4:09pm

How many people listen to Queen?

Trigger warning: death, homophobia

Au
—

Logan was surprised to see the word 'Mother' written on his phone screen when it lit up with a call. He hasn't spoken with her for a good few years, his main assumption was it was accidental, and she had meant to ring someone else. Shrugging, he picked up the device, answered, and held the phone to his ear.

"Salutations, Mother" Logan spoke monotonously, his usual voice whenever speaking to someone he didn't particularly like.

"Logan" she replied simply, leaving it there for awhile. Logan checked to see if she was still calling, but the fact she said his name, he supposed she really did want to call, and this wasn't a mistake. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arm over his chest, wedging his hand between the dent in the arm that held up the phone.

"Lovely to hear from you again" he decided to start up conversation, voice disproving his words.

"Don't be snippy..." Logan rolled his eyes, for that was not snippy at all.

"I have some news" she explained at last, "your sister Grace and her husband Mike have...had a terrible incident. They both passed in hospital last night" Logan has never heard this type of emotion in his mother's voice before. She was actually upset. It shouldn't be surprising, Grace was her child, but the way she rose them would make Logan believe she wouldn't care. Either way, she did, and Logan guessed he felt a little more respect for her than he originally did.

"I am sorry for your loss" Logan replied, for he didn't know what else to say. While he did, he leaned forward and saved his most recent work so he wouldn't lose it and left his office, padding down the grand wooden staircase. "I suppose you desire for me to come to the funeral?" He questioned, pouring water into the kettle and flicking it on to boil.

"Of course I do! It's out of the question if you don't!" She sounded offended over Logan's words, but the man didn't exactly care. "Well, it's not like my presence is exactly warranted over there" a pause on the other end made Logan smirk lightly, grabbing a mug and dumping a tea bag into it.

"Don't start, Logan. Your sister has died, do you have to make this about yourself?"

"Hm, I learnt from the best" he mused, grabbing a carton of milk from the fridge. "Maybe it was a mistake calling you" she huffed, "you don't care at all!"

"Did I say I didn't care?" Logan replied, "I would rather talk about this in real life. I am free for the rest of the day, I shall be over in an hour, then we can talk. In the meantime, I would like to drink my tea with no distributions. Good day" with that, he hung up, and placed his phone on the counter. That's when it hit him. His sister has died. Standing up straight, he took his warm mug to the living room and gently sat on the couch, staring at the black screen of the television opposite him. He and his sister never really had a good relationship. She was out partying while he was home studying. She didn't care their mother was on vacation most days of the year, and also didn't care their father spent months on end abroad doing work. In the end, Logan found he stopped caring, too, but the main difference was Grace still liked them, while Logan didn't.

He never felt bad about it, but he sure was criticised by his sister when he admitted that to her. He couldn't recall ever having a bonding moment with her, if they did it obviously wasn't significant enough. He could remember all their arguments, though, most left with bruises and scars. They really shouldn't have been left alone for how long they were. When Logan came out as gay to her, that was his last chance of having some sort of relationship with her down the drain. She told the entire family, and forevermore Logan was known as the relative to never visit - his aunts and uncles stopped letting him see their kids, and he was never sent anything on his birthday, or for Christmas.

It did hurt, he would admit, but moving into student accommodation, and meeting his now really close friend Patton helped him a lot. He didn't feel alone anymore.

In the end, he wasn't extremely heartless, he had some pretty justifiable reasons to why he isn't distraught over the loss of his sibling, but it still hurt him. Lifting up his hand, he pressed the pads of his fingers to his cheek, wiping away the single tear that decided to make it's presence known. Clearing his throat, he sipped his tea and brought out his phone, calling his close friend.

"Morning, Kiddo!" Patton's extremely vibrant voice rang through the phone. It made Logan feel a little better, putting it on speaker, he rested his phone on the couch arm and leaned back. "Hello, Patton. How are you?"

He giggled lightly. "Feeling super, Lo! Someone just brought in the cutest dog I've ever met! They remind me so much of you!"

"I will try and take that as a compliment" Logan replied with a fond tone. Patton laughed, quickly reassuring Logan it wasn't an insult in any form.

"I suppose I shouldn't beat around the bush" Logan sighed, sitting up. "Patton, my mother phoned me a few minutes ago"

Patton paused, aware of Logan's and his mother's sour relationship.

"What happened?"

"My sister has died"

"..oh my gosh, Lo, I'm so sorry, are you okay? I'll come over straight away!"

"There is no need" Logan waved his hand around, glancing to the side, out the window. "I shall be visiting her in an hour to discuss the future"

Logan could see the concern on Patton's face vividly in his mind, even over phone, "that sounds best, want me to come along?"

"That will be unnecessary, I appreciate the offer, though. Later today I will be open for you to come over for dinner?"

"That sounds wonderful" there's that smile, Logan could hear it. "Stay safe, Logy, I love you"

Logan knew it was platonic, but he pressed a hand to his chest when an irregular feeling flittered through it. A mixture of pain and giddiness. Odd. "I love you, too" with that, he hung up, finished his tea and changed into a more formal outfit. Checking the time, he decided to leave now, as he could drive a slower pace than usual. Straightening his hair, tie and glasses, he stared at himself in the mirror that hung up on the wall in the large, open foyer. Time to meet his mother.

The drive over was calm and peaceful, he didn't live too far away, which was quite different from his ideas as a teenager. He always imagined himself moving to a different state, or at least to a house a few hours away, but when he was in collage, he found himself caring less about the distance, and when he saw the house he lived in now on sale those years ago, he couldn't pass it up. He knew Grace didn't move that far away, either, because she wanted her kids to go to the same school she did. Logan hadn't met the kids before, only then did he wonder where they would stay.

Parking on the curb, he looked at himself once more and stepped out, closing and locking the door. The house was exactly how he remembered it growing up. The front yard held a white, marble path cutting through the middle from the gate to the front door. On either side of the path, the grass was a lovely bright green, with flowers laid out symmetrically to the other side. Logan always admired the garden's attached to the house, but it was the gardeners work, not his mothers. Straightening out the sleeves of his jacket, he opened the white, picket gate and walked up the marble, tilting his head back a little to take in the large, tall two-story building.

Stepping up the two steps leading to the porch, he lifted his left arm and knocked heavily on the double, dark wooden doors. He only waited a few moments before the door opened and he came face to face with one of his aunts. His mother had two sisters and three brothers in total, while his father was an only child. Although, he hadn't seen his father since he was eighteen, so he didn't think about the man much. His aunts and uncles never talked to him since he came out, but he couldn't care less, both uncles were the coach-type dad, the type of person he could never get along with, and his aunts were gossip central, drank wine every night, and would rather go to things like bingo, or walks with their friends than care for their kids.

Logan really disliked his family.

"Salutations, Betty" he greeted politely, anyway, sending her a tight lipped smile. She nodded once and stepped aside, letting him in. She reminded him of a bloody body guard or something. Stepping by, he didn't stop to converse, he went straight into the living room to see his second aunt and mother sitting on the couches. They both had clear tear stains on their cheeks, so did Betty now that he thinks about it, but he didn't care, all he wanted was dates and information.

"Nice too see you both" he greeted, sitting on the arm chair. The room was thick with tension, something that couldn't be sliced with the sharpest blade. Shifting uncomfortably, he crossed one leg over the other, intertwining his fingers together, and resting them on his knee.

"Enough of formalities" Logan cleared his throat, "When will the funeral be held?"

"Why? Why go to the funeral of someone you don't care about?" His second aunt, Lola, muttered with a wavering voice, turning her head away and clenching her eyes shut. "Here we go" Logan sighed, "Grace was my sister, I do care, but not as much as you. Which is perfectly justifiable if you knew our past. I have accepted no one in our family will love me again because of my romantic attractions to the same sex, so if you feel I will make the day excruciatingly unbearable with my presence alone, I will not join" He laid down his cards, now he wondered if they would be upfront, or lie.

"We do love you, Logan" Lola murmured. Well, Logan didn't expect anything less, they chose a lie.

He held up his hand. "Do not try to trick or deceive me, you are all emotional over the loss of a close family member, that is all. If it eases you in anyway, I do not love you either, but that is not why we are here today, is it?" Silence. Awkward, heavy silence. Logan carried on.

"When is the funeral to be held?"

"Two weeks" his mother murmured. Logan nodded, bringing out his phone to check his calendar to see if he was available. Low and behold, he was. While doing so, he didn't notice the sisters share glances with each other. Betty and Lola both nodded at Logan's mother and she sighed.

"Logan?"

He looked up. "Grace left a will"

He didn't expect anything else, but he stayed silent, nodding for them to continue. "She specified if anything were to happen to her and her husband, that..." his mother hesitated, as if she couldn't bring herself to say it. "That you look after her kids"

Logan froze, perplexed. His sister, who he knew didn't like him, wanted him to look after her kids? He could see why he would be the most viable option, his aunts and uncles lived quite far away, and it would make their situation worse if they had to move so long after their parents death, and his mother went on vacation too much to even earn the title 'mother'. But it surprised him she put that on her will.

