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stillebesat · 3 years

Text

Christmas Eve (5/5)

Sanders Sides: Janus, Patton, Roman, Virgil Pairings: Past Roceit (was toxic), Familial Moceit (Dad Janus, Son Patton) Blurb: Of all the barriers that Janus expected to have to overcome in order to get his son a pet for Christmas, encountering his Ex, Roman, working in the pet store had never once crossed his mind. Fic Type: Christmas!Eve Fic, Past Lovers to Enemies to ??? trope, Dad!Janus, Kid!Patton, Frogmin!Virgil, MythicalMin!AU, Frogmin!AU Overall Fic Warnings: Past Toxic Relationship Talk, Manipulation/Lying Talk, Human-ish Creatures kept as Pets Taglist in Reblog

To Catch Up: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

I’m sorry.

Janus hadn’t missed how Roman had reacted to the words. How he’d tried to brush them off like it was nothing.

It wasn’t nothing.

It had taken him a long time, with the encouragement of his therapist and Patton’s unwavering love, to grow comfortable admitting when he was at fault. To apologize. To say those two little words and actually mean them without trying to use them for his own gain.

He hadn’t even realized he’d even said ‘I’m sorry’ until he saw his Ex jolt like he’d just gotten electrocuted.

I’m sorry.

Two little words.

Two little words that he’d never said to Roman while they were together, but had made him, his Prince, say constantly back for every little slight or wrong doing Janus had accused him of.

Two little words.

Two little words that he needed to say sooner rather than later to his Ex in a far more meaningful way.

I’m sorry.

The phrase whirled in his head relentlessly as he half listened to Roman’s spiel about the store’s guarantees and return policies for their Min while also listening to Pattey’s excited chattering to the little Frogmin nearby as the two new friends looked through the shelves of Min clothing for a ‘gift outfit’ for Virgil to wear home.

Apparently it was part of their Christmas package this year for their Mythical Mins...and quite considerate of Roman to bring up as Janus hadn’t realized, even with all his research, that the Mins would need clothing. That they would want to wear anything.

He would have to keep that in mind. That Virgil should be treated less like a frog and more like a person. And people liked clothes.

“What about this one!?” Pattey asked, pulling out something that was bright blue, though at Virgil’s hiss, quickly put it back. “But blue is so pretty, Vee!”

“No.”

“A little blue?” “NO.”

Their chatter in the background was comforting, and yes, semi distracting, but with his and Roman’s heads nearly touching as his Ex pointed to various key lines on the multiple forms he had him filling out, it helped to keep him grounded enough from his own thoughts to nod and hum at the proper moments as Roman spoke and not look like a completely besotted idiot.

Janus couldn’t stop the smile from tugging at his lips though as he tapped his pen on the counter, watching his Ex from the corner of his eye. It almost felt like old times. Back when they’d be up until four in the morning, a single desk lamp illuminated between them as the two of them desperately tried to hammer out the final details in their latest project. Roman even emphasized the important points the same way. Triple circling the return policy with a black marker as Janus dutifully initialed and signed where his Ex indicated.

That didn’t mean he didn’t notice when Roman skipped over the line stating that he could call the store anytime if he had any concerns about the Frogmin. It was a slight enough omission, done so smoothly by his Ex, that If he hadn’t been reading along to keep himself semi-focused on what was being said, Janus would never have known.

He bit back a sigh, ignoring the ache in his chest as he signed his name to the bottom of the page. If they’d actually been back in college, he wouldn’t have hesitated to point out that Roman had skipped a line. Teased him about being careless with binding documents and surely he didn’t mean to imply that Janus couldn’t call.

But he’d grown enough to recognize that this was a sign that Janus shouldn’t call. Not that he couldn’t. Roman was discretely setting a boundary for him not to cross and he...well he would recognize and respect it.

“Is that all?” He asked, placing the pen on the counter.

Roman’s eyes flickered as he straightened. “Well...you still need to pay.” He said turning for the register to ring up the Frogmin. “But yes that’s all the forms to say that Virgil is yours now.” He gestured to the pinpad before grabbing the papers flipping through the pages to separate out the copies that the store needed to keep.

“YAY!” Patton cradled Virgil, now wearing a black and purple hoodie, close to his cheek, beaming up at Roman. “Vee can come home and eat all the Spiders!!”

“Maybe not all of them tonight, Pattey.” Janus said, giving his son a wink as he tried to push away his own gloomy thoughts and the pressure he could feel building in his chest.

Stupid conscience.

He recognized he needed to apologize. To try and make amends for those two turbulent years he’d put Roman through. But it hardly felt like the right moment. It was Christmas Eve for crying out loud! How much more cliche could he get?

“We wouldn’t want Virgil to get a stomach ache and be sick on Christmas now would we?” He remarked, pulling out his credit card.

When would he ever have another moment though to tell his Ex he was sorry? He lived far enough away that a casual visit was out of the question and more than likely not wanted. Not unless something happened with Virgil...and even then...it would suck to have to face Roman again under well less than ideal circumstances.

Tonight was hardly ideal.

But their conversation had gone civilly enough that maybe...maybe this was the best moment.

The only moment.

It was two little words.

He could say them.

He just needed to prove to Roman that he actually meant them.

Patton paused, frowning as he turned his head to Virgil before his eyes lit up again. “One spider as a treat.” He whispered. “Then you can help me put out the cookies and milk for Santa!”

Virgil frowned, pulling his hoodie over his head. “Santa?” He asked at the same time Roman spoke up.

“What kind of cookies are you putting out for the big guy? Sugar? Snickerdoodle?” He asked, scooting the paperwork over for Janus to take.

“CHOCOLATE CHIP!” Patton placed Virgil on his shoulder before spreading his arms out wide. “Daddy made thiiiisss many! That way Santa has lots and I can have lots too!”

“Oh?” Roman raised an eyebrow to Janus. You bake? He mouthed.

Janus rolled his eyes, folding up the forms and placing them in an inside pocket. “Surprise. I finally figured out how to work an oven.”

“Without starting the dishwasher on fire?”

Janus flushed, fumbling to put his card back into his wallet as the machine beeped at him. “Yes.”

Crofters, why did his Ex have to remember that particular incident. It had hardly been his...proudest moment. Definitely one where he should have apologized, but instead had managed to convince the landlord that faulty wiring was the cause and he and Roman wouldn’t need to pay damages.

Virgil snickered as Pattey looked between the two of them. “But Daddy...dishwashers only use water. There’s no fire there!”

Roman smirked, handing him the receipt. “Exactly.”

Patton turned to him, tugging on his pants. “Daddy? Dishwasher’s aren’t for food. Don’t cook in them!”

He reached down ruffling his son’s hair. “I know, Pattey. I only did it once. Don’t plan to do it again.”

“Good! Because soggy cookies are not yummy. Not at all--oh! Mr. Prince Roman!” Pattey whirled to Roman. “Can Virgil eat cookies?”

Roman flashed him a smile, eyes alive with laughter that made Janus’s heart skip a beat. “Yes, though not your usual cookies. Virgil needs a higher protein diet with less sugar than you do.” He grabbed a package hanging from a peg nearby, holding it out for Pattey to see. “These are Cricket Crumbles. Kinda like your no-bake cookies, but made from crickets instead.”

Patton lit up as he spun back to his dad, eliciting a squeaky hiss from Virgil as the poor Min clung to his jacket as Pattey grabbed onto Janus’s sleeve tugging it. “Daaaaddd?”

Yah….He had seen that coming a mile away. “Mmm?”

“CanwegethecrumblesforVirgilsohecanhavecookieswithustoowhenwegethome? Plleeeeaassseeeeee?”

Janus raised an eyebrow to his Ex. “Is it too late---”

Beep.

“Oops.” Roman said, not at all sounding apologetic as he pulled his hand away from the bag he’d just scanned. “That will be $7.89”

“Right.” He pulled out his credit card again, chuckling at Patton’s excited squeal as Roman handed the bag over to him.

“YAY! Look Vee! Cookieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

“...I see that.” The Frogmin said in his low tone, tilting his head at the bag, his nostrils flaring.

His Ex laughed, moving from behind the register, gesturing them to the door. “You always bend that easily to your kid?”

Yes. Janus shrugged, ignoring how his heart had leaped at hearing Roman’s booming laugh. “It’s Christmas.”

Roman raised an eyebrow, amber eyes bright and sparkling and just perfect as he pulled open the door. “Mmhmmm. You spoil him rotten don’t you?” He said, lowering his voice as Patton and Vee darted past them into the night.

“Look, look Vee! See that’s our car over there, and ooo look! All the stars are out!” Pattey cried pointing upwards, thankfully stopping on the curb without Janus having to remind him not to run out into the parking lot--a shockingly empty parking lot considering how busy it had been just twenty minutes earlier.

“Not as much as you’d think.” He wanted Pattey to be better than him. To grow up realizing he couldn’t get everything he wanted with a well placed pout or scream.

Speaking of being better.

Stomach twisting in knots, Janus placed his hand on the door before Roman could shut it and physically and figuratively lock him out. “Roman…” He drew in a steading breath, mentally crossing his fingers that Patton wouldn’t interrupt the moment as he looked him straight in the eyes. “I know it’s not the best timing.” Horrible timing. Who apologizes on Christmas Eve except the protagonists in a stupid holiday Romance Movie? “But I don’t know if I’ll see--I’m--I just want--It’s not worth much all things considered but I--well--” He’d probably never get another opportunity to do this.

Roman’s eyes flashed as he raised an eyebrow, his fingers going white as they gripped the door.

“I’m sorry.” Janus said, forcing himself to maintain eye contact as he spoke. “I don’t expect you to accept it.” He really wanted him to though. “But...I am sorry. Truly sorry. For how I treated you, our relationship. I--I was in the wrong and I shouldn’t have--”

Roman raised his hand, a single finger pressing against his lips, shutting up Janus entirely, breath catching in his throat. “You’re right.” He said softly, eyes glittering in the faint lights from the parking lot. “It’s rather cliche timing.” He dropped his hand, taking a step back. “And...I don’t…” He exhaled, turning his head away to look back inside the store. “I’m not sure I want to hear it just yet, Dae.”

Janus flushed, feeling his cheeks heat up despite the rest of him feeling like he’d just got dunked in freezing water. “Because it sounds fake right?” He always sucked at apologizing when it actually counted. It never sounded real to him either.

Roman huffed a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, you actually sounded genuine. But Dae--” He shook his head. “You put me through a lot. A lot. In college and I--I’m--I can see things are...different. I’m just...not ready yet. To accept your apology. I’d like to think I would at some point. But right now? Here?” He made eye contact once more, amber eyes surprisingly still glowing with warm. “I can’t. It’s hard enough to believe that you’ve actually changed despite what I’ve seen tonight.”

I only ever knew Liar Dae.

Right. Janus slumped, chest aching as he nodded. “I understand.” He’d known a fifteen minute conversation and an apology couldn’t erase those two years of toxic manipulation that easily. But he’d---he’d hoped--

“Good.” Roman searched his eyes before visibly relaxing. “And I can’t believe I’m saying this...but have a Merry Christmas, alright?”

It wasn’t the ending he wanted. But all things considered. It was a good enough note for their unexpected meeting to end on. Janus nodded. “Merry Christmas.” He said softly, watching as his Ex locked the doors and disappeared deeper inside without a looking back.

“Daddy?”

Janus jumped, tearing his eyes from the door as his son grabbed his hand. “Mmm?”

His little LilyPatton squeezed it tightly, looking up at him. “You should get two cookies tonight.”

Janus chuckled, squeezing his hand back. “You think so?” He asked, glancing back to the doors one last time.

“Yes!” Pattey tugged at his arm, pulling him towards the car as Virgil crouched on his shoulder, head swiveling between the store and the car. “Dragon Witches always get cookies after working with the Prince! It’s the rules!”

“Oh? Well then, I can’t argue with that.” Janus pulled out the car keys, jangling them as he offered his son a small smile. “What do you think? Should we let Virgil drive us home to get those cookies?”

“DRIVE?!” Screeched the Min, mismatched eyes growing so wide they seemed to take up his entire face as he tried to bury himself in Pattey’s jacket. “ME?!”

Janus laughed, purposely putting any further thoughts of Roman on the back burner until after his son and new friend went to bed.

No use wishing for what could have been when he had his family right here in front of him.

“No, I’ll drive.” He said unlocking the door, helping Pattey hop inside, pressing a quick kiss to his forehead before buckling in his son. “Lessons will have to wait until you’re older, Virgil.”

Or until tomorrow morning when Patton unwrapped the remote control car Santa would be bringing him.

End.

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shadowling-guistical · 3 years

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Sit and Bleed.

Roman asks Remus for advice, and Remus delivers. In his own, mildly disturbing way. Somehow, bonding ensues.

Yeah idk either. I shared this to one of my friends and they said, and I quote, "Hey mishi i love you but wtf? Did remus posess you?"

So like, enjoy?

WARNING: Extensive blood talk, period talk, mild injury, mild gore, and generally just canon typical Remus shenanigans.

---

"Do you think that it's true?" Roman had asked him one day, "That writing is easy? That you could just sit at a typewriter and… And bleed?"

It had been dusk, and somehow, Roman had Imaginationed the setting sun to send it's final rays streaking across his room. From where Remus had been lying, splayed out on Roman's carpet like a human sacrifice waiting for a malevolent god, it looked sickeningly beautiful. The gold that bathed the room, the warmth and splendour, he thought it was just saccharinely horrid.

Roman turned his chair to face him. Remus turned his head. A heartbeat turned into two before he scoffed.

"Please," Remus idly picked his nose, rolling the products he found jammed up in his sniffer into a small hard ball and flicked it off to god knows where. He hoped it landed on Roman's pillow. "If writing were that easy, I'd twist my foot off and feed it to Virgil's tarantula,"

"It used to be,"

Remus sighed, swinging his legs up before he leapt onto his feet with a soft oof. Roman went back to his writing, ignoring the sound of Remus' spine popping when he straightened himself. The Duke sauntered to Roman's desk, looking over his shoulder to see…

Nothing.

Well, nothing substantial .

Bits of writing here, a doodle there, scratched out ideas at the corner, angry scribbles at another…Oof.

His twin must have noticed, because Roman’s tone was bitter.

“Not anymore,”

"Yeah well," Remus muttered, thinking of glittering yellow eyes filled with mischief and a sly smirk underneath a shadowy hood, "A lot of other things used to be easy too,"

"Well? What do you think?"

Riiiiight, typewriting and bleeding. Remus scoffed, "Well willya lookit that. You never asked me before, why start now?"

Roman groaned, "... Remus I’m serious here,"

"Hey! It's true," Remus swiped the paper and crumpled it into a ball. Without looking, he threw it over the shoulder. Roman scowled when he sees it bounce onto his bed, "What's up, Prince stink-a-lot? You ask me to come hang out. You didn't kick me out when I wiped boogers onto that skinned angora cat you call a carpet, and now you're asking me questions? What gives?"

"...it's just…"

God, it’s just this and it’s just that , Remus wanted to pull his hair out already. He wished Roman would just spit it out. Just vomit it out and get this over with. Really, getting his stupid twin to just spew whatever was rattling in that noggin if his was worse than pulling teeth out of a gator. And Remus would know, he tried it a lot over the years.

"I just wanted to be like you,"

And there it was, whatever thing that had been sitting in his twin’s gut like a 5 foot long tapeworm.

…

Like him.

Like Remus.

The Duke of Dastardly Deeds.

Mr. Dark and Disgusting himself.

Roman "Pretty Boy" Sanders wanted to be like him?

Remus leaned forward, far more amused than shocked.

"...You're fucking with me,"

"No, I am not," Roman was looking at him with those intense green eyes of his and woah… the guy really was serious, wasn't he?

Huh.

Curiosity reared it's head, familiar and cloying somewhere inside of Remus' stomach. Then again, it could have been the extra potent shaving cream he had over his deodorant earlier today. Who fucking knows.

"Why?" He finally asked.

"Because… You've always made it look so… easy," Shaking hands ran through unruly curls, "It comes easier for you than it did for me. Always did. Just— How do you do it, Remus?"

The other twin considered it for a moment.

Had it really? Admittedly, Remus didn’t really notice it. He hummed. Sit on a typewriter and let yourself bleed , huh?

Well. He apparently had a crisis to handle.

Remus leaned against Roman's desk. Lightly, he ran rough, clumsy fingers on a splotch of dried ink absorbed into wood.

The tone that his Other Half (Don't make it weird Tumblr, he didn't mean that way. So put those pitchforks down and back away. Thanks.) had used while gesturing to the stack of papers and feather quills on his desk now morphed into disgust, "it feels like I just don't have any flowing in me anymore,"

"Well duh," long, dirty fingernails tapped against polished wood, "It's because bleeding isn't supposed to be easy, you doofus," He sighed, and Roman’s expression caused him to nearly want to groan and drape himself over the table. God, it was so fucking obvious that Roman really had no idea, did he? "You know, If you wanna go all gross metaphor with me, you gotta at least not half ass it,"

"Okay, but half ass it how? That how the saying goes,"

With all the tact and delicacy of a blunt axe, Roman’s words were cut off.

"Then it's a shit saying,"Before Roman could protest, "Look do you want me to help or not? Yeah? Then good. Just shut up for a sec and spill the juicy details," Pause, "Okay, what do you know about periods?"

Roman stiffened, obviously beginning to not like where the conversation was steered to. Because not even Jesus could take the wheel when Remus was behind it. However, Roman reluctantly let his shoulders relax when his twin brushed him off with an eye roll. Cautiously, because Remus still needs to be handled much like a skunk would.

"Remus— “

"Oh just relax. This is going somewhere. Trust me. And I won't do any shit I can't clean up. Just answer the question,"

Roman looked queasy, but swallowed heavily. He supposed he did ask, "I guess, just what Thomas learned in Sex Ed,"

Hm, he could work with that.

"So absolutely shit! Great! I just love the educational system in Florida. Wonderful. Wish the Nerdy Wolverine was here to tell you. But you only got me so it'll have to do— Should've prepared a whole musical number about it too—"

Remus held out his palms, and Roman sees the skin tighten. It strained and stretched before it ripped into a bloody gash. Roman grimaced, the other unperturbed. In fact, he daresay Remus looked curious. Like he was mulling over what to say.

"Eh, Follow up— Have" Remus let the blood pool into his cupped hands. A tablespoonful turned into a cupful and soon it was overflowing. He tipped his hand so that the blood dribbled down. Drip drip drip, a small stream of blood hit the floor in splatters, "Have you seen it before? Period blood?"

"What?” Oh god, he feels like he could gag, “Gross—! No of course not,"

Remus rolled his eyes.

"Unfeminist much?" The dry tone was met with protest.

"I'm not!—" Roman spluttered, "I don't go around looking for what comes out of people's pants, Remus!"

"Yeah yeah, but did you know they're chunky though?"

"I— What the fuck Remus?"

"Just...humour me for a sec. So they're chunky," Remus sort of flicked his hand, sending smaller droplets flying. A particularly large droplet streaked across Roman’s floor, "Thick goopy, disgusting— Hey, think of that the next time you scoop out some Crofters eh?"

Well, there nearly goes Roman's lunch.

"Oh god.” He pushed down the tickle at the back of his throat, “Please don't— Just, get to the point,"

"Okay okay. Jeez. The point is," two scarred, calloused hands rubbed together, letting the blood smear, "Is that even blood flows differently,"

The hands raised up, tinged red and both of them marred with an angry, red, jagged tear.

"Look at this shit. See? Not everything that comes out is the same. Some places will drip. Others flow and some? They're chunky. That's just how it is. you can't expect chunky blood to flow as easily as fresh blood,"

Without letting Roman mull on the morbid metaphor, he ploughed on.

"Oh yeah— And blood coagulates. It dries up and turns to scab. It won't stay bleeding forever. It's not supposed to. And expecting it to is just stupid, so write that down with your fancy quill,"

Blinking, Roman's mind slowly caught up with him.

Flowing blood and drying and scabbing— He soon deflated.

Oh.

Oh…

He just watched wordlessly as Remus wiped his hand against the fabric of his outfit. Flakes of dried blood sprinkled down joining the droplets on the ground like some sort of morbid snow.

" And just in case you forget, because of course you do. Scabbing is good. Personal experience guaranteed. It heals things. Plus…" the hand with the cut waved again. Exaggeratedly, mockingly, and even Roman couldn't help but to crack a smile, "You gotta make a pretty deep cut if you wanna bleed a lot,"

Maybe Roman was imagining the softer tone that Remus had let bleed into his voice.

"And if you bleed a lot, you gotta let yourself scab,"

A long, slow exhale.

He had to let himself scab.

"And… You've kinda been bleeding a lot, didn’tcha?"

"I…" Roman swallowed, mouth suddenly dry, "...Yeah...I think so,"

"Been making some huge cut lately to get it flowing?…"

"...Mmmm…" Shaking breaths, fragile and soft. Okay… okay… "Remus?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you… do you think I can… I should—"

Should he stop?

"... Course you could, you stupid bleeding heart…" a hand found itself in Roman's hair, gently carding it. Really, almost petting it, "...But fuck Ro, if that isn't the thing we all love about you, you doof. Of course you can. And you should. In fact, I am telling you to,"

Hesitantly, a pair of arms circled themselves over Roman's shoulder, pulling him close.

Remus didn't mention it when he saw broad shoulders decorated in tassels begin to shake. He didn't pay attention to the soft sobs that sent a Prince, unwavering and strong, shaking. He didn't care about the way Roman's face had crumpled.

"It's time to let it scab, Roman. And try not to pick at it too much,”

Outside, the figure that had been leaning against the door for the better part of the last 10 minutes smiled.

Heh… Credit where credit's due, he supposed.

He tilted his bowler hat forward and began walking down the hallway. No need to worry.

Who knew that the Duke had it in him.

#sanders sides #sanders sides fic #creativitwins #remus sanders #roman sanders #ts remus #ts roman #tw blood #tw periods #tw mild gore

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jwillowwolf · 3 years

Text

Magic and Miracles - Chapter 1

Sanders Sides Big Bang fic, Chapter 1!

< Prologue | Next Chapter | Masterlist

Summary: Roman huffed. “Anyone could have done that.”

“Well, if they knew the spells, then yes,” Logan agreed.

“He’s just jealous of the grand show you made of it,” Remus chuckled.

“I am not jealous.”

“Oh, then why are your eyes so green?”

“They’re naturally this colour, idiot.”

“Ah, but not in such a poisonous shade.”

Warning/s: food mention, fantasy racism.

Characters: Logan, Emile, Remy, OCs, Virgil, Roman, Remus, Patton, Janus.

Read on AO3

1 | A Whole New World

Logan had been figuratively buzzing with anticipation ever since Mr Ainmosni had come to the bakery and offered him the chance of a lifetime. Now, one week later, he was about to be picked up for his first day of school. Everleigh had come around to see him off, and Emile had made them both pancakes with Crofters jam for breakfast.

“Do you think you’ll get to meet the prince?” Everleigh asked during their meal.

Logan shrugged. “Probably not. He’s never shown his face in public since he was a kid, after all.”

“Why though.” Everleigh wondered. “He’s the crown prince after all. Aren’t princes supposed to be big public figures or something?”

“Perhaps he hides his identity for the sake of protection. Again, he is the crown prince.” Logan pointed out.

“I guess you have a point there. Ooh, you are going to get to meet some nobles though.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“You’re the first non-noble to qualify for a magic license, so your classmates must be from the nobility.”

“Hmm, that seems most logical. Though I will meet and study with them, I doubt we’ll become friends.”

“Again with the selling-yourself-short! You’re awesome Lo, anyone, noble or otherwise, would be lucky to befriend you. Just don’t go getting yourself a new best friend, okay?”

