Chapter Text
Chpt 4
After getting the prints, Patton felt Jack’s posture straighten, and a worried look cross his face as Logan began to talk about the process of a CT scan.
“This procedure, it makes patients nervous, so your reaction is completely valid. I will give you an IV that allows us to see your brain more clearly, and the machine is virtually silent due to our advanced technologies in our Lab space.” he said, “It will take thirty minutes to an hour to get the images we need, but afterwards we can take a break.” Logan added, pushing up his glasses.
Jack just nodded, and stood to be directed. Patton followed Logan and the snake man over to the machine where it was already prepped. Patton saw Jack get even more twitchy as he sat down and Logan attached the IV to his arm. He decided to step in.
“Hey Jack, I’m going to need you to breathe with me. In and out. That's it.” Patton sat beside him, he was shaking, “I know things like this can make you very nervous but you are so brave, just remember to breathe. The machine won’t even touch you, you just need to sit still while we take a look, maybe we can understand what happened.” Patton spoke softly while he watched the visitor relax.
“I assure you it will be more boring than frightful. I have had to go through and execute this task many times.” Logan tried to reassure, a sad expression flicking over his face for a second before he could school it. Any normal person would have missed it, but that was a problem for another day.
“Now, I am going to need you to lay down on the bed of the machine. If you are exceptionally uncomfortable, we can give you sedatives to ease you to sleep before we begin.” Logan offered, and Jack violently nodded his head yes.
“Fine, I will retrieve them.” The doctor stepped away from the machine and walked over to another counter.
“You’ll be okay kiddo, I know that Logan won't let anything happen to you.” Patton spoke softly.
“Robot…” Jack muttered, low enough so that on Patton could faintly hear him.
“Now Jack, that wasn't very kind.” Patton chastised. He knew Logan must have had a reason to block emotions, and if you tried you could see he was very expressive.
Logan returned with another syringe before Jack could get another word in, and proceeded to repeat the process. He cleansed the syringe and went back to the other counter as the snake was drifting off.
“Patton, if you would accompany me to the observation and control room we can proceed,” Logan invited, arranging Jack’s now unconscious body on the tray.
“Yep! Meet you there!” before Patton hopped off he saw the perfect small smile that Logan hid from view.
He sighed contently as he viewed the taller man from the window in the observation room. His slender hands expertly typing in codes and instructions to the machine and his handsome eyes focused. His face was neutral if not a little negative looking. He turned around suddenly and caught Patton staring. His eyes. The beautiful steel eyes that were focused on him made him melt and bubble up all at the same time. He shot a smile Logan’s way and waved a bit, and observed a shocked expression fall onto the doctor’s face before he tilted his head down and walked over to the room with long strides.
“We are not required to tend to the computer while it takes pictures, records, and assesses data.” Logan informed stalking over to a spinny desk chair and gesturing to the one beside it.
Patton happily took a seat in the comfortable chair and let a sigh escape, then a yawn.
“You are aware you don't need to accompany me yes? You can go get some rest…” Logan asked, looking down at the ground.
“Aw, it’d be so boring alone though! I don't want you to fall asleep with how dull it is!” Patton giggled, and saw something cross Logan’s features again, he couldn't make it out though. His jawline and slicked back hair were perfect, but he looked troubled.
“Is something wrong Logan?” Patton asked cautiously.
“N-no. of course not.” Logan straightened his back and his glasses. Patton really wanted to put his friend at ease.
“You know,” Patton rolled closer casually on his chair, “I’m a professional, I went to school for many years to get the proper training to help people with their issues, and I can sense you have a few.” Patton looked into Logan’s eyes with as much kindness and understanding he could muster.
“Yes? And what have you deduced?” Logan asked, looking a small bit uncomfortable, but willing to listen. This was a good step.
“That you close off emotions, most likely because you don't understand them, or you were told not to have them all your life. Maybe even both.” Patton ventured on carefully, seeing surprise slick over Logan’s face.
“May we... move onto other topics?” Logan asked, facing away to look at the computer screen.
“Sure, why don't you bring up some that you’re comfy with talkin’ about!” Patton said, using his non-therapy voice, and Logan un-tensed his shoulders. That was honestly a welcome sight in that he was calming, but also because Patton could see the muscles under his suit, and felt the giant urge to reach out and touch them. This was not the right time though.
