Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Day one: Fear/Warmth 

The nightmare wasn’t overly detailed or complex, a common nightmare of drowning that Logan had dreamt many times before. So why was he so shaken after this one? Probably because he hadn’t been the only one sinking below the surface. Maybe that’s why he sat in his armchair with a mug of tea in his shaking hands.

“Lo, Logan? Mindscape to Logan?” A hand waved in front of his face as he dialed back into the present, he blinked away the dryness of his eyes and looked at the person attached to the hand. Ah, Virgil. Logan wondered if it was insomnia or his own fear that had Virgil up so early, neither were optimal but he’d experience guilt if it was his fault.

The mug, now cold, was removed from his grasp. Silently and oh so gently Virgil maneuvers them so that they are laying on the couch, Logan resting his ear over Virgil’s heart. “I’ve got you, just listen to my heartbeat and take deep breaths.” Normally being told what to do is frustrating but in this instance Logan is more than happy to not have to keep thinking and just follow instructions. They lay there just breathing and touching until the breathing becomes soft snores, if they wake up with a throw blanket well…no one is admitting to it.

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Day two: Crushes/Confessions

It was late the next morning when Virgil woke to a solid, warm weight on top of him, it wasn’t his weighted blanket because his blanket didn’t smell like coffee and hazelnut creamer.

Oh

Oh

Right he found Logan in the common room on the verge of panic when he came down for some water. They must have fallen asleep after the incident, good they both don’t get enough sleep as it is without nervous breakdowns or panic attacks. 

Virgil wonders what it was that frightened the unflappable Logic though, it must have been pretty traumatic if he couldn’t reason himself through it. But why then did the logical side not do the logical thing and go to one of them for comfort? Was the panic so strong that he forgot? No, he had enough thought to make tea. Maybe thinking about it, even logically, had made the panic worse? That seemed like a decent guess, Logan trying to analyze the situation but just getting stuck in a loop like Virgil usually did with ‘what ifs’. Brains overthink at night and Logan was the brain, yeah that tracks.

Looking back at the mop of bed head on his chest Virgil sighs fondly, he sometimes forgets how alike he and Logan are at the core. Thinkers, preparers, first responders to problems.

“I know you can’t hear me right now L but I’ll tell you the cliff notes when you’re awake anyway. But man, I love you. You are always there to lean on when being anxiety makes everything feel like it’s crashing down on me, let me do the same for you. I know you worry about us looking down on you for needing help but you’ve never done that to me even though you could have and I’d never think less of you for being human. Just, I love you and seeing you like that all alone hurt to see. Come to me next time you brilliant silly nerd.” Virgil whispers into that mop of hair in a low voice.

“You should just tell him that, not just the notes.” A voice behind him speaks quietly, he jolts in surprise and looks up to see Roman standing by the couch, “your eyeshadow is purple again by the way, but really tell him. Take a chance .” And the fanciful side left with just a wink and a wave. 

Should he?

Before he gets a chance to think it over Logan starts to stir and it’s time to be there for his friend.

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Day three: Jacket/Jam

It was strange, Virgil had excused himself after Logan woke. He didn’t even get the chance to thank him before the anxious man had sunk out. Logan didn’t find it offensive or rude since he knew Virgil had times where he needed to be alone but he was usually upfront about it especially with Logan. It was strange but so had them waking up together, not bad just strange.  Perhaps the decent amount of sleep left the purple clad side with pent up energy, like the twins when they had a spark of imagination or Patton after a second second cookie. Nothing to worry over…right?

The smell of cooked sugar and fruit filled the halls, wafting into Logan’s room and making his mouth water. He was about to venture out to see what was being made when he heard a knock on his door, strange. It was easy to quickly rise from the chair and cross to the entrance, “Salutations, how may I hel-Eep!” A warm cardboard box was thrusted into his hands by a darkly blushing Virgil. If he didn’t know the other side as well as he did the face the other was making could be mistaken for anger, but he knew this was Virgil’s embarrassed face. Deeply embarrassed going by the shade. “Is there something wrong Virgil? Did you need to talk?” Logan asked, stepping to the side to allow the other space to come in.

