Family {Sequel to Brothers}

6

Virgil quickly walked out of his class as the lunch bell rang. He was already having a bad day and he just wanted to be home.

Unfortunately, it seemed like the other kids were also having a bad day. Shoving and pushing, trying to get to lunch first. But it wasnt until Virgil was slammed against the lockers that the flashbacks started.

Ian threw Virgil to the ground, letting him bleed, barely conscious, in front of Roman. Virgil could hear his brother begging for their lives. Begging for Ian to stop hurting his little brother.

Virgil felt arms wrap around him, trying to wake him up.

"Virgil!"

"Virgil!"

The boy snapped back to reality, realizing he was having a panic attack on a park bench. How he got there was a mystery, but there seemed to be another person there.

"Virgil? Can you hear me? Take some deep breaths. In for seven."

Virgil took a deep breath.

"Hold for four."

Virgil nodded lightly.

"Out for eight. Good, you're doing great."

Virgil looked up to see a boy from a few of his class.

He had magenta dyed hair and grey eyes with two lip piercings. The boy wore an MCR tshirt over black and white striped long sleeved shirt.

"Hey, are you okay now?" The boy asked.

"Y-yeah." Virgil whispered, "sorry about that whole thing."

"It's okay." The boy smiled, "I'm Percy."

Virgil bit his sleeve, "Virgil."

"Well Virgil," Percy rocked back on his heels, "do you wanna skip and get some ice cream? My treat?"

Virgil chuckled, "um, sure."

Percy stood up and held out his hand. Virgil slowly took it, letting the other pull him to his feet.

"Alright, what flavor do you want?" Percy asked, pulling out his wallet, "I'll order for you."

"Um, cookie dough?" Virgil asked meekly.

Percy smiled, "okay. Go find a seat and I'll be right back."

Virgil nodded and went to a window seat. A few minutes later, Percy came back with two ice cream cones.

"I didn't take you for the bubblegum type." Virgil smirked as he took his ice cream.

Percy turned nearly as pink as the bubblegum, "what!? You get ice cream AND gum!"

Virgil laughed, "fair enough."

"So, what now?" Percy asked

Virgil shrugged, "we could get to know each other?"

"Sure." Percy smiled, "any pets?"

"Nope." Virgil shook his head, "you?"

"Other than my brother, no." Percy rolled his eyes.

Virgil chuckled, "I feel that. I have five brothers."

"Yeesh, older or younger?" Percy asked.

"Three older, two younger." Virgil told him.

"That must be fun." Percy chuckled, "do you have a favorite?"

Virgil blushed, "I really shouldn't, but Patton. He's three years younger."

"Lucky. My brother is a menace." Percy sighed, "His name is Giovanni. We're twins, but we're as opposite as you can get."

"I have twin brothers." Virgil said, "and they're like black and white."

"My brother is straight." Percy deadpanned, "you cant get any more opposite than that."

"Touché." Virgil nodded.

Percy chuckled, "your ice cream is melting on one side."

Virgil yelped and quickly ate the dripping ice cream. Then his phone started ringing.

"Oh no..." Virgil grimaced.

"What?" Percy asked concerned.

"Its my dad." Virgil sighed.

"Oh, is he..?" Percy asked.

"No! No!" Virgil chuckled, "hes just really protective cause some... things... So I should probably take this."

Percy nodded as Virgil took the call.

"Dad, it's okay. I'm fine." Virgil said into the phone, "I had a panic attack and ended up in the park... A friend helped me and we got ice cream... Yes, were still there... Okay, I'll see you soon... Love you too Dad."

"Is everything okay?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, he got worried when I wasn't in class." Virgil shrugged, "hes gonna pick me up in a few minutes."

"Ah, okay." Percy smiled lightly.

"Do you wanna stay around and meet him?" Virgil asked.

"Um, sure." Percy shrugged.

"Okay, just to warn you, sometimes he can be a bit much." Virgil chuckled.

"Can't be worse than my mom." Percy rolled his eyes, "she's crazy and my teacher for half the day."

"What do you mean?" Virgil asked.

"Oh um," Percy tensed, "something happened a while ago, and my mom took me out of some classes to keep a closer eye on me."

"Why couldn't she take you out of school completely?" Virgil tilted his head.

Percy chuckled, "she sucks at math. And I wanted to take some art classes."

Virgil laughed lightly. Just then, Thomas and Augustus rushed into the ice cream shop.

"Calm down babe, you're gonna cause a scene." Augustus sighed.

"Virgil!" Thomas gasped, running to hug his son.

"Dad!" Virgil yelled, trying to squirm out of the hug.

"Are you okay?! Is there anything you need?! WHAT-" Thomas was cut off by Augustus.

"Thomas, calm down." He said.

Thomas sighed and released Virgil, "okay. I'm calm."

"Good." Augustus chuckled, "now Virge, who's your friend?"

"This is Percy." Virgil said, "Percy, this is my dad and his boyfriend."

"I'm Augustus." The firefighter introduced himself.

"You can call me Thomas." The father said.

"Its nice to meet you." Percy smiled.

"You too." Thomas chuckled, "I would love to stay and chat, but Virgils oldest brother is home with his boyfriends, so..."

Percy laughed, "I get it. See you tomorrow Virge!"

"Yeah." Virgil smiled brightly.

Given every that happened, today had been a pretty good day.