“Hm. why do you find cooking a satisfactory hobby and or career? I mean, obviously you are exceptional at it, I just wondered how you find it entertaining, I mean, of course cooking isn’t boring, I just meant to ask why you take part in it…” Logan began ranting, scrambling for words.
“Cooking has been a hobby of mine since I was really young! Me and my moms’ and grandma would all cook together when we moved into grandma’s house. She had the best spices and exotic foods, and taught me the basic of all I know now. It takes heart and creativity to put yourself into a dish, and the best feeling is when people enjoy it and ask for more!” Patton explained, the memories were bitter-sweet though.
XxXxX
Logan noticed the fall in Patton’s shoulders and how his warm smile turned into a sad one. Oh no, emotions.
“Sorry to… conjure up.. Less than ideal memories?” Logan struggled for words that would express his horror at making the sunny psychologist sad.
“Oh no it’s perfectly fine, you didn't know!” Patton straightened and the doctor somehow felt the need to press on.
“Would you prefer to… converse? About it?” oh god, Logan knew how awkward he was and cringed at the words escaping his mouth.
“Yeah, it’s just, when my moma died, my mommy, well, she got sick and just couldn't get better. After that my grandma up and left to go grieve, and it kind of left me in a stranded place. Thinking about all of us being happy is… it brings back a bit of that grief. I don't even know if Nana knows where I am, or if she is still alive… it’s something I’ve been keeping it down for awhile, but the longer I’m up here, the more I think about them.” Patton wiped the tears in his eyes. Oh no. emotions.
“My mother died as well…” Logan attempted to comfort the usually bubbly man, “she died in childbirth, but my father was so… he was still grieving her all through my years of infantsy and so on. I was actually asked to call him ‘Mr.' and 'sir'. He was a doctor and therefore pushed me through college to get medical degrees and training.” Logan had talked too much. He just disregarded all of Patton’s feelings. Oh he was so bad at this.
“Of course Patton, your life was much more difficult than mine. I should hardly be the one complaining…” he made it worse, how had he managed to make it worse!?
“I am not the best with emotions… I’m sorry for your loss…. I apologize for my incompetence when it comes to ‘cheering’ people up.” Logan added, not looking back at Patton for fear of what face he would be making. He had his eyes metaphorically glued to his shoes. Then he heard Patton get up and walk over. Oh no. oh please no, he didn't want this to happen again...
Logan felt soft arms wrap around his torso. He looked down to see Patton… hugging him. He froze completely. He had never been embraced before, and didn't know how to respond. He carefully wrapped his arms around Patton. The shorter man was so warm and soft, Logan didn't even know how to react other than to hold tighter. It felt like Patton melted as he fell into breath with Logan, so they were breathing as one. This was such an amazing feeling. His chest and face felt warm, and he felt something in his stomach, but otherwise his mind went completely blank as Patton sat down on his lap for a better hugging angle. Logan could have died content right there.
Patton yawned and laid his head on Logan’s chest, and the crewmate made sure he didn't move too much as he wheeled over to the desk to check the monitor, which had began to produce images of the brain. He would look at it closer later, as he was already set to download the images onto his data bank. The man in his lap made the smallest noise and shifted so his legs were hanging over his lap and the chair, and the whole side of his body rested on Logan’s front. He could work around Patton like this.
Patton was so confusing! Making him feel weird emotions and feelings, making him smile, having him open up about his parents?! No one did that. No one cared enough to. There had to be an ulterior motive here. Right? There was always a motive. Colleagues, professors, everyone who interacted with him always had terrible motives.
Logan was broken from his thoughts by a small voice and a movement from Patton.
XxXxX
Patton looked up study Logan’s face, and saw his jaw was set and his eyes were glazed over, he looked very deep in thought, and judging by his expression they weren't good thoughts.
“Logan?” Patton asked quietly. He looked startled and stared down at Patton like he forgot he was there.
“Yes Patton?” Logan asked, his voice a distracted mumble as those piercing eyes pinned him on the spot.
“You looked… sad and angry. Do you want me to get off?” Patton asked, really hoping he would let him stay.
“No no, you're fine Patton. Just thinking.” Logan offered a smile.
“Okay. Just… tell me if you need anything.” Patton said, he could feel Logan’s heart slightly quicken.
