They're in their late teens

AU

—

Life at home for the four brothers hadn't gotten any better, over the last few years it's gotten much worse. With Romans only escape being alcohol, Patton pushing away his feelings, Virgil falling into depression, and Logan distancing himself from the world the four brothers didn't know what to do.

They didn't have parents to guide them...to help them.

Their Dad is the worst, though. He lost his job a few months back now their Mum works for most of the day, coming back at late hours. She hadn't been doing anything wrong, she's never cheated but their Dad doesn't fail to accuse her. He also started a drug and alcohol addiction, thankfully Roman wasn't a drunk like him, he knew when to stop before he got too drunk but that didn't mean he should drink at his age.

One day during school holidays Roman was strolling around the dark, empty street around midnight, slowly sipping his beer as he drowned out his problems, Logan was in the library studying. He stopped alcohol awhile go and moved on to overworking - it wasn't any better, but any chance he could he would study and study and study, forgetting the world around him.

Patton was at the park, sitting on a swing and pinching his skin any time he wanted to cry. He'd inflict pain on himself whenever he felt any emotion, he wanted to be strong for his brothers, he wanted to look after them, not the other way round, not like it used to be, he feels more helpful when he's comforting instead of crying.

Because the brothers were out Virgil was home alone with only one other person - his Dad. And he was drunk.

"Virgil, you fucking...fucking idiot" he slurred, dragging him down the stairs by his arm painfully. Virgil tried to get away but he was too strong.

"You-" he hiccuped, "you and I are goin' on a trip" he burped, his breath was disgusting. "Find-find me a chick to- to fuck" he opened the door and swayed to his car, Virgil paralysed in fear.

"Y-your Mother, ugly bitch...too t-tired for sex" he shoved Virgil into the car, getting into the other side. Virgil realised driving while drunk never ends well, his paralysation vanished and he tried to escape but the door wouldn't open.

"Child lock" his father grinned, starting the car and gulping the rest of his drink.

"LET ME GO!" Virgil screamed, "I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" He cried, bashing the window. His father gripped his hair and punched his head, making his ear ring and eyes to go blurry. His father drove down the drive, crashing into the bins. "Y-Yeah!" He roared, honking loudly while speeding down the road.

The ringing faded and Virgils eyes focused on the world around him, he gripped his chair, watching the car speed up and up.

He needs to move to the back seat. Now.

Clambering across the car he sat behind the front seat in the back, curling into a ball and sobbing into his knees, the idea of death scaring him badly. He knew he could die so he forced himself to think of all the happy times he spent with his brothers, the times they laughed, cried from happiness, watched Romans plays, messed around together, played in the park, hung out in school, everything.

It made his heart warm with memories and nostalgia but made him more sad when he realised he would never see them again.

He heard a screech of tires and he curled in on himself more, clenching his eyes shut. "I love you" he whispered, directing it at his brothers.

"I love you all..."

Roman heard the crash, he dropped the bottle into a bin and ran as fast as he could down the street. His whole body froze when he recognised one of the cars that was upside down.

"Mum? Dad?" He called, rushing to the car. People from inside their houses raced out to see what had happened, police sirens in the distance. The other car was mostly okay, the two people survived with near to no injuries.

They helped Roman drag his Father from the car but Roman had to look away, everyone did...it was gruesome. Horrific, even.

"There's someone else! In the back!"

Romans blood went cold, knowing his mother hated the back of the car, meaning it was one of his brothers...

"No!" He yelled, running around. He reached his arm through the broken glass, slicing the skin but he couldn't care less. Opening the door an unconscious Virgil fell out and Roman collapsed to his knees, hugging him close while his sobs began.

"Virgil! Virgil? Please be alive, don't die, I can't lose you, please"

—

"Your brother is awake"

The doctor said upon entering the waiting room. Roman, Logan and Patton stood up along with their Mother who had dried tears stains on her cheeks. "Wait here, he wouldn't want to see you" Roman said to her, she nodded slowly, sitting back down and staring at the ground guiltily.

Patton felt bad but he went with his brothers, walking to the room Virgil was sitting up on bed, glancing at the machinery.

"Oh, thank god!" Roman rushed over, checking him over with a smile widening. "You're okay!"

They shared a hug, the doctor walking in with their Mother following. "I'm sorry-"

"Is he dead?" Logan asked bluntly, the doctor looked taken back but he nodded slowly. "Finally" Roman muttered, watching Patton kiss Virgils head and whisper soothing things to him, calming him down slowly.

"Moving on... we found out he had alcohol in his system, we can deduce that was the cause of the crash. We are sorry for your loss"

"Don't be" their Mother whispered, drying her eyes.

"Hijo de puta" Roman muttered, pacing the floor while tugging his hair, his anger overwhelming.

He could literally kill someone right now.

Logan placed a hand on his shoulder, "he is gone now, he cannot hurt us"

"He will haunt Virgil forever" Roman whispered, blaming himself for not trying to protect his family from that horrid man.

"Not forever, we can and will help" Logan reassured him, Roman nodded slowly, letting out a sigh.

He sat beside Virgil, hugging him close. "I love you, all of you" Roman stated. Holding Pattons and Logan's hand while still cuddled up to Virgil.

"I love you all too" Patton smiled, hugging his hand back.

"As do I" Logan added, smiling at each of them.

Months passed since the crash and you will be happy to know things have gotten exceptionally better.

Even if they still feel anger towards their mother they are trying to bond once again, Roman still drank but not often, most of his time was spent caring for Patton to make sure he never felt like he should hide his feelings again. Logan and Virgil were helping each other out, Virgil stopping him from over working and Logan helping when he fell into panic attacks.

Finally from a childhood they wouldn't wish upon their worst enemy their lives were progressing into one they want. Lives filled with happiness and no more abuse.

"Virgil!" Logan walked in, Virgil already getting dressed.

"Dude! Knock!" He yelled, diving under his blanket with a glare. Logan chuckled, glancing around his tidy room.

"I just wanted to remind you that..I love you" Virgil rolled his eyes, walking to Logan and hugging him, both ignoring he was only wearing boxers.

"Love you too" Virgil ruffled his hair, earning a scowl.

"Dress faster, you might have time for breakfast" virgil mimicked him childishly, Logan rolling his own eyes before heading downstairs to find Patton wearing dark blue pyjamas with cute cats.

"Patton, get dressed" Logan said, grabbing some cereal for himself. Patton rushed out of the room, Logan opened his mouth to call him back but he ran back in, grabbing his Teddy. "I remembered!" He giggled, looking all proud.

"Well done, Pat"

With that he ran up to his room.

"I swear to Zeus if you miss my play-"

"We will not miss it" Logan dismissed his threat, sitting beside his brother. "I promise"

"Said that last time" he muttered. "He was alive back then, now we are free, we can watch your stupid amount of plays you sign up for instead of working on your education-"

"Always a critic" Roman flicked his ear, Logan glared at him, muttering for him to get dressed. A pair of lips pressed against his head, "whatever you say, nerd"

Roman grinned at him, bowing and dramatically walking to his room, shouting out a song that came to his mind.

Logan sighed, shaking his head.

"Brothers..."

Oh and they did see Romans play. It was amazing.

—

Boop ending hope you like it probably not lol