#uploading late bc i was too lazy yesterday

[00-v2]

the frigid tsarina of a certain boy’s delusions - day 4, freeze

[rainbow-sides]

Skipping School

Summary: Roman gets sick on a day he's supposed to drive his little brother to school. Logan has an...interesting solution.

Pairing: platonic Logince

Word count: 1,357

Warnings: illness, food mention

Notes: Written for a prompt from anonymous! Also, if you want to get told when I upload a fic, follow and turn on notifs for @rainbow-sides-fics. I'm posting on mobile bc I'm lazy so I hope the read-more works, apologies if it doesn't.

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The clock was ticking down dangerously close to 7:50, and Roman hadn't even emerged from his room yet. Logan had finished his toast already and was completely ready to be driven to school. He would be really angry if his brother made him late to school by deciding to sleep in on the day that their mom was out of state visiting her sister. Tapping his foot impatiently, Logan watched the clock for another minute before springing up, pushing his backpack away on the table, and heading down the short hallway towards Roman's bedroom.

"Are you awake yet?" he demanded, rapping his knuckles curtly against the closed door.

For a moment, there was no answer. Then a groan came from inside. "What?"

"It's almost 7:45!" Logan cried. "You have to drive me to school!"

"Oh my god, how did I sleep through my alarm?!" Roman sounded distraught. "Shit! I'm sorry."

Well, that can't be right. Roman never apologized for inconveniencing his little brother. "I'm coming in," Logan announced, and opened the door.

Roman had sat up in bed, his hair tousled and his eyes very bleary. "I'm sorry," he said again. His voice was hoarse. "I--" A sudden, harsh cough escaped him and he wheezed, trying to breathe. "I'm just not feeling very glittery today," he managed.

Logan wrinkled his nose. "Are you sick?" he asked bluntly. "I'm not getting in a car with you if you're sick. The last thing I need is to be the person who spreads the plague to every kid at school."

"I'll get up and...and put a mask on, or something." Roman coughed again. "And I'll wash my hands, I promise. I don't have the plague, nerd."

"Hm." Logan tilted his head. "Lay back down and go back to sleep."

"How will you get to school?" protested Roman.

Logan was grabbing Roman's phone off his bedside table and unlocking it with the password he had seen him use yesterday. "I won't." The number for the middle school office was saved in his contacts, and Logan pressed the call button.

"Hey--what do you think you're doing?"

In a far too convincing hoarse and congested voice, Logan said, "Ms. Katie? This is Logan Sanders, I think I have to stay home today. No, my mom is out of town...and my brother and I both came down with a cold. I don't want to get anyone else sick...well, I can ask her to call, but she's in California and probably won't be awake for a few more hours. Alright, I'll do that. Thanks." He coughed a few times for good measure before hanging up.

Roman was staring at him. "What."

Suddenly, Logan felt pretty uncomfortable. He hadn't considered that Roman would be mad. Though he was sure their mom would be understanding, skipping school was a bad thing to do. "What?" he replied defensively.

"First of all--" Roman broke off, another coughing fit seizing him. This time, he couldn't seem to get it under control, so Logan ran and got him a glass of water.

"Here," he said.

"Thanks," Roman rasped after having a drink. "First of all, I should be mad, but I'm just impressed by your acting skills. Didn't know you had it in you, Lo."

"Hmph."

Roman put the glass down. "Secondly, are you sure you're okay with this? You're usually so nerdy about your perfect attendance."

"I've already missed a few days this year when I got the stomach flu, so it's not a big deal. And nothing important is happening today. It's just a boring Friday." Logan shrugged. "Besides, I could very well already have whatever you have and I'm just not symptomatic yet. But I could still spread the virus, so it's safer to stay home anyway."

"You're logicking your way into skipping school, Lo." Through his misery about his illness, a hint of a smile broke onto his face. "I'm so proud."

"Shut up," Logan muttered. "Go back to sleep. I'll just work on schoolwork from home and maybe make some soup or something."

"You're so sweeeeet," Roman teased. He grabbed a tissue from his bedside table and sneezed into it. "Ugh."

Logan backed out of the room. "I'll call the high school too and tell them you won't be there today. Don't breathe on me." He shut the door and left Roman to rest, taking advantage of the quiet house to get some math homework done and put on a pot of the chicken noodle soup that their mom would usually be making if either of them were sick. Occasionally, he would hear Roman coughing, but left him alone for most of the morning.

