Welcome back to another chapter! Warning this chapter includes minor anxiety and downward spiraling in thoughts as well as a bit of hate towards polyamorous relationships. As always take care of yourself and thank you for reading.

"Thanks for walking me here Rem," Virgil smiled shakily as they arrived at the dorms on the other end of campus where he was meant to meet the people from the previous day.

"It's no problem, gurl. I don't blame you for not feeling safe to walk by yourself right after that happened," Remy replied, ruffling Virgil's hair affectionately. "Now if any of them hurt you or make you uncomfortable don't hesitate to call me. I'll shank a bastard."

"Remy!" Virgil scorned.

"Haha, okay but seriously, if anything happens, I'll come get you, I'll tell them off, I'll join you for comedic relief, whatever you need, okay?" Remy said, his voice becoming soft and sincere.

"Thanks Rem, I'll have to keep that in mind," Virgil said with a soft smile.

"No prob, I've got you, anytime, anywhere," Remy promised, a cheeky grin clear in his tone.

Virgil smiled at his kindness but it slowly slipped away as he began to get lost in thought, his chin sagging towards his chest.

"Hey, you okay?" Remy asked. "If you're feeling uncomfortable they said I could go with you and if you're still uncomfortable I can always call them and say you are sick or something? We can get you out of this if you don't want it," Remy reassured him.

"No, no, that's not it. It's just… Is it even okay for me to go? You know, with me liking Patton and all? It feels kind of wrong like I have an ulterior motive or something. He is in a relationship, with two people for that matter! He doesn't need me trying butt my way into that happiness. What if I say something and he finds out and it upsets Roman and Logan? Roman already doesn't seem to like me much," Virgil rambled.

"Virgil… Focus on me. Breathe. Easy there," Remy said, his hands resting firmly on his shoulders. "First of all, I have it on good authority that Roman's attitude towards you should change and if it doesn't, you tell me about it. Second, it's lunch, not a make out session or something. Just be your charming self and get to know them and let them get to know you. They are polyamorous and so are you, if it's meant to be it'll happen. And let me tell you Virgil! You are a handsome, kind, intelligent, spirited, young man that anyone would be so very lucky to be in a relationship with. If they are idiots enough not to want to return your affection then that's on them."

"You think way too highly of me," Virgil chuckled.

"I only tell the truth, Babe," Remy laughed.

"Virgie! You're already here! Hope you weren't waiting long," a voice called over from where the sound of the building's doors opening had just occurred.

"Hey Patton, that's Roman and Logan with you, right?" Virgil guessed, referring to the multiple sets of steps he could hear approaching.

"Indeed, very perceptive, Virgil," Logan replied.

Remy protectively wrapped a shoulder over Virgil's shoulder, pulling him close.

"You take good care of Virgil alright?" Remy said, surprisingly sternly.

"We understand Remy, you don't need to worry," Logan assured him.

"The fairest man on campus will be in good company for lunch," Roman added.

"Is that a pale joke?" Virgil asked with a frown as he raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps," Roman hummed.

"Hehh… Well anyways kiddo, you ready to go?" Patton asked.

"I guess so, bye Rem, keep Ember company for me. Thanks for everything. I'll see you later," Virgil said, giving his friend a sideways hug.

Remy ruffled his hair again and said his goodbyes as he turned to walk away. Patton looped his arm into Virgil's, pulling him close. He giggled happily and Virgil could imagine the giant grin he was probably wearing.

"Come on, Logie's car is this way," Patton said, gently guiding him.

Virgil let himself be taken to a nearby parking lot. Virgil heard the sound of a car beep from being unlocked as Logan clicked a button on his keys. He was already turning in that general direction before Patton could nudge him towards the car. He found the handle to the backseat and paused.

"This one, right?" Virgil asked.

"Mhm! Perceptive as always," Patton chirped.

Virgil smiled softly at the praise and opened up the door to slide in all the way across to allow Patton in beside him. He could hear Roman getting in on the passenger side and Logan on the drivers.

"So where exactly are we going for lunch?" Virgil asked awkwardly as he felt the car pulling out to leave the parking lot.

"We were thinking of taking you to a Cafe downtown. It's pretty quaint, not many people frequent it. Food wise they serve mostly soups, sandwiches and wraps, if that is alright with you, Virgil," Logan explained.

"Yeah, that sounds great," Virgil replied.

