Warning kinda?: Regret, denial... Not as bad as the other chapters... Heck, I would consider this fluff. Have fun!

Patton pov
I don't know why I told him that. I don't know why I trust him after barely knowing him. I don't know why I have this need to tell him. I don't know why I feel like all my problems disappear in his embrace. But they do. And I do. Somethings can't be explained, and as much as I want the answers, it is unlikely I will get them.

Once I got my breathing under control, I realized what I did. I said all those things. No! I can't have flaws! If I am not alright, I will be punished. Why did I say that? I have never actually said those thoughts out loud before. I mean, they were always there in the back of my mind, but I never acknowledged them! And now I said it in front of a total stranger who can detect lies. He actually believed it though. Does that mean I have been lying to myself this whole time? No. But… what if…. No! It can't be true. I. Am. Fine. I will pound it into my head if I have to. I. Am. Fine. I don't need help. I don't have any weakness. If I have weakness, then there is something wrong with me and, I mean, there is something wrong with me. If there was nothing wrong with me I wouldn't be punished. No, there is something wrong with me. But I can change. I can grow. I can become better, and maybe, finally, earn my parents' love. I will finally be good enough to look them in the eye and be treated as an equal. I might even get a hug, or, at the very least, a true genuine smile and a thank you for all that you did. Thank you for making dinner tonight Patton. You did a very good job. Thank you for being home on time, I know the curfew is rough, but you always do your best to get home on time and we are grateful for it. I will be worthy of their praise one day, I just have to work harder.

"Sorry," I mumbled as I pulled back from Deceit. He gave me a compassionate look as he nodded. He turned his head.

"Are you alright? Do you need any refreshments?" Well, I can't lie.

"I will be alright, but I could use some food and water. If you want, I can go to a nearby takeout place. You don't have to worry about me." He gave me a warning look. I duck my head guiltily. He held up a finger as he floated down through the floor. I kinda forgot ghosts could do that for a second and may have freaked out a bit. I saw him snicker as he disappeared.

While I waited, I looked around the room. My crutch was propped against the bed and my injured leg was elevated on some pillows. The bed had black sheets and yellow pillows. Sewn in the blanket, was a yellow two headed snake. The room itself was surprisingly tidy. There wasn't even a speck of dust. I remember people describing the house to me, but they never mentioned a bedroom. They did, however, mention a room that was marked off. Maybe this is the room. It could be Deceit's. It makes sense. I wouldn't want to intrude on a ghost's private room either if I wanted to keep them happy. I slowly lay my head back on the pillow and close my eyes for a bit.

The smell of food woke me. I don't know how long I've been out, but there was definitely cooked food in the room. I slowly sat up and noticed that Deceit was still gone. Instead of a ghost, I found a Wendy's bag on the side table. Next to it was a cup of water and a large chocolate frosty. I thanked the stars as I opened the bag and found fries, a burger, and chicken nuggets inside. It looks like the food had just gotten here because it was still nice and warm. I began eating and I enjoyed every bite. I emptied the glass of water first and after finishing both the burger and chicken nuggets, attacked the frosty and fries. The ice cream did wonders for my hoarse throat and the fries made me squeal with delight. Okay, sometimes I just can't help it! 

I heard a snicker from the corner of the room as I turned a deep shade of scarlet. Looking up, I see a smug face staring at me. He laughed a bit when he noticed my attention was on him, "Oh no, don't let me stop you from enjoying your meal." It was then I noticed that he himself had a large frosty in his hand. I didn't know ghosts could eat. I slowly took another bite.

"How long have you been standing there?" His smile grew as he turned his head.

"Since you started the fries. I figured that you wouldn't appreciate me watching you eat the whole time, so I waited a bit before checking in on you." He seemed to be inspecting his nails through his gloves as he explained, smirk never leaving his face. I cringed at the thought of him watching me eat. I am not the most graceful with my food when my parents aren't around. I quickly take another bite, causing him to chuckle again.

I wait until my flush is under control for me to speak again. "Why… why are you helping me?" He paused, hand still in the air. He looked like he was searching his mind for an answer. His playful smirk returned.

"What makes you think I'm helping you and don't have anything to gain from this?" He asked slyly. He stalked over to the bed and sat down beside me. "Are you well enough to move? Or would you rather stay here?" He had an earnest look in his eye. I shook my head out of the trance.

"I think I can move…" I started, moving towards the side of the bed. I grab my crutch and shakily stand. It isn't supposed to hurt this much, but I don't want Deceit to worry. Gosh, why am I so weak? I try to take a step, but jolt so violently, I end up falling. I expect to land on the floor, but that's not what happened. Deceit must have rushed forward and caught me. "Sorry," I mumble out. I feel my face heat up with embarrassment. He chuckled and flew up, causing me to yelp and hold him close. I'm not the biggest fan of heights. My yelp caused more laughter to erupt from him and I felt surprisingly calm in his embrace. His laugh was beautiful and enchanting. I can't help but smile and chuckle along with him.

He flew us down the stairs and into the living room. Haha. It's kinda an ironic name. A more fit name would be the dead room. Or maybe the living dead room! I am probably overthinking this. He noticed me laughing in his arms and he looked down, "What's so funny?" A smile danced on his lips.

