Coming Around

Am I Just The Bad Guy?

T/W: MENTION OF PANIC ATTACK AND SIDE EFFECTS

Virgil stood in the doorway that led from the dark half of the mind palace to the light sides. "You remember your goals, correct Virgil?" Janus asked, leaning into Virgil's right ear. He stiffly nodded, even though he did remember what to do he wasn't sure he was ready to deal with the light sides. Remus was bouncing on his heels, a wild light shining in his green eyes. "I cant wait to have fun with my brother again!" He added, with a malicious grin, from Virgil's left side.

Virgil's jaw clenched, prepping himself for what lay ahead of him. "I'm ready." He said, taking a deep breath. Virgil took a step over the floor line, the floor itself shifting from the cold tile flooring he was used to into soft, overly fluffy carpeting. Virgil stiffened slightly and the extreme warmth that encased him as soon as walked deeper in. He glanced back at the others, unsure. Remus grinned in such a way that more disturbed Virgil than comforted him, but it was the best he'd be getting from them.

Virgil hesitantly walked to the light sides living room area standing just outside the doorway. Patton walked out of his room, sensing the darker presence. "Oh, hey there ki- anxiety." Patton called out, stuttering out his words. "Wha- what're you doing here?" He asked taking a step closer to Virgil. Virgil shifted uncomfortably under Patton's curious gaze. "I was kicked out by the others..." He muttered so quietly that Patton had to take another step closer to properly hear him. "They...they can't do that, can they?" Patton questioned, looking stunned. Virgil just nodded, not trusting his voice. What if Patton told the others? What if he slipped up somehow? What if the dark sides truly wanted to get rid of him?

Virgil's hands started shaking as his mind created worse and worse scenarios of what could happen. He clenched his hands into tight fists, then shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets. "Y-yes. That can happen, i-if deemed reasonable." Virgil squeaked out, his breath only coming in short gasps. He knew that Thomas would feel his effects soon if he couldn't contain it to his room but Patton was standing in the way and he was trying to be nice.

"Hey, are you okay Anxiety?" Patton asked , his voice laced with concern. He was vaguely aware of what the start of a panic attack looked like simply by the ones Thomas had gone through prior, but he had no clue what to do to help. Virgil's eyes were glazed over, he wasn't looking at Patton anymore, just past him, at his own door. "Do you need to go into one of our rooms?" Patton asked hesitantly. Virgil nodded, not even noting how Patton had worded it. Patton carefully placed his hand on virgil's back rubbing slow, calming circles. He then turned Virgil slightly, leading him into his own room.

Without saying a word Patton grabbed his fluffiest blankets and his most cuddly stuffed animals he could think of and wrapped Virgil up tightly in them. At least his breathing seemed to have evened out a bit more. Patton backed up a few steps, giving Virgil the space to breathe but still close enough to hopefully be seen as a comfort but not a threat to the anxious side. There was a slight knock at the door accompanied by a extra loud Roman. "Oh Patton!" He called out, unaware of Virgil's presence "I'm coming in!" Roman announced before Patton could stop him. Virgil's anxiety spiked higher than it was before. Patton practically ran to the door to stop Roman from barging in. "Now isn't a...great time kiddo." Patton explained. Roman gave a fake look of shock. "And why not?" The creative side scoffed. "What happened to 'always being welcomed here' hm?" Patton shuffled to the side so that Roman could see the overly anxious side sitting on his bed.

"Patton!" Roman cried out, making Virgil flinch, "how could you let one of them be in here? Can't you tell he's already starting to give Thomas a panic attack?" Virgil curled tighter into himself, he knew Thomas was dealing with a panic attack himself, but there was nothing Virgil could do to stop it now. Patton looked between the two, clearly torn. "H-he needed help Roman. I had to do something!" Patton told Roman. He then turned and walked away, back to Virgil's side calmly whispering into his ear. "Breathe in for the count of four. Good, now hold for seven. You're doing great, and now out for eight. Great work, kiddo." Patton comforted, using one of the breathing exercises Logan had found for Thomas. He then turned his attention back to Roman. "We need to talk. Outside of my room." Patton said as he walked out of the room, letting Virgil calm down as he closed the door behind him.