Patton sqealed and threw himself to Janus’ arms before he could say anything else. “I can’t believe you're really here! I’ve missed you!”

Janus chuckled and hugged Patton back, “I’ve missed you too.” With his arms wrapped around Patton, he could noticed it was getting harded to hold them? Janus thought they were pulling apart but no, and Patton's grip on his body felt tighter too.

Patton seemed to notice too, “oh shoot.” With a quick movement they grabbed Janus’ hand and pulled him inside, closing the door behind them. “I forgot, I forgot, I forgot,” they mumbled to themselves.

Janus was quite confused now, specially looking around Patton's house. All the curtains were closed, which was weird considering how much Patton loved natural light. There were a bunch of stuff on the floor or in places where they didn't belong, like they’ve been poorly rearranged after bumping on them. And there were several stools and makeshift ladders to reach high and low places, like a kid was living here.

“You forgot about whaaaa?” Janus turned around to see Patton now on his knees, back against the ceiling, and at least twenty feet tall!

Patton chuckled awkwardly and looked down at Janus, “I uh… this is why I wanted you to know when you were here.”

Janus had to back up to actually get a full look on Patton. Something was going to get into his mouth if he didn't close it soon. “Wha… this… how?!”

“The accident at my aunt’s? This is the side effect...” Luckily, Patton's embarrassment was already making them shrink… who knew how much though… “Please don't be scared, we’re still working to understand this.”

Janus noticed the change this time, he stepped closer to Patton. “So… you just grow randomly?"

Patton shrugged, “not really. We know the change is linked to my emotions but it’s not very… consistent. The first explanation the people on the lab gave me was that I grow with positive emotions and shrink with negative ones, but I’ve shrank while being happy too.”

“So it goes the other way around too?” That would be interesting to see, Patton was always the tall one.

Patton nodded, glad his head wasn't reaching the ceiling anymore. The shrinking also stopped for now, but at least he wouldn't be as intimidating.

Janus looked up at Patton “I think this is too tall even for you”

Patton giggled, “but I’ve been dealing with short problems too… sorry I used to make fun of you for that.”

Janus shrugged, “I’d say it's your karma.” He looked at Patton’s hand… just their hand was huge! A couple of feet more and he could sit on it comfortably.

Patton shifted slightly, dropping an inch or two. They knew Janus would be confused and all… but people have been staring at them for days and they were getting tired of it, “you're not… scared, right?”

Janus looked back up, did he stare for too long? “No! Of course not Patt! You're just big and it's shocking but, you're still my Patton.”

Patton blinked and blushed. They didn't know why but Janus calling him “his” made them all shy and flustered.

Janus’ eyes shot open and he blushed darkly, he said that out loud right? He cleared his throat, “well uh… is there anything I could do to help shrink you down?”

“I don't think so…” Apparently being flustered made them shrink too. Patton should write it down somewhere for their next checkup, “Could you move closer so I can stretch my legs? I don't want to hurt you or anything.”

“Sure.” Janus got closer to Patton’s body, he felt like a child on his mother's lap.

Patton extended their legs, instinctively holding Janus against him so he could get comfortable.

Janus couldn't help but blush even darker as Patton pressed him against their body. It was weird being held like this by a giant hand… but Patton was so warm.

Patton's legs were taller than Janus on their own! He used to feel small around them but this was a whole new level! He didn't mind, sure being on the smaller side was annoying, but with Patton… he always felt so protected and cared for.

Patton noticed, “oh I-I’m sorry I didn't mean to hold you like that.” They pulled their hand away, resting it on their thigh.

Janus looked up, he couldn't see Patton's face being this close to their body though. “It's okay Patt, I uh… actually like being this close to you.”

Patton's face turned red again and they started shrinking again, at a much higher pace.

Janus let out a small yelp as he felt Patton's body practically disappear from behind him. He turned around, finding a shrunken Patton sitting on the floor. They were definitely smaller than their normal size, “d-did I cause that?”

Patton looked up, seeing Janus from this angle wasn't helping them at all. He looked so tall and handsome, those thoughts only kept Patton shrinking.

Yeah Janus was getting worried now. Could Patton shrink to nothing? What if they did? How would he grow them back?! Janus kneeled down in front of his dwindling friend, “w-what do I do to stop it?”

