Chapter. 2 Parenting done left
Roman sat at the dining room table nervously. He watched as the old oak wood creaked silently under the new pressure it was under. This was Logan’s house and judging by the silent creaking of the table, it hadn’t been used very often.
Some dust had accumulated on Roman’s side of the table, while the other end seemed to have a little less dust. Judging by the lack of dust on the other end, one could easily see where it had been wiped. Leaving a perfect circle shape free of dust, which Roman assumed would be where Logan put his plate every meal.
Letting out a soft sigh, Roman knew he’d have to face the inevitable eventually. So he did what any brave knight would do in a battle and turned to face his fears. Slowly looking up from the dust particles he had been examining, Roman nervously made eye contact with Logan.
Logan sat across the table from him. His arms were up and leaning against the table, while his hands covered his mouth partly. Logan had been watching him silently the entire time, with an unreadable expression.
Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand, Roman let out another small sigh, “So umm da-“ Before Roman could finish what he was saying Logan cut him off, “Father is more adequate” he stated looking a little annoyed.
“Ok fine” Roman said in an annoyed huff. Roman was already out of his comfort zone and he felt that it didn’t help that Logan wasn’t giving him much to go off of, “....Father” he started eyeing Logan curiously, the man didn’t react, “..As the eldest son, I believe I am ready to go into the outside world, the unknown and defeat any foul beasts who cross my path!” Roman finished proudly, doing a pose in his seat to emphasize.
Logan let out an annoyed exhale through his nose, as he straightened his back and held his gaze with his son, “Roman that is an unrealistic approach” this flabbergasted Roman but before he could reply, Logan continued, “You should be studying and getting ready to apply to different universities, son” Logan ended softly.
To say Roman was shocked at the tiny hint of softness in his voice was an understatement. Roman’s mouth hang agape still facing Logan. After a few moments of Logan raising his eye brow at him, it finally clicked. Realizing his mistake Logan internally decided to go harder on Roman, as it seemed his son would be the type to try and fight it. So Logan decided to get a head start, “Furthermore I believe someone simply leaving to go and ‘defeat any foul beast’ is already an unrealistic task, but is also incredibly dangerous!”
Logan warned keeping his gaze on Roman, who seemed to snap out of his shocked gaze. A look of unease seemed to set into him, but Logan continued, “From now on you will be studying these books, while I search for the best university options for you” as he states this, Logan places 6 huge books onto the table and slides them over to him.
Roman attempts to protest but is cut off before he could speak, “Though I admire your habit of looking after your physical fitness more than the others, you also need to drink five to eight glasses of water per day” taking a breath, Logan continues, “You also need to follow a regular sleep schedule, yes even on weekends and have a consistent and healthy diet. However we haven’t gone into the specifics of those yet, I as your father would be glad to help you along” once he’s finished, Logan slides a bottle of water towards Roman.
At this Roman stands up from the table, pushing his chair back as it loudly screeched against the hardwood floor. Roman puffed out his chest as he looked directly at Logan, “Father, I will not read your stupid b-books and live a life style of water guzzling!!” Roman shouted, letting his own anger and inner turmoil seep in.
Quietly Logan stood up from the table, gently pushing his chair back and crossed his arms over his chest, “Roman you are acting incredibly disrespectful towards your father!” He states angrily, “Sit back down and I just might let this slip” Logan warned. He watched as his son began to puff his chest out even more, take a defensive stance and shout back,
“I am not! I’m just trying to defend my hopes and dreams! Rather you support me on that or not; I’m going to explore the world anyways!!” Roman stood his ground as him and Logan both had a stare off, neither of them blinking.
Logan felt his face flush red as he let his anger get the best of him. He had already lost one son, he was not ready to loose the other. Rather if it was to Patton or the world, Logan didn’t want to loose him. He didn’t want Patton to win, “ROMAN YOU ARE NOT LEAVING RATHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!” He shouted back, feeling his throat burn from not having yelled in so long.
At this Roman stomped his foot on the ground, almost as if he was having a fit, “I WILL NOT BE THE PRINCE OR PRINCESS WHO IS STUCK IN A TOWER MY WHOLE LIFE, I WANT TO BE THE HERO OF THE STORY!!!” Roman’s face was flushed as well from anger as he stared his father down.
Logan didn’t seem to appreciate this and seemed as if he was going to respond even louder. But right as he opened his mouth, what came out was not something Roman had been expecting. No instead he heard a very soft voice, bearly audible say, “I will lock the door..”
At that Roman sat down defeated at his seat. Crossing his arms, looking to the side and began to pout. Logan still hadn’t moved from his spot as Roman began to think of other ways to escape. He could climb out a window, he could play dead, he could beg for the two to go to a store; Roman kept thinking.
