo’s hand up to his mouth kiss it as they followed Logan to the downstairs main bedroom. “All relaxed, sunshine?”

“So relaxed.” Leo wrapped his arms around Finn’s waist from behind. “And ready to snug. And get naked and wet.”

Finn bit his lip around a grin. “Doctor’s orders. Gotta follow ‘em.”

“Ouais,” Logan said as they got to the bathroom door. He pulled his shirt over his head. Finn and Leo weren’t shy about staring at his muscles, and Logan looked between them proudly. “Clothes off, allez.”

“Yup, I’m so relaxed.” Leo stepped back and pulled his shirt over his head, too. Finn followed the long lines of his torso before looking back up and into his mischievous expression. Leo looked at him expectantly. “Well?”

Finn nodded. “Oh boy.” He clumsily reached behind himself to pull his shirt off. When his head was out of the fabric, he got a nice view of Leo and Logan stripping down to their underwear. He sucked in a breath. “Oh boy, you’re beautiful. Got me some tan Greek gods or some shit, holy smokes.”

Leo came up to take his hands. The purple skin was still there, a little puffy, but his eyes were as playful as ever, as well as his smile. “I love you.”

“Love you more.” Finn kissed him, then laced their fingers and turned around. Logan was watching them with a fond smile, and Finn laced their fingers, too. “Shower time?”

Logan shook his head fondly. “I think you mean ‘wet and naked’ time.”

“Potato, po-tah-to. I just can’t wait to feel up your abs.”

Logan rolled his eyes but squeezed his hand and let them into the ensuite. “Allez. We have to shower and go to bed. Gotta be up early for the hike.”

“That’s so not funny anymore.”

Logan just turned on the showerhead and took up their exfoliating cloth. He looked at Finn first with his gorgeous eyes, then at Leo. “Allez, soleil,” he said. His smile and Leo’s skin warmed Finn through. “Let me wash your back.”

Sometimes I go back and read things I wrote, just to see how my writing has changed. I came across this one, and with summer coming, it felt appropriate to reblog. 😋🩷

Have some domestic morning fluff featuring yummy pastries! I know Love Lane sounds cheesy, but the town I go to college in actually does have a Love Lane and I think that's very cute. :)

Also, remember to always be dating your partner(s), no matter how long you have been together! It's very important. :)

I am steadily working on your prompts, so please keep them coming!

All credits to @lumosinlove !!

Finn turned the corner onto Love Lane just as the ending notes of Shiny Happy People drifted off in his headphones. He smiled as he slowed down to a jog, then a walk, stopping the run on his watch and pausing the music. His breathing was still quick and a bit labored, but he hummed happily as he approached Vivienne’s, pulling out his credit card from his running vest. He brought his mouth down to take a sip from the water bottle on his chest before opening the door, a light chime sounding from the bell above his head. Chantel was behind the counter today, her goddess braids piled into a clip in the back of her head, and she smiled when she saw him approach the counter. 

“Bon matin, loverboy,” she greeted, placing her hands on the counter in front of her. “What’ll it be today?”

Finn shrugged and grinned at the pastries displayed proudly in front of him. “What do you got for me today, Chan?”

Chantel moved behind the glass case. “Well, for your sweeth-tooth-sweetheart, I’ve got a nice white chocolate and mixed berry filled croissant. Viv just perfected the recipe, and they are to die for. They’ve got a nice lemony hint, too.”

Finn nodded at her with a grin. “Yeah, okay. And for my sunshine?”

Chantel laughed and gestured to something on the far end. “Raspberry scones. A little sweet, but not too sweet- they’re tart, too. And for you,” she continued. “I’ve got some nice spinach and feta quiches.”

Finn nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll have two of those, please. Leo will just try and steal that from me anyways. Then a scone for him, too.” He thought for a minute. “And two of the croissants, please.” He flit his eyes up. “Lo will feel left out if I only get him one thing.”

Chantel laughed and proceeded to box up the pastries. “You got it.”

Finn leaned against the counter by the register. “How’s the wife?”

Chantel bobbed her head as she finished packaging. “Good. Viv’s back in the kitchen now. Said something about a summer focaccia.”

Finn hummed appreciatively. “That sounds good. Might have to save me some.”

