#celery writes

Tony blinked his eyes open in slow dreary intervals. They felt heavy with a dizzy exhaustion that wasn't unfamiliar to him but had faded to be more uncommon with recent times. His head throbbed dully and he allowed himself for a mere moment to pretend it was from a battle; saving lives and hitting his head in some heroic act,.but he knew this was a far more human problem of his own making.

His thinking was slow, even for his standards but instinct took over, slowly shifting into a seated position on his bed and checking the time: 9am. A sight stole his attention however and he found himself confusedly reaching for a glass of water and some painkillers on his night stand. This would be something Pepper would do for him when he was sat his worst most black out drunk. Normally she never bothered unless he had truly worked himself into a state.

But she was gone now, she had left and so Tony sifted through what memories had been the least warped by the alcohol. There wasn't much there; something about texting Pepper, being angry and upset and it spiralling into the thoughts he kept locked up, the thoughts that only a bottle of liquor would loosen, thoughts of Cap and his parents and the Chittari. So that begged the question; who left this here?

Crawling sluggishly into less sweat and vomit soaked clothes he padded into the living room only to have his breath punched out of him. Peter.

He was here on the couch in a fitful looking sleep -hair tousled, drool, crooked neck the works. There was nothing covering him and apart from his visible face he was in his Spiderman suit. He must have swung by last night. He must have seen Tony. Not good.

Peter would come over sometimes unannounced after patrol. Whether it be to report to him or to tinker with the suit or even to spend some time with Tony on the couch nerding out about Star Wars or they would have fun. He was never supposed to deal with this.

Tony enjoyed spending time with Peter, truly he did but it was a selfish want. His upbeat personality and brilliant mind and steadfast morals were refreshing to be around, but Tony knew he was just using him. To forget, to be busy, to pretend he was better.

Tony wasn't better though. He was a haunted man, but the ghost was in the mirror. He wasn't made for children, he never experienced true parental affection and had no grasp of how not to reflect that floundering onto the boy in front of him. From the looks of it he had failed spectacularly. Tony was an adult, but he was certainly not responsible -that fact has been proven over and over and had again at the puzzle pieces forming in his mind.

Peter had to be the one to care for him when it should have been the other way around. Peter was the one to take him to bed, to wrap him warm, to leave the water and painkillers there for him, to pass out on the couch waiting and worrying.

Tony knew the alcohol made him loose lipped and difficult and prayed to whatever being was out there -he'd even take Thor- that he hadn't said something that he couldn't undo.

Except he would never get the chance to truly apologise for he had already decided his best course of action. He grabbed a throw blanket from the spare closet on his room and was careful to wrap it around Peter. It was cotton, one of many he owned after the visits became regular and he had learned of Peter's preference in his comforts. It was the closest consolation he could muster for the boy he had somehow convinced that Ironman was a worthy mentor.

With a final selfish look Tony tussled the sleeping boy's hair and asked Friday to give Peter a message when he awoke: to not come back, to only contact Tony for Emergencies, to only drop off the suit for necessary repairs, to stay away.

It was for the best Tony reminded himself, the words hitting his core the way his hangover assaulted his head. He deserved it.

“Do you like it?” Roman shifted the weight on his feet as he gave a weak smile. He had a bit of paint still on his hands, unable to scrub all of it off before eagerly searching for Janus to show him the finished painting. Janus had barely glanced at the work before Roman had asked his opinion. 

“This… is what you were working on?” He could still see the wet paint on the canvas as a stunning field lined with trees and flowers stared back at him. “Roman, this is…”

“Not my best, I know,” Roman moved around the other toward the painting, staring at it fondly. “It doesn’t do the real thing justice. The actual meadow is breathtaking-”

“No, no,” Janus held out his hand, eyes still locked on the painting as he slowly took it in. “This is magnificent! You are too harsh on yourself.”

Janus glanced up at Roman and saw the man try to hide his blushing face. Roman glanced back and they smiled softly at one another for a moment before Roman turned back to his painting. “You think so?” He had asked so gently, Janus wondered if he was meant to hear it.

“I do. If the real thing is even more beautiful, I’d love to see it one day.”

“I could take you!” Janus watched Roman perk up excitedly before quickly deflating. “Oh, I mean… maybe one day we could go?”

Janus hummed to himself and smiled sadly, tucking his hands behind his back. “I wouldn’t hold my breath.” He ignored the deep sigh that Roman let out as he stared at the painting fondly. The open meadow looked so warm and inviting, far nicer than the small garden they held on the grounds. 

Roman took a few steps closer before slowly reaching out and sliding his hand across the other’s face. Janus let Roman turn his head until their eyes met as he smiled. “One day, I promise,” Roman whispered. Janus closed his eyes and Roman brushed his thumb across Janus’ cheek. “I’ll get you out of here and we’ll go to that meadow together.”

“Your brother would never allow me to leave.”

“My brother is a fool thinking he could keep you locked away.” Roman spat the words out with disdain, not bothering to hide his hatred.

Janus smiled and opened his eyes once more. “It is a comfortable prison, at least. With excellent company.” Reaching up, he grabbed Roman’s hand that was pressed against his face and pulled it to his lips, kissing it lovingly. “Is it truly a cage when my warden is so generous to me?”

Roman sighed and gently tugged his hand away, holding it to his chest. He frowned and turned his head, staring out the nearby window. “Janus, your brother has asked me to help him look for you. I don’t know what to say. If Remus found out I gave your location away…”

“I will be fine if you decide to help Virgil. ”

“But I can’t risk that!” Roman’s shoulders hiked up to his ears as he hunched in on himself. “I worry what he’d do to you. I worry he’d take you away if I say anything. Then we’d never be able to find you again. I would never be able to...”

“Then don’t say anything.” Janus stared back at the painting as he felt Roman’s gaze return to him. “Virgil is overly cautious but that’s because he’s smart. You don’t have to tell him everything, just enough to piece things together himself. If you, for example, tell him you searched this mansion and leave the results vague, his curiosity will get the better of him.”

“I don’t want to lose you…” Roman stepped closer and reached out toward Janus, hesitant to touch him. “I love my brother but this is wrong. I just… don’t know what to do. How can I earn your freedom without risking your health? You know how Remus can be.”

“Then don’t risk anything.” Janus finally turned and grabbed Roman’s slowly retreating hand. “A prison with you is hardly a prison at all.”

“Remus wouldn’t like that. He brought you here to fall in love with him, not me.”

“Ahh, see, that is why he is a fool,” Janus tugged on Roman’s hand, pulling him in closer. “For how could he have such a knight guard my cage and not expect me to fall in love?”

“I wish I didn’t-”

“Shhh, none of that.” Janus pressed a finger to Roman’s lips. “You have made my stay as bearable as possible and for that, I am grateful.”

“Roman!” The sound of Remus’ voice caused both to flinch and quickly pull away from one another, each trying to hide their red faces. “Bring my little bird to me, will you?” 

Roman sighed and dusted off his shirt before turning to Janus. “My brother calls.”

“So he does.” Janus reached out and Roman offered his arm. “Lead the way, I suppose. But this conversation is far from over.”

---

“Say what?” 

The smile on Remus’ face dipped as he leaned forward, tucking his hand behind his ear. Roman sighed and rolled his eyes before turning away. “I said, I need your help. Just for today!”

The grin that grew on Remus’ face was extremely unsettling, but it wasn’t anything Roman wasn’t used to seeing from his brother. The expression made him almost grimace as he seemed to brace himself for the unknown. 

Remus was giddy with excitement as he began to giggle. “My help?”

“Look, Thomas has this big project he’s been working on and that needs all my focus if we’re to make it as great as it can be.” Roman thrust his arm out and gestured around them. “So this needs someone to watch over it.”

Remus turned and looked over at the field they stood in. The treeline in the distance swayed with the breeze and the few clouds overhead were drifting lazily by. It was a beautiful afternoon, something Remus could appreciate, but that also meant it was boring. Exactly something Roman would make and enjoy. 

The running imagination sat at the back of Thomas’s mind. A place where he could easily drift into and zone out in a new daydream where anything could happen. It housed a lot of silly ideas that Thomas thought about. A lot of fantasies too! It also held a lot of his thoughts and ideas for ongoing projects, so some of the Shorts Characters were usually hanging around. They usually waited until Thomas came up with new ideas, waiting until they were needed. Not like the Sides who were called on and constantly making decisions. Characters like Sleep and the Shorts version of Anxiety. The Teacher and Dad characters, the original ones, hung around. The Prince character usually could be found doing something silly or outrageous. Even characters like Emile Picani from Cartoon Therapy resided in the subconscious of the mind. And while Remus had quite a bit of control over it, he usually played around with the ideas he wanted and left the rest alone. He got along with a few of the imaginary constructs as they caused trouble and gossiped amongst themselves, but this was the first time Roman wanted to let go of his control and let Remus be the sole person to watch it.

Remus and Roman were like imaginary batteries. They could work together to fuel the imagination or they could get in a fight and cause ‘creative block’ which was just exhausting. So they split the work between the two. If Thomas had a brainstorming session, they’d each participate in sections while also fueling the imagination to keep the ideas flowing. Because it took so much work, lesser ideas usually were thrown around at each other until something stuck. It was usually when their ideas clashed and created a ‘creative spark’ that anything really started happening. 

Even after Thomas has moved onto other tasks, they’ll keep working in the background and see what they can come up with together, if they could get along. This, however? Was new. Remus knew this wasn’t easy for his brother to admit, but the project must be massive or super important if Roman wanted to take a step back and pour his focus on one thing. That’s not usually how they worked as Creativity. It was a fickle thing you couldn’t force, but there were times you could sit down and try to come up with a new idea to see what would work. 

This wasn’t like that. Remus knew that he’d eventually be called on, whether Thomas was aware of it or not, to see if he had any input on the idea. He was also Creativity, no matter anyone’s reservations they had about him.

This wasn’t Roman asking to enter Daydream Mode to spark a new idea, this was Roman wanting to pour his whole self into a project. Remus idly wondered if it had anything to do with recent events. Sure, Deceit had this master plan and revealed his name after everything started to crash and burn around them to get Thomas to listen. Sure, it took Remus making a smashing entrance to make them realize that they perhaps were not okay. Sure, they knew Deceit’s name was Janus and that they were being rather self-destructive. Remus didn’t really care, that all made things interesting. It also makes his ideas run wild around the imagination and that was exhausting. It was burning him out and while he usually didn’t mind a little arson, things were going ninety degrees downhill until Janus stepped in.

So things were better. So they were trying to think of new plans to make things better. All Remus cared about right now?

“Oh, brother! You’re learning to share!” Remus summoned his mace and held it up gleefully. “I’ll take good care of ‘em!”

“I’m serious, Remus! You just have to power this place so I can help Thomas at the forefront. Can you manage that?”

“Yes, fine! Sheesh, you’re so drab!”

“Just… don’t break anything!”

Remus huffed and let the handle of his mace rest on his shoulder. “I won’t of mine.” Roman glared hard and Remus sighed. “Sleep and I will probably share the juicy gossip he has and if you’re back in time, the damage will be minimal.”

“I’m serious!” Roman pointed at Remus as if scolding him. “Minimal destruction! No swinging that mace at anyone or anything!”

“It’s a morning star! Oh, I could use a morning glory in all my morning glory! People wouldn’t know how to stop me, then! Attack or seduce? Anything’s possible!”

“I’m out of here. Just… try not to burn everything down?”

“I won’t, too boring for my tastes. Not stinky enough.” 

Roman just sighed and shook his head before turning away. “Fine, that’s the best I’m gonna get. I’ll see you later.”

The poster advertising the city-wide festival was both a surprise and warm welcome to Logan when he saw it at work. He immediately took a photo and sent it to the group chat he had with his roommates. One he usually kept muted due to silly conversations and spam messages in it (usually Roman and Patton). They all answered with enthusiasm and made plans to go after Virgil stated being too nervous to go alone. 

When that warm summer day finally approached, they headed to the city park where it was being held and waited on the side for the small parade to start. Patton found a tie-dye shirt with the pan colors on it randomly in a store. Of course, it was not advertised that way, but he didn’t care at all. Virgil had a shirt on but was hiding it under a light breezy sweater, too shy to have it in the open just yet. Patton had asked Virgil to make Logan a tie that fit the ace colors. Logan absolutely loved it. And Roman? Was fully decked out with a pride flag as a cape tied around his shoulders and his cheek had a rainbow painted on the side, courtesy of Virgil. 

The parade was rather short since it was the city’s first year, but the crowd quickly formed around it before pouring into the park where a stage with music was set up, surrounded by stalls of food, supportive local businesses, and random merch. The stalls were lacking, the basic pride flags most common people could quickly find were being sold. Patton made comments about making other flags and setting up a booth next year just so that more people could feel accepted.

They were still walking around when they started hearing shouting. It sounded like a debate and a small crowd was gathering around it.

“He is!”

“Where’s your proof? I don’t want you to be wrong, but all I hear are stories! I want evidence!”

“What evidence are you even looking for?”

“I mean, if he were to show up, that would be pretty good!”

“You know he doesn’t show up in the day time!”

“It’s PRIDE! If Prince Charging really stood by us, he’d be here!”

Their group all turned to Roman who watched on with wide eyes and a bit surprised. “Wait…” He mumbled to himself. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Roman…” Virgil started softly. “What are you planning?”

Roman smiled and turned toward him. “Virgil. I need a quick way home as soon as possible. I think I didn’t dress properly for the occasion!”

Virgil stared at Roman before letting out a deep sigh and shaking his head. “Fine. I know I can’t stop you. Here, let’s get out of here and find a quiet place to ourselves.”

Patton and Logan waved them goodbye as they went their separate ways. However, only ten minutes later, Virgil walked back up to the two and let out a large sigh before ducking his head. 

“I told him to not let me regret this and I already regret this.”

“Regret what, Virge?”

“Is that Clyde?” They turned to Logan, who was staring off into the crowd. Following his gaze, they turned and spotted Clyde in the crowd. He didn’t stick out much, though he wasn’t wearing his usual scarf and beanie in the hot weather. His hair was slightly pink at the ends, probably temporary color, and he was wearing a big, baggy tank top that said ‘Imagine what you could learn if you weren’t an asshole’ in rainbow letters on the front with a blue bandanna tied around his neck.

“It is!” Patton cried out happily. “Clyde! Hey, over here!” They watched as their neighbor looked over at them and visibly deflated. He seemed to contemplate ignoring them before begrudgingly walking over. “Hey! I didn’t know you were going to be here!”

“Yeah, well…” He tugged at his bandanna and looked around.  “Aunt Les has been talking about this for months and I was curious, so…”

“Well, be that as it may, it is nice to see you here, Clyde.” Logan smiled at the younger man as he looked at Logan in shock. “Even coming to these to simply show support, whether you are a part of the community or not, is a brave act. I’m glad to see you here, regardless of the reasons.”

“Oh. Yeah, it’s whatever.” Clyde smiled softly before looking at the group. “Hey, where’s Roman?”

Virgil jabbed a thumb over his shoulder and Clyde leaned over to see what was going on. “He’s probably just over there. You’ll hear him soon enough.”

Clyde watched the crowd before spotting the familiar white suit he had seen dozens of times before. “Are you kidding me, really?!” Clyde scrunched his nose in disdain and looked up at Virgil. “You really let him out of the house like that?”

Virgil shrugged and didn’t bother turning around. “Hey, if seeing him makes others feel safe knowing he supports them, who am I to stop it?”

Roman was walking around and smiling, ignoring the whispers as he made his way through the sea of people. He knew in his outfit he shouldn’t hang out with the others, but it was a golden opportunity to just enjoy things as they happened and stand up for anyone in the rare chance something happened. 

“Prince Charging!” He stopped and turned, seeing a group of people smiling and waving at him. He raised a hand and waved back, watching them all laugh and turn to talk to one another before he turned and kept walking through the crowd. 

“No way,” He turned and saw the two people who were arguing before, both staring at him. “No way! No way you’re really here!” The person who was demanding proof that Prince Charging was in support of pride. He watched as they smiled, seemingly happy to be proven wrong. “You’re really here!”

“Well, of course I am!” He placed a hand on his chest and smiled, puffing up proudly. “There is no where else I would rather be!”

