Accepting Deceit Part. 3

Accepting Deceit Part. 3

@ab-artist

WARNING; Sympathetic deceit, a brief mention of blood

Logan liked to think of himself as impartial, not caring about which direction Thomas chose to follow as long as he obeyed the rules and his choices made sense. He thought himself easy to please as well. He wasn’t like Roman, who needed to be rewarded for his actions, or Patton who needed to know everyone was happy with his decision, or Virgil, who just seemed to need constant validation that he wasn’t messing up. He just needed self-gratification and that was enough.

However, he had recently been forced to accept that maybe - maybe - he was a bit headstrong when it came to making decisions that he may be - a slight chance - that he tended to ignore the others. And maybe thats why Deceit left him out. Or maybe it was because Deceit was just afraid of logic because he was literally the exact opposite of what Logan stood for-

But that couldn’t be proven so he wouldn’t keep himself awake at night. 

But he was surprised when Virgil approached the three of them about giving Deceit a chance. He had some logical arguments and he was even more surprised when Roman - yes, Roman - was suddenly in Deceit’s corner. Logan wasn’t mad, per se, but he wasn’t happy. Patton was always too forgiving and easily trusting so Logan couldn’t count on him to have a logical and thoughtful debate on th subject.

So, naturally, he turned to Virgil.

“But I’m just confused, you are -were more than hostile towards him at the start and frequently told him that you didn’t want him around. What’s changed?”

“I never really realised what I was doing. In a way, I responded to the aggression he gave me, and us in general. The only difference was, my aggression came from spite and meanness, he came from his vulnerability,” Virgil explained. “Plus, I treated him as you all treated me at the start. I thought to ice him out would make it easier but it just brings down a lot of feelings onto him that he doesn’t deserve.” 

“But thats the thing, he has also been mean to us, and you can argue that it was out of vulnerability but that still doesn’t exclude his actions and he has to be held responsible,” Logan said.

“But does it excuse our actions?” Virgil asked. Logan blinked at him. “Uh, I’m awful with words. uh,, does him being mean to allow us to be mean back? Like, if someone pushes us, are we allowed push back? Because, if he has to be held responsible, then so do we.” Logan didn’t have a response to this.

“I suppose you make a valid point.”

“Wait, I just shocked Logan into silence? Logan ‘I-always-have-something-to-say’ Sanders got shocked into silence,” Virgil teased before he heard someone calling his name. “Probably princy. He has run out of villains.” 

Logan was somewhat clearer on the situation. But he still wanted to talk to Deceit. He seemed to be targetting Logan - excluding him, not allowing him to voice his opinion. He wanted to understand why, seeing as Roman, who actively tried to fight Deceit many a time, had turned around and was now on his side. He would consider talking to Roman, but he seemed to be busy recently. He would go to Patton, but he as so blinded by his emotions. The thought made him shudder.

So he decided the best person to understand the actions of Deceit was, well Deceit. So, that’s where he headed.

-x-

Logan had been down at the dark side’s rooms once before, and it was purely accidental. If you were to consider where the sides lived as a corridor, then Roman, Patton and himself were at the opposite end, Virgil was somewhat in the middle (both metaphorically and physically. Though his room had previously been in the dark sides corner, but as Thomas’ view of him moved, his room did as well, hence as to why he was in the middle) and then the dark sides were at the end. Of course, it wasn’t just one long corridor, but for the sake of simplicity, that would be the best way to describe it.

He continued on his route, thinking over what he would say to the other side. He knew it was important to not get (A) Physically, (B) Emotional or (C) Defensive. Upon reach the side’s room indicated but their emblem carved onto their door, he went to knock but found the door open. He was about to knock anyway, he understood how rude it was to enter a room unannounced even if the door was unlocked, but was stopped by the sound of cries. Through the crack in the door, he noticed deceit sitting with his back to a dark wall, his knees to his chest and tears running down his face. Upon further inspection, he noticed the walls were covered in sentences. The sentences themselves were horrible things, insults, jeers, backhanded compliments, the list went on. Logan, upon realising that even if he did enter the room to help that he would be unsuccessful in calmer the other down, slowly retreated. He had no idea what these phrases meant. Had Deceit written them on the wall? It seemed like a very depressive thing to do, and they clearly had been bothering Deceit, so he couldn’t have done them. Logan figured he has to ask one of the few people who might know. Virgil.

“Well, they’re, uh,” Virgil said, thinking through his words. “They’re things that have been said about that side. It only seems to appear in the dark sides area though. Like, for example, when I was still the villain to you guys, all the mean things you said to me came up on the wall.” Logan nodded, signalling he understood. “So, those things, well they’re things we’ve said and thought about Deceit, whether it's to him, or behind his back, they’ll appear.”

