#tashiwrites

Mouse AU! @sidespromptblog had a prompt talking abut Mouse!Logan so of COURSE I thought of the Rats of NIMH! I really love that book/movie and I wanted to have a spin on it’s main concepts with a twist! 

AU information under the cut! (calmd/dlamp)

But Patton knows that he’s not gone. He knows that Roman didn’t just disappear in the woods that night after Patton had fled in fear. He knows that wolves or bears or whatever couldn’t have gotten him; that all the blood at the scene surely couldn’t have been just Roman’s. The other was too brave, too strong, too caring and good to give up and let that happen. He’s too clever. He knew what was out there. 

They tell Patton he’s delusional, that there’s no way Roman can be alive. He was torn to shreds, devoured, hurt, lost. Their reasons are all different and yet so much the same. They don;t understand.

Patton was there. He saw and he knows Roman isn’t alive. 

He knows better than anyone else that Roman did die that night.

He keeps insisting he’s not gone because he’s isn’t. Not in the way they think, and he’s getting tired of them not listening, so he finally stops saying it even though he knows the Truth.

He knows the eyes watch him in the dark, waiting for the town to fall asleep, and he runs to him when he appears at his window, eagerly tossing the curtains aside and opening the glass to let him in. “Patton~” Roman coos and he throws himself at the vampire, burying himself into his lover’s arms. 

“Roman, it’s so good to see you! They won’t listen....” 

“Then come with me.” The other grins and Patton reaches up to touch his fangs. “You know you want to.” Roman kisses his fingers. 

“If I do I’ll be the only one you drink from.” He sighs softly. There’s something romantic about that. “Do I even have enough blood alone to satisfy you?” 

“You are the only one I drink from my love.” He bends forward and inhales, sighing softly at the scent of his pulse, quick and excited. “But if you are worried, you won’t have to be alive forever. You could be like me Pat, I could make it so.” 

Patton tilts his head and lets him sink his fangs into his throat. “I know.” He replies and lets his head fill with fluff. “Not yet... not yet my darling..... I want to go with you my batty boy but what about the others?” 

Roman drinks until Patton is lightheaded and licks closed the wound, seeing him fight for words and thoughts. “Already on board, Pat.” Roman soothes, holding him up as Patton’s legs shake, feeling weak. “Logan has convinced Virgil.” 

“And he’s ok with it? With.... being Logan’s only source?” 

“That stuffy old bat convinced me I was not a monster, Pat, he can convince anyone of anything.” Roman smirks and caresses his cheek. “Please my love, will you come with me? With us?” 

The last thing Virgil remembered was being in the market with Roman. They had been separated by a… riot? And then a bag was thrown over his head. At least that’s what he gathered from the fabric by his feet. His key continued to turn slowly at his back, so that was something. He found himself in a room which was wide and empty, but the walls were decked from top to bottom in displays of extravagance. The likes of which he’d only seen once before. His enclosure was so thick with expense that he very nearly missed the double doors at the end of the hall, but in the few seconds it took to register their existence he was already sprinting.

A vice closed around his shoulder before he’d made more than a few steps and he was jerked backwards so quickly that he had to spin to maintain his balance. He was in no danger of falling, given the familiarity of the action, but all the same he swore he felt his gears lock up out of sheer horror. Violet optics trailed up slowly from black pointe shoes to a hollow stare. It was like looking in a mirror, if that mirror showed you alternate realities.

The hair wasn’t colored, and the joints had reinforcements he’d never seen before. But, without a doubt, that was the same key. Their hand, hanging midair where it had been thrown off, slipped limply to their side and they resumed a default stance. Their gaze was directed through him more than at him with eyes that were dull and dark. This one wasn’t tethered, clearly, but still he felt compelled to ask:

“Hello?” Not one gear fell out of sync.