“Are you really him?” Someone else questioned. The Prince smiled and nodded, causing them to start jumping with excitement. “Ahh, the Prince is here!”

People started taking out their phones and snapping photos, which he was more than happy to pose for. A crowd quickly formed and Prince was having a hard time keeping up with them all.

It was going great for a while. Of course, someone had to speak up.

“No way. I bet you’re a fake!” He stopped and turned to the person who shouted at him. “I don’t believe you!”

“You don’t believe me? The gayest hero in the city? Truly, I have not done my job well enough if you’re still questioning it!”

“Prove it! Prove it you’re really here!”

With a huff, he looked around and noticed a nearby bench, quickly excusing himself as he made his way to it. Jumping up, he turned to the crowd and threw out his arms. “Ladies, lords and non-binary royalty, it is your prince! Here in support of all of you!”

“Are you the real prince? I bet you’re a fake!”

Roman held out his hand like it was a gun and pointed it to the crowd. “This is as real as you are, I assure you!”

“PROVE IT!”

Without hesitation, Prince Charging held his arm up and aimed straight into the sky. He let loose a bolt of lightning that shot up and flared out, almost like a firework. The crowd gasped and grew silent as he put his hand down. “I am Prince Charging, the real deal!”

“PRINCE, I LOVE YOU!”

“I love you too, random citizen!” He said with a smile.

Clyde scoffed and turned away. “How can you date him? He’s so annoying.”

“Say trans rights!”

He cleared his throat and cupped his mouth before turning to the sky. “Prince Charging says TRANS RIGHTS!”

Clyde smiled a bit and turned away. “Well, maybe not always. I could do without the shouting, though.”

Everyone just started cheering and asking him to say other things, which he happily obliged. No one questioned him, no one was afraid of him, and everyone kept chanting his name.

He couldn’t tell you how he made it onto the stage where they were performing. He couldn’t tell you how he even got there! However, he will remember being handed a mic and being asked to give a speech. Performing was in Roman’s blood but he still got pre-show jitters every time. 

But not here. Not today. Definitely not this time. 

“You’re not broken.” The crowd grew quiet at the Prince’s soft tone. He hadn’t realized how serious he was going to take it, but as soon as he started, he couldn’t stop. He looked down to the crowd at all the unfamiliar faces. He smirked a bit as he saw his roommates with Clyde, looking up at him from the field.

“You are not broken. This isn’t some sort of test or a race. We all spend time trying to figure it out, afraid of what we will learn and what others will say, but we were made this way. And the way that you are? The way that each and everyone of us is? We were made exactly the way you were supposed to be.” He pulled the mic away a little bit as he stared out at the crowd. “The label can feel nice, knowing can feel like… like you make sense for the first time in your life. It doesn’t work like that for everyone. You don’t have to follow the label exactly. You want to be a dashing prince?” He smiled and posed a bit. “Fine. You also want to wear a dress? Go ahead. This is all…” He moved his hands around a bunch, waving them back and forth. “It’s like a color wheel. There are so many slightly different variants to every color and shade. You don’t have to be exactly on the dot. You don’t have to be the same color as everyone else. If you’re a bit more green or purple, than that’s fine! Because that’s…” He pulled the mic away, feeling his voice start to waver. 

Summer, 1987

“I’m telling you, I know what I saw!”

“I believe you, I’m just saying! How could you have seen him if he’s been missing for years? No one’s seen him in decades!”

“I don’t know, Rem, but I know it was him! I’m sure of it!”

“Just… Drop it? Please? I don’t like this, it doesn’t feel right.”

“....”

“Look, I just don’t want something bad to happen to you and this whole thing is creepy. I know you like creepy things but… You know I wouldn’t speak up otherwise.”

“... Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I… I should just forget about it.”

“I doubt you’ll be able to forget but just… try and let it go?”

“Sure. No more ghost hunting. Come on, let’s get home before the sun goes down.”

“Hey.... Thanks.”

“Yeah, shut up and let's go.”

Present day, 2017

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Patton.” The man leered into the studio apartment, scanning it carefully. “It’s rather… small.”

“Sure it is, but it’s mine!” Patton walked over and sat down on the couch facing a tv stand that held no television itself. “This is a futon so this is where I’ll be sleeping until I can get an actual bed.”

“That is where you’re sleeping? That can’t be healthy!”

“Roman, it’s fine!” Patton leaned back into the couch and grimaced a bit. “Besides, I have my eyes on a few of those city yard sale sites for a new bed. I snagged this for like, twenty bucks!”

Roman’s nose scrunched up at the unruly sight of the futon and sighed. He had helped bring it in the first time before the apartment was cleared out and it didn’t look any better in its new surroundings than it did the first time he saw it. “I mean, it’s not the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen… and as long as you plan on getting an actual mattress, I can let it slide. I don’t know why you didn’t just wanna crash at my place!”

“Because, Roman! I can’t keep relying on other people. You and Logan have been roommates for years and there’s hardly enough room for the two of you!” Roman sighed and nodded, agreeing with that statement. “I’ll be fine. It’s just until I can afford some real furniture.”

“I don’t know how you found this place.” Roman walked over to the only window in the apartment and pulled back the blinds. “It’s the creepiest part of town!”

“I think it just gives it character!” Roman looked over to his best friend as he smiled optimistically on his second hand couch. “Don’t you?”

Roman shook his head and let out a sigh. “I don’t understand how you’re never bothered or creeped out by things like this.”

“I dunno, never have. My parents even told me stories as a kid where I just unplugged my night light and hid under my bed. Said I was looking for my imaginary friend made of shadows or something silly.” Patton turned and fell back onto his couch, staring up at the ceiling. “I just find the dark comforting.”

“You’re a weird cookie, Pat, but I wouldn’t have you any other way.” Roman turned and looked around the empty apartment, one box of Patton’s clothes still not put away into the closet and a small box simply labeled ‘kitchen’ sitting on the counter. “Well, I have you all moved in since there wasn’t much. I’ve got practice I need to get to but you can always call me to come back if you snag anything else for this place, okay?”

“Okay! Thank you, Roman!”

“I’ll lock the door on my way out!”

Patton listened to the sound of the door closing shut with a click before he smiled. “Worrywart.”

Patton enjoyed the silence around his apartment, the passing of cars on the busy street below mixed in with a few faint voices as they walked by. It was a nice ambient noise, one he was going to have to get used to but certainly didn’t mind.

It was sweet of Roman to be concerned. After all, after Patton’s last job laid him off with no notice, he had to scramble to find a new place he could afford. He didn’t know what he would do without his two best friends helping him out. They had been living together for convenience for years while Patton had a solitary apartment by himself. They always thought it was weird since Patton was very social, but even he needed to recharge his batteries in solitude once in a while.

He decided to get up and sort through what little he still had before making an early dinner. There wasn’t much he could do for entertainment until the internet was hooked up, but he had his laptop and a few things on that he could still play without internet. Or he could always open the browser and play that game with the cute little dinosaur!

Sure, things weren’t perfect, but he had gotten through worse! He just hoped he was able to sleep well that night.

Spring, 1996

“Patton?! Sweetie, where are you?! Come to mommy honey!!”

“Mommy!”

“Oh, Patton, don’t run off like that, you scared me!”

“Sorry, mommy. I made a friend! He was super nice and said we can play later!”

“Not today, sweetie. You know you shouldn’t talk to strangers, okay? Come on, let’s go home. And don’t run off on me like that again!”

---

Patton woke up the next morning exhausted. He blinked and groaned, his back crying out in pain. Slowly, he stretched and realized that he was no longer on the futon but on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. 

Not exactly how Patton wanted his first night to go, but he was determined to not let that bring him down! He slowly sat up, wincing as his back cracked, and looked up at the futon. Maybe he just rolled out of bed? There was a discount store a few blocks over, perhaps a few spare pillows would help him sleep better. Besides, he didn’t have anything for breakfast anyway. Time for an adventure!

Much more optimistic about everything, Patton got up and dug through his box of clothes to get dressed since he didn’t have a dresser yet. He looked out the window at the slightly windy and chilly air and threw on a light jacket as well. Maybe a coffee wouldn’t be too bad with his breakfast…

---

Patton?” Logan called out. “Patton, are you alright?” 

Patton blinked a few times quickly and looked over at his friend. “Yeah, why?”

“You seem to keep spacing out. Have you been sleeping properly?”

Patton let out a humm and shook his head. “Not really. I can’t seem to get comfy on the futon. Half the time I wake up on the floor! And I keep having weird dreams...”

“Has this been happening only since you moved into your new abode?”

Patton frowned and shook his head. “No. I mean, I was worried about moving so I was having troubles then too, but I’m sure it’ll pass eventually.”

“Perhaps you should look into other methods to help you sleep?”

Patton sighed and looked at Logan before smiling. “Sure, lay it on me, Lo.”

“Oh. Well, if you’re looking for something to lay on top of you, a weighted blanket may be helpful.”

Patton chuckled at his friend’s misunderstanding. “Sure, I’ll keep that in mind. What else do you suggest?”

---

Late Summer, 1987

“Woah, babe, you look awful.”

“Wow. Thanks, Remy. I feel so much better now.”

“Look, I’m just worried! You look like you didn’t sleep at all last night!”

“Ugh, yeah. It doesn’t feel like I did. I’ve been having this weird dream this week and last night I just couldn’t fall asleep at all. I felt like someone was staring at me.”

“Well, it wasn’t me! And no one else was in our apartment last night.”

“I know, I know…”

“What was your dream about?”

“I just was staring at my bed and not moving. And I kept trying to but it was like I was paralyzed and I start to panic. Then I wake up.”

“That’s… a bit weird.”

“Yeah, it’s really freaky when it’s happening but it sounds so stupid talking about it.”

“It’s not stupid if it’s bothering you that much. Come on, we can go to the library and check out one of those books on dreams and laugh at all the stupid stuff it says.”

“Yeah… sure, why not?”

---

Patton woke up on the floor, once more and groaned. Luckily, he had thought ahead and started placing cushions down where he kept waking up. He groaned and got up slowly, his feet protesting like he had been on them all night. 

“Roman was right. I need an actual bed…”

He reached up to his side table to turn on the lamp before he froze. The table was bare except for his phone that sat faced down. He looked up and around his barren apartment before he saw it, sitting underneath the window with the blinds closed.

“How did you manage to get over there?” He slowly walked over, his feet protesting the movement. He reached out and opened the blinds, not sure how they were closed in the first place. “A bit of light makes everything better! Now, come on, lamp. Back to your post.” Patton chuckled at his little joke as he picked up his lamp and put it back on his table.

He was getting ready for his day when his phone started to ring. Running over, he was careful to pick it up and leave the lamp where it was before answering. 

“Hello? Roman! Sure, I’d love to come over for dinner after work tonight!”

---

“Patton, we’re growing more concerned for you lately. You haven’t been sleeping properly in weeks!”

“I’m fine, really. Besides, I think I finally found a bed! It’s more than I want to pay but I honestly think I need it.”

Roman let out a sigh of relief and put down a bowl of dinner rolls on the table. “Good. I’ll help you pick it up and bring it to your place, just let me know when, okay?”

“You got it, Ro! I can’t wait to sleep in a bed again. I’m sure everything will go back to normal after.”

Logan furrowed his brows but kept quiet, still wary of what was to come.

---

Roman let out a groan as he awoke to the sound of a chime ringing out repeatedly. “Logaaaan. Answer your phone.” He nudged his roommate in the back who woke up abruptly with a gasp. “Logan!”

“I got it…” Reaching out, he swiped on his phone, the screen too blurry to read without his glasses. He let out a soft hiss at the bright screen before answering. “Hello…?”

“Oh, sorry to wake you Logan. Um… It’s Patton, by the way.”

“Patton, are you alright?” Logan rubbed his eyes before sitting up, reaching out for his glasses carefully in the dark. “It’s the middle of the night.”

“Yeah, right, sorry. Um, I didn’t really plan on calling or anything. You know I’d let you sleep unless it was an emergency. Oh gosh, is this an emergency? I’m so sorry, I should have just let you sleep I’ll just go and--”

“Patton. PATTON! Breathe. Nice and slow.” Logan put on his glasses and stared at the clock, trying not to panic with his friend. “Now, tell me what’s wrong?”

“Um… I’m not at home.”

“Then where are you?” Logan looked over at Roman who was staring up, confused as to what was going on. Hearing half of the conversation didn’t help calm his worry. 

“The, uh… You know the woods at the edge of town?”

“The--why are you in the woods?”

“I don’t know… I woke up here and I had my shoes on and I left my phone in my jacket and it’s almost dead but I’m freaking out and I don’t know what’s going on…”

“Roman and I can be there shortly to pick you up, okay? No need to panic.” Logan heard a gasp and a ruffled static noise coming from the other side. “Patton?”

“Please hurry… I don’t think I’m alone.”

Fall, 1987

“Remy, wake up!”

“Vee, do you have any idea what time it is?” The man grumbled into his pillow. “Let me sleep.”

“No, Rem, please wake up.” Virgil reached out and shook his friend frantically.

“Okay, geeze. What’s the emergency?” Remy looked up and blinked the sleep from his eyes, staring at his roommate. “Virgil, what’s wrong?” Remy immediately sat up, looking at his friend’s panicking eyes. “Hey, are you okay?”

“No, I’m really not.”

Virgil looked like he had been in full blown panic mode for a while. His hair was wild and he didn’t look like he slept in a week. Remy looked down and noticed he had his shoes on of all things. 

“Wait, where did you go?”

“The woods.”

“What for?”

Virgil looked up at his friend as a tear slipped down his face. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“I woke up there, Rem… and I wasn’t alone. I saw him again…”

---

“Unacceptable, you’re staying with us tonight.”

Patton sat huddled in the back seat of their car. Roman had brought a spare coat as the seasons changed and wrapped it around Patton’s shoulders. 

“Okay…”

Logan sighed and glanced in the rearview mirror. “We’ve been really worried about you, Patton, and you keep shrugging these things off.”

“Yeah,” Roman turned around and looked at their friend. “We know creepy stuff never really bothered you, padre but… this has got to be weird, even for you.”

“Yeah…”

Roman turned to Logan who tensed up but kept his eyes on the road. “What do you remember, Patton? About tonight.” Roman asked, turning back to him as he spoke.

Patton shrugged and held the coat closer, staring at the floor of the car. “I dunno. I went to bed like normal and woke up standing in the woods.”

Roman nodded and frowned a bit. “And… were you alone?”

Patton opened his mouth to answer and froze, growing still. Roman patiently waited until Patton looked up and their eyes met. 

Patton’s eyes were red from exhaustion and tears. His face still wet from the tracks that ran down them that he was too tired to wipe away. He sniffled and took a shallow, stuttering breath before he shook his head. “I saw someone.”

“And did you know them?”

“Um… No, not personally. But I think I’ve seen them before.”

“How about we go home and try to sleep?” Logan glanced in the mirror briefly again. “I’ll take the couch and Patton can share the bed with you, Roman.”

“Logan, no-”

“I’m not taking any arguments on this.” Logan cut him off. “You need to sleep in a real bed.”

“I have been sleeping in a real bed!”

Roman scoffed. “That hand me down is hardly even a bed, Pat. I would know, I helped you bring it into your apartment!”

“Right…” Patton leaned back into the cushions and sighed. “Fine. Just for tonight.”

“We can talk about this in the morning, okay?”

Sleep didn’t come easy to any of them that night. Patton called into work and his tired voice made him sound off enough that they wished him well. They charged his phone for him and let him lay in bed, scrolling through the internet absently while his best friends cooked him breakfast.

They ate in silence around the table, Patton poking at his food and taking small bites, eating more of it than he thought he would be able to.

“So,” Logan finally spoke up, breaking the silence. “About last night.”

Patton dropped his fork and sighed. “I think it’s best we go back to my apartment. There’s something on my laptop I want to show you guys.”

Roman looked over at Logan concerned before nodding. “Okay, let’s finish up and we can go.”

---

Patton turned the knob of his apartment door and tensed as it opened, his keys still in his hand. “Looks like I didn’t lock it…”

Logan and Roman shared a concerned glance as they all headed in. Roman reached for the light switch Patton seemed to have ignored and blinked at the state of the small apartment.

