#i really appreciate you pointing out the guard's face - i had forgotten so i'm glad you reminded me

[iwritenarrativesandstuff]

This is probably a really stupid question, but I feel like people are all over the place with theories regarding what feels like a relatively straightforward situation to me, so I need to ask: where is the idea coming from that Fyodor is going to come back possessing someone like Nikolai or Sigma?

Forgive me if I'm just telling you things you already know/is obvious, I don't mean to sound arrogant I swear 😭, but to me it's pretty clear that Fyodor bodyswapped with the helicopter pilot after he died? Just going by the face alone, the eyes have the little vampire possession lines, he has the same eyebrows, and overall the face looks just like the pilot's to me. The pilot stabbed and killed Fyodor the same way the guard did in the castle flashback (to make us connect them in our minds), and after the guard got Fyodor's blood on him he started being affected a bit after Fyodor died. We can then surmise based on the final page of the chapter that Fyodor eventually resurrected in the body of the guard, said body taking on Fyodor's likeness/face (without the scar he had previously anymore), and the guard's face being swapped onto Fyodor's previous body that's now dead. With that in mind, the same thing happened here; Fyodor's been revived in what was previously the pilot's body, and the two bodies swapped faces, effectively making it so that the pilot is the one that's now dead/died, and not Fyodor. This post describes it much better than I just did asdlfkgld (additionally, also saw a theory that the swapped face of the person Fyodor bodyjacks takes on all the scars/injuries Fyodor has ever had, hence all the strangely deliberate looking scars on the pilot's face he definitely didn't have before). Having said all this, I don't think anyone else is in danger of being possessed by Fyodor right now? I definitely think there's juicy and terribly tragic potential for Nikolai to suffer that fate if he one day tries to kill Fyodor (which may be why he's even wanting to do it in the first place, if he's the only one who knows Fyodor's deal.... Idk, this reveal opened up too many possibilities for Fyolai and all of them fucking destroy me), but the pilot's face seems to prove to me that he or anyone else isn't at risk right now. That being said, I have no idea what exactly Fyodor's blood is doing when he just randomly kills people while he's still alive, since he doesn't need to resurrect then... can he clone himself in others while his main body is still alive?? Would he do that?? 😭 I doubt it, we haven't seen that yet, which is why I think his blood's/ability's primary usage is bodyswapping to revive himself after he's killed, and so since his target for that right now is clear, I don't think Nikolai etc are in danger yet (emphasis on yet). ...I hope this is coherent and not mansplain-y 😭😭😭 don't get me wrong, I definitely LIKE all the theories for who Fyodor could possess, they all have such great potential and I'm excited to see whatever havoc he ends up wreaking now; I've just been confused as to where all these ideas are coming from for the current situation, since to me he clearly bodyswapped into the helicopter pilot.

Ok, so I hadn't seen Soup's analysis here - that's a very good explanation of what Fyodor's ability likely is, and I'll be sticking with that until something comes along to contradict it.

Not to worry, it's very coherent! I did say at the top of my original post that the most likely possibility was that he was going to end up swapping with a vampire guard anyways, I just... think it's a bit boring, is all. I also, admittedly, forgot what the pilot looked like since I hadn't looked back at the previous few chapters. It definitely looks like him. I suppose I, and many others, are just a little miffed that the helicopter fucking landed in a fuel tank fire and Dazai just pulled out an intact, non-burned body, and Fyodor apparently got away with the body of the helicopter pilot. Somehow. It's just. Ugh. So, I'd rather have some fun thinking about who could get demon possessed that actually has some stakes on the cast other than "oh no, Dostoevsky still isn't dead" - because we all knew that lmao

Well, now this has me curious why the arm was severed. Probably to intentionally leave a body part (the wounded hand in particular) as a way to throw Dazai off the mark. As for how he got out of the helicopter. I guess we'll find out. It feels kind of pointless to theorize. The only thing I could think of would be that Nikolai used his ability, but that would be incredibly annoying because that would make his reaction to the severed arm... an act. Just like pretty much everything else in this arc. And honestly, I'm not sure how many more "at least it was funny"s I have in me. So, here's to hoping Fyodor was able to get out on his own somehow.

