#janus sanders fanfiction

[lefaystrent]

"I want to tell you something."

Thomas speaks the words into the quiet of the kitchen. He stares down at the pot of water sitting on the stove. The burner has been lit, and the heat rises. Soon, the water will boil.

"And it's- it's something that I've thought for a long time now. Years. But I've never said anything."

The smallest of bubbles rise to the surface. Over his shoulder, Thomas can see Patton sitting at the bar.

"It's okay. Take your time," he says. His nose scrunches up as he smiles. His glasses reflect a scattering of kitchen light.

Thomas snorts. "I think years is enough time." He breaks a bundle of pasta in half, letting them fall gently into the steaming water. He adjusts the temperature, then shifts on his feet. "I've just...never said anything," he repeats.

"You don't have to say anything at all." Janus sits at the bar instead. He wears a frown, and he's leaned over the surface with his chin in a propped palm, but the patience in his gaze belays his bored demeanor. "If you don't want to, you don't have to. I certainly won't force you."

Want to? No.

Thomas shakes his head and stirs the pot. "I think I need to."

"Do you?" Logan sits at the bar. His arms are folded over his tie, but it's not an intimidating pose. It's careful. Considerate. "I'd like you to take a moment to 'check yourself before you wreck yourself', as they say. Is that how you use that phrase?"

Thomas rolls his eyes, and yet he's smiling. This is a heavy topic, but it's not constricting. He stirs the noodles easily and they begin to fold together like they were made to. "I'm okay. I don't need to think about it more. I'm not anxious, not really."

"Yeah?" And now it's Virgil sitting at the bar. He stops as if he had been caught in the middle of playing with the string of his hoodie. Then he smooths down the front of his clothes. No ruffles here. He nods. "Good. That's good. That's good, right?"

Thomas still smiles. "Yes, that's good." The pasta softens as it swirls around the water. Round and round it goes. When will it stop? Nobody knows.

"Well don't just keep me in suspense!" Remus slams his hand down on the bar. And then he does it again and again, maybe just to hear the smack, smack, smack. He's not grinning maniacally or anything. Just a quirk of his mustache. A glint in his eyes. A cocked brow. "You know I love a good tease... but this is playing too coy!"

Thomas heaves a huge sigh. "I guess I just..." He trails off. He knocks the spoon against the pot's rim to shake off the water. He sets it aside. "I just don't want this to change anything."

The warmth of the burner blankets his face. The stove vent thrums above his head, and distantly Thomas hears the air conditioner click on. A light sheen of perspiration beads across his face, but its not wholly unpleasant.

Would it be bad? If this did change anything?

Roman sits at the bar. His shoulders are low, like all the breath has left him. He watches Thomas calmly with sad eyes. "What have you got to lose?"

In the pot, the pasta swirls and swirls until it's ready.

"I love you," Thomas finally says, and he turns to look over his shoulder to find that it's himself who sits there.

The other him beams proudly. "That wasn't so hard, now was it?"

Satisfied, Thomas flicks off the stove burner and drains the water in the sink. He stirs together noodles, hamburger meat, and red sauce, until its in perfect measures, just the way he likes it.

After making himself a plate, Thomas sits at the dining table. He is alone with himself, and he's alright with that.

[ghostofacalico]

I am once again asking help to find a fic on AO3. In this one the sides are all magical creatures except Virgil who is a human. There are these rules you have to go by to talk to magic folk. In the beginning on a fic, Virgil unknowingly helps the other sides who are all in their magic forms. Virgil is extremely cautious and suspicious around magic folk but he often interacts with them. He's also somewhat friends with someone called the Aspen Witch

[sleepyvirgilprompts]

Virgil:

Virgil: Nope. No way. Absolutely not, not right now. Goodbye, good night, Janus go fuck yourself.

Janus: And the same to you.

[prodigal-explorer]

sanders sides controversial opinions poll!

hi, guys! i've been in the sanders sides fandom for a few years now, and i've been really curious about where the majority of fans stand in terms of the most hot topics in the fandom right now. i made a nice little google form, and i'd love it if you guys filled it out with your opinions, anonymously, of course! there are no wrong answers, it's just opinions, and i want to know the real information, so don't worry about getting flamed or hated on because that's not going to happen!

also please reblog or send to your fander friends! i want this to reach as many interested people as possible!!

[tastic-in-its-finest]

Frew Up

Summary: When you're barely a teenager and a small child helplessly relies on you. Basically Janus taking care of a sick Virgil.

Word Count: 1363

Warnings/Tags: a LOT of mentioning of throwing up/vomiting, slight mention of spiders

Ao3

…

“...I frew up…” a small voice mumbled and croaked by the doorway.

Deceit grudged open his eyes, what does a side need to do to get some sleep, his body completely ready to succumb to sleep again. But since his body is facing the doorway, he could see the tiny spiderling shaking slightly in the darkness, clenching a large spider plush, dead silent and scared, looking to him for help.

“It's ok, Anxiety. Come here,” he grudges and pushes down any frustration for being woken up so early, or late as Anxiety waddles over cautiously. The little guy looked exhausted, his eye bags larger with redness over them.

“Where did you throw up?” He sighs.

“I don't wanna talk about it,” he hugs the plush closely.

“Do you feel like you're going to throw up again?”

He taps his fingers, “...maybe.”

…

“Stay here. If you feel sick, go to the toilet,” Dee whispered as he led Virgil into the yellow bathroom. The bright light stinged his squinting eyes, rubbing the crust from them.

Was Dee going to leave him here all night, is he going to sleep in the bathtub? He can barely sleep on the couch so he probably won’t get to sleep in a tub. What if he needed to throw up again and couldn't reach the toilet in time? Would he have a blanket or shiver all night???

A tissue wipes a dribble of vomit from his chin, blink blink, oh, Deceit's cleaning Virgil's mouth. There was still vomit leftover on his jacket as he wiped his mouth after– puking… he didn't know what else to do. Until he remembered there was a side down the hall he could talk to, which, took a lot of effort to muster the courage to wake Dee up. Dee always liked sleeping so Virgil didn’t want to make him mad by waking him up.

Deceit threw away the wipe, offering his gloved hands.

“Don't worry I'll take care of her,” Virgil looks down to his spider plush, Lila. His voice sounds smooth, sweet, caring that Virgil doesn't have a second thought about holding her out as she's cradled then put to the side. With two extra arms, Deceit asks to lift his jacket, he does and it's folded neat and with care- but he can tell Deceit is avoiding to touch little bits he left there.

He's left in a t-shirt, leaving his arms naked and goosebumps to travel up his spine. Virgil tries to warm them up the best he can without his warm, fuzzy, and huge jacket but he can only do so much.

…

“I'll be right back,” Anxiety pouted, yet didn't seem to fully disagree, so Deceit took the short window he had to put the jacket in the washer, hand scrub the plush with warm water and soap, drying her quickly but quietly so Vee wasn't alerted Deceit's water boarding his toy.

It wasn't a surprising guess to think Virge launched his dinner out in his room down the hall. Even with the door slightly cracked open, the pungent smell of stomach acid wafted as he walked by, plugging his nose and swallowing his bile.

Unluckily, the vomit is in the purple bed, on a very unfortunate spot. Located right over the comforter, popping on the black sheets, and slightly somehow the pillows. He sighs swiping and trashing away the big chucks with disgust. With a little vinegar, shake of baking soda, and a used rag, he scrubs away the stains. Scooping the comforter, unfolding the sheets, removing pillow cases, cramming into the washer.

He grabs another one of Anxiety's hoodies– a clean gray striped one from the closet. Not his favorite but the kid can't be picky at the moment.

By now, Lila is dry, if not slightly wet but Deceit furiously towel dries her till she's deemed dry enough for Anxiety to cuddle up with her again.

When he got back to the bathroom, Anxiety's staring at the inside of the toilet.

“I did it again…”

“In the toilet this time?”

“The toilet.”

Good, he thought to himself, less cleaning, helping dress Anxiety with a content expression, the kid happy to be a little warmer. Then springing to life when he shows him a clean Lila. But he frowns again.

“Do I sleep there tonight?” He pointed to the tub.

“God no Anxiety, you're not an animal,” Deceit didn't mean to say so harshly, but Anxiety has been around him enough to understand that.

He sulked as Deceit gathered a few things into the living room.

Fluffing one of his pillows onto the couch and sliding a warm blanket, Deceit presents a bed, “There,” Anxiety fiddles with his fingers, looking a little disappointed at the bed. Somethings missing, “Do you need me to read a story for you?”

“Can.. um, can I sleep somewhere else?”

“Where else?”

“Not on the couch,” he shyly taps his feet, “Can I sleep in your bed tonight?”

Deceit has a confused expression, “What's possibly wrong with the couch?” Anxiety looked regretful he'd even asked, ready to take back what he said. Oh, he raised his eyebrows, it probably has nothing to do with the couch.

“Forget I said that. Of course you can Anxiety… you should have just said so.” Before he needed to dismantle his bed.

Dismantling aside, the pillow is secure under his arm, handing the blanket to Anxiety.

He fluffs his pillows to be extra comfortable. Anxiety wordlessly watching until Deceit scoops him up into a big hold, “Deeee, put me down,” he whines, pushing his face away with as much force his little hand could manage.

