“Okay great, let’s get going then,” Roman said stretching out his wings. They were still stiff from being wrapped for a little under 24 hours.

Logan nodded and turned to face Patton “We will be back when Virgil is safe sound. Until then remain inside.”

Patton just stared agape at Logan. “You’re kidding me right?”

Logan suddenly confused squinted his eyes as he spoke. “No, this is a very serious matter seeing as Virgil is in danger. Why would I be kidding?”

“You just get done telling me that Virgil needs me and you expect me to wait here? No way. Virgil is my friend I am coming with you guys.” Patton speaks with a firmness he has never heard from his small Ward, but Logan is going to stand firm on this it is too dangerous for Patton to accompany them.

“Patton it would be highly illogical for you to…” Logan started but was interrupted.

“No! I am going with you. Besides…” Patton turned on major puppy dog eyes that always melted Virgil’s resolve. “What if that scary Gatherer comes back while you are away? Who will be here to keep me safe?” Patton tapped his finger to his chin like he was contemplating a very serious topic. “Wouldn’t it be illogical to leave me alone.” Logan sighed his resolve wavering. Seeing this Patton seized his chance.”Please, Logan, I need to help my friend. He is hurt because he felt he was a burden to me… I have to help.” Patton let a few more tears well up in his eyes from his earlier panic.

This was all too much emotion for the stoic man to handle. He gave up. He sighed. “Fine, you can come with us.” He finally agreed.

Patton immediately perked up and wiped his tears away. “Great! Let’s get going then. Oh, let me go grab my jacket it’s kinda chilly out there. Do you guys need anything to keep warm kiddo’s?”

“No thanks, Pat we're good,” Roman responded.

“Okey-dokey!” Patton chirped. And skipped out of the room to get his cat jacket.

Logan was left in the middle of the room looking baffled. “What just happened?”

“You just got played like a fiddle.” Roman laughed. “You fell for his cute puppy eyes didn’t you?” Roman chuckled when Logan looked at him like he had grown a second head.

“So all of that was a fake in order to trick me into letting him come?” Logan asked bordering between annoyance and anger.

Roman suddenly became solemn and serious. He stopped to consider the question. “No, It was not faked. Don’t be angry at him. I really do think Patton feels like this is all his fault, and you will need to watch him carefully so his thoughts don’t spiral out of control again. Those weren’t fake tears. He just knew how to use them to get what he wanted.” Roman said. “ And Logan, I know you are new to emotions, but it seems like Patton usually masks his own pain so that he can help others. I would watch that.”

“Oh.” Was all Logan could think to say.

“Now I am assuming we will need the ability to fly to get to these people you think can help. So let's get your wings out and ready to go.”
________

A few minutes later Patton skipped back into the room with his jacket on, but then came to a sudden halt. Virgil's room was almost completely full. The two Guardians’ wings spread out in order to stretch after being so tightly bound. Patton couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen anything on the two men. Their wings were huge! An absolutely breathtaking! Patton finally was able to observe both sets in their full glory. Roman’s were larger than Logan’s and the color of fire. Each feather a slightly varying shade of red or orange. If Patton didn’t know any better he would have thought they were actually on fire. The feathers all but glowed in the morning light coming through the window.

Logan’s were a stark contrast to Roman’s. They were smaller than Roman’s but only slightly. His wings were a dark midnight blue. They shimmered like dark pools of water. Patton was awestruck by the cool crisp beauty of them.

Patton was in the doorway just staring at the two men as they stretched their magnificent appendages. His mouth was ajar and he felt like he was dreaming. That was the only rational reason he was seeing such amazing things.

Patton kinda wished this was all just a dream. That he would wake up and everything would be like it was. Virgil would be hiding in his room as Patton would skip to the kitchen to make breakfast. Virgil would make his way down stairs following his nose, and his stomach. They would eat and everything would be normal. They could figure out how to help Virgil with his anxiety and they could live their lives.

Patton mentally shook himself. This was his reality, and he had to deal with it. He would save Virgil, and if he started acting weak now Logan wouldn’t let him come. So he forced himself to be totally focused on the magnificent wings before him.

