Virgil was already awake when Logic came downstairs. He was sitting on the couch, hunched over his phone. His eyes were squinted and his mascara smudged, leaving a bit of a raccoon effect. His head shot up at the sound of Logic's footsteps.
"Good morning." Logic said, running a hand down his button up. Virgil tracked the motion before surveying the room. He asked, "How long have you been awake?"
Virgil looked back to his phone. "Didn't sleep."
"I see." Logic frowned at that. Sleeping was important for one's health. Even still, he understood Virgil's problem. He recited, "A study from Brown University discovered that our brains experience interhemispheric asymmetry when we rest, especially on the first night we sleep somewhere new. The half of the brain that is more restless responded to new sounds with more intensity than the resting half. Researchers believe this is a defense mechanism linked back to our nomad roots; when we had to be wary of dangers at night. They called this the first night effect, or FNE."
Virgil blinked at him. His hair was scruffy and sticking out at strange angles. It was adorable in appearance. Logic discovered he liked seeing Virgil in the low morning light.
"Furthermore," Logic said, filling the silence. "A second study was conducted on Sides; who received the same results. Except for Sleep and Sleeping Disorder traits, and Protector and Vigilant traits. Anxiety falls under the latter. The former group of Sides had less of the FNE. Most slept through the night entirely, or as expected with their conditions, and received little change in brain activity." Logic indicated one group over another, "However the Vigilant and similar Sides had very little sleep, with intensified reactions to the FNE. Scientists concluded that Sides have a disproportionate reaction to FNE, while Established people have an easier time sleeping in comparison."
"So you just," Virgil gestured at him vaguely with his phone, "Wake up ready to spout facts?"
"I do when I receive a full night's rest." Logic said, taking that as the cue to stop talking. He made his way into the kitchen, surprised when Virgil followed him. He started filling the coffee pot with water. "Do you like coffee?"
"No, it makes me Anxious." Virgil responded, hopping onto the counter. He swung his feet slowly, still looking at his phone. Logic observed him for a few moments.
As he poured the water into the heating chamber, he asked, "Do you take any medications I should be aware of?"
"Yeah, I-" Virgil stopped, looking out the bright window. "It's morning. I should take those."
Logic smiled, scooping the ground beans into the coffee maker. "I will be sure you take them before we leave. You work today, correct?"
"Yeah." Virgil said again, placing his face in his hands. He breathed deeply for a moment before adding, "Three appointments."
"Hm." Logic pushed the brew button and looked around, listening to the water boil. There were a few boxes still on the counter, but a majority of the kitchen had been put away, thanks to Patton. Logic had found where the mugs and silverware were, and that was all he cared about at the moment.
Silently, Logic grabbed two mugs out of the cabinet. He placed one of them on the counter. The other he brought to the fridge and filled with ice water. Virgil watched him as he approached, holding the mug out.
Virgil hesitantly took it, inspecting the mug as if to be sure it's water. Logic watched him until he took a small sip.
Awkwardly, Virgil said, "Uh, thanks."
"Cold water has been known to help wake one up in the morning." Logic said, adjusting his glasses.
"Refreshing."
"Very."
Virgil avoided eye contact and Logic stepped back to the coffee maker. The room smelled of the fresh coffee brewing. Logic poured a bit of milk into his mug.
Virgil asked from behind him, "Hey, at the tattoo shop, did you-"
"I apologize for Jason; I had no idea he was going to-"
"No, no, I mean, well thanks, but-"
"Oh, you mean when we met and-"
"Locked eyes, yeah, and like-"
"There was a connection?" Logic briefly met Virgil's eyes before glancing back out the window. He paused for a moment before he said, "I remember that."
Virgil waved his hands in his lap, a hopeful light in his eyes. "I've never- Like, I had to figure out Pat and Jan were my Sides, but with you, I just knew." His smile fell slightly and his cheeks dusted pink. He sputtered, "Not that it matters or anything, we're all Sides now anyway, and-"
"I felt similar." Logic said, smiling in amusement. "I had some doubts about Roman and Janus in the beginning. Illogically, I had no doubts about you."
