#aro Logan sanders

[anxiouslyfred]

Flags Protections

For @aro-sides-week prompt Flags

Let's see if I can still write while exhausted and in pain cause my leg hurts

Remus making them from scrap fabrics?

Logan enjoying the colour specifications and easy understanding he can get from knowing flags, wearing just 1 or 2 pin badges to show his, indicating to them in awkward conversations

It becomes a small joke among their friends that if Logan wants a subject changing he'll gesture to his badges

But don't doubt that if he's speaking to a stranger or got approached when out with them, the minute the badges are indicated to everyone is there to help him

Roman and Remus especially will go on an offensive, anything they can do or say to turn the discomfort back on the person talking to Logan will be done,

Roman including for people too pushy, or still trying to chat Logan up, naming colours from their out fit and musing on why they needed to embody a flag for something unpleasant and acting confused when told there's no such flag.

Logan mostly out of amusement the first time he did this wrote down the colours and insult given so sometimes actually corrects Roman if the colours coincide with one called out before.

Remus instead has his scrap flags in a bag or whatever vehicle he travels in at anytime and will just throw the aro one over anyone not getting the message their advances are not wanted.

[randomnerd737]

[confused-disaster32]

me when I like a character too much and start self projecting (they're now either trans, queer, autistic or all of the above)

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Erudite

The ship fics are adorable, however I am also aro as heck and I have a proposition: Aromantic (possibly acespec, idrc whatever you wanna do there that's not the main focus) Logan being absolutely baffled because the other sides are flirting with each other and getting into relationships and flirting with him (not that he picks up on it) and he's just like. What. (long ask, so cut for brevity) - anon

Could you write a fic with aromantic or aro-spec Roman in it? – monkeythefander

*materializes into existence* Hi :D Mayhaps I request some Logince (Logan and Roman) hurt/comfort? Logan has a nightmare and Roman comforts the touch-starved Logan. Logan being a bit overwhelmed by all his emotions. Roman grounding him and giving him all the affection. Maybe some insecure Logan? Random Headcanon: Roman calls Logan "Erudite" as a comforting, loving nickname? Cause Lo is a lil nerd. Do what you will. Have fun :D – oatmeal-stans-the-trash-rat

THOUGHT THOUGHT THOUGHT!! This has been on my mind for a while Names, as we have learned, are very important to the sides. (this ask is super long so not all of it is here) - anon

Read on Ao3

Warnings: mild arophobia

Pairings: background virgil/patton/janus/remus

Word Count: 3123

Logan blinks awake with sweat soaking his sheets and an ache in his muscles. In the middle of the night, the only solace he can find is with someone who might understand.

Logan blinks awake with sweat soaking his sheets and an ache in his muscles.

"That's it, come on, now…"

There's a voice. Someone is speaking to him. Is it in his head? No, he would not have used such a phrase for himself at this moment.

"Stay with me, come on, I'm right here, wake up, L."

'L.' Ah. Virgil. Logan blinks again, stirring and wincing at the tug in his limbs as a blurry face swims into view. Virgil smiles at him—at least, he presumes he does, it is difficult to tell without his glasses—and ruffles his hair.

"Hey, there, buddy. You doing okay?"

"Virgil?" He swallows through his dry throat and tries again. "Virgil?"

"Yeah, buddy, it's me. You were having a nightmare, do you remember?"

His brow furrows as he tries to recall it. No images come to mind—though perhaps that is for the better—but the ache in his limbs coalesces into a strange and heavy soreness that isn't reminiscent of any sort of muscle pain. On instinct, his hand moves toward its center to try and figure out what's going on, but his fingers only scrabble uselessly against the soft fabric of his shirt.

"Hey, hey, uh-uh," Virgil interrupts, taking gentle hold of his wrist and pulling it away, "stay here. You with me?"

"I'm with you. I don't—I don't remember my nightmare, but my chest—my chest hurts."

"You think it's from hyperventilating?"

He shakes his head. "Not that kind of hurt."

Virgil nods, the mattress creaking slightly as he leans back to give Logan his space. "You wanna talk about it at all? You need to be grounded?"

"Can—?" His throat dries up again mid-question. "Can I have some water?"

"Yeah, yeah, sure, I'll be right back."

The mattress squeaks again as Virgil's weight leaves it, the light to the bathroom and the sound of the sink following shortly. Logan drifts in the strange fuzzy half-dark of his room for several moments more before Virgil reappears with a glass of water. He sits up, carefully, and drinks about half of it.

"Thank you."

"Sure thing, bud. You need me to stay for a little longer?"

The soreness hasn't receded, but the prospect of letting Virgil stay makes it…worse. His fingers twist into the blankets. Virgil waits patiently until he sighs and his shoulders drop. "Can you see if Roman's awake, please?"

Surprise flickers across Virgil's expression, but he nods and stands. "If I can, I'll send him up. If not, do you want me to come back?"

"Just to say you couldn't find him, or he isn't awake. You don't have to stay."

"I don't mind," he says softly, but Logan shakes his head. "Okay. I'll see what I can do."

Virgil sinks out and Logan lets out a breath he hadn't been sure he was holding, putting the glass on his nightstand before his hands can shake too much to spill it. He rubs his chest. The soreness hasn't abated, but the lancing pain atop it has. Despite knowing how ill-advised it is, he finds himself once again trying to remember his nightmare. His fingers worry the creases in his shirt.

