Chapter Text
“Okay guys, Meeting!” Thomas said, the brightness in his tone seeming forced. This was the third all hands on deck meeting. The first had been called by Logan when he chose to come out as ‘not gay’, the second when Roman had the realization that he loved Nico as himself and not just as a part of Thomas and had a panic attack over it.
And Thomas knew the reason for this meeting wasn’t as serious and perversely felt bad about it. But while it wasn’t serious, it did need everyone. “So, Nico has a problem.”
“Was it the four person polycule that was essentially two people? The powers nonsense?” Logan asked.
“We screwed up, we screwed up,” Virgil muttered.
“We can fix it! Whatever it was, we can fix it!” Roman declared.
“Guys! It’s not us. The problem has nothing to do with our relationship, friendship, or this whole deal.” Thomas wildly gestured around the room. “Nico is having a problem with something we are not involved in. But I have an idea on how we can be a part of the solution.”
“Warn a guy.” Virgil slumped on the couch arm in relief.
“You frightened the daylights out of me!” Roman protested.
“Not my intent. Sorry. I just… I really want to help Nico and I have an idea, but I need everyone.”
“Even me?” Remus asked.
Thomas hoped he wouldn’t regret this. “Yes, Remus. Even you.”
“Well, Nico has dedicated a good deal of his time and emotional energy into us, it would be remiss of us not to return the favor.”
“No Remus is over there.” Patton pointed where Dark Creativity was still preening at being included.
Logan took a deep breath and counted to ten under his breath. “What is his problem, and how is it you believe we can assist?”
“There’s a writing competition. A big one. Short form stories. And not only is there a cash award, the winners get their work put in a major publication that will be printed nationwide. Not only will this get him recognition, it will open a lot of doors and networking for him.”
“This is his version of The Callback,” Janus said, swirling his wine.
There were a lot of awkward glances and averted eyes. Even now, The Callback was a sore point with most of the sides.
“This is more the audition leading to the callback. But yeah. This is a really huge deal. But he’s having a problem with doing the actual writing.” Thomas explained.
“Is he feeling too stressed? Have him come here. We will pamper every last bit of anxiety from his body.” Roman swore.
“Maybe a little Anxiety in his body would help more? Eh, Virgy?” Remus suggested, waggling his eyebrows. “Or maybe not so little.”
“I miss when he was just your intrusive thoughts and didn’t drag the rest of us into things,” Virgil groaned, closing his hood around his face.
“I am acknowledging you said that, Remus, and moving along.” Thomas declared, Logan nodding in approval at Thomas remembering his advice for dealing with intrusive thoughts. “The problem is the prompt. It’s a genre Nico finds boring and clichéd, and thus he’s having trouble writing anything that’s not, well, boring and clichéd.”
“And how can we assist with this? While I am perfectly willing to help Nico, this sounds like something best left to you and Roman. And yet, you said you needed all of us.” Logan asked, confused.
“I do. What I want to do is make it…not boring and clichéd for him.” Thomas waved his hands around. “A full on immersive experience, casting him as a character in that very style of story. I’ve got a rough outline for parts for Janus, Roman, Virgil, and myself, but a lot of this, past the opening prompt, is going to be improv. In addition, Roman, I want you to use your illusions to help with costuming and to build the sets. Virgil knows the aesthetic best, so you’re going to work with him.”
“Something boring and cliché, but my aesthetic. Okay, I think I figured this prompt out,” Virgil smirked. “This is going to be fun.”
“I’m guessing you, Roman, and Virgil have your roles as his boyfriends. What part do you see for me in your little production?” Janus inquired.
“Honestly, mostly sitting on the throne, drinking your favorite mulled wine, and acting like you’re the master of all you survey and the entire night is happening on your whim,” Thomas answered.
“Oh this doesn’t intrigue me at all.” Janus wiggled his shoulders with delight.
