#cartoon therapy x sanders sides

[loganslowdown4]

Happy 5th Birthday to Emile Picani and Cartoon Therapy! 🎂

@thatsthat24

Here’s an incorrect quote I came up with between Emile & Roman…

////

Picani: I feel like we are making some progress but I also feel like you’re holding back.

Roman: Oh I’m not holding anything back.

Picani: Well if there’s nothing else, I will see you next wee—

Roman: —except that that the guy I have a crush on doesn’t like Disney movies, I mean, what does that say about my taste in men??

Picani: …Uh huh. You like cliffhangers, huh?

Roman: My forte is creativity, Doc!

Picani: {writes a quick note} Roman, you don’t need to worry. I want to see you next week. We are making good progress. No need to entice my curiosity. I am here to listen and I am here for you.

Roman: {close to tears} I— ok. See you next week, Doc. {smiles}

Picani: {smiling} ‘Good night Alice! Good night Agrabah! Adios amigo!’

Roman: {grinning} Aladdin? Special edition? Oh we are going to get along swimmingly!

[pools-of-sides]

Romile Valentine's Day Shipboard

[januscorner]

Emile x Picani

Requested by @pleasedonthurtcjstar 

[xandriagreat]

I Care

Author's note: this is for @pleasedonthurtcjstar (this post). I hope that you like it.

Notice/Warnings: abusive partner/rudeness, break-up, caps, therapy, fluff

▪▪▪

Patton drove with Toby, his boyfriend, to their first appointment.

Patton glanced at his boyfriend.

Toby had his arms crossed and doesn't look happy.

"Toby?" Patton asked, looking back at the road. "What's wrong?"

Toby looked at him, annoyed. "Why are we doing this?" he asked with no interest.

Patton sighed. "You know already. We're going to this therapy session suggested by Virgil." He said as he drove.

Toby rolled his eyes.

Patton knows that he doesn't want to do this but he feels like this is a good time to do it.

When they arrived to the place, Patton checked them in.

Toby was tapping his foot impatiently as they waited.

□

Doctor Emile Picani got ready for his next appointment. "Now, who's next." He said to himself, looking at the names. "Patton and Toby? Oh! Those sound interesting!"

Emile left his office when it was almost time for the couple to enter his office.

He does this because he wants his patients (both couples and singles) to feel like they’re going to have a good time, like intro themes in shows. 

It works, sometimes.

He saw the couple enter his office and waited for him on the couch. 

When it was time for him to enter, he did the entrance for the first timers. Emile noticed that one of them started to smile at him while the other was confused/freaked out, which was normal for the first few times. 

Emile took his seat when done. “Hello, new patients. Do you how do?” he asked calmly with a smile.

“I’m good-” the one who smiled started but was interrupted by the other said, “I’m confused.”

Emile looked at him and asked, “What are you confused about?”

“Are you a child’s therapist?”

“Toby.” the smile one said, looking at him, frowning. 

“What? I’m just asking Patton.”

“It’s okay,” Emile hummed, looking at the couple as he wrote in his notes. “I’ve been asked that a lot before in the past. And to let you know, you are in the right place, I just do seasons differently than others.”

Toby nodded and rubbed the leg of his pants. “Great…” he mumbled.

Emile asked the usual questions, like ‘have you been in therapy before?’ and ‘how did you find out about this place?’

Patton told the doc that he hasn't had therapy before but for Tony, he told him that he has and thought it was dumb. “And for the second one… it was one of my friends who suggested it.” Patton said, sounding nervous. 

Toby sighed and explained to Patton, “We’re doing okay. We don’t need this.”

“Toby…” Patton started, looking at him.

Emile thought it was a good time to talk about how therapy could help and not just a place to get things fixed. But before he could say anything, Toby’s phone rang. The therapist and partner looked at the phone as Toby got his phone out. 

“It’s work.” Toby sighed as he got up and pointed to the hallway. “Mind if I take this?”

Toby went out of the room before either spoke as he answered the phone.

Emile and Patton looked at each other for a moment. “I’m so sorry about him…” Patton said apologetically after Toby didn’t come back after a few minutes.

“It’s okay.” he started, his voice giving comfort and smiled softly, “we can meet a different time-”

“No, please.” Patton interrupted. Emile looked at him as Patton explained, “I… sorry. There’s just a lot of things that I want to talk about… If you don’t mind…”

Emile thought for a moment and said, “I guess I’ll put you in my singles for now. Does that work for you?”

