(Virgil's POV)

It's been three weeks since Patton was admitted into the hospital. On three occasions in the first week doctors had to rush in and stabilize him, but there hadn't been any other incidents since then. The worst had been when fluid had rushed into Patton's lungs and sent him into shock. From there it got worse and Patton had flatlined. After that Patton's parents and Logan stopped going home. Logan went to work every morning, got dinner at the apartment and cleaned himself up on his way back to the hospital, spent the night, and repeat. Roman and I visit whenever we can.

I'm on my way to visit now. It's late because I just got off of work, and I'm hoping I can convince Logan to come home for the night. It's been two weeks since anything has happened with Patton and doctors say he's looking like he's on the upswing.

I got to the hospital and made my way to Patton's room. When I got there I knocked lightly on the door frame and peeked inside. Mr. and Mrs. Ambers weren't in the room. Patton looked the same as always. He had gotten some color back into him, but he was still connected to machines. Logan was already asleep in the chair next to Patton's bed.

"How about our boys, huh Virgil?" I jumped at the voice behind me and turned to see that it was Sarah looking on at the scene before us, "Sorry dear, I didn't mean to scare you," she said softly. "I don't get to see my son nearly as often as I'd like, but if he's still the son I know,  then I'd say he's crazy about his library boy. He hasn't told me much about Logan, but whenever he'd look at his phone his eyes would light up just like they did with his first middle school crush. And sometimes a mother just knows," she stopped and looked at me, "and from what I've seen in the last few weeks, is it wrong to assume Logan feels the same way?" she asked.

"No, you've got it right," I sighed. "They actually just admitted it the day that Patton got hurt. Not to each other yet, but Logan told me and Patton told Roman," I explained, "Since the beginning Roman and I have been trying to get those two together, and just when we finally got close... this happened, and everything fell apart. Logan's had a rough childhood, which isn't my story to tell, but he needed someone to break through to him and show him that the world isn't always going to turn its back on you. Patton was that person, and then this happened."

"It's not over, Patton'll pull though," Sarah said.

"I know, but that's not what Logan will see. He'll see another one of the people he loves getting hurt."

"That's awful," Sarah said sadly. I nodded in agreement and we stood in silence for a while.

"Mrs. Ambers?" a voice from behind us said. We both turned around to see a nurse in lavender scrubs, her brown hair pulled up in a high pony tail.

"Yes?" Sarah responded

"The latest tests on your son have come in and we've determined he's now stable enough to preform surgery and wake him up," she whispered.

"Really?" Sarah gasped. The nurse nodded and smiled. Sarah's eyes shined with tears and she pulled the nurse into a hug.

"Does tomorrow work?" the nurse guessed.

"Yes, of course!" Sarah exclaimed, nodding her head rigorously. Logan had woken up with all the commotion and was looking at us sleepily and confused.

"What? What happened?" He asked tiredly. His gaze shifted to Patton as if to make sure nothing happened to him. Sarah rushed over to him and pulled him up into hug.

"We're gonna get him back!" Sarah cried; Logan froze.

"What?" he said shakily.

"We're gonna get him back!" she exclaimed again. Logan looked at Patton and then looked at me. I nodded and smiled. He looked back at Patton and then squeezed his eyes shut and hugged Sarah back. I let them have a moment and then stepped forward.

"Logan, we should go home for the night. We'll come back in the morning and be here when he wakes up," I offered.  Logan nodded and we started to head out the door.

"We'll be back in the morning," I promised Sarah.

"I'll be here waiting," she nodded.  I gave her one more smile and then we left.

We got out of the hospital and started walking back to the apartment.  It was a bit of a walk, but I didn't mind and I figured Logan needed it.

"Virgil?" Logan started.

"Yeah Logan?"

"What happens when Patton wakes up?" He asked.

"Everyone cries, you ask him out, he says yes, we put this behind us, and live happily ever after," I sighed.

"Easier said than done," Logan scoffed.

"Why? Why does that have to be so difficult?" I said kinda hypocritically, as I would never ask me to do it, but whatever.

