HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FATHER-FIGURE-FIGMENT!! Honestly Patton is one of my favorite Sides, he's my comfort fictional father-figure character, I've been told multiple times that I am him. But seriously Patton is a bean. He is morally gray therefore he does make mistakes, even though his morals are more on the good side he doesn't look too far ahead to see how his decisions affect Thomas. But he's trying to get better at accepting the sides of Thomas that he opposes.

I don't own any of the pictures but like PaTtON iN a SKiRt!! LITTLE FROG PATTON!! ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!! AND PATTON IN HIS CHRISTMAS GETUP!! AMAZING!! Also the art was adorable and definitely not mine. Not being sarcastic, it's not.

Warning: mentions of pole dancing, mini description of it ig, aphobic parents, internalized aphobia, puppy headspace (just for comfort), alcohol mentions (no one actually drinks tho), a bit of sensory overload, and language.

Oh wow, I swear it isn't as bad as it seems. It did take a lot of courage for me to post something like this, and I wouldn't make or post it if it was truly bad. Enjoy!

His real name was Janus, but every guy, gal, and non-binary pal that walks into that club knows him as Cobra. He's the most popular male pole dancer/stripper, and the best reviewed for lap dances and private shows. He's been there for almost 10 years, starting when he was 18, he was a natural. After three years he managed to get enough money to move out and get an apartment of his own, the thing is, his parents are proud of him despite his career choice, and that's because they're supportive of their child's happiness instead of their child's lifestyle. Eventually Janus got two roommates, Remus and Remy.

Remus is a man with an...interesting imagination, he works at the theater with his brother, who's sadly not relevant to this story, and in his spare time he writes disgusting horror scripts that he eventually sells to producers. Remy is an assistant song producer, he loves visiting his boyfriend's, Emile, also (sadly) not relevant to the story, coffee shop and getting something from there, and he loves going out to regular clubs late at night.

So one normal night at the strip club, Janus, currently 27, was just finishing up his performance. Feeling himself up and down, spreading his legs and rotating his hips, strutting around the pole, and grinding against it, all that stuff he's paid for. Then a guy walked in, and he immediately caught Janus' eye. It wasn't that he was handsome, no, the guy was cute, but it was something else. Janus could clearly see he didn't belong there, he was looking around nervous and unsure, his wide eyes behind his round glasses reminded Janus of a child going to their parents because they had a nightmare. This guy definitely didn't belong here, Janus thought to himself as he watched the guy in the light blue shirt go over to the bar with narrowed eyes.

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"You can come back once you realize how ridiculous you're being and just have sex, it's a natural thing to want and I can't understand why you're repressing it! So go, now!" His parents words rang through his head as the 23 year old looked up at the strip club's logo, he could feel the weight of the wad of cash in his pocket, as well as the weight in his stomach, the one labeled 'dread'. He took a deep breath and walked in, heart pounding.

The first thing that hit him was the smell, the entire place smelled of sex, he refrained from gagging and resisted walking out all together. Patton, instead, walked over to the bar with his eyes trained on the ground and sat down, he stared at his hands, wondering how this could have happened to him. He was 23 and still had no boyfriend willing to accept he's asexual, even his parents won't accept it! They were okay with him being gay, but having no sexual desires? Impossible! So there Patton was, sitting at the bar, a wad of cash in his pocket, looking for something to drink by just staring down at his hands. Patton wasn't a big alcohol fan either, but he thought he should get himself something to calm his nerves.

"Anything I can get you?" The bartenders words flew over Patton's head, he wanted to order something, so badly he wanted to settle down his nerves, but he couldn't. Instead, Patton just numbly shook his head, the bartender left him alone with a shrug, letting Patton think to himself. His parents said they'd take him back if he got over being terrified of sex, and he so badly wanted to go back because he doesn't know where else he should go. But he isn't terrified of sex, unless he's involved in a forceful situation, he's just sex-repulsed, there's a difference. Then Patton let his internalized aphobia get to him.

