Heartbreak | Patton Sanders

Chapter 3

The four of them were sat at the table, pancakes of different shapes placed in front of them. Roman's pancakes was crowns, Virgil's were storm clouds, Logan's were books and Patton had cat and dog-shaped pancakes. Roman had cooked them, with the help of Logan while Virgil had made the table while all sat at the table, eating together.

Roman and Logan were engaged in conversation. Patton was rather silent, with Virgil looking up to check on him every so often to make sure he was okay.

"Patton?"

The Dad side soon looked up, raising a brow. "Huh?"

"I asked you a question." Logan told him, before frowning.

"Oh- Uh, Sorry Logan. I didn't hear you. What did you ask?" He questioned, giving an apologetic smile.

"It's quite alright. I asked if you liked the pancakes."

Patton soon nodded, holding one of them up. "They're shaped as little puppies!" He called out, smiling. "I almost feel bad to eat them. That would be a.. Cat-astrophe!" He joked, holding the cat-shaped pancake up as the three of them joined in unison of laughter while Logan took a moment to process that. "Dear gosh." Logan mumbled, and Patton smiled. "Did I bark up the wrong tree?" He joked once again, this time holding up the dog-shaped pancake. Roman and Virgil continued to laugh while Logan readjusted his glasses.

"You have got to be-" Roman started, only to earn a glare from Logan.

"Don't do it."

"Kitten me."

Patton gasped proudly towards Roman, while Logan buried his face in his hands. "Dear lord." He muttered before shaking his head.

Virgil chuckled, smiling at Patton being happy. He was unsure whether it was truthful or not, but he decided to join in with the cat puns.

"Well. This is a purrr-fect dinner." He joked.

"Aye!" Patton cheered out, clapping. "I love my dark, strange son." He giggled softly, smiling before Logan exhaled. "I'm done!" He called out, standing up and excusing himself from the dinner table. "I need to walk that off." He then mentioned, not wanting to upset Patton anymore then he had, walking away to calm himself.

"Did we go too far?" Patton asked, looking at Logan who was pacing back and forth in the main common room.

"Don't worry about it, Patton. You know that he gets overwhelmed by puns. He'll walk it off." Roman assured him with a smile as the remaining three managed to finish his pancakes off.

"Thank you.. for the pancakes, Roman." Patton spoke up, earning a nod from the Prince. "Yeah.. Thanks, Princey." Virgil added, another nod from Roman.

You think they're listening to you?
This won't last.

Patton winced at the voice in his head, before shaking his head to make it disappear. "Hey, um. May I be excused?"

"Everything alright, Pat?" Virgil asked, looking over at him.

Patton smiled, "All good. I just need to use the bathroom."

"Oh. Yeah, go on. Of course." Roman nodded with a smile as Patton nodded, heading to the bathroom and locking himself in. He then leant on the sink, glancing in the mirror as he felt his jaw aching. Too many fake smiles. Too many fake feelings. He couldn't stop it now.

He was lying to himself.

"It's Patton. He's too strict."
"Because you're a airhead."
"You are the issue here!"
"Just because Patton can't let go of one person?"

"Hey, Dad."

Virgil. Of course. Out of all of them, he seemed to be the one to now realise the pain that Patton was going through.

"I know you probably want to be alone, right now. Believe me, I get it. I understand. But I just want to let you know that I'm here. If you want to talk."

Patton couldn't find the words to reply. He wanted to nod, but Virgil couldn't see him. He just sighed and walked over to the door, opening it. Virgil looked surprised, but shoved his hands in his pocket.

"I'm sorry, kiddo." Patton whispered, looking down before Virgil shook his head. "No. No it's fine. Do you want me to walk you to your room? I'm.. ironically, I'm anxious for you to be on your own."

Patton smiled softly before nodding, walking with Virgil to his bedroom. The two exchanged small talk, trying to bring up a more lighter topic to help distract Patton while returning to his room. When they arrived, Patton opened the door to walk in, only for Virgil to gently take his arm to stop him.

"Patton?"

"Yeah, kiddo?" Morality turned around, before frowning softly. "You're gonna be alright, aren't you?" Virgil asked and Patton smiled.

No I'm not.

"Of course. I'll be perfectly fine. I think I just need some sleep. Tomorrow's a new day!" He cheered and Virgil chuckled. "Yeah. Well, I won't keep you for long. Get some rest, night Dad." He did his usual two-fingered salute before leaving Patton on his own.

Patton closed the door, before taking a shaky breath.

They'll never listen to you.
But we will, Patton.

That damn voice. It sounded all too familiar. Playing on his mind repeatedly. He pushed it aside once again, focusing on the happier things. "I'm your happy pappy Patton." He reminded himself. "I can never be sad. I'm at the core of your happy feelings." He felt a smile creep onto his face, his eyes showing a little joy. Was he really believing himself?

No.
You just want to get a good night sleep.
You're lying to yourself.

He cringed at the voice, before hearing the door knock. He yelped with a hand over his mouth, before taking a deep breath and pulling it open.

"Ah, Patton. Thank you for answering." It was Logan, giving a genuine smile.

"H-Hey Lo.." Patton gave a smile, looking at the logical side. "Do you need something?"

"Not me. You." The Teacher rephrased before exhaling. "I am terribly sorry for the way I reacted during the table. I wish for no harm. Sometimes these puns you call out tend to be.. frustratingly overwhelming for myself. I hope you can understand to some extent."

Patton nodded softly. "Yeah. I understand. Sorry if we took it too far."

"No apology needed," Logan concluded with a smile. "I shall allow you to get some rest. It is well-needed for you. Sleep well, Patton. I shall see you at sunrise." He then dismissed himself, walking back down the hallway of the MindScape and disappearing around a corner. Patton soon again closed his door before taking off his glasses, placing them on the table beside his bed before falling flat onto his bed, getting under his dog covers and soon enough, he was asleep.

He did it. He really did it. He managed to pull a happy face the whole time. Sure, it was fake. But convincing. That was a good thing, right?

Right?