#established roman prinxiety

[crrative]

New Year - Sanders Sides

It's like 2am and it's appropriate. Prinxiety nation, human roommate au. You know the drill.

Having a community of young people who look to you and your work for comfort and feeling unable to provide when you didn't expect the pressure in the first place sounds heavy to shoulder alone. It makes sense that the last few years have been unstructured with the context. Because I know there's a chance Sanders himself is seeing this: you did something great.

Happy New Year, fuckbags

It's a tame environment. There are only six of them and everyone would rather be in bed, but the year has been so taxing that it feels right to sign it off with a huge middle finger and then go to bed. All there is to do is wait.

Barely a minute left until New York lights up on the TV and Logan has finished his second glass of wine in the last five. Patton is hunched with his obnoxiously long fingers against his temple, resisting the temptation of accepting yet another offer for a glass and opting to nurse the sleep-deprived headache in stead. Roman has put himself on the couch, fiddling with a pen and its lid from the coffee table. Virgil is on the arm of the couch, crouched like an obnoxious prick in an attempt to express his edge, which only really serves to make him look like a dork and unintentionally lightens the mood a smidge.

"Where are the chuckle twins?" Logan poses, observing the swirl in his drink as it settles from being poured.

"Janus said 'surprise' when he went into his room," Patton answers.

"Remus went with him," Virgil grumbles.

The silence reignites as a door opens from down the hall. Remus walks out with a tray of six shot glasses, brimming with syrupy liqueur. Janus walks a metre behind him, head held high.

"We'll all sleep better after this," he insists proudly as Remus parades the tray around, face blank and ashy as slate. He doesn't take sleep deprevation particularly well, but he handles it better than Roman copes with Janus sitting beside him. Where Virgil has turned and planted his feet on the couch seat, Roman parks himself, arms curling around his waist as the countdown starts. The crowd on the street chants and the six watch, breath held.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" It screeches, fireworks filling the screen with a blinding light, flooding the living room with a rectangular explosion of warm white. The group heaves a collective sigh.

Before the festivities can draw themselves out too long, Virgil leans down and over Roman, placing his fingers flat and sideways beneath his chin. In compliance with a rhythm long established, Roman closes his eyes and allows Virgil control. Their lips part, connect, and close around the other's in a chaste display of commitment and affection. Roman seasons the display by running his hand up Virgil's outer thigh.

"Oh! Well, if we're getting crazy," Patton posits with a muted smile, skirting the breakfast bar he'd been slumped on and bending over the couch. Janus looks up and to the side to recieve and return what he had rightly expected to be a sweet, tired peck. It brings a modest and satisfied smile out of the shadow that was his bored expression.

"This does not constitute crazy," Logan commented, unbeknownst to the presence lurking behind him. It makes first contact with his waist, cold fingers slid beneath his sleep shirt. He sucks in a shocked breath as the ice burns his skin. "You do."

"Love you, too."

Janus sits up and addresses the three behind them with a raise of his glass. "Are we ready?"

"Affirmative."

"Yeah."

"Okay..."

"Indeed!"

"I don't have to, do I?"

"No, dear, but it's not ordinary spirit. I think you'll like it." Patton grimaces at his glass and observes the others. A beat passes, Janus gestures to the room with his drink and everyone follows his lead in taking the shot.

"It's almost unbearably sweet."

"I did not expect that coming from you, Logan," Roman comments as he inspects his cup. "Do you not like toffee?"

"I didn't say that."

"No need for the defenses, Doc, I only asked."

"He just wants us to know to save him some whenever it's goin' 'round," Virgil swoops in, smile on his face, voice raspy. Roman takes his glass and hands it to Patton.

"I wonder why you chose something so sweet," Roman implicates. Janus turns around and looks up at Patton, who is smiling with such soulful conviction that it hurts.

"I loved it."

'Score,' Janus thinks as he settles into the couch and joins the others in watching the screen.

[stars-owls-musicals]

Sanders Sides and Ever After High Crossover/AU

So, I am a huge fan of both Ever After High and Sanders Sides and have had brain rot thinking about a Sanders Sides EAH au.

So I was thinking about what fairytale characters each Sanders Sides character would fit as the child of, and then I got to thinking...

What if they were the younger siblings of certain EAH characters?

Because then, there's fun character and sibling dynamics galore.

So... here we go.

Virgil: Son of the Evil Queen, younger brother to Raven

Logan: Son of Snow White, younger brother to Apple

Patton: Son of Cinderella, younger brother to Ashlynn

Janus: Son of the Dark Fairy, younger brother to Faybelle

Roman and Remus: Twins, sons of one of the Charming's, cousins to Daring, Dexter, and Darling

All of our sander sides friends are first years, so while they are there for the Legacy Day shenanigans, they are not participating in Legacy Day themselves.

Also, I figured that their "destinies" would all work similar to the Charmings from EAH, namely that they are set to fill spare destinies. For example, Logan, Patton, Roman, and Remus would fill spare prince charming destinies, while Virgil and Janus would fill spare villain destinies.

Now, let's get into a few basics about the story that I want to establish.

Dorm assignments:

Logan and Virgil: After asking the Headmaster to have Raven and her room together for their Legacy Year, Apple also gets their younger siblings a shared room. Because I just feel like she would.

Roman and Patton: Before their first year at Ever After High starts, they're already friends, so they request a room together at school.

Remus and Janus: I don't plan on having them be close friends at the start of this story, but that changes quickly because I love their dynamic.

Relationships with their siblings:

Virgil and Raven are really close, and share some of the same tastes in music and fashion. Also they both like purple. They both also aren't big fans of their mother and prefer to not have her brought up in conversation. Neither of them want to be evil.

Logan and Apple do care about one another, but they aren't really that close. Some of it boils down to Logan feeling ignored in favor of Apple and her destiny as the next Snow White. There's other stuff piled into that whole thing too, but anyway. The two of them do both enjoy learning new things, and are able to bond over their shared interests in that regard.

Patton and Ashlynn, similarly to Raven and Virgil, get along really well. They both act like the parent of their respective friend groups. When they don't feel like they can bring something up with their friends, both Ashlynn and Patton seek out the other to express their frustrations about something or vent their feelings.

Janus and Faybelle used to get along when they were younger and really don't anymore. This is in part due to Janus being a rebel, as Faybelle sees it as him rejecting their villain heritage. Janus' actually reason for rebelling is hating Headmaster Grimm and the system of destinies. Faybelle doesn't listen to him though.

Roman and Remus get along probably better than they do in Sanders Sides cannon. They also are close friends with their cousins, Daring, Dexter, and Darling, because I think that would be fun. That being said, Roman is really the only one out of the two of them who gets along with Daring. Remus, Dexter, and Darling bond over not being total fans of their predetermined paths due to their Charming heritage.

Romance:

So far, the only romantic relationships I have planned for this au include Prinxiety, Dexter x Raven, Apple x Darling, and Ashlynn x Hunter (and other background Ever After High ships as well).

Friendships:

At the start of the school year, Janus and Virgil are friends, having both been pushed to the side by their classmates for having a villain heritage.

Roman, Patton, Logan, and Remus are a friend group as well.

During the beginning part of their first year (so basically, before Legacy Day) the six of them end up as one friend group by means of dorm room assignments, shared classes, and introductions.

Royal or Rebel?:

Virgil, Janus, and Remus are all rebels.

Roman and Patton are royals.

Logan isn't sure what he is.

They all end up on the rebels side eventually.

Anway yeah that's what I've got for now. Feel free to send asks about this au!

[littlerat2]

So I'm working on this Sanders Sides fic where Janus and Roman are both actors, and Janus auditions for the villain of this big, anticipated movie. And he doesn't get cast as the villain, but rather, as the main protagonist, and he and Remus (who is a prop artist for the movie) move to London where this is being filmed. (They previously lived in the states with the other sides) At first, Janus is a little hesitant to play a hero, but falls in love with the role. They're still looking for someone to play the villain tho.

But this is written from Virgil's perspective. And he's so happy for his friends and their opportunities. But he, himself, isn't doing great. He's struggling a lot, and when Patton, Roman, and Logan find out, they try to help, but are kind of stuck, and don't know what to do. But they know Janus and Remus have known him a lot longer, so eventually one of them reaches out to the two, and Janus cancels one of his dream roles to come home and stay w Virgil, once he hears the extent of it.

Virgil learns about this and makes Janus take his role back, and says he'll come to London with him if that's what it takes. So Janus agrees, because he REALLY wants this role. And Roman comes with them for the first two weeks cause he misses Remus and Prinxiety is pre-established in this, and he wants to help his bf adjust.

While there, he helps Janus practice some lines, since they still don't have anyone cast for the villain. And one of the ppl in charge of casting (Remy) overheard and was amazed and urged Roman to audition. And he does! He gets the part!

I've got more in store for this AU but I'm almost home and won't be on my phone for awhile. But if you want to be tagged in this AU in the future, as well as when I post it, send me an ask!!

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

We'll Save You (1/4)

----

Janus finds himself stumbling into problems like one stumbles over rocks on the road, except some problems are a little worse than others.

But when he finally stumbles into someone who isn't like everyone else Janus' had met so far in this unforgiving world, he thinks that maybe there is some merit to the world after all.

----

| Ao3 | Next Chapter -> |

Fic Warnings: implied + referenced abuse/torture. trauma, an oc character generally being creepy. referenced past starvation

Pairings: pre-established prinxiety, pre-romantic anaroceit.

Word Count: 4054

Notes: Hellloooo @anaroceitweek day 1 here - yes I'm tagging myself and participating in my own event shut up.

Ao3 is down so I can't post on there just yet, but I will later! So! Yeah!

My plan is to continue this fic with a few of the other prompts from this week if I can get the writing done in time, but I might not lol, they may be late. I really want to draw Roman from this au after I described him-

Also I'm flying by the seat of my pants for this fic (wtf does this phrase actually mean lmao) so I have planned NOTHING lol

----

“Hello there little one,” said a whispering voice in the back of Janus’ mind that sent shivers down his spine. He ignored it, resolute, you weren’t supposed to talk to the voices in the forest, “My my, aren’t you far from home?”

Janus growled in the back of his throat, pushing forward. If he didn’t acknowledge the creepy voice speaking straight into his brain, then it would go away and leave him the hell alone. 

“What is such a little thing like you doing here in our woods anyway?” The voice sounded thoughtful, and Janus could almost picture a being putting a finger to their chin in curiosity with it.

He shook his head to get rid of the image and kept walking at his almost-too-quick pace, pushing back a branch, ducking under another one, stepping over the poisonous plant, keep going. 

“Careful where you step,” The voice crooned, almost mocking, Janus couldn’t resist the urge to glance around at the area. No one was there, he glared at the empty space anyway. 

“Why such a look, little one? I’m only trying to help,” The voice said, growing a little louder and slightly more persistent, the tone was almost a whine, but somehow Janus could tell that whatever was talking to him wasn’t genuinely upset.

“Shut up,” Janus muttered, pulling out a compass as he stopped for a moment, he groaned, finding he’d gone off course a little, turning and heading in the right direction.

“You shouldn’t be here,” The voice seemed to tease, “The woods are no place for a little mortal like you.”

“Yeah, well, don’t really have a choice do I,” Janus hissed at the empty forest around him, before slapping a hand over his mouth and sighing. Well, now he’d done it. 

“Oh how precious!” The voice seemed to laugh, “What are you running from, little one?”

“Nothing,” Janus snapped, “None of your business, whatever you are.”

“But it is my business, see,” They said voice punctuated with a cackle that had Janus paling, “Because you just stepped into my circle!”

“What,” Janus whispered, panicked now as he heard a whooshing breeze and suddenly the voice was gone. He looked around him, alarmed, to find that he was in fact standing in a circle - of pink and yellow flowers and mushrooms. He cursed, looking around again, this was a fairy circle, and he was stood in the centre of it. 

A strong, icy breeze whipped through the forest, tugging at his cloak and hair before settling again. Janus needed to get out of this circle before… but he couldnt’ seem to move his damn feet.

“What a surprise!” Someone said behind him, the voice sounded eerily similar to the one that had been speaking in his head, “Why, I haven’t had a visitor in years, welcome to my circle, little one.”

“Let me g-” Janus hissed, turning around only for his jaw to drop, the word he was speaking being cut off halfway through. 

Standing mere inches behind him was a person who could only possibly be fae. They smiled at him, the look on their face was something that might have been inviting, possibly even warm, if he took it at face value. 

Instead, he saw the undertones, something unnerving, and almost sinister. 

“Won’t you rest, little one, you’ve had such a long journey,” They said, cupping his face with their hand, he could already feel himself sinking to the ground, compelled by the siren-like melody of their words, “Yes that’s right, just rest, and tell me, what is your name, little one?”

Janus opened his mouth to reply, to answer, despite every part of him screaming no, to stay awake, to keep his name locked close to his chest. As his vision went black, he knew he wasn’t lucky enough to be so strong-willed. 

—-

Running. 

He was running. 

Where to? He didn’t know, where from? He shuddered to think.

His legs burned, the muscles screaming at him to stop, to rest, take a break, his mind whispered. He couldn’t take a break, if he stopped they would catch him and bring him back. His lungs burned too, every breath feeling like sandpaper in his throat, he kept going despite, kept pushing as he flew through the forest, the trees and the grass and plants barely able to hold him back for a second. 

It wasn’t the same forest he had been in all those years ago when he’d been escaping something that felt so far away from him now. So inconsequential and yet still able to shoot another bolt of adrenaline down his spine. He kept running.

No, this wasn’t the same forest. This one was luscious, almost too saturated - enough to hurt Janus’ eyes if he looked close for too long. This forest was filled with critters he didn’t know how to name, that he’d never seen before. It was filled with floating orbs of light that kept his path glowing ahead of him even as night began to fall. 

Janus ran until he crashed into something solid. His eyes were starting to blur from exhaustion at that point, and when he hit… whatever he had run into… his legs buckled and he simply sank to the floor, trying to pull air into his lungs. He didn’t know how far he had gotten, he only remembered the last stretch of the journey. But he felt like he had been running for hours. 

Someone was speaking, and Janus felt a dull stab of panic in his chest, someone was here, would they take him back? Had they come for him?

He tried to push himself up so he could run again but found he could barely even push himself up from the ground. When his arms gave out and he collapsed again, he was caught by an arm, a strong, warm arm, that pulled him into some kind of hold. His mind was too hazy and tired to really register what was happening as he was lifted into the air and carried away. 

—-

“What the fuck is that.” 

“A mortal!” Roman said, “I think.”

“You think?” Virgil hissed, pacing, “You just- You just brought in what you think is a mortal? To our house?”

“It ran into me!” Roman protested, “And then collapsed - and it looked so scared, I couldn’t just - leave it, Virge, you know that.”

“Well what are we supposed to do with it now?” Virgil said, gesturing widely to the mortal who lay sleeping in their shared bed. He wasn’t in the best shape, not by a long way. He was scrawny, with barely any meat on his bones. He wore clothes that covered his arms and legs, though they were ripped in places and too big. Knotted, messy blonde hair covered their still tense face. 

Roman took a deep breath, “I supposed we… look after it?”

“You’re serious?” Virgil said, groaning, “Why don’t we just drop it outside of the nearest fairy circle back into the mortal world?”

“Virge,” Roman said sternly, “First off, I think it’s a he? We’ll have to ask when it- he- wakes up, second, we don’t know where he came from, or how long he’s been here - we can’t just drop him off in the mortal world! He might be centuries and miles away from when he came in!”

“So?” Virgil said, crossing his arms, “Since when was that our problem?”

“Shush,” Roman hissed, raising a hand, “I think he’s waking up!”

“Ro- what-” Virgil hissed back as Roman rushed over to the bed, watching the mortal intently as he slowly blinked open his eyes. There was a moment of silence - so much so that even the room seemed to be holding it’s breath - before the human finally noticed Roman.

And Virgil felt such a strong bolt of fear surge through the room that he almost doubled over - a hand to his chest. The human scrambled from the bed, backing into the corner of the room on shaky legs and putting as much distance between himself and Roman as he could. 

Roman went to step closer, before Virgil intervened, grabbing the back of Roman’s blouse and dragging him back a few steps all while breathing heavily. 

Being able to feel other being’s fear was a useful power, but when it was so strong that it almost hurt it made Virgil wish he could turn it off. 

Virgil wondered what had happened to this human to make him so scared. 

“He’s terrified,” Virgil whispered to Roman, before letting him go. 

“Of what?” Roman asked, eyes wide. 

“You, I think,” Virgil said, “Maybe me too, not sure.”

“Stay away-” The human said raising a hand when Roman turned back to look at him, “What- do you want from me?”

Roman considered, for a second, before taking a deep breath, “Nothing.”

The mortal seemed shocked by that. Shocked enough to near collapse against the wall, ending up sitting on the plush carpet in the corner of the room. 

“...Nothing?” He asked, voice small.

“I didn’t bring you here to take from you,” Roman told him, trying to keep his voice soft but firm, Virgil remained silent, watching the exchange over Roman’s shoulder, “I brought you here so you could rest safely, that is all.”

“You’re not… you’re not with them?” The mortal asked.

“Who’s ‘them’, sweetie?” Roman asked gently, before sharing a worried glance with Virgil.

“The ones who gave me these,” The mortal said, sounding almost sad, though Virgil could still feel the fear radiating from him. Moments later he brushed his hair from his face, holding it back so that Virgil and Roman could see the marks imprinted there. 

Virgil gasped, covering his mouth with a hand. On the left side of the mortal’s face - from hairline to chin - was what looked like scales. Virgil knew better, though, the mark only looked like scales. 

“Vee,” Roman whispered, “You look pale.”

“That-” Virgil started, before looking at the mortal, who shrank back under his gaze and let the hair fall back into place, once again covering the mark, “That’s a brand, Ro.”

“What?” Roman yelped, “I thought those…”

“Weren’t a thing anymore? Yeah, so did I.” Virgil said, glaring at nothing, though the mortal shrunk back just a little more - probably because of his tone. 

Roman took a deep breath and nodded. “Of course, we need to… find out who did this-”

“A noble of the winter court,” Virgil answered, voice coming out a near hiss, “I recognise her mark.”

“Don’t send me back there,” The mortal spoke up, before slapping a hand over his mouth when both faeries turned to look at him, “Please.”

“No,” Roman shook his head, “I don’t think we will, right, Vee?”

“No, we won’t send you back there,” Virgil agreed, “whatever cruelty you have experienced under her will not follow you here.”

Roman hesitated, before tugging on Virgil’s sleeve to get his attention, before whispering, “You know we’ll be killed if she finds out we have him here, right?”

“You think I don’t know that?” Virgil sighed, “Buh… knowing that she had him- I can’t send him away knowing that.”

“Okay,” Roman nodded, “then we need to figure out what to do.”

“Of course,” Virgil said, looking back at the mortal, “Hey uh- is it okay with you if we ask a few questions?”

The mortal stared at him and Virgil could feel his fear strengthen the longer they looked at each other, eventually he concluded that he wasn’t going to respond. 

“Do you… not want to talk to me?” Virgil asked, frowning, the human nodded slowly, “Is it because… I’m winter?”

He stared at Virgil for a long moment, before whispering, “You- feel like she did…”

“Okay, yes, probably because I’m winter, then,” Virgil mumbled, “Would you rather talk to Ro?”

Virgil gestured to their partner who waved with a smile.

“Okay,” The mortal said eventually.

“Would you like me to leave?” Virgil asked.

“Please?” the mortal responded, Virgil nodded. He patted Roman’s arm before turning and leaving the room without another world.

—

“Okay,” ‘Ro’ said as soon as the other one left the room. All Janus’ attention was suddenly on the faerie in front of him. He was tall, with golden skin and hair like a bright bonfire. His eyes were like pools of liquid silver - not even mentioning the tawny wings on his back, similarly coloured feathers in place of ears too. He was… beautiful, and had a very different presence than the other faerie he was with, and… her. 