“But only the negative ones?” Virgil nodded. “So when we talked about you-”

“Yeah,” Virgil said, awkwardly shifting in his chair. 

“All of them?”

“All of them.”

-x-

“Family meeting?” Patton asked, looking at Roman who shrugged.

“Thats was glas- sorry, Logan said.” Patton just smiled. 

“Alright, Kiddo, thats for letting me know. Have you told Virgil?” Roman nodded. “Well, then let's get going!” As all four of them were seated Logan stood.

“So I’ve called this meeting talk about Deceit.” A tense cloud seemed to sweep over the room. “As I’m the only undecided party-” 

“Bu Patton-”

“-doesn’t hate anyone and will openly accept all of us.” Patton smiled and nodded. “So, I’m what I’m trying to say is that I agree with all you. I think we need to do something, and soon.”

“Yes but what?”

“We need to begin to help Thomas change his viewpoint of Deceit and the dark sides in general.” There was a decline in the tenseness of the room. “But we need to do something now, and I have an idea.”

-x-

The rapid knocking on Deceit door made two thing flash through his mind

1) Someone was here to kill him

2) Someone was here to annoy him.

Turned out to be a mix of both, as he opened the door to see Patton, who waved at him cheerily, Virgil, who gave him a half-smirk, Roman, who gave him an awkward smile filled with love, and Logan who had his usual unreadable expression but soft eyes.

“What-”

“You’re moving.” Logan cut him off. “Roman, you help him pick out clothes, Virgil, you grab the duvet and pillows and Patton-”

“Hug deceit?”

“No-” But Logan noticed that Patton was already hugging the side. Deceit blinked, looking like the group packed up his stuff.

“W-why?”

“Your wall. I can’t stand you just looking at it and thinking its true. So, we’re taking you out of here for now. Virgil’s got the biggest room space, so you’re gonna stay with him.”

“But the others-”

“We’re working on that.” There was silence as tears slipped down Deceit’s good eye.

“Why are you doing all of this?” There was a stop in movements as they looked at each other.

“Because we’re a family, Kiddo,” Patton said after moments of silence. “And we don’t leave anyone behind.” With that, the work resumed. Patton left deceit to help pack any knickknacks the side wanted. Logan made him over to the side, handing him a tissue. They both stood in silence, as Deceit regained control over his emotions and Logan looked at the trio packing up his things.

“You’re not a monster.” Deceit’s head whipped to the logical side. “You did bad things, yes. But so as Virgil, and he’s not a monster. I’ve done things I’m not proud of, all of us has. And I’m not saying it'll be easy, but we have to try.” Deceit nodded and Logan, never one for physical contact took Deceit hands and squeezed it for a moment before letting go as if to say ‘you’re not alone anymore’. But Deceit smiled and nodded in reply. ‘I know. Thank you’

Original post / one / two / three / four / five

Virgil, after narrowly missing running over Janus: look, pat, you’re focusing on the wrong thing here. I could’ve driven over him with my car, but I didn’t. I should’ve, but I didn’t.

dude me too wth ;-; gimme my stinky boi back

I miss Remus

Accepting Deceit/Janus - Pt.5

@ab-artist @knine-nights (since they asked to be in the tag list ages ago) Did y’all really think I wasn’t going to give Patton his chapter? pfft. 

“So, Janus-” Truth be told, he was still not use to them using his real name. “-I realised you’ve never told me your favourite cookie?” 

“What?”

“Well, Virgil loved triple chocolate, Roman loves sugar cookies and Logan likes oatmeal chocolate chip. Whats yours?” Patton asked again.

“Uh, well, I kinda prefer brownies, actually.” Patton nodded

“Hmm, I’ve never been able to get the brownies not taste dry.”

“Well, it might mean you’re overpacking the dry ingredients. You can add them in slowly while mixing.”

“Why don’t you show me?” Patton suggested and Janus had to will himself not to blush. He coughed.

“Uh yes, sure.”

-x-

“Okay, so eggs, flour, chocolate powder-”

“Wow kiddo, your memory bakes me so proud!” Janus blinked at Patton, who had a grin  on his face and a whisk in his hands. It was tense enough minutes until Janus snorted, immediately covering him mouth to prevent it happening again.

“Come Patton, we can’t get distracted or else this’ll be a recipe for disaster.” It took him a second to hear it, but when he did, Patton let out a squeal. Janus giggled at the display. 

“Finally, someone who understand my humour!” Janus laughed at this.

“I don’t know, I hear Logan isn’t too above making a pun.”

“Yes, but he usually always denies it or gets defense. Which is okay too, Kiddo,” Patton said.

“We had better get started...” Janus trailed off.

“Sure thing,” Patton said, ruffling his hair.

-x-

“So kiddo, I gotta ask where your boundaries are. I know virge doesn’t like to be treated overly innocent and Logan is similar. Is there anything we, or me specifically, do that might make you a little uncomfy?” Patton asked at he was lining the tray, while Patton was mixing the batter.

“Uhm, I can’t think of anything.”

“Thats cool too. It’s still early days, but don’t be afraid mention it. Even if you think we’ll be offended.” Janus nodding.

“Is...” He trailed off, clearing his throat. “Is there anything I do that make’s you... uncomfy?”

“No, not for me.” Janus nodding. He look up and saw Patton smiling at him and he cleared it his mind because damn Patton had a pretty smile. Janus couldn’t seem to stop himself from smiling back. He noticed Patton’s shoulder sink a little with relief and a burst of something ran through him. No one had ever been so worried about upsetting him before. He looked away quickly, finding his face get hot. 

“Is it mixed?” patton chuckled.

“Sure is Kiddo - kiddo is okay, as a nickname?”

“Yeah, Kiddo is okay.” Patton beamed again.

“Okay then Kiddo, let your ol’ popstar put this bad boy in the oven. You wanna start the cleanup? I’ll be over to help asap.” Janus nodded, the butterflies swooping in his stomach.

-x-

“Is that Janus’ brownies baking?” Virgil asked, appearing in the common room. 

“Yes, Virge, how did you know?”

“He used to make them for me all the time,” Virgil plopped down beside Janus, resting his head on the other side’s shoulder.

“That’s because you usually demanded them.”

“Well, excuse me for having taste.”

“What smells devine?” Roman asked, popping up. “Oh, we’re just missing the microsoft nerd and we’ll be complete.”

“Roman.”

“Sorry Pat. We’re just missing Mr. Serious and then we’re a complete set.”

“It sounds as if you all do not have value unless I am around. A concept I can get behind,” Logan said, appearing behind Roman, giving both him and Virgil a shock.

“Jeez L, you know that scares the shit-”

“Swear jar,” Patton and Roman said at once

“-Out of me.” Virgil rolled his eyes at the pair. “Oh get off your high horse, Princy,” VIrgil said, getting up and putting a dollar in the jar.

“Neigh.” Roman said, causing the pun lovers (Patton and Janus) to giggle.

“Also, logan, don’t be mean. Apologise, you too Virge.”

“Sorry, Princy.” Virgil mumbled.

“I too am... sorry.”

“He doesn’t sound sorry,” Roman mumbled.

“Roman-”

“Sorry teach.” There was a brief silence before the timer went off.

“Oh, brownies are done!” Patton said.

And twenty minutes later, with each side setting up the common room for a movie night, each with a warm drink - Patton, Janus and Roman going for some herbal tea, Logan and Virgil going for coffee (decaf, or Patton may kill them) - and a brownie in hand.

“Hey guys!” Patton said. They all turned their attention. “I guess now would be the best time - I Loaf you guys!” Virgil and Logan groaned while the other two giggled.

“Damn Janus, these are good brownies.”

“Yes, I missed these so much. You have to make them, like, everyday.” Janus laughed at Virgil.

“Maybe.”

“Ugh, don’t play like that.” Janus just rolled his eyes.

“So, what are we watching?”

"Well, I know we're not watching Mulan again, that's for sure," Virgil said

"I also agree. After the third time, it becomes redundant."

"Your both spoilsports."

"Come on, Roman, kiddo, how about another movie?"

"I vote Black Cauldron."

"I second that. No songs."

"Your both no fun!"

"What about Hercules?" Janus offered.

"The story is good, but if high inaccurate. First of all, Hercules was not Hera's song and was, in fact, a product of one of Zeus' affairs with a mortal called-"

"It's a kids movie, Lo, it's not that deep," Roman said.

"I second Hercules," Virgil said. "Hades' is my favourite."

-x-

By the time the credits rolled, Virgil had fallen asleep on his shoulder and Roman was fighting sleep. From where he was sitting, Janus couldn't tell if Logan was asleep or not, but he knew Patton was still awake. Patton got up from beside him and stretched before turning the TV off. He slowly shook Roman and put the boy's arm over his shoulder.

"Goodnight Janis, Virge, and Logan," he said and Janus heard Roman mumbled something similar. Logan got up next, stretching.

"Goodnight you two, I will see you in the morning." Janis nodded,

"Seeya." When it was just the two of them, Janus slowly shook Virgil awake.

"We should go to a real bed." Virgil nodded.

"You coming into my room?"

"If you'll have me."

"Always."

Original / one / two / three / four / five /

Patton: I heard you like bad boys

Janus: what?

Patton: I’m bad at everything

Janus, after a pause: did you just try and wink at me with both eyes?

Thomas, back in 2017:

Janus now: