The Logical Exception

{ Chapter 24 - Regretful Aftermath }

"A king is nothing without those whom he serves, and I serve you, my prince." A young Roman sat watching the TV, trying to scoot closer, completely enthralled with the cartoon.

"Ro, you shouldn't sit so close." His older brother had brought in a bowl of snacks, pulling Roman back towards the couch.

"No! I have to see what's next!"

"You've seen this movie about 26 times, you know what happens next."

"But Looogannnn!" He whined, earning a pillow being thrown at him by Remus.

"It needs more blood!" Remus jumped off the couch, almost landing on Roman but Logan caught him in his arms, falling backward onto the couch.

"No bloody movie!"

"You aren't my dad!"

"No! I am your king!" Logan pulled up Remus' shirt, blowing a raspberry on his stomach while tickling him, causing the young boy to squirm and giggle.

"Then I'm the prince!" Roman said, crawling over to jump on top of Logan. "And... and a..." He was struggling to remember the exact words. "A King is... is nothing without those he serves, like me!"

Logan laughed, grabbing his other brother and snuggling both of them, pinning them to the couch so they couldn't escape. "You can be the prince and Remus can be the duke."

"Awe, I don't want to be the duke, he doesn't have power."

"But a duke controls the armies, which means you get to organize the wars."

Remus' eyes lit up. "Yes! FEAR ME!" He squirmed out of Logan's arms and Roman watched as his brother went to get their toy swords, excitement shining in both of their eyes. The two fought over what movie to watch, but it devolved into nonsense as Logan got between them and was stabbed by Remus.

"Oh no, I have died." He fell backward dramatically, Roman and Remus jumping on him. He sat there pretending to be lifeless, but Roman could feel his smile. They knew their brother liked to be serious but he always made time for them. He always smiled for them.

Logan wasn't smiling now.

"Oh no, oh no, what did I do?" Roman let his sword disappear as the realization came crashing down on him. His eyes traced over Logan's limp body, a hand covering his mouth. He needed help. He needed to fix this.

"Re-" Roman cut himself off. Remus was with Patton, pulling him away from their currently comatose comrade would be a struggle and a half. Patton and Virgil were out of commission and Roman didn't know anything about Sleep or Emile.

"Deceit, can you help me with something?" He fought to make sure his voice didn't waver, putting on the best act that he could. "You really screwed up this time, Roman." His eyes never left Logan's still form. At least he was still breathing.

Deceit came walking towards the living room, pausing as he saw Logan. "My expertise may be in deception, but hiding a body from your friends is going to be rather difficult."

"He is alive you dramatic snake."

"What do you need me for then?"

"I don't know, help me get him to the couch?" Roman had dealt with a few injuries in the past but nothing this severe, Patton was normally the one who looked them over and patched them up.

"Alright, you take his legs and I will get his head. His leg is injured so hold him by the knees." They both got into position moving Logan gently onto the couch."