TW: Morally Grey/Unsympathetic Patton, Outing Someone, not Accepting someone,  Transphobia?, mentions of fighting someone

For most sides, the mindpalace was divided into light and dark and that was it.  Once you were officially one or the other, you didn’t cross sides, even if you had family on the other side.

Virgil took one look at that rule and said fuck that.  Just because the three lights had accepted him didn’t mean he was going to abandon the rest of his family.  

I mean sure, he fought with Dee...a lot, and Virgil wouldn’t hesitate to punch him if he thought he deserved it, but it wasn’t like he really hated him.  And sure Remus could be overwhelming, but that’s literally no way he was going to leave his prank war buddy behind.  

And of course, there was nothing any of the lights could do to make him leave his sister behind. Ray was already stressed enough being Paranoia without having to worry about the fact that he wouldn’t be there for her.

It did take a bit of adjusting once he was accepted, but every chance he got he headed back over to the dark side to hang out with everyone.  It wasn’t until Ray had to start showing up in videos that things started getting complicated.

Virgil popped into the dark side one day to see Ray groaning, her head on a table, Dee rubbing her back, and Remus cackling.

“....Did I miss something,” Virgil asked.

Remus was the one who responded.  “Roro decided when writing the script that it was about time for Paranoia to start showing up, he said it would give the viewers more backstory or smthg like that.”

Virgil decided to ignore how Remus somehow said smthg, knowing the video was more important.  “And Ray’s going to have to shapeshift so the others don’t find out,” he realized.

Both Remus and Janus nodded as a muffled “I don’t wanna shapeshift,” came from Ray, making Virgil chuckle and walk over.

“How you doing Ray?”

With that, Ray looked up at her brother.  “Anyway you can convince Roman that Paranoia doesn’t need to show up in the videos so I don’t have to do this?”

“Sorry Ray, however I can promise that considering my utter hatred of the dark sides I’m going to show up whenever Paranoia does to make sure he doesn’t overwhelm Thomas.”

That caused all of the three to start snickering.  “All right, I trust you V.”

Fortunately, until the incident, Virgil hadn’t needed to step in for anything.  Ray left before everything got to be too much and all the darks hung out after to make sure she was okay.

Until the day Patton decided to follow Paranoia, apparently planning to keep yelling at them even as they tried to head back to the darks.

Virgil didn’t know how he knew but he had this weird sense that something was wrong.  So the second Logan and Roman were distracted, which wasn’t too hard as they arguing with each other again.

Upon sinking out, Virgil popped back in to see Ray, back in her normal phone and Patton yelling at her.

“What exactly is going on here,” Virgil growled.  Ray glanced over to Virgil and Patton looked over and both looked relieved.  

Oh, so Patton thought he was here to help him did he?

“Oh, you didn’t need to worry about Virgil.  I’m just dealing with Paranoia here real quick, I’ll be back as soon as I get through his head that this is just some silly delusion.”

Even before Ray flinched, that made Virgil glare at Patton.  “And what makes you think I’m here for you Patton?”

That made Patton look over in surprise as Virgil stalked over and pushed Ray behind him.  “After all that’s my sister you’re threatening.” 

Patton’s eyes shot between Virgil and Ray, clearly starting to compare the two of them.

“Patton I don’t care what you were trying to do, but you’re going to leave now,” Virgil said, still glaring.

Patton glanced between the two again before sinking out.  The second Patton was gone, Ray collapsed slightly but Virgil made sure he had her.

“He’s gonna tell the others,” Ray muttered, starting to spiral slightly, “They’re all gonna hate me and make me go back to how I was and-”

“Alright enough of that,” Virgil said, placing his hands on Ray’s shoulders to ground her.  “Here’s what we’re going to do.  We’re going to have a movie night with Dee and Remus to calm you down.  I’ll deal with the others later, and I’m making sure Patton isn’t allowed near you until he apologizes.”

Ray nodded as they went to do just that.  They thought they would be fine for the night but Logan showing up changed everything.  

They all heard the footsteps before Logan got there, making Ray huddle deeper in the couch and others glance back, all ready to attack if needed.

None of them expected it to be Logan who showed up.  “..Lo what are you doing here,” Virgil asked.

“I needed to let you know something,” Logan said, panting slightly.  It almost seemed like he had run.  “Patton told us about Paranoia.”

Ray immediately froze. Virgil could sense her starting to shake.  “And how does everyone feel about that,” he asked Logan, ready to fight if needed.