He didn't exactly like kids, and never imagined himself to be the type of person to have kids, but he would definitely bring his sisters children into his care if that was the best option for them. He was told they were upstairs, in his old bedroom, so with a nod he pocketed his phone and traveled through the familiar house. Standing outside the door, he could hear a quiet voice alongside sniffles and hiccups. He felt for the kids, he knew they were young, it must he harrowing to lose both parents so suddenly.

Knocking on the door, the room fell to silence. Waiting a moment, he cracked open the door and peered in, feeling a sudden sense of nostalgia from his old room, but he ignored that, focused on the two boys sat on his old bed. One was holding tightly onto the others hand, wearing a black, thick jacket, and long hair covering his dark brown eyes. The other turned his head away and stared at the bedding behind his brother, body tense, and covered with colourful clothing.

Logan stepped in and shut the door. "Hello" He murmured, adjusting his tie nervously. "We haven't met yet. I am Logan, your uncle, and you are..?" He silently cursed himself for not gaining their names before hand. The darkly dressed one glanced at his brother who met his gaze for only a moment, nodding afterwards. "Virgil" he muttered, nodding his head to his brother. "That's Roman"

"Interesting" Logan replied, never taking his sister to use such unique names. Crossing the room, he sat on his old desk chair and turned to face them. They both looked like they wanted to cry, but were desperately trying to hide away the tears. Logan had met Mike briefly, he was the type of man to believe crying wasn't an option for boys, and they should always be strong, and brave, while it was stupid, frankly, humans are born with the capacity to cry, it is apart of everyone, one of the things that will get worse if hidden away.

But, he wasn't about to have a controversial debate in his head.

"They're not coming back, are they?" Virgil whispered, eyes narrowed with pain and anger, as it daring Logan to lie. He sighed out, clasping his hands together and leaning forward. "No, they passed in the hospital. I'm sorry"

Virgil breathed in sharply and turned to his brother, hugging him close. The two boys who couldn't be older then ten clutched the other tightly. Logan decided to leave the two alone for awhile. Standing up, he ducked the chair back under the desk and headed to the doorway.

"Virgil, Roman?" He called, glancing over his shoulder. They didn't move. "Do not try and hold it back. Crying will help, believe me.." he decided against explaining the factual reasons to why crying makes a person feel better afterwards, so he left it at that and closed the door. He waited for a moment, not too long later he could hear the soft sounds of sobs, and it made his heart crack.

Downstairs, he had a brief conversation with his mother who moved into the kitchen. "I will adopt them" Logan's voice sliced through the silence. His mother jumped, glancing at her son while slowly stopping steering her tea. "You don't have to, don't you think they should grow up with a man and a woman?" Logan forced his eyes not to roll to the back of his head, feeling an overwhelming sense of ignorance from that one sentence alone.

"I personally grew up with neither and I suppose I turned out fine" His mother scoffed under her breath, turning to her tea. "You're ungrateful, Logan. Many kids out there have no one"

"Hm, and what does that prove?" Logan questioned, not wanting an answer before he listed off his own. "Children with bad parents shouldn't complain?" His mother turned to him again, hands clenched with agitation. "You know that's not what I meant"

"Then don't use that argument - our family was and never will be a family to me, but those kids up there might possibly be the only ones who will like me. I will take them in, and I will care for them" Logan spoke confidently, arms crossed. He didn't know if he wanted to care for his nephews so badly to prove his mother wrong, or because he legitimately cared for them.

"What if someone wants to visit them? What about Christmas? Their birthdays?" She hissed, taking a few steps closer. Logan looked down at her indifferently, able to keep his burning flame under control. "Then they must deal with my presence, or not see them at all. And I can do that, because if my memory serves me right, I am still not allowed to see their kids, correct?" Smiling smugly, Logan bid farewell and headed up the staircase. Roman and Virgil had stopped crying, but they still hadn't moved from the bed. Logan sat back down on his chair and explained to them the situation, that they would have to life with him, but they could still go to the same school, and see their friends whenever they wish.

They looked hesitant to live with someone they hadn't met before, but being around someone who wouldn't cry, hug, and apologise to them over and over was a bit of a relief. In under ten minutes Logan had them in his car along with their suitcases. He glanced over his shoulder towards the doorway, spotting his mother standing on the porch beside her sisters. He didn't wave, or say anything, he just climbed into his car, strapped up, checked to see the kids were wearing their seatbelts, and drove off home.

—

"This will be your new home, I hope it is satisfactory" Logan spoke while opening the front door. He knew his house to be bigger than his late sisters house and his mother's house - he never liked to brag about how much money he had, but he did feel a little smug when he saw their awed expressions. Virgil still clenched Roman's hands tightly, the boy seemed to be much more closed off and silent than his brother. "Where's our bedroom?" Virgil questioned quietly, looking up at Logan.

"Upstairs down the left hallway. The fourth room on the right" Virgil nodded and almost instantly the two kids were scurrying up the staircase with their suitcases in tow. Logan watched them go, hearing a door close shut seconds later. He was sure this was going to be hard work. He spent his day online, ordering another bed, mattress, a desk, chairs, toys, and other necessities he assumed the kids would need. For tonight, they would have to share the single bed in the room, but they were both small and young, he was sure they wouldn't mind.

It turned five o'clock when he finally finished. Setting his finished tea to the side, he stood up and ventured upstairs to their room. He knocked and walked in. Both were on the bed next to each other, watching something on a phone. "Would you like anything specific for dinner?"

Roman and Virgil shared a glance, Roman nodding slightly. "Pizza?" Virgil murmured.

Logan chuckled lightly, of course. "I will find the menu for take out, as I do not have any pizza currently" he left afterwards, rummaging through the many takeaway menus he had collected over the years in his cupboard. His phone suddenly began to ring, and in fright he flinched and dropped all the menus to the floor. Sighing, he answered the call and bent down to scoop them all back up.

"Hey, Lo!" Patton, shit, he forgot he invited the man around. He would have to call it off, not wanting to overwhelm his nephews upstairs. "Ah, Patton, I'm sorry, I will have to call off our dinner"

"Oh..." he sounded disappointed, Logan cursed silently. "It's okay!" Happy again, forced, but happy. "What happened with your mom?"

"Grace left her kids for me to care for, they are currently upstairs, awaiting the pizza I am about to order" Logan explained, finally finding the menu and tucking away the others. "Awh!" Patton cooed, "the idea of you having kids is adorable! I will meet them someday!" Then, his whole attitude changed, and Logan could hear the sympathy lacing his voice. "Poor kiddos, they must be distraught"

"Quite" Logan pressed his lips together, "I do not know if I will be able to help them..."

"Don't say that, Lo! You'll be a wonderful guardian! I'll come around and help out, too! Now, go get them that pizza!" Logan chuckled and thanked his friend, sharing a few 'goodbye's before hanging up and dialling the pizza place. Half an hour later someone knocked at his door, he took the two boxes and placed them on the dinner table, setting out three plates, glasses, and napkins.

"Virgil, Roman, the pizza has arrived!" He called up the staircase. Logan heard the door open, not too long later they both appeared on the second story balcony, hand in hand, heading down the stairs. Roman with his head tilted down like usual, and Virgil being the strong brother for him. Logan admired him for it, but he also understood the boy was going through the same pain.

Everyone sat at the table in unsettling silence, both beside each other. Logan sat opposite, chewing his pizza, wondering why they hadn't taken any slices yet. Swallowing his food, he gestured to the pizzas, worried he didn't order any that they liked. "I should have consulted you before ordering, I just didn't want to bother you again.." he drifted awkwardly, but Virgil shook his head.

"It's f-fine" Logan heard that slight croak of his voice, one that indicated tears were building, but were being held back by a cracking dam. "Do you want me to leave?" Logan questioned, already ready to stand up. Virgil winced, glancing at his brother who nodded. Logan collected a few more slices and left to eat in the kitchen, turning on the radio to listen to the news. He didn't mind, they needed time to settle and become used to the new surroundings.

Later that evening, Logan showed them around the house a little, but neither spoke as he did. He didn't mind, not expecting them to be bouncy and excited. Allowing them to get themselves ready for bed, he walked into the room to tuck them in. They were already under the covers, Roman's face buried into his brother's chest. Logan felt for the boy, softly wrapping the blanket around them tighter. Virgil watched him the entire time, relaxing a little when Logan sent him a smile.

"Sleep well, if you need anything do not be afraid to ask. And..." he pulled out a new packet of tissues from his pocket, leaving them on the bedside table. "Don't hold them back" he swallowed thickly and left the room, flicking off the light and shutting the door. He was definitely going to get help from Patton in the near future. The boy grew up with a bunch of younger siblings, he was sure to know how to care for young kids in the best way.

