Some of the bits are shorter than I would have liked them to be, but you know what, I wrote a 6500 word oneshot, I'm proud of that, so... Yeah.

Also, TheUsualOddities This wasn't my original plan for your gift, but I haven't gotten anything else done, and I will, but for now, enjoy my hopelessly long (pretty bad) oneshot, and I will get something better done. <3

T.W. Dysphoria, Swearing (twice because it was needed even though I didn't want to), Minor Arguments and Hostility, and an Anxiety Attack.

Logan looked at the sheet of homework in front of him. It wasn't that he didn't understand, it was more so that his brain was completely fried, and he didn't know how much more homework he was going to be able to take.

"Beau, school starts soon, you should put that away, you're just going to overwork yourself." Roman ran his hands over Logan's shoulders, resting his cheek against Logan's head. He pressed a quick kiss to the side of his head and reached over to take the pencil from his hand.

"Roman, please, I have to do this." Logan refused to loosen his grip on the pencil, but Roman knew all of his weaknesses, and he wasn't about to let Logan get away with it.

Roman sighed and leaned back slightly so his mouth was level with Logan's ear. "If you don't hand it over, you won't get any affection from any of us for a week. And you and I both know that I can get everyone else to agree."

"Roman, this is important."

"You're burning yourself out." Roman sighed and looked over to Virgil who was watching them carefully, whilst also trying to maintain a conversation with an overly cuddly Patton and De. He seemed completely left out, but Roman had to focus on Logan before he could go over to Virgil. "If not for me, then please, do it for V?"

"Why should I?"

"He doesn't want this to blow up, neither do I, and he needs someone else too. So, please, Lo, just let go."

Logan sighed and looked up at Roman, slowly loosening his grip on the pencil. He reached up and wrapped an arm around Roman's shoulders, pulling him closer, so their lips were brushing against one another's.

"Kiss me, amour," Logan whispered against Roman's lips, and he gladly closed the gap between them, missing the soft whimper Virgil let out.

Logan soon twisted so he was facing Roman better, and Roman had sat down on the bench next to Logan, both of them too lost in one another to notice anything else.

Roman's hands were resting on Logan's waist, tracing small shapes into his sides, while Logan's arms were around Roman's shoulders, holding him impossibly close.

Roman soon pulled back, pressing a few fleeting kisses to Logan's lips before they parted completely, minus their hands. Logan laced their fingers together, not quite ready to let go of Roman yet.

Sure, they had three other boyfriends, but nothing quite compared to the bond they had. They'd been together longer than they'd been with Patton, Virgil, and De. Although Patton and Virgil had been together even longer than they had, that didn't stop Roman from favouring Logan slightly more.

Logan used his free hand to slip his papers into his bag, before turning back to Roman, only to notice Virgil walking away.

He pressed a kiss to Roman's lips and reached over to get Patton and De's attention, only to tell them he would be gone for a bit, and he'd be back later. After pressing one final kiss to Roman's lips, Logan went in the same direction Virgil had gone.

-

Virgil sighed and ran a hand through his hair, he was foolish to think they would be able to make it work. Logan and Roman clearly favoured one another, and Patton seemed much happier with De than with him. He didn't know why he tried. Not really. They were probably better off without him.

He pulled his hoodie tighter around him and looked up, only to crash into one of the kids in his class. He didn't pay attention to names, but he was sure he was Thomas, or something similar to that. He smiled weakly, which was the most apologetic thing he was going to do. He didn't feel like talking, so he didn't. Not that anything he had to say really mattered. Patton and De had been too caught up in what they were saying between them, and their cuddling, that they hadn't heard a word he said.

"Hey." He felt a hand on his arm and he looked up, meeting the male's gaze. "Virgil, right?"

He nodded, frowning slightly. Why was Thomas trying to talk to him? He wasn't ever acknowledged.

"Sorry to bother you, but are you alright? You just seem kind of down, and you're alone when normally you're with Patton, your boyfriend?"

Virgil shrugged. It wasn't that he didn't trust Thomas (though he kind of didn't), it was more that he didn't want to talk to anyone, and even if he did want to talk, he didn't think he would be able to. His words died in his throat and he couldn't bring himself to even attempt to talk to anyone.

"You don't know if you're alright?" Thomas frowned, reaching out to hold his arm, hoping it would be somewhat helpful, only to have Virgil step back and out of reach.

