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I don't own the picture.
TW: abusive/toxic relationship, depression, mentions of depression, anxiety, age regression with a toxic caregiver, a couple swear words, non-sexual littlespace but virgil's caregivers want to do sexual things (its implied that they did sexual things), the sides talk about abuse and a toxic relationship, they talk about rape
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In the mindscape common area
3rd person
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Virgil whispered, "Pwease don' tell them I told you that."
Patton nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, I won't. You said they hurt you? How do they hurt you?"
Virgil looked around nervously. When he decided Deceit and Remus weren't hiding in the curtains or somewhere he answered, "Sometimes when I'm a bad boy Daddy hits. And Papa likes biting me. And they both like hurting me when- when-" he stopped, then finished in a much much smaller voice, "they both hurt me when they do icky stuff."
"What's icky stuff?" Roman asked, confused.
Logan pursed his lips and shook his head, "Roman, he's referring to sexual intercourse. I believe he is implying that Remus and Deceit enjoy harming him during sex. If I am interpreting this correctly," he aimed the next question at Anxiety, "You do not want to engage in sexual intercourse with your partners?"
Patton rephrased the teacher's question to be more kid friendly, "What he means, kiddo, is do you like the icky stuff?"
Virgil shook his head aggressively, "No! I told them I didn't want to! I told them, but they're my daddies and they make the rules. I'm the baby and follow the rules. I do what Daddy and Papa want." He said it as if he was reciting lines. Maybe Deceit had given Anxiety rules to follow? Did those rules include not being able to say no to anything? That was horrible, and Patton was having a hard time believing what he was hearing.
"What?! They don't let you say no? That's- that's- that's rape! Patton, are you hearing this? Logan? What the hell?!" Roman was outraged. Maybe he and the other side didn't always get along the best, but he still considered the other side his friend (maybe more), and at the very least he deserved basic respect as one of Thomas' sides.
He was seconds away from ripping his sword out of its sheathe and hunting down the two offending dark sides who had hurt his emo nightmare, when Logan set a grounding hand on his arm, reminding the fiery prince of their main goal right now: helping Anxiety.
The princely side took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. Pushing down the horrible, horrible emotions that were bubbling up inside of him. Feelings of failure, failure to protect his fellow sides. This had been going on for how long? And he had only just now noticed? He was no prince.
Patton threw his arms around Virgil, "I'm so sorry you've had to go through that! You never have to go back to them, I promise! I will fight them! I will physically fight them!"
Virgil was confused by the non-violent and non-hateful touch, and almost flinched away again, but, wait. This didn't hurt. This- this hug felt wonderful. He felt, well, safe. Safe. He hadn't felt safe in, well, he hadn't ever. Anxiety realized, as Patton held him close, that he felt safe. He felt okay. He felt happy.
He reached up and put his arms around Patton, returning the hug, and giggled a bit.
Patton felt Anxiety hug him back, and a huge smile split his face, overjoyed, yet tinged with sadness. He looked back at Logan and Roman, who both appeared to be choking back tears, and let his own fall.
It was a strange, bittersweet sight. Four sides, all processing a horrible thing. A little boy ignoring trauma in favor of savoring a brief moment of joy. A fatherly man hugging his friend, crying and smiling in a mess of emotion. A logical trait feeling- feeling. Feeling emotion like he has never before. A guilty prince, berating and loathing himself for not fulfilling his duty, his duty to protect his comrades.
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Time skip about an hour
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The four sides had settled down a bit. Emotions were still running rampant, but at least no one was crying anymore. They were all cuddled on the couch watching the black cauldron, which they had all learned was Anxiety's favorite Disney movie. The little side was excitedly watching, pointing out his favorite parts, all fear about his daddies finding him and punishing him gone.
Patton laid his head on Roman's shoulder and clasped Logan's hand to his chest, placing a short sweet kiss to the knuckle.
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As the movie played the end credits, Virgil was curled up on the couch, sound asleep. Roman looked over at the sleeping side, "Aww, I never thought Anxiety could be so cute." He conjured up a soft black blanket with purple bats and draped it gently over the other boy. Turning to look at his boyfriends, he realized just how much they had to talk over. He let his head fall back onto the couch and took a deep breath, "So, what do we do now?"
Logan answered, "Well, I believe our first course of action should be to confront Deceit and Remus. We cannot allow them to roam free after what has happened. They must be brought to trial."
"Trial? You really want to give them that? They don't deserve a trial. They raped Anxiety." Roman exclaimed in anger, "Those monsters hurt our friend, an innocent person. They deserve nothing less than to be run through with my sword!"
"That may be so," Logan countered, "however we cannot ignore the process. We established long ago how things are done, and we must adhere to the laws. They must be found and tried."
Roman rolled his eyes, but agreed. If they didn't follow the procedure and the laws, then who would? "I'll get my soldiers on it immediately! Do not fear, I shall capture those criminals and bring them to justice!" He proclaimed as he sank out into the Imagination.
Logan turned to Patton, "I will begin research on Anxiety's new- mindset- and how we can help him. I would appreciate it if you would remain here, and take care of him. He may wake up in the same state as he fell asleep, and he may not. You must be prepared to help him regardless of his mindset. Do you understand?"
Patton nodded, "Yeah, you make sure you don't work too hard, okay? I'll have a batch of cookies waiting for you guys when you come back." He pecked his taller boyfriend on the cheek and headed into the kitchen to start the dessert. Logan sunk out into his room to focus on research. This was going to take a while.
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i hope you like this chapter! i probably wont be able to update for about two weeks, sorry. i'll be busy with holiday stuff and family. sorry. but ill try to start updating again after the holidays!
See ya'll next year! lol
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I Love You All
FanfictionWere we dismissing Anxiety's behavior too easily? He's like this a lot, that's just who he is, right? ___ "No, no, stop. Stop, you only talk in lies." "What? I'd never lie to you, Virgy." "Don't call me that." ___ I love you all.