#i still cannot figure out how to finesse tumblr's 5-tag system

[ethospathoslogan]

there will come a poet: chapter five (a vampire sanders sides fanfiction)

A/N: the original chapter 5 was supposed to be much longer but, realizing that A Lot was happening for just one chapter, i decided to split the chapter into 5 and 6!! so chapter 6 should be coming soon :)

summary: “So, whatever magic they did to become undead,” Patton said, “You think there’s a similar type of magic at work… here?”

ships: eventual moxiety and logince

WC: 3,720

read on ao3

start from the beginning / previous chapter / next chapter

taglist: @iwillsithereandtrytocontribute , @glitchybina , @ab-artist , @daring-elm , @crazydemigod666

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

If there was one thing that worked to wake Patton up amidst walking alone in the castle halls, it was the realization that he could not find Logan anywhere.

Which was, as some might guess, concerning.

After circling through the castle three times—checking and rechecking the library and the sitting room, all the while holding onto the hope that Logan was smart enough to avoid even thinking about venturing into the brothers’ bedrooms—and coming up empty-handed, Patton was almost ready to upgrade from “mild panic” to “holy smokes something has gone terrible wrong.”

Almost, that is, until, as he walked by one of the tall windows looking out into the courtyard, a shimmering blue light in the distance caught his eye. 

Slowing his step until, eventually, backtracking completely, Patton peered out the window into the darkness. For another moment, the courtyard was just as still and lifeless as it was when Patton first arrived.

And then, at the Wall of Vines, another streak of blue light passed as if a hand was passing over it.

Patton’s legs were already carrying him down the spiral of stone steps outside the large castle doors. If, in their sprint, his feet almost skidded out from under him in a feat that would’ve sent him crashing down to the overgrown courtyard, he paid no mind.

Sprinting around the corner of one of the dilapidated buildings on the edge of the kingdom, he found Logan. Back to him, seemingly unaware of Patton’s interruption to whatever he was doing, Logan held his spell book in one hand as, silently, he waved the other in front of the vines. His fingers left blue light to float in the air for a moment before dimming with a quiet hiss.

The vines, making no movement, shimmered under Logan’s magic.

“Logan!” Patton whispered.

Logan startled, his book fumbling out of his hands, and he spun to face Patton. His eyes wide behind his square frames, he blinked at Patton before finally finding his voice, “Oh, good morning, Patton. Apologies for not hearing you approach.”

“You’re fine.” Walking forward, Patton picked up his spellbook. Casting a worried look at the worn cover, he continued with, “Uh, what’cha doin’ out here?”

“Conducting a… study, you could say,” Logan explained as he took his book back.

Patton couldn’t figure out whether or not that was the answer he wanted to hear.

“A study on… what?” He asked, stepping up alongside Logan as he turned to face the Vine Wall. Looking up, he had to tilt his head all the way back to see where it ended.

“On this barrier, of course.” Looking back to his book, he flipped a page before waving his hand again in another streak of blue light.

Patton furrowed his eyebrows. “You’re not… doing anything to it, are you?”

Logan chuckled. “I can’t.”

“Logan!”

“No, I mean-” Logan cut himself off with a sigh. “I have used every magical detection spell that I know on this barrier. There is literally nothing I can do to… change, harm, or even fully understand this barrier.”

Patton turned his confused look back to the vines. “What does that… mean?”

“It means- actually, allow me to show you!” Logan smiled down at Patton and, with a snap, his hand caught fire.

Before Patton could even react, Logan was shooting it at the wall.

At Patton’s horrified look, Logan held up a hand and, together, they watched as the fire licked its way up the wall, encasing the braided vines and the thorns… before sizzling out, leaving the vines unharmed.

“As our people have discovered over the past century,” Logan explained, “This wall cannot be brought down by mortal or magical means. Perhaps it could be climbed, if someone really wished to risk both the thorns and the death that would come if they fell from such a height, but this is no normal barrier.”

“So it’s magical,” Patton said.

