The most important question: How did the other sides find out about Deceitâs little space? It sounds like he really didnât want them to know at first.
Deceit had been little for as long as he could remember. Of course this meant that he represented Thomasâ little side but the others didnât need to know that.
They would never know if Deceit had a say in it.
They were already weirded out by the fact that Thomas was even a little in the first place, he could tell.
He would never tell them.
They would never know, right?
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It was a normal morning in the mindscape, as normal as it could be with everyone doing their best to avoid him. As common as this was, it still hurt him. He needed to do what he did in Can Lying Be Okay. Joan should have hated them, but they didnât?
Deceit was still confused by that. Thomas didnât go to their script thingy and they arenât mad! Why?! It made no sense!
Deceit sighed. He could feel himself slipping. Slowly he got himself ready with his normal outfit and other necessities. It didnât take long but it was longer than his liking.
He laid himself back on his bed; dressed in a footed sleeper (or as Patton calls them, onzies) that had a black dragon on it, a diaper, a small beat up Toothless plush made his way into Deceitâs arms. Content he pulled his covers up and watched his room morph into his mental age. It wasnât long after, that he fell asleep.
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Pattonâs point of view:
It had been a while since Deceit had been out of his room and I was starting to get worried. Roman, Virgil, and Logan donât seem as worried about Deceit as I am and I donât blame them. They feel like they were violated by him, but Deceit didnât do what he did without a reason.
I sat on the couch, seemingly watching Steven Universe, when I decided to at least bring Deceit some dinner. It was almost dinner time anyway.
I turned off the TV and made my way into the kitchen where I made a basic but beloved meal, ramen. It didnât take long for me to start dishing out the bowls and call Logan, Roman, and Virgil down for dinner.
It wasnât long before we fell into a comfortable conversation. I had mostly tuned it out until I heard Logan say my name.
I turned to him and hummed in question, hoping heâd repeat himself.
âI simply asked what you are planning to do after we finish our meal.â
âOh. Iâm going to go Deceitâs room.â I mentioned off handedly.
Virgil dropped his fork in panic, while Roman and Loganâs eyes widened.
Princey was the first to break out of his trance. âWhat do you mean what?! You canât go see that snake! Heâll just try and replace you a again!â
Virgil frantically nodded.
I sighed softly, âKiddos, itâs almost been a month and he rarely leaves his room. Iâm worried.â I paused before switching to my dad voice, âAnd donât try to talk me out of it either. Iâve made up my mind.â
Everyone looked hesitant to let me go, Virgil seemed to be on the edge of an attack. I sighed, âIf you want to, you can come with me.â
Everyone perked up. Though, Loganâs was more in his eyes.
It didnât take long for everyone to finish their dinner and make their way up to Deceitâs room, following close behind me.
When we got to the yellow and black door Virgil grabbed my arm. I looked back at him and could see the fear in his eyes. I turned to Logan and Roman and told them to stay here. I promptly sunk into my room and since Virgil was still holding onto my arm he came with me.
Virgil didnât hesitate to jump into my arms as soon as we were alone. I whispered little nothingâs into his ear while I combed through his hair.
âWhatâs wrong kiddo? Deceit isnât going to hurt you, and if he did Roman would stop him.â Virgil just shook his head and mumbled into my chest. âSorry Verge but I didnât get that.â
Virgil pulled back slightly, âIâm not afraid of him. I just donât want you to get hurt. I canât loose you again.â
My eyes widened at this, my room had a little more of an effect than I thought it would. âVirgil, honey, I was never lost. Sure I wasnât their physically but I was there. Besides Deceit did what he did for a reason. All lies are made for a reason whether you know it or not.â
Virgil didnât say anything but I knew I got through to him. We stayed that way for a bit before I felt a huge wave of fear roll through the mindscape. Virgil must have felt it too because he and I ran to Deceitâs room as quickly as we could. The idea of sinking out not making itâs presence known in our heads.
When we got there we saw the door wide opened with Roman and Logan stuck at the frame in shock, the sound of sobbing coming from the room they were blocking.
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I watched as Patton and Virgil sunk out. Patton had told us to stay put but it was boring. I looked at the Microsoft Nerd with hope for a distraction only to find that he was reading a book, why does he even have a book?
I turned back to the door, hoping it would open on itâs own but it did no such thing.
I looked back at Logan and opened my mouth and told him that we should at least see what the snake was doing before Patton and Virgil came back.
Logan isnât one to disobey Patton but I could see that he wasnât ecstantic with being told to stay put. He was one to move around and experiment, he hated sitting still. I grinned this shouldnât be to hard.
