Admin's Fanfics

[Ask Thatguy]

Redoing this thread yet again. Cause I have tons more ideas and the old ones felt too stale for me to continue. Here is my personal headcanon of how Shaggy and Scooby became the duo they are. And my personal headcanon of some of the backstory of the mystery gang. Got more ideas of the gang too by the way.
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Man's Best Friend

Age Seven

"Norville! Winston! Come quickly!" Helga, aka Shaggy's mother, bellowed in the early morning to her husband and young son. Shaggy AKA Norville was a only child with a eccentric hippie mother and a police officer father who were huge dog lovers. Everyone but his parents called him shaggy because of his hair. Their great danes Buff Doo and Betty Doo were expecting for months now and Shaggy couldn't wait for their birth. So when Shaggy, aka Norville, was awoken by his eccentric mother's call, the boy rushed in his green PJ's and rushed.

The boy and his more exhausted father went to the basement, where Buff pushed out his chest with pride while Betty blushed as she showed her five puppies, one girl and four boys. Norville's eyes lit up with delight at the puppies and he pulled his father's shirt "Dad! Can we keep them!? Please! Like, I'll be the best owner!"

"Sorry son, we can't afford seven, but we'll keep at least one pup" His father replied

Buff and Betty turned to Winston with sadness in their eyes but Helga replied "Don't worry you two, you'll always get to see all your babies, we'll make sure of it" Helga patted Betty who licked her in gratitude

"Rell rick rone norville" Buff replied. Oh forgot to mention, Buff and Betty were the rarest great danes to adopt. They were part of a rare dog breed that had the strange ability to talk. From dalmatians to Chihuahuas, this rare talking breed was able through all dogs. Great Danes included. Betty and Buff were two of the few that talked. Buff was one of the even fewer dogs, the talking dogs that talked had a impediment that made R a priority in lettering. Their five puppies of course could or could not get their parents trait also, making them part of the breed.

Norville obeyed nonetheless, with his parents lovingly watching, as Norville turned to look at the puppies. All of them rushed to him but the majority of them went back to feed off of betty's milk. All except one. The littlest one. A young male pup that looked exactly like betty but without any of the femininity. The little one jumped weakly as Norville gently held him. The puppy happily licked the boy, making him laugh.

"Oh that's our littlest one, Norville. Scoobert Dooby Doo, after his grandfather" Betty replied, a loving smile on her face

"Well he seems to take a liking to ya, son" Winston replied "What do you think?"

Norville beamed "He's the one! He's perfect!" He then hugged the puppy "We're gonna be best friends. Forever!"

The whole group beamed before Winston yawned "Well, sonny, why don't you give betty and the pups some rest? After a couple weeks I'll make some arrangements for the others. Except scoobert"

"I'm ra dad, ry ram ro proud" Buff beamed, licking his wife before picking up Scoobert and putting him with the rest. Norville was guided by his mother to his bed. As time went on, Norville and Scoobert were like peas in a pod. At first scoobert was with his parents a lot due to his small size, but he grew bigger and once he was strong enough he followed Norville everywhere. By only four weeks, Scoobert was sleeping with Norville and after six weeks he became the only puppy in the house, after his four siblings were adopted.

Scoobert eventually graduated from following Norville all around home, to only around school. Scoobert eventually became the elementary school pet, mostly because the principal found the puppy quite adorable and it lasted until Norville went to middle school. There Scoobert was forced to stay home. Until a few other kids came along
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Age Twelve

Scoobert, now scooby to most of them except his mother, wagged his tail as the expected bus came. But was shocked to see Norville, now officially shaggy to him, was with three other kids. One was blond and wearing quite middle class looks, one was fixing her red hair as she adjusted her pink dress and one was a glasses-wearing brunette. Scooby wagged his tail as shaggy came and replied "Hey scoob! Look who came to visit! I brought the friends I promised I would let you meet!"

Scooby remembered clearly now. Shaggy had been talking non-stop about his new friends and Scooby was glad to meet them. He was about to lick them all, and succeeded in two of them but the red-haired one screamed loud enough for the puppy to step back. The red haired girl cried "I like dogs at a distance please!"

"Oh sorry, daphine. Scooby, this is fred" Shaggy patted Fred's shoulder, before hugging velma and daphine "And these girls are velma and daphine" Daphine screamed and shaggy panicked "What?!"

"My dress! My mother's going to kill me! These wrinkles!" Daphine replied, fixing her dress before turning to fred "Can I have a reason why we're here?"

"Shaggy's got a dog, I think this'll help my mom's problem" Fred replied

"Rwhat problem?" Scooby asked

"Jinkies! I like these two more and more! A talking dog!" Velma wrote in her journal before beaming "I'm glad to be here, Daphine is too, she just is too vain to admit it"

"Well you would be too if you had chanel and a motorcycle!" Daphine snapped

"Anyway, the problem my mom has a dress missing and nobody in the house knows where it is!" Fred replied "I'm also trying to make a small team of mystery solvers"

"Mystery solvers? Isn't that what detectives are for?" Shaggy asked

"Well yeah but not like us. We solve more than crimes, we see if monsters are real" Fred replied

"If? They're not and never will be real, Fred" Velma corrected, adjusting her large glasses

"Well you never know! They could! Anyway, Shaggy and scooby are perfect because shaggy can teach scooby how to smell for stuff and scooby has the nose" Fred replied, much to the confusion of the other four "Well my dad told me dogs have good noses"

"Well, let's try, hey buddy?" Shaggy replied and the puppy nodded. Shaggy then replied "Okay, so fred's mom told him it smelled like this" He showed a cloth from the said dress and gave it for scooby to sniff. He did and the puppy immediately was on the trail, he pulled Shaggy's shirt and shaggy replied "Easy, buddy I gotcha. Don't worry, fred. I think we got a winner!" Scooby was supposed to put on a leash but raced. Shaggy then replied "After that puppy!"

"Norville! Who are you talking to?" Helga asked

"My friends! We're finding a stolen thingy, mom!" Shaggy replied

"Be sure to come back for supper later, it's your favorite, tuna noodle casserole!" Helga replied

"Okay mom! Be back soon!" Shaggy then raced, along with the other three raced after the dog.

A few hours later, the four found the puppy directly pointing at a old shed. Daphine growled "That's it? A dirty old shed?"

"Hold on, this shed might be the clue we need!" Velma replied, forcefully pulling on the door "Someone help me?"

Shaggy and fred both opened the door to find tons of dresses and a young woman gasping. Fred snapped "Miss Frank? Our science teacher?! How could you steal all those dresses?"

"Simple. She's desperate for clothes. She has a clothing store addiction" Velma replied simply

"My mom and I have the same thing. But we don't go out of our way to steal. Stealing is wrong, not to mention totally unsanitary" Daphine replied

"Norville! What are you doing out here... Ms. Frank?" Winston, in his police car pulled up. He then shook his head "Well looks like you kids found the dress bandit"

"Dress bandit? You mean the same woman who stole all those dresses stole my moms too?" Fred demanded

"And I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kids and that dumb dog" Ms. Frank was quickly arrested and Winston called Helga to go pick them up.

"We definitely need a new ride. I'll invent something" Velma beamed

"Well of course, you're the smartest" Shaggy smiled

"Well, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship guys. So what do you say? You wanna do this often?" Fred asked

"I'm in. I love mysteries. Plus knowledge is always around us" Velma replied

"Like as long as we get back from dinner, we're totally in" Shaggy replied and Scooby nodded as the boy petted him

"Well, why not, could be better than playing tennis I suppose" Daphine replied

Helga suddenly arrived and picked all the kids up. Helga first arrived at the Jones' home and Fred proudly gave his mom her dress. The woman screamed in joy before obnoxiously kissing the boy "Mommm! Not in front of my gang!"

"Oh you finally are doing that little mystery club? That's so great! Hi, I'm Sally Jones! Pleasure to meet you!" Sally replied

"Mom it's not a club, it's a gang" Fred replied

"It's nice to see my son be friends with such a nice boy like yours. We'll keep in touch I'm sure" Helga laughed "Especially since they're gonna be travelling"

"Oh definitely. If you need anything, just call me or my husband Skip. Thank you for picking him up" Sally then took Fred away who was blushing red. The other kids laughed. That is, until it was Velma's turn. Her parents were tapping their feet as she went out.

"Young lady, what have we told you about strangers?" Velma's mother strictly replied

"Mommy they're not strangers, they're my new friends" Velma replied, quickly

"Oh! You mean with Ms. Jones' kid and Mr. Blakes?" Velma's mother asked and smiled as Velma nodded "Oh jinkies, I apologize. I thought my daughter ran off with some stranger. You must be Ms. Blake's mother?"

"No, I'm Helga Rogers, Norville's mother?" Helga replied

"Oh! The one who did the bake sale?" Velma's father replied "I'm Frank, I helped with that"

"Oh good to see you frank, and this must be your wife Cindy, you told me about her" Helga replied, and she laughed "Good things don't worry"

"Our little girl is a curious bug, just like her old man. But she's got her mom's brains" Frank replied "We'll definitely keep in touch, Helga. It's pretty much dinner time for us, you take care now. Thank you for bringing her home" The two held the girl's shoulders and Velma enthusiastically waved good bye to them.

"Velma's parents scared me at first" Shaggy replied

"Oh they're very smart nice people, Norville. Frank is a bank teller and his wife's a librarian" Helga replied "Oh dear, let's get daphine home"

"Please let's; the dust in my dress will stain soon" Daphine replied.

Eventually, they made it to the biggest mansion in the neighborhood, aka Daphine's home. Her younger sister waited, sucking her thumb as her mother worriedly raced to the car. Daphine's mother picked her up and replied "My darling cinnamon bun! Are you hurt? Oh my goodness! Your dress! Wrinkled!" Daphine's mother got the butler to pick her up and the sister was laughing. Daphine turned with a small smile to the two before being taken.

"My dear, thank you for bringing my daughter. I can't thank you enough. My husband would've gotten her but the car was in repair. Dastardly thing. It's been two years already, we need to let that go" Daphine's mother then shook hands with Helga "I am Sylvia Blake, my husband is Robert Blake, wonderful to meet you"

"You're all very fancy, I'm Helga. This is my baby boy Norville and my dog Scooby" Helga replied

The woman gave a shocked look at the dog before smiling at the boy "Well I suppose it is good my daughter expands her horizons. Well we'll keep in touch, my daughter actually talked a lot about your son. Mostly about the jones boy but she likes your son. So take care dear" The woman then left, fixing her hair as she walked

"Fancy people, eh norville?" Helga laughed as she drove away

"Yeah, it explains a lot" Shaggy replied as Scooby laughed.

That night after dinner, Scooby replied "Ry rike rem. Ry really rike rem"

"Me too buddy, I think we're into something fun" Shaggy replied. As time went on they definitely had fun but also scares. The two were sheltered from supernatural things which caused them to be afraid, but they definitely stuck because of their loyalty to the other three. As they got older, they became more and more into mysteries and with each other, plus a little support from the family, the two became inseparable from the other three.
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Age Eighteen

"My boy is finally all grown up. Man, where does the time go?" Winston, now retired, replied sadly as he hugged his now eighteen year old boy. Helga was sobbing while Betty and Buff looked on proudly.

"And our boy is going with him for the pet therapy services. So proud of you, sweetie" Betty replied licking the now mature dog. Scooby sniffed before hugging his mom sadly.

"Aw, don't cry mom, I'll call I promise" Shaggy was then given a big bear hug.

"Hey Shaggy!" Fred called as he walked over "Haven't seen you since graduation! Where you heading?"

"Hey fred. Heading to college at Union, where are you heading?" Shaggy asked

"Hey! So am I! And so is daphine and velma! This'll be great! It'll be like high school!" Fred replied

"Hopefully without mysteries" Shaggy shivered

"My boy is going with you? Aw that's wonderful! All our families will still be in touch!" Helga replied in joy "It may not be so bad after all"

"Yeah good thing, me and Robert were gonna fix up the mansion a bit, good to know our kids still keep in touch" Winston replied

"Reah! Reep in rouch!" Scooby licked fred

"Hey actually, shaggy? My dad got me a new van, wanna come ride with me?" Fred asked

"Sure! That'd help! Wouldn't it mom?" Shaggy replied

"Awww, why not? It'll be fun for you two!" Helga replied, hugging them both.

Shaggy beamed hugging his parents before walking with Scooby and Fred to his home. Where Sally and Skip were waiting. Sally immediately hugged both boys tightly as Skip gave Fred the keys "Now remember, in college, don't set booby traps to anything ok?"

"Okay dad" Fred laughed before looking at the green van. He turned to Shaggy and whispered "Let's get going. We got to make this bad boy a mystery machine"

"Oh no. No mysteries" Shaggy replied

"Come on, shaggy, it'll be like old times" Fred replied

"Reah, reah, rold rimes" Scooby replied "Re rill ro rit ralf ra time anyway"

Shaggy shrugged before nodding and getting into the car. He couldn't believe he didn't need this much convincing. Maybe because he liked Fred too much. Well they drove to pick up Velma who carried over three bags. Velma's mother carrying one more while her father beamed proudly.

"Okay. That seems about everything. Remember to study and work hard, but you already do, my sweetheart" Velma's mom kissed her cheek before the two hugged.

"Zoinks! How much clothes do you have, Velma?" Shaggy replied

"Oh only a few. The other bags are for my electronics, books and journals" Velma chuckled

Fred and Scooby both laughed as Shaggy blushed before driving up to the mansion. Daphine was similar but her butler put them all in and Daphine was fixing up her hair as she affectionately kissed her father and mother before giving a warm hug to her sister. Daphine made affectionate kisses with her hand "Bye bye daddy pie!"

"Toodle loo, darling boo" Robert replied. He then turned protectively to fred "Now you take care of her ya hear"

"Y-yes sir, no problem" Fred smiled shyly

"Have fun dear! And don't forget to write!" Daphine's mother replied

As the car went out, the few explored a paint shop that properly painted their van to be the mystery machine for their now part-time business. The kids eventually made it to college. And all graduated successfully, spending their free time solving mysteries. Shaggy and Scooby were a duo ever since and the adventure keeps going.

[Nostalgia Critic]

I wanted to do this for a small while. But basically it's simple angsty romance between Jason and Kal. Because I love them, leave me alone. Enjoy!

Warning: Slightly Suggestive.
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Aftermath

It had been a few hours since he returned but it still felt like he wasn't home. Mostly cause Jason hasn't changed back from the seeker yet, unwilling to without being sure Kal was protected. It took him three hours to get bandaged up, simply because Seeker held him even away from other members. Only with forceful prompt did Kal get fixed and even then Seeker had to supervise.

Kal was saved but Jason clearly still acted like he wasn't safe anymore. The seeker was active for these few hours. He couldn't really imagine the suffering Jason had to go through. To take it this far as to not change back. For that Kal was never going to forgive himself. He promised Jason he would be careful. He failed and got beaten by a damn parody character. Kal was disgusted with himself.

He wanted Jason's sweet side back. Don't get Kal wrong, he adored the seeker. He did. But Jason was everything to him. The seeker was only a percentage of the perfection Jason was. So he had to convince the seeker to calm down or at least let it go. That was probably gonna be hard. The seeker either trained or body-guarded kal so he didn't know how to get the seeker to relax. But he had to figure it out.

One night Seeker sniffed out Scooby Doo, who wanted to get some late night snack. Big mistake. Kal saw him start to charge and Kal pulled him back "Seeker, no, no. It's only Scooby"

Seeker though didn't listen and snarled at Scooby. Wisely, the dog just decided his hunger was less important than his life and went back to Shaggy's room. Kal pulled him back and replied "Seeker, what is wrong with you? It's a dog. It's not going to kill me"

"No one touches you" Seeker snapped, eyes yellow, sneering at the doorway. His body was somewhat crouched, almost like a lion or tiger stalking prey. Kal had been used to it, seeing it in battle and being around it for a while now. So it didn't surprise him at how savage Seeker could be.

Still though. This had gone far enough "Seeker. I'm fine. Nothing will hurt me. Where's Jason?" Kal replied, trying to get to a common ground.

"That coward doesn't deserve you. He let you wander off. He let you suffer" Seeker replied, eyes glowing even more yellow. So was that it? Inner guilt from Jason? The seeker was a percentage of Jason's thoughts, feelings and desires after all.

"No. Wrong. Jason is no coward. And neither are you, seeker" Kal then pulled seeker close, thankfully the beast seemed to relax and allowed himself to be taken to the bed. Kal kissed his neck, replying softly "It's nobody's fault. Just stop trying to protect me. Bring me back Jason"

Seeker looked down, relaxing before grabbing Kal's shirt to pull him close. He snapped angrily, growling possessively "Why want jason? Why not want me?" He demanded

"Jason is you. You are Jason. I want both of you. But I can't always have you all the time, seeker. Jason needs me too" Kal replied

"Coward. Phony. Pansy" Seeker replied, holding Kal. The seeker, for the first time Kal saw, started to show a emotion other than lust or anger. It was sadness. The seeker whined, almost like a wild wolf, and pulled Kal closer. He kissed Kal's face and held him tight "No one hurts you. Mine"

"Yours, Seeker. But nobody is going to hurt me again. Especially when I have you" Kal replied, kissing Seeker again on the lips. The two kissed for a small while before Seeker got a bit more lustful and put Kal below him on the bed. Kal smiled, replying "You're my hero, seeker. You are always going to be my hero"

Seeker's eyes widened a little before growling lustfully "Mine, mine" He declared possessively. He proceeded to kiss Kal's face before taking a small nip of the neck "Mine. All mine" He said again, more sincerely this time. But eventually the seeker looked at Kal and replied "Jason can share you with me. But you're still mine"

"Yes, seeker. Yours" Kal smiled, looking somewhat pleased that this talk finally gave them a ground to bring Jason back. Seeker nodded, satisfied before laying down on Kal. Slowly but surely, the confidence in Seeker's body turned into submissive vulnerability of Jason. Jason took a deep breath before turning to see Kal. After a long while of silence, Jason's ocean eyes filled up with tears. Jason pulled Kal to a hug, kissing all the cuts Kal had on his face, rubbing gently against the bandages. Kal stroked Jason's hair, speaking krytonian words of comfort. Kal eventually started to hear some hitched breathing, at that Kal knew Jason was losing it. Kal replied sadly "Jason. Don't blame yourself"

"I had all this power. I could've saved you earlier" Jason whimpered

"You didn't know. I wasn't careful" Kal replied softly

At that Jason looked right at Kal and weeped "You promised you'd be careful! You promised! You promised me!" Jason wailed a little and held Kal close "Why did this have to happen?! Why would they do this to you?!"

"Because they're the enemy. That's how wars work" Kal softly, patiently, responded, holding Jason close as he wept.

At that, Jason grew eerily calm. The man got up and got two bags. Kal chuckled weakly "You think we can just run away, Jason?"

"It's better than getting ourselves killed. We can live a life away from here Kal" Jason begged, pleading, tears streaming

"We'll be killed for treason, Jason. It's not that simple. And I have to fight. I have scores to settle" Kal then saw Jason grab him and show him the mirror. Kal saw Jason behind him, his finger angrily pointing to the bandages. He had a black eye and a couple cuts around his face. But it was his abdomen who suffered the most.

"This is what score settling does. What's more important to you Kal? Revenge or your life?!" Jason snapped

Kal turned to Jason angrily and replied "They have tortured me, Jason. I need to show them they made a mistake. Don't make this about life or death" Kal then remembered Seeker, to be fair, pretty much gave them a piece of his mind. But Kal had some pride and it needed to be fixed.

"It already is about life or death! They see you again they'll kill you and this... thing I have might not save you!" Jason snapped angrily

"The seeker isn't a thing. It's a part of you. And you won't have to bring him. I can take care of myself" Kal angrily replied

"Oh then I suppose you never needed me. I suppose I just wasted my time worrying sick about you. Crying for you at night. Begging to Facilier to send forces after a couple days. Losing sleep for you" Jason pushed Kal hard and his ocean eyes started to flicker to yellow again and replied "I am not going to let you get killed! I won't! I can't!" He then snarled as the seeker rose again but surprisingly Jason snapped back to normal "No, I'm not going to let him take me over. I'm not risking my sanity. I'm not going to watch you get killed, Kal"

Jason was then grabbed by Kal into a huge hug. Kal remembered that Jason was only acting out of fear for losing him. Jason loved him more than anything, and who was Kal to judge that? Sure, he was angry but Jason genuinely was looking out for his safety. And besides, this wasn't worth fighting for. This wasn't worth losing Jason for. Kal genuinely would die if he lost Jason. So Kal grabbed and held him, despite the angry shovings from Jason. "Let go of me, Kal. Right now. Don't fucking try to be soft with me now, you son of a bitch" Jason angrily shouted "Let go of me"

"I'm not letting you go down this road, Jason. I'm not losing you either" Kal promised

Jason at that started to calm down, only to start crying again. The two fell to the floor and Jason weeped "You're injured. Why do you need to fight? Why can't you just stay? Here? With me?" He punched weakly at the floor "You promised me you'd be careful. You dumb fucking jerk. I was so scared. I'm so scared. I can't lose you, Kal. I love you. I love you" Jason then pulled Kal to a passionate, tear-filled kiss. Kal after a while pulled back and grabbed Jason to the bed and started kissing him more and more around his neck and then pulled Jason's shirt.

Jason allowed his shirt to be taken off, allowing kal to kiss his chest and rub at his scar afterwards. Softly, helplessly, Jason begged "I won't leave the army. But please. Don't go. Not without me, Kal. Don't leave me"

"Never, Jason. I would never leave you" Kal replied, proceeding to help himself and Jason take off clothing. Relaxing under the covers, being one with one another. Soft, relaxed breathing. Tender touches. Simple, loving kisses. Kal showing Jason the love he had, Jason taking that love. Both men ended with their bodies together, hands held tightly, asleep safely under the covers.

The next morning, Kal got up, putting on boxers. Allowing Jason to sleep peacefully. He went downstairs to turn to Facilier who was alone and stirring coffee "Good work Kal"

"What do you mean by that?" Kal curiously asked

"You convinced Jason to stay. You're loyal. I like that" Facilier sipped his coffee "As powerful as Jason is, he needs to know his place. Can you make sure of that?"

Not wanting to get in trouble. Especially after what he went through, Kal nodded. Facilier then nodded, smiling "Good. Cause we can use your boyfriend. Hope you both had a good night" He then patted Kal's shoulder "Hey, both of you take the day off. You need it. We have work to do"

Kal knew that running away was wrong but sometimes Facilier made him feel like he needed to. But he wouldn't. Because then two armies would be after him. And Jason. He needed to protect Jason. Far more than ever now. He went upstairs and held the sleeping Jason close and murmured "Never leaving you Jason"

[Nostalgia Critic]

Couldn't help but write about what if all the sanders sides and a couple of their love interests encountered each other. So here it is

I'm going to do personal aftermaths for all five of the sides.
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Can't Hide: Chapter One: All The Uniting

Patton snored like a mad person sometimes, roman couldn't help but deliberately sleep with two pillows. One to sleep and one to cover his ears in case patton's snoring got to him. But tonight roman was wide awake without patton's help. Something ate at him. Here he was, not being the hero he always preached on being. Heroes would risk their lives to save who they cared about, not hide like cowards. At least that's how roman saw it. The only reason he didn't do anything was because bruce would tend to convince him to stay. Every time. But bruce didn't understand, roman was a prince, a knight in shining armor. If he couldn't save virgil and logan, how could he possibly save bruce himself?

No. He wouldn't just sit around and wait for orders. He had to do something. But he had to take patton along. Roman sighed, getting up to wake the snoring patton. Patton mumbled in his sleep "Why yes spongebob I would love some camomille tea"

"Patton. Wake up. Patton" Roman replied

Patton woke up, a bit annoyedly, he then looked at the clock then angrily at roman "Roman Princey The Third, do you have any idea what time it is?"

"I do. It's time for us to escape" Roman replied calmly

"No you ninny it's 2 in the morning" Patton yawned

"No. I mean we need to go find virgil and logan" Roman replied

"And deceit too roman" Patton replied but when roman gave a disgusted face he responded firmly "We need all aspects of thomas to fuse as him. And that includes the dark side of him"

"Ugh. Fine. But first let's go find our friends" Roman replied, pulling patton only to be disappointed when he pulled back. Damn patton, when patton didn't want to do something he was quite hard to convince. Normally patton was impulsive but it was normally with morally positive things, like adopting puppies or hugging friends. Escaping wasn't exactly the right thing to do.

"Now roman, these people have taken us in and promised to help us. To go behind their back is wrong" Patton replied. Roman looked angrily at him, making protesting noises but Patton calmly asked “What would thomas say?"

