12:16am

I just read a book w/an abusive father as a character and...phewewow I understand your comments on some of my oneshots now Jesus did I want to kill him-

Trigger warning: child abuse, suicide, bad parents, alcohol abuse, death, sexual assault on a minor, mentions of depression, anxiety and PTSD

Au
—

Patton loved his kids with all of his heart and would physically fight anyone that said differently. Ever since he fostered and eventually adopted them when they were both five years old he had adored them and never wanted to be apart from them.

However, one problem with the kids that is still quite bothersome to this day is their curiosity. Patton was twenty five at the time he took them in, he had felt quite lonely for some time and seeing as he wasn't getting into a relationship any time soon he knew the next best option was adoption - at first he thought of pets, but then a friend of his with their partner adopted a sweet young girl and Patton knew he had to do the same.

Entering that orphanage and seeing children ranging from different ages was something he always knew he might experience one day, creating a family has always been something he's wanted, either through pregnancy or adoption. Being attracted to everyone it really depended on what his partner wanted and could give.

He knew in the back of his mind kids asked questions, all of them did - no one could prevent it, not that anyone would want it to be preventable. Asking questions and widening their knowledge was (hopefully) something all parents wanted to do, and that most certainly included Patton. However he knew one question he wouldn't be able to answer, well, at least that's what he thought for awhile, quite a few years actually.

When he saw young Roman and Virgil he was instantly drawn over, after garnering some knowledge apparently no one has ever even considered them an option - feeling sympathetic Patton went over, talked, and wondered how on Earth the young boys were still here. Both with contrasting yet adorable personalities Patton wanted them as his own instantly and a few weeks later they were - well, he was their foster dad and they could mostly understand how it worked. They pretty much accepted it as it was, as both of them wanted a family anyway. Although they did wonder why they didn't have a mom, everything was quickly (and simply) explained by Patton.

Raising the two boys wasn't difficult, they were well behaved if not a little rambunctious, Virgil was certainly more reserved than Roman but it only took a little persuasion from the latter for him to indulge in whatever activity he was up to. While their adventurous side sometimes got them into trouble Patton could never stay too mad for long, they were simply two young boys exploring the world they hadn't experienced yet - who was Patton to stop them?

Luckily with them starting school it gave Patton enough time during the day to do his work before they returned home, which at that point he could give them his full undivided attention and the two boys adored it - Roman because, well, he always wanted to be in the lime light, watched and admired while Virgil liked affection, be it a simple smile or a homely hug, he would have it all without protests. (His favourite were forehead kisses).

One day, Patton remembers it quite vividly, Roman and Virgil came home from school on the bus. It had been a little over a year since they first became a family and Patton felt like the happiest man alive.

It started with him sitting on his armchair, finishing off a page in his colouring book when the front door opened and his two kiddos rushed on through, smiles on their faces, both calling out 'dad, dad' repeatedly.

Instantly Patton put down his book, slid down onto his knees to be their height and opened his arms for a hug when the two came in through the doorway. They crashed into his chest while laughing joyously, Patton joined in, this was a usual occurrence every day. "Look! Look what we made!" Roman exclaimed, pulling away while Virgil stayed tucked against Patton's chest comfortably.

"Look!" He held his artwork in front of Patton who smiled and took it delicately, gasping a little in that way one would do around kids, to make them feel proud of their work. They had come home with macaroni artwork and Patton adored both of their pieces. He still had them in a box in the attic. Hanging them up on the fridge he lifted Virgil onto the counter while Roman darted around his legs to let off extra energy he still had pent up. Roman was an extremely energetic kid and Patton always allowed him to let it out lest he have a restless sleep.

"Dad? Dad?" Roman asked, finally pausing to clamber onto the counter beside his brother after pushing a chair up to the side. Virgil didn't mind, just shifted a little away as to not be knocked by him.

"Yes, Ro?" Patton shot him a smile and decided to go over to them, cutting up vegetables could wait. Standing between them both he placed a hand on Roman's leg and one on Virgil's hand. They both appreciated it, Virgil more however but that was understandable.

"We have to do this project in school!" He began to explain, meanwhile Patton lifted his hand and stroked his thumb against Virgil's pale cheek. This made the boy smile and lean into his touch.

"Oh?" He encouraged, Roman nodding hurriedly. "Where we-we have to ask our grandparents about their greatest adventure!" He yelled out excitedly, the mere idea of an adventure, no matter how small or grand, always excited Roman to no end. Virgil nodded in agreement to back him up.

But Patton didn't notice, instead he had taken a slight step back, body suddenly tense, smile slipping from his features. "Uh-" he chuckled nervously and turned back to the vegetables, cutting them up to distract himself. "Are you-I mean...are you sure? Can't it be me?" His voice was a tad shaky as he asked for confirmation, while Roman didn't notice Virgil did and he felt a pit of worry open up in his stomach.

"Nope! Where are our grandparents anyway? I've never seen them before and aaaaaall my friends have talked about there's before!" That was a simple exaggeration but merely because he felt it was necessary, the only family member both boys had ever known was Patton and their curiosity was beginning to grow - for Roman too much, he wanted to know, and obviously wanted to know now.

"Well-it's-um..." Patton's hands began to shake, "it's not that simple, Ro-shHH-OW!" He dropped the knife rather suddenly and grasped his finger he just cut from it, the shriek made both his children silence quickly, staring in fright at their dad who hunched over, clutching his hand to his stomach while taking in a steady breath.

"Dad?" Roman whispered, jumping down from the counter and helping Virgil down too. Not wanting them to see the blood he told them to wait in the living room which they did with some hesitation. Five minutes later Patton came in with a smile and a plaster around his finger, showing them he was okay and they needn't worry. They felt better, certainly, but didn't want to ask Patton about their grandparents again, especially after Virgil explained to his brother even further how Patton truly reacted.

The project wasn't that important, the two along with a few others got away without having a story to tell which was lucky.

However it lingered on both of their minds. They often asked each other what they thought about the situation as they aged, but for the next few years they didn't dare ask, not that Patton would get mad at them or annoyed - they just didn't want to upset their dad, they loved him and didn't mind that it was just him, they were simply curious and it nagged at them sometimes, especially Roman.

Over the next ten years it came up a few times, and each time the answers and reactions from Patton were the same as the last - he'd avoid answering, change the subject, become tense and nervous, fidgety, generally worried and clearly uncomfortable. Roman and Virgil hated doing it to him but sometimes it just...came up, how those sorts of things do, it was natural to want to know but that didn't make them feel any less horrible.

Today at present Patton was thirty five while Virgil and Roman were fifteen, their summer holidays had started but unlike last year they weren't going on a vacation or anything like that - while they would go out to the beach, nearby theme parks and things similar this year it would be more casual and they were fine with that. However this year was different in more ways than that, this year the two boys were desperate, and finally they were pulling out everything they could to know.

Two friends of the brothers, Deceit and Remus, who they had been friends with since starting that school knew of their situation - of the fact they only knew their dad and both had given them tips how to get the answers out of their dad. While they didn't really want to use Remus' idea they decided to use Deceit's - guilt tripping. While they already felt terrible about doing it they felt they deserved to know.

A week into the holidays Roman had enough of pushing it off, procrastinating. Telling Virgil it was today with no ifs or butts they came downstairs that morning in their pyjamas, stepping into the kitchen where Patton had just started pouring out bowls of cereal.

He heard the pitter-patter of their feet and smiled, sending them a tired affection over his shoulder. Virgil headed over and hugged him from behind which Patton appreciated very much. Roman caught his brother's eye and held up a hand, five minutes, they'd let Patton wake up first. Nodding Virgil flicked on the kettle and waited for it to boil, ready to make coffee for himself and dad and tea for Roman.

The five minutes turned into ten, then twenty, then thirty, and before they knew it it was midday and they were lounging in the conservatory, Virgil on his phone, Roman pointing his wooden sword he got from a circus that passed through town when he was ten years old up to the glass ceiling.

"Where's dad?" Roman asked after awhile, voice absentminded.

"Living room? Think he's sewing some jumpers for winter" Virgil replied groggily but his voice was usually that way, deep and seemingly laced with sleep. Simply because Virgil was a tired boy half the time due to his countless late nights and ruined sleep schedule. Roman smiled at the thought - Patton every year without fail would sew them all jumpers in preparation for the winter and usually got a head start quite early on in the year as it took him some time to do. If he finished early he'd sometimes create mittens, hats, scarfs, anything that he had time for.

"Think it's time?" Roman finally lowered his sword but was still laying across the armchair with his legs over the armrest, head on the other, staring up. Virgil looked to the side when he realised what he meant, locking his phone a moment after.

"I don't know..." he drifted, sitting up to face his brother who hoisted himself up, swinging his legs around to sit on the chair normally. "I feel-wrong..." he admitted, "I mean- obviously something happened and I don't want to upset him" Roman sighed but knew what he meant, the two were smart enough to realise Patton doesn't have a relationship with his parents, or seemingly anyone in his family - if he even had one.

But Roman also saw the other side to it, why can't they know? They deserved to know and he'd stand by that. "We're not kids anymore" Roman rose from the chair with determination glinting in his eyes, "we can handle whatever he says" Roman then crossed the room to his brother and stared at him pleadingly, "you want to know, I know you do! You can't leave this without answers, can you? We can comfort him, Virge, especially you! He'll feel better with you by his side, I know he will" and Virgil held his face in his hands, hating the fact he wanted to fulfil what Roman had stated.

After a few minutes contemplation Virgil let out a long sigh and pushed himself up, offering a weak smile.

"Okay...let's ask"

They found Patton in the living room where Virgil said he was, taking a break from sewing to rest on the couch and close his eyes for a few moments. "Dad?" Roman called with a smile, sitting beside their dad who blinked awake and grinned, curling an arm around his son's shoulders and pressing a kiss to his temple. Roman smiled and leaned into the affection, he loved his dad so much.

"Hey.." Virgil sat the other side of him and Patton sensed something was off right away. Staring in apprehension at his kids he silently prompted them to say what they wanted.

