Patton sipped his coffee, feeling very worn out only halfway through his work day. He wanted to lay down and nap with the kiddos, but that would probably be frowned upon. Besides, they didn't have any cots big enough for grown ups.

He and Gender Expression sat at their usual table, knees pressed against their chests due to the low seats. They whispered to each other, recounting their life lately.

Apparently, Roman was with Vogue when they met the rest of their pod. He never mentioned that to Patton. But the two new Sides were twins from Canada. They became fans of Vogue and eventually met them at a con.

"Meddler, his name is River. And Restraint's name is Rayn. And their Fusion is called Lake - isn't that cute?" Expression spoke fondly. "Meddler said that they would've found us sooner, but Rayn kept stopping them."

Patton smiled, "They sound lovely! I can't wait to meet them!"

"Rayn is kind of shy, but I bet we could drag them over sometime! They're only visiting for a few weeks, and then they'll have to go back home. But River is already trying to learn how to move to the states and live with us."

Expression covered their face, hiding their joy from Patton. He felt warmth for his friend fill his chest at the sight.

"I can't handle it!" Expression squealed.

"When are you having your Establishment ceremony?" Patton asked, thrilled. He tried to keep his volume down. They had just gotten Insomnia asleep.

Expression's excitement doused. "We're not."

"But- but Sides have to get Established when they find their full pod!"

"You didn't."

Patton froze. He shook the shock off his face, "Yeah, but- but I- and he- and then -"

Expression thankfully waved him off and spoke over his fumbling. "We talked and we're not really, you know, interested? Restraint isn't the kind of Side for rash decisions, and Meddler wants to get to know the rest of us more."

Patton felt the blood return to his face. He rubbed his neck as he offered, "Yeah, that makes sense."

Expression was quiet for a moment. When Patton made eye contact again, they asked in a voice lacking judgment, "What about you? Any progress with your opposite?"

Patton sighed, looking over at the sleeping kiddos. They really were opposites, weren't they?

Were they?

Patton had enjoyed baking with Janus, and Virgil clearly trusted him, liked him. Maybe Patton should … loosen up a little?

But no matter how sweet Janus was to Virgil - even Patton could see that - he was in no way ready for Establishment! Janus was so influential, Patton wasn't sure he would be able to convince the others to be good on his own. Until Patton was sure that they would be a good person when they grow up, he couldn't take that risk.

"I don't know." Patton admitted. "Lately he's been … different."

Expression shifted to focus on him better. Their eyebrows pinched down as they asked, "Different how?"

Patton shrugged, heat forming on his cheeks. He fiddled with the edge of his shirt. "I'm not sure. I mean, it could just be a trick-"

A car horn suddenly honked from outside. Their daycare wasn't far from a busy intersection. The sound was enough to startle a littler one awake. Patton saw Expression's look of horror a moment before the toddler sat up and let out the most thunderous scream Patton had ever heard.

"Shit." Expression's curse was drowned out by several babies jolting awake and joining in with the chaotic song.

All of Patton's thoughts scattered as he jumped up, running to the center of the nap area. He knelt and was immediately surrounded by the crying kiddos, each wanting a hug. If only he was Empathy, then he could hug all of them at once!

"Okay, let's breathe!" Patton was saying to no avail, "It was just a scary noise, no worries!"

But there were, in fact, worries.

Dinner felt weird. Patton didn't usually pick up on others' emotions. Not like Kyler could. But tonight, Patton could see it. He made pasta salad for everyone, and as he ate it, he realized Roman was the only one being normal.

He chatted about some movie he watched, how he liked its storyline. Patton nodded along, trying his best to give him attention. But he kept getting distracted by Logic's angry glare. He wasn't eating much, which was uncommon for him. He pushed his noodles around his plate, murmuring to himself.

That was better than Virgil and Janus. The first time Patton caught them looking at each other, he didn't think anything of it. The fourth time? Patton was beginning to wonder if this was how he and Virgil looked all the time. Virgil sneaking smirks at Janus in between bites. The clear affection shining in Jan's eyes. Patton couldn't look at Jan for too long when he was doing that. That sort of adoring coming from Janus made Patton's tummy flutter. He shifted in his seat and tried to ignore his Sides.

It's a good thing they're getting along. Right?

After dinner, Patton looked around the house for Virgil. His skin felt cold, and he didn't want to be alone at the moment. But Virgil was nowhere to be found. Patton even knocked on Janus' door, finding his room empty as well.

Patton found Roman in the living room, playing on his phone. He brightened when he looked up to see Patton. Pat felt some of the cold melt away.

He stopped and put his hands behind his back, so as not to reach out. "Have you seen Virgil?"

"I think he's on a date right now." Roman nodded to the front door behind them. "I saw Jan getting all dressed up."

"On a date with Janus?" Patton repeated.

"I know, right?" Roman grumbled, "Lucky bitch."

"Wha-?" Patton's face burned red, "No! I just-" He cleared his throat, "Thank you for telling me."

Patton turned and walked to the kitchen, hoping to find some cold water for his now dry throat. He heard Roman get up off the couch and follow behind him.

"Hey, do you maybe wanna…" Roman trailed off as they entered the kitchen together. The dinner dishes were still in the sink. Patton had gotten into the habit of not cleaning up after them, trusting the dishes would be gone by morning. Now that he knew it was Janus cleaning up after them this whole time, Patton felt awful for leaving a mess at all. He should do the dishes after he gets his water.

Roman said, "Oh, hey, Lo. I thought you were in your room."

Logic barely glanced up from the textbook he was reading. It was laid on the counter, next to the brewing coffee machine. It smelled delicious. Maybe Patton should have a cup too. He was feeling all wired up and tense, and he wasn't even fully sure why.

"Coffee for dessert?" Patton tilted his head, trying to not sound judgmental.

Logic glared at the coffee machine. "I need it."

"Doing ok Logan?" Roman asked, concern clear in his voice.

Logic sighed, "Yes, sorry. I'm just stressed from schoolwork, I suppose. The end of the semester is coming up and I have several assignments and …" Logic shook his head and gave them a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine."

Patton worried his lip. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Logic shook his head. Patton could see the lightbulb appear above his head as Logic turned to them suddenly, "Actually, yes! I need more data!"

"Data?" Roman frowned.

"Yes, data! My essay is lacking words and another subject would supply enough evidence to reach my word count." Logic put his hand on Patton's shoulder, distracting him briefly. "If that's acceptable that is!"

"Uh, wha?" Patton looked up from Logic's hand.

He gave Patton's shoulder a squeeze as he said, "I want you to fuse for me!"

Roman pointed to himself, "The two of us?"

Patton let out an embarrassing squeak.

"I haven't gathered any information on your Fusion yet!" Logic said. "If you are uncomfortable, of course, I will have to-"

"Okay!" Patton said. He looked to Roman, seeing the same blushing cheeks on him that Pat felt himself. "If that's alright."

"Of course!" Roman grinned. Excitement rushed through Patton. He squealed as Roman threw his arms around him and engulfed him in a hug.

He could hear Logic talking. "Excellent! I shall get my notebook and then we can- oh!"

Warmth surrounded Patton, filling him to his bones. He relaxed under Roman's touch; heart pumping, fingers tingling, and totally, utterly happy.

The last thing Patton heard was Logic's surprised voice, "Well, that was rather fast."

And then Patton disappeared into steamy clouds of comforting peace.