TW: Emotional Abuse
Remus could feel the tension between his parents when he walked down the stairs on Saturday morning. Today was the day that Patton's parents would be coming for dinner. Remus pretended not to notice the couple's odd behavior, but he noticed every single worried glance or tense movement. He would be thrilled when this dinner was over, for his parents' sake.

The day passed quickly, against Logan's wishes. Too soon for his taste, it was time to begin getting ready for the dinner. Logan and Patton were in their room, getting ready in an awkward silence when they heard a soft knock on their door. Logan opened the door to be met with his son's big chocolate eyes. "Could I borrow some clothes for tonight?" Remus asked shyly. "Of course, darling. Do you have any preferences?" Logan asked as he made his way over to his dresser. "Can I have a long sleeve and a pair of shorts please?" Remus asked. Logan froze in his spot. "No," Logan said lowly. "W-what?" Remus asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "No, you need to wear pants," Logan said firmly. Patton's head shot up at this. "He can wear what he wants, Logan," Patton said. "You know how your parents can be. You know that they'll say something about his legs," Logan fired back. "I thought I didn't have to hide them," Remus whispered. "You don't. You don't have to hide your legs, you can wear shorts if you want to," Patton said, his frustration evident. "Patton, are you so blind to the fact that they-" "Logan, can you stop? Please," Patton said, effectively quieting Logan. Patton looked between the pair before walking out of the door, leaving them alone. Logan took a shuttering breath. "He's right. You can wear whatever you want. Here," Logan said, handing Remus a pair of black shorts that fell just above the knee. He walked over to his closet and pulled out a green long sleeve, handing it to the boy. Remus stood to leave when Logan placed a hand on his shoulder. "If they say anything hurtful to you, do not listen to them. They say things that are specifically meant to harm others. You have to promise me that you will not allow them to get under you skin," Logan said, looking into his son's eyes fiercely. "I promise," Remus replied, hugging Logan tightly before leaving the room to change.

Once he was dressed and had his sneakers on, Remus made his way downstairs. He found Patton cooking in the kitchen, his stress evident. "Hey, Dad," Remus said, jumping up to sit on the counter next to where Patton was cooking. The man looked up at him with a frazzled expression, but smiled nonetheless. "Hey, buddy. I'm sorry for getting upset earlier." "It's okay. I know you're both stressed. Everything is going to be fine," Remus said, causing Patton to relax slightly.

A knock at the door interrupted the pair. Patton froze for a moment before walking quickly to the door, Remus in tow. Patton opened the door to reveal an older couple. "Hi Mom. Hi Dad," Patton said with a slightly forced smile. "Hello, Patton," his father said. Patton's father was a tall muscular man with slicked brown hair and cold brown eyes. He reminded Remus slightly of his own father. He shivered at the thought. "You must be the boy," his mother said, turning toward Remus. She was thin with blonde hair pulled into a tight bun and light blue eyes, just like Patton. Not nearly as warm, though. "This is my son," Patton said to the pair, his smile becoming more genuine. "I'm Remus," he said softly. "Odd name," the woman said, causing Remus to look at her slightly shocked. This is going to be a fun dinner.

The couple looked up as Logan made his way down the stairs, their expression conveying slight disgust. Remus didn't like that at all. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Hart," Logan said, attempting to hide his distaste. "Logan," Mr. Hart said coldly. Logan took a deep breath and forced a smile. "It's nice to see you again," Logan said. "Likewise," Mrs. Hart replied unconvincingly. "Make yourselves comfortable! I'm just about to finish up dinner and then we can eat," Patton said before turning back into the kitchen. The remaining four sat on the couch, with the Harts on one end and the Berrys on the other. They sat in an uncomfortable silence until Mrs. Hart spoke up. "Cover your legs, boy. They're making me sick." Remus looked at her in shock. "Do not speak to my son that way. He can wear shorts if he wants to," Logan said, attempting to keep his voice level. "Well I don't know how you expect me to eat with such a disgusting view on display," she said. Before Logan could fire back, Remus interrupted him. "Can I have a pair of pants, please?" he asked softly. "You don't have to change, Re," Logan replied. "Please, Papa," he whispered. Logan slowly nodded before leading the boy up the stairs. Logan dug through his drawers until he found a pair of black jeans. "You know, you really don't have to change if you don't want to," Logan said with a saddened expression. "I know, but I don't want them to talk about my legs all night. Id rather just change," Remus said, pulling off his sneakers. "Remember what I said. They are mean for their own satisfaction. Don't listen to them," Logan said, running his fingers through the boy's hair lightly. "I won't, Papa. I'll be okay," Remus said, pulling off his shorts and putting on the jeans. He cuffed them a few times before sliding his sneakers back on and leaving the room with Logan. Right as they reached the bottom of the stairs, Patton called out that dinner was ready. The four made their way to the kitchen table, Logan staying close to Remus. Patton's expression saddened as he noticed the boy's change of clothes. Remus sat next to Logan, leaving the spot on his other side open for Patton. The latter began serving bowls of spaghetti, placing a serving in front of each person's seat. Grabbing the final bowl, Patton took his seat next to his son, letting on a sigh. Everyone began eating, Patton's mother making a face of distaste. Patton took notice of this immediately. "Do you not like it, Mom?" Patton asked. "It is rather under seasoned and the pasta is not cooked enough. You can do better than that," she said, causing Patton to deflate slightly.

