I don't know if I should put a warning for this or not but, Virgil is trans in this?
(Credit to Sanderstribute on Tumblr for the picture!)
Virgil's POV
I stand in the bathroom in front of my mirror, shirt off. I stare at my binder, sighing as reluctantly remove it, blindly tossing it. If I could shower with my binder on I would, but I don't want to have to suffer through the day using a soaked binder. It's my only one, because I haven't gotten the chance to go out in the real world to buy a new one, and asking Roman to conjure one is a no-go. Or even resort to using ductape, which restrict my breathing.
Before ya ask, yes, I am transgender. It's my biggest secret, and if anyone found out they would flip, or ditch me. I don't want to deal with that, so I keep it a secret, even Thomas doesn't know.
I discard the rest of my clothing onto the floor. Then I set my phone down next to the folded clothing, playing my favorites on Spotify. I then hop into the already running warm shower, humming along to the music as I bathe.
Patton's POV
I cheerily walk down the hallway holding a nearly full laundry basket, making my way to Virgil's room. I stop at his painted black door and set the basket down huffing. I knock on the door then press my ear to it to listen. I hear him blasting his PG13 music along with running water, so I assume he's in the shower.
I decide to do him the favor of picking up his dirty clothes for him. I pick up the basket and enter his dark room, refusing to look at his spider curtains. I then quietly make my way into the bathroom, setting the basket down once again.
I smile when I hear him hum, mindlessly picking up the discarded clothes on the floor. I pause at an odd article of clothing. It looks like a crop top but, it's a thicker material? I've never seen him wear this, I'll ask Logan about it later.
I toss the foreign clothing into the basket as I stealthy Virgil's room and return to the hallway, Virgil's humming playing in my head like a broken record.
Virgil's POV
I exit the shower with a sigh, pausing my music. I dry off with a towel, sighing as I go over the lumps on my chest. They're not even that large, I wouldn't have made a very attractive woman anyway.
I put on my underwear and sweatpants, then look around for my binder. I pause, the panic setting in. It's not there. My breathing picks up and I put on the rest on my clothing, zipping up my hoodie. I focus on breathing as I stop and think.
It clicks, It's laundry day! I must've tossed it on the ground, and Patton must've snuck in and picked it up while I was in the shower!
I jog into the hallway, wincing at the alien feeling of gravity tugging at my chest. I then accelerate into a full on sprint towards the laundry room, stopping to catch my breath in the doorway.
I freeze when I look up to see a concerned Patton. "Are you okay kiddo?"
I take a deep breath. "Did you already start the laundry?"
He raises a brow. "Yeah? Was there something you needed in there?"
"No... Just, nevermind." I sigh, making my way back to my room.
~The next morning~
Patton POV
I wave to Logan as he take a seat at the dinning table with his to-do list, his pen tucket into his shirt pocket. I turn around and set down a plate of toast in front of him, along with with black coffee, no sugar. Just how he likes it.
"Good morning Logan!" I greet merrily, setting down the other Side's meals in their usual spots. I sit down across from Logan with my pancakes drenched in syrup, along with my coffee, blonde and four packets of sugar.
Logan adjusts his neck tie. "Thank you Patton. How did you sleep?" He says as he goes to eat his toast.
"Very well thank you!" I pause, thinking back to last night. "Hey Logan?" He looks up at me.
"Yes Patton?"
"There is something I'd like to talk to you about."
"Alright, what can I assist you with Patton?"
I sigh. "One second."
I get up and head into the laundry room, opening the dryer and grabbing Virgil's odd clothing from earlier, and heading back to the dinning table. I sit back down and hold the clothing up. "Do you know what this is?"
He raises a brow. "That is a binder. Chest binding is a way for many transmen to curb dysphoria, and is a fairly common step in FTM transition."
"What's binding?"
Logan sighs and adjusts his glasses. "Binding refers to flattening breast tissue to create a male-appearing chest using a variety of materials and methods. So if a female wanted to look like a male, they would most likely bind. Where did you aquire this? In Roman's room?"
"I found it in Virgil's."
Roman suddenly and dramatically takes his seat next to me, and I very quickly stuff the binder into my jean pocket. "I've been summoned?" Logan sighs. Then continues to eat his toast quietly.
Virgil makes his way anxiously to the table, sitting down and drinking his coffee. Roman rolls his eye and open's his mouth to make a comment but I glare at him, shutting him up.
"Hey Virgil?" I speak up, he flinches at the use of his name.
"What do ya need Dad?" He says in his usual snarky tone.
"I'd like to speak with you." I put firmly as I stand going into the hallway, out of earshot to the others. Virgil soon joins me and I can practically hear the gears churning in his head, as well as see the anxiety in his eyes.
I open my arms and embrace him in a hug, sighing when I feel the lump on his chest. He tenses, inhaling sharply. "Just know I support you in everything you do."
I let him go and meet his shocked and comfused gaze. I take out his binder and hand it to him. "I believe this is yours. Now, you know that we love you right?"
He sighs, putting the binder in his hoodie pocket. "I know you do."
"Why didn't you tell one of us?"
He takes a deep breath. "I was afraid that they'd freak out, or hate me more than they already do."
"Why would you think they hate you?"
"Roman's insults and Logan's obvious discomfort whenever I'm around."
"Aww my poor little anxious baby! I'll tell you what, wanna join us for movie night tonight? You pick the film."
Virgil smiles softly, the first genuine smile I've seen from him in a while. He hesitates, but then hugs me. "Love you Patton."
I lean forward and kiss his cheek, and I can see the faint blush underneath his foundation. I smile brightly and take his hand. "We're going to set up for movie night!" I shout to the others.
I then guide him to the living room, having him sit on the couch as I head over to the movie shelf. "What movie?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"Black cauldron." He replies.
I chuckle as I put the movie in the DVD player, I then take a seat next to anxiety. He reluctantly cuddles up to me, and I wrap my arm around him. He releases a content sigh and I smile as the others enter the room, taking their seats. "I love you too Virgil."
