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notveryglittery · 4 years ago

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mice on venus (1.1)

summary: gee, those forest ravines really pop out at you, huh? wc: 2k / ships: romantic royality, qpr prinxiety, romantic analogical. warnings: falling off a cliff, injuries, janus is a lil rough around the edges but sometimes u gotta be when living in a dangerous blocky world... author’s note: i couldn’t sleep last night... bc brain was making this... and also @thoriffix makes nice minecraft art... so yeah, minecraft sanders sides au? i have no clue what i’m doing besides having fun :) not too much knowledge of the game is needed; you can look at it as a basic adventure au. enjoy!

mice on venus (1.1) (you are here) | far (1.2) title inspo: (spotify link) (youtube link) idk if this will go on ao3 but here’s a spot for editing

— — —

Patton’s voice tears from his throat in a raw and terrified shout. "Roman!" He screams, hands outstretched uselessly, as Roman tips backwards over the edge of a ravine, and disappears.

Logan is there, barely a second later. He rifles through his bag, finds what he needs, and throws it with all the force he can muster. Gravity won't let it hit the ground before Roman does, but it will help when it arrives nonetheless. He hurries to stand, turn, and face —

"What happened?!" Virgil asks breathlessly, daggers drawn and at the ready.

"Roman fell into a ravine," Logan answers with so little tact that Patton would scold him for it if he were paying enough attention to overhear. The color in Virgil's face drains. "I threw a Splash Potion of Healing after him," Logan reassures without pausing, "but we need to get down there."

"I knew I should've stayed home," drawls their final party member, sounding awfully bored despite the situation.

Patron does hear this and he rounds on Janus with fire in his eyes. "How could you be so cruel?! Roman might be dead!"

Janus raises an eyebrow. "Were you not listening just now? Our local brewer lobbed a potion. Roman's seen worse. He'll be fine."

Patton's lower lip trembles but it's hard to tell whether he wants to cry or to berate. Maybe both. He looks for Virgil, only to find him at the ravine's edge with a bucket. Water is flowing from where it's been poured, creating a safe passage for them to traverse down in once safe.

Roman, meanwhile, is falling.

His only warning had been the horror dawning on Patton's face and even then, it came after his foot met air instead of solid ground like he expected. For some inane reason, his first thought as he went plummeting was "who put this ravine in the middle of a forest?" Next, it was panic and "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH—"

With the wind stinging his face and his blood roaring in his ears, Roman knows he has mere seconds to figure out how to make this suck less. He struggles to right himself until he's facing the ground that is rushing up to meet him. He pulls his shield from where it is strapped to his back and thanks Jeb that he'd had the foresight, as their fighter, to give himself something sturdier. The rickety thing the others use wouldn't have done much for him here but the curved, solid iron plate he tucks himself into should absorb most of the impact.

That doesn't mean it doesn't still hurt like hell. He can barely cry out with how his breath is knocked out of him. Pain shoots up his ankles and legs, lighting every nerve along the way. He tilts over, gritting his teeth and trying to see beyond the stars that swim through his vision. He isn't safe… There could… Mobs…

Glass shatters next to him and he flinches from it. Please not a witch, please not a witch, please not a witch —

As opposed to the nauseous kick of poison or the heavy weight of slowness, however, warmth of healing washes over him. In his shock, he'd forgotten anyone had been with him but of course, Logan would have been right behind Patton, with his emergency potions. Relief floods over everything else. He isn't alone. He has help.

"— an idiot!" is the first thing Roman hears when he comes to. He opens his eyes to see Virgil pacing beside him, flailing his arms, and apparently mid-rant. It's probably Logan at his feet, wrapping his ankle in a splint. Ah… the pain from it being jostled must've woken him… He's glad he doesn't remember it.

"Honey," Patton's voice whimpers, close to him, choked and scared and none of that will do —

"C'mere," Roman croaks, reaching for his beloved. Patton catches Roman's hand and holds it almost too tightly. Roman isn't sure which one of them is shaking. He brings Patton's hand to his lips and kisses his knuckles. "I'm okay, sweetness. Don't cry. Please. You know a smile will help me recover better than anything."

"That's not true," Logan pipes up, deadpan.

Patton gives him a tremulous smile anyway.

"Learn to watch—" Virgil stops. Freezes. Looks up. "Oh. Great." He's rifling through his supplies before the others even have time to ask him what's wrong.

The sudden realization of dimming light answers them well enough, though. Janus wastes no time in beginning to help Virgil, moving with him to the ravine's wall to back their makeshift base against. Sunset brings with it monsters and they certainly aren’t in the best place to handle that.

"You need to sleep before you get back on your feet," Logan tells Roman as he packs away his med kit. "No adventures for at least three days."

Roman gasps, as if Logan has just told him his birthday is canceled.

"Logan's right, dear," Patton intervenes, pulling one of Roman's arms over and around his shoulder. He helps him stand slowly, making sure Roman favors weight on his less injured ankle. "It's okay, I'm gonna stay with you! It'll go by so quick, you won't even know it happened."

Roman wants to complain further but he’s lightheaded from his now-vertical position. With practiced ease, Virgil and Janus have a lean-to set up to keep them safe from the nights terrors. Unfortunately, there’s only enough materials for two beds. Fortunately, they sleep in shifts anyway. It takes some coaxing to convince Roman that he doesn’t need to stay awake for one but once his head is on the pillow and Patton is combing a hand through his hair, he’s out.

Logan sits up for the first two hours. Forty minutes in, Janus leaves to explore the ravine. The others know better than to even try stopping him. He returns, laden with coal and iron ore.

“Roman’s shield is gonna need repairing,” Janus says matter-of-factly as he takes over for the next watch.

Logan groans. “I suppose, at least, the painting will keep him busy while he’s grounded.”

“He’ll last…” Janus pauses, considering. “I give him no more than a day and a half.”

“If he wants to sustain his injuries, sure.”

“Bet you he’ll try stealing an Instant Health potion.”

“Not if he knows what’s best for him,” Logan snaps.

Janus smiles with too many teeth which isn’t to say he has too many teeth, just that normally his smiles are close-lipped. Logan scowls before ducking into their small shelter to try and get some rest.

The next two hours pass without trouble. Virgil takes his turn. The howling screech of an enderman startles Logan awake but just as quick, Virgil is peeking in on the party and waving the concern away with an ender pearl clutched in his fist.

“Didn’t wanna pass up the opportunity,” he whispers, before returning to his post.

Patton sets up for the last watch. Virgil makes Logan take the free bed, which doesn’t take much convincing seeing as he’s half-asleep already. Roman begins to toss and turn so Virgil sits on the ground beside him, reaches up, and holds his hand.

“Sap,” Janus says from the corner where he’s been making torches.

“Have you slept at all?” Virgil asks instead of taking the bait.

When Janus doesn’t answer, Virgil frowns. “How long has it been?”

Another round of silence.

“J, what the fuck? We don’t need phantoms on top of everything else!” Virgil raises his voice without meaning to. Logan stirs at the sound of it; he’s always been a light sleeper.

“Hush,” Janus hisses. They wait a few moments more until Logan has settled. “I will when we get back home. I’ve got at least one more safe night.”

Virgil’s glare sharpens but he doesn’t push any further. Janus goes back to his crafting but Virgil notices now how slowly he works. Instead of staring and letting his concern build, Virgil leans back and shuts his eyes, focusing on Roman’s warm hand in his.

Sunrise means a quick breakfast of bread and crisp apples. They share amongst themselves before Logan and Patton take down the lean-to. Janus returns to the top of the ravine, making sure to dispatch any mobs lurking in the shade of the trees. Virgil remembers the leads Patton had brought with him, for if they had come across any horses, and suggests tying Roman to one of them, just in case things go wrong on the swim up the waterfall.

Roman, ever full of bravado, insists he would be just fine on his own. Looks of concern and frustration come from his boyfriend and queerplatonic partner, respectively, and he quickly gives in without much fuss. Janus joins them again and offers to build a ladder back up, especially since there’s no short supply of wood; Logan disagrees, worried that it would take too long and they’d be caught out once more at nighttime.

Eventually, they do all get up and out of the ravine. Roman’s splint needs redoing now that it’s wet and heavy but afterwards, they are on their way home. He relies heavily on Patton and Virgil to help him, careful to not put too much weight on his injured foot; he hates needing so much help, but he supposes it’s mostly alright, what with Patton keeping him entertained with stories and Virgil teasing him about dumb little mistakes made in the past.

Slow going as as they are, they make it just as the sun is beginning to set. The lanterns are lit at the village they had set up nearby roughly a year ago and their neighbors are gathered at the bell for gossip and trade. Patton wants to swing by to say hello and offer some cake but Roman is really struggling beside him now.

“Oh, sweetpea, you must be so tired,” Patton murmurs, shifting so that he can take more pressure off of Roman. “I’m gonna get you the best dinner… And hot cocoa, too, how’s that sound?”