“Patton, everything okay?” Roman asked. Logan who had been facing the other way when Patton had entered the room spun around as fast as his wings would allow. He saw that Patton’s face was is some sort of shock and became concerned.

“Patton, are you feeling well? Are you still in some sort of distress?” Logan inquired. Roman mentally facepalmed. Logan still had a lot to learn when it comes to being subtle.

Patton vigorously shook his head. “No, no I am fine. It just… Wow! Your wings are amazing!” Patton said starstruck. Seeming to find his ability to move he darted around the room bobbing and weaving through their wings. “These are the coolest things I have ever seen!” He looked at them from every angle he could. Observing Roman’s wings first and then admiring Logan’s. His eyes lingered on Logan’s a little longer than Roman’s. “I really love blue,” Patton mumbled to himself but did not go unmissed by the Guardian. Patton reached out his hand like he was going to pet the blue feathers but then halted. “Um, may I touch them, please?” Patton asked politely.

Logan felt his cheeks heat at Patton’s timid question but nodded. Patton them pressed his hand gently on the soft silky feathers. Patton gasp “Oh my goodness they're so soft!” Patton squealed. Patton placed his other hand on the wing to cart his fingers through the feathers. The feeling he had last night from when Logan had comforted him slammed through him again. He felt light like there was nothing in the world could ever be wrong. He felt safe.

Logan felt the same feeling go through his body that he had felt last night. He felt strong and protective. At that moment he knew that he would do anything to protect this smaller man who was gently petting his wings.

In the next moment, the two men’s eyes locked. “Do you feel that too?” Patton heard the words leave his mouth before he had even fully thought them.

Suddenly Logan’s good feeling shuddered to a halt, and he pulled his wings away. He huffed angrily “Of course. I am so foolish.” He said under his breath where no one could hear him.

Patton was left baffled and confused by Logan’s sudden change and feeling slightly empty without that feeling. “What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong.” Patton asked helplessly.

Roman trying to help jumped in to ease the sudden. “Oh, it’s nothing Logan is just a spoilsport and is probably embarrassed by this much attention. Here, Patton, you can touch my wings if you would like.” Patton nodded eagerly thankful for the distraction and began petting Roman’s wigs.

Logan had shifted to a corner and leaned up against a wall, his wings tucked up behind him. He was being ridiculous. He realized now that Patton’s mental well being was important just as much as his physical well being, but he couldn’t get attached. That would be highly unethical. His job was to protect. Not to get attached, and he should have known. When he was in contact with Patton it was simply an instinctual feeling created by the bond between the two. Nothing else! And for the life of him, Logan couldn’t figure out why that pissed him off so much.

Logan just sat and steamed for a few minutes observing the other two playing gleefully. Roman had wrapped Patton in his large wings and was letting him run his hands along the whole wing. Patton was absolutely amazed. Roman grinned widely. He loved showing off and Patton was a very enthusiastic audience. Roman suddenly had an idea he knew would get an enthusiastic response.

“Watch this!” Roman said and with that, he pulled away from Patton and jumped out the window. He free fell for a few seconds before he spread his wings to parachute his landing at the last second before he hit the ground. He beat his wings hard rocketing up into the sky. Patton had rushed to the window to see what Roman was doing. Logan sighed in annoyance and slowly sauntered over to the window.

“How juvenile,” Logan said still fuming. “What if he is seen?”

“But Logan this is so cool. Let him have his fun.” Patton said cheerily, watching Roman intently not seeing Logan’s scowl.

Roman did flips and turns as he banked on the air current. Patton laughed with glee as Roman did his tricks. He could hear Patton’s squeals of joy and reveled in it. He loved the fact he could finally show off. It wasn’t like Logan enjoyed his fabulous tricks this much. Roman felt his mind suddenly drift to Virgil. He wondered what his emo nightmare of a Ward would think of his fabulous show. His air display suddenly came to a screeching halt. What the hell was he doing? Virgil was in danger how could he not have made that his first priority. He flew with rocket speed back to the window and almost crashed into Patton and Logan.

“We need to go now. I forgot Virgil’s in danger! This is no time for fun.” Roman said almost breathlessly. “We have been distracted for far too long. Who knows what that horrid beast has done in Virgil body.” Roman said dramatically.

