Spindle Wood (COMPLETED)

Chapter 83

WARNING: Feelings were hurt in the making of this chapter

"How are we gonna explain this to him?" Virgil asked, picking at his fingers nervously. He placed a hand on the banister and leaned around to try and get a glimpse of the window.

"I don't know, we'll make it up!" Remus said. "Now can you stop standing like a lemon and help us?!"

"With what?" Virgil asked. "Everything's already ready."

Remus shot him a glare.

"Just help!" He said. "Put the bunting up or something."

Virgil rolled his eyes and waved his wand. Blue and pink bunting lined the walls. "That good for you?"

"Perfect." Remus snarled.

"Stop fighting!" Roman snapped. "He's coming, he's coming!"

Remus jumped and hit his hand on the table. "Mother-" He sucked in the swear that nearly escaped him and ran to hide behind the stairs. Virgil pulled himself over the banister to join him.

"Uncle Remus! Papa! Dad!" Pat called from outside.

"Roman." Virgil hissed. Roman hid behind the stairs as the door opened.

"Papa?" Pat called, looking around. "Uncle Remus? Dad?" He noticed the bunting and laughed in surprise. "Is this a surprise party?" He asked loudly.

Virgil smacked Remus on the arm. He was trying (and failing) to not giggle.

Pat went over to the table and looked at the label on the package. "To Pat." He read out. "Have a wonderful 16th birthday. Signed, Roman, Virgil and Remus- Aw." Pat glanced around again before opening the package.

He gasped. "Oh, it's my dress!" He pulled it out of the brown paper and held it against himself, twirling around and laughing.

"Surprise!" Remus yelled, jumping up from behind the stairs. Virgil and Roman followed him, twin calls of 'surprise' following Remus'. Pat jumped and laughed.

"This is brilliant!" He ran over and gave them each a crushing hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Virgil caught sight of a flash of silver. "Pat." He said. "What's that?"

Pat held up his right hand shyly. There was a silver ring on his fourth finger.

Virgil's face fell. "I'm not getting married, don't worry!" Pat assured quickly. He grinned. "Oh, wait til you meet him. It's a promise ring, he gave me it for my birthday. You're going to love him, I just know-"

"Love who?" Roman interrupted.

Pat took a breath. "My boyfriend." He said simply. If possible, Virgil's face fell even further.

"Boyfriend?" Remus repeated. "Kid, you said you wouldn't get involved."

"Yeah but that was ages ago and..." Pat clasped his hands together, blushing, "Uncle Remus, he's so sweet. You'll love him."

"We'll never meet him." Virgil said decidedly. Pat shook his head.

"No, you will. I've invited him here." He grinned and burst into excited giggles. "He's coming here tonight! We've planned it all out."

"Pat..." Virgil turned to Roman and Remus for help. They stared back at him, the same look of helpless bewilderment on their face. "Pat, we won't be here tonight."

"Course we will." Pat laughed.

Roman shook his head. "We're taking you back." He said. "To your real family. In Iredia."

Pat laughed again. "You are my real family!" He said. His smile faded and he laughed again, more nervous. "You are." He repeated. He looked to Virgil. "Papa?"

Virgil glanced down at his feet. This was going as badly as he'd thought.

"Dad?" Pat asked in a small voice. Roman didn't answer. Pat turned to Remus and the look on his face broke right through Virgil's heart. "Un-Uncle Remus?"

"Kid..."

"What is this?" Pat took a step away. "This is all some stupid joke, right? You're joking, right?! It isn't funny! I'll tell you right now, this isn't funny!"

"Kid, we aren't joking." Remus said gently. Pat took another step back.

"We aren't your real parents." Roman explained, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

"Stop it." Pat pleaded.

"Your real parents are the King and Queen of Iredia-"

"Stop it!"

"You're a prince, Pat."

"Stop it, stop it, stop it-"

"Prince Patton of Iredia-"

"Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it!" Patton clutched his hands over his ears, tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes. "Stop it, stop it! I don't want to be a stupid prince!" He yelled. "I want to be your son! I'm your son."

Virgil took a small step forward. "Pat-"

"Stop it!" Patton shouted. "Shut up! Leave me alone!"

He ran up the stairs and shut his bedroom door with a bang. Virgil sat down heavily on the bottom step, all his strength going out of him. For once, neither Remus nor Roman had anything to say.

Virgil swallowed. "We carry on with the plan." He said numbly. "We'll leave tonight. I'll take the protection spell with us. We protect Pat- Patton at all costs." He glance up at the two brothers. "Yes?"

"Yes." Roman agreed quietly. Remus nodded, completely mute.

*evil laughter*
This was so fun to write!
Bye,
Blaize