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callboxkat · 4 years

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Second Chances part 8: The Visit (1 of 2)

Author’s note: Very excited to finally bring you guys this next installment of Second Chances! The second half should be out in a few days. Until then, enjoy this one :)

Summary: Between some difficulty getting along with his coworkers and his quickly approaching visit with his parents, Roman has a lot on his mind. He can only hope that things will turn out well.

Warnings (for part 1) : fear of being rejected, food mention, arguing, panic attack

Word count: 6134

Second Chances Masterpost!

Writing Masterpost!

...

Roman received his first paycheck on the Friday of his first week at the Sanders Café. He didn’t have an account set up yet for it to be directly deposited into—he and Logan were planning to take care of that over the weekend—so this first one was a literal paper check.

Roman was very excited, practically jogging back to the house. When he arrived, he immediately tried to give the check to Patton, in return for letting him stay at the house.

Patton turned him down, cheerfully saying that Roman didn’t owe them anything, and he wasn’t going to take his money. Roman probably should have expected that. He knew that Patton had benefited a lot from the kindness of strangers in his past—of course someone like him would try to pay that forward.

So, when Logan got home, Roman went to him instead and tried again to hand over his check, figuring that Logan was more likely to agree to the exchange. However, Logan just shook his head and pushed it back to him. “That’s yours, Roman. Maybe you can contribute something with future checks, but you should build up some savings for yourself, first.”

Roman had tried to insist, but Logan wasn’t budging, so he’d finally given up. He did have one more idea.

Maybe Patton and Logan had flatly turned him down, but surely there was one person who wouldn’t refuse some compensation for him being there. She hadn’t wanted him there to begin with, after all, and even though she had accepted him now, he still felt that she was the most likely to accept his offering.

This was how he found himself outside Val’s bedroom that evening, his paycheck clutched in one hand. He knocked with the other.

“It’s open,” she called.

Roman opened the door, staying in the hall. Val was sitting at her desk, painting her nails.

“Oh, hey, Roman,” she said, putting the brush back in the bottle and inspecting her handiwork. “What’s up?”

“Hey, Val,” he responded. He looked down at the check in his hand. “I wanted to ask… Pat and Logan wouldn’t take it, but….” He held out the check. “For uh, rent, I guess.”

“Is that your first paycheck?”

Roman nodded.

Val shook her head. “No, I’m not taking your money. Even if I wanted to, Patton would kill me. Or make my brother kill me.”

Roman sighed. He’d gotten this job in the first place so that he could help out and stop being a freeloader, and now not one of them was letting him do that!

“You know what you should spend some of that on?”

Roman looked up. “What?”

“You’re going to see your parents, right? You should use that for your ticket.”

“Mamá already paid for it,” Roman said. “She won’t let me pay her back, either.” She’d probably throw a fit if he tried.

“Okay, Plan B.” Val got up, stepped out into the hall, and closed the door behind her. “Let’s go get your parents a present. What do they like?”

“Weren’t you painting your nails?”

“Just finished. They’ll dry on the way. Now what do your parents like?”

Roman hesitated. “My mamá likes to garden.”

“Okay. Let’s go get her a plant. I bet she’d love something with flowers. What about your dad?”

“He… I don’t know. He’s really into birdwatching, I guess? But I don’t know what you’d get someone for that.”

“What else does he like?”

Roman dithered uncertainly. “Well, he used to collect a bunch of really old coins… but I don’t know where we’d find something like that.”

Val looked thoughtful. “I came across a site a while back where you can buy old Roman coins for like ten bucks each. Does that sound like something he’d like? If we ordered it today I’m sure it’d be here by the time you leave next week.”

“I—yeah, I think so,” Roman said, having the sudden urge to hug Val. “Thank you.”

She smiled. “No problem. Let’s go downstairs; we can pick one out, and you’ll pay me back once you deposit that check of yours.”

…

They ended up choosing a coin that was about $15, with positive reviews, guaranteed to arrive well before he left. Val placed the order, and then she took Roman to a garden store.

“Sure, you could wait and go with Patton and my brother, but my brother has no taste in plants, and Patton’ll probably buy whatever plant looks the saddest because he feels bad for it. Or end up accidentally getting a plastic one. You think I’m joking, but he literally did that once.”

So, Val and Roman went to the garden store alone. They picked out a little plant with small blue flowers, in a cute ceramic pot that had been glazed a darker blue.

Patton and Logan were sitting at the kitchen table when they walked in.

“What’s that?” Patton asked when he saw the plant in Roman’s arms.

“Present for my mamá,” Roman explained. “Val took me to get it.”

“Oh, she’s going to love that, kiddo!”

Roman smiled. “You think so?”

“Of course! It’s so pretty. What kind is it?”

“It’s…” Roman checked the label. “It’s a… myositis. Forget-me-nots.”

“Oh, cool!” Patton said.

“That can’t be right,” Logan said, frowning. “Myositis is a term for muscle inflammation.”

Roman blinked, then checked the tag again. “Sorry, it’s myosotis.”

“That does make more sense,” Logan said. “Interesting. Were you aware that that name translates to “mouse’s ear” in Ancient Greek?”

“Why do you know that?” Roman asked, staring at him. “Who just knows things like that off the top of their head?”

Val started snickering. Logan shrugged, looking embarrassed.

…

Roman was starting to think that being homeless and unemployed hadn’t been so bad. At least then he hadn’t had to deal with this hell spawn.

“I can’t do it!” Roman wailed as he flung open the door (while still making sure it didn’t smack the wall). “I can’t do it! He is the worst!”

Patton, who had been standing at the kitchen counter, cutting up vegetables, set down his knife, looking concerned.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Roman sighed, walking over to him. He put his elbows on the counter and hid his face in his hands. “It’s this guy I work with.”

“Your manager? Thomas?” Patton guessed.

“No, not him—he’s great. The other one.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“He hates me, and I don’t know why!”

“Come on, kiddo, I’m sure that’s not true.” Patton picked up the knife and started slicing carrots again, still watching him between cuts to show he was paying attention.

“It is! He acts like every time I mess up, I’m doing it just to spite him, and then he gets on my back about it, which only makes me mess up more, and then he gets even more annoyed at me….”

“Could it just be growing pains? It’s only your second week. Maybe he just needs some time to get used to you.”

“I thought so too, but…” Roman sighed heavily. “It is not working.”

Patton paused. “If it’s really so bad, maybe you could look into possibly working somewhere else? Tons of places would be lucky to have you.”

Roman looked up sharply. “No… no, I’m not doing that.” He shook his head. “I do that, he wins.”

Patton bit his lip uncertainly.

“At least tomorrow is his day off,” Roman sighed. “So I get a break.”

“Well, that’s good,” Patton said. He pushed the carrots into a bowl with the potatoes he’d already cubed, and he picked up an onion. As he started to peel the skin off of that, he said, “Maybe it’ll be nice for both of you to get a break from each other. It could be you’ve just spent too much time together lately.”

“Yeah. Could be. I just don’t know what his problem is.”

Patton glanced up, humming thoughtfully. “Do you think any of this has anything to do with your visit coming up?”

Roman hesitated. “Maybe,” he admitted.

A major source of stress for him at the moment—maybe the main source of stress—was the fact that he was set to visit his parents at the end of the week, for the first time in a long time. If you considered five years to be a long time.

It certainly didn’t help that at the start of those five years, Roman had lied to them about heading to college and basically vanished off the face of the earth, leaving them with no idea where he had gone or if he was even still alive. That is, until Patton and Logan had convinced him to call his mamá the week before.

Ever since then, he had been calling her every evening before dinner, to talk. Mostly, they talked about unimportant things. How their days had been (Roman always sugar-coated things if they hadn’t gone well), what they were up to (you know, besides the homelessness), and how much they were looking forward to seeing each other when Roman was able to get enough time off for a visit.

Getting the time off he needed had turned out to be easier than expected. Roman’s schedule already gave him weekends free, so he had only requested one additional day—a Monday.

He hadn’t been sure whether to be relieved or sad that he had had to wait an additional week to go, since they’d been understandably reluctant to give him a day off in his second week on the job.

Of course, both Thomas and V, all that Roman knew his other coworker by, knew that Roman was taking the day off. Thomas hadn’t seemed to mind coming in on that Monday—since he usually took that day off—but V hadn’t seemed all that enthused. The fact that Roman was taking a long weekend after only working at the Sanders Café for two weeks hadn’t helped the barista’s opinion of him.

As one might imagine, Roman’s stress about the upcoming visit did not go well with the attitude V took with him, and it had already lead to several clashes.

As exemplified by today.

“Want to help me cut up some veggies?” Patton asked. “We’re going to roast them for dinner later tonight. Maybe it’ll help to take out some of that stress on an onion.” He picked up the newly peeled onion and offered it to Roman.

Roman sighed. “Sure.” He went to the sink, washed his hands, and took the onion and knife from Patton. “How do you want this cut?”

“However you like, within reason!” Patton said. “How about I heat up some leftovers for you, for lunch, while you do that? We’ve still got some spaghetti.”

“Sounds good. Thank you, Patton.”

…

Patton sat curled up on the sofa with Logan, only half-watching the news that his boyfriend had put on. After a while, he stretched and sat up.

“I’m going to go check on Roman. He seemed pretty upset when he came home from work today.”

Logan frowned, turning to look at him. “Did he say what was going on?”

“Some kind of disagreement with someone he works with. But I think he’s really just stressed about this weekend.”

Logan nodded. “That seems reasonable.”

“Anyway, I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” Logan reached out, held his hand for a fraction of a second, and then let Patton go. Patton got up, walked past Val, who was reading, and went upstairs.

He stopped outside Roman’s room, whose door was slightly ajar, and knocked softly. “Roman?” he asked.

He waited, but he didn’t get an answer, so he tried again. When that still went without a reply, Patton gently pushed open the door, wondering if maybe Roman had fallen asleep.

The room was empty.

“Hm.” Patton leaned forwards to look around inside the room, but unsurprisingly, Roman wasn’t hiding in any corners.

He backed up, returned the door to how it had been before, and looked around.

Finally, he realized that he could hear something, faint, but not so faint that he thought it was coming from downstairs. Patton followed the sound.

Was that singing?

He stopped outside the bathroom, which was dark other than the light let in through the tiny, curtained window, but whose door wasn’t quite closed.

Roman stood in front of the sink, singing a song that Patton didn’t recognize. He was singing very quietly, but it was like he was serenading himself, complete with acting.

He also looked like he’d been crying.

Patton, who had been about to knock before he caught a glimpse of Roman in the mirror, stepped back before Roman could spot him. He did want to stay and try to help, but he really felt like he was intruding. Whatever Roman was doing, it seemed to be some kind of self-soothing method. Maybe it was a little unusual to serenade oneself in the mirror, but if it helped cheer Roman up, then Patton wasn’t going to judge him.

Patton quietly padded back down the hall and went back downstairs.

He settled himself back against Logan, who took his hand again. Patton read a headline on the TV screen about that week’s tragedy and sighed, turning his head so his face was against Logan.

“How’s Roman?” Logan asked, subtly changing the channel to one showing reruns of an old sitcom. “Did you talk to him?”

“He didn’t seem like he wanted to be bothered,” Patton replied, looking up again.

