#sanders sides spook

[jaratedeguadalupe]

hc that whenever somebody would try to scare remus in a haunted house he would just scare them back 

[janustrash1]

Can we take a minute to talk about how the dark sides appear? Like, we've seen Virgil rise up onto the screen many times with ease, however we've also seen him be summoned in a flash by outside influences. We've only ever seen Remus flash onto the screen (unless you count his first appearance in DWIT but I don't because he was behind the TV) He clearly has no interest in rising up like the light sides do. He's there to spook you and catch you off guard. However we've seen Janus ATTEMPT to actually rise up multiple times. Once when he was pretending to be Logan in SvS, and another in the latest Asides. We can tell he isn't very good yet, as he keeps stumbling and has yet to go up smoothly, but he's TRYING. He's trying to fit in and be like the light sides. He's trying to prove to Thomas that he's on his side. HE'S TRYING TO SHOW THOMAS THAT HE ISN'T A THREAT. Anyway this has been your sporadic "Remy Wont Shut Up About Janus Sanders" post, come again.

[lefaystrent]

Friendly Neighborhood Criminals Part 4

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Pairings: platonic Patton/Dark Sides

Summary: Tis the season for spooks.

Alternatively, this has nothing to do with Halloween and everything to do with how three criminals changed a young man's life.

Ao3 Link: click here

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

WARNINGS: Past child abuse, depictions of panic attack

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

The Fall season comes in full swing.

It's Florida, so the temperature only dips slightly instead of plummeting like in places other than Florida. It's a cheery season regardless, because first comes Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas and New Years! This will be the first year Patton will be able to celebrate without walking on eggshells.

And Halloween! He's never been able to celebrate Halloween before! He had been told numerous times that it was the Devil's holiday, but all the kids in his old neighborhood had such cute costumes and their houses were decorated with carved pumpkins and funny skeletons. Patton is for sure going to get his hands on a pumpkin this year to carve himself!

And...maybe his new friends would want to carve some with him?

They've been sharing so much with Patton lately. By now, his home is practically overflowing! His fridge is always full, and just the other day Janus stopped by with a coffee table. He said he was going to throw the table out anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Patton was touched all the same that he thought of him.

And therein lies the issue. What has Patton ever done for them? Other than not call the cops? That first night they met seems so distant now. And since then, they have given and given and-

What has Patton done? Just accept their gifts and kindness every time. A one-sided friendship like that is not a friendship at all! It was...

Selfish.

Patton's eyes grow distant as fog rolls in. A ringing buzzes in his ear.

He's been trying hard not to think about it. To remember. He just wants to think about the positives in his life now. He wants something to look forward to.

You're so selfish. Don't you know how hard we've worked to raise you?

A wave of apathy shrouds him. His hands tremble, and he watches stupidly as he drops what he's holding. That's right, he's supposed to be stocking the shelves. They have lots of totes to work. He likes the repetitiveness of stocking, and he enjoys filling up the empty holes on the shelves, to line them up all neat and pretty. It makes him feel good, like he's made a difference or something.

Why are you crying? I haven't even hit you yet.

Patton can't breathe. Joan has come over to talk to him. They're standing right there, and Patton can't breathe, can't move. Joan likes stocking with Patton. They told him so. They said that Patton's always cheerful and puts them in a good mood. And Patton can't make them mad. He can't disappoint. He doesn't want this to happen at work. He's been so good, so good–

Children are like snakes. They lie and they take, and they take–

If that's true, then why did they keep him? Why didn't they just...let him go? If they hated him so much?

Joan has him by the shoulders and the touch scalds. He's sitting down on the floor. When did that happen? He doesn't remember sitting or falling, he's just there now. And Joan's face is pinched with worry.

Oh.

He's messed up.

***

Patton sits huddled in the break room. Joan had removed him from the store floor at some point. Time is coming back to him sluggishly. The tightness in his chest remains, but he'll be okay. He'll figure out how to smile again soon. He just needs a breather.

Perhaps the season has brought an onslaught of memories with it. It would explain why he hasn't slept much these past few days. And why his stomach rebels at the mere thought of putting food in his mouth. When he lived with his parents and he was really hungry, his mom used to eat in front of him and tell him how good her cooking was–

Patton's fists clench on his thighs. He takes a deep breath that rattles his lungs.

He's not there anymore. He's not.

It's a cycle, the thoughts. They catch him off guard and he has to build his barriers anew. He forgets that he's supposed to be waiting for Joan to come back. At least, he thinks he's supposed to wait for Joan to come back and let him out. He's not supposed to open the door. Dad hates it when he tries–

The door opens. Joan has returned and they hold the door open for a black clothed figure.

Patton squints. "Janus?"

"Hello, dear. What's this I've heard about a dizzy spell?"

Patton can't sus out why Janus of all people is standing here. Here, in this dirty breakroom with its white plastic table and microwave that doesn't latch closed correctly. Janus dresses too nice to be in a retail store breakroom. Yet he walks in like he owns the place.

"What are you doing here?" Patton says woodenly.

Joan frowns. "He was on your emergency contact list. I'm sorry Pat, but I think you should take the rest of the day off, and I'd worry about you getting home alone."

"You're my emergency contact?" Patton wonders. He's pretty sure he left that blank on his application form.

Joan's frown deepens. "...did you not know?"

Janus butts in and starts petting at Patton's hair with a gloved hand. "Poor thing is so exhausted, he must have forgotten. Come along, Patton. I have the car waiting outside."

"But....but I have to work," Patton tries. He really tries. The thought of going back out there, pretending to be happy, it breaks something inside of him. But he has to. He can't let them down.

Janus leans forward to meet his gaze. His eyes soften. Patton didn't know he could look like... like that. "Patton, sweetie, it's okay to rest when you need to."

"It is?"

Janus's jaw clenches and before Patton can think he might be mad at him for speaking, the softness is back and his voice is lilting in sympathy, "Yes, sweetie. It's better to take care of yourself early, before you run yourself into the ground. You've worked hard enough. Your manager was just telling me what a good employee you are. They want to make sure you're healthy. Will you help me do that?"

Patton can't deny him. He lets Janus haul him up and pull his arm around his for support. Arm in arm, Janus bids Joan a farewell and they leave the store.

As they walk, Janus pats at his hand and tells him that he's doing a good job. Patton doesn't believe it, but it's nice of him to say it. It's odd to see Janus here, without the other two. Whenever it's all of them, Patton can use the others as a buffer. Janus still intimidates him. It's not his fault; Patton just can't be normal.

Outside, there is indeed a car waiting for them. It's a sleek maroon sedan. Patton doesn't know cars past that. It's fancy and probably worth fifty grand at least. It makes him wonder how they can afford stuff like this by breaking into poor people's apartments. There has to be more going on in their lives, other jobs that Patton isn't privy to.

Janus ushers him into the backseat and follows him in. It's leather interior, of course. In the driver's seat sits a familiar face.

"Your worst nightmare, reporting for duty," Virgil says, deadpanned.

"We really must work on your people skills, Virgil," Janus drawls. He doesn't wait for Patton to buckle himself in. He reaches over and does it for him, leaving Patton to blink at what just happened.

"Like you work with me for my people skills," Virgil fires back. In the rearview mirror, his shadowed eyes meet Patton's, serious. His tone shifts, gentling. "You okay back there, Pat?"

Patton wonders if he looks like a deer in the headlights.

He hums an affirmative and nods.

"Cool, ready to get home?"

"Actually, Virgil, I was thinking a change of scenery might be in order."

Virgil shoots Janus an unimpressed look. "You don't think he wants to go home?"

"He said he doesn't," Janus lies smoothly. "Let's head back to the lair. It'll be good for him."

For some reason, Virgil startles and whips around to stare wide-eyed at Janus. "What? Why? Why there? We could go literally anywhere else!"

"Because I said so. And also, because it will most likely be the best place we can take him that won't stress him out further. Wouldn't you agree?"

Virgil growls out some protests, but in the end he faces forward and jerks the gear shift into reverse. They cruise out of the parking lot and down the road they go.

Patton most certainly never mentioned a desire to not go home. Why would Janus lie about that? And what is the lair? Patton thinks of cartoon villains with their evil lairs. Maybe he's being kidnapped and he'll never be seen again. Mwhahaha.

Patton doesn't watch out the window like Janus does. He stares forward at the back of the driver's seat, letting the world pass around them. Partway through the drive, Janus holds his hand out to him. He doesn't look over, but the hand hangs there in the air, waiting.

Twenty seconds pass, and when it's still hanging, Patton reaches up to grasp it in both of his. He sneaks a peek at Janus, but nope. The man acts as if nothing is occurring.

Patton ensures that he doesn't hold too tightly. He lets the hand sit in his lap, palm upwards, and he kind of runs his fingers over Janus's. The glove is smooth cotton, not as silky as he originally thought. He plays with the finger joints and fiddles with the glove tips, and he doesn't think about bad things.

The lair is revealed to be a sinister looking apartment complex in downtown. And by sinister, it's completely average. It's a series of gray brick buildings, each with second floor apartments with outside staircases. Virgil pulls up to one of the buildings.

"Last stop, all passengers please depart," Virgil mutters. He doesn't wait for them and hops out himself. Patton watches him take the stairs two at a time and duck into a second floor apartment.

Janus snickers, "He's probably rushing to clean before you see the pigsty he and Remus live in."

Patton slides his attention over to him. Janus hasn't made a move to remove his hand or reprimand him for still holding it. He's watching Patton, warmth brimming in his eyes that can't be for him. He props an elbow at the window and leans his chin on a fist.

"They live here?" Patton asks. It's dumb of him to ask, because Janus more or less just confirmed it, but he can't stop himself.

"Oh yes, like the gremlins they are."

"Why are we here Janus?"

"To visit said gremlins in their natural habitat."

"...why am I here, Janus?"

And there it is. Patton has finally found the will to question them in their endless series of complicated generosity. He wants to know more than he wants it to continue. He needs answers, even if it costs him.

Janus appraises him. He doesn't act confused or angry. He knows exactly what Patton means. "Because believe it or not, I meant it when I said you deserve a rest. And letting you go back to that lonely apartment of yours will only be counterintuitive. You'll look at those same walls and that brain of yours will try to play tricks on you. Don't think I haven't noticed how tired you are."

Patton swallows back the shame. "I'm sorry," he whispers miserably.

Janus swoops in and nudges his chin back up from where he looked away. "Don't be sorry, darling. Be angry. Be gallantly angry at this world that has failed you. Live to spite those that tried to ruin you. Don't let them win."

Patton grips at the hand in his lap, and the hand squeezes back. "I don't like anger. It scares me."

"When you first met me, I scared you, didn't I?"

It's true. As much as Janus has done for him now, Patton can't rid his mind of the yelling from that night, the sheer ferocity of it.

Janus swipes a thumb across his cheekbone. "I'm sorry that I did, but I can't say I regret it. Do you know why?"

Patton shakes his head.

"What came after that night?"

They did. They stayed in his life. They filled the empty void in his apartment and his soul. They kicked off his new lease at life with a flurry of chaotic excitement. They were so interesting, and complex, and different than other people. Most days, Patton waited for when they would show up next.

Janus lets him think about it. He doesn't have to answer; Janus can see where his mind strays. "That wasn't so scary, was it? It's alright to be angry. It's what you do with it that matters. Some of the most influential people changed the world for the better simply because they got angry enough."

Patton glances down at the hand he holds. He leans in a little at the hand still placed on his cheek. "You're not mad at me though, right?"

Because even now, he has to make sure the voices in his head aren't right.

"Never, love. Never."

***

The inside of Virgil and Remus's apartment is a cluttered mix of Gothic meets scene kid. Decorating the walls are band posters, artwork of live action and cartoon TV shows that are somewhat recognizable, and haunting landscape paintings. There's a metal shelf entirely dedicated to skull sculptures. Centered on the middle shelf is a giant crystal skull with a gear shaped clock in its mouth.

Patton looks up in wonder at a large, black spiderweb hanging from the corner of the ceiling. Nestled inside are various stuffed animals, some of famous fictional horror monsters and lots of Pokémon. Like so many Pokémon. It continues with little figurines of them on floating shelves.

"Oh," Patton utters, glancing this way and that. There's just so much to see! There's a massive boardgame collection on the other side of a dining table, filling up every inch of two shelves pushed together. And there's a neon standing lamp shaped like a martini glass! And elegant black and purple curtains that you'd find in a vampire's house. And goodness! The centerpiece of the table is a small rainbow Christmas tree decorated in Halloween ornaments! It's got little orange pumpkins and black bats. And sitting in one of the chairs is a human sized plastic skeleton, head tossed back like it's in the middle of a good laugh.

"Wow," Patton says in awe. Lair indeed.

He jumps when a door slams. It's Virgil. He's pressed back against a door and smiling sheepishly.

"Just don't open this one," he says.

Janus stands there, arms crossed. "Did you just toss your collective mess in there to worry about later?"

"....no."

"Right, I suppose that's where the dead bodies are stowed then?" he suggests. Then he turns around where Virgil can't see to share a secret shake of his head to Patton to let him know that he's kidding.

"No, that's Remus's room."

