#alienjack

Should he have just called out the moment he woke up and realized what had happened? Maybe. Would he ever be capable of calling out for any reason whatsoever? Probably not. Barring being actually physically sick, Patton was sure he’d make it to any and all shifts they scheduled him.

Clocking out had never felt so satisfying. Stopping to buy a bottle of wine and the fixings to make angel food cake felt just as good. He was feeling better which meant, of course, that things had to continue to go wrong. After triple checking every pocket of his outfit and his bag, he had to accept that the necklace he kept his apartment key on was still in his work apron, since they weren’t allowed jewelry. He scolded himself for not having the forethought to keep an extra one stashed somewhere outside the door, for having kept it on his person at work, for carrying a bag for no apparent reason if he wasn’t going to use it to keep his important belongings in. 

Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one with a spare. 

Roman responded to Patton’s message before Patton could even leave the text thread. Apparently, he’d been hoping to come over that night, anyway. Patton frowned and tried not to think too hard about the fact that he’d much rather just be alone. The company of his boyfriend had never failed to cheer him up before. Why would it be any different this time? 

Roman truly was the knight in shining armor his kids lauded him as. Patton couldn’t have disagreed with the kindergartners if he wanted to but it was a nice feeling, knowing that they saw Roman as brightly as Patton saw him. He dropped a quick kiss to the top of Patton’s head before unlocking the door and ushering him inside. 

Patton’s first stop was to put his groceries into the refrigerator. Roman followed him into the kitchen, where he began to unpack the brown paper bag he’d brought with him. 

Patton fidgeted. “Honey, not that I don’t appreciate you here, but…”

“I know,” Roman interrupted gently, smiling kindly at him. “I knew the second you messaged me. I’ll be out of your hair in no time at all. Why don’t you go take a hot shower? This’ll be ready by the time you finish.” 

Patton wondered how Roman could possibly know about the day he’d had through a handful of words over text but frankly, he was too tired to question it. He never really had fully dried out after getting caught in the rain and so after one more chaste kiss from Roman, he left his boyfriend to his devices. 

The water was scalding and it was leaving his skin a little red but at least it was working in melting the chill that had been clinging deep in Patton’s bones. He used the strawberry shampoo he liked to save for days like this. He picked the fluffiest robe he owned (a Christmas gift from Virgil, the year the temperature had reached record lows), putting it on over his pajamas, and even took a few minutes to blow dry his hair so it wasn’t still dripping wet. Staring at himself in the mirror reminded him how tired he really was. It wasn’t fair, that he’d slept in and got more sleep and yet he was this exhausted. He wished he didn’t work tomorrow. Patton shook his head and took a deep breath. He just had to get through the rest of tonight! He could do that much. 

Stepping into the kitchen, wearing the comfy slippers Thomas had bought him a few years back as an apartment-warming present because the floors were wood and Patton had always had carpet flooring and “trust me, Pat, you’ll need these” gosh what did he deserve to have such good people in his life? — 

“Surprise!” 

Patton blinked and took in the scene before him. Roman had made fettuccine alfredo, had poured a glass of wine, and had taken care of the angel food cake Patton had honestly forgot all about treating himself to. 

“Oh, darling,” Roman cooed, sweeping in towards Patton and taking his hands. How could Roman tell he wasn’t capable of full physical affection right now? How was his boyfriend so good? 

Patton sniffled and wondered when he’d started crying. “You… you made my favorite.” 

Roman looked a little sheepish. “I’ll admit, I had alfredo last night and might have just brought over the leftovers and warmed them up.” 

“The cake…” 

“I saw you putting everything away! I might not be quite as magnificent a baker, but I think I did alright.” 

“There’s only one glass?”

“I understand perfectly if you want to be alone, sweetheart. I can head out now.” 

Roman was stepping back, his hands slipping away from Patton’s, and — 

“No!” 

Roman looked understandably startled. 

“You know I’m not like that!” Patton continued, “right?!”

“Like… like what, love?” 

Patton struggled to answer. Finally, he screwed his eyes shut tight and just, “un… ungrateful. And weak. Useless and sensitive and —”

“Patton!” Roman cut in, sounding panicked. 

Oh great, now he was worrying Roman! God, why was he like this!

“Shh, shh, honey,” Roman was saying as he gathered Patton into his arms, holding him carefully. “Please, tell me what on Earth gave you the impression that I think those things of you.”

“Anxiety brain,” Patton answered, laughing bitterly, thinking about Virgil’s self-deprecating moments, and how he’d find something new to blame them on every time. 

“It’s wrong,” Roman reassured him. “And really quite rude. Dearheart, not once have I ever thought you ungrateful or weak or useless or sensitive.” He drew back, cradling Patton’s elbows in his hands, keeping their forearms touching, but putting distance between them otherwise. “You show gratitude in more ways than one, and you’re so strong to make it through days like this, and I wouldn’t know half the things I do without your help, and it’s admirable that you’re so in tune with your emotions.” 

Roman let go just long enough to take Patton’s face in his hands. Using his thumbs, he swiped at the tears leaving tracks down his cheeks. With his fingers, he massaged the skin behind Patton’s ears. It helped to soothe the headache he could feel coming on from his crying. 

“I’d like to stay with you tonight, dearest, if that’s okay.” 

Patton liked the sound of that very much. “Please. I just… I don’t…” 

Roman nodded and Patton wished he knew how he understood him so perfectly. 

“Here, why don’t you pick whatever you feel you can stomach, and I’ll go find something to watch on Disney Plus?” 

Patton hummed his agreement. Roman pressed a kiss to his forehead before leaving him alone.