Run love, I'm the truth that you're afraid of | Evan

Logan wrapped the bandage around his wrist carefully and secured it. The skin underneath was still awake as he just finished carving a new tattoo into it, another one of his life mottos. He was leaving the shop quite late today, plus Falcon still needed a short trip before coming back home. Falcon was a year old puppy of Husky he found in a trash bin in front of his apartment one evening. He didn't know who left him there but the dog was too small at that time to survive without him, so despite his dislike for loud things he ended up taking him in. He haven't realized how lonely it was sometimes in his flat until that fur ball joined him and filled his mornings with bright blue eyes and wet nose...Logan could only be glad he turned out to be fairly docile and quiet, although he had to get rid off one pair of shoes and white shirt.

Logan stood as he finished covering the fresh ink and went to turn the lights off. He picked up along the way his bag and Falcon's leash, then called out to him. Last time the man saw him his boy was sleeping curled next to a lightbox. He could hear tapping of paws as the blue-eyed animal stood up and headed to him. He didn't put him on that chain immediately, he might rather carry him in his arms over the busy part of London until he was closer to his apartment...however, first he needed his cloak. He usually didn't go dressed in robes to work because being in them the whole day was becoming rather uncomfortable for Logan after he got so used to a different style, precisely black and leather. He had his high boots again and jeans, emerald for a change. The cloak was to have at least something reminiscenting his magical blood at this side of city. Plus he will have to walk through Muggle part of London either way, robes would lure too many eyes his way.

Logan put his cloak on and left the parlor. He took the fur ball into his arms and patted its head, his step quick and light. Falcon was sadly calm only for a little bit and soon he was poking the side of Logan's face with his nose and wiggling in his arms. The man frowned, his forehead wrinkling, and put the dog down, telling him to wait. He pulled out the leash with a sigh, he just didn't have enough patience to have the dog writh in his arms much longer, this way it will be easier. However, before he was able to put it on, Falcon ran behind him so Logan followed in hurry, scowling. He stalked him down the street before he finally caught him and put him on a leash. "No running away," he mumbled warningly, his voice low and dark. He stood up and turned around. As he did so, he could feel a presence of another wizard but didn't have enough time to really step back before partially crashing with the stranger. His dark eyes narrowed and he already had sharp words on his tongue but they never left his mouth as he looked up and stared into a very familiar face. His eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Evan?"

@Evan Reavley @Taed

[div style="width:50%;opacity:0.5;font-size:0.55em;"]SATURDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2001, 10:30 AM[/div]

The accolades of Mr. Cuffe still ringing in his ears, Evan grinned as he stepped out of the offices of the Daily Prophet and back onto the sidewalk of Diagon Alley. The touchy-feely piece on the Beginning of Term feast at the newly restored Hogwarts had been a real feather in Evan's cap (a purely metaphorical cap as he wouldn't allow anything to mess with his expertly mussed hair), and a chance to gauge the attitudes of the staff and the student body, as well as privately following up on the release of his far cousin Damien Conway from Azkaban, though he didn't mar the positive upbeat temperament of his prose by including anything about the jailbird. Of course, he knew that he did fabulous work and deserved raises and promotions and all of that, because he had the schooling and the background and the raw talent to back it up. But to hear it from the editor-in-chief just really made his spirit soar, and he was on top of the world for at least the day. And he had the whole day to be on top of it, since he was given the rest of the day off. At a half past ten, no less!

Dressed in a crisp black button-up, a slate grey office robe, and light grey slacks, the only colour Evan wore was the flush in his cheeks at the cool morning, and the vivid green sparkle of his eyes as he strode down the pavement back toward the Leaky Cauldron. Sure, he could have just Apparated home, but if you were given a bonus day with full pay, why not drink with some of it? Besides that, he had gotten a number of fortuitous leads and learned about some well-hidden stories while listening to the drunken prattle of the wizards that got their firewhiskey early in the day. So absorbed in planning out his unexpected vacation day, he didn't realise until he had already collided with someone that there was another person just turning around the corner at the end of the block, coming from the other way. "Pardon," he muttered, with a considerably lighter tone than he might have otherwise done.