"That's the thing pat! He's not here! And he's not here because we're not together. We can come in and out with thomas. So we can still see our loves and friends. But if we stick around and wait, we might never get thomas back. We may be stuck as mortals forever! Do you really want that patton?" Roman angrily replied, and when patton lowered his head to ponder he snapped "Well I don't. I'll find them with or without you"

"Roman, please" Patton's sadness actually stopped roman from going off. Roman frowned sadly as the other hugged his teddy bear and hugged it tightly "You think I don't miss thomas too? He's like my son. I've known him since he was born. Thomas is my friend too roman. I just am afraid we'll get hurt or caught by enemies" Roman at this hugged patton and the two hugged

"We won't patton. It'll be quick. Everyone's sleeping" Roman assured "And if anything happens I'll protect you"

Patton sniffed, he then got dressed out of his pajamas and nodded to roman. Roman quickly got his royal attire on and his sword before sneaking out with Patton. After a long while outside, roman replied at last "I'm real sorry to do this patton. I know it's wrong. But I'm desperate. I'm worried we're running out of time"

"Well maybe it's not the smart thing to do. Or the right thing to do. But it's something we need to do" Patton understandingly replied. Roman nodded only to see virgil outside on the porch, with a flashlight and a baseball bat. Roman gasped and turned to patton who immediately started to race, seeing virgil. Patton was pulled back by roman who snuck to a bush "What in blue blazes is wrong with you roman, you wanted to find them now there's virgil--"

"Shush it papa bear, we need to be discreet. If we scare virgil he'll assume we're the enemy and call the rest of them" Roman replied. He then pulled his sword in his sheath and pulled patton to come with him. Roman then noticed Virgil hear the noise, as seen with virgil's eyes glowing purple in suspicion.

"Hey! I know you're out there! Come out!" Virgil snapped angrily

"Virgil! My dark strange buddy!" Patton's love got the better of him and he raced. Roman ran after him. Patton though jumped to virgil and hugged him "Oh I'm so happy to see you, you scared me you know that! Don't you ever do that again!"

"Pat? Holy crap pat" Virgil's voice was light and relieved. Roman was shocked virgil didn't shove patton off but then again virgil tended to favor him out of the sides anyway. Roman smiled as the two hugged. Virgil actually was tearing up, holding patton close to him. Virgil mumbled "When you got hurt I nearly wanted to kill them, patton"

"Oh shucks I'm just so glad you're safe" Patton replied, he then took virgil's light and flashed it "Look roman and I came to rescue you!"

"Well I would prefer the phrasing that I came to rescue you and took patton with me. But this phrasing doesn't make it look like I forced him so it works" Roman smiled shyly, feeling kind of awkward surprisingly. He did like virgil a lot and did feel care for him. But it was awkward to like him since they've been rivals for the longest time. He held his hand out for virgil to shake. Only to find himself shocked as virgil hugged him "I'm glad to see you too virgil" Roman smiled, hugging him affectionately

Virgil pulled back brushing the purple bangs out of his eyes. Revealing more black eyeliner under his eyes. A clear sign of anxiety increasing. Virgil smiled "Sorry, just, it's been a while since I've seen your ugly mug"

"First off I'm not ugly, second of all aw" Roman smiled back

"You're right. You're not ugly. You're hideous" Virgil bit back, only to be rewarded with a punch "Ow. I guess I deserved that"

"Virgil, you're going to get yourself killed if you don't be quiet, some of us are trying to sl---" Logan's ranting as he came down silenced at the sight of patton and roman. Logan's shock was evident and he adjusted himself so. He slowly came over and shook roman's hand, his smile deep and affectionate "Roman. Pleasure to see you" Roman nodded, smiling knowing this was logan's way of joy.

Logan went over to shake patton's hand but was forced into a hug. After a small while though, logan did hug in return. Virgil and roman were happy to see that. Logan eventually though tried to pull patton off "I am pleased to see you patton. But please let go"

"Never. I can't. You're mine now" Patton replied

"Come on pat. You're gonna kill him. Or he'll kill you" Virgil smirked, roman couldn't help but laugh.

"Indeed. I'm strongly considering strangling you patton. Seriously, let go" Logan was relieved as patton let go. The four sides couldn't help but share a sigh of mutual relief.

"Well we got everybody let's go" Roman turned to walk with virgil but was shocked to see virgil sigh in sadness "What's wrong virgil?"

"We can't leave" Virgil said sadly "We kind of integrated here, man. We have people swearing to protect us and bring you guys" He twiddled his fingers, biting a nail or two. He turned to logan before turning to roman who widened his eyes before nodding

"Indeed. It would be considered treason. We'd be killed. Then thomas would be as good as dead" Logan said, equally nervous. Logan turned to see patton stomp his foot. Logan sighed "I am sorry patton"

"We need to take risks guys. Thomas is depending on us. If we fuse as him, we can go home and travel to see our loves and friends" Patton replied "That's what us personality sides do, right logan?"

"Well yes you're right, but it's still a huge risk. Because we have someone we're forgetting" Logan replied. All three sides all shared looks of acknowledgement. Virgil actually sneered in disgust. Roman was less facially focused in showing his disgust covering his mouth to ponder but his eyes were filled with hate. As for patton, he twiddled his cardigan in fear. Logan gave a thoughtful look "Deceit. He'll never come with us"

"Maybe if we bribe him with ice cream he'll come" Patton replied

"Fat chance, patton. You can't convince him to do something he doesn't want to do" Virgil replied. He kicked the ground "The only way is to confront him and force him" Virgil shivered "And lord knows we can't do that"

"How do you know? We never tried" Roman snapped before replying "I'm desperate for thomas. We all are. But our fear of deceit is getting in the way"

"It's not fear. It's caution. He's not trustworthy like virgil was" Logan turned to virgil "No offense to you, friend"

"No worries man you're right. I was a asshole before patton came along and brought me up to meet thomas. And I was still an asshole when thomas helped out. It wasn't until I looked at myself and listened to you guys that I became better. But deceit likes being bad. He likes having power and independence" Virgil replied, his eyes glowing purple again "He can make us do what he wants even more now with thomas gone, he doesn't have that leash. Who knows what he'll do if we see him"

"We're gonna just have to try. Doing may be better than trying but you can't do something without trying" Patton replied, the confused looks of virgil and logan caused him to get defensive "Oh you try to be motivating it's not easy"

"I hate to say this. And believe me I really hate this, but patton is right" Logan replied

"He is?" Roman asked

"He is?" Virgil asked, a little more shocked

"I am?" Patton was the most shocked of all

"Yes. Deceit may want to not come but we can't be afraid of him forever" Logan then noticed a light switch turn on and Dr. smith and cody outside. Logan blushed as Dr. smith and cody were staring at them. Logan got nervous and spoke "Pumpkin I can explain"

"Pumpkin?" Roman and patton said at the same time. Virgil snorted, trying to cover his laughter.

"I'm dating Dr. Smith, simple explanation. Shut up" Logan replied angrily before smiling to Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith patted cody's head and whispered to him something. Logan sighed "I suppose we're traitors now"

"No. Nothing of the sort, dear. I just told cody to get chuckles to get something to help you grab deceit" At the mention of chuckles' virgil's face lit up in excitement. Logan was shocked and Dr. Smith held his hands "You need to fuse as thomas to get home. I want you happy, logan. Even if that means leaving"

Logan frowned, sighing sadly, holding smith's hands "I'll come visit you and cody, pumpkin. Please don't be sad. I have the power to see you, even from other places. I'm a personality side and we have magic unlike any. Thomas will love to let me see you. He understands love and will let me"

This made virgil frown sadly too, realizing this meant leaving chuckles too. Roman and patton both got sad also, knowing this meant they too had to leave their lovers behind. Roman held his hands, thinking of bruce, patton looked up at the stars thinking of iron liz. Logan teared up as smith started sighing more "I will come for you I promise"

"I know you will. It's just hard to say goodbye" Smith replied

"If it makes you feel better smith, we're not even sure it will work" Virgil said before noticing cody with chuckles. Virgil at that teared up and raced to chuckles, hugging him. Much to the empathy of logan and the interest of roman and patton. Virgil mumbled to chuckles "I didn't want it to be like this chuckles. I'm sorry"

"Don't be, babe. You gotta do what you gotta do. I'll be with you. Here" He gave virgil a book which had some spells "Take this. It'll protect you in case it doesn't work and force deceit down if it does" Chuckles pulled virgil in for a kiss, then replying "Kick his ass for me babe"

"You know I will" Virgil replied, before mumbling "I love you" Chuckles smiled before hugging him again.

The two held it before virgil saw chuckles turn to logan, patton and roman and snap at them "If you guys come back and he's got scratches on him, I'm gonna take it out on you"

Logan nodded while patton and roman gulped before nodding. Chuckles smiled wishing good luck before leaving. Cody ran and hugged logan, logan was surprised but smiled softly "Good luck Mr. Logan" Cody then ran off. Logan did feel regret as the child left. He looked upon cody like a son of his own.

Logan then saw Dr. Smith walk away but Logan pulled him and Dr. Smith replied "Oh logan, what-what are you doing?"

"Something I should've done when I met you" Logan pulled Dr. Smith for a kiss, much to the shock of the other three. Patton started bouncing up and down, roman slapped himself to make sure he was seeing it and virgil's mouth was dropped so low. Logan pulled back and replied to smith "If I return, I'll come back for more"

"I love you logan, good luck" Dr. Smith then turned off the lights and left the sides alone. A long awkward silence befell them and it was sad and peaceful. The four felt together but also felt so apart.

Then virgil snickered "You called him pumpkin"

"Shut. Up" Logan growled before walking "Come along. We have a villain to defeat" Virgil kept snickering as he, roman and patton followed him. The four calmly chatted as they walked before quieting down at the sight of deceit with a woman. He was on the porch, apparently on guard like virgil was. But he was distracted, a woman flirting with him as he cackled with delight. Logan smirked "Hm. So he does have a heart"

"A cold, dead, icy heart but yeah. I guess so" Roman mumbled

"Alright virgil, you have any spells to grab him?" Patton replied

Virgil searched the book reading, before smirking and replying to the others "Stand back. It's a transportation spell so we can confront him without the lady" He then started to chant as the book glowed yellow.

The other three stared before it made the four of them and deceit glow then disappear into the dark woods. Deceit was in the middle of a conversation, and he laughed until he realized poison ivy was not with him. Deceit started with confusion "Pamela, pamela! Where are--" He then sneered as the four came out. Logan was sneering back, adjusting his glasses and tapping his foot like a disappointed teacher. Patton was hiding behind roman who was raising his sword and glaring right at deceit, ready to fight when ready. And virgil was holding the book, his eyes piercing and nasty, wanting to see if deceit made a move. "Well look what the cat dragged in... and decided to piss on" Deceit snapped

"You're going to help us bring back thomas or you will suffer the consequences" Logan calmly responded

"Oh and I suppose you gathered this plan up all by yourself didn't you, genius?" Deceit snapped

"Nope it was my idea!" Roman replied, laughing triumphantly

"Ah, see logan, you're not even smart enough to think of a plan to get me. You have to rely on primadonnas and magic to help you" Deceit replied

"Shut up you big fat meanie, logan is perfect and amazingly smart. You don't know anything" Patton replied angrily, actually coming from behind roman "I will physically fight you"

"Such fire. Where was this when I impersonated as you and imprisoned you?" Deceit smirked, his eyes glaring at patton

"That was a fluke and you know it" Patton replied, but he smiled softly as virgil loudly closed the book and grabbed patton to him "See, sticks and stones may break my bones but I got friends that will beat you right back" Patton stuck his tongue out

"Damn right. You're coming to fuse with us and you're not gonna hurt anybody anymore. Especially not the four of us" Virgil replied

"Exactly correct" Logan replied

"Amen sister" Roman replied

"Yepper rooney" Patton replied

"Oh how quaint. A idiot, a wannabe star, a lowlife and a faulty professor are just going to force me. So dark sided of you" Deceit laughed, rubbing his hands together "I'm so intimidated. I might as well surrender"

"You will? Really?" Roman replied

"No of course not you fool. I have power here. I have a life here. I'm free here. I don't ever want to see that boy ever again and I'm going to make sure of that" Deceit pushed some power right at the sides and forced them down. Logan was the first to get up helping the others. Deceit tisked-tisked "Honestly, why do you care about thomas so much? Aren't you wondering what it would be like to be free? You all have lives here no doubt. Logan, aren't you respected here?"

"I see what you are attempting and it will not work. Thomas respected me and valued my advice" Logan snapped

"Did he really though? He has a passion for theater, for arts, for drama. Not for science like you do. Dr. Smith, he appreciates you. He respects you. Far more than thomas ever did" At this he was shocked to see logan grab him, much to the protest of the other three "You know I'm right logan. Sure thomas cared about you, but did he respect you?" He smirked as logan hesitated before replying "Dr. Smith would be so alone. He has a son you know. Who's going to help him and defend him when he's all by himself" Logan shoved deceit to the ground

"Don't you dare speak his name. You're not worthy to speak of him. He's a far better man than you" Logan replied

"I know. That's why I'm bringing him up. Surely if not for the war, you should stay this way for him. He's the only one you ever trusted, ever felt a connection with" Deceit was pleased to see logan get angrier and angrier. It meant his words were getting to him.

"Don't listen to him logan that's what he wants!" Patton replied

"And you, patton. What about all these friends you've been making? Like iron liz? She's the only one who actually listens to you. Listens to all your feelings, not just the positive ones. Unlike thomas” Deceit replied, pleased to see patton begin to cry "Oh sure he loved you but iron liz loves you far more. She treats you like a equal and not some side dish. And not just her, the whole army. You made such good friends. You're with more people, not just thomas. Don't you hate it being alone? You should be with people, especially iron liz. Don't you feel listened to? Treated with kindness more and not just having people ignore or not notice you?" Deceit saw patton cry more and virgil growled, getting really angry

"You piece of shit. How dare you make him cry? I'm gonna rip your arms off" Virgil charged but roman held him back. Virgil growled "I don't care if you say nasty lies to me, I've heard it all before. I'm still gonna kick your ass"

"But that's the thing, virgil. I'm not speaking nasty lies. I'm speaking the harsh truth. You don't think you won't suffer when you go back as thomas. What about your precious chuckles?" He then was shoved to the ground and punched in the face. Deceit laughed "Oh come on now virgil, such violence"

"You say his name again and I'll rip your tongue out" Virgil replied

"Very well. Your special friend was the only one who accepted you as you are fully" Deceit replied

"Not true. Thomas did" Virgil replied "All the sides did"

"With or without prompt?" Deceit saw virgil look down at that "Patton, logan and roman may accept you now but they didn't in the longest time. Not even patton when he first saw you, sure he got used to you but he was afraid of you for a long time. And thomas couldn't stand you. Thomas was afraid of you. Your special friend wasn't. He immediately took a liking to you. People here appreciate you for what you do, what you say and how you say it. They accept you. They welcome you. They don't shut you out or hate you. Do you want to go back to that life of feeling hated?" Deceit saw roman pull virgil back. As roman charged Virgil silently looked down, considering it

"Your words won't work on me, trickster. You won't penetrate me" Roman aimed his sword

"Love the sword roman, where'd you get it?" Deceit asked

"Oh from ebay... Wait! See I told you that you wouldn't fool me" Roman laughed triumphantly before aiming his sword

"See you're so brave and clever. Like a true hero" This caused roman to stop aiming and look at deceit with shock "You're a hero. You're a adventurer here. You get to do what you please and not have someone tell you what to do. Don't you want to be explore and not let some fear from thomas stop you? Don't you want to be the hero you always wanted to be?" Deceit sneered, waiting to see roman break. And it looked like it did at first, roman looking sadder before he looked solemnly at deceit

"I do want that. And I can be. With thomas. He has been good to me. He lets me explore with ideas. Lets me dream and tell stories. He lets me be passionate and brave. He gives me adventures by just being with him" Roman replied. This caused the other sides to snap out of their anger or sadness as roman spoke "You say we're better off without thomas but it was never about being better. Thomas impacted our lives in the best way possible. You may be saying we won't get what we want but you're wrong. Thomas has been extremely accepting of all of us, virgil included. He may had some time to think about it but when virgil came along he always welcomed virgil and treated him kindly even when he was intimidated. And even then he never said anything unkind" This caused virgil to smile, and grow a bit braver, grabbing the book.

Roman continued "He may ask patton for more positive stuff but he always knows to also call on patton for sad stuff too. He knows patton is only human, he listens to all of our problems and we listen to his. That's our job and he does his part of the job by listening and appreciating our advice" This caused patton to beam, wipe his tears and nod, remembering all the good things thomas did

"And thomas isn't stupid, he appreciates common sense, logic and reason. He also likes astronomy, he studies the stars. So saying he doesn't love science is a lie. He respects all types of learning, because he wants to learn and he goes to logan to learn" Roman's words caused Logan to appear braver and logan patted roman's shoulder and sneered down at deceit. Patton and virgil all came close to him too, sneering themselves. Roman chuckled as deceit growled and got annoyed "See? Your words don't work on me anymore. Because I decided to not believe anything you say"

"Your lies are at an end, you're coming with us" Logan snapped

"And if you don't like it, you can just kiss my behind" Patton snapped

"Also, fuck you for manipulating our emotions you snake-shit" Virgil replied, grabbing the book and starting to chant before being grabbed by vines, the book being thrown away. Virgil got ensnared and started struggling "Hey, what the hell, let go of me! Let go of me!"

"Fear not virgil I'll save you" Roman started chopping off vines only to be trapped himself

"Oh wow, my hero, you really saved me" Virgil sarcastically replied

"Shove it, count woe-ula" Roman was then shocked to see logan and patton get trapped together in one vine. Patton started screaming and logan started struggling.

"Looks like there was a party and I wasn't invited. Deceit, sweetheart, I'm so disappointed" Poison ivy at this squeezed the other four causing them to have problems breathing.

"Pamela, my darling. Forgive me but Virgil forced me to not invite you" Deceit got up, kissing poison ivy's cheek. He then grabbed Virgil's face and replied "You might be wondering why I hate you the most. Because you used to be one of us and you have gone soft. You're pathetic"

"Enough! You leave virgil alone" Logan snapped

"You care too much about people that don't matter, virgil" Deceit snapped

"I'd rather care too much than not care at all. Like you do" Virgil replied

"You tell him!" Patton replied

"Shut up patton or I'll impersonate you again" Deceit did however let go of virgil's face. Only then to morph into patton, a fake patton "Oh wait, I probably will do it anyway. Whoopsie doodles, that just is such a pickle we're all in. Pamela, sweetie, what do you think we should do with these kiddos?"

"I can squeeze the life out of them. I could keep one of them as leverage for you, dear. I could always leave them sick with poison" Poison ivy replied

"How about we kill two of them, poison one and kidnap one?" Deceit said this as he morphed back into himself

"Oh screw this" Patton said, he then pulled his arm out to grab a plant and bite into it. Causing it to react and release him and logan. Patton protected logan as he started to read "Quick logan, read"

"By the powers that be, I call onto thee, to give up light to release to protect the reader that be!" Logan said seriously as the book blasted both poison ivy and deceit. Causing virgil and roman to be free. Deciet grabbed virgil and started to choke him, only for roman to grab his sword and aim it at poison ivy's neck.

"Release her. Now" Deceit said

"Not before you release virgil. You hurt him, I'll hurt her" Roman said solemnly

"No, roman, you're better than that, don't do it" Virgil replied

"He's actually right roman. We don't have to kill anyone" Deceit replied

"I agree. Hence why I said you release virgil. You do that and I'll let her go" Roman replied. Virgil's eyes widened, seeing how serious his friend was. Virgil's heart filled with guilt. He wasn't worth this. Yet Roman was willing to do it because of their friendship. Risk his heroism and life for someone like him. Virgil felt so ashamed but also kind of wonderful that roman was his friend.

"Don't do it, baby. Kill the brat" Poison ivy replied, but gasped as some blood came out of her neck thanks to roman's sword cutting her just a bit.

Deceit chuckled, before laughing harshly "How noble of you roman. To threaten a defenseless woman" He replied "Some hero you are"

"She's an enemy and I'm a equal abuser. Let him go" Roman snapped

Deceit looked to see how nervous his love was. He realized he wasn't going to win. Not without risk. Deceit sneered though wanting to test the waters more "I don't believe you. You won't kill her"

"Never said I will kill her. But I did say I will hurt her. Like so" Roman pushed the sword a little into her collarbone, causing it to bleed. Deceit snarled, his teeth gnashing. Roman smiled "Hey you play dirty all the time, not so fun when it happens to you huh?"

"Fine. Take your second hand goods" Deceit threw virgil who raced off to logan, who actually held him protectively. Deceit saw roman keep his word, and actually use some of his own personal ego magic to heal her wounds. Deceit grabbed her and replied "This is not over roman. You hurt her. For that you will pay with your life"

"Right now?" Roman aimed his sword at that

"No. Soon. I must prepare. For this battle will get me no where. Just know you'll never get thomas back. Never" With this he flashed the four sides, leaving with poison ivy at his side.

"We failed. We failed" Logan said, both disappointed and relieved

"It's better than being dead. We gotta go home" Virgil replied

"But. But. That means we seperate again to our sides" Patton replied

"Yep. Yep it does" Roman turned to logan and virgil and sighed "Guess this means good bye guys" Roman hugged logan first.

"Indeed it does. But we will see each other again and one day we'll see thomas again" Logan replied, hugging Roman back before the two quickly let go

"But. But deceit said" Patton said sadly

"He's full of it. Don't worry patton we'll get thomas back" Virgil replied

"You mean it virgil?" Patton replied

"Of course I mean it. I would never lie to you patton" Virgil then hugged patton "God I'm gonna miss you"

"I'll miss you too!" Patton sobbed, holding virgil and the two held each other for a while again. After a small while, patton let go and sniffed, holding his hand out for logan "I know you don't like hugs so I think we should.." But he was happy to see logan gently hug him "I'm gonna miss you so much too logan"

"I too will miss your company patton. But this is war and we must abide by our teams. Still, it was nice to be beside you" Logan then allowed roman to go to virgil

"Hey, Roman. You saved my ass a ton of times. You're a real hero" Virgil smiled

"Hm. I don't know. I hurt poison ivy. Sure she was the enemy but deceit wasn't wrong. I could've done something else than threatening somebody" Roman replied sadly

"Roman. That's what you got to do with someone like deceit. Play dirty. You did the best you could and you weren't going to kill her. You're still the hero here" Virgil insisted, hugging roman "You're my hero"

Roman at this teared up and held virgil close. The two broke apart and then virgil replied "Come on logan. Let's go" Virgil waved as he and logan went to the way of the atg lair whereas patton and roman went to the critic's. The four felt a ton of emotions and were unsure about things. But one thing was for sure was that the four sides were a team, a strong friendship and no-one not even deceit could take that from them. And they would get what they wanted, even if it took longer than expected.

[Patton Sanders]

Okay. Here's Patton's aftermath. Of course this means I post this as patton lol
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Can't Hide: Chapter Two: Patton Pending

As he and roman returned to the house, it was still quite dark out. They most likely have only been gone for two to three hours. It felt like longer to patton. It felt like the battle and struggle was longer and his time with friends was meaningful. To realize it was only a couple hours dimmed his mood considerably more than ever. His time with virgil and logan was far too short. And now he had to wait for the next chance, maybe even having to capture his friends to see them, or worse... he had to fight them. Patton would actually die of grief if he ever fought with his friends. The mere thought made him want to cry forever.

He was sad as he went up to his room with roman. Roman and bruce had decided not to move to sleep with one another yet, wanting things slow. Same with iron liz and his decision to wait. So he was staying with roman until roman decided or he decided to fasten things. Patton was going to wait until iron liz was ready until then he would wait. Besides, he needed roman to be with him, only he would truly understand the struggles he was going through. Yet he wouldn't dare tell roman, for fear of stressing roman himself out.

As he went to his bed and roman went to his, patton was now the one awake while his friend slept. He couldn't sleep. Too much sadness, anger and want filled him. He normally didn't dwell in negativity but without thomas to guide him, he felt stuck with all the emotions, even the negative ones. He wanted comfort and someone to help him with these feelings. But at the same time, for the first time in patton's life, he wanted to be alone.

The next morning did not feel better. In fact it made him feel worse, lack of sleep out of anxiety tended to make him feel terrible. He groggily got up as he noticed roman chatting and laughing like normal. Patton knew that roman was making a brave face, but patton could never hide his emotions. It wasn't who he was. He yawned and decided a cup of coffee might make him feel better, even for a small while. He went to make one where he saw chowder with a bowl of cereal and the child observantly stated "Good morning Mr. Patton, wow you look terrible"

This caused schnitzel to snap "Radda! Radda, radda!" Patton thankfully understood quite a few languages, including cartoon speak. Seeing chowder get worried and sad, patton immediately patted the purple creature's head. Despite feeling terrible he would NEVER allow a child to feel terrible when he was around. Even if parental correction was the cause of it.

