Virgil was grumpy at Patton after their conversation. Patton didn't even see him the day that immediately followed their talk, except for at dinner. During their meal, Virge didn't speak to anyone, and he left with Janus as soon as he was done eating. Patton tried to not be upset. He slept in Logic's bed and didn't think about the deep, purple marks sitting high on Virgil's neck.

He would be lying if he said he didn't care about the hickeys. He cared a lot. No one mentioned them, but Virge also kept his hood up the whole time.

Patton tried his best to keep up his spirits, but it felt like everything was slipping. It was all in his head, right? Virgil was just rubbing off on him, that's all. Virge totally didn't prefer a nega- Janus over him, right? Right?

The fight started when Arrogant stole the doll Autumn was playing with. That made her scream, which made Disruptive scream along with her. Arrogant pushed Autumn, Autumn swatted at Arrogant. Rowdy joined in when Arrogant threw the doll to him. This turned into a keep away game that was quickly growing violent.

Normally, these kinds of toddler battles were easy for Patton to navigate. But today, the kiddos' fight happened at the same time that Expression was very upset with him.

"I dunno, Pat." Expression shook their head, attempting to pull Rowdy off of Arrogant. "I think you were- uh, very unfair."

Patton appreciated them censoring the curse word they were surely about to call him. Whether it was for his benefit or the kiddos, was up for question.

"I disagree," Patton grunted, getting his hair pulled by Autumn, who didn't want to be held right now. She was screaming, as was the rest of them. These four's battle cries alerted the rest of the kiddos to the fight. Some started crying and screaming as well. A few decided to join the fight. "No! Sing! We do not bite our friends!"

"But you said," Expression said as they hauled Rowdy up. He screeched and kicked the air hard. He landed a nasty one on Expression's leg and they dropped him.

Disruptive jumped on top of Rowdy, doing his best sumo-wrestler-scream. Expression huffed and glared at Patton. "You said that Virge and Janus started spending time together because of the bad fission."

Autumn bit his shoulder and Patton's knees crumbled. He dropped to the ground and let Autumn go. She released him and sprinted away. She ran straight back into the fight. And it took Patton a moment to realize what she was running for. The doll.

"Right." Patton said, standing back up and taking a tentative step forward. Slob and Chase ran past him, covered in a mystery goo. Oh, please be play-doh that was dunked in apple juice again, please…

"And you got jealous-"

"No, no!" He wasn't sure if he was talking to a kiddo or Expression.

"So you tried to force Virge to-"

"No!" Patton tried to grab Disruptive, but the boy kicked his shin in defense.

Expression rolled their eyes, "Well, how would you describe it?"

"I mean, I guess technically that's right, but, it's like-" Patton huffed. He rubbed his leg to ease the pain of baby kicks. "I'm trying to protect him."

At that, Expression barked out a mean laugh. "He's a freaking Anxiety Side! You think he doesn't know how to protect himself?"

Patton shook his head. "Well, clearly not!"

"You were wrong, Morality." Expression said, making Patton flinch. "You have to let Virge make his own choices. Even if you think they're mistakes."

Autumn screamed loudly as the doll was thrown again. Patton tried to keep his thoughts straight as the tiny chaos happened around him.

Patton shook his head, "But Janus hurt him!"

"Do you- ow!" Expression said, jumped away from a toddler who stomped on their shoe. "Think Janus burned himself in that fission?"

Patton snatched up Sing as she tried to run by, still screaming. "Well!"

"That's not how it works! With Fission burns, there's an aggressor and a victim." Expression's voice was growing more irritated, "The victim can't be both. If someone was burned, it's because the other person hurt them."

But that can't be right. Because that would mean that Patton-

"Excuse me." Patton mumbled, shoving a toddler into Expression's arms. "I have to go."

Patton had to have a teeny weenie freak out in the bathroom of his daycare after that. His thoughts ran so fast that a headache formed behind his eyes. He could hear the kiddos still screaming in the other room and it was the perfect symphony to match Patton's feelings.