Patton nodded and adjusted in his seat. “That sounds like a plan.”

□

Emile talked and helped Patton for the past few months.

They talked about Patton's past and how things have been. They also talked about Patton’s relationship with Toby.

Emile Picani was getting ready for the next appointment, which is Patton. 

He went to get ready to leave his office when it was almost time for Patton to enter the office.

As Emile does his enterice into the room, he notices that Patton looked like he was crying recently. He slowly brought his energy down and went into the room. 

“Hey, Patton.” Emile quietly said as he sat down in his seat and got his pen and notebook out. 

“Hi, Picani…” Patton sniffed, looking up at him.

“You okay?” Emile asked, trying to go simple and not rush.

Patton shook his head. “No… I had a bad day.”

“Want to talk about it today?”

Patton nodded and looked down, quiet for a moment. “Toby and I broke up…” Patton sniffed, wiping tears away. 

Emile could just look at him, feeling sad for him. He comforted him and calmed him down before they talked about what happened.

□

For almost a year, Emile and Patton meet up and talked with the sessions. Emile helped Patton move on from the break up a few months ago. 

Sometimes, they bump into each other outside of the office appointments and have lunch. They talk about shows, movies, life, their likes and dislikes.

Emile starts to realize something during this time. 

He is in love with Patton.

Emile was talking to Remy, his roommate and best friend, about this whole situation with Patton. “I just don’t know what to do now…” Emile said, finishing up his venting. He laid down on the couch and sighed. 

Remy looked at him for a moment and then asked, “Well, why don’t you ask him out? Since you’ve had lunch with him before, you should be able to go on a date with him.”

Emile’s eyes twitched as he looked at him, sitting up properly. “Remy, I can’t date a patient. It’s against the rules.” he explained, still looking at him. 

Remy had a confused look on his face. “Why? There are some couples working in the same work areas.”

Emile sighed, knowing that he’s going to have to mention some reality to him. “Remy, do you remember when we saw that one serious video that some people on the internet joked about?”

Remy was still for a moment and then nodded. “You mean from the Try Guys? Yes…” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Along with the film theory video by MatPat. It’ll be bad for work and it creates problems.”

“Then you see why I can’t date him.” Emile sighed, hugging a pillow.

Remy thinks for a moment to help. His lazy eyes lit up when he got an idea and said, “I got an idea, Em.”

Emile looked at him. “Oh?”

“Why don’t you transfer him to a different therapist or wrap it up?”

Emile gave him a look of horror. “Rem, as much as I like you my friend, but why?!” he exclaimed, the horror look still on his face. “What? You told me one time that he was getting better! Also, you want to date him, right?!” Remy exclaimed back.

Emile just stares at Remy for a moment before nodding. “I do… Let’s talk about it and prepare. Just in case it does or doesn’t go so well.”

Remy nodded. "Let's prepare you to face the darkness or the lightness of thr Secret Tunnel."

□

Patton went to the office on the session day that he and Emile Picani scheduled that day.

Patton entered the Picani office when it was almost time. Patton smiled at him as Emile did his enterice into the room. “Hi, Picani.” he said, smiling softly.

“Hello, Patton.” Emile Picani said, smiling back as he got the notebook and pen ready.

They started the session and talked about where they last finished off. Before they finished the session, Patton noticed that Emile had something on his mind. “Hey, you okay?” he asked. 

“Hm? Oh! I’m okay, Patton.” Picani replied, sounding reassuring.

Patton hummed softly and nodded. “I want to talk to you about something before we finish.”

Emile looked at him and the clock that hung on the wall. “We only have about five minutes.” he mentioned, looking back at Patton. 

“It’ll be quick.” Patton reassured. “And it doesn’t need to be written down.”

Emile hummed, set his notebook and pen down, and looked at him. 

Patton took in a breath and said, “This is the last session.”

Emile looked at Patton in surprise. “I say what?” 

Patton nodded. “Yeah, I… uh… I believe that I’m better now and there’s another thing to talk about. But I want to address it unless you think that I’m not there yet.” he explained, playing with his hands.

Emile looked at him, waiting for him to tell him the other one was. 

“The other one is that I…” Patton took in a deep breath before continuing, “I love you, Emile.”

