The Man In The Abandoned House - Virgil x Thomas & Patton x Logan

0mg

AU

Virgil stared out across the ocean in front of his new house, the sun high above in the cloudless sky, birds diving down to grab unsuspecting fish, light twinkling against the blue water. It was lovely, he thought, but would never admit it out loud. The peacefulness of it might even help him calm down in midst of a panic attack, if one were to occur.

Letting his eyes wonder, they landed on a three story, fancy looking house across the water, right on the edge that jutted out. Outside, a stone staircase led to the beach below, vegetation taken up most of the path leading to said old house, with vines crawling up the side of the old, blue/green walls.

"Whatcha staring at, Kiddo?" Virgil's friend, Patton, asked, bounding up beside him. "Nothing" he brushed off, turning to send him a small smile, happiness radiating off the childlike friend. Out of him, Virgil and their other friend - Logan - Patton was definitely most pumped to be living in a house facing the ocean in a small, friendly village far away from any civilisation. Virgil was a little hesitant, but once he found out about the amazing internet, he jumped on board.

"Look at the view!" Patton gushed, leaning against the window that took up most of the wall. They were all standing in the empty living room, waiting for the truck that held all their furniture to arrive, Logan chatting to the person who sold them this house.

Most of the space on the bottom floor was taken up by the living room, down the hall to the left led to the kitchen and a few other rooms, while upstairs held two bathrooms, and four bedrooms, with extra spare rooms they didn't know what to do with yet.

"If you have any problems, feel free to contact me" the man spoke, Virgil finally tuning into the conversation. "We will, thank you"

Biting his lip, Virgil turned to Patton, pointing to the house that for some reason intrigued him. "Could you ask him about it...?" He trailed off, gesturing to the man, too anxious to do it himself. Nodding, Patton skipped over, waiting until there was a pause in their conversation to speak. "Do you know anything about the house across the beach?"

The man rose an eyebrow, walking to the window to see what he meant.

"Ah!" He clasped his hands together, "that house has been unused for years. The owner died suddenly, so it was passed down to his son, who lives in America. I'm sure he's forgotten it by now" he explained briefly, smiling kindly. Virgil nodded slowly, staring at the house that seemed to stare back.

After the man left, the three explored the village for awhile, Patton running up to every little shop and stall, buying at least one thing from each, while Logan and Virgil followed behind, happy to let their friend explore. It was becoming late, so they headed back to the house, it didn't take long before the truck arrived holding all their stuff, so as Virgil waited upstairs, to shy to interact and help, Logan and Patton set up the living room, telling the people to move the bedroom stuff upstairs.

It was a hassle, and quite late into the night before they were finished. Logan was a little ticked off at how late they arrived, but he kept it hidden, thanking them shortly before closing the door a little harshly.

Patton wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, giggling at his annoyed expression. "D'you think Virgils okay?" Patton asked softly, letting Logan turn around in his arms, leaning against his chest. "I am sure he is fine. Being here, a place with less people, shall lessen is anxiety" Logan reassured, hugging Patton's hand before heading up the stairs together, walking into their bedroom.

Down the hall, Virgil laid on his bed, staring out the window at the stars shining high, the moon bright and full.

Relaxing, he breathed out steadily, letting himself fall into a peaceful slumber.

The next day Logan set to work on his computer in his new office for his online job while Patton went out to town, mostly ready to do a few odd jobs while also meeting new people. Virgil...was planning to stay in his room for most of the day but as he got dressed he caught a glimpse of the outside world - including the house - and suddenly wanted to go out.

Phone in pocket he trudged down the stairs, calling to Logan he was going out before leaving the house, walking across the stone path to the street. Luckily, he couldn't see many people, meaning no social interaction. With his earphones tucked into his ears, he set of across the path up and next to the beach, kicking a few small pebbles to keep himself entertained.

Nearing the abandoned house, he suddenly became weary to the fact that technically he is trespassing - well, is planning to trespass - but the owner is in America, so Virgil was sure they wouldn't mind, or at least wouldn't find out.

Nearing the overgrown path to the house, he plucked out his earphones, furrowing his eyebrows at the old, rusted gate, padlocked. Sighing, he looked around for a way in, remembering on the beach was a set of stairs leading up to it. Glancing around, he slipped down the wall and dashed across the light coloured sand, skipping steps as he ran up.

