Ok, I need some help. So, a good few years ago, there was this Undertale fan comic I absolutely adored, because the art was adorable. It was kind of manga-styled, yeah? And it was in black and white.
So the plot was that Sans is in the Judgement Hall, I don't remember if he was fighting Frisk/Chara or not, but basically another Frisk and Sans suddenly appear. So Sans #2 and Frisk are from a universe where the pacifist run happened, and years have passed (Frisk has already grown in the other universe and everything), and basically Frisk wanted to come back and help other timelines where Frisk was genocidal, like the one Sans #1 is in.
Another thing to note is that the rest of the cast talks to them via communicator, and they comment on how the time travel turned Frisk back into a kid, but in their original universe they're already grown up.
Idk, the art was really pretty and I never got to finish it, so now it's haunting me and it won't leave me alone until I find it🤣🤣🤣
Sometimes I think about how Moceit used to be the only ship I actively disliked (aside from the other, obvious, unnamed one). Like, I just had this unjustified aversion to it. I was like "Nah, they have zero chemistry. I can't even imagine it ever happening. People wildin'"
A/n: Today? I bring you another fic where Janus is a main character. Tomorrow?? Who knows.
Summary: A freak accident leaves the all encompassing moral compass in shambles. Patton and Janus have been side swapped; switched into each other's bodies with almost no idea how to switch back. Forced to live each other's daily life, the two sides must figure out how to switch back without raising suspicion.
Characters: Patton Sanders, Janus Sanders, mentions of others.
Warnings, IF I FORGOT SOMETHING, LET ME KNOW!:
Angst, temporary character death (they come back like, next chapter), graphic descriptions of destruction and chaos, burning, fire, angst angst and more angst.
Next chapter
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Chapter 1: Flash! Bam! Alakazam!
It was a regular day for Patton. Not regular in the good or bad way, just... regular.
Patton was sort of an early bird, so long as it served a purpose. He enjoyed the simple things in life; getting up in the morning, having a cup of coffee, and then making breakfast for his family. He enjoyed it so much that he had suggested that they all have one family breakfast a week, preferably on Wednesday. The others agreed to it, after all it did make Patton happy and they all knew how much he cared about their little family dynamic they had going. They'd even go as to far as to rock paper scissors to see who's doing the dishes after. Patton was excluded from this event since he always made breakfast. So it had been like this for the last couple years. He had even personally figured out each of the different sides breakfast specifications and preferences over the years using carful observation and space reading. Both things he picked up on from Logan, however he was a little disappointed to find out that 'space reading' wasn't nearly as fun as it sounded.
While the little things he did for them weren't exactly necessary, that didn't mean he didn't enjoy doing it anyway. Logan's was always the easiest, he never needed any extra flair in his breakfast, but most of the time, he would smile a little and tell Patton that he thought it was endearing when he cut his fruit into little star shapes. The smile would instantly disappear when Patton clapped a hand on his shoulder and said "well Logan it's always a pleasure! You're a star after all!". Even though the smile was gone, Patton always knew Logan subconsciously enjoyed it still. Logan's minimalistic breakfast, usually consisting of toast, a fresh fruit bowl, and black coffee left more time for Patton to prepare the other breakfasts. Roman and Virgil's breakfast required a bit of extra work. Roman also enjoyed star shaped fruit, but seemed to be more partial to hearts. Patton always tried to make his food look extravagant, he was royalty after all. He knew he had done a good job when he caught Roman taking a picture of it before slapping several different filters on it and editing it to high heaven. As for Virgil on the other hand, it took him quite a bit actually to catch onto Virgil's special breakfast habit. Virgil didn't like any of the food touching on his plate. When they had first started doing these breakfasts, Virgil had honestly just been to nervous to say anything. It wasn't until Patton noticed Virgil picking at his food rather uncomfortably that he decided to try something different. Instead of formally asking the anxious side, Patton just began separating the food evenly on the plate for him. If it was in something served in a bowl, Patton always left the toppings on the side in a ramekin to put on top at his own leisure. The next time breakfast came around, Virgil seemed visibly relaxed at the sight, and gave Patton a very small nod in thanks.
The truth of the matter was Patton was really only good at making breakfast food. He was okay at a few non-breakfast things, but aside from that cooking wasn't really his strong suit. As for baking, any sane side knew not to let Patton in the kitchen when he was in a baking mood. That man was a menace in the kitchen.