'You should want and like it, you're a guy after all! Am I really just broken for not wanting that? I mean, it's basically a must in every relationship I've ever seen and I've ever been in. Maybe it's the ADD medicine? Maybe you just need a small boost?' Over and over, question after question after critique after insult, it was never ending! Patton saw someone approaching out of the corner of his eye, it was the guy up on the main stage, Cobra, and he was coming right for Patton! Patton had a moment of panic, before he made a decision and got the money ready, he wanted to go back home. This was it, this was the moment that will lead to Patton's parents taking him back. Before Cobra could get a word out Patton pulled the cash out of his pocket, his stomach in knots and his legs shaking.

"How much for a - umm, private show?" Patton wanted to throw up as the words left his mouth, he felt like something was crushing him, restricting his breathing. Patton couldn't tell, but Cobra could see in the boy's eyes that he was terrified, that he didn't want to do this, he lowered the boy's hand filled with cash and grasped onto his other.

"Come with me, doll." Cobra had a smooth voice, but he spoke softly to Patton, if he spoke at a normal volume people's heads would turn, probably being attracted to just the sound of his voice. Patton was gently pulled out of the chair, and all he could do was follow in silent fear and dread. Patton gripped tightly onto the man's hand as they made their way through the crowd, the music seemed to pound through him, the voices were everywhere, everytime he brushed past a person the contact seemed to increase by tenfold and crawl around him. Cobra picked up the pace and headed to the back of the building, they were soon standing in front of a door labeled "Cobra" in calligraphy. Said man opened the door, but Patton was hesitant to go in.

"Come in, doll." Cobra coaxed, Patton steeled himself and they went in. The room was quite big, or bigger than Patton's room. There was a leather couch near the entrance against one wall, a rack full of kinky outfits that Patton immediately looked away from, there was also a few shelves full of toys in a showcasing style (Patton also diverted his eyes from those), next to the showcase was a platform and pole, and at the end of the room was a large and lush bed. The spaced headboard was the only side of the bed pushed against a wall, there were many throw pillows and the silk sheets were a luscious black. Cobra closed the door behind them and led Patton to the couch, Patton sank down slowly, in a defeated way.

"So...umm, how does this work?" He asked, face burning in shame, he wanted this to be over as soon as possible.

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Janus looked at the guy in sympathy, he looked so scared and yet defeated, like a little puppy who gave up on their owner ever coming back. Janus sat next to him, but didn't touch him for fear of starting a panic attack. The poor boy looked so close to breaking down.

"Why are you here, doll? You clearly don't want this." Janus gently asked, the boy seemed to shrink in on himself, he looked relieved, but then he turned to Janus with desperation in his eyes.

"But I -" he cut himself off and took a deep breath, then narrowed his eyes "- I do want this. Please." Janus shook his head.

"I've been working here since I was eighteen, I can tell who wants to be here and who doesn't. Now, why are you here?" He asked more forcefully, dropping the soft tone.

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Patton let out a long sigh, and spilled his guts to the stripper whom he'd met not even ten minutes ago. He told Cobra of how all his boyfriends would leave him, how his parents questioned him on why he goes through so many guys, how he was forced to come out as asexual to them, and how they flat out refused to believe that asexuality was a thing and kicked him out with the promise that he can come back if he admitted asexuality is fake and have sex to prove it. By the end of the explanation Patton had tears running down his cheeks. The stripper pulled Patton into a hug, rubbing his back comfortingly as Patton let it all out. Patton finished crying and pulled back, now slightly embarrassed that he confessed everything and cried in front of a total stranger.

"I'm," Patton took a shuddering breath, "I'm sorry." He apologized, Cobra squeezes his hand.

"You don't have to apologize for anything, it's clear you have a lot weighing you down and it's healthy to get it out and cry. Don't ever be ashamed for it." Cobra somewhat scolds Patton, who breathes out a laugh.

"You kinda sound like one of my friends, he moved away for college and wanted me to come with him, but I had my entire life here, so I stayed. But he's also lecturing me about stuff like that." Patton looked down at his hands, hoping his friend, Virgil, is doing well. They have frequent video calls, so they haven't drifted apart or anything, but Patton sometimes wished he could be with his friend.

"Well, if you have no friends left here, you just made a new one." Patton smiles at him, completely ignoring the fact that Cobra is still in a mesh top, very tight booty shorts, and 6 inch platform heels, "And I insist you stay with me and my friends, if your parents aren't taking you back." Patton outright refused, not wanting to intrude or bother Cobra anymore, but the stripper insisted, so Patton gave in. Cobra told Patton to wait here for him until his shift was done, which would be in a few hours, so that he can get Patton's stuff and help Patton settle into the apartment.