“We haven’t got a steady supply of cocoa beans yet,” Roman says without much conviction.

“I’ll cocoa bean anyone that tries to stop me,” Patton insists.

Virgil stifles a laugh behind his hand and pretends he didn’t hear the thinly veiled threat disguised as a pun. He makes a note to kick their search for a jungle into first gear and wonders if Janus would be up for a trip to the west. It is the least explored direction and their terribly empty maps remind them every day. In the meantime, he’ll help Patton to get Roman comfortable and settled. He makes sure Janus goes to bed that night, keeping him company until he’s well and truly deep in sleep.

After one last sweep of the perimeter, Virgil retires to his and Logan’s room. Logan is waiting up for him, reading by candlelight. Virgil changes into his night clothes and slides in under the covers. Logan is warm and, with a fond eye roll, compliant as Virgil tugs at his sleeve until he eventually puts his book away. Logan lays on his back with Virgil splayed half-across his chest; the sensation has always put Logan at ease, having his partner’s presence so physical and grounding and there.

��Will Roman be okay?” Virgil asks in a voice so small that Logan almost doesn’t hear him.

“Like Janus said, Roman has been through worse.” Logan hesitates but not long enough for either of them to actually start thinking about it. “As long as he is careful, which I’m sure Patton will help him be, he’ll recover in no time.”

The tension flows out of Virgil in one slow exhale. “Thanks, L.” He shuffles deeper into the blankets and Logan’s embrace. “Love you.”

“And I you,” Logan responds with a hum, pressing a kiss to the top of Virgil’s head.

#sanders sides fan fiction #royality #prinxiety #analogical #ts deceit #dani writes #minecraft au #sanders sides #romantic royality #qpr prinxiety #romantic analogical

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rose-coloured-prince · 4 years ago

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You Put Your Arms Around Me and I'm Home

Word Count: 608

Genre: Fluff

QP Royaliceit

Summary: Ro is touchstarved

Warnings: N/A

@notveryglittery @dinbiz @donzepan

In the middle of the night, dragging his bare feet on the tile, Roman stumbled towards Janus’ door. Pulling the blanket tighter around himself, he slid down the door, not able to bring himself to knock, even after he made it all this way. His eyes fell closed as he rested his head on his knees.

He awoke again, startled, when the door disappeared behind him, scrambling so he wouldn’t fall.

“Oh what-” Janus said. Roman looked up at him.

“Who’s that?” Roman heard another voice, seemingly, far off in the room.

Roman stuck his hand outside the blanket so Janus could help him up. Fireworks exploded when he took his hand.

“Roman.” He answered, walking him over to the bed where Patton sat.

Once climbing onto the bed, Roman sat cross-legged and his knee just met Patton’s and warmth spidered over. Roman’s heavy dark-eyes met Patton’s crinkled ones as he smiled. His fingers find their way through the strands of Roman’s curly hair, tugging a wide sleepy grin on his face.

“You okay, kiddo?”

He pulled Pat’s hand down to his cheek wanting the comforting warmth to sit with him in his chest, where he felt so so cold. Slowly, Patton lifted the cover off of Roman’s shoulders. He snorts quietly when he pouts because his hand leaves his cheek. Their eyes not once leave each other, making every movement seem much more weighted and intended and careful.

The simple brush of Patton’s arm against his makes Roman jump. Immediately jerking his hand back, Pat looked at Roman with concern, the ever sparkle of his eyes wavered.

Did I hurt you?

Roman shakes his head and shrugs off the rest of the blanket, leaving him properly exposed to the cold air.

“Can I put my hands on your shoulders?” Roman nods and when he does he silently wishes weakly he could feel the contact a little better.

Roman didn’t hear Janus leave or come back, “I got you the blanket and brought Roman a pillow as well.” he says.

“Thank you, Jan.” Pat doesn’t move his gaze.

“Is he alright?”

Patton tilts his head and slowly starts to slide his hands down Roman’s arms and the moment his hands leave the cotton sleeves to touch Roman’s skin, Roman closes his eyes and whines quietly. His arms tingle under Patton’s soft touch. It’s like sitting by the campfire on a winter night, willing away the lingering chill.

“I think he needs a hug.” Roman slowly opens his eyes. “Would you like one?” He only nods again.

Patton shuffles closer, uncrossing his legs. Patton wraps his arms under Roman’s, resting his head on his shoulder.

Now, *this is warm*. Roman sighs. This wearing clothing freshly out the dryer, this drinking hot cocoa and feeling it warm your inside. It’s sitting in the summer sun. This is comfortable and safe. Roman leans further forward into Patton.

After some moments, Patton looks back at Janus, who simply looked at the two. Slight smile. Fondly.

“Why don’t you-”

“No, no.” Janus cuts Patton off. “I don’t mind. He clearly doesn’t need it more than I do.”

Patton still shook his head and moved to lay down, having Roman lay down with him.

“You too,” Roman mumbled, patting the bed near Janus.

“Ah very well then,” he says slipping under the covers. He plants a kiss atop Roman’s head and Roman smiles.

Patton wraps his arms around Roman’s waist, nuzzling into his shoulder and Roman clings on to Janus. Soaking in heat and comfort, their eyes slipped closed as the fall asleep.

When they’d wake up, limbs entangled, wrapped in love. They’ll smile.

#erriwrites #sanders sides #royality #roceit #moceit #royaliceit #qpr #queer platontic relationship #roman sanders #patton sanders #janus sanders #thomas sanders #ts fic #tsfic #sanders sides fic #fanfiction

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acanvasofabillionsuns · 5 years ago

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mmmmmmmmm college au, patton gets up the courage to ask the cute boy he's seen around out. roman smiles sheepishly, tells him he's aromantic. patton freezes up for a moment, a little embarrassed and maybe lowkey trying to remember what that was, before asking if he'd like to be friends instead, then. roman agrees, and they become good friends; meeting up every now and then for lunch or coffee and chatting if they saw each other in between classes turns to patton sending cute memes to roman and roman taking pictures of the dogs and cats he encounters to show patton and studying together with patton's legs in roman's lap and having movie nights together and usually falling asleep on each other.

fastforward a year or so and one day roman realizes hahahahaha oh heck he wants to be in a qpr with patton. which, like. isn't a bad thing or anything. but the idea of asking patton to be in a qpr with him is just ahhhhhhhh, y'know? n so he goes and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhs about it at virgil (whose last name was close enough to his that they'd been sat together in classes throughout elementary and on through high school and they became friends through that - there was probably a period in middle school where one of them got insecure about it and convinced himself the other was only friends with him bc he "had to be" and they fought about it but resolved it before they drifted too far apart for the damage to be fixed - and ended up going to the same college and so naturally they shared a room y'know y'know) who listens sympathetically and then calls up patton and looks roman straight in the eye as he tells him roman wants to be in a qpr with him and then hangs up before patton can react. roman whines at him bc you can't! just tell someone! about someone else's queerplatonic crush on them! without the someone else's permission! which he definitely did not get! but a few hours later then roman texts virgil a thank you for telling patton since he wouldn't have had the courage to otherwise.

meanwhile patton is very surprised, as one would probably be when your friend calls you to tell you your mutual friend (and also the guy you never stopped thinking was cute) wants to be in a relationship with you and then hangs up before you can say anything. he takes a bit to look up qprs and see what that entails, more or less, and decides he would very much like to be in a qpr with roman and resolves to tell him the next time he sees him. which turns out to be about a week later, because roman, while grateful to virgil for telling patton, is a little embarrassed and afraid of rejection and so is totally not avoiding patton because of it. but eventually patton does get the chance to talk to him, and although roman tries to give him an out of accepting or turning him down patton almost immediately says yes. and they hug, and pull back to grin at each other, and are happy.

#ts patton #ts roman #ts virgil #royality #qpr royality #ending feels a little weak but at the same time I kind of like it #I wrote this as one big block of text but then was like that's probably Too Much and needs a couple line breaks to mitigate how long it is #my writing #not mentioned in the post bc *shrugs* but!! happy birthday to the lovely dani!!#I hope you have an amazing day ( ˘ ³˘)♥

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darth-does-stuff · 3 years ago

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thimks about both patton and roman being aro in the superhero au :]

#roman is also trans in the au too!!#sanders sides #ts #ts roman #ts patton #patton sanders #roman sanders #aro #aromantic #royality #platonic royality #i’m thinkin about them being in a qpr but i haven’t decided for sure yet #superhero au

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sleepless-stories · 4 years ago

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Roman... you’re not broken

Note: I don’t actually fully like how this went but it’s ok enough.

Roman walked down the hall with his head down, sighing softly. His life was perfect, he had great grades, a good relationship with his parents, did after school activities, had many friends, he even had a girlfriend… but he felt empty.

