Listen to Logic - Logan and Remus (friendship)
Warning: Tickling, food wasting, disturbing allusions.
Summary: When Logan feels neglected and unheard, will he find an ally in the unlikeliest of places? Does Remus still hold a grudge against Logan, or are they friends now? Will Thomas listen to Logan, or will the Orange Side win...? (Written like an episode.)
Thomas and Joan were wondering how to start the video. Cue Thomas thinking of various dad jokes and giggling to himself. Joan couldn't help laugh along.
"Oh, Thomas," they said in a villain-like voice. "You have such a cute laugh... It would be a shame if someone..."
Digging into their friend's sides, Joan let out an evil laugh. Thomas couldn't help double over and laugh hysterically. "...Exploited that!"
Escaping from their hold, Thomas, still giggling, told them to cut it out. With a sinister, yet jokey grin, Joan then exited the room. Composing himself, Thomas then looked at the audience.
"Anyways: 'What is up everybody!' Today we're going to be discussing how I'm going to fix the drainpipes of my kitchen sink. With me today are my sides, Roman, who represents my creativity, Patton, who represents my morality, and Virgil, who represents my Anxiety..."
As he motioned to the sides with his hand, they each appeared in their place. All except Virgil.
"Huh. I guess he must be busy." Thomas then turned to Roman and Patton. "So, guys, what do you think?"
“I think you should go for it, Thomas! Use that special wrench your mom got you for your birthday!” Roman said.
Patton wagged his finger. “Ah-ah-ah! What if you were to damage it? It was a special gift from your mom, so shouldn’t you cherish it?”
Roman fired back, “It’s a tool! They’re meant to be used! Your mom will understand!”
There was a sigh heard from the hallway next to the staircase. Thomas’ logical side was there the whole time. As he listened to the others’ discussion, Logan was getting frustrated. Thomas hadn't called on him once or even looked in his direction. Logan had tried to get a word in edgewise, but the others ignored him.
Meanwhile, Remus popped up behind Roman again, startling him.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you, Roman. I'm just here to remind you of the elephant in the room."
At this, Logan scoffed. "If there was an elephant in this room, Thomas would not only notice it, but..." He pulled out a vocab card and read it monotonously. "'Freak out.'"
"What do you mean?" Thomas asked Remus.
"Yeah," Patton said. "We're just having our usual discussion."
Remus grinned. Oh, this was rich! It seemed as though Mr. Orange was working double time. Distracting Thomas from his Logical side was no easy feat. Kudos to him! Giggling, he pointed to a certain place close to the stairs.
"I think you've forgotten someone!"
Virgil popped up just then. "Sorry I'm late." He was busy playing a video game on his phone. It was the Halloween version of Word Crush. "Important business."
Everyone smiled and cheered at seeing their gloomy friend again.
"Virgil!" Thomas said. "We missed you! The fans missed you! Say hi to everyone!"
Virgil turned to the audience and smirked, raising one hand up in a half-hearted wave. "S'up."
"He's so precious!" Patton squealed, clapping his hands. Remus rolled his eyes.
"Oh yes, it's so nice to see you, Virgil... But it wasn't you I was talking about."
Virgil looked up curiously. He didn't mind Remus' somewhat rude tone... After Virgil had left the dark sides, he even expected it. But he wondered what Remus meant.
"Allow me to give you a hint!" Remus said, snapping his fingers. Suddenly, Thomas' white walls were covered in red Crofter's jam. The sides screamed in horror.
"You fiend!" Roman cried. "How dare you make Thomas imagine that!"
While Roman was crying over his favourite jam, a flicker of memory danced in Thomas' brain.
"You're right. There is someone I haven't been listening to!"
Everyone waited eagerly. Finally, Thomas confidently gave his answer.
"It's Joan! They had a lot of good ideas I didn't give a chance!"
Remus dragged his palm over his face. Unbelievable! If you want something done, you've got to do it yourself! Snapping his fingers, he turned into the aforementioned friend. Seeing Remus short and with black hair made everyone do a double-take.