Janus tried to take a few breaths, he needed to answer the faerie’s questions if he wanted to get through this alive - and he had to answer them correctly if he wanted to get out of this without being hurt. 

“First,” He said, “Are you a uh- I don’t know mortal gender terms-?”

“A man,” Janus answered the question he was pretty sure Ro was asking, before continuing when the faerie tilted his head, blinking in confusion, “um, I use ‘he/him’ pronouns?”

“Wonderful, that’s what we assumed,” Ro nodded, Janus relaxed just a little, okay, that was the right answer then, “Now, do you have something you’d like to go by? Something we can call you?”

Janus tensed, he knew the question would come up, but that didn’t mean he liked it any more. Giving his name to a faerie was a mistake he’d made once, and he knew that as soon as he did it was all over. Ro would be able to control him, it would be just like before all over again. Of course, that was why they hadn’t hurt him yet - it all made sense, how nice they had been, they needed his name to use him. 

He must have hesitated for too long, though, because Ro frowned, “Just a nickname, sweetheart, I’m not asking for your true name.”

“You’re… not?” Janus asked hesitantly, he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to ask questions in return, but… he needed to know.

“I’m not,” Ro nodded, folding down to sit cross-legged on the plush carpet across the room from him, “Your true name is to be freely given to those you trust, and I know you don’t trust me yet.”

Janus didn’t say anything to that for a moment, he didn’t acknowledge that second statement at all, though he was sure Ro knew it was true, “...Deceit - you can call me, Deceit, or Dee if you want.”

“Okay Deceit,” Ro said, smiling, and oh how charming was that, “You can call me Ro, or Prince, my partner is Vee, or Anxiety, if you prefer a more formal nickname.”

Janus nodded, Prince and Anxiety, he could remember that. 

“Next question, how… old are you?” Prince asked, “No- that’s a useless question the numbers mortals use mean nothing to me, um, are you of maturity?”

“What uh- what do you mean?” Janus asked, frowning in confusion.

Prince sighed, “Are you - an adult? Or a youngling?”

“Oh,” Janus said, “An adult, I um - when I was - taken - I was 24 but… I don’t know how long it’s been.”

“That’s okay.” Prince nodded, “And good to know, next question, what’s your favourite colour?”

…Out of all the questions Prince had asked him so far, this was the one that surprised him the most. Why on earth would the faeries want to know what colours he enjoyed? Surely that information was useless?

“Yellow,” Deceit answered truthfully - he had learned quickly that lying to a faerie was one of the biggest mistakes a mortal could make, “And, um, I like black too.”

“Brillant,” Prince grinned, revealing teeth slightly sharper than average, “I’m partial to a nice red, myself, preferably crimson but I do like a lovely scarlette as well - Anxiety tends to be more drawn to purples, what’s your favourite animal?”

“...snakes?” Janus said slowly, his favourite animal was something he’d never particularly had to think about - especially not recently. 

Prince nodded, seeming… thoughtful. About what, Janus had no clue, but he seemed to be lost in whatever thoughts he was having. Eventually, he went to say something else before cutting himself off with a displeased hum and a frown. 

“Is everything… okay?” Janus asked, trying to work out what was going on. Prince had been all smiles almost the entire time since Anxiety had left, the abrupt change had his guard straight back up. 

Prince took a deep breath, the wings on his back shuddering and stretching out a little with it, Janus couldn’t help the way the feathers caught his eye - they looked incredibly soft. 

“She probably gave you faerie food, right?” Prince asked, Janus paled as hazy memories flooded his mind, a hunger that turned to sharp pain that turned to a hollow emptiness that had almost killed him. Right at the beginning before he lost whatever fight he had then he’d resisted, getting up after every kick or burn, She’d punish him every time he refused to eat, and eventually - when he’d been too weak from hunger and pain to even move - he’d given in and taken the apple she’d offered him. 

He still remembered how she had laughed when he’d bitten into it. He could almost hear it now, crisp as footsteps in snow but crackling like lightning. 

Janus couldn’t say anything around the lump in his throat those memories brought with them, instead he simply nodded sadly. Prince frowned in sympathy, his hand twitching as though he wanted to reach for Janus, though he didn’t move closer. 

“And you know what that means?”

Sucking in a deep breath, Janus recited what had been drilled into him a thousand times, “That I cannot leave this realm, I can never return home and that I belong now to the fae and the faerie realm.”

Prince sighed again, seeming sad, “You can leave.”

“What?” Janus asked, eyes wide.

“Theoretically, you’re not actually bound to this land, but… all it means is that mortal food won’t satisfy you anymore. You don’t have to stay here, but you do need faerie food, so… it’s an effective way to keep mortal trapped.”

Janus couldn’t do much but nod. He never knew that, but if he couldn’t survive without food from Faerie was there really point in escaping anyway?

“Was there anything in particular you liked?” Prince asked sadly, as if he actually cared that Janus was stuck here, which Janus couldn’t fathom being true, he knew faeries couldn’t lie, but he was sure they could fake emotions. Panic seeped in as he realised he didnt have an answer. The food she gave him was good, but he always felt dirty eating it, it always made him guilty and sick. He was never able to really enjoy any of it. 

“I don’t…” Janus started, trailing off, “I don’t know… I was never allowed to…”

Prince raised a hand to cut him off and Janus shrank back into the corner just a little, pulling his knees up closer to his chest, Prince sighed, “It’s okay, we can try things and figure it out, are you alright?”

Janus nodded, trying to relax just a little in his corner. 

“I will warn you now, neither I nor my partner know much about mortals, but we will- actually,” Prince paused, considering for a second, “Do you know about promises?”

“Fae promises?” Janus asked, Prince nodded, “Just that they’re binding- like deals- she tried to make me make them.”

“Did you?”

“No,” Janus said. Prince seemed to fully droop in relief. 

“I want to make a promise to you,” Prince said, slowly, clearly watching for Janus’ reaction, he just stayed still, staring right back, “I promise that I will not intentionally cause you harm, physically or emotionally, in any way. I promise to protect you to the best of my ability against anything or anyone who threatens you, and- I swear that you will be safe here, in my home, for as long as you wish to remain.”

Janus gasped as the feeling of magic washed over him, though it felt nothing like the magic he’d experienced before. This magic felt like a summer shower, warm and light. It wrapped around him, feeling almost comforting in it’s presence. When the sensation died down Janus thought he could smell woodsmoke. 

“How do you know I’m worth such a promise?” Janus asked quietly, unable to keep the astounded look off of his face. Roman had promised not to hurt him, and he knew how promises worked, did that mean he was safe? From Roman, at least, Anxiety hadn’t made such a promise. 

“Because you have been hurt,” Roman said, “By one of my own kind, you have suffered and you are scared and you deserve to be safe,  you should be allowed to heal, besides, you are a guest in my house, it would be horrifically rude if I let something bad happen to you.”

Roman’s wings flared out as he spoke, as though him being rude is the worst possible offence he could commit. Janus couldn’t help but smile, wondering if maybe this wasn’t going to end quite as horribly as he may have expected. Roman stood up, slowly taking a step closer to Janus, and when he didn’t flinch back he took another. Janus frowned when Roman extended a hand to him, but eventually reached up and took it, telling himself again that Prince had promised not to hurt him. 

With a gentle tug Janus was hoisted to his feet, though almost immediately he tripped - his legs still jelly-like and shaking from all the running. Instead of falling to the ground, though, Janus tripped forward into Roman’s chest. He yelped and pushed himself away as quickly as he could without falling straight to the ground. Prince was still holding his hand - and now was also stabalising him with a hand on his shoulder - and even despite what had just happened, the faerie was still smiling. He actually looked a little like he was trying not to laugh. 

“Lets get you somewhere you can rest, shall we?” Prince said, still actively trying not to chuckle as Janus frowned at him, “And we’ll get you some food while you do.”

“Okay,” Janus nodded eventually, feeling a yawn bubble up inside of him and repressing it as much as he could. He had become a master of hiding when he was tired, fatigue was never taken kindly. But Prince was telling him to rest, so maybe he could lie down for a short while…

The small part of the house Janus got to see as they travelled from the bedroom he had woken in to a second bedroom was immense. The ceilings were tall and vaulted, decorated with patterns and murals that looked hand-painted. The windows that adorned the hallway were open wide, letting in a cool, refreshing breeze scented with summer flowers while deep, floor length, maroon curtains swayed in the wind. The decor was a mix of reds and purples, with accents of silver and gold. Despite the size of the space, it almost felt… cozy. The carpet beneath their feet was clean but well trod, like this area of the house was frequented often. 

In comparison, the room he was led to was plain and felt spacious in a way that made Janus feel a little uncomfortable. Paranoia poking at the edges of his mind as he glanced around. There were a few doors, one that he could see lead to a balcony and the other that they’d come through, as well as two more that lead who knows where.

The room was decorated to the bare minimum, a plain white bedspread with a few decorative red cushions. The walls were still adorned with silver and gold, but the patterns seemed more simple and muted in here than they were outside. Prince lead him to the bed - where he found the sheets were wonderfully soft and felt lovely against his skin - and told him to rest. 

So rest he did, once Prince had left the room and the door clicked shut - he listened for a long moment and was surprised to hear no lock, he really wasn’t trapped here - Janus finally laid down, clutching one of the decorative pillows to his chest as he tried to fall back to sleep. 

----

General tags: @full-of-roman-angst-trash @reptilianrapscallion420 @your-local-random-dino @cutebisexualmess @glacierruler @roseianxiety @bella-bugatti-frogetti-baguetti (if anyone wants to be added, let me know!)

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[fandombead]

May 20th entry I found in my notes: This is gonna be a ramble okay, so I had a TSS dream about a LAMP getting together story (stay with me) where they all were staying in an absolutely massive tree house (elegantly made, with lower floors and several open floor plan type floors the higher you got on movable short ladders going to each blankets-covered platform).

But the dream was me visually reading it in AO3 and the treehouse was the scrolling background illustration of the fic: the further you scrolled, the more of the treehouse design got revealed (behind the text) up to its open air curved wood roof revealing a starry blue night sky. It was a really nice house and well made to be integrated with a living tree. Like the tree was shaped into most of the supports encasing the added wood walls of it and at least 6 floors high, though they were smaller the higher you went up. It had a central hideyhole type room on the second floor above the living room that was the only one entirely closed off with just a hatch-door hole with a ladder on the floor to climb in and out.

The bottom 2 floors was assumedly where all the important rooms were (though I remember Roman mentioned and visualized some rooms that did not make sense— industrial district?? It was steel and had a view of the ocean— Attached to the tree house, buddy??? 😃🤣probably imagination shenanigans bc you could not see any of that from outside)

In the dream I was revisiting it as a fic by an author I know in a server I’m in. Like, I SWORE it was one I already read, but liked to reread. The actual plot was it was established Prinxiety (they kept sneaking off to make out??? ASDFK—) and Logicality but Patt confessed to liking the other two as well and Virgil’s in so much shock he fell down a layer of the house (he’s absolutely fine tho, soft landing). And for the last part it was like literally reading the words on the AO3 page: someone goes “well don’t say that. Now I must take all of you dancing and [and on lovely dates].”

(Paraphrasing bc I’ve been awake long enough where that line is now fuzzy but it was really sweet and meant as another confession )

And Virgil looks around at the other three in confusion because he isn’t sure who said it and it turns out it was Logan, straight-faced but with a tiny smile.

The plot ended there as I, the reader/observer who was not there somehow got immersed in Logan’s POV as he moved further up inside to the telescope on one level and fell out of the treehouse somehow, like he literally had to clip thru the floor to land where he did 😂🤣 he was fine though, he landed in some leaves and assured the others who were freaking out bc he fell like from the fifth platform up (but it wasn’t truly that high) and they decided to keep the leaf pile there just in case anyone else fell out of that particular spot.

Also Jan and Remus were in fact arriving together as Logan was arranging the leaves under the dangerous spot. But then I woke up.

[wh3nturtlesfly]

Set Him Free (Chapter 4)

First | Previous | Next

Relationships: Slow burn prinxiety and logicality

Word Count: 2892

Summary: Virgil is sent out on a new job, though things go unexpected when he runs into the wrong person…

The sky was still pitch black when Virgil awoke. A morning chill seeped through the windows, allowing his dark purple quilt to appear much more enticing. He pulled the covers over his head, trying to gain a few more minutes of sleep, though his mind had already been awoken by several thoughts.

Groaning, he shuffled out of bed, intent on finishing the day's tasks early to avoid confrontation. As he passed through the doorway, he was immediately met with the sound of clinking metal and the soft scribbling of pencil on paper.

A small candle shone upon the kitchen table, casting a soft glow upon the inventor’s face. Janus turned to face Virgil, having heard him walk in, “Wonderful morning, isn’t it?”

“Could be better,” Virgil grumbled, rubbing his eyes and taking a seat in a nearby chair, “It’d be nice if I could actually gain some sleep for once.”

“That was your fault in accepting work as a thief.”

“I assume you already have your requests ready?”

“You know I’m never one to disappoint,” Janus held out the piece of parchment he had been scribbling on, “Location and items are on the list.”

Virgil took it, carefully tucking it into his pocket and sliding on his boots.

“You may need these as well,” the inventor held out a case filled with several lock picks. Virgil accepted the small box, clipping it to a loop within his belt.

“Thanks.”

“I am solely providing you with the necessities for your assignment, you have no need to thank me.”

“Alright, no thank you then,” Virgil snagged an apple from a bowl centered within the kitchen table, knowing Janus would scold him if he left without eating, “You’ve taken care of me since I was a kid. Seriously Jan, you can stop pulling all this merciless acquaintance crap.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Janus’ face displayed a mock innocent smile, “Though be safe out there, it may be dark but that doesn’t present an excuse to be careless.”

“Aw, looks like someone really does care,” Virgil smirked, heading towards the door, “I’ll be back in a few hours, try to keep Remus from destroying the house while I’m gone.”

“That’s like asking me to keep day from turning to night, though I suppose I could prolong the inevitable.“ He met Virgil’s eyes, his expression softening just slightly, “Try not to get caught while you’re out.”

“As if those royals could catch me anyway,” Virgil gave a final wave, then vanished behind the closed door.

The cold air brushed against his cheeks, Elden not yet warmed by the morning sun. He reached to pull his hood up before realizing he was currently without his cloak.

Roman still had a hold of it after his last near-escape. Just another reason for him to despise the prince. Virgil shivered, running faster to escape the chill.

He swiftly made his way into town, slipping through alleyways and ducking within the shadows. Each small footfall brought forth a slight uneasiness, the possibility of being found growing more likely with the soon rising sun.

Virgil retrieved Janus’ list, skimming the cursive letters. They wove through the page, listing directions to a silversmith’s shop located a mere streets away. It shouldn’t be too hard of a job, especially since the silversmith would most likely still be asleep. Virgil followed the orientations, hastily winding his way through the cobblestone roads before reaching the workshop.

The cream stone building towered above him, lined with wooden accents and wedged within two other establishments. It consisted of two stories, the bottom holding various silver craftings and the top dedicated to housing for the silversmith.

This made Virgil’s job somewhat more difficult, though it was nothing he hadn’t done before.

Silently, he crept to the door, retrieving the lock picking kit he had been given. He carefully inserted one of the rods into the lock and turned it with no avail. Perfect.

Virgil clutched a larger rod in his hand, again placing it within the lock. After a few experimental turns, a small click surfaced from within the bolt, bringing a sly smile to Virgil’s face.

He gently pushed the wooden door open, sliding inside without so much as a creak from the worn hinges. Inside lay various silver trinkets, each polished to a crystal clear. Scanning through platters and kettles, Virgil crept past the shelves, searching for what Janus required.

Nothing of great importance had been placed in sight, causing the thief to have to seek more hidden areas. He pushed aside cabinet doors and pulled open drawers until he finally came upon what he had been hunting for.

Three circular washers had been placed within a cedar cupboard along with metallic gears of varying sizes. Virgil quickly swiped the parts, setting them inside one of the pockets that lined his belt. Closing the cupboard doors to avoid suspicion, he wordlessly slipped back outside, leaving nothing but the missing supplies to indicate his presence.

Virgil clicked the lock shut, then turned to face the waking city, though came face to face with a pair of emerald green eyes instead. Janus was going to kill him.

The prince smiled down at him with something that could only be described as triumphant bliss. Virgil wished greatly to wipe that grin off his face and make a run for it. Such options were an impossibility now.

Virgil locked eyes with the prince, assessing his surroundings as he attempted to stall, “Fancy seeing you here princey, I didn’t take you to be one for early morning strolls.”

“It seems I am full of surprises then. Mind telling me what you’ve stolen?”

“No-pe!” Virgil popped the ‘p’.

“Typical,” Roman muttered under his breath, “I suppose I’ll just move on to apprehending you then. I do have expectations to uphold.”

The thief rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, we get it princey, you’re a valiant prodigy.”

“Allow me to bask in my success for once, would you?”

“I think I’d rather just be out of your way altogether,” Virgil stepped to the side, aiming to get past the prince, though coming up short as he was immediately pulled backwards. Roman once more grinned, and Virgil glared at him in return.

“Now, just where do you think you’re going?”

Virgil resisted the urge to step back, his face only inches apart from Roman’s, “I don’t know, anywhere but around your irritating self.”

“I hate to break it to you, but it doesn’t appear that you have much choice.”

“It’s all on your perspective,” Virgil proposed.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Observe,” the thief quickly advanced forward, causing Roman to shrink back in surprise.

The obstacle-crowded streets did provide one advantage, allowing Virgil to leap atop a stack of crates. Swerving to the right, he nearly avoided Roman’s grasp. Now, Virgil was about twice the prince’s height, smirking down on him with a triumph of his own. “How’s the weather down there princey?”

“This is all just so amusing to you, isn’t it?”

“Sure seems that way,” Virgil admitted, pulling out a stolen washer and mockingly inspecting its surface, “Not only that, but you tend to use a bunch of fancy words when you become frustrated, which is hilarious.”

“Thine words hold no truth!” Roman exclaimed, flushing as his statement registered within his mind.

“I hate to break up this lovely little conversation we’ve started, but can I go now? It would be much appreciated if I could continue on with my day in peace.”

“You don’t get such pleasantries as a wanted criminal,” he sighed, “Now, I order you to get down from there-“

“Nah. I don’t think I will. The skyline actually seems pretty great,” Virgil took a step backwards, advancing up to a higher crate.

“Don’t you dare,” Roman warned.

“Don’t I dare what? This?” Virgil took another step back, almost in line with the roof of a carpentry shop, “I thought the queen taught you to use your words when you wanted something, Averille.”

Roman scowled, taking a step forward before freezing as Virgil backed away. He was a step away from the roof now. Any farther and Roman would lose the chance of apprehending Virgil altogether.

“Aw, what’s wrong princey?” Virgil taunted, observing his rival’s sullen expression, “Can’t bear to see me leave so soon?”

“Psh- you wish!”

“I see. I suppose you wouldn’t mind me taking off then, I’ve probably taken enough of your time already,” the thief stepped atop the roof.

“Wait!” Roman called, causing Virgil to stop. He sighed, retrieving something from his side, “If I can’t arrest you, then will you at least allow me to make a trade?”

Virgil raised a brow, suspicious, “What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m serious! If you return the items you stole to me, then I will return something of yours.”

Virgil perked up at this, eyes growing wide as Roman held up the jet black cloak. He stepped partway down from the crates, but froze just before he reached the prince’s eyes level, “How do I know this isn’t some trick?”

“In all honesty, you don’t. I just need you to trust me.”

Several doubts ran through Virgil’s head at once. Who was he to randomly trust the same person he had been running from moments before?

All he had to do was step up to the roof and make a break for it, though Virgil greatly wanted his cloak back. It was the one thing that grounded him when he felt his mind was spiraling out of control.

Virgil, groaned, rubbing his temples and muttering something along the lines of, “I am so gonna regret this.”

He slowly descended from the crates, stopping just above the first. Virgil was a mere arms length from the prince now. He retrieved the items from a pocket within his belt, motioning to Roman, “Give me the cloak first.”