Picni’s eyes widened when the words got to him. Before he could say anything, Patton said, “I know, it’s bad and VERY wrong to date your own therapist! But I just… I don’t know…”

Emile was quiet for a moment. Then he gently took Patton’s hands into his, rubbing them gently. “Patton… I love you too.”

Patton’s eyes lit up and looked at Emile, who smiled softly at him.

“To be honest, I’m proud of how much you've grown.” Emile explained, a soft glow of comfort in his eyes. “But you still need some help that I don’t have to give… And to reassure you that the thing that you did mention about patients and their therapists dating is true. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen and it’s not like tv… but I was going to transfer you to a different therapist. He is different from what I do but I believe that he can help.”

Patton couldn’t help but giggle softly, “That sounds like a plan.”

[tstwitterupdates]

Joining the Sanders Sides x Cartoon Therapy love, I kinda imagine Logan and Picani as 2 sides (hehe) of one coin. Season 1 Logan was shown to enjoy some shows and he was very curious, while Picani is fully embracing the toons and loudness and knowledge. But Logan is shutting that part of himself down (if I remember correctly, due to fear of mocked? Correct me if I'm wrong) and Picani can be described as the human version of "Cringe culture is dead and so I shall be as cringe as I can".

If y'all are right then I want these two to bond and bicker at the same time. Maybe via a toon vs reality debate. -CCS

dude i was literally JUST thinking about this!!

well. not exactly this. what you say is very interesting actually! i love that.

what i was thinking was about picani and logan having much in common.

like this is a theory i have but i think that logan as he is right now is Super detached from thomas. like when thomas saw the duke and said “i don’t identify with anything about him!” i think he’s progressively feeling more like this with logan because what does logan have that thomas want to be or currently is? thomas still likes science and also likes trivia and learning but that’s about it?? thomas seems to care nothing about being a serious organized adult who must be taken seriously, neither now nor in his dreams nor in the future.

so like. i’ve thought what would logan look like if he changed according to thomas’s current personality and let go of the pressure he has to be serious and i think what would happen is that he would embrace that geekiness more. bring out the logan who writes fanfic about star trek and would have a youtube channel pointing out inconsistencies in different kinds of media and, of course, would know a bunch about cartoon’s lore and analyze them all to death AND also somehow turn those analyses into metaphors to learn about his own life? that does sound like what a less inhibited logan.

[send me an ask to logically-asexual if you want to talk more about this stuff lol to not spam the other followers here.]

[lurkingvoid]

More spider Virgil? Absolutely. This time spider man kiss with all the sides + Remy and Emile :)

Patton - He's stunned at first when Virgil drops down in front of him from a web, but happily gives him a quick kiss before asking him to get down safely.

Roman - He has to be dramatic about it. All the romance, soft touches to his face and enjoying the purple eye shadow before kissing him. It would be long enough the others tell them to get a room. Happily catches him when he gets down.

Remus - Outraged he was beaten to it he tried to deny kisses but every time he turns Virgil drops down in front of him. Eventually gives in and gives him a kiss before yanking him down, chasing ensues.

Janus - He tries not to laugh, probably bops his nose with his cane gently when asking what he's doing. After plenty of teasing and making Virgil go red he'd kiss him, hiding their faces from sight with his hat.

Logan - He doesn't know what to do at first, asking about how he's doing it and complimenting his strength. When it finally catches up to him he gets flustered but allows himself to be kissed. When he goes to walk away Virgil drops down onto his back and latches on koala style.

Remy - He probably just woke up so nearly throws his coffee on him out of surprise. After a lengthy dramatic lecture, enough to rival Roman and Remus, he gives in. Many coffee flavoured kisses followed by a nap time when Virgil gets down.

Emile - He immediately gets into a rant about spider man and what version of the scene is his favourite. Virgil listens in amusement before eventually cutting him off with a soft kiss. Once Emile realises what happened many more soft kisses are shared before he's allowed to continue ranting. Yes Virgil stays hanging, Maybe not upside down though.

[the-girl-with-the-glass-heart]

Modern day little mermaid au (Intrulogical and unsympathetic Patton)

Deep in the ocean off the coast of a little fishing town called outsmouth on the out skirts of Florida is a grand palace where the sea king Picani lives, he was very kind and caring but also quite protective over his kingdom.

He was prejudiced against humans for his spouse had tragically died at the hands of pirates not too long after his youngest son, Remus was born.

