9:24pm
Trigger warning: depression, mentions of alcoholics, mentions of past child abuse, mentions of suicidal thoughts, mentions of past rape
Woah is this...Analogical!?
Au
—
When Logan entered his dorm room, his eyes instantly landed on the boy he would be sharing a room with. His side of the room was already decorated, with dark coloured bedding, walls covered with posters from various bands, the single shelf above the bed holding a few books - mostly biography's - and sitting on his bedside table was his phone, wallet, keys and headphones. He was asleep, so Logan silently placed his suitcase on his bed, shushing his dad before he walked in with the boxes.
"Aw" his dad, Patton, cooed at the boy who was dressed in 'edgy' clothing, tips of his bangs dyed purple. "He looks cute" he winked at Logan who rolled his eyes and sighed. Ever since he came out to his dad as homoromantic (asexual and gay) Patton always pointed out a cute boy whenever he spotted one, even going so far as to send pictures of the people who obviously don't know they're having their photos taken. After Logan told him it was a bit creepy, a few days later Logan was sent a picture of Patton and the cute boy smiling at the camera.
He couldn't escape.
"I am fine single, Patton" Logan murmured quietly, and the two worked in silence, setting up Logan's room the way he wanted it, down to the exact placements of every object. In the end, Patton left him to it, gazing out at campus from the window between both boys' side of the room.
"I'm gonna miss you" Patton blubbered once they left and stood in the hallway. Logan sighed but smiled fondly, allowing his father to hug him tightly and quietly cry onto his shoulder. "Please stay safe for me, and text me if you need anything, promise?" Logan nodded, holding onto his fathers forearms. "I promise" Patton nodded and smiled, wiping at his eyes while giggling softly. "I'm a mess" he whispered, the two sharing a few more hugs before Patton finally left, and Logan could start exploring which buildings his classes would be in.
Finding the map on his bedside table, he couldn't help but glance over at his roommate he didn't even know the name of yet. He was still fast asleep, body curled up tightly into a ball, weirdly sleeping on top of the blanket. Logan assumed because of that he didn't mean to sleep for so long. Giving him one last lingering look, Logan opened the door, stepped out, and closed it after him.
A few hours later and he returned to find his roommate up and awake, sitting on his bed with one leg drawn up, the other stretched out. He was tapping away on his phone screen, faint music floating out past his headphones. Logan didn't stare for too long; he moved towards his side of the room and started organising his folders ready for his lessons that would start in a few days.
His roommate glanced over, slowly tugging his headphones around his neck and pausing the music. "Sup"
The sudden voice startled Logan a little who perked his head up, curtly nodding his head. "Salutations. I am Logan" he introduced, standing up to shake his hand. "Virgil" he reached out and shook it strongly, "friends call me Virge" he added, and Logan nodded, keeping that in mind. "Well, it is nice to meet you, Virgil. I assume you arrived early in the day?" Virgil nodded and returned to his phone.
"Yeah, first bus I could catch" Logan nodded, Virgil wondering if he would comment on why his parents didn't drop him off, but it was a nice relief when Logan didn't even raise an eyebrow in curiosity. After the room fell back to silence, Virgil sat up and leaned forward on his bed towards Logan who was sitting at his desk.
"I know you" he recalled, Logan glanced over his acknowledgment to his statement. "Yes. We went to the same high school" Logan responded, Virgil noting his voice was rather reminiscent of a robot. Quite monotone and lacking emotion. He liked it. "Hmm.." Virgil hummed, shuffling up his bed until his back was pressed against the wall, a smirk playing at his lips.
"You were quite the nerd. Weird thing was, you were friends with Roman, the most popular boy in the entire school...while you were an introvert, studying over partying, he was the complete opposite..how did that happen?" Logan drew his eyebrows together, he wasn't confused over the question, many people still ask him to this day how someone like him were friends with someone like Roman, no, he was more confused over the tone. It was unsettling, to say the least.
"We met in after-school studying. Me and him were the only ones who showed up, and bonded over helping each other with work. We exchanged numbers, and decided to hang out since. We are still friends, he just chose a different college. One that focuses more on theatrical performances and such" Logan waved his hand and returned his gaze to his work, hoping Virgil would leave it at that, but the boy didn't stop there.
He hummed, "is he the only one that knows about what happened?"