Having said that, Soup's suggestion for the nature of the ability is actually very fitting with the themes and makes Fyodor a hell of a lot more interesting. It's somewhat better than just "he escaped again" and if this is truly what his ability is, then I look forward to seeing it get elaborated on in future arcs.

Any further thoughts on the ability from my end has to do with me trying to figure out the nature of the scars on Fyodor in the flashback, Hawthorne, Ivan, and now the pilot. I still think brain surgery with a blood scalpel is a funny answer.

[seabirdtxt]

It's been a while since I made a request to a blog, but I really enjoy your writing, and your AUs got my brain going with ideas (especially the Glitch AU). It has me thinking about how our favorite little Puppet boys would react to some of the... interesting hobbies I have: two of those being things like Doll making/repainting, and cosplaying/ general fantastical costuming.

I feel like both of these hobbies have the potential to lead to both hilarious situations and moments of being a bit... perturbed at best (especially doll making: the random assortment of doll limbs being places, or having naked dolls that are precariously hung from the ceiling to finish drying from paint jobs).

I do know that at least Kabukimono and Wanderer (Scara might have forgotten since he hadn't used the skill in a long time, and Wanderer likely relearned it) know how to sew, so the sewing part could be cute bonding time.

Could be platonic or romantic in nature: both would be fine. And also, fully understand it will probably take you time to get to this, of you even get to it at all. I just appreciate you taking the time to read this request~! Can't wait for your next bits of work: hope you have a wonderful day~!!! 💕💕💕💕

hey!! thanks so much for your request!! this was a funny idea bc i can't imagine any of scara's iterations being any good at collaboration but for all separate reasons lmao

I'm not too knowledgeable about doll making but hopefully you like this anyway :D i wrote it as a bit of a glitch!AU spinoff in my mind, but feel free to imagine any other scenarios these three clowns might come together for hahaha WC. 1.3k

----- ⚘ -----

When the three puppets were told not to enter your room and disturb your hobby workstation, this isn’t what they had in mind. Wanderer thought maybe you did something embarrassing as a hobby, Scaramouche thought it might be something potentially dangerous especially if you intended to keep it a secret from them, while Kabukimono was certain that you did some sort of artistic craft that you preferred to keep hidden until the end product was finished.

All three of them were right, in some way or another. 

The three of them stand in your workshop, staring in horror at the dozens of separated doll components you’d strung up around the edges of the room. Scraps of tiny, doll-sized outfits were scattered around your desk, and a half-painted doll head was mounted on some sort of device in the middle of the chaos. The doll’s single painted eye watches their trespassing with silent judgment.

You’re glad you find them out so soon, and you have exactly three seconds to stop them from touching anything in the workshop.

“WhatareyouguysDOINGinhere?!” Nailed it. 

Kabukimono leaps a vertical foot into the air out of fright at your sudden and shrill outburst, while the other two react in more subdued manners before turning around to face you, standing in the doorway behind them. Your arms are outstretched, palms forward, and you’re braced as though you’re anticipating some sort of impact.

“Don’t. Touch. Anything.” You warn. “Not all of these are dry, and if you smudge anything I’ll have to restart them.”

“Why do you have a bunch of dismembered doll corpses?” Scaramouche asks, jerking his thumb at the precariously hanging doll components.

“A seller in Inazuma asked me if I could help him finish a few dolls, since I told him I used to do it as a hobby back in my world.” You explain, not dropping your guarded position. “If any of you want to eat dinner this week, I suggest you step away from the dolls. Slowly.”

“Can you not call them that?” Kabukimono complains to Scara as the trio carefully shuffle out of your workshop. “They’re not corpses, they just haven’t been put together yet.”

“Well, they aren’t alive either, so what’s your point?” 

“If you need some help completing them, I can pitch in.” The three of you look wide-eyed at Wanderer, who seems to immediately regret making the offer. He shrugs and looks away quickly. “Or not. Whatever.”

“I’d love some help,” you start hesitantly. “But what did you want to help with?”

“I can sew the clothes, I guess.”

