Today is self-indulgent day! So I know mobile tumblr users cannot see the handy links and shortcuts I’ve made on my tumblr, but I have wondered if they have a direct link if they can get to it. So this is both an experiment and potentially a pinned post if it works!
Did you know I had a page for all my pokemon writings? :> It’s all submas related as anyone who follows me knows. Feel free to re-read some posts and ideas, or if you haven’t seen them maybe take a gander. (I still intend to wrestle myself into writing them for realsies!
Prompt: A gentle “you don’t look well ..” trailing off into a “woah, hey, hey-“ as they lurch forward to steady, or perhaps catch, a most definitely sick character.
Sasi Server Prompt Party Ficlet!
Characters: Virgil, Thomas
Pairing: None
Warning: Off screen character death, on screen character death, blood, panic
Note: This is basically a scene from a fic I have not yet written. No happy ending in the plunnie, alas.
~*~*~*~*~
Virgil fled, leaving behind red footprints as he scrambled to get away away away from the thing that had killed Remus, killed them all. Tears dripped out of his wide eyes, but he could not let them cloud his vision, could not let anything slow him down, not when he could still hear the sound of flesh being ripped apart, bones breaking under a crushing grip, the final gurgle dying in a throat drowning in blood.
He tried to rise up again, met the same resistance as the last time that had prevented all of them from reaching Thomas when this whole thing had begun. Now, though, he had nothing to lose (had already lost everyone), he had to see Thomas, he had to know what happened, and he pressed harder and harder until something shattered, and he rose into reality with a nauseating jerk.
Stumbling to his hands and knees, he panted and sobbed, limbs shaking so hard he nearly face planted into the ground. The only thing that kept him upright was the desperate need to get to Thomas, to make sure he was okay (how could he be okay when the others were dead).
A noise nearby made him snap his head up, scrambling backwards as he took in his surroundings. Windows were shattered, glass scattered across the carpet in glittering piles. The blinds were half pulled off the wall, swaying a bit in the warm breeze coming from outside. Everything smelled of smoke, and Virgil could make out the distinct flicking light of fire coming from the neighboring apartment.
There was blood on the floor. Too much. What had happened?
A pained moan had Virgil staggering to his feet. "Thomas?" he called hoarsely. He could barely speak around the grief suffocating him, but he had to find his center. "Thomas?!" he cried again, more desperately. Please, please let Thomas be okay.
Another pained noise had Virgil spinning around, dashing as quick as his shaking legs would carry him up the stairs. A trail of red lead him straight to Thomas's bedroom, the door partially ajar. Virgil didn't hesitate as he pushed his way inside.
And there was Thomas. He was clutching his arm to his chest, blood running between his fingers from some wound Virgil couldn't quite make out. It stained his shirt so so red.
"Oh," Virgil breathed, something beyond terror gripping him. Everything around him seemed to crystallize, spots of light dancing in his vision as the world becoming muffled from the ringing in his ears. "You…you don't look so good."
"Virge?" Thomas said weakly. He was panting heavily, eyes unfocused as they darted unseeingly over Virgil's face. His head lolled on his shoulder, as if it was too heavy for him to lift. Still, he tried to pick himself off the floor.
"Thomas!" Virgil cried again, reaching out as Thomas pitched forward sharply. "Woah, hey hey," he said, catching Thomas in his arms. Thomas's skin was so cold against his. "It's"—he swallowed a sob, know it was a lie even as he said it—"it's gonna be okay, right Thomas? Let's get that bandaged up?"
"Virgil," Thomas whimpered. Virgil lowered them both to the ground, clutching Thomas as tight as he could. "I'm scared." It came out as a whisper, so low Virgil almost missed it.
Thomas looked up as his peripheral vision caught movement by the stairs. He blinked as he saw Patton walk down the hall toward the door. It wasn't completely unusual for a side to pop up when he wasn't having a mental breakdown friendly self-reflection, but they didn't usually ignore him.
"Pat?" he called out. Maybe he'd imagined it?
But no, Patton popped his head in the kitchen, giving Thomas a wave. "Hiya Thomas! I'm just gonna pop out for a minute. There's a bake sale going on at the middle school, and those snicker doodles have my name written all over them!"
"Wait, what? Going out? What do you mean Patt—" Thomas said in alarm, sitting up on the couch, but it was too late.
With a last, "See ya later kiddo! I'll save you a brownie!" Patton was out the door. Thomas blinked in shock.
"Wait, he can do that?"
