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Would you mind if I request some more of the Logince family with baby Patton and older brother Virgil? Who did they adopt first? What was the meeting between Virgil and Patton like? Did they like each other right away or no?
@radioactivehelena said to onthevirgeofdestruction: 7. “Look at you… Goodness, you’re so cute.” Virgil and Patton? @eviearie said to onthevirgeofdestruction: Bliss 7 for prompts?
Words: 1,999 Triggers: Evidence of Child Abuse, Food Characters: Virigl, Patton, Roman, Logan Ships: Logince Universe: Kid!Patton Adopted by Logince Genre: Soft & hurt/comfort
Roman’s excitement was palpable as the social worker’s car pulled up to the side of the sidewalk. Virgil would have liked to make fun of him for bouncing like a kid, but he was still too nervous. Logan kept a steadying hand on Virgil’s shoulder, though, and that helped more than he could admit out loud. A short lady with bob cute came out of the car and walked up to Roman.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Sanders. I’m really sorry for the delay. There was some… trouble with the pickup,” She said sheepishly.
“It’s all well and good! We’re just so excited to meet him!” Roman said brightly and waved away her concerns. She smiled weakly and turned back to the back seat of the car to let Patton out. The view was blocked by Roman, but Virgil didn’t really care so much. He pressed into Logan’s side and Logan rubbed his shoulder affectionately. Logan being willing to stay with him helped Virgil feel less insecure.
“Look. At. You! Oh my goodness, you are the cutest little thing,” Roman cooed and squatted down on the lawn. Virgil saw the kid’s curly hair from the side, but his face was buried in a beat-up looking rabbit doll. He seemed pretty short and small for a 6-year-old. Virgil looked up to Logan, who’s face was scrunched with concern. Logan must have agreed.
“Come on, Patton,” The social worker urged him, but Patton shook his head and dropped to the grass next to the sidewalk and started crying. “I’m sorry, he’s… had a hard day,” She explained. She tried to put her hand on his shoulder, but he shirked away. Roman shot Logan a desperate look, but Logan shook his head slightly and shrugged. Roman stopped and stared for a moment, deciding what to do.
“This old town can slow you down, people taking the easy way. But I know exactly where I’m going. And getting closer, closer, every day,” Roman started singing softly and Patton loosened up slightly. “And I’m almost there, I’m almost there. People down here think I’m crazy, but I don’t care. Trials and tribulations I’ve had my share. There ain’t nothing gonna stop me now ‘cause I’m almost there,” Roman broke out singing, striking a pose and beaming down to Patton. Patton pulled away from his rabbit doll slightly and looked up and watched Roman as he continued to sing. Roman stood upright and Roman spun around the lawn and eventually a smile spread on Patton’s face. He grasped his doll tightly in his lap and watched Roman dance around with bright eyes.
“Hello, my prince,” Roman said brightly and dropped back down to squat to look at Patton again. He clenched his doll tighter but still looked interested in Roman.
“Hi,” Patton said quietly, half-hiding behind his doll again. Roman held out his hand for Patton, and Patton looked between it and Roman a few times before timidly taking it. Roman helped Patton up to his feet with a smile. Patton backed up from Roman and held his doll nervously.
“Welcome home, Patton,” Roman bowed deeply. Virgil rolled his eyes at how extra Roman was. Patton seemed to respond to it, though. A little giggle bubbled up it Patton and bowed back. Virgil had to admit he was cute, too.
“Hi,” Patton muttered again, looking from Roman to Logan and Virgil.
“Hello, Patton,” Logan nodded and smiled over to him.
“Are you feeling better, Patton?” His social worker asked, and he looked up to her and nodded, but backed up from her, too. “I’ll get your things,” She said and went to the trunk of the car. Patton looked over to Logan with concern and then looked pointedly at Virgil for a moment.
