description: Snow globes were special things. They were a link to one’s soulmate, a way to find the person that would complete them. Each sn
A unique soulmate au lamp ( I love it)
Party Rocker Please stop my house can’t take it
Soulmate au where your tattoo shows the first thing your soulmate thought when they saw you
Well here's some romantic lamp idk this is reall
First thought Soulmate au but they all met in the span of two days
I’m Here
Summary: Patton has soulmates. For most people, that wouldn’t be a problem… But Patton isn’t most people. Words: 4,155 Author’s Note: I had
Soulmate writing but Patton is abused for having too many soulmates, later problems with overthinking.
Home is Where the Heart Is
Here it is! The second installment of my college soulmate au! Like the first, this one will be pretty long, so buckle up! I actually had to
A sander sides college au but with soulmates too LAMP forever.
Stains of the Soul
Here it is! The Au I mentioned here. As stated in the announcement post, this piece was inspired by the works of @altruistic-skittles, @soci
Virgil abused for soulmates, but always loves anyways.
I Can’t Be
Summary: Everyone is given a watch at birth that counts down to the moment you meet your soulmate. Sadly, Virgil’s watch is broken, so he’ll
LAMP soulmate but Virgil thinks his soulmate clock is broken.
How to Deal with more than One Soulmate
-me from down the aisle- IM ALWAYS A SLUT FOR @em-be-lievable‘S AUS. anyway take this mess of a fic based off this!!!!! super duper prompt.
No shipping really happens but Deciet and Virgil human au were they talk about their soulmates rooms because it’s that on soulmate au were they switch for a day and they both have more then one soulmate.
HIS WORDS
Ok, so. As a fluff writer I feel it is my job to write as many soulmate AUs as humanly possible. So here is “that one with the words on the
Just a lamp one shot with soulmates and Punk!Logan
Soulmates? Soulmates.
Summery: So, I hit 100 followers a while ago and wanted to do something so here’s a Soulmate AU (where the first thing your soulmate says to
The first words soulmate au, just a cute 2 parts
DLAMP
Again, late but I’m spam posting everything right now and can careless about people judging me for posting these like 2 or 3 weeks late. Com
Human AU in which Logan and Patton are married and have fostered and/or adopted Virgil (3 then & 17 now), Remy (2 then & 14 now), and twins Roman and Remus (5 then & almost 7 now). Logan works for NASA, and Patton owns and manages a doggy day care/boarding facility.
Story: Remus is having a d a y, and he and Patton have some healing to do. (Family slice of life with paternal Hurt/Comfort; probably angst, too lol sorry)
⚠️WARNINGS⚠️: blood, classmate bullying, crying, sibling bullying, hitting, angry/tense speech, yelling/arguing, implied past abuse, mention of The Exorcist ((Please let me know if I missed anything!!))
A/N: I didn’t feel like doing the whole stutter/cry/talk thing, so use your imagination at those parts. There’s a lot. ALSO HUGE sorry if this feels OOC; I went a little wild. I saw some parenting post on Facebook and got emotional.
BEFORE READING: If you don’t know what a five star slap is: it’s when someone hits someone’s bare skin so hard that it leaves a clear five finger handprint red mark.
It’s 3:47pm on a Thursday, which means two things. 1) It’s Patton’s day off, so he’s gotten a lot done at home. 2) The peace of the house is about to be shattered by four of Patton’s five favorite people. This actually means three things if Patton’s excitement to see his children counts, but his building elation is flattened when the car doors are thrown open.
“Oh my GOD, Remus!”
The chaos erupts before Patton can even see the cause, and just as he reaches the door between the kitchen and garage, it’s flung open, nearly hitting Patton in the process. Virgil stumbles through with a whimpering Roman curled in his arms.
“Oh, sh-sorry, Dad.” Virgil stops abruptly, and Roman turns in his brother’s arms, reaching blindly for his father as tears pour from his eyes.
“Oooh, baby.” Patton coos as he takes Roman into his arms. “What’s wrong, my Little Prince?”
“Remus.” Remy trudges in, dragging a violently wriggling Remus in his arms. “We tried to stop him, but nothing we do scares him!” Remy suddenly releases his brother, and the six-year-old falls to the floor giggling maniacally. “You nasty little son of a-“
“Remy.”
“Dad! He licked me!!”
“Remus, what have we said about licking your brothers?”
“Do it all the time! It keeps them clean!” The twin darts back and forth behind his older brothers’ legs, dodging an unseen enemy.
“No, Re...The opposite, actually.” Roman trembles in Patton’s arms as he tries to rein in his cries, and Patton hugs him tightly. “So who’s going to fill me in on how Re made Ro cry?”
Virgil sighs and runs a hand down his face. “Looks like Remus learned a new trick at school today and tried it out on Roman. Multiple. Times.”
“It’s called a five star slap!” Remus announces proudly, squirming out from behind his brothers to pose in front of his father. “You wind up real good like this, and then-”
“Remus. Enough.”
Remus flinches but quiets, still bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Virgil, please get Roman some ice for his back and take him upstairs. I need to talk to Remus alone.”
“Yeah, Dad.” Virgil quietly retrieves a baggy and fills it with ice; he smiles softly as he opens his arms and coaxes Roman toward him. The younger brother whines when Patton’s grip loosens, clinging to his father’s shirt with tears threatening to spill again. “Come on, Ro. We can watch whatever movie you want in the bonus room, okay? Dad needs to talk to Remus. Please?”
Roman sniffs but reluctantly relents, instantly hugging his brother around his neck as they turn and head to the second floor. Roman waves good bye to his father with a sad frown before they disappear up the stairs.
“Remus.” Patton’s voice is ice; his normally soft eyes are hard as stone as he gestures with his pointer finger. “Come here. Now.”
Remy attempts to grab his brother by the arm and drag him over, but Patton puts his hand up and knocks him back with a glare.
“Just Remus. On his own.”
Remus shuffles forward inch by inch with a dark scowl on his tiny features, all traces of the energy from before channeled to frustration.
Some of the kids on the playground tell Remus that he’s a freak for having two dads, and others think he’s lucky. Remus disagrees with both, believing that two dads just means two different types of punishment. To Remus, Papa Logan is more reasonable; he says Remus needs to let his “natural exuberance” and “niche interests” out to maintain his mental health, though sometimes even Papa gets frustrated with him. Daddy Patton is the one who silences and punishes him for being himself but praises and supports Roman for being himself. Parents aren’t supposed to have favorites, but Roman clearly ranks above Remus with Patton, and that makes him livid.
So when he finally reaches Patton, Remus stops just inches away from him in an over exaggerated show of obedience; he looks up and straight into Patton’s eyes, his own set to a spine chilling glare paired with his signature wicked grin. “What?!” The little one suddenly yells out in a manic half laugh half cry.
“Why did you hurt your brother, Remus?” Patton’s tone is firm and level.
“He hurt me first!”
“Oh my GOD; he did not, Remus!”
Patton looks up sharply. “Rem, you wanna go get the mail and help Papa bring his stuff in? I just heard his car door.”
“Not really.”
“Remy, please go.” Patton’s tone takes on a slightly sweet lilt, and Remy sighs before turning to retrace his path through the garage, clearly disappointed that he didn’t get to see his brother get punished.
“Hi, Pop.” Remy calls, giving a single wave. “Dad is about to chew Remus out.”
“What?” Logan’s tired voice filters into the kitchen, and Patton sighs.
“I’m not going to ‘chew your brother out,’ Remy.”
“You really are.”
“Rem.”
“Sorry.”
“Help your Dad.”
“Too late.” Logan enters the kitchen with a laptop bag on one arm, the mail in one hand, and his lunchbox in the other. “I grabbed it as I drove in.”
Remy scoots in behind Logan. “Sorry, Popsquared.” He shrugs and sidesteps past the trio. “I’ll go....Do my homework?”
“Great idea.” Logan smiles stiffly and nods his son up the stairs; he exhales as sets his bags on the bench by the garage door, hanging his keys. “Hello, Dear, Remus. We’ve had quite a day, haven’t we?”
Patton sighs and rubs his eyes. “Father’s intuition?”
“Virgil’s cell phone.”
“Remus hit his brother, and I’m handling it. Why don’t you rest, Love?”
Logan eyes the pair warily, looking ready to protest, but he thinks better of it and nods. “I’ll be in our room if you need me.” The couple exchanges a brief kiss as Logan passes by, and he throws back a quick glance as he goes up the stairs.
“Finally.” Patton breathes, figuring Remus has had plenty of time to stew, simmer, and cool down with the interruptions. “Now that we have some privacy-”
“Just get it over with!”
Patton’s breath hitches a bit, and he looks down to find Remus with the same wide eyes and grin as before, staring at him intently. “Get what over with?”
“My punishment! Just ground me or spank me or make me go without dinner! Just get it over with! Do it! I know you want to!” Remus throws his arms to his sides and stomps, gaze still transfixed on Patton.
“Remus, why are you saying that? Papa and I never hit you or keep food from you.”
“That’s what the other kids said bad kids like me get for punishments!” Remus is still yelling, his body taking on a slight tremble. “They said I deserve to be so skinny you can see my bones! They said I should sit in the corner for hours without a potty break! They said-“
“Whoa, whoa, kiddo.” Patton tries to put a hand on his son’s shoulder, but he shrugs it off. “Who is saying all that mean stuff to you?”
“Kids on the playground. No one you know. It doesn’t matter because it’s not your business!”
“Why isn’t it my business?”
“Because you hate me! You love Roman and Remy and Virgil, but not me! You don’t care about me, and I don’t care about you, so you don’t get to know!”
“Why do you think I hate and don’t care about you?”
“Because you only yell at me and not Roman when something bad happens! When Roman takes my stuff, you just tell him to give it back, but when I take his stuff, you get mad at me and take mine away!”
“That’s because-“ Patton clamps his mouth shut on his retort when Remus’s eyes fill with tears; Patton realizes that his little one is reaching an overload, and he knows that means Remus is not open to discussion right now. He just needs to keep asking questions and let Remus air out his frustrations. Patton lowers his voice so that the boy has to listen, keeping his tone even while adding a soothing overtone. “Do I do that a lot?”
“Not that much...but it feels like it because it’s always me who gets in the most trouble!”
“How does that make you feel?”
“It makes me mad!”
“Why?”
“Because it’s not fair!”
“How else do you feel?”
“Angry!”
“What about sad?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“.....I don’t know.” Remus’s lower lip trembles, and his hands are in fists at his sides.
“You don’t know? If you don’t care about me, why does it make you sad? You have to care to be sad.”
“I don’t know! But I don’t care! Because....because I’m not sad right now! I’m...angry!” Tears slip out of the corners of Remus’s eyes, and he rubs at them roughly, making himself whimper with the force.
Patton notices how dark his son’s fingernails are for the first time, and his breath catches in his throat. He takes Remus’s hand. “Is that blood?”
“Maybe.”
“Where’d it come from?”
“No where.” Remus rips his hand from Patton’s and crosses his arms, staring stubbornly at Patton’s shirt now.
“Did you hit someone, Remus?”
“No!”
“Did someone hit you?”
Remus goes stiff, staring straight ahead before he stomps his feet and shrieks, “No! Of course not why would someone hit me I’m not weak like Roman no one can hurt me! Even if that mean ugly teacher doesn’t believe it!” Remus grits his teeth, his little face scrunching up as though in pain. His whole body trembles as he suddenly erupts into loud, whining cries.
“Oh, no...Come here, Remus.” Patton drops to sit on the floor a few feet from Remus, opening his arms for a hug but giving him the choice.
Remus turns away and hugs himself tightly, sobbing into the open air.
Patton lets his arms fall into his lap, but he subtly scoots a bit closer to the crying boy.
“Remus, please talk to me. Who hurt you?”
“No one! I hurt myself!”
“Why did you hurt yourself?” Patton tries to keep the alarm out of his voice.
“I didn’t do it on purpose! I ran into a tree and made my nose bleed!”
“Why did you run into a tree?” Patton scoots closer.
“Some boys were throwing a frisbee and I tried to catch it but it went too high and I didn’t see the tree and I hit it and they all laughed at me and called me a weirdo! They said I’m so stupid I couldn’t see a tree right in front of me! It hurt and I was scared but the playground eacher just said to wipe my nose and stop bothering other people I don’t know!”
Patton’s heart shatters, and he scoots closer again. “Did you tell your teacher?”
“Yeah but she said I was fine and didn’t need to go to the nurse! She said I was being dram-dramo-“
“Dramatic?”
“Yeah! And after school I was waiting for Virgil and one of the boys did the five star on my back and it hurt really bad but he ran away when I told the teacher and she didn’t believe me because he was gone!”
Patton scoots closer, and Remus is within arm’s reach. “So the boys were mean to you a lot, and you needed help, but the teachers didn’t listen? They didn’t help you, and that made you sad?”
“Yeah! They never listen!”
Patton scoots forward one last time, closing the distance between himself and his son. He whispers near Remus’s ear. “Why did you hit your brother, Remus?”
“I don’t know!” Remus wails. “I was mad and I just wanted to!”
“Because the boy hit you and the teacher didn’t care? It made you mad and sad that no one cared about what happened to you? And Roman wasn’t sad or mad, so you hit Roman?”
“Yeah!”
“I’m gonna pick you up now, okay?” Patton reaches forward and scoops Remus into his arms before he can escape or refuse, pulling the boy to his chest. Remus thrashes wildly in Patton’s hold, eyes wide and cries like a wild animal trapped in a cage. “Remus, Remus, Remus.” Patton pulls him closer. “Remus, I’m just hugging you; you’re not in trou-“ Patton groans after Remus’s head flies back and connects with his nose. “Ouch-“
Remus freezes and looks up, eyes wide and horrified when he sees the tiny trail of blood start to trickle from Patton’s nose. Patton grabs the dish towel hanging from the nearby stove before Remus can process what he’s done.
“D-Daddy?”
“Remus-“
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!” Remus is crying and thrashing again, trying to escape Patton’s hold, but Patton tents his legs on either side of the boy and holds on as tight as he can with an arm and an elbow. “I didn’t mean to hurt you! Please don’t hurt me!”
“Shhh shh shh, Remus.” Patton inhales deeply to stave off his own breakdown, too harshly reminded that Remus still has so far to run from his life before this family. “I’m just hugging you; it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m okay. You’re okay. You’re safe. I’m safe. You’re okay. You’re safe, Remus.” Patton mutters the words over and over as he tries to hold Remus close, subtly trying to keep his nose clean. “Please, Remus, just let me hold you. Let me hug you to help you feel better. I’m not mad at you. You’re not in trouble. You’re safe. I’m not going to hurt you. You’re not going to get hurt.”
“You’re not gonna hurt me?” Remus has stopped resisting and is staring up at Patton.
Patton takes a deep breath and silently curses the twins’ first (and second-to-last) foster home. “No, baby. I won’t hurt you, and I won’t let those boys or those teachers hurt you again. I will come to your school tomorrow morning and talk to the principal and those teachers, okay? They won’t be mean to you anymore.”
“But you have work tomorrow.”
“That’s okay. I can go late.”
“Why?”
“Because I own the place!” Patton laughs a bit.
“No, why are you coming?”
“Oh, Remus, because I love you, baby. I love you so much, and I don’t want you to get hurt again. That would make me cry.” Patton’s eyes fill with the pressure of this whole dam of emotions building within him, and he gives Remus a wet smile. “I don’t hate you, Remus. I love you so, so much. Just as much as Virgil, and Roman, and Remy, and I’m so sorry I don’t tell you that enough. I’ll do it a lot more. I promise. I love you. I love you. I love you.” Patton accentuates each “I love you” with a kiss to Remus’s head, and the child only pulls back the first time.
Remus sits back against Patton’s thigh and stares at his father, as if searching for something, some “gotcha,” some trick or hint of betrayal in his father’s eyes, but he finds none.
Patton runs a hand over Remus’s hair and presses a soft kiss to his forehead. “I promise. I love you forever and ever, my little sunshine.”
Something in Remus finally clicks into place, an understanding dawning on his face, and he slowly relaxes in Patton’s hold, letting himself be embraced. Patton pulls Remus toward him with no resistance, and the boy sobs openly into his father’s chest, the pain and relief mixing together in an overwhelming maelstrom in his little chest that he can’t fully understand or articulate. He just sits limply in Patton’s arms and cries himself out, crying every tear he refused to let his classmates or his teachers or his brothers see him cry.
“It’s okay, baby. Cry all you need to. You’re gonna be okay. Daddy and Papa and Virgil and Remy and Roman will keep you safe. We love you so, so much.” Patton rocks him slightly and rubs Remus’s back, periodically pressing kisses to his hair.
Patton keeps uttering reassurances as he carefully scoots backward and grabs a napkin from the holder on the kitchen table; he sets down the dishcloth and carefully stuffs the napkin into his nose with one hand as he keeps holding on to Remus with the other, the boy having calmed down to watch the whole process. “See? It’s okay. Daddy’s okay. You’re not in trouble.”
Remus shudders as he breathes, his little body still trembling with emotion as he stares up at Patton, eyes wide and wet and cheeks flushed.
Patton leans over and looks Remus in the eyes. “You okay?” Patton asks quietly, placing a quick peck on Remus’s nose that makes the boy go cross-eyed.
The little one considers for a moment. “N-no.” Remus stutters out, gripping on to Patton’s polo like a lifeline.
“That’s okay. Thank you for being honest with me. What do you want to do now?”
Remus shrugs mutely, unusual for the boy, but...most of this scenario is new for Remus. Honesty and vulnerability are something they’re still working on with the twins, particularly Remus, just one of a handful of carry overs from their first foster home.
Patton taps his chin thoughtfully. “We can...go find Roman and say we’re sorry?”
Remus wrinkles his nose at that; his eyes water again.
“Mmm maybe too soon. We can...go help Remy with his homework?”
Remus quirks a brow at him, perplexed. “I can’t do 9th grade homework.”
“Mmm me either. I’m too old. We can...go see Papa in Daddy and Papa’s room? Papa can hug you, too, if you want.”
Remus considers for a moment, and then he nods.
“Okay, let’s go.” Patton helps push Remus up and then stands himself, moving to go up the stairs when a little hand pulls on the back of his shirt; Remus is staring at him shyly from beneath his bangs. “What’s up?”
“Can you carry me?”
“Carry you?” Patton smiles and turns, bending to Remus’s eye level. “You’ve never wanted me to carry you before.”
“But you carry Roman all the time.”
“Because he asks to be carried all the time.” Patton laughs and holds out his arms. “I never said I wouldn’t carry you, buddy; I’m just a little surprised.” Remus immediately wraps his arms around his father’s neck, and Patton presses a kiss to his head as he straightens, adjusting his hold to this unfamiliar body.
Remus mumbles something as they move toward the stairs.
“What’s that, bud?”
“You never called me ‘buddy’ or ‘bud’ or ‘baby’ or any of those names, either, like you do with Virgil and Roman and Remy.”
“I didn’t know you wanted me to. I called you ‘baby’ once, and you got mad and said you weren’t a baby.”
“Because I’m not!....But you’re not really calling me a baby, right?”
“Right, I’m saying you’re my baby. That I want to love you and protect you and carry you.”
“Oh. That’s okay, then, I guess.”
“I’m glad, but don’t be afraid to tell me when you don’t like something, okay? Remember how we talked about being honest a little while ago?
“Yeah.”
“I want you to be honest with me.” Patton pushes open the door to his bedroom, revealing Logan lounging on their bed with a book on his lap. “And you were very honest today, and I’m very proud of you for that. You did a good job of telling me how you were sad and mad and angry.” Patton sits on the bed and looks to Logan with tears brimming, his husband returning a loving if not confused gaze. “You can always tell me and Papa about however you feel, okay?”
“Yes, Remus.” Remus looks over at Logan shyly, seeming to realize his emotional state for the first time. “You can always tell Daddy or me. We love you, Little Nova.” Logan sets aside his book, and Remus takes the invitation, wiggling out of Patton’s hold to sit on his Papa’s lap.
A tear spills over, and Patton quickly swipes it away. Logan meets his gaze, sympathy burning in his eyes, and he opens his arm for Patton to settle in with them. Remus settles easily against Logan’s chest, instantly limp and calm in Logan’s steady presence, and Patton feels a sharp pang in his heart knowing now that he had missed out on growing with his son, that Remus felt so rejected by him. He breathes deeply, trying to stave off a breakdown, and Logan rubs his arm soothingly which only makes him want to cry more.
“I love you, Remus.” Patton whispers.
“I know, Daddy. You said that already.” Remus whispers back, his voice light and airy as exhaustion takes hold of him.
Patton settles back just as their door quietly swings inward. Remy stands in the doorway with Roman in his arms, Virgil lurking quietly in the hall behind them.
“Roman wanted to see you. And Papa.”
The aforementioned boy rubs at his swollen eyes, and Patton’s heart aches. If only he could comfort all of his babies when and how and where they needed to be. Patton sits up and pats the empty space on their bed, gesturing for all of their boys to join in the family cuddle pile. Remy hands Roman over to Patton, and the boy snuggles into his father’s hold, resting his head on Patton’s shoulder as Patton runs a hand up and down his son’s spine. Remy stretches and settles himself at the foot of the bed, his head resting in a crooked elbow as he feigns casualty, but his gaze constantly shifts between his Dad, Papa, and younger brothers.
“Rem, it’s okay, baby.” Patton’s brow creases at the moisture in Remy’s eyes, but that’s a conversation for later, without the prying eyes and ears of his brothers. “Take off the thinking cap for now. Virge,” Patton smiles gently at his oldest son, sulking in the doorway and clearly exhausted from playing baby wrangler after a full day of school. “Touch or no touch?”
“...Some is okay.” Virgil pushes off of the doorframe and crosses to Patton’s side of the bed; Patton sits up with Roman and crosses his legs, and Virgil curls up with his head resting near Patton’s knee. Patton runs a hand through his hair, keeping Roman close with the other.
“Look at us. Like a sitcom family. We’re basically the Brady Bunch,” Remy quips, discreetly slipping on his signature sunglasses.
Patton would definitely talk to him later.
“Something like that.” Virgil sighs and closes his eyes, just letting himself breathe and trying to slow his pounding heart.
“I love it. I love this.” Patton smiles at each of his boys in turn. “I love each and every one of you.” Patton catches Remus’s half-lidded backward glance and gives him a smile and a wink. Seeming satisfied, Remus settles back against Logan, discreetly eyeing Roman in Patton’s arms.
“Hey, so not to ruin the moment.” Remy speaks up from his spot. “But why do you have a napkin stuck up your nose, Dad?”
“I was wondering the same thing.” Virgil pipes up.
“I was, too.” Logan mumbles from his chin’s resting place atop Remus’s head.
“What happened, Daddy?” Roman whispers against his neck, eyes fluttering closed as Patton rubs small circles between his shoulder blades.
“Daddy got a nasty bloody nose.” Remus declares with a yawn, traces of his typical self slowly returning. “There was blood just gushing everywhere.”
Three pairs of eyes turn to meet him incredulously, begging him to continue the story where Remus left off, but Patton just laughs quietly.