A knock on the door startles him out of his thoughts.

"Logan? It's Roman, Virgil said you were looking for me?"

"Come in."

Roman opens the door and glances around, spotting him in the bed and smiling. He looks…far too awake for the middle of the night, but at least he's dressed down in a T-shirt and sweatpants.

"Hi, Specs," he says quietly, shutting the door behind him, "what can I do for you?"

"I—"

Roman's brow furrows when he cuts himself off, taking a small step away from the door. "Can I come over?"

Logan nods and he comes to sit on the edge of the bed, still a respectful distance away, but close enough to lay a hand encouragingly on Logan's blanket-covered knee. Even through the fabric, the touch grows warm in a rush. Roman's hands are callused, he realizes, from years of swordfights and writing alike. His thumb makes little strokes back and forth, filling the room with the sound of fabric rustling.

"Logan?" Roman smiles when he looks up. "I think I lost you for a moment there."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize, I'm pretty sure it's my fault." He indicates his hand. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No."

"Okay, then." He pats his knee. "Not that I'm not thrilled to see you, but I can't imagine midnight socializing works its way onto The Schedule, so—"

Logan snorts.

"—if you wouldn't mind telling me a little bit about what's going on in your head right now?"

"I had a nightmare."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Virgil was here, he…he woke me up. He got me water." Roman nods. "He…asked if I wanted to talk about it."

"And did you?" Roman prompts when he doesn't finish. "Is that when you asked him to get me?"

"Yes."

"Do you…want to talk about it with me?"

His mouth hardens into a thin little line.

"You don't have to," he continues, softer now, "I can just babble on and distract you until you get bored enough to fall back to sleep."

"That's not—" he touches his shirt again— "my chest hurts."

Roman blinks. "Okay. Um, do you want me to have a look at it?"

"…can you?"

"Of course, Specs, can I come a little closer?" Logan nods and Roman scoots up the bed. He briefly mourns the loss of the hand on his knee only for his breath to stutter when Roman's warm hand comes to rest gently on his chest. "Is this alright?"

He nods, not trusting his voice. Roman carefully rubs his hand back and forth, back and forth, in small circles, then bigger circles, then side to side, then down his sternum. A small furrow appears between his brows as he goes. When he's finished, he lays his hand right over Logan's heart and closes his eyes.

A few moments later, he opens them again.

"I can't feel anything wrong," he says, looking up at him, "but it does…I can feel something a little sore. Is that what it is?"

"Yes."

"Do you think it's just from the nightmare?"

"I don't even remember what the nightmare was."

"Okay, that's okay." His fingers tap lightly against his chest. "Is—can I keep asking questions?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. Does it have anything to do with why you sent Virgil to look for me?"

Logan's quiet for a moment. Roman waits patiently, his fingers still drumming lightly against his chest. "I…it didn't feel right."

"Right?"

"To ask Virgil."

"Why not?"

"He's…they're…"

Roman makes a soft oh sound and scoots the slightest bit closer. "Is it because the others are in a relationship now?"

It had been a long time coming, if the others were to be believed. Patton and Virgil and Janus and Remus—the four of them had recently started to explore the dynamics of a polyamorous romantic relationship and it had been going well. The four of them had been…happier than Logan could remember seeing them.

The thought of it is enough to twinge the ache.

"Hey," comes Roman's gentle voice, "stay here with me?"

"I'm here, I'm here."

Roman carefully pats his chest. "I'm guessing that was it?"

"…yes."

"Do you want to talk about that?"

Logan's mouth thins again. "It's stupid."

"If it's giving you nightmares, Specs, it's not stupid."

"It's not—" his head snaps up to look at Roman, who meets him with such soft and patient understanding that Logan's hand twitches toward his unconsciously— "do you…think that's what it was?"

"You woke up without being able to remember the nightmare except for this ache in your chest," he says, "you didn't feel comfortable letting Virgil comfort you, and you asked specifically for me."

Logan swallows. "Your logic is impeccable."

"Why, thank you."

"Still, it seems like an inappropriate thing to have a nightmare about." He shifts to ease a cramp in his leg. "The people that matter to me have gotten together and are happy about it. How is that supposed to give me a nightmare?"

Roman doesn't say anything, just looking at him expectantly. He sighs.

"I don't know, Roman."

"Do you want to try and figure it out, or do you want me to distract you from it until you can fall back asleep?"

"It'll frustrate me if I don't know why."

"Then let's figure it out."

"But that's hard," Logan mumbles, mostly under his breath. Roman chuckles and strokes his thumb across a wrinkle in his shirt.

"You like hard problems."

"Not when they keep me from sleeping."

"Come on, then, Braniac," Roman encourages, "let's get you thinking."

Logan sighs again, leaning back against the headboard. Roman goes to lift his hand from his chest but without thinking about it, he covers the hand, keeping it there. Roman makes a surprised noise.

"Sorry."

"No, no, it's alright." His hand shifts to get comfortable. "Can I ask why—would it be helpful if I asked you questions to help you think, or do you want to do it on your own?"

"You can ask."

"Thank you. Can I ask why you felt more comfortable asking for help from me than from Virgil?"

"We went over that."

"Say it again for those of us in class that aren't as clever as you."

Logan frowns slightly—Roman is clever. "Virgil has recently entered into a relationship."

"So?"