At the nonverbal investigation Virgil moved inside but stayed by the door, fidgeting with his sleeves. That was worrying so Logan sat the box down and took a step towards Virgil but the other stopped him with a raised finger, “I- just give me a second, I practiced this, um.” He took a deep breath and continued, “Logan, you are there for me when I need a metaphorical hand in dealing with my job and I want you to know that I’m here for you too when you need me. You are important to me and I care about you and your well-being. So I-if you are willing to, I'd like to be there for you as a friend ANd as a boyfriend? Oh a-and I made Crofters muffins, didn’t want to show up empty handed…” Ah, yes that explains the abrupt leave this morning. And also the lovely shade of sparkling purple Virgil’s eyeshadow had turned in the middle speech. Flustered.

With a few steps Logan was in front of Virgil and taking his hands in his own, “I would love to have you by my side and to stand by yours. Though I do know that I have shortcomings in the field of emotions I will endeavor to show you I care because I love you too. Losing you is my worst nightmare .” It was spoken evenly but Virgil heard the emphasis on nightmare and remembered last night. Logan immediately had his arms full of emo hugging him close, both of them felt safer than they had in a long time.

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Day four: AU/Home

You didn’t mess with humans, for your own sake and sanity you just didn’t. Virr’elle thought she had done pretty well so far by keeping her snout down and shying away from the human crew on the ship. That might have been over dramatic since most non-terrains only had humans around for the protective pack-bond humans felt for those around them but Virr’elle thought that was manipulative and cruel. Humans felt that bond for a reason, they were social-group creatures, making a false bond with them just deprived them of an emotional connection their predator mind needed to be healthy. At least that’s what she had read on the niche deathworld enthusiast site, it sounded legit though!

She left them alone outside of the few times her job forced her to interact but she was always polite and didn’t waste their time. It was working out for her until the pirate ship docked while she was in the biosphere checking the fail-safes, she was alone with nothing but the flora and a data-pad. The pirates busted in with practiced ease, grabbing what could be used or sold and trashing everything else just to be cruel. One noticed her cowering behind a stack of nutrition additive sacks. 

“Looky what I found, a cute little Nyadaunt. Wonder how much she’d fetch at market?” His breath smelled like Zukar-plasma, a sugar based drink that rotted away the teeth and mind of the drinker. She fought but she was just a Nyadaunt, her main defense was hiding in small spaces, her claws were useless against their armor. It looked like all hope was lost, she was going to be snatched up and sold as a rich person’s pet…or worse. So when the body of one of the pirates was thrown against the wall Virr’elle could say she was shockingly surprised.

A human with a visor on and a uniform of the bio-lab stalked into the room, a malfunctioning taser stick in one hand and a (probably) pilloried laser blaster in the other. “Let her go. Do this and you do not die” And well, you don’t mess with humans. The pirate holding her, even brain-rotted as he was knew better than to test an angry human, set her down and stepped away.  The human pointed the taser stick towards the door and growled out a jumbled approximation of “get out” that had the pirates scrambling for the exit. What had possibly been the worst turn of events of her life passed just as quickly as it began, it was mental and emotional whiplash.

The human crouched down to her level rhythmically saying something in what was possibly their native language, it was soothing and spoken in a soft, low tone that didn’t feel threatening. She didn’t understand why this human had saved her, she didn’t have a bond with them yet they came down here and protected her. Did humans feel possessive over everything in their territory? Was the bonding thing just playing favorites with their perceived colony? 

“Well yes we humans can feel protective of those we see as being in our collective community but ‘bonds’ as you call them are formed by familiarity or comradery. Usually we just call it being friends” the human answers, oh she must be muttering out loud, embarrassing. The human just chuffs softly and offers their hand, “I’m Logan.” They say. “I’m Virr’elle.” Virr’elle replies, taking their hand. They walk over to the lab down the hall where apparently several humans in lab attire are crowded around a monitor. They whirl to look at the door when it opens.

“Lo-Lo you did it you scared them away!”

