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It was around midnight, and a trio of boys were sitting on a public dock, enjoying some quality time together by the lake. One had golden eyes, one was distinctly emo, and one had gray streaks in his hair.
The one with golden eyes ruffled the emo one’s hair, which caused him to laugh heartily. “Oh my god, Janus!” he exclaimed, a beer in his hand. “Stop that, you’re going to embarrass me in front of Remus!!” The one with gray in his hair perked up at his name.
“Do you really think that will stop me, Virgil~?” the golden-eyed one replied, making the emo, Virgil, laugh harder, and even gaining a chuckle from Remus.
“You are so ridiculous,” Virgil said. “That’s why I love you, yknow?”
“I know.”
Virgil smiled, then walked over to the edge of the dock and sat down, letting his feet dangle. The lake breeze blew through his hair. A few crickets chirped in this distance. Virgil closed his eyes and let his breathing slow down, calmed by the scene.
Then it stopped. Virgil couldn’t hear or feel himself breathing, couldn’t move, couldn’t open his eyes, couldn’t do anything but just sit there and listen to the world around him. It was terrifying.
“Virge?” Remus asked. “Everything ok?” Virgil wanted to scream out that no, everything was not alright, he was paralyzed, how could he be alright, but nothing happened. He couldn’t open his mouth. His heart rate picked up. At least that still works.
Janus sighed. “Finally, it took long enough,” he said. What? What took long enough?! What the hell did you do to me!? “Remus, push him in.”
“Gladly~!” Remus’s voice rose an octave and footsteps approached. No no no no no no Remus don’t you dare I’m your best friend remember we’ve been best friends since middle school would you really—
Virgil felt a shove on his shoulders and next thing he knew, he was in the water. Sounds were garbled and he still couldn’t open his eyes. Is this it..? Is this.. how I die? Virgil wanted to smirk, but his facial muscles wouldn’t obey. It feels fitting for a piece of trash like me.
Virgil tried to let himself fall asleep, but his heartbeat was too fast for that to be a possibility. So Virgil just floated there, occasionally feeling something slimy brush across his skin. He wanted to reach out and feel it, see what it was, but his muscles refused to obey. Virgil eventually accepted his fate and just existed.
~*~💜~*~💙~*~
Virgil had no idea how much time had passed before he felt something sharp poke his back. He tried to brush it off, but he still couldn’t move. So he just let it be.
Even with his eyes closed, Virgil could tell that it was slowly getting brighter. Morning already.. How long have I been floating here...? Birds started chirping. Water flowed beneath him, a quiet trickle that sharply contrasted the loud pulse of his heartbeat. There was an unexplainable chill in his bones.
Virgil was trying to count the seconds when he heard what sounded like crunching leaves. Leaves? There aren’t any leaves near the dock.. Where am I!?!
Virgil was brought out of his thoughts by a voice. “Hey! Can you hear me?!” It was a male voice, one with the slightest hint of a British accent. He sounded concerned.
The next thing Virgil knew, his hand was being tugged and his back wasn’t being poked anymore. Then there was a finger on his wrist. “Your heart rate is fast, but your eyes are still closed, and I don’t hear—“ The unknown male stopped short before cursing under his breath. “If your sense of hearing has not been inhibited, I apologize that I cannot ask your permission, but I must take you to my house. It is the only way I know of to get you back to normal, so I apologize in advance.”
Virgil wanted to ask what he meant, but didn’t have enough time to try, as he was immediately picked up and they started moving.
When a door opened, Virgil could hear a dog bark. It didn’t sound like a mean bark, though. “Sophie, retrieve my stasis kit,” the unknown male ordered, causing another bark and skittering paws.
Wait, why does he need a stasis kit? Virgil’s heart rate picked up again. What is happening to me!?!
“Huh. I suppose you can hear me. Well, then. Please try to slow your heart rate, it is upsettingly high.”
How the hell am I supposed to do that if I can’t breathe!?
Virgil’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching steps, soon followed by a bark. “Good girl, Sophie.”
What's happening what's happening where am I who are you what's wrong with me--!
Virgil could hear footsteps approaching, then there was a cool touch on his arm. "This may hurt temporarily," the still unknown male said, his voice closer now and to Virgil's right, "but you will be back to normal afterwards."
Virgil was about to ask what he meant when suddenly there was a sharp pain in his arm. He hissed in pain.
Wait. Virgil took in a shaky breath. Yes! Yes I can actually do this! Virgil slowly opened his eyes.
"There. How do you feel?" the male asked. His earth-brown eyes were only slightly hidden by his glasses. He had on a black top and a dark blue tie. Added to his slicked-back hair, he looked very professional, and as Virgil would realize later, rather cute.
"I've.. felt better," Virgil shakily admitted. The still unnamed male nodded.
"That is to be expected, you were in a partial biostasis for a presumably extended period of time."
Virgil thought for a moment. That term sounded familiar, but he couldn't tell where he had heard it. He decided not to bring it up, however. “I see. Thank you, Mr, uh..”
“Croft. Logan Croft.”
“Virgil Storm. Thanks, by the way.”
“Of course. Would you recall what happened?”
“I can try..”
“That’s all I ask.”
Virgil leaned back and closed his eyes, reciting the story. “We.. were at the dock. Remus’s birthday. There was beer, of course. We’re college kids. College kids like beer.” Logan just nodded. “So, after about half a bottle, I was getting tired, so I sat down. I could feel my body stop working. It wasn’t even a gradual shutdown, just- stop. Turn off like a lightswitch. Couldn’t breathe, couldn’t talk, couldn’t-!”
“Virgil. Breathe. You’re ok now. Just breathe. Deep breaths. Alright?”
Right. Deep breaths. He could do this. It's ok. It's safe. “I was floating along the river all night, and then you found me and yeah. You know how it goes from there.”
Logan nodded. “You’re safe now, Virgil. Would you like to stay here, or shall I take you back home?”
“I think I should head home, my parents are probably freaking out.”
Logan just nodded again. “I’ll drive you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to-!”
“I want to.” Virgil found himself blushing at that, just a small bit.
“A-alright, then.”
~*~💜~*~💙~*~
Virgil was silent during the ride, thinking. Logan was, admittedly, cute. Nerds had always been Virgil’s type, and Logan was definitely a nerd. But on top of that, Logan made him feel… safe. Protected. Possibly even loved.
Thoughts swirled around Virgil's mind until the car stopped. “I believe this is your address?”
“Yeah. Thanks, Logan.”
“Of course. If there is any other way I can assist, please let me know.”
Virgil nodded and got out, but paused before closing the car door. “You’re free to come by whenever,” he offered, blushing softly. “I’d love to see you again.”
Logan smiled a small smile, igniting butterflies in Virgil’s stomach. “I accept your offer. Until we meet again, Virgil.”
“Until we meet again.” Virgil allowed the car door to close, and he walked back into his house. This was the start of something wonderful.