“And what role am I to play? I do not do well with anything involving fantasy, make believe, or feelings,” Logan shuddered. It was bad enough he had them in the first place.
“I know. And while I think you could have had a great part as Janus’s right hand man, you wouldn't have enjoyed it. Likewise, Patton, we kind of need an air of danger and you’re just so... friendly and disarming. So my plan for both of you was more in behind the scenes, prep work and set up. Patton, I know you’ve been having fun in the kitchen. We’re going to set it up almost like a party, so finger foods and mocktails.”
“Only mocktails?” Janus asked, disappointed.
Thomas rolled his eyes. “I already said you can have your wine, Snakey. But Roman needs to stay sharp for his illusions and Nico needs to be fully taking in what he’s seeing. Patton can also act as a runner for things while Roman keeps him invisible. Logan, your job is going to be Nico’s gateway.”
“Please explain,” Logan asked, perplexed.
“I want you to be the one to call him and explain that we have a plan to inspire him. You’re in a queerplatonic relationship, so you have the closeness to be inviting him, but not the romantic undertones. It should help drive home that we’re really trying to help and not just taking precious writing time to lure him in for snuggles and kisses. I mean, those might happen anyways, it is a subset of the romance genre, but that can’t be our main objective. In addition, when he gets here I want you to meet him and explain the rough situation and escort him inside, since the rest of us will be in costume and seeing us outside in costume might break the immersion. After that, you’re off the hook. Whether you want to relax elsewhere or in your room, is up to you.”
“I feel like Patton could perform the role you’ve assigned me equally well, his own interest in Nico being paternal rather than romantic. In fact, I’d say you developed the position just to give me something to do.”
Thomas bit his lip and looked away.
“I’m touched.”
Thomas looked up. “Really?”
“Thomas, I can not deny that this contest is a solid opportunity for Nico. It is logical to want him to participate and to help him have the best chance he can. However, there is no place for me in this sort of thing. I would not enjoy playing a part in something so fantastical, nor would I appreciate being unseen. So you put effort into making a place for me that would not cause me ill feelings and highlight my own relationship with Nico as important, even if it is not all romantic. For no other purpose than not to leave me out. Thank you.”
“You’re part of us, Logan.” Thomas assured. “No matter what.” He handed out folders. “These are my rough ideas. They are very open to change right now. Thoughts?”
“I have one.” Remus waved his sheet around. “I was all excited to play, but it seems like your role for me is just a convoluted way to keep me out of sight.”
“I can see why you’d think that, I know you’re out of spotlight. But I swear by Patton I need you there for another part of my plan to work.” Thomas promised.
“Why would- oh, oh?” Remus grinned. “I’m in. I’m so in! This is going to be a night no one will forget.”
~
“Why can’t my anxiety be as nice as Virgil.” Nico groused. Of course Nico knew the answer to that. His anxiety wasn’t a person with his own complex feelings and morals. It was just brain chemistry. But he was worried he was making a mistake.
“Which Mr. Sanders do I have the pleasure of speaking to?”
“It’s Logan.”
“It’s good to hear from you, Logan, but this isn’t the best of times.”
“Yes, Thomas has filled us in on your writing issue. And while Thomas’s usual method to deal with such things is holding a forum with us, that is obviously not an option for you. I mean, we could, but it would be meaningless as we are not your Sides and have no special insight into your psyche. But Thomas believes he has found a way to get you over your writer’s block and inspire you.”
“I don’t think a marathon of movies I don’t like in the first place is going to help, or do anything other than make me hate this more.”
“That would be all too sane an idea for us, I’m sorry to say. No, Thomas has roped everyone into a large production utilizing his and many of the other Side’s skill in theatrics to make an immersive experience which would put you in the shoes of one of the protagonists of such a story. He thought making the experience an enjoyable one would help counter your distaste of the genre."
“Okay, but you guys know I’m a writer, not an actor? I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to play a part in this show.”