Logan nodded in understanding, although he was frowning.

“Is he okay?” Val asked as she turned a page in her book.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “He’s really nervous about this weekend.”

Logan fiddled with the remote without actually changing any settings. “I’d assume he’s afraid that his parents will reject him,” he said.

Val gave him a look. “Please don’t say that when he’s down here.”

“I don’t think it’s likely,” Logan quickly clarified. “They’ve seemed eager to talk to him thus far.”

“They’d better not turn him away,” Patton said. “I’ll fight them.”

“I thought we agreed you wouldn’t be fighting anyone. Besides, if they were going to turn him away, I’m sure it would have happened by now.”

Val closed her book, resting her head on one hand. “Whether it’s realistic or not, he’s obviously upset. And it’s probably not helping him, locking himself away upstairs with his thoughts. We should ask him to come downstairs in a few minutes. He likes to help with dinner, right?”

Patton glanced at the time. “That’s true. We should probably start cooking soon.”

“You cut up the vegetables like I asked?” Logan checked.

“Yep! Roman and I did.”

“Thanks. It shouldn’t take too long, then.”

Val set her book to the side. “Should I go grab him then, or…?”

“I’ll give him a few more minutes and then I’ll do it,” Patton said.

“Okay.”

A few minutes later, Patton walked back up the stairs. He was relieved to see that the light was on in Roman’s room now.

He knocked on the door, and waited for an answer.

A moment later, the door opened, to reveal Roman. He smiled, and if Patton hadn’t seen him before, he might not have known Roman had been so upset. “Hey, Patton. What’s going on?”

Patton smiled back, deciding not to bring it up. “We were planning to start dinner soon. Want to help?”

…

Roman had been making a point of getting to work early ever since his mistake the week before. So, it was no surprise that he was the first employee to arrive at the café that morning. It was a surprise, though, when neither V nor Thomas showed up. Instead, two younger employees, probably 18 years old or so, took their places: Talyn and Joan. Roman had worked with each of them before when they occasionally joined his shift, but never at the same time.

“Is Thomas not coming?” Roman asked, watching as the pair approached. He’d known it was V’s day off, and that Thomas didn’t come in every day, but usually their manager worked whenever V didn’t.

“He’s sick,” Talyn said, pulling on their apron. Joan went into the back to put their things away.

“Oh. Is he okay?”

Talyn shrugged. “He calls in sometimes. He asked me to take his place today.”

“Okay.”

“Joan and I can finish getting everything set up back here. Want to take the chairs down?”

“Sure.” Roman walked out from behind the counter to do just that.

“So how are you liking this place so far?” they asked as Joan returned from the back.

“It’s alright,” Roman shrugged. When V wasn’t getting on his last nerve, at least.

“Just alright?” Joan asked.

Roman flushed slightly. He didn’t want to complain about his job, not at his job, to his coworkers. That didn’t seem like a good plan at all.

Joan laughed. “Relax, I’m just teasing. It can be tough, at the start. Customers are something else. Plus I know Virgil can be prickly.”

Roman blinked. “What?”

“Virgil?” Joan looked confused. “The barista you work with?”

“Oh, right, sorry. I didn’t quite hear you,” Roman lied. He had a feeling he’d get teased if he admitted he’d gone nearly two weeks only knowing Virgil as V, or as the numerous aliases of the other worker’s name tag collection. “Glad to hear it’s not just me.”

“Has Virgil been treating you okay?” Talyn asked.

“Yeah. He can be kinda pushy, but he’s okay… most of the time. I do like his name tag collection.” Roman had tried to compliment Virgil on one of the name tags, pointing out that it was funny that the barista chose to wear one that said “Mary Lee”, and had only gotten even more hostility in response. Maybe Virgil didn’t want Roman to acknowledge that the name tags didn’t have the barista’s actual name on them? Maybe Virgil misunderstood, and thought Roman was making fun of whoever the actual Mary Lee was?

Whatever the case, trying to be that creepy cookie’s friend was proving rather difficult. Thomas’s “Storm Cloud” nickname made a lot of sense.

Talyn bit their lip, glancing at Joan, then looked back at Roman. Roman blinked, unsure what that was about. “Virgil can take a while to warm up to people, sometimes,” they said. “It’s probably nothing to worry about.”

Not long after, it was time to open up the café, and the attention of the three baristas was diverted to the grumpy swarm of early morning coffee-seekers.

It was a busy morning, with a lot of disgruntled people who thought they were entitled to their caffeine before anyone else and didn’t even tip well (if at all), but at least Talyn and Joan didn’t get mad at Roman for spilling a few coffee grounds, or for nearly forgetting the whipped cream on one of the orders. That was a welcome change.

Still, that afternoon, Roman spent most of his time holed up in the former guest room, trying not to stress too much about the next day, which was, of course, his last day of work before he got to go see his parents for the first time in years and hope they wouldn’t turn him away.

…

The following day, Virgil was back at work. And as tired of Roman was of his coworker hounding him like every little mistake he made would bring on the apocalypse, he did have some new information at his disposal, and he was going to take advantage of it.

Roman looked up as the barista came in, reluctantly lowering the headphones that had doubtlessly been blasting some sort of emo music moments before.

“Hey, Virgil,” he said pointedly, grinning.

Virgil hardly bothered to glance up, grabbing one of the aprons that still hung on the wall. “Hey, Princey.”

Roman was almost offended by that lackluster response. “How’s it going, Virgil?” he tried again, louder and with more emphasis.

“Fine?” Virgil said, giving him a strange look. “How’s it going, Roman?”

Roman sighed. “Disappointing.”

“What?”

Whoops. Virgil wasn’t supposed to actually hear that. He scrambled for an excuse. “…I said disappearing. The sun is gonna be disappearing sooner. The days are getting shorter again. You know.”

Virgil glanced outside, at where the sun was just beginning to rise, bemused. “I guess?”

“Aaaanyway. How was your day off?” Roman asked, tying his own apron in place.

“It was great. I actually got to miss the sunrise, for once.” Virgil started taking down chairs from the tables, putting them in place on the floor. “It was over pretty fast, though. Sure would be nice to take three days off in a row.”

Roman frowned.

“What are you doing this weekend, anyway? Video games? Binging Lord of the Rings or something?”

Roman let out a long sigh. “I’m visiting my parents,” he reluctantly admitted. “I haven’t seen them in a while.” Ever since Virgil had found out about Roman’s days off so soon after starting the job, Roman had skirted around answering the question of why he was taking that break. And while it still wasn’t really any of Virgil’s business, Roman was getting tired of this, and really didn’t want to deal with passive aggression when he was already worried enough. Today was Friday, and Roman was getting on the bus to go see his family that very afternoon.

Virgil’s mouth thinned. “Oh.”

The other barista turned away without another word, and didn’t bring up Roman’s days off again that shift. Roman felt that this was worth the admission. It would have probably been nearly unbearable otherwise, since Thomas was apparently still not feeling well, so it was just the two of them for the entire shift. As it was, other than Thomas being gone, Roman might have said that things were going… at least sort of well. Virgil wasn’t getting on his back too much, he wasn’t messing up as much as he’d expected, given how much he was thinking about that weekend (although he still messed up quite a bit more than usual). But of course, his luck couldn’t last.

He took a break during a lull in customers, and he came back, opening his mouth to tell Virgil to go ahead and take a break in the back, now.

But no words came out of his mouth. Instead, he froze.

Standing in the middle of the café, reading the menu, was a familiar figure. His dark hair was swept to partially cover his face, and he wore a black faux leather jacket over a band t-shirt.

Jay.

Roman felt dizzy.

“Roman?”

Roman shook his head, took a step back, and then sat down hard on the tile floor.

“Roman! F*ck, okay, hold on—Sorry, sir, get out, please! The store’s closed! Bye!”

“What the hell are you talking ab—”

“Store’s closed!”

Virgil herded the guy out, and as he disappeared out the door, Roman got a better look at his face. It wasn’t Jay at all. Just some guy who looked ridiculously like Jay.

“Dammit,” he whispered, wishing this realization would stop his heart from pounding, would erase the way he’d just embarrassed himself, was continuing to embarrass himself.

Virgil knelt down in front of him, hovering uncertainly. “Hey. Hey, Princey, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

Roman shook his head, his attempts to breathe only strangled gasps. It was all just too much. The stress of this new job, and the visit this weekend, and thinking he’d seen Jay, who’d been a catalyst in all of this— It was too much.

“I think you might be having a panic attack.” Virgil shifted uncertainly, hovering around him. “Does that sound right?”

Roman shakily nodded.

“Okay. Okay, good. No ambulance, then. That’s great. I mean, not great that you’re panicking, that—never mind. Can I help?”

“Yeah,” he gasped. Please make this stop.

“Cool. Cool, cool. Try breathing with me. It’s an exercise I use when I get anxiety attacks.” Virgil started with a long inhale, counting off a pattern.

“In, 2, 3, 4… hold, 2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7… out, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.”

Roman did his best to follow the pattern, with difficulty at first; but soon enough, rather than freaking out, he was a more reasonable amount of mortified, and this time more about the fact that he’d freaked out in the middle of the café, in front of Virgil, than about anything else.

Virgil seemed relieved when it was clear that Roman was no longer panicking. The barista looked him over for a moment, then offered him a hand up.

“I think maybe you should go in the back for a little longer,” Virgil suggested as Roman was pulled to his feet. “I can take my break later.”

“…Yeah, maybe,” Roman admitted, not meeting Virgil’s eyes. “Might be a good idea.”

Virgil led him to the back room, shoved a plastic cup of tea in his hands, and promised to return in a bit.

Roman sat there, sipping his tea, wishing he could sink into the floor.

Several minutes later, Virgil returned.

“Sorry,” Roman said as soon as he saw that distinctive purple hair, gripping his cooling cup of tea tightly. “I didn’t….”

Virgil sat down on the arm of the sofa. “What was that about?”

Roman shook his head.

Virgil sighed, glancing back towards the main area of the store. “Fine, don’t tell me. But are you, like… good? You’re not going to freak out on me again?”

“No, I’m… I’m fine.”

Virgil looked at him doubtfully. Roman set his jaw, and then Virgil nodded. “Alright. Maybe clean yourself up a bit, though.”

Roman felt his cheeks burn. He nodded.

As Virgil turned to leave, Roman cleared his throat.

“…Thanks, Virgo.”

Virgil paused, turned, and said, “I’m a Sagittarius,” before leaving the room.

Under different circumstances, Roman might have laughed. As it was, he simply took a deep breath, set the remains of his tea to the side, got to his feet, and went to the employee bathroom. Looking in the mirror, he had to admit he looked rather… disheveled. He’d definitely seen worse days, that was for sure; but his hair was a mess, and his eyes were red and watery like he’d been crying.

(Had he been crying? He suddenly wasn’t sure.)

Roman reached over for a paper towel, folded it over, and ran the water over it for a second. He stood there at the sink for a while, the cool, damp paper towel held against his eyes. Once the redness had died down, he combed his hair with his fingers until it was back to its normal groomed appearance. Finally, he took a deep, steadying breath, washed his hands, and returned to the front of the store. Virgil looked up when he appeared, in the middle of making a cappuccino, and nodded.

Roman resumed his post without a word, and they both pretended like nothing had happened.