Logan tensed, slowly turning his head to stare at the teenager who grinned mischievously. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, you know" he drawled, "What happened that day...is he the only one you told?" Logan swallowed thickly, hands beginning to shake. How did Virgil know? He and Virgil had never once interacted in high school, they shared no classes, and barely saw each other in the hallways - so who told him? How did he find out? It couldn't have been Roman - he promised not to tell anyone... Logan trusted Roman with everything. Maybe he should ask him about it later.
"W-Who told you?" He tried to sound strong but his voice broke on him. Virgil shrugged and leaned forward, "eh, that doesn't matter, does it? Of course, I'll keep it a secret.." Virgil trailed off, eyes glinting, "for a price" Logan visibly deflated, "no money needed" he carried on, laying down on his bed, arm propping up his head. "I will not tell anyone your secret if you promise not to tell anyone mine"
Logan's face scrunched up in confusion. Virgil laughed at it. "Dimwit, I haven't told you yet, but is it a deal?" Logan nodded hurriedly, "deal, yes, I will not tell a soul" Virgil smirked and nodded his head approvingly. "Good. You will become my therapist, of sorts, I'll rant to you about my problems, and you can't tell anyone, or do anything about it. If it comes to a point where I tell you I'm going to take my life, you can't do anything to stop me"
"Wait-what-"
"I could ruin you, Logan" Virgil cut him off, "besides, we made a deal" he spoke while standing up and stalking to the door. "I'm gonna grab some food. Want anything?" Logan stared at him in bewilderment, his sudden change in tone making him freeze in shock. He made that question sound so normal, so nonchalant, even if moments prior he sounded so devilish, mischievous, even going as far to say evil. When he finally found his voice, he stuttered out a 'no', watching Virgil shrug and murmur 'your loss' before he left, closing the door behind him.
In a flash, Logan whipped out his phone and dialled Roman's number.
"Ah, greetings you wonderful nerd! How-"
"You haven't told anyone, have you?"
Instantly Roman knew what he was referring to. "What? No! Never! I would never tell a soul, Lo! Why? What happened?"
"My roommate knows"
Roman gasped, "who is he!?"
"Virgil"
"Who?"
Logan sighed. "The emo outcast from our high school. Many people rumoured that he got the physics teacher fired"
"That guy?" Roman asked in surprise, "I always knew something was up with him...oh, do stay safe, Logan! What if he tells someone?"
"He won't. We made a deal"
"What does this deal intent?"
Logan went to open his mouth when he paused, glancing towards the door. There is a high possibility Virgil could be out there, listening to his conversation. He cleared his throat and shook his head, "I cannot tell you. That is apart of the deal"
"Is he there?"
"I don't know" Logan murmured quietly, forcing his eyes to train on the window.
"Tell me when you can. I wish I could stay, but I really have to go, text me later!"
"I will, goodbye, Roman"
"Goodbye, favourite nerd of mine!"
Logan hung up and sat back down on his desk chair, covering his face with his hands. He was screwed if Virgil ends up telling anyone, and what could he do with the information Virgil told him? Out him to everyone which would inevitably lead to him getting help? He sighed and flopped back, staring up at the ceiling, exasperated. This was sure to be a great few years. Maybe he could ask fo switch roommates...but that might violate the deal, somehow.
He sighed again and rubbed his eyes, what was he to do?
Virgil came back hours later, at that point Logan had gotten ready for bed, currently laying down, eyes closed, until Virgil actually entered the room. "Up" he demanded, waving in Logan's general direction. The boy grabbed his glasses and sat up, squinting at Virgil after he flicked on the lamp on his desk. Flopping onto his bed, he took out his ear piercings and placed them on the table along with his three bracelets and two rings.
"What is going on-?"
"My end of the deal, remember?" Virgil shifted his position, laying his arms under his head and staring at the ceiling. "I've had such a fucking shit day" he began. Logan sat up completely and rubbed his eyes, silently sighing. He hoped this wouldn't last long, he wouldn't want Virgil's late night rants to completely ruin his schedule.
"I had to wake up at five in the fucking morning, and walk to the bus stop with two suitcases. And the bus was full, so I had to stand in a crowd - the bastards wouldn't stop scowling until I got off" Virgil huffed in obvious annoyance, rolling his eyes angrily at the memory. He glanced over to Logan who was holding his head in his hands, barely awake until a pillow hit him smack in the face. He yelped and flinched backwards, rubbing his face after his glasses pushed awkwardly into his nose.
