AN:  thank you @FANder102 for reminding me that i never write about young Roman. the boys are in third grade. bonus points to anyone who can guess what song the last line and the title are based off of. 

TW: mentions of bullying/taunts about being adopted and drugs.  don't read if that upsets you. stay safe y'all

-Talented_trash

"Dad? Father," Roman questioned as he entered the house. It was pretty much quiet except for the sound of soft Disney music coming from the kitchen. 

"In here kiddo," Patton called out cheerfully, "Father should be home soon." Roman feebly tossed his backpack into the corner and attempted to sneak up to his room, but Patton caught up to him in the hallway. "Roman, honey? Do you feel sick?" Patton pressed he back of his hand to Roman's forehead and sighed in relief. "You don't have a fever." Roman sniffled as he tried to fight back his tears, but they started to come anyways. "Oh kiddo. My little prince," Patton cooed as he picked Roman up and held him tightly. 

"I-I don't wa-wanna go to s-s-school anymore," Roman cried into his Dad's shoulder as he thought about what they other kids at school had been saying. 

"Baby, come on. Lets get a snack in you and talk, okay?" 

"Is Virgil still asleep?" Patton chuckled at his sons ability to care for his younger brother even wen he was having a rough day. 

"Yeah, that stomach flu is nasty. He'll probably have to stay home tomorrow too."

"Can I get the stomach flu next and get to stay home from school Dad?" Patton frowned and sat Roman down on the counter. 

"Roman, what happened today kiddo? I thought you loved school?" Roman sniffled and wiped a tear away from his cheek. 

"Someone, someone made fun of me," he mumbled as he dropped his gaze to the floor. "They, they told me that..." Roman paused and looked up into Patton's eyes. He knew if anyone could help, it would be his Dad. "They told me I was probably put up for adoption because no one wants me. A-And that my parents didn't love me." Patton gasped in shock and pulled Roman into a tight hug as the small boy started crying again. 

"Roman, oh honey. No baby. That's not true at all. I want you, and so does your Father. Your brother looks up to you, and so does Emile."

"Then why was I put up for adoption? My mother and father are still alive, aren't they," Roman's voice was desperate. He wanted to believe Patton, but he couldn't stop thinking about what the kids had been telling him. 

"Yes Roman. When we first were trying to adopt you, your mother wanted to meet us. She wanted to be the one who had the final say, because she wanted you to be safe and happy."

"You," Roman sniffled again and backed out of the hug, "You know her?" 

"Well, not anymore really. She asks how you're doing once a month and we send her pictures of you and what you've been doing. But she, she doesn't want to hurt you, so she's trying to stay out of the picture." Roman couldn't believe it, she wanted to know how he was?

"A-And my dad?" Patton flinched. He had to admit he knew this day was going to come. Unlike Virgil, who would never ever desire to be back with his family, he knew that Roman could easily feel that way. It hurt. He didn't want to lose his son. 

"She told us that he left when you were born Roman. He was in a lot of debt, so he got a high paying job that required him to travel. He thought it was best if he ducked out completely." Roman slowly nodded and processed this. 

"So...So they put me up for adoption to protect me?" Patton nodded too and placed his hand on Roman's shoulder. 

"It's not because they didn't want you Roman. They just agreed that this was the best path for you. And for Remus. They couldn't afford both of you." They sat in silence for a moment, so Patton started getting the things he needed to make Roman a smoothie. "Are you-"

"Is it okay if I call Remus?" Patton almost dropped the container of blueberries he was holding. 

"Roman." 

"I just...I have questions." He might not be sober right now, Patton thought as he composed himself again. 

"Of course..Let me just text him and ask if he's at work while you drink this and relax a little, okay?" Roman nodded and they sat in silence again as Patton finished the snack. 

"Here you go..I'll go text him." Roman took the cup, muttered a small thank you, and headed into the living room. Patton walked upstairs, grabbed the landline and dialed a number he had learned by heart. It rang only once before being answered.

"He-Hello," Remus answered, his voice groggy and slurred. Patton knew he thought it was Roman and that he was trying to act okay. 

"Don't worry Remus, it's me. Patton." Remus let out a sob and something that sounded a lot like the words 'thank god'. "Are you safe kiddo?" 

"You know me Patton, always two steps away from danger," he slurred. Patton was glad he had called before Roman did. 

"Hey, I know this is hard. But Roman needs you." Remus sighed and Patton could imagine the teenager running his hand through his long, randomly dyed hair. "He needs a sober you Remus. He has questions about your parents." A long silence followed. "Remus?"

"I, I can do that. This should be outta my system in about two hours. And I promise if you have him call me later, I'll be okay." Patton couldn't help but smile. 

"You're an amazing older brother Remus. And I can't explain how proud I am." 

"I'll call back in a bit." With that Remus hung up. It broke Patton's heart that they couldn't take him in. But him and Logan had agreed that it wasn't the safest choice for the two younger children to live with him. Remus knew he was always welcome in their house though, and that they were always there to support him. When Roman went back downstairs, he was surprised to see Virgil sitting in the living room. Distanced from Roman, but both of them talking about their days. 

"You know that I love you, right Princey? Like, you're really heccin cool." Patton's heart melted as he hid behind the wall to listen. 

"I know Virgil. You're pretty okay I guess." Patton smirked as the two boys started laughing, each of them knowing that they loved each other. 

"Now, if you'll excuse me," Virgil replied. Patton frowned as he heard footsteps. Maybe it had hurt Virgil's feelings. 

"I'm sorry Vi-"

"No, I'm not upset. I just have to throw up." Roman made a disgusted noise and Patton couldn't help but laugh at how mature Virgil sounded. 

"Well, he's better at being sick than I am," Patton joked as he entered the living room and sat on the couch next to Roman. "Remus said he's gonna call you the second he gets off of work." Roman smiled and curled in close to his Dad's chest. "What did you and Vee talk about?" Roman smiled even more and looked up at Patton. 

"How lucky we both are to be part of such an amazing new family." Patton felt tears well up in his eyes as he wrapped his arm around Roman's shoulder. "I know that I might want to eventually meet my biological parents. But I also know that they will never ever replace the family we've created and that I've been adopted into." Patton smiled and allowed the tears to silently trace down his cheeks. 

Roman had two brothers looking out for him. And he couldn't be more grateful for both of them.

"You know what Roman? You and your brothers are good kids, and everything's gonna be alright. Never listen to those kids who were making fun of you. You're wanted and you're a good kid." 

"I love you so much Dad." Patton gently kissed Roman's forehead and ruffled his hair. 

"I love you too my little prince." 

AN: hope y'all enjoyed