"Oh no no, he's alright schnitzel. He's just extremely observant! He didn't bother me!" Patton defended, beaming despite feeling no need to smile. He turned to chowder and replied "I didn't have a lot of sleep last night. I'll be fine as the day goes along"

"Oh. Okay. Feel better Mr. Patton!" Chowder then left to go sit and eat with the other children.

"The kid's got a point, you don't look good patton. You feeling ok?" Roman's voice was concerned and the last thing patton wanted was to worry his friend. He knew it would be right to tell roman but he already handled so much with deceit. Risking his life and everything. The last thing he needed to worry about was patton himself.

"Of course roman. Why wouldn't I be? I'm the moral side, I'm supposed to feel fine and dandy" Patton replied, very much in denial

"Patton. You're the moral side, not the happy side. You have negative emotions just as much as you have positive ones. Listen if you don't feel fine you're allowed to say so" Roman replied, his eyes looking at him with earnest sincerity. It almost made patton cry. But no, he was not going to cry. Especially not in front of roman and the children.

"I told you roman, I'm fine. Please. You have enough to worry about. You shouldn't worry about me" Patton insisted, gently, almost like begging his friend to leave it be.

Roman opened his mouth, but was stopped by IHeart who shook her head to insist the man to leave it be. You couldn't force someone to talk after all, and hopefully roman would know that. It seemed that he did, as he nodded softly "Okay patton. I just want you to know, if you do wish to talk, I'm here. Because I care"

Patton smiled, genuinely this time, warmly to roman. He patted roman and replied sweetly "I know you do. I care about you too roman. Thank you" He then got up with his coffee and replied "I'm going to write some stuff for roses to make for the children. Excuse me" The truth was he wished to meditate and be alone but didn't want to alert anyone.

IHeart replied gently "Okay patton. Good luck with the writing"

Patton nodded as he went upstairs and closed the door. He put his coffee on the floor as he wrote in his secret diary instead. None of the sides, not even thomas, knew of his diary. When thomas suggested to have him be more open to all his emotions, including the negative ones, he made a diary AND spoke more to them about sad experiences. They knew about him talking more but they never knew about the diary. The diary was the darker, more personal side of patton. Releasing some tension or anger he felt that he didn't want to express to anyone. He knew that roman would understand but at the same time, patton was hellbent that he never knew of this diary.

He then got a pen and wrote "Dear diary, I hate this feeling. Of denial and anger. Is this what virgil feels all the time? Virgil says he gets angry a lot. If this is what it feels like, I am going to make sure the next time I see virgil I tell him I love him. Also I'll tell him whatever bad stuff he thinks about himself are lies. Anyway, last night I went out with roman to try to get thomas, so we met up with the others. It was great to see virgil and logan, not so great with deceit. Deceit said things that were mean but true. I don't like things that are mean and true at the same time. It means I can't deny it. I miss thomas but iron liz makes me feel great. She makes the world much brighter than it already is. But I can't tell her or I'll get in trouble. If I tell roman I'll just make things worse between us. So I guess I just have to deal with this on my own. Like I tend to do when I'm angry. Deceit sucks, I'm just going to say it. I know. Really awful to say that but I mean it. I don't like deceit. In fact, I might even consider hating him. But I don't want to hate him still. I want to love everyone. I do love everyone. Well, mostly everyone that is. It's hard to hate someone for me. It's hard for me to hate in general. I don't know what to do. Except just write and be mad. I want this feeling to go away. Hope it does"

As he finished writing, he heard a knock on the door and he replied hiding the book in his pillow "Uh, come in!"

He was pleased to see it was iron liz. What he wasn't pleased to see was her looking worried. Out of all the people he loved, it was she who didn't deserve to feel bad the most. Yet she did. And it seemed to be his fault. At least that's what patton assumed. She was here for a reason. Iron Liz gave a soft smile "Hi patton"

"Liz, sugar plum! What're you doing here?" Patton replied, trying to mask the worry in his voice.

"Patton, I saw you in the kitchen. You didn't and still don't look very good. Did you really have problems sleeping? Or was it something else bothering you?" Iron Liz asked, her voice was so powerful to patton that he felt like it was sin itself to lie to her.

So he didn't "No. It was something else. Please liz, I can't tell anyone this. It's best if I handle this myself"

"That's the thing patton you DON'T need to handle everything on your own. If you're sad about something you can tell me" Liz came and sat down and noticed some of the diary peeking out. At her gaze patton tried to be subtle about hiding it but liz noticed "Sorry patton if whatever you're hiding is private I didn't mean to look"

"It's okay. No harm no foul. Anyway about hiding stuff from you. I DO wanna tell you but I don't want to get in trouble with you" Patton said softly

"You can tell me patton, even if I get mad I promise" Liz simply replied

After a long while patton realized he did want to tell liz. So he eventually, and nervously, confessed "The truth is me and roman snuck out last night" Patton then got all defensive "Please don't tell critic, we just wanted to see our friends and find deceit so we could fuse"

"I won't... Wait, you went to sneak out of the house?!" Liz asked

"Yes. I had to get thomas I was doing something important" Patton insisted worriedly

"You mean you went behind his back to do something he promised to do already?" Liz was firm but she didn't seem hurt. She seemed annoyed. Which made him feel worse.

"Yes. I told roman it was a bad idea but we were desperate. We were and most likely are running out of time. The chances to save thomas are slimming. We had to do what we had to do" Patton begged, tearing up at her disapproval "Please liz. I know it was wrong"

"It's not the fact you did it. It's the fact you were leaving without saying good bye to me" Liz looked down, her annoyance turning into sadness "If it were successful I might have not seen you again for a long time, and if I died here maybe never"

"Liz, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I was desperate. And I have the power to see you again. So the only reason I didn't say good bye was because I was going to use my power to see you again and I wasn't sure if it would work" Patton replied, tears steaming "If I didn't have the power I would've said good bye believe me. I love you more than life itself. I love you more than everything in this world. I would never hurt you intentionally. Please forgive me liz" He then started crying

At this liz's gaze softened immensely, she even stopped crossing her arms. She couldn't stay mad at patton. It was like she promised, even if she was mad she was content with patton being honest. She knew how sensitive and loyal he was. Besides, he mentioned many times he had the power to visit her even as a fused part of someone else and he could see her in dreams, imagination and the like. So he only left out of true need. He never intended to break her heart and leave her. He was not that guy. If anything he was the guy to go bend his body backwards at the mere command from her to do it. Liz immediately forgave and her love for him grew more today. Even though it was large already for him

Liz pulled the crying patton to her and shushed him gently, kissing his head and taking his glasses so he wouldn't mess them up. Liz shushed him more, rubbing his back "There there patton, I'm not mad at you. Of course I forgive you. I understand. I didn't mean to make you so upset. I just was shocked and felt a bit hurt but that doesn't mean I believe you wouldn't come back. I know you would. I love you patton" She kissed his head and he proceeded to calm down.

Patton though struggled with his crying, hiccuping a little out of pure emotion. Liz held him close, rocking him gently "You held this all in didn't you? God patton you don't need to hide from me. I'm here for you like you're here for me. Please stop crying. I hate when you take things so hard" She was relieved to hear him calm down more and he nodded getting up and fixing his glasses. At this liz pulled him for a tender, gentle kiss on the lips, wanting him to know all was forgiven.

"I love you liz" Patton gently murmured after the kiss

"Love you patton. And hey, next time you go off, just a small quick good bye in the future ok? And don't hide stuff from me" Liz replied

"Of course, of course" Patton replied, before sighing and revealing the book "This is my diary. It's really personal but you're the only one who deserves to know I at least have one. Can you promise not to tell roman or anyone else? It's my personal diary"

"Oh of course patton. Nobody will read that except you. It's yours and yours alone" Liz replied, smiling "Still it's nice to know you're trusting me a bit"

"I trust you with my life. So I know you'll keep this a secret" Patton replied

"Of course" Liz then hid it for him before smiling "So how did it go with the others last night? Tell me what you want to tell"

"Well I'm here. So it failed obviously. But I saw virgil and logan and I'm happy they're ok. That's what matters" Patton then sighed "Deceit made me believe things though. That I'm alone" At this liz squeezed his hand "I know I'm not though. I'm not alone. I never was. But it's just he made me feel like I was. And in a way he made me feel like I should be alone"

"Well if I see him, I'll give him a piece of my mind" At this liz was shocked to see patton get scared

"No, no no, if you see him get away, he's the worst of us sides. He will do anything to make you break. He hurt virgil so many times and he can easily hurt you" Patton replied "I won't lose you to that man"

"You're afraid of him, patton. But he shouldn't control you like this. But if you want me to be more careful I will" Liz replied

"I know I can't be afraid of him forever but I am. He could hurt you" Patton then was calmed by another kiss from Liz

"Babe, I'll be careful. Besides, I've got swords. What's he got?" Liz tried to joke but was surprised to see patton not laugh, but grow extremely serious

"Shapeshifting powers. Manipulation. The power to make you say things or lie. The power to silence" Patton sighed "He's a bad man, liz"

"Well bad men need to be put in their place. He'll never bother you again" Liz hugged him and replied to him "Don't worry. You're not alone in this patton" With that she gave him a kiss "I'm gonna go train and the kids need watching. If you want..."

"YES! Yes yes yes!" Patton got up, his mood better at the mention of taking care of children. He raced to meet the kids and saw liz go out to train "Lunch date together liz?"

"You know it, patton" Liz kissed him again, but this time in front of the children. Causing some of them to laugh while some made noises of childish disgust. Patton didn't care, blushing like a beet and smiling warmly.

"Ew. Gross. That's gross" Chip commented

"MY EYES. MY EYES I'M BLINDED" Chowder shouted

"Oh grow up you two. Every grown up does it. Ask my sister" Lilo replied

"Yeah, my daddy licked my mom's cheek all the time. All grown ups do it" Kiara replied

"Why? Why do you kiss her, Mr. Patton?" Pepper asked

"Because that's what you do when you love someone. Sometimes you kiss them" Patton sighed lovingly before facing the children "There are also times where you tell someone you love things. And that's okay. Telling people you love things is part of the relationship. She and I trust each other"

"So you trust people if you really love them?" Lilo asked, when patton nodded lilo nodded "So that's why I tell my sister secrets"

"But what about when they tell the secret do you love them still?" Littlefoot spoke up

"You can. If the person tells a secret but is really sorry and doesn't tell anymore secrets or if they hurt your feelings and apologize and try to act nicer, this is called making up. And when someone makes up with you, you can forgive them and love them more" Patton replied "I made a mistake by not telling liz something and I fixed it. I made up with her"

"Wait, isn't that where two adults love each other very much and go somewhere?" Flower asked

"Oh, no! No no no! That's a whole different thing and I think that's best left up to talk about when you grow up" Patton blushed at that. Not wanting to get the children involved with that.

"Mr. Patton is right. Love is gross. Tell us a story!" Chowder asked

"What type would you like to hear?" Patton asked gently

"One of adventure! Suspense!" Chowder continued

"One with a bad guy. One with the heroes winning" Darla replied

"One where there's a happily ever after" Bambi smiled

"Um. Ok" Patton pondered before snapping his fingers, getting an idea "Well children, did I ever tell you of the gems of goodness?"

"No! Tell us!" The children demanded

"Alright. Storytime. Once there was four gems, a blue gem, a red gem, a green gem and a purple gem" Patton saw the children gather in a small group. The child chowder tugged on his shirt to ask to sit on his lap. Patton happily obliged, despite his weight patton's legs were strong and could handle the child fine. He continued "The four gems formed into the rainbow gem. The rainbow gem was their home and they all lived happy. But there was a yellow gem and he wanted to seperate them, forever"

"Booo! Down with the yellow gem!" Lilo commented

"Yes the yellow gem was mean and horrible and hated the rainbow gem. So he cursed the rainbow gem to seperate into these four gems. The red and blue gem were in the west while the purple and green gem were in the east" Patton sighed, for effect and dramatically added "They were so unhappy without their home. The gems would get cracked as time went along. The blue gem especially missed the home"

"Aw. Poor blue gem" Bambi commented

"Yes, very sad and in fact the blue gem was so sad he went into a tree all by himself and cried for three days" Patton then smiled "Luckily his friend the red gem said 'Don't cry little blue gem. We just need to go to the east. It'll be a long time but we will find the purple and green gem'" He then smirked to the children "So the two went for a year, long winters and hot summers past before they saw the purple and green gem shattered"

"Oh no! Does this mean no more rainbow gem?" Chip asked

"Hold on chip, I said they were shattered but the mere love of the blue and red gem caused them to get immediately fixed. Their loyalty to each other caused them to become strong. They defeated the yellow gem and became the rainbow gem. Living happily ever after" Patton replied, causing the children to clap.

"Question, what happened to the yellow gem after?" Littlefoot asked

"Well it turned out the rainbow gem needed the yellow gem, and the yellow gem was only acting this way because he was mean and sad. Mean and sad people act hatefully to take their anger out on good people. So they just forced him into the rainbow gem and everything was happy" Patton was rewarded by shocked or amused glances and patton replied "Guess I should've mentioned that part sorry"

"That's okay. I liked the story" Flower replied

"Yeah I especially liked the part where the gems all got together through friendship" Kiara commented

"Patton, does this mean we'll all be able to go home someday?" Chowder sniffed, looking hopefully

Patton hugged chowder and replied warmly "Of course it does. Because in the end, the good guy always wins. And they always find their way back home. Especially when they have their friends and family with them. Friends and family and just a bit of your own determination can make you do anything you set your mind to" He then got up and replied "How about I make everybody some cookies?" With the delightful running of the children he walked to the kitchen to see roman look at him. Patton winked to roman before going to the children. Patton did believe he would get to thomas and go home. Because with his friends, everything was possible. He didn't need to be lonely. He needed to be hopeful. With hope, there was a chance. Always.

[Roman Sanders]

Now for Roman's aftermath, it'll intertwine with patton's just a teeny bit in the beginning and tie in with patton's ending but the majority of this story is his point of view
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Can't Hide: Chapter Three: Roman's Regret

As roman snuck into the house, he only could focus on rest and moving on. They failed. He helped his friends. It should've been so simple right? But that's the thing. He failed and did a couple of wrong things. So what could you do? Other than move on. So he did. He went right to bed, and pretty much slept fine out of sheer physical exhaustion. He had a few thoughts with him as he fell asleep: Try again, get thomas back, and be victorious.

When he woke up he did feel better, at least physically. He felt a bit stuck emotionally. He felt like a failure but at the same time he felt like he needed to ignore his failure. Going downstairs to breakfast made him feel like things were a little back to normal. He saw IHeart come down and she replied "Morning roman"

"Good morning to you IHeart. What a pleasant morning isn't it?" Roman asked

"Yeah it actually is a nice day. You're in a good mood" IHeart replied smiling

"Why of course. Cheerfulness is the best way to start the day" Roman laughed then noticed his friend patton looking not so cheerful. He looked a bit exhausted and extremely nervous, him getting coffee without even saying hello caused roman to get concerned. Chowder made a note of it but patton shrugged it off sweetly. Causing even more concern with roman. Patton normally loved mornings, to see him so reserved was a bad sign.

"The kid's got a point, you don't look good patton. You feeling ok?" Roman's voice was concerned

"Of course roman. Why wouldn't I be? I'm the moral side, I'm supposed to feel fine and dandy" Patton replied, very much in denial. This made roman feel even more worried.

"Patton. You're the moral side, not the happy side. You have negative emotions just as much as you have positive ones. Listen if you don't feel fine you're allowed to say so" Roman replied, his eyes looking at him with earnest sincerity. He hoped patton would open up but instead he looked even sadder than before.

"I told you roman, I'm fine. Please. You have enough to worry about. You shouldn't worry about me" Patton insisted. This only motivated roman to say that he did want to worry, it was his job as leader of the duo to worry. He wanted patton to know he was welcome to talk. But IHeart held his arm and shook her head, this made roman feel it was best to leave it for now. After all roman himself was hiding his emotions, who was he to get mad at patton for doing the same thing?

So roman gently replied "Okay patton. I just want you to know, if you do wish to talk, I'm here. Because I care"

"I know you do. I care about you too roman. Thank you. I'm going to write some stuff for roses to make for the children. Excuse me" And with that patton was gone. Roman got very concerned. Patton normally had alone time in the afternoon or early evening. He would always spend his mornings with people. He always liked breakfast time. He was social around the morning. Roman couldn't help but distract himself from his own problems to patton's problems. It was easy to worry about patton instead of his failure.

"What is wrong with him?" Roman turned to IHeart "He never acts like that"

"He had a bad night. Everyone has those, roman" IHeart patiently replied

"No, patton loves waking up. This... This isn't like him. He's upset. I know it" Roman replied

"Maybe he wants to be alone because he doesn't want to bother anyone" IHeart replied

"But that's the thing, hiding it makes me worry more!" Roman demanded

"But what if it's something he doesn't want to bother you personally with? What if it's something he knows will bother you and doesn't want to talk to you?" That was Iron Liz's voice. She came down and sat with them. Her stance was firm but supportive. Roman felt a bit impressed by her. She was someone he considered heroic. Roman sighed and allowed iron liz to come to him "Look roman, he knows you care but maybe it's something he just can't talk about with you. He might want to talk to someone else about it. Or maybe no one at all"

"And if that's the case the only thing you can do is be supportive. Not suspicious. He doesn't mean anything by it roman" IHeart replied

He slumped down in his chair, feeling discouraged. So he couldn't do anything for patton? This made him feel even more like a failure. He turned to iron liz and sighed "Well then I might as well let it be and just be here for him"

"I know that seems like you're not doing anything but believe me you are" Iron Liz then eventually replied "I'll try to talk to him in a few minutes, if that'll make you feel better about patton" Roman smiled to her nodding and liz nodded back before rushing into the bathroom

Roman frowned, feeling the weight of guilt on his shoulders "I'm a bad friend"

"No roman, it's nothing to do with you. It's just how patton feels and it's normal" IHeart replied

"What's normal is me helping him and people in general. I'm a prince! I'm supposed to be the hero of the story! Instead I'm just sitting on my behind doing nothing to help. I actually did something last night! I was a hero for a change!" With that he covered his mouth in pure shock, realizing he unleashed his secret of last night. The night he snuck out.

"What do you mean roman?" IHeart asked

"Nothing. I mean nothing" Roman rushed to finish his food but IHeart's hand was on his arm and she looked softly at him. Roman groaned "Don't look at me like that, I hate it when girls look at me like that. So nice and sweet and it makes me want to say something"

"Like the truth?" IHeart asked, her voice sincere

"Alright. Fine. If you stop looking at me like that I'll tell you" IHeart crossed her arms waiting and Roman gulped "Promise you won't tell critic?"

"It depends on what you tell me" IHeart replied

"Either you don't tell critic or I won't tell you at all" Roman snapped. If IHeart wanted to know, she would not tell. That was the rule. He had leverage and sure it wasn't exactly right but damnit, he needed to win something for once. IHeart sighed before nodding, crossing her heart and roman smirked triumphantly "Alright. Patton and I snuck out to find our friends and fuse as thomas"

"WHAT?!" Joe's voice came rushing in. Angry Joe was the primary general and weapons expert. He was like the critic. Telling him was next to telling critic. Roman grew pale, well paler than usual, at the sight of him. He was screwed for sure. Roman felt a bit afraid as joe snapped at him "You snuck out!? Roman, that's forbidden, you could've gotten yourself and patton killed"

"Joe. Calm down. Roman knows" IHeart replied

"Angry joe. Sir. I can explain.." But Roman was shocked to see joe raise his hand up to silence him

"Roman. I don't know what to say do you" Joe became silent and roman was about to speak before joe slammed the table "Actually I do! Are you fucking serious, man? What were you thinking?" This made roman feel small and he hid a bit behind IHeart. Joe ranted "I can't believe you broke the rules like that"

"Joe. He wanted to get thomas. He felt desperate" IHeart pointed out

"Don't encourage him IHeart" Joe snapped

"Joe, listen. He made a mistake in judgement. Everyone does. He didn't do the smart thing but he did something we all would've done. He doesn't deserve to get punishment. He already had the punishment of being humiliated. Don't make him feel worse. He just wanted his friends back" IHeart replied

"Technically it was more like virgil and logan are my friends and deceit is this dick. So it was saving two friends and a ass but..." Roman objected only to get a finger pointed at him by IHeart. Roman got defensive "What? It's the truth"

"Roman, if you know what's good for you shut up" At that statement IHeart made, roman was quiet again and she continued "He went to save his friend thomas by getting a couple of people. That's it. He failed" At the mention of failure, roman's expressions turned sour and annoyed but he still kept quiet since he was being defended for. Despite wanting to say a lot, he felt like he was caught and didn't want to say anything that would make things worse.

Still he felt like he could defend himself a little. So he spoke insistently "Please sir, don't tell critic I will get punished and patton will be too. Patton doesn't deserve it"

"But you do. It was your idea" Joe snapped

"No joe. He doesn't deserve it either. He just was trying to help" IHeart replied

"No IHeart. Roman snuck out and took someone. He needs to do something for it or else everyone will do it" Joe snapped

"Joe you're not thinking clearly. You did the same thing" IHeart replied

Joe turned to her and replied "And I got punished. I had extra guard duty"

"If I may speak" Roman replied, standing up and seeing joe sneer at him "I can do the same thing as punishment. I mean Joe's got a point IHeart, it was my idea and I should take responsibility. If you don't punish patton, I'll do this guard duty extra time. How's that? You punish somebody and I don't get severity" Roman clapped his hands "Everybody wins!"

Joe pondered but then nodded "You know. I don't want to punish people roman, it's my job. That being said since you seem willing to take responsibility, Patton will get away with it and you don't get severe punishment. Just extra guard duty. Oh and I won't tell critic, how's all that?" Joe was greeted with a relieved hug and he smiled at last "Alright roman, so in exchange for you doing extra guard duty, patton is clean and nobody tells critic"

"Sounds fair" IHeart replied

"Absolutely! I'll be the best guard you'll ever see! You won't regret this joe!" Roman let go and then asked "When do I start?"

"Tonight until the middle of next month" Joe replied

"What?! But that's..." At the negative annoyed looks of joe and IHeart, he changed his attitude and beamed "Wonderful! I'll be happy to start"

"Awesome. Good to see things work out for you" IHeart replied, going outside with joe in tow.

"So joe, you won't punish patton or tell?" Roman replied

"Yep. You do extra guard duty though. That's the part you keep forgetting" Joe patted roman who looked a bit bummed "Hey it'll be only a couple hours longer than your shift normally is then you go to bed. Simple as that" He hugged roman "Hey I'm sorry for being a bit strict but I gotta be"

"No no I understand. Thank you joe" Roman replied before seeing him and IHeart leave to train. He went up as the children raced downstairs and he saw iron liz and patton talking. He turned to see Bruce standing there, tapping his foot, arms crossed. Uh oh. Now what? Roman smiled trying to appear oblivious "Hello bruce what's the matter?"

"My room. Now" Bruce's tone was not happy. Roman felt dejected and obeyed without prompt. He saw bruce sit in his chair and look deep into roman's eyes "You snuck out?"

"How long did you hear my conversation?" There was no point in denying it, Bruce had him cornered. Roman saw Bruce firmly stay in his seat at the question

"I heard enough. You better start explaining, roman" Bruce demanded

"I had to! I didn't mean to hurt you! It wasn't anything personal to you--" Roman began but saw bruce sneer

"Oh it wasn't? Your life isn't anything personal to me?" Bruce demanded more

"Not like that! That wasn't what I meant!" Roman replied worriedly

"Then what did you mean?" Bruce asked, less annoyed and more concerned

Roman sighed "Bruce, listen, I was desperate. I wasn't even sure it was going to work. But I had to try. Thomas needs me"

"Or is it you need him?" Bruce asked softly

Roman at that sneered, feeling more attacked than he had in a while "You don't know what it's like bruce! I have had thomas beside me for the longest time. I felt complete and right. I didn't feel like I had to prove myself. I didn't feel like a goddamn failure!" At that he felt a bit awkward and bruce widened his eyes in shock "Yes. I do need thomas. I'm better with him. I am not a failure or a bad friend or a prince that isn't heroic. I have a purpose. Here as this I'm nothing. I'm.. I'm no hero. I'm just a person" At that roman looked away to the wall, preventing himself from crying. Bruce though held his back and roman turned away, not wanting to face him

"Is that what you really think of yourself, roman?" Bruce asked, his voice gentle

"I know this, bruce. I'm a loser" Roman sighed

"You are not a loser. You don't need thomas to be somebody. You need thomas to add more to your life, not make it meaningful" Bruce replied "I want you to have thomas of course but I don't want you to do it to make yourself feel like a hero. You are a hero. You always were" Bruce assuredly replied, he hugged roman at that point "Listen am I upset with you risking your life? Of course but I know it's because you wanted to do something. And I understand. I do. It's just I think your life is just as important as thomas' is. That's why I wanted you to stay. So you could fix it safely, not hurt yourself"

Roman at this smiled softly but then sniffed, beginning to release his sadness. Bruce continued "And of course I know you care about me and didn't mean to hurt me. But you risking yourself just for something that wouldn't work hurts me more than you wanting to get thomas. I want you to be happy and safe roman"

Roman then turned to him and replied "I would always come back to you bruce. You must know this"

"I do know. And that's why I was upset. Because you did it rashly and without me knowing, nothing to do with the fact you wanted thomas back" At this roman started to cry and bruce held him in his arms "Roman don't think of yourself as a failure. You are anything but a failure"

"But I failed thomas. I failed you by hurting you" Roman sobbed "What am I?"

