Okay this is a long chapter that I haven't really edited because my attention span isn't that good, so i apologise in advance if it is terrible

A month later...

"Alright kid, I'll see you in two days"

Virgil bent down to be at Thomas' eye level and the two hugged

"Promise you will be okay?" Thomas whispered in Virgil's ear

"I promise" Virgil pulled away and held up his pinkie finger for Thomas to loop his around

"Bye, have fun!"

"Bye Dad, love you"

"I love ya too"

Thomas ran past Roman who was leaning against the door and straight into the kitchen where Patton was baking cookies

"Are you sure you can't stay for a little bit?"

"Sorry Princey, not this time. I've told the school that you'll be dropping him off and picking him up, thank you again for doing this"

"It's my pleasure, I'll see you in two days"

"See ya in two days"

And with that, he disappeared into the woods and back to his house to get ready for a 'work trip'.

~~~

"Let's have a movie marathon!" Remus called as he ran down the stairs, dragging Janus behind him

"Can it be Disney?" Thomas asked shyly, 

Despite growing close with the pack over the past month, he was still nervous to be with them without Virgil there, but he had his Dad's hoodie to give him comfort.

"YES!" the twins called at the same time, making Thomas and Patton giggle

Logan and Janus gathered all the pillows and blankets and set them up on the floor and sofas for everyone to be comfortable. Patton and Emile, with Thomas' help, got the snacks ready, and the twins picked out all the Disney movies they owned – which was almost all of them. Remy was off doing a quick check of the perimeter to make sure they didn't have to be on high alert during the movies.

"How long do these marathons go on for?" Thomas asked as he ate ice cream out of the tub

"Well, the longest was 12 hours I think. Roman and Remus were the last two awake because they made it a competition to see who could stay awake the longest."

Thomas giggled, "12 hours is your best?"

"What's so funny?" Roman asked walking in and grabbed his own spoon and ate the ice cream with Thomas

"That you only lasted 12 hours during a Disney marathon"

"Oh really, what's your best?"

"Me, Dad and my friends did a 48-hour one once. Well, it was more like 36 hours because we fell asleep halfway through but yeah we spent the entire weekend on the couch watching movies and eating junk food. It was for my birthday" Thomas giggled at the shocked faces in the room

"Well I don't think we'll be doing it for that long as some of us have to go to work in the morning and you have school," Patton said, taking the popcorn out of the microwave

"We're all set up out here!" Janus called from where he and Remus were cuddled up on the floor with a blanket around both of their shoulders.

"Coming!"

They all got comfortable amongst the blankets. Logan sat on the armchair with Patton on his lap, Remy and Emile were spread out on the couch together, and Roman sat on the floor, leaning against the sofa with Thomas close to his side.

~~~

They were on their 3rd movie, Alice in Wonderland, and many had fallen. Logan and Patton were the first to fall asleep during the last five minutes of the first movie, then Remy fell asleep with his head on Emile's chest. Janus had just fallen asleep on Remus who looked about ready to drop himself. 20minutes later, and he was dead to the world. That just left Emile, Roman and Thomas awake.

Thomas snuck away to the bathroom and came back with a small sketchbook and pencil. He sat down next to Roman again but wasn't watching the movie anymore, instead he was busily drawing. Roman glanced over to see him drawing what looked like the backdrop from Nightmare Before Christmas, there was also the Sandworm from Beetlejuice snaking around the corners of the page. A couple of spiders were dangling from a web at the top of the page.

"That looks cool" Roman whispered, getting Emile's attention who looked over Thomas' shoulder as well

"Thanks, it's for Dad"

"Oh that's right, it's his birthday tomorrow! I completely forgot to get him something" Emile whispered

"Wait, it's Stormcloud's birthday? We should throw him a party when he gets back"

"No" Thomas whispered harshly, "you can't do that. Dad hates his birthday, we never celebrate it"

"Oh, why would someone hate birthdays?" Roman asked, genuinely confused

"He doesn't hate birthdays, only his, and I don't think I should say why..." Thomas trailed off and closed his book

"It's okay, we won't make you tell us. Why don't you go to sleep, you do still have school tomorrow" Emile reached over and placed a comforting hand on Thomas' shoulder

He nodded and lay down, falling asleep relatively quick.

