#kid!patton

suppressing a sigh, he pushed a button on the phone, indicating he received the call and was on his way and quickly blurred his features with his powers as he went to the main hero agency headquarters.

It was chaos.

People running around in all directions, yelling orders or questions all around, no one even seemed to notice that Janus had arrived. Which was disappointing since Janus did kinda miss making an entrance as a famous hero, but no such luck today.

He finally spotted Logan, the head of the agency and the most likely to not freak out in a midst of a crisis, and navigated through the chaos to get to him.

“What’s going on?” Janus asked Logan, matching his fast, yet controlled, pace.

“Serpent! You’re here, good, I apologize for interrupting your well earned retirement but I trust you understand this must be urgent.” Logan said, voice as neutral as ever.

Janus nodded, waiting for Logan to continue. “There’s been a jail breakout… From Dark-Side.”

Janus stopped in place, “...The Duke?” He asked, fearing the answer, Logan nodded and Janus cursed in response.

“It took me years to catch him! How did this happen?” Janus asked, trying to stay calm.

“We don’t know yet, but right now we have employed every registered hero to help bring the prisoners back in, seeing as you’re the one who brought in a lot of these villains in the first place, it seemed necessary to call you for help.”

Janus nodded, now understanding the situation, “where do you need me?”

-------------------------------------------

“Well looky here who’s slithering back from retirement, finally got bored, old man? Missed the action? Missed me?” The Duke smirked at him.

Janus rolled his eyes, “you wish, I’m just here to clean up your mess… as always, so why don’t you save us both some time and surrender? We both know how this is going to end anyway.” He smirked back, refusing to let his fatigue show, he’s been running around all throughout the country, fighting villains, familiar and new ones alike, helping where he can, The Duke was the last one left.

“Playtime’s over, Duke, time for a nice, long nap back in prison” Janus said, sending a fist of energy towards his stomach that The Duke stopped with his tentacles.

“Not yet, Daddy,” he licked his fangs theatrically, “still got some tricks to show you!”

Janus smirked, he wanted Duke to block his attack, now he was open in the back for another hero to strike him and, hopefully, immobilize him without his tentacles interfering.

He saw the other hero preparing to attack the villain from behind, but they both froze when they heard an explosion, followed by screams… children screams.

He looked back at The Duke for a moment, debating on what to do, he was smiling knowingly at him… he planned this… Damn him!

“Catching me or saving innocent kids, hero? What’s it gonna be?” And with that, he turned away and started running.

cursing, Janus ran in the other direction, towards the explosion, the hero he was working with close behind.

“I’m sorry, Serpent… I wasn’t sure what to do-”

“It’s fine, let’s just save those kids and report back to the agency.” The hero nodded and they split off again as they reached an exploded building about to collapse… No, not just a building, an orphanage.

There was a fire inside from the explosion and the screams were coming from inside it. “Clear out the street, I’ll go inside and rescue whoever I can.” He said to his and the hero’s communication device.

“Got it, be careful.” The hero’s voice came through in response.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he surrounded his body with an energy outline that would protect him from the flames, and rushed inside the burning building.

He looked in every room, trying his hardest to keep his focus on his energy shield while doing so, fortunately he had a lot of practice with this particular shield trick seeing as it was very useful in battles. He finally found a group of frightened kids, coughing violently from the smoke and looking with terror at the ever approaching flames.

He manifested an energy surface beneath them, breaking the outside wall with an energy fist and slowly, and carefully sending the kids hovering in the air and slowly lowered them to the safe ground.

That done, he made sure there wasn’t anyone else in the building, before getting out himself just a moment before the building finally collapsed, luckley the streets were cleared so no bystander got hurt.

Janus was a second away from collapsing himself… he was done for the day.

------------------------------------------

The following day, Janus went to the hospital to check on the orphans he rescued, as he waited, he was surprised to see Logan approach him, rather than a doctor.

“Logan? Why are you here? Were any heroes injured?” Though, if that were true, they would probably be at a special hospital for super powered individuals, not here.

Logan looked uncharacteristically hesitant, before shaking his head and just gesturing for Janus to follow him, “it’ll be easier to show you.” he said.

Anxiety rising, Janus followed, he worried something happened to one of the kids… but then what does this have to do with Logan and the hero agency?

As they got closer to the room, the air started feeling strangely cold, like winter weather but inside… then he saw… Purple lightning? He looked curiously at Logan who just nodded, he didn’t imagine it then.

Inside the room was a storm… literally, storm clouds gathered over the ceiling, flashing with purple lightning, thunder following soon after.

On the patient bed stood a boy, not over 10, face angry yet determined, a younger kid cowering behind him.

“No one touches my brother!” Yelled the older boy, purple lighting emphasising his words. The doctor and nurse standing helplessly to the side.

Janus understood now, this wasn’t a normal orphan, it was a super powered orphan… Just like Janus was, and it’s possible the younger brother was one too.

“Can you aid in calming him down? He won’t listen to anyone and we can’t get close enough.” Logan asked pleadingly.

Janus nodded, approaching the child slowly, making eye contact with him and putting his hands up in surrender. He put his energy shield around himself and didn’t flinch when lightning tried to hit him, his energy shield deflecting it instantly.

The storm calmed down a bit as the boy noticed his softly glowing, yellow shield and looked at him curiously.

“Yeah” Janus smiled softly when he reached the bed, “I have powers too, like you do, I can create and manipulate energy. What about you? Can you do anything other than creating storms?”

The boy regarded him cautiously, shooting a glance at his brother.

“I’m not gonna hurt you or your brother, I’m a hero, I’m the one who rescued you, remember? You probably don’t recognize me without my super suit, though.” Janus said calmly. “What’s your name?” He persisted.

There was a moment of silence as the boy regarded him, then the storm dissipated, “I’m Virgil… This is my brother, Patton… I don’t know what my powers are… this is the first time I did this…” The boy, Virgil, said quietly, not meeting Janus’ eyes.

Janus nodded, powers usually start manifesting around the age of 10, for some even later. “Nice to meet you, Virgil, I understand this is scary for you but the doctors need to check you and your brother are healthy, it’s for your own good… Will you let them do their job?”

“...Could you stay?” Virgil asked, blushing slightly from embarrassment.

The question took Janus by surprise, but he smiled warmly and nodded, “I’ll stay.”

The doctor was finally allowed to get close to Virgil and Patton and he did all their necessary check ups, Janus sitting next to the bed the entire time.

When the doctor finished, Logan called Janus outside and he excused himself, promising Virgil he’ll be back.

“Janus,” he started, using his real name since he was out of costume, “those kids can’t go back to the orphanage, they need constant professional supervision.” He stated and Janus nodded in agreement. Logan took a deep breath, “would you adopt them?”

Janus stared at Logan in shock for a long moment, did Logan really just ask that?