"A hero who tries. He may not succeed but it's the thought that matters. You're still a hero" Bruce replied

"Even if I had to hurt someone to save myself and my friends?" Roman asked

"Of course. Roman, I hurt so many people in my process to do good. Don't you dare think that just because you hurt someone means you're not a hero. A hero tries to do the right thing and does it most of the time. A hero isn't perfect a hero just does good regardless" Bruce replied, kissing roman's cheek gently before rocking with him back and forth "You don't need to be perfect to be the hero in the story"

Roman sniffed "I wish I was like you, bruce. Wise, honest, couragous"

Bruce chuckled "You are roman. Just in a different way" Bruce then kissed him deeply and the two kept kissing until bruce sighed "I need to go back to work with some strategists, but after that I'm free. How about you and me watch a movie?"

"Can it be snow white? Please?" Roman's eyes fluttered fliratiously

"Of course. I could use something sweet" Bruce kissed him before going off. Roman went to get some fresh air himself before seeing patton wrap up a story and he saw the children interact with him.

"Patton, does this mean we'll all be able to go home someday?" Chowder sniffed, looking hopefully

Patton hugged chowder and replied warmly "Of course it does. Because in the end, the good guy always wins. And they always find their way back home. Especially when they have their friends and family with them. Friends and family and just a bit of your own determination can make you do anything you set your mind to" Patton's words made him feel much better. It didn't just have to be about roman doing this perfectly, sometimes he slipped up and that's where bruce and his friends came in. Victory wasn't perfect, it was based on doing trials and tribulations. And as patton winked at him, he knew he was going to be victorious. He was going to win. Because the good guy always did.

[Logan Sanders]

Logan's aftermath is next now. Here you go, enjoy. His beginning will interact with virgil's beginning and interact with deceit's in the middle for a tiny bit but that's all. Most of this is logan.
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Can't Hide: Chapter Four: Logan's Languish

As he and virgil returned to the ATG home, Logan did feel a sense of mixed emotions. On one hand he felt a bit defeated, one the other he felt a bit content that it did not work. Not because he didn't miss thomas, but because he knew that he might not see smith until some time passed. He also knew that there was always a chance to try again. So with all of the positive outweighing the negative, at least in Logan's point of view, he decided it was probably just a fluke. He could hopefully move on and help get himself and virgil to succeed. He could do that after all, he was the logical side. It was only reasonable to move on and try again, no harm no foul.

Yet he couldn't exactly let it go and accept this. He felt a bit discontent, disillusioned and restless. He wanted to know how and why things went wrong. He wanted to prevent future mistakes. He wanted to fix it. When he felt like that, he would always head to the lab. So he would, but not before seeing his small family and checking on his good friend. He looked to see Virgil head straight to his room and logan tapped him on the shoulder. Virgil turned and Logan asked softly "Virgil, are you alright?"

"Yeah logan, don't worry about me" Logan wasn't surprised with this answer, virgil tended to hold things in.

"Virgil you had a rough experience tonight, not only were you harassed but we just left the other two. I know how close you are to Patton in particular. I just wished to see if you were not anxious or saddened by this" Logan saw Virgil raise his eyes up, confused and Logan couldn't blame him. It wasn't easy for him to admit it but he cared about virgil and was worried about him. Being concerned with virgil's wellbeing was new to him.

"Why would I ever not be able to handle sadness or anxiety? That's my point of existing isn't it?" Virgil bit back, defensively

"But even you can struggle" Logan replied

"I don't struggle with anything. I can take care of myself logan. How about you worry about yourself first?" Virgil snapped

"You are correct. You can take care of yourself. You are very good at controlling and handling anxiety, from other people. But your own anxiety is a whole other being to control. But I only was asking because..." Logan hesitated at the end bit. He realized he nearly said he cared. And even though he wanted to, he was unsure of doing so.

"Because what?" Virgil demanded

"Because... Because you're my friend. And I wish for you to only be content with life" Logan admitted, it was like saying he cared without saying it. He then chuckled softly "As the old saying goes 'two heads are better than one' and it's best we stick together as a unit. With or without patton and roman to help" Logan didn't know why he cared so much but he didn't feel like it was needed to explain. Maybe this was what patton meant by love. He had developed love over the years with thomas, and he loved the sides but he never found himself admitting it until Smith helped him realize it was beneficial to show and express it. So doing this may have been new but logan found himself liberated rather than trapped. Even if virgil didn't accept it, logan cared about him.

Virgil looked down, seeming to feel shame go through him and logan was displeased to see him actually respond sadly "I know you care logan. And I appreciate it. But I gotta handle this alone. It's not your battle. Deceit is right about one thing, I've gone soft. I'm weak. And I'm only gonna slow you down if I bother you" Logan wanted to stop virgil and wanted him to understand deceit was only saying that to seperate them, but virgil stopped him from speaking by raising a hand "Please logan don't correct me. I'm tired and I have some stuff to think about, alone. Please"

Logan surprisingly felt disappointed. He couldn't fix something, and he hated not fixing things. Sure he couldn't fix the failure of the mission but he could fix virgil's insecurity and virgil was not letting him. But then logan realized he had his own insecurities from tonight and was similarly desiring to handle it himself. So the best way to handle his problems and help virgil was maybe to just let it be.

Logan nodded, reluctantly, his tone calm "Very well. If you change your mind I shall be in the lab" With that logan turned to leave. Ignoring the worry in his heart, pushing the need to fix his restlessness. However he did want virgil to know one thing, so he turned back to see virgil go and he called out "Virgil?" He was pleased to see virgil not ignore him and logan smiled "You're not one of the dark sides anymore. The past is the past. You're one of us now" He then left to the lab.

When he went to the lab he grabbed some note paper and started writing. Pros of mission: Seeing Roman and Patton. Reuniting. Cons of mission: Deceit, failing to get thomas, not noticing poison ivy, getting captured by vines, getting virgil temporarily captured by deceit. Ways to solve: Option One: Go later at night and take deceit with no witnesses. Option two: Bring trusted allies to assist us and repeat tonight's mission... As he wrote down he couldn't help but notice footsteps and he immediately put his notes away to grab a broken toy one of the children broke. Ironically enough it was one of the children. Cody. He was rubbing his eyes and turned to notice logan, Cody then yawned and went to him.

Logan smiled warmly to the child "Hello cody, I apologize did I wake you up again?"

Cody shook his head "No. I'm just glad to see you Mr. Logan"

"Please, cody, no need for formalities. Logan is fine" Logan replied, finding himself satisfied with the child's company. Smith would bring guilt and anyone else would bring regret. He saw cody tug his pant leg and logan was not sure what this meant "What is it cody?"

"Can you let me sit on your lap?" Cody replied "Dad's asleep and my mom would let me sit on her lap and sing to me"

"Oh I am assuming you wish for me to be like your mother and sing to you?" Logan asked

"Kind of. If you want that is. If not I'll just try to ignore my nightmare" Cody replied

Now this was a thing to fix. He couldn't fix insecurity or failure but he could fix this. Anything to make him feel intelligent, important and in control was good for logan. Logan asked, curious about the issue "Nightmare? What on earth happened?"

"I dreamt dad got trapped and never came back" Cody sighed "Mcleach was there"

Logan remembered mcleach very well from watching the movie. So the fact cody was now real to him made that man just as real. And the mere thought of that man made logan feel a bitterness and anger he couldn't describe. Hate perhaps? Logan made a scoffing noise "I would think he would have a lot of nerve showing his features here" At that he accidentally seemed to scare the child more, as seen with tears starting to show. Logan began to get nervous "Oh not that he will show up! But he might and if he does he will face your father. Your father will fight him. And even if he does come to get you you will simply run off and let us know..." This caused cody to get even more scared, tugging tightly at logan's pant leg and crying

"He's gonna come I know it!" Cody weeped "He'll kill my dad! Then he'll kill me!"

At this solemnness passed through logan, both out of protection for cody and disgust with mcleach. To give this child such fear was down right traumatic. The man picked cody up and hugged him warmly "Do not say such things. He will not come and hurt you or your father. The leader here does not welcome those who do harm onto children. And they especially won't allow your father to get harmed. He is valuable in the scientific field and even if he wasn't they protect their own here" He rubbed the boy's back "I apologize for scaring you. I did not mean to. I was simply trying to explain you are safe and comfortable here"

"Promise?" Cody asked, hugging logan tightly

"Not only I will promise, I will make sure myself that it will never happen" Logan replied assuredly "So that nightmare of yours is nothing more than a feeble lie made up by your brain"

"Thank you dad--I mean logan" Being called dad felt nice to logan, but he forced that feeling down. He was not fit to be cody's father, as much as he was fond of the child. It was smith's role, not his. Cody yawned a little "I'm still kind of awake"

"Perhaps you would like me to sing still?" Logan asked

"If you want. If you don't it's okay" Cody was then shocked to see logan take a notebook with him, pick cody up and take him upstairs. Assuming logan did not want to he started to speak "It's alright. I can go myself Logan, you don't need to take me to bed"

"Well where else are you going to sleep when my song is done?" Logan asked, amusedly smirking as cody beamed a bit. Logan asked then "What would you like to hear?"

"That song Ms. Nella sang to pinnochio was good. She said it was called when you wish or something like that" Cody replied, yawning more, his head leaning on Logan's shoulder.

"You know I quite agree on your song choice, you have good taste" Logan chuckled before clearing his throat. Although he normally didn't like this, he couldn't say no to cody besides it wasn't like anyone was listening. He softly began to sing "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you. If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme. When you wish upon a star, as dreamers do. Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through. When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true" As he sang, cody's eyes lowered all the way to being closed and he fell right to sleep. Logan nodded satisfied and tucked the boy to bed, ruffling the boy's hair. He was relieved he had no audience to his singing, feeling it to be special with just him and the boy.

That is until he heard a voice "That was beautiful logan" It was Smith and Logan blushed at that "Don't worry logan, your secret is safe with me. It's not like I'm keeping a secret already" Logan pointed his finger up and nervously started to speak but he was calmer once smith quietly laughed "Relax dear I'm kidding. Don't worry I won't tell anybody if you don't want me to. Besides, I think it'll be nicer that it'll be something between us and cody"

"I appreciate that. Thank you, pumpkin" Logan affectionately responded. He then got in and cuddled a bit with smith, allowing his love to go back to sleep. Before going to sleep he got his notebook and proceeded to write in his notebook. He wrote down Special Note: Do not lose hope. All will be set right. Be around Dr. Smith and Cody, for they benefit the time that passes on With that he went to bed, sleeping soundly. At least for a while.

When he awoke it was somewhat early, but it seemed it was just him and cody. Confused, logan saw a note from smith Nella called me for a meeting, don't worry about coming unless you want to. It's fully voluntary. Well except for me and a couple others. If you want, meet me down the basement near the lab. Sincerely, Dr. Smith At this logan proceeded to rush down, but on the way he saw virgil and chuckles still sleeping so he assumed they chose not to go. That was fine. More chance for him to shine and help.

He saw pinnochio as the only child there, energetic and bouncy surprisingly. It was no doubt that the rest of the children were asleep. A small smile came due to remembering last night. But he kept it to himself by covering his hand and snuck to be next to smith. Smith winked to him and whispered "Just in time too, we're almost done. We have a few minutes to allow suggestions so if you have an idea for weaponry or the like you can bring something up if you want"

Logan pumped his arm in excitement before reserving himself to pay attention to nella. She responded "To any of us who joined and just woke up thank you. Now we have a suggestion period to suggest plans for weaponry and strategy"

"Before we do that I must address something important" Ask Thatguy replied "I just received this message from that traitor facilier. And it seems that a couple of us attacked him without our knowledge"

At this Smith and Logan shared a worried glance, having a bad feeling about this. He was feeling even worse when ask thatguy continued "And it appears it was not just our members but the critic members also. But he seems to believe it was my idea so he hasn't messaged critic" Logan was relieved then for roman and patton avoiding some trouble at least. But this didn't mean he or virgil were safe.

Ask Thatguy put the message on screen and facilier's face showed up, sitting in a maroon chair, his hands together in a praying-type motion. And it seemed he looked displeased "Hey, ask thatguy, first off I wanna thank you for your stupid attempt to try to take one of my members" At this it showed deceit and logan felt cold, god he was screwed "So because of this, I'm cancelling the battle of april tenth, just for this insult to me. You know the one where your army and my army are the only ones fighting. Because I don't believe that it's always critic's fault. So to add insult to injury I ain't telling him because I'm starting to actually like him more than you" This seemed to really upset ask thatguy as he slammed the table. Nella assured him with some gentle back rubs. Logan felt smith's hand squeeze his. "Just a reminder to put your dogs in their cages, and be sure to tighten the rope atg, because next time I won't be so nice and I might try to come for your boy again"

At this pinnochio hid behind his mother, who sneered at the screen. Facilier waved good bye as deceit couldn't help himself it seemed and snickered a bit. Ask Thatguy grabbed the tape and smashed it harshly. He then replied "Who went to facilier's place last night? Tell me right now"

Logan opened his mouth but smith hit his arm to tell him to keep silent. Logan sweated a bit and then ask thatguy shook his head "Fine since no one is going to tell me everyone is now assumed as responsible. And this means everyone has extra time training, cooking and guard duties. I will assign new schedules for everyone" This caused some to groan and he snapped "Since no one is going to talk everyone is now to blame! I am in charge here and you're going to fucking realize that! If I catch any of you pulling stunts like this again without my permission there is hell to pay! Understand!" The members nodded and logan coughed a bit, adjusting his tie.

"Are you okay Mr. Logan?" Pinnochio's voice felt like a stab in his heart. His blood ran cold as everyone stared at him. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was getting too much attention. This was such a difference from the peace he felt last night.

"Logan. Care to share with the rest of the class?" Nella's voice felt surprisingly kind, which meant she was annoyed

"Oh no. I just was stressed out about the weaponry, it is not working. But I wished for you to wait to say your piece" God deceit would be so proud right now. He still appeared nervous, well if you counted adjusting his tie constantly as nervous, but the lie came naturally. And it seemed people believed him thankfully. Logan turned to see nella look him up and down before she nodded to ask thatguy. He had no idea what this meant but he did his best to appear calm and collected as his body allowed him.

"Very well it seems everyone is moving on as they should. Logan, what did you think the problem was?" Ask Thatguy responded

Some relief came to him and he gave a observant glance to the leader "Well sir, I noticed some bugs in some of the guns now not to blame anyone in particular but it seems that it was made in haste for the battle prior and because of that I'm concerned"

"The guns were mostly made by me. And it's true. It was in a haste due to pressure but I'm glad you're noticing the bugs now" Insano replied

"I can help you repair them quickly Dr. Insano. They are few but they can lead to dangerous results if left unchecked" Logan replied

"Good you two work on the guns" Nella replied "Faster we fix it the better" She then turned to pinnochio and smiled to him "My son wished to discuss something about the strategy. This is why he is here"

Pinnochio was picked up then by ask thatguy and stood on the table for them to see. The boy nervously waved before replying "Okay. Well what I thought was, since we had that problem of last night, if we have a battle we get assigned partners or groups. That way facilier's members will have two to deal with rather than one" Logan couldn't help but feel this plan wasn't half bad. Sure maybe facilier would think the same thing but Logan saw no reason why this wouldn't work.

"Hey the kid's not half bad" Pete was heard commenting

"Not a bad idea kid. I mean normally I hate partners but it doesn't seem like this one on one thing gets us to most places" Hun commented to himself

"It seems like the apple don't fall far from the tree" Hades replied smirking

"So we will try our son's idea and see if it works. That is if everyone is in agreement" The other members after Ask Thatguy speaking nodded. Ask Thatguy replied "Well it seems the hour is up and everyone has said their peace. I suppose this meeting is adjourned" With that some of the members raced up while some proceeded to talk to friends or the like. Logan felt as if he got away with the worst and followed smith upstairs. That is until Ask Thatguy grabbed his shirt "Hold on logan, I need to talk to you"

Smith nervously asked "Sir? Is there a problem?"

"Go upstairs smith, this is between me and logan" Smith wanted to object but logan nodded to him, his eyes telling him to go. Smith nodded obediently and walked up. Ask that guy continued to logan, his voice toned down "I know you did it logan"

"Sir I'm afraid I--" He got interrupted by ask thatguy holding his hand up to silence him

"Logan, you and virgil went out last night. Pinnochio saw you leaving before going to bed" At this logan went cold before ask thatguy chuckled "Believe it or not I wanted to actually confine the both of you. But my son talked me out of it. Saying you were trying to help your friends" He then sternly replied "I understand why you did it. But you still disobeyed me. I promised you I would help you save roman and patton and take deceit as prisoner, and I DO intend to still do that despite this. But you and virgil must know that next time if you do this I am not going to let this go easily like I did. Do I make myself clear?"

Logan at this moment felt both a need to throw up and a need to kiss ask thatguy's son's cheeks. But he kept his emotions and replied "Of course sir. This will never happen again. I assure you"

"Good. Best you know I'm going to tell virgil the same thing" Ask Thatguy then went upstairs and smiled almost sarcastically "Have a good rest of the day Logan" He went up before looking like he realized something and pointed to logan "You would think you would be more logical about this since you said you represent that thomas kid's logic. But I guess even logic can be faulty" At this logan felt shame as ask thatguy went upstairs.

Logan waited for him to leave before going to the lab to wallow out his sorrows. He slammed the door and started repairing a gun fiercely, and even went so far as to ignore the hand on his back. He then noticed it and jumped "Mother of Einstein don't do that!" He saw it was smith and sadly went to repairing his work

"He's wrong about you. Forgive him he didn't mean it. He's just mad" Dr. Smith assured

"No on the contrary he is correct. I am supposed to be more logical than this. That's my job. But I allowed my compassion for my friends get the better of me. I cannot do that. I need to look out for thomas" Logan replied

"But that's the thing you were. And being loyal to your friends doesn't mean anything was wrong. You make mistakes, it doesn't make you any less smart and brilliant" Smith hugged him "I made mistakes too you know"

"I'm afraid that's different. You are allowed to because of stress and a son. I don't have that privilege" Logan replied

"Logan making mistakes just happens. No way to stop them no matter how perfect you wanna be" Smith replied, holding logan's hand holding the screwdriver "You did what you thought was logical, and it was in a way, just wasn't the right thing to do"

Logan at this sighed, rubbing his hair "I just miss thomas. And roman. And patton. As much as they annoy me"

"You'll see them all again logan. I promise" Smith held his arm and logan smiled to him. Smith kissed his cheek then "Until then we gotta move forward" Logan at this nodded with some gusto and proceeded to work, less angrily also. Smith grabbed some tools and silently joined him. Logan smiled at smith, feeling that with his partner at his side and virgil also beside him, things would be fixed. Yes, it wouldn't be fixed now but eventually. And logan would repair what needed to be repaired in the meantime.

[Virgil Sanders]

Now here's virgil's aftermath. This one is probably my favorite one. But that's just me. It interacts with logan's just a tad but that's about it. Enjoy

Warning: Very suggestive
XXX

Can't Hide: Chapter Five: Virgil's Vengeance

It was a long walk home. Logan and virgil himself didn't speak as they entered ATG's home. Virgil was thankful for the silence, for it allowed him to think. This was a disaster. He had a feeling it would be anyway but yet he went due to his impulsiveness to get thomas back overwhelming his normal caution. That was a mistake he knew he wasn't going to make again. He was anxiety for a reason. He had to be the cautious, observant one, the one who was prepared and ready to prevent any disaster. Yet he failed. Deceit was right. He had gone weak thanks to his need to be social and his need to be with people. Virgil failed thomas and it just filled him with self-loathing. This was no doubt his fault. Sure it was roman's idea, sure they were all to blame but virgil could've prevented disaster at any time. He had the book for crying out loud. He could've just prevented conversation and just fused with deceit no problem, yet he allowed deceit to talk. He listened to that idiot.

Something of which he vowed to never do again. Annoyed and angry at himself, he went to go back to his room. Only to hear logan speak "Virgil, are you alright?"

"Yeah logan, don't worry about me" It was a lie and logan's curious face made virgil realize the other knew, but he was going to stick with it. The sooner left alone, the better. He needed a lot to think about by himself. Logan didn't need the problem.

"Virgil you had a rough experience tonight, not only were you harassed but we just left the other two. I know how close you are to Patton in particular. I just wished to see if you were not anxious or saddened by this" Virgil was shocked and confused. Why would logan care about him? It wasn't normally logan's forte to be concerned with feelings. That was more patton's thing.

This new change made virgil feel worse. He was so weak even logan could tell he was nervous. He was more subtle and for logan to pick it up was strange and obviously meant he was failing at his job to handle things. He was anxiety, it was his forte to worry and to contain the worry. He was supposed to be in control of anxiousness and fear wasn't he? It was his job title and part of his damn name. If he couldn't take control of the very thing he was, then he had no identity or control of anything anymore.

Angered by the lack of control he felt, virgil snapped "Why would I ever not be able to handle sadness or anxiety? That's my point of existing isn't it?"

"But even you can struggle" Logan replied, his tone too reasonable for virgil to handle now. Damn logan and his amazing reasoning skills. He knew in his heart logan was trying to help but virgil wanted his control back. He wanted to appear strong again. He wanted to appear fine so he could go off to handle it himself.

"I don't struggle with anything. I can take care of myself logan. How about you worry about yourself first?" Virgil snapped again, wanting logan to stop caring. Although he knew logan was his friend too, he more or less opened up to patton because logan was right about that, patton was the one he tended to stand close by to. Besides, even though patton's kindness was new too it was easy to fall for patton as a friend.

Also, he was JUST accepting being friends with roman, so opening up to logan was not much different than opening up to roman. Virgil was trying to be close to and bond with logan, since he was the only one beside him in this stupid war, but logan was the reasonable person not the assuring person. So trusting his feelings to logan was like trusting it to roman. Both roman and logan he was friends with yes, but patton made it easy to trust him. Not so much with logan or roman. Virgil was doing his best with the two of them, but sometimes he tended to slip because of logan's realism and roman's optimism as opposed to patton's compassion.

So he felt a bit vunerable, and when he was vunerable the only thing virgil knew to do was to lash out. Be angry. Because anger easily pushed people he didn't trust away. As much as it hurt, it felt worth doing due to the fear of having his feelings being taken advantage of.

But surprisingly logan didn't get annoyed, if anything he frowned sadly at him and logan responded "You are correct. You can take care of yourself. You are very good at controlling and handling anxiety, from other people. But your own anxiety is a whole other being to control. But I only was asking because..." Virgil felt more anxious as it went on. Vunerable. It was overwhelming

So again, virgil got angry, and he demanded "Because what?"

Logan's answer actually stopped him from getting angry. Because it was everything he wanted to hear. Logan replied calmly "Because... Because you're my friend. And I wish for you to only be content with life" Virgil was surprised by logan's sentiment, and he was even more surprised when logan gave a soft chuckle. It was surprisingly warm and pleasant to hear "As the old saying goes 'two heads are better than one' and it's best we stick together as a unit. With or without patton and roman to help"

Virgil felt a bit guilty for snapping and getting angry. It wasn't logan's fault he felt the way he did. Logan was just trying to help. It wasn't easy for logan either for all of this crap to happen. Instead of anger, it was now shame. Which was a different but similar reason to want to go away. He looked down and replied sadly "I know you care logan. And I appreciate it. But I gotta handle this alone. It's not your battle. Deceit is right about one thing, I've gone soft. I'm weak. And I'm only gonna slow you down if I bother you" He saw logan open his mouth and he raised a hand to stop him "Please logan don't correct me. I'm tired and I have some stuff to think about, alone. Please"

He was slightly relieved that logan nodded and replied "Very well. If you change your mind I shall be in the lab" Virgil nodded, turning to go, wanting to recover with his thoughts. But then he heard logan say "Virgil?" Virgil wanted to hear what he wanted to say, so he turned, curiously. Logan gave a smile and stated "You're not one of the dark sides anymore. The past is the past. You're one of us now" Virgil felt a bit like apologizing, saying logan should stay and they should talk. But he was too far gone and logan left without a word. Virgil teared up, wanting to bundle up in a hole and cry.