"You could have spoken to me about this earlier" Logan sighed and threw the pillow back for Virgil to catch and lay under his head again. He shrugged, "eh, where's the fun in that" he then trailed off into a rant about how he already despised nearly everyone here - they were all so cheery and loud, waving and saying hello when he walked by. Logan wanted to say they were only being polite, but he didn't know the etiquette of this, so he assumed he had to stay silent throughout.
Nearly an hour passed before Virgil finally finished his monologue of anger. "Alright, I'm done" he sat up and stalked to their shared bathroom, ready to relieve himself and brush his teeth. Instantly, Logan's head hit the pillow and he was out like a light. Virgil returned a few minutes later, smirking at the fact he didn't even have the energy to take off his glasses. He left them there, hoping Logan might break them in the night. Changing into pyjamas, he crawled under the covers, and fell asleep with his headphones easing music through his eardrums.
The next day Logan awoke to the sound of voices from outside. He stretched his arms and groaned at the discomfort around his face. Smacking his hand against it, he picked up his glassed and sighed. It was slightly bent. Fixing it as much as he could, he returned them to his face and slipped out of bed, yawning as he did his business and changed into his day clothes. Scrubbing his teeth, he washed his face and sprayed himself with deodorant before he returned to the room. Virgil was still snoring away quietly, so Logan left him to it, silently praying Virgil would not utter his secret to anyone, not even an animal.
When he returned, it was nearing one pm. He had a bag of food he planned to place in their mini fridge. Like he had hoped, Virgil wasn't there, so he could get on with some work without being disturbed by his talking or watchful eyes. Awhile later he thought about texting Roman the deal, and giving him a briefing of what Virgil told him last night, but he didn't really like the idea anymore. Yes, he didn't like the idea that Virgil knew his secret, but Virgil wasn't really doing any harm, just talking to him without expecting an answer. Preferably, Logan wishes that's how all his conversations could go with everyone in general.
By the time he had actually finished everything he needed to do, and he legitimately couldn't do anything until classes, he sat on his bed and sighed out. Maybe he could explore more of campus, but he didn't really need to. He knew where his classes were - why would he need to go to any other department? Just as he was debating whether or not to go out and buy a puzzle book, the door opened and slammed shut. Logan looked up to see Virgil, his wicked smirk and all.
"Sup, Lo" he greeted, sitting on his bed and unbuckling his black combat books. They looked good on him, Logan noted. "I am merely trying to think of something to do. How are you?" Logan questioned back, grabbing his wallet and sliding it into his trouser pocket. "Eh, I'm whatever" he shrugged, Logan half expecting him to go further, but he didn't. "There's a library if you wanna find a book to read" Virgil added before Logan left the room. This caught his interest. Virgil told him where it was, and two hours later, Logan arrived back with a stack of books in his arms.
Virgil whistled, tucking off his headphones. "Jesus, dude, I didn't mean bring the entire library back" he joked, Logan rolled his eyes and placed them onto his shelf that was once empty. "I like to read" was his excuse. Virgil shrugged and watched him put away the books, grabbing the one written by Agatha Christie. "Fan of her work?" Virgil started up conversation. "I have read all of her collection" Virgil snorted and shook his head, grabbing his headphones to put them back on.
"You're one weird teen, dude" Logan didn't acknowledge his insult, and instead indulged himself with the book. Virgil did the same with tumblr, and the two sat across the room from each other in silence, never once lifting their eyes up from what they were doing until they both started to feel hungry. Placing the book down, Logan grabbed some food from the mini fridge, ready to make himself a cold snack when Virgil snaked up behind him and stopped his movements.
"You order takeout and I'll pay" he offered, waving a twenty in his hands. Logan found that way more appealing, and spoke to the worker on the phone while Virgil slumped down in his bed again. "It should be here in half an hour" Logan concluded, ready to return to reading when Virgil stopped him.
"If we're gonna live together for awhile, shouldn't we get to know each other?" He suggested, a grin playing on his lips. He stared longingly at his book but he begrudgingly agreed to what Virgil suggested. They sat cross-legged on their respectful beds, Virgil going first.
"Virgin?"