“Very funny, Logan, you do have a sense of humor after all!” He smiled awkwardly, but Logan didn’t join in. “C’mon! You can’t be serious!”

“I’m always serious.” He said calmly, gesturing for his necktie as if it were proof.

“You want me to raise two innocent, super powered orphans? Me?” He repeated, still not believing this was happening.

“Yes, you have powers that can be used to protect you or the kids which would help as they learn to control their powers, you’re an experienced and trustworthy hero, you started off as an orphan as well, I can think of no better person for the job.” Logan explained calmly.

“B-but… what about The Duke? He’s still out there! He’ll be after me! It can put the kids at risk!” He scrambled for reasons against Logan’s proposal, he’ll be a terrible father he just knows it… it’s too much of a responsibility.

“The agency and the heroes can deal with The Duke, and, even if he comes after you, I know you’re more than capable of protecting the kids, more than any of the newer heroes or anyone from the agency. I honestly can’t think of a better option.”

Damn Logan and his logical arguments!

“...You don’t have to, of course, it’s your choice, you more than earned a quiet retirement without taking care of anyone but yourself.” Logan said with a small, genuine smile.

Janus was ready to refuse, but then he glanced at Virgil’s frightened form on the bed through the window, and suddenly he couldn’t bear the thought of giving him to someone else without knowing how he and his brother are doing… how had he grown attached to these kids so quickly?

They remind you of yourself…

Janus sighed, damn his soft heart… “I’ll do it.” He said eventually.

Logan looked relieved, “thank you, the agency will support you with any financial aid you might need, and a secure location all three of you can live in comfortably.”

Five

Virgil was burning up. He wasn’t sick or anything, but the nerves surrounding this date had every nerve on fire to the point he was surprised he hadn’t melted into a puddle. Was it possible to get heat stroke while blasting AC in a car? If not, he’d likely be the first victim of such insanity. There was just too much riding on tonight. Sure, romance was on the line- but more than that, his job was on the line, and so were his relationships with Logan’s sons. 

Because what if he did something so horribly stupid tonight that left Logan’s fancy suit covered in fancy dinner? Surely, he’d be fired on the spot. And just like that, no job. No money. He wouldn’t see the twins or Patton. Janus would lose some friends. Janus would never get his own room. He’d-

“Are you okay?”

The deafening silence that was swirling around Virgil began to splinter at the sound of his nephew’s voice. Glancing in the rearview, he could see that Janus had looked up from the book he had been reading- was it too dark to be reading that now? The sun was beginning to set, so he shouldn't be straining his eyes. Virgil opened his mouth to tell his nephew so when he saw Janus frown, “So you’re not okay.”

“No-no! I’m fine. I’m fine! I was just going to say you should stop reading for now. But I’m fine!”

“You said that three times.”

“Because it’s three times the truth.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“Well, yes, um… it doesn’t matter. I'm fine, Janus.”

“No, you’re not. Are you worried about your date?”

“A- a little- just the tiniest bit. It’s been a while since I was even on a date.”

“Was that with the guy who cheated on you?”

“W-what? What?” Virgil sputtered. 

“When I talked to Mom this morning, I told her you were going on a date. And then she said that the last guy was really mean, and he cheated on you, and he made you cry. So she said it’s now my job to watch out for you ‘cause sometimes you have bad taste like she does. But Mr. Logan is nice, so I don’t think you need to be nervous.”

Virgil gave a long and heavy sigh before he couldn’t help but smile, “Well, I’m always grateful to have you on my side, Jan… But what else did your mom say about me? Or my past boyfriends?”

“Nothing really,” Janus shrugged (to Virgil’s relief). “Just that you should take her advice more.”

Virgil gave a frown and mumbled to himself, “Did she tell you she’s a hypocrite too?” 

“What’s that mean?” 

Apparently, Janus had good hearing. Good to know. “I’ll tell you later,” Virgil said, pulling into Logan’s driveway. “For now, let’s head inside.”

Inside the home, Virgil found Logan in the family room talking with three other staff members, likely talking about watching the children for the evening… Virgil wished them luck. Upon realizing their arrival, Logan turned to grave Virgil with a small, slight, barely there smile, which somehow made Virgil’s knees feel like goo. He was dressed nicely (as always)- Logan’s attention snapped back to the few he was speaking to, and hushed voices were heard as they crowded Logan before they abruptly shoved Logan in Virgil’s direction. 

Virgil was about to comment on it, when he noticed that in the second he had turned around Logan’s perfect hairstyle had been messed up the tiniest amount in what was clearly an intentional way. Perhaps those three weren’t discussing babysitting at all, had he asked them for advice? The mental image was one Virgil couldn’t help but smile at. 

“You look nice,” Logan said with a nod. 

“You as well, I-”

“Mr. Logan?” Janus interrupted. 

“What can I do for you, Janus?” Logan asked, redirecting his attention. “If you’re looking for my boys, they’re in Roman’s room.”

“Okay! But first, what’s ‘hypocrite’ mean?”

Virgil gave a heavy sigh as Logan answered the question. “A person who says one thing then does another. Like if I told you to eat your vegetables but I never do. Does that make sense?”

Janus pondered for a moment or two before he nodded and turned to Virgil, “Then my mom’s one for not listening to you but wanting you to listen to her?”

“…She listens sometimes.”

“No, she doesn’t. I’m gonna go upstairs to play. Have fun!”

When his nephew disappeared, Logan let out a slight chuckle, “It sounds like you two are having quite… intellectual conversations.”

Virgil’s huff in reply only made Logan’s smile widen, so he turned away. “Let’s not miss our reservation.”

Dinner did not go as planned. 

Despite arriving at their reservation early- their table had apparently been given away which led to waiting. And upon finally being seated their waiter took the drink and appetizer orders and then promptly ignored their existence. The drinks had eventually found a way to them, but as time passed Virgil had the sneaking feeling that the appetizers would never come. This was only proven correct as the waiter vanished from the floor entirely, and according to the whispers of employees in the dining room- he had left the building entirely. Virgil couldn’t help but want to be a tad nosier, but he caught Logan’s amused gaze. 

“Any more info?” 

Virgil shook his head as he sipped at his near-empty water, “Nothing I can hear from here. But sorry, I forgot what I was saying.”

“I don’t recall myself,” Logan admitted. “I was staring at the couple behind you who received their meal. We have been here far longer than they have.”

“Does the food look good, at least?”

“As hungry as I am, everything does. I neglected to eat lunch today.”

“What? Why?”

“I was distracted by the boys and pulled in different directions. I had to make some calls, and then I had a meeting over Zoom. Ultimately, I didn’t even realize I had missed a meal until I began to get ready. So I simply ate an apple to tide myself over until dinner.”

“That’s not like you at all.”

