Trigger Warning. Please check the end note for more details.

Monday, August 23rd, 2019: 4:57 PM

"We should check on him," Logan said, breaking the silence that had overtaken the house for the better part of an hour, "He may assume that we are mad at him. We... we should eat dinner, and talk this over."

"We should order pizza," Patton said, trying, and failing, to look excited.

Roman, who had been mostly silent since Virgil had stormed off, nodded, "Yeah, pizza sounds great Pat,"

Patton smiled at Roman, before standing up and moving towards the stairs, the other two following behind. Logan turned to Roman, murmuring "Are you... alright?"

Roman sighed, stopping in the hallway. He ran a hand through his hair and turned to Logan, "I don't... I don't know, Lo. We need to talk to Virgil first and... we can talk later, alright?"

Before Logan could respond, they were at Virgil's room. Patton quickly knocked on the door, shifting on his feet when there was no response. After a few moments, he tried again, yelling "Virgil?" through the door. The room remained eerily silent, there not even being a creak to insinuate that Virgil had heard them and moved towards the door. Patton's hand drifted down to the doorknob, attempting to open the door only to find it locked.

"I'll... I'll go get the key," Logan said softly, attempting to stay calm. There was no use in panicking, Virgil was most likely just being an angry teen ignoring his parents. Panicking would not help the situation so Logan would stay calm.

Finally getting the door unlocked, Logan gave one last warning call before opening the door, only to find Virgil's room empty. Patton, having noticed the light on in the adjoining bathroom, quickly moved through the room, before throwing open the bathroom door. Patton gasped, taking a step back. Roman quickly moved to Patton, only to freeze at the sight before him.

Virgil was awkwardly slumped on the floor, Roman thought it would have looked like he was simply taking an uncomfortable nap if it wasn't for the blood. There was so much blood.

"No!" Roman murmured, collapsing next to his son on the floor, "Virgil, no!" Roman cradled Virgil's face with his hands, bringing him into his lap. "Your okay, you're gonna be okay," Roman wasn't completely sure what he was even saying anymore, muttering words like prayers to a God he didn't believe in.

The next few hours were a blur. Patton sobbing, Logan on the phone, Logan giving him some rags and maneuvering him and Patton to help put pressure on the wounds, the ambulance ride.

Roman wasn't sure if he stopped muttering the entire time. He didn't notice the blood that was still covering his hands until much, much later.

———

Tuesday, August 11th, 2020: 3:26 PM

Virgil's focus was drawn away from his art project as someone sat down in the chair next to him in the art room at school. Confused, Virgil took off his headphones, and turned to the person next to him.

"Hey," Remy said, smiling.

"Um, hey," Virgil responded. They had texted some in the past few days, but Virgil still worried he was being awkward.

"Whatcha working on?" Virgil shifted so that Remy could look over his shoulder at the painting he was working on, "Woah," they breathed, leaning a little closer, "That's cool as fuck," Virgil smiled, looking down at the painting of a storm he was working.

"Thanks," Virgil said, "I mean, I've still got a lot to do, and I'm probably gonna have to redo the section in that corner–"

"Oh shut up, it looks amazing,"

———

Monday, August 17th, 2020: 3:24 PM

"Hey um, Logo?" Virgil called, walking into the downstairs office where Logan was working.

"Yes, Virgil?" Logan replied, spinning around in his office chair. Virgil took a deep breath, trying to not panic now that he had Logan's attention.

"Um," Virgil started, mouth suddenly dry, "So, um, I'm having some trouble with my math work..."

Logan quirked his head to the side, trying to understand where Virgil was going with this, "Would you like me to help you with it?" he asked, eyebrows furring when Virgil shook his head, curling into his hoodie.

"Um... I was talking to Remy and... and he said he's pretty good at math so I was wondering if, like maybe, he could come over to help me?" Virgil was anxiously rocking on his heels, eyes trained on the carpet as he waited for Logan's answer.

Logan smiled softly, adjusting his glasses, "Of course Remy can come over, Virge. In fact, why don't you see if he wants to stay for dinner? If you want him to, of course,"

Virgil looked surprised but nodded regardless, "That would be cool I guess. Um, thanks or whatever." He stood there for another second before practically sprinting out of the room, going to text Remy. Logan chuckled at Virgil's eagerness and went to the group chat he had with his boyfriends.

Logan-Berry: 3:26 PM

Remy will be joining us for dinner.

Had Remy technically confirmed his attendance yet? No. But Logan had no doubt that he would say yes to Virgil's offer. Besides, Logan had learned from Emile that Remy avoided late shifts at the coffee shop he worked at like the plague.

Patty-Cake: 3:26 PM

HE IS!!!!????!?!?!

Logan-Berry: 3:27 PM

Yes, although I'm sure you could have portrayed your excitement with less punctuation, Patton.