"Dad" Roman glanced at his brother who nodded. "We want to know about our family, grandparents, uncles, aunts..." he explained and instantly Patton faltered, rising from the couch and shaking his head repeatedly. "No, no, kiddos...I don't want to talk about that" he hurried off into the kitchen but this time they weren't about to let it be brushed off, following after him just as quick.

"Dad! C'mon, you can't keep this from us forever" Roman stood beside him at the counter, placing a hand on his and staring intently at the side of his face. Virgil moved to the other side, gently holding onto his forearm. "Please, dad" he murmured, heart breaking at the sight of Patton hunching forward, shoulders shaking lightly. "We deserve to know, they're our family too-"

"No" Patton spluttered in a strong, firm tone that made them both take a slight step back in surprise. Patton turned his head to stare at his son strongly - with a look Roman had never seen before. "Yes they are!" He argued, "you're our dad and-"

"They are not your family, Roman. Not Virgil's either" he countered in a stern voice, a tone he had never really used before. He's sounded somewhat similar when telling his kids off when they were younger and did something bad, but never to this extent and it was ticking Roman off. He, nor Virgil, deserved it.

"If you don't want us to be apart of your family why did you adopt us!?" Roman tried to stay strong but his voice cracked because he was hurt, it was no lie that Patton's words hurt both his kids. And he knew that, he knew what he did wrong and silently gasped when he realised.

"No, no! That's-that's not what I meant, I-I-"

"Save it, Patton" Roman's voice broke on him which he cursed it for, "I don't want to be in your stupid family anyway" he spat and left the room without hesitation. Patton waited a moment in complete shock, but when he heard Roman let out a faint sob and saw tears accumulate in Virgil's eyes he knew he had to do something now, knew he had to tell them the truth.

Grasping Virgil's hand he urged him to follow while rushing after Roman who stormed away to his room, slamming the door shut just before Patton reached it but luckily it didn't have a lock. Stepping right in Patton let go of Virgil's arm and spoke before Roman could yell at him to get out.

"They're not your family because they're not mine, either" Patton clarified as best he could, his sons watched him with glossy, red rimmed eyes. "I-I don't see them as your family because I don't see them as my family...I don't ever want their kind associated with you, either of you..." he sniffled and rubbed at his eyes, "I love you both, please don't think I don't want you to be my family, I do, please Ro...Virge" and the tone of his voice shattered both of their hearts.

Chewing his lip Virgil walked over and pulled his dad into a hug, he was a tad smaller than him while Roman was a little taller. Patton appreciated the hug and held him tight, looking up at Roman and reaching out a hand. He hesitated, looking away, still hurt but it was fading - Patton didn't mean what Roman thought he did, and he guessed he could forgive him.

Slowly he joined in on the group hug and for the rest of the day it wasn't mentioned, not brought up once, to be honest neither of the boys wanted to bring it up ever again after that day but Patton did - he knew it had gone on for too long now, the secrets, the avoidance. His sons were right, they deserved to know, he should have prepared himself those ten years back in the orphanage, he guessed he could leave it all behind, but that was wrong.

The next day Patton ushered both his kids into the living room, sitting them on the couch while he settled on the arm chair. The two knew they were about to have a talk, specifically about what happened yesterday. "Dad, we're sorry-" Virgil tried but Patton shook his head, "no, Virge, I am. I hurt both of you and...you're right" he breathed out and clasped his hands on his lap, "you both deserve to know"

The brothers shared a glance, Roman sat up. "Dad, you don't have to tell us until you're comfortable-"

"Ro, I'll never be comfortable" Patton managed a chuckle, staring at the carpet. "Maybe if I finally talk about it it'll make me feel better" he added as an optimistic thought to rise the mood. It didn't really work but the brothers had hope.

"I was born in 1984, it was winter and my mom decided to have a home birth..."

The sound of a baby's wails could've been heard for miles if it weren't for the strong winds whipping down the street and hitting against anything in it's path, in a house quite separated from the rest like every home on this street a mother was laying in a blood stained bath tub, a crying baby in her arms. She was exhausted, barely able to stay awake as the shivering baby began to turn blue due to the low temperatures.

"Shut that bastard up!" A yell ricocheted off the walls and instantly the child was being bundled in scratchy yet warm light red towels, being cradled to the chest of a nine year old while a seven year old and four year old watched on closely, scared by colour of the baby's face, terrified of what would happen if the baby didn't quiet down.

"Shh, shh..." the nine year old girl soothed, but it wasn't working, so with a pained heart she placed a hand over the baby's mouth to stifle it's noises, leaving the bathroom and hurrying to the shared kid's bedroom with her younger siblings following closely. They crouched by the radiator with the baby close, maybe a bit too close, to warm him up and quiet him down.

But the girl knew this wasn't enough. Handing the baby to the seven year old she ordered they all stayed in here, keeping the baby warm and quiet while she sorted out mom who was still asleep. Luckily she was fine, not bleeding, simply exhausted. The bathroom was always cold this time of year, the only room in the house with a radiator that didn't work.

With a blanket she covered her mother's body and tucked it around her closely, hoping dad would come up soon and carry her to the bedroom, which he did a few hours later once his shows had ended and he was tired. By that time the baby was warm and subdued, but simply because he had fallen asleep - the eldest knew he'd wake soon in need of food and if the baby woke up their dad they were all in for some serious trouble.

Thankfully, she came prepared. Earlier she managed to snag a few bottles and fill them with milk which she then wedge between the gaps in the radiator to keep warm until the baby arrived and she would inevitably have to care for it, she had done the same with the four year old when he was birthed too.

Like she guessed, the baby woke up, muffled by the blanket pressed to his mouth. The nine year old had to work quick in grabbing one of the bottles and plunging the nub into his mouth which he instantly suckled on, gulping down the milk available which the nine year old was grateful for.

And that was the start of Patton Ambrose's life. Living in fear since birth - literally.

His older siblings, Wendy the nine year old, Carl the seven year old and Michael the four year old had already gotten used to living in constant fear, afraid what their dad might do to them if he got mad and they somehow annoyed him in some way - sometimes they didn't even do anything, he just needed away to let out pent up rage and that was through hitting his kids.

The mother? Well, she didn't care. She was numb to it at this point. Her husband never hurt her, not at all, they were both in the same boat when it came to their kids - aka, they both hated them. But she didn't abuse them, just left them alone, vulnerable, and maybe that was just as bad.

But of course they couldn't keep the new baby a secret forever. Eventually they brought him to the hospital, let him be checked over and given a birth certificate. His birthday wasn't correct, Patton found out later on in life, but it didn't matter much anyway - it wasn't like their birthdays were celebrated.

And finally, legally, he existed to the world - and his name was Patton.

The first five years of his life, as he could recall, were Hellish. Too young for school he spent all day at home, never going out, basically never leaving his bedroom in fear of what their dad might do to him. The only people he had were his older siblings, but only when they weren't in school, when they were he was alone - hiding under his bed in paralysing fear, even if their dad was out and only mom was home, he was terrified.

No matter what his body had sone sort of bruise or scratch from their dad, he found pride in seeing his children marked up, knocked and bruised, but made sure they understood if someone were to find out, or if they said anything to anyone they'd be in deep trouble. And they all believed him, too fearful to utter the cruel secret they were forced to live with.

Patton remembered one night specifically, the last time he ever saw Wendy. He still tears up thinking about it. He was sitting on his shared bed, with Carl and Michael, playing with the single toy car they all had between them. When the door suddenly burst open they pressed up against the wall in fright, watching Wendy being thrown into the room by her hair, their dad wearing a horrifying smirk on his face as Wendy laid curled up on the floor, sobbing her poor heart out, the clothes on her torn and ruined, arms desperately trying to cover herself up. At the time Patton didn't understand what had happened, but with age he realised, and he really wish he hadn't.

Their dad left the room after shooting a terrifying glare at the rest of his kids who all lowered their head and cowered in fear.

After a few minutes Carl, the next oldest who was twelve at the time, got up to comfort Wendy who cried in his arms, as silently as she could, pressing her face into her brother's shoulder and hugging him tight. Patton found himself silently crying too, upset because Wendy seemed so distraught - it hurt him so much to see her like that and him unable to do anything. Wendy has been like a mother to them all and he loved her very much.

After awhile Wendy got dressed in some spare clothes and grabbed her school bag, stuffing it with things she would need to survive out there by herself. Instantly the three boys knew what was happening, they didn't want her to leave but they also didn't want her getting hurt again - especially Carl who seemed to have understood the situation more than Michael (who was nine) and Patton (who was five).

So, she left through the window, and Patton regretted not hugging her for that little bit longer, not saying a goodbye, a simple 'I love you' because he was so scared of making a sound, of being away from his bed for too long. Wendy passed the care for Patton and Michael onto Carl now that she thought he was old enough, but she knew she couldn't stay there anymore, even if it broke her heart to leave them all behind.

Of course dad was mad, furious at the idea that their daughter could just leave like that, he was also worried a policeman would show up at his door and take him away, but he never did, and Patton never knew what happened to his older sister - he hoped she was okay out there, somewhere.

Unfortunately, the heartbreak didn't end there. For later the next month Patton never saw Carl or Michael ever again. Not because they left, but because he did, but it wasn't something he did himself.

Their father was drunk, he did drink often with his wife, the two were the usual flirtatious drunk and always had sex when the alcohol came out but tonight his wife was out with her friends (which he didn't really mind, he'd always let her do what she wanted) and he didn't have a way to let out tension, which meant he kept drinking and drinking until he couldn't understand what he was doing, his movements were uncontrolled and his vision was blurry.

Grabbing a bag from the kitchen he stumbled up the staircase and into the children's room, they all tensed up and huddled together in fear, Carl sitting in front of them both as a protective shield but their dad didn't want him, or Michael. While all his kids were small and scrawny only Patton was small enough to fit in the bag, so throwing aside the other two across the room he grabbed Patton and plunged him head first into the bag, he squeaked and cried out when his father twisted his foot in a way that it wasn't supposed to go to fit him all inside, he flopped limply and clutched his injured foot silently, swaying side to side with the bag as he was taken outside the house and into the bitter evening cold.