Scaramouche’s nose wrinkles at this statement. “You can sew?”

“Why is that so surprising?” Wanderer counters, reaching into the inner lining of his haori and showing off a small, familiar cloth doll. Instantly, Kabukimono is patting himself down with a frantic expression, before pointing at Wanderer accusingly.

“Where did you get that?! I lost it a long time ago!”

“Heh, of course you did.” Wanderer smirks. “I made mine. What, are you telling me you never thought of making yourself a new one?”

“I was never good at doing the small stitches…” Kabukimono pouts, crossing his arms and eyeing the doll jealously. 

“That aside,” Wanderer continues, turning to you. “I can help you finish the clothes for your project dolls. The faster you can finish them, the faster you can retrieve the commission for them, right?”

“That’s true, I guess,” you acquiesce, already running the math in your head. If you could get the commission for the dolls early, you might not have to budget as hard this week. 

“I wanna help too!” Kabukimono declares, raising his hand (a bit redundantly, given he’s standing right next to you).

“Whatever,” Scaramouche snorts and waves dismissively as he begins to walk away. “If that’s what you nerds want to waste your time on, be my guest. As long as you don’t make it my problem, I don’t care what you do in your free time.”

“Party pooper,” you say, sticking out your tongue at his retreating back. “Well, what do you say, guys? Let’s get this bread?”

“Sure,” Wanderer nods, heading back into the workshop.

“What does bread have to do with dollmaking?” Kabukimono asks, even as he’s herded into the room by you.

“I’ll explain later, let’s finish up these bad boys first,” you promise, and the workshop door closes behind you.

----- ⚘ -----

“I made another sword!” Kabukimono declares, hurrying over to your workbench and showing off the tiny doll-sized sword he’d made. The fifth one, so far.

“That’s great, buddy!” You give him a pat, to his delight. “I think we’re okay on swords for now, though, d’you wanna try making something else this time?”

“Okay!”

Wanderer looks up from where he’s sitting cross-legged on the floor, a few pins sticking out of his mouth as he uses them to hold his patterns in place. 

“Did your toymaker guy say what kinds of dolls he wanted?” He asks, holding up another utilitarian-looking outfit. “I can’t imagine this is what he had in mind when he asked for your help.”

“I mean, these are kind of edging into action figure territory,” you shrug. “But that’s probably fine. There’s a market out there for everything, nowadays.”

“Make a kimono that looks like the Shogun,” Kabukimono suggests, handing Wanderer some purple fabric. “Everybody likes the Shogun, right? She should be pretty popular.”

You and Wanderer both wince (for different reasons) at Kabukimono’s well-meant statement. However, Wanderer does take the purple fabric and sets it gently aside, and you wonder if he’ll take the suggestion after all. 

“Are you losers done in here? I’m tired of doing the dishes for two days straight,” Scaramouche kicks the door in, uncaring of the delicate work you three are doing. Thankfully, the risky parts are all done, so nothing suffers any damage with his sudden entrance. Scara drops three bowls onto your workbench, each piled with fried rice and vegetables.

“Ha, you’d make a great housewife,” Wanderer snickers, earning himself a smack on the back of his head. “Ow.”

“Thank you!” Kabukimono takes his bowl and brings it to where he’s working on something, hopefully not another sword. 

“Thanks,” you say as well, giving Scara a genuine smile. The puppet scowls and leaves as quickly as he’d come in.

“Don’t bother! It doesn’t benefit anyone if you drop dead from starvation, you know?” he sneers over his shoulder as he slams the door shut. 

There’s silence as you three eat the lunch that was generously provided, stacking the bowls and putting them beside the door for when you guys go for your next break.

“I think I’m done after I finish this last outfit,” Wanderer sighs, holding up the unfinished garment. It looks hilarious in his hands, a cheerful pink and purple kimono in stark contrast to his deadpan expression.

“I’m almost done too!” Kabukimono adds, holding up his latest project: a doll-sized armor set. You smile gratefully at the both of them, even as you rub your temples with a sigh.

“Okay, great, I’ll put these together and bring them to the toymaker later this afternoon, then!” You say, hoping you sound enthusiastic about it. You think about the mismatched collection of outfits and sword accessories, wondering how you were going to sell this to your temporary employer. 