The lap was sitting tipped over underneath the window and all the blinds were closed. “A bit dark in here, huh Pat?”

Patton ignored them, reaching for his laptop and pulling it open. The futon was still pulled out and he turned to sit on it, waiting for it to boot up. 

“What is it you wanted to show us, Patton?”

“This.”

Patton clicked away a few times before turning his laptop around.

Man Goes Missing in Woods, Never Found

Logan approached and scanned the news article that Patton had pulled up on his laptop. “Virgil Stone, 24, was last seen entering the Ward Lake Woods on late Friday morning. Witness says he followed after him but lost his trail. A search party was started--Patton, this is where we found you but… why do you have this on your laptop?”

“Because,” Patton scrolled and pointed to the photo of the missing person. “That’s who I saw in the woods. Virgil Stone.”

“That’s impossible!” Roman cried out. “This article is from thirty years ago! There’s no way this is the same person!”

“I know what I saw! This is him, I’m sure of it! And isn’t it weird that I saw him in the same exact woods I ended up in?”

Logan frowned as he stared at the face of the young man that went missing years ago. He looked up at his best friend, watching as he braced himself for what they had to say next. “Fine, if this is who you think you saw, then I’ll believe you.”

“Wha-Logan? You believe this?” Roman said, shocked. 

“Well, Patton isn’t known to lie and if that’s who he thought he saw, then I’ll believe him. There’s enough weird stuff going on already, don’t you think?”

“Well, yeah. Sure, I’ll give you that.” Roman held a hand out, silently asking for the laptop. Patton handed it over and watched as Roman scrolled down, pausing at the bottom. “There’s a name and contact here in case anyone sees him.”

“Yeah, Virgil’s best friend Remy. He was the last one to have seen him.” Patton spoke. “I’ve read just about everything about this disappearance. What about him?”

“Well,” Roman motioned to the screen. “You saw him, didn’t you?”

---

Fall, 1987

The disappearance of Virgil Stone

“Remy, this didn’t work the last two times we tried. Why would it now?”

“Because I don’t have any other ideas!” Remy cried out, frustrated. “I don’t know what keeps happening other than you seem to sleepwalk right out the front door past me. So this time, I’m gonna sit right here!” Remy sat down, leaning against Virgil’s locked door. “And watch you to make sure nothing bad happens!”

Virgil let out a sigh and laid down on his bed, pulling the blankets over him. “Thanks for trying anyway, Rem. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m not giving up on you, Virgil. You’re my best friend, okay? We’ll figure this out.”

Virgil decided not to answer.

---

“Hello? Is this Remy Picani?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve come to talk to you about, um… Virgil Stone?”

Patton froze as the line grew quiet. Eventually, he heard a sigh from the other end. 

“If you’re doing some paper on it, I’m not up to talking…”

“No, nothing like that! Um, my name is Patton Morales and I think I may have seen him?” 

“If this is some kind of prank-”

“No!” Patton cried out. “No, it’s not! I’ve been having these weird dreams and I guess I’ve also been sleepwalking? But I woke up in the woods the other day and he was right there, I swear! Oh, goodness, this sounds crazy now that I’ve said it out loud…”

“Sleepwalking?” Remy whispered. “You were sleepwalking and ended up in those woods.”

“Um, yeah. I know it sounds weird, but trust me! I know what I saw!”

“Tell me, Patton. Has this happened before? Weird dreams, sleep paralysis, exhaustion after you’ve woken up? Lighting fixtures moving around or breaking?”

Patton felt a cold sensation growing in his chest. Pure panic as everything the older man described was repeated back to him. “Um. Yes, actually.”

“You need to leave that city immediately.”

“E-excuse me?”

“This goes farther back than you can imagine. Virgil went through all the same stuff. He even saw someone else too.” Patton froze at the news. “His name was Thomas Sanders. He went missing back in the 50’s. No one ever found him. He just vanished from his home one day. Then, Virgil tells me he was searching the library and found an old news article. Turns out, this Thomas guy was who he had seen in the woods. I begged him to just drop it, but it wasn’t enough. Whatever he found had decided he was their next target.”

Fall, 1987

“Virgil!” Remy shouted, cursing himself for falling asleep. He didn’t expect his roommate to go out of the window on the second story, but it was too late for that. Somehow, he made it down relatively safe. Besides the slight limp he had at first, he seemed okay.

But now Remy had to run after him into the woods, desperately trying to catch up.

“VIRGIL!” He was so close, too. While Virgil seemed to be in a hurry, he was merely speed walking. Remy had woken up to an open window and empty bed, but just in time to catch his friend.

He reached out, grabbing his wrist and spinning him around. “Virgil, let’s go back, okay?” Remy couldn’t hide his own panic anymore.

Virgil stared at him, his eyes blank as he shook his head. “I made a promise…”

“V-virgil?”

“I have to keep it. I made a deal. I have to go.”

“A deal? What kind of deal? When?!” Virgil ripped his hand out of his friend’s grip and turned, sprinting off into the woods. “Virgil?! WAIT, COME BACK!”

“I spent hours looking for him after that. I called the cops and explained he went missing. They searched those woods for days. No one ever saw him again.”

“Oh my…”

“You need to leave that town immediately before the same thing happens to you, got it?” “Remy dear, who are you on the phone with?”

“No one, Em, I’ll be right there! …. Good luck, Patton. I really hope you make it out of this okay.”

---

Patton sat down and talked to Logan and Roman about what he had learned. While still a bit skeptical, their worry and concern outweighed everything else.

“Luckily, you’re on a month to month basis with your rent since you never signed a lease. We can have you moved out by the end of the month.”

Patton nodded as Roman gathered his things. He had only been on his own for a few months and now he was back to square one. “Okay.”

“I can help sell your stuff while we try and search for a job for you a few towns over. Hopefully that’s far enough that whatever is going on will pass.”

“Sure.”

Roman stopped and approached Patton carefully. “I’m sorry about all this, Pat, but we just care about you. This is some strange stuff going on.”

“I know.” 

Roman stared at his friend, his bags under his eyes were deep and his eyes were glassy and tired. “We’ll treat you to dinner tonight and you can stay with us. Then, tomorrow, we’ll start getting you away from this place.”

Patton looked up and smiled. “Thanks, Roman. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

Roman smiled back and went back to packing things up. As soon as his back was turned, Patton’s smile fell. 

“Patton, there is one thing I am still curious about.” Patton turned to Logan as he spoke. “You had all those articles because you had seen Virgil before. If the forest wasn’t the first time… when was it?”

“My name is Patton! What’s yours?”

“.... It used to be Virgil.”

“Well, what is it now?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Well, how come you came outta nowhere?”

“... I came from the shadows.”

“Wow! That’s so cool! Can you teach me to do that?!”

The man smiled and held out his hand. “Do you promise to come with me one day?”

“To play? I have to ask my mom first! But then can you teach me the shadow trick?”

“Of course.”

“Then I promise!”

“Patton?! Sweetie, where are you?”

“Sorry, I gotta go! Bye!!”

“Come to mommy honey!!”

“Mommy!”

“Oh, Patton, don’t run off like that, you scared me!”

“Sorry, mommy. I made a friend! He was super nice and said we can play later!”

Patton blinked and shook his head. “A long time ago… and in some of my dreams, I think.”

“Well, that doesn’t matter. We’ll get you sorted out of here in no time.”

Patton turned to the corner near the window and watched the curtains move with a breeze. He blinked and wondered if there was a draft, since all the windows were closed. It was too cold to have any of them open. 

The curtain slowly drifted, pulling itself closed a bit before it stopped.

Patton smirked. Definitely not a draft.

“I think we should go.” The two turned to Patton who was still staring out the window. “It’s been a long day, you know? I just want to hang out with you two for today and try and forget about all of this.”

“Of course.” Roman put a few things down in a box and dusted his hands. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Patton held open the door and let both his friends leave before turning back into the apartment. He flicked the lights off and stared as it grew dark, suddenly seeing the shadows in his apartment shift around. With a nod, he closed the door and locked it before taking his key and placing it under the doormat before turning around and catching up to his friends.

---

“Good night, Roman. Good night, Logan.” Patton curled up on the couch and smiled at them. “You guys are the best, you know that?”

“Anything for you, Pat.” Logan nodded, agreeing with Roman’s statement. “Just wake us if you need anything.”

“Sleep well, Patton. We’ll see you in the morning.”

Patton waited in the dark for a while, staring at the ceiling of the living room. He heard his friends walking about until they finally settled in themselves. He sighed and sat up, getting to his feet quietly. He made his way to the front door and gathered his shoes before quietly opening the door, sneaking out into the night.

Once outside, Patton slipped on his sneakers and made his way down the street. His hands started shaking and his heart was pounding in his chest as he walked, Remy’s words still ringing in his head. 

A promise.

Patton barely made it to the park where the woods stretched before he saw him. A dark figure made purely of shadow standing at the edge of the woods. Patton froze and stared, blinking a few times to make sure it was actually there before he started walking closer. 

“Patton.”

“Virgil, right?”

The figure slowly started to look like the missing man as Patton approached. “His name was Virgil once, yes.”

“S-so… W-what are you?”

The figure didn’t answer.

“I… I don’t want to do this.”

“But you promised. It’s your turn. You made the deal.”

“Virgil” held out his hand and stood there, waiting. Patton stared at it, trembling in fear of what he was doing. “If… If I ran away…”

“It wouldn’t have mattered.”

Nodding, Patton slowly reached out and took the hand, gasping at how frozen it felt.

“Thank you, Patton.”

Virgil smiled and closed his eyes, the darkness taking his form as he slowly began to disappear. Soon enough, Patton stood at the edge of the field alone. His hand still stretched out as if holding another and his eyes wide in surprise. Then, it fell and he blinked before slowly walking into the woods.

Patton knew that it was his turn, and the next person to see him wouldn’t be for a long while.

----------

Happy Halloween!

This was the old In The Shadows taglist. Sorry if you’re no longer interested <3

@ultimate-queen-of-fandoms2 @up-at-3-am-reading-fanfic @the-gayest-one-of-them-all @randomfanderfriend @queer-human-being @fantazyiskey @rememberfateau-nowoffical @vulnerablevirgil @justanotherpurplebutterfly @conversationswithamilennial @ravenclawicecream @bubblycricket @curlycutiekinz @noahlovescoffee @bunny222

General:

With the morning sun brought a new brightness to the apartment. The light seemed to shine through the heaviness across the residence from the night before that still lingered about. Virgil got up with a groan, walking like he was still halfway in his bed as he trudged across the apartment and straight for the coffee pot. Roman made a concerned comment before shrugging it off, Virgil reassuring him while mumbling into the mug that he 'needed the coffee to function today'. Roman sighed and acquiesced. The banter was typical of them so early in the morning, something Patton appreciated after his restless night. Virgil sat in a chair grinning while Roman kept up the conversation with Patton, knowing Virgil would be a dead end. Besides a few witty quips, Virgil kept silent, watching the two fall into their normal pattern, but the empty spot where Logan usually occupied remained empty. Eventually, Virgil woke up enough to form complete sentences and waved the others off as he made his way to work. Roman perked up and headed out himself, not wanting to be late for his new, albeit still dreadfully boring desk job. Patton smiled and waved them off before looking at the breakfast leftovers and feeling the full brunt of the silence in the apartment.

After mentally yelling at himself to just suck it up and talk to Logan, Patton found himself outside the only bedroom door that hadn't opened that morning. Normally Logan would have been up and dressed by now. He would have visited the bathroom to adjust his appearance properly for the day, then made his way to breakfast, but it was well past that time and Patton had yet to hear any noise coming from the room beyond the closed door. He still hesitated before he knocked, the first few too soft before he got the nerve to properly knock loud enough. Patton shuffled on his feet, nervously berating himself over his knocking skills, telling himself that Logan wouldn't even think that was a person actually knocking. It was so strange; who knocks like that? Of course, Logan wouldn't answer to that! It wasn’t enough. Patton should knock again. Or would knocking so quickly afterward only annoy his boyfriend further?

The door opened and Patton jumped, making a high pitched noise in shock as he did.

"Patton?"

"The knock!" Patton's face grew even redder in embarrassment.

Logan raised a confused brow. Patton couldn't help but notice he had already gotten dressed, but his hair was still a bit of a mess. Since Logan hadn’t left his room that morning, he probably hadn’t styled it yet and Logan always had suffered from severe bedhead. "The knock?"

"I knocked... weird. Sorry."

"I do not understand why you choose to apologize for that, but I shall forgive you if it makes you feel better." Logan shuffled on his feet and glanced away awkwardly.

Patton nodded and cleared his throat. "I uh, I just wanted to, um..." He attempted to smile as he pointed behind him to the kitchen. "I made breakfast? If you're hungry, that is! You always say how eating is important and how you shouldn't skip any meals."

Logan nodded, putting his hand on his door. "Is that all?"

"No!" Patton reached out before putting his hands to his chest. The rapid beating of his heart was so loud he wondered if it might be dangerous to his health. "I wanted to apologize. I pushed you to talk after upsetting you and that wasn’t right. I’m sure you had a reason for getting upset! Sorry."

Logan sighed and his hand slid off the door and to his side. "No, Patton, you don't need to apologize. I was upset and took it out on you." He lifted his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "You were entirely correct, it is Thomas' decision whether he chooses to train his abilities. I just wish I could have talked to him before he made such a rash choice, but I would never force him..." Logan seemed to wince more and dropped his hand, keeping his eyes closed. "I apologize for my abhorrent behavior yesterday. I do hope you could forgive me."

When he opened his eyes, Logan jumped and took a step back. Patton stood there, his hands pressed into his cheeks, the smile on his face so bright it lit up his eyes. Logan felt his heart jump. Something about being able to see Patton so happy, let alone knowing he was the one who had managed to do so, was more than enough to bring a blush to his own face. "Oh, Lolo~!"

"Please don't call me--" Logan was cut off by Patton reaching forward, wrapping his arms around Logan's torso. "--oof! No, Lolo can’t stay, don’t give me that look!"

"Aww, you like it, don't deny it!" Patton pulled away and smiled up at his boyfriend. "Now! You better comb your hair and get ready while I'll prepare your plate!"

"I can take care of my own breakfast!" Logan called down the hall and shook his head as Patton disappeared from view. "Not that you mind, I suppose."