“....It’s a long story for another time.” Patton shrugs, meeting each curious gaze in turn. “It was worth it, though.” He meets Remus’s last, holding on for a few moments to let his words sink in. “I had to lose a little blood for a little healing to start, but I’m gonna be okay. We are gonna be okay.”
“Dramatic, but okay. Nosebleeds suck.” Remy cuts in, and Virgil pushes a weak kick in his direction. “And speaking of, no bullshitting, how did you get it?”
“Language, young man!” Remus lectures with a comically lowered voice, wagging a weak finger in his older brother’s general direction before turning onto his side and snuggling into his father for a pre-dinner nap.
“I’m following Remus’s lead.” Patton chuckles softly and carefully lays back with Roman, adjusting both of them before closing his eyes. A couple of snorts sound off when Virgil lets out an indignant grunt at having lost Patton’s hand in his hair, but Patton smiles when he feels his oldest shift and rest his head on his father’s thigh. “All of my heart in one bed.” Patton murmurs with a contented sigh.
“I sure hope so, otherwise you’d die.”
“Remus.” Three sighs and one breathy laugh usher the room into silence as the family relishes in a rare moment of peace, squabbles quietly forgiven and tensions quietly forgotten as they relax and heal together.
For the time being.
20 minutes later, Remus hears the mail truck approach and hurls himself off of the bed, nearly tripping as he runs down the stairs to show the mail carrier his impression of Reagan in The Exorcist. (No one knows how he found out about it; they all hate horror movies. Except for Remus, of course.)
So a bunch of my favorite LAMP/CALM sander sides fanfics that I just loved on tumblr:
We Can Fuse?!
A/N: I’m now realizing that I don’t have a masterpost for this universe. Fixing that now! (Tag list is under cut, hope you don’t mind me tag
This fic is about the main four discovering they can Fuse and finding out they are all in love with each other. (Demus comes later)
Turns Out Being a Super Hero Is Actually Really Gay
Find it on AO3 CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7
This is a Spider-Man au where Thomas is famous and also Rainbow Weber (Spider-Man) and Logan, Patton, Roman and Virgil are in highschool and get powers too. (And shipping is just Logicality and Prinxiety oops)
LAMP soulmate master list (all great)
Classic timers - except also vampires (yes this is the one i’d been working on for like a year and a half) You hear the music they are heari
So it’s just a bunch of LAMP fanfic from a good writer, (Lockets is my favorite).
The Deaths of the Protector
Summary: Virgil would do anything to keep his family safe. Even if it meant dying a little. Or, in his case, a lot. Warnings: Temporary Deat
Virgil protects his family to death, literally, but the ships are not really there but it’s sweet how much they all care.
This is a LAMP Human AU with app for strangers to literally give a wake up call, this time it’s Virgil signing up to the app and getting a wake up call from the original light sides group
Wedding Are Just Funerals With Cake
(warnings: transphobia, almost an anti-gay slur, swearing and mentions of hailing satan)
Patton was getting married today.
This was his
A one-shot of Patton with his boyfriends to the rescue.
LAMP Dragon AU
Due to popular demand, I'm arranging all the Dragon Witch AU canon into a comprehensive list, for new comers who wanna catch up, or just so
The main story is Virgil being Cursed to always be in Human form and Princes Logan and Roman, along with King Patton let him stay at the castle until a cure can happen.
Content Warnings: Self-hate, parental death, descriptions of anxiety and breathing, verbal and physical bullying, neglectful adults Pairing:
This is a longer story but really good with Virgil getting Extremely Bullied for having three soulmates and dives into deep issues of sick parents and etc. (not for the faint of heart)
Soulmates
Ship: LoganxPattonxRomanxVirgil (LAMP) AU: Human AU, Soulmates AU Warnings: Bullying Requested By: No One Plot: Virgil, Patton, Roman, and L
Just the story of LAMP soulmates with bulling in the mix.
Can You please do a fanfic where Remy is sick with a bad flu or cold but still wants to go out and is determined to do so Patton has try to handle a whiney clingy baby that is Remy?
It took me too long, but HERE IT IS, precious, patient Anon. Thank you for your patience. As per usual, I doubt it’s what you imagined, but. C’est la vie.
Warnings for Brief Remus mentions VERY BRIEF Deceit mention
• • • •
A single knock immediately followed by a bellowing, “Helloooooooooooooo, Sides!” shocked Patton from his quiet evening of binging Parks and Recreation on the couch.
“Well, you’re early today!” Patton smiled and stood to greet the embodiment of sleep as he burst into the MindScape, sipping from the reusable Starbucks cup Roman had conjured for him.
“Yeah, planning a big night.” Remy took a large gulp from his drink before continuing. “First I’m gonna go bug Little Wernicke to get him to tell me about language stuff.” Remy took another sip. “Then, I gotta go visit Ol’ Ponyo (he hates when I call him that) to get Logan’s whole ‘sleep schedule’ thing sorted, and then I’m-”
“Hey, Remy, are you okay? You sound like you ran here.”
Remy cut off his current sip and replied, “Whaddyou mean? I’m fine! Just excited for tonight is all.”
“Are you sure? You sound breathless-”
“So anyway, I showed up because I have nooooo idea when I’ll be back, and I didn’t want you sending the snake or freaky Rere to hunt me down for bed time.” Remy took another sip.
“We never sent them-”
“Well, relay the message anyway. Keep. Away.” Remy took multiple sips from the cup as he turned from Patton. “Tata, Papa-”
“Wait! Don’t I get a hug?” Patton reached out beckoningly and wiggled his eyebrows.
[[MORE]]
“Uh, sure, I guess? Anything for you, Peachy Pat.” Remy crossed to Patton and lightly wrapped his arms around the Moral Side who squeezed him in return before swiftly leaning up to kiss his forehead.
“No, not like that. Wow. I’m sorry. You’re just very, very rosy cheeked, Remy, and not in a cute way.”
Remy gaped indignantly. “I am always cute-”
“Remy, are you sick?”
“No, of course not!”
“Remy.”
“Seriously, I’m Sleep. How could I get sick?”
“Look, I don’t know the fancy details of it, but I know Lo, Ro, and Vee have been sick before from like...working too hard, so I’m sure you could get sick, too!”
“That’s ridiculous! I’m not like the rest of you!”
“Remy. You’re sick.” Patton slipped around Remy to shut and seal the MindScape door. “You need to rest and get better. Stay in for a night.”
“Patton. I’m fine.” Remy bit out.
“Then why are you drinking so much? Thirsty? Or is your throat not doing so well?”
Remy swallowed thickly and pulled the straw from his lips. “I just...you know I love coffee.”
“You don’t smell like coffee. I don’t see anything dark coming up that straw. That’s pure water. You know you’re sick, Rem; please, just stay here!”
“I told you, Pat; I have plans tonight! Important ones to help our Resident Brain, too!”
“Cancel them. Logan will understand.”
“Patton. I’m going, and you can’t make me stay here.”
“Oh, you wanna bet?”
Remy had never seen such a dark, nearly wicked look overtake Patton’s features, but he had no time to process before the other was coming at him.
•••••••••••
Strangely enough, finding Patton forcibly wrapping Remy in a blanket wasn’t the oddest thing Logan, Roman, and Virgil had ever come across. They stared for a moment in a mixture of confusion, amusement, and concern from their various positions on the stairs, having been coaxed out of their respective rooms by Remy’s shouts of protest.
“Uh, Patton?” Virgil called from his spot on the topmost step, brow quirked and a frown on his lips. “What are you doing?”
“Why are you preparing a Remy Blanket Burrito, Padre?” Roman chimed in from the bottommost step.
“Guys!” Remy gasped dramatically, now fully wrapped and perched on the couch. “Thank GOODness you’re here! Save me from this MAD man!!”
“Oh, Rem, you’re fine.” Patton scoffed lightly as he pushed himself off of the embodiment of sleep, clapping his hands together in a satisfied fashion before giving Remy a light pat on what was probably his leg. “Well, actually, you’re not fine, and that’s why I had to get you all nice and swaddled up!”
“What is the matter with Remy?” Logan asked abruptly, eying Sleep carefully.
“Nothing!!!” Remy screeched indignantly; if he could, he’d likely cross his arms and slouch in pouting protest. “I’m perfectly fine, but your father figure over here has decided that I’m sick.”
“You ARE sick, Remy!” Patton cut in. “You have a fever!”
“That’s ridiculous! I’m Sleep; not human!”
“But you’re part of one!” Patton retorted while retreating toward the kitchen. “And you need to get better! I’ll be right back!”
“Is Thomas sick?” Virgil piped up in a tenser tone.
“Not that I am aware of.” Logan reassured him. “But I believe as we can experience illness due to burnout, Sleep could conceivably experience the same if Thomas is not resting adequately.”
“I definitely wouldn’t say he’s been chummy with the Sandman as of late.” Roman muttered, rubbing at his own eyes.
“I’m not sick! I can’t get sick! Thomas has adjusted to his...unique sleeping habits, and so have I!” Remy’s voice faded into a rasp at the end of his terse tirade, drawing looks from the three Sides.
“You sound rough, Rem.” Virgil gave him a soft, sad smile. “Please give it a rest and let Patton take care of you. Give me one less thing to worry about for once.”
Remy sighed loudly and threw his head to the side. “Fine. Only for you, my nightly nuisance. You keep me busy, but I’ll give you a break.” Remy huffed, side-eying Virgil.
“Promise?”
“Oh my god, are we five?” Remy’s eye roll and Virgil’s intense stare created a tangible tension, neither speaking as one finally cracked under the other. “FINE. Yes. Yes, yes, I can promise to let myself be sick and taken care of and whatever other junk.”
“Good.” Virgil turned back toward his room.
“What? You’re not going to keep me company?”
“Nah, man. Snarky you I can do, but this whiny version of you gets my heart feeling uncomfortable.” Virgil pats over his heart before climbing the stairs.
“But you don’t really have a-”
“Please take care of yourself.” Logan interrupted. “We need you in peak state to get Thomas where he needs to be. Especially since you finally agreed to the sleep schedule.” Logan leveled Remy with a look before following Virgil’s path.
Roman crossed to the couch and put his hands on his knees. “Do you need anything? I can conjure up whatever you want that isn’t coffee or anything else to keep you awake.” Roman laughed at Remy’s groan. “You need sleep, Sleep! So, again: need anything?”
“Not from you, traitor.” Remy snarked with no real malice; he winked before finally submitting and wilting into his blanket with a weak smile. “Actually, if you could help me out of this blanket bind and into some PJs, that would be great.”
“Absolutely.” Roman began untangling the enormous blanket and laughed softly. “Patton does go overboard, but only because he cares. He’s good at what he does, especially the father role, so let him love on you for a bit.” Roman whooped and grinned in victory as he freed Remy from his cocoon; the prince reached out and pulled his friend to his feet, snapping his fingers to trade Sleep’s typical leather jacket for a lightweight white pajama shirt and black pajama pants with sleeping moons.
“Appropriate.” Remy chuckled and collapsed back on the couch, provoking a cocked brow from Roman.
“Need anything else?”
“That’s it for now.”
Roman gave him a look.
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure PattonCake can handle anything I can come up with, but I’ll let you know.”
“Very well. Rest well, my friend. I will see you in sickness and in health!” Roman sunk out just as Remy coughed out, “uh, I do?”
Remy sat in the sudden silence for a moment, just breathing and taking in how he really felt. He’d spent most of the day avoiding Roman’s freaky brother and his endless stream of whacked out sleep deprivation experiments and disturbing dreams, as he had been for a little while now, and honestly it was becoming exhausting. Tragic was the day for him that the other half of Creativity was set free.
“Here we go!” Patton breezed into the room with a tray which he sat on the coffee table in front of Remy, who’d rearranged the blanket in a less restrictive fashion. “Cute jammies! Roman?”