He turned to go to chuckles' room, relieved to at least see his love asleep. Virgil slowly went to the bed, trying to prevent chuckles from waking up. He sat on the corner of the bed, looking as his lover was sleeping soundly. Seeing chuckles made some of the self-loathing go away. If chuckles loved him, this meant he wasn't unlovable. And yet he felt that chuckles deserved so much more than him. So much better than him. The mere thought of that, plus the failure of tonight caused virgil to start crying. And once he started he couldn't stop.

He continued to cry, feeling all his emotions be poured out. Suddenly he felt arms wrap around him gently. Virgil knew it was chuckles and only cried more "I-I'm.. I'm s-s-sorry" He heard himself say but he heard chuckles shush him and felt his lips kiss his neck and collarbone. Virgil felt himself relax just a little but he still cried.

"Virgil, it's okay. You're okay. Breathe with me" Chuckles took a breath and virgil found himself obeying. He took a breath at the same time with chuckles. He then replied "Good. Now in and out, like we talked about. In and out" Virgil obeyed, grateful chuckles knew what to do. His anxiety was a different monster than thomas' was, logan was right. Sure he could fix someone else, but not himself. But for some reason, chuckles helping him made him realize that maybe that was okay. Chuckles wasn't mocking him, he was being accepting, as if this happened for years. Virgil listened to chuckles whisper to him "You're safe virgil. You don't realize how amazing you are, I love you, you know this. Just keep breathing, be with me" At this virgil breathed more and more, feeling the emotions drain and his need to be awake drain with it.

Eventually he found himself laying down, his head in chuckles' chest. He looked up to see chuckles and the other man only smiled and kissed him tenderly "Sleep, virgil. Sleep and be with me" And just like that, virgil found himself at peace and did so. He was just with chuckles, and it was the best feeling virgil ever felt.

He slept later than he had in a long time. He awoke, feeling peaceful and warm. He turned to see chuckles still asleep. Virgil felt a bit happier, he supposed this was what thomas meant by feeling butterflies in his stomach. As gross as that terminology was, it was a accurate feeling of happiness virgil now felt. He started to kiss chuckles face, kissing his cheeks and lips to awaken him. He then giggled, yes giggled, as chuckles awoke "G'morning, babe" Virgil replied

"Wow. You're feeling better than last night. I'm real glad, virge" At the nickname virgil giggled more and pulled chuckles in for a kiss. Chuckles replied "God I wish every morning was like this"

"It can be and it will from now on" Virgil replied "It's the least I can do for you. You saved me babe"

"You saved yourself. I just had to guide you" Chuckles' wording made virgil feel a bit liberated. Sure chuckles help but in the end it was virgil's choice this time. And he felt once again like he could be in control. Sure he could lose control but he could easily gain it right back. With some help virgil could pretty much handle anything. Maybe he was control but getting help every once in a while didn't weaken him, it made him stronger.

"Did I tell you I love you, chuckles?" Virgil said after holding chuckles close to him for a small while

"Yeah but you can tell me again, I love hearing it" Chuckles laughed

"I love you. I love you" It felt vunerable the first time but the more he said it, the more liberated he felt. He smiled to chuckles and kissed him again

"You have such a beautiful smile, virgil. Seriously. It's my favorite smile" Chuckles warmly stated. At that virgil smiled more, hugging chuckles and then chuckles got up and replied "Sorry I'm hungry. As much as I wanna stay here"

"Why do we need to leave? We're having fun" Virgil whined, feeling bratty

"Come on we can come back here after some breakfast, how's that sound?" Chuckles replied. At this reasoning virgil rushed downstairs, chuckles laughing as he followed. Virgil ran before bumping into Ask Thatguy.

Virgil's happy mood dissipated quite rapidly, and he became shy again "Hello Mr. Ask Thatguy"

"Virgil. I wanna talk to you" Ask Thatguy confused him, so he gave a quizzical look, but then ask thatguy sneered "Alone" And virgil had a bad feeling immediately. This wasn't going to go well. Nevertheless, he followed Ask Thatguy to a private sitting room. "Close the door, virgil" Virgil obeyed, seeing no reason to ask why. He knew it must of been serious and it involved him. So it must of been a private affair ask thatguy wanted to discuss.

"You probably are smart enough to figure why you're here" Ask Thatguy replied

"It's because of something involved with me obviously. You got a problem with me, sir?" He did his absolute best to make that sound sincere and worried, not sarcastic like normal. Something told him it would definitely not be appreciated. He turned to see ask thatguy sit and tap his foot impatiently

"As a matter of fact I do. You and your friend logan went out last night" Ask Thatguy made virgil feel panic. Oh god logan and him were fucked. Virgil didn't want him or logan to get harmed for this. He meant nothing by it and he hoped ask thatguy understood that.

Virgil immediately started to panic, ranting aloud "Please sir! We didn't mean anything by it. I'm so sorry. I take full responsibility. I swear on my life I would never be disloyal. I swear I wasn't trying to be a traitor. Logan and I would never betray you. Forgive me sir. Don't punish us, we will do anything to satisfy you or make you forgive us. I can do extra hours, extra babysitting duty. I'll do whatever you need me to do, just don't confine me! Please don't go back on your word about thomas and the other sides, please I'm begging you"

But ask thatguy just snapped "Hold your tongue!" At that virgil covered his mouth with his hand, humming a worried hum. Ask Thatguy replied "Relax. Honestly, you ramble"

"Sir, I know you told me to shut up but please, understand logan and I just wanted to get thomas. That's all it was, to just get thomas. We got nervous and wanted to save him. We felt like time was running out. We wanted to try something. We didn't want to question you or anything. You're the boss and I respect that. It wasn't logan's fault sir, if you wanna blame anybody blame me" Virgil then saw ask thatguy get up, and it made virgil physically flinch.

"I just said relax. You're not in trouble, not this time anyway. But I want you to know that if you pull a fucking stunt like this again, I WILL blame you. And you WILL get punished. Understand?" Ask Thatguy demanded

Virgil was relieved of not getting in trouble, but the threat of the future hung over his head, so he nodded fearfully. Virgil replied "Yes sir. I won't do it again"

"Good. Cause next time you do this I'm not gonna be nice. This whole stunt with thomas was completely impulsive. You made a fool out of me. I told you I was going to help you get thomas. And I still intend to do that so before you panic I will help you get roman, patton and deceit to help you and logan fuse. So quit acting like a moron" Ask Thatguy snapped, anger filling him

"Okay. Okay. I promise. I won't do this again. Thank you for your kindness, it won't be ignored" Virgil knew he had to play along. For the sake of his life, chuckles life and logan's life. If he fucked up, it was on them and he knew it.

"Good. Now you're free to go" Virgil turned but ask thatguy replied "Oh virgil?" Virgil turned, cringing a bit but ask thatguy smiled and replied "Don't worry about logan knowing about this. He already does. So you best worry about yourself today. And stay indoors for the day" Virgil bit his lip before leaving. He felt so embarrassed. This was worse than seeing thomas' dumb journals from forth grade. He genuinely felt like a fool out of control all over again.

Chuckles though saw him as he walked slowly and cautiously. Chuckles got up and replied "Hey, babe, what happened? Where's my pretty smile? Where's my happy virgil? Don't get me wrong I love every part of you so much but what happened to the laughter?"

"Got killed. ATG found out, babe" Virgil mumbled

"Oh well shit" Chuckles got a bit sour and then shrugged "Well next time it won't be found out cause there won't be a next time. Gotta plan something different" Virgil shrugged at that before sitting down to eat with him. Chuckles kissed his cheek and replied "Ask Thatguy will get over it"

"Don't know about that. He just said if I do this again I'm screwed" Virgil replied

"Yeah but that's the thing we won't. So he'll forgive you and get over it" Chuckles' logic was kind of sound so virgil just proceeded to eat without objecting.

As Cody came up, he did not see logan or smith with him so he assumed logan was in the lab. He reminded himself to make up whatever crap he had from last night with logan and try to be more pleasant. Because logan was his only friend besides chuckles and logan was right, they had to stick together.

After breakfast, he was pulled by chuckles, virgil was confused before replying "Oh you done, chuckles?"

"Yeah, but I'm still hungry. And not for food" Chuckles winked

Virgil felt a sense of lust pour within him, yet he asked shyly "You sure chuckles?"

"Only if you're sure babe" Chuckles replied assuringly "I want you but I'll wait if you're not ready"

A sense of need and love came to virgil and he pulled chuckles into a kiss. He then replied "Come on. Let's go" He then went upstairs with chuckles. Virgil felt a bit more free again, smiling. Virgil wanted to be happy again, and doing this he knew would make him happy.

So he allowed chuckles to close the door, lock said door and kiss him. Suddenly, he realized he was submitting to Chuckles. Virgil however found himself staying calm, as chuckles started to kiss him on his neck but way more lustfully than usual. Virgil even found himself close his eyes and allow chuckles to touch him all over. From his chest to his bottom, virgil felt pampered yet still in control.

He also found himself willingly participate, he trusted chuckles this much. Sure this was new but he liked this type of new. He felt more comfortable than he had in a while. He found himself kissing chuckles, kissing all over chuckles body. He eventually genuinely become one with him. Being tender and loving in the most intimate way possible. Kisses, touches and movements of love and virgil felt like he could not be happier.

When it was over, Virgil felt calm. And happy. Two things that rarely went together for him. He laughed as chuckles mumbled something about wanting to do that again. Virgil definitely was gonna have that happen again. It was too good not to. The anxious man responded "This was what you looked forward too all morning?"

"Virge, come on, you're stunning I'm shocked I didn't try this sooner. I'm a moron" Chuckles then allowed virgil to put his boxers on. But mostly virgil was shirtless, some bruises on his neck and some on his chest, chuckles found himself blushing "Uh babe. Don't get worried but..."

Virgil gave a unamused look "Let me guess, hickies?"

"A few. Sorry" Chuckles blushed

"Whatever. I'll just put on my hoodie and stuff, it'll cover it. Besides, maybe people should see. To see who I belong to" Virgil winked at that, biting his lip seductively

"God damnit I love you" Chuckles replied

"You're the reason I'm here, babe. Love you" Virgil kissed him before replying "I'm gonna get us some crap to eat. Be right back" He put on a robe and raced down. He got some food only to notice Loki and Thor there, smirking knowingly "What?" Virgil asked

"Honestly it was about time" Thor replied "Chuckles has been pining for you since you came here"

"Indeed. I mean I had my suspicions but I am pleased to see you actually appear jovial, virgil" Loki replied

"Ugh. Whatever. I don't have time for this" But as virgil left he gave a warm smile, going up the stairs.

He went up the stairs and spent the rest of the day with chuckles in their room, feeling content. This was new but it was something he felt like he could get used to. Well as much as his mind and heart would allow. Which it seemed like quite a lot. And he would happily take it. Trusting people and himself was the only way to get strong and the only way for thomas to come back. He would wait for that day, until then, being with people he loved and getting himself to be better was the best way to handle this crisis. He felt like doing that would give control to him. It made him feel that it could also give happiness in his life

Thanks to his own self-worth and chuckles, he felt like things would be fine. And he would definitely find thomas back. With thomas in his life, he'd be even stronger than he was now. He was strong to begin with and he would always have chuckles with or without thomas, but the thought of thomas gone only now motivated him to keep trying. Not listen to negativity from deceit, only listen to his own thoughts and plans. Not only that but listen to people he trusted and their ideas and plans. It was strong, not weak, to do that.

[Deceit/Janus Sanders]

Here is deceit's aka the final aftermath. Enjoy. Hope you like. Definitely gonna write more with him and the other sides in the future.

Oh by the way, thomas is just strictly a spirit and only the sides can envision him if they are vunerable and willing enough to listen. Deceit is allowing it because of paranoia. Otherwise thomas is not here and cannot be here unless the five sides fuse. Thomas is strictly a independant person created by their fusion together. Just to prevent confusion
XXXX

Can't Hide: Chapter Six: Deceit's Deception

Deceit raced with Poison Ivy at his side, a rage going through him. These four had such nerve coming here. Of course they would try something like this, he should've seen this coming. Now he was in danger and in essence so was poison ivy. Like thomas would ever allow him freedom to see her or be free ever again if he had the chance. He was not what the other sides thought of him as. He was their controller, not their friend. If only they knew what he knew, but yet they wouldn't be allowed to know nor would they want to.

"They will pay for this" Deceit promised aloud as he finally reached facilier's home once more. Poison ivy held him close with a assuring smile and he repeated "Mark my words they will pay for this. I blame myself"

"Oh I know they will dear, but don't blame yourself. It was their fault" Pamela assured him gently

"I know. And yet... you were harmed I would never allow that to happen. I didn't think the fool had it in him" Deceit's voice indicated sadness, and it was sincere. He couldn't help but blame himself for this. Even though he was attacked, pamela helped him and got hurt as a result. Sure the fool healed her but he still did it and it was unforgivable.

"Don't worry about him. We just prepare for next time they try" Poison ivy then kissed him and replied "We will tell facilier in the morning. Right now it's best we rest"

Deceit couldn't help but agree. He was safe away from them now so there wasn't much hassle. He went to his room, giving poison ivy a kiss goodnight. They were in seperate rooms still because ivy believed in taking things slow and he respected that. He did have some standards after all. As he went to his room he used some of his magic to create a bunch of spells for next time he saw the sides. One for roman in particular to make him believe he was immensely physically ill and ugly, and one for virgil to make him feel isolated and trapped in a room. One for patton to feel hated and alone, and one for logan to have his mind quite frankly be distracted by everything.

It was the perfect type of revenge to make them believe and give into their insecurites. If they were anything like thomas, they were weak-minded. Deceit then went to sleep, pondering other ways to torture them, particularly roman.

However he slept uncomfortably, for he had a terrible vision roman actually overpowered him and took his essence to join his. Then virgil came and fused with roman, then the two of them fused with logan, then finally patton fused with the four others. Making thomas as he feared. Then he felt a dark presence cover him in a cage. Finally trapped and not able to control anything but time spent.

He awoke in a sweat, his snake face peeling a bit to change skin. Deceit angrily pulled the old skin off, giving off a anger once more. Since he was alone, he was able to be as emotional as he liked. He looked in the mirror and saw thomas looking back, disapprovingly. Deceit actually felt fear "No, impossible, you can't be here"

"I am here, just more or less in the spirit sense" Thomas replied, vision or not deceit wanted thomas to go away.

"How? You're not supposed to be here without those idiots and myself becoming you" Deceit demanded

"Because I'm the conscience of you. And roman. And Virgil. And Patton, and even logan. I'm here to let you know that you're wrong for doing this" Thomas replied

"No, I am doing this for my freedom. I have control. And I am happy" Deceit replied "You and those fools will not take pamela or my freedom away from me"

"Who said I was never going to let you see her or let you have your spare time? I don't always need you by me. You can take turns seeing her then going back the part of my mind that belongs to you" Thomas replied

"You're lying. You're lying" Deceit angrily replied "You are making me want to fear you and feel guilty"

"I don't have to make you. You are afraid of me and feel guilty for some of the lies you told" Thomas replied "Face it deceit. You and I both know I'm gonna come back. The others are too good and stubborn to give up. They will have their lives and share helping me and seeing their loved ones, but I'm gonna come back into their lives and yours. And you and I both know you can't stop it" It was then thomas' dissaproving face turned into a observantly somber one "No matter how much you want to"

Deceit, in response, punched the mirror demanding "No, you're not here! And you'll stay away from me!" And like that thomas was gone, a broken mirror in it's place. Deceit started to sweat some more. He was afraid, but definitely not guilty of anything. Or at least he thought. But regardless thomas was wrong, yes, he was not coming back and deceit would do whatever it takes to make it this way.

A knock on the door bothered his thoughts and he opened the door, his composure gained somewhat. He smiled, smiling more as facilier was at the door "Master Facilier, a pleasure to see you this morning"

Facilier smiled back "Good morning deceit. Listen, pamela came down and said you were attacked last night"

Deceit did his best to seem sympathetic and even looked down worriedly to pull it off "Why yes. Yes I was. And when pamela tried to save me those hooligans tried to hurt her also. They are trying to take my power by force"

"Who's they? Sorry I gotta be specific so I can send a message to the asses who tried this scheme" Facilier asked

"The very ones I have been fearing since I got here. Roman, patton, virgil and logan" He then adjusted his clothes to indicate nervousness when really he knew he was playing facilier to his advantage "I recall virgil being mainly responsible" He knew it was a lie but he felt that facilier would pick up the pace if he felt a ask thatguy member was responsible. For facilier's hatred for ask thatguy surpassed his hatred of critic.

"Virgil, isn't he with ask thatguy?" Facilier replied, his calm mood looking irritated

"It seems that way sir" Deceit then patted facilier's shoulder, wanting to play into facilier's insecurites "Sir, what if they think they can just grab your men for the taking? Wouldn't that make you look weak? Not that I think so but what if they just allow this as a idea to try this again?"

"Oh like hell they will. Come with me" Facilier walked with deceit into a room where some shadows were recording in the camera. Facilier turned to deceit "Stay right there. The boys are gonna record us. Let me do the talking" Deceit nodded and smiled as he allowed the leader to make his ego well known.

Facilier put his hands together and started speaking irritatingly ""Hey, ask thatguy, first off I wanna thank you for your stupid attempt to try to take one of my members" At this the camera panned to deceit and Facilier continued "So because of this, I'm cancelling the battle of april tenth, just for this insult to me. You know the one where your army and my army are the only ones fighting. Because I don't believe that it's always critic's fault. So to add insult to injury I ain't telling him because I'm starting to actually like him more than you. Just a reminder to put your dogs in their cages, and be sure to tighten the rope atg, because next time I won't be so nice and I might try to come for your boy again"

After this he waved good bye and deceit couldn't help but laugh. Facilier turned confused at deceit but deceit clapped his hands "Why that is brilliant sir. You're truly setting an example. I cannot thank you enough"

Facilier, feeling praised, smirked "No sweat, man. Your loyalty is enough" He then took the tape and whistled for a shadow and murmured to it "Take this to ask thatguy's place. Don't let anyone see you, but make sure to knock on the door" The shadow smiled sinisterly as it left without a word.

Deceit then replied with curiosity "What must I do now?"

"Stay in the house for a few days then maybe go to a battle with a partner. That'll make them realize you're not for sale" Facilier replied, tapping his cane amusedly

"Very well, whatever you suggest. Thank you master facilier. I shall bid you a good morning and see you later today" Deceit got up and left, smirking with satisfaction.

He kept walking when he noticed the master's sons, Pete and Olive. Feeling a need to gain even more respect, he desired to strike a friendship with the two boys. After all they were next in line, making friends with them was like gaining future protection and power. If he played his cards right he could convince the boys to make him their adviser when they were old enough.

He walked over to the two boys and replied "Good morning young masters"

"Oh good morning Mr. Deceit" Olive was warm with him but the same couldn't be said with Pete. Pete looked a bit more curiously. So it would probably be easy to get on Olive's good side, but he might work a bit harder for Pete. No matter all tended for fall for his tricks eventually. "Dad told us you got attacked, are you ok?" Olive asked

"Why yes, you're such a thoughtful young boy. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Deceit replied

Olive blushed but Pete replied "Olive is supposed to be nice. He's the oldest one. He's going to be in charge when we're older"

"But you'll be my second in command! Don't worry you'll be just as important!" Olive assured

"Your brother is right, pete. And if you think about it being second in command is much better. The leader must deal with most the responsibilities whereas the second in command can usually be the one who gets to do the fun things" Deceit replied

This perked pete's interest "Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well instead of controlling schedules, making meetings, controlling the entire house, making plans and financial responsibilities, you get to make the rules for the home and control the members in person. The leader gives you plenty of elbow room while he has to work" This made Pete look more satisfied and seem open to listening to him. But this also caused Olive to look at him confusedly "Don't worry olive you controlling the schedules and money and the house means everyone will automatically respect you. They will come to you for any problem and will always, always listen and obey you if you simply tell them too. The both of you boys win"

"Gee, you're probably right deceit. Thanks!" Pete replied

"Yeah money sounds awesome to control. This could mean I can make tons of birthday parties!" Olive laughed

"But of course! You're the boss, nobody can tell you otherwise!" Deceit then coughed before chuckling "I mean that is when you're both old enough"

"Aw man I wanna be a adult now" Pete replied

"Me too. This waiting to be leader thing kind of stinks" Olive agreed

"Patience is a virtue, boys. When the time comes you'll be ready and remember, you both get to win" Deceit winked

"Hey deceit, do you think you'll stick around when we're older or are your enemies gonna get you before then?" Pete's question unnerved him a bit but olive punching him annoyedly made him feel a bit better

"What're you nutty? Of course he's staying with us. He's our member and we never leave them behind. Don't worry deceit, those punks won't bother you!" Olive promised

"Oh I feel protected thanks to you olive. Thank you" He did his best to sound sincere even though the child was just that, a child. Like a child's word meant anything to him. Facilier had power to back it up, this was just a child's faith. And you couldn't succeed with faith. But deceit wanted to get on the children's good side.

"No problem deceit. You're our friend" Olive replied

"I mean are we your friends Mr. Deceit?" Pete asked

At this, deceit did his absolute best to smile warmly and reply "Of course I'm your friend. You both are wonderful friends of mine and I take care of my friends. If you both need anything from me, just let me know" Deceit then pretended to ponder "Would you boys like to help me out with some spells sometime?"

"You're a magician too? So are our dads!" Olive replied

"Yeah but they always get annoyed, saying spells are too dangerous and we should wait until we're eighteen" Pete annoyedly replied

"Oh bless them, they are a bunch of worrywarts. How about you boys meet me in my room this monday and we can try something out?" Deceit replied

"Won't that get us in trouble?" Pete asked

"Not if we don't tell your parents. Come on, they don't need to know everything" Deceit winked again, seeing the boy's look both hesitant but willing "Don't you worry, I'm sure he won't mind if I teach you" It was a small lie, but anything to get the boy's trust was a good start. Sure, it might be a risk to play against facilier, but if he got in trouble he would just act his heart out and play to facilier's ego.

"Well I don't see why not, come on pete it'll be fun" Olive replied

"Yes pete, why not? Don't you wanna be fun?" Deceit replied, teasingly "Oh who am I kidding? You're the most fun ever, aren't you?"

Pete finally nodded "Yeah, I'm fun. Okay, let's do it!"

"Splendid. You boys write down some spells you wanna try and we meet on monday. I must go and attend to some stuff but I look forward to our time" Deceit replied, beaming as he seemed to be gaining the children's trust. Everything was set in notion. He went up as the children raced, apparently getting ready to write for monday.

He looked up to see it was pamela, who was giggling "Why deceit, what are you up to my dear?"

"I'm giving us both a golden ticket for a lifetime of luxury. With those boys befriending me, I'll get them to hire me as their adviser and you as one of the high rankers of the army. We'll be sitting pretty, my love" Deceit replied

"Aw deceit, you're so thoughtful!" Ivy kissed him on the lips, feeling equally devious and also wanting some power to herself. For deceit to do this was like giving her christmas "I love how smart you are"

"It is the least I can do for getting you hurt last night" Deceit smiled before looking down regretfully "I should be ashamed for even getting you in that position"

"Now now my love, don't think like that. Only think the positive. Worrying about those fools won't get you anywhere" Ivy replied "Let's just go enjoy the day. We should take a walk, it's lovely" At this deceit nodded, holding her hand and walking out.

As he walked with her, he felt a sense of peace and control again. He knew he was strong and nothing would break that strength. Ivy was right, he needed to focus on his strengths. Not his weaknesses. Nothing and no one was going to stop him. Thomas was as good as dead. It was deceit's turn to take the wheel and take control. Power and a free life was in his hands and he was going to keep it very close to him.

[Jason Lichon]

Couldn't help but be inspired. A big what-if featuring kal, jason, a couple facilier members and Don. Just a tiny confrontation to show what type of man don is. Also theraputic hynotism is actually a thing, feel free to look it up here: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/hypnotherapy
XXXXX

Facing Your Demons

Jason sat on the porch for it felt like a pleasant morning. Kal was still asleep and things seemed kind of peaceful. A little too peaceful. It made jason surprisingly suspicious and it turned out his suspicions were correct. For he saw a man calmly approach them and just when jason felt like it was just fear, it turned out that man was the man he never wished to see again. Same beard, same cold icy blue eyes, same white suit with glasses, same calm stature. It was him. It was the very man that ruined his life.

Don. Don Lokan. The very man who took everything from him and even more. Jason dropped his glass, it shattered but jason couldn't hear anything other than the pounding his heart made. It was so loud it filled his ear drums. Don though saw him and smiled that evil smile. That cold heartless smile he tended to do.