"Indeed. Well, that certainly won't come back to bite you later. Let's eat then! I don't know about you, but I'm famished."

They filter down a little hallway to the kitchen. Despite this being Virgil's and Remus's apartment, Janus knows where everything is located. He opens cabinets to pull out spices and a mixing bowl and orders Virgil to retrieve some thawed chicken from the fridge.

"Remus was gonna make chimichangas."

"Well, Remus isn't here, so we're going to use it to make alfredo. He'll be absolutely devastated when he comes home to a meal already prepared."

Patton watches them while fiddling with his fingers. He doesn't want to interrupt but he doesn't want to stand there uselessly. Did they even want him to follow them to the kitchen anyway? Patton could be intruding. Maybe he should–

"Patton dear, could you come sit up here please? I have a task for you."

Patton obliges and follows Janus. He hesitates when his 'chair' is indicated to be the kitchen counter. Virgil doesn't bat an eye, so he hops up.

"Wonderful," Janus approves. "Now, Virgil is going to cut up the chicken for me while I prepare a bread option for us and perhaps a salad. I need you to supervise Virgil while he works."

Virgil snorts as he drains the chicken package into the sink. Patton doesn't think Virgil needs supervision. Patton's the youngest person here, he's sure.

Janus whispers behind a hand, "He has a thing about raw meat, so keep an eye on him, will you? Oh also, here, eat this."

A pudding cup materializes out of nowhere and is deposited in his hands along with a spoon. It's chocolate and vanilla swirl.

"Oh, okay," Patton responds too late. Janus has already moved across the kitchen. Virgil slides in on the counter to replace him.

"Don't listen to him, he's a worry wart. And that's coming from me."

Patton fights back a grin at their antics of playfully trying to undermine each other. "I don't know wart you mean," he says quietly, and it's the kind of joke that he would usually keep to himself. The kind that no one wants to hear and only he thinks is funny.

But Virgil...he laughs.

Dazed, Patton watches Virgil hide his face into the shoulder of his hoodie where he gives an adorable snort-giggle.

"What's so funny?" Janus calls over, hearing the bout of amusement.

With a big grin plastered on his face, Virgil tells him, "I said you're a worry wart, and Patton said, 'I don't know wart you mean'."

"Terrible. Absolutely horrendous. Tell me more."

And Patton keeps them company while they prepare dinner. Virgil chops the meat, Janus tosses together a salad mixture and pulls out a bottle of wine, and Patton nibbles at his pudding in between telling shy puns that he's collected for years.

Dinner is ready by the time Remus returns. They hear his motorcycle engine rev as they're setting the table.

Janus rolls his eyes. "Of course he shows up after it's already ready."

Four plates are dished out and a minute later, Remus swings open the door. He's shuffling his feet in a dance, tossing his keys into a pretty ceramic bowl while he sings.

"With the taste of your lips I'm on a ride~"

And then he stops mid-twirl as his eyes land on their get-together. More notably, the fact that Patton is sitting there at the table beside the perky skeleton. He goes unnaturally still, a perfect statue in leather studs.

Patton offers a timid wave. Virgil throws a breadstick at him to no affect. "Just come eat, you doofus."

A sly grin stretches up Remus's face. "Did you guys kidnap a cute little puppy while I was away?"

"Is it really kidnapping if it's consensual?" Janus debates. "Also, we're having chicken alfredo. I tried to tell Virgil you wanted to save the chicken for chimichangas, but he just wouldn't listen to me."

Virgil hacks into his wine glass and throws a breadstick at him next along with some colorful swearing. Janus laments the waste of carbs, the only thing he's truly sorry for.

Remus saunters over and sits across from Patton. He doesn't seem broken up about the change of meal plans at all and tucks into dinner. He slurps down a noodle messily.

"So Pattycake, what's a guy like you doing in a dank hole like this?"

"Oh, your place is really cool actually... I like it, it's got a lot of..."

"Skulls?"

"Clutter?"

"Diseases?"

"Character," Patton finishes after everyone takes a turn.

Remus shrugs. He offers a bite of pasta to the skeleton, but the skeleton must not be very hungry and chooses not to partake. He carries on eating unperturbed.

And they eat together, and chat together, and laugh together. As if Patton isn't invading their space. As if he belongs there.

Patton's hands only shake a little bit.

After the meal, Remus lays down in the middle of the living room floor, limbs star fished out. He begins snoring less than a minute later.

Patton gawks at him in amazement. "Did he really fall asleep that fast?"

"You should see him fall asleep standing up," Virgil says. He leans closer to Patton, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Better yet, I've seen him fall asleep with his eyes open."

"That's possible?!"

"No, which is why I don't think he's human."

Patton stares at Remus in a new light, and he must be making a face because Virgil sniggers. The volume doesn't bother Remus in the slightest. If anything, he snores louder.

Janus collects the dirty dishes and piles them together. "Remus had a long night. I say he's earned himself a rest...for now."

"Do you want some help?" Patton asks, jumping up.

Janus waves him off. "Don't worry about it. You're a guest. If anything, our host here should be tidying up."

Virgil scrunches up his nose. "Ew, dishes. Sounds like pleb work."

Janus goes to cuff him on the back of the head, and for a second Patton's heart leaps into his throat, but Virgil ducks out of the way and scampers off in a comical run, snickering and calling Janus an old man.

"This is the thanks I get for raising them," Janus says flatly in a way that belies his amusement. He gathers what dishes he can and carries them off to the kitchen.

Patton sits at the table alone with the skeleton. Janus said he doesn't need help...but could that be a test? He doesn't seem that mad at Virgil for skimping out. In fact, he acted like it was to be expected.

He doesn't want to let the moment pass though and get it wrong. Just in case, Patton scoops up the remaining glasses and takes them to the kitchen.

Janus has begun filling the sink up with soapy water. His jacket has been removed, and he's in the middle of rolling up the long sleeves of his yellow button up. The gloves are gone as well. There are tattoos swirling up his forearms.

He takes one look at the dishes in Patton's arms and he clicks his tongue at him. He comes forward to take them from him. "Thank you dear, but I have this part under control. Why don't you go spend some time with Virgil? He could use some company. Plus, I think you're a good influence on him."

"Really?" Patton blurts out, distracted.

Janus smiles kindly as he deposits the dirty dishes in the sink. "Don't act so surprised. Virgil's more lively when you're around, and Remus actually settles down now and then. Now run along. Make sure they don't get up to trouble for me."

Patton scurries off.

In the living room, Virgil lazes on the couch, head resting on the arm. The TV remote spins in his hand.

Virgil spies him and asks, "Wanna watch a movie, Pat?"

Patton agrees and soon a film is playing. It's a superhero movie, one of the Avengers movies. Patton hasn't seen much of the others, so he listens to Virgil explain the characters and bits that he doesn't recognize. Virgil offers to watch them in order, but Patton enjoys listening to him more.

Eventually, Virgil's descriptions become less frequent. Patton glances over to find he's nodded off. Remus snores away on the carpet, dead to the world. From the kitchen, Patton can hear the dishes clinking lightly.

He thinks this is what home is supposed to feel like.

Later, Janus finishes cleaning up the kitchen. His boys have been suspiciously quiet, so he goes to check on them.

In the living room he finds them all conked out. Virgil dozes on the couch, and Remus still on the floor, but the part that really inspires him to sneak out his phone and steal a picture is Patton.

Patton lays on the floor sound asleep, using Remus's chest as a pillow. He's tucked into the crook of his arm, and Remus snores on, oblivious to the cute little puppy seeking warmth from his big guard dog.

Janus is making that picture his home screen.

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

if you'd like to vote just based on that, go ahead, but I've also written longer descriptions for both projects under the cut :)

Slice of life QPR:

As October draws closer for Brighton City College, well-known for its wild parties and a love for all things Halloween, Hayden Cox and Riley Moore find themselves only half of a friend group as Greyson Stewart and Hazel Edwards aim to climb the ranks of the Halloween social ladder to join the legendary Hosts. But when the two of them discover they've got far more in common than just their friends, their Halloween becomes far less that of Brighton City legend, and something far more...them.

A fluffy, university slice-of-life story involving seasonal hijinks and not nearly enough candy! ~80k, working titles are:

Quite a Peculiar Romance (obvious play on Queer Platonic Relationship (QPR))

Spooked

A Brighton City Halloween

***

Gothic found family:

When the Lord of Crosswell Estate plans to wed his niece to a brutish lord to save his wealth, she runs away and stumbles upon Illthern, a forgotten trading village under the control of the monstrous Theodoric Gaut, whom she deceives in order to gain his protection from her wrathful uncle; but when she finds herself face to face with Lord Gaut, who is not what the stories would have her believe, she must wrestle with the monstrosity of her own making before he discovers that his supposed long-lost relative is not what she claims to be.

An inverted sort of Beauty-and-the-Beast that deals with the monstrosity of girlhood and the inherent horror of self-creation. ~170k, working titles are:

Of Beasts and Wretched Things

Shadowcraft

Aurora

If you'd like to add your two cents in about the titles for whichever you'd prefer to see first, feel free to leave it in the tags!

also i'm gonna put my taglist here just 'cause

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

[ivycryptid]

Logan Sanders' totally, 100%, surely, completely, absolutely normal Halloween

…except for that part where everyone but him and Remus were turned into mythical creatures. That was, maybe, possibly, a bit out of the ordinary.

A fic of chaos, candy, and one out-of-the ordinary Halloween celebration. Word Count: 2385 [AO3]

This is a for @just-some-gt-trash, written as part of the @tss-october-ghostwriters gift exchange. Sorry for posting it late! I've been really unexpectedly busy. I really hope you enjoy it.

I used the prompts: Witch, Midnight, Costume, Magic, Transformation, and Potion

October thirty-first, a day of (as Roman would describe it) costumes, candy, and chaos.

There were many ways that the sides celebrated the holiday. Costumes, for one, and often some elaborate scare-age on the dark side’s parts, though in the past few years, with the conflict having mostly settled down, persuading the lights to join in wasn’t very hard. Patton quite enjoyed the parts of the holiday where he got to spend time with friends (and bake themed cookies), Virgil loved the well, everything, Janus quite enjoyed the costumes, Remus had always loved the opportunity to be allowed to be a bit more unhinged than usual, Roman had always enjoyed making and designing costumes and decorations and all sorts of things (although I would be remiss in not mentioning both twin’s interest in the subject) and Logan? Well, the holiday was certainly not his favourite, but it was certainly interesting.

And if this particular occurrence of the day wasn’t just that then this particular narrator would be very surprised to hear it.

But enough waffling on about this particular day of spooks. You were here for a story, correct?

——————

Logan Sanders, awake, for some ungodly reason that not even he could really explain, seeing as it went against the majority of his advice on sleep schedules, at six am on the particular date our story occurs, looked down at two perfectly timed schedules for the day.

One, the page of a pink notebook covered in sticky notes of various colours and sizes, perfectly laid out in a (fruitless) attempt to keep Thomas organised, was the one containing his centre’s schedule. In the case of today, Thomas really didn’t have a ton planned. Just a few halloween movies with some friends and then, if Logan got his way, adequate sleep.

The other schedule was contained within a well-decorated indigo journal, covered in all manner of scientific stickers and wonderful drawings, courtesy of Roman, Virgil, and Patton. It had been gifted as a birthday present some time ago, and whilst he wouldn't let anyone know it, Logan used it incredibly regularly. Definitely not for any sentimental reason though, surely not. But, if we may return to the topic of that peskily busy schedule. As, contrarily enough, Logan’s was much more hectic and packed than Thomas’. He had to help Patton finish the baking in preparation for the Mindscape’s “first annual Halloween celebration bonanza of fear” to quote Remus, and then he had to prepare his costume for the holiday’s event. Which he totally wasn’t doing because it was fun. Just to fit in, for that exact reason, definitely no other, and he had most surely not had any fun at all putting it together.

Of course, the giant (practically blinding honestly) smile Logan had sported last time he worked on it might have given his lies away… if he had let anyone see it.

Either way, he very much had to get ready if he was going to be done with all of this preparing before three pm (the ordained ‘start time’ for the party). So it was down the stairs (and off to breakfast), he went.

He looked at the time. Six fifteen am. Forty-five more minutes of sleep certainly wouldn’t hurt.

——————

At seven o’ five am, Logan had made his way down to the kitchen and eaten some Patton-prepared breakfast to the sound of the other sides’ excitement around him.

“So you see padre, you have to swing the sword like this,” explained an incredibly awake Roman, gesturing wildly across the table and narrowly missing the other sides, “and have you checked the balance? If the balance is wrong it could swing weirdly and-”

“Being on fire is a very interesting experience and very hard to get right.” Remus illustrated his words with a handy illusion.

Roman yelled some unintelligible reply from halfway in his conversation with Patton. But Remus seemed to understand its meaning in some twinly secret codex as he instantly replied. “Of course you need to-”

“I’m pretty sure every character you’ve ever been has committed some form of tax evasion,” laughed Virgil from his position near Janus, “which certainly isn’t- well- oh come on Jan! Unfair conduct!”

Logan sunk into his chair comfortably. He might have been tired and a little silent, but he had always been like that in the mornings if he was honest, and he quite enjoyed the others’ enthusiasm for the rest of the day they were going to have.