âYou donât even what Iâm going to say!â He could at least hear me out!
Logan said nothing and I sighed annoyed, âCome on Microsoftâs Nerd! This would be a wonderful adventure,â Logan didnât change, âand Iâm sure youâd get a lot of interesting facts or whatever it is that you love so much.â
My hands waved in the air trying to get him to see that it would easier to go in alone. Patton and Virgil are better at fighting than one would think, but I would rather keep them safe and away from any fight. When I finished, I looked at Logan and saw his eyes have a small twinkle of excitement.
âCome on nerd! Adventure awaits!â I threw the door open but stopped in my place when I saw the room.
It was a pale yellow with a white crib, table, and toy chest in it. There were fairy lights decorating the walls and a couple toys scattering the floor.
Logan and I stood in front of the door in absolute shock, when we heard shuffling from the crib. Under the white blanket was a pint sized Deceit. He sat up, rubbing his eyes in the process, before looking to the door and freezing.
He was scared? No one said anything as he started to sob. I looked at Logan in shock and question, hoping he could help with this but he seemed just as lost as me.
All of a sudden I heard a gasp and saw Patton push past us into Deceitâs room. We didnât get a word out before he lowered the crib and pulled Deceit into his arms, bouncing him and trying to calm him down.
I had to admit, baby Deceit is kinda cute. He had a small mop of curly brown hair, he is a bit then Patâs chest, and he had his baby fat! His scales were still there as was his golden eye but it worked in a way.
I walked over to the crib and saw a plush Toothless, barely the size of my hand. That wouldnât do! I quickly conjured another Toothless. This time it was about the size of my chest and looked brand new. I walked over to Deceit before showing the piece offering to Patton. Thankfully Deceitâs heartbreaking sobs had slowed to the occasional whimper and sniffle. Patton smiled at the gift and turned around, so now all Small Scales would have to do was look up. Patton whispered something in Deceitâs ear making him look up.
Deceit looked at me with his tear stained face and red, runny nose. I held the Toothless plush out for him to take. He had a hesitant but wanting look. I knew he wasnât going to take it without some reasurance.
I smiled as kind as I could, âItâs for you Kaa. You can have it.â
He took one last hesitant glance before reaching out and grabbing the plush.
Deceitâs point of view:
This was a dream, it had to be. There was no other reason why the light sides would want to help me! It doesnât make sense!
Why did they come looking for me? Why did they come in my room? Why was Pa-Morality holding me?! Why did Creativity give me a gift!? Why did he call me Kaa?!
Now that theyâve seen me like this and theyâll never listen to me! Theyâll never take me seriously! Everyone will just poke fun at me!
Pattonâs voice broke through, âCome on Kiddo, youâre alright. Everything will be okay. Can you tell us what going on?â
I shook my head. I didnât want to talk. Theyâd laugh!
âIf I may.â My head shoots up to discover that Logan and Virgil are next to Roman, next to my crib. âI believe I understand what is happening. Deceit is experiencing something called age regression. A uncommon but not unknown tool for stress and anxiety.â
âAnxiety? Shouldnât that mean that you should be taking a part in this Jason Toddler?â Roman spoke with an eyebrow raised.
Virgil sneered, âI have different tactics Sir-Sings-a-lot.â
I whimpered and hid my face back in Pattonâs shoulder. They already hate me. Why wonât they leave!? I knew they would make fun of me!
âNo, no Dee. Iâm not making fun of you. Iâm making fun of Roman.â Virgil seemed to whisper. âCome here little snek. I donât hate you.â
I felt hands grab me and pull me away from Patton. âNo! I donât want this! I want Patton!â
I tried to get back to him but they (Virgil?) just pressed me against his body. I spoke before I could think. âNo! Daâ!â
Pattonâs point of view:
Everyone froze. The only thing that was ringing through the mindscape was Deceitâs whimpers. I did my best to break out of the shock, âWha-what did you⊠What did you say?â
Deeâs eyes were wet with unshed tears. He reached his tiny hands out to me and with a small, child like voice he cried, âDaâ!â
My heart swelled. Deceit had never called me dad, only Morality. I plucked Deceit from Virgilâs arms and held him close.
âOkay kiddo. Itâll be okay. Weâre here now and we arenât leaving. We love you.â
I held him as his whimpers grew quiet. Even though I knew he fell asleep,I didnât put him down. Instead I grabbed the blanket from his crib and wrapped it around his small form. I turned around to the others and could see that they thought the same.
We arenât leaving him alone again.
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Tada!! Iâm so sorry this took so long!! I hope you guys enjoy it!