Who: Logan and Athelstan Where: Logan's motorcycle shop What: Athelstan comes looking for Eli When: 4/8 Warnings/Rating: PG for terror and religious oaths XD Status: Complete
It had been a few days since Athelstan had seen Eli last, and she seemed to be busy. He figured that he might go by the motorcycle shop and inquire for her, but when he’d arrived there around dusk, he saw that it appeared to be closed. There was one light on in the office, and he knocked at the door from the outside. “Hello?” he called. “Miss Eli? Is that you?”
Logan had driven out to get a few things, and make sure things were locked up tight. He wanted Creed to ignore the shop if at all possible. He wasn’t expecting someone to be there. He came to the door, and tried to get a scent.
Athelstan heard footsteps and tried again, though he wondered why whomever it was didn’t reply. “Hello? Miss Eli, it’s Athelstan.”
Logan smelled Eli on him. This was interesting. He remembered that thread, and narrowed his eyes. He threw the door open and growled. “Eli ain’t here, an’ if you know what’s best for you you’ll get away too.”
Athelstan might have jumped three feet. “God in heaven!” When the moment of terror passed, though, he looked back at the apparition. “Oh. Mr. Howlett. Is ... is something wrong?” He did have Eli’s phone number, but he didn’t want to just randomly telephone, or even go to her house. It felt too soon.
He tried not to grin at the boy, and his reaction to Logan's growl. This was going to be too, too easy, and too much fun. "Eli's takin' some time off while I deal with some personal crap." He growled. "Why're you interested in Eli?"
Well, maybe he would have to telephone. Though it was still awkward. “Oh. Erm. I just ... we’re merely friends. I think?” Maybe not, but best not to discuss that with this man yet. “I very much enjoy her company.” Athelstan took a breath, doing his best to calm down. “She’s very pretty, and kind.”
“Yeah. She is. She might not think it but her heart is a little fragile. Last thing she needs is someone toyin’ with her heart.” Logan was looking the boy over, his expression hard.
Inwardly? There were luls.
Athelstan might have stammered. “I have no intention ... we really are just ... keeping company? Wait, that means something different here. Good Lord.” He took a breath. “I would never do anything to hurt her. Ever.”
“Yeah?” Logan smirked at the guy, folding his arms and staring the man down. “‘cause if someone hurts her, I’m gonna be pissed, an’ you don’t wanna see me pissed.”
“No. Erm. No, sir, I wouldn’t.” Athelstan took a breath. “I’m a good ... I’ve only ever had one relationship. Not that this is a relationship. Without her permission, I mean.” Good lord in heaven. Athelstan fought the impulse to cross himself.
“You want it to be,” Logan said gruffly. It was a statement, and not a question, and he leaned forward, glaring into Athelstan’s face. “Fine. You got my blessin’, not that either of you needs it.” His voice became even more serious. “Might not seem it, but she needs protectin’. She can fill you in.”
“I ... oh?” Not for the first time Athelstan wondered about Eli’s health, but it was hard to focus given the proximity of her employer’s face to his own. “She told me about her ... light difficulties. But I just ... we just met on the street, and she was very kind to me.”
“She’s sweet on you,” Logan said, his voice softening. “I get that.”
“I - is she?” Athelstan blushed fiercely, feeling his cheeks go warm. He’d suspected it, obviously, after the other night’s walk, but still.
“She is.” He had ways of telling but there was no need to tell the student that he could smell everything.
“Oh.” Athelstan blinked, trying to process that. He wouldn’t go into any kind of detail or question with this man, but he’d take his word. The only thing he could think of to do was ask, “Is there anything you might want to know about me?” This wasn’t Eli’s father, but it was a man she considered as such. The least he could do was be respectful. For fear of his own skin, possibly.
"What do you do?" Logan growled, giving his best impression of a grumpy bear.
“I’m a student at UCLA.” Athelstan had decided that restraining himself from vomiting sentence after sentence would be a good idea. “Religious studies. I would like to be a counselor or administrator; I wanted at one time to be a priest but have decided against the idea.” He suddenly had an idea of how those facing Torquemada might have felt.
Logan chuckled. "Not a bad profession especially in this state, bub."
“A student, a counselor or a priest?” Athelstan was faintly unnerved by how this Logan seemed to go from growling to pleasant and back to growling in no time. Still, he tried to smile.
"Counselor. Lotta people need it, with the shit they dream about an' happens. One of my friends works in a place that helps out disadvantaged youth an has started helpin' people who're dreamin' an changing."
Like Eli, if she needed it.
Now this was going into even more uncharted territory. “Dreaming and changing?” Athelstan echoed, looking lost. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean.”
"Hopefully you won't." Logan held up his fist, and with a metallic snikt, the claws popped. "Changes."
“Mary Mother of God!” Terror was the first reaction, followed by sheer embarrassment. Athelstan had jumped away, but upon realizing the man wasn’t going to jump at him, he stepped back toward the man hesitantly. “I’m ... Oh, I’m so sorry.” He didn’t want to be judgmental, but ... well, who had ever seen a human man with claws? Especially one who didn’t seem to like him much so far?
“I’ve gotten worse reactions.” Logan grinned at him, and sheathed his claws. “Ask Eli about her dreams. You have a right to know, but she has the right to tell you.”
He still wasn’t sure about any of this, but he did appreciate being told to speak to Eli about her own business. Athelstan nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll do that, sir.” He just didn’t want this Logan to growl at him again. “I’m sorry for my fear. It was rude.”
“It’s natural. Never let your fear rule you, but never let yourself ignore it. That goes for just about anythin’ you can do in life.”
He wouldn’t have expected that kind of attitude, but Athelstan couldn’t ignore its wisdom. He smiled nervously, looking past him. “I’ll try to remember that, sir. If I might, I’m just a bit out of my depth here.”
Logan smirked, and locked up the shop. “I really care about Eli. I hope you got the balls.” He turned and headed towards the side of the shop where he’d parked his bike.
“I hope so too.” Athelstan said before he could think, blushing and looking down. “I’ll ... just telephone. Then. I suppose. Thank you.” He still felt nervous, and glad to be on his way. Hopefully he wouldn’t get in any trouble with Eli’s Papa. He didn’t like his own odds.