Remy nodded as he eyed the food on the tray. “Tea? Soup? Pat, I’m serious; you know we’re not actually human, right?”
“So? Nothing wrong with some herbs and homemade soup for any type of being! It’s good for the soul!”
“Which, again, we technically don’t have.”
Patton ignored Remy in favor of settling in beside him on the couch. “So, what do you feel like watching?”
“I don’t really care. Whatever you were watching is probably fine. Parks and Rec for the 18th time, I assume.”
Patron shrugged happily and pulled up their favorite streaming service.
“My god. And you guys wonder why I go to the hippocampus for my entertainment.” Remy mumbled and settled in to the couch, slouching into himself a bit. “Way funnier stuff in there, especially from the teen years.”
“Ooooo any baby Thomas stuff in there? I’d love to see that.”
“Well, apparently the memory parts of the brain didn’t really figure out how to communicate properly until Thomas was at least 4 or 5, so Small Tom Tom is a yes, but Tiny Tom Tom is a no.”
“Aw, man. That’d be cute, too, though! Maybe I should go with you some time!”
“Mmm maybe.” Remy assented as he settled in to the couch; the familiar theme song played, and Patton stretched before settling in himself.
“Doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo doo, doo.” Patton sang along, waving a finger as the theme came to an end, and Remy chuckled lightly.
“You know the whole theme song? Even though it doesn’t even have words?”
“Sure. It’s pretty simple, especially when you’ve heard it hundreds of times.”
Remy just laughed again in response. After a few minutes, he eyed the tea and soup, eyes turning down at realizing Patton’s efforts for him, and he leaned over to pull the tray into his lap. He just caught Patton glancing at him with a small smile before he quickly turned back to the TV to give Remy some privacy while he ate. Remy’s own lips turned up as he brought the tea cup to his lips, his eyes widening at the taste; it was actually delicious. He’d never been a fan of tea that wasn’t green or the occasional black of the proper variety, but Patton somehow knew how to get the right taste for him. Roman was right; he was good at this. Remy scooped up some of the soup and couldn’t contain a small whine of relief as it soothed his aching throat the way his water hadn’t been able to.
Before long, Remy polished off everything Patton gave him, and he settled back with a contented sigh, his eyes drooping heavily.
“Good?” Patton murmured quietly so as not to startle Remy from his sleepy stupor.
“Great.” Remy mumbled with another sigh and hugged the blanket around himself tightly.
“Hey, Rem?” Patton whispered.
“Mmm?”
“You wanna snuggle?”
“Um who do I look like, Logan? Absolutely.”
“Well, I mean, you do...”
“Oh my god, Father of the Sides, cuddle me already.” Remy grumbled and thrashed out of the blankets to throw his arms around Patton’s middle, his head on Patton’s upper chest.
Patton just chuckled in return and pulled Remy in close, gently running his hands through Remy’s sweaty, slightly tangled hair.
Patton’s hold suddenly loosened, and Remy let out a discontented grunt. “Hold on. I gotta get something.”
“Noooooooooooo,” Remy moaned pitifully when Patton extracted him from his embrace; Sleep flopped down bonelessly as Patton stood and went into the kitchen. The Moral Side quickly returned with Remy’s cup filled with water and a damp washcloth.
“You’re still all sweaty and feverish even though you’re shivering.” Patton sat down and gently laid the cold cloth on the back of Remy’s neck, leaving his hand there to keep it in place. “I’m gonna help your body with getting your fever to chill out, okay?
“Bad pun.” Remy muttered and pulled Patton toward him; Remy let his head loll and fall to rest on Patton’s shoulder, the full body exhaustion finally kicking in now that he was settled and full. “...thank you for taking care of me. I’m sorry I was such a pain in the ass.” Remy breathed in Patton’s ear before moving to lay in Patton’s lap.
“Too tired to sit up?”
Remy nodded mutely in response, his eyes closed, and Patton rubbed Remy’s back under his shirt, his hands warm and providing a slight reprieve from the chills Remy couldn’t shake.
“You sure...I have a fever?” Remy mumbled sluggishly as he rolled over to get more comfortable, his nose now touching Patton’s stomach and his arms wrapped around the other’s torso.
“Pretty darn, but chills with a fever aren’t uncommon with something like this.” Patton kept his voice even and soothing as he explained, “Lo, Ro, and Vee all experienced symptoms like this when they were burnt out. That’s all this is. You’ve just worked yourself too hard, like a computer that hasn’t been turned off in too long.”
Remy hummed in acknowledgement of Patton’s speech, the other unaware if the sleepy being even heard what he said; Remy’s breathing, though raspy, was becoming heavy and even.
Patton turned on the subtitles and turned down the volume on the TV; he ran his hand over Remy’s back in time with his slower breathing, hoping to help lull him all the way to sleep.
Patton’s gaze snapped up when he heard voices and saw movement on the stairs; Virgil and Roman froze midway down, staring first at Patton and then at Remy before silencing themselves and tiptoeing the rest of the way down. They slipped in and out of the kitchen quickly enough, Roman conjuring a whiteboard to ask Patton if he needed anything before they retreated for the rest of the night.
Patton shook his head with a small smile and a mouthed “thank you” as the pair nodded and headed for the stairs.
Virgil flashed him a thumbs up and mouthed an exaggerated, “no, thank YOU” with a point at Remy and slunk up the stairs after Roman, the latter blowing kisses from his perch before vanishing as well.
Patton shook his head, trying in vain to hold back laughter at his boys’ antics. Remy shifted in his lap, groaning unhappily as he tried to settle back in to comfort; he hugged Patton closer, like a child to his teddy, and sighed one last time in contentment before fully slipping off to sleep.
Patton kept on hand on Remy’s neck and the other on his back, keeping Sleep in safety and comfort until he awoke hours later, every bit as sassy yet clingy as he had been, though the hints of gratitude were far more obvious than before.
A/N: I loved Dan Howell’s coming out video, but in like a painful, “same, dude” kind of way for a lot of it. You’ll see some similarities and likely unintentional references. I guess this is kind of an update to the college AU. *throws my emotions like confetti and runs*
•Takes place during Pride month•
Characters: Roman, Patton, Virgil (Platonic Royality and Prinxiety)
⚠️WARNINGS⚠️: internalized biphobia, negative self talk, crying, little bit of crude talk about penises, cussing, body horror mentions, religious topics
••••
Roman scrolled listlessly through his Twitter feed, his heart doing somersaults at the constant colors filtering across his screen. So much positivity. So much love for and within the community, and yet he felt so much pain. So much isolation. The bright colors seemed a bitter, ironic contrast to how Roman felt, and he quietly turned off his phone, laying his arm over his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“The last time you napped in the late afternoon, you didn’t sleep until 3am. Please don’t do that to me again.”
Roman started a bit at the sudden noise, but he moved his arm up enough to roll his eyes at Virgil as he leaned over the back of their shared couch. “Not sleeping. Just resting. Contemplating.”
“Contemplating?....”
“Dinner.”
“Fair.” Virgil went around the couch and curled up in their worn arm chair, pulling out his phone and scrolling languidly. “You decided whether or not you’re coming to Pride with us?”
Something stabbed painfully at Roman’s chest.
[[MORE]]
“Mmm not yet. Not sure how busy I’ll be around then.”
“It’s in a few days, Roman.”
“I know, but summer professors can be sneaky bastards sometimes.”
“You’re taking P.E.”
“And Advanced Shakespearean Studies!”
“Yeah whatever. You know you’re too good at that shit to worry.” Virgil chuckled and grinned wickedly. “I hope your professor properly expounds on all the homoeroticism.”
“He doesn’t have to. It’s pretty obvious.” Roman laughed a bit. “Shakespeare isn’t exactly known for subtly. He’s the king of dick jokes.”
“It’s a well-earned title, but honestly, dicks are an easy target. They can be pretty hilarious.”
Roman rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t know.”
“I thought you were bi?”
Roman froze. “I am....but that doesn’t mean I’ve...you know....”
“Been with a guy.”
“Right. Kind of self-preservation when you’re from a town like mine and in the social media age.”
“That sucks. Sorry to hear it.”
“It is what it is, I suppose.”
They lapsed into silence, uncomfortable for Roman, but Virgil didn’t seem to notice as he focused on his phone.
Suddenly, Virgil spoke up, “If you’re worried about someone exposing you or something, I totally won’t judge if you sit out on Pride. I don’t think Logan is going because of all the stimuli and stuff, so you could hang out with him.”
“Oh, yeah. That’d be fine.” Roman replied, slinging his arm back over his eyes.
“Hey, you okay?” The hint of worry in Virgil’s tone wasn’t lost on Roman.
“Why do you ask?”
“Your arm. Do you have a headache?”
“Not literally. Metaphorically, that might be a good name to give it.”
“Oh. Something’s bothering you, then?”
“Yes, but why do you care?”
There’s silence for a moment, and then Virgil quietly implored, “don’t do this, Roman.”
“Do what?” Roman uncovered an eye to peer at Virgil, curious and perhaps even challenging him.
“Isolate yourself. Push us- Push me away.” Virgil’s tone was laced with bitterness, and he sighed. “You did it when your Grandma was sick. You do it when exams are stressing you out. I get the need for alone time, but isolating yourself when you need support is...can be dangerous.”
Roman scoffed and rolled to face the back of the couch. “It’s not like you’re any better. You’re not exactly Mr. Open with your emotions.”
“But I go to a therapist, and I know you don’t. I talk to you guys when I need to, but for the most part, my stuff is just....in my head.” Virgil sighed. “Roman...if you don’t want to talk, I understand, and that’s okay, but if you do want to talk, I am listening, open, and willing to hear what you have to say.”
Virgil’s voice had become small and tapered, and a pang of guilt sliced through Roman’s chest. It was true, Roman had avoided going to therapy for fear of digging up things that he...wasn’t quite ready to deal with yet, but Virgil swore by therapy; he had even brought them some resources he believed would help their home dynamic. Virgil was using his version of one of the scripted conversation starters from the “Communication is Key” pamphlet currently stacked under their coffee table, and, despite how patronized Roman often felt with these approaches, Roman decided for once he could humor Virgil, even if just a bit.
Besides, Roman knew perfectly well that he was hiding and intentionally so, but he also knew that his roommates, especially Patton, got upset when he hid himself away when he was struggling, but it was summer and Pride, and Roman didn’t know which was worse: the guilt of bringing his friends down or drowning in his own thoughts. Considering the second was a metaphorical death, Roman decided to bite the bullet and take the plunge.
“I’m sorry I upset you.” Roman took a deep breath to keep himself steady, doing his best to remember the scripted reply to what Virgil had said. “No, I’m not fine...I do need to talk, but I’m hesitant. I want to talk, I think, but I don’t know how to talk about it, really. It all seems so ridiculous.”
“That’s off script.” Virgil quipped not unkindly, peering at Roman over his phone. “You can verbally process, if you need to. Talk therapy. Just let out whatever comes to mind, coherent or not.”
“You mean rant.”
“That’s the layman’s term, yeah.”
Roman exhaled through his nose and sat up, legs crossed and forearms resting on his calves. He stared at the carpet for a few minutes, getting his thoughts together as best as he could before getting in to it.
“As sucky as it is....I think Pride is my problem.”
“Yeah? Why?”
“Because I’m closeted.” Roman said it as if the connection should have been obvious.
“So...you’re jealous?”
“I mean, yeah, if you want to be blunt about it.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
“So...is jealous all you feel?”
“...No.”
“Is jealous not the root of your issue, then?”
“.....”
“Roman?”
“...No.”
“What is, then?”
“I don’t know.”
“You said you feel more than just jealous. How else do you feel?”