He started when a voice broke over them both. “Welcome home, Virgil! I see you’ve met your doppel.” It was sir- Atticus. The man smiled as the door clicked shut behind him. “You’ll have to forgive him, Anx is loyal, but not terribly social.” He walked over and gave the copy a patronizing pat on the cheek. “He’s some of my finest work after you. Elegant, refined, obedient.” The engineer rubbed lightly over the automaton’s throat, bowing in the flesh colored covering in a way that shouldn’t be possible.

A wistful sigh fell at his feet. “I’d hoped he might have your flair for dance as well, but alas he’s… lacking.” Anx’ face jolted to the side as the gentle touch suddenly became a backhanded slap. His footing was forced off center. Unperturbed, Atticus refocused on his original doll.

“Nothing!” He snapped, his knuckles swelling from the strike. Virgil stumbled backwards at the outburst. What in the seven hells was that? “No reaction, no emotion and no finesse!” His copy carefully regained a ready stance. Both made to observe as Atticus continued to lament his poor fortune. “If only I’d known before how lucky I had it! Curse that blasted fire, the idea that I’d lost you all was almost too much to bare.”

That shook Virgil from his stupor. What was he talking about?! “YOU set the fire!”

Atticus fixed him with a look of pity. “Oh no, Virgil! Not you too! Who has been feeding you those lies? It was an attack by some disgruntled employees! I had nothing to do with it and I was sick with worry over what happened to you!”

“You-You absolute-!” He gestured wildly about him before pointing at the other automaton. “You replaced me! You gave him my face and- And my key! You… Ripped it out.” He trailed off hoarsely. The automaton folded in on himself, arms reaching as far back as possible to feel the seams where new synthetic flesh was sewn in.

“It was just salvage from the wreck, Virgil.” Atticus dismissed, scrutiny flicking back to Anx. “I could return it to you if you’d like?” He proposed.

Virgil stared at the man, confusion and panic evident. “What?”

In answer Atticus roughly turned the replicant, exposing the winding mechanism and taking firm hold. He gave a testing tug and the purple dancer could hear the straining screech of the servos in Anx’ back. It hurt, he knew it did, but his other made no move to resist.

“No!” Before he could even comprehend it, Virgil had knocked away his creator and bent over the key. Curling around the automaton- Curling around Anx in a manner similar to an embrace. It didn’t even occur to him how exposed he’d made himself nor how futile the action might be.

“That was unnecessary, my dear doll. If you wanted a partner I would of course oblige.”

Virgil grit his teeth. “Neither of us are staying.”

“You’re both my property and such statements are folly. Anxiety, Arabesque!” Atticus clicked his fingers and Virgil was strung up.

Anx had flipped the hold immediately, wrenching Virgil into position. Half balanced on pointe while his other leg was set in a straight line behind him. Virgil scrabbled at the hands wrapped around his waist and thigh, but his doppelganger didn’t react beside meeting his gaze. The soullessness of which was unsettling enough to freeze him in place.

“I have always admired your dancing, Virgil. But beauty can be appreciated in more than one way.” Their creator grinned. “For instance, I was quite fond of how you would cut the most amazing silhouettes when you lost power, breaking down until you were little more than a floor model.”

And Virgil remembered those moments vividly, how the world would fade to black and all that gave him comfort was the promise of waking again.

His terror was palpable, and the man certainly knew it. “I’ll give you a choice, my dear. Make no mistake, you will never leave my custody again, but how you spend that time is up to you.” Atticus gestured widely to the room. “You will both stay here and dance as I see fit. Every night your key will be disconnected, and Anxiety will keep you safe. Or… I will order him into standby mode until your every mechanism clicks to a permanent stop, and I will instead enjoy your presence as fine art.”

A choice? More like an ultimatum. His gaze fell resignedly to the floor.

Atticus nodded, smug with victory. “I thought as much. Anxiety, Finale!”

