#springtime deceitber

[anxiouslyfred]

Hot Water

Anyone realise we’ve seen our self-care snake get pretty extremely stressed out in 2 of his videos? Yeah I gave Virge a way to help, kind of. @loveceit gave the prompts

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There were few ways more successful for relaxing Janus from days of overworking than dumping him into a pool of hot water. It used to be a thing that when hiding everyone had Deceit start screaming Virgil would do this, usually without explaining or offering him a chance to undress. He’d just get thrown over a shoulder and deposited into a bath, bowler hat and all.

Now the things which upset or stressed Janus out had changed a lot since becoming known and accepted and it had been months at least since someone dumped him into water. The showers he usually took to save time were never as relaxing as they could be either, but at least he didn’t have to ask Roman to conjure a bath for him since the shower was part of his room.

“Have You FORGOTTEN Everything I TOLD YOU?” He was screaming between Patton and Logan when and arm wrapped around his shoulder, another taking his knees out from under him in the same movement. 

Virgil sighed, glancing at the man in his arms, before smirking at the pair looking very concerned before them. “Sorry, Janus hasn’t had much time this week to calm down. Why don’t you work out a balance between each of your views and giving Thomas some time for self-care while I remind Jay of his own lessons?”

He didn’t give them a chance to respond, already carry Deceit off to the imagination. “Ro, I told you we’d need a bath, not hot springs.” He deadpanned, looking at the forest glade the door opened into, Creativity already lounging in the pool  they could see steam rising from.

“Also said he needs to relax and what could be better than hot springs for that?” Roman countered, grinning and splashing in their direction a little.

Janus finally stopped pouting at being interrupted then, glancing between his boyfriends. “Do I get to undress or am I being thrown in?” He muttered, trying not to show how touched he was at the intervention he’d missed happening when only Virgil had been accepted.

“Depends, are you actually going to join us if I put you down, or are you going to return to upsetting the others and Thomas into worrying about self-care too much to actually take time for it?” The sceptical twist of Virgil’s lips was enough for Roman to snicker. Anxiety would insist on calming down everyone since they all panicked in his room. 

“I don’t have a bath, why would I pass up a chance to be encased in hot water?” The words were enough for Janus to be put down, quickly folding his clothes and placing his hat atop the pile “If they’d just listen to me from the start I wouldn’t have to scream.”

Roman nodded along, holding a hand out to help him into the spring where he hoped there would be stairs at least. “I’m sure you wouldn’t, but you have gotten increasingly frustrated over the past weeks, my dear Enchanter. Would you like me to make sure there’s a bath accessible in your room, just perhaps just a way to return here whenever you wish?” He offered, happily relaxing again after helping Virgil in too.

“Just a door here. Perfect.” Janus shivered further into the water, his muscles finally relaxing some of the tension he’d been carrying, only helped further by the men on either side of him deciding to massage his shoulders too.

[anxiouslyfred]

Peppermints

yeah I had an idea when i start writing then felt a real aversion to actually writing it. not sure if the way I got it written matches the rest of the story or not so sorry if this changes style halfway through. I will start using Deceit’s name... at some point

as always @loveceit​ gave the prompt list my brain did the rest.

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If you gave Deceit a choice of flavours then peppermint would not be one of his choices. It tasted too cold, too strongly and wasn’t a nice experience for him to have, especially with ice creams or any chilled desserts.

While some of Thomas’s sides would only eat one brussel sprout a year, and even then it was under protest, Deceit would avoid having after dinner mints except for once a year, on New Years to be specific.

His boyfriends did not share his aversion which he’d known well before ever dating them. Virgil enjoyed having a boiled sweet to suck if he needed to calm down after an argument and peppermint was a perfect flavour to bring his focus to the real world. Logan found peppermints to be focusing, and whether it was eating them himself or suggesting Thomas indulged in a few, would always work with extra vigour when there was peppermints being eaten.

