(TW: Panic attack)

*Roman's POV*

When we get downstairs, Mom is in the kitchen cooking and Ma is sitting at the table with a reused puppy-decorated gift bag sitting on the table.

Ma(Kat): Hey Ro. Hey Pat.

R and P: Hey.

Roman: What's that?
I point to the bag on the table and she pushes it towards Patton.

Ma(Kat): This is for you.

Patton: Me?
Ma nods and Patton readjusts the blanket so it doesn't fall while he open the gift

Underneath the excessive amount of tissue paper, he pulls out a simple black binder.

Patton: I...

Ma(Kat): We got it a while back so it would be ready when you were. I hope it fits.

He drops the binder onto the table and tackles Ma in a hug, knocking the blanket to the floor.

Patton: Thank you.
His voice is strained, like he's trying not to cry. Ma gladly returns the hug.

Ma(Kat): You are very welcome Pat. Why don't you go try it on?
He pulls away and wipes a few tears that escaped from his eyes.

He grabs the binder off the table and runs to the bathroom with a smile on his face.

Roman: I think that's the happiest I've ever seen him.
His smile just seemed so much more... genuine.

Ma nods, smiling then lowers her voice.

Ma(Kat): Have you told him about Virgil yet?
I sigh and look over to where Virgil and Logan were in the living room. Logan was showing Virge a few new powers. He had blue flames coming from his hand, gesturing for Virgil to do the same.

Virgil stared at the blue flames for a second before concentrating on his own hand. Little purple sparks danced across his open palm before fizzling out.

Roman: No... but I really want to. Maybe I'll tell him about Logan too.

A few more sparks bounces around before bright purple flames finally ignited on his hand.

Virgil's concentrated face turned into joy. He looked up and saw me watching him. He gestured to the flame excitedly and smiled. I smiled back and have him a thumbs up.

At the same time Patton returned, fiddling with the edge of his shirt. His smile bright as ever.

Patton: It fits great! How can I repay you guys?
Ma scoffs and waves her hand dismissively.

Ma(Kat): There's no need Pat. Just remember to come to us next time you need something ok?
He nods and takes a seat at the table.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Logan watching Patton with a ghost of a smile of his face.

Virgil is still over the moon and is playing with his flames. Tossing it from hand to hand, growing it larger then watching it die down.

Mom comes out of the kitchen holding a plater stacked with fluffy pancakes.

Mom(Alex): What did I miss?
As soon as she set the plate on the table Patton got up, nearly knocking over the chair, and have Mom one of his famous hugs. She gladly hugged back.

Patton: Thank you for the gift.

Mom(Alex): Its out pleasure Pat.

*Virgil's POV*

I made fire. With my bare hands. That. Is. Awesome.

As I continue to play with the flickering flame, Roman, Patton, Alex, and Kat were all sitting at the table eating pancakes and talking.

Logan was standing next to me, partly paying attention to my flame but mainly watching Patton.

Virgil: So what can I actually do with this fire?

Logan snaps out of what I have decided to call 'Mom Mode' (because he watches Pat like a paranoid mother) and turns to me.

Logan: Well, multiple things. You could light things on fire, use it as a weapon, use it as simply a source of light, or as you seem to be using it, use it to simply play with.

I let the fire go out then flop back down onto the couch.

Virgil: Why would I need to light things on fire? Other then the fact that it would look really cool with purple flames.

Logan: Well, you never know when the need will arise. Also, once the flame comes in contact with something from the human world it turns into regular fire. Our flames are unique to each ghost.

Virgil: What about the glow?

Logan: That too. If you are moving something the only ones who see the glow are other ghosts. And Roman. All humans see is a moving object.

Virgil: Well, okay then.

Roman: Okay, I'll meet you there.

I look over to the front door and Patton was leaving.

Roman closes the door and sits next to me on the couch.

Roman: I'm meeting Patton at the hideout. Are you guys coming?