"I... 'm fine." He managed out, before walking off and around the back of the school, too uncomfortable to stay there.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he leaned against the brick wall, trying to keep himself calm. He hated that he was unable to tell people when he felt bad, or that he put his boyfriends through more than they deserved. He wasn't sure why they were all still together. He felt as though he drove a wedge between them.

"Virgil?" Logan's voice cut through his self deprecating thoughts, and he looked up to meet his gaze. "Are you alright? You seem... Sad?"

"Lo, please, go away."

"Why? Virgil, why should I?"

"Because it's better that way."

"No. It isn't."

"Why isn't it? Logan, from what I can see, you are better off with Roman, while Patton's better off with De. So, it's better. I won't be the wonky one, throwing the whole thing off balance. Five wheels don't work! So if I go, it's better. You can go and be happy. Patton's happy with De, you're happy with Ro. So, why not?"

"How are you the 'wonky one'? If anyone was the wonky one, it would be De, since he was the last to join us."

"Maybe because I'm a fucking girl, Logan. I wish I wasn't, but I am, and there's not a damn thing I can do about it." Virgil turned to face Logan, eyes wide with fear and a slight craze to them. He was staring at Logan, breathing heavily and trying to calm down, only for it all to come crashing back.

"No, you are not. You are not a girl. How many times do you have to be told this? Virgil, you are a boy. We tell you this so often. It doesn't matter who you were born as, but unless you choose to be a girl, you are not one. Okay?"

"Have you seen me? My chest doesn't look flat at all, my hips are way too curvy, my hair is too long, and I can't get it cut. I can't do a damn thing about how I look, you know why? Because my mother is a transphobic bitch, and I hate living under her damn roof. I'm wonky. I don't fit in. I don't belong, and you are all happier without me. Okay?"

"No."

"Yes."

"Lo?" Patton frowned, noticing his two boyfriends seemingly heated and eyes full of an almost rage and fear. "Virge? What's going on?"

"Nothing. I was just leaving." Virgil brushed past Logan and Patton, only to be stopped by a hand on his wrist.

"Virge, you know I'm here for you. Always?"

"Yeah. I know." Virgil murmured, pulling his arm from Patton's hold, sending him a small soft smile.

Patton stood in silence until Virgil was out of sight and he sighed.

"He's having a really bad day. It's only going to get worse." Logan spoke up, smiling sadly.

Patton nodded and moved closer to Logan, letting him be wrapped in a hug. He wasn't sure what was running through Virgil's head, but he was determined to be there for his boyfriend, no matter what.

-

Logan ran a hand through Patton's hair as they sat at their lunch table, smiling sadly as Patton's eyes scanned the sea of people, hoping to find Virgil amongst them all. Roman and De had joined them a while ago, but Virgil was nowhere to be seen.

Roman had offered to go and find him, but Patton didn't want him to go, knowing if Virgil wanted to be found, he would be here. Patton had stayed attached to Logan's side almost all morning. Whenever the two were in the same area for a while, Patton would be clinging onto Logan's side.

"Patton?" De spoke up, causing Patton to glance in his direction, waiting for him to continue. "If you want him that bad, you could go and look for him, or, you could stay here and enjoy our company and know that Virgil is fine."

"I know he's fine, he just... He never misses lunch. So I'm worried. He's always here, he's always next to me, and I miss him... He's so distant today, and I haven't seen him at all. Not really."

"I know, but he's clearly dealing with some stuff, and if he needed us, he'd be here, asking for us to help him." Roman joined in, wrapping his arm around De, using his spare hand to reach over and lace his fingers with Patton's.

Logan smiled and tightened his hold on Patton slightly, pressing a soft kiss to his temple, "everything will work itself out. Like I said earlier, he's having a bad day, so we just need to respect that. He will be fine. He just gets like this every once in a while. Usually because of his dysphoria."

Patton sighed and curled further into Logan's side, using the black material to block out any light and focus on the noise of the cafeteria. He didn't want to be that boyfriend, but he knew someone needed to be, and he didn't mind doing it, but he hated being so clingy. Normally, Virgil would be the clingy one, which was really no surprise. The poor kid had a hard time at home, so being with his boyfriends definitely helped.

A tap on Patton's shoulder caused him to squeak and look up, his gaze meeting Virgil's. He smiled weakly and watched him sit down, taking his boyfriend's hand in his own. Patton sat up, not quite leaving Logan's side, but moving enough so Virgil knew he was listening if he needed to talk.