"Because... feelings," Logan explained with the eloquence of a caveman.

"Do me a favor and elaborate." I said.

"They are terrifying," he continued.

"Yeah.  Yeah they are," I agreed.

"It was hard enough just coming to the conclusion that I harbored feelings for him, and then this," Logan paused, "I haven't been this scared since my father died.  I didn't know how to grieve so I just never did.  I locked everything up and never opened it, right up until Patton opened it for me, and then we almost lost him.  What if something happens again?" He looked at me, and I shrugged.

"Then something happens again, but I know that he'd rather have you with him through it than you not be part of it at all," I attempted to convince Logan.

"That's terrifying."

"Yeah, but caring for someone and having them care about you just as much makes it all worth it." Logan still didn't seem sure, "When Roman told me that he'd gone in after Patton, that was the scariest thing I'd ever heard, but I wouldn't give him up just because I was scared to lose him like that.  If I did that we'd be losing each other anyway," I explained further.

"But what's the point if we're destined to lose each other in the end?" Logan tugged at the gem around his neck. I groaned. I was getting kinda sick of whoever Logan's stupid soulmate is getting in the way of everything.

"Logan, who cares if you have a soulmate or not? You're not living tomorrow, you're not living yesterday, you're living now.  If Patton makes you happy now then the end doesn't matter," I pressed.

Logan took a few moments to process this and I wasn't sure it reached him, but eventually he nodded, "Thanks Virgil."

"So you gonna man up and ask him out or what?" I gave him a shove.

"Yeah I think so," Logan said with a forced smile.

"Good."

The rest of the walk was more light hearted.  I updated Logan on how things with Roman were going (all good things) since he hasn't been home in a while.  When we got to our apartment Logan went to shower and I went straight to my bedroom.  I texted Roman to fill him in on the good news.

guess what

It didn't take long for him to answer.

What?

patton's waking up tomorrow

WHAT?!?

ya he has surgery in the morning and he'll wake up after that

I waited for a text to pop up, but my phone started buzzing instead.  'Princey' flashed on the screen and I answered.

"THAT'S AMAZING VIRGE!!! I have a thousand papers to print and thousand more coffees to deliver, but I DON'T CARE I'M CANCELLING WORK TOMORROW AND I'LL BE THERE IN THE MORNING!  Ok I have to go so I can get a full night's rest so I am READY for tomorrow!  Good night, sleep tight, and I'll see you in the morning light!  I know that's not the original, but I like mine better and bed bugs fucking SUCK so we're not even going to acknowledge them!" Roman got out in one fast rant and then hung up the phone.  I laughed out loud and put down my phone and decided to get an early night.  I got changed and then sank onto my bed.  A few moments after my head hit the pillow I was out.

I was woken by my stupid soulmate named Roman literally jumping on me. 

"Get up! Get up! Get up!" Roman yelled.  Shoving me a bit harder every time he said it.

"Roman, what the hell are you doing here so early?" I groaned.

"I talked to Logan and Patton's surgery is at nine so we have to be there by eight thirty to wish him well and see Mr. and Mrs. Ambers," he said while still pushing on my chest.  I twisted to see my clock.

"It's 6:30 in the morning!" I whined.

"So?  You need time to get dressed and eat and drink lots of coffee! I will not have you decaffeinated when Patton wakes up!  You need to be ready for the day," he grinned.

"Maybe in an hour," I pushed his face away and tried to turn back to my pillow, but it didn't exactly work as Roman was still sitting on top of me.

"Ohhh no. Now." He said and I whined again.  Roman leaned down and kissed my bangs in attempt to make me a little less moody, but I just glared at him. He crawled off of me and stood in the doorway.  "I'll be in the living room, but I'm trusting you to actually get up ok?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever," I waved him away and he chuckled as he disappeared out of my room.

It took me a good fifteen minutes to even move, but I did get up.  I changed into a plain black tank top and black jeans and threw my usual purple hoodie on over it.  After running a comb through my bangs and messing with them until they sat how I wanted them to I walked out into the kitchen.  Logan was already there and sipping on his coffee. 