When Roman went back to the house that afternoon, he didn’t complain about Virgil, for once. Of course, he did have other things to think about. Like the little detail that he was leaving in only a couple of hours.

…

“Are you sure you have everything?” Logan asked as the trio walked to the bus station. They’d parked a couple of blocks away, since the parking spots at the station itself were metered, and rather expensive. Logan had offered to park there anyway, but Roman had insisted that he was fine with parking farther away. It was a nice day, anyhow; and he would be spending quite a while on a bus. “There’s still a little time, if we have to stop somewhere.”

“I think so,” Roman said, adjusting his grip on the handle of the small, baby blue suitcase Patton had lent him. It rolled behind them, occasionally bumping over an uneven patch of sidewalk. “I don’t have a lot of stuff.”

“And you’re sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” Patton checked. He held the small potted plant that Roman and Val had picked up as a present for Roman’s mamá. He almost seemed more nervous than Roman. Almost.

Roman swallowed, then nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure. It’s just a bus ride. My parents are going to pick me up at the station.”

Patton reached over to squeeze his hand. “They know what time you’re getting in?”

Roman nodded. “And I can always call, if I need to…. Thanks again for the phone, by the way.” They’d picked him up a cheap, prepaid one for emergencies, since Roman hadn’t had a phone of his own in a very long time.

“It’s no problem,” Patton said. “Just be safe, okay?”

Roman gave him a shaky smile.

“There’s the station,” Logan said, gesturing across the street. “Which bus are we looking for?”

“17,” Roman provided. He didn’t even need to check his ticket. He’d spent long enough staring at it the night before.

Logan glanced to make sure no cars were coming, then started across the street. He and Patton were already scanning the busses collected at the station, looking for the correct one.

“I don’t think it’s here yet,” Logan said. “That’s not surprising. We are early, after all.”

“Let’s find a bench to sit on,” Patton suggested.

Logan didn’t exactly look enthused, but he went along with Patton’s suggestion. They found an empty bench, and Roman and Patton sat down. There was still room on the bench, but Logan stayed standing.

“Perhaps I could pick us up some coffee from inside,” he suggested.

Patton giggled. “Only if Roman’s not sick of coffee yet.”

Roman cracked a smile. “Maybe just water for me. Lemonade if they have it. But water’s okay.”

Patton requested whatever coffee drink was the sweetest, iced.

Logan nodded and walked off towards the station’s building.

“He just doesn’t want to sit down,” Patton said, leaning over conspiratorially. “Logan hates public benches.”

“Logan hates public everything.”

“You’re not wrong!” he laughed. He set the plant at his side. “So, do you and your parents know what you’re going to do this weekend?”

Roman thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about it.” He’d been too busy worrying.

“You don’t always need a plan. Maybe it’ll be nice to just get to hang out with them, catch up.”

“Or awkward as hell.”

“Ehh.” Patton shrugged. “Maybe at first, I won’t lie to you.”

“Yeah.”

“But they’re going to be really happy to see you. I’m sure they’ve missed you a lot.”

“…Yeah.” Roman knew they had. But he couldn’t help the terror bubbling up inside him, just under the surface, at what they would think when they saw him. At how angry they would be.

Apparently Roman’s silent dread had not been as hidden as he’d hoped.

“Don’t make me hug you,” Patton threatened, pointing at him.

Roman let out a startled laugh.

“I’ll do it! You know I will!”

“I do,” Roman agreed. He watched as another bus pulled up. Number 33. Still not his.

“They did have lemonade,” a voice said. Roman glanced up to see Logan, holding out a bottled lemonade. He took it. It was cool and already slightly damp with condensation.

“Thanks.”

Logan offered Patton another drink from the carrier in his arms. His was a very pale brown, mixed with ice and with whipped cream and drizzles of caramel and chocolate on top.

“Ooh, thank you!” Patton said. He hopped up, kissed Logan on the cheek, and then sat down, sipping loudly from his straw.

Logan coughed, his face slightly red. “You’re welcome. Has his bus arrived?”

“Not ye—oh! There it is!” Patton pointed. A new bus had just pulled in, the number 17 in its window.

“Excellent.”

Roman leaned over to look at a clock on the station wall. He still had ten minutes before he had to be on the bus. Reassured, he sat back and opened his lemonade, taking a sip. Then he recapped it and put the lemonade in his lap, tapping on its sides with his fingers. “You guys don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I’ll be fine.”

“No, no,” Patton insisted. “We’re going to make sure you get on your bus alright.”

“It would be rather unfortunate if we left early, and something happened,” Logan agreed.

Roman exhaled through his nose. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

“Yep! Besides, I can’t finish this in the car.” Patton took another loud sip of his drink. “So we’ve gotta stay!”

“True.” Logan was generally pretty insistent about there being no open drinks in his car. Or at least, that was the idea Roman had gotten so far.

Logan took a drink of his own iced black coffee and shrugged. “Coffee would be difficult to get out of the upholstery,” he justified. “Like any darkly colored beverage. One time, one of Val’s friends spilled fruit punch in her car. It was a figurative nightmare to get that out. I refuse to go through that again with my own vehicle.”

Roman glanced at Patton, who looked amused. “That’s fair.”

A few more minutes passed, with the three of the just enjoying their drinks, before Patton glanced at the time on his phone. “We should probably get you on that bus, don’t you think, Ro? You don’t want to get a bad seat.”

Roman shifted. “…I guess.”

Patton looked at him sympathetically. “Don’t worry. You’ll be okay.” He stood up, grabbing the plant; and Roman reluctantly followed, pulling the suitcase along behind himself.

In no time at all, they stood in front of the bus door, and Patton was handing the plant off to Logan and pulling Roman into a tight hug.

“Don’t be afraid to call us if you need anything at all, okay? I’m serious.”

“Okay.”

“Okay. Now go see your parents.”

“Have a pleasant trip,” Logan said as Patton released him. He offered a hand, and Roman accepted. Logan shook it.

“Thanks. I’ll… see you guys.”

“Good luck.”

Roman took a deep breath, picked up the suitcase and took the plant back from Logan, and stepped up onto the bus before he could change his mind.

“Hello, sweetheart,” the driver said, smiling kindly at him. She was probably in her fifties, and had clearly noticed how apprehensive he was. She held out a hand. “Have you got your ticket?”

“Yeah—um,” Roman pulled it out of his pocket, quickly did his best to smooth it out, and handed it over. “Here.”

The woman looked at it for a second, smiled, and handed it back. “Welcome aboard. Usually, we have everyone put their luggage in the storage area under the bus, but I think yours is small enough that you can keep it up here, if you’d like. We don’t have a full bus today. Do you have a preference?”

“Could I keep it?” Roman asked. It was Patton’s suitcase, and he was afraid that it might get damaged—or worse, disappear—if he let it out of his sight.

“Of course. You can go ahead and pick whatever seat you’d like.”

“Thank you,” Roman said. He turned to the rest of the bus, which was about a quarter of the way full with other passengers. He picked a seat about a third of the way from the front, beside the window, and put Patton’s suitcase and his mamá’s gift at his side.

He looked out the window, and saw Patton and Logan there, on the sidewalk. Patton noticed him and perked up, waving and batting at his boyfriend to get his attention. Logan waved as well, with significantly less energy, looking amused.

Roman hesitantly waved back.

He spent the remaining time until the bus departed just trying to keep calm, reminding himself that he did in fact want to do this, that it was a little late to back out even if he wanted to, and that even if his visit went about as horribly as it could go, Logan and Patton had promised that they wanted him to come back.

Finally, the bus driver stood up. She reminded everyone of which bus this was and the route they were taking, just in case someone was on the wrong bus, and how long the trip would take. Then, she sat back down, and they left the station.

Patton and Logan waved until they turned a corner, and then Roman was alone.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then turned to the suitcase. He unzipped it and pulled out a book, which Logan had lent him for the trip. He settled in, doing his best to focus on the story rather than on his fear over what was to come.

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tangerinekumquat · 4 years

Text

1/5/02

Dear Journal,

Today we got a strange letter in the mail, ever since then the adults and Roman have been very quite. I don't know what's going on but I'm going to snatch that letter before they shred it. Virgil has also started acting weird, he seems... gloomy. I need to know, I'm going for that letter.

Jesus Christ, it turns out Roman isn't an only child. The letter basically said that Roman's brother, Remus Pendra, has recently been deemed acceptable to leave the Glory Summer's Home for The Mentally Unique. They want to know if our guardians were able to take him in so the transition was easier, with his brother being here and all. For some reason I hope he doesn't come to live here, the idea of someone from a mental house coming here scares me.

Or maybe it's the fact that if they have another crazy I will be... removed. No they wouldn't, they're nice and I'm a parasite clinging to them.

I'm going to bed and not think about this, the shadowy man likes it, I saw him clapping

Goodnight, Logan

#Logan's journal #logan sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #sanders sides #patton sanders #deceit sanders #deciet sanders #remus sanders #ts fanfic #character thomas #character joan #character talyn

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oh-theatre · 5 years

Text

Objection!: Chapter 23

Chapter title: Do You Love Me?

A/n: EYYYY GUESS WHOS BACK!! I worked very hard on this chapter and even though it sucks I hope you enjoy! Alot was revelaed and happened so ooOoOo things are getting back and YALL ARE NOT PREPARED FOR WHATS COMING! ANYWAY ENJOY A BAD CHAPTER!

(ok its unedited because my stuff isnt working so ill fix anything thats wrong later)

lmaooo can you say bad ™

First | Previous | Next

words: 5083

summary: Logan has a proposition and Patton receives information

pairings: logicality, eventual prinxiety, platonic demus, romantic remile

warnings: Murder mention, child murder, Law and Courtroom, swearing, blood, hospital, crime scene, murder, gun mention, guns, swearing, abuse, graphic descriptions, alcohol, hinted/almost abuse

Ao3 Link

“Ok careful Remus, hes just a little baby” Patton cautions, holding carefully to his more than excited son. Remus bounces as Damian takes his turn first, his own father seating him gently on the couch as Emile watches Thomas softly.

“Ready?” Virgil sits next to his child, rubbing his back soothingly as a small nervous ball grows in Damian. He nods biting his lower lip, Emile moves closer, with a quick affirmation from Virgil, he places Thomas into Damians arms. “Dee, this is Thomas” Virgil supports the small boy, holding Thomas steady.

“Hello Thomas” Damian smiles shyly, Virgil looks up quickly hoping his tears will halt in their own. “My names Damian” He puts his hand out, watching as Thomas wraps his intrigued fingers around Damians. A sweet giggle as the pair interact. “Papi look” His eyes alight as Thomas only laughs further.

“Mmhm” He responds, Patton gives hims a soft squeeze on the shoulders, noting the glazed eyes Virgil retains. Remus tugs on his father, his eyes wide with anticipation.

“My turn papa! My turn!” Valerie whines, the group chuckles as a tender connection of mystery between Damian and the baby is broken. Remy nods content, taking Thomas from Damians hold. He and his father move away making room for Patton and the twins, both bouncing with excitement.