As he looked up to make sure the other person was okay -- "maintaining the façade", as the old family motto went -- the carmine blush of his face drained to pallor while he registered who it was that was in front of him. Walking a dog. Perfectly casual and not bothered about anything. The last time he had seen Logan Styles was just over six years ago. After working together on the Basilisk Killer case for months and engaging in some casual flirty banter, Logan had finally asked him out on a date... and then when Evan got to his apartment that night, Aurors had told him that the Basilisk Killer had been caught in the apartment and there was no sign of Logan. Evan had been a wreck for weeks, torn between thinking that Logan had been killed, and thinking that Logan was the killer. But Logan had been so friendly and helpful (true, that would have been the perfect cover) that Evan couldn't really believe it was him... although when they had finally caught the man in Russia he had made claims something to the effect of being amnesiac and under the control of the mask. It was... possible, he supposed, that Logan had been the killer, and the enchantment on the mask Imperiused him into putting it on at certain times, and then wiped his memory when he took it off. Evan was among the few who knew that the Basilisk Killer had escaped the previous summer from Azkaban, primarily because he was so well-placed among pureblood families and so high up the ladder at the Prophet, and also because he was a nosey little fucker.

So while all of this raced through Evan's mind over the span of three or four dumbstruck seconds, the primary feeling was one of relief that Logan hadn't been killed by the Basilisk Killer. Whether he was the actual killer or not could wait. Evan flung his arms around the dark-haired man and said, "Oh my god! You're alive!"

And then another three seconds later he pushed himself away from Logan and aimed a sucker punch at the raven-haired man's jaw. "What the hell happened to you?!?" he yelled, only vaguely aware that though their immediate vicinity was deserted, there were people a block or two away that were starting to look their way. "I thought you were dead! Couldn't you write me a damn owl???"

He stared at the other for a few seconds as well, surprised and not sure about what to do. But before Logan could really move or react further Evan flung himself at him and spoke loudly into his face. He was confused for a short moment at the content of his words. Why would he think he was dead? That was his first question but as he scrolled in his mind to the last time he saw Evan and to the night he fled to France, he realized that must have been it. Evan probably found out about what happened in his apartment and assumed the Basilisk killer was there to finish him off. He guessed that was good, he didn't need to answer those annoying questions and make up lies. Despite everything, he wouldn't like to lie to Evan, only where it would be really needed.

He wanted to wrap his arms around the other too, to hug him or whatever this was, but in that moment the other pushed away and started yelling. Logan dogded the punch in the last second, almost caught by a surprise by the attack. As he took a step back out of the other's reach, his expression went blank, the man falling into an autopilot right then. He moved forward fast to press Evan's Kote point which was located neart the inside of his elbow. He didn't apply full force onto the pressure point as he knew it could be pretty painful and Logan didn't want to hurt the other...he just wanted to disarm him, in a way. Basically, for Logan it was a reflex, rooted deep inside of him, when someone tried to go against him. He pressed down just enough for Evan to feel a strain in his arm, a dull but strong ache, as his muscles should react on it and to prevent him from doing something else unexpected with one arm out of game that Logan wouldn't like. However, the Basilisk killer didn't want Evan to feel uncomfortable and out of control any longer than it was needed to deflect his punch (he didn't need a bruise on his jaw, thank you). It took him just about two seconds of holding the Kote point before he was moving again, this time to pull Evan by the arm flush against him. He chuckled as he did so, not paying attention to anyone who could have heard the other's shouting as he was solely focused on the man before him. "Did you miss my handsome face that much?" He joked, quirking an eyebrow.

