Tw: Facial image issues, crying.

With a yawn, Patton rose from bed. Outside of his window, tiny birds chirped their morning calls, putting a smile across the fatherly trait's face. It was very early in the morning, and he personally felt like starting the day with a nice breakfast for all the others. It would be perfect! Now, what to make what to make...

Patton dressed quickly, wrapping his cat hoodie around his shoulders as he hummed a happy little tune. Maybe he'd do some French toast! What a lovely idea. Just the thought of how good it would smell made his mouth water.

With gleeful strides, Patton bounded down the stairs and through the living room, into his kitchen.

Ah, his beautiful kitchen. He traced his fingers lightly over the pristine, clean, smooth countertop. He admired his face in the reflective marble.

Ooh. Maybe he shouldn't do that. His face had some blemishes on it. Making a mental note to have a shower before the others came down (especially Logan, Patton would hate to look hideous in front of him), Patton hummed and started slicing his beautiful, light bread for the French toast.

"Hm hm hmmm... that planet earth turns sloooow-ly." Oh! He should make a little salad for Logan. Or scrambled eggs. He should make scrambled eggs for everyone.

"Come on, take a deep breath and focus on the toast before you become Patton Scrambled," he murmured to himself. "Worry about the toast first." He prepared it and set it aside, waiting for the others to come down. He washed his face in the sink, but it didn't do much good for him.

"Pattonnnn, you need makeup! This won't do, not at all." Problem there was, he couldn't manifest his foundation for the life of him. This was when he really wished he had some of Roman's creation power.

Just as he gave up and began to make his way to the stairs to go find his makeup in his room, he was greeted by none other than the prince himself at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh, um, Roman, hello, nice to see you this mor-"

"Patton!" The princely trait cried, rushing over. "Goodness gracious, what in the name of the fashion goddesses is wrong with your face?" He held Patton's cheeks in his hands and turned his head back and forth. "Holy mother of foundation, what a travesty!"

Patton felt a pang in his chest and he smiled shyly, shame burning in his face. His eyes slid away and he shifted a little, awkwardly. "Roman..."

Roman blinked a little and gave the moral trait a Patt-on the cheek. "Apologies, I didn't realize how crass my words were." He made a dramatic effort of wiping away a tear. "I'm just in a terrible mood this morning and I have no idea why. Perhaps it has to do with my horrifying writer's block yesterday." He sighed heavily and flopped down into his chair. "I'll never write a script again!" he wailed.

Patton's shoulders slumped a little bit. Nevertheless, he needed to persevere. "I'm sure you'll be able to do something, you always do!" Sometimes Roman just needed a little encouragement.

Despite Patton's uplifting words, Roman didn't seem to be moved. "Just let me go back to bed!" Oh dear, it seemed Roman was in a very bad mood.

Patton held back a big sigh. He rested a hand lightly on Roman's shoulder. "Why don't you fix the French toast up while I go put on a little foundation and concealer? That way everyone will feel happy for breakfast and you'll be my hero!" He smiled brightly. There was nothing harmful by appealing to Roman's ego side rather than his creative side.

It seemed to do the trick, because Roman sprang up from his chair and struck a pose. "Of course! I shall be your hero, Patton!" He swept into the kitchen and began to cook the French toast with vigor.

Patton sighed and his smile faded a little. What was wrong with him today? Usually he managed to lift Roman's spirits with his chirpy tone and pep in his step.

Patton decided to sink out to his room instead of taking the stairs. He felt the usual jolt of happiness run through him and a genuine smile graced his face. He can do this! He'll just brush off what happened this morning and make his day the best he could!

Taking out the foundation and concealer from his drawer, Patton set off making his face look a little more smooth and less blemished. It took a significant amount of time, but Patton was happy that the pampering was helping his mood. He looked in the mirror and gave himself a thumbs up. "You can do this Patton!" He could be his own cheer leader! He could have some blue and gray pompoms- oh that would be so cute!

As a happy moral trait bounced down the stairs, he found that the living room and kitchen smelled wonderful. "Hello- Logan! Good morning!" His love- ahem, the logical trait, was sitting at the table with his computer on and a piece of toast in his hand.

"Greetings..." he murmured. It seemed he was quite absorbed in his task. He had a scowl on his face that Patton knew well. It was his I'm-working-hard-to-get-this-work-done-and-I-don't-have-time-to-talk-to-you-Patton face.

Oh dear, ohhhhhh dear. That was going to be quite the dampener on his mood. Patton shook it off and looked over to Roman.

Who was stuffing his face with French toast.

"You started without me?" Patton asked lightly. He was a little bit at a loss.

Roman looked up to Patton. "Wht dif oou fay?" his words were muffled by the delicious bread.

Patton plastered a smile on his face. "Don't forget to chew with your mouth closed!" It was fine. Everything was just fine. Patton served himself, then served another plate. "I'm going to go take this up to Virgil. I don't think he's coming down this morning." Virgil has a rough day yesterday, and as was customary, Patton liked to take care of his dark strange son.

Mounting the stairs slowly, Patton made his way down the hall to the last room on the left side. Carefully, he knocked on the door and opened it- into total darkness.

