Exposed Perspective (11) (Final)
By: @arc852 and @hiddendreamer67
Warnings: Talk of erasing memories, and jealousy.
THIS IS THE THIRD STORY IN A TRILOGY. READ “A Third Perspective” AND “Switched Perspectives” FOR THIS TO MAKE SENSE!
(Check the reblog for the links to the previous chapters and the TWO prequels!)
This is it, folks! The last chapter!
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Roman looked up from his breakfast. “Well now who could that be?” He pondered aloud. Usually, Logan texted before coming over.
Patton paused, looking in the direction of the door from his spot on the table. “You don’t think it’s a human looking for me, do you?”
“I don’t know…” Roman frowned. “But we should probably hide you, just in case.”
Patton nodded, looking around the table but saw that it was empty. He looked back up at Roman. “A little help?” He asked sheepishly.
Roman chuckled, putting down his palm for Patton even as another knock sounded at the door.
“What’s taking them so long?” Logan murmured.
“They probably don’t know it’s us,” Virgil spoke from Logan’s hand. “Maybe try calling him or something?”
Patton got onto Roman’s hand, waiting to be moved.
“Oh, right.” Logan pulled out his phone.
Just as Roman was going to put Patton down on the counter, his phone rang. “Hello?” He said, answering it.
“Roman, we’re outside,” Logan explained.
“Oh!” Roman hung up the phone. “It’s just Logan,” Roman explained, walking over to the door.
Patton let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, well that’s good!” He had been worried there for a second.
Roman opened the door, only to see three familiar faces and two not-so-familiar ones.
“What’s going on?!” Roman asked, quickly trying to shield Patton and looking at his friends frantically. Had they no regard for the borrower rules?
“It’s okay, Roman.” Logan quickly assured him. “They’re here to help.”
“Wh-What?” Patton asked, moving more into Roman. He caught eyes with Virgil and Virgil nodded.
“Don’t worry Pat. Everything is fine.” Virgil reassured and well, if Virgil was saying that about two strange humans than Patton had to believe him.
“May we come in?” Joan stepped forwards, and with a slow nod, Roman let all of them into his living room.
“I ask again, what is going on?” Roman looked between their faces.
“These are agents Joan and Talyn,” Logan explained.
“Hi.” Joan waved.
“They deal with relocating borrowers and have offered us assistance.” Logan continued.
“What kind of assistance?” Roman asked.
“Financial, mostly.” Talyn shrugged. “In this case at least. We also do memory wipes but we’ve been told that’s unnecessary, although we would like to fact check that with Patton.”
Patton’s eyes widened, confused. “Huh?” Virgil turned back to Patton.
“They’re asking if it would be better to erase Logan, Roman and Thomas’ memories of us,” Virgil explained and Patton’s eyes widened in a panic.
“No! No, please don’t.”
“You’re sure you’re not being held against your will?” Talyn pressed.
“And your agreement isn’t just a manifestation of your attachment to Virgil and his choices?” Joan continued.
Patton shook his head. “Roman, Logan, and Thomas have become great friends of mine. I don’t want them to forget about me. Or leave them!”
“Works for me.” Talyn nodded with a smile.
“Hold on a moment, you were going to erase our memories?” Roman balked. “How rude!”
“We do what we need to do to respect borrowers,” Joan explained, taking note of how long Roman had been holding Patton.
“Rule 33,” Thomas commented, noticing as well.
“Hey, you’re learning fast, newbie.” Talyn joked, elbowing Thomas playfully.
“Huh? Rule?” Patton asked, still confused. Virgil remembered what that rule was and turned to Patton.
“That’s a rule about not holding a borrower for long periods of time,” Virgil explained.
“Oh! But wait, what does that rule have to do with anything?” Patton asked, not fully realizing how long Roman had been holding him. Or, like Virgil, probably not caring as well.