Everything shared between him and his love… felt meaningless. Every kiss seemed empty, all the gifts he gave seemed to take a piece of him to, the words ‘I love you’ seemed to have no charge seemed to hold no power.

He knew something was wrong with him… though it was unclear as to what was wrong.

Roman looked up and smiled at his girlfriend who was waiting for him down the hall by her locker, probably for him….

Then he saw some guy go over to her and wrap his arms around her.

Roman watched as they shared a kiss, he watched seeing the passion they shared for each other. He knew she was his girlfriend, Roman did feel hurt… but only because he could never seem to express that same love to her.

Roman approached them and looked, “hello….”

“Oh…. Roman.” The girlfriend smiled and pushed the other guy away, “I… wanted to tell you I’m breaking up with you.” She smirked then flipped her hair taking her new presumably boyfriend’s hand as she walked away.

Roman stood there…. though only sad… he didn’t feel heart broken as he should. Roman sighed running a hand through his hair, was he broken? He knew life wasn’t like a Disney movie but he couldn’t help to feel disappointed that it wasn’t.

Roman had always seen himself as a prince, the perfect prince. But yet he could never seem to get his princess, to have true love like all true princes did.

Roman closed his eyes leaning back against his ex’s locker just relaxing for a moment.

Foot steps passed him in the hall, voices carrying out the doors. People leaving, the school day ending.

A pair of footsteps stopped next to Roman, a hand tugging on his sleeve.

Roman opened his eyes looking to the side seeing Patton, one of his best friends, “hey Patton.” Roman smiled.

“Hello! What’s got you down?”

“Relationship troubles.” Roman mumbled pushing himself off the locker and proceeding to walk down the hall with Patton.

Patton nodded rubbing Roman’s shoulder, “she break up with you?”

“Yeah… third one this month it seems.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry Ro.”

“It’s not your fault that I can’t seem to love correctly.” Roman replied giving Patton a smile.

“Now don’t be like that!”

“Be like what, telling the truth? I’m broken.”

“No you’re not… how about you come over my house? We could do some baking? My brother should be home too so we could have him bake with us too!”

Roman grinned thinking about it, “sure, I’d love to.”

“We could watch Cinderella too! I know how much you love that movie.”

Roman nodded walking out of the school with Patton and out into the cold, though it wasn’t too cold it was just chilly enough to cause one to want to shiver a bit.

Roman walked close to Patton as they went to Patton’s house in silence.

When they got there Patton walked in first unlocking the door, “Janus! I’m home!”

“I would’ve never known! Do you think I don’t have eyes or a window?!” A sarcastic voice called back.

Patton laughed softly, shaking his head.

Roman walked in behind him and dropped his stuff by the door with Patton’s.

“Ok! Let’s get baking, you find Cinderella while I grab ingredients.” Patton said before dashing off to the kitchen.

Roman nodded following then going to the living room attached to the kitchen. He found the movie and turned on the tv pressing play. Roman walked back over to Patton helping him start making the cookies.

It didn’t take them too long to put the cookies together and put them in the oven, they sat on the couch together after just in time for the ballroom scene.

Roman stared at the screen as the Prince Charming and Cinderella danced, wishing he could have a relationship like that, a perfect relationship like all the Disney movies have. He hadn’t even realized as tears slid down his cheeks.

Patton looked over at his friend seeing him crying and lightly put his hand on Roman’s cheek turning his head towards him, “Ro? What’s wrong.”

“I… I’m broken.” Roman whispered looking at Patton with pure sincerity.

Patton felt his heart shatter, he shook his head softly, “no you’re not.”

“I am...I keep driving everyone I date away… am I not perfect enough?”

“Roman, just because if you’re not society’s definition of perfect doesn’t mean you’re still not perfect. You’re perfect at being yourself.”

Roman looked down then looked at Patton before kissing him almost with desperation.

Patton let roman kiss him and just hugged him.

Roman pulled back crying more, ”I… what’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing is princey.”

“But… I liked those girls I dated well kinda… but I felt nothing with them when we dated. And I know I like you, maybe more than them… but I felt nothing when I kissed you. Something’s wrong with me.”

“Maybe you didn’t feel a romantic attraction for them.”

“But I liked them!”

“Roman, that doesn’t mean you had to have a romantic attraction for them…” Patton sighed softly, pulling Roman close, hugging him.

Roman buried his head against Patton’s shoulder closing his eyes.

“Roman, maybe you just liked them, cared for them.”

“But what about you? I… I know I care for you.”

“Roman have you considered platonic attraction, friend attraction. Maybe you just wanted to be friends with them.”

Roman nodded softly in understanding.

“Roman… have you ever considered being Aromantic?”

“I can’t be Patton, don’t you understand? I just said I have feelings for people. I’m not some emotionless drone!”

“Roman… that’s not what it means. Having a lack of romantic attraction doesn’t make you any less human or any less emotional.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes really! You have attraction to friends, but that’s platonic not romantic, you could still feel platonic attractions.”

Roman sighed softly.

“Roman it’s ok.”

“No it’s not.”

“Why?”

“Because… then I’m not perfect… because then I’ll never have my true love. I…”

“Roman you don’t need a true love, you could have a friend who is like a true love… I love you platonically Roman, maybe romantically too but that’s ok.”

“I… I love you platonically too… you’re my best friend.”

“Roman, would you like to try something new?”

“What’s that?”

“How about a platonic relationship? It’s like a friendship.”

“Um… ok… I just don’t want to mess it up.”

“You won’t. You’re amazing and I know you’re not going to mess up anything.” He said softly, hugging him closely.

Roman nodded, closing his eyes, cuddling him.

Patton sighed softly petting Roman’s hair.

The oven started going off, indicating the cookies were done. It kept beeping but Patton didn’t want to move, he stayed cuddling Roman. Occasionally whispering to him some reassurances, he had been friends with Roman for awhile he knew Roman wasn't the most self confident person. He may act like it but he was a good actor. He wanted his friend to know, it was all ok.

Janus walked downstairs after hearing the oven beeping for 5 minutes now, “Patton! You know the-“ he sighed softly and stopped seeing Patton laying on the couch with Roman. He shook his head going over to the oven and grabbing the mittens, putting them on and pulling the cookies out of the oven. He put them on the stove before deciding to go upstairs leaving them alone.

#sanders sides #ts roman #roman sanders #aro!roman #patton sanders #ts patton #minor character!janus #tw self deprecation #tw low self esteem #qpr royality

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rosesisupposes · 5 years ago

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Other Half

hi i was haunted with the idea of subverting a soulmate trope after a chat with @potestessemagishomosexualitatis and it evolved in like a day on discord so here y’all go!

relationships: brotherly prinxiety, QPR moceit, romantic royality, implied/eventual anxceit

content tags: musician roman, techie/sound-guy Virgil, deaf Patton, QPRs, amatonormativity, soulmates & lack thereof, happy ending

word count: 2,847

read on ao3

Roman has half a soulmark, waiting to make skin contact with his Soulmate to finally be completed.

His brother, not so much.

Context: In this world, soulmates have half a symbol somewhere on their skin, each with one half. When soulmates have skin contact for the first time, both marks complete. The amatonormativity (prioritizing romantic love) is very strong, despite the fact that soulmates have frequently been platonic, not just romantic. It’s still a rather progressive idea, similar to gay marriage, and the traditions and stories are all centered around that romantic ideal. In that vein, some people have thirds or fourth of a mark would need to contact all their soulmates to have a complete mark. Marks are very much for One Person (or, occasionally, Two or Three Specific People), and so not everyone meets their mate. Not everyone has the means. They could be anywhere in the world! But unfortunately, there's still an idea that even if you're with a partner, you'd leave them if you met your soulmate, and that other relationship are just settling.

⁂

Enter two brothers.

Roman goes starry-eyed over stories of meet-cutes and surprise soulmates. He wants to know if he'll feel it, as his mark completes. Someday, when he meets his Someone™️!!!

And then his brother, Virgil.

Virgil... doesn't have a mark. He's not sure he's heard of that before. He has some freckles, but those fade with the seasons. Soulmarks don't fade.

Roman has half a circle, and it either has petals or rays around it. A flower or a sun, he thinks. It's right on his bicep, so he frequently goes sleeveless, and greets new people by taking both their hands in his every time. Just in case.

Lots of people do that- but it makes Virgil uncomfortable. Even if he knows he'll never be the one to trigger someone's mark, he hates knowing that's what everyone expects. He'd rather keep his hands to himself. He wears his big baggy hoodie to avoid the expectant stares of people looking for his mark, and avoids skin contact as much as he can.

They grow up in a family without a ton of resources, so neither can afford to take the 'Soul Year' some teens do where they travel before going into higher education. But Roman's determined that his career will help him meet hundreds, no, thousands of people, and he will find his soulmate!

Virgil really doesn't love the whole soulmate thing, the obsession with it, the constant reminder that he doesn’t have one and will never have one. But he does love his brother.

