#patton is so sweet we love her

[ilikesuperheroesokay]

My thoughts when watching No Good Nick for the first time

”Oh, I like Jeremy! He just cares about his family, and he’s so hardworking and passionate! He has every reason to be suspicious, and it’s only fair that he’s a bit disgruntled.��

“Wow, this family is NOT close.”

“Aw, Ed makes beautiful art!”

“How sweet of Molly to make Nick feel comfy.”

“Wow, I can see where Jeremy gets his determination and dedication from! Look at Liz go, she’s a beast in the kitchen!”

“Aw, Nick’s flashbacks. :( “

“Wow, Ed’s such a good dad! Trying to make Nick feel at home, gosh I love him! It’s giving Patton Sanders.”

“Aw…Liz. Your wedding ring.”

“Damn, Molly needs new friends.”

”Damn, Molly needs new friends.”

“Wow, Nick is so clever!”

“Damn, this system is really fucked.”

“Aw, Eric and Jeremy are so cute! I’m getting a bit of a vibe from both of them, both together and separate, but I bet that it probably won’t become anything.”

“Is Jeremy autistic? That would explain a bit.”

“Aw man, I don’t like Lisa Haddad, but I Love Josie Totah! Look how pretty she is! 🤩 I haven’t seen her since Jessie!”

“Wow, Jeremy and Eric would be so cute together, but I’m sure it’s just one of those queer coded shows that never actually does anything.”

“Ooh, I really like Will. He’s cute, and he’s perfect for Nick.”

“Get outta here Riley, you’re gonna blow Nick’s cover!”

“Gosh golly gee wilikers, Eric and Jeremy sure are getting quite close!”

“Ugh, Nick, istg you’re digging yourself a deeper hole!”

“Oh no, Will’s a traitor.”

“Roses are red, cacti are prickly, holy shit that escalated quickly.”

“*sobs*”

“Huh, are they-OH MY GOD THANK THE LORD ABOVE JESUS CHRIST THEY FINALLY KISSED OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD YESSSSS.”

“Seriously, why do people hate Jeremy? In all seriousness, I’d be his friend! We can work on his election process together.”

”Aw, Ed. Look at you, helping your son out with something he really cares about. Dad of the year.”

“No! Jeremy’s coming out plan was ruined! But it’s okay, because they accepted him! (Ed missed everything)”

“…I need…I just…I need a couple minutes to just…cry.”

“Wow, time to watch it five more consecutive times! But there’s gonna be more seasons, right? Right? Right? RIGHT?!?”

[gamergirl-06]

Emma finding out the slayers are with her Sibling

Another great idea from @hyunjinbiased-blog with this idea and another idea that I am also taking a liking too.

Warnings: Mild 🍋 (its more implied but i will still put it here)

Jacob:

You and Jacob were together before the apocalypse when you two met on the set of a movie. Because like your sister Emma, were an actor too.

You and Jacob had brief encounter when he bumped into you apologising you told him it was no big deal.

And from that point onwards you two ran into each other and Jacob asked if you wanted to grab lunch to which you accepted and became friends.

After that the feelings started and Jacob confessed to you under a romantic lighting under the moonlight one night and shared a kiss with you and you two were together ever since.

Emma still didn’t know about your relationship with Jacob even after a year together because she was very overprotective of you cause you were younger than her.

When the apocalypse happened you were separated from Jacob when you went to the evac flight with your sister and her husband (who she absolutely hated, and to be fair you did too) as to not cause suspicion that you were dating.

After your plane was shot down You had to calm down Emma with Michael, with whom you had a best friend bond with, and you yourself were in hysterics as you didn’t know if Jacob had even survived the crash.

When Jacob came to your side later on Emma gave him her address and ran from the wreckage with Michael and Ronnie as you and Jacob had a moment.

“Y/N!” She shouted from afar as she ran and you ran with her.

Later you were sat on the couch when Jacob came to Emma’s and he passed out with Andrea threatening to shoot him because he was bitten.

Ah shit.

Emma had you help her cuff him to the treadmill and left you alone with him to keep on eye if he turned.

When he came to he saw you and smiled “hello cutie “ .

Your startled a bit at first but then attack him in a hug as you kiss him all over.

“Woah easy there” Jacob chuckles before grabbing your face with his free hand and pressing your lips against his.

The door opens and you hear Emma say “Y/N WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING”

You turn and see her face in shock “I…Emma I can explain”

She frowns “then go on explain what the fuck I just saw”

You sigh “Me and Jacob…are together”

Her eyes widened “why didn’t you tell me

You look at her “because I knew how over protective you can get”

Emma brings you into a hug “well I am very happy for you but tell me next time ok”

You smile “ok”

“Awww this is sweet” Jacob chimes in.

“Oh and Jacob” Emma says as Jacob hums in response.

“Mmm”

“If you ever hurt them I will hurt you. understood”

“Understood Ms Jaunt”

Dani:

You and Dani were running through the sewers to catch up with Emma and Sam.

You guys fought valiantly through zombies as you reached some shutters.

“We made it love” Dani smiled in which you return.

“Yeah we did” you reply

You two stare at each other for what seemed like moments until you heard a voice behind you.

“Hey you both made it”

You turn and see Emma holding her Romero covered in blood along with Sam and Patton.

“I’m so glad your ok sis” you say as she smiles

“Same here” you all hear growls coming from a horde getting closer.

“We gotta move we gotta mob on our tail” Sam said readying his hammer.

You press the button on the wall to open the shutters and you guys walk up the escalators before Patton has a nervous breakdown.

Your sister calms him down before leading him up the escalators and before your know it a bright light hits your eyes.

Once you guys made it to the chopper, Sam collapses and you panic as you scream “SAM!”.

He was getting weaker by the second “I’m fine..m-must be different shit this time.

Emma felt his forehead “he’s burning up”

You felt bad for your sister, you genuinely felt that Sam made your sister happy. Yes he did leave her because he was scared he would fuck up because he was young like he told you earlier, but you knew he was a good guy deep down and loved your sister.

You look at Dani “Dani…he..he’s running out of time”

She looks at you before before cupping your cheeks and kissing you.

“I know darlin’ and I have to go find the doctor”

“You guys are a couple?!!!” Emma said

“Emma look me and her have been together for bit you answer “but she treats me really well, and you want that for me..don’t you” you say as you kneel down and grab her hands.

She sighs “well..I guess I do, but here’s the deal” she said looking at Dani.

“You break their heart I will kill you”

Dani puts her hands up in defense “hey I promise I will be the best they ever have.”

Ryan:

You sat on the bed of your room at Emma’s staring at nothing in particular.

Ryan had gone out on another run leaving you by yourself.

You hadn’t told Emma about you and Ryan yet as you knew she would get over protective of you the second you tell her.

As you were in your thoughts there was a knock on the door before you shouted “come in”.

And there in the doorway stood your very handsome lover as he made eye contact and smiled at you.

“Why hello handsome” you smile as you make your way over to him as you place your hands on his chest as he smiles down at you.

“Why hello to you my very good-looking partner” he says as he kisses your lips.

You smile and pull away as you ask him about his day “how was your day”

He hugged you “it was the same old shit..finding information and supplies”

“Sounds fun” you say causing Ryan to let out a laugh

“Oh does it now” he says “my day would be better if my partner was…underneath me” he smirks.

Your face goes red and Ryan kisses you passionately as he backs you into the bed and he falls on top of you as he kisses you.

As you two kiss you don’t notice how Emma has been calling the both of you down for dinner.

“I’ll go up to see what their doing��

As she walks up the stairs and into the door she sees Ryan ON TOP OF YOU.

“OH MY GOD!!!”

You both stop what you’re doing and Ryan scrambles up of you and explains himself.

“Emma I want to explain, me and your siblings are together we have been..for awhile, they didn’t tell you because they told me your overprotective”

Emma hums in response “uhuh and you couldn’t have just flat out told me instead of me almost catching you fucking my sibling”

“Maybe we should have done that” Ryan rubs the back of his neck as he looks at you.

“I’m sorry Emma, I should have told you, I feel like the worst siblings now..I’m sorry” you say on the verge of tears.

Emma pulls you into a hug “it’s ok..I just want you to be happy and yeah I am overprotective but it’s because I don’t want you to hurt”

You laugh “you don’t have to worry with Ryan, he love me and never would. He promised he never would”

She smiles and laughs “Good” she looks at Ryan “because if he does I’m sending him to heaven”

Carla:

You were sat on the balcony as Carla made her Way to you, she was energetic as always.

“Hey hey hey mamacita how’s it cookin” she says wrapping an arm around you.

“It’s alright” you say as you stare out at the abandoned streets “just been here that’s all”

Carla hums in response as she kisses your forehead before backing away.

“I have been asked by the doc to test my blood for a cure” she said

You smile “that’s great”

She grins “I know is right like I’ll be a superhero”

You chuckle “sure you’ll be”

She kissed you on the cheek before leaving “I’ll see you later,Te quiero”

“I love you too see you later” you said.

You then decide to sit and read a book for a bit to keep yourself focused.

You were so focused on the best part of the book when Emma came into the room.

“You didn’t tell me you and Carla were together”

You put the book down and calmly told her “I was gonna tell you-“

“When?” She said furiously

“Soon” you said, you didn’t want to deal with this right now.

“Soon my ass, I would have liked to know”

“Emma I did t tell you cause I know you..you are very protective of me, I just wanted something were you weren’t guarding me from” you say tears in your eyes.

Emma frowns, she felt a bit guilty for guarding you every chance she got, but she couldn’t bear the pain you would feel if your heart became broken.

“I love you Em, I really do” you hug her “I just want to be happy”

“And you seem to be happy as well, sorry that I’m protective I just love you to death, don’t want you to end up upset” Emma said kissing your forehead.

You two embrace as Carla comes through the door energy practically radiated off of her.

“Hey I’m back-“

“She knows about us” you cut her off

Carla’s face drops “and…she’s cool with it..right?”

Emma turns to her and smiles “I am, look your a good person so I know my sib is in great hands”

“Oh great at least I won’t get killed” Carla laughed in relief.

“You hurt them I will hurt you”

“Oh”

Bruno:

The door shuts with a slam as Bruno comes back from the lab and his encounter with Lola again.

Everyone looks at him as he trudges up the stairs to your room. They were a bit concerned as he was usually very cheery and bubbly.

Something bad must have happened to make him this pissed off but they knew you could cheer him up as you two were very Close, practically best friends.

Well little did they know, and your sister as well

He opens the door to your room and he walks over flopping (half lazily sitting) down on the bed next to you hunched over his head in his hands.

You ask him “hey hon, you ok” as you shuffle next to him.

You then heard the most wrenching sob of your life and it was coming from your lover.

He couldn’t hold in the anger he felt at the doctor for lying to him, how could he be so foolish.

“Oh bru” you said as you hugged him and he IMMEDIATELY grabbed onto you and cried as his tears soaked your clothes.

“What happened my love” you kiss the top of his head.

He looked up at you before silently saying “Lola told me that the doc isn’t making a cure because he can’t”

Your heart falls to your stomach…so no one can make a cure…so the world is going to be like this..is this the new normal.

You were more furious at Reed for lying and giving false hope.

“Hey no matter what happens I’m here ok” you say.

“Yeah” Bruno smiles still holding onto you but he give you a kiss which you except.

“Hey is everything alright up here” Emma says walking in on the scene

Her eyes widened “Y/N You guys are dating????”

You and Bruno look at her and smile “yeah we are”

Emma nods “and do you love them”

Bruno nods “I love them very much”

“Ok, then I won’t kill you unless you fuck it up, you hear me”

Bruno nods vigorously at her words.

Amy:

You were walking back to Emma’s after the halparin as you and Amy discussed the days events.

“And we are still number 1” Amy cheers recounting the amount of Z’s you killed together.

“Yep we are unstoppable” you smile.

You enter your sisters mansion and make your way over to her.

“I’m back” you hug her knowing she has been stressing balls over your safety.

“I’m glad you’re ok” she smiles and hugged back.

You then say “I’m gonna go hang out with Amy and possibly watch a movie in the other room.”

She nods and goes back to conversing with the group like she had before you left and came back.

Once you reach the room you choose a movie (or show whatever you prefer) and sit together on the bed as the movie starts.

After awhile Amy looks at you and you look back at her “what?”

“I’m just feel so lucky to even be with you right now y’know with the world gone to shit” she says

You think you just fell in love with her all over again..

“No I’M LUCKY to even be with you” you say and you hug her.

You stay like this until Emma comes in to ask you a question.

“Hey what do-are you two..TOGETHER!” She raises her voice a bit more.

“Yes” you answer truthfully.

Here comes The anger;

“And how come I didn’t know” Emma said

“Because we never told you, plus I don’t want to ruin the good thing I have going with your protectiveness”

Emma looks at you and then at Amy before sighing and telling you “well I can’t say I’d rather you date someone else rather then Amy she has been more then helpful to me lately”.

You and amy smile, she accepted your relationship but then she cleared her throat.

“But if you hurt my sibling or upset them, I’ll feed you to those things out there” Emma said before walking away.

“Well that went well”

I tried so hard with this one as I thought that Emma could catch the slayers all loved up for this concept

[rel312]

What I loved about the last 2 episodes of WWDITS S5 (SPOILERS!!!):

Episode 9:

“The intoxicating elixir to the weary mind” everything Laszlo says is mesmerizing

Nandor using a book as an excuse to not go to The Guide’s art gallery

They have a car???

The vamps being carried around in a pet carrier as bats

Colin Robinson’s mustache

Perdita not even being there

“Six?”

This is all just set up by The Guide right?

The little moment between Guillermo and The Guide

Laszlo’s fencing joke

Laszlo not even moving while The Guide is going crazy

Everything about Laszlo’s fencing scene

His little “oh shit” at the end

Nandor and Colin Robinson playing chess but neither of them know how

The Guide making paintings of the vamps and wanting to show them off to her new friends

None of the vamps caring about the art

The Guide very clearly leading Nadja to the wrong place

Nadja calling Laszlo her best friend 🥹

Nadja pushing The Guide in front of her and The Guide just going “let me go first to keep you safe”

Nadja running away as she says she’s coming to help

The hunt being humans

Nandor thinking college athletes are the “most challenging prey”

Nandor’s impressed “look at him go”

Guillermo just chilling in the house

Nandor bird calling to hunt humans

Nandor literally treating Guillermo like a dog

Nandor actually trying to help The Guide by finding a stick

And then immediately running away from her when the humans come

Colin Robinson’s facial hair

“Predict-ament”

Colin Robinson being convinced everyone disappearing is Guillermo’s fault until he has like 2 seconds to think about it

Guillermo being so gentle with The Guide

The Guide ignoring Guillermo cause she’s trying to make a point

So it was The Guide!

“Glad onion”

Nandor still not understanding what’s happening

All of The Guide’s grievances being with Nadja in the flashbacks

Nadja still making it about her

We were right! The Guide did set up the hex!

I did not have Colin Robinson saying “Did not have that on my 2023 bingo card” on my 2023 bingo card

Nandor sticking onto “taking matters into his own hands” and everybody being like “what???”

“I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t wanna hurt you”

Nandor’s sad voice asking to make sure he heard it right

“You could’ve asked me” stop it stop it stop it

Babygirl is so sad

The fact that Nandor knew right away what was wrong with Guillermo’s turning

Also whoever called it being the Van Helsing thing was right

The fact that Laszlo knew exactly what date they all said nice things about The Guide

The way Laszlo draws out that “loveeeee”

Guillermo being so proud he turned into a bat for the first time

And then Nandor being upset that he’s rubbing it in

Laszlo protecting Guillermo from Nandor

Nandor’s scream for Guillermo

The way the nice conversation was just to set her up with Colin Robinson so he’ll move out

Episode 10

Guillermo going to Derek

Guillermo telling the crew to come in

Derek not understanding it was the crew that followed him

Nadja tracking Guillermo down

Or… I guess Derek just telling her lol

Wait she went to find Derek specifically to find Guillermo!

Nadja telling Derek her name was Detective Policeman

Nadja trying to protect Guillermo

Nadja going to stop the couple but then joining them

That was… a very personal way of describing Guillermo’s death Nandor

“I have been watching the one place he will return to eventually… Panera Bread”

“He can run, but he cannot run very far. Because he has very short legs”

Patton Oswald????

“Do you know John Slattery?”

Nandor not realizing there’s more than one Panera Bread

Colin Robinson asking Nadja where Guillermo is to find him

Colin Robinson doing an exit interview

“Mr. De la ‘Cruzz’”

“At times almost articulate” the awkward handshake

Nandor going to eat with Payton Oswald at Panera Bread

Laszlo coming to Guillermo too

“I must apologize, Gizmo, I feel like I’ve let you down” he cares

Laszlo starting to be sweet but getting distracted by the tv

“I’m just more afraid of losing the vampires. My friends” STOP he loves them so much

Nandor bringing Patton Oswald to the rooftops

And Nandor kicking him off for suggesting he doesn’t kill Guillermo

The Guide even coming to see Guillermo

Also the animal clones coming to see him

Guillermo telling them there’s no room at the “farm”

Nandor going to Guillermo’s mom to get to him

Nandor deciding not to kill Guillermo because he didn’t like killing Patton Oswald

Nandor’s word as a warrior

Guillermo hypnotizing his mom not to kill Nandor

Nandor telling the others he’s making Guillermo an equal and all of them hating it

Colin Robinson being so concerned on Guillermo possibly taking his seat

Laszlo being so upset that he didn’t think of giving Guillermo human blood

Also Nandor being smarter than Laszlo

“Drink bitch”

Guillermo fully turning and being so excited

Colin Robinson’s “FOMO”

The vamps draining a while restaurant

And Guillermo not wanting to kill anyone and genuinely getting so emotional about it

Nandor having heard the whole convo

Oh my god Nandor was never waiting cause he was fucking with Guillermo or some messed up shit, he was waiting for Guillermo to be ready

THE DJIN!!!!

Of course he ran out of wishes

“I wish I could help you”

Nandor really wanted to fix it though

Nandor tenderly tying Guillermo’s cape

The Baron and the Sire coming to the ceremony

Guillermo wanting to be a human

Did… did the Sure just say “thank you”??

Everyone except for Derek taking off their hoods

Guillermo just… turning back

And growing facial hair in a second

And Nandor carrying around Guillermo’s real glasses

Nandor pronouncing the t in Home Depot

Laszlo offering to Guillermo

Them bringing Derek to the necromancer

Derek having only spent $270 from Guillermo’s money on “vampire clothes” from hot topic

Derek coming back as a zombie

TOPHER????

[disneybrandautism]

here are some taylor swift songs i think each of the sides would like! (with some explanation)

nobody asked for this but im doing this instead of my APUSH homework. i’m going to start with roman and go through all of them!

(some ships are mentioned but it’s only a couple times. i promise it’s not all the songs.)

(roman has the most because he would be the biggest swiftie leave me alone)

Roman

enchanted- you cannot tell me roman wouldn’t love the disney romcom vibes of this song. he would love how sweet it was. it’s like meeting your hero.

i bet you think about me - he’s so petty. he would eat this song up.

mirrorball - i feel like this is a given. he would relate an insane amount to this song.

hoax - “your faithless love is the only hoax i believe in” be so fr. this could apply to any of his friendships or relationships with the other sides. his blind faith in the other sides. yeah.

the archer - we all knew this was coming. he would sob listening to this song.

jump then fall - again with the hopeless romantic bit. he would just thing this song is really cute.

question…? - i just think he’d have fun with song. he’d like the beat and just how much of a bop it is.

tolerate it - do i really have to explain myself? come on. he tolerates all the insults. this is his like standing up for himself era.

king of my heart - king is literally in the title. he would again just have fun with this song. so disney prince of him.

champagne problems - feeling the bad guy and knowing you fucked up. it’s so him oh my god don’t even with me.

i could continue. i won’t. next up is logan!

Logan

say don’t go - i just feel like logan would really relate to needing to hear someone tell him not to leave when he gets into an argument.

innocent - i can’t explain this one i just feel like he would get it.

the lakes - he would love the lakes and just this idea of loving someone like this. “take me to the lakes where are all the poets went to die”. this is his song.

marjorie - i feel like he would appreciate that taylor used her grandmothers vocals for this. i feel like he’s more in it for the genius behind her lyrics.

delicate - he lacks understanding of social cues often. “i know that it’s delicate”. he would eat this song up.

glitch - he would get this song in ways i can’t even describe. he would love the beat. his vibes fr.

no body, no crime - a story based song. he would think about this all the time.

lover - idk a reason i just think he’d really enjoy this song.

Patton

never grow up - he’s like a dad. so. watching his kids grow up. it would destroy him.

invisible string - i feel like he would love the idea of the string of fate. he would like the idea that he was just supposed to know these people.

you’re on your own kid - he would feel the pressure of just being on his own and feeling the pressure of being the moral compass.

state of grace - he feels like everyone is the “worth while fight”. yeah you know what i’m saying.

ivy - “you pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand” THE CARETAKER AGAIN

Me! - listen i know it’s not everyone’s favorite but this makes so much sense. the bright colors. the message of the song. the whole thing screams patton.

long live - he would think it’s a really sweet song. he adores the whole message and just how sweet it is. the nostalgia aspect. yeah.

love story - if anyone was getting this song it would be patton. queue the scene of richie from the bear where he is singing this in the car. that’s pat.

Virgil

electric touch - this is so in your face obvious. of course virgil would love the song with fob on it.

clean - i feel like he would relate to this. he’s finally not an “other side” and he’s just virgil. but he sometimes still misses them.

today was a fairytale - i feel like he would be unapologetically a fearless fan. he’s more of a hopeless romantic than i’m willing to admit. it’s so prinxiety coded idk.

closure - idk just very like “other sides apologize” to virgil. (i believe firmly in sympathetic other sides but i think virgil would struggle for a bit to forgive them)

my tears ricochet - “an i can go anywhere i want, anywhere i want just not home.” home was confusing for a bit. where did he belong? yk?

afterglow - the bridge sounds like asking for reassurance during a panic attack. he would love this song.

the lucky one - he for a bit thought that he was the lucky one but realized that all the sides are messy and no one is perfect.

new year’s day - this is so analogince and it would remind him of his boyfriends. he would pick up bottles with them on new year’s day.

holy shit this is getting long. i’m sorry.

Janus

mastermind - he is so this song. he would love this song. he masterminds everything so i just know he would adore this song.

foolish one - i don’t know but i feel like he would love this song in a way no one can understand.

bigger than the whole sky - he probably feels remorse for all he did to roman. maybe he’s saying goodbye to the possibility of friendship? i don’t know but he would like this song.

you’re losing me - i really don’t have explanations for all these. i feel like janus angst always. he would like how this songs has a lot of self blaming.

bad blood - he has beef with a lot of people. i think he would enjoy this song ironically at first. then he didn’t.

so it goes - he is rocking out to this in his room. i just know it in my heart and soul and it makes me nuts.

dear reader - “if it feels like a trap, you’re already in one” this just feels like janus’ internal monologue. all the contradictions feels like deceit. yeah.

cowboy like me - he just wants someone to want the things he wants. he loves this song. it makes sense in his head.

Remus

cruel summer - he would love the beat. he could and would shake ass to this song.

getaway car - i think he’d endorse the message of this song and think it’s a lot of fun.

cardigan - he comes out when people are bored of roman. he definitely struggled being pushed aside so he likes cardigan a lot.

the way i loved you - he would love the idea that even after fighting with someone an insane amount you can still miss them.

i don’t have anything else for remus. i hope this makes sense. if not i apologize. if you think of anything else for remus let me know. i am just slightly nuts about taylor swift.

[i-am-bitterly-jittery]

On Death's Doorstep (pt 34/?)