Logan did end up calling their mom when he knew she would be awake and explaining the situation--she assured him that although he shouldn't have lied to the office, he did the right thing in staying home and she would call the school and back him up on his story this one time. She told him to take care of himself, and Roman, and then had to hang up to help her sister with something.

At a little bit after noon, Roman started coughing again after being quiet for a few hours. This particular coughing fit was a bad one. Logan filled a mug with mostly broth from the simmering soup and went to check on him. "Roman?"

"Uh-huh?" Roman didn't stop hacking up his lungs as he answered.

Carefully, Logan entered the room. "Here, have this." He gave Roman the mug.

A blanket was wrapped tightly around Roman's shoulders. His eyes were watery, his nose red. Without saying anything, he took a few sips. He stared straight ahead, seeming quite unhappy.

This is uncomfortable. Logan didn't like having to navigate the icky world of emotions, and Roman looked very emotional. "Are you al--"

"I wish Mom was here." Suddenly, Roman sounded very young. He was seventeen to Logan's twelve, and Logan often had to remind himself that for all Roman's brash attitude, he was still a kid, too. "I just…" He sniffled, his lip trembling as he clutched the warm mug.

"Would you like to call her?" Logan suggested hesitantly.

Roman shook his head. "N-no. I'm fine."

Logan shifted back and forth on his feet. "Can I do anything?" he offered, unsure.

"No, I'm fine, I just…"

"Roman?"

"I just wish Mom was here, okay?" snapped Roman. "'cause I'm pathetic. One stupid cold and I'm crying for my mommy."

"I…" Logan took a step back. "Don't get angry."

"I'm not fu--I'm not angry!" Roman growled. "Go away, okay?"

Logan took a deep breath and held his ground. "I obviously cannot bring Mom home from California immediately, and I understand that it is difficult to be ill when she isn't here to help. But I am doing my best. Do not take your frustration out on me."

Slowly, Roman sat back. "Right. Sorry."

"That must be a record, you apologizing to me twice in one day," Logan said dryly.

Roman half-smiled and didn't reply as he drank more of the soup.

"Anyway, I finished my algebra homework for the next week and a half, so I decided it would be alright to take a break. Would you like to watch something with me?"

"Sure," Roman said. He glanced at his little brother. "You can put on one of those space documentaries you like. I'm too sleepy and out of it to appreciate any shows I'd pick, anyway."

Recognizing the gesture as a peace offering that meant more than any apology, Logan nodded. "Come out to the living room when you're ready. I'll make sure that there are plenty of blankets out for you. And I'll put on some water for lemon and honey tea."

"Gross," Roman said half-heartedly.

"It will help with your cough," Logan insisted.

"I know, I know." There was a brief pause. "Okay, I'll be out in a minute."

Logan nodded. "I'll wait for you," he said, and went out into the living room to pick something to watch that Roman wouldn't hate. He would try, at least. His brother had absolutely no taste.

[horanggae]

hi hi dear aera! (づ ◕‿◕ )づ

how have you been? sflr!! (i’ve been kinda busy with uni and work) it’s been a while since the last time I wrote you an ask (╥_╥) // are you getting assigned too much homework? how are your classes going? wishing you the best luck and success for uni!!

oh, after our conversations I could guess you’re from singapur or the philippines? (because of your english and mandarin?? + the dialect, don’t worry you don’t have to tell me yet but am I close?? haha) oh, i’m from north america but not from chicago, actually i’m not from the us! but i’m really close, you can still try to guess? (^_<) // yes, i just have one semester left! (for internship) and i’ll be free of college!! // no way, but you know some mandarin?? may I ask if your mom talks to you in mandarin? you’re so cool! you can speak three languages!! are you interested in learning a new one anytime soon?? (´｡• ᵕ •｡`)

oh, work limitations? should i take this as another hint? :o, one year is nothing compared to a lifetime dear! it’s okay to take your time, i’m glad you got the chance to choose something that you wanted too!! (choosing a major can be pretty difficult, that also happened to me after completing high school) I bet you’ll do great during all your uni journey, i really really hope you achieve honours. ♡( ◡‿◡ )

you seem too excited about the playlist thing!! i’m glad you want me to create you another one ^^, sure! I’ll send it to you as soon as I have it ready ♡. for me, I would like any playlist you can create, a little suggestion could be a playlist with song recommendations (can be any songs, not only kpop) or based on a season!!