He tries, sometimes, to temper Roman's excitement just to make sure it doesn't hurt too much if he never finds The One. But mostly he just listens as Roman waxes poetic about his hypothetical love.

Roman, for several years, went silent, assuming Virgil wouldn't want to hear it. But Virgil has just kinda accepted it, you know? He's basically like everyone who never ends up meeting their mate, except he gets to skip the years of doubt and worry that their mate might suddenly appear at any time. He knows from the get-go. He’ll never have to look back with regret or sorrow, never have to worry about disrupted relationships, never need to mourn that his hypothetical mate might have died before he could meet them. It’s fine, really.

Roman becomes a singer and songwriter, and acts on the side. Virgil does his cover art and helps him with the sound-mixing. They're a great team - and they always have been.

Virgil makes friends with the roadies and techies, happy to leave Roman in the spotlight. He dates, sometimes. It's easier when they go on tour- a short international stay means no promises, no uncomfortable conversations about the future, no intrusive knowledge of a partner's Someone™️ out there.

After years of touring, Roman is internationally known and recognized. But he's also starting to lose hope.

He's lost count of all the meet-and-greets he's been to, how many hands he's grabbed from the stage into the crowd. He makes sure to at least high-five every roadie and tech, every opening act or announcer. His songs range from fantastical to domestic, from sweet and bubbly to sorrowful and yearning, and he loves creating, he does. But he knows there's someone out there for him, and he wants to meet them so, so badly.

They're in Paris for a show, and Virgil and Roman are strolling along the Seine. It's Spring, Roman's favorite time of year, and all the trees are in bloom. It looks like something out of a Hallmark movie.

Roman sighs heavily.

Virgil bumps him with an elbow. "Hey, no moping. That's my aesthetic, no stealing."

"Vee, what if I don't ever meet them?"

"Ro-"

"I know I should keep hoping, but- I've touched so many people and still haven't found them, what if I never will?"

"Then you'll be like most of us, Ro. Find love & companionship the new way: with hard work and dating apps."

Roman nods, but sighs again. "I just... really wanna, Vee." His voice is small, like a pouting kid.

"I know. I hope you do."

They keep walking, but Roman's practically shuffling. On the one hand, he is a fucking drama queen.

On the other hand, Virgil wants him to feel better.

Rolling his eyes, Virgil orders ice cream from a vendor in clumsy but serviceable French and presents Roman with his sprinkle-covered cone. Just like he knew it would, it perks him up immediately.

"Chocolate! My favorite!!"

"How are you possibly older than me. You are five."

"I just have childlike wonder, not a well of ennui!"

"Fuckin' dork."

"Edgy poser."

"Prima donna."

"Nerd."

Distracted, Roman walks straight into a man looking off at the river. He stumbles and trips and they both fall.

"Oh goodness gracious, forgive me, excusez moi, je suis desole! Pardonnez-moi!" he rattles off.

The man smiles, and his hands dance. Virgil realizes he's signing. Sorry, I didn't see you there!

Luckily, Virgil understands it - he’s taken classes in ASL, just for kicks.

Roman knows very little sign, but he learned a couple of phrases. Sorry!

Virgil adds, It was our fault, we weren't watching.

Virgil recognizes the starry-eyed look on his brother's face. It's yet another Infatuation At First Sight, where he throws his whole heart into hoping.

"Vee, Vee, ask him his name please?" he says, smiling for all he's worth at the curly-haired man in front of him.

Before Virgil gets a chance, he sees the man's eyes flick up and past them, and he breaks into a sunny smile. (Virgil might actually understand his brother's infatuation, for once)

Another person comes over, holding two ice creams. Virgil does a slight double-take. Like him, this newcomer chooses not to show very much skin. But they've covered even their hands. Ice cream somehow looks funny in a gloved hand.

Handing one to the first man, they start signing with one hand, far faster than he can follow. He catches a couple of signs he recognizes - gestures to himself & Roman, are you okay, something that either is we're late or shoo.

The first man is still smiling, though, and whatever he says must be okay, because the newcomer turns to them. They speak with a lilting accent, something not quite Parisian. "Please forgive my barging in- I can't exactly call for Patton from across the walkway. My name is Dante. And you are?"

"I'm Roman, and this is Virgil, and it is wonderful to meet you!"

Virgil signs along with his brother's words, and sees Patton's eyes crinkle happily as he greets them both.

Roman has clearly also noticed Dante's gloves, but turns to Patton. With a slight bit of hesitation, he speaks and signs at once, "May I shake your hand?"

Virgil is sure he's not imagining the minute pursing of Dante's lips, but Patton's nodding and reaching out and so is Roman.

Roman is clearly holding his breath, and Virgil is too, both braced for opposite outcomes. But Patton's small, tan hand is wrapped in Roman's larger one and both sets of eyes are huge.

Virgil's eyes flick to Roman's bicep, exposed as always, the white mark a stark contrast to his dark skin, looking like a sun or maybe a flower and-

"Holy shit-" Virgil breathes.

Roman, however, is not looking at his arm. He's staring directly into Patton's dark eyes with a smile that looks confused and elated all at once, and their hands haven't parted.

Patton's eyes are just a huge, even huger thanks to his glasses.

"It's you," Roman says, wonder in his voice. Patton seems to read his lips, because he smiles somehow even bigger than before and signs It's you! back.

And sure enough, the mark on Roman's arm is a full circle, a full sun or flower, and Virgil's head is reeling.

Virgil's not sure what to say- the two soulmates seem content to keep staring and smiling and holding hands. But Virgil's just... nervous. Soulmate or not, this ‘Patton’ is a stranger, but Roman looks like he might never move from his side. Fuck, they can't even communicate both ways, Roman knows practically no sign and he just used up the only full sentence he’s ever learned.

He looks nervously at Patton's companion. Dante is staring too, seemingly unaware of the ice cream dripping down their glove.

Dante starts to sign something, realizes Patton can't see them, reaches out to tap Patton on the shoulder, then stops before they can touch, hand falling to their side. They look down and finally notice their ice cream, and blanch, pulling out napkins to clean their glove before it stains.

Virgil digs into his knapsack and pulls out a wet wipe and offers it. "This might help more."

Dante looks up, staring at Virgil without a shred of comprehension until Virgil waves the wipe once more. They take it with a quiet, "Merci."

They turn away, wiping off their glove and tossing the rest of their ice cream into the trash. They wiggle their fingers, clearly uncomfortable with the damp fabric.

Virgil shifts awkwardly. He should say something, but what do you even say in this situation? He has no idea what their relation is to Pat- oh fuck, what if they were dating and Roman's just swooped in and ruined it?

In his tried-and-true method of awkward small talk with new roadies in new cities, he says, in French, "So, Paris, yeah? Know any good cafes near here?"

Dante shakes themself a bit and turns to look at Virgil. "Ah, yes. There's a patisserie just on the next block. Shall we relocate them and stop blocking the tourists?"

Virgil nods and looks over at his brother. He weighs his options of interruption, and decides on flicking Roman in the temple.

"Ow! Fuck! Vee!?!"

"You're blocking traffic, dumbass."

"I'm having a moment."

"Well come have a mocha. You can keep having your moment and I can have coffee. C'mon."

He sees Dante signing to Patton too, explaining the plan but much more politely. Roman and Patton continue holding hands, but follow them down the block.

They get Roman and Patton sitting at a table in a picturesque cafe, and walk to the bar to order. Virgil orders his go-to of a double shot and gets Roman his mocha. Dante orders themself a latte and a vanilla cappuccino for Patton. Sitting at the bar waiting, Virgil looks over.

"So. That lunkhead over there is my brother."

Dante nods. "And Patton is my. Well. You might not know what it means, so don't immediately freak out, okay? But it's called a queerplatonic partner."

Virgil can feel the nervousness melt away. "Oh, phew. Yeah, I know what it means. So Roman's not homewrecking by being a discovered soulmate?"

"Well. I certainly hope not. But I know not everyone really, uh. Gets it. Especially with the soulmate sh- stuff. Things."

Virgil grins. "You were about to say soulmate shit, weren't you."

"...No."

"You're a terrible liar."

Dante winks. "I might surprise you."

Virgil raises an eyebrow. "Oh that's how we're gonna play it?"

"I don't play, monsieur. I just win."

"Okay then, here's a test. Why the gloves?"

Dante automatically goes to adjust them, and looks up at Virgil. Their eyes drift down to his hoodie and back up. "I think you know exactly why."

"You don't have-?"

"Nope. I don't have one either."

"I thought I was-"

"The only one?"

"Apparently not."

Virgil looks over at Patton, sitting with Roman. They don't seem to be even attempting to talk still, just staring and holding hands.

"With the QPP- are you aromantic? Do you think that's why?" He gestures vaguely at their whole body, but he’s never been quite as elegant in his gestures as Roman is.