Roman gasped when he realized his hand was gripping his shirt, over his heart. “....Hurt...”
“And?”
“...Sad...”
“And?”
“...Overwhelmed.”
“Why?”
“Because...” Roman erupted into a rough, humorless laugh; he crooked his arms in his lap and rested his forehead against his palms, his hair falling forward to hide his face. “...I don’t know. I just...do. God, I can’t get in to this right now.”
“In to what? Why can’t you?”
“Because it hurts.”
“What hurts?”
“Pride.”
“And?”
“And?”
“It’s not just Pride. It’s something else. What is it, Roman? You can tell me. I promise I won’t judge.”
“....It’s not so simple.”
“What’s not?”
“Everything.”
“You gotta be more specific.”
“Everything around being Bi in my life. My sexuality, my life....my past. It’s not as clean and easy as yours. You got to come out to your mom and grandma.”
“Yeah, after years of hating and questioning myself-“
“Well, I’m still doing that.”
There is a beat of silence.
“God, Roman. I’m sorry-”
“Don’t. Stop. I don’t want your pity. Or anyone’s pity. I don’t need it.” Roman scoffed and caught himself; he squeezed his hands, pulling lightly at his roots as he fought himself to keep control. “Sorry. I’m glad you care, but it’s just...it’s so hard to talk about.”
“You don’t have to.”
“But I need to!” Roman’s head shot up; his eyes were glistening, tinged a pale pink. “I need to talk about it so badly. So badly it feels like it’s...like it’s eating at me from the inside. It’s clawing at me, my heart, my brain, my organs. It’s like an evil little creature or a disease or something that’s eating away at me constantly. I have to talk about it because if I don’t I’ll keep stewing in it like I am now, but if I do talk about it, it’s like getting cancerous tumor removed, but I’m awake during the operation. It’s killing me, but the thought of getting it out scares me even more than dying because who knows what the side effects could be!” Roman was openly crying now, tears trailing down his cheeks as he stared at Virgil, all but verbally pleading for him to listen, to care.
Virgil was frozen, unsure how to proceed now that Roman so clearly wanted to talk but was so unwilling to continue. Plus, touching was a no-go that day, and Roman clearly needed someone to help ground him.
Thankfully for them both, Patton’s afternoon class had ended, so their cheery yet paternally inclined roommate breezed through the front door before either could react.
“Happy Monday, Roomies!” Patton rounded the couch to head to his room, but he stopped short when he finally registered the mood of the room, looking from Virgil to the sniffling Roman before dropping his bag on the coffee table to run to Roman’s side. Roman resisted being drawn into Patton’s embrace, but he allowed Patton to take his hand, the other smiling sadly as he tenderly plucked a tissue from the box on their end table and wiped the tears from Roman’s cheeks. “Not so happy Monday, huh?” Patton muttered.
Virgil shook his head. “Ro, are you done?”
“Yes...or, no....I just-I don’t know. It’s just so hard.”
“What’s hard, baby?” Patton cut in, tone low and soothing which only made Roman cry harder.
“Talking about...everything.”
Patton looked to Virgil for elaboration, but the other shook his head. “Remember, more specific. The past?”
“I....I just....it’s just not...not good.”
“Why does Pride make you think of your past?”
“Because...I can’t be part of it.” Roman hiccuped over a sob. “I’m not out to anyone at home, and I’m so scared they’ll find out somehow, but...I’m so so tired of being scared. I’m so tired of having to hide a whole part of myself because someone decided it me wrong for me to be my whole self. I’m so tired of remembering how shitty things are back home.”
“I’m so sorry, Ro.” Patton rubbed the back of Roman’s hand with his thumb, his other hand on Roman’s knee. “We’ve definitely taken our families’ ultimate openness to us fore-granted.” There was an implication there, of shared pain and questioning and heartache, but Virgil and Patton had both been at that stage before, and they knew Roman didn’t want to hear their sad stories that ultimately ended happy. That wasn’t how Roman saw his story ending just then.
“...Hey...” Roman’s tone was lighter, slightly manic around the edges as he hiccuped and let out an off-kilter laugh. “You guys ever heard of ‘pray the gay away?’”
Patton and Virgil both cringed
“Of course.” Virgil replied with a humorless laugh of his own. “It’s kind of a politically incorrect meme now, though.”
“Yeah...it doesn’t work.” Roman suddenly sobered. “I tried. So many times. I begged God to take it back, but, like Lady Gaga said, He doesn’t make mistakes. Or really, He doesn’t do take-backsies.” Roman giggled, but it quickly melted into cries again.
“Holy shit, Ro.” Virgil’s jaw worked painfully, and he gripped the thick arm of his chair.
“Yeah, my family is that type. The ‘not-friendly-to-LGBT-kids’ type.” Roman’s voice shuddered. “Or to LGBT anyone. I never told any of them, especially not my parents...” Roman’s voice caught and lowered to a whisper. “...I never even told my grandmother. I was so scared that it would shatter everything we have. I love her so much, but I just...didn’t know how she would react. And I couldn’t handle...if she rejected me.” Roman was openly sobbing, and he opened his arms for Patton to comfort him which the latter took on more than willingly.
Patton held Roman to his chest, one hand on the back of his head and the other holding him close. Patton rocked them both carefully, and after a minute or two, he spoke softly in Roman’s ear.
“Roman, you are so beautiful and wonderful just as you are, no matter what anyone says. Logan, Virgil, and I love you so much, and I know your grandmother does to.” Patton held on tighter when Roman cried roughly. “It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to wonder and to question. Please know that we love you and are here if you need us to be. You don’t have to go through this alone, lovebug. You’re not alone.” Roman just continued to cry in Patton’s arms, feeling safe yet free when surrounded by Patton’s comfort.
Eventually, Roman cried himself out. He still gripped Patton like a lifeline, reaching out to pluck tissues from the box Patton had moved in front of them. He stayed propped against Patton after the tears had slowed, staring at the ceiling and pondering what he should say because he knew he needed to be the one to speak.
“Thank you.”
Rough, quiet, but a good start.
“Thank you both for listening. I’m sorry all of that flooded out of me; it’s just been bottled for too long, I suppose.”
“We’re here for you, Ro.” Virgil responded, wiping at his own eyes; he had since pulled a leg into the recliner and had his arms pulling it close, like a security item. “Just let us know when you need it and what we can do. You have to know by now-” Virgil took a deep breath, steadying and lowering his voice from where it had risen. “I hope you know that you don’t have to do anything alone.”
“I know. In my mind I do. It’s just so hard...I struggle to understand that people love and care about me, you know? After so many years of being forgotten and dropped by people...it’s just hard to ask for help without feeling like a burden.”
“You’re not a burden.” Patton squeezed him tight, resting his cheek against Roman’s head and rocking them a bit. “But you’re definitely carrying one, and it’s okay to let other people help you carry it. Loads become lighter when they’re shared.”
“Nice metaphor.” Roman blows his nose and sighs, sitting up out of Patton’s arms. “I’m so tired. Being honest is exhausting.”
“And not sleeping.” Virgil adds with an eye roll. “I can hear you bumping around at night.”
“You shouldn’t be awake at all hours, either, Captain Insomnia.”
“You just contradicted your own point; I have a medical reason for not sleeping.”
“Okay, kids.” Patton cut in gently, laying his hand in Roman’s arm. “Someone needs a nap.” Patton stood and pulled Roman up despite the others’ protest. “Just a short one. I’ll time it and wake you up so you can sleep tonight, okay? I’ll walk you up for dinner. Don’t worry.” Patton gave Roman a light push toward his bedroom.
“Hey, Ro.” Virgil spoke up, looking at his phone again to break to seriousness of the moment. “I can totally skip out on Pride and hang out with you. We can have our own, private little celebration here. No social media involved.”
“Oooo a party!” Patton wiggles excitedly in place. “A just us party sounds fun! We can decorate the whole apartment! I can even come up with some games! Yeah let’s do it! We can skip out on big Pride this year.”
Roman paused and turned part of the way around, glancing over the pair shyly. “I don’t want you two missing out on celebrating on my account. Please, go. I’ll be fine.”
“But I want to stay in. It might rain that day, and sometimes the huge crowd can be...overwhelming.” Virgil really put effort into his denial, but Roman rolled his eyes.
“It’s your choice. If you want to party, I won’t be upset or offended. It’s not like I’ve ever been to Pride before to know what I’m missing.” Roman grimaced at the accidental guilt trip, but the other two seemed unperturbed.
“It’s fun, but we can have our own fun tailored to what we like and want out of Pride.” Patton smiled and shooed Roman toward his room. “Go sleep. Don’t worry about any of it.”
Roman sighed and trudged toward his room, rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn as he went.
Once Roman’s door was closed, Virgil turned to Patton. “We’re actually doing this Pride party, right? Because there’s no way in hell I can go knowing that he’s going to be sitting here alone with all those shitty thoughts in his head.”
“Absolutely!” Patton grinned and flopped back onto the couch. “That means Lo won’t have to be alone, either. He always acts like he doesn’t care, but I know he’d like to be involved if he could, especially since he just figured out he’s Asexual and all.”
Virgil nodded. “We don’t have long to party plan.”
“Let’s get to it, then! We can order take out from Roman’s favorite place tonight.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Virgil moved to the couch, and the pair spent the hours before and after dinner conspiring to put together a memorable Pride party for their friends.
A/N: Wow I’m writing something. Wow it’s not an ask prompt: it’s a random part of the college AU! I just reblogged the Chicken Nugget the Caterpillar post and got inspired. Take Virgil being nurturing. And don’t let my disdain for Henry David Thoreau ruin your opinion of him!
*Random note: a college English survey course is one that dips into a bunch of different authors and works within a single subsection of literature, like American or British.
A crisp, sunny afternoon found Virgil in the middle of campus; he reclined with his legs bent against a metal outdoor table, his eyes scanning over the words of Walden, for better or for worse, for his American Literature survey course.* As Virgil rolled his eyes at another one of Thoreau’s self-proclaimed epiphanies, he jumped, suddenly feeling the hairs on his left arm shifting. His gaze snapped down, and he gasped audibly at the bright green creature inching its way toward his hand.
“Where the hell did you come from, little guy?” Virgil slowly laid down his book and tenderly poked at the little being with the very tip of his right index finger. The little bug froze, and Virgil giggled. “Sorry I scared you.”
Virgil sighed and leaned his head back, soaking Florida sunshine with a deep inhale. For fear of all types of cancer, he usually stayed inside, but today was Friday. Campus was virtually empty; the air was calm and clear, the sky reflecting this tranquility, and Virgil simply found himself drawn to the small gathering of tables and chairs that were guarded by thick bushes. He supposed that must have been where the caterpillar creeped over from.
Virgil peered back at his arm, still finding the insect in the same spot, and he quirked a brow. “I really did spook you, huh?” Guilt tugged at him a bit, but he had an idea.
“Patton has been a little sad lately.” Virgil mused to himself and the little one. “Roman, too. They’d love you. Maybe...” Virgil slipped his phone from his pocket and Googled types of green caterpillars in Florida and what butterflies they changed into.
“Hmmm....green’s a pretty popular color with you guys, huh? Well, they all look great, so whatever you turn into will be cool.” Virgil eyed his clock and turned off his phone, carefully rising and stretching before bending over for his bag. “We can head home, now, little dude. Pat should be back, and I’m sure he’ll love to see you.”
Virgil muttered random thoughts to his new companion as they trekked back to Virgil’s apartment, and just as he pulled up to the door and pulled out his keys, the little bug’s grip came lose, and it fell toward the unforgiving concrete. Virgil yelped in surprise and knelt after it, relieved to see it landed on the welcome mat and not the hard slab, but his breath was labored and eyes intense as he slowly straightened back up.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, little guy, oh my gosh-“
“Virgil?”