"Thank you, Cobra." Patton says as he was walking out the door, prepared to go back on stage again. Cobra turned and smiled at him.

"Call me Janus, doll." Patton smiles back.

"Patton." He said, Janus nodded and left Patton alone in the room.

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Patton fell asleep on the couch waiting for Janus, he relaxed enough to realize how exhausted he was. Patton's pretty sure he actually had three or four anxiety attacks that day, he wasn't even sure because it's just been so hectic. Patton was awoken by a properly dressed Janus lightly shaking his shoulder. He'd also taken off all the makeup, it's kinda hard to imagine Janus is Cobra seeing him like this. Janus had put on a sunflower shirt, some nice gray slacks, and a black jacket, he also ditched the tall heels for some black flats. Patton never actually realized that Janus was shorter than him until he was out of those heels, now he'll never be able to see Janus as anything but adorable. Janus caught the small smile Patton was giving him, and he knew why.

"I get it, I'm actually short! But I can still kick ass!" Janus flexed his arms, and even though nothing showed through the jacket sleeves, Patton knows he's right. Janus is short, but he's also very strong. You didn't think pole dancing was all fun and games, did you? No, it's also a hard workout, and working there for almost ten years made Janus buff and now he's actually slightly intimidating.

When Patton went back out, it was like this was a completely different place, only a few employees were there kicking out anyone that fell asleep. So very different from the neon lights and people everywhere that seemed like just minutes ago. Janus led Patton to the parking lot where his car was, I'll just leave what car it is to your imaginations because it's not important. Janus opened the passenger door for Patton, which he thanked Janus for, and then Janus got in and asked Patton for his address. Patton told him and they were off. The whole way there the usually cheerful boy was unable to lean back in the comfortable leather seat, too nervous for the confrontation with his parents. Janus held out his hand to Patton, who held it and was given a comforting squeeze.

"Don't worry, I'll be with you." His tone was soft but confident, slightly easing Patton's worries. Once they got to the house, Patton was reluctant to get out.

"I could always just buy new clothes." He suggested, his eyes locked on the house. Janus said nothing, instead he just got out and began walking towards the front door, and Patton had no choice but to chase after him.

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By this point, Janus knew he wouldn't be able to talk Patton into it, he had to act instead. So Janus just got out of the car and walked to the front door, the smallest smug smirk made its way onto Janus' face when he noticed Patton got out and chased after him, but he dropped it when they reached the door. Janus was the one to knock while poor Patton stood silently beside him, just watching the door. Patton's parents opened the door, smiling at Janus, but the smiles fell away once they saw Patton.

"So, you spent the night with this hooker?" The mother sneered at Janus, who gave no reaction. Patton didn't speak up for himself, instead he opted to shrink under his parents invasive gazes and shuffle behind Janus a bit. Despite being stone faced through this, Janus' blood was boiling, he can't believe these people were the ones that raised sweet Patton.

"If by 'spend the night' you mean have sex, no, we didn't do that. Instead, he told me of how you kicked him out just because of his sexuality, and how his only option was to force himself to do something he doesn't want to do in order for you to take him back. So instead, we're here for Patton's stuff and he'll be living with my friends and I." Janus stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"So you're still choosing to be this way?" Patton's father asked, Janus stepped more in front of Patton.

"He isn't choosing to be this way, it's just who he is. Now, if you'll let us through to gather his stuff, we'll be out of your way soon." Janus was disgusted when the parents stepped aside, not protesting that they care for Patton and just want what's best for him, not saying that they'll try to accept this, just quiet as Janus takes Patton away.

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Patton felt a sharp pain in his chest as his parents silently stepped aside and let them through. Did this one thing really change their opinion of him so drastically they're letting him go? Did him being asexual ruin their love for him? Why? It's not even a big deal! Definitely not bigger than being homoromantic! Patton passed by his parents silently with Janus right behind him, and once they were in the confinement of Patton's room Janus brought him into a hug, whispering words of comfort.