----- ⚘ -----

As it turns out, if there’s one thing Inazumans like, it’s swordsmen. The toymaker looks in awe at your half dozen tiny samurai, handing you a pouch of mora with a pleased word of thanks. 

As you’re headed back home, you get a telepathic message from Wanderer.

KABUKIMONO WANTS TO KNOW WHEN WE’RE GETTING MORE DOLLS.

‘He fired me, we’ll have to do something else,’ you think back, hoping you don’t sound too guilty in your head.

As much as you love these guys, you aren’t sure you could take another two days straight of having to collab with them. Hopefully buying some treats on the way home will placate them.

—– ⚘ —–

^ reader trying to juggle all three scara iterations without breaking any of the dolls LMAO

[mj-iza-writer]

Trigger Warning mentions of mental breakdowns that led to rash decisions. Possible suicide ideation. Reader beware.

"Oh, hello Whumpee, you're early", Caretaker looked up from some paperwork, "please come in."

"Is-is that okay Caretaker? I can come back", Whumpee looked down as they leaned on the doorframe.

"No, no, did your nurse or guard accompany you?", Caretaker looked around for them, "we can get started early."

"N-no sir", Whumpee sobbed and wiped their face with their sleeve.

"Hey, hey its okay. Here, come sit down, I can easily text them and let them know you're with me. You just can't leave them though, they're their for your safety", Caretaker quickly stood and walked over to Whumpee.

"Okay there, the text was received", Caretaker looked up at Whumpee, who now sat on the couch.

The phone vibrated, "they said you made them worry when you went missing, but they're glad you went to me. You seemed off after lunch."

Caretaker looked up again at Whumpee, "are you okay? Did something happen around lunch time that affected you?"

Whumpee looked down and nodded.

"Okay", Caretaker stood and pulled a chair closer to Whumpee, "let's start there."

"I feel like an abandoned building Caretaker", Whumpee looked up with new tears started to fall.

"Oh, can you elaborate for me", Caretaker started to take notes.

"During lunch, Nurse Hannah and George started to talk about the abandoned wing of the hospital being abandoned for so long, and it's now unusable. They said the hospital attempted to make use of it for so long, but nothing worked out. They had plans to tear it down and do something else with it", Whumpee was full on crying now.

"Yes the wing is part of the old hospital, and unfortunately has fallen into disrepair", Caretaker looked up from his notes, "how do you mean that you feel like an abandoned building though? Can you explain yourself, I'm interested in what your thought process is."

Whumpee squeezed their eyes tight hoping to squeeze out their tears.

"I once was a part of society, I was employed, I was useful", Whumpee almost seemed to plead as they spoke, "now I have to have a guard watch me, and have almost daily meetings with you so I don't... you know", Whumpee was getting to the point of frustration. "I feel like I'm now sitting empty, no longer of use, more than likely forgotten by those that knew me. There are a few people who still take care of it, that abandoned building, but they may grow tired of it, and come to the decision that it's of no use, it's too broken, and at one point they might walk away too. I'll be there abandoned, until I'm torn down or I fall apart myself. I feel like an abandoned building Caretaker."

Whumpee looked up to see Caretaker's expression. They had a feeling they had said too much, and George would have to watch them like a hawk... again.

"Caretaker I...", Whumpee looked down and wiped their eyes, "I'm sorry to have dumped that out on you, um, can we forget I said half of that at least... please."

"No", Caretaker continued to write, "give me one second while I finish writing, do you need some water? I just stalked the fridge."

Whumpee nodded and went to the fridge, "do you want one?"

"No thankyou, I appreciate that", Caretaker looked up, "do you feel better getting that off your chest?"

"Um a little, I'll see if I feel even better after I know what you'll do to me after this meeting", Whumpee sat back down.

"What do you mean?", Caretaker eyed them.

"George is probably going to have to watch me closer, right?", Whumpee questioned before taking a drink.

