Disclaimer: I do not own Static Shock. I am not making profit from this story so no one sue me, please. Any characters whom are not from Static Shock are rightfully owned by me.
Summary: Virgil and Richie haven't been friends for nearly 20 years. They have gone their separate ways and lived their successful live through work. However, how have their personal lives suffered since their failed friendship?
Christmas Eve with everyone at the Evans residence was always absolutely hectic. This particular Christmas Eve was proving to not be an exception. From daybreak on, there was not a single soul resting; everyone had their part and everyone was doing it. From the moment Sharon got up and got dressed, she planted herself in the kitchen and began to slave over the Christmas Eve dinner (she got a lot better at cooking over the years). Virgil and Adam were responsible for driving to Gotham and picking up Chloé and Chelsea from Francis' house, even if Virgil would have preferred lying on the couch and mopping. Finally, Robert was responsible for making sure that nothing got too out of hand and being the grandpa; the grandparent never had a role beyond just being there, though he did chip in with Sharon whenever she needed an extra hand in the kitchen.
"Thanks for coming with me, Virgil," said Adam, briefly looking at the man in the passenger seat as he glanced out the back window. When he saw no one was coming, he pulled out of the driveway.
"No problem, Adam," replied Virgil with a smile and a nod. "I guess it would only make sense that I come with you, considering I know where Francis lives."
For the next ten minutes or so, the two of them remained quiet except for the occasional direction given from Virgil when Adam urged him to say which way he needed to go. Virgil leaned his head against the door and stared out the window, deciding that if he wasn't going to mope at home, then he was just to pseudo-mope in Adam's car. He felt better after coming out to his father the previous night, but that was not going change the guilt he felt.
"It's not your fault, Virgil," offered Adam, which caused Virgil to yank his attention away from the window and toward him. Adam glanced over at Virgil long enough to note the look of confusion displayed by his knitted eyebrows.
"What's not my fault?"
"Whatever it was that happened with Richie."
Virgil raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you know?"
Adam shrugged. "Only what happened last night," he said. "What way do I turn up here?"
"Left," said Virgil as he pointed in that direction for clarification. "What makes you think I blame myself for anything?"
"I recognize the frustration, Virgil," said Adam, giving Virgil a sideways glance. "You're mad at yourself for something. Whatever it is, it's not your fault," he reiterated.
Virgil gave a long, frustrated sigh and slumped into his seat, crossing his arms over his chest. There were several minutes in which Virgil said nothing and continued to dismally stare out the window. Finally, Virgil sighed heavily and turned to face Adam once again, his arms still crossed standoffishly.
"I'm gay, okay?" Virgil admitted and knitted his eyebrows; the words were still so new. Virgil wasn't used to being so open about it. When the comment received no emotion of any sort from Adam, he continued. "I know that's not my fault…" he closed his eyes and drew in a breath through his nose, "but it is my fault for pushing Richie away because I didn't want to accept it."
"You accept it now," Adam pointed out with a shrug.
"Yeah, but that isn't going to make Richie quit hating me!" Virgil nearly snapped. Letting out a sigh, Virgil sniffed briefly and bit his bottom lip. He looked back out the window as continued to speak. "I messed up big time, Adam. I didn't just push away my best friend; I pushed away the only person I've ever actually loved…"
"Mm," Adam mumbled.
The rest of the way to Francis' house, Virgil and Adam sat in silence; save for the occasional directions Virgil gave Adam when they approached intersections. When Adam pulled into the driveway and shut off the car, he turned to Virgil with one last comment before he went to get Chloé and Chelsea.
"You know, Virgil, it may seem pointless now, but you can't give up. Maybe you saw him two days ago for a reason."
When Adam got out of the car, Virgil leaned back against the seat and exhaled through his lips. Frustrated, Virgil dragged his left hand through his dreads and let it fall to his lap with a thud. Glancing out the window, he watched as Adam had an inaudible conversation with Francis, and then saw his daughter come running into view which forced him to smile.