Logan rolled his eyes, typical. "No"
His eyebrows shot up in surprise, "damn, with who?" Logan sighed and adjusted his glasses. "Roman wanted me to 'test out' my sexuality to see if I was indeed straight. Turns out I wasn't, but I hated the experience. Not because he was bad, rather I did not find any pleasure from it, and later I concluded I was asexual, or, homoromantic, I suppose" Logan concluded, a light blush coating his cheeks - did he reveal too much information? From Virgil's normal expression, he relaxed.
"Chill"
It took Logan a moment to realise it was his turn to ask. "Oh-uh" he cleared his throat, "Are you a virgin?" He decided, seeing as Virgil was diving straight first into more personal questions, why couldn't he? Virgil snorted and stared at his nails, "if you count my father raping me when I was eleven, then sure" Logan choked on air, covering his mouth with his hand in shock. Virgil only laughed at his expression.
"It's whatever, I'm over it. And yeah, I'm gay" he added on like Logan had. "What's your life at home like?"
A broader question, alright. Logan asked himself how much information he was comfortable revealing, but the fact Virgil knew his secret, it shouldn't really matter at this point, should it? Even so, he decided to leave it on what most people knew. "I live with my father" Logan began, "his wife, my birth-giver, left him when he came out as pansexual"
"Oof" Virgil smirked, "can't even call her mother?"
"He broke my fathers heart" Logan excused, "I didn't want to look at her, let alone give her such a title" his tone edging on anger. "Makes you feel any better, my birth-giver sucked ass, too" Logan snorted in slight amusement, folding his hands over his lap. "What is your life at home like?"
Virgil tutted, "Just gonna repeat what I say?"
"Why not?"
"Not very original, Mr. Smart Guy, but whatever" He waved off, "I don't have a life at home, not anymore" he explained, "but that will be saved for my late night rants" he winked, "What's your father like?"
Logan didn't try and get more information out of him. "He is the best father I think I could ever ask for. He knows exactly what to do when I, or anyone, is upset, and never allows anyone to feel down for too long. He admittedly gives out the best hugs, and...hasn't left my side, not once. Even through my hormonal, irrational teenage years. I sometimes lost my temper around him due to his consistent questions about my wellbeing, but he never yelled back, or dealt out punishments. He would calm me down and hold me until I told him what was wrong" Logan found himself unable to stop once he started, a soft smile alight on his usual stoic face.
"And I love him" he concluded, looking up at Virgil who quirked the side of his lip up.
"Wow" he mused, "that's the first time I've seen you smile"
Once their food arrived and they watched YouTube on Virgil's phone, Logan finally decided it was time for bed. Getting ready, he almost forgot about the late-night rant until Virgil cleared his throat, ready to start talking. "I have a feeling I'm gonna have a shitty day tomorrow" he started, shifting to become more comfortable, Logan following his movements and laying down, too, staring up at the ceiling. Logan wanted to ask why, but again, is disturbing him allowed? Is this just a listening thing?
"Least it won't be when classes start" he sighed, "can't wait for that" he added on sarcastically. "Probably should get more anti-depressant pills, I'm just so fucking lazy. And the man at the clinic is rude. Doesn't like me because teenagers are 'lying about their mental health' - which, some are, but if the fucking doctor prescribed me this shit, how could I be lying? Fucking prick" he paused and glanced over at Logan, but due to the bedside tables blocking his view, he couldn't see Logan's head.
"Hey, nerd, you still up?"
"Yes. Sorry. Shall I sit up?"
"Nah, just stay awake" Virgil replied and went further in depth about his issues. Logan, unlike the night before, actually found himself listening more and more, discovering more about the teenager who already knows too much about Logan for his liking.
"That's it" Virgil shrugged and yawned, "night, L"
"Goodnight, Virgil" Logan replied and rolled onto his side, facing the wall, eyes slipping shut along with Virgil's.
The next day; Virgil was right. He was about to have a bad day. Logan didn't notice anything different from the start, he left the dorm with Virgil still asleep, and when he returned around twelve-ish, he expected him to be gone, it at least sitting up, but he was still laying on his bed, facing the wall. Logan wanted to say something, but then he remembered the deal - all he was was someone Virgil could rant to. He wasn't allowed to help. Sitting on his bed, he brought out his new notebook he bought that day and wrote down a schedule all the while glancing up at Virgil every so often, wondering if the boy was extremely tired, feeling lazy, or feeling depressed.