"Eh, not really. You can't leave your room like you did today though. That's the only thing", Caretaker looked back at the notes, "let's wait to talk about this until tomorrow, we can talk about some other things today, maybe some good things that happened, maybe that will help you feel better. I want to study these notes so I know what I can do to help you better with these feelings."

Whumpee nodded.

They talked for a while, and then Whumpee yawned.

"How about I get you back to your room? You can take a nap. You can easily tucker yourself out when you cry like that", Caretaker stood.

Whumpee nodded, "you're not mad at me, right?"

"No, of course not. I'm proud of you actually. You knew you didn't feel okay, and you seeked help. Then you opened up about your feelings. I only wish I could tell you the fix-all right now, but I've never heard it put this way before. I hope it's okay that we come back to it tomorrow."

Whumpee smiled tiredly, "yes Caretaker thats fine."

They started down the hall.

"The only thing is you leaving without George or Nurse Hannah. Next time, just let them know you need me or your doctor, and they will take you to us, no questions asked", Caretaker smiled.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry", Whumpee looked down the hall and saw George at the nurses station talking to Nurse Hannah.

Caretaker and Whumpee stopped at the station.

"There's our runaway", George announced, "please don't do that again, I almost ran the entire hospital looking for you."

"Go easy on them. They were having a hard time, and needed to talk to me. I've already told them", Caretaker sighed, "they're a bit tired, so they may take a nap."

"Was it something we said?", Nurse Hannah looked at Whumpee concerned.

"I'll tell you about what happened once Whumpee is comfortable", Caretaker looked at Whumpee, "they had an emotional day, so they are tired now."

Nurse Hannah came around the counter and followed Whumpee into their room, and started to help them into bed.

George watched from the doorway.

"Are you both mad at me?", Whumpee questioned as Hannah covered them up.

"No, we were concerned though", Nurse Hannah booped Whumpee's nose, "we are glad you made it back to your room."

George agreed.

Caretaker came back a bit later and peaked in at Whumpee.

George and Hannah were sitting inside the room, whispering to not wake up Whumpee, who was fast asleep.

"Pssst", Caretaker whispered, and motioned to them.

Caretaker had a nurse step in to watch Whumpee while he talked to George and Hannah.

"So your conversation about the abandoned hospital wing brought out some hard thoughts for Whumpee", Caretaker handed them the notes they had taken while talking to Whumpee, "though I appreciate that Whumpee was able to express this to me, and it will help them in the end, please I beg of you, we need to be careful with our conversations around Whumpee and other patients even."

They both read the notes.

"Oh poor Whumpee", Hannah sighed sadly.

"I didn't realize", George sighed, "I noticed they were different after lunch. Are they okay? Were you able to help them on this?"

"I told them I'd look into this tonight and bring them in tomorrow to talk about this", Caretaker reached for the notes, "I've never heard it put this way before, and I find it very interesting."

"It's too bad you can't take them into the abandoned wing or even find a way for that wing to be repurposed", Hannah thought out loud.

"That may be an idea, what is supposed to be there now?", Caretaker looked at George.

"I think they talked about a garden or something like that", George pulled out a paper and gave it to Caretaker, "yes this was the announcement."

Caretaker looked it over, "I wonder if I can get Whumpee in there, if it's safe enough."

"I can get you in. The guards still go down there for storage and breaks, we hide from staff down there", George chuckled.

"That explains where you guards disappear to", Caretaker sighed.

The next day George led Caretaker and Whumpee to the abandoned wing.

"Whumpee this is the abandoned wing you heard Nurse Hannah and I talk about. Pretty soon, this will be removed, and they'll have a garden built", George led them down the hall, "I read some of what you told Caretaker, just so I know what was going on. I'm sorry we made you upset. Just know though, although this area will be removed because of safety, the hospital has plans to make a new place for us to enjoy. A new garden will be put up right here."

"Really?", Whumpee looked down the halls, "it's sad in here."

"Yes Whumpee, and when it's up we can go out and explore it", Caretaker smiled, "unfortunately sometimes things lose their service. This wing was once used to house many people and help them. Unfortunately, when the hospital expanded, this wing became older and, in turn not usable anymore. The hospital is going to give it a new life so it can help people again in a new way."

