The Prince, The Gangster, The Teacher, And The Poet (Sander Sides Fanfic)

Chapter Twelve-The Town

TW: Childish Remus-like humor for half a second, Cute Patton, mentions of curses, worried people, a proposition that some might think is untrustworthy, but all in all, mostly an important transition plot chapter.

It was another two days until they reached another town. Logan told them that they were on schedule, and Patton chose to believe him. Patton had decided that he liked the people he was traveling with. Sure, Virgil could sometimes be a little too negative, or Roman and Logan would flirt with each other too much, or a joke would fly completely over someone's head, but he was enjoying the time they spent together.

Besides, every day that they spent out of his home was another day he felt he was really truly living.

Patton got up early that morning, he had taken first watch the night before with Roman, and smiled when he saw Logan and Virgil asleep, Virgil's head leaning on Logan's shoulder. Yesterday everyone had been a little crabby, the lack of sleep, and the soreness in their bodies had started to get to them. Patton stretched. He was hungry. Really hungry. He thought back to what he had eaten the night before. He had eaten three sandwiches, which Roman had asked him about later. He was still hungry, and he whined softly since he knew no one would hear it.

He shook off the feeling and tried to shake off the soreness in most of his body as well. It didn't work. He walked over to his bag and got out a little more food. There was enough for breakfast, but he hoped they would make it to the town Logan wanted them to get too by lunch. They hadn't talked about money just yet, Patton didn't have access to any coin, so he hoped the others had brought enough to keep them fed and let them stay in actual beds that night. Patton didn't mind staying up on watch, but sleeping in the sleeping bags was starting to get more than a little uncomfortable. He quickly scarfed down what little food he had gotten for himself, but the hunger seemed to get worse.

Patton rubbed his head, trying to remember what his father had said to do when he got hungry like this. It didn't happen often, but when it did... his notebook. Right. He quickly walked over to his bag, grabbing the notebook out of the pocket in the front, and flipping to the page of notes his father had given him.

"Symptoms of the Curse." He mumbled out.

"1) Unexpected soreness" Patton re-read the words he had gone over a million times. He remembered his dad told him about how soreness just tended to come with the territory. He relaxed a little. "2) Unexpected hunger." Again, something that just came with the territory. "3) Eyes changing color." That was when it was time to freak out. His dad had told him that sternly. Do not panic if you wake up sore and hungry, those are just things that happen. But if someone tells you your eyes flash yellow, then it's time to get home or get somewhere safe.

Patton sighed. This was probably going to last for the rest of the day. He leaned back against the tree, suddenly tired. Roman stuck his head out, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"Everything alright, Padre? I heard you saying something." Patton straightened, putting on his smile.

"Of course, kiddo! Just rereading something I wrote yesterday!" Patton turned to Roman. "Do you want anything to eat? We should probably wake up Logan and Virgil in a few seconds so they can eat too." Roman grinned at him.

"That would be great, Pat. Thank you." Roman sat down next to where the fire had been the night before. "We're supposed to get to a town tonight?"

"Yep!" Patton grinned. "Maybe we can sleep in actual beds tonight!" Roman froze.

"Wait, really?" His eyes widened before he sighed dramatically, leaning back. "Oh thank the gods. I need a bed." He laughed, and Patton turned to find Logan looking at them, not moving from where Virgil had basically attached himself to him.