Home Is Where The Heart Is (Take Two)

Treasured Names

Virgil's POV

The kitten, whom he had decided to name Odysseus, was currently stuck atop the fridge and despite trying to tempt it with fish and milk, it refused to come down. So now, Virgil was standing precariously on the counter attempting to grab the cat and maintain his balance.

"Here kitty, come here boy" Virgil stretched out further, now standing on one foot. His fingers just brushed the edge of his fur before Odysseus leapt away from him and fell to the floor. Startled, Virgil's hold faltered and he fell backwards off the counter. His head slammed into the tiles with a crack and fire raced down his damaged spine.

He lay there, gasping for breath through winded lungs, chocking on air as his chest fluttered weakly. Fire raced down his spine, turning his bones to ash and his muscles to molten lava. The scars stretched as his back arched causing Virgil to cry silent tears of pain.

"Anxiety?" Roman called out, from the next room. Since Virgil had adopted Odysseus, he had been spending more time here. Patton and Logan had gone to the dog park for some lunch, as a totally non-date kinda thing.

Virgil tried to call out, to force his lungs to cooperate, to do anything but he could only lay there paralysed as his body twitched randomly. Roman entered the room and upon seeing him on the floor, ran over to his side. Kneeling, he hesitated before attempting to help him sit up. Virgil gasped in pain and Roman dropped him in his panic.

"What happened? Are you alright?" He asked, waving his hands around uselessly. Odysseus meowed nervously from where he had been watching from under the chair. His owners fall had scared the poor kitten.

Virgil blinked, clearing the black dotes from his eyes and with Romans assistances, managed to sit up.

"I'm fine" he said, leaning exhaustedly against the counter, the pain in his back and head subsiding to a dull ache. Roman didn't look convinced but helped him to his feet reguardless, however upon seeing him stumble, picked him up bridal style and deposited him on the couch. Let's not make a habit of this, Virgil thought tiredly.

Roman returned with some painkillers, which Virgil was greatful for and he downed two dry.

"Are you sure your ok?" Roman asked, sitting down beside him. "You might have a concussion or something and it looked like you hurt your spine."

Virgil winced at the reminder.

"Yeah, it's fine" he said, hoping Roman would just drop it like last time but as the saying goes, lightning never strikes the same place twice.

"Yeah, no" Roman said, surprising Virgil.

"That looked way to painful to be from just a simple fall"

Virgil said nothing, trying to calm his jumping nerves. Roman stared at him until Virgil looked away, face burning in shame and embarrassment.

"I'll call Patton, he'll force it outta you" Roman said, matter of factly, pushing himself to his feet.

"No!" Virgil yelled, all to aware of the father-figures paternal attitude. He would stop at nothing until Virgil confessed everything.

Roman glanced down at him, a small smirk on his lips.

"Great!" He said, plopping back down beside Virgil, "so, tell me. What happened with your back?"

Virgil decided he may as well tell him, it might do him some good to talk to someone about it. Or at least, that's what his therapist had said back when he could afford one.

"It happened a few years back. I was driving and got into an accident. It messed up my back pretty bad."

Roman stared at him, frozen, shock etched into his features.

"But I'm fine" he insisted, "just aches every now and again."

No need to worry him about nothing, he mused. Roman places a hand on his shoulder, swallowing uncomfortably.

"If you ever need anyone to talk too, I'm here" he said.

"And Anxiety, if you need help with anything cause of your back.." he said, flexing his arm a little to much to be considered cool in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Virgil smiled at him greatfully, glad that he had told someone at last and who didn't react pityingly.

"Virgil" he said.

"What?" Roman asked, staring at him confused.

"My real name is Virgil" he repeated, shocked at his own boldness and scared that he might have ruined everything.

Roman stated at him,contemplating.

"It suits you" he said, simply.

"You don't hate it?" Virgil asked, shocked. Most people laughed at his name and then proceeded to tease him.

"Hate it? Why would I hate it."

"Cause most people do" Virgil said, quietly, blushing slightly.

Roman simply pulled Virgil into a hug.

"It's a great name" he said firmly, "and your a great person."

Virgil smiled as tears welled up in his eyes. Roman noticed the tears and panicked.

"Did I say something wrong?" He fluttered, unsure how to comfort the crying emo in his arms.

"There happy tears" Virgil said in amusement, brushing them away.

Roman just blushed deeply and patted Odysseus. They sat quietly for a moment just enjoying each other's company.

The medication had finally kicked in and a low, drowsy feeling had settled over him like a layer of freshly, fallen snow. Roman noticed his drooping eyes and moved so that Virgil could lay down properly. Grabbing a blanket that had been left on the floor from one of their numerous movie nights, he tucked it around Virgil's shoulders. Virgil tried to stay awake, to fight the medication. The talk had brought back painful memories and he was scared he'd have to relive them through nightmares like he had so often before he had found Patton, Roman and Logan. Roman noticed this and started to softly sing a lullaby. A Disney one, of course. So it was to the comfort of Odysseus curled, purring, by his side and the soft melodic voice of Roman singing that his tired eyes drifted shut and led him to the most peaceful and restful sleep he had had in years.

Roman's POV

He smiled down gently at Anxiety's, no, Virgil's sleeping form, laughing slightly at the ruined makeup that coated his eyes. Moving to grab a wipe from the kitchens, he gently removed the make up as best as he could without waking him. Looking at the peaceful expression on Virgil's face, something burned in his chest. Startled, he dropped the wipe and stepped back but the feeling had already faded. Running his fingers through his hair, he took one final look at the sleeping emo,

And moved to put the wipe in the bin before headed out to meet Logan and Patton on their way back from the dog park. They would have dinner ready when Virgil woke up.