—
The park was a good choice, Thomas decided. He'd been cooped up in his apartment for too many days in a row, and had finally forced himself into decent enough clothes and out the door. He hadn't had a destination in mind, and his feet had taken him to the local park. Now he was sitting on a shaded bench, enjoying the morning breeze as he felt the world start to heat up around him. It wouldn't be nice for long, what with Florida weather and all, but for now he was content.
He heard a commotion pick up, excited voices rising and falling in the distance. The group had been at whatever it was they were doing for a while. It didn't bother Thomas, though now he was curious at the rise in noise. He twisted a bit in his seat so he could see across the grass where the group was huddled. Some sort of performance, it seemed. That was fun. Thomas considered going over and seeing what group it was, when a flash of white caught his eye. Was that—?
Turning around fully, Thomas stared. Yeah, that was Roman in the center of a group of people, one hand on his chest as he performed some sort of soliloquy. His audience was listening intently. As in, perceiving Roman.
Maybe it was just someone who looked like Roman? Even as he thought it, though, Roman caught sight of him.
"Greetings, Thomas!" he called with a big wave. He turned back to his group to exchange a few words, before jogging over to where Thomas was still sitting frozen.
"Come here often?" Thomas joked weakly. What was happening?
"Every first Wednesday of the month!" Roman replied jovially. "Shakespeare in the park! It's such an invigorating way to get the creative juices pumping."
"Every…" Thomas trailed off weakly.
"It's good to see you out and about," Roman continued on, oblivious to Thomas's distress. "Why, I feared you'd turn as pale as Virgil if you didn't get some sun soon! Well, ta for now, I must get back to my adoring audience!"
So saying, Roman spun on his heel, marching back to the group with wide open arms.
Perhaps, Thomas thought weakly as he staggered his way back home, he'd gotten heat stroke after all.
—
A voice hollering was Thomas's only warning.
"Heads up, coming through!"
To his credit, Thomas didn't even hesitate to throw himself backward out of the path of a skateboarder jumping down a short flight of steps and onto the concrete in front of him. He clutched at his chest from the surprise, even as he felt a little pang of envy at the ease at which the boarder continued on their merry way, zipping around a corner in the direction of a nearby skate park. It looks so fun. It also reminded Thomas he wasn't getting any younger. Some things just weren't meant to be.
He caught the sound of more wheels on pavement, and didn't bother moving from his spot slightly to the side as a couple more skateboarders came down the same way their companion did, one of them grinding briefly on the rail before he landed with a clatter. Unlike the others, however, this one swung back around, stopping a few feet away.
"Hey Thomas," Virgil said with a little wave.
"Hi Virgil," Thomas parroted automatically, staring at his most anxious side standing so relaxed with one foot on his skateboard. He did have a helmet on, which oddly enough reassured Thomas that he wasn't straight up hallucinating this whole scenario. "How are you so good at skateboarding?"
Virgil hunched his shoulders a bit in a shrug. "I practice, Thomas, jeeze. Way to make a guy feel like he's doing something wrong."
"No!" Thomas protested, flailing a hand in panic. "That's not what I meant! Just, uh, when did you find the time I guess?"
"I have a life outside of you, ya know," Virgil said with an eyeroll.
"You literally don't though," Thomas said, beyond baffled and right into befuddled at this point.
Before Virgil could respond, a voice interrupted. "Hey Virge, you coming, man?" One of the other skateboarders had backtracked, and was beckoning Virgil to follow.
"I gotta go. Be careful at dinner tonight; Pat found some weird veggie and is trying to figure out how to cook it. I don't fully trust him not to poison us." Virgil kicked off with far more grace than Thomas though someone who looked like him could possess, rolling easily away. When he caught up to his buddy, they knocked arms briefly, then disappeared around the corner.
Thomas stared at his hands quietly. "Yeah, no, I feel really anxious about dinner right now. So that's still working at least." He sighed. Later sounded like the perfect time to think about this. Much, much later.
—
Seeing the handwritten sign for the Italian restaurant was an absolute stroke of luck for Thomas. He was starving, and the first shop he sees is this? Definitely a sign from the heavens! Sure it looked like it had just opened or something, what with the lack of advertising and all, but hey, beggers can't be choosers.
Beggers also shouldn't judge a book by its cover, he reminded himself as he smiled politely at the scary-looking man behind the counter. Said man looked surprised to have a customer. Well, Thomas was happy to support local businesses too. They needed all the help they could get against the soul-sucking big-chain restaurants!
"Hi! Uh, table for one, please?" he said pleasantly.
"You want a what?" the host parroted back.
Thomas could feel his nerves creeping. Maybe he should have just found a Domino's or something. But no, no, he would not let his social awkwardness get in the way of what might be a really good new pizza spot!