“How can I when you're just so huggable??” He launches him onto the bed, a few giggles out of him as his face is buried in the soft pillow.

Deceit crawls in bed, mindful of the tiny lump fidgeting next to him waiting until he's settled to wrap himself in a fuzzy purple blanket, wildly contrasting the yellow decor.

Deceit ruffles Anxiety's hair, slightly combing through the small black strands. The little side sighed and yawned into the blanket, his eyes lidded.

When Deceit sees the kid barely able to stay awake after only a few seconds, he summons himself a water and stops the combing. As Deceit reaches for the lamp, he feels an urgent tug on his sleeve, “Can the light be on tonight?” Deceit raised his brow, “For the monsters,” his already mumbly voice is muffled by Lila. No doubt one of Morality’s or Creativity’s stories scared him. They never knew how sensitive he was.

“I'm sorry,” Anxiety mumbles. Deceit didn't realize he made a face with Virge mistaking his anger for him. Deceit immediately patted his head, shoving down his negative feelings.

“Shh, it's alright Anxiety,” he smiles, “The monsters aren't real.”

He could immediately tell Anxiety tensed, “How do you know?”

“I don't leave the light on and no monsters have attacked me yet.”

Anxiety squinted. Why did Morality have to make the kid doubt him?

“I promise, ok?”

Anxiety didn't buy it.

Fine, you win Morality, “Ok, I’ll leave the light on all night. No monsters will ever get you when I'm around Anni.”

Anxiety blinked, and finally he eased into the blankets, “You're sure?”

“Mhm, I'll make sure nothing harms you,” he ruffles his hair again because he can’t help himself, it’s like petting a cat, then lets Anni lay more comfortably on the pillow.

“Can you stop me from throwing up?”

… “Uh, no.”

“Cause i’ hurts.”

“I bet Anxiety.” Deceit fully enveloped himself in the covers, mindful to not stretch out too much to disturb Anxiety. Who is surely but shortly falling asleep.

“Mmm goodnight Dee, I hope the monsters don't get you.” Anxiety nuzzled and fully settled.

“Goodnight… Anxiety.”

Deceit struggled to fall asleep, now with the light, but somehow he managed. He heard Anxiety's small breaths and mumblings as he drifted, which made him feel lighter knowing the side is sleeping soundly without waking up terrified from a nightmare, or the need to vomit.

He was going to have to talk to Morality later though, he thought, before succumbing to sleep.

[sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes]

snakes and octopi give the best snuggles

Word count: 2,727 (wow, satisfying!)

Warnings: nightmares, brief descriptions of violence and gore, brief descriptions of kidnapping, spoilers for the movie Martyrs (2008), cursing, could be interpreted as u!Patton but he's more just young and foolish

Relationships: dark side family, focus on platonic anxceit and platonic dukexiety, no romantic ships

Characters: Virgil, Janus, Remus, Orange Side, Roman (mentioned), Patton (mentioned), c!Thomas (mentioned), Logan (mentioned)

The first Sanders Sides fanfiction I've finished writing in nearly 4 years!!! Woohoo!

Note: part of this is inspired by the beginning of Alice In Wonderland (2010)

“I really don't see why that's such a big deal.”

A snake crossed his arms from where he leaned against the counter. A hot-blooded short fuse paced across the living room carpet.

“You should be able to! He thinks he's so high and mighty, trying to take as much creative control as he can for himself! It's absurd!”

“On the other hand, giving too much control to You-Know-Who could be disastrous.”

“Good! Maybe those three need a wake up call, Janus! They get to sit on their fucking diamond-encrusted thrones all day while we rot in this putrid basement!”

Janus stood up straight, letting his muscles tighten slightly, “my job is Self Preservation, and the best way to keep our Centre’s mental health at its prime right now is to let them walk all over us.”

The other side narrowed his eyes, “and what's that going to do in the long run, huh? Make their high horses’ legs even longer?” he stomped over to the deceitful side, poking his chest, ”shove their heads even higher up their own asses?!”

“What it'll do in the long run,” Janus clenched his fist, “is for us to begin influencing Thomas when he's at a less busy stage in his life. Intrusive thoughts and dark creativity aren't good for adulting, Wrath. Be reasonable.”

“I'll show you how to be reasonable-”

“Guys?”

Orange and Yellow both shrieked at the small voice, whipping around to see Gray looking at them through the bannister, blanket pulled around his shoulders and his hair a mess.

“God, we need some sort of alarm for when you pop up…”

Janus glared at Wrath and turned to look at the youngest side, his expression softening.

“Another nightmare?”

Anxiety nodded.

“Come on then,” Janus took the boy's hand and led him back up the stairs, but only after calling a quick “you're burning up!” over his shoulder, and Wrath immediately ran to get himself some ice water.

Janus sat at the boy’s bedside, silently watching as he pulled the covers up to just under his eyes and laid back to rest his head on the pillow.

“Come on then,” he reached onto the floor and grabbed Anxiety’s favourite bat plushie, passing it to him, “tell me what happened.”

The small side hugged the toy as tight as his little arms would let him as he began to recall the events of his night terror.

“I-I was on a stage, in front of millions of people… we were performing some sort of comedy.”

“We?” Janus chimed in, “who else was there?”

Anxiety paused for a second and grimaced as he focussed on the memory, “well there's Thomas, a-and… the light sides.”

Deceit made a rumbling sound of acknowledgement in the back of his throat, hand gripping the bed sheets.

“And… they hate me,” he pressed the bat plushie to his face, “s-so much. They say I'm bad, a pest mist.”

“Pessimist,” Janus gently corrected, though his thoughts were somewhere else entirely.

“Yeah, that… and…” Anxiety’s trembles grew, “and…”

Janus shushed him softly, “hey, hey,” he opened up his arms, an invitation, “it's alright, spiderling. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.”

The child shook his head and crawled into the hug, breathing out as strong yet gentle arms enveloped him.

“No, no, I-... I wanna.”

The elder side nodded.

“I, um, so I tried to fix the problem by quitting the show, throwing in the towel, all of that…”

“Yeah?”

“But t-that made them even more mad. They chased after me, broke into my room,” Anxiety tightened his grip on Janus’ shirt as more tears welled up in his eyes, “they took me away from you, and w-wouldn’t let me see you ever again!”

Janus swallowed.

“Impossible,” he whispered, “they would never be able to keep us away from you, my dear. We'd tear down every wall in the Mind Palace to get you back.”

The child went still, his breath catching in his throat.

“Virgil?”

Silence.

“I know you’re awake, sootywing.”

“You’re gonna be mad…”

“You don't have to hide anything from me, honey. It's just a dream.”

“W-well…” he swallowed, “in the dream y-you did try to get me back at first. But then…” fresh tears messed up his eyeshadow even more, “then you said that things were better here without me, that- that-”

Janus stopped resisting his urges, allowing his other 2 pairs of arms to wrap around the small side.

“Never,” he hissed fiercely, rubbing Virgil's back and holding his face in his hand, “you could never make things worse, my little raccoon.”

“They said the opposite,” the other whispered, voice still shaking but less so now that he was in one of Janus’ super-special-super-rare hugs, “that I just make Thomas's days worse, that I'm a burden on him that needs to be controlled, that-”

“-is absolutely not true,” Janus finished for him.

“Is it though?”

Janus frowned.

“I-in the dream,” Virgil continued, “after you guys left me with them for a while, I s-started to get used to being with them a-and eventually,” he hiccuped, voice thick with guilt, “I was happy with them.”

“Sweetheart…”

“I'm sorry!” Anxiety sobbed into his chest, “I don't know why it happened, I-”

Janus laid Virgil back into his bed, tucking him in with his bat plushie and gently wiping away his tears.

“That was just Stockholm Syndrome, honey.”

Virgil tilted his head to the side in confusion, and Janus melted a little at the pure objective cuteness of the small action. This kid wasn't just his spiderling, his black kitten, his baby bat, his raven, the Dark Mindscape’s little hidden butterfly, their raccoon… he was now his little black lab puppy too.

“It's when a hostage sympathises with their captor,” Janus explained, “It happens often. And remember, this was all a dream, it doesn't mean you would actually feel that way if it happened.”

The kid nodded and took a few deep breaths, blinking slowly before looking back up at the older side.

“D-do you think I'm bad?”

“Oh, darling,” Janus leaned down to press a kiss to his kid’s forehead, “we're all bad here.”

Virgil leaned up to trace his little fingers along Janus’ scales, and Janus gently took his hand in his own and kissed it too. Virgil smiled a little at that, and the sight was enough to fill Janus’ heart with joy for weeks.

“Well,” he mumbled under his breath as he pulled away, “that's what Morality thinks.”

“What was he like? Before the split?” Virgil heard him anyway. Janus forgot the kid had near-superhuman hearing.

Janus leaned back and thought for a moment, “at one point, we were very close. Back before he decided that lying is never good,” he frowned slightly, “we used to… bake cookies together, things like that.”

“Could we do that?” Virgil piped up, “bake cookies? It sounds fun.”

The yellow one smiled, “of course, hun. Just make sure Duke doesn't try to put glass shards in the batter.”

“Or Wrath with the hottest hot sauce?”

“Yes, that too.”

Janus looked around the room absentmindedly, eyes eventually locking onto the terrarium containing his baby’s baby tarantula.