[<<First],,,,[<Prev],[Next>] [ODD Masterlist]

Word count: 1448

Rating: Teen

Pairings: Anxceit, familial Moxiety

Warnings: kidnapping, past domestic abuse

~~~START~~~

The twins made for a very effective moving service, moving all of Roman’s stuff down to the third floor and what little stuff Virgil, Patton, and Remy had up to the fourth floor in just over an hour.

The best part of Roman’s apartment was that there were two bedrooms. Patton was already used to the guest room, so Virgil had Remy take the main bedroom. She’d tried to refuse, saying that Virgil should have the room after spending almost a year sharing a room with his son, but Virgil insisted.

Remy had her space, Patton had his, and Virgil was sleeping on the couch. It was fine, really.

Virgil was doing fine.

Logan’s mother, Babs, had come down to join them for dinner; Logan had not joined them on account of Remy refusing to be in the same room as him. Remy had been hesitant about her paternal grandmother at first — so had Virgil if he was being honest, and he would have to be honest seeing as how Janus had told him that Babs was clairvoyant — but Babs hadn’t pushed, and by the time she left, Remy had been more relaxed around her than she’d been earlier.

Once Babs had gone, Roman left to get settled into his new space, with Remus following behind. Remy disappeared into her room soon after, leaving just Virgil, Patton, and Janus in the living area.

“You know, you could come stay with me, if you wanted,” Janus offered.

The three of them had moved to the living room so Patton could watch a little bit of My Neighbor Totoro before bed. Patton was already pretty tuckered out, as evidenced by the way he had tucked himself into Virgil’s side, but he was putting up a valiant effort to watch the movie.

“That’s a sweet offer, Jan, but I don’t want to be so far away from Patton.”

“I have a spare room,” Janus tried, but Virgil was already shaking his head.

“Remy needs to have an adult she can trust around right now, and I’m the only one here who currently fits the bill. Besides, all those stairs will help you get your steps in,” Virgil teased.

Janus stuck their tongue out. “I’ve asked Logan several times to put an elevator in, but he insists that taking the stairs is better.”

“How’d he get all the furniture up the stairs?” Virgil wondered aloud.

“He animated it all to take themselves upstairs, and the twins took everything that could talk for itself.”

The conversation petered out after that, and it wasn’t long before Virgil noticed Patton struggling to keep his eyes open.

“Hey, buddy,” he said, shaking Patton gently. “How ‘bout we finish this tomorrow, huh? I think it’s time for bed.”

“‘M not tired, daddy,” Patton mumbled, rubbing his eyes in an extremely convincing manner.

“Well, I’m tired,” Janus declared slyly. “And I don’t want to miss the ending, would it be alright if I came back tomorrow so we could finish it?”

“Promise,” Patton demanded, sticking his pinky finger out.

“Cross my heart,” Janus swore, linking their fingers solemnly.

“Okay,” Patton agreed, releasing Janus’s finger and slumping back into Virgil. “Daddy, will you carry me? I’m tired.”

“Sure, kiddo,” Virgil said, wrapping his arms around his son and standing up from the couch.

Janus stood as well.

“Goodnight, Patton,” they said, kissing Patton’s forehead in a move they were beginning to grow used to. “Goodnight, V.”

They kissed him goodnight as they usually did, but instead of pulling away, they brought their foreheads together.

“My offer stands. Maybe when Remy gets more settled, you and Patton can move in with me?”

“I’ll think about it,” Virgil promised. “Goodnight, Jan–”

An I love you almost slipped from his mouth, but he snapped his jaw shut before it could. Janus smiled like they already knew, then turned and left.

Virgil got Patton settled into bed pretty quickly, and the five-year-old was out before his head even hit the pillow. There were spare bed sheets in the hall closet, so Virgil laid them out over the couch for himself; Remy briefly came out of her room at this point to get herself a glass of water before bed, so she and Virgil exchanged their goodnights as well.

Still, Virgil was too keyed up from the almost-love confession to even attempt to get any kind of sleep yet, so he turned the TV to some mindless programming to try to get himself settled. The first channel he tried was playing some sort of divorce court, which Virgil thought might work, but which quickly proved to dredge up painful memories and anxious feelings, so he switched to a home renovation show instead.

He let his mind wander to Janus as the host of the show swung a sledgehammer at a kitchen cabinet. It was strange that just a few weeks ago he’d been hesitant to admit he and Janus were going on a date, and now he was almost letting the L-word slip out in casual conversation.

Virgil could imagine a life with Janus. Janus would have their law practice and occasionally commit crimes — something Virgil could condone as long as they weren’t hurting any civilians — and Virgil would raise Patton and… well, he wasn’t sure what he would want to do. He could become a vigilante, or maybe a doctor, neither of those really appealed to him, but he did have the necessary skill set to do either, even if he’d technically be cheating about being a doctor.

When he was in high school, he’d thought about becoming an astrophysicist, but that dream seemed so far away now. He didn’t even have a bachelor’s degree.

The TV was still playing a home renovation show, but the host had changed, and the house was different. Virgil could go to bed now, but, ever the masochist, he turned on the news instead.

A fateful choice.

The news was playing footage from earlier in the day, it was a CCTV video of a supervillain attack at the city’s mall with newscasters detailing how the supervillain — Whiplash, or something — had attacked the mall, and abducted two civilians.

Despite the poor video quality, Virgil would recognize his dads anywhere. The villain’s power beams first seized Nico, then, when his dad tried to help, grabbed Thomas as well.

No one else was taken, and nothing had been stolen. The villain had caused some damage, grabbed Virgil’s dads, and only Virgil’s dads, and fled when law enforcement arrived.

The newscasters continued to speak, and eventually moved on to a new story, but Virgil wasn’t paying attention. He wasn’t stupid, he knew it was probably a trap — the odds that his dads, who didn’t even live locally, were the ones taken…

It had to be a trap, and whoever set it must know that Virgil knew it was a trap.

There wasn’t even a question as to what Virgil’s next move would be. He found a pen and some paper and wrote four letters. He folded up the letters and addressed them on the back.

First, he teleported into Remy’s bathroom and left the one addressed to her on the counter, then he teleported to Patton’s room. He didn’t leave the note addressed to Patton on the bedside table, but instead took in the sight of his son one last time.

The glasses that Logan had made for Patton were folded up on the bedside table, and Patton’s face was peaceful with sleep. He frowned slightly in his sleep, but Virgil forced himself to calm down, and soothed his hand over a small, clenched fist. Once Patton had settled once more, Virgil kissed his forehead, and left.

He teleported directly into Janus’s room without any assurance that his partner was asleep — maybe he’d been hoping to get caught. Janus was asleep and didn’t seem to register Virgil’s presence at all.

Virgil left the last three letters on Janus’s nightstand. The top one was addressed to Janus themself; the second one to Patton, to be delivered when Janus saw fit; and the third one was addressed to Thomas and Nico, should Janus ever find themself in the presence of Virgil’s dads. With one final look, Virgil left.

He had to cross the threshold of the building physically as Logan had a barrier set up around the entire building — which had been beneficial when Virgil had been power-sick and unable to control his teleporting — but once he was on the front stoop, all he had to do was pull at the — faint — connection to his dads, and go.

A trap? Almost definitely, but then, Virgil was well-versed in putting everyone else before himself.

~~~END~~~

:))))

ODD taglist:

@royalty-of-all-things-snuggly @pixelated-pineapple @arsonic-knight @misunderstood-shadowling @lost-in-thought-20 @remy-the-lemon-berry @jinxcrafter @apinkline2715 @gothfoxx @donutsarepartybagels @xoaningout @meganmoneky14

[luckyduckydyke]

The Seer: Part 1

Hey, guys! This is my Storytime Big Bang 2023 (@tss-storytime) submission! It was a lot of hard work and fun to get this done, and I'm really super proud of it! Mind the tags, stay safe, and enjoy! I was partnered with @creative-lampd-liberties, an amazing artist, for this event. You can find the art they made here. They also made the cover below!!! I'm putting this fic on Tumblr (even though I hate posting fics here -_-) because I have it set to registered users only on AO3 to help avoid bot AI scraping. That said, here's the AO3 link for those who are registered users on AO3:

[AO3 Link]

Summary: After spending most of his teenage years pretending to be something he’s not (a girl), then spending his adult life so far pretending to be something else he’s not (a clairvoyant), Janus is caught off-guard when he is granted real powers. He is the seer that predicts the downfall of the kingdom, as well as the potential salvation. The problem? The kingdom’s hero is Roman, Janus’s best friend’s brother, who… dislikes Janus. A lot. Now Janus is stuck going on a quest to destroy the source of The Dragon Witch’s power with a ragtag band of adventurers, and he has the unfortunate task of making sure they all survive. The forest is dangerous. So is their enemy. Janus hopes his friends are even more formidable.

Rating: T

Word Count: 26,268

Ships: Janus/Roman, Remus/Patton, Logan/Virgil, Thomas/Remy, Prince/Anxiety (shorts), Dad/Teacher (shorts)

Content Warnings: fire, description of burnt bodies, description of corpses, minor character death, animal death, parent death, sibling death, blood, assault, description of being burned, main character disowned by parents, mortal peril, kidnapping, injuries, transphobia, alcohol use, deadnaming, swearing

[Fic under readmore]

Prologue

Logan took his job very seriously. Being the prince’s manservant on top of being co-leader of the servants was a monumental task, but it was also a monumental honor. Of course, it was hard to feel honored when he was in the middle of taking the prince’s now-dry laundry back to his room so he could hang it up in the wardrobe. One basket on his head and the other on his hip with a hand on each one, Logan balanced the large burden carefully. He was passing one of the guest bedrooms, of which the door was cracked open, when he heard voices. He wasn’t sure who was in that room. Guests were more Remy’s department, because Remy could be charming when he wanted to be. That wasn’t Logan’s department either. 

He slowed, drifting closer to the door to listen. 

“...illing him won’t be easy,” said a male voice.

“Please, with me on your side, we’ll have no issues. It’s the chaos after that we must worry about.” This voice was female. It was smooth and sweet, the definition of comforting.

“Still, we must be careful that no one guesses what we’re up to. We’d have to act fast to prevent anyone from stopping us.” Logan recognized that voice. It was Prince Eschive, the king’s brother. That couldn’t be right, though. He wouldn’t be conspiring like this, surely.

“You’re right, of course, Dear One. Caution is of the utmost importance,” said the female voice. 

Logan peeked through the crack in the door. He could see the woman, now, and was fairly certain that it was Duchess Adalinda Draco. She was visiting the palace because she was a childhood playmate of the queen. This didn’t make any sense.

“I’m glad we’re agreed, Darling,” said Eschive. “And when we kill my brother and his family, you shall make a lovely queen.”

Logan’s eyes widened. They wanted to kill King Marceau, along with his entire family. But that couldn’t be right.

Adalinda grinned and leaned in toward Eschive. “And you shall be a powerful, respected king.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him. Logan’s eyes were drawn to her shadow. It shifted against the wall, forming unfamiliar shapes. It took Logan a few beats to figure out what he was seeing. Then the shape came together in his head. Horns. A tail. Wings. Very draconic, indeed. He gasped.

Adalinda pulled away from Eschive. “Did you hear something?”

Eschive nodded, face darkening, and Logan took that as his cue to leave. He rushed the rest of the way to the corner and turned it quickly, then ducked into a servants’ kitchenette. He waited there, his heart pounding in his ears.

After a few minutes, when he realized they weren’t going to come after him, he left the small room and headed towards Prince Virgil’s room again. No one would believe him with his word against Prince Eschive’s. He’d have to take this into his own hands.

1: The Conman

Janus leaned forward, placing his chin on his folded hands with his elbows on the table. “Tell me, Ms. Fortuna, what can I do to help you?” He looked her over. Salt crusted her hair at the tips, her lips were dry, and she had a spyglass tucked into a loop in her belt. A sailor, then. Judging by the spyglass, probably a captain. Her clothes were fine, too, so probably a merchant, especially when considered with the lack of scars. A pirate would have more scars, and any other kind of ship’s captain would have plainer clothes. “Business, or personal?” he asked.

“Business,” the woman across from him answered in a deep, sonorous voice. “A friend recommended I come here, because I’m worried if I call my fleet back from Hertland they’ll be lost to the storms. Can you tell me whether to wait or to call them back?”

Janus was surprised. If she was, herself, a sailor, she should know that there was a fleet of pirates going up the coast of Hertland, probably toward her ships. He hummed and made his usual show of looking into his crystal ball. His brow furrowed. Then he looked up suddenly. “If you don’t call them back now, they will be taken by pirates. Do they have a mirror you can use to speak to them?” 

Ms. Fortuna nodded quickly. “I must go tell them. Thank you so much, Janus.” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a bag about the size of a cantaloupe. When she set it down onto the table, the action was accompanied by the sound of clinking coins. “You’ve done me an invaluable service.”

“Of course, Ms. Fortuna. I wish you good fortune,” he said, smiling at her. 

As soon as the front door closed behind her, his smile grew into a grin and he chuckled. He snatched up the bag she’d left him in one hand, his cane in the other, and made his way back to his bedroom.

The room was small, with a comfortable bed, a bookshelf, a wardrobe, and a locked chest all crammed into what little space there was. He went to the chest and knelt to unlock it with the key on a leather strap around his neck. He carefully set his cane on the ground next to him. He grabbed his coin purse, emptied a bit of the bag of coins into it, then locked the bag in the chest. The coin purse got attached to his belt. He left his shop-and-home, locking the door behind himself.

-

“To suckers!” Remus exclaimed, raising his glass. It was the third of the night, half empty, and Remus’s cheeks were red.

Janus laughed and tapped his glass, still his first, against Remus’s. “To suckers,” he responded, though his smile was fading a bit. 

Remus raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, sourface?”

Janus shook his head. “It’s nothing. Everything’s perfect.”

“Liar,” Remus accused, pointing at Janus. “Something’s bothering you.”

Janus huffed. “I didn’t lie. Everything is perfect, and that’s what’s bothering me.”

Remus tilted his head, considering that statement for a moment. “What, are you bored?”

“Yes, Remus,” Janus said, voice full of frustration. “Everything’s too easy. It’s both unsettling and incredibly boring.”

“Excuse me,” said someone behind them. 

Janus jumped, and they both turned in their seats. The person standing behind them was mostly obscured by a deep midnight blue hooded cloak. 

“I couldn’t help but overhear that you’re bored. What do you do for work?” the person asked.

Janus narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but nonetheless answered, “I’m a fortune teller.”

The person sounded like they were grinning, but it was hard to see in the shadows obscuring their face, as they said, “I think I can give you a challenge.” They pulled a hand mirror from their cloak, revealing that their skin was extremely pale. After placing the hand mirror, set against a simple bronze back with a handle, on the bar, leaning between Janus and Remus, they turned on their heel, then they were gone.

“Well, that was weird and creepy,” Remus said, turning back to Janus.

Janus was staring at the mirror. “Yeah.” He shook his head and looked up at Remus. “Well, nothing left to do but keep drinking,” he said with a smile.

-

Janus awoke with a groan. His head was pounding. He dragged himself from his bed, still wearing his clothes from the night from before. He needed to splash water on his face before anything else. At least he’d gone to the well twice the day before. As he padded towards his basin, leaning more heavily on his cane in the sleepiness of the morning, he suddenly froze. 

He stood in the street outside his shop, looking up at the palace. It was on fire, burning bright and hot. People were screaming and crying. There was a sound, the loudest cracking that Janus had ever heard, then the tallest tower of the palace began to fall, right towards Janus. He covered his head.

He was back in his room, the brightness and heat gone. He breathed heavily, looking around in confusion. His hands shook. He looked back toward the bed. There on the blanket lay the mirror, in all its plainness. He’d been looking into it before he fell asleep, noting the odd feeling it gave him. Like a sense of impending doom. 

With nothing else to do, he dismissed what he’d seen, felt, and heard as a waking dream and continued his morning routine. 

His hands shook for hours. 

2: The Duke's Sons

Janus didn’t know why he’d agreed to go to the palace. He hadn’t been back since everything changed. But Remus had requested he accompany them. When the group stopped at his shop, he greeted Duke Erex politely, then Roman Erex, this time his voice dripping with sarcasm. Roman glared at him. He made his way to the back of the group to stand next to Remus and Patton.

“Hi, Jan!” Patton greeted him excitedly. 

Janus couldn’t help but smile back at Patton. Patton could almost always improve his mood. “Hello, Patton. Remus, how are you?” 

Remus glared at him in a way that was quite reminiscent of his brother. “It’s not fair, you always recover from drinking quicker than me,” he grumbled.

Patton cupped a hand around his mouth and stage-whispered, “He’s been grumpy all morning.” 

Janus grinned. “Well, that can only be expected from someone who’s hungover as fuck.”

“Fuck you,” Remus grumbled.

By the time they were near to the palace, Remus was feeling much better. The fresh air had revitalized him. Still he was complaining, just more energetically. “I hate going to the palace,” he groaned. “It’s so stuffy.” 

“Can you shut up?” Roman hissed from just in front of them.

“Can you?” Janus shot back.

Roman shot him a glare. “At least I’m not going to the palace in commoner’s clothing,” he sniffed.

Janus grit his teeth. “At least I’m not a stuck-up bitch,” he replied. 

Roman whirled around, stopping Janus, Patton, and Remus in their tracks.

“Guys, pl-” Patton tried.

“No, you’re not. But you know what you are, Janus?” Roman asked. 

“What?” Janus challenged.

“Dumbasses!” Remus exclaimed, trying to pull their attention to him.

“You’re a fraud. You pretend to be so confident, but you know that, deep down, you’re just faking it. You pretend all the time,” Roman accused. He turned and began to jog to catch up with his father and the bodyguard.

Janus stood, frozen, mouth slightly open.

“Jan…?” Patton asked gently. 

Janus snapped from his stupor, set his jaw, and squared his shoulders. “Let’s go.” He began to walk quickly, trying to catch up. His short legs did not help. Patton was in the same boat, but Remus kept up with the two of them effortlessly. Damn his height and long legs.

Still, they did catch up, right as the group arrived at the palace gates. Janus glared angrily at the back of Roman’s head, imagining that his eyes were burning holes into him. Roman ignored him. 

The palace corridors were cold, and they echoed. Janus had always disliked that. It drew attention to him when the sound of his cane against the floor was amplified so loudly.

Patton grabbed Remus’s hand, then held his other hand out to Janus. Janus took it gratefully. His heart flooded with gratitude for his friends. He genuinely didn’t know what he’d do without them. 

They had to let go of each other, though, when they reached the parlor where they were to meet Prince Eschive. Janus had always disliked Eschive. He reminded him of a weasel. A servant, tall and graceful, with spectacles perched upon his round nose, opened the door for them, and Duke Erex led the way into the room.

The duke and his sons, as well as Patton, sat down in the chairs provided for them when the servant gestured to them. Janus stood against the wall behind Remus and Patton, and the bodyguard stood against the wall on the other side of the door. The servant glanced at Janus’s cane and gave him an apologetic look, presumably for not having a chair for him. Janus shrugged one shoulder and smiled at him.

The tall servant poured them all tea, including Janus and the bodyguard, and even offered them all sugar. Janus always took his tea black, unless it was herbal, then he would add honey.

They waited for a few minutes, sipping their tea before Eschive finally entered the room. The duke, his sons, and Patton stood to greet him, bowing and then shaking hands with him. The prince seemed to revel in the attention and respect. 

“I apologize for my lateness,” Eschive said. “I was caught up in another matter.”

Janus noticed the tall servant making a concerned… or worried face at that.

“Of course, Your Highness, we do not mind,” said Duke Erex. He turned and gestured to Patton. “I do not believe you have met my son Remus’s husband, Patton.” His expression dripped with disdain, and Janus’s blood boiled. He saw Remus clench his teeth.

“I have not,” said Eschive. 

“A pleasure,” said Patton.

“The pleasure is mine,” said Eschive with a crooked smile. A shiver went down Janus’s spine, and Patton looked like he felt much the same.

They all sat, Eschive across from the duke, and began to discuss as the servant poured Eschive some tea as well.

“Tell me, Achille, the state of your land. How is the crop this year?” Eschive asked.

The duke nodded and began his spiel on how well the crop was coming in, and how the cows were producing well, and the weavers were working hard on the wool he’d imported from Hertland. 

Roman interjected occasionally, as he had been put in charge of managing the numbers for the sales of their textiles.

Remus, for once, sat silently.

There was a knock at the door. Eschive looked up, then motioned for the tall servant to open the door. Outside the door stood a beautiful woman and a servant. The woman was of average height, with pale skin and a perfect figure. Her curly hair, which went down to her waist and had two braids in the front tied together at the back of her head, was a striking fiery red. The servant was short and skinny, with perfect, swooping dark hair, and tinted glasses covering his eyes.

Eschive grinned, his eyes almost glazed over. “Duchess Draco! Come, join us.” He stood, so Duke Erex, his sons, and Patton stood as well. The duchess walked over to Eschive, and Eschive took her hand, then leaned down to kiss it. He let go in a way that seemed almost reluctant, then turned to Duke Erex. “Achille, this is Duchess Adalinda Draco. She is visiting from the province of Noerel.” He turned to the duchess. “Adalinda, this is Duke Achille Erex and his sons, Roman and Remus.” He gestured to each man as he spoke. The short servant slipped out.

The duke also took Adalinda’s hand and kissed it. “Wonderful to meet you, Your Grace.”

“Likewise, Your Grace,” said Adalinda. She turned, and her eyes caught Janus’s.

Janus dropped his cup, freezing up. It shattered. On her head were curling black horns. Behind her back, blood-red wings and a matching tail.

He was in the street outside his shop again. The heat and light were so intense. Smoke burned his lungs. A shadow fell over him, and he looked up. A dragon flew overhead, towards the palace, and began to breathe fire to add to the flames. Again, the tower cracked and began to fall toward him. 

Then he was back, the cool air of the palace washing over his skin. He leaned heavily on his cane, his legs feeling weak. Patton and Remus hovered by him worriedly, and the servant was knelt by his feet to clean up the glass. Thankfully, the teacup had been empty. “I’m sorry,” he choked out. 

Adalinda was looking at him with concern. Roman was looking at him with disdain.

“Let’s go outside,” Patton murmured. “Excuse us, Your Highness,” he said louder. 

“Of course,” said Eschive, waving them away.

Patton escorted Janus out of the room, Remus following behind them. 

“What happened?” Remus asked worriedly. 

“I… just felt faint,” Janus answered. “I’m fine now, really.”

Patton didn’t look convinced, nor did Remus, but he knew Janus well enough to take that as a cue to drop it. 

“I have to go back inside,” Remus said. “Are either of you coming?” Janus shook his head. He couldn’t go back in there with that woman. 

“I’ll stay with Janus,” Patton said. 

“No,” said Janus, shaking his head, “Go keep Remus out of trouble. I just need to gather myself.” 

Patton frowned, “But-”

“Go on, keep your husband from saying something regrettable,” Janus repeated.

“Hey!” Remus exclaimed.

“Oh, I’m right and you know it,” Janus replied. “Now go.”

Reluctantly, Remus and Patton went back into the parlor.

Janus sighed and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. He had a headache.

“Pssst,” he heard. “C’mere.”

Janus opened his eyes, looking around in confusion. There, across the hall from him, there was the shorter servant, peeking out from behind a plain wooden door. He raised an eyebrow. The man motioned for him to come closer. He hesitated for only a few moments before carefully standing upright. The cane, like always, echoed. 

The servant opened the door for Janus to come in. Inside were both the taller servant and the shorter servant. When he was in, the shorter servant closed the door behind him. He looked around. They were in a little kitchenette that was probably primarily for preparing tea if Janus had to guess.

“So…” Janus said. “What did you want, exactly?”

The taller servant cleared his throat. “My name is Logan. I think we have some things to talk about regarding Duchess Draco.”

“Oh?” Janus asked, carefully keeping the nerves from his voice.

“I’m Remy, by the way,” interjected the shorter servant.

“Janus,” replied Janus politely.

Logan cleared his throat. “How about I recount to you what I’ve seen, then you can return the favor?”

“That sounds agreeable,” Janus answered, eyes sparkling with interest. “You've noticed something odd about her, then.”

Remy gave a small laugh. “You could call it odd, I guess. I’d just call it freaky.”

Logan shot him a glare, then continued, “I’ve definitely noticed something odd. You’ll hear my story, then?”

Janus gestured for him to go ahead.

“I was passing by Duchess Draco’s quarters, and I heard her and Prince Eschive conspiring to… get rid of the king,” Logan said.