Low and behold it was raining and Patton remembered every excruciating moment - being carried in the freezing air, heavy drops of water hitting against the bag and getting inside of it, luckily it wasn't plastic, it was woven which meant air could get in and out. But the pain from his foot made him wish he would just die - it was so much that he eventually passed out while being taken some place didn't know.

When he did awake he was instantly put in a flutter of panic which spiralled into a full on panic attack, being tossed in every which direction due to the strong current of the river he was thrown into, barely able to breathe due to being under the water most of the time, he couldn't escape the bag because it was tied so all he could do was scream for help while seemingly endless tears poured from his cheeks.

And again, from the fear, pain, shock, panic of it all - he passed out.

When he awoke he didn't really understand the world at first, his bleary gazed stared at the wooden walls for seemingly hours before he finally moved and sat up in the single bed he was laying in. A whine escaped his lips when he felt the dull throbbing pain in his foot, but after peeling back the warm covers he realised it was bandaged up. Laying the blanket back down he took in the entire room, seemingly made for a child. With a small closet, a colourful desk and a chest which upon later discovery was filled with toys.

A few minutes later the door opened and in walked in a lady who looked kind and wore a bright smile, of course Patton was hesitant but that was to be expected - the only kind people he's ever come across were his siblings and his heart ached at the thought of being so far away from them all, especially Wendy. He hoped she was okay.

"Feeling better, darling?" The woman asked in a soft voice, sitting down and handing him a glass of water. At the sight of it Patton suddenly realised how thirsty he was and gulped the whole thing down, the woman laughed softly and took it from him when he finished.

"My name's Dorothy, whats yours, hun?"

And that was the start to Patton's new life. But it wasn't very different, was it? Unfortunately not. He later discovered through an overheard conversation that Dorothy had found him at the side of the lake, caught on a branch, when she left the car her and her husband were driving in to get home to take a toilet break. She managed to persuade her husband to let her take him home and keep him as her own as she suspected whoever did this to him weren't safe at all for him to return to.

But luck wasn't on Patton's side, for Dorothy's husband, Brian, wasn't keen on kids at all, seemingly hated them with all his being. And did he abuse Patton? Yes. The same way his biological father did. He never really blamed Dorothy, she was abused too and fearful of the man she was married to - sometimes Patton looked back and wished Dorothy had taken him to the proper authorities instead of being kept but Dorothy herself was lonely and Patton suspected Brian wasn't going to allow her to get pregnant and certainly not adopt a child. Patton also assumed due to how he was found and the obvious poor upbringing he dealt with before he would be used to it, better to handle it.

Better to handle the onslaught Brian gave him nearly everyday. But it didn't work that way. He may be used to it but that didn't mean he was fine, in fact it made him worse.

Dorothy was a teacher before marrying Brian and being forced to quit her job, so she was a bit more suitable then most to home school Patton. She didn't want to run the risk of someone discovering the truth. The fact Patton wasn't there's and he was also abused.

Everyday Patton remembered rushing up to his bedroom just before Brian would enter the house, knowing if he saw him after a long day in work he'd explode at him, mostly verbal, sometimes physical but usually physical was reserved for other moments, like if Patton made a little too much noise and disturbed Brian who was easily angered at the smallest of things.

Patton hated it-hated living there, hated living in general, by the age of ten he didn't want to live anymore. But Dorothy was nice, she was kind and tended to him everyday, making sure he was fed and healthy, always soothing him after he was beat and generally being the nicest adult Patton had experienced in his life so far. Better than his own birth mother, that was for sure.

For his eleventh birthday Dorothy decided to give him a little more freedom. While she always allowed him out in their garden he wasn't really allowed anywhere else, mostly because she didn't want the neighbours knowing that Patton existed. But there was a park nearby and once Brian had left for work the two left the house and walked down the street to get to it - it was a school day so it was a surprise to see another child in there, he was sitting on a bench, book in his lap.

Seeing this as a good opportunity, Dorothy encouraged Patton to speak to him while she watched from a distance. Awkwardly, without knowing what to do, Patton headed over and sat down beside him which caught his attention instantly. The only children similar to his age he's interacted with before was his siblings, but that felt so long ago now he couldn't really remember much - this child, like him, was eleven and surprised to not have seen him before.

"Hi?" He greeted uncertainly. Patton looked over at Dorothy who smiled encouragingly. "Hi..." Patton whispered back and that was the start of a blossoming friendship. Patton learnt the child's name, Logan Atlas, and discovered he was also home schooled - but quickly understood his life wasn't like Patton's, both his parents were kind and loving, and both of them were actually his parents. Patton daren't say a word about his though, or anything to do with his family in fear of, well, everything. He was a very anxious boy growing up, but thankfully the two hit it off and it became a frequent occurrence they met up after their school hours and hung out in the park until Patton had to go.

The next five years Patton grew to be very...fond, of Logan. And Logan felt the same. Every time they'd meet up they'd become closer, and closer, started to hug, hold hands, cuddle inside the circular tunnel which connected one climbing frame to the other.

On Patton's sixteenth birthday Logan wanted to give him a gift. He had given him small gifts, like chocolate, teddy bears, small toys and things alike for his previous birthdays but for his sixteenth he wanted it to be more special. And he gave him a kiss. And a second, and a third, a fourth, a fifth, a six. They both wanted more, even if neither of them talked about it they knew they liked each other - a lot.

But, like everything in Patton's life that brought him happiness, it was ripped from his grasp for the day they shared their first bunch of kisses Patton never saw Logan again.

When he returned home he was surprised to see a police car sitting outside. When he walked inside he was even more surprised to see Dorothy crying and Brian handcuffed, yelling obscenities at the police force. When he spotted Patton though his rage increased by tenfold and that's when he was taken out the house. Patton tried to get to Dorothy but a kind policeman took him away and sat him in a police car where he was given his belongings - the small amount he had and was taken away.

Patton cried and cried. At the loss of his sort-of mother, the loss of the boy he loved, the loss of his happiness. But maybe, in the end, it worked out for the best. They never told him what happened to his original family, he never asked, although it's always been a question in the back of his mind - what happened after he left? He wasn't given to another family either, no one really wanted him, such a traumatised child no one was suitable to handle him. Plus, he was sixteen years old, people were adopting toddlers and children, not teenagers struck with depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Instead, he was cared for by the kindest people, a mixture of men and woman who each fostered him foe a short amount of time before he was passed on and on - he didn't really mind, getting attached wasn't something he could do due to trauma, to him being passed on didn't affect him, he was just happy to not be hurt anymore.

He managed to get into a schooling system, although he didn't do very well he did good enough and he was happy with that. That was when he met a boy he's still friends with to this day, Thomas. Although for awhile Patton didn't tell him much in the end, after a few years of friendship that really made Patton feel loved, he told him enough and Thomas comforted him throughout which Patton was sincerely grateful for.

With his help he managed to get a job and they lived together until Patton was twenty two, for four years. Those four years with his best friend really brought the real Patton out of his shell, the bubbly, loving kind Patton who wasn't so afraid anymore, who could stand up for himself, who finally learned to love himself. He had managed to get a stable job which really helped his self-worth, after promotion and promotion he was at a point where he was collecting enough wages to be able to live alone. That was great because Thomas and his partner were thinking of moving in together, and only a few years later did they adopt a little girl.

And, at the age of twenty five, Patton didn't want to feel so lonely anymore.

"And I adopted you two, and I've loved living life ever since" he finished, moving to sit between his two sons who silently began to cry through his tale. So did Patton. While they cuddled and murmured apologies, for they truly didn't realise his life was that bad, Patton hushed them and reassured them both that he was okay now, that was all in the past and now he could move on with the people he loved.

But Virgil and Roman knew none of it was just 'in the past', and they certainly weren't about to let some of it stay there.

The next day, while Patton was out, the two boys sat in Virgil's bedroom and hashed it out between them.

"Do you think Wendy is still alive?" Roman asked and Virgil shrugged from where he sat on his bed, "your guess is as good as mine, she left at fourteen, it's a vulnerable age" Roman sighed and ran a hand down his face, huffing into his palm before standing up and pacing across Virgil's bedroom back and forth.

"I want to find them-I want to find one, one of them, I know all dad wants is some answers, closure, he wants to know what happened and more importantly if they're okay" Virgil crosses his arms, "what if they're not okay? That'll destroy him"

Roman turned to face him, "finding out they're not okay will destroy him for a time, never finding out what happened will keep him destroyed forever" and Virgil agreed.

At first, they didn't really know what to do. They didn't want to ask their friends because they didn't want any of Patton's past shared with them, this was a massive secret just shared and they didn't want to disrespect dad in such a way to tell someone so quickly.

Next they resorted to online research, they weren't able to get Patton's home town in which he was born into because he was too young to know, he was never told and simply never found out.

"We really need to know where he was born" Virgil piped up after awhile, staring closely at his laptop screen. "Then we could go to the register office and find his birth certificate, then get his parents names"

Roman hummed in thought, then made a sudden noise and tossed his iPad to the side, rushing to Virgil and demanding he opened a new tab to search something. "Remember what he said? About the police? Think about it!" Roman shook his arm, Virgil glared at him and he quickly stopped. "There must've been a news report! Something! Anything! 'Saved child forced to live in abusive household' or 'child abused by the man who saved them' anything like that!" And Virgil liked that idea, so after Roman rushed back to the desk to grab his iPad the two searched anything they could find in the year 2000 as that was the year Patton turned sixteen.

And, after hours of research, Virgil made a sudden noise of excitement which sent Roman into a frenzy, flying across the room to see what he found.

"Look! Here!" He pointed to the old news article and quickly read out loud 'Lost Child Found Alive and Well Eleven Years Later'...could this be it?" Virgil worried and Roman threw his arms up, "read and find out!"

As if the world finally showed them mercy, this was it. The break they were looking for. As soon as they saw the name 'Patton Ambrose' they knew they had it. "Huzzah! Virgil we did it! We're so close! I can-"

"Ro, look.." Virgil cut him off and Roman bent back down to see the screen, face dropping when it showed a picture of sixteen year old Patton. Of their dad. He was scrawny and pale, his eyes tired, bruises poking out the half sleeves covering his arms.