Though hesitant, Roman tossed the garment to Virgil, quickly catching several metallic parts thrown his way.

As they both held their bounty, Virgil pinched his brows in confusion, “You’re not just going to arrest me anyway?”

“As wonderful as that would be, I asked you to trust me and you did,” Roman sighed, “Technically, since the goods have been transferred to my hands before you reach whoever you deliver these to, you haven’t necessarily stolen anything. I won’t take you into custody, this time.”

He was met with a look of disbelief, followed by a more gentle smile, “Y’know princey, you aren’t as bad as you seem.”

“Why thank you- wait.... What’s that supposed to mean!”

All Roman received was a smirk in return, before his longtime rival had disappeared from sight. The sun had just begun to rise now, the sounds of townsfolk waking up serving as a reminder that it was still only early morning.

Roman desperately wished to remain in the streets a little longer, though he was probably already going to be in enough trouble for leaving the castle without informing his mother or any of the staff beforehand.

How was he supposed to explain that a sense of adventure had led him to patrol the streets this morning? That and Logan had informed him that criminals like Virgil typically worked within the dark, trying to avoid confrontation.

It was only a short stroll to the castle, allowing Roman to arrive upon the gates within mere minutes. He snuck in through one of the back entrances, passing through the kitchens on his way. The sweet aromas always brought a smile to his face, and he needed a little bit of joy after having to deal with Virgil so early in the morning.

A familiar face greeted him in the kitchens, “Evelyn!” he exclaimed, “Such a pleasure to see you!”

“You as well,” the woman smiled, flour covering everything from her apron to the tips of her strawberry hair, “I see you’ve already been out this morning.”

“Indeed I have. It seems to be both a blessing and a curse as head of the royal guard.”

“Understandable.”

Roman glanced down to the wooden bowl clutched in her hands, “What are you making?”

She glanced down to the bowl, smiling, “Oh nothing special, just a spiced bread using a recipe from an old friend.”

“I see,” the prince took note of the open recipe book on the counter, “I assume Nakita will be the official taste tester again.”

A soft smile settled on Evelyn’s lips, “I’m sure she would love to, but she’s out on an assignment right now. She’s been really busy ever since she was tasked with scouting the northern realm, though she somehow always finds time to write back about her adventures.”

“I’m sure she does. Nothing can stop that girl from doing what she wishes, she’s too stubborn,” Roman chuckled.

Nakita was his right hand soldier, the two fighting side by side until Queen Elena had allowed Roman to patrol the kingdom himself.

Now Nakita had been tasked with protecting Elden from enemy nations, all while occasionally managing the dungeons. She claimed she handled the second job to ensure Roman didn’t screw it up, but the prince knew it was really to be able to spend more time with Evelyn.

It was always amusing to watch the hardened soldier become flustered at the mention of a certain baker, especially since she was usually so serious. Seeing the soldier come out of her shell for Evelyn was nice though. Roman knew Nakita needed a chance to laugh a little.

“She should be returning soon,” Evelyn added, a delighted spark flashing in her eyes, “She wrote that she would return to the palace in about a month’s time as a special visit.”

“Well that is absolutely wonderful!

“Indeed it is,” Evelyn beamed, eyes catching sight of someone in the doorway, “I don’t mean to stop our conversation, but it seems your advisor is waiting for you.”

Roman took a peek behind his shoulder, “It’s alright, I can address him later.”

“Go on Roman, you needn’t keep him waiting for my small talk.” Evelyn waved him forward, ushering him towards the door, “Knowing Logan, you could be missing something imperative.”

“Everything is imperative to him! Though if you insist, I suppose I should go. It was lovely getting to talk to you!” Roman called behind his shoulder, “I hope the bread turns out well!”

With that, he had passed through the kitchen doorway, entering a broad corridor. Towering windows lined the entire hallway, providing the perfect dose of natural light, especially with the morning sun.

Roman turned and was met with thick rimmed glasses and quizzical expression. “I know, I know,” Roman lamented, “I said I would catch him this time, but here I am, without success. Go ahead, tell me everything I did wrong”

Logan simply chuckled, “I was merely here to inquire as to if you were victorious this morning, though I guess that question has been answered for me. Still, if you wish for a piece of constructive criticism, I would recommend informing the queen of your intentions before leaving without a word next time.”

Roman groaned, “Oh no, she’s-”

“Worried, distressed, disgruntled, vexed? Yes, very much so.”

“I could suspect as much. I am going to have a lot of explaining to do.” His mother never liked him leaving the palace without her knowing. Another layer of protection, she had called it.

“Not if you hurry. She may forget about all your morning endeavors if you simply apologize first.”

“That’s true,” Roman admitted, “how are you always so smart?”

“Using common sense is usually an important first step,” Logan deadpanned.

“Ha, ha, very funny- but how did you know the purpose of why I left this morning? There was no one in the corridors this morning when I snuck out.”

“Inductive reasoning. That and the fact that I was awake at that hour, and I did notice you sneak out,” The advisor rolled his eyes, ”You simply didn’t catch sight of my presence because your mind was too focused on other tasks.”

“Of course it was,” Roman snickered to himself, glancing towards the door to his mother’s study, “Any send offs before I face my interrogation?”

“I hardly believe her highnesses concerned questioning could come close to an interrogation.”

“You must not know my mother’s true potential then,” The prince smirked, giving a wave before meandering towards the white and gold door, “Wish me luck!”

“That would be worthless as luck does not come to play with life’s doings, though I will hope for the best if you so wish me to.”

“Good enough for me!” Roman arrived at the door to his mother’s study. He raised his hand to knock, though hesitated.

The white rimmed door seemed much more lofty than usual, towering over him with a pressing intimidation. Gold detailing that lined the priceless wood screamed cold regalness, almost persuading Roman to avoid knocking altogether.

What was there even to stress about? It was only his mother, there was nothing to fear.

Taking a deep breath, Roman stood as tall as he possibly could, rapping against the door three times. Clear and crisp. Just as he had been taught.

A voice called from the other side for him to enter, and exhaling with a final courage, Roman opened the door.

[hexdream18243]

Okay, I fall out of the fandom I think two years ago but I still have my favourites. It will take some time to remember all of them xD I had to look in my bookmarks to remind myself about them, so sorry for shorter descriptions sometimes. I want to recommend only finished ones.

Let's begin with one from wattpad: Fanciful Angst : Prinxiety and logicality fanfiction with fun concept of "what happened during, after and sometimes before a video". Roman is making a list of things he didn't know about Anxiety. A lot of humor, more light read even if it had some heavier moments. Definitely worth reading. Completed.

AO3: It's Only Logical : A must read. Logicality, prinxiety, completed story. HumanAU, Logan is a florist and Patton is a single dad of Thomas. A lot of feels, things happening and I don't want to spoil. One of the main plot points is, I would say, revenge.

Golden Slumbers : O MY GOD. FEELS. A LOT OF FEELS. Logicality, prinxiety, HumanAU, completed again. Heavy one (for me at least) but SOOOOO GOOD. Logan is running a flower shop when nears open a new gift shop that prides itself in pun-filled cards.

Powerless : SuperpowersAU. Prinxiety, logicality. Virgil is a person without powers, Roman is a hero everyones adore. People without powers are rejected in society. One day Virgil snaps and decides to become a villain to fight with the system. I didn't finish it but it gave me a really big mindfuck. Also it was interesting and entertaining.

Silence and Duality : Heavy, heavy one. Good but angst (with good ending, I'll say!) I would say a study about sides with Original Character. Written before Deceit introduction. And has the second part, more happy one ^^" Still, I love it (also there is a good animation to song "Words Fail" based on this story)

Thrillers and Fairytales : slowburn prinxiety, established logicality, humanAU. This is strange but I don't remember a lot but I read it I think three or four years ago xD A bookstore/collegeAU. It was fun.

Chemically Imbalanced : prinxiety, logicality, humanAU. It may be triggering for some people, like litterally there was a lot of things. Roman and Virgil are students, Logan is a history teacher and with Patton they are parents of Virgil. I rememer that Roman had sweet twin younger sisters.

The Most Awkward Semester Ever : analogical, humanAU. It was fun. Virgil has a crush on Logan and Logan is sure that Virgil is afraid of him.

Roundabout : humanAU, prinxiety, logicality and Remy/Emil. Virgil is a secretary in school. Interesting plot.

Strictly For Convenience : !!! HumanAU, logicality. Logan and Patton has an arranged marriage. This is sweet slow burn <3

A Lesson in Practicality : humanAU, superpowersAU. They are flatmates and all have superpowers. And it has a sequel (not finished but still)!

I think this is enough for me now, I don't have energy to write about more. Sorry for all of the rest of my favorites fanfictions!

If litterally anyone sees this post, pls reply with your favorite sanders sides fics!! I need to be either overwhelmed with joy or have my heart ripped out I havnt decided yet

[leesacrakon]

Can you do 21+22 with Virgil saying it to Roman?

21. “Who hurt you?” 22. “Don’t be scared, I’m right here.”

Roman returns from a quest acting very different from his royal self and Virgil is determined to find out what happened. 

Title: Little Lion Man

Fandom(s): Sanders Sides, Thomas Sanders, YouTube

Warnings: Crying, anxiety, OOC, and passing out 

Ship(s): Established Romantic Prinxiety

When Roman entered the mindscape and walked slowly into the living room, his face was expressionless and pale as a sheet. Logan and Patton had long since gone to bed, but Virgil sat there on his phone, curled up into a ball on the small armchair, earbuds in. Roman bit his lip and tried to sneak past Virgil, heading towards his room.

“You’re back.” Virgil’s voice made Roman jump and he turned to see his boyfriend looking up at him with a warm smile. The prince-like side nodded slightly and just stood there, his arms hanging by his sides. Virgil’s smile faded and he untangled himself from his earbuds and stood, walking to his boyfriend and cupping his cheek. He was shocked when  he felt how cold Roman’s face was against his hand. 

“Hey love,” Roman said softly, managing to give his partner a weak smile. That made Virgil’s frown deepen. Usually, Roman would run in after a quest and go on and on about how magnificent he was, picking Virgil up and twirling him around. It never mattered how late it was, or if the others were asleep, he was always an enthusiastic ball of energy. 

“Roman, what happened? Who hurt you?” Virgil said firmly, putting his hands on Roman’s shoulders and looking him in the eye, searching for any clues as to how he was feeling. 

“No one, I’m fine,” Roma mumbled, pressing a kiss to Virgil’s forehead. Virgil could feel him trembling under his grip and he gently pulled Roman closer, wrapping his arms around the other man and burying his face in the crook of his neck. Roman’s breathing hitched and he stiffened. Virgil held Roman in his arms and guided him over to the couch, relaxing him until he was no longer like a stiff board under his grip. Roman’s eyes were filled with unshed tears as he buried his face in Virgil’s chest, letting the other gently pet his hair. 

“Tell me what happened?” Virgil encouraged, resting his head on top of Roman’s and holding his boyfriend close. Roman whimpered and his grip tightened on Virgil’s shirt as tears began to fall. 

“I…I can’t, Virgil,” Roman sobbed, clinging to Virgil’s jacket, making it wet with his tears. Virgil’s face twisted with concern and he lifted Roman’s face, kissing away his tears and taking in Roman’s body language; the trembling, how tense he was, etc, trying to see if he was upset, or if he was on his way to panicking. 

“Hey, hey, don’t be scared. I’m right here,” Virgil said soothingly, rocking back and forth as if Roman were a small child, doing whatever he could to make the love of his life feel safe. After a while, Roman cried himself to exhaustion and passed out in Virgil’s arms, his mouth open slightly as he lay limp agaist his boyfriend. Virgil carefully situated Roman in his arms and carried him up The stairs. He went right past his room, knowing that wouldn’t be a very good idea, and went to Roman’s door. He managed to get in without any hands, settling Roman underneath his covers. Roman whined in his sleep at the loss of contact ad Virgil chuckled, shaking his head and climbing into bed with him. Roman cuddled into Virgil’s side and snored softly, making the smaller man smile. Virgil closed his eyes and kissed Roman’s forehead, settling closer to him and drifting off to sleep. 

@patton-of-love-for-my-friends @funsizedgremlin@anachronistic-cat@here-to-vent@fandomsofrandom@mylasagnaisraw@kalzul@virgilsspidercurtains @justanotherpurplebutterfly @tiny-mudkip @romananalogicality @pattonpending @edgeworthsnoodle @lovely-chaotic-goddess @aph-curls-n-dimples @the-babysitter @sunnyside12pershon @tormentist @thegeekgirl42 @emupoppyjay @introverted-slytherin-of-history @virgilmood   @shimmerthenerd @mel-is-a-melon @juju–universe @ccecode @babiegreen-blog @istolelittleredshoodie @afangirlforeverything @tree4life25 @storytellerofuntoldlegends @overestimated-or-underestimated @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch @bluekit-kat  @poisonlyra @loverofpizzaandallthingssweet @jamie-the-outcast @emo-sanders-sides-loving-unicorn  @pirate-patton @tinysidestrashcaptain @slowtownsanders @thelogicalanxiouscreativeheart @analogical-lovechild @pucabu@that-one-percussion-person @outtiefiftythousand @c-a-l-m-sanders @milomeepit @tayleece @notallpotatoesarefrenchfries @thelogicalloganipus@weeaboomichael @do-rey-me  @pink-and-purple-flowers  @ninjago2020 @bookwormravenclaw @contentrelatedurlidontknowthem @silly-aesthetic-me @roxiefox23  @pantasticpanini @mollycassmith @monikastec @shanisaur @liberalautisticnerd831 @purplepotatomunv @animefansforlife  @ams-parker  @a-reference-of-sides   @water13girl @the-nyan-cat-x3@virgils-jacket @nerdy-emo-royal-dad @kittyboof8  @theguildedtypewriter @fandomsandanythingelse @twettypuff @imnottrashiswear @v-blue-writer @echointhetincan @theinsanelycooljaredkleinmen    @bri-cas  @brileyluvsyoutube  @mcrismorealivethanmysoul @alwaysmy-lilith  @alivingfandomreference  @readeatfightlove13 @mostly-fandoms-partially-stars @gayfagg @lollingtothemax @give-me-a-minute-to-think  @bubblycricket  @icecoldparadise  @the-prince-and-the-emo   @twentyoneparades-to-panic-at  @rose-gold-roman @this-is-ske  @virgilsandersakaanxiety @starryfirefliesbloggo  @generalfandomfabulousness  @chaoticcharm-stone-posts  @aikogumi @helloimjusthereforthecomments @virgilanxiety   @wrenweasly @at-least-seven-pretty-potatoes@darkle-elkrad

@fandomcrazy899

[edupunkn00b]

Punks, Poets, Parents

Punks, Poets, Parents Master Post

Complete.

Written for The Sanders Sides Big Bang, featuring art by @briandthemoon and @vianadraws. Beta read by @naminethewriter​, @treeni​, and @typically-untypical​

Photo by Adam DiCarlo on Wikimedia Commons

Summary

Logan Sanders’ life has gone according to plan. Working his way through college and grad school, he now has his dream job teaching where he’d attended as a child. But the reality of teaching in NYC’s Lower East Side is spawning a cynicism in him that threatens his resolve.

It doesn't help when his perpetually optimistic kid brother, Patton, a novice social worker, comes home each night with tales of reuniting families or saving kids from awful homes.

And it doesn't help when he has students like Jay, who need more help than Logan alone can provide.

Remus Puños finally has his life together, his broken years behind him. He has his own apartment and a column in The Village Voice. He’s recently reconciled with his twin, Roman, and his best friend, Virgil, and they’ve just scored a weekly gig at CBGBs.

He’s grown tall and strong and when most people catch sight of his leather jacket, Doc Martens, and spiky green hair, they cross to the other side of the street. Long-gone are his days of dodging fists back in Levittown.

So when his junkie neighbor bangs on his door at 3 AM, begging him to watch her son again for ‘just one day,’ he can't look the kid in the eye and say no, can he?

Rated M - CW: past drug use mention; past child abuse mentions; referenced child neglect; alcohol use and abuse; references to past drug abuse; mentions of sex/suggestive; historically accurate systemic homophobia; swearing/cursing

Playlist on Spotify

Chapter List - [ AO3 ]

Attitude - published 9/7

The Book I Read - published 9/10

Hole In My Life - published 9/14

What’s My Name - published 9/17

Goody Two Shoes - published 9/17

Trust - published 9/21

What Do You Know? - published 9/24

Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) - published 9/28

Family - published 10/1

Safe - published 10/12

Home - published 10/15

The Good Thing - published 10/19

Looking For You (I Was) - published 10/22

[im-an-anxious-wreck]

Indigo Tulips And A Trip Down Memory Lane

AO3 link

Prompt/idea from @thesheriffssecretpolice: someone (logan?) finds a portal that lets them time travel. everytime they do, they lose a little more of their memories, but their drive to visit other times and learn other's stories is too tempting to just stop.

…

Summary: Patton knows he shouldn't step through the archway. He really shouldn't… his mother sent him on an important errand, and besides not walking through a possible portal in a forest that was known for people disappearing in, just seemed like common sense. So really, he shouldn't.

Not to mention— and he's already stepped through.

Well, what's done is done.

So the real question is, what great adventure awaits on the other side?

Warnings: referenced abuse, crying, cursing, referenced past starvation, Patton thinks that he might not be allowed to eat. He is wrong

Perspective/main character: Patton

Side/secondary characters: Logan, Virgil, Roman

Appear: The Dragon Witch, Remus, Janus

Romantic relationship(s): logicality, established prinxiety, dukeceit mentioned, (everything else is platonic)

Word Count: 14,150

Link to my collection of TSS fanworks

-

Patton had heard the folk tales about the nearby woods. He'd heard about people disappearing to never return, and the few that did return, just weren't the same, memory all but gone.

Which is why he really shouldn't be travelling through the forest, and at night no less! But when the sun was almost touching the west hills, Mother had said to go through the forest to the town a few miles away to get her alcohol, and to not come back until he did.

So, mostly just to avoid her ire, he'd set off.

He couldn't help but feel rather grateful for the heavy travelling cloak he'd made several years back and thought to bring, as he tugged it a little closer to protect himself against the chilly winds.

His legs were starting to ache when he spotted an eerie blue light off to the left… but the path bent to the right. He'd heard not to stray off the path, after all, wasn't that the lesson taught in Little Red Riding Hood?

But it didn't look like it was that far off the path, so surely Patton could easily find his way back.

Just a little peek, just to settle his curiosity.

…

He'd… he'd rather underestimated how close it actually was to the path. The dim blue light had looked close, but it didn't seem to be getting any closer.

Patton was just about to give up in weary frustration and turn back when he, quite out of nowhere, was in a small clearing.

In the middle, almost amongst the trees, stood a large archway formed of stone. It had writing etched deep into it, the words 'Trade A World For A Year, Ye Be Warned All Who Enter Here' were curved to fit around the top and glowing a deep blue.

He just hoped the rather nonsensical words weren't a warning for anything bad.

However, perhaps the strangest thing about the archway was the fact that it was filled with glowing blue, much like the clear afternoon sky, but if the sky swirled around in a spiral.

The slightest hum that emanated from it was all but beckoning Patton closer.

He wasn't going to touch it! He just wanted to be able to see it a bit better. Just... Just a little closer.

Just a little closer.

The warmth radiated from it like a hearth in the dead of winter, and when Patton touched the stone it was so like physical contact that it made him want to laugh and cry all at once.

Surely nothing bad could possibly ever come from something that could cause such a pleasant feeling in Patton.

Patton only hesitated for a moment longer before he stepped through the portal, warmth surrounding him, and twinkling blue light flittering about.

He didn't walk out the portal so much as stumble out, and was only able to just catch himself, glasses less fortunate as they fell off his face and into the dirt.

