Misinformation Can Be Deadly

Chapter 82: What Does a God Need?

CW: spiraling thoughts, talk of injuries

Roman had curled up next to Virgil, clinging onto his arm while avoiding his injuries. There were so many stab wounds on his chest, but every few minutes when Roman would check his injuries with his magic, they were slightly smaller. Despite being injuries made by demonic weapons, they were healing fast.

Every now and then, Roman would doze off. Demons could sleep, but they didn't have to, so usually Roman wouldn't. He was never asleep long enough to have dreams, which he was thankful for since they would no doubt be nightmares.

He couldn't stop thinking about Virgil's panic and how much pain he was in. Remus was able to clean off most of the blood, but there was just so much. The room was filled with the smell, and it was overwhelming, but Roman just couldn't force himself to leave Virgil.

Remus had to use his magic to change Virgil's clothes, the same way he did the night Roman and Virgil had met. When they were contracted...

Roman couldn't look to see if the mark was still there, but he couldn't feel the contract anymore. No matter how hard he tried, he just didn't feel his magic surrounding Virgil. Roman was still wearing Virgil's jacket, though he was planning to give it back when Virgil woke up again. A blanket was pulled over Virgil, keeping him warm.

To be honest, neither Roman or Remus have met a god before. They were only 1600 years old, younger than the Christian god. There have been gods since then, but way less than before Jesus was born.

Most gods stay in their little paradise, occasionally influencing humans and their followers. It was extremely rare for one to be on Earth, or to even run into them. So neither demons know exactly what Virgil will need to survive, especially since different gods from different pantheons have different needs. The Greek and Roman gods have ambrosia and nectar, most gods thrive on sacrifices. Some gods don't even need anything. Will Virgil need something?

Did he need to stay warm? Would he get fevers, and how would that affect him? Did he need to eat? Probably not, he hasn't eaten in days and he was awake when they saved him. Just in case, they'll get him some food. It might help his healing.

Roman also wanted to know more about his powers. Obviously this lightning that he can create shows others visions of their worst nightmares, and creates fear. But that couldn't just be it, there had to be more. Did Virgil sense fear like demons sense misery?

There was the sent of human blood that had filled the castle. There had to have been hundreds of humans there, Alice wouldn't have wanted any less. How much fear had filled that castle? It had to be overwhelming, especially since it was something Virgil had never experienced before.

Roman just wanted to lie there forever, curled next to Virgil. He wanted to keep him safe and happy... That was impossible now. No one was safe or happy, and it will take a long time for everyone to recover from this once it's over.

Hours must have passed since they had returned. In that time, Virgil's breathing seemed to have steadied, as if it was hurting less and less to breathe. However, he wasn't waking up.

He needed rest, who knows how little he had gotten since all of this had begun. Sleep was good for him, as long as he didn't have any nightmares. Roman briefly wondered if he was dreaming... he hoped not. No doubt he would have nightmares if he was.

There was a small knock on the door before it creaked open. Patton glanced in and gave Roman a worried smile. "Hey kiddo," he said, walking in.

There was someone else behind the door, and when it opened wider it revealed Delores. She looked at the demon first, then she looked down at Virgil and her eyes widened. "Oh god..." she whispered, taking a few hesitant steps in.

Virgil let out a small groan, frowning as he stirred. Roman sat up in worry, still holding his hand as his free one pushed back Virgil's bangs. Yeah, he can definitely sense fear.

"His-his hair, he..." Delores tried to take it all in. Every little change, every little injury. If she wasn't told that this was Virgil laying on the bed, she wouldn't have known. "He..."

"He's going to be okay," Roman lied. He didn't want her fear hurting Virgil worse, they all had to stay calm. "He's... he's going to wake up when he's ready, and we're going to help him. Just as we did when his shoulder was hurt, and whenever he was scared."

"Logan he- uh he told me that you're a demon?" Delores stated, bunching up the end of her shirt in her fist. "And that you've been with Virgil?"

"Only for a little over a month or so," Roman told her. "When Virgil went on that date with the kid from school. He was too scared to explain to you what had happened, especially since he was still processing it himself."

"S-sounds like a story... So you've been with him since then?"

"That's right, we've stayed together since... He didn't like me at first, he was really scared. But we were stuck together, and-"

"You both fell for each other," Patton interrupted.

Roman blinked in surprise. He had told Patton everything, but not that they were together. He had avoided that, scared of how he would react. But there was no anger in his face. There was worry, sadness, but also acceptance.

Tears welled up in the demon's eyes, and he pressed his lips together to keep from crying. However a sob still escaped and he wiped away the tears as fast as they came, feeling like a child.

"Yes... We-we loved... I love him! I'm so scared!" Roman admitted, hugging himself. "He-he was hurt and-and I was useless! I could-couldn't protect him!"

He felt arms wrapped around him, knowing it was Patton. He felt utterly worthless, he didn't want to scare them to keep Virgil comfortable but here he was, crying in fear. Fear for Virgil. He was so broken and hurt, and Roman didn't know if he could heal him.

"You're not alone, Roman," Patton told him, rubbing his back. "We're going to help both you and Virgil. We'll do whatever you need us to. Just rest, okay? We're all tired, and we just need to be with each other for a bit. And Virgil is with us again, he's here."

"He's-he's here," Roman repeated with a sob.

"That's right, he's here. We're not gonna let Alice take him from us again. He's home, he's not leaving us. It's going to be alright, we just need to give it time."