Fallen for Deceit -An Original One-Shot-

 Warnings: Angst, Abusive Relationship, Angst, Toxic People, Angst, Clouded Emotions, Angst, A Slithery Snake, Angst, Use of Potions, Angst, Unsympathetic Janus, Angst, Sympathetic Logan, Angst, References to PG-13 Content (but nothing actually said), Angst (Yes, I realize that I put angst on there a ton. I write a ton of angst, get over it)

Let's get on with it! 

The Prompt: Janus slips a love potion in Logan's drink. Ever since, Logan had fallen hopelessly in love with Janus, and had spent all of his time trying to impress him. Janus seemed to blow him off, but Logan wouldn't give up. He was simply too blinded by love to see that Janus was using him.

*Inspired by a roleplay*

Janus had a plan. He would keep that plan in motion. He just needed his chess pieces lined up correctly. Remus had recently given him the last piece to set his plan in motion, and he had started replicating the potion. All he needed was to trick the Logical side into drinking it, and everything would be set. Nothing else mattered anymore.

Logan woke up, and went to make breakfast for himself. He realized when he got to the kitchen that everyone had already eaten, and had left a plate of food and a steaming cup of coffee on the dining room table for him. "That's so sweet" he whispered, before diving into the meal. He downed the coffee, much to Janus's pleasure. Janus, who was hiding in the shadows, chuckled. Logan quickly turned towards the sound. Seeing nothing, he cautiously got up from his chair to investigate.

Logan turned the corner, and Janus immediately grasped at him. He put a hand over Logan's mouth, whispering into his ear "no one can know I was here. Understood?" Logan nodded, and Janus let him go. He reached a hand up to stroke Janus's scales, but the snake-like side shied away from the touch. 

"What are you doing, Logan?" Jan asked inquisitively

"I think I love you, Jan. You're just so... wonderful." Logan replied, dreamy-eyed.

"I think that's ridiculous, Logan. Logic and Deceit are direct opposites."

"I don't care" Logan replied.

"The others, Lo-"

"Shh, they're not around right now"

"Go back to your work, I don't have time for this today" Janus says crossly.

"But-"

"No buts. Go do your work. I don't have time for this." Jan turned and stalked away, grinning like a Cheshire when Logan couldn't see. He returned to the "dark" side of Thomas's mind, and by the time he got there he was giggling like a gossipy schoolgirl on steroids.

"I assume it went well then?" Remus asked, looking up from... 

Janus immediately ceased laughing, examining Remus's creation. "Is that... a sculpture of Frida Kahlo? Made from amputated baby hands?"

Remus looked at him seriously, responding with a simple "Yes. It is. Do you want to make something of it?"

"No, I'm just impressed at how accurately you can use baby hands in sculpture-making."

Cecil (the speculative Orange Side, Anger) looked up from his puzzle. "Don't encourage him, Jan. It makes it hard to do my job."

"Can I not show fascination about anything anymore? You sound more and more like Depression every day, you know."

Cecil was up and at Dee's throat in an instant "What was that, Deceit?"

Janus gulped. "You heard me. And I'm not taking it back." He smirked.

Anger faltered. "W-what did you do, Janus? What are you planning?"

"Like I'd tell you," he responded slyly. He stepped out of Cecil's grasp and strode to his room, promptly shut his door and locked it.

He sat at his desk, pondering. Glancing over at the potion that was being simmered, he had a brilliant stroke of inspiration. If I can get Roman loyal to me, Patton will go along with Logan and Roman. Virgil won't stand a chance, and I can tear them apart from the inside. Obviously Virgil first, then Roman. I can get Remus to impersonate Roman and Thomas won't suspect a thing. Convince Thomas that he has a skewed sense of Morality, there goes Patton. As soon as I expose Cecil to Thomas, it's game over for Anger. That leaves Remus and Logan. By the time Logan figures out my plan, he's going to try and rescue the others. He'll probably recruit Remus, too. But by then,  it'll be game over for Thomas. I'll have won. The others can't stop me.

Roman was in the middle of a creative block, sitting at his desk throwing paper after paper into the trash can.

Janus, from behind him, cleared his throat. Roman spun around, summoning his sword and got up into a fighting stance.

"Whoa there, Tiger."

"What do you want, Snake?"

"Oh, but, only to help you. You wouldn't think I would hurt you, would you?"