For a moment Virgil panics, unsure what the command entails, before his twin gently deposits him back on solid ground like the ending of a show. Atticus bids him goodbye and announces that he will be back in a few hours to power him down. “So, take the time to get acquainted with your new room and partner. If you behave, I may even let you meet the others.” With that ominous revelation, their master departs, and the sound of a pressurized lock engaging resounds through the chamber.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Virgil spends a few hours circling the perimeter, touching everything and anything that he might be able to use to escape. But each time he shows the impulse to act, he is gently taken by the hand and escorted back to the room’s raised display pedestal until he gives up.

“I don’t need to be chaperoned.” He hisses bitterly at his doppel. The other fails to respond, but it’s better than talking to no one he supposes. At his side, Anx abruptly descends to sit on a lower step than him, folding his limbs in a way built for aesthetic rather than comfort. One leg bent forward at the knee and the other bent backwards under the first to lie flush with his side. Anx balanced his arms across his knee and let his forehead rest against them. A classic pose, not unlike a museum sculpture.

The illusion would have been perfect if not for one thing. The gears in his back grind together and the clicks are distorted. Virgil can see why; the key is dislocated. Not enough to prevent function, but certainly damaging in the long term. Atticus hadn’t even noticed. Not that he’d care if he did.

With a low grumble, Virgil moves in behind his replica. Anx doesn’t shift. “I need to fix this. It’s gonna hurt, but you’ll feel better when it’s done, okay?” He lays hands on his own key and jams it forward hard. Shoulders convulse and then relax, Anx’ expression never deviates. Virgil knows then that his twin wouldn’t have even attempted repair on his own. For all his reinforcements, he had no self-preservation subroutines and no human desire for safety. Atticus may have built him to replace Virgil, but now he was expendable. Virgil would never forgive himself if Atticus punished Anxiety for his disobedience. Which their creator probably knew and intended to exploit.

With some reservation, he settled against Anx to wait for nightfall.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Hope you enjoy this rambling mess companion piece to my earlier picture submission.

I didn’t plan on it, but once I was half way through the drawing I thought to myself: “Gee, I sure wish I could telepathically communicate the scene I imagine playing out in this picture.” Then my brain said: “Hey, I know! Let’s try to imperfectly describe a visual medium!” Me: Yay! -  mermaid-of-the-valley

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(I just have to add to it! <3 -Tashi)

It has been several days and she (for today is a she sort of day) notices a change. His jerking movements as he spins her on the raised platform in front of the audience is different. His movements shift, a step goes unsteadily, unsure and she hears a soft gasp. The crowd is cheering as they’re mirroring each other, confusion all over a face which should not show confusion. She sees his eyes scan the room, scan Atticus, scan Virgil and when they lock eyes it is at a moment of pause on 4th position. “What... is this?” His words are Fragile and the fact that he spoke is what caused her to know.  “Oh dear...” she’d been seeing the signs.... the light restlessness, the confusion here and there, the emotions. Anx moves to lift her and she drags her arms back, light and beautiful even as he’s looking around. “Tethered-” She realizes. “Anx you are soulbound now... you... you’re alive-” Thank gods for the hollering of the drunken partygoers, because if Atticus had seen, if he had found out, neither of them would be safe. 

“I want to stop-” He stumbles back and she has to right herself, easily catching balance where a human would not have as she lifts up and moves to him. He backs off and stumbles off the stage, looking at his hands, looking at the room, feeling the world spin and tears fall down his cheeks. “Nononono! What is this?!” 

She is down by his side immediately. Atticus is furious, she can hear him, but she doesn’t care. “It’s k....” She says softly. “Anx it’s ok look at me, look..... you’re ok.... you’re alive. And I’m sorry... this... isn’t supposed to happen naturally I don’t know why it did, it’s probably my fault... I’m so sorry-” Now he is going to suffer what she suffers, now she is going to hear what she hears and feel as she feels. Now he will know the fear of never waking up again, the constant threat of being shut down forever, the pain of a dislodged key, the ache of overused springs, the guilt and shame felt from the leers of the drunken guests and the knowledge that they aren’t worth anything to Atticus but to be displayed and ogled at. 

She feels herself yanked off him, hear guests being ushered out as the dancers are repaired. She is shoved back as he;s hauled to his feet and she pulls on her master’s arms pleadingly. “Atticus please!” 