But he’d finished his breakfast, and getting ready was of utmost priority, so he stood up and brought his plate to the sink, washing it off and waving goodbye to the other sides.

——————

By nine-thirty, Logan had prepared the remaining elements of the costume. Some stitching on the skirt, the last ‘potion bottle’ to slip into the belt, the final pieces of decoration being placed on the hat. Mostly small details and things, but vitally important nonetheless. And he’d finished! He was done! Able to actually wear the thing! Well, later, when he wasn’t liable to get it dirty while baking.

——————

For the second time that day, Logan made his way down the stairs. As he finished his journey to the kitchen, Logan was hit by the sound and smell of, if he was correct (which he obviously was) candy apples. And also Patton, barreling towards him at an incredibly fast pace.

Logan yelped. “Patton! Please detach yourself!”

With that, the fatherly side untangled himself from the impromptu hug, hanging his head.

“Sorry-” he began.

“Don’t be, I was just- surprised, that’s all.” Logan replied. “Now, what are you making?”

“Candy apples!” Virgil yelled from the couches.

“We’re all gonna get cavities!” exclaimed Remus.

Logan smiled a little, he had been right.

And that was when Patton burned himself on hot sugar.

"God dammit- it was still hot- fuckin-"

“Patton are you okay-”

——————

After that incident, which luckily hadn’t resulted in a large injury, and only a tiny burn, and the pun-filled few hours following, Logan stood in front of the mirror.

He now (finally) wore the costume he’d prepared. That of a witch. The skirt was a navy blue and covered in embroidered stars in different colours and arranged as constellations, the shirt was plain and white, though it also had hidden embroidery around the collar and sleeves, the hat also confirmed (check for word later) to the star theming, having its own stars perched in the brim.

Logan had also decided to wear a messenger bag, modified to have places in which to store ‘potions’ around the bag strap. Other than the potions, Logan had backed a giant book of astronomy and constellations he had found rather useful (and quite pretty). As well as a small telescope, which hopefully wasn’t going to be destroyed.

Either way, with his pair of very sensible shoes, he was ready to help transport the baked and candied goods over to the place Roman and Remus had prepared for the party in the imagination.

So,for the third time that day, Logan made the trip between his room and the kitchen.

——————

Patton had instructed him in which boxes to carry, and thus, at four pm on a Tuesday afternoon, Logan wandered into the imagination, following behind the other side.

Pat was dressed as an adventurer of some sort, sporting a large glowing sword with a blue gem in the hilt, some simple adventurer’s clothes, and a flowing blue cloak. In Logan's opinion, it looked quite nice.

As they neared the clearing, Logan began to spot Roman, Virgil, and Janus. Roman sported clothes that seemed like they’d come from the nineties, and also was on fire. That at least explained the twin’s conversation from that morning.

Virgil was wearing a leather coat, there seemed to be fake burns across his hands as well. Interesting.

Janus was the oddest of them all, he wore a waistcoat, fedora, and long flowy pants adorned with snakes. He also held a tax form? Odd.

Logan continued into the decorated clearing, continuously attempting to puzzle out the meaning and/or origin of the outfits. Just as he’d given up and decided to just ask them himself, beginning a beeline over to the trio. His ‘sensible footwear’ failed at their job, and Logan tripped.

Dear reader, I have something to confess. The imagination is not the most, let’s say, stable, in terms of reality, and on a day such as this? The ability for an idea to become just a bit more real was as strong as it ever was. Logan, of course, did not know this. The idea for a piece of costume, a fakery, to become suddenly real was barely a murmur in his mind. Which, in this case, was unfortunate for him, as that truth was going to be revealed in a slightly explosive way.

Now, back to that fall.

Logan fell downwards, grabbing his bag and pulling it away from the ground so as to save the telescope from certain destruction.

Of course, he’d forgotten about the half-open potion pouch, and as Logan fell towards the ground, a teal, glittery concoction was launched towards the three sides on the rock, and Patton, who had come to stand near them.

“Watch out!” Logan warned, just a second too late, as it exploded onto them with an almighty splash.

And then, the sides weren’t human anymore.

Well, depending on the semantics they never technically were. But they sure looked human!

But now, standing in place of Patton, Roman, Virgil, and Janus, were four giant beasts straight out of mythology.

What had happened to his friends, and why?

As Logan sat there, confused and worried, the one other side unaffected by the sudden change appeared behind him.

“Where are the others? And how did those get here?” Remus said abruptly, swinging a… giant test tube around? That was new. So was the scientist’s coat. And that incredibly prevalent slime.

Logan did not want to know where it came from.

Whilst he had reflected on the state of Remus’ costume, the other side had continued talking.

“-the mythical creatures are kept on the other side of the imagination. Why bring them here?”

Logan paused. The silence was only about a minute long, but from an internal viewpoint, as subjective as that was, it felt as if it had taken hours. How was he going to explain this?

“What, cat got your tongue?” Remus asked impatiently, holding up a cat eating a tongue as if to illustrate his point.

The logical side remained startlingly silent at the metaphor.

Until, finally, he spoke.

“Neither I, nor Roman, Virgil, Patton, or Janus brought the ‘creatures’ from the imagination. In fact, if I am correct in my observations, they are, in fact, Roman, Virgil, Patton, and Janus”

Remus looked at the conglomeration of chaotic creatures again.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Silence (save for whatever the mythical being buds had been doing in the meantime, that was making quite a bit of noise) ensued.

“So, how do we make sure our friends and family aren’t mythical beings forever?” Logan began.

“Wait till midnight. They’ll be back.” Remus replied calmly

“It’s that easy?” the other side said mistifiedly.

Remus raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I’d appreciate an explanation”

“An explanation? Really? Life might be infinitely stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent, but it doesn’t mean it’ll always be consistent enough for someone of your tastes. Plus, ‘till midnight’ gives us plenty of time to-”

“We won’t have any time at all, seeing as they’ve already got themselves in trouble.”

One of the four creatures, a particularly colourful eagle and deer hybrid of some sort, had gotten his antlers stuck in a tree. The incident seemed to have been the cause of some of the noise from earlier, and it didn’t seem to be getting any easier for the being (which Logan had a hunch was Patton), or anyone else, to extricate him from the tangle. As Logan and Remus walked up to the quartet, they found a purple-scaled, winged figure flying near the branch worriedly. The other two transformed sides, one a wingless combination of lion and eagle, the other also possessing a leonine body, horns (for some reason) and a snake tail ending in a cluster of spikes. Soon, all four of the non-winged of the group stood around the tree, concerned for their friend.

At some point possibly-Patton had somehow flipped himself completely upside down in a doomed attempt at freedom. The purple one (who was probably Virgil) had nestled himself in a higher part of the tree, curling into himself like a charging cable left in a bag too long.

Suddenly, the tree perching figure unfurled himself. He let out a hacking cough, once, twice, thrice, then, finally, expelled a putrid smelling (and looking) liquid, which hit the branch, but thankfully not the peryton tangled in it.

The branch disintegrated, freeing the creature that, seeing as his immediate response was to drag the anxious wyvern to the ground for a hug, was most definitely Patton.

Two sides figured out.

The griffin, opinicus if Logan was being specific, bounded over to the other two dramatically, joining in on the hug, whilst the probable manticore, walked there at a slower pace.

Make that all of them figured out.

And then Patton startled Janus, causing him to let out a volley of dangerous spines.

“Why can't you all be calm for once?”

——————

After six straight hours of cleaning up and stopping the others’ chaos, with intermittent Remus-led breaks for unethical science, the chaos was finally over, ten minutes left till midnight, Roman, Janus, Patton, and Virgil were sleeping soundly.

A giant clump of limbs and wings draped over it like blankets sat in front of a frankly tired Remus and Logan.

“Are we-” Logan fought a yawn, “Are we going to wait for them to-”

Remus snored from his perch on Logan’s shoulder.

“It seems we are not,” Logan said to empty air.

He picked up Remus, walking past the rest of the sides, to a large tree with a sizable patch of moss underneath.

“Goodnight everyone,” he murmured, finding a place for him and Remus to settle down till morning, “goodnight.”

[the-tiktok-rogue]

Sanders sides finale fic because thomas won’t ever friggin make it,

Thomas walks into his room, saddened, Nico has told him that he just wants to go on a break, Thomas walks into his main room, Patton Rises up

“Hey there champ, I know things are looking down, but you just need time.”

“I really thought he was the one though, we went on so many dates…After the wedding and the call back…I just needed ONE good thing”

“I know pal but hey, there’s always next time, and it’s oh-fish-ial, there’s plenty more fish in the sea eh ehhh”

Thomas sighs “normally that’d make me laugh, i’m just not in the mood for dad jokes.”

Virgil rises up “Geez, is Patton Patton-tra-nising you again.”

“A mean pun? I was just trying to help our little slugger here!”

“he wants to be sad, you of all people should know it’s okay to be sad.”

“Believe me I do Virgil, it is okay to be sad, I just don’t want him to dwell on it forever, not when he’s made so much progress”

Thomas thinks “maybe there’s a creative solution to this….hmm”

Roman rises but it’s obvious something is off, for one thing he’s wearing his season one scarf, with the rest of his season two outfit

“hmm yes it is I the mighty prince roman, whatever to do”

Thomas squints but then shakes his head

“Roman I need a solution to this break with Nico…something to get him back with me.”

Roman has a devious smile “you should totally get with one of his friends to backstab him”

Patton gasps “Roman! that’s not chivalrous or noble!”

Virgil spoke “it’s obvious this guys Ja-“

he was interrupted “nrghhh I need something more logical than that…I can’t just think with my feelings, think thomas think”

Logan rises but something is off as well but he’s wearing his season 1 tie, he also has bags under his eyes

“Well I think the most logical solution in my humble opinion as the one and only logan…”

there was a pause

“is to stab him to death and make love to his bloody remains!”

Thomas gasps “Remus?….and Janus?”

they both morph, showing their true selves

Patton freaks out “W-Where’s Roman and Logan?! and Janus I thought we were friends!”

Janus laughed “Well remember when Virgil ducked out, it seems Roman and Logan went on strike”

Virgil sneered “and you two decided to take their places!”

Remus stretched his arm into a tentacle and stroked Virgil’s back making him flinch then un stretched it “That’s right, you wanna know why?”

him and Janus both laughed music started, they went into the mind space, a song was starting

Janus started a spotlight on him “once we were both ignored, us two a dark side tour de force”

then Remus “we tried to be subtle and snide, giving you a spook and some advice” he turns into an octopus and jump scares the camera

Janus continued “However now we’ll simply say, we’ll sing it out another way.”

Remus sang “You can’t block us out no longer we’ll sing it out and we’ll sing it stronger!”

both sing “it’s our house now, it’s our house now, you all loved your plucky friends, but now it seems they’re on the mend! it’s our house now it’s our house now!”

Remus sings “Fears and secrets soon we shall arouse…..” he tickled pattons neck with green claw nails

Janus sang “ cause it’s our house.”

the bridge started “We both watched and we both waited, as your puritan self hated” janus sang

“Patton on his watchful tower eager to judge, easy to glower.” remus sang

“You’ll serve yourself, you’ll listen again, me and him we’ve took the reins.”

“so now on we’ve simply got it alll…. cause it’s our house now, it’s our house now, bask in darkness and misdeeds, just enjoy your evil creed cause it’s our house now, our house now, we’re not alone and there is one more…in our house.”

the song ends

A new orange side appears to rise up he’s wearing an orange jacket, with a black shirt, punk clothing, and orange bags under his eyes, also a dark beard.

“Hmpth. Finally you’ve noticed me.” he spoke bitterly

Thomas did a double take before looking to Patton and Virgil

“who the heck is this guy?!”

Patton made an awkward face like pulling teeth “he’s wrath…”

Thomas looked confused “Wrath?….but i’ve been angry before, why have I never seen this guy”

Virgil sighed “You don’t view yourself as an angry person, you view your anger as bad and try to people please to make up for it…thus, wrath is here.”

Wrath made a fist and growled “when you don’t have creativity, or logic, you can only show them your teeth and fight.”

Wrath flips a middle finger, and says a bunch of bleep swears

Patton puts hands over his ears “p-please stop swearing”

Wrath tells him to eff off

“Beat the sh*t out of Nico for what he did, he probably cheated on you anyway.” wrath egged Thomas on

Thomas balled up his fist. this builds until he punches a wall.

Patton tries to console Thomas “woah woah woah, maybe we should try and find Roman, go to his room? he’s always good with this kind of romantic quandaries?”

Janus laughs “oh please don’t go there you three, it will totally stop your wrath and you’ll be rid of us all”

Remus cackled “do tell my brother thanks for doing nothing, it’s been so lovely without that dunce” Remus said, popping one of his eye balls out.

Wrath grimaced “no matter how far you run i’ll always be a part of you.”

they leave and the first part of the finale ends.

[solutions-problem]

Intermission

It’s just a normal mission. Just a routine grab and bag. In and out. You got this. 