“I’d never dream of it. But if I’m going to be spending so much time studying, then I hope you’ll consider finding yourself more friends.”

“I’ve got a library full of books, I don’t need more friends than that.”

“Ev…”

“Okay, I’ll socialise, if you do the same on your end.”

“I still don’t think anything will come of it, but I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try.”

“Hey, kiddo, did you make sure to pack enough underwear?”

“Dad!” Logan exclaimed in embarrassment while Everleigh snickered at the question.

“I’m being serious, Logan. You don’t want to run out.”

“I am positive that I’ve packed everything I’m going to need.”

“Even your-”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t finish my sentence.”

“I’ve packed clothes, books, hygiene products, spare clothes, and a spare binder.”

“Okay. Don’t forget to take a break from binding every few hours. If I hear anything about you neglecting to do so, then make no mistakes I’ll march over there myself to see that you do.”

“I know. I can take care of myself dad.”

Everleigh snorted. “If it weren’t for us, you’d have probably worked yourself to death.”

Logan looked at her with a you-are-not-helping expression, then turned back to his dad. “I’ll be fine. Besides, Mr Ainmosni is going to be taking care of us.”

Emile frowned. “I don’t doubt that Remy is a good teacher if he’s been put in charge of this, but I feel that he’s not completely… responsible.”

“He definitely fancies you if the constant flirting was any indication,” Everleigh teased.

Logan snickered. “Yeah, you went red as a tomato.”

“Oh shush,” Emile scolded, blushing at even the memory.

“I’ll be okay though, you really don’t have to worry.”

“You know I will either way, but I am proud of you. It feels like just yesterday you two were tiny tots running around the bakery. Now, look at you! A library apprentice and a wizard in training.”

“We have come a pretty long way, haven’t we,” Logan smiled.

Everleigh laughed. “I don’t think I’m anywhere near as accomplished as you.”

“I wouldn’t be where I am without you. How else could I have studied those library books for countless hours without you making sure to keep tabs on them.”

“It’s not like I had much to worry about when you read at the speed of light.”

“I’m going to miss studying there.”

“Well, you’re always welcome to stop by. It’s not like you’re going to the next town over or anything.”

“I suppose. Though I really won’t be able to spend as much time there as before.”

“Don’t go getting homesick already, Lo. I already miss you, but this isn’t a goodbye.”

“Definitely not. I’ll probably visit this weekend.”

“Then I’ll be here Saturday morning to hear all about what you’ve done.”

Logan nodded. He was glad that they would stay friends, even if they could only see each other on weekends. He’d known Everleigh since they were babies after all. Not having her around would be weird.

The bell above the shop door rang and the trio in the kitchen heard Remy call. “I have arrived!”

They went to the bakery and saw Remy standing there in the same outfit as before, however this time he had a strange flask in his hand.

Emile frowned. “What’s that?”

“Midnight elixir. My own special concoction. It’s a touch bitter but really helps if you need an energy boost. Want a try?”

“Oh, uh, no thank you.”

“Woah, are you guys riding in that?” Everleigh gasped when she saw the carriage parked outside.

It was a standard chestnut brown box carriage with white swirls and spirals decorating it all around, and a pair of beautiful cream coloured horses pulling it.

“Yep. Ready to go, Logan?”

Logan nodded. “I just need to grab my bag from upstairs.”

He quickly went and got his suitcase then paused a moment to look around his room. He wouldn’t see it again for a while. Honestly, he’d never been away from home for longer than an overnight stay at Everleigh’s house. The reality of leaving everything he knew behind was both exciting and frightening. He truly didn’t know what to expect at this magic school apart from that he’d learn magic. This was a huge step to take and he wasn’t entirely sure of his readiness anymore.

But when he got downstairs and saw his dad and Everleigh’s proud expressions, he knew that there was no turning back now. He had a goal after all, and this was going to help him achieve it. He wouldn’t freeze up and disappoint them now.

Farewell wishes and goodbye hugs were quickly exchanged, then Logan and Remy got into the carriage and were off. Logan looked out the back window as they drove away from the bakery, out of town, and to the location of the Srednas Magic School.

“Mr Ainmosni-”

“Just Remy, kid.”

“Remy, where exactly is the school?”

“The school is, for now, the Srednas Manor. The Prince wants to have a proper school built, but this first class is only the test run, so to speak.”

“Test run?”

“The council wants to be sure that a school would be a successful idea before the Prince can order a real one to be made.”

Logan nodded. “I suppose that’s why it’s not publicly known.”

“Yeah, getting ideas through the council is a pain, even for royalty. I’m surprised they let you obtain a learners license without too much fuss. Though you should be cautious about any interactions with Councillor Allen. He was not happy when he heard the Prince invited you to his school,” Remy chuckled.

“He wouldn’t really be able to do anything against me, would he?”

“With how you won the favour of his highness and Lady Silvia, not a chance. But you will need to be careful. Now that you’re practising magic, you will be interacting with nobility, and any mistakes made in their world can mean an end to your reputation and career.”

“I don’t know if I would do much socialising.”

“Kid, you are the first-ever wizard to come from a commonwealth household. Nobles are going to find a way to meet you and they’ll either see you as an opportunity or an opponent.”

“Opportunity?”

“You already caught the notice of the Crown Prince. They’ll want to take advantage of that. And at the same time, they might see that as a problem since you’re getting his attention over them.”

“I’ve never even met him.”

“They won’t care. They may even believe you have anyway.”

Logan frowned. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”

Remy nodded. “Yeah, but if you need anything then you can just ask.”

“Does social standing fall under your teaching duties?”

“Nope. But I don’t mind helping people, and honestly, I think that you have something… special. You’re forging a path for others who may want to learn magic themselves. I think that’s worth investing in.”

“So, this isn’t for anything like points with my dad?”

Remy laughed. “While that seems like a benefit, I truly didn’t think of it before you said something.”

Shortly after that conversation, the carriage came to the silver gates of the Srednas Estate. The driveway was paved with white stones and went all the way up to the large manor house which was built of brilliant dark wood and stone bricks. It looked to Logan like a small castle, with even a tower on the left side that stretched high above even the forest trees.

The carriage stopped just outside of the enormous front door, and Logan found himself staring up in awe as he followed Remy out.

“Well, I believe we are the last to arrive. Follow me to the classroom. The others should be waiting there for us.”

Logan followed Remy down the halls. When they finally arrived at their destination, Logan noted that there were seven small desks set in a sort of semi-circle. They were all facing one large desk with a big chalkboard behind it. As Remy had predicted, the other six students already occupied the room.

Two elves were sitting together by the two desks far left, talking about something animatedly to one another. They looked similar, with broad shoulders, long dark curly hair, and almond tanned skin. Their eyes however set them apart from one another, the one on the left having bright green eyes while the others were deep red.

Sitting on the desk of the red-eyed elf was a water sprite with a kind smile. He had a petit build, bright brown eyes and messy blonde hair with small variously coloured flowers braided in. His skin was a peachy hue apart from the blue-green splotches that identified them as being a sprite.

Standing by one of the large windows in the back of the room were two students. One a demi-wolf, the other a Dragonborn. The Dragonborn stood with an air of confidence and superiority. Paired with the scales that covered the right half of their face, they seemed quite intimidating. Their eyes were mismatched, the left one a normal brown while the right one was bright yellow with a black slitted pupil. Their blonde hair was nearly completely hidden by their ivy cap.

In comparison, their demi-human companion seemed rather timid or perhaps on edge, if their body language was anything to go by. Their tail hung low, slowly swinging side to side, and their wolf ears were focused forward, listening intently to the Dragonborn’s words, while their deep brown eyes glanced routinely around the room and out the window.

On the other side of the room, by a bookshelf full of large tomes, stood the last student. He was slender and pale, with black hair that faded into dark purple and hung slightly in his stormy grey eyes. He was leaning with his back against the shelves, eyes focused on the pages of the book in his hands, at least until Remy and Logan had entered. At that moment, the boy looked up through his fringe and focused his stormy eyes on Logan.

For a moment Logan felt frozen. Those eyes seemed to be reading him like a book. Searching his very soul for… something. But the feeling only lasted a moment as the boy looked back down at his book with a thoughtful frown. How peculiar.

“Okay, everyone, take a seat. Preferably at the provided chairs.” Remy said as he turned to take his own seat behind the large desk facing the semi-circle.

The sprite hopped off the elf’s desk and sat at the desk beside them. The Dragonborn took the next seat, and the demi-wolf sat beside them. The boy at the bookshelf returned his book to its place then sat at the desk on the far right. Leaving a seat for Logan between the boy and the demi-human, which he promptly took.

“Alright, class. I don’t expect you to become best friends or anything, but we are a small group so I hope you will at the very least get along with each other. For that, you’ll probably need to know each other, so we’re going to go around and introduce ourselves. I’ll start. I’m your teacher, Remy Ainmosni, my pronouns are he/him, and don’t worry this is not alcohol,” Remy said as he gestured to his flask. “Who wants to go next?”

“Oh, me!” The sprite said excitedly, jumping up. “Hi, I’m Patton Lilyhart, I use he/him, and I’m excited to get to know you all.”

Remy nodded. “I like the energy. Who wants to continue?”

“I shall.” The green-eyed elf declared, standing up from his seat with a confidant and regal air. “My name is Roman Elvar Goldheart Arthur Leafstone, and my pronouns are he/him. I am the eldest son of Lady Leafstone and heir of the Lyrecrest Ilse.”

“An impressive introduction, Roman, but next time you can just say your name is Roman Leafstone, we don’t need your full given name,” Remy commented, then gestured to the other elf. “Your turn.��

The red-eyed elf stood, though she held herself with a more casual air and wrapped an arm around Roman’s shoulders. “Sup, I’m Remus, he/him or she/her, and this is my less-handsome twin.”

“You’re wrinkling my cape,” Roman complained, only to have Remus stick out her tongue at him.

Remy nodded with an amused smile. “Okay, snake eye, you’re up.”

“I am not a snake,” the not-half-snake hissed. “My name is Janus Embyrn, they/them, and I am a Dragonborn.”

“Good for you, snake eye. What about you, Wolfie?” Remy asked, completely ignoring the fiery rage burning in Janus’s eyes.

“My name is Willow, um, Redrunner.”

“Are you sure?” Remus asked. “Cause you don’t seem so confident about that.”

Willow shuffled nervously in their seat. “I- well… you see- uh-”

“Demi-humans don’t use last names,” Logan declared.

Willow nodded gratefully at him. “Yeah, but if needed then we use the name of our pack. I hail from the Redrunner pack and use she/they pronouns.”

Remy nodded then turned his attention to Logan and the stormy eyed boy. “Okay, which of you two wants to go?”

“I’m Virgil Tempest, he/him,” the boy declared.

They all waited a moment for him to say more, but he simply gestured for Logan to go. Logan made a mental note of that and then cleared his throat.

“My name is Logan Picani and I also use he/him pronouns.”

Patton gasped. “Oh my gosh, you’re the star guy! Right?”

“If you are referring to the spells I cast at the license test, then yes that is me.”

Roman huffed. “Anyone could have done that.”

“Well, if they knew the spells, then yes,” Logan agreed.

“He’s just jealous of the grand show you made of it,” Remus chuckled.

“I am not jealous.”

“Oh, then why are your eyes so green?”

“They’re naturally this colour, idiot.”

“Ah, but not in such a poisonous shade.”

“Let’s not fight,” Patton intervened. “You did very well on your presentation Roman.”

“Thank you, Pat, but I am still not and have never been jealous. Especially of a human.”

“Watch your words, elf,” Janus growled. “You wouldn’t want us to think you’re racist.”

Roman glared darkly at them but was interrupted by Remy before he could reply. “Never mind presentations, and races, and titles, none of those things matter here so there’s no need to discuss them. All of you were chosen with equal faith in your abilities as competent mages who could better the kingdom. I hope you can appreciate this opportunity and act civil with each other for the duration of your time here.”

Everyone was silent but Logan could practically see sparks of violent tension between Roman and Janus. They were going to be a problem for each other but with any luck, they wouldn’t pull the rest of the class down with them. Logan doubted he had that much luck, but he hoped anyway.

“Now, the rules are as follows,” Remy continued, ignoring the tense atmosphere. “Firstly, you are to stay on school grounds, unless permitted by myself to leave. Secondly, lessons will take place in the late morning and early afternoon, whatever you do outside of that time is up to you. So long as it doesn’t interfere with classes then I don’t care what you do. You’re old enough to watch yourselves, and I am not a babysitter, so I expect you to keep out of trouble for the most part. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the dining hall, food is allowed outside of these hours, but not permitted inside of your rooms. Speaking of your rooms, you may decorate them as you like, but please remember to keep them moderately tidy as the cleaning staff will only come through once a week-”

“Once a week?”

“That’s what I said, Roman.”

“Do you expect our beds to go unmade for that long?”

Remy shrugged. “I would hope you could at least do that for yourselves. You’re not infants after all.”

Roman opened his mouth to protest further but was cut off by Janus. “What food is to be served, exactly?”

“Not sure. You can inquire with the chef for a menu and tell them of any dietary requirements too. If and when you interact with the estate staff, I expect you to be polite and respectful towards them. Any questions?”

“Can we explore the garden?” Patton asked.

Remy smiled. “Yes. The estate is yours to explore, apart from the tower.”

Remus’s eyes shone with curiosity. “What’s in the tower?”

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. If that’s all, then I think I ought to show you all to your rooms to get yourselves settled in.”

Remy got up and walked to the door, not waiting to see if anyone followed him. Roman rose in a dignified manner and went after him with Remus walking beside him. Patton practically skipped behind them and Janus followed with their own nonchalant air and Willow beside them. Virgil got up too and looked over to Logan for a split second, almost like he wanted to say something, but decided against it.

It was barely the beginning of his first day and Logan already felt that this was going to be a stressful time. He really had no idea how he was going to navigate interacting with all these people. He didn’t have to do that when he was independently studying before. By accepting this chance he was entering a whole new world.

And he was more than ready to conquer it.

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soysaucevictim · 3 years

Text

“I started thinking about human nature...”

Summary: Janus thinks Remus started off on entirely the wrong right foot with him. This is how they became best friends since. (Sanders Sides, Gym Rat AU. One-shot. Ao3 link.)

Genres: Slice of Life, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Tragicomedy, Comedy-Drama, I Don’t Know Man

Characters: Janus and Remus centric. Roman supporting.

Relationships: Dukeceit (platonic), Creativitwins (familial), Pre-Roceit (ambiguous)

Warnings: Injuries/blood, Creativitwin angst, implicit queerphobia, implicit ableism, physical abuse, disownment, chronic illness (psoriasis), Enemies to Best Friends, Remus Being Remus, Remus Is a Little Shit, Trans Masc / Nonbinary Remus, Janus Is A Good Friend, Remus Is A Good Friend, 2e Remus (Twice Exceptional), Protective Roman, Roman Is A Good Brother, Roman Isn’t Having a Good Time, Tonal Whiplash (Seriously)

Janus knew Remus since they were in high school. On age difference, they easily might’ve just missed each other – 4 years. But Remus did jump a grade in elementary school, demonstrating a precocious knack for SOME arenas of academics.

He was clearly gifted, especially when it came to things of mechanical nature. But he was also just as clearly troubled. It was a crying shame that most people paid more attention to the latter part. Truly.

So they met, when Janus was a junior and Remus a freshman.

Janus was also partway into the school’s 3+3 DPT program, to speed the process up for him to get to be a physical therapist in a few years out of high school. He had his reasons for that, reasons he’d much rather disclose to very few people.

Other than the market demand, to be sure. It wasn’t because he cared about people, and he’d be obstinate about making that point clear.

Remus wasted no time to leave an impression on the student body, in the first month of the school year. Though, at the time, no one knew it was him.

Janus was minding his own business in chemistry class when the school’s sprinkler systems went off. But something was… wrong.

It – it smelled like AXE body spray. Janus thought it was mostly water that went through the pipes, but it was unmistakable and overwhelming. He was caught by surprise like everyone else was, but still attempted to play it cool as he shoved his belongings into the desk to try to salvage them from the deluge.

Mr. Sanders yelped, just as confused as everyone else in the room, “What in the name of-!? I-I guess it’s fire drill time. Let’s go, class. Quickly and calmly.”

It turned out the entire first floor of the building was set off and only that floor (this campus had two of them).

The entire floor, positively reeked of the stuff for days. No one was was able to figure out what miscreant was responsible for this. Janus would absolutely leisure in the chaos of the student body and staff smelling like they vaped canisters of body spray. But, you see, Janus’s skin took objection to the whole experience, rather quickly.

At the tail end of middle school, Janus developed a few rashes, probably from stress or perhaps as a result of a strep infection. Which he quickly learned from his family doctor to be psoriasis, which was just fantastic. So, the chemical assault aggravated the already flaring up patches on his face and hands. He could give less of a shit about what other students would say about his appearance, but holy hell did it ITCH.

He was determined to figure out who the hell was responsible, to give him a piece of his mind.

Things appeared to go without incident for sometime, nearly a month. Not without Janus warily scanning the classrooms and occasionally the rest of the campus for anyone that just set off any alarm bells.

He finally met eyes with him in the cafeteria. Well, he still didn’t know that at the time.

Just this kid who dressed like a hot mess and rather ambiguously gendered lounging in the corner picking their nose and looking like they were about to doze off. It was as if someone threw a punk, an emo, and a dragster in a blender. Hit frappe, topping it all off with toxic green and black coat of paint. They really stood out, yet no one dared to approached them.

Janus did read some big “FUCK OFF” energy from him. Still, he was curious, “Hey.”

This kid’s attention snapped up pretty quick, with an excessive amount of drama to it, “And who might yooou be?”

Janus decided to withhold his name, just in case, “Dee. You?”

The kid shrugged, boldly going the flirtatious route, “Whatever you want me to be.”

“… I’m not interested in that… right now. You new around here?”

“Maaaybe.”

Janus was sure it was a shot in the dark, but he was getting increasingly agitated with his face, “Were you here during the AXE incident recently?”

The kid perked up suspiciously, “Maybe I was. Maaaybe I wasn’t.”

Janus lightly rubbed the patch on his cheek before pinching his nose in exasperation, “Can you not with this evasive bullshit?”

“Oooh... feisty.”

Perhaps his patience was on the thin side, but Janus felt a building urge to slap this fool. He sighed, “Well. Let’s just say – urg-”

The itching was unbearable at this point and he started to furiously rub his offending hand through his gloves. The kid looked almost concerned, “Uh. You okay?”

Janus lied through his teeth, “I’m fine. But whoever was responsible for that body spray shit certainly won’t be…”

The kid started to crack. Torn between seeming to find pleasure in making Janus squirm and a glint of actual concern. This only made Janus more mad, if he was perfectly honest. Janus just snipped out, “I don’t know what your angle is here, but I will figure it out.”

The kid seemed insulted, placing a hand on their chest, “I have no idea what the fuck your problem is, man. You came to me with the 20 Questions!… heh.”

Janus groaned, unsure of where he should take this, his gut telling him he was looking at the perpetrator of his current bout of absolute suffering. He could only muster turning on his heels and give the kid the “I’m watching you” signal.

The kid just cackled uproariously as they parted ways.

Yeah, Janus was certain that kid was responsible. He just knew it.

The two of them shared a pre-calculus class and the kid was just… snoring at their desk, by the time it was almost up. Ms. Crofters didn’t appreciate the insubordination, “SANCHEZ.”

Everyone was already starting to file out of the room, since the bell rang. Morning classes were rough for everyone, but this kid looked exhausted, actually. No, Janus was determined not to pity them. Janus simply watched the exchange play out.

“Sanchez” smacked their lips blearily responding with, a simple “… what?”

The teacher sighed and softened, “You really need to take this more seriously, I know you have so much potential, to be a freshman placed in this class. You just need to-”

They grumbled and rolled their eyes, “Whatever.”

The teacher remained seated, decided she was going nowhere and started to grade some papers in the break in between classes. Sanchez took the cue to stand up with their things and leave. Not before Janus was noticed for staring at the whole situation. Sanchez was surprisingly icy, “You got a problem with me, too?”

“Plead the fifth.”

Janus was now intrigued, sensing they might be a lot sharper than they seemed. Hints at them being more capable of pulling off tampering with the sprinkler system in such a noxious fashion.

Janus confronted them in the hallway, fiddling through their locker, “Don’t lie to me, Sanchez.”

Sanchez rolled their eyes, still playing coy, “Whatever do you mean, Dee?”

“I KNOW you fucking did it.”

“Did what?”

“I don’t know, not the surprise assault on the senses, weeks into the year!?”

“… your rash is looking pretty angry.”

“NAH. YOU THINK SO?!”

Sanchez finally began to placate a little, “Okay, I’m… I’m sorry.”

Janus was taken aback, not expecting the apology so easily, “What was that?”

“Hahaha… a few other kids wound up in the hospital thanks to that stunt I pulled. Asthma and shit like that. Almost got in a little bit of hot water.”

Staff still refused to state who perpetrated the mess, maybe this kid was far more brilliant than Janus could imagine.

“I didn’t take you for the kind of person who would give a damn about that sort of stuff.”

Sanchez simply shrugged in response.

Janus found himself staring into Sanchez’s locker, at random parts of electronics and diagrams haphazardly piled into it. “… what’s in there?”

“I dunno. Projects?”

“How helpfully vague.”

“Look, I just like keeping my hands busy, you know, fuck around and find out.”, Sanchez snorted at their own choice of words.

“Why… why did you put AXE in the system, in the first place?”

Sanchez threw up their arms and just said, “I dunno. One moment, it just started off as a ‘you know what would be fucking hilarious’ thought and the next I was going at the preaction sprinkler valve with a wrench, a bunch of cans of Provoke, and a soldering iron.”

“Aaand no part of you went, ‘why don’t we sleep on it’?”

“SLEEP!? Sleep is for the weak, amigo.”

Janus gave them a withering glare, personally greatly appreciating a good snooze himself, “I guess impulse control really isn’t your forte?”

They were overly chipper, “NOPE.”

For some reason, Janus couldn’t stay mad at this point. There was just something strangely endearing about them.

The two of them wound up hanging out together more.

Up until that point, Janus just migrated from friend group to friend group, making himself kind of a chameleon to any ne’er-do-wells who might’ve wanted to get a rise out of him. He was good at not taking shit from people and he was usually left alone for it.

Sanchez eventually told Janus that he wanted to be called Remus. That he was actually a guy… mostly. Sort of. Good enough, as far as Janus was concerned.

Janus returned the favor of trust, telling him his actual name. Still choosing not to explain anything, but glad that Remus didn’t make any potshots about how it sounded. Remus was fast warming up to him.

Mutually, they surprised each other about their own predilections for anarchy, and they really hit things off in that department. Janus just had two stipulations: not being the collateral damage again… and maybe Remus should show a little more concern for his own well-being and safety.

(To this day, Janus wasn’t particular successful about the latter part.)

One of the next most notable/notorious stunts perpetrated by Remus, neared the end of his freshman year.

A voice blared into the intercom system, ran through some distortion filters to make it less obvious to most people. Several octaves lower and static-y, “Goood morning, bitches, bastards, and everyone else! Thank you for listening to KRAX radio! I’m your host for today, The Duke of Butts himself. Ready for some garbage?! No?! Well, too bad!”

Janus, was split between cracking up and pretending to be just as alarmed as everyone else.

An obnoxious record scratch was heard through the building before an unholy remix of the likes of “Never Gonna Give You Up”, “All-Star”, and “Gangnam Style” started playing. It was the most beautiful and awful thing Janus had ever heard, it brought a tear to his eyes.

