Beaten Out of Feeling

Warnings: torment, hostage situation, expecting Stockholm Syndrome, malnutrition

Virgil couldn't bear to move as he heard Roman open the door. He couldn't bring himself to express gratitude as he smelled and felt Roman leave a plate of breakfast for him on the bed. He couldn't even allow himself to released the imprisoned sobs to accompany his escaping tears as Roman gently kissed his cheek and said "I love you" before leaving the room. He expected Stockholm Syndrome from his past, so why couldn't feel an attachment toward...anyone?

Even when he lived with the Dark Sides, Virgil felt out of place. He stayed away from the group and, though he's usually chained to a bad reputation, he still felt he could somehow help Thomas. When Thomas was in middle school, he met Thomas's creativity, Roman, and was able to bond with him enough to help form Thomas's edgy artwork and poetry. The two grew closer and, although Virgil wasn't ready to meet the rest of the Light Sides, he trusted Roman more than anything. It didn't take long before word got back to Deceit and the newly-green Remus. Deceit could sense positive feelings for Roman sprouting within Virgil, so they thought his vulnerable heart could easily be persuaded into loving Deceit with exposure and threats. For years, Virgil was battered and only fed once a day. The amount of beatings he faced increased and the amount of food he was given decreased the more Virgil answered "You love me!" with a "No, I don't". After so many years, Virgil was cloaked in lacerations and his stomach was concave and he dared not say anything, but he didn't die since he still functioned for Thomas. During a quest in the Imagination, Roman stumbled across a faint metal smell that led to a spot underground near the barrier between the Dark and Light Sides. With a stab, Roman forced his way underground and noticed the figures that were his brother, Deceit, and a mass in a familiar sweater of black. After a struggle to look into the eyes of the tortured, he knew it was the Side he bonded with in Thomas's awkward stage of puberty. Roman snapped his fingers to make Virgil come with him to his room. Though it was clear that Virgil recognized him, too, however, he dared not say a word.

Ever since then, with the steady assistance of the other Light Sides, Virgil was taken in as one of the family. His many injuries were being healed and his stomach was being filled, but the only one who even got a few words out of him was Roman. They could still bond, but it wasn't like when Thomas went through puberty. Virgil was less...willing and Roman felt his heart inflate whenevee he went to see Virgil. Virgil heard a discussion about it due to his extra sensitive hearing. From that, he knew Roman loved him and he heard another voice (probably from the tie-wearer named Logan) that something called Stockholm Syndrome might make things tough. As Virgil heard more about Stockholm Syndrome, he couldn't help but wonder when it was supposed to happen. He never felt positive feelings for Remus and Deceit after all they did (more like resented them) and he favored Roman's company more than he favored anyone else's, so...was he broken?

During Roman's visits, he knew the Prince verbally confirmed his love for the suffered soul. It was also confirmed that Roman would wait for a long time for Virgil's trust. They both knew that Virgil would have his doubts for various reasons, so Roman always made sure to remind him every day how much he cared. On the final visits of the day, when Roman gives Virgil a "good night, Virgil; I love you" and a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room, Virgil tears up in his pillow not knowing how he deserved someone so patient with him and his uncertainty about feeling or expressing love when he had been beaten with the hopes of him feeling love for someone who didn't have his best interests at heart.