Warnings: Strong language, mention of violence, mention of anxiety, and mention of injuries
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"In life we take chances to prove to ourselves that we are strong enough to be here."- Shaylee Schmidt

Of course, learning about Virgil's injuries had immediately activated 'Dad Mode' and Patton had hurried the younger man back into bed, bringing his plate of macaroni and cheese in with him. Virgil is now lying in bed, propped up by pillows and taking a sip of his sofa. He honestly believes that he could eat ten bowls of Patton's macaroni and cheese right now, but he's beginning to feel a little nauseated and can't stomach eating too much at once. And yeah, soda isn't the best beverage to drink when feeling unwell, but water is boring.

After a while of scrolling through Tumblr, the anxious facet simply stares up at the ceiling and goes over the events of the day in his head. He stupidly agreed to go with Roman into his realm in order to keep an eye on him, got attacked by a crazy dragon-thing, and then came back to a protective Patton. Not that he doesn't appreciate his best friend's worry, but he had never expected today to become so overwhelming and Patton... he's sweet but can get to be too much after such a long day. Though, he'd definitely prefer Patton to be too much than not; as the embodiment of anxiety, Virgil would convince himself that the moral persona doesn't care at all.

One good thing did come out of all this, however.

He feels the corners of his lips twitch as the grin on Roman's face following his attempt of platonic affection appears in his mind. Finally, they're beginning to mend and build up their friendship. Virgil sighs as he brushes his fingers through his hair, cringing at how greasy it feels; he needs to take a shower as soon as possible.

Suddenly, there's a gust of wind and Patton is standing beside his bed, a sympathetic smile on his face. "Hey, kiddo. How're you feeling?"

"A little sick, but the gash isn't hurting." He resches up and runs the back of his head face twisting in irritation. "And I'm pretty sure I knocked the back of my head pretty hard at some point."

Patton nods and explains that when Roman caught him, his head had smacked against the almost-dismembered arm of the beast. The thought of that makes Virgil's stomach churn a little more. Clearly, something on his face gives that away because the father figure winces and apologises, gently combing his fingers through Virgil's locks and smiling. Not even noticing how dirty it is. "Do you want me to leave your leftovers in the fridge for you? I can get you something that'll be a little easier on your stomach?"

Usually, Virgil would refuse the second offer because he never wants to be even a slight burden on the only person to completely accept him for who he is. The others... They do accept him, but Virgil feels most comfortable with Patton. However, his stomach feels as if it's flipping itself inside out, so he smiles maybe a little shyly up at his friend. "If you don't mind. The macaroni is really fucking good-- "

"Language."

Virgil smirks a little and continues, "But I just can't stomach it right now."

With a beaming smile, Patton thanks him for the compliment and takes the plate from its place on the nightstand, sinking down to fulfil his tasks. Virgil is once again left alone to his thoughts.

He's got a wonderful relationship with Patton and his relationship with Roman is being built up, slowly, but surely. And despite having a reasonably good relationship with Logan and Thomas, the anxious trait figures they could be better, so he'll plan to hang out with them at some point. As soon as he's better. Perhaps he and Logan can bond a little more at their shared love of space? Though, Logan's fascination definitely trumps his. He and Thomas can... binge a television series together. Maybe. Virgil doesn't quite know what either of them really enjoys doing.

Soon enough, Patton returns with a plate full of crackers, a small block of cheese, and some butter. Virgil feels his chest light up as he takes the plate carefully. "Thanks, Pat. This looks really good."

Patton ruffles his hair, that oh-so familiar smile on his lips. "Is there anything else you need, bud?"

"Actually, could I have some advice?" He doesn't completely understand how he's suddenly gotten so confident, but he isn't complaining and is going to take advantage of it while it lasts.

Practically sparkling with the idea of giving some 'fatherly advice', Patton sits on the edge of the bed beside him, offering a nod and encouraging him to ask whatever questions he has. Virgil breathes out a soft laugh and scratches the back of his neck, wincing for a second as he accidentally presses on the large bump on his head. "I was just thinking about... maybe spending some time with Logan and Thomas later?"

His stomach feels a little lighter when he sees the pride glowing in the fatherly figment's eyes. "I'd suggest maybe doing a puzzle or something with Logan, and..." he pauses to think about his answer for a moment, "Maybe you could watch a few episodes of Parks and Rec with Thomas? I'm sure they'd both love to hang out with you!"

Virgil thanks him, but senses that there's an unasked question lingering in the front of Patton's mind. He feels his heart jolt with anxiety and evens out the hitch in his breathing. "Is something wrong, Pat?"

"No, I just wanted to ask about how you and Roman are doing." Patton smiles sheepishly, somehow knowing that his silence would have possibly (definitely) worried his best friend.

A smile breaks out on Virgil's face and he shrugs loosely. "Better. A lot better."

Patton grins. "I'm so happy to hear that, Virge."

Instead of saying too much else about it, Virgil merely smiles back at his best friend and sits up straighter to eat his food. Patton stays for a while, just keeping his best friend company. His usual dad jokes almost cause Virgil to choke on a cracker, but they simply laugh it off and continue their conversation, though Virgil is certain that Patton's gaze is more trained on him than they were before.

After a while, Virgil's yawning becomes too noticeable for him to hide and Patton giggles, taking the empty tray and standing up. "Alright, time to get some sleep. All that pain must have exhausted you." He laughs harder at Virgil's resistance, despite his eyes closing ever-so-slowly, and leans down to wrap an arm around the younger Side's shoulders. "Sleep tight, you pure little darkling!"

And with another smile—one that Virgil will never get tired of—Patton leaves the room.

Curling up on his side, Virgil tries to shove the uncomfortable twinge in his chest and stomach, feeling guilt well up in his mind at the thought of feeling so humiliated by an innocent pet name. He'll just ignore it.

Just ignore it.

Until it becomes too much at the end of Thomas' new video.

He honestly knows that Patton only wants him to be comfortable and happy, so when he asks the older facet if he can stop using such... unintentionally condescending pet names for him, he lets his guard down. The smile drops from Patton's expression, and along with it, Virgil's stomach.

Virgil doesn't want to lose the closeness he has with him, so he attempts to save it with a high-five. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work. And as Virgil rests on the couch in the Common Room that night, he thinks about what would have happened if he'd just kept his thoughts to himself. Would he still be chatting with Patton like he usually does after each Sanders Sides video? Or would he still be lying alone in the Common Room?

He doesn't want to think about the answer.

It only reminds him of what a big mistake he's made.