Roman was actually unknown to Deceit. They hadn’t really discussed their favourite flavours at all given that cooking wasn’t something Roman got involved in beyond decorating biscuits or cakes. Assumptions could be made about his flavour choices though, given the twins had sown either identical or opposing views of various subject. That meant given Remus’s aversion to mint, claiming the spices and seasonings Deceit used to cook tasted far better, Roman could hopefully share Deceit’s distaste for the flavour.

That’s what he had hoped at least, until one of the warmer days of spring arrived.

Only Virgil and Deceit declined the ice cream everyone wanted to get, saying that a hot day meant they should have their first ice cream of the year, although Logan did point out that they’d already had ice cream with dessert a couple of times.

Roman came over to kiss Deceit deeply, letting him taste the flavour of mint offset by the warmth of anothers mouth, except the peppermint as a flavour was still be chilling. When Roman pulls away he sees Deceit shivering and smiles, thinking it’s because he was skilled in kissing, as with other romantic actions but really it’s because Deceit literally feels the cold of the flavour as a temperature change.

Virgil had heard about JD’s issues with flavour while they all lived together hidden in Thomas’s mind and wraps himself around Deceit from behind, taking the bowler hat to wear himself. Nuzzling into his neck in an effort to share warmth, he glances at Roman to chide, “You picked peppermint ice cream, so no kissing Deceit until you taste of something else.” 

Until that day all their relationships had mostly kept to kisses on the cheek or forehead although Deceit had had proper kisses with each of his boyfriends, they were rare. With Roman flushing and looking back at the ice cream he’d held away from them for their kiss it seemed as though for a while longer they’d be keeping the progression of their relationship soft and slow.

[anxiouslyfred]

Dry Scales

I’m like fairly sure I’m repeating the idea I used when I wrote this prompt in December. like 90% sure just different relationships and stuff included. @loveceit gave the prompts

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“I don’t care whatever date is going on, I’ve got mudpacks and you’re going to use them!” The door splintering as Deceit was curled around Virgil with Logan and Roman bracketing them together for a nap was definitely not his preferred way to wake up, but he’d cope with it for a moment.

Remus’s morning star completely shattering the door a second later did had him sigh as Virgil stirred finally. Logan and Roman were already staring incredulously at the door. “Is it time for that already?” He mumbled, one hand reaching to scratch gently at Janus’s scales after he took in the various products in Remus’s arms. “Definitely, guys, let him over. Looks like nap-time is going to be a spa afternoon instead.”

The scratching was enough of an explanation for Deceit too since he’d forgotten when his next shed was due with everything happening around them. There was no denying the loose dry scales being nudged close to falling as Anxiety rubbed them. “What mudpacks do I get today?” He asked, managing to sit up though Virgil remained resting in his lap.

“Anybody care to explain just why I should move? He literally just destroyed your door?” Roman was still on edge, appearing two seconds from summoning his swords. He looked a little like a startled cat since his hair was standing up in a mess from their nap still.

“Cause our serpentine solicitor is due to shed soon and needs a skin care routine better than you’ve ever achieved to keep him wonderful. Now move, or I’ll knock you out so you can’t get in the way.” Remus explained, already trying to shove his way onto the bed, while handing a couple of scrubs over to Virgil.

Anxiety was snickering a little at their words, already smearing a salt rub over a soft cloth. It would get the dead skin off before the moisturiser was chosen. “It’s self care time, Ro. Just let him teach you a few tricks to relax.”

“He literally eats deodorant?” The gesture was affronted even as Roman moved backwards to make space. 

“The stuff he uses irritates Janus’s skin so he tried eating it instead. We just haven’t worked out how to stop it yet. Or apparently how to get him back to more normal scents again.” The wrinkled nose only got a wink from Remus, now focusing on separating his various skin care products into pile. 

The organisation finally had Logan speaking instead of just blearily watching what was happening. “Are all of those really needed for Janus? I know some people have special oils for pet snakes but I didn’t think you’d need to go this extreme.”

