Atticus watches quietly as everyone seems to have drifted off go sleep in the parlor. Christmas and Aria's birthday went off without a hitch, no villains attempted to draw them out this year, all in all a peaceful Christmas and birthday.
He walks into the parlor and covers Aria and Prisma with a blanket, as well as Vin and Alex. He sighs softly, even with the peacefulness - he was not at ease.
"You could kill them all, we could start over again, I'm sure Flug and Demencia are on standby just waiting for my return" Black Hat purred in his head.
"Will you just shut up?!" Atticus yelled.
Vin woke with a start, which Atticus did not notice as he continued to talk to himself. "We are not the same person. I am not you, you tricked me once into becoming your host, I won't go back!"
"You're still my host."
"Didn't I tell you to-"
"Atti-?"
Atticus jumps in surprise as he hears Vin's voice, followed by a dark chuckle in his mind "h-hey, Vin. Go back to sleep love, it's late..."
Vin shakes his head and gets up, crossing the room to Atticus and wraps his arms around him "He's still here isn't he? Black Hat? You don't have to lie to me. I can handle the truth."
Atticus clings to Vin "I - yes...yes he is. He's - slowly losing influence but - he's still here and I don't know how to get rid of him."
"I already told you, you'll never get rid of me"
"Shut it Black Hat." Atticus and Black Hat both go silent and stare in disbelief as Vin glares up into Atticus's eyes "I've known you've been hear all this time. You didn't think a witch, with a demon keeping them alive - as well as having a heart inside the body of the person you're tormenting would be able to feel your ugly ass presence? I've just been waiting for Atticus to admit it on his own terms. Now - you listen - and you listen real good - you WILL be leaving Atticus's body. We WILL find a way, and you're gonna lie down and take it like the little bitch you are."
Atticus blinks "V-vin..."
"I know- language..."
"No - I... I'm sorry. I should have said something sooner..." Atticus sighs as he holds Vin close.
Vin rubs his back gently "I'm guessing the only reason you didn't say anything is to keep us safe. Especially Prisma. It's okay I don't blame you. But now that you've finally admitted it. We can move forward. I'll talk to Alex later. I'm sure she'll have some tricks up her sleeve."
Atticus smiles and looks up before chuckling "You know - we're still decorated for Christmas and the mistletoe is hanging right over our heads"
"Then shut up and kiss me"
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Atticus finally confesses! Let's all hope he can be rid of Black Hat once and for all.