“Well, Roman is currently chewing Patton out for doing so, especially considering we both know he wouldn’t have done this if it was one of Thomas’ friends and not a side who had come out. I figured you’d want to know so I headed this way but I did tell Roman you’d probably want to fight him too so to wait to do that,” Logan explained, during which Ray peeked from her spot on the couch.

“You guys aren’t mad,” she asked quietly.

“Why would be bad, just because we’re a part of Thomas doesn’t mean that we have to be exactly like him, I know for a fact that Roman is aro, when Thomas clearly isn’t.  Why should you being a girl be any different than that.”

“Alright I’m going to be back,” Virgil said getting up, “Lo it might be better for you to stay here cause I’m not going to go easy on Patton for outing my sister.  Remus, I’m borrowing your mace.”

Hewwo there, it’s ur senpai here to bring you the wonders of the TPN fandom.

Anything marked with a ♥ I highly recommend.

Most of these are oneshots but I will write if the longer ones are complete or not.

Light hearted and/or cute fics without angst (the stuff you get cavities reading it’s too sweet)

♥ in which the children of grace field learn to swear by  paws_and_tea

"Look, the Grace Field Orphanage is full of children ranging from infants to young adolescents. Just— full of innocent, happy children who just love life and everything it stands for. Cursing isn’t really something young children do— especially not these tiny angels.

So of course, Ray starts it."

♥ Breakfast at Emma's by dramaticbanjo

At their usual breakfast-before-class, Emma tells her two best friends about the weirdest dream she had. Of course, they have their own thoughts about it.

♥ The Promised Groupchat by semuelita

the promised neverland au where everything is the same but they have a groupchat

♥ resonance by evanescent

“What are you actually doing here?” he asks as Hayato drags one of the chairs over, sitting on it backwards, arms on the backrest.

“The boss asked me to hang around and help you!” Hayato exclaims, beaming at him. Ray has to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. He isn’t awake enough to deal with this much brightness yet.

“I’m going to strangle Norman,” he mutters into his cup.

...

Ray has a sprained ankle, Hayato is a man on a mission. They spend an informative day together.

(This fic made me lowkey ship ray/hayato or rayato whatever floats ur boat)

This Little Thing Called Love by Lyra_Dhani

Because Norman was a fool obviously in love and Emma was oblivious to love, of course it was up to Ray who had to take the role as the pathetic cupid (and understand what it really meant to love in the process).

Good Things Come in Threes by Zozoa

They’ve been always together. It’s only natural they remain together in what is to come too.

♥ I Want Two Husbands! by TrashCanLife

Emma opened to a certain page and pointed at what it said. "This book Ray gave me said that I could get a husband when I'm older!"

"But Mama! I don't want just one husband!" The little girl grinned. "I want two!"

♥ How The Children of Grace Field Come to Know by takoyaki (tamagoyaki)

"That," Don states, with a solemn nod in the direction of the trio. "Is a reminder to us plebians why we should not fall in love. If Norman's like that, can you imagine how much more stupid we'd become?"

10 Synonyms to 'No' by takoyaki (tamagoyaki)

Ray has finally gotten Emma and Norman together. He just didn't expect to be a byproduct.

Alternatively,

"Ray!" Emma bounces over, hand in hand with Norman.

"What," Ray flips another page, pretending to be disinterested. He has plenty of work to do and things to tend to. Listening to Emma gush about their date is probably going to take some time, so, "Make it short. I've got some things I like to look up before sunset."

"Alright! So," Emma grips Norman's hand. Norman inclines his head encouragingly. "We want to date you too, Ray!"

Ray drops his book.

Don spits out the tea he'd been drinking over the ancient map he was pouring over. Gilda screams, aghast.

Ray grits his teeth, hauling a concerned Emma and laughing Norman out of the room. He glares at the two dimwits.

"Make it long, now."

Emma and Norman just want to date their friend. Ray gives them reasons not to.

  ANGST (It’s so sad you need alexa to play despacito)

monarch by thats_a_secret

Back in Grace Field, Norman had a sweet tooth. Ray is trying to understand what he has now.

ours by authoritis (TMOTC)

For Ray, the two most important people in his life are Emma and Norman. It kills, the thought of losing them. (What Ray fails to realize is that the thought of losing him kills them too.)

The Ashes of our Days by wordbending

You know the boy in front of you well, the boy with freckles on his nose. You know every boy and every girl in all of Grace Field House. They’re your family, and you love them all dearly.

For example, you know this boy. You know he gets bad scores on his tests and complains about the homework he gets afterward. You know he likes to sing and sings whenever he works, at least when he thinks nobody can hear him doing it. You know he’s a poor athlete, and always get caught in your games of tag.