Logan, smiling, nodded. “Of course,” he confirmed, “But it’s… still odd. Most spells… cannot last this long. I can illuminate a room with light for an hour. I can be invisible for the better part of fifteen minutes. I can shield us for, at most? A minute. This-” And he gestured to the wall “-Has been standing for over a hundred years.”

Patton frowned. “I… don’t see where you’re going with this.”

“There is still magic at work here,” Logan said. “Powerful magic. That is not what I find surprising, actually. I have a theory that this… curse the brothers are under is the result of a spell for power, a spell for indescribable vitality, gone wrong.”

“But the legend says that the brothers…” Checking over his shoulder, Patton lowered his voice, “Brought it upon themselves.”

“And that I believe,” Logan said with a nod. “But my spellbook, a relic passed down for a century, holds no curse of vampirism. I can only assume that this all became the… unwanted side effect of a power trip.” Then, looking back down at his book, he laughed softly. “But forgive my tangent. I’m more so focused on this barrier, which I can at least try to understand, instead of taking educated guesses.”

“So, whatever magic they did to become undead,” Patton said, “You think there’s a similar type of magic at work… here?”

Logan, thinking, cocked his head. “Not… exactly,” he said. “Or- well, perhaps. But the big difference is that, a hundred years ago, they would have needed a mage for whatever spell they had intended to use that resulted in this curse. Now, though? There are no mages here, and yet they have had an incredibly magical barrier standing for all this time.”

Patton, silent for a while, finally said, “So there’s something else here.”

Logan beamed. “Precisely,” he said. “It’s… incredibly uncommon, but not unheard of, for those who do not possess magic to… channel a spell, so to speak, with the help of intense emotion.” He rolled his eyes. “It is not my preferred way of harnessing magic because of the instability of emotion, but there have been cases of it before.”

Patton raised his eyebrows. “Could I learn magic?”

“Perhaps,” he answered. “You would just need to channel enough emotion to… sustain it. Another rage to raze a city, or happiness to cure a fatal disease. The level of passion you would need, the level of desire to cast the spell you have set out to do and do it right… it’s immeasurable. Few people have ever done so successfully.”

Patton, nodding, looked back at the castle. “So you think this type of magic is at work here?”

Logan hummed in affirmation. “I do,” he said. “But there’s still more that I don’t know. What emotion fueled this? Many spells to this extent would need to be bound to something, so is there a sigil, or a rune, somewhere in the castle? Who’s maintaining it? Who has the knowledge to maintain a spell for a century?”

Patton, worrying his bottom lip, thought back to Janus’s secrecy, to his shock at Patton getting through the wall…

To his horror at another mage stepping into his castle.

“Perhaps this is just me overthinking,” Logan continued, musing. “Nevertheless, it is captivating. Don’t you think, Patton?”

Looking up at Logan, he swallowed thickly as he debated whether or not he should mention his suspicions.

For just a split second, he found himself… scared of what it would mean if others found out how this magic worked.

He decided on just smiling. “You know me, Lo,” he said. “I’ve always loved magic.”

Logan smiled, too. “So I’m aware.” He then looked to the wall and, carefully, placed a hand on one of the vines. “I’m curious as to who let you through. Remus could open up a… door-way, and I wonder if all the brothers have that power.”

“Oh, uh,” Patton said, “I think all the brothers can? At least- at least Virgil said he could let me out but I, uh… came through on my own?”

Logan, who had begun to poke at one of the giant thorns, stilled. “You… what?”

Patton shrugged. “I don’t understand it either. I just… talked to the vines, and they let me through.”

Logan, for a long time, stared down at Patton, studied Patton.

“Try to leave,” Logan finally said, quietly.

“What?”

“Just… entertain me, Patton.”

Patton, casting Logan a wary look, placed a hand on the thick vines. “Hey vines,” he said, softly. “It’s, uh… me again.” He shot Logan another look, who simply nodded on. “Thank you for, um, letting me in. Could you perhaps… open up again, please?”

