#vampire!deceit

   “Are you just trying to annoy me into buying you dinner?” Virgil asked shortly, glancing at Roman at his desk, hunched over a textbook and looking bored. Virgil kept deftly flicking his hair into the long braid without pausing.

   “I could just ask if I wanted that, and no, I’m meeting Patton in the dining hall in a moment. I’m just bored with that look,” Roman scoffed, leaning back on his desk chair and crossing his arms.

   “It’s my hair, Princey,” Virgil huffed, rolling his eyes. “It’s the easiest way to get this much hair out of the way,” he explained, though he felt like he shouldn’t have to defend himself for this. They’re the ones who wanted long hair, and Virgil was the one who had to manage it.

   “Have some class! You can learn anything on the internet,” Roman objected, flipping his hand with disinterest in the direction of Virgil’s weaving hands. Virgil tied off the end of his hair, turning to his laptop with a flourish, giving the mouse a little slap to turn on the screen and typing his password in an over-dramatic fashion. “Really,” Roman chastised him, but Virgil could tell he was amused despite the façade.

   Typing in ‘over-complicated braids to please your boyfriend who thinks he has a say in how you style your hair’ did actually yield results. Which Virgil wasn’t sure was clever meta-commentary or just sad. It didn’t matter either way, though. There was a rustling while Roman readied to go out as Virgil read through the various hairstyles and guides. These were all actually very simple to do, despite the complex look. He could almost understand the sass if Roman even knew how to braid to begin with.

   Roman kissed Virgil’s head and said his goodbyes, heading out the dorm door. Virgil waved him off and returned to his research. There were really thousands of possibilities here, and he wanted to pick something that annoyed Roman into never bringing it up ever again.

                                                               —💀—

   “D, please come over and drag your boyfriend off his laptop. I am so bored, and he’s ignoring me,” Roman whined into his cell phone, hanging off of Virgil’s shoulder. Virgil just chuckled, continuing to research his hair-braiding tutorials.

   “Virgil, what are you doing?” Deceit asked shortly over the speakerphone. He wasn’t sure if Roman forgot about the telepathy again—he did from time to time—or just didn’t want to accidentally drag in Patton, since Patton would probably be excited that Virgil was learning more about hair braiding. But he was sure this was all Roman’s fault in the first place.

   “Nothing, ask Princey.” Virgil just shrugged, which knocked off Roman. He huffed in indignation, standing up straight and moving to pace the room.

   “Roman, what did you do?” Deceit changed the direction of his cross-examination immediately. Hecate beyond, he fucking loved that vampire.

   “I just told him to change up his hairstyle a bit and learn some new braids, and he hasn’t moved from his stupid research pose in four hours,” Roman complained while Virgil ignored him for his hair-weaving research.

   “You dug your grave, now turn in it. You are perfectly aware that sending a creature that is obsessive by nature down a rabbit hole of possibilities is how to lose your boyfriend for the night,” Deceit explained flatly, apparently needing to hear no more on the subject.

   “You’re going to hate it so much,” Virgil muttered in amused determination, clicking on the next link and scanning the page.

   “I hate it now, Virgil, I would rather play tiddly winks!” Roman shot sourly and tossed up an arm as he paced about.

“That’s- it doesn’t work that way.” Virgil shook his head, fangs appearing to bite at his lip. His brothers would never let him live it down if they found he was fostering a borrower again, and Virgil didn’t want to chance them ever finding out. “I am what I am. It’s better to accept that. You’re the one who sees me differently.”

 “Virgil, please, if you really can’t eat me, then wouldn’t it be better to simply let me go? And then we can both move on and forget this ever happened.” Logan pleaded again. He just wanted to go back to his life.

“Hardly.” Virgil leaned against the wall, giving Logan a considering glance. “Where would you go?”

 Logan blinked. “Back home? Where I live and all my stuff resides?” He thought that would be obvious.

“Would you stay there?” Virgil reworked his question. “I know you were trying to move when I found you.”

