#started throwing up images of him all over space stations and such and the cynical intelligentsia were like it's a cult he's a myth

[annelixa]

Falling Apart at the Seams Chapter 9

Can also be read on AO3

Prequel I Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: After many months of attempted healing, Deceit is back and determined to fulfill his goal with his new idea. This time he’s sure it will work which could spell the end of all involved if they can’t prevent his interference in their lives but he may have help from an unfamiliar source.

Fandom: Sanders Sides

“What do you want, Deceit?” Virgil asked in a tired whisper. He had been fighting against Anxiety’s hold for days and now Deceit simply instructed the other to let him be in charge? That didn’t make sense no matter how you looked at it. He needed to know what the other was planning.

“Can’t I be nice and let you have a break once in a while?”

“No,” he replied flatly.

The other laughed.

“Always so cynical. I just wanted to talk to you and you jump all over me.” He shook his head in exasperation. “Why, it’s like every other meeting we have!”

“Get to the point already.”

“So eager to go back under?” The feeling of being trapped by darkness, held down by Anxiety’s control, suddenly washed over him and he quickly shook his head. “That’s what I thought. Now be a good boy and listen or Anxiety gets his turn again. He’s being patient now but who knows how long he can wait after you made him wait all those years.” Deceit sighed before continuing. “You are going to help me control Thomas. Anxiety and Deceit will work hand in hand once more.”

“No. I left here for that exact reason. I am not going to let you hurt Thomas again.”

Deceit pouted dramatically and walked over to the wall in front of Virgil.

“You don’t want me to hurt Thomas? Whoever said I would be hurting him? We’re going to just let the others take a break and make the decisions instead. They work so hard and can use a break, don’t you agree?”

“No,” he repeated. “I know what you want and I refuse to help you.”

“Well then listen to this,” the deceiver began and held up three fingers. “You can choose to willingly help me.” He put down a finger. “You can choose to go away, not be aware of any of this and let Anxiety do it for you.” He put down a second finger. “Or you can choose to help me because you think you’re a ‘Good Side’ now.” Virgil glared at him. Was that last option just a taunt? Deceit knew that he would never help him willingly and he would never let Anxiety do it in his place. “Let me rephrase that last one for you,” Deceit stated as he turned on some monitors stationed on the wall in front of them. “You can help me because you don’t want them to get hurt.”

“What?” Confused as to what the other was talking about, he looked up. And instantly wished he hadn’t. “Why are they here?!” he demanded, furious to see the images of Logan, Patton, and Roman sitting in their tiny cells.

“To make sure you cooperate,” Deceit answered simply. “No harm has been dealt to any part of them that I can reach since you disappeared on them. Yet. Now which do you choose?”

Jerking his head to the side, the thick, violet cloak covering his shoulders caught Virgil’s eye.

“Get this thing off me,” he ordered, thrashing around once more in an attempt to throw it to the floor.

“Stop avoiding the question, muffin.” The other turned his back to the monitors and stepped to his side. “We both know He’s getting anxious and wants his turn.” He roughly grabbed the bound Side’s shoulder, forcing him to remain still once more, and glared at him. “Pick before I pick for you.”

* * *

“Yeah, sounds cool!” Thomas called cheerily, bright smile on his face. “I can’t wait!”

He waved to his friends as they walked away and securely locked the door before leaning against it with a heavy sigh. Something was off. He should be feeling pumped about all the progress they had just made and the thought of the ideas they have just created but instead he just felt…nothing. It had started a few hours ago but he didn’t want to startle his friends with a sudden change in attitude so he just attempted to act like his normal self and hide it as best he could until he left. Now he could wonder what had changed.

He hadn’t felt like this in over a year. Things were going so well for him right now, there was no reason for this feeling to be back. His work was improving and getting more recognition every day, his health was in one of the best spots it had ever been both mentally and physically, and he was doing much better at balancing his work and his home life. There shouldn’t be anything pushing him to feel this way. He tried to think back to the last time he remembered feeling like this.

A sudden thought popped in his head: Patton! Patton could help him through any emotional distress. Why hadn’t he thought to talk to the other straight away? He might even know the cause of his unfeeling. And if he didn’t then Virgil might have an idea and if he called on Patton the darker Side was likely to pop up if he had any thoughts he needed to share, whether he wanted to divulge them or not.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the happy-go-lucky Side and focused on bringing him into the space with him. Within seconds the other appeared, grinning carelessly.

“What’s up? Something you want to talk about…?” he asked in a kind voice, his face taking a softer expression as he noticed the slight worry on his double’s.

“I’m just feeling a bit…of nothing…” he explained, biting his lip and looking at the floor. “I was kinda wondering if you were feeling the same way…?”

As he finished his question, he peeked up at Patton with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“You’re feeling nothing?” the Side asked, trying to clarify. “Like you’re not feeling sadness or anxiety, just nothing at all?” Thomas nodded. “Hmm, well that’s a thinker because I feel fine. I could see why you would want to call me about this but I was just having a great day so I’m not sure what’s going on.”

“Do you think Virgil might know?”

Patton tapped a finger against his lip as he thought.

“Hmm…you know, I’m not sure. You said you weren’t feeling any anxiety so maybe he went away again?”

“No, I still felt emotions then. I just acted like an idiot.”

Shrugging, he replied, “Well if it’ll make you feel better then why don’t you call him and see what he has to say?”

“I’m…I’m worried something happened to him like before,” Thomas admitted in a whisper.

Patton reached over and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

“Then why don’t you call him and see if he’s alright? That might make you feel better.”

Taking a deep breath, Thomas nodded and summoned the other Side. The pair waited quietly for a few moments before the Side appeared before them.

“Virgil, are you okay?”

The anxious Side yawned before glowering at the pair of them.

“Of course I am. I was sleeping.”

“Sorry, I was just worried that something had happened to you again.” He put his head in his hands. “I was a wreck last time that happened and I can’t go through something like that again.” While Thomas’ face was hidden Virgil shot Patton a begging look but he just frowned and curtly shook his head. “But you’re here and you’re fine so that can’t be what this is.” He raised his head and smiled weakly at the Side in front of him. “Right, Virgil?”

Thomas didn’t notice Patton nod his head.

“What else would I be?”

#thomas sanders #sanders sides #virgil sanders #patton sanders #logan sanders #roman sanders #deceit #deceit sanders