Maybe Adam had a point, even if Virgil couldn't bring himself to believe it. It took Virgil twenty years to finally come to terms with this his sexuality, and there was no logical reason Richie would wait around so long for that to happen. The night Virgil saw Richie played through his head like a movie. He vividly remembered the anger on Richie's face; the anger and the misery. That was not an expression of a man that was happy to see someone; that was the expression of a man who wanted nothing more than to not see him again. That was not the look of a man who was willing to give Virgil a second chance. Not to mention, that was all assuming that the meeting wasn't some big fluke; he would even see Richie again beyond that. Virgil more or less believed in things happening for a reason (mostly due to Richie convincing him spontaneity didn't make sense) but also believed there was no possibility Richie would forgive him and run back to him.
Virgil's thoughts were cut off by the doors around him suddenly opening and the voice of his daughter. "Hi, Daddy," exclaimed Chloé. "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm feeling a lot better," said Virgil with a smile as he peered into the back seat. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes, Daddy, it was a lot of fun; Rachael's mom and daddy are really cool. They made us pancakes this morning." Chloé paused for a moment, but then added, "They aren't as good as your pancakes, though."
Virgil laughed causing tension he didn't know he was carrying to melt. "Well, thank you, Chloé. I'm glad you like my pancakes," he said with a grin. There was a short pause, and then Virgil added, "Are you guys ready to see grandpa? He's there and ready to see you guys."
"Grandpa!" Chloé and Chelsea exclaimed.
As two huge balls of energy, the girls turned to each other and started squealing over how excited they were about Christmas and seeing their grandpa, who the girls saw even less often than Chloé saw Virgil. At the same time, Virgil and Adam spoke casually about their work. It remained that way the entire ride home.
Close to an hour after they left the house, Adam and Virgil returned with Chelsea and Chloé. They all filed out of the car and made their way up the driveway to the front door, Virgil and Adam leading with Chelsea and Chloé in toe. It wasn't until they walked into the house that Virgil and confronted by her that Virgil realized he had seen Angelica's car in the driveway.
"Chloé! Hi, honey!" Angelica exclaimed sweetly and knelt down to hug her daughter. "Where have you been?"
"Hi, mom," said Chloé as returned the hug. "Chelsea and I stayed the night at Rachael's house."
"Well, that sounds like a lot of fun." Angelica smiled at Chloé but then turned her attention to Virgil and glared. Without turning her attention from Virgil, she continued to speak to her daughter in a sweet tone, "Chloé, how about you and play with Chelsea outside, alright?"
Chloé glanced at Chelsea and shrugged. "Okay," said Chloé and the both of them ran through the kitchen out the back door to the patio.
When Chloé was safely outside, Angelica said to Virgil in a hiss, "You let her out of your sight?"
"I knew who she was with!" Virgil hissed back.
"She is supposed," Angelica said with emphasis, "to be with you for the week. Not staying at Rachael's house." A loud, throaty scoff escaped through Angelica's pursed lips.
"You're right, Chloé is," said Virgil, adding emphasis, "with me, and as her father, I'm allowed to let her stay with a friend." He glared, starting to get up in her face at this point.
Angelica laughed and jabbed her hand against Virgil's chest, pushing him back, causing him to stumble slightly. "You're barely her father, Virgil. You only see her once a year."
Virgil's mouth went agape at the comment. He shoved Angelica's arm out of the way and got back in her face, and howled, "Yeah, because of you! You were the one to somehow convince the court I'm a terrible father!"
Angelica's expression lingered with amusement, as if she were surprised Virgil was mad. "You are a terrible father, Virgil! You—"
"Shut up!" Their fighting was cut off by Sharon coming between and pushing them apart at the chests. "Can we please just have one fucking Christmas Eve where you two don't fucking fight about something?" she screeched.
Angelica glanced down at Sharon, being much taller than her, and rolled her eyes. She crossed her arms and scoffed. "Whatever."
Virgil crossed his arms as well, standing at a slight diagonal. "You know, no one makes you come here, Angelica."