Patton picked his glasses up and put them on, marvelling at the rolling, green hills that were dotted with flowers of every colour of the rainbow. Foggy mountains surrounded the grassy field on all sides in the far beyond, and white puffy clouds lazily slid across the blue sky that stretched ever upwards.

But what caught Patton's eye the most, was a man that was sitting in the lush grass only a few feet away, staring at an indigo tulip. He had black glasses —practically identical to Patton's own, only in better condition as it didn't have tape holding it together—, khaki slacks, a black polo, and his tie was almost the colour of the flower he was looking at.

Patton stepped a few steps forward, glancing behind him and noticing that the portal was gone. He cleared his throat, hoping not to startle the man, but Patton needn't have worried as the man didn't even glance up.

"Um… hello?" Patton asked.

The man finally looked at Patton, but didn't seem very surprised at his sudden appearance. "Greetings."

"Oh, uh hi! I'm Patton! What's your name?"

"Hello, Patton. I am…" The man's brow creased. "I am…" He blinked in confusion. "Er… um, apologies, I don't seem to have that information at the moment."

"Oh, well… that's alright! Um, what are you doing?"

"I have been observing this flower. Would you like to observe it with me?"

"Sure!" Patton sat down next to the man and looked at the flower… And looked at the flower…… And looked at the flower.

Patton could already feel the impatience rising in him, and it hadn't even been a minute! But the man seemed perfectly content just looking at the flower. It wasn't even doing anything, only just barely swaying in the wind.

"Sooo," Patton finally said. "How long have you been here?"

The man frowned again. "It was about mid day? I believe. I took a few bathroom, or should I say tree breaks." He looked up at the sky, frown only deepening. "Wait, that cannot be correct, it's mid-afternoon. So for… an entire 24 hours? Give or take of course. I… I hadn't realised I'd been here so long. Ah, wait. I did take a nap when it was dark. That must've been the night."

"Oh, um, yeah, it can be really easy to lose track of time…" Patton decidedly wasn't going to mention that losing track of that much time, let alone forgetting one's name, was very concerning. "Did you come through the portal?"

"The… Oh! Yes, I did." The man looked back to where the portal had been. "Oh… well, that's concerning," The man said, his tone anything but.

"Yeah… oh no! How am I gonna get back home? I wasn't even thinking. My mother is gonna be so mad!"

"No offence intended, but… aren't you a bit old to be worried about your mother being annoyed at you for being late?"

"Hah… you'd think. But no, she— uh, she sent me on an errand that's really important to her so it makes sense for her to be upset and punish me for being lazy and taking so long."

"No? It really doesn't make sense?? Also punish you? For what!? Wouldn't she understand if you explained the situation?"

"But… I'll be late? It doesn't really matter why. I never try hard enough."

"Patton, that's not true. Sometimes there are things out of our control, and in that case, it's really not our fault. You can only do so much. I'm… I'm quite sorry that she's made you believe otherwise. That she thinks you're lazy even though you're already doing your best."

"I… I'm really not doing my best though. If I just tried harder…"

"Patton, your best, doesn't actually mean your very best."

"It doesn't?" Patton asked confusedly. The man seemed very smart, but that just didn't sound right.

"No. It doesn't mean that you should work yourself figuratively ragged. It means just do what you can, while keeping your physical and mental health in mind. And sometimes 'your best' fluctuates. You may not be able to do the same amount of things as the week, day, or even hour before, and that's okay.

"This isn't your fault. It's not your fault if you get home late. You're doing everything that you possibly can right now. And that's enough." The Man adjusted his glasses. "Apologies if this is too straightforward but, you are enough. You're very much enough, Patton."

"O— oh. Oh wow." A few tears dripped down Patton's cheeks.

"Ah, that was too much. Apologies, I didn't mean to make you cry!"

"No! It's alright. These are happy tears!" Patton wiped under his eyes the best he could. "I'm crying because you're so incredibly sweet, and I really needed to hear that. So thank you."

"Oh… well… I'm glad it's the happy kind of tears. I still don't think making you cry could be a good thing… but you don't seem to be upset by it."

Patton sniffed. "I'm not upset by it! If anything, I'm thanking you for it."

"Um, alright. I… okay."

Patton light-heartedly huffed. "Okay… I do have a question though."

"And I shall answer it to the best of my ability."

"How… how are we going to get back now?"

"Ah, excellent question. That is rather an issue right now. Considering the portal has disappeared, it's going to be difficult to get home… wherever that is. Ah, and that's another problem I currently have. I can't remember anything. Although, fortunately for us, this type of amnesia doesn't affect the part of the brain that processes language…" The man adjusted his glasses. "That is a strange sensation. Knowing something rather complex without being able to remember learning it… hmm."

"Well, fudge. What can we do then?"

"I suppose try to find a drinking source. Then make a shelter and try to wildcraft some food. Oh, interesting… I appear to know some things about wildcrafting."

Patton looked out across the hilly field. "Hey! Is that smoke? Maybe it's from someone's campfire or even a chimney!"

"Ah, excellent observation. We should head in that direction and see if they are willing to assist us. Even just providing shelter for the night would be helpful."

"Yeah! Good idea."

"Hmm, it appears to be mid to late afternoon, so we should reach there at about dusk? Perhaps a bit later."

"Okay! Well… I guess we should be off then."

"Of course…" The man looked back down at the indigo tulip sadly before rising to his feet and offering Patton a hand up.

After Patton had gotten his feet under himself again, he said, "You know, you can take the flower with us, if you want to."

"Take… the flower?"

"Yeah, like just break the stem and take the flower."

"Oh, yes. I'd forgotten that some people do that... But won't it not stay unwilted longer if we leave it intact?"

"...You mean it'll wilt faster if it's picked?"

"Yes, is that not what I said?"

"Eh… kinda. Um, but yeah, it'll most likely stay nice longer if you leave it, but who's gonna notice one flower way out here, and then you can enjoy it 'till it wilts tomorrow."

"Oh… well, that's alright then." The man bent down and gently plucked the tulip, cradling the flower between his hands.

"Lead the way!" Patton exclaimed.

…

Patton hated walking. Okay, he didn't actually. He'd always loved taking walks —especially if the alternative was being in the cramped house with his mother— but they'd been walking for hours, and he'd already walked aways before finding the portal. His knees hurt, his feet hurt, he was hungry and tired.

Plus, on top of all that, he was overstimulated.

Indigo, as Patton had taken to calling the other man in his head, had been cold, arms wrapped around himself and teeth chattering. So Patton had offered him Patton's travelling cloak and Indigo, being courteous gentleman that he was, had determined that the best way to keep them both warm was to share the cloak. Which meant that Patton's left side was drenched in warmth.

It wasn't so bad at first! It'd actually been very nice. Physical contact that wasn't painful was amazing. But after who knows how long, it'd gotten too intense, Patton's hands shaking, and his side and arm all but burning.

Honestly, at this point, he'd rather just face the cold, and was just about to slip out the cloak when a homely and invitingly looking cottage came into view.

"Ah!" Indigo exclaimed. "Good. A cottage is perfect. Perhaps it's an elderly couple who won't mind housing us for a night or two." Indigo stepped out of the cloak, Patton almost sighed in relief, and walked ahead, quickly running up the three steps to the cottage porch.

Patton had to practically drag himself up the steps, limbs soft like pudding.

Indigo knocked on the door, which swung open almost instantly to reveal a man about Patton's age. He was rather tall, and his eyes and hair were a deep purple, and he wore a black jacket hoodie with purple plaid patches.

"Greetings, I don't know my name, but this is Patton. We seek shelter for the night."

"Uhh… how did you get here? This place is pretty secluded."

"Um... someone stole our car," —Patton felt his stomach clinch at Indigo's lie, or maybe that was just the hunger— "And we've been walking for quite a while—"

"No, like, you can only access this place with magic, and even then, you'd have to know it existed. So I repeat myself, how did you get here? How did you find us?"

A voice came from farther in the cottage, "Love? Why are you at the door?" A man appeared over the purple man's shoulder. He had chestnut brown hair, the tips a bright red, brown eyes, and dark tan pants, with a white loose shirt and a red scarf around his waist. He looked rather like a pirate, if the pirate had lost most of his stuff.

"Just some people," Virgil said offhandedly, looking very much like he didn't want to be there.

"Oh! I didn't know we were having guests."

"We're not. They just showed up."

The knock off pirate frowned. "They just… showed up?"

Indigo huffed. "You know, if you don't want to take us in for the night, you can just say so."

"No!" The pirate exclaimed. "Nonsense! We have room, right, Virgil?"

The purple man, Virgil apparently, sighed. "Yeah… yeah yeah, we have room. Alright, but over supper you gotta tell us how you even got here."

"Ah," Indigo pushed his glasses farther up his nose. "We'd be glad to do so."

"Oh! Where are my manners? I'm Roman, and this is Virgil."

"Hi! I'm Patton!"

Virgil jumped. "Oh, right. I forgot you were there. Sorry."

"No, no! It's my fault. I've been told I kinda blend into the background when I'm quiet."

"Well, it is very nice to meet you, Patton!" Roman turned to Indigo. "And who might you be?"

"Oh, um, I don't remember my name."

"Yeah, he kinda forgot everything… but I've just been calling him Indigo in my head."

He titled his head to the side, much like a confused puppy. "Indigo?"

"Oh, do you not… you just really seemed to like that Indigo flower so I just…"

"No, it's alright, I was just curious where you got it." Indigo cradled his flower a bit closer to himself.

"Not that this isn't touching…"

"Virgil!" Roman scolded.

"But it's cold as all shit out here, and like, y'all can freeze out here if ya want, but I'm going back to the fire."

Roman sighed. "What he meant to say was, it's really cold out here, so everyone come in where it's warm!"

"Eh… kinda."

Roman and Virgil moved out of the open doorway to let Patton and Indigo in, shutting the door behind them.

"Here," Roman said. "Come sit by the fire and warm up!"

"I'll hang your cloak up," Virgil muttered to Patton.

"Oh, thanks, kiddo!"

After Virgil hung the cloak up on a hook behind the door, he turned back to Patton. "Kiddo?"

"Yeah? If you don't want to be called that then I won't! It's just habit."

"Nah, you're good. Just never heard someone call an adult that."

"So you really don't have any memories?" Roman asked Indigo from farther into the room.

"No. There might be a few like wisps? If that makes sense. But nothing tangible. Just a few vague shapes or feelings."

Roman hummed non-commentally as Patton took in his surroundings.

There were two loveseats facing each other, with a coffee table between them and a large brick fireplace beyond that. The floor was made from wooden planks, and there was a large thick rug under the seating area.

To the left was the kitchen with a bar that had a window into the kitchen. A hallway, most likely leading to any bedrooms and the bathroom, was in the far left corner just beyond the bar.

Indigo was sitting on the right loveseat and Roman on the left, both on the side closest to the fire.

Virgil curled up next to Roman, setting his head on Roman's shoulder, and Patton sat next to Indigo, leaving a bit of space between them.

"Hey, can I see your flower?" Virgil asked, jerking his head to where Indigo was still cradling his flower.

"...Why?"

"Because he has magic!"

"Roman!"

"Magic?"

"Way to ruin the surprise. But yeah, I was just gonna preserve it with magic."

Indigo leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "Really? You can do that?"

"Yeah, you want me to?"

"If it's no trouble, yes please."

Virgil sat up and Roman gently laid his arm across the back of the loveseat from where it'd been wrapped around Virgil.

"Alright." Virgil took a deep breath. "Hold it out."

Indigo did and Virgil gestured, twisting his fingers toward himself, making purple sparks lift the flower to float over the coffee table. Virgil's eyes glowed brightly, the deep purple of his iris now a vibrant, almost electric, purple. The tulip's slightly droopy petals lifted as it reverted back to how fresh it'd been when Indigo first picked it.

"Amazing," Indigo murmured, eyes wide with wonder.

Virgil smiled lopsidedly, eyes fading back to his natural, yet unnatural, eye colour as he leaned back against Roman's side. "Thanks. Magic can be pretty cool, huh?" He gestured once more and the flower was gently laid back into Indigo's awaiting hand, sparks dissipating upon contact.

Indigo nodded. "That was truly extraordinary!"

"I know right!" Roman exclaimed. "He's so talented at magic. I only know a bit of basic fighting magic, but Virgil knows so much!"

"Well, I have been doing it for my entire life, whereas you've only been doing it for a few years. Besides, there's plenty I don't know."

"Is it innate? I mean obviously not completely because as you said you had to learn it. But…"

"Can anyone do magic if they worked at it?"

"Yes."

"I mean… kinda, yeah. It comes a lot easier for some people but technically yeah, anyone could learn at least some basic magic if they were like, really determined."

"Fascinating."

"And there's like different types so some people are better at sometimes than others. Like Roman's fighting magic… which was kind of stolen but that's not the point."

"No! Nuh-huh! I didn't steal it, it was gifted to me. There's a difference."

"You're just lucky Remus was willing to share."

Roman pouted.

"Who's Remus?" Patton asked.

"Oh, that's his brother. He was just like, super naturally good at fighting with magic and gifted Roman with a bit of it. So Roman's been like, building it up ever since. You know like… like with a fire. Like you have a little spark of fire, a little flame, and you kinda have to like, take care of it, and give it more fuel and stuff until it becomes its own fire. It's kind of like that."

"That is very intriguing," Indigo said. "Magic is quite unique and seems to have its own system."

"Yeah, exactly. And there's so much I haven't even covered! But like, we could easily be here all night just with me talkin' about magic."

"It is quite fascinating! Perhaps we could converse about it more tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sounds good!"

"Oh, the soup!" Roman jumped up. "I almost forgot about the soup."

"And you say I'm the bad cook," Virgil teased.

"Well, that's because you are, dear," Roman called from the kitchen. From across the open bar Patton could see Roman stirring a large pot as the smell began wafting into the living room, making Patton's stomach clinch, and this time there was no doubt that it was from hunger.

Virgil sneezed, purple sparks shooting out of his nose as he shook his head like a dog.

"Bless you," Indigo said.

"Thanks. That usually happens, by the way."

"Usually happens?"

"Oh, like after I do magic."

"You're… allergic to magic?"

Virgil snorted. "I can see how you could come to that conclusion, but no, not exactly. It's just a bit of build up. Like some magic will build up in my nose if I do a lot of it, and then I just like, sneeze it out."

"That is weird, but no less fascinating."

"So basically he's allergic to magic," Roman called from the kitchen.

"Hey! No, I'm not."

"Sure, you're not… anyway, everyone come and get it!"

Virgil and Indigo instantly stood up and made their way to where Roman was dishing it up at the bar.

"Sorry, just um… everyone?" Patton curled in self-consciously when all eyes turned to him.

"Uh… yeah everyone." Virgil frowned. "What, you think we'd just leave y'all there to starve while we ate copious amounts of soup?"

"Well, no! I just… if there wasn't enough… I don't mind not…"

"Not what?"

"Not getting any. It's okay! I'm used to it though. Really." God, why did Patton have to open his stupid mouth. He'd been doing so good! But wasn't quite sure what he'd done to deserve the looks of disgust and horror on everyone's faces.

"I would like to have words with your mother," Indigo said, all but spatting out the last word.

"...'M sorry."

"Oh god," Virgil said. "Don't be sorry."

"S— sorry. Ah, no wait—"

"Hey," Roman stepped forward and Patton flinched back, trying to press himself even further into the loveseat. "It's alright. You're okay, Patton."

"I didn't m— mean to make you upset. I— mm."

"Patton," Indigo said softly. "No one is mad or upset at you. We're just concerned about you. Especially that you seem to think it's okay for you to not have any food while we do. Even if there wasn't quite enough, we'd split it evenly, not just give you nothing."

"Gosh, you guys are so nice." Patton didn't mention that it was just because they hadn't had to deal with just how truly awful he could mess stuff up.

"Not really," Virgil said. "I— Patton, this is just basic human decency. We're supposed to take care of each other."

"Oh… I— huh. I just…" Patton finally uncurled out of the small ball he'd tucked himself into, limbs aching from how tense he'd been. "Well, anyway, I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause such a hullabaloo."

"It's alright," Roman murmured. "You can't help reacting like that. I…" Roman seemed like he wanted to say more, but instead said, "Anyway, you feel up to eating, Patton?"

"Oh no! Eating Patton?" Patton giggled a bit at his own joke.

Virgil snorted. "Oh my god, he's a dork."

"But um, if… if there's enough…"

"Of course," Roman assured. "There's plenty."

"I— okay. Yeah… yeah." Patton stood up and walked over to the bar, but hesitated at which stool to sit on. What if he accidentally sat on the one that Roman or Virgil usually sat on?

Virgil and Indigo came out of the kitchen with drinks just as Roman finished placing the bowls and silverware along the bar. Virgil sat on the far right stool with Roman to his left, and Indigo to the left of Roman. Leaving the far left stool open for Patton.

They'd almost finished eating when Virgil exclaimed, "Oh, wait! Y'all were supposed to tell us how you got here."

"Ah, yes. I'd forgotten as well. Patton, would you care to start?"

"Oh, um, sure! Let's see… So, I was walking through the woods and there was an archway made out of stone but instead of a door, it was filled with a blue light. I wasn't actually going to go through it, just gonna get a closer look, but it drew me closer and the next thing I knew I was in a field and it was afternoon! Oh, it was night when I was in the woods by the way. Um… oh! And then the portal disappeared behind me, and then I saw Indigo there looking at his flower, and he couldn't remember his name and— oh! I should let you tell this part."

"Thank you, Patton. Yes, as he said, I couldn't remember my name, or anything back beyond arriving there. I'd been there for quite some time staring at this flower." Indigo picked up his flower from where he'd set it by his bowl, before setting it back down. "But since the portal had disappeared, we decided to seek shelter. Patton saw the smoke from your chimney, so we headed in this direction, and I'm sure you can extrapolate the rest."

Roman blinked a few times. "...Huh. Well that's weird… anyway, does anyone want seconds?"

"Oh my God," Virgil said exasperatedly. "I— Roman."

…

After everyone had helped wash and put away dishes, Roman putting the leftovers away, they moved back into the living room, everyone just relaxing peacefully.

Patton couldn't remember a time he'd actually been allowed to eat his fill, let alone without having to do chores before eating. The perks of being a guest, Patton supposed.

Virgil leaned against Roman, who wrapped his arms around Virgil without hesitation, and Patton couldn't help but smile at them.

"Y'all are such good friends!" Patton noted.

"Uh, well…" Virgil's eyebrows knit together. "I mean, yes but actually no."

"You meme-r," Roman teased.

Virgil rolled his eyes. "Shut."

"Ohhh, y'all are frenemies. I can kinda see that."

Roman tried to hide his snickering, and failed miserably.

"N— no. Like, the other way," Virgil said.

"Best friends?"

"Oh, geez."

Indigo adjusted his glasses. "I don't think that's what they mean, Patton."

"Like, you know, lovers?" Roman tried.

"Love… lovers?"

"Yeah." Virgil nodded. "We're partners."

"Wait, that's a thing? Like, you can do that?"

"Uh… yeah? Of course we can," Virgil said, voice borderline defensive.

"Oh wow! I didn't know people could do that. I mean like, so, two men can be together, just like a man and a woman can?"

"Yeah. We can. So can two women, or even more than two people."

"Wow! That's so cool!!"

Indigo sighed distastefully. "As I've said before, I would like to have words with your mother."

"What?"

"Don't worry about it, Patton."

"Oh… uh, okay."

"Well…" Virgil yawned. "I'm sure y'all are exhausted, especially from walking all that way. We have a guest room, but there's only one bed. Now it's a queen so if y'all don't mind sharing… but I suppose there's the loveseat if one of you'd rather."

"Ah, no need, we can share the bed. That'll be fine, thank you. Er, I mean, as long as that's alright with you, Patton?"

"Yeah! It'll be like a sleepover… I think."

"...Sure. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what sleepovers involve, but that sounds right."

"What! Neither of you have had a sleepover!!" Roman exclaimed more than he asked.

"Oh no, here we go. Roman, they need sleep."