“I understand as I am also not skilled in the thespian arts. However, the role you’re meant to be playing is essentially yourself. I cannot say with any certainty if this will work, but the theory is sound.”
And what more praise could you get from Logan?
The truth was, Nico didn’t have a better idea, and while part of him was worried he was wasting his very limited time, a larger part was aware that he’d been spinning his wheels to no end and was willing to grasp at anything that might help.
He parked and pulled his laptop bag over his shoulder. Even if this didn’t work, at least he might be able to get some writing done. Any writing done. He’d tried to switch projects to a jingle he’d been working on, or a poem he could add to his portfolio, and nothing. Dry spell all around.
Logan was waiting for him, his customary tie held firmly in place by his green swirled tie-pin. “Your timeliness is appreciated,” Logan said with a nod. “One final note. While it is a tool usually saved for intimate scenarios, we came to the conclusion that due to there being some rather potent… Remus provided the term ‘Scene play’, but given it was his suggestion I have been hesitant to research the term to see if it was accurate. Regardless, Thomas and the others are heavily pushing the fantasy elements, and that can be overwhelming on an individual’s psyche if they are not adequately prepared. As such you have been issued a safeword. Merely state the word ‘Scene’ aloud and all pretense will drop and reality will assert itself.”
“Why ‘scene’?” Nico asked.
“Because they are a bunch of theater nerds. A fate it seems only I was spared from. And they felt it apropos to end the imagining the same way a director would end a scene during rehearsal.” Logan rolled his eyes. “Let’s get this started.”
“After you, Partner.” Nico smiled, enjoying the way Logan’s ears flushed, even as he held his normal rigid posture. He had a bevy of nicknames for all aspects of Thomas, but ‘Partner’ was one he used only for Logan, and he knew it pleased the man to have a term of affection just for him.
Truthfully it was a bit tricky to make sure he was always maintaining the right type of relationships with each of the sides. Roman and Thomas had identical feelings, which made sense as Roman was literally Thomas’s thoughts on the matter. A romantic courtship with the hope of one day becoming physical, though they all agreed they weren’t ready for that now or would be in the near future. Much to Remus’s dismay.
Virgil was similar, desiring a romantic relationship. But he still didn’t know if would one day want a physical one or not. He needed more time to figure himself out, which was fair as he had both barely existed for a month as his own person, and was also literally made of anxiety. But as none of them were ready to become physical, he could use the same level of affection and flirting on all three interchangeably.
Logan, that was patently not the case for. While he was not touch-adverse, he didn’t like ‘romantic’ touching, though he was alright with Nico steadying him when he was suffering from emotional overload. He also wasn’t fond of romantic language and would likely take it as an insult if Nico used any of the terms of affection he used for his boyfriends.
Patton had done some self reflection since Logan’s ‘coming out’ and came to terms that while he was probably still very gay, he couldn’t see Nico as a partner. Mostly because after becoming more a person separate from Thomas, he’d leaned into his paternal mindset more than ever. And while he called everyone ‘kiddo’, he’d very much started to think of Thomas, Virgil, and Roman as his kids. And trying to date your son’s boyfriend was a bit icky. Nico was more another son/potential son-in-law to him. He, Thomas, Roman, and Virgil were going to be amazing, Patton was sure, and he was going to be there to cook spaghetti and take embarrassing pictures of them when they fell asleep on the couch, but while Patton was more open to hugs anything overtly romantic was a major squick.
Remus was, if anything, the opposite of Virgil. He had no interest in a ‘boring’ romantic relationship at all, but was very interested in a physical one. A very kinky physical one. He was the one Side Nico didn’t know if he could give the relationship he wanted, didn’t know if he could have a physical relationship without an emotional one. It made him feel a bit uneasy, as if he was rejecting a part of Thomas. But that part was also his own person and it was confusing.
