~ Wings ~ Sanders Sides ~

~ Chapter Twenty-six ~ Virgil ~

Warning: THIS IS WHEN IT HITS THE FAN. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO TALK AND/OR ATTEMPTS OF SUICIDE, GO TO THE NEXT CHAPTER. THESE EVENTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

I'm listening to music when a text comes in from Roman.

Hey, Panic at the Everywhere!
I have an idea to cheer up our beloved father figure!

Ok, you're telling me this why, exactly?

Because, as much as it pains me to say it...
I'm going to need your help.

I burst into laughter.

I'm sorry, what?!
Princey, needing MY help!?
Again?!

Virgil. I'm being serious.

Ok, ok, fine, what do you need help with?

I was thinking we could do a collaborative project? I send you a picture and you type lyrics on it?

Cool
Don't You Dare Forget the Sun?

That'll work. What are the lines?

I know you're laying in bed / Contemplating your own death / Just look at what you've done / Don't you dare forget the sun, love!

On it!

After a few minutes, Roman sends me a picture of sunlight peeking through storm clouds. I smirk, add lyrics, and text the picture to Patton.

Wow, Virge...
That was deathly accurate.

I stop cold, realizing exactly what he just said, then teleport to his room. What I see is everything I never wanted to happen.

Patton's sitting on the bar, a gun pressed to his head and tears running down his face, but he's smiling. His hoodie, which is normally on or around his shoulders, is on the couch where blood spray won't reach it. My breath hitches, then I go into full protective mode, down to the voice.

"Patton Morality Sanders," I order, voice echoing. "Put. The gun. Down." Patton smiles sadly, then opens his eyes. They're red from crying. His hand is shaking.

"Why?" he asks in a tear-choked voice that's barely above a whisper.

"Well, for starters—" I start, taking a step forward.

"Stay back," Patton interrupts in warming, trying and failing miserably to glare.

I stop. "Patton, if you do this, you'll break our hearts."

"You have the memories."

"But we can't make new ones if you're gone!" Patton's resistance worries me ten times more than the gun he's pressing against his head. I take a deep breath. "Ok, new approach. What about Thomas? You're the foundation of his personality!"

"That's why I gave you guys the lockets, Virge." Patton's voice holds a note of pride. "You, Roman, and Logan each get one of the biggest parts of me." I guess Logan was right.

"But what about Hailey, Remy, and Emile?!"

"They can share my room." Patton sighs. "Give up, Virgil. You're not going to win."

"I can still try!" I walk forward, determined to keep my father figure safe.

"Stay back!" Patton yells, and I recognize the fear in his voice as the one in my own heart. I continue forward, Patton telling me to stay back the whole time, until I'm standing in front of him.

"Patton," I say, meeting his terrified gaze. "I get it. I understand how it feels to be alone, even when you're not. You make this illusion in your head that no one cares about you, that everyone hates you, that it would be better if you're gone. But that's not right. Because we do care." My voice is firm. "We care about how you feel. We care about what you do. We care about your health."

I take a deep breath. "Pat, when I was still a darkside, your caring attitude was the only thing that kept me going. Every time I thought about giving up, I remembered the smiles you always gave me, even when I was being a jerk, and I couldn't bring myself to end it. Not when I would hurt you in the process."

I can see in Patton's eyes that he is considering putting the gun down, so I take my chance and extend a hand. "You were my lifeline. So, please, let me be yours." After a moment, Patton slowly moves the gun away from his head, hand shaking and tears forming back up. Both of us move slowly as Patton hands me the gun and I take it, then switch on the safety and put it on the table.

Patton leaps down and wraps his arms around me, sobbing openly. I hug him back even tighter, the reality of what just happened finally settling in and chilling me to the bone.

"I'm so s-sorry, Virgil," Patton says, sobbing into my chest. "I am so so so so s-sorry!"

"Shh... shhh.. It's okay, Pat, it's not your fault," I reply, stroking his hair, a few silent tears slipping down my cheeks. "Just remember that we're all here and that we all love you unconditionally."

"I know, kiddo, but the v-voice..." I stiffen.

"What do you mean, voice?" I ask, trying to keep my voice tender, but a hard edge still manages to creep in.

"Th-there's a voice, and he tells me all of these things, and the only way to g-get him to be quiet is to distract myself with pain a-and..!" Patton starts crying harder. I continue comforting him, resting my head on his, anger bubbling up inside me. You promised you wouldn't influence him.

Once Patton's sobs die down, he pulls back from the hug and says, "I'm so sorry if I scared you, kiddo."

"Patton, it's fine," I reply, my voice firm as firm as my hands on his shoulders and as strong as my gaze when I meet his eyes. "Those voices can be unbearable, I know, but you can't let them control you. Anything they say to you is a lie. I need to you remember that, ok? You are loved." Patton nods. "Any time you feel like you should end it, tell me. I promise, I will drop everything and come running." Patton smiles softly. "I am here."

"Please don't tell the others," Patton requests, a tear slipping down his cheek.

"Of course," I agree, wiping his stray tear. "Your secret is safe with me."

"C-can I go be with Logie..?"

"I was actually just about to suggest that. Come on." I take Patton's hands in mine and teleport to Logan's room.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Logan asks immediately. He has his laptop open and some textbooks around him.

"Would you mind looking after Patton for a bit? I have some... errands to run." Logan turns his head to look at us, gives me what seems to be a glare, then nods.

"Very well, just be careful." Well, he caught on quick.

"I can take care of myself," I say, rolling my eyes, then turn to address Patton and Logan. "Anyway, you two have fun, but don't have too much fun!" I wink, making Patton's entire face turn red. Logan even flushes a little bit.

"V-Virgil!" Patton exclaims, giving me a light shove. I laugh, then walk out, holding on to the cheer. I know I'll need to keep hold of it.

Skipped because of trigger: Patton tries to do the thing, Virgil stops him, and they go to Logan's room. Virgil then walks off to do something.