“I agree. But I digress; how was your day off with Janus?”

“Good, good. I had told him to pick what we would do today, so we ended up at one of those pottery places where kids can paint the pieces. He was very meticulous over a few pieces of dish ware. He wanted a perfect matching set.”

“That’s adorable,” Logan smiled. “I’ve wanted to take my boys to do that, but I have a feeling that Remus would break far more than he’d paint. But he also wouldn’t take kindly to me just taking Roman even if I took him elsewhere.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“What did you paint?”

“I chose a shark piggy bank because… because it was there? Anyway, I made it purple with different colored polka dots because it annoyed Janus.”

“Brilliant reasoning.”

“I think so.”

“You-”

Logan’s words and Virgil’s train of thought flew off the tracks at that moment as a server walked by, holding a tray of dishes that looked beautiful but also smelled divine. 

“As good as that looks, I regret not choosing a place I am familiar with,” Logan frowned. Apologies.”

“Don’t apologize; you had heard good things about it. It seems like this is an off day. And I appreciate the thought process that we could try something new together.”

“Why do I sense a but coming?”

“However,” Virgil started because it was a different word than ‘but.’ “It is clear we are both starving, and it’s also clear that our food will never get here considering we still have menus. So, would it be such a bad idea to go elsewhere? I know a hole-in-the-wall a few blocks away with the best tacos I’ve ever had.”

Logan didn’t speak for the longest moment. Rather, his piercing eyes stared into Virgil’s as he folded his hands and sat up straighter in his seat. And in that moment Virgil couldn’t stop the strike of fear that shot through him as he wondered if he had accidentally insulted his date- if he had offended his boss. Logan had put in all this effort for tonight and yet, Virgil just wanted to throw it away. He opened his mouth to quickly amend his statement, but Logan spoke first. 

“Couldn't you have said that ages ago? Do they have quesadillas?”

Virgil gave a slight sigh of relief, “Real good ones.”

“No point in bothering for the check, it’ll take forever. I’ll leave more than enough cash for the drinks. Lead the way.”

