Like Patchwork

Chapter 3

Trigger Warning: Please check the end notes for more details.

Sunday, August 16th, 2020: 2:34 PM

"Virgil?" Remy asked, setting their phone on the coffee table

"Yeah, Rem?" Virgil responded, still focused on his own phone.

"So like, I've got a question for you," That got Virgil's attention; he paused what he was doing and turned to Remy. Seeing the look on Virgil's face, Remy continued, "Calm down boo, it's nothing bad." Virgil nodded, but he still looked uneasy, drumming his fingers on his thighs, "Look, I think it's pretty public knowledge that I like you and think you're cute as fuck, right? And as shy as you are, you do tend to flirt back sometimes. So like, are we a thing? Do you want to be a thing? Not that I'm one for labels but... ya know." Remy shrugged.

Virgil was silent. Remy frowned, "V?" they questioned softly, frowning when Virgil gave no indication of hearing Remy. "Virgil?" Remy asked, reaching out to him.

Before they could, however, Virgil yelled, "No!" shoving Remy away from him. Remy tumbled off of the couch, remaining still for a moment out of shock. Remy stood up slowly, taking steps backward in an attempt to give Virgil space. It didn't seem to matter though, as Virgil started to sob, murmuring the word 'no' under his breath repeatedly. Remy watched, feeling helpless as Virgil curled into a ball, hands digging his scalp. It only took a moment before Remy heard footsteps pounding down the stairs. Roman was the first to arrive, moving towards Virgil before turning his head to Remy.

"What the fuck did you do?" He asked, hands shaking. Remy stuttered, no actual words leaving their lips, "What did you do?" Roman yelled again. Remy realized that Roman wasn't accusing him, but was just frantic for answers.

"Remy," Logan said, he and Patton having arrived sometime when Roman was yelling, "What happened?" Despite sounding composed, Remy could see his shaking hands as he adjusted his glasses.

"I-" Remy stumbled, running a hand through his hair, knocking his sunglasses off, "We were talking– I was talking, and I asked him something and then I don't fucking know! He froze and I got too close and he panicked!"

Logan and Patton exchanged looks before Logan moved to the kitchen and Patton ran back upstairs. Remy, unsure of what to do, moved to the kitchen table, not wanting to disturb anyone. Remy watched for what felt like hours as Patton, Roman, and Logan hovered around Virgil, like bees buzzing in their hive. Virgil had stopped sobbing at some point, but the muttering remained for longer than anyone wanted. Eventually, that stopped too, the only sounds being Roman's voice and the footsteps of all three men.

Remy very quickly got sick of sitting and doing nothing so, he went to the kitchen and got a glass of water for Virgil, assuming his throat must hurt from all the screaming. When he walked into the living room, Logan, Patton, and Roman were all fluttering around Virgil, blocking him from Remy. Remy cleared his throat and the three turned to him, Virgil looking up for a moment before he resumed looking at Roman's chest, "Water," Remy said, breaking the silence, "For Virgil." Logan nodded, taking the water from Remy and giving it to Virgil. Virgil slowly drank the entire glass, giving it back to Logan when he was done.

Remy, satisfied, began to grab his stuff. He paused, however, when he heard Virgil. "Thank you. I'm sorry." He said to Remy, sniffling.

Remy, surprised at Virgil addressing him, smirked, "Nothin' to thank me for, darlin'." They pointedly ignored the apology.

Virgil gave a small smile before Remy continued to grab his stuff. As he began to head towards the door, Virgil stopped him, "Remy?" he asked.

Remy stopped, turning slowly to face Virgil, "Yeah, hon?" he asked, as softly as he could.

"Are... are we still going to have coffee on Tuesday?" Virgil asked, voice low and vulnerable.

Remy melted, giving Virgil a smile and replying, "Yeah doll, I'll see you Friday." Virgil nodded, relaxing against the couch. Remy walked out the door, smiling softly as the weight in his chest dissipated. They were okay. No matter what happened, Virgil and he would be okay.

———

Saturday, February 17th, 2018: 9:28 PM

"Aw shit," Remus frowned, standing in the kitchen, "We're out of chips, how are we supposed to have a party without some fucking munchies?"

Virgil snorted, leaning into Alastor a little but keeping his eyes on the game of Mario cart, "Here!" Alastor called, chucking his wallet, "Get whatever,"

"Hell yeah, money!" Remus called, quickly racing out the front door.

Virgil groaned as the game finished, Alastor still managing to win despite multitasking to talk with Remus, "Another round?" Virgil asked, stretching his arms above his head.

Alastor was cool. Sure, he was a twenty-four-year-old who somehow had an infinite amount of money and whose only friends seemed to be high school students but Remus and Virgil saw no harm in it.

"Actually I wanted to talk to you now that it's finally fucking quiet," Alastor said, laughing a little. Virgil didn't join in, trying to ignore the anxiety over Alastor insulting Remus.

"Um, sure," Virgil murmured, "What's up?" Virgil's breathing hitched as Alastor cupped his face, rubbing a thumb along his cheekbone, "Um," Virgil muttered, tensing up.

"Virgil," Alastor started, ignoring Virgil's discomfort, "You're really pretty, ya know," he continued. Virgil swallowed hard, trying to back away. Alastor followed until Virgil was pressed against the arm of the couch, "And I was thinking, I would really love to take you on a date sometime,"

Virgil took a deep breath, trying to avoid hyperventilating, "Um, look Alastor, you're a great friend but, no, I'm not interested," Virgil took another deep breath as he watched Alastor, heart beating swiftly.

"Damn Virgil," Alastor sighed, disappointed. Virgil relaxed some as Alastor took his hand away from his face. What Virgil was not expecting was for it to return a moment later as Alastor slapped Virgil. Virgil gaped, staring at Alastor, "I really didn't want it to come to this," Alastor drawled, standing, "But, you've left me no choice," Virgil didn't move, carefully watching as Alastor walked into the bedroom, only to return a moment later with a stack of papers, which he tossed at Virgil. There were newspaper clippings, articles, pictures, and they all had one thing in common: Harvey. Pictures of Harvey during the trial, blog posts proclaiming his innocence, articles breaking down his prison sentence, there were even a few pictures of Virgil.

"What the fuck," Virgil choked out, looking up at Alastor.

"I know who you are Agni Achlys." Virgil couldn't breathe, "And if you aren't careful, I'll make sure everyone in this town, the press, and even your dad himself know who and where you are."

Virgil was still for a moment, before he smirked, laughing a little, "You're a fucking monster," Alastor's smile fell, "Holy shit!" Virgil laughed, running a hand down his face, "You're insane!"

"Don't call me that!" Alastor roared, grabbing Virgil by his hair and pulling him forward, "I am not insane," he hissed. Virgil just huffed. Alastor snarled, pulling on Virgil's hair. Virgil yelped in pain, glaring. "Now, what'll it be Virgil,"

Virgil deflated, adrenaline slowly morphing into anxiety, "One condition," Virgil murmured, voice shaking. Alastor raised an eyebrow and Virgil continued, "Leave Remus out of this, if you touch him, I will kill you,"

Despite the threat, Alastor still looked cocky, "I suppose you take after dear old dad in that department, hm?" Virgil snarled, showing his teeth. Alastor only looked amused, "Fine, I'll leave Remus out of this, as long as you don't tell him." Virgil nodded as much as he could with Alastor's grip on his hair.

Alastor smiled, slowly leaning in to kiss Virgil. And Virgil let him.

Trigger Warnings:
Flashback/panic attack
Blackmail
Vague sexual assault
Mention of murder

Thanks for reading! Stay safe!
-Apollo