"Sorry, I'm late. Had to talk to the teacher. I was failing and I didn't know why..." He spoke almost too quietly, and Patton could tell his anxiety over failing had caused him to be much later than he had originally planned.

"It's okay." Patton grinned, pressing a kiss to the back of Virgil's hand, watching gleefully as he flushed.

They settled into a small conversation, Virgil focusing on some of the work he had to do, having missed due to anxiety attacks, and Patton stayed curled into Logan's side.

The bell rang all too soon, and everyone sighed. Patton looked up at Logan, who smiled fondly, and they excused themselves, not wanting to be late to class.

Roman smiled at Virgil and pressed a kiss to his temple, before walking off with De, leaving Virgil to stare at the table for a few minutes trying to collect himself before he went to class, and subjected himself to more misgendering and school work that stressed him out to the point of anxiety and breaking down being his only option.

-

Roman smiled softly, reaching over to take De's hand in his own, lacing their fingers through one another's. They had a test in a few minutes, but they were comfortable to just sit in silence for a little while.

He jumped as his phone vibrated in his pocket and he looked to De, to find him looking at his phone, having received a message too.

Virgil: I can't... I need one of you. Please?

Roman sighed, seeing De put his phone away.

Roman: Sorry, V, we have a test, we can't miss it.

Roman sighed and looked over to De, feeling the unsettling guilt in his stomach. He reached over and squeezed De's hand, using the slight pressure to distract him from leaving Virgil when he was sure he needed someone.

Roman hated leaving Virgil alone when he was having an attack, and normally, he would be able to go and help him, but with the test coming, and the fact that he seemed to miss a lot of this specific class, he was close to failing, and he couldn't fail. If his parents knew how badly he was doing, he'd not be allowed to spend the time with his boyfriends.

"He's okay. I'm sure." De smiled weakly, switching the grip on Roman's hold slightly, allowing Roman to lace their fingers together. "He's strong, and sure, he has his overly dysphoric moments, but can you blame him? His mother makes it hard for him to transition to a state where he's comfortable. He can't take T, he can't cut his hair, his binder seems to be loosening up, and he needs a new one. Not to mention, he can't afford any of it."

"I know." Roman leaned against De's side, glancing up at the teacher every once in a while. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't get the in-class portion of the work done, he would be passing easily. It was an easy class, he knew all the material, but the fact that he wasn't in class made it so he missed out on half the points towards his final grade. "I just want to be there for him. I hate telling him I can't be there because of something else. I'd retake the same class a thousand times over if it meant I could be there for him."

"I know, Mio Principe." (my prince) De smiled weakly and pressed a kiss to his temple, tilting his head up so their gazes met. "Patton or Logan will do their best to be there for him." He left off the part that they were both thinking. The fact that their teacher was one of the strictest in the school, and more often than not, she caused panic attacks or stress to the extent of more people failing the class because she was so overbearing. She never let anyone out to breathe or anything. She just made them suffer through it.

"I hope so. I hate the idea of him going through it alone."

Virgil: Please. I can't... Breathe.

Roman frowned and had to fight off the urge to go running. Sure, his boyfriend needed him, but he needed to take the test, if he didn't, everything could be ruined.

Roman: V, you know I would, but if I go now, I'll fail, and I can't fail. My parents will kill me.

"You're doing the right thing. I know it's hard, and I know you want to go running, but this is the right thing. School comes first." De murmured, resting their foreheads together. "As wrong as it sounds."

"I know. You just sound like my parents is all." Roman let out a breathy laugh that was lacking any humour. He leaned up and pressed his lips briefly against De's. Their kiss was short since they didn't want to get caught by the teacher, but it seemed to help, nonetheless.

"As soon as the test is over, we can go and make sure il nostro gattino (Our kitten) is okay." De smiled, pecking Roman's lips once more before they turned back to the teacher, who turned around, tests in hand.

"Okay." Roman nodded, smiling weakly. "He'll be fine. Right?"

"Of course he will."

Roman nodded and watched the teacher, trying to keep his mind from wandering too much, knowing this test would be easy, and before he knew it, he would be with Virgil, keeping him calm.

-

Virgil shivered. He wasn't cold, not by any means, but the fact that he'd suffered a particularly strong panic attack made it so he shuddered involuntarily sometimes. He was wearing a black t-shirt, a purple and black flannel, and his all too familiar black hoodie over the top. Sure, it was nearing summer, and far too hot to wear a hoodie, but he was comfortable.