Expression didn't bring up the topic anymore after that, and the kiddos fought themselves into an exhausted nap pile. Patton chewed over his thoughts, wondering why his heartbeat was running so fast or why his head hurt so much. Expression didn't mean any of that, right? Or- or maybe it was good advice, but not for Patton's situation. Or maybe, maybe they were mad at something else and took their anger out on Pat.

He wasn't sure. But he knew one thing; Moralities were always right. It was their job to know what was right. So how could he have gotten everything so wrong? At least, according to Express. Patton was going to worry himself to death. He wasn't able to help the kiddos very well for the rest of his shift. He hoped they didn't notice his failings, too.

Dinner was quiet and awkward. Patton didn't talk much, which wasn't normal. He pushed his food around his plate, appetite missing. Anytime he glanced over at Virge, the other was doing a lot of the same: pouting and pushing peas. Roman chatted, but it was mostly up to Logic to respond, which led to a rather weird argument about some musical Patton's never heard of. Everyone left after they ate.

Patton knocked on Virgil's door. He got no answer, and after a moment he opened it to peek inside. The room was empty, the bed still made. Shadow slept in the center of the bed, in a little ball.

Pat chewed his lip and slowly closed the door again. He glanced across the hall. No, no, please…

Patton walked up and gently knocked on Janus' door. He got a response immediately, Janus calling, "Come in."

Patton opened the door and held back a sigh when he saw Virgil sitting cross legged on Janus' bed. His shirt was off and sitting in his lap, his head bowed as Janus sat behind him. He was fully clothed, and messing with something between them. Janus glanced up after a moment of silence. He stopped moving and said, "Oh. Uh. Hey, Patton."

Virgil looked up then, his expression unreadable. His hair fell in front of his face. Patton wanted to brush his bangs away. Was he allowed to do things like that still? Did Virgil hate him?

He couldn't hate him, Patton was going to fix this. He knew what he had to do.

"Hey, um…" Patton hesitated. "Can we talk?"

Janus raised an eyebrow.

Patton quickly added in a mumble, "Virge- Virgil."

"Uh, suuure." Virgil glanced at Janus over his shoulder. Janus pointedly looked down at what he was doing. Virgil looked back at Patton and said, "Can you wait in my room? I'll be there in, like, ten minutes."

Patton took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay." Virgil and Janus watched him leave. When the door closed, Patton could hear their voices, but not what they were saying.

Patton went back to Virgil's room and crawled onto the bed. Shadow blinked up at him and started purring. Patton placed his hand on the kitty's side and watched it rise and fall as she breathed.

"What do you think?" He whispered. "Was I being mean?"

"Mew." Shadow said.

"Thanks." Patton said with a sigh. "I knew you'd understand."

Shadow purred more, closing her eyes again. She was always so supportive.

Patton waited in silence, thinking about how mad Expression got as he told them his story. They quickly disagreed with most of what Patton had said, which Patton found a little mean.

But Express was certain that Patton was in the wrong. And the sensation shot straight through to Patton's core and lit his trait on fire. He hated it. He hated feeling this way. He felt like he was on the verge of throwing up every second. He had to fix it, the only way he knew how.

Finally, Virgil opened the door to his room. Patton sat up and tried to be brave. His stomach was burning and churning at the same time. Like a nasty molten pile of goo that kept trying to leak through his chest. Oh, ew, Patton, that was icky. He had to fix this.

"I'm sorry." Patton said, as soon as the door clicked shut behind Virge.

"You … are?" Virgil sounded like he didn't believe him. Which made no sense. He was a Morality apologizing. What was more genuine than that? Except for Genuines, of course.

He slowly walked up to the bed, his eyebrows pinched like he smelled a skunk. Patton chewed his lip and nodded. He repeated, "I'm sorry."

"For?" Virgil crossed his arms. Patton's skin was crawling in an itchy way. Like when ants invade your picnic.

"I think I overstepped a little." Patton said slowly. "I, um, don't want to…" have you hate me? No, that was a terrible apology!

"Take your time." Virgil said, moving to sit beside Patton on the edge of the bed. He shifted sideways to face Pat better.

"I'm sorry we got in an argument." Patton said.

