Tw: Mebtions if gaslighting, manipulation, physical, emotional, and physical abuse, mentions of therapy and rehab, mentions of wanting to kill someone, cursing

Patton bit his lip as he processed what Virgil and Remus told him about their...friends? Yeah, friends. The three might not accept it yet, but they're friends.

Emile was sitting next to him, taking notes on what the three were saying and nodded, "They're being abused. Definitely mentally- manipulation is a form if mental and emotional abuse, by the way- it certainly seems we have implications of physical abuse, but there's no solid evidence of that."

Remy sipped at his drink, "Well, babes, what can we do about it."

Emile sighed, "Well, sad to say, not much. There's no laws about mental or emotional domestic abuse. We can't take them away from their families, because they're not physically in danger. We could try to push them towards therapy, but they'd need parental permission, and for ones they didn't, I doubt we could manage to help them sneak out regular enough without their parents catching wind of something, and do something to damage them, more."

Remus glared, "Well, we can't just leave them in this environment!"

Patton nodded as he thought, "If their mental state causes them to be a danger to others or themselves, then we may be able to get them to a rehabilitation center."

Emile shook his head, "We can't let them get that bad."

Remus stood up, "I'm gonna go snuff out our parents' life lights, c'mon, Rem."

Remy stood up, "Alright, babes."

Everyone sitting at that table reached up and pulled them back down, exclaiming, "No!" In unison.

Remus pouted, "Okay, but first we have to convince them that their situation isn't okay."

Virgil spoke, despite the far off look in his eyes as he fiddles with his zipper, "That's true. We can't help someone in this situation if they refuse help."

Emile nodded in thought, "They're most likely being gas lighted. Being led to believe that they're being dramatic, and that their situation isn't that bad. We're gonna have to undo that."

Remus sucked in a breath, "My dad said I'm gonna finally be introduced to the public, this afternoon," the others gasped, "Roman took me to Logan and JD to prepare me for it. I got confused and laughed it off...saying that they sounded dramatic...Gah! I'm so stupid!"

Out of nowhere, Lark walked up to them, "Yes. Yes you are," they turned to the others, "Lark, they/them."

Everyone gave their names and pronouns, in turn.

Lark sat down as if they belonged there, "Roman and the other two aren't too deep, yet. They're all questioning if their situation is okay, or not. If we all manage to talk to them, and show them kindness, maybe show them what a real family should be like- we can save them."

The others blinked at Lark, Remy asked, "Right, right- that's like- awesome gurl, but like- who's slut're you?" Before taking another sip of espresso.

Lark bit back a smirk at the sass, "I'm Roman's "girlfriend." Our parents set us up, but he's demi gay, and I like girls."

Remus gasped, "Oh! You're the other bitch that's getting introduced with me this afternoon!"

Lark nodded, "To everyone else, I'm Vanessa."

Patton stared at them and smiled, "You're a morning bird!"

Lark laughed and nodded. These. These are the kind of friends that Roman, Logan, and Deceit need.

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Welp, you guys chose 3 at a time by majority vote. I'm ungrounded, hopefully I'll stay ungrounded (finding the energy for school is hard, y'all)

Since y'all seem to be enjoying this, I've started to actually plan a direction for this story to go. I have a vague idea of how I want it to end, and I have some plot development ideas. Just gotta fill in some gaps and figure out the solid direction for this story. Hope you guys to continue to enjoy reading this