“Ok, remember what I told you, gentle right?” Patton tries once more, Remus and Valerie nod a sudden calm flooding them. Remy cradles Thomas into Patton's arms first, securing the child safely. “Remus, Valerie...this is Thomas” He introduces, Valerie leans over a bit, waving with delight as the baby giggles. Remus shys away, picking at the ends of his shirt. Logan cocks his head allowing Patton to meet his eyes. “Crabcake? Wanna say hi to Thomas?”

“I don't wanna” He mumbles, Patton looks to Logan a quick understanding as Thomas is placed in the lawyers arms. Valerie continues her meeting, trying and succeeding to make the baby laugh. Remus pouts hopping off the couch, retreating into his room. Emile and Remy share a glance, before Patton himself makes a quick exit.

“Mind if I join you?” He knocks, a sullen Remus sits on his bed, tracing the outlines of animals on his covers. He shrugs giving Patton permission. Patton takes his son, placing him on his lap sweetly, wrapping him up. “Penny for your thoughts?” He jokes, Remus fights a smile. Patton hums ever so gently, swaying his son slightly.

“I'm scared” Remus admits, his pout continues. Patton adjusts so he can see Remus’s face, brushing fallen hair away. He waits for more, knowing that he needn't push. “I don't wanna break him” The child's voice is so soft, barely audible as it's muffled by insecurity. “He's just a little baby” Remus cries, Patton wastes no time securing tighter, rubs of comfort are administered.

“Shh, Remus its ok…” Patton soothes, the boy shakes his head, crying into his dad. He watches as his son picks once more at the edges of his shirt, after a few tries he notices a forming routine. “Kiddo breathe” He shows Remus how to do so, a simple method. “You're not gonna break him, I promise” Patton takes a tissue, patting Remus’s face delicately, drying away his doubts. “Babies are strong, and even then I'm gonna be right there” Remus leans into Patton, sighing shakily, a blubber of tears swelling.

“P-promise?” Remus asks, Patton places a loving kiss through his hair, nodding as he returns a sweet embrace.

“Promise” He assures. With that, the pair give themselves a few moments to reboot, preparing for their re-entry into the living room. Logan still holds Thomas as Valerie plays excited with him, Damian watches from afar, the smallest of smiles. “Come on” Patton encourages, Remus takes his spot next to Logan, before a moment of hesitation, he holds Thomas in his arms. Logan and Patton on either side.

“He's smiling!” Remus laughs, a mischievous grin upon Thomas’s face as he pokes and prods at Remus. “He tickles” Remus giggles, Emile and Remy smile soon joined by the rest. Patton nods, another kiss to his son's forehead as he eases into Thomas. “You're my friend now” He proposes, Thomas claps ecstatic. Virgil replaces Logan and Patton, surrounded by eager children, the lawyers meet in the kitchen.

“Everything alright?” Logan wonders, filling the kettle with water, preparing two cups. Patton takes two packets from the cupboard, handing the tea to Logan as they dance around each other. “Fruit or chamomile?” Logan questions

“Fruit please” Patton replies, taking the honey from the shelf, barely reaching. An eruption of giggles and laughter from the room distracting them momentarily. “I'm not sure” Patton admits, watching the twins from the opening, leaning over a bit, resting himself. Remus switches through fast faces, as if Valerie were clicking away the channels. “I'm just worried about Remus” Patton laments, Logan finishes his duties, pouring an even amount into the prepared devices. Placing a cup in front of Patton, he places his free hand over Pattons, squeezing it.

“Anything I could do to assist you?” Logan offers, Patton lets out a weak chuckle. He turns to the lawyer, scanning his features, noting the emerging blush as it comes. A sudden impulse to go forward halted by his own resilience to shatter anything. Luckily, or not, his phone offers the perfect excuse. Returning the squeeze, he takes the call out of earshot.

“Patt-” He begins

“I think by now we’re well acquainted, would you agree mister Hart?” The voice, though crackled through the phone, leaves no tone of fear behind. Patton takes a quick glance behind him, steadying his heart at the sight of a calm Logan.

“Who are you?” He begs, a sharp whisper. A toxic laugh comes through, only more painful through the static. He feels the room around him slow as he fastens, every inch of his body vibrating quickly, what was going on.

“I truly recommend you dont waste any more moments mister Hart, it would be a shame to see you go without a proper send off” And soon the noise Patton had come to dread, the line goes out, as Patton's mind only runs further.

~~~

“Holy shit, Tolentinos a romantic” Virgil teases, Patton nudges him hiding his dusted cheeks. “Hey if it doesn't work, mind if I…” he raises an eyebrow “Ya know” Patton groans, rolling his playful eyes.

“Walking away now” he decides, Virgil cackles but catches up nonetheless. He links his arms with his friend, striding they fall into a gentle routine. “It was...sweet” Patton hazes, his mind returning to that fateful evening, the stars had never looked so prominent as they flashed only hope into him.

“I'm only teasing, but uh...I think Roman might have some competition” A shared laugh, Patton shakes his head. The leaving winds of January hit them as they walk through the courtyard, the fountains soft spritz as it tries to fight the cold. A tight flutter to the chest as Patton eyes fall on someone waiting by the coffee cart, standing idle as he observes the world. Virgil coughs noticing the clear distraction. “Come on” He drags Patton over, watching as both their faces light up.

“Patton, good morning” Logan greets, a gentle glance to Virgil before he places a soft kiss on Patton's cheek. A soothing touch to Pattons arms. Virgil nods, happy for the long hidden smile on Patton's face. “Virgil, how are you?” Looking between the pair the detective smirks.

“Better” He admits, Patton gives a light squeeze.

“A very good morning to you all!” Roman gallants, nudging each of them. Patton gives a confused greeting back, Logan simply grunts. Roman bobs his head, none of them dare amuse his excitements, too early for the judges typical performances. Not that they didn't enjoy it dearly, but there was a time and place for such things. An impatient Virgil cant take his incessant tappings, giving into the trap.

“What's got you so excited Ro?” Virgil groans, taking his coffee, paying the amount needed. Romans eyebrows bounce, an unamused Virgil flicks him. Patton feels his hands quickly warm, looking to a more than confident Logan as he interlaces their fingers. “Walk with me Ro” Virgil decides, hoping to give the flustered lawyers a moment.

“Ten bucks he looked up how to be a romantic and good boyfriend” Roman whispers once there is distance between them, Virgil laughs but takes Romans extended hand shaking it.

“You're so on Reial” Virgil agrees, the pair disappearing into the safe haven of the courthouse. Patton watches the pair wistfully, shaking his head at their antics whatever they may be. Logan finishes his beverage, handing a prepared one to Patton.

“Well thank you!” Patton takes a sip, an instant calm seeps into him. “Logan-” He begins, his tone changes, pivoting from his cheerful delight, looking forward to his day must come later.

“We should talk, about what exactly this relationship is” Logan deems, Patton bites his lower lip nodding. “Boyfriend feels too casual” Patton supposes he agrees, not sure where the conversation will take them. “Partner?”

“In crime?” Patton jokes, he shakes an apology “You know you're not just...getting me? You get into this, you get the twins too” Patton reminds, Logan remains unphased “It won't just be fun Logan coming over, getting to see them in their happiest of states”

“Give me a trial run” Logan blurts, Patton coughs on his drink. “You have the charity dinner tonight, I presume Virgil was going to watch the twins, let me” He rambles, excited, almost a spark surrounds his feet. “We both know how long those dinners go”

“Lo...are you sure?” Patton doesnt want something to change, a quick turn and Logan could be out of it his life for good, even the thought shakes Patton, consuming his dark mind.

“Positively” Logan stands firm, his fingers still in Pattons, his heart matching Patton's steady beat. Neither had been so sure of something. Patton leans over, a soft kiss to Logans cheek. “Is that a yes”

“You break em, you buy me new ones” he teases “But yes” Logan goes to speak but Pattons not finished, his quick eyes stopping the lawyer “Lo, those kids are my life. They are my first priority always, I love them so much…”

“I wouldn't want it any other way” Logan sighs, Pattons lips ease into a gentle smile. “Tonight, Ill pick them up from daycare and go from there” He hopes, Patton squeezes reassuringly, his own nerves washing away.

“Mister Hart there you are!” The lawyers turn, a resumed Haley approaches. “Mister Tolentino” She greets, Logan nods back.

“Captain, is everything alright?” Patton inquires, watching as Remy and Virgil reappear closing in. “Guys?” Remy and Virgil share a worried glance, reading each other's expression. A tightened grip to Logans hand as Haley begins.

“The case is reopening” She breathes, Pattons eyes grow wide “George isn't guilty...you were right” She continues but Patton can't hear, the wind swirling around him as his body falls light. No roots planted, he could float away riding a stream of his thoughts and fears. His doubts capturing him as they consume, the only thing he can feel his Logans hand in his own.

Not guilty?

I was...right?

“Stop!” He exclaims, sporadically putting distance between him and the group. Logan instantly misses his hold, a chilling absent on his hand. Virgil and Remy remain grounded, both simply anticipating. “Enough, enough with the back and forth. This is not a TV drama, this is a courthouse, there are peoples lives at stake. Children and families are involved. This is not a game, you need to be sure that the words you speak at this moment are as true as gospel” Patton's voice is deep, completely even as it shoots at Haley. “So captain, what is it?” Logan turns expectant to Haley, extremely impressed with Patton.

“Mister Hart...I am completely sure” Haley confirms “Under accounts, undeniable evidnce and overwhelming arguments also compelling, George W. Hoff…” Patton sucks in sharply, the room awaits those simple words. “Is the furthest thing from guilty” a shaky breath and an attempt to stop his tears...Patton was back.

~~~

“I want a meeting with the client and his family, I want to speak to Carlton, retrieve any previous files from the case and the existing ones” A frantic assistant does her best to keep up, following Patton as they tread through the courthouse. Logan follows calmly, trying hard to hide his smirk. “Also get me any files on detective Carltons work at the precinct since he was hired. I want to know the man so well we might as well be married” A quick chuckle from Logan catching the lawyers attention, he blushes his returns but they share that moment.

“Is that all?” She breathes as they pause in front of Patton's office. He softens pulling out his wallet.

“No, go grab some food Willow” he requests, she smiles relieved. “Thank you for everything, truly” He gives her some cash, a prideful grin before she nods walking away. “Sweet kid” Patton watches her go, a familiar fondness for the young dreamer, even though she was twenty four. He walks into his office, promptly followed by Logan.

“In all honesty, that was very attractive” Logan sits, continuing his light skimming of files. Patton lets out a nervous laugh, hiding his reddened cheeks. “Apologies” Logan whispers, Patton shakes his head

“No no it's fine, I'm flattered just…” He tilts his head, he's not sure what really. “I don't know” He laughs, Logan gives an uneasy smile but shrugs. “Hmm...Diana Bernard?” Patton reads “She's playing the prosecution” He informs, Logan registers a thoughtful glance. He awes as he reads her transcript “Woah she's young, twenty five years old, graduated- hey! Harvard law.” He beams, Logan finds himself intrigued. How different their reactions to the competition are. “Seems like it's going to be quite interesting!” He takes a second examining Logan's face “I'm sorry...I shouldn't be...rubbing this in your face”

“Patton, as I have told you a million times. I am fine, I chose not to rejoin the case, I don't believe in my argument anymore. It would be a waste of my time and a fight.” He lays it out, Patton moves to his side after straightening his files, a quick peck to Logans cheek before he leaves his office.