He sighed and looked at the stall door, sure, he wasn't in the most hygienic of places, but he was comfortable and he was able to go through his attack without anyone noticing. He would've much preferred if his boyfriends were with him, but he knew they all had their own classes, and they couldn't be with him all of the time.

He'd sent both Patton and Logan a text, hoping that one of them would be able to come and help him, but he doubted it. They were in the same class, and more than once, they'd said about how strict the teacher was, and how they wouldn't be let out of class unless it was a dire emergency.

He jumped as the main bathroom door opened, and he clamped a hand over his mouth, hoping to keep his heavy breathing under control. He didn't want someone to hear him and get the wrong idea, or hear him let out the occasional sob. Boys didn't cry. It kind of sucked when Virgil thought about it. He wasn't a boy. Not really. Sure, mentally and emotionally he was, in a way, but physically, he wasn't. Socially, he tried to pass as one, which was why he often had too many layers on.

"Virge?" Patton's voice rang out in the quiet bathrooms, and Virgil had to pinch himself to stop him from sobbing. This time from pure joy, but he still didn't want to cry. Not when there was the chance of someone else walking in. "I know you're in there, what happened?"

"Panicked." He mumbled, seeing his boyfriend's feet under the door. "Some girl misgendered me... No one helped... Ran out of class. Gonna get in trouble."

"Oh, Virge, you know you're allowed to be upset, and if you're suffering an attack, they can't give you a hard time, it's not like you can control it, love."

"They don't... They think I do it... My fault." He sighed and rested his head against the side of the stall, wincing when he hit it a bit harder than intended.

"Virge, you know we can argue it, right?"

"What's the point... They won't..." Virgil cut himself off and unlocked the door, seeing Patton push it open slightly. "No. Just... Please." He didn't really know what he was asking for, but the fact that his boyfriend was there, and he needed someone to help him, he was more than content to just be held.

"Please what?" Patton looked at his boyfriend confused, trying to figure out what he was asking. He wasn't trying to put more pressure on his boyfriend, but he just needed to understand.

"I need... Where's Logan?" Virgil looked to his phone, frowning when he saw no reply from Logan. During his wait for Patton, Virgil had texted Roman and De, hoping one of them would reply. The only response he got was a small apology from Roman, something about a test.

"He said he was going to try and make it, but class ends soon, so it's harder for him to get out, especially since I left."

"How'd you?"

"I told the teacher that my boyfriend was suffering from an anxiety attack and he needed me, if she had a problem with it, I would take it to the principle. Not only because she was depriving someone of help when they needed it, but because the students and teachers in the school were causing people to have anxiety and panic attacks almost daily. Some more than others, because some kids have anxiety issues in addition to everything else."

"You... For me?"

"Of course, Virge, I love you, and I don't see why I wouldn't come and defend you."

"Not worth..." Virgil sighed. "I'm not worth it."

"Yes, you are! Why would you say that?"

"Look at me, Pat, I'm a girl. I cry like a girl, I run like a girl, I do everything like a girl... You act as though I'm this amazing boyfriend when in reality, I'm not a good boyfriend. I shouldn't even be your boyfriend. Any of your boyfriends. I'm not worth it, I'm not good enough. Patton, you don't understand, I'm not good for you. Any of you. I don't even look like a boy. I can't pass for one, I can't act like one, I can't even transition into one, you know why? Because society has double standards, and I don't have the money. They say to be yourself, but if you change one thing about yourself, it's always 'why did you do that. You were perfect' but perfect isn't good enough! It's not good enough. Because you're either too perfect and full of yourself or such a wimp if you're too scared to show the real you. And I'm sick of feeling like I'm not good enough! Because let's be real. I'm not good enough for you. You deserve better."

"I don't want better! When will you see that? I don't want better, Logan doesn't want better, neither does Roman or De. We all want you. Because you're the boyfriend we have and love, and sure you're not perfect, but to me? Holy crap, Virgil, you couldn't be more perfect. Who gives a damn if you don't look like a boy, or you can't transition for whatever reason, Virgil, there are thousands of people out there who respect your pronouns, who support you and would help you transition in an instant. Virgil, if I could snap my fingers and make you a boy, I would. You know I would. I love you so damn much, and I don't want to lose you, so please stop talking like that. I want you. Even if you don't think we should have you, I want you, because I love you. You were mine before you were their's and I never stopped loving you the way I did when we first got together. You're mine. You always have been, and that isn't changing now." Tears filled Patton's eyes, and he reached out to cup Virgil's cheek.