Janus’s eyes widened.

“That’s not all,” Remy added.

“Indeed,” Logan agreed. “They kissed, and when they did Duchess Draco’s shadow morphed.”

“She had horns and wings,” Janus guessed.

Logan blinked. “And a tail.”

Janus nodded. “I saw that, too. And more.”

“More?” Logan inquired.

“I had a vision this morning… This sounds insane.”

“You’re the seer whose shop is down the main street, are you not?” Logan asked.

Janus hummed. “I suppose I must confide in you. I… am a fraud. Before this morning, I had never seen the future in my life.”

Remy snorted. Again, Logan glared at him. “That is a very unethical way to make a living.”

Janus took a deep breath. “I’ve done what I needed to do. I have a clear conscience. But that isn’t what this conversation is about. I had a vision this morning. The palace was burning. It felt so real… And…”

“And?” Logan prompted.

“I saw it again, just now. But this time there was a dragon, adding to the flames,” Janus said.

Logan and Remy were silent for a few moments, seeming to communicate with their eye contact. Finally they turned back to Janus.

“The course of action I propose is to keep this to ourselves for now,” Logan said. “Our word against the prince and duchess’s is not worth much.”

Janus nodded in agreement. “We should find more information. I can… speak with some of the mystics and magic shop proprietors. Hopefully one of them will have something useful to say.” He was hesitant. He’d avoided the other professionals in the capital to keep from being exposed as a fraud. This situation called for it, though.

Remy grinned. “We get to spy on the duchess and the prince, then?”

Logan gave a long-suffering sigh. “It’s not spying. It’s gathering information.”

“By watching them,” said Remy. “So, spying?”

Logan groaned.

“Janus?” called Remus’s voice, followed quickly by Patton repeating the call.

“I have to go,” Janus said. “It was nice to meet you both. Stay safe.”

“You as well,” Logan answered.

“Yeah, don’t get yourself killed or anything,” Remy said.

Janus huffed out a small laugh, then went to join his friends.

“Where were you?” asked Patton when Janus emerged from the small room.

Janus gave his most convincing smile. “Just gossiping. The servants always have the most interesting things to say.”

Remus giggled. “You’re always looking for things to use against people, aren’t you?” he said as they followed behind the rest of the group.

Janus gave a scandalized gasp. “I would never! I’m just a harmless busybody.”

Patton laughed a little. “Right. He’s just curious and nosy, Remus,” he said playfully.

“Right. Patton knows I’m telling the truth,” Janus said, barely holding in laughter.

Remus shook his head. “Riiiight. Well, I suppose I just have to believe you, seeing as you’re my best friend.”

“Good,” Janus replied.

About that time, they reached the palace gates. “We’ll see you soon, right, Janus?” Patton asked.

“Of course,” Janus answered. “Feel free to drop by any time.” He smiled. When Patton hugged him, he hugged back. And when Remus punched him in the arm, he punched Remus in the chest. They all laughed.

Patton and Remus followed Duke Erex, and Janus walked back toward his shop with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

-

The wooden training swords clashed in a way that sent the vibrations all the way up Pryce’s arm, making him wince. His opponent saw an opportunity, and she forced him back until his back collided with the stone wall around the training area. She grinned, and he laughed breathlessly.

“Good match, Val,” he said.

“Wish I could say the same,” Valerie teased, then immediately continued, “and I can. Thanks for the pointers, Pryce.”

“Val!” called a voice from the west viewing platform.

“Virgil!” Valerie called back. She gave Pryce a little wave, then jogged off to her brother.

Pryce watched, then his eyes slowly moved to the right of where the prince and princess were now talking, and he saw the very person he always looked forward to seeing at the end of his practice. His face split into a wide grin, and he waved.

Andy waved back. He looked a bit less self-assured than usual, which worried Pryce. He ran to meet him a little quicker than he usually would, scrambling up the ladder to the platform. “There’s my least favorite sarcastic asshole,” he greeted jokingly.

Andy gave a half-hearted smile and pulled a cookie from the basket he carried. He held it out, and when Pryce reached for it, he snatched it away. “I need help,” he said, the smile falling away. He looked as if he might cry.

Pryce stepped closer and guided him over to a more secluded corner, his blood running cold. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Andy so upset. Annoyed, sure. Grumpy, sure. But never anything like this. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

Andy took a deep breath, and it came back out much shakier. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment. He wouldn’t make eye contact when he opened them again. “My father still hasn’t come back,” he said, voice breaking slightly.

“He left three weeks ago, didn’t he?” Pryce asked, his heart breaking at the expression on Andy’s face as he nodded. “I’ll go look for him then, okay? It’ll be okay,” he assured him.

Andy sniffled softly. “By yourself?” He sounded terrified. Pryce had never seen him so vulnerable.

Pryce gave him a reassuring smile. “How about I take Thomas? Sound good?”

Andy nodded again. “Thanks,” he mumbled.

“Hey, it’s going to be alright,” he said, opening his arms.

Andy surged forward and buried his face in Pryce’s chest, dropping his basket to the floor. Pryce rubbed his back as he cried silently. Over and over again, he reassured him that it was alright. He wished he knew that were true.

3: The Prince

Virgil’s arms were folded in front of him. “You didn’t show up to our history lessons today,” he accused.

“Ugh, I forgot it was Monday,” Valerie groaned. “I’m so sorry, did you cover for me?”

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Of course I did, I’m the best brother ever, remember?”

Valerie nodded, smiling. “Ah, yes, how could I forget?”

“That’s right,” Virgil sniffed. “And I deserve compensation.”

She shook her head fondly. “What do you want, Virge?”

Virgil pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “Give this to Logan for me?”

Valerie sighed. “When are you going to tell him you’re his secret admirer.”

“Never. Ever. That would be the most embarrassing and mortifying thing ever. Why would I do that?” Virgil asked, his face starting to turn red.

Valerie patted her little brother’s head. “Because if you don’t, you never get to find out if he feels the same, you never get to properly court him, you never get to marry him… I could go on.”

Virgil glared at her. “How dare you make sense at me?”

She finally took the note and placed it in her own pocket. “I need to go get changed into my dress for dinner. I’ll give it to him as soon as I see him.”

Virgil smiled, just a little. “Thanks, Val.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be a very good sister if I didn’t enable you in your quest to never talk to your crush about how you feel,” Valerie snarked, starting to walk back toward the armory.

“A lot of sass for someone who’s gonna need me to cover for her again in the future,” Virgil responded.

Valerie waved him off and walked away quickly.

Virgil shook his head fondly and headed back for the palace. He slipped in the door at the east end of the palace, near the kitchen. The halls were empty, which he was glad for, given he was technically supposed to be in his room studying.

He turned a corner, and there was Logan, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “What are you doing, Your Highness?” His intonation did not make it sound like a question.

Virgil felt very small with Logan towering over him. “I went to see Valerie.” His intonation made it sound like a question.

“Right. It’s not as if you need to practice your spells, is it?” Again, it did not sound like a question.

“I, um… I’m on my way back to my room now.” Again, it sounded like a question.

“Hm. I suppose that’s acceptable.” Logan cracked a small smile.

Virgil took a deep breath. “I thought you were mad at me.”

“I’m not mad at you, Virgil,” Logan assured him. “I’d prefer that you stick to your schedule, but I’m not angry.”

Virgil smiled a little, relieved.

“I’ll accompany you back to your room. I have some work to do nearby.”

“Okay. Sounds good,” Virgil said, as casually as he could manage.

“Good,” Logan answered.

“Good.”

-

The next day, Remus and Patton joined Janus in his garden.

“That one looks like a duck,” Patton said, pointing up at a cloud.

Remus nodded. “A duck who’s up to something,” he added.

“Noooo!” Patton whined. “He’s a nice duck. Very polite. He’s doing some cooking, see?” he said, pointing again.

Janus pointed at Remus. “That one looks like a husband who’s sleeping on the couch tonight,” he joked.

“Only if that’s where we fall asleep after-”

“Remus!” Patton exclaimed, his face cherry-red.

Remus chuckled, reaching up from where he rested with his head on Patton’s lap and booping Patton on the nose, even as Janus made a disgusted face.

“Remus, Father wants you,” Roman’s voice interrupted.

Remus groaned, lifting his head up from Patton’s lap. “What does he need?”

“How should I know?” Roman asked.

Remus rolled his eyes and began to stand up. He licked Patton on the cheek as he did, causing him to break out in giggles and wipe at his cheek with his sleeve. “I’ll see you soon, Darling,” Remus said, getting to his feet fully. “Bye, Jan-ass.”

“Bye, dickhead,” Janus responded as Remus opened the gate of Janus’s back garden to leave.

Roman was about to follow him when Patton called out, “Roman, are you busy?”

Janus shot Patton a glare.

“No, I suppose not,” Roman said, pausing by the gate. “Why?”

“Come join us!” said Patton. “We’re cloud-watching.”

“Oh. Fun,” Roman said, sounding slightly conflicted. His gaze wandered over to Janus, and they both narrowed their eyes.

Janus gave in first, letting out a frustrated sigh. He poured Roman some watered wine into the extra cup he’d brought out with him (Remus had a habit of managing to break the wooden cups, but he always bought a new one when he did, so Janus didn’t mind much). He held out the cup, a peace offering of sorts.

Roman opened the gate and stepped into the garden. His red coat looked out of place in the green of the small fenced-in area.

Patton grinned. “Yay!”

Roman reached for the cup. As his hand closed around it, his fingers brushed Janus’s. Janus found himself dropping yet another cup as he sprung upright. He stood in a grand ballroom, smoke and screams filling the air. Roman stood a few feet away, and, past him, a great shadow in the shape of a dragon with glowing red eyes. It began to move toward Roman, and Janus cried out.

Janus was back in the garden again, breathing heavily. Roman was in front of him, their faces just inches apart. Wine dripped down Janus’s shins, staining his dark pants even darker. “Watch it!” he hissed, unable to think of what else to say or do.

Roman’s stunned expression turned offended. “You’re the one who dropped it!” They were even closer now.

Patton snickered, and Roman and Janus jumped apart like they’d been burned.

“I have to go,” Janus said quickly.

“Janus!” Patton called, but Janus was already out the gate and rushing toward the palace.

-

Logan set the tray down on the table more loudly than he usually did things, especially in the library. As a result, Virgil jumped.

“Holy shit, Logan! Don’t do that to me!” Virgil exclaimed.

Logan gave him a disapproving look. “You are going to get in trouble with your father one of these days using that sort of language.” He began to take items off the tray and set them near the tomes that Virgil had laid out on the table. “Time for lunch. Take a break.”

Virgil looked at the food, then back to his books again, then rubbed his hand over his face. “Fine. Thanks, Logan.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

Virgil opened his mouth to say something, but then the door burst open and footsteps, along with the tapping of a cane, hurried toward them.

“Logan? I need to talk to-“ Janus stopped as he rounded one of the shelves and spotted Virgil. He bowed quickly, wincing at the spasm in his back. He hoped they couldn’t see his expression. “I apologize, Your Highness.”

Virgil huffed. “No need for that. Please.” He paused as Janus righted himself. “Hey, aren’t you—“

“Janus,” Janus interrupted quickly. He realized his mistake quickly, but he decided to double down, clenching his jaw. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s Janus now.”

“Oh!” Virgil said. “Cool.”

“You needed to talk to me, Janus?” Logan asked.

“Yes. It’s urgent.”

Logan looked to Virgil, and Virgil waved him off. He and Janus began to leave, and as they were rounding the shelf, Logan looked back to see that Virgil had gone back to his books, the food untouched. He sighed softly but continued on his way.

He led Janus to an empty sitting room, then closed and locked the door behind him. He turned back to Janus, who had begun to pace nervously. “What do you have?”

Janus bit his lip. “I had another vision.”

Logan stepped closer. “That sounds ominous.”

“Yeah, it’s…” Janus sighed. “You remember Roman Erex, yes?”

Logan wrinkled his nose slightly. “Yes. Yes I do.”

“Well, his brother and brother-in-law are my friends, and we were spending time together in my garden when Roman came to tell Remus to go see their father. Then Patton said that Roman should join us, and I didn’t want him to, but Patton was giving me those puppy-dog eyes, and… I went to hand him a drink, and when our hands touched, I saw… him, fighting a dragon in a grand ballroom. Maybe the one in this palace.” As Janus finished, he felt the tension drain out of him, leaving only exhaustion in its wake.

Logan looked off into space, considering it for a while. “There seems to be no other reasonable conclusion. Roman is the one who must save the kingdom.”

Janus winced again. “That’s exactly what I didn’t want you to say.”

“Well, on my end, I’ve seen Eschive and Adalinda entering and exiting the same rooms furtively around the same time. They are certainly in it together. But, Eschive… He’s different around her,” Logan said.

“I noticed that yesterday,” Janus confirmed.

“What are our next steps?”

“You keep an eye on them. I’m going to spend the rest of the day talking to the other mystics. I was putting it off, but it’s becoming more and more urgent,” Janus said. “And you can clue in Remy, too.”

Logan nodded. “Shouldn’t we talk to Roman?”

Janus clenched his jaw and his free hand. “More information first.”

“Got it. Stay safe, Janus.”

“You too,” Janus said with a strained smile. He exited wordlessly, leaving Logan behind with only a sinking feeling.

When Logan returned to the library, it was to find Virgil having actually eaten a little bit. Not as much as Logan would like, but he would take the small victory.

“Why are you studying so hard?” he asked as he approached. “You hate studying.”

“I found something that interests me,” Virgil replied, leaning away from his books and stretching with a wince. “Healing magic is actually really interesting. Kinda complicated, though.”

“Good. But I would encourage you not to neglect your physical wellbeing, Your Highness,” Logan chided.

Virgil rolled his eyes and took another bite of his food to placate him. “You don’t have to call me that,” Virgil protested with his mouth full. “In fact, I’d prefer if you didn’t.”

Logan stiffened slightly. “I’d prefer to follow the rules, Prince Virgil.”

Huffing, Virgil took another bite, but this time swallowed before speaking again. “So, what’s going on with Janus?”

Logan looked unsure of what to say. “Just some palace business he is helping with.”

Logan, Virgil thought for the millionth time, was a horrible liar. “Right,” he said skeptically.

“If you’ll excuse me, Your Highness, I have some chores to take care of,” Logan said, looking uncomfortable.

“Of course,” Virgil answered defeatedly.

“Will you finish your food?” Logan asked.

Virgil softened. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll eat. You’re good at taking care of me.”

Logan allowed himself a small smile at the praise. “It is my job.”

He turned and left, and Virgil wished he would stay.

4: The Mystic

“ Mirror’s Shop of Curiosities ,” the sign hanging from a post above the door read. Underneath the words was painted a crystal ball with an eye inside. The building was sort of squat, the walls bowed outward, but somehow not suggesting a lack of structural integrity. In fact, the building itself seemed to exude comfort and safety. The walls were a ruddy brown color, the windows dirty with shutters that were likely once a deep blue but now a cracked and faded cerulean. The door was the most well-taken-care-of part of the exterior. It was a deep brown, almost black, leaving passers-by wondering what kind of wood it was.

Janus steeled himself, took a deep breath, and knocked twice before entering. A bell rang above him as he walked in. At first glance, the shopfront was emptier than expected. Scattered potion bottles and dried herbs sat on shelves, along with jars of things that looked suspiciously like pieces of once-living animals. A layer of dust coated almost every surface except for the products themselves, the counter, and the table and crystal ball toward the back of the shop. The table looked a lot like Janus’s own setup back at home.

“Hello?” Janus called.

A head, mostly a mop of gray hair and the lower part of a face (which looked awfully young compared to that color of hair), popped up from behind the counter. “Hello!” the person said in a smooth voice that somehow seemed discordant with their appearance. It was a familiar voice, though Janus wasn’t sure where he had heard it before. “Oh! You’re Janus, right?”

Janus winced. He had hoped not to be recognized at any of these places. “And you must be Mirror?”

“Correct!” Mirror replied, standing up to their full height. They were a little taller than Janus, pale and wearing rather simple clothing. “What can I do for you?”

“I, um… I’ve had a vision that I would like to get a second opinion on,” Janus answered.

“Well, I’d be happy to provide one!” Mirror said. “Go ahead.”

Janus took a deep breath. “I saw… the palace. On fire.”

Mirror’s mouth fell halfway open for a moment, but they regained their composure fairly quickly. They shook their head. “We should discuss this in private.” They hurried around from behind the counter to lock the shop door. Janus noticed that they were barefoot. They rushed back around the counter and gestured for Janus to follow.

Janus walked into the back room and sat when Mirror gestured to a chair. He watched as Mirror began to light candles and close curtains. The back room was full of drying herbs, empty jars and bottles, and potion-making apparatuses. It smelled strongly of rosemary and thyme.

When Mirror was done rushing around, they sat in the only other chair, which faced Janus, and looked at him intently. “Tell me everything.”

As Janus recounted his visions, Mirror looked more and more troubled. When Janus was finished, Mirror began to mumble to themselves, rubbing their temples (which allowed Janus a glimpse of one of their eyes, which was the color of their hair with no pupils or whites. Very unsettling.) and occasionally chewing on their bottom lip.

Mirror finally turned back to him, their eyes hidden by their hair again. “This is very disturbing.”

Janus huffed out a nervous laugh. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Mirror chewed on their lip again for a few moments. “The first two visions seem to be somewhat metaphorical. Disaster at the palace, something to do with a draconic creature.”

Janus nodded. “Okay. But the third?”

“Literal. Roman Erex will have to face off with the Dragon Witch,” Mirror said gravely.

“The Dragon Witch?”

“She seems to have taken on the name Adalinda Draco. The fact that she has already infiltrated the palace is very worrying…” Mirror mused.

“Okay, but who is she? What do you know about her?” Janus asked.

“Not much, I’m afraid. I know only that she has a reputation for destruction, and that they say she can influence people,” Mirror informed him. “You should keep asking around to find out more. I fear that Roman may be our only hope, and that he needs your help.”

“ My help?�� Janus asked incredulously.

“Yes,” Mirror answered. “You’re the one who had the vision for a reason.” They paused, then stood and began to rummage around in the deep drawers of their workbench. They pulled out a rectangle-shaped parcel triumphantly, then turned to hand it to Janus. “Keep track of all of your visions, gut feelings, and even just notable thoughts in here. It will help.”

Janus raised an eyebrow. “How will journaling help?”

Mirror smirked. “It’s the journal more than the journaling. It’ll help you piece things together, trust me.”

“Right,” Janus said, pushing himself up. “Well, thank you.”

He was almost out the door when Mirror called, “Remember to keep your mirror nearby!”

Janus turned quickly to ask Mirror what they meant, but there was no sign of them. His stomach roiling with dread, Janus left the shop.

-

Janus knocked at the door hesitantly. He hated coming to visit Remus. Not because of Remus or Patton, but most of the others in the house. Roman and the duke shared a strong distaste for him, though for different reasons, as did most of the servants. Duchess Erex, though, was different. Carine Erex was really the only positive maternal figure Janus had ever had. And he was relieved beyond belief that she was the one to open the door.

“Hello, Your Grace,” Janus greeted with a smile.

Carine scoffed. “I’ve told you many times, dear one, you may call me Carine.” Her hair was up in a practical bun, and she wore a riding outfit. She must have been about to go out. He wondered how Duke Erex felt about her wearing pants instead of a skirt.

Janus grinned. “Your husband might murder me if I tried.”

Carine’s expression turned sour. “Yes, I suppose so.” She shook her head and smiled again. “Are you here to see Remus?”

“And Patton, if they’re both home,” Janus responded.

“I believe they’re in the greenhouse. Patton wanted to do some gardening today,” Carine said. “Go ahead, dear. And tell anyone I invited you in if they ask.”

Janus let out a small sigh of relief. “Thank you, Carine,” he said.

She winked. “Don’t mention it.”

They traded places, Janus going into the house as she went out, and she closed the door between them. The greenhouse, which was attached to the house, was not far from the front door, thankfully. Janus arrived there without seeing another person.

Patton was wearing his gardening outfit, the too-big shirt and patched pants reminding Janus of a child gardening with their mother. The whole ensemble was muddy, from wide-brimmed hat to gigantic boots.

Remus lounged nearby, sideways and upside down on a fainting couch with his torso and head hanging off. Janus wondered if the blood was rushing to his head. His tie, jacket, and waistcoat were discarded and his shirt unbuttoned. He held a book in front of his face, probably another horror novel.

Janus cleared his throat, and two sets of eyes turned to him before Patton let out an ear-piercing squeal.

“Janus!” he cried. “There you are! We were worried!”

Janus grimaced. “Yeah. Something came up.” He looked down at his wine-stained pants and realized he’d been in the presence of the prince like this. He wanted to hit himself. Then his eyes fell on Remus again. Remus’s expression was tired, angry, and sorrowful. He looked absolutely miserable.

Janus walked over and perched himself on the arm of the couch. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked softly.

Remus shook his head. “Not right now.”

Janus gave a half-smile. “Okay. Then we’ll talk about something else.”

Patton brushed himself off as well as he could with muddy gloves on, then took the gloves off. “What do you want to talk about, Janus?” he asked softly.

Janus took a deep breath. “I have something fairly serious I wish to discuss, actually. I need you both to listen with an open mind.”

Remus quickly swung himself upright, his impeccable balance unnerving as always. “What’s up, Janny?” His eyes still looked sad despite the rest of his face having taken on an expression of curiosity.

Janus looked away. “I had a vision. A few, actually.”

Silence fell over them for a few moments. Patton was the first to break it. “I thought you didn’t really have those.” He sounded scared, his voice small.

“Yeah,” Janus said. “It’s a new development.”

“Okay…” Remus began. “What kind of visions?”

Janus took a deep breath and recounted not only his visions but everything he’d learned at the palace and Mirror’s Shop of Curiosities. He didn’t look at them until he was finished. When he finally did look, Remus looked… Dismayed? Angry? Shocked? No, certainly not, because now he just looked worried, like Patton.

“Well,” said Patton. He didn’t seem to know what to say after that. He was trying to look brave, Janus noted. He didn’t want Patton to be afraid of him.

Remus apparently did know what to say. “This is bullshit. But! I think I speak for both of us when I say that we’ll do whatever we can to help.”

Patton nodded quickly. “Tell us what you need, Kiddo. I could talk to Roman for you…”

Janus shook his head. “First of all, I am two months younger than you.”

“Baby,” Patton said, nodding decisively.

Janus scowled. “Secondly, I’m going to keep Roman in the dark as long as possible. I don’t think he’ll believe me without more information.”

“We can do that, then,” Remus offered. “I’m good at that.”

“You are,” Janus agreed. “I think that would actually be pretty helpful.”

“You should go check in with Lo again,” Patton suggested. “He needs to know what you learned from Mirror.”

Janus nodded. “That’s good, yes, I can do that.”

Patton tilted his head. “Take a breath, Kiddo.”

“ Two. Months ,” Janus hissed before following Patton’s instructions.

“You got this,” Patton encouraged. “How’s your leg?”

Janus frowned. “Fine. I can rest later, I know that’s what you were going to say.”

Patton frowned back. “You’d better rest later, Mister.”

“Two months,” Janus repeated. “And you’re not my fa-” He paused. “I’m going to go to the palace. Thank you for your help.” He walked out as quickly as he could, trying to get his heart rate under control.

5: The Worshipper

Janus crouched at the top of the stairs, listening. Listening to his parents argue. About him. His mother was of the opinion that they could, “make [him] better,” while his father just wanted to, “get rid of [him].” Janus didn’t want to know what that meant.

He was about to go to his room and get ready to leave, for good, when his father called that name. The name that wasn’t his. It didn’t belong to him. Nonetheless, he was expected to respond to it.

He straightened, brushed his jacket off, smoothed his short hair down, and began to walk down the stairs. “Father, that isn’t my name,” he said stubbornly.

His father’s face was turning purple. “Yes, it is,” he ground out. He pulled a chair up next to the fire—far too close—and said, “Sit.”

Janus did.

His father was pacing as his mother knelt in front of him. His mother pleaded, “We know this isn’t you. Tell me what’s wrong, what has happened. How do we make you want to be our little girl again?”