“That’s Virgil, he’s your new brother,” Roman provided, watching Patton’s eye line. Virgil waved weekly to Patton, feeling very conflicted. Patton walked up to Virgil and looked up to him. Virgil looked confused and looked to Roman. Roman just motioned to Patton, but Virgil didn’t feel like he knew what to do. He felt torn now between his feelings and his desires. Virgil looked up to Logan hoping for an answer and Logan just squeezed Virgil’s shoulder again. That wasn’t an answer. It’s not like Virgil explained himself though, it was dumb to hope for one.
“Is your hair real?” Patton asked, sounding more careful than a curious kid should. Patton pointed up to his hair. Virgil looked up to his purple bangs and pulled on them.
“Um, yeah,” Virgil said sheepishly. Virgil caught a glimpse of something purple peeking out from under Patton’s sleeve as he gripped his doll again. Logan dropped down to Patton’s height and smiled at him. Patton still looked concerned and kept his distance.
“It’s nice to meet you, Patton. I’m looking forward to getting to know you,” Logan said brightly. Patton smiled slightly back at Logan, but scooted closer to Virgil. Virgil angled himself to get a better look, and then recognition struck. Virgil’s mouth set in a hard line and any residual hate he had for this kid had disappeared in an instant. Patton needed to be here just as much as Virgil did. Virgil squatted down as well to greet Patton properly.
“Hey,” He waved to Patton. Patton’s concern melted when he looked to Virgil, and he walked right up.
“This is Mrs. Bunnyface,” Patton said and wiggled the doll, holding it out in front of him.
“Hey, Mrs. Bunnyface,” Virgil felt a little stupid saying it, but he wouldn’t dare say it and hurt this kid’s feelings. “Is she your friend?”
“Yeah,” Patton said and nodded brightly.
“Excuse me, um, Mr. Sanders? I should probably explain a few things. From this morning, I mean,” She stammered out, looking worriedly between the two other adults.
“Oh?” Roman said, standing back up and walking over to the social worker holding the backpack and a small beat-up carry-on luggage bag.
“Will you be all right with Patton, Virgil?” Logan asked carefully, looking concerned. “I should possibly be in on this conversation,” Logan said, fidgeting with the buttons on his wrist.
“Yeah,” Virgil smiled weakly and nodded. He swallowed hard as he watched Logan stand up and walk over to the car next to the social worker. The social worker talked in hushed tones he couldn’t hear, but Virgil probably had a pretty good idea already if it had anything to do with the bruise on Patton’s arm and why he was nervous around the other adults but not Virgil. “So tell me about Mrs. Bunnyface,” Virgil said, sitting down in the grass and crossing his legs under him. Patton walked right up and sat in front of Virgil, making the doll hop around.
“Mrs. Bunnyface likes t’make cookies and cakes!” Patton said brightly.
“She does? Does she make carrot cake?” Virgil asked, playing along.
“No!” Patton stuck out his tongue. “Mrs. Bunnyface hates carrots,” Patton made a disgusted face and noise and made the doll shake its head.
“Is that so, huh?” Virgil laughed, amused. “I’ve never met a bunny who hates carrots,”
“But, you met Mrs. Bunnyface,” Patton pouted, stopping his doll from hopping around.
“That’s true. You’re right. Sorry, kid,” Virgil chuckled slightly.
“You wanna see her?” Patton asked shyly, pulling the doll in again.
“I-yeah… sure,” Virgil said quietly, taking the doll carefully. He didn’t understand why Patton would so willingly share something he clearly loved. Virgil looked at the worn-down low-pile fur and the faded tag sticking out under the rabbit's tail. He’d had this doll for a long time. He handed it back to him with a smile. “She’s lovely,”
“Yes,” Patton nodded proudly.
“What does Mrs. Bunnyface like to eat?” Virgil asked.
“Mac an’ cheese,” Patton nodded again, holding her close. “Can I touch your hair?” Patton asked curiously. “Sorry,” He stopped himself.