"I'd like to sit down to order?" he tried again. Maybe it was the guy's first day?
"…Right. This way," the man said, lumbering to his feet and gesturing further into the restaurant. It was empty, which again didn't surprise Thomas, but did sadden him. If they were any good, maybe he'd try and promote them on his channel or something. Nothing official, just drop a good word or something.
He was seated at a small table with a mismatched chair, handed a flimsy paper menu, and told to "Wait a moment" with barely a pause to breathe. The host then walked into the backroom without a further word, leaving Thomas studying the little menu curiously. He thought he heard something like "Hey boss" come from the back room, though it could have been "candy floss" or something.
A moment later though he was forced to pay attention as a familiar bowler hat exited the back room. For his part, Janus merely blinked a moment, before turning back to the lumbering man behind him. "Never mind, Marco. Serve the man, why don't you?"
Thomas was struck by the fact that something was somehow very very wrong with this picture. And it wasn't just that another one of his sides was out wandering the world without him either.
Janus delicately snagged the back of a nearby chair, spinning it around so he could settle at Thomas's table.
"I certainly expected to see you here today," he said, resting his chin on his hand as he observed Thomas curiously.
"I could say the same thing?" Thomas said uncertainly. "Uh, can I ask why you're here and not, like"—he paused, looking up at the hulking man waiting patiently to take his order—"at home?" It was the best he could do without sounding crazy.
"Of course you can, darling," Janus said magnanimously.
Thomas waited. Then sighed. "Why are you here and not at home," he intoned flatly.
"Oh Thomas, you're so funny!" Janus gushed mockingly. He waved a hand at Marco imperiously. "Get him a pepperoni pizza, won't you love? There we go."
Marco nodded and trudged off without a word. Thomas could feel sweat running down his back. Yeah, maybe this had been a terrible idea.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have some business to attend to," Janus said, standing back up and adjusting his gloves. "Do give us a good rating on yelp." So saying, he sashayed away into the back.
Thomas very nearly up and bolted then and there, but was honestly more frightened of what would happen if he did. He was also mortified to realize, once his pizza had been served, that it absolutely was the best freaking pizza he'd ever had.
Also he was never coming back here again, jesus.
—
The leg Thomas was clinging to didn't falter as it dragged him across the floor.
"Please! At least put on some pants!" he begged desperately.
"Booty shorts are my national anthem," Remus said gaily, "And you better believe I'm singing at the top of my lungs!"
"A shirt? A handkerchief? Nipple pasties? Anything at all would be an improvement at this point!"
"It cramps my style. Anyway, the other strippers at the club love it when I drop in unannounced! I have to do it for my adoring audience!" So saying, Remus twisted his foot just so, causing Thomas to lose his grip on the tall leather boots. "Ta! Don't wait up for me, Thomathy!"
Thomas lay on the floor feeling absolutely defeated. Why had he thought that would go any other way? "I thought the whole point of stripping was that you had something to take off."
—
Thomas stepped into the library, breathing a delighted sigh as the coolness of the air conditioning washed over him. This was just what he needed to get the creative juices flowing and get some good editing time in. He'd normally do this in a coffee shop, but they had been rather overcrowded lately, what with it being a holiday week. No matter, he could return to his normal haunt once the tourism died down. For now, the peace and chill of the library would do him just fine.
He made his way passed the front desk, ducking his head in an awkward nod when the librarian behind it looked up and caught his eye, before making his way to the back tables tucked away behind a few of the tall stacks. Lucky for him, there was only one person occupying the little getaway.
Unlucky for him, he recognized the person.
"Hi Logan…" he sighed. He really should be used to this by now, but somehow it was always a shock to his system to see his sides out in the wild.
Logan barely looked up from his book. "Salutations, Thomas."
Thomas shifted on his feet for a moment, before nodding in determination and taking a seat at Logan's table.
For his part, Logan lowered his book with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?" he asked crisply.
"Why are you here?" Thomas blurted out, any hope of broaching the topic gracefully yeeted right out the window.
"I had thought to research on the published history surrounding psychosis and other mental health issues, with an eye to compare the outdated material and how our understanding has grown over the last two decades." Logan gave a happy little smile. "It's fascinating the shift that has happened, though of course there is still a long way to go before we reach even an acceptable baseline standard for information surrounding such a topic."
Thomas gaped a little, distracted from his original intention. "Why are you reading that?"
"How else do you think I have the information needed to assist you, Thomas," Logan chided. "I must constantly learn to keep up with your crisis of the week."
Thomas wanted to be offended, but the comment did remind him that his question hadn't been answered satisfactorily. "No, that's great and all, but I meant why are you and the others outside? I swear I've seen you guys all around town lately, and it's kind of freaking me out!"