He’s not particularly special. You know that.

-----

You don't live here anymore.

(Honestly what isn’t depressing when it involves Leslie?)

♥ Dear Emma by ZaidValRoa

Phil faces a new day in the new orphanage. And every day he smiles. And every day he waits.

(Premium Quality Phil Angst™)

what we wish for by sugakookies_with_tae

Norman needs to have a private conversation with Ray about the stuff they've never talked about. And what better time than in the dead hours of the night?

♥ neverland memoria by lostamongstars

tweet length drabbles from a prompt challenge

impulse by sugakookies_with_tae 

He never thought he'd ever see Norman again. Yet here Norman is, standing in front of him, and all at once multiple impulses run through him.

Forgive me by Immawritesomeshit

Ray confronts Norman before Emma could protest his plans for mass slaughter. Sacrifices are made.

♥ the inspiration and the intellect by TuesdayTerrible

Norman was special. Norman, whom he looked up to so much- who was so naturally talented. Norman with his quit wit and open kindness who read straight through Ray like it was nothing more than reflex. Norman who was open and honest with his short comings- Norman whom when Emma said save them all , Norman had said yes. He hadn't said impossible.

/

Or the one where Ray pines for all the things he can not have.

♥ They Don't Know You're Hers by NigiyakanaAki

Ray sighs, tucking in Conny for the night, listening to her mumble about this and that. He tries not to think too much about what will happen tomorrow after she leaves the house. His movements were methodical, done without thought until Conny peers at him, eyes unfocused and half-asleep.

"...Mama..?"

Ray freezes.

OR, fives times Ray was compared to Isabella.

Final Confessions by kamina1993

A single rash confession driven by anger saddles Norman with crushing guilt that he can no longer contain on his own. He truly loves Emma, but his love for Ray has always gone much deeper.

Norman thought far ahead enough to realize that Ray was Mama’s spy when he had confessed his feelings for Emma to the ravenette, but not quite far enough to realize Ray’s good intentions – the shock of Conny’s death had still been so raw. He knew full well that Ray loved him too.

He rushed to judgement and hurt the one he loved the most, only to realize that Ray had already been fighting alone for their sake most of his life. In their final night together, Norman resolves to heal the pain he caused Ray and refuses to let the love of his life have any doubts about his true feelings or the fact that he will always be loved.

What is love? by Kattycookie

Ray tries to understand the concept of love.

Kinda the neutral stuff? It’s not super angsty but not tooth rottingly fluffy?

chances by sugakookies_with_tae

Ray wants to promise Norman a chance at happiness. But it's not easy to do.

♥ ace of spades by QueenCamellia 

“I’m rigging the game, Emma,” he insists, nodding in thanks when the older man—Yuugo, if he wasn’t mistaken—slid another drink to him. Taking an angry swig that Ray knows he'll regret the next morning, he growls and slams the glass back onto the counter. “There shouldn’t be a way for him to win unless he’s the luckiest bastard alive.”

His longtime friend and fellow casino dealer simply laughs and swings her legs, looking a lot younger than the twenty-four years old woman she is. “Or the smartest.” Ray’s eyes narrow.

“You know, they warned us about this in school,” she comments, a cheeky grin spreading across her lips. “Looks like you’ve met your match, Ray.” [Casino AU]

♥ under the same sky by quags1re

(Incomplete but still REEEALLLYY GOOD)

-But it's Ray who cracks first, grabbing Norman's hand, begging, pleading.

"Be selfish here, idiot! What do you think would happen to Emma and I if you did die?!"

Norman blinks at him, shocked. Ray's grip on his hand hides his tremors.

"...okay. I'll live on with you."

Everyone knew about Creativity’s split.  It was just a fact, Creativity Split, and became two halves which people now know us as Roman and Remus.  What was less known, besides Janus who was there to witness it, was Fear’s Split.  

While what caused Creativity’s Split wasn’t clear, it was clear that for Fear, it was only because as Thomas grew, he needed two types of fear, which ended up being Vigilance, or as the Light Sides saw him at first, Anxiety, and Paranoia.  

And so Phobos, which had been fear’s name up until what happened, became Virgil and Rachel.  No one was sure why Paranoia ended up a girl, but they figured it would be fine as long as the light sides didn’t find out, as they weren’t sure what they would do if they found out.

And for the longest time, the four of them, the four being Janus, Remus, Virgil, and Rachel of course, were like a family.  No that’s wrong, they weren’t like a family, they were a family.

The keyword there being were.

