Across The Border {Logicality, Dukeceit, Prinxiety}

~6~

Recognition washes over the anxious trait once he realizes who he's talking to.

"You're Roman?"

"The one and only." Said Side confirms with a smile.

Anxiety looks Roman from head to toe (definitely not checking him out or anything no psh hah of course not), taking in his appearance. He's practically the complete opposite of his twin! From his color scheme to his outfit choice.

"You don't look like Remus." He says nonchalantly, beginning to get comfortable in the other's presence.

"We all have the same face!" Prince dude exclaims dramatically, then is quick to add, "But yes, I'm the more handsome twin. No offense to Remus."

The darkly clothed Side raises a brow at his statement, "You sure about that, Romano?"

And there, did Anxiety get the confirmation that the rando he's talking to right now is definitely his best friend's twin, as he watches the prince place a hand to his chest and makes a sound similar to Remus' 'Offended Dukey Noise', which he will hereby dub as an 'Offended Princey Noise'.

"Alright, I believe you now."

"Good."

Anxiety didn't like the awkward silence that followed the end of their conversation, so he starts fidgeting with his hoodie's zipper.

"Can I ask you another question?" Roman finally speaks up again.

The anxious trait looks up at him unsurely, but nods his head.

"Alright... Why did you come here? Of all places?"

Aaaand there it is.

The question he feared he'd have to answer.

"B-because... You see I- ...Ugh, it's really stupid." Anxiety groans to hide his embarrassment, "You'll just think I'm making it up."

"I'll believe you, don't worry. So long as you're telling the truth." Roman assures.

Well, here goes nothing.

Letting out a sigh, Anxiety closes his eyes before reopening them to meet Roman's gaze, "It's just that... Every time I come here, I feel a sense of longing. I don't know what for a-and, there's this some sort of voice that keeps telling me to-... To cross the border. And yes, I know the consequences if I do- being the literal embodiment of anxiety, that really should be the last thing on my mind!" the darkly clothed Side laughs nervously. Roman notices the slight tremble in his voice.

"I'm serious when I say that I don't want to do it. Yet... I keep on coming back here as if I do- which I don't... want to... Urghhh go ahead and laugh." Anxiety ducks his head low and wraps his arms around himself, waiting for Roman to burst out laughing at the ridiculous explanation of his answer.

But he doesn't.

"I know exactly how you feel..." Princey confesses, "But back then, I didn't know the consequences. The urge to cross the border was fueled by my longing to be with my brother again. In your case, I'm not so sure."

"It's fine... At least I finally got that out of my chest." A small smile makes its way to the anxious trait's face.

"You've never told Remus or Snake-face?"

Anxiety snorts at that, "His name's Janus, you know."

"I didn't know, actually but thank you." Roman chuckles, a tingly feeling in his chest at seeing the other Side smile.

"But to answer your question... No. I didn't want to worry them. They're like my own older brothers." Anxiety had a fond look on his face as he said that, "Especially Janus."

"I'm happy to know you have your own little family back there."

"Don't you?"

"Oh, trust me, I do."

The two ended up talking with one another for hours. Their conversation going from how things are like in their respective realms to Roman going on a continuous rant about how he's stuck with an old married couple aka Patton and Logan, then Anxiety butting in as he exclaimed, "Imagine being stuck with two hormonal teenagers for 8 years!"

Both Sides found themselves enjoying the other's company. But as the sun began to set, they knew they'd have to end their convo from there.

"It's getting late... I better get going." Anxiety announces.

"Yeah... I should, too. Can we meet again tomorrow?" Roman asks, a hopeful look in his eyes.

"What's in it for me?"

"You'll get to see this handsome prince again, of course."

"Debatable."

Cue Offended Princey Noise.

Anxiety laughs and waves as he begins walking back to the Dark Mindscape.

"See you tomorrow, Princey."

"Farewell, Emo Nightmare."