“You know, if those light sides are ever mean to you, you could start feeding Charlotte fatter worms.”

“Why?”

“Because. She'll get bigger, and bigger, until one day she looks like Shelob…”

The snake side leaned down so that his face was inches from Virgil's, and smirked.

“...and you can set her after them to gobble them up!” Janus scuttled the fingers of all six of his hands along the boy’s sides, mimicking the movement of a spider’s legs, making the child shriek with laughter.

“Hahahahaha! Stop! S-stop! Janus!” He gasped out between giggles.

Janus eventually let him go (though only after having thoroughly enjoyed the angelic sound of his kid’s unbridled laughter) and sat back up, looking down at the little jumping spider with a smile he would never let anyone else see.

“Do you feel better now?”

“Mhm,” he nodded, “thanks, J.”

“It's my pleasure,” he murmured, reaching out to cup Virgil's face for a moment, green and purple eyes meeting yellow and brown ones, before standing up and walking towards the door.

Right as he opened it, Virgil called out to him again.

“Janus?”

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

He melted even further at that.

“And I you,” Janus breathed out, voice and face full of fondness, “more than you'll ever know.”

Virgil's eyes shone along with his smile, and Janus took in the sight for a moment before switching off the light.

“Try and get some more sleep, hopefully with dreams full of fluffy spiders.”

“Night, Jan.”

He shut the door gently.

As his door shut, Virgil's room was cut off from the light in the hallway and plunged into pitch darkness. While he didn't mind this at all, he wasn't the slightest bit tired anymore, and it was hard to read books in the dark.

He reached behind his pillow and grabbed his trusty flashlight, fiddling around in the darkness until he found the ‘on’ button.

When he finally turned it on, the first thing he saw was a mad face inches from his own.

“Hey Virgie.”

Said side immediately screeched and whacked the intruder on the head with the torch, already hyperventilating.

“Remus, oh my God!” he shrieked, “I thought you left here when I fell asleep last night!”

Having already recovered from the blow, the Duke sat up and shook his head, specks of blood splattering on the bed sheets and walls.

“Nope! I've been here all night pretty much!”

“What? Where?!”

“Well,” he suddenly turned shy, ”you know how you've been having problems with that monster under your bed?”

“Of course,” Virgil groaned.

“I know, I know, but listen to this! There's a portal under your bed that leads to my room!”

“You can come in here when my door is locked?! When I don't want you to?!”

“Well, not anymore. Now that you know it's there you can lock it whenever.”

“Oh,” Anxiety breathed out and nodded, “that's okay I guess.”

“So!” Remus started, “while you were asleep I portaled to my room to get some stuff and…”

The Duke reached behind his back and pulled out a DVD case, shoving it right in Virgil's face.

Virgil read the title on the front of the case and gasped, “Martyrs? Remus-”

“I know! I was able to get a copy dubbed in English too! The movie just came out so I think it's a great find!”

“But-”

“And, like, Virgie, I know you can speak French for some reason and all but frankly the language sucks and I want to focus on the gore instead of the subtitles.”

“Remus, it's an 18+ movie!”

“Yeah!” He grinned manically, “you're 8, I'm a teen, and there's a plus because it's premium, just for us! Come on, let's watch it! I know you're wide awake after that nightmare.”

“Oh!” Virgil bellowed, “so you were here when that happened and you did nothing! Great! Thanks! You're such a good big brother!”

“I didn't wanna make it worse!”

“And why would that happen?”

“You were sleep-talking.”

“...Oh.”

“Mhm.”

There was a moment of tense silence.

“Any-fuckin’-way,” Remus hopped up from the bed and turned on the TV on Virgil's dresser, “Martyrs time!”

They were both sitting on the floor, Remus hugging Virgil from behind with his chin resting on his head.

“Jan and Wrath were talking about you when I went down.”

*Really?” Remus mumbled as he continued to stare at the screen, watching in awe and admiration as Lucie shot each member of the family who tortured her.

“Mhm,” Virgil nodded, “something about creative control.”

Remus froze as he processed the words, scrambling to pause the movie before staring down at his friend, “what did they say?”

“Uhh,” Virgil’s mind blanked for a second as he continued to look at the screen, which had been paused on a frame of the dead daughter, “someone trying to take it away from you?”

Remus stayed silent.

“And then they called you Dark Creativity?”

“I-” he stuttered.

“And then they said there were 3 light sides instead of 2-”

Remus pushed the words out as quickly as possible before Virgil could interrupt him again, “I’monlyhalfofCreativityandtheotherhalfismybrother.”

Virgil stared at him blankly as his brain slowly dissected the jumble of words just thrown at him.

“You're… not all of Creativity?”

Remus shook his head, not wanting to speak for one of the only times in his life.

“...How?”

“Well… the reason we're all split into light and dark is because the original Creativity split first. When Thomas was around your age he got too Christian and decided all the fun stuff was bad so it was forced out and voila! It made yours truly. And then Morality decided to split all of us off.”

“Why?!”

“I dunno, for funsies I guess.”

“Huh… So is your brother the one trying to take more creative control?”

“Eugh, probably.”

“Don't like him then, I'm guessing?”

“He's the worst!” Remus hollered, “all glitter and ponies and magic godmothers! The only ones who die on his side of the Imagination are villains!”

Virgil gasped, “is that why I'm not allowed in the Imagination alone?!”

“Yeah, but don't go snooping around now that you know that! And don't let Wrath or Janus know that you know about my twin!”

“Why?”

“They wanted to wait til you were older so you would understand. The split is behind us, Virgie. It's the past. And you came after it. You being a dark side from the moment you formed was the start of our perfect family. You don't need to dwell on something you didn't exist to see.”

“Okay,” Virgil nodded and then giggled, “way to bash the entire subject of History there.”

“If you learn from it you can't repeat the best bits!”

Virgil laughed and relaxed into his friend's hold as he unpaused the film.

Both of them stared at the screen as the credits rolled.

“Keep doubting…” Remus echoed.

Virgil hummed in thought, “what afterlife would make someone want to go to it, but for others to not know what it is?”

“Maybe if there's none at all?”

“But then why would she want to stop living?”

“Because she knows all the work she's done torturing people til their last breath was for nothing, and that life really has no meaning at all?”

“No afterlife is boring though, Remus. Surely you agree?” Virgil turned to look back up at him, “wouldn't you want it to be some sort of Lovecraftian hell?”

“Oh, I would love that, you know I would. But, y'know,” the Duke sighed, “Occam's razor gotta cut us out of our skin and bleed us out until we're dried skin suits and a pile of bones.”

“Eugh.”

“Yum.”

“Ew!”

They both giggled. Virgil shifted until his back was pressing into Remus’ chest and he closed his eyes with a content sigh. Watching the goriest movie ever made with his insane best friend really tired him out.

Remus crossed his legs to wrap them around Virgil and tightened his hold. A surge of violent protectiveness coursed through his veins as he thought back to the conversation between him and Janus he had eavesdropped on.

“Hey, salticidae?”

“Hm?”

“If those light sides ever do try to Beauty And The Beast ya or some shit, you can call me to come and help you through the portal!”

“...Oh!” Virgil’s eyes lit up, “that's a great idea! As long as you bring some weapons with you.”

“For you,” Remus grinned, “I’d bring only my best.”

When Janus and Wrath recovered from their screaming match and went to check on the youngest, they were met with a sight that was immediately placed into the family photobook.

Virgil was curled up into a ball while hugging his bat plushie close to his chest, letting out tiny high pitched snores. Remus was wrapped around him with all 4 limbs plus his tentacles, letting out much bigger, grosser snores.

Ironically, being cuddled by the embodiment of intrusive thoughts was a great way to get rid of nightmares.

And, for nearly a decade, everything was perfect for the little dark family.

Until, like the twisted shadow of a Disney Princess, Virgil's dream came true.

[yomica12345]

Royal AU?

I know there are plenty of Royal AUs in the Sanders Sides fandom already but... If I were to do one who would you want to be royalty? I may take the results of this poll into consideration as I'm coming up with my concept, but I'll give you a little peek of what to expect by sharing my placeholder title: Royals and Wizards. Are the royals not going to be wizards or are they wizards themselves? Who knows? Also I may have multiple Princes so... make sure to reblog especially if it means others may want the same side(s) to be royalty. But the first place vote will be the concept I will ultimately be going with for this au.

Here are possible concepts for what each side(s) au may be like if they're at the top of the poll:

Roman and Remus:

Two brothers fighting for the crown as their parents aren't exactly sure which of them is the oldest. In order to have a chance at the crown they must find love and be the first to marry. Who would find love first or would it just be a race to get someone to agree to a marriage?

Virgil:

Virgil never wanted the responsibility of a kingdom to be placed on his shoulders but with the King and Queens passing the mantel will soon fall to him. Unable to handle the stress Virgil decides to run away to try and escape the responsibility. Will he be able to escape the crown or will he be found in time to be crowned king?