When Logan entered the kitchen, he saw Patton place a plate onto the table with a smile. “Here you go!” “I told you, I can cook myself, but it is very appreciated.” “Aww, you know how I like to keep busy!” Patton jumped up and reached down, patting his pants before realizing he was still in his pajamas. “Oh, gosh, where did I leave my phone?” Patton glanced around before heading toward his bedroom, mumbling to himself. Logan ate in silence, mentally preparing his day ahead. He still wanted to talk to Thomas and perhaps hear him out. It sounded like he should also apologize for being a bit too pushy. Logan ran through different versions of the conversation in his head in hopes of not screwing it up and making things worse. Preparing what he could say helped eased his nerves about the whole dilemma. A chime rang out and Logan looked over, spotting Patton’s phone sitting on the counter near where he must have been cooking. “Patton?” He looked toward the doorway but heard no movement from the other. “Patton, your phone seems to be out here and you are receiving a call!” Logan stood up from his chair and walked over, seeing it light up and vibrate along with the chimes. “You found it?” He heard Patton cry from across the apartment. “Can you answer it?” Logan cleared his throat as he picked up the phone, holding it carefully to his ear. “Hello?” “Patty! Oh goodness, I was hoping you would answer!” said a cheerful voice. Though it sounded familiar, Logan couldn’t quite place who it belonged to. “Unfortunately, no.” Logan was quick to cut off the person on the other end, lest he hear something he shouldn’t or would rather not. “Patton had misplaced his phone, give me one moment to retrieve him.” “Oh! Is this Logan?” Patton ran into the kitchen and smiled, slightly out of breath. He would have definitely missed the call if Logan hadn’t answered it for him. Giving himself a moment to catch his breath, Patton placed a hand on his chest and evened out his breathing before walking over. “Yes, Patton is right here. Just give us a moment,” said Logan. “No, wait! This is perfect, I’ve been meaning to talk to you!” Logan froze, ready to hand Patton’s phone over. Patton had his hand out, ready to accept it as he watched on, curious to who could be calling him so early in the morning. “You wanted to speak to me?” They shared a confused look as Patton lowered his hands. “I’m sorry, who is this?” “Oh, silly dear! It’s me, Maggie! Patton’s mother!” “His mother?!” Patton looked more panicked then Logan felt. Patton frowned, shaking his head with wide eyes. His frantic actions gave Logan an anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach. They hadn’t talked much recently, had something happened with Patton and his mother? “Is there something I can help you with, ma’am?” “Oh, pish posh! No need to be so formal! I already told you to call me Maggie!” Logan looked to Patton for something to say while his boyfriend stared back, panicked and confused as he couldn’t hear the conversation going on. “I was hoping you would come over for dinner soon!” “Dinner?” repeated Logan. Patton immediately shook his head frantically once more. “I’m not so sure that’s such a good idea.” “Come on, I don’t bite! Are you saying you don’t want to get along with your boyfriend’s mother?” “No, but-” “It’s settled, then! I’ll see you tomorrow at six!” “That’s not what-” The click of the phone caused Logan to freeze up before he heard the inevitable sound of the phone alerting him that his call had ended. He pulled the phone away and looked down at it, seeing the photo of Patton and his mother smiling as her contact photo before it faded away. Patton reached over and carefully grabbed his phone, chuckling to himself. “Let me guess, she decided for us and hung up before we could say anything?” He smiled up at Logan, not too bothered by the turn of events. “She does that a lot, sorry. Don’t worry about it.” “I am terribly sorry, I can come up with an excuse to cancel.” Shaking his head, Patton held his phone close before walking over to the kitchen table and practically falling into a chair. “No, it’s fine. Besides, lying isn’t going to make things easier.” Logan walked up and placed a comforting hand on Patton’s shoulder. “I won’t lie, then. I can take a shift so I will be preoccupied.” “Do you want to go? I don’t mind if you don’t.” “It seems you don’t want me to, so I am simply trying to make you feel comfortable.” Patton closed his eyes and leaned back into his chair. “She’s not a bad person. She’s just stubborn and can be… a lot.” “Then I shall go. There’s no need to cause drama over a simple dinner.” Patton rolled his head over to Logan’s and opened up his eyes. “I think I can manage that much, at least.” “Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. She’s a handful, even for me. And I can make copies of myself!”

--- The day was colder than most recent ones, making Roman regret his decisions the second he took a step off the bus and made his way down a couple of blocks. The slight winds chilled him down to the bone as he let out a slight shiver, wishing it was just a little bit warmer. He was still dressed for work, a button down shirt that stylishly had the sleeves rolled up until recently and some of his nicer dress pants. His hair was even slicked back a little more than normal, but not to the extent of his hero persona. He fussed a bit with his shirt sleeves as he walked up the walkway to the front door, excited yet nervous as he rang the doorbell then knocked twice. It creaked open a few seconds later, the middle-aged short woman looked up at him, standing just under his shoulders. “Roman!” “Hey mom,” Roman smiled as his mother reached out and pulled him into a hug. Roman leaned down and bent his knees to help her out as she stood on the tips of her toes. “Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve visited.” “Nonsense! You’re here now. Come on, I was just preparing some dinner!” She walked in and Roman obediently followed, closing the door behind him and kicking off his shoes by the door. “Now, tell me why my boy is all dressed up. You have a special date with that boy of yours tonight?” Roman chuckled and followed her into the kitchen. “No, I just got off of work.” “Oh, a new job! What do you do?” “I work for the city as an assistant receptionist in the--” He cut himself off as his mother turned around, the annoyingly smug look on her face causing him to dramatically sigh as he rolled his eyes. “Yes. I got another boring desk job that has to do with numbers. You happy?”

“I told you that degree would help you out. Being an actor isn’t a stable income by itself!” “I know, I know.” Roman rounded the island in the center of the kitchen and sat on a stool, leaning on the countertop. “It’s hard getting a job as a paying actor all the time and now with a big job it might be impossible to even audition.” “I’m sure you can work something out, honey,” She pulled out a pot from a cupboard and placed it on the stove. “It’s not that I don’t want you to act! I just want to look out for your best interest, as long as you’re happy.” “I know, I know,” Roman moaned begrudgingly as he rested his arms on the counter. “Besides, you haven’t missed a show of mine yet.” “I’m just glad you are out of that terrible restaurant. It wasn’t doing you any favors, you were miserable. Those boys were just jealous you were an actual actor.” Roman smirked and rolled his eyes at his mother’s behavior. “Your talents were being wasted!” “This is why I’m so humble, mama. Thanks for reminding me.” The woman turned around and smirked at her son before rolling her eyes and sighing heavily. “Pretty sure I get the dramatics from dad.” “Oh, hush,” She started gathering things around the kitchen, bringing a bag of potatoes to the sink to wash off. “We both know that’s not true. Anyway, how is that boyfriend of yours doing?”

Roman watching his mother with a look of suspicion on his face. “Why do you ask?” She huffed and shook her head, keeping her attention on preparing for dinner. “You’re my son, Roman. I know you well enough to know that if it were up to you, you would be taking that boy around the city and showing him off to anyone you could find. So it’s safe to say that the reason I haven’t met him is that he’s shy. So.” She turned around and grabbed a paring knife off of the wood block before turning to peel the washed potatoes. “Until he feels comfortable enough to come over on his own terms, I will ask some questions and leave the poor boy alone. He has enough to deal with dating you.” Roman stuttered speechlessly and gasped, holding his hands to his heart. “Elizabeth!” “Roman!” She spun around quickly, pointing the tiny knife in his direction. “I am your mother!” “Sorry, mother Elizabeth,” His mother smiled and quickly turned away to attempt to hide it, going back to peeling the potatoes. “He’s doing alright. I guess he’s been stressed out lately but it seems he’s getting better. He had this moment the other day where I think he kind of exploded and got all that stress out of him, though. He’s been very relaxed since, but he’s always a little tense.” “I would assume he’s stressed out with you running around the city like a superhero every night. You make me worry with that! At least let me know you’re okay once in a while.” “W-what are you talking about?” “Honey, what other people in this city has your exact abilities and love for being the hero to save others?” Roman ducked his head and blushed in embarrassment. “I know you’re Prince Charging. It’s pretty obvious, sweetheart. Your sister is still upset you never went to superhero school.” Roman snorted and smirked. “If there were such a thing, trust me. I’d beg to get in.” He mumbled into his hand and turned back to his mother. Part of him had panicked knowing his mother had discovered his secret, but he wasn’t surprised. His mother was perceptive and clever and there weren’t many people running around the city that could shoot out lightning bolts. He was lucky to have such a supportive mother and that thought alone eased his worries. “So, how close have you been keeping tabs on me?” “I haven’t much, but I hear you have a fan club now! I’d love to go, though it would be hard to not be proud as they talked about you.” Roman groaned loudly and let his head rest on the counter. “I could edit your baby photos with the mask and show them off!” “Moooooom…” Roman whined. “Oh, hush. It’s not like I actually would, as tempting as it is. I would want your okay to go anyway if that’s alright.” With a sigh, Roman slowly lifted his head up. “Yeah, I’m sure Sam and Sammy wouldn’t mind as long as you don’t give anything away. They run the club.” He watched his mom peel a bit of a potato before smiling. “It’s gonna cost you some dinner, though.”

--- Logan’s apology to Patton was enough for him to smile and let it go. Of course, Logan still kept a close eye on him. Patton knew Logan was still hiding something and he was acting much more reserved than he had usually been, but he was afraid to push the matter. Logan was stubborn almost to a fault. Patton didn’t want to pressure him to talk about something he wasn’t quite ready to discuss in fear of pushing him away further, so he patiently waited. Patton knew a moment would arise where he could talk to Logan, perhaps help ease him a bit as they discussed it. Forcing someone to talk about something when they were not ready wouldn’t do either of them any good. So, they talked about other things instead. Patton managed to get Logan to go on one of his long-winded rants about something related to Doctor Who. Something about the newest actor taking the role being a woman and how Logan believed it should have happened years ago because ‘the probability of being able to change form and you change into a British male every time is outrageous’. Patton never watched the show but could agree and at least pick up a few things Logan was talking about. It felt completely normal again between the two, though Logan seemed to try to apologize for almost anything. He seemed lost in his thoughts for one moment before getting up and doing something for Patton a second later. Even going as far as taking one of Patton’s stuffed animals with his psychokinesis and making it dance around the room as if it were alive, causing him to laugh. When the next day came, Patton still didn’t seem too worried about dinner with his mother, though he offered to just go himself. Logan was nervous but still too stubborn to back out. So Logan and Patton got on the bus and made their way across the city to the outskirts and walked a few blocks to Patton’s old childhood home. “Are you sure this is alright with you, Patton?” “Of course. I know my mom is a bit strong but she’s my mom! It’ll be fine!” Logan nodded and followed after Patton as they passed a few houses, the sun still high in the sky. “Will your father be there?” “Nah, dad usually works evenings or nights and is asleep all day so even if he’s not working, he probably won’t say much.” Logan gave a hum to signal he had heard him before staring off as they passed a few more houses. Eventually, Patton spun around and smiled, holding out his arms to the house they were standing in front of. “Tada, we made it!” The house was small, plain white with pale blue shutters on the windows. The front yard was almost nonexistent but Logan could only wonder how big the backyard looked. “It looks lovely.” “Yeah, wait til you see the inside. My parents are lame decorators, it’s just photos everywhere.” He almost ran up to the front door and onto the porch, not waiting for Logan before knocking on the door. By the time Logan caught up and stood behind Patton, the door had creaked open and revealed the shorter woman, who Logan hadn’t seen in a while. “Oh good, you made it!” she said. “Hey mom.” Patton reached out and wrapped his mother in a big hug. He quickly let go and turned back to Logan. “I brought Logan, just like you asked and asked and asked…” “Hmph, and it took talking to him to get him here!” Logan awkwardly managed a smile as he stepped in, holding out his arms for the inevitable hug he knew he was going to receive. He remembered first meeting her the day they moved in and how firm she had been on the fact that it would be hugs from here on out. “He learns quickly! Good, come here!” The hug was quick which Logan was grateful for. He held mixed opinions of Patton’s mother from his experiences and the squeeze she gave didn’t sit right with him. She eagerly led them into the home and Logan paused at the door as Patton made his way in.

Lots of photos were on the walls, some old paintings and some family portraits through the years. It wasn’t hard to find a few different versions of Patton and his parents smiling on the walls. Photos of small Patton as a child smiled in every one, along with his parents. Maggie smiled back happily as well, a much taller and scruffier man had an arm around her shoulders and pulled all of them close. Some were taken with plain backgrounds while some were in front of various homes. Something in the back of Logan’s mind recalled a conversation where Patton mentioned moving a lot as a child. The loneliness had probably played a part in the creation of the pals. Patton reached out and grabbed Logan’s hand, pulling him further into the house. Logan had to admit, despite how tense he was, seeing Patton eager to show him around was really helping him ease up a bit. “Come on, I want to show you my room before dinner!” “Be quick about it, it’s almost done!” Patton pulled Logan to the stairs and let go of his hand, running up as quick as he could. Logan followed a bit more slowly behind, grabbing the railing as he went. “Come on, Lo! This way!” Logan managed to catch Patton waiting outside a closed door, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was smiling as his hand rested on the door knob, waiting for him to catch up. As soon as he was within arms length, Patton twisted the knob and turned, entering the room. Honestly, Logan wasn’t very surprised. The room was almost exactly what he had expected. The small twin sized bed held a plethora of stuffed animals, much more than his one at home had. There was almost no room to sit on it, but the quilt underneath poked through. A cartoon dinosaur poked out from behind the plush animals, Logan almost missed it at first glance. He walked over to the bed, inspecting it curiously. “Oh, of course…” He mumbled and sighed, pushing a plush out of the way. A cartoon dino was printed on the pillow case, a big speech bubble taking up most of the space. ‘Time to Dino-snore!’ stared back at Logan, threatening to burn into his retinas. He pulled his hand away and turned around, taking in the rest of the room. The walls seemed faded in spots where old posters must have once taken residence, the shelves filled with old trophies and random things. Snowglobes and more stuffed animals took residence, slightly covered in dust from the years of sitting there. The entire thing just screamed warm and child, but Logan still smiled at the things he hadn’t expected. A few board games he wondered if Patton played with the pals, a star chart hanging on a wall, even a science fair project that had an award hanging off of it. The bookcase made him smile the most. It was completely filled to the brim with books and there even seemed to be a type of system in place to organize them. Patton came over and found Logan inspecting the back of one of his older books, a dashing thief with incredible luck being wrapped up in a mess involving gods and things that defy all logic, but it was a fun book Patton had enjoyed as a kid. “Well?” Logan jumped and looked up, staring down at him. “What do you think?” Logan replaced the book back into its proper place. “I must admit, while it is a lot of what I expected, you always manage to surprise me.” “Really? I work in a library, I didn’t think my love for books was any secret.” Patton shrugged and spun around, taking in his old room. “I kind of left it after high school started, I didn’t really bother updating it.” Logan watched Patton stare at certain things, his eyes darting around as he started to get lost in his own thoughts. “How about we go back downstairs, hmm? You can show me everything later, after we eat.”

---

Falling back gracefully onto the couch, Roman groaned and placed a hand on his forehead. “I can’t go on! It’s too much!” “Pretty sure that’s just you.” “Please! Virgil, I need you to come closer before I slip away.” Virgil sighed and used his elbows to push himself off of the floor where he had been laying on his back. “Roman, you’re not dying.” “But I’m boooooored.” “Then go do something.” Virgil carefully fell back onto the floor.

“Virgiiiiiil.” The purple haired man took a moment to breathe. “Viiiiiirgiiiiil!”