Up close, Virgil could see how truly abandoned this house was. With overgrown hedges, cracks in the wall, broken glass, boarded up windows. No wonder the owner doesn't want to come back. Passing through the unlocked gate, he slowly stepped up to the front door, the old wood holding splinters and peeling paint.

Walking around the edge, he looked through a dusty window, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

What was that on the chair...

Quickly, Virgil's eyes widened and he ducked down, gasping at the thorns that poked his arm.

Why was there a human sitting in there? Was it the owner? But he was told they were in America! Did they come back without telling anyone?

"Greeting-"

"Shit!" Virgil yelled, falling back into the hedge, freezing as he quickly realised it was a hedge full of thorns. Looking up, the man from the chair was leaning out the now open window, frowning in concern at the young man dressed in all black. Virgil noted how...royal the man looked, dressed in white with attached badges on his shoulders, a red sash across his chest, poignant purple hair resting across the top of his forehead, bright brown eyes...

Shaking his head, Virgil cut his thoughts short, staring at the hand the man stretched out.

"Let me help" he smiled, something about his smile made Virgil trust him. Taking his hand, the man pulled Virgil up, plucking out a few thorns from his clothes.

"I should really clean up around here" he commented with a chuckle, Virgil nodded in agreement, still a little awkward, what could he say?

"Uh...s...sorry for...uh...trespassing" Virgil stammered, his eyes staring at the long grass that was flattened by his body. Roman hummed, waving it off. "Not at all! Would you like to come in? I do enjoy company"

Heart pounding, Virgil quietly declined, telling him he had to go back. Virgil didn't think he was creepy, but he didn't want to make a fool of himself, being nervous around new people was a curse.

"I hope to see you again" with that, the man slipped back in and shut the window, Virgil watched him sit back in the old chair, picking up the book he was quietly reading before. Forcing himself to turn away, he moved quickly over the front yard and down the steps to the beach, climbing up the wall and hurrying down the path a bit until he was far enough away.

Glancing back, he wondered how anyone could live there.

"What did you kiddos do today?" Patton chirped, placing their plates down on the table, ruffling Virgil's hair as he walked by. Logan was first to respond, picking up his cutlery after placing his napkin across his thighs. "I mostly did work, but to your request I took frequent breaks" Patton beamed, leaning over to kiss Logan's cheek.

"What about you, Verge?"

The younger man shrugged loosely, slowly eating the food before him. As much as he wanted to tell them about the man, he also wanted to keep it a secret. That man was the first person he's met without either Logan or Patton there with him, and he kind of...wants the man to be his friend and not there's? Call him selfish, but this was new for Virgil, and now that they're in a new environment, Virgil wants to try and be normal, so becoming friends with someone new was a big start for him.

"Nothing" he replied shortly, glancing at Logan who rose an eyebrow.

"You went out, did you not?"

"Well...yeah, but only to the beach" he responded, relieved that they believed his lie. As Patton went on about how they should go to the beach all together one day, Virgil quickly finished his dinner and dismissed himself, walking to his room to stare at the house from the window, noticing how none of the lights were on.

Did the man just go to sleep early?

Getting bored, he turned around and caught sight of his sketch book. Maybe he could draw the house seeing as he has such a draw to it already....he mentally cursed himself for the stupid pun, too much time with Patton.

Setting up a chair, he placed the book on the window sill, roughly sketching the base of the house, going in for more detail afterwards. Being one for staying up late, he didn't notice how time went by until his phone lit up with a notification from a random app, also showing the time, which was three am.

Sighing, he closed the book and laid on his bed.

Would it be weird to go back the next day? The man did say he enjoyed company...

"But Pat-"

"C'mon, Kiddo! It'll be fun!" Patton encouraged, smiling happily at his friend. It was the next day and Patton offered to take Virgil to the village where he could meet some people. Although he wanted to go to the house, he couldn't tell that to Patton, so without a plausible excuse, he and his close friend walked down the path to the bustling village.