Logan tutted lightly. "Where did you think we went when we were not assisting you?"
"I don't know, in my head? My imagination? The mind palace??"
"That is clearly absurd. The mind palace was merely an experiment of Roman's that has long since dematerialized," Logan said derisively. There was a quiet buzz, and he pulled a phone out of his pocket. "Ah, my apologies, it's time for me to head to my tutoring session. It is really quite refreshing being able to guide the youth of today in the pursuit of knowledge," he said brightly, scooping up the pile of books from the table as he stood up. "I hope you have a pleasant evening," he added, nodding at Thomas as he walked away.
Thomas sat at the table staring into space for quite a while after that. Finally he sighed. Yeah, no, this might as well be happening. The sooner he accepted it as his new reality, the less stressed he'd be. Virgil would appreciate not having as much work at least.
—
Nico made his way up the steps to Thomas's door, nearly fumbling the drinks tray he was carrying as he dug in his pocket for his keys. It had been a special day when Thomas had offered the spare set to him, stuttering and flushed and oh so charmingly telling Nico that he was welcome any time. Nico made sure to treat the honor with extra care, knowing how nervous the other man was about safety. Three months was quite the record for him not misplacing his keys, and he was kind of proud of that fact. Thomas really did bring out the best in him.
It turned out, however, that he didn't need his keys at all. He only absently noticed the sound of music getting closer when a terrible cry went up from inside the apartment.
"ICE CREAM MAN!"
There was a thunder of footsteps, and Nico wisely stepped to the side just before the front door burst open, and six familiar faces—in that they were all one face—dashed by him and down the street where a white van was just pulling around the corner.
Nico blinked in bewilderment for just a moment, before he leaned around the open door to peer inside. Thomas himself was hurrying down the hallway, tucking his wallet into his pocket with one hand and running a hand through his messy hair with the other. Thomas caught sight of him and stopped so suddenly he rocked back on his heels.
"AAAaoh, uh, hi Nico! Didn't know you were coming over today?"
Nico couldn't help the smile at Thomas's little show of nerves. "It was kinda a last minute decision. I just wanted to see you. And I brought coffee?" He held up the tray of two drinks, condensation sliding down the sides enticingly.
"Ooooh, yes, you are the best!" Thomas said eagerly, reaching out with both hands to make grabby motions.
Nico laughed. "I see this is all I needed to charm the alluring Mr. Sanders!" He handed the iced coffee over to his boyfriend, who immediately took a long, satisfied sip of it.
"I would sell myself to One Direction for a cold drink on a day like this," Thomas said with a sigh, clutching the cup to his face.
"Maybe I should have brought more?"
"Huh? Why?"
Nico gestured down the street. "You had company?"
"Huh?" Thomas looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened in realization. "Oh shoot! Sorry Nico, I'm a bit all over the place. I'll be right back I promise thank you for the coffee I love you~" Every word came out faster than the last as he rushed by Nico and took off down the street, the last word echoing in the hot summer air.
Nico shook his head with a grin. He had no idea why there were six men who looked identical to Thomas hanging around the apartment, but he was kind of looking forward to the story behind it. Stepping inside, he closed the door firmly. No need to waste any more air conditioning than they already had after all.
Thomas looked up as his peripheral vision caught movement by the stairs. He blinked as he saw Patton walk down the hall toward the door. It wasn't completely unusual for a side to pop up when he wasn't having a mental breakdown friendly self-reflection, but they didn't usually ignore him.
"Pat?" he called out. Maybe he'd imagined it?
But no, Patton popped his head in the kitchen, giving Thomas a wave. "Hiya Thomas! I'm just gonna pop out for a minute. There's a bake sale going on at the middle school, and those snicker doodles have my name written all over them!"
"Wait, what? Going out? What do you mean Patt—" Thomas said in alarm, sitting up on the couch, but it was too late.
With a last, "See ya later kiddo! I'll save you a brownie!" Patton was out the door. Thomas blinked in shock.
"Wait, he can do that?"
—
The park was a good choice, Thomas decided. He'd been cooped up in his apartment for too many days in a row, and had finally forced himself into decent enough clothes and out the door. He hadn't had a destination in mind, and his feet had taken him to the local park. Now he was sitting on a shaded bench, enjoying the morning breeze as he felt the world start to heat up around him. It wouldn't be nice for long, what with Florida weather and all, but for now he was content.
He heard a commotion pick up, excited voices rising and falling in the distance. The group had been at whatever it was they were doing for a while. It didn't bother Thomas, though now he was curious at the rise in noise. He twisted a bit in his seat so he could see across the grass where the group was huddled. Some sort of performance, it seemed. That was fun. Thomas considered going over and seeing what group it was, when a flash of white caught his eye. Was that—?