Janus, though? Janus gave him nothing to work with. All he’d said on the matter were that his conclusions were his own. Which was good for Janus, but meant Nico didn’t know what he was supposed to be doing. Was he testing him to see if Nico would flirt with him on his own? Was he also aro-ace and flirting would make him uncomfortable? Nico wished he would give him some indication of what he wanted (and he could be sure it was truthful, but that was always a question mark with Thomas’s literal deceit).
Seven Thomas/Thomas adjacent people he had to make sure not to cross wires on. But it was worth it, everyday it was worth it. And while he had a bunch of romantic names for the three he was dating, and pun-based nicknames for Patton, ‘Partner’ was reserved only for his queerplatonic partner, and he knew it made Logan feel special, which was important, because Logan often felt lost in the shuffle with his more dramatic counterparts.
Logan knocked twice, likely as a signal for the others to get in their places. He opened the door and Nico felt the air leave his lungs.
He knew Roman could do illusions. The first time they’d kissed, Roman had filled the room with cartoon hearts and songbirds. But this? This was on a whole different level.
He took a step inside and noted how his footsteps echoed on the stone floor that was wood earlier this week. The air immediately felt cooler around him and the whole thing felt… magical.
“The attention to detail Roman put in this is truly impressive,” Logan commented. “Especially the illusion he’s putting on spatial dimensions, altering your perception of it to make the apartment feel much bigger than it actually is. I was there when he was practicing and it is very realistic.”
“I’ll say,” Nico breathed.
“Well, my job is to bring you to the ‘Master’ of the house, so let’s continue on.” Logan led him down a corridor and up a staircase.
Nico had been over to Thomas’s house several times and stayed the night more than a few since his last major mental health crisis. He knew how long the front hallway was and how tall the staircase. But neither matched up with his memories. So he just followed Logan until he opened a pair of large double doors into what looked like an ornate throne room.
The room was larger than any room in Thomas’s house. Intricate tapestries depicting bloody conquests covered the walls. Banners in crimson and gold hung from the ceiling. Along the back wall, three coffins were propped up. The first was rich mahogany with gold inlay creating many fanciful designs with a familiar shield crest in the center. The second was made of African blackwood with silver outlines in the wood joins and a thunder storm made of silver and purple heartwood inlaid on the front. The final one was carved from a wood Nico had never seen. Rainbow streaks of color ran through it, with a white emblem of a sun with a six petaled flower contained in a black ring, each petal a color he’d seen associated with the Sides and in the peaks rays of the corona were gems the same color on the outside, each hovering above the petal of the same color. The symbol was a new one on him, but like with the others, he had a good guess who was behind coffin number three.
In the center was a raised dais and a golden throne. And sitting on the throne was Janus, his head resting on one hand and the other hand swirling a glass of what Nico assumed was his favorite mulled cherry wine. In this light, it certainly looked like a goblet of blood.
Huh, Janus’s serpentine side of his face was completely in shadow, which it shouldn’t have been, given the lighting.
“Well, now that I’ve delivered you to the master of the house, I’ll be on my way. I’ve got a lovely night of stargazing planned.” Logan did a small bow and faded through the floor.
Huh, if he was going outside, why didn’t he leave through the door?
“And just like that, your guide has left and you’re at my mercy completely.” Janus sounded amused and Nico knew he must love playing this role. “So a mortal has become lost in our domain, has he? Oh, whatever shall we do with you?”
Somehow not seeing the snake face and knowing it was there made it all the more intimidating. Especially as Janus was the Side Nico knew the least about. He didn’t know how he’d react to things, or what he was expecting Nico to do.
“A quiet one, are you? Silently rebellious, perhaps. Or maybe you already know your place.” Janus grinned.
Nico felt himself bristle. As he’d stated to Logan, he was a writer, not an actor. It was hard to hear Janus say that and not take it personally.