"But they've never had a sleepover!"

Virgil fondly rolled his eyes before turning back to Indigo and Patton. "Hey, y'all wanna stay tomorrow night too?"

"Oh, I— I mean, if it's not too much trouble," Indigo said.

"Nah, it'll be easier. Like, it might take me a few days to figure something out for y'all, and this way y'all can sleep tonight, and really enjoy all the stuff Roman's no doubt already begun planning."

"You know me so well. We're gonna watch movies, and have snacks, and hot chocolate, and tell stories, and play board games, and truth or dare, and sleep on the floor with a bunch of pillows in the living room!"

"Oh, wow! That's a lot!" Patton couldn't help but deflate. "Oh, um, is… is it like, for everyone? It's okay if not! I just… if um, it…"

Oh, great. Everyone was frowning again. Why couldn't Patton just stop upsetting everyone?

"Patton," Indigo paused before sighing softly. "First of all, no one is upset with you—"

"You're not?" Patton winced. "Sorry for interrupting."

"It's alright. And no, we're not upset with you."

"Yeah, we're really not," Virgil assured. "Just a bit worried about you is all."

"Exactly. Not upset, just worried." Indigo adjusted his glasses. "Ah, that was first of all, so second of all, why do you assume that you might not be included in everyone? You're not lesser than us. So why would you count for less?"

"I don't… I don't know, I just feel like I do. Sorry. Plus, you all haven't had to… had to deal with just how badly I mess up. I'm actually quite lazy."

"Good for you. Rest and taking care of yourself is important."

"...What?"

Roman sighed softly. "I… I should've said this earlier but, I just want you to know that you're allowed to take up space. Especially here. Especially with us. Take up as much space as you want. I… I understand how hard it can be to feel like you can, but I assure you, you're allowed to take up space and just exist here, okay?"

"O— oh, I— okay. It…" Patton lifted his glasses and furiously wiped underneath his eyes before he whispered, "Thank you."

-

For several weeks now they'd been searching through Virgil's extensive library for any spell or potion that could bring Indigo's memories back. 

Unfortunately, so far the closest thing they'd found was rosemary, but that was more to help with studying and memory retention, not for bringing all memories back.

Patton was starting to get tired of books. He'd always struggled with reading, but once the words started to swim, he really felt done. But he would endure. Indigo was counting on him!

Virgil had offered to take Patton back home on the third day of their stay, but he'd refused. He didn't want to leave yet… Well, really he didn't want to leave at all, but he wasn't about to say that and try to overstay his welcome.

And to be fair, he really did want to stay to make sure Indigo got his memories back, but… he was also staying for selfish reasons. He'd miss all of them.

They'd all gotten a lot closer in the short amount of time that they'd known each other, and Patton just wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to go home. 

He hated it at home, and loved it here… but he was needed at home, and wasn't here. He wouldn't delude himself that anyone here would actually want him to be around long-term.

They liked him okay right now, but that would quickly wear out. He just made too many mistakes for anyone other than his mother to keep him around.

He was awful just for thinking like this. After everything his mother had done for him, he was still wanting more. He really was an ungrateful brat. 

How was he this selfish? How did he always manage to be such a bad person?

Patton repressed a shiver. 

Gosh, his mother was going to be so mad at him when he returned home.

"Aha!" Virgil exclaimed as he slammed a book down on the cottage's library table, making Patton jump half out of his mind. "I think I found something!"

"What?" Indigo asked, putting down the book he'd been looking through. "What is it?" He stood and went around the table to look over Virgil's shoulder.

Patton subtly took some deep breaths. No one was mad at him. He was fine. 

Geez, he was always so jumpy.

"Okay, so it's a spell and…" Virgil paused. "Well, you know the phrase 'take a trip down memory lane' ?"

"Yes?"

"Well, it's a lot like that! We'll look at some of your most important memories, and the rest should come soon after. It may not… not be quite everything, or as good of like, quality, but it should be pretty close. About as close as we can get."

"I—" Indigo looked like he was trying, and failing to hold back a smile. "That is wonderful news! When… when could we cast it?"

"Hmm, so we don't quite have all the ingredients, but they're all easy to get…"

"That's good."

"Except…"

"Ah."

"Except the dragonskin."

"The what?" Patton asked, nose wrinkling. They couldn't just kill a dragon and steal it's skin! 

"Okay, so you know snakeskins? Well, dragon's shed their skin similarly." Virgil went back to studying his book.

"Oh! Well, that's… that's much better than what I thought. Still sounds difficult though."

"Yeah, it probably will be hard…" Virgil said distractedly before turning to Roman. "Yo, Ro?"

"Yes, my lovely love?"

"You wanna go out to Smoky Mountain and get some from the Dragon Witch?"

"Mm! Yeah, can do. It's a good thing I sharpened my sword yesterday. I'm gonna need it."

"Hey, Pat? How do you feel about going on a quest with Roman?"

"Oh, uh… sure!" 

"Great!"

Oh, gosh, he was going to have to face a dragon. A dragon witch even… however that worked. At least he'd have Roman with him. 

Patton just hoped he wouldn't let Roman down. He'd never fought anything before, so he wasn't sure if he'd be able to hold his own, but he'd certainly try his best.

Virgil turned to Indigo. "You should come with me. You're going to love Dragonspark."

"Dragon spark?"

"Yeah, that's the town where you and I are gonna get the few herbs I don't have. We'll need to get gingko and a pansy." Virgil clapped his hands together, causing Patton to jump yet again. "Alright, I guess everyone get ready then. Oh, and Roman? Grab Patton a small weapon for just in case, he won't be used to your big swords."

"Way ahead of ya!"

...

"Okay, everyone have everything?" Virgil asked.

"Yep! ...Probably."

"Roman."

"I'm just messing with you. Of course I do."

Virgil took a deep breath. "Okay. Right… just like I always do." He dipped two fingers in a small bowl, the ends of his fingers now purple, and drew the outline of two doors on the wall. 

They shimmered and filled the part where a door would go in with a solid colour, still outlined with purple. Grey on the left, and green on the right.

"The grey one leads to the mountain, and the green one to the town. If one team isn't back in three hours the other one can go after them."

Indigo frowned. "But what if neither team gets back?"

"Well… then I guess we have nothing to worry about."

"Virgil," Roman scolded.

"I… I really don't know. Let's hope that doesn't happen."

"Wow, your confidence is overwhelming."

"Thanks, Jan— oops, I mean Roman."

"Hey! Let's go Patton. Before he insults me any further." Roman playfully stuck his tongue out at Virgil.

Patton waved. "Bye, Virgil. Bye, Indigo. Stay safe!"

"Y'all too!"

"Have a safe journey."

Roman stepped through the portal, the grey surface of the portal shimmering as he went through.

Patton took one last look at Indigo, and waved before he followed after Roman.

...

The very steep trek up the mountain had not been easy on Patton's knees, and it was one of the few times that he was glad his mother had so strictly taught him not to complain. Even if he wasn't as fond of her teaching style.

Patton almost let out an audible sigh of relief when the opening of the cave they were looking for came into view, and clutched the messenger bag that Virgil had let him borrow a bit tighter.

They walked into the dark, open mouth of the cave, footsteps echoing around the large tunnel eerily. It was so big that Patton thought his mother's entire house could probably fit in it.

Patton felt, rather than heard the deep rhythmic rumbling, but as they walked further down and deeper into the cave system, he realised it sounded almost like… breathing? 

What could even make such wall-shaking breaths like that? A giant? Oh, or maybe the dra—

They turned the corner, only to find themselves face to face with a very large, very angry looking dragon. Their glowing, orange eyes glared directly at Patton and Roman as torchlight glittered across their silver scales.

Their magnificent, bejewelled, loose S-shape horns were the same jagged black as their sharp claws, and smoke arose from their nostrils with every exhale.

Patton, all focus having previously been on the dragon, belatedly realised that the tunnel had opened up into an oversized cave. The floor was unnaturally smoove. Torches mounted on the wall lit up the entire room, and glinted off of the gold, silver and jewels that lay in heaps all around the cavern's edges. To one side was a giant pile of hay that had been flattened down in the middle, most likely where the dragon slept. 

Strangely enough, the room was free from bones, and Patton decided to take that as the dragon didn't eat people, not as the dragon ate people... bones and all.

Roman spoke softly aside to Patton, "Don't engage with her. No matter what. Just step off to the side and let me handle this, okay?"

Patton nodded vigorously but wasn't even sure if Roman had seen it as he stared intensely at the dragon, so Patton whispered back, "Okay."

Patton stepped back and to the side as Roman stepped forward, unsheathing his sword and widening his feet to a fighting stance.

"Dragon Witch," Roman coldly greeted.

"Stupid foolish mortal that I can't be bothered to remember the name of."

Roman gasped offendly.

Oh, okay. The dragon could speak… that didn't exactly seem like a normal thing for a dragon to do. Although, Patton was by no means an expert on dragons. For all he knew maybe it was normal for them, or perhaps it wasn't and instead had something to do with the witch aspect of her name.

"You take that back!"

The dragon huffed and condescendingly said, "Why don't you come fight me then. Fight me, little boy. Fight me with your tiny toy sword."

Roman let out a guttural growl as he sprang forward, his sword clanging against her scales.

The Dragon Witch was… absolutely terrifying in Patton's opinion, but Roman had managed to hold his own so far, using his size and agility against the dragon's slowness.

The dragon swiped at Roman, who just barely dodged, his sword clinking off one of her claws, leaving them both unscathed but annoyed.

The dragon didn't even seem to be trying very hard, looking more like a cat playing with a toy than anything.

Roman on the other hand, was having a much harder time, only just dodging the dragon's attacks, his expression that of pure concentration. Even from this distance, Patton could see the sweat dripping down his face.

Roman had said not to interfere, no matter what, but Patton was finding it increasingly difficult to follow his command.

Sure he had no experience fighting whatsoever, but surely he could help! If he just— no, Roman had been very firm on him staying out of the way, and Patton was nothing if not good at obeying, even when he didn't want to.

Roman said something that Patton couldn't quite catch and the dragon roared, wings stretching out only to flit and fold back down when one wing whacked against the cavern ceiling.

More smoke poured out of her flaring nostrils as she swiped again, but Roman didn't quite jump to the side in time, her paw knocking him down and laying on his chest to pin him down. 

Patton's heart sank as Roman's sword went clattering across the floor.

Patton needed to move! Where was the adrenaline that had begged him to move just a moment ago? He had a sword, he needed to save Roman, or at least try, but in order to do that he needed to move! 

Roman struggled to try and push the dragon's paw off of him, but to no avail as his small arms were no match for just how massive it was.

Patton's legs still refused to cooperate, weighted down as if they were filled with concrete. 

Why couldn't he just move!?

A small whimper left Patton's throat as tears began to well up in his eyes.

But just as she was about to chomp down on Roman's head, she instead threw her head back, her laughter echoing off of the walls as she shrunk down into a… human? 

Although some of her dragon-esque features remained, giving away the fact that she wasn't wholly human. 

Her eyes were still that unnatural shade of orange, and silver scales dotted her face, matching with her silver robes. Her now smaller horns stuck out through her blue and purple pointy hat, and her nails still very much looked like black claws, just now on a much smaller scale.

She held out a hand, which Roman took, and helped him up. "You have improved since we last fought," She said, sounding almost… proud?

Patton managed to take a deep breath, wiping the escaped tears away as he desperately tried to figure out what just happened.

"I still lost," Roman pouted.

"Yes, you did. But you still made it much farther than you usually do! And I can tell you're more confident and light-footed."

Roman smiled shyly. "Thanks. And you're, of course, just as Maleficent— I mean, magnificent as ever."

"Hah, as if you didn't 'slip up' on purpose."

"I— well, you can't prove anything!"

Patton hesitantly took a step forward. "Sorry to bother…" He tried not to wince at how weak he sounded. "But I was just kinda wondering what's going on?" He tried to keep the worry and desperation out of his voice, he really did! But it snook in anyway.

"Oh! Oh wait, I forgot to— oh no! You must've been so worried." Roman's brow was furrowed in genuine concern and sorrow. It was actually almost overwhelming to Patton just how upset Roman was by this. "I'm so sorry, Patton. I— oh shit, you're crying!"

"Ah, s— sorry." Patton messily scrubbed underneath his eyes, trying to will the tears to stop. "I guess it was just a bit too much. I— you don't worry about it though. 'M okay."

"No, Patton. That must've been really scary, and I'm so sorry that I forgot to tell you what was going on. I'll do better and make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

"I— oh. R— right, okay." Patton glanced over at the dragonish lady, noticing how she was awkwardly trying to pretend that she wasn't there.

"There's really nothing to worry about," Roman assured, most likely having assumed that Patton's glance was out of worry, instead of worry and curiosity.

Roman gestured to the dragonish lady. "This is Malcana." She hesitantly waved. "She's a dragon and a witch, so Virgil and I jokingly call her the Dragon Witch. But we know her really well as she's actually a good friend of ours."

"Oh, well… that's good!" Patton tried to smile but he was sure it came out shaky. At least the tears had finally stopped.

"I apologize for any grief or worry I may have caused you," Malcana said. "It's such a common thing for Roman and I that we didn't even stop to consider how it would seem to you."

Patton vaguely recalled reading somewhere that apologies were a big deal for dragons. They didn't often admit when they were wrong.

"Thanks, I… I really appreciate it. Um, that's to— to both of you, by the way."

Malcana smiled, which was slightly intimidating, but it was the thought that counted.

Roman clapped Patton's shoulder. "Of course, Patton. It's important for us to admit when we're wrong and focus on doing better."

"Oh… yeah, of course."

Malcana looked around and frowned. "Not that I don't enjoy standing around, but shall we move somewhere more comfortable? The living room, perhaps?"

"Yeah." Roman nodded. "That'd be nice. Thanks."

They walked back down the tunnel, turning off to the right, and then to the left into another cavern. It was smaller than the one for Malcana's dragon form, and looked like a cozy living room.

Further beyond was a slightly bigger than human sized hallway, which most likely led to a bathroom, bedroom, and maybe even a spell room/library like Virgil's house had.

Malcana sat in an armchair and gestured for Roman and Patton to sit down on the couch. Patton took off the borrowed messenger bag and put it in between him and Roman.

Malcana crossed her legs. "So, what did you come for?"

"Wh— hey!" Roman exclaimed. "Who says we came here for something?"

Malcana gave the most unimpressed of looks. "If you were just visiting, Virgil would be here."

"Hah, okay, you got me there. He's actually gathering some herbs for a spell right now and sent Patton and I to see if you have any dragonskin to spare."

"Yeah, I do. I suppose if I have to, I could give you a bit. What kind of spell is he using it for?"

"A memory revival spell. Our new friend, Indigo, has lost all of his memories, so we're trying to get them back. I'm not really sure how dragonskin plays into that, but I help where I can."

"Mm, well, since it's a memory spell, it probably calls for dragonskin because, for one, we're pretty wise, if I do say so myself, two, we have good long-term memory, and three, with dragon's natural magical properties… that really makes sense."

"Yeah, I really don't understand it either," Roman teased.

Malcana pursed her lips. "Well, I wouldn't expect someone of your intelligence, or lack thereof, to understand the complicity and nuances of magic."

"Hey!"

"Anyway!" Malcana stood up. "I'm going to go get the dragonskin."

"No! You just insulted me, come back here!"

"Oh? I'm sorry, I was under the impression that you wanted it, but if you'd rather I come over there and kick your butt at a rap battle like last time, then I most certainly can."

"Wait, noo."

Malcana laughed. "Okay, that's what I thought," She called as she disappeared down the beyond hallway.

"Hey," Roman said, looking over at Patton. "Just so you know, you can insert yourself into the conversation at any time. We're super chill usually, and you're more than welcome to add whatever you'd like."

"Oh, uh, thanks. I guess I just usually don't have a lot to say. Sorry."

"No! It's alright. I just meant if you did have anything, you can say it. You're pretty quiet and I wanna make sure that you know that you're always allowed to take up space." 

"Oh, gosh, you're so sweet, Roman! Thanks. It really means a lot, and I'm… I think I'm getting there."

"You are! You've come a long way and I'm really proud of you!"

Patton felt his cheeks warm, but didn't get a chance to reply as Malcana came back, holding a small jar filled with a long coil of faintly glowing, clearish silver dragonskin.

"Here you go then, shed it myself." She handed the jar to Roman and he put it in the messenger bag.

"Wow, that was fast!"

"Thank you," Patton said. "We really appreciate it!"

"Oh, you're welcome." Malcana smiled and Patton tried his best not to feel like prey.

"Yes, thank you! Virgil will be absolutely delighted." Roman stood up, clapping once. "Well, as much as we'd love to stay and chat, we really should be off."

Patton stood up as well, grabbing and putting on the messenger bag as he did so.

"Are you sure you can't stay for Twister?" Malcana asked as they walked.

Roman snorted. "Knowing you, that would probably involve an actual tornado."

"But of course! After all, it wouldn't be half as interesting without at least one."

"As tempting as that is… I'm afraid we're gonna have to pass this time. As I said earlier, Virgil's trying to do a spell, and will probably send out a search party if we don't get back soon."

"Ah, well, give him my regards, and I hope y'all have a very productive casting." Malcana stopped when they got to the main tunnel. "Now go away, you bother me."

"Alright, alright. We're going."

"Don't forget to visit again soon, and maybe even not just when you need something."

"Hah, yeah. Fair enough." Roman waved. "See you later, Malcana."

Patton waved as well. "Goodbye, Ma'am!"

"Goodbye strange but endearing human!"

-

When Patton and Roman returned, the portal closing behind them, Virgil and Indigo were already back, Virgil gathering the last few supplies needed for the memory spell.

"Well, we're back!" Roman proclaimed.

Virgil's face lit up. "Hey! How'd it go?"

Patton didn't catch Roman's response as Indigo pulled Patton to the side, his arm burning where Indigo touched him, even after Indigo let go.

Indigo adjusted his glasses. "I'm glad to see your safe return."

"Me too," Patton muttered.

"Oh?" Indigo tilted his head to the side. "Did something happen?"

"Oh, I— sorry, don't worry about it. It was just a misunderstanding. It's… it's fine."

"It is very clearly 'not fine'," Indigo said, putting the last two words in air quotes. "You don't have to tell me if you don't wish to, but you are visibly shaken, and I want to make sure that you're okay."

"Oh… well, it— just, apparently Roman knows the dragon we went to get the dragonskin from, and they have like, play fights? And just forgot to tell me and then it… it got a bit intense looking and I— I was a bit worried. That's all."

"Oh, Newton, that sounds terrifying! No wonder you look shaken up."

"I… really? You don't think I'm just overreacting?"

"Oh, no, not at all! If anything, I'm a bit surprised you aren't reacting more."

"Oh, well, I guess I just try not to bother other people too much… but like I said, I really am fine though."

"And that's concerning in and of itself. You're allowed to tell us about your emotions, especially if they're messy or negative ones. And as for the assurance that you're fine, you know you don't have to be, right? If you're not fine, you can tell us… you can tell me."

"Well, I… you sure?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be offering otherwise." The gentle concern and burning determination on Indigo's face almost left Patton breathless.

"I… I guess it did scare me a lot more than I pretend. I know everything's fine now, but— but if he'd gotten hurt… and I just stood there. I mean, he told me to, probably because he's friends with the dragon —Malcana is her name, by the way— and knew that it was just pretend, and of course, he didn't want me to get in the way and he wasn't really ever in any danger. But I still… if that had been real, if she actually was attacking him for real… it— whatever happened would've been my fault."

Indigo wrapped Patton's hand in his own, giving it a gentle squeeze. "No. It wouldn't have been your fault, Patton. Even if he hadn't told you to wait there, it still wouldn't have been your fault. It's very hard to control what reaction you have. You froze and it's alright. It's a very normal reaction to have towards something scary or stressful."

"It is?"

"Yes. Most people have heard of fight or flight, but the lesser known fawn and freeze are also normal and valid reactions. You did what you could and that's enough." Indigo squeezed Patton's hand again. "You're always enough, Patton."