Patty-Cake: 3:27 PM

But Lo that's boringgggggggg

Logan-Berry: 3:28 PM

You are going to give me an aneurysm.

Prince of your Dreams: 3:31 PM

Sorry, we just finished up rehearsal. Why is Remy coming to dinner?

Patty-Cake: 3:31 PM

Because Virgil looooooves him!!!

Prince of your Dreams: 3:32 PM

Well, that is quite obvious

Prince of your Dreams: 3:32 PM

Any particular reason he's coming over tonight?

Logan-Berry: 3:33 PM

Remy is coming over to assist Virgil with his math work. I told him that he should invite Remy to dinner. He did.

Prince of your Dreams: 3:33 PM

...

Prince of your Dreams: 3:34 PM

Lo

Prince of your Dreams: 3:34 PM

You're a math teacher

Logan-Berry: 3:34 PM

That is correct.

Prince of your Dreams: 3:34 PM

And you had Virgil invite a friend over

Prince of your Dreams: 3:34 PM

To help him with his math

Prince of your Dreams: 3:34 PM

Instead of just helping him yourself???

Logan-Berry: 3:34 PM

That is also correct.

Prince of your Dreams: 3:35 PM

???

Logan-Berry: 3:36 PM

This is the first time Remy will be 'hanging out' at our house. Virgil finds this a very big step in their relationship, and he was obviously nervous when he asked me if Remy could come over. I was not going to ruin that by refusing and helping him myself.

Patty-Cake: 3:36 PM

AWWWWWWW

Patty-Cake: 3:36 PM

LOGAN THAT'S SO CUTE!!!!!

Prince of your Dreams: 3:37 PM

I love you so much omg

Prince of your Dreams: 3:38 PM

Well I should leave the theater if I ever wanna see your pretty faces in person

Prince of your Dreams: 3:38 PM

I'll see you soon my lovelies 💙💙💙

Patty-Cake: 3:37 PM

I should be home soon too!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Logan set his phone down, smiling.

———

Monday, August 17th, 2020: 4:15 PM

"Fuck!" Virgil exclaimed loudly.

Roman and Logan's heads came up from their work, moving to look at the stairs, "Be right back," Roman murmured, placing a kiss on Logan's forehead as he went.

Surprisingly, Virgil's door was open, so Roman knocked on the doorframe instead.

"What!" Virgil growled, appearing from under the bed. As soon as he made eye contact with the man standing in his door frame, he blanched, "Shit, sorry Roman, I didn't mean to yell– it wasn't–,"

"Virgil," Roman said softly, "I'm not upset." Virgil didn't respond, "You have to calm down, my prince,"

"I'm not getting anxious on purpose!" Virgil scoffed.

"I know that. What are you doing?"

"Cleaning."

"Under your bed?" Virgil nodded. Roman raised an eyebrow, "You really think Remy is going to be inspecting under your bed?"

"Well. No. But, ya know."

"I don't know, Virgil." Virgil made that sound in the back of his throat that he made when he was too frustrated to form words.

"Just," he started, hands clenched into fists, and then unclenching to gesture around the room.

"Your room looks fine, V." Virgil stayed silent. He was twitching, Roman noticed, "C'mon, let's just lay down for a bit, calm down some, hm?"

Virgil exhaled loudly, nodding. Roman moved into the room, letting Virgil make contact first. Virgil's hands came up to mess with Roman's shirt before he slowly moved to lean against Roman. Roman moved an arm to squeeze around his shoulders, where he knew Virgil liked extra pressure sometimes.

Moving them to the floor, Roman began breathing loudly, making sure Virgil could hear him. They laid there for ten minutes before Roman moved, checking the time again. "Remy will be here in fifteen minutes. I'll let you get ready but, we can talk later if you would like," Virgil just nodded, looking at the carpet as he sat up.

"Dad?" Virgil asked softly as Roman was about to walk out the door.

Roman turned around, "Yeah, V?" He said, surprised to see Virgil smiling up at him.

"I.... I like you. A lot or whatever." Roman smiled brightly; saying I love you had never been easy for him. He had come such a long way. They both had, together.

"I love you too, Stormcloud! Now, you better get dressed for dinner with your boyfriend," Before Virgil could respond (other than splutters of denial), Roman shut the door, making his way downstairs.

Logan looked up from his book, eyebrows raised, "What happened? Are you guys okay?"

Roman flopped onto the couch, wrapping his arms around Logan's neck, "Yeah, V had a minor freak out. We laid down to breathe then I left him to get dressed,"

Logan titled his head, confused, "What was this so-called, 'freak out' about?"