“According to the rulebook, our current behavior is considered ‘rude’.” Logan explained, adjusting his glasses.
“What rulebook?” Roman gaufed.
Thomas gestured with the book he was still reading. “This rulebook.”
“I suggest you put Patton down,” Logan advised, rolling his eyes at the way Talyn was still looking at him. He set Virgil down on the coffee table. “Are you satisfied?”
“Quite.” Talyn gave a nod.
“Oh, this is ridiculous.” Roman groaned, but he put Patton down as well.
Patton blinked as he was set down along with Virgil and looked up at all the humans. “You didn’t need to put me down,” Patton said, sending a quick glance over at Virgil. Virgil just shrugged.
At Patton’s words Roman perked up, ready to pick him up again, but with a glance from Talyn, he sighed.
“Now, let’s go over the particulars,” Joan said, pulling out their laptop. “What sort of features would you like your new house to possess?”
“Well-” Roman was interrupted before he even began.
“I was talking to the borrowers,” Joan explained. Roman let out an offended princey noise.
Both borrowers blinked, looking at each other. “You’re asking us?” Patton asked, kind of amazed.
“Well, of course.” Joan nodded. “You’re the main reason we’re here, after all. I mean, your friends can come too but you’re the ones who need relocation.”
“We want them there,” Virgil said. Patton nodded in agreement.
“Yeah and, I mean, we just need a regular house. We don’t really need anything special.” Patton added.
“Other borrowers have suggested things such as a smaller floor plan, heated floors, built-in tunnels….” Talyn listed them off on their fingers. “Or something as simple as a single-story building.”
“Do any of those appeal to you?” Joan asked, typing away on their computer.
The borrowers shared a glance once again. “One story would be nice,” Virgil said and Patton nodded.
“Yeah, but it also has to be big enough for all of us!” He motioned towards his three human friends.
“A three-bedroom, 1st-floor house.” Joan murmured, typing it in. “Might be a little hard to find, but I’m sure we can manage.”
“Some of you might need to share a room,” Talyn explained, looking between the other humans gathered around the table.
“Fine by me.” Roman shrugged. In fact, the idea of a roommate was rather exciting.
“I’ll manage.” Logan nodded as well.
“...hold up.” Thomas closed the book, only now fully entering the conversation. “Since when am I moving too?”
Patton frowned, blinking in confusion. “Did you not...want to move with us?” Patton asked. Virgil raised an eyebrow at Thomas.
“Well, I mean, I guess I hadn’t really thought about it.” Thomas shrugged. “I still have classes here and my other friends…”
“We get it, you’re popular.” Roman rolled his eyes.
“Thomas, you are under no legal pressure to relocate,” Talyn assured him.
“Oh good.” Thomas let out a small sigh of relief.
“However do know that if you stay we will have to erase your memory,” Joan admitted.
Patton’s eyes widened. “No! You can’t!”
“Yeah, it’s not like he’s going to tell anyone!” Virgil argued, having trust in Thomas.
“I’m sorry, it’s just protocol,” Joan explained, looking apologetic. “If it was just him we wouldn’t have a problem, but he’ll be around a whole crowd of individuals who were recently wiped. We can’t risk reviving their memories.”
Thomas looked down at the borrowers. There was no way he wanted to forget them; not after everything that happened.
“I...guess I’m moving then,” Thomas said, sounding almost like he was in a daze.
Patton frowned, he didn’t want Thomas to move if he didn’t want to. But he also didn’t want him to forget everything either. And apparently, neither did Thomas. He looked towards the agents. “There isn’t any other option?”
“Nope.” Joan shook their head. “If you find a borrower and we find out about it, there are only two outcomes: rehabilitation and re-memorization.”
“Or you’re us.” Talyn reminded them. “And you get to join the best team this side of the Bermuda triangle.”
“Heyooo!” Joan whooped, raising their hand and meeting Talyn for a resounding high-five.
