On the Side of Insanity (A Sander Sides Fanfiction)

16. Lessons Learned

Patton was humming a bouncy tune when the nurse entered and found him awake. She lost no time in getting everyone waiting for him from the waiting room.

They entered, trying to be quiet, but unable to contain their excitement.

Patton looked over and frowned. "Who are all of you?"

There was tense silence.

"Patton, you remember us, right?" Logan asked tentatively.

"No, I've never seen any of you in my-." He then broke in to snorting giggles, unable to keep a straight face any longer.

Everyone relaxed and smiled at the practical joke.

Lily Water ran to her uncle and jumped up on the bed beside him. She had been instructed to be careful so she only clasped his hand.

Patton smiled. "Hello, small love. Have you been taking care of Patton jr?"

Lily Water motioned Bonnie Lark over.

"Aye, she has, Dr Lovegood. Very good care of her wee froggy. She wanted to bring him to show you but we were unsure... what your condition may be."

"Oh, well then. I'm going to have to visit soon as I can to see for myself."

Lily Water slid off the bed and grabbed Remus and Virgil's hands. She dragged them over and grinned at her uncle.

"Have you made some friends?" Patton smiled at them. Remus shyly smiled back and Virgil stared at the ground.

"Hey," Patton said softly to Virgil. "C'mere, kiddo."

Virgil didn't budge.

"Virgil Augustus, come here before I ground you," Patton said sternly.

Virgil looked taken aback. "I'm an adult?"

"Is this an "I care" face? No. Come here."

Virgil blinked and stepped closer.

"I forgive you. In fact, I'm actually sorta glad I almost died."

Virgil blinked again. "Come again?"

"It's... hard to explain. When you are ready to give up something like life it's always good to re-examine it and find you forgotten it's pricelessness."

He was met with blank looks.

"The gist being, I forgive you, Virgil. Now it's your turn."

Virgil bit his lip. "What do you mean?"

"You need to forgive yourself. For everything."

Virgil knit his eyebrows. "That will... take some time."

"Well, you have the rest of your life ahead of you."

Virgil nodded soberly.

There was silence.

"What in Zeus's name do you say after something like this?" Roman suddenly asked.

Everyone laughed.

"Yikes," Patton surveyed everyone. "You all look terrible."

"Pat, have you seen a mirror?" Roman inquired.

Everyone laughed again.

"But still. You all should go back to the flat and get some rest."

"We can't just leave you here," Logan protested.

"I'll be fine. Really." Patton motioned to Lily Water who was yawning and rubbing at her drooping eyelids. "Please?"

They finally relented with the understanding Logan would be back in two and a half hours to keep Patton company.