"I'm still so excited that you agreed," Patton exclaimed, grabbing one of Virgil's hands.

Virgil felt the tips of his ears burning as his head shifted to look out the window in hopes Patton wouldn't notice. He didn't remember him being so physically affectionate without prompting. He wasn't complaining, he truly did enjoy it and he had nothing against platonic affection in fact he typically wished people would normalize it more. Still, Patton's boyfriends were in the front seat. He was a guest here, he didn't want them getting the wrong idea that he was trying to invade on anything special between them. It felt like he was betraying their trust but he still spread his fingers so his and Patton's could lock together.

"Thanks for inviting me," Virgil smiled softly.

"No worries, it was high time we met the boy Patton was so fond of in high school," Roman chimed in.

Virgil's fingers tightened around Patton's slightly and he felt the other giving a gentle squeeze in response. It was so kind, he could almost convince himself if meant more than it did. But he couldn't let himself believe that, there was no way Patton had feelings for him.

"Virgil? You okay?" Patton whispered, sounding a bit worried. "You went kind of pale. Did I make you uncomfortable?"

"No, no, it's fine. I'm fine... I was just thinking a bit," Virgil replied, facing him so he could give a smile.

"You sure?" Patton stated again.

"Yeah, I am. Don't worry about it. I'll be okay. You know I have a tendency to overthink things," Virgil chuckled.

"If there is anything we can do to help ease your anxiety, just speak up Virgil. We'll help if something is bothering you, you are our guest and friend," Logan stated as he felt the car come to a stop after their most recent turn, the gear shift being moved up to park.

"Are we already there?" Virgil piped up curiously.

"Well yeah, Lo and Pat are like a three minute drive from this place," Roman replied, undoing his seatbelt.

Virgil hummed to himself in thought as he cautiously unhooked his fingers from Patton's so he could get out himself. It must be convenient for them to live so close to town. Virgil lived on the entire other side of campus.

He stepped out into the parking lot and waited for Patton to come around to walk beside him in a guiding presence to show him the way into the unfamiliar location, letting him do as much of it himself as he wanted. Helpful, but not invasive. They headed in and were taken to some tables near the back of the dinning area and were handed their menus. Once the waitress walked away and he wasn't afraid of embarrassing anyone Virgil took off his dark sunglasses and placed them on the table.

"Don't suppose one of you would be willing to read me the options?" Virgil requested waving the plastic sheet slightly to emphasis.

"Oh! Yeah sure, I can help you out. Anything in particular you like or don't like?" Patton asked, taking the menu.

"Something cheap?" Virgil chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

He wasn't actually sure if he was meant to pay or if they were, either way he didn't want to waste money.

"Well everything is pretty cheap here, but the combo meal is pretty good. It's about eleven dollars for a main dish of a sandwich or a sandwich and a side soup or salad," Patton suggested, scooting his chair unnecessarily closer as if trying to show Virgil the menu.

He stifled a laugh as Patton cleared his throat and he could feel Patton pulling the menu back closer to his face to pretend he hadn't forgotten for a moment.

"That sounds good. What types of wraps do they have?"

"Umm, let's see. A Caesar Chicken wrap, a Cajean Chicken wrap, a Turkey Club wrap-"

"What's on that one?"

"Turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese."

"Do they have French Onion soup?"

"I think so… Yup, I was right, they do."

"Alright then I know what I'm getting," Virgil said, folding his hands on the table.

He heard Patton setting down the menu and turning his body further towards Virgil.

"That was a lot less reading than I was expecting," he admitted with a chuckle.

"I didn't want to make you read the whole thing. I hope I did alright narrowing it down for you," Virgil explained, his fingers tapping lightly against the table to release the building awkward energy within him.

"You truly don't need to worry about inconveniencing us. We wish to enjoy your company and genuinely want to aid you in any way we can," Logan reasoned.

"Thanks," Virgil replied, his brow furrowing a bit as he tried to smile and stay still in his seat.

He really did think Logan was a very kind person even if a bit quiet and standoffish from his first impressions. Still, he hated inconveniencing people or making them think of him as a burden, especially when he just met them. He hoped he was still making a good impression.

"So, Virgil," Roman cleared his throat before continuing. "You must have some stories about Patton here from highschool, hm?"