Logan:

Prince Logan has got it bad for Virgil. (Yes, Analogical because I'm obsessed) But betrothed from a young age Logan has to decide to whether to take up his responsibility as the prince to marry someone for the good of the kingdom or take the decision into his own hands and go with the man he truly loves. (In this one Logan would most likely be a wizard so wizard antics would definitely play a part in the story)

Patton:

As heir to the thrown Patton needs to find someone who he can trust to rule along side him and in order to this a selection is held. (Yes like based off the Selection Series but make it gay and Sander Sides) Meeting with different suitors Patton has trouble narrowing the list of suitors down. Will he be able to find The One?

Janus:

Janus has had a rivalry with a prince of a neighboring kingdom since he was young. (Not sure who the other prince would be yet) Wanting to get back at this other prince he sneaks into their kingdom and their sleeping quarters in order to steal something as leverage against them. However his plan goes awry as he's caught and his lies have him committing himself to spying on himself for this prince who actually just wants to win his heart. Will Janus end up developing feelings back? He certainly hopes not.

P.S. I might come out with another poll later for who you may want to see as a wizard.

[co-smitten]

Sanders Sides Co-Writing Fun

Hello this is @yomica12345. There might already be some fanders already doing this but I haven't found them if they are. I just thought it would be fun to create a side blog as a space to unite sanders sides fanfiction writers who would like to find others to write with.

I'm hoping it will help inspire those who are in all sorts of positions. Those who may be suffering with writers block and would just like someone to bounce ideas off of or are looking for a proof reader. Those who think it would be fun to co-write with someone but don't know where to look for that person to write with. Those who have ideas but aren't sure where to start and could use some guidance. And maybe those looking for writing prompts specific to the sides or those who would like to offer prompts from ideas they might have themselves.

Basically I want this blog to be a safe place for fanders who love writing fanfiction and fanders who love reading fanfiction. I'm not sure how to organize things just yet but if it seems enough writers are interested in this idea then I'll get a discord running and I'll start setting things up. If you're interested in participating in anything I've mentioned whether it be writing, reading or collaborating please like and reblog this post. The more people I see wanting to get involved the more I'll take this seriously. If you have any questions you can ask them in the comments or through my ask box. Thanks in advance for any support you might offer this post <3

Co Writing Discord Link

[toastwithjelly]

Can everyone drop your sanders side fic recommendations?? Even if you wrote it hehe

[micropoet]

Burned

Inspired by “The Line” by Twenty One Pilots. I might add more chapters to this later, so comment if you want to see more. Enjoy!

What if Virgil leaving the Dark Sides was a painful process in more ways than one? 

TW: Blindness, illness, burns, fighting, bad feelings lol

Ft. Mostly Virgil and Janus, but everyone else shows up for half a second.

Take a seat

But I'd rather you not be here for

What could be my final form

Stay your pretty eyes on course

Keep the memories of who I was before

So stay with me because

My body's on the line now

I can't fight this time now

I can feel the light shine on my face

Did I disappoint you?

Will they still let me over

If I cross the line?

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

Virgil sunk back to the dark side with his eyes firmly closed. He opened them slowly, adjusting to the darkness in stages. He squinted out into the shadows, then fully opened his eyes. Virgil tried to pick out the shapes of his desk and his bed, and after a few minutes of tensely waiting Virgil could make out their outlines.

Out of habit, Virgil flicked his light switch on and off. He barely noticed the difference between the two. How long would it be before he couldn’t see anything on the Dark Side? 

A knock at the door interrupted the depressing thought. Virgil shuffled to his door and pulled it open. 

“Ah, so you are back,” Janus stated and shuffled into the room without waiting for an invitation. Virgil rolled his eyes and moved to close the door. He froze when something brushed his arm. 

He hadn’t seen anything there. What touched him? Did one of Remus’ creatures sneak its way into his room? Janus would have told him about that, right? But what if Janus couldn’t see it either? What if it was creeping around, waiting for one of them to drop their guard, then it could… 

A hand grabbed Virgil’s arm and he most definitely did not scream. 

“What’s wrong?” Janus asked. The hand was Janus’. 

“Something touched me! Is there…? I thought…?” 

“You’re not making sense, sweetheart.” 

Virgil felt Janus’ cold hands move to rest on either side of his face. 

“Oh dear! You’re burning up!” Janus exclaimed. A hand was moved to Virgil’s forehead. He sighed into the coolness, letting Janus’ cold blood suck away the excess body temperature. 

Janus tutted. “Come. Lay down. No, no whining. You need to lay down.”

With half-hearted grumbling, Virgil found himself being gently shoved into his bed. The covers felt cool and crisp against his fevered skin. He’d always been freezing cold, what was happening? 

“Here.” Janus stated. 

“Here, what?” 

“Tea.”

“... what?”

“Seriously? Can you not see the cup of tea that I’m holding six inches from your face?” Janus asked incredulously. 

“Whatever,” Virgil scoffed. He squinted in the darkness to see the edge of a cup and hesitantly reached out to grab it. 

“Virgil,” Janus’ voice was deadly serious. “Can you really not see the cup?” 

Virgil’s hand closed over the warm mug, but Janus refused to release his hold. 

“Answer me, Virgil.” 

“It’s not a big deal-

“Answer. Me.” 

Virgil paused. 

“Sweetheart…” Exasperation filled Janus’ tone. 

“Jan, you don’t need to worry about it.” Virgil started. 

“Worry about what? The fact that you can’t see something a foot in front of you? Or the fact that you’re lying to me?” 

“I’m not answering that question.” 

“Why?” Virgil didn’t reply. Janus finally let go of the mug. “Why won’t you listen to me on this? Why won’t you admit those Light Sides are bad for you?” 

Again, Virgil stayed silent. What could he say to resolve their months’ long debate? Staring at the near empty-blackness, Virgil couldn’t recall his usual defenses and justifications. Eventually, Janus sighed. He sounded so tired. Virgil heard him step away from the bed. The anxious side panicked at the sudden absence and the disappointment he was sure Janus had on his face. 

“I told them my name.” The words tumbled out of Virgil’s mouth before he could think about them. “We were filming and it just kind of… slipped out.” 

The silence in the room was heavy.

“I’ll let you rest, but we’re not done with this conversation. I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready.” Janus said simply. Virgil only knew Janus had left the room from the sound of the door clicking shut. 

The warm cup of tea felt like flames on his skin. Even the bed became unbearably hot. Virgil took off his hoodie, but kept it close, unwilling to lose it to the darkness around him. It was too hot to sleep, and too dark to do anything else, so Virgil simply lay there thinking of Janus’ threat to continue the conversation. 

Honestly, he’d been narrowly avoiding talking about the Light Sides for weeks. Janus hadn’t thought much of it when Virgil had first joined a video, but his opinion had quickly shifted when Virgil returned. The shift between the Light and Dark Sides wasn’t like walking through a door, it was a whole different environment. It was… well lighter, with the Light Sides. Brighter might be a better word as colors appeared more vibrant, smells more potent, every sense was amplified on their side. That, and the Light Side was unbearably hot, like standing on the surface of the sun. 

The first few times Virgil had returned from filming with debilitating migraines and shivering uncontrollably. Janus took care of him (and Remus promised not to use his jackhammer during those times, which was something) but Virgil could tell it weighed on him. It was around his third or fourth time going to the light sides when Janus broke down. He begged Virgil not to go back, to stay on the Dark Side where he was safe. 

Janus didn’t understand that it wasn’t up to Virgil anymore. There was an instinct driving him forward, pulling him back to the Light Side over and over again. Even when Virgil tried to resist the pull, he’d wind up back at the Light Sides, no matter how badly it hurt. 

But Virgil hadn’t been able to explain this, not in any kind of valuable way, and it had devolved into an argument. At least, until the migraines went away. At that point, Virgil reached sort of an equilibrium between the two sides. The fighting stopped and it was almost normal. Virgil would come home from filming and join one of Janus’ self-care days or watch Remus make questionable modern art. But of course Virgil wasn’t lucky enough for that to continue. 

He noticed the temperature changes first. He hadn’t noticed when it first became comfortable to be on the Light Side, but he had noticed when everything on the dark side started to feel colder. Even taking scalding hot showers couldn’t match with his apparently elevating body heat. That had been relatively easy to hide from Remus and Janus, not that they were continuing to point out what was wrong with going to the Light Sides. They assumed that he had figured out the balance between the sides. They didn’t think they’d have to deal with any weird illnesses again. And Virgil couldn’t take the disappointed stares, so he kept it to himself. The vision changes were much harder to hide. 

The dark side grew dimmer and dimmer at an alarming rate. At first, Virgil could rest in his room for a little while until his eyes adjusted to the darker area, then go on with his day. But as the light gradually disappeared from his home, Virgil was at a loss. He spent more time in his room, trying to hide the reality of the situation from his family, but that only brought accusations. 

Remus was the first to suggest that Virgil might prefer the light sides over his family. Virgil wasn’t sure if it was an intrusive thought or something Remus had actually been worried about. In the end it didn’t matter because Virgil could only dispel the suspicion once or twice before it set in. 

Virgil had to say no to so many of Remus’ “outings” that the creative side had stopped asking him altogether. Virgil could go days without seeing or hearing from Remus, which was a feat in itself. Janus, on the other hand, only grew more clingy. Nearly every conversation between the two was an interrogation or an argument. Janus wanted to know why Virgil was filming so many videos, why he spent so much time in his room, why he was so jumpy recently, why he didn’t do any of his normal activities. Why why why why. 