Logan turns to look at him. "What do you mean, 'so?'"

"What does that have to do with Virgil comforting you?"

"I'm not part of the relationship." Roman gestures for him to keep going. "That should—I'm not one of the people Virgil loves. Yes, yes, I know," he interrupts before Roman can say anything, "Virgil might love me, but he's not in love with me—he does not feel romantic love for me."

"I'm going to keep asking you why this matters, Logan."

"He's not—shouldn't he be doing that for his partners?" Irritation bleeds into his words. "Isn't that how that works?"

"How what works?"

"Romance," Logan spits, only belatedly realizing that Romance is Roman's thing, "as soon as you enter a romantic relationship with someone, they become your one and only priority, or whatever, they're who you're supposed to comfort, to seek comfort from, it doesn't matter what other relationships you might have, or might have worked on for years, as soon as someone gets the label of romantic partner, everything else might as well not exist."

Only after he's finished speaking and he sees Roman's expression does he realize what he's just said.

"…oh."

"You're worried the others won't think about you as much anymore," Roman summarizes with devastating softness, "and that they won't see their time with you or their relationship with you as important, is that right?"

Logan nods, shame bubbling into tears that Roman wipes away with a gentle noise.

"Does it scare you?" He nods again. "Oh, Logan…it's okay, can I hug you?"

Logan barely has time to nod again before Roman's sliding up and wrapping his arms around him and oh, Roman is big and soft and warm and his brain isn't coming up with good words anymore and he doesn't care because Roman's still hugging him and the ache in his chest is glowing and he's all warm and it almost burns and it—and—and—and—

"Shh, shh, Logan," he hears from a great distance, "it's okay. I'm right here, okay? I'm right here."

He decides he's not going to think about anything else. Nothing that isn't the fingers running lightly up and down his back. Nothing that isn't being rocked against a strong chest. Nothing that isn't the soothing murmur of words in his ear.

"I've got you, Logan. It's gonna be okay. I'm not going anywhere."

When he next surfaces out of swimming in the sensation of warm soft comfort Roman safe, he realizes Roman's moved them. He's leaning up against the headboard, Logan balanced halfway across his lap. He looks up from where his head is pillowed against Roman's shoulder. Roman smiles.

"Hey," he calls, running his fingers through his hair, "you feel any better."

"Mhm."

"That's good." He returns to scratching lightly between his shoulders. "If it's any consolation at all, I'm sure the others wouldn't be upset at getting able to comfort you at all. I think they'd miss it, actually, and start passive-aggressively fighting for the chance to do it again."

"That's kind of you."

"I'm serious! Mark my words, they'll be squabbling for the chance before you know it."

Despite himself, he laughs at the mental image of it. Roman's chest rumbles with a laugh of his own. "I don't think I would mind so much," he mumbles, tongue loosened by Roman's warmth, "if I didn't know it wasn't for me."

"If what wasn't for you?"

"That sort of thing." When Roman still looks confused, he sighs. "Romance…all of that. That sort of thing."

"What do you mean, romance isn't for you? Not that it's a problem," he says quickly, "that's your decision and you're welcome to make it, I'm just…curious."

"I'm aromantic."

"Oh. Me too."

"I just mean that—" he stops and looks up. "You're what?"

"I'm aro too, Logan," Roman says, smiling softly and running a finger down his cheek. "What's that look for?"

"You're—you—but you're Romance."

"And Janus is perfectly capable of honesty even though he's Deceit. Just because that's what I represent to Thomas doesn't mean I have to experience romantic attraction." Roman shrugs. "It's not like I'm against it, or for it, it's just…well, like you said. It's not for me."

"But—but—" Logan's still trying to make sense of this image— "but you flirt with the others all the time."

"It's fun."

"It's not fun, it's confusing. I get accused of flirting all the time and I don't even know what I'm doing that counts as flirting."

"Well, they're probably guessing that the way they flirt with you is how you'd flirt back at them."

"But that doesn't—"

He stops again. He furrows his brow. He bolts upright to stare hard at Roman.

"What do you mean, how they flirt with me? They don't flirt with me!"

"Yes, they do," Roman says patiently, "believe me, the only reason I know that is because I walk in on them scheming on how to flirt with you."

"They—you what?"

"Look, just because I'm Thomas's Romance doesn't mean I understand all of it myself."

"Why is this so complicated and confusing," he grumbles, letting Roman chuckle and coax him back into a hug, "why can't everyone just make sense?"

"I don't think they'd be themselves if they made sense 100% of the time."

Logan begrudgingly grumbles an acquiescence, but he doesn't have to like it. Judging by the way Roman laughs again and ruffles his hair, he won't hold it against him.

"You look better," he observes softly, smiling, "do you think you might be able to fall back asleep?"

He toys with the edge of Roman's shirt. Most of the ache is gone, but there's something still lingering that he can't quite figure out how to dissipate. "I don't—alright, this next part is going to sound stupid."

"Great. I love stupid-sounding things."

"They have…they're going to have secrets now. And I…I don't…" He sighs. "Do you remember when Patton told Thomas my name?"

Roman nods. Logan rubs the hem of his shirt between his fingers. After a moment, Roman hums. "They shared something private of yours, and now you don't know how to feel that they know everything about you and you won't be able to reciprocate?"

"When did you get so perceptive?"

Roman just chuckles. "I am sorry about the name thing, I don't—"

"It's fine. It was going to happen at some point."