 “What? No I wasn’t.” Logan frowned, wondering why Virgil would think that. “I was looking for Roman. Moving was the farthest thing from my mind.” After all, if he moved he was less likely to find Roman.

“...oh.” Virgil said. “Well then what about now?”

 Logan paused. He...hadn’t actually thought about that. “Well...borrower rules indicate I should move. Since you know where I reside. But I am...unsure if I would actually do that.” He liked that place and if Virgil were to let him go he shouldn’t have to worry about him coming back...right?

“It’d be suicide to move.” Virgil informed him. “Vampires can only enter homes when they’re invited in. The walls are safe, it’s probably how you guys have survived this long; your ancestors figured out tricks to avoid my kind. If you’re outside you’re fair game.”

 Logan swallowed. “Then yes, I would stay. Moving is a dangerous journey by itself as well, even discluding the vampire threats.” That Logan didn’t know of until now and was very happy he hadn’t run into one before.

Virgil moved his jaw, the cogs in his head beginning to turn. “What about Roman?”

 Logan bit his lip. “Well...if Roman is not yet...dead, then I would ask your help to save him and let him go as well.” A bit of hope was rising up in Logan but he pushed it down. He knew better.

“No. He stays here.” Virgil tilted his chin up. “Say you were back home with that knowledge. Would you leave to save his life, or stay to save your own?”

 “I would leave to try and save him.” Logan said, barely thinking about it. “Whether you think that foolish, I do not care.” Logan thought it was too...but he would physically be unable to stay home safe knowing Roman was here still.

Virgil let out a groan, annoyed at the borrower’s foolishness. “Then I guess you’re staying here too.”

 “Why. Seriously, what is the point in you keeping me-in keeping us-here?” Logan asked. “What is it about us that you think would make a good pet?” Logan was genuinely curious.

“No, it’s...it’s not that.” Virgil cringed, knowing his own motives were not exactly pure. “It’s difficult to explain.”

 “Difficult as it may be, I would find it beneficial if you would try.” Logan said.

“Imagine that.” Virgil muttered. He should have known Logan would not be so easily dissuaded. “Well, on the one hand, I don’t care about you or what you want. On the other… if you were somewhere else, you’d definitely get hurt.”

 Logan blinked. “That...sounds like you care.” Now Logan was just confused. Again.

“I don’t.” Virgil insisted, his tone less biting than he would have liked. “I’m just not letting someone else get their claws on you.”

 “Why?” Logan asked, eyebrows furrowed. “If you really didn’t care about me, you wouldn’t care if some other vampire got a hold of me or I died some other way. Unless, of course, you simply see me as one of your things and are territorial…” Logan muttered the last bit more to himself.

Virgil’s expression twitched. “Only I get to lay claim to your blood. I’m gonna drink it, or no one will.”

 “...And until you do,” if, Virgil ever did which Logan was highly doubting at this point. “I’m forced to stay here, in this cage, acting more or less like a pet.”

“...yeah.” Virgil slumped to the side against his bookshelf.

 “...Right.” Logan sighed, glancing in another direction. Logan was never getting out of here, at least, not alive. “...May I have something to eat now? Or have I not earned it?”

“No, you don’t- you don’t have to earn it.” Virgil winced. He pushed himself off from the wall. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

 Logan just nodded, watching warily as Virgil stood up.

Virgil grabbed the bowl, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. The bat flew out the window, with the bowl clutched in its feet. All was quiet for several minutes, when a human-shaped Virgil walked back in, the bowl filled with berries in his hands. 

“Here.” Virgil announced, putting it inside the cage.

 Logan took a step back as Virgil’s hand came in the cage but then came forward to the bowl, grabbing a berry. It seemed Virgil knew which ones to take now, as all of these were safe to eat. “Thank you.” He said, before sitting down near the bowl and going about eating.

“Don’t thank me.” Virgil muttered, letting the door stay swung open as he slumped into an armchair that looked very over-worn.

 Logan hummed but continued to eat. “You are getting better at choosing which berries to pick.” Logan noted, saying aloud his previous thought.