“Very well. Patton last chance do you still wish to accompany us?” Logan said coldly and robotically.

“Yes, I am coming with you!” Patton said steadfastly.

Logan simply nodded and turned his back to Patton and bent his legs so that he was shorter than Patton. He braced himself for Patton’s weight but it didn’t come.

“Are you coming or not?” Logan huffed.

“Oh, you want me to get on your back?” Patton asked.

“Yes, that would be the easiest way for me to carry you, would it not?” Logan said as though it should be obvious.

“Right, okay,” Patton said. He then apprehensively moved forward and climbed onto Logan’s person. “Let’s do this thing.” He said more to himself than anyone else.

Logan was surprised he had known Patton was small but he had expected him to weigh more than he did. “Patton I am gonna need you to stay as streamline with my body as possible and when I lean you need to lean with me. Got it?” Logan informed cooly.

Patton hummed out an okay as he pressed his body closer to Logan shaking a little. “What seems to be the matter, Patton?” Logan asked concerned his voice not being so robotic anymore.

“I am a little scared of heights. Oh, but I’ll be fine. I can do this.” Patton said bravely as he could muster.

“Don’t worry Patton. I will not allow any harm to come to you. I’ve got you.” Logan said meaning it with full sincerity. Patton was his Ward after all.

“I’m okay, I trust you,” Patton said.

“Okay,” Logan said. Then directed his next comment to Roman. “Follow me. I will take us to people I think can help. Roman simply nodded.

With that Logan went through the large window with his Ward on his back and pushed out. They dropped a little before Logan could stretch his long wings and he took to the sky. He found it sort of difficult to find the right wind current with a person on his back, but they eventually smoothed out and they were on their way.

Patton was once again awestruck. He was flying. Well, he wasn’t the one doing the flying technically, but who cares about technicalities. This was amazing!. He could feel the wind whipping his hair back and forth. He could see the world down blow him over Logan’s shoulders. He felt so light as he soared over the earth. He wasn’t even scared of falling anymore. He felt the moisture as they pass through a low lying cloud. It felt so nice on his skin.  He turned his head when they left the cloud and OH MY GOSH there is a flock of birds flying next to them. This has to be the coolest thing ever. Patton was giggling with the pure joy that was coursing through his body. He never wanted this to stop.

Logan couldn’t help but grin when he felt Patton’s laughter reverberate through his body. He could even hear it over the sound of the rushing wind. It was a wonderful sound. He liked this much better than the sad crying thing he had comforted during the midst of a panic attack. He hopped Patton could reman this cheerful, he never wanted to see him so distressed again.
_______

It took about a half hour for them to arrive at their destination. It was far to short in Patton’s opinion, but for Roman, they couldn’t get there soon enough. He wanted to help Virgil as soon as possible.

Until they landed in front of large metal gates with large wins for handles to open it. He couldn’t believe that this was Logan’s solution. “You’re kidding right, Logan? Don't you think this is a good idea to come to them? And to bring Patton with us?” Roman asked like Logan had lost his mind.

“You have a better idea?” Logan asked pointedly. Roman spluttered trying to come up with one but could think of nothing. “In that case let’s go,” Logan said walking forward towards the gates in front of them. He opened the large gates with ease. Patton followed like a puppy behind him still clearly on cloud nine from the flight they just had.

Roman followed but still couldn’t believe that Logan Mr. I Don’t Break the Rules had decided this was the best course of action.

They entered this very official looking building. To Patton’s delight, it even had one of those revolving spinny door things. He loved those. They made doors so much more interesting.  

Patton could hardly believe his eyes as they went through the building. It was full of Guardians. There was winge men and women darting around the building. The ceiling was so tall that some were flying around like they were in a beehive. They all had wings of different colors. All different shades of greens, yellows, oranges, pinks, purples, reds and blues. Although he wasn’t sure if he was biased but, he definitely thought Roman and Logan’s were a lot cooler than everyone else's.

“Patton, I need you to keep your head down, don’t draw too much attention to yourself,” Logan whispered to Patton.

Patton nodded and did as he was told. They made there way up some stairs to the tallest part of the building. Logan was about to knock on a large door when suddenly… “Hey gurls, how ya doin’? Whatcha two doin’ here right now? Ain’t ya suppose to be workin’?” A man drawled behind them.

Logan cursed under his breath. He pulled Patton behind his wings to hide him from view. “Greetings Remy,” Logan said politely as he faced the Guardian wearing sunglasses and holding a Starbucks in hand.

“Heya Remy,” Roman said cheerfully when he saw his good friend. “We are here for work. We have some important business with the higher-ups.” Roman explained like this was an everyday phenomenon.

Remy just gave a sideways smile and cocked his eyebrow tilting his sunglasses down. “I can see that.” He said spotting Patton who had shifted uncomfortably behind Logan’s wing. That he had inadvertently pinned Patton against the door with. “Are they aware of the sitch you’ve got goin’ here? ‘Cause if not Y'all are so screwed.” Remy said laughing.

“Are they aware of the fact that you are buying Starbucks from humans on a regular basis?” Roman countered.

“Damn, you right. Well, see ya later gurls. Good luck with that whole mess.” He said gesturing towards Patton. With that, the other Guardian sauntered off.

Logan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding. Thank God it was just Remy who had spotted them. While he may be arrogant he at least knew better than to run his mouth about this. Not that it mattered after the did this.

“Um Logan, since he is gone could you maybe stop squishing me against the door?” Patton asked from where he was pinned.

“Oh yes, apologize,” Logan said pulling his wing away from Patton.

Patton just smiled. “No biggie. Now back to helping Virgil.” He said turning to face the door.

Logan nodded took a deep breath and knocked three times on the door. To Patton’s amazement, it opened on its own. The three men stepped inside and the door closed behind them.

Patton gasped when he saw the two Guardians before him. They both had enormous wings much larger than Roman’s or Logan’s. Both of their wings were made up of the colors if the rainbow. It took Patton’s breath away. One wore an orange beanie and the other’s hair was super colorful, and they both looked shocked.

Logan swallowed hard before speaking. “Greetings Joan and Talyn. We require some assistance. You see um…” Logan found himself at a loss for words as he tried to come up with how to explain their current predicament.

Roman stepped in seeing Logan struggling. “My Ward Virgil has been taken by a Gatherer, and we don’t know what to do. Can you help us?” Roman asked.

“Why did you bring a human here?” Talyn asked seeming to ignore Roman’s question completely. “This goes against all the rules. What were you thinking?”

“We were attempting to help Virgil when the Gatherer took over his body. Unfortunately, that required us to interact with our Wards. Which in turn revealed who we are. We handled the situation to the best of our abilities. However, that was not good enough.” Logan said his head downcast.

“Wait, hold up. The Gatherer took over the Wards body.” Joan asked.

Roman and Logan just nodded. Joan and Talyn looked at each other seeming to have some sort of silent conversation. Patton couldn’t take the silence that had fallen over the room.

“What can we do to help my friend?” Patton asked desperately. The room's attention landed on Patton, but no one said anything.

Finally, Talyn broke the silence. “Joan, may I speak to you for a minute? Alone?” Joan nodded and gestured for the others to leave the room.

When the two were alone Talyn spoke. “Well, what are we going to do?” They asked.

“We are going to help them,” Joan said simply. Talyn looked and Joan like they had just lost their mind.

“Are you kidding me? They brought a human into the heart of the Guardians and you want to help them.” Talyn said.

“We are Guardians and our job is to help Wards. A Ward is in trouble we are going to help them.” Joan explained.

Talyn sighed “Are we at least gonna tell him?” They asked.
Joan shook their head. “No, let's see if we can get this straightened out first. He doesn’t need to know until after. Besides these two are doing fine… for the most part. Sure they screwed up but I think they can handle it.”

“What about the human?” Talyn asks starting to concede.

“Well let’s see what we can do.”
_________

A few minutes after they were sent out by Joan and Talyn. The three men were asked to come back in. They looked at the pair hopefully.

“Okay, so we will help. The first thing you’re gonna have to do is wake Virgil up.” Joan explained.

Roman squinted his eyes in confusion. “How? we can’t even talk to him the Gatherer was in full control.”