Janus frowned. “I’ve told you, Mother,” he said softly, “you can’t. I’m not your little girl.”

“Ridiculous!” his father roared. “You stubborn little brat! Just tell us what you want so this can go back to normal!”

“This is normal! This is who I am!” Janus yelled back.

Janus’s father pushed his mother out of the way and grabbed Janus by his collar, pulling him up.

The rest was a blur. Janus remembered being beaten and thrown around, but only vaguely. What was vivid was the left side of his face being pressed to the grate in front of the fire, then slammed against it again and again. He could never forget the feeling of his flesh searing against hot metal.

That was the day Janus was estranged from the Marquis and Marquess de Allerie.

-

The streets were crowded. It slowed Janus’s progress in getting to the palace, but it provided the noise he needed to overrule his racing thoughts. It only left room for one thing. He had to get to the palace and talk to Logan and Remy.

He was lucky in that walking around the streets with a cane meant the people that noticed tried not to bump into him. Unfortunately, someone didn’t notice him.

Janus nearly went tumbling to the ground, barely managing to steady himself. The person who ran into him, though, did fall to the ground. Janus went to help him up. He recognized him vaguely, someone he saw frequently in visiting the palace when he was younger. The baker’s son, he realized. Avery? Alfred? Allen? Something like that.

The man pushed Janus’s hand away and stood on his own. As their hands touched, Janus froze.

He stood in the forest. The air was cool and crisp and smelled like iron, and there was only the moonlight to illuminate the gruesome sight before him. The palace baker lay prone in the dirt, his horse lying nearby and his cart overturned. A pool of dark liquid spread around him, wetting the dirt.

“Are you okay?” asked the baker’s son, and Janus returned abruptly to the busy street.

“Yeah, I’m fine, bu-” Janus began.

“Good,” said the man, and he rushed away before Janus could ask or tell him anything.

Janus swallowed heavily, watching after him. He could still taste the iron smell. Then he turned and continued on his way to the palace.

-

Thomas felt the damp seeping through the seat of his pants as he sat on the log, but he didn’t particularly care. It was cold, sure, but he was more focused on his conversation.

“I dunno, Emi, it’s like he just wants to play with me. Like it’s some kind of game,” he said.

The child sitting in front of him was drawing lines in the dirt, but he looked up to answer. “Maybe that’s his way of showing he likes you. Like when Kyle used to push you over.”

Thomas winced at the memory. “Yeah. Maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced.

Emile sighed. “I think he likes you, Tommy. He even made you that sketch of you. The one you hung up on your wall.”

Thomas smiled. “I know the one. It’s so pretty.”

Emile nodded decisively. “There you go. He likes you.”

“But what if it’s just as friends?” Thomas asked.

Emile shrugged. “You know I always say you should talk about it instead of overthinking.”

Thomas shook his head fondly. “Maybe you’re right, Emi. As always.”

Emile grinned. “Why, thank you!”

“Thomas!” Pryce’s voice called. It sounded like something rather urgent needed his attention. When Thomas looked back to where Emile had been, he was gone. Thomas sighed and stood before jogging in the direction of Pryce’s voice.

Upon reaching the clearing just off the road, Thomas froze. Andy’s father lay in the dirt, dried blood caking the dirt around him. His throat had been slit, and he was so, so pale. Thomas looked to Pryce who knelt next to a pool of vomit. It looked like he was having trouble breathing.

Thomas went and knelt next to him, in between him and the upsetting scene. “Can I touch you?”

Pryce nodded. Thomas placed a hand on Pryce’s back and rubbed it.

“We’ll do everything we can,” Thomas assured him softly. “We’ll take him back for a proper burial and do whatever Andy needs. I know it’s terrifying, and that it hurts, so badly right now. It hurts more than anything. But it will be okay, eventually.”

Pryce nodded again. “Okay.” He paused. “He was like a father to me.”

“I know,” Thomas said softly. “You go back to camp, and I’ll carry him back there. Ready the horses and put out the fire. Can you do that?”

Pryce nodded yet again. Thomas helped him to stand, then he turned and walked back towards their camp.

Thomas sighed and turned back to the baker. He crouched next to him and offered a small prayer to the Death Goddess, then hefted the body into his arms.

-

Thomas screamed as he fell to his knees in the remnants of his home. The scorched bodies of his fathers were contorted in fear, and he wanted to scrub the sight from his eyes.

His brother lay in a makeshift grave in the forest. Thomas had built it from stones and mud. He hoped it was enough for Emile to rest peacefully.

“ Thomas,” said a small voice.

Thomas looked up. Emile stood over him and offered him a hand, pulling Thomas to his feet when he took it.

“ Emile?” Thomas asked, dumbfounded.

“ Yeah. The Death Goddess and the Magic Goddess took me in. I’m sort of a god now? Or, I will be,” Emile said. “It’s hard to explain.”

“ Oh,” Thomas said softly.

“ You have to get up,” Emile told him. “You have to walk to the nearest town and ask for help. Please, Thomas. You have to live.”

Thomas had never been able to say no to that face.

-

Patton grabbed Remus’s hand as they entered the shop. A bell attached to the door rang out. There was a bored-looking teenager at the counter, leaning their elbows on the counter with their chin in their hands. They had bright red hair that fell over one eye in the front and ended at their neck in the back. Their clothes were largely black and red, very expensive colors to dye fabric in, though the clothes themselves looked fairly plain.

Remus squeezed Patton’s hand. Patton had always been uncomfortable around anything to do with magic.

“Hey there, Kiddo!” he greeted the teenager nonetheless.

They finally looked up, having been unfazed by the bell. “Hi, welcome to Pierre’s Powerful Particulars, home of many useful magical items. How may I help you today?” they droned.

“We want to trade for information,” Remus said. “Are you the proprietor of this shop?”

The teenager huffed out a small breath. “Hell no. I’ll go get Pierre.”

“Thank you very much,” Patton said with a friendly smile. He was sure he looked nervous.

The teenager waved their hand and disappeared into the back of the shop.

Patton cast his eyes around nervously. Remus squeezed his hand again. Patton smiled at him.

A tall man, probably in his late twenties, walked out of the back of the shop. He looked tired. He clearly hadn’t shaved in a while, but not long enough to grow much of a beard. His long blond hair was pulled back into a bun at the nape of his neck. His dark eyes looked glazed over.

Poor guy must be really tired , Patton thought.

“Pierre, at your service,” the man said.

“We need some information,” Remus said. “We are prepared to pay handsomely.”

The man smiled. Something about it unsettled Patton. “Well, I hope I can provide what you need.”

“What do you know about the Dragon Witch?” Remus asked. Patton decided he also didn’t like that Remus had gone into all-business mode.

“Oh,” Pierre said, “I can tell you about her.”

6: The Nanny

By the time Janus got back to the palace, he was in a very sour mood. From the crowds, the exchange with Patton that almost ended in him saying something regrettable, the vision from Andy, and the pain in his back and leg. Nonetheless, he continued to walk, making his way into the palace and beginning the search for Logan.

It didn’t take long to find him, returning some clean blankets to one of the linen closets.

Janus cleared his throat. “We need to talk,” he said when Logan turned his head to look at him.

“Come in,” Logan said.

Janus walked into the linen closet and closed the door behind him. It wasn’t as cramped as it seemed when looking into it from outside. He took a deep breath. “I have troubling news. I’ve talked with the proprietor of one of the shops, and it seems we’re dealing with someone called the Dragon Witch, who has taken the name Adalinda Draco and gotten herself a noble title.”

Logan’s eyes widened. “That sounds unpleasant.”

Janus nodded. “Her powers supposedly include mind control. And Roman must defeat her. Apparently my having the vision means I’m supposed to help.”

Logan began to pace in the small space. “What do we do, then?”

“Remus and Patton have been filled in, and they’re looking into that now,” Janus replied.

Logan nodded. “As soon as they find that information, we should take action. Time is certainly of the essence.”

“Definitely. I just have to convince Roman when the information becomes available to us,” Janus said, his tone and expression both defeated and nervous.

“I have to talk to Remy,” Logan said as he opened the closet. “But first, let me walk you to the gate. You look exhausted.” They began to walk together.

Janus grimaced. “I’m that obvious, huh?”

Logan pressed his lips into a tight line and let the silence hang for a moment. Then he said, “There’s nothing wrong with needing to rest. Taking care of yourself is important.”

Janus laughed sharply. “I give that advice all the time. I suppose I haven’t applied it to myself.”

Logan hummed thoughtfully. “Maybe you should give that a try.”

“Thanks, Logan.”

Logan nodded.

As they rounded a corner, they passed Virgil. He gave a little wave. “Hi, Janus. Hi, Lo.”

Virgil rounded the corner, and Logan turned his head slightly, looking wistfully at where Virgil had been.

“You should talk to him,” Janus said after looking around to make sure no one was nearby.

Logan bristled. “I talk to him all the time.”

Janus scoffed. “About feelings, Logan.”

Logan shook his head. “There’s nothing to do about it. He’s… out of my reach.”

Sighing, Janus looked away. “Just a little advice.”

They reached the door to the palace, and they walked down the path to the gate in silence.

“Get home safe,” Logan said.

“I’ll certainly try,” replied Janus.

They both turned and began to walk in opposite directions. The streets were less crowded now, and Janus made it home in far less time than it would have taken earlier. He thought about Logan’s advice to take a rest, and Patton’s demand that he rest. He put out his “Open” sign and went to clean up a little. He’d do some readings and then rest. Putting it off surely wouldn’t hurt… too badly.

-

Janus was in the middle of listening to a customer’s question about their future when he heard a knock on the door. Specifically, Remus’s knock pattern. He paused, then interrupted the customer, “I need to check on this, I’ll be right back.”

When he opened the door, Remus was there, looking worried and somewhat upset. Patton stood slightly behind him with the same expression on his face. “What’s wrong?” Janus asked.

“Um, we have something kind of important to tell you,” Patton said, then began to chew on his lip. He paused for a moment, then wrinkled his brow. “You’re not resting.”

Janus cast a glance over his shoulder. “Can it wait a little? I’m with a customer.”

“I guess,” said Remus. But Janus had never seen him so on-edge.

Sighing, Janus gestured for them to come in. “You guys go to my room, I’ll be right there.”

They both walked past the customer and into the back room.

Janus walked over to the customer. “I’m very sorry, but something has come up. If you’ll come back later, I’ll do your reading for half price.”

They looked a little miffed, but the customer did leave. Janus sighed and went to join Remus and Patton. “What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

Patton and Remus looked at each other.

“The Dragon Witch,” said Patton. “She’s a real nasty character.”

“What do you mean?” Janus asked, his heart jumping in his chest.

Remus tried to perk up, but it didn’t quite work. “Well, it’s mostly just rumors, but, supposedly, she started the war in Louria, killed the prince of Hertland, and has razed quite a few villages.”

Janus’s eyes gradually widened. “That’s… not good.”

Patton quickly added, “But we think there’s a way to defeat her. We were told that the source of her power is an enchanted mirror.”

“So we destroy that,” Janus said.

“It’s not that simple,” Remus replied. “The mirror is hidden away in a cave in the Droiler Mountains. She connects with it through other mirrors.”

Janus hissed out a sigh. “Well… Do we know where the cave is exactly?”

Patton nodded and pulled out a map from his messenger bag.

Janus hummed. “That’s about a three days’ walk, six round trip,” he said. “And… Unfortunately, according to my visions, Roman has to come with me. You two can stay here if you like, though.”

Remus and Patton locked eyes again. Patton nodded.

“Fuck that, let’s go on a quest!” Remus said. “Besides, you may need help kidnapping my brother.”

Janus sighed.

-

For the third time that day, Janus walked to the palace, this time with companions. The sun was moving lower and lower in the sky. He was distracted, trying to come up with what to say to Roman. Patton flitted around him worriedly as they walked. He kept asking if Janus was alright, if he needed to stop. He said that they could go tomorrow, that Janus needed rest. Janus just hummed and mumbled basic responses. “I’m fines,” and “It’s okays.”

Janus felt like it took very little time to arrive at the palace. Nonetheless, he brought himself back to the present just as Remus told the guards that they had business with Logan. It was a good excuse to be there so late, and it was true as well. The guards let them in.

Janus let Remus take the lead on asking around about where Logan was. Eventually, they caught up with him. “Logan,” Janus called.

Logan turned to see them, and he quickly bowed his head to Remus. “I assume you have something to talk about?”

Janus nodded. “I’ll let Remus explain… I need to talk to Roman. I walked here to stall,” he admitted.

Patton furrowed his brow. “Janus, your leg…”

Janus set his jaw. “I’m fine , Patton. You three discuss what needs to be done. It’ll help when I drag Roman back here.”

Logan sighed, and Remus gave him a concerned look as well. “I’ll be okay, I promise,” Janus said. He turned abruptly and left before he could be lectured on the importance of taking breaks.

When he finally got back to Duke Erex’s estate, it was dark, and he was limping pretty heavily. One of the servants opened the door. Thankfully, it was Grey, who was sympathetic to Janus. “Young Master Remus isn’t here, Janus,” they said.

“I know,” Janus answered. “I’m here to see Roman.”

Grey raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “He’s in the study. The Duke isn’t there, don’t worry.”

Smiling in relief, Janus stepped inside when Grey gave him space to. “Thank you, Grey.” He walked away quickly, trying to avoid anyone else. Another servant brushed past him in the hall outside the study, knocking into the arm holding his cane and nearly kicking the cane out from under him. Janus nearly fell. He righted himself and took a deep breath before knocking on the study door.

“Come in!” Roman’s voice called. Janus did his best not to hobble as he entered. He closed the door behind him.

Roman looked up, then his eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Janus took another breath. “I have something to talk to you about.”

Roman furrowed his brow, but then gestured for Janus to continue.

Janus told his story in great detail, trying to make sure Roman would believe him. To his surprise, Roman listened quietly.

When Janus was finished, Roman stood from behind the desk, then walked toward Janus. Janus straightened as much as he could, but Roman still towered over him. He swallowed with difficulty.

“You really think I would believe all that? That I’m so gullible I’d just listen to you?” Roman asked.

“Roman, it’s true,” Janus said as earnestly as he could, fighting against the annoyance that wanted to creep into his voice.

Roman grit his teeth. “I can’t believe you! Why do you want to make a fool of me?”

Janus shrank back a little. “I know I wasn’t always nice to you when we were growing up, but this isn’t about you and me! This is more important than us!”

“Why do you always feel the need to antagonize me?!”

“Oh, please! You do the same!”

“You little-”

The door swung open. In swept Galena, Roman and Remus’s nanny, carrying a basket of clean dishes. She took in the scene before her. “Hm. What are you two fighting about now?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Roman frowned, almost a pout, like a child who knew they were about to be in trouble. “He’s trying to convince me that I need to go off with him to save the kingdom.”

“It’s true!” Janus insisted. “I saw you fighting the Dragon Witch! I saw it, Roman!”

Roman turned back to him. “You’re really doubling down?”

Galena raised a hand, then pinched her fingers together. “Quiet.” She stepped closer to the two of them, taking in Janus’s expression. “Roman, he’s clearly telling the truth.”

“What?!” Roman asked.

“Look at his eyes,” Galena requested.

Roman peered into Janus’s face, and Janus clenched his free hand into a fist at his side, his knuckles going white as he tried not to flush from having the attention on him. Whatever Roman saw with his deep green eyes seemed to surprise him. He stepped back. “What do we do now?” he asked Janus.

Janus breathed a sigh of relief. “We go to see Remus and Patton at the palace. They’re discussing it with a servant who knows about it. They’ll have an idea of what our next steps should be.”

Roman nodded, surprisingly agreeable. “Great. Let me finish on this last report, then we’ll go.”

7: The Baker

Logan led Patton and Remus toward the scullery, where Remy was supposed to be helping out that day. “So, Patton,” Logan said, “It’s been a while since we got to talk.” His voice felt stilted and awkward.

Patton nodded, giving him a smile, even though he didn’t turn to see it. “Yeah. I’ve missed you and Prince Virgil.”

Remus tilted his head. “You should visit them sometimes, Pat.”

Patton’s smile fell. “I guess, but right now we have serious things to talk about.”

“Indeed,” Logan agreed. He opened the door to the scullery and held up a finger in a gesture for Patton and Remus to stay in the corridor. He returned shortly with Remy at his side.

“Hello,” Patton said with another smile. “I’m Patton, nice to meet you.”

“Remy, at your service,” Remy answered.

Remus waved a hand. “Remus, it’s a pleasure.”

Logan cleared his throat. “Let’s go somewhere less… open.”

Patton’s eyes widened. “Right! Lead the way!”

Remy grabbed Logan’s arm, much to Logan’s apparent annoyance, and began to walk. A short walk later, they found themselves in the servants’ quarters. Remy opened a door and gestured for the rest to go inside, then followed when they did. He checked no one was around and closed the door. “You have information?” he asked when he turned to face them, lowering his tinted glasses slightly, an excited look in his eyes.

“Yes!” Patton said. “It’s… There’s this mirror we have to go destroy to take away the Dragon Witch’s powers, but it’s in a cave in the mountains, and it’s going to be a long journey, and Remus and I are going with Janus and Roman to do that,” he said far too quickly.

Logan and Remy seemed to catch all of it, though. Remy hummed. “Well, I have to go with you guys. I’m not missing this.”

Logan hummed. “I suppose I should stay here, then.”

“I want to go too,” a voice said from the doorway.

They all jumped and turned to face the door, where Prince Virgil stood leaned against the door frame.

There was silence for a few moments, then Logan frowned. “No.”

“No?” Virgil asked, frowning back.

“It’s too dangerous, Your Highness,” Logan answered.

“I’m a grown adult,” Virgil shot back.

“A grown adult who’s never been in any real danger. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Logan said, sounding slightly agitated.

“And you’re just overprotective! I’m a healer! I can help!” Virgil cried.

“Prince Virgil-”

“Actually,” Remus interrupted, “a healer might be helpful.”

Logan shot him a glare.

“See?” Virgil said. “They want me to come!”

“Kiddo, Lo’s right. It’s really dangerous,” Patton said.

“Virgil,” Logan said, successfully catching Virgil’s attention. “I just want you to be safe.”

Virgil tilted his head. “I will be, Logan.”

Logan sighed softly. “Then I’m coming too. The other servants can fend for themselves for a while.”

Virgil raised an eyebrow and flushed slightly, then a triumphant smile split his face. “Cool.”

“Won’t people look for you?” Patton asked.

“Hm,” Virgil paused for a moment, “I think I have an idea.”

-

“Where are we going?” Patton asked as he, Logan, and Remus followed Virgil down the road. 

Virgil was focusing very hard on not tripping over the boots he’d borrowed from Logan, which were about two sizes too large. “Mh,” he hummed, “you’ll see.” He pulled the hood of his cloak down further. He was clearly trying not to be recognized. Patton wasn’t sure if Logan tagging along would help with that.

They finally slowed outside a bakery. The bakery that served the palace more often than not. Virgil opened the door, and the group made their way inside. 

The baker’s son–Andy, Patton’s brain supplied–popped up from behind the counter, surveying them with a raised eyebrow. “How may I help you?”

Virgil looked around, then lowered his hood. “I need a favor.”

Andy rushed to bow, but Virgil quickly waved for him to straighten up. 

“It’s fine, um…” Virgil cleared his throat. “I have somewhere I need to go, but no one can know I’m gone. You look so much like me…”

“Ooooh, no,” Andy said. “Nope. I can’t. That’s not going to work.”

“Andy, please,” Virgil said. He looked around furtively again. “It’s very important. The Dragon Witch has infiltrated the castle, and I need to go destroy her power at its source. We need your help.”

Andy’s shoulders fell. “The Dragon Witch? I… Who’s going to run the bakery?”

“I think I know a couple people who owe me a favor,” Patton said. “I’m sure I’ll find someone.”

A small sigh escaped Andy’s lips. “You’re sure about this?” 

Virgil nodded. “It’ll be absolutely fine. Just lay low, and I’ll be back before you know it. A week, tops.”

Andy nodded. “Okay. Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” Virgil said. “You're doing the kingdom a great service.”

With a sigh, Andy walked around from behind the counter. “I’m glad to help, I guess.”

-

Patton held up a lock of Andy’s hair and carefully took the scissors to it. “You know, Logan, I don’t think anyone would have noticed that Andy’s hair is longer than Virgil’s. It’s not that much longer.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Logan said with the smug tone of someone who had just gotten their way. 

Patton brushed the hair off of Andy’s shoulders. “Look in the mirror and tell me what ya think,” he instructed Andy, who did as told.

Virgil approached to look Andy over. “...Well, this is uncanny.”

Andy turned to look back at Virgil. “Tell me about it.”

“Makeup time!” Remus announced with perhaps a bit too much excitement. 

Andy sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to apply it myself after you leave…”

“We’ll keep it simple,” Virgil promised. “Come on.” 

Andy followed Virgil to the vanity table and sat facing the mirror. “And what do I do if someone notices I’m not you?” he asked. 

“No one will notice,” Logan assured him, “because you will lay low and pretend to be ill. Ask not to be bothered, and no one will bother you.”

Andy took a deep breath, grimacing slightly as Remus and Virgil simultaneously began to apply makeup to his face. 

“Eyes open,” Virgil instructed. “You need to see what we’re doing.”

Patton leaned against the wall, watching as Remus and Virgil lectured Andy on what to do with the makeup, Virgil very seriously and Remus with the occasional off-color remark.

Remy emerged from the walk-in closet with an armful of clothes and began laying them out on the bed.

There was a knock at the door.

“Got it,” Patton said, pushing himself away from the wall.

When he opened the door, there stood Pryce and Thomas. “Oh,” said Pryce, “hello, Patton. Do you happen to know where Andy is? Or Logan, he might know.” 

“Ah, um…” Patton began.

Pryce looked past Patton, and his facial expression fell when he spotted Andy. He raised his eyebrows in confusion. “Why is he here?” He took in more of the scene. “What’s going on?”

“Pryce?” Andy asked. 

Logan and Patton locked eyes. It took less than a second for them to come to an agreement. 

Patton stepped aside for Pryce and Thomas to enter. “Hi, Thomas,” he said

“Hi, Patton,” Thomas answered with a tense smile. 

Logan walked over to them as Patton closed the door. “Andy is doing us a huge favor. Prince Virgil has somewhere he needs to go without anyone knowing he’s leaving.” He looked over at Andy. “I think it’s safe to say you’re nervous? Will having Pryce around to help you ease your mind?”

“Yeah,” Andy said. “That would help.”

Pryce still looked somewhat confused, but he nodded at Andy’s answer. “I’ll help however I can. But…” He shifted his gaze to Andy. “Andy, I need to talk to you for a moment.” 

Virgil and Remus moved away from Andy so that he could get up. 

“What is it?” Andy asked, tone full of trepidation.

Pryce jerked his head toward the closet. “I think it would be best to have this conversation in private.”

Andy looked back at Virgil, and Virgil waved for them to go. He followed Pryce, clenching and unclenching his fist at his side. 

The door closed heavily when Andy pushed it. It left Pryce and him in complete silence. “What is it?” he asked carefully.

“We, ah… Your dad,” Pryce said. “We think he was attacked by bandits. It was far too late by the time we got there.” Pryce’s voice was breaking, but he made it through giving Andy the news. 

Andy shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. “No…”

“Andy, I’m sorry,” Pryce said. “I’m so sorry.”

Andy choked back a sob, placing his hand over his mouth. “No,” he repeated. He was unsuccessful in holding back his next sob. The dam broke, and he couldn’t stop himself from crying out in distress as the sobs overwhelmed him. 

Pryce opened his arms, and Andy dove into them again, clinging to him with all his might. He shook like a leaf as he cried into Pryce’s shoulder. Pryce rubbed his back, muttering empty words that meant nothing to either of them.

8: The Childhood Friends

By the time Janus and Roman arrived, Andy had calmed down a fair bit. Remus was showing him the different makeups and brushes, and Logan was filling in Thomas and Pryce on the situation, as well as clarifying some things for Andy. Remy had just returned from making preparations for his and Logan’s absence, and Patton and Virgil were packing Virgil’s things.

