If I Can't Love Him

A Murky Plan

Nearly three months had gone by since Patton went missing. Logan was worried sick and even Roman was starting to have some concern. His speculation was that Pat just finally decided to get away from his old dad. But he did search through the woods every time they went hunting to see if he could find him. But there was no big castle, there was no Beast. Logan was losing his mind. Roman was convinced of that.

Every day Logan made food for his son in the vain hope that he'd escape and come home. But, Patton never did come home.
Logan spent a lot of time muttering to himself trying to figure out ways to get back to that castle and break his son out.

Roman thought the old man was loosing his mind.

Once again, the rejected hero of the town sat in the backroom of the Tavern with his loyal henchman. He sighed and rested his head in his hands.

Virgil sat on the arm of Roman's chair, the fire crackling behind them. He was gently rubbing the older man's shoulders.

"Patton... Patton is really missing. Isn't he?" Roman asked sadly.

Virgil nodded "Yeah Ro. He's been gone for months now."

Roman sighed "Do you think he ran away because of me?"

Virgil thought for a moment. "No Roman. I don't think he left because of you. Maybe you were a little too... assertive with him. But I don't think he would've ran away and left his dad behind just because of that. His old man's really torn up about it. And even though he's clearly going crazy, there must be more than just he left because of you."

Roman nodded "Yeah I know. Maybe you're right."

"Of course I am!" Virgil laughed softly. "I'm sure he'll be back eventually."

"Maybe he just needs some incentive?"

"Maybe. Did you have something in mind?"

Roman nodded "Logan is slipping more and more as the weeks pass. Without Pat here to be his caretaker, he might need to... go away."

Virgil raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying?"

"I know a man who runs an asylum just in the next town over. They have a wing just for crazy old men. If Patton doesn't return by the end of the week, we might have to send Logan there."

Virgil nodded "And if Patton returns you plan to force him to marry you in order to keep his father out of the looney bin?"

Roman smiled, a twisted empty smile "You catch on so quick, that's why I keep you around."

Virgil sighed and thought I guess that really is the only reason.

Roman still wore his deranged smile. Maybe Logan wasn't the only one going crazy in that town. Virgil wouldn't admit out loud to anybody, but he was worried about Roman. His obsession with Patton was certainly not healthy.

~
After a few days, Roman had gotten in touch with his contact and he went and knocked on Logan's door.

Logan opened up and allowed them in "Roman, it's good to see you. Have you seen any trace of Patton yet?"

"No we have not." Roman answered. "But I didn't come here to talk about him."

Logan frowned "I see. What does bring you here?"

"You."

"Me? Why ever would you want to just come see me? I didn't take you as the type to be sentimental about an old man."

"I'm not." Roman agreed calmly. "However, I am worried about your well-being. Ever since Patton went missing you have been... not as articulate as before."

Logan raised an eyebrow "You still don't believe he was imprisoned by a beast do you?"

Roman shook his head.

Logan scoffed "Well, I'm sorry. What do you want me to do? Lie? I'm simply telling you what happened. Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it's not real!"

Roman put his hand on Logan's shoulder. "And that's exactly why we're concerned about you. Your delusions are getting to the point where they're clouding your own vision. Patton is gone. He wasn't kidnapped. He ran away. You have to face that."

Logan shook his head "No. If you had seen what I seen you would know! I should've known you were coming here just to chastise me. Get out of my house!"

Roman stood "Fine Logan, I see you're still unyielding. I've arranged for you to be taken to a facility by the end of the week. Unless you stop blabbering on about this beast and admit that it's not real, you are going away for the rest of your life. For your own good."

Roman walked out the door and slammed it behind him.

Logan crossed his arms and sat on his chair. He made the decision to pack his things and go looking for Patton himself. Being taken to a nursing home wouldn't bring his son back. He'd have to go do that himself.

~
The next day, Logan rode away on his hire into the woods again. Maybe things would go better for him this time.

Or maybe not.