It never stopped. And while staring at the pitch-black space where his ceiling was supposed to be, Virgil nearly started to cry. It was hopeless, wasn’t it? If he hid what was happening to him, Remus and Janus thought he was avoiding them. If he showed them what was happening to him, they would demand he stop seeing the Light Sides and Virgil couldn’t just stop. So Virgil just resigned himself to waiting, taking the suspicion, and holding out until he got better. 

What if he didn’t get better? What if he spent the rest of his life trapped in darkness? What if he couldn’t see Janus or Remus again? What if the only burst of light he got was when he filmed a video. Could he live like that? If the heat kept building Virgil was sure he couldn’t. But would Janus keep taking care of him, even if Virgil couldn’t give him an honest answer? Janus would never abandon him. They’d been through a lot and fought a lot, but Janus was always there for him when it counted. But part of Virgil wondered if there was an end to Janus’ patience. 

“Oh Virgin~!” Remus called from outside the door. “Dinner’s ready! Hurry before I come up with something creative to do to your plate!” 

Virgil shook off the train of anxious thoughts and stood up. He traced the wall with the tips of his fingers, trying to lead himself back to the kitchen. As he struggled to find the doorknob, Virgil was struck by a horrifying thought that it may be getting darker. 

“It’s okay. You’re okay. Breathe. Breathe.” Virgil repeated. He closed his eyes. Strange, it was darker with his eyes closed, but only half as terrifying. His closed around the doorknob. With a sigh of relief, Virgil opened his eyes and pushed the door open. What greeted him was a black void. 

Virgil took in strained breaths. He was fine. Perfectly fine. He walked forward five steps and bumped into the small table they had in the hallway. No problem. Virgil turned to the left and walked forward. He found the wall with his fingers. He found the deep gouges where Remus had practiced with his morningstar. He was almost there. He was so close. 

Something cold and slick pressed into Virgil’s side. He froze, waiting for Remus’ cackling laughter. There was no laughter. Instead, the thing disappeared somewhere into the infinite blackness. Virgil shook. 

There was something there. Something that moved. And he couldn’t see it. It could be anything. It could be anywhere. Virgil hadn’t even heard it move. Was it still there? What was it waiting for? He couldn’t see ANYTHING.

Virgil dropped to the ground in a fetal position. Panic gripped his entire body. His eyes frantically scanned the surrounding area, to see nothing. Absolutely nothing. Virgil tensed and tucked his head defensively. 

The thing could be anywhere. It was waiting for him, Virgil knew it. The fear seeped like ice through his blood, freezing him in place. It was dark. It was so so dark. Anything could happen and Virgil couldn’t move and he was all alone in the dark and it was so hot his skin was melting and it wouldn’t stop it wasn’t stopping it will never-

“-gil. Virgil!”

Hands, too many hands, grabbed him out of the darkness. He couldn’t see where they started or where they ended. It was endless. Where were they taking him? 

“Virgil, please. Focus on me. Focus on my voice.”

“I can’t! It’s here. They’re everywhere. I-I….”

“It’s alright, sweetheart. It’s just me. It’s just Janus. You’re safe.”

“There was a-”

“Shhh, little one. Breathe with me.” 

Janus counted. His hands tapped out the rhythm. Virgil struggled to follow along, shaking through uneven breaths. Janus’ pattern stayed steady. Virgil looked instinctively for Janus’ hands, but couldn’t see anything. He couldn’t even see his own body. Virgil felt like he was floating in darkness, completely isolated in the pitch black. 

“Stay with me, sweetheart.” 

The hands squeezed Virgil, reminded him of his body. He whined. It was so hard to stay present. He screwed his eyes shut. 

“Just focus on my voice and relax.” 

And Virgil did, eventually. As Virgil’s breathing evened out, Janus drew him into his chest in a hug. Virgil caved into the familiar gesture easily, closing his eyes as Janus wrapped him in his arms. It was nearly impossible to be afraid when Janus held him like that. But as he calmed down further, Virgil realized that Janus was just waiting to start the interrogation. 

“Would you like to tell me what got you so worked up?” Janus questioned. His tone remained calm. 

“No,” Virgil answered. He kept his eyes firmly closed. 

“Will you open your eyes for me?” 

Virgil shook his head. 

“Why not?”

“It’s too dark,” Virgil muttered. 

“I would think it would be darker with your eyes closed, sweetheart.” Janus chuckled. One of his many hands brushed away Virgil’s bangs. Virgil flinched at the bitter cold. 

“Please open your eyes for me.” Janus’ tone was so soft and pleading that Virgil complied. He opened his eyes, facing the void.

“Dear, can you see me?” 

Virgil was already in shattered pieces on the floor, but somehow, that question broke him further. “It’s so dark,” Was all Virgil managed to say before bursting into sobs. Janus breathed in sharply, then tightened the hug. 

“Oh sweetheart. I’m so sorry. It’ll be alright. You’re going to be okay.” 

The words were comforting, but Virgil could hear the waver in Janus’ voice. He was lying. 

“What’s wrong with emo?” Remus’ voice cut through the darkness. Virgil didn’t even bother attempting to answer. 

“He can’t see,” Janus answered for him. “The Lights did something to him.”

“Those mother-”

“It wasn’t them.” Virgil answered quickly. 

“You don’t need to defend them, Virgil.” 

“I’m not defending them. It’s the truth!” Virgil pulled away from the hug but kept a hand on Janus for stability.

“Oh, so your eyes just suddenly don’t work for no reason?” Janus retorted sarcastically. 

“Ooo! They could have imploded and be leaking blood into your brain right now!” 

“Not helpful, Remus.” 

 “I’m telling you, this has nothing to do with them. Use your mind reading thing if you have to, I’m NOT LYING.” Virgil repeated firmly. 

“Then what caused this? Because you could see this morning, you come back from the Light Side and you’re suddenly blind? What do you want me to believe?” 

“Me, Janus,” Virgil spat. “I want you to believe me.” 

“Then tell me what happened when you stayed late today, hm?” Janus’ voice was a near growl. 

“We were brainstorming for the next video. Nothing crazy.” “You mean the next video where they ridicule you?” Remus snapped. 

“They’re not really like that!”

“But they’d blind you?” 

“They didn’t do anything to me!” 

“Stop saying that!” 

“Then stop denying it!” 

“I’m not denying anything! It’s the truth!” Virgil’s heart thudded in his chest as he screamed. The heat in his body built like steam in a pressure cooker. The darkness surrounded and suffocated. 

Janus grabbed Virgil’s arm. Virgil lurched forward as Janus yanked him. He could feel the coldness of Janus’ breath on the side of his face. 

“If they’re so trustworthy, why don’t you stay with them instead?” 

The words burned white-hot. The hand on Virgil’s arm scalded his skin. Then suddenly, he could see. 

Brilliant light dispelled all darkness. In the stark white light Virgil could see Janus’ face in stunning clarity. Virgil could make out every line of anger and disgust. In that split second, Virgil met Janus’ eyes and saw a face of utter disappointment. 

As quick as the vision came, it vanished. 

Instead of returning to darkness, Virgil found himself in a bright hallway. Colorful paintings dotted the walls. To his left, Vigil could make out a blue, indigo, and a red door. In front of him, was a door painted dark purple. 

Virgil blinked, but the image stayed. 

His door. The Light Side. It didn’t make sense. 

“Oh, Heya kiddo!” 

Virgil’s head snapped to the side to see Patton walking towards him. Had Virgil lost his mind? This had to be a dream. 

“Did ya forget something? I’m an excellent finder, seeing how I have… four eyes.” Patton tapped his glasses, then laughed for an unwarranted amount of time. Definitely not a dream. 

“Anx- Virgil, what happened to your arm?” Patton asked, his face suddenly showing concern. 

Virgil looked towards his arm to see a handprint emblazoned in red. He prodded it and felt the burning sensation anew. 

“Are you okay? What happened?” 

Virgil was done with questions. People kept asking him questions when he had NO CLUE what was happening. 

“He- He wouldn’t do this. He wouldn’t do this to me,” Virgil choked out. His voice shook, but no tears fell. He was spent, completely dried out. 

“Who wouldn’t, kiddo?” “I- I can’t- I’m supposed to-” “Shh, shh. It’s okay. We’re just gonna lie down in the living room for a minute, okay?” 

Virgil allowed himself to be led away from the vibrant hallway, to another vibrant hallway. The colors blurred into a kaleidoscope of useless visual information. He was sat on something soft. 

Warm arms wrapped around his torso. It felt wrong. Janus’ hugs were always cold. Awkwardly, Virgil was pat stiffly on the shoulder. Wrong. Remus was slimy or unsanitary, but never stiff. A third voice echoed in the room heroically declaring vengeance. Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. 

Virgil forced his eyes shut, placed himself back in the darkness he was supposed to inhabit. But burned on the inside of his eyelids in blazing white was that look in Janus’ eyes. That fear and disappointment. 

He didn’t belong in the Light, but he could no longer go back to the dark. He’d reached too high, and, like Icarus, Virgil burned. 

[lefaystrent]

Distractions

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Pairings: all-star cast of platonicness

Summary: The light sides are in a sad state of affairs. The dark sides are pretty good at offering distractions.

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

Logan sits on the living room couch, head in his hands, slumped in defeat. Despair. Failure.