Turning around fully, Thomas stared. Yeah, that was Roman in the center of a group of people, one hand on his chest as he performed some sort of soliloquy. His audience was listening intently. As in, perceiving Roman.
Maybe it was just someone who looked like Roman? Even as he thought it, though, Roman caught sight of him.
"Greetings, Thomas!" he called with a big wave. He turned back to his group to exchange a few words, before jogging over to where Thomas was still sitting frozen.
"Come here often?" Thomas joked weakly. What was happening?
"Every first Wednesday of the month!" Roman replied jovially. "Shakespeare in the park! It's such an invigorating way to get the creative juices pumping."
"Every…" Thomas trailed off weakly.
"It's good to see you out and about," Roman continued on, oblivious to Thomas's distress. "Why, I feared you'd turn as pale as Virgil if you didn't get some sun soon! Well, ta for now, I must get back to my adoring audience!"
So saying, Roman spun on his heel, marching back to the group with wide open arms.
Perhaps, Thomas thought weakly as he staggered his way back home, he'd gotten heat stroke after all.
—
A voice hollering was Thomas's only warning.
"Heads up, coming through!"
To his credit, Thomas didn't even hesitate to throw himself backward out of the path of a skateboarder jumping down a short flight of steps and onto the concrete in front of him. He clutched at his chest from the surprise, even as he felt a little pang of envy at the ease at which the boarder continued on their merry way, zipping around a corner in the direction of a nearby skate park. It looks so fun. It also reminded Thomas he wasn't getting any younger. Some things just weren't meant to be.
He caught the sound of more wheels on pavement, and didn't bother moving from his spot slightly to the side as a couple more skateboarders came down the same way their companion did, one of them grinding briefly on the rail before he landed with a clatter. Unlike the others, however, this one swung back around, stopping a few feet away.
"Hey Thomas," Virgil said with a little wave.
"Hi Virgil," Thomas parroted automatically, staring at his most anxious side standing so relaxed with one foot on his skateboard. He did have a helmet on, which oddly enough reassured Thomas that he wasn't straight up hallucinating this whole scenario. "How are you so good at skateboarding?"
Virgil hunched his shoulders a bit in a shrug. "I practice, Thomas, jeeze. Way to make a guy feel like he's doing something wrong."
"No!" Thomas protested, flailing a hand in panic. "That's not what I meant! Just, uh, when did you find the time I guess?"
"I have a life outside of you, ya know," Virgil said with an eyeroll.
"You literally don't though," Thomas said, beyond baffled and right into befuddled at this point.
Before Virgil could respond, a voice interrupted. "Hey Virge, you coming, man?" One of the other skateboarders had backtracked, and was beckoning Virgil to follow.
"I gotta go. Be careful at dinner tonight; Pat found some weird veggie and is trying to figure out how to cook it. I don't fully trust him not to poison us." Virgil kicked off with far more grace than Thomas though someone who looked like him could possess, rolling easily away. When he caught up to his buddy, they knocked arms briefly, then disappeared around the corner.
Thomas stared at his hands quietly. "Yeah, no, I feel really anxious about dinner right now. So that's still working at least." He sighed. Later sounded like the perfect time to think about this. Much, much later.
—
Seeing the handwritten sign for the Italian restaurant was an absolute stroke of luck for Thomas. He was starving, and the first shop he sees is this? Definitely a sign from the heavens! Sure it looked like it had just opened or something, what with the lack of advertising and all, but hey, beggers can't be choosers.
Beggers also shouldn't judge a book by its cover, he reminded himself as he smiled politely at the scary-looking man behind the counter. Said man looked surprised to have a customer. Well, Thomas was happy to support local businesses too. They needed all the help they could get against the soul-sucking big-chain restaurants!
"Hi! Uh, table for one, please?" he said pleasantly.
"You want a what?" the host parroted back.
Thomas could feel his nerves creeping. Maybe he should have just found a Domino's or something. But no, no, he would not let his social awkwardness get in the way of what might be a really good new pizza spot!
"I'd like to sit down to order?" he tried again. Maybe it was the guy's first day?
"…Right. This way," the man said, lumbering to his feet and gesturing further into the restaurant. It was empty, which again didn't surprise Thomas, but did sadden him. If they were any good, maybe he'd try and promote them on his channel or something. Nothing official, just drop a good word or something.