He stared into the other's eyes, realizing just how much he missed the other's nature. Well, how he missed the man in general. It was then, when he decided to put on a serious face, not wanting to anger Evan more as he...it seemed wasn't totally unbothered by his disappearance. "I'm sorry but I needed to get my life back together afterwards. Plus I had been in London only for year and few months I think. I needed to find a job first and a place to sleep." He apologized and then explained. Slowly, his dark eyes trailed over Evan's features, studying his face that was now again newly saving itself into his mind. He couldn't help and ask himself, how come he could have forgotten such a perfect face, such a gorgeous being? His angry outburst had been really hot, Logan though, and maybe even a little cute. It was nice, he realized, to see him again...what more, he still felt the spark that pulled him closer to this charming man, which was a surprise. It wasn't gone, it just woke up. So hopefully it was mutual.

The tattoo artist decided then that he should let the younger male go instead of holding him against him as much as he liked that feeling, that maybe that would be better. He didn't want to come off too rude, Evan had more than enough time to find himself someone or minimally get over Logan completely. However, before he could do anything his dog had decided for him. "Dammit Falcon," he swore, looking at the dog that had just made few circles around them, sufficiently wrapping his leash around them. Logan looked down onto his little friend, "really?" He asked him with his arm partly wrapped around Evan now. The pup just looked at him with innocent blue eyes that had Logan snorting. "Sorry," he told his companion, amused, "this little guy here clearly decided to become a matchmaker for today. Or to prevent me from doing the same mistake again and disappear." He said playfully, "so what do you think about a drink or two?" He suggested, looking at him, the look in his dark pools a bit hopeful.

Logan moved fast and pinched lightly the inside of Evan's elbow, preventing Evan from hitting him while letting the reporter finish his tirade; then Logan pulled Evan close to his body and tried to crack a joke. Evan wanted to push away again, still very upset at Logan, but... he couldn't deny that he missed Logan. That alone was enough to just let Logan hold him close. He hadn't thought of the man in nearly five years but now that they were in front of each other all the old confusing feelings came rushing back.

"--plus I've been in London only for a year and a few months I think--"

Evan's expression was already fairly bland, a combination of both anger and joy at seeing Logan, but it might have cracked just a little bit as his typically analytical mind raced in more fast-forward than normal. A year and a few months. That was how long ago the Basilisk Killer had escaped from Azkaban. He was sure of that because he'd thought of it just moments ago when he registered that Logan was in front of him. Oh my god. Oh my god. It really is him.

The odd thing was, Evan wasn't scared. He was actually kind of excited, and impressed. If he was right, and Logan was the fugitive, then he had not only managed to escape from the wizarding prison in the North Sea but also had convincingly laid low and acted the part of an innocent man. And, again if Evan was right, either Logan didn't intend any harm to Evan since they'd worked together professionally and then personally for so long on the very case, or Logan might have intended to dispose of Evan eventually but the Aurors caught up to him before he could get that far. Evan didn't find the latter very likely -- partially because all the old feelings of attractions were rising up in his whole body, but mostly because he just believed he knew something like the real Logan and felt they had a connexion. But he had left... even if it had been to try and escape the long arm of the law, rather than to abandon Evan.

Now would be a good time to put some space between us, Evan thought, just as Logan swore at his bird... er, dog. Blinking a few times to clear his head, he suddenly realised that their legs were locked together by the puppy's leash. Even though his balance had been perfectly fine up to that point, the psychological implication of being "trapped" made Evan sway somewhat and he leaned a little more heavily on Logan, who apologised for his dog's behaviour and then playfully asked Evan if he'd like to go out for a drink.

Evan looked up into his eyes and bit his lip thoughtfully. He was still mad at Logan, and whatever rapport they had built up before he vanished was gone and would have to be grown all over again. But it wouldn't hurt to at least talk to him once, and see how he felt after that. The question now was whether to have that talk - and drink - in a public place or a private one. And the answer was, public. Safety for now, even in the face of Evan's burning curiosity.