The food was wonderful, and with it in their stomachs, conversation flowed easily. It was almost scary how easily Virgil forgot he worked for Logan. Right now, they weren’t boss and employee; they were just two (severely overdressed) guys on a date, and that was perfect. There was something alluring about just watching Logan be Logan. Just in the way he spoke and expressed himself as if trying to remain reserved but in the same way allowing Virgil to see his true expressions underneath. Virgil had always known how nice it was to listen to Logan speak of his children, but it was just as nice to hear him speak about his life and dreams. And even nicer was how smoothly he came up with ideas on how to integrate Virgil into them. It was a first date unlike any Virgil had been on, and as Logan took his hand as they walked back to the car- Virgil couldn’t have been more thrilled with that fact.

~~~~

   “Roasted pork stuffed with spinach, prosciutto, and gruyère served with crispy potatoes, green beans, honey-glazed carrots, and cranberry sauce,” Roman announced proudly. Virgil and Janus shared a lovingly exasperated smile with each other from the couch. Patton grimaced at the mention of carrots, and he didn’t know what those ‘stuffed’ words meant, and he didn’t like the sound of them.

   “Yes, then I believe I will. Is the spinach—”

   “The flavour is well-hidden, yes. Just a few more greens to get away with the sides without a lecture from dad. I also picked up shortbread cookies for a little dessert. I want sweet things today.” Roman lifted his arm to display the grocery bags with a grin before heading into the kitchen.

   “Dad’s still going to want to kill you for the fancy ham and cheese,” Virgil called after him. Patton didn’t like the sound of that either, and he didn’t remember Roman mentioning those. He didn’t follow what was happening for dinner.

   “It’s only just enough to hide the spinach. He married me, he can deal with my refined palette,” Roman replied airily and started pulling out the things he needed to make dinner, feeling pleased with himself. The more they talked about dinner, the more scared and confused Patton got about it.

   Virgil just laughed quietly at that, keeping a careful hold on Patton. Janus smiled and reclined back into the couch. “He’s going to spoil me for my own cooking one day,” Janus joked mildly.

   “We’re all going to grow up into being food snobs. When we’re living off of instant noodles in college, we’ll be shoplifting fancy things to class it up, so we can stomach it,” Virgil joked back, leaning into the couch again.

   “No shoplifting boys, you can always come home to get spoiled on my cooking even worse,” Roman called from the kitchen playfully. Patton gripped Mrs. Bunnyface harder. He didn’t like that word. That was a mean word, but he hadn’t heard it used like that before. Patton thought that spoiled food is food that had gone bad.  

   “You’re not gonna eat gross food, are you?” Patton looked up at Virgil, asking quietly.

   Virgil laughed and ruffled Patton’s hair with his hand. “No, Pat, it’s good food,” he reassured Patton lightheartedly.

   “Spoiled for something means you have so many fancy things that the regular things aren’t as good anymore,” Janus explained, crossing his leg on the other side of the couch and leaning on the couch arm.

   “Oh. Can he do that?” Patton looked at Janus with concern. He didn’t understand how that worked.

   “They’re good at it, if anything,” Virgil said lightheartedly and wrapped his other arm around to give Patton a hug. “It’s not a bad thing, Pat,” he added when he didn’t see Patton’s face un-scrunch from the idea.

   “It sounds bad,” Patton muttered.

   “It just means having standards,” Janus said flippantly, tossing out his hand. The motion knocked some hair loose from his newsboy cap, and he tucked it back in carefully.

   “Having high standards sucks sometimes,” Virgil said bitterly, sinking back into the couch.

   “’Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all,” Roman quoted from the kitchen, still busying himself on preparing this large dinner.

   “Hard pass,” Janus muttered, and Virgil snickered at that. Patton was completely lost, chewing on his thumb, while he tried to turn his focus back to the TV. He didn’t know what Phineas and Ferb were up to anymore, either. Patton felt funny.

   “Virge?” Patton muttered, holding his stomach.

   “What’s up?” Virgil looked down at him, frowning when he saw his face.  

   “Can you get me water?” Patton whispered, not wanting Roman to know or to be alone in the kitchen with him.

   “’Course, Patty.” Virgil kissed Patton’s hair and got up from the couch. “Hold on to Mrs. Bunnyface for me tight, okay?” He pointed to the rabbit and headed to the kitchen to get Patton water in one of his no-spill cups.

   “Are you alright, Patton? If you’re worried about what we were talking about, we were just playing,” Janus said softly, throwing a glance at Virgil as he passed.

   “Mm-hm,” Patton hummed, keeping his grip on his doll as Virgil told him to. He pulled up his feet onto the couch all the way and wrapped up around his bunny. Something blew up in the cartoon, attracting Janus’s interest, but Patton just kept brushing his fingers against Mrs. Bunnyface’s fur and looking at the floor.

   Virgil came back with the water, bumping Patton’s hand with it. “Great job, bud, you kept Mrs. Bunnyface nice and safe,” he said softly. Patton looked at him with wide eyes and accepted the water, and Virgil sat back down on the couch next to him, wrapping his arm back over his little shoulders.

   Patton drank tentatively, holding the cup on his lap next to the rabbit plush when he was done. “Sorry, Janus, I think I need to stay with Patton,” Virgil whispered over to him.

   “It’s a non-issue, Virgil, I actually enjoy Phineas and Ferb.” Janus waved him off, looking bored all the same.

   “You’re just idea-mining for good pranks, aren’t you,” Virgil teased.

   Janus shot Virgil a mischievous grin. “That, too.” His face reset back to neutral quickly. “But I’m not at home and haven’t been doing schoolwork, so this is preferable.”

   “Oh, shoot. Homework, I almost forgot. Dad can help us with any math after dinner, but we still have an English assignment,” Virgil hissed, sounding concerned. Patton turned back to the screen, watching the colours and hoping that didn’t mean Virgil was going to leave.

   “I’ll get you the textbook, you can read the passage out loud, and I’ll come up with some answers. We can figure it out from there,” Janus suggested, reaching over the side of the couch for his backpack.

   “You also just don’t want to have to read it yourself,” Virgil accused playfully, accepting the textbook that Janus passed over to him and adjusting his arm around Patton after he set it on his lap.

   “What must you think of me, Virgil.” Janus held his hand to his chest in mock offense, and Virgil stuck out his tongue. Janus returned the expression with an additional sneer before flipping out a notebook to take notes. “Page 148 is the start of the story.”

   Virgil sighed and flipped the pages to the correct one with one hand and put up his feet on the couch to hold up the textbook to read. “North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free,” Virgil started to read out loud.

   “Boys, is this okay for Patton to hear?” Roman called out from the kitchen, accompanied by the sounds of his knife on the cutting board as he prepped the food.

   “It’s about a boy who likes a girl who doesn’t like him back, Mr. Sanders,” Janus let him know right away.

   “Yeah, and the language is stupid flowery, it should be okay. I’ll stop if it sounds dicey.”

   “Ah, wonderful. You know I worry. Thank you boys for getting your homework done, too. Would you like to sneak some milk and cookies before Logan gets home?” Roman offered temptingly. Virgil and Janus shared a grin at each other, and Janus hopped up from the couch to head into the kitchen for their spoils.

   “Why we would never, Mr. Sanders. Which cabinet has Patton’s cups in them, again?” Janus asked as he entered the kitchen.

   “Oh, of course you wouldn’t. To the right, bottom shelf.” Roman pointed with the knife he was using. “Cookies are still in the bag, two each I think is plenty for you two, but just give Patton one with less milk, he has a small appetite. Use a plate so you don’t get crumbs all over the couch. Store-bought is very crumbly.” He smiled conspiratorially and got back to chopping.

   Janus pulled out the cookies, looking around the kitchen in surprise when the cookie package was the only thing left in the bag. “Did you already get the pork in the oven?”