"I mean, probably nothing you don't already know? We were physics partners so we talked a whole lot. Um, we also had lunch during the same period but I ate at the greenhouse because I'm not too good with people but Patton invited me to go with him like twice I think… I guess I could tell you about our duct tape boat project? He probably already told you all of that but, um, heh, it was pretty funny. We had to make a boat purely out of cardboard and duct tape and row it across this pond by our school. I'm not a big help since I can't see but Patton always made sure to include me in projects, but that's mostly beside the point, um. Well, one of us was supposed to hop in and row the boat and that was supposed to be me since I didn't do much of the work so our other partner volunteered me. But I kinda freaked out when it was our turn so Patton without me even having to ask got in the boat and started rowing it. All I know is there was a loud rip and splashing because apparently the bottom ripped out and Patton fell in. Since I was the one that was supposed to be in the boat he didn't have a change of clothes and so his shoes made funny squeaking sounds every time he walked and made constant jokes about what happened," Virgil recalled, smiling fondly at the memory.

"Ah yes, the day I got to experience what life would be like as a duck. It wasn't all it's quacked up to be."

Virgil could hear the grin in Patton's voice as he joked around. He hid an amused smile in the side of his hand while he listened to Logan's groan of exasperation and Roman's snorting laugh.

"Must you do this every day?" Logan sighed.

"Do not impeed on the Pun King's reign," Roman hushed.

By the time Patton and Roman were satisfied with tormenting Logan the waitress had come back to take their orders, Patton ordering an appetizer of potato skins that he insisted Virgil had to try. Virgil found himself relaxing a lot more once the immediate attention was off of himself, throwing in a pun once in a while.

Unbeknownst to Virgil, Roman was watching him carefully getting antsy as he glanced between Virgil and his pen. During the conversation he'd carefully uncapped it, making sure to keep quiet and that Virgil was distracted by Patton. He shared a look with Logan who was giving a stern frown. After a silent moment Logan sighed and looked away giving his attention to his other two soulmates while Roman scribbled out a word on the back of his hand.

Virgil stopped mid conversation when he felt the familiar tingle of the soulmate writing on the back of his hand.

"Oh, she doesn't usually write this frequently," Virgil muttered.

"She?" Roman and Logan questioned nearly in unison.

"Lisa…. Virgil's soulmate," Patton replied, trying his best to keep his voice even through a tightening throat as he rubbed the writing that was on the back of his own hand.

"Can you look at it for me? She might just be drawing; she apparently does that a lot to calm herself down but the tingling didn't last very long so it might be writing," Virgil explained.

"I'll read for you Virgil," Logan stated, taking the pressure of maintaining the lie from Patton who was physically trembling with emotion. "Let's see. It would seem she wanted to say a quick hello to you."

Virgil leaned over a fished around for the pen his parents had given him, feeling for the notches. One he found it he handed it to Logan reluctantly.

"I can't really write on myself, would you mind replying? This is my soulmate pen," Virgil requested passing it over.

Logan glanced down at the pen curiously before taking it and attempting to do as Virgil requested. He touched the pen to the back of Virgil's wrist and nothing happened. He tried again with still no sign of ink.

"Logan?"

"Your pen isn't working. Hang on a moment and I'll fix it," Logan stated, still unsure if it was intentionally broken by whoever had filled his head with lies or if it was just coincidentally stuck. He rolled the ball of the pen over the bottom of his shoe in an attempt to get it going but nothing came out. Roman was scowling angily through the whole situation while Patton sat in his seat stiffly, keeping his lips sealed as he watched Logan. Logan unscrewed the top of the pen to investigate the ink cartridge and found it completely empty, rinsed of even any stains or residue that should have been clinging to the sides of the thin tube.

"It'd appear to be empty. How about I use my pen, hm? It's the same color and safe for use on skin," Logan explained, lying about the color to ease Virgil into the idea of not using that exact pen.

"Oh… Okay, if it's not too different there shouldn't be any problem with it I guess. I'll have to replace the ink in my pen. Must've dried out since Lisa and I don't talk much anymore," Virgil muttered absently as he let Logan use his own pen to reply.

As expected, for the first time, the writing on Virgil's skin transferred over to theirs.

"Hey, I, uh, I need to go to the restroom," Roman excused himself, clasping a hand tightly over the writing.

"Y-yeah me too actually," Patton added, his voice shaking.

"Patt? Are you okay?" Virgil asked worriedly.