He'd gotten up early on Wednesday, like he had done for the last couple years. At this point it was ingrained into his mental schedule. He slid on the same pair of old and slightly tarnished bunny slippers and threw on his house robe. Patton slapped his hand around his nightstand for a moment before he felt his glasses. A few times he'd accidentally slapped them into the crevice between his bed and nightstand only to spend another 15 minutes searching for them blind in the dark. Placing his glasses on his nose, he left the eternal coziness of his room to begin one his most beloved traditions. Traditions aside, Patton had a list of things he had to do today. Patton had been actively trying to take Logan's advice and making an attempt to keep a list of things he had to do. In better news, it had been working for the most part, and Patton seemed to be happy with a little bit of structure. The best part was he was the only one trying to enforce his own schedule, which in turn didn't trigger his executive dysfunction, score! Today's list was pretty simple, breakfast, a few chores, and he had to have a talk with Janus. Seemed pretty simple in the grand time of the day.
Coffee was always made first. It got the whole mindscape smelling like gentle early mornings and warmth. He made it strong for Logan, black like Virgil's soul and with a smooth flavor for Roman. He always kept his family in mind while he carried out his early Wednesday morning tasks. After all he loved them the most, and what's family breakfast about if not love. He was about midway through cutting Logan's fruit when Logan himself appeared. Earlier than usual, and looking exhausted.
"Oh. Morning Logan!" Patton said.
The logical side didn't answer, instead going to stare at the coffee pot which was still brewing coffee. When it finally finished, Logan grabbed it fast and poured it into the nearest available coffee cup. Still scorching hot, Logan slammed it down and took a seat at the table. He laid his head forward and rested his head against the table. Patton put the rest of his fruit into a bowl, and popped Logan's toast into the toaster.
"...Rough night buddy?" Patton asked.
Logan took a second to respond. He sat up and smoothed out his shirt, before rubbing his duller than normal eyes. "...yes I'd suppose it could have been called a rough night."
"Oh don't worry Logan! We all have bad nights." Patton smiled and waved his hand at him. "do you want your food now or do you want to wait for the others?"
Logan tapped a finger on the table. Roman was always late. Virgil was unpredictable. Patton could have sworn he heard a growl come from Logan. "Now please."
Patton nodded, jamming Logan's toast and setting it down on the table in front of him along with his star shaped fruit. He was just about to give Logan his routine clap on the shoulder and pun combo, but something against his better judgement suggested that wasn't such a good idea. So he didn't, instead, Patton went back to preparing breakfast.
He made different breakfasts for each week. The order followed as such: crepes, waffles, pancakes, blitzes. It was currently the first week of May, so Patton was making crepes. He was making a strawberry crepe for Roman and a peanut butter crepe for Virgil with bananas on the side. Logan was unusually quiet as Patton cooked. Patton dished up everyone's breakfast and set them at the table in the usual corresponding spots. Finally, he dished up his own crepe and sat across from Logan, who was reading. Patton had scolded him in the past for poor table manners, however considering that no one was here yet and Logan had already eaten, Patton decided to let it slide.
Patton didn't like to start eating until everyone was here. Logan was particular about his own personal schedules, so Patton never really complained when he started eating before the others. Besides, Patton wasn't the best space reader, but even he could tell something was legitimately bugging Logan and he really wasn't about to poke the figurative bear with a stick. Deep down though he knew that Logan would have been proud of that analogy.
Roman was always late, but never up to anything longer than 20 minutes, usually. After a while had passed, Patton began to feel anxious.
"Think something is wrong with Roman? He's never this late to Wednesday breakfast." Patton asked.
Logan sighed, almost irritability. "Who knows. Roman can be very unpredictable at times."
"yeah but he's never been this late before." Patton bit his lip. He looked back at Logan. "Logan, on average, how late is Roman usually?"
"approximately 17 minutes and 38 seconds!" Logan snapped from his book. Patton smiled. He knew Logan liked keeping track of little things.
"I guess you could say this is a new record then?" Patton asked.
"False. His longest time was 23 minutes on the dot." Logan said.
Patton whistled. "Wow Logan. You are incredible!"
"Thank you. I know." Logan returned to his book.