"Jason! There you are! Was wondering where you were!" Don's voice was way too cheerful to be sincere. Jason stood perfectly still, tears escaping his face. Don made a even wider smile "I'm so glad to see you. It's been a while. I wanted to thank you for what you did last time I saw you"

Jason immediately turned to run but don shouted "Hold it!" Surprisingly jason stood still again, damn this man. Don just had a way of commanding him. Goddamn his cowardice. The seeker in him wanted to just maul him and hang him on display for all to see. But jason was so afraid he couldn't be angry, therefore the seeker was damned to just sit around and wait. Don replied "Jason, come here. I just wish to talk"

Jason turned and started to cling to the walls like a caged animal "St-stay away from me, get out of here you're not welcome"

"Oh relax jason I'm not here to stay. I just came here to say hello" Don chuckled that disgustingly low chuckle "Ask thatguy said this is where you might be. Figured you'd try to find the best place to protect yourself. Considering you can't use what I gave you"

"You made me into a monster" Jason snapped

"I made you into a man of unlimited power" Don snapped back, his voice loud enough to silence jason "But unfortunately not without flaw. It was supposed to be you working for me with your powers. The torture was to make you and the seeker obedient to me. Alas, it only made you and the seeker turn against me. Since you tried to kill me I have to change tactics. You're just a bit too dumb to keep them. The seeker gene really should've made you obedient but instead it made you into a independent type of beast. That just won't do. So I suppose a proposition" Don replied

"Maybe if you didn't kill my family and hurt me maybe this situation would have never happened" Jason couldn't help but at least try to fight back "Maybe if you weren't such a selfish bastard. Maybe if you weren't a traitor who murdered my father in cold blood"

"Your father was weak. Your mother was weak. And you're just like them. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree" Don chuckled amusedly "I told you jason. You're too unstable for those powers. So I'm here to get rid of them"

"I may hate my powers but I'd rather suffer with them than ever let you take them" Jason replied, he found himself finally get angry "Best you leave or I'll leave you in a even worse position than I did your employees"

"I don't think so jason. You can't win this" Don snapped again, walking much closer to jason. He replied calmly "Since you destroyed everything I had I can't help but want your power back. So you have two options. You come with me and we take those powers of yours away so I can use them or I'll just kill everything you care about right here, right now. I mean come on jason, you said so yourself. You hate them, wouldn't it be great if I took them off your hands" At this jason charged and pulled him to the ground, throwing him harshly "Now now jason, be careful, or you'll do something you might regret"

"Fuck you. Fuck you for everything. Your actions are finally catching up to you. I'd rather die than give you these powers. Maybe if you thought of it better you'd have them. But you were a coward and took me and my sister to do things that could've killed us. Better we die for your cause than you yourself taking that risk. This is not about me being free, this is about you trying to get what you want. I was your guinea pig to see if it would work, and if it did you'd either take it from me or imprison me as your slave. Now you're going to have neither option happen" Jason shouted, grabbing don's face and punching it hard enough for don's nose to bleed. That did admittedly give jason some satisfaction to see don in pain. But don laughed, and laughed harshly

"Oh wow jason, it's amazing how stupid and worthless you are. Of course it was to protect myself but now I don't need to. The only reason I kept you alive was to be a prototype of a gene. Now I'm here to take it back considering someone can leave with the gene. And I'll take it with or without your permission" At this don shot him in the stomach, and jason screamed harshly. He was taken aback as Don grabbed his neck and started to choke him "You see? You can't use power like this, because you don't have what it takes to kill people. You may think you do but you really don't. You care about people. Just like your father did"

"My father was ten times the man you were" Jason choked out "I'll never give you these powers"

"Hm. Last time I checked you weren't in charge" Don replied

"No. But I am" A voice was heard and suddenly jason felt himself able to breathe. He looked up and there was Facilier, along with malachite and kal. Jason immediately was on the defensive and grabbed don again to prevent him from struggling. Facilier tapped his cane in unamusement as his shadow sneered at don angrily, facilier stated firmly "So you must be the don jason warned us about. I don't take kindly to people like you. I run a classy establishment. So you only have two options: Leave or die"

"Hm. I'll leave" Don then grabbed his gun and aimed it right at Jason's head "But I'll be taking a souvenir"

"Let him go you son of a bitch" Kal instantly grabbed don and slammed him to a tree, enough for the tree's wood to break. Kal aimed his fist right at him "After all you did to jason I've been waiting a long time to see you. To show you exactly how I feel about you"

"You hurting me will make you no different than me. You can't intimidate me with all that power" Don replied calmly

"No. But I can kill you with it. I'm not jason. I'm not someone who is kind. I'm someone who can kill people. Bet that's the type of person you wanted jason to be. But I got news for you. He's better than that" Kal aimed his fist to don's face "I'm more than happy to take out his trash. This is going to be for what you did to him and his sister"

"I just want his powers. I don't give a damn about him or his sister. I only used him for the benefit of others" Don replied

"No. You did it for the benefit of yourself. Spare me the speech, don. I'm not stupid" Kal replied

"Oh really? Than why do not notice this?" He had a knife and although it wouldn't kill kal or hurt him a lot, it would certainly distract him. He stabbed kal and went for malachite and facilier, shooting them with a gun machine that insano made him for protection. He then grabbed a remote to freeze the three coming for him and jason. A new invention insuedo made to help freeze time. "It'll only be a few minutes jason, hold still this won't hurt you, at least not a lot"

Jason panicked. This was the very thing he feared would happen. And it was happening. Right before him. He prepared for this but once again don was three steps ahead of him. He had a strange needle device possibly designed to take the seeker out of him. If don had that he'd be powerful enough to kill anything. At least jason had some restriction to give seeker some rightfully needed space, don would be unstoppable because the seeker would be forever free to roam and destroy.

Jason then had to make a choice. Use the seeker to kill this man or risk exposure. Jason saw kal and the leaders frozen in fury and jason tried his best to unleash the seeker, but he was still so afraid. Don laughed as he saw jason clench his fists and close his eyes "Aw, what's a matter? It won't come out. Don't worry when I have it there won't be problems like that"

"Maybe it's because even the seeker can understand what type of man you are" Jason replied

"Oh don't act so brave. You fear me. Just like smart people do. You wouldn't be able to kill me if you tried" Don laughed some more "Your sister at least had some balls. Maybe she took them from you"

"Don't mention my sister again" Jason felt the seeker coming and jason hoped it would

"Or what? She's just some smart bitch, just as worthless as you. She wasn’t even worth taking but I had to cover my tracks. I only gave her powers and made her suffer so you could cooperate. Having her leave without you was just icing on the cake for your cooperation. It made you helpless, and finally see there was no point in fighting me. I wonder how your superboyfriend would feel if I crushed him" Don taunted, coming closer

"Take that back. Right now. I mean it don" Jason replied harshly, his eyes barely glowing the seeker's orange color

"I'm serious. I think it would be fun to actually try to kill a kryptonian. It'd be a accomplishment. Then let's see what use you would really have. I made you those powers and that's all you define yourself by. You're just a weakling without them. You don't even have your sister's skills which at least has some uses, so you don't even have that. But let's be honest the seeker would crush her like a bug. You're just weak and can't even fight for your so-called precious family" At this he was surprised as the seeker finally roared a mighty roar out of jason. His eyes glowed with hate as the seeker raced and stomped on the remote, releasing everything in real time.

The three came to charge but seeker shouted "No! He's mine! I'll kill him!" Don finally stopped appearing so cocky and actually appeared somewhat fearful. The seeker growled and snarled in jason's form and the human beast looked don up and down and replied "Who's weak now?" He grabbed don before he could get something to defend himself. The seeker forced don down to the ground and grabbed his neck, choking him "Say you're sorry. Say you're sorry!"

"S-stop. I-I can't breathe" Don gasped

"Say you're sorry!" Seeker demanded

"I-I'm proud of what I did" Don snapped

"Then you die here" Seeker chuckled, picking him up and aiming to snap his neck

"Fine fine I'm sorry. I shouldn't have killed jason's father. I shouldn't have tortured destiny. I shouldn't have said the things I said. Now let me go!" Don demanded

The seeker cackled, a evil nasty cackle. Something of which jason probably wouldn't dream of doing. But the seeker was different, it was far less kind than jason "No. You don't mean it. Seeker will be more than happy to get rid of you"

"N-no. P-please. Sp-spare me" Don replied

"You're too dangerous to keep alive" Seeker mumbled before holding don tightly and grabbing his neck. Releasing it into a very loud, well-known snap. Don struggled until that snap, once his neck was snapped don's hands loosely fell to the ground and his body melted any tension. Seeker growled disinterestingly, throwing the body down on the ground.

"Well now. That's the first time my army finally killed someone. It's about time" Facilier amusedly replied

"Ask thatguy might retaliate for this" Malachite replied "He did say that he worked for him"

"Who gives a shit, we're in a war, they can get over it" Kal replied, his arms crossed, looking heartlessly at the body. Sure it wasn't the very best ideal to kill people more out of honor, but kal couldn't care less with don. Don was a piece of shit. Don was someone who deserved to die. Maybe even more than ask thatguy himself. At least ask thatguy had some standards and didn't go out of his way to torture others.

Seeker however saw the needle device that could seperate him and jason. He went over to it, much to the confusion of the other three. Seeker looked at it interestedly, holding it up and humming to himself. Seeker than looked as malachite and kal came over to him.

"If you wish to still be freed from jason, seeker. We can use that and make you into a different entity. You could be free should you so desire. Don is not a threat anymore and now we can make you a creature all on your own. We have the magic and technology" Malachite's words were extremely tempting but seeker saw kal look down sadly. Seeker realized then and there that he was perfectly fine with jason. For the two of them were simply better together than apart, don was wrong. It wasn't jason with a different identity, seeker was PART of his identity and seeker was part of jason's. Without the other there was nothing seeker had to offer than violence. Jason gave him grounding, he gave him feelings, he gave him love.

Looking to kal, seeker raised his head up and nuzzled him soffly before firmly, and angrily, destroyed the needle device. It shattered into millions of pieces, unable to be used. Seeker turned to malachite and replied "Jason and I need each other. We may have problems but we are better together" Kal smiled and pulled seeker close. Seeker smiled before his eyes turned into jason's eyes. Jason turned to malachite and smiled softly "Don was the problem. Not seeker. Sure I hate his flaws but I don't hate seeker. At least not anymore" Jason turned to don's body "I finally remembered who the real demon was"

Jason at the sight of don's dead body somehow didn't satisfy him as much as he liked. Don still did all those things and his sister was still no where to be found. Don, in a way, won regardless and Jason felt a bit heartbroken. It was needed for him to die, but only to protect people. When it came to personal satisfaction, jason was left empty. Jason went over to don's body and started to tear up "You're not even worth it being dead. You really are the worst piece of shit" Jason dejectedly walked away and facilier patted his shoulder. Jason replied "I know he's dead. But my sister is still missing and I'm kind of stuck with the memories" He then walked away more into the house.

He went into his room and cried, then cried some more and finally felt the grief of everything he lost. He lost his father. His mother. His home. His freedom. His sanity. Even his sense of belonging. His sister was still somewhere or maybe she was dead too. Jason only had this world and it was surrounded by the very violence he hated. He felt no contentment and felt he could never be fully free. He laid on the bed, ignoring the door opening. He did feel kal's grip hold him close but it didn't stop the sadness he felt for today. Jason couldn't understand. Why?

"Why can't I be free from him, kal?" Jason asked as he hugged kal back

"He hurt you and the memories aren't really going to go away. But at least he can't hurt you anymore. One day those memories will be fleeting and won't hurt as much" Kal hugged him tightly "Until then I'm here and won't let you get hurt by anyone else. Ever again. I promise"

Jason was then kissed by kal, held close as kal kissed him and kissed his face and neck. Kal gently assured him with hugs and a nice backrub, whispering words of assurance. A few hours later jason awoke with kal beside him, his clothes wrinkled and his hair disheveled. He woke to hear digging and annoyed complaints. He awoke to see malachite manage some facilier members to dig don's body from prying eyes and jason couldn't help but feel appreciative that people were willing to cover his tracks.

He turned to see kal turn and sleep still and jason decided to finally feel a bit more at peace. He went over to sleep but saw facilier's shadow beckon him. He kissed kal's head before following the shadow to see facilier sit on his desk. He turned to jason with a nod and invited him to sit "Jason. Listen. Have you ever thought of therapeutic hypnotism?"

"What's that sir?" Jason curiously asked

"It's where someone can help themselves through hypnotism, people do use this method to help with certain habits or mental health problems" Facilier replied "You ever consider using that, kid?"

"Um, no. I don't know. It might affect the seeker" At this facilier raised his hands

"Listen, it's to help you let go of that don guy. Make you feel a little more confident" Facilier replied "I'm trained. It won't affect anything other than you personally" Facilier replied, crossing his hands "I like you kid. I think you deserve a bit of a break. After all you and that seeker have been equally helpful and I thought I might make you feel a little more at peace"

Jason thought about it, thought about how happier he would be and that kal would not have to deal with so much anymore. Maybe it would improve things for him. So he thought about it and finally nodded. Facilier beckoned him to a lounging couch and replied "Alright kid, relax. Just take some deep breaths for me" Jason was a bit distrusting but he tried to relax. He took some breathes and saw facilier put his hands near his head and his hands glowed green. Facilier replied "Jason, seriously, relax. I'm not don"

Jason finally relented and closed his eyes and did finally feel comfortable. Jason took some breathes and felt himself sleeping, more and more before finding himself completely in a state of relaxation. Jason then heard facilier's voice, echoing but not disturbing "Nod if you can hear me jason" Jason felt himself nod "Good. Okay, I want you to go back to those memories of don" Suddenly jason felt cold and afraid, he felt himself shiver "Alright now I want you to repeat what I say. Say 'Don does not control me'"

"Don does not control me" Jason repeated dully

"Again" Facilier replied

"Don does not control me" He felt his body feel more and more free as he said it

"Again jason. Firmly this time" Facilier replied

"Don does not control me" Jason repeated, firmly

"Okay. Now remember this. I'm gonna touch your chest and you're gonna feel even more relaxed. When I touch your chest you'll feel less constricted and less panicky as I touch your chest. As I do so, keep repeating 'don does not control me' understand?" At this jason felt himself nod and he still saw nothing but a comfortable darkness.

Facilier did exactly as what he said he would do, and he felt his chest feel way lighter. He kept repeating softly and dully "Don does not control me, don does not control me, don does not control me, don does not control me"

"Okay. When I lift my hand from your chest, you're going to take a deep breath and you're gonna forget all the bad and panicky feelings you feel when you hear don's name or mention him. You'll feel hurt and dull everytime but you will never panic again. Understand?" Facilier's voice commanded and jason nodded. As facilier's hand went off jason felt himself breath deeply and instantly all icy, cold and harsh feelings disappeared along with it.

"Okay. Jason. When I snap my fingers you will remember and obey everything I told you today and wake up" Facilier calmly replied "Alright. One. Two. Three" Facilier snapped his fingers and jason awoke, remembering everything. Jason looked up and saw facilier chuckled "See that wasn't so bad was it?" Jason felt unable to talk and shook his head "Alright. Go back to your room, take some time off"

Jason went to go but then replied "Facilier. Thank you"

"Hey. Everyone has bad demons. You need to be free from them too" Facilier replied

Jason then went to leave and got up to bed with kal. Who still was sleeping. Jason felt himself get tired and laid down to kal. Kal's arms wrapped around him peacefully and jason kissed his cheek, he then felt asleep feeling content. He finally, finally felt at peace. He felt free and couldn't help but feel that session helped and now don was going to finally be just a memory.

[Olive Gamic]

Felt like doing a what-if for michelangelo and rum tum. As in rum tum gets into a jam and mikey has to save him. Ala redemption badass style.
XXXX

Warrior

Rum Tum was feeling a bit cooped up, it was a bit early in the evening so it wasn't too dark. It was probably best to go out now and then head back. It was only to get his exercise and energy out. Rum Tum never would've expected to be attacked now. But then again, rum tum always had low expectations. He probably would've been much more careful had he known the consequences of his carelessness. Because now he was fighting for his life with macavity. The enemy of the jellicles. He kept fighting the other feral cat, the older cat laughing in pride as rum tum got beaten more and more as the time went on.

"How did your ass end up here?" Rum Tum eventually asked once he had a chance.

"Same as you. With a bit of luck and fate" Macavity replied, he then cackled "You have gotten sloppy. Normally you would fight me better"

"You didn't cheat back then. Now you do" Rum Tum replied, aiming a kick at macavity's side. But he was surprised as macavity grabbed his leg and threw him to the wall. Hitting him hard.

"How sad you are, rum tum. I remember when I first saw you. Old Deuteronomy wouldn't even let me see you, since you were so tiny. He was scared I was gonna kill you. Maybe I should've. Cause if there's one thing more useless than old cats, it's runt cats" Macavity replied as he neared rum tum. But at his words, Rum Tum angrily charged and wrestled him.

Meanwhile back at the critic's home, the turtles, max, willie and splinter were all chatting. Michelangelo though didn't chat too much, as he was patiently waiting for rum tum to return. Mikey tapped on the table and sighed softly. Willie, hearing his dismay asked "Mikey are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm just waiting for rum tum. He said he would be back here around this time" Mikey replied

"How long ago was that?" Max asked

"Like, I don't know, an hour" Mikey replied. His nerves started to increase, where was rum tum?

Max couldn't help but chuckle bemusedly "My dad would kill me if I was an hour late. He would think I was under attack or something"

"Better to be assumed to be hurt, than to actually get hurt" Raphael commented sourly

"True. But I have to agree with michelangelo, rum tum is a lot of things, not punctual is not one of them" Master Splinter commented curiously.

"Sensei. Would it be okay if I went to go find him? Just to see?" Mikey nervously, insistently asked

"Go my son. Bring your nuchukus, and be careful" Splinter replied

"And remind Rum Tum he owes me ten bucks" Donatello replied, smirking

Mikey rolled his eyes at this and took his weapons before running out. As he was running to find him, Rum Tum was gaining a slightly upper hand. The two wrestled and fought, macavity did dirty tricks to even odds but rum tum was still a good fighter when needed to be. Rum Tum then noticed macavity sneak away, angered by this he chased him, surprised when macavity was not in sight.

"Where are-- AH!" Rum Tum replied as macavity hit him hard across the back. Rum Tum fell and then it was where things started to get out of hand. Macavity was gaining even more of a upper hand, and he was cruel. He scratched and bit and hit hard, forcing rum tum to many corners, leaving him with many cuts and bruises. Macavity hissed as rum tum tried to rise and he put his foot on rum tum's chest. Rum Tum struggled before getting some dirt and throwing it in macavity's face.

"You little runt, where are you?" Macavity demanded as rum tum charged and threw him across the ground.

"You.. piss... off. I'm--I'm gonna go home" Rum Tum replied

"Face me coward. You are just going to leave me here. I could easily come back and kill you" Macavity replied

"You're really tempting me Mac. But I ain't gonna buy it. Someone told me that honor matters more than revenge. That someone is far better than you'll ever be" Rum Tum replied

"And dare I ask who is this someone?" Macavity replied, slowly getting up as to not warn rum tum of his attack.

"None of your---AH!" Rum Tum was shocked and cornered as macavity gripped him tightly in a wrestle hug. Macavity clawed at rum tum's face some more and rum tum snapped "Get off me I'm not a fucking scratch pad!"

Macavity laughed as he forced rum tum to the ground. As rum tum tried to get up macavity once again beat him down just enough to finally tire rum tum out. Macavity cackled as rum tum tiredly tried to get up only to wince and groan, struggling with the wounds and pain macavity brought onto him.

Macavity picked him up and threw him hard against a rock. At the same time, mikey was finally there at the scene, hiding in the bushes. Mikey's eyes widened in horror, he heard a little bit about macavity from rum tum but he never anticipated how cruel the other cat was. Rum Tum was wounded and beyond weak to fight by himself now. Mikey knew he had to do something. But he had to do it quick or rum tum was going to die.

"Tell me who this person is, so I can give them your body" Macavity demanded

"Rot in hell macavity. You'll get nothing from me" Rum Tum replied, looking away as the pain set in.

"Rum Tum, hang on" Mikey mumbled as he snuck behind macavity and waited to strike.

"Well then. I guess you'll just be here alone. Again. How fitting. Your own father didn't want you. How does that make you feel rum tum?" Macavity asked

"If dying here means you won't get near my friends and my special someone I'm glad to be alone" Rum Tum replied. At this statement, mikey's eyes teared up knowing that special someone was him. Then he got mad, very mad. Mikey had so much pain to deal with in his life. He lost a lot of things. But there was no way he was going to lose rum tum, the love of his life. He was not going to allow rum tum to die alone, especially at the hands of some heartless stray cat.

"Pathetic. Good bye rum tum" Macavity raised his hands, claws coming out like knifes.

"Just do it you fucking asshole" Rum Tum demanded, unaware of mikey's presence.

Just as Macavity was about to strike, a kick to his back was given. Mikey kicked him very hard across the back, swinging his weapons protectively as he walked in front of rum tum like a shield. Rum Tum's eyes widened "Mikey? Baby? You're here?"

"Darn right I am. You are not going to die alone rum tum. I won't allow it" Mikey replied, as he hit macavity with a four-way strike with his weapons, his ninchukus fast and hurtful to macavity's body. The older cat hissed at mikey, mikey however sneered in response "Come and get me you old creepy cat"

"With pleasure" Macavity charged and the two fought, mikey held his own very well. Macavity did try to slice mikey's face with his claws, but mikey was just too fast for him. Michelangelo jumped and did a third-time kick, making sure each kick was harder than the last. He wanted macavity to feel pain. He wanted the old cat to realize what a fool he was to mess with rum tum.

Rum Tum meanwhile noticed macavity move to the shadows again, with a large rock in his hands. Rum Tum forced himself up and held the arm with the rock "Now mikey! Hit him again!"

Michelangelo obeyed, screaming a loud battle cry as he hit macavity ten times with his weapons and legs. Macavity finally stopped attacking, looking up at the sight of mikey and rum tum staring down at him. Mikey aimed his finger right at macavity's face and replied "You're done. Go back to where you came from, macavity"

"You heard him, mac" Rum tum replied

"Fine. This isn't over rum tum. I'll make sure you'll regret this day. Same goes for you turtle" With that he threw dirt at their eyes, blinding them for a few seconds. And he got a last clawing at rum tum before running off. Mikey rubbed his eyes quickly, managing to see again to see rum tum on the ground in pain.

"Rum tum!" Mikey cried, racing to rum tum and trying to help him up

Rum Tum was injured and struggling to breathe. Macavity did a number on him and rum tum knew he was going to be out of battles for a while. He had a feeling he would be fine but considering how much pain he was in, rum tum definitely felt the consequences of a battle. He struggled to get up even with mikey's help. He turned to mikey and chuckled hoarsely "My hero. You saved me"

"Lean on me rum tum, we're getting you help!" Mikey replied, allowing rum tum to have some of his weight on him. Mikey helped rum tum walk out of the woods and to the critic's house. Rum tum turned to him as mikey kept encouraging him with both action and words "You're doing great tugger, you're doing great babe. Just keep going" Rum tum was extremely relieved to see mikey here. But mikey was focused on one thing, getting rum tum help.

A half an hour later they made it, and just in time also because rum tum was tired. Because of this he passed out much to mikey's dismay. The turtle struggled to pick him up, and as he struggled Max was the first to speak "Oh my god! Rum tum! Mikey! Are you guys okay?"

"Mikey! What happened?" Leo asked, his voice showing panic

"What the shell happened to rum tum?" Raphael asked worriedly

"He got cornered. Some cat named macavity was after him. I managed to get him to piss off though. But that's not important, right now rum tum needs help" Mikey then turned to willie and splinter "Willie, sensei, could you please help me pick him up?" Willie and splinter nodded as they helped rum tum to the medical bay. Donny raced with a medical kit and assisted mikey in bandages and cleaning rum tum's wounds.

Leonardo went to get a blanket while max went to get some pain medication, raphael closed and locked the back door, turning on the security camera. Splinter and willie meanwhile helped in their own way to heal rum tum's wounds. Then they waited. A hour or two passed and rum tum slept. Splinter looked to see Michelangelo extremely anxious, tears spilling across his face. Splinter held his son's shoulder replying "You did well my son. You saved rum tum's life"

"I don't know sensei. He's not awake. I'm scared" Mikey replied

"I know my son. But he is still breathing, which means he is still alive. There is always hope" Splinter replied, this seemed to help mikey somewhat. But rum tum slept soundlessly, his sounds hoarse and his face pained.

"Damn. Whoever this macavity guy is, he means business" Max replied

"They all mean business max. This is a war. Our enemies are all here to kill" Leonardo replied, his face a bit concerned

"Leo's right, max. They're monsters. I've seen far worse" Willie replied, shivering and not long after Donny held his hand comfortingly.

"Rum Tum will make it guys. Don't worry. Just needs a bit of time" Donny positively replied

"You did good mikey. Trust me" Raphael comfortingly stated

Mikey though was silent, watching rum tum's face. He hesitated before giving rum tum a very tender kiss on the cheek. He then murmured softly "Wake up rum tum. Don't leave me"

"Le-leave you? Never" Rum Tum replied, waking up finally

"Rum Tum!" Everyone in the room stated in delight. Even raphael was relieved to see him alright.

"Man, rum tum, you're one tough cat I gotta say" Donny replied

"You gotta be donny-boy. It's a cold world where I come from" Rum Tum struggled but was relieved to see mikey help him sit up. Rum tum then surprised everyone as he kissed mikey across the lips. Splinter looked away, blushing. Raph and don started to make ooooh noises in joking, willie laughed a bit while leo and max just crossed their arms in amusement. Rum tum then stated softly "You saved me baby, I told you you were a warrior"

"Guess I am. But I didn't do it to prove I'm a warrior. I did it because you're part of my family rum tum. I wasn't gonna let you get killed" Mikey replied softly, blushing a bit at the idea of being a warrior.

"Well you proved it anyway" Rum Tum replied, he then sighed shrugging "Macavity is gonna come back"

"We'll be ready for him" Leonardo replied

"And this time if he comes back, we'll make sure he pays for it" Max replied, at this leonardo gave a small smile

"Oh he'll pay for it. The only person that gets to mess with rum tum is me" Raphael replied

"Rum tum. Is there anything we should know about macavity?" Splinter asked

"Glad you asked Master. Yes, he's a dirty rotten thief and liar. He's been in the crime business for over twenty years, he was at his peak by the time I was born. He's been declared the enemy of the jellicles. My group. He's been wanting to kill all jellicles, leaving only a few to make his own group of cats. He hates me and old Deuteronomy personally cause old Deuteronomy and I are runts. Old deu survived and thrived, much to macavity's jealousy. The old hack won't give up. He'll kill ANYONE who stands in his way" Rum Tum explained coldly

"What is it with this thing about runts?" Donny asked

"Runts are small. In a survivalist world, runts are practically useless. They're stereotyped to be weak and helpless, even as they grow older. They're considered sensitive and fragile. Thankfully the jellicles and quite a lot of cats don't believe that bullshit but macavity is a old timer type of thinker. He thinks runts are just a burden and a obstacle to his progress" Rum Tum sighed. Being a runt was not exactly a thing he was ashamed of, but macavity's hatred towards him did get to him often.

"We'll just have to prove him how wrong he is. You're no mere runt, you're the best rum tum. And we'll show him that" Mikey said, holding him close, protectively so.

"Mikey's right. Don't you worry rum tum. You're safe here" Leonardo replied

"Rum tum, you are badly injured from macavity. I insist you stay here to heal. Do not do too much snooping around for now" Splinter insisted

"Sure thing splinter. I'm in no mood to move anyway. But I am tired" Rum tum replied.

"Then rest. You need your strength" Splinter insisted

With this rum tum moved to sleep. Max, Willie, Splinter and the three other turtles left but mikey stayed put. Rum Tum turned to mikey and frowned "What's a matter baby? You won. Macavity ain't gonna bother me I won't let him"

"It's not that rum tum. It's just... you got hurt. And I wasn't there for you in the beginning" Mikey sighed, looking down

Rum tum opened his arms and allowed mikey to move beside him. Despite some wounds, rum tum wanted mikey close to him. And mikey felt very comfortable and happy in rum tum's arms. The feline chuckled "It doesn't matter if you were or not. I knew you'd find me or at least save me one way or another. You came at the right time. Where it mattered. If you weren't there at all I'd be dead probably. So it's all okay mikey. Relax"

"I can't. I'm scared I'll lose you and you'll feel alone. I don't want you to feel alone" Mikey replied, and he was shocked as rum tum kissed him again. As tears spilled, mikey kissed back and poured his feelings into the kiss.

Rum tum pulled back eventually replying "Babe. I know I'm not alone. I got you and you're all the company I need" With this he yawned and pulled mikey close "Just stay with me. We'll figure macavity out. We'll stop him. Just takes time"

"I should be making you feel better. Instead you're helping me. You're right what am I thinking?" Mikey said with a amused smile

"Hey you saved my life. I owe you anyway" Rum tum and mikey eventually, finally fell asleep. Mikey as he slept finally felt like the warrior he should be. Sure he had a lot of doubt, but he definitely was a fighter and definitely was capable. Thanks to rum tum's words, he felt like he finally was worth it as a ninja. Now he had to help rum tum get better and figure out his problems. Once he did, things would be even easier.

[Nostalgia Critic]

Been watching a lot of scooby doo stuff and got inspired. This is the first of a couple scooby doo gang oriented fanfics. This is if scooby got in the crossfire of a battle. I was inspired to have him be part of a what-if of him risking his life for his family.
XXXXXX

Braver Than Assumed

This was the first time, in a long time, that scooby genuinely felt like his life was in actual danger. He hadn't felt this overwhelmed since Sarah ravencroft tried to destroy the town of Oakhaven. Which, speaking of, Ben ravencroft was showing off powers Loki had taught him and was doing quite well with them. He was blasting the entire area, which caused scooby to be a little trapped by the tree. Alongside ben was Ask Thatguy members such as Scar, Zira, Zurg, The Executor, Mechakara, Virus, Bill, Lena, Simone and many others. There was also his army, alongside Shaggy, Amber, Scooby Dum and Honest John. Then there was the Critic's army, which included Velma, Fred and Daphne. Scooby felt his whole world would crumble and the poor dog felt frozen as he hid behind a tree.

See he WAS fighting. He was fighting Lena and Simone, who chased him down but Velma managed to slow them down and distract them. Scooby could still see her anger and concern as she decreed that the were cat witches would never touch him. And as they advanced on her scooby could remember her words as clear as day

Scooby! Run! Don't look back! Keep running!

True to form, he obeyed. A bit too eagerly now that scooby thought about it. The more he hid behind the tree, the more guilt he felt. He was alone, shaggy was god knew where and amber was missing from his sights as well. He tried to look but something always scared him to hide again. Which filled him with even more shame. Velma was his treasured friend, next to the other mystery gang members of course. He knew Shaggy was in love with her, but he had his own bond with velma. Velma was always three steps ahead of him and planned for his comfort ever since he was a puppy. For him to leave her? It always, always didn't seem right. He always was a coward, scooby couldn't deny it, but he always, always did everything he could to make it up to velma. And, much to his shame, she would always forgive him. But that wasn't fair.

I can't stay here and hide. They need me. Velma needs me. Shaggy needs me. Amber needs me Scooby thought to himself. He felt his heart race. But not with fear this time. But with courage. He looked out and saw Zira manage to corner both velma and amber. Amber, the brave dog alien she was, was barking and growling insistently. Velma, despite her sitting position on the wall, was also spiteful looking. Scooby couldn't understand how amber or velma could look so brave. But his admiration was soon distracted as Zira roared and swiped across amber causing the poor retriever to collide with the wall.

Scooby's eyes watered with fearful, concerned tears as his love was on the ground. From his angle it seemed she wasn't bleeding or hurt, but she was definitely winded. And it seemed zira deliberately didn't use her claws. As Zira cried out "That was my only warning. You both surrender or I will kill you. No hesitation"

Velma grabbed Amber at this, snapping "Bring it on. I won't let you hurt her"

Zira began to circle the wall then growling as if she would strike at any moment, and scooby decided right then and there to finally get closer. He carefully snuck about, avoiding ben's magic, and he was good at sneaking due to years of hiding made him ninja-like. He was no Raphael or Leonardo, but he was good at stealth and being quiet. He got just a bit closer and he noticed amber, while not bleeding, was somewhat dirty. Mud and grime was over her beautiful coat. Velma looked even worse. She was dirty and had slightly broken glasses, alongside a bruised cheekbone. If shaggy didn't see her, he would be for a hell of a surprise. Scooby felt angry that zira would dare corner his friend and his mate. And felt worried for them, he felt this urge to help them. Save them.

Scooby knew what he had to do. It would be scary. Dangerous even. But by god he was going to do it. He waited for his moment to strike. As he did he saw Velma hug amber tighter and it was then he finally saw fear. From both of them. Velma gasped as Zira raised her paw, claws finally out, ready to strike. Zira started to cackle "Prepare to die. Both of you"

Scooby then gasped. And then he proceeded to push zira just as zira was about to strike the two of them. Scooby snarled, getting in front of them. He snapped, harshly "Reave rem alone"

"What did you just say, dog?" Zira snapped

"Ry raid..." Scooby then bit her collar area, causing zira to roar in pain and surprise. He repeated, nastily "Reave. Rem. Alone"

Zira snarled "You'll pay for this. Dog" She then pounced him. Despite the fear, scooby felt himself not care. He wrestled her, and despite her strength, he pushed himself to fight. He fought harder than he ever fought before. And it seemed to work mostly, it gave velma and amber the chance to get out of the wall area and get up. Scooby was shoved away but he dodged zira's claws and pouncing. Training seemed to finally pay off.

"Scooby! What are you doing?" Velma demanded

"Scooby! Don't do it!" Amber cried out

"Ramber, relma, ro! Reave!" He then bit zira again but he was shocked to see velma and amber chase towards him. He knew the minute they came by zira would hunt them down. He had to get them to leave. He then shoved amber harshly to the side and cried out "Ramber, prease, rake relma rand reave. Ret relp. Prease" He then licked her face and shoved her away again "Rust re"

Amber's eyes shined with tears and she replied "I'll come back for you scooby. I'm not leaving you" Amber then pulled on velma's skirt. Velma tried to protest more but amber pulled her more and the two left. Scooby sighed in relief. Now they were safe. But now this meant he was in danger. That was ok, better him than them. Zira arose from his previous attack and she cackled "How touching. I didn't think you would have it in you to fight. But I guess I underestimated you. Perhaps I should attack the golden mutt more often"

Scooby, at this, snarled more and barked out "Ron't rouch ramber. Rever ragain"

"You think you can stop me?" Zira snapped again, getting into a hunting stance. She then pounced on him and the two wrestled hard. It took a while but zira, unfortunately, was gaining the upper hand. But Scooby tried. Tried harder than he ever normally would. He then fell to the ground as zira was on top of him "Who do you think you are, dog?"

Scooby growled "Ry ram.." He shoved her off "Scooby" He pounced at her hard gaining the upper hand finally "Dooby" He bit her on the back "Doo" He then pushed her farther away, near scar and the two lions fell down. Scooby nodded in satisfaction, just as amber came back but with velma, Shaggy, Daphne and Fred.

Fred was the first to speak "Scooby! You did it!"

Daphne rushed over and gave him a hug "I knew you could do it tough guy"

"Oh scooby, I was so worried!" Velma replied also hugging him

"Scooby, you're okay. You saved us" Amber came and nuzzled him, scooby happily nuzzled back.

"Like, that's my best friend. You nailed it old buddy" Shaggy replied, pride evident in his voice as he smiled wide.

All the members stepped back though as zira and scar start to rise. Scooby managed to hear them so he turned around just in case and he protectively got in front of amber. Fred hugged daphne and shaggy held velma close, morphing into a werewolf just in case. Zira though was slow and oppressive and she finally managed to pounce onto amber. Amber though was tough and managed to prevent any injury but just as she was about to attack zira, scar grabbed her.

"Ramber! No!" Scooby raced as the other humans went to get their weapons and join the fight. Scooby ignored their cries, too focused on amber's safety to notice or care.

"I'm going to do what I should've done earlier in this fight" Zira's claws came out as scar managed to pin her down. Leaving Amber's right side exposed and ready to harm. Zira laughed "Say your prayers, mutt" She then proceeded to strike

Amber's scared face caused scooby to run faster and get right in front of her as Zira at the same time. As zira struck down, Scooby took the hit and it resulted in three deep, severe gashes on scooby's side. Scooby had never felt such pain in his life but he didn't care. He wouldn't dare let zira strike her. Scooby despite this, was on all fours, and bit zira one more time causing her to back off. Scar joined the fray and pounced on him slicing the other side harshly. In total there were six very harsh and very raw injuries but scooby's adrenaline caused him to get up enough to shove scar away from amber also. Despite bleeding and barely able to move, scooby stood his ground. He heard Amber's howls and cries for him but he was too focused. Too scared to leave his post

Scar and zira slowly approached him but then both Fred and Daphne harshly hit them. Fred's voice sounded distant but scooby could swear he said "Don't you even think about it you jungle freaks"

"Leave him alone. You brutes. Leave him be!" Daphne was heard crying.

Seeing Zira and Scar retreat caused Scooby to finally, finally feel the pain and exhaustion of his wounds and labor. He collapsed. Hard on the ground. He saw amber rush over and felt her lick at his face and his wounds "Scooby, oh scooby, please get up, please. Oh scooby, I'm so sorry. Scooby doo. Scooby, no! No don't close your eyes! Don't close your eyes!" He felt her try to push him up but scooby was so tired. His sight was getting blurry but he wanted to stay awake. Seeing how amber was so scared and begging him. He used the rest of the energy he had to stay awake.

"Ramber, are rou rokay?" Scooby weakly asked

"Oh.. oh scooby. My hero. You saved me" Amber licked his face and then looked up. While that happened, scooby felt himself be picked up and he looked up to see both fred and Shaggy hold him. Tears were in Shaggy's face and fred was filled with fear and concern.

"Don't you worry old buddy! It's gonna be okay scoob. We'll get you outta here!" Shaggy replied. He and fred moved him away from the battle and near the circus. See the battle was near facilier's background but scooby was actually relieved that fred, daphne and velma were all present in the area. While not to far from the circus, they came to a nice patch of land, with a huge oak tree covering them. Shaggy then replied "Scooby, stay with us buddy. Don't leave me pal"

"Shaggy, use this to hold scoob's wounds. Is there a med kit inside the house?" Fred was heard asking. Scooby's vision and hearing was distant and a bit improper but scooby could still see and hear overall.

"Yeah, in the kitchen! To your left! Near the pantry!" Shaggy said, worry in his voice. He heard footsteps so scooby assumed that was fred running to get the kit.

"Oh scooby, scooby doo, you didn't have to do it" Velma's voice was watery and upset. Scooby wanted so badly to tell her it was ok. That he was fine. That he would do it again. But instead he stayed quiet, saving his strength to stay awake. As he laid there in Shaggy's lap, he saw amber come to his left side and lean on him for support and warmth. Velma's voice repeated "You didn't have to do it"

"Oh scooby you're a hero. Don't leave us like this sweetie" Daphne's voice was just as watery and he finally managed to clear out that velma and daphne were next to one another staying nearby. Sitting on their knees to see him. Scooby tried to smile but instead he found himself struggle to breathe.

"Scooby! Hold on!" Amber begged

"Scooby I won't let you die!" Shaggy announced, and he moved scooby in a way that helped him breathe a little better but he was relieved to see amber still lay beside him.

"Rhaggy?" Scooby found his voice at last "Rhere ris rira?"

"That crazy cat is far away she won't go near us again scoob" Shaggy replied. He smiled softly, tears in his eyes "You are amazing buddy. You fought her off. So freaking cool"

"Reah, rool" Scooby smiled, trying to laugh but he moaned in pain instead. Then he saw Fred with a medical kit and scooby saw him kneel down, worry in his eyes

"Amber you're gonna have to move for a minute. I gotta bandage scooby" Fred replied

Scooby wanted to protest but amber moved before he could say anything. He then saw fred clean his wounds. Which was almost as painful as getting them. He whined a little and fred replied "I know buddy, I know it hurts. Hold on it'll be quick I promise. I'm so sorry buddy" Scooby stopped whining then, smiling to fred understandingly. Like velma, scooby had his own dear friendship with fred and he always knew fred was just looking out for him. He then felt his bandages seep in and then heard some noise from facilier members. But he hoped fred, daphne and velma would stay for the moment.

Thankfully they did. Shaggy held his head as amber resumed her laying down next to him nuzzling his neck. Scooby moved his head to lick and nuzzle her. Scooby then muttered to her "Ry ron't ret rem rurt rou, ramber. Ry rove rou"

"Scooby. I... I love you too" Amber's tears spilled and she kissed his cheek.

Scooby smiled to her and turned to shaggy, velma, daphne and fred replying "Ry rove rou ruys"

This caused different reactions. Shaggy pulled him slightly close and muttered plenty of words that scooby couldn't hear but he just knew shaggy was expressing his brotherly love and appreciation for him. Scooby saw Velma get up and turn away, but from the way her body was shaking and from the sounds of sniffing and noises of crying, scooby could tell she was affected by his words. Daphne was far, far more obvious, giving scooby a small kiss on the nose before sobbing into fred's arms. Fred, was the quietest out of all of them, but his tears streamed down his face looking right at scooby with affection but concern.

He had a feeling he would live but he could understand the scare he was pulling on them. Scooby wanted so badly to say he was sorry, that this wasn't his intention. That he just wanted to be brave and help. But he couldn't he just embraced this moment with his family. Or at least most of it.

Suddenly there was noises and cries from facilier members

"Look I think I see some people"

"Whoever they are. I say we grab them"

"Harry, cover the right, I'll cover the left. This time we grab some folks"

"I'm so sorry this ended up this way Shagg. We gotta go" Fred replied

"I know fred. I get it. I'm sorry too. You guys get out of here. I'll cover you. There's a secret passageway over the right which should take you out here faster. You guys be safe and I'll try to see you soon" Shaggy replied sincerely "I'll come back with you guys eventually"

"I know shaggy. I know. Take care of yourself pal" Fred hugged shaggy and then scooby felt fred's hand pet him "God scooby stay alive for us buddy" He then got up and awaited for velma and daphne to say their goodbyes. He waited on the far right, relieved to see a exit.

"Scooby doo, you brave dog you" Daphne kissed him on the nose again before petting amber and hugging shaggy. She then replied sadly "Take care of scooby shaggy" She then held fred's hand as she waited for velma.

Velma's eyes were watery and she stared at shaggy for a long time. And from how Shaggy's hands fidgeted, scooby could tell he was also staring at velma. Then suddenly his hands left scooby and pulled velma close. Scooby could tell they were kissing by just how close they were. After the kiss, velma kissed his head and whispered "Scooby. I won't ever forget this. You saved me. You saved us. You're a hero. I will come back to see you and shaggy" She then tearfully replied "Good bye shaggy. I'll see you soon"

"Gosh velma I certainly hope so. Now go! Run!" Shaggy cried

"Good luck!" Amber cried out

Scooby wished so badly to say good bye but all that came was a pathetic howl. Scooby allowed some of his strength to retire as he grew more tired. But he stayed awake still, because amber begged earlier and he would not disappoint her. As fred, velma and daphne rushed away, scooby noticed his cousin Scooby Dum, Jafar, Malachite, Fat Cat and Harry Percy all rush.

"Shaggy? Amber?" Malachite asked "What on earth are you doing out here?"

"We had to rest for scooby" Amber harshly replied "Can't you see?" She then moved a bit to show scooby's wounds.

"Oh no! Scooby doo!" Scooby dum cried in horror

"Jesus! That poor dog!" Harry replied

"My goodness. How did that happen?" Jafar sounded as shocked as he looked

"He saved us. Me in particular. He risked his life from zira and scar attacking us. This is my fault" Amber's voice was filled with guilt. Scooby wanted to tell her it was NOT her fault. But thankfully shaggy did that for him. He was so tired. So tired.

"No amber don't blame yourself. Scooby did what he needed to do. Scooby… Scooby!" Shaggy's voice reminded him that he was tired and was struggling to not sleep. He then felt two forceful men pick him up but shaggy was gently moving him about "Malachite, jafar, please. You gotta help my buddy"

"Fear not shaggy. We will take care of him" Then suddenly he was transported to a medic bay. Where he and jafar helped his wounds. Not long after that... he felt himself succumb to his pain. And passed out. The last thing he recalled seeing was fat cat tending to him

"Uncle Scooby!"

"Mr. Scooby Doo!"

"Oh no! Poor Scooby!"

"Come on cousin! Please wake up!"

Scooby awoke in a bed, amber's head leaning on the bedside of his right. And shaggy holding Scrappy who's eyes were filled with tears. Tanis, Elsa, Winnie and Sibella were all crying while Scooby Dum, facilier, malachite, pete and olive were all nervously watching. Scooby yawned a little, feeling his strength resume again and he replied weakly "Rello"

"Uncle scooby!" Scrappy rushed to his side and nuzzled him, giving a hug. Scooby hugged back, relieved to see his nephew safe and sound.

"Oh scooby! Uncle shaggy told us everything! You're a hero!" Tanis replied jumping up and down. Scooby's tail wagged as tanis, the sweetest little thing, went over to hug him. Scooby gave her a little lick causing the girl to jump for joy again.

"I'm so happy you're alive scooby! I'm so happy I can just howl!" And with that Winnie howled, long and hard. This caused scooby to smile. Winnie was always so embracive of her monsterhood and scooby truly loved her passion.

"Dude, you're so awesome" Olive replied with relief

"Yeah, dad and papa told us everything! You're gonna be ok" Pete replied, relief in his voice too

"Scooby Dooby doo. Don't ever scare me like that again" Scooby dum replied, nuzzling him

"Yeah. Scares are fun but that definitely was not fun" Elsa replied, worry in her eyes and voice

"You're a fangtastic dog scooby" Sibella replied with delight

"Oh scooby I'm so glad you're okay buddy" Shaggy hugged him before turning to facilier "I can't thank you enough!"

"Hey. He's one of us. Besides, I promised you I'd look out for your pack. And scooby's one of the pack members" Facilier then turned to scooby and smirked to him "You know. I've always thought you were too scared to fight. Guess I was wrong. I gotta hand it to you mutt, you're one hell of a brave dog"

Scooby shrugged humbly before malachite recommended healing and rest then eventually he was left alone with only amber. Amber got up and laid next to him and amber nuzzled to him replying "My brave hero"

"Raw. Ramber. Ras rong ras rou're rokay ry ran randle rit" Scooby licked her and the two dogs slept. Scooby felt his wounds still hurting like hell but they were healing and bandaged properly. He would be fine with time. And the best part was everyone in his family wasn't hurt. That was brave enough and good enough for scooby. He could only hope that if this type of thing happened again, amber would be far away. But if she wasn't, he'd be there for her. Same for shaggy, velma, fred and daphne. He'd be brave for his family. He would make sure of it.

[Nostalgia Critic]

A small bonding thread for Velma and Shaggy. Cause I'm starting to ship them hard
XXXXX

Sort Of Smart

Shaggy didn't know HOW he managed to get out but he did. It was sort of late at night when he got out. Even Scooby, Dum, Amber and Scrappy were unaware of his disappearance. He snuck away from the circus to go to Critic's house. He recalled some directions thanks to velma and Daphne's walk from his house a couple times before hand. Shaggy wanted to see velma, he didn't know exactly why but he just needed to see her again.

So he left and managed to find a relatively decent house. He noticed from a windowsill that a lot of people were on mattresses and couches to sleep on, shaggy wasn't surprised. It cost a fortune to get beds for everyone in the critic's side. He then noticed one of such couches was Velma and she was sharing the bed with another woman who looked tanner than most of the others. He didn't know how to pull this off, so he just decided, stupidly, to tap on the window.

Surprisingly, this worked to disturb her rest. She got her glasses, shaggy smiled softly remembering she couldn't see without those, and turned to see him. Velma's eyes popped wide and she pointed to the door nearby before moving and sneaking. Shaggy followed to the door and there she was, shocked but happy.

"Jinkies. Shaggy what are you doing here?!" Velma replied

"I had to see you velma" Shaggy replied

Velma gasped a little before looking shamefully "This is dangerous shaggy. You said..."

"I know. But I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to see if you were okay" Shaggy replied

"Why shaggy?" Velma replied nervously "Why risk your life for me? That's silly!"

"Maybe. But I'd rather be silly for you than anybody else" Shaggy replied calmly, feeling that despite velma's good point he wasn't concerned. This wasn't ask thatguy. This was critic. He was relatively decent all things considered.

"Why?" Velma asked again

Shaggy sighed, looking down before taking a deep breath and replying honestly "I don't know. I just..." He blushed "I just had to see you. To see if you're okay"

Velma was quiet for a while but she eventually smiled before looking upstairs. She then replied "We can talk in the backyard if you'd like"

"That'd be real swell velma" Shaggy replied and he followed her to the backyard, quiet as he could be. He was glad his clumsiness didn't get in the way this time. He was real clumsy as a teen but had improved. He had to, after all monsters could hear noise better than humans.

When they made it to the backyard, they sat and chatted. Shaggy had no idea how long it was but it felt far too fast for his liking so he would make up new topics just to get velma speaking. As she spoke, Shaggy's heart began to putter the same way it did for crystal. The exact same way. As velma laughed, shaggy found himself laugh too. And as the conversation continued shaggy found tons of things he enjoyed about velma. He always was close with velma, ever since they were children. And he had really, really sweet moments with her like this. He also had many moments where he would stare at her only to be distracted by the mystery they were trying to solve. But this was the first time he realized why he enjoyed her the most, why he loved her laugh, why he stared at her sometimes, why he always managed to willingly listen and follow her.