Those were the thoughts running through Agent Mikael’s mind as he tried to hype himself up as his troop approached the complex. The Solution had tasked him and his team with a pretty important mission: The engagement and containment of the subject known as Radio Static. He didn’t know much about the target, that was the captain’s role. But what he did know was that the subject was capable of anomalously broadcasting himself to any television screen channel at will. This made him a big threat to maintaining the veil of secrecy. Other than that? Sarge said she’d brief everyone at the rendezvous point, so Mikael didn’t bother to worry himself about the details.

“Alright, everyone, pay attention. We only got one chance at nabbing the subject, and if we fail, he’s known to flee across countries when spooked. We’re in deep water if he gets outta here.” Sarge barked out authority any time she spoke, even Agent Sanders paid attention, and you couldn’t get him to focus if you hit him with the butt of your gun. The four members of the squad huddled together to listen to their captain, waiting with bated breath to hear the details of the assignment.

“The subject’s designation is ‘Radio Static’. He’s a humanoid entity with the head of a television, very standard. He’s known for broadcasting various sorts of violent or otherwise anomalous programs onto channels that he had no prior access to, which is the ability of his that makes him a threat to the Veil. He’s known for his flamboyant attitude and ruthless cruelty, so stay on your toes. We managed to get a tip that he’d be holed up in the warehouse up ahead for his broadcast tonight, which is where we’ll be intercepting him. You’ve all been briefed on the plan of attack and your individual entry points. Sanders, you’re on the lookout, so pay attention.” 

“Can do, boss!” Sanders gave a lazy half salute.

“This is serious, Sanders. You can’t take your eyes off the target this time. We don’t want a repeat of the Basilisk mission. I had to stick my neck out for you, and I don’t plan on doing it again. Don’t fuck it up, Sanders.”

“Alright, alright, I heard you the first time, Sarge!” Sanders argued back to the captain before taking out his rifle. He had the best handle on the scope out of the squad, best for long range combat.

“Lawrence, Adams, you two are on pincers. Hit him from the sides, push him to me and Riker if you can.”

The two on pincer duty nodded in agreement. Lawrence and Adams got along quite well, what with Lawrence always being the quiet sort, following orders to the T, and with Adams being mute. Made for a good silent duo.

“Mikael, you’re going in through the back while Riker and I take the brunt of the target’s assault. Surprise him from the back, incapacitate if possible.”

Mikael wasn’t as ready as his teammates were, but like hell was he going to argue with Sarge. He was the rookie in the team, having only been on a few missions with the squadron. Being put in charge of such an important role had him on edge.

“I… I won’t let you down, Sarge. You can count on me.”

“I know you won’t, Mikael. You’re a good man.”

Mikael beamed at the compliment. He was proud to make his captain place his trust in him, even if it was a terrifying position.

“Like I said, Riker, you’re with me. We’ll enter through the front door, breach the set. From there, we’ll meet the target head on to take the brunt of the assault. Lawrence and Adams will come in from the sides, pushing the target into the ambush zone where Mikael will surprise him, leaving him open to the five of us. Sanders, if the target tries to flee, or call for backup, you know what to do.”

With the plan set, the team got into position. After Sarge and Riker begin their assault, all radio contact will be disconnected and stopped, as they believe that Radio Static will begin to use it to his advantage. The idea of radio silence did scare Mikael a lot, but he had faith in his team.

And then, explosions. 

Mikael supposed that was the signal that they had begun the assault. Mikael burst through the back door, brandishing his weapon as he charged into the complex. However, it was… Strangely dark. The room was just a black, empty void. And then, without another sound-

The door slammed behind Mikael as he reached the center of whatever room he was in. He spun, aiming his weapon, expecting to see the target, but he was met with nothing but darkness. In just another moment, however, the darkness was broken by a bright spotlight blasting down onto him from above.

“WELCOME, MY ESTEEMED GUEST! I HOPE YOU’RE READY TO MEET-”

A booming voice erupted through the area, coming from all directions. Mikael aimed and spun around, seeking to find the source of the voice. When he was met with nothing, the spotlight shifted away from him, moving to a grandiose talk show set, adorned with lights, posters, and propaganda, all showing…

“ME!”

The lights in the room flashed on in a brilliant display of magnificence, displaying Radio Static to his new guest star. Radio Static had adorned his classic talk show attire, a well pressed black suit, long navy blue and black striped pants, and a colorful spotted tie. He gripped his microphone in his hand as he looked down at the new coming star, not to outshine him, of course!

The soldier raised his weapon, aiming straight at Radio Static. “Hah! Got a lot of spunk already, eh, kid? I like it! But, I believe your excitement is a little misused! Let’s get rid of that clunky little toy, shall we?”

Small orb shaped drones descended from the rafters above, swarming the now frightened army man. He began worriedly firing at the drones, but there were simply too many. They descended down on the man, removing his weapons and  stripping him of some of his armor.

“There you go, darling! Now you look television ready! I hope you’re ready to-”

Mikael knew something was wrong, it just felt off, and not the part where he was being assaulted by the target with the rest of his squad nowhere in sight.

“Stand down, asshole! My squad will-”

“OH! OH! You did NOT just fucking cut off my opening monologue!”

Radio Static was really not happy to have his spotlight stolen in the middle of a performance. The drones swooped in again, delivering shocks to the interrupting ignoramus. He dropped to his knees as the drones began to restrain him. Radio Static cleared his throat again as he walked off the stage.

“Now, darling, first rule of television, you don’t interrupt me when I’m speaking, okay? Or else I will FUCKING kill you. Got it? Good. Oh, and when we go live for tonight’s episode, watch your language, there’s going to be kids watching!”

“What… The hell are you talking about?”

“Oh, that reminds me, your squadron, don’t worry about them, they’ll be on the show too. I already got them ready for the performance. Ready? Great! We go live in five, four, three two… Showtime!”

Some of the drones had their small cameras light up, meaning that the show was on air. Radio Static brought the newly dressed soldier close, tossing him down onto a chair as he took his own place behind a mahogany desk. 

“Hello, my adoring fans! Welcome to another spectacular episode of Television Saved the Radio Static! I’m your darling host, Radio Static, and tonight, we have a special guest! Tell the wonderful viewers at home what your name is, gorgeous!”

“I… Let me go!”

“Give it up for Letmego! Exotic name, is it not?”

Simulated applause erupted from a fake studio audience as the soldier glanced around, clearly looking for his teammates. The room rapidly began to change sets as Radio Static prepped his next scene. “We got a special show lined up for you tonight, everyone! We have a QUADRUPLE feature! Our game show tonight stars our lovely guest, Letmego, and his friends as well! Tonight, we ask the question!”

The fake audience began to spout out the catchphrase along with Radio Static.

“WILL THEY DIE?”

The set had changed to a quiz show, with a large sizzling vat in the center of the room. Dangled above it was another soldier that Radio Static had intercepted from outside. He seemed to have fallen asleep when the drones caught him. 

“Welcome to the generic quiz show segment! Answer correctly and you get a prize! Answer falsely, and your little friend will be lowered towards the pool of acid! Sounds fun, right?”

“What?! No!”

“Great! Then let’s get started! Question one! What’s the capital of Brazil?”

“What? How the hell am I supposed to know that?” 

“Bzzt! Wrong!” The soldier, evidently named Sanders, was lowered deeper to the vat. He was yelling something, but he didn’t have a mic on, so none of what he said was audible to the folks at home. “Question two! Who’s the best game show host?”

Again, there it was again! Something was off, Mikael could FEEL it. “No, NO! I know what this is leading to! You’re going to do these fucked up games with each of my teammates, killing them gruesomely each time in front of me for your sick pleasure! Well, I won’t have it! You aren’t getting your free content!”

Radio Static’s screen changed to that of pure static as the cameras shut off. He approached the soldier who had decided to, no, DARED to ruin the show. “Cut to commercial.”

Radio Static got closer and closer to the soldier, who suddenly lashed out, hurling a punch at the television host. Radio Static caught the fist in the air, however, quickly snapping the hand backwards, causing the soldier to scream in pain. Radio Static delivered a blow of his own, decking the soldier in the face and knocking him to the floor. He wasted no time, stomping on the soldier’s head several times before grabbing him by the hair and smashing his face into the vat’s glass over and over, cracking both the vat and the soldier’s face. 

“YOU. DON’T. FUCKING. STEAL. MY. SPOTLIGHT.”

Each blow was harder than the last. The vat was creaking now, with Radio Static stepping back, onto two drones that lifted him into the air. He dusted his shirt off as he tried to wipe the soldier’s blood from his suit. As he did, the glass shattered, showering the party crasher in the acid meant for his associate. “Fucking piece of shit. Deserved nothing less.”

Radio Static switched to the next set, bringing the other soldier with him as he tossed the new guest with the rest. “Ruined my show for the night. Now I’ll have to play a goddamned rerun! But don’t worry, folks, I’m gonna come back better. New episode. With drama! Romance with yours truly! And of course, bloodshed! Speaking of the latter, I need to send a message to the Solution so they don’t try to crash my next broadcast, m’kay?” 

The soldiers argued, of course they did. They had no sense of style, of drama, of showmanship! But whatever. He was going to dispose of them each in their own special way, taking pictures of it to send to the Solution. Sanders got placed in a big room that was filled with water, drowning him. Took Radio Static ages to dry off the furniture! Adams was burned alive, which was funny since he couldn’t scream. Lawrence was placed in the Sound Room, which blasted so much noise it popped his head like a grape. That one was messy. And for the captain, well, she was tied to a massive firework that was then launched into the air! It exploded brilliantly into a wonderful display of Radio Static’s own wonderful visage. He was quite happy with that one.

He couldn’t dwell on them for too long, though. After all, he had to get back to filming! Only twenty four hours until the next airing! The show must go on. 

The little assault they tried to wage against him was cute, but, ultimately, it was just a little intermission.

[anxiouslyfred]

Bravery

For @sanders-sides-a-spec-week prompt crossovers

Summary: Virgil has ended up in a relationship due to his fears of abandonment, but between meeting the Doctor and fighting sontarans he might just find the courage to come out and change that.

/\/\

Fear is a normal feeling for Virgil. He fears being alone, fears abandonment, or people thinking that he's weird. He worries about whether he'd upset someone he didn't intend to or whether the positioning of his furniture is dangerous.

It's something he's used to listening to and trying to avoid his fears becoming reality.

And there's a lot of things that Virgil has done or agreed to because he didn't want to be abandoned any more than he wanted to ride that dubiously safe ride at the fair.

Including this relationship, and coming on this date when really he needs a break from people after a horrible day.

At least he's laughing now, finding humour in something that Anton seems horrified by, if the spluttering words about it being nowhere near Halloween and what the hell do people think there doing is anything to go by. Honestly Virgil thought it was brilliant, and he'd almost ask to join in with this out of season spook fest. Halloween definitely needed to last longer anyway.

Although the costumes were definitely not something he'd ever go for. Two guys with like paper mache puppet masks on that looked like they'd been made over a baking bowl or something and some plastic attempt at battle armour. Frankly Virgil couldn't imagine what kind of monster the teens, and from the size of them, they couldn't be older than early teens, maybe 15, were trying to be, especially since they had blue guns, because of course the weapon has to match the armour, what soldier doesn't do that?

The gun being fired by the left one and taking out a chunk of ceiling over their heads and getting them both covering their heads and ducking away. “So not just bad costumes, you also painted real guns to look fake!” Virgil yelled, sharply glancing around the cafe as he shoved Anton down under the table.

There was a door not far behind them, and another the other side of the teens with guns, which some blonde was coming through, whacking them both on their necks, with a yell.

“Hey, you two okay? Was anyone else in here?” The woman asks, leaning over the table a moment later, getting Virgil's attention from where he was trying to keep Anton calm enough to escape as well as figure out without popping his head too far over the table to see if the guys in plastic armour were actually unconscious and decide if this new person was any safer.

“Two staff, I think they both waitress and cook, went out back not long ago. I think they had a delivery or something.” Virgil explained quickly, not sure why he trusted this person, but at least she wasn't holding any weapons, not even whatever she'd hit the gunmen with.

She smiled. “We'll go that way to find them then. I'm the Doctor, who are you?”

“Virgil, this is Anton. Shouldn't we do something about the teens in costume?” He asked, standing now since she was acting as if it was safe to do so, and pulling Anton up with him, who immediately wrapped himself around him, hiding in his neck.

“Not in costume. That's just what a sontaran looks like. They'll be fine where they are for now. It's not like we have anywhere safe to imprison them or anything.” She explained, rooting through her pockets. “And I think my rope must have been left beside the console, damnit.”

It was very easy for Virgil to ask, “Console?” expecting some comment about a computer game console, but no reply came as the Doctor was hurrying away, only just avoiding running because she kept looking back as if trying the check if they were following her.

*

Anton was screaming again.

Of course that might be because Virgil had just launched himself out from the gap they'd sheltered in, racing straight towards the sontarans the Doctor had asked them to keep an eye on, a broken chair leg in his hand.

It was still very distracting that Anton was screaming, apparently not just to Virgil since the sontarans were trying to shoot at both of them, none of them just picking a single target. At least that left Virgil the opportunity to start whacking their necks.