   “I had to learn to be fast to get away with the things I want to cook, didn’t I?” Roman winked at Janus, who smiled at that. He doled out a shared plate for himself and Virgil, and got a smaller one for Patton, and returned to the living room. “Bring the dishes back in twenty minutes tops so that I can clean them off, and he’ll be none the wiser,” Roman requested after Janus, who’s smile only grew. Janus liked Roman’s style sometimes.

   Everyone in the living room took a cookie break, including Patton, who was a little confused to get the single cookie on the plate from Janus and a half-filled cup of milk. He liked shortbread cookies, and it helped him feel a little better. He was able to focus back on the cartoon, and Janus returned their dishes to the kitchen hastily to an extremely pleased Roman before he settled back down on the couch and picked up the notebook again with a “Proceed.”

   Virgil rolled his eyes and grabbed the open textbook off the couch and returned it to his legs to read. “An uninhabited house of two stories stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square ground,” Virgil continued on with the story, and they worked on their homework together.

   When Logan got home, he was pleased to see the boys doing—well, perhaps arguing over—their homework and Patton accounted for along with them. Whatever Roman was making hit his nose, and it smelled utterly enticing, so he went to go kiss his husband to thank him for all of his hard work in the kitchen before he did anything else. Roman was delighted to see him as usual, making the long staff meeting feel much farther away with each kiss. He headed off to shower after a quick check up for the amount of time he had left until dinner was ready in the meantime.

   Things were much quieter after they finished answering the questions for their English homework. Virgil’s notebook remained open to copy Janus’s answers after dinner, and they left out their math textbook to get help from Logan after dinner and reclined on the couch. Virgil had checked to see if Patton wanted to play outside, but he didn’t feel up to it, so they just kept watching TV, though Virgil and Janus were also partially on their phones.

   “Dinner’s ready! Come eat, boys!” Roman announced proudly, now singing about how food was best fresh. He set up Patton’s booster in a chair and started serving him, though he substituted out the carrots for a dinner roll.

   “Thank you again, love,” Logan said fondly, though now that he could see the whole meal out on the table, he blinked a few times. “Isn’t this… excessive?” He asked as kindly as he could manage, though his concern was clear.

   “There’s spinach in that small pork roast, darling,” Roman said airily.

   Logan looked at the slices in the roasting pan, seeing the contents. “That’s not just spinach.”

   “Young tongues don’t find spinach quite as good as we do.” Roman shrugged, brushing off his concern.

   “Yeah, dad, it’s kind of gross unless you smother it in cheese or dressing,” Virgil agreed, walking into the kitchen holding Patton’s hand, then helping him up on the chair.

   “I likely wouldn’t eat it without the frills, either, Mr. Sanders,” Janus stated, backing up Roman. Virgil set up Patton in his seat and sat next to him, Janus sitting on the other side of Virgil.

   “There are plenty of frills here already,” Logan pointed out, eying the spread.

   “Oh, hush up and eat.” Roman kissed Logan’s head and handed him a plate to serve himself, passing off plates to everyone else at the table quickly.

   “It looks awesome, papa,” Virgil said excitedly, taking a fork to grab a slice of pork from the roast right away. Roman sat down, absolutely beaming and happy to enjoy exactly what he’d been craving since he started cooking.

   “Thank you so much, Mr. Sanders,” Janus added, jostling Virgil playfully to reach for food himself.

   Patton looked at the plate with concern. He didn’t have the carrots Roman mentioned, but… He picked up his fork tentatively and poked at a green bean. It looked bad. “Make sure you eat your meat, Patton,” Roman said softly. Patton nodded and looked at it. It looked okay? He watched Virgil take a bite, and he seemed to like it.

   “You’re right, the prosciutto and gruyère are way better than stupid bacon and cheddar,” Virgil said happily, looking incredibly mischievous.

   “Roman,” Logan said flatly, staring him down. Roman shot Virgil a quick bitter look before turning to Logan with a soft smile.

   “What, I only bought just enough for the meal, it wasn’t much,” Roman defended himself and Virgil snickered softly. “Try it, trust me.” Logan took a tentative bite, clearly enjoying it as well. He deflated slightly and nodded to Roman, motioning that he conceded the victory to him. “Thank you,” Roman said smugly and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek before digging in himself.

   Patton watched them all eat, and they all looked like they were enjoying it, so he took a bite of the cut-up pieces of roast pork himself. As soon as the filling hit his tongue, his mouth hurt badly. It felt really wrong. He tried to chew it, but it just made him sicker. After some fighting, he swallowed it, but that feeling only made him feel worse. Patton put down his fork and held his stomach.

   Logan glanced over to check on Patton, seeing he had barely touched anything. “Patton, is something wrong?” Logan asked softly while Virgil and Janus bickered about their English homework again.

   “N-no,” Patton responded, not wanting to get in trouble.

   “Then please eat, Patton. You don’t have to finish the plate, but as much as you can. You’ve had one of those rolls before if you’re concerned about unfamiliar food,” Logan told him, pointing with his fork to the roll. Patton looked at the roll and reached out for it, taking a bite. He didn’t know what those other words were, but he liked the roll. It made his head hurt, though.

   “It’s not too hard, Patton, just eat what you can and let us know what you can’t,” Roman reassured him. Patton frowned. ‘Not hard’ is one of those lies adults tell. They mean it’s hard, but they want him to do it anyway. Then they get mad.  

   Patton paused, staring at the roll. Did that mean all the food hurt? Was this a punishment? Why were they making him eat food that hurt? Did he have to eat it because it hurt and he’s been bad? Patton put down his fork and roll as the tears welled up, hopping out of his dining chair to run to his room. Everyone watched him rush off in surprise, the kitchen going silent.

   “Patton?” Virgil asked, hearing a door close on the other side of the living room. Logan and Roman got up to follow, while Janus and Virgil tried to figure out what the hell just happened.

   “Do you think we were arguing too much?” Virgil asked quietly.

   “I doubt it, he didn’t mind us arguing on the couch earlier. He stayed under your arm the whole time and watched TV like he didn’t care,” Janus replied softly. Virgil looked at Patton’s plate, but the only thing even touched was the roast pork.

   “Crap, I should probably go in there. I think Logan and Roman scare him more than he lets on,” Virgil whispered. “Sorry about this,” he added, getting up out of his seat.

   “More for me.” Janus just shrugged, taking a big bite of potato. Virgil just rolled his eyes and went to Patton’s bedroom. Patton started openly bawling right as he exited the kitchen, so Virgil picked up the pace.

   “Hey, uh, dads?” Virgil got their attention at the door and motioned with his head. They looked at him, both wearing completely panicked expressions.

   “We need to handle this, Virgil,” Logan said just loud enough to be heard over the sobbing child.

   “I know, maybe I should, though?” Virgil said warily.

   “Virgil, we appreciate it, but—”

   “I think you guys scare him!” Virgil blurted out, pushing his way into the bedroom anyway. “Please?” He sat down on the floor next to Patton and pulled him in, who fell into Virgil’s chest immediately, even though he’d shied away from the other two before Virgil got here. Roman and Logan looked at each other, deciding what was best for both of their wards, and Roman took Logan’s hand, pulling Logan out of the room.

   “There could be a real problem, Roman,” Logan protested in a hushed voice.

   “And I don’t think he’s saying anything until he calms down, honey. Let’s get back to dinner and Virgil will let us know, alright?” Roman said emphatically, looking at Virgil, who nodded in agreement. They both left the room and shut the door behind them, returning to the kitchen.

   Virgil felt incredibly out of his depth, but considering Patton was balled up in a corner, he was probably the only person here who could even help. He wrapped his arms around Patton and rubbed his back, and Patton gripped onto Virgil’s hoodie as he wailed. His hoodie was getting absolutely soaked with snot, he was sure, but Virgil had no idea what to say at all, since he had no idea what was so terrible about dinner that he had to work with.

