"I know you don't want to do this, Patty, but we really need your help around here."

"I do want to help, Ma, I just...!" Patton sighed and shook his head. "Nevermind, forget it."

His mother sighed and placed a hand on his back, rubbing small circles comfortably. "It's just until we can get back on our feet, then you can go! I don't know where we would be without you sweetie, but we really need your help here." Patton turned his head away from his mother with a frown. "It's not forever. I don't want you to put your life on pause for us."

"You already have," Patton bit out angrily. "You said this was temporary when you agreed to let me drop out of school to help. It's been ten years and I'm still waiting for things to 'be okay'. I don't ever think they will."

He felt his mother's hand slow down before pulling away. He turned and watched her as she wrapped her arms around herself. "You're right. Perhaps you should just go. I guess I'm just afraid to come to terms that my baby is all grown up."

Guilt suddenly weighed heavily on him as he let out a long sigh. "No, I'm sorry. I'm not going anywhere." He tugged on his mother's hands and she let go of herself. He held her hands close and smiled down at her. "I love you, Ma. I'm just... I wish things were different, ya know?"

She placed a hand on his cheek and smiled. "I know, Patty. Any chance you get, you leave this town and go on a big adventure so you can come home and tell us all about it, okay?"

A loud crash was heard before the floorboards above them started to creak. "Looks like they're up! Which means I'm out!" Patton gave his mother a kiss before quickly packing up his usual provisions to try and sell that day. The warmer it got, the harder it was to stay outside in the sun at his stall, so he always aimed to be there earlier in the morning before the sun was too high in the sky. He ran out the door just before his little sisters managed to catch him and keep him there longer. On the bright side, the warmer weather meant better sales. Patton's strawberry plant was even beginning to bud!

The sun was hot as Patton raced down their little hill to the center of town. It was going to be a long day for sure. Every time it was pretty hot, he managed a few other errands for a few extra copper coins. He had to gather water for some of his elderly neighbors which meant a short trek with heavy buckets for a few homes. He smirked as he placed his basket onto his stall, thinking back to when he would call all his manual labor 'adventureness training'. Those days had seemed long gone, but his talks with Roman started to bring back that itch for adventure. Perhaps he should make a stop to the fields on his last water trip to pick some flowers for his mother as an apology...

"Good morning, Patton!"

"Good morning Mrs. Morris."

"You won't believe what I heard yesterday!"

Patton smiled and turned toward her after being satisfied by his set up. "What would that be, Mrs. Morris?"

"They say someone attempted to break into the treasury at the castle!" Patton gasped in shock. Mrs. Morris had a lot of random gossip, but this?! "Of course, they took care of it quickly. Looks like nothing is missing and the king is fine. Happened about a week ago, only just got word of it from my cousin out that way."

Mrs. Morris didn't have much more to talk about, talking excitedly about what the thief could have been after before spinning back into her normal conversation topics. Patton just smiled and listened as the morning began to tick away.

"Up so early, Patton?" The man perked up and smiled, turning to the voice. "You want to enjoy this beautiful weather that badly, huh?"

"Roman!" Forgetting about his stall and Mrs. Morris completely, Patton ran around and raced toward his traveling friend before throwing out his arms and wrapping him in a hug. Roman laughed and held him while trying to regain his balance and not fall over. He learned quickly that Patton was not only a hugger but after falling over the first time, an aggressive one. "You're back!"

"Yes, I am!" Roman pulled away and Patton noticed the frown on his face. "I'm sorry, Patton. I need to tell you now sooner rather than later."

"What is it?" Roman tensed and smiled sadly at his friend. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, but unfortunately, this may be my last delivery. I'm not sure if I'm going to be coming back after this trip." Patton pulled away, speechless at the news. "I'm to deliver this final letter and I'm to deliver the response back, but it seems like it's going to end there."

"Oh, no! Why?!"

Roman simply shrugged and looked away. "It seems my employer was helping with a family matter and this is the end of it. I was simply told that this may be the final delivery."

It grew so quiet between the two of them that Patton wondered if Roman could hear the beating of his heart, or the sound of it breaking. The daydreams of them running off on an adventure somewhere were silly, but Patton had at least hoped their friendship would last.