Remus is a stand out from his 6 other siblings as he’s the only Cecaelia (or an octomaid in simpler terms) while the other members of his family are regular mermaids.

Remus gets his Cecaelia appearance from his dead parent unlike the rest of his family who get their mermaid tails from their dad which makes Picani show some favoritism to Remus sinve he reminds him so much of his late partner.

This mixed with Remus being the youngest made Picani extremely over protective over him, which didn’t really sit well with Remus who wanted nothing more to explore.

He desperately wanted to explore the world above and see what humanity is like, his father always talked about how dangerous and terrible they were but Remus was never some one to just back down from danger.

Remus loves everything about humans. especially the trash they would leave in the ocean, he would collect it and even store it in a little cave near the palace, sometimes he would even wear it!

His only friends were a crow named Remy who’s always eating peoples trash from Starbucks and refuses to take off a pair of sunglasses he found in the dumpster, a snake named Janus he found on land and Virgil, a shy and cautious sea turtle who keeps trying to hide in his shell.

His curiosity only heightened when he spotted a drowning human named Logan and saved him, he couldn’t help but admire him, he even started to sing to him a little.

Unfortunately Remus became quickly frightened after seeing Logan open his eyes and had to run off and he instantly felt like he had to get to know him, eventually Remus heard rumors about a sea witch named Patton who lived in an underwater cove.

After finding the cove Patton introduces himself to Remus as his uncle and Remus is completely confused as to why his father never told him about patton.

Patton is a beautiful mermaid who looks straight out of a fairytale, you’d never suspect him of being witch craft so remus has absolutely no reason not to trust him, plus, he’s family right?

Patton lies and says that Picani must of never told him because he never really liked patton, he was always super mean and controlling and no matter how much patton tried to tell Picani that he was using his magic to help young merfolk he wouldn’t listen and banished him.

Patton jokingly says he’s sure he’s totally matured now and is much more understanding these days causing Remus to feel really bad.

Patton fakes sympathy and says he knows he wants something, remus explains his dreams of being human and Patton says he’s “always happy to help family” before faking sadness and explaining that unfortunately he can’t just give his services for free.

He pretends to be in deep thought for a moment before saying he could always just take his voice, reasoning that Remus won’t even miss it and that it’s really better off if he doesn’t have it since men on the surface absolutely hate conversation and that a man who holds his tounge is bound to find love.

He even says he will give it right back after he gets Logan to fall in love with him and it’ll even be kept safe in pattons necklace so it will always be right by his heart.

Remus agrees and Patton says that he has three days to kiss Logan but if he doesn’t or if some one else falls in love with him he turns back into a Cecaelia and he will belong to pat.

the next thing he knows he’s naked on the beach and face to face with Logan who thinks he’s the mystery guy who saved him but then realizes it can’t be him because he can’t speak.

He asks if he knows ASL and Remus shakes his head no, he tries to get remus to write but whenever remus tries to write he fumbles with the writing utensils since he’s simply not used to holding stuff with out tentacles.

Logan is intrigued by him and he agrees to let him stay with him a few days and they end up spending lots and lots of time together, Remus learns about all sorts of fun technology and human activities.

Janus, Remy and Virgil follow along just to keep watch on him cause they all have a very very bad feeling about this, spoiler alert: they were right.

And as they start to fall in love pattons true nefarious scheme is being planned out, the real reason he was kicked out of the castle was purely because he kept trapping people in terrible magic deals that they couldn’t get out of and he was pretty upset that his brother married a Cecaelia.

He hated Cecaelia’s, he never liked the thought of mixing mermaids with them and now that remus was close to being in his grasp he knew that once he had him Picani would trade anything to get remus back, even the kingdom itself.

Eventually Patton uses Remus’s voice to transform himself into a look alike that he calls Roman and convinces Logan that he’s actually the guy who saved him.

Remus is emotionally distraught and cries alone on the docks before Remy flies in and tells him that it’s patton and that he’s actually evil.

Picani finds him and admits that the reason he never told remus about Patton was because he never wanted his prejudices against Cecaelia’s to affect him and he realizes now his own prejudices against humans have hurt him just as much.

Remus ends up finding Patton and Logan and he interrupts a their little romantic out and Remy manages to break pattons necklace giving Remus his voice back but it’s too late and Remus and Patton turn back to normal and Patton drags him back to the sea.

