Wordcount: 956

Warnings: Being/feeling left out, crying

If I forgot a warning or you see a typo or just have any comments or constructive criticism let me know!

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One cold, rainy day, the sides were bored and didn't know what to do. Patton didn't want to do puzzles, Logan didn't like coloring, Roman didn't feel like drawing and Virgil didn't want to sing.

Suddenly, Patton jumped up and said, "I know what we can do! Let's paint the room a different color!"

Roman and Logan agreed, but Virgil said, "Why would we do that? It's a mindscape, we can just change the color without actually painting it."

Roman groaned, "Come on, Brad Pittiful, it's something to do that's fun and time-consuming! We've got nothing better to do! And since you didn't like the idea, why don't you go get the supplies?"

"Fine, I'll do it, just don't ask me to paint anything," Virgil grumbled as he went to the supply closet.

This became a pattern for rainy days: Patton would say "Let's paint!", Virgil would get the supplies and set everything up, Logan would cut in the corners and edges, Roman and Patton would roll the walls, and then Virgil would clean up and wash the brushes and rollers. It was a rather pleasant routine for the other three, but Virgil felt like he was being shoved aside. The others never asked him if he wanted to help with the actual painting, and he felt that he was just being used as a tool to get things done.

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One day, he wanted to try something new to see if he could change how the others treated him. He decided to talk to Patton because he was the most accepting of the group. "Hey, Patton, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Virgil! What's up?"

"Well, could I maybe, um, well, try, uh, painting something today?"

"Of course, kiddo! I'm actually surprised it took you this long to ask!"

"Well, the only reason I haven't asked before is that I actually paint artistically and I didn't want you to think I was showing off..."

"Aww, that's great kiddo! And we would never think you were showing off, you're not that type. I'm going to tell the others; they'll be thrilled!" He gave Virgil a quick hug and ran off to find the others.

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Later, everyone watched in surprise as Virgil came in the room holding an artist's paintbrush set and a box of paints. "Since when do you have those?" Roman asked, shocked. "I thought you only worked in charcoal!"

"Well," Virgil said, not amused, "if you took the time and effort to have a conversation with me, you might have figured it out by now."

"Ah, I guess I deserved that," the prince sighed.

"No need to be mean, Virgil. But I can't wait to see what you're going to paint!" Patton said excitedly.

"Would you like us to leave while you work?" Logan asked.

"Yes, if you don't mind," Virgil said gratefully. "That would be good."

"Well then, we will leave you to your painting. We'll come back in a few hours."

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After three hours of waiting impatiently, the sides came rushing back into the room were Virgil was working. The first thing they saw made them all gasp in amazement: the beginnings of a forest that looked so real, they could almost smell the dirt and feel the breeze!

Virgil heard them and turned around, paintbrush in hand. He stood up nervously and said, "Well, what do you think?"

Patton was speechless, Logan looked unbelieving, and Roman just looked gob smacked. He was the first to regain control of himself. He whispered, "This is incredible!" In a louder voice he said, "How could you have hidden this from us for so long? I know you said you could paint, but this - this is - it's beyond words!"

"Thanks, Princey, I'm glad you like it. And the way I hid it from you for so long was by by making a painting and then vanishing it into the Forgotten Pit. I didn't want you guys making fun of me."

Patton had tears in his eyes as he asked, "Why would we make fun of you, or this amazing art? This is something to be praised!"

"I agree," said Logan. "The realism is astonishingly accurate. I'm not surprised it took you this long to paint this!"

Virgil swallowed and cleared his throat. "Actually, that one, so far, has only taken me the last hour or so. I, uh, painted something else, too..."

He directed their attention to the other wall. On it was a painting of all of them, the other three in a group talking and laughing. He was sitting in a corner all alone, crying.

They stared at it, shocked. As soon as Patton realized what it was, he burst into tears. It seemed like Logan had forgotten how to function but Roman was staring at Virgil in shock and comprehension. "Is this what you've been feeling like this whole time? I never even thought..."

Virgil sat down against the wall and stared at the floor. Roman knelt in front of him and put a hand on his foot, making Virgil look up. There were tears in his eyes. Roman said seriously "We are going to fix this."

He stood up, pulling Virgil to his feet. He then led him over to the others, and they surrounded him in a group hug, all saying how sorry they were and how they would never exclude him again. By the time they stepped back, all of their faces were wet with tears. They all sighed and smiled at each other.

Patton broke the silence. "I'm going to make everybody cookies. I'm so proud of you all!"

So they all went to the kitchen, where they talked, and laughed, and ate cookies.

And they were happy.

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Well, this was the first fanfiction I ever wrote. Hope you liked it!

~ 💜