Chapter Text
Roman did want to visit Virgil while he was being hospitalized, he really did, but he also has business obligations to the bakery. Which meant meeting with some businessmen and women and inbetween people to discuss opportunities and financial gains, and to trade business secrets.
Frankly, it made Roman snore and he would have rather have Logan go. He wasn’t good around people, but he was good with numbers and good opportunities and all that business jazz. But he insisted that it was “imperative that the head of a new company shows up to business meetings and mingles with potentially new financial partners.”
If he was being honest, he ignored what Logan said sometimes.
The bakery…yeah, okay, this summer was slow, but of course it would be. The heat always has an impact on what people buy, and they weren’t exactly spending a lot of money on advertising. They really couldn’t afford to either way, they still had to make a profit off of the bakery.
Roman sighs. He sounds a little bit like Logan, and he wants to not focus on the Microsoft turd for a while. Besides, he has to focus on putting his charm and good looks to use while he was mingling with other business people. Not an ideal way to use them, but, it was better than nothing.
The meeting wasn’t supposed to last long-just for the day, and it was open to the public. But no one really wanted to go, besides free food and air conditioning, really. The heatwave was taking a huge impact on the entire state, not just their little town.
As Roman steps off of the train and waits for his cab, his mind wanders to Virgil. Who’s in the hospital. He scowls, mostly to himself. He was such an idiot for overlooking the obvious signs that Virgil…was, well, not in a rather good place and need more help than a simple job could provide. They tried to pay him a fair wage as well, but…
He takes a deep breath, stepping out of the cool shade and into the hot summer sun for a few seconds before getting into the cab car. He tells the driver where to go, and he…he can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. But it had to be going okay, especially since Logan and Patton were at the bakery and looking over it.
Right?
The meeting was held inside, and if Roman was being honest, he disliked the catering. He also disliked most of the people. They were all about business, all about making themselves money rather than a mutually beneficial business relationship, which would surely-
He huffs, pinching the bridge of his nose. Logan was beginning to wear off on him, and he looks around at the crowd of business people. While it was probably for the better that he continued to be social and do some networking, he…he was quite tired of hearing all business. It was like his brain was a train and it was going so slowly that everything seemed too fast.
Roman runs a hand through his hair before escaping to the men’s bathroom. Thankfully it was empty, and he hides himself in a stall, resting his head against the cool stall walls. A part of him wanted to go back out there, but…
A quick text message and a small confirmation lift his spirits, and he smiles. Patton and Logan were going to quickly close down the bakery, and visit Virgil. A soothing balm of relief washes over him, and he quickly exits the stall-
Only to run into a man in a yellow dress shirt that blinds him for a quick second, and a really ugly purple tie. He squeaks out an apology, dropping his phone in the process.
“Here, allow me,” The man bends down to hand him his phone back, and he smiles.
“Thank you, uh-” He blinks, recognizing the bowler hat and the blind eye. Mr. D smiles at him and folds his hands in front of him.
“Hello! It’s been awhile, since the coffee shop. I do apologize for making you worry, I was just looking for my son.” Mr. D’s voice makes him freeze in place, a part of him wanting to stay rooted to the spot to listen to him speak. “By the way, I don’t believe I got your name?”
“R..Roman.” He stutters out, blinking a few times. Why was his brain so foggy?
“Ah, well Roman, since you’re here, I assume you’re a businessman. What part of a business are you?” He continues, like he doesn’t notice how Roman’s eyes shift around the room.
“I…I own part of a bakery. I’m the head of…of, business,” He mutters, trying to fight the fog back. It was strong, and with every word he exchanges with Mr. D, the thicker it becomes.
“Wonderful. Well, I do believe you and I are in a position to-”
The fog dissipates as his phone rings abruptly, and Roman smiles sheepishly, stepping aside. “Hello?”
Roman pauses, listening to Patton on the other line. “Really? My goodness….Well, I’m just about done anyways. I’ll be back as soon as possible…Wait, what about Virgil?…Oh, he’ll be out tomorrow-yes, that’s great Pat…Mhm…Mhm…okay, okay. I’ll come home right now then.” He turns to Mr. D, with his one eye looking rather annoyed at him.
“Listen, I appreciate the offer, but I really should get going. Farewell, Mr. D. Have a wonderful day,” Roman puts on his best customer service voice before he walks out, slightly grossed out that he didn’t wash his hands.
Virgil is okay, he should be getting out soon, probably tomorrow in the evening. He needs someone to take him home, and Pat would but his home is crowded with a giant family, and Logan’s parents are out of town (again) and don’t want any visitors, so Roman would be taking him in. That’s fine, of course, but a little bit of a warning would have been nice. But the important part was that Virgil was okay.
