Summary: Patton finds out just how hard it is to duck out
Trigger warnings: Deceit mention, Patton angst, mentally ducking out
Note: This is based off of this post and this post.
@rainbow-sides @a-lexicon-of-words @winnie-the-patton here ya go!
Patton sat in the corner of his room with tears streaming down his face. He had made a decision that emotions weren’t needed in Thomas’s life. He had decided to duck out.
He clawed at his own shirt, only able to mumble one word over and over again.
“Quack,” he sobbed, “Quack…”
He picked up a nearby picture frame of young Thomas and studied it. His little kid was all grown up, and he didn’t need impulsive, emotion-driven decisions anymore. He needed creativity for his job, logic for his well-being, and anxiety for his safety.
He thought he’d stay there forever. The sides would probably would come in and try to get him back, but he’d eventually convince them that they didn’t need him.
“Quack,” He said again, his voice breaking.
Patton knew at some point Thomas would try to summon him, but what he didn’t know was how hard it was to resist a summon.
It felt like a punch in the gut to keep yourself in place. Patton realized he only had a few seconds before he would be completely yanked up.
In a snap of a finger, his eyes were no longer puffy, and cheeks no longer traced with tear tracks.
Feeling the pain worsen, he let go, allowing himself to get pulled up, but leaving his happy-go-lucky state of mind in the room.
“Hey guys!” Patton said, feeling the strain in his throat from all the crying, “What do you guys need?”
Logan spoke, explaining their dilemma. The other sides tossed around different ideas, but, luckily, no one asked Patton for his opinion. He tried to add a few things of his own, but the words just never came out right.
Patton glanced over at Thomas. His face was more stern, and his hands gestured with purpose. He looked… like Logan.
Patton didn’t like it, but he knew this is what Thomas needed.
Patton had been doing this for a few weeks now, and it’s been pure torture to stand there and pretend to be a part of a conversation. Patton had noticed that Virgil seemed to be catching on. Patton would nervously look away from the other side as he inspected him carefully.
Patton tried to focus on Thomas instead and pretend that he was helping.
Patton’s jaw clenched when he heard Virgil call his name. He had to think of something to say. Fast. “Uh, Thomas was just in the middle of a sentence, don’t interrupt him!” he stuttered.
“Patton, or should I say, Deceit,” Virgil said with harshness in his voice. Patton’s heart dropped.
“No- I’m not-” Patton looked around at the others, and realization flashed across their faces.
Too bad it was the wrong realization.
“You have been acting aloof lately, Patton would never do that. I haven’t heard a pun in ages. Which, granted, can be a good thing, but-”
“Logan,” Thomas sighed, “that’s enough.” Logan nodded.
“Deceit, we don’t have time for your games, just do the reveal thing and bring Patton back,” Thomas said, clearly still distressed from his own problem.
Patton felt tears prick his eyes. “I-I’m not him,” He said, choking back a sob.
“Just get out of here, Heather Chand-liar,” Roman said, waving his hand dismissively.
Patton looked to Virgil for help, but he was only met with a cold hard stare.
“I’m.. I’m…” Patton whimpered, but he felt his mind shut down. He didn’t know what to say. He fell back into his own pattern. “Quack…” He sobbed, before sinking down.
The last thing Patton heard before retreating back to his room was Virgil yelling “Oh shit, Patton!”