Roman looked around at the activity of the room. “How many people know about this?” he asked.

“Only the people in this room,” Logan answered. Janus nodded in confirmation.

Roman counted quickly. “I feel like this is too many people.”

“We’ll need as much help as possible, won’t we?” Janus pointed out. 

“I… suppose so,” Roman said. 

Janus sat down in the nearest chair, trying not to look too tired. “So, to recap,” he said, “Duchess Adalinda Draco is really the Dragon Witch, and she’s conspiring with Prince Eschive to kill the King. Her power comes from a mirror that she keeps in a cave in the Droiler Mountain Range. We need to destroy it. Virgil is coming, so Andy is taking his place and pretending to be him until we return. The journey should be six days, round trip. Three days to the cave, three days back. Everyone clear?”

There was a general murmur of consensus that rumbled through the room. 

Janus looked up at Roman. “From now on, I suppose I’ll defer to you.”

Roman looked around the room again. “Do we know exactly where we’re going?”

“I’ve got a map,” Remus answered without looking up from the makeup laid out on the vanity table. “Ooh, this one would be perfect for hiding that scar.”

“Remus, focus,” Roman groaned.

“I am! This is important, too, you know,” Remus chided. “I got the guy at the magic shop Patton and I visited to show me where on the map the cave should be.”

Roman nodded briskly. “And who is going on the journey?”

“You and me,” Janus answered.

“And myself,” Logan said.

“Patton and me too,” added Remus.

“And me,” said Remy. 

“And me,” echoed Virgil.

“I’ll go too,” Thomas chimed in.

Roman nodded. “That makes eight.”

“We should leave as soon as possible,” Janus reminded them. 

Again, Roman nodded. “We’ll meet just after midnight tonight. Everyone needs to pack for the journey. We can meet outside the north gate of the capital, in the treeline so the guards don’t see us and bother us.”

Logan frowned. “Are you sure we shouldn’t plan more?”

“Do you think we have time?” Roman shot back. 

Logan pursed his lips. “I suppose not.”

“Get ready,” Roman said. “We leave tonight.”

-

Andy sat staring at himself in the mirror. Everyone else had left the room, many of them to their own homes to pack, Pryce with Thomas to the temple, and Virgil to his closet for the moment. His face didn’t look quite like him. Definitely more like the prince than himself. He touched his cheek lightly over his now-invisible scar and looked down at his hand. Only the faintest hint of powder dusted his fingertips.

Virgil reentered the room with an armful of traveling clothes and an empty knapsack hanging from the other hand. He set it all down on the bed and looked to where Andy was still sitting next to the vanity.

Andy looked up only when Virgil sat down in a chair he pulled up next to him, then bowed his head slightly. “Your Highness.”

Virgil coughed and cast his gaze to the side. “You don’t need to… Um, you really don’t have to tell me, but I was wondering if you’d like to talk about whatever Pryce said to make you so upset…”

Andy sniffed, blinking at the stinging in his eyes. “My father went on a trip for some seasonal ingredients. When he didn’t return, I got Pryce and Thomas to go look for him. He was attacked.” His words were stilted, ground out past the lump in his throat. He grit his teeth and clenched his fist.

A look of understanding spread across Virgil’s face, and his shoulders fell. “My condolences,” he said. “You probably don’t want to hear any platitudes right now. But I can sit with you for a while, if you like.”

Andy shook his head. “You need to pack. I’ll be okay.” He sniffed again.

Virgil sighed. “We haven’t been that close in a long time, but you’re still my friend, Andy. I want to help.” He smiled a little. “Besides, we both know that Logan will be packed in no time and back to either help or nag me. I can at least sit right here until he gets back.”

Andy managed a tense smile. “Thanks, Virge.”

Virgil grinned and ruffled Andy’s newly-cut hair. “Least I can do for a childhood friend.”

He hesitated for a moment before holding his arm out. Andy leaned into him, and he wrapped that arm around him.

“I wish I could do more,” Virgil murmured. “I wish I could stay.”

“They need a mage,” Andy said, muffled by Virgil’s shoulder. “They’ll probably get themselves killed without you.”

Virgil huffed out a small laugh. “Knowing Duke Erex’s sons, that might not be an exaggeration.”

They fell quiet, the tension of Virgil’s nerves and Andy’s sadness hanging in the air. The silence remained until Logan arrived to scold Virgil for not having packed yet, which sent the two into a fit of laughter.

9: The Mage

Janus stood against a tree, waiting for the others to arrive. The moon was high overhead, waxing, and it bathed the forest canopy in silvery light that soaked through the leaves to dapple the ground beneath. His eyes focused in on movement off to his left, and he tensed, reaching for the dagger he’d strapped to his belt.

“Calm down, it’s me,” someone grumbled, and Janus relaxed when he recognized the voice.

“I expected you to get here first, or maybe Logan,” Janus commented as Roman came to stand a few feet away from him.

Roman yawned and grumbled.

“Not a morning person, huh?” Janus asked with an amused smile.

“Shut up. It’s not even morning yet,” Roman snapped.

Janus held his hands up and stifled a small laugh. “Cut your nap short to get your hair perfect, did you?”

Roman glared at him, and he had to stifle another laugh. A surprisingly comfortable silence fell.

Virgil and Logan arrived next, Remy trailing behind them.

Thomas came next, then Remus and Patton.

At this point, Roman had recovered his attitude and superior airs, and he was questioning everyone on whether or not they had packed everything they might need. Logan quickly joined, and the rest realized that those two in combination might be an actual living nightmare.

“Hey, Dipshit,” Remus said finally, reaching into his bag. He produced a rolled-up map and held it out toward Roman.

Roman reached for it, then hesitated.

Remus jabbed the paper toward his brother. “You’re our intrepid leader.”

Roman took the map.

Remus grinned. “Don’t fuck it up.”

-

The group had traveled mostly in silence for several hours until the sun rose. As the morning sun began to shine, Patton began talking.

“You know, I think we ought to get to know each other better, you know, as a group.”

Logan gave him a withering look. “Must we?”

“Yes,” Patton answered matter-of-fact-ly. “We should take turns saying fun facts about ourselves.” He was met with silence. “Okay, I’ll go first. I’m Patton, and I can say the alphabet backwards.”

“You can?” Logan asked before Janus could warn him.

“Yep!” Patton said with a grin. “Listen,” he paused for effect. “’The alphabet backwards.’”

Logan blinked, and Virgil, Roman, Thomas, and Remy all snickered. Then realization dawned on him, followed by a devastated thousand-yard stare.

Patton burst into giggles. “Okay, okay,” he said through his laughter. “Remus next!”

Remus smiled. “I’m Remus, and I tricked Patton into marrying me.”

“Remus!” Patton chided. “You did not trick me!”

“Nope,” Remus answered. “You fell desperately in love with me all on your own because I’m irresistible.”

“Ew!” Roman and Janus exclaimed simultaneously. They locked eyes for a second, then silently agreed never to mention it again.

Patton sighed, a smile still on his face. “Okay, Jan, your turn.”

Janus’s eyes widened. “Me? Why me?”

“Because you’re the first one I looked at!” Patton replied.

Janus sighed. “Well… I’m Janus, and I guess I see the future now.”

“We all knew that already,” Patton protested.

“Okay, fine, then… Um, I guess… Oh, I once helped Remus fill Roman’s room with feral cats,” Janus said. “That’s a pretty fun fact.”

“You what?!” Roman screeched.

Janus rubbed at his ear. “Ow.”

“I thought you had ‘nothing to do with that’!”

Janus huffed. “I lie, Roman, we’ve established this.”

“Ooookay!” Patton intervened. “Next…. Um, Logan!”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “Well, I am Logan, and I work as head of servants at the palace, a role which I share with Remy. I am also Prince Virgil’s personal manservant.”

“Lolo, we already knew that, too,” Patton said.

“I really do not know what you want from me, Patton,” Logan said.

“Well…” Patton began. “Oh! How about your favorite sweet!”

Logan blinked. “I suppose that would be the jam the palace cook makes.”

Virgil grinned. “I once saw him eat a whole jar in one sitting, three days in a row,” he said.

Logan’s face went still. “Falsehood. You’ve fabricated this.”

“Mmmh, I don’t think I have, Lo,” Virgil answered.

“How about you, Prince Virgil?” Patton prompted.

“Oh,” Virgil said. “Well, first of all, I’d prefer if all of you just call me Virgil. At least for this journey. Um… What’s a good fact about me? Ah, um, I can do this,” he said, and summoned a small ball of light in the palm of his hand. They all watched as it morphed through several animal shapes before settling on a cat that stretched, arched its back, then curled up in Virgil’s hand before slowly fading.

“Woah,” Patton said. “You’ve gotten so much better at that!”

“Very impressive,” Thomas agreed with a smile.

“And you, Thomas?” Patton asked.

“Oh, well, I’m Thomas, and I like to sing,” Thomas answered. He hummed a scale in demonstration.

“Wow!” Patton exclaimed. “I didn’t know that.”

“You don’t know everything about everyone, Pat,” Virgil pointed out.

“If I did, I’d be Janus,” Patton joked.

“I don’t know everything about everyone,” Janus informed them. “Just the things I can use in my favor.”

Roman mumbled something, and Janus pretended not to have noticed.

“I’ll go next,” Remy volunteered. “I’m Remy, and I make the best coffee and tea in the world.”

“You know I make better Earl Grey than you,” Logan interjected.

“In your dreams, Girl,” Remy responded.

“His coffee is pretty good,” Virgil admitted.

“Your turn, Roman,” Patton said.

“I hear a river,” Roman said in lieu of an answer.

“Perfect,” Logan said. “That should be a good place to rest briefly and gather some water if it’s clean. If not, we should probably gather it anyway and build a fire to heat it.”

The group headed toward the sound. Janus slowed, getting a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Then Patton called his name, and he hurried to catch up.

The river was wide and flowed briskly, though not quick enough to pose any danger should they need to cross it. Virgil looked around at the edge of the trees by the river, and his stomach flipped as he heard a snatch of song.

“Guys, wait!” he exclaimed. “I think I know where we are!”

The music got louder. Virgil quickly slapped his hands over his ears and spat out a quick incantation, causing the rest of the group to do the same and freeze that way. Someone was still moving, though.

Logan was walking toward the river’s edge at a leisurely pace, a blank smile on his face.

Virgil’s eyes widened, and he murmured another incantation to muffle all sound for himself. He ran to Logan and looked toward the river.

Logan looked toward the river too. He didn’t notice Virgil next to him. Instead, he saw Virgil sitting on the rocky bank, singing. He held a flower in his hand, which he looked up from only to bat his thick lashes at Logan.

Virgil saw the creature for what it was. Its face was covered in a mix of scales and feathers, the skin between gray and withered. Its hunched shoulders drew close to its thin neck as it sang. A slimy, pointed tongue darted out over chapped lips.

Virgil planted himself in between the thing and Logan, hands on Logan’s shoulders. But Logan was physically stronger than him, especially under the creature’s influence. Logan forced him to take a step back, then another. “Logan, please,” Virgil said. “Logan, it’s not real,” he begged. “Whatever you see, it’s not real. It’s going to kill you, Logan, please!”

Logan kept pushing forward towards the river.

“Logan!” Virgil exclaimed, glancing back to see they were only a few meters away from the bank now. “Logan, I need you to be safe! I need you, Logan! Please!” he cried, throwing his arms around Logan’s shoulders.

Logan stopped, the melody shortly after. “Virgil?” he asked, looking down at the prince in confusion.

Virgil nearly sobbed with relief, sagging against Logan’s chest.

The rest of the group removed their hands from their ears, staggering slightly.

A screech rang through the air, and Virgil felt a hand close around his ankle, sharp claws digging in. He was yanked back and nearly fell.

Logan closed his arms around Virgil quickly, eyes widening. “Virgil!”

The others were pretty quick to realize what was happening and rushed over. Janus, Remus, Patton, and Remy all grabbed onto Virgil tightly and began to pull with Logan, while Roman and Thomas each drew their swords. They rushed the creature and began taking swipes at it, though they couldn’t seem to penetrate its steel-like scales.

Janus kicked at the creature’s face, and it used its free hand to swipe at him, tearing his pants and leaving long gashes across his upper thigh. In his surprise, he let go of Virgil and staggered back, and the creature managed to pull Virgil a little closer to the water. Remus let go, too, as soon as he noticed Janus’s injury.

Roman scanned his eyes over the revolting creature, and he finally brought his blade down hard on its wrist, cleanly severing its hand.

It screeched again and reeled back, and Remy, Patton, Logan, and Virgil toppled over into a pile. The creature disappeared into the water with a splash, leaving a trail of viscous brown blood.

Virgil looked down to see the hand still clutching his ankle and cried out. Thomas leaned down to hold his leg still and pried the hand off with the tip of his sword.

Roman rushed over to Janus, who was leaning against a nearby boulder. “Are you okay?” he asked urgently.

Janus nodded. “Fine… I’m fine, just a scratch.”

Roman leaned down to look. “That’s not just a scratch, Janus,” he said, giving him a look. “Take better care of yourself. Hopefully Prince Virgil can heal that in a minute.”

He stood straight and turned to help everyone regroup.

Logan held Virgil close to his chest for a few moments longer as the group began getting ready to move to a safer area. Finally, he helped him stand. “Thank you, Virgil,” he said very seriously.

Virgil managed a weak smile. “No big deal.”

10: The Confidants

The campfire crackled, comforting Patton a great deal. He leaned back, watching the water from the river begin to boil, the additions of the vegetables Virgil had foraged for and whatever type of meat Thomas had managed to acquire when he left for twenty minutes beginning to turn it into more of a broth. He reclined against a particularly old tree and let Janus take over the stirring for a minute. Thomas sat next to him, cleaning a blade. Despite the dire circumstances, he was quite comfortable with this group of people.

Across the fire, Roman sat down in between Janus and Virgil. Logan was on Virgil’s other side, then Remy, but Logan was entirely focused on the map, which Roman had given him to look over while they rested. Thus, Roman seemed to be the only one who caught Virgil poking at his ankle, pants pulled up slightly to reveal a bruise and the beginnings of some swelling. “Are you alright?” Roman asked.

“Mmh,” Virgil answered noncommittally. “I’ll be fine.”

“Can’t you heal it?” Roman pressed.

Virgil frowned. “I haven’t really mastered healing myself yet. Drawing from my own energy just to pour it back into myself… It’s harder than you’d think.”

Roman nodded and reached for his bag. He dug around in it for only a moment before pulling out a small bundle, wrapped in a strip of fabric. He unwound the fabric to reveal another, lighter fabric beneath holding together a poultice. Roman held out the poultice and the strip of fabric. “My nanny, and Remus’s, she made this. Caught me packing and made me bring it.”

Virgil hesitated. “I can’t accept that.”

Roman raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to disturb Logan from his intensive thinking?”

Virgil grimaced. “Okay, okay.” He took the offered poultice and fabric, then pressed the poultice against the worst of the bruising. After securing it with the cloth, he looked up at Roman. “Thanks.”

Roman smiled. “You’re quite welcome, Your Highness.”

Virgil flushed. “Stop that,” he groaned. “I’m nobody’s superior right now. Or in general really-”

“Do I hear self-deprecation over there?” Patton’s voice called.

Sighing, Virgil shook his head. “I am your equal in this journey. How’s that, Pat?”

“Perfect, Virge. Keep it up,” Patton encouraged.

Remy snickered.

“What?!” Virgil snapped. 

Remy shrugged, still smiling to himself.

Virgil grumbled to himself for a moment or two. “Either way, I don’t particularly enjoy the royal titles and all that…”

Roman gasped. “I never would have guessed!” he cried, feigning surprise.

Virgil elbowed him. “Shut up, dummy.”

“That’s the best you’ve got?” Roman asked.

“Oh, no, but if I swear, Logan’s sure to look up, no matter how preoccupied he is.”

“He’s definitely listening,” Remy added. “The boy can multitask.”

Janus looked up from the pot of what could now probably be called soup. “Remus has been gone for a while.”

Patton sat up. “You’re right. Should finding more firewood take this long?”

Roman scoffed. “Please, he’s Remus, he’ll be fine.”

Janus nodded slightly. “He’s right, Patton. It’s Remus. He probably found something gross that interests him, so he’s watching that.”

Patton didn’t look convinced, but he nodded back anyway. “Yeah, you’re probably right, Roman.”

“Of course I am,” Roman said, puffing out his chest.

Virgil, slouching, snorted. “Oh, you’re more of an obnoxious royal than I’ll ever be.”

One of Roman’s hands flew to his chest, and he gasped. “’Obnoxious’?!”

Virgil nodded definitively, though he couldn’t hold back a smile. He giggled.

Roman shook his head. “You wound me, Virgil,” he lamented.

Virgil snorted. Logan looked up briefly, but then seemed to decide it wasn’t worth it and looked back down to the map. Virgil had to hold his hand over his mouth to stifle the laughter at the look Logan had given him.

“Dinner’s ready,” Janus said. “Smells great, thanks Thomas, thanks Virgil.”

Janus began serving the soup into the wooden bowls Logan had been sure to tell everyone to bring. There was just enough for everyone present at the fire and about two more servings.

As they ate, Virgil eyed Patton, who ate far more quickly than Virgil thought he used to, then began glancing at the pot. He caught Janus’s gaze and nodded toward Patton.

Janus watched Patton for a minute, then took Patton’s bowl. He scooped out a smaller serving into the bowl, then dumped the rest of his own into it. When Patton opened his mouth to protest, Janus held up a hand. “We have some leftover things from Virgil’s foraging that I can eat, and you know Remus will only eat one portion.”

Patton couldn’t exactly argue with that. He tried anyway. “But wouldn’t you like the soup better?”

“Nope,” Janus answered. “Doesn’t agree with me.”

Patton frowned.

“You know I’m not going to let up until you eat,” Janus pointed out.

Patton sighed, then smiled a little. “Thanks, Janus.”

Janus waved a hand. “Whatever.” After a moment, he pulled out his journal and a fancy pen he’d kept from his younger years from his bag. He opened it and began to jot down some of the day’s events as well as the visions he hadn’t had time to write about yet. There was a pleasant silence that fell over them for a while. Janus’s pen against papers, the crackle of the fire, and the waking crickets and owls were the only sounds that rang out in the twilight.

Then there were the sounds of footsteps and twigs breaking. Remus loudly made his way to the fire and dumped an armful of firewood near it. He grinned over at Janus and Patton. Patton smiled back, while Janus gave him an unimpressed look.

“We saved you some dinner,” Patton announced.

As soon as Remus held out his bowl, Janus dumped the rest of the soup into it.

“We should rest soon,” Logan said, finally looking up from the map.

Roman yawned as if to punctuate Logan’s statement, causing Virgil to yawn.

Remus swallowed a mouthful of soup. “I’ll take first watch. Get some sleep, everyone.”

“I’ll take the next watch,” Logan said. “Wake me in two hours.”

“Then me,” Janus volunteered.

“I’ll go last,” Roman said.

Virgil and Patton looked up from where they’d been yawning, half asleep.

“Hey, wait,” said Virgil.

“Yeah,” Patton said.

Logan and Roman met gazes. “I suppose we could use one more shift, so everyone gets adequate sleep,” Logan said.

Roman nodded. “Aren’t you going to volunteer, Remy?” he asked.

“Nah,” Remy answered. “I’ll let one of them take it.”

“Me!” said Virgil before Patton could.

Patton pouted at him.

“Okay, Your Highness,” Logan said.

“Lo-” Virgil tried to protest.

Logan smiled tightly. “I am still your subordinate.”

Virgil huffed.

“Lay out your bedrolls,” Roman said. “Get some rest.”

-

Virgil sat on a tree stump with his chin in his hand. He supposed it was good that nothing had happened during his watch, but still, he was very bored. Sunrise was on its way, the sky beginning to lighten ever-so-slightly.

When he heard movement behind him, in their campsite, he turned around quickly. He saw Patton quickly getting out of his bedroll and stumbling off into the forest around the campsite.

Virgil debated in his head for a few moments. If he followed Patton, the campsite would be undefended. But, currently, Patton was undefended. He decided to follow.

He moved as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb the others. He heard Patton begin to retch, and he moved a little more quickly. When he found Patton, he announced his presence softly, “Patton, are you alright?”

Patton managed to nod, though he began emptying the contents of his stomach shortly afterwards.

Virgil moved next to him and gently rubbed his back. “It’s okay, just get it out,” he said as comfortingly as possible.

After a few minutes, Patton straightened up and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’m okay,” he rasped.

Virgil reached out and placed his hand on Patton’s forehead, murmuring a quiet incantation. He meant to check what was wrong with him. He instead found something entirely different. “Patton,” he said slowly, “are you…?”

Patton nodded a little. “Um, yeah.” Tears welled up in his eyes. “I, ah, I don’t know what to do! I haven’t told Remus yet, I can’t. What if he’s not ready, or he doesn’t want to- What if I’m not ready?!”

Virgil placed his hands on Patton’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Pat. You will be the best father ever. I know you will. And I’ll be here, no matter what. Whatever happens with Remus, whatever you need. I’m here.”

Patton sniffled and threw his arms around Virgil. He sobbed into Virgil’s shoulder, and Virgil held him tightly, one hand on his back and the other on the back of his head.

“I’ve got you,” Virgil said gently. “I’ve got you.”

-

Patton sat next to Virgil on his bed. “Hi. What’s wrong?”

Virgil huffed out a small laugh. “How do you do that?”

Patton grinned. “I can read minds. Now, tell me.”

Virgil bit his lip, chewing on the dry skin there. “I don’t want you to hate me,” he finally said.

Patton scoffed. “You’re my best friend. Why would I ever hate you?”

Virgil’s frown deepened. “You really want me to tell you something that might make you hate me?”

Patton smiled gently at him. “I could never hate you. You can tell me anything.”

Virgil took a deep breath, then blurted out, “I’m not a girl, I’m a boy, and my name is Virgil!”

Patton took a moment to parse out what Virgil had said, then realization flashed across his face. “Oh, thank the gods,” he breathed out. “Me too.”

Virgil tilted his head, processing.

Patton laughed loudly. “Call me Patton,” he said. “Nice to meet you, Virgil.” He smoothed out his skirt and grinned again at Virgil.

Virgil smiled hesitantly back. “Okay.”

“ Okay,” Patton said. “I’m so glad I got to tell you that.”

“ Me too,” Virgil said, grabbing Patton’s hand.

“ And I’m here for you no matter what,” Patton added.

“ Me too. I’ll always be there for you, Patton.”

Six months later, they both told Virgil’s parents.

A year later, Patton met Remus. They got engaged not long after, and Logan replaced Patton as Virgil’s personal servant. Parting was hard for them. But life moved on. Being on a journey together was nice, though. It felt like no time had passed.

11: The Child God

Janus walked next to Roman as they made their way along the path. Behind them were Patton and Remus, then Logan and Remy. Roman was looking at the map, where Logan had laid out a new, “more efficient” path for them.

“You know you’re holding it sideways, right?” Janus asked.

Roman scoffed. “It’s called looking at something from a different angle. Try it sometime.”

Janus scowled. “You don’t have to get angry every time someone tries to help.”

“Maybe I don’t want your help,” Roman snipped.

“Fine,” answered Janus, Having schooled his expression into calm indifference. “Let’s see how well you do without me.”

“Fine,” said Roman, turning the map completely upside-down.

“Will you two shut up?” Remus groaned.

“No,” Janus and Roman answered at the same time.

“Seriously, shut up,” Remy interjected, “I hear something.”

Everyone paused, listening carefully. There was yelling in the distance.

They all looked at each other, then began to run in the direction of the yelling. Janus lagged behind a bit, so Patton stayed with him.

It didn’t take more than two minutes for the group to come to the clearing in which was nestled a small cottage. In the garden in the front, which was larger than the area of the house, a man and a child were running about with large nets. The man was also holding a shovel.

“Hello?” Roman called. Janus tried to shush him, but it was too late.

The man paused, though the boy continued in his pursuit of… something. The man waved, and Remus waved back.

Remy crossed his arms and looked rather unimpressed.

“What?” Patton asked.