“They’re easier to catch than squirrels.” Virgil gave a half-hearted snort, remembering his first attempt to feed the borrower.

 “I...can imagine.” Logan felt his lips twitch up ever so slightly. “Also, I’m not at risk at contracting rabies from fruit.”

“That’s a thing?” Virgil raised an eyebrow. It seemed new diseases popped up to hurt the living every day. “So...is there anything you eat besides berries?”

 “I’ve actually hardly ever eaten berries. If you remember, I do not go outside often. Or ever, really. The time you caught me was an exception. I usually eat anything a human does. Usually scraps or leftovers that humans leave out or drop.” Logan explained.

“And… what exactly is it that humans eat nowadays?” Virgil tugged at his sleeve, a bit embarrassed not to know the answer.

 It was certainly strange that Virgil didn’t know that but he supposed he couldn’t blame the vampire for not knowing. “Well...they eat a number of things. Certain kinds of meat and protein, vegetables, fruits, and then things like junk food, like candy or chips.” Logan listed. “Could you not just go into a grocery store and see for yourself?”

“I don’t exactly ‘blend in’.” Virgil deadpanned, purposefully letting his fangs hang over his lip.

 “Maybe...not. But from my experience, humans are willing to believe anything. Or, in some cases, believe that they didn’t actually see anything. Humans are stupid. I have not doubt if you go in with some sunglasses, the humans will think nothing of you. In fact, you could probably go in as you are and they will probably think you a simply ‘dressing up’.” Humans were indeed dumb like that. Although it was thanks to that that Logan hadn’t been caught before this.

Virgil blinked, surprised by this idea. “You seriously think that’d work?”

 “I’d say it has a very high chance of success from my own experience with humans.” Logan nodded.

“Maybe I’ll test that out.” Virgil seemed to be seriously considering it. “Just, one question… what are sunglasses?”

 Logan actually found himself chuckling at that. “Ah, they are...well, these are glasses.” Logan said, taking off his own pair. “Sunglasses are like these, but have a darker tint that blocks out the sun.”

“Oh.” Virgil leaned forwards, trying to picture a pair for himself. “I wonder if that’s what Patton does…”

 Logan frowned. “Does...Patton go out a lot?” That was certainly interesting.

“A fair amount.” Virgil shrugged. “Mostly just with one human, that uh...the one you lived with. And not during the day, because he’s not stupid, but he still likes to have actual friends instead of being stuck with just... me.”

 Logan eyebrows furrowed. “And you are...okay with this?” It didn't sound like it.

“Patton can do what he wants.” Virgil shrugged. “I don’t- I don’t own him.” 

 “That’s not really what I meant but good to see someone of your own species does not have the same fate as me.” Logan said, a bit bitter. “No, I meant more like, you don’t really sound happy about it. Almost...jealous, I would say. Or sad. Maybe a mix of both.”

“I’m not jealous.” Virgil seemed to cringe at the idea. “I mean, yeah, I like Patton’s company, but he’d be miserable trapped here. And yeah, it’s frustrating being alone, but-” Virgil abruptly cut himself off, coming to a sudden conclusion. Was that why it had become all but impossible to eat Logan? Virgil had grown attached to the company he gained while Patton was out? It was entirely possible, and also worrying, because a trapped borrower was hardly decent company. It was downright depressing.

“I...manage enough on my own.” Virgil lamely finished.

 Logan frowned, searching Virgil’s eyes. It was obviously a lie but should Logan bring it up? He might make Virgil angry again and he didn’t really want that right now. So, he just nodded, deciding to ask something else. “Has it always just been you and Patton?”

Virgil stiffened. “That’s not even possible, if I’m the one who turned him. Bit of a chicken and the egg scenario, genius.”

 Logan sighed. “Let me rephrase then. Before you turned Patton, were you alone? And after you turned Patton, was it just the two of you?”

“...yes.” Virgil answered carefully, trying to decide how much to share. “When I found Patton, I was alone.”