"An argument about what?" Virgil said, shifting to lay back on the bed. Patton deserved that, he supposed.

"Look! I'm sorry!" Patton said, turning to look at him. Virgil watched him with his head propped up with one arm. Patton continued, "I-I wanted to protect you. But. I, um, I should let you make your own decisions. Especially if… if it involves our Sides."

Virgil gave him a long look. "So… You're not going to freak out on me again? Even if I hang out with the others?"

"No. But if you do get hurt-"

"I won't get hurt."

"But you did get hurt."

"That wasn't relevant!"

Frick. He was supposed to be apologizing. Patton shook his head. "Right. Sorry. I meant. Um. Yes. I won't say anything… if you… do stuff…"

Virgil raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Do stuff?"

Patton pressed his lips together and nodded. "Do stuff."

"So I can date Janus?" Virgil asked. He sounded hopeful. Patton tried hard to not wince. He could do this.

Patton forced himself to nod.

"And you won't be upset if I choose to spend time with him?"

Patton chewed his lip nervously, "You'll still hang out with me, too, right?"

"Of course, Pat." Virgil asked slowly, "Would you want to spend time with both of us?"

"Um." What if they tried to kiss each other? What if they tried to kiss him? His face grew hot.

Virgil laughed. "Okay, baby steps."

Patton looked down at the hickey on his neck. The sight made his heart tug and his tummy flutter at the same time. It was confusing and filled Patton with dread. Virgil didn't need him. But he wanted him. (Right?) Patton had to make sure he kept wanting him. Which means he had to do what Virgil liked.

He could do this! Patton gathered his courage and leaned forward, his lips puckered.

Virgil leaned back, "What're you doing?"

"Trying to kiss you." Patton said.

"Why?" Virgil asked.

Patton blushed. "Be- because we're boyfriends."

"Yeah, but, Pat." Virgil rubbed his face. He was mad. Why was he mad? "I thought you didn't like kissing?"

"Well," Patton tried to sound nonchalant. "Now I do."

"Yeah-fucking-right." Virgil said. He pushed Patton down, straddling his hips. Patton felt his heart flutter at that simple action alone. Virgil leaned down and cupped his face and Patton felt like jell-o.

"Um-" Patton squeaked.

"You're uncomfortable." Virgil said. His fingers traced along Patton's jaw. He shivered, feeling sparks go down his spine.

Patton shook his head, "No, I'm not!"

"Liar!" Virgil growled. His hand pushed down slightly on Patton's chest, pressing him against the mattress.

Patton froze up.

"What's this about?" Virgil asked.

"Nothing!" Patton shook his head. "I just- I want to be good enough for you. You- you like this stuff and I want you to like me-"

"Oh, Patton." Virgil sighed and leaned away. No, he's messing this up! "I like you as you are. You don't have to try to be physical with me. I like cuddling you."

"I like cuddling, too, but." Patton felt his face burn as he said, "I can do more!"

"Pat," His smile faded slightly, "I don't need more."

"Yes you do!"

"What do you mean?" He was fully frowning now.

Patton wanted to hide his face in mortification. He forced himself to look Virgil in the eye as he said, "I know you and Janus had- um- taken a shower together."

"We didn't fuck, Pat." Virgil rolled his eyes. Patton pointed at the mark on his neck. Virgil had the respect to at least look embarrassed. He covered his neck with his hand and said, "Yeah, we made out. That wasn't sex, dude."

It made him feel a little bit better. And then a little bit worse because he felt better. Patton shook his head, "Okay, well, I could do that."

Virgil looked doubtful. "Really?"

"Let me try!" Patton said. He needed to prove to Virge that he didn't need Janus. He could stop being around him and he wouldn't miss out on anything. Patton could be enough, right? "Maybe I can do it better!"

Virgil blinked in surprise. He asked slowly, "You want to … have a hickey competition… with Janus?"

Well it sounds weird when you put it like that. Patton blushed. But he couldn't back down. He squeaked, "Yes."

Virgil shook his head. He got off of Patton and laid down beside him. Patton sat up, blinking owlishly as Virge tilted his head back, revealing the unblemished side of his neck. Patton's mouth went dry.