   Patton just kept crying and hiccuping, and sometimes he’d let out broken words that Virgil couldn’t possibly understand, so Virgil just opted to let him cry himself out. Virgil couldn’t solve the problem right now, even if he wanted to. He just tried to be silently supportive the best he knew how.

   Eventually, the crying broke down into what seemed like a painful fit of hiccups, since it shook his whole tiny body when they struck. Virgil smiled sadly and told him, “Take as deep a breath as you can, and then breathe in more. And it’s going to hurt a little, but it’ll make the hiccups go away.”

   Patton stared at him while he processed that and did as asked, breathing in. He didn’t know how to breathe in more after he did as much as he could, so Virgil showed him by example, exaggerating the action. It made him a little light-headed, but Patton’s hiccups stopped a moment later. Virgil smiled and rubbed his back a few times, pulling him up to sit on his lap and hold on to him better. Patton gripped at Virgil’s hoodie again and leaned his head against Virgil’s chest, struggling through a pained yawn.

   “Are you okay, Patton?” Virgil asked quietly, not wanting to hurt Patton’s head or scare him any further.

   “Yeah,” Patton muttered.

   “Then what freaked you out so much?” Virgil whispered, and Patton sniffled hard, another tear rolling down his cheek.

   “I don’ wanna be punished,” he replied pitifully.

   “What do you think you’re getting punished for?” Virgil felt even more lost than before, and Patton balled up again on Virgil’s lap, crying a little more. Virgil hugged him and swayed lightly, hoping it would help.

   “I-I don’ know why,” Patton choked out.

   “What makes you think you’re being punished then?” Virgil followed up, not sure what was happening. They had had a very low-key day up until now.

   “It hurts, and they were telling me I gotta,” Patton sniffled pitifully.

   “What hurts, Pat?” Virgil kept him held close, making sure Patton felt safe, but Patton started crying again. Okay, he’d have to sleuth it out himself. “Spending time with them?” Patton shook his head into Virgil’s chest. “Me fighting with Janus?” He suggested guiltily. Patton shook his head again, letting out a whine this time. Okay, probably farther. “… Eating dinner?” Virgil guessed the last thing he could think of, and Patton nodded, crying again. “Was it too hot?” Patton shook his head once more. The food itself? “Pat, that food isn’t a punishment. We didn’t know it hurt you. We can just get you something else to eat, it’s okay.”

   Patton kept crying a little longer, and Virgil just tried to rub his back a little this time. He needed to change his hoodie and shirt at this point, and it felt gross, but he could wait it out for Patton a little bit longer. He shifted back into sniffles much quicker this time, loosening up his grip on Virgil’s hoodie with an exhausted expression on his face. “I’m not in trouble?” Patton finally asked, his voice creaking from his poor, worn-out throat.

   “You’re not in trouble. Are you still hungry?” Virgil asked with concern. He really hadn’t eaten much, and he was already so small. Patton nodded wearily, and Virgil tried to remember what snacks he’d seen Patton eat without complaint these last few days. He’d had applesauce, crackers, a few different fruits, rice, and french fries. So he could possibly eat some of what was made. “Okay, how about I put you together something?”

   Patton just looked at him for a moment before nodding. “Cool. Wait for me in here, I need to go change, and I’ll be right back,” Virgil requested and kissed Patton’s hair. Patton nodded weakly again, and Virgil gently moved Patton off his lap and got up to change his hoodie and shirt and wash off his chest before he went near food again. He decided not to look down and surveil the carnage, and instead just toss them in his hamper and grab a shirt off his clean clothes pile before washing off in the bathroom.

   Virgil was back quickly, and Patton hadn’t moved, just leaned up against the wall in the bedroom. “I’m sorry that was so bad, Pat,” Virgil murmured, leaning down to pick him up. “Let’s go wash your face first before we put more food in it.” He carried Patton to the bathroom and set Patton up on his stool, and he sluggishly washed off his face in the sink while Virgil texted Logan and Roman that he’d tell them what was wrong after dinner but to just let him be when they came back. He didn’t want to spook Patton back out of the kitchen. Virgil helped him dry off and Patton held up his arms again, so Virgil just carried him right into the kitchen and onto his booster chair, shooting Logan and Roman a meaningful look.

   Logan was about to start, but Virgil held up a finger to his mouth and pulled out his phone, and pointed to it before scooping everything but the cranberry sauce and potatoes off the plate and onto his own. Logan made a frustrated sound, but Roman hushed him, holding up his phone screen. Virgil took a deep breath to try to calm down, getting an apple and a banana and prepping them for Patton’s plate instead. He wasn’t sure it was enough food to be a meal, but they’d figure that out if he even finished this stuff. Patton looked up at Virgil with wet eyes, glancing down at the plate with worry and back up at him again.

   “These other two might be okay, and I saw you didn’t try them yet,” Virgil said reassuringly.

   “Virgil, there’s no protein there,” Logan whispered. Right. Okay. What was a protein that Patton had eaten recently? Virgil thought hard for a moment before remembering a childhood staple and pulling it out of the pantry. He dished out a scoop of smooth peanut butter on the plate with an apologetic shrug to Logan, capping it off and putting it away again.

   “Oh, apples and peanut butter were one of my favourites as a kid,” Janus hummed, trying to cheer Patton up a bit. Patton frowned, pushing his food around on the plate.

   “I jazz them up a bit more now, but I have them after school sometimes. Pat, if anything else hurts, just tell me and we’ll figure something else out. But your stomach might hurt a little from what you already ate, so start with the banana and some water to settle it, okay?” Virgil suggested softly, sitting back down in his seat. Thankfully, his food hadn’t gone cold by now, so he still got to eat. Logan and Roman looked extremely disconcerted by his comment, but he needed energy from his awesome dinner to deal with it.

   Patton had some water and reached for the banana slices, just opting to eat with his hands this time, and he ate slowly, but he did at least eat. Virgil breathed a sigh of relief, digging into his delicious dinner now. That stressed him the hell out, but he made it through it. Hopefully, he could deal with the extremely stressful conversation later, too, but they were letting him eat his dinner in peace for now.

   Janus jostled him and mouthed ‘you okay?’ at him, and Virgil nodded. “I’m fine. Dad, can we get help with our math homework after dinner?” Virgil looked up, asking through a mouth full of now slightly-less-than-crispy roasted potatoes.

   “Swallow before talking, Virgil,” Roman protested tiredly, though he did at least seem slightly amused.

   “After we—”

   “Yeah, dad, after I explain. Just let us eat dinner, okay?” Virgil requested, but Logan didn’t seem satisfied with that. Virgil tried to think of how to word this without Patton knowing what he was saying. “There are a… selection of topics I would need to verbalize… that might be distressing for… present company. Anything consumed is better than nothing.” As far as Virgil was concerned, there was no way he could figure out to say ‘he needs to see a doctor’ without using any words that Patton would understand and Logan would comprehend.

   “Oh, nice,” Janus congratulated him impishly. Logan and Roman stared at Virgil for a moment, but Virgil just turned to check on Patton instead. He had grabbed a potato medallion to try, and he didn’t like biting into it. Virgil picked up another medallion and took the skin off and handed Patton his fork to eat the soft inside, who tried this suspiciously but did at least go for another bite. Virgil wasn’t sure what was different from fries, but knew better than to question it and just wanted to make sure Patton ate something so that his parents wouldn’t have a conniption. Roman watched curiously but didn’t comment.

   After a pause, Logan finally responded. “I anticipate the situation warrants the lack of vegetal variety?” He asked and Virgil rolled his eyes while Patton chewed, looking mildly confused but much too tired to emote much.