Patton looked down at themselves. Okay they had to calm down before they got stuck too small… again, at least Janus would be here to help this time. “I- no, this is on me I’m just being weird about stuff.”

Janus raised an eyebrow. Too weird? About what?

Patton stood up, they weren't shrinking as much as before but they were definitely still getting smaller. Ugh! They weren't prepared to deal with all his fuzzy feelings! They weren't prepared before the accident and now there was no running away from them.

Janus let out a soft sigh as Patton's shrinking seemed to stop. “Is me being here making you… uncomfortable? I could leave if you don't want me to see you like this.”

“No!” Patton didn't want him to leave! Not only because moving around at barely two feet tall wasn't the easiest thing to do, but they didn't want to be alone. “I’m not uncomfortable, not around you. It's been days since they let me be back at home, and technically I can't interact with anyone… But I want you here.”

Janus had a slight blush on his cheeks, “Patt.. ugh I don't know. I don't want you to keep changing because of me.”

Patton shook his head, “I don't care. This size thing has been a pain to deal with, I don't want it to take you away from me.”

Okay, now Janus didn't know how to feel about that. Patton has been a big crush for, Janus even forgot for how long! He kept leaving flirty comments here and yhete to grab Patton's attention but it never worked. Janus thought they didn't have any effect on them but… he could literally see they did now. Has Patton liked him back for all these years.

Patton was getting desperate at not getting a response. Janus was spacing out on his own thoughts, as if they didn't have their own to deal with already. Patton was now closer to one foot but they didn't care, they walked closer to Janus and climbed his legs.

Janus felt Patton’s small body on him and instinctively cupped his hands around them. “Here, I don't want you to hurt yourself.” He helped Patton up his lap and let them sit there.

Was this what Janus felt being against them before? Patton didn't know if he could deal with it much longer. “You do have an effect on me Jan, but not a bad one. At least I think it's not bad.”

Janus was sure Patton was now smaller than he had been to them. “Uh… I affect you? How?”

“Well, it's hard to explain but I… mmm something attracts me to you. I feel safe and loved with you, and I feel like I want to make you feel the same thing.”

“Yeah… I think that's a great way to explain it.” Janus scratched the back of his head, “listen I didn't want it to come out this way. I never imagined it would come out this way, but if it makes you feel better.” Janus took a deep breath, “I feel like that too, I’ve felt like that for so long. Being away from you has been so hard, I just want to stay by your side.”

That stopped Patton’s shrinking, it actually gave them a small growth spurt. “You really mean it?”

Janus smiled at Patton, who was now at eye level with him. “I do, and I promise I’ll be here for you.”

Patton smiled and cupped Janus’ cheek. Their hand looked so small, it only made Patton a lot more flustered. “Can I?”

Janus chuckled a bit and held the back of Patton's head, “go ahead.” This was it, it was really happening! At least if he really understood what Patton meant.

They didn't wait any longer and closed the space between them with a kiss. Patton felt like a hundred butterflies were dancing on their stomach. They could feel the heat coming from Janus’ face merge with their own heat.

Janus felt Patton getting heavier as they leaned on him. He laid down on the floor, letting them lay on top of him. Janus kept going with the kiss, only stopping once Patton grew out of reach.

Patton frowned and looked down at Janus with a chuckle, “guess I got a bit excited.”

Janus chuckled back and nodded, “that's what it looks like.”

“You look adorable when I’m bigger than you.” Patton stroked Janus’ hair as they got off of him to lay on the floor.

Janus blushed, he felt a tingling sensation running through his body but assumed it was just him being flustered. Janus watched Patton as they started growing again… only to find a confused look on his face.

Looking around, Janus realized it wasn't Patton growing. He was shrinking.

Patton sat up and picked Janus up to try and comfort him, “uh… I guess it's contagious after all. I’m so sorry Jan.”

It was well known that none of the core sides wanted anything to do with the others. Going so far to the point where they were the “dark sides” of Thomas’ personality.

All three of them thought it was dumb but nonetheless they weren’t really able to go speak to the core sides about it.

Patton wanted nothing with Janus and Remus. For some reason, he had a softer spot for Virgil.

Roman wanted nothing from all of them. For a variety of reasons.

And they were too irrational for Logan according to the side himself.

So all they had were just the three of them together. It was just them against the small world of Thomas’ head.

-

“No matter what, we’ll always have each other, right?” Virgil had asked.

“Of course n-“

“Duh! We’ll always be together like the human centipede!” Remus interrupted Janus.

“That’s such a wonderful analogy Remus,” Janus replied, “But yes, we’ll always be together Virgil.”

“Really?”

“No of course not, why would you ever think that?” Janus lied reassuringly.

“Only Jan-ass would lie to you! Not on purpose and not all the time.”

“If you still have doubts, what if we made a vow?” Janus suggested.

“Ooh! Like wedding vows? When’s our honey moon?”

“No Remus, not like that. He means like a promise.” Virgil corrected him.

“Oh! That’s a little vanilla but okay!” Remus agreed, “But how are we gonna go do that? We’re not gonna sign some boring contract are we?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we’ll do. But I’m not entirely sure what either.”

“Um,” Virgil interjected, “this sounds so embarrassing, but what if we did… a pinky promise?”

“That sounds like a nice idea actually, let’s not do it.”

“What about you Remus?”

“Sure!” He held up his pinky.

Janus had taken off his glove and held up his pinky as Virgil held his up as well.

The three of them locked their pinkies awkwardly as Virgil began to speak.

“Promise to never leave each other’s sides no matter what?”

“We promise.” Janus and Remus said both at once.

“And if any of us breaks this promise I’ll break whoever-broke-it’s finger!” Remus continued without Janus.

They then unlocked their pinkies. Janus put his gloves back on before speaking.

“I’m sure you’ll have to do it sometime..”

“I’m sure you won’t either.” Virgil smiled. “Now that the sentimental stuff is over, who wants to watch a movie?”

“Me! Let’s watch something raunchy!”

-

In the end, everything turned out fine.

Totally fine.

---

When Roman wanted to hold a ball, absolutely no one could stop him, let alone Remus. Frankly, Remus hated Roman's balls (tee hee) more than most things. They were just boring and he had to watch the prince charm everyone while he struggled to mingle in polite company.

This time it was worse. Prince Perfect Mess just had to go and invite all the others—even Janus and that pumpkin-looking douche! Wasn't it enough that Roman had all the other sides on his good side? Wasn't it enough that Virgil was practically his? Remus didn't even care if Virgil wasn't interested in a green trash mammal for a boytoy—Remus just wanted his bestie back, anything more was a dream that could be dulled like all the nightmares.

Remus leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed. He watched the uppity crowd twirling in a blasé waltz, honing in on Roman and his partner. Virgil was in his vampire costume, smiling and blushing as Roman whisked them across the floor. Remus knew he was jealous but he wouldn't fight the feeling. He wouldn't fight back the anger and resentment, just the urge to kill his brother.

"Damn, I can practically smell you from across the castle!"

Remus pouted and glanced over at the idiot wearing an orange suit.

"This is break time, you can stop doing your job, Pumpkin."

"You want your spider," he scowled, "Fucking do something about it."

"He wants some prince charming, not a possum on crack. What am I supposed to do?" Remus huffed.

"You're supposed to be Creativity, you think of something—just stop stinking up the place! I'm trying to relax." orange boy huffed and stormed off. Remus rolled his eyes, not in the mood for the grouch. But he had a point. Remus could think of something.

The metaphorical light bulb lit up as the pair that pissed him off neared him. The song playing, the Blue Danube, was coming to a close and Remus only had one shot!

He swept in when they were close enough and tapped Roman's shoulder gently. Roman glanced back and went rigid. He did not want Remus to attack, not now!

"Mind if I cut in?" he asked, surprising the prince. Virgil was just as surprised, but he was far more reserved about it.

"By all means," Roman said with a cheeky grin and let Remus take his place without a struggle. Virgil looked like he would stab someone, but he placed his hand on Remus' shoulder and fell into step.

"What are you planning?" Virgil hissed as the music stopped. Remus shrugged and smiled at him.

"You'll find out soon enough, Spiderlily," he teased just before a harsh violin cut through the air. Instead of cringing like the rest of the crowd he simply waltzed as if he were still hearing Strauss.

"Danse Macabre," Virgil noted as soon as the flutes joined in, "This isn't supposed to play til later."

"Which is why I had to put it in early, of course!" Remus jeered as the crowd around them shifted back into the dance. Virgil was good at keeping time with him, studying his face like a hawk.

"You didn't have to do anything."