30 whole minutes passed. No sign of Roman, or Virgil. Patton looked at Logan, who seemed to be eyeing his watch. Patton could visibly see Logan marking this up as a new record in his head. By now, Roman's crepes were soggy and cold as the toppings soaked into the crepe. Virgil's crepe had also gone soggy. Patton frowned. The usually didn't just skip out on breakfast like this, at least not without a notice. He waited another ten minutes, but to no avail.
"they aren't coming...are they?" Patton sighed.
"Likely not." Logan glanced at their plates. "ah, a shame too. Congratulations Patton, you made a perfectly balanced breakfast." He said, noting the whole grain crepe batter and the fruit amongst other things. "They could have benefitted from it."
Patton held a hand to his forehead. He thought about going back to sleep. Starting today over. He hoped in his heart there wasn't a bad deeper meaning behind them skipping out on breakfast. The thought plagued him. Patton shook his head quickly, much like how a dog would shake water off, trying to get the nasty thought out of his head.
"Ah yes. The classic move, the intrusive thought head shake. Must have been something you picked up from Thomas." Logan regarded. "is something wrong, Patton?"
Logan, despite whatever was going on with him, had made the personal note to pay attention to Patton's emotions a bit more closely. To him, the frog incident could have been avoided had he actually been involved. In order to save Patton from any more potential outbursts, Logan had been actively trying to be more aware of Patton's internal turmoil. On a note card in Logan's infinite stack of vocabulary cards, this phenomenon was catagorized under the definition "Being a better friend.".
"Eh. Yeah. Brain is being stupid again." Patton said.
"Don't self deprecate. It makes it worse." Logan said, eyeing the dishes. Yes, a perfect distraction. "Shall we do the dishes?"
"Yes! Let's!" Patton snapped up to him, a smile on his face. He promptly snatched the dishes off the table and headed to the sink.
Logan, although calm and collective, internally had to flip a table. If it works on Patton, why the HELL didn't it work on Thomas!?
Once the dishes had been finished, Logan bid Patton goodbye, and returned to his room. From there, the daily tasks were carried out. Mostly chore stuff, really just any to get Patton to spend less time in his room alone. Patton's tasks varied day to day, mostly consisting of recleaning the living room and doing general mindpalace upkeep. However, considering the sides had been seeing each other less and less, the living room needed less cleaning. Patton was honestly kinda bummed out when he got his tasks done a few hours earlier than normal. There was this little thing he had to discuss with Janus still, which he had scheduled down for sometime around midday, but honestly he was dreading the conversation and had really just been putting it off. Putting it off...for a few days. It wasn't like, a pending issue or something. It was really more or less a conversation about moral boundaries. Janus...over stepped the line a little! But that was okay! People make mistakes! That's why they needed to talk about it.
But Patton couldn't shag the bad breakfast that morning. He honestly didn't know why. He was sure there was a perfectly good reason that both of them didn't show up. Maybe they were sick or just slept in. After all, Thomas has been busy with Nico, and he knew that had been taking up quite a bit of their time. The feeling still persisted however. Normally, Roman would have filled Patton in on the details regarding the schedule, but honestly Patton was in the dark here. He hadn't talk to Roman today, let alone in a good day or two. He'd really only seen him in passing. As for Virgil, Virgil went through these periods of time where no one really saw him, then one day he'd just sort of pop up like nothing happened. But even then, he'd never missed a breakfast.
Patton sighed now. Completely finished with his tasks, there was only one thing left to do. The last obligation he had for the day was go talk to Janus about something. Patton slumped onto the freshly made couch and groaned. The truth was he'd been putting this off for quite some time. Patton felt like as of late, he'd personally been on thin ice with the other sides. Patton always felt like his head was on the chopping block when he talked to Janus about a serious issue. Thin ice, he could live with. But Janus had such a way with words. Janus somehow could say the most neutral thing, but the tone in which he spoke, and the way in which he carried himself always through Patton off. Who could turn a compliment into an insult with nothing more than an eyebrow raise and the fidget of a shoulder? None other then Janus. On top of that, Patton was nervous that the bad vibes from that mornings breakfast would essentially carry over into their conversation. Patton slammed a hand onto his face. God this was ridiculous! What was the point of trying to make amends with the other sides if he couldn't even talk to them normally!? Everytime he talked to Janus he always felt like he was in trouble for something! At least if wasn't him overstepping a boundary this time!