Logan remembered when his birth-giver left Patton. He sometimes spent entire days on his bed, doing nothing but staring. He later found out Patton had fallen into depression, which was why he felt like he couldn't do anything, couldn't get out of bed, he just felt so tired, so numb. Logan hoped that wasn't what Virgil was going through, but then he remembered the fact he needed anti-depressant pills, and his hope dwindled.
The day was spent in awkward silence. The night wasn't filled with rants.
When classes started, Virgil was feeling a little better, he guessed. Enough to get out of bed. Logan had already gone by the time he was up and about, but he couldn't care, they both had different lessons at different times, anyway. He had a quick shower, dried most of his hair, changed, and checked himself in the mirror briefly before leaving to class.
When he came back during lunch break, he sat on his bed, something catching his eye. Sitting on his bedside table was a bottle of pills. More specifically, anti-depressant pills. His ones, too. He felt something blossom in his chest, but he quickly pushed it to the side, leaving the pills underneath his bed for him to take when he needed to. It was embarrassing to have them on show.
That evening, Logan wished he could go through more work, but it was the first day, and he was barely given any. Finishing his work on his laptop, he put it to the side and sighed, staring at the ceiling. "Ranting tonight?" He decided to ask Virgil who was currently sketching something at his desk. He hummed, tapping his chin with his pencil. "Sure, later. Get some sleep, I'll wake you" Logan would much prefer he spoke before he went to sleep, but begrudgingly he agreed, rolled onto his side and fell asleep.
A few hours passed, Virgil looked over Logan's sleeping form. He looked peaceful. Still, he needed to rant. Shaking his shoulder, he didn't stop until Logan swatted at him, repeating 'I'm awake, I'm awake' meekly. "Sit up, you might fall back asleep" Virgil demanded, pushing him up until he leaned against the wall. Sitting on his bed, he eyed Logan closely.
"Yesterday was the worst" he sighed, "it fucking sucks. I physically can't do anything. Moving a single muscle felt like too much. I hate it. All because my pathetic excuse of parents decided to have a child" he spat, "alcoholic bastards. Couldn't they have done the world a favour and used a condom?" He leaned against his walls and clenched his eyes shut in rage.
Logan rubbed his tired eyes, blurry vision gazing at Virgil across the room. "or at least given me up for adoption? Or did they plan to have me because they wanted to beat the shit out of a child every day? Was I their stress ball? Did they take pleasure in seeing me corrupt with self-hatred and suicidal tendencies?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Whatever. They're gone. They deserve to rot in hell"
"Agreed" Logan found himself saying without being able to stop. Virgil looked over at him in surprise, but didn't comment on it. "Alright, go back to sleep, I'm done" Logan nodded and stared at Virgil for a bit longer before laying down and passing out with sleep.
Logan found himself starting to almost enjoy Virgil's late-night rants. He didn't really like staying up late, or being woken up at two am, but listening to his passionate rage at whatever annoyed him that day was actually quite riveting. It's been exactly two weeks since he moved into this dorm room, fourteen days filled with rants, ranging from five minutes to full blown hours. Logan stayed silent during each and every one, only adding one worded responses when he was particularly tired and didn't have much of a filter.
One late night in particular, something between the two...changed.
"And I'll just be a nuisance to professors. I don't think I'm worth it, y'know?" Virgil sighed, it was a rhetorical question, he didn't expect an answer. But, he froze when he gained one, from a very sleepy Logan.
"I think you're worth it" He murmured groggily, eyes nearly completely shut, body slumped against the wall. Virgil stared at him, debating whether or not to whack him with a pillow for speaking or to wake him up further. Or both. In the end, he readied the pillow, but when Logan cracked his eyes open and stared at him through his messy hair that fell across his eyes, Virgil's arms slowly lowered to his sides, and he let out a sigh.
Pushing Logan down against the bed, he let the teen sleep, returning to his bed with one thought floating through his brain.
"I think you're worth it"
The next day Virgil didn't expect Logan to remember, and he certainly didn't comment on it, but secretly Logan did, he recalled the memory almost instantly. He blushed at what he said, but nothing much could be done about it now.
Another week passed before a similar instance occurred.