Virgil woke up the next morning, blinking the tiredness out of his eyes. An emptiness hung in his stomach, and his throat was dry and scratchy. With weak legs, he manages to make it to the bathroom, cupping his hands to drink the water from the sink. He lets the sink run for a while, finally washing his face to the best of his ability.
He runs a hand through his hair, recoiling at the sensation of how greasy his hair has become. It brought back memories of attempts to clean up at the public bathrooms at his park. He doesn’t realize he’s gripping the sink so hard that his knuckles turn white, and a long, shaky breath escapes him.
It was going to be okay, he reminds himself. The conversation that he had yesterday with Patton and Logan went…well, better than he thought. Logan, ever the problem solver, offered solutions to his situation, whereas Pat…
Well, Patton had immediately offered him a place to stay with all of them. The three were renting a house, and they somehow had an extra bedroom. It was smaller compared to the rest of the rooms, he was told, but…for now, it would be enough. Just the thought of a room and a bed to sleep in was good enough for him.
He smiles into the reflection of himself in the mirror. Before, he was a sad, skinny teen. Well, he still was, but now he wasn’t as skinny or as sad. It was a small difference, but it made a difference. That’s what mattered to Virgil.
Time passes slowly as he lays in bed, idly watching the TV and the window. Sunlight brings a warm glow to the room, and his eyelids grow heavy as he listens to a news anchor drone on about whatever is going on.
“Hey kiddo, time to get up!” Patton gently shakes his shoulder and for the second time that day he wakes up. Virgil smiles as he’s greeted with his smiling face. “C’mon, Logan and Roman are waiting downstairs.”
Patton helps him out of his bed, and out of his hospital gown. It takes a while, since he has to be mindful of his ribs, but he changes into the clothes that were brought to him. A pair of regular jeans, a t-shirt, some socks and a pair of converses. But what catches his eye is the glimpse of purple and black fabric hidden behind Patton’s back.
Patton’s eyes sparkle when he realizes that Virgil is looking, and he looks away, a hand going up to his neck. “So, uh…what do you have there Pat?”
He shrugs his shoulders up and down, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he smiles. “Just a little surprise Logan made! Well, Roman designed it, I picked out the, uh, materials, and Logan made it! He really is such a,”
“Don’t-”
Patton sticks his has hand out, grabbing Virgil and leading him away from the hospital room. “A handy guy!”
Virgil hides his smile with a groan, but lets out a small laugh. He doesn’t dare try to peek behind Patton, although it would easy for him to. They eventually get down to the parking garage, and he can’t stop ignoring the way his heart pounds with happiness. Leaving the hospital feels like leaving the past behind.
Maybe he can finally be a better person.
A grin breaks out onto his face as they turn a corner to see Roman and Logan. Logan is reading a book, but from the way he looks around quickly Virgil can tell he wasn’t really reading it. Roman, ever the dramatic, lets out a cry and runs at him.
Within seconds, he’s engulfed by Roman, who’s squeezing him and burying his head into his chest. “Don’t do that, Jay-Dee-lightful,” He mutters. Virgil catches the glints of tears that run down his face, but…he’s more so confused.
He returns the hug, getting squeezed even more. “…who did you call me?”
“I waste my best material on you,” Roman groans into his shirt, and he laughs. However…
“Ow, ribs, RIBS Roman, please-”
Virgil is released from his grasps, only for Patton to come up behind him and hug him. Roman beams and drags Logan into the embrace as well, and…Virgil is surrounded by people who love him. Who were worried about him and want him to be happy.
He sniffs as a few tears fall down his face, while Logan clears his throat. “It…It is good to see out of that horrible hospital gown. I don’t see how staying in one for a week without showering is hygenic, much less sanitary-”
Patton steps away, huffing. “Oh, don’t be like that kiddo! Just admit that you’re glad Verge here is safe!”
Logan fiddles with his glasses. “Yes, I am, well, I am glad you are safe, Virgil.”
“Now we can work Cinderella here to ashes!” Roman jokes as they all step away. Virgil lets out a laugh, snorting slightly. Patton throws his hands up and finger guns at Roman, who does the same thing back. But Logan just rolls his eyes and groans.
He sees a flash of yellow out of the side of his vision, and he glances there. His blood runs cold and all sounds of the others fade away. Virgil freezes, unable to move or to speak at all. His mind races as he tries to think up of ways that Deceit, that his father that he fucking disowned, found him.
Again.
Mr. D walks, or rather, glides forward to the group. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant sight?” He gives the others a glance over. “However, as much as I find this sickeningly sweet, I do believe that my son needs to come home.”