Ah yes, the boundaries! After the frog thing, Janus had actually stepped up and offered to help Patton were he could. A noble effort on his part, one that Patton was very much greatful for. He got to have some excess weight of his shoulders, and Janus got to actually play a part in something bigger than a few petty lies here in there. So far, things had been running smoother than ever, moral wise. After a few small conversations between friends here and there, Thomas made more time for himself, while also still having enough time for his friends. Perfect balanced, as all things should be. That didn't mean that Patton and Janus didn't also overstep each other's boundries occasionally. They had also promised to give one another a chance to justify their decision before jumping the gun to point the finger at one another. In addition to this, they also promised to actually come to each other if they actually had a problem, in order to make sure no communication errors occured. Funny enough, it was Janus who made Patton shake on that.
Patton dragged his hands down his face, stretching his skin near painfully. This sucked. Everything sucked. It wasn't even the actual conversation that was scaring him, the vibes of the day had just been entirely ruined. He didn't want to mess this conversation up. His relationship with Janus was already a difficult one to pin point exactly, he couldn't risk the healthy progress he'd made being damaged. Especially not over something as stupid as a failed breakfast. Ugh, WHY did there have to be discourse NOW?? Why did there have to (possibly) be drama amongst his friends over his decision to get right with Janus??? Patton was a grown up and could make decisions for himself! And this seemed like the best option for everyone! Why couldn't the just let him have this? Patton picked at the skin around his finger nails. He was recognizing that he was freaking out now at least. Not too sure what to do about it, but at least he had realized it before it was too soon.
He needed to just...get over it. Chill out and move on. Didn't they do a whole episode on that? Patton should just...know how to do that by now! He looked back at his fingernails. Chipped paint, red skin around his cuticles. He has been chewing his nail polish off, the same color nail polish he'd been wearing for a few months. Roman had been in a mood to try something new creatively, and wanted to try doing nail art. Patton happily volunteered, and although Roman wasn't good at it and sorta kinda instantly lost his motivation to try something new, Patton decided he really liked the color that Roman had chosen. It was this really gentle purpilish mauve color. Patton was no color expert, but he decided the purple undertones in the paint complimented his grey sweater, so he just kept applying it. Roman who was still kinda bummed the nail art didn't work out, was still really happy that Patton liked the color at least. A little bit of blood had gathered at his nail bed. Patton winced and summoned a bandaid on there, too depressed to get up and physically get one.
Maybe if Patton just...didn't even bother with this conversation, and waited it out, Janus wouldn't cross the boundary and things would just work out fine? Maybe this conversation could just be entirely avoidable?...no. no. Patton made a promise, he shook on it. To not talk about it would also be stepping over a boundary, and that wouldn't be fair either of them. Patton was just gonna have to face the music.
Patton took a deep breath. Good vibes, bad vibes, no vibes at all, he had a job to do. An obligation to someone, with an equally important job. He couldn't let him down. Patton rolled off the couch, sliding onto the floor and getting on two feet.
"I have a very important job that I need to do that is crucial in protecting Thomas as well as the mental health of my friends!" He said his intent as an affirmation, hoping it would provide him even the littlest bit of courage or even determination to actually go talk to Janus.
It didn't, but he was sinking down anyway so at least he'd have the physical feeling of sinking to pair nicely with the sensation of his gut dropping to his feet. Patton was legitimately nervous, and kinda freaking out a little. Awesome.
Patton sunk down to Janus's room. Or at least to outside of it. You couldn't just...sink down or into Janus's room. Not as of late anyway. You needed an invite, or at least be summoned there yourself. Patton appeared outside two grand doors with massive glass pane window art pieces. The glass depicted a massive snake, curling around a tree and looking down at a man. The man appeared to be looking right at the snake, and holding an apple in his hands. Patton smiled a little. Janus was so flashy. A bright light was shining through the glass directly into Patton's eyes almost. He squinted a little. A shadow seemed to be cutting through the light. Patton noticed that the man in the glass window had clear eyes; there was no tinted glass in place of an eye. It was a peephole. Patton smiled a bit more at that. Peephole, peepers, the mans eye. At least Janus had a sense of humor. Patton bit his lip, he wondered if it would be creepy to peer in through the eye to see what was going on in there. His better judgement told him he'd better not. Instead, Patton took one of the gold door knockers and gently knocked on Janus's door.
