T.W. Mentions Anxiety/Panic Attack like once, and a sad Virge. It ends happily, promise.

Virgil had no plans for the new year. Not really. He would've spent the day with his boyfriends, but they were all busy with family and he really couldn't relate. Patton was out of town and in a different time zone so they couldn't celebrate together, even over FaceTime. Logan was a few counties over, visiting family, where he'd been since before Christmas. Roman was at his own house, but he was with family, and sure, his brother was allowed to have his boyfriend over, but Roman couldn't.

Virgil didn't understand it at all. Patton had been out of state since Christmas, but they'd at least been able to FaceTime for most of the day, and Logan was in the same kind of boat. The gift exchange hadn't really happened between them, they'd all agreed to wait until they were all back in the same town after Christmas to do it. And Roman had Vigil over forChristmas, and Remus had his boyfriend over too, but New Years was apparently different.

Which left Virgil home alone with nothing to do. His parents said they were off on a business trip, the same one they'd been on for a month. He wasn't sure what they were doing, but they weren't reprimanding him for barely passing classes for the semester. He just didn't want to be alone. His sister had left him almost the same time his parents had. She went off to her girlfriends' houses and that was fine by him.Less screeching.

Sure, the house being empty had some perks, like he'd been able to have his boyfriend's over whenever he wanted to, and he didn't have to ask permission to go to theirs, but it also bought about loneliness. He hated the quietness of the house, and he wanted to have company. He loved Roman, but he could only handle him for so long before he needed someone else.

He reached for his phone, seeing an Instagram notification. Patton posted a picture of him with his family, ready to celebrate the new year coming in. He posted a half-ass comment about how much fun it looked and how pretty Patton was. Virgil adored his boyfriends, he just wanted to see them for a little bit. He wanted to talk to them and tell them he loved them once more, before the new year came in.

A text t the group chat caught his eye and he smiled weakly. Patton checking in on them all again.

Pattycake: How are my lovely boys doing? Lo, how's the family been? Not too intense I hope.And Ro, I hope your brother hasn't been too much to handle. And V, I hope your new year isn't too bad.

Logybear: They have not said anything about boyfriends or girlfriends, which is a relief. Though I did hear my grandmother make a snide comment about my gender. Though I do not wish to focus on that.

Romeo: Remus has been with De all evening, so it's not that big of a deal, though I don't get why Virgil wasn't allowed over. He's home alone and doesn't have anyone. I'd go to him, but my parent's won't let me.

Virgil: Probably because I somehow got stuffing on the ceiling and cranberry jelly in your dad's hair.

Pattycake: You did what?

Virgil: I was helping to clear away and Remus ran right into me and I ended up flicking all the leftover food onto the ceiling that I was carrying. And whatever didn't stick, landed in his parent's hair.

Pattycake: I really doubt that's why you couldn't go over.

Virgil put his phone down and curled up into a ball. He knew it was the reason. He'd ended up mortified, having a panic attack, and breaking down in his boyfriend's bed. Roman had tried to reassure him that he'd done worse, but for Roman it wasn't the first time he'd ever had a proper dinner with his family.

Sure, Virgil had met his boyfriends' parents a thousand times, but he'd always found some excuse to leave before dinner, or have a meal with just his boyfriends. He did it for that exact reason. And sure, the disaster wasn't his fault, but he'd screwed up any chances of being with his boyfriend for dinner again.

Romeo: I told him that it was fine and it wasn't a big deal. Remus and I have done worse. I'm also pretty sure De once stained the couch.

Pattycake: Do we wanna know how?

Romeo: Pudding, whipped cream, and jello.

Pattycake: ?

Romeo: They wanted jello sundaes, but it didn't go to plan...

Logybear: While I may be incorrect, but wasn't that Virgil's first dinner with your parents?

Romeo: uh, I think so, yeah.

Logybear: That will be the main source of his anxiety then. He ruined the first proper meal he had with your family and he fears he messed it up. And the fact that they haven't allowed you to invite him over tonight is the part that solidifies the fear in his head.

Romeo: But they love him?

Pattycake: who doesn't?

Logybear: I understand, but his anxiety amplifies everything and makes it worse than it is. And our drawing attention to the issue has made him feel worse about the ordeal.

Romeo: Oh... Virgo, it says you're online and reading the messages, please say something?

Virgil knew his boyfriends were worried about him, but he didn't care enough to pick up his phone and reply.He just wanted to disappear from existence. He'd screwed everything up and he didn't know what to do.

Romeo: I'm going over. I don't care what my parents say.

Pattycake: Ro, I wouldn't. He'll reply when he's ready.Maybe he's getting a snack.Or maybe he forgot to eat so he's just making something. I'm sure he's fine.

Logybear: While I agree that he does need company, I would give him a little while longer before you barge into his house.

Virgil: I'm fine. Don't worry, Romeo. I'll just grab the cider and drink some, before falling asleep before midnight and miss New Years again. I do it every year, don't worry.

Romeo: Wait, you spend every New Years alone?

Virgil: It's no biggie.

Pattycake: Why didn't you ever tell me?

Virgil: You and Lo are always out of town, and I didn't want to make you feel guilty. You're my best friend and boyfriend.I know how you work Patty. And it's not a big deal. I raid whatever stashed food my parents have and eat whatever, then pass out around nine and that's my celebration. It's been this way for the past three years. I kinda like it. Aside from the silence...

Logybear: Why don't you put on the television?

Virgil: and watch what? I've seen everything and it's boring.

Pattycake: We could call you?

Vigil: You have your own families.

Logybear: So what? We can still call you. Our families won't be that hard done to.

Romeo: Virge, can I please come over?

Virgil: Why?

Romeo: Because my parents said yes and I want to spend the new year with you.

Virgil: But your family...

Romeo: Virgil, I love you, now let me come over.

Virgil: Fine, whatever.

Pattycake: Awesome, our V isn't alone.

Logybear: While you are correct I might have an idea that would make it better.

Virgil shut his phone off. They could call him or Roman later, if they wanted to. They still had six hours before the new year came in. Virgil curled up under his fuzzy blanket and let sleep overcome him, despite knowing Roman was on his way over.

-

Virgil woke up to a hand in his hair and a few light kisses being pressed to his face. He wasn't really sure how long he'd been asleep, but judging by how dark it was, t was safe to say it'd been over an hour. He opened his eyes, coming face to face with Patton.

"Pat?" He murmured, still half asleep.

"Hi, Virgey."

"What're you doing here?"

"Well,Logan suggested we both try and come back in time for the new year. And a plane right and a two hour car journey later, here we are..." Patton smiled softly, gesturing to the hand in his hair.

He looked up, and sure enough, Logan was there.

Virgil sat up and looked between his boyfriends, almost ready to cry. He didn't understand.

"But you guys have family..."

"Okay, I think we need to be honest," Roman spoke up.

Virgil looked at him and tilted his head. "Honest? About what?"

"We knew you spent the new year alone last year. So we arranged it with our parents to be able to come back a day early. The photo Patton posted was taken a few days ago. We wanted you to think we were still out of town, and that Roman's parents had said you couldn't go over because it would've ruined the surprise."

"But I don't get why?"

"Because we love you," Patton smiled. "And we hate it when you have to go through anything alone. So we all came home, or whatever, yesterday. Roman saying he was coming over was to keep you company and to alert us of if and when you fell asleep. So then, we could come in and be here when you woke up... Did we do okay or do you hate it?"

Virgil smiled softly and hugged Patton tightly. "I love you guys so much. Thank you." He laughed softly.

Roman and Logan soon joined in on the hug, and the four of them went back to talking about everything that had happened since Patton andLogan had left.

Virgil perked up and ran upstairs, grabbing his gifts for the three of them. He handed the red one to Roman, the light blue one to Patton, and the dark blue one to Logan. He sat cross-legged on the sofa and looked at them expectantly.

"But we didn't..."

"This isn't the gift exchange gift.I got these a few weeks ago, and I want you to have them now."

Roman smiled and wrapped an arm around Virgil's waist, letting Patton and Logan open their gifts first.

Virgil watched with rapt attention, smiling as the pulled out the sweaters. "Unfold them," he insisted, before turning to Roman and making him open his.

Patton grinned and hugged Virgil, reading the writing. 'Another Doggone Holiday.' With a picture of a pooch beneath.

Logans had 'Holmium cubed. Santa's element.' written on it. He smiled lightly and rolled his eyes at it.

"I don't get it," Patton frowned and looked at Logan's sweater.

"Holmium's symbol is Ho. So, Ho cubed is HoHoHo..."

Patton giggled and nodded, seemingly understanding it, before looking at Roman.

Virgil bit his lip and looked at Roman too, hoping he hadn't chosen the wrong one.

"What does Santa use to paint his nails?" Roman finally spoke up.

"What?"

"North Polish..."

Patton grinned and clapped. "Perfect!"

Logan rolled his eyes, pulling his own sweater on.

"So I did good?" Virgil played with his hoodie sleeves. "I mean, I know they're Christmas, but they ere supposed to have been given to you on Christmas Day..."

"They're perfect, Virgey. Really, I love mine."

Virgil smiled and curled up against Logan, knowing the other two would want a minute to pull their own sweaters on.

-

By the time eleven thirty rolled around,the four of them were mostly tired, but no one was willing to fall asleep and miss the first new year they got to spend with one another.

"Wait, I just realised something!" Patton looked at them and pouted.

"What's on your mind, cookie?" Roman pulled him into his lap.

"I can't kiss you all at midnight..."

Virgil laughed and shrugged. "You could kiss Roman at midnight and then afterwards, kiss me and then Logan."

"Why that order?" Logan looked at him.

"Because I ant Patton kisses before you."

"But you hog all the Patton kisses!" Roman whined.

"That's why you get the new year one."

"What about me then?" Logan frowned.

"I'll leave one for you."

Patton laughed and looked at them. "I have enough to go around, don't worry. But I wish I could kiss you all..."

"We'll figure it out for next year, puffball." Roman kiss his forehead.

Virgil smiled and looked at the TV, sighing softly. .It wasn't that he didn't appreciate his boyfriends being there, but it still felt like he was missing something. He wished his parents cared enough to be there, or his sister wanted to check in on him sometimes. It was like, as soon as he was old enough to do stuff for himself, they left him alone. He was just in the way.

Virgil curled up against Logan, wanting to sleep and just not do anything more about it all.

Virgil spent the following twenty-eight minutes in silence, listening to his boyfriends talk. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but he really didn't want to.

By the time the thirty second countdown had started, Virgil turned to face Logan and smiled softly. He couldn't deny the fact that he loved Logan's kisses the most. Plus, he'd been deprived of Logan's kisses for the longest, so he wanted the first one from him of the new year.

"10, 9, 8..."

Virgil recasted his hand on Logan's shoulder, barely acknowledging the other two, unable to tear his gaze away from him.

"7,6,5..."

He was truly in love with all of them, but sometimes there was just something about Logan that drew him in way more than the other two.

"4, 3, 2, 1. Happy New Year!"

Virgil smiled, kissing Logan softly. Logan's hands instantly found his waist, and they somehow moved closer to one another, barely able to focus on anything other than one another.

Virgil pulled away and smiled softly, cupping Logan's cheek, barely managing an 'I love you' before Patton was on him, kissing him eagerly.

Patton was quick to move one to Logan, letting Roman kiss Virgil, before they were back in their original pairs and cuddling.

Virgil couldn't help but smile. Even after everything they'd all been though, they all seemed to gravitate to one specific person. Depending on the situation, Virgil would go to Logan or Patton. Roman would go to Virgil or Patton. Logan liked to be able to go to Virgil and Roman, while Patton would go to Roman and Logan. It was an odd sort of arrangement, but it somehow always worked.

He looked at Patton and Roman, admiring them. They were perfect and Virgil couldn't get enough of them. He loved his boyfriends so much and he really appreciated them being able to be with him on New Years. It wasn't perfect, but in a way, it was.

It wasn't long until the four of them migrated to Virgil's bed, somehow squeezing into tit, cuddling one another and falling asleep.

Virgil could honestly say that it was the best New Years he'd ever had, and he couldn't wait to wake up with all of his boyfriends ad spend the day with them again.

2518 words

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