Dante opens their mouth to speak, but stops, and sighs. "That's what I've been saying. It was easier, to say maybe this was for a purpose. And I do love Patton with all my platonic heart and I will kill your brother if he hurts him."

"The feeling’s mutual."

"But, no. I'm not fully aro. I still have romantic attraction and all that, I've just been guaranteed that even if I want it, I'll always be someone's secondary love so. Might as well lean in, right? Make the system work somewhat in my favor?"

Virgil opens his mouth to respond, to object, when the barista calls out their drinks, and then they're carefully carrying full mugs across the cafe and finding a table next to the couple.

Patton appears to be teaching Roman how to sign his name. Roman is even managing to pay attention.

"I get that, uh, reluctance. The playing-it-safe thing," Virgil says quietly, so only Dante can hear. "We travel a lot. That's a good excuse to avoid the whole fucking system. No conversations about who'll leave who when the mark shows up, because I'll be leaving in a month, tops. And people looking for hookups barely poke you to check for the mark before just... getting on with life. No expectations, no holding their breath or unrealistic disappointment."

Dante smiles weakly. "Well, good to know for when I need to start dating. I think I'm about to have a lot more free time."

"Until Roman needs to travel on again. We're here for three full weeks, but-"

"What is it you do, that you both travel so much?"

"You know Sun Prince, the singer?"

"Yeah?"

"You're looking at him," Virgil says wryly, tipping his head in Roman's direction.

Dante's eyes go wide. "Oh, that's why he looks familiar."

"So Patton probably didn’t recognize him either?"

"Nah, he tends to like EDM and electronic things the most, for the bassline. Clubbing with a deaf partner is great - the priority is just feeling the music, and we don't have to yell to hear each other."

Virgil and Dante continue to chat quietly on casual topics, but Virgil's leg is bouncing. He wants to ask the bigger questions, but it feel like prying. It's none of his business, really, right?

But it's Roman's happiness on the line. And Virgil will do anything and everything to protect his brother. Even if it means awkwardness.

"So, uh. Did y'all have the Conversation™️ before now?"

Dante raises a questioning eyebrow in response.

"The 'what happens if he meets his soulmate' conversation. Don't tell me Pat's the only one you've ever dated?"

Dante blinks in a way that implies that were they a lesser being, they might have blushed. "Actually, he is. But yes, we've had that conversation. I'll never get in the way of Pat's romantic love and his soulmate… destiny, ou comme tu veux. I just want to still have a part in his life."

They're tugging at their gloves again, even though their face remains smooth. Virgil recognizes a nervous tic when he sees one. And god does he recognize the sentiment.

Not that any of his past partners had ever wanted to stick around in return. Why would they? He wasn't their soulmate. They hadn't decided to "settle" yet.

"I can't speak for him, but- I think Roman will be open to that," Virgil offers. "He loves performing, so we'll probably still be traveling a fair amount. But I mean. I think he'd understand that you two are a unit the same way me and him are. Like, yeah, we're brothers, but we've been each other's lifeline our whole lives, and that's not about to change. Even if he's finally found his Other Half."

Dante looks up gratefully. "I can tell you love him. And- I hope you're right."

"I should be. If Roman's a dick about it, I'll smack him upside the head."

That surprises a laugh out of Dante. They finally pull off their glove entirely, shaking it out and letting it dry on the table. "I won't interfere with them, you'll encourage Roman to not interfere with us. Do we have a deal, then?"

They offer their bare hand to shake. For once, Virgil doesn't hesitate, but takes it immediately.

Skin hits skin. Virgil finds an agreeable little shudder running down his spine as he appreciates for the first time how attractive this person is. Elegant chestnut curls, heterochromatic eyes that are dancing with delight, and disarming smile.

Dante winks as they withdraw their hand. "What, not going to check for your completed mark now, just in case?"

Virgil grins back. "No, but I can help you look for yours later, if you want."

"Is that a proposition? Monsieur, goodness, you move fast," Dante replies, fluttering their eyelashes.

Virgil shrugs. "It could be one. You know, we're clearly gonna be around each other a lot. They found each other the old fashioned way. Maybe we could try something a bit... less traditional."

Dante smiles. "I'd like that a lot, Virgil. Should we break into cloud nine over there and ask them about the future now?"

Virgil nods. Soulmark or not, the future's looking pretty good.

tag list: @residentanchor @royally-anxious @jemthebookworm @arandompasserby @sparkly-rainbow-salt @thelowlysatsuma @adorably-angsty @max-is-tired @almostoveranalyzed @hawthornshadow @mariniacipher and obligatory royality tag @notveryglittery and anxceit tag @vintage-squid

#soulmate au #subverted trope #happy ending #brotherly prinxiety #qpr moceit #royality #anxceit #ts virgil #ts roman #ts patton #ts deceit #deaf patton #black roman #black virgil #arab patton #white deceit #sanders sides fanfic #Roses Writes Fanfic

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rosettahart · 5 years ago

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Secure Snippet 1

Summary: He was hungry, he was tired and he was sorry. Sorry before he even broke into the house. Could you blame him though? All he wanted was some sense of security, just for a while, but that's kind of hard when you're living on the streets and struggling to feed yourself every single day.

They were fed, they were wide awake and they were upset. One upset he had broken into the house. Two upset he was going to steal from them. And three upset with his current state. Should they blame him though? Doesn't everyone want and deserve at least a sense of security?

Warnings: Mentions of potential violence. A suggestion of sexual intent. Anxiety attack.

Virgil carefully pulled himself into the house through the balcony door. He glanced around the room, closing the door. He hadn't wanted to come to this initially but he was starving and the place looked like the people living here had some food and maybe some money to spare. He'd only take what he'd need and go.

The moon and starlight filtered in through the big ceiling to floor length windows. The view was of the beach and ocean. The water looked mesmerizing and almost calming if Virgil hadn't have been so anxious. The living room almost felt too big and open.

Virgil noticed some curtains at the end of each side of the windows and drew them closed in case anyone walked by and saw him. It took him a minute for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He shuffled over to the kitchen and slowly opened the pantry. His stomach growled at all the food and he put down his bag, unzipping it so he could start filling it.

Not so quiet footsteps alerted the young man to the presence of another in the house. Or maybe more than just another when he heard voices. He swiftly but softly swung the pantry door closed behind himself, holding his breath and making himself as small as he could. His grip tightened around his bag as he did his best not to make a sound or panic. His hands shaking as the voices became clearer.

"Oh come on, Lo. I'm sure you didn't forget anything. You almost never do. Look the curtains are closed, see?"

There was a pause that felt like it lasted forever after Virgil cursed himself mentally over and over again. He hoped the other wouldn't realize that he hadn't done it himself.

"You were the last one up to bed were you not, Patton?" The other man checked.

"Yep. I was."

"Did you close them?"

There were a few moments of silence. Virgil bit down hard on his lip.

"I don't remember pulling them together…" Patton answered.

There was a shifting of feet and the sliding of the balcony door open and then closed followed by a click.

Virgil flinched at the sound, hitting his head against a shelf behind him.

"Turn on the lights and get the twins and Dallas just in case." The other ordered softly.

"Logan you don't think someone actually broke into the house do you?" Patton asked worriedly.

The lights flickered on outside of the pantry, filtering in through under the door.

Virgil pulled his legs in further to himself. He could swear anyone in the house could hear his heart breaking out of his chest. His whole being felt like it dropped with dread.

A set of footsteps retreated. The other seemed to have stayed planted. Except gentle vibrations said other things. Getting closer to the pantry. And closer. Then they stopped. The knob turned. The door opened. And the light was switched on.

Virgil couldn't even meet the man's eyes. He'd be thrown in prison. He'd never be trusted with a job again. He'd be eaten alive in jail. Beaten to a pulp. He had just been so hungry and now here he was. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't focus. He didn't want to focus. He didn't want to be here. He wanted out. His body ached with how he was shaking.

The man set something down before kneeling in front of Virgil, looking him over.

Virgil practically jumped at the movement, squeezing his eyes closed.

"Can you breathe with me? Do you need space?" The voice that seemed to have belonged to Logan questioned.

Virgil shook his head.

"Is that no to both of my inquiries?"

Virgil nodded.

"I am going to take your hand and place it on my chest if that is alright. I assure you no one in this household is going to bring any harm towards you for breaking and entering."

Virgil gave another hesitant nod. His hand twitched at the skin to skin contact for a moment. He kept his eyes on the man's hand warily. His breathing slowed with the help of the slow even beats of Logan's heart.

When the sound of feet rushing up the stairs came, followed by two men crying out war cries he flattened himself against the wall and away from Logan.

Logan rolled his eyes and then turned to glare at the two men in the doorway. One held a sword while the other had their morning star over his head ready for battle.

Logan cleared his throat. "When I had requested Patton to retrieve the two of you it had not been to slaughter an intruder. I would in no way have helped you hide the body if you had."