His fellow students eventually broke down laughing – in fact several neighboring classrooms worth were cheering and booing.

The teacher was far less amused, angrily dialing for the school administrators probably to report his disdain. It was in vain, since he was drowned out by the classroom and the broadcast.

Silence on the intercom.

The students went “awww” about it.

The teacher tried again, getting though, “You heard that right!? Yeah. Okay. Make sure to catch whosoever responsible for whatever the hell tomfoolery that was!”

Things seemed to quieted down.

That is until the first lunch period, “Goood afternoon, it’s me again! Bet y’all missed me! Huh!? Anyways, time for another plate full of Shitcago.”

Janus snorted as the scratch sample lead into yet another audible travesty. “Sandstorm”, “Shooting Stars”… and “Peanut Butter Jelly Time”.

There was a lot of gasping in awe at the shear audacity, Janus felt a sense of pride. Remus outdid himself, this time.

By then everyone was wondering when this entertainer would show up again.

A few minutes before school was to be dismissed, there was one final broadcast, “Goood evening, fuckers! Have a parting gift from me, before y’all head off to the shitty places you call home!”

Janus winced at the concerning subtext.

Next, Remus outright said, “Record Scratch!?”, for the segue. And what played next… was just “Chemical Bomb” by the Aquabats. Not quite the same level of aural hell as the previous sets… but that did get the school staff REALLY squirrely.

Remus didn’t actually talk much about his home life.

Janus came to learn that he had a brother and that his parents just weren’t in the picture anymore. Beyond that?

Whenever Janus gently prodded that hornet’s nest, Remus deflected constantly. Janus desisted after awhile, growing to respect this quirky kid’s boundaries. But that didn’t stop Janus from speculating that something volatile was brewing, Remus getting more and more agitated.

That didn’t stop the two of them from occasionally orchestrating some more dramatic pranks on the school over the next year. Janus helping him with being more discretionary. Remus also did well to shore up Janus’s own vaguely threatening reputation to the school.

(The fact he was going into the care industry, notwithstanding and completely irrelevant.)

It was a small miracle Remus managed to never get caught for his bigger stunts. But he did get more and more disciplinary action against him as Remus cared less and less about this school.

Janus was on track and since graduated with surprisingly little incident. Swearing Remus would see him out with a bang, at this point. Janus went straight to a local college, him coming by a family inheritance was a real boon for him to focus on himself.

But, they still kept in touch. Halfway into Remus’s senior year, Remus started a worrisome text conversation with him.

“Hey, can I stay at your place tonight?”

“Sure? Something happen?”

“Uh. I may’ve fucked up. Badly.”

“Listening.”

“I’d rather talk about it in person.”

“Ok? Need ride?”

“I maaay already be halfway to your place. Also, I’m taking my brother over...”

“Pls don’t tell me you’re txting while you drive. Wait – brother?”

A pause, Janus almost imagined Remus sighing, “… I’ll explain later.”

Remus arrived at Janus’s doorstep looking like even more of a mess than usual.

There was a bright red hand print on Remus’s face, and clear evidence that he had been crying heavily. The makeup he usually wore washed down his cheeks. Which felt like a twist of a knife in Janus’s chest, this was the opposite of the unflappable goblin of a friend he grew accustomed to.

Remus only mentioned his brother in passing a few times. Part of the whole “I refuse to talk about my family” thing. But Janus was observant enough to note that there was a ghost of a smile whenever he talked about Roman, more than anyone else.

Janus had missed the chance to really get to see him thanks to their age difference and the fact Roman barely kept up with his age grade (compared to Remus). He wasn’t informed why.

Roman was certainly in worse shape, physically. Remus had him to his side, arm over the shoulder for support. Roman’s nose and mouth dribbled with blood, he had a black eye showing, and the arm that wasn’t around Remus hung limply. Roman was woozy, but noticed he was getting stared at, “You just… going to... let me bleed all over your porch or-?”

Asking why the hell these two weren’t in the hospital was a foregone conclusion, so Janus ushered them in.

When they all filed into Janus’s living room. One thing was becoming clear. Roman’s arm was wrenched out of socket and Janus bit his lips, “I’m pretty sure that needs a closed reduction. But, I’ve only really done one of those yet, in my training. That is, if nothing is actually broken.”

Remus’s eyes were blown wide, “Well?”

Janus inhaled sharply through his teeth, “It’s not like this is totally a proper a clinic… I can’t exactly give him much to make putting his arm back in socket… Bearable.”

Roman looked like he couldn’t focus on anything other than all the pain, and stayed quiet.

Janus knew he was being unusually pensive, but now’s not the time to unpack that, “Can I see that arm? Just. Just so I have a better idea of what to do about it?”

Roman simply grunted and nodded.

Janus sidled next to him and looked at the injury and gently prodded the area to get a better physical sense of what was wrong here. He didn’t exactly have imaging to go off of, nor a licensed care team, or really anything. This was… so messed up.

Roman winced a little as Janus touched some bruises and aggravated nerves, but let him continue to attend it. Janus, while looking at it still, gulped and asked them, “Um… care to tell me what the hell happened?”

Roman just looked down, unable to talk. Remus started stammering, “T-tío Esteban. Found out about everything and lost his patience with-”

Janus unfortunately couldn’t fully unpack what Remus meant there, he had a few ideas, but still grimaced. That said, Janus’s memory from training was getting jogged, looking at his brother. “Roman, was it? Let’s check to see how much your arm is working now? Get a better sense of the damage here…”

Janus ran through the actions to test how good his nerves and blood supply were, thankfully Roman was remaining conscious and showing some hopeful signs. Janus then left and did as he said, “I’m going to grab a sling, before we do anything else…”

When he came back, “Care to lie on your belly with your left arm hanging off the couch? I’m – I’m only going to try this once. Because I don’t have shit like lidocaine to give you. If it’s not going to work, I don’t want to-”

The brothers sighed, as if they both knew and dreaded what Janus meant. Roman flopped into position on the couch, without another word. Except for some short gasps of pain, probably brushing bruises Janus couldn’t see and aggravating the offending shoulder.

Remus was uncharacteristically timid, glancing at Roman and then at Janus, “He-he stood up for me. The dumb ass. He-he didn’t need to out himself too and-”

Roman hushed Remus.

Janus nodded as he started manipulating Roman’s shoulder blade in a subtle and gentle fashion. This seemed to surprise Roman, “This… isn’t anything like the movies, huh?”

“Well, there are more… forceful techniques. But I’d rather not resort to that.”

Roman mumbled, “… sorry to burden you.”

Janus just sighed, not wanting to address what was buried in that statement either.

Soon enough, Roman sighed in relief once Janus put his shoulder back in place and put that sling on him. Janus did stress he should still get that looked at, totally uncharacteristically prepared to open his wallet for the costs, if need be.

For the longest time, it was a shame that Roman didn’t remember very much of what happened, that night. Maybe it was too much trauma for him to access, maybe Roman just wanted to distance himself from it, but Janus wasn’t going to be that kind of “doctor”. When they later rediscovered each other in the gym, years later, it was like they were simply acquaintances. Which hurt… a little.

But Remus certainly remembered. And reminded him how grateful he was, fairly often.

It equally hurt seeing Remus being so hesitant, “Can you… can you help us… you know? He doesn’t want us back home, after-”

“Not even a question, dear.”

#spilled musing #sanders sides #janus sanders #remus sanders #roman sanders #gymrat au #(okay... time to refocus on the iZ!AU~)#(despite remus winding up in adv placement courses... he's still an understimulated underacheiver by conventional measures)#(/unconventionally/ extra af tho)

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lilith-lovett · 3 years

Text

Found Families - Home is Where the Hart is - Chapter Twenty Four

I am finally back on a proper writing schedule and I am back with a new one. I have been looking forward to writing this scene since the very beginning and it is finally here. Thank you for you continued support. Safe safe x

Masterlist

Summary: A bad night to a happy day

Word Count: 5459

Warnings: Past child abuse, anxiety, self-deprecation, disordered eating, implied depression, panic attack, flashback, food mention, knife mention, nightmare, swearing, implied self harm, unintentional self harm, hospital mention (this one is dark) (if there is anything I have missed pleased let me know)

The day had finally arrived. Logan hardly slept at all, the nerves and excitement becoming overwhelming. Patton was taking him to the local school to speak with the principal - who was apparently Elliott’s father Thomas - about the possibility of Logan enrolling in the school in the following academic year. It had been six years since Logan attended any form of educational institution, since his parents removed him from elementary school in order to implement their own curriculum and to avoid any prying question in regards to Logan’s well-being. His first two orphanages had very limited access to resources, books and textbooks with no teachers. His third orphanage had a lot more resources and regularly scheduled lesson plans, with Maggie providing him with extra textbooks, books and projects to complete in his own time so he could have something resembling an ordinary education. In that environment he had quickly surpassed the level appropriate for his age category. Upon leaving the orphanage, Maggie had provided him with a collection of textbooks to carry on using to study while waiting for the new academic year to begin. The day had finally arrived.

Logan understood Patton’s apprehension but he needed to do something and attending school would provide the stimulation he required. He agreed to Patton’s idea of visiting the school and speaking with Mr Sanders in order to create a plan for his joining after the Summer. They had discussed it several times and Patton admitted it made him more comfortable having a detailed action plan and a line of contact with Mr Sanders about his situation, which Logan accepted as reasonable.

Logan had woken up early and immediately dressed himself before heading downstairs not expecting to see anyone else awake, considering the time, but surprisingly Patton was already up and preparing breakfast. Softly singing to himself, as the sweet smell of crofters and pancakes filled the room. This was an unusual occurrence for Patton for a number of reasons; he described himself as an ‘early bird’ but he was never up this early, breakfast on school days were normally simple due to Roman and Virgil’s bad habit of sleeping in. Pancakes and more elaborate breakfasts were reserved for weekends and special occasions. Perhaps, today was a special occasion Logan simply wasn’t aware of. It didn’t take long for Patton to notice Logan, the surprise present on his face.

“Oh, hello, kiddo, I am guessing you are up early because of school, I wish Roman and Virgil were this excited for school,” Patton chuckled as he continued on prepare breakfast but must have caught Logan��s perplexed expression. “Oh, you are probably wondering why I am up so early? I thought since today is special day for you, we would have a special breakfast,”.

Patton continued chatting to Logan as he prepared breakfast while Logan sat at the kitchen table listening, responding whenever necessary until Patton placed a stack of pancakes and a variety of toppings including Logan’s favourite crofters in the centre of the table.

“Tuck in, I am going to go wake up the rest of them,” Patton said to him before disappearing up the stairs.

Logan took a singular pancake and slathered it in a healthy helping of jam. He was eating significantly more than he had prior living at the orphanage but his appetite was still minimal at best. He pretended not to notice the concerned glances Patton gave him whenever he didn’t finish a meal. Logan was fine. He was eating. More than he ever had been in fact. There was nothing unusual about him not finishing a meal. It was just another one of his habits. Logan began eating as Roman, Virgil and Declan were herded downstairs, still dressed in their pyjamas, by Patton. Everyone settled at the table before digging into their own plates of food. Drowsy small talk was exchanged and once Logan had eaten exactly half of what was on his plate he excused himself to finish preparing for the day ahead. Once again Patton gave him a worried look before sighing and clearing his plate.

A short while later, it was time to leave. They were leaving earlier than usual to drop Declan off at Dot and Larry’s house so Patton could attend the meeting with Logan. They all got into the car, Roman once again called shotgun, bounding towards the front of the car while Patton buckled Declan into the car seat in the centre of the back seat while Virgil and Logan sat on either side. The car ride was certainly lively, with Patton and Roman singing along to the radio and Declan babbling some sort of nonsense to Virgil who responded as if he perfectly understood everything he said. The nervousness was still building within Logan’s chest so he decided to remain silent.

Fifteen minutes passed and they were pulling into the school’s car park, several other families surrounded the building awaiting the bell, indicating the beginning of the school day. It was a large building, two separate entrances. One for the middle school and one for the high school as they buildings were combined, a large playground area containing various pieces of play equipment with a number of screaming children climbing all over it. Logan flinched away from the noise, raising a hand to his ear to block out the sound, an action Patton seemed to notice.

“Hey, Logan, how about we head inside?” Patton asked placing a hand on Logan shoulders, giving it a comforting squeeze as he gestured towards the closest entrance. “Okay, kiddos, I am going now, I’ll see you two later. I love you,”.

“Love you too, padre,” Roman exclaimed quickly running off into the crowds, disappearing from sight.

“Bye, dad. Bye, L,” Virgil said walking to a quiet corner of the playground, separated from the rest of the crowds. Logan knew Virgil hated crowded places so this behaviour made sense.

“Come on Logan,” Patton said leading Logan into the school building.

The main office was located relatively close to the entrance, Patton needed to sign in and struck up a friendly conversation with the women working there. A lot of talk about their families and traditional small talk. She asked Logan a couple of questions which he answered cordially until Patton had completed filling out the form. They said their goodbyes and Patton led him through the long, winding corridors filled with empty classrooms, towards Mr Sanders office. Once they arrived, Patton knocked on the door and a voice rang out, inviting them inside.

They entered Mr Sanders office, it was highly decorated; photographs, knick-knacks and various figurines on his desk and sat behind it was Mr Sanders, a wide smile across his face when he saw them. He appeared to be off a similar age to Patton, straight dark brown hair which swooped across his forehead and dressed smartly in a navy blue casual suit and tie combination. The nervousness hadn’t stopped building and was about bursting out of him by the time Patton led him into the office. What if he failed the test? What if they didn’t want him to attend the school? What would he do then?

“Hello, Patton, Logan,” Mr Sanders said standing reaching a hand out to Patton and then out to Logan before he indicated for them to sit. “So Patton tells me that you are are wanting to enrol in the school in the new academic year? That is wonderful and we can definitely arrange that, now Patton has told me some of the situation involving your home life and lack of official schooling, I also got into contact with your former tutor Miss Blair and she tells me that you have kept up with education and surpassed the standard level for your age group?”.

“Um…yes…I have been keeping up with studying,” Logan answered things were going well so far. He hadn’t been rejected yet.

“That is very responsible of you. Well with all of this information, I would like you to take a couple of tests so we can determine what grade you would be most comfortable in, considering your age you would normally enter grade 7 but because of your prior teaching I want to give you the opportunity to potentially progress to the next grade,” Mr Sanders explained taking out a pile of papers from his desk drawer. Tests. Logan could do tests. Actually he excelled at them. Test questions had answers, answers which could be figured out with the right equations or methods. Yes, Logan could do tests. “What do you think about that?”.

“I can do that,” Logan responded instantly, excited to finally be stimulated by some challenging questions.

“I love the enthusiasm,” Mr Sander’s said with a chuckle. “I’ll allow you to do the tests in here and Patton and I will have a chat about all of the details, just come and get us once you are finished,”.

Logan nodded in response as Patton gave him a comforting squeeze and ruffled his hair before leaving with Mr Sander, leaving him alone in the office with only the small stacks of test papers. Opening the first page he began.

“I don’t think I have ever met a child who was actually excited about taking a test before,” Thomas said as he closed the door behind him, attempting to stifle his laughter.

“That’s Logan for you,” Patton said with a chuckle. “He was super excited to come here today, he has been talking about enrolling in school for ages now but I wanted him to settle in a little before he did,”.

“That was a smart decision, has he been settling well?” Thomas inquired as Patton recalled the past few weeks. It had certainly been interesting. The highs were high; Roman’s birthday, their family movie nights, seeing Logan slowly come out of his shell. However, the lows were extremely low; the breakdowns, the constant fear of abandonment and the insecurity which couldn’t be quelled with words alone. Last nights conversation was a singular step in the seemingly never-ending staircase in the process of trying to get Logan to see his own worth, to convince him Patton wasn’t going to leave and he could finally let go of all of the pain.

“It has been hard. Really hard. I know it will be a difficult process and I know I can’t make everything better but I hate that feeling of hopelessness,” Patton admitted with a sigh. He knew from the beginning it wouldn’t be all sunshine and roses, he had been through a similar situation with Virgil and Dee but Logan is older and so too intelligent for his own good, he hid so much of how he truly felt until it exploded out of him.

“I understand the feeling, I think we all want things to be easier but all you can do is too give it time. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. This is a new environment for Logan and for you too, it is normal for things to be a bit rocky at the beginning and it will never be all smooth-sailing but the important thing is that you are trying and constantly working to be there for Logan,” Thomas responded placing a comforting hand on Patton’s shoulder. “You are doing the best you can and I’m sure Logan sees that too,”.

“Thank you, Thomas,” Patton said he knew Thomas was correct, Emile had been repeating the same information to him for years. It was difficult to see the progress they had made when they were still going through the lows but he knew it would all be worth it. They are a family now and together they would be able to handle anything, no matter how low the lows got, the highs would always be worth it.

Patton and Thomas continued talking, primarily how Logan’s enrolment into the school would work, for Patton’s own peace of mind. He had had similar discussions with Roman and Virgil’s teachers surrounding accommodations for their mental health problems and everyone he spoke too was extremely kind and willing to adapt for their benefit. So, Patton wasn’t necessarily worried in that regards but Logan was entering school far later than he should have and hadn’t been in such an environment before. He would be entering at a pivotal part of his educational career and while Logan was incredibly intelligent he lacked the social skills of children his age. What if he couldn’t handle such a drastic change in environment? It had taken him a while to adjust to moving from the orphanage to Patton’s house, what if moving to school caused a similar issue? What if he was bullied? Patton had witnessed first hand the torment Logan had to endure at the hands of the other children at the orphanage, to the extent he had gotten used to it, would the same occur in the classroom? Would Logan assume it was normal as he had likely experienced worse? Patton froze in place at the thought, his heart hurt merely thinking about. Maybe he and Logan should talk through a couple more options before making their decision?

“Patton, are you alright?” Thomas asked, waving a hand in front of Patton’s face as he snapped out of his brain funk.

“Ah, sorry, I just zoned out for a minute there,” Patton answered quickly, plastering on a smile, sensing his face glowing red with embarrassment.

“You’re worried about Logan, aren’t you?” Thomas pressed as Patton smile fell. Thomas always was super perceptive, he could never hide anything from him. “He will be fine, he will have access to all of the support we have available here and I will personally keep an eye out for him and you’ll be the first to now if anything does happen,”.

“Thank you, Thomas, I feel a lot better now,” Patton said and he meant it. Patton trusted Thomas wholeheartedly, he was aware of both Roman and Virgil’s struggles and agreed to do the same for them which definitely settled some of Patton’s anxieties. Also perhaps he was just over-thinking and Logan would thrive in the new, highly academic environment, overall helping to develop his social and personable skills. Yes Patton, think positive thoughts.

Just as Thomas was about to lead Patton to a waiting area for them to sit and continue their discussion, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before it opened revealing Logan, test papers in hand and a small smile on his face.

“I believe I have finished,” Logan said holding his papers out towards Thomas who failed to disguise his shock as he took Logan’s test papers into his hands.

“You-you’re finished…but its…” Thomas quickly glanced at his watch. “Only been fifteen minutes. Are you sure you are finished, did you check everything over?”.

“Yes, I reviewed everything thoroughly to locate any mistakes so I could remedy them, I am finished,” Logan stated once again, rather bluntly.

“Wow…That's…wow. How did you find it?” Thomas asked as he swiftly flicked through the papers, presumably to ensure Logan had indeed completed every question. Which he had.

“It was relatively simple, however, a few question did provide an enjoyable challenge,” Logan responded. Thomas’s expression shifted to one of awe. He had explained to Patton that the test was used in rare occasions, such as if a student wanted to transfer into a class of a higher difficultly level to assess if they could handle the increased difficultly. Traditionally reserved for older students but Thomas suggested for Logan to take it considering his situation and background. Patton believed that Thomas had assumed Logan would struggle or at least take longer than fifteen minutes to complete it.

“Wow…well that is really good…it’ll be about a week until I’ll be able to give you your results and then we can talk about what comes next after that. Is that alright with you Logan?” Thomas asked.

“Yes, thank you, Mr Sanders,” Logan responded with a small, careful smile.

“No problem Logan, I’m looking forward to seeing you in the new school year,” Thomas said, leading them both to the exit as they all said their goodbyes, waving to Patton and Logan as they left, entering into the now empty playground.

“Ah Logan, I am so proud of you!” Patton exclaimed throwing his arms around Logan, squeezing him close to his chest. Logan groaned but didn’t protest or attempt to move away and as Patton glanced down he noticed the tiny, precious smile on his face. Patton didn’t restrain his squeal. “Aw, you are so cute”.

“I am not” Logan grumbled shrugging out of the hug but the smile remained, making Patton smiled even larger.

“When we get home let’s have a super, super special day. We already had a special breakfast, lets have a special lunch and dinner too. Oohh and a movie night afterwards,” Patton rambled, his brain going a mile a minute with so many ideas of how to make tonight extra super special, of all of the different meals he could make, desserts to bake, fun snack ideas and a list of potential movies to watch.

“What is the special occasion?” Logan asked as he climbed into the front seat.

“This is the special occasion, silly,” Patton responded turning on the radio.

“Today wasn’t particular special,” Logan said.

“Of course it is and anyway everyday can be a special day if you want it to be, it is what you do with it that makes it special,” Patton explained as they began driving home.

“I suppose that makes sense, it is the actions which make the day and not the occasion itself,” Logan answered.

“Exactly,”.

They drove home, picking up Dee on the way. While Patton prepared their lunch and did some preparatory work for the meal he had planned for dinner and broke out his recipe books, searching for tasty desserts to make. While Logan attempted to entertain Dee. They ate lunch together, listening to Dee’s babbling nonsense as he recounted his morning with grandma and grandpa, however, he and Logan both nodded along as if he were speaking perfect English. Logan helped with the dishes and they continued preparations for dinner, they talked about the test and Logan divulged his solutions and methods for solving each question. Roman and Virgil returned home and assisted in dinner preparations creating quite the mess but Patton couldn’t be happier. He made sure to take many, many pictures for his photo-album. They each made their own pizzas, decorating them with a variety of toppings. While they were cooking in the oven, they moved onto the desserts. A lemon cheesecake and shortbread biscuits. The kitchen was enveloped with so many amazing smells. Following an incredible dinner and dessert, Roman and Virgil set into action preparing the living room for their movie night; layering blankets and pillows across the sofa, arguing over the superior snack and arguing over which Disney movie they should rewatch (they ultimately agreed on The Princess and the Frog as it was one of the few remaining Princess films Logan hadn’t seen yet). In no time at all everyone was bundled up on the sofa together, singing along with Tiana’s ‘Almost There’. Patton couldn’t imagine a more perfect end to the night, surrounded by precious children, safe and happy even including Logan who smiled contentedly at the television, tapping his fingertips against the arm of the armchair (which had seemingly now been dubbed as ‘Logan’s armchair’) along to the beat. Patton was truly the luckiest man in the world.

...the knife plunged into his chest…

Logan awoke with a start, scrambling for the light switch, allowing a soft light to enter the room, dispelling the darkness invading his mind, pushing it back into the shadowed corners. He curled in on himself, raising his hands to his chest, sensing the rapid beating of his heart within his ribcage as he struggled to catch his breath. Why? Why was this happening? Why now? There had been no trigger. No warning signs. He hadn’t experienced any adverse emotions today. So why? Why was he brought back to that place. Logan clawed at his neck and chest, in attempt to rid himself of the sensation of their hands, the cool edge of the blade, the stinging pain. But it remained as if the memories were branded there like a tattoo, no amount of scrubbing could ever remove. He grasped the small bear he slept with every night, sinking his nails into its soft fur to prevent him from turning them on himself, despite the near overwhelming desire for distraction from the voices echoing over and over again in his mind. He needed to calm down. He was already descending into hyperventilation and if he failed to get his breathing under control he would likely wake and alert the others, which was the last thing he wanted to occur. SO, GET IT TOGETHER, GOD DAMNIT!