 “Interesting.” Logan murmured. “So, you did not have parents? Or any family at all?”

“I did, but I left.” Virgil gripped his arm tightly.

 “You...left? And why did you do that?” Logan couldn’t help but ask, curiosity piqued. 

“Because they kicked me out.” Virgil thought the line was a bit hazy between who wanted him to leave first. “I told them they were wrong, and cruel, and I got disowned for it.”

 Logan blinked, eyes going wide. “You...thought them to be cruel? You? Do I even want to ask what they did to warrant your disapproval?” Virgil himself was already cruel and encouraged Patton to be the same so...how bad had his parents been?

“I doubt it.” Virgil scoffed, searching Logan’s face to see if the borrower actually wanted answers.

 Logan bit his lip. “I...am curious to know anyway.” He needed to know what his parents could have possibly done. What were Virgil’s limits? This very well could tell him.

Virgil looked off at a spot on his wall, his eyes becoming unfocused as he remembered.

“It was mostly my brothers.” Virgil said, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. “I mean, everybody in my family is a pure-blooded vampire. They’ve trained me in their ways, how to hunt and feed and stay on top of the food chain by shoving anybody who dared oppose us down. That’s the basics, anyways.” Virgil spared Logan the details, of the dungeons and the slaves and the screaming-

“I didn’t care much about all that.” Virgil admitted a bit guiltily. “It’s terrible, but that’s life. I was keeping my head down and doing as I was told. I blocked it out and survived, and in that way I guess I should be grateful for what they taught me.”

 Now Logan was just...confused. “Please do not take offense to this.” He started with, hoping Virgil wouldn’t be mad. “But from what I have seen of you...it seems like you follow in their footsteps? I hardly see why you would have left, anyway.”

“I really am their perfect little spawn, aren’t I?” Virgil muttered bitterly, almost to himself. “Yeah, I probably would have been fine there. Miserable, but fine. But then a borrower-” Virgil paused, knowing that Emile deserved none of the blame for Virgil’s mistake. “But then my brother had to ruin it all.”

Virgil shifted, trying to keep his voice steady as he recounted this story as quickly as possible. “I found a borrower, didn’t know what it was. Got attached. Got hungry. Brothers smelled it on me, got jealous. Took what was mine, and-” Virgil’s breath hitched, a traitorous tear collecting in his eye. He wiped it away furiously. “Circle of life, I guess.”

 Logan’s eyes were blown wide at this new information. “A...borrower. You...left your family because your brother ate a borrower?” That...didn’t make any sense. Since obviously, even if Virgil never ate Logan, he still very much advocated it for Patton.

“...a family of them.” Virgil picked at the edge of his sleeve, his throat tightening. “They decided to take residence in our mansion. Not exactly their smartest move, huh? Living in a vampire’s home. Really they were doomed from the start. It should hardly be a big deal.”

 “Exactly. So...why was it?” Logan asked. “Why did you...leave over it.”

Virgil grimaced, squeezing his eyes tightly as the images flashed through his mind, vivid even centuries later.

“What’re you hiding, runt?”

“Give it back, it’s mine-”

“Aw, lil’ baby tooth is hoarding snacks in his room?”

“You’ll never be a real vamp if you keep waiting around. Open up~”

“NO! Virgil, please, you promised-”

“You gonna listen to the prey the size of your fist or you gonna respect that your older brother knows a few things you don’t?”

“I… I don’t want to eat him. There’s plenty of food downstairs.”

“Oh yes, a few gallons of deoxygenated blood or a lifetime of eternal strength, take your pick.”

“It’s the circle of life, you insolent thorn, now learn your place.”

“Dee, please, he’s- he’s my friend.” 

“You grew attached?”

“Bet it’s gonna hurt then when I do this.”

“NONONONONONOpleasePutMeDownOh-”

It didn't change when he forced all his loves to marathon the twilight movies disparaging all the clichés and stereotypes both caused by them and fed into by them. Virgil just laughed along and got Remus involved in discussing a biting kink. Apparently it felt really good for Virgil to have teeth on his neck as Remy was more than happy to show while trying to stop the conversation. At least that seemed to surprise Virgil as much as it amused the others given their  boyfriend.

