Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 13: Sew... How Are You?

CW: feeling numb, abandonment issues

Virgil curled up in bed, partly wishing Roman hadn't healed him so he could feel something since he was completely numb. His phone sat on his dresser, the screen shattered since it was in his hoodie's pocket when it was burned and kicked. It had taken him a year to get enough money to buy it, all down the drain. One of his earbuds was smashed too, it probably was smashed against the phone's screen.

He still held onto his hoodie, and it was still burned in several places. He had heard Roman when the demon said he could fix it, and while he was thankful for his magic he just didn't want his hoodie to be magically fixed like that. It was the first thing he had bought with money he got from his job, aside from some candy back then. It was the first thing he bought for himself. And sure, it was just a simple black hoodie, but he has had it for two years at this point.

And now he lost his job... and his hoodie. And he had no candy to make him feel better, not that he felt like eating.

Roman sat numbly on the edge of the bed. In his anger, his tail and horns grew back. He didn't feel like hiding them, but he was thankful that it was all that was revealed. His true demon form wasn't pretty, and he didn't want to scare Virgil. So now he was just holding onto his tail, playing with the short fur or curling the end.

After he explained what had happened to Delores, leaving out the information about Roman and teleporting, Virgil had gone upstairs to his room and had fallen asleep. Roman didn't know he had woken up just yet, but he was too lost in thought. His thumb rubbed over a burned part of the hoodie, the cloth had melted together and had become uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?" Virgil asked, his voice monotone but it still made Roman jump in surprise.

"A-am I okay? You were the one hurt!" Roman reminded him.

"I told you not to do anything. You said when demons disobey a command it hurts them."

Roman looked away from the bed again. "That is true."

"Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Roman, I command you to answer me."

"Yes?" the demon replied.

Virgil growled and turned over to face Roman. "You did hurt yourself, didn't you?"

Roman sighed, "It wasn't too bad. I'm recovering quickly, and should be in top shape again by the end of the day. My chest hurts a bit, and my magic feels weaker, but other than that I will be fine. My job is still to focus on you, and so I will. Please don't concern yourself with me."

Virgil curled up in the bed more and whispered, "I'm sorry."

"That wasn't your fault, it could have been worse! I would rather be hurt and weakened than to let you continue to get hurt."

"You seemed afraid when I asked about it, I've only seen you afraid when I'm hurt or upset." It felt like it had been days since they were in the library, but it had happened just this morning.

"I can't risk disobeying you again, otherwise I will be hurt worse, but I'll recover quickly from just this one time."

Virgil nodded, but other than that he didn't say anything else. He felt guilty for letting Roman get hurt for him. It made him feel bad for planning to kill him, but he just didn't want to lose his soul. Plus, Roman did say he could try.

Roman sighed at the sad look on Virgil. He reached his magic out to pick up the purple cat and held it out to Virgil.

The human just scoffed and said, "I haven't cuddled Purp in years."

"I knew a man who always carried a safety blanket around with him everywhere," Roman told him. "You can cuddle a cat. Especially if it had once helped you."

Virgil sighed and took the cat, though he turned around so his back was facing Roman. He still held the cat close to his chest, realizing how small it had gotten. Or... how big he has gotten. He was quiet for a moment before mumbling, "This is the last thing I have from my parents."

Roman frowned and was going to say something, but there was a knock at the door. He turned as Delores entered, holding a tray of food. Virgil turned around to face her, pushing Purp away.

"I made you lunch. Xander is with the kids right now," she said. Virgil sat up, his burned hoodie still in his hands. When Delores saw it, her smile became sad. "Maybe we can get you a new one."

"I don't want a new one," Virgil told her, feeling like a child the moment the words left his mouth.

Of course, Delores never judged. "I understand, dear, but you can't go to school in a burned hoodie."

Virgil looked down with a frown before a thought came to mind. "Do we have any sewing supplies?"

Delores blinked in surprise before a smile crossed her face. "I have some in my room."

"And what about spare fabric?"

"I think I should have something down there, yeah! Do you want me to sew it?"

"I-I think I want to do it." Virgil held the coat closer. "I would need some scissors though."

"Of course! Gosh, I didn't even think of sewing it back together! You're really smart!"

Virgil blushed, and Roman smiled bright and nodded in agreement. "I just don't want to lose my hoodie."

"I'll go get it! When you're done, just leave it up here so the kids don't get into it."

"That's smart."

"You just eat something, okay?"

Virgil nodded and Delores smiled brightly before she turned to leave. Virgil set the coat next to himself, but not too far, and grabbed the tray. It had a simple sandwich on it and some chips, and a water bottle in the corner. It really didn't need to be a tray, but at least he wouldn't get crumbs on his bed.

Roman thought for a moment before sighing, "I got an idea for something, but I'll need to talk to Remus about it before I do anything. Just wait here."

Virgil looked up at him in surprise, though there was a small trace of fear in his eyes. "Will you be back?"

The demon froze in surprise for a moment, trying to figure out where that came from all of a sudden. "O-of course, why would I not?"

"I- nevermind." Virgil looked down sheepishly, grabbing the sandwich.

Roman frowned, but didn't say anything. Virgil clearly didn't want to talk about it, and it wasn't his place to make him. "Very well then, I shall be as fast as possible. So if I'm longer than five minutes, know it was Remus's fault."

Virgil snorted a laugh. "Yeah, whatever you're planning to do it's going to be longer than five minutes. Just... try not to be long."