"...Hey, Vergie? Little storm cloud? I brought you some French toast for breakfast." He peaked around. He could barely see into the dimly lit, dark purple room.

When Patton heard groaning from inside, he turned vaguely towards the sound. He was met with a low growl.

"Patton, I don't want breakfast." Virgil hurt all over and he couldn't stop shivering. No way was he about to eat or let Patton see him like this.

This was not how he wanted this to go. He just wanted to take care of his emo son! "Virgil, buddy, you gotta day and be healthy! It'll help you feel better-"

"Patton, go away!" Virgil shouted. The force of his voice washed over Patton, and the moral trait realized just how strong Virgil's commanding power was. Without willing himself to move, Patton set the plate down and his legs carried him away. In a little bit of haze, he came down the stairs slowly and walked into the kitchen.

The dining table was empty. Logan had disappeared to his room, and so had Roman. Patton's plate sat at Roman's spot, empty but for a little syrup.

Patton sighed as Virgil's command wore off. He plopped down into his chair and put his head down on the table. It was only 10:30. He kept telling himself that he could do this, but the little motivational cheerleader in his head wained until it finally said softly-

"I can't do this," Patton whispered. He needed to just skip over today. With heavy bones and a heavy heart, Patton made his way back up the stairs for the very last time. He climbed into bed in his pajamas and buried his face in the pillow. He was done.

~🌧~

At somewhere around 2:00 pm, Virgil sighed and stumbled out of his room in his purple pajama pants and his comfy patchwork jacket. He wasn't stupid. He knew that he probably upset Patton with what happened. Just remembering how much force was in his command gave Virgil a shot of anxiety. He shuffled over to Patton's door and knocked cautiously.

"Hey Dad? Can I um... can I come in?" He shifted anxiously from foot to foot in front of the door. When there was no answer, he tried the golden knob and was surprised to find it unlocked. The door swung open and Virgil resisted his urge to gasp.

Patton's room was bathed in blue, with stars twinkling on the ceiling. All of Patton's usually warm, happy lights in the room shifted into a deep shade of aquamarine. The sound of calming waves flowed through the room.

Virgil distantly wondered if he was in an aquarium. He walked over to the bed, where he saw a small lump buried under the duvet.

"Hey Pat... It's Virgil. Just came to say sorry for how I acted this morning. So yeah. I'll leave now. Bye." He turned around and started to make his way out of the room, but a hand caught his. Virgil turned around just in time to catch Patton as the emotional trait jumped into his arms.

Patton sobbed. He sobbed his heart out into Virgil's chest. The anxious trait felt a wave of sadness wash over him, and he sat down on the bed, cradling Patton as he cried.

"Whoa-kay. I've got you dad. Keep on breathin'. It's gonna be okay." He gently rubbed Patton's back and waited it out.

After several minutes, Patton revealed his red and puffy eyes, choking out his words between sobs. "I just- I wanted to help everyone- but I... I don't know how Virgil! I-I try! But everyone is so down a-and I don't know what to do about it! I just want everyone to be happy!" The sobs took over again and Patton clung to his counterpart weakly.

So that's what this was about. "Oh dad..." Virgil almost didn't know what to say. He squeezed Patton lightly and a rush of memories burst to mind. The French toast, Logan's blank stare at the computer, Roman and the left over empty plate, Roman's harsh words, it all sank into Virgil like a large weight being attached to his chest. He imagined this was only a little of what Patton felt like right now. No wonder Virgil's friend was such a mess.

Now Virgil has the words. "I'm so sorry Patton... if I'd known... I wouldn't have acted the way I did. That was unfair of me. Look, I'm not that great with crying or emotions, but you should know that it's not your job to make everyone happy. It's your job to keep Thomas safe and keep his soul good or whatever. Just because everyone's having an off day, that doesn't make it your fault. You did everything you could."

Patton's sobs quieted, slowly but surely. He sighed and nuzzled weakly into Virgil's chest. "I just want everyone to be happy," he sniffled sadly.

"Well," Virgil said, "like in one of our favorite movies, Joy wanted Riley to be happy too. But Riley also had to be sad, remember?" He gave the other a little pat-pat on the shoulder.

Patton blinked owlishly and looked up at Virgil. "Oh yeah..." she had to let Riley be sad. And then Riley could be happy again.

It was like pieces of the puzzle that he hadn't been able to find were clicking into place. "So I don't have to make them happy all the time... sometimes it's better to let them be sad..." a huge weight was lifted from Patton's heart and the room began to glow with soft orange hues, like a beautiful sunrise.

Virgil looked around the room and did a trademark half smile. "Yeah Patton. It's not your job, or your fault."

Patton gave Virgil a sad quirk of the lips and sighed softly. "Thanks V." He nestled down into his covers and Virgil's chest. After all that crying, Patton needed a sleep reset. And he wasn't about to let go of Virgil.

It seemed that Virgil wasn't upset with this development. He settled himself onto the pillows and pet Patton's hair a little bit. "You're welcome, dad."

Soon, they both fell asleep to the calming sound of waves and the sweet smell of French toast.