The weekend passed by filled with tears. Logan had found Roman and Virgil more than once crying together in the room they had barely left, he wanted to offer support, but he didn't know how. Which was why, that Sunday afternoon, he opened the door to be faced with his best friend. Patton.

"Hello!" He giggled, throwing his arms around him in a hug, from his arm swung round a plastic bag filled with who knows what. "Salutations, Patton. They are upstairs" Logan motioned behind him. Patton nodded, gripped Logan's hand and swung it back and forth with a smile. Logan prayed Patton knew what to do. They walked down the hallway, Logan knocking before slowly opening the door. The room had changed since the first night. Most of what he ordered arrived the next day - like he specified - and while he allowed them to watch tv downstairs, he set up the second bed, placed the second desk beside the first, along with a new closet, bedside table, two shelves filled with a few teddies and children's books, things alike.

Roman and Virgil both looked up from the colouring book Logan had also bought them. "Good afternoon" he greeted, gesturing to Patton who stood beside him. "This is my friend Patton, he wanted to meet you" Patton waved enthusiastically and stepped towards their bed. Both boys shuffled back a little apprehensively, "Hey, kiddos!" He grinned, placing the bag on the end of the bed. "Just as adorable as I imagined" he winked, pushing the bag a little closer.

"Here, I got you a few things!"

Virgil looked to Roman who shrugged lightly. Reaching over, Virgil slowly pulled the bag closer, peering inside so he and Roman could see. Inside was a few tubes of different coloured Playdoh, water pistols, a box of Lego, and a few other miscellaneous items. For the first time since he met them, Logan saw slight, tiny smiles light up their faces.

"I hear you two are starting school again tomorrow, so..." Patton took off his backpack he had on and zipped it open, pulling out new pens, pencils, rulers, sharpeners, erasers, the whole lot. Logan was actually surprised at how much the man had bought - he knew Patton was getting a few things, but not all this. Virgil pulled everything closer so Roman could reach them without having to lean forward so much.

"Uh..thanks" Virgil spoke up awkwardly. "Don't mention it, Kiddo! Now" he grinned and rounded to the side of the bed, closer to the kids who watched him with curiosity. He dug around the plastic bag, pulling out the four water guns.

"Who wants to have a water fight?"

Outside, Patton finished filling up the guns and handed them out. Logan held his with hesitance, pinching the end so he wouldn't get any water on his hands. "Are you sure about this-" before Logan could finish water was squirted right into his face. He blinked in shock, staring at Patton who covered his mouth and laughed childishly into his hands.

"Game on" Logan muttered, gripping the gun in his hands now, pulling the trigger and soaking his t-shirt. Patton screeched and ran away, the two laughing and aiming water at the other, chasing across the large garden. They ducked behind trees, hid in bushes, laughed, and shivered, but had too much fun to care. In the middle of the garden stood Roman and Virgil, watching the two adults fall back to children as they ran around until their guns were empty.

"Gosh" Patton panted, flopping onto the ground before the kids. Logan, who was panting too, sat beside him, dropping the gun and clearing his glasses. "That is my exercise for the month" Logan joked, brushing his hair to the side. Virgil slowly glanced at his brother who stared at him with a growing smirk. The two turned to the adults and aimed their guns, pulling the trigger.

Both Logan and Patton yelped, scrambling to their feet. "You sneaky kiddos!" Patton yelled out happily, unable to fire back as his gun was empty. Virgil ended up chasing Patton, while Roman went to Logan when the two split away in their mad rush. Patton ended up going slower for the nine year old so he could actually soak him while Logan broke out into a mad sprint. "I swear, Roman, I will dunk ice cold water on you at midnight!" Logan yelled, but it was all in good fun.

Logan turned to face Roman for a second too long, his feet catching on each other. With a strangled gasp, he fell to the floor, groaning in pain when his head hit against a rock. Roman stopped his movements suddenly, gun dropping from his hands. He watched with wide, frightened eyes as Logan rolled onto his back, gripping his head that had a small wound across his upper forehead. Blood dripped down and as soon as Roman saw it tears welled up in his eyes. In an instant, he was by Logan's side, whispering 'no' over and over, gripping Logan's shoulders while staring at the injury intently.

"Roman, shh, stop" Logan used his other hand to hold his forearm, smiling at him reassuringly. His head was fine, he could barely feel it the pain, but Roman was acting like he was about to die-...oh. From round the corner came Patton and Virgil who wondered where the others had gotten, when Virgil saw Roman crying he ran to his side, afterwards catching a glimpse of red on Logan's forehead. He gasped much like Roman had, gripping his hand for some sort of support.

"Oh my gosh, Logan! What happened?" Patton worried, running over, too.

"It's my fault..." Roman's quiet, croaked voice whispered before Logan could respond. Logan shook his head hurriedly, "no, Roman, it isn't, you did not push me, nor did you trip me up, I fell over my feet, but I assure you I will be fine" Logan smiled at the boy who had sat down in his lap to get a closer look at his head. After a moment, he nodded and ducked his head down, shuffling closer to Virgil. The brother held him close, and that's when they all returned inside.

Logan cleaned his wound and covered it with a large plaster, placing everyone's wet clothes in the washing machine. Patton had borrowed a pair of pyjamas, and was currently sitting on the couch, the same one Virgil and Roman sat on together, Roman returning to his silent, closed off self. Logan entered the room, and both boys perked up, visibly relaxing when they noticed his forehead seemed to be fine. Cuddling back close to one another, they watched Patton smile lazily up at Logan who opened the cupboard under the large tv, searching through the stacks of DVD's until he came across a Disney one. He didn't have many Disney-related movies, only the ones Patton had left over there when they had marathons.

Patton found out Logan had never seen a Disney movie and didn't like it one bit.

Slotting the movie into the player, he placed the case on the coffee table and sat between Patton and the kids. Patton leaned forward to see what they were watching, a smile instantly lightning up on his face. "Treasure Planet! Yes!" He fist pumped the air, leaning back next to Logan who chuckled lightly at his response. He used the remote to play the movie and settled against the couch cushions.

Virgil and Roman relaxed against the other, both enjoying the movie they had never watched before. They knew it was an older one, but still found it just as enjoyable. During the course of the film, they had to pause and make dinner, Logan assumed Roman and Virgil would want to eat alone, so he was ready to stand and leave, but Virgil reached over and placed a hand on his arm. "S-Stay.." he murmured quietly, quickly wondering if he even wanted to stay, but a smile filtered across his face, and he sat back down. Relieved, he fell back into his seat, letting go of Roman's hand so they could eat.

Patton watched Logan every so often lift his eyes and gaze at the kids with an emotion Patton had probably never seen so vibrantly before. Love. In the span of three days he has fallen in love with his nephews, and Patton was sure he would never let anything hurt them again. Patton ended up starting conversation, neither adult minding the kids would rather eat in silence. Afterwards, everyone ate pudding while watching the rest of the movie, and by the end of it, four bowls were on the table, and everyone was asleep apart from Logan. He gently lifted Patton from his shoulder and laid him down on the couch, staring at him for a moment, wondering why he liked it so much when he leaned on him to sleep.

He turned to the children, and as delicately as he could, picked Virgil up and carried him upstairs to the room. He did the same with Roman, tucking the blanket over their bodies, and on instincts he didn't know he had, placed a kiss to each of their foreheads. When he closed the door, he didn't see Roman slowly crack open his eyes and...smile.

With Patton, he knew he wouldn't be able to lift him without waking him, so instead he tucked a blanket close to his body, brushed his hair from his face and left. Not before turning off the television. In his room, he left the door open agar, clambered into bed, drew the quilt to his chin, and slowly fell asleep.

The drive to school the next day was quite silent. Patton decided he would stay at Logan's house and sort out the clothes, while Logan drove Virgil and Roman to school. They had their bags by their feet, filled with the new stuff Patton had bought them very generously. Once parking the car, Logan turned in his seat and sent them both small smile. "Have a good day, you two, and do not forget to call if you need anything" Virgil nodded for the both of them, sliding out of the car with Roman following. They closed the door and walked hand-in-hand up to the building with other students all walking towards the front doors. Logan watched them go until they were inside and sighed, leaning back in his chair.

He needed to do a few things today.

Driving to the nearest store, he looked through the different types of curtains until he came across one more focused towards children. He bought that, along with new bedding, more pillows, and a few extra blankets just in case. With those in the backseats of his car, he then drove to a grocery store and bought as much food as he and the kids would need for the week. Leaving them in the trunk, he took a detour on the trip back, making a quick stop at his mother's home. Climbing out the car, he felt relief when he realised she wasn't in.

Finding the hidden key, he unlocked the door and made a direct beeline to the attic. Climbing up the staircase that led to it, he pushed past boxes and brushed away cobwebs until he came across a box, labelled with faded black marker.