   “It may very well be as such.” Virgil didn’t know any other way to disguise a plain ‘probably’, and Janus snickered at his statement. Patton looked at Virgil oddly, but Virgil just smiled at him, seeing that he made progress on the other roasted potatoes by taking off the skin himself. “See? Thanks for trying, Pat. I know it was scary,” Virgil congratulated him softly, which utterly melted Roman’s heart, and he covered his mouth trying to hide his reaction, but Janus noticed and snickered.

   Virgil just huffed and elbowed him, but he didn’t care, leaning over to tease Virgil behind his hand. “A little young to be a teen mom, aren’t we?”

   “I’m a better mother than you’ll ever be,” Virgil whispered back playfully.

   “You’re certainly right about that, but you’ll see who’s your daddy with the next prank I cooked up,” Janus whispered back again.

   “If you came up with it from Phineas and Ferb, I’m not that worried,” Virgil sassed back under his breath.

   “We’ll see,” Janus replied cryptically. Roman looked at Janus oddly. “You’re a wonderful cook, Mr. Sanders. Do you think you could show me a few tricks on a night when we don't have homework?” Janus asked enthusiastically, distracting Roman right away.

   “It would be my honour, Janus.” Roman beamed, and Virgil snickered behind his hand between bites of pork roast. Patton made more progress on his meal, eating slowly but surely without further complaint, so at least the stuff Virgil came up with as a substitute worked. Patton took an apple slice and curiously dipped it into the cranberry sauce and greedily went for another scoop, so it was going well now.

   ‘Suck up,’ Virgil mouthed at Janus, jostling him slightly.

   “You’re just jealous of my prowess,” Janus leaned in and informed him of his deficiencies under his breath.

   “Boys, why does this happen almost every dinner?” Logan asked rhetorically and rolled his eyes, no longer as concerned as earlier now that Patton was eating.

   “You know what it’s like to be a teen boy, darling, they’re just having fun,” Roman said cheerily, chuckling a little. Janus grinned and held up his fist for a fist bump from Virgil, who returned it right away, sharing in his victory. Roman hummed delightedly at the friendly expression, and Logan scooped some more green beans onto Roman’s plate with a smile. Roman was mock aghast at, pouting out his lip.

His brother was waiting for him at the tattoo shop, sketching a new idea. Unlike him, Roman only had a few tattoos, including not one, not two, not three… but three Disney quotes, a frog on a mushroom, a rose on his arm, and a constellation. Most of his tattoos were covered by tasteful burgundy overalls and a white button-down shirt.

Remus’ tattoos were also mostly covered by his clothes. But he had a tattoo sleeve depicting the garden of Eden, a matching frog on a mushroom, a quote from one of Roman’s books, medically accurate bone structures on his hand, a realistic spider on his neck, and a snake wrapping around his non-sleeved arm. And those were just the visible ones. 

Suffice to say, the twins were very different. 

Remus threw his bag onto the floor in the backroom, “Ro, when’s the first appointment!!” he yelled. “Your’s? At 11. FYI, Jan n’ Pat are coming over at 12, for motivation” Remus smiled, fuckin’ superb. 

He busied himself in collecting the ink and preparing the tattoo gun. The client wanted a fucking orange on their wrist, it should only take an hour or two but Remus was not excited to do a frickin’ orange circle. 

The prissy orange bitch came in and Remus got to work. They didn’t move much and only cried a little bit when the needle started jabbing at their skin. Remus liked this part of the process, stabbing people consensually was his favorite thing ever… also the art part but stabbing people!

Almost exactly an hour later the door jingled open. “Dada!!” a tiny voice called back into the store. “I’ll be there in a minute patty-cake” Remus called from his spot hunched over the client's arm.

He added the final touches to the fruit and helped the orange bitch off the chair. Roman swept the client away, Remus practically ran to greet his partner and son.

Janus wore a leather corset over a black collared shirt and baggy pants, their long platinum hair framed their face under their signature hat. They were holding hands with a toddler wearing mostly pink and blue, his blond hair (that matched Janus’) was a mop of curls barely held together by a few butterfly clips. 

“Dada, Dada!!! I got you a flower” the little boy cried, letting go of Janus’ hand and stumbling towards the tall man who scooped him up. Patton giggled and held out a sweaty flower clenched in his chubby fist. 

Remus accepted the flower with a gasp, ”this is really for me?” he said joyfully. Adjusting the small boy in his arms Remus turned towards Janus who was looking at the pair with a disgustingly sappy expression. 

“What are you lookin’ at hot stuff?” Remus teased. “Shut it you,” Janus said, pressing a kiss to Remus’ check. Patton made a noise, “icky” he said pushing Janus away. They laughed, “yes darling, we’re very icky”. 

“When’s verge-“

“he’ll be home at 4” 

“Dope”

“Stop by the Sleepy Café before you bring Pat to the apartment?”

“Can do scootal-lo!” 

Remus turned back to the little boy in his arms, “looks like you're stuck with me squirt”. Patton beamed and snuggled into Remus’ chest. Janus smiled again, “I’ll see you, boys, at dinner,” they said, ruffling Pat's hair and peaking Remus on the lips quickly so as to not upset the toddler. “Bye-bye Janny!!” Patton called after Janus as they left for work. 

“Righty-o,” Remus said, carrying Patton into the back room. “I know Ro’s got a couple coloring books, wanna do those for a bit?” Patton nodded and reached towards the ground to be put down. Remus plopped Patton on the couch and pulled out the book and pens as well as a sketchbook off his own. They sat together coloring and drawing until Roman came back to hug Patton. 

“Ah, my favorite nephew!” Roman said, scooping up the little boy. Patton laughed and pulled Roman’s hair. “Roro, can I color your arm pictures??” he asked, pointing to Roman’s rose tattoo. Roman plopped the toddler back down on the couch and handed him a pen. 

Patton went to work on the rose, scribbling reds and pinks and greens across his arm. Roman gave him complements each time Patton paused, and each time Patton shushed him and went back to work. Remus finished up his sketch, adding it to the pile of tattoo ideas they were eventually going to put up-front, and sat next to the toddler. 

“That’s really good pat-” 

“Shhhhhhhh”

Remus nodded and mimed zipping his lips. He liked spending time with the kid. They weren’t biologically related but who gives a fuck about blood, unless it’s outside of your body, then it’s fun. 

---------------------------------------------------------------

“I don’ wanna” Patton wined his dad sighed “I know bubbles but we gotta go home to Papa and Janny, isn’t that fun” Patton considered this, “but Roro’s pretty arm picture” he argued. Remus scratched the back of his neck, “Pffffff- Ummm, how about this, we go home now and I’ll take you back to the shop tomorrow after pre-school” 

Patton brightened considerably, “ok” he chirped. “up please” the toddler’s chubby hands reached towards Remus who obediently scooped him up with a coo. After all who was he to say no to uppy hands. 

“See ya tomorrow, have fun on your date with the nerd” Remus sang as he snatched his bag juggling the still fussy Patton in his other arm. “Fu- Frick off Re. Say hi to your partners for me,” Romans said affectionately and waved as his twin left the building. 

Remus happily trotted out into the road. The tattoo shop was located on a quaint little street in the more commercial segment of their town only a short walk from Janus’ job. 

A light drizzle floated around them and the air was warm and comforting. Patton squealed as a large drop of water hit him in the head, prompting a laugh from Remus.

A jingle sounded through the peaceful cafe, the brown room was illuminated by those cool old fashion lights and a lovely array of pastries made the air smell of chocolate and blueberry scones. But the scones, as delicious as they were, weren’t the snack Remus was here for

“Hey babe- Remus why are you soaking wet”

“Puddle” Patton screeched. 

“Kid’s right, Puddle.”

Janus pinched their eyebrows, “ya know what, I’m not even surprised anymore. Just make sure Patton doesn’t catch a cold” they scolded. 

Remus nodded and saluted in mock seriousness, “yes captain” he said and pressed a kiss to Janus’ face over the cash register, “I’ll see ya in a bit” Remus grinned and led Patton back out of the cafe. 

