Patton's Coma Day 5:

Patton's eyes fluttered open. He squeezed them shut again and sucked in his breath. He opened his eyes again. He glanced to his right. This was not the dungeon of Dee's castle. But it wasn't the base either.

Where am I? Patton thought. He looked over at his left. A figure sat there with his head his hands. His hair was disheveled from hands being raked through it, he was shaking, and his sash was crooked. But Patton knew immediately who this was.

"Ro?" Patton asked softly. Roman's head snapped up as he looked at Patton. His mouth dropped open. Patton smiled weakly then frowned. For he could now see the dark circles under Roman's eyes. Obviously from a lack of sleep.

"Patton..." Roman started. But that's all he could say before he burst out into tears. He covered his mouth with his hand and used the other hand to wipe the tears from his eyes.

"Ro..." Patton repeated hoarsely. He smiled again as Roman placed Patton's hand in his own.

Patton looked down at their hands. He looked back up at Roman and asked, "Are you guys okay?"

"Patton..." Roman sighed shaking his head. "You've been in a coma for 5 days, 10 hours, and 13 minutes and you want to know if we're okay?"

Patton nodded then bit his lip.

"Roman...I'm so sorry. I thought I could protect you but-" Patton started but Roman cut him off.

"I understand..." He stated softly. Patton looked at him.

"You do?"

Roman lifted Patton's face closer to his. "Of course I do." Then he kissed Patton softly. Locking their lip, closing the distance between them. Patton kissed back savoring the kiss, closing his eyes. When they parted Patton couldn't help but ask,

"How did you remember?"

Roman sighed and said, "I don't know...but I do know that I will never forget you." Roman kissed Patton's forehead and then his nose.

The door slowly opened and Virgil stepped in, not noticing Patton. "Roman...Logan says that-" He stopped when he noticed Patton.

"Patton?" He asked smiling. "You're awake!" He ran over and hugged Patton tightly. Patton hugged him back and said,

"Virge, I missed you."

Virgil let go and bit his lip, smiling as he did so. A moment later Logan walked into the room.

"Starlight? What's taking so..." He trailed off noticing Virgil was staring at Patton. "long..." he finished. He looked at Patton.

"Patton," Logan said clearing his throat and fighting back tears. "You're alright." Patton nodded at him.

Then without warning, Patton sat up and his eyes widened. "Emily?!?! Where is she?!?!"

"She's here," Roman replied rubbing Patton's back soothingly. "She's safe."

"I'll go get her," Virgil said taking Logan's hand and walking them both out of the room. Roman helped Patton stand and they stood together embracing.

A few moments later Emily entered the room.

"Papa?" She asked. Patton looked over to her.

"Emily!" Patton exclaimed when he saw her. He knelt and she ran over and attacked Patton in a hug. He caught her and squeezed her tightly. He kissed Emily's forehead softly.

"Are you okay, Emily?" He asked looking into her eyes. She nodded and looked at Roman. Roman smiled down at her and she let go of Patton and hugged tightly around Roman's legs.

"Thank you...for bringing Papa back," she said into his leg. Patton stood and picked up Emily. Roman pulled them both into a warm, loving, embrace.

"P-Pat?" two voices said at the same time. Patton looked up and saw Emile and Remus standing in the doorway. He smiled at them and set Emily down. Roman let him go and he hugged both of the other two.

"I'm so sorry..." Emile whispered into Patton's ear. Patton just shook his head.

"It's okay, Em," he replied. "I'm fine now."

Emile closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. He nodded and left the room, Remus close behind. Patton walked back over to Roman and looked him in the eyes.

"Patton? Are you okay?" Roman asked nervously. In response, Patton pulled Roman close and kissed him. Softly at first but them more passionately. They only broke apart when a small voice yelled,

"PAT!!!"

Patton and Roman broke apart and looked over at the door. Jak stood there with Thomas at his side. Jak ran into the room and threw his arms around Patton's knee. Patton picked him up and hugged him close.

"Hey, kiddo!" Patton replied. Thomas walked into the room and hugged Patton as well. Patton slid down to the floor and hugged Emily, Thomas, and Jak. Roman sat with them hugged Patton from behind and kissing his neck softly.

Patton knew from that day that this was his family.

And he would stop at nothing to protect them.

____________________---------------____________________

Remy sat with his head in his hands. Dee had lost it. Dee was pacing back and forth in front of him.

"Dee..." He said softly. "Please stop. You're worrying me."

Dee looked up and stopped mid-step. He walked over to Remy and pulled him out of his seat.

"Love...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you," Dee said caressing Remy's cheek. He softly pecked Remy's lips and Remy smiled and hugged Dee tightly, burying his face in Dee's chest. Dee hugged him back and combed a hand through Remy's hair.

"I'm sorry about Ethan," Remy said into Dee's chest.

Dee flinched at the mention of his missing son.

"I know love, I know," Dee replied biting his lip and pushing back tears. But despite is efforts a few tears slid down his cheeks and fell onto Remy's head. Remy looked up into his boyfriend's eyes and wiped a stray tear off his face. Dee smiled down at him.

"I'm alright, love," Dee said to him. He pulled Remy's face toward his and kissed him. Remy kissed him back and ran a hand through Dee's hair.

When they broke apart Remy said, "I love you, Dee."

"I love you too, Rem," Dee replied.

Dee knew.

Remy was his family. The love of his life.

And he would do anything to protect him.