Chapter Text
Patton knew it was risky, but he couldn’t help but want to get a better look at what was on the TV. Besides, the human was asleep. So there really was no reason to worry.
He climbed up to the top of the coffee table, glancing back at the human, only relaxing when he saw the steady up and down of his chest. Smiling, he turned back towards the TV. Memorized by the colors and characters so much that he didn’t care that he didn’t know what was actually happening.
Roman slowly but steadily rejoined the waking world as the fourth Tinkerbell movie began to play. Realizing he must’ve fallen asleep during his Disney marathon, Roman reached forwards to grab the remote, only to pause when a very strange sight awaited him.
Roman blinked a few times. Surely he must be dreaming. There couldn’t possibly be a tiny, fairy-like creature sitting on his table watching Disney. But as Roman quickly grabbed up the figure in a fist, he confirmed that it was very much real and alive.
Patton didn’t notice the human was awake until it was too late. He yelped as he was suddenly grabbed from behind and brought in front of the human. He shook as their eyes met and he couldn’t help but think about how stupid he had been to think he was safe, just because the human was asleep.
“Oh my stars,” Roman said in awe, bringing the tiny being even closer as he reached over to turn on the light. He brought his hand up to brush the tiny’s head, smiling. “What are you?”
Patton was frozen, tense as one of the human’s fingers pet the top of his head. This was his worst nightmare come to life and he wasn’t sure if he should answer the question or not. Should he even speak? The borrower rules would say no, but maybe things would go better for him if he did speak…
“Aww, you don’t have to be scared, little guy!” Roman began to run his finger down the creature’s back in a reassuring pattern. “I promise, no harm is going to come to you.”
Patton shivered at the feeling of a finger going down his back. He wanted to believe the human, he really did, but humans were dangerous and manipulative. Who knew what this human was really planning?
He decided to keep silent, at least for a bit longer. He had still yet to decide if he should speak or not.
Roman opened up his hand a bit, watching the pixie being tumble down into the center of his palms. Roman couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, gently rolling the creature back and forth. Though Roman didn’t have a clue what this was or where it came from, there was no disputing the fact that it was adorable.
Patton yelped when the human opened his palm and closed his eyes as he felt himself being manhandled by the human. He hated the feeling, in all honesty. Which was saying something, since there were not a lot of things Patton hated.
Wanting it to end, Patton finally decided to speak out. “P-Please stop…”
Roman paused, staring down at the creature more intently than before. “Did you just…speak?”
Biting his lip, Patton hesitantly nodded. He did not care for the human’s current gaze.
“Oh my goodness this is amazing.” Roman gasped. “That is so much better! A real live talking…well really, what are you? A fairy? Pixie? Some sort of small gnomish creature?”
Patton wasn’t liking how the human was speaking of him either. He swallowed nervously. “I, uh…I’m not supposed to tell you.”
“What?” Roman frowned slightly. “Well, why not?”
Patton shrugged. “It’s the rules.” The rules also said to not talk to any human either, but he was going to ignore that rule. And nevermind the one about being seen.
“What rules?” Roman questioned.
Patton didn’t have a way deflect the question, so he just stayed silent. Looking down and trying to ignore the fact that his ground was the human’s hand.
“C’mon, you can tell me.” Roman nudged the little guy’s side with his finger.
Patton yelped and tried scooting as far away as he could get from the offending appendage. Patton shook his head.
Roman pursed his lips. “Fine, then what can you tell me?” He gave the being a nudge from the other side.
Patton didn’t like the human poking him, but was glad he seemed to drop the subject. Patton thought for a minute. “…My name is Patton.” That was safe to tell the human, at least.
“Nice to meet you, Patton!” Roman said with a large grin. Now they were getting somewhere. He glanced at the tv, transferring Patton over to one hand so he could pause the movie. “So, I’m guessing you’re a fan of Disney, too?”
Patton blinked, having expected a name in return. But it appeared he was stuck with calling the human, well, ‘the human’ for a bit longer. “Is…that what the show is called?” Patton asked, hesitant.
“One of many, yes.” Roman nodded. “You know we could watch some of the better films if you would like.”
“Uh, actually, I should probably be getting back home.” Patton brought up, hoping beyond hope that the human would let him go.
“Oh come on, I’m sure you can stick around awhile!” Roman reached over and ruffled Patton’s hair. A thought occurred to him. “Where did you come from, anyways?”
Would it be too much to tell the human where he lived? Probably. “Um…I live pretty close by.” Patton admitted but did not give any specifics. The less he told, the better it was if-when he managed to get back home.