"Oh, padre.." Roman murmured quietly. Virgil had to open a new tab to take it from his screen, unable to look at it anymore, at his eyes. They were so...sad.

However, they had to push past it for now. Tracing the town the news article came from wasn't hard at all, looking at it on Google maps allowed them to search the surrounding area for some sort of long lake that might get slightly flooded or rapid if it were to rain heavily. Almost half an hour later Roman finally found it and followed up stream but it didn't do much, it went on for quite some time and Patton didn't know how long he was in that river for, still it gave them enough information they needed.

Finding the register office for that surrounding area they managed to plan out a trip to get there the next day, once they were finally finished and had closed down their devices Virgil looked up at his brother.

"Are we doing the right thing?" He worried and Roman smiled, taking a seat beside him. "Dad wants to know, I think any answer we can give him would put him at ease, even just a little bit"

The next day the boys got up bright and early to get to the train station on time, again Patton would be out all day giving them no need to make up an excuse or lie that he might see through. The ride was only two hours long and both boys could keep themselves entertained throughout - honestly most of it was spent planning on what they would do and how they'd go about discovering Patton's family.

Using Google maps they made it to the register office where they thought they'd find his certificate but unfortunately those records had been moved to the local library. It wasn't much of an ordeal, besides the woman they were speaking too was starting to get a little suspicious - especially because the two boys didn't look that old.

Quickly they left and made it to the library, asking the librarian for the same thing she took them to the documents and allowed them to search through to find the one they were looking for. "What's dad's birthday again?" Roman asked and Virgil gave him a deadpan look. "What? I don't remember anyone's birthday!"

Virgil pushed him aside to look himself, "you know Rihanna's birthday" he countered monotonously and Roman snorted.

"For good reason!"

There weren't that many entries on Patton's birthday which was a relief, and seemingly impossibly they found it, Patton's birth certificate.

"What are their names!?" Roman asked for hurriedly, Virgil searched for them and read them aloud.

"Brooklyn Ambrose and Stephan Ambrose" and Roman's face twisted at hearing their names, knowing who they were connected to and what torment they put their kids through. "Oh...shit, Ro?"

"Yeah?"

Roman watched Virgil flip the paper around, pointing at the section labelled address. "This could be where they live"

Doing a quick search their hearts shrank when they realised they were a ten minute walk away. The brothers stared at each other with questions in their eyes, neither really wanting to suggest it but both thinking it.

"Should...we...?" Roman murmured and Virgil sighed, shrugging. "I mean-would it be safe? After all we know now...what if they hurt us?" Roman crossed his arms determinedly, "I'd never let them glare at you, Virgil" he promised and the shorter boy did feel safer in his brother's presence. He couldn't do this alone.

"But if we ask-what if it brings Patton danger? He's gotten away from them, what if they try and come back?" Roman contemplated the idea, "he's an adult now, I doubt they'd want anything to do with him!" Virgil could see his point, but at the same time he was scared, after learning everything they did he seriously didn't want Patton to be found by his past abusers and possibly be severely hurt again.

"We're here now" Roman looked towards the exit, "it's the best way to find out where his siblings are"

And, after a moment, Virgil agreed. Taking a picture of the certificate they put it back and quickly left, using maps again to discover exactly which house was on the certificate. The chances his parents even still lived there were slim, it had been many years since Patton was five years old, but at the same time the boys had hope, and it seemed to pay off.

The house they were led to looked like any normal single story home, with a somewhat well kept garden and beige coloured walls. Walking up the pathway they noticed all the windows were covered with a curtain and a shiver ran down both the boys back.

"What if they hurt us?" Virgil whispered before Roman could knock. The taller boy dismissed the idea, "we're too old for that"

Virgil fiddled with his sleeve paws, "Wendy was fourteen, we're only fifteen"

Roman knocked rather heavily, startling Virgil. "They don't know that" he replied, a glare evident in his eyes.

It took a few minutes but eventually the door was opening to reveal a woman in a dark blue top and white shorts. She had bleached blonde hair, pale skin, dark blue eyes and gum in her mouth, clear as she chewed with an open mouth. Flattering.

"Who are you?" She asked gruffly and Roman squared his shoulders to seem more confident. "Are you Brooklyn Ambrose?" The woman took a quick sweep over both Roman and Virgil, then met Roman's eyes again. "Yeah, why?"

Roman breathed out, he didn't want to put his brother in danger so decided not to tell the full truth. "I'm your grandson" he explained, leaving Virgil out of it. Brooklyn seemed surprised for a moment, seemingly having forgotten she ever had any kids. "So...what? You wanted to know more about your grandma?" She taunted, Roman shook his head.

"I want to know about my uncles and aunt" he responded and she laughed, leaning on the door.

"You won't find shit about your aunt, but your uncles?" She looked back inside the house for a moment and reached for something out of sight, coming back a moment later and handing a paper to Roman who took it, waiting unit later to see what it said, but Brooklyn already explained.

"That's Robert's address, the youngest" Roman glanced at Virgil; the youngest? He swore Patton said he was the youngest.

"What about...-"

"That's all I have"

"No, I mean...Brian" Roman explained and Brooklyn went quiet for a few seconds, looking back inside the house. "He's dead" she finally managed, "nine years ago, died in a ditch after drinking too much alcohol. Drowned in the wet mud and his own vomit" she explained in way too much detail. Roman winced and glanced at his brother who seemed to be at the same level of discomfort.

Roman opened then closed his mouth, the idea of being polite to this woman and saying 'thank you' made him sick to the stomach. He would never, ever be polite or kind to anyone that hurt his father growing up, and that was a promise. However, he had one final question, one he wouldn't put past her.

"Does..." he cleared his throat, almost revealing his dad's name, that would be stupid. "Does my father have any half siblings? Ones not related to Stephen but you?" The woman snorted and shook her head, her hair didn't really flow that much, it was quite dead and looked ready to snap - Roman guessed blonde wasn't her natural colour.

"No, I quit, done with kids. Disgusting brats, ruined my body" she declared and Roman was relieved, he'd hate for another child to live a life with her as their parent.

Roman looked at Virgil to see if he wanted to ask anything, but he just looked away. Roman guessed that was it, really, he got what he needed and through Robert he could find the others, but then he blurted something else, something he's wondered ever since Patton told him.

"Why?"

Brooklyn knew what he meant, why did she allow her children to be abused, why she neglected them and basically left them for dead. "Because they were mistakes, the result of bad luck, they should never have been born and I hope you tell that to them" she suddenly seemed mad and Roman knew her anger would increase the more they were there, but before he left he sent her one last glare.

"I'm ashamed to be related to you" it was hushed for he was a little timid knowing the past Patton had with her, but deep down he knew he could defend himself.

"Just get off my property, I never want to see you again" she spat in response and slammed the door close, leaving Virgil and Roman to do exactly as she said.

They found a bench to sit on and finally looked down at the piece of paper, it was an address with Robert's name on the corner. He lived too far away for them to walk, and they didn't have enough money to get a train their and return home later so they supposed giving it to Patton was the right thing to do.

"He'll be upset we saw her" Virgil said once the two were on the train home, sitting at a booth with a table between. Roman looked up from the piece of paper and shrugged lightly, "she's our...grandmother" he forced between gritted teeth, "he knows we would try to see someone, anyone we could find" and Virgil looked out the window, gently drumming his fingers against the table, supposing Roman was right.

They arrived home a little past seven, entering the house they smiled at the smell of Patton's beautiful cooking.

"Hey kiddos!" He called from the kitchen, "nice day out?" He added, stirring the food in the pot over the cooker.

"Yeah we-...yeah" Virgil replied, going up to hug him tight. Patton smiled and hugged back, rubbing his back while looking over at Roman who was still staring at the paper, seemingly in a world of his own.

"You okay, Kiddo?" He asked but Virgil answered for him.

"We did something you're not gonna like" and Patton was quick to be on high alert, leaving the food on a low heat so he could let it took itself as he went to the counter over to Roman with Virgil by his side. He looked between his kids intently yet worriedly, an incline to what happened itching his mind.

"What..?" He whispered and Roman folded the paper once, sliding it to Patton who didn't read it yet, he wanted their answer first.

"We.." Virgil looked at Roman for help who ran a hand through his hair, knowing what they did was reckless and stupid - but in the end worth it, especially finding out Stephan had died so long ago and Brooklyn wasn't involving herself with kids anymore.

"Went digging, found where you lived and..."

"No" Patton whispered, staring between his kids in disbelief. They continued.

"Went there, we found your birth certificate and found where your parents lived" Virgil continued although it was painful to see Patton's fearful expression. "Don't-" he got a little choked up, reaching over to hold his son's hands. "Don't tell me you..." but before he could finish they were nodding and he made a noise of alarm, dragging them both into a hug.

"Why would you do that!? By yourselves?!" He leaned back and checked them over close, pressing kisses to both of their foreheads and hugging them tight again. The two stayed quiet as Patton did so.

"Do you know how dangerous that was!? Did he-was he there? Did they do anything? If they laid a finger on you-" he ranted, clear anger in his eyes at the mere thought of his parents doing anything similar they did to him to his children.

"He's dead" Roman cut him off, earning a sharp glare from his brother who wanted to ease him into that. Patton's breath caught and a flutter of relief wavered through his body, he grabbed the side of the counter and breathed.

"When?" He whispered.

"Nine years ago, in a ditch, drowned on vomit and wet mud" because if he had to be subjected to that knowledge so did his dad. Virgil winced but didn't worry too much, Patton didn't seem that distressed, he looked more happy than anything.

"Oh, kiddos, don't ever do that again" he earned, cupping Virgil's face and brushing Roman's hair from his. "Promise me" he begged in a broken whisper and the two agreed instantly. They guessed the idea of losing them made Patton severely upset and choked up.

"We did it for you, dad" Roman added, gesturing to the paper Patton left on the counter. "We wanted to find your siblings and maybe...meet them? With you?" Roman suggested meekly, Patton stared at the paper for quite some time - for years he's wanted to know where any of his siblings were, what happened to them after he was thrown away, but now that it was there, right in front of him, he was scared, part of him never wanted to find out in fear that...they didn't make it.