Picani offers Patton his entire kingdom for Remus and Patton accepts, he tries to murder Logan and Remus with new found powers but Logan is a quick thinker and grabs the nearest harpoon gun off the port and with one swift shot through the heart patton is dead and Remus is turned into a human.

It’s a happy ending and Logan even promises to take Logan on all sorts of fun little trips around the world and Picani and Remus’s brothers all bid him good bye and wish him good luck on their trip.

[nonbinaryroyalty43]

Repression!Patton, logan x janus x emile, jewel

Characters: Emile, Repression!Patton, Logan, mentions of Janus

Pairings: Logan x Janus x Emile

Warnings: Repression, insomnia ish, bad childhood, family splitting up

Summary: Emile has a cartoon reference for every scenario. And this time it’s Patton who needs it.

Tell me if I need to add any warnings. Also, I made up the cartoon mentioned in the fic. It sucks.

********

Every since Emile’s appearance, the general mental health of all the Sides has increased dramatically. Emile was wonderful at helping the others work through their issues. He got the Sides to open up and accept each other.

One Side, unfortunately, proved very hard to reach. Emile tried multiple times to get Patton to open up, but it was nearly impossible. He was Repression for a reason.

That changed very early one morning. Emile woke up around four and couldn’t get back to sleep, so he gently untangled himself from Janus and Logan, who immediately snuggled closer to each other, and went to the kitchen.

To his surprise, Patton was already up, sitting at the table with a mug in front of him. He looked....exhausted.

“Patton? Is everything okay?” 

The Side’s head jerked up, obviously caught off guard. “Y-yes, I’m fine. Just couldn’t sleep.”

“Ditto. Decided to have some tea and relax before everyone woke up.”

“There’s hot water in the kettle,” Patton mumbled, laying his head on the table. Emile noted his odd behavior, but went about making his tea as though nothing was amiss. 

When the tea was finished, Emile sat across from Patton. Patton pulled his head off the table and their eyes locked. Emile was surprised as the tiredness he found written in every line of Patton’s face. He looked only seconds away from passing out.

“Are you sure nothing is wrong? You don’t look very well.”

Patton opened his mouth to say something, probably another assurance that he was fine, but hesitated. He let out a long sigh and seemed to crumple slightly. “I can’t make it stop.”

Emile fought to keep the shock off his face. Was Patton finally going to open up to him? “Can’t make what stop?”

“The feelings. I’m responsible for making sure Thomas doesn’t receive or acknowledge feelings he isn’t ready to face yet. I get so used to doing it for him, I do it, too. Every a bad thing I feel- jealousy, anger, sadness- I push it down and pretend it isn’t there. But the feelings keep coming back and I feel like I’m going to explode.”

Emile listened to his rant, nodding every so often. “Patton, have you ever seen the cartoon, Wolf Riders?”

Patton shook his head. “No, not really.”

“Well, the cartoon is about this group of teens who manage to tame a pack of wild wolves and journey through this forest to deal with issues that arise. One of the main characters, Jewel, had a pretty bad childhood and repressed all the bad memories so she didn’t have to deal with any bad feelings. As a result, when she saw her brother years after they’d been separated, she didn’t understand why their family had been split up.”

Patton slowly nodded. “I think I get what you’re trying to say. Repressing emotions and bad memories is common, but can ultimately be bad?”

“That’s right. I’m not saying you have to let it all out at once, but I would find some healthy way to channel your emotions. That might be by doing something physical, like gardening, or even talking to someone. I know everyone here would be willing to listen, including me.”

For the first time that morning, Patton smiled. “I might just take you up on that.” He took a long sip from his mug before standing up to put it in the sink. He started to leave, but paused in the doorway. “Thanks, Emile.”

“Anytime.”

Once the room was empty, Emile allowed himself a small celebratory dance. Finally, after so long, Patton was starting to open up.

So when Logan came down half an hour later and asked Emile if something was wrong, Emile smiled. “Everything’s just fine, Logan.”

And at that moment, everything was.

