Yes, the picture is of Talyn because they are an ICON!!!

STORYTIME!

Virgil stormed upstairs, slamming their door shut. Yelling and arguements could be heard upstairs, as well as the pounding on the floor. Great. Their Mom was probably coming upstairs to yell at them even more about how invalid their gender identity is. They snatched the two old backpacks and sling each over their shoulders. Theynknew thisnwould happen. They grabbed their phone and opened the window. Man, were they lucky that they lived in a one story house. They noped out of there, running as fast as they could to the nearest bust stop.

Virgil sat down on the bench, knowing the next bus would probably be here in a few minutes. Virgil wasn't going to get on the bus.t they just needed to get to a recognizable place so that someone could pick them up. Virgil got their phone out and opened the contact for 💕Lovebug💕. Patton wanted to put his own nickname in Virgil's phone and Virgil did the same. Their nickname in Patton's phone is 🖤Emo Nightmare🖤. Well, at least it should be. Patton probably changed it. That happened a forever ago.

Virgil quick dialed the number and held the phone to their ear, waiting for it to ring. Patton was the one who said they should at least try coming out to their birth family, but Virgil knew they would never understand. Their family aren't the most accepting people. Virgil heard the phone pick up and through the sobs in their throat, they began throwing words out at supersonic speed, and they ain't exactly slim shady.

"Yo, Hey. I'm at the bus stop like we said. Can you, uh, pick me up and bring me home? I got the backpacks full of clothes and sketchbooks and stuff. I... I wanna go home."

Virgil tried not to cry. Even though they knew this would happen, it still hurt to be a dejected member from their birth family just because of their gender. They were sitting on the bus bench with their arms wrapped tightly around their own waist, hugging themself. They really need a Patton hug. Patton always gives the best hugs and forehead kisses that make everyone feel better. 

"I'll be right over! And, uh, Virgil? I love you family. I'll give you the biggest hug when I get there Okay? So wait for me."

Virgil nodded as Patton hung up. Patton would hurry up to get to them, Virgil knew it. Virgil smiled when they took the sentence and thought of a song. Hadestown really is a wonderful musical. One of Patton's twin younger brothers Roman showed the musical to them. Speaking of Patton's giant family, doesn't he also have an older sister and an older sibling as well? Yeah, Logan recently came out as trans didn't she? And Dee Dee is the oldest of them all. Roman and Remus are his little brothers. Patton's family is huge. Huge and loving. Virgil tried to cheer themself up by thinking about it.

Virgil looked up and expected the bus to arrive first, but it ended up being Patton. Wow, he really did rush to get over here didn't he? Patton really did love them. Patton threw the car door open and ran out of the car, leaving the door open and keys in the car. He ran up to Virgil, picking them off the bench and squeezing them in a tight hug. This was exactly what Virgil needed. Virgil embraced Patton back tightly, sobbing. Patton ran his hand through their hair, whispering happy Words to them.

"Everything's okay. Everything is going to be okay now. I'm so sorry I ever put you through that pain Virgil. I love you, family. You will always be loved. It doesn't matter what they say, you are Valid and you are a beautiful NonBinary pal. I will always love you forever and ever."

Those were the words that Virgil really needed to hear. They let the tears fall from their face. Patton let them go, sadly, but then he got on his tippie toes to give his too friend with tum chub a gentle forehead kiss. Patton held his hands carefully in Virgil's, trying to use smiles and his normal optimism to cheer up the person that Patton cares about most. Virgil felt their hands being pulled towards the car, they finally opened their eyes. It's time to go home.

"Come on, I'll take you home. My siblings will love you just like you deserve to be loved. Same with my moms! I promise! Everyone will treat you like the best sibling-in-law ever!"

In law? Virgil didn't question it. Patton always has a reason for saying everything he does. They just smiled and followed Patton to the car. He held the car door open for them, and they sat down in the passenger's seat. Patton ran around to the other side and got on his seatbelt, taking the car out of park and began driving. The bus was just rounding the corner so it would probably good to Deja Vu out of there. Meme lovers know what's up.

"Patton... Thank you. I am so grateful for you. You are such an amazing and wonderful person and I love you so much I... thank you."

"Anything for you Virgil! You mean so much to me! Now let's get you home to your family. Our family. I love you, Virgil."

Patton was one of those skilled people who could drive with one hand, so he reached over to Virgil in the car and grabbed their hand. Patton entwined his fingers in theirs and he smiled lovingly and warmly at them. Virgil felt their cheeks heat up and they bowed their head, smiling and feeling very good about themself. They're about to enter a new, happier life. They don't need their old family, they have a real famILY now.

And that's what matters.

1010 Words

I think the message is clear. Your real family are the people who love and accept you for who you are, not always the people you share blood with. Find your real family, and stick with them.

Internet hugs and blow kisses!

~Eva