Patton’s kind words entered his mind, reminding him of the breathing technique he had shown and helped him through on several occasions. Logan refused to disturb Patton at this hour over something so insignificant so decided to count through it himself. He brought his trembling hand, still clutching the toy to his chest. Moving with the expanding and deflating of his chest cavity. It took several frustrating tries of repeating the cycle before his breathing eventually began to slow, guided by Patton’s words and the pain eased. Logan prepared to attempt to lull himself back to sleep to combat the inevitable exhaustion he would feel tomorrow but just as he buried himself underneath his covers. A terror-fuelled scream forced him to his feet.

The screaming did not stop and was coming directly from Virgil and Declan’s room across the hall. What was happening? What manner of horrible thing was occurring to produce that reaction? Logan brain wouldn’t cease. Imagining scene after horrifying scene. He shook the images from his head and grabbed his glasses from his night-stand and rushed out of his room just in time to see Patton running into Virgil and Declan’s room. From his position by the door Logan could see Virgil’s trembling figure, hands desperately clawing at his skin as he screamed and cried out. Patton immediately took Virgil’s hands to prevent him from harming himself any further, attempting to talk to him as Virgil writhed in his grip.

“N-NO…NO…PLEASE…S-STOP…STOP IT…WHERE IS HE? WHERE IS HE!” Virgil shrieked as he struggled for every breath, his trembling body raked by tremors and seizing, fighting against Patton’s grasp but Patton held firm. Desperately trying to reach him with his soft, comforting words. “HURT ME INSTEAD…PLEASE DON’T HURT HIM…HURT ME…DON’T TOUCH HIM…W-WHERE IS HE?”.

Virgil’s screams only grew louder and more frantic in his anguish, as he begged for pain, begged for punishment, begged to take all of the hurt for himself to spare his brother. Logan’s gaze switched from Virgil to Declan who stood in his toddler bed, wailing, crying out for his brother, howling in their shared pain.

“Virgil, baby, look at me. Dee-Dee is okay, he is safe and so are you. Look at him, he is here and so are you. You aren’t there anymore,” Patton repeated softly, guiding Virgil’s head so he could see Declan, Patton then quickly stood, picking Declan up from his bed and placing him down onto Virgil’s bed before returning to holding Virgil arms and Virgil himself together as he broke down. Declan wrapped his tiny, shaking body around Virgil almost instinctively.

“I-I’m s-s-sorry…s-sorry…I-I’m bad…I’m bad…take me back…p-please…take me back,” Virgil whimpered almost inaudibly due to his gasps for air, in between pained wails. Virgil’s turmoil and breakdown was painful to watch, he couldn’t recall all the numerous times he had been in the same position, the same deafening thoughts circling like sharks in his mind awaiting the perfect moment to strike.

“No…no, you are not bad, you are perfect Virgil, okay? You are here. In your home. In your room. In your bed. I am here for you. I need you to breathe for me can you do that?” Patton asked extending a careful hand out towards Virgil’s chest and bringing Virgil’s hands which he still held in his own to his chest. “Just follow my breathing, you know what to do?”.

The breathing cycle began. Logan watched, frozen as they repeated it again and again and again. Until he was snapped out of his daze by a hand on his shoulder. He swiftly to see Roman, stony-faced and serious, very unlike the happy-go-lucky Roman from days prior, hour prior even. He had likely witnessed numerous of Virgil’s panic attacks in the past, knew his triggers and behaviours, knew his traumas and what he had been through before he was taken in by Patton.

“He had a flashback,” Roman stated with non of his usual flair or ferocity. “He used to get them all of the time, really bad ones, he would scream for hours that he was bad and that dad needed to take him back. They usually would only stop once he passed out but one time he got so sick and scared dad had to take him to the hospital, it was terrifying. At the time, I knew his mental health was bad but I had never, ever seen him like that before. It has been a while since his last one, I thought he was getting better,”.

Logan knew what a flashback was like. He had experienced them himself. Trapped in a loop of memories the past wouldn’t allow you to forget, replaying it over and over again until by some miraculous feat you broke out of it. He did not envy Roman, being forced to watch someone you care about go through something so horrible while being powerless to prevent or remedy it. It mustn’t have been easy growing up.

“I know you have nightmares too Logan,” Roman said unprompted. Logan’s body lurched, twisting rapidly toward Roman, reacting to what he had just said. “I can hear you in the middle of the night and it is obvious you aren’t sleeping,”.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Logan responded bluntly, turning away from Roman to once again face Patton and Virgil. Hoping he would drop the subject and not question him any further.

“Alright,” Roman answered and he remained true to his word, he didn’t probe any further.

Virgil’s breathing finally began to slow as did his whimpers and frantic whispering yet Patton’s comforting words and careful touch didn’t cease until Virgil’s body itself began to slow, as he quickly succumbed to exhaustion, allowing himself to slump into Patton’s open arms. Patton laid his sleeping figure down gently, covering his still trembling form with his weighted blanket before laying down next to him, running his fingers through Virgil’s hair, soothing him into what would be a hopefully dreamless slumber.

“Virg…Virge,” Declan whimpered reaching out towards Virgil.

“Come here, darling, come lie with daddy,” Patton whispered softly, urging Dee to lie down besides him. Patton held him close to his chest as they did and eventually he also drifted off to sleep along side Virgil as Patton watched over them.

Roman silently closed the door, removing any and all outside noise, allowing them all to sleep somewhat peacefully, despite the nights unpleasant events. Logan prepared to return to his room, to attempt to lull himself back to sleep. He expected Roman would do the same but instead Roman sat down on the hallway floor, back pressed against the door as if he were preparing to spend the night there.

“What are you doing Roman?” Logan asked curious to why Roman would decide to spend his night in the cold hallway rather than in the warmth of his own room.

“Just sitting here, I always do it, I’ll leave when dad does,” Roman explained. He was supporting Virgil the only way he knew how, by simply being present. It was a kind sentiment not the most practical but Logan didn’t want to argue so merely nodded and turned to return to his room.

“Night Logan,” Roman called out to him.

“Goodnight Roman,” Logan responded as he entered his room.

Logan did not sleep, given what he had seen, finding peace in sleep was impossible so he lay in bed, staring up at his imitation of the night sky. He sometimes wished he could lay underneath the real night sky, in a quiet, empty field, a cool breeze waving over him. Only himself and the stars. That would be nice.

Logan remained lost in his imagination until he caught a glimpse at his alarm clock, it had been half an hour since he entered his room and hadn’t heard Roman’s door. Was he still sitting outside of Virgil’s room? Perhaps Logan should check on him, just in case? Logan got out of his bed and left his room to see…yes…Roman, asleep, sitting on the floor. His head drooped to one side and his arms wrapped around his torso for warmth. There was a cool breeze present within the hallway, it sent a shiver through Logan’s body, he couldn’t imagine how cold Roman would be considering he was sleeping out here.

Logan went into Roman’s room picking up the soft, thick red blanket from his bed and bringing it out into the hallway, draping it over Roman’s sleeping form before returning to his own room. He sat on the edge of his bed, wide awake, he glanced upwards once again. At his stars. Despite their plastic construction, they provided him some sort of comfort. Logan didn’t understand why. It seemed he didn’t understand much of anything any more. Logan collapsed back onto this bed. He hoped Virgil was okay. Maybe, they could talk tomorrow. He wanted to support him through whatever had triggered his flashback but perhaps it was the similarities he shared with Virgil which resulted in this urge. The horrible things he screamed, Logan had often thought about himself but refused to voice, instead allowing them to infiltrate his mind and spiralling until he broke. Shattered. Unfixable. Broken. That is what he was.

Logan did not sleep that night.

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#sander sides au #sander sides #logan sanders #patton sanders #roman sanders #virgil sanders #deceit sanders #symapthetic deceit #thomas sanders #character thomas #Emile Picani #cartoon therapy #Adoption AU #original characters #My fic #My writing #home is where the hart is #found families

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anxiously-shipping · 4 years

Text

Small sanders sides highschool/horror/fantasy au that I don’t have enough time to do

TRIGGER WARNINGS: BLOOD, MURDER, SWEARING, CTHULHU

Remus is basically bffs with Logan and the two are power besties

Remus being the main focus of the book because we need more ratman stories out there

Everyone has no idea why these two are friends because they’re polar opposites but, really, they only ever freak out about HP Lovecraft and Cthulhu, whom they have started a mini cult for

That’s when we enter Roman

He walks in on one of their ‘rituals’ where basically Lo and Re shove Remus’s’ giant squid plushie which he has, fite me in a circle drawn in red whiteboard marker on the kitchen floor so the two can wipe it up later

Roman freaks out instantly because he watches his twin and one of his classmates start throwing spoonfuls of Crofters at the feet of the squid plushie, laughing to themselves and chatting to each other in JRR Tolkien’s’ Elvish which Logan would no, because he’s a lil nerd

Roman hides in his room and calls Virgil and tells him about his brother and friend being on some shit and performing a satanic ritual for something

Virgil rushes over because he needs to make sure his boyfriend be okay

He gets there and has a spare key because he’s been dating Roman for ages and it’s mostly in case Roman loses his so he lets himself in

And sees fucking madness

He yells out something like ‘Holy shit!’ and finally alerts Remus and Logan of his presence

Logan and Remus panic and chase after him

They catch up with him finally in an alleyway, where Virgil is trying and failing to call the police/roman/patton because of an oncoming panic attack

Remus snatches away Virgil’s’ phone and accidentally breaks it (very important, btw) and then covers his mouth, hiding the three of them behind a large dumpster

Logan explains to Virgil that he and Remus weren’t actually summoning a demon, they were just messing around and it was really just an excuse for Logan to get away from a toxic parental figure (also very important)

BUT

But...

The two of them chased after Virgil before the ritual is done and Roman begins to leave his room when he no longer hears scary chants to see Remus’s’ giant squid plushie moving

It’s turning more realistic, it’s body is morphing and disforming into something different, it’s beginning to get a human torso

Roman starts screaming, catching the creature’s’ attention, which now has a humanish head and he bolts out of the house, grabbing his phone and keys off the coffee table and slamming the front door behind him

Cutting back to Logan, Remus and Virgil, they’ve successfully explained and calmed him down (mostly) when Remus’s’ phone starts vibrating and he picks up

Roman’s on the other end and he’s definitely crying and starts happily cheering that Remus is alive

He asks where Virge is and Remus is like, “Oops, my bad, I kinda broke his phone when we were chasing him down...”

“Is he alive?”

“Uhh, yeah, he’s right here-”

“Where are you?!”

“Uh, down an alley off of Hiltberry Street.”

“Okay, okay, I’m coming, stay there please.”

So Roman gets there and starts ranting about Remus’s’ qiant squid plushie and an octopus man and a jam

E V E N T U A L L Y they realise what’s happened and they start panicking when Logan gets a call from his abusive parental figure

So he says he needs to go home and he’ll call Remus later or whenever he can so they say their goodbyes and Logan leaves as Virgil tells the twins they can stay over at his house

Logan gets home and Patton (his neighbour) is working in the front garden

Patton has a major crush on Logan so instantly strikes up a conversation

Logan usually enjoys exchanging a few brief words with Patton but right now he’s freaking out

He unlocks his door and instantly sees blood everywhere

It’s dripping from the ceiling in thick heavy strips, it’s carpeted the floor and the whole place smells really salty and fishy

He screams and Patton runs over and then goes back inside to fetch his mom

In the moment Logan’s left alone, he starts getting these feelings of safety and security. And it’s not like he ever wanted his abusive parent alive anymore and the smell of salt has gotten really familiar to him because of all the rituals he and Remus have done

Patton’s’ mother calls the police and gets Patton to escort Logan into his house and make sure he’s okay

We cut from all this to meet Janus, who’s known as ‘The freaky cult kid’

Basically, he takes cults, mythically gods/cults, ‘Great Old Ones’ from Dungeons and Dragons and then spends months researching them, building up huge folders about them all

He gets bullied for it but he honestly doesn’t give a shit and enjoys what he does

We get a brief introduction to his life, the bullying he goes through and his intensive research

Then we end up at the next day at school

Everyone’s offering Logan their condolences and he keeps thanking them politely and ignoring them (Patton keeps seeming to be popping up and talking to him, which gets in the way of Cthulhu discussions)

Then, at lunch, Remus suddenly slams his hands down on the table and starts talking about how they’re gonna need Janus

Logan instantly shuts him down and says, “Remus, just because you stalk Janus Repiv and want an excuse to actually talk to him, doesn’t mean we need him.”

“I don’t stalk him!”

“You follow him home, you watch him through his bedroom window, you once sent a spy drone you got for christmas after him and you take photos of him whenever you can.”

“...Is it that obvious?”

“Yes.”

Somehow, he convinces them to talk to Janus because he knows Janus did some work on Cthulhu so they go to the library

The whole interaction is just ‘We Know’ from Hamilton vibes

Janus be like:

“Mr Croftstar.”

“Mr Storm.”

“The Prince twins.”

“What is this?”

I’m not sure whether to continue this, but this is part one if you guys want more.

#sanders sides #bullet fic #demus #dukeciet #prinxiety #logicality #cthulhu #so i may be mad #there's more i swear

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tranquil-space-ninja · 4 years

Text

The Story (Sanders' Sides Human AU)

Ft. Platonic Moxiety, trans Roman, Imaginality (Remus x Patton), and Emciet (Janus x Emile)

Tw: suicide, homophobia, implied abuse, transphobia, f*g said, tra**y said, bullying, anorexia

--------------------------------------------------

Patton stared at his phone. He had a shift at the office in a few minutes, but he couldn't..... He didn't quite know what he couldn't do today, but he couldn't do it. He called in sick. Emile was very understanding. "Take as long as you need, Pat," he said. "Your mental health comes first."

"Thanks, Dr. Picani." He hung up and continued to stare at the message on his phone.

Unknown Number

Got ur number from Jan. How u doing?

It was him. After all these years, it was really him. And, paired with the fact that it was only a week till his brother's birthday.... The last two years of high school came rushing back.

Patton's phone chimed.

Ro's birthday is coming up.

Like Patton didn't compulsively write down the date in his calender every year. June 4. They would have been twenty-six.

I'm moving to ur area 4 work. I finally caught up 2 u.

Patton stared at his phone without really seeing the messages. Tears started to bluer his vision. He wiped them away, only for them to return with a vengeance. Finally, Patton just let himself sob, hoping to get everything out by the time Virgil got home.

***

Virgil waved to his friends as he walked to his front door. His dad's car was in the driveway, which was a surprise. Normally, he wouldn't be back until dinner. He slowly opened the door. "Dad," he asked. Patton gave Virgil a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Hey, kiddo! How was school?"

"Okay. How are you doing? Are you sick?"

"No, no, I'm fine. Just taking a mental health day. Sit down! I made popcorn. We can watch Black Cauldron."

Virgil sighed and sat down, leaning on Patton. Patton put part of his blanket around the teen and pulled him closer. He loved his son more than anything. He would not let Virgil go through the same things he did.

***

Just as Virgil was about to go to sleep, someone knocked on his door. "Come in," he called. Patton opened the door and gave him another fake smile. He sat down on the chair beside Virgil's desk.

"Can I tell you a story," Patton asked.

"I'm a little old for bedtime stories."

"Please? It's kinda boring, but.... I'll be quick. Please?" Virgil stared at his dad. He hated the desperate look in hs eyes. It was getting closer to June, which meant he'd grow quiet and a bit withdrawn. Maybe this was to preemptively make up for it?

"Sure." Virgil laid down and looked up at Patton.

"Thanks, Virge," he said with a slightly more real, relieved smile. "Let me tell you a story about six boys growing up in Florida."

***

Logan Crofters, Roman and Remus Ryan, Janus Pine, Emile Picani, and Patton Hart. They had been best friends since kindergarten. They were all inseparable. Things got worse in middle school when Roman came out as trans. His parents refused to let him transition or cut his hair, and the other kids were less than supportive. Remus let him wear his clothes, though, and his friends all defended him when they could. And they all survived until high school.

Fast foreward to sophmore year. Logan was on the fast track to becoming valedictorian. The other kids, in addition to whispering, "Fag," and, "Tranny," at them all in the halls, taunted Logan for his intelligence. Remus and Janus got into fights often to protect the others. Patton and Emile tried to keep the group's moral up. Logan and Roman always took it all harder than the others, but they had one teacher, Mr. Sanders, who let them eat lunch in his classroom and used Roman's proper pronouns. He even congratulated Patton and Remus when they started dating. He'd always pair up Janus and Emile for group projects, just to watch them flirt.

Patton, Roman, and Remus's parents passed around a petition to get him fired the next year. It was successful. That was the year everything fell apart.

Roman and Logan couldn't handle the pressure that came with the grades and the bullying. They always said they were fine, but....

One day, Logan quit his job at the library. Said it just wasn't worth it anymore. Roman stopped eating and always brushed his friends off when they begged him to try.

They died the same night. June 4, Roman's birthday. Roman overdosed on antidepressants. Janus, Remus, Emile, and Patton read his note over and over again.

Dear Friends,

I want to start by saying this isn't your fault. Remus, you were the most amazing, supportive brother anyone could ask for. Patton, Janus, Emile, Logan, you are all wonderful and perfect, and you all deserve the world. But.... I can't do this anymore. I can't live in this body one more day or hear someone call me Rachel one more time. I just can't do it. I love you all so much. Please don't dwell on this for too long. I want you all to be happy, okay?

Mom, Dad, I'm sorry I couldn't be everything you wanted me to be. I wish I could have been as good a son as Remus was. I wish you could have loved me as much as he did.

And, Mr. Sanders, if you ever see this.... Thank you. For everything.

Adeiu, best of friends and best of men,

Roman

Logan hung himself. He didn't leave a note. His parents at least gave him a funeral. Roman's parents didn't care enough to even do that.

Luckily, Remus, Janus, Emile, and Patton had saved enough from their various jobs to have him cremated. Emile's parents insisted on helping out, which helped a lot.

The group burried Roman's urn just outside the cemetery where Logan rested. Luckily, his grave was at the edge of the gate so Roman's could be near his. Remus painted a large rock to use as a marker. They all stood by the small grave, Janus holding Emile and Patton and Remus squeezing each other's hands, until the sun rose.

Patton stayed with Remus after Janus and Emile left.

"I can't stay here anymore," Remus had whispered. "I can't stay with the people who killed my brother."

"I know," Patton whispered. "I hate our parents." He brushed back his bangs to show Remus a black eye and a bruised cheek. "If we save enough, we'll run away together," he promised. "We'll get Janus and Emile, and we'll all go to Massachusetts, and we'll get married." Remus nodded.

"I like that." He gently pulled Patton close, and they shared a long, sweet kiss.

Things didn't work out. Senior year was worse. Janus, Emile, Patton, and Remus were the gays who were friends with the two who killed themselves, and that's all anyone ever treated them as. Janus's parents took him and moved to Delaware. He and Emile stayed in touch for a few months before the lost contact. Janus and Patton still talked occasionally, though, even after high school. Emile, Patton, and Remus stuck together, but things would never be the same.

When senior year ended, Patton and Emile prepared to move to Massachusetts, but Remus wouldn't go.

"Please," Patton begged. "We found a cute apartment in Salem. We can start over. We can get jobs while Emile is at school. We can build our own lives. Please come with us." Remus shook his head.

"I can't," he said. "It's only been a year since they died. I just can't leave them yet." Patton hugged him tightly.

"Keep in touch," he asked. Remus nodded and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Over the next few years, Patton kept in touch with Remus. Every year, he said he would finally move in with him, and every year, he had an excuse not to. Eventually, they stopped talking as much, and when Patton changed his number, he forgot to tell Remus.

***

"He and Emile stayed together, though," Patton finished. "Patton became Emile's receptionist when he started practicing independently."

"What about Janus and Remus," Virgil asked.

"Janus is still in Delaware, and I guess Remus is with him." Virgil nodded. He wasn't an idiot. He knew Patton had just told him his life story. He just wasn't going to press any further than that. Maybe someday, Patton would tell him more, but it was almost the day his friends killed themselves. Patton needed time.

***

The next day, Patton went back to work. Larry and Dot were happy to see him. When their appointment was almost over, another patient entered the waiting room and walked up to Patton's desk. "Hey," he said, head tilted down. His voice was low and familiar.

"Hi! Do you have an appointment?"

"N-no. I just moved here and was hoping I could set one up."

"Okay.... Dr. Picani is with a patient right now, but-- Remus?" Remus was staring at Patton, a sad frown accepting his dull eyes. "L-like I was saying, Emile--"

"Why didn't you answer my texts?" Patton began to fiddle with a pen. "You could have just said you didn't want to see me. I get it. I probably remind you of Ro and Logan, and that's fine. I failed you and I put off moving even though I said I would, and I understand that you're mad, and it's okay. But--"

"I wanted to see you." Remus stared at Patton, who stared right back.

"What?"

"I wanted to see you, but I couldn't say it. It's just so close to Roman's birthday, and I didn't know what to do or what to tell my son--"

"You have a son?" Patton nodded, tears in his eyes.

"I adopted him five years ago. His name is Virgil. He's funny, he's dark, and strange and sarcastic, and I love him more than anything."

"Boyfriend or husband?"

"Single dad and rockin' it." Remus laughed despite the tears that were escaping his eyes. Patton laughed with him, also crying. "I'm sorry. For everything," he sobbed. Remus took his hand.

"Me too." And that's how Larry and Dot found them five minutes later.

Holding hands and crying, together again.

--------------------------------------------------

#roman sanders #sanders sides #human au #remus sanders #patton sanders #logan sanders #emile picani #janus sanders #virgil sanders #emciet #janus x emile #imaginality #patton x remus #platonic moxiety #tw suicude #angst

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mycatshuman · 4 years

Text

Castle of Devils

Chapter 9 | It's Hard Going Through a Breakup When You Weren't Together in the First Place

So...I'm finally back with a new chapter. Sorry about that. Insecurities have been raising the roof for a while now. Even to the point where I have the next chapter of another fic done but haven't asked my beta reader because of my chuck they're tired of me! So...here.

Masterlist | First | Previous Chapter | Next | More Chapters

Thank you @ icequeenoriginal for beta reading for me.

Warnings: uhh none? I think? Oh there's some fluff so...don't be shocked. Let me know if I missed any.

Pairings: Eventual Prinxiety, Logicality (Oh? New characters?)

Word Count: 2,191

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When Roman's plane landed he wasn't feeling much better. He almost felt inherently worse. The dismal white halls of the airport certainly weren't helping. And it was late. The airport was fairly deserted aside from the people required to be there due to jobs or flights and after the long flight, Roman just wanted to drop down and sleep forever. However, he couldn't and he knew that.

With a tired sigh, Roman pulled his luggage behind him as he left the baggage claim area and moved toward the exit, pulling out his phone as he did so. He stepped outside and found a seat to sit down, the world around him filled with darkness, not unlike how he was feeling inside. He dialed a taxi service and waited. When the cab came, he hurried into the back seat and quickly told the driver his address, before sitting back and letting out a deep breath. After a decently sized drive, the car stopped in front of his home and he quickly climbed out pulling out the money to pay his fair. He stumbled the walk to his door and unlocked it, pushing it open before stepping inside.

