~ Wings ~ Sanders Sides ~

~ Chapter Twenty ~ Patton ~

I clear my throat once everyone is inside. "Kiddos, I have something to tell you," I announce, trying to keep my voice from trembling. "Can everyone come into the living room?"

Not a minute later, everyone is in the living room. I'm in front of the blinds, my usual spot in videos. Remy and Emile are sitting on the floor and it looks like their thighs are touching. Virgil's sitting on the edge of the coffee table with Logan glaring at him from the corner of the sofa. Roman and Remus are sitting on opposite sides of the couch with Deceit leaning forward and resting his arms on the backboard. They're all here... This is my only chance!

I clear my throat again. "So, I'm pretty sure all of you have noticed that I've been acting a bit... off lately." Some nod, some hum in agreement, and Virgil mutters "That's one way to put it." "Well, there's something I've been meaning to show you guys for a while now.. It's ok if you don't care, I don't mind if you laugh, but I need to get this out." I take a deep breath before rolling down my sleeves.

I hesitate for a moment, hugging my arms to my chest. No, Patton, I remind myself. It's now or never. Before I can change my mind, I thrust my arms forward, showing everyone the scars that lay there.

I screw my eyes shut and wait for someone to scoff or laugh or something. What I don't expect is a pair of arms to wrap around me, pinning my arms in place. I struggle for a moment before I realize it's Virgil and he's openly sobbing.

"H-hey," I say, trying to reach up to wipe away his tears. "D-don't cry, kiddo, I'm alright!"

"Why didn't you tell us!?!"

"I.. didn't want you guys to laugh.." I reply, slightly ashamed. Virgil moves his arms so he's gripping my shoulder with one hand and cupping my cheek with the other. His eyes are firm, but shine with concern at the same time.

"Patton, no one's laughing at you," he whispers, his voice cracking.

I hear footsteps, then Logan is holding my hand gingerly, and am I imagining it or are there tears in his eyes?

"Logie..?" I ask. "D-did I do something wrong...?"

"No, Patton," Logan replies, and oh my god he is crying! "You made the right decision by telling us." That's when the floodgates open.

"I-I'm sorry!" I exclaim, burying my face in my bare arms. "I didn't want to bring anyone down!"

"Patton, it's alright," Logan reassures, running his thumb over my knuckles. "Your situation could have gotten much worse if you simply continued to bottle up your emotions." I half heartedly glare at Logan, knowing full well that he's telling me to do something that he is very guilty of, before sighing.

"I'll be outside if you need me," I inform everyone, the dejection clear in my voice. Before anyone can protest, I push my way out of Virgil's arms and head to the backyard, where I start openly sobbing.

~*——__——*~

Once my sobbing fit dies down, I lean back and look at the stars. It's a new moon, so they seem especially bright.

"Patton? How do you feel?" Logan asks as he walks up to me. He sounds genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, Lo," I reply honestly. "Just thinking." Logan sits down next to me, the starlight highlighting his features. I catch my cheeks heating up a little bit.

"I have been thinking as well." Logan sits down and closes his eyes. "Patton, this... behavior. Is there a chance that it is due to your wings?"

"You mean that I'm the only one who doesn't have them?" I say, only half sarcastic.

"It is not that you do not have your wings, it is that you cannot find your trigger. If you would like, I could help you find it."

"Lo, it's fine. I'm fine." I say the last part strongly, hoping it's believable.

"Falsehood. This is clearly troubling you if you both run away and are hurting yourself." Logan places his hand on mine, making me blush a little bit more. His eyes shine with raw concern. "It is extremely troubling seeing you like this. I want to help you in any way that I can." Logan turns to face me. "Patton, please. What do you need me to do?"

"I..." I think for a second as butterflies in my stomach flutter. "Just stay here? Please?"

"Of course." I smile softly, then lean against Lo and rest my head on his shoulder, still holding hands. As Logan runs his fingers over my knuckles, I feel a wave of peace wash over me. I hum softly, the tension in my body fading away more with each second until it's gone. I slowly drift off until I'm asleep.