Chantel flashed her eyes up at him teasingly. “Anything for our best customer.”

That made Finn laugh as he handed her his credit card. “Can’t help it I’ve got two hungry boys at home. And me.”

“Hey, we aren’t complaining,” Chantel said. “But bring Leo next time- he gives good constructive feedback.”

Finn saluted, then took the box. “You got it, boss.” He began to back out towards the door. “Say hi to Viv for me. I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, loverboy!” Chantel called after him.

He grinned and closed the door to the bakery behind him, box in one hand and phone in the other to text his boys. On my way home. Just stopped by Viv’s.

Okay, sweetheart! Leo’s text came. I’ve got coffee brewing, we’ll see you at home. 

Finn sent back a string of hearts and pocketed his phone with a deep sigh. He rolled his neck- his back muscles were a bit stiff from their weights session the day before, and his legs from his run, but it felt good. He could probably bribe Leo with kisses into giving him a massage. It was a technique that he employed often and it always yielded good results. He smiled just thinking about it- Leo would sit him in a stool by the counter, Logan beside him. Logan would scratch Finn’s scalp- he really seemed to like that- as Leo used his strong, capable hands to knead out the knots near Finn’s neck that he got. They’d both periodically press kisses to Finn’s neck, his forehead- any skin that was reachable, really. Finn laughed to himself and quickened his pace, anxious to get home. 

He tapped his toe impatiently as he waited in the elevator, clutching the box of pastries to his chest. His sweat was cooling just a bit, starting to become uncomfortable and a bit cold in the building’s air conditioning. He exited the elevator with a small shiver when he arrived at their floor, transferring the box to one hand to fiddle around in his running vest for his keys. He was struggling to balance the box and fit them in the lock when the door opened in front of him. Finn looked up to find Leo standing there and smiling at him in boxers and one of Finn’s Strand sweatshirts, the material around the hood a bit damp- from residual wetness on his skin from a shower, Finn presumed. He was tall, curly hair like a halo around his head, and so cute it made Finn want to squish his cheeks.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Leo said. He took the box from Finn and stepped back into the apartment. “Good run?”

“Yeah,” Finn said, following Leo into their apartment. “Hey, wait.”

“Hm?” Leo asked. He placed the pastry box on the counter and then made a noise of surprise when Finn tugged his hand and turned him around to press a hard kiss to his mouth. Leo let out a sigh through his nose and used his free hand to cup Finn’s cheek gently. When they pulled apart, Leo was grinning softly. “What was that for?”

Finn just wrapped his arms around Leo’s waist. “What, I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?” He pressed his lips gently to Leo’s neck. “You just looked so gorgeous standing there waiting for me in my clothes. Made me want to do this.” He leaned back and took Leo’s face in his hands, applying a little pressure until the skin of his cheeks started to crinkle. “You’re so squishable.”

Leo snorted, but he was still smiling. “You sure know how to hand out compliments.”

“Mm,” Finn said. He leaned in to kiss Leo once more. “It’s easy when it’s you.”

Leo smacked his hip lightly but kissed him back. They stayed there for a moment, Finn’s arms winding around Leo’s neck, kissing softly in the morning kitchen light, until a weight fell against Finn’s back.

“Oof,” Finn gasped against Leo’s mouth. “Morning, Tremblay. You’re heavy this morning.”

“Non,” Logan said. He stepped around and bullied his way in between them, his face pressed into Finn’s neck. “Ici.”

Finn ducked down to kiss his mouth softly. “Hi, baby. Sleep okay?”

“Ouais,” Logan nodded. He tucked his face back down. “Missed you when you left.”

Finn grinned at Leo over Logan’s head. “Oh yeah?”

“Ouais,” Logan said again. He lifted his head gently to look at Finn. “What did you bring me?”

Finn scoffed and kissed his cheek. “What, you only want me for my money? Want me to buy you things?”

“No,” Leo laughed. 

“Hey,” Finn said. He leaned to bring his mouth next to Logan’s ear and looked up at Leo. “You know I’ll buy you all the things if you want.”

“I know, sweetheart,” Leo said. Finn closed his eyes when he kissed his forehead. “But pastries are enough.”