As soon as the door was closed, Roman dropped his things and locked the door. Making sure he had his carry on, he carefully made his way up the stairs and into his bedroom. He plugged in his phone and charger before going to the bathroom to change. Throughout the whole process he avoided looking in the mirror, knowing that if he did, he would see an exhausted and heartbroken man. He knew he would have to address what had happened only hours ago, but he knew that if he tried to right now, he would just burst out into tears. And he was too tired to deal with that right now. So, with a heavy heart, he crawled into bed and fell into a restless slumber.

----

Patton loved mornings. While his husband wasn't much of a morning person, he was and it allowed him time to cook breakfast in bed for his love and that was the best thing ever in Patton's personal opinion. So he gently climbed out of the comfy bed and tiptoed to the door. Before he left, he glanced back and smiled softly at the sight of his content husband sleeping peacefully in their big bed.

With a hop in his step, Patton walked downstairs into the kitchen to make breakfast for Logan. He pulled down two bagels and popped them into the toaster as he grabbed some cream cheese and Crofters jam from the fridge. The bagels popped up and Patton quickly placed them on two plates before smearing cream cheese over the halves of one and Crofters of the halves of the other bagel. He smiled as the scent of fresh bagels tickled his nose and turned to pull out some orange juice as he set the coffee on.

Patton giggled lightly as he noted he probably should have put the coffee on first. He set about grabbing a mug and poured some coffee for Logan once there was enough in the pot to fill the mug. He carefully set everything on the breakfast trey and made his way upstairs into the bedroom. He smiled upon seeing Logan still fast asleep. He pressed a light kiss to his forehead and moved over to open the curtains ever so slightly to allow enough light in the room to see but not enough to blind anyone.

"Loggybear," Patton called softly as gently shook Logan from sleep. "It's time to get up."

"Mmmm." A groan.

Patton grinned. "Come on, Mr. Sanders, it's time to get up. I brought Crofters."

Before Patton could even finish the first syllable, Logan had shot upright as he blearily looked around trying to find his favorite jam. "Croft-" he yawned. "-ers?"

Patton giggled once more and picked up the trey from where he had placed it on the bedside table. "Bagel and Crofters," he confirmed as he set it down on the bed beside Logan. Logan rubbed the sleep from his eyes and squinted at the trey. He reached forward and grabbed the mug as he picked up one half of his bagel. He took a sip before setting it back down and began to munch on his bagel. He let out a happy hum.

Patton grinned and picked up his own bagel. The couple sat in blissful silence as they are their breakfast. Slowly, Logan woke up. By the time he finished his bagel and coffee, he was coherent enough to find his glasses and put them on. "Good morning, love," he called to Patton softly.

Patton visibly brightened (if that was even possible) and leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Logan's cheek. "Good morning, Lo. How'd you sleep?"

"Satisfactory. How did you sleep?"

Patton smiled fondly. "I slept well."

The two sat in pleasant silence some more, just enjoying the others company before it was broken by a ping from Logan's phone. Patton jumped with Logan glanced over and picked his phone up from the nightstand. "Oh, it's from Roman." Patton brightened. His kiddo! He hadn't heard from him in so long! "He says he's home now."

"Oh! Yay! We should go see him today Logan!" Patton exclaimed as he bounced up and down on the bed excitedly before calming and stopping. "What else did he say? Did he say how it went? Did he say how excited he was to be home? Did he-" Patton stopped as he took in Logan's frowning features. "What's wrong?" He asked as he scooted closer, pushing the trey to the other side of the bed. "What did he say?"

Logan set his phone down as he puzzled. "That's exactly it, Patton. He didn't say anything else aside from, 'I'm home now.'"

Patton's expression morphed into one of worry and concern. "Is that really all he said?" Logan nodded and handed his phone to Patton so his husband could see for himself. Patton felt tears burn at the back of his eyes as tried to process exactly what was going on. Roman was home. But he wasn't calling them immediately or even barging into their home to tell them all about his trip. And that was unusual. Roman was always a very excitable person. And they always had to sit through at least two hours of him recounting exactly what happened on trips he sometimes took and the fact that he wasn't doing that, not even a call but a text and such a simple one at that. It was concerning. "What do you think is wrong?" Patton asked.

Logan frowned. "I don't know. Last we talked to him he was making great progress and said he would be home soon." Logan's frown deepened. "Assuming he would have arrived home in the last 8 or so hours considering if he knew we were awake he surely would have asked us to pick him up. And his flight his around 19 or so hours flight he would had to have left around 4 or 5? What would be so urgent to make him leave so early?"

Patton bit his lip nervously. "I don't know but I think we should go to Roman's place and make sure he's okay."

Logan adjusted his glasses. "Yes, that would be the best course of action to confirm our friend's feelings and comfort him."

Patton stood and walked to his closet. He pulled clothes out and got dressed. On his way out the bedroom door, he paused. "I think we should stop by the store and grab him something for breakfast. I have a feeling he's not going to feel like eating."

Logan nodded and stood to get dressed. "Yes, that would be wise." With that, the couple went about finishing getting ready.

-----

The first time Roman woke up he was still tired and as soon as he woke up his mind went gay to Virgil. So he sent a quick message to Logan and Patton telling them he was home before he rolled over and went back to bed, trying to ignore the tears threatening to spill over his cheeks. He wasn't upset. He was just tired. He couldn't be upset, the man lied to him and was a vampire. He really wasn't upset. He was just tired. That's all.

-----

The next time Roman woke up, it was to soft humming as someone gently played with his hair. "Where the north wind meets the sea, there's a river full of memories," the voice sang gently as one does when singing a lullaby. Roman shifted and the voice paused.

"Is that Disney?" Roman asked sleepily.

A soft chuckle was heard from further away from him, towards his dresser. "Only you would up out of a dead sleep to Disney," the voice said. A voice that sounded quite similar.

"Logan?" Roman grumbled as he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, it is I. And Patton is sitting next to you."

Roman opened his eyes and groaned as he tried to adjust to the lighting. Maybe he needed to invest in darker curtains. "When did you guys get here?"

"Not that long ago. Maybe half an hour," Logan answered. Now that Roman's eyes were open, he could see that his childhood best friend was putting his clothes and such away.

"How'd you sleep, kiddo?" Patton asked. Roman turned and saw the other leaning back against his headboard.

"Uh, I'm still a little tired," he answered. Patton hummed. Roman looked between the married couple and took note of a few things they must have been leaving unsaid. "So….what are you doing here?"

Patton shifted a little uncomfortably, unsure if they should bring it up while Logan cut right to the chase. "We became concerned when we didn't receive your usual fanfare when you returned. Even more so when we arrived to find your things still packed and you still sleeping despite it being past your usual wake up times. Now, we could excuse these as jet lag but we would rather make sure you were actually okay."

Roman sighed. He didn't really want to confront anything at this moment. He'd rather just forget it all happened. "I'd rather not talk about it," he answered slowly. "At least not now."

Logan and Patton frowned but didn't push. And for that Roman was grateful. They say in a not quite pleasant silence for a few moments. A silence that was broken as Logan reached the bottom of Roman's duffel bag.

"What the hell is this??!" He shrieked.

Under different circumstances, Roman might have laughed at Logan shrieking, but at this moment, he was already a little on edge. Scared that Virgil might have left some kind of vampire egg or something in his bag, he leaped out of bed and raced over only to see Logan pulling a huge stack of cash.

Roman froze. "What?" He asked.

Patton and Logan turned to him. "Where did this come from?"

Roman could only shake his head. "I-I don't know." Fear flashed in his eyes. "All I know is that I was just throwing my stuff in my suitcase and stuffing things in my bags and hurrying to get out of there!" Roman began hyperventilating as he crouched down, holding his hands against his head. "He had to have put it there. He probably knows where I live now! Oh no! He's gonna come here and kill us and they're be nothing we can do to stop him!" Logan and Patton shared a glance before kneeling down in front of their friend. "Roman," Patton started softly. "You're gonna have to tell exactly what happened, kiddo. We want to understand but we can't unless you help us to."

Roman whimpered. "I-I...I just-" he coughed. "A few moments." Once he had calmed down enough to talk and breathe better, Roman took a deep breath and began to tell his friends about everything.

-----

A week had passed since Roman told his friends of what happened the night he rushed onto a plane and came home. They hadn't believed him completely. To them, the part about his host being a vampire was impossible. However, they concluded that Roman was indeed telling the truth and tried to come up with the idea that Virgil was possibly just a serial killer and not some kind of mythical creature. The idea wasn't one that Roman was fond of but maybe it could explain what he thought he saw.

Since coming home, he had to adjust back to life outside of a castle and its grounds. It was fairly easy. He didn't feel so confined as he had at the castle. And adjusting back to an environment filled with people was fairly easy as well. The first day was hard. His heart missed Virgil. And while his mind tried to convince it he was better off without him, his heart just couldn't be convinced, almost as if things were not as they seemed. But for the first time in forever, Roman found himself ignoring his heart.

-------

Everything taglist: @spxced-oxt @superwholocked-for-life @mirror2thespirit @aroundofapplesauce @lyditist @little-euro-girl @unicornofdarknessstuff @maryann-draws

Castle of Devils Taglist: @kittycake574 @rainbow-roman @icequeenoriginal @ilovemygaydad @comicsimpson @notalwaysthebadguy @loveyatothemoonandback

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how-to-survive-a-factory-tour · 4 years

Text

How to Survive A Factory Tour - Chapter 20

A Sanders Sides / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory FanFiction

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The three of us walk through the courtyard - well, I say three, but I don’t really know about Logan and Roman, since I can’t see them - and head to the gates. Logan was right about the media being here, there are even more people here now than there were this morning. Safe to say, I’m glad we have these cloaks. I’d rather not have all these people grilling me on what happened to all of us.

“Patton!” I jump a little as I hear Roman’s voice whispering.

“Yeah?”

“I just told Logan - find your parents or family or whoever and take them to the alley just down the street to the left. Then we’ll do the big reveal to them all, out of sight from anyone else.”

I give him a nod, before remembering he can’t see me. “Got it!”

The gate’s opened slightly, I assume by Logan, and we all slip out. I immediately start looking through the crowd, trying to find my parents and Emile. As I do, I see two men being dragged through the crowd by an invisible force towards the alley, as well as Joan and Talyn being dragged the same way from the other side of the crowd.

After gently squeezing past a few people, I finally catch sight of Emile. I run over to him, and whisper. “Emile! It’s me!”

He turns around. “Patton? Where are you? Are you a ghost…?”

I chuckle. “No, but I’m invisible! I have an invisibility cloak. Now,” I take his hand, “grab Ma and Pa and get them to follow you. I need to take you somewhere before I reveal myself.”

“Okay!” he tugs on Ma’s shirt. “Ma, Pa, follow me!”

Before they can respond, Emile starts dragging them, and I lead the way. Despite my parents’ protests, we make it to the alley, where Joan and Talyn, and the two men I assume are Roman’s fathers, are standing, confused.

Suddenly, Roman’s voice speaks, shocking them all. “You there, Patton?”

“Yup!” I respond, making my parents shocked as well.

“Good!” and Roman pulls off his invisibility cloak.

“Roman!” one of his dads gasps. “What on earth happened to you?” He starts picking at the small clumps of caramel Roman still has stuck to him.

“Long story,” Roman replies, shrugging him off. “One that I’d rather not say when news reporters are just around the corner. All of us are gonna save the stories for when we get back to the hotel room. Now, Patton, Logan? You should probably reveal yourselves too.”

I try my best to shift the cloak off of me, though it’s hard with my crutches. However, I eventually get it off. As I do, my Pa pales, and Ma and Emile gasp. “What happened to your leg?!”

I shrug. “It’s not too bad. And I’ll explain at the hotel room. Ooh!” I turn to Roman. “Or, all of us could come back to our room so the three of us can explain together!”

Roman nods. “Good idea, Pat.”

There’s a pause as we wait for Logan to reveal himself. However, he doesn’t. Roman raises an eyebrow. “Um, Logan? Gonna take off your cloak?”

“Um… I-I’d rather not…”

“You’re going to have to eventually, Lo.” I give a reassuring smile in the general direction I think he’s standing. “It’ll be alright. I’m so no one will judge you too hard.”

There’s a pause, before a sigh. The cloak slips off.

Unsurprisingly, his appearance gets the biggest reaction, and Joan and Talyn are the most surprised. “What. The actual. Fuck,” Joan mumbles.

Logan’s face flushes in embarrassment, and tugs at his shirt, trying and failing to get it over his stomach to hide as much as he can. “I, um… I’ll explain later… you know, um, with the others…” He stumbles over his words, not looking anyone in the eye, choosing instead to look down at his feet. “Um… speaking of, can we please just head back to the hotel now? I really don’t want to risk anyone seeing me, and being just around the corner from a bunch of reporters is making me really nervous…”

Roman nods. “In that case, let’s g-!”

“Where’s Virgil?”

Everyone in the alley turns to see Thomas stood there at the opening, looking between us all. “Is he under a cloak or something too? Please tell me he’s here.”

I hurriedly go over to him, seeing him looking panicked. “Hey, kiddo, it’s okay! He’s not here, but he’s not hurt. He’s still in the factory because, well… he kinda won it.”

“He what?”

“All will be explained back at Patton’s family’s hotel room,” Roman responds. “Now we should probably go.”

He pulls back on his invisibility cloak, and Logan and I follow suit, Logan much quicker than me. Roman then calls out. “Okay, Patton, lead the way! … Or I guess Patton’s family because we can’t see Patton.”

Emile ends up leading, my parents still taken aback by, well, everything. The rest of us follow along, heading through the street. It’s now I notice something out of the corner of my eye, up in the sky. I look up, and oh my gosh!

It’s the lift from the factory! It’s flying! Virgil and Wonka are inside. I think about waving before remembering that I can’t be seen.

I really am going to miss Virgil. And Roman. And Logan. Especially Logan. After today, it feels so weird that we’re all just going to go back to our normal lives. Living far apart from each other, only talking over texts, calls, video chats… I hope Lo and I can make long distance work. God, we haven’t even parted yet and I’m already sentimental and missing everyone!

Though… I guess I shouldn’t say ‘normal lives’. Virgil’s is going to be far from normal now. He’s running the best factory in the world! And, um, I think it’s safe to say that Logan’s isn’t going to be normal either. It’ll probably be hard to live normally when he’s all purple and swollen. Poor guy… I’m gonna video call him every night, make sure he’s okay, reassure him I love him so so much no matter what, and just… try and make his life as easy as it can be for him, I guess.

I hope his family doesn’t use it as an excuse to treat him worse, though…

When we arrive at the hotel, we head back to my family’s room and we toss off our cloaks once the door is closed.

“Okay, can you please explain what the frick happened?!” Joan asks as we all take seats either on the beds or the couch, me slipping off my crutches.

“Okay, so, everything started normally enough,” Roman starts. “We went to a room called the Chocolate Room, which was like a meadow where everything was made of candy. It. Was. Awesome! We just got to chill, and eat whatever we wanted. ”

“Then we went to a room that was pretty similar called Dessert Island,” I add. “It was an island where everything was made from desserts and puddings, and it was surrounded by an ocean of lemonade! But, uh… I fell in the ocean, and before I could get out, I, um… got dragged away by orcas made out of marshmallow and liquorice…”

“What?!” Ma comes and kneels in front of me, checking over me.

“It’s okay, Ma, I’m okay. Well, mostly. My leg got really badly hurt, but apart from that, I’m good. Anyway, I don’t know what happened after that, so...” I turn to Logan, who sighs.

“So, um, we went to a room called the Inventing Room after that. As you can probably guess, it’s where Wonka invents his newest sweets. And, um… I interacted with an unstable machine, and it… well…” He trails off, mumbling the ending.

“You’re not gonna be able to get away without telling us, Logan,” Talyn replies, folding their arms.

“... Can’t I? Please?”

The hard stare he gets in response is enough to get him to talk. “I, um… the machine was a teleporter. I went through with a jar of pomegranate and blackberry Crofters- “

“You took Crofters into the factory with you? Into a factory that already has a bunch of food? You really have a problem...” Joan says, raising an eyebrow. “Also, you didn’t have a bag or a coat with big pockets, how’d you get it in?”

“It wasn’t mine. It’s a long story. But, uh, there was a defect with the teleporter that meant it reconstructed all organic matter together. So, my DNA was fused with that of the jam’s fruit. This caused me to, uh...to turn into a giant pomegranate-blackberry hybrid.”

“Or ‘pomeberry’, as I put it,” Roman adds.

“I’m sorry, what?” Talyn asks, looking just as confused as everyone else in the room. “What do you mean you turned into a fruit?”

“I mean I turned purple before filling with juice and swelling up into a ten foot ball. I had to be rolled away to be juiced, which was… an experience I don’t even want to get into.”

“I am actually intrigued by that-”

“Nope, Roman, I’m not talking about it. It’s embarrassi- ow!”

“Sorry,” Joan apologises, looking not at all sorry and poking Logan’s stomach a second time, listening as it sloshes in response. “It really is juice and not fat, huh…?”

“Yep… Anyway, Roman, over to you.”

“Right! So, after Logan was rolled off, it left only the three of us: myself, Virgil, and Ethan. We continued on, led by Mr Wonka, looking at other rooms. It was nice and normal, until we entered the Rock Candy Mines. It was a gorgeous place. Deep caverns filled with glistening gemstones, that were in fact rock candy. As we explored deeper and deeper, I heard a strange rumbling coming from a cavern to my right. So, I went to investigate. And that’s where I found it…

“A dragon! At least fifty feet long, made entirely of rock candy. It’s teeth and claws were as sharp as daggers.

“I knew, from the moment I saw it… I had to slay this foul beast.”

This gains a reaction from his dads. “You WHAT?!”

“Luckily there was a sword nearby and I leapt into action! The dragon put up a good fight, but it was no match for me. I stabbed it in the eye, and got on its back, ready to stab it right through the heart!

“...When I tripped. Luckily the dragon didn’t breath fire. It, uh, breathed caramel instead. I was encased, stuck as a caramel statue. I needed to be chiselled out, or else my oxygen supply would run out. So, I was taken away to be saved. However, I wasn’t quite yet.”

“None of us were,” I take back over the story. “After the whales eventually let me go, a bunch of snakes appeared and swam up to me. They wrapped around my wrists and ankles, trying to drown me.”

“Snakes kept destroying the juicer before I could be juiced. Whenever it was fixed, it would be broken again, and I was left so long I began to ‘ripen’.”

“Venomous snakes and constrictors killed all the workers who were supposed to chisel me out. Luckily after they’d chiselled me an airhole, so I could at least breathe.”

“We all could have died, but luckily Virgil went to the bathroom at this point! And the bathroom was right by the whale enclosure, so he heard the commotion of the workers confused as to why I hadn’t surfaced yet. Virgil came to the rescue, diving in and saving me! He pulled the snakes off, killed them, and pulled me up to the surface. The workers bandaged my leg and gave me these crutches. Virgil guessed that, if I wasn’t saved, the other two might not have been either. So we headed off to the Juicing Room!”

“Where I was starting to slowly ripen.”

“You keep saying that, 'ripen',” Talyn interrupts. “What do you mean ‘ripen’?”

“It would take me three or so hours to do so completely, and if I did so, there would be a fifty-fifty chance of me either being stuck like that, or… exploding.”

“WHAT?!”

“It’s fine, I did not explode, and I only got partially stuck, as you can see. Virgil arrived and killed the snakes breaking the juicer. It was fixed, and the juice that could be squeezed out was. However, there was good news and bad news. The bad was that my binder broke. The good… well…” Logan looks to me, face flushing bluey-purple. I smile in return, taking his hand.

“Since I was scared for Logan’s life at the time, I decided it was the best time to proclaim my love and kiss him… and now we’re dating. So, Ma, Pa, meet my boyfriend.”

“Way to go, Logan!” Joan grins. “Finally got yourself a partner.”

Logan flushes. “Shut up…”

Ma smiles at the two of us. “I think it’s sweet. Just promise me, Logan, you’ll treat my boy right.”

“Maaa…”

Logan chuckles a little. “Trust me, Dot, I definitely will. I mean, if he can love me despite me being part fruit, he deserves the absolute best.”

“Aww, LoLo!” I pull him close, kissing his head. “You’re so sweet…”

“Pat-”

“Get it? Sweet? Sweet like a fruit?”

Logan groans. “Aaand you ruined it.”

“Anyway, back to the tale!” Roman speaks up - I think he might be annoyed we took the attention from him. “I was still trapped in my candy prison, when Virgil and Patton ran in, Logan having passed out in the lift from exhaustion. Which is why I’m so curious about the juicing process, like how did it make you so tired?”

“I told you, Roman, I’m not saying.”

Roman huffs, folding his arms. “Fine… Anyway, they ran in, but the snakes that killed the workers began coming out of hiding. They advanced on us, and I tried to call to Virgil and Patton to warn them, but alas, my mouth was still covered. By the time Virgil freed my mouth and I could cry out, the snakes had us surrounded. It seemed, we were doomed… But then! A miracle in the form of a vat of caramel tipping over arrived, and the snakes were encased, frozen solid, just like I. We were safe, and it was all thanks to Logan, who had woken up, and pushed over the vat.”

“My hero.” I hug Logan close yet again, pressing a kiss to his cheek, and causing him to blush once more. Roman, apparently annoyed that we’re interrupting the story for a second time, quickly continues.

“Anyway, Virgil finished breaking me out, letting it slip that he found me ‘dashing’ and ‘handsome’ in the process, but then he told us that he believed Ethan may have been the one behind it. So! We went and confronted him! And Virgil was right. He was the snake in the grass the whole time.”

“Wait, so he tried to kill you…?” Emile asks, sitting on the bed beside me, and looking up at me with worry in his eyes.

“It’s okay, kiddo, we’re all okay. But he didn’t initially mean to kill us. He was actually on the first Wonka tour, and got the snake face due to an incident on it. Apparently, Wonka rigged the tour so that all but one of the kids got into ‘incidents’, the last being who he saw fit to become his heir. Ethan was mad that Wonka hurt the kids for no reason, and wanted revenge.”

“He initially wanted his parents to sue for the damages caused,” Logan takes over. “However, they refused, thinking the incident ‘cured his pathological lying’ that he suffered with as a child. Then, as years went by, things happened to all the other children who were on that first tour which increased Ethan’s desire for revenge: Charlie, the boy who became Wonka’s heir, died in an accident at the factory. A girl called Veruca’s dad’s business went bankrupt. And a boy called Augustus developed an eating disorder which took his life. When the next tour came around, Ethan planned our… ‘demises’, in the hopes we’d do what his parents hadn’t and sue Mr Wonka. He didn’t intend to kill us at first. However, that plan fell apart when Mr Wonka made us sign a contract first thing, saying he would take no responsibility for any accidents that may occur.”

“So he decided to try and kill us instead, the monster!”

“Roman! You’re being too harsh!”

“He wanted to murder us, Patton!”

“He had a scarring childhood! He’s damaged.”

“Cool motive, still murder!”

“Well, it was attempted murder; we all survived,” Logan corrects.

“And he regretted it right after, it was just too late to take the order he gave to his snakes back.”

“His snakes?” one of Roman’s dads asks.

“As well as getting a snake face, he got the ability to talk to them,” Roman explains. “They helped him organise his dastardly plans.”

“Why exactly did he jump from wanting you to sue to wanting you dead?” Joan asks, trying to turn the conversation back to where it was. “I fail to see how he got from A to B.”

“The way he saw it, if at least one of us didn’t leave the factory, and the rest of us spread word of what happened to them, people would become outraged enough for Wonka’s business to drop so much, he’d get closed down or go bankrupt,” Logan explains. “As Patton said, it didn’t hit him just how horrifying his orders were until it was too late. Luckily, Virgil saved us, so Ethan has no blood on his hands. He apologised to us, promised he’d stay away and out of our lives for good, and left.”