"Listen closely, Thomas. It's Logan! You've been neglecting him!"
At this Thomas clutched his head as though it was enveloped in pain. He muttered, "Oh. My. Gosh... I am so sorry..."
"Are you alright, Thomas?" Logan asked.
He couldn't. All he could do was shake his head and close his eyes.
Roman turned to Remus. "I have an idea. Patton and I will distract You-Know-Who... You help Logan get Thomas' attention!"
Remus nodded. Still in his Joan form, he materialized behind Logan.
Curiously, Logan partially turned around. He had to wonder why Remus was adamant about helping him. After all, Logan had taken his power away not too long ago. Shouldn't Remus be angry? Wouldn't he be glad Thomas wasn't giving logic the time of day? Logan’s thoughts were interrupted by ten fingers skittering on his sides. Screeching, he flinched, hands flying protectively to his waist. He wiggled around, struggling to escape Remus' hold. He was incredibly ticklish! How did Remus know?! Remus didn't stop there, he skittered all over the man's stomach and pinched his ribs too. Logan laughed loudly and hysterically.
Suddenly, Thomas' attention snapped to Logan. A smile broke out on his face as he watched the scene. For a man who rarely smiled, let alone laughed, Logan's laugh was quite endearing.
"REMUS!! AHAHAAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHA!! STAHAHAHAHAHP!! HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I-I CAN'T! HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAA!"
He was trying to say he couldn't take it, but his laughter drowned him out. Even though the man was shorter than him, he’d caught him in a hold he couldn’t escape from. Remus wore a playful grin the entire time. Finally, he stopped, letting the man breathe. Logan turned to him, a large blush on his cheeks. Remus just waved his fingers at him.
"You're welcome!" he said before he disappeared.
Catching his breath, Logan realized all eyes were on him. This made him flush further. Remus had ensured they'd pay attention to him alright, but he'd done it in the most mortifying way. Yep, this was revenge for taking away his power, alright...
Straightening up, Logan cleared his throat, willing away the rest of his giggles. "A-as I was saying, Thomas..."
The boy looked to him with a smile, waiting intently.
"It would be best if you looked to a professional with your problem. There are reasons why we don't attempt to mess with the pipes ourselves."
"But he'd save money!" Roman protested.
Thomas shook his head. "No. Logan's right on this one. I've tried fixing my own drains before, and I just ended up making it worse. We had to call a professional in the end to fix my mistakes!"
The other sides nodded to Logan respectfully. Logan smiled back nervously, glad no one mentioned his previously exploited weakness.
When the other sides left, Thomas was alone with Logan.
"I don't know what came over me. Logan, I'm sorry that I've been ignoring you... Could you ever forgive me?" He walked over and reached out for a hug.
"Thomas..." he said. "We can't hug. Physically impossible. But I do accept your apology."
Thomas smiled. "Wait... I know a way we can hug..."
Logan realized it, and facepalmed. Of course! It was so obvious! He turned into Talyn.
The two friends hugged. They felt happy at the physical contact, and Logan was surprised at the flow of emotion within him. He almost teared up at the rarely received physical affection.
Perhaps Logic could be sentimental after all.
After Logan went back to his room, Thomas turned to the audience and spoke in a serious voice.
"So today we saw what happens when you ignore your logic for too long. You might end up making a terrible mistake in thinking you can fix something yourself and end up with leaking pipes, or you may put off your homework to the last second until your anxiety kicks in. If people are telling you to listen to your logical side, they probably aren't joking! Anyways, that's it! Hope you enjoyed, and we'll see you next time! Take it easy, guys, gals, and non-binary pals! Peace out!
Thomas: I just wish there was some way I could make it up to you...
Logan: I'm sorry Thomas. There's really nothing you could offer me, other than listening more.
Thomas: (eyes shift back and forth from Logan to the fridge) By the way, I have some leftover Blueberry Crofters...
Logan: (in an excited, high-pitched voice) DID YOU SAY CROFTERS?!?!?! (runs to the fridge)
Thomas: (laughs hard and slaps his knee)