“Good,” Finn replied. He pressed a smacking kiss to Logan’s head then turned him gingerly into Leo’s arms. Logan grumbled, but wrapped his arms around Leo’s torso and squeezed tightly, Leo doing the same around his waist. Finn smiled softly at them, then turned to the pastries. “Chan gave me a couple of quiches for us, Le, and I got you a scone. And Lo, I got you two white chocolate and berry croissants. Sound good?”

“Ouais,” Logan nodded. He peered over into the box. “Looks good.”

Finn smiled. “Good. How about I shower, then we eat?”

Leo nodded and kissed Logan’s head. “I’ll pour your coffee, honey. You go shower.”

“Thanks nutter butter,” Finn said. He placed a kiss on each of their cheeks. “Love you. I’ll be right back.”

Finn stripped off his clothes in the bathroom before turning on the water and stepping through their shower door. He smiled as he turned his head up into the spray, pushing his hair back from his face. The sound of the door opening reverberated through the bathroom, and he opened his eyes to peer out through the fogged glass doors to see a silhouette. Logan.

“Rouge?”

“Yeah, baby?”

“I put your towel in the dryer. I'm leaving it here on the toilet.”

Finn laughed. God, Logan was so cute sometimes, and he didn't even realize it. “Thanks, baby.”

“Ouais,” Logan replied. Finn could hear him open the bathroom door again.

“You sure you don't want to join?” he asked suggestively. 

He could hear Logan’s grin. “I'm helping Le with breakfast. He's getting out the nice plates.”

Finn felt his heart skip in his chest. “You're both such sweethearts.” He turned to grab the soap. “I'll hurry and be out in a couple minutes.” He turned to look at Logan through the glass, even though he couldn't completely see him. “I'll be expecting lots of kisses, please.”

“Ouais,” Logan laughed. “Je t'aime, we'll wait for you.” 

Finn heard the door close and finished washing his body, slipping out of the shower and wrapping himself in the warm towel that Logan had given him. It even smelled like Logan, just a bit, and Finn brought it up to his nose to inhale his familiar scent. He walked to their bedroom and threw on a pair of boxers and Leo's New Orleans Saints sweatshirts. That, too, smelled like Logan, with a hint of Leo's cologne- they must have both worn it recently. Finn felt all wrapped up in them and smiled as he made his way to the kitchen.

Logan, who was sat at a stool with a cup of coffee in front of him, turned as he heard Finn walk into the room. “Salut.”

Finn folded him back against his chest and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Logan turned his head to kiss Finn more squarely on the lips and Finn grinned. “Hi, baby.”

Logan sniffed at his neckline. “You smell good.”

Finn hummed. “Smell like you. And Le. Did you both wear this or something?”

Leo nodded. “He wore it when we were reading last night while you were out with Alex.” His eyes were twinkling. “He sprayed me with my cologne and then rubbed himself all over me.”

Logan rolled his eyes. “I did not.”

Leo snorted as he turned to pour coffee in Finn's mug. “Well it certainly wasn't cuddling. You were like a dog, just flopped down on me.”

“Our very own pitbull,” Finn teased, biting at Logan's jaw. “A tough exterior, but really just needs cuddles like he needs air.”

Logan scoffed. “You like it. Besides,” he continued, turning to grip at Finn’s hair. “I need to let them know you're mine.”

Leo laughed. “Who?”

Logan turned to look at him as though it was obvious. “Everyone.”

Finn smiled dopily at him, at Leo. Sometimes he couldn't believe his luck. He had two boys, two kind, gorgeous boys, that he got to love. “As if I would choose anyone else,” he said, squeezing tighter around Logan’s broad chest. Logan melted back into him. They both watched Leo’s back as he plated their pastries. Finn sighed happily. “Le.”

“Yeah?” Leo asked. He was focused on his task. 

“Leo,” Finn said.

“What, sweetheart?” Leo’s voice was gentle, but he was still not looking at them.

“Allez,” Logan urged. 

“Look here, baby,” Finn said softly.

Leo turned, licking berry jam off his finger, and placed Logan’s plate in front of him. “What? I'm almost done with breakfast, Fish, I just need to put some milk in your-”

Logan interrupted him by grabbing abruptly for his hand and tugging him to lean across the counter. Leo just had time to widen his eyes before Logan was kissing him. He hummed and relaxed his body into the marble countertop, one hand making its way up to cup Logan’s cheek. Finn felt his body warm watching them and he dropped a kiss to Logan’s shoulder.