Patton felt bad suddenly for being with Logan like this, he didn't even think about Logan or his preferences before being attracted and going for physical contact. He sighed and deflated onto Logan’s chest. He was probably straight or wasn't attracted to men, or maybe he was attracted to men and just not to Patton. Patton was an idiot.
He felt Logan’s arms wrap around him hesitantly and instantly relaxed into the touch. His arms were so protective and strong, his sent clean and fresh. Patton didn't feel bad for falling for him now. He felt a hand slide through his hair and shivered with pleasure. Logan pulled his hand away quickly and Patton looked up to see Logan’s worried expression.
“Was that too far?” he asked, looking scared.
Patton just giggled and took Logan’s hand in his and placed it gently back on his head. Logan looked instantly relieved. He slowly resumed running his hand absently through Patton's hair with his long slender fingers. The screen on the desk beeped and Logan moved the chair closer, then reached around Patton’s body to work and type at the computer. Patton could feel his chest and arms move as he reached and moved around to work, and Patton felt himself drifting off.
XxXxX
Logan finished his boring work after a long few hours and sat back with Patton in his arms. He had fallen asleep earlier and Logan couldn't find it in his heart to needlessly wake him. He needed sleep. Logan has seen things that had an infinitesimal amount of possibility today, and he was still surprised to see a small smile that rested on Patton’s face. Logan had already stopped the machine and had the tray slide out with Jack on it. When he would come to consciousness, he wouldn't have to wake up in the machine.
Logan suddenly felt so physically and mentally exhausted he found his eyes closing, and his mind drifting. Patton was warm and soft in his arms, and he smelt like spices and cooking. He snuggled closer and Logan couldn't stop himself from holding Patton tighter in his arms and relaxing. He gave a content sigh and let his eyes close.
He fell asleep.
XxXxX
Jack sat up slowly, peering into the window where the two doctors fell asleep. He almost felt bad for what he was going to do. Humans. So predictable, so trusting, so willing to believe a sob story and simple acting. ‘I can only speak in lies’? What a joke.
He got up carefully and slipped out of the lab to go seek the captain. He stepped down the halls that he had memorized the first time he walked through, until he found the main bridge where the captain was working.
“Hello captain.” He mumbled. The man turned with a smile.
“Hi Jack! Want to go to your quarters?” he asked, standing up royally, Jack inwardly cringed at the idiot.
He just nodded and fell into step behind the captain as he passed. All of these people were idiots. The prideful and arrogant captain, the emo younger mechanic, the mushy psychologist, and the robot doctor. The psychologist fell for the doctor, and oh boy was that going to be toxic, and the captain and mechanic hated each other. If what Jack was going to do didn't send them into chaos, they would do it themselves.
They arrived at a spare room Jack would be sleeping in. Roman typed in the code and told him what it was, then told him they didn't need his finger prints to put into the database, and just the code would open the door. Jack nodded and headed inside, than bid the idiot goodnight and shut the door. He needed time to plan.
XxXxX
Roman walked away from the door back to the main deck to get back to work. He was absolutely swamped with reports and logs and god knows what else. Press was off the charts, different nations where sending broadcasts his way, the U.S.A. was freaking out with questions, and all he could give were vague answers, heck he didn't know anything! He was feeling the most stress he had ever felt in his life! Why couldn't they realize he had emotions too?! He just went through a terrifying experience, has had no sleep, and now has to answer to the whole earth by himself. He was one man for god's sake! He had to put on a brave face for Jack and the others, but he was being torn apart.
He jumped as he heard the door open for a second time. He turned to see Virgil step into the room slowly. He sighed and turned back to the screen, not willing to deal with Virgil's attitude in this state.
“Hey… Roman…” he said quietly, almost meekly.
Roman waved a hand, focused on his current report back to the Russian government. He heard Virgil sit down on a chair to the left of him and begin working on something. After a bit of silence, Virgil spoke once again.
“So…”
“Yes?” Roman asked, irritated.
“Geez, what's wrong with you sunshine?” Virgil asked, his tone intrigued but sarcastic.
“Reports! I have reports backed up for months at this rate!” Roman began ranting, spinning in his chair dramatically and furiously, Virgil visibly backed away a bit.
“Are you… okay?” he asked, concern in his voice?
Roman realized he lost his cool and spun back to his desk.
“...fine…” he replied, angrily finishing the letter.
