I like Moxiety.

I also know a lot of the lovely people in this famdom and who read my books have some form of autism on the spectrum. This is a declaration of love, acceptance, and empowerment to all of you. You are stronger than all of us and you are braver than we could ever be.

Background: Virgil in this is sensitive to lights and sounds, but mostly lights. Bright lights of the sun, especially in Florida and other states in the south of the US, have really bright sunlight all year around. He has Autism Spectrum Disorder and he talks funny becuase when he went to school, he hated associating with other kids because they were all loud and mean.

TW:// Abusive Mother, Sensory Triggers

STORYTIME!

Ever since Virgil was a little boy he hated going outside. It was really loud outside and it wasn't really bright. He hated brightness more than loudness because it hurt his eyes, and it hurt his brain. He hated the way the overwhelming light of the sun hurt his head, even when he wore special glasses, so he just preferred not to go outside at all unless it was overcast. Another reason why he likes it when it rains. It was cloudy and it wasn't that bright and his head didn't hurt. He likes it when it rains because he likes the dark.

Mom and Dad hated how he wasn't like his sisters and he didn't love to go play outside with the neighborhood kids. Mom liked to scold him and yell at him. Virgil cried a lot and screamed back, earning a few strikes across the face. Dad was much better than his mom. But he worked often and Virgil knew he was disappointed that his only son was different. His son who hated loud noises, hated the light, and likes the dark.

When Virgil turned eighteen his mother kicked him to the curb and forced him to live alone, figuring out how to make it in the world. Virgil never had a job, he didn't really talk to people during his school days, and it was a really sunny day when he was kicked out by his stupid mom. Virgil found a place hidden from the sun in the shade, hugged his knees, and cried. He couldn't do much more with the pounding headache the light gave him. He wanted to scream, but he knew he'd be judged. Virgil hated everything.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Someone found him? Virgil looked up, trembling as he noticed that the mean sun has set and the sky was getting dark. A person stood in front of him with round glasses and called curly red hair and lots and lots of freckles spread over their skin. They wore a pastel blue sweater and khaki shorts, something that his sisters would wear. They were much shorter than Virgil, but he didn't really care about that. He wiped his eyes with his knuckles.

"Who's you?"

"My name is Patton. I use he/him pronouns. What are you doing all alone in the dark, friend?"

He crouched down next to Virgil, not sitting down. He sat basically back on his feet with his arms crossed over on his knees. He smiled at Virgil. Nobody really smiled at him. Mom always scowled when she saw him. His sisters didn't really care of his existence but were compassionate sometimes when Dad was around. Dad hasn't smiled recently. Virgil thinks he became depressed because he lost his third job this year.

"I gots no home. Mom told me to get lost. Mom told me I ain't her son and I never was... I don't know how to make money and get away from the light. I don't like the lights. They hurt my brain."

Virgil sniffled, not wanting to cry. From what he knows from school you shouldn't cry or you get struck. He doesn't wanna get struck again. He doesn't want a stranger to hit him. He just wants to sit in the dark and cry. He doesn't have the energy to do much else anyways. Virgil felt his blood go cold when he felt s touch in his shoulder. The person was actually sitting down and he had his hand on Virgil's shoulder. He looked really sad. He had the same look Dad got sometimes. Like a sad, pitiful look. That look always made Virgil feel really guilty.

"I'm so sorry. Nobody deserves to be kicked out of their home. You said you don't know how to make money? What if I can teach you and help you get a job? Help you make money? You can always stay at my place if you need to."

"I cant."

"Yes you can. You can do anything you want to do. All you need is to believe in yourself, because I know I believe in you. What's your name and pronouns, friend? I want to properly believe in you."

"I'm Virgil. I'm a boy."

"Okay Virgil. I believe in you. No matter what you've been through, no matter what gives you a headache or whatever you feel like you can't do: you can. Even when you feel at your lowest point, know that you still can. What can you do? Try. No matter what you can try. You still can try. We can try together. I'm your friend, Virgil, and I believe in you. Do you like kitty cats, Virgil? Because I work at an animal shelter but I am allergic to cats. Could you help me take care of them? It will make some money."

Virgil wasn't very smart, but he did know that this was the best chance he had to making money and living without his family. Patton stood up and offered his hand. Virgil was confused. Does he put his hand in Patton's or...? He tried that and Patton pulled him up to his feet. He was much taller than Patton, but he didn't seem to mind. He smiled up at him and threw himself against Virgil's chest. Virgil started to silently panic. What was this!? Wait, his sisters did this sometimes. This is a hug.