"Don't worry about me Kiddo, I'm fine. I'll be back in a few minutes," Patton replied, resting his hand on top of Virgil's head before walking away after Roman.

"Did I do something wrong?" Virgil asked anxiously, running his fingers through his bangs to give him something to do.

"No, you've done nothing wrong, you needn't worry yourself," Logan promised.

Virgil's brows furrowed a bit but he decided to believe Logan and let it go. The rest of the lunch seemed a bit less lively. They didn't talk any less, their cheer was just a bit more faked. Lisa never continued to write back and for that Virgil was grateful since that was the start of when they seemed to get upset.

After lunch they dropped him off at his dorms and he reassured them he'd be able to get back into the dorms himself. He navigated his way through carefully counted steps down the halls towards his door and opened the already unlocked door.

"Hey Girl! How was it?" Remy asked.

"It was okay I guess?" Virgil replied with a nervous chuckle.

"Just okay? You've had a crush on Patton for so long and your lunch with him was just okay? Something happened, spill," Remy pried, sitting up in his bed to face Virgil.

"It's fine, it's probably just my imagination. Lisa ended up writing to me and Lo tried to write back but my pen was dead and Roman and Pat started acting a bit weird after that, but it probably had nothing to do with it, right?" Virgil chuckled nervously. "I've actually got to call my parents so, uh, I'll just be in, you know, the bathroom. So um… Yeah…"

Virgil anxiously shuffled off into the bathroom, calling Ember in after him. Remy sighed to himself, keeping quiet as he got out of bed to go over to the bathroom door to make sure Virgil was alright.

"Hey mom! Yeah, everythings fine. I was just hanging out with some friends and getting lunch with them. Oh we actually went out actually, it tasted great and it was pretty fun, but, um…"

Remy froze with terror. He couldn't be about to tell his mother. If Virgil's family found out other people knew the truth there was no telling what would happen. If Virgil mentioned their names and his mother recognized there could be problems.

"Lisa wrote to me today to say hello, but um apparently my pen didn't work? My friend said I could just use their pen but do you know how to go about replacing the ink in the pen? Lisa and I don't talk much but I still would like to have my pen working for next time. Oh? You don't need to take care of it, I can take care of it if you tell me how. Okay, you can order it if you think that'll be easier. Alright, yeah, bye by mom. I'll text you tonight, love you."

Remy didn't waste a beat walking out the door and pulling up Virgil's mother's contact on his phone which he'd been given as an emergency contact. He placed it to his ear walking down the hall towards the stairs so he could get far away from Virgil's hearing range.

"Hel-"

"It was me," Remy cut in, not giving the woman a chance to speak.

"What are you talking about," Virgil's mother asked, clearly annoyed and stressed.

"I was the one with Virgil at lunch today that saw the message from his soulmate, or rather soulmates. If you're worried, I didn't tell him. I'll take him to get new ink and fake putting it in his pen. I know it's not my place to tell him," Remy stated, his free hand clenching into a tight fist that trembled at his side as he struggled to keep as calm of a voice as he was able.

"Hey, listen I can explain," his mother chuckled nervously.

"That you freaked out over Virgil having three soulmates and lied to him for the past ten years?" Remy replied, leaning against a wall with a scowl.

"People have one romantic soulmate. If there is more than one that means something happened to the other. In our case we were lucky that Virgil was just asexual and was destined to be a plationic soulmate. You care for Virgil, right? What would you have done if you thought he was going to die? You'd want to keep him as far from the issue as possible. Would you have wanted him to be bullied for having an unusual number of soulmates along with being bullied for being blind?" the woman justified herself.

Remy's jaw clenched and stayed silent for a long moment. He wanted to yell about his own multiple romantic soulmates but he'd lose her respect. He wanted to yell about how Virgil was lying and it was killing him inside to not be able to tell his parents he was gay because of this lie, but it wasn't his place to out his friend.

"As I said before. It's not my place to tell you how to raise your son and I know it's not my place to tell Virgil anything. But I just have to say, you need to tell him sometime. The longer you wait, the more betrayed he'll be when he learns. The longer it goes the more people that are going to get roped into the lie and lose Virgil's trust when he someday finds out," Remy warned.

"Young man, I don't appreciate-"

"Have a nice day," Remy growled into the phone before hanging up on Virgil's mother.

He sighed and sank to the floor of the stairwell landing. He just wanted to protect Virgil. He wanted him to be happy but this was really getting troublesome.