Virgil's cheeks darkened at that. He is pale normally, which only makes the red color more stunning. Something in Logic's chest stumbled and his mind fell silent at the sight. He had to force himself to look away. He poured his coffee, mixing it with the milk.
"Hey, um, Logic." Virgil was staring at his feet now, his smile and blush had vanished. Logic set his coffee down, giving him his full attention. "Don't tell anyone about my paperwork. Please."
Logic thought for a second, remembering the paperwork in reference. Everyone had filled out documents for them to move in. Virgil required filling out an extra form. He nodded, "I assure you, your previous diagnosis is confidential."
"Sh! Sh!" Virgil glanced around, like he expected someone to pop out of the corner and join in the conversation. "Shh!"
Logic stood in silence, watching the entrances to the kitchen. He waited until Virgil relaxed, slowly meeting his gaze again.
"I mean, thanks." Virgil said, shifting on the counter nervously.
"It's no issue, Virgil." Logic said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Virgil slowly mimicked him, drinking his ice water. The room lulled to silence, aside from their gentle breathing. Logic's gaze returned to the window. Virgil began playing on his phone again. It reminded Logic of his mornings with Sandra; peaceful and quiet.
"RACE YOU!"
Thunderous stomping followed the declaration and a moment later, Roman and Patton were sprinting into the kitchen. Roman passed the doorway first, whooping in victory. Patton was several seconds behind, giggling.
"I won!" Roman declared, throwing his hands in the air.
"Good job, Roman." Patton laughed before he directed his attention to Virgil. He slid across the kitchen, gently taking Virgil's phone out of his hand so he could play with his fingers. Virgil didn't protest, but he clutched his mug tighter. Patton asked, "How's my little bat?"
Virgil shrugged and mumbled, "Couldn't sleep."
Patton leaned closer, and Logic felt like he was intruding by listening to him ask, "Do you want to make Empathy?"
Virgil hesitated, then shook his head. "Can't. I have three tats today."
Logic didn't hear Patton's response, as Roman suddenly appeared in his vision. He kissed Logic, quick and warm, with enough force to push him back against the counter. Logic tasted Roman's toothpaste before he pulled away. Logic blinked slowly, his face feeling flushed. Maybe he should look into Roman being a Romantic trait.
"Good morning." Roman smiled at him. His fingers wrapped around the mug in Logic's hand, he took it and stole a sip. Logic watched his throat swallow, before he realized what was happening.
"You can get your own." Logic said, taking the mug back. He frowned at his drink, aware he'd need a refill before he could leave.
Roman made a gag noise. "I will. Yours needs way more sugar."
"I didn't use sugar." Logic said.
Roman shook his head, grabbing a mug. "We need to fix that. Too bitter, too too bitter." He said in a melody. He turned to Patton, "Do you want some?"
Patton looked away from Virgil, forcing a bright smile. "Sure! I have a hazelnut creamer-"
"Ooh!" Roman excitedly picked up the bottle in question. "Can I try?"
"Of course!"
Logic caught Virgil's gaze over the other two's heads. The peaceful silence of the morning was over. Virgil smiled as he took a sip of his water, boldly holding eye contact with Logic. He found himself looking forward to their next sleepy morning together.
The boys made their own coffee and then Patton started on "celebratory pancakes". Logic moved to sit at the kitchen table, and eventually Roman and Virgil did the same.
Patton was just pouring the last of the batter on the skillet, laughing at something Roman said, when Janus walked into the room. He hovered by the doorway, glancing at them, unsure.
Logic set his coffee down and said, "Good morning, Janus."
Roman twisted around in his chair to grin at him. "Hey, Jan!"
Janus relaxed, nodding at them. His gaze lingered on Virgil, who didn't say anything, but glanced up from his phone. Logic could sense some unease between them. They quickly looked away from one another. Logic could only hope they were just not used to one another yet. Janus seemed to take pride in being the "dark" one of the group. He might just need to learn to share the title.
He silently tracked Janus as he slowed his steps, approaching Patton. Their eyes were locked, Patton frozen in place. Logic frowned, wondering if he was breathing. Janus moved slowly as he opened a cabinet next to Patton. He frowned at the bowls.