Shakily, Patton reached over and grabbed the paper, delicately unfolding it but pausing in confusion. "Robert?" He whispered, looking at his kids for answers. "He's the youngest" Virgil responded, "that's what Brooklyn said, anyway"

Patton tilted his head, "Brooklyn?"

The brothers shared a look, shit, of course he wouldn't know his parents names. "Brooklyn and Stephen Ambrose.." Roman clarified and Patton grabbed the counter again, not even realising knowing his biological parent's names would have such an affect on him.

For awhile they all stood in silence, somewhere between Virgil left to check the food while Roman sat Patton down at the table, letting him have time to think and mull over everything, the biggest thing being the fact he had another sibling, someone younger than him. He always regarded himself as the youngest simply because he didn't want anyone else to go through the torture he and his older siblings were subjected to.

He looked at the paper, at the address. He knew where it was, a long-ish car journey, a short train ride, he could get there right now if he wanted to.

That made his heart beat faster, harder. He could meet his brother, younger brother, someone he's never seen before. Maybe through him he could find answers, discover more, finally be at...peace.

"We're sorry, dad" Virgil whispered and Patton shook his head, standing up and pulling him into a hug. "Don't be sorry, kiddos" he reassured, hugging Roman too, in a big, warm loving group hug. "You're both very smart and very brave, maybe a bit too brave" he chuckled, tapping both of their noses and staring at them in adoration.

"Thank you for this" he then looked at the paper. "I needed someone to give me that push.." he kissed both of their temples and smiled affectionately. "I love you"

"We love you too, dad" they responded and shared another hug. Then they were sent away while Patton finished dinner and kept the piece of paper someplace safe. In Virgil's bedroom the two brothers were content - they really felt they had done the right thing, and in the end, they did.

It took a few days until Patton even had the courage to read his address again, while Virgil was upstairs playing video games and Roman was outside with his sword he did some research of his own, discovering train routes to get where he needed to go - preferably as soon as possible. He didn't even have Robert's number - he could send him a letter to declare his existence and request if they could meet up but in the end he didn't, he knew that was the mature way to go about this but he just wanted to see his brother.

Two days later Patton was waking Virgil and Roman up one early morning.

"Why? It's the holidays!" They had whined but once Patton explained what was happening they were springing out of bed and changing out of their pyjamas and into clothes as fast as lighting, both incredibly excited their father was finally going to see his younger brother and maybe get answers they all wanted at this point.

The train journey was filled with nerves, Patton clutched the paper tightly, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth for seemingly the entire trip - he didn't talk much and barely listened to his kids, anxiety filled his body, close to the feeling he felt everyday as a child, it made him quite nauseous. He didn't tell his kids but as soon as the train stopped and they reached the station he threw up in the public restroom - unable to keep his breakfast down.

Patton didn't want to take a taxi, although the walk was half an hour long he would rather take as much time as possible. He needed it to psych himself up and reassure himself everything would be okay. Of course he wondered if Robert would even want anything to do with him, even if they were brothers they had never met before, what if it just brings up bad memories from the past?

Still, with his children by his side he knew they wouldn't let him go without a fight, he couldn't do this without them and was grateful for their support and encouragement.

"There" Roman finally pointed to a light blue house in the distance, unfortunately they came at the wrong time. The front garden was filled with kids all running around and laughing, some playing on the bouncy castle, others with the smaller games laid out for them.

"Shit" Virgil breathed, getting anxious about the idea of walking over and disturbing the party. Patton didn't exactly want to go either.

"I have an absolutely spectacular idea!" Roman turned to them, "I'll go over and find the host of the party, ask for Robert Ambrose and if he's there tell him I'm his nephew. If it doesn't go well and he doesn't want anything to do with me or Patton I'll come back, if he does I'll wave you two over, okay?" It was moments like these Patton adored having such a confident child.

"Are you sure?" He asked before he left, "you want to do this?"

Roman nodded and grabbed his hand tight, "look at that party- those parents love kids, they're nothing like the people who raised him" and Patton smiled, feeling a little reassured. After a quick hug Roman parted from them and headed over, walking right up to the picket fence and watching the children dart about. When he neared a few looked over curiously, plus some adults who stood at the sidelines.

Opening up the gate, Roman straightened his back and walked down the path up to the front door, knocking on it to show he wanted to speak to the owners of the home. The door was open to allow children to run in and out, if they wanted to get to the back garden which from what Roman could see had things for them to play with as well.

He supposed an adult informed the owner for a woman walked around the side of the house and up to Roman who smiled at her politely.

"Hello? Can I help you?" She asked, cocking her head to the side, holding onto a half-made balloon animal.

"Ah, yes! Sorry to intrude like this but does a man by the name of Robert Ambrose live here?" She seemed a little surprised at the question but nodded, "he's my husband, shall I get him for you?" He nodded and waited patiently for their return, smiling at a few kids who stared at him questioningly, wondering who he was and why he was here. Same goes for the adults. They didn't see him as a threat as he didn't look older than sixteen, but were still a little wary.

Alongside the woman from before came a man who was dressed up as a clown, thankfully he wore no makeup and took the red nose off his own.

"Hello!" He greeted, shaking Roman's hand. "What a strange turn of events, and who are you?" Roman smiled and clasped his hands behind his back.

"I'm your nephew" he stated and Robert's wife gasped, holding a hand to her mouth. Robert himself went deathly quiet, staring at Roman with an unreadable expression for awhile. It seemed a lot of thoughts were running through his mind and Roman guessed he could have been a bit more...delicate with this information.

He then scratched his head, looked to the side and muttered to himself. Finally he looked up at Roman who was now frowning in worry. "Wendy...?" He whispered in disbelief, Roman shook his head. "No, I'm Patton's son"

Robert's eyes widened and Roman was surprised to see a coat of tears gloss over his eyes. "Patton-he...he's alive? I never met him but Carl told me all about him, told me our father killed him" he clarified and Roman shook his head hurriedly, but he could see why he thought that, then his heart ached at the thought of Patton's siblings thinking he was dead. Maybe that's why they never tried to find him.

"Where is he?" Roman was quick to walk him down the path and point to his brother and father who stood across the street and a little ways away. He then gestured them over, Patton gripped Virgil's hand and did as told, although slowly and cautiously.

"I can't believe it" Robert whispered, without a care of his clown attire he opened the gate and fell into a run to get to his older brother who squeaked in surprise when Robert crashed into him, pulling him into a tight hug. It was quite a sight to see and many parents at the party looked to watch, all murmuring to each other, wondering who that was and what was happening.

"Oh, dear god, Patton you're alive!" Robert exclaimed once he pulled away, staring at his brother's face which he'd never seen before - only through a description given by Michael and Carl.

"Yeah I-...what?" He whispered, astonished. "We thought you were dead, stuffed into a bag they never saw you again" he explained, hands on his brother's shoulders, "what happened to you?"

Patton hesitated and spluttered, but could see why they thought he had died. He didn't even think about that though, it came as quite a shock. "Oh, this is all a lot, I know. Come on let's get inside" Robert then glanced at Virgil and his smile broadened, "another nephew?" He nodded a bit shyly and Robert chuckled.

"Well, George and Miranda will love to meet you, they're your cousins, y'know" he directed at Virgil who's eyes widened slightly, they really hadn't thought about anything, had they? What their lives are like, the new relatives- they simply came over and here they were.

Robert took Patton and his kids inside and upstairs, knowing the party would be alright for awhile without him, it was ending soon anyhow, meaning George and Miranda would be free soon. Entering his bedroom Virgil, who was last to enter, closed the door behind them and watched from the sidelines with his brother as Patton and Robert sat down on the bed and talked.

"What did happen to you, Patton?"

And Patton told him, in short, what happened. How he was thrown into a river, discovered and kept in another abusive household. "Oh what rotten luck" he shook his head, "it seems we were all doomed with a terrible childhood, no matter where we went" and Patton managed a slight chuckle, nodding in agreement.

"What happened on your end?" Patton then asked after a moment, steeling himself for the worst.

Robert looked towards the ground and sighed, "well...I was born the same year you were thrown out, it was me, Michael and Carl for quite some times, six years specifically. I was six, Michael fifteen when Carl.." gently, he reached out and placed a hand on Patton's knee. "I'm sorry, he passed a week after his eighteenth birthday. He couldn't take it anymore, but he loved you very much, and I knew he regretted not protecting you and saving you when he had the chance. I remember one night he said if you were alive out there, somehow, somewhere, he would find you and give you the biggest hug" Robert cleared his throat and dabbed at his eyes.

"But I guess he lost hope" he whispered and Patton turned away, covering his face with his hands. Quick Virgil was at his side, hugging him tight while Roman knelt before him and held his hand. It was all so surreal, meeting his brother, discovering the death of another, all the while staring at the bright clown costume. Nothing seemed real, but everything was.

Robert came back with tissues and the two brothers cried together while Virgil and Roman watched on, in their own torment of pain, although they never met him it still hurt to know their uncle took his own life at such a young age.

After awhile the two calmed down, still sniffling but the tears had subsided. "What then? Is Michael okay?" Patton worried and Robert nodded his head hurriedly. "We kept in touch, me and Mike, very close. It was just us left, it felt like. We left shortly after Carl..." Robert cleared his throat, swallowing the lump. "We managed to snag a job with the little qualifications we had, with both of our savings we managed to find a small lodging to stay in, anything to get off the streets" Robert continued to explain as strongly as he could.

"That's when I met my wife" he smiled, "we became close and I told her of my situation and childhood. She took pity and allowed me and Mike to stay in her home, allowing us to save up even more money and find better jobs. Now, so many years later, we're married with kids" he smiled and Patton smiled too, immensely happy for his brother's and how they managed to take back their life and make it into something happy. Just like he did.

The party ended two hours later, after George and Miranda met their new family (which was quite overwhelming for them) Patton decided it was time he and his kids went home. He needed time to think and be alone, promising Robert he'd be back soon.

"And please don't tell Michael yet, I want to leave it for a few days" he pleaded and Robert agreed.