"Oh I suppose," Evan gave a dramatic sigh, "as long as your puppy untangles us before we tip over - because no matter what our history is, if you make me fall on my ass in public, that's the last you'll see of me." He arched an eyebrow at the dark-haired man in front of him who he was still somewhat leaning against to maintain his posture.

Logan registered a slight crack in Evan's expression that was already a mixture of emotions from seeing him. It had his brain pause for a minute and the criminal thought about what could have been the cause. However, with his excitement from meeting the man again that was rushing through him and the influence Evan still seemed to have over him it was so easy to ignore it, and he didn't find it essential to wreck his brain about it. Having the sexy body pressed against his seemed much more significant than the sudden shift in his expression, at the moment at least. He could always go over it later, his memory had an excellent talent for saving even the tiniest details so why bother now?

He subconsciously shifted as Evan leaned a little bit more onto him after he realized that Falcon trapped them together by his leash. The Basilisk killer slid his hand to wrap it firmly around the other's waist, securing him. His heartbeat picked up, and Logan was a bit suspicious it was loud enough for the other to feel with their proximity. There was a barely audible shift of emotion in his dark pools, as he looked down at Evan, something that could be comprehended as hunger with a bit of warmness.

Logan's gaze flickered to Evan's mouth as the man bit his lower lip, his mind slipping away for a second, somewhere darker and more primal before his stare shifted and he was looking back into the other's pretty emerald eyes. He licked his own lips absent-mindedly as he waited for the man's answer. He cursed a little the non-existing space he sufficiently formed between them (although also absolutely loving it) as it was making him less focused and yeah...he had been for four years without a physical closeness so no one could blame him for being a little....over-starved. If it hadn't been for Cezary, Logan knew he would be pretty desperate.

Although despite the fact his hunger had been sufficiently lulled down by the Polish man, he still didn't feel entirely content and in control of his desires. He had always been the physical type of guy and four years was a damn long time for someone like him. More than half of those years were also in the constant presence of Dementors. He didn't look anything like himself, coming back from Azkaban. There had been criminals who were treated way more nicely than him. Logan though had always looked on his painful parts of past like tests, it was supposed to make him stronger. Make him push himself more. So he did. And now he was here.

He had Falcon's leash wrapped around him while Evan was pressed flush against him, putting on a bit of weight on Logan. He almost chuckled at that. Life sure knew how to surprise him. Good thing this time it happened to be a very pleasant surprise, he almost started doubting his good luck. Of course, he couldn't suppress the satisfied grin at the other's answer. The dramatic sigh was so...Evan like it made Logan's spirit swell a bit more. He gave a celebratory cheer inside his head.

"He's nor heavy nor strong enough to tip us over," he paused to shift his hand onto the back of Evan's thigh, running his palm upwards slowly and speaking up at the same time again. "Plus, I'm sure my hands would happily have the pleasure to save your ass from the fall," his fingertips stopped just under his buttocks, "however, I probably shouldn't be so forward, hmm?" He contemplated aloud, "who knows if you already haven't found yourself a partner," he chuckled as his hand shifted higher to brush over his butt briefly, although his eyes looked more solemn than his way of speaking. He continued to lead his touch over the curve of his back, before shifting to reach with his free hand for his wand, waving it, so the leash slowly moved, pulling away and setting them free.

He leaned a bit more closer for a second, faces close as his dark eyes traced over his face again, hot breath fanning gently over his skin. Once the leash was completely off though, he stepped away to put some space between them, though he didn't take his eyes off the younger male in front of him for a second longer. He then secured his dog, putting his wand back into his coat. He smiled at Evan slightly, for the first time without any hint of teasing and offered the man his arm, "Where would you like to go Mr. Reavley? A favorite place or should I recommend something? Special tastes for today's morning?" He quirked his eyebrow, his black eyes sparkling.

