Things had been quiet today, just like the past couple of weeks. It had been unnerving for Virgil. When was this blind event supposed to happen? He didn't know what it was, only that it was coming, still. He had been mostly listening to Damien and trying not to practice extra, but the more time that passed, the antsier he had gotten.
Virgil had been sneaking practice when he could. He didn't interfere with lessons and practice, usually, and Remus was so distracted with extra practice he'd picked up he hadn't been checking on Virgil non-stop. And checking was really easy to do once you got the hang of it. Virgil practiced by checking the battery life of the acolytes often. Still, he hated the uncertainty. At least today has been going well.
Working in the herb and devotional garden with Thomas was always one of Virgil's favourite things to do, and he looked forward to it all day. He liked the setting sun, and the smell of the flowers and herbs together always put Virgil in a comfortable headspace. Working on the garden could be trance-like as he adjusted soil acidity, pruned, and generally enjoyed the plants. The day was lovely, and the sun was behind the clouds, so Virgil could do okay outside in the day with just a pair of sunglasses. It was always nice when it didn't feel like his star association was kicking his ass. He still didn't like the sun, though.
A big bonus of getting to work with Thomas was listening to him singing to the flowers. Virgil had never heard the tunes before, but it was the one place on the whole compound he could get some music while he worked. The music in the evenings was awesome, but Virgil liked to work while listening to music. He got some music sometimes if he vibed just right, but it wore him out rapidly and Damien always told him he shouldn't do that. It was all good practice, so Virgil didn't enjoy listening to that particular demand. But Virgil just practiced in other ways, instead. Not getting caught was the game.
Thomas sang to the herbs as he harvested a few sprigs and pruned dead leaves into two separate baskets. The tune was another new one. Virgil was working with the flowers, but it drew him in, and Virgil sat back to listen and enjoy the breeze. He had plenty of time to finish his work for the day. He could even come back tomorrow. Things have been laid-back lately. Late summer was always like this for the compound, apparently. A couple of minutes of a break wouldn't hurt at all.
Thomas always sang just loud enough for Virgil to hear, even if he was far away. It was either good hearing or Thomas did that on purpose. He hoped it was good hearing, though. It'd be weird to say Virgil enjoyed listening to Thomas sing, right? Virgil kind of looked up to Thomas. He was really patient with Virgil, even when Virgil was being hyper about his interests and when Virgil made mistakes. He loved that Thomas never made him feel like a kid or an idiot just because he got excited about things and always genuinely listened.
Virgil was bad at telling people he appreciated them. It always came out wrong or weird or bit him in the ass. He'd rather do it from afar. Remy and Remus were not great at it, either. Remus often phrased it in a way people didn't like. And even when Remy read from a piece of paper, he normally insulted them instead before he could stop himself. Remy's impulsiveness was often worse than Remus's, and it showed when he talked to people. Virgil just couldn't string the words together in the first place. They'd tumble out and make him feel weird. It's how they ended up insulting each other so much.
It was just easier, and they all understood they didn't mean it like that. But he didn't know how to explain that to Thomas. Virgil glanced over his shoulder at Thomas nervously. He wanted to call Thomas a devil-bastard, and he feared it actually coming out of his mouth and insulting him, and Thomas didn't deserve to get his feelings hurt just because Virgil didn't know how to words.
The lyrics Thomas was singing about today were something about the breeze and tides. It kind of reminded Virgil of some of the stuff they say at rituals. Listening to it was calming him down, since it was cutting through his stupid down-on-himself thoughts. He could keep his mouth shut and not upset Thomas. He could self-monitor just fine, he was just feeling sensitive today, and that's okay. Would drawing Thomas something be weird? Yeah. It'd be weird. Well. They'd been friends for months now. It probably wouldn't be strange.
Maybe Virgil just didn't know how to act around people older than him. He barely knew how to act with people his age. Virgil could ask Damien, maybe. He'd know. Damien knew what felt like everything. It would be okay. He could just relax and listen to Thomas sing, and it won't be weird because Thomas won't know he's listening if Virgil doesn't speak up or face him.