“Well, I should hope he’d leave you alone,” Pa says. “Should we call the police on him or something?”

“Please don’t, Pa. I think he deserves a second chance.”

“I don’t,” Roman mutters.

“I agree with Patton,” Logan says. “The world isn’t completely ‘black and white’. I think Ethan will learn and grow, given how torn up he seemed. Not to mention, as the crime took place on American soil, he’d be tried here if he were arrested, and I do not trust the American prison and law system at. All.”

“But what about Virgil?” Thomas asks. I almost forgot he was here! “If he didn’t get into an accident, and didn’t get hurt, why isn’t he here?”

“I can explain!” I take over again, mostly hoping talking will distract from the pain in my leg that just came back. And my vision’s getting a little blurry... “Wonka told us that the reason he hosted the second tour was to find a new heir, hoping someone older would be more responsible and careful, and so less likely to have an accident like Charlie.”

“We made the unanimous decision that Virgil would be the best fit,” Roman finishes. “Oh! Which reminds me, Thomas, you need to go home!”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s gonna sound weird, but I saw Virgil with Wonka in a flying elevator when we left the factory.”

“... I’m sorry, what?”

“It’s true!” I pipe up. “I saw it too!”

“Exactly. They were probably heading to pick up you and your mother to take to the factory so you could move in. You need to go or you’ll miss them!”

“Well… if that’s the case, I guess I should head off. Virgil’ll freak if he thinks I’ve gone missing.” Thomas heads to the door, but pauses before turning back to us. “Bye, I guess. It was nice meeting you all.” And with that, he leaves.

“We should probably go too,” one of Roman’s dads says. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning, and need to get packing.”

Roman turns to me and Logan and pulls us both into a hug. “It was awesome meeting you guys. Skype call as soon as possible, okay?”

“Of course! I’m really gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, Pat.” Roman pulls away from the hug. “You too, Berry Boy.”

Logan does not look impressed. “I won’t miss you if that nickname sticks.”

“Welp, guess you won’t then. Farewell to thee!” And with that, he gives us a wave, before leaving with his fathers.

“We should probably go too,” Talyn says. “You know, since we’re leaving tomorrow as well.”

“Yeah…” Logan turns to me. “I guess I’ll text you lat-”

I pull him into a tight hug before he can finish. “I’m gonna miss you so so much! We can make long distance work, right?”

Logan chuckles. “Pat, I’m sure we can. I love you so much.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

I smile, before pressing my lips to his. I’m never gonna get over the fact they taste like pomegranate and blackberry, it’s so awesome!

“Paaaaat, you’re being gross!!!”

I chuckle as I pull away, turning to Emile. “Sorry, Em, you’re gonna have to get used to it. It’s what boyfriends are like together, and Lo and I are gonna be kissing whenever he comes round to visit.” I turn back to Logan. “You’re definitely coming to visit soon.”

Logan smiles. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“I love you, Lo.”

“I love you too, Pat.” Logan pecks a final kiss to my cheek, before standing up. He, Joan and Talyn head to the door, and… I think Logan waves to me? I can’t really tell… My vision’s getting more blurry…

My leg really really hurts…

Did someone just turn off the lights? Everything is going dark...

Maybe… maybe I’ll just take a nap for a bit...

----------

Taglist: @clone-number-1, @pumpkinminette, @i-have-n0-idea-what-im-d0ing, @jessicakennedy957, @why-should-i-tell-youu2, @lesbianimeme

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timeoutforthee · 5 years

Text

Like it or Not-Chapter 26

Taglist: @itsausernamenotafobsong, @sea-blue-child, @iaminmultiplefandoms, @princeanxious, @uwillbeefoundtonight, @zaidiashipper, @arandompasserby, @levyredfox3, @falsett0, @error-i-dunno-what-went-wrong, @scrapbookofsketches, @podcastsandcoffee, @helloisthisusernametaken, @amuthefunperson, @michealawithana, @yamihatarou, @heck-im-lost, @unlikelynightmareconnoisseur, @idkaurl, @bubblycricket, @fnp-alizay, @neonbluetiefling, @comicsimpson, @a-little-bit-of-ace, @warrior-olive

Summary: Logan, Patton, Roman, and Virgil are all struggling in their recovery. Their doctors, Thomas Sanders and Emile Picani think they can help each other out.

Aka Group Therapy AU

Trigger Warnings: disordered eating habits, death mentioned, parents not understanding mental health, general ignorance, parents fighting

Read it on AO3!

Logan is numb the next day.

He floats through, unsure if he’s looking forward to lunch or dreading it. He wants one of the others to have an idea, to come up with something that makes it not real, but he’s gone over and over it and he can’t think of any thing to do.

Logan has never felt this helpless.

“What’s wrong?” Virgil asks, as soon as Logan sits in his seat.

“I’ll tell you at lunch.”

The fact he doesn’t deny it makes Virgil frown. But soon class is starting and he can’t say anything else.

Logan’s dad pulls up to Foster’s Center for Mental and Behavioral Health. His wife had asked him this morning if he would reconsider what he said to Logan, but he had already made his decision.

He parked in the front, and walked through the doors.

“Hello!” the secretary called out to him. “Who are you here to see?”

He snorted. As if he would ever need to see one of these “doctors.”

“I’m not here to see anyone. I’m here to pull my son out of your so-called services,” he says.

“Oh,” she says, slowly. “Is there a problem?”

“Yeah, my problem is that this doctor has been misdiagnosing my son, and now he thinks he has an eating disorder. I don’t want him seeing the doctor anymore.”

“...does your son have an eating disorder?”

“Boys don’t get eating disorders.”

“Uh-huh,” the secretary says. “Who is this doctor?”

“I think it’s Snyder or something.”

“Sanders?” she says, raising an eyebrow. “I’ll tell you what, I’m going to call back and see if Dr. Sanders is in a session right now. If not, you can talk to him.”

Kurt crosses his arms. It’d be simpler to just pull him out, but he wants to meet this man, see what he really has to say. “Please do.”

The secretary picks up the phone and dials an extension. “What’s your son’s name?”

“Logan Crofter.”

Dr. Sanders must pick up, because she has a quick conversation, and soon Kurt is walking down the hallway. When he comes to the room number she gave him, the door is closed, so he knocks.

“Come in!” a voice calls from inside.

Kurt opens the door and walks into an office. It’s respectable, save for the small cartoon figure sitting on top of some book. There are paintings in frames on the wall and a bright green plant in the corner. In the middle against the back wall is a couch that looks very comfortable, like you could sink into it.

“Dr. Sander?” Kurt asks.

“Sanders,” Thomas corrects, offering him a warm smile as he stands up and offers his hand. Kurt takes it and shakes it. “Please, have a seat.”

“I don’t intend to take up much of your time,” Kurt tells him, sitting on the couch. It’s even more comfortable than it looks. “I just wanted to let you know that Logan won’t be attending your sessions anymore.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Thomas says, “May I ask why?”

That makes Kurt pause. He can’t very well tell a doctor that he doesn’t agree with their practice, can he? Even if he couldn’t see the point, he could see the therapist’s degree hanging right there on the wall.

“I just don’t think it’s benefitting Logan,” he says. There. Not exactly a lie.

“Really?” Thomas asks, “If that’s the case I can see about switching him to a different therapist. I know he’s already worked a bit with my colleague Emile, through the eating disorder support group-”

Kurt snorts. He can’t help it.

“I must say, Mr. Crofter, I fail to see what’s so funny.”

“It’s just...you can’t be serious.”

“Serious about what?”

“About the eating disorder thing. Logan can’t possibly have one, he’s a guy,” Kurt says.

Thomas purses his lips. Ah. So there was the problem.

“Mr. Crofter, your son has a very serious and severe case of anorexia. Neurodivergency doesn’t discriminate. It’s very possible, as evidenced by your son and others, to get an eating disorder when you identify as a male.”

“Logan is fine,” Kurt says, “He eats lunch, he eats dinner, he’s a normal kid.”

“And tell me, did he eat lunch and dinner before group started?”

“Of course he did!” Though now that he thinks about it, Kurt isn’t so sure. Dr. Sanders must sense something, because he raises his eyebrows. “So, he missed a meal or two. It’s fine. Logan is fine.”

“I know accepting that your child needs help is hard,” Thomas says, “But I think pulling Logan out of therapy completely could be very harmful for him.”

“Harmful? Harmful how?”

“Well, as I said, he has anorexia. Anorexia nervosa is one of the deadliest mental illnesses you can have.”

“It is?”

“Yes,” Thomas leans over and opens the bottom drawer of his desk. He flips through a few papers before pulling out a pamphlet on anorexia. He holds it out, and Kurt takes it hesitantly.

“You’re saying if I take Logan out of your care...he could die…?”

“I’m saying if Logan doesn’t get help recovering, he could die.”

“But this isn’t real!” Kurt says in frustration, “This so-called science, this mental health nonsense, it’s never been around before and everyone’s been fine.”

“No, you’ve been fine. So you assume everyone else is, too. But since this ‘nonsense’ has been around, suicide rates have been dropping. And may I remind you that Logan was sent to me because he had anorexia? I’m not the one who diagnosed him, his primary care doctor did.”

“He did?” Why didn’t he tell Kurt that?

“Yes. I don’t mean to be rude here, Mr. Crofter, but I think you need to be a little more involved in the recovery process to fully understand it.”

“Why does it matter?”

“Because your son deserves support.”

“Support? I support him just fine!”

“I have no doubt that you love your son,” Thomas assures him, and Kurt relaxes at that, “And that you try to support him in the best way you can. But you just need to learn a little more to help him in the best way.”

Kurt frowns, looking down at the pamphlet in his hands. He really did come in here with the intent to pull his son from the services, but he didn’t exactly feel like gambling with his son’s life.

“Have you considered coming in to join a session?”

“Why? I have no issues.”

“Just to experience what it’s like,” Thomas says, “And to see what helps your son.”

“I’ll consider it,” Kurt says, simply.

“That’s all I can ask,” Thomas smiles, “Now are you still interested in switching therapists?”

“No,” Kurt hesitantly approves of this man. He feels like he could trust him with Logan. “But if this mental health stuff gets too crazy, I am going to pull him out!”

“Understood,” Thomas is going to have to work on that.

“Did you talk to him?” Logan asks as soon as he walks through the door at home.

“Hello to you too,” Madelyn says.

“Mom.”

“I tried to talk to him, but he didn’t listen. His mind is made up, Logan.”

Logan takes a few deep breaths, trying not to work himself into a panic. That’s fine. He can make this work. Both Patton and Virgil said their guardians would be willing to pick him up, so he could make an argument based on that. Maybe his dad would be willing to listen if he didn’t have to do any work.

But the money, a voice reminded him.

Logan felt sick. He never exactly had a conversation with his parents about how much therapy was costing them, if they had any coverage with insurance or anything along those lines.

“Where is dad?” Logan asked, absent-mindedly.

“He drove up to Foster’s to pull you out at lunch,” Madelyn says, “He hasn’t come home.”

That gets Logan’s attention. “What?”

“I said-”

“I heard what you said!” Logan snaps, before taking another deep breath, “I thought we could talk about this, have you tried calling him?”

“No, I didn’t want to bother him,” Madelyn shrugs. “I told you Logan, his mind is made up. There’s nothing you can do.”

Tears spring to Logan’s eyes, and he immediately shoves the heel of his hand against them.

“It’s fine, Logan,” his mom says, “You will be fine. This is not that big of a deal.”

Yes it is! Logan wants to scream. I don’t know how to recover on my own! Maybe if he talked to his Psychology teacher, he could get more resources, and at lunch if the guys could review what they talked about during group-

Just then the doorknob turned and his dad walked in. Logan whipped his head around, wanting to yell, wanting to demand if he knew what he just did to him, wanting to beg him to go back, please-

“How’d it go, dear?” his mom asks, going over to her husband and kissing his cheek.

“I met your therapist,” Kurt says to Logan, absent-mindedly.

“Really? Why?”

Kurt doesn’t answer, instead he says, “I changed my mind.”

Logan freezes. He couldn’t have heard that right, he doesn’t want to get his hopes up.

“What?”

“I changed my mind. I didn’t pull you out. You can keep seeing Dr. Sanders.”

Logan is moving before he can control himself. He walks up and hugs his dad, feeling like he could breathe for the first time in 24 hours.

It takes Kurt a while, but eventually he hugs his son back, trying not to think about how close he was to hurting Logan.

It’s in the middle of their hug when Logan realizes he can never trust his parents again.

#like it or not #sanders sides #sanders sides fanfic

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stillebesat · 4 years

Text

The New Hire

Sanders Sides: Roman, Logan, Virgil Blurb: Roman has never known his brother, Logan, to break a promise. Until now. Fic Type: General, Human!AU Inspiration: For the Anon who asked to see Roman’s POV from my other Fic The Interview. Warnings: None Taglist in Reblog. Author’s Note: This fic is Roman’s POV of events that occur halfway through Chapter 4 of The Interview, but you don’t necessarily need to read it in order to enjoy this oneshot. :)

Roman ran a hand through his hair as he stalked through the halls of StoryTime!, growling under his breath as he descended to the next floor.

Of course. It was just like Lo to vanish from his office right when Roman needed him. For being known to never leave the building, Specs sure had a knack for not being where he was supposed to be when Roman’s Creative Muse decided it needed a second opinion.

Must be a twin thing. He distinctly recalled Logan complaining that Roman had done the same to him.

Still.

It was really unlike Lo to so completely disappear from the upper levels that it had forced Roman to search the entire building for him.

He exhaled, turning to go down yet another hallway, head on a swivel. It was unfortunate that their twin telepathy didn’t extend to tracking because if Roman didn’t know better, he would think Specs had left early.

Ha.

The sun would split in two first.

And--Roman glanced at his phone as he came to the balcony overlooking the lobby below, swearing under his breath when he saw the time.

Sure, he supposed his Creative Muse was at fault for having a light bulb moment right before he was due to go interview yet another starry-eyed dreamer for StoryTime!’s creative team, but he hadn’t thought half an hour would make so much of a difference until he couldn’t find Specs.

Now though he’d have to--there!

Roman straightened, a thrill of triumph rushing through him at spotting his twin about to enter the elevator below with some other guy in tow. “SPECS!” He called, his voice echoing around the lobby as he rushed for the stairs. “THERE you are!”

Finally. Maybe he could tell Lo his brilliant idea on the ride up. Maybe two minutes would be enough time to get his opinion before Roman had to bound and gag his Creative Muse so he could focus on being dull and boring long enough to get through the interview process before once more allowing his muse to run free.

At least this time Remy had sworn up and down that this interview wouldn’t be a waste of his time because he was certain that this Virgil person would pass Roman’s stringent pre-qualifications for getting hired.

Crofters he hoped so. He was tired of having his new hires wash out.

Forgoing using the stairs in favor of sliding down the railing to get to him that much quicker, Roman landed in front of his twin before the elevator doors had finished opening. “About time I found you!” He said, jabbing a finger at him as his brother dropped a smile that Roman long ago discovered meant trouble though he had no idea how that related to him or the purpled haired disaster in a suit standing next to his twin.

He’d have to ask later. Creative Muse needed answers. NOW.

“You have perfect timing as always, Roman.” His brother said, placing a hand on the kid’s elbow, pulling him inside the elevator. “I was just heading back upstairs to find you.”

Roman blinked. “Find me? What for?” He demanded, following the two of them inside, hitting the button for the ninth floor. “I’ve spent the last twenty minutes trying to track you down and now you want to find me?”

Sometimes their ability to know when one of them needed another was a freaking curse. But seriously, what were the odds that they would both go seek out the other at the same time!

Roman ran a hand through his hair, fighting back his irritation. And with a stranger in the elevator there was no way he could use this brief interlude to get Lo’s opinion. He didn’t tell just anyone his brilliant ideas before they were fully realized. “Of course you do this to me two minutes before my next interview--”

“For Virgil right?”

Roman gaped at him, eyes narrowing as the doors slid shut. Okay, their twin telepathy didn’t extend that far. “How did you--”

“I just hired him for your department.” Logan said, gesturing to the third member of their little elevator party.

Roman froze, blood roaring in his ears as he clenched his hands, fighting to not hit the emergency button that would stop the elevator in place so he could have longer than twenty seconds to clarify that he hadn’t heard what he just thought he’d heard.

“You. WHAT?!”

They’d freaking TALKED about this! After the disaster that occurred two years and ten months ago with Logan’s meddling they had come to an agreement that his twin wouldn’t interfere with Roman’s methods for hiring people!

Surely Logan. His twin. The superhuman computer that could recall the most mundane information at the drop of a hat hadn’t forgotten that little fact and hired this fashion disaster of an emo in front of him without consulting Roman first. Right?

Wrong.

“I hired him--am I not speaking clearly today?” Logan asked, looking to the kid with a raised eyebrow. “You did the same thing when I told you you were hired too.”

The kid--Virgil shook his head as he crossed his arms, rubbing the spot Lo had grabbed when he’d been pulled into the elevator. “No. It’s just a statement that not many people will find believable...apparently.” He said, mismatched eyes -which really had a unique color shade that Roman would love to take a moment to dra--NO. Stay FOCUSED. One Creative Muse idea at a time!...after dealing with this potential PR disaster.

“Oh no, it’s believable,” Though he hoped the kid’s portfolio was a cut above his ability to dress himself, otherwise Remy would receive quite the earful on what qualified meant when he got back. “If I allowed your interview to be scheduled in the first place.” But If Logan liked him enough to hire him...Roman was pretty sure that wasn’t a good sign. A pity. Remy had been quite convincing that Virgil would work out.

“But, Specs!” Roman growled, glaring at his twin as he held out his hand for what could only be Virgil’s portfolio under his arm. He hoped Lo had actually looked through it this time before pulling the trigger. “We agreed you wouldn’t interfere--”

“With your hires.” Logan finished. “I know. But trust me, brother.” He said, stressing the word as he handed Roman the portfolio.

Brother.

A word that should never have been used between them while within StoryTime!’s walls.

Roman froze, eyes flicking to Virgil and back. “He?”

Logan’s eyes glittered, but not with anger. No, Roman would have thought they were filled with silent laughter as he adjusted his tie. “Knows we’re related, thanks to you.”

WHAT?! HOW?! Oh no. Lo couldn’t blame this on him! He’d never even seen the kid before now!

“To me?! I haven’t said a word--” He denied, taking the portfolio and flipping it open as he leaned against the wall, barely taking in the images on the page. He valued his independence far too much to let just anyone know that he and Logan were related in any way shape or form.

Gah. He fought back a shudder. No. NO. Roman would do anything to keep that particular secret from getting out. He’d done his time in school being treated like he and Logan were the same person unable to form their own identities outside of being the Prince Twins.

And yet.

Somehow the secret had gotten out.

HOW?!

“Virgil.” Logan said, turning to the third occupant in the elevator. “Care to explain?”

And WHY was Lo taking this earth shattering revelation so calmly?!

“I…” Virgil flushed under their combined stares, setting his chin stubbornly. “The Sherlock screenplay.”

….Come again? That screenplay hadn’t ever seen the light of day! Well...beyond the one picture he’d posted ages ago. Roman frowned, flipping to another page, watching from the corner of his eye as Virgil visibly paled, hands gripping onto the railing around the elevator.

“I-I noticed that Logan’s name wasn’t completely covered when you took the picture”

And Roman thought you couldn’t stop a heart more than once.

Apparently he was wrong.

Surely. SURELY that photo he’d posted wasn’t their downfall. He’d been careful to cover Logan’s name! He was sure of it! Yet this kid was telling him that--that---

“And I dug around a bit--” Virgil swallowed, darting glances between the two of them. “Do people here really not know you’re related?”

Ha. They both shook their heads. “No.”

That was the whole point of Logan becoming known as Specs here. Why Thomas had agreed that his real name wouldn’t be found anywhere in StoryTime!’s records. Why Logan had taken to wearing glasses again instead of contacts. To give them a chance to be seen as individuals and not as a pair.

Virgil scoffed, gesturing between them. “But you two look exactly the same!”

“Only a handful know.” Logan clarified, pointedly adjusting his glasses.

“Like three people--Specs does great as Clark Kent--” Roman jerked his head up from the portfolio. Wait. “Don’t tell me you hired him because he’s blackmailing you!?” He demanded, jabbing a finger at Virgil.

Surely Logan wouldn’t let himself be backed into such a corner! He was the one who’d ensured that people wouldn’t connect that they were related. One little picture couldn’t have done so much damage that Logan couldn’t get out of being blackmailed into giving the kid a job because of it!

Virgil flinched, but took a step forward, eyes blazing. “I wouldn’t do that, Princey.” He growled.

So the purple wallflower did have some bark. “Princey?” Roman repeated, narrowing his eyes. Not the most unique of nicknames but...usually people didn’t do that here. Nickname him back. It was always ‘Yes, Mr. Prince. No, Mr. Prince. I can’t take it anymore and I quit!, Mr. Prince.’

It was...refreshing in a way.

Virgil faltered, glancing to Logan. “I--I---uh.”

Crofters, he was like a feral kitten confronting a Lion.

Logan shot him a look, eyes glittering with that hidden humor again, before giving Virgil a reassuring smile. “Go on, Virgil. Speak your mind.”

Logan was encouraging this? WHY?!

Virgil set his jaw, staring Roman down despite the obvious tremor to his hands. “I’m here because you were willing to give me a chance, sir. No other motive. I want to work here on my own merit. Not through...through blackmail.” He practically spat the word. “My Two Princes theory was just that. A theory until Lo--Specs here confirmed it.”

Logan visibly winced at that.

Huh. Roman tilted his head. That was....something. "Well…color me impressed that you got Dr. Roboto here to confirm anything, kid. Usually he's sealed tighter than a jar of Crofters." Usually Roman was the only one who could convince Lo to reveal things he didn’t want revealed.

He snapped the portfolio shut as the elevator doors opened, hiding the artwork from any potential prying eyes. No need to let anyone else see them just yet. Not until Roman actually agreed on the hiring of this kid. Not until he could actually sit down and look at the images himself. "Don't count your eggs though. I'm not so easily swayed."

Logan rolled his eyes. "Page twenty-eight." He said tapping the top of the portfolio as they stepped out onto the landing. "Then you'll understand one of the factors that lead to me hiring Virgil."

Roman scoffed. "One image led you to hire him over my head? Are you addled?"

What could be so good that Logan chose to defy him and hire the kid? Sure, Remy had sworn that Virgil would be a good fit. But no one could be so unique as to get hired on one page alone!

"I would…agree." Virgil said slowly, biting his lip as he glanced to the portfolio in Roman’s arms.

Roman blinked. Come again? “You agree?”

Sure, people usually agreed with him to try and stay in his good graces, but most artists would preen over the knowledge that one image got them hired.

Virgil shrugged one shoulder, glancing between the two of them as they made their way down the hallway. “Well...yah. Compared to my other works, I don't see how that one-"

The kid thought his other works were better? Logan hired him on this one mystery image that he was confident would rock his brother’s world and it wasn’t even a piece that Virgil thought was his best work?

How good was this kid?

How stupid was his brother?

Logan shook his head, pulling open the door to Roman’s office, gesturing them inside.

Typical. Roman fought not to bristle at the fact that his twin was taking charge in HIS domain.

"I can assure you both that my cognitive function has been unaffected in my decision.” Logan said at least allowing Roman the dignity to enter first. “Your overall work is beyond noteworthy, Virgil, and while the one drawing is A factor.” He stressed the word, eyes once again glittering with that humor as Roman took his seat, plopping the portfolio on top of the desk. “For my decision to hire you, it is not The factor. Your work shows a much larger variety than any others I’ve seen.”