He shook his head and refused to believe this was the end. "This can't be the end, Roman! I don't want things to just... just end here!"

"I don't either, Patton but..." Roman smiled sadly as he looked back toward the town. "I know you work so hard to help your family. Could you afford a messenger to keep in touch?" Roman finally turned and watched as Patton's determined look crumbled away. "I'm sorry. I love talking to you, I don't want this either... but I have a job to do and it's leading me elsewhere."

"Maybe..." Patton looked up and their eyes met. "Could I come with? I don't want to be stuck here forever and I don't want to lose you."

Roman smiled and held out his arms which Patton happily ran into, returning to the hug they had just moments before. "Of course you can, Patton, but you and I both know you can't leave your family just yet. You have business here." He pulled away and kept his hands on Patton's shoulders, firmly gripping them. "It takes about three days to get to the castle from here, then a day of rest, and three days back. I'll stop by one last time so there's something to look forward to, alright? It's not goodbye just yet."

Patton nodded as he felt his throat close up and his eyes began to water. He turned and tried to discreetly sniffle his quickly running nose before turning back to his stall. "Of course. Now, is there anything I can help you with today, Roman?"

"Let's see what you've got."

Roman didn't stick around much longer after that. He didn't really need anything and had only stopped by to be able to talk to Patton it seemed. He sadly waved off before venturing off toward the castle, leaving Patton with a heavy heart.

The day didn't stop there, however. Patton continued on and managed to sell most of his stock before venturing off to take a couple of trips from the well to a few homes. It was on his final trip for his own home that he had to take a break. He was exhausted and he knew that once he got close enough, there would be no rest for him. He would help with cleaning and perhaps dinner first. After, his sisters would ask to play with him and he could never say no to them. He managed to afford that book and every night, his sisters pleaded with him to read it to them. It wouldn't be until he managed to lay down for bed would he get a moment to himself.

He stopped by a tree to hide away from the sun just out of view of the small hill they lived on. Patton sat down and took a moment, leaning against the bark and enjoying the cool breeze as he managed to catch his breath. He knew he couldn't sit for too long, his muscles already aching and pleading for him to stop for the day.

"Excuse me?"

He blinked and looked up, adjusting his glasses and pushing his thick curls out of his eyes. A figure stood in front of him, the sun shining behind them made it impossible for him to see. He leaned forward and squinted into the bright light before vaguely making out the same of a figure wearing a hooded traveler's cloak. The sight of the heavy cloak in the hot sun made Patton wonder how they managed to survive in this heat. "Hello?"

"You are Patton, correct?"

"Uh, yes? Can I help you?"

The figure chuckled before bending down a bit closer. "Not exactly. I have come to help you, Patton Darling."

Patton leaned back and braced himself, ready to abandon his water and bolt away if need be. "How do you know me, again?"

"You are friends with Roman." It wasn't a question. "I simply wish to help you."

"Help me... how?"

"You wish to leave this village and go on an adventure. With that, I can assist with that."

Immediately, Patton stood up in his spot and watched as the figure took a step back. He could make out their face a bit better but still completely covered by the shadow of their cloak. They were smiling back at him, their long hair brushed to the sides of their face. They smiled and said nothing more. "You can? How?"

"By helping the biggest thing holding you back." The hooded figure motioned to the path next to them that led to Patton's home. "By the time Roman comes back through, I can assure your family will be able to handle your departure with ease and you can have your adventure, like you have always dreamed."

"Y-you can...?" Patton frowned and glared at the figure skeptically. "What's the catch? What do you want in return?"

"Ah, yes. There is one thing." The figure pointed at him and smiled. "You hold feelings for the messenger boy."

"What?! Nooo, I do not!" Patton flushed at the accusation. Feelings? For Roman? No way! "We're just friends!"

The figure hummed and let their hand drop. "You think about him often. Daydreaming of the two of you together, living out your dreams of adventure."

"That doesn't mean I like him! Not like that!" Patton stomped his foot. "Plenty of people daydream about what they want with the people they care about!"

