Sanders Sides (and more) One Shots

Obligated Punching Bag

Warnings: past abuse, present abuse, rage blackout, some swears. Doesn't represent all cases of domestic abuse

Virgil loved Patton so much. He would do anything for Patton and some habits from his past made it easier for him. Ever since Patton allowed himself to express more emotions, he has released his anger in the form of shouting and physically fighting.

Virgil would turn to others regarding his concerns for his boyfriend, if not for various things standing in his way. When he was a Dark Side, the others that resided in the shadows with him had convinced him for a long time that if they didn't lash out on him, they'll just hurt somebody else. He figured the same ultimatum would occur once he was Patton's punching bag, so didn't complain or confront him. After all, Patton would love and embrace Virgil much later as if nothing ever happened, so why would Virgil confront him? Virgil has tried getting help from the other Sides, but constantly gets stopped by Logan reminding him that Patton was healthier when he wasn't repressing his emotions, so the emo just stopped trying. He hid some cameras around his room or Patton's room just so he could convince himself that he wasn't going crazy, but he still hid his bruises and then some behind his make up and hoodie and his developing fear of Patton behind his large amount of love for the father figure.

One evening, Virgil was preparing his bed for an anticipated cuddle night while watching movies with Patton. There was no pattern to his violence, so it slightly made it easier for him to associate Patton with his quirky, caring and child-like personality that Virgil fell in love with. Patton was different from the Dark Sides, so Virgil didn't want to believe there's a reason for him to be scared of Patton, so he never even thought of it willingly. Patton growled as he entered the room and, before Virgil could look at his boyfriend, he found himself pinned to a wall and onto the floor. He stomped on the emo's back numerous times and punched his nose before flinging him onto the bed.
Once Virgil was on the bed, he did something he had never done in those situations: he sobbed. Since he felt being a punching bag would be a better alternative than anyone else getting hurt (as a Dark Side or a Light Side), he didn't think he was allowed to. As he was sobbing, he felt a pair of arms around him and he heard a heartbeat against his ear.

"Virgil? What's wrong, Muffin? Who hurt you?" he heard the sweet voice of his Patton ask.

As much as Virgil wanted to forever be in Patton's embrace, he pulled away said in his demonic voice "You hurt me!" before he walked over to the hidden cameras. Virgil gathered the footage from both cameras and made a compilation on his laptop of his abuse with the time stamps still present. A confused Patton came into the living room with an equally confused Logan and Roman.

"Alright, Cumulonimbitch, what's this I'm hearing about our resident puffball causing harm?" Roman asked.

Virgil rolled his eyes at the nickname and wordlessly played the compilation on the laptop for everyone to see. He left for the kitchen due to not wanting to see himself get brutally beaten by the man he loves, but as he was getting coffee, he felt as if the looks on the faces of the three were enough for him. He went back to the living room to sit on top of a lamp with his coffee in his hands. As he sipped, he closed his eyes due to his tears stinging.
"What? I remember feeling anger and going to find Virgil to vent, but going back to a different room calmer ends up being my next memory," Virgil heard Patton ponder.

"Virgil! Why didn't you tell us what was going on?" he heard a bewildered Logan ask.

Virgil glared toward the group with tear-soaked eyes filled with anger.

"What did you think I tried to do before you reminded me he shouldn't repress his emotions?!" Virgil shouted.

Against his normal instincts, Virgil snapped his fingers and revealed the bruises, dry blood and other lacerations on his torso, face, and arms that he covered up without properly taking care of them. Everyone else looked horrified, but Virgil didn't know if they were scared of the situation, his appearance, or the acknowledgement that they let him get beaten.

"Maybe you're not as smart as I thought you were, Logan! If you were, I'd almost think you were intentionally shutting me down when I felt bold enough to try and get help!" Virgil shouted.

He downed the rest of his coffee and slammed his coffee mug onto the floor before went to his room to lock the door and cry himself to sleep.

From that evening onward, Patton started to think that repressing his emotions might've been the better option after all. However, Logan recommended Patton go see Picani for therapy appointments to better control his emotions since he clearly wasn't sure how to handle the emotional freedom. For the next several months, as Patton was going to therapy, Virgil rambled to Logan and Roman about his thought process (it took him a long time for him to reveal why he felt obligated to take the beatings) and they made sure to listen to Virgil without interruptions. He felt conflicted on whether he should end his relationship with Patton or stay with him. Logan would remind him that the lack of familiarity towards his emotional freedom caused what happened and that he's getting help for it. However, Logan also reminded Virgil doesn't have to stay with Patton if he didn't think it was healthy.

Months passed and Virgil was lying down in bed just thinking over his relationship with Patton and hoped things would be better between them. He still loved Patton and couldn't imagine himself being with anyone else, but he wasn't sure what Patton wants to do. He heard the door open and faint footsteps before he felt a weight press down on the other side of the bed and arms around his waist.

"Muffin?" he heard someone whisper.

Virgil turned around and saw the face of the Heart who owned his heart.

"Patton? I missed you so much," Virgil admitted.

"I'm so sorry about what I've done. I never wanted to hurt you. That was so new to me and I thought I could handle emotions easily."

"What did Picani say?"

"Well, after going over why I repress and comparing me to this fox named Retsuko and claiming I'm not long gone since I felt remorse, he suggested I tell my emotions to those I trust and we'd find a solution together."

"Well, what are you feeling?"

"Guilty, for one. I want you to be safe and comfortable, Virgil. If you still want to be with me, maybe can start over again."
The next day, Patton went back to giving Virgil space unless cuddles are asked for and any kisses were just gentle ones on Virgil's temple. While they proceeded through their relationship, Patton showed he was getting better at expressing his emotions and he didn't hurt Virgil anymore.