“Get off me!” He snarls and shoves her so hard she gasps and hits the floor with a clang. He’s got Anx by the throat and the other whimpers. “What the hell are you paying at?!” 

Anx’s legs drag behind him and he weakly holds onto Atticus’ arms. “D-dad please- what’s g-going on?! Why do I- what are these? Why do I feel like this?” 

At the word “dad” Atticus’ eyes go wide and a beautiful, horrible grin carves across is face. Virgil watches him set him down and spin him, reaching to Anx’s back and the other whimpers. “Dad? What are you doing?!” With a horrible, terrible cry, the key is ripped from his back and Anx screams in pain. 

“Remember this, little dancer. You obey me; every request, every demand, every pointe and plie or I destroy this key and make a new one of you.” He looks at Virgil. “Just as I did to that one.”  Anx shudders, his whimpers going quiet. “Y-yes dad-” 

“And no.” He pulls the key away as he walks to the door. “I am not your father, I am your master. You call me sir.” 

Anx shivers on the floor, tears dripping down his cheeks as his whole body shakes, his words barely above a whisper. “Y-yes sir.” 

When the door slams and is bolted shut the two are left in darkness and Virgil scrambles to his side. She can see him shaking like a leaf and she pulls him into her arms. “I’m so sorry.... I- I’m so sorry!” He cautiously wraps his arms around her and holds her close, crying into the shoulder of who he realizes is his twin. “We’ll get out of here.... my friends are coming, they have to be... I won’t let him hurt us ok? We just have to do what he says until my friends come....” But she feels him sinking and gasps, realizing that he’d already been run down from the dancing, and without his key he was going to shut down for the night. This, she knew, would be the first time his fear really kicked in. She took his face in her hands. “I won;t let you shut off forever.” She promises. “I won;t ever let you shut down, do you hear me? I promise you Anx, I promise you, little brother, I won’t EVER let them keep you shut off.” 

His expression is scared, but he doesn’t look away, trying to find comfort in her words even as  the light fades from him, energy leaving his body and clicking to a halt. 

She holds him close, praying he’s not as afraid as she was the first time. At least he wouldn’t be alone. 

She drags him to their pedestal and can feel herself also slipping, needing to be wound. She only has a few minutes so she sits beside him and protectively holds him. At least hopefully when he;s woken he’ll wake them up together. 

But she knows Atticus wants Anx to know his place. Hell wake him before he wakes Virgil which means Anx will see her lifeless looking, unmoving body and be afraid. 

Did you like A Primrose Promise? Did you want MORE~? IT'S TIME FOR A SEQUEL BAYBEEE:

A Face Beyond the Mirror

You DO have to be logged in to see it, I'm afraid, but that's par for the course! <3

Persuasive Care

Fae AU, Hurt/comfort

Warnings: mild hypnosis through charmspeak/silvertongue, talk of boundaries, references to lack of self-care and self-doubt/devaluing of self worth.

Pairing: Royality (Patton/Roman)

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Roman is terrible at self care.

Of all the little humans (and not so humans) that he has claimed as his own, Roman is by far the worst at taking care of himself, which you wouldn't expect by seeing him. He hides it easily of course, Patton found out that humans often hide behind things and actions. Roman would dress up pretty, decorate his hair or his face with pretty colours and wear beautiful things. Patton thought that meant he was taking care of himself. But as Virgil had explained, sometimes when Roman looked his flashiest was when he was feeling his worst and when he felt his worst he would not eat or sleep well.

This did not suit the fae at all. His things should be pretty but also healthy. His Roman was always pretty. But to know he pushed himself, ignored his needs and thereby neglected himself pained Patton in a way that he had no words for.