Albums

Searching through, he picked up the one full of mostly his sister, blowing away the dust and gazing at the front. In the middle was a picture of Grace as a baby, and Logan found himself hugging the book gently to his chest, pushing back tears that itched at his eyes. He didn't need to cry. He was fine. He and his sister didn't have a bond to cry over.

Standing up, he returned to his car pretty quickly, making sure to lock the front door and return the key to it's rightful, hidden spot. Leaving the album in the passenger seat, he arrived home to find a note on the kitchen counter.

Hey, Lo! Had to leave before you could return! :(
I'm sorry, but Remy called, they said a few new
animals came in and they needed help!
Call me if you need me!
- Love, Patton :D x

Logan smiled at the message, leaving it on the counter so he could put away food. He found himself busy for nearly most of the day, fixing up the kids bedroom more and more, hoping they would like the bedding. It wasn't entirely centred around kids. Virgil's were a mixture of black and purple - Logan assuming he liked those colours solely from his clothing choices, and for Roman he gave him a bedding consisting of red, white and gold. The pillow cases matched, and he gave each boys two, as they could put one to the side if they preferred it.

Fixing up the curtains, he stood in the doorway and gazed around. Maybe in the future he could paint the walls - with their input - but for now he deemed it good enough. Putting away the other oddities in the storage closet, he suddenly remembered the photo album when he saw it on the coffee table. Scooping it up delicately, he placed it on Roman's desk in their room, closing the door behind him.

His phone pinged with a message as he walked down the staircase.

Patton - Don't forget to pick up the kids! School ends in an hour!

He thanked every deity for Patton in that moment, for he probably would've gotten caught up in his work and forgot to have collected them until it was later in the day. Although, he found himself coming to the school at that exact time, for after receiving the message from Patton, the school phoned and asked him to come in, as Roman "assaulted" a teacher. Logan didn't believe that for a moment.

He drove over, tense, worried about what situation his nephews had gotten themselves in. Entering the school with a quick pace, it didn't take long for the head teacher to call him into his office. Logan remembered this room from when he was a student here - it wasn't one he came in often, as he was never told off, rather he was brought in here for his academic skills, but in the end when teachers told him the head wanted to see him he didn't go. It was pointless, and he missed valuable lesson time.

Low and behold, the head was the same one he had. Now, though, he was sporting greying hair and unruly eyebrows. "Hello, Logan" he smiled, sitting opposite the man who wasn't here for small talk. "It's wonderful to see you again!"

Logan hummed shortly, "yes, now, what happened with Roman?"

He sighed, adjusting a few things on his desk. "He punched a teacher"

"I presume the teacher told you this?" Logan cocked an eyebrow, the head slowly leaned back, tapping his chin. "Yes, why?"

"I will need to hear both sides of the story before I reprimand Roman. May I speak to the teacher?" The head teacher was perplexed, he had never had a parent respond like this when hearing their child had just broken a rule that needed them to come in. Although, he allowed it, and sat him and the teacher in a room on their own.

"Logan, I haven't seen you in awhile" the teacher beamed, "how are you?"

Small talk, again. Being polite is so difficult in times like this. "I assume that is because I do not go to this school anymore. I am fine, do not bore me with your own well-being, now" he adjusted in his seat, ignoring the surprise, hurt and slight embarrassment that flowed over her face. "What happened to cause Roman to hit you?"

She stuttered, "w-well, Virgil was called out of lesson to go to his counselling due to his parents passing, and as soon as he left Roman buried his head into his arms and wouldn't do any work"

"Understandable - continue"

"Understandable?" She repeated, eyes narrowed only slightly. "Mr. Sanders, I feel you are siding with Roman on this, he hit me, you think it is understandable?" Logan tutted, now she was putting words into his mouth. Lifting his arms, he rested them on the table and clasped his hands together.

"I do not recall ever explicitly saying Roman hitting you is understandable. I was, of course, referring to the fact he stopped doing work"

"And how is that any better?" Her voice made it seem like she was offended. Logan sighed, whenever an adult sides with a child, people go mad.

"With all due respects, Miss. Peterson, Roman has lost his parents not too long ago, Virgil is his best support system, take that away, he will not recover nearly as quickly. I am shocked you would even expect them to do any work" he watched her intently, noticing she swallowed and shook her head. "Mr. Sanders, you are not experienced with kids, you cannot let this behaviour pass-"

"You can not let bullying pass, yet I did not see you helping me when I came here as a teenager"

She tensed under his icy gaze. "We are not turning this into a debate-"

"No, we are not. I brought up that point to prove adults can be just as bad as kids, and while in situations like this, if kids and adults have a level playing field, the end result will turn out much fairer, for each sides" he abruptly stood up from the plastic chair, walking towards the door. "I think I have heard enough" he excused, ready to leave when she came up behind him.

"Before I go" Logan stopped her from putting her two cents in, "I am sure you persisted for him to do work, correct? And the end result was him punching you?"

"Yes, right here" she gestured to her stomach and Logan glanced briefly before looking away.

"I advise next time you think" Logan opened the door, "he is grieving, going through pain you cannot imagine, I am sure your persistence didn't help" with that, he marched straight down the corridor, finding Roman and Virgil sitting on the seats placed outside the head teachers office. Logan kneeled down in front of them both, noticing Roman shunned in on himself, shifting closer to Virgil, expecting Logan to explode with anger. Instead, the man reached forward and placed a hand on the boy's knee, waiting until he caught his gaze before speaking.

"I will speak with the school if you desire to have your counselling at the same time. I understand you both dislike being away from the other, but that does not justify using physical violence. Understood?" Logan rose his eyebrow pointedly at Roman who nodded, gripping Virgil's hand tightly.

Logan nodded and stood up, entering the head teachers office once more. He explained to him what exactly happened, and Roman's reasoning behind it. In the end, the head teacher agreed to not giving Roman a detention, and instead moving both him and Virgil into a different class, while also putting them together in their counselling.

"Logan, before you go"

Logan held back a groan. "I admire you"

Oh..that wasn't what he was expecting. Intrigued, he turned and faced the aged man. "You are the first parent to act like that in a situation like this, you really care about these kids" he smiled that warm smile that always rose Logan's spirits as a teen. He smiled back and nodded curtly. "I hope you understand I will always side with them until given reason not too. Call me biased, but is it really fair to side with the adult entirely and instantly?" The head teacher agreed, and sent him on his way.

"You two have a choice" Logan returned to kneeling in front of his nephews. "Stay in school for the remainder of last lesson, or, come home now. And, if you're good, I might just stop and buy some ice cream" at the mention of the delicious old delectable, the two straightened up in their seats. Virgil glanced at Roman for confirmation, and Virgil quietly asked for the second option.

Logan smiled and lead them outside the building. He was surprised when a hand slipped into his own - looking down, it was Roman's, the boy still held onto Virgil, but with his free hand, he gripped onto his, and he felt his heart enlarge by tenfold because of it. Filled with happiness and a light feeling, he did as he promised and stopped at the ice cream parlour. Although, he only gave Roman one scoop so the boy understood he wasn't gifting him for his actions that day.

Luckily, for the rest of the week no similar instances happened again. He set a reminder on his phone, and everyday at 3 o'clock he would park outside the school and wait for the kids to come out. Then, he would drive them home, avoid asking about their day, for he knew how awkward it was for them to talk, and allowed them to play with their toys upstairs.

On Friday, he was sipping his tea, walking through his house absentmindedly. He passed by a door and stopped, turning his head to stare at it. For the life of him, he couldn't remember what it was. Curiosity peaked, he stepped inside and looked around the completely empty room. Confused, he leaned on the doorway, wondering how on Earth he forgot this room existed, but he pushed that to the side, for it really didn't matter. The question is what would he do with it?

His first thought went to the kids, and almost instantly he had it. Gulping down his tea, he left it in the kitchen and hurried up the staircase to the boys room. While in there, he had the sudden urge to straighten out their beds, and he did, finding teddies under the blanket of each of them. He smiled softly and sat them on the pillows, leaving them there while he collected the toys Patton had gifted them. Allowing some teddies to remain on the shelves, he brought the rest down to the room and placed them in the middle. Now in the room, his mind came to life, and he could see the layout in his head.

Grabbing his phone, he shot Patton a quick text.

Logan - Are you free?

Patton - For the day, yes! What's up?

Logan - I have an idea. A few minutes ago I found this spare room, and I need your help to bring it to life. Figuratively.

Patton - I'll be over in five xx

"This is it" Logan gestured to Patton after he arrived over. Patton stepped into the room, noticing the pile of toys in the middle. He gasped, turning to Logan with sparking eyes. "You're gonna turn it into a play room!?" He squealed, all giddy. Logan nodded, tensing in shock when Patton suddenly wrapped him in a hug, heart suddenly going wild in his chest.