"We didn't know if someone was armed or not." The one with the sword defended. "And that baseball bat was not there earlier so I don't think you were sure if they were or not either." He pointed out.

Virgil glanced over to it and then to Logan.

"I was not actually intentending to use it for anything more than a threat." Logan returned, pushing up his glasses. "Now could the two of you return to your sleeping quarters? I have the situation under control."

The two peered over Logan's shoulder at Virgil who tried disappearing into the wall with no success.

"Is he a new playmate?" The one with the morning star smirked, licking his weapon casually.

Virgil grimaced in disgust at the way he looked at him.

"No he is not, Remus." Logan pinched the bridge of his nose, studying Virgil for a moment when he opened his eyes again. "You do prefer he/him pronouns, correct?"

Virgil nodded.

Someone else pushed Remus out of the way so they could get a look at Virgil. He had a long scar up the side of his face done to his mouth and one half of his face seemed slightly discolored.

"A thief?" They asked, their eyes trailing up and done Virgil.

Logan exhaled. "Yes, Dallas. But as I was explaining to the twins I have this handled now so there is no need for everyone to be crowding around the pantry."

Dallas gave a nod, taking Remus' shirt collar which Virgil only now realized was way too big for him and seemed to be the only thing he was wearing.

Then a fifth person peeked in to check on Logan and Virgil. "Are you okay, Kiddo?"

Virgil glanced between Logan and the person who seemed to be the other voice from earlier. His cat onesie put him off for a second but from the little of what he'd heard from him it somehow made sense to him.

"I believe he could use a glass of water and some dinner if you could please find something." Logan answered for Virgil.

"You're just going to reward Meeko for rummaging for food in our pantry?" The sword guy scoffed, his sword now lowered.

"There are still things to figure out, Roman. But I'm sure I can be the one to do so. So if you would please go back to bed instead of standing there waiting to be of use when there is really nothing I currently need from you that would be much appreciated."

"You're the one who summoned everyone from bed." Roman protested.

"If you choose a movie I'll bring down some snacks, Ro." Patton called from beside the microwave, waiting for something to be finished heating up.

Roman twirled around to smile at him, walking up to Patton and wrapping his arms around him. "Could we cuddle tonight too Padre?"

"Of course we can." Patton chuckled. "I'll meet you down there."

With that Roman disappeared from Virgil's view. He was almost paranoid several more people would appear for a few seconds when Logan held out his hand to him.

Virgil surveyed the kitchen behind Logan unsurely. Everyone could just be waiting out of sight to jump him and he wouldn't know it. He took in a deep breath before taking the hand which carefully helped him up and steadied him when his legs proved to be asleep after having stayed in the same position through all of that.

Logan lead him over to the island, motioning for him to take a seat on one of the stools.

Virgil did so, glancing at the water and plate of food Patton pushed in front of him.

"I'm sorry they're just leftovers there wasn't much I could use to whip something up quickly with. If you don't like anything you shouldn't feel like you have to eat it, Kiddo." Patton gave him an apologetic smile, looking to Logan for something and then giving a quiet huff of disappointment before grabbing some snacks from the pantry and leaving the two alone.

Logan let Virgil eat in peace, taking care of his dishes for him when he was done and sitting back down beside him. "I suggest you not try something like this again when you are starving. You may return here the next time you have nothing to eat if you need."

Virgil opened his mouth to speak, but wasn't sure what to say or if he should say anything. Was he going to risk coming back and messing with this bunch of crazy strangers?

"It is also getting fairly late so if you wish I have an unused couch in my room you could use whenever you wish to."

Virgil studied his bag in the pantry, shaking his head. He couldn't accept this from someone he had planned to rob, could he?

"My bedroom is the first one you see on your right when you reach the top of the stairs. It is your choice. The back door will be unlocked till 9:35pm every night and locked until 8:35am." Logan stood up. "Goodnight."

"Virgil." Virgil whispered, tensing when Logan had turned to him at the name.

"Goodnight then, Virgil." Logan gave a curt nod before heading up the stairs.

"Goodnight, Logan." Virgil waited until he was gone to figure out what he was going to do. A couch didn't sound too bad and Logan seemed the most calm and least annoyed amongst everyone else in the house…

Virgil picked up his bag, moving towards the stairs that went up to the next floor, but stopping himself. What was he thinking? If he stayed there'd be more questions for him. There'd be more unwelcome attention. He'd be relying on others for everything. How could he do that after what he just tried to do? He shook his head. He couldn't stay. The food had been great but that was all he could take from them. He wouldn't take anything else. He opened the back door and stepped out into the cold wind. He'd be fine on his own.

Author's notes: Totally not a first chapter, lol. Definitely a one shot... What do you mean he's not secure yet so a one shot doesn't work? Fine then a Snippet. It's not a random enough start that would need an explanation before it? Well then what am I supposed to do with it now? Continue it? I mean I've got plans but not many. Just a few more chapters? Ugh I don't know what this is but I'm dubbing it a snippet for now so I can call it's followers snippets until it's done and I can call it a multichaptered fic... If I do. -Danielle

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ray-does-stuff · 4 years ago

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Omg I love this so much!!! Their dynamics are so cute I love them!

Tradition

Read on AO3

Summary: Roman and Remus catch up with their uncles and hear a new story about their dads childhood.

Series: Remus, Roman and Chaos from Childhood

Ship(s): Logicality, queerplatonic Anxceit, Creativitwins

A/N: A huge thank you to the people in the TSS Fanworks Collective discord for brainstorming this AU with me and my two awesome betas for this fic @itsadastraperaspera and @extraordinarycorn (same names on both AO3 and tumblr!)