At home Patton was quick to burst into tears, so while Virgil cuddled him on the couch Roman brought in blankets and movies, calling the nearest pizza place and ordering dinner for them all. That evening was filled with comfort for their father who truly needed it, being told someone he loved was dead, and had been dead for awhile, must've been heart shattering and the two boys felt immeasurably bad for him. They both wished they were born into a better family, all five of them, with kind loving parents.

Now they had each other's number Patton contacted Robert two days later and planned to meet him with Michael in their town as they lived quite close to each other. Again, Roman and Virgil joined and they took the train. Robert hadn't told Michael of Patton, he wanted Patton to be the one to tell him.

The cafe they planned to go to wasn't too hard to find, Roman and Virgil let their dad enter first and explore the seats until he found Robert and Michael, sitting in a booth close to the window. Patton recognised Michael instantly, the same boy he lived with for five years.

With tears already springing in his eyes he headed over and gently sat down beside Robert, Michael looked up in surprise, silencing when a sense of recognition flashed through his mind. "Hey, Mike" Patton whispered, reaching over and placing his hand on his.

Michael's breathing wavered, he looked to his younger brother Robert who smiled and nodded.

"Patton?" Michael whispered and he nodded. Virgil and Roman watched Michael cover his mouth and close his eyes as his emotions overcame him, losing two of his brothers destroyed him - finding out one was alive did turn his life upside down but in the end made it better, replaced a hole that had been carved from his heart.

They hugged and cried together, a beautiful sight, Robert and his nephews couldn't stop smiling throughout and the rest of the day was spent together, three brothers once more.

But, one thought did linger on all of their minds, including Roman and Virgil.

What about Wendy?

But no one wanted to ask, so they didn't.

"How did you find us?" Michael asked, later in the day they were sitting at a park table with a big umbrella shading them from the sun. "Roman and Virgil did it all" Patton chuckled, smiling at his boys. "Found my birth certificate and went straight to our parents house"

"You what!?" Michael and Robert exclaimed at the same time, Roman laughed while Virgil shrunk down, embarrassed.

"You could have been hurt!" Michael worried but Roman shook his head. "Stephan was dead, and Brooklyn couldn't have done anything" he responded dismissively and he realised he had done it again - given them a piece of information that could have been done more delicately.

"That was their names?" Robert asked and Roman winced, nodding softly.

Michael leaned back against the bench, "Stephan" he whispered, face scrunching up in disgust. "Only in our family will my nephews know my parents names before I would" Robert joked and they were all laughing again.

They ended up meeting Michael's kids, Walter the oldest, Samantha the middle child and Daisy the youngest. They were all very nice and polite, happy to meet the new family, especially Patton who was great around children and made them all laugh.

And afterwards, they returned home, all staying in close contact with each other.

Roman and Virgil should have been happy, they were, but they weren't happy enough. Weren't satisfied with this ending. They didn't do this just to leave it without all the questions answered. Patton knew what happened to Michael and Robert, knew the unfortunate ending of Carl, knew what happened to his parents - but what about Wendy? And to subdue Roman and Virgil's curiosity, what about Dorothy and Brian?

And so, without telling Patton, they set to work again.

First they researched for news articles in the year 1989 in the town Patton grew up in to see if Wendy running away was ever reported, low and behold it was, but unfortunately nothing came of it. All the articles stated the same thing, missing girl, a description and a rewards if found.

She wasn't discovered, and was reported as dead.

"What if she really is gone?" Virgil asked after awhile and Roman shrugged. "Whether we're finding a lady or a grave, we're finding it. No matter which, it'll give the brothers closure, what they need" Virgil knew if he were in his father's situation he'd want the same thing, a simple answer to a question that chips and chips away at you for the rest of your life.

From their meeting with Brooklyn they knew she wouldn't have any clue to where Wendy went, so with their online research taking them nowhere they knew what they had to do next - go back to Patton's home town, which they did the next day, telling Patton they were just going out with friends.

"This is the house" Roman gestured to it as soon as the boys were standing before it, Virgil still had the picture of Patton's birth certificate on his phone. "Patton said she slipped out the window, so I guess, thirty years later, we'll retrace her steps" Roman spoke determinedly, while Virgil didn't have much hope he wanted to find her as much as Roman.

The house was on the corner, so they walked around the street to the back garden surrounded by a wall, they looked over and spotted the window Wendy would have climbed out of, presumably she would have gotten over this wall but then what?

"It wouldn't be to outlandish to think she stayed with a friend for a few days, right?" Roman suggested and Virgil agreed, "smart-she did go to school, didn't she? She probably made her friend promise not to tell anyone" Virgil added.

"D'you think she'll still keep that promise?"

Virgil hesitated, "I'm sure all she wanted was Wendy to be happy, with him dead, she doesn't need protecting anymore"

The two set off to find the school Wendy would have gone to when she lived here, unfortunately though it wasn't here. After Virgil shot a quick text to Michael asking, casually, what school he used to go to he quickly discovered the school had been turned into a nursing home.

"What now?" Virgil frowned, the two made it to the home but knew they couldn't exactly do much, unless...

"Come on, we should ask, just in case" Roman suggested and Virgil nodded, the two walked up inside and over to reception where a kind lady sat at the desk, smiling at the boys when they entered. "Hello, how can I help you?"

Roman spoke up, knowing Virgil was awkward with talking to new people. "Greetings, me and my brother are doing this little project, a look back in time sort of thing, and we know this place used to be a school...?" He prompted and the woman nodded with a widening smile.

"Yes! In fact, I used to go here" she chuckled lightly at the memory.

Roman beamed, "really? Well, you wouldn't happen to know a girl by the name of Wendy Ambrose?" And suddenly the woman's face fell and she looked down at the keyboard for her computer.

"I did, we weren't that close but she was the kindest girl I ever knew, she helped everyone no matter what. It was so sad one day to be told she was missing, even worse she was never found" she explained sadly, Roman felt guilty for ruining her mood, but the lady managed a small smile after a few moments.

"You wouldn't know the name of anyone really close to her? Possibly a best friend?" The woman hummed in thought, tapping her pen against her desk to help think. "Yes, I do...they hung out everyday, practically inseparable. Her name was Rita Waves" and Virgil quickly wrote that down in his notes on his phone, something he had been doing throughout all of this.

"Does she still live here?" Roman pressed and the woman nodded. "She never left, I think, she did move but not too far away, I wouldn't be able to tell you her address though, sorry guys" she apologised but Roman shook his head, "you've helped us more than enough, thank you"

Before they could leave she asked why.

Once Virgil nodded Roman told her, "we want to find her aunt"

And the woman gasped, "her brother's were okay, then?" She sounded relieved, "I always knew something was going on in that house but..." she sighed, "I wish I told someone" she admitted.

"I wish so too" Roman responded, "I wish people wouldn't let things continue just because they're behind closed doors" he added.

The woman wished them good luck and they quickly left the building, with the information they had now they moved onto the next thing that would hopefully help them out. Facebook. "Here, there aren't many, which could it be though?" Virgil showed it to Roman who scrolled through the list, they wouldn't be able to find her unless they messaged them all individually asking, and that might leave them ignored and not getting anywhere.

"I have it" Roman brought out his phone and dialled Robert's number. While he might not know who Rita was, Roman knew Robert collected photos, he already had filled three photo albums with his kids alone - if anything Robert would have old school photos.

"Roman!" He called happily, "how're you?"

"I'm wonderful as always, uncle" he replied, leaning on the wall beside Virgil who rolled his eyes at his response. "But I have a question" he added and Robert hummed. "Shoot!" He encouraged and Roman smiled.

"I can't help my curiosity, I just need to know what all your school photos were like! I know Patton wouldn't have any of himself, but how about you? Michael? Carl? Wendy?" He chewed his lip, crossing his fingers in hope.

Robert hesitated for a moment, "why, of course I do! Would you like me to send pictures?"

"Please!" And the call ended there, continued through text. He sent pictures through of them all, everyone but Wendy. When he asked he got this in response;

Uncle Robert - The only one I have of Wendy is her standing with the rest of the school, do you want that too?

And, obviously, Roman agreed instantly. Ignoring the red circle surrounding Wendy he and Virgil zoomed in and searched for Rita, thankfully it was a long frame of every student in Wendy's year, each with their picture on it and name underneath. It didn't take long before finding Rita towards the end due to the alphabetical order, it was thankfully a clear photo, she had a round face with long, extremely curly hair and large eyes, with a small nose and freckles cheeks.

Going back to Facebook Virgil didn't have to scroll for long before finding a woman the spitting image of Rita in that picture, she had the exact same features with the same curly ginger hair. In her about info they discovered the school she went to was the same as Wendy.

"We've got her!" Roman exclaimed in excitement which didn't really sound great, in the circumstances it was a bit creepy, but it was for the greater good. After a bit of searching, they discovered she had a daughter, a husband and an adorable pet dog named Jasper. From the pictures she's posted they concluded she definitely still lived here, for they had seen that background earlier today.

Sitting in a nearby cafe Virgil friended her and set her a message, explaining the situation in brief;

'Hey, I know this is weird and sudden but you knew a girl in school, Wendy Ambrose. I'm her nephew, one of her brother's kids, if you have any information about where she went or what happened to her when she ran away please tell me. I want to find my aunt'

After showing Roman first they sent the message and waited.

"I have high hopes" Roman said with a determined glint in his eyes, "same, but.." Virgil drifted, awkwardly fumbling with the fork he was given to eat the small cake Roman bought for him. "What if she doesn't know? Or doesn't tell us? Where can we go then?" Roman licked his lips and shrugged.

"I don't know, but whatever we do we'll find her, I don't care if it'll take us days, weeks, months or years. I want my aunt- I want our family to be complete" and Virgil did too.

Half an hour-ish later, Virgil's phone buzzed and the two went on high alert to see if it was Rita; low and behold, it was.

Rita - Oh, you're right, this is very sudden. You're her nephew? Who's your father?

- Patton Ambrose, Wendy's youngest brother

He wouldn't mention Robert as of yet, if Patton didn't know him the chances of Wendy knowing him were even slimmer.