Angelica gasped, her eyes went wide, and her expression showed genuine hurt. "Well, excuse me," she hissed, "for wanting to see my daughter."
"Oh yeah," shrieked Virgil, pushing his sister aside and getting back into Angelica's face, to which Angelica responded by standing tall and getting back in his face. "Yeah, because seeing her three hundred and fifty-eight days a year is totally not enough for you, right? You have to come and make my life miserable for good measure, right?" he hissed.
Sharon shoved Angelica and Virgil apart with force, causing them both to stumble backward. Just like two fighting children, they crossed their arms and looked away from each other. Virgil flared a nostril in disgust and Angelica mumbled to herself about how ridiculous she thought Virgil's family was.
"I said shut up!" shrilled Sharon causing Virgil and Angelica to jerk their attention toward her. "You will not fuck up this Christmas Eve with your fucking fighting, do you understand me?" There was no response and Sharon growled to herself. "Angelica, Virgil, I asked if you fucking understand me!"
"Yes," Angelica and Virgil mumbled.
"Good," replied Sharon, irritated and annoyed. "Virgil, go outside and see what Adam is doing," she said and shoved a finger toward the door, but Virgil didn't see because he was facing away from her and Angelica. Then Sharon turned toward Angelica and hissed, "You... just go hang out with your daughter, like you're supposed to be doing. That is why you're here." Sharon narrowed her eyes.
For several moments, Virgil and Angelica stubbornly remained standing their spots.
"You know what? I'm leaving; I know when I'm not welcome," Angelica growled as she headed toward the door.
"Good," Virgil practically cried with glee, "you're not welcome here!"
Deciding she was not quiet done causing drama and stress for her ex-husband, she added, "But… just one more thing," she said with a glare directed at Virgil, "I met your little 'friend,' Richie."
Virgil whipped around, face-to-face with Angelica. He felt his heart fall to his stomach and he suddenly became nauseous. "What?" he bemoaned.
Angelica laughed and pushed her hand through her hair. "Actually, I met him a couple days ago. I just didn't realize who it was then," she said, shaking her head. "He was on a date or something that didn't go well. He seemed miserable so I spoke to him. I ended up telling him about my miserable," she said with emphasis and a glare, "ex-husband so he would feel better because I," she said with emphasis again, "actually care about people."
Virgil put his hands behind his back as they began to tighten into fists. He glared at Angelica and flared a nostril as she continued to speak.
"Then I saw him again the other day. He had no one else to talk to, so he came to me. How sweet is that?" Angelica asked mockingly and then rolled her eyes. "Anyway," she said disgustedly, "he was upset because he saw 'an old friend' he was still in love with. Do you want to know to know who that old friend was, Virgil?"
"I know who it is," Virgil growled through his teeth. He tightened his fists more.
"You're right, it was you," Angelica said in a high-pitched tone with mock enthusiasm. "He told everything. He told absolutely everything. He didn't even know who was talking to until he was done and I had put two and two together.
"He told me all about how you used him, Virgil."
"I didn't use him," said Virgil warningly, his voice breaking as he spoke.
"He told me all about how I was a rebound, Virgil," said Angelica, her voice getting louder and more pissed off. "He may not have said that, but that's not that hard to figure out."
"You weren't a rebound," said Virgil in the same tone, his voice breaking more.
Virgil began breathing deeply when he became aware of the sound of whirling electricity, attempting to subdue his hyped emotions, a sound that everyone else in the room became aware of, but didn't react to, and Angelica chose to ignore. At that moment, Virgil had never been so happy that his daughter was not in the room.
"Oh yeah," Angelica spat, "like I'm going to believe that," she said and shot Virgil a deadly glare. "Besides," she continued, "this is about Richie and his love for you. Or, you know… the love he used," she said with emphasis, "to have for you."
The lights above began to flicker violently and Virgil's breathing became more rapid as he tried to calm down. "What the fuck did you say to him, Angelica?"
Angelica raised an eyebrow at the flickering lights momentarily, but then gave an ostentatious laugh. "It doesn't matter what I said to him, Virgil. It just matters that I fixed the problem."
