Upon waking up, all Logan felt was an ungodly ache that traversed throughout his entire body, everything down from the strands of his hair to his toenails ached like he had just run in a fifteen-mile relay. It hurt to even open his eyes, and yet somehow he managed to do just that, as he cracked them open slowly. The darkness of Virgilâs room was like aloe on an absolutely awful sunburn as he finally opened them completely, turning his head, the sight of the four of them looming over him made him jump in his skin.
Empathy exhaled softly, relief cloaking his face as he moved closer easing Logan up into a sitting position. The warm vibrant brown eyes that stared back at him, made his heart warm and butterflies flurry around in his stomach. Logan was alright, this was his Logan.
Finally back in the flesh.
âHow do you feel?â Virgil tentatively asked, fiddling with the frayed ends of his shirt as Loganâs gaze drifted over to him, focusing momentarily before a look of unforgettable heartbreak settled over his face. The anxious side felt himself shift nervously as Loganâs saddened stare drifted on over to Roman, where it stayed.
âYou were supposed to stop me...no matter what,â Logan whispered, and just like that, with one simple sentence Roman felt his heart shatter into a thousand single solitary pieces.
All Roman could do was shake his head at Loganâs words, the tears of regret swam in the creative sideâs eyes as he met Loganâs eyes. âI couldnât, I told you that I couldnât do it.â He whispered out, practically choking on each word, as the broken down expression of Logan did nothing to help his own state. The look of confusion that spread onto Empathyâs face, did absolutely nothing to help the matter either.
âWhat is he talking about? Stop him how?â Empathy sharply asked, resting his hand on Logan's knee as he directed his attention to Roman, his sharp gaze pierced the princely sideâs chest. The silence between them stretched thin as Empathyâs patience started to wear with it. âAnswer me! Stop him how?!â Empathy shouted out, even though he was certain that he already knew the answer. The answer that he couldnât bear to believe.
âHeâŚâ Roman swallowed, as he directed his gaze downward for a moment, he looked uncomfortable, but not nearly as uncomfortable as Logan who looked away from the others. Shame burning in his eyes. âWith a knife.â
Empathyâs head snapped over to Logan, a look of absolute horror dawning on his face, the color drained away from his face leaving him pale. Nausea rolled around in his stomach, like a tornado tearing through the trees at the mental image this news gave him.
Logan on the floor, surrounded in a halo of red, as his eyes that would never again look at him warmly. Turned dim and hazy no longer seeing the wonders of the world around him, no longer asking questions in his curious way and no longer spouting out facts about the natural world and the stars above it. His touch that would grow cold no longer pulling him in for a hug, and his lips that would never again form a smile that was reserved for him and him alone.
Logan, dead. Logan, no longer existing and simply ceasing to be.
A cold shiver rolled down Empathyâs spine, the world would be cold without Loganâs smile and curiosity to give it light and warm it up.
Without even thinking, Empathy clambered onto the couch next to Logan, drawing himself closer to him. âNo...no my darling dew.â Empathy rasped out cupping Loganâs cheeks, making the logical side look him dead in the eyes. Their faces were just inches from one another, âNo, I am here. There is no need to fear.â He whispered once more, his thumb drifting over Loganâs cheek caressing it with the softest of touches.
What happened next dumbfounded Roman as well as all of the others.
As Logan gingerly leaned in just the tiniest bit with Empathy leaning in as well. Their lips brushed together in the kind of soft delicate kiss that only someone afraid of being touched could do, it was short, sweet, and tender. Lasting just a few seconds before they pulled away, with Logan resting his forehead upon Empathyâs shoulder.
âTheyâre watching us,â Logan muttered, just the tiniest tinge of amusement mixed with a healthy dose of annoyance clear in his voice, and Empathy looked up taking in Romanâs expression. With how the creative sideâs mouth had dropped open in pure shock. Virgilâs silently stunned expression, with his eyes wider than what would be considered normal. And Patton, who just looked like Christmas had come early for him, as he was grinning at the two of them, his hands raised slightly over his mouth as his eyes lit up with glee. At least someone knew how to react well to things.
âSince when have you two been together?!â Roman instinctively blurted out, ignoring the swat on his arm that Patton gave to him, and Logan tiredly shrugged, the very action seeming to exhaust him at this point. Then again, they had all been through a lot.
âI knew him from before he was Apathy, and our relationship largely stayed the same, aside from a few differences, even when he was no longer Empathy. It was expected that some things would have to change, but overallâŚâ Loganâs eyes glanced up at Empathy, a softness there that Roman had never seen before. âWe took care of each other.â
Roman tried not to look disappointed, he tried, and instead fixed a rather fake, but happy smile onto his face as Empathy helped Logan to stand. So that they could instead move their talk out into the living room, rather than lingering in within the anxious atmosphere of Virgilâs room.
A cup of tea rested in front of them, with Loganâs being the most full as he rested his head atop Empathyâs shoulders, his eyes drifting shut every now and then. He stayed awake enough to hear their conversations, and awake enough to feel the warmth of Empathyâs hand curling around his middle. Keeping him comfortable and safe.
âSo youâre staying?â Roman asked, his mask of happiness firmly staying in place in front of the others, and Empathy nodded in reply.
âI will not be leaving Logan alone again, so you are in fact correct about that.â Empathyâs grin was sharp, his deep blue eyes staring daggers right back into Romanâs very soul. Nobody seemed to notice, aside from the two of them, like a silent staring match between two territorial dogs.
Empathy broke the stare though, as he glanced down into his cup, noting that it was mostly empty, a crooked smile curled on the ends of his lips. âI seem to be all out of your lovely tasting tea Patton, please excuse me.â He pardoned himself, allowing Logan to lay comfortably down on the loveseat before he dragged a blanket over the weary logical side. A soft kiss to the top of Loganâs head had Roman grinning cheerily, even if his smile was way too wide.
âMe too.â The creative side happily chirped, the remains of his tea sloshing around in his cup, it was half full, nowhere near to empty, and yet he stood following Empathy into the kitchen after a moment giving the other time to get comfortable before he joined him.
Upon getting there, he found Empathy just about as relaxed as could be, sipping at his piping hot cup of tea with his back casually leaning against the counter. Another sharp and deadly smile aimed his way, Empathy knew...of course Empathy knew what he was feeling.
âYou better not hurt him.â Roman hotly warned his stance wide and almost threatening in a way, jealousy ran through his veins like lava shooting out of a volcano. Just as hot and just as deadly. Â âTake care of him.â He added, pointing his finger accusingly at the other side as Empathy slowly set his cup onto the counter next to him. Empathyâs smile widened, it was a shark-like smile. The smile of a predator.
âBut of course Creativity,â Empathy drawled slowly, pressing his hand against his own chest in an almost mocking display of a dramatic flair that Roman knew all too well.