Rita - I think I'd prefer to meet you in person

And it was settled the very same day, they waited in the park for Rita's arrival, swinging back and forth on the swings to pass the time. "I think she does know something" Roman commented, "she wants to make sure we're who we say we are first" Virgil nodded, watching the world around them closely to make sure they didn't miss her.

It wasn't too long before Virgil spotted ginger curly hair in the distance and a woman, Rita, walking down the pathway. Jumping off the swings the boys headed over, Rita noticed and smiled awkwardly in their direction, stopping a few feet before them.

"I needed to make sure you weren't lying" she explained without a greeting, "so you're Patton's kids? I only met him once, poor boy was in terrible condition, fearful of everything" she explained with a frown, "I wish I told someone, but Wendy promised me not to, she was terrified and so was I" Rita then smiled and took a step closer.

"I haven't heard from Wendy in many years, she told me what she planned to do and we tried to stay in touch but back then it was harder, it didn't really work out. But I knew where she went, and she might still be there" producing a slip of paper from her pocket Rita handed it over - on it was the name of a village which, after some quick Google mapping, was a three hour drive away.

"She planned to go there and join the church, she wasn't religious, maybe she is now but it was for the shelter, a place to stay where she'd be protected. I'm sure she's there, and if not they'll have more information than I could give you" Roman and Virgil were very grateful for everything Rita gave them, it was enough, hopefully enough to find their aunt.

They wouldn't have time to go there today, so they returned home without telling a word to Patton - they couldn't, not yet. They needed to find the truth first.

The train ride to the village was even longer and forced the boys to wake up earlier, before Patton, but they quietly slipped away and hurried to the station. Today they were sure to find something, possibly Wendy, or enough information to find Wendy if she wasn't there, but they knew they'd tell Patton today anyway, so when he would eventually call them to ask where they were they'd tell him the truth.

The village was small and quaint, the station the smallest the boy's had ever seen. But they didn't focus on that much, they stepped out the station and into town square - it was something straight out of a movie, with a fountain in the middle, floor made with small rectangles of smooth stone, the houses painted brightly and squashed together cutely.

Everyone looked happy as they walked to where they needed to go. Both Virgil and Roman could see Wendy making refuge in such a place.

Finding the church wasn't so hard, it was one of the tallest buildings there. Walking in through the open double doors they gazed around the main room of the building, at the rows of pews, the alter at the top and the grand stained glass window of Jesus on the cross.

At the top they saw a man with a black attire, sitting and reading from a book. The brothers shared a glance and nodded, walking down the red carpet silently, gaining the man's attention by clearing their throat.

He looked up and smiled curiously, "hello there..." he greeted, putting down his book and standing on wobbly legs, moving down the few steps to greet them with a handshake. "I haven't seen either of you before, are you new?"

"Only a flying visit" Roman waved off, then clasped his hands. "You wouldn't happen to know a woman that joined your church thirty-ish years ago?" The man chuckled and rubbed his calloused hands together. "Many people join this church, my boy, do you have a name?"

"Wendy Ambrose"

The man's eyes widened, then his smile warmed. "Ah! Wendy, yes. A lovely girl. She came out of nowhere looking for a place to stay - who were we to send her away? Yes, yes, I do know her"

Roman and Virgil were vibrant with excitement, they were so close! "Does she still live here? Please say she does!"

The man didn't respond, instead looked over Roman's shoulder and chuckled. "Hello, Wendy, beautiful day outside, isn't it?" The two boys whipped around, jaws slacking when they saw her; Wendy Ambrose.

She didn't look a day over twenty, with beautiful glowing brown hair and gentle blue eyes, her smooth skin slightly tanned from years under the sun, and not a blemish to be seen.

"Yes, I'm glad, it's great the kids can play outside without worrying about the rain" she responded, but her eyes were focused on Roman and Virgil.

"Who are you?" She asked, and quickly Virgil grabbed Roman's arm, pulling him back a little to whisper to him. "Should we? She seems so happy, will this affect her badly?" Roman admittedly was thinking this too, while half of him knew Wendy came here to get away from the life she had before, something told him deep down she'd like to know what happened to her family - they wouldn't force her to meet them, and if she didn't Roman and Virgil wouldn't say a word to dad, but they knew they couldn't lie to her now.

"Are you lost?" She then asked, the brothers looked back at her, Roman taking a deep breath.

"No, in fact we came looking for you" he explained, Wendy tilted her head to the side curiously. "We're...your nephews" he spoke slowly, softly. This time he knew to blurt it out was worse than letting it out carefully.

This information shocked her to silence, her eyes were wide and her lips quickly dropped her smile. The two boys were well aware of the tense atmosphere that settled across the room, even the man from before looked awkward, eyes flickering between Wendy and the young boys.

Virgil decided to speak up, "we're Patton's kids"

The name seemed to start Wendy up again, she sniffled and turned away, one arm crossing over her chest, the other covering her mouth. The brothers shared a look, worried they'd really messed up, but let out a noise of surprise when Wendy came out of nowhere and dragged them into a tight hug.

"Patton..." she whispered brokenly, as if she were hugging him. They both hugged back but it didn't last long, Wendy was soon drawing back, tears slipping down her cheeks as she looked between the two boys.

"He adopted you, didn't he?"

They nodded and she chuckled breathily. "Of course, such a sweet boy, oh Patton..." she took out a tissue from her pocket and cleaned at her eyes. "What about Michael? Carl? Are they okay?" Oh, the boys really didn't want to be asked that. It didn't feel right to be the ones to tell her about Carl but lying would be much, much worse.

"Michael's okay, he's great. After you left B-...your mother had a new child, Robert, he'd good too. They're all in touch, Patton, Michael, Robert. They're great" Roman explained with a smile, for it did really make him happy. But he knew Wendy had caught on to the missing child.

"And Carl?"

Virgil looked away. Roman chewed his lip. "I'm sorry" he whispered and Wendy choked on a sob, she understood immediately. "When he was eighteen he couldn't go on, but Michael told us about it, me and Virge. When we asked about you he said Carl knew you were okay out there, somewhere, and that he loved you very much" he didn't want to go on anymore, any further information she wanted to know should be given to her by her brothers.

"Thank you" she sniffled after awhile, "thank you so much, for finding me. I guess no one else knows you're here, huh?"

The boys shared a sheepish glance, "no, not really. We wanted to make sure before telling them, just in case" Wendy nodded in understanding, then looked towards the open doorway and sighed out.

"Come with me, you can meet your cousins" she suggested and they were happy to comply, following her through the village to her two story pink walled home. Inside they sat in the homely living room where they met another woman, she had short black hair, brown eyes, and a few wrinkles beginning to line her face.

"This is Lizzy, my wife" Wendy introduced and the boys smiled and greeted her politely. "Roman and Virgil, huh? What extraordinary names" she complimented, Virgil blushed and ducked his head while Roman straightened up, all proud.

Once Wendy explained who they were Lizzy gasped in surprise, then bounced in excitement. "I knew it! I told you they were okay, I knew they'd be okay" Wendy couldn't help but giggle, she was incredibly enthused at the fact many of her family were okay.

"What about her parents? Are they alive?" Lizzy asked, Roman winced, he would really much prefer she heard it from her brother's but again, he couldn't lie. "Her father died, but her moms still alive, unfortunately. Although after Robert she's never had another kid, and I don't think she ever will"

The relief on Wendy's face was worth it, it made Roman feel better inside.

Wendy and Lizzy's kids, two girls, twins, weren't that younger than Roman and Virgil, thirteen years old age. Their names were Vanessa and Isabella and they were both excited to meet them, especially after learning a little about the situation of their family and how mysterious it all was.

Wendy and Lizzy would wait before telling them the extent of everything that happened. In the meantime, Virgil's phone began to ring, they weren't surprised to see Patton's contact. "Is that him?" Wendy asked, Virgil nodded and answered the call.

"Yeah, dad?"

"Kiddo! Where are you? Why didn't you tell me you were going out with Roman?"

"Because we..." Virgil glanced at Roman, they had planned out what they would say on the phone if they called. "Because we couldn't tell you what we were doing"

Patton hesitated, then sighed. "Kiddo, you can't keep doing this, especially without telling me where you're going. You could get hurt! You're both still young and-"

"We found her" Virgil cut him off and Patton silenced. He knew exactly who Virgil was referring to. Wendy watched on curiously, grasping her warm cup of tea tight while Lizzy wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Where are you?" Patton finally asked, Virgil explained and he was silent again for awhile.

"Can you come home? Now?" He didn't sound as friendly as before. "Yeah, course, we'll be there soon" he hung up and Virgil looked worriedly at Roman.

"He's not happy" he explained and Roman winced, looking at Wendy who looked distraught.

Wendy took them to the train station and insisted on paying for their tickets, even buying them a snack from the small shop close by. Wishing them safe travels, they took the journey home, both equally as worried about how mad Patton truly was. They knew Patton loved Wendy, maybe he was a little resentful because she left, but Patton did say he preferred that she left in the end for her own safety.

They made it home late, the sun was almost setting and when they were close by they saw Patton standing outside, waiting for them. When he saw them he walked over and pulled them both into a hug, resting his face on their shoulders. They hugged back silently, hoping Patton would be up for seeing Wendy, or Michael, or Robert. They'd hate to leave Wendy with no one.

"Next time you go on a treasure hunt for my family members" Patton began, drawing back with a smile. "Tell me. You had me worried sick"

"I'm sorry, dad" Virgil murmured, Patton smiled and kissed his head.

"I'm sorry too, padre, but we found her" he tried to lighten the mood, Patton nodded with a faint smile. "I know, Kiddo. It's just-...this is a lot, y'know? A lot a lot. It puts a lot of pressure on me, it's all so quick, I just need a few days" he explained and the two boys faces dropped with guilt. Patton noticed instantly and hugged them again.

"Please don't feel bad, I'm so proud of you, and I'm eternally grateful for everything you've done, I just need time"

And the boys were happy to give him that. A week later he finally called his brother's and told them what Roman and Virgil had done, they were both shocked too, unable to imagine Wendy actually found, after so many years of being apart. They didn't want to leave her for too long, they were sure the week that had passed was torture enough.