"So your family frequent these daydreams of yours, then?" Patton's flushed face as he ducked his head away was answer enough. "You truly hold no feelings toward him at all?"

"What does it even matter, anyway?" Patton sneered at the stranger. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to stay close to Roman, is that such a bad thing? It's what you want yourself, after all." Patton stared at the figure, slack jawed at the news. "Sometimes, isn't a good deed worth doing? Do you not deserve your own happiness?"

Patton licked his lips and eyed the stranger wearily. "My family will be safe? And I get to go on adventures?"

"I promise."

The offer was just too good to be true, but how could Patton possibly let this opportunity pass him by? "Deal."

"Excellent. I do hope you have a wonderful adventure, Patton. Enjoy your time with your love," the stranger teased.

"He-he's not my love! It's just a crush if anything!"

The stranger chuckled to themselves before turning and walking off, not saying a word further. Patton watched as they disappeared and stood there silently as if waiting for someone to pop out and tell him it was a prank.

He sighed and smiled to himself before reaching down and gathering the buckets of water and turning to head home. Worst case scenario, it was a prank and nothing happens. Patton goes on living his life and he gets to properly say goodbye to Roman, as much as that made his heart ache. Best case scenario?

Well... He better go pack.

Days passed without a word and Patton continued his routine as he had for years. Wake up early, eat, tend the crops and animals, sell what he could, do errands around town for some extra coin and head back home for the day. A week passed quietly in the village and nothing changed. The day Roman had meant to stop by had arrived, but nothing had happened. The sun set without a word and Patton worried for his friend. Was Roman alright? Did he get caught up in something? Perhaps it was more complicated than that! Perhaps he would still have to continue the letters, and Patton could see him more!

If there was one thing that Patton was good at, it was remaining hopeful.

So, the next day, Patton tried his best to keep his spirits up. Though, that wasn't easy. Try as he might, he couldn't help but worry about what was keeping Roman, even if it was only a day. He had been consistent on his previous trips to the castle, allotting time on his way to be able to talk to Patton. He was on autopilot as he watered the animals and fed the garden... or was it the other way around?

He had been about to give up for the day and pack up the stall, tired of hearing people ask if he was fine of course he's fine why wouldn't he be? When he heard a familiar voice.

It took an instant for Patton's mood to change as he smiled, racing up to greet Roman as he always did. This time, however, he pulled back far quicker than he used to, the hooded stranger's words echoing in his head. Oh heavens, did he have a crush on Roman. The messenger smiled as he always did, but seemed far more tired than normal.

"Roman! Oh goodness, are you okay? You look exhausted!"

"I didn't sleep well last night, but I'm fine."

"Well, come on, then! Rest for a minute and let's talk!"

Patton reached out for Roman's hand to tug him along to a nearby spot to rest when Roman pulled his arm back. "Sorry, I can't." He shook his head and turned away. "I have to go, I need to get back as soon as possible."

"W-what do you mean?" Patton barely managed to get his voice out. "You said this would be the last time we could talk. You have to stay!"

Roman shook his head and gripped onto the strap of his bag he always had with him. "I'm sorry. I want to stay, I do, but I have to get going. It's extremely important I bring this back to my employer. I've traveled through most of the night to get here. Things were delayed and I'm already behind."

"B-but....Roman..."

"I'm sorry, Patton." Roman smiled and reached into his bag before pulling out a letter and left it on the stall. "I do hope you get to leave and adventure one day just like you've always wanted."

Roman knocked on the wood of the stall before waving. Then, he turned and sprinted off and out of the town, not looking back even once. Patton looked down at the letter and bit his lip, his heart thudding so loud, but he refused to let a single tear fall.

He grabbed the letter and left everything else on the stall before running off. He needed to be alone. He needed time to think, to process everything that just happened. Wasn't something good finally supposed to happen? He was supposed to be going on this crazy adventure, but his biggest opportunity just... left him with nothing but a broken heart and a letter.

Patton sniffled and angrily wiped the tears from his face as it managed to slip out before carefully ripping open the letter. He settled at the edge of town, the noise finally fading away as he focused on the letter.