He smirked up at Patton, "Be my guest."

"Okay." Patton said. Then again, "Okay."

He leaned down, settling himself on Virgil's chest. This part felt familiar, safe. He relaxed against him, and Virge wrapped his arms around his waist. Patton smiled, trying to get his heart to calm down. He and Virge smooched a little. What was different between a kiss on the cheek and a- a lot of kisses on the neck? Patton licked his lips, and wished they were softer. How soft was Janus' lips? No, wait, don't follow that line of thought.

Patton pressed his lips against Virgil's shoulder, pulling his jacket away. Virgil made a small humming noise of encouragement as Patton gave the warm skin little licks. He moved closer to Virgil's neck, building his courage. He squeaked when he felt Virgil's hand in his hair, guiding him closer.

"That feels nice, Patty," Virgil said, softly. "You'll have to use more teeth if you want to leave a mark, though."

Patton opened his mouth wider, but it didn't feel natural. He tried to kiss like he would someone's lips, but he wasn't sure if it was working. Virgil sounded like he was enjoying it, but not like he was enjoying it, you know? Patton cursed his innocence. How was he ever going to make a mark bigger than the one Janus left?

Virgil was going to leave him for sure. Patton gripped Virge's jacket tighter and bit down.

Virgil let out a strange noise. He sucked a breath, then said, "Okay, um, less teeth."

"How am I supposed to do more and less?" Patton frowned.

Virgil chuckled and said, "It's okay, Pat, I'm fine with-"

"No, wait-" Patton shoved his face back into the crook of his neck. He wasn't going to come out until he proved he could do anything Janus could.

Patton licked the spot he had bitten too hard. He laid his tongue flat against the hot skin, then leaned back to blow cold air on it. Virgil shivered, and tilted his head back so Patton had more room. Pat continued kissing, doing his best to follow his instincts. The skin was soft and, he assumed, sensitive. He opened his jaw a bit, and sucked the soft skin into his mouth. He felt it tug at the pressure, and he licked gently.

"Oh, look, he figured it out." Virgil hummed, scratching at Patton's scalp. Patton felt electricity run through his body. Success!

Patton felt his face burn at the soft noises Virgil started making. The kinds of sounds Sides like him never get to hear. Patton closed his eyes, feeling his trait activate. Warning bells went off in his head, how this wasn't right, wasn't holy. He tried to drown his thoughts out with Virgil's soft sighs.

Patton was going insane. A small headache began to form in the corner of his head as he let his teeth scrape along Virgil's neck. His tummy felt like it was full of butterflies. His fingers sparked every time he touched Virgil. All of the hair on his arms and neck stood on end as he pressed closer to Virge. His body kept screaming yes as his trait kept screaming no and Patton knew which one he'd rather listen to.

Frick, if this was supposed to be bad, why did it feel so Good? Patton cupped Virgil's jaw with one hand, holding his shoulder with the other. Patton let out a small squeak as Virgil's hands found his hips.

Virgil giggled, and Patton leaned back. "What?"

"Nothing, nothing. Just." Virgil's smile was intoxicating. "This feels like high school."

Patton wasn't sure how to take that. "Are you being mean?"

"No, honey." Virgil said, pulling Patton closer. Patton felt a shiver go down his spine as Virgil's fingers brushed under his shirt and touched his tummy. "This was the only part of high school I liked."

"O-oh." Patton still wasn't sure what that meant.

"Are you done?" Virgil asked. Patton sat up and looked down at his work. He tilted his head, then grabbed Virgil's chin and moved him so he could see Janus' hickey. Patton shook his head.

"Not yet."

Virgil hummed as Patton got back to kissing. How did Janus get it that dark?

Empathy peeked at himself in the mirror through his fingers. He felt the phantom touches of lips on his neck and fingers along his skin. So realistic he couldn't help but shiver and shake at the sensations.

"You guys!" Kyler whined, pressing his hands against the counter to steady himself. He tore his gaze away from his reflection, unable to see the purple marks any longer. Well. Guess he couldn't look at his reflection for a while.

Tell me what you think!