Trigger Warning: Please check the end notes for more details.

When the first version of this chapter was originally published, I had just turned 16. I'm 18 now. Time is fucking weird, man.

Tuesday, August 4th, 2020: 11:20 AM

"Okay, how about, um, how do you know Picani?" Virgil asked, smiling a little over his coffee.

Remy smiled back, running a hand through his hair before replying, "We're neighbors, have been for most of my life, he's family at this point."

"Ew, that's disgustingly sweet," Virgil said, scrunching his nose.

"Yeah," Remy laughed, swirling his coffee around the cup a little before continuing, "Well, my dad has worked for this big company for almost all of his career so he's pretty absent, and I never met my mom. So, Emile practically raised me."

Virgil's brow furrowed and Remy had to stop from smiling at how adorable that was, "I'm sorry Remy, that's pretty rough, but I'm really glad you had someone."

"Yeah, me too. Thanks," Remy said sincerely.

"Sorry if I was being pushy, you didn't have to tell me that." Virgil looked like he was trying to melt into the chair. Remy found it adorable.

"No, don't worry, I wanted to tell you." Virgil blushed a little at that, nodding. "So what about you?" Remy asked after a few moments of silence.

"How do I know Picani?" Virgil asked, smirking as he raised an eyebrow.

Remy rolled his eyes, "Ha ha," he said, monotone. Virgil snorted a little, facade breaking. "I mean, I've spent a while talking about me, how about you? What do you like to do outside of school? Ya know."

"Well, one of my dads actually teaches at the online school."

"Oh cool," Remy said, seemingly interested, "What about your other dad?"

Virgil hesitated, anxiety kicking in, "Other... dads actually." Vigil stared at Remy, daring him to say something, the silence making Virgil want to run straight back home.

"Ah, sorry, how heteronormative of me," Remy smiled a bit and Virgil relaxed, "What about your other dads?"

Virgil's face light up, "Well, um, The one that teaches at my school is Logan, uh he teaches English but you wouldn't have had him yet, he teaches seniors. Then there's Patton, he's a pediatric nurse, although he does more of the check-up kind of stuff, nothing really crazy. And Roman works at the community theater nearby, he directs a lot of the stuff there,"

"That's pretty awesome, maybe I'll audition sometime."

"Yeah?" Virgil raised an eyebrow, "Well lemme know when you do, they've been trying to get me to do costume design there for a while."

"Ah, a fellow theater nerd?" Remy asked, amused.

"Unfortunately," Virgil sighed, frowning.

"Oh the tragedy," Remy said, attempting to sigh louder than Virgil as he placed a hand on his forehead dramatically.

"You... are a drama queen." Virgil sounded unimpressed, but Remy could see he was failing to hide a smile.

"Rude!" Remy exclaimed.

Virgil just laughed.

———

Friday, September 11th, 2020: 2:57 PM

Virgil didn't want to have a bad day. It wasn't supposed to be a bad day. He had done everything right: nine hours of sleep, plenty of water, the appropriate amount of food, taking all his meds. It was still one of the days where Virgil didn't want to exist. All Virgil wanted to do was lay in bed and not think. But unfortunately, there was still the matter of the date he was supposed to go on with Remy later; Neither of them had and classes, online or in person, on Fridays and were both usually caught up on homework, so Fridays quickly turned into designated date day. They weren't even a month into a relationship, Virgil couldn't show his face to Remy like this. But, canceling their plans for no real reason? That's just so fucking shitty.

Virgil didn't know how long he spent staring at his phone before he had the courage to open up Remy's contact.

Stormcloud: 3:13 PM

would you hate me if i rainchecked 4 tonight im really sorry

Remy: 3:13 PM

All good babes, u okay tho?

Virgil hesitated, before ultimately deciding that lying would do him no good.

Stormcloud: 3:14 PM

yeah just dont feel good

Remy: 3:15 PM

Like you're sick or like in your brain

Stormcloud: 3:15 PM

brain i guess

Remy: 3:15 PM

We can totes change plans bb, want me to come over instead?

Remy: 3:16 PM

Or we can just cancel obviously

Stormcloud: 3:17 PM

i'm not really great company rn so

Remy: 3:17 PM

Yeah but like do u want someone to be with??

