True Deceit

Chapter 23: Roman

Patton slowly rose in his bedroom, breathing a sigh of relief. He'd finally managed to get Deceit to consume a meal, and through some challenging persuasion he eventually was able to bandage his bruised hands. Now all Morality needed to do was relax, curl up with a book and catch up on some well-deserved rest...

"Patton!" Roman bellowed. Patton gasped and jolted back in surprise at the prince standing in the door way, quickly noticing that his face was flushed white and his body was shaking. "Where the hell have you been?! I was really scared; I couldn't find you anywhere!" Virgil ran in moments later, a similar expression on his face.

"Oh my, oh you're okay," he stammered breathlessly, his features relaxing at the sight of Patton.

"You better explain where you were!" Roman shouted angrily, tensing his muscles and clenching his fists. Virgil wrapped his fingers around the prince's arm, jerking his limb back.

"Roman, calm down, it's okay-"

"Shut up Emo!" He barked. By now tears were streaming heavily down his cheeks. "I thought Deceit had come back, imprisoned you like last time, do you know how hard it was to lose you?! I was really scared!" Roman inhaled sharply, refusing to look away from Patton's remorseful eyes.

"I just went to see Logan, he had a panic attack. A panic attack, like he was Anxiety or some crap!"

Patton crossed his arms over his chest. "I warned you not to go into Logan's room."

Roman growled. "He's my friend, I couldn't stand not seeing him anymore!"

"Is he okay now?" Patton spoke quietly.

Roman nodded his head, running out of breath to keep shouting. "Yeah, he's fine. I'm cooking his favourite dinner for him, the pot is on the stove."

"Leek and potato soup," Patton gave him a small smile. "Good idea."

Roman shook his head, narrowing his eyes. "Don't you dare change the subject, Padre. Where were you?"
Patton's cheeks went pink. "I'm sorry. I went the dark sides. I went to see if Janus was okay."

Roman gritted his teeth. "that was dangerous Patton, he could have hurt you. Why didn't you ask me to come?!"

Patton looked at the floor. "I didn't want him to feel threatened by you. He's quite calm and predictable when we're alone."

Roman could feel his heart pounding in his chest. "I need to check on dinner."

"Princey wait." Virgil insisted, but Roman turned around and left.

*

For the rest of the evening after dinner Roman secluded himself in his room, unusual bursts of paranoia burning in his chest.

Logan, Patton, and Remus. The three most important sides in his life were hurting him beyond belief. And now all I have left is Thomas, he thought to himself. and a goddamn Emo nightmare.