“What, Roman?” “I’m bored, let’s go do something.” “I’m kind of busy.” Roman sat up from the couch and watched as Virgil laid down on his back on the floor, holding his phone up while he tapped away. “Doing what?” “Nothing.” “You’re busy… doing nothing.” “Yep.” Virgil let the ‘p’ out with a pop, not bothering to look away. Roman sat up and stomped his feet onto the ground. “VIRGIL!” His boyfriend jumped, dropping the phone in his surprise and flinching as it landed onto his face. He reached up and removed it, rubbing his nose with his other hand as he did so. “What was that for?” “Would you really rather spend time on your phone than with me?” Virgil sat up and watched Roman’s distraught look before he sighed, letting his shoulders sag. “Roman, we’re out almost every night so you can be a hero and then we go to work the next day. Is it really so much to ask to just relax for a night?” “I’m not…” Roman blushed a bit in embarrassment as Virgil huffed from his spot on the floor. “I’m not saying you can’t do nothing, but can’t we, I don’t know…” He looked up at Virgil to gauge his reaction. “Do nothing together?” “That’s what we were doing.” “No, it’s not!” Roman pulled his legs back onto the couch and looked away. “You were doing nothing over there without me.” Virgil stood up and dusted off his ripped jeans before walking over to the couch. “So, if I do nothing with you over here, you’ll be satisfied?” Roman stubbornly didn’t react before shrugging and nodding his head. “Good, move over and put something on, then.” “I knew you’d see things my way.” Virgil sat down and looked at Roman with an intense glare. “Keep it up and I’m freezing time and using you as a pillow to take a nap.” ---

Maggie didn’t hide her excitement when they entered the room, dinner was set out across the table as she ran around gathering the final touches. “Just about ready, you boys can dig in!” Patton brought Logan over to the table and pointed to a chair for him to sit before pulling out the chair on the left. Patton smiled and started handing things to Logan, easing the tension he wasn’t aware he was holding. Maggie brought over glasses of water and sat them down before running off once more with a smile. “See?” Patton leaned in and whispered. “I told you it would be fine.” Logan gave a hum in response but still didn’t seem absolutely sure. By the time Patton’s mother sat down and joined them, Patton and Logan had already begun and their dinner continued on in a reasonably comfortable silence. After a bit of time had passed and they had eaten most of what was on their plates, Logan could tell Maggie was almost ready to explode with the questions she was holding in. She kept glancing up at him when she thought he wasn’t looking and it didn’t take him reading her mind to figure out why. “This is lovely, thank you for having us.” Logan saw the relief on her face, excited to be given the opportunity to speak. “Why thank you, dear! Eat up, there’s plenty left.” “Of course.” “I hear my Patton has been teaching y’all to cook for a while now!” With a nod, Logan dabbed a napkin on his face. “Yes, he has. I have taught him a little bit of baking in return.” Gasping in delight, Patton turned toward his mother. “I can make cookies and they’re so good! I need to make them for you sometime!” “Oh, I would love that! Does it take you long?” Patton’s smile seemed a bit off as he shook his head. “Not at all! It’s pretty easy.” “Just seems like something that would take a few hands to do.” “Not at all.” Logan wasn’t sure what social cues he had missed, but he felt like something had passed him by without notice. “It takes one person to bake cookies in a short amount of time, even if you’re not adept at baking yourself.” “That’s great to hear! Good, good.” She poked down at her plate with a fork. “So, Logan, what do you do for work? You work in a bakery?” “I have relatives that own one, yes. I worked there when I was younger and recently terminated another job that was leaving me unnecessarily stressed. It will suffice until I can get another job that is more fitting.” “That sounds wonderful!” Maggie ‘s face lit up as Logan talked, genuinely interested in what he had to say. It was so strange. From the outside, he knew what she could be like, but the woman in front of him now was warm and comforting. She listened and never pushed, but Logan couldn’t stop thinking about that one moment where she had somehow made Patton uncomfortable. As they talked, Logan had noticed Patton had gone pretty silent which began to worry him. He glanced over before reaching and placing a hand on Patton’s that he had under the table. Patton perked up and smiled, lacing their fingers together. Maggie began cleaning up the table and told them to sit while she prepared dessert, leaving them alone momentarily. Logan waited until her back was turned before taking the opportunity to lean over and whisper. “Hey, are you alright?” Patton nodded and kept his eyes on his mother. “Yeah, it’s gone great so far but…” Biting his lip, he finally looked up at Logan. “She’s really anxious about something, I can feel it.” Logan simply hummed and watched as she turned back, holding a pie in her hands. “Well! Look at you two.” Logan blushed and pulled away from Patton a bit, sitting properly in his chair. “I hope you have some room left!” She placed it down onto the table and smiled at Logan. “It won’t be as good as what you’re used to, I’m sorry. It’s store bought and nothing beats a fresh one from a good bakery!” “I’ll try not to hold it against you this time,” he joked as she grabbed a few plates. “Pie is a bit tricky at times.” “I’m still excited, pie is pie!” Patton said as he reached out and cut himself a slice. Logan rolled his eyes. “Though if you want to show me what a real pie should taste like, I’m up for that.” “Of course, but perhaps we should cut back on the sweets?” Patton pouted and stuck his tongue out before taking a bite of the pie. “He’s right, sweety, you eat like you have more than one stomach!” Patton winced at the words and turned to his plate. Logan looked between the two, noticing how tense it became once more. “Would you like some, Logan?” He didn’t answer, staring down Patton’s mother a moment before his eyes widened. “Why did you say that?” “Say what, dear?” Logan huffed and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “You know, I think I finally figured out why Patton didn’t want me here.” Patton gasped and jumped out of his chair. “That’s not true! Mom, that’s not true.” Logan remained defiant in his seat while Margaret looked between the two, baffled. “What is going on? We were having a lovely evening, what is this all about?” “I’m not quite sure, Maggie, why don’t you tell me?” Logan leaned forward onto the table and folding his hands together as he frowned. “Why are you bringing your son down for no reason?” “Excuse me?!” Patton reached down and lightly placed a hand on Logan’s arm. “Hey, it’s alright.” Logan looked up at him and his anger melted away. “Does she do this to you often?” “Well-” “Is this the joke about his appetite? I meant no harm by it. Really! He's a healthy boy.” Maggie huffed and placed her hands on her hips. “It’s not his appetite you were commenting on and you know it.” Logan stood up from his seat and reached out for Patton. “We can go if you’re feeling uncomfortable.” “Excuse me, I don’t appreciate you coming into my house and acting as if you know everything. My son is his own person! Patton, I don’t think I like you with this boy.” “Yes! That’s the point! He is his own person,” Logan stood in front of Patton protectively. “So let him make his own choices and stop beating him down for being who he is.” “You don’t know everything about him, you hardly know him! I’m his mother!” “Will you two STOP IT?!” Patton broke away from both of them, wrapping his arms around himself. “I don’t like the yelling so just… knock it off!” Patton’s shout had shut them both down immediately, ending the argument they had started. Maggie was in shock, rarely having heard her son raise his voice in such a way. She was ready to reach out and comfort him but was beaten by Logan who gently placed an arm around Patton.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Logan was quick to apologize. “I just got rather upset, I wasn’t thinking. I apologize.” Patton turned toward his mother who looked red in the face. Whether it was from the anger and yelling or from embarrassment, no one could tell. The room was swirling with negative emotions coming from Patton and it made them feel fuzzy. “I’m sorry, mom, but I think we’re going home.” “For a silly joke? Patty, don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit?” Logan took a step forward once more, staring the woman down. “I know about Patton’s abilities.” The room felt quiet as everyone tensed, staring at Logan in shock. “I understand those subtle little comments you make toward him and I do not appreciate it.” Maggie frowned and bared her teeth in her rage. “You know? He told you?!” Patton pulled back and looked up, ashamed. “So, what? You’re dating him because he’s interesting? Are you threatening him to be with you? Gonna tell others if he doesn’t go out with you?” “Oh, would you give it a rest?!” Logan raised his voice for the second time that night. “Not everyone is like that stupid anti-prince group! Not everyone is out to get rid of anyone that is different!” “They’re just getting rid of that menace running around the city!” Margaret froze at her words, quickly turning toward her son. Patton was frozen, staring at his mother in shock as his jaw unclenched. “Mom…” He took a step forward, finally standing in front of Logan. “You’re a part of it, aren’t you? Please tell me you're not.” She quickly shook her head. “Patton, listen-” “No,” Patton shook his head and his voice cracked as he spoke. “No, you don’t get it, do you? They’re not going to just stop once they’re done.” He used his sleeves to wipe at his eyes quickly, not wanting to turn away from his mother and seem weak. “Once they get rid of Prince Charging, they’re going to look for the next target!” “He’s right,” Logan spoke softly, rubbing Patton’s back, just as upset as his own eyes watered. Logan wasn’t sure if it was his anxieties or Patton’s sadness radiating from him to cause the tears. “They know that if there’s one person with abilities in the city, there could be more. They’ll go on a witch hunt once they’re done. They’ll come after both of us next.” Logan looked up and saw Maggie’s face blanch pale as she held a hand over her mouth. “W-wait. Both. As in you both…?” Logan nodded and turned to Patton who looked up at his mother once more. “Oh, honey.” “No,” Patton blinked rapidly and wiped his palms against his damp cheeks. “I’ve begged you for years to understand. I listened to you and pretended I didn't have these powers. I kept away from other kids growing up because I was afraid I’d let it slip. I’m done, I can’t…” Patton felt his throat close up and he turned away, unable to speak without risking a sob coming loose. “The fact of the matter is, Margaret, your son asked you to not understand, but to accept him. Just an ounce of respect.” “I do!” “Words!” Logan growled out. “Words are one thing, actions are another. You say you do, but you don’t act like it.” Logan looked down at Patton who had his face covered in his sleeves. “Come on, I can get us home.” Margaret didn’t stop them as they turned and walked out. She opened her mouth to speak before her jaw clenched up, falling speechless. It wasn’t until after the front door had closed that she sprang into action, ripping it open quickly as she spotted them walking down the street. “PATTON!” She stepped onto the porch and ran down the pathway. “PATTON!” Logan looked back and she froze in fear, his eyes shining bright, flashing between a gold and menacing blue before he turned away. “Oh, Patton…”

---

Virgil let out a low whistle as Logan finished retelling a vague story about the evenings' events. “Wow, I knew she was kind of a bitch but really?” Logan nodded and turned to Patton’s bedroom door. Roman was currently in there giving Patton some emotional support since Logan had been drained by the time they had come home. “Joining the club trying to attack Roman? How would that help Patton?” “I don’t know, but I’m sure she had some messed up reason.” Logan removed his glasses and ran a hand through his hair as he leaned forward on the couch, resting his arms on his knees. “I feel terrible for lashing out but she was just…” He growled angrily at the thought of what had happened. “It’s so subtle and it’s obvious Patton is used to it. I’m so angry I didn’t notice the first time she said something!” He scoffed and turned away. “A few hands to bake some cookies, I’m sure.” Virgil’s nose scrunched up in distaste. “And that was in front of you! Imagine what she’s said to Patton when they’re alone.” Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. Logan frowned deeper, clenching his fists as his eyes threatened to light up. He caught himself and took in a deep breath. “Wow, she’s really gotten you fired up.” “It’s mostly that but… it’s everything! My parents, the situation with Thomas, and now this?” “You need to chill out, Lo.” Logan put his glasses back on and looked to Virgil. “You’re acting like a dick again, just like you did before.” “What do you mean by ‘before’?” Virgil crossed his arms and stared at the ceiling. “Remember when we found out it was because of you we all lived together?” He glanced at Logan and saw the man nod. “You’ve been losing control of your powers a little bit again. We figured out that it was because you were withholding your emotions and not expressing yourself, remember?” “Patton mentioned that might have a negative effect on me.” Logan nodded to himself. “I suppose… I suppose I hadn’t realized, have I really been doing that?” Virgil sighed and blew at his bangs before letting them fall back into place. “Let’s see… you’re acting like a controlling moron, holding in your emotions, not asking for help with your problems… short of me storming out of here, it’s exactly like before.” Virgil watched as Logan was deep in thought about everything that had been happening lately. Finally, he let his head fall into his hands with a loud groan. Virgil smiled. “There we go.” “You’re absolutely right.” “Always nice to hear.” “I am an idiot.” “There it is. How does it feel to say it out loud?” “Terrible,” Logan lifted his head from his hands and stared at Virgil, shaken from his realization. “What do I do?” Virgil hummed before he nodded his head toward the door. “Tell Patton. Oh, and probably apologize to Thomas and explain it to him too, if you want bonus points.” Logan nodded and stood up, walking to the door before he lost his nerve. He hesitated for a moment before he heard Virgil clear his throat loudly, urging him to continue. With a quick knock, he opened it and peered inside. Patton was on his bed surrounded by all his blankets and the few spare stuffed animals he kept with him. Roman sat on the bed, one arm wrapped around his shoulders as he held him comfortingly. “Hey, specs,” Roman spoke in a softer tone. “You feeling any better?” “Frankly, no. There’s something I’ve kept from the two of you and I told Virgil to keep it secret. Honestly, it’s been weighing heavily on me and may accredit to my behavior lately.” Logan closed the door behind him. “I know it’s not the best time, but I know you should hear it…” “Logan.” Looking up, Patton was giving a small smile while he reached out with his hand. “Come here.” Logan slowly and awkwardly made his way over before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Logan, why didn’t you want to tell us?” “It, uh… It’s… not something I’m rather proud of.” Glancing up, he saw Roman watching on with interest while Patton nodded eagerly, encouraging him to continue. “I’m afraid of… of what you’ll think of me after.” “But you told Virgil?” Roman whispered. “Virgil wouldn’t…” Logan sighed and turned away. “He’s made his own mistakes, I knew he wouldn’t judge me for mine. I knew I could share it with him and he would be honest.” “Well,” Patton reached out and grabbed Logan’s hand. “We’re willing to hear you out, too. We love you, Logan, we’re like a family.” Logan smiled briefly at his words. “Whenever you are ready, we will listen.” “I am, if you are,” Logan watched Patton and Roman nod before Patton tugged on his hand, pulling him further onto the bed. Logan adjusted himself accordingly and stared down at his hands, anxious about another retelling of his darkest moment. Taking in a slow breath, he prepared himself mentally, the image of that night still fresh in his mind. “It’s about my parents…”

When Roman held open the door for him, Logan bit his tongue. He wasn’t quite sure what Roman was after, but he didn’t want to simply walk away from everything they had built at this point. He would have carried that weight with him forever, and he knew Roman felt the same way.

He ordered a small sandwich and a drink before sitting at a small table in the back. Roman joined once both their orders were ready, carrying both of their orders to the table. They sat down and simply talked. Logan was excited about his business trip, but Roman knew it was him trying to not focus on the flight he had to take. Logan loved the concept of flying in planes but did not enjoy them in practice.

Roman went on about his family and how he already had a job interview and a possible apartment already lined up. Logan was impressed, Roman usually rushed and did things last minute.

It felt familiar, simply sitting and talking about life. Logan felt comfortable as they sat silently, the opposite of when they were outside the courthouse. The awkwardness had lifted and they chatted as if everything had never happened.

“Logan, where did this go wrong?” Their eyes had met, the sadness reflecting back at one another. “Was it… was it something I did? I tried so hard, I really did.” Roman looked down and grabbed his bare ring finger. “What did I do wrong?”

Logan placed his hand on top of Roman’s, gripping it firmly as he spoke. “You did nothing wrong, Roman. Our lives are pulling us in different directions.” Roman smirked a bit, though it didn’t hold for long. “We were puzzle pieces that fit but the picture didn’t line up.”

“Poetic,” Roman sipped his overly sweetened coffee. “I have rubbed off on you.”

“Well, you can play a decent enough game of chess now, so I suppose I have been able to benefit you as well.”

Roman held his mug as he almost choked on his drink before grabbing a napkin. “Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be? Should I remind you of that painting I brought home and hung in the living room?”

“There’s nothing to understand about colors and shapes!” Roman threw back his head as he laughed, Logan huffing in his frustration before chuckling along. “You know, perhaps… maybe not at first, but perhaps we can keep in touch?”

Roman smiled and poked at his food with his fork. “You know? I’d really like that.”

---

“Well, that’s it.”

Roman turned away from the looming building and faced the man next to him. It was infuriating how well Logan Sanders looked even in stressful situations. His button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up teased him as he adjusted his tie. Every hair on his head perfectly in place as it always was. Roman could see every reason he fell in love with this man seven years ago.

“Yes, I suppose so. I do hope you enjoy being a Prince once more.”

“Ha, of course, I will! Though Roman Sanders always did have a nice ring to it, Roman Prince is who I am meant to be, I suppose.” This certainly isn’t a future he had ever seen for himself, but by now Roman had come to accept his fate. “Though, I can’t say I won’t miss it.”

“Miss what, exactly?”

“Us.” Roman looked over and saw Logan close his eyes and frown. He rolled his eyes at the man in response. “Not like that, nerd. You can’t say the last seven years was a complete waste, now can you? Do you regret your choices that much?”

“No, I suppose not.” The air sat tensely for a moment, Roman trying to not look at Logan while he stared out at the busy street, cars zooming by. Wisps of air rushed passed, creating a gentle breeze. “Well, I must be off.”

Roman jumped and watched Logan turn and walk down the street. “Wait!” His heart jumped when Logan froze and turned, watching Roman curiously. The tense nervousness and Logan’s puzzled look as he tried to decipher his next move brought him back to when they had first met. “There’s this little cafe not far from here. Good food.”

“Roman, look-”

“Logan, I get it.” He took a step closer, looking down at the inch he held over the other. “We’re… I mean we just…” Roman ran both his hands through his hair and slumped in defeat. “You’re going to go to a hotel tonight. Tomorrow you go on that business trip and when you return…” He sighed and stared longingly at the man. “I will be up north with my family, completely moved out as promised. After today, we may never see each other again. Can’t we just… talk? One last time? As friends?”

---

“Let’s just get this over with.” Roman started walking up the stairs to the courthouse, ignoring his almost ex-husband who stood at the bottom of the stairs. Logan had that look he knew all too well. There was something on his mind, something he had wanted to say, but Roman was not in the mood for it.

“Roman-”

“No, Lo, we’re here to discuss things, put in the paperwork so I can change my name back, and leave.”

“Roman!” He stopped on the steps and looked over his shoulder down at the other. Logan huffed and pinched the bridge of his nose, his other hand still behind his back. “You stubborn fool, just… listen for a moment, alright?” Roman stood on the steps and crossed his arms as Logan made his way up after him. “I know you. I know you’re blaming yourself for how we got here so you’re lashing out because you have always had this inferiority complex I could never help you break.”