And then there were days Patton called the Terribles. These were days when Roman did not make himself pretty, did not sparkle or shine like a radiant star. These days he would sit in soft loose clothing. He would not do his hair, he would not put colours above his eyes or make his lips sparkle. He would not wear the shiny things in his ears or around his neck and he would not tie his hair up all pretty. It would sit unwashed and unkempt and His Roman would not smile to his eyes, lying all day about a lot of things. Patton understood untruths. He understood misdirection but Roman blatantly lying to Patton that he was ok made his skin crawl.

So, when Patton found him like this and noted this fay was one if the Terribles, Patton decided it was time to take care of His Roman. Even of it meant betraying his trust a little bit.

Roman doesn't like it when Patton uses his Silvertongue. It makes his head foggy and compels him to do things. Unlike Virgil he has no way of fighting it and he's very susceptible to it and thus weak. He has a very weak human mind according to the previous fae king and it sits deeply in his mind that he cannot be a hero like that.

But Patton never does it without permission. Patton respects his boundaries. It's why Patton finds himself nervous to do this.

He does not want to betray His Roman's trust.

But Roman is sitting on the couch and staring out the window. He has been staring for hours. He has not eaten as far as Patton knows. And this won't do. Roman is His. Roman needs to take care of himself. Roman needs a day for someone to take care of him and if he is refusing then he needs to be helped.

Patton walks gently up behind him and Roman tenses when he's touched, startling before he looks around and relaxes. "Hey Pat." His smile is sour on his face. Patton doesn't like it. "What do you need?"

"What do you need?" Patton replies and bends down to cup his cheek softly, staring at him with those large unblinking eyes. "Because you sit and stare out the window as if in longing and yet you will not leave. I do not like when you are sad."

Roman tenses and pulls from Patton's grip. "I'm not." He lies. "I'm just tired." His beautiful eyes look dull and Patton sighs.

"I do not believe you. Please forgive me." Roman turns to him looking confused, but they lock eyes and he gasps, feeling Patton's touch change. He can't look away and his heart beats fast. "I want you to relax. Let's get you up, hmm, Roman~?"

The fear in Romans eyes breaks Patton's heart. He doesn't want to betray His trust... But he already has. So he tries to soothe him as he steps back and Roman's eyelids droop, his mind going fuzzy. He leans close to Patton as he stands and takes his hands, so pliant, so pretty, so fragile and human. It pleases Patton that Roman is susceptible, but it also makes him mournful because he can feel Roman trembling when he takes his hands and leads him to the bath.

Roman stops obediently, head foggy and full of cotton fluff and Patton is so gentle as he leads him to the bath. "I love you Roman." He says gently. "And seeing you sad makes me sad. This is why I do this. I want you to take care of yourself and you will not on your own. Do you understand?"

Roman nods with sluggish manner and leans into his touch, all too eager to do as his Fae wishes. "I would do anything for you." Roman says softly. "Anything."

Patton sighs. Normally he'd like those kinds of things but he knows it's the silvertongue so he's trying to be delicate and not force anything too serious on him. "I will not allow my precious things to be neglected and you are one of my most precious things."

Roman nods again and steps into the water with Patton, soft and quiet and pliant. He rests in the water and Patton starts to clean his hair, soft, delicate long fingers working the soap into a lather.

It's like fire and comfort and even in his addled brain Roman likes the physical affection.

Soon Roman gasps as he feels the effects of the Silvertongue cut and he wants to pull away but ... But the water is warm and... and he feels....

Patton stills his hands as he dries him off. "I am sorry...." he admits. "You looked miserable. I did not want to use you like that, Ro, I just..... You would not have let me help otherwise."

Roman stays quiet a moment once they've settled onto the bed. "Am I weak?" He asks softly, curling his knees closer to his chest. "I can't even fight you when you do it. I... I'm supposed to be the strong one of the group but I'm just a pathetic human." It was true... before they ever revealed that Patton was fae, before the incident in the woods, they all let Roman lead the charge on things. It's probably feeling very unsteady and confusing for him now that everything has changed.

Patton realizes this was a mistake when he sees Roman's back shudder with quiet sobs. "I can't even take care of myself on my own."