Whumpee listened.

"Just like for you, you may not be able to go back to how your life once was, but this hospital is going to give you resources to help you. Whether you get to leave the hospital, or you live here for a while or for the rest of your life. Who knows. With those resources you might be able to do some great things you wouldn't have been able to do before your breakdown. Is this making sense?"

"Yes Caretaker", Whumpee wiped a tear and smiled, "thankyou."

"You're welcome", Caretaker smiled then looked at George, "thanks for bringing us down here, I think it helped me know what to say."

"I'm glad", George grinned, "Whumpee just know I'm on your side, as is Nurse Hannah, we won't abandon you. We are happy to take care of you and our other patients."

Whumpee nodded, and wiped another tear, "thankyou", they sobbed.

Taglist. As always please let me know if you want to be added or taken off of the list. It's not a problem at all. @villainsandheroes @the-beasts-have-arrived @sacredwrath @porschethemermaid @monarchthefirst @generic-whumperz @bloodyandfrightened @freefallingup13

Hey MJ here, um this one is one of those stories I wanted to cry while writing because Whumpee is me. I have abandonment issues, and these are real thoughts.

I was once talking to someone, about abandoned buildings. I love abandoned things so much. I can't even explain it. I was talking to someone once though, and they knew I had these issues. Then they asked me, "do you like abandoned things, because you see yourself in them?" To say I was dumbfounded is an understatement.

So I just wanted to be real with you. I am okay mentally just saw and abandoned building being tore down today and it triggered these memories and a story. So I hope you enjoyed, and if you have these issues to, they are hard, but we will make it through. You are loved, I promise. Signed, MJ

[littleboy-logan]

Brother in Arms (2)

Chapter One

A sequel!!! :D hope y’all like it!! I’m really enjoying this series so far 🖤

Summary: Virgil decides to tell Patton about his regression. How will he react? And will he tell Roman as well?

Characters: Logan, Virgil, Patton, Roman (brief), Janus (mentioned), Remus (mentioned)

Pairing(s): analogical, royality (it’s not really mentioned but I’m saying so here anyway cos it’ll happen), eventually semi-platonic dukeceit

Warnings: I don’t think there’s anything to warn for but lemme know if I missed anything!!!

Word count: 1,085

~

Virgil was anxious. Unsurprisingly so, but regardless, he didn't appreciate the nerves.

He approached Patton's room, lifting his hand to knock only to hesitate. Perhaps this was a bad time. He didn't know what kind of mood Patton was in.

He also didn't know how he'd react, but decided not to focus on that as much.

He took a deep breath. He could do this. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open, and Virgil nearly jumped right out of his skin.

"Oh, hi Virgil!" Patton greeted with a bright smile. "Thought I saw someone outside the door! What's up, kiddo?"

Oh god, anything but kiddo right now, I can't afford to regress in front of you.

"Uh, I, uh... had something to tell ya. I'm just... a bit nervous about it."

"Oh, hey, don't you worry," Patton soothed, bringing Virgil even closer to regression. "Whatever you have to say, I won't judge you for it."

Virgil took a breath, wringing his hands together as he built up the nerve. Why did this have to be so difficult?

"You wanna sit down?" Patton offered, Virgil quickly nodding as he didn't trust his own voice.

They sat side by side on Patton's bed, and Virgil quickly realised that being in Patton's room made for very quick regression. The warm, cosy feeling in the air, the stuffies surrounding the environment, the unexplainable scent of cookies. If Virgil didn't know any better, he'd say Patton was a regressor too.

"Virge, what's going on?" Patton asked, bringing back Virgil's attention. "Is there something wrong?"

Virgil shook his head silently, knowing full well that if he spoke, he would sound as old as he felt.

"You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"

Virgil nodded. He thought for a moment about how to say it in his headspace, sticking his tongue out slightly and furrowing his brows. Perhaps he just needed to be blunt.

He pointed to himself emphatically. "I baby," he said with a childlike lilt to his voice.

Patton blinked in apparent surprise. "I mean, I wasn't gonna say it, but—"

Virgil shook his head. "No, I baby! Was—" He held his hand up high to indicate that he was usually older. "Now—" He then lowered his hand to indicate he had regressed.