Virgil’s head snapped up, and he clenched his jaw when he absorbed Logan staring at him, brows quirked and hair mussed. Logan napping was unusual, but the thought escaped Virgil when he realized the question asked for more than just identification.
“Yeah, uh-“
“Are you alright? Who are you talking to? Are you having an attack?”
“No, no, I’m fine....god this is embarrassing.”
Logan stepped aside.
“Oh, thanks.”
“You do live here, after all,” Logan commented, no hint of jest in his voice.
“R-right...” Virgil scooted inside, keeping his hand cupped gingerly over the being on his arm.
“Are you injured?” Logan peered at his domed fingers.
“I...no, but...it might be.” His voice trailed off, and he peeked under his hand before fully revealing his charge.
“Ah, a caterpillar. Judging from the bright green hue interspersed with the black and yellow accents, I would assume it will grow to be a swallowtail butterfly.”
“Seriously?” Virgil started in awe. “I saw those at the botanical gardens. They’re gorgeous and fun to draw.”
“Indeed. You said it might be injured?”
“Yeah....” Virgil laughed nervously. “It fell off my arm when I tried to get my keys out. That’s why you heard me talking to myself.”
“Oh, I see. Caterpillar’s bodies tend to allow them to be pretty resilient, and if it fell on the doormat, it should be alright.”
“Caterpillar?!” Virgil jumped a bit when Patton padded into the room, his eyes a little watery and his steps a little stiff. “Where?!”
“Here, Pat.” Virgil extended his arm, and his roommate gasped and inched toward the tiny creature.
“Hi, little guy!” Patron whispered and waved, prompting a chuckle from Virgil. “Where’d you find it?”
“It found me, actually. I was reading for Am. Lit. over in the Little Grove, and it decided to use my arm like a walking trail.”
“So cute! You’re chosen!!”
“Chosen? Like the Chosen One?” The final member of the rooming quartet shuffled into the room, stretching and yawning after a heavy nap.
“Sure! The Butterfly Whisperer!”
“Butterfly?” Roman looked around slowly. “Where? And how did you capture it humanely?”
“It’s still a caterpillar, Ro.” Virgil pointed his arm toward Roman. “It found me on campus.”
“Well, hello, there, little one.” Roman cooed softly. “Do we have a name for this button-sized beastie?”
“No, not really.” Virgil shrugged.
“Then, I dub thee: Carterpillar.”
“But what if it is female?” Logan interjected.
“Katiepillar!”
“Kathypillar!” Patton giggled, and Roman shot him fingers guns.
“Good one.”
“I like ‘Swallow,’ since Logan said it will grow into a Swallowtail.” Virgil piped up quietly.
“Swallow...I like it! Very YA Fantasy.” Roman mused, a hand on his chin for show.
“Me, too! It’s cute!” Patton fluttered around the stagnant creature, checking it out at all angles.
“Yes, you can hold it, Pat.” Virgil rolled his eyes affectionately and carefully plucked the bug off of himself and placed it in Patton’s eagerly awaiting palms.
“Ooo thank you!” Patton danced a little, being sure to keep his hands as still as possible. “It’s so cute! Can we keep it? And raise it into a butterfly?!”
“I imagine so. I can look into online resources on butterfly rearing.” Logan pulled out his phone and began searching, muttering to himself about making sure they could obtain the proper host plants for their new charge.
“I have a tank!” Patton exclaimed, and the others turned to him.
“You do?” Virgil asked.
“I....had a pet turtle.” Patton blushed. “I’ve been wanting to get a new one, but I just...haven’t quite gotten over Franklin....or had the money to properly care for one.”
“That’s...fair.” Roman raised his brows quickly. “We can leave it on the coffee table or the breakfast bar.”
“I’ll get it! Here, Ro.” Patton slowly handed the insect off to Roman and headed for his room.
“It is a rather lovely creature, isn’t it?” Roman mused softly, drawing his hands to his face. “Amazing that something like this should exist naturally.”
“Indeed. The wonders of the natural world are endless.” Logan sighed softly, traces of a fond smile pulling at his lips.
“Would you like to hold it, Logan?”
“I would prefer not to, honestly. I can observe him quite well from here.”
“Okay.” Roman shrugged and went back to bug-gazing. “Amazing that the anti-social butterfly should bring us this little gem.”
“It’s because of that, Caprincious.” Virgil rolled his eyes. “Gimme my bug baby back.” He twitched his fingers in Roman’s direction.
“Or put it in Patton’s tank.” Logan gestured toward the approaching youth who placed the tank on the kitchen counter.
“Let’s get some sticks and leaves and stuff first.”
After outfitting Swallow’s new home, the quartet stood back and admired their handiwork, but Roman’s face soon fell. “Why is it just sitting there? Surely it would want to explore.”
“It is likely making sure it is safe first.” Logan commented. “It has been transferred between unfamiliar, moving bodies, after all. Let’s give it some space.”
The other three nodded in agreement and scattered to their respective afternoon activities.
A little while later, Virgil slipped into the kitchen for a snack and smiled; Swallow had inched its way up a thick stick Roman had found (or...broken off of a tree...) for it. Virgil laughed under his breath and whispered, “Just takes a bit, huh? I relate, little guy. It’s...a lot to take in at first, but once you get settled here, it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else.”
“AWWW, VIRGIIILLLL!”
Virgil jumped and Patton sat up from his reclining spot on the couch, an English text in one hand. Virgil tried to smile in return and shrank into his hoodie, shuffling back toward his room.
“Don’t worry, buddy.” Patton murmured toward Swallow. “You’ll both grow into yourselves one day. I just know it.” The young man hummed happily at the thought and was just settling in when a quiet chuckle made him jump.
“Are you talking to Swallow, Pat?” Patton peeked over the back of the couch to find Roman standing outside of his door. “I heard voices and you yelling...or squealing.”
“Virgil was being all soft and sweet with Swallow, and I couldn’t contain myself.” Patton gushed, giggling at the recent memory.
“We both know well that he is a softie, no matter how hard he tries to seem.”
“Shut up!” Virgil yelled from beyond his half-open door.
“Virgil!”
“Get used to it, Swallow.” Roman stage-whispered conspiratorially. “It’s always loud around here.”
“Because we’re a family!” Patton cut in, smiling brightly.
“Yes,” Roman mused, gazing at Patton fondly. “I suppose we are. We even have a pet.”
Patton giggled and disappeared behind the couch again, missing the brief, misty-eyed longing on Roman’s face before he schooled his expression and padded back toward his room.
“Chinese for dinner?” Roman asked over his shoulder.
“We just had Chinese.” Virgil quipped from his room.
“I like Chinese, but I like a lot of food!” Patton called back.
“I have a coupon for the sandwich shop on Main.” Logan added from his room.
“Perfect.” All three replied simultaneously.
“Yup. Just like a family.” Roman thought before falling into his bed with a sigh. “Please let it stay this way.”
Angst on the horizon? Who knows! I don’t. Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks to @lamp-calm-sanders for pointing out that my formatting was wack. I typed on mobile but edited and posted on my laptop because mobile formatting sucks ass.
Moxiety Strangers Texting
The sky was fittingly overcast as Virgil trudged down the sidewalk; the stack of “MISSING” posters under his left arm shifted uncomfortably and he sighed, adjusting for the fifth time to make sure the sheets didn’t spill out onto the concrete. He approached a wooden telephone pole and pulled out a poster, sticking it to the post with a thumbtack and another sigh.
MISSING
Oogie Boogie (called Oobie)
Runaway idiot; return ASAP
Is not an outdoor cat and has claws
$725 reward
Please contact 555-8473
He stared longingly at the photo of his cat, his already big eyes wide as he sat upright (for once) and staring at the phone camera. It’d been three days since Oobie (short for Oogie Boogie) vanished, and Virgil was starting to worry. Well, more than normal. The chubby, beige feline was 99% an indoor cat, and usually he just popped outside to investigate the backyard before sauntering back through the sliding glass door like he was too good for the world outside his walls and all the creatures therein (or really there-out.)
Last Sunday, though, Virgil had left the back door open for Oobie because he was in a rush to get to his study session with Logan Patterson, another astronomy fan in his intro. course whose company he found quite companionable. In his haste, he’d left it open all afternoon and into the evening and returned to find Oobie had not.
The absence of a pet is always a difficult experience, but for Virgil missing Oobie was downright painful. Oobie was Virgil’s emotional support animal; the sassy cat could sense and respond to Virgil’s shifts in mood easier than he could chase down the occasional cat nip gifts Virgil brought home. Without Oobie, Virgil could survive, but life was emptier and that much more difficult to deal with.
Virgil jumped and nearly dropped the precariously placed posters when his phone buzzed in his back pocket. He reached around, praying it was a call from Oobie’s rescuer.
[+1 555-6666]
I saw you cat. I hope it didn’t suffer. Too much.
“What the HELL?!” Virgil gasped audibly and blocked the number, taking deep breaths. People sucked sometimes.
His phone buzzed again.
[+1 555-3345]
I’m looking for my cat, too. Please let me know if you get any leads on a calico.
Virgil bit his lips but exhaled slowly.
[+1 555-8473]
Sure.
[+1 555-3345]
Thanks.
Useless. Virgil debated flicking his phone to silent mode but decided against it for the greater good. He scowled when the phone buzzed incessantly as he went to put it back in his pocket; he set down the posters and took out the phone, brows raising at the volume and content of messages from the number.
[+1 555-7188]
Are you still looking for your cat?!
[+1 555-7188]
I’m so sorry he’s missing.
[+1 555-7188]
Unless you found him, which if you did, congrats!
[+1 555-7188]
But if not I hope you find him soon!
[+1 555-7188]
And I can help you look if you still are!
[+1 555-7188]
My name is Patton, by the way. I’m a vet student, not a creeper; I promise! 😊
Virgil laughed roughly, bewildered at the stream of messages, before replying.
[+1 555-8473]
Hi Patton; I’m Virgil (though you probably already know that from the missing posters.) Psych student. Yeah, I’m still looking for Oobie. I don’t need help, really. Just keep an eye and ear out? Maybe spread the word? Thanks so much for the offer and interest.
Patton replied instantly.
[+1 555-7188]
Can do! Good luck! 💙
Virgil chuckled; Patton had to be the bubbliest person he’d come into contact with, in person and otherwise. He finally pocketed his phone and continued around the combined commercial and residential area, silently praying someone would call about Oobie soon.
-
Virgil stumbled through his door around 6pm, emotionally wrecked and exhausted from his day. The calico owner had texted him hourly, finally stopping after they announced it’d been found. Virgil hadn’t replied.
He set his empty box of thumbtacks on the coffee table and collapsed onto his couch, reclining so that he was almost laying down, and he stared sadly at the ceiling. Normally, Oobie would jump on his chest and stare him down until he fed him dinner or gave him a treat. He never thought he’d miss that.
His eyes filled, and he swiped a sleeve over his face, grimacing when his phone buzzed. One more false lead or asshole, and he was calling the cops.
[+1 555-7188]
Hey, it’s Patton! Any luck today?
[+1 555-8473]
No. Still trying. Lots of assholes, false leads, and other desperate pet owners.
[+1 555-7188]
I’m so sorry, Virgil. I can check with the local shelters and animals control centers. I volunteer at the local shelter to get experience for my program, so I’ll help you out there!
[+1 555-8473]
Wow, thanks so much, Patton.
[+1 555-7188]
Of course.
A few minutes of silence passed, and his phone buzzed just as he flicked on his TV and laptop.
[+1 555-7188]
So you’re a psych student?
Virgil sighed.
[+1 555-8473]
Yeah. I’m a senior, so Oobie is pretty important to me right now.