"Still, Logan, you should've gotten to do that on your terms." Roman drums his fingers against the small of his back. "What if…what if we did it over?"

"Did what over?"

"What if you had a name—or something, that was just a private one? And then you could keep it, it could be your secret, and you could decide how you want to tell them about it, if you ever do?"

Heat begins to color his cheeks. "Like—like a pet name?"

Roman looks down. "If you wanted?"

"Okay."

"If you're not comfortable—"

"If it's you," Logan butts in, "only if it's you."

Roman pauses, looking at him, before a soft smile spreads across his face. "Okay. I'm okay with that. Do you have anything in mind?"

"You're Creativity," Logan mumbles, trying to hide his blush in Roman's stomach, "you think of one."

Roman tugs lightly on his hair in retribution but settles, humming as his fingers card along his scalp. Logan finds himself drifting off under the gentle touch, roused here and there by Roman trying out different names. Starlight is too close to his nickname for Virgil, all the generic ones are taken because the others might use them, anything to do with Logic is too impersonal…

"Erudite."

Logan stirs. He looks up. Roman cups his cheek and strokes his thumb across his cheekbone.

"Erudite," he says again, voice gentle and tender, "what about that?"

A lump appears in Logan's throat.

"Is that okay, Erudite?"

He sniffles.

"Oh, it's okay, Erudite, come here…you fall asleep for me now," Roman coos, cuddling a sleepy, weepy Logan to his chest, "shh, Erudite, it's okay…it's okay, let's try and sleep now…"

The ache in his chest fades away as he falls into a dreamless sleep.

General Taglist: @frxgprince@potereregina@gattonero17@iamhereforthegayshit@thefingergunsgirl@awkwardandanxiousfander@creative-lampd-liberties@djpurple3@winterswrandomness@sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes@iminyourfandom@bullet-tothefeels@full-of-roman-angst-trash  @ask-elsalvador @ramdomthingsfrommymind@demoniccheese83@pattonsandershugs @el-does-photography @princeanxious@firefinch-ember@fandomssaremysoul@im-an-anxious-wreck@crazy-multifandomfangirl @punk-academian-witch@enby-ralsei@unicornssunflowersandstuff@wildhorsewolf @thetruthaboutthesun @stubbornness-and-spite @princedarkandstormv  @your-local-fookin-deadmeme @angels-and-dreams@averykedavra @a-ghostlight-for-roman @treasurechestininterweb @cricketanne @queerly-fluid-fan @compactdiscdraws@cecil-but-gayer@i-am-overly-complicated@annytheseal@alias290@tranquil-space-ninja @arxticandy @mychemically-imbalanced-romance@whyiask@crows-ace @emilythezeldafan@frida0043 @ieatspinalcords @snowyfires@cyanide-violence@oonagh2@xxpanic-at-the-everywherexx@rabbitsartcorner @percy-07734@triflingassailantofmyemotions @virgil-sanders-the-gay-emo@cerulean-watermelon@puffed-up-bees@meltheromanstan@joyrose-fandomer@insanitori@mavenmush@justablah65@10paradox10@uhhh-hi-there-i-am-nervous@cutebisexualmess@bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti@ultrageekygirl

[noblest-roman-of-them-all]

My brain is unfortunately being eaten up by the au I dreamt about so now I have to decide why Logan is a single dad to Virgil.

Initial thought is mom up and left, full on abandonment, just disappears one day when Virgil is really young. (She was possibly significantly older than him and basically groomed him into the relationship then bailed when she realized the relationship wasn't worth having to take care of an infant.)

Second thought is they married young and quickly realized they weren't actually compatible, divorce was stiff and cold, and they remain distant, especially after mom gave up full custody of Virgil.

Third thought, Logan didn't realize he was in an abusive relationship till he saw her back hand Virgil when he was like five. Took Virgil and ran, gave up basically everything in the divorce to keep custody of Virgil.

Fourth thought, she died due to complications while giving birth to Virgil.

Fifth thought, they realized it was a marriage of convenience/expectation, parted ways amicably. Mom travels for work, but is still somewhat present in Virgil's life.

[energetically-exhausted]

aroace!Logan!! 🌟

(i project on him too much)

[sanders-sides-a-spec-week]

[emoprincey]

Virgil and Logan are actually both so romance repulsed they told me themselves

[soysaucevictim]

The Aro Visibility thing makes me think of the Gymrat!AU stuff. :,D

Roman - Aro Gay* (just says gay for his own reasons - despite having a relationship with Jan, a genderfluid person.) Also bellusromantic/aegoromantic.

Janus - Aroflux Pansexual. Mostly romance-apathetic. In a sexual relationship with Roman.

Logan - Aroace. In a QPP polycule with Remus and Virgil, all three are ace-spec (the Dukexiety leg is the romantic one). More on the romance-repulsed side of the coin - but mostly as it pertains to himself and his desires/needs.

[anxiouslyfred]

No Longer Playing House

I told myself when I wrote these prompts that I would complete this week and by Remus I'm going to manage it, brain constantly exhausted or not, everything a short as hell bullet fic or not

This is for @aro-sides-week prompt of found family

Patton getting cleared to adopt after a long fight for it and trying to fit all his friends into family roles

Logan immediately questions this, and why he's somehow implied to be Patton's partner despite them not being together and him being alloaro while Patton's aroace

Needless to say the kid,( because lets face it, although Patton would probably love to raise a baby, he'd get attached to some precocious child in a foster home if ever advised to visit one.) gets very amused by them arguing and after a comment by Logan about being more suited to a teacher than any familial role in a child's life starts calling him Mr Logan.