"Ugh...people" Virgil muttered, sticking close to his fatherly friend who wrapped an arm around his shoulders, moving past people who all said a good morning. "I met someone who I think you'll like" Patton explained, walking into one of the biggest shops on the street, but even then it probably couldn't hold more than thirty people at a time.

"Hey, Patton, what brings you back so soon?" The young man at the counter smiled softly, noticing Virgil who mostly stood behind Patton, eyes fixated on his phone.

"This is Virgil!" Patton explained, showing the boy off who blushed, hiding his face with his bangs. "You're right, he is cute" the man flirted, making Virgil flustered and glare at Patton who giggled. "Virgil, this is Thomas! Thomas, this is Virgil" Patton introduced, pushing Virgil forward a bit.

"I'll be over here!" He called, rushing to hide behind a shelf holding a few souvenirs.

Sighing, Virgil slowly glanced up at Thomas, noting how adorable he looked.

But comparing him to the man in the house, he wasn't nearly as attractive.

Easing into conversation, the two talked for awhile, surprising Virgil he was actually relaxed with Thomas and not nervous like he usually would be.

"Oh, it's my lunch break" Thomas chuckled, noticing a lot of time had passed. "Oh...sorry" Virgil quietly mumbled, realising he probably wasted his time.

"It's okay! I promised my friend I'd have lunch with him, otherwise I would've invited you" Thomas chuckled, moving from behind the counter and next to Virgil who glanced up at him through his lashes shyly.

"Maybe...I could have your number? I'd like to talk to you, again" Thomas sheepishly spoke, giggling as Virgil stammered and blushed, quickly handing him his phone. Swapping numbers, they both said their goodbyes and Virgil quickly left, dashing back home to find his two friends sitting on the couch, talking and cuddling happily.

"How'd it go?" Patton smiled at Virgil who was still giddy.

"Yeah..uh...well" he replied quickly, running up the stairs to his room. Patton brightened up, spotting the shy smile that rested on Virgil's lips.

Smiling down at his phone, Virgil sat on the edge of his bed, seeing the sketch book out the corner of his eye, suddenly being reminded of the man in the house. He didn't realise making friends would be this easy, especially with two people who were way more attractive than himself. Deciding he would see the unnamed man tomorrow, he anxiously waited for a text from Thomas, surprising him it came sooner than he expected.

Knocking on the old wood, Virgil stepped back, hands messing with the sleeves that covered them completely. Anxiously wondering if the unnamed man would want to see him again, but the door creaked open, revealing him in all his royal glory. Weirdly, he was wearing the same clothes, but Virgil didn't judge, as the jacket he was currently wearing he wore everyday.

"Ah, it's you!" The man smiled, "come in!" He invited, stepping aside to allow Virgil to walk in. He did so quickly, glancing around the large foyer. Wow, he thought, it looked...really abandoned. Dust covered the tables holding old ornaments, picture frames with broken glass and hard to see picture scattered around, the carpet before the grand staircase ripped and ruffled.

How does this man live here?

"I don't think I caught your name" the man smiled, leading him to the front room where it wasn't any better. Two armchairs ruined, a coffee table grey with dust, in the corner sat an old, presumably broken radio that was half his size, a fire place with no wood, and a ripped portrait of what seemed to be the same man he stood with then and there, cradling a little boy in his arms.

He had a son?

Virgil assumed this guy he was with was the owner from America, but he looked the exact age as he does in the portrait, if so where was the baby? Maybe with the Mother? Who's the Mother?

Asking too many questions, Virgil shook his head, turning to the man who already made himself comfortable on the armchair placed next to a round table holding a cracked mug and an old book.

"Virgil" he finally answered, sitting on the other chair, cringing at the springs that pressed against him.

"Virgil? How unique" the man smiled. "I am Roman, and I'm glad you decided to visit. I don't get many guests often" he chuckled, leaning against the old cushion. "I suppose you are new here?"

Virgil nodded, gesturing to his house very visible from the window across the beach.

"I live there"

Roman gasped, staring at it with bright eyes.

"Oh, how I've always wanted to live there! The view must be extraordinary!"

Virgil nodded, "it is...you can come over one day, if you want"

Roman smiled gracefully, "I would love to"

Much like the conversation he had with Thomas the day prior, it seemed to go by so quickly, never an awkward silence between topics, it was actually quite peaceful. Virgil soon began questioning if the people in this village were even real, and wondered how it was so much easier to talk to them compared to the people who lived in Florida.