And, most importantly, why he was hellbent on seeing her tonight.

"Velma" Shaggy started and this silenced velma to looking at him with those sweet, kind eyes of hers. He took a breath and replied "I finally realize why I came here"

"Because you wanted to see me right?" Velma offered, smirking "We know this already shaggy"

"Well yeah but no, that's..." Shaggy laughed nervously realizing how stupid he sounded. He breathed again and replied "Yes. I came to see you. But you asked me why. Now I know why"

Velma's eyes widened with interest, her head cocked to the side, revealing a scar on her collarbone. Shaggy remembered that Ben, during the heat of chasing them down, zapped her with his power. Leaving a lightening bolt scar near her collarbone. It was small but it was noticeable and shaggy never forgave himself for velma getting hurt. Shaggy's thoughts on the scar faltered as velma asked curiously "So why shaggy? Why did you come to see me?"

"Well. It's because... well, it's because..." Shaggy sighed, facepalming "Gosh, I'm so dumb velma. How can you stand me?"

"Shaggy!" Velma replied earnestly, and somewhat offendedly "You are NOT stupid. You're sweet, you're funny, you're free spirted, you're enthusiastic, you're loyal and most importantly you're very fun to be around. I always wished ever since we were little that I'd be more like you. You're so fun and I'm so...." Velma looked down, seemingly sad and shaggy was heartbroken. If she wouldn't let him talk awful about himself, he would not let her do the same.

"Smart. Sweet. Hard-working. Brave. Dedicated. Selfless. Creative. Friendly. Beautiful" Shaggy corrected, his face determined and he even put his hand on hers. This caused velma to look up and she blushed. Shaggy felt himself blush too but he didn't mind. He felt like he could be himself around her. He hoped she felt the same. And it seemed she did because she squeezed his hand and he replied "Okay. I'm gonna go out with it. The reason I'm here is because I think you're just a groovy girl velma. You're one of my best friends and I feel like we just click, ya know? Like I can tell you anything. I trust you more than I trust a lot of things. And I..." He took a deep breath "And I think.. no, I know I love you"

This caused Velma to blush more but she was smiling a bit. She took a breath and replied "You know shaggy. I always dreamed of this moment. I never thought it'd happen cause.. cause of crystal. I knew you loved her and I wanted you happy. That's why I laughed it off. Cause it was better to see you happy than be jealous. But I wanna tell you I love you too"

Shaggy widened his eyes at the confession and he realized what a absolute fool he was. What time wasted on things. Sure he was loving of crystal and did miss her but he now realized how much he loved velma and he wished that he could go back in time. He wished he wasn't so afraid back then and actually tried sooner with her. Oh well, better now than never. He replied softly "Aw, velma. I guess I dated her because I never thought I'd have a chance with you. And she just was the closest to you. But that's ok. I'm saying I love you now. And I will say it for the rest of our time together"

"Shaggy. I... I.." Velma then surprised him by grabbing him for a kiss. He kissed back quickly and felt as if he could float in midair. They last a small while when suddenly they heard a little bit of noise. Velma pulled back and sniffed sadly "Shaggy you can't stay here. Facilier might hurt you if you don't come back"

Shaggy sighed, angry at his forced debt. He hugged velma and replied "I know I can't, but I'll find a way to make sure I stay. I won't leave you velma. I promise"

"Jinkies shaggy, I wish it wasn't the way it was. But I can't make you stay" Velma hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek "You need to go. I'll see you or you'll see me soon"

"I'll figure something out velma. I promise" He then kissed her cheek and replied "I'll come back" He then snuck out and raced into the woods. Eventually he made it back to the circus. Despite his sadness, he still felt like he could fly to the sky. He went to his room and sighed happily and noticed scooby awaken. He saw scooby's concerned face and replied "Oh don't worry buddy I'm fine"

"Rou rokay rhaggy?" Scooby asked

"Oh I'm okay. I just... I'm in love pal" Shaggy replied

Scooby smiled delightfully and replied "Roh roy! Who?"

He turned to his best friend and replied "The smartest, most amazing chick ever"

"Relma?" Scooby asked

"Yeah. Velma.... Wait how did you know that?" Shaggy asked

Scooby smirked amusedly "Rim rour rest rend. Rest rends row rese rings" He then winked and yawned before sleeping again. Shaggy was too in love to be offended and decided to sleep and all he knew was that tomorrow he would immediately proceed with his plan to see velma again. Because she deserved his time and he was not gonna waste anymore time he lost with her

[Koda]

Been watching brother bear one and two. Felt inspired to do a fanfic of koda, nita and kenai. And later, for sure, gonna make a fanfic between him and nita only. Then just the two brothers. But here's the bear trio first.
XXXXXX

Never Alone

Koda was not supposed to be here during the battle. He was aware. But the fear of losing his family again overwhelmed him. He was the most likely to sneak out of the house out of all the children, even bambi and flower had grown used to the house environment. But koda was a wild animal first and he felt comfortable in the outside woods. He tried to beg kenai to take him with them. But kenai insisted he stay. For his own protection. So koda forced himself to accept but he grew paranoid and went out to find them. Now he was in the middle of the armies fighting running for his life. With a large lion chasing him down like prey. If this was how salmon felt, koda vowed to be way nicer when he killed salmon in the future. If he stayed alive that was. He ran, thinking to himself that if he wasn't going to get killed by the lion that he would never doubt his luck again.

It was late at night and the army was heading out. Ask Thatguy asked critic's forces to come together at the stroke of midnight. Kenai, brave as he was, offered to help and nita was right beside him also offering to help. Which meant koda was to be alone. Koda protested loudly "Wait! No! Don't go! It's dangerous!"

"We know koda. But this is the only way" Kenai replied, firm but understanding

"There's gotta be a different way though. There has to be! Right? Help me out here guys!" Koda turned to the other children but most if not a majority of them bowed their heads or acted as if they didn't hear him.

"Koda, sweetie. I know this is going to sound awful but you need to stay here. We'll come back ok? We won't leave you behind here" Nita's words comforted him a little but tears still threatened to stream down his face.

"Please. Don't go. Let me come with---" Koda then saw his brother nuzzle him affectionately and koda hugged him. He sniffed, trying his best not to cry but the fear overwhelmed him "Please kenai, I'm begging you. I won't ask anything again I promise I won't. I'll even not complain when you and nita wanna have a date together anymore. I promise I'll--"

"Koda. I promised you I wasn't going to leave you. And I meant it. But I also promised you that I'd protect you. That's why I'm leaving. Don't worry buddy. It'll be just fine" Koda then saw kenai reach his paw where his pinky was out and he sniffed a little less as kenai winked at him "Pinky swear"

Koda couldn't help but laugh despite his fear, and he held their pinkies together before kenai pretended to harshly pull it away. Koda sat down and sighed nodding, forcing himself to understand that kenai was right. He had to do this. Nita then came over and nuzzled him too, replying sweetly "Don't worry koda. I'll make sure kenai doesn't lose directions" Despite the sad mood, that made koda laugh more even though he could see kenai give a pretend annoyed look.

"Alright! We gotta get a move on! Let's move ya'll!" Angry Joe's voice was loud and reminded koda of the danger ahead.

"See you later buddy" Kenai nuzzled him before rushing off

"Bye koda. We'll be back" Nita gave him a tender motherly lick on the cheek before running after her husband.

Minutes went by. Then hours. Koda stuck by the door, loyally waiting. Then he heard littlefoot yawn and reply "Koda. It's late. We should be asleep"

"No. YOU should be asleep. I'm sticking by my bro and waiting" Koda replied

"Koda, seriously they won't be back til later" Bambi's voice was gentler and more patient. As if he understood.

"Then I'm just gonna go. I don't care. I'm not staying here when my brother needs me" Koda heard the protests of the other children but his mind was made up. He snuck at the backdoor and ran after where he heard the army fight may be

"Come back here you little brat!" The male lion's voice was scary. Scarier than a human hunter's voice. Maybe it was because he at least knew how to handle humans. A lion was a whole different ball game.

Koda ran for his life until he couldn't anymore. He was stuck in the woods and hid behind bushes, panicking. He heard voices that he knew were friendly but he remembered the training exercises the children were a part of. That he was not to come out until he saw them. Hearing them was one thing, seeing them was quite another. Koda's heart beat fast and he then heard a lion growling. He then heard low chuckling "I can smell you little one. I can smell your fear. And I can hear your breathing"

Koda, at this, covered his mouth. Tears spreading across his cheeks. He didn't want to die. He prayed to his mother silently. Hoping someone would find him. Suddenly, without warning, a loud roar got his attention and he was suddenly grabbed by another paw from someone else. He looked up to see it was another lion. A younger one but it was definitely not a cub. The lion that grabbed him cackled evilly "Father! I caught him! Ahaha! I caught him! Can I kill him can I? Can I?"

Koda then started to roar in fear, before begging "Please don't kill me! Please!"

"Well done nuka, however killing this worthless boy won't do anything other than add blood we don't need just yet" Scar was prowling, letting nuka grip him but also making sure nuka didn't kill him. Whatever scar was up to, koda knew he was definitely in trouble. Scar chuckled, getting close to him, koda closed his eyes, afraid of what was to come "He will come with us. There's a bear here. We lead him to the cub and strike him then"

"No! You leave my big brother alone!" Koda replied

"Shut up you little pipsqueak. You don't get a choice here!" Nuka's voice was angry and koda felt his back getting crushed. Koda looked up to see nuka growl before turning to his father, as if he was waiting for something. Approval? Love? Koda didn't know but he could relate to the look. If he wasn't so damn scared that was.

"Indeed. My son is correct. You have no power here child. Nuka, grab him so...." Suddenly without warning both lions, and koda, heard a very loud bear roar. Koda then saw nuka be shoved hard across the woods and koda felt a gentle, but firm, mouth on his scruff and then suddenly he looked up to see him. His hero. His big brother. Kenai. Kenai put him on his back and rose on two of his hind paws standing like a human.

Koda was silent, too afraid to say anything. Kenai though had plenty to say. Kenai roared a mighty roar, koda had heard kenai roar loudly before but this had a lot of passion behind it. The last time he heard kenai roar so passionately was when both he and koda were cornered by atka's group. This caused nuka to panic, hiding behind his father. Scar, however, seemed to be not as impressed. If anything, it made scar laugh. "So there you are? Finally decided to show yourself, boy" Scar replied "And saving his cub to the bitter end. Very noble I mus---"

"Shut up!" Kenai snapped "Don't you dare even think that you're gonna make a joke out of this. You want my brother? You'll have to go through me first" Kenai roared again, attempting to slice up dirt to distract the lions. He then ran off, koda on his back. Koda saw kenai's face no longer filled with anger but with fear. Koda held onto his fur, wanting to say so much but still felt so speechless.

Suddenly kenai grabbed him again by the scruff but then he felt nita's softer fur and he saw kenai look to her and reply sincerely "Nita. Take him home. And don't wait for me. I got some lions to deal with" Kenai licked her then and replied "If I don't come back. I love you" He then looked to koda and nuzzled him "Both of you" With that, he was gone. Quick and like lightening.

"Kenai, be careful!" Nita said

"Wait, nita! It's my fault! I should be there with him!" Koda finally found his voice and his voice was as frightened as he felt he was.

"No honey, don't you dare say that. You're going home" Nita then raced home, with koda in tow and koda held onto her fur. Finally powerless to fight back. He looked back though and he could barely see nuka pounce on his brother but koda was relieved that nuka didn't seem to successfully hurt him. But that was only a glimpse. Koda wasn't going to know for sure until kenai returned.

Minutes became hours, and koda was next to nita. Who stuck beside him waiting for the door while Mrs. Potts cleaned her and koda up. Nita wasn't hurt and neither was koda, but both were dirty and Mrs. Potts insisted to clean them a little. Nita though was waiting by the door and koda laid beside her as if she was his mother. Koda sniffed again and he replied "Nita. I'm so sorry"

Nita looked down at him and was incredulous in her tone "Oh koda. What could you ever be sorry for?"

"If I wasn't so dumb maybe kenai would be home by now and not get hurt by that lion" Koda looked down in shame, wiping his tears with his paw

"Koda. You listen to me right now. Don't you ever, ever think this was your fault. You were scared and went to find us. Yes, you needed to stay home but that does not mean you're responsible for what happened during that fight. Those lions are bad and you shouldn't feel sorry for what they have done or will do" Nita replied gently, nuzzling him again. Nita then whispered "Kenai is way tougher than you and I give him credit for. He'll be ok. And if he isn't, we'll figure it out" Koda took a deep breath then and relaxed. Times like this made him feel so grateful he had a sister in law like nita.

Suddenly, many, many members returned. Some were injured and went to the medical bay. Some were dirty like he was and went upstairs to the bathroom. But then suddenly kenai approached the door and Koda was beyond estatic but then he saw his brother's condition. He was injured, badly. There were many cuts and bloody marks on him. Kenai's face was riddled with little cuts and his back had a severely bad bite mark. His shoulder-blade on the right had claw marks as if he was slashed. It was scar. Koda just knew.

"Kenai!" Both Koda and Nita said this at the same time. Kenai turned, smiling slightly at the sight of them. He wobbled though and groaned. Nita then came forth and helped her mate, letting kenai lean on her.

"I'm fine" That was a lie. But kenai smiled regardless of it and replied "It's fine. You both are safe. That's what matters"

"Get down to the med bay, I'll take care of you down there" Marzgurl replied, helping him also. Kenai hissed a little as some injuries were catching up to him. Nita and marzgurl went down and patched him up. Marzgurl cleaning and bandaging him while nita nuzzled his face and even gave him tender little licks across the cheek. Kenai, in response, did a eskimo kiss with her. Marzgurl replied to him "Gotta say kenai. You're one tough bear"

"Thanks. Does wonders for my ego" Kenai replied, this caused nita to relievedly laugh. Koda though was in no such mood. He was awful quiet. He felt this fear still and couldn't calm down from it. Kenai seemed to notice and replied tenderly "Aw, hey, koda. It's alright buddy. Come here" Koda obeyed, rushing and cooing to his brother, at a loss of what to do. Kenai frowned then, not out of pain or anger but of a sadness. Kenai nuzzled koda again and replied "I told you I wouldn't leave you. Don't I keep my promises?"

"Y-Yeah. You do. I--I'm sorry kenai" Koda replied

"For what?" Kenai was just as shocked as nita was

"He blames himself" Nita replied "I tried to tell him. But koda thinks it's his fault"

"Because it is! If I wasn't so dumb maybe scar wouldn't of grabbed me and chase me. Maybe kenai wouldn't be bleeding right now!" Koda then saw kenai give him a small little brotherly lick across the face and koda looked up to see kenai's face filled with love and tenderness.

"Koda. Scar was going to try to hunt me down regardless of you were there or not. But he was going to take you as a consolation prize. I know how hunters are. I used to be one remember?" Koda nodded and then kenai sighed softly "I went back because I knew they were following me. They were going to hurt you and nita the minute they found my trail. When they didn't see you two there, they took it out on me more. They were going to either use you and nita, or scar me. They decided to make sure I remember the fight as a prize instead" Kenai then turned to look at his wounds "These can heal koda. Losing you? That's something that wouldn't go away ever"

Koda looked up then, feeling a lot less heavy about the situation. If kenai decided it was worth it then maybe it was best to stop blaming himself. Koda went over and nuzzled his brother anyway replying "I still wish I did something"

"They wouldn't killed you without a second thought" Marzgurl replied, she sighed "Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt but koda, listen, they're ruthless. If you showed, they would've immediately went to you. And that's why you had to stay behind. These people play dirty"

"Exactly. We don't wanna lose you either" Nita then nuzzled him and the bears stayed together in their group. Koda finally realized that kenai and nita were just as scared as he was. Koda realized then why they made him stay. Why they went forward. To not only 'protect' him, but to prevent their own fears from coming true. Koda felt some slight relief then. And realized to be more understanding.

"Thanks kenai. Really. I'll be more careful now" Koda replied "I promise"

"You swear?" Kenai asked

"Totally" Koda replied

Weakly, but with earnest, kenai raised his paw "Pinky swear?"

Koda beamed brightly and did a pinky swear replying "Pinky swear" The brothers nuzzled and nita joined in. The family feeling safe and not alone. Koda, smiled, finally feeling his fear go away and instead only love remained.

[Anna Raven/Rogue]

aww poor kenai, koda and nita.

although i liked the scar/nuka bonding as well. xD

[Nostalgia Critic]

Haha thanks. Now here's a bonding thread between nita and kenai. Somewhat inspired by the previous fic with the start being a battle.
XXXXX

Lucky

Scar and Nuka were in front of them. Nita was breathing quietly whereas her husband, kenai, was breathing loudly. Both bears were tired, dirty and a bit injured but mostly stood their ground. Nita saw nuka try to attack but she harshly swung, trying to protect herself and kenai. Nuka got spooked and ran back, behind his father. Nita sometimes forgot that nuka was technically still a child in some areas.

Scar though kept his ground, turning to nuka with a somewhat annoyed look but he didn't exactly tell nuka to move either. Scar then replied "Nuka, get your mother. I have some business to deal with"

"That makes two of us" Kenai snarled, his teeth bared with anger

"Kenai, we should go" Nita whispered, getting close to him. She had the memories of kenai's last encounter stuck on her mind and she wanted to avoid having to see it repeated. Sure kenai had overall healed over many weeks, no scarring was shown on kenai's form but the memories were still there for nita. She knew kenai was lucky that fight and didn't want his luck to run out. Hence why she was trying to be logical. Nita replied, turning to him "He isn't worth it. We should go"

"Yes. You should go, after all that's what cowards are good at" Zira snarled, nuka behind her smiling in amusement. Zira prowled beside her mate, chuckling in amusement. Scar turned to her with a appreciative grin before turning to the bears, his body still and prepared.

"Says the mate of a lion who couldn't even fight his own brother so he had to throw him off a cliff" Kenai snapped "How can you live with yourselves? He was your brother and you killed him" Kenai's blood boiled. He could never, ever imagine killing his brothers. He lost his brother sitka and would give anything for him back. He refused to lay a hand on Denahi and the mere suggestion of koda being killed by his hand gave kenai nightmares. Kenai would rather die himself than kill koda.

"Hm. Interesting" Scar didn't even get offended or denied it. That scared nita. He seemed to not be apologetic for his actions at all. Scar raised an eyebrow, curious "How do you know this?"

"Nala told us" Kenai smirked then, this caused Zira to snarl. It was clear zira was not fond of the queen.

"Nala says a lot of things. She's simba's wife. How do you know she's not lying?" Scar chuckled

"How do we know you aren't?" Nita snapped. She didn't care if her commentary was needed. Like kenai, she would never dare lay a hand on her little brother in law. And she was extremely loyal to her husband, she wanted to be a good wife and she wanted kenai to know in some capacity that she was strictly determined to support him.

"Oh for goodness sake, father can't we just kill them already? Seriously? I want to kill them so badly!" Nuka snarled getting beside his mother. Zira turned to him with a slight nod of approval before snarling right at nita.

"You know. That is a excellent idea" Scar as he said this immediately pounced on kenai. This resulted in a pretty skilled fight. Kenai WAS stronger but scar was better witted and found dirtier ways of hurting kenai. Nita rushed to help but was pounced on by zira. For them it was the opposite, zira was stronger but nita was better witted and nita found a way to shove zira off.

Nuka saw his chance though, grabbing nita and replied "Look mother! See? I can be a good hunter see?!" He then bit onto nita's neck harshly, causing her to roar in pain. Nita snarled at nuka, shoving him off hard, he wasn't that strong and despite his amazingly painful bite, he was easy to overpower.

Kenai heard his wife and roared at scar as he shoved him away. Kenai was in a position to pin scar, and he snarled but scar snarled right back. He sliced kenai's chest, causing four harsh looking claw marks. This distracted kenai long enough for scar to get the upper hand and wrestle him down to the ground. Nita was overpowered by zira and nuka, zira's strength combined by nuka's speed caused her to be forced to deal with them. "Get off of me!" Nita demanded

"Oh my dear, you're going to have to make us" Zira replied

"Yeah, yeah, you're gonna have to make us, girl!" Nuka replied, he turned to zira who nodded again in satisfaction. This motivated nuka to try harder apparently as he sliced nita's backside. Nita roared in pain again.

Outraged, kenai seemed to finally lose his control and just wildly began striking scar. One hit caused scar to fall down. This caused Zira and nuka to look at him, seeing their pack leader fall down in slight defeat. Zira snarled at kenai, then turned to nuka "Nuka, grab him! I'll take care of his bride"

"Of course mother, with pleasure" Nuka then pounced on kenai, distracting him. Kenai though wasn't concerned, trying to get to nita quickly. Knowing she was more injured than he was.

"Nita, nita hang on!" Kenai's voice was heard but nita wasn't too focused, distracted by zira's constant attacking. She just wasn't strong enough and despite her efforts, zira was gaining the upper hand. Zira then suddenly without warning sliced at nita's face. Nita didn't get scarring thankfully, but it was definitely harsh enough to bleed. Nita was getting tired but she wasn't going to die here, not with a husband and cub to look after.

"NITA!" Kenai replied and suddenly she felt the pressure off as zira was finally shoved off. Kenai saw nuka, scar and zira overpower them by cornering them. Nita was hurt and couldn't really get up but kenai stood his ground. He forcefully shoved nuka and zira successfully but when his back was turned scar saw the chance and aimed to strike nita for good. But kenai was fortunately clever this time and went underneath scar's stomach to quite literally throw him above the air and forcing scar to fall to the ground once more, but much harsher than the previous fall. Scar wasn't injured too badly but he was definitely winded.

Zira and Nuka helped scar up and nuka replied "Not to be a coward again but maybe we should go?"

"Yes. We will go. You win this round, boy. But you won't be lucky next time" Zira replied, leaving with her son and husband in tow.

Kenai ignored her, far too focused on nita. Nita smiled to him, replying "Are you okay?"

"Nita... I..." Kenai's sweet brown eyes looked down at her with tenderness and guilt. Nita wanted to say more but kenai nuzzled her, kissing her tenderly before helping her up. Nita allowed herself to lean on her mate, moving slowly but with purpose as they escaped back at the Critic house.

They were at the medical bay after a hour or so. And cleaned up in less than thirty minutes. Koda came down, asking many questions to which both she and kenai explained calmly. Koda was satisfied but asked if he could sleep downstairs with them. Nita was more than happy to have him, if anything koda's presence calmed her down. Koda eventually slept, on kenai's left side passed out. Kenai though, was leaning on her left side as it was her stronger side. Nita moved her neck enough so kenai's head lay gently on it.

Kenai replied softly "I'm so stupid. We should've ran"

"And they would've chased us. Because they're cowards" Nita insisted, nuzzling him gently

"But it would've been a lot easier than having you wrestled down. I should've been more careful" Kenai replied

"Stop it kenai. I did what I had to and so did you. Don't think like that" Nita licked his cheek moving closer. She nuzzled kenai's bandaged chest affectionately replying "You were doing exactly what you needed to do. They don't get what real courage looks like. You're the best thing to happen to me. You're amazing and wonderful and all these things. I could say more but..."

"Then say more. Please. I'd love to hear it" Kenai smirked, looking down at her

"Why you little arrogant..." Nita laughed as did kenai before they both kissed and nuzzled

"Aw. You guys are so romantic. You guys should get married" Koda joked, looking at them with amusement

"We are married you dork" Kenai commented, licking nita affectionately before trying to tickle koda

"Can't believe you forgot already" Nita joked, also tickling him

"Oh yeah!" Koda joked some more before yawning "You guys go back to the kissing, I'll go back to bed. Don't be too gross though" With that koda slept again, cuddling kenai before hand.

Kenai laughed before turning to nita replying "I'm really lucky to have you both you know? I sometimes wish how I deserved it. After all I've done"

"Because you're a great guy kenai. Yes you did wrong but you also did a lot of right and you're making up for it. I'm glad to be your wife. I love you" Nita nuzzled him, doing a nose rub with him "And I'm sticking by you to the end"

"I love you too" Kenai replied, nuzzling her before yawning "Can't believe that jerk sliced me up again. Took me weeks to heal"

"Aw well. At least you're healing with me this time" Nita replied

As kenai allowed her head to lay on his chest, relaxing as both she and koda slept with him Nita relaxed a lot more now. Kenai replied with sincerity "That's true. That makes it a bit better" He then sighed, falling asleep and nita smiled feeling her family was safe with her and she was lucky herself. She was not going to take this for granted ever and felt appreciative to be alive with her family. She made sure that she would treasure every moment.