Remus would not allow that. He didn't care if they were mean to him personally. But when his parents were involved, Remus wouldnt allow anyone to hurt them. He normally wouldn't speak out of turn, but he had a sudden rush of confidence. "I think it tastes amazing, Dad. Good job." Patton looked at the boy with a grateful expression. "Thank you, Re." Logan smirked fondly at the interaction. They ate in silence, which Remus was grateful for. When they finished the food, they all looked at each other with slightly uncomfortable expressions. "So, Remus, how old are you?" Mr. Hart asked, despite his disinterest being evident. "I'm 15," he responded back, his voice shockingly more confident than he felt. "You got a girlfriend?" the man asked rather bluntly. "No, I don't have a girlfriend," Remus responded. "Shame. A young man like you could easily get a girl," the man replied. Remus chuckled lightly. "I didn't say I was single. I said I don't have a girlfriend. I have a boyfriend," Remus said, smiling slightly at the mention of Dee. "Oh, great, so Logan has infected you too," Mrs. Hart said under her breath. "Excuse me?" Remus said, not attempting to mask his growing anger. "First, he infected my boy. Now he's turned his own kid gay," she spat, causing Logan to look back at her with a hurt expression. "How dare you talk about my Papa like that? He didn't do anything. First off, you can't turn somebody gay. They're born gay. Second, I think that you should apologize to Logan," Remus said, practically fuming. Logan and Patton looked at him in shock. They had never seen him like this before. "Remus," Patton said firmly, warning him to stop. "No! She was being rude to Papa, so she should apologize to him," Remus responded firmly. The woman looked at him in shock, but apologized sarcastically nonetheless. A tense silence hung in the air. "Remus, can I speak to you privately please," Patton said through clenched teeth, standing and walking out of the kitchen. Remus swallowed harshly before following. When he reached the hallway, Patton turned around angrily. "You can't act out like that. It's wrong to speak to adults that way," Patton said. "It's also wrong to speak to somebody the way that they spoke to Papa," Remus replied, his anger getting the best of him. "You'd better drop that attitude, young man," Patton said firmly. Remus looked up at him with a hurt yet angry expression. "Hit me or punish me, I don't care. But I will never not stand up for Logan or you," Remus said as tears stung his eyes. Patton's expression softened. "Remus, I just don't want them to lash out at you for being rude," Patton said softly. Remus chuckled darkly. "Id rather it be me than you two any day."

Remus turned on his heel and made his way back into the kitchen, sliding into his chair silently. He refused to acknowledge the Hart's smug expressions. "Are you alright?" Logan asked softly. Remus nodded, but his expression said otherwise. Patton soon returned to his seat, looking just as distressed. "You've got quite a mouth on you, boy. If Logan and Patton had half a mind, they'd slap that attitude right out of you," Mr. Hart said as Remus flinched. "I-I know," he muttered, his panic rising slightly. Patton placed a hand on Remus' arm, looking at him with a concerned expression. Remus shrugged off his hand, looking up at him. "I'm fine, Dad." Mrs. Hart scoffed. "Why do you keep calling him Dad? You know they're never going to be your real parents, don't you?" she said with a smirk. "N-no, they are my parents," Remus said softly. "Pathetic," Mr. Hart said under his breath. "That is enough," Logan said firmly. "Patton and Logan deserve so much better than you," Mrs. Hart said, loving the effect she was having. "You think I don't know that?" Remus shouted, standing from his seat quickly. Logan and Patton looked at him with heartbroken expressions. "Then why don't you just do them a favor and off yourself?" the woman said, causing Remus' heart to stop momentarily. Logan started yelling at the woman, but Remus didn't register it. His thoughts were too loud. They deserve so much better than you. Kill yourself. Kill yourself. KILL YOURSELF. Remus gasped loudly. "I have to go to the bathroom," he said shakily before sprinting out of the room and up the stairs to his parents' bathroom. Logan and Patton shared a saddened look before their eyes widened, realizing what was happening. They ran as fast as the could after Remus, but were met with a locked door. "Remus! Open the door!" Patton yelled at he banged on the door as hard as he could. Logan was slamming his hand against the door, desperate to get to the other side.

Remus didn't hear them, though. He could only hear the voices repeating the woman's words.

"Do them a favor and off yourself."