That got everyone checking over what had been brought before Remus began cackling. “Of course it’s not just for Dee-dee. We all have a spa afternoon when helping with this. You’ve got lavender and chamomile products that Virgie loves, I get Cinnamon, Pepper and Sage for the burning sensation and Janus has honey and lemon, our sweet and sour snake. The rest was just shit I thought you or Roman could use if you were around. I’m not gonna push Jay’s boyfriends out unless he says so, or Roman wants to battle instead. I’m flexible like that.”

Janus didn’t feel like speaking at all as his listened to chaos erupt around him that could only happen if Remus was being deliberately contrary to the other sides. It was soothing enough to feel Anxiety’s careful touch, teasing away dead skin or scales that were being shed and gentling any pain with soft touches.

He noticed at least when sharpened nails joined in, brushing through his hair to help with where it met the scales. Virgil was always tentative about that point so Remus had taken over for it. That meant Creativity and Logic had either accepted the spa afternoon and were looking through what had been brought or left, hopefully the former.

“How do I use a face mask properly? Do I need to clean my face first?” Logan quietly asked, Virgil’s hand soon disappearing as he went to help.

Janus blinked his eyes open to see a few of the head bands anxiety had from concerts he’d seen split between everyone else in the room and some skin care products in front of all of them. “You usually tell me without destroying my door.” He murmured, too relaxed to get annoyed.

“More fun this way. I wanted to see if I could start a fight but apparently not.” Remus snickered, glancing over at his brother. The two Creativities were getting along better but still enjoyed arguing as a way to break the tension that sometimes formed in the mindspace.

“You’re still replacing it later.” He insisted though.

[anxiouslyfred]

Fuzzy Socks

I wanted some silliness and laughter today, and my brain gave me intruality salemen. somehow I think it worked. @loveceit not sure you could expect how fuzzy socks would be written

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“Are you looking for a break from endless stolen hats?” Remus popping up already using a cheesey salesman voice had Janus raising an eyebrow, and lowering the book he’d been reading.

“Not particularly.” He answered, already expecting to be ignored.

“Well we have the item for you!” Patton popped up using a cheerier version of the salesman voice. “Made from the softest wool!”

An info-graphic popped up beside Remus, being gestured too randomly.“Sheep and goats reared on the highest mountains froze to make these socks.” 

“What does where the creatures were raised have to do with their wool?” Deceit challenged, huffing a little as he put the book to one side. 

Patton just bowled straight past the question. “It keeps you warm and is comfort incarnate to wear, far superior to a felt hat that barely covers your ears.”

“Everybody is dying to get their hands on them! All for the trade of one bowler hat!” Remus continued, finally materialising the sock they were talking about into his hands.

Janus laughed properly then. “Are you really asking me, Deceit, to feed into a fake capitalist scenario in my mindspace? And trying to take away some of my boyfriends fun at the same time?”

“You sit there shivering and I’m here to say you could be warm!” Patton insisted, pointing with a wide grin.

“If I wanted to be warm I’d go and cuddle Roman. My answers no.” Janus shook his head, “Plus when two of my boyfriends literally ask for dates by stealing my hat how on earth would they manage it if I traded it for socks?”

“LOGAN AND VIRGIL ARE SOCK THIEVES!!” Remus yelled out immediately after Deceit spoke, causing the other to raise a hand to his face.

Patton at least did pause and start to drop the salesman act. “They could write you letters.” He tried suggesting until Remus clicked.

After watching Patton’s previous failed attempt at a love letter Janus shook his head. “Seriously no thank you. I have my aesthetic and that includes my hat. My hat thieves do always return it eventually anyway.”

The disappointed noises only made him snicker more as Patton and Remus walked away, already thinking of something else they could channel Remus’s focus towards.

At least it had given his eyes a break from reading as he’d probably read the same sentence 5 times before the pair arrived.