[tsxsides]

Monday, October 18th to Sunday, October 24th

Day 1) Celebration / Anniversary 

Day 2) A-day-in-the-life-of [ship] / "There was never a dull moment" 

Day 3) AU of your choice 

Day 4) "Wait, you like me?" / Misunderstandings 

Day 5) Fav Ts x Side ship / Polysanders 

Day 6) Trip / Secret Relationship 

Day 7) Fluff / Hurt Comfort

More Information

tags: @thomasxsides

[daroamine]

my first time ever drawing remy and emile, gotta make it soft am i right

[thetsxshibiscusanon]

Made you something. Thomas/Emile/Patton thrupple. Movie nights are their favorite. snuggles and snacks and cartoons! 

~~~~

The sheer amount of JOY this brought me oml I love this so much!! You made ME something??? Wow- they’re so cuteeee- thank you!! 🥺🥺💗💖💙

@thomasxsides​ Take a look at this cool moodboard!! :D!!!

(Submitted by @amazon-me-bitches)

[saibug1022]

20? With someone and Emile?

20. “I love you, but I need you to go away because you’re really bloody distracting and I have to pass this test tomorrow.”

Sorry this one’s really short Quinn, it’s only like 500 words, but I’ve never really written Remy or Emile before, so I didn’t want to risk drawing it out. Hope you like it anyway!

Warnings: Cursing

Remy loved his boyfriend, he really did. But said boyfriend was the one who encouraged him to go back to college and actually take veterinary classes like he’d always wanted to. Yet that SAME boyfriend had the audacity to wake up early and pad into the kitchen while Remys was staying up late to actually study for a test he had the next morning.

Oh not to mention he was wearing nothing but his boxers and one of Remy’s shirts.

His textbooks and study guides and flashcards and all the other ways he had been told to study were forgotten as he stared at his adorable boyfriend and then at the stretch of skin that showed when Emile reached up into the cabinet to get a mug. He started humming to himself and gave Remy a little wave over the counter as he started to make himself hot chocolate. Remy thought he’d be fine until Emile started swaying his hips to whatever little song was playing in his head and Remy had to take a deep breath and close his eyes.

He tried to refocus, he really did, but his gaze kept being drawn away from his papers and over to Emile who was now trying to decide what size marshmallows to put in his hot chocolate. His eyebrows were creased and the corners of his lips tugged downward. He looked like he was trying to decide who to vote for, not sugar. 

Ugh, he was just too cute! And hot! How was he both? Most people are supposed to be one or the other, or one at a time. Not simultaneously. Remy groaned and rubbed his hands over his eyes. He was not a strong enough man for this but this test was twenty percent of his grade or something ridiculous.

“Babe,” Remy called and Emile’s head shot up. He tilted his head and gave Remy a quizzical look. “I love you, but I need you to go away because you’re really fucking distracting and I have to pass this test tomorrow.” 

Emile looked confused for a second before it clicked in his brain and his eyes widened comically. He looked down at himself and used the hand not holding his Avatar mug to scratch the back of his neck sheepishly. Remy couldn’t help smiling. He shook his head to rid himself of the gay thoughts so he could focus.

“Sorry hun,” Emile apologized. He came into the living room Remy had taken over and leaned down to peck his lips. “For good luck.”

With that Emile gave a little wave and disappeared into the bedroom again. If staying up late at home meant he got to see that well Remy may just study more often.

And hey, maybe Emile’s kiss really did give him luck because he got a 110% on his test.

[spacegayparty]

Emile: how do you like your coffee?

Remy: as dark as my soul

Emile: one white chocolate mocha coming right up

[magikkittenz]

Day: 21 Emile/Side Patmile

They’re punning around a telling dad jokes

[sweetest-honeybee]

Haven’t drawn either of you in a while haven’t I

[nonbinaryroyalty43]

Pride!Roman, virgil x remy x emile, "duck out already"

Characters: Virgil, Pride!Roman, Remy(sleep), Emile, mentions of Patton, mentions of Logan, mentions of Remus, mentions of c!Thomas

Pairings: Virgil x Remy x Emile, mentioned Logicality

Warnings: Unsympathetic Roman, panic attack, ducking out (Suicide-ish), revenge

Summary: Ducking out wasn’t something to be taken lightly. So to be told to duck out by someone Virgil once considered a friend was excruciating. But thankfully, his boyfriends won’t let him go through it alone.

*****

It was four words. Just four words. Four words that hit Virgil like a bullet, knocking all the air from his lungs.

Just duck out already.

Roman- Pride, Virgil reminded himself, we’re not friends anymore- grinned maliciously, as though sensing the impact his words had on Virgil.