"And I'm pretty sure if I just killed myself now no one would care"
"As much as having a room to myself sounds appealing, I would miss you, Virgil" Logan commented without thinking, gazing at the ceiling. Virgil stayed silent for the longest time, and Logan assumes he had fallen asleep. He rolled onto his side and followed suit, but Virgil was still awake, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
A month into the year, Logan had gone through many, many late-night rants. With each, he became more comfortable with them, and actually managed to get used to being awake at such ungodly hours of the early morning. It didn't affect his learning at all, which was what he cared about, and he could do all his studying for the evening before they would start. More and more his short comments would become more frequent; he didn't really think they affected Virgil much, but in reality it made Virgil feel...better. Knowing at least someone cared.
Logan opened the door to their room after a morning of classes. "Virgil, I-" he paused, almost dropping everything in his hands when he saw Virgil sitting at the end of his bed, a mess, rocking back and forth while desperately trying to regain control of his breathing. Hurriedly placing his things on his bed, he sat beside Virgil, avoiding touching him just in case.
"Virgil, can you hear me?"
"F-fuck off, Logan" his voice wavered, clear panic mixed between the anger. Logan ignored it. "Virgil, can you breathe for me?"
"I-I said go a-away!" He yelled, removing his head from his knees to glare at Logan, tears pooling in his eyes. "This isn't apart of the deal. You-you can't help me!"
Logan ignored his protests. "Virgil" he spoke sternly, "tell me five things you can see" the two went back and forth a little until Virgil gave up and relented. "Bed. Carpet. Closet. Door. Fridge" he managed, hands clenched tightly, "Good" Logan praised, "Tell me five things you can feel"
"Blanket. Wall. Jacket. Jeans. Skin"
"Well done" Logan praised again, shifting closer, "Tell me five things you can hear"
"You. People outside. Fridge. Running water. Breathing"
"Perfect" Logan gently reached over and placed a hand on his knee, helping to ground him. "Can you breathe with me?" He asked in a soft voice, Virgil glared but followed his routine, breathing in for certain seconds, holding, breathing out, and repeat until Virgil was groggy, nauseous, and tired, but no longer in panic. Logan returned to his side of the room and carried on his work as if nothing had happened. Virgil clutched his jacket closer to his body, laid on his bed towards the wall and sighed out. The attack wore him out, and he napped for a few hours, waking up when Logan closed the door, holding two boxes of pizza.
"Thanks" Virgil mumbled, sitting up and taking the pizza box. "No problem" Logan responded and shifted his laptop screen so Virgil could see it, the two sitting in silence while watching random conspiracy videos on YouTube.
"Sorry for uh...snapping at you" Virgil mumbled sheepishly. Logan shut down his laptop and waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it, Virgil. I know helping you isn't apart of the deal but I hope-"
"I won't tell"
Logan smiled in relief. "Thank you. Now, have a good nights rest, alright? We can have an extra long rant session tomorrow" Logan offered, entering the connected bathroom afterwards. Even if it was minuscule, Virgil found himself smiling after the teenager he never, ever suspected he would become this close with. Snuggled under his blankets, he closed his eyes and relaxed, listening to the sounds Logan made as he brushed his teeth and washed his face. Soon, Logan was finished, and upon entering the room, his eyes trained on Virgil's sleeping form.
It might be a tad creepy, but seeing him so relaxed and peaceful did something to Logan. Sent an odd feeling through his chest.
Like promised, the next night he and Virgil stayed up for over two hours, Logan listening to his rants while staring at the ceiling. He had never really involved himself much before, but after their bonding throughout the month, and what he did for him yesterday, he felt a surge of confidence to speak, and he did. The rant changed into a conversation - Virgil would tell him how he felt, and Logan would give him advice purely based on the most logical explanation.
Virgil found it helpful; a good difference from comfort. Not like he gets much comfort, anyway. But that isn't the point. Logan is different and Virgil...really likes that.
"Hey, Lo?" Virgil spoke into the quiet, dark room. They had just finished another late-night rant/conversation, the last one before it would be the fifth month they have lived together, and both were quite tired, which led to Logan hoping Virgil didn't want to start up another rant. At least, not at this time. "Yes, Virgil?" He replied a tad groggily, voice edging on rough and slurred.
"I'm fucking freezing" and he wasn't exaggerating. Their heating broke at the worst time of year, and both men had to buy ten different blankets each to sustain some body heat. Logan had managed to actually warm up under so much thick coverage, but he suspected Virgil hadn't yet, seeing as the boy was just up and about, pacing as he passionately spoke about his distaste to the campus getting rid of the nearest vending machine to them.