"Nothing." I then remembered he could sense lies, "I just found the name of the room ironic. The living room. Nothing lives in this house. It's just funny to me." He laughed a bit in response.

"Oh your right. Nothing ever lives in spaces that remain open for centuries." I rolled my eyes, jokingly of course. "Because I haven't yet discovered how to keep all living things out of my house, do you want me to introduce you?" What? Oh my gosh, he could be talking about spiders! Please don't tell me they're creepy crawly death dealers! I silently begged the stars above. I slowly nod my head and take in a breath.

"As long as they're not spiders." He chuckled again. I'm not that funny. I haven't even said a pun yet! Why does he keep laughing? 

"I promise they aren't spiders." I relaxed as he walked me over to the couch. He set me on the floor in front of it as he gently knocked on the floor. A mouse stuck his head out from the cushion and I squealed. He's so cute! Deceit reached forward and the mouse crawled into his hand. "This is Sir Squiggles the Brave. And no, I didn't choose the name. It's one of the perks of being a ghost. I can communicate with animals. These are their own names, given to them by their parents." He motioned to the other mice that had crawled out of the couch. There were five in total. Deceit motioned to the second largest mouse. "This is Sacajawea, Sir Squiggles the Brave's wife." he moved down the line, "Then there is the oldest Joan, then Valerie, and then the youngest Thomas. But don't call him Tom or Tommy." I picked up Thomas and he nuzzled into my hand.

"Awww" I hugged him close and held my other hand out. Joan took cautious steps onto it, but Valerie just bounded on. I held them close and let out a few giggles as they nibbled on my fingers. Deceit chuckled.

"They said that they're adopting you." I let out a laugh. "I guess now they're a family of mice with a pet ghost and human." He was holding Sacajawea and Sir Squiggles the Brave and was gently petting them. 

We played with Sir Squiggles the Brave and his family for the rest of the afternoon, exchanging small talk. Eventually the topic was brought up, "What was your family like?" He paused for a bit. He looked at the ground as the mice in his hand seemed to understand and tried to comfort him. "Sorry, you don't have to answer, I was just wondering-"

"No, it's quite alright." He cleared his throat, "I had eleven brothers and sisters. There was the oldest, John. Then Elizabeth, Anna, William, Emma, James, Henry, Robert, Clara, Grace, and Walter. I was the youngest." A smile danced on his lips, "Elizabeth and I were best friends. Though she was expected to be a lady and work her way up the social ladder, she always made time for me and made me feel important, even though I was the youngest of six boys. The others would often pick on me for my size. I was the runt of the litter. Elizabeth would always put a stop to it and the others would usually end up with a few bruises as a reminder to not pick on me. She was as fierce as they come. She had gorgeous jet black hair that had a wave to it. Her features were soft, causing many people to think of her as a fragile little thing. This made her so angry," Deceit laughed at the memory, his eyes sparkling. "One day, she went up to a suitor who had mentioned her being as delicate as a rose and she reminded him that every rose has its thorn by punching him in the eye. That must have worked as a way of flirting because he ended up being her husband. He learned not to underestimate her and that women should be treated as equals." 

He looked up at the sky. "Not a day goes by where I don't miss her." He mumbled out. He closed his eyes and took a deep steadying breath. "She actually took the house after the… incident. I had shared with her how I turned into a spirit and she helped me cope with it. Of course, Arthur was a bit freaked out when he discovered his dead brother in-law was living in their house. They were still kind enough to leave me my room and keep it as it was." He turned back towards me. He looked… happy. Not a fake happy, but truly happy. The memories must be helping him a great deal. I smiled back at him as the small mice continued to nap in my hands. 

Thomas was lying on his back and I started to pet his little belly with my thumb. Thomas woke up from the contact and started attacking my thumb. He grabbed it between his paws and was nibbling on the tip. I laughed a little as Joan walked over with Valerie. They gained up on me and started fighting my thumbs. I can't help giggles from escaping my lips. I looked up to see Janus watching us play. He had a wide smile on his lips as he watched the rodents. When he noticed I was looking at him, his smile quickly dropped and he cleared his throat. "It's getting late."

I checked my watch. It's five already! Time flies when you're having fun. I guess it's time for me to go home now if I don't want to be late. I feel fear start to rise within me, but I quickly press it down. No use in panicking here. I just need to go home and get it over with.

Sighing, I grab my crutch and shakily get to my feet. "I better get going… thank you for helping me." I press a smile onto my face. The smile would be more effortless if my legs weren't screaming in pain, but that's okay. I had a really good time today. I won't let my parents change my mind about it. No matter what they do to me. He nodded and I hobbled to the door, my satchel swung over my arm. I turn to wave, but he's already gone. I closed the door behind me and took a breath. "Here we go."

2293 Words!
Thank you all for the support and love! I hope you all know that you are amazing individual and deserve love. You deserve the world. I know that smiling can be hard sometimes, and you don't always have to. Just remember that smiling really helps. I hope you all the best! And, as an amazing Hufflepuff once said:
Take it easy guys gals and non binary pals!

💖 Maybay4