"Morning," he mumbled.  I huffed my response.  I looked at the countertop and saw an array of eggs and toast.

"You made breakfast?" I asked.  Logan shook his head.

"Your boyfriend did," he answered.

"Jesus fucking hell, how long has he been here," I squawked.

"An hour."

"How long have you been up?"

"Half hour." Logan looked at me.  I blinked.

"You're telling me Roman broke into our apartment at 5:30 in the morning, made breakfast, woke you up, woke me up, and is now just sitting in our living room?" I stayed.

"Not necessarily broke in," Logan corrected, "you gave him a key."  I groaned and Logan shrugged, "He's excited to see Patton."

"He's a fucking kid at Christmas!" I exclaimed.

Logan just shrugged again, "I suggest you drink some coffee," he pushed a mug towards me.  I filled the cup and dished up some food.  I wasn't hungry and don't normally eat in the morning, but Roman made it, so I ate.  A while later Roman walked in.

"How many coffees have you had?" He inquired.  I checked my cup.

"Just finished one," I answered.

"Oh no that will not do.  You need at least three in your system before you are sociable," he rambled as he took my cup and poured more coffee in it.

"Finally something we agree on this morning," I muttered and sipped on my fresh coffee. 

"So what's the plan?  Balloons? Flowers? Chocolate?" Roman asked.

"What do you mean?" Logan asked while reaching for a piece of toast. 

Roman gasped, "You didn't get Patton anything?!" He shrieked.

"Uhh no?" I said.

"Oh no!  We can't have that! Now we're going to have to leave even earlier so we can pick up flowers!"  He grabbed his phone, "Logan quick, what's Patton's favorite flower?"

Logan stared and Roman, "Um, I don't know." Roman gasped again.

"That's basic information to know about someone!"

"Hey Roman, what's my favorite flower," I smirked.

"Not relevant!" He pointed at me.  I just laughed and shook my head. "Ugh whatever.  Favorite color?" He tried again.

"Oh blue," Logan nodded.

"Perfect!" Roman said and placed a call.  "They're closed!  What kind of place isn't open by seven?" He seemed legitimately frustrated.  Logan and I exchanged looks and stared back at Roman.  "No matter.  We'll just have to stop at Walmart and pick up whatever blue flowers they have.  It won't be the perfect arrangement, but it will have to do."

I got up and headed to the living room.  "I'm going to watch a movie while we wait to leave, care to join?"  I looked at Roman and he nodded.

"As long as you have another cup of coffee and we leave on time, I'm down."

"No arguments there," I agreed and grabbed his hand and drug him to the living room. Logan had stayed in the kitchen and was picking up a book as Roman and I left. We decided on Pirates of the Caribbean, but had to pause it half way through to leave.

Roman had his car so we drove. I sat shotgun and Logan was in the back. We got to Walmart and Roman was a man on a mission. He marched straight to the flowers and Logan and I trailed behind. He stared at the row of arrangements and picked up two that had blue in them. One had blue and white carnations, little indigo flowers I didn't recognize, and two orange lillies in the middle. The other was made up of big yellow flowers with blue daisies and gardenias accenting them throughout the bouquet.

"Which one?" Roman asked Logan. Logan looked at him blankly and then pointed at the one with the yellow flowers, "Oh thank God you speak flower, I was worried for a second there."

"I what?" Logan's frowned.

"I don't know who arranged this one," Roman waved the one with the lillies, "They are sending all kind of mixed messages. First calling them lovely and beautiful with the carnations and then saying good bye with the sweet peas, and not to mention the giant orange lillie's! Hatred? Seriously? I don't want to know what kind of cruel break up this person's going through! Definitely made the right choice," he nodded his head in affirmation, but Logan didn't seem to have a clue. "Calling him lovely with the gardenias, pure with the daisies, and the zinnias! Excellent job. Saying you think of him everyday, it's so sweet!" Roman exclaimed. Logan was by far the smartest one of us, but I have never seen him more confused. I shrugged and took the bouquet that didn't win and put it back on the shelf.