Needs to? Is he joking? Virgil feels a mixture of panic and anger well up in his chest, and he clenches his fists.
Logan frowns, facing Mr. D. “That’s odd, considering that Virgil does work with us and has agreed to be our roommate. I believe that due to the fact that he’s over eighteen and is now a legal adult, he does not have to return home unless he wishes to.” There’s a hint of smugness in his face, and Virgil almost smirks.
“Well,” Mr. D faces Logan, raising an eyebrow and seeing unphased. “I don’t care, really. He is my son, worthless and stupid as he is, and I would rather have him home, safe and sound. Really, I don’t see how Virgil appeals to you three. He doesn’t have any skills to benefit to the bakery, and really, it’s just a matter of time before he’s fired-”
“I beg your pardon,” Logan’s voice cuts him off harshly, charged with anger. “I don’t think you have any idea how much of a help your quote unquote son has been. He allows us to make a profit due to his help around the bakery, and he’s quite an intelligent person! Not like you would know what that’s like, seeing as how he has scars all over his body. You don’t know him at all, whereas all of us have gotten to know that he is, in fact, a wonderful person to be around. Unlike you, because you’re a horrible person with a disregard for basic common decency. Now, move.” Logan crosses his arms at the end of his rant, staring down Deceit.
Virgil gasps. This is the most emotional he’s ever seen him, and from the way the others are silent, this is the most emotional Logan has ever been. Ever. But he stood up for him. He…he didn’t expect that. A part of him had thought that…Logan would just throw him away once he stopped being useful.
The man frowns, as if this was all a minor inconvenience that would be resolved later. “You say that now, but-”
“There are no buts. I will not listen to someone who has given their blood cigarette scars, mental scars, and every other kind of scar there is. Now kindly, get out of the way so that all of us can go home,” Logan seethes, getting into his personal space.
Deceit narrows his eyes, glaring at the teen. “Don’t,” He growls, “You dare ever not listen to me.” He pushes Logan to the side.
Patton loses it.
He runs forward, quickly delivering a blow to the mans nether regions. Virgil’s eyes widden in surprise as Deceit grabs his abdomen, groaning out in pain. Patton stands up straight, drawing his elbow back. He clenches his fists, and Patton’s fist connects with Deceit’s face, which was level with him.
There’s the sickening sound of bone hitting bone, and quickly, Virgil’s father and abuser is on the ground. He gasps once he realizes there’s blood dripping down his nose. “I…I…”
“Don’t you dare,” Patton growls, towering over the man on the floor. “Ever. Touch one of my friends again. Do you understand? If I even see you near my bakery or Joan’s cafe or anywhere near one of them, I will fight you.”
Deceit nods, and they walk away. Virgil stares straight ahead, feeling the single eye of his father on his back. But he doesn’t look at him. He barely breathes until they get into the car, and that’s when the reality of the situation hits him.
Virgil sucks in a breath, rapidly breathing. Roman quickly grabs his hand, talking in a soothing voice. He promises that he won’t ever have to go back. He will never have to even look or talk to his father again.
His breathing calms, and he gives Roman a nod of thanks.
Virgil is safe.
They don’t go to the bakery. Or the park. In fact, they travel a full 20 minutes before arriving to a suburban neighborhood. Patton parks the car in a front of a neatly placed house. It stands out with a nice pale blue color, and a white trim. The porch looks nice and inviting, and for a second Virgil can imagine Roman painting on a nice summer day, with Logan reading a book on the grass while Patton comes out with a tray of lemonade.
As he steps out, however, a pang of worry hits his chest. Would he fit in here? Would he ever belong in a place like this? In a place with…
He glances over to see Logan and Roman arguing, probably over Disney like they were in the car. Patton is laughing and is trying to diffuse the situation, but adds in his own two cents. Virgil stands awkwardly by the car, a half smile on his face. These three dorks were stuck with him, and they…well, they were his family.
As he walks through, he gets a sense of how lived in the house is. There’s a pile of shoes by the door (which are probably Roman’s) with two pairs set exactly next to each other, while only one pair sits somewhat tossed aside.
Patton slides up to him, bouncing slightly. “So,” He says gently to him as Virgil stares at the shoes. “What do you think kiddo?” He nearly recoils when the tall teen stares back at him with tears in his eyes, which he brushes away upon seeing his reaction.
“I’m fine, I’m fine. It…it just kinda hit me, is all,” He shrugs and smiles, and bends down to hug the smaller one. “Thank you,” He whispers, and holds him tightly. Patton smiles and rubs his back gently.