Thomas looked down at the book in his hands, then back at them. “That’s an option?”
“Oh, ah, that was really more of a joke…” Talyn said sheepishly, rubbing their neck.
“How does one become an agent, then?” Logan asked, looking intrigued.
“Oh, there’s a whole orientation process.” Joan gave a wave of his hand. “Lots of paperwork, that sort of stuff. It’s kind of on a need-to-know basis.”
“What kind of paperwork?” Logan pressed.
“And what if we need to know?” Thomas leaned forwards.
Virgil looked at Logan. He would be fine if only Thomas was interested in the whole agent thing but...not Logan. He didn’t want Logan to leave him.
“Wait, you all want to become agents?” Talyn said incredulously.
“Ah, not me.” Roman raised his hand. “You lost me at paperwork.”
“Thomas, I thought you wanted to stay here?” Joan frowned.
“Well, I mean, I did.” Thomas bit his lip. “But really, I just want to help people...and if I’m given the opportunity to do that, I think I wanna take it.”
“What about you, Logan?” Joan turned to him.
“Frankly this whole business has alienated me from biology as a study entirely,” Logan explained. “If I plan to switch life paths so drastically anyways, I may as well put my skills to good use.”
“...maybe.” Joan seemed to consider it. “But that’s a discussion for another time. Let’s focus on relocating you guys, and then we can talk about any big career plans.”
“Satisfactory.” Logan nodded while Thomas gave them a grin and a thumbs-up.
In the end, it took only two weeks before the group was moving into the new house. Joan and Talyn helped instruct them on the best ways to move borrower furniture, making sure that none of it was broken in the move. The house was a quaint little home two towns over, single story with two bedrooms. For the time being Roman and Thomas decided to share, and they were unpacking their belongings accordingly. Patton sat nearby, watching from a safe distance.
“You still thinking about joining Joan and Talyn?” Roman commented, hanging up one of his musical posters.
“A little,” Thomas admitted, tucking the sheets onto his bed. “It just...it feels right, you know? Have you ever had that feeling?”
“Of course.” Roman shrugged. “It’s how I knew I was destined for theatre.”
“Patton, what do you think?” Thomas asked, turning to the borrower.
Patton kicked his legs, smiling at Thomas. “If you want to do it, I say go for it! I think it’s so cool that anyone wants to help out borrowers.”
“Thanks, Patton.” Thomas smiled back at him. “I think...I think I will.”
Of course, the next room over, not everyone was so encouraging.
“Virgil, I cannot read your mind.” Logan pointed out, stacking books on his shelf while the borrower sat moping on his new desk. “If you’re irritated with me you need to tell me why.”
Virgil grumbled before turning to Logan. “I just don’t get why you're even...considering it.”
“Why would I not consider it?” Logan raised an eyebrow. “It’s a generous opportunity and would allow me to use my skills for good.”
“I mean, yeah, but…” Virgil didn’t know how to say it without sounding stupid and needy. “You...You would have to leave.” The me went left unspoken.
Logan paused in his task. “It seems overall my presence amongst you all has been a detriment.” He said softly. “At least there I wouldn’t cause so much trouble and could make up for my mistakes.”
Virgil blinked, shooting to his feet. “Logan no! I-I…” Ugh, Logan was gonna make him say it. “I don’t want you to leave,” Virgil said quietly. “We’ve both made mistakes and caused trouble and all that crap but we’re better now! You’re better now.” Virgil looked down. “And if you left I would miss you too much.”
Logan looked over at Virgil, visibly confused now. “You would?”
“Yes.” Virgil practically cried before taking a deep breath. “Things have changed. Logan, I trust you. And yeah, maybe this is a great opportunity, I get it. But...I don’t know, maybe I’m just being selfish…” Virgil looked away, his insecurities and anxiety getting in the way.