That was the beginning of Virgil's new life. A future where he could take care of the kitty cats at the animal shelter. The animal shelter is payed by the local government like all the orphanages and hospitals. Orphans and stray populations are rising and the city Patton and Virgil lived in wanted to change that. Thanks Mayor! Patton lived in a studio apartment that had two twin beds. He never got around to buying a queen bed since he lived alone. But not any more becuase now he lived with Virgil.

Patton was right. No matter what, he still can. He still can try. He still can succeed. He still can live love laugh even if he has what he now knows is autism spectrum disorder. He can still be happy even if he hates the light and it gives him massive headaches. He's twenty six now and he hasn't moved out of Patton's apstment because he's scared of being alone. He doesn't want to be alone because he has grown very attached to Patton. He's also really attached to that one black cat who hasn't been adopted in three years, but he won't stop trying to give her a happy home!

"Good mornin Virge, it's Sunday so we don't gotta work today. That means I have a full day of spending time with youuuu!. Do we need to close the drapes?"

Patton walked out of their bedroom very drowsy, wearing an oversized baby blue shirt and some boxer shorts. He rubbed his eyes and did a big stretch, nearly knocking his glasses off his face. They still have the two twin beds, but Patton sinsisted that they push them together because it's gets really cold at night and he likes 'cuddling'. Virgil doesn't understand it, but it makes Patton really happy. Getting up without waking him is difficult. Virgil looked over to the windows. The sky is nice and gray. It's going to rainstorm soon. Virgil shook his head, smiling.

"No. It's cloudy today."

"So it is... so it is... Hey do you wanna go and make some pancakes? I was gonna are a shower and head to the grocery store, but if we could have breakfast first that would be nice."

"Pancakes? I can make those."

Virgil told up and went to the kitchen to make the pancakes. Patton went to go get eat a shower. Virgil cringed as he got a pan from the cupboard, expecting a loud noise, and relieved when he remembered that there was a rubber stopper to prevent the loud clanking noises. Virgil got the pancake mix and some milk and butter from the fridge and began making the batter. He took the dark chocolate chips from the pantry and put some it. Patton likes chocolates, even though Virgil may not be the biggest fan, so he will put chocolates in the pancakes.

Virgil poured the batter into the hot pan and waited for the bottom to solidify before flipping them with the spatula. He kept the fire low so it didn't make the cracklings noise that makes him cringe. Patton taught him how to cook with low fire so it doesn't give him headaches. He made, like, seven pancakes before Patton came out of the bathroom and he was working on the last two. He knows Patton likes pancakes, so he made more than enough. He did use the last of the mix though... they'll have to get some more when they both go grocery shopping soon.

"Hey, Virgil, I've been thinking... would you like to live with me forever?"

Virgil never thought of not living with Patton, why would he if he managed to make a good life for himself? Patton was very nice. He always told him he can and he was loved. He was a very great guy. Why would Virgil ever want to think of not living here with Patton forever? He likes his job. He likes this apartment. He likes making pancakes.

"Yes. I'd like that."

"Great! Then maybe later, since it's nice and cloudy, would you like to go to the park with me? I have a present I want to give to you there."

Virgil happily nodded in a agreement, making two plates of pancakes with very uneven ratios and setting them at their small dinner table. Virgil didn't know that Patton wa hiding a small box with a ring behind his back, ready to propose and already having the adoption papers filled out to bring that black cat Virgil is so fond of into their home. Virgil got a glass of milk and a glass of chocolate milk, setting them both at the table at their spots. Patton happily sat down next to the man he saved, and the man he eventually fell in love with.

1675 Words

Autism is a spectrum disorder. Everyone has different sensory and social triggers, and everyone has a different level of functionality. No two people are the same. So learn about each individual person, and respect them. Don't shout at them when they have sensitive hearing or shine lights in their eyes when they have sensitive sight. 

And for all of you lovely human beings with autism, no matter where you are on the spectrum: I believe in you. I love you. And I know you'll make it. You are fighting with a handicap on life, a disadvantage, and every day you shove that in life's face by surviving. You are showing the entire world how strong you are by living every single day the best you can, and being happy despite your autism. You are true champions, stronger than us all, and I respect and love the hell out of you.

Internet hugs and blow kisses!

~Remus