yes we are!! sometimes I feel like we just started talking yesterday, I still get really excited when I go into your blog to see any response because you’re always so nice and I love to read your responses ^^ // mmm, talking about my daily life?? lately I started to work out (just indoor cycling) but I’m pretty excited to see results even when I just started last week lol (also I find funny that the day I started to do cycling, gyu uploaded his cycling night photo on ig ^^) and another thing I have been doing lately is wakening up at 7:00 am because of work and not at 9/10am anymore.... // do you like to do exercise? are you a morning person? I would love to also know about any recent exciting thing in your daily life!! how is uni life for someone from south asia? I see you have to make a long trip to uni from your place (you prev mentioned a 2h trip?) is your uni campus huge? I thought all countries still had only online classes? feel free to answer with a lot or not too much text, I’m always looking forward to getting to know about you and your daily life. (◕‿◕)♡

wishing you a great sunny day!! remember to eat and sleep well!

–f🐯❤️.

hello f🐯❤️ it's okay, im swarmed with assignments as well! It's picking up its pace ㅠ ㅠ classes are okay, it's just the expectations ashdjdfkfl. Hbu how are things at uni for you? Your vacation is over so soon? Close! Around that area!! mhmm lemme guess a lil more, Mexico city?

no, my mom speaks to me in eng while my dad speaks to me in chi! But as I grew older, we switched to dialect as I picked up from hearing them converse with my aunts, uncles & cousins! 3 languages yet all of them are subpar (´ . .̫ . `) no, my brain capacity of language is at its limits •́ ‿ ,•̀ what about, what language(s) do you speak, spanish?

yeah that's a hint too hehe. I'm hoping I get through uni okay with at least a decent GPA </3 you're graduating pretty soon!!! Do you have any plans after uni? Yeah!! I wanna expand my playlist a bit more! I'll try to make a playlist on another post! Dw I'll tag caratanonevent3 so you can find it!

Waking up early feels really good....... Especially when you're well rested or you exercise straight after waking up. I can't say if I like it or not ahskdmflfl bc I get lazy at the thought of doing the exercises but when I do it that's a different story, however, when it comes to swimming I love it a lot!!! I'd do anything for it unless im swarmed with stuff or im tired! I'd like to think I'm a morning person bc i enjoy waking up early except my body clock is screwed so badly that my sleeping timing is really late ( ･ั﹏･ั)

Half the week I'm usually in campus for f2f lectures & tutorials, by the time I'm home, I'm ready to jump into bed (≧▽≦) but I'd have dinner, play a bit of game, reorganize my notes and unwind before bed! Recently though, I've opted to stay out a little later than usual instead of going straight home after lectures. Solo adventures are really comforting even when there's no destination in mind! I used to dislike going to places alone but now I like it so much I'm afraid it would further encourage me stop socializing and hanging out with my friends lmao (๑•﹏•) OHH AND, the libraries here are open again!!! So i might drop by one soon to borrow a book!! ( ꈍᴗꈍ) Yeah my uni is on the opp end of where I stay!! So now that it's covid, the travelling time is shorter, 1h30mins! The uni I'm enrolled in requires us to be in campus for classes and I very much prefer that than to zoom classes hehe. Feels like an invisible veil when we're not having physical classes and it feels very disconnecting to me. :-(

Sorry for the delay in the replies! Mentally feels like I'm drifting in and out ahsjsmflfl, sounds like it's really bad but dw it's not, it's just things that are fluctuating! I hope to chat with you very soon again :-( miss talking about anything and everything with you f🐯❤️ please stay safe and enjoy the lil vacation adventure you mentioned in the following ask!! Hear from you soon <3

Ps. I saw that the event has come to an end!!! But you can choose to reveal yourself or remain anonymous if you like bc idm. Either way, i don't think anything will change even if you reveal yourself bc it's comforting talking to you like this too hehe. THE Mysterious penpal carat anon F (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)