Roman narrowed his eyes "Why help me?"

"You're the most helpful side, and are experiencing a creative block, no?" Janus takes a step forward, placing his hand gently on the katana pointed at him and lowered it. "You needn't fear me, Roman." There was a gleam in his eyes, "I only want to give you some inspiration."

Roman was entranced. "What kind of inspiration?"

"Let me show you." He looked Roman in the eyes, "Let me help you."

Logan returned to his room after Janus left, but work he did not. He couldn't focus on anything but Janus. Why he didn't know. He felt guilty for not working, because Janus had told him to, but he wasn't sure why he felt guilty about that. Its not like he had feelings... did he? But he heard a knock at his door before he could ponder too much more. When he opened it, he stood face-to-face with the Snake himself. He stepped back to allow Janus to enter, and enter he did. The door was shut behind him, and Logan was trapped. Logan found he didn't care though. 

Janus was upon him in a moment, Logan backed into the wall with no place to move to. Logan was surprised, that was all. That was why his cheeks burned... not because deep down this was really what he wanted. Janus gently caressed Logan's cheek, and Logan lost all sense of logic and reason. It was game over for Logic.

Janus returned to his room later that night utterly exhausted. All he wanted was to go to bed, left to the peace of his own mind. He felt the tug in his stomach of Thomas summoning him, and he sighed. He rose up into the living room, his plan solidifying. He had hoped this could wait until the next morning, but he was here now.

As they all appeared, Janus looked around at the group, gauging the situation. 

"Thomas, could you please enlighten us with the reason for this encounter? There should be literally nothing wrong right now." Janus sighs.

Logan closed the book he was reading, "I agree. I was in the middle of something quite important. Can't this wait?"

Virgil pops in and he and Janus start hissing at each other, and Patton pops up late "What's up... kiddos..?"

Logan sighs "We don't know, Patton. Thomas, what is this about? Did something happen with Nico?"

Thomas sighs "Everything is fine with him"

Janus pipes up "That's a lie."

"Okay, fine. Everything's not fine with him."

"Still somehow a lie."

Thomas was exasperated. "Fine! I really don't know! That better?"

"There you go, Tommy ol' boy" Janus nodded in approval.

Roman, offended "What's going on with our lover?!"

Logan sighs, adjusting his glasses. "Don't call him that."

Janus snickered, "Thomas is too anxious to correctly handle his love life. This whole situation is Virgil's fault."

"Wha- Mine? How?!"

Janus gave him a strange look, "You literally embody Thomas's anxiety. How is it not your fault?"

"I mean, he's got a point, Virgil."

"You too, Logan? What the heck you guys!"

"Well, if Logan's agreeing to it, then so do I. Even though I hate to go against my Dark Strange Son, Logan is Logic. He's always right" Patton says sadly.

Roman, under his breath "Infinitesimal."

"Shut the fuck up, Roman!"

Roman whimpers, and Patton looks concerned "Is everything alright, kiddo? That was a kinda strong reaction."

Thomas looked at Logan suspiciously "Yeah, Patton's right. Is everything alright, Lo?"

"I-I'm fine" Logan stammered, fixing his tie. 

Janus perks up, lying through his teeth. "He's telling the truth."

Thomas, still wary, eyes Logan again. "If you say so..."

"I apologize for my outburst... Lets continue."

Janus prods a little more "Thomas, may I suggest giving Virgil a little, mmm, 'break' per say?"

"What? Why? I'm just trying to help him!" Virgil exclaims.

"Unsuccessfully" Roman shoots at him.

"I'm sorry, Virge," Thomas started, "but everyone is saying the same thing here... that you need to dial back."

"But I'm doing my job!" Vee's anxiety was rising.

Logan adjusted his glasses "Just because you're Anxiety doesn't mean that you have to ruin Thomas's love life, though."

Thomas looked at Logan, "That was... very emotionally charged, Lo. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah, kiddo. You seem... not like yourself today."

"I'm fine! Why do you two keep asking?"

Thomas spoke "Because we care, Lo."

"I mean, it is true though. What Logan said." Jan prods.

Roman finished the thought "We all know it is."

Virgil got defensive at that comment. "What is it with everyone attacking me today?!"

Janus gave him a weird look, "We aren't."

"That's gold, coming from a snake like you," Virgil scoffed.

Everyone gasps, looking at Virgil with concern

Logan glares at Virge, "That wasn't necessary in the slightest. We are all looking out for Thomas, you aren't the only one trying to take care of him."

"Virgil, take it back now" Thomas told him angrily.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just seeing what's best for you, Thomas. I don't care that I offended that snake. What are you gonna do if I don't apologize, put me in timeout? We aren't five anymore."

Roman jumped in "I have a special place for 'time out' "

Logan chuckles, watching Virgil sink out. Roman was seconds behind saying something about catching a spider, and Patton followed not long after. 

Thomas looks between Logan and Janus, "I guess we're done here..?"

Janus and Logan quickly sunk out, into Logan's room.

"Good job out there, Starlight" Janus told Logan.

Logan blushed, smiling, "Thanks, Jan."

"Now for your payment, since you did such a good job."

Logan blushed.

The rest of their night was spent in pure bliss.

Several hours later, Janus makes his way to leave Logan's room.

"Please don't leave yet, Jan" Logan begged.

"Why not?" Janus snapped.

"Because I want to cuddle a little longer..."

"And we both have a ton of work to do, Lo."

"Can't that wait?" Logan pleaded.

"You of all people, Logan, should know we shouldn't procrastinate. What would that do to Thomas's schedule?"

"But I want some love..." Logan was whining now.

Janus looked at Logan, "Are you saying what I've done and what I'm doing isn't enough for you?"

He looked down "n-no. That's not it, Jan-"

"Well that's what it sounds like" Jan scoffed.

"No... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, Jan."

"Whatever, Starlight. Just don't let it happen again, got it? There might be consequences next time." Logan looked down, nodding in agreement. Janus softens, hugging Logan and giving him a kiss on the forehead, "I love you, Lo. But we need to work now, Okay?"

"Okay, Jan" Logan said, looking disappointed.

Janus left the room, going to 'work'. "One down, five to go" he chuckled.

Not long after Janus returned to his own room, Roman came knocking on his door. Janus opened it, not expecting the Prince to be on the other side. "Roman," he said, "I wasn't expecting you. Is something the matter?"

"I did what you asked, Janus. I've come to collect my payment."

"Oh, of course." He opened the door, welcoming Roman inside. He went to bottle up some of the potion that was brewing and when it was stoppered, he gave it to the Prince. "Your payment."

Roman took the bottle and slid it in his pocket. "Thank you, Janus. You don't realize what this means to me, that you're willing to help me despite everything."

Janus smiles, "I learn to let live what happens in the past. I don't blame you, and I'm helping you realize that you don't have to blame yourself.

"Again, thank you. I don't know what I'd be doing without your help." Roman turned to the door, then looked back and smiled. "I was wrong about you, Janus. You're not a bad guy, quite the opposite. I'm in your debt, there's no argument there."

"Think nothing of it. I stand for a sense of self... I only want to help in your endeavors. Nothing is free, that's true, but you've paid enough. Virgil is calming down, thanks to you."

Roman looked away, then started out the door without saying another word.

"Patton, Roman's trying to trick you, I swear." Janus had taken his gloves off, showing his sincerity.

Patton looked at Janus, only a look of concern for the snake-like side in his eyes. "I think you need to lie down, kiddo. Roman would do no such thing, he's just so chivalrous and kind... he'd never double-cross me for the sake of love."

Janus sighed, about to retort with some comment about how Patton couldn't be sure of that, when he felt the familiar tug of Thomas's summoning. 

He and Patton sunk out and up into Thomas's living room. Roman, Remus and Logan were already there.

"Before you say anything, yes. I know I just summoned you a few days ago... but something's wrong. And it's either Remus or Patton, I'd like to accuse the former, but I needed everyone to be sure." Thomas looked distraught, as did Roman.

"Uh, Thomas, what exactly prompts these accusations?" the Princely side was cautious in his tone, "Patton doesn't normally do anything particularly distressing, and Remus... well..."

"Where did you take Virgil?" asked the one in question.

Thomas had Janus quiet them all, took a deep sigh, and continued. "I've had some particularly... mmm, dark thoughts... morbid, even. I know it generally would be Remus's job to supply those, but this time it felt different. "

Remus burst out, not even paying attention at this point. "Where... THE HELL... is Virgil?!"

Patton stayed silent. Roman looked away awkwardly. Logan and Janus looked at each other in confusion.

Thomas replied, speaking for all but Roman and Janus, "I don't know."

Remus went ballistic. "What do you mean you DON'T KNOW?! He's YOUR anxiety!"

Thomas paled, looking away. Patton sniffled, trying not to cry. Remus looked over and saw him, immediately calming and looking down in shame. Another wave of Depression rolled over the group, all but Janus shuddered at the feeling. Patton's eyes went black, the wave seemingly emanating from him.

Thomas recovered quickest, "Guys... what was-" then he saw Patton, still black-eyed and shuddering with depressive energy. The depressive thoughts started plaguing Thomas again, and he dropped to his knees. "Stop... please, stop..." was whimpered from the host's lips, barely audible.

Janus sank out, holding onto Patton. As soon as they had left, Thomas started feeling... better wasn't the right word. He was just feeling... something... again.

Janus slid the cell door shut on the unconscious Patton. Virgil was hissing viciously at Janus, but the snake just chuckled.

"You won't get away with this, snake." Virgil spat at him.

"Oh please, I already have." He sank out, smiling a villainous smile.

When he appeared back in his room, Janus was met by a furious Roman.

"You took him there, didn't you?"

Dodging the question, Janus replied "I can take you to him, if you'd like. I was only calming him down."

"Take me. Now. And no funny business, or I'll rat you out to Thomas." Roman was fuming, not giving any room for debate.

"Let's go, Roman. I've got things to do other than babysitting you." 

Janus grabbed him by the arm, sinking into the subconscious yet again, and yet again throwing his companion in a cell. The door slammed, leaving a defenseless and helpless Roman in the cell across from Virgil. 

Cecil's footsteps echoed from behind Janus, who spun to meet the newcomer.

"So this is what you've been up to." Cecil was steely calm, but his anger was apparent. "Release them, Janus."

"I refuse." he positioned himself in front of an open cell, preparing for Cecil's attack. An attack that never came.

Cecil turned tail and walked away, calling to Janus "I'm telling Remus." He was too far away for Janus to catch up.

Janus sunk out of the subconscious and into the living room, scared and mad a the same time.

"Janus? What's wrong?" Logan looked up from his position on the couch, putting a bookmark in his textbook on Emotional Disorders.

Janus didn't hear him, sinking down on the couch next to him with his head in his hands. He had been seated no more than a few seconds when Remus charged in screaming, grabbing Janus by his shirt collar and dragging him off to the Dark Side's territory.

Cecil smirked as Remus threw Janus on the couch.

"I have a bone to pick, Janus." Remus glared at him, holding his morningstar threateningly. "Let Virgil go. Same with Patton and Roman. I don't know what you're planning, but whatever it is isn't good. Let them go."

"I'm doing what's best for Thomas. He was an emotionally unstable individual. Ask Logan. I'm doing our host a favor. I'll take you to Virgil, Ree, but I can't let him go. Not yet."

Remus looked at him hopefully "Take me, please."

Janus, tired from everything so far, got up from the couch and led Remus on foot to the subconscious.

The path was long, the walk was weary, and Remus glared at him the entire time. Figures. "We're here, Remus." Janus leaned against the wall near an open cell, trying to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.

Remus glared at Janus then ran over to Virgil's cell. "Vee? Are you okay?"

The anxious side sighed, tired "I'm fine, Remus, though I'd be better if I could get out of this cell."

One moment Janus was on his feet, leaning against the wall, the next he was on the ground shaking. He clutched at his head, screaming silently with tears streaming down his face. "Help..." was the only word he could croak out.

Remus looked over at him from his conversation with Virgil, confused. "Jan, this isn't funny. If this is a joke, or a scheme, it's not gonna lure me." 

Patton's eyes widen. "Remus, kiddo, this isn't an act. Depression's got a hold of him."

Remus turned to look at Patton. "Don't give me that bull, there's no way Jan's got depression, the way he acts."

"Not depression, the feeling. Depression with a capitol D. He's the mastermind of the operation."

All eyes turn to Virgil, but Roman was the one who spoke. "How do you know?"

"He came and talked to me after I got put in here. Said he was the one behind the operation. He uses us as hosts most of the time, has a hard time manifesting in his own body. He said it wasn't any fun if he was the only one that knew the plan."

Remus shifted uncomfortably. "How do we help him? If Depression's really got a hold on him like you're saying, how do we get rid of him?"

Virgil looked away, barely audible. "We don't. We can't get rid of him... we can only trap him. Trap Janus now while we know we can."

Patton cleared his throat, arguing for Janus. "But Thomas needs Janus, we can't just trap him like that forever!"

Virgil sighed. "It won't be forever, just as long as it takes to separate Depression from Janus... or for Thomas to overcome his depression naturally."

"But couldn't that kill Janus?"

"It's not likely... but there's a small chance that it could, Ree. But we can't let Depression run his course... He'll destroy Thomas from the inside out."

Remus knelt next to Janus, worried. "So I put him in a cell... then what? We tell Thomas? We can't very well keep this kind of thing a secret from him."

Roman punched the wall of his cell. "We can't very well tell him, either. That would destroy him just as quick. It's exactly what Damien wants."

The others all looked at Roman, looks of confusion evident on their faces. "Who's Damien?" Patton asked, the others nodding along.

Roman looked at them each in turn, exasperated. "How am I the only one who knows him for who he is?"

Virgil cleared his throat, catching Roman's attention. "Who are you talking about, Roman?"

Roman shrank back into the depths of his cell, realizing then that he'd made a mistake. "Depression... that's his name. Damien."

"Kiddo," Patton started, sounding scared, "Why do you know that? Why are you the only one that knows?"

Remus added on to Patton's questions. "You're working with him, aren't you? That's why you brought Virgil here to begin with. It's why you were keen on siding with the snake that you hate so much... and why you didn't come to me to talk through your problems like you normally do. I don't trust you, Roman. Not anymore."

Roman didn't answer any of the questions, but shrank back into his cell and curled up into himself. He didn't know how to respond, he just felt broken. Then he felt nothing at all. He fell back into the depths of his mind and hid from everyone and everything.

Remus let Patton and Virgil out of their cells, leaving Roman and locking Janus in one of the cells. "We have to tell Thomas... it's the only way to get out of this whole mess. We don't have any other options at this point."

"But... won't that hurt Thomas? As much as I don't trust Roman right now, he has a point." Virgil hugged himself while voicing his concern.

"Kiddo, we're going to have to take that risk... and work through the consequences if and/or when they come. We can't very well leave Thomas's sense of self-preservation locked up like this forever... even a long exposure could do more damage than we could repair. We have to try."

"And do we take Logan with us or leave him? How do we know he can be trusted?" Remus looked to each of his companions in turn, but neither of them had an answer.

It was Roman who spoke up, voice small and scared. "He was... and probably still is influenced by love... or what he thinks is love..." he looks down, ashamed, "He was given the same potion that I tried to give Patton... but in a much larger dose." 

Remus glared at him. "So we can't trust him. Alright you two, let's go tell Thomas and hope he doesn't react too badly."

Patton, Remus and Virgil sunk out, leaving the others in their cells without a second glance.

They rose up to a brutal scene, Cecil following close at Thomas's heels and whispering in his ear as Thomas angrily yells through his cell phone at the person on the other end. Patton could pick up the person on the other end crying, though whether they were tears of fear or shame, he couldn't tell.

"I gave you multiple chances, Nico! I gave you time to change!" Thomas was yelling, not even registering the three added Sides in the room, "I just don't understand! I thought we had something... I thought..." he groaned aggressively as Nico tried to state his claim, interrupting, Thomas continued "You were seen in public kissing another man! How am I not supposed to take that the wrong way?!" He hung up before Nico could say another word, collapsing on the couch in a fit of rage. He only then registered the four sides in the room, three of which looked at him with concern.

"yuh... Kiddo? Is... is everything alright?"

Thomas looked up at Patton, tears making their way down his cheeks. "What from that conversation makes you thing anything is alright at this exact moment in time? I... I messed up and now everyone hates me... I'm sure you guys hate me, my own boyfriend cheated on me, I am such an emotional mess and Idon'tknowwhatI'mdoinganymoreGodhelpmeplease-" He sucked in a breath, starting to panic as Virgil sat on the floor across from Thomas and was also starting to freak out from his host's reaction.

Patton moved to Thomas's side while Remus moved to Virgil's, trying to calm both down since they were feeding off of each others' anxious energy. Cecil just leaned against the wall, watching the whole scene play out. Thomas started to calm down, as did Virgil, and he started to notice the other Sides weren't there.

"Hey Pat..." Thomas started weakly "Where's Roman and Jan? Shouldn't... shouldn't they be here? I... I need some reassurance right now, and I just feel like I did something. Did I do something?" He starts rambling, going off into his own twisted thoughts "I did something, I know it. This is all my fault, I should've known better than to get my hopes up, I'm so stupid stupid stupid-"

"Kiddo, shh, it's not your fault. You aren't stupid... Janus and Roman are... preoccupied at the moment..." Patton hugged Thomas as reassurance, trying hard not to cry himself.

"A-and Logan?"

Patton sucked in a quiet breath "... He isn't feeling well, kiddo."

Thomas looked down "oh. Is that what you came to tell me?"

Patton shook his head, and Remus spoke up. "I know this may not be what you want to hear right now... but Depression tried to take you over... Damien if we're using his name. He... he possessed Janus and somehow twisted Roman into the plot... and Logan got pulled along with some potion thing I guess. I know it sounds like I'm making this up, but I promise I'm not. I'd never do that to you... not when it was hurting you so much." He looked at his hands holding Virgil's "Not when it was hurting some of us so much. We need your help to fix it, though. And who knows... maybe after all this is over we can have a civil conversation with Nico and get to the bottom of your... dilemma."

Thomas leaned into Patton, trying not to cry. "What can I do? It's not like I can kill... Damien, you said? I can't just get rid of a side of me... no matter how terrible he seems, he still is just as important as any of you. Even you... even though I don't know your name yet." He looked at Cecil.

Cecil was stunned, not expecting this kind of acceptance from his host. "Cecil, your Anger. I'm sorry... I know you feel guilty for the way you lashed out a Nico. I apologize." He bowed his head slightly, moving to sit on the floor.

Virgil curled into Remus's chest, calmer now. "We still don't know how to stop Damien though... and as much as I hate to admit it, we can't figure it out between those of us present. We need Logan and Roman... as much as I hate the idea of the two of them being... well... you catch my drift."

Thomas sighs, nodding slightly. "I'll summon them, but if there's anything off, I'll send them... back? Wherever Roman took Virgil."

Virgil cringed, curling into a smaller ball on Remus's lap. "The Subconscious... But you can't force us there. One of us has to take them back there."

Thomas flinched at the slight hostility in Virgil's voice, but nodded along anyway. "Here goes nothing, then..." He summoned Roman and Logan with a flourish of his wrist, hoping against hope that they weren't in on Depression's plot.

While Logan rose as normal, inquisitive as always; the handsome, dashing, and brave Prince Roman immediately scrambled behind the television and hid from the group as soon as he saw them.

"Uh, Roman?" the host said, concerned for his Creativity. "What's wrong?"

Remus shrank back, knowing full well why Roman was acting the way he was. "I should go..." he said quietly, sinking out. Virgil followed him, making sure he didn't do anything rash that he'd regret.

"...Uhhh... Guys?" Thomas took a glance at each remaining Side in turn, silently asking them what was going on.

Patton was working on getting closer to Roman, to comfort him as it seemed. Cecil just shrugged, while Logan steepled his fingers and answered. "Trust me when I speak for all of us, we have no clue what's going on right now."

Cecil looked at Logan, an amused smile playing at his lips. "You can't speak for me. I know full well what's going on. Dukey insulted Princey and shattered his ego, so he's is trying to avoid the blame. Emo, meanwhile, is making sure Dukey doesn't do anything rash. Dad is trying to help frail child Princey overcome his crippling self-doubt, while Calculator Watch tries to over-stereotype me into being just as much of a dolt as the rest of Thomas's personality. Snake Face is stuck in the Subconscious, fighting with the Crippling Depression that haunts us all. Is everyone clear as to the situation now? Because I'm not going to repeat myself."

Thomas stared at Cecil, mouth opening and closing several times before he spoke. "Are you sure you aren't my Sarcasm too? Because you sound eerily like-"

"Miss me, b!tches?" Remy called, slamming the front door in all his glory, sipping on his Starbucks and tipping down his sunglasses.

A collective groan was given by the group, Cecil rolled his eyes and got up to hug Remy. "As a matter of fact, Thomas, Remy is my twin. It's kinda like the split Creativity situation. Remy represents Sleep and Tiredness, while I represent not only Anger but also Adrenaline and Alertness. And I won't hesitate to hurt any one of you if you lay a finger on Remy to hurt him."

Remy laughed while the others stared, wide-eyed. "Babes, you know I can take care of myself. Anywho, where's V, D, and Double-D?"

"I have so many questions, that I don't really want the answers to... but they're preoccupied..." Thomas was trying his best to understand the situation, but just couldn't wrap his brain around so much new information. He hoped Logan could process it fast enough. The host stumbled, suddenly weak, and Logan reached out to catch him.

"Steady now, Thomas." Logan looked at him, concerned. 

"Jus' a bit dizzy, Lo..." the Host stumbled to the couch, sitting down. "Need to rest... don't feel the best..." he giggled, realizing he rhymed, before promptly passing out at the same time as Roman. 

"Uh... kiddos? This isn't looking good..." Patton inquired, looking around.

Cecil cleared his throat, "We need to go save Janus. Depression's released his hold for now. We don't have long." He sank out, quickly followed by Patton, while everyone else stood there confused.

Damien was examining his newly-formed body when Patton and Cecil appeared. "Well, well, well. I didn't think you two would ever get along. If you're here for your snake, you can have him. I have exactly what I need now, a body of my own."

Cecil looked at him in surprise "It can't be that easy. What's in it for you?" He held Patton back while waiting for an answer, keeping the fatherly side from dashing forward for the unconscious deceitful Side.

Damien chuckled "as observant as always, aren't we? Why, you've already fulfilled your end of the bargain by telling our dear host that I exist. There's nothing else I love more than tearing him apart while he knows it and can't do anything about it." 

Cecil let Patton go, and the fatherly side ran to kneel by Janus. "Kiddo, it's gonna be okay... you're gonna be okay, Jan. Promise."

"It's not that easy, Patton... you should take him to the others. I need to talk with Damien on my own. Before you object, yes. I can handle him on my own. Don't worry."

Patton nods, sinking out with Janus in his arms, wishing Cecil good luck.

"Damien, look. We both know you were spouting bull. What's really going on here?"

Damien sighs, looking at his boots. "Its... not easy... being a side like me. You live every day wanting to die, while also not wanting to hurt your host. I've been through... so many hosts... I've lost count. The only way for the unfortunate cycle to end... is by a host accepting me. The whole plot... with Janus... I wanted everyone else to feel my agony. I'd given up hope of ever being accepted. Now that I have been, now that I am able to manifest indefinitely in my own body... I don't know how to feel."

Cecil moved forward, placing a hand on Damien's shoulder. "Allow yourself to feel happy, you finally accomplished your dream. And when you're ready, we go and introduce yourself to Thomas. He's not like other hosts. He wants to help. So give him a chance... just like I did. Just like all the other Sides did. It's worth it, I promise it is. I just ask that you trust me on this. You might be surprised at what you find."

Damien looked up at Cecil's face in shock. "I trust you... thank you for giving me a chance."

Cecil just nodded, sinking out with Damien in tow.

*two weeks later*

Thomas had put of the inevitable... a meeting with all the Sides... for too long. With a sigh, he summoned them all to the living room, praying for the best. Since it wasn't for a video, they were able to manifest wherever, and wherever they did manifest. Patton was cuddled into Roman's chest near the stairs, Virgil was trying to shove Remus off his back while spread-eagle in the middle of the room, Janus was in the middle of a conversation with Logan in the kitchen. Cecil was smiling at something Damien had said, sitting on the opposite end of the couch from Thomas, and Remy was in the hall talking urgently with Emile. Thomas smiled at how well they were getting along, and quietly waited for them to realize what had happened. After several minutes, they had all finished their conversations and were comfortably lounging in the living room, looking at Thomas.

The Host cleared his throat. "So, as all of you know, Nico and I have had our... differences. It's been a couple weeks of us cooling off, and I told him that I'd be open for an explanation. I also wanted to introduce him to you guys, if you want. I thought it'd be something I needed to do."

The Sides look at each other in turn, coming to a collective conclusion. "We'd love to, kiddo. Of course we want him to meet us."

Thomas smiled. "Good, because he's supposed to be here any minute-" he was cut off by a hesitant knock on his apartment door. He got up off the couch, opening the door. "Nico, nice to see you again." He smiled, welcoming Nico inside. 

"Tee, before I go any further, I'm sorry. I-"

Thomas put a finger to Nico's lips, silencing him. "Water under the bridge, Nico."