"Yes, and I need your help, I have planned the basic layout, but you are more familiar with kids, so would you mind coming to the store with me and collect items a child will be sure to enjoy?" Logan questioned hopefully, head slightly cocked to the side. Patton giggled and nodded hurriedly, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Yes! One hundred times yes! C'mon, lets go!"

For two hours both adults scourged all the shops they could find, picking up what Logan had originally planned for, along with toys, but not too many, because they wanted to allow Roman and Virgil choose what certain toys they wanted. Although, they did buy as many board games as they could, and on the drive back Logan's car could barely hold anything more.

It took them another hour and a half to perfect the room, and at the end of it they both leaned on the doorframe, hot and sweaty, but pleased and proud.

"They'll love it!"

And love it they did. Of course, they were a little hesitant when they arrived home to have Patton come out of nowhere and tell them they had a surprise. The young twin brothers held hands and followed the adults through a hallway down the first floor. They all stopped outside a door that now had a sign hanging from it. "Can you read it?" Patton questioned, gesturing to it.

Both boys looked up. "Playroom.." Virgil spoke out loud, glancing questioningly afterwards. Patton nodded and opened the door, letting the two kids step in first, and when they did, both adults heard loud gasps.

Inside the room, it was completely changed from what it was before. The window now had light blue curtains hanging in front of them, underneath was a wooden box that could be opened to reveal different types of dolls and action figures. Against the wall was a small, two seater couch with a black, fluffy pillow and a white, fluffy pillow. The carpeted flood was covered with a map that held the layout of a cartoon town, and in another, smaller box held a bunch of different cars to use to drive across the roads. Across the ceiling were small, plastic stars the two boys were sure glowed in the dark, and from each corner draped a piece of long (two purple and two red) piece of silk that was pulled back just below the center, attached to the wall.

Against the wall opposite the couch was shelves low enough for the boys to reach. One held a bunch of different types of books - courtesy of Logan - while the other held an array of different video games and movies, for between the two shelves was an average sized tv standing on a small, wooden stand, a console on the shelf attached to the stand, plus a few controllers, obviously.

"Also, I implemented something into the lights" Logan grabbed the remote that was left on the arm of the couch and pressed the button that was coloured green. Suddenly, the lighting changed into a pastel green, which made the boys stare around in awe. Virgil poked the bean bag while Roman clenched his hands, twirled on his feet and pushed by the adults to run upstairs. They all watched him go, Logan worried that we went too far, and turned to Virgil for an explanation.

"Sorry..I..sorry" he whispered and hurried after him. Logan watched them go, face crossed with sudden forlorn.

"Hey, he's just overwhelmed" Patton spoke gently, stepping closer to rub his arm. "I've gone too far, haven't I?" He murmured, pressing the button for the lights to go back to normal. Patton chuckled and shook his head, wrapping his arms around his shoulders gently.

"I'm sure he loves it, the both of them, just give him time"

Logan nodded, looking up at him with determined eyes. "I will give him all the time in the world"

"And that's what make you a great guardian" Patton giggled, not thinking as he leaned forward and pecked his nose. Both men blushed and stared at each other for a long moment, slowly falling into laughter as they separated. "I will check on them, would it be too much to ask if you started dinner?"

"Not at all, call if you need me!" Logan nodded and the two separated to go to different sides of the house. Logan, like usual, knocked on the door before he stepped inside. Roman and Virgil were both on Roman's bed, curled up, Virgil holding the boy closed who cried into his chest. He moved across the room and sat on the bed opposite them, watching as Virgil glanced over with concern lacing his eyes.

"Roman? What's wrong?"

The boy sniffled, turning to Logan with a sudden angry flare in his eyes. "Why?" He croaked, "why are you doing this? Why did you give us all that?"

Logan swallowed, shifting awkwardly. "Well, I just thought—"

"Why do you care?" Roman cut him off. Virgil tried to hold him back, but his twin pushed out of his grip, shuffling closer to Logan. "You are my nephew, Roman, how could I not care?"

He huffed, sitting on his haunches. "Mummy told us you didn't care" he muttered, Logan tensing when he did. "You're lying, you don't care"

"Roman, listen to me" Logan's voice fell onto the sterner side, "your mother and I never had a good relationship, she didn't like me from the beginning, and hated me even further when I came out to her. Whatever she told you about me is a lie. I do care about you, and I admittedly have always wanted to meet you, both of you" Logan glanced at Virgil briefly. "But she wouldn't allow it"

Roman still didn't look convinced. "I believe mummy over you"

"Roman, why would I lie about this? What will I gain? I want your trust because I want you to understand I will never hurt you, and keep you safe. I promise, with everything I have, I care more about you two than I have ever cared for someone" Logan stared at Roman with intensity, wanting nothing more than him to believe him. He saw a shift in his eyes, and he knew he was getting to him. Virgil leaned forward and pulled Roman back closer to him, staring at him with a look that begged him to stop, but he had one more.

"Why aren't you like dad?"

"What do you mean?"

"Dad never did anything like this..." Roman explained, gesturing around. "He wasn't like you"

"Would you prefer me to act like him?"

"No" Virgil responded before Roman could, so quickly Logan felt a little worried as to how Mike actually treated his kids. He knew Grace would never allow harm to come to her kids, but still, anything could happen behind closed doors.

"You tell us to do different things than dad did.."

"Like?" Logan prompted. "You tell us it's okay to cry"

"That's because it is" Logan shifted to be closer to them, "crying is apart of us as humans whether people like it or not. To cry does not show weakness, or lesson "masculinity"" Logan rolled his eyes at the idea, "it shows you are human, a human with complex emotions. With the passing of your parents, I expect you to cry, losing someone close is one of life's hardest battles, but I have no doubt in my mind you will get through the other side together, where you will smile, laugh and feel happiness once more" Logan reached forward and held one of their hand each in his own, squeezing them gently.

"And I promise to help you through it"

"Do you?" Virgil's whisper was so vulnerable Logan wanted to pull him into a tight hug and never let go. "I do" Logan nodded, and held up his pinkie. Roman and Virgil shared a glance, and timidly, Virgil reached his hand over and hooked his pinkie around Logan's, bobbing them up and down lightly.

Logan smiled, "now, let's go set out the table, yes?" Both boys nodded and slid off the bed, but Logan held Roman back for a moment. "Virgil, can you go down and check up on Patton?" Before he went, he looked at Roman, only leaving when the boy nodded for him to. Logan knelt down in front of the boy, staring at him intently.

"I care about you, Roman"

The boy shifted his gaze to the ground, but Logan tilted his head up with his finger. "I love you" he murmured, and that's when Roman broke down. He fell into Logan's arms and gripped the back of his shirt tightly, staining his shoulder with tears, but Logan couldn't care less, focused on holding Roman close, helping him through this moment. It was the first time they had shared an embrace, and Logan would cherish it until the next, even if Roman was currently sobbing into his shoulder.

Logan had picked Roman up and sat the two on his bed, cradling his body close, whispering to him to let it out, don't hold back, and by the end of it all, Roman sat up, sniffling and and hiccuping.

"Dads never said that before.."

Logan smiled, using a tissue to clean his face delicately. "If it makes you feel better, I will say it as much as I can"

Roman hesitated, stared at Logan with big, wide amber eyes, and nodded.

—

The next time the two boys entered their new play room, it didn't end in tears. In fact, both Patton and Logan could hear their bright laughter from the living room, and it even brought Patton to cry just a few tears. Logan felt his heart blossom with warmth at the sound he hadn't heard before, and hoped he would hear it again, and again.

Over the course of a few weeks, Logan felt happy with the schedule he had fallen into. Wake up, get kids ready for school, drive them to school, work with a few breaks in between, pick them up, make dinner while they play or do homework, serve up food, allow them to play again, then send them off to bed, with Patton coming over much more frequently between, sleeping over countless times, too.

During the weekends, he would either stay home with them and work while leaving them to their own devices, or he would take them around town with Patton, to parks, beaches, theme parks, plus places they suggested and hadn't been to before. To anyone else, they looked like a happy family, and to them, they felt like one.

The one thing Logan worried most over, though, was the funeral. He knew both Roman and Virgil wanted to come, and he would never take the choice away from them, but he just hoped the day would run smoothly. He stood in front of his mirror, straightening his tie and black suit. Behind him, Patton walked up and smiled, wearing a familiar tux to Logan, but instead of a tie, he wore a black bow tie.

"You look wonderful" Patton murmured, Logan turned to face him and smiled. "Thank you" he replied gently, "as do you" Patton blushed and glanced at himself in the mirror, shaking his head lightly. "C'mon, check up on them" Patton voiced what Logan had been itching to do. Thanking him quietly, he left the room and down to his nephews, knocking and entering. To his surprise, the suits that his mother and sent over for them to wear were on their beds still, and instead Virgil wore black jeans and his usual black and purple hoodie, while Roman, Logan assumed, borrowed a pair of black jeans from Virgil, and wore a red t-shirt that an en embroidered, small, and simple black dog in the centre.