“W-well that’s just not true! I’m amazing!” Roman smiled but didn’t look at Logan as he spoke.

“Roman, listen. Just… I’m sorry this didn’t go like you had always dreamed. I know marrying me was never what you had envisioned and I really did try my best.”

Roman looked at his still-barely husband with a frown. “Logan, you were perfect. We both tried, but things just… don’t work sometimes.”

“I know you say that but I don’t think this has sunk into you quite yet. I’m afraid of how you’ll neglect yourself when it does.” He pulled his hand out from behind his back, holding up a beautiful red rose. “We tried our best and I will never regret taking the chance with you. Don’t forget that, okay?”

Roman carefully took the rose and stared at it, barely noticing Logan walking up the stairs passed him. His lip trembled until he bit it, breathing in deeply through his nose and wiping his sleeve on his eyes. “You nerdy jerk,” Roman mumbled, holding the rose close to his chest. “You always said you weren’t the romantic one.”

---

Logan’s leg was bouncing rapidly as he sat on the couch, the pile of papers on the coffee table. His cup of coffee sat cold and abandoned next to it as he waited in the quiet and dark of their home. Roman was late again as he glanced at the clock. The sun was almost gone and there had been no word from his husband. No text or call, nothing. He waited before asking what he wanted for dinner before giving up when he received no response. The tight ball of dread in his chest replaced his hunger anyway.

Logan had been almost ready to give up when the front door opened. His husband didn’t bother looking up as he took off his shoes at the door.

“Good evening, Roman.” He received a hum in response, which was more than he had been expecting. “I was starting to get worried. You hadn’t answered my texts.” This time he was met with a lack of response. “Are you hungry? I could cook something if you would like.”

“I ate before coming home. Figured you’d have taken care of yourself already.”

Roman immediately headed for the stairs, retreating to their bedroom to clean up and go straight to bed like he did every night. “Roman, if you would mind staying here for a moment? There’s something I would like to discuss with you.” His tone was calm and even, but his hands were trembling, shaking against his will.

Roman snorted and descended the stairs, leaning against the railing. “About what?”

“Well, you have been staying out late and ignoring my calls. You won’t talk to me and try to get away from me every chance you get.”

“Gosh, Logan, you’re so right. It’s all my fault.” Roman wrinkled his nose as he sneered. “Can I go to bed now? I’m tired.”

“I’m not--” Logan stopped himself and gathered his thoughts. He rehearsed this conversation a million times in his head, he couldn’t get emotional and get off track. “Look, it feels like you have a second life, one without me in it.”

“Oh, so what, you’re accusing me of cheating now?”

“What?” Logan’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “No, never! Despite your many faults, you would never do something so low as to cheat.”

“Many faults?!” Roman stomped forward a bit as he raised his voice. “Oh, please, do go on. Tell me how everything is bad because of me but you’re oh-so-perfect! You never talk, never share your feelings, and after I share mine you shut me down and say everything wrong with my life is because of me!”

“Roman, I want a divorce!”

Logan will never forget the look on his husband’s face when he heard those words. When he reeled back as if he was physically struck. When his eyes trailed down to the papers on the table, noticing them for the first time. When his eyes flickered back up, catching Logan’s as he tried but failed to hold back tears.  As Logan gasped in a sob as his eyes welled with tears far too quickly to react. Logan will never forget the feeling of Roman racing across the living room, holding him close and rocking him back and forth. Apologies would slip out from both sides and they would stay up all night talking. Trying to see what could be fixed, how they got that far, both holding onto the hope that this wasn’t the end for them.

---

“All I’m saying is perhaps before you come home hours late without a word, perhaps you should, I don’t know, tell your husband first?!”

“Oh, like you really care! The last time I was home late, all you cared about was the fact I forgot to bring home bread!”

“It was the one thing I asked of you!”

“I had a horrible day at work, sorry bread was more important than that!”

---

“Have you seen my blue shirt?”

“I believe it is still in the wash.”

“Logan, I told you I needed that shirt! It’s the nicest one I own and I have a meeting today at work!”

“I’m sorry, I hadn’t had time to finish the laundry-”

“Why do you always do this?! Nothing is ever your fault! Just take the blame for once-”

---

“Roman!”

---

“Logan!”

---

“Heeey, Lo,” Roman whispered softly as he carefully snuggled under the sheets. He wrapped his arm around his partner, snuggling in closer as Logan groaned. “Rough day?”

“Everyone is a moron except me.” Roman chuckled as Logan rolled over, snuggling into his husband’s chest and letting out a sigh of content. “Mm glad you’re home.”

“Sorry I was late. I’ll try not to do it too often.”

Roman leaned down and kissed Logan’s soft, tousled hair. “Just let me know when you do, mkay? I worry about you.”

“Of course.”

---

Logan looked down at his phone and sighed. The accident on the highway made him late for their weekly date nights. They hadn’t had one in a while and he was determined to not screw this one up, but something had always gotten in his way.

He opened the door and peeked in, reaching over to the light switch. The sign that it was dark inside was enough to know he had screwed up. “Roman? I’m sorry, there was traffic, and I should have pulled over and sent a quick text but I’m sorry I was super late.” The lights flickered on, revealing their living room, completely barren as he had seen it this morning. “Roman?”

He shut the door and removed his shoes before loosening his tie. He thought he saw something flicker from the doorway into the kitchen before heading in that direction. “Roman, I can not apologize enough. I’m so sorry-”

The sight before him shocked him to his core. His heart jumped at the sight, a smile quickly forming on his face.

Roman sat at the table, dishes put to the side. He was asleep on his arms, softly snoring as the candle on the table was melted down halfway. Logan was sure Roman had sat there and waited, the sight of how low the flame on the candle was made his heartache. He looked over and noticed dinner had been made but not plated, all wrapped in foil to keep warm. A vase with a bouquet of red roses sat on the counter that Logan couldn’t help but admire. Roman probably thought they would be a good addition to their date night, red roses always were a good sign for them.

He walked around the table and shook Roman’s shoulder, gently trying to stir him from his slumber. “Love, wake up. I’m home.”

“Mmm.” Roman blinked and looked up, a goofy smile appearing on his face as he leaned up and gave Logan a kiss on his cheek. “Mi amore, you’re back.”

“I do apologize, there was traffic and you know how I am about texting while driving. Even if I was at a standstill for a little bit.”

Roman didn’t care, grabbing his husband’s face and giving him a small peck on his lips, smiling as he did so. “You kept me waiting.”

“I did, and you made dinner.”

Roman wrapped his arms around Logan’s neck, pulling him down and into another kiss. “Who cares, it’s late. Let’s just skip dinner and go to the fun part of date night.”

“Roma-” he was cut off by another kiss, getting pulled in by this alluring man he had the honor of marrying. “Roman, three meals,” kiss “is important! We need,” kiss “to eat for energy.”

“Energy, you say? Perhaps I can spare a few minutes to eat then, before bed.”

“You just took a nap, if you’re really tired then perhaps simply dinner would do.” Roman pulled away and gave Logan an unamused look. “Oh. OH. I see.” He pushed his glasses up and leaned away, still in Roman’s arms. He tried to hide his blush but he knew even in the low candlelight, he had been caught. “I see, well. Yes, dinner first. Then you can share what you have planned for the rest of the evening.”

“I knew you’d see things my way.”

---

Roman dropped the box at his feet, glad it was just some of his many boxes of clothes. “There! All finished!”

“No, we still need to sort the boxes and unpack.” Logan walked by, moving a box toward the kitchen as he did so. “Then we need to return the moving truck before they close today. Luckily it was just your items we had to move in. I’m sure you’ll like it here, you pretty much live here already anyway. It will make those quiet nights less lonely.”

Roman rolled his eyes and watched Logan go on one of his organizing sprees. He was excited to move in and officially live with his husband now that his old apartment lease had finished. Of course, Logan was also excited to be living together, but also for the idea of sorting Roman’s stuff in with his own. He had a system apparently and despite the time they had been simply dating, Roman never did quite figure it out.

“I’ll return the truck while you organize. Then we can test the bed when I get back.”

“Roman, we both know that the bed is perfectly fine.”

“That’s not what I was referring to.” Logan stopped and looked over at Roman, catching his wink as he did so.

“Roman.” Logan placed down the box he was carrying and walked up to Roman, leaning in rather close. “I know exactly what you were referring to.” It was Roman’s turn to blush as Logan smirked triumphantly. “Now return the moving truck before they charge us an extra day.”

---

Roman stood in the doorway of Logan’s home as he glanced around. It was his first time seeing it since they were married and yet, it felt the same. He hadn’t seen it since before their honeymoon and nothing had changed in their absence. This was going to be their home together. He’d wait out his lease and slowly start moving things in. Then they could start new, together.

He held onto the three red roses he had brought, staring down at them. It was more tradition at this point. A red rose as a gift every time something big happened. It meant more than just an ‘I love you’. It was reassurance. ‘Everything will be okay.’ ‘I’m here.’

‘You’re not alone.’

Roman closed the door and stepped into the house, into his new life.

---

He was shaking. This was it. This was it this was it this was it. He was going to walk out there and marry his best friend. He was in a perfect suit in a perfect venue. Their families and friends were there, just outside and waiting for them. They had come along to support their futures together and…

And Logan was panicking.

“I’m not his soulmate, why am I doing this to myself?” Logan paced back and forth in his room. His few groomsmen had been kicked out when his mother showed up. All cousins or old friends. People he didn’t talk to much anymore.

“Sweetie, calm down. You love him, no? You’ll be fine.”

“He’ll regret marrying me, I know it. It won’t work out! It can’t work out.”

He felt his mother’s hands grip his arm and tug, stopping him in his tracks. She quickly wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in close. “Honey, no. Shhh, don’t think like that. Who cares if it doesn’t work out? Who cares if you don't think you are each other's soulmates? Right now, you love each other and you’re going to put in everything you are to make this work.”

“What if it doesn’t?”

“Shh, then do what I did.” She pulled back and brushed some of Logan’s hair out of his face. “Look at the universe, tell it that it is wrong, and prove it wrong completely out of spite.” Logan let out a breathy laugh and shook his head, allowing his mother to wipe away his tears with her perfectly manicured nails. “Look, you love him, right? And I know for a fact that Roman loves you.” She lifted his head up and smiled down at him. “That’s all that matters. That love? That will never go away. You have each other in your hearts, no matter what. But that doesn’t mean you’re doomed for failure. This could be your happy ending you never knew you were waiting for. Isn’t love enough?”

Logan smiled and wiped his eyes before adjusting his glasses. “You’re right, mama. Thank you.” He gave her a kiss and pulled back with a smile. “Now, I am very gay and I have a man to marry.”

“Not like that, you’re not. Come, we’ll get a wet cloth and clear those red eyes before you go walking down that aisle. I want to see Roman’s jaw drop so far, a bee flies into his mouth.”

---

“I’m sorry.” Roman sobbed into Logan’s shoulder, a position far too familiar with him. “I’m sorry. We--I was so sure I was ready and… and I can’t feel like I’m betraying him. I’m so sorry. I don’t deserve you, why do you love me?”

Logan sat in silence, rubbing the back of the man he loved in an all too familiar conversation they had a few times too many. “Roman, my answer will never change. I love you. You are deserving of that love. He’d forgive you. I may have never known him, but he’d want you to find love again.”

“He would,” Roman’s voice was so strained and tired from his cries. “He really would. He wouldn’t care what happened, he’d want me to be happy, but why can’t I let go? I still love him, Logan. I always will love him and I can’t stop...”

Logan offered quiet hushes as he continued to rub the other’s back, much like his mother would do for him. “The one thing you taught me is that love is an infinite source. You love so much, Roman, I hate to see you hurt like this.” Roman pulled back and looked up, his face streaked with tears as his nose ran. Logan reached over for a tissue and started cleaning him up softly. “You can still love him and love someone else. That love you have for him isn’t going anywhere.”

“I don’t deserve you, Lo.”

“Quite the contrary.” He ran the tissue across Roman’s cheek gently. “You taught me how to love, and it would be my honor to give it to you.”

They sat in silence as Roman finally managed to catch his breath and calm down. He was still a total mess, exhausted and bloodshot eyes staring down at the tissue he fiddled with as he sniffled. “We’re getting married.”

“That we are.”

“I always thought… I always thought I wouldn’t get married. Not after everything,” Roman looked up at Logan and smiled. “And now I can’t picture not marrying you.”

“Yes well, the feeling is mutual, I suppose.”

A soft chuckle came from the broken man. “Dork.”

---

Roman’s hands shook as he stared down at the small box he had held onto for years. The box he bought for someone else. The box he buried away and never thought he would bring out into public again. The box he would never share with anyone else besides him...

The box he so, so desperately wanted to give to Logan.

Would this be okay? Would the universe forgive him? The man who had found and lost his true soulmate, or so he believed, wanting to love like that again. Perhaps… perhaps he was wrong. Or maybe he was given a second chance. It always felt like it, ever since he met Logan. That fate had told him it was okay to love again.

It was planned. Weekly date night so Logan wouldn’t get suspicious. He didn’t choose a rom-com. They weren’t doing anything extravagant. Nothing was out of place except for the single red rose Roman had hidden. It would be perfect, Logan wouldn’t expect a thing.

They’d eat, then sit down to watch the movie. Logan would comment on anything that didn’t line up, plot holes that made no sense. Roman would shush him and throw popcorn at him after a while. They’d snuggle up on the couch together and just as the movie ended, Roman would get up and throw away the trash as he ran to get the hidden box and rose.

He would walk back in, march up to Logan and…

Watch as Logan got down on one knee, hold out a red rose with a ring tied to the stem, and smile up at him so sheepishly as if Roman could say no to that face. They would laugh until they were gray and old as they retold the story. Perhaps to their kids if they were to adopt. Smiles on their faces staring down at their rings, the tale of the two red roses, the simple flower that meant so much.

---

Roman quietly slipped out of bed, reaching for his discarded clothes on the floor as silently as he could. He didn’t want to wake the other just yet, sneaking into the bathroom before heading to the kitchen.

Roman knew Logan’s place pretty well after dating him for a while, so he combed through all the cupboards and prepared to make an extravagant breakfast for the other. The night before replayed over and over in his head and Roman had to suppress his giddy laughter. Every part of him wanted to dance around and sing in excitement, but soft humming would have to do.

He had taught Roman how to cook all those years ago back in their college days.

While Logan could cook a bit himself, it wasn’t quite up to the normal standard Roman had hoped. Too many steamed vegetables and not enough good old-fashioned pork and chicken. Logan ate too little if his matchstick figure hadn’t been evidence enough. Roman was glad he bought some food, cooking up bacon and frying eggs. Instant pancake mix would be good enough for now as Roman plated everything onto the table.

He wasn’t quite finished when Logan made his appearance. “Oh,” He blinked and looked around, his hair still a mess from the night before. “I was wondering what that smell was. This… is a lot.” Logan walked forward and Roman smirked, noticing his plain t-shirt was on backward. Eh, he’d notice soon enough. “Are we celebrating something?”

“Last night, of course.” Roman walked forward and grabbed Logan’s hands. “You trusted me so deeply. That is reason enough to celebrate, is it not?”

“Well.” Logan cleared his throat and looked away. “I suppose that makes this a red rose moment, does it not?”

“Oh, you’re right!” Roman pulled away and looked around frantically. He ran out of the room and Logan heard him rummaging around. He looked down and took care of the cooking, turning off the stovetop burners and removing the food from the heat so nothing would burn. Roman came running back in a few minutes later, a smile on his face. “Tada!”

He held up a piece of paper, a rose that was drawn rather well sat on the page, quickly colored in with one of Logan’s red pens. A red rose.

‘I trust you.’

---

Logan said it first.

He was freaking out. How did he say it first? It simply slipped out so casually, so naturally.

“You’re lucky I love you, Roman, or else I’d have to kick you out for that comment.”

They were at Logan’s, sitting and ignoring whatever was playing on tv. They were talking about everything. Complaining about work, this thing they saw the other day, Roman retold a story from that morning he had already told Logan about. They talked constantly, Logan finding even now his hand would twitch and want to reach for his phone despite the fact Roman was right next to him.