[+1 555-7188]
Me, too! Probably not at the same school, though. I was at the local Tech. School before I transferred for this vet program.
[+1 555-8473]
Why is Oobie so important right now? Because being your best friend, of course!
[+1 555-8473]
Nice.
...
I have an anxiety disorder, and Oobie is my emotional support animal.
[+1 555-7188]
Oh, wow! I’ve heard of that, but I haven’t met anyone who actually has one. That is a real bummer; I really hope he comes home soon!
[+1 555-8473]
Me, too.
[+1 555-7188]
So what’s your favorite part of psych? I took an intro. class as a gen. Ed. Requirement, but I liked it a lot!
[+1 555-8473]
Either abnormal or behavioral. The human brain is just wild. Neuropsych is cool, too.
[+1 555-7188]
Why those?
[+1 555-8473]
They helped me understand myself. Once we hit the surface, I went deep and saw everything I related to. It was interesting and has helped me grow a lot.
[+1 555-7188]
That’s awesome! I’m so glad it’s been a useful experience for you.
[+1 555-8473]
Yeah. What about you? Why vet school?
[+1 555-7188]
I’ll admit. The science part of it was and is really hard, but I love the animals so much! It’s worth it! I love knowing that I help animals AND their humans!
[+1 555-8473]
That’s really nice of you
[+1 555-7188]
😊
Virgil and Patton went back and forth for a while longer, discussing future plans and majors until Patton needed to pay attention in class. Virgil finally set down his phone and scrolled through Hulu, trying to find another distraction to fill the loneliness.
-
A full week went by with no word on Oobie. Virgil was starting to loose hope, and he began to accept that he might have to find a new companion.
Sunday afternoon found him slumped in Starbucks, scrolling through his phone and looking at shelters in the area when a message popped up at the top of the screen. He hit it.
[+1 555-7188]
Hi, Virgil! It’s Patton! Seeing as it’s been a week since Oobie took a vacation, I just wanted to check in and see if there’s been any progress.
Virgil sighed. He was glad, in a way, for Patton’s concern, but he was also annoyed with the reminder and admittance of Oobie’s absence.
[+1 555-8473]
Nope, no dice. He’s still chillin in paradise somewhere.
[+1-555-7188]
Oh, no!! I’m so sorry to hear that. I can keep checking in with the local shelters and animals control centers between classes and shifts.
[+1-555-8473]
Thank you.
Virgil pinched his brow and took a breath. Oobie needed to get his little asshole self home soon.
-
Buzz buzz buzz buzz
Virgil groaned and rolled over, picking up his phone and blinking blankly at his screen until he recognized the number.
“Hello?”
“Virgil!” A tone that was far too chipper for 5am made him bite back a groan. “It’s Patton! I think my classmate found Oobie!”
Virgil’s heart pounded and he sat up slowly.
“Where?”
“She volunteers at the Akron Street Animal Shelter. She just texted me and said an older woman and her caretaker brought in a cat that matches Oobie’s description.”
“Akron is a couple minutes from here.” Virgil pushed himself out of bed and pulled on sweatpants and a hoodie. “That could be him. Thank you so much, Patton.”
“Absolutely! I gotta go; good luck!” Beep beep beep
Virgil grabber Oobie’s carrying case and his keys and set off for the shelter, arriving in just minutes.
“Hey.” He panted as he approached the desk. “I....Patton just called me about a cat.”
“Patton?” The desk clerk looked him over quizzically, and then he remembered.
“He volunteers somewhere else. I-whatever. I heard you just got a white cat from an old lady.”
“Oh, yes. He’s likely still being examined for injury or illness, so please take a seat. I’ll go see if they’re at a point where you can see him. If he’s yours, I’ll have a few discharge forms for you.”
“Thanks.” Virgil sank into the closest chair and breathed, trying to calm his racing pulse.
“Sir?” A vet. tech. with bright pink scrubs and a dark ponytail smiled at him. “You can come see him. Did Patton send you?”
“Yeah.” Virgil rose and offered a weary smile. “Thank you so much for calling him. I’m Virgil, by the way.”
“Valerie.” She gestured down the hall and walked with him. “Second door to the left here-“ She opened the door, freeing the once muffled meows into the hallway, and Virgil absorbed the mass of white fur and big blue eyes in front of him. Virgil’s eyes instantly filled with tears, and he laughed wetly.
“Yup, that’s Oobie.” He set down the cat carrier and went to the table, reaching out a rusted hand for Oobie to inspect. The cat sniffed briefly before bumping his head against his knuckles and purring loudly. “Hey, buddy. Is he okay?”
“Nothing we could find. Seems like he just wandered off. The woman said she found him harassing the birds in her bird bath.”
“Sounds right.” Virgil scooped Oobie off of the table and into his embrace, and the normally stubborn creature melted into his arms, settling easily over his forearms and purring loudly. “Thank you so much.”
“Absolutely!” Valerie beamed. “I’m so glad we could help! Patton will be thrilled.” She laughed. “You can stay here and visit with Oobie; I’ll get the discharge paper work and make sure we don’t need to do anything else.”
“Thanks.” Virgil settled Oobie back on the table; the cat mewed in protest, but Virgil rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. Taking Oobie back in one hand, Virgil snapped a quick selfie.
[+1 555-8473]
Success.
[+1 555-7188]
OMG YAY!!!!!! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH!!!!! IM LITERALLY CRYING!!!!
Big, framed brown eyes and chestnut brown hair filled Virgil’s screen, and his heart skipped a bit. He hadn’t expected Patton to be so....
[+1 555-8473]
Only tears of happiness, I hope
[+1 555-7188]
Of course!
Virgil smiled.
[+1 555-8473]
Thank you so so much for helping me get my little buddy back.
Virgil bit his lip.
[+1 555-8473]
I’d love to pay you back. Coffee? On me?
[Patton🐶]
I’d love to.
[Virgil💜]
Awesome.
Hope you liked it! Mobile version looks a lot better.
A/N: I had a couple of requests for Prinxiety with the Lost Cat AU, so it’s finally here! Sorry if it’s a lot like my other two lol And sorry for errors; I didn’t edit it super closely because the guilt of not posting this one when I posted two other ones was eating at me all week lol Edit: Just learned how to do Read More on Mobile; sorry about that lol
College AU that is different from my existing one lol
Warning for cussing, upset stomach mention, alcohol reference, sadness/crying, stranger paranoia, anxiety symptoms, implied violent pet death mention, family death mention, and actual pet death mention (SPOILER BUT NOT VIRGIL’S CAT NO WORRIES)
The sleepy, grey rays of an overcast Sunday morning filtered through Virgil Anderson’s curtains, only brightening enough to pull the young man from a fitful sleep around 11 in the morning. With a groan, Virgil threw his blankets off and trudged into the kitchen he shared with his two other roommates, perching hunched on one of the trio’s bar stools with a yawn.
“Morning, Moonshine!” Virgil’s bubbly roommate, Patton, breeezed past him and into the kitchen, clicked on the coffee maker, and turned on a stove eye.
“Pat, I told you, moonshine is alcohol.”
“I know, but Logan is my Starshine, and I’m his Sunshine, so you’re my Moonshine. You have to be!” Patton pouted a bit and gestured toward the breakfast food part of their pantry. “Pancakes? French toast? Just toasted toast?”
“Nothing right now.” Virgil grumbled, sliding an arm over his rolling stomach.
Patton frowned, a sad gleam in his eyes, and he slowly crossed to his roommate to wrap him in a warm, loving hug.
“No luck with Shadow then, huh?”
Virgil shook his head mutely, and Patton gave him a squeeze and rested his head on Virgil’s.
“I’m so sorry, Vee. I’m sure he’ll turn up soon. Cats are smart like that; they have a built in homing device or something.”
“Something like that.” A deep, sleepy voice cut in from across the room, and the quiet pair looked up to find their third roommate trying to rub his eyes into wakefulness. “Or just animal instinct.”
“Morning, Lolo.” Patton murmured sweetly through Virgil’s hair.
“I assume this means that Shadow is sticking to his leave of absence?”
Virgil nodded again and allowed his chin to fall to his chest with a loud sigh. Patton made a distressed noise in the back of his throat and moved to hold Virgil from the side, rubbing Virgil’s back with one hand and moving to take Virgil’s hand with the other.
“He’ll come home, Virgil. I know he will. He loves you,” Patton whispered softly in Virgil’s ear. “Promise me you’ll come to us if you start to feel...wonky. Promise me.”
Virgil quirked a brow at Patton’s word choice, but he ultimately nodded and squeezed Patton’s hand, touching the other to his chin and signing “Thank you” as Patton stood up straight. Their sign that Virgil was ultimately okay but a little overwhelmed. Patton smiled, patted his shoulder, and crossed to Logan, quickly wrapping his arms around the other’s neck. He breathed out a soft “good morning” and placed an equally soft kiss on his lover’s lips. Logan blinked and reciprocated before Patton pulled away and folded into the taller man’s side.
“Hungry, sweetpea?”
“Soon.” Logan grunted and allowed Patton to lead him to the table and sit him down with a light pat to the crown of his head.
“Sleepy Logan is my favorite.” Patton whispered to Virgil conspiratorially as he passed. “He’s so cute when he’s tired.”
“Or grumpy.” Virgil chuckled quietly when Patton came back with a steaming cup of coffee.
“That’s before he sleeps. Or if I wake him up early.”
“Have you tried posters, Virgil?” Logan suddenly spoke up from the table as Patton set down his mug, startling his boyfriend a bit.
“What?”
“Lost Cat posters. For Shadow.”
“Oh, right, yeah. I could do that, I guess. Slap something together in Word and hang them up.”
“I’ll help!”
“Patton, we have study group today.”
Patton groaned dramatically. “But LOLOOOOOO we HAVE to help Virgiiiillll!! Don’t you care about Shadow at aaaalllll?”
“We can take a few posters to hang up as we go.”
“But...”
“It’s fine, Pat. I got it.” Virgil pulled out a smile.
“It has only been a three days.” Logan offered. “Cats can disappear for a couple of weeks and return unscathed.”
“I know. I’ve always had cats, and one vanished for a month once, but....Shadow is different.”
“We know.” Patton smiled sadly at his roommate. “And he’s a smart cookie kitty, so he’ll probably be home by tonight! Maybe he just went exploring. He’s still pretty new to this place!”
“True.” Virgil sighed, trying to push down the negative scenarios flying through his mind. “But we just finally got clearance for him to live here with me, and now he’s gone. It’s just frustrating. And scary.”
“I know. Why don’t you get started on the posters if you can’t eat?”
“Good idea.” Virgil pushed himself from the breakfast bar and shuffled to his laptop, abandoned on their coffee table from the night before. “What do you even put on a missing pet poster?”
“Usually the animal’s name, your name, contact information, a reward if possible, and a picture with or without a brief physical description.” Logan replied between notes of toast.
Virgil nodded and typed quietly for the next ten minutes or so. “Okay. Come see.”
Patton and Logan peered over their roommate’s shoulders, each with his respective breakfast in his hand while inspecting the poster.
“Virgil! You can’t put cuss words! What if a kid sees it?”
“Then they can learn.”
“It can certainly get people’s attention...”
“Lo! Don’t encourage this!”
“I believe it is an appropriate poster.”
“Thanks, Lo.”
Patton whined and dragged his feet back to the kitchen table, falling toward it dramatically. “You’re corrupting the CHILDREN!”
“Patton,” Virgil quipped. “We all know you have a potty mouth at the right times.”
“That was ONE TIME during Monopoly!”
“And two during Yahtzee.” Logan deadpanned.
“I think one during Pictionary, too.” Virgil snickered not unkindly as Patton blushed.
“....Fine. It works.”
