Not me still going with my October prompt list in February-
Oh well, I had a lot of nice plots so I'm going to use them.
This is for day 2 of @sanders-spring Loceit
And also day 13 of my October prompt list Siren
AND part 3 of 1.-Horns/Halo and 10.-Ravens
I don't think there's any warnings, but let me know if you find something I should tag!
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Having a fisherman as a dad was the worst, at least for Logan. It’s not thet he didn’t love his dad, or liked the whole strict routine they had going on, but was he really expected to do this his whole life?
Logan would wake up early in the morning, hop on a boat by himself and try to catch something. At least he was old enough to go unsupervised, that was the only good part. He had all that time just for himself, and his studies.
There had been countless arguments and fights about Logan’s education in the past. Of course his parents wanted him to go to school, but not college. The deal was clear, Logan would have a house and food as long as he stayed in the family’s business.
Logan wasn’t dumb, maybe his parents were since they let him keep part of the money he gained during the day, money he was saving. The plan was simple: save enough to pay for college and move into campus, and once the school year started he would get another job, easy.
So here he was on another busy day. He was waiting for the nets to catch something as he filled out another practice test. His final score had to be perfect if he wanted to get a scholarship that could actually help him. It was just like any other day, average and boring.
Logan certainly didn’t expect to find waves in these waters. They weren't huge like the ones people use to surf on, but certainly strong enough to move the little boat around.
Before Logan could register what was happening, a bright light emerged from the waters along with a dark hole that was expanding with every second it passed. Okay, time to row away.
Logan grabbed the paddles as quickly as he could before the whole was big enough to reach him. He wasn't that strong to row rapidly in calm waters, and he definitely wasn't doing better when the sea was working against him.
Next thing Logan knew? Everything went dark as the black hole swallowed him and the boat.
Logan's eyes shot open as he sat up. Did he fall asleep? Had it all been a dream? He was still floating on the open sea, but the shore wasn't visible from that point. Perhaps he only got dragged away. He decided going back home was the best… even if his compass wasn't working… Well, he could figure out his way back based on the position of the sun and the estimated time he had spent outside.
Hours had passed since he started rowing back, Logan had to remind his dad to fix the motor before he went out to fish again. Should he try another direction? No, he was quite sure this was the right way, and the sun setting only helped to further prove his point.
Logan stopped abruptly as something tugged on the boat. Oh right, he forgot to pull the net up. Something must have gotten stuck while he floated around. He took the edge of the net and pulled, quite confused as to why it was heavier then usual. He froze once he saw what it was.
There was a tiny person tangled in the net, was this a kid? No, it looked too old to be a kid but was the size of one...and they had a tail.
They were tugging the net trying to get out, as they muted several words in a language Logan couldn't understand. By how they sounded, he could only assume they were curse words or something of that nature. They hadn't noticed Logan's presence either. “Uh… I can help you, if you want.”
The, mermaid? Yeah mermaid seemed like the best term to use to describe them at the moment. The mermaid looked up at Logan, fear invading their eyes… no it wasn't fear, it was more like confusion? Whatever they were feeling right now, it only made them tug harder on the net.
“Hold on, you're only going to hurt yourself.” Logan didn't even know if talking to them helped at all, if he couldn't understand them it was more than likely they couldn't understand them.
Logan had to do something since talking clearly won't work. He reached towards the water to gently scoop up the mermaid, dragging the net along with them. He got his arms all wet but he was used to it, “try to stay still please.”
Of course they didn't listen, or didn't understand at least. It only made the process of untangling them longer, which apparently made them understand after a while.
Logan tried to be as careful as he could. They couldn't be more than a three feer tall taking their tail into consideration, which was more than half their body. Yellow and green scales decorated their tail, scales that reflected the sunlight which made them look like they were shining. The tail’s shape reminded Logan of a catfish, though he had never seen a yellow catfish.
Getting lost in his thoughts didn't mean that Logan had stopped working, he could definitely think as he untangled the net. He did however, become self conscious of the way he was staring at the mermaid’s tail. “I apologize in advance if I’m making you uncomfortable in any way.
Logan wasn't expecting an answer. “You speak English right?”
He froze, but was quick to shake off that feeling and keep working.“I do, and I wasn't aware you could understand me, let alone speak it.”
“I’m not great speaking,” they replied. “Or getting big hard words.”
Well, clearly the way they worded those sentences demonstrated that, “Then I’ll make sure to simplify my vocabulary,” the mermaid gave him a confused look. “I’ll speak with easier words,” Logan corrected himself.
It didn't take much longer for the mermaid to be free from the net, Logan left them on his lap as he put the net away. “You don’t have a tail,” they mentioned.
Logan looked down at him, “I do not. You’ve never seen a human before have you?”
They shook their head, “some like you?”
“Someone like me indeed, I’m kind of surprised you don't even know what a human is.” Logan was hoping they would help him get back to land, but it didn't seem like that was going to happen.
“A human… we don’t have humans here.”
Logan raised an eyebrow, “what do you mean you don't?”
The mermaid moved on Logan's lap to look over the edge of the boat and point at the sea. “We all live down there, no land on the surface.”
Logan felt the color draining from his face. He looked up, desperately trying to spot the shore or an island or something. What was going on? Had that… black hole been real? Where was he then?
A tiny hand on his chest brought him back to his senses. He looked down at the mermaid who looked at him with concerned eyes, “something wrong isn't it?”
Logan nodded, “if what you're telling me is true, I think I’m not supposed to be here.”
The mermaid hummed. They used the edge of the boat to impulse themselves back to the water.
“Wow, thank you I suppose.” Logan sighed and took the paddles again, thinking they had abandoned him.
He stopped when a hand got out from underwater, “I can help. Like you help.”
Logan looked over at them, what did they want to do? He couldn't really underhow they wanted to help… but he didn't have a lot of options here. Taking a deep breath and letting go of the paddles, Logan reached forand took their hand, only to be pulled into the water.
Sanders Sides: Deceit, Virgil, Logan, Roman, Patton
Sequel to Little Lies
Blurb: Deceit has been stuck in his ‘role’ as Dilyn for almost a year now. It’s about time he changed that.
Fic Type: Hurt/Comfort, Tiny!Sides
Inspiration: From @yay-cats9‘s wonderful Fanart she did for Little Lies. <3 Again thank you for the artwork! I love it!
Overall Fic Warnings: Deceit, Negative Self Talk, Panic/Anxiety Attacks, Manipulation talk, Kinda Imprisonment?
Dee jumped, heart stuttering as Logey’s voice came from the doorway somewhere behind Virgil. Instinctively he tried to shove away from him and vanish from sight, but with Vee’s arms protectively holding Dee in place, he couldn’t go anywhere.
Trapped.
Nononononono NO!
Dee made a small noise of protest, flinching as soft footsteps moved closer.
It was one thing to be pathetic in front of Virgil, the former Dark Side.
It was completely different to show Log--
“Kiddo…” Patton whispered from just behind Vee.
A third shadowy figure appeared, highlighted by the light coming from the doorway. “We wouldn’t hate you, Dil.” Roman said.
To show the others how much of a weakling he’d become.
Dee’s breath caught in his throat as he ducked his head against Virgil’s chest, taking refuge from everyone in the only place he could when he couldn’t just sync out to get away from them because he was still a freaking powerless child!
Some Gatekeeper.
You’re pathetic.
He hadn’t even heard the french doors open! How long had they been standing there listening--listening to him being--being--pathet--WAIT. Dee tensed, heart taking off like a hummingbird’s wings in his chest. Had the others seen him silence Vee? Had they watched him struggle to release him from his hold? What if they thought Dee had been purposely holding him captive! A long con that they walked in on, not knowing that Deceit had been trying to free Virgil. That he hadn’t meant to silence him! That it was an accid--
They’re gonna hate you for this.
You Betrayed their trust.
You can’t just silence the Big Four.
Monster.
“Dee.” Virgil’s voice seemed to come from the end of a long tunnel. “Dee.” He felt fingers moving through his hair again. “Stop. Don’t--”
S-s-stop? Stop?! How could he?! HE was DECEIT! He was the BAD guy and the others now KNEW it. He whimpered, struggling to draw air to speak. “I-I-I--” He couldn’t get the words out. He couldn’t!
They’ll hate you.
Something pressed against his back, rubbing small circles there. “Kiddo. Kiddo please. You’re okay. You need to breathe. Can you breathe for us?”
B-breathe? How would that help them not hate him? Dee squeezed his eyes shut, his fingers twisting into the fabric of Virigl’s hoodie so they wouldn’t accidentally grab at the air.
Yah that would be just grand if you silence them.
They’ll hate you.
No matter what.
They will.
You can’t stop being you.
“It’s okay, Dil--ah Dee? Dee.” Roman said as warm fingers trailed down his bare cheek, brushing at the tears that lingered there.
Dil.
Dee flinched.
They only like you because you’ve been Dilyn.
They’ll never like Deceit.
Virgil’s arms tightened around him as Roey’s fingers paused, feather light on him. “You’re okay, my young Prince.” He soothed.
Not okay.
Never okay.
Pathetic Gatekeeper.
Can’t even function properly without freaking out.
Yet Dee found himself leaning into Roman’s warm palm, his hands frozen in Virgil’s hoodie. “I-I-I-”
“Deceit.” Logan said in his usual calm tones, using Dee’s title like it was the most natural thing in the world after a year of calling him Dilyn. He placed his fingers on his arm, gently tapping in an odd pattern repeating pattern of four, seven, then eight. “You are safe with us. You are not in any danger.”
Yet.
“Just breathe for now. Don’t try and speak just yet.” Anxiety huffed, again running his fingers through Dee’s hair. “Trust me, I know how this works.”
“We can wait, kiddo.”
“Until you are calmer.”
“Take your time, Dil--Dee.”
“You just need to breathe for us.” Patton said, continuing to rub his back. “Breathe.”
Breathe. They just wanted him to breathe. Dee nodded, keeping his eyes shut as he shakily lifted one hand, disrupting Logan’s tapping on his arm, to grab onto Roman’s finger’s, clinging to them like a drowning man clinging to a fraying string. Breathe. Okay… Okay…how?
You forgot how to breathe?
Some Gatekeeper.
Can’t even breathe properly.
“Sometimes it helps to focus on something else.” Virgil whispered, rocking him back and forth, continuing to hold him close with one arm, while the other hand played with his hair. “Like...I don’t know...can you--do you taste something?”
Taste? How could tasting anything help him breathe?! What sort of stupid quest-- Dee swallowed, tongue flickering out to his lips and the salty flavor coating them as Logan placed a steadying hand on his leg, just resting it there. “T-t-tears” He managed to whisper.
“Okay.” Vee squeezed him, giving a comforting pressure all around. “That’s...well the tears aren’t good, but it’s good you can taste them.“ He exhaled. “What about two things you smell?”
Smell? Dee drew in a shaky breath through his nose. It was--it was...“La-La-Lav.”
“Lavender? From my hoodie?”
He nodded, breath hitching. “Mmmm.” He buried his face deeper into Virgil’s clothes. “Mint.” He mumbled.
“Oh!” Patton gasped, pausing in rubbing Deceit’s back. “I get it.” He whispered
That made one of them, because Dee didn’t see how this was supposed to help.
“It makes sense Virgil’s clothes would smell so as both scents help to calm those who are feeling anxious.” Logan said, fingers again returning to tapping their four, seven, eight pattern on his leg.
“What about three things you hear, my young Prince?” Roman asked. “Can you tell us that?”
It was who he didn’t want to hear currently. Dee hunched his shoulders. It was easier to admit his insecurities when it was just him and Vee, but facing- “Y-you Three.” He whispered. It wasn’t easy. Obviously. He grimaced. “Pat…Lo…Ro.” And Vee...but Roey had only wanted him to say three.
“And are we causing you stress, Deceit? Being here?” Logan asked.
All movement from the others ceased and Dee couldn’t help but flinch again, his hand clutching tighter to Roman’s to keep him from pulling away. From leaving.
Pathetic.
Some Gatekeeper.
“Ye--na--n--ye-na” He couldn’t get either word out. He didn’t want them here, seeing him like this, but he didn’t exactly want them to leave either. He swallowed, throat burning as he turned his head to rest his scaled cheek against Vee’s hoodie, keeping his eyes squeezed shut as he dropped his other hand to Logey’s cooler one, wishing he had another arm to make sure Pat couldn’t leave either. “S-s-stay?”
If you had more of a spine you could easily MAKE them stay with you.
Just silence them.
Take control.
But he didn’t want to do that! He didn’t want to ruin the--the friendships he’d built with the others over the past year.
“Aww, DeeDee.” Patton cooed, returning to rubbing small circles on his back.
Dee flushed, ducking his head back against Virgil’s chest to hide how red his face must be.
And getting redder.
His breath caught, eyes nearly opening before he caught himself as Roman gently lifted Dee’s hand, pressing his lips to the back of it. “Of course, my young Prince. We’ll stay as long as you need us to. I promise.”
Truth.
The tightness in Dee’s chest faded, allowing him to draw air deeper into his lungs. They were going to stay. The Big Four wouldn’t leave him. Not even--not even---after--si--silencing--
“Four things you feel, Dee.” Virgil said, again running his fingers through Deceit’s hair, holding him close.
That was easier. He felt...he felt….surrounded. But in a good way. Everyone was there...for him. Wanting to help. He tightened his grip on Logey and Roey. “Pat--my back. Lo--leg. Ro...hand. You--ho-holding me.”
“And when you’re ready, Deceit.” Logan rested his other hand on top of Dee’s. “Tell us, what are five things you can see?”
See? Dee squirmed, biting his lip.
Seeing would require opening his eyes.
Seeing would mean he--he’d see their faces.
And that---that--
Some Gatekeeper.
Can’t even face your fears.
Dee gritted his teeth, pulling his hands back to his chest, digging his fingers into the cloak Virgil had made for him. He could face them. HE COULD!
Roey had said they wouldn’t leave.
Vee proved that, sticking around even after he’d been silenced, holding onto him without being forced to provide comfort.
Looking at them shouldn’t change that.
Until they find out what you did to Virgil.
Until they remember you’re a DARK side.
“It’s okay, DeeDee.” Pat said, reassuringly.
Ro again stroked his cheek with his thumb. “We’re here for you.”
Are they?
Roey had promised.
Promises can be broken.
You know that.
“Bu-but---” Dee swallowed, eyelids fluttering as he leaned into Roman’s palm. “I--I just si-silenced--”
The stroking stopped. “Silenced?”
“You used your ability?” Logan asked, the faintest of tremors to his voice as his hand twitched on Dee’s knee. “Up here?”
“Kiddo, that’s not poss--”
“It is.”
Dee jerked at Vee’s steady voice, pulling free from Roman’s hand as his eyes flashed open to stare at the stormcloud on Virgil’s jacket. How coul--could he speak so calmly about being silenced! Dee could remember all too clearly the terror that had flashed across Anxiety’s face when his hands had slapped to his mouth. How the Shadows had sprung up in defense--
“But...How do you know?” Logan asked.
Virgil shifted under him, shrugging one shoulder. “Dee silenced me, right before you guys showed up. Hands to the mouth and everything.”
Patton made a soft noise of distress. “Nooooo.”
Here comes the rejection.
The hatred.
No one cares for Deceit.
Dee curled up tighter, hiding as much as his burning face as he could. “Mm. sorry.” He mumbled. He didn’t want to be--be that sort of Deceit. The Bad Guy. He just wanted to...be himself...whatever himself was now--he didn’t know anymore.
Virgil dropped his hand from Dee’s hair to his hands, squeezing them. “It was--” He exhaled. “A shock for both of us. I wasn’t expecting it--I don’t think Dee was either...we--well I handled it...badly.”
Badly? Dee shook his head, looking up at Virgil frowning at the dark shadows under his eyes. Sure being attacked by the shadows hadn’t been fun. But he had been the one to stop listening to Vee when he said to stop. He was the one who pushed to continue trying to make him sound more like his adult self. “No.”
Virigl raised an eyebrow. “No?”
He nodded, eyes flickering to the other three as they shifted closer to him so they could see his face. “No. Not just you--I was...I pushed, I was--was--b-bad.” His bottom lip trembled. He’d been so desperate to be his old self that he hadn’t considered the consequences of his actions, of what he was asking. “And you just help and help and help some more, not...hate me.” He pulled one hand free from its place under Virgil’s and raised it--only semi surprised that Anxiety didn’t flinch at his movement, to rest his hand on his cheek. “You handle it good.”
Virgil had remained the level-headed one, working to comfort him despite his own distress while Dee---He was the one who’d---well...had a meltdown.
Like the useless child you are.
Some Gatekeeper.
“So...I can assume.” Logan said, tilting his head. “That from the context given...Dee’s state of panic we found him in was from the...this...silencing that took place?” He asked, his fingers moving to tap in the four, seven, eight pattern again.
“A silencing that shouldn’t have happened.” Roman mused, his eyes darting between Dee and Vee. “I mean--we proved his powers didn’t work on us months ago, Specs. That they only work while he’s in the subconscious with the Others.”
Virgil shifted, though his hold remained steady on Dee as he drew in a breath. “I could be wrong, but I think….it’s because I began thinking of him as Deceit instead of Dilyn after I found him out here dressed in his old clothes.”
Huh? Dee looked down at his outfit--well the one Vee had made for him. The one that made him feel like himself for the first time in a long time. But that--how could--a change of clothes gave him his ability to silence back? That hardly made any sens--
“Of course!” Logan abruptly leaned forward, intently studying Dee’s clothes. “I can--Why did we not consider!?”
Roman frowned. “Consider, Specs? Care to clue the rest of us in?”
Logan sat back, clearing his throat as he adjusted his tie. “We’ve all been concerned that Deceit’s stayed small far longer than the rest of us ever have...and with this new info.” He adjusted his glasses, the lens flashing in the faint light. “His unchanging state may be our fault.”
Deceit blinked, twisting to see Logan. Come again? Their fault? The Big Four had done nothing but help him for the past year! Keeping him safe and protected and his little state secret from the Others in the subconscious.
Patton made a noise in the back of his throat, fiddling with the edge of his hoodie as his hand paused on Dee’s back. “Our fault?”
“Just think of it.” Logan gestured to all of them. “What did Roman say when he set the parameters for Deceit’s role as Dilyn a year ago?”
Ro straightened, gesturing vaguely around the balcony. “Well, I said that he’s just a child in the mindscape. That he doesn’t have any particular funct--” He jerked. “Great Odin’s Eyepatch!” Roman turned to Logan. He jabbed his finger in the air. “No function. That’s what you’re getting at. We made Deceit--”
Logan nodded. “Exactly. If Dilyn’s ‘role’ is to be a child and that he has no function in the mindscape, then there is no reason for him to grow or return to normal. Hence why Deceit--has remained how he is.”
“We didn’t let him be himself.” Patton whispered, pulling his hand back to grab onto the sleeves of his cat sweater. “In trying to make our lives easier while he was with us--we refused to let Deceit be himself.”
Truth.
Dee sat up in Virgil’s arms, eyes wide. The solution--it was--could it really be that simple? Had they really prevented him from growing the entire time by--by having him take on this role?!
“Kinda my thoughts.” Virgil mumbled, fidgeting in place. “Hence why I--I gave him a version of his outfit back. To help him...feel more like Deceit.”
Deceit will rise.
“So to fix this--” Roman snapped his fingers, grinning wide. “We just need to start treating you like Deceit again.”
Dee stiffened, breath catching his throat. “Just like before?” He asked, hating how his voice trembled.
Back to being the Bad Guy.
“NO.” Virgil wrapped his arms protectively around Dee as he shook his head. “I mean...Yes to you being Deceit again, Dee. But No to just like before. I mean...we can’t--we need to--”
“Accept him?” Patton asked, tilting his head, eyes shimmering in the faint light. “All of him. Like we did for you?”
“Exactly.”
Was it really that easy? Dee looked between all of them. Were they really wanting him to be...Deceit? “But--” He ducked his head. “I’ll be...bad again.”
“Falsehood.” Logan said, gently lifting Dee’s chin back up to meet his eyes. “Overall Thomas is a good person, which means that you are too….there is no need to return to exactly how things were before in order for you to function for Thomas.”
“It would be silly to act like nothing’s changed between us.” Patton said, bouncing in place. “I mean...DeeDee can make cookies with me just as easily as Dilio did, even when you’re back to being an adult! We can still be FamILY.”
Family.
The word had his stomach fluttering as chills rushed down his spine. Family.
It was strange how---how desperately Dee wanted that word to apply to him too. To be included. To be wanted. To be part of a group. Part of the Family.
“It’s just a matter of figuring out what you want, Dee.” Virgil said, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. “You don’t have to be stagnant. I mean...I changed. You can too. Be whoever you want to be.”