"We better go check out," I said and they both nodded in agreement.  We bought the flowers and Roman grabbed an ice tea from the fridge. 

It didn't take long to get to the hospital, and when we got in the waiting room Patton's parents were there just like Sarah said they would be. When Sarah saw the flowers in Logan's hands she jumped up and rushed over to inspect them.

"Oh zinnias! He'll love them!" She clapped her hands in delight. "Do you have a vase for them?" She asked. I shook my head, but Roman didn't seem to think that was the appropriate response.

"Gah! How could I be so stupid?" Roman hit himself on the head repeatedly, "A blue vase would bring out the daisies and gardenias perfectly!" I was starting to get very concerned about my boyfriend.

"Oh no worries," Sarah waved her hand in dismissal. "We'll have a few hours after Patton's surgery starts; Mikah and I could stretch our legs.  We'll go pick one up," she said sweetly as she ran her fingers over the pedals. 

"So, Mrs. Ambers, how long is Patton's surgery going to take?" Logan asked.

"They said probably about three hours.  They are just removing the tube and needle that were put in to control his breathing.  He's strong enough to do it on his own now.  Then anywhere from a half hour to an hour for him to wake up," she smiled.  Logan took a deep breath and nodded.

"I suppose we play the waiting game then," I sighed.  And we did.  After an hour Sarah and Mikah went for a vase. After two hours a man in an arm sling and a baby girl held on his hip entered the waiting room.  I didn't recognize him, but Roman seemed to.

"Sam?" Roman stood up and made his way over to the man.  I got up and followed him.  "It's good to see you, I hadn't heard much since you know..." Roman trailed off.

"Yeah, I made it.  He just hit me in the arm.  I was horrified when I heard what happened to Patton," the man, Sam, swallowed.  "Poor Mia's missed him too.  She's been staying with us at the daycare and keeps asking for Pap." This seemed to catch Mia's attention because she giggled and started babbling 'Pappon, Pap, Pap'

"What about her mother?" Roman frowned.

"Dead," Sam sighed. "Mia's father shot her before heading to the daycare," he shook his head.

"How could you shoot your own soulmate?" I butted in.

"They weren't soulmates. Just high school sweethearts that were too crazy about each other to ever go looking for their soulmates," Sam shrugged and shook his head. I imagined a man somewhere who was looking for a soulmate realizing his gem had fallen off. "I figured Patton would want to see her when he wakes up, so I took the day off and brought her in."

"Can I hold her?" Logan had walked up and was standing next to Roman, "I'm Logan. I'm a friend of Patton's. He had her the first time we met actually," he added. Sam paused in thought and then nodded and Logan took her from him. Sam watched for a second, but when Mia began babbling happily he visibly relaxed.

"Thanks man, my arm was getting tired," Sam said. Logan nodded and smiled lightly, which was more of a smile than I'd seen for the last few weeks.

And we kept on waiting. Logan spent most of the time walking around with Mia to keep her occupied, but she eventually tired out and fell asleep in his arms, so he got to sit down. After about a half hour a couple doctors came out and told us we could wait with Patton for him to wake up. Sarah started crying again and hugged the doctors and then we followed them to Patton's room.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding as soon as I saw Patton. It was such a relief to see him without tubes going into him, and to still see his chest rise and fall.  We all took our places.  Sam took Mia back and sat at the foot of the bed.  Sarah and Mikah sat at Patton's left, Roman and I on his right. Logan was leaning against the far wall staring down at his own feet.

And then we waited.

(Patton's POV) 

(been a while since we've had one of these huh)

Pain was the first thing I was aware of.  A dull, throbbing ache in my side. Then I noticed that it was hard to breathe.  It felt strained and it hurt.  I tried focusing on that first. After a moment I opened my eyes a bit.  The room was blurry and I didn't recognize it. 

