Family {Sequel to Brothers}

4

T.W.: panic attack, bullying, mild homophobia

Patton was sitting behind a tree at recess, drawing in a sketchbook Augustus got him. Dee's class was on a field trip, so it was just Patton at recess.

"Hey!" Patton yelled as someone threw his sketchbook out of his hands.

"Hey Patti!" A young boy teased, "what are you gonna do? Cry over a stupid stack of paper?"

"Go away Michael." Patton grabbed his sketch, dusting it off.

"Why?" Michael poked Pattons head where the small scars from his torture were.

"Stop it!" Patton yelled, trying to cover his head.

"I. Dont. Think. I. Will." Michael punctuated every word with a poke.

"Please just stop!" Patton begged as the poking continued.

Michael shoved him, "Shut up!"

Patton screamed, feeling electricity jolt through him and leather straps on his arms and legs. It was cold and dark. He could hear someone calling his name.

"Patton! Listen to my voice! Its alright, you're safe."

Patton pried his eyes open to see Emile next to him. He threw himself in the others arms. Emile is safe.

"Shh, it's ok Patt." Emile rubbed the child's back, "you're safe. You're here. Thomas is on his way. You're okay."

Patton sobbed into Emile's arms, shaking like a leaf.

"Patt, can you tell me five things you see?" Emile asked, gentle and quiet.

"Y-y-yo-you, g-grass." Patton choked out, "the tree-!"

Patton let out a sob before continuing, "s-sky, a-and m-my sk-sketchb-book."

"Good job Patt," Emile smiled and hugged the boy tighter, "four things you feel?"

"You, t-the grass, m-my sketchb-book, it-the tree." Patton hiccuped.

"That's good Patt." Emile smiled, "now-"

"Patton!" Thomas yelled, running up and hugging his son.

"Dad!" Patton clung to Thomas.

"Oh, Patt, what happened?" Thomas asked.

"He had a trauma induced panic attack." Emile explained, "the boy responsible for triggering it is in my office and his mother is on the way."

Thomas nodded, picking Patton, "Alright."

Emile lead them back to his office, where they heard a woman screaming about seeing the councilor immediately.

Emile sighed, "great. One of those parents."

Thomas chuckled, "I'll have the principal on speed dial."

Emile rolled his eyes with a smile, opening the door.

"Hello, my name is Dr. Picani." Emile forced a smile.

"Finally!" The woman huffed, "I demand to have my sons record cleared and take him home!"

Emile almost had to bite his tongue, "well Ms., I'm afraid you can't go just yet."

"Why not?!" The woman screeched.

"Because you son cause Patton here to have a panic attack." Emile explained, "and we need to talk about disciplinary actions."

"That boy must have faked it to get Michael in trouble!" The woman insisted.

Emile sighed, "Ms., Patton was one of the boys who was kidnapped a few months ago. He's not faking anything."

The woman went red, "well. Then he must have started it! I know Michael wouldn't have done such a thing!"

"Ms., we have security footage of the encounter." Emile said, turning his computer to show her.

"Ugh!" The woman huffed, "well what do you know!? You're... what? 16? You should be in school!"

"Ms., I'm 20 and was in an accelerated class to get my counselor's license. Please dont insult me or you will be escorted out." Emile sighed.

"You!" The woman rounded on Thomas and Patton, "this is all your fault!"

"My boyfriend and I were in the middle of a movie marathon when I was called because my son was having a panic attack." Thomas said, "an attack that your son clearly caused."

The woman scoffed, "you disgust me."

"I think that Michael is getting a weeks suspension for bullying and causing harm to another student." Emile smiled, "now you may go. The day is almost over and I have a date with my two boyfriends."

The look on the woman's face was priceless as she dragged her son out of the room.

After a few moments, the three of them left in the room burst into laughter.

"She looked so mad!" Patton giggled.

"It was so worth it." Emile smiled, leaning back in his chair.

"So you, Logan, and Remy have a date?" Thomas smirked, raising his eyebrows.

"Yep!" Emile giggled.

"You do know Logan and Remy have probably talked through everything at work already." Thomas asked.

Emile rolled his eyes, "boy do I ever. They always come up with something new to surprise me with. Once I thought for sure they were going to propose!"

"Lo-lo said he would eventually." Patton giggled.

"Okay okay, we have to go now before you spill all your brothers secrets." Thomas smiled, "bye Em, hope to see you soon. Under better circumstances of course."

Emile laughed, "yeah, see you later Thomas! Bye Patt!"

"Bye Emi!" Patton waved.