“You're never gonna get used to that” Virgil plops himself into Pattons chair, Logan leans forward, deciding to play along to the sentiment “The casual-ness of it all, soon enough it'll become routine. Hand holding, quick kisses, prolonged moments of touching, you'll literally just be inseparable”

“You make it sound like its a bad thing” Logan deciphers quickly, almost wanting Virgil to go on. Virgil chuckles through a scoff, tapping the desk, a melody emerging.

“So you're not rejoining the case?” Virgil questions, bored by the topic wishing for a pulse in his interest. Logan, bored by the same question, changes it himself.

“What do you think about James and Roman?” He pushes, Virgil sighs his memories quickly showing that of which he knows. “No I'm genuinely curious, they moved quite fast”

“Romans happy, and I think that's really all that's important” Virgl yawns, laying his head fully on the wooden desk, the cool touch calming him. “What about you and Patton? Things seem to be going really well” He mumbles, Logan almost has trouble hearing him. “He seems really happy, and you do too” Virgil notes

“I am, and I just hope tonight goes smoothly” He sighs, virgil sits up raising a frisky eyebrow “Virgil, no” Logan shuts it down instantly “Im taking the children tonight, and frankly I am quite nervous” He whispers to himself

“Hey L! Thats a big step, I know Patton he doesn't just leave his kid with anyone” Virgil nods, a gleam to his words

“Yes, and after tonight he wont be leaving me with them again” Logan laments, Virgil tilts his head. “He made a very good point, I don't know the first thing about raising children. Yes, Ive seen it done, Ive been a child and been around children. But he is correct, there is a difference between seeing them at their happiest as opposed to raising them” Logan inhales sharply, Virgil takes his hand squeezing.

“Come back to me Logan” Virgil requests, remembering Patton's own grounding methods. “Ill help you, grab a notepad, class is in session” Virgil quips, a smirk upon his determined face. After an unsure moment Logan nods, falling under the complete control of the detective. The evening goes by quickly, Virgil goes through everything he can. The basics first, then he specifies more towards his own experiences with the twins and what they need. “Ok ready? Your very first test” Logan swallows but allows Virgil to continue “First thing you do?”

“Check that the car seats are stable, then check in at the reception” He taps his foot, adjusting his tie, wanting room to breathe “Before we leave I need to make sure that they both have everything, not forgetting anything”

“You're in the car, now what?” Virgil presses, checking off a few things as Logan goes through everything.

“I secure both of them, Valerie will insist she knows how to do it but I have to check her seat” Logan chuckles, Virgil looks to his own notes, a pursed smile. I didn't tell him that… “Then we drive home, after a final check, especially Remus he gets nervous in cars” Virgil just listens, once he gets going Logans a natural

“Youve arrived home, its four pm” Virgil proposes

“Ill arrange them some healthy snacks while they watch cartoons” Logan tries not to smile, reminiscing on his cooking lesson with the pair. “Then I will help them with any work they have, Valerie will work alone and come to me if she has questions. I have to...work carefully with Remus, he gets frustrated easily” Logan rambles, Virgil barely keeps up

“L, you know these kids..” Virgil interjects, Logans eyes widen softly. “Whats next?”

“They will have around an hour of free playtime while I prepare supper, Remus will sometimes offer to help and Valerie will be outside” He rubs roughly against his forehead “Supper will commence and then I will help get them ready for the night. Remus insists on taking a bath, while Valerie enjoys a shower. They don't need help, unless specified?” He checks, Virgil nods

“Ok, everyones ready for bed, they've eaten and done their work, its six or seven...what now?” Virgil leans forward, knowing Patton has the same thing for Damian.

“They usually decide to do something fun, giving me a moment to work if I need to. Or they will want to do something with me- er Patton…” Logan rubs his tired eyes, his mind pulsing “At eight they must be in bed, they will receive a bedtime story and final requests such as water. Then by eight thirty its lights out, except their nightlight” He yawns, the idea of rest calling to him

“Everyones in bed, final steps” Virgil teases

“Well this is more loose, usually cleaning, work or relaxing time. But once I choose to retreat to my bed for the night I must check on the twins at least twice” Logan aces his final words, before Virgil can congratulate the lawyer, Logan gains a slow smile “Im ready...Im going to be ok”

~~~

“You're really ok with me doing the ‘Alphabet Murders’ case?” James inquires, stabbing his salad again. Roman swallows his own food, nodding annoyed.

“Yes, I'm totally okay with it” Roman repeats “As I have told you a million times” James chuckles, taking his hand across the desk. “Sorry Im just...antsy” He rubs his hand back, finding comfort tracing the sweet pristine lines of James’s hand

“I heard, big meeting tomorrow” James smiles, Roman averts his gaze, feeling just slightly out of place. Here is someone who understands him, so well and yet… “You'll do great, just be you, you know what you're doing” James comforts, its true, Roman knows exactly what he’s doing. If anything, they should be nervous of him. “Wanna go over anything?”

“No I think Im good, just gotta...take a deep breath-”

“Take it all in, feel all those halogens warming your skin” Patton finishes creaking into the office. Roman laughs, James stands shaking Patton's hand. He moves to Romans side as Patton takes a seat. Soon after another body enters the room.

“Diana Bernard” She introduces, extending a hand towards Patton. He shakes it with a cheery smile. “Damn, you're nice, gonna be hard to hate you in court” She jokes, Patton chuckles sitting down as she does the same.

“Shame” He shakes his head, a playful sigh. “Patton Hart by the way” He adds, She smiles.

“Alright lets get started, you both know why you're here” Roman claps, James skims through some files, tuning himself out of the conversation. “As you know, you'll both be on the ‘Alphabet Murders’ case. Mister Sanders you will continue representing the defense” Patton nods in confirmation “And miss Bernard you will be representing the prosecution”

“That is correct” She smirks, Patton glances her way, a deep breath. “I believe you will be serving as the judge?” She asks, Roman raises his brows with a smile.

“No actually, thats why I called you in here” Roman gestures to James, the judge puts down his reading and faces the pair “James McCoy will be replacing me in this position” Patton coughs but scribbles down some things. “I assume that won't be...an issue?” He checks, Diana holds her head up high shaking it. Patton smiles, Roman snaps complete. “Great! James would like your evidence and anything from the previous case and new information by the end of tomorrow”

“Will do” Patton assures

“Perfect” Roman sighs “Youre both excused, thank you” With a quick dismissal, the pair make their way out of the office leaving a curt Roman. “Mm” He mumbles, James leans over taking his hand.

“You alright?” He wonders, Roman feels a rapid heat to his face, his heart skips only a moment. He turns to James kissing his cheek softly.

“Yeah, I actually am” He releases an amused breath, another kiss to James “Thank you” James shrugs but stands, one final look at Roman before he leaves the judge to smile in his happy thoughts. This moment, unbeknownst to Roman, would soon be over with a short yet filled text.

~~~

“Are you sure you can do this Liam?” Patton questions rushing to pack his things, the sound of the twins calling to him plunging a deep pain into his heart. “Liam!” Patton exclaims, his partner looks from the couch grumbling.

“What?” He groans, Patton pouts but keeps his breathing steady.

“The kids cupcake” Patton reminds, Liam rolls his eyes waving him off. He bites his quivering lip as the children only continue their wails. He drops his things rushing to their cribs, holding them quickly in his arms. Bobbing softly, humming a gentle tune as they calm themselves. “Sh, its alright my little angels” He assures, kissing them each softly on the head

“Theres a-” Liam interjects, burping through his pause “Car waiting for you out front” He informs. Patton sighs nodding, one more check on his children before putting them back into their crib.

“Schedules on the fridge, just make sure they eat and drink, then just if they start to cry-” He snaps in front of Liams un-observant eyes “Read or sing to them, rock them back and forth, ok?” Liam yawns “Liam, I need you to pay attention ok?” He panics, his throat clawing desperately as it tries to keep stable

“Its not that hard, I can take care of two kids for the night” Liam's voice only deepens, his aggravation clear.”Just go..ugh. And pick up another case of beer on the way home” He requests, already retreating to the couch.

“Our kids!” He corrects, his brows furrowed, his eyes shine with tears.

“Don't get emotional Patton” Liam warns, turning to the lawyer. “We wouldn't want anything bad to happen now would we?” His thin lips scowl, Pattons anger quickly turns to fear as his eyes dart to the door. “You know, I think youve been a little bit bossy tonight” Liam taps a mocking finger to his chin

“I'm sorry, just...take care of them ok?” Patton barely whispers, his body recoiling. Liam grunts, nudging Patton back a bit. “Liam please, not tonight, I have to go” Patton begs, feeling small once more. Liam scoffs, pushing harder once more, clearly wanting to go further. But alas, a knock on the door, grasping both of their attention.

“Patton? Are you ready to go?” Logans voice breaches Patton's mind, the dark clears out as the room returns to normal. “Patton?” An involuntary squeal escapes, somehow Logan hears it “Are you alright? Is he hurting you?” Logan knocks again, Liam clutches his jaw together, forcing Patton to straighten his posture.

“Go get the door, say nothing, got it?” Liam commands, Patton nods rushing. Using the ends of his perfectly pampered suit to wipe away any remains of his tears.

“Heya Lo!” He greets, a genuine smile across his face as his eyes land on his fellow lawyer. Logan makes an uneasy glance towards Liam who turns towards the kitchen, a concerned hand is taken between the lawyers.

“Are you alright?” He whispers, Patton squeezes Logans careful hand. “Patton?” The lawyer nods, closing his eyes as he confirms his lie.

