January 10th, 2020
Trigger warning: mention of the word f*g (in a joking way), mentions of past accident

-———-

"Hey" Virgil spoke gently, sensing Logan's anger crashing around him in waves. He softly closed the door and walked over to the printer he was using, watching as paper after paper slid out of the machine. "I am two minutes late, nearly three. By the time I arrive there it will be five" he ranted, Virgil perched on the table beside the machine, leaning on the wall it pressed against.

"Five minutes isn't a crime. You're a good student, they'll let you off"

Logan shook his head, "I am a good student but they won't let me off. They expected me to arrive five minutes early" he hissed, scrambling to collect all the papers and order them correctly. "Lo, they're not going to chastise you, especially after they hear the speech"

Ah yes, the speech, something Virgil had listened to countless times due to Logan repeating it to him over and over to make sure everything was perfect, down to the last full stop. He didn't mind much though, being there for his best friend was his top priority, and Logan had been pretty stressed over it which was quite a surprise - he didn't get stressed over much, and typically had ways of coping with said stress. This meant a lot to him, to his chances in the future, even if Roman didn't know that it was a dick move. However, they've both done much worse in the last to each other, so he couldn't exactly take sides and still have a moral compass.

Logan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I hate him so much"

Virgil gazed at him for a moment, then blurted; "why?"

Logan looked up in surprise, "why?" He repeated, in a tone emphasising utter confusion. Virgil waved his hands around briefly, "no I mean... why do you two hate each other? So much? Other than the pranks, what started it?" He finally asked the question which had been on his mind for so long. He had stayed out of it for as much as he could, confrontation gave him anxiety, arguments made him uncomfortable - but he's always been curious.

Logan looked down at the papers that finally finished printing, taking them to add them to his stack in the correct order. "Ever since sixth grade he has been a pain in my backside" Logan explained, "he is arrogant, horribly rude, and always tries to best me. We were never friends and as the years progressed it got worse. But I need to go, and you need to get back to class" wagging his finger accusingly at his friend, he turned on his heel and darted out the room, hurrying down the hallway as fast as he would allow himself.

Virgil, still sitting on the table, watched the door slowly swing closed after Logan's forceful exit. Got worse? If they truly hated each other why didn't they ignore each other? He could see why Roman wouldn't but Logan? He was a logical guy, and avoids anyone he doesn't like.

What was so different about Roman?

-———-

-———-

Patton hurried down the street as fast as he could, turning round a corner and gasping in uncontrollable excitement as his eyes landed on Deceit. Their schedule of lessons today meant they didn't hang out nearly as much as they would want to, which is why they often hung out outside of schools, especially on days like today. "De!" He called, waving his hand frantically before rushing over the zebra crossing and up to his close friend who had sat on a bench outside of the building.

He looked up, tilting his hat back. "Hello Patton" he smiled, watching Patton take the seat beside him and furrow his eyebrows. "Someone stared, didn't they?" He murmured and Deceit tensed, looking towards the ground covered with a thin layer of snow. Due to an unfortunate accident when he was a child, the left side of his body, from his jaw all the way down to his torso, had a burn scar. He was saved before it could be any worse, and luckily the hospital did a good job in patching him up - but it was still noticeable, and often he was stared at in the street. He didn't care for it much when with friends, but by himself it could get rather annoying.

Patton always knew when it occurred because Deceit always ends up looking at the ground, hat covering his face from view.

"Wanna go home instead? Charlie and Jackson will be occupied, you know how much they love you anyway" and Deceit's heart sung, Patton always made him feel better, even at times of his lowest. No matter what he could stare at that smile and be whisked away to a better place.

"No" Deceit shook his head, "I want to go rollerblading with you" he insisted, after Patton gazed at him for a long while he finally relented. Deceit was grateful of the fact he was an incredible liar, he wasn't telling the full truth, he would much rather go to Patton's house and practice their cuddling, but at the same time he did want to spend time with Patton here in the open where they could both have fun. Deceit knew how much Patton enjoyed roller skating.

They entered the building with pinkies connected, Deceit wouldn't be able to handle his entire hand being held, not after the whirlwind of emotions that washes over him after he's stared at.

They walked over to the desk and the lady behind it was kind as usual, after all Patton and Deceit were her favourite customers. "Hello you two" she grinned, already grabbing the rollerblades their correct sizes. "Luckily for you it's empty, and I think it will be for the rest of the evening"

Patton gasped in excitement, kicking off his shoes and handing them over. "Really!? That's great!" He cheered excitedly, like a young child, connecting their pinkies again before dragging Deceit over towards the rink. They sat on the bench, pulled on their skates and slowly glided over to the wooden, glossy space. Patton was much better than Deceit, he had been riding them since he was a child - Deceit much preferred skateboarding but they went to the skatepark last time, so it was only fair.

"Look! Look what I learnt!" Patton eagerly called, gliding out to the middle of the empty rink, taking in a breath before spinning around on the skates, shooting off in a random direction once he finished. "Wasn't that so good!? I don't fall anymore!" He chimed enthusiastically. Deceit, who took his time near the wall, knees bent, pace steady, grinned over at his friend.

"It was wonderful, Patton" he responded and Patton vibrated excitedly, gliding around Deceit effortlessly as they talked, sometimes splitting away from him to speed up round the whole rink or to practice tricks he had learnt, like spinning, or jumping through the air.

Both of them fell a few times, Patton more so due to his persistent to learn new tricks, but in the end they were both laughing, happy, and content.

It was nearing nine when the two finally finished, taking off their skates and handing them back to the lady who gave them their shoes. "Till next time" she waved, they both called their farewells and left the building, Patton instantly shuddering at the cold winter air.

"Here" Deceit instinctively wrapped his jacket around his friend who blushed, gazing timidly at him. "What about you?"

"I'm getting picked up, I can wait in the warmth while you" he reached over and squeezed his shoulder, "you have to walk. You totally won't freeze" he remarked with a playful eye roll, Patton giggled softly and acquiesced. "Fine, I'll give it back to you tomorrow" he promised, Deceit simply shook his head.

"There's no rush"

Patton chewed his lip, smiling at his friend who smiled right on back. "Thank you for tonight, De, I... had a lot of fun" his voice softened, words very touching for Deceit who often needed that slight reassurance. "So did I" he responded quietly, Patton giggled and pressed a kiss to two of his fingers, hovering them lightly over Deceit's cheek as a representation of him kissing his cheek, typically done when Deceit didn't want to be touched.

Even in the freezing cold Deceit felt his insides warm like an oven, Patton was undoubtedly the most caring person in his life.

"See you tomorrow, text me when you get home" Patton reminded, pointing a finger menacingly in his direction, but it was all playful.

Deceit smirked, "I will. Promise"

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