Then the memories started settling in.  Roman.  Sam.  The daycare.  Mia.  Gunshot.  Any effort I had put into breathing vanished as panic flooded through me.  I tried to sit up, but it hurt. My breaths got quick and shallow and soon everything hurt.  I wanted to move or say something or cry or even just focus on something, but I couldn't.

"Patton?" I heard a voice... Mom? "Patton sweetie, you're ok, it's going to be ok," she grabbed my hand.  I tried saying something, but my throat was dry and my voice was gone.

"Mom?" I finally croaked out after a minute.

"Yes! Yes I'm here darling!" she sounded like she was crying.  I made out six figures in the room which were all extremely blurry.

"Who's here?  I can't see them," this seemed to alarm my mother.

"Are you alright?  Does your head hurt?  Do I need to call a nurse?"

"No, Mom, glasses," I said and hoped she'd understand.  I heard her take a breath.

"Oh of course," she sighed and grabbed something off the table and put it in my hands.  My glasses.  I put them on and the room went into focus.

I scanned the room to see who all were there.  Mom and Dad.  Roman and Virgil.  Sam was holding Mia and I sighed in relief at seeing the two of them.  Logan. 

"Hey guys," I managed to get out and tried to smile.  I was so glad to see all of them.  "Can I have some water?" I looked at Mom.  She fumbled around and handed me a glass with a straw in it.  I took a sip and immediately felt a thousand times better.  "You guys are all alright?"

"Patton, we're fine," Virgil laughed, "It's you we were worried about."

"Yeah, how are you feeling bud?" Roman asked.  I shrugged with one shoulder.

"I guess I've seen better days," I smiled.  Roman shook his head and laughed.

"You're crazy; you know that Patton?" he said.

"You wouldn't like me as much if I wasn't," I stuck my tongue out at him.  "How long was I out?" I asked.

"Three weeks," Dad answered.

"Three weeks?!" I wheezed.  He nodded.

"You really scared us," the voice I'd been waiting to hear said from the back of the room.

"Hi Logan."

He stepped forward, "I'm serious.  Please don't ever do that again,"  I'm here.  I'm fine, but Logan still looked at me like I might break at any given moment.

"I didn't mean to hurt you Lo," I whispered.

"I know, but I almost lost you.  I couldn't do that.  I couldn't lose you Patton," I felt my heart quicken in my chest and an idea popped into my head, "Patton I- you're my friend but- I wanted to- I wanted you to-" he stammered.

"Logan it's ok," I said.

"No, Patton I have to tell you something," he said, but I shushed him.

"Just come here, I'll make you a promise,"  I waved him over. 

"Patton I really-" he started, but I cut him off again.

"Please?"  I gave him my best puppy eyes.  He hesitated for a moment, but then  made his way next to my bed.  "Sit," I said as I moved over and patted the bed.  He hesitated again, but complied.

"Patt-"  I wasn't hearing it again.  I grabbed his tie and pulled him down to me... and I kissed him.  He froze and I worried for a moment, but hey I got shot, I'll explain myself later.  But to my relief he relaxed and the entire world seemed to disappear.  We stayed like that for a moment before a shriek from Roman snapped me out of it.  I pulled away and opened my eyes only to be blinded by a glow of pink so bright it seemed white.

"Patton?" Logan said.  "It's you?"  his eyes seemed to water and he smiled.

I on the other hand felt like I was about to implode.  My heart soared and my stomach felt like it was holding enough butterflies to lift me into the air.  I couldn't say anything, so I just leaned forward and kissed him again. I wrapped my arms around his neck, it hurt but I couldn't care less. He put on a hand on my back and the world seemed to melt away. Despite being hurt, in a hospital, and it being a month late, it was perfect and I couldn't have been happier.

It was cut off as my mother tried pulling Logan away, "Get off! Get off get off!" She shooed Logan away, "He just woke up, he needs his rest, I'm happy for you two, but this is too much excitement for now," Logan stared her and I laughed.

"Mom, I kissed him," I giggled.

"Yes I know and I'm glad you did, but you need to lay back down," she pushed me back down onto the bed.