“How on earth have I never seen you around?” Roman thoughtfully rested his cheek on his free hand, rubbing his fingers along Patton’s shoulder. “How close do you mean? How did you get in my apartment, anyway?”
Patton bit his lip, deciding to try something while ignoring the human’s fingers still touching him. “I know you have a lot of questions, but I really should be getting back home. So, uh, I’d really appreciate it if you could put me down?” Patton asked, trying to be a little more forceful about being let go. But his hope was slowly dying.
“No, that’s not fair,” Roman said with a slight whine. “You’re not even answering any of them.”
“If I answer your questions…will you let me go?” Patton asked. Even though he really shouldn’t, he would be willing to answer anything if it meant Roman would let him go.
“Hmm, maybe.” Roman agreed. After all, he still didn’t know if Patton was some sort of evil tricking pixie who’d curse him, but looking down at Patton he doubted it. “In a little while, sure.”
Patton sighed but figured this was his best bet. “Alright then.” Patton agreed.
“Fantastic!” Roman sat up eagerly, practically bouncing in his seat. “What kind of creature are you? What are those rules about? Where do you live?”
Patton took a deep breath. He silently whispered a sorry to the creator of the rules before answering the questions. “I’m a borrower, someone who borrows things from humans in order to survive. The rules are in place to protect us, from-from humans. With things like, don’t be seen, don’t talk to humans and things like that. And I live within the walls of the complex. Between the fourth and fifth floor.” Telling the human everything felt wrong, but Patton forced himself through it.
“Interesting.” Roman paused to take in this new information. “Do you have any magical powers or special abilities?”
“No, not that I know of.” Patton paused. “I mean, we’re really good climbers, but that’s more out of necessity than anything.”
“Makes sense.” Roman chuckled, transferring Patton so that his torso was pinched between his fingers and his legs dangled. “It’s not like you’re going to be able to run very far.”
Patton yelped at the new position, wrapping his arms around the finger, not wanting to fall. “P-Put me down! P-Please!”
“Relax, you’re fine.” Roman insisted, but he wrapped another finger around Patton just to be safe. “I’ve got you.”
Patton whimpered, squirming in the grip. “Alright, I’ve answered your questions. Can you let me go home now?” Patton asked. He just really wanted to go back home and forget this ever happened.
“But I’ve still got so many questions!” Roman began to rub along Patton’s arms to get the borrower to calm down. Out of the corner of his eye, Roman saw the clock and realized how late it had gotten. “Oh my, I didn’t realize how late I slept. Why aren’t you tired? Are borrowers nocturnal or something?”
“Um…sort of? It’s the best time for us to…go out and borrow and stuff.” Patton answered, squirming more in the grip.
“Hmm.” Roman nodded in consideration, still holding Patton aloft. “I suppose that makes sense.”
“Yeah…” Patton took in a deep breath, calming himself down. Though it was hard to do when he was literally in the hands of a giant. A giant who, despite his promise, didn’t seem to keen on letting him go. “H-How many more questions do you have? Because I really need to be getting back home.” Patton said once again. But he would say it as much as he needed to.
“Wh-well I don’t know!” Roman huffed indignantly, getting a bit irritated with Patton’s impatience. He raised Patton higher. “It’s not like I ever expected to find a four-inch tall borrower thing binge watching Disney movies in the dark. I don’t exactly have a list to go off of, you know.”
Patton bit back a yelp as he was raised a bit higher. “B-But you said I could go home after answering your questions! And I’ve basically told you everything already!” It was true, there really wasn’t much more to tell about him and his kind.
“There must be more.” Roman insisted. He wanted to know everything about the lil’ guy. “Why are you so set on going home, anyways? Is your family waiting for you?” Roman began to picture an entire family of tiny people, and the thought was absolutely adorable.
“Um…W-Well no, but…” Patton trailed off. He was trying to come up with an excuse as to why he would need to leave because he was sure the human wouldn’t accept that he simply did not want to be here.
“I have to get home because I…left…the oven on?” It was an excuse he heard from many humans and hoped it would work with this one.
Roman merely looked at Patton before bursting out laughing. The idea of Patton even being able to turn on a stove was ridiculous, and Roman’s mind was suddenly filled with images of Patton trying his hardest to pull the knob down with his miniscule body weight.
“You’re funny, Patton,” Roman commented, his laughter dying off with a chuckle.
Patton felt his body deflate. “I wasn’t…joking…” Patton has told many a pun in his time, but hearing the human laugh at him like that in this type of situation…it was humiliating.
“No, but you are a terrible liar,” Roman replied, tussling Patton’s hair to show he meant no ill will. “I mean really, the oven? There’s no way someone like you has ever used an oven in their life.”