Translation: bisabuela- great grandmother

~~~

“Boys! Dinner!”

“Coming!” Roman yelled back to his dad before promptly kicking the headphones off of Remus’s ears.

“Oi!” Remus said as he swat at Roman. “Watch where you put your feet!”

“Parde called!” Roman said as he dodged Remus before smiling innocently at him. “I was just making sure you knew!”

Remus rolled his eyes and chucked his headphones on the bed. “Whatever, I would have come regardless.”

“Was that… gratitude?” Roman gasped, “Oh my- I thought I’d never live to see the day.”

Remus faked a gag as he subtly inched in front of Roman on their way towards the stairs. “I wouldn’t get used to it. Race you!”

Remus sprinted down the stairs, taking them two at a time, leaving Roman to flounder behind him.

“No fair!” Roman cried, “you had a head start!”

Roman sprinted down the stairs after Remus, not sparing a second glance to the dozens of photos that covered the walls. There were old ones, from when the twins were babies, and older ones still from major events in their dads’ lives, their wedding, college graduation, family reunions, birthdays; some of the pictures held faces Roman had never met, but many of them were filled with familiar faces. The ones Roman liked the most were the ones he could remember.

A picture of his bisabuela’s ninetieth birthday. He remembered Dad behind the camera trying to make sure everyone was in frame. He could still practically feel Papa’s hand squeezing his shoulder as Roman grinned towards the camera. Roman had lost two teeth the day before, his smile was wide and the holes were in full display.

A picture of Uncle Janus helping him pick out what to wear to his first piano recital— Roman had been so nervous he didn’t even register Papa with the camera until the shutter clicked.

A picture of Roman and Remus both covered in mud as they proudly presented the frogs they’d caught to the camera. Their dad, who’d helped them catch them, was smiling along with his sons, pride and exhaustion in his eyes. Roman had named his frog, Frog. Names have never been his strong suit.

A picture of Uncle Virgil singing karaoke at a small restaurant he’d taken Roman and Remus to when he was babysitting them a few years ago. They’d dared him to, and Virgil had been reluctant, but thinking back on it Roman thought he probably only did that so he could barter a deal of what they would do if he did it, because when Virgil got up there he shone as though he’d been waiting to get up there all night. Roman remembered the exact note when his attitude changed from amusement to awe.

A picture of Roman and Remus working with wood for the first time, they’d built a rickety bird house. Remus almost cut his finger off, and they never put it up because it looked too dangerous for the birds, but it had been so much fun. That was truly the gateway project to what they could do now with some wood, saws, and an afternoon.

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dramaticsnakes · 3 years ago

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The Worldless Woods

@ts-storytime Oh damn it's time. Welcome to my entry for The Sanders Sides Big Bang challenge of 2021!

I've been working on this since February and it's been quite a journey. I'm incredibly proud to have planned and completed a project of this size with a deadline. I had no idea I'd be able to do something like that.

Please check out this incredible art by @doydoune.

Thank you to my beta-reader @rainbowbutterfrosting, to @a-vintage-snake, as well as my queerplatonic partner @anxiously-creating. A longer author’s note can be found by the actual fic on ao3.

AO3 LINK

Pairings: Qpr Dukeceit, Qpr Royality, Romantic Analogical

Word count: 88,974

Cw: past child abuse, past psychological and physical abuse, ableism, death/murder mentions, slight hints at suicidal thoughts but nothing explicit, body horror/animal body horror illusions, dead animal illusions, things that move when they shouldn't, basically Remus makes creepy illusions, isolation, being trapped, threats, manipulation, unsympathetic side-characters, spider mentions, organ mentions, blood mentions, innuendos, food

Fic summary: Janus seeks an escape after being locked away by his parents his entire life, rushing through the dark and magical forest that separates his town from the rest of the world, hoping they won't find him. Tales of the fae and other terrifying creatures in the forest make him on guard, and he expects either death or an escape. What he doesn't expect is to encounter a faerie, who is not at all what he imagined one to be, and who is in many senses of the word, just as stuck as he is.

When Patton learns of Janus' escape, he rushes after him, fearing the worst has happened. What Patton finds in the forest however, is both startlingly similar, and exceptionally different to what Janus found there.

Meanwhile, there are whispers among the townspeople, and new attempts at scientific discoveries, that seem to bring increased attention upon the otherwise solitary forest.

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rose-coloured-prince · 6 years ago

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I dont think I havent seen any content on this but

I like the idea of Queer/Quasi-Platonic Royality

I dunno why i just do

#sanders sides #roman sanders #patton sanders #ts patton #queerplatonic ships #royality #qpp #qpr #quasiplatonic ships #royality qpr

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sleepless-in-starbucks · 5 years ago

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You and Me, We Don’t Make Sense (But No One Does)

Ao3

Summary: Roman loved the idea of romance, and everything that was attached to it. Romance itself, on the other hand... well, it wasn’t really his thing And, despite what anyone else might say, that was alright. Warnings: Kind of aphobia (of the aromantic kind), self-doubt (specifically of one’s romantic orientation) Pairings: QPR Royality Notes: Inspired by this post from @notveryglittery

Roman loved the idea of romance.

It was, after all, an extremely alluring concept. Buying great bouquets for those you love? Date nights tailored to your combined interests, spent just with each other? Grand tales of just what romantic love could overcome? Soft and sweet kisses filled with adoration? Roman loved all of it and more.

Roman, however, didn’t care much for actual romance.

It was to his benefit he wasn’t even certain what romantic love was, aside from what other people told him. It wasn’t like he necessarily had anything against romantic relationships, they just… never seemed right for him.

The result of this collision of his love of concept but dislike of execution often resulted in his being almost excessively affectionate with his friends (of which he had many- he disliked romantic relationships, not people), family, and even strangers at times. Though he really should stop interacting with strangers like that. In his experience, a lot of them got the wrong impression.

For an example, Roman had to look little farther than less than an hour ago. He had been buying flowers for his partner, Patton (they were cupioromantic, which had made them and Roman even more of a perfect match than they naturally were- though unfamiliar with romance itself, they were both very well-versed in the language of it) when he noticed two women giggling and clearly talking about him from a little ways across the shop. From what he could tell of their conversation, the giggling was nervous as they tried to convince the other to go talk to him.

Roman was, in all honesty, flattered. He considered himself to be exceptionally pretty (a point wholeheartedly supported by Patton), and moments like these reminded him that he was not the only person with that opinion. He smiled smugly as he finished making his selection, waiting to see if the women would figure themselves out or not.

It wasn’t until he had finished making his purchase that one of them did approach him. She tapped his shoulder lightly, and Roman smiled, putting on his handsomest grin before he turned towards her.

“May I help you?” He asked her politely. At Roman’s attention, her cheeks coloured slightly, and Roman couldn’t help but feel proud that, yes, he still had it.

She awkwardly gestured towards the bouquet of red gaillardias and blue freesias. “For someone special?”

“They are.” Roman admitted easily. “Though if I gave them to you, I would still be telling the truth.”

The woman giggled a bit, flushing even more. “You sure are a charmer.”

“It helps that you are so charming yourself, ma’dam.”

She smiled at that, looking down in a poor attempt to hide her ever-rising blush. “Hey, listen… I was wondering… if you’d like to maybe… go out sometime…?”

Roman kept his own smile up, tone still light as he answered, “Apologies, for as delightful as that sounds, I do not date. I’m certain any man would be lucky to have you, however.”

Normally, that was where it ended- the woman (or man or enby) would be a bit abashed at being turned down, but they’d still be smiling, and hopefully feeling very confident in themselves after Roman complimented them, saying thank you and wishing him a good day as they headed off. Roman would go on with his day as well, feeling happy himself at getting the chance to make someone’s day at least a little better.

But this woman seemed as if she was looking to be an exception. “You don’t date?” She asked, sounding confused. “Are you… are you married?”

“I am not.” Roman said (though he did hope one day his answer to that question would be ‘yes’).

“Then… why don’t you date?”

Roman forced himself to keep his smile up. Conversation rarely veered in this direction, but when it did, it was… uncomfortable. So few people actually knew what he meant when he said he was bellusromantic, and explaining it always seemed to take longer than it should. “Not my thing.” He settled on, knowing it sounded lame but not in the mood to truly get into it. “Now, if you do excuse me, I have somewhere to be. Have a good day.”

He made his way to the door as quickly as he could without looking suspicious- uncomfortable questions aside, he didn’t want the woman to think he was fleeing her or something similar- ignoring the fact that he was almost certain the woman was watching him as he left. He was halfway across the shop when he heard the woman’s friend come over to her, their conversation quiet but just loud enough that Roman could hear it-

“So, did you get his number?”

“No… he said he… doesn’t date.”

“That’s… weird.”

“He was weird. He was being so romantic, too… it doesn’t make sense.”

Luckily, for Roman’s sake, he had reached the door by then, and was out into the world, the women’s voices and conversation out of his hearing. The words he had caught, however, stuck in his mind, bouncing around in his head as he headed for his car.

He wasn’t weird or nonsensical! Liking romance but not wanting to be romantic with anyone was normal, and real, and perfectly sensical, and he knew that because that’s who he was, and how he had felt for as long as he could remember, and there was a name and a flag for it and everything! Some random lady’s opinion didn't change that!

So why did Roman have to spend five minutes just sitting in his car before he drove home, holding the wheel and lightly hitting his head against it as her words echoed in his head?

“Patton, sweetest, darling, dearest, I’m home!” Roman called out as he closed the door behind him, trying to infuse his voice with all the enthusiasm he had had before the interaction in the flower shop.

Almost immediately, Patton was there, with bright colours from the entire rainbow and then some smeared across their hands, arms, and face, their apron even more colourful. They were smiling just as brightly, and despite his preoccupations, Roman’s heart would always lift at that smile.

“You’re home!” Patton said excitedly, eagerly rushing up to Roman but stopping just an inch from him. They smiled sheepishly, raising their painted hands. “Guess I shouldn’t touch you, huh?”

Roman smiled. “My clothes- and cheeks- are washable.”

Patton let out a happy squeak, immediately squishing Roman’s cheeks between their hands and kissing him. “I missed you.” Patton said in between a second kiss. “Missed your sweetness and prettiness and handsomeness and loveliness and-”