[anxiouslyfred]

Pleasant Heat

You know that thing “I’ve started so I’ll finish” from some gameshow? Yeah, that’s how I’m beginning to feel over these prompts but at least I feel like I’m writing something when I do them. @loveceit created the prompts

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Deceit didn’t want to move, let alone get up and see which boyfriend now had his hat. He was already sure Virgil didn’t have it because they were cuddled together, both zipped into the hoodie after the morning kept them both working hard.

“You know sometimes they get anxious if you take too long to retrieve your hat now.” Virgil murmured, nuzzling into his hair. “I’ve checked on Roman a few times when it starts but he just worries you’ve gotten fed up of the game or of him if it takes too long. Logan’s actually told me he does the same, asking if there’s a way for him not to get so concerned.”

“I don’t care. I’m comfortable here for now. Summon them if they get too worried.” He mumbled.He never had a need for airs and graces when it was just them. If you put on presentation all the time you’d forget why you used it in the first place.

Virgil just huffed out a small laugh, remaining nuzzled close and tightening his arms. “They’ll look for us themselves.”

Silence fell after that, both of them just enjoying the comfort of being wrapped together on cushions and in the hoodie. 

[anxiouslyfred]

Soft Blankets

I love it when I start writing with no clue what’s going on only to enjoy the story. that grows from it. @loveceit made the prompts and i’m just carrying on

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Virgil knows the fears of everyone, far deeper than the ones they claim are their deepest fears. It’s his job as Anxiety to know them and either comfort or guide them through facing their fears.

Nobody else can reliably say what Virgil’s fears are though. Once Deceit would have said it was probably to not be needed, except when Virgil ducked out the idea of that being a fear was thoroughly wiped out. The same happened with anything else the sides theorised to be Virgil’s fears, nothing could stick as he seemed insistent on fighting any fear they had including his own.

Anxiety was also the only sides quiet enough to steal Deceit’s hat without him realising while the theft took place.

When Janus went to find the hat he was surprised by how shaken and upset Virgil seemed to be, fretting over the best way to make his blanket nest as an outlet for all the energy he had. “Looks like something scared you? Is everything okay?” He asked, scanning around the room and seeing nothing that shouldn’t be there, although the shelves were tidier than usual.

“Just a nightmare, part of my life, you know. I’ll talk to Remus later.” Virgil hissed out, already pulling Deceit into his nest and cuddling into his side. 

“You ask him to stop them? You know neither creativity controls the dreams each of us have, only the dreams which Thomas experiences.” Deceit mused, easily finding a comfortable position and wondering just how many blankets had been used for the nest.

The scoff he got in reply just made the curiosity over what could frighten Anxiety stronger. “No. He helps me run through the scenarios that scare me. I come up with something, ask him to put me in that scene and work out a way through. It helps work out my adrenaline when I’m ready to face it.”

“And until then you want some cuddles.” Janus concluded, already returning the hug and relaxing into the nest. 

“You like cuddles and I need to check you’re still happy. I don’t want to screw our relationship up. After going through the scene with Remus I’m going to try getting a picnic together.”Virgil shook his head, pulling another blanket over them and nuzzling into Deceit’s shoulder, eyes closing after a moment.

Nobody ever gets told what Virgil fears and those fears tend to change quite regularly regardless. He’s good at his job, whether that’s helping the other sides or himself, but sometimes Virgil just wants to cuddle his snake boy and have a break  from them.

[anxiouslyfred]

Holiday Treats

I acknowledge the new video could change how I’m writing these stories but given I don’t want it too, Deceit is just staying as Deceit until further notice.

@loveceit gave me prompts and if you want to see what else has happened in these connected stories looking up my Springtime Deceitber tag will find you the rest of them,

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“I’m baking and more than happy for you to actually join me for the afternoon.” Virgil spoke before Deceit could sink out, retrieved hat still in his hands.

“Baking what?” He paused, not quite making a decision yet. It had been a while since he’d had an afternoon with only Virgil that wasn’t just cuddling or having a nap  so the offer was tempting.