Long didn't know if he would stop complaining about it, and he didn't want Virgil to suffer, so he shuffled further to the wall and lifted his blanket up. "We can share for the night, if you wish" Virgil tensed at the offer, eyes softening as they stared at Logan's body. "Are you sure? I-I'll probably warm up soon-"
"It is up to you, Virgil. I will not mind"
After some hesitance, Virgil slowly slipped out of bed and grabbed a few more blankets, curling them around his body so his cold skin wouldn't affect Logan's warmth. Slipping under the covers, he rolled so his back was facing Logan's, and managed fo stop shivering when he was encased with heat. He knew he would probably wake up sticky and sweaty, but for that moment in time, it felt like heaven. "Thanks, Lo" He murmured, yawning and shutting his tired eyes.
"Do not mention it. Goodnight, Virge"
Logan didn't even realise he used the nickname, but even if he did, he didn't suspect it would have much affect on Virgil, but it did. He lied when he said his friends call him it, he never had any friends, Logan was really the first good friend he has ever had, and to hear him use it made his heart blossom and cheeks light him with a faint blush. He felt like an idiot for reacting this way, but he couldn't help it.
He just...really liked Logan.
And, unbeknownst to him, Logan felt the exact same about him.
It was nearing the holidays when Virgil broke the big news. It was their last day in classes, and he finished before Logan. Sitting in their room alone was daunting knowing what he was about to reveal, but he has become a really good friend with Logan, and he doesn't want to keep lying anymore. The guilt made him feel terrible - more terrible than his emotions he bottled up before the whole 'late-night ranting-thing'. Swallowing thickly, he fumbled with his sleeves and counted in his head to keep himself steady.
The door opened more abruptly than he expected, it even made him flinch. "Salutations, Virgil" Logan greeted, carrying a stack of books Virgil was sure he would be studying at home. "Hey uh...Lo? Can we talk?" Logan glanced over at him questioningly but nodded, moving across the room to sit beside him. Virgil stared at him for the longest time, gulping in long breaths of air. "It's about your secret"
Logan's eyes widened. "You've told someone, haven't you?"
Virgil instantly shook his head, "no, no! That's the thing, actually...I don't...I don't know what the secret is"
Logan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, Virgil caught onto it and sighed. "I lied to you" he admitted, picking at a loose thread on the quilt. "And I-...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I just-I didn't know if you would be comfortable listening to what I had to say, and so I used a technique I've seen my parents use before...as soon as you tensed when I mentioned the 'secret' I knew I could use you" shame flooded through his eyes that he so desperately tried to withheld tears from. "And I didn't think we would become such good friends, and I would like you as much as I do, so-so-...I can't keep this up"
He met Logan's gaze that was emotionless, unreadable. He ducked his head again and clenched his eyes shut. "I'm so sorry" he whispered.
The awkward silence didn't last for long, Virgil expected it to be filled with Logan's anger before he stormed off and demanded to bunk in another room, but when a hand landed on top of his, he froze up and flickered his eyes up to Logan who looked...relieved. A little annoyed, but relieved.
"Virgil" he sighed, "you have no idea how happy that makes me. And, yes, in the beginning I probably wouldn't be up to the idea of your rants, but I will give you a break. Many times you have told me your issues you went through as a child, and I can see the logical reasoning behind what you did. Never did you make me do something damaging to my health, or something that forced me to break the law, or hurt others, yes I am upset you lied and 'used me' but I am not mad, and hopefully, we can still be friends. If you would like" Logan offered, lifting his shoulders into a light shrug, crossing his arms over his chest afterwards.
"Yeah uh...yeah, thank you, and I am sorry, again-I-...yeah" he drifted awkwardly. Logan sent him a brief smile before standing up. "I do hope to hear another rant tonight. Then maybe we can carry on over the course of the holidays?" He suggested, grabbing his suitcase to pack up his clothes. Virgil fidgeted with his sleeves in confusion. "But..you're going home, right?"