Virgil also argues twice over, because Patton decides he should be the kids older brother. He is not Patton's son and refuses to let the man make him so at all, and ignoring that, they're already found family. That does not to any extent mean they have to fit these roles Patton has in his head, it just means they're people important to each other, who want to look after each other in their ways.

Roman... goes along with it. He loves the idea, especially when he's chosen as an uncle to the child, claiming he'll be the coolest. He only starts questioning it when Patton declares Remus to be the cousin they do everything to avoid influencing the child.

This was a group brought together because for various identities the normal relationship wouldn't work, and they were happy with it.

Janus at least gets Patton to drop the entire thing with a very snide "Wow, thanks Patton, I would just adore being an aunt to your child, encouraging the very suffocating amatonormative family structure we all wanted to escape. Is this your way of convincing two alloace's they should date, because I really believe Roman and I know our relationship to each other better than you."

That gets Patton stopped in his tracks. He looks from Janus to whichever of their friends are said at this time and stutters out an attempt to deny that,

"You're right, I might have a kid now. but we're family and there's no need for a structure of that. Sorry guys. Guess I just caught up in the idea of making a home like I always played house as a kid."

"Fuck social structures! That's what Remus told me!" The kid cheers at that, getting groans or laughter from everyone, even as Patton scolds them for language and listening to Remus.

[randomnerd737]

Logan is so aro coded you don't even fucking know

[energetically-exhausted]

YESYESYESYESYES

aroace logan wishes all aroaces a happy valentine’s day!

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Erudite | In Your Own Time

Hi, I absolutely loved Erudite!!! If you're taking requests at the moment, I'd love to see a continuation of it where Virgil (or Patton, Janus or Remus) makes it obvious that they've been flirting with Logan, and he tells them he's not interested in that way and comes out to them as aromantic (preferably with the 4 of them being supportive and reassuring him they'll still want to hang out with him now they're in a relationship) – stormofstarlight

Read on Ao3 Part 1

Warnings: internalized arophobia

Pairings: NONE WE ARE ALL PLATONIC HERE BABEY

Word Count: 2502

As soon as Roman opens his door, he stands aside to let Logan in and closes the door firmly behind them.

"They won't stop," Logan grits out, adjusting his tie over and over again until he's more just pulling on it but he can't stop because his chest won't stop twitching, "they just—I can't—I don't—"

"Easy," Roman murmurs, taking him by the hand and leading him over to the bed, "hey, hey, just come sit with me for a moment, okay?"

Logan collapses to the bed in a thoroughly undignified heap, letting Roman coax him into a floppy cuddle. Hands run through his hair as he squeezes his eyes shut, fumbling to put his glasses on the nightstand so he can freely bury his face into the crook of Roman's neck. Roman hushes him with a seemingly limitless patience, breathing slowly and steadily as a gentle reminder. The mass of frenzied energy in his chest starts to slowly unravel.

"Please—my chest—can you—?"

Roman works a hand between them to rub gentle circles into his chest again and Logan whimpers from the relief of it.

"Oh, you're alright, Logan, it's okay." Roman's lips press chastely against his forehead. "I've got you, okay? You're right here with me. Everything's okay. You're okay. Shh, shh, that's it…just get it all worked out, okay? I'm right here. You're safe."

He is. He is safe here. Roman is right, he is safe here, everything's going to be okay. Roman understands and he's holding him gently and he can just—just—

Another kiss pressed to his temple. "You're alright, Erudite."

Logan shatters.

He loses track of time almost instantly, just curled up against Roman. Everything fades into a confusing swirl of soreness and euphoria, the faint pain in his chest not enough to drown out how good it feels to just let it go. And Roman stays with him for all of it, just rubbing his chest and kissing his hair and letting him be a complete and utter mess right there, on the bed, without any need for him to do anything other than feel. A luxury he would have denied himself and been all the lesser for it.

After a long, long time, he presumes, he sags against Roman, exhausted. Roman offers a small water bottle that he sips from gratefully.

"That seemed like a lot, Erudite."

"It was," he croaks, "I'm…thank you."

"You're very welcome. I'm glad you came." Roman kisses his cheek again and takes the water bottle. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Do you want me to ask questions like last time?"

"Please?"

Roman smiles, brushing a tear from Logan's cheek. "Does it have anything to do with what we talked about last time?"

"Yes."

"Are the others flirting with you again?"

Logan rounds his shoulders. "I don't think it counts as flirting."

"Let me rephrase: are they doing things to playfully squabble for your attention and get all pouty when you don't give it to them?"

"…yes."

Roman's chuckle is enough to coax the smallest smile back to his face. Roman sees it, of course, and nudges him gently. "Is that what's making you so upset?"

"In a way," he sighs. "I don't…I don't want to not spend time with them anymore, but when they keep—they just—"

At his groan of frustration, Roman tugs lightly on his sleeve. "Is it that they don't know that you're aromantic, or you still feel as though their affection isn't for you?"

"Both?"

Roman nods sympathetically. "Do you think it would be helpful to talk to them about it?"