Then those words slipped out. He froze and looked over at Roman who looked up at him, lips barely parted in shock. He sat up, staring, making Logan feel very self-conscious as he fidgeted. Did he make a joke? Change the topic? Take it back? Could you take that back?

Then Roman was there, right in front of him, smiling so bright, the sun couldn’t compare. He leaned forward slightly, silently, the words on the tip of his tongue. Asking, begging pleading…

Logan surged forward, lips meeting in the heat of the moment, the rush making his head spin. He had kissed Roman before but this was different. The words he had just spoken made it taste sweeter, he could feel the words dance around and he could still taste them as Roman pulled back, licking his chapped lips. “I love you too, Logan.”

He hadn’t realized that even despite the kiss, he desperately needed to hear those words. He sighed in relief and pulled Roman down into another kiss, more intense with the passing moments. He heard something fall off the couch. The remote, a phone, he didn’t care, not as long as Roman was there, pressing him into the couch, each kiss hotter than the last.

---

It was a regular afternoon after work and all Roman wanted to do was plant himself on his couch and not move for hours until he had to sleep. He was exhausted, one thing after another pushing him to his breaking point. His phone chimed as he pushed the power button on his remote, digging for his phone.

Logan <3: Have you arrived home safely?

He rolled his eyes, lifting his arms up to type a response before letting them fall, leaving his phone to rest on his chest. The news blared back as he flipped the channel away to something less depressing. Automated laughter after commercial after advertisement rang out for a second as he flipped, trying to find something for him to mindlessly stare at.

His phone buzzed once more and Roman smirked, pausing his channel surfing to pick it up once more.

Logan <3: Answer your door

Three firm knocks followed as Roman stared at his phone, his heart jumping. He sat up quickly, taking a moment as his head spun, before walking over to the door. He slowly opened it and found his boyfriend standing on the other side at attention, his shoulders tense as he smirked.

“Logan?”

He nodded before holding up a brown paper bag. “You had a rough week so I thought you would enjoy some dinner.” Roman’s eyes stared at the bag as the smell of Chinese take-out slowly drifted toward him. “Ah, also…” Logan sheepishly held out a single red rose before smiling up. “I know this isn’t really one of those red rose moments you told me you used to do but… Thank you.” He smiled, offering the rose to his stunned boyfriend. “I know they’re meant for special moments but… telling me, you know, about him. It must have been difficult to trust me with that.”

Roman carefully took the rose and glanced down at the bag for their dinner. He stared at it before looking at Logan, his eyes wide and speechless. He barely gave any warning before launching himself forward and wrapping his arms around the other, holding him as tight as he could. Logan jumped in surprise before returning the hug, smiling proudly and making sure to keep a good grip on the paper bag. He felt Roman shake, his breath wavering as Roman sniffled lightly. It wasn’t like when he had told him, he was holding together really well in comparison actually. Logan rubbed his back and stood on the doorstep, not willing to let go until Roman was ready.

---

“Happy one year anniversary.” Roman kissed Logan on the cheek. Logan smiled and looked down at the bouquet of red roses he had been gifted. “It felt like a red rose moment, you know?”

“Red rose moment?” Logan turned into his home to look for an appropriate place for his flowers. Such a beautiful gift should be left out for all to see, the smell wafting and grabbing the attention of anyone who entered his home. “What does a red rose moment entail, exactly?” He turned and saw Roman with an uncharacteristically intense look on his face. He was deep in thought if the frown and furrowed brow was any hint. “Roman?”

“It was his thing he liked to do. I…” Licking his lips, Roman looked up and smiled. “I’m ready to talk about him, Logan. I want you to know.”

“Roman, we’ve been over this. You don’t have to tell me now because of our anniversary, I can wait.”

“No. I want to tell you, you’ve been so wonderful and I-” Roman stopped and took a moment to breathe. “Just, let me tell you about him? I know I told you a little bit but... These roses were always his thing but it felt wrong continuing it without explaining.”

Logan gripped the roses tighter, careful of the thorns that threatened to poke through the plastic wrapping, before nodding his head. “Let me put these in some water and we can talk.”

He placed them on a side table near the entry to the kitchen so they could be seen from the front door. Logan brought Roman to the couch and sat him down before fetching them each a glass of water. They sat in silence for a moment before Roman turned and faced his boyfriend, a solemn look on his face.

“His name was Patton.”

---

It was days. Days of no texts or calls. Days of not answering his door or messages. Logan went from being angered to simply worried, wondering what had happened to his boyfriend. They were doing so well! Logan couldn’t recall anything he could have said or done to upset Roman. The man seemed a bit spacey lately but reassured Logan everything was okay before his sudden silence.

He promised he would give him his space and not pressure the man, but the sudden silence for almost a week was enough. Logan was worried, he couldn’t even focus at work and he checked his phone more now that he wasn’t getting responses. He had a spare key to Roman’s apartment that he swore he would only use in emergencies, but the possible safety and well being of someone he cared for deeply was enough for him.

He had some crackers and water bottles with him as he made his way into the darkened apartment. Looking around, everything was exactly as it normally was. A few dirty dishes were soaking in the tiny sink, the place looked hastily cleaned up as if Roman was distracted halfway through cleaning. The apartment, frankly, stunk. Logan was sure the trash had been sitting there for days, festering as the pungent smell invaded his nose.

Logan looked around and found the place empty. He called out and frowned at the lack of response before heading to the bathroom and bedroom down the hall. The bathroom was empty and seemingly untouched and Roman’s bedroom door was cracked open slightly. He pushed it open and peered inside, finding a lump of blankets sitting on the bed.

“Roman?” The bundle moved and Logan let out a sigh of relief. “Roman, you’ve had me worried! You haven’t answered me in days!” He walked into the room and noticed the greasy bed head peeking out from the blankets. “Are you alright? I brought water and crackers in case you were famished. I also have some antibiotics in case you’re sick.”

“Why are you here?” Roman’s voice was soft but worn as if he had screamed at the top of his lungs until his throat was sore.

“I’m here because I’m worried and I care about you.” Roman pulled into himself more as Logan walked closer. “Please, talk to me. What’s happened?”

“I can’t… Lo, I can’t anymore, I’m sorry. I’m not… I’m not ready.”

“Hey,” Logan kneeled next to the bed and tugged at the blankets, seeing Roman’s face for the first time in days. The bags under his eyes looked almost painted on and he looked as if he hadn’t properly slept since Logan last saw him. His eyes were red, rimmed with tried tear tracks down the side of his face to the pillow. Roman buried his face back in his blankets to hide away but Logan reached forward and ran his hand through Roman’s hair, mentally noting how he probably hadn’t showered in days. “Come on, it’s alright. What aren’t you ready for?”

“You.” Roman sniffled and looked up through the blankets. “I never thought I would meet anyone that could make me so excited for anything again. I’m not ready for that. I’m not…”

“Ah, this is about him again.” Logan smiled sadly as he scratched his nails along Roman’s scalp. “You said you wanted to try, but you’re not ready to let go yet, are you? I understand.”

“I… I miss him, Lo.” Roman shut his eyes, a tear running down his cheek. “I miss him so much. Why, why did he have to go? Why did he have to leave?”

“Shhh,” Logan pulled out a water bottle and held it up. “Drink this. Then if you’re up for it, I can start a nice, hot shower and we can cuddle on the couch watching Disney movies all night.”

“No, L-logan, you don’t get it. I can’t… I can’t just get over him! It’s been so long but I’m not…”

“I understand. I’m not asking you to forget he existed, Roman. I’m simply asking you to try and indulge in a little self-care. If you could ask Patton what he would want you to do right now, what would he say?” They stared each other down while Roman’s eyes flickered down to the water bottle and back up to meet Logan’s. Roman finally reached out and grabbed the water bottle, earning a smile for his efforts. “You can tell me when you’re ready, Roman. It’s fine. I can wait.”

---

Roman and Patton met in their freshman year of high school. They fit together immediately, best friends since the beginning. They spent every moment together, in and out of school. Patton was there when Roman struggled with their final exams and Roman was there when Patton dealt with his issues he had at home.

When their senior graduation was coming up, they were so excited! They were going to the same college together, their futures intertwined for what seemed to be forever. So it was no surprise when Roman spun Patton around and dipped him at their graduation. Though, everyone was shocked when it was Patton that reached up to kiss Roman first.

They hadn’t even realized that their emotions had been so deep, yet so obvious. It had clicked for Roman one day when they were hanging out and he just knew in his heart that Patton was the one. His soulmate. The man he was going to spend the rest of his life with. To his pleasure, Patton shared his exact sentiments. They fit together perfectly, two halves of a whole. Puzzle pieces fitting together seamlessly.

Things hardly changed for them, dating wasn’t much different other than the kisses and cuddles. One day, Patton bought Roman a red rose because he ‘felt it was right’. They had been dating a month but it had seemed so much longer. Patton would keep buying a red rose for big moments for their relationship. First kisses, first ‘I love you’s first… everything. Then Roman bought a bouquet for their anniversary saying, “It seemed like a red rose moment.” It was their thing, tying important events to the symbol of love. It was a reminder every time it appeared.

A red rose meant “I love you.”

A red rose meant “I trust you.”

A red rose meant “I will never leave you.”

They were just barely in their sophomore year of college when it happened. It wasn’t that late, the sun was still setting. Patton was walking back from the store with some snacks for a late night study session with Roman. He was on the sidewalk. He should have been safe. He was watching where he was going. He was walking back the dorms, to his boyfriend with a smile on his face.

He died instantly on impact. The drunk college students did as well, but that seemed inconsequential to Roman in his mourning.

It wasn’t fair. Why him? Why his Patton?! Why why why?! They had their forevers to live out! They had it all planned, down to the color of the shudders on the house! Why? Why the kindest soul on the planet? Why his Patton?

Roman placed a single red rose on the casket, the small box in his pocket weighing heavily on him. He could feel it every time he moved. It threatened to bring him to his knees, but Patton wouldn’t want that. He wouldn’t want Roman to fall into a mess for eternity without him, so he struggled on.

He was out of college now. Graduated after a break for a year to mourn. He picked up a few odd jobs before finally getting something worthwhile with his degree, though it seemed pointless. Roman walked through a world that moved on without him while he was stuck. He was still back in his dorm on that night as a sophomore, waiting for Patton to walk in with a smile on his face and a bag of unhealthy snacks in his hand.

Roman was walking through the park, his hand fiddling with the velvet box in his pocket. He stopped at the pond to stare as people moved around, children paying a quarter to get food from the feeders for the ducks. He ran his thumb over the box and sighed, shutting his eyes.

“Patton, tell me. What should I do? I’m walking through life with no purpose now that you’re gone. Please… what is there left for me? Tell me, let me know somehow...”

Roman opened his eyes as he felt the wind pick up, something tapping against his leg. Looking down, he spotted a scally hat that had blown away, lost to the wind. He leaned down and grabbed it before it flew off, dusting it free of leaves and debris.

“Oh thank goodness, thank you!” Roman spotted a man jogging up to him, his face red from running as he tried catching his breath. “That’s my hat, it just suddenly flew off of my head! I’m rather lucky you managed to catch it before it flew into the water.”

“Yeah.” Roman still could feel the box weighing down in his pocket as he smiled, holding up the hat. “Really lucky, huh?” The man reached for the hat and Roman watched him brush back his messy hair. “I’m Roman.”

The stranger adjusted his hat and smiled, reaching out and offering his hand. “Logan.” Roman took his hand in a firm shake. “I must thank you once again, I do appreciate it.”

“Hmm?” Roman smiled as he let go of the man’s hand. “Then perhaps you can pay me back. Coffee?”

It took a moment before Logan’s eyes lit up with recognition, his face flush as he nodded. “Yes, I would quite enjoy that.”

With his hands steeped in front of him, Virgil sat on the armrest of the couch with his feet on the cushions, facing Thomas who stared back silently. Virgil would randomly tap his fingers together as he was lost in his thoughts he kept to himself. Thomas looked over to Patton who was sat on the floor in front of the couch and looking in between the two periodically. He shrugged and Thomas silently huffed before turning back to Virgil. “Maybe-”

“Shhh,” Virgil laced his fingers together and leaned on his knees, squinting at Thomas a bit. Thomas wrinkled his nose and leaned away, unsure how to take Virgil’s strange behavior. Eventually, Virgil nodded to himself and slid down onto the cushions and crossed his legs on the couch. Patton was the empath but it didn’t take one to be able to see how unsure Thomas was. He was putting up a front, obviously. The nervous energy rolled off of him so much, Virgil was almost unsure of how own plan. “Okay,” holding out his hand, Virgil smirked a bit to himself. “Shake my hand.” “What? No!” Thomas pulled away and stared at Virgil’s hand as if it would lash out at any moment. “We’ve been over this when we met, Virgil! I’m not just gonna shake your hand like that!” “Oh come on!” Virgil didn’t actually seem upset as he let his hand fall into his lap. “This is completely different and you know it.” “How is this any different?” “Because you’re not going to hurt me this time.” Thomas made no attempt to move as he stared skeptically at Virgil’s hand. “You won’t. You know what your powers do now, Thomas. You don’t want to hurt me, so you won’t.” Thomas reached up slowly and kept his eyes locked onto Virgil’s. “I dunno…” With a nod of encouragement, Thomas finally grabbed his hand firmly and slowly started to shake it. He tried to pull away and Virgil whispered a soft encouragement to him, holding onto his hand tighter. “You got this, Thomas,” Patton whispered from his spot on the floor. “We believe in you!”

Looking back to Virgil, Thomas seemed a bit unsure of himself, squeezing his grip tighter. “I just… I don’t want to hurt you.” Their hands suddenly felt warm, too warm, too hot, and both pulled back, the familiar feeling of Thomas taking energy recognizable to both of them at this point. “You had it, what happened?” Thomas was sure Virgil was going to be upset with him for failing when he did have control, but Virgil seemed concerned as he rubbed his hand. “I… I dunno. I’m not used to this! I’ve never had to use my powers, I don’t know what I’m doing.” “Yes, you do. Are you really that dense?” Virgil leaned back into the couch and sighed. “Come on, Thomas!” Patton perked up from his spot on the floor. “We believe in you! You said you were ready, right? You got this!” “Well, maybe I…” Virgil groaned and leaned forward and rested his arms on his legs as he spoke. “Thomas, you’ve had these powers your whole life. It was just never apparent until now. That means you’ve been using them the whole time! My portals weren’t always so wobbly. They probably weren’t even portals at first, but that’s what they grew to be. The same thing goes for you, you just need to be open to the idea.” “Yeah!” Patton perked up and leaned onto the couch, smiling up at him. “I wasn’t an empath at first, it just grew like that!” “So… Do you think I didn’t just take energy at first? That’s kinda what Logan thought, but...” Thomas looked from Patton who nodded before staring down at the palms of his hands. “I don’t think that’s how mine worked. I mean, how can I use them if you were the first superpowered people I met?” “You’re not thinking about this the right way.” Virgil leaned back in closer as he perked up, excited to explain himself. “What if you don’t take powers? What if you take energy instead?” “Energy?” Thomas shook his head. “Wait, I’m confused. Where did that idea come from?” “Me. Just now. Or like, ten minutes ago, doesn’t matter. Think about it!” Virgil started waving his arms around as he spoke excitedly. “We are throwing things at the wall here to see what sticks! So, we have to question everything until we can find the right answer. We haven’t questioned if you worked with energy yet! We need to at least test the theory to see if it’s true, but it makes sense if you think about it.” “How so?” Patton tilted his head and rested his arms on the couch. “If he hadn’t noticed things before, how would we know?” “Yeah, I never even had the idea I could do anything until I met you guys.” Virgil turned to Thomas and smiled. “I don’t like that look,” he mumbled, leaning away from Virgil once more. “They could have been things that you could write off as normal. Have you ever gotten excited around others? Just… a sudden burst of energy?” Thomas raised a brow at Virgil’s question. “Or perhaps you feel exhausted when around too many people?” “That doesn’t explain anything, Virge. That just makes me an introvert.” “Humor me. Have you been with others and suddenly felt tired? You could have been passing around energy and never known it.” “Wait…” Thomas mumbled as his brain started to understand where Virgil was coming from. “Like, when I’m performing. Could I get energy from others and the audience? Or, during a scene, give it out unknowingly?” He looked down at Patton for a moment. “I passed out after a scene once while still on stage. That could explain it, couldn’t it?” “I think it could! It’s worth testing out anyway!” Patton smiled and stood up from the floor. “How about you stop thinking about your ability as taking power and think of it more and sharing energy like Virgil said?” Patton held out a hand and Thomas smiled. “I think that could work. I’m willing to give it a shot, anyway.” Despite his words, Thomas hesitated and Virgil frowned. “Promise to do something if this doesn’t work?” “It will work, Thomas. You’re ready for this.” Virgil’s words didn’t seem to encourage him, but he nodded and reached forward, taking Patton’s hand. “Now, let’s start slow.” ---