“Much easier to keep an eye on war mongering aliens when they're unconscious.” Virgil decided, tearing the apron he'd found in one of the backrooms up into rope to tie them up and taking their guns away at the same time. “Plus it means none of them can go back to their ship or pods while we don't want them to.”

“I really want to kiss you right now. That's what heroes get after pulling shit like that off.” Anton stated, trying to turn Virgil to him.

He didn't turn, pushing a gun into the hand on his shoulder. “Only when they aren't potentially still in danger. I'm staying vigilant until I know whatever is going on is finished.”

*

“So it looks like they were the starting force to come in. Scouts, not an invasion.” The Doctor sounded like she was halfway through a conversation when she walked back in, looking over her shoulder. “There should only be the five that we've already... You've already captured. Was this a spontaneous plan, or had you already decided to knock them out before I left?”

Virgil glanced at the now angry and awake sontarans for a moment, “They spotted us. It seemed easier to keep an eye on them if I could get them tied up instead of run away from them.”

“I could have sworn that you said everything scares you when we were getting those cooks free. This is impressive.” She looked at the collection, waving when a few hurled insults such as vermin at her.

“Also said I have survival instincts and no desire to face my worst fears today. These guys do not stand up against those fears at all.” He stated, “What kind of alien race doesn't figure out a way to protect their weakness? If you're going to make armour, include a cover or something for a feeding vent that can knock you unconscious.”

The Doctor looked him over again, before checking on Anton. “And how are you holding up? Still coping with-”

A laugh from one of the sontarans had her turning. “We prepared for your interference Doctor. This place will explode and kill you along with us if you continue trying to thwart our plans. Release us and the people in this building may be spared.”

“Or we could leave you tied up, set of the fire alarms in every building we can get into to evacuate them and let you be the only mortalities of your actions?” Virgil offered, getting a sharp disapproving look from the Doctor.

“A warrior's strategy. Not as weak-hearted as the Doctor. You'd make a fine sontaran.” The sontaran replied, nodding in approval.

The Doctor held up her hands. “And not one we're going to do. I've locked your ship. It's co-ordinates are set and you're getting back on board it now! Whether that's awake or unconscious is your choice. We've got shopping trolley's.”

*

“So you both seem very concerned but not at all touchy with that boyfriend of yours. What's this fear that's more terrifying than aliens trying to kill you?” The Doctor spoke conversationally, even if she was huffing a little from the effort of pushing a trolley with two sontarans in it.

Virgil glanced at her, scowling slightly. He would have shrugged to dismiss his fear, if he wasn't also pushing a trolley of 2 sontarans through a muddy forest. “Abandonment, loneliness, however you want to describe it. Had enough people turn their backs on me, I really can't face anyone else doing that.” He decided to indulge her curiosity, if only because Anton was further back and couldn't go into a rant over how it's the least interesting inspiration for any creator to have and list about 20 artists Virgil had only vaguely heard of who overused loneliness as a theme in their works.

“Is that why you're dating him?” She asked, as if the connection was easily made. “It's just, you don't seem to actually want to be, even if it's like utterly obvious you love him. I've had friends like that before, always platonic and half the time letting allusions of romance happen meant I lost them sooner. But that's my life; travelling, surviving, changing my face to cheat death. I don't think it needs to be yours.”

“Don't make it seem like he's threatened to leave me to make me date him.” Virgil glared now, before smiling over his shoulder when Anton yelled to check if they were okay.

The Doctor waved back as well, “Wouldn't dare imply it. Just think you should try talking to him about what you want your relationship to be, and if that's not romantic at all, then he deserves to know.”

“Still scary. Let's deal with these guys and whatever bomb is in that cafe first.” Virgil ended the conversation there, putting more effort into his strides to go further ahead.

*

They failed to stop the bomb. There were people in a car park across the way from multiple businesses, all counting staff numbers and checking with customers that had been evacuated to see if there was anyone known to be missing. Virgil had heard a few people wondering over how fire alarms went off for no fire just in time to save them from a bomb. Anton had actually shaken hands with a security guard who'd tried to stop him setting the alarm off in a bar that was a few doors away from the cafe.

The Doctor's words from when they were taking the sontarans back to their ship were ringing through Virgil's mind still, and he realised that perhaps she was right, to some degree. Perhaps he could tell Anton the truth and still keep his friend in his life.

That was why when Anton came over, seeking comfort and the kiss he'd offered earlier, Virgil tugged them away from the crowd, closer to the still smouldering remains of the buildings.

“Anton, I know we've just been through, well, whatever that was, but there's something else we need to talk about.” Virgil exclaimed, barely turning from where the Doctor was clearly trying to get him to go over to her before he was focused on saying words he'd held back for months.

“About something other than aliens trying to kill us, destroying the entire building but somehow able to be taken out by baseball bats? You seriously think I can focus on anything other than how close to death you've insisted on staying following that mad woman around?” Anton ranted, gesturing wildly, flinging his arms back at the burning embers behind them.

Virgil shrugged, “Gotta speak while I'm still feeling brave, I guess, cause I don't wanna date you. I just don't want you to disappear from my life. Including apparently being killed by psychopathic potatoes. You're like brilliant, but I'm aro, aromantic. This dating isn't for me, hell sometimes it's completely uncomfortable and stops me relaxing with you. Before you wanted to date, you weren't people. I loved being around you even when all the pressure of society to have relationships wore me out, but with this dating relationship hanging over me, even while I'm scared of you leaving, I need to escape you sometimes.”

His boyfriend froze, blinking, turning around to the remains of the cafe they'd started the evening in. “Umm, okay, I knew you weren't entirely comfortable in our relationship, but you're talking like this is the most dramatic or scary thing of the entire evening. Chill, I'm definitely not letting the guy who saved my skin, even if that was by running towards the guys with guns, stop being in my life. We'll go back to being friends and I'll process heartbreak alongside nightmares over baked potatoes. Platonic love still?”

“Platonic love still.” Virgil nodded, before snickering, “Also who are you to decide what scares me? You get freaked out by special affects that reveal how they were done. Rejection is far scarier than guys who kept shouting their planets name.”

“Their planets name? Really, that's what sontar-ha! Is about?” Anton laughed now, looking skyward to yell, “Your war cry is stupid! Get something more interesting than your home's name, Dumbasses!”

Virgil snickered with him, patting his shoulder before finally heading over to the blue box the Doctor was waiting in front of.

“You going to be okay here? I know this stuff messes with people.” She asked, seeing his approach.

“Well, I'm not getting left behind by him; the rest, I guess, can't be as threatening as those guys.” He shuddered a little now, the thought of what could have happened beginning to properly settle into his mind.

The Doctor smiled, “Or you could come with me if you like?” She offered.

“Nah, I'd just be more terrified of normal life by the time you get me back. No need to give my social anxiety more power, right?” He declined, smirking still as he realised whatever she needed to invite people to join her, she'd seen in him.

[teacupfulofstarshine]

SPOOKY SCARY SANDERS SIDES 1

HELLO MY LOVES IT IS OCTOBER FIRST WHERE I LIVE AND THEREFORE OFFICIALLY HALLOWEEN DAY ONE!!! 

i’m doing a 31-day prompt fill challenge from @sanderssidesspook and here is day one!!!! 

DAY ONE: COSTUME PARTY 

SUMMARY: the sides are getting their costumes ready. virgil’s raises some eyebrows. 

WORD COUNT: ~922

PAIRING: romantic lamp 

TW: mild mention of spiders and anxiety 

read it on ao3!!! 

“Roman, it tickles!” Patton giggles. Roman leans in and boops their noses together, careful not to smear his own elaborate makeup, before pulling a makeup wipe out of thin air and scrubbing the streak of black face paint off Patton’s cheek.

“I know it does, dearheart, but you have to stop moving so much!” Roman chides, gently. “How am I supposed to perfect your costume if I cannot put the finishing touches on your lovely, lovely face, hmm?”

Patton giggles a little more, and then takes a deep breath, sitting perfectly still again. He’s wearing his cat hoodie as an actual hoodie, rather than tied around his shoulders, accompanied with soft grey sweatpants, socks with cat pawprints on the bottom, and a fluffy tail attached to the back of his pants. Roman has been attempting for the last fifteen minutes to draw a kitty-cat face on him, but he’s so ticklish and sensitive on his face that it’s a bit of an ordeal.

Roman twists the little crayon of black face paint up out of the tube and gently cups Patton’s face, squeezing his cheek just a little. Patton giggles again, and Roman just grins. “Here we go, my love. Hold as still as you possibly can, okay?”

Patton nods, puffing his adorably squishy cheek out as he pouts adorably to maintain his focus. Roman can’t resist leaning in and kissing Patton, right on the tip of his adorably round little nose, and begins to draw the kitty cat face onto him again.

He gets the kitty nose drawn, and all the whiskers on one side of his face. Logan comes in just as he finishes, wearing a weird brown coat and goggles and carrying some kind of stuffed bird. “Logan!” Patton cheers. Logan smiles softly.

“Hello, Patton.” “Aren’t you going to put on a Halloween costume?”

Logan blinks, face the special kind of schooled neutral that he usually reserves for Patton’s puns. “I amwearing a costume, Patton. I am Nikola Tesla.”

“Who?”

“Whom,” Logan corrects. “He is a scientist, Patton.”

“Oh! You look so cute, Lolo!” Logan blushes and fiddles with his stuffed pigeon.

“You as well, Patton.”

“And me?” Roman says, leaning away from Patton to pose flamboyantly. Logan blinks at him in confusion. “What do you think of my costume?”

“You . . . make a very pretty . . . ancient Chinese noblewoman?”

Roman gasps as though Logan has just said that Disney is cancelled forever. “Logan Elizabeth Sanders –”

“That is not my middle name.”

“ – I am ashamed that you do not recognize my Mulan outfit!”

Logan rolls his eyes at Roman’s theatrics and looks around the room, puzzled. “Have either of you seen Virgil?” “You rang?”

Logan jumps as Virgil appears behind him, dressed simply in a black onesie with the hood down and his hands behind his back. “E equals MC scared!” he shrieks, leaping forward. Virgil laughs, stepping forward to gently kiss him in apology.

“What are you dressed as?” Roman asks, beginning to draw the next series of whiskers on Patton’s face. “Peter Pan’s shadow?”

“Not quite,” Virgil smirks. He pulls his hood down over his head and holds his arms straight out to his sides, revealing the three plush arms suspended from each of his real ones with strings and the six extra red eyes sparkling on his hood. “I’m a –”

“CREEPY CRAWLY DEATH DEALER!” Patton shrieks, scrambling away from Roman so hastily that he ends up with yet another smeared streak of black greasepaint on his face as he hides behind Roman, shaking.

“Virgil, why would you do that?” Logan asks. “You know how Patton feels about arachnids!”

“I’m trying to help him get over his fear!” Virgil insists. “He’s terrified of spiders, but he’s not terrified of me, and all me being dressed as a spider means is that I have four times the number of arms to hug him with!”

Patton peeks out from behind Roman’s shoulder. “R-really?”

Virgil pushes his hood down, revealing his adorably tousled bedhead and his slightly flushed cheeks. “Yeah, Pat. I’m not scary, see? It’s just me. Can I have a hug?”

Patton slowly shuffles forward, eyes still wide and fearful. Virgil holds his arms out for a hug and Patton yelps, seeing all the false arms move along with it. “They’re not real, Pat,” Virgil says gently. “They’re the sleeves of old shirts that I cut off and stuffed with cotton.  And the hands? They’re old gloves that I stuffed with cotton. Then I sewed everything together with black thread. I’m not so scary, a-am I?”

His voice quavers, just a little, like he’s worried that they’re still scared of him. (Roman has a flashback to the days before they accepted him into their relationship, when Virgil was still Anxiety, when he would have said yes, he was the most terrifying thing in Thomas’s mind.)

Once Patton hears the fear in Virgil’s voice, he overcomes his unease at the costume and pulls Virgil into a tight hug, rapidly scattering kisses into the soft fluff of his hair. “Oh, honey, no! Of courseyou’re not scary! You keep us safe from all the scary things – including spiders!”

Virgil’s arms fall securely around Patton’s waist in relief, the fake arms of his costume wrapping around Patton as well, and Roman sighs happily. He slides an arm around Logan’s waist and rests his head on his shoulder, feeling Logan press a gentle kiss to the crown of his head. Patton’s makeup can wait.

[ravens-rambling]

Speak with such a screech

A/N: I thought we all need some more Analogical in our lives, I know I certainly did, so here ya go take some star gay bois!! 

@sanderssidesspook

summary: Virgil is up late one night when he hears a sudden yell through the darkness. When he finds the source it isn’t something he expected. 

WC: 2,112

ships: Romantic Analogical

warnings: Panic attack, Fear, Mention of the deep ocean

Tag List: @punsterterry @frostedlover

It was silent in the mindscape, almost deadly silent. The only noises that could be heard were Virgil occasionally rustling as he moved on the couch or the ticks of his phone.

He knew it was late but honestly, he didn't care much he took a long nap yesterday afternoon after Patton had told him to. Apparently occurring to Roman he looked like the cat dragged him in the living room. And he was being honest, once he properly looked himself in the mirror he could see that he wasn't doing good.

Well... His screwed up sleeping schedule is finally starting to show he guessed.

