(COMPLETE) Love Isn't Conditional

The Other Daddy

"So yeah... The little guy took it better than expected." Roman said as he sipped his takeaway coffee, sitting next to his friend Logan and watching their kids play, telling Logan about when he explained to Patton they 'weren't going to see the other Daddy anymore'. Roman counted himself lucky that he had his fathers and brother to help for the few minutes Patton was upset, that's what family was for.

"You can do it, Kylo Friend!" Patton shouted faintly one of his adorable nicknames for Virgil, he was sat on top of a climbing frame and was persuading Virgil to climb up and sit next to him, encouraging him step by step. Roman loved watching their little friendship grow, imagining them battling high school side-by-side with the power of friendship and maybe eventually organising play dates with their kids if they had any. Maybe they would even date – although Roman didn't like the idea of pushing his son into a particular sexuality.

He went out of his imagination to continue the conversation with Logan. "I took Pat to Banana Split – so he now has friends in similar situations. It went well."

"I suppose that's why it's good you got out when you did. He's young enough for it to not affect him too harshly." Logan responded, facing his laptop as he did work, but still caring to listen to his friend. "I suppose now is actually getting on with your life? New chapter?"

Roman nodded slowly, thinking everything through. He didn't want to work as a waiter again particularly, or work in retail as he did when he was a teenager. He wanted the kind of job people his age had, all his co-workers before were teenagers or college age. Unfortunately, he majored in Musical Theatre in college so wasn't qualified for much. "I don't know... I want a different job – like a boring office job or something." Roman mumbled, placing his gaze over the emails Logan was answering with text too small to read.

"I can always get a word in at the place I work." Logan's smile made Roman smile too. That would be amazing, since Logan was allowed to bring Virgil to work so would Roman be allowed to bring Patton. He could focus his money fully on becoming independent from his parents rather than daycare and babysitters, although he was sure his dads would babysit Patton for free. "I work at..." Logan's phone began to ring before he finished his sentence causing him to scowl. "Sorry I have to get this call." And with that Logan stood and stepped away from the bench slightly, focused on his discussion and turning away from the play area unknowingly. Roman kept his eyes on the boys playing.

Virgil climbed on a ladder, almost reaching where his friend Patton sat. The two kids were giggling about whatever toddlers find funny and Patton was giving words of encouragement if Virgil got anxious. "Virgil's only using one hand." Roman's dad voice said inside of him before Roman even processed the danger himself. Only one hand of Virgil's was holding onto the ladder while the other held his toy Spider that the toddler carried everywhere. Roman revved himself to prepare to stand, unsure of whether to interfere with their playtime or wait until Logan spotted the danger too. But soon Virgil's giggling stopped harshly as he lost his footing on the ladder and fell. It was only a few steps down to the floor but the fall still gave the toddler a fright. Virgil began crying and going into a small ball to protect himself, Patton walking to his side. Logan was still distracted by his work call to not see his son.

"Virgil – it's OK!" Roman ran into the play area, kneeling opposite Virgil and smiling at him. He got a few plasters out of his pocket. "Do you have a boo-boo?" Surprisingly Virgil shook his head, still crying but holding his hands out towards Roman. Usually Virgil stayed by his father or Patton, he'd not even done as much as make eye contact with Roman nor stand anywhere close. Now he was reaching out as if he wanted to be held – and honestly it was a cute sight. Patton only did grabby hands when he was sleepy, and even then it was rarely.

Roman picked the toddler up slowly, feeling as though Virgil was a China doll that could be easily broken. He was so small. The small fists grabbed onto his t-shirt as Patton also came beside his father's side, Virgil's head turning to the side to lean against Roman's chest to get himself comfortable. "I'm sorry Virgil! I'll hold Spider next time!" Patton cheered, looking up at Virgil with a wide smile. Virgil nodded but seemed more preoccupied leaning into Roman. Roman took the kids out of the play area just as Logan finished the call.

"Hm? Oh Vergie! What happened buddy?" Logan walked over and took his son quickly, focusing now completely on the little boy and trying to cheer him up.

"I fell off that." Virgil whispered, pointing to the climbing frame before starting to suck his thumb but still looking at Roman. Roman continued his concerned look and ruffled Virgil's hair as he stepped closer. Logan had never seen Roman so up close, he had such soft features in comparison to Logan's – round face with slightly red rosy cheeks, hazel eyes that always seemed to shine. He looked exactly like a father should be, just soft and gentle with every movement. "Can we please go home Daddy?" Logan smiled softly and cuddled his son.

"Sure kiddo. We'll play with Patton next week!" And with the final goodbyes, Logan walked home still carrying his little toddler. He knew that Virgil wouldn't mind playing at home, and Logan had finished all his work so he was happy to play hide-and-seek or do colouring until dinner.

*****

It was 7pm and Logan placed Virgil in his small Tim Burton bed, kissing his forehead and ruffling his hair. "Night night V-V..." He whispered, bringing the blankets up to Virgil's shoulders and turning on the purple cat nightlight. "You want one of the stories read to you?"

"Daddy?"

The cute brown eyes glowed in the dark, the shimmer on them showing the little boy's innocence. Logan smiled and sat on the end of the bed, still stroking his son's hair. "Yes favourite child?"

"When can I get another daddy?"

Logan paused for a moment. Virgil had never asked that before, it was strange. He just always assumed Virgil was happy with just his one dad. He had mentioned several times to his toddler that he was gay. It was important Virgil learnt that some people had two mommies, some had a mommy and a daddy, some had two daddies, some had only one mommy, some had one or two non-binary parents and some – like Virgil himself – had one daddy. "Well... Do you want another daddy?" Virgil nodded. "Why? I already have a million daddies' love for you right here." He stretched out his hands as far as it would go and gave his son a hug, receiving a giggle.

"But I'm lonely. I want someone else to play with all the time!" Virgil chirped again after the giggle. Again that wasn't something Virgil would have said a few months ago, he in fact preferred solitude. It felt as though Logan was talking to an entirely different kid. Logan lay next to his son in the small bed, his legs hanging off the end and reaching the wall as he put an arm around the toddler and smiled at him.

"Hm... Who would you like your other daddy to be?" Logan laughed, giving his son a squish of his cheek and kissing his forehead again. Virgil looked up at him with a wide smile and love in his eyes, all the love Logan needed in his life that he hoped would never fade.

"Patton's daddy of course!" He almost screamed, looking really proud of himself. Roman was the only friend he had that wasn't a work colleague so he could understand how the three year old could come to the conclusion that the pair would fall in love and live happily ever after. "He's fun and caring and just like you!"

Logan sighed, knowing part of this want for another daddy and that daddy being Roman was due to the 'incident' earlier in the day. He felt bad as soon as that happened, it was the first time in a while he had taken his eyes off his son while playing to focus on his work. He just felt like Virgil was safe in there – there weren't any dodgy people around, he was focused on playing with Patton, and Roman was there to watch. When Roman actually ran in and saved Virgil from being upset Logan was grateful but also felt like a bad father. He shouldn't need help from anyone regarding his son, Virgil was his child – and only his.

"Patton said family's the most important thing in the world! But I don't have a family... only a dad..." Virgil mumbled again, slowly getting more sleepy as his head rested on Logan's chest. Logan held him close. "I want grandparents, and another dad, and a brother or a sister... Please can you get that Daddy?"

"I can't kiddo... There are some things I can't create." Logan said sadly and quietly, watching sleep slowly overtake his son and the movement within his son's body to still. Soon little snores escaped him making Logan finally smile again. He hated seeing his son begging for something, but he couldn't solve the issue. He just hadn't fallen in love, and he hadn't heard anything about his parents or extended family for over 10 years due to his sexuality. There was just no way to give Virgil the family he wanted.