Virgil quietly hummed a meandering harmony to himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, settling in to take a break in the flowers. When he closed his eyes like this, he could smell it all at once, like a bouquet. It was nice and made Virgil feel so capable. He took care of these flowers and they reminded him he was capable. Especially since he'd felt so incapable after that stupid capacity thing. Damnit. He wanted to practice again while he was taking a break. It's not like Remus was out here to catch him, and Thomas wouldn't know to watch Virgil's energy level. Virgil sat up straighter and reached mentally out to find Remus, taking a deep breath.
Remus's energy couldn't be mistaken for any other. It made it easier to check for his location over anyone with enough Draconic energy to register. Remus's energy was like some kind of wild amalgamation of hundreds of things and ever-shifting. It was always changing and never quite the same, but it always had the… aftertaste of Remus. He didn't like describing it like that, but that's what it was.
Remus wasn't anywhere nearby in his first scan. Virgil reached out farther and spread the radius. There was an enormous mass of energy south of him. He probably found the sanctuary. Remus wasn't there, though. He probably shouldn't push himself this far. At least Damien would tell him not to without supervision, but he extended again. Virgil's breath came in hard as he reached further. Remus was out near the fire site. He wondered what Remus was doing out there. Probably some problem with the spirits. He was on the opposite end of the compound as Virgil.
He had extended so far he was covering the whole damn compound from the north end. He wasn't sure what some of that energy was, but maybe it was wildlife. Finding specific people that weren't seers was difficult. He couldn't pinpoint any energy that wasn't Remus or Damien. Even Thomas's energy right next to him was muted. Damien was in the sanctuary.
Virgil didn't even have to do the area-search thing to find energy. He could just reach out for one in particular, but learning the mapping thing was how to start. He wondered how long it would take to just reach out for Remus whenever. There was something heart-stoppingly huge in the woods north of him that rattled him. Was that the earth site? Fuck, did he just energetically poke at a fucking dragon? Virgil pulled back in with a long exhale.
"—gil? Hello?" Virgil heard Thomas right next to him and Virgil stumbled back on his hands in surprise, looking at him in shock.
"Uh, hi?" Virgil stammered out. His heart felt like it was pounding out of his fucking chest.
"I asked if you were taking a break and it seems you might have spaced out," Thomas hummed, sitting down next to Virgil and tucking his robe under him.
"I, yeah, I'm… taking a break." Virgil blinked a few times and tried to catch his breath.
"You look like you sprinted from the river. I'm not sure whatever you were doing qualifies as a break." Thomas didn't sound convinced in the least. Virgil brushed off his hands on his robe and sat up straighter.
"Um, from gardening anyway," Virgil muttered, looking away. He reached for his water skien to take a sip. He didn't feel like he could meet Thomas's eyes.
"Sir Virgil, sorry if I'm over-stepping… but I'm pretty darn certain Lord Damien doesn't want you practicing that hard without him. You're panting," Thomas pointed out. "I don't think a seer would get that winded just from working with flowers," He added, looking at Virgil with a serious expression.
"I wasn't… just working with flowers, no," Virgil admitted quietly.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that's how breaks work." Thomas smirked at Virgil, and he felt a little less bad.
"No, no, you're right. I've just got other stuff on my mind, I guess." Virgil rubbed his arm and put his water skien in his lap. "I'll take a proper break now," He added under his breath.
"That's good. Mind if I join you?" Thomas asked, leaning on his legs and looking at Virgil. Why was Virgil suddenly ashamed? He already knew what he was doing was wrong. Getting caught by Thomas certainly didn't feel good, though.
"That's fine," Virgil mumbled.
"You're not normally so quiet," Thomas stated plainly, still looking at Virgil with concern.
"We're usually talking about plants, not me doing something I'm technically not supposed to be doing but wasn't told explicitly not to do." Virgil shoved his hands in his sleeves to play with the bracelet that Remy made for him.
"We can talk about plants if that's more comfortable for you," Thomas said lightly. Virgil liked that idea.