After several minutes, Logan let out an annoyed sigh. Wiping his hand down his face slowly, the father figure began to calm down. For now it seemed Roman would comply, for now it Logan had won. Letting his gaze drop for a moment, Logan looked at the clock.
It was late in the evening, but he felt like they could get some work done for the next two hours. Sitting back down in his chair Logan slid a maths book towards Roman, earning a helpless groan from his son.
***Meanwhile in another house***
“Hey kiddo! want to make some cookies?” Patton asks cheerfully as he watches his son from the couch he sat on.
Virgil sat to one corner of the lumpy beige couch. He had curled into a ball on the right side of the couch when Patton brought him here. The couch in Patton’s living room was right across from a nice flatscreen tv. He had been in a heavy daze the entier time, until Patton asked about the cookies.
“Hmmm? Oh um uh...s-sure?” Virgil responded nervously from his place on the couch, not sure if he’d over stayed his welcome or not.
Patton didn’t miss the look of unease Virgil had in his eyes. Smile dropping at the sight, Patton decided he wanted to make his son happy or at least find out what was bothering him first. Patton asked if he could sit next to him, which Virgil nervously accepted. This too didn’t go unnoticed by Patton.
Patton sat down in the middle of the couch; not too close and not too far from his son. Giving Virgil a sympathetic look Patton turned back to the tv and let a random disney film play. He had mainly turn the tv on as a background noise, in hopes it would help Virgil calm down. Eventually Virgil calmed down enough and was silently watching the movie. Patton took this as an opportunity to go get some pre made cookies from a packet.
Coming back to the couch and sitting down gently, Patton lightly poked Virgil. He seemed to startle a little, before giving Patton a wide eyed look and silently took one. The two sat there eating the cookies, while watching the movie in silence. Unknown to Virgil however Patton kept taking a few secret glances at his son, making sure if he was alright.
After a while Virgil seemed to start nodding off. But every time he’d get close to falling asleep, he’d force his eyes to stay open. At first Patton just thought his son wanted to stay up and watch the movie. But after a few times of watching him out of the corner of this eye, Patton could see a look of worry appear on his face; every time Virgil nearly fell asleep entirely.
Virgil began blinking his eyes rapidly, before straightening up into a sitting position and giving Patton a nervous look. At this Patton turned his full attention to his son before he could stop himself and asked, “What’s the matter kiddo?”
Virgil quickly began to stammer a bunch of apologies and telling Patton it was nothing. But the father figure could easily tell there was something definitely bothering his son. Scooting just a tiny bit closer to Virgil, Patton tried again, “Virgil, are you ok?” At this Virgil’s nervousness grew to the point he began fidgeting with his sleeves.
Seeing this, Patton immediately held up both his hands in defense, “Hey Kiddo, it’s ok” he paused making sure Virgil was looking up at him. He was and by the looks of it Virgil had calmed a little at the sound of Patton’s soft voice, “I’m not trying to hurt you, Virgil. I just want figure out, what’s wrong?” Patton finished off with the softest and least threatening voice he could muster.
This seemed to work, as Virgil visibly calmed down more. But was still watching Patton with nervous eyes. The father figure smiled at the sight, Virgil had calmed down a lot just by listening to his voice.
Gently opening his arms as an invitation, Patton tilted his head and gave Virgil a soft smile. He was trying to pull his son in with his friendly charm and it worked. Slowly and nervously, Virgil scooted closer to Patton on the couch. Eventually Virgil had found himself half sitting on his father’s lap, with his face pressed against Patton’s chest. Letting out a soft sigh, Virgil cuddled a little closer hoping he could fall asleep soon and forget everything.
Unfortunately to him, it seemed Patton wasn’t going to let his son get away with that. Patton began rubbing slow circles gently on Virgil’s back, as he place his head on top his son’s head. Patton let out a low hum, “Virgil could you please tell me what’s wrong?” He asked softly. Patton stopped rubbing Virgil’s back, but still kept his arms wrapped around his back; much to Virgil’s dismay.
Letting out a sigh of defeat Virgil turned his head to the side, so he could look up at Patton. Patton was already looking down at him, with the fondest look anyone could ever have. Looking away Virgil began to speak, “T-the argument you and Logan had today” he paused swallowing a thick ball in his throat. Looking up shyly Virgil froze when he saw Patton stiffened and seemed to be staring at the blank wall behind the tv.
Virgil shrunk in more on himself at this and hid his face from sight. Patton’s hold on him seemed to tighten, as he felt Patton’s grip loosen and hold him closer, “I-it was...kinda scary” he finished softly.
At this Patton softly kissed the top of Virgil’s head, “I’m sorry that we scared you kiddo” he said in a soft voice. Virgil rubbed his head softly against Patton’s chest, hoping the father figure would understand that as an acceptance of the apology.
“...it’s ok” Virgil mumbled before wrapping his arms around Patton, “T-thanks dad”
@kingalexdreaming @misplaced-my-notes