“Anytime!” He chirps, pulling Virgil into the dining room. “But firsts thing is first! Getting everyone fed! I’ll just whip up something really quickly-”
“FOR THE LAST TIME, I AM NOT LISTENING TO HAMILTON-”
“JUST GIVE IT A CHANCE, MICROSOFT TURD.”
Virgil lets out a small giggle at the yelling from the living room. “So…what is that about?” He asks while he watches Patton cook.
“Oh, Roman thinks Logan would like this musical, but Logan is sick and tired of listening to nothing but musicals, and they’ve been in a huge fight about it sin-” Pat could barely get through the last word as there was a loud thump, and then the sounds of Roman and Logan, probably wrestling over something.
Virgil tries to resist the urge to get up and record the whole thing, but he stays put. But when his eyes meet Patton’s, he busts out laughing. Pat joins in once he hears one of them (probably Logan) give up, with a whine of annoyance.
“Ow, oh my god,” He sucks in a deep breath, trying to keep himself from laughing any further. “My ribs don’t like that.”
“They won’t like it for a while, Verge. I’ll give you a hot press before you sleep tonight, okay?” Patton hums as he works around the kitchen, and for a moment, a happy calm washes over the house.
Virgil relishes in it, feeling his anxiety slowly go away like a tide. There’s the muted hums of some intense cello’s, and Patton’s humming, combined with the smells of actual cooking…He lets out a breath. Maybe it’s one that’s he’s been holding in for his whole life. It feels like it, and the stress of not being homeless fades away.
The sound of the front door opening makes him perk up, almost tilting his head to the side. The sounds of the footsteps are unrecognizable to him, and he feels his heart beat pick up, and he turns around slowly.
“Home!” The stranger calls out as he walks into the hallway. He peaks into the living room, laughing. “Roman, please get off of Logan.”
“But Thomaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssssssssssssssssssss-” Roman whines before an inexplicable “Oof!” is heard.
“Yes, yes. Logan won’t listen to the Hamilton soundtrack, but you don’t know how to work the remote, so-”
“I am finally freed from this barbarians primitive methods of restraint!” Logan huffs, catching sight of Virgil.
“Ah, Dad, this is-” Logan starts, one hand out to gesture towards him when the man-Thomas (Logan’s Dad?)-turns around and smiles brightly at him.
“You must be Virgil! Man, it’s great to finally meet you! Patton was right, you are a lean bean.” Thomas laughs as he walks over, and…
Virgil examines his and Logan’s face. The same facial and body shapes…skintones, even. “So…you’re Logan’s dad?” He squeaks out, coughing to try and cover it up. He gets a laugh in response.
“Who’dya think gave these three a loan to start up their bakery?” Thomas shakes his head. “I figured, hey, since I own a business, may as well let my kid own one of his. Ya know? Independence.”
Virgil gulps and nods, although his throat is dry. “Y-yeah…”
Thomas smiles at him, before disappearing and going up the stairs. “I can’t stay for long boys, I just wanted to stop by!” He calls down, and Patton pouts, running to the stairs.
“At least stay for dinner! I already have it going and everything!” He calls up, a hopeful tone in his voice. Virgil…does a double take. A part of him didn’t think about anyone’s parents, but seeing Thomas interact with his friends…it was weird, for sure.
But oddly comforting.
Logan walks, letting out a sigh. He gently places a hand on his shoulder, before sitting down next to him. “I’m sorry for the sudden appearance of my dad. I didn’t think he would be home so soon.”
“It’s fine, really. He…seems nice,” He adds on softly, looking at his hands.
Logan clears his throat. “I’m…sorry if seeing him made you uncomfortable. I promise, he’s only here-”
“No no no, it’s fine, I just…” Virgil shrugs. He can’t finish the thought. Seeing Logan’s dad, Thomas, made him…feel weird. He felt like he should be jealous, or be filled with anger, but instead he just feels…
Virgil feels sad.
Seeing Thomas interact with all of them made him wonder what he had missed out with his childhood. The scars on his arms serve as a permanent reminder of everything his childhood shouldn’t be. The yelling, the hitting, the abuse-it was a lot, still, for him to process. There wasn’t a reason for him to be angry, just sad.
He blinks away the tears before Patton or anyone else can see, and he takes in a deep breath. “I’m fine. It’s just a lot for one day.”
Logan nods. “While the human brain can process many things, accepting everything that has happened to you in the past is a difficult process. One of the many symptoms of PTSD that has been reported is repressed memories. It often happens when during someone’s childhood their day to day life is unstable and nearly everything changes. During that time period-”
“Listening to one of Logan’s rambles, Virgil? It’s okay if you end up falling asleep, we all do at some point.” Roman interrupts, sliding in the chair opposite of him. Logan rolls his eyes, but Virgil has to hold back a smile.