Stormcloud: 3:19 PM

i've just been in bed all day i wouldn't be any fun

Remy: 3:19 PM

Babe im not asking for me. I'm asking if you'd rather be alone or if you want someone to be with you.

Remy: 3:20 PM

No talking required & free cuddles

Stormcloud: 3:22 PM

...do you mind?

Remy: 3:22 PM

Not at all hun, that's why i offered

Stormcloud: 3:23 PM

okay

Remy: 3:23 PM

Okay!

Remy: 3:23 PM

I'll head over in a few mins alright?

Stormcloud: 3:24 PM

okay. someone should let you in if you knock

Remy: 3:24 PM

See you soon darling

———

Friday, March 2nd, 2018

"Virgil?" a voice asked. Virgil startled, separating from Alastor, turning around to face Remus. "What the fuck guys!" Remus exclaimed angrily, "So the second I'm gone you guys start making out?"

"Remus," Virgil stammered, panicked, "Look it's not–" Alastor's hand gripped Virgil's painfully. Virgil shut up.

"We're so sorry Remus, but this is why we didn't tell you. We knew you'd overreact." Alastor said, facial expressions displaying that he was sincere, although Virgil could just hear the sarcasm behind his sentence.

"Seriously!" Remus yelled, "Are you kidding me, Virgil?"

Virgil took a breath, about to reply, when Alastor gripped his wrist once more, "What, uh, what Alastor said," he murmured, looking away from Remus.

Remus scoffed, "Well, ya know what, fuck you guys! I don't need you! Fucking pieces of shit!" Remus stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Virgil knew he'd be back. That's how Remus worked; he was far too spontaneous to actually leave them behind. Although, sometimes Virgil wished he would, if only to stay away from Alastor. Virgil shuddered.

"This is for the best, Virgil," Alastor purred, "He was only getting in the way. We belong together, right?"

Virgil peered at the desk drawer where the file about his father was locked, "Right."

———

September 3rd, 2020: 3:43 PM

Virgil had no idea how long it was before Remy knocked on his door. Which, was probably not a really good sign but, whatever, Virgil didn't have enough energy to deal with it, "Come in," he attempted to call, although it came out as more of a mutter.

Apparently, it was loud enough for Remy, who stepped into the room, closing the door behind them. "Hey, Pumpkin," they said, keeping their volume down.

"Pumpkin. That's new," Virgil murmured back, barely focused on the conversation.

Remy smiled, toeing off their shoes and making their way to the bed, "Yeah well, you love Halloween, so, I thought it fit," Virgil hummed, "You still want to cuddle, baby?" In lieu of a response, Virgil moved over and held his hands out to Remy. Remy was quick to get comfortable, moving Virgil's head onto their chest as they laid down. Opening their phone, Remy whispered, "I'm just gonna start some white noise, m'kay? You just go ahead and nap,"

Virgil nodded. He didn't even remember Remy turning on the sound machine he was out so fast.

When Virgil woke up, Remy was still there, gently playing with Virgil's hair with one hand while they held their phone with the other.

"Fuck," Virgil whispered, turning to look at Remy, who was sat up and looking at something on his phone, "What time is it?" Virgil asked, feeling well-rested, but not any less exhausted.

Remy continued to stroke Virgil's hair, looking down at him for a moment before looking back at their phone, "About seven-thirty,"

Virgil frowned; they had been asleep for nearly four hours? "Shit Rem, I'm sorry, I can't believe I was out that long. You didn't have to stay."

"I don't mind, V. If I weren't here I'd just be sitting on my phone at home,"

"Okay," Virgil was too tired to debate the matter anymore, "Do you need dinner?"

"Yeah, Logan stopped by while you were asleep, said there were leftovers for both of us."

"Okay. Thanks for staying or whatever..."

"No problem babe," Remy planted a kiss on Virgil's head, getting out of bed and putting a hand out for Virgil.

Maybe, just maybe, bad days didn't always have to be so bad. 

Trigger Warnings:
Light suicidal ideation
Disassociation
Abuse
Blackmail

Thanks for reading :)))
-Apollo