“A valiant display of heroism pocket-protector!”

“The way you threw that guy was sexy Dork, why don’t you manhandle me like that?”

“ Whoever could have seen that outcome coming?”

The pack…community?, of humans shared their relieved excitement and fawned over Virr’elle until the announcement was made that the pirates had left the ship completely. They were all so different but they made a balanced group, Virr’elle liked the energy they created even if it also made her tired just watching the hyper ones run around. Logan offered to walk her back to her station in maintenance, she found herself agreeing. Their walk was silent but it felt warm instead of the cold chill that came with silence between people, was this what friends felt like? She liked it, maybe she would have to talk to Logan and the others again to ask more about friends and bonds. 

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Day five: Rain/Library 

The weather report called for thunderstorms for the next few days with a chance of sleet mixed in from the coming cold front headed their direction. Patton had made some so-simple-you-can’t-mess-up chocolate chip cookies and some instant pudding just incase the power got knocked out, though Logan had tried to point out that they were technically astro-projections that existed in main part in Thomas’s mind, the fatherly side was not dissuaded from making the sweets. Janus on the other hands had gone into the real world to get Thomas to stock up on some food items that didn’t require cooking, bread and deli meat, some fruit, a bag of his favorite chips as a treat for being responsible. Virgil was supervising the twins as they made a big nest of pillows and blankets for a rainy day movie marathon, they were working well together for once. So things were on schedule, a rare thing when all* sides were involved.

Logan was checking to make sure Thomas had unplugged any electronics not attached to a surge protector when he heard the subtle woosh-pop of a ‘dark side’ appearing. “Hey Lo-doll, I made some fresh coffee. Hazelnut with almond milk and galaxy sprinkles, your favorite.” Virgil holds out a portable thermos for Logan to take as he sips from one of his own, probably decaf and drowning in chocolate syrup and creamer.

“Thank you dear, are the twins done?” Taking the cup and draining a mouthful does wonders for the chill that Logan hadn’t noticed set in. Virgil hums an affirmative, a deep sound that reminds Logan of the coming rumbling thunder. The rest of his checking is made in comfortable silence as Virgil follows him from room to room.

Just as the last plug is pulled the tell-tail plip plap of rain at last. 

“How long do you think we can stay out here until the other notice?” Virgil asks as he takes Logan’s free hand and leads him to the couch by the sliding door. “Probably another 20 minutes at least.” Logan muses as they watch the rain fall steadily harder against the glass, snuggled close and sipping their cozy drinks.

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Day six: Dark/Light

It was Friday aka date night and even with the cold and rain Virgil was determined to make this a nice date, weather be darned! He was reheating the pot-roast and vegetables that he cooked that morning and checking the timer on the miniature chocolate cakes when the power went out. Ugh, he hated when real world stuff translated over into the Mindscape! Whatever it was a small thunderstorm in Florida, the electricity would probably come back on in 5 minutes, 15 at most. No need to panic or get upset.

It was time for their date, an hour after the lights went out, and Virgil had to call in a favor from their resident reptile. Candles and lanterns gave the dining room a warm cozy glow, the unasked for rose petals were also a nice touch so Virgil wouldn’t complain about it. When he wasn’t plotting schemes Janus was a thoughtful person, just don’t tell him that.

“Oh. Virgil, this looks lovely. I had thought maybe we would be postponing our usual date night but you outdid yourself.” Logan gushes, well it’s gushing for Logan so hush, “you even made molten lava cakes, incredible.” Well now Virgil was blushing, his boyfriend was practically vibrating from excitement! 

“Yeah I know you hate when plans get canceled so I made sure that we didn’t have to do that. And it’s not super fancy but I still want to spend these moments with you.” Only with Logan, who is there for his lows and never makes him feel pitied, can Virgil be this forward with his emotions.

In a few strides Logan has closed the gap between them and leaning in close, “it doesn’t have to be fancy as long as it’s with you” the moment is charged with love, dedication, and happiness so it’s no wonder that they seal it with a kiss.

