#jackthefibber

“Prezziiiiiiiii,” the last syllable of the older side’s name dragged out, a tiny voice echoing through the hall as Curiosity Logic searched for his friend. It was seldom the six year old was left alone long enough that searching for any of the older sides was necessary, and normally he would welcome the break. A chance to be independent, unrestricted, to prove he could be trusted alone.

Right now, however, he had something to share. There had been quite a few personal discoveries for Logic recently. He had grown a whole inch and a half from the last time Feelings measured him, and he had two loose teeth to fiddle at with his tongue. Logic was the biggest, maybe the most important of these discoveries. The shift from Curiosity to Logic was subtle. He didn’t feel any different, really, but the others reacted like it was something big and important. This discovery, though, this felt big monumental, to use one of Thomas’ new vocabulary words. There was something for him to point to this time, proof of his progress and growth.

♬ - Our muses slow dance together (roboat)

Affectionate Symbol Memes (Accepting!)

@jackthefibber

-

Every day was a little better than the previous. While Roman’s confidence had been knocked back hard, he was slowly building it back up again. Gradually, he was able to feel like he could feel comfortable talking to Patton and the others. He could speak to Remus without them breaking into a fight. He could look Janus in the eye without feeling a heavy sense of dread in his stomach.

He could look at his work and not feel the urge to tear it up and start again.

That was certainly the biggest relief. Without the arts, how could Roman have an escape? It was his job and his hobby. But there he was, sitting in a secluded corner of the common room, attention entirely on his easel.

Patton had mentioned it before to Janus. Painting was an escape for Roman. He could vividly recall settings deep in the Imagination and would regale them in tales. But without the use of working technology, no photos could be taken. Roman had decided to take it upon himself to paint the landscapes as a way to share them with the others. Each of the ‘lighter’ Sides had received one over the years, a true sign of love from the passionate Side.

With Disney piano music playing softly in the background and Romans’ attention completely on the canvas, Janus could take the moment to admire how handsome the prince was. It reminded him of Remus, but it was still wholly Roman. And, in a way, wasn’t that the best part of all?

Movement snapped Janus to the present. Roman, oblivious to being watched, rose from the chair to stretch and move back a few paces. His arms were crossed  and a frown tinted his thoughtful expression.

“Something the matter?” Janus asked, surprising Roman.

“Oh! I was simply trying to view this from a different perspective. Taking a step back can help me see what I’m doing wrong. Come see.” Roman beckoned him over, and Janus was quick to see what was being worked on. 

It was a sunset over a lake. Trees alive with foliage and wildlife were bathed in a warm, golden glow; but there was a distinct lack of shadows across the painting, and one segment had a pencil outline of a tree that was to be added.

“The positioning of that new tree isn’t quite right, but I’m not sure how to fix it before I apply paint. Thoughts?”

“I’m afraid I’m not quite one to have an artistic eye for things,” Janus shrugged, “but I do like the idea of moving away and coming back to it with new insight. Perhaps you haven’t moved far enough?” Before Roman could question the meaning, his hand was taken into a gloved one as he was pulled toward Janus’ chest. It took a great deal of effort to not let the heat rush to his face, but Roman knew Janus was enjoying the embarrassment as he began to move slowly. At first, it seemed a little haphazard, until Roman realised Janus was swaying them in time to the music.

“A break might help. I’m sure I would get in trouble otherwise...” Roman paused with a hum as he adjusted himself: squeezing Janus’ hand, and placing his free hand on Janus’ shoulder. “So, lead the way, hermoso.”

They had not danced properly before. Not like this. But it didn’t matter. Their steps blended together, their actions in sync. Roman followed the lead of the other Side, unable to look away from those beautiful, mismatched eyes.

@jackthefibber

-

“hey, dee- shit!” he’s aggressively yanked down four inches so he’s face to face with deceit, and he knows. he knows he’s in trouble. “i had to! he was hot!”

“we’ve talked about thisss, creativity.” he winces at the use of his function instead of his name, though recently it wasn’t quite right. “thomasss isn’t ready for that!”

and then he’s being dragged across their living room, and that’s when the panic sets in. booted feet try to plant themselves, but deceit is a: stronger than he looks, and b: on a mission to shut the duke up. both mean that remus stands no chance.

“deedee, please- please, i’m sorry! i’m trying, i am! you know i am!” he swears he sees the other side hesitate for a split second before the closet door is shut in his face, and remus howls in panic and begins clawing at the wood again. “i’m sorry!! please don’t leave me in here, please, i’m trying to be good- i’m trying to be better-!”

--

he’s not in there long this time, at least from what he can tell. maybe an hour, at the most. time means nothing in the dark. his nails are done bleeding, but dee’ll have to take care of the wood underneath them. 

the door opens, and a gloved hand gently runs through curls that have been tugged and pulled into disarray. sometimes, a little tough love is needed. that’s all. remus will learn! he’ll do better.

@theauthorlives

“prezzi-” he hasn’t been the same since he woke up to find preservation missing. sent away. he knows it’s feelings’ fault. he knows that the eldest side had something to do with prezzi being gone. “prezzi will help, i want prezzi.”

he’s supposed to be a big, brave duke, all of ten years old! but without prezzi there, he feels... small. and unimportant. especially with each day that passes and more of his ideas are dismissed, as more of his suggestions are brushed off, the more he can feel himself struggle. his head hurts. he feels useless.

maybe he is useless.

maybe prezzi was wrong.

-

Sure, it was a little risk to use a pun, but he wanted to make a good impression! Now that Janus was going to be around more, Patton wanted to start by breaking the ice for nicer conversations. And what better way to do that than with a joke? Not only that, Janus laughed! That was enough to break Patton’s confines and have him erupt into giggles. An idea hit him as he quickly pulled himself together.

@jackthefibber

-

sometimes remus needed reminders to eat.

that was a simple fact of life in the dark side. sometimes, remus would get so wrapped up in creating, in his duchy, in his adventures, in his own head that eating.. occasionally fell to the wayside.

as it was this evening, when remus had been curled up on their half-eaten couch, aggressively stabbing.. something, janus couldn’t tell, though it looked like an embroidery hoop.

janus hadn’t seen him at breakfast, and he could only (rightly) assume that the duke had missed lunch as well. 

“remus, come eat dinner.” his tone brooked no arguments, but remus didn’t look up from his work. mm. it must be very involved, then, if he didn’t even look up. “remus.”

“just a second, deedee, i’ll come eat breakfast in a bit!” that got jan’s eyebrow to raise. it was far past breakfast time.

“moosey, it’s dinner time.” that seemed to get dark creativity’s attention, head shooting up in shock? surprise? janus set the plate on the coffee table in front of remus, reaching and lightly pulling the.. yes, embroidery hoop out of re’s hands. “come eat.”

“oh.. oops.. sorry, deedee!” he offered an apologetic smile, taking the plate and staring down at it. was it really dinner time? dee wouldn’t lie about that. how long had he been working?