Despite the momentary rush of energy Roman felt when talking about the three boys, he couldn't help the utter exhaustion that overtook his body following his attack. His body went limp against his father, no longer having enough energy to sit upright. Emile ran his fingers through Roman's hair, calming him even more. Remy reached out and softly grabbed Roman's hand. "That really took a lot out of you, didn't it babe?" Remy asked his half asleep child. Roman nodded lightly. Just as he was about to fall asleep fully, Roman felt his phone vibrate. He picked it up and read it, squinting at the bright light.

L: Hello, Roman. Patton, Virgil, and I wanted to check on you and see how the encounter at home went.
P: Is everything okay, Ro?

Roman typed back, slower than usual due to his exhaustion.

R: It didn't go well, but I'll be fine.
P: Oh gosh, what happened?

Should I tell them? Roman only thought about it for a few moments before deciding that yes, he should tell them because they were his friends and his trusted them.

R: It's kind of a long story...
V: we've got time
R: Okay.. basically, I got home and Remus was having a full meltdown in his room. Apparently he had a nightmare about me and freaked out when he woke up and I wasn't here. After I calmed him down and got him to sleep, my father started yelling at me for not coming home when they needed me and for making Remus have a panic attack. I started crying and he told me that crying wouldn't work this time and then he moved and I panicked because I thought he would hit me so I ran to my room and had a panic attack. I'm better now, though.

There wasn't a response for about ten minutes, and that terrified Roman. What if I said too much? What if they hate me now?

V: i'm so sorry roman
L: May I ask you a few questions, Ro?
R: Sure
L: Do you often get panic attacks?
R: ...yeah
L: Thank you for being honest. I only have one more question, but I need you to be honest with us.
R: I promise.
L: Has your father hit you before? You said that you thought he was going to hit you. Has this been a common occurrence?

Roman felt the guilt sink in. Had he been over dramatic in reacting that way? He wrote back in a hurried frenzy.

R: No! He has never laid a finger on me. He was just upset and I panicked. Don't worry.
L: Are you telling the truth?
R: I promise that I am. If it will reassure you any, I do have some...triggers involved with physical violence from a difference person and occurrence, which is why I got scared. Neither of my parents have ever hurt me.
R: Please don't ask any questions about what I just said.
L: Of course, Ro. Thank you for answering my questions. I just wanted to make sure you were safe.
R: I appreciate it, Logan.
V: was it a bad attack?
R: Do you want my real answer?
V: duh
P: Virgil! Be nice!
R: In all honesty, that was one of my more intense attacks..
V: are you better now?
R: I'll be okay.
P: It's okay to not be okay, Ro. We won't judge you. Ever.
R: Thank you, Pat. I'm just exhausted.
P: Could we possibly come by and see you? We could try to raise your spirits!
V: i don't know, pat. he just had a huge attack
L: Virgil is correct. He will most likely not want to interact with us due to his exhaustion.
R: Id love that. Let me ask my dads.

Roman looked at his dad with a soft yet excited smile as he showed him the last few messages. Remy smiled slightly as he read it, even if he did have some worries. He handed the phone to Emile, who also grinned upon reading the message. The husbands made eye contact, silently communicating, before Emile nodded lightly. "Well, Ro, I don't know...." Roman frowned, until Remy continued. "...how we're going to manage to fit all four of you in this bed but we'll figure something out." Roman raised an eyebrow at the word bed, knowing what his dad meant but wanting to tease him. "Oh god, that's not what I meant and you know it, Ro." Roman giggled, Remy soon following suit. "I meant that you four are going to stay in here so that you can rest. Even though they're your friends and you want to hang out, you've had a hard morning and I don't want you to overwork yourself. Deal?" Roman nodded quickly. Remy chucked. "Well, go on then. Tell them to come over," Emile said with a smile. Roman grabbed his phone and typed almost too quickly, telling the three that they could come over and sending his address. All three responded that they were on their way, and Roman couldn't have stopped smiling if he tried.

After about 40 minutes of waiting, Roman's smile had completely fallen, as had his hope. They changed their minds. They're not coming. Remy and Emile couldn't stand to watch the saddened look on Roman's face. After another 10 minutes, Roman turned over and curled into his blanket, closing his eyes to stop the oncoming tears from flowing. Emile rubbed his back lightly as Remy sighed. Roman just couldn't seem to catch a break. Remy and Emile shared a sad look. "Hey Ro? They're probably just running a little bit late. They'll probably be here soon," Emile attempted to comfort his son. Roman shook his head, the tears now falling down his already tear stained cheeks. At this point, even the fathers were unsure if the boys were coming. Roman continued to silently cry until he fell asleep from the utter exhaustion he was experiencing. Remy frowned as he wiped Roman's tears away. His poor baby. Remy gestured for Emile to leave with him so that Roman could rest. The walk was silent until they reached the living room. "I can't believe they would do this to him," Remy muttered under his breath. "I know, love," Emile said, pulling Remy into a comforting embrace. "I just want to him to be happy," Remy whispered. "Me too," Emile whispered back. The two husbands stood there for a few more moments, holding each other close, when the doorbell rang. The pair looked up quickly, rushing to the door. Remy pulled it open to reveal three sheepish looking boys. "Sorry we're a little late-" Patton started. "A little late? Try an hour," Remy scoffed. "Well, yeah, but it's not that big of a deal-" Remy cut Virgil off. "Yes, it is a big deal. My boy cried himself to sleep because he thought that you three changed your mind and didn't want to see him anymore." Emile reached out and touched Remy's shoulder lightly, attempting to calm him. "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!" Patton exclaimed, guilt immediately covering the three boys' faces. "My sincerest apologies. We simply wanted to get Roman a surprise to make him feel a little bit better. We did not intend to be this far behind schedule," Logan explained, holding up a small bag. Remy flushed slightly in embarrassment. "I'm sorry that I got onto you boys. I just...didn't want to see Roman hurt again," Remy said softly. "We understand, Rem. We shouldn't have been so careless," Virgil said back. Emile spoke up. "Roman is in his room if you want to go see him now. Down this hall, second door on the right." The three boys all but ran towards his room, leaving Remy and Emile with a slight smile on their faces. Maybe these three boys really were good for Roman. Just maybe.