"My, it's getting late" Roman commented, eyes lingering on the grandfather clock in the corner. Virgil furrowed his eyebrows, does Roman realise the clock is broken...? Or is this just his way of making people leave? God, he hoped he hadn't annoyed the man.

"Will you be okay here?" Virgil questioned at the front door, as he had coughed more times than he could count due to the dust. Roman nodded curtly, "of course. Till we meet again" with a small wave and little bow, Roman closed the door, leaving Virgil to stand on the doorstep, staring at the door with a soft smile.

After a couple of weeks Virgil got into a routine of going to see Thomas, and the next day seeing Roman, enjoying both of their company immensely, so much so he wanted to hang out with them at the same time.

This had been on his mind for awhile, and after asking Roman for permission and - thankfully - getting a yes as a response, all he had to do was ask Thomas which wouldn't be too hard as currently he was sitting opposite said man having lunch together.

"Hey, Thomas?"

The man in question hummed, quickly swallowing the food in his mouth.

"I er...have a friend and I was wondering - it's okay if you say no - if you wanted to meet him?"

Thomas smiled brightly, nodding quickly. "I would love to! What's his name?"

Virgil grinned, "Roman"

"This is where he lives?" Thomas questioned, standing outside the hold house next to Virgil. He shrugged, knocking on the wood. "Yeah, it's...weird, but he's a cool guy"

Thomas nodded slowly, waiting in silence with Virgil. But...no one opened the door. Tilting his head, Virgil knocked harder, wondering why he wasn't answering. He's usually always here, Virgil even mentioned that today was the day he'd meet his friend.

"Hang on" Virgil went to walk around the side when Thomas called him back, saying the door was unlocked. Worried about his friend, Virgil rushed in, calling his name a few times as he dashed around the rooms, unable to find Roman anywhere.

Finding himself back in the foyer where Thomas was standing, he quickly asked Virgil what Roman looked like.

"Looks like?...he looks...royal, I guess. White suit, red sash, badges on shoulders, purple hair" He explained, watching Thomas face contort to one of realisation and a hint of sadness. "Why?" He questioned suspiciously. Thomas shook his head, holding out his hand for Virgil to take, which he did with a slight blush.

"He's probably busy. Let's come back another time"

Virgil agreed to just hanging out with Thomas that day instead, talking while watching tv in Virgil's house until it was late. It lingered on the back of his mind of what Roman could be doing, but he guessed something came up, and he had no time to explain to Virgil what it was. Tomorrow, he would go over and see if he was okay, just incase.

"How are you and Thomas?" Patton inquired later that evening, sitting beside Virgil on his bed as he absentmindedly doodled. Shrugging, Virgil smiled a bit at the thought of Thomas. "Good, I guess, I think....I like him" he admitted, blushing a little as Patton squealed in delight, hugging Virgil tightly.

"I think he likes you, too!"

"Where were you yesterday?" Virgil questioned Roman after the two sat down on the armchairs. "I was here" Roman replied, gazing out the window towards Virgil's house, with his usual smile resting on his lips.

"Here?" Virgil repeated, watching Roman nod and tap the arm of the chair. "Right here, why?"

"I came over with Thomas...you weren't here" he explained, a little confused. Roman tilted his head, scratching his chin in thought, shrugging lightly afterwards. "I must've fallen asleep and sleepwalked away" he chuckled softly, smiling as Virgil chuckled along with him. As a gentle silence settled, Virgil followed his gaze to his house, quickly remembering a month ago when Roman announced he had always wanted to see the view from his house.

"Hey...do you still want to come over?"

Roman drifted his eyes to focus on Virgil, humming for him to explain further. "To my house, the view?"

"Ah yes. I would love to"

"Really?" Virgil jumped up, a little excited to finally show a friend he made by himself to Patton and Logan.

"I'll go see if it's okay, don't move" rushing out the house, he quickly closed the door and ran across the path, a smile breaking out across his features. Jumping over the fence surrounding the small front yard, he burst into the house, spotting Patton doing a little cleaning while Logan leaned on the window, drinking some water.