“I- no Virgil, you’re not being selfish.” Logan came over to sit on the edge of the bed closest to the desk. “Your feelings are perfectly valid. Truth be told I’ve grown fond of you as well; it’s part of why I was considering leaving, I didn’t want to cause you any more pain.”
Virgil let out a little chuckle. “Well, hate to break it to you but you leaving would cause me quite a bit of pain.” Virgil paused for a moment. “I mean, you’d be leaving me with sunshine and dramatic prince to deal with all by myself, how dare you,” Virgil said.
“Oh, the horror.” Logan’s eyes widened in fake shock. “How dare I even consider such treachery.” He chuckled to himself, once again turning serious. “Virgil, if my presence really means that much to you I promise not to leave.”
Virgil smiled. “Thanks, L. You staying does mean a lot.” Virgil thought for a moment, another chuckle escaping him.
“It’s amazing to think I used to want to get away from you and now I don’t want you to leave.” Virgil found the irony funny in this case.
“Indeed.” Logan nodded in agreement, hardly able to remember what he had been thinking when they originally met. He felt like a completely different person now. He gazed around the bedroom. “Though I’m amazed by the change, it’s certainly a welcome one.”
“More than welcome, I’d say,” Virgil said, a slight smirk on his face. “I mean, Pat and I have got it pretty good here with some great friends and a nice house. And everyone who used to know about us can no longer remember. I say things are...really great.” Virgil’s smile turned soft.
“It will take some readjusting, but yes.” Logan smiled back. “I think this will do quite nicely.”
***
That night, everyone gathered in the new kitchen, enjoying sweets and beverages as they celebrated Thomas’ choice...as well as Logan’s lack of a choice.
“A toast!” Joan lifted their glass of apple juice. “To our newest recruit, Thomas!”
“To Thomas!” The others repeated, all taking sips of their own drinks.
“Thomas, you are amazing,” Joan said, swinging their arm around Thomas’ shoulders. “You are one of the coolest, smartest, kindest, handsomest men I have ever met.”
“Aww, thanks, Joan,” Thomas said with a laugh.
“I knew you had it in you!” Talyn came over, swinging their arm around Thomas as well. “So glad to have you on our team.”
“Group hug!” Thomas declared, pulling them both into one big hug with all three of them giggling. The three seemed to only grow closer with each moment they spent together, and it was clear to everyone involved that this was indeed where Thomas belonged.
“Well, he seems happy,” Roman noted to Patton who sat nearby, feeling almost a guilty wave of relief.
“I know! I’m so proud of him!” Patton exclaimed, looking at Thomas with a wide grin.
“...uh huh.” Roman rolled his eyes, taking another sip from his solo cup.
Patton turned to look a Roman, eyebrows furrowed. “Roman? Is something wrong?”
Roman almost spit his drink back out in surprise, realizing he hadn’t been exactly ‘subtle’.
“Oh, ah, it’s nothing!” Roman quickly grinned at him, forcing a smile.
Patton frowned and suddenly he remembered all the times Roman was acting weird before. He glanced at Thomas and then back and Roman and he blinked in realization. “Roman, are you...have you been jealous of Thomas?”
“Whaaaaaat?” Roman laughed awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Me? Jealous? Of Thomas?” At this point a few others had sent him glances as well, his act not fooling anyone.
Patton frowned. “Why would you be jealous of Thomas?” Patton asked, really confused.
Roman sent a glance at Thomas. “Can we...talk about this in private?” Roman asked, setting his palm down for Patton.
Patton nodded and climbed into the hand.
Roman left the chattering of the party behind, going to his bedroom. Now that Thomas was moving right back out, it seemed there was an extra bed just for Patton. Roman laid down on this mattress, setting Patton down on an extra pillow.
“...it’s stupid.” Roman sighed, knowing after all this time it was a bit petty.
Patton’s eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
“It’s just…” Roman let out another sigh, this one ruffling Patton’s hair. “Okay, remember back when I first ‘rescued’ you guys from Logan, but you still wanted to go with Logan instead of me?”