“I see a little bit of spirit in there yet.” Janus grinned. “You’ve put me in a bit of a bind, mortal. You see, I absolutely hate being wasteful. Now, when food is wrongly delivered to your home, you still eat it. It would be wasteful, otherwise.” He leaned forward and that shadow covering his face shifted to the other side. Janus’s signature scales were gone. In their place was pale skin drawn taut over his skull. His left eye was still slitted, but instead of the bright yellow it normally was, it was a bright crimson red. Somehow, even the left side of his mouth being normal-sized was deeply disconcerting when Nico knew it was supposed to be otherwise.
Look, Nico knew this was all a performance, but it suddenly felt very real.
“On the other hand, slaughtering the fatted calf when the larder is full is also wasteful.” Janus sat back, the monstrous side slipping into shadow again. “So you really do have me in a pickle. Both actions seem wasteful. And letting you go could mean you draw unwanted attention, so that does tip the scale in favor of overstocking the larder.” Janus swirled his glass, holding Nico’s gaze.
Nico forcefully reminded himself these were not real vampires and his boyfriend(s) were involved and he was not actually being threatened.
“But while I hate being wasteful, going only on practicalities is also monstrously dull. And I have been so terribly bored and… oh, I have a fun little idea.”
Nico did not get the feeling this was meant to be fun for him.
“I have three sons, and they’ve also been suffering a bit from ennui. Spend one hour with each son and if at the end all three vote to keep you alive, you shall be free as a bird. But if even one votes otherwise, I’ll ensure everyone will be eating well."
Janus lifted his left hand and snapped his fingers. Slowly the lid to the mahogany coffin swung open.
As Nico predicted, Roman was inside. He was wearing a variant of his outfit where the normal white was black, though the red and gold stayed as it was. There was also a red half-cape on his back. His skin was as pale as Virgil’s usually was and his cheekbones were even more defined. And when he opened his eyes, the usual reddish brown was replaced with the bright red of blood on snow.
“My eldest son, Roman. Born when our proper titles were King and Prince,” Janus introduced.
“Father, must I go? You’ve already ducked out.”
“I ducked out, but I at least showed.” Janus took a sip of his wine. “You need to show too. You are my heir.”
“Heir to a throne that will never be vacated.” Roman rolled his eyes.
“Not by death, perhaps. But I may get bored. Someday.” Janus smirked. “But until that day, you’re still my heir and still expected to put in an appearance. But don’t despair, my son. I have something to at least make things more interesting.”
Roman glanced at Nico. “A take-out meal?”
If he wasn’t the meal in question, he would have laughed. “Well, I’m told I am a snack.” Nico quipped. By Roman. Frequently.
“The little mortal has some teeth of his own.” Roman sounded delighted. “But what is he doing here, Father?”
“He wandered in alone and I found myself at a loss. So you and your brothers will be giving him a little test. He’ll have one hour with each of you and at the end of the night you three will decide whether he lives or not.” Janus explained.
“Well that’s something to make the night more interesting at least.” Roman looked Nico up and down. “Well, he’s wasn’t kidding about being a snack. And the wit is a lovely touch. But the wardrobe needs a little… upgrade.” Roman snapped his fingers the same way Janus had.
Nico, as already stated, was used to Roman summoning sparkles and songbirds. He was not used to a swirl of bats that circled him before landing, their shadowy forms melding into a new outfit. A deep grey, long gothic jacket over a blood red frilled shirt accented with iridescent stitching forming music notes on the hem. His pants were now the same grey as his jacket and his sneakers were now black leather boots that he would actually put money down on Virgil designing. He touched the shirt cuff at his wrist and felt it, despite knowing he was wearing short sleeves under the illusion. And he wondered a bit if Roman’s power was really illusions or if it was reality warping.
“Now you’re dressed to impress,” Roman said, approvingly.
“And who am I impressing?” Nico asked.
“Everyone!” Roman gave him a fanged smile. He raised his hand and the double doors swung open. “Tonight you dance in the Court of Blood!”
~~~~
The emblem I made for Thomas's coffin
