Timekeeper

9. Wouldn't dream of it, Kid.

"So why are we here?" Virgil said as started to unbuckle. I started at the bright neon sign and cringed.

"I don't know. You picked the place. I'm just the cab driver." I said with a smile, hoping to lighten the mood. He just gave me this look and sighed as he got out of the car. This is off to a great start. I got out and followed Virgil inside. This nice lady led us to a booth, giving us our menus and two cups of water. Virgil just sat there, staring off into space and spinning the staw in the ice and water. The awkward tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I coughed and Virgil just glared at me. Yeah like I said a great start...

"Seriously, why did you drag me out here?" I sighed and looked down at my hands, which only upset him more. "LOGAN FUCKING ANSWER ME!"

"I just thought it would be nice to do something." He rolled his eyes and I ran a hand through my hair. "Roman and I have been busy working on something and it dawned on me that I may not have been spending enough time with you either."

"You don't have to lie about helping Roman, just to make me feel better. It's not going to work. I know you don't actually care." I had to take a deep breath as my eyes started to burn. He's not even sugar coating it anymore. He really has given up on me. "So is Patton making you do this or are is Roman trying to make up for missing every signal date we had planned last week?"

"Date?" His eyes went wide and he pulled the strings of his hoodie, closing it on his face.

"That... w-wasn't w-what I m-meant." I pulled the strings from his hands and loosened the hood allowing it to fall to his shoulders. He just refused to make eye contacted and I had to laugh at his pout.

"That was my fault. I kinda stole him away from you this week, sorry about that." He narrowed his eyes at me as I smiled at him. He just looked me over with such confusion.

"You were being serious?"

"Of course. I always am." I gestured to my necktie and he stifled back a laugh. I couldn't help but smile. "I really was working with him all week. It was very important that it got done before Christmas."

"Oh? Now I'm intrigued. What was it? Why was it so important?" He leaned in slyly and took a sip of his water. I just laughed and shook my head.

"No can do, kid. I'm sworn to secrecy by the prince himself. Couldn't break it if I wanted to." Virgil started to laugh and it made me happy. The lady came back asking for our order and Virgil jumped at the chance to indulge. He got a grilled cheese sandwich with fries and a large chocolate shake. "You sure Patton would be ok with you having all that." Virgil narrowed his eyes and looked at me suspiciously.

"You gonna be a tattle?" I put my hands up in surrender and he nodded, proud of himself. "Besides, you know damn well Dad would order the exact same thing."

"True." I said back. He was started to open up a bit. I'm glad. Very glad. He looked up and spotted me staring, giving me a dirty look. "Sorry."

"You're being weird." He said as he started swirling the straw in the icy water again.

"Am I?" He nodded and I shrugged. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a bit nostalgic."

"You... nostalgic? Did Patton mess with your head or something?" I laughed awkwardly and sighed. No, but Chris did. "Seriously, what's up with you Teach?"

"I never realized how distant I've been... How uncaring I seemed." His eyes widened and he started to look away. 

"You heard?" 

"What? You saying that I hate everyone and don't care? No, I can't say I did." Virgil pulled on his sleeves and I could tell he wanted to leave. 

"Look, Logan. I didn't mean..."

"Yes, you did. But Virgil that fine. You felt abandoned. I was never actually there for anyone." I said as the lady came back with our food. Virgil just kept staring at the wall. Even as the girl walked away he didn't move.

"You were there for Roman. You said it yourself. You were with him all week." I sighed picking up a fry and using it to move the other food around.

"I was horrible to Roman." Virgil turned to look at me with wide eyes as he just kept fidgeting with my plate. "I nearly broke him down all because I couldn't see his pain. I spent the whole week just trying to make it up to him. All I can do is hope it worked, even if a little."

"Logan, are you sure your ok?" I looked over at him and smiled.

"I'm good. I've just had my eyes opened to what I've been doing..." I shook my head and pointed my fry at Virgil. "... or what I've been missing."

"Hey, don't fret over it, Teach. That's my job." Virgil started laughing and couldn't help but smile again. That smile turned into a confused grimace when he dunked his fry into his shake and then ate it. "What? Don't knock it till you try it."

"No thanks, I will stick to what  got thank you." Virgil started to smirk and I got a sinking feeling.

"If you truly want to make it up to me for shutting me out..." Uh oh... I watched as he started to push his shake into the middle of the table and grin devilishly. "Prove it. Dunk the fry... Eat the masterpiece." I raised an eyebrow at him but just nodded and I sighed. I looked at my files and groaned. Without even hesitating I dipped one in the shake and took a bite. Virgil just stared at me in complete shock. "Wow, you are desperate."

"You were right. That was actually good. So are we?" He smirked and went back to eating not even bothering to give an answer. It was ok though. Seeing him smile was plenty enough. When we were finished with our food and after we paid, we made our way back home. Virgil sat there staring out the window lost in thought.

"Hey, so I was wondering..." He looked over at me with this sad look on his face. "... your gonna have to get back to work after this right? I mean you've been with Roman for so long and now your with me..."

"Actually, I was thinking of hanging out with everyone a little more." His eyes narrowed in confusion and I smiled. "I heard someone mentioned trees." His eyes lit up like the fourth of July and he turned to look out the window with this huge grin.

"You better not miss it."

"Wouldn't dream of it, kid."