"Something happened" Emile suddenly whispered

"What?"

"To Virgil, he used to love his birthday. Sure he never liked all the attention, but he always celebrated it. Something must've happened"

~~~

Roman had just dropped Thomas off at school. It was a little stressful as no one set an alarm before they fell asleep so they were all running late, and then Roman got lost on the way. But it was fine, they made it just before the bell rang and Roman was on his way back to his car, fighting the urge to punch a woman who came up to him and dared talk badly about his Stormcloud. Wait, where did the 'his' come from? 

Roman shook it off as he turned on the engine. He was going to go straight back home, but he still had a few hours before he was needed at work, so he decided to drive by Virgil's house. Roman wasn't sure why, he wasn't going to be there, but for some reason, something was pulling him to Virgil's house.

As he drove by their little house, he noticed that Virgil's car was still in the driveway. Odd. Roman pulled up alongside the house, his wolf was screaming at him to stop and go into the house. He felt a strong wave of protectiveness wash over him as he climbed out of the car and walked up to the house.

This was stupid, he shouldn't have been here. He should've called first or something, Virgil probably didn't want to see him. When he got no response from ringing the doorbell, he went to turn around back to his car but something in him told him to try and open the door. He shook the thought away but the sound of a loud crash caused him to change his mind and he opened the door, which was surprisingly unlocked.

All the lights were off and there was no noise coming from anywhere in the house. Roman was beginning to panic,

"Virgil? Virgil, where are you?"

"What are you doing here?" A growl could be heard from a corner in the sitting room

"I don't know, I just wanted to make sure that you're okay" Roman started walking towards the voice but a broken chuckle stopped him in his tracks

"I'm fine, you can go now"

"Virgil—"

"No, leave. I don't want anyone here"

"Should I get Thomas?"

Virgil scoffed, "get it through your thick skull, I don't want anyone here. Why do you think I sent Thomas to you"

Roman sighed and slowly walked over to where he could make out Virgil's shape in the dark

"You might not want anyone here, but you shouldn't be alone."

Virgil finally looked up and Roman's heart broke. His eyes were red and puffy and he had dark under his eyes that wasn't from his eyeshadow. Tear tracks almost sparkled against his porcelain skin. He had his knees pulled close to his chest and his nails digging into his legs.

Roman knelt down in front of Virgil and gently pulled his hands away from his legs,

"I'm here V, let me help you" Roman's voice was soft and calm despite the panic and fear filling his entire being – thank Fenrir for those acting lessons as a kid.

He slowly moved his hand to Virgil's cheek – making the other knew what he was doing – and wiped away his tears. Virgil couldn't hold back anymore, he launched himself into Roman's arms and hugged him tightly. He longed to be held and it helped to be in contact with someone during this day, but he couldn't do that to Thomas. He needed to be strong for him and he didn't want Thomas to see him break, so he always sent him a friend's house for the day.

Roman ran his fingers through Virgil's hair, just letting him get out his emotions. Despite his burning curiosity, he decided not to ask what was wrong – although he had an idea. He's seen this kind of raw pain and emotion before in him when Sam died. He didn't stop crying for weeks and then on the anniversary of his death he used to lock himself away, but his new pack was there for him and helped him grieve. Now it was his turn to help Virgil who's had no one to help him through the pain. Roman understands the pain of losing a mate but losing your pack and family on the same day, he couldn't even imagine it.

He admired Virgil so much. How the small emo could look after and raise Thomas without breaking down every day, astounded him. How he could crack jokes and smile despite everything weighing on him, all the memories and the survivors guilt eating away at him.

"It's my fault"

"What is?"

"It's my fault they're all gone. I should've made them go instead. Why did I let them convince me to leave? If I hadn't listened, if I forced them to change their mind then Thomas would've grown up with his parents like he should've done. Instead, he got stuck with me and his actual parents died. It should've been me. I should've made them go and then Thomas would've had a better life."