"It was her favourite.." Virgil explained, gesturing to Roman. Logan smiled and nodded, he wouldn't force them to wear something the didn't want to. Grabbing the suits, he hung them up delicately in the closets before taking the kids downstairs.

They were both very silent, but Logan and Patton expected it. The car drive was heavy, not even Patton tried to lighten the mood. Half an hour later Logan was parking outside the church, gazing up at the building for a few moments. Relaxing, he turned to the kids who both stared at the church, too. "Ready?" Logan murmured to them, waiting until both nodded before he turned to Patton, both nodding, too.

Everyone stepped out the car, and instantly Roman and Virgil were holding hands. Patton and Logan walked either side of them, walking up to the building and stepping in through the open door. They hadn't started the service yet, but when the adults caught sight of Logan in the corner of their eye, the room fell into a thick, tense atmosphere. All the kids in the room, including Roman and Virgil, couldn't detect it, but as Logan walked through with his head held high, he felt it alright.

"Has a nerve showing up here.." he heard someone whisper, but it didn't affect him. Sitting down on one of the wooden benches, Roman and Virgil climbed onto the seats next to him and on the end Patton sat down, too, and everyone waited in silence for it to start, Logan completely aware of the gazes that burned into him.

Soon, everyone sat down, and it started. Logan saw the casket, noticing it was closed, and inwardly winced. The service was beautiful, and through it both Roman and Virgil began to silently cry, leaning on the other for support. Logan scooted closer, too, and wrapped an arm around the two, but he had more grip on Roman as the boy was sitting beside him. Patton noticed, and he wrapped his arms around them, too, giving Virgil support. The two kids didn't voice anything, but they appreciated it.

Afterwards, everyone stood around the casket that slowly lowered in the ground. The aunts, his mother, and female family friends began to cry, while Logan noticed the males held them back. The only children who were here were Virgil and Roman, for the other adults allowed them to play in the park not too far away. He did get disapproving stares for bringing the kids to watch, but they wanted to, and it was their parents, they could watch if they wanted to.

Halfway through, Logan glances down at Roman, noticing he was fidgeting on the spot, tears welled up in his eyes. Logan bent down to hug him, but in that moment Roman rushed over to the casket. Eyes widening, Logan barely grabbed the back of his shirt, pulling him away from the hole and up from the ground.

"No-no!" He yelled, punching and hitting, anything to get out of his grip, but Logan managed through it, gesturing to Patton for him to follow as he walked across the field, avoiding other tombstones so he could calm Roman in peace. Patton held Virgil's and and went to follow when he finally heard the whispers from his so called family. He turned on his heel and glared icily at them all, "shut up" he demanded sorrowfully, "just stop" he continued, "are you really going to treat him like this today?" Patton weakly gestured to the casket and shook his head with disappointment. Turning back to Virgil, he squeezed his hand and followed down the path Logan took Roman down, the two disappearing behind some tall shrubbery.

Along the field and under a cherry blossom, Logan placed Roman onto his feet, grabbing his forearms tightly. "Roman, look at me" Logan demanded, forcing him to stop wriggling. Roman met his gaze, his eyes aflame, "she isn't coming back" Logan reinforced, "you have to accept that - she is gone"

Roman shook his head stubbornly, pushing away from Logan and falling against the ground, pressing against a tree and sobbing. "V-Virgil-!" He hiccuped, weakly reaching out to his brother who dropped his hand from Patton and rushed over, at his side, hugging him close. Logan slowly stood up, Patton moving beside him with worried eyes. The two brothers embraced for awhile until Logan had an idea.

"Come with me" he murmured to them once they calmed down from their sobs. Roman looked furious, but Virgil decided for them, and tailed after Logan who led them down the long path between gravestones old and new. Then, they passed through a gap between a tall bush, and carried on their way through longer grass, an area that obviously wasn't well kept by anyone. They carried on until reaching a gate.

"I came here once or twice" Logan explained, walking to the tree beside the door. They were surrounded by walls of tall hedges, hidden from the world. Standing up tall, Logan reached up and through the tree, fingers grasping an old, splinter filled box. It was a faded blue and green colour, inside a key that was worn and rusted. Walking to the gate, he used the key and unlocked it, pushing the wood open. Then, he turned to the kids who stared with curious, glossy eyes.

"It is like a secret garden. Would you like to see?" They both nodded and followed after Logan, gazing around the large area that was also surrounded by hedges. There were a few trees that draped long leaves, a single, old, rusted, paint-chipped bench in the corner, in the middle was an empty bird bath, and on the other side was a well long out of use, filled with different coloured leaves.

"Roman" Logan murmured, bending down to his level. The boy glanced over, "I'm sorry" Logan whispered, "I should have worded it nicer, or not taken you to see the casket, I wanted what I thought was best, but.." he drifted when Roman cut him off with a hug. Logan sighed out in relief and hugged back tightly. "I love you" he whispered, which made Roman hug him that bit tighter. In the end, Virgil joined to, and Logan smiled at the boy.

"I love you, too, Virgil"

The darkly dressed boy hid his shy smile behind his sleeve, burying his face into Logan's shoulder. Patton watched beside the gate he slowly closed, eyes filled with tears, new tears swarming with happiness. Logan scooped the two kids up and placed them on the bench, telling them to wait a moment. He walked to the tallest, oldest tree in the small, hidden garden and ducked under past the leaves. Inside, he climbed up a few branches, being wary because of the suit.

Grabbing a loose branch, he tugged it down with him and dropped to the ground. In his hand he held an old swing. "Kids?" He called, waiting a few moments for them to brush past the leaves, each gasping when they saw it. "Can we use it?" Virgil murmured hopefully, and Logan nodded, handing it over. Patton and Logan both sat on the ground, leaning against the other while watching Roman and Virgil have fun on the swing until they were laughing and smiling.

By the time they left, it was getting late, and the family had already left. While walking by the caskets that had yet to be covered, Roman and Virgil paused and stared at them for a long moment. Then, they turned, held hands, and walked beside the two adults once again.

Logan avoided going to the party afterwards, as he knew he wasn't welcome, and he didn't want to start anything on a day like this. In the car, Logan dropped Patton off at his house first. "Thanks, Lo" he smiled tiredly, reaching over and pecking his cheek. Logan blushed brightly, spluttering for a response, but Patton just smiled like he was in a daze, got out and closed the door, hips swaying as he walked up to his house and disappeared inside.

Logan felt his heart going wild. Patton...what was he going to do with him?

Arriving home, he picked up the kids who had fallen asleep and woke them up once they were in their rooms. "Get changed" he yawned, holding up their pyjamas. He made himself some tea while they changed and brushed their teeth upstairs. A little over five minutes later Logan returned to tuck them in, kiss their forehead, and leave.

While watching tv, he could barely hold his head up, but he became fully aware once more when he felt two small bodies press up either side of him. Silently, he smiled and held them close, in the end, they all fell asleep cuddled together, the tv falling into a background noise until the next morning. And, after that day, everything fell back into routine again.

One night, after a peaceful day spent with Patton and his nephews, he expected to have a nice sleep to get up bright and early for the school routine, but was woken quite abruptly at three am to something that made his heart stop.

screaming

Instantly, he tore off his quilt, barely grabbing his glasses in his mad rush to get to his nephews room. Bursting through the door, he spotted a thrashing Roman caught up in his quilt, Virgil beside the bed, crying as he desperately tried to wake him up. Logan moved to his side, grabbing his shoulders and pinning him down against the bed. "Roman, Roman wake up!" He yelled, Virgil stumbled back, covering his ears to try and block out Roman's yells and cries.

"Roman!" Logan yelled, louder this time. Tears began streaming from Roman's eyes, "don't die!" Logan could make out from his yells, "please don't die!"

Logan grabbed the quilt and managed to get it off of Roman's body. With no other choice, he grabbed a glass of water and poured it over Roman's head. In an instant, his eyes shot open and he spluttered and coughed, still shaking and crying as he wildly gazed around the room. "Roman, calm down, breathe, breathe with me" Logan grabbed him by his shoulders to keep him in position, repeating to him a breathing technique that allowed him to catch his breath and relax the fear that spiked through his body.

Virgil climbed up onto the bed and hugged Roman tightly, hiding his face in the boy's neck. Trembling, Roman held back, silently crying. Logan left them alone for a moment, returning with a blanket to dry away the excess water from Roman's hair. Taking the pillow case from the pillow, he laid it on the radiator, moving the brothers to Virgil's bed, he stripped the bedding, all the while Virgil helped Roman calm down, in the end both watching as Logan switched the bedding entirely, bringing the wet ones downstairs.

He returned a few minutes later and sat beside the two boys. "Are you feeling better?" Logan questioned, handing the jittery boy a glass of water. Roman nodded, still feeling a little unsettled by his quite horrific dream. Sipping his water, Logan stayed until he finished, and left the glass on the desk.