"Hey Jan!...its me, Patton! I came to chat with you about-"
"GO AWAY!" Said a struggling Janus from behind the door. "BUSY! COME BACK TOMORROW!"
Patton quirked a brow. Janus sounded like he was in a tough situation. There was heightened tension in his voice, and the more he spoke, the more Patton got worried.
"Do you need help in there!?" Patton called out to him.
"NO! GO AWAY!" Janus yelled back.
Patton bit his fingernails nervously. It sounded like he was really in trouble. Patton imagined a million different ways that Janus could have been in danger, his anxiety about the situation only getting worse. Usually if a friend was in trouble, he was always there to help...if they wanted it. Janus certainly didn't sound like he wanted any help. But the grit in his tone made it sound like he needed it.
Well, how mad could Janus be?? Besides it was Janus. Patton basically had him entirely figured out by now. The worst thing Janus would do would yell at him, maybe call him stupid. Janus wouldn't do anything! Patton squared his shoulders. Yeah okay Janus would probably be mad, and yeah he would probably not talk to Patton for a while, but what's one more coal in the fire?
Patton took a deep breath. The light inside was getting brighter, and more painful to look at. Maybe there was a fire? Oh god maybe there was a fire and Janus was like, literally burning alive! Patton jumped forward and grabbed a hold of Janus's front door. It wasn't burning hot or anything, which did ease a bit of Patton's worries. Patton came rushing through the door, slamming it open and running in.
"Janus buddy! I'm here to help you what's going-"
The powerful light emitting from deeper in the room was painfully blinding. He barely got a glimpse of Janus before he had to squeeze his eyes shut. He looked like he was trying to force something together, and the bright light was coming from whatever Janus was working on. Patton slammed his hands over his eyes. The light was getting hotter.
"JANUS?! WHAT IS THAT!?" Patton cried out.
"WHAT ABOUT 'GO AWAY' DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!?" Janus yelled back.
"I JUST THOUGHT THAT- THAT YOU WERE IN TROUBLE!" Patton was backing away, or at least trying to. He felt himself bump into a chair.
"I CAN HANDLE MYSELF!" Janus exclaimed, pain seering into his voice. "THIS PLACE IS GOING TO GO TO HELL! YOU NEED TO GO!"
"I'M NOT LEAVING YOU! YOU'RE IN DANGER!"
The heat was burning. Patton thought he could hear Janus crying almost. He knew he wasn't too close to the light source, but it still hurt. His anxiety began to swelter, he knew Janus just have been burning alive.
"LISTEN JUST- JUST GO! PLEASE!" Janus yelled frantically. "MY STAFF BROKE AND ITS INCREDIBLY UNSTABLE AND I CANT KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL! PLEASE PATTON YOU NEED TO GO-"
The light finally reach it's limit. It didn't give Janus a chance to finish, and it exploded. A blast of bright light and burning heat sent Patton and Janus flying in opposite directions. Patton felt his body smash into a wall, his head slamming against it and immediately knocking him out. Good thing too, he would discorporate painlessly. The raging heat melted everything in the room on contact. Things that were unmeltable, or things that survived the initial blast were promptly set on fire, and soon enough the entire room was up in flames. Janus's room was so secluded off in the mind, it would be a while until anyone actually noticed.
Neither Patton or Janus survived the blast. They discorporated upon impact, their bodies too damaged to go on. Not to worry, they'd be back soon enough.
Eventually.
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Your honor, you don't understand, I need a Patton and Janus aside now. Both to follow the pattern and also because they're both hated now. They're so lonely, your honor 😔
Also #hugforRoman2k21 #hugforLogan2k21 #hugforVirgil2k21 #Remusyouredoinggreathoney2k21
Lmao so I was like "It's cool that Thomas can comfortably make his characters flawed and let them commit mistakes because, as the viewers, we know the bigger picture and know that all of the sides have good intentions, and everyone makes mistakes❤"
And then I realized that nope, a lot of the fandom's just as mad at the characters as the characters themselves are mad at each other🤣🤣🤣 C'mon, guys, Thomas didn't create any of them as villains. Everything they've all been doing up to this point is trying to fulfill their job. It's literally the reason they exist. Ofc they'll be desperate about it and make mistakes along the way. And all of the sides have messed up at one point or the other, so then if we held them accountable, then all of them should be on the chopping block
stormborns
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
areudirty
vaporwave