"I think some more amaranth heads will start falling soon. And the milkweed can probably be harvested, but the butterflies are going ham on it and I hate to take any away from them." Virgil motioned with his head over to the milkweed being flocked by the butterflies.
"They have plenty and we don't need much." Thomas glanced over at the butterflies. "It wouldn't hurt to wait a little longer to harvest some," He added.
"They're flocking around the blazing stars, too. I know they have plenty of food. They just look happy," Virgil sighed contentedly. "The blazing star is blooming so beautifully. So is the horsemint. I love the smell here." He leaned back again, feeling much more relaxed.
"What would you plant if given the opportunity?" Thomas asked curiously.
"I don't remember seeing blue-eyed grass in the spring," Virgil replied thoughtfully. "I love the idea of a little patch of unassuming plants and then in the spring, it's boom, flower central! Not that wildflowers don't already grow like crazy around here, but you know what I mean. A blanket of one kind of flower. I think we could even find some in the surrounding woods. It's really hardy," Virgil answered excitedly. "I mean, it'll be going dormant or dying before it blooms so we wouldn't have to do it this year. Not that we have to do it at all. I just think it would be neat. It's probably kind of dumb, there're wildflowers everywhere…" Virgil trailed off, feeling embarrassed again.
"No, I like that idea, too," Thomas nodded, and Virgil relaxed a little.
"Um, what type of grapes will we grow?" Virgil asked awkwardly. He did not know how to describe how he was feeling right now. It felt like his emotions were all in a stringy wad he couldn't untangle.
"We have a few varieties, but mostly southern home, sweet jenny, and blue lake." Thomas's voice was so kind that it really chilled Virgil out. He was really fucking tired after vibing that hard. Virgil covered his mouth as he yawned.
"Oh, I like southern home. Does replanting get really difficult in the spring? We weren't around for much of that. Too busy training," Virgil asked sleepily.
"We space it out evenly, it's very manageable. You won't be resting for all the cold days, so I'm sure Lord Damien will make sure you're scheduled reasonably." Thomas looked up to the sky.
"I just meant in general." Virgil dropped his outer sleeve to rub his face with the inner one. He was really dirty from working out here.
"Ah! Yes, it gets very hectic the first few weeks of spring. Almost everybody comes to help with it, just like with the last harvest, but the kitchens aren't suffering as much." Thomas nodded as his eyes followed the clouds. "We have a big celebration when we're done. Another one of those kinds where the whole compound comes out to party. It can get to be a real rager. I'm always impressed at how hard people can party after all that physically demanding work. I rarely stick around for the whole thing," Thomas told him and Virgil got caught up yawning again. He saw Thomas looking away when he opened his eyes again.
"Oh, I don't like big stuff like that, either. It's cool I can just walk to my room when I'm done, though. I enjoy partying with my friends and I like the music, but huge stuff is stressful." Virgil played with the beading on his leather bracelet again as he responded.
"I can relate." Thomas chuckled to himself. "I enjoy hanging out with my friends, but I much prefer smaller gatherings," He agreed buoyantly. Virgil yawned, feeling a little woozy. Shit, he went too hard with practice.
"I like listening to you sing with the band," Virgil replied sleepily. His eyes were becoming groggy.
"Oh? What's your favourite thing I sing?" Thomas asked with interest.
"The song you sing to the irises," Virgil blinked slowly. He wasn't sure how much longer he could stay conscious. He vibed way too fucking hard. That was probably dumb to go so far and hold it for so long.
"I wasn't sure if you were listening." Thomas chuckled lightly through his nose, glancing back to Virgil.
"I always listen to you in the garden," Virgil nodded in agreement until he realized he just did what he was afraid of doing. "Wait, that sounds so creepy, it's not like that—"
"No, if I minded I would sing quieter, promise. It's not creepy," Thomas told him softly. Oh. That's good. "Are you doing alright, Sir Virgil?"
"'m fine," Virgil picked up his water skien to take another sip. He had more work to do. He was probably fine if he stretched out and took a longer break, though.
