Across The Border {Logicality, Dukeceit, Prinxiety}

~4~

It had been years since the incident occurred.

10 years, to be exact.

Thomas was now in his late adolescence, experiencing all sorts of physical changes and feelings he knew he'd go through at that age.

Including anxiety.

Remus and Janus always thought they'd be the only Sides to reside in the Dark realm. Having only each other and nobody else.

Well, they were proven wrong when a new room appears in the Dark Mindscape.

"Jan, look..." Remus points at the grey colored door manifesting before them. The word "Anxiety" appearing above the door frame.

The lying trait stares at the door in awe, his hand intertwining with Remus' as both Sides were nervous yet excited to meet their new companion.

The door opens up slowly to reveal a version of Thomas wearing an all black outfit with a hoodie, having- wait is that eyeshadow?- smudged under his eyes.

"Uh... W-who are you?" the new Side stutters out nervously, fear clearly seen in his eyes as he makes eye contact with two, scary-looking strangers.

Janus all but flashes him a warm, welcoming smile as he introduces himself, "My name's Janus, otherwise known as Deceit. I'm in control of Thomas' impulse to lie, and partly his self-preservation, too."

Remus then waves from behind Deceit, grinning from ear to ear, "and I'm Remus! I- well, I'm sort of the dark side of creativity. I may sound bad, but I'm not! I promise!"

The new Side, Anxiety, looks between the pair skeptically, unsure if he could trust them or not.

"We won't hurt you, if that's what you're nervous about." Janus tells him, "It's been quite awhile since we've had another Side in these parts. Was actually beginning to think I'd be stuck with this one for the rest of my life." He gestures to Remus, who gasps dramatically with a hand over his heart.

"You say that as if you don't like having me around."

"Well, you do become a handful sometimes."

Remus makes a sound that I can only describe as an Offended Dukey Noise.

"You love me, shut up."

"That I do, dear."

Watching the half snake-faced guy playfully tease his partner(??) soothed Anxiety's nerves a little. Their looks may be a bit intimidating, as well as their functions, but overall, they seem like very nice people.

"Are there any other Sides I'm supposed to meet?" Anxiety suddenly asks.

Remus glances towards Janus with a look in his eyes, "Should we tell him?"

The lying trait nods meekly, "It's best to have him aware of the... incident. For his own good."

And that's how the three Dark Sides ended up in the Darkscape's living room, Janus doing most of the story telling while Remus and Anxiety listened to him intently, a frown making its way to the darker creative trait's face as Janus gets to the part where he and his brother had to be separated after he had almost faded away.

"I'll forever have a reminder of the biggest regret I made." Remus says sadly, touching the parts of his hair that had turned white.

"Do you regret saving your brother?" Janus questions.

"Huh? No! I may have many regrets, but saving my brother isn't one of them! I'll always come to his rescue! Even if I have to risk my own life just to do so!"

The deceitful trait only smiles at his response, "Then this- " He points at Remus' white streak, "Clearly is not a reminder of your regret, but a reminder of your heroic act that saved your brother's life. You're a hero, Remus. No matter what you may represent."

A single tear slides down Remus' cheek as he tackles his best friend in a hug.

"You're the best, J."

From that single heartfelt moment, Anxiety finally let his guard down as he knew these guys were nothing but a couple of softies. His previous negative impressions of them withered away as he felt a new sense of warmth and safety in their presence.

Guess they aren't so bad after all.