"Yes. And so are you"
"L, I can't go home, you know that-"
"Home with me" Logan clarified with his back still turned to him. He smirked when he heard a small gasp. "No, no Lo you can't-I won't-"
"Do you want to? Or would you feel more comfortable staying here?" Logan cut him off, looking at him as he folded his clothes. "Because my father has agreed to the idea, he would love for you to come over. He has already set up a spare bed. We will have to share rooms again, whether or not that is fortunate or unfortunate is left to be discovered"
Virgil snorted into his sleeve, smiling at Logan who smiled back.
"Having a friend is weird" he sighed.
Logan smirked, "I advise you become used to, you are not ridding of me any time soon"
—
8:25pm
Bonus: Virgil meeting Patton?
—
"Hey, kiddos!" Patton chirped, rushing up from his car and swinging his arms around Virgil in a hug. Logan stared with a deadpan expression. "I haven't been gone for that long, Father. Have you truly forgotten who your son is?" Patton barked out a laugh and leaned back, tapping Virgil's nose affectionally before hugging his actual son. "Oh, Logan, of course I remember!" He grinned, "but Virgil looks more huggable!" He shrugged and took both of their suitcases, wheeling them to the car with a skip in his step.
Virgil was still glued to the ground in shock, blinking and gazing at Logan who smirked in amusement. "You will have to get used to it. Patton's hugs are next to unavoidable" he commented, walking over to his dad to help him sit the suitcases so they would both fit. Virgil fumbled with his sleeves nervously - it felt weird to be hugged by an adult, especially one that reminded him so much of an actual dad.
Sliding into the car, he buckled up and gazed out the window, Patton and Logan in the front. "Soooooo!" He grinned, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively at Logan. "Are you two friends? Or friend-friends?" Logan slapped a hand over his face, slumping in exasperation. "Please, Patton, not this, not now" the adult threw his head back in laughter, focusing on the road again as he pulled out the parking lot and started the two hour drive back home.
"Oh, I'm just curious, Kiddo! Virgil" Patton called sweetly, glancing at him through the mirror. The boy perked up, surprised he was being addressed. "Why don't you tell me a bit about yourself?" His mouth went dry and he flushed lightly, glancing at Logan for help, but he just smiled snugly and gesture to Patton. Nearly hissing at him, Virgil shuffled down in his seat.
"Uh...I'm-I guess-um..." his mind went blank, he couldn't think of what to say.
"No worries, Kiddo!" Patton interrupted, "I hate being put on the spot, too" he giggled, smiling. Virgil relaxed in the seat once again, more than thankful.
Virgil had never once lived through a holiday that he enjoyed, until this one. He knew it would be good with living in the same house as Logan, but he didn't realise how much Patton would contribute into it, too. The man was the sweetest, most adorable parent Virgil had ever met, and he found whenever he would slip up and accidentally talk bad about himself, Patton wasn't having any of it. He did scowl a bit and pretend to not enjoy it, but he knew Patton noticed his hidden smiles.
Not only that, but Patton also comforted when he felt especially low. On days he couldn't move from bed, Patton would sit beside him and help him by either talking, gently hugging him, or playing his favourite music through his phone. This lasted through the entire holiday, and actually found himself getting teary-eyed when he remembered the fact he was leaving back to the collage dorms soon.
One night, he was sitting on the couch downstairs, Logan and Patton had an early night, leaving him alone to watch whatever movie he wanted. He was alone for awhile until he noticed a figure in the corner of his eye. He flinched and ducked into the couch, relaxing when he realised it was Patton who smiled tiredly and apologised for scaring him.
"Hey, Kiddo...how are you? Shouldn't you be asleep?" Patton yawned, flopping onto the couch beside him. Virgil shrugged and turned down the television. "I guess, just can't sleep" he shrugged. Patton grinned and curled his arms around Virgil's body, snuggling into his side. "I will hold you until you sleep!" He declared, giddily grinning when Virgil laughed and leaned into his warmth.
"Hey, uh, Pat?" Virgil asked after a little while.
"Yeah, Virgie?"
"Uhm...thanks. This holiday has been the best, as cheesy as that is" he silently cursed himself for sounding so stupid, but Patton's chuckle and kiss to the head reassured him. "Aw, I'm glad, Virge! You can come back any time?"
"Really?"
He grinned, "really. Now, get some sleep"
"Goodnight, da-Patton! Patton, I said Patton"
Said man giggled. "Call me whatever you want"
Virgil paused for a minute.
"Goodnight...Dad"
He hummed, "Goodnight, Kiddo"
—
8:44pm