Though he tried to protest the best he could Patton had pulled the dad voice on him and well..he couldn't say anything against that.

So here he was not tired at all at about...oh 2 in the morning. He had come down a while ago after he knew the others would be asleep and that he won't get any sleep tonight at all.

Luckily after years of sneaking down here to grab enough food for the next day he was practically a master at sneaking around. He knew every creak this mindscape had. It became handy in moments like this when he knew if the others, especially Patton, caught him down here this late at night they would be upset with him.

His eyes had started to get that familiar burning sensation associated with staying up too late. But he wasn't that tired surely? He had his headphones on and mindlessly played music, he couldn't stand the deadly silence. It wasn't loud at all more of white noise at this point.

But he was lucky it was as he suddenly heard a loud shriek echoing through the mindscape.

It tore through the sounds of his music and jolted his ears. Instantly he jolted upright. Was somebody attacking Thomas? Was somebody or something attacking one of the sides?

His entire body was frozen in shock his eyes wide as saucers staring into the darkness. Maybe... Maybe that was just his imagination? Or maybe...it was his music? Maybe he was more tired then he thought?

And then he heard it again. This time much more muffled but Virgil was able to pick up on it. He could definitely hear the fear in it. That yell came from somebody who was terrified.

Instantly he bolted towards the stairs his phone still held tight in his hands. His fight or flight mode was going haywire but he fought through it. Tried to choose fight. If something was hurting his family he was going to fight that thing to his very last breath so help him god.

Deep fear and dread settled itself deep in his chest and throat as he threw himself up the stairs and another scream followed. It came from... Logan's room? His heart hammered at that. If anybody even dares to hurt his precious Stardust they will have another thing coming.

He could see light pouring from under his closed door. So he wasn't the only one awake like he thought he was.

And as he got closer he could hear the sounds of something playing and, god it broke his heart, the sound of muffled quick breathing. He didn't register anything else as he ripped open the door ready to either attack something or to drag his boyfriend away.

But what came instead was another loud scream from the other and more panting as Logan's laptop played more of some show. Logan's eyes were wide even wider than his, and he held a pillow close to his chest his face buried in it. His knees were drawn up to his chest and pillow. His breathing was ragged and quick. His bottom lip trembled along with his body though he could tell he was trying to bite it to get it to stop.

He was absolutely terrified and that scared Virgil out more then if something was in here hurting him cause he's never seen Logan scared before. He's seen him frustrated he's seen him even spooked once. But not this scared.

At first, he didn't know what to do before memories popped in his mind of when he's scared and what Logan does for him. "Lo... It's okay." His arms were raised up as he slowly approached his bed making sure the other knows that if he protests he'll move back.

Luckily Logan only stared at him. He didn't move until he got close enough so he could hold his hand if he could.

He took a deep breath to calm himself. "Lo can you breath along with me?"

Logan only stared at him Virgil could see his mind reeling, his gears turning, wither it was from the fear or Virgil being there he wasn't quite sure.

Once he was close enough he quickly shut the laptop ending the voices with a snap. Softly he spoke, "Can I touch you?"

Logan nodded he seemed to be calming down slightly already with the movie turned off.

Virgil slowly engulfed one of Logan's hand in his and placed it on his own chest breathing in deep breaths. "When you can breathe with me alright?"

He started counting the normal pattern that Logan uses to calm himself down and slowly Logan joined in. In time his shaking had stopped and finally, he could take normal breaths.

Virgil smiled at that while he was still counting now he leaned in more wanting to hug him but stopped with his arms raised. "Is it okay if I hug you my Star?"

Logan let out a small noise before nodding and throwing his head into Virgil's chest.

Virgil chuckled a bit at that, he normally isn't this cuddly not that Virgil's complaining though, his arms wrapped around Logan one of his hands going to his hair while the other rubbed small circles into his back.

"It's okay. I've got you. It's all going to be fine." He whispered sweet nothings to him while rocking him gently side to side. He was doing this right, right? He's normally not the one doing the comfort normally it's the other way around for him.

But he supposes he's doing the right thing as it didn't take long for Logan to fully stop shaking and his breathing to level out. He felt Logan shuffling and looked down to see him scooting away from him.

Quickly he pulled back his hands going to his side giving him breathing room. He tried to look at the others face but his purple bangs were hiding them. "Logan? Are you with me now?"

He shook his head, "That was...illogical of me... I'm sorry Verge for..spooking you. You... You can go now."

Virgil instantly shook his head, "Nah I'm not having none of that." He took both of Logan's hands in his holding them securely, "Logan look at me."

Slowly Logan's head looked up at him and what the expression laid on his face nearly broke Virgil's heart. He looked closed off like he placed a mask over his entire face. He was hiding his emotions properly bottling them up so he'll deal with them later. Properly when he's alone. Nope. Virgil would rather die than to let that happen.

"Logan please don't shut yourself off. It's not illogical to get scared. It's not illogical to be comforted when you're scared. And it's certainly not illogical to feel things including fear alright? Now, don't you dare apologize for spooking me I've properly scared you a ton more. I'm surprised I haven't given you a heart attack yet and I don't care if we do or don't have hearts don't start." He could see the gears working in Logan's head. "And don't you dare think I'm going to leave my boyfriend alone right after a panic attack and getting scared alright? I'm staying wither you like it or not. Now."

He let go of his hands momentarily so he could scoot forward and lay under the blankets but was quick to cuddle and pull Logan close to him.

"Do you just want to cuddle?"

He looked up to see that Logan seemed...confused was the first word that came to mind. Logan is rarely confused so seeing that look on him was always priceless.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times as if he wanted to fight with him before sighing and rubbing his face with his hand knocking his glasses askew. "I..suppose it isn't wise to be alone right now... I just... I wanted to understand why you three and Thomas get scared by horror movies... They seem so fake to me I just didn't understand it... I searched online for one about the deep ocean and I suppose it got to me... Now I understand.."

Virgil nodded getting it now, it was one of his experiments though he wished that he was telling Virgil about it so he could be there sooner to comfort him but at least he was here. Virgil pulled him closer to his chest playing with his hair, "Well I'm here now and I promise I'll protect you against whatever is down there. No matter what. Just...please don't do that again. You did give me quite a scare. I thought something was attacking you."

Logan gave a sad look and leaned up to kiss his nose, "I'm truly sorry for that Virgil, I didn't mean to frighten you. I promise I won't do it again. It wasn't a..very pleasant experience either. Thank you though for being here and calming me. And for protecting me." He smirked, "I know all those creatures would be terrified of my Stardust. Nothing can get past you huh?"

Virgil chuckled his face growing hotter and kissed him on his cheek, "Why of course anything for my Star! If I didn't know any better I would have thought you copied off of Roman."

Logan chuckled nodding his head, "I..suppose I have been taking a few..romantic lessons from him. Is it working?" A mischievous smirk was on Logan's lips as he saw the soft blush that appeared on Virgil's cheeks.

Virgil batted at him playfully, "Shut up!"

Logan leaned forward once again to fully kiss Virgil this time, it was a gentle kiss as they both melted against each other's arms and torsos. Finally, they broke apart their smiles and blushes was across their face making it almost hurt.

Logan drew up an eyebrow as he looked over to see the headphones that have been deposited on his desk, "Virgil? Were you awake?"

"Um... Maybe?"

"Verge! I've told you that you have to go to sleep earlier. That's why you had to take a nap yesterday afternoon. You have to get 8 hours of sleep at least every night."

"Well, what were you doing up then mister? I'm pretty sure you get up early with Patton every morning hm? Or am I wrong?"

Logan stuttered his cheeks going even redder, "T-That's beside the point! I wanted to-"

"Nah nah nah. You can't throw rocks at people's houses when yours is glass mister!" He waved a finger at him, "Now I think you should go to bed you must be exhausted after that."

Logan crossed his arms huffing, "What does that even mean. And I'm not..." He had to suppress his yawn, "Tired... Shit.."

Virgil chuckled at the sight having to place a hand over his mouth.

"You didn't see anything! And even if I am tired you should go to sleep too. I'm not going to sleep unless you are."

"Ugh ffinnneee if that will make you happy."

"Well it won't make me feel happier, better maybe, it's mostly cause you need your sleep but alright."

"Aw see you do care about me! Lo-Lo loves me!" He laughed loudly right after saying that having to suppress some of his giggles but when he looked over to Logan's blushing face again he laughed even harder.

"I.. I mean.. Um... I.."

Once he was done laughing he leaned over and kissed Logan's cheek, "I know what you mean my Star. I love you too."

That only caused Logan to malfunction even more as his cheeks only grew brighter. He coughed a bit and rolled over, "Go to sleep."

"Aw but Lo-Lo I want to cuddle! Come over here and cuddle with me!"

He had to bait Logan a little more but eventually, Logan rolled back over he had a frown on his face but looking at his eyes and Virgil could tell he was trying to hold in laughs. "I hate you, you know that right?"

"Yes, I do. Love you too, my precious Star."

[on-the-virge-of-crumbling]

A Masquerade

Written for @sanderssidesspook  ‘s Halloween (Spooky Month) prompt list. Immediately I wanted to write and project onto Virgil but I want to write all of these so that they fit the character that best fits the prompt and my interpretation. I also want to involve everyone, so with that, we start with Princey.  

Summary: Halloween is quickly approaching and with it’s nearing start the festivities. Roman Prince is invited to a Masquerade by his cousin and he readily accepts. Roman is an extravagant and proud young man and he feels the need to go out and make something of himself, make himself known, and to go to a merry Halloween party at the beginning of October? Why, that seems like a marvelous chance even if it doesn't go exactly as planned.

Pairing(s)/Relationship(s): Possible Pre-LAMP, Pre-Prinxiety, Pre-Logicality / None 

Warning(s): insecurities (,Unedited dumpster fire, a lot of filler, just all and all actual trash)

Word Count: 6,102 (Six-thousand one-hundred and two)

Prompt: Costume Party (Day 1)

Human AU

<<-------------------->>

A clearing in a dense forest, the tips of the trees painted with fading golden light as the sun set and the trunks illuminated by the flickering glow of fireflies and luminescent mushrooms as they simultaneously sprung to life. The foliage was viridian and lush, the wide clearing’s lime grass soft and short. Creatures shuffled out of the treeline, white doe and jackrabbits stumbling into sight with their large innocent eyes blown wide and curious. The sky was quickly darkening, the clouds like a watercolor of yellow and pink as the blue of the sky deepened and riddled itself with twinkling stars. A lake was situated at the center of the clearing, it’s pure waters rippling and the grass around its edges colored a pristine white. It twinkled with the stars, it’s gentle tides lapping at the white grass and dancing in its own pools. The creatures were as mesmerized as he, a jackrabbit hopping towards the lake’s enticing waters and encouraging his fellow wildlife to do the same. Soon enough the clearing was covered in small, white-furred fauna. A white doe trotted over to the lake and began to lap up the water with its navy blue tongue, the jackrabbits chasing each other playfully as the moon made itself known in the sky. Wolves came from the woods, they too white-furred, but they did not make a move to hurt all the easy prey prancing about, rather, they began to play amongst themselves; howling yipping and joyously jumping. The lake seemed to glow in the lunar light, the white grass swaying in an invisible breeze and reaching for the stars. He wished to reach those stars, too, to live amongst them and become his own brilliant constellation one would excitedly look for in the night sky. He could be admired, loved, and sought out. 

The Moon’s rays made the lake sparkle, lake’s waters rippling and swirling gracefully as- 

Roman’s eyes fluttered open, the last wisps of his dream dissipating in his mind as he took in his familiar ceiling. His white ceiling stood out in comparison to his royal red walls, his furniture all in white with golden accents just so it all looked put together and planned; not a thing out of place. On the wall, right above his cushion headboard, a big, brilliant golden crown was boldly painted. Roman took in a deep breath and held it, letting his eyes shut for but a moment as he listened to his phone blare on his nightstand. He had, evidently, forgotten to put it on silent earlier that night and now he was, probably, being woken up at an ungodly hour such as this. The sun had yet to rise so it must’ve still been late, his ruby curtains not at all glowing with the light of the sun as they did every morning. 

The call had to have been important if it was coming in at... Roman opened his eyes and exhaled slowly as he turned to look at his basic, red digital clock situated on his pristine white nightstand. 3:41 a.m. Who in the world was calling him at 3:41 in the morning. He needed his beauty rest and this, this, was treason. With an exaggerated groan Roman rolled himself over and dramatically flung his arm out so he could grab his phone settled right in front of his clock. He dragged the phone off the table, his face buried in his pillow, and slid his thumb across the screen without even a glance before shoving the device to his ear. “This had better be important,” He grumbled sourly, voice low, muffled, and slightly gravelly from the few hours of sleep he’d managed to catch so far.

“Oh honey, come on, it’s early,” The familiar energy of his cousin’s voice filtered into the otherwise silent room, “Besides, this is something I think you’ll be interested in.” Roman rolled over once again, his gaze flicking over the tiny, memorized details of his pristine ceiling. Remy knew how to play him, keeping the information just out of reach and arousing intrigue. The sound of loud sipping blared from his phone, Roman instinctually flinching away from the obnoxious noise that just shattered his eardrum with a scowl. 