"They're wrong, you know. It's okay to be asexual even though you're a guy, and it's okay to be completely repulsed by sex. It's not the foundation of a relationship and it certainly isn't a priority in life. So you're fine just the way you are." Patton nodded, really needing to hear those confirmations from someone else besides himself.

"Now, let's gather up your stuff and leave this place. That sound good, doll?" Janus looked up at Patton, who nodded. He didn't want to speak because he's afraid he'll breakdown again, so they silently gathered what they could of Patton's stuff. They managed to get all his clothes and a few cherished stuffed animals in one bag, and some more cherished things in another, including a picture frame with him and Virgil. Patton didn't want to stay any longer than he had to, so as soon as the second bag was filled to the brim and zipped up, they took their leave. Patton looked at his parents in the living room as they passed, heart still hurting.

"I'm really sorry you couldn't love me for who I am." His voice was hollow as he spoke those words, he sent one last sad glance their way and went out the door.

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Janus sent Patton's parents one last glare.

"By the way, I'm a stripper, not a hooker." And he left, slamming the door behind him. The two bags went in the back and the two men were at the front again, Janus driving away from Patton's childhood home.

"I have to warn you," Janus started, breaking the silence, "my two roommates can be a bit...much at first, especially Remus. But you get used to it, they're actually caring and sweet despite first impressions. And don't get between Remy and his coffee or else someone will die." Janus glanced at Patton, his nervousness clear as day as he looks at the passing scenery and fidgets.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Patton laughed nervously. Janus wanted to tell Patton there's nothing to worry about, but he honestly doesn't know how Remus and Remy will interact with Patton, he only gave them a few details on the situation.

They finally got to Janus' apartment building, Janus parked the car and looked at Patton. The poor boy looked terrified.

"Hey, I know Remy and Remus, they'll like you." He tried to comfort Patton, but the boy just nodded. Janus got out and Patton followed him, protesting when Janus grabbed a bag so Patton could grab the other. Janus ignored his protests and went to his front door, put the key in, and opened it. Patton went in and Janus followed, closing the door behind him, then Janus squeezed past Patton and led him down the hall and into the living room, where there was yelling.

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Patton's stomach was in knots and his heart pounded against his rib cage, it would've been deafening in his ears if not for the yelling. Two people were arguing about something, Patton couldn't catch what though because as soon as he stepped in the room behind Janus the arguing stopped.

The two men were looking at Patton, almost like he was the frog on the dissection table. One was draped across the couch on his stomach, a lanky leg hanging over the back of it. The other was leaning on the armchair with a Starbucks coffee cup in his hand, sunglasses atop his dark brown hair. The one on the couch rolled over and stood up, Patton could see his outfit now. Camo pants and a crop top, his socks also have little eggplants over them, he had long, side swept blond hair at the top of his head while everything else below it is short. The one with the coffee had on some fishnets with shorts on top, a white shirt with writing, and a black leather crop jacket. They approached Patton, looking him up and down, making him squirm a bit with a nervous smile.

"So, you're the little card Jannie told us about." Patton was a bit confused at that before he caught what the blond man meant. Card as in ace, the shortened term for asexual. Patton's nervous smile turned happy, he relaxed a bit and let out a small laugh.

"I'm Patton!" he stuck out his hand and the blond man was about to shake it, but coffee person stopped them both.

"You don't wanna touch that, babe. Don't know where it's been." Although coffee man's tone was slightly harsh and very sarcastic, there was a playful smirk on his face, making it known that he wasn't being mean. Coffee man stepped in front of the blond one and shook Patton's hand.

"Name's Remy, and that-" Remy let go of Patton's hand and jabbed a thumb behind him "-is Remus." Patton's smile widened, he actually had nothing to worry about, they're both really nice. Remus waved at Patton from behind Remy, Patton waved back, his bright cheery smile still there.

"Come on, Pat, I'll show you to your room." Janus spoke and didn't wait for a reply as he walked up the stairs, Patton followed him up. Once they got in the room Patton opened his mouth to speak, saying that they didn't seem bad at all, but Janus spoke first.

"They're planning something." Janus placed Patton's bag on is bed, the younger one looked at him confused.

"What do you mean?" Patton asked, Janus started pacing.

"It could either be an elaborate prank on you or me, but they're never that nice right away. Remus didn't even get territorial at all, which is very unusual." Patton was just beyond confused, he didn't even know what to say.