Deceit had rolled his eyes then, commenting "That's all well and good for a stereotypical vampire but I refuse to ever be a stereotypical anything."

"Babes, how is it stereotypical to do something our cuties enjoy? I thought vamps were known for being aloof mansion owners that lured people in to kill them? None of that is you." Remy pointed out, his glasses on his forehead for once.

Remus had been shaking his head once he realised they were actually trying to ask Deceit to bite their necks. "Alright monsters, that's never been Dee's scene. If he don't wanna do that then I'll get myself some fangs so you can have the bite marks."

"I'm fairly sure squids and octopi have beaks Babes, but we could do that." Remy laughed, pulling Virgil closer.

Virgil was pouting a little. "We have a vampire boyfriend and can have another be a fake vampire yet neither of you let me give you vampire makeovers. Remy has pictures galore of how awesome I can make him look."

The pout didn't last as everyone snickered at his absurd complaint recognising it as teasing easily.

"You better start practising changing your teeth then." Deceit reminded Remus. It was clear that someone would have to give them vampire bites sooner rather than later.

/\/\/\/\

Of course Remus's way of announcing he'd perfected his own set of fangs was to pop up and randomly bite the arm closest to him which happened to be Deceit's. He was met with a well deserved punch two seconds later as Remy and Virgil burst into laughter.

"So the vampire gets bitten." Remy crowed a little, Remus joining in with the laughter just a second before Deceit did.

Moving to actually sit on the sofa next to Dee, Remus grinned showing his new teeth off. "Do we match now? Who wants me to take a bite?"

Just for comparisons sake Deceit mirrors the expression, baring his fangs towards Virgil. "Weirdos, You are identically creepy and if I'm not the first to have my neck bitten it's a crime." Virgil decided after leaning close to inspect both sets of teeth on display.

"News just in, getting bitten on the arm let's you know what teeth look like if it happens often enough even without the sexy times." Remus immediately had a presenter voice on, but leant forwards cradling the back of Virgil's head with his hands. "Although they are invited anytime."

Deceit and Remy could see Virgil planning to make a remark the words never came. As Remus sank his summoned fangs into his neck Virgil's knees gave out. Remy had to leap forwards to support his loves so neither ended up collapsed on the floor. "Okay new rule, only bite Virgil's neck when he's sitting or laying down."

"Or you could let us fall and really test out these fangs for some fun if you join us?" Remus suggested, leaning back to fully see the reaction he'd received.

With a sigh, Patton walked out the door, letting his feet travel at a mortal speed as he wandered into the woods. He shoved his hands into his pockets, kicking idly at a few stray pebbles. He winced, watching his superhuman strength kick the rocks far out into the distance, where Patton heard the yelp of an injured animal. Quickly he rushed in that direction, pushing the underbrush aside to view a dazed fox.

“Oh, you poor thing…” Patton cooed, but his fangs were already extending. The frightened animal began to whimper, and Patton tried to shush it as he placed his hands down to keep it still. “Shh, it’s okay, I’m sorry, it will only hurt for a second-”

The fox yelped again when Patton bit down, the bitter blood filling his mouth. Patton drank his fill, wiping at his lips as soon as the animal started to go limp.

“I’m sorry.” Patton whispered again, licking the wound clean. He gagged a bit, getting dirt in his mouth before setting the fox on the forest floor. Its’ breaths were shallow, but present. At least Patton could still control himself tonight. Some needed rest and the fox could still live.

“Aww, look at that.” A sly voice purred, and Patton felt his undead veins turn cold. “The little pet’s still got no bite.”

Patton kept his head down, knelt on the forest floor submissively as he tried to figure out how he was going to get out of this. How had they found him? 

“What’s the matter, Patty-cake?” A second voice giggled, and Patton nearly cried out at his poor luck. Just one of Virgil’s relatives was enough. “Has our brother’s plaything finally lost his voice?”

