Young Ones

Pat, The Cat, And Chitchat

 Have some cute parental moxtiey.

"Whatcha got there, bud?"

Patton turned around giggling, holding their white kitten, "Alex!"

The angsty one cracked a smile. They had chosen the name because it was gender neutral, Roman suggested it because it means protector.

"Did you take your medicine?"

"Mhmm."

"Okay, Pat. What are you doing with Alex then?"

"Shhh, it's a secret."

"Really now? Could you tell me?"

Pat motioned for Virgil to crouch down, and whispered in his ear, "We're having a tea party!"

"You are? Can I come?"

"Uh huh! Follow me though, it's special invite only."

"Okay, Pat."

Patton dragged Virgil across the house to a small closet filled with towels.

Author-Chan held her breath.

Patton turned the handle.

Author-Chan raised her cup of green tea.

They opened the door and-   it was empty.

Author-Chan blew on her tea before taking a sip, safely tucked away in the cabinet under the sink.

(LOL)

Virgil looked around the small closet to find nothing but some juice boxes and blankets. Patton eagerly walked inside, placing the cat in their bed and settling down on a blanket with doggos on it. Hesitantly, Virge crawled in, making himself as small as possible. He wrapped himself in a dark fluffy blanket, and relaxed. Patton handed Virgil a juice box, then set one down in front of Alex, who nuzzled further into their bed and made a small noise of approval. The two stayed in the silence, petting the cat, and drinking apple flavored liquids. 

"How often do you have tea parties?"

"When Lo has to work I come here cause all he lets me do is color. It gets boring."

"Really now?" Chuckled Virgil.

"Mhmm. And when I'm big, I sneaky sneaky here when I'm stressed."

"Aw, Pat..."

"But Alex always catches me, so now they're VIP member."

"How does someone be a VIP?"

"You have to answer a very, very, very important question!"

"And what question would that be?"

"Knock Knock?"

"Who's there?"

"You passed the test!"

"You passed the test who?"

"No, Vi, wait? That was the question."

"What was the question?"

"Knock knock?"

"Who's there?"

Patton giggled, knowing this would go on forever if they didn't stop. Virgil cracked an adoring smile, the one only the kids get to see because he was fond of all of them, but he's got a reputation. The cat purred, seemingly smiling with them and their antics because Alex really liked their famILY.

Pat and Virge went on the day, in a small and cramped closet, bonding over nothing and everything at once. And maybe the next time Patton disappears, Virgil finds him in the closet and comforts him. Maybe Patton finds little V in there during hide and seek. Maybe Patton takes Virgil to the closet during his next panic attack. And Maybe when they're both kiddos they have tea parties with Alex. Maybe, just maybe.

But who knows, it's not like anyone would know about their secret...

Not even Author-Chan.