 The courtyard fell silent as the vines didn’t move and, after a minute of nothing passing, Logan sighed.

“Well this just raises more questions,” He mumbled, shaking his head.

“Like why they let me in?”

“Well, yes, obviously,” he said. “But also is this a spell to keep things in, or out? No one but the brothers has been able to get through, and then you come along and you can? So what determines who can come in and out? Yet you can’t get out. So… is this barrier for protection, or to keep things locked up?”

“But how do we know that he isn’t planning something?”

“Because he’s here! He got through! You can’t ignore that.”

At the memory, first written off as just confusing, Patton raised his eyebrows. “I think… I think it’s for protection.” He looked up at Logan. “The one thing that shocked them all wasn’t that I got here in the first place, but that I was able to come in on my own.”

“Is that so?” Logan asked. “Did they say why?”

The only thing that came to Patton’s mind was Virgil’s… shock at how “good” of a person he must have been, but that just worsened the headache Patton was feeling come on.

He shook his head. “Honestly, it seems like they’re keeping a lot to themselves.”

Logan, sighing, nodded. “So it seems,” he said. “Perhaps it’s… understandable.”

“I can still see the gears in your head turning, Logan.”

“Can you?” Logan slid him a smirk. “Can I not just be intrigued by strange magic in a strange place? While I love the studies I have taken up with my mentor, to see magic that is not in my own spellbook is… riveting.”

Patton smiled and opened his mouth to say something else when, at the sound of crunching bramble behind them, they both whipped around to see Virgil staring back.

“Oh,” Patton said, “Morning Virgil! I didn’t think you’d be up this… early? Is this early or late for you?”

Virgil flicked his dark eyes between the two of them. “I- I don’t sleep a lot,” he said. “Uh, what are you two… doing out here?”

Patton, suddenly feeling like he had been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be, fumbled for words while Logan said, “Simply working on my studies.” He shifted his spellbook from one hand to the others. “It’s… easier to do in a less confined space.”

Patton couldn’t tell if that was better or worse than whatever words died on his tongue.

Virgil blinked. “Right.”

“And- And I was just looking for him!” Patton finally managed out.

“Precisely,” Logan confirmed. “And I believe we were finishing up out here, Patton?”

Patton quickly nodded. “Yes!”

Virgil, after a hesitation, nodded and stepped back. “Well,” he said, “Then let’s…?”

“Yes,” Patton said, looking up at Logan who nodded back. “Let’s!”

Patton, as he led the charge back to the castle, noted two things.

One, that Logan was shadowing him particularly close.

Two, that he could feel Virgil’s eyes burning into the back of his head.

--

As the morning further progressed into the early afternoon with limited activity within the castle walls (asides from the occasional movement heard behind doors as Patton passed through the brothers’ wing), Patton finally made his way into his own room after convincing Logan that he didn’t have to follow him everywhere.

He loved his friend dearly, and truly appreciated his presence, but after growing up with Logan, Patton became fairly good at seeing the difference between Logan’s anxious hovering and Logan’s typical mother hen hovering.

(“I- I have no clue what you’re talking about!” Logan had stammered, blushing, when Patton finally brought it up to him.

“Okay! Whatever you say,” Patton had said with a smile. “Just know that I’ll be okay if I go downstairs on my own. You don’t have to worry, Logan.”)

It had taken some persuading and a lot of assurances that he’ll be fine, but eventually Patton was able to convince Logan that he could spend his afternoon perusing the castle’s library without needing to worry about him.

However, when there was a knock on his door not even fifteen minutes into being alone in his bedroom, Patton couldn’t help but fondly laugh and shake his head.

“Logan, I told you, I’ll be fine!” Swinging open the door, he prepared for more affectionate teasing-

And faltered where he found Virgil standing on the other side.

That morning, after Virgil had followed Patton and Logan into the castle, he had mumbled some reason to go to his room before, without even waiting for an answer, retreating up the stairs. While that hadn’t made Patton feel great, he was able to use Logan’s tendency to mother hen as a distraction and, as Virgil stayed behind his closed door, Patton had started to think he wouldn’t even see him again for the rest of the day.

