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

Tuesday, December 12th, 2017: 2:10 PM

"You want a new name?" Roman asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Agni said, kicking his feet. He was avoiding Roman's stare by pointedly looking out the window of the car.

Roman almost asked why Agni would want a new name, but stopped himself, realizing how stupid a question that would have been. "Alright, a new name it is. What ideas do you have so far?"

"Um, just one." Agni shrugged, "I was thinking about Virgil."

Roman snorted before he could stop himself. Agni curled up more in his seat, glaring at Roman. "Hey, no, I'm sorry." Roman said, looking at Agni as much as he could without drawing his attention completely from the road, "I like Virgil, I promise, I didn't mean to laugh."

Virgil let out a muffled, "Whatever," not looking at Roman. Roman mentally berated himself for laughing at a traumatized 13-year-old who just wanted another name when the boy in the seat next to him spoke up again, "So are you gonna call me Virgil or what?" he spoke, voice heated although, Roman could distinctly hear the nervousness hiding behind the anger.

"Yeah. I like that. Virgil."

———

Saturday, September 26th, 2020: 5:37 PM

Virgil tried to burrow deeper into Remy's chest, hoping it would do help distract him. Remy was still asleep, but Virgil had woken up ten minutes ago and was already overwhelmed. He was probably crying again. He felt so stupid. Because he had proven everybody right, hadn't he? He was absolutely useless, and entirely dependent on others. Harvey was right. Alastor was right.

He was an asshole. He was being oversensitive and relapsed, then gotten angry at his family, and run away from people who were only trying to help him. And Remy had been nothing but encouraging. He hated it. He hated himself, and the way he acted, and the way he looked, and the way he...

"Babe?" Remy asked, voice deep from sleep. Virgil didn't respond, hoping that Remy would go back to sleep. Instead, Remy pulled Virgil away from his chest, frowning when he saw the tears streaming down Virgil's face, "Hun..." he said softly, cradling Virgil's face and wiping the tears away gently. It didn't seem to matter, however, as the tears didn't stop, only seeming to come faster as Virgil hiccuped and looked away from Remy, embarrassed. Here he was again: Being a baby. It was fine, it should be fine. It wasn't fine.

"Remy," Virgil sobbed, gripping Remy's shirt in his hand tightly,

"Darling, it's okay, I promise, let's take a few deep breaths, okay?" Remy said, rubbing his thumb against Virgil's cheek.

Virgil shook his head rapidly, hiccuping, "Can't, can't!" He cried frantically.

"That's okay! It's okay Virge!" Remy reassured, concerned about how frantic Virgil was, "Can you name 5 things in my room for me, sweetheart? You don't even have to tell me if you don't want, just think about them! Okay, honey?"

Virgil nodded, clenching and unclenching his fist that held Remy's shirt, "Po-poster," Virgil stammered.

Remy slowly moved his hand up by Virgil's hair, waiting for Virgil to nod before moving to gently stroke his hair, "Good job, V, can you do four more for me?"

Virgil clenched his eyes shut, gripping Remy's shirt harder, "No, it's fine, I'm fine."

"Okay Stormy, that okay," He said softly, continuing to stroke Virgil's hair, quietly waiting for Virgil to talk.

"Things are getting bad again, Rem." Virgil said softly, biting his lip for a moment before continuing, "It's all too much, and I'm being such an asshole about it and I—" Virgil cut himself off, looking up at Remy, "I'm tired," he murmured, "Emotionally, physically, and I just keep thinking things that just— it's too much."

Remy furrowed his eyebrows, playing with Virgil's curls for a moment while he thought, "What do you keep thinking, Hun? What's going on in that mind of yours."

Virgil laughed bitterly, "Oh you know, the thought that I'm not good enough, that I'm worse than my ex or my birth father because of the way I've been lashing out at people, and the thought that maybe, maybe I'm not—" Virgil cut himself off with a shaky breath, looking away from Remy.

"That maybe you're not what, Stormcloud?" Remy asked softly, rubbing Virgil's forehead with his thumb, attempting to smooth out the worry lines on his forehead.

"That...that maybe I'm not a guy! Okay?" Virgil blurted out.

Remy blinked, softening, "Virgil," he said, laughing a bit, "You were worried about how I would react to that? Me?"

Virgil looked embarrassed, "Well, I don't know!"

Remy snorted, "Okay, okay, well, do you know what you want V? Are there certain pronouns or anything you like?"