Virgil glanced over his shoulder then, a small smirk on his face. “Orange and pineapple pie and then I might make some bread if I feel like it.”

It might be simple but homemade bread was one of the treats Deceit loved to have, the crisp crust and scent that filled the mind-space just oozed comfort for him. With the possibility of getting some his gloves were off before he’d consciously made the decision. “I’ll chop the fruit then.”

Virgil just shook his head, already rubbing the butter into the flour to make the pastry. 

They’d just put the pie into the oven when Deceit remembered what Roman had said. Virgil probably would never ask about having a relationship, especially now everyone knew Deceit was dating Roman, so if he wanted to have them both as boyfriends it would be on him to ask.

“You know you could just ask me to join you, no need to steal my hat for attention.” Deceit began, leaning against the counter while Virgil washed the bowls they’d used already.

The tensing of his shoulders warned Deceit of Virgil’s denial. “You have other things more important than chilling with me, at least if I take the hat I know you won’t be busy when you come to fetch it.”

“So you think you’re less likely to get rejected if you steal my hat instead of ask me on a date?” He asked, focusing on wiping his hands off to avoid staring at Virgil.

The other froze momentarily, before shaking his head, scrubbing a bowl far too vigorously to be needed. “It’s not a date. You’re dating Roman, like you said yesterday.”

“Roman who literally said he’s fine with me dating you and Logan as well. I mean if there’s no romantic feelings there, shoot me down by all means, but I get the feeling we could be a wonderful couple.” Deceit was trying to be casual about the whole thing, focusing on assembling the ingredients for bread instead of making it a serious conversation that could have Virgil fleeing.

“Of course there are! You’ve known that for ages and don’t play the idiot over that.” Virgil placed the last dish on the drying rack, turning to face Dee properly. “But I’m nothing compared to them, just an anxious mess that has to fight to be taken seriously, accepted or not.”

Deceit met his eyes now before rolling them. “Pretty sure that has never bothered me before and you definitely do more than that to keep us all safe. Want me to list the times or should I just say we’re dating now but you can steal my hat to ask for dates if you’d prefer to keep doing it that way?”

“Really?” The was hesitancy in the question, but also hope and that was enough for Deceit to nod.

“Really, although if you don’t start making break with me now I can change my mind.” The teasingly serious gaze was enough to break the moment and get Virgil snickering, but as they carried on baking there was a lot less space between them.

[anxiouslyfred]

Cuddle Pile

Just a soft little scene today. @loveceit I’m going to miss these after tomorrow. These prompts have been fun to do a second time around.

/\/\/\/\/\

Janus had been listening to the rain hitting the roof all morning. The only thing he’d needed to help Thomas with was not constantly apologising for calling the picnic he’d planned with his friends off and after that he could curl into his bed and just listen.

It was almost a meditative state, only increased when Logan joined him after a while, sitting beside him and beginning to read aloud his book about weather systems.

When they first heard thunder became the prompt for Virgil to bounce into the room. “It’s a thunder storm guys! Can I open your curtains to watch it? You always get the best views of lightning, Janus.” He asked, already moving to do so. At least now he’d ask when before they got accepted Virgil just took  permission for granted during storms.

“Only if I get some cuddles too. Logan’s telling us about what causes thunderstorms currently.” He smiled at the energy this weather gave Virgil. It was hard to feel anxious about the nuances of society when nobody was likely to leave the house during a storm.

Loan had almost finished the chapter of his book before Roman arrived, looking a little like a drowned rat. “Can we check the weather forecast before I decide to go on quests next time?” He groused, drying off with a click of his fingers and a hair flip. Once Roman was in comfier clothes he glanced back to the trio on the bed. “Is there room for me to join your cuddles?”

“Always, come here Princey.” Janus held out their arms, wrapping them around Roman as soon as he was close enough.

Perhaps the weather was frightful but it was also very relaxing to listen to and watch.