Meaning Of A Purr (Sanders Sides - LAMP Fic)

Chapter 35: Communication

Discussion about most events from chapter twenty four until now so there are references to rape, consensual sexual activity, and trauma. As always take care of yourselves and thank you for reading!

~~~

Virgil once again found himself sitting on the floor of the living room as they were gathered to discuss their current situation again. It was identical to the day following his first date, other than the fact everyone seemed a bit tense instead of just Virgil.

"Been awhile since we've had this type of serious conversation as a big group," Virgil chuckled trying to ease the tension.

"I'm not entirely sure whether that is a good thing or a bad thing," Roman pointed out.

"Better late than never I suppose," Logan said.

"Sorry," Patton apologized, rubbing his arms.

"No need to apologize Angel, we are all responsible for that fact," Roman quickly pointed out.

"I have no idea what you are talking about. I've done no such thing," Virgil smirked.

"Says the person who pouted in a field for hours on end, everyday for a week and a half," Roman said, bending forward towards Virgil.

"Says the person who not so secretly hid behind a tree staring at me for that week and a half," Virgil counted, poking Roman in the forehead.

"What? I am incredibly curious and concerned by why that was a situation you were both in and why I did not know about any of it," Logan said, raising a curious brow.

"Because it wasn't wasn't a big deal."

"Because that was the healthier of the two coping mechanisms I was observing."

"What?" Virgil asked, turning his gaze away from Logan and back to Roman.

"Haha, what?" Roman laughed nervously, rubbing awkwardly at the back of his neck.

Patton let out a groan from where he sat at the end of the couch as he buried his red face in his arms.

"Patt?" Virgil asked curiously, looking between the two of them for answers.

"Roman, might have, sorta, been helping me out a bit when I didn't want to be alone. I didn't always spend the night on the couch. I skipped a few times but I had a tendency to... visit Roman at night while you were with Logan. I asked for things that probably aren't the best way to cope with what was actually on my mind," Patton replied sheepishly.

"And I suppose this is where we'll be starting with our conversation. If you are willing to at least, I cannot and will not force any answers out of any of you, unless you are partaking in a dangerous activity. I'd like to know why the two of you, or three of you if we are to count Roman's silence about both situations, to explain what lead up to these occurrences and what can be done to make sure they don't keep occurring, and if they do that they are dealt with healthily," Logan suggested.

Virgil let out a sigh as he leaned back.

"Well, as I said it wasn't a big deal for me. I just was having trouble saying around all of you for a long time because all of the change was getting to me. Like I don't want to ignore everything that happened, but I also didn't want it to be too big of a deal either. Kinda selfish I know but change scared me a bit, but Roman helped me out a bit and realized it was just going to take time to work everything out. I just... I was already dealing with my own guilt over what happened and then on top of that I was thinking about how Roman didn't want to talk about it, how you, Logan, were frequently asking permission for basically being within a foot of me, and how I managed to convince myself Patton hated me for a while. As I said, it was stupid, I've been dealing with it better lately and for the most part everything has worked itself out. It's nothing for any of you to worry about," Virgil replied, ending his comment with a shrug.