Rachel wished Virgil had never found out the light sides were filming those stupid videos.  The videos Roman had come up with.  The ones that were supposed to help Thomas work through his issues.  Of course, the light sides thought they were included in Thomas’s issues.  But if Thomas was actually talking to the others, then they might as well.

“I think it might be best for me to go,” Virgil said one day as they were discussing who should go, “It will probably be easier for them to accept me.  Uh, no offense to the rest of you of course.”

Janus nodded in understanding.  “That’s not completely understandable Virgil.  It’s not like Remus would completely freak Thomas out.  And Rachel definitely wouldn’t panic, not even taking into account that she wouldn’t have to shapeshift considering the light sides definitely know that Rachel is a girl.  And the others definitely wouldn’t talk over me.”

Remus grinned, extremely proud of himself while Rachel nervously scratched the back of her neck.  “Didn’t have to call me out like that,” she muttered.

Janus just sent a smirk in her direction, causing Rachel to playfully glare back at him.  

“I’ll pop in on the next video,” Virgil said.  “Try to get them to listen to us.  Or at least listen to me, which will get them to start listening to you once they start trusting me.”

“Uggg, does that mean I have to practice my shapeshifting,” Rachel groaned.  Everyone else in the room chuckled, knowing how Rachel felt about shapeshifting.

“Don’t worry Ray, I’m sure you’ll have time to practice,” Virgil said, ruffling his little sister’s hair. 

Rachel nodded, smiling a bit at her brother.

And so the videos started.  It became a habit to wait for Virgil to come back so they could rant about the light sides together.  But one day Remus was off fighting….something, Rachel to this day still didn’t know what he had been fighting.  And she kind fo had a little panic attack over something.  Not enough that it would spread to Thomas but enough that she needed some time to calm down.

When she had calmed down enough to join Dee and Virgil she had come back to see them fighting. “...Vee? Jan?  What’s going on,” Rachel asked softly.

Janus looked up in surprise but Virgil took the opportunity that Rachel had given him to storm off to his room and slam his door.  Rachel flinched slightly.  “Janus, what happened?”

“Virgil and I didn’t have a fight.  I won’t try talking to him once we’ve both calmed down.”  Rachel could tell there was something that Janus wasn’t telling her.  She wasn’t sure what it was or what it was about, but there was something there that Janus just wasn’t telling her.  As much as she wanted to ask, all of the possibilities of what could happen started circling in her head and she decided against asking him, so instead she made a mental note to ask Virgil later.

Rachel nodded slightly.  She already knew she probably wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight, between the small panic attack she had and all the worries currently circling through her head, so she’d talk to Virgil when he left his room later.

“I won’t be in my room if you need me, Ray,” Janus said.  “I don’t just need some time to myself.”

Rachel nodded a bit, heading to her room to grab her sketchbook for something to pass the time.

Rachel spent a long time drawing, her thoughts too hectic to even try to sleep until she heard a door open.  She glanced at the clock first.  Oh oops, was it already 2?  Then she glanced at the door.  “Virgil,” she whispered in confusion.

Virgil froze guiltily before turning back to Rachel.  “Hey Ray, you shouldn’t be up, it’s late.”

“Hypocrite,” Rachel replied, giving him a look.  It was only then that Rachel saw the bag Virgil was carrying.

“Virgil, what’s with the bag?”

Virgil cursed slightly, he probably thought Rachel wouldn’t notice.  “It’s nothing Ray.”

Rachel just gave her brother a look, knowing that he wasn’t telling the truth.

Virgil sighed.  “I’m leaving for the light sides.”

This time Rachel was the one who froze.  Virgil was leaving?  He was leaving her.  But she needed him.  “But you can’t.”

Virgil shook his head.  “I have to Ray.  It’s not right for me here.”

“But I need you, you can’t leave me,” Rachel cried.  The rustling in her head started to grow into a storm.”

“It’s better for me this way Ray, besides, I can still visit you,” Virgil said with a smile.

“Roman said the same thing to Remus,” Rachel spat, her Thoughts getting louder and louder.

Virgil recoiled at that.  “We won’t be like that.”

“And how do you know Virgil?  About they were separated Roman didn’t visit Remus once.  I can’t lose you.  Please...please don’t leave me. I need you.”

Virgil hesitates before shaking his head.  “No, I have to.  I can’t stay here.  You could always come with me, Ray.”

“You’re asking me to choose between you and our family,” Rachel sobbed, barely holding back her panic.

“They’re not my family anymore,” Virgil said coldly.

“I’m not going to abandon them,” Rachel said, “Virgil please, I don’t know what I’m going to without you.”

“I’m sorry Ray,” Virgil said, turning back around and walking out.