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

Chapter Twenty Eight-The Talk

TW: Hurt comfort, cute LAMP at the end, Logan saying the word cuddle which I thought should be included, mentions of death and fire, but honestly nothing too bad. Also Esseray, but yeah. 

"Roman?" Patton was still drowsy as he looked up to see Roman's chest rising and falling quickly. He was sitting up, his hair flopped as sad as hair could look in front of his eyes. "Hey! Hey! It's okay, Roman..." He said softly, moving over to where Roman was currently hugging himself.

"I... I..."

"Shh..." Patton shook his head. "Don't. It's okay, Roman, we're here. We have you." Logan stirred next to the pair, blinking a few times as he put on his glasses. He assessed the situation in record time, glancing over the pair and instantly attaching himself to Roman's other side. Virgil seemed to wake up now as well and came over to join.

"Was... was there another dream?" He asked softly, half asleep. Roman nodded, and without thinking, held out his arms. Virgil fell onto his chest, closing his eyes and laying there, Roman's arms wrapped around him. They lay there for a few moments as Roman's breathing slowed, and he was back to sleep. Patton lifted his head from where it was laying on Roman's shoulder and noticed that yes, the other two were asleep as well.

"Are you awake?" He whispered. He didn't know why he did it, but he got no response. He gently reached over and took Logan's glasses from his face. Logan didn't seem to stir, so Patton gently folded them and placed them on the pillow next to him again. He quietly got up but froze as Roman made a soft whining sound, lifting one of his arms over to Patton. But the arm draped itself over Virgil again, and Virgil shifted closer. Patton smiled.

He took the blankets from his and Virgil's spot and brought them over, covering the group with one of the lighter ones. He watched them for a few moments, and then slowly tiptoed out of the tent. He opened the door as quietly as he could and snuck down the stairs. It was still dark outside, but as the last step creaked under his foot, he heard a voice.

"Dear, what are you doing up?" Miriam was sitting in a chair with a book in her lap, looking at Patton with a worried expression.

"Roman had a nightmare. He's back asleep now, but I wanted to get some water for us when we woke up." Patton explained.

"Well, that's very sweet of you." She got up from her chair. "I'll join you." Patton smiled as they walked into the kitchen.

"Why are you up?" He asked.

"Oh, sometimes I get worried about little things and I can't sleep." She waved a hand. "I'll get worried that I left the fire on somewhere, and I won't be able to sleep until I double-check. And then when I go back upstairs, the whole thing starts again. It's better sometimes to just wait down here until I'm tired enough to actually sleep." She smiled at Patton.

"Are... are you someone who likes talking about it? Or do you feel like you have to?" Miriam smiled softly.

"You've experienced loss as well?" Patton didn't have to say anything, just nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that. Gerald doesn't like talking about our daughter, and I understand that. Sometimes it can be painful for me as well. I just would prefer to be in pain and remember then to be blissfully happy and forget." She paused and so did Patton. "So I suppose, yes. I enjoy talking about her."

"What was she like?" Miriam laughed.

"I can tell you if you'd really like to know, dear." She smiled, pulling out a chair at the table, and gesturing for him to sit down. Patton did hesitantly, and she walked over, taking out two glasses. "But first, may I ask you a few questions as well? You don't have to answer if you don't feel comfortable, of course."