Janus sighed lovingly as they watched their boyfriend and son turn to cross the street, Patton’s hand clasped around Remus’ happily. “Stop looking so happy, you're scaring the customers” Remy teased from across the counter. “Ha, Ha,” Janus glared and went back to work” 

Janus’ apartment was a cute two-bedroom space on the fourth floor of the building. The furniture was an interesting combo of vintage and things from the side of the road. The vintage parts came from their parent’s house, their father had died two years after Janus’ had run away and hadn’t thought to write them out of the will. 

The three of them had made a date out of customizing the few pieces that Janus wanted to keep. The customization mainly included darkening everything and adding more gothic touches. Virgil had done the fabrics, Remus the painting, and Janus moral support/ director. 

The three partners had also painted the kitchen/dining room/living room black with one yellow wall. Janus and Virgil’s room was dark purple instead of black with highlights in the same yellow. Patton’s room was the only one that didn’t  look marginally like a cave. 

The walls were a cream-yellow that lit up in the morning sunlight. After Janus announced that they were going to have a baby Remus had spent three hours painting the grey ceiling with white fluffy clouds. It was one of his favorite projects. 

Patton of course had no regard for the work put into the entirety of his home and was the usual menace of a toddler. And today a toddler with cheerios, truly a sight even god would tremble before. 

Remus plopped down next to Patton who was pushing cheerios around his highchair tray with an intense focus. He smiled at the little boy and flicked on the tv, “got any requests pip-squeak?” Remus asked. Patton looked thoughtful, “dead lady!!” he cried excitedly hitting the tray with his fists, cheerios flew everywhere. Remus nodded, understanding, “Corpse bride coming up!” he picked a few cheerios from the couch “you really are Verge’s kid” 

When Janus got home Patton was curled up on Remus’s chest. Both slept soundly despite the dead folk on the screen in front of them singing about the wedding. 

Janus smiled, their family was fucking adorable. They slipped off their shoes and snuggled up into Remus who hummed happily and pulled Janus into the hug still asleep. 

----------------------------------------

Three hours later Virgil trudged up the four flights of stairs huffing indignantly with each step. Of course, he could take the elevator… but it might break down and he would be stuck for hours. Or someone could get into the elevator with him and he would have to interact with a stranger. So stairs it was. 

He rummaged around his baggy hoodie, running his fingers through his dark purple hair in annoyance when he couldn’t find the key. Once he found it Virgil carefully (as he did everything) opened the apartment door. His combat books clunked satisfyingly against the hardwood floors as he entered his house. Virgil felt the tension leave his muscles, he was home. He glanced across the room, looking for his family. 

Virgil’s face lit up like a god damned Christmas tree. 

Across the room, both his partners and his son were curled up sleeping happily. Drool covered Remus’ face and Janus was snoring, they were the most precious thing Virgil had seen all freakin day. 

The three of them woke as Virgil wrapped his arms around them, Patton squealed in excitement. “Hello, darling” Janus mumbled sleepily into Virgil’s arm. Remus just groaned and nestled into the hug. The toddler wriggled between his dads squealing profusely. “Shhh, s’ sleepy time” Remus mumbled, rolling deeper into the cuddle pile and shutting Patton up. 

When he and Orin had signed up to be government-sponsored superheroes, they had to submit detailed lists of their powers, and were subject to thorough physicals to test the extent of them. Virgil’s powers, as listed by the government (and public knowledge to anyone who submitted a freedom of information act request), were light-manipulation level 9, teleportation level 4, and healing level 7; which basically means he’s really good at manipulating light — to the point of even being about to make it solid for up to an hour — alright at teleporting — he can only get to places he’s been to before or can see, and he can only teleport himself, but he can go pretty far — and can heal some pretty bad injuries completely — given enough time and energy.

Actually, all of those powers required a lot of energy, and in his injured and tired state, he couldn’t use them.

But he did have one power that the government didn’t know about, and since it was a mental power and not a physical one, he didn’t need to expend any energy to use it (it would leave him with a massive headache later, but Virgil would take headache over jail cell any day).

His dads used to call it his “homing beacon”, if he spent enough time around a person, he would form a bond with them that would allow him to follow a mental compass right to them. When he was younger he could use this on almost every kid in his class (not that he did), but as he hadn’t seen any classmates since high school graduation, the bonds were gone, faded beyond recognition. He could sense his dads, but they lived two states away, and he’d never be able to make it to them without teleporting — and even if he could, he wouldn’t be able to take his son with him.

His dads’ house was the first place the government would look for him anyway, they wouldn’t be safe there even if Virgil could get them that far.

Virgil hitched Patton a little higher on his hip. The toddler let out a small whimper in his sleep as the movement accidentally jostled his broken arm. Virgil placed a kiss on the boy’s hair, mentally promising him that his arm would be the first thing he healed once they were safe.

With his bonds to dads and any of his old friends either too far away or too faded, his son in his arms, and his bond to Orin severed as soon as that knife had pierced his heart, he was left with only his government handlers themselves, or the supervillains he fought repeatedly.

(And yeah, looking at it now, stumbling down the deserted streets, bleeding and carrying an injured toddler, Virgil could see how being a government-sponsored superhero was actually a crap deal. He didn’t have any money of his own, he had to fill out a thirty-page request form just to see his dads for two hours at a time, and he had no contact with anyone outside of work… It sucked. A lot.)

The government handlers were definitely out (though having a sense of where they were could definitely work in his favor), but the supervillains might not be too bad, they did work against the government after all.

Of Virgil’s repeated villains — and of the ones he thought might not just kill him on sight — there were three real options: Gemini, Dr. Frankenstein, or Serpentine. Luckily, Virgil could feel all three (well four) of their bonds coming from the same general direction, so he could continue moving while he made a decision.

Gemini had the power to duplicate themself, Virgil wasn’t sure how many duplicates they could make, but there were almost always two of them, hence the two bonds Virgil could feel leading to them. Gemini’s usual M.O. was hitting jewelry stores or museums (places with lots of shiny things for them to steal); they had a tendency towards property damage, but left civilians unharmed whenever they could.

Dr. Frankenstein could animate inanimate objects for a short time, as well as being a clearly gifted inventor. The man was cold and logical, but Virgil wasn’t sure which option would be more logical for him: help Virgil, who could be a valuable ally, and potentially give him government secrets; or take his revenge on an already injured enemy.

Serpentine was a master of illusion, both of the light projection, and mental variety. Their motives were a little bit harder to figure out, and as far as Virgil could tell, they were just as likely to rob a bank as they were to destroy a government building; but Virgil had a certain… rapport with them… he thought that they might…

They might not kill him if he showed up on their doorstep.

Patton whimpered again, his good hand gripping the collar of Virgil’s jacket tightly.

Virgil really hoped that Serpentine wouldn’t kill them when they showed up on their doorstep.

~~~END~~~

Part 2, Part 3, Part 3.5

ODD Masterlist

I wasn’t gonna post this until I finished the whole thing, but then I remembered that the whole reason I started posting fics on tumblr was so that I could post things that weren’t done yet

Anyway there will definitely be at least two more parts, so let me know if you wanna be on the taglist

General taglist: