The Death of Me

Chapter 3: Dad

Anxiety had passed out, so Morality laid down, still holding him to his chest.
Roman and Logan occupied a fully recovered Thomas, and it was almost like the attack never happened. It had been quiet for a while, no sign from Patton, and Logan was getting antsy. They personalities excused themselves and reappeared in the silent mind palace.
"He killed Patton!" Logan yelled as soon as they arrived.
"We shouldn't have left them alone!" Agreed Roman.
"Thomas won't have Morality!" Logic sobbed.
"It's not too late to save him!" Roman exclaimed before rushing to the room they had left Virgil. He threw open the door, ready to save his friend's life in a fearless battle against Anxiety. Instead, he found the two napping. Anxiety was curled like a cat on top of Patton's rising and falling chest.
     At the sound of the door, Anxiety sat bolt upright, his eyes widening. This woke up Patton, who immediately moved to protect the young trait. Anxiety backed away, his breath coming in shallow pants and gasps. He pushed himself impossibly far into the corner and pulled his legs into his chest.
     "Oh, come on! Guys I just got him to settle!" He whispered aggressively. He directed them out of the room and returned to a comfortable position on the hard floor.
"It's okay, kiddo," he said gently, "They're gone. They don't want to hurt you. We'll help you."
In all technicality, Anxiety was the youngest. Patton, Roman, and Logan were all the same age as Thomas. Anxiety hadn't fully developed until being let out of his space, so he was equivalent to a young child. This made Morality's parental qualities develop, and he became "Dad".
—
Over the course of a year, Patton slowly introduced Anxiety to lights, sounds, colors, smells, and how to interact.
"Hey, kiddo!" He said walking into the young trait's room, which now has a lamp, a radio, and a mini-fridge- as well as a few books which he had learned to read.
"Hi, Dad," he muttered through his jar of Crofter's.
"I have a surprise for you!" He said veins coursing with excitement and nerves.
"I hate those," he replied, eyebrows furrowed.
     "I know, kiddo, but you'll like it. I want you to meet one of the other traits."
     Anxiety's eyes widened and his mouth felt like sandpaper.
     "Is that okay?" He inquired, concerned for his son.
He was quiet, so quiet.
"Did you know that I remember?"
"Remember what, Anx?" He asked curiously, plopping down on a bean bag chair.
"When I first became a trait. When they forced me into Thomas's dark mind. When they tortured me!" His voice had shook the whole room, deep and controlling. Patton's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. He had never heard anything like it- especially not from his quiet, brooding son.
"I- oh- um- I-I'm so sorry," his tone immediately changed as he put his head down to hide his quivering lip and teary eyes. "You can put me back if you want. I'm so sorry."
He responded immediately, kneeling next to him. "There's no way I would let you go back. Ever."
He remained silent, unmoving.
"You do know that, right?"
The only response was silence.
"Right?"
He shook his head and kept his eyes down.
"I promise you'll never have to go back." He insisted earnestly.
"Don't."
A stunned silence flooded the room for a fraction of a second before Patton's concerned voice flushed it out. He rambled apologies and reassurances as he progressively moved towards his son. Dark eyes peered back at him, portraying a strange combination of defeat and determination.
     "They hate me."
     "No- no they could never. They are afraid of you because they don't know you. Show them they don't need to be afraid."
"What if they should be afraid?"

Heyy. Sorry for the short chapter but it is for good reason. I need you guys to decide which way this story will go from a romantic standpoint. So...

Prinxiety

or

Analogical💓💗💝💞💖💘💕💘💗💞💝💞💗💖💘💘💖💘💕💕💖💓💝

I guess you can tell what I want but it's up to you guys
＼(^-^)／ ＼(^o^)／