"I," Virgil started, looking back to Remy, who smiled softly, "I... I mean I don't really know and I didn't want to tell anyone until I was sure so..."

"V," Remy smiled, "it's okay to experiment, and I know me and your family will use whatever pronouns or terms you want us to use, even if you decide to change them, okay?"

"If.... if you're sure I, uh, I was thinking I might like... they and them?" Virgil said, watching carefully for Remy's reaction.

"Perfect," Remy said, placing another kiss on Virgil's forehead, causing him— them to blush. "We'll kinda match! And gender-neutral terms? And what do you want me to refer to you as? Will 'partner' be good? Oh! And a name! Is there a different name you want me to call you?"

Virgil blinked, "You're like, really excited about this aren't you?" They asked, confused.

"Duh. I want to do whatever I can to make you happy." He said, smiling.

"Oh." Virgil breathed out, "Um... thanks. Yeah, I uh, I think I like gender-neutral terms um, maybe some feminine or masculine ones will be okay but I don't really know yet, and 'partner' is okay. And uh, Virgil's already kinda my chosen name. I uh, wanted a new one after everything with my birth father, and uh, Roman helped me change it."

Suddenly, Remy smirked, pulling Virgil closer, "You know what? I really love my partner, their name is Virgil."

"Rem, what are you doing?" Virgil questioned, feeling warm.

"They are just so fucking beautiful, and funny, and kind."

"Remy!" Virgil whined, bringing their hands up to hide their face.

"And they're also very brave," Remy said, softer, "And very, very loved."

Virgil chuckled wetly, pushing themself away from Remy's chest, "God," they said, "You're such a sap.... it's disgusting."

"They also have a cute ass,"

"You're so gross,"

Remy snorted, ruffling Virgil's hair a bit, "Oh shut it, hun, you love it."

"Bullshit," Virgil claimed, collapsing on their back and spreading out on the bed, nearly kicking Remy off.

Remy rolled his eyes. Getting an idea, he smirked, "Hey babe," he said, getting Virgil to open their eyes lazily, "You look a little cold, I think you need a blanket."

"What—" Virgil started confused, only for Remy to carefully collapse on top of Virgil, spread out like a blanket, "You!" Virgil wheezed, "You're such an asshole!" they looked at Remy whose face was resting on their chest. Remy just stuck his tongue out, causing Virgil to giggle.

"Do you think you're ready to talk to your parents?" Remy asked after a few minutes of silence, Virgil running a hand through Remy's hair while Remy played with Virgil's fingers.

Virgil froze for a moment, "I guess. I think if I don't do it today, I'll just get more anxious about it," Remy nodded sympathetically, "Could we maybe get dinner first though?"

"Sure, baby, ice cream too?"

"Oh hell yeah."

———

Saturday, September 27th, 2020: 7:03 PM

It was silent for a few moments after Remy put the car into park. Turning off the music, Virgil's hyperventilating was easy to hear, "Hey," Remy said, placing his hand on top of Virgil's, "You got this. I'll be right there, hun."

"Yeah," Virgil murmured, squeezing Remy's hand, "I'm just, I'm kind of mortified, Rem,"

"Nu-uh, none of that," Shifting towards Virgil, Remy moved to cradle one of their hands in his own, "You got this, okay?"

Virgil nodded. They closed their eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready I guess," Remy smiled.

Virgil's parents were sitting at the kitchen table together, looking up at them when Remy and they walked through the door. Slowly taking off the coat they had borrowed from Remy, Virgil took the time to look over the three. They all looked terrible. God, Virgil felt like such an asshole.

"Virgil, Remy," Logan greeted, speaking up first, "We would like to talk, please, take a seat," He said, gesturing to the living room. Patton and Roman remained silent.

Awkwardly settling on the smaller couch, Virgil brought their knees up to their chest, leaning their head against Remy's shoulder, trying to keep their breath even.

It remained painfully silent for a few moments before Virgil's cleared their through, "Um... I'm sorry... I guess, um, what I said was out of line. I know you guys are trying and it wasn't fair for me to... to take my frustrations out on you guys like that. I'm sorry." Remy squeezed Virgil's shoulder.

"Virgil," Patton frowned, an odd expression for Virgil to see on him, "You don't have to apologize kiddo. If anything we're sorry for being too... much. I- I think we all really wish you had told us sooner but that doesn't change that we made you uncomfortable."