"Try and get some sleep" Logan spoke, tucking the blanket up to Roman's chin. He nodded and rolled onto his side, clenching his eyes shut tightly. Logan crossed the room to Virgil to tuck him in, too.

"Let him sleep with you" Virgil whispered, Logan rose an eyebrow. "Dad never let us before..it'll help him"

Logan glanced over to the boy and nodded. "Will you care to join?"

Virgil nodded sheepishly and sat up. "Roman, does sleeping in my bed with me and Virgil seem at all pleasing to you?" The boy in question slowly sat up, holding his teddy to his chest. He glanced at Virgil, then nodded softly, allowing Logan to hold his hand as they walked down the hallway to Logan's room. He watched as they climbed into bed, Roman on the right, Virgil on the left. Logan assumed he was in the middle. Closing the door, he turned off the light and carefully tread across the room, laying his body under the blanket.

As soon as his back hit the bed, Roman and Virgil's heads were on his chest, their arms laying across his waist. Bringing the blanket closer, he rested his own arms across them, held them close, whispered goodnight and 'I love you's to each before he fell to slumber, along with the kids... his kids.

Although that nightmare incident was quite jarring for Logan, he tried to not focus on it too much while dropping the kids to school. They both thanked him, and once Roman left, Virgil leaned closer to Logan and gave him a short hug. "Thank you" he murmured again, but Logan knew it wasn't for the car ride. Watching the two walk into school, he texted Patton to meet him up, and the man said he would be free at twelve for only fifteen minutes. It was good enough, and Logan drove to the cafe as soon as the clock struck their designated time.

"Hey, Lo!" Patton greeted, the two sharing a hug before sitting down in the booths. "I wanted to talk to you about something that happened last night" he explained, knowing he had peaked his interest.

"Roman had a nightmare. It wasn't something normal, it must have been quite horrific, for he was screaming, crying, and he couldn't wake up" Patton held a hand over his parted lips in shock, feeling terrible for his little Kiddo. "Do you have any advice for situations like this?" Logan asked with hope.

"Well, the best thing to do is to comfort them, maybe today I can come over and distract Virgil so you could snag Roman alone? Ask him what the nightmare was about, and reassure him about it" Logan nodded with a growing smile. "That is a wonderful idea, you truly are an exceptional father" Patton blushed bashfully, looking up at Logan through his eyelashes. That did something to Logan. His heart fluttered. What was this feeling?

"You think so?" Patton questioned sheepishly, fidgeting with his cardigan sleeve.

"I know so"

That afternoon, like Patton suggested, he came over and played with Virgil in the playroom while Logan managed to gesture Roman to come out and follow him. They sat in the living room on the couch, Roman silently wondering what this was about. "Your nightmare last night. Would you be comfortable explaining to me what it was about?" Roman tensed, shifting nervously.

From what Roman had yelled, Logan assumed it was about his parents. But what Roman told him shocked him quite thoroughly. He explained in his dream he was unable to move, his surroundings weren't familiar, but he knew he was on a street. In front of him, on the road, Roman told Logan he could see his lifeless body beside a car that had toppled over and crashed. Logan was surrounded by blood, and meekly called Roman's name, but the boy couldn't move, which was why he was screaming.

"I didn't want to lose you.." Roman whispered, eyes welling with tears. "But I couldn't help you" his voice cracked, and he closed his eyes tightly.

Wordlessly, Logan opened his arms, and Roman scooted into them, resting his head on Logan's chest. Logan held the boy for awhile, letting him cry a few tears into his chest. "I can't promise you anything" Logan murmured, helping Roman sit up afterwards so he could stare into his eyes as he spoke. "I do not know the future, but trust me, I will do everything in my power to stay safe on the roads, and not allow myself to fall into a crash. And if I did, I wouldn't let myself die, not when I have to care for you and Virgil"

Roman sniffled, "mummy lied.."

Logan winced, "it wasn't her fault, she was raised that way by our parents"

"To lie?" Roman murmured.

"No, to dislike people who aren't "normal", but no one can help, or change, who they are attracted to. They did not like me because I am gay, so in retaliation I cut myself off, and didn't try and change their minds. I suppose I am in the wrong, too, and I do wish I had a better relationship with Grace, she was a wonderful, caring woman, and I want you to know she will always be with you" Roman nodded, and even with such a depressive topic, he managed a shaky smile.

"Thank you, Logan.."

"Do you believe I care now?"

Roman shrugged, tilting his head. "I don't know" he replied teasingly, "I think some ice cream would help"

Logan threw his head back and laughed, "I never imagined to be coerced into giving a child ice cream in such a way" Roman giggled and called to Virgil Logan was giving out ice cream. A moment later, both Virgil and Patton appeared in the doorway, eyes lit up, lips stretched into grins.

"I did not realise I care for three kids" he shot at Patton who laughed with the kids. Logan ended up smiling too, and not long later everyone was sitting around the dining table, monopoly stretched out in the middle, their bowls empty of the ice cream they had already devoured.

Logan looked around each of them and smiled at the family they had all created.

—

A month later since the nightmare, Roman only had one or two since, but none as severe as the first. Logan had found over the course of those thirty one days, he really bonded with the two who had opened up much more than when they first met. Roman didn't rely on Virgil as much as he did, and found himself talking more and more independently, smiling and sharing laughter with both Logan and Patton more often than not.

Virgil was quite the same. Logan quickly realised Virgil was the shy sibling, but in Roman's time of need, he would do everything he could to comfort him, which was why he became the sibling who spoke more, and decided what they would do. Now that Roman found himself crawling from his shell, he had taken back that role from Virgil who was glad to hand it over, finding more content in staying silent and observing the situation.

Logan also noticed Virgil's attraction to drawing, and gifted him a new, high quality sketch book - because he can - with new pencils that came in a range of shades. From the first week Virgil had it, he had created three wonderfully shaded images of the scenery outside in Logan's garden, and he was shocked to see how beautiful and realistic it looked. Not perfect, and not by any means the best, but Logan could see him really improving if he kept this up, and that's exactly what he told Virgil who found that Logan's helpful criticism was better than only receiving compliments for work that could improve.

Even if the boys were getting better, they still each had their moments, but Logan realised Roman had many more. But, he wasn't concerned over Roman, he was more worried about Virgil. In the end he figured Virgil wanted to give Roman as much attention as the boy needed in the grieving process, and if that meant hiding his own feelings, he would do so. Logan could slap himself for not realising it sooner. The boy was hurting as much as Roman, but he had paid more attention to the boy who makes his emotions more obvious! He really felt quite stupid in that moment.

He acted on it as soon as they all arrived home. Patton was already there - thank god - so he distracted Roman while Logan took Virgil away upstairs. "I wanted to talk to you, Virgil" Logan explained, sitting opposite him on his bed. The quiet boy nodded for him to continue. "Have you hidden how you truly feel in favour of me giving Roman more attention?"

Virgil tensed at the realisation he had been caught, but still tried to deny it, anyway. "W-what? No-"

"Do not lie, Virgil. I love you as much as I love Roman, you both deserve my care, neither should get more than the other" Virgil's words died on his tongue. He pulled his sleeves over his hands and stared down at the blanket on his bed. "Dad used...to hit us" he admitted quietly, "if we were upset over stupid reasons.."

"I do not think being upset over death is a stupid reason" Logan replied a little bluntly, thankful Virgil looked over it. The boy lifted his gaze to meet his, "But that's..the problem" Virgil managed, closing his eyes. "I'm not upset.." he admitted quietly, "I miss my mom, not him..does that make me a monster?"

Logan shook his head, "not at all, I felt the same way about Grace. Initially, it did upset me, but then I realised the idea of losing a sibling was what made me emotional, not the idea of losing Grace. I don't need to bore you with what you already know, but we were never close, and I did feel slightly bad for not caring as much as everyone else, but in the end, it's not my fault, and it is not your fault, either, nor does it make you a monster" Virgil nodded and sniffled. Logan reached out, rubbing his shoulder gently.

"Virgil, I promise I will never bring harm to you, physically or emotionally, please do not bottle it up, it will only hurt you more, and that is the last thing I want" Virgil nodded and bit down on his lip harshly, slowly shuffling into Logan's embrace. It took him a few minutes, but after Logan cradled him and gently played with his hair, Virgil felt an overwhelming sense of misery crash across his body, his mind reminding him he will never see his mother again, she was gone...and it made him cry, and cry, until he had no tears left. Not once did Logan loosen his grip, or stop whispering words of comfort, he carried him through until he came out the other side with a headache, but feeling...light.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Virgil whispered quietly. Logan pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Of course, do you want Roman to join?"

Virgil looked up at him. "He smells"

Logan laughed, leaning his head against the headboard. "Brothers" he mused, smiling at Virgil who grinned lightly and returned to snuggling into his chest. "Oh, and Virgil?" The boy in question hummed in acknowledgement.