Getting on the next train, with Virgil and Roman too, they headed to the village bright and early in the morning.

"Looks like you two are becoming great detectives" Robert commented with a smile. Roman grinned brightly while Virgil shrugged it off, "I know! We're the greatest, aren't we? But" he tapped the table, "you could have all done the same. You were simply missing determination" and he was right.

The village was beautiful and they all adored it, however they weren't here for the scenery. Roman and Virgil remembered which house was hers and took them to it, thankfully she was home with Lizzy while the kids were at the park.

"Oh! You're-" she paused when she saw the family behind Virgil and Roman. "Oh-...Michael, Patton!" She grabbed their arms and pulled them into the tightest hug they had both ever been in, it made them laugh but they were tearing up just as much as she was, hugging her back just as warmly.

Robert watched on with a smile, he didn't mind, he'd never met Wendy before and knew she had missed both Patton and Michael for a very long time. Afterwards she hugged and greeted Robert and quickly everyone was inside, talking, catching up - Wendy gave a quick explanation of what happened, how she came here and was cared for by the village, she met Lizzy and started a family.

Roman and Virgil watched on from a distance. "Finally, they're all together" he smiled in satisfaction but Roman wasn't finished. He wasn't satisfied yet. Two more.

They exchanged numbers and finally went home later in the day, and for the next month everything was better. Patton was a happier person and often spent time with his family he had missed for so long. Virgil and Roman were extremely happy for their dad, but Roman still had one more thing to do. He didn't tell Virgil, this one he'd do alone, for the likelihood of success was low.

He took a train up to Patton's second home town, the one he lived in for eleven years after being dumped into a freezing cold river. The town itself was quite small, Roman had no trouble at all finding the park Patton had talked about going to on his eleventh birthday up until he was sixteen.

He didn't have anything to go off, so he walked up the driveway of a random home, knocked on the door and waited. Inside was an older man who stared at Roman with a risen eyebrow. "Sorry to intrude but would you happen to know a woman named Dorothy? And if she lived on this street?"

The man huffed and pointed his arm up, "down the street there" he grumbled to the only white house in sight. Thanking him Roman crossed the street and down the pavement until reaching it, taking in a breath before walking up to the door and knocking.

After a few minutes it opened, revealing an older woman with curly light blonde hair, a wrinkled but kind face, and soft eyes.

"Hello" she smiled kindly. Roman smiled back, "Dorothy?"

She nodded, "thats me"

Roman stepped up and reached for her hand, holding it in both of his. "Thank you" he murmured sincerely, "although it wasn't a great home you did everything you could for my father, you saved him, and he loved you for that. You were the only mother to him and he'll be forever grateful for you" Dorothy was a little shocked but a smile lifted her lips and her shaky hands hugged Roman's back.

"Oh, there's no need to thank me. I could have been better, but I was so lonely...desperate for a child" she explained sadly, "I'm glad he's okay, such a wonderful boy, thank you for coming here, whether or not he knows you are here" she winked knowingly and Roman chuckled lightly.

"Before I go" Roman squeezed her hands gently, "you wouldn't happen to know a man named Logan Atlas?"

Dorothy smiled and told him his address, Roman knew she knew, that twinkle in her eye. "Cherish your father for me" Dorothy asked and Roman placed a gentle kiss to her old, wrinkled hands.

"I promise" he responded before turning and leaving. He didn't need to know about Brian, he didn't really want to ask. That man could burn and rot in Hell for all he cared.

A ten minute walk later and Roman was looking up at a two story house, a car sat in the driveway which made him feel hopeful. Lifting his hand he rapped on the door and waited a single minute before it opened, revealing a man wearing black rimmed glasses, neat ironed clothes and a dark blue tie down his chest.

Roman smiled, "Logan Atlas?"

The man tiled his head to the side slightly, "Yes. And who are you?"

"I'm..." you're future son sounded a bit pushy, besides he had no idea if Logan was even willing to meet Patton again, he simply shipped it so much he couldn't control himself sometimes!

"I'm Roman, here to ask a few questions about this man, Patton? Patton Ambrose?" At the name Logan tensed, Roman felt his heart ache when he noticed a sweep of sadness rush through Logan's eyes.

"I do not know him-" he went to close the door but Roman prevented him, "please?" He begged and Logan sighed, contemplating it for a moment.

"Fine" he succumbed, "come in" he opened the door and Roman thanked him, stepping into the very well organised and well kept house. But to Roman it didn't feel like a home, nothing made it feel warm, it was simply just a house.

They sat at the kitchen table, Roman sipping from the tea that Logan generously made for him.

"What would you like to know about him?" Logan decided to get straight to the point, the faster he could answer his questions the faster this will be over with and he could stop thinking of the man that pained him so.

"What did he look like?" Roman set down his mug and Logan sighed, his own hands wrapped around his coffee.

"From what I recall, light brown hair, similarly coloured brown eyes, but they shone brighter sometimes, especially when he was happy. He was pale but not by much, and had freckles dotted randomly across his skin. He was..." Logan licked his lips, a faint smile drawing at his lips. "Cute, sometimes I..."

"You...?" Roman prompted, leaning forward. "Couldn't stop staring at him" Logan admitted, then blushed, shaking his head.

"Anything else?"

Roman nodded, "what was he like?"

Logan sighed, finger tapping the mug. "Very bubbly. Sometimes he'd talk a mile a minute about anything, his infatuation for puppies was obvious, he'd seemingly laugh at anything but he was also the most caring boy I've ever met. He'd always know my emotions before I would, which admittedly is not hard, and..." Logan kept his gaze lowered, he'd daren't meet Roman's gaze now.

"He was very loving. I miss him" he whispered and Roman frowned.

"He left one day, I have not seen him since. I fear it was my fault, I did something stupid and I wish I hadn't"

"You kissed him?" Roman filled in, Logan looked up in surprise. "How do you know?"

He smiled, "he told me"

Logan's breathing halted for a few seconds. "I'm his son, Roman Ambrose" he clarified and Logan stood up, taking a few steps away and leaning on the kitchen counter.

Roman stood up and walked beside him, "I came here because he told me about his past, about you. He told me he loved you and I just had to meet you" 

Logan's eyes widened, "he loved me...?" He whispered and Roman nodded, "of course he did, he didn't leave because you kissed him, he-well, that's not my story to tell but he misses you, still does, I promise" Roman spoke so sincerely, meaningfully, Logan believed every word.

"I came here because I want you two to meet again! Long lost lovers reunited! Even just for one day, please, my single father is very lonely" he winked and Logan swallowed, he didn't realise Patton was single. He assumed he had at least married by now, who wouldn't want to marry him?

"Besides, I need a lift home" Roman added and Logan sighed. Of course.

Locking up the two got into the car, Roman told him where to go and they were driving there, Roman connected his phone to the Bluetooth in the car and played his favourite songs, singing on to each and every lyric. Logan wasn't entirely pleased yet didn't tell him to stop, he'd rather Roman have fun then to sit in silence.

The arrived at Patton's home around midday, Logan looked up at it in apprehension. He never thought he'd ever see Patton again, and how he was right outside his home. Should he do this? He literally got into the car with a teenage stranger without proof he was actually Patton's son yet here he was, believing every word. Maybe it was his heart finally taking over, desperate to see the man that left him so long ago.

They got out of the car, Logan timid of the other cars that were in the drive. Roman didn't even notice, too excited for his dad to meet his long lost love. Using his keys to get inside he dragged Logan on through but stopped him before the living room, surprised to see the whole family here, Patton's siblings, their partners and their kids. Even Virgil who looked close to shrinking into the couch.

"Roman! Where have you been?" Patton asked with a smile, he was curious, not at all mad.

"I-well" he chuckled, "you know you told me to stop finding people from your past?"

The room went silent, "oh no" Michael covered his face, who could it be now!?

"Ro...what did you do?" Patton cautiously stood up, "I did something you'll thank me for for the rest of your life!" He defended, stepping aside and pulling Logan with him. All air left Patton's lungs when he saw the man, the beautiful man he was taken away from at sixteen, right there, across the room from him, fixing the tie around his neck and staring very awkwardly around, avoiding Patton's gaze.

Silently Patton walked over, right up to him, reaching up a hand to cup his face and tilt it up. Their eyes met and a smile broke out on Patton's face. "Logy.." he whispered, "h-hello, Patton" Logan swallowed nervously and Patton giggled, curling his arms around his waist and hugging him tight. Roman watched on in pride.

"Well I've outdone myself this time!" He declared, sitting beside Virgil on the couch who elbowed him.

"First of all, don't leave me alone during family get-togethers again" he whispered harshly, "second, don't go off and find people without me again, it's fun" he pouted and Roman laughed, pulling him into a side hug.

In the hallway Patton had Logan to the wall, resting against his chest comfortably, Logan with his arms around him too, instantly relaxing in the man's presence, the deep pit of sadness that lingered within him ever since he lost Patton vanished, filled in with happiness once more.

"I missed you so much" Patton whispered.

"I have missed you too" Logan responded just as quietly.

Patton smiled and leaned back, loosely resting his arms around his shoulders, Logan being a tad bit taller.

"I turned thirty five this year" he murmured, Logan rose an eyebrow. "Yes? What would you like me to do?"

Patton grinned, eyes flickering down to his lips. "Give me my birthday gift"

And soon they were kissing, it was delicate, nothing more than a few seconds, but it filled them with such powerful emotions Patton teared up with Logan not so far behind. "I love you" he admitted and Logan kissed him again.

"I love you too" he whispered and Patton let out a soft noise of happiness between his sobs.

When he first fostered Roman and Virgil he knew he'd love them forever, they were his kids and the best thing to ever happen to him. He never, ever, not for a second thought ten years later they'd bring him everything he lost, the happiness he didn't know he could feel again, the sense of closure he had given up on long ago.

And now, with all his family here, including the man he had loved for so long, he was eternally grateful for the life he had - because even if his childhood wasn't great, the rest of his life would be incredible.

—
I need to fucking pee

2:42pm