"Uhh, te - territorial?" Patton asked, finding his voice.

"Oh, yeah, Remus tends to go into the headspace a lot, so he'll sniff and ask for head scratches and lick. He also doesn't like anyone touching his collar." Patton must've had the most lost look on his face because he thinks Janus could tell he was confused on that.

"Basically act like a dog." Janus summarized, Patton nodded, still not really understanding it but not wanting to question it further. The younger man could've sworn he heard Janus mutter something about vanilla under his breath, but he didn't bother asking about that either.

"Uhh, so, what's my - uhmm, my rent charge?" Patton asked, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence.

"Well, with us three it was us taking turns on who'd pay extra, since it's 1k every month, but now we can evenly split it. So it'll be 250. Does your work pay you enough that you'll be able to hand in your share?" - Patton nodded to this - "Good. I'll let you unpack, you can come down when you're done."

"Okay!" Patton chirped, he started taking out clothes and putting them in the drawer, putting the dresses and skirts he had in his closet, and the few sentimental items on his dresser and the few plushies on his bed. Patton had nothing to worry about, he'd be fine here!

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"Okay, what's going on?" Janus asked lounging Remy and Remus.

"Nothing. If you say he's alright, then he's alright." Janus was so confused by their laidback attitudes. Was this just to annoy him?

"But you literally growled at Remy every time he was in the same room as you the first week he was here." Remus shrugged in response.

"He was - like, walkin' around like he owned the place." Remus slurred out, then mumbled something under his breath neither could understand and neither wanted to understand, "plus, this kid is so vanilla it would be pointless." He added, Remy just shrugged at that. Janus sighed and sat down on the couch, throwing Remus' legs off the cushion before so he wasn't sitting on them. Remus whined at that and sat up, grumbling that he was comfy in that position. Patton came down a few minutes later and curled up in the bean bag chair across from Remy.

"So, where do you work, kid?" Remy asked, Patton sat up with a smile.

"Oh, I work at the bakery on the corner in the square! The two old ladies that work there are so nice, they let me help out when I was little, and then hired me when I turned 16!" Patton's tone was cheerful as he was reminiscing his years there.

"Oh, I remember that place," Remus cackled, "I offended some karen hag there a while back. Those were good times." Remus sighed and slouched back, Patton was curious about the story, but judging by the sour look on Janus' face it was not a good time for him to recall.

"Is there a cooking schedule?" Patton asked, by now all three were slouching back while Patton was curled but sitting up in the beanbag chair.

"No, it's usually whoever feels up to cooking. If all of us have no motivation and are too lazy to move we just get pizza or something." Janus said, Patton nodded and leaned back.

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Night rolled around, and Janus had to head out.

"Don't kill each other and don't break anything." He ordered before closing the door behind him, it was silent for a few seconds before Remus shot up.

"I'm gonna steal some more of that fuckers chocolate!" Remus ran up the stairs and the only noise was the shuffling upstairs, until Patton's phone rang. Patton looked at the caller ID and his face brightened up, he ran up the stairs, passing Remy and then Remus without a word, and went into his room. He closed the door behind him and sat on his bed before finally answering.

"Hi Virge!" Patton greeted with a wide smile, Virgil smiled slightly at Patton.

"Hey, Pat. Sorry I couldn't call you last night, I kinda got carried away working on a project." Virgil rubbed the back of his neck with a tiny sheepish smile, Patton just continued grinning at him.

"It's fine Virge! I was busy as-" Patton cut himself off when he saw Virgil squinting. "What is it, Virge?"

"That's not your room's paint, you're not home. Where are you?" Virgil was acting accusatory, but Patton spent enough time with him to tell that Virgil is worried.

"Well...uhhh, yesterday I was forced to - to come out as ace and my parents - uhh, heh, they kicked me out." Virgil gave Patton a sympathetic look before his eyes widened in panic. "But don't worry! I made a friend and he offered me to stay with him!" Patton added, trying to calm his friend down over this situation. Virgil was switching a lot, he was now fiercely worried about Patton.

"Who and where?" Patton didn't speak at that question. "Patton." Virgil's tone was like a parent's when their child won't tell them something.

