Chapter Text
As he watched Logan flinch at the harsh words Patton knew, deep in his heart, that fixing this would take a toll on him. Part of him wanted to go lay down with Virgil, he was probably still anxious, and simply let them run out of steam. He had even thought about it earlier.
In spite of himself, he took a step forward. Then another. Even though it went against the fear rising in his chest, he looked up.
"Guys..."
Both of them turn in his direction.
"Take a breath. It's okay. We will figure this out."
Each of the three men breathe, and it felt amazing. The oxygen helped them, made them more calm. It flowed through their veins.
"Now, one person speak, what are you arguing about? Virgil and I couldn't get a word in, or understand most of it."
There was a moment where nothing happened, silence filling the room. Then, Logan began to speak. As he went on, his voice stopped shaking.
"I've been worried about our finances recently. We have enough, don't misunderstand me, but I still worry nonetheless. Roman told me he wants to quit his job and look for another one, but I'm really nervous about the money."
After Logan made it clear he was done speaking, Pattons voice took his place.
"Alright, that is totally reasonable. Do you have any questions about what he said?" He turned to the red-head in the room.
When there was no response from Roman, Patton saw it fit to continue.
As he spoke and Logan watched, he couldn't help but feel some sort of awe wash over himself. He didn't understand how Patton could do this, how he could just understand everyone's perspective at once.
"Now you can say your part, Ro." Patton's smile was extremely unreal. It looked forced, as if someone was holding his face up.
Everyone watched as Roman formed his response. It was clear he was trying, he really was, but the lack of sleep was making it hard.
"Okay, I think I have an idea." Roman started. "What if I stay where I'm working, but keep looking for other jobs. Spend a little while building a resume, things like that. Then when I get a new job I quit this one?"
Logan nodded. "That would.. that would help with this. What exactly would you want to do though? What about the pay?"
"I don't know and I don't care right now, it's almost 2 in the morning and we've been keeping Patton up."
The bystander eased his weight off of one leg and onto the other, cringing as his knee popped. It only proved Romans point.
"Yes, I understand that but we need to know these things. Our taxes will change among a plethora of other things."
"Not now, Lo, not at 2 in the morning. Tomorrow. When we've rested."
"I-"
"I'm not doing anything tonight. I'm not making Patton stand and watch us."
Logan nearly started yelling again. Something within him would not rest, there was a need in him to have everything organized and well. Until he looked up to Patton and saw him without his usual smile. He was lacking in his caring act, too.
For a moment it almost seemed as if time stopped. Patton braced for shouting that never came.
"I'm sorry." Logan stated.
"No, no, you don't have to be." Patton said, becoming less tense, smiling yet again.
"I'm not compromising on this. You should never feel the need to cringe like that because of me."
All that Patton could do was nod. His head had started to hurt, and his leg had been aching for God knows how long. He didn't really want to respond, but he needed to. "Its fi-"
The body wrapped around him was warm, and so was Virgil's voice.
That's all he really thought about as he opened his eyes. The sun was shining through the window, casting a yellow hue onto the bedroom. He could see that much.
"Where are the other two?"
"They're still fighting, this time over you working. You passed out, love, you need to rest." Virgil winced slightly.
"Im sorry I couldn't do more. I tried, Virge." Patton muttered. Virgil sat up, back against the headboard, and he rested his head on his chest. They had done this all the time as kids, it was routine.
"I know you did. You always try so hard. You need to take a break for now. Let me be the one to try."
And for once, he might just let him. "Can you, Can you play with my hair?"
Virgil did. He would do so much more if he would just ask.
A few hours passed by, both of them just dozing off. They would talk about something for a little while, and then go back to whatever they were doing.
The simplicity of it all was calming to both of them. Being with eachother helped, too.
Patton opened his eyes when he heard footsteps. Roman and Logan walked into the bedroom, red eyed and yawning.
They got in bed together, cuddling and giving light touches.
Apparently they had figured it out. The yelling had stopped. Patton felt like he could finally let go.
The three gave him all of their attention, and before long he was asleep.
Right where he needed to be.