“I don’t do kids.”

“What?” Janus repeated.

“I just don’t like ‘em, hun.”

Janus rolled his eyes and looked to where the twins were already headed toward the house.

“Whether you enjoy the presence of children is not relevant to this situation,” Logan, clearly exasperated, told Remy. “Now… Get over it.” He turned to Patton. “Did I say that right?”

Patton gave him two thumbs up.

They started to walk toward the cottage, Patton and Logan practically dragging Remy. Roman had already reached the front gate.

“And you are?” Roman asked, having already introduced himself and his brother.

“I’m Emile!” the kid cried.

Roman smiled. “Lovely to meet you, Emile.”

The man looked at the group, seeming like he was thinking very hard about something. Finally he said, “I’m Teal. What are you doing here?”

“We,” Roman said, trying to sound important, “are on a quest!”

Janus rolled his eyes. “We heard you yelling, so we came to see if something is wrong.”

“Something is wrong!” Emile exclaimed.

“What is it?” Roman asked.

“Garden gnomes,” the man replied. “We have an infestation.”

“I thought most gnomes lived in the mountains,” Roman said.

“Oh, those are true gnomes,” the man explained. “Garden gnomes are pests that dig up gardens and eat any plant they can find.”

“They get into my garden pretty often,” Janus said.

“And you’d know that if you hung out with the cool group, Ro-Ro,” Remus said with a grin.

Patton elbowed him and muttered, “Be nice.”

“Well, can we help?” Roman asked.

Remy groaned, so Patton elbowed him too.

The man hesitated. “Some extra hands might be useful.” He smiled at Emile, and Emile smiled back.

Roman smiled too. “Perfect.”

Janus held out his hand over the gate to shake the man’s hand, shoving Roman slightly out of the way. “I’m Janus,” he introduced himself. Roman glared at him.

“I’m Patton!” Patton added. “And this is Logan, and Remy!”

Teal nodded. “Okay, so here’s our strategy for trapping the garden gnomes.”

The group filed through the gate as Teal explained that they were trying to drive the pests into the center of the garden on the path, then catch them in one of the nets. Teal was going to dig out any holes that looked like they still had gnomes in them.

Unfortunately, this plan just resulted in all of them running around for a long while like they were being chased by an ogre, except for Emile and Janus, who were keeping the garden gnomes in the center. They had five of them.

By the time they were finished, it was a bit past noon. Teal put the garden gnomes in a burlap sack and asked Roman if he could take them as far out into the forest as possible and release them, so Roman went. Then Teal invited the rest of them inside.

“Dear, we’re all done,” he called, removing his jacket and leaving it on a chair by the door.

They walked through the den and into a kitchen, where a man stood by the oven. He looked over with a fond smile when Teal and Emile entered. His eyebrows shot up when more people followed. Then he smiled again. “I don’t think we have enough chairs, but we’ll make it work! Who are all of you?”

“We’re.. passing through and heard Teal and Emile in the garden,” Janus explained.

“Their friend said they’re on a quest!” Emile added.

Janus sighed. “Roman is prone to dramatics.”

“You can say that again,” Remus said.

“Well,” said the man at the oven. “I just got the stove hot enough. Can I make you lunch in thanks? We can introduce ourselves while I work on that.”

“You don’t have to-” Patton rushed to say.

“I am pretty hungry,” Remus admitted before Patton could quite finish. Patton pouted at him.

Janus couldn’t help but agree.

Teal had already begun dragging in every chair that he could find.

Patton made Janus sit down at the table, then sat next to him.

“So,” said the man as he got ingredients from cabinets. “My name is Dyad. I’m the dad around here,” he said with a small laugh.

“That’s because he’s Papa,” said Emile, pointing to Teal.

Dyad paused for a moment to ruffle Emile’s hair affectionately.

The group introduced themselves again as Dyad cooked. Patton kept offering help and getting refused. After a while, Dyad served food.

They talked pleasantly as they ate, Janus and Teal sharing gardening tips. Once everyone was finished with their lunch, there was a knock on the door.

“Emile, could you get that, honey?” asked Dyad.

Emile hopped up and practically ran to the door. When he opened it, Roman, Virgil, and Thomas stood at the door. “Hi, Roman,” he said happily. He peered around Roman to see the two others. He locked eyes with Thomas. “Thomas!” he cried and practically pushed past Roman to hug Thomas around the waist.

Thomas froze for a moment, then hugged Emile back, his eyes filling with tears. “You can touch me…” he mumbled.

“Only here,” Emile said back. He pulled away, then looked at Virgil. “Hi! I’m Emile!”

Virgil smiled a little, though he looked between Emile and Thomas curiously. “Virgil. Nice to meet you.”

Emile smiled back, then went back inside, gesturing for them to follow him into the house.

They followed, though Thomas walked stiffly and looked around carefully. It was the same, but… different. Very different. It still felt like home.

When they got to the kitchen, tears began to flow down Thomas’s face.

Virgil was the first to notice. He nudged him gently and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Thomas didn’t respond to him. Instead, he hesitantly asked, “Dad? Papa?”

Both Teal and Dyad turned to look at him, then rushed, almost tripping over themselves, to hug him. Thomas held on to them tightly, trying his hardest not to sob.

Emile hugged Thomas again, too.

“How is this possible?” Thomas choked out.

“Um…” Roman said.

Janus elbowed him in the side, but he continued nonetheless.

“What’s going on?” Roman asked.

Thomas sniffled and wiped at his face.

“I brought Dad and Papa here so I could be with them,” Emile explained, though Roman didn’t find that very helpful to him. Emile continued, looking up at Thomas earnestly. “This is my little corner of the world, where I can live again. You can come here too, someday. But you still have a lot to do.”

“Emile-” Thomas began, but very suddenly, the house was gone. Teal, Dyad, and Emile were gone, too. It left all of them dizzy and disoriented. They sat in weathered chairs around a rotting table, except for Thomas and Virgil, who still stood. Tears flowed freely down Thomas’s face.

-

Thomas didn’t speak again until they were sat around a campfire again. Everyone else was quiet, trying not to disturb him too much as he appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, he looked up, meeting eyes with Remy over his tinted glasses. Thomas’s eyes were bloodshot, and Remy’s eyes had bags under them.

“Emile was my brother,” he said, voice hoarse.

“Was?” Patton asked gently.

Thomas nodded. “He was seven, and I was six, and our village was raided.”

There was silence for several moments. Then Remy spoke up, “You don’t have to talk about it.”

Thomas coughed. “But I should.”

Janus frowned. “You shouldn’t do anything that will cause you pain,” he said.

“I need to,” Thomas insisted.

Remy nodded slightly, face deathly serious for once. He reached over and grabbed Thomas’s hand, squeezing it tightly.

Thomas shot Remy a sad smile, then looked around at the rest of the group. “Teal and Dyad, Papa and Dad, they adopted us before I can remember. They took care of us and made sure we were happy. The other people in our village were amazing, too. We all took care of each other. It was full of good people.” He paused, taking a shaky breath in and letting it out in a heavy sigh. “I’m the only survivor.”

Patton gasped softly, and Remus put an arm around him.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Virgil said.

Thomas shook his head. “It was a long time ago.” He smiled a wobbly smile. “Emile died protecting me. He hid me, and took an arrow to the chest before he could hide himself.”

Remy squeezed his hand again.

“He didn’t die, though, not all the way,” said Thomas. “Some of the goddesses took him in. He’s…”

“The Child God of Magic,” Janus finished in a soft voice.

“How’d you know?” Thomas asked.

Janus frowned. “I just… did.”

“The church was an accident,” Thomas said. “I went to look for help, and I told the people in the next village over that I was saved by my dead brother, and they just kind of… picked it up. We built a temple to him, and they took care of me. The temple helped him gain power, and…”

“How’d you become a knight?” Roman asked.

Thomas shrugged. “I wanted to help people. It made sense.”

Logan, who had been looking down pensively this whole time, looked up. “You gave Emile new life. You should be proud of that.”

Thomas smiled again. “Thanks.”

“We should go to sleep,” Roman said after a bit of silence. “Long day tomorrow.”

Continued in Part 2...

[darkboysroadtrip]

I haven't had questions so I'm gonna use a random question generator

What's your favorite childhood story? (For everyone) -bubble

[I hope you're ready to read, it gets long.]

They're waiting for the cops [🤮] to show up when this comes in; everyone stiffens except Patton.

"I guess I'll go first" Patton says, "I feel like everyone might have more trouble thinking of something..."

"I have something too" Dee says.

"What ages count as childhood?" Virgil asks.

"I would think until thirteen? That's technically a teen" Patton points out.

"True but you're still a child until you're an adult" Logan says.

"For simplicity's sake let's stick with thirteen okay?" Virgil asks the group, they all agree.

"Okay!" Patton starts, "I have a lot of good memories of my childhood it was very fun, my parents even though divorced are still really great parents!"

"No need to rub it in" Virgil smirks.

The playful snark goes right over Patton's head, "oh no!" he shakes his hands around, "I wasn't trying to do that!"

"I'm fucking with you" Virgil responds and Patton visibly sags with relief.

"Oh yoooou" he wags his finger, "you you got me there!"

"Continue your story Pat" Virgil smiles, "I won't do it again."

"Okay! So it might not be super fantastic or anything but one of my favorite memories is actually when I was visiting with my dad for one of his weeks, and my step mom went into labor, I was maybe eleven at the time and it was laaaaate out so me, all burry eyes and half asleep was packed into the car with everything.

"I remember sitting in the front seat trying to figure out why my step mom wasn't and when I looked at her in the back seat she was taking up most of it and even through her hard breathing she smiled at me, I turned back around and just watched the lights blur past us.

"The hospital was quite calm when we got there, and since I couldn't be in the delivery room my dad sat out with me, we got snacks from the vending machines and I got to meet my new baby brother hours later, my mom did come pick me up though when morning came and we got breakfast."

"That was really sweet Patton" Dee says.

"You know me, big ol puff ball" he pokes his own cheek, "oh! Also when I was six my big sister took me to see a movie and we accidentally started a itty bitty, teensy tiny fire that came from a popcorn fight."

The group stare at him.

He smiles back at them.

"Nice!" Remus says, he holds up a hand for a high five - Patton enthusiastically smacks his hand.

"I suppose I'll go next if no one has anything to say at the moment?" Dee asks.

"Go ahead, I'm not sure I have much of anything, I'll go last." Virgil says.

Everyone else is pretty much on the same page.

"Alright, as everyone is probably expecting my favorite memories were always with my mother, and always when we weren't with or around my father.

"There isn't one moment I can choose from those memories to be a favorite, so I'll just say one.

"It was one of the many times we went camping, my mother as you all know was a very outdoorsy person, I haven't said before that she was a park ranger as well - she knew how to survive in the wilderness with basically nothing and she taught me as much as she was able before she was... before she died.

"Anyway, we were camping out in the deep part of the forest she ranged, she was obviously not working, but she loved being in the forest so much that her vacations were also spent there, and it was much better than staying at home with my father who did not like camping, any guesses as to why we went a lot" he chuckles humorlessly before continuing.

"This part of the forest was near somewhere my mother wanted to hike, it wasn't a trail many people went on, barely even knew about so we didn't come by any people, there was however a lot of wildlife, we stopped to watch when possible, everything was so beautiful and calm.

"It took a long time to get to where we were hiking mainly because we stopped a lot, but each moment was fun, even when I fell and hurt my knees and palms.

"Our destination was at a waterfall, it wasn't huge and grand but it was gorgeous and magnificent in its own regards, it flowed into a lake that was clear enough to see the bottom and that lake flowed into a small river.

"We had a picnic there, we went swimming, we waded through the little river to see small creatures and we found a cave behind that shimmering waterfall.

"It was all very magical for an eleven year old, and also the last trip we went on."

"Aw, I might cry" Patton says.

"Please don't" Dee replies.

Patton sniffles, "okay" he nods.

"Who's next?" Dee looks at everyone.

"I suppose I am" Logan says, "I don't have much to tell however, my childhood was mostly at the orphanage, I didn't get along with the other children or any families or couples that came by, but I did have one friend, she wasn't there for long but it was nice while she was.

"As I have said before, I mainly liked to stay indoors to read and learn anything I was able to get my little hands on, until Clem came -short for Clementine- she was rambunctious and wild, always had a smile on and liked to say she was a witch, maybe she was.

"For some reason she took a liking to me, she also liked to learn things I guess that may have been it but she would drag me outside to teach me things I couldn't be taught in books. Those were my happiest childhood memories."

"Okay I already knew this but it is so tragic every time I hear it" Roman says, "you were such a sad little child!"

Logan looks at Roman, "I didn't say I had a sad childhood, I just said I didn't have much else to say about it."

"Uh yeah" Roman starts, he gesticulates his arms around, "ergo: sad childhood."

"I don't know where you got that from."

Roman makes a face of disbelief, "from everything you say about it?"

"I never say I'm sad in any of those stories though."

Roman pauses, "I... suppose you don't, huh alright then, shall I continue this story train?"

"Go right on ahead" Logan replies.

"I think Remus and I might have the same answer?" He looks over to Remus questioning.

"Well if it's the Abigail Thing then not even close bro!"

Everyone is silent, they're looking at Remus and they're not sure how to respond.

"Jeeze!" Remus says flapping his hand in dismissal, "you'd think none of ya have ever heard about coping with trauma with jokes before!"

"I'm... I'm just going to say my story" Roman says.

"Ahh figures" Remus mumbles.

"As I was saying, mine would have to be when Mom and Dad left us alone with the nanny for the weekend, and she was mostly preoccupied with Abigail, her being like two to our five, because sure five year olds don't need any supervision! But I digress!

"Remus and I were outside -as we tended to like to be- when we saw a mangy mutt walking around our property, now we had fences and gates so this huge mongrel wouldn't be able to get in - without our help that is."

"Oh, no you're right this is my favorite too" Remus interjects, "we both fell in love with this huge slobbery beast, and we needed it to be ours!"

"Precisely!" Roman agrees, "so while Remus kept the dog occupied with whatever snacks we had with us I went in to find the remote for the gates!"

"Oh man that dog was hungry!" Remus laughs, "I remember luring it to the gate with bits of snacks, while you were inside, my whole arm was covered in slobber!"

"Your whole you was covered in slobber" Roman says.

"Haha, yeeeeeah. But! We did get him in and closed the gate so he couldn't leave, then we snuck him into the guest house so he could have his own place."

"Our parents didn't find out about him for weeks" Roman says.

"Weeks!" Remus repeats, "we fed him all kinds of stuff, that guest house was a mess! We barely cleaned up after him, we'd let him out a lot though, our parents were barely home any way."

"What happened to him?" Patton asks.

"Oh, uh... I'm not entirely sure" Roman admits.

"I just remember us crying a lot when they said that we couldn't keep him" Remus says, "they didn't tell us what they did with him."

"I hope he was alright" Patton says.

"Me too" Roman agrees, "but it's Virgil's turn! You got anything yet buddy?"

Virgil's face scrunches around, "I guess? Man, I had a very rigid childhood, my parents laid out all of my days and scheduled my whole life. We were very well off, almost as rich as the disaster twins over there" he chuckles, "and my parents tried to always be above everyone else so they were very hard on me being 'thier perfect little princess'" he scoffs.

"I didn't get to do anything I wanted until boarding school and I was twelve when that happened so... That may just be it, getting out of that oppressive house."

"Oh wait" he says before the silence can dig into everyone, "there was this one time, I met my aunt at a funeral for some relative I've never even heard about - she was cool and because she was cool my mother never wanted me to be around her again.

"I didn't even know she existed until that moment, apparently she's a little estranged from the family for her 'wild and carefree nature' or something, but despite being at a funeral that was the first time I was able to be myself and actually have a good time considering my parents were too busy to focus on much else than gaining social points."

"Okay, now that" Roman says, "was sad, and no one can tell me otherwise."

Virgil shrugs, "you're right."

Right in perfect timing of everyone telling their little tales, several cars park around the property.

The authorities are here.

[thenightlymirror]

Memorial Day weekend, Harms sees a post from a woman she met recently that she’s going on a sudden vacation for the weekend and needs someone to watch her kid.

Now, this sounds pretty crazy to her that someone she just met is going to allow her to stay at her house for three days to watch her 14 year-old kid, but she volunteers.

She brings her 6 year-old little girl with her, and calls me up, because they are maybe 10 minutes from where I work. I meet them at a pizza pub down the street, and this is where I have to explain Benson.

Benson is OBSESSED with Mr. Bungle. Yes, Mike Patton’s Mr. Bungle. She knows his entire discography. She can recite the entire early history of Mr. Bungle, demo by demo, record by record. She does this while speeding around the kitchen in a baggy black S.O.D. T-shirt and trucker’s cap, walking the same circle over and over again.

I say “she” in the loosest terms. Me and Harms have our suspicions, and Benson says she goes by he or she, but NEVER they. She’s non-binary but not woke about it. Whatever.

I stop calling her by her dead name and call him Benson for the rest of the night, which he prefers.

The night starts off with Harms taking the kids to buy birthday paraphernalia for the cat, this gray longhair named Smokey. So, I’m just sitting in some strangers house with their cats for a half hour. We have a birthday party for the cat. I break out my tarot cards. We listen to some records and interrogate this little non-binary kid. Harm’s daughter loves the tarot cards.

I say, we have to keep this hush-hush, but who would like to take a golf cart ride around the cemetery? Everyone. Amelia sits up front and tells me her ideas about reincarnation. I tell her about Jorge Luis Borges and eternal return. They love it.

Me and Harms love these kids. And it was like this weird spontaneous family that felt perfectly right. We talk for another hour or two. Benson wakes up to pace some more. You can tell he likes the audience. He’s being himself at full volume.

In the morning, I get a text from Harms asking wouldn’t it be funny if I came over to watch the kids so she could talk to an old boyfriend of hers for a few? She says he’s over there now, teaching Amelia how to use a switchblade. I look at my phone. Put it down.

Later I get a text that they dropped him off and want to get dinner somewhere. I meet them for some ice cream. You can tell Amelia and Benson are getting on each other’s nerves a bit. I feel like Harms’s little girl is learning what it’s like to not be the coolest kid in the room, what it’s like to be a little younger, not punk enough. She’s trying to act up a little, and it’s both sweet and a little sad.

They come over to my place, and it’s clear that they are the first visitors I’ve had in over a year. It’s not a place for visitors, let alone kids. I clear off some chairs, put on some music, and sit at the kitchen table with Amelia to do another tarot reading. I try my best to pay her some childlike attention. It’s funny, because all my friends’ kids are about the same age. With a teenager, they’re like appropriately aged versions of my lowlife friends, but with Amelia, she’s a goofy little girl. You have to be a goofy little girl.

She cries a little bit when they go.

A few days later, Harms texted me, asking if I remembered what we were chanting together, that one warm October night where we were swimming together in her backyard, gathered around Amelia in her floaties, making huge tidal waves squeezed together like huge sardines.

For the life of me, it’s like she pulled the words out of my memory, and we went back and forth for a few hours trying to figure it out.

[bookloover35]

Virgil Sanders x fem reader-My emo boy.

Yns POV:

Hum what a wonderful morning I thought as I stretched out in my and my boyfriend Virgil's shared bed. Oh now I have completely forgotten to introduce myself. I'm Yn and I'm Thomas shyness. And yes I am with Virgil and I love him so much it hurts and I understand him we help each other when it gets too much.

I decided to try to get out of bed but felt two very familiar arms around me that stopped me. I managed to turn around and smile when I saw Virgil's sleeping form. Then I snuggled into his warm body it is a little strange he is always so cold but when he is with me he is so warm. Virgil is really the best boyfriend I could have wished for, yes he may have a little problem sometimes but can you blame him he is Thomas' anxiety. But I love him one then and he is so good at working on his problems with me.

I love him and he loves me. I looked up at his sleeping face he is so cute when he sleeps. He may be extremely handsome when he is awake but when he sleeps then he is cute. I decided to start kissing him around his face and I could see him smiling but he had not really opened his eyes yet. Then I kissed him on the lips and then I felt him put his hand against my cheek and kissed me back. After our lips separately, he opened his eyes and with a smile.

Virgil: Good morning baby, have you slept well.

Omg that voice. Virgil's voice in the morning always makes me knee weak. I looked at him and smiled then I gave him another kiss then I answered.

Yn: Good morning Virgie I have slept wonderfully you?

Virgil: Ugh I do not like that nickname but yes I have also slept wonderfully.

I laughed at him and cuddled into him again I know he actually likes that nickname but only when I say it. This is the best I know that just lying and cuddling with Virgil I do not want to leave his side today. Wish we could just stay like this all day.

Knock Knock!!!

Hum Wondering who it might be?

Patton: Hello Kiddos good morning just wanted to tell you that breakfast is ready if you are interested.

I smiled when I heard it was Patton. Breakfast sounded really good right now I'm pretty hungry. I heard Virgil shout to Patton that we'll be down soon. But I do not want to leave the bed and I do not want to stop cuddling with Virgil.

Virgil: Baby what do you say if we just have a cozy day today and stay in bed and just cuddle and watch movies. Would you like it.

Yn: Yes please.

Virgils POV:

I laughed at her she is so heavenly sweet I kissed her on the forehead then I got up and picked up my sweater which was on the floor. I ignored switching to regular jeans because I'm just going to go down and get breakfast. Then I can just as easily go down in my pajama pants. When I turned around, I saw my wonderful girlfriend and saw that she looked a little sad. oh no what happens i did something stupid. I started to panic a bit.

Virgil: B_baby What is it have i done something.

Yn: Where are you going. Would we not stay in bed today.

Does she have to scare me so I smiled at her and giggled then I went to bed and took her in my arms. Then I kissed her and when we separated I told her.

Virgil: Yes, we're going to baby, but I'm just going to go down to the kitchen and get some breakfast. You're hungry, aren 't you?

She nodded to me and said a little yes then she gave me a kiss on the cheek and then lay down in bed again and hugged my pillow. So cute and I can not believe she's mine.

(Jumpskip in the kitchen)

Virgil: Morning.

Patton: Good morning Kiddo.

Logan: Morning.

Patton: But wait a minute where is Yn, she's okay. She's not sick, is she?

Virgil:Patton breathe YN is okay she's fine. We'll have a quiet day today.

Patton: Awwwww Soooooo Cuuuuuuuute!!!!!

Logan:Okay take it easy Patton it's okay Virgil but remember that when Roman and Thomas come home we'll make a new video.

Virgil: Okey.

(Jumpskip again sorry not sorry).

Virgil: Baby wake upp breakfast.

Yns POV:

Huh I must have fallen asleep. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, and when my eyes had adjusted to the light, and there I saw my nice boyfriend next to the bed with a tray of breakfast.

Virgil: Was it nice to have a little nap?

Yn: It was but there is someone missing next to me.

Virgils POV:

Oh god how cute she is I laughed at what she said then I put the tray aside then I took off my sweater and threw it on the floor. Then I lay in bed next to her side and said.

Virgil:I must make up for it then,

Come here baby.

Yns POV:

He smiled at me and kept his arms open for me. I giggled at him and crawled up to his arms then I gave him a kiss on the lips. Then I put my head on his chest and I felt him put his arms around me. Here I feel safe in his arms. I felt my eyes start to go out again but quickly opened them again because I just remembered the breakfast.

Yn: Virge what about breakfast?

Virgil:It can wait right now I just want to cuddle with my Baby.

I smiled at him and said nothing more I cuddled more into him. Just when I had fallen asleep, he whispered to me (I love you, thank you for being there). And yet I could only think of one thing. No, it's me to thank you for being there, I love you.

My Sweet Emo Boy.

And believe me that breakfast was completely forgotten.

Bonus_________________________________

Patton: Omg Logan come and check.

When Logan came, I held a finger and told him to be as quiet as he could. He looked at me strangely so I pointed into Virgil's room and told him to look towards the bed. Virgil held Yn in her arms and hid her face in her hair and they both lay asleep.

Patton:Come on you have to admit that the two of them are absolutely cute with each other.

Logan: Yes Patton I have to admit they are very sweet with each other.