Obviously I'm going. I always do.

Roman: Ya know, in case you wanted to stay here and practice more power stuff?

Logan: That won't be necessary Roman. I'm going to visit FairyGodmother today. As much as I don't want to leave Patton considering the recent events I already told her I'd be there.

Roman: Do you think we'll ever be able to meet her?

Logan: Yes... I think you will eventually.

And then he's gone.

Virgil: Well that was... ominous.

Roman: Ya... You ready to go?

Virgil: Yep.

Before we make it out the door Alex calls out from the other room.

Mom(Alex): Hey Ro, you should probably bring an umbrella. It's supposed to rain later.

Roman: Okay, see you later! Love you!

M and M: Love you!

He grabs an umbrella and we're off.

*Time skip*

*Roman's POV*

I hear the door close behind me as I bound down the stairs into our hideout.

Roman: Hey Pat!

Patton was sitting in a bean bag chair and playing Mario Kart. Virgil took his usual place, sitting on the back of the couch, and was playing with his newfound ability of fire.

Patton: Hey Ro, wanna play Mario Kart or something else? I plop down on the couch, opposite of where Virgil was, and pick up my controller.

Roman: Mario Karts good. Fair warning, I'm totally gonna crush you.

Patton: We'll see about that.

Virgil and Patton laugh and Vee gives me a playful look.

Virgil: You know Ro, you're not that good.

I stick out my tongue at him, knowing Patton wouldn't see, then focus on the game.

*Time skip*

Patton: HA! I win again!

Roman: What?! No! You cheated!

Virgil: You're just a sore loser Roman.

I ignore him and go to restart the game.

Roman: Rematch.

Before Patton can say anything, a loud rumble comes from outside.

Roman: Man, its really raining now.

Patton: Hm... maybe we should turn off the TV.

Roman: That's probably the best idea.

I reach across Virgil, who is now sitting cross-legged on the couch, and grab the remote to turn off the TV.

Patton: Do you think the power will actually go out?

No. It can't. It won't. It'll be fine.

Roman: It hasn't before. We should be fine.

Patton gets up and walks towards the kitchen.

Patton: You're right. I'm gonna make some pizza rolls, you want some?

Roman: Sure!

He nods and walks off.

A louder snap of thunder comes from outside, this time causing the walls to tremor.

I close my eyes and take some deep breaths.

Its okay Roman.

Its just thunder and rain.

The power won't go out.

Virgil: Hey Ro? You okay?

I snap put of my thoughts, turn to Virgil, and lower my voice so Pat doesn't hear me.

Roman: Yep, I'm fine.

He gives me a blank stare. He knows I'm lying.

Roman: Okay... so maybe I'm a little scared about the power possibly going out.

He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have to. He was there too after all.

Patton: Okay we got two different kinds of pizza rolls, pepperoni and-

The loudest roar of thunder yet vibrates through the room.

Then the power goes out.

I'm back there again.

Back in the closet.

Back with Mother and Father.

I can't do this.

I'm gonna die here.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

He's not real.

He's not real Mom.

Let me out!

Please!

*Virgil's POV*

The power goes out and and Roman stiffens. Its pitch black in here but luckily, I can see pretty well in the dark.

Patton hasn't noticed Roman's state yet because of the dark.

Patton: Well, I guess the power did go out. I'll go get some flashlights.

I have to help Roman.

But I can't.

Yes I can, I can actually do stuff now.

But what if I can't.

What if-

No. No time to panic. Roman is more important.

Virgil: Roman? I need you to breathe for me okay? Just like we've done before. In for four seconds, hold for seven, out for eight.

The first night at Kat's and Alex's house, Roman went into an episode like this. They had came into the bedroom, said goodnight, then turned off the light and shut the door. It's not there fault though, they didn't know.

He eventually calmed down and the next day I told him that he should tell his new moms at least a little bit so they would know. He told them the bear minimum at first, that he was just scared of the dark.