“I don’t know which is worse,” He relaxes into his chair, stretching. “Your monologues or Logan’s lectures.”
He gets a “HEY!” from both of them, in protest. It also makes things worse when Roman starts reciting a monologue from…something, in tandem with Logan going on about something or other. After a few seconds, Virgil’s shoulders start to shake with laughter when Roman gets up and starts to act whatever it is he’s reciting.
Patton overhears what’s going on, and gosh darnit, no monologues or lectures at the table! He stomps over, placing a dish down. “Roman! Logan! You both know the rules-”
At the sound of their names, both teens stop. Roman moves quickly to sit back into his seat, and it’s silent once more.
Except for Virgil laughing. Patton’s lip curl up into a smile. “It was Logan’s idea to install rules-”
“I was tired,” He butts in, “Of finding everything BUT plates of food here during dinner, breakfast, or lunch, or any other day. I did not think-”
“That Patton would jump in? C’mon, Logan! He’s the most fatherly figure in this house!” Roman gestures grandly to him, barely missing the plate of food that’s piled up on it. Patton moves around the table, setting plates of food in front of everyone.
“Kiddo! Are you joining us?” Patton calls up, receiving a no from Thomas. There’s the sound of someone turning on a shower, and they finally start eating when Patton sits down.
It’s silent, and the minute Virgil takes a bite he feels like he’s in heaven. It’s not premade food that’s incredibly unhealthy, and he feels like it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. Ever. He holds himself back from shoveling the whole plate into his mouth at once out of politeness, but he quickly glances around to see that…well, everyone else is hungry as well.
They quickly finish eating, and for the first time in a while, Virgil feels full. He leans back in his chair before Patton pulls him up. He looks at him with an eyebrow raised. “Well, I gotta show you around kiddo!”
He gets up slowly, but Patton shows him the roomy house. The kitchen and dining room were just one big area, with a table thrown in a middle. The kitchen had jars of various liquids and herbs, and even some drying and hanging up on the cupboards. Then there was the living room, which…was a mess. There was a small fold out table with chairs, piled high with various card games. What appeared to be various painting projects were stuck up in the corner, with an easel holding up too many canvases.
But really, there were too many bookshelves. There was a metal one that was meant to be in a garage rather than a living room holding up a hefty looking series of books that Virgil guessed were encyclopedias, and one that looked like it was antique, weathered with use with groups of books hapharzardly thrown on it. He glances at the titles, finding more fiction on this particular shelf. Then there was just a plain white one with stickers thrown on it, the kind that someone would get at a doctors. This one had books about cooking and gardening, and homemade remedies.
“Everyone likes reading,” Logan comes in, seemingly reading his thoughts. “However, the room is quite crowded with all of our books in one place. And someone’s particular hobbies,” He glances at Roman, who’s taken control of the giant TV that takes up half the wall.
After navigating around the couches, he finds the extra bathroom, and then they go upstairs. It’s small, yet cozy. “Logan’s room,” Patton points to a door on his left that has a simple blue sign with ‘Logan’ written on it in neat, blocky, lettering. “Roman’s room,” His door has the weird theater masks on the corners, red like curtains, and ‘Roman’ written in a fancy script. They walk down the hallway a bit before coming upon an empty door and Patton’s room. His sign is written in a loopy, almost childish, writing with hearts scribbled all over it.
Virgil stops in front of the door without a sign. “It’s smaller than the others, but…” Patton opens the room. His breath catches in his throat as he walks in.
It was tiny, but it wasn’t a closet either. There was a small section that would be perfect for a bed, with the window opposite it. He could probably set up a small table with a comfortable chair, and write, and read, and just…
A small, nondescript white plastic bag sits on a mattress in the little nook. Something black and purple pokes out of it, and Patton bounces on his feet. “Go on, take a look! Roman took one look at your old hoodie and threw it away because it was dirty and kinda gross and also doesn’t fit you that well so we made a new one.”
He walks forward, picking up the bag. It reveals a large hoodie, with a soft inside. He runs his hand through it before putting it on. It fits perfectly, hanging on his skinny frame. Virgil raises his arms and looks at the patches of purple plaid.
“Virgil?” Patton gently touches his arm and he sniffs, wiping away a few tears that had escaped from his eyes.
“It’s perfect,” He whispers as Patton sweeps him into a hug. He has to lean down in order to let him hold him, but he smiles into the hug and lets himself cry.
Virgil feels Patton let out a deep breath. “Welcome to the family, Virgil.”