"… Alright. Would you mind if I sang?" Thomas asked off-handedly. Virgil shook his head and leaned forward. There wasn't room to lie down in the rows, and Virgil probably shouldn't lie in the dirt, anyway. "When the stars align with the morning dew, dreams and hopes all turn to you." Thomas started singing the little lullaby he sang to the irises. Virgil hummed happily and closed his eyes. The lyrics were sillier in this song than in the other songs. Virgil liked how light-hearted and endearing the song was. It was sweet and about how irises were iconic and talked about how the world revolved around them. It was just a pleasant experience.
The good vibes were maybe too comfortable, though. Virgil started drifting as he leaned in the garden. The warm breeze and the smell of the fresh earth and Thomas's melody were more than his sleepy brain could take. He just wanted to curl up and nap right there. He didn't have the energy to go back to the sanctuary, and Remus and Damien weren't close, though. Virgil just had to persevere. Maybe he'd recover enough to finish working if he just drifted for a bit to Thomas's voice. That would be nice.
Virgil wobbled and slipped for a second while listening to the song, just managed to catch himself. He didn't want to fall on the plants. He tried to open his eyes, but they kept drifting back closed despite his best efforts. Maybe if he just curled up really tight—no, he couldn't sleep out here. Virgil yawned painfully as he straightened himself again. He kept leaning to the side. Closer to the pretty song. Just letting himself drift a little longer wouldn't hurt, right? Just a tiny bit longer. Not enough to actually fall asleep or fall over. Just a few seconds. That's it. Virgil slumped against something soft and inviting and passed out in the garden.
— ? —
Virgil woke up to a familiarly unfamiliar dark room on a recovery bed. He still felt out of it. Shit, he did not mean to fall asleep. Or pass out. Or did he blackout? No, he didn't feel like as much ass as he normally did when he woke up from a blackout. He sat up blearily and yawned as he stretched out. He was hungry and wanted a shower.
"Evening, Sir Virgil," Thomas nodded to him as he sat in the bed across the way. Virgil jumped in surprise. "Sorry! I was just checking on you. Dinner just finished, and it's bath time." Thomas looked just as shocked.
"I, uh, sorry," Virgil stammered out.
"I doubt you intended to blackout and we will not fall behind or if you took off," Thomas shook his head. "Are you feeling better?"
"Not really, honestly," Virgil exhaled hard. "I want a shower and to go to my real bed and not these weird hard ones," Virgil grumbled, shifting to sit up at the edge of the bed. He gripped the bed to steady himself for a moment.
"Are you sure that's safe…. or smart?" Thomas asked warily. Virgil wobbled as he tried to get up. He fell back onto the bed and glared at Thomas. "How about I help you to your room? I think your partners are in the baths, though," Thomas hummed, rubbing his chin.
"I'll be okay." Virgil shook his head and tried again, but his damn bastard knees betrayed him and crumpled this time. Thomas just barely caught him in time. He was probably still too close to a blackout.
"I think I'm going to have to assume you're delirious and help you anyway." Thomas bent down to pick up Virgil. Virgil protested with angry grumbles for a moment, but gave up right away. At least he wasn't making Virgil lie back down. Thomas paused at the door, and Virgil reached to pull it open for him. He normally didn't like people assuming things about him, but Thomas was right. Virgil knew he couldn't walk and was too embarrassed to ask.
The halls were always so empty during bath time. Virgil enjoyed feeling like he had the sanctuary to himself during bath hour. The cold shower wasn't that bad after he got used to it. Thomas walked slowly through the main part of the sanctuary. Virgil was too fucking tired to deal with anything, so he just rested his eyes and his head. He could trust Thomas to help.
At the final pause, Virgil opened his eyes to see the door to his room. He reached out to open the heavy door, but it was mostly him holding the handle while Thomas moved. There was some covered food on the table in the room and the curtains were already closed. Virgil breathed in the scent of dragon's blood, incense, and books. It always smelled like home.