“Shhh, love bug, or I’m going to die before you get to see my surprise.” Roman whined, leaning his forehead against Patton’s, trying to keep them from kissing him again and completely stealing his voice.

“There is no greater surprise than that of waking up every morning to find you once more beside me.” Patton said, hands slipping away from Roman’s cheeks to loop around his back instead, holding him close. “I am certain a vision such as yourself should have vanished by now.”

Roman’s cheeks quickly turned a shade of red bright enough to rival the dash of red Patton had smeared on their cheeks. “For an angel, dearheart, you are being very impish.”

“That’s. Because. I. Love. You!�� Patton said, covering Roman’s face in kisses to punctuate every word. They giggled when Roman made a strangled noise at the affection, clearly satisfied at having broken their partner.

“Take your surprise before I melt into a puddle.” Roman managed to say after a moment, pulling back slightly from Patton and moving the hand he had hidden behind his back in front of him to reveal the bouquet to Patton.

Patton’s eyes lit up at the sight of the flowers, shining so radiantly Roman was surprised the glare didn’t catch on their glasses. They gratefully accepted the flowers, smelling them before looking up at Roman once more, still smiling. “They’re so pretty!” They commented excitedly.

“Just like you, sweetheart.” Roman said easily, relaxedly, watching as Patton’s cheeks blushed red immediately.

“Now look at who’s making who melt.” Patton accused, holding the flowers up in a useless attempt to hide their blush.

“I am simply telling you the truth.” Roman defended, grinning as he pulled the flowers down and returned the favor of covering Patton’s face in kisses (though he was careful to not kiss the still drying paint).

Patton giggled, allowing themself to be drowned in Roman’s affections for a moment before they pulled back. “I need to put these in water.” They said hastily, quickly rushing off towards the kitchen to avoid Roman grabbing their wrist and stopping them for more kisses.

He still followed them however, coming to a stop in the kitchen doorway and leaning against it as he watched Patton bustle about, pulling out a nice vase and filling it with water before working to free the flowers of their plastic sheath. He sighed as he crossed his arms, happy to watch Patton work. Their golden hair had been pulled into a ponytail, to avoid getting paint in it, but it was still stained with blues and pinks. They slid about the kitchen in mismatched kitten socks as they cheerily completed their task.

It was all simple things that he noticed, Roman supposed, noticing how Patton’s hair was put up or how they moved or the fact that the back of their right arm had clearly been purposefully smeared with a gradient of colours from purple to pink that blended into lines of grey-purple-white-pink beside it. But he liked the simple things. He loved noticing them. He loved noticing everything about Patton.

The vase full, Patton moved it to their table, Roman switching from the kitchen doorway to the one that separated kitchen and dining room, once more leaning on it as he watched Patton place the vase and drop the flowers in. Immediately after dropping them, Patton pulled two back out- one gaillardia and one freesia. Roman smiled as they immediately went to work at tucking them behind their ears.

Roman had seen that coming- he always picked brightly coloured flowers for a reason. Patton loved the colours, would slowly pick through the entire bouquet, decorating their hair with one of each flower until there were no more and Roman was out to buy more. It was his favorite part about buying flowers for Patton- the sweetness and closeness of the traditionally romantic gesture was just an extra benefit-

He was weird. He was being so romantic, too… it doesn’t make sense.

Roman closed his eyes, grimacing at the memory as he pressed his head against the doorway. He really hoped that mental link wouldn’t last long. Because it was stupid, really, completely stupid, stupid stupid stupid.

He looked at Patton again. Patton. His partner. His beautiful lovely gorgeous amazing partner, who he loved with more than all of his heart, who he loved to kiss and hold and shower in affection, who he had a perfectly sensical relationship with regardless of the fact that it was filled with romantic actions but no actual romance because romantic attraction was for suckers anyways-

“Honey?”

Roman blinked, surprised to suddenly find that Patton was in front of him, frowning softly and watching Roman with concern. He plastered on a smile. “Yes, sweet pea?”

Patton tilted their head to the side, raising one hand to cup Roman’s cheek. “You’re distracted. Something’s wrong.” Patton commented. “What’s wrong, darling?”

Roman’s smile softened at Patton’s worry, and he placed his hands on Patton’s shoulders reassuringly. “I’m alright, sunshine. Nothing’s wrong.”

“You’re lying.” Patton said, frown deepening. “Something happened while you were out. Did someone say something to you?”

Roman chuckled drily. “You’re too good at guessing games.”

“What did they say?” Patton pressed, ignoring the weak joke.

“Nothing important.”

“It’s bothering you. It’s important.”

“Just something stupid- an offhanded comment, nothing more, it’s really not anything to worry about, love-”

Patton’s second hand came up to cup Roman’s other cheek, shutting him up and forcing his attention on Patton. “Tell me.” Patton begged. “Please, baby, tell me.”

Roman tried to resist for a moment, really not wanting to burden Patton with anything, but his partner was very convincing, especially when they were using not only puppy eyes but worried puppy eyes on him, and soon enough he gave in with a sigh and, “Just a side comment at the flower shop- was just paying a woman some compliments when I had to tell her I don’t date- she called it- me- weird, said it didn’t make sense… it’s not like I haven’t heard it before, I just-”

“I’m going to fight her.”

“Dearest-”

“I’m going to fight her so hard she won’t even-” Patton glared at the ground, their face looking adorably angry, before they looked back at Roman, expression now a mix of anger (directed elsewhere) and sympathy (directed just at Roman). “I’m so sorry, honey, you shouldn’t have had to deal with that.”

“It’s nothing, really, Patton, I can deal with it-”

“But you shouldn’t have to!” Patton exclaimed vehemently. “You were just trying to be nice and she was being rude and wrong. You’re not weird, you’re beautiful and kind and sweet and fun and absolutely lovely.”

Roman smiled softly. “Thank you-”

“And of course we don’t make sense!” Patton continued, on a roll and unwilling to stop. “No couples make sense! People say they do, but they don’t! Romance is weird! Relationships are weird! People are weird! None of us make sense! At all! It’s stupid to expect us to! It’s stupid that you had to deal with today, and that you’ll probably have to deal with it later!”

Patton pushed themself even closer to Roman, pressing their forehead against his as they stared into his eyes. “What we have is beautiful and rich and wonderful and unique, and I love it and I love you and I wouldn’t ever trade it for something as boring as something that ‘makes sense.’”

Roman’s smile grew at that, completely genuine, and he pressed his eyes closed for a moment to chase away the few tears that were trying to escape. “I love you.”

Patton smiled as they tilted their head, moving so they could pull Roman into a sweet kiss. Roman’s arms moved so that he could embrace Patton while they kissed, and Patton willingly obliged him by stepping forward so that they were almost completely pressed up against him.

Eventually, Patton pulled away, still smiley. “You’ve got paint all over your face, you know.” They said, already starting to giggle. “Makes you look adorable.”

“You’re adorable too.” Roman returned. “But you don’t need the paint for that.”

Patton laughed at that, a light and soft and pretty sound that made Roman want to kiss them forever. He knew he couldn’t get away with forever, to his greatest disappointment, but he did manage to get in another full minute of just covering Patton’s face in little kisses, fast little pecks that only made Patton laugh and blush more, both which were factors that only increased Roman’s need to kiss them.

Finally, however, Patton pushed Roman away, still grinning even as they lightly scolded, “That’s enough out of you. We’re not going to get anything done if I let you keep kissing me forever.”

“Oh, who cares about doing things?” Roman asked teasingly, trying to steal another kiss only to have Patton dodge him. “I’d be happy to kiss you til I couldn’t.”

“I know you would.” Patton said, moving their hands to hold Roman’s arms as they leaned even further backwards. “Which is why I really have to be the one to stop this or we’ll be here until you fall over and I’m left to nurse you back to health.”

“That sounds wonderful to me.”

Patton shook their head. “You’re reckless in the pursuit of love.” They said.

“No, I’m not.” Roman argued. “I am reckless in the pursuit of you. You just happen to be my love, and my heart, and my sunshine, and my whole entire world-”

“This is what I mean by unique!” Patton said happily. “Sometimes love is the universe falling for the sun.”

Roman blushed. “Oh, that’s not fair.”

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.” Patton told him. “I can try and make it up to you, though.”

“Hmm? How so?”

“With food and entertainment and cuddles and if you’re very lucky I might even give you kissing rights back.”

“I like the sound of that.” Roman admitted. “What are we watching?”

Patton hummed. “Up to you. We could watch Moana, or some Masterchef Junior if you’re looking for something quicker.”

“I like the sound of both.” Roman admitted, smiling at Patton. “Can I have both?”

Patton smiled back. “Yes, but only because you’re so charming.”

“I’ll take it.” Roman said. “What’re we eating?”

“I was going to make pasta-”

“Too long.” Roman cut him off with a whine. “Wanna get to cuddling.”

Patton chuckled. “Snacks, then?”

Roman nodded. “Yes, but only if we get them together so I don’t have to let go of you.”

“You’re clingy.” Patton joked, but they still held onto Roman’s hand as they made their way back into the kitchen, quickly pulling a bag of chips out of the pantry and some sodas out of the fridge. “This good?”

“If it means we can be wrapped around each other like we’ll never let go on the couch sooner, than yes.”

Patton just laughed again and allowed Roman to tug them both over to the couch. He flopped onto it first, beckoning for Patton to follow, whining when Patton put Moana into the Blu-Ray first and set down the snacks before coming to sit down as well.

Of course, they weren’t sitting long, Roman wrapping around them and pulling them over so that they could properly cuddle stretched out over the couch. He kicked at the blanket spread over the back of the couch, pulling it over so that it landed mostly over them. He nestled his head into the crook of Patton’s neck as Patton turned the movie on, dropping the remote and leaving it to play as they leaned back, getting closer to Roman.

Soon enough, Patton turned their head to look at Roman’s face, smiling when they found Roman already looking at them, himself smiling softly and fondly.

“Hey, Patton?” Roman asked, quietly.

“Yes?”

“You know I love you more than I have ever loved anything or anyone, right? No romo though.”

Patton chuckled lightly, managing to bend their head just enough to press a kiss to the side of Roman’s mouth. “I know. And it’s okay. I love you just as much… and then some.”

“Cheater.”

“Oh, hush. I’m your cheater, and you know you love me.”

Roman grinned. “Yes I do. And you know what?”

He bent his head so he could return a similar kiss on the edge of Patton’s lips. “Loving you? It’s the most sensible thing in the world.”

#royality #qpr royality #ts roman #ts patton #aspec!sides #guys look I just made it into aro week shbcfshdcf #nonbinary!patton #cupioromantic #cupioromantic!patton #bellusromantic #bellusromantic!roman #the cryptid speaks #fanfic #fanfiction #sanders sides #ts sides

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