After a brief moment, Leo pulled back with a smile. “What was that for?”

Finn made a noise in the back of his throat. “Enough of that question.” He hooked his chin over Logan’s shoulder to look Leo in the eyes. “You’re just too gorgeous. We can’t resist you.”

Leo rolled his eyes playfully. “Sorry, I’m just not used to being tugged around and kissed in the kitchen.”

“Non?” Logan asked teasingly. “We can do it more often.”

“Yeah,” Finn said. He waggled his eyebrows. “Here I come, nutter butter.” 

He untangled himself from Logan and crossed to the other side of the counter. Leo’s eyes and fond expression told him he knew what was coming, but Finn pulled him firmly to him by his waist anyways. The sides of Leo’s eyes were crinkling when Finn got him close. He gripped around the small of Leo’s back and leaned up to kiss him hard. He was probably being too sloppy, and definitely using too much tongue, but Leo was leaning backwards over his arm, enough for Finn to grasp at the back of his neck with his other hand and dip him. Leo made a surprised noise against his mouth, which turned into a breathy laugh as he held on tightly to Finn’s shoulders. Finn pulled away to smile down at him, his blond curls hanging off his head towards the floor, and his face all flushed red and please.

“You’re so much trouble, O’Hara,” Leo teased.

Finn nipped lightly at his perfect cupid’s bow. “Only for you.” He pulled them upright and turned to grin at Logan, who was watching them with his face resting gently on his palm. “Alright, lovers. How about some food?”

“Yes, I’m starving,” Leo said. Finn smacked his butt lightly as he turned to grab his and Finn’s plates. Leo just raised his eyebrows. “Go sit, honey.”

Finn kissed his cheek then walked back around the counter to sit by Logan, pressing their shoulders together. They watched as Leo put the finishing touches on their breakfast: some nice silverware, his and Finn’s coffee, a glass of water for each of them. Leo stood across from them, fork poised over his quiche, and Finn did the same. The first bite was heavenly, a bit salty from the feta, a bit sweet from the tomatoes. Finn hummed appreciatively and looked up at Leo. “Good?”

Leo closed his eyes and nodded. “Yeah, really good. Gosh, Viv just knows how to combine flavors, that’s for sure.”

Finn grinned. “She was in the kitchen making a summer focaccia when I got there. Chan said she’d save us some this week, and that I should bring you in to give feedback.”

Leo laughed delightedly. “Aw, that’s very sweet.”

Finn nodded. “Speaking of sweet.” He turned to look at Logan, who was already halfway through his first pastry. “How’s the croissant, my sweet-tooth baby?”

Logan made an appreciative noise before swallowing. “Ouais, really good.” He took another big bite. “The jam is good.”

Leo snorted and reached out with his own napkin to wipe some of it off of Logan’s mouth. “Slow down there, sweetheart, you’ll get a stomach ache.”  

“But it’s so good,” Logan retorted. He looked up at Leo through his lashes. “Can you make croissants with jam sometime?”

Leo tilted his head and looked at him fondly. “Sure, honey. I’ll get my mama’s recipe. She used to make them when we had guests over all the time.” 

“Merci,” Logan said, already going back in for another bite. He looked content, all tan and soft from the summer, back from New York for a few months. Finn loved the way he looked in their kitchen, when he would sit on the counter while Leo cooked, when he would help Finn dry the dishes, when he’d help Leo chop vegetables for dinner. 

Finn loved him so much he thought he would explode, and so leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Love having you home, baby.”

Logan turned to brush their noses together. “Love being home.” He kissed Finn lightly then turned to Leo. “Soleil?”

“Hm?” Leo asked. He had moved onto the scone now. “Yeah?”

Logan laughed. Leo was always starving first thing in the morning, and not a lot could distract him from eating. “Regarde-moi.”

Leo held up a finger and swallowed the last bit of his scone. “That was really tasty, wow.” He wiped his fingers on his napkin and stood up straighter, taking Logan’s hand. “What is it, Lo?”

Logan bit his lip and looked at each of them. “Wanna take you both on a date.”