“We should go!” Patton resets, his entire body depleting any previous feelings. Logan, though still wary, felt it best to get Patton away. So they set off.

~~~

“Remus come on, its dinner time” Logan asks once more, the boy grumbles but kicks the ground as he stumbles towards the lawyer. He lifts him up, placing him delicately into his chair next to Valerie. Once they are settled he serves them his homemade meal. A delicious mac and cheese, a side of sauteed broccoli and fresh juice. Not that they would ever know what that meant.

“Mac and cheese!” They cheer together, delighted laughs, Logan takes this as his chefs praise.

“Bon appetit!” He gleams, shaking his head instantly.

“Bone apple teeth?” Valerie questions, Logan chuckles stroking her head. She cocks her head, Remus begins digging in.

“Close enough Val” He assures, as they eat away, talking through full mouths of gooey delight, Logan moves to t he kitchen. Washing away slowly at the dishes, watching the twins. The night moves on quickly, once their food is finished Logan assists the children get ready for the evening. A very messy bubble bath with Remus and a long shower for Valerie and the twins are cosy in their pajamas. Relaxing, cuddled onto Logan as they prepare to watch a fun movie.

“I wanna watch ‘Chowder’!” Remus insists, poking excited at Logans face. Valerie yawns leaning her head on Logans lap.

“Not a movie stupid” She comments, Logan situates them both carefully. “Sleepy” She pouts in his face, he kneels in front of them on the floor.

“No name calling Valerie” He reminds with a calm tone “And Remus, we should watch something everyone will enjoy ok?” He suggests, they share a glance but nod. Soon enough the trio decide to watch ‘Coco’ and settle in with some snacks. Though a very amazing movie, and enjoyable, the twins fall asleep fast. Valerie takes her stride moving to her room almost instantly. Wishing a sweet goodnight to Logan.

“Nighty night” She places a kiss on his cheek, standing on the soft couch as she clutches to her stuffed animal. After a quick hop, she disappears into her room. Remus fights a little longer, kicking and moaning everytime Logan offers he give in for the night. Alas, the small boy had a long day and couldn't hold out much longer, soon enough his head falls into Logan as he shuts off. Clearly dreaming away, the sweet adventure of his mind running. Logan finds his own self falling to the mercy of the night, his own mind resting. Even through some trial, Remus waking every so often, Logan finds a way.

“Thats wha- oh!” Patton quiets instantly as he steps into his warm home. He closes the door ever so softly behind him, holding the phone to his ear. “Virge I gotta go, ill talk to you later”

Patton tries not to ‘aw’ audibly as his breath disappears. His eyes falling onto a sleeping Logan, protecting Remus with his arms. He sets his things down, putting away all his necessary items before moving towards the couch. He strokes away Logans loose hair, kissing his forehead softly, Logan stirs awake. A confused blink of his eyes as he wakes to a smiling Patton.

“Oh” He yawns, adjusting so he can face Patton. “Guten morgen” He greets, his mind still fuzzled. Patton chuckles leaning himself on the couch. Logan leans in kissing him, pulling away with a sleepy smile.

“I think its time for you to sleep, come on” He gestures, Logan takes a still snoring Remus in his arms but follows Patton to the hallway. They stop in front of the twins room, Patton takes Logans yawning cheek. “Thank you Lo, for everything”

“No need to thank me, I love your children. They're wonderful and creative and kind and-” He pauses, stifling yet another yawn. Patton chuckles. “Oh, Remus was having trouble sleeping, so I suggest maybe he stay in your room for the evening” Logan proposes, Pattons heart takes control, breaking through any grounding he set up. He leans in kissing Logan, not wanting to pull away from the perfect fit.

“I love you” He promises, even after the silence, he still smiles. Whether or not the feeling was returned, he knew it was real, there, true and...happy.

“I love you too” Logan admits, even though a question in his mind, the answer fell out instead. Patton purses a squealing smile. Before they can make any sudden movements, Remus coughs on Logans shoulder, sitting up.

“I love you too!” He cheers before his head promptly falls asleep once more in the comfort of Logans arms. Shared laughter before the night concludes. Each person falling asleep with a complete sensation of joy. Even Patton forgets a threatening call he received earlier.

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ts-daydream-au-fanartfunart · 5 years

Note

Guys... you should start to head back to the kingdom I have a feeling something bad is going on there...

There aren’t any dragons in any rooms to address, obviously.... whatever are you talking about?

#Deceit Sanders #Shapeshifter!Deceit #Roman Sanders #I need a tag for this roman.#RoFake?#idk.#joan and talyn #Joan Strokes (character)#TS Talyn (character)#daydream au #answered asks

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raidahblossom · 4 years

Note

Okay, but a TS Hamilton au sounds amazing! Could you tell me more about it?

:O Absolutely!!

Okay so I'm just gonna say who's who because y'know- there's A LOT to cover for this AU

There's a lot of characters in Hamilton and Thomas has a lot of characters too, but I'm just gonna focus on Sanders Sides Characters roles for now:

Janus as Hamilton

Album aesthetic, grabs opportunities when they see them, lawyer association

Character! Thomas as Eliza

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?, cinnabuns, just wants to live their lives

Logan as Burr

Is constantly pushed to the side, waits to give their opinions until the time is right

Roman as Angelica

Threw away their shots for people they cared for (Thomas and Eliza), aesthetic

Virgil as Laurens

Close friendship that got broken because they left in some way or the other (left this life or left the Others), also Anxceit angst-

Remus as Peggy

Mainly because Roman is Angelica but also because I cam see him being like 'Dad told us to behave!' but saying it in a cheeky way

Patton as Theodosia Sr.

A parental figure, Logan is Burr and Patton and Logan have a parental dynamic in a way, Logicality-

King Creativity as Phillip Schuyler

This part is pretty self explanatory-

Character! Joan as King George III

I think this would be hilarious, King George is such a goofy character and Joan has been known to spit a lot playing Roman (a regal character) and Jonathan Groff spits A LOT playing King George

Character! Talyn as Seabury

Seabury is babey and so is Talyn- No but seriously, they're close with Joan and King George has a close connection to Seabury

I've got a lot more but I'm gonna add on to this later-

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loganslowdown4 · 1 year

Text

Extras & Headcanons 2023

That’s The Tea Logan Photo

Zapp Brannigan/Roman Meme

Twin Snakes/Janus Candy

Zodiac Meme Logan/Remus

Logince Meme

Double Trouble/Janus She-ra Comparison

Old Thomas Pics

Maybe New Janus & Remus Sketch Coming?

Never Ending List feat. Janus

One Ticket To Barbie feat. Logan

Turn Down Music feat. Virgil

I’m Sick feat. Roman

Thomas Channel Header July 2023

They Returned Me Logince Meme

Farmer Thomas Photos 🍆

Roman 🎧

Those Hero Shots (Redux)

Sound Off Sanders Sides

Patton and Janus Tropes I Love

How Logan Feels Love (Canon)

Patton Flips Off

Logan’ sLow down

Thomas Pic 2020

Logan Missing Poster

1000 followers!?!

Young Wholesome Headshots

Sweeney Todd Casting (Aug 2023)

Theories In A Cafe (Ft. Deceit)

Anime Opening Logince Stuff

Talyn’s Coffee Order (from patreon livestream)

Over The Garden Wall Comic/Sides Detail

Logince Drabble (based on my quote)

Sanders Sides Stills w/Eye Colours

A Lil Logince Youtooz (Sep/23)

Crofters The Musical Appreciation Post

Accidental Renaissance Painting (DnD Slide Short)

SaSi Draw Your Squad of Accidental Renaissance

‘JUST Good Friends’ Stills

Getting Choked Up Over ‘JUST Good Friends’

2022 Calendar Art SaSi (& RWR Crack Theory)

Logince in SaSi Kids Cereal Mini Youtooz

Me As Quil Logince

Pre-Fanders Quil (Only SaSi Kids Cereal Mini Youtooz Plush)

Sweeney Todd Father/Daughter Selfie (Oct /23)

Green Screen BTS Shots from Anime Opening (Patreon Oct /23)

Daily Remus/Astrology Bot

Janus & Logan Created The Devils Plan (Netflix)

Patton Silly Meme

Nico’s 3rd Birthday (Oct 10/23)

Mini Plush Logince Moment

Sanders Sides + Text Posts Part 5

Logince Green Screen Junk

R&P Fan Cast

Sanders Sides + Text Posts Part 6

Sanders Sides + Text Posts Part 7

LNTAO 5th Anniversary

1st Anniversary Of Into The Unknown

Duality of Man Oct 2023

Equally Stupid Royality

Lee Calls BS

Roman Heels

Logan’s Birthday Message 2023

November Meme (Mean Months)

Inside Out 2 Anxiety

My Roommate Is Hades B99 Meme

Logan Pics Different Looks

Dreamy Thomas (floral shirt 2020)

Janus Shirt (Literally Don’t Care)

Fandom Ranking Tumblr 2023

Happy 4th Kill In The Blank/Detective Sanders

Scott Pilgrim Meme

When Logan Is Roman’s Secret Santa (Nov 23 Patreon Livestream)

Helios/Janus Lore Olympus Vol 5

Spamb0t Meme

Ncuti Sides

Sanders Sides All The Extras 4

What’s Going On In My Head Meme

Cool Dad Far Side Mug (Short)

The Smile The Reason Meme (Logince)

Mindpalace Lilly’s Birthday Dec 19

TS CHARACTER BIRTHDAY LIST 2023

The Smile/ The Reason (platonic anxceit)

I’m Featured Fander/Perfect Gift Reaction Video

Lego Fortnite Livestream Shoutout Dec 2023

Janus Hoodie (yellow skull flowers)

Incorrect Quotes Meme

New Banner 2024

Just Minding Your Own Business meme

Surrounded By Idiots (Logan Book)

Back To The Grind (WTIT Meme)

#masterlist

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purgatory-is-life · 4 years

Text

Darker Than He Seems

This is a Sanders Sides fanfic I wrote a while ago, don’t @ me. The plot is kinda confusing.

Summary: Roman's dark past is slowly catching up to him, after Can LYING Be Good. Twists and turns are on every path, darkness threatening Patton and Logan's happiness, Virgil is panicking more than usual, slowly reverting back to how he was before... Pride left the Dark Sides, and Creativity came into the play.

CHAPTER THREE: Halloween Outfits; Halloween Surprises

Previous//Next

Chapter TW; cursing, arguing, let me know what I missed

(This chapter features everyone’s favorite nonbinary pals, Talyn and Joan! I used google translate a lot And Joan and Talyn can see the Sides because I said so)

Thomas

I set a blanket on Joan and Talyn, both had fallen asleep while editing. The two were so peaceful. “Aww, aren’t they just amazing!” I jumped and turned around. Patton was standing right behind me, smiling. He was in his cat onsie. “Annd happy Halloween, Thomas!”

“Hey Pat, happy Halloween, but be quiet, we don’t want to make them up. And is your cat onsie your costume?”

“Oh, right. Sorry Thomas! Guess the cat’s out of the bag!” Patton giggled.

“No,” Logan rose up. “I was having a decent evening please fo not ruin it with your puns, Patton.” Logan was in his unicorn onsie.

“Logan, please don’t be so harsh!”

“Logan, Patton, please be quiet, Talyn and Joan have been editing al night.”

“Sorry Thomas!”

“My apologies, Thomas. Patton’s puns tend to get on my last nerve.”

“Well, nice costumes. Have you seen Virgil and Roman yet?”

“You called?” Roman rose up. At first glance, he was in his normal outfit. At second glance, it was indeed different. The usual white shirt was black, with silver accents, and along with his usual red sash, he had a dark red cape, plus red contacts. We all stared. “I know, I know, a little extra, but look who your talking too! I found this in my closet next to an old crown prop I have and I just thought; Perfecto!”

While he continued rambling, on and off in Spanish, Logan shrugged at Patton and me. “And Virgil of course was like, ‘esto no funcionará’, but i lo ignoró in favor of-”

“Slow down, Kiddo. And try to be a little quieter. That’s um... An interesting costume! What made you come up with it?”

“Sorry, Padre. And, thank you! Actually, I was inspired by the Dark Sides, por extraño que parezca algunos tienen excelente gusto en la moda, and take it from someone quien les da consejos de moda constantemente!”

“Well, it’s very creative Roman. Have you seen Virgil?”

“Hm? Wait, he isn’t here? Severus Dreary was supposed to come up with me and we’s make a gran enterance together!”