He's slightly jostled by someone else sitting on the couch.

"Aliens aren't real," comes Virgil's voice, definitive and assumedly directed at Logan.

Logan lifts his head enough to check. His glasses have made a mighty impression into his forehead but he doesn't move to adjust them. Virgil is very nearly glaring at him.

"Virgil, you yourself have created power point demonstrations centered around the validity of aliens. Since when has your opinion changed?"

"Since now. Fight me, nerd."

Logan leans back a little to properly look at Virgil. He could be mistaken for fuming, the way his jaw is set and the fire burning in his eyes. But no, he is merely adamant to rile Logan up. To what end though?

"Are you...challenging me to a debate?"

Virgil gives a sharp-toothed, satisfied grin. He is willing to play devil's advocate for a good cause.

***

"Hey, wanna dance?"

Roman windmills his arm in the direction of the sultry voice that whispered in his ear. The faint smell of garlic wifts in his nostrils, followed by a gleeful chuckle.

"Remus!! Get out of my room!"

Remus rolls back on his heels. He folds his arms behind his back and looks into the air, a thoughtful hum on his lips.

"Hmmm, how about no?"

"Leave! Out you pest!"

"Make me!"

"You would force the hand of your own brother?" Roman says far too seriously, and Remus gives him an unimpressed stare. "...yeah, you're right, this is very on brand for you. I don't know why I'm acting surprised."

Remus shrugs and throws his hands up in the air. "Alright, if you're done bothering me–"

"You're the one who came in my room!"

"I've got better things to do than listen to you whine, Prince Poopy Pants."

Remus goes to stride out the door. Roman watches him, arms crosses and fingers tapping impatiently on his elbow, haughty expression that says he's one push away from snapping.

Remus pauses at the door.

Roman doesn't have time to anticipate.

Remus snatches up one of Roman's Pop figures off his bookshelf and flees the scene. Roman exits stage right in pursuit, screaming.

***

"You can't stay in bed all day."

"Watch me," Patton says, a pout in his voice. He's buried under blankets with only his hair sticking out at the top.

Janus clicks his tongue and scratches at Patton's scalp. It's less effective with gloves on, but Patton allows the contact.

"Or do, I certainly won't judge you," Janus says flippantly.

Patton whines into the mattress, "That implies that someone is judging me."

"I didn't say that. Did I say that?"

"Janus!" Exasperrated, Patton tosses down his blankets enough to reveal his rumpled onsie and impressive bedhead. He stops when he sees what sits on the bedside table that wasn't there before.

"You never came down for breakfast this morning," Janus explains. "Not that I care or anything. There were just so many pancakes leftover that it would be a shame for them to go to waste."

Patton eyes the tray and the stack of syrupy pancakes. His lip wobbles a little. "You brought me breakfast in bed?"

"Don't get used to it."

Patton finds the will to smile and tucks into breakfast. It tastes freshly made and sweet.

[fantasticfangirl21]

*materializes into existence*

Hey :D

You said you wanted to write for funzies, so I had a lil idea to share.

Intruloceit in the ever-classic "one is overworking, so the other two coax them into self-care and sleep" trope.

Just a thought.

Have fun :D

Okay, bet, here we go my dude I was actually just about to ask for prompts because Im in a writing mood out of nowhere-

For context, when I write I typically write with the head cannon that Janus has an extra six arms that are invisible to the eye. And with the head cannon that Remus has six tentacles that protrude from his back that he uses to climb around and stick to walls and fun stuff like that. (I also write that Virgil has eight spider legs that also protrude from his back but he's a side character in this one so don't worry about that lol)

WITH ALL OF THIS SAID I BRING TO YOU A FANFIC I WROTE TWO HOURS AT WORK JUST NOW, LOVINGLY ENTITLED:

Always~

It was another night...

Another long night.

But in Logan's defense it has to be. What with the mess of a calendar Thomas has going for the upcoming months SOMEONE has to organize and plan ahead. Roman was pushing him constantly to make new video content, Virgil was stressed about all the events rehearsals and music editing we had to do, Patton was stressed as always for the upcoming holidays.

And don't even get him started on the dark sides... Remus was constantly vying for attention due to Thomas' head being in the mess it was in. With Patton and Virgil on the fritz they made easy targets for his pranks, dreams and ploys on a near daily basis. And Janus- well surprisingly Janus had generally done nothing recently but try to keep Remus as in line as they can... but that didn't mean he wasnt planning something Logan would have to fix later.

Logan grabs the coffee off the side of his desk, pushing his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose before rubbing his temples a bit as he sips his coffee... Its a mess. Its always a mess, always a mess Logan has to manage or clean. Everyone always comes to him and interrupts his work with the issues. Patton complaining about fitting time in for Thomas to try cooking before Thanksgiving and Xmas. Virgil complaining about how many events are on the calendar and asking some can be crossed off or avoided. Roman huffing about us not being able to make new content for two weeks.

Constantly. Getting. On. His. Nerves.

Logan doesn't notice the coffee cup shaking in his grip until some spills over the rim and onto his hand, he winces sharply and puts the mug down with a lengthy sigh before snapping paper towels into existence to clean the desk up. He leans to drop the wadded paper towel into the trashcan and startles slightly at how off his body feels at the sudden movement. He drops it into the trasnchan and shifts back to sitting over the desk, waiting on his equilibrium to balance back out again... how may long nights of planning has it been...?

Only one or two right...? But when's the last time he- made an effort to sleep? Hes joined the sides for lunch and dinner each day, and yes their commentary about the bags under his eyes is annoying, but its not particularly out of the ordinary. Logan tends to focus work more in the night hours. It's the only time the mind palace is actually quiet. Save for Remus' midnight snack runs, Janus' late night baths and Virgils occasional insomniac tendency to need warm milk or tea before bed.

Logan glances at the clock on his monitor.

The ungodly hour of 1 am glares back at him. He rubs his eyes and checks again just to be sure... before waving it off.

It doesn't matter, he was nearly done anyway. He picks his coffee back up and sips it, realizing it wasn't quite as hot as he preferred, his thoughts had taken up too much time it seems. He sighs again annoyed before standing- ignoring the mild difficulty in doing so... and walking to his door, with the intent to make a new pot of coffee.

He heads to the kitchen, again a bit startled by how weak he feels in doing so. But he will rest soon enough, he just has to finish up the hourly scheduling of each day for the next three months. Simple.

He stares blankly at the coffee maker, before taking his mug to the sink to rinse and clean out before the pot is done. With the water running its impossible to hear Janus slink slyly into the kitchen behind him.

"Late night~?"

Logan jumps- nearly dropping the ceramic mug into the sink at the sudden voice in his ear, glasses falling askew as he curses under his breath that he's now having difficulty catching.

"Last I checked coffee wasn't the best thing to help one sleep, but I am a liar so what do I know~"

Logan breathes out, setting the clean cup to the side and turning the water off before rounding to make eye contact with the snake.

"Yes well unlike some of you, I have important work to do, so if you don't mind."

Logan moves to step past Janus but is stopped by one of his annoying invisible arms barred in front of him.

"More important than you?"

Janus' voice drops its teasing lilt with the question, which startles Logan mildly.

"Pardon?"

He asks, a bit confused by the question.

"I asked if the work you were doing was more important than you."

Logans confusion must be even more apparent by the clarification because Janus takes it as a cue to continue.

"You're not taking care of yourself. That much is apparent, your appetite has been getting smaller each meal. The bags under your eyes are much larger day by day. You've been getting quieter at gatherings, which is typically an indicator that you're more irritable and don't want to snip at anyone, or that you don't want to be caught or teased for yawning. Also this coffee machine has logged fourteen hours of use in the last week, and no one else here drinks coffee but Patton, who has one cup each morning, with more sugar then coffee. So try to tell me that you're taking care of yourself, I dare you."

Janus waits, watching Logans reaction carefully, surprise gently easing into his eyes whilst his face stays generally blank. Janus can tell he's caught the wise side off guard, two invisible hands reach past Logan to pick up and dry his coffee mug, before placing it on the kitchen island behind their back. Logan seems at a loss for words, so Janus shifts the arm barring his escape away from the nerd.

"Why don't you head back to your room~ and go change for me. Ill bring you some tea in a few minutes or so."

This time Logan seems to wake from his confusion a bit.

"I can't- I have work to finish."

Logan hates how weak the excuse sounds on his tongue. He knows the sides notice when he is working harder then usual... but typically they all leave him be. The light sides do anyway...

"You're finished working for today. Back to your room." Janus' tone is soft, perhaps softer then he's ever heard it... It feels safe. Comforting for some reason. Just the cadence of his voice makes his eyelids a bit heavier... he nods numbly a little... and slowly starts his walk back to his room, caught in a bit of a daze as he moves down the hall... entering his room- He stops... in the threshold staring puzzled at the state of his room.

It looks nice... his room had been a bit too messy for his liking recently... The bed is made up, his starlight is on, its a projector that mimics the stars patters on his walls. Not only that but his desk is both tidy and his computer is off. His eyebrows pinch in confusion... he could have sworn when he went to the kitchen he left it o-

"POOPY!!"

Logan jumps once more with a rather embarrassing 'eep' noise this time as Remus jumps down from the ceiling and lands in front of him.