“You should, you know. If you did it right, the others wouldn’t even notice until it was too late; if they bothered to notice at all, that is. You know your boyfriends are only dating you because they felt they had to. Logan and Patton were dating and they didn’t want you to feel left out. They were just trying to make you feel better so you wouldn’t duck out again. But you should. It would be better.”

Virgil could feel the tears building up in his eyes and he quickly sank out so Roman wouldn’t see him cry. He reappeared in his room and immediately sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

Do it, a dark voice in his head whispered. The other would thank you. You wouldn’t be inflicting your presence on them.

Don’t do it, a lighter voice said. Just break up with you Remy and Emile and stay in your room. That way you get to live and you stay out of everyone’s way. 

If you do that, you’ll be heartbroken. Better to duck out and not have to feel at all then to go through all that pain.

The voices continued, going back and forth. Virgil struggled to breath between sobs, his hands covering his ears, gripping his hair tightly in an attempt to block out the voices.

He was so focused on his internal struggle that he didn’t hear the knock on the door. He didn’t hear Remy and Emile’s concerned voices calling to him through the door. He didn’t hear the door open.

His eyes were tightly shut so he didn’t see his boyfriends’ worried looks. He didn’t see them walking toward him, crouching down when they were a foot away.

“Hun, can you hear me?” Remy’s voice broke through the argument in Virgil’s head. Virgil’s eyes opened and he gave a short nod. Emile smiled softly.

“That’s great, sweetie. Is it okay if I touch you?” Again, Virgil nodded and Emile scooted closer. He grabbed Virgil’s hands in his own and gently pulled them away from Virgil’s head, instead holding them in his lap.

“Try to breath with me, okay?” Emile started to exaggerate his breathing, tapping out the 4-7-8 on Virgil’s hand. The voices got even quieter, almost nonexistent. Virgil was still crying, but not nearly as hard. Breathing was much easier than it had been only minutes ago.

Somehow, the three managed a maneuver that put Virgil in Remy’s lap with Emile sitting by him, still holding Virgil’s hands.

“How are you feeling, hun?” Remy asked gently.

“Better,” Virgil choked out.

“That’s good,” Emile said, rubbing circles on Virgil’s hands with his thumbs. “Is it okay if we ask what made you panic?” 

The voices flared up again, but Virgil pushed them away. He needed to tell his boyfriends now, while he was thinking somewhat clearly.

“Pride told me to duck out.” A long silence followed his statement. Emile sent a warning look to Remy, who looked ready to attack someone. Virgil, focused as he was on his own thoughts, missed it.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. You know we’d be devastated if you ducked out, right?”

“He said you wouldn’t.” 

Emile gasped quietly. “He said we wouldn’t-oh honey.”

Virgil broke. He told them everything. Everything Roman had said, everything he himself had thought. It all came out.

When he was finished, Emile was crying and Remy seemed to be heading that way. 

“Oh, hun, none of that’s true,” Remy assured him. “We love you for you, not because we pity you.”

Virgil stayed silent, not quite believing it. 

“Do you know what would happen if you ducked out all the way? You would still be part of Thomas, you just wouldn’t have a physical representation. I don’t know exactly how it works, you’d have to ask Logan, but anxiety would still be part of Thomas. So why would we try to keep you around if we hated you?”

“Because you’re nice?” It was a weak excuse, even to Virgil.

Remy laughed. “Hun, if we didn’t like you, we wouldn’t be dating you. We’d be friends, definitely, but we wouldn’t date you out of pity. Emile and I both love you and we’ll say it over and over until you believe it. Okay?”

Virgil nodded. “Okay. Thanks, Remy.”

Remy leaned forward and kissed Virgil’s forward. “Don’t worry about it, hun. Why don’t you get some sleep? You must be exhausted after all that.”

Virgil hummed sleepily, his eyes falling shut. Remy felt Virgil’s body relax as he slipped into sleep, Remy’s presence ensuring that nightmares would be kept away.

Once certain Virgil was asleep, Emile spoke. “We have to do something about this.”

Remy nodded. “Yes, we do. What Pride did was horrible. We’ll have to think of ways to get back at him.”

Emile looked shocked. “We can’t hurt him! That could hurt Thomas!”

Remy just grinned. “I know. But there are other ways to get back at him. I know Remus has some pranks he’s been dying to try and Logan has been looking for a test subject. As for myself-” Remy’s grin turned wicked- “I can do more than just take away nightmares; I can also give them.”

Emile smiled uneasily. Revenge wasn’t really his strong suit, but when it came to his boyfriends, he’d give anything a try.