[cxsmicmyeon]

hi hi! it's your bestie 😉 hehe sorry i had too much screen time and needed a break 😂

oh my goodness his fried rice waffles 👁👄👁 he also called himself a culinary genius and i'm wondering how kyungsoo deals with jongin's kitchen adventures lmao or even minseok since he's such a clean freak?? baek just updated and said he's doing well in a strict routine! but for everyone to stop sending mail/email/gifts to his training centre bc it's overwhelming them 😂 so to just tell him everything using a specific hashtag and he can feel the love when he's finished. can you imagine how much they're getting??? lol

i've always used the excuse it's still that date in america soooo technically it's still my birthday 😀

OMG YES PLEASE WRITE THAT!!! that's so cute and domestic stop lol 💞 i feel like a bunny would be a lot less maintenance especially if you're out often! unless you adopt? a puppy is SO much work. ..maybe that's why mine is such a baby. he's almost 6 now but still acts like a puppy we just brought home yesterday 😂 omg that time chanyeol had toben and sehun had vivi? the chaos that was toben LMAO

i sometimes want to start a fic rec blog..but i'm so unorganised i'm not sure how to go about it. i do so much reading and there're so many good fics out there i want to share 😭

we pretty much are but there's some random clusters here and there. plus the newly returned overseas but they're quarantined in a medi hotel. yeah i've seen a lot of news from the us about people refusing to wear masks and stay home. but then turn around and complain that things aren't getting better 😶 yes please keep safe!! ❤

i think the cheaper one is a flip book album! which ofc will be mega cute, i can already imagine! i want sm to bloody release the details though. why are they so lazy when it comes to their best sellers?! is it tomorrow for you yet? 😂 DID YOU GET IT!? omfg yes lol i CAN'T WAIT for your asmr HAHA 👉👈 tbh your voice sounded so sweet i felt comfortable messaging you 😂 when you were fangirling about myeon hahaha that's exactly what i'm like when someone asks about yeol hehe

LOL THE WAY I THOUGHT HIS FRIED RICE WAFFLES WERE HASHBROWNS- ngl though it looks good though i'd eat it...😳 kyungsoo prolly had a mental breakdown when he saw jongin making the waffle LOL

OMG WAIT I CRIED WHEN I SAW BAEK'S VIDEO- HE SAID HE'S GONNA BE UPLOADING EVERY 17TH???? AND CHAN UPLOADING EVERY 27TH??? WE DO NOT DESERVE THOSE TWO AT ALL😭😭😭omg i can't imagine all the mail he's getting- i think something similar happened to junmyeon and he had to go on and say stop sending me mail cuz it's too much ahsgdj,, my popular boys🥰

I WILL WRITE IT!! i just need to get through school and finish my final paper lol!! and also finish my requests lol!! thank god school's over next tuesday for me lol! i need a BREAK omg... agh yeah i have heard puppies are a lot of work but they're SO CUTE THOUGH😭😭omg toben and vivi are both of my personalities🤣🤣they're literally the cutest things omg

lol i actually was considering a fic rec blog too! cuz my post is rly long and i feel bad for all the tags the authors get LOL but i'm lazy and i don't want to annoy the authors EVEN MORE LLMAOSODNDNJFHF i love life😃👍🏻

ugh yes i have a lot of family who is anti mask and won't get vaccinated and don't take covid seriously and it just pisses me off🙄🙄but thankfully most of them don't live in my area so i don't have to worry about seeing them a lot lol! and i have both of my shots for the vaccine and i'll be fully vaccinated after next week!

i'm not picky at all when it comes to albums lmao! like even if i don't get a jun photocard i don't complain that much bc i still got a photocard of a member!! like i have a jun, yeol and minseok photocard (and baekhyun poster and jongdae slide thing from obsession) and honestly i'm still happy to get the merch cuz it's exo and i love exo!! :D

AND AGH IM SO SAD IT SAID IT'S COMING LATE😭😭😭like it was gonna originally come on saturday but then usps said thursday (today) and i checked the tracking number and it said "coming late" )): agh but we'll see 🤞🏻 i just hope it comes soon!!

AGH i need to prepare for the filming😭😭i need to find a tri pod and clear my desk and make sure my family doesn't interrupt me AJDHJDH and AAA i hate my voice so much i was so shy when recording!!! but i turned my phone around and spoke from the heart and i felt more comfy!! i may not speak in the asmr tho i'll just let my glue on manicure do the talking LOL!! i love hearing nails tap on stuff so it'll be fun to do!!