Logan and Patton have been in their rooms for like, a few hours now. Which is unusual, since Patton always gets up at 7 am to make breakfast. They're both awake by now, but something felt off. It's weird, and Virgil can't put what he's feeling into words.

Logan's been awake since 3 am, and it's currently 11 am. And Patton? He hasn't slept at all. Roman and Virgil could hear him talking throughout the night, and they both assumed that he was sleep talking. That was, until, they heard a second voice.

They both agreed to talk to him about it in the morning, but Patton hasn't left his room. He's never in his room that long, and neither are the other two. Virgil is the only one who stays in his room for so long.

Virgil was beginning to be worried.

Just like before. No, it can't- Wait, stop!

Can't go back...

Get rid of...

He felt dizzy as these thoughts hit him like a brick. Roman seemed to notice this, and immediately rushed to Virgil, abandoning his cooking.

"Virge, you have to breathe okay? Breathe in for four seconds, good. You're doing great. Now hold that for seven seconds. Keep it up, sunshine. Okay, now breathe out for eight seconds. You okay?"

Virgil simply nodded and gave Roman a barely audible "thanks". Roman heard it anyway and smiled.

Still, the other two haven't left their rooms.

"I heard Thomas needs us?" Logan says as he appears next to Roman, who nearly drops his plate.

"For the love of all things Disney, Logan, give me a warning next time!"

"Apologies. May I speak with Virgil?"

"I don't know, sunshine's not very happy about you and Patton's behavior recently."

"Patton? Has he left his room?"

Roman shook his head to say no.

Logan muttered something under his breath. Roman couldn't hear what it was, but he heard something along the lines of "They must've... told them not to... 's not... leave 'em..."

Roman was confused at first, but then something clicked in his brain. Oh. And at that very moment, he vowed to be at least in a mile away from Virgil wherever the emo child goes.

Or, just be nearby. He will protect his little ball of darkness, and hopefully save the other two from them as well. But Virgil is still his first priority.

-----

"Now about that video," Thomas says as he summons all the four sides- wait, three sides.

"Is Patton busy? Why can't I summon him?" Thomas asks, confusion present in his tone.

"Won't be surprised if he's fallen into a deep sleep." Virgil says.

"Virgil!" Logan says in a scolding manner.

"What? He hasn't slept a blink last night. I'm just saying he might've fallen asleep!"

"What do you mean he didn't sleep?!" Logan raises his voice.

"Okay Logan, I know you care about Patton a lot, but calm down okay?" Thomas tells the logical side.

Logan crosses his arms in a child-like manner, but agrees anyway. Thomas tries to summon Patton again, and Patton appears wearing his cat onesie.

"Hey kiddos!" Patton says in his usual gleeful tone. He looked alright, as if he didn't stay in his room the entire time.

Virgil knew something was up. Patton may look like his normal self, but his eyes said otherwise.

"Patton! Thank goodness you're okay!" Thomas says whilst doing a bunch of hand gestures.

"You made me feel apprehensive." Virgil told Patton as he stares directly into his eyes.

"You felt what now?" Patton says, clearly confused.

"He meant to say that your absence made him feel that something bad would happen."

"Thanks Lo, but I'd appreciate if you don't teach him big words."

"Roman, you alright?" Thomas asks the fanciful side.

The other three turned their attention to Roman. Normally, he would've done something dramatic, but he didn't.

"Roman what's wrong?" Virgil asks Roman, who was breathing heavily.

"I... I have to protect you..." Roman says, his eyes wide, and his breathing still at a fast pace.

[ e n d c h a p t e r ]

i'm soo sorry for the delay, i know this chapter is awful, and i don't really have an excuse as to why i wasn't uploading for some time.

pls forgive :<

-n i c