"I wanted to! Why, it's essential to my plan! A dance of death for the dancers unwittingly careening towards the end!"

Virgil looked past him at the pairs ahead of them in the line of people. They flashed between living and skeletal with each pluck of the xylophone. The bright ballroom was darker, ancient and cracked like a graveyard, lit in eerie green and purple.

"Who are you planning on killing?" Virgil hissed and clawed his shoulder. Remus twirled him, letting their capes fly around them like a shield.

"Nobody! These figments don't stay past the end of the ball. I'm just going to end a stalemate, my dignity, and maybe a friendship."

"Your dignity?" Virgil scoffed, "Since when do you have dignity?"

"You got me! But you also have me waltzing at a royal ball, so you know I'm ending something here!"

Virgil bit his lip and watched him carefully as he swept him across the floor with such grace and elegance, standing straight and determined. It was familiar, in a way that made Virgil's stomach churn.

"Why?"

"Well as you can see, I have to prove that I can be just as charming as my twin," Remus responded as they swayed amid the skeletons.

"To who? Remus—" Virgil sighed as the music brightened.

"You. You're always with Roman. If you want a charming gentleman around, I can be that kind of guy easily. I can be the man you want."

Virgil cupped his cheek and shook his head, "You're a fucking moron!"

"Am I?"

"Roman set this ball up so I could sweep you off your feet at midnight. The waltzing was supposed to help me keep from losing focus and running away."

"Wait, what?"

"I don't want Prince Charming, I want a passionate, trashy himbo with a wild side," Virgil said and averted his gaze, "but I can get by without if I have to."

Remus brought Virgil's hand to his lips and licked his knuckles before kissing them.

"I think our friendship is over, if you can handle an obsessive boyfriend instead."

"Can you?" Virgil asked with a wry smirk.

"Maybe!" he teased and wiggled his eyebrows. Virgil grabbed his waist and pulled Remus across the floor.

"Mind if I change the song? I don't really like waltzing."

"You better not play anything screamo or thrasher, I don't want to bust my brother's ball!"

"Try to keep up," Virgil jeered and snapped his fingers. The first bars were all Remus needed to grin and lift his leg, bending his knee to slide it down Virgil's butt. They turned as Remus' foot touched the ground and Virgil dipped him.

"Warlock? I'm impressed!" Remus jeered and righted himself, wrapping himself around Virgil and circling him.

"You shouldn't be, yet," Virgil jeered and grabbed his hand. He kept his eyes locked with Remus' as he led the dance, pleased that Remus could mirror his wide steps and sharp turns.

"Shouldn't I?" Remus jeered and twisted his hips with each step, making his cape flutter around him.

"Yet," Virgil corrected him and spun him and picked up the pace. Remus was beaming as they swiftly snapped and swerved across the floor. A quick twist and a flick of the wrist had Remus' back against Virgil's chest as they slowed down in sync.

"This is a little saucy for you, Virgilicous, isn't it?" Remus cooed and fluttered his lashes, "An emo doing the tango with a dukey!"

Virgil laughed against his neck and kicked one leg around Remus' before spinning in front of him and grabbing his shoulders.

"This is how some spiders flirt, am I trying too hard?" he teased and slid one leg up Remus' side and held it up and twisted away from Remus. He bought that leg around and behind him, leaving room between them.

"Yes, but you're making me hard so it evens out!" Remus said with a shimmy. Virgil rolled his eyes and tossed his cape aside.

He spun quickly and leaned back against Remus' chest, reaching back to bring Remus' face to the crook of his neck. He slid down, widening his stance and teasing the duke and getting him to spread his legs more.

Virgil turned quickly and straddled his leg, pulling Remus' head to face him.

"You just had to seduce me after I asked you out," Remus teased. Virgil smirked and shook his head.

"You know I'm careful. I have to know what I can get away with first," he said and leaned in until their lips brushed, "And I can get away with this."

Virgil pulled away and swept Remus across the floor, ripping a growl from his throat. Remus was determined to take the lead and get even, but Virgil was quick, able to keep control no matter how bold the step. He wouldn't let Remus get too close for long enough for him to tease, and it was infuriating.

By the time the song ended Remus was itching for more, so he did what he did best and struck out of nowhere. He dipped Virgil and grabbed his leg before kissing him. Virgil just dragged his face closer and kissed back, not breaking away until he was on both feet again.