“I think perhaps you’ve forgotten your manners.” The first one growled, and a gloved hand smacked painfully along the side of Patton’s face, sending him sprawling.

It seemed this was the trigger for action. Within moments a shadowy figure launched itself out of the glade, Virgil having heard the commotion from the hovel. 

“Leave him alone, Deceit.” Virgil growled, standing protectively between his brothers and Patton as the latter hastily stood up. 

“Oh Virgil, it’s been decades.” Deceit groaned, looking bored as Remus stood at Deceit’s left side. The two held twin smirks, both clearly gloating at having found the weaker pair again. “I thought by now you’d be past this whole rebellious goody-two-shoes act.”

“What the hell is your problem!” Virgil screeched. “You both have plenty of vampires in your stupid little bubble, there’s no need to drag us back into your mess.”

“Oh come now, you know we’re always looking for new toys~” Remus waggled his fingers in Patton’s direction, giving Patton a wink. 

“Look at it, it’s starving.” Deceit made a tut-tut noise. “Oh Patton, I do apologize for my brother’s behavior. Come with us, darling. We can show you the care you need.”

“I don’t need anything from you.” Patton spat. 

Remus growled, his smile fading. “Why, you little-!”

“Wait.” Deceit stuck out an arm, stopping Remus as he gave a sniff of the air. “Do you smell that?”

Virgil paled, knowing what was getting them so riled up as Remus sniffed too. He had hoped that a few days would give them a slight bit of cover, but the scent of Logan and Roman was still ingrained in their clothing.

“Borrowers.” Remus gasped, gleefully clapping his hands. He lunged forwards, shoving Virgil easily to the ground. “Oooh, and they haven’t even eaten them yet!”

“What luck- I was feeling a bit peckish.” Deceit licked his lips, his eyes glowing dangerously.

“Run!” Virgil hissed, ducking from beneath his brother, grabbing Patton’s hand and dashing towards the edge of the woods. Underfed as they were, they stood no chance of winning a fight. They also couldn’t outrun the stronger vampires. Within moments the brothers were at their heels, cackling. Virgil could tell they weren’t even putting in their full effort.

“Look out!” Patton instructed, gripping Virgil’s arm tightly as they attempted to duck beneath branches and leap overturned roots. It was a difficult task, traveling at such vampiric speeds. At least this was their home, and therefore easier to navigate. The other pair could be heard stumbling and cursing, likely Remus running into Deceit’s path. They had never been very cohesive.

Virgil paused, uncertain where to go once they ran out of forest. They couldn’t lead his brothers home- after all, vampires could travel into each other’s homes. There would be no solitude there. Effectively they were trapped.

Patton seemed to have other ideas. “This way!” Patton instructed, dashing towards the streetlights glow. Hopefully the vampires wouldn’t follow them into civilization.

Unfortunately, Patton underestimated their obsession with borrowers. With a shriek he felt himself pulled back, scraped along the sidewalk only halfway across town.

“Patton!” Virgil whirled around, ducking under the swipe of Remus’ claws as instead he fought to save his friend.

Patton kicked up, nailing Deceit in the jaw and forcing the vampire to loosen his grip momentarily. Before he could take advantage of this though, Deceit was on top of him, snarling in his face. 

“I ought to tear out your throat for your insolence.” Deceit informed him, his breath forming goosebumps on Patton’s neck. 

Patton didn’t think about his next action. Survival instincts took over, and he snapped at Deceit’s face. 

The elder reeled back. “Feisty, aren’t we?”

“Get off him!” Virgil tackled his brother to the ground, the two rolling out into the street. 

“Virgil!” Patton cried, surprised when Remus said the same thing. The two shared a surprised glance before racing into the street with different intentions.

