The PUR-fect Curse

25

"Roman?" Patton giggled as he quickly bounded to the door. "Back alread... Roman?" The prince literally crashed into the father figure but Patton knew better to hold him. Roman didn't want to be held not by him. He was just showing his pain. "What's wrong, Kiddo?"

"I don't know what to do." Patton frowned as Roman pushed back and wiped his tears away. "I can't... Won't shift into a cat again. No matter how much... oh badly I want to, I will never do that to Anxiety again... but... Patton, I'm not enough for him." Patton nodded in understanding as Roman laughed at himself. "Not like this. He needs King and I... can't be him anymore."

"What happened, Roman?"

"Anx tried getting rid of my stuff today." Patton's eyes went wide as Roman tensed and hugged his arm. "He tried getting rid of it because looking at it all upset him and... As much as I LOVE my things, I can't use it anymore so it's just hurting him."

"Did you..." Roman shook his head as Patton started to lead him back to the couch. "So talk to me what's going on in that mind of yours, Ro?"

"I just had to ask... If Anx was to get another cat..." Patton's eyes went wide as Roman curled up into himself a bit. "Would that be ok or would it bother your allergies to much?"

"Wait... Are you asking..."

"I'd try to make it as hypoallergenic as I can but there aren't any ACTUAL hypoallergenic animals. There's just less to be allergic to but it doesn't take the effects away so... I just wanted to make sure you'd be ok if... I made Anx a cat... since he can't have King." Patton just sat there in silence for a while as Roman just breathed shakily. "He needs a cat, Pat. He needs that extra love and support. He needs something to push him out of bed. He needs something to make his days... matter. He needs King but... I can't be that anymore. I just can't."

"I'll be ok, Kiddo." Roman frowned as Patton gently brushed his hair back. The fatherly figment could see how much Roman wanted to bat his hand away. Only Virgil could touch him like that. Roman only ever wanted Virgil's affections... "I'll be ok. But, Ro... Will you be?"

"What do you mean?

"Well, you are a cat to... just in a different form." Roman's eyes fell as Patton smiled softly. "You are a cat and on top of that... You've always been very territorial." Roman couldn't help but laugh as Patton just kept smiling at him hoping it helped calm the prince in some way. "You chose Anx as your human. Your favorite Human... The only one that can actually make you happy anymore it seems. Are you sure you're going to be ok with sharing him."

"No." Patton frowned as Roman hugged himself a bit. "Just think about it makes me want to freak but... Patton, He needs this. He needs something I can't give him anymore. There are... plenty of households with multiple cats... and I'm not physically one so regardless... It'll be fine. Anx needs this. I just want him to be happy."

"I want you to be happy to, Kiddo." Roman smiled as he nodded.

"I am happy as long as the man I love is." Patton nodded as Roman stood up with a stretch and sighed. "As long as I'm with him nothing else matters to me, Pat."

"Just don't go 'biting' the cats head off because Anx is spending time with it." Roman cringed as he scratched the back of his neck with a laugh. 

"Anx can spend time with it... a-and me... Right? I'm not just going to get pushed to the side. I... I mean... Right?" Patton rolled his eyes softly as he got up and pulled Roman's hands in. "Anx isn't just going to stop being my friend because he has a cat again, is he?"

"Roman, you two have gotten so close to each other... You know Anx better than either Logan or I probably ever will. Do you think he'd ever do that to you?" Roman frowned as he shook his head making Patton smile. "Then you're good, Kiddo. Have faith. Anx cares. You know he does. You do what you feel is the best. Everything will work out in the end. Ok?"

"Ok, Padre." Roman smiled sadly as he pulled away, He could feel that... twinge in his chest, that crawl down his spine. His eyes dazzled catching Patton's attention who understood instantly.

"Go on, Ro. You need Anx." Roman shook his head only to freeze as Patton gave him this stern look. "Go on before you get yourself all panicked."

"Thank you, Patton. I mean it." Patton just laughed as he watched Roman run out of the room. He felt bad. He did... Roman had been through so much and even now is still face with all these challenges. King Creativity was never happy. He was always in pain, always hiding himself away. Just... Upset and alone. Roman had such a hard time... being happy but Virgil got him there. Patton could feel it in the prince. Virgil made him happy and that made Patton happy. Roman might be confused and things might be different now that Roman a bit... feline-like but... Things will work out. It has to. His sons deserved the world.

"I'm back." Roman walked in to find Virgil sitting up rubbing his eyes and he laughed. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry." Virgil didn't even respond he just held his hands out sleepily making very limp grabby hands that made Roman literally light up. "Ok. Are you sure?"

"Please?" Virgil spoke so quietly as Roman just melted. He slowly made his way over crawling onto the bed as Virgil leaned into him and smiled. "Nite..."

"It's only 5, Anx."

"I don't care." Virgil teased as he snuggled into the prince who couldn't help but let out a soft purr. 

"Sleep well, Anxiety. I'll keep all the nasties away." Roman yawned as he gently brushed his fingers through the younger's hair. "I'll... I'll pro... protect you." Virgil giggled softly as he pulled away just enough to look up and see Roman's eyes had closed. "I... I promise."

"Thank you, Princey." Roman smiled tiredly as Virgil watched as he slowly but surely fell asleep. Virgil couldn't help just roll his eyes over it. It was like the second Roman laid down he was out. Virgil smiled as he curled up back into the prince and just... stayed there. "Seriously... Thank you, Roman."