'Dearest Patton'

That's all he managed to read before clutching it to his chest and sobbing loudly, falling to his knees. His body wracked with sadness as he cried, heaving and gasping for air. His chest began to hurt as he removed his glasses from his face, letting it all out.

He was never leaving. He was never going to escape the fate he had been given. He let himself fall for a complete stranger and his wonderful stories so easily, knowing he couldn't follow. He let a random stranger foolishly give him hope that there might be more for him out there if he just gave them time... He had done this to himself.

Patton finally managed to calm down enough to read the letter, blinking rapidly and wiping his tears away as he slowly made it through. It was about where Roman worked to the west and that he lived there. If Patton ever got the chance, he wanted him to stop by so they could reconnect and talk about the things they've missed over the years. Years. Not even Roman believed Patton would leave this forsaken village any time soon. It was his own fault, of course. Patton could leave any day, but he didn't have it in his heart to leave his family when they needed him.

He stood up and decided to head home. He didn't care about the basket or if anyone took anything. For once, Patton wanted to be selfish. He slowly made his way back home, not caring how obvious it was he just cried his heart out. He was going to lock himself in his small makeshift room and hope his sisters just left him alone for a night. He wasn't the only one who could read to them and they all had each other. Patton just couldn't bare anyone else's company for the time being.

He slowly approached the door of his home and opened it, grateful only his parents should be home, unless his father was out tending to something. Perhaps, if he was lucky enough, that would be the case while Patton just took the rest of the day off.

"Oh, Patton, wonderful! I'm so glad you're home, and early too! I have the--Patty?" He looked up and watched his mother's smile fall off her face. "Oh, my baby boy, come here." She didn't hesitate to pull his head down to her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair. "There, there. Shhh. It's okay."

"Sorry, ma. I didn't mean to ruin your good mood." He mumbled into her shirt as he spoke.

"Quiet, none of that. If you're feeling up to it, would you like to tell me what happened?" He paused and thought about it before shaking his head. "That's okay, sweetie. Would you like to hear some good news, then? I'm sure it'll help."

"Yes, please." He pulled away and sniffled as he wiped at his eyes. "What has my beautiful mama in a good mood today?"

His mother smiled brightly at him without a care in the world. "Your father just made a bit of money! Quite a bit, actually! You can finally go on all those adventures you dreamed of, pumpkin!"

Patton stared at his mother, the words not quite sinking in. "He... what? How?"

"Well, someone moved into town and wants help building a new home and your father built this one for us! So they asked for help and he agreed, he'll plan it all out and help with what he can and they're paying him for it! They've already given us quite a bit!" As she spoke, she pulled away and ran into the small kitchen before picking up a small satchel. It jingled as she lifted it and Patton's eyes widened. "We'll be right as rain now!"

"You wish to leave this village and go on an adventure. I can help."

Patton was speechless, staring at his mother as the words from last week ran in his mind. He smiled and laughed before running forward and picking up his mother, spinning her around. "This is great! Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!" He stopped and put her down, a look of panic on his face. "Oh goodness, Roman!"

"Roman? That boy you've befriended? What about him?"

Patton didn't answer as he ran up the stairs and grabbed the bag hidden under his bed. He raced back down the stairs and stopped at the front door, turning to see his mother staring at him confused. He ran forward and gave her a quick peck on the cheek and smiled. "He said he is done and won't be coming back through but he's already gone! I've got to go chase after him!"

Patton spun on his heel and ran back to the door, throwing it open. "Patton!" He stopped, one foot out the door, and looked over his shoulder. His mother was smiling, holding her hands to her chest. "I love you. Please come back to visit?"

He nodded and turned back to the door. "Give everyone my love! I'll be back, I promise!"

It wasn't how Patton wanted to go. He wanted to spend some time and say goodbye to everyone, but his opportunity was slipping through his fingers. He had never left the village, he wasn't sure if he was good with directions! However, he did know which path Roman took and the direction he was headed. So as long as Patton held onto his stuff and ran as fast as he could, he just might catch up to him before nightfall. That hooded figure gave him the chance at his dream and if it resided with Roman, then so be it. He'd happily follow wherever the path would lead. Literally, in this case.