He was seated at a small table with a mismatched chair, handed a flimsy paper menu, and told to "Wait a moment" with barely a pause to breathe. The host then walked into the backroom without a further word, leaving Thomas studying the little menu curiously. He thought he heard something like "Hey boss" come from the back room, though it could have been "candy floss" or something.
A moment later though he was forced to pay attention as a familiar bowler hat exited the back room. For his part, Janus merely blinked a moment, before turning back to the lumbering man behind him. "Never mind, Marco. Serve the man, why don't you?"
Thomas was struck by the fact that something was somehow very very wrong with this picture. And it wasn't just that another one of his sides was out wandering the world without him either.
Janus delicately snagged the back of a nearby chair, spinning it around so he could settle at Thomas's table.
"I certainly expected to see you here today," he said, resting his chin on his hand as he observed Thomas curiously.
"I could say the same thing?" Thomas said uncertainly. "Uh, can I ask why you're here and not, like"—he paused, looking up at the hulking man waiting patiently to take his order—"at home?" It was the best he could do without sounding crazy.
"Of course you can, darling," Janus said magnanimously.
Thomas waited. Then sighed. "Why are you here and not at home," he intoned flatly.
"Oh Thomas, you're so funny!" Janus gushed mockingly. He waved a hand at Marco imperiously. "Get him a pepperoni pizza, won't you love? There we go."
Marco nodded and trudged off without a word. Thomas could feel sweat running down his back. Yeah, maybe this had been a terrible idea.
"Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have some business to attend to," Janus said, standing back up and adjusting his gloves. "Do give us a good rating on yelp." So saying, he sashayed away into the back.
Thomas very nearly up and bolted then and there, but was honestly more frightened of what would happen if he did. He was also mortified to realize, once his pizza had been served, that it absolutely was the best freaking pizza he'd ever had.
Also he was never coming back here again, jesus.
—
The leg Thomas was clinging to didn't falter as it dragged him across the floor.
"Please! At least put on some pants!" he begged desperately.
"Booty shorts are my national anthem," Remus said gaily, "And you better believe I'm singing at the top of my lungs!"
"A shirt? A handkerchief? Nipple pasties? Anything at all would be an improvement at this point!"
"It cramps my style. Anyway, the other strippers at the club love it when I drop in unannounced! I have to do it for my adoring audience!" So saying, Remus twisted his foot just so, causing Thomas to lose his grip on the tall leather boots. "Ta! Don't wait up for me, Thomathy!"
Thomas lay on the floor feeling absolutely defeated. Why had he thought that would go any other way? "I thought the whole point of stripping was that you had something to take off."
—
Thomas stepped into the library, breathing a delighted sigh as the coolness of the air conditioning washed over him. This was just what he needed to get the creative juices flowing and get some good editing time in. He'd normally do this in a coffee shop, but they had been rather overcrowded lately, what with it being a holiday week. No matter, he could return to his normal haunt once the tourism died down. For now, the peace and chill of the library would do him just fine.
He made his way passed the front desk, ducking his head in an awkward nod when the librarian behind it looked up and caught his eye, before making his way to the back tables tucked away behind a few of the tall stacks. Lucky for him, there was only one person occupying the little getaway.
Unlucky for him, he recognized the person.
"Hi Logan…" he sighed. He really should be used to this by now, but somehow it was always a shock to his system to see his sides out in the wild.
Logan barely looked up from his book. "Salutations, Thomas."
Thomas shifted on his feet for a moment, before nodding in determination and taking a seat at Logan's table.
For his part, Logan lowered his book with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?" he asked crisply.
"Why are you here?" Thomas blurted out, any hope of broaching the topic gracefully yeeted right out the window.
"I had thought to research on the published history surrounding psychosis and other mental health issues, with an eye to compare the outdated material and how our understanding has grown over the last two decades." Logan gave a happy little smile. "It's fascinating the shift that has happened, though of course there is still a long way to go before we reach even an acceptable baseline standard for information surrounding such a topic."
Thomas gaped a little, distracted from his original intention. "Why are you reading that?"
"How else do you think I have the information needed to assist you, Thomas," Logan chided. "I must constantly learn to keep up with your crisis of the week."
Thomas wanted to be offended, but the comment did remind him that his question hadn't been answered satisfactorily. "No, that's great and all, but I meant why are you and the others outside? I swear I've seen you guys all around town lately, and it's kind of freaking me out!"
Logan tutted lightly. "Where did you think we went when we were not assisting you?"
"I don't know, in my head? My imagination? The mind palace??"