I took out my mobile and took pictures of them, then we left the turtle doves alone. I have to show this picture later to Roman and Thomas.

The end.

_______________________

Omg the cuteness overloud.

[edupunkn00b]

The Uses of Adversity, Ch. 12: We Will All Be Changed

Prev - We Will Be Changed - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

WC: 3073 - Rated: T - CW: arguing, redacted slur, flashback, dissociation

Speak now don't tarry on like it's Always gonna be Hold child this expectation But don't forget to love - We Will All Be Changed, Seryn ---

Still two miles out from his exit home, Logan gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, jaw muscles twitching in his effort to stay silent in the face of Kelly's rant. “And don’t you dare lecture me about responsible parenting, Logan,” Kelly hissed, twisted in her seat and glaring, finger stabbing the air next to him, punctuating each word. “I’m not the one who left a thirteen year old alone with some strange man! I never would’ve agreed to him not coming if I’d known that’s who'd be watching him!” She scoffed, one artfully polished nail scraping against his sleeve. “No wonder you were in such a rush to leave and didn’t invite me in!”

“You arrived almost an hour later than we—”

“There was traffic!”

“Yes, and Virgil was anxious we would hit even more traffic on the way up to Bellingham.” He inhaled slowly and checked his mirrors, then his speedometer, forcing more of his attention back to his driving and ignoring the cold churn in his stomach. It would be fine. The worst she would do in a moving car was yell. “Our son is perfectly well cared for. Roman is my boss' brother-in-law. You’ve even met him before.” Hiding his relief that Kelly did not seem to remember anything about Roman, Logan signaled, checked his mirrors, then his blind spot before changing lanes for the upcoming exit back to his house. “At Seattle Law, he was an assistant teacher at the child care center that Remy and Virgil attended. He's great with kids and is a really good guy.“

Kelly sucked her teeth and turned up the radio. “Can he handle Patton's behavior problems?”

It hadn't taken long for Kelly to return to this old thread. Better this than Roman? He wasn't sure. “We’ve discussed this.” Logan gritted his teeth and breathed past the phantom ache in his fingers. He flexed his hand before saying, very quietly, “Neurodivergency is not a behavioral problem.” 

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She looked around as Logan signaled again and slowly eased onto the off ramp. “Wait. This is the wrong exit. We always take 18 to get to your place.”

“Yes. My home is equidistant between this exit and the next. Unless there is road work on 124th, when traveling South, I take this exit.”

“Well, you should take the other one.” Her eyes bored into him but kept his attention on the road and his mirrors. “We always do,” she said again, the fresh emphasis telling him who she was talking about.

“So, how is Mark?” he asked weakly. His blatant desperation to change the subject, his desperation to short circuit yet another fight was just blood in the water.

“Smooth, Logan,” she sneered, but then her tone went syrupy sweet. “Mark is great. In fact tomorrow, we’re looking at houses up in Bothell. We’re looking at the schools up there, too…”

Logan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened reflexively and he glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She smiled back. “We wouldn’t dream of making any changes to the parenting plan without going through the proper channels, of course,” she murmured softly, like thunder in the distance. “Won’t it be nice for Patton and his new little brother to go to the same school?”

“Patton starts ninth grade in the fall,” his brow furrowed, alarm bells screaming in his head. “And…” It took a moment for the name to surface. “Caleb is a second grader.”

“Heritage is a private school for grades K through 12,” Kelly remarked. “Patton would have good influences there.”

Logan frowned. “Heritage is a religious school,” he remarked before he could stop himself. “And they’ve been taken to court at least four times this year for viola—”

“Last I checked, Logan, there was still freedom of religion in this country,” she said airily. Again, he felt her eyes on him. Stopped at a red light, he glanced over and shuddered at her little smirk. She was baiting him and he knew it. But he couldn’t hold his tongue.

“Patton is happy where he is,” Logan said carefully.

“Patton is coddled where he is,” Kelly snapped, sickly sweet tone evaporating in a snarl. “He’s going to need to get his grades up if he has any hopes of scholarships like his brothers. He needs to start taking his education seriously.”

Logan breathed slowly and again counted to five before speaking. “Kels, that is a mischaracterization of Patton’s school experience and—”

“Don’t call me that.” She fell silent for a while before shrugging. “Besides, it isn’t completely up to you anyway. Mark will be his stepfather soon and he has a say in the matter.”