“Of course. Which means to potentially help Deceit return to normal--” Logan took Dee’s hand, his own giving the slightest of tremors as he raised it to his mouth, maintaining eye contact as he did so. “When you are ready.” He said, a faint shimmer of fear flashing across his eyes as his breath ghosted over Dee’s finger tips. “You can silence me as per your duties as Self Preservation to keep Thomas safe, I will not hate you for doing so.”
Dee caught his breath, eyes going wide. He...he wouldn’t? Hate...him?
“Same here, Jekyll and Lied.” Roman said placing his hand over Logan’s, giving a seated bow to Dee. “Silence me as you will. I won’t hate you either for doing your job.”
“Me too!” Patton agreed with a tremulous smile, adding his hand to the others.
“You already silenced me--but yah.” Virgil shrugged, placing his hand on top. “You can do it again, I guess.”
Dee--Deceit lifted his blurry eyes from their hands, heart pounding in his chest hard enough he wouldn’t be surprised if it burst. “You’re...you’re sure?” He whispered.
It had been so long...so very long since he’d attempted to use his powers on them. Attempted to be...Deceit. He didn’t--want to hurt them. He didn’t even know if he could anymore...but the knowledge that they were willing to let him...meant a lot.
They nodded, even Virgil tilted his head the barest of degrees.
“If we can be ourselves around you, Deceit.” Logan said.
“Then there is no need for you to pretend any longer to be someone else for us.” Roman finished, giving him a wink. “We’ll work it out.”
“Cus that’s what FamILY does!” Patton said, tousling his hair. “Even though you look like a kid, we’ll do our best to treat you like an adult from here out. It will be our New Year’s Goal! Okay, DeeDee?”
Deceit will rise.
It wasn’t--wasn’t how he originally wanted to return--but this...this could work. To help him get back to normal. To be...Deceit again.
Dee drew in a steadying breath, nodding. A new year. A new him. Hopefully working with the Big Four instead of against them.
“Five things I see.” He said softly, meeting everyone’s eyes as his small hand warmed in theirs. “Me with my Family.”
Notes: Took me forever to figure this one out, but the outcome came out pretty well in my opinion. I’m trying to figure if I should make a part 2 to this though. I might.
The forest was beautiful during the sunset. The colors shining through the leaves brought a peaceful feeling to the air. The slight breeze made for a pleasant temperature, perfect for a simple hoodie to be worn and not be cold. That was Dee’s way of persuading his best friend to come with him into the forest this late in the day. That and the promise of a big surprise to be revealed on their walk.
Virgil was still nervous about walking into the forest this late in the day. Sure, the sun was still up, but it was disappearing quickly over the horizon. This forest always gave him an odd feeling, this time of the day did not help his anxiety over the situation. Dee knew this. And he knew the surprise he had would not be taken kindly at first.
Virgil trusted Dee. And Dee was going to make sure his anxious best friend would always be safe. That was the convincing point: Dee would never put Virgil in a dangerous situation. So Virgil agreed to come with Dee.
But Dee wished Virgil wasn’t almost as impatient as he was anxious.
“Dee, we have been walking for nearly an hour. It is an hour walk back home now, where is the surprise?” A quick glance at Virgil showed that nerves were finally catching up to him.
Dee looked in front of him and basically sighed in relief. “Actually, Virgil,” he announced, turning back to his best friend. “We have just arrived. Follow me.” He waved the walking ball of anxiety forwards, walking towards the line where the trees became a bit more sparse.
Virgil stood by him, looking around in confusion. “I thought you said the surprise was here?”
Dee nodded, taking in his surroundings. He seemed to take a particular interest in an odd log and sat down.
Virgil took a couple steps towards him but stopped as he began to see the log a little better. He froze. It didn’t look like a log at all. In fact it almost looked like a giant-
“Double Dee! You actually came back! And you brought a buddy!”
Virgil whipped his head upwards at the loud voice and stumbled backwards, falling on his butt as his eyes found a giant face staring back at him with a large smile.
The “log”, now confirmed as a finger attached to a giant hand, shifted underneath of Dee. It twisted around to curl around the small man as another hand was set on the ground nearby.
Dee looked over at Virgil, an apology written all over his face. Virgil looked terrified, and Dee couldn’t blame him. Finding the giant himself was more than unsettling. Especially this one. He was energetic, to say the least. But Dee also knew that if he had told Virgil he was going into the forest to meet up with a giant, he would have never have came and probably would have locked Dee in the house with him. So he proposed his idea as a “big surprise” instead.