"That is clearly absurd. The mind palace was merely an experiment of Roman's that has long since dematerialized," Logan said derisively. There was a quiet buzz, and he pulled a phone out of his pocket. "Ah, my apologies, it's time for me to head to my tutoring session. It is really quite refreshing being able to guide the youth of today in the pursuit of knowledge," he said brightly, scooping up the pile of books from the table as he stood up. "I hope you have a pleasant evening," he added, nodding at Thomas as he walked away.
Thomas sat at the table staring into space for quite a while after that. Finally he sighed. Yeah, no, this might as well be happening. The sooner he accepted it as his new reality, the less stressed he'd be. Virgil would appreciate not having as much work at least.
—
Nico made his way up the steps to Thomas's door, nearly fumbling the drinks tray he was carrying as he dug in his pocket for his keys. It had been a special day when Thomas had offered the spare set to him, stuttering and flushed and oh so charmingly telling Nico that he was welcome any time. Nico made sure to treat the honor with extra care, knowing how nervous the other man was about safety. Three months was quite the record for him not misplacing his keys, and he was kind of proud of that fact. Thomas really did bring out the best in him.
It turned out, however, that he didn't need his keys at all. He only absently noticed the sound of music getting closer when a terrible cry went up from inside the apartment.
"ICE CREAM MAN!"
There was a thunder of footsteps, and Nico wisely stepped to the side just before the front door burst open, and six familiar faces—in that they were all one face—dashed by him and down the street where a white van was just pulling around the corner.
Nico blinked in bewilderment for just a moment, before he leaned around the open door to peer inside. Thomas himself was hurrying down the hallway, tucking his wallet into his pocket with one hand and running a hand through his messy hair with the other. Thomas caught sight of him and stopped so suddenly he rocked back on his heels.
"AAAaoh, uh, hi Nico! Didn't know you were coming over today?"
Nico couldn't help the smile at Thomas's little show of nerves. "It was kinda a last minute decision. I just wanted to see you. And I brought coffee?" He held up the tray of two drinks, condensation sliding down the sides enticingly.
"Ooooh, yes, you are the best!" Thomas said eagerly, reaching out with both hands to make grabby motions.
Nico laughed. "I see this is all I needed to charm the alluring Mr. Sanders!" He handed the iced coffee over to his boyfriend, who immediately took a long, satisfied sip of it.
"I would sell myself to One Direction for a cold drink on a day like this," Thomas said with a sigh, clutching the cup to his face.
"Maybe I should have brought more?"
"Huh? Why?"
Nico gestured down the street. "You had company?"
"Huh?" Thomas looked confused for a moment, before his eyes widened in realization. "Oh shoot! Sorry Nico, I'm a bit all over the place. I'll be right back I promise thank you for the coffee I love you~" Every word came out faster than the last as he rushed by Nico and took off down the street, the last word echoing in the hot summer air.
Nico shook his head with a grin. He had no idea why there were six men who looked identical to Thomas hanging around the apartment, but he was kind of looking forward to the story behind it. Stepping inside, he closed the door firmly. No need to waste any more air conditioning than they already had after all.
i've been INFECTED by the intruality worms HEEEELPPPP !!!!!11!!1!1!
i dont know WHAT it is about them, but my mind will randomly become obsessed with them for a month and then move on... so it's intruality month i guess !!11!!
inspired by a comic i saw on pinterest that seems to be from @/stosin_hlam on Twitter? couldn't find the exact pic but I believe it's their ocs
One of the things in the book that made me roll my eyes quite a bit, coupled with Andy Weir's "this isn't political" stance, was his conviction that heterosexual men stranded on a suicide mission with no further contact with other humans...wouldn't end up in sexual situations with each other. Wouldn't have "relationship" friction that a "man and a woman" would on the mission.
It's so tone deaf on every account I just...I wonder sometimes lol.
Ignoring the fact that self-styled straight men have sex with men and still consider themselves straight, there's also just the fact that I think scientists on a suicide mission to save the world can PROBABLY compartmentalize their interpersonal issues of ANY nature, sexual or otherwise, for the few months needed to find a solution.
And if they can't, then no amount of men would have made that mission succeed.
/In reference to book!Stratt insisting all the candidates for the hail mary mission should have been straight heterosexual men, I forget the exact quote.
Roman was everything a royal prince should be; handsome, kind, brave, handsome, and of course unbelievably modest! The only strange thing about his life was that he didn’t have suitors lining up from his door to the next kingdom over!
There was a good reason for that, of course. The soulmark on his arm fended off any pesky political paramours and he was happy to keep it that way. Maybe his childhood dreams didn’t pan out exactly as he’d envisioned (the lack of a parade being the most disappointing bit), but he’d be happy with Virgil at his side. Nothing could change that.