"But what do I say? 'Hi, I'm aromantic, I feel like you shouldn't be giving me affection?'"

"Is that true?"

"In some ways, yes. But I can figuratively see Patton's face if I said something like that to them and—"

"Yes, quite." Roman winces. "I can see it too. Yeah, maybe…maybe not that."

"Do you have any suggestions?"

"Well, do you think you'd rather come out to them first, or tell them that they're making you uncomfortable by flirting with you first?"

"Aren't the two of them connected?"

"Well, yes, but them being connected doesn't mean they have to be simultaneous. I came out to Remus before I came out to the others—actually, I don't know if I'm fully out to the others, now that I think about it." He gives himself a shake. "But this isn't about me. I—do you think you would be okay with them knowing you were aro?"

Logan sighs, leaning back against Roman. Roman lets the pause hang in the air. "I don't know. I don't want them to look at me any differently."

"Of course not," Roman says softly, carding his hand through his hair again, "I understand. Maybe you could tell them that you'd like them to stop flirting with you?"

"But them flirting—I don't know if it's flirting. And they're—they—is it wrong that I like having them want to spend time with me? Or that they want my attention?"

"No, it's not bad."

"What if I ask them to stop and they don't do anything with me anymore?"

"I don't think that'll happen, Erudite."

The name sends a small jolt of warmth through him. "But I don't think I know the difference. What if all of their attention feels wrong?"

Roman's quiet for a moment.

"Sorry."

"No, no, don't apologize. We're just talking. It's okay. This is complicated. It's hard, and it's not—I don't think any of the things we could say, any of us, will completely make these feelings go away. That's not your fault, that's just how feelings are."

"I know," Logan grumbles, "it's the worst."

Roman chuckles again, the feeling reverberating through his chest. A small smile comes to Logan's face. "It is the worst, you are absolutely correct."

He toys with a loose thread at the end of his tie. "Does that mean I should come out to them first?"

"This isn't a binary answer, Logan—"

"Boolean."

"This isn't a Boolean answer, Logan, there are more than two options. You can also just tell them that things feel different now that they're in a relationship."

Logan frowns. "But it's not my relationship."

"That doesn't mean the dynamics of all of us aren't changing. It's going to feel different for everybody, not just you. That's not an unreasonable thing to bring up. Like—okay, imagine there's a pool of water and there are…oh, god, how many of us are there?"

"Six."

"There are six buoys floating in the pool. The ripples are going to all interact, right?"

"Yes."

"Now if we tied four of them together, or the four of them were connected in some way, that would change the ripples, right?"

Begrudgingly, Logan can admit to himself that it's a very solid analogy. He mumbles something to that effect as he curls up a little more. Roman kindly refrains from teasing him about it.

"It's different. It just is. It makes sense that things are going to take some getting used to for all of us. It's not your fault that you feel a certain way about it, even if you're happy it happened in the first place."

"I know, it's just…"

"Yeah," Roman agrees quietly when he can't quite finish it, "it is."

"Will you be there," he asks, turning to look up at him, "when I tell them?"

"Of course I will, Erudite. Of course."

In the end, it comes up in a rather roundabout way. Patton ordered a deck of pride-themed cards and they all decide to play a game with them. But first, they have to take the time to appreciate the quality of the artwork, and so they lay them all out so they can see them in their full splendor.

"These are sick," Virgil mumbles, looking at the array of cards spread out in front of them, "where did you say you got these from?"

"Well, they were only pre-order when I bought them—"

"Shit."

"Language, kiddo, but I can send you the link to the seller's website?"

"Yeah, gimme that. Maybe there's a way to get a hold of them."

"Why does this one have frogs?"

"Because frogs are awesome, Janny," Remus cackles, looping one arm around Patton's shoulders and pulling him in for what is probably supposed to be an affectionate side hug. "Aren't they?"

"Aww, that's so sweet, Remus!"

"Yes," Janus says, trying for his normal wry sarcasm and missing by quite a distance, "yes, it is."

Logan shuffles a little and Roman presses their shoulders together. He takes a deep breath in and out. He can do this.

"Ooh, hey, you know what'd be fun?" Virgli rubs his hands togheter. "Everyone pick the one you like the most."

"Frogs!"

"Remus!"

The carefully arranged cards scatter as Remus all but dives for the frog one, only caught by Janus quickly wrapping his arms around the exuberant green blur. Patton shakes his head fondly and places the gay pride card with the frogs on it in front of Remus. Remus squeals gleefully and snatches it up.

"No eating, Remus!"

"I won't, I won't, they're not mine."

Janus chuckles as he picks up the bisexual pride card. "Oh, Remus. We can make one you can eat later."

"Really?"

"Sure."

Virgil rolls his eyes as he puts the demisexual pride card in front of himself. "You're just encouraging him, you know."

"Oh, of course."

"I'll take the rainbow pride one, if no one else wants it?"

"All yours, Padre."

Patton claps his hands excitedly and picks it up, settling it in front of himself with a little wiggle. "This was a great idea, Virgil, they're all so pretty!"

"Right? I'm definitely stealing this deck from you at some point."

Where in the past that might have turned into a lecture about asking permission to joke that it wouldn't be stealing if Patton let him take it, instead is just another fond roll of his eyes. "Roman? Logan? Which ones did you two pick?"

Logan glances down at Roman. Roman gestures for him to go first. He looks at the pile. He could just take the asexuality pride, that would be the safer option.

