The Vigilantes

Worry Wart

TW: mention of panic attack

Virgil woke up to an arm holding him tightly and his head on someone's chest. He blinked a few times before looking up to see Logan reading a book. A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay.

"Oh you're awake. Good morning," Logan said, dog earing one of his pages because he had left his bookmark. He looked back over at Virgil who was still blinking confusedly. "This- this isn't a dream?" Virgil asked. His bright eyes searching every,

"No. This is not a dream. Though, I am confused why you would think it is one."

"Not an-n illusion?" Virgil bit his lip softly. If his mind was playing an illusion on him again, then he was sure he might actually be losing it.

"An illusion? What do you mean?" Logan responded, placing his hand on Virgil's head. "You don't have a fever, but I don't think a panic attack can cause one. I'll have to research that today."

Virgil froze. Maybe it was Logan's freezing hand on his forehead, but the memories began to click back in place. Him scream 'No!' and 'Stop!' over and over again. Him pleading his memories, his nightmares to end. Him apologizing for something he had no control over, yet felt he had every control over. Because it was his fault he was this way. He was cursed to be unlucky an foreboding. Cursed to be the villain.

"Virgil?" Logan's voice was quiet. He could hear the fear that was laced in his words; the uncertainty. "Do you remember?"

Virgil sat up, laying his head on his pillow, forcing Logan to shift with him. Face to face. He felt he could draw those grayish-blue eyes into his memory. He wished he could. There was nothing robotic about them, unlike what Roman said.

He licked his lips. "I remember, remember you and Patton and Roman in my room last night, and you all looked so scared." He bit his lip, not quite sure if he should continue. "I remember paper and a p-pen and  writing, and I remember you staying? I asked you to stay?"

Logan nodded, keeping his arm around Virgil in place. "Yes, that's correct. And, luckily, it seems your stutter has calmed down." Virgil blushed, his cheeks hinting at a soft pink hue. "Tha-anks," Virgil said, ducking his head a little.

"Well, Patton and Roman left a few hours ago, so I believe it is my job to make breakfast today," Logan glanced at the clock that read 11:30am. "Well, brunch. He sat up, grabbing his book and removing his arm from Virgil's waist. "Will you be attending?"

Virgil nodded, grabbing his phone, and following Logan to their tiny kitchen. He sat at the kitchen counter, scrolling through his missed calls and texts.

Missed Calls:

Remy (5)

Emile (6)

Missed Texts:

Remy: where r u? r u ok? answer

Emile: I know you're probably feeling one of your days, and I hope you're alright. Answer as soon as you can. xoxo

He sighed heavily. These calls and texts spanned from eight in the morning to ten. They were probably angry with him for not answering right away. He wasn't having 'one of his days', though he wish he was. He wished he had a better reason than a panic attack.

"Are you all right, Virgil?" Logan was currently flipping pancakes with one hand while trying to crack eggs. "I'm fine. . . Do you need help?" Virgil asked, walking over to Logan. He shook his head, letting go of both the pan and the eggs. The pan was still cooking the pancakes, while the eggs managed to crack, mix, and pour themselves into another pan.

"Now that fiasco is settled what was your dilemma?" he asked, sitting on the table. "I apologize if my whole attention isn't on you, it's hard to cook to things at once." Virgil looked back over to the self-cooking eggs and pancakes.

"Um, well, I don't know. I'm just worried about my uncles, and y-you guys, and superpowers, it's just. . . a lot," he breathed. He fiddled with his hands, wishing he hadn't left his sweatshirt in his room. He felt too open in a short-sleeve shirt and basketball shorts. He moved his hand to his left shoulder, feeling all the small cuts on his arm.

"Well, let's start with your uncles. Remy and Emile, correct?" Logan asked, startling Virgil out of his dreamlike state. "Yeah, they're worried about me I was supposed to meet them today, but they think my depression or something is acting up or whatever." Virgil glanced at his phone as it dinged again. Logan reached for it and handed it to Virgil.

Missed Texts:

FunRemy: where r u? r u ok? answer

FunEmile: I know you're probably feeling one of your days, and I hope you're alright. Answer as soon as you can. xoxo

DogLover💖: hey kiddo! ro and I will c u and lo later. tell lo to make yall some brunch

Virgil read all of the texts again. "I suggest you reply to your uncles first, since they seem worried and then tell Patton that we have made brunch," Logan suggested, turning off the stove.

"Okay."

Group Text: Fun Uncles

DearNephew: im fine, just a panic attack. ill cya tmw

FunRemy: thank goodness

FunEmile: Enjoy your day, Dear Nephew!

DearNephew: its a stupid name

DogLover💖

CatLover🖤: we made brunch pat

DogLover💖: that's gr8 kiddo, ttyl

CatLover🖤: bye

Virgil sat his phone down on the table as Logan passed him a plate. He grabbed both of them a fork before they sat down and dug in. "Now, I perceive the idea that you may not be comfortable talking about our powers, so we can talk later with Patton and Roman and discuss any questions you might have for us. I know we talked last night, and I believe that caused your panic attack, so we'll be a bit more cautious today. Agreed?" Logan asked, eating a bite full of eggs.

"Agreed."

"What would you like today?"

"Movies?"

"Okay."

So that's what they did. They watched movie after movie and documentary after documentary until their two roommates arrived home.

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Did you liiiiike it? Yes? No? Maybe so? I hope you did, but I get it if you didn't there isn't a whole lot going on in this chapter, BUT there is a reason why I include the phones... duh Duh DUUUUH. No, but, I was thinking maybe I could make a chat between our four superheroes (not including remy and emile) and kind of drum up the analogical, hmm? what do you think? lemme know pls