However, when King Thomas starts talking about marriage out of the blue, Roman needs a little time to figure out what he and Virgil are going to do. The eastern woods that border their estranged neighbors of the monsterkind Kingdom is the perfect place to go, with no distractions what-so-ever. Surely that beautiful golden naga over there agrees!
—-
Final Chapter 07 is out now!
Written by me and @prince-rowan-of-the-forest for @not-so-innocent-bi-sander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
Roman was everything a royal prince should be; handsome, kind, brave, handsome, and of course unbelievably modest! The only strange thing about his life was that he didn’t have suitors lining up from his door to the next kingdom over!
There was a good reason for that, of course. The soulmark on his arm fended off any pesky political paramours and he was happy to keep it that way. Maybe his childhood dreams didn’t pan out exactly as he’d envisioned (the lack of a parade being the most disappointing bit), but he’d be happy with Virgil at his side. Nothing could change that.
However, when King Thomas starts talking about marriage out of the blue, Roman needs a little time to figure out what he and Virgil are going to do. The eastern woods that border their estranged neighbors of the monsterkind Kingdom is the perfect place to go, with no distractions what-so-ever. Surely that beautiful golden naga over there agrees!
—-
Chapter 06 is out now!
Written by me and @prince-rowan-of-the-forest for @not-so-innocent-bi-sander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
Roman was everything a royal prince should be; handsome, kind, brave, handsome, and of course unbelievably modest! The only strange thing about his life was that he didn’t have suitors lining up from his door to the next kingdom over!
There was a good reason for that, of course. The soulmark on his arm fended off any pesky political paramours and he was happy to keep it that way. Maybe his childhood dreams didn’t pan out exactly as he’d envisioned (the lack of a parade being the most disappointing bit), but he’d be happy with Virgil at his side. Nothing could change that.
However, when King Thomas starts talking about marriage out of the blue, Roman needs a little time to figure out what he and Virgil are going to do. The eastern woods that border their estranged neighbors of the monsterkind Kingdom is the perfect place to go, with no distractions what-so-ever. Surely that beautiful golden naga over there agrees!
—-
Chapter 05 is out now!
Written by me and @prince-rowan-of-the-forest for @not-so-innocent-bi-sander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
Roman was everything a royal prince should be; handsome, kind, brave, handsome, and of course unbelievably modest! The only strange thing about his life was that he didn’t have suitors lining up from his door to the next kingdom over!
There was a good reason for that, of course. The soulmark on his arm fended off any pesky political paramours and he was happy to keep it that way. Maybe his childhood dreams didn’t pan out exactly as he’d envisioned (the lack of a parade being the most disappointing bit), but he’d be happy with Virgil at his side. Nothing could change that.
However, when King Thomas starts talking about marriage out of the blue, Roman needs a little time to figure out what he and Virgil are going to do. The eastern woods that border their estranged neighbors of the monsterkind Kingdom is the perfect place to go, with no distractions what-so-ever. Surely that beautiful golden naga over there agrees!
—-
Chapter 04 is out now!
Written by me and @prince-rowan-of-the-forest for @not-so-innocent-bi-sander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
Note: Because the last chapter is becoming quite long, we're going to split it and add an extra chapter to this fic! We will also be continuing our daily posting, so it should all be up by the 17th.
Every young person goes through changes as they grow up. They can be embarrassing, painful, or even liberating, but it's all a part of life. But as the personification of a grown man's anxiety, Virgil never thought this would be something he'd be dealing with. Of course, when had his life ever been fair?
When Virgil had joined the core sides, he'd thought the rocky road of change had been over and he could settle, but really the changes were only just beginning.
----
Or, five times Virgil struggled with changes, one time he accepted them.
----
Chapter 6 is out now!
Written by Me and @manchasama for @thatdesolatefander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
Roman was everything a royal prince should be; handsome, kind, brave, handsome, and of course unbelievably modest! The only strange thing about his life was that he didn’t have suitors lining up from his door to the next kingdom over!
There was a good reason for that, of course. The soulmark on his arm fended off any pesky political paramours and he was happy to keep it that way. Maybe his childhood dreams didn’t pan out exactly as he’d envisioned (the lack of a parade being the most disappointing bit), but he’d be happy with Virgil at his side. Nothing could change that.
However, when King Thomas starts talking about marriage out of the blue, Roman needs a little time to figure out what he and Virgil are going to do. The eastern woods that border their estranged neighbors of the monsterkind Kingdom is the perfect place to go, with no distractions what-so-ever. Surely that beautiful golden naga over there agrees!
—-
Chapter 03 is out now!
Written by me and @prince-rowan-of-the-forest for @not-so-innocent-bi-sander as part of @tss-camp-and-coffee