The episodes kept happening, even though the door was always kept open and he had a small night light. One night Alex heard Roman crying and asked him what was wrong, he told them everything then. That's when he told them about me, they helped us come up with this breathing exercise to help him when things got bad again.

This is the first episode he's had in a couple years.

I kept trying to talk to Roman but I knew he couldn't hear me.

Roman: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-

He's back there again. Back with his horrible excuses for parents.

Roman: He's not real mom. He's not real.

I wince, I haven't told Roman this, but anytime he denies my existence, or something along those lines, it sends a sharp pain through my body. It happened back then and I guess its still happening now. I didn't tell him cause I didn't want him to worry.

Patton comes back from the kitchen carrying two flashlights.

Patton: Roman? Wha-

Roman: LET ME OUT! PLEASE!

Patton rushes over and sits next to Roman.

Patton: Ro, what's wrong?!

He slowly reaches for Roman's hand as he keeps talking.

Virgil: NO! Don't touch him! It'll make it worse!

Who am I kidding he can't hear me, that won't do any good.

Roman flinches back from Patton's touch but he leaves his hand there anyway.

Roman's whole body was shaking with sobs and his breath was choppy and sporadic.

Virgil: Roman...

I need to help him. But I don't know how.

Patton looks up from Roman directly at me. Well, not at me probably the wall behind me.

Patton: Who are you?
His voice seems to tremble.

Wait what.

Virgil: You can see me?

Patton: I can...

Oh. Well... We'll figure this out later.

Virgil: Who I am isn't important right now, Roman is.

He tries to speak but I cut him off.

Virgil: I need you to go flip the breaker switch and turn the lights back on. It doesn't sound like it's too bad out there anymore so it should be fine.

Surprisingly, he doesn't argue.

He grabs one of the flashlights that he had set on the floor and walks off. I turn my attention back to Ro.

Virgil: Hey Ro. It's ok, your'e safe here. You have a new family who loves you.

I think he can hear me now, he's noticed the flashlight on the floor and is staring at it.

Virgil: Just focus on my voice Ro. You're okay. Everything is okay. I need you to breathe with me alright?

He nods slowly and I go through the breathing exercise with him again and again till he calmed down.

Patton still hasn't come back yet and the lights are still out.

Virgil: You okay now?

He starts to nod his head yes, but immediately turns it into a no and pulls his knees to his chest.

Roman: I-I'm scared Virge. W-What if it happens again?

He's talking about being trapped in a closet again.

Virgil: It won't.

He looks up at me, tears still rolling down his cheeks.

Roman: H-How do you know?

Virgil: Because I won't let it. If anyone tries to put you through anything like that ever again I'll burn them to a crisp.

I summon a flame and let it flicker for a moment for letting it die down.

Roman laughs softly.

Roman: Of course you would.

He turns his attention back to the flashlight.

Roman: I wish I could hug you right now.

Virgil: Me too.

Suddenly the lights flicker back on and Roman sighs in relief.

Roman: Wait... Where's Patton?

Virgil: He went to flip the switches in the breaker box.

Roman: So... He seen me?

Virgil: Yeah...

He seem me too, but how?

Patton walks in looking worried. Roman notices him and quickly wipes the tears off his face.

Patton: Roman? Are you okay? What happened?

Roman: I'm fine Pat... Well I'm fine now.

He looks at me and smiles.

Roman: As for what happened... It's a long story.

Virgil: Oh Ro... There's something you should know... He saw me. Pat can see me. I don't know why.

Roman: Wait really?

Patton slowly walks over to the couch and takes a deep breath.

Patton: So Roman... Who is that guy?

Heyyy!
So. *dramatic sigh* This chapter took WAY longer to come out then I wanted it to.
Curses to having to go to school.
Anyway, thanks to my editor ArtAngle713.
And thanks to all of you who have commented/voted/added this story to your libraries.

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