At that moment, Angelica was in Virgil's face and she hissed venomously as she spoke. "How dare you fucking use me, Virgil? I knew you were in love with someone else. It took me a couple years to figure it out, but I got it. I knew you never loved me as much as I loved you. Now, I find out that I married a gay man because he didn't want to accept and you never loved me because you were in love with another man?"
Just as Virgil was about to create a burst of electricity right there in the living room, hurt replaced the anger in Angelica's eyes, which caused Virgil to lose his charge and back down. Angelica drew in a deep, irritated sigh and shook her head, turning away from Virgil. "I'll be at your apartment Saturday to pick up Chloé," she said, attempting to maintain the angered tone, and left the house without another word.
For several minutes, everyone in the house stayed put; Robert, Sharon and Adam stayed on the couch as they watched Virgil, and when Virgil let out a loud growl and shot the floor with electricity, they were glad they had kept their distance. Standing amongst the smoke of his actions, Virgil's breathing became barbarically heavy and he scrunched his arms to his chest and balled his fists. He was about to create the same jolt of electricity when he looked down at the floor and suddenly his muscles relaxed; he was no longer tense. Sharon was the first to notice the tears threatening to fall, and she immediately got up and pulled Virgil into a hug.
"It's alright, Virgil," cooed Sharon as she glanced down at her burned floor. Under any other circumstance, she would have been pissed, but she understood this instance, so she let it slide. "It'll be—"
"It won't be alright, Sharon!" scowled Virgil as he pushed Sharon away from him. "I am never going to have another chance to be with Richie because Angelica convinced him I'm this horrible person to be with," he said in a broke voice as the tears began to flow. "You know what, though? It's probably because I am a horrible person—"
"You're not—" Sharon began to soothe when she was immediately cut off.
"Yes, I am!" Virgil cried. "If there was even a sliver of a hope that I was going to be with Richie before, then there most certainly isn't now!" he said as hot tears stung his cheeks. He shook his head in disbelief. "I have to be a horrible person, Sharon, because why else would I be so fucking blessed with this life; this life where I've lost my best friend, I have an ex-wife who hates me enough to ruin my only chance at happiness, I have a daughter I only see once or twice a year, I have a job where I'm so unappreciated I might as well be a cockroach, and I'm an ex-superhero! I have nothing going for me, Sharon!"
Throwing up his arms in defeat, Virgil sighed and said, "I'll be upstairs," as he deliberately walked up the stairs to the guest bedroom. The sound of the door clicking shut and locking echoed lightly.
Sharon sighed and bit her lip. "I'll be in the kitchen," she mumbled and left Robert and Adam on the couch to finish Christmas Eve dinner.
It was only 3:30 in the afternoon, but really it felt like midnight, considering how emotionally exhausted everyone felt. The topic on everyone's mind was how much more emotional stress could Virgil possibly go through. Over the course of four days, Virgil had been on such an eccentrically emotional rollercoaster ride there were moments when there was legitimate fear for his life. Virgil had been through so much in his life—his mother dying when he was nine-years-old, his best friend getting shot when he was fifteen-years-old, and struggling with his sexuality throughout his life—no one could honestly help but take pity and wonder when Virgil would be cut some slack; when the time would come that Virgil could be genuinely happy with whatever he had in his life. It broke the heart of his family to see him so shattered, so broken, and it hurt even worse to know there was nothing they could do.
A/N: I PROMISE that I am almost done putting Virgil through so much shit. My heart is aching for him at this point because I've put him through so much anguish. There's just so much angst with him... and it really does make me feel bad. Him hurting so much is absolutely killing me.
I hope I did this chapter well and it didn't seem rushed or anything. I'm going to be bringing back Angelica in the next chapter, I think? I PROMISE YOU there will be fluff AT SOME POINT. I'm not going to promise you when, because I don't want to disappoint you when it doesn't happen, but I PROMISE it WILL be there.
Please review! I really do love reviews!