“Oh, Virgil,” Patton said, blushing. “Sorry, I… I thought you would be Logan.”

“You’re- you’re fine,” Virgil quickly assured, though his tone just made it seem like he wanted to get on with the conversation. “Can I, uh-” He scratched the back of his neck, his eyes darting to look off behind Patton “-Can I talk to you for a second?”

He did his best to ignore how his heart pounded against his ribcage. “Oh. Oh! Yeah- yes, of course.” With a smile that he hoped hid his nerves, he stepped back and opened the door wider.

Virgil, with a faint smile, stepped through.

“So, uh,” Patton said, shutting the door behind them, “Is everything… okay?”

“Uh, maybe- I mean, yes- I think, I mean-” Virgil, frustrated with his own stammering, huffed and ran a hand through his hair. “I was thinking of what I wanted to say for hours and I’m still… anxious about it.”

Well, being honest, that didn’t make Patton feel particularly good. 

“Well, whatever you have to say,” Patton said, forcing his smile to stay on his face, “Take your time! I’m not- not going anywhere!”

Virgil let out a clipped laugh. “Yeah, apparently.” He worried his bottom lip, his fangs poking out, and, just as Patton started to shift under the silence, he continued with, “We can actually trust you, right?”

Patton, frowning, furrowed his eyebrows. “Of course!”

“Then what were you and Logan doing by the vines?”

“Oh, uh-”

“And don’t-” Virgil sighed, shaking his head. “Patton, don’t lie to me. I- I saw his magic from the windows. What were you two doing?”

Patton felt like his stomach was plummeting. 

Even if him and Logan hadn’t done anything wrong, it was a confirmation that they had been encroaching upon something they shouldn’t.

“I went out to the courtyard because I saw his magic, too,” Patton finally answered, his voice quiet. “Logan said he was studying it. He- he means no harm! To your family or the barrier. I- I know that. I told him not to do anything! But he said that… he can’t do anything to the barrier. No one can. Which- which I think we... all know. But then we were just talking about the barrier and what his-” 

Patton, at the thought that maybe Logan’s spells revealed too much, couldn’t help but trail off.

Virgil, his eyes never leaving Patton’s, raised an eyebrow. “His what?”

Patton bit his bottom lip, darting his eyes away for a moment before finally continuing, “He has a lot of… magical detection spells.”

Patton couldn’t ignore how Virgil tensed.

“And- and we got nothing concrete!” Patton rushed out, not stopping to think if that was even true. “Just- just that it’s powerful! And… and for protection?” And, quickly remembering that, no, that had been something Patton suggested, he quickly added, “Or- or just a barrier? Yeah, just a- just a magical barrier!”

Virgil narrowed his eyes. “Patton-”

“Okay, I said that I thought it was for protection!” Patton interjected. “I- Logan asked me how I got in, and I told him that I just could! But we don’t know why!”

“Okay.” Virgil, obviously trying to remain calm, nodded. “Okay. Anything… else?”

Patton debated the next part, debated whether or not that would solidify this potential nail in the coffin.

“Logan can’t figure out what’s powering the spell,” he whispered. “He suggested it might be something within the castle. That- that non-mages can do magic if there’s… enough emotion.”

Virgil, finally breaking eye contact, ran his hands over his face. “Okay… okay.”

“I’m sorry!” Patton pleaded. “I didn’t- we didn’t mean to… to step on any toes! I just didn’t know and Logan- he doesn’t mean any harm! He’s just… he’s nervous, I can tell. So he’s just trying to figure out what’s going on and I can tell him not to pry and I- last night? I didn’t even overhear anything, really! Just- I mean, it makes sense for you all to be keeping secrets! I can’t blame you, I just-”

When Virgil held up a hand, Patton snapped his jaw shut.

“Patton,” Virgil said quietly, “You’re fine.”

“Okay,” Patton whispered.