"Um." Janus looked at the three at the table, "Where's the tea cups?"
"Oh!" Patton said, opening the cabinet on the other side of him. "Here!"
He shoved a blue coffee mug into Janus's hands. He pouted down at it, but didn't argue. He glanced at the open cabinet, then to Patton.
"Thank you, Patton." He said with warmth. Patton shivered and turned back to his pancakes, his shoulders stiff.
"Sure, Deceit." Patton said, flipping a pancake. Logic could smell the burnt batter from here.
Janus awkwardly opened two more cabinets before he found his tea collection. He selected his tea and quickly went through the steps of brewing it. He didn't look at Patton once. Patton kept glancing at his back. Logic saw he wasn't the only one staring. Virgil didn't hide his cautious gaze, his phone limp in his hand. Roman's gaze wandered but always trailed back to the two by the stove.
Logic sighed, taking a drink of his coffee. He didn't know how to get them to bond. He wasn't sure how to do that himself. Suddenly he felt overwhelmed by the amount of people in the room. People he barely knew. What could they do to stop being strangers?
"I was thinking we should have a game night." Patton said, bringing a plate of hot pancakes to the table. His voice was overly chipper, his smile a tad too wide. Virgil and Roman attacked the plate with their forks as soon as it was set down.
Logic raised an eyebrow to Patton, "Game night?"
"With our friends!" Patton added.
"Friends?" Virgil and Janus repeated.
Patton brought another full plate to the table, setting it in front of Logic. He took the empty seat to Logic's left, beside Virgil. He filled his own plate as he spoke.
"We can play games and get to know each other!" Patton said, grinning at Roman, who was the most enthusiastic.
"You have to meet my friend, Kai." Roman said through a mouthful of pancakes.
"This sounds like a good idea." Logic said, using his best approving tone, "A social event to show our friends our new house would be very enjoyable."
"Not tonight, though." Virgil said around a yawn. "I can't socialize tonight."
"No, this weekend." Patton said, looking around the table. Logic noticed how his gaze swept over Janus, who had remained silent thus far. "How does Friday sound?"
He received a chorus of agreement, apart from the only blonde. Janus shifted in his seat when he realized they were watching him expectantly.
"I'll see if anyone's available." Janus said, popping a bite of pancake into his mouth. "I have busy friends."
"Sure." Virgil snorted. Roman grinned at him and Janus scowled.
"Great!" Patton clapped his hands excitedly. "Oh! I can't wait to tell Expression about game night!"
"I was going to bring Taylor and Elliot." Virgil said to Patton, his voice naturally low. Logic tilted his head, trying to keep track of his Sides' friends' names.
Roman turned to him, "Are you asking Sandra?"
Logic paused to swallow his bite before he responded, "I believe she already has plans with Pop Culture."
"Oh yeah!" Roman nodded, leaning into Janus' space to talk more. "Aren't they going to Disney this weekend? As like a Side date thing?"
"I believe that's the term, yes." Logic said.
Roman squinted at him. "Are you mocking me?"
Janus slowly pushed him away, saying, "You make it too easy to do, darling."
"Deceit!" Patton chided from across the table.
Janus scowled at him before he returned to pushing his pancakes around. Conversation continued with Patton and Roman doing most of the talking. When Logic got up to clean his plate, the others slowly stood as well. Janus ducked out of the kitchen without a word. Logic picked up Janus's plate to clean as well. He frowned at the untouched pancakes.
Patton and Roman were still chatting by the time Logic finished washing the dishes. He gave Roman's shoulder a squeeze, earning a brief smile. Patton waved at him, not stopping his sentence. Logic paused beside Virgil, who was still sitting at the table, playing on his phone.
He leaned down and whispered in Virgil's ear, "Don't forget your medication, dear."
He hoped the pet name wasn't too much too soon. Roman and Janus used them often, so Logic assumed it was acceptable among Sides. Virgil didn't speak, but he nodded and glanced away from his phone to look at him.
Logic smiled before leaving. As far as first mornings together go, he considered this one a success. Now he had a social event to plan for. With him there to keep things civil, the statistical chances of game night failing were low.
Tell me what you think!