Roman frowned. Okay...so maybe his brother wasn’t soo addled. But still. One image? “The thing weighs a ton, I would hope it would show some range.” He said, once more flipping through the pages to see what was so great about this ‘page twenty-eight.’

Honestly...from his quick glances at the other pieces...he could see why Remy and Logan had both been impressed. There was variety, creativity with lighting and color, a feel of familiarity that already sent butterflies fluttering in his stomach, and if it weren’t for the fact that he was on a mission Roman would have stopped to inspect each piece more closely so he could figure out why it felt so familiar when he’d never met this kid before.

It really didn’t help that he couldn’t see why Logan would decide to blatantly break his promise.

“I wouldn’t think you’d mind the size, Roman.” Logan said, straightening his tie. “You are the one interviewing for ‘fresh blood’ are you not or was there another reason you were whining to me just last night about the lack of talent in your department?”

HEY! He pushed to his feet, hand resting on the page before the supposed glorious I-can-break-my-promise-and-hire-you-on-the-spot artwork that had Logan running rogue in his department.

His bemoaning the lack of creativity in his department was a thing said in total confidence and shouldn’t be broadcasted to the new guy even if he was in on their little sibling secret no matter how good this art piece was.

"A Prince does not whine!” He declared, flipping the page. “I merely bemoan the lack of talent people these days seem to ha--” Roman froze taking in the aching familiar Sallyized version of Jack Skellington that had been his obsession and lock screen on his phone for the past six months. “WHAT?!”

He didn’t realize he yelled the last word until Logan smirked, adjusting his glasses as he closed the blinds on the windows to Roman’s office.

Yah probably not a good idea to let others see him totally fangirling, but AAHHHH!!!!! He couldn’t believe it!

Roman shoved to his feet, heart pounding like a drum in his chest as he practically climbed over the desk to shove the picture into the Virgil’s startled face. "You drew this?!"

No way no way no way! He HAD to be dreaming!!! This kid was his beloved Stormcloud?!

Virgil blinked down Jack Skellington before raising an eyebrow, mismatch eyes shining with confusion. "Yes?"

Oh. OH. OH! CHRISTMAS HAD COME EARLY!! Roman placed the portfolio on the desk, careful to keep it open to page twenty-eight because he wasn’t quite convinced just yet that he wasn’t dreaming and if he closed the portfolio maybe it would disappear but no. This had to be real! He pulled out his phone, quickly pulling up Stormcloud’s webpage with the Sallyized version of Jack front and center with the exact same stormcloud signature on the bottom, before shoving his phone in Virgil’s face, the kid practically going cross eyed in the process. “You're telling me this is you?” He asked, anticipation filling every fiber of his being. “That you're--!"

"EmoKnightmare478?" Virgil asked without missing a beat as he ran his hand through his hair. “Yah. That's me, Princey, but how--why?"

“YES!” Roman cried out, grabbing Logan and pulling him into a waltz around the room that only lasted for like two seconds before he had to stop and just jump up and down in a circle with Specs like the fangirl he was at this wondrous turn of events. "YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, LOGAROO!! YOU FOUND STORMCLOUD! HE APPLIED! HE WANTS TO WORK--!! LOGAN! AHHHHH!!!!"

“Am I...missing something here?” Virgil asked, resting a hand, protectively on his artwork, safely keeping his distance from Roman’s prancing.

“Roman’s been a fan of your account for the past couple of years.” Logan said simply, looking over his shoulder at their new hire as he turned in place with Roman. “He looks forward to seeing your bi-montly updates like one looks forward to opening presents at Christmas.”

Virgil went white, his other hand reaching to grab onto the desk as he swayed. “You’re a Fan?” He squeaked.

"OF COURSE!!” Roman cried, finally freeing his twin from his finger-numbing grip to fall down to his knees at Virgil’s feet, arms spread wide. Even the Greats had people that they secretly admired. “Do you know how much I positively adore your twist on a Nightmare Before Christmas series?” He asked eagerly. Every piece had been simply superb. A gift from the Gods. A supreme act of creativity that Roman could only hope to replicate. Stormcloud had taken his favorite Halloween movie and brought it to new heights, giving complexities to even the minorest of characters leaving him in awe every single time.

“Tell me.” Roman said, still on his knees, clasping his hands together like a beggar. “What would it take to commission you to draw the entire cast Sallyized for me? One large painting to hang there over my desk? Anything's on the table. Name your price."

“I--I--uhhh--” Virgil leaned away, hands scrambling on the desk.

Logan exhaled, grabbing Roman by the shoulder. “Perhaps you should tone down the adoration and stop terrorizing your new hire?” He suggested, tightening his grip.

Right. Right. Roman batted away Lo’s hand, rising to his feet. Of course. This wasn’t a Comic Con convention. He had to maintain some sort of decorum, but THIS WAS HIS STORMCLOUD HOW COULD HE NOT BE EXCITED?!

“He’s--He’s not--” Virgil drew in a shallow breath.

Not what? Not serious about his request for a commission because he definitely was!

Logan shook his head. “Well...even if he’s not, I shall assuage your fears anyway. You will still have your job even if you refuse, Virgil. Crofters forbid it doesn’t do Roman any harm to be told no every now and then.”

Roman scoffed at that. Oh, yes it did. He much preferred getting what he wanted thank you very much and being spurned by his favorite artist for a commission he’d been dreaming of for months may just kill him then and there.

Still. Logan did have a point. As Virgil’s potential new boss, he did have to set clear boundaries and this definitely had blurred the lines a bit. “Oh yes, your job isn’t ever in question with this, Stormcloud.” Roman said, offering him a smile as he spread his hands peacefully. “Specs hired you and from what I’ve seen so far,”

He would need to take a very in depth look at the artwork within that portfolio when he got a chance. He needed to see what else Virgil had designed. But that would have to come later. “I second it, but.” His eyes went wide and pleading as he clasped his hands together. “I will be very very very heartbroken and will be giving you super sad puppy dog eyes like this every time you see me for the next--”

“Three hours?” Logan asked, adjusting his glasses as he pulled his brother back another step to give Virgil space to breathe.

Roman made a face. Way to ruin the moment. “I was gonna say a week, but probably.” It would hurt, but he could handle the rejection...maybe. Probably. He didn’t know for sure. People didn’t usually say no to him when they knew who he was.

Virgil swallowed, licking his lips. “You...really would…pay me? The Prince? Would...pay me?”

“Of course! I said--” Roman turned to Logan. “Did I not say that, Lo? Any price. I said that!” He wasn’t a heathen expecting Stormcloud to do such an intense art piece like that for free. No. Roman knew the value of art and Virgil’s artwork would be worth every single penny!

“You did indeed.” Logan nodded.

“Great!” Good to know they’d been clear on that. “Here.” Roman took Virgil by the arm, pulling him to a seat at his desk. “Specs will draw up your contract for the position. Wages, hours, expected responsibilities, rules and policies, so on and so forth. I trust he was quite thorough in whatever interview he gave you right before you found me right? Right. But you and I.” He smiled conspiracally, pulling up a chair. “Need to talk shop. Come on. Commission. How much?”

Logan rolled his eyes as he slid into another chair in front of Roman’s computer, his fingers already flying over the keyboard to pull up the necessary forms to print out. “Of course, leave the boring paperwork to me.”

“It’s what you’re good at Specs.” Roman waved vaguely in his direction, his full attention on his favorite Stormcloud. “Come on Virge, can I call you Virge? Name your price.”

“I--I---Okay...uhmmm. Well…” Virgil rubbed the back of his head before dropping his hand to where Roman had touched him. “Were you actually wanting one large painting of everyone together or individual pieces that form a scene if placed side by side?

Individual….Pieces?! Roman leaned forward, fighting to not grin like a madman. “I was thinking the former, but the latter intrigues me. What would be the difference?”

“Well…” The corner of Virgil’s mouth twitched as he rested a hand on his portfolio. “You said name my price. Does it have to be just...monetary?”

Oooooohhh. Roman smirked to his twin who shared the same smile back. More and more he was seeing why Logan had gone over his head in this. Their new hire was going to fit in rather well here if he was already thinking like that. He hardly doubted that Lo had had time to fill Virge in on their whole betting system here which meant he probably was thinking to set himself up nicely here at StoryTime! before his first day.

“No, no it does not.” Roman sat back lacing his fingers together. “What were you thinking instead? A higher wage? A better position?”

The soft typing from behind him stopped and he could only assume that Logan was waiting for Virgil’s answer as well.

It was one thing to claim to not want to blackmail the twins. It was another entirely to not try and make a grab for power when you had the chance.

Virgil gave a soft growl, shaking his head. “I told you, Princey. I’m not here because I have blackmail on you or want to take a bribe.” He spat the word, his eyes alight with an inner fire, Roman hadn’t seen in a long long time. “Personal commissions are and will always be considered separate from my job here. I won’t argue for things that I haven’t yet proven that I deserve to get.”

Roman relaxed a little at that. “Alright…” He said slowly, listening as Logan began typing again. “But if your asking price doesn’t include money, power, or position.” He raised an eyebrow. “What then are you wanting me to pay in?”

Virgil visibly swallowed. “Well, I would charge per character piece of course.”

Of course. If they had been talking money then Roman could see how this whole thing could get extremely pricey for him with each character being on an individual piece.

But Virgil didn’t want money.

“And for Jack.” Virge placed a trembling hand on his portfolio. “My price--” He licked his lips, but didn’t break eye contact as Roman leaned forward. “My price would be that I can wear my hoodie to work.”

A...hoodie? Roman again shared a look with Logan. The price of having the magnificent Sallyized Jack Skellington gracing his office walls all hinged on the ability for the kid to wear a hoodie?! WHY?!

Logan raised an eyebrow, before shrugging a shoulder showing that he had no clue either why a hoodie would be worth one divinely inspired Jack Skellington, before he returned his attention to the laptop, a slight wrinkle between his eyes forming as he frowned. “You are aware that our dress code is--”

“Business casual, yes.” Virgil said, pulling at the collar of his shirt, his fingers trailing down his tie. “And I can,” the corner of his mouth twitched in distaste. “follow that to a T, if this particular option doesn’t work for you, I promise. You just said--”

“Name any price.” It was unconventional but it worked and maybe, though he highly doubted it, the kid would look better in the hoodie rather than the ill-fitting suit he currently wore.

Roman nodded, pulling out a pen and paper, quickly scrawling down the names of a dozen characters from the movie that he for sure wanted Sallyized.

Best to write it down now than spend the next whoever knew how long trying to remember just which price belonged with which piece.

“For Jack.” He said, fighting the giddy feeling rising in his chest as he circled the name and wrote ‘wear hoodie at StoryTime!’ next to it. “I’ll allow the wearing of the hoodie here for low key, everyday work things. BUT.” He stressed the word as he looked up. “Any meetings, presentations, or red carpet events you’ll need to nix it. Deal?”

Virgil let out a breath, relaxing as he leaned forward giving Roman a large genuine smile. “Deal.”

Logan’s Pov -The Interview: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Virgil’s POV for Chapter 3 of The Interview

#The New Hire #The Interview #stillebesat #Sanders Sides #Roman #Logan #Virgil #Creativity #Logic #Anxiety #StoryTime!

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you-just-got-wormed · 5 years

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Nz things that the sander sides would like

--virgil would like the ghost chips ad, its a safety message wrapped in a spooky vibe (you know i cant eat your ghost chips!!!!)

-patton running around the mindscape singing “AINT NOTHIN GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE” (state will keep me movin!!!!!)

-patton and logan would both love kiwis. (”looK HOW BIG AND FLUFFY THEY ARE” “Their beaks are long with the nostrils on the end as a way to look for bugs for food. Fascinating”)

-Roman is the embodiment of She’ll be right

-anxiety-less thomas is that one ad where the guy keeps fucking shit up around his farm and going “buggar”

-”AY DECEIT” “yeah?” “GIVE US A HAND WITH A JOB ON SATURDAY” “maaaaate ya dreamin” “bloody dark sides”

-virgil watching thomas on a beach walking onto a road “togs togs togs togs to- undies undies undies und”

-patton wears stubbies and everyone is horrified (comes in a frightening one size too small)

-if anyone tries to pull an all nighter patton will play the goodnight kiwi passive aggressively at them

-patton watches how to dad religiously

-patton wears gumboots with his stubbies bc its a look goddamnit

-logan says g’day (AND ITS CANON HE LIKES THE WORD MACCAS MILO CAN CONFIRM)

-logan wear jandals with his denim shorts

-roman plays rugby

-”world famous in new zealand”-roman sanders 2k19 every 5 seconds

-patton sings the ricky baker birthday song a lot. like all the time. its not anyones birthday patton why are you-

-bro logan says ur dumb

-logan has nek minnit on his vocab cards

-deceit wants to throw dildos at thomas

-virgil says yeah nah a lot

-when patton feels fancy he wears socks and jandals

-roman loves a good mince and cheese pie

-when logan is hungry he turns into paul henry (have a crofters bro)

-”did you feel it?” “nah do it again” *pretends to whack roman on the head with a wooden spoon but lets virgil slam a spoon on his head instead* “OW”

- roman, walking into a room: kiiiwiiis love hot pools rugby balls-

-patton rides past on a motorised chilly bin

-”when this cars all finished me and my dad will cruise around being all skux and”

-logan yelling “IM GIGARICH IM A GIGANAIRE”

-patton: this is mr grover, rover, from nova

roman: go on roll over

-logan: what happened:

virgil: well there i was-

-virgil watched what now but he still doesnt know what to do with his life

-virgil: feeling nervous. ive hypnotised those cops

-roman: okay so, one day i was selling my wares and i walked past this old creepy castle, and i look at it and think, very old and creepy”

-patton is the stu of sanders sides

-roman: im the main guy in twilight. yknow twilight? the main guy? thats me.

#i got carried away #sanders sides #thomas sanders #tss #sympathetic deceit #its lowkey but there #ill reblog this with links to videos that will make this understandable for unkiwis #roman sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #logan sanders #nz memes #ghost chips #what we do in the shadows #just an abundance of references to things yall wont understand #deceit tw #deceit ts

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analogical-trash · 5 years

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bully can be so mean

prompt: Logan is being repeatedly forced to do a bully’s work and Virgil takes care of it

word count: 2202

@logince @analogically-prinxiety @samthekoalabear98 @whatevermate1234@valeriebevill1999

I finally have internet so I can post this here on tumblr without having to worry about the text limit

Logan sat at his desk. He was currently working on a paper. Well two papers. One was his science homework and one well it was Damian’s science homework. He looked over his it was done. Now all he had to do was finished Damian’s. Now you would think that all he had to do was transfer the answers over but noooooo. Damian had cleanly said he wanted an 85% so Logan had to make just the right amount of mistakes in order to get that 85%. But of course they had to be believable mistakes oh no he couldn’t have Damian look bad. Logan sighed. It pained him to make simple errors on homework even if it wasn’t his homework it still hurt. Soon enough he was finished. He turn off his desk lamp and got ready for bed. It was 12 am. Which means he won’t get his full 6 hours of sleep. But that what happened when you had to do twice the amount of homework. He crawled in bed and fell asleep.

The next day Logan walked into school feeling half dead. That was in till someone pushed him into the lockers.

“Nerd do you have my homework?” It was none other then Damian. Logan took off his backpack and pulled out a folder and handed it to Damian. “Good oh and nerd”

Logan looked up to see a fist coming straight for his face. Logan fell to the ground.

“My English paper got me an 84% try harder next time” with that Damian walked off.

Logan was about to get up when someone offer a hand to him. It was the cute emo boy from finance class. Logan took the hand and pulled himself up.

“You okay” the boy who if Logan remembered correctly was named Virgil asked.

“yeah i’ll be fine” Logan looked down at the ground. To his surprise Virgil grab his face and lifted it up and looked into his eyes. Logan face turned red and his mouth when dry.

“Um…”

“Oh yeah that going to broozed up nicely” Virgil said. Logan sighed. The last thing he needed was to try and explain to his mom why he had a black eye. “Come on let’s get you some ice”

They walked to the nurses office roll Logan explains but he fell and wanted some ice for his arm. During the whole thing Virgil didn’t say a thing. But he did rise an eyebrow at Logan. Once they lifted Logan movef the ice from his arm to his eye.

“So why didn’t you tell the nurse the truth?” Virgil asked.

“Cause that just makes everything messy. People start asking why Damian a straight b student would punched me the boy who disrupt the class even though he is correcting the teacher. But a disrupting none the less. They probably think I was harassing him.”

“But your the reason he gots such good grades. Why don’t you tell them that. Or better yet just stop doing the work for him” Virgil asked.

“Be cause then I get punched” Logan said Virgil was about to say something then the bell ring.

“Shot my class is on the other side of campus. I have to go. If I’m late mr. Smith will killed me” with that Logan ran off. Trying to get to classes in time. He just bearly made it. Mr. Smith wasn’t to hepply with Logan running into the classes room. Bit Logan didn’t really care at the moment. He made it. That all that matter. So Logan took his seat and after a few deep breaths he pulled out his notebook and classes started. He forgot about most of his problems till it was time for finance. He sat down in his sit. And when to pulled out his stuff.

“Alright class. Since there been a lot of talking this week we are going to have to start having assigned seats. Everyone grab your stuff. And stand in the back of the classroom” Logan sighed. He hated assigned seats he almost never got to be up at the front. Mr Thomas’s room was set up differently then most classroom. For starters they had computers. Big Dell ones. So they had two long tables with the computers side by side and back to back. Logan got placed in the for right corner of the classroom. And Logan just had the best of luck didn’t he cause Virgil got place right across from him.

“Hey nerd looks like we be seeing a lot more of each other from now on”

Logan didn’t know how to reply but luckily he didn’t have to. Mr Thomas started talking about this new program that they school had got something about a fake life simulator where you got a job and had to pay bills and everything. But Logan couldn’t pay attention cause Virgil was flicking little pieces of paper at Logan. Logan try to ignore him but couldn’t.

“What?!?” Logan whispered.

“Hey so we won’t done talking about what your going to do about Damian”

“Um actually yes we are in going to keep doing his homework and your going to mind your own business”

“Um actually no I’m not”

“Actually yes you are”

“Nope”

“Wh-” people started getting up and paring up. Logan stood up looking around. Before he could asked what was going on Virgil grab his arm and Mr Thomas walked over to them. Mr Sanders and Mr crofters I’m glad to see you two aren’t the last ones to find a partner. Good job getting off of your shell Logan. Have you to picked a name yet.

“Um yes it is going to be anxious nerd” Virgil said

“Good good. I’ll put it in you two can start talking about your game plan” Mr Thomas walked away.

“What was that all about?”

“our newest project. We going to be roommates in the new simulator”

“Wait what?!?”

“Yup weren’t you paying attention we going to be roommates and we going to find jobs and everything”

“Actually no I was not paying attention cause somebody was flicking paper at me and trying to talk to me”

“Well don’t worry cause I was paying attention”

“How your were the one flicking paper at me”

“Unlike you I have learned how multitask” Virgil said. He sat down at his computer Logan pulled up his chair next to him. Virgil pulled up this new program that was apparently connected to a bank. Or something Logan didn’t understand. They opened the file called anxious nerd and this little avatar maker popped up. Virgil quickly made his little guy look like him and handed the mouse over to Logan who did the same. “Alright let’s start by finding an apartment”

They choose a small one by the bus system that way they would need a car. Next they had to pick out what to put in there apartment.

“Alright let get one big bed it be cheaper then two small beds”

“Wait no we can’t share a bed” Logan could feel his face getting warm.

“Why not the goal here is to not spend some much money”

“Cause we just roommates we can’t be sleeping in the same bed”

“It a simulator like it matters”

“I guess” Logan still couldn’t get the blush off his face. Virgil looked at him.

“You know your cute when your blush”

Well fuck that didn’t help he could feel himself blushing more. He hides his face in his hands.

Virgil smiled and continued with the simulator. They soon found jobs Logan got one in a office as a receptionist. Virgil got one in a coffee shop. Soon they bell ring and they logged off. It was lunchtime Logan started walking to his normal spot but Virgil grab his arm. And pulled him in a different direction.

“What are you doing?” Logan asked.

“Your not sitting alone today we going to sit at my table” Virgil said.

“But I like sitting alone”

“No one likes sitting alone”

“I do”

“No you don't”

Logan gave up. They soon walked over to a table where two boys were sitting. Virgil sat Logan down before sitting down himself.

“Oooooo Virgil who your bring”

“Hey he cute” Logan could feel his blush coming back

“Hands off Roman” Virgil said.

“Your no fun” the boy named Roman said.

“Um I’m Logan”

“Wait the Logan” the other boy asked Virgil just nodded “well it nice to meet you Logan. I’m Patton”

“And I’m gay” Virgil kicked him. “I mean I’m Roman. But what I said it still true. So tell us about yourself Logan what your favorite food? Do you like the theater? What your sexuality? What do you think of Virgil? What your favorite class?”

Logan swallowed. “Well pizza, not really, bi, I’m not sure anymore, and finance”

Roman wiggled his eyebrows.

Patton smiled. “Your fit right in then. Roman here gay as you know I’m ace and Virgil here is demi.”

They sat there and talk about random stuff Roman occasionally tries to flirt and Virgil kicks him.

Soon the day is over and Logan goes home he finds a note on the refrigerator saying that his mom will be working late tonight. Logan is partly glad. It means that he doesn’t have to explain his black eye to his mom. He goes to him room and starts working on his and Damian homework.

The next morning. Logan walked into school. His black eye was making it hard for him to see on his right side making it hard for him to see Virgil until he right right on top of him.

“Hey nerd”

“What you doing Virgil?”

“Nothing”

“I highly doubt that”

“Your right but you have nothing to worry about”

Just then Damian come

“Hey nerd hey punk what you two losers doing?”

“Well for starts Logan not doing your homework any more”

“Oh is he now. Well he knows what happens when he doesn’t do what I say”

“Oh yeah and what that dee?”

“You have no right to call me that virgil. We aren’t friends anymore”

“Your right dee. But I do remember all the secrets that you use to tell me. And you don’t want me spilling about the time you were at six flags”

“You can’t blackmail me I have just about the same amount of dirt on you”

“Yeah but I got friends who will stick by me. Can you say the same”

There was a pause.

“Find the nerd is free. Just don’t fucking talk to me again” Damian stomped away.

“What just happened?” Logan asked.

“I just got Damian to live you alone for good. Now I don’t want anything except one little thing”

“What” Logan ask suspiciously what did Virgil want him to start doing his homework.

“You have to join me and my friends at lunch from now on” Logan had honestly had fun yesterday at lunch but he wasn’t going to tell Virgil that.

“Fine I guess I can”

“Good now you better get to class before your late” with that Virgil walked off Logan couldn’t understand what had just happened. But he turned around and walked to class. He life was a lot better then it had been for awhile. He started to really enjoy sitting with Virgil and his friends at lunch. He and Virgil ended up getting first place in the simulator Logan didn’t even know it was a competition. But I guess they had bet the whole school and won a $100 scholarship for college. He also learned Patton and Roman had been partners in and had gone bankrupt in the simulator. Patton had wanted to adopt some dogs and Roman was too gay to say no. He also started to learn that he had developed feelings for Virgil. Which he did his best to hide that is until one day Virgil cornered him in the hallway.

“Logan you been avoiding me” it wasn’t a question. Virgil stepped close to Logan. And Logan stepped back. This would have continue for while but Logan’s back soon ended up against the lockers. Virgil got really close and Logan couldn’t help but blush. He looked down at Virgil lips then back up. Virgil smiled.

“Stop me if I’m reading this wrong” Logan was about to say everything about this was wrong but soon Virgil lips where on his. And all Logan could think Virgil kissing me!!!! Logan didn’t have time to kiss back. Virgil started to pull away.