"Oh, geez. I— I really needed to hear that. I… thank you, Indigo."

Indigo smiled softly and carefully wiped away a tear that rolled down Patton's cheek. "Of course."

Virgil cleared his throat to get Patton and Indigo's attention. "Y'all ready to do this?"

"Ready if you are!" Patton exclaimed, letting go of Indigo's hand, and trying to cover up how much Virgil clearing his throat had startled Patton.

"Yes." Indigo adjusted his glasses. "I am a bit anxious, but ready to start whenever you are."

"Alrighty then," Virgil said. "I'd— I'd tell you not to be anxious but then I'd be a hypocrite. It'll be okay though. Roman and I will make sure of it."

"Quite right! You have nothing to fear, our dear nerd."

They stood next to the table where some of the herbs had already been laid out. Virgil set a small vial filled with a glowing, pale neon green liquid next to the copper spell bowl.

"What's in the vial?" Indigo asked.

"That's the spell activator slash base."

"Activator slash base?"

"Okay so, some people call it a spell activator, and some people call it a spell base. There's a little bit of debate in the witch community about which term to call it, but I just use both terms, because like, it really just depends on the spell. For example, some spells you add it at the end, so it's more of an activator. But with some spells, you add everything to it so it's really more of a base. You know?"

"Ah, I see. That makes sense. Which way will it be used for this spell?"

"Activator."

"Do we have everything?" Roman asked.

"We should! Let's see, we have the activator, we have the dragonskin, the rosemary, gingko, one indigo pansy, a bit of goldenrod… okay, technically it didn't exactly say that the pansy had to be indigo, but it seemed fitting."

Patton giggled. "Like his name."

"Exactly!" Virgil pulled out a rather large mortar and pestle. "Oh, hey, Roman?"

"Yeah?"

"You wanna start crushing these herbs? I feel the need to read the instructions like, twelve more times."

"Alright, Hocus Pocus. Can do!"

After Roman had ground up all the herbs —except for the pansy— and Virgil decided that he'd read over the passage enough times, they began.

Virgil tipped the crushed herbs into the copper bowl and added the dragonskin. "Everyone ready?"

After everyone gave their consent, Virgil carefully poured the activator over the ingredients, causing them to begin to dissolve. He gently set the one indigo pansy on top of the mixture, which dissolved instantly, and made sure not to touch the chunky liquid.

"Okay," Virgil muttered to himself. "Here we go."

Virgil's eyes glowed a vibrant, magical purple as he concentrated on the bowl, causing the mix of ingredients to glow a similar shade as it fully mixed and became a smooth liquid. "Okay, Indigo, dip your hand in the bowl, and throw the liquid that clings to your hand out into the room."

"Alright." The moment Indigo touched the liquid, it turned from Virgil's purple to a glowing indigo. Indigo flung his hand out, the liquid flying out like gravity-defying water drops.

Virgil's eyes faded as the indigo water drops sparkled, shifting into little diamond-shaped sparks.

Patton had kind of expected there to be more of them, but there weren't even quite a dozen.

Indigo's eyes widened in wonder. "Are those…"

Virgil smiled. "Your memories? Yes, they are."

Indigo reached out his left hand, but stopped just before touching it.

"It's okay. You can touch it. You won't get sucked into the memory unless I'm there to like, guide you into it."

Indigo carefully plucked it out of the air, a small laugh bubbling out of his throat. "Oh! It's so warm!"

"Well, it must be a good one then. Everyone ready?" Everyone nodded. "Alright." Virgil set his hand on Indigo's left shoulder. "Roman, Patton, grab on."

Roman held Virgil's left hand, and Patton hesitantly slotted his hand into Indigo's right. Indigo gave it a comforting squeeze.

Patton's stomach dropped as he blinked. The muffled and slightly delayed sound of people chattering filling his ears.

Everyone pulled apart, Patton a bit more reluctantly, as they took in their surroundings.

They weren't in the cottage library anymore, instead they were in a small coffee shop. 

Drinks poured themselves, and the art on the wall actually moved, but the strangest thing about the place was the odd brownish haze that overlayed everything, and was so thick on one side of the building that Patton couldn't make anything out at all.

But Patton supposed that made sense, he couldn't remember whole rooms in perfect detail all the time either.

"So, does this place seem familiar?" Virgil asked.

"Um… a bit. I— yes, it does. It just took me a minute to…"

That's alright," Roman assured. "We certainly don't expect you to recognize and remember everything right away."

Patton looked around the shop and spotted a gap in the haze, the gap almost looking sunny in comparison to the dullness of its surroundings.

In the middle of the sunny gap, memory Indigo sat at a table with two other people on the other side of the shop. He could only make out the back of the other people's heads, one having shortish wavy brown hair, and the other wearing a black bowler hat.

As they approached, the other two's faces came into view. The person who wore the hat had green scales of half of his face, with the eye on that side being a bright yellow, his other eye brown.

"A dragon," Patton murmured.

"This will most likely take some time and…" Roman paused as he looked at who else was sitting with memory Indigo. "Wait, Remus?"

Patton looked at the other man sitting there and almost startled because of just how much like Roman the man looked. The only obvious differences being that the man had green eyeshadow, a moustache, and a bit of silver in his hair.

"R— Remus…" Indigo blinked a few times. "Yes. That name does sound familiar."

"Wow, small world," Virgil said. "You knew Janus and Remus too."

"And Janus is… Remus' partner?"

"Yeah! See, it's coming back to you."

"What are they saying?" Roman asked.

"Well," Virgil lightly hissed. "Maybe if you shushed, we'd know."

"Hey!" But despite Roman's protest, he quietened down.

"I would just like to say," Memory Indigo was saying. "That I really appreciate you two allowing me to come with you. I know I am often quite boring, but every…" Memory Indigo blinked a few times. Was he fighting back tears? "Apologies. As I was saying, everytime you continue to invite me to 'hangout'—"

Roman frowned. "Did you just put air quotes around the word 'hangout'?"

"Shhh!" Virgil hissed.

"You shhh!"

"Oh my gosh, kiddos please."

"Aww," Roman's look alike, Remus said. "You know we love hanging out with you, Lo."

Janus patted memory Indigo's (Lo's?) hand, which was resting on the table. "Quite right. And we're definitely going to get tired of you, you know that."

"Yeah, we ain't leavin' you."

"Thank you. I… this means a lot to me."

"Huh." Virgil sighed. "Shit."

"What?" Patton asked.

"I must've done the spell wrong. I was trying to find important memories. Sorry, Indigo. Let's go and find a good on—"

"No!" Indigo pulled the spark close to his chest, all but cradling it. "Er, I mean… we… we could stay a bit longer… if that's alright."

"It— well, yeah. Of course we can stay. These are your memories. I'm just the guide. But I just thought you might wanna look at a more interesting or important memory. That's all."

Indigo forlornly looked down at the spark in his hands. "Is… is this not a good enough memory?"

"No! That's not what I meant. It just seemed to be a typical 'comforting your anxieties' memory."

"Yeah," Roman agreed. "We just want to make sure you get to see all the important stuff in your life."

Indigo did the same abnormal blinking pattern that memory Indigo had done a bit prior. "Well, it may just seem like an insignificant memory to you, but it meant everything to me! I always felt like I was the metaphorical third wheel, and they assured me that I wasn't, and I was able to finally begin to believe them. It was the first time anyone had called me friend and meant it."

"Oh… oh shit," Virgil said. "I'm so sorry, Indigo. I should've realised it was important. I literally have anxiety, so I really should've understood how much being assured that we're wanted can be."

Roman ran his fingers through his hair. "And I'm sorry too. I was insensitive and wasn't paying enough attention to how important this memory clearly is to you."

"Ah, I—" A few tears ran down Indigo's face. "Thank you."

"Sorry if this sounds rude, but… do I need to apologise too?" Patton asked.

Indigo choked out a laugh as he wiped at his cheeks. "No, you're good, Patton. You haven't done anything." 

"Okay, just checking."

"And I appreciate it."

They paused for a moment as Indigo composited himself, his tears finally stopping.

"You know—" Roman snorted, cutting himself off. "I still can't believe you know my brother. Like, what a small world."

"Right!" Virgil agreed. "And then, of course, by knowing Remus, you know Malcana's brother, Janus."

"Wait, Janus is Malcana's brother?" Patton asked.

"Yeah, Roman and Malcana introduced their siblings to each other, and had to help them get together later when they were being stubborn about their feelings. I'm actually a bit surprised that we never met Indigo."

"They'd offered…" Indigo said it so softly that Patton wasn't sure if he meant to say it out at all, or was even aware that he knew that in the first place. "I had declined, at least for a bit. I was too nervous to meet new people. New people usually aren't… the most kind or understanding in my experience. But I'm… I'm so glad you all have been so caring, and really it's good we met this way. I got to meet Patton after all." 

"Aww, I'm really glad to have met all of you too," Patton said, and was slightly taken aback by just how much he meant it.

Indigo lowered his voice, almost murmuring, "I'm… I think I'm ready to go now."

"Alright, everyone hold on then." Virgil put his hand on Indigo's shoulder and held Roman's hand with his other one.

Patton held Indigo's other hand and couldn't help but wonder if it was the last time he'd ever touch Indigo.

Patton closed his eyes, his stomach doing a flip, and when he opened his eyes again, they were back in the cottage's library, indigo sparks still floating about.

Patton had to stomp down the whine that threatened to leave his throat when Indigo let go of Patton's hand.

The spark Indigo held seemed a bit heavier and dimmer now.

"Here, you can put the ones we've seen in this box," Virgil said, holding out a cardboard box.

"Ah, thank you." Indigo carefully set it in the box, and Patton half expected it to float away, but it didn't.

Virgil set the box on the table. "So which one next?"

"How about…" Indigo plucked another spark out of the air. "This one?"

Roman smiled. "Good choice!" 

"Everyone ready?" Virgil asked.

"Oof, actually, I'm really sorry, Indigo, but... my head hurts. Yeah. So I'm gonna go— go rest. But I hope your memory looking goes well!"

Indigo almost looked disappointed. "Are you sure? We can wait to finish later, if you'd like."

"No, that's alright! You can tell me all about it later, okay?"

"...Well, alright. If you're sure."

"I am. See you later!"

"Feel better soon!" Roman exclaimed.

"If your head still hurts when we get back, I can make you some tea to help it," Virgil called as Patton walked out of the library.

"Okay, thanks!" 

Patton wasn't going to mention that it was actually his heart that was in pain. That his emotional heart was aching because he'd have to leave soon.

He felt bad for lying to them, but he just needed to take a bit to himself. Plus, he'd already spent a lot of time with them today, he didn't want to make them tired of him, or think he was a burden. 

Maybe if he was good, they would forget that he was supposed to go home after Indigo got his memories back, even if just for a few days.

But Patton knew it was all about to end, and he just wasn't ready for it to.

-

The last few… however long it'd been, had been a blur of crying, sleeping, and occasional numbness. 

God, he'd gotten too comfortable here, what had he been thinking? Of course they wouldn't want him here. He wasn't wanted. No one had ever wanted him, and no one ever would. He couldn't believe that for a second, just a brief second, he'd actually thought that they might actually want him.

But no. Why would they? Sure, they said that he didn't have to be useful, but if he wasn't useful and helpful then he'd just be a burden, and no one liked burdens.

Even his own mother didn't want him, and had only taken him in after Patton's father's death out of social obligation. Of course, Patton did everything he could to try and pay back the debt he owed. Having to house a teenager —and later an adult— wasn't easy, but he'd still done his best to help with anything that he could.

He'd hoped he could do something similar here with Indigo, Roman, and Virgil, but his time was quickly running out, if it hadn't already.

No matter how hard he thought about it, he just couldn't find a good long-term solution. If he went home, his mother would be… upset, and Patton would be distraught at losing his new friends, but then he wouldn't be bothering them anymore. They'd have no chance to get frustrated and annoyed with him if he left before they truly could. Although maybe he already had annoyed them and—

But if he stayed, then his mother would… be all alone, and he'd eventually, and perhaps rather soon, wear his welcome out and make them hate him. And then where would, where could he go.

Then he'd really be stuck between a rock and a hard place. But maybe if he was good, like really really good, like did all the chores and didn't mess up… ugh, but Patton always managed to mess up.

But then again, he'd messed up plenty these past few weeks, and all they did was gently correct and or reassure him. So maybe it would be as hopeless as he thought.

Oh, but he couldn't just invite himself to stay, and besides, after all his mother has done for him… dang, that just left him right back where he started.

He just wanted to stay, to have a family— no, that wasn't fair to his Mother. What kind of son even thought like that? An ungrateful one, his mother's voice echoed in his mind.

His body stiffened and breath trembled at just the thought of having to face his mother and explain where he'd been this whole time. 

Tears pricked at his eyes yet again. He was just so tired. Tired of crying, of messing up… of being hurt. Just… tired.

Patton sniffed miserably as he let the tears cascade down his cheeks.

What even was the point of anything? He couldn't even do anything right—

Patton's thoughts were interrupted by someone softly knocking on the door.

Patton cleared his throat and wiped his eyes, trying to make it look like he hadn't been on and off sobbing, but he couldn't bring himself to even sit up. God, he was so lazy.

"Y— yeah? Uh, come in?"

Indigo gently opened the door. "Greetings, we looked at all the memories there and I wanted to check on you to make sure you're oka—" Indigo finally looked at Patton, or more accurately, where Patton was buried under the covers. "Ah, is your headache still bothering you?"

Patton peeked his eyes up above the blanket and looked at Indigo owlishly. "Uh… yeah?" Patton winced at just how very much like a lie his answer sounded like.

"I— have you been crying? It's alright if you have. I was, um… Can you tell me what's wrong, Patton?"

Patton looked up, trying to will the tears to not fall. "I'm just… just gonna miss everyone, that's all."

"Miss us— oh, right. You're leaving." Indigo said it so as a matter of fact that all Patton could do was try and keep himself from uncontrollably sobbing.

"I— ye— yeah."

Indigo frowned. "Will… will you not be visiting us?"

"Well…"

"O— oh. I…" Indigo turned away. "Apologies, I seem to have a problem—" He sniffed, "—Regulating my emotions at the moment."

"What do you— oh!" Patton hurried to sit up and firmly clutched the sweater paws of his hoodie to ground himself. "Oh, Indigo, you're crying. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please don't cry! What did I do?"

"No, you haven't done anything! I just— will miss you too."

"Wait, really?" Patton leaned back against the headboard and crossed his legs underneath himself. "You'll miss me?"

Indigo shakily nodded. "Of course I will. You're my friend, are you not?"

"I— we're friends?" Patton couldn't help the hope that nagged at his heart.

"Er, I thought so. Apologies if I misunderstood, I just thought that…"

"No! I'd love to be your friend! I just didn't… I didn't know you wanted to be too."

"So… so wait, you're not avoiding visiting because of me? Because if you are I can leave when you're going to come ov—"

"What!? No! Why would I not want to see you? You're my friend. You're all my friends, if they want to be that is. I… I don't want to not visit. I just… don't think it's very realistic."

"...Realistic?"

"Yeah. Well, you see, my mother has never really approved of me leaving for no good reason, or getting too close to anyone. I tend to dilly dally and annoy people without realising it."

"I— oh."

"Sorry."

"No! I just… don't think that's actually why she said that, is all."

"Why else would she have said that then?"

"I don't know for sure, of course, but I believe that she didn't have your best interest at heart."

"But she… she had to be tougher on me. I'm really bad at learning my lesson. Like I said, I'm always bothering people."

Indigo hummed disapprovingly. "So you take a bit longer. That just means you take time to enjoy things. And believe me, you really don't annoy people, at least none of us here. Even if you had annoyed someone in town, that's their problem, not yours. I know for a fact that I have never once been annoyed with you."

"Oh… really? I mean, it's okay if you have! I just—"

"Really, I have never been annoyed with you."

"Not yet, anyway."

"Hmm, I think it's true that people, especially people you're close to, can frustrate you, but I truly don't think you could ever annoy me. Who told you that you're annoying?"

"...My mother." Patton winced at the loud sigh Indigo all but huffed.

"I think we've rather established that she's not a good source of judgement."

"But… if I didn't go back… I— where would I even go!?" Patton said, voice full of desperation before he softened it, all but pleading, "I don't have anywhere else."

Indigo's eyes widened. "Ah, actually, I talked to Roman and Virgil, and they're offering to let us live here. I'm… I'm going to take it. Now that I know where I live, I can cancel my lease, and move here. They're going to help me decorate the guest room tomorrow so it'll be mine, and maybe add on another room… depending on if you still want to stay here."

"And you're sure they actually wouldn't mind if I did live here? Like, they didn't just extend the offer to me because they felt like they had to?"

"I'm quite sure that they wouldn't mind, if anything they would love it if you officially moved in. We've all been quite dreading your leaving."

"Wait, really?"

"Yes, and with your… home life situation being what it is, but especially because we'll miss you. You're our friend. We want you to stay. We want you."

Patton's mind blanked and he quickly scrambled to try and think of something, anything to say so he wouldn't just burst into tears, which would, no doubt, make Indigo rethink his position. 

Patton blinked a bit quicker than usual and tried to think of a reason why it wouldn't work out. "But… but how will she get around without me?"

"That's not your concern."

"But it is! She's done so much for me. I can't just abandon her!"

"You're not responsible for her, Patton. She is a grown adult that is more than able to take care of herself. Sometimes people stay with their parents a bit after they're grown, during hardship, or near the end of their parents life, but this is more than just that, isn't it? You feel like you need to stay, even though she's… not very kind to you, correct?" 

"Well… she has to be tougher on me…" But he didn't sound very certain, it was rather difficult to argue a point that he didn't even believe in anymore.

"No, Patton. She really doesn't. There's no excuse for a parent to be that mean to their child. Ever."

"But… she… she needs me?" He hadn't meant for it to, but it came out like a question.

This was what he so desperately wanted, for someone to want him so bad that they'd fight for him. That they'd try and help Patton understand just why and how they wanted him. So why did he feel the need to try and break it apart? Why was he trying to sabotage himself?

"She—" Patton continued. "She needs me though… right?"

"I hate to say this, but… does she? Does she need you? Or do you need to feel needed?"

"Oh… but— I… Oh." Patton could feel the tears well up in his eyes, and for once, he didn't care.

Indigo gently sat down on the bed next to Patton, who scooted over to give Indigo a bit more room.

Indigo reached a hand out as if to put it on Patton's shoulder but stopped, and before Patton could think anything too self-deprecating, Indigo asked, "May I touch you?"

"Oh, I— yeah. If you want to! You don't have to if you don't want to though."

"I do want to, and merely asked so I would know if you wanted me to."

"Oh, yeah, I… I'd like that. Maybe just…"

"Not too much?"

"Oh, yeah. How'd you…?"

"I'm the same way, and quickly noticed that you also seemed to get overwhelmed with physical contact easily."

Patton sniffed and stiffened at the sound. Right, he'd been crying, yet again.

But Indigo didn't seem fazed in the slightest, just cupping Patton's face with his hands and carefully wiping away Patton's tears with his thumbs.

" 'M sorry," Patton muttered and, despite his words, nuzzled into Indigo's large, warm hands.

"What ever for?"

"Making you have to be here while 'm crying."

"You're not making me be here, I'm here because I want to be. And being here for you while you're crying is not a chore. It's not a burden. You're not a burden. I am choosing to be here and be here for you, so therefore you can't be a burden, because a burden is a heavy thing that's just thrust upon a person. Not a bit of weight that I'm choosing to help you with."

"Oh, I— I didn't know that."

"And that's alright. I'm more than happy to comfort you through words, and, for future reference, even if I've said them before."

"Hmm, maybe then… instead of 'sorry', I should be saying 'thank you'."

The soft smile Indigo gave Patton made his cheek warm and he couldn't help but give a small smile of his own.