"Uhhhh...the strip club?" Patton winced as he answered, Virgil switched between scolding Patton and asking questions. Patton waited till he was done and recounted the events to him, at the end Virgil just sighed and nodded.

"Just - please be careful Patton?" Virgil had an unreadable emotion on his face, Patton nodded, smiling softly.

"I will Virge. Love you!" Virgil smiled at Patton, a rare full one.

"Love you too, Pat. Now get some sleep." Patton nodded and they each smiled at each other one more time before hanging up. Patton sighed and flopped back, before getting back up and going downstairs because he realized how hungry he was. Once he got his pizza rolls he went back out to the living room and ate in the beanbag chair, his attention was directed away from the food when he realized Remy and Remus were staring at him.

"What?" He asked, so confused by the knowing smirks on their faces.

"Who is this 'Virge' you were talking to?" Remus asked in a teasing tone, resting his chin on his hand as if this was some juicy middle school gossip.

"He's my best friend!" Patton smiles, "I met him in second grade and immediately got attached, heh, it took him a little while though." Patton remembered when he first met Virgil, they were doing partner work in class. Virgil was a shy boy, and Patton was talking a mile a minute, a few weeks and many recesses later and they were friends.

"Right, 'best friends'." Remy chuckled, Patton was so confused, he has no idea what they were talking about. Out of the blue Remy just took one of Patton's pizza rolls and popped it in his mouth.

"Hey! This is my food!" Patton pulled the plate closer to him while glaring at Remy, who laughed in response, Remus was just smirking at the exchange.

"Awww, it was just one little piece, puffball." Patton's cheeks gained a pink hue at Remy's new nickname for him, this got both of them to laugh.

"Puffball is blushing at his new nickname, how cute!" Remus teased, Patton whined at this and blushed more, popping his last pizza roll in his mouth while pouting and glaring at the both of them.

"Awwww, look at that, puffball is maaad~. He's so cute when he's mad!" Remus continued to tease, Patton placed the empty plate on the table in between the couch and the beanbag chair and covered his growing red face.

"You guys are meeaaannnn!" Patton whines, that just gets them to laugh and continue flustering him to the point where he can't even form full sentences, which didn't take long. Of course Remus recorded the whole thing and sent it to Janus with the caption "it's so fun to torture him", which would send Janus in a funny little panic till he watches the video. Remy and Remus finally stopped torturing Patton, allowing him to calm down.

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Patton woke up in his bed, a bit disoriented on where he was till he remembered the previous day and night. Patton was tempted to sleep in, but the smell of waffles coaxed him out of bed and down to the kitchen.

"Morning guys!" Patton chirped, sitting down at the table Remus was leaning against and yawning. Patton was met with a grunt from Remy, a 'morning' from Janus, who was making waffles, and Remus smirked down at him.

"Morning, puffball." Patton whined and covered his face at that.

"Nooooo, it's too early for thiiis!" He whines out, all three chuckled at this. Patton is the youngest out of the four of them, so to them, Patton is baby. Soon the waffles were finished and served, then Remy, Remus, and Patton headed off to work while Janus went to bed.

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Patton arrived to the bakery with a smile, the walk was much shorter than he's used to because he lives closer to the square now, which is fine by him. He greeted the two women at the counter and went to the back to bake. The day seemed to go by so fast, and Patton, for once, wasn't dreading going home.

When he did get home and walked into the living room, Remus bounded up to him on all fours. He has a collar on, ears, and a tail, which was swaying as his butt wiggled back and forth quickly. Patton looked to Remy for explanation.

"He had a rough day." Remy said, Patton nods and sits on the couch on the opposite side of Remy. Remus jumped up on the couch and laid himself on Patton's lap, Patton remembered what Janus said about how Remus tends to act like a dog, so he just started running his fingers through Remus' hair and lightly scratching his back. Those actions got Remus to immediately relax, melting onto Patton's lap.

"Huh," Remy glanced at the two, "How do you do that so well?" Patton shrugged in response.

"I've had to calm Virgil down from panic attacks and when he gets tense a lot." Patton explains while he continues his actions, Remus let out a sigh in contempt. Remus didn't even lift his head when Janus came downstairs in a long sleeve and some sweatpants, Janus raised a brow at Patton petting a calm Remus.