"How about dinner first? So you can have energy for the bath," Thomas suggested. Virgil just nodded and let Thomas take him into the bathroom. He slowly slid Virgil upright at the sink to let him wash his hands and face. Thomas kept his hand on Virgil's back while he washed up, which helped keep him upright. He kept the hand there as Virgil walked over to the table and dropped to a chair in exhaustion.
Thomas peeled back the cover on the food. They had left Virgil a salad and one of those thick, heat-maintaining clay bowls of soup. Virgil sighed happily as Thomas pushed those closer to Virgil, and he grabbed the spoon. Thomas even lifted the lid off for Virgil, and some nice steamy food hit Virgil's face and woke up, his appetite even more severely. Virgil ate as boisterously as he could manage. He looked up and Thomas was still there at the table with him.
"Um, you don't have to wait for me. You can go take a bath," Virgil offered, feeling weird.
"I just want to make sure you make it through enough dinner to take a bath. Your energy is still very low. I'm honestly surprised you woke up." Thomas leaned on his arm.
"I more fell asleep than blacked out," Virgil admitted sheepishly. "When I wake up with Remus, I usually need to take one since I'm up so late," he added tiredly, stifling a yawn.
"Oh!" Thomas laughed. "I'm still impressed you're awake with your energy level. I'll leave you alone for your bath. It would just make me feel better if you let me make sure you didn't pass out in your soup, okay?" Thomas pleaded, holding up one hand to beg.
"I guess if it's that important to you," Virgil mumbled and Thomas smiled at him.
"It is. Thank you, Sir Virgil." Thomas leaned back in his chair. Why was Thomas thanking him? He was doing Virgil the favour, technically. He was pretty confident he wouldn't pass out, but he thought he wouldn't have earlier, either. It was better safe than sorry. "Can I ask what you practiced that roughed you up so much?" Thomas asked after a quiet moment of Virgil eating.
"Energy mapping. I was looking for Remus. He was at the other side of the compound and I think I might have found a dragon," Virgil explained and sipped his soup.
"Oh my goodness," Thomas sounded in awe. "You mapped the whole compound and found a dragon? That must have been jarring."
"I dropped down as soon as I did. It was kind of scary. They're so massive, like holy fuck," Virgil nodded, scooping more soup.
"I don't know where you are in your training, but I can't imagine mapping that wide was advised," Thomas shook his head, looking concerned.
"It wasn't. I was just trying to find Remus and got carried away." Virgil shook his head dejectedly.
"Hey, it was still impressive. I'm proud of you." Thomas put his hand flat on the table and Virgil looked up from his soup in sheer bafflement to Thomas's kind smile. Virgil absolutely short-circuited from confusion. It was just a compliment? What the fuck? He wanted Thomas to be proud of him. Why would… Virgil stared straight ahead at Thomas like a deer in headlights. "Did I… say something out of line?" Thomas sat back, looking confused.
"I—what—um, no!" Virgil stammered out rapidly, shoving the salad in his mouth just to avoid saying anything else. He took a big bite and chewed slowly. Thomas blinked at Virgil a few times before he seemed amused and leaned forward on the table, watching Virgil eat on and off. Sometimes his eyes wandered around the room. Virgil looked down at his salad instead. Virgil swallowed and took a few beats to finish regaining his composure.
"You're—Um… Things—Thanks," Virgil muttered under his breath, stumbling over his words. He half-hoped Thomas didn't catch it, but Thomas's confused expression softened again and he most definitely heard Virgil. Fuck. At least Thomas wasn't making fun of him. It can't get any worse, right? "Thomas? Uh… Thanks for being there for me." Virgil tried again, getting out a proper sentence this time. His mouth went dry, and he filled it with hot soup instead.
"It's a great place to be," Thomas replied and patted Virgil on the shoulder. Huh? What does that mean? Virgil just stared at Thomas for a moment. Oh. Did he like being there for Virgil? Was he… misinterpreting it? "Anytime you need me, Virgil, I'll be there if I can," Thomas added. Virgil did not misunderstand. Virgil's chest felt warm, and he nodded, trying to focus on his soup instead of being… whatever the hell he was feeling right now.