He was beginning to regret not warning his giant friend about this though.
“I’m Remus! It’s always swell to meet new buddies,” he announced, a bounce in his voice. He quickly flung a finger in the direction of the fallen man.
Virgil flinched at the sudden movement and Remus suddenly stilled. Remus glanced down at Dee. Dee looked back at him with an apologetic look. Remus’s eyes widened as he returned his gaze back to his still hovering finger and the small stranger.
“Oh, I’m sorry! Not sure how to act around you little humans.” He began mumbling a couple words under his breath, almost sounding like he was berating himself. “Just lemme-” He began to pull his hand back until a small touch made him freeze. Remus whipped his gaze towards his finger to find the dark human holding onto his finger with a single hand.
Dee audibly gasped at Virgil’s actions. The falling and the shock was expected, but he wasn’t sure what Virgil was doing now. Dee watched his friend stand up on shaky legs from his position in Remus’s other hand. He stared in awe as Virgil sent an uneasy smile in the giant’s direction.
“My name is Virgil. Good to, uh, meet you, Remus,” he stuttered out. Remus let a small nervous grin begin as he looked at Virgil.
“Sorry about scaring you-”
Virgil waved, cutting him off. “It’s not your fault that I’m a jumpy bastard. I was not expecting the ‘big surprise’ to literally be this big. But I know Dee wouldn’t have brought me here if it was unsafe. So I know I can trust you,” he explained. Remus finally let his signature smile overtake his face again.
“So we are good then, buddy?” Remus asked. His smiled fell a little at Virgil’s slightly uneasy look.
“It is definitely going to take some time until I get to the comfortable level you and Dee got going on. Honestly makes me wonder how long this has been going on,” he mumbled under his breath. Remus grinned, almost manically.
“Then we will take some time! But don’t you dare take your time. I wanna be able to hold and cuddle both of my human buddies!” he demanded. Virgil laughed at that. Dee finally allowed himself to smile at the interaction. It went fine. Better than he thought it would though.
“So Dee, you gonna explain how long you have been doing this and how you did this without me knowing?”
Alright, it was going a bit too well.
“Oooooooooh! Dee-Dee is in trouble!” Remus exclaimed, drawing out his o’s.
Dee laughed and shook his head. Oh well, a small price to pay for bringing his closest two friends together.
“Patton this is a really, really bad idea,” Roman informed, glancing between the other sides, who were all gathered in the common room for a meeting.
“But Roman~ I wanna try it come on!” Patton pleaded, looking at Roman with a pitiful gaze. “Please?”
“I agree with Roman, it’s not safe, especially since none of us, but him, know magic. I vote no,” Virgil called, leaning back against the beanbag that was his chair.
Logan took a moment, glancing at Virgil. “It might be beneficial to learn magic, especially since, as Roman says, we all have the potential to use it. I vote yes.”
Dee, who was taking up the window seal, pushed down the Yes button without a single word, going back to his sunbathing.
Remus grinned and used his morning star to slam down the Yes button, giggling when it broke. “I can teach you so much! Like how to shove your foot up your own-”
“Okay! Okay!” Roman called, waving his hand. “Stop, we don’t need to know more!” He pushed the No button, as did Virgil, who was scrolling through his phone.
Patton grinned and pushed the Yes button. That made the vote four to two, meaning that- “Yay! We are gonna learn magic!” Patton chirped, causing a bright blue light to fill the entire room. When it cleared, everyone was gone.
He paled, looking around in horror. “G-guys, where did you go?” He asked, before he heard a loud cough coming from the table. He looked around, his eyes widening when he saw all of the other sides, standing there, miniaturized. “Oh dear.”
Virgil was clinging to Logan, who was running him through his breathing exercises. Dee was leaning onto Remus, his body shaking with soft shivers, as they had the air conditioning on, making the room feel freezing.
“I think,” Roman called, trying to get Patton’s attention. “That you need more practice. The good news, is that I can teach you....the bad news, is that we are stuck like this until you learn how to reverse this.”“WHAT?!” the other miniature sides, minus Logan, shrieked, their eyes widening and looking like they were about to freak out once more.
Patton felt terrible, but he had a job to do. “Let’s start now....since we don’t have anything else to do, right?” He had to save them and get them back to normal, and he wasn’t giving up until he saved his friends from their tiny problem.
