First Published: September 20th 2017

Pairing: Royality

Genre: hurt/comfort, fluff, slight angst

Word Count: 686

Warnings: blood mention

Summary: Roman loves cliches and he loves Patton, which is why he'll always come home.

*Idk why but I just love this fic.

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If there's one thing that Roman could be faulted on, it's the fact that he's always off on quests.

Don't get him wrong, Patton loves knowing Roman is doing what he loves – seeing different lands, fighting fantasy beasts and rescuing dashing damsels – or anyone in dire need, Roman isn't one to discriminate. However, there's no telling how long he'll be gone for.

Sometimes it's mere hours, and Patton secretly loves those trips. It means he can tag along if he so desires, but it also means that Roman will be home safe in time for dinner. And that means cuddles in bed, which Patton never wants to give up.

Mostly, he's gone for days, but he always makes sure to write. Patton doesn't worry much, as he's grown used to it, and after the quest is over Roman ensures that at least two weeks are spent at home. This gives them time for their treasure movie marathons and for Roman to re-enact every moment of his quests with a reluctant Virgil and Logan (who Patton may or may not have bribed to go along with it).

Rarely, very rarely, he's gone for weeks. The three remaining sides dread these trips. Patton spends his days moping around on the couch and re-reading Roman's daily letters. Logan tries his best to get him to do something, anything other than sitting around. Virgil takes a different approach and gathers ice cream and blankets, and he and Patton will brood about in a pillow fort until Logan drags them out.

It's during one of these weeks-long adventures that Patton grows worried. By now, Roman has been gone for three weeks. It's his longest quest yet. The fatherly side stays up late with a book on his lap in the living room, but he doesn't absorb any of the words. Soon he realises that he's been scanning the same passage of text over and over for almost an hour. The clock strikes midnight, like any cliché fairy-tale ever, but alas, Roman doesn't appear.

His Prince seems to have forgotten about him entirely. Patton hadn't received word from his beloved in almost three days. He consoles himself with the fact that sides can't die, but he can't help fidgeting.

Virgil had spent most of last night assuring him that Roman would be fine, probably, most likely, maybe, er...

On second thought, perhaps Patton should've gone to Logan for comfort. Regardless, it was nice to hang out with the anxious side, even if he had been crying a little (lot) throughout most of it.

Back in the present, he folds the corner of his page (here's hoping Logan doesn't read that book) and sets it aside. He might as well head to bed, as it was much unlike the regal trait to come in so late.

However, the door bursts open and he's forced to eat his words as Roman strolls in, head held high and...

Covered in blood and clutching his side.

Immediately, Patton rushes over and asks him a series of questions, to which Roman doesn't respond to. Patton becomes increasingly concerned and starts to fret until-

Roman wordless cups his cheek and yanks him in for a kiss, then pulls back only to rest his forehead against Patton's. The gesture is so romantic and so Roman that Patton's heart almost explodes out of love.

"Did I worry you, my love?" Roman asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

Patton nods and flings his arms around Prince. He clutches him tightly, somewhat afraid that if he lets go, Roman will disappear.

Roman laughs, warm and sweet. "Never fear, my dear, for as long as you're here, I'll appear!"

"When did you become such a poet?" Patton giggles, hiccupping through his tears.

"I've always been a fan of clichés. And that's another reason why you don't have to worry. I will always come back to you, because, after all, home is where the heart is."

Patton grins and very nearly swoons. "Roman, I love you so much..."

"I love you too!"

"...but please, for the love of my nose, go take a shower."

"Fair enough."