Chapter Text
Sobs echoed down the hallway, dark and gloomy. Creaks from old rafters in this section could be heard, making the atmosphere ominous. The entire area shook slightly, rumbling, pulsing with each new wail. The place looked almost attic-like, a wide, mostly empty space with old, wooden flooring and slanted roofing that jutted and protruded randomly.
Against the back wall, there was a small bookshelf with 3 shelves, all packed with as many books as they could fit with many stacks in piles around it. Most of the books seemed to pertain to various magic tricks, acts, psychology, and various mystery novels, as well as nonfiction books about snakes.
Besides that, there was a large, faded black bean bag that was worn and old, some hand-sewn patches in shades of yellow on it with two cushions seated in it. One was a faded yellow with a black snake on it, and the other was black and yellow checkered. On the right of the bean bag was a small three-legged desk with a small shelf underneath it that held two small books, each worn and with a bookmark sticking out of it. On top of the desk was an old-fashioned adjustable lamp that was currently off.
Against the right wall, there was a big chest that was opened, different fabrics spilling out of it of varying colors. There were some fabrics strewn around the room, and laying on the floor and against furniture were hand-made stuffed animals, the stitches holding them together and well sewn. There was a large pile of pillows on the left side of the room, and a stack of blankets on the right. In the corner, there was another bundle of at least 10 blankets of different textures and patterns, wrapped around a shaking mass. The sounds seemed to be emanating from the corner.
Deceit was crying in his room, curled up in the mound of blankets that was his bed. He had tried confronting the ‘Light Sides’ again, only to be insulted, mocked, and ultimately dismissed as per usual. This time, though… this time it hurt, more than usual. Their words still echoed in his ears, furthering his own thoughts. “Freak. Snake-face. Monster. Unwanted.“
He tried to shake it off, but it clung to him like wet, tight jeans. He released another sob, finding himself unable to breathe from the combined forces of his stuffy nose, his crying, and the fact he was smothered in blankets. He quickly yanked them off, taking as deep a breath he could with his nose plugged up.
He grabbed the box of tissues behind his blanket bundle, blowing his nose and wiping his eyes with his pajama sleeves. As he finally started to calm down the shaking of the attic began to settle, the trembling going down as he himself stopped quivering. He sighed, feeling self-loathing well up inside him. He couldn’t do his job like this. What kind of guardian was he?! He shook his head in disgust, untangling himself from the blankets as he stood up. He went to walk away, nearly tripping as his foot got caught on one of the pesky fabrics. He hissed at it in annoyance before mentally smacking himself. He was hissing at inanimate objects now. Great.
He ignored the urge to bash his head on the wall, instead looking around for clothes he could wear around the MindScape without being too far from his usual outfit. He decided he would wear a dark grey beanie, a dark grey with thin yellow stripes turtleneck sweater, black loose leggings, and yellow socks. He quickly put them on before sinking out, appearing in the hallway below his room.
He took a deep breath, looking around. The coast was clear. He adopted his usual demeanor, taking on a confident, sly attitude, as he strode down the hallway. He had a slight, snake-like smirk twisting his lips and he mentally prepared himself for a possible confrontation. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten for the last two days. He groaned, slouching, before remembering his role and straightening up.
He hurried to the familiar path to the kitchen, imagining the savory foods he could snatch before remembering that, ‘ oh yeah, they hate me .’ He took a deep breath, shaking his head in annoyance. He could understand some of the negative emotions that the other sides felt towards him, but surely he wasn’t so bad to deserve the constant hatred that was aimed towards him every freaking time he showed up . He ignored the voice in his head that whispered that he did.
He was a bad guy, sure, that much was clear, but he wasn’t always the bad guy. He was only this way because he knew they didn’t listen otherwise. His and the rest of the ‘Dark Sides’ experiences with them proved that. Even after Virgil, they still didn’t learn!! He felt a bit of anger brewing in him, but he pushed it down. Now wasn’t the time. He composed himself, tensing slightly as he got closer to the kitchen.
He heard bustling and chatter and he froze, before continuing with false bravado and confidence in his steps. He needed the food more than he wanted to avoid confrontation. After all, one of his jobs is self-preservation. He adjusted his beanie nervously before catching himself. Now’s not the time to show weakness. The sounds got louder as he got closer and he could begin to hear bits of the conversation. He could hear Roman singing in the background, Patton joking and chatting, Logan’s occasional curt responses, and he could almost hear Vir- um, Anxiety’s music blasting from his headphones. Deceit frowned. That’s not good, all of them were in there, minus Remus and the other Dark Sides.
Deceit considered going back, but before he could ponder his options any further, he realized he had already been spotted from his spot approaching the kitchen.