"But you didn't." Virgil muttered, cutting Patton off, "I wasn't... It's just..." Virgil sighed, blinking back tears, "It was just so... much. We went from- from ignoring each other or arguing all the time to all this- this 'lovey-dovey shit' and I just, it just got to be so much and I-" Virgil let out a shaky sigh, "And I can't stand the babying. I'm sixteen. My childhood is long over. I don't need you guys to baby me."

"But we want to be allowed to." Roman piped up, finally raising his eyes to meet Virgil's. Before Virgil could respond, Roman continued, "You grew up too fast Virgil. And that's terrible."

"It's not that we think you're not capable, kiddo." Patton added on, "We've seen you do some pretty amazing things."

"But we're your parents," Roman said proudly, flashing a smile at Virgil, "and we want to take care of you, and we'll always be protective of you. You deserve that, and the very least. "

"Of course," Logan continued after a few seconds of silence, "Your boundaries are also important. If we are making you uncomfortable, just tell us how we can remedy that, and we'll do our best to. We just hope you now know that our actions come from a place of love, and we never intend to diminish your feelings."

Virgil wiped at their eyes furiously, attempting to stop the tears. It didn't appear to be any use. "Thank you, guys. Sorry."

"Don't be!" Patton said, smiling, "group hug?"

"Yeah," Virgil said. "A hug would be nice."

———

Saturday, September 27th, 2020: 7:34 PM

"Um," Virgil started awkwardly, hovering by the kitchen table, Remy having just left. Roman, Patton, and Logan were in the kitchen making brownies.

"Yes, Virgil?" Logan said, washing a dish in the sink.

Virgil was regretting this decision already. They were going to have a panic attack at this rate, "I just- I was wondering... something."

"Go on, kiddo," Patton encouraged, smiling.

God Virgil was going to puke. They couldn't do this. Oh god. "I think- um. I'm going to try they, them pronouns for a bit." Virgil stammered.

"Oh!" Roman said, sounding surprised, "Awesome V, thank you for telling us."

"Yeah!" Patton added.

"Sounds excellent, Virgil, thank you." Virgil looked at Logan, meeting his eye. Logan smiled. God, why had Virgil been so nervous? Logan was trans. Of course, it wouldn't be an issue.

"I can't really breath," Virgil stated bluntly.

"I've got it," Logan told Roman and Patton, setting down the dishes he was holding. Virgil startled when Logan placed an arm around Virgil's shoulder, leading them to his office, across from the living room. Virgil collapsed into one of the armchairs while Logan sat in his office chair.

"Sorry," Virgil murmured, rubbing a hand on their forehead.

"There is no reason for you to be," Logan said, moving the chair closer, "Coming out is a terrifying experience, even if you know you will be accepted." Virgil just shrugged, too tired to argue. "Would you like to go through some breathing exercises?" Virgil nodded.

It wasn't too long before Virgil had calmed down, Logan had moved to the other armchair in the meantime. "Um, can I ask-" Virgil cut themself off, looking up at Logan before continuing, "When did you come out? If you're okay talking about it."

Logan smiled, looking amused, "Well, I was eleven when I came out as trans. I did so by creating a presentation about the history behind transgender ideology, presenting it to my parents, and then revealing that I was trans at the end."

Virgil laughed a little, nose crinkling, "Really?" they asked, not sounding that surprised.

"Yes." Logan said, adjusting his glasses, "My parents informed me after that I did not need to create an entire presentation when I wanted to talk to them."

Virgil snorted, looking severely amused. "Um... thanks by the way. Sorry I was acting like shit today,"

Logan shook his head, "It was simply a case of misunderstanding and a lack of communication, Virgil. We do not blame you for that. That is something we all need to work on, together."

"I mean I guess..." Virgil did not sound convinced.

"I am very glad you had Remy to be there for you. It is good to have people in your life who always, quote, 'have your back'."

Virgil flashed a small smile, "Yeah. I– they're great." Virgil trailed off.

Logan cleared his throat, cutting thorough the silence that had developed, "Although I am sure you are going to get tired of this question, I must ask; would you like a hug?"

Virgil snorted, and stepped into Logan's outstretched arms, "Thank you Lo... I– I love you."

Maybe Logan broke down in his bedroom that night, filled with so much love for the child he never expected to have. Maybe Roman and Patton comforted him while also spilling a few tears themselves. Maybe the three of them didn't have a clue what they were doing but, as Virgil saw it, that was okay. 

Trigger Warnings:
(Small) panic attack

I'm honestly proud of how I've written Remy and Virgil's dynamic :)
Thanks for reading!!!
-Apollo