The bell rang and Virgil stepped out of Patton's reach, moving around him to the sinks, allowing him to splash some cold water on his face. He sighed and looked back at Patton, smiling weakly before going to walk out.

"I do love you, but right now, I don't need words. I need someone with me. Sorry, Pat." He walked out, trying to keep his own tears at bay. He had his next class with Roman, and he just hoped that Roman didn't mention anything about his attack.

-

Patton watched sadly as Virgil walked out, only for the door to open moments later and De walked in. Patton said nothing as De walked over and pulled him in for a hug. He was sure De knew what was going on, or at least some of it, but Patton didn't care, he was grateful to have De there with him.

"We have to go to class." De murmured in Patton's hair, running his fingers through the ends, whilst resiting his chin on top of Patton's head. "I know it's rough, but he just needs time. Roman's going to make him laugh and he'll be back to himself in no time."

"I hope so. I just really don't want to deal with English right now. It's stressful and I swear I'm about to fail."

"Well, please don't swear, it doesn't suit you, and you'll get through it. You're Patton. You get through anything." De took a step back and cupped Patton's face, using his thumbs to caress his cheeks. "How about we just stay here a minute or two longer, you kiss me, and then we can go to class. Yeah?"

"Sure." Patton smiled weakly and leaned up to De. "I just worry."

"I know. He's okay. I promise." De was the peacekeeper between everyone, as odd as it was, he kept everyone sane. He wasn't the one with the least experience with emotions, he wasn't the one who was over the top all the time, he kept everyone calm. He knew what they were going through, and he knew it would be okay.

"Okay. Yeah... Okay." Patton nodded and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, smiling softly as he was held close. Patton adored De, there was something about him that just kept Patton hooked.

De soon pulled away, the two-minute bell ringing. "We have to go, il mio cuore" (my heart)

Patton nodded sadly and looked down. He didn't want to leave the bathrooms. He didn't want to go to class and he didn't want to deal with other people. No matter how hard he tried, he'd never be able to say no to De.

He laced his fingers through De's, and the two walked to class, a comfortable silent settling over them.

-

Virgil leaned into Roman's side as they walked to Art. He didn't want to talk, but he hated the silence that encompassed them. He jumped slightly as Roman stopped them, a hand on his waist.

"Ro?"

"Look, V, I love you, but what happened? You know I am always there for you, so what happened?" Roman cupped his cheek, using the soft gesture to keep him looking at Roman.

"I really don't want to talk about it." He sighed and pulled away from his boyfriend's touch.

"V, you aren't happy, Patton isn't happy, what happened between you two. Not to mention, Logan came back earlier and he wasn't very happy either. What's going on with you? Are you okay?"

"No. I'm not. But I don't want to talk about it."

Roman sighed and ran a hand through his hair before placing his hand at the small of Virgil's back, leading him to their classroom, not wanting to upset him further.

He smiled weakly as they sat together, resting his hand on Virgil's thigh, watching him sadly. He didn't know what to do. He loved Virgil, but he couldn't keep letting him shut himself off.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Yeah." Virgil looked to his notebook, wondering what he was going to draw, only to be interrupted by Roman reaching up to turn his head. "What, Ro?"

"I'm worried about you."

"I'm just having a bad day. Please leave it alone now." Virgil huffed and scanned Roman's face. "I love you too, idiot. Just... I needed you. I didn't even know if Patton was going to be able to make it, and I suffered on my own. I hate that. You know... I didn't want to do that... I guess I just blamed you a bit... And took it out on Pat. Sorry."

"V, I would have been there, you know that."

"Yeah, I just... I got pissy."

"I noticed." Roman laughed lightly, gasping when Virgil punched his softly. "Rude."

"Yeah, well, I gotta make up for being short somehow."

Roman rolled his eyes and leaned over, "kiss me?"

Virgil sighed, rolling his eyes, before leaning over and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"There. Now work."

"Okay." Roman grinned and Virgil just smiled. Roman made him happy. He wasn't sure how or why he just did.

With the small smile on his face, he went back to his notebook, beginning a sketch of the five of them, cuddling on the sofa in their pyjamas.

- time skip -

Logan sighed and put his book down as De splashed him again.