"Hey, uh, is it okay if I bring a friend over?"

"Is it Thomas?" Patton smiled, pausing to turn and look at Virgil who panted in the doorway. "No, it's...someone else"

Curious, Logan and Patton both agreed, watching as Virgil nodded and rushed back but not as fast to Roman's house. He was ecstatic until he noticed the car parked outside the house. Slowing down, he noticed the car was American due to the steering wheel being on the other side. Noticing the front door was left a little open, he slipped down the wall and up the stairs, stepping into the abandoned building and silently walking into the living room.

In Roman's chair sat a man who strikingly resembled Roman, but his hair wasn't dyed and was a little longer.

"Ah" he smiled once spotting Virgil, standing up slowly with a picture frame in his hand. "You must be Virgil, Thomas told me about you" the man greeted, watching how Virgil backed up a bit into the doorframe, eyes narrowed.

"I'm Romans son, Phoenix" he introduced, gesturing to the baby in the portrait above the fire place. "What?...but..."

"I understand this must be very confusing for you but my Father died when I was very young, this has happened before, people telling me they've seen my Father sitting in this chair reading his book, but...it's not him, I don't know how he does it, but I think his spirit is a bit lost...unable to understand why he died. He wasn't that old, either" Phoenix explained, sighing as Virgil's face contorted to one of anger and confusion.

"Thomas phoned me telling me what had happened. I must ask a favour of you, tomorrow come here alone, and tell him to leave. You have to explain to him that he died" Phoenix took a step forward but Virgil shook his head, angrily muttering 'no' over and over before dashing out of the house, leaving Phoenix to stand in the front room, eyes drifting down to the photo of his Father.

"Oh, Roman..."

Virgil sat on the couch, staring at the house in the distance, weeks had passed since his encounter with Phoenix, and as much as he didn't want to believe what he said, the evidence was adding up.

How his house was a mess, he always seemed to wear the same clothes, how he didn't look a day over the age he looked in the portrait, even if his son seemed to be in his late twenties.

How? How had be become friends with a ghost? He scoffed, just his luck, right?

"Hey, Verge" came Patton's soft voice, catching Virgil's attention.

"You haven't left the house in awhile...Thomas is getting worried"

Virgil sighed, slumping further into the couch but not replying. "What happened? You can talk to me" Patton sat beside him, softly rubbing the top of his hand.

"Nothing happened..." Virgil sighed, slowly standing up with Patton. "Hug?" He awkwardly asked, and without hesitation Patton wrapped him up securely, letting Virgil cry onto his shoulder. Was he really mourning the death of a ghost? He didn't even know Roman when he was alive, but it made him wonder what was he like. Was he that laid back? Or was that just his ghost version?

Leaning back, Virgil smiled weakly at his friend.

"I need to do something...."

"I met your son"

Roman looked up from his book at Virgil who stood in the doorway, he smiling softly. "My Phoenix? How is he?"

"He told me you died" Virgil explained, pushing up from the wood to sit on the arm of his chair. Roman tilted his head, placing down his book, still wearing that soft smile.

"He did? He's quite the little minx"

Virgil nodded, curious he reached over and touched his arm, feeling the soft material of his white suit. "How can you be so real..."

"I am real, Virgil"

"You're a ghost, Roman"

He paused, standing up and pulling Virgil into a hug. "Could a ghost hug you?"

"I guess not..." Virgil replied with a soft sigh, leaning into the man before him who swayed back and forth ever so slightly. Pushing him back, Virgil stared into his eyes, noticing how lifeless they looked from up close. Resting a hand on his chest, his throat closed up when he couldn't feel a heart beat...

"You died, Roman" he whispered, throat tightening. And for the first time since Virgil met him, Roman frowned.

"I did?"

"Yeah...you need to go" Virgil choked, watching him slowly sit back down on his chair, picking up his book slowly. "Go where?"

"I...I don't know, the spirit world? Heaven?"

Roman faintly smiled once more, pressing a kiss to Virgil's forehead. "Tell Phoenix I love him for me" Virgil nodded, closing his eyes to bite back tears that threatened to spill.

"I will"

Looking up again, Virgil stared at the empty arm chair.

He was gone.

Meh..eh...*shrugs*

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