-𝙱𝙴𝙴𝙿-

The microwave coming back on signals the end othe the power outage, the timing makes the two lovebirds chuckle as they separate and head for the table to continue their evening.

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Thomas had let all his Pokémon out of their balls for a well deserved stretch of their limbs. His shiny Sylveon Patton excitedly ran around checking out the scenery while his Zoroark changed into an Ekans and draped itself over his shoulders, classic Janus.
Roman and Remus were play-fighting, he hopes the Pikachu doesn’t rip Mimikyu’s disguise again. Remus hated not looking like his brother and taking his cover to fix it was always a horrible experience for all involved. His last Pokémon, a Meowstic named Logan, was sniffing at a frosted over bush. Thomas was going to tell Logan to come back just incase whatever had frozen the bush was still around when a weird looking Sneasel dashed out of the brush and behind Logan. Another, normal looking, Sneasel sliced the bushes away with freezing claws and headed straight for Logan and the other Sneasel. Ice claw! “Janus, Remus, use dire claw!” The two called on Pokémon are too far to make it and Logan is at a type disadvantage!
Stic!
Logan’s little paw darkened with a shadowy aura and he met the Sneasel with the charged attack. The move is super effective and the attacking Sneasel is chased away. The victorious Meowstic turns back to the cowering Sneasel checking the frightened Pokémon over with a calculating look.
Meow Mee Meowstic
Snee Snease Snee -cough- Sel
The other Pokémon all look at Thomas expectantly before Patton squeaks in the tone Thomas knows means that Sylveon is upset. “Guys I don’t know what you want me to do, does it need a soda? A center? You know I’m useless at first aid!” Sometimes he wishes he could understand Pokémon, they always seemed to have something to say.
Logan huffs and uses his esp to pull an aspear berry and a bottled water out of Thomas’s bag. Oh, yeah, that made sense. The odd Sneasel had been hit with ice claws and who knows what other ice moves since the flora was iced over, it must be suffering from the effects of being frozen. Thomas watched as Logan helped the Sneasel open the water and eat the berry, it was so beat up that the water barely seemed to help. It nuzzled into Logan’s warm midnight blue fur and gave a rumbling purr, thankful for the help. Which reminded him.
“When did you learn sucker punch? I don’t remember getting that T.M.”
Meow mmmstic
okay that was a stupid thing to ask, again he wished he could understand.
The weird purple and dusky Sneasel wearily walked up to Thomas, if this was a rare variant or a natural crossbreed then it might not have seen many humans. If it was a man made crossbreed it might have every reason to be scared of humans. Either way he would let it take control and decide if it wanted anything to do with him.
Sel Easel Sne Sne?
Carefully it bumps the blunt side of its claws on his bag hopping back when he slides the bag off his shoulder so it can see inside.
SNE!
It plucks out a luxury ball Thomas won in a raffle and hands it to the human, pointing from the ball to itself. When Thomas doesn’t move Sneasel looks at Logan and gestures at the human with clear annoyance. Logan makes a motion with his tail and Sneasel shrugs and bumps it’s jeweled forehead to the ball, a beam of red light sucks Sneasel in and the ball clicks in an insta catch. Thomas is so confused and made even more so when Logan pushes the button to let the new teammate out. Sneasel pops out and immediately is nuzzling Logan and giving that low rumbling purr, surprisingly Logan was purring too.
“Did that Sneasel catch itself because you two like each other? Oh my Arceus, that is so cute! Now what do I name you? You have a long ear feather so I guess you’re a boy. Mark, no, Sean? Ew no you are not a Sean. Victor…vi, Vi, Virgil?” Sneasel chirped at that so that was the name he registered on the ball. “Welcome to the team Sneasel! I can’t wait to get to know you.”
A few months later and a trip to the daycare left Thomas with the new knowledge that 1) Virgil was part of a thought to be extinct verity of Sneasel 2)This type on Sneasel had swapped feather lengths for males and females 3) Virgil was now a mommy to a whole litter of these extremely rare species. Logan was helping one of the Sneaselits try to take their first steps, a very proud look on the papa’s muzzle.