Chapter Text
Virgil was running, feet pounding the grassy hillside. He didn’t dare look back at what was chasing him. Thomas looked terrified, but Virgil was used to that. As a child of Phobos, Virgil could sense other people’s fears, so he knew just how much trouble they were in. Thomas, the saytr who’d rescued him after he got beaten to a bloody pulp in a high school locker room, had said that once he reached the tall pine tree, he’d be safe. At this point, Virgil was too tired to argue. His side ached from where he’d been kicked. He was black and blue and turning a nasty shade of green. But worse was the intense fear spiking in his chest, making it hard to breathe.
They were so close. The tree on the hill loomed, and Thomas let out a breathy chuckle. But luck had never been on Virgil’s side. Two yards away, and he hit a dip in grass. His ankle gave out with a sickening crack. A scream ripped from his throat as he fell. In seemingly slow motion, several things happened at once; Thomas turned, eyes blown wide with terror. Virgil landed hard on his ribs with a thud. And the hellhound chasing him caught up and raked its claws across Virgil’s unprotected back.
Virgil almost passed out. His vision blurred, and he only caught bits and pieces of what happened next. Thomas calling for help, the hound snarling near his ear, a kid in an orange shirt appearing, the beast’s teeth ripping up his back, screams, an arrow whistling, the hound going limp, hands touching him, and then…
Nothing.
***
Virgil dreamed of his father. The god of fear was impressive, bulky and tall. His black t-shirt was tight against his forearms. But his two tone eyes--one blue, one green, exactly like Virgil’s--shifted around the room anxiously. Virgil knew him. Unlike most demigod kids, Virgil had been raised by both his father and mother. He knew exactly who he was. But Phobos had left few years ago, and Virgil hadn't seen him since.
“Dad?” Virgil asked cautiously.”Am I…”
“Virgil,” Phobos made eye contact. “my child. No, you're not dead. You’re a lot stronger than you think. And camp will help you survive much better than I ever could.”
“I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. My brother found out about your mom, and I had to leave or he’d destroy you both.”
“Why?” Virgil wondered angrily.
“He felt it was distracting me from my duties as Ares’ right hand. And I think he was jealous that I liked someone more than I liked him.”
Phobos sighed. “I'm sorry. This path isn't easy. But you’'ll wake up soon, and there will be others to help you. Know that I love you Virgil.”
“I love you too, dad.”
He wrapped him in a tight embrace. Then everything faded back to black.
***
When Virgil woke up, there was someone leaning over him. A kid with a million freckles in an orange t-shirt and khaki cargo shirts was humming as he changed the bandages covering every inch of him. His curly brownish-gold hair caught the sunlight coming from the window, and his big round glasses kept sliding down his nose. He must have noticed when Virgil blearily opened his eyes, because the humming stopped. A warm hand brushed his forehead, pushing the dyed hair back. Virgil realized he must look like a mess.
“Hey kiddo!” The kid beamed down at him. “My name's Patton! I'm glad you’re awake! You gave us all a scare for awhile, that hellhound sure did a number on you. Not to worry though! I’m a son of Apollo, so healing is my specialty! Do you know who you’re godly parent is? If I had to guess I'd prolly say Hades or Ares, but who knows!”
Virgil was blown away by the steady stream of words coming from Patton. He’d never met anyone so chatty. As he continued to change the bandages, Patton told his whole life story, gushed about his boyfriends, and shared some puns. Virgil was a little overwhelmed, but in a good way. He couldn't help reading his fear though; arachnophobia. Patton seemed like a good person, and he hoped he didn't end up scaring him away. Like he did everyone.
***
Virgil had to spend a few more days in the medical center, but he was okay with that, because Patton was almost always there in his freckled glory. Sometimes jabbering on, sometimes strumming his uke, sometimes changing bandages or giving out ambrosia. Virgil opened up to him, telling him about his dad, his school. Patton was understanding and kind. They became close friends.
“I’ve never had a best friend before,” Virgil admitted one day. “It’s nice.”
Patton teared up, launching himself at the child of Phobos. The hug was tight and warm, and Virgil melted into it. “I'm glad to be your best friend. You’re definitely mine V!”
***
Finally, he were allowed to leave. Virgil and Patton traveled down the hill to the Apollo cabin, chatting. Virgil was limping, ankle still a little sore, but he managed. He was excited to meet Patton’s boyfriends, because they seemed like nice people from when Patt had gone on an hour long rant about him.
Suddenly, Virgil tripped over his own two feet. It would have been a long fall, but something caught him. He looked up and locked eyes with a young man with long brown hair tied up and kaleidoscope eyes--blue, or brown, or violet, or green--and a fear of abandonment or autophobia.
“You all right there?” the boy asked in a deep voice, and Virgil snapped out of it.
“Yeah, yeah I'm fine.”
“Weak ankles?” He asked jokingly.
Patton laughed next to him. “I understand that reference!” He beamed. “Virgil, this is my boyfriend Roman, son of Aphrodite! Ro, this is the child of Phobos I was telling you about!”
“Ah! The one who survived the hellhound, very remarkable,” Roman smiled approvingly. Virgil straightened and nodded his thanks. All three of him continued walking. It was interesting to see how Patton and Roman acted around each other, very sweet, giggling and quoting Disney. At one point, Roman scooped the small son of Apollo up princess style and skipped around with him.
When they reached the cabin, a tall young man with black hair and thick black glasses was waiting. He looked strict, no smile and a necktie even though he was only 17 or 18, but his face softened a little when Roman and Patton came closer. Patton leapt from Roman’s arms and ran to the boy. In comparison, Patton was tiny . The son of Apollo was barely hitting 5’5”, while the new kid was easily breaking 6’. Roman joined the hug, the only person with a reasonable height(5’8, 5’9 ish). Virgil awkwardly watched the exchange, but it didn't last very long.
“Lo, this is Virgil! I was telling you about him, ‘member!?”
The tall boy glanced over, then offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, Virgil. My name is Logan, son of Athena.”
Looking up into Logan’s stormy eyes, Virgil shook his hand. Unlike most, this kid had two major fears fighting for dominance; the fear of being wrong and the fear of being made fun of (Atychiphobia and Gelotophobia). He intimidated Virgil a bit.
“Nice to meet you too,” he managed to choke out through his anxiety.
Logan turned to face his boyfriends again. “It is about time for the evening campfire. Shall we take Virgil with us?”
Patton nodded happily, skipping over and grabbing Virgil‘s hand. Roman winked. “Then let us depart,” he declared dramatically.
As Virgil walked down with his new friends, he new he was going to be ok. He may be a bit of a fourth wheel, but he felt accepted anyway. And he hadn't felt that for a long time.