Logan did not answer, and, with more than a little relief, turned into his driveway alongside Kelly’s candy red BMW. She flung open the door and jogged up the porch steps before he could even cut the engine. Counting his breaths, Logan set the parking brake, shifted into Park, then turned the key and followed her.  

~~~

She stepped aside only long enough for Logan to unlock the door, then pushed her way through, not even waiting for him to pull the key from the lock. “Patton? Patton, honey?” she called out in her PTA mom voice. Logan’s skin crawled at the saccharine tone, her words still edged with the promise of… anger or retribution or—

“Oh, hi, Mom,” Patton’s voice echoed down the hall. Logan’s hand shook as he struggled with the key and he forced a slow breath, on old, slimy panic inching up his throat. “You’re back. Where’s—“ His voice muffled at the end, probably pulled into a hug. Logan finally retrieved the key and stepped inside. Guilt clashed with relief when he saw Kelly hugging Patton, both smiling. Patton looked up and, impossibly, his smile grew. “Dad!” he said and wiggled out her hold to grab Logan’s hand. “Look at what I did today!” he tugged Logan closer to their chore chart and the long row of happy face stickers next to his name.

“I got all my homework done, hung up all my clothes, and took out the trash,” he pointed at the chart, bouncing on his toes. “All the trash, too, and emptied the dishwasher. And Roman even helped me make dinner!”

“He didn’t need much help,” Roman’s low voice rumbled from the kitchen and he stepped out, drying his hands. He’d tied on Logan’s well-worn ‘Combine for Pie’ apron, the top tight over his broad chest. But it… suited him, the faded navy blue accenting the green in his eyes, bits of cornmeal smudged at the apron's edges only proving its worth. Roman ruffled Patton’s hair and grinned. “Pat’s quite the chef.”

“He really is,” Logan agreed, smiling back at Roman and breathing again. The savory scents of cumin and a dark chocolate mole sauce filled his lungs and his smile broadened. He gave Patton’s hand another squeeze and grinned proudly at his son. “You’ve worked hard today, Patton. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Hello, Kelly." Logan blinked, head jerking up at Roman's sudden greeting. He’d actually forgotten she was standing there. Roman smiled at her, a little stiff, maybe, but polite and warm. "The enchiladas will be done in about an hour,” He inclined his head, an almost bow. “And there’s plenty. Are you staying for dinner?”

She stared at Roman, eyes flicking over his jewelry and his eyeliner, and at Patton’s expression as he grinned up at him. She narrowed her eyes at Roman’s hand where it now rested on Patton’s shoulder. Ice filled Logan’s veins at the steel behind her fake smile.

“Logan,” she said, turning to him as though Roman no longer existed. “I can’t believe you’d let some *** babysit my son.”

“Mom!” Patton cried and moved back, closer to Roman and keeping himself between him and Kelly.

“What the hell’s the matter with you?” Logan hissed at her and she blinked at him, her shock at his outburst quickly replaced with anger. She scowled and opened her mouth but he cut her off. “You may not say such things to my friends, you may not say such things in my home or in front of my son!” He opened the door wider and stepped aside, joining Patton and Roman. Patton held tight to his hand, and reached behind him with the other to hold onto Roman’s arm. Logan stood close enough to feel the warmth pouring off Roman’s side but he couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. “Please leave.”

“Oh, come off it, Logan,” she rolled her eyes and stepped closer. “Take off the SJW cape for five seconds and consider—”

“Please leave, now,” he said again. His voice shook and he had to lock his knees to stop their trembling, but he didn’t stand down and he didn’t look away.

Her hands twitched at her sides as she glared back at him. After a long, breathless moment, her eyes darted over his shoulder at Roman, but he'd remained still and silent. “Fine,” she spat, stepping through the open door. She narrowed her eyes at Logan and her face twisted into a smirk. “You’re going to regret this, Logan.”

“I have a lot of regrets, Kelly,” he said, voice calmer than his shaking grip on the door should have permitted. “I’ll add it to the pile.” He didn’t wait for her response and instead closed and locked the door as soon as she was through.

Once it closed, he fell against the door, forehead pressed to the cold, smooth surface.

“Hey, Pat,” he heard Roman’s voice behind him. It was distorted and wobbly, like the periscope ‘phones’ at the park. Or tin cans connected with a string. “Why don’t you go set up a new Mario Kart tournament? I’ll be right down.” 

At some point, Logan must have released Patton’s hand. Fingers and wrist throbbing, his entire body trembled. Each breath caught in his throat, dull hooks dragging and and snagging against his flesh. Patton’s voice was too quiet to make out his words over the roaring in his ears, but he caught Roman’s soft response. “I’ll make sure he’s okay.”

Patton said something else, a sharp edge of worry in his voice. “I’m okay, too, Pat. We’re too strong for the haters, aren't we?”

The hallway darkened and after a moment, Logan couldn’t hear anything over the sound of his own blood pumping in his ears. He panted, both hands pressed hard against the door. A motorcycle raced past outside, and the rumbling engine vibrated under his hands, shifting into a pounding on the door. 

“Logan? Logan, don’t you walk away from me when I’m talking to you!” BANG BANG BANG

He pushed hard against it, keeping the door sealed shut, keeping everything out.

“I—I—I need a moment, Kels, p—please. I—” BANG BANG BANG

He tested the lock. The door was bolted shut. They were safe. They were safe.

“The kids will be back with my parents any minute and we’re not done talking!” BANG BANG BANG “Open the damn door!”

He couldn't hide in here forever but if he could just collect himself, he could—

BANG BANG BANG “Logan? Logan!” BANG BANG BANG 

The door was locked. No-one could get in. They were safe. They were safe, they were safe, they were safe, they were safe, they were safe…

BANG BANG BANG “Logan!”

Roman watched Patton descend the stairs to the game room. He looked back twice, eyes big with worry for his dad. Roman smiled back, “Everything’s gonna be okay, Pat,” he said again. Finally, Patton nodded and went downstairs. He waited until he heard the door click shut before approaching Logan. "Lo?" he murmured. Logan faced the door, both hands pressed against it like he was pushing her away. He muttered under his breath and Roman stepped closer, trying to understand. “Lo? Tell me, what do you need?” he asked quietly and gripped his shoulder. “Logan?”

“No, please!” Logan cried and slid to the floor, hands covering his head.

Roman dropped his hand and leapt back. “Shit, Lo, I'm sorry. I—I didn't mean to startle you.” Logan was practically curled in a ball, trembling as he covered his head and his face. Not startled.

Terrified.

Roman took a deep breath, forcing calm into his body, then crouched down so he was nearly at eye level. “You're safe, Lo. I shouldn't have touched you without asking, Lo. I’m sorry. I won't do it again.” His trembling slowed. He was listening. "You're safe, Lo," Roman said again.

Still panting, Logan slowly lowered his arms and sat on the floor with his back pressed against the door. He blinked at him through watery eyes, tears dotting his lenses. “Ro—Roman?” After a long moment, his vision seemed to clear. “Roman.” He shook his head and sucked in an unsteady breath. “I… I'm sorry. I’m sorry. I…" Logan looked at the walls around them, almost confused about where he was. "I overreacted.” He shook his head, eyes fixed on the floor between them. “I… I'm sorry.”

“Hey, hey, hey, hey,” he murmured, keeping his voice low and steady. “No…” Roman tilted his head down to meet Logan’s eyes. “No. It's okay to not want someone to touch you without your permission, Lo.”

“You didn't… I'm fine. I'm sorry.” He pulled his knees up to his chest and hugged them tight, fingertips white where they dug into his calves. A shield. His eyes grew more focused and he nodded. “I’m fine, I—" Logan's eyes shot up to Roman's. "Oh, god, Roman, I can't believe she said that. I'm so sorry.”

“You’re not responsible for her,” Roman gave him a lopsided grin. “There's a reason you divorced her, right?”

“Yeah,” Logan whispered and looked away, staring at a knot in the hardwood floor. Roman watched a tic under his eye jump, and how his hands shook against his legs. He still wasn’t breathing normally, either, holding his breath for an inordinately long time, and he seemed just a few steps away from wheezing. At this angle, Logan’s crooked fingers, the scar on his jaw and the other one by his ear were all visible. Roman had seen flashes of the burn that covered his palm, the mark where his wedding ring had seared the back of his finger just the most outward sign.

Realization crashed down on him, a wave of icy cold water that stole his breath as he stared at his… his friend.

“Hey, Lo?” Roman took another deep breath and sat completely, close enough that Logan could reach him if he wanted, but he didn’t invade his personal space again. “You can tell me to fuck off if I'm overstepping…” Logan looked up, eyes wide and guarded, and it took every bit of control Roman had not to just pull him right into his lap and wrap his arms around him. “Does she… does she hurt you?”

“What?” Logan shook his head and slid back, pressed into the corner near the door. He seemed to shrink, shoulders curled and arms wrapped even more tightly around his shins. “No. No, of c—course not. We h—h—hardly see ea—each other. It—it—it's…” Logan’s voice faded and he still wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Did she?” Roman’s voice was quiet and calm. Logan looked up.

“W—we…" His head wobbled, almost a nod. "We had some p—pretty hea—heated arguments.” Logan looked away and Roman's eyes fell on another scar on his chin. Up close, the one on his ear looked like it had been a tear right through his earlobe. 

Roman nodded, forcing his hands to remain still in his lap and not just reach for him. He longed to push away the shadows Logan had wrapped around him, memories of old hurts. Kiss his scars and his tears, soothe his aches. But after the way he’d reacted before… 

Logan followed his gaze and hid his scarred hand behind his leg. “P—Patton’s waiting for you downstairs.” He nodded up at the chore chart on the wall. “He's done all his chores. I don't know how you did that but…” Logan smiled. It was tight, and his bottom lip trembled, but was genuine. “He's earned some happy time.”

“You wanna come down and play with us? It's easy to add another player.” Roman slid just a bit closer. “Having his dad there would make it an actually happy time for him.”

“Um…” He swallowed, his breathing still erratic. “Yes. Yes…” Logan nodded his head rapidly, more a tremor than a sign of affirmation. “I… ah, j—just need to… maybe g—get some tea.” He swallowed again and breathed heavily through his nose, lip caught between his teeth.

Roman watched Logan’s tremor. He gave him a small smile as he reached out to touch his forearm, but pulled back at the last moment. “I can make it and you can relax—” He gestured toward the kitchen but Logan recoiled, shame filling his face even as he dodged Roman’s touch.

Biting his own lip, Roman tried again. “Would company help while you make it? Or would it be more helpful to have some alone time?”

Logan stared up at him, eyes wide, the question behind them clear. How do you always know?

“A few minutes alone might help, thank you,” he murmured. “T—to collect… collect myself. If you don't mind, I… I don't mean to—“

He met Logan’s eyes and poured his heart into his smile. “Of course I don’t mind.” He stood, then offered both hands. Logan stared at them for a long moment before gripping them, fingers cold and shaking, palms clammy. Roman squeezed gently, thumbs rubbing circles against the backs of his hands. Keeping his movements slow and steady, he helped Logan onto his feet and nodded. It was difficult to let go, and he couldn’t resist one more gentle squeeze before eventually releasing Logan’s hands. 

He started back toward the stairs but looked over his shoulder, not really ready to leave him alone but wanted to give him what he asked for. “Is it okay if I come check on you in ten minutes if we don't see you down there by then?”

Logan nodded, still not completely himself, but his eyes had lost some of their haunted look and he met his gaze. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out and fresh tears welled. Finally, he made a little shooing gesture, a stiff smile painted on his face.

“We’ll see you in a bit. Ten minutes,” Roman emphasized with another smile. “And you know Patton, once he hears you’re playing, too, he won’t let you get out of it.”

---

Taglist: @crossiantgay Ask to be added :)

[beauty-and-passion]

Ciao Bella! Spero che tu stia facendo bene! Qual è il tuo preferito fanfiction? Hopefully this is a more fun question that what you've been getting. Ti voglio bene <3 !

Mio tesoro, i tuoi messaggi ed il tuo sostegno rendono le mie giornate migliori. Cosa farei senza di te? Grazie di esistere <3

Speaking of your question, there is an obligatory premise.

There are a ton of amazing stories I've read and there are even more I still have find. However, if I have to pick my favourite, I want to pick the one I absolutely love more than any other.

Does that mean all others are bad? Nope, just that this one is the absolute best, the one that got everything I want from a story. The top of my personal chart, it you want.

So, as you probably already imagined, my absolute favourite Sanders Sides fanfiction (at least by now) is Mind the Gap by parallelmonsoon.

This is a one shot and it's a short one, so reading it will take just a few minutes. The plot is adequate to its shortness: Thomas tries to enter Janus' room and it doesn't go as well as he imagined. The characters are in canon and everything that happens is plausible. Also, there's a huge psychological component and you know me, I'm a sucker for this stuff.

But most importantly, this story has an experimental writing style that struck me the first time I read it and left me such a strong impression I still think about it today, after two years.

I love it, because it's simple and apparently very stupid - I mean, everyone could've used brackets the same way Para did. And yet, something so simple was used to show some of the most complicated concepts ever. I would've never been able to explain them with the same elegance and simplicity Para used.

Last but not least, the construction of the story. How the tension rises until it reaches the climax, how Thomas is slowly coming closer and closer to a realization... until everything snaps and he comes back. Perfect. And the fact Para didn't need thousands of words to tell it, really speaks loudly about what a magnificent writer they are. I don't know in which fandom they ended up, but thank you for your story, Para: I will cherish it forever as one of the best I've ever read.

But this was a one shot: do I actually have a favourite long fiction? Well, if I have to pick my absolutely, 200% most favourite fanfiction, the one with the best writing style, the best plot, the best scenes, the best written characters, the one I still remember fondly after years and I am still willing to read all over again and that I still find beautiful, then I think my absolute favourite is Bother Me a Little Bit Longer by patentpending.

It's a moceit, so it covers two titles: best fanfiction with a ship and best longfiction... but what can I say? Patentpending is another wonderful writer. Their writing style isn't incredibly innovative nor experimental, but it has that special something.

I can't exactly pinpoint what this "something" is. It's like a spark, something special hidden between the words that makes a writer able to captivate you. It's something that pulls you in the story and makes your eyes move faster along the lines. I remember how hard it was for me to stop, in order to savor every line of every chapter, because I just wanted to read and read and read forever.

I've felt this drawn only two times before, once by a published author and once by another fanfic author. And, just like patentpending, the other fanfic author was able to keep that magic spark in all of her stories, no matter which fandom she wrote for.

In addition to that magical spark, the story has everything I want: Patton and Janus aren't two idiots, but characters with motivations and logical sense. All other characters are IC. The story is full of surprises and we always oscillate between funny, sweet and serious moments. I still like this story a lot and, when I have some spare time, I gladly read it again.

So here they are, the tops of my chart: my favourite one shot and my favourite Sanders Sides long fiction. Of course this isn't set in stone and my new favourite can still be somewhere, waiting for me.

But in the meantime, since there are a ton of other amazing stories and authors I think about dearly and since it would be a shame to not mention them, here they are in a quick list:

° Partners in Pranks by jowritesthings: another Moceit, but a one-shot. This one cracks me up and puts a smile on my face every single time I read it, so it deserves the world.

° patton and the no-good day by caffeinated_cryptid: Patton is a fantastic character, he's wonderfully explored and the time loop idea... I may have a thing for time loops and time jumps and everything time related, because I love it a lot.

° They Share A Kitchen by BuddyBuddyPalBuddy: I affectionately hate the author because this story is incomplete and yet, it has some of the most beautiful scenes I've ever read. The third chapter in particular is quintessential Intrulogical: there's everything I've ever wanted to see with them, from the act of creation to the power of their cooperation, to the marine environment. It's pure beauty and I love the author for this story. And I lovingly hate them because they will probably never finish it.

° With A Door Between Them by rosesisupposes: not only this story managed to write a good conversation between Janus and Roman, but it's also funny, they are IC and the concepts it explores, despite being well known by everyone, are explained in a very beautiful way.

° Those Good Lies by Agent_Ravensong: beautiful story, beautiful structure, beautiful interactions between Thomas and Janus. All with interesting concepts and headcanons that lead to some scenes I still have stuck in my mind.

° Morbid Fascination by alicat54c: there are a lot of beautiful things here, but the most beautiful of them all is the use of creepiness. In general, it's not easy to show someone being creepy, without making them appear also bad or unpleasant. And yet, you managed to do it. Remus and Janus are still wonderful, the creepiness is just another aspect of them. And, considering how often we all ignore it, seeing it so beautifully explored here makes me very happy.

° Folds in Paper (Book 1) by AdrianaintheSnow: this story confirmed me I have a thing for time travel. But the whole time travel thing isn't just something that pops up and has zero importance for the story. On the contrary, time travel plays a HUGE role here, it is strongly intertwined with Janus and Patton's relationship and how it evolves. And it made me fall in love with this story. I devoured it in two days and I am still patiently waiting for Book 2, hoping that it will be as good as Book 1 was.

[mrwolfhare]

So I stumbled on to the fandom wiki page dedicated to upcoming Marvel movies and series, and rumoured Marvel movies and series, and I ended up looking through all the places our sweet raccoon boy might make an appearance. Do note I'm just going for cosmic and maybe cosmic movies.

The Marvels (Doubtful RR will make an appearance, maaaybe a video call for checking up on things on Rocket's side of the galaxy)

Deadpool 3 (Doubtfull RR will make an appearance, but you never know about Deadpool, he actually did have a team up comic with RR once, so Deadpool just mentioning the words "talking raccoon" would be enough for me)

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (doubtful RR will make an appearance, Kang just doesn't seem as galactic menacing as Thanos, might end up just being Loki level threat that just current Avengers would be able to handle.)

Loki Season 2 (I honestly hope they would have just like a 5 second background cameo of him as Loki jumps through portals, but highly doubtful, apparently the writers were given strict instructions on which Marvel characters they may use in the show.)

Marvel Zombies (I want to see the Guardians fight zombies, but the zombie virus might just stay on Earth. )

Nova (The Guardians or just Rocket giving Nova the guided tour of Knowhere would be fun, but think this will stick to just Earth, Nova Corps, Xandar and some space fights away from Guardians.)

Silver Surfer (Highly doubtful RR will make an appearance, but one can always hope the Guardians will be around when Galactus is a threat.)

Rumoured (Take the following with a grain of salt, the following is the most rumoured of them all)

Adam Warlock (RR will definitely appear if this movie ever happens)

Celestials: End Of Time (Sequel to Eternals, highly doubtful RR will appear, might just focus on Earth with some cosmic moments here and there. At least we might see Patton Oswalt as Pip the Troll again.)

Hercules (Doubtful RR will appear, but Hercules might drop in with the Guardians in his vengeance against Thor. Might just be Earth focused.)

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.4 (Ha! No way that's ever going to happen without Gunn at the helm. He'll be way too busy wrangling the new DCEU over at WB. One can only hope.)

Thor 5 (Doubtful, unless if Thor checks up on his favourite rabbit and needs help with Love)

World War Hulk (Doubtful the Guardians would make an appearance, most likely is them just giving people a lift off of the war torn planet. Mind you, having Rocket help Hulk would be a fantastic way to wink at the comic)

Gamora & The Ravagers (Definite RR cameo if this ever happens)

Howard the Duck (Definite RR cameo, just to drop Howard off at Earth if this ever happens, which I really really hope for)

Legendary Star-Lord (Rumours of a movie or series with Star-Lord and Shadowcat, doubtful, but would be fun to watch if it ever happens, and definitely must have a Rocket appearance if it)

Mantis (If we get a Mantis movie where she becomes more like her comic counterpart, then a RR cameo would be greatly appreciated)

Untitled Rocket Raccoon & Groot Series (This rumour started way back when Gunn was taken off GotG 3, so insanely doubtful this show would happen. However that being said, I would gladly welcome a Rocket Raccoon & Groot series focused on them pre-GotG, live action or just animated, preferably still within the MCU)

Untitled Sif Series ( If this happens, we just need a Rocket cameo to give her a new arm, that's it.)

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Crown Princes and Butterfly Wings (11/?)

Chapter 10 : Sweet Treats

—-

Logan and Patton spend the night at the festival together and certain things come to light, like the fact that Logan is way too freaking tall, for example.

<- Previous | First | Next ->

@cutebisexualmess :)

—-

Hello hello, sorry for the lack of chapter last week, I had about 200 words of this written by midday last Sunday and didn't have the motivation necessary to write another 2k, so I gave myself another week to get it done.

Things are finally getting somewhere :D

Also!! Now that I posted another fic for my Darkside!Roman AU, I'm going to start thinking about getting that ask blog I mentioned a while ago up and running! So keep an eye out if you're interested :)

----

“Oh isn’t it wonderful!” Patton cried, turning to look up at Logan with a bright grin on his face, Logan smiled back, the stars on his cheeks twinkling in the dusk, “Do you like it?”

“We’ve hardly been here long enough for me to form a valid opinion,” Logan said, stepping in time with Patton, it made him giggle- he wondered if Logan even noticed he was doing it, “I shall inform you later.”

“Ok!” Patton laughed, “Come on, let’s get drinks! Ooh, we could try Selina’s faerie wine, if you’re up for that, if not there’s always Indie’s punch stand- it’s here every year and she has the best fruit drinks-”

“I believe the punch would be preferable,” Logan cut in, swiftly interrupting his oncoming tangent, “I’d rather not be intoxicated by faerie drinks.”

“That’s ok!” Patton nodded, “Come on, let’s go find the stand and then we can have a proper look around!”

Taking Logan’s hand (and trying to hide his blush as he did so) , Patton led Logan further into the festival towards a cluster of stalls selling food and drink. A lot of fae attended this festival compared to others, which Patton knew would normally make people nervous, but there were contracts and deals in place to ensure nothing would go wrong with them, it did seem to be making Logan nervous though even as they approached the stand selling fruit drinks. 

“Hey!” Called the faerie running the stand- they were running the vast majority of the food and drinks stands, “Is that you, Pat?”

“Indie!” Patton cheered, pulling Logan over, “Hey! We came back to attend the festival since we were just passing through!”

“Oh that’s lovely!” She grinned, “Who’s your friend? Would you like drinks?”

“You may call me L,” Logan said with a nod of respect, before pausing, “Are the drinks safe?”

“Lovely to meet you, L, you may call me Indie,” She smiled back, reaching across to shake his hand, which she kept hold of as she explained, “The punch table comes with a guaranteed no curses, jinxes, hexes, tricks, traps or hijinks! Except the one at the end, that one got spiked but I’m not sure with what, nothing harmless I assure you but possibly a little funky.”

“Right,” Logan nodded, “That is appreciated, I’ll take the blackberry, apple and pomegranate.”

“I’ll have the strawberry and apple one please Indie!”

Once they had their drinks, Patton turned to Logan and offered his glass for a toast, Logan smiled softly and knocked his own drink against Patton’s.

“A toast to our adventure?” Patton suggested with a smile.

“To our adventure,” Logan returned before taking a sip and sighing, “this is lovely.”

“Oh good! I’m glad you enjoy it!” Patton said before lighting up and squeezing Logan’s hand “Oh! Oh! My brother’s stall is over there! C’mon let’s go say hi!”

—-

After saying hello to Remy and his partner Emile, Patton set about dragging Logan around the rest of the festival. They played a few games and marvelled at some of the hand crafted bits and bobs being sold in stores. They stopped to get their fortunes read by a feline woman with the patternings of a snow leopard draped in flowing fabrics and crystalline jewellery. Patton had giggled when Logan came out of her tent purple in the cheeks with his freckles shining brightly, he couldn’t help but wonder what Logan had been told in there.

For the next half an hour the pair walked together amongst the stalls, stopping to look at anything that attracted their attention. At one point they passed Roman and Virgil. Roman had waved a pear at them before running off, dragging a blushing Virgil with him by their joined hands. Patton laughed.

“I’m glad they’re having fun,” He commented, turning to Logan, who was smiling at him with that little smile of his. Patton offered Logan his hand with a hopeful smile, Logan smiled back and took it carefully.

“Me too,” Logan agreed, before looking back in the direction the other two went, “I wonder what will come of those two.”

Patton couldn’t help but bark out a laugh, right, so Logan could identify a blooming relationship between their friends, but he still didn’t realise that Patton had been flirting with him this entire time.

“What is so funny?” Logan asked, looking confused, gosh Patton just wanted to squish his cheeks, how was his cluelessness so adorable?

“Oh nothing,” Patton said with a smile, “I just think you’re neat.”

“...Right?” Logan said, tilting his head in confusion, “Well- um- I suppose you’re pretty ‘neat’ yourself.”

It took everything Patton had to keep from squealing as he took Logan’s other hand, “Ok, where to next? Would you like to try some of the games? Ooh or there's the magic displays that people will be putting on! And the dancing will start soon too-”

“Magic displays?” Logan asked.

“Mhm,” Patton grinned, “It’s mostly like- people will put on an entertaining show using their magic, I used to help out sometimes with my little lightshow.”

“That sounds interesting,” Logan said.

“Would you like to see it?” Patton asked, already beginning to lead him, he knew what Logan’s answer would be.

“Of course,” Logan replied, just as he had expected.

“Come on then!” Patton led him away, laughing as he went, “It’s this way!”

—-

When the dancing started Patton ended up splitting up with Logan for a while. He’d tried to convince Logan to join him, but he had seemed particularly against the dancing and instead had retreated to sit in a small alcove promising that he’d remain there and keep an eye on their things whilst Patton danced. 

It was as lovely as it usually was, the dancing, but Patton somehow found it lacking without a partner. He’d never felt like he’d needed a partner before, he had been more than content with dancing around the massive lit bonfire with strangers, linking arms and spinning in circles until he was dizzy and exhausted in the best way possible. But somehow now it didn’t seem to quite hit that spot he remembered.

After what must have only been fifteen minutes, Patton ducked out of the dancing circle with a glance towards where Logan was sitting. Logan hadn’t noticed him leave the circle, so Patton took the chance to head over to a nearby food stall- he’d grab a cake for them both and then head over and sit with Logan. He smiled to himself, it was a wonderful idea!

Patton grabbed a glazed doughnut filled with blackberry and pomegranate jam for Logan - remembering those were the fruits he’d gotten in his drink - and grabbed a vanilla sponge cupcake with sugar icing for himself before hurrying back over to Logan’s alcove.

“Hey,” Patton called, startling Logan into looking up from his book, he smiled when he saw Patton and marked his page before setting down the book.

“Hello, Patton,” Logan acknowledged him with a nod, “I thought you were dancing?”

“Well- I was dancing but then I kinda started feeling bad because you weren’t with me, so I came back over here,” Patton said, shrugging, “Mind if I sit?”

“Of course,” Logan said, shifting along the bench a little and moving his (incredibly fluffy looking, which Patton really wanted to touch) tail to make space for him.

“Here,” Patton said, offering Logan the doughnut he’d bought him, “It’s got blackberry and pomegranate jam, like your drink, I just kinda guessed you liked those flavours.”

“I do,” Logan nodded, taking the doughnut from Patton, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!” Patton smiled before biting into his cupcake, it tasted wonderful, as he had expected. As they ate their sweet treats together, Patton looked back out to the dancing. He was pretty sure he’d spotted Virgil and Roman amongst them, he really hoped they were enjoying it together. 

“I apologise for my lack of presence pulling you away from the dancing,” Logan said quietly once he’d finished eating, Patton turned to him, still smiling as he felt he had been possibly all night.

“That’s ok! It’s not your fault and besides, I would rather spend time with you than spin in circles anyway.”

“Really?” Logan asked, looking slightly confused, “Why? You seemed overly excited about the dancing earlier.”

“While I was excited about the dancing, I was more excited about dancing with you than the dancing itself,” Patton explained, “I’ve been going to this festival since I was old enough to walk, Logan, I’ve experienced a fae dance more times than a mortal ever deserves to. I haven’t experienced nearly enough time spent with you, and I probably never will, so- I’d rather do that.”

“Oh,” Logan said, looking down at Patton with an unreadable expression, “I, um, must admit that spending time with you has been enjoyable also, as has the festival itself - you asked for my opinion earlier, and tonight has been wonderful."

"I'm so glad!" Patton smiled, leaning against Logan's shoulder for a second before sitting back up, "I was worried you would be bored."

"Bored?" Logan asked, "This seems like the sort of event where such a feeling would be impossible." 

“It is, I guess I was just… worried it wouldn’t meet your expectations.” Patton said, looking away. 

“It more than exceeded them.” Logan reassured. Patton smiled at him, big and bright, and they lapsed into comfortable silence. The music was still playing, loud and bright, people were still dancing and talking and enjoying themseleves, but here in their little alcove, it felt like all of the world had come together to give them peace. Logan had reopened his book and continued to read whilst Patton pulled out the bundles of colourful thread he had bought from the spinstress’ stall and began knotting them together to form a bracelet on his lap.

Eventually, though, Logan put down his book and looked up, gently nudging Patton to get his attention.

“It is nearly midnight,” Logan said, had they really been here that long? It really felt like only a few moments, “We should return to the meeting point.”

“Right,” Patton said, carefully packing up his thread and almost complete bracelet into his bag and standing up with Logan by his side. They were about to leave when Patton stopped, “Wait-”

“What is it?” Logan asked, turning around. His stars had dimmed a little, a frown on his face.

“Sorry I- I-” Patton took a deep breath, putting a hand in his pocket to find the little gift he had bought and gathering all the courage he had, “Logan I have had so much fun with you tonight, this festival was- infinitely better spent with you here in this alcove than it would have been out there, and I- I guess I just wanted to– I don’t know the customs well, not for- not for nobles like you anyway, but- I want to attempt to court you, if you will accept me.”

Closing his eyes, Patton held out his hand to Logan, in it was a single pebble, painted with a swirling galaxy of stars. They had passed a stall selling them earlier and Logan had looked interested, so Patton had snuck back and bought this one- because it caught his eye and reminded him so much of Logan- as a gift. 

For a terrifyingly long few seconds nothing happened, but then Patton felt Logan’s hand cup his own whilst he took the pebble and- that was a good sign, right? Patton oopened his eyes to find Logan inspecting it whilst still keeping hold of his outstretched hand. Eventually Logan looked back at him, their eyes meeting, Logan’s face was tinted a brilliant magenta.

“I do not have anything to give you in return,” Logan said, voice smaller than Patton had ever heard it, “But- if- if you’ll still want me despite me not being capable of correctly accepting and returning your offer, than, I believe that would be- optimal.”

Patton laughed, turning his hand to take Logan’s properly, “There’s no- there’s no terms and conditions, L, not here. Traditionally yeah you have to exchange gifts but it doesn’t have to be immediate and really you don’t even have to do it at all I just- can I hug you?”

“Of course,” Logan answered, dropping Patton’s hand in order to wrap him up in a tight embrace, Patton melted into it easily, as if this was how it had always been meant to be, when Logan talked Patton could feel the words brushing over his hair, “I will admit I’m- severely uneducated when it comes to romance- courtships and relationships have never been of interest to me- I may require some- guidance.”

“Roman was right, then?” Patton said, pulling back enough to smile up at him but not far enough to let go, “You really noticed nothing?”

Logan looked confused, “What was there to notice?”

Patton couldn’t help but giggle, “Just that I’ve been flirting with you since we left Mirefeld, now let’s go, we wouldn’t want to be late!”

“Wait! Patton- what-” Logan cried as Patton lead him through the crowds back to the food wagon where they had agreed to meet. Patton didn’t stop, but he did slow down a little, “Patton have you- really been making advances this entire time?”

“Mhm,” Patton answered, half turning to face him, “This whole time, you’re very cute when you blush.”

Said blush was very rapidly deepening, Logan’s eyes widened with a realisation, “Is this- is this was Roman wanted us to talk about yesterday?”

“Most likely yes,” Patton nodded.

“Please forgive me,” Logan said, “If it ever felt like I was rejecting you, in that case, romantic feelings are- foreign- to me, and whilst I am certain that is what I am feeling for you, I have only realised that very recently, so- I apologise for my ignorance in the past weeks.”

Patton stopped then, turned and found that - annoyingly - he was too short even on tiptoe to kiss Logan’s cheek. Instead he had to pull Logan down by his shirt to do so, leaving them both blushing even more than they already were.

“It’s ok,” Patton said, letting Logan go, he touched his cheek gently, staring at Patton in disbelief as they continued to walk, “Roman warned me- back when we first left Mirefeld- that you wouldn’t get it straight away, when did you realise?”

Logan went even purple-er and didn’t speak for a moment, “...earlier tonight, after the fortune teller’s tent.”

“Really?” Patton gasped.

“And I only accepted it when you gave me that doughnut before…” Logan murmured, trailing off, Patton laughed, squeezing his hand.

“That’s ok,” Patton said, “I’m just upset I’m too short to kiss you.”

Logan stared at him for a second, before coughing, “You can- always ask me to lean down.”

“Well then,” Patton said, stopping when they finally reached the food wagon, “Roman and Virgil aren’t back yet, so how about that kiss?”

----

<- Previous | First | Next ->

[novainthevoid]

I posted 1,630 times in 2022

That's 1,495 more posts than 2021!

87 posts created (5%)

1,543 posts reblogged (95%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@parspicle

@loganofthenorth

@ohgodallthefandoms-backup

@why-is-everyone-pretty

I tagged 973 of my posts in 2022

Only 40% of my posts had no tags

#sanders sides - 219 posts

#utmv - 173 posts

#logan sanders - 168 posts

#ink sans - 148 posts

#nova speaks - 57 posts

#janus sanders - 51 posts

#virgil sanders - 48 posts

#dream sans - 41 posts

#error sans - 40 posts

#incorrect quotes - 38 posts

Longest Tag: 124 characters

#i see a discourse post about a blorbo and my knee jerk reaction is that one meme where the person holds another protectively

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

The dawning realization that Mei and her friends would be in their 30s right now.

85 notes - Posted March 17, 2022

#4

Y’all I was rewatching some sanders sides videos (most notably the puppets one) and like… have y’all noticed how Virgil and Logan check up on each other? Like the whole “only if you want to” thing is so sweet?? Like they’re acknowledging and being kind about each other’s boundaries and it’s just very sweet I love them.

101 notes - Posted February 15, 2022

#3

Listen you guys. I love space Logan. I really do. But there are also so many other nerd things he could be. A chemical engineer, for example. It’s right there! We already know how he felt about chemical engineering vs theater and like all I’m saying is just. Chemical engineer logan.

Or if that’s not your thing, other kinds of engineer Logan! Biologist logan! Chemist logan! All I’m saying is I think we limit ourselves sometimes. My boy is so versatile. He can be into so many things. None science-y things as well. Librarian logan. Author logan. Detective logan. Absolutely deranged mad scientist logan. I love him.

118 notes - Posted May 8, 2022

#2

SGE SPOILERS

Not to be discourse on main or anything but the school for good and evil isn’t queer baiting because Agatha and Sophie don’t get to together, it’s queer baiting because of the way they’re literally revealed to be sisters in the third fucking book after ALL the stuff they’ve been through and done for one another. Idk I’m a big proponent for strong platonic relationships but god they came across as not only queercoded but in some way queer with one another.

Edit: y’all should check out my reblog of this post for a more in-depth explanation

119 notes - Posted October 22, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Listen you guys… I just… I just need to talk about Logan. I need to talk about my boy…

Because I see a lot of interpretations of him that have him being kind of a dick/not caring about anyone or anything and that’s totally fine! The fun part of fandom is getting to interpret characters in tons of different ways and it makes it so much more interesting. But you guys…

Okay, so the times that I think make ppl see Logan like this come from times where he doesn’t realize how (or the extent that) his words/actions might hurt others. Like in Moving On when he’s trying to get them back to a healthier mindset and he accidentally hurts Patton’s feelings. In these situations, I think that Logan demonstrates low empathy: he has a hard time comprehending how his actions might make other people feel. It’s a pretty common trait in some neurodivergent people and though it’s pretty regularly demonized, it does not mean that someone is a bad person.

I saw a post a long time ago talking about empathy vs sympathy vs compassion and while Logan may have a hard time with empathy I think he genuinely shows a lot of compassion. Logan consistently tries to right his wrongs once he realizes that his actions hurt others: he may not realize that they would hurt beforehand, but once he does realizes he puts in the effort to fix that. He’s one of the most accepting sides and he often notes that all the sides are important parts of Thomas, including the ones that no one else seems to like. And he often puts his knowledge to use in helping others, like in ways to help with anxiety and respect of others boundaries (cough cough Virgil’s name reveal cough cough).

Anyways, tl;dr I love Logan and though he might struggle with empathizing with others, he shows a lot of acceptance and compassion towards others and clearly cares about them in his own way.

485 notes - Posted March 22, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[kilosch]

Journal Entry 10/26/2024

Morning Realization – No More Class Stress: I woke up late at 10 a.m., and the first thought that hit me was the sweet relief that I didn’t need to rush to class anymore. The PC 832 course is done, and I passed! But strangely, I felt bittersweet—even though it was just five days, I found myself missing my classmates. One classmate in particular, Michael, stood out. He’s also heading to DSH as a Hospital Police Officer, and I regretted not exchanging contact information with him.

We had some good conversations during the class. He told me he’d just taken his online psychological exam and gave me advice: “Just be yourself—you don’t need to prepare for it.” Michael was waiting for his one-on-one session with the licensed psychiatrist. When I asked where he’d be stationed, he said Patton State Hospital in San Bernardino. I mentioned I’d be working at Metro State Hospital in Los Angeles, and we realized we had different career goals. He’s interested in working with K9 units because he loves dogs. When I told him I wanted to focus on investigations, he replied, “Makes sense… you’re too smart for patrol anyway.” I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but I laughed it off.

Morning Routine – Target Errands: I kept breakfast simple with just coffee. My mom was already cleaning the living room when I got up, which was nice—we needed the house in order, especially with everyone back together.

I decided to get laundry done, and it was a lot. My mom helped me fold clothes because, let’s be honest, I suck at folding. Afterward, I asked her if she needed anything from Target since I was heading there for errands. She told me to grab some meats for dinner, so I went off to Target.

Unfortunately, my car speakers are still broken, so I didn’t have music on the drive, which was a bit of a bummer. The Target run was quick and straightforward—just essentials for the week.

World Series Game 2 – Dodgers vs. Yankees: When I got home, I tuned in to Game 2 of the World Series between the Dodgers and Yankees. The game was intense from start to finish. It’s hard to tell if the Yankees' offense is struggling or if Dodgers’ bullpen is just that good, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto was lights out, dominating for six innings straight.

There was a scare, though—Shohei Ohtani got injured during a stolen base attempt, and I’m hoping he recovers quickly. The ninth inning was chaotic. Dodgers were leading 4-2, but closer Blake Treinen walked several batters, loading the bases with two outs. Luckily, Dave Roberts made a smart call and pulled Treinen, replacing him with Alex Vesia.

The tension was high. As Vesia threw the final pitch, the ball was sent flying toward the outfield. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was going to be a home run. But then, Tommy Edman made a brilliant catch, sealing the game. Dodgers won 4-2 and now lead the series 2-0. With only two more wins needed, they’ll head to New York for Game 3. The internet was buzzing with criticism of the Yankees' poor decisions, especially with their bullpen management—but as a Dodgers fan, I know that pain all too well.

Family Dinner – Filipino Igado & Nostalgia: After the game, I joined my family for dinner. My dad had cooked Igado, a traditional Filipino dish. Sitting at the table, all five of us together, enjoying a home-cooked meal, brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of simpler times and how much I miss moments like these—just being together as a family.

After dinner, I watched my parents and sister work on fixing the floor. They’d gone to Home Depot earlier in the day to grab some materials. It felt good just to be present and watch them work together—it’s moments like these that I’ve missed.

Back to Routine – Checking Emails & Work Prep: Later, I hopped on my computer and checked my county email. I saw a flood of messages but didn’t feel overwhelmed. I also peeked at Microsoft Planner to see what I needed to tackle when I return to work on Monday. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the CHWs are doing great with referrals—it’s good to know things are running smoothly in my absence.

Reflecting on the Day – No Depression, Just Hope: It felt like a good day overall. I’m grateful for the Dodgers' win, the time spent with my family, and the progress I’ve made toward becoming a police officer. I’m hoping to maintain this momentum and keep my mind clear.

The next step is preparing for my online psych test and getting back into the rhythm of work. No depression today, just a sense of hope and gratitude for everything I’ve got going on.

[darkboysroadtrip]

As they walk Antha lifts into the sky every now and then to make sure they're still on their course.

They've been walking for around fifteen minutes now, the long grasses were hard to trudge in and Thomas got tired of trying to keep up and annoyed at how much he was tripping and being tangled, being four is hard when everything is big.

So Patton has him on his back now, Thomas dozing in and out of sleep every few seconds.

The long grass turns into a dirt pathway, it's not far now until the cemetery.

The sky gets darker with every minute that passes and with the last five or so minutes that have passed to get to their destination it's almost completely darkened.

They stand before a rickety metal gate with broken hinges and rusty fencing.

Antha blows the gate open and zooms off to look at the tombstones.

She's not exactly sure where Melody is buried but she knows it's here somewhere.

It doesn't take her long to find it though, she guides them to the worse for wear grave.

It reads:

Meoldy Hugo.

Beloved Daughter, from a loving mother.

Beloved Mother to a sweet little boy.

And Beloved Niece to a brave aunt.

Loved by the community sadly taken too soon.

1971 - 1993

Antha kneels at her daughters grave, her hand resting on the face of it.

Her own face is saddened to read of how young Melody was when she died.

Antha looks over to the grave next to Melody's, it's her own, her eyes narrow at the empty grave but then turns to fire when she notices the one next to hers.

The fire in her eyes turn quite literally when she destroys the already crumbling stone then turns her attention to the children.

Her eyes soften at them before she swirls herself around the group, surrounding them in a ghostly hug.

She then floats to the back of Melody's grave and hovers there.

Logan walks up first, she takes the locket out of her pocket.

The others walk up in front of the grave with Logan.

"I wish we could have known you more" Patton says.

"Yeah" Virgil agrees, "having a ghost friend around would be super cool."

"Imagine the pranks we could pull!" Remus adds.

"No one would see them coming" Dee says.

Antha laughs a silent little laugh at the children's thoughts.

Logan looks up at Antha, her brows knit together in confusion which is not something that happens often.

"I'm not sure what this feeling is but..." she trails off trying to think of her words, "I feel a kind of connection with you and I'm going to miss you."

Antha smiles down at Logan, she cups her cheek and kisses her forehead.

Logan smiles, for reasons unknown to herself soft tears start to fall and she tries to wipe them away but they won't go.

She kneels with the still falling tears and digs a hole deep enough so the locket wouldn't get dug up.

For once she doesn't care about how dirty she is, the mud on her hands and under her nails don't seem to bother her as of right now.

She looks up from her position on the ground to see softness in Antha's eyes.

"Bye" her voice comes out softer than expected, she places the locket in the hole and buries it.

Almost immediately Antha starts to glow, a bright brilliant silver with sparkles and streaks of elegant blues.

Her form twirls and swirls, she's practically dancing around them as her form changes from her ghostly aura to a more solid person.

The deathly paleness of her tanned skin leaves her, the shining spots on her face and arms stay shining however more freckle looking than before, her hair is now tamed from the water like movements it had.

Her dress is now cleaned and devoid of rips and the gash around her throat has vanished.

For the first time she's able to speak to them.

"Thank you, all of you" she glances to each one of them -tenderness solid in her words- "I would never be able to thank you enough, you seven have made my last moments as a spirit wonderful, not to mention the only ones to ever even try to help."

"Of course we would" Patton says, "we couldn't not."

Antha smiles "I hope you keep that kindness and tenderness in your hearts, the world needs more of it."

One last glance around, she ends on Logan.

She lands her hand on Logan's head petting her, "I must go now, I wish nothing but amazingness and joy for you - all of you."

And then in a brilliant flash, she's gone.