Face Down (Anxceit)/(Moxiety)

Chapter 4

Patton was sitting in his bedroom, staring at his hands. He couldn't stop thinking about Virgil. It had been a week since he met him and he'd learnt so much about Virgil's situation but not so much about Virgil himself. Virgil constantly told Patton there was nothing he could do since Deceit constantly covered his tracks, no evidence-

"Patton? Are you alright?" His mother leaned in.

"I'm alright." Patton said.

"Patton, I'm your mother. And you're the worst liar on the planet." His mother smiled before walking over and sat on his bed. "What's bothering you sweetheart?" She asked, holding his hands in hers.

"Well... there's this boy in my class. We met last week but I've learned a lot about him and his situation." Patton started.

"Does he need help?" his mother asked. Patton knew what she was asking, police? Therapy? Anything like that.

"Well... kind of. He's in this abusive relationship with another boy at our school. The first day I met him, I saw one of these conversations with the both of them. I-I don't know how to help him. I've tried to be myself around him but that isn't going to be enough mom. For the first time-I'm not sure what to do."

Patton's mother sighed, "You are a smart boy Patton. Maybe not as smart as your brother but you have something he doesn't. I call it "street smarts". You're able to see a situation pointed south or someone emotionally going south and are always able to know what to do. Logan is all book smarts. He doesn't know anything about sentiment. But that's not the point. My point is Patton; you always know what to do to help people. So when the time comes, you know what to do."

"But how long will it take. Virgil might not have that kind of time. Should I leave well enough alone? Most people would say yes but... I know I can't! Not in this kind of situation." Patton looked at the floor.

"I think you should help. But it's your decision Patton. If you really want to form a strong connection with him." She smiled and left him.

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[*TW*]

Virgil sat in his bathroom. Nothing made sense to him anymore. Deceit. Patton. Especially Patton. He never really had any friends during his childhood and now that Deceit made sure that he had no friends; having Patton as a "secret friend" was just too stressful to him.

He pulled down the sleeves of his hoodie, looking at a mix of scars and scabs that looked like a battle had taken place over his arms. Technically it had, but the war was in his mind and the results had littered his skin.

He fumbled with the blade in his hand, eyes watering. He couldn't keep the charade, but he didn't want to lose Patton But why though? He had only known the boy a week. Maybe because he made Virgil feel better about his stupid pathetic life.

Virgil pressed down on the blade, drawing a thin line of blood.

Too many fucking questions littered his mind. Several of them brought to light by Patton himself; he was making Virgil question Deceit's actions so much the boy couldn't handle it.

Virgil let out a quiet sob, slashing at his arms. More blood pooled out of his cuts. He started to breath heavily, knowing that he couldn't harm himself too much. People would start to get suspicious. He was sure some people were.

Probably Patton.

Most definitely Patton.

Virgil burrowed his head in his arms and let tears fall, ashamed of himself. He dug his fingernails into his hand, flinching at the sharp pain his nails gave him.