Leo furrowed his brows. “Ouais, of course. You wanna go to the Sunstone for supper, or-”

“Non,” Logan interrupted. He kissed Leo’s hand and wove the fingers of his other hand into Finn’s hair. “I want to get all dressed up and go to a place on the river. And drive you there, and hold the door for you, and pull out your chairs.” He was blushing a bit, but smiling, and Finn was going to melt into the floor. Leo looked a little stunned, and Logan played with his fingers. “And I want to sit across from you, and look at you, and tangle our ankles under the table. And then we’ll go for a walk on the path by the water, and hold hands, and then I’ll buy you gelato near the beach.” His green eyes were sparkling. “Then I’ll kiss you at sunset, and then drive you home and kiss you some more. Kiss you goodnight.”

Finn sucked in a breath. He felt floaty. “Lo…”

“I want to take you on dates all summer,” Logan said. His voice was firm and happy. “To the beach, to a cabin in the woods. Take you dancing.” He closed his eyes dreamily. “Gonna kiss you everywhere we go. Hold your hands when we walk down the street.”

Leo was blushing hard now, looking as smitten as Finn felt. “Oh. Logan, that’s…”

“That sounds amazing,” Finn finished. Leo nodded at him. “Shit, that sounds so good.”

“I love you,” Logan said. He tugged Leo’s hand. “Ici.”

Leo obeyed, walking around the counter to stand beside their chairs. Logan stood and once again tugged insistently at him, wrapping his arms around Leo’s neck. Finn was struggling to breath with how gorgeous they looked together. 

Logan turned him and Leo slightly and leaned against Finn’s side when Finn wrapped an arm around his waist. “I want to date you,” Logan whispered softly. “Now that the world knows, I want to take you everywhere, show everyone you’re mine. I want to date you now and forever.”

Leo was smiling so hard that his button nose was scrunching. “I love you.” He leaned down to kiss Logan softly a few times, their lips brushing gently against one another. When they pulled apart, he leaned down to do the same with Finn. “I love you so much.”

Finn kissed him once more for good measure, then turned to Logan. Their lips met and Finn felt his breathing hitch. He imagined that, when he pulled apart and looked at them, that he had a ridiculous, love-struck expression, but he didn’t care. “Forever wouldn’t be enough with you two.” He leaned his head on Logan’s shoulder. “I love you both more than anything.”

“Ouais,” Logan said. His eyes were soft. He leaned up on his toes to press his forehead to Leo’s. “Toujours.”

Finn smiled, pressed a kiss to Logan’s shoulder, and then straightened. He lifted his arms above his head to stretch, then winced when pain shot up his upper back. Leo made a noise and came to stand behind him. “Want me to massage it out, sweetheart?”

Finn tilted his head to smile at him upside down. “If you don’t mind, gorgeous. That’d be great, thank you.”

Leo kissed the top of his head and worked his strong thumbs just below Finn’s neck. Finn groaned, his head lolling just a little. Logan boosted himself onto his stool once more and scratched at Finn’s scalp. As if on cue, they both leaned to kiss him, Logan on his neck and Leo on the side of his head. Finn burst out laughing.

“Quoi?” Logan asked. His eyes were amused. “What happened?”

Finn was still laughing and shaking his head. He reached one hand up to cup Logan’s cheek and the other one back to lace his fingers with Leo’s on his shoulder. “Nothing. I just love you.” He closed his eyes. “I love you very, very much.” Finn opened his eyes. “Hey, kiss me again.”

And with their smiles against his skin and their hands on him, Finn felt all of the tension float out of his body. If he spent the rest of the summer like this, well… he’d consider himself lucky in love, indeed.

thoughts on the new chapter????

Oh my Gooooood, so good!

Sirius and Remus make my heart absolutely MELT, and it's also so fun to see them with the Potters and the Lupins and Regulus. They're so cute!! I feel like lots of people focus on the Cubs, but remember, guys, Coops are getting MARRIED!!!!

And obviously the Cubs are so adorable. Poor Finn there for a moment, he was having a tough time. And LEO, him being worried about the season schedule broke my heart just a little. But Logan is so good to them and keeps wanting to be a better partner every day, he loves them so much!!

So excited for the next one!!