Quickly the four were engaged in a violent scuffle, limbs getting yanked and hair being pulled. Patton felt several times a joint painfully found his ribs, certain they would leave a bruise. So engaged in tearing at each other’s throats, not a single immortal noticed the threat approaching until it was too late. The truck honked, headlights blazing. Under normal circumstances any one of them could have dodged, but entangled as they were the vampires were not fast enough and the silver hood plowed right into them.

As it turns out, automobiles and vampires do not mix.

 Even with their super strength that amount of force was enough to leave a good bruise, and the fact that it was made partially of silver, a vampire’s known weakness… let’s just say all four were sure to feel that in the morning as they painfully skidded several hundred feet across the asphalt.

Patton groaned, ironically taking the least damage because of his more human qualities giving the silver little effect over him. His first instinct was to rush over to the truck, where it had swerved off the road into a small patch of grass. The airbags had gone off and the front of the car was wrecked, but looking inside the human was still alive.

While Patton called for an ambulance, Virgil slowly lifted his head. Everything ached, and Virgil felt like he could sleep for a million years and never heal. A Quick glance around showed the brothers had disappeared, either having scoured off with their tail between their legs or the truck had simply knocked them into next week.

But that didn’t mean they were safe. “C’mon.” Patton urged, stumbling over to where Virgil was. He hefted Virgil up by the arm, helping lift his friend despite his legs trembling. “We have to get out of here. The human medics can’t see us.”

“We- we can’t stay here.” Virgil gasped, clutching onto Patton like a lifeline. “If we go home they’ll just attack us tomorrow night. And if we try to skip town, they'll just watch us leave and follow us…” Not to mention, they were running out of time. Virgil glanced wearily at the sky. He wondered if he truly would turn to ash if the sun touched him in this state.

Patton paused, biting his lip as he seemed to be heavily debating something. “I...I think I know somewhere we can go.”

Virgil didn’t ask questions, simply allowing Patton to lead them both further down the street. 

Patton grimaced, limping along at the fastest pace he could manage. There was no doubt the brothers would recover faster, considering how unhealthy and weak Virgil and Patton both were. Patton only knew of one place that was vampire-proof, and he hoped the occupants could find it in their hearts to forgive him enough to let them take sanctuary for the night. 

Taking a deep breath, Patton knocked on Thomas’ front door.

 It was several moments before Thomas made it to the door. It was well into the night after all. Well, more like very early morning at this point. Thomas yawned and wondered who the heck was at his door at this time. He opened the door, his eyes widening when his eyes fell on Patton. “Patton? What are you doing here? And why do you look like you were hit by...a…” Thomas trailed off as he took in the person next to Patton.

 “Ah! Patton, get away from him!” Thomas cowered, recognizing the sight of the vampire that had tried to drink his blood.

“...oh, bite me.” Virgil cursed under his breath, wondering why the universe would be so cruel.

“What?” Patton gave a confused momentary glance between the two. “I- Thomas, please, this is my friend, Virgil. I know this looks… weird, but please, can we come in? I can explain everything.”

 “Patton, that’s a vampire! He tried to suck my blood! Just...Patton back away slowly. If you come into my house, Vampires can’t come in without permission right? You’ll be safe in here.” He said, still cowering half-way behind his door and looking between Patton and Virgil, urging Patton to come to him.

If looks could kill, Virgil would most certainly disintegrate at the look Patton gave him. “You what?”

“I didn’t drink his blood.” Virgil defended weakly. He turned to the human. “Look, sorry, I didn’t realize you were Patton’s friend. We’re cool, yeah? Let us in already.”

 “Like I’m going to fall for that! You-You probably have Patton hypnotized don’t you! Let him go!” Thomas yelled, glaring at the vampire. Though it didn’t appear very threatening, since he was still shaking a hiding behind his door.

“That’s not how hypnosis works, you idiot.” Virgil sneered.

“Virgil I swear to the high heavens I will throw you to the giant werewolves.” Patton glanced up at the fading moon as if it would grant him patience. He closed his eyes, before once again giving Thomas a pleading glance. “Thomas, I promise you, I’m not hypnotized, and… and we really need help. The sun will be out soon. Nobody is going to hurt you, I promise, but please, just let us in, even for a day?”