“Remus,” Roman huffed, draping his arm over his eyes and resisting the urge to groan as loud as he could manage. The call of sleep was a tempting one but his attention had been snatched up by Remy and if he didn’t find out what in the world Remy was talking about he was certain it’d keep him up all night. The satisfaction that bloomed in his mind, however, when Remy groaned at the use of his full name was almost worth the exhaustion. “Get on with it, will you? I love you dearly but I would like to get back to sleep sometime this century.” Roman removed his arm from his face and tangled his hand in his hair. He wondered what the stars looked like right now. If they sparkled nearly as bright as the ones in his dream had. A glance out his window would prove nothing, light pollution draining the natural light from the sky, but he wished to see the galaxies. The large, romantic part of him imagined looking up at constellations and hoping his true love was out there somewhere looking at the same sky, admiring the same stars. 

“Well, since you asked so nicely. I’m putting together a fantabulous party to kick off October. Of course, I’m inviting you, Ro,” Remy replied with another outrageously loud sip. Roman was well aware Remy was doing it on purpose but didn’t care to call out his cousin, he just wanted to get back to sleep. 

“The offer is very much appreciated-” 

“Girl, I’m not done, it’s a masquerade costume party and some of my friends from college will be coming. You and me are gonna go costume shopping tomorrow and it will be marvelous. No ‘nos’ or ‘buts’. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” Remy insisted, sounding way too pleased with himself. “Now go to sleep you party-pooper.” The phone beeped before Roman could even get another word in, but that was the last thing on his mind. The idea of the party actually excited him, despite how negatively he’d acted over the phone. He was certain Remy was aware he’d want to attend as well. A costume masquerade, what a wondrous idea. 

But what would he go as? Something fanciful and remarkable, certainly. His mind was still fogged with sleep and his eyelids were already drooping as he numbly placed his phone back on his side table. He fought for a moment to keep his eyes open, he needed to come up with an idea. Remy hadn’t told him when this party was but he said they were going costume shopping tomorrow meaning Roman had to have a plan if he was going to be as marvelous and extravagant as he wanted. Thinking of something in his current state, however, would prove disastrous so without further fight Roman fell right back to sleep. 

<<-------------------->>

Roman woke to the default screeching blare of his alarm clock, his eyes sliding open as he pushed himself upright and blindly shut off his alarm with ease. The light was now seeping in through his window, patterned by the blinds, the curtains pulled back and the sun’s ray filtering through the red fabric. It was a serene sight, happy and calm; a perfect morning.

Roman flung off his blankets quickly, immediately missing the warmth his bed had to offer but knowing that if he stayed in bed he’d end up sleeping the day way. He shuffled across his room with a yawn, stretching his arms high above his head before running both hands through his hair and down his face in attempt to wake himself up. Waking up and getting started was always the hardest part of Roman’s day, the urge to just stay in bed and dream almost too strong for him. He knew that if he didn’t get up those dreams could never become a reality, though, and that was something that motivated him on a day to day basis. So, with purpose, Roman opened the door to his bedroom and strode out into the living room of his apartment. He walked across the room, ignoring his fanciful furniture and entered the attached kitchen. The pantry door was slightly askew and Roman sighed loudly, a soft smile playing at his lips as he gently tugged open the door. Inside, on the hardwood flooring, a slim white cat was flopped on the floor. Its head was stuffed into a cat treats bag and the sound of feline chewing could be heard, if not slightly muffled. 

Roman kneeled and grabbed the cat around the middle, tugging it out of its breakfast of choice and chuckling lowly as the white-furred creature mewled pitifully at the loss of food. “I’ll never understand how you keep such a slim figure Snowball,” He insisted as he snatched up the bag of treats. He sealed the bag as he stood before reaching out and placing the bag on one of the higher shelves, “You spark a jealousy in me.” He joked. 

Snowball stared at him and sat, her head tipping up and showing off her red collar complete with a tiny bell. Her big blue eyes blinked curiously as Roman grabbed a small box of coffee before stepping back and nudging her out of the pantry. He stepped to the side and put the box on the counter before reaching up to open one of his dark, oakwood cabinets. While distracted, Snowball hopped up onto the counter and began curiously sniffing at the box in attempt to figure out if its contents were worthy of her attention. 

Roman got down his favorite mug, a red cup with a crown reminiscent of the one in his room with a curly handle he’d received as a gift the Christmas beforehand as a gift from Remy, and nudged Snowball away from the coffee before extracting a small container of coffee grounds from the box. Snowball sniffed at his hand as he flipped up the handle of his Keurig and popped the coffee into place. He shoved his mug under the spout and flicked the handle down before hitting the 10-ounce button and waiting. He leaned against the counter and reached up to scratch behind Snowball’s ears as the machine whirred to life and began to mix his preferred morning coherency in liquid form. Snowball purred gratefully, staring at him with half-lidded eyes. She appeared almost questioning and Roman often wondered how much Snowball could truly comprehend. Perhaps she always stole his pens because she was unhappy with her very uninspired name. 

“You’ll be home alone for a while today my dear,” Roman said smoothly. It’d become habit for him to casually speak with his feline companion, telling her about his day or his plans like she was a human who would speak back. A few of his friends found it rather weird, his friends with pets, however, understood wholeheartedly. Snowball meowed when he attempted to pull his hand away, lifting a paw and pulling his hand back shamelessly. “Remy has decided to take me shopping for a costume and I have the most stunning idea.” He confessed. 

The Keurig spewed coffee, startling Snowball and giving Roman the opportunity to pull his hand away before he continued on, “You see, I’ve been having extraordinary dreams revolving around this brilliant fantasy land.” Snowball no longer looked very interested now that Roman wasn’t petting her, her tail swaying in something akin to irritation as she seated herself on the dark marble countertop. Roman smiled at her as he gestured grandly to nothing as he spoke with more fervor, “You see, in each one, I am wearing this magnificent princely outfit with golden embellishments and a sash this most enchanting ruby shade, my katana sheathed at my side. I hope to bring it to life for this party, what do you think?” He asked despite knowing he’d receive no answer. 

Snowball simply jumped off the counter as the Keurig sputtered, spraying out the last of Roman’s coffee before shutting down until it’s next use. Roman sighed contentedly to himself as he tugged his coffee off the Keurig plate, setting it on the counter as he retrieved his creamer from his spotless stainless steel fridge settled straight across from his pantry. He unscrewed the lid as he approached his coffee and proceeded to pour a borderline disgusting amount of the sweetened creamer into his drink. The liquid reached just below the lip of the cup when he stopped, putting the lid back on and putting the creamer away before he grabbed a spoon from beside the coffee maker and carefully mixed his drink. The coffee quickly became a very light cream color and he tapped the spoon on the rim and put it back in it’s designated spot. With his drink prepared and cooling he left the kitchen and headed back towards his room, the soft jingling of Snowball’s bell ringing behind him as his cat followed after him. 

Roman walked through his door, left wide open, and watched over to his nightstand. He snatched up his phone and unplugged it with a practiced grace before he unlocked the device and opened his default messaging app (I.E Instagram). He tapped his most recent conversation and skillfully typed out a text. 

7:45 a.m 

PrinceRoman: When do u plan 2 pick me up? 

Roman hit send and shoved his phone into the pocket on his red satin pajama pants, picking up Snowball and holding her to his chest before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. He walked back into the living room, placed Snowball on the couch, before moving to collect his coffee from the kitchen. His routine felt like it usually went along a lot smoother than it was now but he blamed it fully on the fact his rest had been so rudely interrupted during the night. Cup in hand he made his way into the living room before sitting on the dark suede couch next to Snowball and setting his mug on the gunmetal glass coffee table settled between him and his TV set up. He began to once again pet Snowball when his phone dinged. He dug the phone from his pocket and opened the message. 

7:49 a.m

Up_All_Night: Be ready in an hour~!

Roman rolled his eyes but grinned fondly to himself as he sent back a quick heart before tossing his phone next to him and leaning back into the soft cushions. He sucked in a content breath and just let himself relax and pet his cat for a moment. He was living his dreams, singing in musicals and acting in plays. He’d even gotten a main role in a Broadway musical a few years back and it had been one of the best moments of his life. He was lucky, and content for the most part. Sometimes his mind got to him, pushing in on his like a trap telling him he wasn’t good enough and he was never going to make it. It wasn’t uncommon for him to give into those thoughts, fear and insecurity rolling in his stomach and telling him he had to prove himself. In the end he always came out on top, he knew he always would, but in those moments he feels defeated and broken. It amazes him sometimes he ever manages to get himself back up. It’s because of his supportive family and friends, the people who he doubts will even stay but always do more for him then he could ever expect them to. He just so amazed by all of it, it stumps him how he ever came to deserve anything like this. 

Snowball pawed at his wrist, noticing he’d stopped in his soothing pats and demanding more attention. Roman roused from his thoughts and stood, leaving Snowball on the couch so he could go take a quick shower and get dressed. Remy would be on his way soon. 

While walking back to his room to use the adjacent bathroom and get a change of clothes Roman couldn’t help but smile, a happiness unexplainable blooming in his chest.  

<<-------------------->>

Roman bounced his leg where he sat beside Remy in his cousin’s car, excitement buzzing in his veins. He had a brilliant plan for his costume and he knew all the stores to find in order to get exactly what he needed. “When, exactly, does this party take place?” he asked, turning to look at his cousin as they slowed to a stop at a red light. 

“A week from now,” Remy answered uncaringly, taking a loud sip from their drink as they stared down the light like winning a staring contest would make it turn green faster.

<<-------------------->>

A few bags already hung from Roman’s arms, a good few more hanging from Remy’s, when he saw something perfect. He needed it, it would complete everything. “Remy,” He squealed, grabbing his cousin by the forearm and dragging him across the mall’s courtyard so he could reach the small shop right next to a Hot Topic. “Need.” 

“Roman, honey, sweetheart,” Remy sighed, grabbing his sunglasses and pulling them down the bridge of his nose so he could properly stare Roman down over the lenses. With a Starbucks cup in one hand and the other grasping the rims of his glasses, bags swinging from his elbows, Remy looked so stereotypical Roman almost laughed. “It’s a party. You’ll probably never wear the thing again.”

“I can afford it,” Roman shot back. 

“So can I, but that’s not the point.” Remy snarked with a teasing roll of his eyes and twitch of his lips. 

“Great, then we’ll split the bill for it,” Roman grabbed Remy by the arm again and pulled him into the store. Remy shrieked. 

<<-------------------->>

“Is that all,” The clerk asked, raising a questioning eyebrow that Roman barely took note of as he fished a few large bills from his wallet. 

“Oh yes, I have everything I need,” Roman assured, holding out the bills. 

“That’ll be three-hundred fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents.” The clerk instinctively droned as they took Roman’s money. Remy snorted and took another loud sip, eyeing the clerk as they cringed. 

<<-------------------->>

The next week passed in a blur, Roman was working extra hard in attempt to make his costume perfect, going as far to call in his friends Talyn and Joan so they could help him get everything perfect. They were happy to help, taking his bossy instructions with ease and even helping him to even out all of his ideas. 

They worked ridiculously hard, Remy absentmindedly reminding Roman time and time again that it was just a costume party. It was a fruitless effort but it was cute that he tried. 

<<-------------------->>

Roman stood proudly in his room, admiring his costume in his full body mirror situated next to his desk. He wore sleek, black dress shoes with fitting black dress pants. His torso was covered in a white tunic with four lines of gold holding it closed and tails cutting off just below his knees, his shoulders properly colored with matching golden embellishments. A few lines of gold circled the cuffs of his royal garment. A patch, handmade and a brilliant shade of crimson with more gold, sat on his shoulder; a castle and waves and everything ever so princely. At his side his katana was sheathed and across his chest was a matching crimson sash tying the outfit together. On his face was a fitted mask, sparkling ruby, like that of Dorothy’s shoes in the Wizard of Oz. Around the edges of the masks were wisps of handpainted gold, curling around the eyes gracefully and bringing out the flecks of colorful hazel in his chestnut eyes. Dots of the same shimmer rested along the edge of the mask’s top, like stars. 

Roman smiled and looked himself in the eye, atop of his head sat a golden circlet decorated with subtly red gems. It wasn’t authentic by any means by a proper imitation. It was absent in his dreams, the circlet, but he felt like it completed the look he was striving to achieve. He was ready. 

<<---------------------->>

“You look stunning girl,” Remy greeted animatedly, opening the door to let Roman in and admiring Roman’s royal costume. His eyes settled on the circlet and his smile seemed to widen. “Looks great.” Remy’s mask was simply pitch black, matte and solid. His costume was a ragged black and gray patched outfit, special effects bolts sticking from either side of his neck and thick staples across his forehead. Stitches could be seen peeking out from underneath his clothes, white contact in his eyes and standing out against the black of his mask. 