Logan was literally pushed out the front door the second he had hesitated in the doorframe. They had told him Thomas was going to come over for training on the rare day he had work at the bookstore. The bakery? He could call and explain and his aunt and uncle would be fine with that. But the bookstore? He had perfect attendance and had never been late and no matter how much he thought about doing it just the once, Patton had pushed him out the door and promised he’d take care of everything. It did ease Logan’s worries a little bit, perhaps Patton could get through to Thomas where he could not. He was so close, he knew it, but something held Thomas back every time. At least working at the bookstore wasn’t the worst thing he could be doing instead. The best thing about it was how the shifts seemed to fly by for Logan. He could easily get lost in the sorting and organization of the small local shop and business was usually slow except for the college students buying second-hand books cheaper there than most college recommended sites. Still, the mornings were calm and quiet where Logan could usually pick up the slack that was left behind at closing. He wasn’t the most sociable person but he usually was so organized the owners looked past that. Social skills weren’t as important for a shop tucked away on the side, it never really became too busy. He started his days off like he always does, at the community board. Anyone was allowed to put up fliers for events as long as they were appropriate and it was his job to take down old ones that may have passed. One or two fliers that had been up for far too long and that usually was the most he ever took down, but he would also organize it so there was plenty of space for others. Then came organizing the books that had been shipped in. Ones people requested or new releases they managed to get a hold of. There was never any rush during the quiet mornings and Logan usually hummed softly to himself as he prepared the store for the rest of the day. One or two people came in, but otherwise, it was a quiet day. It also felt incredibly, painstakingly slow. Knowing Thomas was over at the apartment while he could be there to assist caused him to be very aware of every passing moment. While he knew Patton and Virgil could take care of things, there was nothing more than he wanted to do besides be there. There was more on the line for Logan than Thomas himself had realized. Thomas was learning to control his abilities and he was doing so well! They were so close! Logan could basically feel it each time, Thomas would get it any day and who said that day couldn’t be today? The bell above the door chimed as a customer walked in, earning a quick greeting from Logan. It was almost a reflex for him to speak whenever he heard the bell these days. The customer had headed straight for the community board with a paper in hand. Logan made a note to inspect the flier to make sure it was appropriate before they left before returning to his work sorting books. The way they marched in with the board set as their destination didn’t seem out of the ordinary but something told Logan to be safe, just in case.

“Hello? Do you work here?” Logan turned and put on his best customer service smile. “I was looking for the non-fiction section?” “Come right this way, I can show you where that is. Was there anything in particular you were looking for?” The poor college student was content being brought to the right place and Logan was not envious of the panic that crossed their face as they inspected their options. He thought back to his days in libraries and research papers. It certainly was something he didn’t miss. He was almost to the front of the store when he heard a tearing noise of paper in the shop. A few big strides brought him back to the community board where a man was tearing a sheet of paper in half, his back to Logan. “Excuse me, sir?” He approached the guy who didn’t seem to care he was being addressed. “Are you the one that put the flier up?” “What does it matter?” He took the paper he had hidden under his arm and pinned it in the previously empty spot. “Just making room. It was an old flier.” “I see.” He eyed the scraps of paper the man had bunched in his fist. “Next time, our policy is to inform us and not remove it yourself. That being said, I do appreciate it. I can take the old paper and recycle it for you if you’d like.” The man scoffed and handed the paper over before quickly heading for the exit. “Just one moment,” Logan turned around, waving the scraps of paper to the man. “This was not an old flier.” “It’s a stupid one you didn’t need hanging up, you’re welcome.” Logan looked down at the Princey Fan Club advertisement he had recognized before turning back to face the board. “He’s a menace anyways.” “I see, and the new anti-prince poster in its spot has nothing to do with that?” Logan reached over and pulled down on the paper, tearing it from the push pin that was keeping it in place. “Hey!” The man squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest, probably in an attempt to appear more threatening. Unfortunately for him, Logan couldn’t care less about how tough the man tried to look. If need be, he could have him out of the building in an instant without moving a finger. “If you can not respect the rules that are in place, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline your poster as well.” “You can’t just do that!” The man marched up to Logan as he turned red in the face. “That stupid prince is pretending he’s better than the cops, running around with a taser! Someone’s going to get hurt.” “So we have a mutual agreement, needless violence is unneccessary.” Crumpling up his paper with the shredded poster, Logan never took his eyes off of the man. “Simply follow the posted rules next time and your flier can stay. Have a nice day, sir.” The man was angry but chose to huff and walk off instead. He slammed the door behind him and marched off down the street and away from view. Once he was gone, Logan let out a sigh and tossed the paper in a bin. It was going to be a longer day than he thought. He had to talk to the others when he got home.

---

“Okay, go ahead.” Thomas reached out and grabbed Virgil’s hand like he had done before and took in a slow breath. They waited a moment before Virgil’s hand grew warm, but he gripped the hand tighter. “You’ve got this.” Thomas nodded, focusing more and finally let out the breath slowly. He felt his own hand turn cold this time and kept the grip as his shoulders tensed. “It’s cold.” “I think you did it.” Virgil hesitated before he let go. “I think you gave me energy that time. Not much, but you did it!” “I did… I did it!” He laughed and threw himself at Virgil, wrapping his arms around him. “I did it, oh my goodness gracious! That’s so cool! I got it!” Virgil was frozen stiff as Thomas giggled gleefully, hugging him and rocking back and forth. “Yeah, whoo…” He was entirely unenthusiastic as he slowly raised an arm and gave him a pat on the back. “Knew you could do it.” “You did!” Thomas let go and sat up, turning to Patton. “You both did! Gosh, I needed something like that. Logan was being a bit pushy.” “What do you mean?” Patton smiled but his face showed concern. “Was Logan being too rough?” “More like he made it seem like… Like I had to do it! That I was going to.” Thomas slumped over at the thought. “Like I needed to, not that he believed I could.” Patton grew more concerned when Virgil sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “W-well, I’m sure he was just so excited! He gets really into these things,” Patton tried reassuring Thomas. “You should have seen him when we first met him! He’s gotten better.” Virgil shook his head and mumbled to himself. “I’m not so sure.” He looked over at Thomas and smirked. “Doesn’t matter, you got it! Just a bit of practice and you’ll be doing it like it’s nothing.” Thomas couldn’t stop his smile from dropping at that. “Oh, yeah, great.” “Are you okay?” Patton immediately switched to his overprotective mode. “Are you feeling alright? Is something wrong?” “It’s just…” Running a hand through his hair, Thomas gathered his thoughts before he shook his head. “I’m glad I’m able to figure all this out, but I’m still a little overwhelmed. Like, okay.” He held out his hands as he spoke. “I still don’t remember a lot of things and I know using my powers can help me but… I dunno. I feel like I woke up one day with half my life completely gone and everyone’s been telling me who I am! I want to learn who I am myself, you know? No looking at photo albums and hearing stories. I want to go out and experience things and relearn myself. I know I said I wanted to learn my powers but I’m more than just my powers, aren’t I?” “Well, of course,” Patton smiled and reached over to Thomas, rubbing his arm reassuringly. “We don’t want to force you into anything you don’t want to, we just want to help!” “Yeah. I mean, it sucks for us, but it’s worse for you right now,” Virgil shrugged at the look Thomas and Patton both sent him. “What? I’m being honest. We can handle Logan, I know he’s really been pushing you about this. You go hang out with Joan and Talyn and all your friends and go have fun. We’ll always be here when you’re actually ready. You don’t have to force yourself for us.” “Really? Are you sure? Because I know that this could be helpful and I do want to learn eventually!” “Thomas,” Patton smiled and reached over, rubbing his arm reassuringly. “You matter to us more than your powers. We’re you’re friends too!”

Reluctantly, he had agreed to let it go. They were happy he wanted to learn but forcing himself for their sake wasn’t healthy. Thomas thanked them again for helping him so far with his powers before venturing off back across the city. Patton sighed when he was out of sight before shutting his door and turning to Virgil. “We’re doing the right thing, aren’t we?” “Of course, now come on. I’m energized and hungry, let’s go get a bite to eat.”

--- Pacing the living room until Logan came home became the worst thing Patton could do. He was nervous about this conversation with Logan but he wasn’t even entirely sure why. Logan would understand Thomas’ decision! He had to, he was so sweet and kind, he just needed to explain it all first. Virgil was tired after his little boost of energy from Thomas wore out and had decided to take a nap. Patton originally protested, stating that taking one so late in the day would through off his whole internal clock. Virgil simply replied ‘I don’t obey the laws of time, I don’t need to listen to clocks.’ It was a silly point from Virgil but Patton couldn’t argue with it, he wasn’t wrong after all. To kill some time, he had finished an entire puzzle with Two and Three and watched dozens of animal videos on his phone. While he was laying on his bed, he was zoned out for a while before he heard the front door creak open. He paused the video and leaned to peek out his bedroom door he left wide open, but he was sure the quiet entry was made by Logan. Roman usually announced his appearances one way or another but it was still too early for him to be home from work. Once he saw Logan, he jumped up in excitement, momentarily pushing back the conversation he was dreading having for the flutter that appeared in his gut at the sight of his boyfriend. “Logan!” Patton perked up and reached out, carefully tugging Logan’s arm into the apartment. “You’re finally home!” “Please don’t tell me you sat here waiting for me.” Despite his tone, he smiled as Patton shrugged, bringing him to the couch. “Have you had an eventful day?” “Oh, not really. Virgil and I went out for lunch but now he’s taking a nap! Roman’s not home yet, so it’s just you and me!” “Ah, I see.” Clearing his throat, he adjusted his glasses and tried to appear uninterested. “And how was Thomas? He was over earlier, was he not?” Patton’s smile became a bit strained as he nodded. “Yeah, we made progress! I need to talk to you about that, though.” “Progress?” Patton didn’t like the way Logan perked up eagerly at the news. “What sorts of progress?” “Well, uh, it seems we managed to get Thomas to use his powers to give energy to Virgil willingly. He had-” “He did?!” Logan jumped up from the couch with a grin stretching from ear to ear. “This is wonderful! Goodness, this is the best thing I’ve heard all day! Perhaps all week! I should contact him immediately and-” Patton reached up and grabbed Logan’s hands, tugging on them to get his attention. He took a moment to breathe and tried letting a wave of calm wash over both of them as best he could. He felt so anxious and he wasn’t entirely sure why. Virgil had asked him to wait until they were both there to talk since he didn’t know everything that his boyfriend went through. He knew he was missing something important, something that caused Logan to push Thomas a bit too hard. He recalled Logan saying his parents kicked him out and not elaborating further, but Virgil must have known and it must have been the missing link between Logan’s parents and Thomas somehow. Patton tugged on Logan’s hands once more, causing him to sit back down on the couch slowly. “We need to talk about that.” “Did it go okay? Were you injured? Is Thomas okay? And Virgil?” The smile that grew on Patton’s face as Logan started to worry was undeniable. “No, no. Not that. Everyone is fine. It’s just…” Licking his lips, he prepared for how he was going to be able to explain this clearly. “Thomas is thankful he’s managed to control his powers a bit, but he wants to take a step back. I think things are still too much for him and he kept pushing through for our sake.” Logan didn’t react at all which caused Patton to panic a bit. “Not forever! He just wants to try and fill some things himself before we give all his memories back! It’s just too much happening at once for him. I don’t think all of us have fully recovered from that monster.” Logan opened his mouth before hesitating, calculating his words exactly. “I can bring his memories back if he can boost my abilities. He realizes that, does he not?” “Well, yes! But he’s more than his lost memories, Logan. He just wants-” “He just said he wanted to learn to control his powers.” Logan tugged his hands out of Patton’s and stood up tall. “What happened today? Why did he change his mind?” “I told you, Lo. It’s okay, he just wants to take it slow!” Patton held up his hands defensively. “We were pushing him too much, he needs more time. We need to respect that.” “No, I don’t…” Logan’s eyes started to glow and Patton winced at the sight. “He said he would, he can’t change his mind like that! Doesn’t he see how important this is?” “To you or to him? Why do you care so much?” Patton frowned before gripping onto the couch as it shook. “Please, I want to help but I don’t understand!” Logan shook his head as small objects took to the air, his eyes glowing brighter. “We have to get his memories back! We need to get them back!” “Or what?” Logan blinked in surprise as Patton finally glared, his anger flaring wildly enough that Logan could start to feel it mix with his own. “Would you force him to? Huh?” Logan blinked as the anger melted away, turning into something else… “Would you make him do what you want? Just take a moment and poof! You can have him totally agree to do whatever! Is it worth that? Would you do that to him?” Shaking his head, Logan’s eyes dimmed and flitted out, his normal brown eyes staring back scared. Panicked. “I wouldn’t, you know that. I said I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.” “Well then, Logan, you need to calm down and think about what Thomas wants.” “I just…” Logan ran a hand through his hair nervously. “He said himself, he wanted to learn. I wasn’t trying to be overbearing, I simply wanted to help Thomas help himself!” Logan started growing desperate in his explanation once more. “Don’t you see? This isn’t about me!” “Logan-” “No! No, you don’t get it, I have to do this! I have to make everything right!” Patton stood and tried chasing after Logan who quickly retreated to his room. He was only a few feet behind when the door slammed shut in his face, barring him from going any further. Patton sighed and wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing his arms up and down to help generate warmth. He slowly made his way back to the living room and sat on the couch, replaying the argument in his head over and over. He sat in silence for a few minutes, trying to figure out where he had gone wrong. Even more important, how he could apologize and make it right. A knock on the door brought him back to reality. Patton only hesitated a moment before deciding to answer it. As he opened to door, he was surprised to find Clyde sheepishly standing on the other side. “Hello? Clyde?” “Hi, Patton. I, uh…” Clyde seemed unsure as he looked at Patton and eyed the door to his own apartment with his aunt. “I heard yelling and I wanted to make sure you were okay.” Patton honestly thought about waving it off and turning him away. He also debated pouring his heart out to his neighbor. True, Clyde couldn’t be completely trusted, but he did deserve a second chance. Patton didn’t know all the pieces of the story anyway, so there wasn’t much to tell him. Closing the door behind him, Patton nodded and headed for the stairs of the porch, sitting down and facing the road. Clyde took the hint and followed, sitting right next to him. “So, how much did you hear?” “Not really anything. It was muffled. It was you and Logan again, right?” Patton nodded and sighed, his shoulders falling as he slumped over. Patton thought of a million places to start before he shook his head and bit his lower lip nervously. “It’s like someone hit a reset button on him. He said he wouldn’t do this again but he fell back into his old habits at the first sign and he doesn’t even realize it!” Patton waved his arms around, talking passionately as he did so. “He’s started clinging to that book again and only thinking about what he can learn and not about how we feel! I don’t know what happened and he doesn’t want to talk about it but…” Patton stopped and his arms fell, defeated. “I’m not going to sit by and watch him go down that path again! He was getting better, but without forcing him to talk, I don’t know what to do.” Clyde slowly reached an arm over Patton’s shoulders and awkwardly pulled him in closer. Patton was more than happy to take the invitation as he attempted to rest his head on Clyde’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Patton. You’ll figure it out. I’ll help you any way I can.” Patton hummed and wrapped his arms around the younger man. “Thank you, Clyde.” He hesitated before returning the gesture and hugging him back. “Of course, Patton. It’s my pleasure.”