“No, no, be my guest,” Virgil shook his head before leaning forward so Patton could reach. Patton’s little fingers tugged at it a little, but Virgil didn’t mind.
“It feels funny,” Patton looked disappointed when Virgil looked back to him.
“Yeah, hair dye will do that,” Virgil chuckled lightly and looked back over to Roman and Logan. Logan’s arms were crossed and Roman looked very upset, but he was nodding along and listening quietly to the social worker. Patton yawned slightly and leaned towards Virgil. “Are you okay, Patton?” Virgil asked as he glanced back to Roman who looked like he was ready to punch somebody, now. Virgil felt like he should get Patton inside in case Roman blew up.
“Uh-huh,” Patton nodded slowly.
“What do you say we go watch some cartoons while they talk?” Virgil asked gently.
“Are we allowed?” Patton furrowed his eyebrows and looked worried.
“Yeah, we’re allowed,” Virgil nodded and stood up. Patton crawled to his feet and took ahold of Virgil’s hand with no prompting. Virgil waved to them with his free hand and when Roman looked over, Virgil motioned with his thumb to the house. Roman nodded and looked back to the social worker. “What’s your favourite cartoon?” Virgil asked as they headed inside. Patton just looked down and didn’t respond, stiffening up and slowing down as he walked. “That’s okay, you don’t have to say. Does Mrs. Bunnyface like any cartoons?” Virgil asked carefully.
“Mrs. Bunnyface likes Winnie the Pooh,” Patton loosened back up quickly and bounced into the living room, dropping in the middle of the floor in front of the TV. Virgil flipped through the movies on the entertainment shelf. Winnie the pooh was kind of young for a kid his age, but Patton acted a little young, too. Virgil found the Winnie the Pooh movie and put it into the blu-ray player.
“You can sit on the couch if you want,” Virgil offered. Patton looked between Virgil and the TV and opted to climb up and sit next to Virgil after a moment of consideration. Roman and Logan came in a few minutes later with Patton’s things in tow.
“Hello, boys!” Roman said brightly, though he looked a little off. Virgil couldn’t blame him.
“Hey. We’re watching Winnie the Pooh,” Virgil said, motioning with his head towards the TV.
“Ah, stellar idea,” Roman beamed and sat down on the couch. Patton moved a little closer to Virgil and held his doll tightly. Logan headed down the hall with Patton’s things. “Do you like Winnie the pooh? I love Tigger, myself,” Roman said brightly. Patton looked up to Virgil with concern before looking back to Roman.
“Who is Mrs. Bunnyface’s favourite character, Patton?” Virgil asked with a small smile to Patton.
“She, um, she likes Piglet,” Patton said quietly.
“Piglet is a noble choice. He’s always there for Pooh and his friends,” Roman crossed his leg and sat back on the couch.
“Who do you like?” Patton looked up to Virgil.
“I like Eeyore. He gets me,” Virgil smirked.
“I think Eeyore needs a hug,” Patton frowned.
“He probably does,” Virgil shrugged. “He’s got a great family to take care of him, though,” Logan returned into the living room.
“Patton, is there anything you are interested in for dinner?” Logan asked as he walked to stand behind the couch. Patton froze up and couldn’t answer again.
“Mrs. Bunnyface would probably like Macaroni and cheese, right Patton?” Virgil asked, hoping the emphasis on the doll's name was enough for Logan to catch on. Patton nodded slightly, looking worried. “She also really hates carrots,” Virgil added.
“Yeah,” Patton said quietly, looking up to Virgil nervously again.
“I will… take that into consideration,” Logan said carefully, seeming to understand and nodding once.
“Wha’?” Patton looked confused at Logan for a moment.
“He said he wants Mrs. Bunnyface to be happy,” Virgil said.
“He did?” Patton asked quietly as he leaned closer to Virgil.
“Yup,” Virgil nodded and moved his arm to let Patton scoot in. Roman smiled softly at Virgil, who just rolled his eyes back at him in return.
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