"It's not your fault, you can't blame yourself. And you are an excellent parent to Thomas, he loves you so much and admires everything you do"

"No no no, it should've been Hayden and Alena who survived, not me. I shouldn't be here. I don't deserve it. They were so loving and kind, they didn't deserve to die like that. It was a waste of their life to send me and Jas away with Thomas. They should've gone with their son so that they could live together as a family and then me and Jas could've died together. Hayden and Alena wouldn't have fucked everything up, they wouldn't have hurt Thomas and put him in danger. I promised to protect him and I failed. That was what Alpha tasked me with, to protect their son, and I failed spectacularly."

"Breathe, breathe. In for 4, good, hold for 8, perfect, out for 7, there you go. Listen to me, I know that you're feeling guilty, but you shouldn't. It's not your fault that hunters found you. And I believe that your alpha would be so proud of you for everything you've done for their son. That boy is amazing, he is so kind and funny and sweet and he gets it all from you. You've protected him so well, even if you don't think so. I'm sure they're watching you two and smiling proud, Hayden, Alena and Jasper. I'm positive that, wherever they are, they are proud of you, proud of everything you have done. You have been through Hell and back again but look at you. You're here, and you're alive.

"If you died that day, then you never would've met us, and we all adore you. Patton has adopted you as his son, Logan enjoys having someone to have an intellectual conversation with. Remy and Emile love you like a brother, hell you even got my brother and Janus to like you.

"You have spent years protecting others and putting them first, but now it's your turn to let someone else be your protector. You are safe with us, don't shut us out. Don't shut me out, let me protect you."

Virgil was silent after Roman finished talking and he began to worry that he said something wrong until Virgil lifted his head and looked at Roman with a small smile.

"Okay Roman, I trust you"

Roman's face lit up and he helped Virgil to his feet.

"Come on, let's go to the woods. I need to stretch my paws and I'm guessing you do too"

"Yeah...let me just...I'll be right back"

Virgil disappeared upstairs to get changed and wash his face, while Roman waited outside. 10 minutes later Virgil walked out of the house looking like nothing had happened. His eyes were still slightly glossed over, but the redness had gone as well as the tear tracks. His messy curls were being tamed under a beanie and he changed out of his tracky bottoms into a pair of jeans and he was wearing a hoodie that was inspired by the pattern of Sally's dress from Nightmare before Christmas.

"Ready?"

Virgil nodded and took Roman's outstretched hand and the two walked into the woods. They walked in silence to the clearing, Roman rubbing soothing circles on Virgil's hand. Virgil's thoughts were running a mile a minute. He was worried about shifting around Roman. It's nothing special or bad shifting in front of people outside of your pack, but in wolf form, everything hidden under his hoodies is on full display and he's worried about Roman's reaction. But he trusts him.

He doesn't know why, they haven't known each other long but there's just something about him, Virgil thought, that made him trustworthy. Maybe it's their similar past trauma, but maybe it's the moon Goddess finally giving Virgil a break and someone to lo-care about him.

Who's he kidding? life isn't a Disney movie, there is no such thing as 'happily ever after'.

The two reached the clearing and both of their wolves were eager to be free. Here goes nothing, Virgil thought as he stretched out his arms letting the violet mist surround him and turned into his wolf.

Roman looked back and smiled. Virgil's wolf was beautiful. His scent was a lot stronger now and his eyes were a magnificent shade of purple that stood out against the black of his fur. Remy didn't do his eyes justice at all when he described him. Roman walked over and held out his hand with the hope of being able to stroke Virgil. His fur was so soft and Virgil leant into the touch.

"Can you let me in?" Roman whispered, resting his forehead against Virgil's

Hey Princey  Virgil spoke through a mind link