"Promise to talk to me or Patton when you feel low?"

He lifted his head. "I can talk to Patton?"

"If you wish, whoever you are more comfortable with" Virgil nodded and sat up on his waist, Logan placing his arms loosely around Virgil's body. "Nan said a child should be raised with a mom and a dad but.." he drifted, "Is it okay to be raised by two dads?" Logan nodded in confirmation.

"Of course it is, it does not change anything, it all depends on how the parents raise you"

Virgil nodded, next question. "Does that mean I have...two dads?"

Logan's heart fluttered weirdly (but a good weird) at the thought of Virgil and Roman seeing him as their dad. "What do you mean?"

Virgil blushed, "aren't you and Patton like mom and dad but dad and dad?" Logan blushed at what he was implying, quickly shaking his head. "Oh, no, me and Patton are just friends" Virgil nodded, he still looked confused, so Logan pressed him about it.

"Well, it's just.." he drifted, "Patton told us he likes you...like mom and dad like..."

Logan felt his heart thumping under his ribcage. "Did he now?" Logan responded shakily, swallowing thickly. Virgil nodded, eyes concerned, worried he did something wrong, but Logan ended up smiling, smiling so widely it brightened up his entire face. He brought Virgil into a tight hug and thanked him. Virgil giggled quietly.

"Now will we have two dads?"

Logan chuckled, gazing at him adoringly. "Maybe"

—

"I shall get it" Logan referred to the front door after the doorbell rang through the house. Patton, Roman and Virgil carried on playing after watching him stand and leave. Walking to the front door, he straightened out his clothes and hair before opening it open, a little shocked to be faced with his mother. "Ah, Salutations, come in" He opened the door wider for her to slip past. She gazed around the house she had never stepped foot into before.

"We need to talk" she said stiffly. Logan subtly rolled his eyes and led her to the kitchen. They sat at the counter, Logan gesturing with his hand for her to speak.

"It's been on my mind since the first day they moved in" she began, "and I need to get it off my chest before I explode" she justified, "I can't allow Roman and Virgil to be raised by a single man, it's not fair" she stupidly proclaimed. "Is it unfair to live with a single man, or a single, gay man?" Logan deadpanned, clenching his hands under the table in an attempt to control his temper.

"Don't bring sexuality into this, it's nothing about that!"

"Sure" Logan replied sarcastically.

"Logan" she said warningly, as if that would change anything. "A child should be raised by a woman and a man, Aunt Betty is moving down here, and I think they will be better with her and her husband"

Logan scoffed, unable to help himself. "Are you serious?" He rose his eyebrow in disbelief. "That is completely illogical, I will have you know Roman and Virgil have improved immeasurably since they have first arrived, and ripping them away from their second home will destroy them nearly as much as the death of their parents did. Because of your stupid, ignorant views, you want to bring Virgil and Roman back to where they began? No, I will not allow it, you won't rip these kids from me, not even from my cold, dead hands" Logan's voice had fallen into a low, dark growl that freaked his mother out enough for her to rethink if coming here alone was a good idea.

"While I was growing up, father spent most of his time abroad in work, while you" he jutted his finger accusingly at her, "spent all your time on vacation, as if me and Grace didn't exist! You are here, not because you care about the well-being of Roman and Virgil, but because I am gay!"

"No, I am not-"

"Yes you are!" Logan roared, standing up from his seat, eyes blazing. "Admit it!" He yelled, "admit it!" He repeated, voice demanding. His mother stood up, too, her own eyes burning with anger and hidden hatred. "Fine!" Her voice just as loud as his. "It is a sin, Logan, you are shameful, because you think you are attracted to men, you should have a wife, and maybe then Roman and Virgil would be raised in a proper environment!" Logan opened his mouth to continue, but he caught sight of Roman and Virgil in the doorway, gripping onto Patton, scared.

At the sight, he calmed down immediately, and completely brushed past his mother to kneel down to their level and hug them both tightly. They hugged back, not daring to look up at their grandmother. "Don't let her take us away" Roman whispered, and Logan's heart broke. "Please" Virgil whispered, and Logan's grip tightened. He picked them up and handed them to Patton, telling him to take them upstairs. He nodded and did so, Roman and Virgil crying in his arms as he did.

"You decide to come here and tell me I am shameful?" Logan muttered in a low voice, slowly turning to his mother. "While you are nothing but a cheating, neglectful bitch" he spat with malice, walking up to her until he was in her face, finger jabbing her chest.

"You scared my kids" he snarled, and she flinched back. "And if you show up here again without my permission beforehand, I will not allow you to see my kids until they are older, and can decide for themselves, understood?" His voice brook no argument, and his mother felt like she couldn't do anything else but nod and flee. Logan spent a few minutes sitting on the couch to calm down, gripping his hair tightly.

Through the doorway Roman and Virgil appeared, slowly and cautiously walking up to Logan. "Lo-?" He whipped his head up suddenly, and both Roman and Virgil flinched back into each other. "Hey, you two" Logan managed a smile and slipped to the floor, opening his arms for a hug they both delved into.

"Is..is she taking us away?" Roman asked, eyes glossy. "No, I will not allow anyone to take you away from me" at that, the brothers hugged him again, and he leaned against the couch, arms securely held around his kids, the idea of them being taken away without him able to stop it made him want to burst into tears, but he didn't, instead he held them back and just didn't let go.

Over the months they had all lived together, Logan formed an unbreakable bond with these kids, and he doesn't expect to ever replace their mother or father, but he hopes he meant to them as much as their parents did. Patton slowly moved from the doorway, sliding onto the floor beside Logan who sent him a brief, pained smile. Scooting beside him, Patton wrapped an arm around his shoulders, allowing Logan to rest his head on his shoulder.

Virgil and Roman eventually sat up in Logan's lap, Roman had shifted a little between their hug, and now sat mostly on Patton who didn't mind in the slightest. "She's wrong" Roman muttered, "you're not shameful" he crossed his arms and glared at the ground, and if it were it's fault. Logan chuckled lightly, "I appreciate it"

"Was..Mom like that?" Virgil murmured quietly.

"Not exactly" Logan didn't want to corrupt the image the two had of their beloved mom, but he didn't want to lie, either. "She was homophobic, too"

"What does that mean?" Roman tilted his head.

"It means you don't like people who are gay" Patton filled in for Logan. "I don't want to be homophobic!" Roman quickly worried, and Logan smiled.

"You do not have to be, it is a choice, your mother and I were raised by someone who was homophobic, but I couldn't imagine ever being homophobic, even if I were straight. That is besides the point. Your mother was taught certain things, and without anyone telling her otherwise, it wasn't entirely her fault she turned out that way. She had a choice on how to act, and I will admit she was never openly mean to be about it. Apart from outing me, she left me be. If either of you weren't straight, I'm sure her views would change, for nothing could make that woman love you any less, I promise" both boys nodded, holding the others hand softly.

"Does that mean you'll have a husband?" Roman cocked his head. Logan nodded, shrugging lightly. "I suppose it does, yes"

Roman began to smile mischievously. "Can that husband be Patton?"

The man in question flushed brightly, as red as a tomato, much like Logan who spluttered and sat up, removing his head from Patton's shoulder. The two boys giggled at their reactions, knowing exactly what they were doing. "Please..we want two dads" Roman giggled again, glancing at Virgil who bit his lip, trying to conceal his grin.

Patton found it adorably amusing, and looked over at Logan sheepishly. Logan noticed, and met his gaze, adjusting his glasses nervously. "Would you...want that?" Patton whispered, and instantly the brothers fell to silence, watching in anticipation.

"Would you?" Logan avoided the question. Patton turned towards the ground, smiling timidly. "Yes..."

Logan reached over and cupped his cheek, lifting his head back up. They stared at each other for a moment, slowly leaning in until their breaths fanned on the others face. The world around them forgotten in their minds, they slowly slipped their eyes closed, angled their heads and pressed their lips together in a kiss that caused eruptions of butterflies to scatter through the entirety of their bodies - their lips moulded together so perfectly, and with Logan holding his face so delicately, Patton felt like he was in heaven.

"We have two dads!" Patton and Logan laughed at that, lips still touching as they did. Opening their eyes, they stared at the other and smiled, sharing one more kiss before pulling away, Logan finally dropping his hand back onto his lap.

"Like a real family" Virgil added on. Logan glanced over at his kids, then back towards the love of his life. "Yes" he agreed, "a real family"

That evening, everyone curled up on the couch, Logan and Patton pressed up together, with Roman and Virgil snuggled up on their lap, a blanket draped across all of them, and on the tv opposite, played Treasure Planet.

Logan never imagined himself to be in this situation. He always hated kids, and never had any experience at all with love or romance to know if he would ever want it or not, but now, averting his eyes between his kids, and the man he truly wants to spend the rest of his days with, he couldn't imagine his life any other way.

—

TEN HOURS TO COMPLETE THIS

BITCH

2:38am