"Darling, maybe you should do a little less mothering," Dad chuckled as he took her hand and pulled her away.

"I am his mother!" She looked absolutely appalled as her husband drug her away.

Logan moved back to the side of my bed and I grabbed his hand. He smiled down and me and I smiled back.

"That was the cutest thing I've ever seen!" Roman sobbed. I hadn't noticed, but he was bawling his eyes out. "That was something straight out of a movie! I always dreamt of meeting my soulmate like that!" He cried. Virgil elbowed him

"Next time you fantasize about getting shot tell me, I'll make arrangements," he looked like he was trying to be irritated, but he was smiling too.

"Oh shut up, you know I love you!" Roman exclaimed. They both froze. Virgil blinked.

"You what?" He asked.

Roman seemed to catch his mistake. "I- uh- I- I love you," he scratched the back of his neck nervously. I held my breath as we waited for Virgil's reaction, but he must have been happy because he jumped up on his tip toes and kissed Roman. Roman turned bright red and wrapped Virgil up in his arms and kissed back. Virgil pulled away.

"I love you too," he said and kissed Roman on the nose. Roman's waterworks started again and he hugged Virgil so tight I thought his spine might break.

Another thing I hadn't noticed was the nurse standing in the doorway. "This is the most pink I've ever seen in a room at once!" There was a hint of a southern accent in her voice. She fanned her eyes. I looked around to see that almost everyone was glowing, Sam and Mia were the only ones who weren't. Dad had an arm around Mom, Roman was still holding onto Virgil, and Logan and I are still holding hands. "Sorry, I'll go if you don't need anything," she said and disappeared from sight but I heard her whine "God I want a boyfriend!" from down the hall.

"When do I get to go home?" I asked and looked at Mom.

"They want to keep you here a few more days, but by the end of the week you should be able to go," She said.

It wasn't the answer I wanted to hear, but I guess I couldn't expect much. "You guys should go back to whatever hotel you're staying at and relax for a bit. I'm sure you could use it," I said to my parents.

"Are you sure Pat?" Dad didn't seem convinced and neither did Mom, but I nodded. If I know my parents then I know they haven't slept well since they found out about me and I didn't want that. They stayed for about another hour and then they did leave; Sam and Mia right behind them.

Roman and Virgil went to get dinner a while after my parents left. "You coming Logan?" Roman offered, but Logan shook his head.

"You should go," I frowned and nodded towards the door, but Logan shook his head again.

"Not a chance," he stated.

"We'll bring you something on our way back home," Virgil sighed.

"Thanks," Logan said.

"No, Virgil just make him go with you," I tried again. Virgil shrugged.

"I've tried arguing with him before, it never works out," and they left.

"Logan I'm tired, I'll probably just sleep for a while, you should go eat," I argued.

"I'm not hungry and I could use a nap," Logan shrugged.

"Then go home," I shoved him.

"I'd rather stay here," Logan chuckled.

I glared at him for a while and then huffed in defeat. "Well then at least make yourself useful and come here," I said as I moved over in the bed so there was room for both of us. Occasional twangs of pain would hit my ribs, but I ignored them. He sat on the bed next to me and I shifted so I could nuzzle myself into his shoulder. I moved again to put less pressure on my side and looked up at Logan, "This ok?" I asked to make sure he was comfortable. He put an arm around me and nodded.

"Perfect."

And it was. It might not seem like the best scenario to someone else, but as for me? I wouldn't ask to be anywhere different. I smiled at our pink soul gems for a while and then fell asleep to the sound of Logan's heartbeat.

Yay it finally happened! No I didn't kill Patton. It was tempting, but from the moment this story sparked in my head I knew it had to have a happy ending. There will be more to the story with the characters, but the big reveal finally happened. I'm sooooo happy to know that you guys like the story and I'm super grateful for all the comments! They seriously keep me going, I have been on a freaking writing rampage lately because of them.

Also! New cover! Yayyyyy. It's not a lot because I have no artistic abilities, but I do think it is a slight upgrade so that's cool.

Kk bye <3