"I think that is a much better plan. Actually, the more I think about it, the more it sounds like a very good idea. Instead of apologising when you've done nothing wrong, you can thank the people around you for being there. Brilliant! Did you hear of that somewhere?"

"Oh, um, no. I just like, thought of it just now."

"That's amazing!"

"I— it is?"

"Yes, it quite is."

"Oh… sorry, I guess I'm still not quite used to being prais—"

Indigo raised an eyebrow.

"Er, I mean, thank you. I'm glad you think it's a good idea."

"Good! Like that. Doesn't it feel better? Like a better way to look at the world?"

"Yeah, I think I'm starting to get what you mean. So, let's see, I was going to apologise for being a burden, so instead I should say… thank you for being here."

"Good job! And you're welcome. Thank you for letting me help you."

"Oh! Um, you're welcome?"

Indigo huffed a laugh. "Yes, 'you're welcome' often follows 'thank you'," he teased.

"Just—" Patton tried to stifle a yawn. "Just checking~" Patton yawned, making the last word sound breathy.

Indigo quietly chuckled. "Well, perhaps we should take a small nap before supper then."

"I don't know, it's kinda late, and besides, maybe we should go help with supper."

"Roman put on a roast earlier, and yes, we'll probably eat a bit later but he said it wouldn't be ready for a bit. We have time for a little nap, and you clearly need it. It might offset your circadian rhythm a bit, but I think if you stay up a bit late and perhaps get up a bit late, then you'll be fine."

"Would… um, ar— will you stay?"

Indigo smiled again —Patton had noticed that he seemed to be doing that a lot more lately— and hummed softly. "Of course, I'll stay. As long as you wish for me to stay, then I'll be there for you."

Patton wasn't exactly sure what to say to that, so he didn't, and instead just tried to show his appreciation through his expression.

Indigo took off Patton's and his own glasses, putting them both on the nightstand before he settled down under the covers, and held onto one of Patton's hands.

"I really am glad you're here," Patton confessed, voice small but still heard due to their proximity. "And… and thanks for helping me realise that it was okay to stay. I really didn't want to leave you guys. You're like, my f— really important to me, you know?"

"Yes, I do know. I feel the same way about all of you as well." Indigo brushed a lock of hair that'd fallen into Patton's eyes back, making Patton tiredly smile.

Patton was going to reply but was interrupted by a wide yawn.

Indigo huffed amusedly. "Perhaps you should try and take that nap now."

"Heh, yeah. I did sleep some earlier, but I'm still tired."

Indigo hummed softly. "Yes, crying will do that, but rest easy. You're not going to have to leave when you awake, and we'll all be here in this cottage when you wake up."

Patton sleepily hummed, eyes falling closed as he let his limbs grow heavy, and mind go blank.

And as he drifted off to sleep, he could've sworn he heard Indigo whisper, "Sleep well, my dear." But Patton was far too gone to reply or even fully process it.

…

After Indigo and Patton's nap, they ate their rather late supper with Roman and Virgil. Roman really out did himself, the roast was the best one that Patton had ever had.

Patton still felt a bit tired, but so much lighter, talking to Indigo about Patton getting to stay really helped. And while he still felt guilty about leaving his Mother, he also knew that he couldn't have stayed there much longer, even just for his mental health.

He'd always, rather selfishly, fantasised about leaving, but to have actually done it… it was as freeing as it was terrifying.

After the dishes were washed and dried, they all sat in the living room, bellies full, for their usual after supper chatter.

"Oh, hey," Virgil said, turning to Indigo. "Remus and Janus are coming over tomorrow, by the way."

Indigo instantly perked up. "Really? Oh, that's wonderful! I look forward to it."

"Glad to hear! They've been rather worried. You've been missing for nearly an entire month."

Indigo winced. "Ah, so I have. Hmm, although, now that I'm thinking about it, why haven't they come by before? I mean, of course they wouldn't know that I'm here, but you think in the several weeks I've been here, Remus would want to visit his brother at least once."

"Oh, I've actually seen him three times since your arrival. Janus has been super busy lately, but I met Remus once in Dragon's Park, once in The Rosé café, and once here at home. You didn't see him where he came here because I believe Virgil had taken you and Patton out that day. Also, I guess none of the times you being missing slash appearing just didn't come u— no wait! It did. Oh my gods, I didn't even connect that."

"Really? What did he say about me?"

"That they really missed you, but weren't even sure if you were actually, actually missing, or just went off on an impromptu adventure without telling them again. I offered to help them but Janus had done a danger checking spell, and it said you were as safe as can be."

"Ah, and that was after I had arrived here?"

"Yeah."

"So that would make sense that it'd deem me safe then. What happened after that?"

"Well, since you were safe and you've disappear for a few weeks without warning before, they denied my offer, but said they'd call me if it changed or if it'd been much longer than usual."

"Ah, I see. Well, I'm glad they're coming over tomorrow. I certainly need to apologize for causing them undue distress, and it'll be nice to see them again."

"I'm sure they'll forgive you. They really care about you, ya know?" Virgil asked. "We all do. And besides, it's not your fault. You didn't mean to just disappear for several weeks."

"Well, this time at least."

"Did you really disappear for several weeks without telling them before?" Patton asked in awe.

"On at least two different occasions. I may be inept at magic, but magical objects… and really just magic in general, are attracted to me. I'm not really sure why, but things that whisk me away to the unknown just pop up every so often."

"Well, it worked out this time," Virgil said, "But I'd recommend against stepping into random portals in the future."

"I think I'd have to agree with you on that."

"...Oh, hey." Patton turned to Indigo. "Did you ever figure out what your name is?"

"Well, technically it's Logan, but Indigo as a nickname from close friends would— is…" Indigo adjusted his glasses. "Yes."

Patton couldn't help the small smile that crossed his face. "Okay then, Indigo. It's… I'm very glad we met."

Indigo's smile softened. "And I'm very glad to have met you too." Indigo looked to Roman and Virgil. "All of you."

"Hear hear!" Roman cheered.

"I'm glad we met too!" Virgil said, giving everyone a lopsided smile. "Y'all are pretty damn awesome."

Roman nodded in agreement. "And we wouldn't have you two any other way."

Patton had changed and learned a lot since coming to live here. And by no stretch of the imagination were things perfect, they certainly still had a long way to go, but they were getting there, and they'd get there together.

Patton had found the one thing he'd always wanted, a small community of like-minded —but different in their own unique ways— people.

He'd wanted to be loved and wanted longer than he'd known how to say, and here, amid bright smiles, joyous laugher, and gentle conversation, he'd found that. But not only was he loved and wanted here, but he'd also found people that he loved and wanted.

He didn't have to be alone anymore, and it might take a while, he might even still forget sometimes, but he was actually starting to believe that he meant as much to them as they did to him.

They didn't just want him for what he could do for them. They wanted him around because they liked him, and it really was as simple as that.

He actually felt like belonged there, and he knew that there was nowhere else he'd rather be.

And so, as he was surrounded by his friends, his family, Patton was finally… finally home, and that… well, that was more than enough.

~The End~

No reposting, likes are nice and reblogs are very much appreciated! | Taglist (ask to be added or removed): @someoneiwasnt 

[sugargaysides]

steampunk!au

yep, creating another au. hope you like this one!

- - - - -

virgil: a rookie inventor who wants to show his creations to the world, is shy in front of people, has a robot best friend he built himself, is in a relationship with roman, works several part time jobs in order to earn money so he can buy enough supplies and gears for his inventions, tries to sell some of his work but usually gets ripped off, determined and hopeful

roman: is in a relationship with virgil, funds virgil's creations as much as he can, has wealthy parents but is still searching for a job to become independent, his parents think he uses the money for himself (partying, girls, whatever) but most of it actually goes to virgil, knows remus is part of a gang, the gang respects him because remus will beat up anyone who messes with his bro

logan: a banker, a strict and cold man, dislikes the machines that are roaming around the streets lately, believes that machines are the cause of the shitty environment they all must live in, is pretty wealthy, gives to charity as long as they have nothing to do with machinery, thinks machines are another cause for the many homeless people on the streets, sympathetic but cold

patton: a salesman, cares for the environment but still sells machines from professional inventors, customers are more important to him than anything else, is easily manipulated, hates the gangs, is wary of them and doesn't want to associate with any gang

dee: gang leader, steals creations from other inventors so he can sell them as his own, really just wants the best for his family (the gang), poor, very stealthy and he loves sneaking around the streets, a friend of virgil's, fascinated by his work but is afraid of stealing his creations, the boy hardly gets any money himself so dee takes pity on him

remus: roman's brother, part of dee's gang, is aware of roman and virgil's relationship but doesn't care much about it, as long as roman's happy he's good, sometimes resorts to violence in order to steal what he thinks dee would find useful, has a crush on dee but doesn't know it yet

[donttellthemangosiwashere]

if I may rub my little shipping hands on your adorable au: logan is patton’s school teacher, roman seems a rainbow flag in his classroom and is torn between “good, kids need more gay role models like him” and “hhhhhh guy hot must f l i r t”

I love this!! Gave me some ideas

Roman and Patton have recently moved into the area, after some coaxing from Remus to move farther away from the rest of their family. It’s a decent part of town with a good school system, so Roman agrees. 

He takes Pat to school, and immediately gay panics over his hot Elementary School teacher. His first thought is “be smooth, go ask him out” but as he approaches him he realizes not only is this very inappropriate for the setting (asking someone out, like a teacher or a waitress, who is currently doing their job and required to be nice to you, is a little rude,) but he’s also stupid flustered and has no idea what to say. 

He panics when he reaches Logan, introduces himself as Patton’s father, and pretends he was coming to talk about said small boy. He tells Logan he’s worried -- and, honestly, he was -- that Pat would have trouble making friends, since they just moved here. Logan, after watching Patton run around for about three seconds, doesn’t see where this worry is coming from, but he proposes a plan nonetheless.

Another kid in the class has been having trouble making friends. He’s not a bad kid, but he’s a chronic liar, and the other kids avoid him a lot. Logan points him out to Roman, and Roman sees a young boy with vitiligo patches on the left side of his face, sitting backwards in a chair and smirking at the table of kids in front of his. He doesn’t look particularly shy or lonely, but Roman knows all too well how looks can be deceiving, and trusts Logan’s judgement.Logan explains he is personal friends with Eden and his father, and bubbly little Patton could be a good influence on Eden, and Logan trusts Eden to make sure Patton is treated kindly. Roman is honestly relieved, and calls Patton over. He gives him a big bear hug, and hints to his little puffball that ‘that kid over there looks a little lonely sitting by himself, why don’t you go talk to him?’At first, Roman is confident in his decision. He can be sure Pat will be fine under Logan’s supervision, he’s already made a friend, and now Roman has an excuse to talk to Logan more regularly, to discuss the kids. Patton and Eden quickly become best friends, and them and two other kids that share their table -- Remy and Emile -- become a very adorable little group of troublemakers.Eden isn’t too bad either -- Eden’s father is busy a lot of the time, which Roman understands, as a fellow single dad, and Logan does a daycare after school, so when Roman comes to pick up Pat, he spares a few minutes to hang out with the two and let them tell him about their days. Eden is surprisingly snarky for a kid their age, but he really seems to respect Patton. As far as Logan tells him, Eden used to casually curse like an adult, but Patton got him to stop, which is a good first step (he got plenty of practice with his uncle Remus, after all).

Of course, Eden’s snark started rubbing off on Pat, too. They and their friend Remy started playing pranks on the other students every so often -- its always harmless, and Patton and Emile smooth everything over afterword with their friendliness, but that didn’t stop Remus from insisting Patton was going to ‘join the dark side with him.’ 

Sometimes, Eden will whisper something to Pat, and they’ll both laugh and chance glances at Logan or Roman. They are kids, so it must be harmless, but man, Roman wish he knew what those little schemers are thinking.

“At first,” of course, is the key phrase. It was a very nice little setup, though Roman couldn’t help but be curious about Eden’s father. Eden clearly adored his dad, but Roman had to admit, he was uneasy at the idea of a man who would let his eleven-year-old cuss like a sailor, sass his teachers, and kick his feet up on tables. Still, Roman held off judgement, since he had yet to meet him. Sometimes, when Roman would come home late, Patton would talk about how nice Mr. Blake was -- he would sit with them for a few minutes so Eden could show him the work they did together in class, and Patton insisted he was very polite and kind. He let that sooth his worries, remembering also that Logan said they were best friends. How could Logan’s best friend be a bad person? Logan was smart and handsome and amazing, of course he only knew the best people.And then, one day, Roman and his brother came to pick up his little happy patty, and Roman saw a familiar face sitting in one of those tiny chairs next to him and Eden. He realized, with horror, why the last name Blake had sounded so familiar.Virgil Blake. His old schoolmate, from middle-through-high school. The outcast, anxious, very nerdy, very gay Virgil Blake that Roman used to relentlessly bully over those same characteristics. He immediately got flashes of younger memories, Roman’s older brothers egging him on as he shoved the purple-haired, stunted teen into the lockers, walking away laughing as another nerd -- a boy with slicked back black hair and sharp blue eyes -- picked Virgil up and helped him gather his things.Virgil Blake was no longer small and frail, and he was glaring at Roman Castillo with a vengeance. Logan Berry, with his slicked back hair and sharp blue eyes, continued working absentmindedly at his deck, either ridiculously unaware, or smirking at his own genius. Roman was terrified to find out which was which, as Remus laughed through the hand over his mouth. Remus leaned towards his younger brother’s ear, putting their mutual realization into words for him,“Oooohohohooo! You fucked up, Ro~!”

[theeternalspace]

On Yggdrasil’s Branches 1/14

Summary: The inhabitants of the mindscape are all under the strain of Remus finally revealing himself to Thomas. None more so, it appears, than Virgil. Worried about his Dark Strange Son, Patton takes it upon himself to visit unannounced. Only to discover Virgil’s unconscious form in Deceit’s arms are the snake faced side flees into his area of the mind. 

Nothing Deceit does is ever as it seems however and once drawn through his doorway, Patton, Roman and Logan all find themselves in strange new stories, cut off from Thomas and each other. 

A new reality, a unique world for each with no idea of how they got there or how to get home.

One of the few constants is Virgil. Except it’s a different Virgil every time. A different Virgil with a different story and a distinct different personality. He never seems to recognise them but it doesn’t take long for each to realise that the way home is intimately linked to their missing anxious friend. 

The only problem is the other constant in each world - Remus.

Pairing: Established Prinxiety

Tags: Angst, Angst with a happy ending, alternate realities, mermaids, gangs, medieval, bikers, fantasy, castles, Dukes. Sympathetic Deceit. Sympathetic Remus. Ride or Die Dark Sides. They are doing their best!

Notes: At long long last we are here! The fic I have been teasing for weeks now! I have about 3/4ths of the story written already and I’m aiming for about 14 chapters total. Check this out every Monday! 

Today is my birthday and this is my gift to the fandom. It’s also finally, another entry on my Bad Things Happen bingo card. An utterly insane story that is really four threads in one. This chapter marks my first attempt at writing from Patton’s PoV. It’s also my first attempt at writing established Roman and Virgil, so we shall see how that goes. 

The birth of this story came from the oddest source possible. The song (and music video) I’m With You by Avril Lavigne which during a particularly bad sensory overload I ended up watching for about an hour on my phone. It heavily inspired one part of this story but even as that idea was growing in my mind I knew it was only part of a whole.

And what a whole it turned out to be.

Story title was suggested to me by @mermaid-of-the-valley and I’m really grateful to them for the wonderful idea! @i-will-physically-fight-you (check out her work!) has, as always helped me with planning this story, general encouragement and checking over the odd little bit for me. She also suggested the starting point for Roman’s world and I am indebted to her for that because it was a much better seed than the half idea I had.

I really hope you enjoy and that you stay with me for this story because it is going to get wild. 

Chapter One: A Door of Gold, Amethyst and Obsidian. 

[planetkookie]

King Again

Summary- Roman feels as if he doesn’t belong with the others. Virgil shows him just how wrong he is.

Warnings- Panic Attack, Self Hatred, Swearing, Scratching

Words- 2216

Notes- I finally decided to try writing Prinxiety! Woohoo! These characters aren’t as familiar to me as Logan and Patton are so sorry if they’re a little ooc. I also haven’t witnessed a full blown panic attack so please if I did something wrong, let me know!! This is a songfic based on the song King by Lauren Aquilina (It’s really good, I recommend.)

Link to ao3- https://archiveofourown.org/works/17659751 

You're alone

You're on your own

Roman was sat at the dining room table, having dinner with the others, watching them talk and joke with one another. Usually, he would be joining in, but lately, he had been having this rather unwelcome thought, and it wouldn’t go away. Of course, this isn’t the first time he’s thought of this, but it was the first time since Virgil had joined them, and frankly, he really didn’t like it.

As he watched the other three, his mind drifted off. Thoughts bubbled to the surface of his mind, though they all lead back to that one thought in one way or another. He half wished his mind was as easy to fight as the dragon-witch. That would make dealing with his insecurities much easier.

He stood up, walking to the kitchen to wash off his plate in the sink. While doing so, he glanced back at his friends, smiling to himself as they all continued on with their conversation. They hadn’t even noticed he had gotten up, though he guessed that it was his fault. He really hadn’t talked much during dinner. Finishing his cleaning, he placed his plate onto the drying rack and trudged upstairs, running his hand through his hair.

“I really don’t fit in with them, do I?” He laughed halfheartedly to himself before shutting the door to his room.

So what, have you gone blind

Have you forgotten what you have and what is yours?

After closing the door, Roman flopped down onto the queen size bed in the middle of the room, burying his face into the pillow. He scolded himself for feeling like this. He had no right to say he didn’t belong. After all, it wasn’t like he made it any better. All he did was scold the others, make them feel lesser. It’s understandable that they wouldn’t notice if he wasn’t there. It’s understandable that they wouldn’t care.

Rolling over, he stared up at his ceiling, which was covered in glow-in-the-dark stars. He traced each constellation with his eyes, ignoring the wetness of the tears dripping down his cheeks. The thoughts, hateful and painful, crept into his mind one by one. He curled himself into a ball, pulling one of the many blankets over his body, using the blanket as a makeshift shield, as if it could protect him from himself. As if it could protect him from his own brain. Another one nipped at the back of his mind. How childish.

After keeping himself in a tightly curled up ball for a minute or thirty, he slowly stretched out his limbs. They were stiff from keeping that position for too long, and for a minute, it hurt. The tears had dried to his face, and he knew that his entire face was red and splotchy. Even though it had been half an hour, the thoughts still clawed and hissed at him, taking over his entire train of thought. He brought his hand up to his other arm, his fingers tracing the veins up and down as he tried to slow his breathing. It didn’t work. God, why couldn’t he do anything right? All he did was mess everything up.

As more and more upsetting thoughts crowded his head, he found it hard to think rationally. To try and get himself to feel something other than miserable, his manicured nails began to scratch. They scratched and scratched, and he watched as red marks appeared up and down his forearm. And for a second, it worked.

Until it didn’t. As he scratched harder and harder, trying to get the thoughts to go away, the thoughts screamed at him louder, ever louder until something broke. The dam behind his eyes reopened and tears flooded out, darkening his bedsheets with the tears. He stopped scratching, wrapping his arms around himself, trembling as the wave of his thoughts bombarded him. He felt sweat trickle down his back although he was cold under his blankets, and breathing was a futile effort. The mantra of thoughts marched through his head one by one until that was all he could think of.

Glass half empty, glass half full

Well, either way, you won't be going thirsty

Count your blessings, not your flaws.

Virgil washed his plate after Logan and Patton had already left the dining room, off to go cuddle or something, he didn’t know. Not wanting to be alone, he made his way up the stairs to his boyfriend’s room, opening the door quietly as to not disturb the creative side. As he walked into the big room quietly, he looked around in confusion. It was dark, a bit too dark even for him. He made his way through the clutter of the room before arriving at the bed, each step making his concern grow. This was very unlike Roman.