“Sorry I mu-” Virgil started but this time it was Logan to close the distance between them. He put his hands on Virgil hips and pulled him closer. Virgil’s hand somehow made it into Logan hair. Giving it a little pull. Logan pulled back unfortunately needing to breathe. He looked up at Virgil whose eyes were definitely dilated. His face flushed and his breathing heavy. Logan through he look beautiful. He wished he could take a picture to keep forever.

“Wow I’ve wanted to do that for a long time”

“Me too”

“Logan will you be my boyfriend” Virgil asked. Smile down at Logan.

“God yes” Logan couldn’t help but smile back

#analogical fic #analogical #logan sanders #virgil sanders #jay writes

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roseamongroses · 5 years

Text

Antithesis: (1) “cracks knuckles its time to get educated fools”

Summary: For their Junior project, Roman is unceremoniously paired with Dmitri.

He's hardly interacted with the guy, a strange occurrence since Virgil has had a weird/unexplained hate-hate relationship with him since middle-school. But it isn't like he's complaining. Dmitri's cute, he compliments Roman, and damn can he paint.So Roman may or may not catch feelings, and he may not be wiling to uncatch them anytime soon.--Dmitri returns the sentiment.

[General Warnings:] Misgendering, Past Misgendering, Past Bullying, Mild Sexual Content, implied emotional abuse, Cursing [Tags/mood:] highschool au, project troupe, fluff and angst but its all good, chat fic, teen stress, its flordia no snow we die like men [Pairing:] Roceit (Roman Sanders/ Deceit Sanders), hinted future/possible logince/roloceit/loceit [Characters] Roman Sanders/Deceit (Dmitri) Sanders, Virgil Sanders, Logan Sanders, Patton Sanders, Remy (Sleep) Sanders, Nate Sanders, Dragon Witch (Diana)

(1) (2)

R: hey this is Roman[star] [crown] [star]

R: what do you have in mind for the project??

---

As simple as that text was, according to his very reliable memory, it took him exactly an entire decade to work up the nerve to send that. And he was not a coward mind you- reasonably afraid of sudden movements, sure, but no damn coward. He made sure to inherit the fight gene when he was in the womb with Virgil, around the same time he graciously decided not to absorb the little shit.

As if to further emphasis the magnitude of his fetal sacrifice, Virgil gulped down the rest of the milk. Straight from the pint. Just as Roman poured his cereal.

Virgil raised an eyebrow, “What’s got you all riled up prin-cy?” he tossed the pint. Even though Mom wasn’t there to rag on him for being an absolute heathen, she could still do so later if he left behind evidence.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” He ate his cereal dry, carefully avoiding Virgil’s scrutiny.

“Oh--” Virgil choked, “Oh shit, what did you do.”

“Excuse me,”Roman squawked, “I did nothing, you here? I am a good child.”

“Fuckface,”

“We have the same face,”

“Fuckface,” Virgil flicked his dyed purple, and regularly straightened hair for emphasis, “Last time you didn’t actively shout your problems, we found several stray cats in your room--and then there's the time you lit grandpa’s shed on fire with your self care candles and then there was the homecoming incident of fres-”

“--Ok,” Roman interrupted, “--wow Virgil, drag up my entire hero’s journey while you’re at it,” he pouted, “It’s no big deal, really.”

“When the hero’s journey could make a convincing argument in a court of law that you’re unreasonably fire-prone, then yes it's a big deal Ro, spill.”

“I’m just a little,” understatement, “Overwhelmed, by our junior project--” It's definitely not the project, definately definately, definitely not the project.

“That thing?” Virgil frowned, confused, “Me n’ L, going down to the space-station to do interviews, and a couple of presentations, what's going on in the art department?”

“Fuckin’ nerds,” Roman snorted, stabbing his cereal again, “Pat jus’ had to switch last minute to help the new kid out, so Dee and I got paired together and he--”Roman looked up,suddenly very aware of how Virgil’s normally slouched position became deathly straight, face calm, “Uh...Virge…?”

Roman feels like he forgot something important.

Virgil smiled, “What did that snake-fucker Dmitri do?”

Bingo, that’s what he forgot.

It wasn’t like Virgil’s thing with Dee was something that could be traced back to one particular incident, more like a culmination of the two being forced into being in each others general vicinity when they did not in fact want that company.

Roman avoided that drama, mainly because Virgil and him could hardly stand each other at the time either. So most of what he knows is second hand.

Though Virgil has explained it as, “When he opens his mouth, my flight or fight response is activated.” and as far as Roman knows Dmitri just returned the sentiment.

Roman shoved another spoonful of cereal in his mouth, “Chill, it’s Nothing, really, just, he said something that caught me off guard, that’s all.”

Virgil’s eyes narrowed, “If he does it again, tell me,” he said, “Logan says I can restart the prank war with probable cause.”

Roman shrugged,“-Kay” he said

He will most certainly not.

---

D:Sanders? from 3rd block?

R: ye who else would i be??? where is this other roman???

D:Who knows? How do I know you’re not Virgil w/ Roman’s phone?

R: //gasp// i am no fake.

D: Proof?

R:[Picture: Roman’s knees are pulled to his chest, him pouting at the camera.

His hair dyed aubrun and thrown into a messy bun, paint and freckles littering his brown skin]

[ThatOneGuyThatVirgilHates <3’s a picture]

D: Oh thank god you are the cute one

---

[out of the way fives]

Hotleg: so.

Sipsipsippin: dammit roman.

Hotleg: i didnt even say anything how dare

Sipsipsippin:hon, i dated you, i know.

Hotleg: we made out like once

Sipsipsippin: i know.

Hotleg: it was like, eigth grade

Sipsipsipin: i k n o w

Hotleg: ok, ok wise and powerful, remington. Guess who it is, bitch.

Sipsipsippin: ill bite

Sipsipsippin: logan?

Hotleg:....

Hotleg: id say ew, but,,,im not entirely agnst that, ,,, i

Hotleg: nope no, it is not infact logan

Sipsipsippin: FUCK i owe pat a five

Hotleg:????betrayl??????in my sanctum????

Sipsipsippin: shh, i did not type that and you saw nothing

Sipsipsippin: gah give me a hint

Hotleg: hes,,,, good with his hands ;)

----

Remy slammed his hands down the table, “Roman you filthy animal tell me who it is.”

A few people nearby looked up, startled, but not entirely surprised. Patton still winced, pointedly looking at his book and pretending like he didn’t know these actual public disturbances but didn’t bother to move. Which is hard to do regardless, when one Roman has made your shoulder his home.

“Sorry can’t speak english,” Roman said, exaggerating his drawl. He picked off of the leftovers on Patton’s plate, avoiding the daggers being driven into him from behind Remy’s tinted frames.

“Patton, do you know?” Remy asked.

Patton frowned, “Know what?” He flipped a page.

“Our wittle Roman’s got a cwush.” Remy slid into a chair, grabbing a fry.

Patton tilted his head, giving Roman a smile, “A crush you say?”

“Shit.” Roman moved to scramble out of his seat, but Patton somehow managed to put down his book, and fit his arm snug around his waist, tugging him lightly back down.

“Pattonnnn,” He whined, “This is an abuse of my need for affection.”

“Poor baby boy,” Patton hummed, “So, about this crush.”

“C’mon Pat, it could just be a squish,”

“Ro, do you find all your squishies that attractive?” Remy said.

“I find all of my friends aesthetically pleasing, I love you all, lots. I would kill for all of you without hesitation.” Patton rested his chin on Roman’s head, “Did he talk about their hands?” he asked pointedly.

“He wrote poetry.”

“Not to romo,” Patton said, “but yeah it’s a Roman Crush™.”

“I just said how much I loved you guys and this is the betrayal I receive? I thought y’all were the Evagiline to my Ray- instead you’re the animation industry to my animators.”

“Bitch, you bugged me all last week about the same shit,” Remy shot back, lovingly, “Karma’s here, so tell me his name or I’m stealing your toenails and feeding them to your first born.” He sipped his drink, face victorious.

Mid gasp, Roman felt Patton’s grip around his waist tighten. He turned around curiously finding Patton’s attention no longer at the table.

Roman followed his line of sight, blinking, “Dmitri?”

“You have a crush on D--fuck,” Remy hissed, rubbing where Roman’s heel dug into his thigh.

“Sorry can’t hear you,” Roman gritted through his teeth, “--call again after the beep bi-Hi Dee!”

Patton leaned back in his chair, picking up his book again but had yet to remove his arm.

Dmitri shifted the tray in his hands, “Uh, hey,” he smiled, “Can I talk to you?” His hair was down today, the short bob barely falling past his shoulders, but his clothes were noticeably covered paint, yet frustratingly enough other than that, nothing seemed ruffled or half assed. All clean lines and angles.

“What about?” Roman’s brow furrowed.

“Yeah,” Remy chimed, waggling his eyebrows, “What abou-oW.”

Dmitri ignored that, “Can I talk to you,” He glanced at Patton, “Privately,” he emphasised, “I found some old art magazines and projects in the library storage room, Mrs. Ider said we can check it out.”

“Uh, okay,” Roman nodded dumbly. He hopped up, snagging a fry before he followed Dmitri.

Walking down the long stretch of hallway, Roman found himself checking his watch several times- something he hardly ever does. Yet, the uncomfortable silence lingered, with only Dmitri’s avoident gazes and the clicks of Roman’s boots to fill the silence.

Lucky for Roman, his tendency for avoidance was relatively short on supply.

“Did I do something wrong?” Roman forced himself not to wince at how needy he sounded.

Dmitri opened the door for him, blinking, “Of course--” his voice dropped to a a whisper as the entered, “Of course not, why do you say so?”

“You seem different?”

“We’ve hardly talked before, aside from text.” Dmitri reasoned, tone awfully similar to when Logan’s trying to justify consuming an entire jar of Crofters in one sitting.

“Dee,” Roman said, raising an eyebrow, “That’s true, but you’re hardly one to get… nervous,” he said, “I’ve heard enough stories from Virgil alone to know.”

Dee froze, neither smiling or frowning, “What… type of stories.” His cheeks were delightfully pinched pink. “Tell me what I did wrong and--” Roman switched on the light to the libraries storage room, hiding a wicked smile as he glanced back, “And I’ll tell you some of my favorites.”

“Just wonderful,” Dmitri muttered, stepping inside as well, “But truthfully you did nothing wrong, I just don’t quite know how to do apologies.”

“Same,” Roman said, “Where are the ‘zines?” he distractedly asked, dragging the step ladder from behind the door.

“Back, left shelf,” Dmitri replied. He steadied the step ladder as Roman climbed up searching the dusty shelves. “What were you trying to not apologize for?” Roman asked, dropping magazines to the floor beside him.

“The...flirting?”

“Oh just the flirting?” he paused, holding a magazine to his chest, “Oh.” he repeated, now breathless. Dmitri looked way, ”Yeah, it didn’t mean anything, sorry,” he said, “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend, I swear I’m usually only a little sleazy.”

“So,” Roman dropped the next magazine, ”It was a joke.” He said a bit quieter, the magazine slapped the ground with more force.

“So is everything cool or…?”

“Uh,” Roman breathed in, blinking rapidly, “Uh, yeah it's all-- Wait, did you say boyfriend?”

“Yes...Is he not?”

“Who, who would--Oh. Oh, No, Patton isn’t--” Roman’s shoulders sagged, “We’re just friends.”

Roman stepped down from the ladder and was met with Dmitri’s look of skepticism.

“Oh, then I meant every word.” Dmitri said, all too casually, “Are you always so touchy with your friends?” he questioned, voice softer.

“Only if they want to.” Roman shrugged, “What do you and your friends do?”

“I don’t have… that many,” Dmitri admitted with a shrug of his own, the two of them hefting up their own pile of magazines, “And the ones I do would probably punch me if I tried anything like that.”

“Do you want to be able to do that?” Roman questioned, tugging open the door with ease, holding it open for Dmitri with his back. Dmitri was quiet, the two settling the stacks onto a table.

“Hey you don’t have to answer it’s really no pressu--”

“No it's fine,” Dmitri said, hugging his arms, “I’d… think I would, but I doubt any of my friends would want to…” His nose curled, “They’d tell me to piss off and get a girlfriend,”

“Well,” Roman said, “I’m your friend, and I’m certainly not going to promote the heterosexual agenda, unless that’s your thing, so I guess the awful duty of cuddles befalls on me,” He winked.

Dmitri looked at him again, “...I guess it does.”

Ao3

#Roman Sanders #Deceit Sanders #Sanders Sides #Sanders Sides Fanfiction #Virgil Sanders #Remy Sanders #Patton Sanders #Deceit's name is Dmitri #Sympathetic Deceit #Roceit #Romantic Roceit #Multichaptered #Antithesis #Crossposted

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ukaia · 5 years

Text

Tears in the Closet

Hello!

So, honestly I'm not sure where this came from. It was just an idea I had and decided to write out. It all started with Logic wanting a stuffed toy and ended in an emotional breakdown. I'm not always sure how I get from point A to K with these jumps in my brain, it wasn't supposed to be an emotional break down but hey here we are.

A bit of an odd one shot, I suppose. And not my normal Septiceye Posts. I have been writing Sander Side Fictions for a bit, but limiting my posting to AO3 with them. I wasn’t sure I wanted to put them here, but I figured I’d give it a shot.

I still hope you enjoy it!!

Poor Logan, I keep hurting you don't I? I promise I'll pick on someone else for the next story... probably... Um.. maybe... *cough* Kind of depends on what story I manage to finish first I guess.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Logan had a secret. He could never let the others know this secret. It was hard enough to get them to look at him with respect and listen to him, but if they knew this? He'd never hear the end of it, they would never take him seriously again. So he kept his secret carefully hidden away, only allowing himself the comfort of it on the days that had been the most trying, the ones that had pushed Logic to his breaking point. And even then he would only take comfort when hidden away in his closet, an only for a small measured amount of time.

The secret really wasn't anything big, it was a toy, a stuffed toy that he'd made with his own hands. Logan had never really understood the value of stuffed toys as they had grown up, but he had watched as Morality and Creativity played with them. He'd listened as Anxiety and Creativity bickered occasionally over who got Mrs. Fluffybottoms that day, and he'd wondered at the odd way they had seemed so affectionate towards such a thing. Logic didn't understand it, not in the least. He would never make fun of them for it of course, but the one time he'd asked Creativity to make a stuffed toy for him, stating that he wanted to determine what the correlation between a stuffed toy and the affection shown was... well it hadn't gone well. Creativity seemed like he'd been about to agree until Logic had said that. Creativity's face had soured and he scowled after a moment before shaking his head no.

"I'm not going to make you a stuffed toy so you can do some experiments with it Logic. "He had huffed, crossing his arms and glaring at Logan. "These are special, these toys are meant to be loved and played with and cared for. Not experimented on!" he said in an exasperated tone. Logic had taken a step back, a puzzled, slightly hurt look coming over his face, he hadn't meant he was going to.. dissect it or anything like that. He simply wanted to try and understand. What was it about the fabric covered dolls made the others so happy when they held them, or talked to them or played with them? Logic wasn't sure he could expain what he wanted from the toy, so he had simply dropped the subject. He didn't dared to ask again, but after a little while of debating over what to do, he'd decided to make his own.If Creativity could do it, then surly Logic could as well!!

It took him several months, and many failed attempts to make the stuffed toy. He had underestimated Creativity's ability, he supposed. But still he had done it!! A simple bear, made from dark blue, nearly black fabric, with little star patterns carefully bleached into the fabric. Each dot had been placed with an eye dropper, checking his star chart before moving to the next drop. The constellations were scattered across the toy's body, front and back, some over the face and then down over the arms and legs. He'd made those first, the main constellations, but the bear didn't seem complete. After debating for a while he realized what was missing! Logic got out a small paintbrush, then flicked the bleach on the bear to make a scattering of stars across him like a real night sky. There was no rhyme or reason to where the extra specks of white would bleach, but that was perfect. The universe, while organized was also random. Such a beautiful contradiction of ideas, he tried to imitate on this toy. Finally once he was satisfied with the "night sky" he washed the bear twice to get out the smell of the bleach. Logan turned the toy over in his hands, and stared at it. Something was still missing, the toy wasn't complete!! He tilted his head back and forth as he puzzled out the missing piece. Finally he came up with an idea and after a bit more work, a small tie was put around the bear's neck. That was perfect!! Pride had welled up in him at his accomplishment. Some part of him wanted to show Roman the bear, show him he could make something special like Mrs. Fluffybottoms, that he understood the care needed for such toys!! But the other parts of him was afraid of the response, the scorn Creativity would have for such an amature piece of work. Creativity would probably make fun of him, or even try to take the bear to improve or or some other such nonsense. Instead he decided that while the bear wasn't perfect, it was his, and he would never let the others find out. He got a box with the intention of simply hiding the bear in it. However, once he saw his precious hand made toy sitting in the empty box he felt an odd surge of.. guilt. With a frown he pulled the bear out, and with out understanding why he was doing it he had conjured a small pillow to put in the bottom of the box, something soft and comfortable for the toy to lay on. He set it on the pillow but frowned, still not satisfied with the result. After a bit more thinking Logan put his newly found sewing skills to work and made a miniature pillow, and then a blanket. He was confused at his own actions, but as he tucked the blanket around the toy,as it lay on it's back, his head resting on the pillow he finally felt like it was complete. The idea and feelings made no sense at all to him, but perhaps this was what Creativity had meant when he said Logan wouldn't understand how to use a toy properly. Still he was rather proud of his accomplishments, and quite satisfied with the bear tucked into his box bed. This would be the bears home when Logan couldn't have him out. Something niggled at him though, one more thing, he needed one more thing to make this perfect. It took a few moments of thought before he realized it. A name!! His toy must have a name!. Logic studied the doll for a long time before settling on one. Stardust, his bear would be called Stardust. He smiled at his Stardust, before closing the lid on the box and going to hide him away from prying eyes.

Stardust stayed in his box, tucked under his blanket and on his little pillow and carefully hidden in the back of Logan's closet. Logan wasn't sure how the ritual started to be honest. He just knew one day, when his emotions had been too much to push down.. he had gone into his closet dragging a soft fluffy blanket with him. He closed the doors of the closet and use a small push on light to navigate his way to the very back. He then pulled the box from it's hiding spot, and gently pull Stardust out and hugged the bear. He set a timer, one hour.. just.. one hour would he allow himself the comfort of hugging his very own stuffed toy. He was grateful for the feeling, the odd warmth and comfort this illogical act brought to him, he was starting to understand why the others had special toys. Or at least he thought he might be starting to understand. Despite knowing the others held toys as special items.., he could never let the others discover him in such a childish position!!! Cloaked a fuzzy blanket, the stuffed toy clutched to his chest, absorbing his tears, or just listening as he mumbled about the day and what had upset him, or even just being there for him just to hold. It might have been almost acceptable when they were children. But now that he was an adult? No....no... he could never let the others discover this secret part of himself.

Today had been a very rough day for Logan, he'd spilled coffee over one of the schedule's he had nearly finished, then his tie had gotten a stain on it from dropped dollop of Crofters jam, and to top it all off the others still hadn't stopped their teasing after his misuse of the word infinitesimal!! It had been few days already, but Roman still made several jokes about the resident computer being glitched, and even Anxiety had shot a smirk or two his way. While he had originally been shocked that Patton, of all people, had known the correct definition and pointed his mistake out to him, he realized the other side might be smarter then he let on. Underestimating the intelligence of one of his fellow sides was something he felt guilt for, but also feelt vaguely threatened. What other things did Patton or even Roman understand, but had not let on about? Was he truly the smartest side as he often proclaimed? Were they simply humoring him, talking about him behind his back? Now with the unknown factor of Anxiety, just how much was his position as the smartest side in danger?

Logan had bore it all stoically, or as stoically as he could, shoving down the emotions that these thoughts had turned up, but the entire experience was coming to a head. He could fee the emotions bubbling and turning inside him harder and faster, demanding a release. Logan managed to watch one movie before excusing himself from the group. Anxiety looked up from his huddled position in the chair next to the couch, the violet eyes watching his movements from under the fringe of dark hair. It was becoming more frequent that he would venture from his room and join them, but even with his lack of normal attendance he seemed to notice that Logan leaving early was unusual. Logan brushed off the concern from the other two simply stating he wished to get a bit more work done on Thomas's schedule before turning in for bed that night. It wasn't a complete lie, he did need to rewrite that schedule he'd ruined in the morning, but with those thoughts in his head, he missed the worried glance between Patton and Roman. Logan did feel the lingering gaze of Anxiety as he made his way up the stairs. He was unsure why Anxiety was watching him so intently, but he brushed it off as well. It didn't matter, he needed to escape!!

Logan made his way up the stairs and into his room. He locked his door behind him and let out a long slow breath as he leaned back against the door letting his head hang for a moment. His hands came up and gently undid the tie from around his neck, then unbuttoned the top three buttons. A sharp breath of air was drawn in, he nearly choked on how greedily his body had pulled the air in. Had his tie been on perhaps a bit too tight? He wasn't sure, and to be honest he didn't care. Logan pushed himself away from the door and hung his tie over the back of his desk chair. He stood still trying to push back the emotions, to lock them in their proper little box, but he could already feel the heat burning behind his eyes. Could feel that itchy burning sensation crawling in the back of his throat. No, today he would need Stardust, he would let the toy help him release these feelings and get himself back into the proper logical headset he normally had. Shivering a bit in misery he snapped his fingers, changing into his unicorn onesie and then pulled his galaxy blanket off his bed. He flicked the lights off in his room, leaving only a small desk lamp on to keep himself from bumping into anything. Logan made his way to the closet and opened the door before stepping in. He shut it behind himself and pushed the small light on, then made his way to the back of the closet. Soon he had Stardust's box out, his blanket wrapped around himself and his legs were pulled to his chest. Stardust was used to hide his face as he clutched at the bear.

The dam broke, and he sobbed into Stardust's soft and slightly worn fabric. His entire body was racked with the sobs as he released the pent up emotions, the hurt, the uncertainty, the pain from the teasing remarks. He let it all go in ugly gasping sobs, his entire body heaving with force of those contained emotions as they broke free. His poor Starlight soaked up the pain filled tears as he used the bear to muffle the sounds. For the first time ever though, he'd neglected to start his timer, the one that kept him from being emotional for far too long. With out the timer he continued to cry, till the sobs became whimpers, and finally he slumped to the side, asleep completely exhausted and emotionally drained.

The next morning found Logan waking in the closet, stiff and sore from his night of sleeping on the floor in such an uncomfortable position. He looked at Stardust and sighed, nuzzling his cheek into the soft fabric for a few moments, before snapping away any trace of the mess from his emotional outburst. He would hand wash Stardust later tonight, after everyone went to bed. Always he snapped away the mess, and then would carefully hand wash the doll, drying it with the utmost care. For now though he tucked his bear back into his bed, and the hid him away once more.

After stumbling out of the closet Logan looked at the time. Almost 5 am, he was quite relieved he had not overslept, he berated himself for not setting a timer like he was supposed to, but what was done was done. Tiredly he headed for the bathroom, tossing the blanket on the bed once more. Forty five minuets later, the impeccably dressed Logic stepped out of his room. He was showered, dressed properly and his room was made up neat and tidy. He straightened his tie once more and headed down the stairs to get his cup of coffee.

His emotions were back in their box and he nodded to himself. He was normal again, the cool and calculated Logic, untouchable by petty taunts and silly emotions.

Just as it was supposed to be.

#sander sides #roman sanders #logan sanders #virgil sanders #patton sanders #insecure Logan #Crying #Logan needs a hug #Emotional Hurt No Comfort #Angst #fanfiction

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