"Aweeeeee that was adorablleeeeee do it again!!"

Logan blushes with embarrassment and pushes past the obnoxious side to further himself into the room.

"No I will not be doing it again. You know that no one is allowed in my room with permission Remus. Get out immediately, I need to change."

Remus swings over with a sharp grin and wiggles his eyebrows as he descends the ceiling again dropping in front of Logan as he ruffles the smart sides hair.

"Well now I wanna stay even more~"

He teases with a fiendish grin, tentacles wriggling from his back excitedly at the prospect of seeing Logan change. Logan weirdly finds himself stuck on the fact that Remus ruffled his hair- and he didn't hate it... Logan rolls his eyes irritably, snapping from his stupor and shifts to his closet past the Duke, who stays annoyingly close to him the whole time.

"Do you actually need something? Or are you just here to annoy me now."

Logan grumps, grabbing his clothes from the closet and moving to his bathroom to avoid the dukes prying eyes. Remus attempts to follow into the bathroom, but Logan shuts the door in his face before he can, getting dressed in peace.

"Im here to make sure you're listening to Jannyyyy, because you like to overwork and overwhelm yourself until you can't function anymore."

Logan sighs deeply, lovely he has a babysitter.

"Mm, and who told you that."

Logan asks, knowing who but not wanting to let the duke go silent. Its always scarier when you can't here where Remus' voice is coming from. That's when he gets the element of surprise on you for a jump scare.

"Double Dick Deceit did of course~" Logan cringes as he buttons up his silk pajamas... gross. Though anomalistically accurate, snakes do in face hack two dicks... as gross as it is to know Janus is the same it is interesting that his anatomy is accurate to a- wait focus. Logan freezes slightly, listening for Remus- shit.

"SHIT ON A DICK!"

Remus emerges from the toilet and Logan finds the same annoying noise escapes him as Remus startles him once more. He exhales sharply in frustration as the duke giggles giddily at the sound from Logan. The intelligent side tosses his clothes irritably at Remus' face as he opens the door to leave the bathroom.

"Go back into the sewage where you belong Duke, I don't need a babysitter. I can follow instructions just like anyone else."

He grumbles, making his way back to his laptop, that is before Remus drops down between him and his desk, dripping in... what Logan hopes is clean toilet water.

"No can do~ I was told to stay with you until Snakey gets back!"

Logan can't help but notice how childish Remus is acting. In comparison to his onscreen behavior, or his behavior with the other sides he's being rather... Puppyish.

"Mmm-hmm... Is there a reason you're acting- different?"

Logan asks, apprehensively. Honestly not sure if he wants the answer... perhaps Remus was attempting to lull him into a false sense of security? Or trick him in some way shape or form...? Logan wasn't exactly sure what to expect as Remus' response to the question but what Logan doesn't expect, is Remus' cheeks to pinken and him to look away. Before Logan can inquire further there are two soft knocks on the open doorway, swaying his attention. He turns around to see Janus walking in, tea floating beside him and a container of sugar floating beside it.

"Am I interrupting something~?"

Janus asks playfully, Logan huffs slightly at the notation, missing the way Remus blushes further before ducking back into the bathroom to dry off.

"No. Your babysitter was simply doing his job."

Janus seems amused by the characterization of Remus as he makes his way to bed, patting beside him for Logan to take a seat as well.

"Yesss well, I couldn't exactly trust you not to go back to your work the moment I left now could I."

Logan scoffs a bit amused himself now.

"Trust is a rich word coming from you, Deceit."

Janus hums with a smirk gently shifting an invisible hand to Logans back after he sits down. Janus' smirk softens a bit fonder as Logan falters mildly at the touch, a clear immediate disconnect between his thoughts at the gentle brush of fingers up and down his back. Logans posture starts to slump just barely, before he tries to righten it again, his eyes dipping down a bit as his head tilts forward. A gloved hand catches his chin, brushing under it fondly with a gentle hum as he lifts the logical sides sleepy gaze to his.

"It is isn't it~"

Deceit purrs in response, watching silently as the light side practically crumples at the light positive attention. Though something about the ease of it begins to bother him. Well, rather, has always bothered him. Logans reaction to soft touch, and affirmation is always a drastic one. It's nearly as if he rarely gets affection.

Janus knows that Patton is a touchy person, that much is clear with the cuddles he gives Virgil and the constant hugs and kisses he gives roman. Shamelessly in front of everyone else at that... but strangely enough, since Remus and Janus have been here or perhaps earlier then that, no such soft touch is offered to Logan. Janus had first assumed that it was in private, seeing as Logan was a rather private person and likely didn't want others to see when he was receiving attention. But after some time, something compelled Janus to inquire to Virgil about it.

Virgils response was simple, "Logan doesn't like touch. He makes it clear no one is to be in his personal space or in his room so- why would he be okay with touch...?" And while Virgils response wasn't a mean one or said in a rough way Janus felt wounded by it. Because if this was the case, then Logan has likely been touch starved since entering his existence in the mind palace at all.

A purred hum in front of him snaps Janus from his thoughts... finding that Logan is nearly entirely slumped over in his grasp now. A puddle in his hands... his eyes blissfully shut and his worry lines for once uncreased. Janus chuckles softly before gently shifting Logans head back up, his eyes blink open wearily the soft open ness of them catching the deceitful side off guard. Janus blushes mildly before swallowing it back down and using his multiple arms to adjust Logan into a sitting position against the headboard of the bed. Remus peeks out of the bathroom behind where Logan is sitting now, and beckons Janus quickly. Janus carefully picks up the tea, now cooled a bit more before handing it to Logan.

"Here, sip it carefully, Ill be back in just a moment."

Janus' heart twists at the immediate drop in Logans eyes as he pulls his hand away from bushing over him. The sleepy side obediently sipping at his tea with downcast eyes. Janus heads quickly to join Remus in the restroom, he immediately is met with pleading puppy eyes though and instantly knows he can't fight them.

"Pleaseeee- can we please stay ??? Please he's too tired to remember- and we can be out by morning before he wakes up- I won't do anything sexual I promise!! I just wanna cuddle the nerddd- he looked like a lost little rat when I ruffled his hairrrr-"

Janus hisses quietly with a finger to his mouth, ordering Remus to quiet down some... before sighing softly... mmm. If they stay, there's a chance Logans lack of memory will make him more untrusting of them... If he wakes and they were not only in his room but cuddling him in his bed... he is going to think he was seduced in his sleep and never trust us again. Not that he does currently. But.. Janus' head kept going back to that look. The one in his eyes when he pulled away. A lump forms in Janus' throat and looking into Remus pleading eyes again he knew he couldn't rationalize a way out of this one. Angry at them or not... Logan needed it. He needed the positive attention... more than he knew. Remus could read Janus' expression before the snake could even utter the words of defeat. The octopus lighting up excitedly and buzzing with energy as he was about to bound back into the room. Janus' hand shot out to close line the side before laying down rules.

"No. Sexual advances. No jokes about it in the morning. No secreting slime in your sleep. And absolutely NO loud noises. Anything like that may scare him away and ensure he never trusts us again. Meaning we won't be allowed in his room, nor anywhere near him. Ever. Again."

Remus huffs a little and pouts some...

"Well all that sounds a little over the top dramatic- but as long as we get to cuddle the nerd- I don't care- ill be a good little bitch boy~"

Janus can't stop the small excited smile from spreading on his face, letting his arm down for Remus to reenter the room, surpassingly already following the quiet rule. Janus closes the door to the bathroom and eases into the room behind Remus, Remus goes to the bedroom door and closes it carefully, while Janus makes his way back to Logans side on the bed. The logical side is staring dazedly at the stars on the wall in front of him, sipping at the last bit of the tea in the cup by the time they reenter the room.

Remus moves to the opposite side of the bed and scoots under the covers, Janus shoots him a glare and he stops there, not getting too close to Logan just yet. They don't want to scare him. Surprisingly he doesn't seem to notice, Logan looks completely dazed as he finally manages to fix his eyes on Janus, Janus notices the way those dark grey eyes light ever so slightly at seeing the half snake side again. Janus blushes slightly and takes the cup from Logan as he finishes the tea... Janus shifts Logan carefully with his arms down into the bed, laying down now rather then sitting, and carefully removes the sides glasses for him.

"I hope you don't mind, but Remus and I are going to stay to ensure you rest well. Were not here to babysit, just here to ensure you don't wake up at four am and convince yourself that two hours of sleep is enough."

Janus teases with a playful smile, Logan chuckles a bit, clearly more then a little delirious now that his body is giving out on him. Janus brushes a hand through the sides hair, watching as his pretty eyes nearly immediately fall half open and crossed. Janus finds himself chuckling lightly, before shifting Logan more center on the bed, and nodding at Remus. The green side immediately wraps Logan up in his thick arms, pressing him into the warmth of his body while Janus arranges himself on Logans other side, slipping an arm under Logans neck and draping his other arms over Logans body to gently brush over it. Invisible fingers gently tracing at his neck, chest, hair, down his arms and over his face.