It would.

But he hears Roman's soft voice calling him Erudite in the back of his mind and he makes his decision, reaching instead for the aroace pride card. After a moment, Roman picks up the aromantic pride card and puts it in front of himself.

"I don't think I know those," he hears Patton say, "what are those ones?"

"Aromantic," Roman says, leaning against Logan's side. "Mine's aromantic."

Remus wiggles an arm free from Janus's embrace to give Roman a high-five. "Hell yeah, bro. Lolo's got—did you want to say it?"

"You can."

"Lolo's got aroace."

"Oh. So…is that aromantic and asexual?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh. That's…cool."

Virgil snorts, reaching over to give Logan a pat on the shoulder. "Tone, Pop Star."

"Oh, no, not that I don't—I didn't mean it like that," Patton says quickly, "I've just never seen that one before!"

Logan nods. He swallows the lump in his throat and reaches blindly for Roman's hand. Roman squeezes it back. "What game are we playing?"

"Right." Virgil sits up taller. "So, it's called Kings in a Corner and we all have to promise we're not teaching Janus how to play Spite and Malice."

"Oh, that doesn't seem fair."

"No, no, I agree with this assertion, we will not be teaching you that game."

"Yeah, you'd take it too seriously."

"I would not!"

"We all know that's a lie."

"Hey, L?"

Logan turns. Virgil jogs up to him as the rest of them clear away the last of the cards. "Yes?"

"Are you—that was your way of coming out to us, right?"

"Yes, I had intended it to be."

"Well, um, thanks, for that. I, uh, I'm glad you felt like it was safe enough to do." Logan just nods. "I, uh, guess you figured out we've been…flirting with you, huh?"

"I did, yes." No need to mention that Roman helped with that.

"We, uh, I'm guessing you'd rather we…didn't."

"I think so, yes. I don't…feel comfortable with it."

"Yeah, I figured." Virgil shuffles a little back and forth in the hall. His hands twist into the pockets of his hoodie. "Just—you know that we still care about you, right?"

"Are you referring to the aftermath of me coming out, or the recent relationship the four of you have entered?"

"The, uh, the second one. We do—I—okay, I'm just gonna ask this." He takes a deep breath. "Does this have anything to do with why you asked me to get Roman when you had that nightmare?"

Logan blinks. "When did you lot get this perceptive?"

Virgil shrugs, offering a sheepish smile. "I…may have gone to ask Remus what was happening—"

"Why Remus? What does Remus have to do with anything?"

"'Cause he's the one who's always rambling about how much he loves spending time with you."

"He what now?"

"C'mon, L, you know he adores you. Not like that, but he—you two just get each other, you know? So yeah, he likes talking about it." Logan is still reeling from that as Virgil keeps talking. "So I asked him if you were upset or something and he said that he—he didn't know, for sure, but he said it was something that only Princey would really understand and when you, uh, you both chose aro cards and I sort of…put it together."

"Your logic is…impeccable."

"Coming from you, that's high praise." Virgil shuffles a little closer. "Look, I know this is gonna be weird for a bit while we all figure this out, you and Roman too, but I—you know we still care about you. We still wanna help you and spend time with you. I'm not saying that to be like 'hey, you shouldn't feel weird about it,' you can absolutely still feel weird about it, just—yeah."

"I understand. Thank you, Virgil."

Virgil nods. "I'll tell the others to back off about the whole flirting thing, but I'll let—you should be the one to decide when to tell them the rest."

Logan bows his head and Virgil grins, going off into his room. Logan watches him go before going into his own room, shutting the door. He just stands there for a moment, letting himself be. Virgil's words ring in his head along with another shudder of the warmth he feels when Roman calls him Erudite. He smiles.

In his own time.

General Taglist: @frxgprince@potereregina@gattonero17@iamhereforthegayshit@thefingergunsgirl@awkwardandanxiousfander@creative-lampd-liberties@djpurple3@winterswrandomness@sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes@iminyourfandom@bullet-tothefeels@full-of-roman-angst-trash  @ask-elsalvador @ramdomthingsfrommymind@demoniccheese83@pattonsandershugs @el-does-photography @princeanxious@firefinch-ember@fandomssaremysoul@im-an-anxious-wreck@crazy-multifandomfangirl @punk-academian-witch@enby-ralsei@unicornssunflowersandstuff@wildhorsewolf @thetruthaboutthesun @stubbornness-and-spite @princedarkandstormv  @your-local-fookin-deadmeme @angels-and-dreams@averykedavra @a-ghostlight-for-roman @treasurechestininterweb @cricketanne @queerly-fluid-fan @compactdiscdraws@cecil-but-gayer@i-am-overly-complicated@annytheseal@alias290@tranquil-space-ninja @arxticandy @mychemically-imbalanced-romance@whyiask@crows-ace @emilythezeldafan@frida0043 @ieatspinalcords @snowyfires@cyanide-violence@oonagh2@xxpanic-at-the-everywherexx@rabbitsartcorner @percy-07734@triflingassailantofmyemotions @virgil-sanders-the-gay-emo@cerulean-watermelon@puffed-up-bees@meltheromanstan@joyrose-fandomer@insanitori@mavenmush@justablah65@10paradox10@uhhh-hi-there-i-am-nervous@cutebisexualmess@bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti@ultrageekygirl

[prodigal-explorer]

y’all: the sanders sides fandom isn’t aro/aphobic! 🥺

also y’all:

-“you know, the sides are probably all aroace because they’re not really human so they don’t really understand attraction on a human level and are incapable of feeling it because they’re not human.”