“I doubt that Virgil agreed to that.” Joan walked over sleepily. “Nice costume Roman.”

“Gracias, Joan!”

Then Virgil decided to pop up, scaring all of us. I disagree with everything Roman just said. Even know Spanish, I just get it was a bad thing.”

“Virgil, Kiddo, don’t be like that! Nice costume, by the way!”

“Thanks, Dad,” Virgil smiled slightly at Patton. This was sure to be a good month of Halloween.

#sanders sides #sanders sides fanfiction #purgatory creates #roman sanders #sympathetic light sides #character!thomas #patton sanders #logan sanders #joan and talyn #ts sides #dark side roman #pride!roman #pride!roman au #chapter three

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shenanigan-au · 4 years

Text

Character roles!!

So hey, I know I haven’t done much with this au cause I didn’t really know what I wanted to do except make it, but I’m gonna post now who’s in this au and what they do for the show! You can ask questions about them (or to them I guess) this is just gonna be a chill vibey kind of thing. Nothing really plot wise just some shenanigans!!

OKAY, so characters!!

The Stunt people!

Remus, Roman, Virgil, Patton, Dee (I made this before his name reveal), Joan. Thomas, Logan, and Remy do some stunts as well (if coerced)

The producers!

Thomas, Remus and Joan!

Camera people!

Loagan, Patton (sometimes), Remy, Adri and Camden.

Editors!

Talyn, Camden, Joan, Thomas.

Other roles!

Adri does behind the scenes stuff for funsies.

Emile is a medical professional incase any of them hurt themselves with stunts.

(I feel like I’m missing some roles so if anyone has suggestions send them over!)

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dmitri-writes · 5 years

Text

Halloween~Familial Anxeitmus

INFO -requested by a wattpad user -human au -Dadceit -Virgil and Thomas are Dee's sons -ft. a nice old black lady -implied Talyn and Virgil friendship! -implied Roceit friendship!

TRIGGER WARNINGS -

***

"Dad look!" Ethan Sanders smiles at his six-year-old son Thomas' Halloween costume. "I'm the hulk!" Thomas puts his arms in a flexing position and Ethan laughs. "You look great! Where's your brother?" Thomas points to their bathroom, "He's still in there." Ethan knocks on the door, "Virgil, are you almost done?" The door opens and twelve-year-old Virgil steps out in a vampire costume, fake blood on his chin. "Yeah. Are you not dressing up dad?" Ethan shakes his head and Virgil frowns, "Sit down, I'm gonna do your make up." Ethan laughs but does as he's told. "Talyn showed me how to do this," Virgil says as he applies the makeup. After a few minutes, Ethan is handed a mirror and he looks into it.

Virgil had used fruit netting and green eye shadow to make fake snake scales on one side of his face. He had a line going out from the side of his mouth and a spot around his eye. Thomas hands him a black and yellow cape Roman had left here yesterday and Virgil hands him a bowler hat. Ethan puts them on and Virgil smiles, "Now we're ready to go out." The three of them grab their plastic pumpkins and leave, locking the door. They stop by their neighbors and get some candy, Virgil not afraid since he knew them. Thomas grins as he holds a small mnm bag. Ethan puts it back in his bucket, "Let's not eat the candy yet, okay?"

As they get further down the street, Virgil becomes more nervous, Holding on to Thomas so they stay close to each other. Ethan watches from the sidewalk. After a couple more houses, Ethan sees Virgil shaking. He grabs his son's hand and smiles, "I'll go up with you okay?" Virgil nods and they walk up to the small white house with Thomas. Deceit knocks and a small dog barks, startling Virgil. Ethan gives his hand a firm squeeze. An old black lady opens the door with a wide smile, "Oh look at you boys! What a cool hulk, and scary vampire!" She reaches into her mixed candy bag and gives both the boys a handful. Ethan thanks her and goes to leave, "Wait, don't you want some too young man?" Ethan smiles and shakes his head, "I'm just here to keep my boys safe."

Thomas takes Ethan's bucket and holds it out to the lady, and she puts in a handful of candy, "Parents deserve some candy too, especially with a costume as cool as that." Virgil smiles, proud of his work, and Ethan takes his bucket back, "Thank you, ma'am." The lady smiles and waves them goodbye. After a few more houses they turn back and go home, buckets filled with candy. Ethan checks all the candy as Thomas and Virgil change into pajamas and they munch down while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. The kids both sugar crash and fall asleep before the movie ends and Ethan carries them to their rooms, tucking them in and whispering "I love you"'s.

#virgil sanders #thomas sanders #deceit sanders #sanders sides oneshots #ts deceit #ts virgil #anxceitmus #familial anxceitmus #sanders sides #sanders sides au #character thomas #dmitri-writes #ethan deceit sanders #dadceit #ts talyn #ts roman #roman sanders

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how-to-survive-a-factory-tour · 4 years

Text

How to Survive A Factory Tour - Chapter 20

A Sanders Sides / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory FanFiction

----------

The three of us walk through the courtyard - well, I say three, but I don’t really know about Logan and Roman, since I can’t see them - and head to the gates. Logan was right about the media being here, there are even more people here now than there were this morning. Safe to say, I’m glad we have these cloaks. I’d rather not have all these people grilling me on what happened to all of us.

“Patton!” I jump a little as I hear Roman’s voice whispering.

“Yeah?”

“I just told Logan - find your parents or family or whoever and take them to the alley just down the street to the left. Then we’ll do the big reveal to them all, out of sight from anyone else.”

I give him a nod, before remembering he can’t see me. “Got it!”

The gate’s opened slightly, I assume by Logan, and we all slip out. I immediately start looking through the crowd, trying to find my parents and Emile. As I do, I see two men being dragged through the crowd by an invisible force towards the alley, as well as Joan and Talyn being dragged the same way from the other side of the crowd.

After gently squeezing past a few people, I finally catch sight of Emile. I run over to him, and whisper. “Emile! It’s me!”

He turns around. “Patton? Where are you? Are you a ghost…?”

I chuckle. “No, but I’m invisible! I have an invisibility cloak. Now,” I take his hand, “grab Ma and Pa and get them to follow you. I need to take you somewhere before I reveal myself.”

“Okay!” he tugs on Ma’s shirt. “Ma, Pa, follow me!”

Before they can respond, Emile starts dragging them, and I lead the way. Despite my parents’ protests, we make it to the alley, where Joan and Talyn, and the two men I assume are Roman’s fathers, are standing, confused.

Suddenly, Roman’s voice speaks, shocking them all. “You there, Patton?”

“Yup!” I respond, making my parents shocked as well.

“Good!” and Roman pulls off his invisibility cloak.

“Roman!” one of his dads gasps. “What on earth happened to you?” He starts picking at the small clumps of caramel Roman still has stuck to him.

“Long story,” Roman replies, shrugging him off. “One that I’d rather not say when news reporters are just around the corner. All of us are gonna save the stories for when we get back to the hotel room. Now, Patton, Logan? You should probably reveal yourselves too.”

I try my best to shift the cloak off of me, though it’s hard with my crutches. However, I eventually get it off. As I do, my Pa pales, and Ma and Emile gasp. “What happened to your leg?!”

I shrug. “It’s not too bad. And I’ll explain at the hotel room. Ooh!” I turn to Roman. “Or, all of us could come back to our room so the three of us can explain together!”

Roman nods. “Good idea, Pat.”

There’s a pause as we wait for Logan to reveal himself. However, he doesn’t. Roman raises an eyebrow. “Um, Logan? Gonna take off your cloak?”

“Um… I-I’d rather not…”

“You’re going to have to eventually, Lo.” I give a reassuring smile in the general direction I think he’s standing. “It’ll be alright. I’m so no one will judge you too hard.”

There’s a pause, before a sigh. The cloak slips off.

Unsurprisingly, his appearance gets the biggest reaction, and Joan and Talyn are the most surprised. “What. The actual. Fuck,” Joan mumbles.

Logan’s face flushes in embarrassment, and tugs at his shirt, trying and failing to get it over his stomach to hide as much as he can. “I, um… I’ll explain later… you know, um, with the others…” He stumbles over his words, not looking anyone in the eye, choosing instead to look down at his feet. “Um… speaking of, can we please just head back to the hotel now? I really don’t want to risk anyone seeing me, and being just around the corner from a bunch of reporters is making me really nervous…”

Roman nods. “In that case, let’s g-!”

“Where’s Virgil?”

Everyone in the alley turns to see Thomas stood there at the opening, looking between us all. “Is he under a cloak or something too? Please tell me he’s here.”

I hurriedly go over to him, seeing him looking panicked. “Hey, kiddo, it’s okay! He’s not here, but he’s not hurt. He’s still in the factory because, well… he kinda won it.”

“He what?”

“All will be explained back at Patton’s family’s hotel room,” Roman responds. “Now we should probably go.”

He pulls back on his invisibility cloak, and Logan and I follow suit, Logan much quicker than me. Roman then calls out. “Okay, Patton, lead the way! … Or I guess Patton’s family because we can’t see Patton.”

Emile ends up leading, my parents still taken aback by, well, everything. The rest of us follow along, heading through the street. It’s now I notice something out of the corner of my eye, up in the sky. I look up, and oh my gosh!

It’s the lift from the factory! It’s flying! Virgil and Wonka are inside. I think about waving before remembering that I can’t be seen.

I really am going to miss Virgil. And Roman. And Logan. Especially Logan. After today, it feels so weird that we’re all just going to go back to our normal lives. Living far apart from each other, only talking over texts, calls, video chats… I hope Lo and I can make long distance work. God, we haven’t even parted yet and I’m already sentimental and missing everyone!

Though… I guess I shouldn’t say ‘normal lives’. Virgil’s is going to be far from normal now. He’s running the best factory in the world! And, um, I think it’s safe to say that Logan’s isn’t going to be normal either. It’ll probably be hard to live normally when he’s all purple and swollen. Poor guy… I’m gonna video call him every night, make sure he’s okay, reassure him I love him so so much no matter what, and just… try and make his life as easy as it can be for him, I guess.

I hope his family doesn’t use it as an excuse to treat him worse, though…

When we arrive at the hotel, we head back to my family’s room and we toss off our cloaks once the door is closed.

“Okay, can you please explain what the frick happened?!” Joan asks as we all take seats either on the beds or the couch, me slipping off my crutches.

“Okay, so, everything started normally enough,” Roman starts. “We went to a room called the Chocolate Room, which was like a meadow where everything was made of candy. It. Was. Awesome! We just got to chill, and eat whatever we wanted. ”

“Then we went to a room that was pretty similar called Dessert Island,” I add. “It was an island where everything was made from desserts and puddings, and it was surrounded by an ocean of lemonade! But, uh… I fell in the ocean, and before I could get out, I, um… got dragged away by orcas made out of marshmallow and liquorice…”

“What?!” Ma comes and kneels in front of me, checking over me.

“It’s okay, Ma, I’m okay. Well, mostly. My leg got really badly hurt, but apart from that, I’m good. Anyway, I don’t know what happened after that, so...” I turn to Logan, who sighs.

“So, um, we went to a room called the Inventing Room after that. As you can probably guess, it’s where Wonka invents his newest sweets. And, um… I interacted with an unstable machine, and it… well…” He trails off, mumbling the ending.

“You’re not gonna be able to get away without telling us, Logan,” Talyn replies, folding their arms.

“... Can’t I? Please?”

The hard stare he gets in response is enough to get him to talk. “I, um… the machine was a teleporter. I went through with a jar of pomegranate and blackberry Crofters- “