“Well, we don’t know exactly. This hasn’t exactly happened before.” Joan said. “We have no idea what this Gatherer plans to do or why he took over Virgil’s body instead of just consuming his soul. This is not a normal case at all.” The room seemed to deflate. How were they supposed to help Virgil if they didn’t even know how to wake him up.

“So we can’t do anything?” Logan asked frustrated. He was so used to knowing what to do that no knowing really pissed him off.

“POTION!” Roman suddenly shouted. Startling the whole group. Joan’s eyes widened when they understood where Roman was going with that train of thought.

“That could work!” Talyn said catching on to the groups thought process.

“What could work? What are you guys thinking of?” Patton asked feeling horribly out of the loop.

“Well, you see Patton…” Logan started but was quickly cut off by Talyn.

“Are we really going to tell all our secrets to a human? He shouldn’t even be here in the first place.” They said defensively clearly uncomfortable with this whole situation.

“I think he already knows about enough that it doesn’t really matter,” Joan said dismissively with a shrug of their shoulders.

“You are the way to easy going about all this,” Talyn said anxiously.

Joan just shrugged again.

“Do you think it could work though,” Roman said bringing the attention of the room back to the issue at hand.

“If we had the right one, but it would be extremely dangerous, and could potentially do more harm than good to your Ward. Not to mention yourself.” Joan explained.

“Is there any other options?” Roman asked with an intense amount of seriousness.

Joan and Talyn thought for a few minutes to themselves. Neither one could think of anything else to do. Taking their silence as a no Roman pressed onwards. “I will do anything to wake Virgil up.

Patton was silently panicking ever since Joan had said that this option was a dangerous one. “What is the plan then?” He asked trying to participate.

Logan took pity on his Ward who was scrambling to make sense of what was going on. “To my understanding, the plan is to find a potion so that Roman may enter Virgil’s mind in order to wake him up,” Logan explained.

“A potion?” Patton asked like Logan had spoken in another language. “Isn’t that like magic?”

Logan smiled at this. Patton was standing in a room with four people with wings and was surprised by the idea of magic. It was almost cute. “Not magic necessarily. Magic has all but died out. No potions are the byproduct of alchemy, which is just a more advanced form of chemistry. We just have more ingredients than humans do, to curate more advance concoctions.” Logan explained.

“And Logan here is the second best alchemist of this generation.” Roman boasted proudly. To Logan’s chagrin. He hated being known as second best at anything. “So if anyone can help make this potion it’s Logan.”

Logan cringed inwardly. “While I appreciate your bode of confidence this particular potion is beyond me.”

Roman seemed to crumble. “So it can’t be done?” He said defeated.

Logan sighed. “No, as you said I am only second best we still have one other person we can ask for assistance on this.”

Joan and Talyn nodded in agreement.

Roman perked up. “And we just saw him.”
________

“Gurls, of course, I’ll help ya! I’m like insulted that you had to ask. That is so super sucky. Roman, you are my bro course I will do everything I can.” Remy said after Logan had explained the situation to him.

“So can you make the potion?” Patton asked innocently.

“Can I make the potion? Bitch please, this is gonna be easy.” Remy said smirking.

Patton puffed up immediately. “Language!” He exclaimed indignantly.

“Honey, I am speaking English,” Remy said slightly confused.

“I believe he wishes for you to refrain from cursing in his presence,” Logan explained.

“Oh okay,” Remy looked at Patton with a sly grin. “No promises.”

“We are getting off topic.” Roman huffed. He was actually getting annoyed with the lack of urgency the others were taking with this matter. Virgil had been missing almost all day now, and Roman didn’t like it one bit, and no one seemed to be making this the priority. “How long will it take for this potion to be made?”

Remy seemed to finally get serious and thought for a minute on Roman’s question. “Well luckily I think I have all the ingredients I need and with Logan’s help it should take like less than a day. I think. ‘Specially If I work all night tonight.”

“So I would be able to wake him up by tomorrow,” Roman asked excitedly.

“Theoretically. If I start right away.” Remy explained. Roman just looked at him expectantly. Remy sighed. “Don’t worry gurl I gotcha I’ll start now.”