“Nice.” Virgil hit the enter key and sent 25 copies of the small poster to his printer. 25 copies of Shadow’s solid black fur and big green eyes stared up at him, framed by these words:
LOST ASSHOLE CAT
Shadow Anderson
Fluffy asscat with black fur and green eyes
Basically Toothless as a cat
I need this jerk, so please help a dude out
Call or text 1-555-8474
$100 REWARD
(Sorry I’m a broke college kid)
-
The sun was setting by the time Virgil headed back home, an afternoon of hanging up posters and asking people having yielded nothing. Virgil stumbled through his bedroom door just as his phone went off for the 13th time since he hung up his first poster. (6 false leads, 2 pranks, 1 occultist, and 3 other pet owners offering their advice.) Virgil collapsed in his bed and took a deep breath before facing what would likely be another disappointment.
[Pat😄]
Hey, V! Did you find him?!
[💜Virge🖤]
Not yet
[Pat😄]
Aww I’m sorry! My friend, Valerie, volunteers at a shelter to get experience for her Vet. program, and she says it’s the most popular for found pets. I’ll send you the number!
[💜Virge🖤]
Thanks pat
Virgil sighed and dropped his phone next to him, closing his eyes and just breathing to calm his racing heart. His breath hitched when his phone vibrated multiple times, second long gaps in between each message, and he lay staring at the device until it had stopped moving for a full few minutes. Slowly, he reached over and brought the device to his face, and his heart stuttered when a screenful of notifications met his eyes. It was a stream of texts from the same unfamiliar number.
[+1 555-7662]
Did you find your cat????
Oh shit you don’t know me. Hi, I’m Roman! I’m a Leo, and I love long walks on the beach.
Lol anyway sorry I just wanted to make sure you got your cat back!
[+1 555-8474]
No not yet but thanks for asking
[+1 555-7662]
Oh okay, sorry to hear that. Hope he comes home soon!
[+1 555-8474]
Thanks again
[+1 555-7662]
Is there any way I can help??? More Posters? Talking to people?
Virgil quirked a brow. What the hell was this guy’s game?
[+1 555-8474]
No not really only if you find him somehow
Again thanks for the offer
[+1 555-7662]
Oh okay just let me know if anything changes. You have my number lol
[+1 555-8474]
Yup
“Might have to block that number...” Virgil muttered just as the front door flew open.
“Viiiiiiiirgiiiiilllll!” His roommate sang as he flounced into the room. “We brought your favorite Pad Thaaaaaiiiii!”
“Thanks, Pat. Thai.” Virgil’s lips quirked into a grin at Patton’s approving laughter; he turned he slipped his phone into his pocket, the device staying silent all night and into the next morning. Until 7AM.
[+1 555-7662]
Good morning! Any overnight luck on the kitty caper?
Hello? Virgil?!
[+1 555-8474]
What the hell, man?! You understand that 7AM is an ungodly hour to be awake for some people???? and no my cat is still gone but thanks for remind me
[+1 555-7662]
Oh god I’m so sorry I have to get up early to get in a decent work out and I just didn’t even think about it Wow okay I’ll stop texting you good night or morning or whatever
Virgil turned his phone on silent and threw it into his clothes hamper before turning over.
-
The early morning texts set the mood for that week. Roman texted Virgil daily, sometimes multiple times daily, for updates on the Shadow situation, and Virgil was becoming increasingly incensed with this stranger’s obsession with his cat and his life.
[+1 555-7662]
Hello! Hope today is a better day! Let me know what I can do to help!
Hello hello! Any luck on Shadow?
Viiiiiuuurrrrrgiiiiiiilllllll???
[+1 555-8474]
No not yet
[+1 555-7662]
Oh no 😔
As the days progressed, Roman’s texts progresssed beyond Shadow, and he periodically asked Virgil about his own life, having weeded out of Virgil that they attended the same college and were both first semester sophomores. Any other person would have brushed off Roman’s enthusiasm, but every time his phone buzzed, Virgil’s heart lurched painfully in his chest. Notification sounds of any type caused an immediate physical reaction in Virgil, so he normally kept his phone completely silent and answered when he felt ready to. However, lately Virgil had to keep his phone on vibrate so that he didn’t miss an actual update on Shadow, but all he was getting was updates on Roman’s life and curiosity.
[+1 555-7662]
Ugh astronomy is soooo boring!!!!
[+1 555-7662]
Omg late for rehearsal again lol he’s so going to kick me out of the troupe
[+1 555-7662]
Saved today! Director’s tired blew out oops
[+1 555-7662]
Any luck with Shadow?!
It wasn’t that Virgil had anything against a kind stranger or Roman in particular, but that was the issue. Roman was a stranger, and Virgil couldn’t conceive of any universe in which a total stranger would care so much about him or his cat unless he was a psycho or stalker or something. The thought left Virgil paralyzed. What was this guy’s angle? There had to be one, and Virgil wanted no part of it.
He left Roman on Read for a few days.
-
That particularly rough Thursday was when it all came to a head. Shadow was still missing; Virgil overslept, had to skip breakfast, wasn’t ready for a pop quiz in his 50 minute 11am class, and nearly missed his noon class in a mad dash to get a snack in between (the professor was an asshole who locked the doors right at noon.) On top of all that, prank message number three came through.
[Unknown]
Your cat and my front bumper became good friends today
Virgil’s stomach lurched and his heart pounded; he threw his phone onto his rug and wept bitterly into his hands. Thank god he was already home.
“Virgil?! Honey, are you okay?!” Virgil shook his head furiously as Patton shuffled into his room and gasped. “Aw, baby...”
“Some asshole just sent me....he said that Shadow-“
“Oh no, another prank?” Patton murmured softly as he sat next to Virgil on the bed; he gently coaxed his friend into his arms when he nodded affirmation and stroked Virgil’s hair as he sobbed. Patton bent over a bit when Virgil’s phone set off in a stream of messages. “Oh dear...” Patton released Virgil to pluck up the phone, but before he could silence it, he noticed the repetition on the screen.. “Someone you don’t know really wants to talk to you...about....acting? And Shadow?”
“Oh...god....” Virgil whimpered between sobs. “Roman...” He took a few minutes to breathe and calm himself. “Some guy who saw my posters...He’s been texting me NON-STOP, and I’ve barely even replied!”
“Hey, let’s just put this away, okay?.....” Sensing another breakdown, Patton put the phone into silent mode and slid it into Virgil’s bedside drawer. “You need a break. Come watch a movie with me.”
Virgil eventually relented and followed Patton who decided that Logan could watch Virgil’s phone while they relaxed. A few hours of movies and roommate time found Virgil only marginally better, but he could at least fake it well enough that Patton let him be in his room alone again. He’d gotten his phone back from Logan and found, to his annoyance, multiple screens of messages from Roman, the most recent about Shadow.
[+1 555-7662]
No luck yet but still looking!
I’m so sorry your going through this. I hope he comes home soon.
Any luck on your end? No more bad leads I hope.
Virgil? Are you okay?
[+1 555-8474]
Roman oh my god chill out!
[+1 555-7662]
Whoa what’s with the anger all of a sudden, Orlando Gloom?
[+1 555-8474]
What the hell does that even mean?
Whatever
Roman just leave me alone oh my god you’ve blown up my phone this week just chill
[+1 555-7662]
I’m sorry for wanting to help you find Shadow and for trying to distract you from your sadness.
[+1 555-8474]
Oh is that what this was? Well I’m SO sorry for ruining your act of charity
[+1 555-7662]
Look, I wasn’t trying to guilt trip you; I really just wanted to help.
[+1 555-8747]
Why do you care about helping me so much?! You don’t even know me!
Radio silence for literal hours, and just when Virgil felt like he should apologize, Roman replied.
[+1 555-7662]
....I lost my cat a few months ago. She’s the only one I have left.
[+1 555-8474]
What?
[+1 555-7662]
My parents and younger brother died in a head-on collision two years ago. She’s literally the only family I have left. Thankfully, I found her after a month or so; an older woman found her and kept her inside all that time so she was fine, but that period of her being gone was so agonizing and anxious and lonely and just awful, and the thought of someone else going through that just....I don’t know hit me I guess.
Oh my god. Wow. I’m so sorry that was way too much too tell you. Oh my god I didn’t even ask if it was okay to get that heavy. I’m so sorry holy shit!!!
[+1 555-8474]
Roman. It’s okay. I’m sorry I snapped at you.
Thank you for caring about me and Shadow
Suddenly, his phone began to ring, and he sat up quickly, eying another unfamiliar number, but the first new call in a while, wearily before answering.
“....Hello?”
“Heeeeyyyy is this Virgil?”
“....uh, yeah?”
“Hey, gurl, I’m Remy, not that it matters, but I think I found your little Salem.”
“Shadow.”
“I’m just messin’, gurl, I know. I see it on his collar.”
Virgil’s heart stalled. None of the others had mentioned Shadow’s collar.
“What does it say on the back?” Virgil asked slowly.
“E.S.A. Emotional Support Animal.”
“Oh my god, you have him!” Virgil felt his eyes well with tears.
“Sweet beans!! Actually, that’s where I am. Sweet Beans Coffee by East Campus.”
“I know the place. I’ll be there. Thank you so much!”
“See ya soon!”
-
“Never do that again, you asshole.” Virgil rubbed between Shadow’s ears, oblivious purs of satisfaction emanating through the beast’s body as he lay curled in his owner’s lap. “Thank God Remy found you in your dumpster apartment before something else did. God.” Virgil sighed and leaned back right as an idea clicked into place. He leaned over and snatched his phone, noting the concerned messages from Roman when he hadn’t answered their thread from hours ago, and took a selfie with Shadow in the foreground.
[+1 555-8474]
Got my asshole back
[+1 555-7662]
Yay oh my god congrats!
OMG I DO know you! I wasn’t sure before, and I didn’t want to weird you out if it wasn’t you, but we had that freshman seminar class together!
I never said anything in that class because I’m not the best at articulating myself, but you sat with the really sweet guy and the smart kid! You guys always had amazing points, and I wanted to be friends with you guys so bad, but I didn’t know how to say anything without being a total lame asshole creeper.
[+1 555-8474]
I don’t remember a Roman in that class. it was pretty small so I would remember
[+1 555-7662]
Oh Roman is my middle name. My first name is John after my dad, but that’s super boring compared to Roman so I started going by that, but the prof never remembered when I asked him personally to call me that so I gave up.
[+1 555-8474]
Oh my god you’re John Prince
Virgil blushed fiercely at the realization. He’d had all of two conversations with Jo-Roman for the class, but he’d definitely been the one star struck by the other young man’s incredible looks and charm. He was right, his ideas had often come out jumbled, if not passionately so, and Virgil had secretly admired his gusto, but he never imagined someone like Roman would look at him twice, especially not in the way Virgil wanted. Roman always seemed like a lady’s man to him, but perhaps, like before, he’d had Roman pegged the wrong way.
[+1 555-7662]
He I am. John Roman Prince at your service.
Roman sent a selfie of him wearing a crown and red sash with a fluffy white cat with big blue eyes perched primly in his lap.
[+1 555-7662]
And this is Sugar. She would love to meet Shadow sometime if that is agreeable with you
[+1 555-8474]
A kitty play date? Sounds kinda weird but cute. Like a dumb Hallmark movie. What would we do while our cats talked?
[+1 555-7662]
Talk in person. Get to know each other for real like a dumb Hallmark movie. If you’re open to that kind of thing.
[+1 555-8474]
I am actually. Believe it or not, Shadow isn’t an outdoor cat, so is my place okay? Logan and Patton will be here, too, probably, so I hope you like Disney movies and science.
[+1 555-7662]
One I love and the other I can learn to love. When should we arrive?
