Only Time Can Tell

Prologue

Hey Everyone!

I'm back with this story! If you noticed I have unpublished the next few chapters and deleted my notes. I am rewriting these next few parts and in a couple days I'll have a new chapter for you all! I wanted to also tell you that I changed some of the tags so that this story is now a LAMP/CALM story. I'm sorry if this upsets some people, but the lack of LAMP/CALM stories is what made me want to start writing in the first place. 

Thanks for your continued support!

-Saerina

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It started as any other day. Virgil woke with a groan as the rising sun shone through the window. Silently cursing about the light, he turned over and pulled the scarlet covers over his head and curled back into the warmth of the chest next to him in hopes of going back to sleep. He was about to drift back off sleep when in the midst of his sleepy thoughts, they wandered to what day it was. Shit... Why does it have to be today?

Virgil knew there was no going back to sleep now, even if he wanted to. Slowly, so as not to wake his partner, Virgil sat up and looked around the room. Apparently the night before he had fallen asleep in Roman's room.

Roman's room was as grand as it ever was. It was set up in two layers, both being separated by two steps. On the bottom layer sat a lounging area containing extravagant (yet very comfortable) couches, a coffee table, a television, and bookcases filled with fairy tales and movies. Moving to the second layer, on one wall there was Princey's desk where he would spend many late nights working on new ideas for Thomas.

Next to the desk was his walk in closet that contained his royal attire as well as the entrance to his bathroom. On the other wall was a dresser with yet another tv hanging over it. Next to the dresser was Roman's personal portal to the Daydream territory, it was covered by a curtain that kept it from plain view. In the center of the second layer was Roman's grandiose bed. White, red, and gold was the color scheme of the room much like the owner of the room.

Virgil guessed that last night he had fallen asleep in Princey's room after his boyfriend convinced him and their other partners into yet another late night Disney marathon. Not that any of them argued with him much, any time they could get with each other, they would take. On the tv was the muted title screen for Aladdin.

Virgil looked around the room and noticed that his other two partners weren't in the room with them. That's odd. I could've sworn that they were in here last night with us watching movies... Oh well, just makes getting out of the mind palace easier since I don't have to worry about waking all three of them up. I just need to worry about not waking Roman up which is easy because he's a heavy sleeper.

Virgil finally decided that it was time to leave. He spared a glance at his boyfriend who he couldn't help but admire. Roman was asleep on his side, with his arm draped over Virgil's hips. It must have been hot in the room last night because Roman was sleeping shirtless (not that Virgil minded at all). His brown hair was slightly curled from how he had been sleeping and in the early, morning sun looked to have bits of gold in it. How can he still look so gorgeous while he's sleeping?

Virgil couldn't help the small smile that appeared as he gently pushed Roman's hair out of his face, placing a light kiss on his forehead as he slowly got up out of bed. Tiptoeing, he made his way to the door and stopped. Virgil knew he could just go back to bed, curl back up next to Roman, and forget about this awful day, but he knew he had a responsibility to take care of. Virgil frowned as he stepped out of the room into the hallway and quietly shut the door.

Virgil quietly made his way through the second floor of the palace. He stopped outside of Patton's room and placed his ear to the door. He heard a soft snoring coming from the other side. Carefully he opened the door and peered inside. Looking through the cluttered room, his eyes focused on the bed to see two figures sleeping peacefully. Logan and Patton were curled up together in Patton's bed.

Virgil smiled affectionately at his two other partners. Must have moved rooms after Roman and I fell asleep during the movie. Logan could never sleep with noise in the room. Patton must have convinced him to come back here and snuggle after he muted the movie. Virgil silently chuckled as he softly shut the door again.

Now that all three of his boyfriends were accounted for, he trudged his way back to his room. He made sure that he made as little noise as possible. It was much earlier than any of the other sides would normally wake up which is what he needed. He didn't want to have to come up with an excuse as to why he was up or why he was leaving so early.

He knew what would happen if any one of the three other sides were to catch him. Roman and Patton would make a fuss and Logan would push for information. There would be no way for him to get out of the mind palace without his secret spilling. Virgil knew he wouldn't tell them without a fight though. He needed to protect them. He needed to protect Thomas.

The weight of the day started to make its presence known. Every year this day happened and every year he dreaded it, but this year was different. So much had happened since the last time this day had taken place. He had calmed down drastically to where his panic attacks happened once in a blue moon. Thomas was doing good as well, they were working together now (along with the other sides) to keep him moving forward. Virgil still had his days and moments though where he had to be that nagging or halting voice. It WAS his job afterall to keep Thomas safe and on his toes.

Along with Thomas, the relationships that Virgil had with the rest of the sides had gotten a lot better as well. Logan and Virgil had started spending a lot of time together discussing theories. They had gotten a much better understanding for one another and looked for compromise in many situations.

The relationship between him and Patton was still as strong as ever. Patton being "dad" and Virgil being Patton's "dark strange son" (Even though they were in a relationship). They both also got a good laugh when bothering the other two sides with dad jokes. He could alway count on Patton for one of his signature hugs and a fresh plate of cookies when he was having a bad day.

Then there was Roman. He couldn't forget Roman now could he. For many years, Virgil and Roman had not gotten along. Constant bickering, arguing, and confrontation kept them at odds. After time, the two had started getting along and had come to an understanding of each other (much like he and Logan had).

After the two started to get along they both discovered that they had a mutual attraction to each other. Actually, all four of them had a mutual attraction for each other. The others had been completely willing to give a relationship a try but Virgil, much like his title, had been extremely anxious about moving further. With much coaxing and support from the other sides, he finally agreed. He hasn't once regretted his decision.

Finally making it back to his room, Virgil entered and started preparing himself, both mentally and physically, for the long day ahead. He got dressed in his usual attire and stared at his reflection in his mirror. He quickly made sure that his eye shadow looked fine and that his hair wasn't a complete disaster. He knew he shouldn't concern himself with looks today but he needed to at least be presentable for when he returned so none of the others would get suspicious.

Virgil walked to his door and stopped and groaned, leaning his head against the dark wood. Just get it over with Virgil. He thought to himself. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get this over with and the sooner we can return. He begrudgingly opened his bedroom door and slipped out of his room. Silently, he made his way through the mind palace and out the front door.

Taking a deep breath he walked off the porch and landed on the path. He turned around to take one last look at the palace, then he turned back and followed the road forward. It's going to be alright. You do this every year and nothing will be different. You can't start panicking now.

Walking down the path Virgil came to a fork in the road... well it was only a fork if you knew where to look. The normal path continued on into the Imagination, Knowledge, and Daydream territories, all the places of Thomas' creations. Virgil knew that another path existed at this very point. He knew if you looked closely, one would find it. This path led to the scariest part of Thomas' mind, the Darkscape. This path only appeared if you stepped onto it at the correct location (A cracked rock on the side of the road), which Virgil did.

Suddenly, the fields and sunshine vanished. Virgil was surrounded by a dark forest and cloudy overcast. He was glad he had his hoodie on because the warmth of the sun was gone, replaced with a cold wind that howled through the trees. Looking forward at the broken and forgotten path Virgil knew it was now or never. Not even sparing a glimpse back he started down the trail just to get this day over with.