"What? What do you want?" He sent a pointed glare to De, who just smirked and made his way over to him.

"I want you to come in the pool and quit being boring." De pressed a kiss to Logan's lips, not caring about dripping on his clothes.

"Why?" Logan asked, clearly flushed, after they parted.

"Because you're being boring."

"Whatever."

De huffed and pressed another kiss to his lips, this one much longer and slightly more rushed. He understood why Virgil didn't want to get into the pool, but Logan had no reason to stay out, other than he was a boring nerd (not that De loved him any less).

When they parted, Logan blew his hair out of his face before reaching for the bottom of his shirt and pulling it over his head.

"You owe me." Was all he said before De grinned and jumped back in the pool, sneaking over to Patton, ready to work with Roman on dunking him under the water.

Logan rolled his eyes and smiled fondly. Why he loved those idiots, he didn't know, but he did. No matter what, they were his idiots.

-

Patton smiled, leaning against Roman's side, watching as De splashed Logan with water, trying to get him to come into the pool.

Roman pressed a kiss to Patton's cheek, smile widening when he turned around and connected their lips. From the beginning of their relationship, they'd all mutually agreed that unless it was a situation in which people would clearly be made more uncomfortable, like when Virgil was having a panic attack, they didn't need to ask permission to kiss one another.

Of course, Virgil and Patton more often than not always asked permission, or if anyone else was kissing Virgil, they'd ask permission, since he was a harder person to read.

Roman wrapped his arms around Patton's waist, holding him closer, smiling as he wrapped his legs around Roman's waist.

Roman pulled away, watching as Patton's eyes sparkled in the sun and his cheeks were a rosy pink.

"I love you" Patton mumbled.

"Love you too. But watch this." Roman grinned, barely giving Patton time to register anything before De came up behind him and splashed him with water.

Patton squeaked and as his legs slipped from around Roman's waist, Roman dropped him, causing him to go underwater.

By the time he'd resurfaced, De and Roman were on the other side of the pool, out of range of any splashes, and they were too fast for him to get over to them. He pouted and swam over to Logan, who had just gotten in the pool.

"Logan" he whined, "they splashed me."

"You are in the pool, what difference does it make?"

"I was cuddling Roman."

"How? We are in a pool."

"You're boring." Patton huffed and sat on the steps, waiting for Roman to come back to him. He smiled watching his boyfriends. He watched as De slowly made his way over to Logan, making sure Patton wasn't going to splash him, and only when De had made it all the way to Logan did Roman attempt to come back.

"I missed you." Patton grinned, reaching out and pulling Roman closer.

Roman used the momentum to connect their lips once more, and they stayed there for a while, loving one another's company and listening to their boyfriends.

-

De watched his boyfriend sat by the side of the pool. He knew Virgil had been having a rough day, and he thought to bring everyone to the pool would be a good idea, it'd give them all time to relax and unwind. Letting them forget everything that stressed them for a little while. Only, Virgil didn't seem to care. He didn't even seem to be paying attention.

De made his way over and sat next to Virgil, frowning when he didn't even greet him. One thing about Virgil was, that no matter how bad he felt, he would always greet his boyfriends with at least a small smile. It didn't have to be anything much, but it was always something. This time, Virgil just wasn't fully there.

He reached over and placed a hand on Virgil's thigh, watching with sad eyes as he flinched away. He wasn't sure what was going on, but after the text he'd received just after lunch, he was definitely more than worried about what was running through his boyfriend's head. Sure, they hadn't been together very long, but that didn't mean that De didn't worry about him just as much as everyone else.

"Sorry." Virgil's soft apology brought De back to what was happening, and he frowned. Virgil's words were too soft in comparison to the actions prior.

"For what, gattino?" De raised his hand and cupped Virgil's cheek, frowning as he seemed to have an internal battle with himself over whether or not to stay close to De.

"Everything. I made today a bad day. I just want to go home and not see anyone for a while, but I don't want to be without you guys. I'm so confused, and I don't know why you guys even want to be with me. Don't I just mess everything up?"

"What gave you that idea? We all love you so much, and there's nothing that would stop that. You're entitled to have bad days."

Virgil sighed and looked over to Patton who, despite having a smile on his face, had clear sadness in his eyes. He hadn't meant to upset Patton, but he did, and he wasn't really sure how to fix it.

"Patton..." Virgil sighed and looked at his hands laced together in his lap. "I upset him."