Sowwy it took me so long x.x @Taed

Logan had always been so forward... and the problem was, after six years, Evan wasn't entirely sure he appreciated the dominance or the liberties he took as much as he used to. But there was nothing really to gauge it on. Six years of unexplained absence, Evan thinking Logan was dead, it kind of required a complete reset between them before anything else could happen. Evan stood still while Logan untangled them from the dog's leash, and then at least Logan backed up and gave Evan some space again.

In those short seconds while the leash was coming undone and the two men were separating, Evan's mind was still absolutely racing, picking up where it had left off. As he'd said (in his own mind), if Logan really was the Basilisk Killer than Evan was both excited and impressed, and... in a very sick way, even for someone who considered himself a Dark wizard, it was a bit of a turn-on. I could be dating a serial killer. What was the difference, really, between the guy who killed people at night and was a nice guy walking his dog during the day, and the guy who was a pureblood supremacist child of Death Eaters by night and a pro-equality newspaper reporter by day? They were both living double lives. Maybe... maybe they could live their double lives together?

Shaking his head to clear away the cobwebs, Evan had to pull his head back down to reality. Though he was certain his suspicions were correct, he had no actual definitive proof, nor was it something he could just ask Logan out of the blue. Furthermore, there were still his conflicting feelings of anger (mostly abated) and abandonment (not so much) that would interfere with his dark fairy tale ideal.

When the other young man asked Evan where he'd like to go, Evan paused for a moment before remembering he had already decided to take Logan someplace public. "I was just heading to the Leaky Cauldron to celebrate getting a day off with full pay," Evan gestured toward the end -- or beginning -- of Diagon Alley. "It's as good a place as any for two old flames to get reacquainted, aaaand Tom allows pets in the bar," he directed this last bit at Falcon, the puppy, who barked like he understood what Evan was saying. Mm-hm.

"So, shall we go then?" he started to take a step past Logan, as if to lead the way (and keep a minor bit of distance between them). But he paused just as he was passing the darker man, and with a slow and fluid but purposeful motion, placed his hand over Logan's and waited to see if he would take the grip, or let Evan pass him by.

(Finish us out, Lwin ^_^ and then we can get a more current thread going)

Logan had quirked a brow at Evan upon his answer. "A day off with full pay? Someone got promoted?" The man grinned lazily then, almost teasingly. "Old flames? I know I'm almost thirty but I don't feel that old yet," he chuckled, "but otherwise it sounds appealing. Leaky Cauldron it is then, although I can't tell how long will Falcon behave. He didn't get his evening trip yesterday - technically, today." He pointed out before shrugging. The man suppressed a yawn then.

Logan might have been a little tired underneath the layer of playful and lazy smirks, however, he couldn't pass up the chance to spend his time with the younger male. He would sleep it off later. Azkaban had been far worse experience, when it had been filled with Dementors, than a day or two without proper rest. If things went smoothly between them today, Logan knew he would have to have a word with Cezary as soon as possible to cut things between them off. He wanted to be available for something more serious, would it be Evan or not with whom he got involved. As much as he enjoyed the chemistry he and Cezary had, Logan needed commitment. A real relationship - it had been far too long for him.

If his father had been alive he would have already hunted him down for being so airheaded in his love life and not following his duties. Well, he wouldn't have lived through revealing being into men more than into women in the first place, but that wasn't the point. He shouldn't be thinking about that man in the first place, he had last saw him just before Aurors dragged him away to get his Dementor kiss - Laurence didn't rule his life anymore, even though he had left a mark on his body. The only person he missed was his mother. It would be nice to have her back, Logan thought - although she wouldn't be happy with what he became himself. She was too kind of a woman for ever hurting anyone. She made his father a better man, whenever he was around her. Could he find someone like that too? Someone to make him better? Someone who would be okay with what kind of a man he was? Someone who would mean enough to him for Logan to open up? Someone he could really trust?

Logan looked at Evan, wondering, before giving the other a mysterious smile, welcoming the other's hand as it was placed over his inked one. He nodded, making sure Falcon was secured, "let's go then," he muttered, the two of them slowly making their way to the Leaky Cauldron.

[out]