Patton winced at that but nodded. “But what does that have to do with Thomas?”
“Well, then that whole weird switching bodies thing happened, and you and I became close.” Roman continued. “And I got really excited because I thought it was going to be just the two of us. But then Thomas started coming around and I was like ‘okay, I can deal, the more the merrier’. Guess it’s you, me and Thomas.” Roman seemed to deflate, sinking his chin into the pillow between his arms. “But...then it started to become just you and Thomas.”
“Oh Roman…” Patton looked sad. “You felt left out, didn’t you?”
“You kept choosing him over me.” Roman nodded, not meeting Patton’s gaze. “And I tried not to be affected by it, I really did, because I saw how much fun the two of you were having. But I know Thomas has lots of friends and I’ve never really had a best friend before and I thought maybe that was you….but then you kept choosing everybody else over me. And it sucked.”
Patton came over to Roman and placed a hand on Roman’s hand. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way,” Patton said softly. “I never meant to choose anyone over anybody. I just wanted to hang out with everyone!”
“I know.” Roman gave him a half-smile, shifting his hand to hold Patton’s own between his fingers. “That’s why I didn’t say anything before. I didn’t want you to feel forced to hang out with me, I already tried to manipulate you to do that enough when we first met.” Roman cringed at the memory. “You deserved to have great friends like Thomas.”
“I deserve to have a great friend like you too,” Patton spoke. “I want to hang out with you, I really do. I’m not sorry for hanging out with Thomas but I am sorry that I didn’t notice your feelings sooner.”
“It’s alright,” Roman assured him. “And I mean, hey, at least with Thomas off doing his new gig we’ll have plenty of time to hang out, right?”
Patton nodded. “Yeah! I’ll miss him but it’ll be nice to hang out with just the two of us!” Patton smiled and Roman and came closer to hug his face.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Roman chuckled, bringing his hand up to hug Patton as well. He closed his eyes, enjoying the contact a moment longer.
A few moments later, Patton pulled away. “Now come on! Let’s head back to the party! We’ve got some celebration to celebrate!” Patton giggled.
“Okay, okay.” Roman agreed, putting his palm down for Patton.
Patton climbed on but instead of sitting, he hugged Roman’s thumb. “And Roman?”
“Yes?” Roman lifted Patton higher, standing up to his full height.
Patton grinned. “You’re my best friend.”
Roman froze, feeling as though this might be some sort of dream. “Really?” Roman gasped, his eyes lighting up.
Patton nodded. “No doubt about it!”
Suddenly overcome with pride, Roman nearly sprinted back into the kitchen.
“Patton’s my best friend!” He announced excitedly. All heads turned to him.
“...ah, good for you?” Logan tilted his head, confused.
Patton giggled. “Roman!”
Virgil turned towards them, raising an eyebrow at Roman’s words. But he just shrugged.
“This calls for another toast!” Joan said, raising their glass.
“To new, and old, friendships.” Thomas agreed, looking between all his friends.
“To friendship!” Talyn seconded, raising their glass high. They looked at the others expectantly.
“Oh, are we all doing one?” Logan asked, glancing around.
“To new beginnings!” Roman cheered, raising his glass high.
“To family!” Patton cheered, raising up his tinfoil cup.
“....to second chances,” Logan said, smiling softly at Virgil.
Virgil smiled back before realizing that it was his turn. “Oh uh...to...good health?” Virgil tried.
“Oh come on, I’m sure you can do better than that.” Roman encouraged him.
Virgil huffed but racked his brain for something. “Uh...to our home?”
“To our home!” Roman agreed, taking a swig of his drink.
“And to a new perspective!” Joan declared. “And a different perspective, another perspective, a third perspective-!”
“Okay, now you’re just spouting nonsense.” Talyn chuckled.
“And a Thomas perspective!” Thomas cheered, pulling his friends close.