"Virgil, I have told you, you didn't mess anything up, and based on how Patton is acting now-"

"Acting." Virgil cut him off. "I upset Patton, and now he is acting. So yeah, I messed things up." He stood up and walked back into the house, sighing frustratedly when he realised he'd just walked away from yet another problem.

"V?" Roman's voice filtered into the kitchen, and Virgil sighed. "Do you need a hug?"

"Please." He managed out, looking up to Roman sadly. "I'm sorry for..."

"You don't need to be sorry. Patton's fine. See." Roman pointed out the window to Patton, who seemed to have perked up. Virgil wasn't sure whether it was to do with De talking to him, or if it was just coincidence, but he was definitely happier.

"Okay. Can I... Have... Pat?"

"I can get him, but you still owe me a hug."

"Yeah... Okay." Virgil inched forwards, slowly leaning into Roman's hold.

"We all love you, so much, you do realise that, right?"

"Yeah."

Roman smiled and pressed a kiss to Virgil's temple, telling him he'd send Patton in.

Virgil took the time to look around De's kitchen. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, he just needed to kill time.

"Virge?"

Virgil turned to Patton and with a wobbly smile, he threw himself into Patton's arms, sobbing slightly.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Please... I just...I..."

"Hey, hey... Virge, I love you, and I'm not going to hate you. I know things get bad for you sometimes, and I'm not going to do anything you don't like." Patton pressed a kiss to Virgil's cheek and used his hands to wipe away the few tears that were still falling.

"I love you." Virgil sniffled and wiped at his face. "I love you so much, and I didn't mean to be so harsh, I just needed someone to talk to, and I ended up not talking, I let my anxiety take over again, and I do it all the time, and please don't hate me, Pat. I need you. I love you. You were so cuddly with De this morning, and I got jealous because I needed you and you didn't want me, and I just... I don't want to lose you. I love you."

"You're not going to lose me. I promise. As for this morning, I should have noticed, I'm sorry I didn't. I don't hate you, you know why?" Patton smiled fondly as Virgil shook his head. "Because I love you too, silly."

Virgil smiled weakly and hugged Patton again. "Thank you for always being here."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else." Patton smiled and cupped Virgil's cheeks, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, slowly wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's waist.

Virgil soon pulled back, allowing Patton to peck his lips a few more times before De walked in and distracted them.

"Don't let me interrupt," De spoke up, and Patton sent Virgil a knowing look before heading back outside.

"De?"

"Hm?"

"I love you." Virgil smiled softly, looking at his boyfriend's frozen frame. Despite De having been a part of their relationship for months now, Virgil had yet to say those three words, so having them come up, out of the blue, caused De to pause his actions.

"You do?"

"Yeah. I do..." Virgil smiled, slowly walking closer to him.

De turned to face Virgil and wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him slightly closer. He paused when their lips were an inch or so apart.

"I love you too." De finally whispered, "may I kiss you?"

"I'd like that."

De leaned forward, connecting their lips in a soft kiss. By no means was it their first, but it was definitely their best one shared. They didn't part until Roman ran into the kitchen, a water gun in hand and screamed something unintelligible, before spraying De with it. De pulled away and stood in front of Virgil, glaring daggers at Roman, daring him to do it again.

Wordlessly, Roman handed the gun to De and ran off into the pool. De pressed a kiss to Virgil's forehead and calmly walked outside.

Virgil stayed inside for a while, watching through the window as screams and laughter filled the air. A pair of hands snaked around his waist and he leaned into the hold of his boyfriend. He glanced back at Logan with a small smile and the two watched on fondly as their boyfriends caused a ruckus.

"Hey, Lo?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry about this morning. I just..."

"I know. Don't worry." Logan pressed a soft kiss to his temple, holding him that bit tighter. "You may not see it, but you have four boys who think you're beyond perfect, and we couldn't ask for anyone better."

"Thanks." Virgil smiled, his cheeks bright pink. "You're all not bad either."

"I would hope not."

Virgil laughed lightly and went back to watching their boyfriends.

Sure, things weren't perfect between them, but Virgil couldn't be happier.

All too soon the sun began to set, and everyone had come inside and dried off, remnants of laughter hung in the air, giving them all a happy feeling. They all curled up on the sofa in some odd sort of cuddle pile, sticking a movie on for them all to fall asleep to.

And yeah, Virgil thought, he could definitely not be happier.

6500 words

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