“No you’re not.” Virgil interrupted again, tightening a screw.
“I said I’m fine…” Roman replied, gritting his teeth.
“Nuh-uh.” he pressed.
“What do you want me to say?! Hm?! That I’m stressed out of my mind?! On the verge of a mental breakdown?! Having to answer to the entirety of earth?! That I just went through a traumatizing experience and all I want to do is go under the covers and die there?! Is that what you want?!” Roman blew up. He was done with everything. Fuck it all. He felt the tears before he realized he was crying. What a sad excuse for a person. He angrily wiped the tears away with his sleeves.
“Do you… want a hug?” Virgil asked hesitantly. Then tried to recover. “I mean.. Uh.. never mind that was stupid… it’s just… it helps me when… no it was dumb…” he trailed off as Roman stood up.
Roman stood over Virgil and looked down at the stammering mess. He was so tired. He fell to his knees in front of Virgil and collapsed, his anger and will to keep working drained out of him all at once. He laid down on the floor and hid his face under his arms as he rolled onto his back. He heard Virgil move off the chair and sit next to him.
“I’m so tired of it all Virge, the governments of the world are all on my back, the press have accused us of so many things. Rumors and everything. I am still seeing those bodies when I close my eyes. I-I just, it’s our first night!” Roman felt the tears again.
He felt a weight on his chest. He moved an arm to peek at it, and saw Virgil’s purple dyed hair sprawled out, and his face pointing up as he closed his eyes. Roman felt an odd calm wash over him and he let a sob escape.
“I’m sorry.” Virgil said, his tone tired sounding.
“F-for what?” Roman asked, tears still falling. God its been awhile since he cried out of stress.
“Being a dick.”
XxXxX
Virgil let himself smile as he felt laughter bubble up under him in the man’s chest. He tried to breath evenly to reassure Roman, whose breathing was obviously out of sorts because he was crying.
“I s-should be apologizing.” Roman laugh/cried, “I was very rude from the start. You didn't deserve my judgment, or my backhanded comments.” he said seriously. Virgil felt shock rise.
“I never asked why you…. Dislike me…” Virgil tried to choose his words carefully.
“To be honest, I don't even know. You just… gave me a look like you thought I was nothing. I’ve had that look too many times Virgil.” Roman gave a sad sigh under him.
“Same.” Virgil added, his voice devoid of emotion.
“Ooh do we get to unlock Virgil’s tragic backstory?” the captain asked, his voice amused but scratchy.
“You have to be a level 12 friend for that information Princey.” Virgil replied, with the same amused tone.
“Yeah? What level friend am I now?”
“Who says you’re my friend?” Virgil asked. He felt the captain deflate under him.
“Joking, Roman, sarcasm.” Virgil assured, looking over to his face. Roman peacefully had his eyes closed, but a smile spread across his features.
“Why are you smiling idiot?” Virgil asked, relieved that Roman felt better.
“You admitted I’m your friend! You aren't so mean after all!” he exclaimed, opening his eyes.
“Just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be scared captain.” Virgil warned, putting on his best smirk.
Roman looked startled for a moment, then chuckled. This was nice. The blubbering oaf was kinda cool while he wasn’t singing at the top of his lungs or insulting him.
“Thanks for calming me down Virge.”
“It’s payback for what you did earlier.” Virgil admitted, “It was very… cool, of you to… ya’ know, help me. Even when we weren't on the best terms.” He said sheepishly.
“A captain must look after his crew members and friends!” he exclaimed, throwing his hand up dramatically. “What's with the nickname anyway, Mr. Cloudy day?”
“What nickname? Virgil asked, sitting up and stretching.
“The ‘princey’ one, where’s that one from?” he replied, yawning.
“You act like one of those princes from the movies, always being so dramatic and trying to be perfect. It fits.” Virgil shrugged.
“I am a valiant and brave captain! Of course I have princely behavior!” he dramatically sprung to his feet. Then bent down and lent a hand to Virgil. He took it and was pulled to his feet.
“Now! I need to inform the world that I am going to bed. They can get their reports after I get some sleep.” Roman walked over to the console with what looked like new energy. He typed down a few things and pressed a few buttons, then turned back towards him with a smile.
“The German government is not happy about my rest it seems.” he said with a wide grin. Virgil felt a laugh bubble up in his chest and he hid his joy with a simple face palm at the dork.