Please Don't Leave Me

Chapter Fifty Three

Patton had to admit that he was a bit shocked when Logan had told him that Remus had stood up to the boy that had been harassing him. Of course, he was immeasurably proud. However, this version of his son was vastly different than he was when they had adopted him. Patton had to admit that he really liked Remus' newfound confidence.

Despite how well Remus seemed to be handling everything, his parents could tell that he wasn't completely alright.

It was all things that only a parent would notice. The way Remus' smile didn't quite reach his eyes anymore. The way that his shoulders sagged as he walked. The way that his laugh seemed a bit less genuine. Yes, both parents had noticed these changes, and it made them both incredibly sad for the boy. He couldn't seem to catch a break for even a moment.

It was Sunday morning when the parents decided that they needed to talk to their son. Remus was sitting on the couch, staring off into space as a show played on the television. Patton and Logan shared a reassuring look before they approached him carefully. They sat on the opposite end of the couch, giving Remus enough space to not feel cornered. Remus looked up at them in confusion, prompting Logan to speak. "Remus, we just wanted to check with you and see how you're feeling." Remus plastered on a smile. "I'm fine, why?" he asked. "We've just noticed that you've seemed a little down lately, buddy," Patton explained. Remus furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm serious, I'm fine." The parents looked at him sympathetically. "You know it's okay to be sad, right?" Patton asked sympathetically. Remus' expression remained unchanged. "I said that I'm fine," he snapped. "We're aware, but it is undeniable that you have been acting different. We just don't want you to bottle everything up and have a breakdown or anything of the sort," Logan explained. "I'm not fragile," Remus practically growled out, shocking both men. Remus took in his parents' hurt expressions, and immediately felt his frustration morph into guilt. He dropped his head into his hands. "I'm sorry. You're just trying to help, I'm sorry," he mumbled. Patton and Logan looked at him sympathetically. "It's okay, buddy. Can you tell us what's bothering you though?" Patton urged softly. Remus looked up at them, his expression much softer than before. "I'm just sad, I guess." "Why is that, love?" Logan asked, although he was fairly certain he already knew the answer. "It's already hard enough seeing Janus with somebody else. But he said something to me in the bathroom when I was helping him, and he made this a million times harder for me," Remus explained. "What did he say?" Patton asked in concern. "Only tell us if you feel comfortable," Logan added. Remus took a shuttering breath.

"He told me that he never stopped loving me."

Patton and Logan looked at Remus sadly, now becoming aware of just how difficult this all was for him to deal with. "That does make things more difficult," Logan finally responded. "It's not fair. Janus shouldn't be able to just say that, it makes me feel helpless, you know? Knowing that he loves me but is with someone else hurts a lot," Remus explained with his eyes down. "I know, buddy. It's not fair," Patton responded. "Yeah," Remus mumbled. "I wish there was some way we could help," Patton added. Remus shook his head. "As much as I wish you could, you can't this time. It sucks, but there's nothing any of us can do. I just have to feel this until I don't anymore," Remus said. Patton and Logan looked at him with a sense of fondness. "That's a really good way to put it. Feel it until you don't," Logan mused. Remus just nodded, his shoulders hunching once more. Patton rubbed his back softly. "Even though there's nothing we can do to help the situation, we can still be here to help you. If you need to talk about it, or a distraction, or anything at all, Logan and I are here for you," Patton said genuinely. Remus nodded. "Thank you. I appreciate it." "It is no problem at all," Logan responded.

After a few moments of silence, Remus finally spoke again. "Can we talk about something else?" he asked softly. "Yeah, of course kiddo," Patton responded. "What would you like to talk about?" Logan asked. Remus shrugged. "I don't know. You can talk about anything, I don't mind. I just want to think about something else," the boy admitted. The couple thought for a moment before Patton chuckled. "I forgot to tell you. Logan dabbed earlier today. Or at least tried to," Patton giggled out. Remus smiled in shock, looking at Logan. "You tried to dab? Why? What?" he rambled in confusion. Logan's expression stayed serious. "It seemed necessary for the situation in which I did it," Logan explained. Patton snorted. "I can promise you it did not. It was completely out of nowhere," he giggled out. Remus couldn't suppress his laughter anymore, the sound filling the room. Logan dropped his stoic facade and began laughing softly with his son and husband. Remus' laugh was more than welcome, and Logan couldn't suppress how joyous the sound made him feel. "I thought I did it correctly. Apparently I did not," Logan managed out. Patton only laughed louder. "I don't know how he messed it up so bad, Re. There's no way to describe it except hysterically bad," Patton teased. Logan rolled his eyes fondly.

Once Remus' giggles subsided slightly, he managed out a few words. "Please do it." Logan shook his head before dabbing quickly, his arm placement more wrong than Remus thought possible. "Oh my god," Remus laughed loudly. Logan looked at him in disbelief. "There is no way that it is as bad as you two say it is," he mumbled with an undeniable grin.

Remus giggled loudly, genuinely enjoying himself for the first time in a week. Once the three's laughter died down, Remus turned somewhat serious. ."Thank you guys for distracting me," he said. "Of course, Re," Patton said genuinely. "I'm glad that my misfortune brings you so much joy," Logan added, his tone giving away that he wasn't actually mad. Remus snorted. "Seriously, though. I..." Patton and Logan awaited what they thought would be a genuine expression.

"...can't believe how badly you messed that up Logan."

Remus couldn't suppress his laughter as Logan threw himself back on the couch, groaning as he covered his face with his hands.