“You took Crofters into the factory with you? Into a factory that already has a bunch of food? You really have a problem...” Joan says, raising an eyebrow. “Also, you didn’t have a bag or a coat with big pockets, how’d you get it in?”

“It wasn’t mine. It’s a long story. But, uh, there was a defect with the teleporter that meant it reconstructed all organic matter together. So, my DNA was fused with that of the jam’s fruit. This caused me to, uh...to turn into a giant pomegranate-blackberry hybrid.”

“Or ‘pomeberry’, as I put it,” Roman adds.

“I’m sorry, what?” Talyn asks, looking just as confused as everyone else in the room. “What do you mean you turned into a fruit?”

“I mean I turned purple before filling with juice and swelling up into a ten foot ball. I had to be rolled away to be juiced, which was… an experience I don’t even want to get into.”

“I am actually intrigued by that-”

“Nope, Roman, I’m not talking about it. It’s embarrassi- ow!”

“Sorry,” Joan apologises, looking not at all sorry and poking Logan’s stomach a second time, listening as it sloshes in response. “It really is juice and not fat, huh…?”

“Yep… Anyway, Roman, over to you.”

“Right! So, after Logan was rolled off, it left only the three of us: myself, Virgil, and Ethan. We continued on, led by Mr Wonka, looking at other rooms. It was nice and normal, until we entered the Rock Candy Mines. It was a gorgeous place. Deep caverns filled with glistening gemstones, that were in fact rock candy. As we explored deeper and deeper, I heard a strange rumbling coming from a cavern to my right. So, I went to investigate. And that’s where I found it…

“A dragon! At least fifty feet long, made entirely of rock candy. It’s teeth and claws were as sharp as daggers.

“I knew, from the moment I saw it… I had to slay this foul beast.”

This gains a reaction from his dads. “You WHAT?!”

“Luckily there was a sword nearby and I leapt into action! The dragon put up a good fight, but it was no match for me. I stabbed it in the eye, and got on its back, ready to stab it right through the heart!

“...When I tripped. Luckily the dragon didn’t breath fire. It, uh, breathed caramel instead. I was encased, stuck as a caramel statue. I needed to be chiselled out, or else my oxygen supply would run out. So, I was taken away to be saved. However, I wasn’t quite yet.”

“None of us were,” I take back over the story. “After the whales eventually let me go, a bunch of snakes appeared and swam up to me. They wrapped around my wrists and ankles, trying to drown me.”

“Snakes kept destroying the juicer before I could be juiced. Whenever it was fixed, it would be broken again, and I was left so long I began to ‘ripen’.”

“Venomous snakes and constrictors killed all the workers who were supposed to chisel me out. Luckily after they’d chiselled me an airhole, so I could at least breathe.”

“We all could have died, but luckily Virgil went to the bathroom at this point! And the bathroom was right by the whale enclosure, so he heard the commotion of the workers confused as to why I hadn’t surfaced yet. Virgil came to the rescue, diving in and saving me! He pulled the snakes off, killed them, and pulled me up to the surface. The workers bandaged my leg and gave me these crutches. Virgil guessed that, if I wasn’t saved, the other two might not have been either. So we headed off to the Juicing Room!”

“Where I was starting to slowly ripen.”

“You keep saying that, 'ripen',” Talyn interrupts. “What do you mean ‘ripen’?”

“It would take me three or so hours to do so completely, and if I did so, there would be a fifty-fifty chance of me either being stuck like that, or… exploding.”

“WHAT?!”

“It’s fine, I did not explode, and I only got partially stuck, as you can see. Virgil arrived and killed the snakes breaking the juicer. It was fixed, and the juice that could be squeezed out was. However, there was good news and bad news. The bad was that my binder broke. The good… well…” Logan looks to me, face flushing bluey-purple. I smile in return, taking his hand.

“Since I was scared for Logan’s life at the time, I decided it was the best time to proclaim my love and kiss him… and now we’re dating. So, Ma, Pa, meet my boyfriend.”

“Way to go, Logan!” Joan grins. “Finally got yourself a partner.”

Logan flushes. “Shut up…”

Ma smiles at the two of us. “I think it’s sweet. Just promise me, Logan, you’ll treat my boy right.”

“Maaa…”

Logan chuckles a little. “Trust me, Dot, I definitely will. I mean, if he can love me despite me being part fruit, he deserves the absolute best.”

“Aww, LoLo!” I pull him close, kissing his head. “You’re so sweet…”

“Pat-”

“Get it? Sweet? Sweet like a fruit?”

Logan groans. “Aaand you ruined it.”

“Anyway, back to the tale!” Roman speaks up - I think he might be annoyed we took the attention from him. “I was still trapped in my candy prison, when Virgil and Patton ran in, Logan having passed out in the lift from exhaustion. Which is why I’m so curious about the juicing process, like how did it make you so tired?”

“I told you, Roman, I’m not saying.”

Roman huffs, folding his arms. “Fine… Anyway, they ran in, but the snakes that killed the workers began coming out of hiding. They advanced on us, and I tried to call to Virgil and Patton to warn them, but alas, my mouth was still covered. By the time Virgil freed my mouth and I could cry out, the snakes had us surrounded. It seemed, we were doomed… But then! A miracle in the form of a vat of caramel tipping over arrived, and the snakes were encased, frozen solid, just like I. We were safe, and it was all thanks to Logan, who had woken up, and pushed over the vat.”

“My hero.” I hug Logan close yet again, pressing a kiss to his cheek, and causing him to blush once more. Roman, apparently annoyed that we’re interrupting the story for a second time, quickly continues.

“Anyway, Virgil finished breaking me out, letting it slip that he found me ‘dashing’ and ‘handsome’ in the process, but then he told us that he believed Ethan may have been the one behind it. So! We went and confronted him! And Virgil was right. He was the snake in the grass the whole time.”

“Wait, so he tried to kill you…?” Emile asks, sitting on the bed beside me, and looking up at me with worry in his eyes.

“It’s okay, kiddo, we’re all okay. But he didn’t initially mean to kill us. He was actually on the first Wonka tour, and got the snake face due to an incident on it. Apparently, Wonka rigged the tour so that all but one of the kids got into ‘incidents’, the last being who he saw fit to become his heir. Ethan was mad that Wonka hurt the kids for no reason, and wanted revenge.”

“He initially wanted his parents to sue for the damages caused,” Logan takes over. “However, they refused, thinking the incident ‘cured his pathological lying’ that he suffered with as a child. Then, as years went by, things happened to all the other children who were on that first tour which increased Ethan’s desire for revenge: Charlie, the boy who became Wonka’s heir, died in an accident at the factory. A girl called Veruca’s dad’s business went bankrupt. And a boy called Augustus developed an eating disorder which took his life. When the next tour came around, Ethan planned our… ‘demises’, in the hopes we’d do what his parents hadn’t and sue Mr Wonka. He didn’t intend to kill us at first. However, that plan fell apart when Mr Wonka made us sign a contract first thing, saying he would take no responsibility for any accidents that may occur.”

“So he decided to try and kill us instead, the monster!”

“Roman! You’re being too harsh!”

“He wanted to murder us, Patton!”

“He had a scarring childhood! He’s damaged.”

“Cool motive, still murder!”

“Well, it was attempted murder; we all survived,” Logan corrects.

“And he regretted it right after, it was just too late to take the order he gave to his snakes back.”

“His snakes?” one of Roman’s dads asks.

“As well as getting a snake face, he got the ability to talk to them,” Roman explains. “They helped him organise his dastardly plans.”

“Why exactly did he jump from wanting you to sue to wanting you dead?” Joan asks, trying to turn the conversation back to where it was. “I fail to see how he got from A to B.”

“The way he saw it, if at least one of us didn’t leave the factory, and the rest of us spread word of what happened to them, people would become outraged enough for Wonka’s business to drop so much, he’d get closed down or go bankrupt,” Logan explains. “As Patton said, it didn’t hit him just how horrifying his orders were until it was too late. Luckily, Virgil saved us, so Ethan has no blood on his hands. He apologised to us, promised he’d stay away and out of our lives for good, and left.”

“Well, I should hope he’d leave you alone,” Pa says. “Should we call the police on him or something?”

“Please don’t, Pa. I think he deserves a second chance.”

“I don’t,” Roman mutters.

“I agree with Patton,” Logan says. “The world isn’t completely ‘black and white’. I think Ethan will learn and grow, given how torn up he seemed. Not to mention, as the crime took place on American soil, he’d be tried here if he were arrested, and I do not trust the American prison and law system at. All.”

“But what about Virgil?” Thomas asks. I almost forgot he was here! “If he didn’t get into an accident, and didn’t get hurt, why isn’t he here?”

“I can explain!” I take over again, mostly hoping talking will distract from the pain in my leg that just came back. And my vision’s getting a little blurry... “Wonka told us that the reason he hosted the second tour was to find a new heir, hoping someone older would be more responsible and careful, and so less likely to have an accident like Charlie.”

“We made the unanimous decision that Virgil would be the best fit,” Roman finishes. “Oh! Which reminds me, Thomas, you need to go home!”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s gonna sound weird, but I saw Virgil with Wonka in a flying elevator when we left the factory.”

“... I’m sorry, what?”

“It’s true!” I pipe up. “I saw it too!”

“Exactly. They were probably heading to pick up you and your mother to take to the factory so you could move in. You need to go or you’ll miss them!”

“Well… if that’s the case, I guess I should head off. Virgil’ll freak if he thinks I’ve gone missing.” Thomas heads to the door, but pauses before turning back to us. “Bye, I guess. It was nice meeting you all.” And with that, he leaves.

“We should probably go too,” one of Roman’s dads says. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning, and need to get packing.”

Roman turns to me and Logan and pulls us both into a hug. “It was awesome meeting you guys. Skype call as soon as possible, okay?”

“Of course! I’m really gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Pat.” Roman pulls away from the hug. “You too, Berry Boy.”

Logan does not look impressed. “I won’t miss you if that nickname sticks.”

“Welp, guess you won’t then. Farewell to thee!” And with that, he gives us a wave, before leaving with his fathers.

“We should probably go too,” Talyn says. “You know, since we’re leaving tomorrow as well.”

“Yeah…” Logan turns to me. “I guess I’ll text you lat-”

I pull him into a tight hug before he can finish. “I’m gonna miss you so so much! We can make long distance work, right?”

Logan chuckles. “Pat, I’m sure we can. I love you so much.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

I smile, before pressing my lips to his. I’m never gonna get over the fact they taste like pomegranate and blackberry, it’s so awesome!

“Paaaaat, you’re being gross!!!”

I chuckle as I pull away, turning to Emile. “Sorry, Em, you’re gonna have to get used to it. It’s what boyfriends are like together, and Lo and I are gonna be kissing whenever he comes round to visit.” I turn back to Logan. “You’re definitely coming to visit soon.”

Logan smiles. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“I love you, Lo.”

“I love you too, Pat.” Logan pecks a final kiss to my cheek, before standing up. He, Joan and Talyn head to the door, and… I think Logan waves to me? I can’t really tell… My vision’s getting more blurry…

My leg really really hurts…

Did someone just turn off the lights? Everything is going dark...

Maybe… maybe I’ll just take a nap for a bit...

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Taglist: @clone-number-1, @pumpkinminette, @i-have-n0-idea-what-im-d0ing, @jessicakennedy957, @why-should-i-tell-youu2, @lesbianimeme

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