The sleep starved side sinks into the sheets, clearly comforted by the warmth of the two other bodies present. His own hands fumble slightly, looking to find one of Janus' succeeding eventually whilst his other hand comes to rest gently on Remus' arm around him. Only then does he seem comfortable enough to fall asleep. Remus preens at the fact that Logan touched him on purpose and Janus smiles at the joy in the sides gaze. Then, breaking the tranquil silence is a voice, muddled with sleep and fatigue... but also an overwhelming amount of desperation, rarely heard in the sides voice.

"Are you going to stay...?"

Both Remus and Janus are taken aback by that... glancing at each other before down at Logan. His eyes still closed... expression still peaceful... one could think he didn't say a word. Remus leans down first... kissing Logans hair.

"Yeah pocket protector... we're not going anywhere." Then Logan does something the other two have never seen directed towards them... rarely even towards the other sides.

He smiles...

Soft...

Genuine...

Calm...

And completely relieved.

"Goodnight..."

He murmurs afterward... actually seeming to slip off to sleep this time. Janus watches him carefully, before sighing softly... smiling before kissing the sides forehead...

"Sleep well... we will be right here. Always..."

They knew he wouldn't remember this when he awoke. But they didn't mind. If they had to keep reminding Logan they loved him they would.

Always~

[sleepyvirgilprompts]

Virgil stirred slightly, said a sentence that contained no intelligible words but sounded grumpy, and curled closer to Janus. Janus frowned. "Sleep," he ordered-- unnecessarily; Virgil had already gone back to sleep.

[lit-vocabcards]

blorbo this and blorbo that, why is it everytime I am writing these fuckers i end up on the National Library of Medicine

[the-bisexual-bitch]

I need more analogical in the headspace. I don't want AUs, I want my two Little Autistic Guys shoved together in the brainspace because Virgil is having a Bad Time and none of the more 'emotional' sides are available (they were helping Thomas or something), so Logan helps. Or Virgil just SPECIFICALLY wants to be around Logan.

I need more of them being specifically described in the brainspace and looking different from Thomas. I need more of them being mildly upset that they don't look like themselves when they're helping Thomas.

I need more of the darksides and lightsides being basically two weird semi-funtional poly relationships.

I need more of Virgil having been in an unhealthy relationship with one of the Darksides and thinking he got away from them

I need more of Janus actually biting people and having venom.

I need more angst around Virgil feeling like he's a poser who's actually Bad and undeserving of the care given to by the Lightsides

I need more of Virgil not liking the phrases "Darkside" and "Lightside"

I need more of Virgil feeling infantilized by Patton and Patton struggling to get it

I need more long essays written about One Line to read and be convinced by.

(Please recommend fics, artists, tumblr accounts, etc.. I'm begging you.)

[firewolf111]

Hello, I have a request!

Roman and Remus convince the other sides to play a combination of Monopoly and Uno for the weekly game night. Chaos ensues.

Thank you for considering :)

I love this! That sounds like pure chaos, but the fun kind. I had so many ideas for rules, and it was hard to fit it all into a coherent story, but I did my best. Hope you enjoy!

Remus: Reverse! That means we move the opposite way around the board. And I get another chance for Boardwalk.

Roman: Ah! Dang it.

Virgil: What? *shaking his head* Okay, nevermind. Uh- *puts down a green seven* I guess I move seven. Unowned. Guess I'll buy it.

Logan: While you do that, I'll draw since I'm out of greens.

Roman: Oh wait! Does that put you at 15 cards?

Logan: *counting his cards* It appears so. Why?

Remus: *cheering* Go to jail!

Logan: What?

Roman: Yep! 15 cards means you go to jail.

Logan: Wait. If 15 cards puts me in jail, how do I get out?

Roman: Same way as usual. Play an identical card to someone. And since you all seem to forget, I'll remind you, doubles can be played anytime.

Logan: Okay, but as soon as I get out. What stops me from just immediately going back?

Remus: Don't be bad at the game.

Roman: We actually made a rule for that. The shame card!

Remus: Oh! You get the shame card! Ha!

Logan: The shame card?

Roman: Yes. Once you get out, you get the shame card. With the shame card, everything costs double. And I mean everything. While you have it, you can't get sent to jail for having too many cards. You can only get rid of it if either you get down to 10 cards or if someone else goes to jail for 15 cards.

Logan: This feels like a guaranteed loss then, if everything costs double.

Remus: Or, as I said earlier. Don't be bad at the game.

Logan: *sighing* Whatever.

Roman: Okay, my turn. I move 3 and I skip Janus's turn.

Janus: You just played two cards.

Roman: Yes. Draw twos, skips, and reverses can be played with a number card. We've established this multiple times. Remus literally just did so with his reverse. They can be played alone or with a number card. Keep up.

Virgil: Yeah. Keep up, Janus.

Janus: *scowling* Do not pretend like you understand this abhorrent Frankensteined game.

Logan: Playing two cards isn't a part of either game, though.

Janus: Neither is the shame card.

Patton: I think it makes perfect sense.

Roman: See!

Logan: Okay. *turns to Patton* Then explain the rules to me.

Patton: Well... you can play two cards if one of them is a draw two, skip, or reverse. 15 cards puts you in jail, and there is a ... shame card? And it's Monopoly and also....Uno.... but not? Because it's both...but also it's own game? I think?

Roman: See! He gets it!

Janus: He very much does not get it. None of us get it.

Remus: I don't know Jannie. He explained it exactly how we wrote it in the rule book. See! *summons rulebook and tosses it at Janus*

Janus: *scoffing before looking at it* ...

Janus: You're kidding. All the pages are blank. Except the first one that literally just says, "Monopoly but Uno, but make it neither by using both"

Remus: Yep! So see, Patton understands the game perfectly.

Logan: That's... that’s not a rulebook.

Roman: Sure it is! It says rulebook right on the cover.

Virgil: *reading over Janus's shoulder* It also says this game is called "How to make enemies in an instant."

Roman: The title is a work in progress.

Remus: I was going to name it some version of Hell, but Roman said that's a bad name for a family-friendly game.

Janus: This game is neither family nor friendly.

Patton: Awe, come on. They worked so hard on this, and we are only thirty minutes into the game.

Virgil: Monopoly games last hours.

Remus: Only if you're bad at the game.

Logan: Could you stop saying that?

Janus: I would rather eat the deck of cards than play this for a minute longer, let alone hours.

Remus: *grinning* That can be arranged!

Patton: Remus, no!

Logan, Roman, and Virgil: *watching as Remus tackles Janus and Patron tries to frantically separate them*

Logan: Huh, normally we would have another thirty minutes before something like this would happen.

Virgil: Yeah, but this might be a new record for Uno. I think the longest we lasted before was 20 minutes before you threw a book at my head.

Logan: 24 cards. You deserved that book.

Roman: Do we make bets on who wins?

Virgil: Obviously.

Logan: I'll move the table so the board doesn't get messed up.

Virgil: I thought you didn't want to play any longer.

Logan: *moving the table away from the other two still wrestling* I never said that. It is an... interesting game. But I do appreciate the strategy in it.

Roman: Really?!

Logan: Yes.

Virgil: It is a fun game. Chaotic. But fun. And I think Snake Boy likes it too.

Roman: Really? It seemed like he hated it.

Virgil: *scoffing* If Janus hated it, he'd have shoved Remus off and left. Or ar least had come up with better insults for the game. He clearly loves it. He just doesn't want to ruin his image.

Roman: What image?

Virgil: Yeah, he hasn't figured out he has long since lost his "Villain Persona".

Logan: He hasn't figured that out yet?

*crash*

Patton: Oh, why the TV?

Remus: *Smirking while standing over Janus and a now broken TV* Guess we're stuck playing board games for entertainment now.

Janus: Guess so. What a shame. I was looking forward to not playing that thing you call a "game."

*The three return to the table as Logan puts it back*

Virgil: Says the guy who very clearly broke the TV on purpose.

Janus: Remus shoved me into it.

Remus: Actually, I shoved you to the left of it. Not sure why you stumbled right and fell into it.

Janus: Obviously you tripped me.

Remus: Mhmm. Sure.

Logan: Okay, before we continue playing, is anyone injured?

Janus: No.

Remus: Nope. Sadly.

Logan: Don't forget rule 13 of board game night. You must be honest about all injuries gained.

Janus: We both are being completely truthful.

Logan: Good. So where were we?

Virgil: I believe Janus got skipped, so Patton's turn.

Patton: Draw two!

Remus: Nuh uh. Draw two! Stacked so four!

Virgil: No thanks. I'll stack this +2 for Logan to grab six.

Logan: Virgil.

Virgil: It's only six. You have no right to throw a book at me.

Logan: *waving the shame card around* I think I do.

Virgil: No.

Logan: Yes.

Patton: We just got back to playing. Another fight? Can you at least not break his nose this time?

Janus: *sighing* Why do we still allow these games after the pure number of injuries?

Roman: Because it's fun.

Janus: It is, isn't it?

Logan: *grumbling* Stupid game. Now I have to draw six cards. Which means I have to get rid of 11 just to get rid of this stupid shame card.

Remus: Have you tried-

Logan: Don't.

Remus: Not being bad at the game?

Logan: Why you- *jumps at Remus*

Virgil: Yeah... this game is going to take forever.

Janus: It appears so. All the more time for chaos.

Patton: And more famILY time!

*crash*

Virgil: And more broken things.

Roman: Yes! Great, isn't it?

Janus: Very. You were right. This is fun.