Patton was very confused for a moment before it seemed to mentally click for him. "Oh. Do you... age regress?"

Virgil hadn't expected it to be that easy but he smiled and nodded. It his childlike state he had forgotten he was ever nervous about telling Patton in the first place.

"Oh! Aww! Are you regressed right now?" Virgil nodded again. "How old are you?"

Good question. Virgil counted on his fingers. One, two, three, four... five? Five sounded right, so he held up five fingers.

"Very good, Virgil!" Patton praised in his dad voice, making Virgil giggle. "Do you have a caregiver or have you been doing this on your own?"

"Logie takes care of me. He gets me dressed and gives me snackies and plays with me when I want. He reads me bedtime stories when I have bad dreams and they make the bad stuff go away."

Patton seemed absolutely blown away, the biggest smile on his face. "I'm so glad you've had someone taking care of you! I'm... honestly surprised it's Logan, but it sounds like he's been doing a good job!"

"Uh huh!" Virgil confirmed with a nod. He suddenly frowned slightly. "Miss Logie," he said shyly.

"You want me to get him?" Patton offered, Virgil quickly nodding. "I'm gonna have to leave you alone for a minute, but you get to guard Mr Woofer."

He went to one of his many stuffie-filled shelves and picked up a small corgi stuffie that was laying on its back like a baby. Virgil gasped happily upon seeing him, immediately making grabby hands for him.

"You be sure to watch him until I get back, okay?" Patton said as he handed Virgil Mr Woofer. Virgil held him to his chest like an infant, smiling up at Patton.

"Shh," Virgil hushed as he placed a finger over his lips. "He sleepin'."

Patton smiled and mimicked Virgil's gesture as he walked out of the room, leaving Virgil with Mr Woofer.

He rubbed Mr Woofer's belly as he held him, smiling to himself. He could take care of a stuffie, no problem.

A minute or so later, Patton returned with Logan. Virgil smiled brightly at seeing his caregiver, hugging Mr Woofer a bit closer.

“Logie!” he whisper shouted, trying not to awaken Mr Woofer.

“Vee,” Logan whispered back with a smile. “Why are we whispering?”

“Mr Woofer is sleeping.”

“Ah, I see.” Logan sat by his side on the bed, wrapping his arm around Virgil’s waist. “I take it you decided to tell Patton.” Virgil nodded in confirmation. “I’m proud of you.”

“I’m proud of you too, kiddo,” Patton agreed.

Virgil wiggled happily where he sat, flattered by their praise.

“Are you gonna tell the others? Roman and Janus and Remus?”

Virgil frowned. “Mmm... Jan ��n’ Rei know... Ro don’t.”

“Rei?” Patton repeated.

“That’s his nickname for Remus,” Logan explained. “He thought of it after watching one of the newer Star Wars movies.”

“Oh. Well, Virgil, are you gonna tell Roman?”

Virgil gnawed the inside of his cheek. “Dunno. He mean.”

“Mean?” Patton asked, almost sounding hurt.

“Virgil we talked about that,” Logan said. “He won’t make fun of you for your regression.”

“Yeah, Virge, I promise he won’t,” Patton concurred with conviction.

“You don’t know,” Virgil mumbled.

“I do know, actually. If you don’t wanna tell him yet it’s okay, but I don’t want you to think he’ll be mean to you over it.”

More than anything, Virgil was just ready to get it over with. He trusted Patton though; if he said Roman wouldn’t be mean, that meant he wouldn’t be mean. There was also a chance that Patton was wrong, but he seemed certain.

Virgil sighed. “Otay. I tell. Come with?”

“Of course, kiddo!” Patton smiled.

“Whatever you need, honeybee,” Logan said, Patton visibly biting back a squeal at the name.

Virgil nodded to himself. “We go now?”

They all walked to Roman’s room, Logan carrying Virgil on his back in somewhat of a piggyback ride. They got to Roman’s room and Patton knocked.

“Roman, sweetie? You in there?” he asked.

The door opened moments later to Roman in a lion onesie with a pacifier in his mouth.