 Thomas shook his head, unable to tear his eyes away from the red ones of the vampire. “N-No! Patton, why can’t you just come in? I-I’ll help you but I’m not trusting a-a vampire!”

Virgil raised an eyebrow, glancing at Patton and wondering why he hadn’t told his human the truth.

Patton bit his lip, tears sprouting at the corner of his eyes at Thomas’ harsh words, even if Patton knew they weren’t directed at him. Not intentionally, at least. Yet. His mind helpfully supplied.

“Please.” Patton weakly pleaded, out of options. “Please trust me, Thomas. We’re- we’re friends, aren’t we?”

 “Patton, of-of course. But this vampire, he-he must have tricked you or something. Please, as my friend, just trust me and get away from him!” Thomas pleaded, only wanting Patton-and himself-to be safe.

“Virgil’s my friend, too!” Patton insisted, frustrated that he couldn’t go inside even if he wanted to; but of course, he couldn’t leave Virgil. Not like this. “He- he’s a little misguided, but he’s not all bad, I promise!”

 “How do you know that! I wouldn’t put it past a vampire to trick people! He probably just wants our blood!” Thomas practically shouted.

“Stop freaking out!” Patton put up a hand hastily. “It’s not like that! I- I mean if he wanted my blood, he would have taken it already, right?” Patton gave an awkward laugh, hating that the statement was true. If a few hundred years late.

 “Maybe he’s using you to get to me so he can have twice as much blood!” Thomas reasoned. “Patton, why are you trying to defend a vampire. They kill people.” It was a surprise the vampire wasn’t killing Patton right now. But he supposed he was still hoping to get in his house to have more than his fill of human blood.

“They don’t kill people, they just drink blood.” Patton corrected a bit bitterly. “And that doesn’t even make sense. Vampires can’t even drink two human fulls of blood in one sitting, it’s physically impossible!”

 Thomas blinked and suddenly he was eyeing Patton warily. “How do you know that?” Thomas asked carefully, hoping it was just a tidbit of knowledge Patton had picked up.

Patton froze. “I...I’m friends with a vampire.” Patton winced, gesturing to Virgil.

 “And...why are you friends with a vampire?  How are you friends with a vampire?” Thomas asked, feeling as though Patton was hiding something.

“The same way I’m friends with anyone, I guess…” Patton said timidly, shrinking in on himself.

 “No, no, you don’t just become friends with a vampire, Patton.” Thomas looked at Patton, really looked at him. “Patton...what are you hiding?”

“Look, Thomas was it?” Virgil huffed, frustrated that a human dared to grill his Patton like this. “Patton just got hit by a truck. Forgive him for not being chatty, and let us in so he can get some ice packs.”

 “What?! A-A truck?!” Thomas yelled in shock. He looked Patton over but...something didn’t seem right. “Wait...but...if you were hit by a truck then...h-how are you even standing?”

Virgil tensed, realizing his mistake. “Well I really took the blunt of the blow…”

Patton had gone silent, clammed up as he stared at Thomas like a deer in headlights.

 “Patton?” Thomas swallowed nervously. He was mentally adding up everything he knew about Patton in his head...and he wasn’t liking the answer. “Are...Are you a vampire?”

Patton licked his lips nervously, always hating this part. The distrust. The betrayal. The rejection. “...yes.” He answered, in a voice so quiet it almost didn’t exist at all.

 Thomas froze, looking at Patton with something akin to betrayal. “I-I...I can’t, I…” Thomas shook his head and was about to close the door and bury himself in bed when two faint voices shouted from behind him.

 “Wait!” Thomas turned around, his eyes widening as he saw two tiny people standing on his coffee table.

 “Wh-What?” Was all Thomas could get out.

 Roman and Logan both looked at each other. They had heard the ruckus, recognized the voices and had come here immediately. Sure, they were still weary of Virgil but...they trusted Patton enough for the two of them. They turned back to the vampires, still standing in the doorway.