“I just need you to work with me,” Virgil said, his tone level. “Because I am trusting you, and I am sticking my neck out by doing so.”

“Thank you.” Patton could barely hear his own voice.

Virgil laughed dryly. “I appreciate it, because I’m pleading your case. You don’t… know how bad things can go. And I don’t say that to- to scare you or make you, I don’t know, worship the ground I walk on. It’s just the honest truth. Not everyone trusts you. If other people here had it their way, shit could have broken bad.”

Patton flinched.

“And I-” Virgil shook his head, huffing out another laugh “-I don’t say that to be mean. I didn’t even want to- want to say any of this because I didn’t want you to think you were in danger or something, but… I believe I’m right in trusting you. I believe that you’re a… a good person. And I’m willing to work with you. But I need you to work with me, and that means leaving all this-” And he gestured around him “-To us.”

Patton nodded, swallowing thickly. “I’m sorry.”

Virgil, looking away, ran his hand through his hair again. “Honestly, I should be the one saying that. I feel like an asshole.”

“No!” Patton, shaking his head, took a step forward. “You’re- you’re right! I…” He sighed. “I know what all of this looks like. But I mean it when I say it: I mean no harm to your family.”

Virgil allowed himself a small smile. “And I... believe that.”

Patton smiled, too, but it faltered as another thought crossed his mind “It’s Janus, right?” Virgil furrowed his eyebrows. “Who doesn’t trust me.”

“Oh.” Virgil grimaced. “Uh, yeah, but it’s… complicated.”

“How?” When Virgil eyed him, Patton blushed. “I’m just- I’m curious!”

“You know what they say about curiosity and cats, right?”

“I’m actually allergic to cats so I don’t!”

Virgil covered a laugh with a cough. “Okay, okay,” he said, trying to compose himself again. “You really know how to, ah, lighten the mood, don’t you?”

Patton grinned and shrugged.

“But,” Virgil continued, “Not to bring it right back down but… Janus is very…” He trailed off with a sigh, and Patton could practically see his mind turning over to find the right words. “I don’t- I don’t think he would do anything without cause. Just… he’s really territorial, and really protective.”

“It’s good that he cares for you all so much.”

Virgil shrugged.  “In his own… way. But, speaking of… shit, I shouldn’t even be telling you this, but... there are things that we cannot tell you. Because, honestly? Janus would have our heads. The reason I’m telling you this is so, just like we’re trusting you, you can trust us.”

“And I do,” Patton said, nodding. “Trust you. You…” He smiled, shrugging. “The fact that you’re… pleading my case says enough. And even your brothers! I… I’ll admit, sometimes I’m a bit… scared, but none of you have done anything to me. And I really think that means something.”

Virgil gave another shrug. “We’re all trying to be on our best behavior. To… some degree. Janus can be a lot and I can be like this and don’t even get me started on the twins and-” He then shut his mouth. “I’m… I’ll just shut up.”

Patton smiled. “You’re fine,” he said. “And I… I really do appreciate all of this, Virgil. I know I’ve said that so many times but… it’s because it’s true.” Virgil shifted under his gaze, looking down. “I trust you because I think you’re good.”

Virgil laughed dryly. “Don’t press your luck,” he said. “But… thanks.

Patton jutted a finger at him. “Don’t even try to reject my compliments! Just ask Logan! It never works!”

Virgil held his hands up in defense. “Alright, alright,” he said, chuckling. “But, uh, thanks for listening. And for not… freaking out.”

“Of course!”

“And sorry for being super intense.”

Patton smiled. “Virgil, it’s okay.”

Virgil smiled, too. “Well, I’ll, uh, leave you to it,” he said. “And if you need anything… you know where to find me.”

Patton found himself still smiling even after Virgil left.

When Logan eventually brought himself back to Patton, Patton decided to keep his and Virgil’s conversation to himself. The look of relief on Logan’s face was just a bit too heart cinching to risk that.

If Virgil was helping his brothers come around, Patton believed that he owed them the same. Just… in due time.