Nico blushed at the gesture. "Thomas... he forced himself on me... I tried to tell you, you just never gave me the chance... I'm sorry you found out the way you did. I promise I never meant for any of this-"

Thomas silenced Nico again, with a kiss this time. "I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. It's not your fault, and I forgive you... Will you forgive me for jumping immediately to you cheating? It wasn't fair for either of us."

Nico grinned. "Sanders, I'll forgive you as long as you forgive yourself. I love you, and nothing changes that."

Thomas smiled, his attention not wavering from his handsome boyfriend. Patton let out an 'aww' from the living room, and Nico tensed. "Thomas... is someone else here?"

Thomas rubbed an awkward hand on his neck, putting the words together. "About that... I've been meaning to introduce you to them... You know my whole youtube project, Sanders Sides? Well, it's not good editing. The Sides are real... and manifest in real bodies when I want them to." He leads Nico to the living room, where the Sides were in various states of conversation. "Guys, Nico's here..."

Nico hid behind Thomas as the Sides looked up. "Thomas... why didn't you tell me about this before..? It's hella cool, but it's freaking me out."

Virgil smirked. "Nico, we can hear you. We're Sides of Thomas. Whatever he hears, we hear, and vice versa."

Nico composed himself, stepping out from behind Thomas. "Apologies... I didn't know. I'm Nico, as you all probably know..."

"I am Logan, Logic is my purpose."

"Janus, Deceit."

"Virgil, Anxiety."

"Remus, Intrusive Thoughts, at your service."

"Roman, Creativity, happy to make your Princely acquaintance."

"Patton, Morality and Father Figure."

"Emile, Personal and Mental therapist."

"Remy, Sleep and Drowsiness."

"Cecil, Anger and Alertness."

"Damien, Depression."

"And together, they make up me. Your gorgeous boyfriend."

Nico took a once-over of the group, unsure how to respond. "Thomas... you never told me you struggled with depression... I'm sorry I didn't see it... I didn't know, and now I feel bad..."

Thomas smiled. "Nico, there's no need to feel bad. He doesn't exist because of anything you did. He's a part of me that I live with, just like everyone else."

Damien rolled his eyes, quietly whispering "Yeah, talk about me like I'm not here, go ahead..." and Cecil rubbed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

Thomas turned to him and smiled. "That's not what I meant to do, Damien. But what I said is true. You are a valid part of me. Just like all of you... You're all important to my well-being. Without you, I wouldn't be me."

Nico started humming, murmuring the words to one of Thomas's singles. " I couldn't tell you why I am who I've become, but I can tell you the parts that make me up, and you can calculate the sum. I'll impart to you what I believe would be the recipe for me."

Thomas looked over, surprised. "I guess you're completely right, Nico. I just didn't see it before. They... you all represent an ingredient in the recipe that makes me." He looked at each of the sides in turn, then back at Nico with an accusatory look. "And you never told me that you listened to my music... let alone memorized it."

Nico looked at the floor, guilty. "It's catchy, what can I say?"

Thomas smiled, hugging Nico. "Say yes to my proposal?"

"Wait, what?"

Thomas chuckled as he knelt, fumbling slightly for the ring box. "Will you marry me, Nico Flores?"

He looked at the ring, then at Thomas again. "You smooth mother f*cker... of course I'll marry you!"

Thomas stood, sliding the ring on Nico's finger. "I guess we have a hella romantic wedding to plan now... and a whole lot of arguing between my Sides to deal with..."

Nico laughed, before realizing Thomas wasn't joking. "They'll be alright. But be prepared... I have a binder."

"A binder?"

"A six inch binder with everything you could possibly ask about colors, the venue, food, and style of suits. Unless you want a dress, in which case I have an entire tab dedicated to bridesmaids dresses and wedding dresses that suit a man's frame, as well as the best company for heels for men-"

"Nico... that all sounds great... talk to Roman, Logan and Patton... you're overwhelming Virgil and I..."

Nico looks at Thomas, broken from his thoughts. "Sorry... it's just... I've been planning this since we started dating last year..."

Thomas chuckles. "It's fine... just... we'll look through the binder soon. For now, we binge watch cartoons until we feel like useless members of society because I don't feel like going anywhere."

"Sounds like a plan, Sanders."

And so they stayed up all day and long into the night watching cartoons and enjoying each other's company, Nico, Thomas, and his Sides. Without a care in the world, and like a happy family should. Thomas had never been happier, and he planned to keep it that way.