-“guys i’m writing an asexual/aromantic side and he’s so sad and tragic and lonely and he just wants a lover so bad but it was just written in the stars that he’ll never have one and it’s so angsty!”

-“patton is asexual because he’s so pure he would never have sex!”

-“remus is aromantic because all he cares about is sex and he doesn’t want to deal with real feelings.”

-“obviously logan is aroace because he doesn’t have feelings!”

(just to clarify i do NOT agree with any of these quotations these are examples of things i’ve seen that i heavily heavily DISAGREE with and if you agree with any of them you and me are not going to get along whatsoever.)

[alloaroswagtournament]

Allo Aro Swag Tournament Bracket 2

Round 1

Gwaine (Merlin) vs. Li Lianhua/Li Xiangyi (Mysterious Lotus Casebook)

Derwin (The Owl House) vs. Dr. Henry Jekyll/ Mr. Edward Hyde (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

Logan Sanders (Sanders Sides) vs. V1 (Ultrakill)

L Lawliet (Death Note) vs. Ranpo Edogawa (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe) vs. Lysander (Lies Within Webcomic)

Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice) vs. Reggie Peters (Julie and the Phantoms)

Beth Harmon (The Queen's Gambit) vs. Yuri Leclerc (Fire Emblem)

Jake English (Homestuck) vs. Steven A. Starphase (Kekkai Sensen)

Wallace Wells (Scott Pilgrim) vs. Shu Yanyan (Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know)

Jamie Tartt (Ted Lasso) vs. Rita (The Penumbra Podcast)

Alix Kubdel (Miraculous) vs. Cater Diamond (Twisted Wonderland)

Tori Spring (Heartstopper) vs. Madara Mikejima (Ensemble Stars)

Pei Ming (Heaven Official’s Blessing) vs. Robin Goodfellow (The Good People/Na Daoine Maithe)

Adam Stanheight (Saw) vs. Anatole Kuragin (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812)

Hollyleaf (Warrior Cats) vs. Tibarn (Fire Emblem)

Spamton (Deltarune) vs. Mikazuki Augus (Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans)

[jokingmisfit]

Fandoms & Characters on This Blog

CW's Arrowverse

Characters- Eobard Thawne, Harry Wells, H.R. Wells, Sherloque Wells, Nash Wells, Damien Darhk, Leonard Snart, Mick Rory

Batman Multi Media

Characters- Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain, Duke Thomas, Damien Wayne(Platonic unless Adult), Barbra Gordon

Gotham Characters- Jerome Valeska, Jeremiah Valeska, Jervis Tetch

Jokers- Arthur Fleck, Ledger!Joker, DKR Pt.2 Joker, BTAS Joker

Hannibal NBC

Characters- Hannibal Lecter, Will Graham

The Silence of the Lambs

Characters- Hannibal Lecter, Clarice Starling

Supernatural

Characters- Castiel, Chuck Shurley, Gabriel, Lucifer, Michael, Raphael, Amara, Jack Kline(Platonic)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

2003, 2012, & 2018 Characters- Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo

The Vampire Diaries & The Originals

Characters- Damon Salvatore, Klaus Mikaelson, Elijah Mikaelson, Rebekah Mikaelson, Freya Mikaelson, Kol Mikaelson, Finn Mikaelson

The Interview With The Vampire

Characters- Daniel Molloy, Armand, Lestat De Lioncourt, Louis De Pointe Du Lac (Platonic unless written with male or gn)

Twilight

Characters- Aro Volturi, Marcus Volturi, Caius Volturi, Carlisle Cullen, Edward Cullen, Rosalie Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Alice Cullen, Jasper Cullen

Sherlock BBC

Characters- Sherlock Holmes, James Moriarty

Criminal Minds

Characters- Spencer Reid, Jason Gideon

House Md

Characters- Gregory House, James Wilson(Platonic)

Slashers

Characters- Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz, Michael Myers, DBD Michael Myers, Billy Loomis, Stu Macher, Danny Johnson, The Grabber

Diabolik Lovers

Characters- Shu Sakamaki, Reiji Sakamaki, Ayato Sakamaki, Laito Sakamaki, Kanato Sakamaki, Subaru Sakamaki

Rick and Morty

Characters- Rick Sanchez, Prime Rick

Gravity Falls

Characters- Stanford Pines, Stanley Pines, Bill Cipher, Dipper Pines(Platonic), Mabel Pines(Platonic)

Metal Family

Characters- Glam, Victoria, Dee(Platonic), Heavy(Platonic)

Sanders Sides (All Platonic)

Characters- Logan, Patton, Roman, Virgil, Janus, Remus

Five Nights At Freddy's

Characters- William Afton, Sun, Moon

Marvel

Characters- Doc Ock, Matt Murdock, Loki, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, Baron Zemo, Stephen Strange, Sinister Strange, Supreme Strange, Jake Lockley, Marc Spector, Steven Grant Charles Xavier, Erik Lehnsherr, Wade Wilson, Logan Howlett

Doctor Who

Characters- Tenth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor, Twelfth Doctor, Thirteenth Doctor, Fifteenth Doctor