Looking down at the bed, he immediately saw the lump covered in blankets. Sitting down on the very edge of the bed, he pulled back the top of the blanket to show Roman’s tearstained face. He forced himself to look calm, no matter the surprise he felt at the look of Roman in this state.

“Roman?” His voice came out as a whisper, but it was just loud enough for Roman to hear.

The man in question curled into himself further, the shaking seemingly growing worse. Virgil drew in a sharp breath, and he made sure to keep his voice quiet. “Ro, I know you can hear me. Focus on my voice, okay? It’ll be alright.”

You've got it all

You lost your mind in the sound

There's so much more, you can reclaim your crown

You're in control

Rid of the monsters inside your head

Put all your faults to bed

You can be King again.

“Breathe in and hold it for five, can you do that for me, Ro?”

Virgil waited until he heard the shaky intake of breath from the curled up ball of creativity. He counted the seconds aloud before murmuring a quiet “Good.” After Roman let out the air in his lungs, Virgil gave him the next step. “Alright, now can you breathe in for five again and hold it for seven?”

Roman did just that, following Virgil’s steps perfectly. A small smile graced Virgil’s lips as he looked down at Roman. “You’re doing amazing, love. Okay, I want you to do that again, but at the very end you let your breath out for eight. You can do it.”

Roman did just that. His overly tense body loosened once again, keeping his arms wrapped around himself. Virgil noticed that the shaking had stopped. He let out a long-held breath as relief washed over him. Cautiously he reached his hand towards Roman before he thought twice and pulled it back.

You don't get what all this is about

You're too wrapped up in your self-doubt

You've got that young blood, set it free.

As Virgil watched Roman lie there wrapped in blankets, a thought crossed his mind. While panic attacks were quite a common occurrence for him, it was shocking that it would happen to Roman. Roman was very egocentric on the outside, unfailingly courageous, proud, and confident in himself. It was unheard of for Roman, the princely figure that he was, to be anxious. That was Virgil’s deal. And that’s why it worried Virgil so much.

“Ro, is it okay for me to touch you?”

A noncommital noise came from the blankets, but Roman inched his head closer to Virgil’s body. Virgil smiled softly at the movement but decided that he had to make sure. “Roman, I’m going to need some verbal consent from you.”

An annoyed grunt came from the blankets but a strained voice mumbled, “Please…”

He reached his arm out and smoothed Roman’s hair from his forehead. “Do you want to talk about it?” Roman leaned into the touch and after a moment or so, nodded. “Okay, well I’ll let you talk whenever you feel like it.” He moved himself up onto the bed fully and Roman moved so he was snuggled into Virgil’s side. It was then that he started talking.

You've got it all

You lost your mind in the sound

There's so much more, you can reclaim your crown

You're in control

Rid of the monsters inside your head

Put all your faults to bed

You can be King.

“I don’t belong with you and the others.”

Virgil’s eyes widened. He looked down at the man snuggled into him in surprise, the brushing of his fingers through Roman’s hair stopping momentarily. “What do you mean? Of course you belong with us. You are the light of my life, you’re the life of the party, you are essential to our little team. Why would you think that?”

“Virgil, think about it. Whenever we’re all trying to solve something together, who’s the one to usually start the arguments? Me.” Roman sighed before continuing. “All I ever do is insult you guys. I even insulted you, and I love you! I mean think about it, all I did for most of the problems was make them worse. I can never get along with Logan, and whenever I’m with Patton I put him down to make myself feel better. I’m sick in the head, Virgil. There’s no doubt about it.”

“Roman, everything you’re saying is absolute bullshit.”

Roman sputtered at Virgil’s choice of words, looking up at Virgil in bewilderment. “But everything I said was entirely true!”

There's method in my madness

There's no logic in your sadness

You don't gain a single thing from misery

Take it from me.

Virgil looked down at the bedsheets. “Roman, do you want to know how I know that you’re wrong?” Roman looked up at him curiously and nodded. “I know you’re wrong because I felt the same way for a really long time. When I clocked out that was the reason. And before you say anything, I know I’m wrong now. Your arguments don’t make sense, and all of us would argue against that. All of us.” He smiled down at the boy in his arms, leaning his head down and kissing the top of his head. “I love you, Roman. It breaks my heart to see you sad. You do belong with us, flaws and all. We all work together, no matter the hardships. That’s how we make it work.”

Roman drew in a shaky breath and Virgil held him closer. “Virgil? I’m so sorry…”

Virgil turned Roman’s body so they were looking at each other face to face. “Roman, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. Your feelings are valid, and I understand where you’re coming from, I really do. But I just needed you to know all of our views. You’re an important part of this team, okay? And you’re an important person to me, though you’re important to all of us of course.” Roman giggled, and he leaned up and kissed Virgil softly.

“Thank you, love.”

You've got it all

You lost your mind in the sound

There's so much more, you can reclaim your crown

You're in control

Rid of the monsters inside your head

Put all your faults to bed

You can be King.

It took Roman a while, but eventually he started to believe what Virgil was telling him. And Virgil must have mentioned something to Patton too, because Roman was receiving extra physical affection and compliments to the emotional side and less arguments from Logan as well.

He was trying to be better as well. Trying a lot more to compromise with Logan when they disagreed. Trying to be more positive with his nicknames. And it paid off. Life in the mindscape was better than ever, and smiles were more abundant. It was the best feeling in the world.

Virgil had been taking a lot of time alone though, and it kind of worried him. Roman would walk past the anxious side’s room and he would hear music playing, though he didn’t know what song. Virgil claimed that everything was fine and so Roman brushed it off. He wasn’t going to brush it off any more.

The two were sitting in the living room, curled up on the couch together when Roman brought it up. “Virgil, can you tell me why you’ve been closing yourself off recently? I want to make sure everything is okay.”

Virgil smiled at Roman, hugging him closer. “I appreciate your worry, Ro. But everything is fine. In fact, I can show you what I’ve been working on. I think it’s about done.”

He untangled himself from his boyfriend and stood up, leaving Roman alone on the couch. After a few minutes, he came back, carrying the keyboard that was usually set up in his room and he plugged it into the wall, looking over at Roman. “I’ve been learning how to play this song because it reminded me of you. I love you, Ro.”

Roman smiled as the beginning notes began, and Virgil started to sing.

“You've got it all

You lost your mind in the sound

There's so much more, you can reclaim your crown

You're in control

Rid of the monsters inside your head

Put all your faults to bed

You can be King again.”

~TAGLIST~

@literally-logicality-trash

[volumes2lo-gan]

Prinxiety. Soulmate au where you can here the others thoughts and Roman's are 98% Disney songs

Love this au

Musical Minds

Fandom: Sanders SidesPairings: PrinxietyWarnings: None

Tagged:  @existental-crises @jordisama @here-to-vent @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch @novagalaxy4real @thomas-must-get-to-sleep @emo-space-trash @evanisonfire @lollingtothemax @all-the-fand0mz

Today was going pretty well; the sky was overcast, traffic wasn’t bad, and the workday was clear.  But Fate just had to spite Virgil at every chance she got.  He’d never been too worried about finding his soulmate.  He knew that their psychic link would connect the second they met, but nothing could’ve prepared him for Roman.

Roman was a performer in small stage productions and despite Virgil’s appreciation for theater, his partner would stop at nothing until he admitted that theater was the best thing that had ever graced this world.  Roman also happened to have a soft spot for Disney, which came as a surprise to no one.  So not only was Virgil subject to Roman’s countless hours of running his lines, he was also stuck with his booming renditions of Disney classics.  Currently, he was listening to Hercules’ “Zero to Hero” and was about three seconds from losing his goddamn mind.

Roman, I swear to god, Virgil thought harshly, I have, like, three projects I was going to get a head start on today and I can’t focus with that song in my head.  There was a pause and Virgil let out a breath of relief.

How about… iiiiit’s…  

Don’t you dare–

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, even though the sound of it is something quite atrocious, if you say it loud enough, you’ll always sound precocious, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Virgil threw his pen down on his desk with a shout.  A few heads turned towards his station and he hunched back over his papers, pretending to work.  That’s the last straw.  I never asked to be a part of this.

Part of your woooorld~

If you do one more…

One step!  Ahead of the bread line!  One swing!  Ahead of the sword–

THAT’S IT.  Virgil mentally shouted, entirely fed up with the day.  If he didn’t get to focus, then neither did Roman.  Some more tunes were leaking into Virgil’s mind as he tried to quietly figure out what he’d pick.  Hmmm…

Roman paused at that, nervousness growing in the sudden silence.  Uhm… Darling, I know you said stop, so I’m stopping now, okay?  I promise, I’ll try to refrain until lunch at least… Virgil chuckled.  It was too late for that.

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAWLING IN MY SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN THESE WOOOOOOOOOOOOOUNDS THEY WILL NOT HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

The mental shock that spiked through Virgil’s head in response was worth it knowing that Roman had most definitely fallen off of whatever he’d been sitting on.

Love you, babe, I’ll ignore you till lunch, Virgil said smugly before putting on headphones and getting back to work.

[wh3nturtlesfly]

Set Him Free (Chapter 3)

First | Previous | Next

Relationships: Slow Burn prinxiety and logicality

Word Count: 2266

Summary: Roman returns to the kingdom, and retells his days story, while receiving some welcome (and unwelcome) advice…

Roman tapped his fingers atop the glass windowpane, gazing over the kingdom. A soft glow from the moon reflected over various shops and cottages, making the whole area appear microscopic compared to the castle he was currently sitting in.

Still, each of the commoners within the village below possessed much more freedom than Roman could ever wish to have. Being heir to the throne came with its wide array of rules and regulations, forming invisible chains that in the end left him strangled by his own standing.

He looked up, the vision of hundreds of stars shining within his eyes. Roman could watch the stars forever. They served as a small escape from the society’s restraints, temporarily setting him free.

As much as he enjoyed getting to be the hero, it was nice to be able to occasionally forget about the kingdom's expectations.

Roman allowed himself to be enveloped in the illuminations, each star pulling him just a bit farther from reality. He held a finger to the sky, tracing through intricate constellations and brushing his fingertips across vast galaxies.

One by one, he recalled the stories for each. Auriga, the swift charioteer. Draco, the fierce dragon guardian. Orion, the valiant hunter.

True heroes and villains, all captured permanently within the heavens. Legacies, all contained within stories painted in the sky. It fascinated Roman how lasting the arrangements were, spreading their tales generation to generation, and becoming immortal within thousands of illuminations.

He let the memories of failed missions and strict orders slip from his mind, leaving only the stars.

“Ah, there you are, your highness,” A clear voice cut through the silence.

“It's great to see you as well Logan.” He offered a smile, “butI told you that you needn’t use such formalities when addressing me. Roman will do just fine.”

“Alright Ro-, nope, I can’t do it. As both you and the queen’s advisor, remaining professional is of top priority. If you are searching for nonchalance, you should’ve remained on the streets.”

“Oh come on Lo,” a cheerful figure emerged from behind Logan, a bright smile painted upon his face, “You don’t always have to be serious, we’re still teenagers after all!”

“Exactly, eighteen is the perfect age to grow and step into the real world.”

Roman sighed, “I don’t think you’re going to sway him with this Patton. Send out any new letters today?”

Patton Aureole was the royal messenger, in charge of sending and receiving important information along with establishing relations with other kingdoms. His bright and kind manner made him the perfect face for befriending others, contributing to Elden’s many allies.

“Nothing was in need of sending today, but I did receive a letter addressed to all of us from Lunaris!”

Patton retrieved a cream envelope displaying a crimson wax seal. Both Roman and Logan perked up at this, eying the letter with anticipation.

“Well,” Roman began fidgeting excitedly, “Are you going to open it or what?”

“Magic word?”

“Please!”

“Alright,” Patton smiled, carefully opening the envelope and removing the paper inside. Roman and Logan leaned in, trying to catch a glimpse of the cursive covered parchment as Patton read:

Dear Roman, Patton, and Logan,

Greetings from the kingdom of Lunaris! I hope you all have been faring well. It’s been a long time since I last wrote to you all, so I figured I might as well write again! Things here have been going great since we last got together. Despite the constant lessons, Joan, Talyn, and I have found ways to occupy ourselves, leading to many. . . adventures. Talyn has managed to teach me some swordplay techniques so that I may be able to beat even you someday Roman! All while Joan has been helping me stay on task with my studies. They sure know how to manage time well, though I’m not sure that I can go through another poetry class without boring myself to death! As for you three, Patton, I left some new wax colors in the envelope along with a new stamp tip for you! I figured that light blue would be a fun color for you to try out when sending letters! For Logan, I enclosed a page I found in one of the palace books, indicating flora and fauna specific to this area, and Roman, though I don’t have anything physical for you, I wish you luck in catching that thief of yours!

All the best,

Thomas Sanders, Prince of Lunaris

Patton folded the letter up, removing the wax and parchment, then gently placing it back into the envelope. With a smile, he handed the book page to Logan who eagerly bagan reading.

Roman chuckled, a bold expression forming among his features. “Ha!” He exclaimed, “I don’t need luck! I tell you all, I was this close to capturing him today!”

“Sure,” Logan smirked, “And was that before or after you were pushed off a candle shop?”

“How did you find out about that?”

“Evelyn informed me after she returned from the market.”

“Darn.”

“Is no one going to acknowledge the fact that you were pushed off of a building?!” Patton knit his brows in concern, “Are you alright? Did you get hurt at all? Here, show me your arms, I need to check you for the plague!”

“I’m fine Patton,” Roman chuckled, “I caught myself before I hit the ground, and quite gracefully too if I may add.”

“I assume you didn’t follow my advice from your last exploit then.”

“‘Stop engaging in valiant banter’, is not advice Logan! I promise you both, I will arrest him one of these days, it's not my fault he decided to be dramatic today!”

Logan raised a brow, “Dramatic, how so?”

“Well, I did catch him as he was escaping from the top of the candle shop, though he unclasped that cloak of his and ran off before I could process what was happening.”

“It’s alright Ro,” Patton placed a reassuring hand on the prince’s shoulder, “I do remember a certain someone saying they loved a challenge.”

Roman flopped onto a nearby chair, “I suppose you’re right,” he mumbled, “though I just can’t figure out what I keep doing wrong!”

“Try looking at it from a different angle,” Logan proposed, “Find some way in which he must adhere to the scene you have created. Know your surroundings, and stay attentive, rather than simply jumping into action the moment a disruption is reported.”

“You know, that may just work…wait- I got it! You’re a genius Logan!”

“Naturally,” Logan smirked, pushing up his glasses.

“What’s your big idea kiddo?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see when I come back with the notorious Virgil Rayne in custody tomorrow! This plan is foolproof, I can sense it!”

“Foolproof, such as your plan last week, in which you disguised as a street vendor to gain and I quote, ‘inside intel’, ” Logan looked at him doubtfully.

“I played the part wonderfully,” Roman huffed, “you should’ve seen how many people became upset at me when I explained I wasn’t actually selling anything.”

“I’m sure you did a wonderful job!” Patton quickly reassured him. Logan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Well, it's good to know someone believes in my expertise.”

“Oh, I have no doubt about your skills, though your ability to push aside the theatrics for logic is questionable. However, I have no doubt that you will be able to complete all tasks you wish to accomplish, as I know how dedicated you can be.”

“Y’know, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me Logan.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Logan deadpanned, receiving a laugh from the prince in return.

A soft yawn caught their attention, and they turned to notice a very tired Patton, struggling to remain awake. Logan and Roman approached the drowsy messenger, smiles crossing both of their faces.

Roman gently nudged Patton’s shoulder, causing him to jump slightly, “You’re looking a little sleepy padre, you don’t have to stay here while we discuss strategy if you don’t want to.”

“No- I’m alright, I can stay, ‘m not even tired,” he mumbled, eyes fluttering closed before he could even finish his sentence.

The two practically melted at the scene before them, admiring the dedication of their caring friend. Roman retrieved a quilt from a nearby shelf, wrapping the messenger in a sea of soft peach fabric.

They then moved to a more distant corner of the room, careful not to disturb their friend with their discussions. Roman went through the day's events, describing each of his activities while Logan offered advice and the occasional critique.

It had quickly grown later as Roman finished up the last of his exploits for the day, and he eagerly listened to the last of Logan’s feedback.

“In all honesty, I believe you have more than enough expertise to fulfill what you have set out to do, now it all comes down to the mental portion. We must now work to improve your tactical intelligence.”

“I would be glad to,” Roman grinned, “though can I ask you a favor?”

“You’re the literal prince of this kingdom, I don’t think I’m allowed to refuse anything you ask unless refuted by your mother.”

“You know what I mean Logan. I just ask that you don’t tell my mother about the whole falling off the building thing.” He sighed, “She already hates that I’m head of the guard, so there’s no telling she would freak if she knew half the things I did out on patrol.”

“You have my word, I will not inform her.”

“Not inform me of what exactly, Logan?” A cold hand rested on the advisor’s shoulder, causing Roman and Logan to snap their heads around.

“Queen Elena- apologies, I didn’t see you before.” Logan nearly fell from his chair, scrambling to stand at attention.

“That would be your highness to you Mr. Sage.”

“Noted, sorry to be informal, your majesty,” Logan gulped, beginning to fidget with his fingers, “If you will excuse me, I’ll be directing Patton to his room so that you may talk to your son as I assume you desire to do.”

“That you will,” the queen responded, turning to the prince as Logan quickly shuffled out of the room, Patton carried in his arms.

Roman frowned as the door clicked shut, “You didn’t have to scold him like that.”

Elena raised a brow, “Is that so?”

Her words pierced like daggers, and Roman resisted the urge to shrink back. This was only his mother after all. She would never do anything to hurt him.

He squared his shoulders, meeting Elena’s eyes. No reason to be afraid.

“It’s just that Logan did nothing wrong. We were merely discussing strategy.”

“Well if there’s nothing wrong, why are we still discussing it?”

“Right,” Roman looked to the ground, “Apologies mother, we can continue.”

“Perfect,” She looked to Roman, the cold regalness slipping from her face as if it had never been there in the first place, “So dear, I trust your day was magnificent?”

“That and much more,” Roman mumbled, not fully meeting the eyes of the queen.

“And the streets?”

“Safe and protected, nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Oh good!” the queen sighed with relief, “You know how worried I get when you go out patrolling, especially with what happened to your father. I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

“I thought you said we weren’t supposed to talk about dad.”

“Indeed I did, which is exactly why we’re talking about something else,” The last words seemed to drip with an invisible venom as Elena pierced her son with a cold stare, though a second passed and she had transformed back to her noble self.

“Have you managed to come any closer in arresting that thief?”

“Almost, I believe I may know just what to do next time!” Roman struck a pose, happily reminiscing about the kingdom’s streets, lined with marvelous townsfolk and the perfect hint of adventure.

“Perfect, then I expect you to be successful soon. You must be prepared, you are coming closer to holding the crown more with every day.”

“I will. Thank you mother.”

“You are most welcome dear,” the queen stood up, heading to the door, “It’s getting late, and beauty sleep is an important thing, so I suggest you settle down for the night. Rest well Roman.”

“I will mother,” Roman muttered, meandering up a small spiral staircase and into his room. The white and gold door closed softly behind him, allowing the tension to slip from his shoulders.

He gracelessly collapsed onto his bed, taking in the soft comfort of the crimson sheets. Rolling onto his back, Roman turned his head gently to glance out yet another window. The stars came back into view, providing a reassuring comfort.

His mother hadn’t been the same ever since the king had died. Roman tried to convince himself that she was just trying to keep him safe, though with each conversation he felt more and more as if he was being controlled. There was no telling what the queen would think if she knew how exciting Roman’s days actually were.

He began to feel his body grow heavy, the exhilaration of the day finally catching up to him.

Closing his eyes, he imagined the stars growing into even more vast galaxies, stealing him away from the life of expectations and pressure.

Images of a world so beautiful, it seemed almost too good to be real. Each picture shone within his head as he finally slipped into his dreams, surrounded by the impossible illuminations.