Roman blew a raspberry, pulling himself closer to Logan, "Remy. This is the first friend he's really had since... you know and he's worrying himself sick about it. I told him we could talk later if he wanted,"

"I hope he takes you up on that offer," Logan said, staring at Roman, seriously.

"Yeah," Roman said, "Me too," It was silent for a moment before Roman sat up and looked Logan in the eye, "You're cute when you're worried you know?"

Logan blushed, adjusting his glasses, "I- I am not cute,"

Roman simply hummed, leaning in to kiss Logan. Not a second later, Roman heard the front door opening. He sighed, pulling away from Logan, "I really hope that's Patton and not Remy,"

Still flustered, Logan cleared his throat, "Um, yes, I would- yes."

Roman smirked, leaning in for one last kiss just as Patton yelled, "I'm home!" stepping away from the couch, Roman walked to meet Patton, Logan following a moment after.

———

Monday, August 17th, 2020: 4:53 PM

"Man, I love your room, Virge," Remy commented, looking around as they toed off their shoes by the door.

"Oh, thanks," Virgil murmured, "Um, do you mind if we keep the door open?"

"Yeah totally, whatever's best for you, babe," Remy said, flashing Virgil a small smile. Virgil (who was not blushing, he was not) made his way over to his bed, clearing room for Remy and pulling out his laptop.

"You can uh- sit right there if you want." pointing to the spot he had cleared, Virgil sat on the bed, opening his laptop to get to his math practice. What Virgil was not anticipating, however, was for Remy to sit close enough to him that the two of them were touching; almost the entirety of their side touching Virgil's. Virgil froze for a moment before continuing to find his math work.

"Sorry," Remy chuckled, "Shitty eyesight... this is good though, right?" They asked, already starting to move away.

"Yeah!" Virgil exclaimed, maybe a little too quickly (and no his voice did not squeak goddamnit-) "It- yeah it's fine."

Remy hummed, "Good. Because I kinda lied, it was mostly because you're cute," Virgil was dying. This was it, his gravestone would read: Virgil Sanders, he was too gay and so he died.

"Cool," Virgil replied, voice far too high-pitched for him to actually mean it. Remy smirked but otherwise left it alone.

"So," Virgil started, "ready to do some fucking geometry?"

"Oh, you know me," Remy huffed, "I'm always horny for some math,"

Virgil snorted, quickly covering his mouth with his hand.

"Oh c'mon, V!" Remy exclaimed, "You aren't gonna let me see that pretty smile?"

Virgil blushed and gently hit Remy on the shoulder, "You're lucky you even got a snort out of me, that sentence was terrible," Remy just smirked. "Okay," Virgil said, trying (and failing) to not smile, "Schoolwork time, for real,"

"Okay, okay" Remy relented, "Let's see what you're working with here."

———

June 25th, 2018: 8:52 AM

"I'm sorry," Virgil said, arms wrapped tightly around his middle, "I know you really loved this job."

Roman sighed, turning to face Virgil, "Virgil... please stop apologizing," Virgil curled farther into his hoodie, unnerved at the cold tone.

"We-we don't have to move!" He stuttered, hands gripping tightly at his hoodie sleeves, "I- you're happy here! Just forget I said anything and just- please!" Virgil begged, "Please..."

"Virgil..." Roman said softly, setting his computer to the side, "I'm upset, but not at you. And, this isn't just about me. You have a life too. And I want you to live it, in the best way you can. And you can't do that here,"

Virgil deflated, slumping into the couch, "I... I shouldn't have told you. I'm ruining your life because I couldn't keep my mouth shut!"

"No!" Roman exclaimed sitting up, reaching his hands towards Virgil, "No, Virgil. You are so, so, brave for telling me and it must have been so hard but, you did it anyway. And I am so proud of you," Virgil had started crying silently, eyes downcast and mouth frowning, Roman slowly put his hand on Virgil's knee. He jolted but didn't pull away, slowly drifting towards Roman, "What Alastor did... wasn't okay at all V. And you were so strong for telling me. But I'm your guardian. It's my job to protect you. And if that means moving again, so be it. Besides, Virgil, you mean more to me than any job ever could,"

Virgil fell against Roman's chest, hiccupping into Roman's shirt as he wrapped his own arms around his middle. Roman let out a sad noise, gathering Virgil in his arms and hugging him tightly. Slowly rocking Virgil in his arms, Roman kissed Virgil's forehead, before gently resting his head on top of Virgil's own. Roman wanted to tell Virgil that if anybody, ever, ever dare lay a hand on Virgil again, they would regret it. But that's not what Virgil needed to hear. Right now, he needed a father. An actual father who didn't scare him, or hurt him, a father who loved him. And that's what Roman would be. No matter how long it took Virgil to see him in that way. 

Trigger Warnings:
Self-harm
Suicide attempt

Thanks for reading!!!!!
-Apollo