"Thank you" Roman moved his hand down Virgil's neck and towards his back when he froze.

Along Virgil's back and sides were scars of various sizes and depth. Somewhere barely noticeable, covered by the fur above them. A few were more obvious white lines in his black fur, but one filled Roman with anger. It was a long, deep scar across his back that went from his shoulder blade to tail bone. Roman's mind raced with what could've caused it and he wanted to hurt whoever caused it. His eyes flashed red and he growled thinking about how someone could hurt Virgil, snarky and adorable Virgil. If he ever found them, he would make them pay.

Virgil tensed at his growl and bowed his head ashamed, this snapped Roman back to reality. He decided not to ask about the scars, not wanting to upset Virgil, and if he wanted to tell him, then he can do it in his own time.

Roman stepped back before shifting himself. His wolf was a cinnamon colour with deep red eyes. He was taller than Virgil and was a lot stronger because of the Alpha gene. He branched his scent of lavender and rose that made Virgil melt under the calming scent. The smells washed away his anxieties and he started to relax. Roman smiled watching Virgil visibly relaxed and lie down. He crawled over and laid next to Virgil, close by not too close.

I'm sorry

What? Why?

For everything that just happened, I'm sorry you had to see that.

Virgil, it's okay. I'm glad I was there because now I can help you, and honestly, you help me too.

How?

Well, as you are aware, our situations are similar and in a way, helping you, helps me cope too

Tell me about him, if you want to that is

His name was Samuel Foster and he was adorable. He had this tattered lamb toy that he took everywhere and he would always start crying whenever it had to be washed or he left it somewhere, so I'd hug him and say that I could be his teddy until he got his Lamby back. We realised that we were mates early on, well our parents realised and then explained it to us, but we just stayed as best friends because we were too young to understand the whole love thing. It was strange how we fit together. I was always off on adventures and getting into trouble with Remus and Janus, while Sam stayed back and just watched us making sure we were safe. He wasn't one for adventures but as soon as I got into any form of trouble, he would jump into action and help me.

All that stopped when he got ill. Instead of grand adventures in the playground and parks, it became an adventure just to walk from his bedroom to the bathroom. I tried my best to help, I made sure to stay by his side and not go out and play with the others. I would act out stories for him, just to see him smile. But I was only eight so I didn't understand, but I knew something was wrong. I couldn't help him, but I feel like if I help you then I can make up for it in a way. That's not the right words, I mean—

I know what you mean. And as much as everything in me wants nothing more than to tell you to screw off and mind your own business. I'm not going to. We're both broken, so maybe together we can fix each other. You help me, and I'll help you too.

Okay. Thank you, Stormcloud

Thank you too, Princey

What a pair are we, eh?

They chuckled, and Virgil moved his head to rest on Roman. They stayed like that for who knows how long until Roman's alarm sounded. Virgil jumped up as Roman suddenly shifted, Virgil shifted back after.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing Stormy, I just have to go to work now"

"Oh. Okay, thank you for spending time with me today"

"Why don't you come with me?"

"What?"

"Yeah come with me! I work at the community theatre so you could just sit in the seats and watch the actors or you could help me with costumes – if my boss allows it"

"Thanks for thinking of me Ro, but I don't want to get in the way, I'll be fine" he smiled, trying to convince the other, "is Thomas okay to stay with you again tonight like planned? He was so excited about it, so is it okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. But please come with me?"

"Why?"

"I want to spend more time with you"

Virgil was conflicted, he really wanted to decline and go back to his isolation, but on the other hand he really wanted to stay with Roman. Anyone else and he would've fought them when they tried to make him leave, but with Roman, all it took was his dazzling smile.

"Okay Princey, let's see where you work"

i hope you enjoyed and feel free to point out any mistakes :)

~remi