"He's actually calm?" Remy nodded at Janus' question.

"Why? Is he usually not like this?" Janus shook his head.

"This is one of those rare occasions where he's not being an absolute bastard and causing problems." Remus let out a huff at that, almost like a laugh. "It's not funny to find you've been stuffing my socks under the couch!" Remy burst out laughing at Janus' outrage, and Patton hid his snickers behind a cough, this just got Janus more pouty.

"I had to wear mismatched socks for weeks! I even had a lock on my sock drawer to keep the pairs I had left!" Remy just laughed harder at that and Patton was now full on giggling.

"Awww, is - is wittle Jannie pouting?" Remy asked through his laughter, teasing a definitely pouting Janus.

"No." He muttered, cheeks turning pink, "and don't call me that." Janus slightly snapped.

"I think he is." Patton teases.

"Shut up, you're the new one here, we're supposed to tease you!" Janus exclaimed, face turning a darker shade of pink, this just got both Patton and Remy to fall into another laughing fit.

Despite Janus' slightly grumpy mood the rest of the afternoon he made dinner that night, Patton honestly thought Janus' cooking put his mom's to shame. Thanks were exchanged and they ate in comforting silence, by this time Remus was feeling much better, so he put his things away before dinner and ate with everyone. A little while later, after everyone ate and while Patton was washing the dishes, Janus headed out to work.

As Patton was lying in bed he thought about how today and yesterday had been. He really likes it here, it seems like he fits right in, and the others seem to like him as well.

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When Patton came home the next day the aroma of freshly baked cookies that surrounded him caught everyone's attention, even Janus came down earlier than he usually would get up.

"You got cookies?" Remus was eagerly eyeing the bag in Patton's hand, Patton nods with a shy smile and small blush.

"I - I wanted to - uhhhh, thank you guys for let - letting me stay with you." Patton holds out the bag and Remus snatched it up and took a cookie from it, after having a bite he moaned at the taste.

"This is fucking amazing puffball!" Patton smiles, glad Remus likes them. Remus quickly ate his and went for another when the bag was snatched by Remy.

"Leave some for the rest of us you greedy rat-man." Remy said in response to Remus' whine, Patton giggles at this. Remy took one then handed it to Janus to take one, the other two basically reacted the same way, Patton blushing at the praise.

"But I ate mine so fast!" Remus whined, Patton chuckles at this.

"There's two for each of you in there." Remus eagerly jammed his hand back in the bag and pulled out another cookie, nibbling on this one to make it last longer, the others ate theirs normally. Patton let out a squeak when he was picked up into a bone-crushing hug by Remus, the others watched with amused smiles.

"You're making the cookies here from now on." Remus declares, Patton wheezes out a chuckle.

"Okay, but if you keep crushing me I won't be able to make them." Remus immediately lets go and Patton can breathe again.

"Sorry puffball." Remus says, ruffling Patton's hair, the younger man giggled and said it was okay.

"Really though, thanks for letting me stay guys." Patton looked at the three of them sincerely, the other's replied with an of course and that was that.

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The weeks passed and Patton wedged himself into the small group, falling into the routine and chaos with grace. Patton even met Remus' brother, who - to Patton - looks like a literal Disney prince out of a movie.

"You're right, brother, he is super cute!" Ironically enough, Roman - being the hopeless romantic he is - is aromantic. Pretty cool.

But today, Patton waited by the window, eagerly looking for his best friend's car. Virgil was going to stay at his parents house for a few days and visit Patton, as well as probably interrogate Patton's more recent friends, but Patton was too excited about seeing Virgil to think about that. Patton excitedly bounced to the door when he saw Virgil's car pull into a spot, opening the door for him when Virgil was close.

5985 words

Time done: 8:30 A.M., Jan. 15, 2021

I know I missed Christmas and New Years and I'm sorry about that, I've just been in a huge creative slump also school is literally killing me and I apparently can't seem to do anything right.

Anyway I really wanna make a part 2 on this buuuttt I wanna include a ship idk which one though. Patton x Remus and Remy and Janus or Patton x one of them or Patton x Virgil. I'm seriously stumped, please comment the option you want I'm begging you bc I'm just too indecisive.

Love you all-
Xxx