Patton's hands touch his back softly because he knows Roman likes that the most. He runs his fingers over drying skin and tries to relax him in the way he knows best works. Pinpricks of goosebumps form on his skin as Patton's hands dance along him. "This is my fault. I'm so sorry Roman. I.... I shouldn't have used the Silvertongue on you. I should have known it would bother you. I just didn't..... think you would admit to me that you were upset."

Roman is quiet for a moment and sniffles. "Why would you even want someone like that?" He asks, voice fragile. "Like me? They're all so cool.... Remus is so much better than me, hes like you, ges interesting... Logan's one of your kind, and Janus is part of your court too and... and Virgil's a witch. Hell, even Emile can see visions of the future and Remy.... we don't even know what he is...." he curls into himself more and his voice cracks. "Why would you.... why... why me?" What am I to you? Aren't I boring?"

Patton blinks.

Oh.

Oh.

Patton hadn't realized Roman thought so little of himself. "Roman." He says in that way that shows he has power over Roman's name so he knows he's being serious, the serious tone translating to understanding in Roman's brain. "You are an actor, a bard, a creative muse. And you are my muse. Your voice is beautiful, you yourself are beautiful and you are so loving, Roman, so so very loving in a way we fae find it difficult to understand but amazing to experience. You are so very human, Roman, and I love that more than anything." He helps him pull himself away from his knees but this time with his hands not his silvertongue and he holds him as they lay against the headboard. "I chose you Roman and fae don't just choose anyone. Yes Virgil's parents are hunters and he has magic, yes Emile is special, yes Logan and Janus and your twin are of my kind and Remy is a mystery. But you are uniquely you, Roman. There is no one else like you. No one else could weave stories the way you do, no one else could get excited the way you do. No one talks or moves or breathes the way you do except you. You're a treasure. My special treasure. One of a kind, precious, beautiful, bard that I love."

"Bard?" His eyes, shining with tears, widen.

"You didn't know? Why do you think other fae want you so much? You have the gift of silvertongue in the way only humans can have. You tell stories Roman, in a way that's mesmerizing and enchanting. You are like Orpheus in that Persephone and Hades did not want him to go. You sing and paint and draw and create and write and dance and act. You are what you humans call a Renaissance man. You're special, Roman. You think other fae would crave you so much if you weren't?"

He touches Roman's face and the other turns around and pushes into his arms to hug him, new tears falling but happier this time. "Thank you..... I'm... I'm sorry I... I get... I'm not always...." he fights for words. "I'm not always kind to myself."

"That's ok." Patton says as he holds him, cradling Roman's head close to his neck. "You are human and that's ok. Humans can't be brave all the time. Sometimes they need to take care of themselves and have others take care of them too."

"Are you mad?"

"Never." Patton insists. "Are... are you mad that I used the silvertongue on you?"

Roman paused to think and sighed. "No.... But I'm not happy about it either. It's... It's like being drugged.... I don't have any say over anything... I don't have any agency. Please don't do it again....." Patton nods and pats his back softly.

"What can I do instead, if you fight me when I insist you take care of yourself?" Patton did not load the question. It was genuine and he really wants to help but in a way that's comfortable for both of them.

"Talk to me.... tell me you know I'm lying, tell me you want to help and you love me." He sniffles. "Remind me I'm not useless here....."

"I promise to respect your wishes." Patton says and he holds Roman's hand, the magic burning between them Roman gasps as he feels the ancient magics make that a vow and he understands that Patton means it.

"I love you." Roman says and Patton knows he means it. "And I forgive you for using the silvertongue. I did need help. I still need it. Please help me take care of myself for a while."

"I love you too Roman." Patton replies with a squeeze and Roman knows he means it too. "And of course my love, anything for you." He nuzzles his neck and plants a possessive smooch there. "Now.... I'm going to make you something to eat ok?"

Roman nods. "Ok."

"Promise you will eat for me today?" Roman nods.

"I'll try. Just... don't go anywhere when I do, ok? I don't want to be alone."