“You look properly spooky Remy,” Roman complimented back, looking out across the crowd of people and admiring all the costumes. They ranged from store-bought to handmade; covering to revealing. They moved in time to loud music, dancing across the mansion-like household that belonged to Roman’s Aunt and Uncle. Remy nodded to him and disappeared into the crowd, talking loudly with the people who greeted him. Roman was very familiar with the house, and he was glad to know that his costume was clearly the most extravagant out of all of the others. He was bold and powerful, standing tall and looking at everything before him. Lights circled around every available surface, casting purple and orange light all across the home, the house lights themselves were dimmed and Roman was almost one hundred positive that festive snacks were piled high in the dining area hidden behind a wall off to his right. It was a well thought out display, like one from a film, like a spookier version of Another Cinderella Story’s grand masquerade party. 

Roman smirked as he trotted down into the fray, hand casually resting on his sword’s hilt. The people weren’t rude, letting him pass with relative ease as he made his way to the kitchen area. He hadn’t eaten that day, spending the entire day fretting over last minute details. His choices were now coming to bite him as his stomach clenched, painfully demanding attention. He was happy to give in, walking with his head held high and a proud grin on his face. He felt remarkable, celestial, like the world could focus in on him at this moment and be proud. It was an amazing feeling and he relished in it, stepping into the kitchen and being met with exactly what he expected. A fogging bowl of what he assumed was alcohol-spiked punch sat on the kitchen island, a gratuitous amount of Halloween candy and snacks surrounding the smokey cauldron. Deciding alcohol wasn’t in his best interest Roman made for the fridge, opening the familiar storage unit and looking for the soda he knew Remy always kept on hand in case he decided to make a surprise visit. 

“Hey,” Roman startled at the angry voice behind him, turning around to glance at the entryway. He quickly met eyes with the man who’d spoken, the guy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He was dressed in a black and purple patchwork hoodie that looked carefully crafted. His pants were black as were his shoes but Roman’s eyes were drawn briefly to the man’s plum-colored bangs hanging over his eyes. His eyes covered with a startling flamboyant mask. It was a deep sparkling violet decorated with silvery lightning bolts, the eyes lined with a shimmering black. “What the hell are you doing?” The guy snarled, pushing off the wall and shoving his hands deep into his pockets as he walked further into the kitchen. 

Roman raised a questioning eyebrow, offended by the stranger’s rude behavior, “I could ask you the same thing, you know you’re supposed to show up to costume parties in costume, right?” He snarked back, turning back to the fridge and grabbing the soda he so craved. He opened the can with a satisfying pop and turned back to the stranger as his drink fizzed in his hand. “I’m unsure of what your problem is but I’d suggest taking it out on someone else J.D-lightful.” 

The guy bristled, shoulders tensing and teeth grinding together. His eyes narrowed into a fierce glare and Roman was almost certain he would pounce when a familiar face bounced into the kitchen. 

“Oh, hi Roman,” Patton greeted with a bright smile showing off fake fangs molded to his teeth. His mask was a dazzling baby blue outlined in gray, sparkling and glimmering and eye-catching. He wore a blue polo and his favorite gray cardigan was tied around his shoulders, jeans covered his legs and sneakers adorned his feet. The interesting part, however, was Patton’s messy hair and fluffy sideburns, a black nose painted on his own sniffer. Roman was surprised when Patton’s gaze flicked to the stranger, putting a name to the face. “Hiya Virgil.” 

“You know him?” Roman and Virgil spoke in unison, turning to scowl at each other. 

Patton nodded, “Come on kiddos, play nice.” He scolded playfully as he walked over, grabbing a handful of pretzels and munching on them as he put his other hand on Virgil’s shoulder. “Roman, this is Virgil. Virgil, this is Remy’s cousin Roman.” he introduced around a mouthful of salty snack. Virgil glared at him, looking him up and down skeptically before giving him a curt not and extending a hand. 

Roman stared at it for a moment, unsure if he should trust this man, “It’s called a handshake Princey, you tend to participate when you meet new people.” Virgil teased, smirk pulling at his lips and oh no. Roman much preferred when Virgil smiled, his scowl was dark but even that soft teasing grin was enough to put a light in Virgil’s dark brown irises. 

He took Virgil’s hand and shook it firmly, noting Virgil’s own firm grasp before their hands dropped simultaneously to their sides. They stared each other down for a moment, Virgil’s shorter stature and slumped posture forcing Roman to look down in order to meet the other man’s eyes. Patton, oblivious to the moment, loudly shoved more pretzels into his face. 

“Patton, that is highly ineffective. You are getting the majority of your food on the floor.” Roman couldn’t help but roll his eyes, apparently, everyone he knew was interested in hiding out in the kitchen. And Virgil, of course. He was content to be with his closest friends though. And Virgil. 

Patton whined, pouting at Logan and getting crumbs all over his polo and into his fake sideburns. “To be fur Logan, we all know I’m a messy eater.” Virgil snorted and rolled his eyes while Logan scowled and instinctively moved to adjusted his glasses, forgetting he’d put on contact in favor the party’s theme. Logan was wearing his usual attire, a dark black polo and a navy tie. His shirted tucked into tan pants and his feet covered with pristine dress shoes. His mask was a simple, sparkling navy lined with black in a similar style to Patton’s. Roman noted how they were all covered in different colored glitters. 

“I believe you meant ‘to be fair’.” Logan corrected as he crossed his arms over his chest. 

“Did I?” Patton shot back, smile widening as Roman chuckled and Logan groaned. The night was beginning to look a lot more entertaining. 

<<-------------------->>

They’d all taken a seat on the floor, sat in a poorly made circle with the bowl of pretzels settled in the center. Initially, Logan had protested, insisting that chairs would be much better but Patton had tugged him down and the logical man had made no move to get up and remove himself. 

Now, they were all smiling over some dumb joke that Patton had told. Virgil’s shoulders silently shook and Logan had looked away in order to cover his amusement. Patton looked so proud that he’d made them all laugh, eyes shining behind his mask as he beamed at all of them. If Patton had a tail it’d be wagging a million miles a minute. Roman had noticed when Virgil had let out a surprised bark of laughter earlier that he was wearing small fangs, when he’d asked Virgil just shrugged and said he was a vampire. Logan was a “teacher.” Neither had really wanted to dress up. 

“What’s a werewolf’s favorite day of the week?” Patton asked, leaning forward as if in anticipation of his own joke. He didn’t wait for anyone to attempt an answer before he bounced back and threw his arms up, “Moonday!” he exclaimed. Virgil snorted again and smiled at Patton almost shyly. 

“Did you study before the party?” Virgil snarked. Patton bounced in place and shook his head, both of their fake fangs were showing. It was quite endearing, actually. 

“I’m just that good kiddo,” Patton sang, giggling. If Roman didn’t know any better he’d say Patton was intoxicated but he knew Patton just got this way when excited sometimes. 

Roman turned to Logan, sending the man a gentle smile that Logan returned without hesitance. The party was turning out to be a lot more fun than he had anticipated but that was likely due to the fact he was spending it with amazing people. He’d have to thank Remy. In fact, this would be one of his favorite moments of the year he was certain, simply sitting down and enjoying the company of people that have come to mean so much to him... and Virgil. 

Roman slowly stood, gaining the others’ attention, he grinned at them and straightened his posture, “I’m off to the restroom. I’ll return shortly.” he assured. Logan gave him a nod, Virgil shrugging as Patton told him to be back soon. He left the kitchen and strode back into the mess of people in the house, the music hitting him full force. Everyone appeared to be having a great time, nothing broken and everything calm enough. Remy really did know how to put a party together, which made sense considering how many he goes to. Roman squeezed his way through the crowd, careful not to jab anyone with the end of his sheath as his maneuvered through the crowd. Luckily he knew where he was going. 

The hall leading to the bathroom was thankfully empty with the exception of two girls settled against the wall nursing drinks, he passed them with a polite nod before knocking on the bathroom door. When no response came he assumed it safe and entered the, thankfully, vacant restroom. He relieved himself in peace, washing his hands and running his still wet digits through his hair to both tame and tussle the soft locks. He looked himself over in the mirror, adjusted his circlet and nodded to himself before leaving the cream-themed room. 

“-showing off, how rude. I mean, who wears a crown to a costume party.” One of the girls was speaking as he exited the room and it was clear they were in the middle of a conversation about him. The other girl scoffed and rolled her eyes while agreeing wholeheartedly and sipping her drink. 

Roman could feel nervous nausea twist in his stomach, his previously wondrous mood soured by the few words he heard spoken about him. He turned on his heels and retreated further into the house, taking familiar turns while his thoughts raced. Did everyone think that? That he was showing off and being over-the-top? That wasn’t his intention, he just wanted to put his all into what he did. Perhaps he should stop trying to make everything perfect. Perhaps Remy had been right, it truly was just a costume party. 

He burst through one last pair of doors, sucking in a deep breath that filled his lungs with cold, night air. The backyard, epic in size, had a gigantic rectangular pool surrounded by clean, light gray concrete. It was all fenced in with a tall hedge covered in a multitude of flowers and the stairs leading from the house to the pool was lined with plants of all kinds. There were fairy lights suspended above the entire yard but they were off, the stars strikingly clear as Remy’s home was in the middle of nowhere and the outside lights were off as well. 

Roman trotted down a few steps before dropping down onto the lip of one of the planting bases. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, tangling his hands into his hair and taking in deep, shaky breaths. He felt ridiculous, letting the opinions of others get to him so much. He was very proud of his costume, Joan and Talyn were as well, but the words of two girls had made him feel so unnecessarily guilty. The last thing he wanted to force people to feel worse about themselves because he went overboard. 

He was always going overboard. 

Roman sat back, letting his hands drop and hang between his knees as he just stared up at the stars. He felt his eyes fruitlessly burning and he was distinctly aware of how the chill of the cold autumn air bit at his skin. How had the night gone from so enjoyable, a fantasy come to life, to so wretched. He felt tainted and dirty; unworthy. Over something just so stupid. 

“You know, I really like the stars.” Roman jolted at the sound of Virgil’s voice. He whipped around to see the man trudging down the stairs with his hands shoved deep into is unique hoodie’s pockets. Roman tracked Virgil with his eyes as the other approached, carefully lowering himself down next to Roman on the plant’s edge. “They’re so dark and beautiful, the night sky losing its significance without the stars and the stars losing themselves entirely without the darkness of the sky.” Roman watched Virgil carefully as his gaze flicked over the sky, the stars reflected in his irises as his mask sparkled in the moon’s silvery light. 

“What are you doing Virgil?” Roman asked softly, drawing Virgil’s eyes to his. For a long moment Virgil just stared at him, it felt like Virgil could see everything. His face was calm and thoughtful and his eyes were borderline unfocused. 

Virgil turned away again and it felt like Roman’s breath came back to him, the upward twitching of Virgil’s lips breaking the impossibly fragile atmosphere the moment seemed to have adapted all on its own. Virgil’s hair shifted, falling further into his eyes and glinting in the same silver light that caused his mask to shine. 

“You are who you are Princey,” Virgil spoke suddenly, “Whatever makes you happy is what you deserve to do. People will always be against you so surround yourself with people who will do nothing but support you, even during your most ridiculous and insane phases. Those girls were just jealous because their basic Spirit Halloween costumes could never compete with your homemade brilliance.” 

“How did you-” 

“Just be yourself Roman,” Through the hours they’d been talking in the kitchen Virgil had yet to call him Roman. It was surprising and special despite the fact they’d just met that day. “The people who stand against you don’t know the kind of person you are or what you deal with on a day to day basis.” Roman’s chest ached thinking about how personal that had sounded. Virgil tilted his head up and looked at the stars again and this time Roman joined him. The stars were so bright, the moon’s light illuminating everything around them. Vaguely, Roman wondered if his true love was out there looking at these same stars. The way the pool rippled in the breeze reminded him of his dream at the beginning of the week, his outfit almost an exact replica of what he’d been wearing in his mind’s fantasy world. The stars were almost as bright, the moon almost as magical. 

“There you guys are!” Patton’s happy voice echoed behind him moments before he and Virgil were tackled in Patton’s warm embrace, the heat of the man’s body chasing away the fall night’s chill. He laughed joyously when Patton yanked a disgruntled Logan into the cuddle pile, Virgil chuckling in his ear as they all ended up staring up at the stars. He truly, deeply needed to thank Remy for this; his dream paled in comparison to this perfect moment. 

[muppenthings]

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*gasp* He gets it! And he’s exhausted.

[idrawgaystffs]

Some Dukexiety (possibly anxceitmus also though) Medieval (Fantasy) Au anyone?

Well now there’s also “story” in the tags... mhm.

[candytuft-whimsing]

Based on this post

I labeled this file as “BACK DEMON!”

I felt that was worthy to share.

[sandy-sides]

FALL TIME IS HERE! Patton and Virgil find out that they are excited for different reasons...

Art Taglist: @justyourcasuallysufferingdad @virgiliananxiety @omegatomato @i-really-dig-the-purple @grumpymoonbird @bassacaglia @stormblessedcastiel  @katie-the-noble-fangirl @loveyatothemoonandback @logan-exe @sidespromptblog @cyberpunkjinx @abc-artbycaroline

[galactic-magick]

One of the best and worst things about the Sanders Sides fandom is that the creators are literally here on Tumblr, so like,, there’s a higher chance they’ll see our stuff!

But also, there’s a higher chance they’ll see our stuff.